The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-08-01
Big Celebration
Held at Fl. Rice
IT. Rice Memorial Park Dedicat-
ed on July 27th-Large
Crowd Attended.

There was big celebration at
Ft. Rice, a town forty miles south
of Bismarck on the Missouri riv-
er. On the morning Of the 9th
a special train left Bismarck and
Mandan for Ft. Rice. The site
Of this city has been given to
the state and the dedication cere-
mony was carried out by the
state historical society. Among
the speakers of the day were :
Governor Hanna, Sam Clark and
Marcellus Red Tomahawk, who
killed Sitting Bull.
Ft. Rice was the headquarters
for the 18th Infantry in>187f-2
and many battles with the In
dians were fought near there.
Mrs. Jessamine S. Burgum has
published a part of her fathers
diary that is interesting and
gives a person some idea
Of the perils Of those days near
Ft. Rice. Some Of the pages in
Maj. B. F. Slaughter's diary are
as follows:
June %, 1871.
This has been an exciting day.
Had just returned from sick call
at the hospital, at 1880, and TAX
en- my seat looking out the back
window of my bed room, when 1
noticed several Indians dashing
across the plain at furious rate.
As this plain presents an unob-
structed view for couple of miles
in width and three or four in
length, l took in the whole per-
formance in an instant. / then
saw for first time in reality what
/ had aften seen in pictures. F'if-
ty hostile Indians on their ponies
(Shunkacar) dashing> across the
plain to intercept our herd of
about 100 beeves, horses and
mules then grazing on the plain.
The herders forced the stock in
to run, but they were too late ;
some half dozen have gotten be-
tween them and the fort. The
long roll is sounded-next mo-
ment soldiers are pouring out of
the fort. A party Of Indian
scouts belonging to the fort here
joined in the chase. The next
instant hostile Indians, friendly
Indians, herders, horses and cat
tie are indiscriminately mixed. Or
my right, an Indian scout who
has been caught out without arms
is doing very handsome tumbl-
ing, whilst his enemy, seated on
pony that has been checked SO
suddenly as to throw it on its
launches, is firing at him with
herders cut off, still hurrying the
stock toward the fort, which have
now become thoroughly fright
ened by the shooting and whoop-
ing, but have their heads turned
in the right direction, and are
moving SO compactty that the
Indians cannot turn them or get
to the herders in the rear. The
crack Of firearms can now be
heard in all directions, but now
at long range. Mr.. Lo! has fail,
ed in his undertaking, as far as
the government stock is concern
ed. They managed, however to
secure six ponies belonging to thu
Cree" scouts. The whole affair
from the beginning, did not oc-
cupy fifteen minutes. Nobody
hurt.
Forgot to mention the Kate
P. Kountz passed down on the
10th. VIM. Braithwaite, clerk, ant
David Campbell, pilot, came up to
the fort to see. me.
August 10, 1871.
Wind still blowing. Thermo'
meter dropped to 60 degrees. Re.
ceived this morning the subjoin.
ed orders. &
"A. A. Surgeon B. F. Slaugh.
ter, y. s. A., will report to Liet
James Humboldtj commanding de
tachment on duty under special
order No. 40 from Headqrs. Dep
Dakota, to build mounds to mark
the trail between here and Paint
ed Woods, go miles up the river.
Am ordered to take medical sup
plies for thirty days.
August u, 1871
Prairies have been on fire since
the 1st inst. 81
August 70, 1871.
Got ready today to- leave fol
Painted Woods. Began crossing
wagons and mules at Z 100 .. m
BY Hoo q. M, had over all but
two loads but had to suspend
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