Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-10-09
Louisville, Ky. Sept.ao.
BATTLE WITH TIE RICARhS.

BATTLE WITH TIE RICARAS.
Anexpress arrived at this place last
evening, from Col. Leavenworth to Gen.
Games, the commanding officer of the
western department, by whom we have
oeen politely informed. that Col. Lea.
Venworth, with the forces under his com
lnahd, arrived before the villages of the
ls'caras on the evening of the 9th August
Inc Sioux Indians were met by the RI.
caras before their towns, and brisk fire
was kept up until the regu ar troops and
Gen, Ashley's men formed. The RIGA.
ras then retired into their villages, which
were strongly fortified. About this time
the boats arrived, aud the artillery was
disembarked. On the morning of the
10th, Maj. Ketchum, (who distinguished
himself on several occasions on the Mia.
care frontler.) was ordered with his com
panyto the upper village; the companies
under the command Of Capt. Riley and
lieut. Bradley were ordered to take pos,
session ola hill within 800 yards of the
same. At thessahe moment Lieut.. Nor.
ris with one six FOUNDER and howitzer,
commenced an attack on the lower vii
lagc. A six FOUNDER under the com.
mand of Sergeant Perkins was also pIa.
ced IN commanding position. From
these pieces a spirited fire was common
ced and continued until three O'Clock in
the afternoon, when the Ricaras were
compelled to sue for peace. They were
much alarmed-indeed completely hum
bled and stated that the first cannon
had killed The celebrated chief GREy
EYES. who they declared had instigated
the war. Their loss is supposed TO have
been about fifty killed and consi.
derable number wounded. We had on.
fy two men wounded. The Ricaras al
so lost a number of horses.
In reply totheir application TOR peace
they were informed that it would be
granted providedthey wouId.restorethe
property taken from Gen Ashley
This was agreed to on the part of the
lndians, and a treaty of peace was
concluded; but as they were unable
to comply with the requisition relative
to the property of Gen. A. the Ricaras
disappeared 10 the course OF the night,
and Col. l.. heard no more of them.
though he remained on the ground a.
bout 2 days after the battle. Col. l..
was certainly correct in making peace,
as the government could not have con
templated more than the indiction of
suitable punishment for the aggressions
committed by the Indians upon the
party of Gen. Ashley, &c. The whole
OF the troops under Col. Leavenworth
behaved extremely well. The Sioux
Indians, however, abandoned him,
two or three days, after the action evi
IDENTITY much dissaified. We are hap
Ply to state that the detachment has re-
turned to Fort Atkinson, all in good
health.
The result oftbis expedition proves,
that under intelligent and experienced
officers much good may be effected
with force comparatively small. 1t
also demonstrates the necessity of ex
tending our line of military posts to
the mouth of the Yellow Stone, in or
der 10 secure the peace, the prosperity
and happiness of the western people.
! he zeal and promptiude with which
TINS arduous expedition has been con
Quoted, is alike credltabeto the army
aud to the nation.-Adv.
"A bottle, according to an English
paper, j. said to have been picked up
on the 5lh of June in lat. al, Q, long
y, w. in which was piece of paper
with the following words written up
on it:
North Polar Expedition, Jan. Z,
lS23.--This bottle was SEM adritt in
the North Polar Expedition. being
then frozen up five degrees west Of
Melville Island"