Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[384] instructions to place the entire regiment along the front and flank of our part of the camp. This was done. About two o'clock the Indians fired a volley into the north side of camp — that occupied by the Tenth regiment. The volley was evidently aimed too high for effect on the men in the trenches. That side of the corral was open, for passing the animals in and out, and some of the shots must have struck the cattle, in addition to the horses and mules killed. The cattle dashed out of the corral utterly wild with fright, and making the ground tremble with their tread. They were turned back and to the right by part of the line of the Tenth regiment. They then came plunging toward the left companies of the Seventh. These rose up and succeeded in turning them back into the corral. But for the living wall that confronted them, the animals would have escaped, or stampeded the mules and horses, with great destruction of life in the camp. The prompt return of the fire, by the companies of the Tenth on my left, discouraged any further attempt on the camp.

The next morning we resumed the march homeward. Since then no Indians have appeared, and nothing relating to this regiment occurred to add to the above.

In concluding this report, supplementary to that made on the twenty-fifth ultimo, I beg leave to add a few things, of a more general nature, relating to the regiment I have the honor to command. The health of the regiment, during the long march from Camp Pope, has been remarkably good. There have been but two cases of serious illness, both convalescent.

Surgeon Smith and Assistant-Surgeon Ames have been assiduous and skilful in their attention to the medical wants and the general sanitary condition of the regiment. Adjutant Trader and Quartermaster Cutter have been laborious in their duties. During the first three weeks of the march Lieutenant F. H. Pratt was acting Quartermaster, and gave the fullest satisfaction in that position.

Captain Light, who remained at Camp Atchinson, has been faithful in his ministrations.

The non-commissioned staff has been every way effective.

The good order and discipline of the regiment has been perfect. But two or three arrests have been made, and those for trivial offences.

I feel it due to Major Bradley to again refer to him in acknowledgment of the assistance he has constantly rendered me. Soon after the march began, I became so affected with irritation of the throat, from dust, that the Surgeon forbade,my giving commands to the battalion on the march. Major Bradley has relieved me almost entirely in this respect, and has otherwise shared with me fully the responsibilities of the command.

Your obedient servant,

General: On the twenty-first of July, 1863, pursuant to your order to recover the body of Dr. J. S. Weiser, Surgeon of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, murdered by the Indians, I proceeded to the hills in the rear of Camp Sibley, with companies A and D of my regiment. When some five hundred yards from camp, we were fired upon by the Indians, occupying the summit of the hill. I immediately ordered company A, under Captain E. M. Wilson, to advance and fire upon the enemy, which was done in good style. The ground being rocky and broken, companies A, D, and G were ordered to dismount and skirmish the bill. Companies B and F, under Major Hays, and company L, under Captain Davy, were to support them. The first battalion, under Major Parker, cleared the hill, and drove the Indians some two miles, followed by companies B and F mounted. Here I met Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Marshall, of the Seventh Minnesota volunteers, and requested him to protect my right flank, which he did in gallant style. Major Parker was then ordered to rally the companies of his battalion, and prepare to engage the enemy mounted. I then moved forward of the skirmishers, with companies B and F, and ordered a charge upon the enemy posted on the highest peak of the range known as Big Hills. This order was promptly obeyed; the Indians were dislodged from their position and driven toward the plains west of the hills. While descending the hill I ordered another charge, by company B, under Captain Austin. While in the act of carrying out this order, one man was instantly killed by lightning, and others seriously injured.

This occasioned a momentary confusion. Order was, however, soon restored, and we pushed the enemy from their positions on the hills, and in the ravines on our front, to the plains below. I then ordered a rally. Companies A, B, F, and L assembled, and we pushed forward upon the Indians, who had taken refuge behind a few rude and hastily constructed intrenchments in their encampment, from which they were quickly dislodged, and a running fight commenced. At this juncture Lieutenant John Whipple, of the Third Minnesota battery, reached us with one six-pounder, his horses entirely given out, in consequence of which he could only give the flying enemy two shots, which apparently threw them into still greater confusion. I then again ordered a charge, which was kept up until we had reached at least fifteen miles from the first point of attack, and during which we drove them from their concealment in the rushes and wild rice of Dead Buffalo Lake by a well-directed volley from the deadly carbines, and ran into their lines five times, continuing the fight until nearly dark, when companies H, D, and G arrived, and I received your order to return to Camp Sibley, at