entinels on
the top of the edge of the plateau, near the camp. The wind was blowing
at a 30 or 35 mile gait, so they finally took post on the more
sheltered slope near the top. About 11 p.m. an Indian with a halter in
his hand appeared and crossed the line some 50 feet distant, when he
was halted by Sudheimer, who, finding that he was a prisoner trying to
make his escape, promptly arrested him. I immediately doubled the guard
and had all the prisoners (warriors) searched, which resulted in the
finding of a pocket-knife, which was duly confiscated. The job of
searching them was very disagreeable. Ugh! what filth. This task being
completed, they were securely tied, placed in a Sibley tent, and a
double guard stationed over them. Visited the Indian camp with George
Brown to see the sights. Found them in their teepees spread out around
the fire, which was located in the center.
October 21st. Broke camp before daybreak, and was on the march before
sunrise. The day proved to be a horrible one, the wind blowing a
perfect hurricane; the black dust of the burnt prairie filling and
blinding our eyes, the lashes on which the dust accumulated creating a
cutting, grinding pain, causing us to suffer much pain. Being near our
journey's end, we moved forward as fast as it was possible under the
circumstances, and arrived at Camp Release at 4 p.m., where we joined
our comrades, who were very glad to see us. But our arrival did not
improve matters so far as we were concerned, for the camp was a perfect
wreck,--tents ripped up and chimneys blown down. There was not much
news at the camp, the most important event during our absence having
been the arrival of the sutler, on which occasion nearly all hands got
tight, with the result that one colonel, six captains, and any quantity
of lieutenants were put under arrest.
With all our forced marches, cold nights, windy days, and fasting, the
trip was a most successful one; for, besides those who voluntarily
surrendered themselves, we captured 39 men and 100 women and children,
not to mention the horses, cattle, wagons, and plunder, which were also
brought in.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Company E of the Sixth
Minnesota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, by Alfred J. Hill and Charles J. Stees
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIXTH MINNESOTA REGIMENT ***
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