The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1912-11-05
Should Remember Men

Surely the memory of that gallant
little band OF defenders should be
Derpetuated. and in what more eff
fectual way can il be done than by
having thestate purchase the former
site of the Fort, rebuild it and use
it as hereinafter suggested.
The last legislation through the
efforts of o. Fl. Clarke of Duluth.
and the able assistance of Repre-
sentatives Pfaender of Brown county
Keefe of Redwood and Hopkins of
Renville, Peterson of Red Wing, and
Senator Clague Of Redwood, and
others, appropriated sum of money
for the purchase lof a part of the
land adjoining the FIVE acres already
owned by the state, and the governor
and state officers took occasion on
the fiftieth anniversary celebration,
to dedicate the tract as a state park
for public use.
Monument to Capt. Marsh
On this site is the monument erect
ed to the defenders Of the Fort.
This tract also contains the military
cemetery used when the Fort was
occupied by United States soldiers.
In this cemetery is a monument
erected in memory of Captain Marsh
and his men (twenty-four in num-
ber) who were butchered by the In
dams at the Lower Sioux Agency
Ferry. Also a monument to the
memory of Mrs. DIR. Mueller (wife
of DR.. Alfred Mueller, Post surgeon)
the Florence Nightingale of the
Sioux Indian War.
1t is fitting that the state should
do something to keep alive them mem.
DRY of this old war-scarred fort, the
most important place in the history
of Minnesota, and not let it be for
gotten.
The d. A. r. has secured the old
Sibley Home at Mendoza as being of
value, and to perpetuate the
memory of General Sibley, whose
most important service to the state
was to command the troops sent to
the relief of Fort Ridgely land the
women prisoners in the hands of the
Sioux at camp release) while the his
toric value of the fort itself has been
overlooked.
Wants More Land
1t is therefore to be hoped that the
legislatures will provide for the pur-
chase of enough land there to be
used in the near future for the sum-
mer encampment and annual man.
ouevours of the United States troops
and National Guard, as at present
conducted at Lake City, Minnesota,
and Sparta. Wisconsin.
Fort Ridgely is much more CEN
trally located than Lake City; is
easily reached from all parts of the
state, and is besides, the mosthealth-
full and perhaps the most beautiful |
location to be found anywhere in the
west. 1t lies above the Minnesota
river on the south, and Rock Creek |
on the North. The fort is situated |
On hill above the confluence Of the
river and creek.
The land Immediately adjoining
the site is level and we'll adapted to
manouevours, which no
doubt the government officers who
selected the place for the
establishment of a military post,
.ook into consideration. There are
both rifle and artillery ranges on the
and adjoining that already acquired
which should be purchased without
ielay, and following such purchase,
further appropriation should be
made by the state for the rebuild
ng of the old fort and the perma-
lent Improvement of the property,
10Th for its usefulness and its histor-
c significance.
Should Not Be Opposed
1t is hard to believe that there is
my one in the state who would OBJ
hose the nroiact az herein hriof4u