dered, the people
generally behaved very well. If a map of the state is consulted, taking
New Ulm as the most northern point on the Minnesota river, it will be
seen that the line of my posts covered the frontier from that point down
the river to South Bend, and up the Blue Earth, southerly, to Winnebago
City, and thence to the Iowa line. These stations were about sixteen
miles apart, with two advanced posts, at Madelia and Chain Lakes, to the
westward. A system of couriers was established, starting from each end
of the cordon every morning, with dispatches from the commanding officer
to headquarters, stopping at every station for an indorsement of what
was going on, so I knew every day what had happened at every point on my
line. By this means, the frontier population was pacified, and no
general exodus took place.

In September Major General Pope was ordered to Minnesota to conduct the
Indian war. He made his headquarters at St. Paul, and by his high rank
took command of all operations, though not exerting any visible
influence on them, the fact being that all imminent danger had been
overcome by the state and its citizens before his arrival. In the latter
part of September the citizen troops under my command were anxious to
return to their homes, and on presentation of the situation to General
Pope, he ordered into the state a new regiment just mustered into the
service in Wisconsin--the Twenty-fifth--commanded by Col. M. Montgomery,
who was ordered to relieve me. He appeared at South Bend on the 1st of
October, and after having fully informed him of what had transpired, and
given him my views as to the future, I turned my command over to him in
the following order: I give it, as it succinctly presents the situation
of affairs at the time.

"HEADQUARTERS INDIAN EXPEDITION
SOUTHERN FRONTIER,

"SOUTH BEND, October 5, 1862.

"_To the Soldiers and Citizens who have been, and are now engaged
in the defense of the Southern Frontier:_

"On the eighteenth day of August last your frontier was invaded
by the Indians. You promptly rallied for its defense. You
checked the advance of the enemy and defeated him in two severe
battles at New Ulm. You have held a line of frontier posts
extending over a distance of one hundred miles. You have erected
six substantial fortifications, and other defensive works of
less magnitude. You have dispersed marauding bands of savages
that