The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-13
From The 81. Louis Republican Of May %.
THE INDIAN WAR.

Ferry for several DAYS before the arrival of
the main body Of the Militia under the COM
mand of Gen. Whitesiaes. Immediately
thereafter request was preferred by Major
Stillman, who commanded the detachment,
to he allowed to go ont upon a scouting ex-
petition, which was granted by Gen. w.
On Monday the l4rh, the detachment met
small party Of Indians, killed two, and
made two others prisoners. They contin-
ued their route, and encampcd for the night
at IN advantageous posilion,-a dense
wood surrounded by prairie. Almost us
soon as they had dsmounted, turned their
horses loose and commenced preparations
Tor supper, small party of Indians WAS dis
covered in the neighborhood ofthe eRcamp-
ment, bearing with them a white flag.
Capt. Fades, with few men, were sent out
to meet them, when the Indians commenced
a precipitate retreat. This officer being
acquainted with the Indian mole of war
fare, AMI snspecting an ambush, followed
them as far as he deemed prudent, and then
ordered his men to fall hack upon the main
party. Although it was nearly dark, the
whole detachment had been ordered to
re-mount, and were met upon the route by
the men who were returning.
The pursuit was conducted without any
regard to discipline, and had continued for
several miles, the Indians receding as the
troops advanced, until they had decoyed
them across Sycamore Creek, as it is called
in The proclamation. This they did in dis
order, and as earh man successfully reach
ed it. Being thus deceived in the midst of
the main body of the Indians. and without
being allowed time TO form. hostlities were
commenced. The Indians showedthemselves
on every quarter, mounted and armed. They
commenced the attack with their guns.
md after firing them, resorted 10 the use of
tomahawks and knives. AS soon rs their
desperate situation was made known, Major
Stlman ordered "a retreat across the creek,
niter an Intellectual fire at the enemy. The
savnges followed close upon them. No
time was allowed for them to form on the
opposite bank Of the creek. A company
under the command of Captain Adams, Of
Tazewell county, who were in the rear, en-
deavored TO make stand against them and
fought with desperation. About half of the
missing are thought to have belonged to
this company. The battle was fought by
moon light, in an open prairie, and the pur
suit was kept np.for ten or twelve miles
The survivors began to arrive at Dixon's
Ferry, about one o'clock in the morning.
About 25 men were killed. A few ofthose
who escaped were wounded, and many had
their hats and clothes perforated with bull
let holes.
Some Of the savnges were killed. hut the
number could not he asrertained. Various
estimates are made Of the strength of the
Indians; the number is probably between
twelve and fifteen hundred warriors. By
this victory they obtained possession Of the
horses of the slain, and of the camp equip.
age, blankets. ammunition, and provision Of
the routed Militia, and are, moreover, en-
outraged to further hostilltes by the pro-
pitions omen of first victory.
Business was entirely suspended at Ga
lem, and the families in the surrounding
country were moving in for protection. As
proof of the rapidity with which the Indians
traverse the country, it is stated, that run
ner from Black Hawk and his allies, bearing
10 the Missouri Indians news Of the defeat
of the militia, arrived at the Des Moines
Rapids twenty four hours before the express
sent by Governor Reynolds.
LATER ACCOUNTS. 1t is stated in letters
from Tippecanoe county, Indiana, May 25,
that the Indians, in strong force, were adj
vancing into the settlements on Grand Prai-
rie, carrying desolatIon before them. On
the 23l of May they were on Hickory
Creek, in Illinois. On Monday the 2Ist,
about thee hundred persons collected on
the frontier of Indiana, that had fled from
their habtations on the Grand Prairie, and
abandoned their homes. The hostile In.
dams are the Sioux and Foxes, who nhabit
&c 1,
River and the Fox River, one of the head
waters Of the Illinois River. The Grand
Prairie is chiefly in Illinois, and is of great
extent, and covered with q considerable
population, many of whom are from Ohio
and Kentucky. May 23d, about three hun
dred volunteers, all mounted, left Danvilr,
Illinois, for the scene of war. A company
of fifty left Covington, Indiana, for the
same purpose. From fifty to an hundred
volunteers left Warren county, Indiana, on
the same day. The whole county was in
great agitation; Int the Indians did no;
murder and scalp rs heretofore they only
laid waste The country.
The st. Louis Times of May % states
the following particulars. On Friday, the
18th May, a party of five men set forth from
Galena on scouting expedition through
the country supposed TO he occupied by the
enemy. They had gone about fifty miles,
IN the direction of the station of the militia
OF Illinois. without meeting any obstruction,
when they were suddenly attacked by a
small amhuscade of the Red men. The
whites had passed the ambush, when the
Indians arose and fred and the first know
ledge the surprised party had of the imms-
tilate presence of the foe, was the discharge
of the rife. The Indians were painted
green, and lny concealed in the grass on
slight dcclivity. One of the whites. a Mr..
Durley, was killed instantly, and two 9TH
crs had parts of their clothing pierced hy
the balls. After the first fire, the whites
perceiving the Indians to he superior in
force, turned and Iceland made their
way back to Galena without any further
loss. Gen. Atkinson ard Gov. REYNOLDS
have formed junction, and proceeded with
their forces in pursuit OF the Indians. The
main bndy of the latter is said TO he on
Rock River, about so miles from its mouth.
New EcHoTA, May 10.
On the 10Th inst, Cherokee blood again
was split about miles lrem the Sxef. gold
mines. A Cherokee residing at this place
named Tunab-ee was accused of killing a
hog, l.y two or three Georgians, residing in
the nation under the permit of the Charge
dAffnirs Of Georgia, Gen. Coffee; they
made prisoner of the Indian, and his hands
closely ietteret. They ordered him to march
with them in the direction TO where the
Eiowali rond crosses Little River, where
hn1 mas al l..