Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-01
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
ST L.RIIIS III I-NNr.

Inc following letters politely handed 10
rs by col. Russell, will give some idea of
the horrors of Indian warfare on our from
tiers, and afford a convincing proof that the
Indians OF the Mississippi will not make
peace on any terms.--They received the
news of peace {" with unbounded ioy.'' and
at the same moment formed and marched
number of'war parties against the settle
ments OF st. Charles county, where the
most frightiul scenes of savage massacre
are almost daily perpetating.
Extract Of a letter. from Captain Dayid
.hustc6 Of the Sc. Louis c0nu;y rarq,e,.s
to col: WQliam Russell, commander of
~ls district. dated L0iCer Cuiure Fer
Ty, .Nay 2sth, 1915.
. About eleven O'Clock Yesterday. we
were alarmed by the firing of Guns IN the
direction OF fort Howard, and Immediately
mounted such horses as were within reach.
y proceeded in full speed to the assistance
OF capt. Craig, whom we found closely en-
Gagged with the Indians, and pretty equally
| matched with respect to numbers.
Having arrived in good season. lust on
the rear Of the Indians. who,immediateIy
broke and ran; a part of them retreated
INTO sink hole and baffled every art to
get them out, as they had better chance
TO XIII than to be killed. The affair com
menced as follows:
FIVE men that were detached in a canoe
to convey some necessaries to the fort. re-
celved heavy fire from a party of Indians
concealed IN the bushes near Cottle'sfeld.
three were killed dead, the fourth received
IA tomahawIS in his head and died tbis
morning; the fifth made his escane and
was pursued to the fort by the Indians
captain Craig and party ran immediate
~ TO the assistance of The canoe, and com
PEELED the indians who had possession of
her, to retreat to the woods, where thew
made stand and fought him Capt. Craig
was Killed at the Commencement of the en-
Sagement, man of the name of GibbOny
was killed close to him, three others of his
company were wounded, also a citizen who
shared in the action, received a.wound sup
posed mortal.
In the height of the action, arrived in
the rear OF the Indians, and attemDted TO-
surround them, but they broke, and a part
OF them took possession of sink hole.
where they were secure from our fire. A
battery (or blind was hastily made on the
wheels OF cart, ran up TO the mouth of the
SINK, but the men could not discover an
indian, although at tat moment Lieut..
spears was shot dead near the wheels.
which induced the men behind the moving
battery to retreat and leave him, as Il was
certain death to all who would attempt to
bear him off the ground.
All our exertiOns to dislOdge the euenv
was unavaillng, as they were entirely CO.
Vereu from our view. During the action,
another party attacked tie Fort but could
make no impression. Five Indians were
found dead on the spot, and a number oil
their wounded were trailed to Bobb'sI
creek, where their canoes were moored.-I
We lost in this affair several brave men.
| give them in the order they fell, viz
Killed IN the Canoe.
Hubbard lyon, Antoine Pelky and Fran
CTS Lamme, Of capt Craig's company, and
george Burns, formerly of my company,
I(discharged.)
KILLED at tie battle ground.
Captain Craig, Alexander Gibbonv. and
1t. Spears; the latter at the mouth of the
sink endeavoring to dislodge the Indians
IVOunded.
John Patterson and Mr.. Mccormick,
the latter citizen, mortal. Corporal Abr.
Lettz and Benjamin Hall, supposed not
mortal. Charles Cardinal is missing, sup
posed to be killed.
! cannot say too much in praise Of the
gallantry Of the officers and men under nv
e9mmand, both in the attack, and exef-
hons to dislodge the enemy from their re-
treat in the siuk hole.
| McsTs. Mccormick, Ira C0ttIe. James
! Woods and Robt, MClcllaud, citizens,