New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1910-08-31
"reminiscences Of the Little Crow Uprising
DR.. A. W. DANIELS in the St. Peter Herald

DR.. A. w. DANIELS
CONTINUED from last week
The principal event OF Friday was
the detailing OF ore hundred and forty
men under the command of Capt
Tousley, to go to Leavenworth, west
and south of Fort Ridgely, expecting
to find persons there una able to escape
that might be rescued, but nothing
definite was known in regard to the
situation there. Drs. Mayo, Ayers and
myself joined the command again
having a seat with DR.. Ayers. The
route was across an open prairie, and
we had not proceeded far before we
discovered three mounted Indian
scouts to the north keeping in line
with us and watching our course.
Late in the afternoon we reached the
vicinity south OF Fort Ridgely, and
heard cannonading going on there,
for the first time, the sounds reaching
US at short and regular intervals.
After it's significance had fully i'm
pressed me, I said to DIR. Ayers that
the Indians had attacked the fort in
great force, and as scouts had been
watching our course. in case we con-
tinued our march to Leavenworth,
they certainly would withdraw from
the fort during the afternoon or in the
morning and cut us off. We had ex-
pected to remain at Leavenworth dur
ing the night, returning the next day.
DR.. Ayers agreed with me fully, and
rode forward and consulted with Capt.
Tousley, who called halt, and gave
his reasons for doing SO, and asked
the command to express their wishes
by showing Of their hands. It was
carried by those in favor of going
forward by two or three votes.
We continued our march for another
hour, the warning notes of the cannon
coming to us regularly; the sun was
nearly setting, night coming on. and
fatigue was telling upon the command
when second halt was called and
another vote taken, which resulted in
an order to return to New Ulm. We
reached our return destination after
midnight, thoroughly worn out and
disguised from this long and useless
march, which might have resulted not
only in the destruction of the COM
mand, but perhaps the capture of New
Ulm.
The morning of Saturday was warm
and fair, and we hopefully looked for
ward to an uneyentful day. Much
time had been taken in preparing for
an attack, by burning outer buildings,
digging rifle pits and loopholing such
walls as might be made serviceable.
Saturday morning Col. Flandrau had
given me dozen men and had bar
ricaded the avenue little west of the
Gross hotel.
From the roof of the, Erd building, a
central business block, with glass,
an extensive view was had of the sur
rounding country, and from this point
of observation a Waterman was on
duty during the day.
The first surprise and alarm of the
morning came when at guard mount,
west of the town, Lieutenant Edwards
was instantly killed by an Indian so
concealed in the grass that danger
was unsupported.
About 8 o'clock a. NJ, the watchman
from the roof saw the Indians collect
ing some two miles west of the towr,
and signal smokes from the northwest.
His observations were confirmed by
officers and others.
The certainty of a deadly conflict
with a barbarous foe, when no quar-
ter is expected, is most trying test
of courage, but, with few exceptions,
the situation was heroically accepted.
The women and children were hurried
to places of safety, the command was
got under arms, the physicians select
ed rooms for receiving the wounded
Drs. Mayo and McMohan in the
Dacota House and DR.. Ayers and
myself in store room on the opposite
side of the avenue
Within one hour the large body OF
Indians who had Ieen forming on the
west were seen to be moving rapidly
upon the town. The signals indicated
a like approach from the north.
When aware of their approach Col.
Flandrau posted his men upon the
slope of one of the terraces on the
west, with a line of skirmishers in
front. Little Grow was mounted and
led in person his warriors, who were