Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1858 — Indian Battle at Shokapee. [ARTICLE]

Indian Battle at Shokapee.

Minnesotian Office, May 28, 1858, In addition to the dispatch sent us by our special correspondent at Shakopee, our reporter was able to learn the particulars of this exciting affair personal visit to the spot. It seems that the Chippewas, numbering, according to different enumerations made of them at houses where they passed, one hundred and fifty to two hundred warriors, arrived in the woods opposite to Murphy’s landing, below Shakopee, during Wednesday night, and lav concealed until daybreak, on Thursday morning, near the ferry. The first intimation the Soux had of their presence was the killing of one of their number, at daybreak, who was fishing in a canoe on the south side of the river, by shooting him dead. His squaw immediately fled to the tepees, which are about a mile below the town, and gave the alarm, when the Soux warriors, to the number --of forty or fifty, seized their guns, and at once proceeded to the Terry under cover of the bushes on the south bank. A rapid fire then commenced between the hostile tribes across the river, which did no damage to either party on account of the distance. The Chippewas fell back, however, and the Sioux in a body crossed on tfie ferry, and the battle again commenced in the timber, with a murderous ferocity, and lasted about five hours. The warfare was conducted in regular Indian style—a running fight among the trees and logs, and grass, interspersed with a few hand-to-hand conflicts with tomahawks and war-clubs. When a Sioux would fall he waa immediately carried to the rear and taken across on the ferry-boat. Several who were also severely wounded, were taken to the rear, but as soon as they recovered a little, would again rush back into the thickest of the light. The S;ioux are said to have acted with the greatest bravery daring the whole charging upon and following the enemy with a perfect desperation. Whenever a Chippewa would fall, his head was cut off and carried to the rear. Four ghastly heads were thus taken over the river and exhibited with great exultation by the squaws, who were busy all the time carrying ammunition (which, it is said, wa» furnished by citizens tirtbem. free of charge,) and encouraging their warriors. lintel in the Hay. some headless bodies of tbe Chippewas wer: brought over, and tbe squaws backed them to pieces, and fin all-' kindled a fire under one of them and burnt it up! This last sickening spectacle ot barbarity is said, by those who witnessed it, to have been hailed with fiendish exultation by the Sioux. About ten o’clock the Chippewas drew off, and the whole force retreated over the bluffs, in the direction of , uko Minn -tonka, leaving four of their warriors behind them, one of whom, from the decorations on the scalp, is supposed to be a distinguished chief. As they passed a certain -point on their trail, they were carrying six, and aome accounts say eight, wounded braves on litters, beside those wounded who were ablo to walk, some of whom seemed to be badiv hurt. Tbe Sioux then returned to their encampment with great exultation over their victory, and counted their lo?s, when it was found that t-\o were killed, two proniunccd by physicians present to be fatally wounded, and ten others wounded more or less, presenting a bloody picture of barbarism to the crowds of citizens who had assembled there. Four raw scalps were flaunted on a pole, and four ghastly heads were paraded as trophies, beside the disfigured trunks of two other*.’ Daring the whole battle, the high bank that overlooked tbe bottom across the river, near Mayor Murphy’s house, was lined with spectators; in 'eed, “the' whole town” might be said to have been there watching the fight, and seeming to enjoy the unusual spectacle of two nations of barbarians murdering, mangling, mutilating each other, in lull sight ot a city ot Christians, its churches, court houses and institutions of learning. Barbarism and its brutal spectacles in contrast with enlightenment and its blessings. Fearing another attack, the Sioux moved the tepees in a huddle and dug trenches, in which they watched all night, well armed. No attack was made, however, though it was thought the Chippewas had not gone off altogether, but were lurking somewbore in tbe vicinity for another skirmish. Ilole-in-the-duy was reported to be with them, but this is doubted. It is said by those who viewed the battle from the bluffs, that only about thirty or forty Chippewa warriors were in it, the main body remaining in the rear. If this is so, they must have had some railed design in drawing off, which will appear hereafter. Numerous trophies of the fight were secured, such as battle-axes, &,c. A map was also found, drawn on birch bark, which depicted the Chippewa war-traii, with some hieroglyphics, which the wise men pretended to interpret. Several bloody Chippewa heads were also purchased as mementoes, ”hnd to the curiovts with great gusto.

following letter was written by the wife of one of the victims of the Border Ruffians at Fort Scott, to her mother at Crawfprdsville in this State: Sugar Mound, May 21st, 1858. My Dear Mother: —You will be eurpri*ed to learn that lam a widow. O, how can I bear it, but you shall know the whole truth. My husband started on tha 19th of May, to Kansas City, for a lead—the Missourians came upon him, took him and eleven other Free State men prisoners, bul’carrigd them to a ravine near the Trading Post, (there being twenty or more of tbefti) and ordered them to stand in file and then shot them d-oum. My husband and foiff others were killed on the spot; six were.it is thought, mortally wounded, and one was not hurt. Companies of free State men have organized all over the Territory, and are giving chase to the murderers. For lurther particulara please look to the papers. Please send this im nediately to mv brother-in-law, F. M. Black. 1 am weuk, not able to be up, but will write as soon as I ain> able to get up. The children «re well.