The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-04-23
TRIBUTE TO A HERO

Cleveland. Mimi, April l2-Edltor 81.
Peter Tribune: Permit me a word to
the old settlers and soldiers: My
uncle Nehemiah S. Burgess, who came
to Traverse DIES Sioux with his family,
from New York, i'm the fall of 80 and
| settled in Ottawa, lie Sueur county, in
the spring of sc died at West Plains,
Mo-. on the morning of April 9th, of
pleuro pneumonia, at the age of 96.
! On the Tooth page of Judge Bucks
! history of the Indian Outbreaks"
will be found the following tribute
to the old hero:
Another brave man was Nehemiah
s. Burgess, who performed an act Of
valor unsurpassed in all the deadly
on this subject Judson Jones, Esq. an
early settler in Minnesota, now living
in Cleveland, lie Sueur county, sends
me the following communications
There is one unmentioned name
which ought to be rescued from OBJ
livion before those who were at the
battle of New Tim and know the facts
pass away. and that is the name of
Nehemiah $. Burgess, of Ottawa, lie
Sueur county who did the bravest deed
at New Tim. AT the most crit zeal
period of the defense. when the be-
siegers We're i'm full force, and the be-
sieged were all hidden within the bar
ricades from the murderons fire of
he foe, two buildings remained un-
burned outside the barricaded street.
II was feared that they would be taken
possession of by the Indians in the
night, which would enflade the barri-
caded street, and thus render the de-
Tense hopeless. 1t was case of life
or death. These buildings must be
burned. And a call was made for some
one to volunteer for the forlorn hope.
Among all these brave men no one
answered the call 1t seemed sure
death. for the open ground to be eros
sed to reach the buildings was in
easy range of the enemy's bullets, and
how was escape possible? AT last one
man, Nehemiah S. Burgess stepped out
and said, 4 will CO. and preparing his
kindlings he ventured forth. As soon
as he appeared outside the barbados
he Indians opened fire, the bullets
falling around him like hailstones until
he disappeared behind buildings.
On his way back the same fire as.
sailed him. When safe inside the
barracks he turned to look. expecting
TO see the buildings all in flames; but
The buildings were wet with recent
rains and the fire had gone ont. Tn
dismayed, he prepared another batch
OF kindling, and crossed the gulf of
hell. This time he waited until he
saw the buildings wrapped in flames,
and again returned through the re-
lentless fire of the foe nnhurt.
Major Buell. of st. Peter, who was
an eye witness, gave me the account
of 1t soon after the arrival of refugees
at st. Peter, adding 1T was the BRAY.
est thing | saw done at New Ulm!'
Mr.. Burgess also told me of it, adding.
l never expected to get back alive, so
l took my last look at the sun. and
prayed God to care for Margaret and
the children 1t was he who also led
in Flandreau's charge, receiving bull
let through the right arm. 1t was
while his wound was being dressed that
ne told me the story. Mr.. Burgess is
now an old man eighty eight years of
age but has manv warm friends among
the heroes of New Ulm, and his tribute
Is his just due. 1t will be read with
pleasure by his children and children's
children. God bless the old heroes land
their descendants forever) .Judson
Jones'