In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

186 CHAPTER THIRTEEN174 CAmp looKouT, SepT. 25, 1862. We alluded, in our last chapter, to some of the customs of the Indians before going to battle, and of sacrificing to their God.175 This consists sometimes of killing a puppy, and painting it either red or several bright colors, and presenting it as an offering to a large stone, which is decorated with paint, ribbons, and fine feathers, such as the softest down, colored red and scattered over the stone. To this god they pray and plead that he will accompany them in their battles, and help them to conquer.176 We were quite interested in a similar account, given by one of the friendly Indians, though not a Christian, who said he saw a brave fall in battle just after getting off from his horse to worship his god, while some of the Christian Indians went to and from Gen. Sibley’s camp when the bullets were falling like hail, and not a hair of their head was hurt. This he considered a great miracle. When the friendly Indians returned from the battle they were very happy; said they had shaken hands with their white friends, and had even seen Mr. Riggs.177 Towards night, on the day of the battle, the rebels were moving in every direction; women were weeping because their friends had fallen on the battle field. During the night the rebels nearly all fled. After the battle Little Crow delivered up all the white captives, (or pretended to, for he took some fifteen with him,) and gave Joseph Campbell a letter to Gen. Sibley, telling him to take down the captives and deliver the letter, and then afterwards sent a company of his soldiers to overtake them, and put Mr. C. and the captives to death.178 He was thwarted in his plan. The friendly bands held a council and concluded it was not safe to send the captives with so small an escort as they would be able to raise. Rusty, and some others went with Mr. Campbell, and by keeping a by-path reached the Fort in safety.179 On the night of the 25th, some messengers were sent to see if they could A Thrilling nArrATive of indiAn CApTiviTy 187 hear anything from Gen. Sibley. They found he had encamped at Red Iron Village, some five miles below. Oh, how every heart bounded at the glad news, and then came the anxiety till morning to see their friends. But little sleeping was done that night, and as soon as the morning dawned all were on the move, exchanging smiles and kind words. The morning was a beautiful one, long to be remembered on account of its associations; and though we had been too feeble to walk about for several days, we could not be kept from using all the strength we had to call on the captives. It seemed as if heart beat against heart; and the air vibrated with the emotions of the camp. A change had been wrought in the appearance of all. The Indians that used to dress in white man’s costume donned it with pride, and divided their spoils with the women and children, trying to make them look as happy as possible. White flags were flying in every direction; the largest and most conspicuous was raised by Paul. Little children were running to and fro with their miniature flags; captive women and children were seated in wagons anxiously waiting the arrival of their long absent friends, who were equally as anxious to meet their dear companions and friends in exile. At last the troops came in sight. Deputies were sent out to meet them. When they came near some of the soldiers left their ranks to come to our camp, so eager were they to see if their friends were still alive. They forgot for the moment all discipline and were soon reminded by their officers ordering them back to wait until a proper time. At two o’clock p.m., Gen. Sibley, accompanied by his staff, came to our camp. Paul and some others made brief speeches, and the captives were formerly [sic] delivered up by those who had taken them, and by others who had protected them. Let me say in conclusion that the friendly Indians, and especially the Christians manifested much happiness that the time had come to deliver the captives and themselves from the cruel war waged by Satan’s emissaries , who...

Share