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INDIAN TELLS OF RIDGELY BATTLES LIGHTNING BLANKET ONE OF LITTLE CROW'S WARRIORS AT FORT ONLY AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF ATTACKS EVER TOLD BY A RED MAN R. H. Jtftiman, connected with the Indian Agency school near Morton, and who has spent his whole life among the Sioux Indians, has sent The Review an interesting story of the battles at Fort Ridgely and New Ulm in August, 1862. The story was told by one of the Indians, Hackita-Wakanda, (Lightning Blanket) who formerly resided on the Reservation, and who died about three years ago. Today is the fifty-fifth anniversary of the second battle, and will be cele brated at the old fort. This is a most appropriate occasion to tell the story, which is as follows: Lightning Blanket's Story "The evening of the second day of the Sioux war, August 19, 1862, the Indians came into Kagaw Chestin's (Little Crow) village and reported that all whites who had not been killed had gone to Esa Tonka (Fort Ridgely) and Wakzupta (village on the Cottonwood New Ulm). Little Crow, with several of the chiefs, Medicine Bottle, Little Six and Big Eagle favored the attack on these two places, but the other two chiefs, Wabasha and Leaf Shooter, would not agree, because Wabasha was jealous of Little Crow. They sat up all night with their blankets around them until the sun was coming up in the morning, when ^they announced to us young men that Wabasha and Leaf Shooter would not go, but that we were to get ready immediately to fight the white men at Fort Ridgely and Newthe Ulm. The young men were all anxious to go, and we dressed as warriors in war paint, breech elout and leggings, with a large sash around us to keep our food and ammunition in. Plans For Attack Made "We started at sunrise and crossed the river at the agency on the ferry, following the road to the top of the hill below Faribault's creek, where we stopped for a short rest. There the plans for attacking the fort were given out by Little Crow. It was agreed to follow the road and ridge along the bluff to the creek *vest of the fort. These men were under Big Eagle and Medi cine Bottle. The men on horse-back with Little Crow and Little Six were to go down the creek to the river bottom, then follow the old crossing road up to the bluff, south and west of the fort. "After reaching the fort, the signal, three volleys, were to be given by Medicine Bottle's men to draw the attention and fire of the soldiers, so the men on the east, Big Eagle'sf and those on the west and south, Little Crow's and Little Six's, could rush in and take the fort. Little Crow's Men Slow. "We reached the Three Mile creek before noon and cooked something to eat. After eating we separated, I going with the footmen to the north, and after leaving Little Crow we paid no atten tion to the chiefs everyone did as he pleased. Both parties reached the fort about the same time, as we could see them passing to the west, Little Crow on a black pony. The signal, three big shots, was given by our side, Medicine Bottle's men. After the signal the men on the east, south and west were slow in coming up. While shooting we ran up to the building near the big stone one. As we were running in we saw the man with the big guns, whom we all knew, and as we were the only ones in sight he shot into us, as he had gotten ready after hearing the shooting in our direc tion. Had Little Crow's men fired after we fired the signal the soldiers who shot at us would have been killed. Two of our men were killed and three hurt, two dying afterward. We ran back into the* creek and didn't know whether the other men would come up close or not, but they did and the big guns drove them back from that direction. If we had known that they would come up close we could have shot at the same time and killed all, as the soldiers were out in the big opening between the buildings. We did not fight like white men with one officer we all shot as we pleased. Tb.3 plan of rushing into the buildings was given up, and we^shot at the windows, mostly at the big stone building, as we thot many of the whites were in there. Buildings Wouldn't Burn "We could not see them, so were not sure we were killing any. During the shooting we tried to set fire to the buildings with fire arrows, but the buildings would not burn, so we had to get more powedr and bullets. The sun was about two hours high when we went around to the west of the fort, and decided to go back to Little Crow's village and come and keep up the fight ing next day. "After leaving the fort we buried the two who were killed, in a little creek or draw, west" of the fort, from behind which the men had been fighting. JWe buried them on the creek, one above and one below the road, about forty rods apart, taking dirt from the road to cover them. I do not know how"many were killed on the east, west and south sides, but don't think there were any. We always thot no whites were killed, or not many, as it wasliard to see them. There were about 400 Indians in this attack no women were along. They all staid at Little Crow's village. The cooking was done by boys 10 to 15 years of age, too young to fight. "We left the camp early in the morn ing, arriving at Little Crow's village about the middle of the day from that time until night we made bullets and everyone who had powder brought it in, getting the most of it from the agency buildings. That night about 400 Sisse ton and Wahpeton warriors from Big Stone lake, who had started on hearing of the war, joined us, and early on August 22 we started with about 800 warriors, but the grass was very wet with dew, more than on the day of the first attack, so the sun was quite high before we traveled very far and it was just before the middle of the day when we reached the fort. We followed the same road, crossing at the agency as we did before and divided forces at the Three Mile creek, footmen going north and horse men south, with the same chiefs as in the first attack. I was again with the men on the northeast and north side. There were no women along, but the boys were taken for the same purpose as before, to drive cattle and make camp fires. We did not stop to eat this time, but each carried something to eat in his legging sash and ate it in the middle of the day, while fighting. The plan of attack was the same as on the first battle, there big shots from the north, followed by a rush of men on the east, west and south sides, all at the same time. Little Crow had given strict orders on account of the first failure. Killed Mail Carrier. "Just before all was in readiness three young men belonging to Medicine Bottle's party on the northeast side of creek saw a mail carrier coming into the fort on the Wakzupata (New Ulm) road, and shot at him, but didn't kill him then shot twice more and killed him. This, the men on the south and west heard, and took it for the signal, ran up to the top of the hill and began shooting. By the time the others had commenced, the big guns were fired at them, the one on the south and west, and they ran back under the hill. We were then all shooting, most of us being hid. We saw many more soldiers than were there on the day of the first at tack, but we kept up the shooting until dark. "During the day many small buildings were burned, and we tried to burn the large ones with fire arrows. Some were burning when a rain put out the fire. The sun was now setting low and after we saw the men on the south and west driven back by the big guns, and could see Little Crow and his men going to the northwest, we decided to go around the creek to the northwest and join them and see what to do, as our fire arrows had failed to burn the buildings and drive the whites out into the open. After joining then we supposed we were going back to Little Crow's village for more warriors. When we got to Three Mile creek it was dark and we cooked beef, and Little Crow told us there were no more warriors, and a discussion followed. Some wanted to renew the attack on the fort the next morning and then go to New Ulm others wanted to attack New Ulm early the next morning and then come back and take the fort. We were afraid the soldiers would get to New Ulm first. Little Crow wanted to go to New Ulm to reach there first, before sunrise. He said he would take the ones who wanted to go and capture New Ulm. He left the camp that night and started for New Ulm with part of the men, I should think, about half of them, 400. The others staid in camp that night and went back to Little Crow's village the next morning. Seven Indians Killed. "In this day's fight we had seven killed and eight wounded. Six of these were killed on the east side, Big Eagle's men, near the top of the creek bluff, where we tried so hard to kill the men with the big guns. These we had to leave without burying, as the soldiers would shoot us if we stood up to carry them away or to cover them. "Only one big rush was made from the south and west—where one of Little Six's men was killed in the first shooting. We buried him after the fight, when we went around ,to the northwest, on the bank of a little creek back of the old crossing road. The white man, the mail carrier from New Ulm, who was killed, had on a buckskin vest, with gold pieces sewed inside. The Indians put the money in a kettle and carried it all day, and when we camped on Three Mile creek that night, buried it on the bank of the creek, as we had no use for the money. I do not think it has ever been dug up by any of our people. I was with the party that went back to Little Crow's village after the battle and was not in the battles at New Ulm. "This is the truth of these battles, as I was in both of them." The story told by Lightning Blanket', before his death, has been verified by several white men. and is.without doubt authentic. *~«-w OBITUARY LORENZ SCHNEIDER &Z&L The death of Lorenz Schneider, an old and respected citizen of this city, occurred at the Loretto hospital, at 12 o'clock on Monday. Old age was the cause of his death. W^S? Mr. Schneider was born in Germany, January 6, 1836, and came to America when a young man. He first settled in Chicago, where he remained for a time, and came to New Ulm in 1863, making this his permanent home. He was married to Miss Catherine Schmid in 1871, who preceded him in death about thirtj-six years, ago. He leaves two children, John F. Schneider, of this city, and Mrs. H. C. Bering of Chicago. He is also, survived by one brother, George Schneider of this city. The funeral will be held from the Catholic church Friday morning at 9 o'clock and burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. JOHN BENTZIN. The death early this (Wednesday) morning, of John Bentzin, removed from earth one of New Ulm's old and re-stems spected citizens. While Mr. Bentzin had been in poor health for several years the end came very suddenly from an attack of heart disease. Mr. Bentzin was born April 18, 1839, in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany. In 1870 he was married to Miss Marie Wolter, the couple immediately coming to America, and settling in New Ulm, which has been their permanent home. For several years Mr. Bentzin was saw miller in the old Globe, and then in the Eagle Mills. Later he was flour miller in the City mills, now the New Ulm Feed and Cereal Mills. In 1879, with William Frank, he established the Cotton wood Roller Mills, now known as the John Bentzin Milling company. Five children were born to Mr. and Bentzin, two of whom survive. He is survived, besides his wife, by two sons, William and Charles Bentzin, both of this city. Also by two nephews, Herman and August Bentzin. The funeral will be held Friday after noon at 2 o'clock, Rev. George Mayer officiating. Burial will be in the Luther an cemetery. Miss Ada Erler spent Sunday visiting with friends at Owfetonna. Fred Rolloff, Jr., has enlisted in the Coast Artillery and is stationed at Key West, Florida. Dorothy and Florence Corey of Chica go*, nieces of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Williams, arrived in New Ulm on Monday and will stay with their relatives several weeks. Emil Rolloff and family of Kenosha, Wise, have been visiting at the home of Mr. Rolloff's parents in Milford for sever al weeks. They expect to return heme oon. Mrs. John Dingier gave a farewell party Monday afternoon for Mrs. Fred Backer and Mrs. lhe E. Mueller, both of whom used to live in New Ulm. The ladies who are sisters expect to leave Saturday for Fairmont and will vuL there and at Mankato, St. Paul and Minneapolis before leaving for Seattle where they expect to make their future home. Mrs. George Mayer and her daughters, the Misses Laura and Dorothy, returned home last Saturday, from«Pama, 111., where they had been for several weeks, visiting Mrs. Mayer's mother, brother and sister. On their way home they stopped in Chicago, where they visited a brother of Mrs. Mayer, and in Mil waukee they were guests for several days of relatives of Rev. Mayer. Owing to a delay in receiving certain necessary materials for this issue of the Review, the mailing time had to be postponed from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning. The material that was missing was shipped from New York on the 17th and should easily have made the distancein that time but it seems that it now takes five days or more to get delivery. Wonder what it will be like when winter congestion is added to present existing conditions? Edwin Rolloff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rolloff, who has been employed in the State Bank at Balaton, Minn, for the past five years, has enlisted in the Lyon County Battery. He expects to get a commission and the Battery is looking forward to training in a Califor nia camp this winter. The Battery con sists of 190 men, 160 horses and 4 three inch guns. About 25 young men from Balaton joined and all passed the physical examination except one Mr. Rolloff got a perfect score in his examination. Saturday evening of last week about seventy-five friends of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kunz surprised them at their home to remind them that it wasthe anniversary of their wedding. The guests came laden with gifts appropriate for the tin wed ding and the Wilfahrts and Domeieis serenaded the party during the evening. The time was spent in dancing and at cards and at midnight a splendid supper was served. Among those present were guests from Minneapolis and a sister of Mrs. Kunz, Mrs. John Bolstad, Jr., of Princeton, Minnesota. A very pleasant time was spent by_all and many good wishes were expressed for the continued happiness and success of the host and hostess. ANOTHER RUMOR COMES FROM SAFETY- COMMISSION The Public Safety Commission ac cording to Tuesday evening's late edition, was considering the matter of removing from office, Mayor Fritsche, City At torney Albert Pfaender and County Auditor Louis G. Vogel. None of the New Ulm men involved, have heard any thing more than contained in the news paper article, having received no official notice of any action. It is believed here that the commission's clerk, one John Stone Pardee, who makes his living by. catching onto some official clerkship, is responsible for most of the "dope'. given out at the office of the commission.' HOW TO SELECT APPLES ~J TO* EXHIBIT AT THE FAIR In selecting apples for exhibit, pick specimens well colored for the variety, large for the variety but neither punky nor monstrous in size, true to varietal form, and uniform in color, size and form. All apples should be entirely free from insect and disease injuries or blemishes and bruises, and should possess their and waxy bloom. In shipping, wrap each fruit with pa per and pack carefully in rigid recep tacle properly addressed, and labeled "Perishable." Bruises occurring during shipping count against the fruit but in a much less degree than the preventable injuries and blemishes. Label all the varieties so that any one not acquainted with fruit can name and enter them correctly, LUMBER JACK REGIMENT REACHES WAR STRENGTH Additional Men Wanted For New Unit of Forest Engineers. The regiment of lumbermen, officially as the Tenth Regiment, Forest Engineers, has been recruited to full strength, and the Forest Service which has been recruiting the men, has been notified by the war department to list no more men for service with this regi giment. Mrs.known Lumber Jack Regiment. The regiment has been nicknamed the "lumber jack regiment," and in antici pation of a possible call soon for another regiment of the same character the list ing officers all over the country have been instructed to continue listing names of suitable men who may be summoned when needed. The "lumberjack regiment" is not a fighting force but will be employed in woods operations in France, getting out material for army use. The recruits are now being assembled in Washington, where they are drilled daily by the officers assigned to command them. Service In Woods. Colonel Woodruff of the regular army, who will head the regiment, is*m charge and with the assistance of a staff made up of practical lumbermen and foresters, is providing an equipment of the most up-to-date character for the type cf woods operations called for, in the list' of the experience of the Allies. The regi ment will take with it both stationary and portable sawmills with everything necessary for logging and sawmill work and for transporting the product. STATE INSURANCE AND FIRE MARSHAL MERGE Although the administration of the State fire marshal's department was transferred August 1, to the State insur ance commission this will make no change in the system of having the fire chiefs and township clerks cooperate with the department. J. B. Sanborn, insurance commissioner who also is State fire marshal, has announced that in addition to the large force cf fire chiefs who have so ably assisted in the prevention of fires the field men* of the insurance companies will also cooperate. "These field agents will be a valuable adjunct to the department" says Mr. Sanborn, "as they will not only observe whether proper precautions are being taken against fires but will make sugges tions that if carried out will ultimately result in reducing the cost of fire insur ance." George H. Nettleton, who for the last four years has been in charge of the State insurance fund and investigating fire hazards in the State's public build ings, is directly in charge of the* fire marshal's office as chief assistant, his duties in connection with the insurance on public buildings will be continued as heretofore, however. LAZY BUT LUCKY Altho Alfred had arrived at the age of 21 years, he showed no inclination to pursue his studies at college or in any way adapt himself to his father's business. "I don't know what I will ever make of that son of mine," bitterly complained his father, a hustling business .man. "Maybe he hasn't found himself yet," consoled the confidential friend. "Isn't he gifted in any way?" "-4 ^}\%, "Gifted?" queried the father. "Well, I should say he is! He ain't got a darned thing that wasn't given to him."— Harper'8 Magazine. 3 Beware the Greeks bearing gifts"— and most everybody else. %x ft- si si si si SI SI TURNER THEATRE THURSDAY, AUG?30. The Old Reliable LYMAN wes.H TRAVEL FESTIVAL FEATURING With Uncle Sam's Navy SOMEWHERE/..vATLANTIG LIFE, DRILLS, TRAINING TACTICS, ETC. U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY Death Defying Contests From The Real Wild West Perils of Mountain Climbing MAN OTHER Prices 25, 35, and 50 Gents. S a on Sale at Pioneer Drug Store. Monday, August 27 @@@@s@@@ asi®®si®m&m@® as®® si si si si si si si REMEMBER Metzinger's Big Money Saving HARVES SALE 25% discount on any article in the store until Sept. 1st. MAN SPECIAL ITEMS EMIL METZINGER NEW ULM, MINNESOTA Heme of Hart Scl affner & Marx Clothes and Florsheim Shoes E will be pleased to show you next week at the Brown County Fair the RANGE that will not rust out and all the other good features it has over any other Range. We will also show other new and improved articles at our exhibit. Come and give us a visit. C. A. STOLZ I®® mBBSBSBHKSBBSBBSBHBHHB 1 FAI DANCE at the I A O RY 1' IWednesday^Aug.i29th && r* pt BIG NEW E A E S *s-&' "^xi Mulc]bylf $ HOFMEISTER'S ORCHESTRA ®®{ggggi®g{S{£®8®®®®!g!g $ st Sf IS SI St Sf Si