Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-01-13

place, 10 Try StrdtaSeTn. lie replied
that stratagems "were no doubt justi-
fable towards those people," and asked
me what it was. told him that had
thought of sending Ssmino, my Arcara
Interpreters, to hail those Indians, and
tell them that they were fools that they
did not come out and soeak 10 The whites,
and that if they would do SO, 1t would af-
ford US an opportunity TO examine their
works. He replied that II could do
no harm at any rate" Semino was called
but as he could not unders and English,
and could no; speak French, one Of
MIR. Pitchers men was called on TO ill.,
! terpret for me. He was directed to tell
Slmeno to go as near the village as he
could with safety, and hail the Aricaras,
and tell them that they were fools not to
come out and speak with the whites
, but to he careful not to speak in my
he should be careful to say precisely
7vhat Thad toidhim ~ sag, and no more.
To watch the effect Of this, | went with
Simeno, and when ne had reached near
the top ofthe bill, he hailed the Arrears
twice. He then turned and spoke to
me in French. | asked one of my sol
dars, WIN Stoke and understood the
French language well land who was by
the side OF Semino) what it was that he
sad.
The soldier replied that Semino said
the wind blew SO hard, that he could not
make he Aricaras hear him. | told the
sol her to tell Semino that II was mat
ter of no Consequences, and that did no,
wish him 10 try again 10 make them
near. SemIno Immediately came away,
and | returned to the roops before the
lower town. Lent. Morris was throw
my shells with his howltzer, aud STR
gean Lathrop was firing the six FOUNDER
At the lower village; both pieces were
we'll served, and most excellent shots
made with them. As 1t was not my H.
,ention TO make charge Immediately,
| owing to the scattered situation oil the
Sioux, General Ashley was ordered 10
fall back with his command nearly in
| lne with the remainder Of The troops. 4
short time subsequently 10 this period,
| inquired OF Lieut.. Morris, how MANY
| ound soot he had yet lett. he informed
! me that there were but hirleen, exclu-
sive Of those al Sergeant Perkins gun, at
he upper village. 1t subsequently ap-
peared, tina, he (Serg. Perkins) mad
| ncnty-slx. | informed the Lieut.. that
we should need the balance of our am
munition in making an assault upon the
| villages, aud directed him to cease firing
Immediately. had previously directed
the Sioux to be informed tia, we were
| about to withdraw our troops from the
upper village, that they might leave the
\ ricara coraields in sufficient season u
save their stragglers from the toma-
hawks of the Aricaras-they were not,-
fed and did withdraw.
A staff officer, Lieut.. Noel) was then
sent to order Major Ketchum with his
command, and the other troops to return
10 the lower village, and JON the other
'roops there. The troops opposed to
the lower village were directed to tall
back to our camp opposite to our boats,
which was about or so Yards from
The lower village. 1t was then between
three and four O'Clock; orders were gi
ven to senior officers of corps, to have
their men obtain some retreshment as
soon as possible, and then to form their
corps, to march to the enemy's corAields,
TO obtain some corn for the subsistence
Of our men. several of whom. and parti-
cularly those of Gen. Ashley's ommand
II, 4 al fan RI
Having given these orders, and having
the greatest confidence in Major ketch-
um, and all the officers and men with
MN, and feeling very confident that the
enemy won Id not do as the favor to make
sortie upon our men while returning
10 our camn-l retired to the cabin of
my boat-very soon afterwards Mr.. Pill
cher came into my cabin, and apparent
" with great alarm, informed me that
Capt. Riley was attacked. was very
glad to hear it, and Immediately went
out TO send hin support. Bat behold,
Capt. Riley and all our men were very
quietly coming in wi'houtthe least know
ledge of any attack being made upon
them; but there were some Sioux and
some Rlcaras on horseback on the bill
opposite the upper village, apparently
nollng parley. Mr. Pitcher remark
ed that this report Of his was unfortunate
" too much like The case Of his Aricara
prisoner. direct I'd arrangements for
marching to the cornfieds to be hur-
ried, and returned to nv boat. In
short time returned TO the eDcainpment
on the beach, and went to speak to Gen.