New Ulm review., 1912-11-06

I On August 2Oth-23rd practically VI
noticed by the press, or public gel
orally, there was celebrated at Fol-
Ridgely and New Ulm, the fiftieth al
niversary of the desperate battle
fought with the Sioux Indians a
those places in the year 1862.
would seem as if more notice shoul
be given the event, in order tina
those who have become residents Q
the state since that time might full
comprehend the danger and hardship
that were borne by the early settler
who "blazed the way" to safety TO
those who followed and made pos
sible the present magnificent con
|ditions of the states prosperity. Blu
comparatively few of the states pres
ent inhabitants have any idea of th'
horrors of an Indian Massacre. His
tory containing the narratives Of some
of those who escaped conveys but 9
meagre idea of the atrocities com
mitted, and the consequent suffer
ing of those who had made their
homes on the western frontier OF
Minnesota.
Whole families, men, women and
innocent children were slaughtered; !;
their homes burned, and their stock
driven away. Women were taken
captive and made to suffer the most
revolving cruelties. Little children
were snatched from their mothers
arms and crucified upon their cabin
doors in the sight of the frantic
mothers eyes.
Perhaps no Indian Massacre in the
history of America ever approached
that of Minnesota in 1862. Many
settlers made their way with their
families to Fort Ridgely,' where in a
few hours after arriving, they were
called upon to help defend it against
the attack of the savage horde that
suddenly and without warning came
down upon them. nearly one thousand
strong. There was but handful OF
the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer 1nfan'
try left to man the Fort, and 30 the
male members of the refugees were
organized by Major B. H. Randall (at
that time Post Sutler) to assist, and
right nobly did they perform their
duty Among those who took part
were George P. Hicks, Jacob Schmall
father of our present secretary of
state) John Heffron, Joseph Over
baugh, and the Riecke boys, who
lived at Mud Lake. There were all
told, only about one hundred able
bodied men to meet, resist and finally
repel the attack of nearly one thou
sand redskins. T..
Surely the memory of that gallant
little band of defenders should be
perpetuated, and in what more ef-
Fectual way can it be done than by
having the state purchase the form
er site of the Fort, rebuild it and use
it as hereinafter suggested. Z
The last legislature through the
efforts of Mr.. O. H. Clarke of Duluth,
and the very able assistance of
Pfaender of Brown,
O'Keefe and Hopkins of Rem
Vile, Peterson of Redwing, and Sen
ator Clague of Redwood, and Others.
sum of money for
he purchase of a part of the land
adjoining the five (5) acres already
owned by the state, and the govern
,r and State Officers took occasion
It the Fiftieth Anniversary celebra-
ion, to dedicate the tract as a State
Park for public use.
On this site is the monument erec-
ed to the defenders of the Fort.
This tract also contains the military
cemetery used when the Fort was
by United States soldiers.
In this cemetery is monument
erected in memory of Captain Marsh
md his men (twenty-four in number)
Who were butchered by the Indians
It the Lower Sioux Agency Ferry.
Also monument to the memory of
Mrs. Mueller (wife of DR.. Alfred
Mueller, Post surgeon) the Florence
of the Sioux Indian war.
1t is fitting that the state should
10 something to keep alive the men,
,ry of this old war-scarred Fort, the
most important place in the History
# Minnesota, and not let it be for.
gotten. Probably ninety per cent of
he teachers and pupils in our pub
mind: "The engagement of Mr.. Otto
BOerneke, teacher of the DarOchial