New Ulm review., 1922-08-23
OCT 0OEI RlAN AT
Big Gel LEBRAT TON.
HENRY PIERCE VISITS OUR
CITY AFTER 81 YEARS
ABSENCE.
WITH RENvILLE RANGERS IN
BOTH BIG BATTLES AT
FORT RIDGELY.

Henry Pierce, 81 years of age, was
one Of the enthusiastic visitors at the
New Ulm celebration of the 6Oth an
niversary of the Indian Massacre.
It was 81 years since last he was in
the city Of New Ulm.
Mr.. Pierce was member Of the
Renville Rangers, under the command
Of First Lieutenant James German and
took part in both the big battles at
Fort Ridgely sixty years ago, when
the main stronghold Of the whites
successfully resisted the desperate at
tacks of the red men.
Lives at Lynd, MINI.
Mr.. Pierce has spent the past twen-
ty years in the state of Idaho, but is
now living with a ason-in-law at Lynd,
MINI.
Telling his story Of his experiences
| in the Indian massacre of sixty years
ago, Mr.. Pierce said that he had been
engaged to work for the government
at the Yellow Medicine agency. He
was 10 years old at that time.
| The Civil War was on at the time
land with 81 other men, Mr.. Pierce
set out from Yellow Medicine to Fort
Smelling to be mustered into the SER
vice Of the army of the North. This
party of 38 men came through New
Ulm on their way to Fort Smelling.
Turned Back For Defense.
They reached St. Peter on Monday.
Aug. 18, 1862, where they heard Of
the sudden and terrible outbreak of
the Sioux. They Immediately gave UP
the idea of going on to Fort Smelling,
there being plenty OF opportunity for
war right at home, and all Of the 38
went post haste to Fort Ridgely to
assist in the defense of the fort, al
though each man had only two bullets
and common caps on old Harper Ferry
muskets. They arrived at the fort
in time to take part in its defense in
both attacks made by the Indians.
Served More Than Three Months.
The boys did not get chance to
see service in the Civil War, but they
served with the Renville Rangers in
the Indian war for little more than
three months, long enough so that they
earned a pension from Uncle Sam.
After the Renville Rangers were dis
banded, Mr.. Pierce went home to his
folks who lived at Mankato at that
time. He was present in Mankato
when SO Of the Indian leaders were
hung from one scafold, Dec. 26, 1862,
for their part in the outbreak
Drove Stage From Mankato.
After that, he was employed driving
la stage out Of Mankato to various
points for number Of years.
His folks had settled in Mankato
several years before the Indian OUT
break, while Minnesota was still
territory.
Mr.. Pierce said that it was now 81
years ago since last he saw New Ulm.
Fort Ridgely Medal.
! One Of Mr.. Pierce's most valued pos
sessions is a medal, presented to him
by the state Of Minnesota for his par
|ticipation in the defense Of Fort Ridge
lily. The medal was presented to de-
lfenders Of the fort at the unveiling Of
1.-THE statue there some years ago and is
inscribed: Defender Of Ft. Ridgely,
! Aug. 1927, 1862; then the Indian
\ words: 1'TI-YO-PA NA-TA-KA-PI''. !.
On the other side was the inscription,
| Presented by the State Of Minnesota
i to II. L. p Z
4; In June this year, Mr.. Pierce's
Adaughter passed through New Ulm on
la hike from California to New York.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. F. McCanna Of
II Spokane, Washington, passed through
J, New Ulm with their little daughter,
a last Wednesday on their way to Fairfax
J, to attend a family reunion. Mr.. Nc
I aiCanna's grandmother was 4 resident Of
1.-THE Fairfax and Fort Ridgely neigh
borhood at the time Of the Indian
Emassacre sixty years ago. Mrs. Nc
] Gamma is q Minnesota girl and a sis
|, ter of Fr. Wagner, Catholic priest
!, formerly Of New Ulm, now at St. Hen
I " The McGannas passed through
New Ulm again on Monday on Their
\ way back to the coast, after attending
p the family reunion on Sunday at Fair.
2 |(fax.
j Mr.: and Mrs. Roland Neumann anG
eatWo children Of ST. Louis, No. arrived
t here last week from Tomahawk Lake
s Wis where Mr.. Neumann had been in
Il lstruct OF in boys club at th'
81 lake for several weeks zEhey win re