New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-01-24

and ran back and turned opt the hogs
and calves that were in pens, SO that
they COULD SHIFT for themselves, thensran
across the fields to warn the neighbors,
while mother urged on the oxen asfast
as possible. By the time Colonel Shaw's
place was reached he had Joined us again.
A halt was made here until the other
neighbcrs could come up who soon made
their appearance and a council was held.
They decided to remain where they
were for the night, as it was then
late in the afternoon. The women and
children went into the house while the
men looked after the stock and getting
ready for any emergency that might
come. The guns were looked after, bullets
moulded and guard was placed. In
later years have always wondered why
a better place for defence was not select
ed as the house stood within fifty feet
of the bank of the Little Cottonwood
river, which the Indians could reach
without being discovered, and without
any danger to themselves. Sometime
during the night the dogs set up furious
barking and everything was got ready
for an attack as it was believed the
Indians were upon us. Soon a call was
heard and it proved to be three strangers
who had been unable to get into New
Ulm on account of the Indians having
the place surrounded, and were on their
way. to Mankato. They Joined us and
were made welcome as they were all
we'll armed. Before daylight Mr.. Gilley,
Peter Bandy and father started toward
New Ulm to learn how serious matters
were, and got as far as the crossing Of the
Big Cottonwood river two miles east
Of New Ulm by sunrise. They were
careful not to expose themselves and
kept in the timber to guard against any
surprise.
Indians On Guard y
Believing that the crossing was being
guarded by the Indians they crawled to
within a short distance of Jacob Brusts
house that stood about ten rods from the
river bank when an Indian was seen to
climb upon the roof, where he stood for
some time looking around. AS it was
not safe to remain in the vicinity they
went back until they arrived at bluff
where father climbed a tall tree to get a
look over the surrounding country.
From where he was he could see the
smoke of many buildinsg that were
burning, and many horsemen riding
about which he knew to be Indians by
the way they rode. Realizing that we
were all in danger they made all haste to
get back and when they came in sight
of us, they signaled to get ready, I'm
mediately all was excitement. The teams
were hurriedly hitched to the wagons
and we got on the way without any loss
of time with Mankato as our destinat-
ton. While on the way some of the
men formed a rear guard, and we got to
Mr.. Anderson's place, a short distance
from Mankato late in the afternoon.
This family generously made room for us
all and where we staid for some time.
That evening my father and five others
whose names r do not remember except
Mr.. Eckstein, started back to New UIm
with horse team, which took them as
far as it was safe to go. The rest of
the distance they made on foot. They
arrived in the town without any 1nishap
and took part in the battle the next day,
when father wass slightly wounded.
Returned In Fall
Late in the fall it was considered safe
for us to return to our homes, and when
we arrived everything was found as we
had left them. The cattle, hogs and even
the chickens were there to welcome us.
One day several soldiers came to the
house who told us that the Indians who
were captured would be along in short
time. We went out to the road to see
them as they passed. It was quite q
! sight to look upon First came the cavalr,
followed by the Indians who were chained
to the wagons and ,flanked on either
side by the infantry Then came the
artillery and supply wagons and camr
outfit, making in all very long train
Whenever an Indian would come along
that knew us, he would quickly cover
his head with a blanket. Whether they
possessed any remorse or shame I an
not prepared to say. I'm bringing thi.
article to close, allow me to say that
have not resorted to tradition, but his
story and whether it is worthy of pub
LEGATION will leave for you to decide.
At the time of the outbreak I wa.
young in years. but the events that
transpired during those stirring times
are impressed on the retina of my
memory never to be effaced."