The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-10-30


the river from the agency and the
ferry boat was on the agency side.
While Capt. Marsh was considering
what to do, an Indian dressed in
citizens clothes appeared on the
other side and told the captain that
there were no Indians there. The
river at that point ran close to the
foot Of the bluff, which was thickly
covered with trees and bushes. The
captain believed the Indian, so had
a man swim across and bring back
the boat. The soldiers were put
aboard the boat and 1t was started
across. When it had reached the
middle of the river, the Indians be-
gan the attack from the bluff and
also from the rear, for there was a
large force concealed in the grass,
Just a little distance from where
Capt. Marsh reached the river. I'm
mediately they pulled back to the
shore and left the boat, such as were
not killed, and found some defense
in the trees and bushes on the bank.
For time they replied to the Indian
attack, but their members were
melting away. I do not know wheth-
er Capt. Marsh ordered a dispensing
or retreat or what, but this man
made up his mind to hide himself.
A little to one side he saw an old
brush heap and. raising one side of
the heap, crawled under and let the
heap drop back on him. It happened
that he was effectually concealed and
after remaining there for some time
until half of the soldiers were killed
and the rest dispersed, he crawled
out and made his way to the fort.
Having been relieved from picket,
| received my breakfast, which was
the first meal I had eaten since that
meal of raw pork, and | put in
good supply, for did not know
when / would get any more. had
made up my mind not to remain in
that citizens company any longer,
so after breakfast / went to ser
geant of Lieut.. Sheehan's company
and asked him to take me into his
squad, but he said he could not do it
without orders and could not draw
rations for me. I thought | had
failed, but one of the men who stood
near said, 'Take him in sergeant if
you can for he is the only citizen |
have seen that is worth a IN"
Another said, We'll divide rations
with him." and so | was sort of
adopted by that squad of seven or
eight men. But / did not remain
with them long.
The next day there were signs of
trouble and Lieut.. Sheehan perfec-
ted his scheme of defense, one item
of which was to divide the line of
defense into squad limits and place a
sergeant in command Of certain
limit. Thus he could call for re-
port from any part of the line at
any time. On this day friday the
squad that l belonged to was placed
behind the log huts, and Capt. De-
Camp had command of that line.
Pretty soon the firing began briskly.
The Indians could come up the ra-
vine through which the road ran and
in this way come within eight or ten
rods Of us, still protected by the
banks Of the ravine. So we had to
look. sharp. We had become good
deal interested when Capt. DeCamp
marched slowly along behind the
line apparently giving no heed to
the bullets. When he reached about
the middle Of the line he stopped
and said in voice loud enough to be
heard all along the line, Boys.
am ordered to shoot the first man
who leaves his post without orders,
and I'll do it by 80 He carried
a Sharps rifle and / believe that
every one believed that he meant
what he said. There were a few
citizens in the squad and he probably
remembered how they had acted be
; fore. Soon Lieut.. Sheehan came
running to Capt DeCamp and sait
he wanted four men to go to tn
other side Of the parade. Their,
were four of us together and De
Camp designated us to go with Shee