The Litchfield County post., 1827-11-08
1t all interested me, and will, doubtless

YOu are already informed of our arrival at
this place, on the SIst ultimO, and that no
movement was made to capture the murder
ers, who were reported 10 us to be at the vii
! lage nine miles above. on account of an order
[ received by Major Whistler from general At
kinsOn, directing him TO wait his arrival, and
| meantime to make no movement of any kind.
| We were, therefore, after the necessary ar
engagements for defence, and security, &C.. j.
! dly, but anxiOusly awaiting his arrival, when,
at about one O'Clock to-day we deserted com
| ing in the direction of the camp, and across
the Portage, a body Of Indians, some mount
| ed aud some on foot. They were, when first
discerned, On a mound, and descending it
and, by the aid of a glass, we could discern
three Aags-twO appeared to be American, &
| one cChite We had received information,th
! day before, of the intention of the band at
the village to come in with the murderers to-
day; and therefore expected them, and con :
clnded this party 10 he on its way to fulfil
that intention. in half an hour they were
near the river, and at the crossing place, when
we heard singing; it was announced by those
who knew the notes. to be death-song-
when presently the river being only 100 yards
across, and the Indians approaching it, those
who knew him said. sit is the Red Bird sing
ing his Death Song" On the moment of their
arrival at the landing, two scalp-yeIs were
given; and these We're also by the Red Bird.
| The Menominies who had accompanied us,
were lying, after the Indian fashion, in differ
ent directions all over the hill, cycling, with a
careless indifference, this scene; but the mo-
ment the yells We're given.they bounded from
the ground as if they had been shot out of it.,
and running in every direction, each to his
gun, and seized it, and throwing back the pan
picked the touch-hole, and rallied They
knew we'll that the yells were scalp yells; hut
they did not know whether they were given
to indicate two scalps to be taken. or two to
be given-but inferred the first. Barges were
sent across, when they came over; the Red
Bird carrying the white flag, and Wee kaw
by his side. While they were embarking,
passed few yards from my tent, when rat
tIespake ran across the path; he was struck
I by Captain Dckerson with his sword, which
in part, disabled him, when ran mine, it be-
! ing ofthe sabre form, several times through
his head, and holding itup,it was cut off by a
Mcnominie Indian with his knife. The bod
of the snake falling, was caught up by an In
dian, whilst went towards one Of the fires to
burn the head, that its fangs might be innox-
ious, when another Indian came up and beg
1 ecu tllG IoI IT, gave IL W nlil. he ODIeCl
of both being to make medicine of the rep
tile. This was Interpreted. to be good o.
men as had previous killing Of one few
mornings before on Fox Riyer,and Of bear
some account Of the ceremonies attending,
our ascent up that river, may give you at
another time.
| By this time the murderers were landed,
accompanied by ia of their principal men,
They were preceded and represented by "a
Caraminie, chief,who earnestly begged that
| the prisoners might receive good treatment,
and. under no circumstances, be put in irons
{ He appeared to dread the military, and wish
! ed to surrender them to the sub-agent. (Mr
| Marsh). His address being made to me,
told him it was proper that he should go to
the great chief Major Whistler): and that so
far as Mr. Marshs presence might be agreea-
BILE to them they should have it there. He
appeared content, and moved on followed by
| the men oftheir bands; the Red Bird being
in the centre, with his white flag whilst two
other flags, American, were borne by two
chiefs, in front and rear of the line. The mil
itary had been previously drawn ont in line.
The Menominies and Wabauockies squatting
about in groups, looking curious enough, on
the left hank-the band of music on the right
a little in advance of the line. The murder
ers were marched up in front of the centre OF
the lne-some ten or fifteen PAGES from which
seats were arranged, which were occupied by
the principal officers attached to the com.
mand,myself &C.; in front of which, at about
ten PAGES, the Red Bird was halted. with hi
miserable companion Wee-kaw, by his side
whilst his band formed a kind Of semi circle
to the right and left. All eyes were fixed or
the Red Bird; and well they might be: for O
all the Indians | ever saw. he is decidedly tn
most perfect 10 form, in face, and in motion
In height, he is about six feet, straight. bu
without restraint; 10 proportion, exact ant
perfect from his feet TO his head, and thence
to the very ends of his fingers; whilst hi
face is full of expression and of every sort Il
interest the feeling, and without single, ever
accidental glance, that would justify the sus
piciOn that a purpose Of murder could by AM
possible means conceal itself there. There i
in it happy blending Of dignity and grace
great firmness and decision, mixed with mild
ness and mercy. could but ask myself, Cal
this man he the murderer--the chief wh'
could shoot, scalpand cut the throat Of Gag
nier? His head toO-nOthing was ever 81
we'll formed. There was no ornamenting q
the hair after the Indian fashion; no club
bling in blocks Of lead and silver; no loose o
struggling parts but it was cut after the bes
fashion and most refined civilized state. Hi
face was painted. one side red. the other lit
tie ntcrmixed with green and white. Aroun