The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-07-29
"reminiscences of
Indian Tragedies
At Fort Ridgely
Death Of Col. Timothy Sheehan Re-
calls Days of Feuds in
Minnesota Valley
INFORMATION is FIRsT-HAND
Credit Not so Much Due to Leader
as to Bravery of His
Few Followers

The death Of Col. timothy j. Shee-
han at his St. Paul home recently re-
calls the tragic days when the Indians
made their raid down the Minnesota
valley, attacked Fort Ridgley, New
Ulm, and massacred settlers, murder
ed helpless women and children, and
sought to recover the control Of their
old time hunting grounds. This was
in 1862.
Col. Sheehan's death was preceded
by a lingering illness. For several
years he had been confined to his
home. He grew weaker mad weaker.
and his last months found him so
helpless that it became necessary to
furnish him with assistance for the
securing of every little want. He was
almost speeches. during these days.
Prior to the complete enlightenment Of
the latter infrmity he enjoyed visits
from his friends, those with whom he
had served in the Civil war, and it is
said that he sought a reconciliation
with those privates who served under
him, and towards whom he had used
harsh treatment while they were in
the service. Three of the number are
living and while they have, in their
stricter religious spirit, forgiven, they
will not forget. Two of them are in
the employ Of the state, one Of them
being clerk of the document room by
the appointment of the writer.
On Monday, August 18th, 1862, Mr..
Sheehan was first lieutenant of Com
pany c, Fifth regiment of Minnesota
volunteers. He was appointed to that
position by Gen. John B. Sanborn on
Feb. Is, 1862. His captain was John
S. Marsh, who was drowned in his at
tempt to escape from the Indians at
the agency, and after whom the G. A.
r. Post at Redwood Falls was named.
Outburst of August Is
There had beer signs Of disturbance
among the Indians for many days
prior to the outbreak on the morning
of August 18th. They were restless
and dissatisfied over the treatment re-
ceived at the hands Of the govern
ment, but on August 7th council was
held by Capt Marsh and Agent Cal
brain, with the Indians, with the result
that an agreement was reached where
by the agent, acting for the govern
ment, should issue all the annuity
goods Immediately. The Indians at
once returned to their homes and were
to remain there until advised by the
agent that the money to which they
were entitled had reached the agency.
The delivery Of goods began, and by
August 18th, when the detachment of
troops under Lieut.. Sheehan reached
the post, all prospects of trouble in
that region seemed to have disap-
peared. The upper agency Indians
had taken no part in the preceding
events. All had apparently decided
to wait patiently the arrival of the an
nuity money.
Believing that no good reason ex-
listed for a longer detention Of the de-
tachment of Company c., commanded
by Lieut.. Sheehan, Capt. Marsh in
structed the lieutenant to- report at
Fort Ripley, far to the north. In
compliance with the order Lieut.. Shee-
han and his company left Fort Ridg-
Hey at z o'clock on August 18th, and
on the same day Lieut.. Culver and six
men of Company B were detached to
st. Peter with transportation for q
company of some so recruits, just then
enlisted at the Indian agencies, but en-
route for TT. Smelling for muster,
leaving at Fort Ridgiey only two off,
GERS and rs men. Such was the mill
/ tary situation on the very eve Of one
iof the most horrible massacres record
ed on the pages of American history.
Massacre at Morton
It was 10 o'clock the following MORN
ling that j. G. Dickinson reached Fl
Ridgley with the information that .
wholesale massacre Of the whites was
in progress at the lower agency, j st
across the Minnesota river from where
Morton stands. Tn rumor wa5 dis
lcredited by Capt. Marsh, but was soon
Iconfrmed BY the arrival Of other re-
fugees bringing wounded mar Capt
Marsh ordered the long roll sounded,
the little garrison was promptly unter
arms, and hastily dispatching Corpor-