Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-09-04
NEW ULM'S DEFENSE
Minnesota City Celebrates the 10th
Anniversary of It's De!ivcrunCe
From the Sioux.


truth is that the fighting was over
and the Inulans had dispersed before
the soldiers came. The credit fer
the defense belongs to the brave men
of the town, the little company from
Nicollet, Sheriff Roos and Captain
Nix
Fort RidgIey.
From New Ulm the Indians went
to Fort Ridglev under command of
Little Grow. Accounts OF this siege
and battle are numerous. At first
the Indians attempted to take it by
strategy. Requesting the privilege
of dancing within the enclosure, the
request was granted and the garriosn
was highly entertained, suspecting
nothing; but Sergeant Jones was not
to be taken unawares, and when the
Indians began their dance, he train
ed the big guns of the fort on them
and remained ready to discharge
them at any moment. This act on
the part Of Sergeant Jones is truly
remarkable, for at that time it was
not known that there was any hostile
purpose in the visit of the Indians.
Fort Ridgley cost the government
nearly S1,000,000. 1t was located in
most exposed and unmilitary posi-
ton. No water supply was provided
inside the fort all having been cai-
ried from a spring in one of the RAJ
vines. In the course Of the siege d
we'll was dug, which st supplies a
farmhouse on the site of the old fort.
All that is left now of that place
( that was the scene of such thrilling
scenes and the shelter Of such mel,
as Custer, Sherman and of Jefferson
Davis Of Confederate fame, is the
foundation of one of the barracks
that answers for a COW stable. The
government has erected a magnih-
cent shaft to Tie memory Of the
brave garrison under command of
Lieutenant Sheehan and on the hill
side overlooking the river lie buried
those who fell in the engagement
and some of those who were mas
sacred by the Indians. 1t is one of
the most historic places in the state
The allure to take Ridgley was
the Waterloo of Little Grow, the Ma
poleon of the Indian Nation. Here
he expected to secure arms and an,
munition to carry on the war
Second Attack on New Ulm
The second attack on New UIrl
was made about noon of Saturday
Aug. %. The city had been barr;-
caded, that is, two blocks of Mime
sofa street had been fenced in by a
stockade. Captain (now judge Chas.
E. Flandrau was elected to command
| the forces, and the men were m lrcl =
ed out to meet the foe.
The ADVANCE of the Indians against
New Ulm is described AS havinr
been a very fine spectacle. Che
hundreds of painted savaees on bors O.
back came over the hill in a solid
body, and when within a mile or 50
OF the town. began to spread out like
fan, increasing their speed as they
approached until within about half
mile, when they covered the entire
front Of the town. Then they set
ND their warcry and charged the de-
tense. The yell unsettled the me
somewhat and they fell back, gfviIs
the Indians shelter in the outlvin ;
houses. The men soon rallied, how
ever, and poured shot into the Indi-
ans from under the cover of horses
and barns.
An old windmill afforded a splen-
Old shelter for a large number Of
men, who leld it all through the -.
ternoon, and when night was setti1r 2
over the city they set the windmill
on fire and retreated to the barrai-
cade. The fight was courageous
throughout the day The defense
had everything to fear and nothing
to hope for.
The women and children were hua-
died together in the cellars and III
the Erd house they had a barrel Of
powder ready to ignite in case the
indians should be victorious. Only
eight men were killed the first dav
of the fight. About sixty wera
wounded, some of whom died soon.
Sunday morning the fight was r.
neWed but the defenders had fixcc
up some stovepipe to resemble ertll-
lery and, deceived by this, the Indi-
ans soon dispersed. Toward noon
COX arrived with $50 men and orders