INTRODUCTION.
The materials for the following pages were gathered during a residence of seven years in the immediate neighborhood--nay--in the very midst of the once powerful but now nearly extinct tribe of Sioux or Dahcotah Indians.
Fort Snelling is situated seven miles below the Falls of St.Anthony, at the confluence of the Mississippi--and St.Peter's rivers--built in 1819, and named after the gallant Colonel Snelling, of the army, by whom the work was erected.

It is constructed of stone; is one of the strongest Indian forts in the United States; and being placed on a commanding bluff, has somewhat the appearance of an old German castle, or one of the strongholds on the Rhine.
The then recent removal of the Winnebagoes was rendered troublesome by the interference of Wabashaw, the Sioux chief, whose village is on the Mississippi, 1800 miles from its mouth.

The father of Wabashaw was a noted Indian; and during the past summer, the son has given some indications that he inherits the father's talents and courage.

When the Winnebagoes arrived at Wabashaw's prairie, the chief induced them not to continue their journey of removal; offered them land to settle upon near him, and told them it was not really the wish of their Great Father, that they should remove.

His bribes and eloquence induced the Winnebagoes to refuse to proceed; although there was a company of volunteer dragoons and infantry with them.