Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-06-08
From The Missouri Republican, May %.

ness we cannot say"
From The Missouri Republican, May %.
iNplAN WAR-DEFEAT OF THE MILITIA.
rom source on which reliance may he placed
we nave learned the following particulars The
detachment concerned in the engagement (about
Two hundred and seventy five men) had been en-
camped at Dlxon's Ferry for several days before
the arrival of the main body of tho militia under
the command of General Whi,osides. Imulcdi-.c
y thereafter request vs. nr-f-...1G bv Mai Still
man, who commanded tho detachment, to be al
lowed to GO out upon scouting expedition, which
was granted By Gen. w. On Monday, the 18th
the Enactment met small party of Indians and
kc@ two and made two others prisoners. They
continued their route, and encampcd for the niult
In an advantageous Position, a dense wood, sur
rounded by prairie Almost soon as they had
dismounted, turned their horses loose, and com
menced preparations for supper, small party of
Indians were discovered in this neighborhood of
the encampment, bearing white flag. Captain
Fades, WITH lew men, was sent to meet them,
When the Indians commenced pricipftate retreat.
L his officer being acquSinted with tho Indian mode
OF warfare, and suspecting ambush, followed
them as lar as he deemed prudent and then order
cd his men To- fall back on the main party. AL
though 1T was nearly dark, the whole detachment
had been ordered to remount, and we're met upon
the route by the men who were returning. The
pursuit was conducted without any regard to dis
ciplnc, and had continued for several miles the
Indians receding az the troops advanced, until
they had decoyed them across Sycamore Creek as
1t is called in the proclamation. This they did in
disorder, and as each man SUCCESSFULLY reached it,
Being thus dccoycd in the midst of the IN ain body
OF the Indians and without being allowed time TO
form, hostilitics commenced. The Indians
showed themselves on every qdarter, mounted and
armed. They commenced the attack with their
guns, and after firing them, rcsortcd TO the of
tomahawks and knives. AS their dcSpc-
rate situation was known Major Ssillman ordered
retreat the creek after an in> ficctual fire
at the enemy. Tho savoges followed cose upon
them n o time allowed for them to form on
the opposite bank of the creek. a company under
the command of Capt. Adams, of Tazcwel coun
~, who were in tho rear, cndcavored to make
Stand against them, and fought with desperation
About hall OF the missing are thought tn have
belonged to this company. The battle was forlght
by moonlight, in open prairie, and the pursuit
was Kept up Tor ten twelve miles. The survivors
began to arrive at DiYons Ferry about one O'clock
IN the morning, and, after sufficient time had
elapsed, the next day, for them all to have come
in, the roll called and ffty-two were found to
be missing. few of those who escaped were
wounded and many had their hats and clothes per.
toratcd with bullet holes. Some of the savagcs
were killed; but the numbcr could not be ascrer-
tanned.
Various estimates given of the strength of
the Indians; the nGmber is probably between twelve
and fifteen hundred warriors. BY this victory
they obtained possession of the horses of the slain
and of the equipage, blankets, ammunition, and
provisions of the routed militia, and are, moreover
encouraged TO further hostilites by the proIGtous
omen of first victory.
On Tuesday last, the militia at Dixon's Ferry,
amounting to 1900 men, were paraded 10 hurry |
their deceased comrades. When our informant left
them, an immediate pursuit and attack of the In
dams was anticipated, but we hope wiser counsel
may have prevailed, defeat wound be almos, Ger
tain to follow such course.
The militia are cxasperated beyond all bounds
III the ueath OF tneIr countrymcn, and cruel ard
DISCRIMINATING war must be the consequences On
the other hand the Indians ha VIC The atlvan, , nr
q Dortuct noWcdpe of the -
fatigue and privations of every kind and can AT
any time seek refuge i'll the swamrs which abound
in that quarter.
Fears entertained at .kead quarters for tbo
safety of two three sm..l parts of mo, snccos
slyely sent with despai ches IL, General A,kiuson
Nothing had been b. ard from any of them, or, in
deed, was il kno-.n i'm what si.uation Con 4 ,,o.
when our informant left.
Prior to the engagement the REGULAR arn,t and
the militia had formed junction at Rock Island |
and general Atkinson invested with the entire
command. The militia, under Gen. WIitcsdes |
being mostly mounted men, proceeded to Dixop,s |
ferry by land. Gen. Atkinson with 800 regulars
and 300 militia, assembled the rapids of Rock Ri
yer in boats and information received here from
hn' state, that he had effected passage over the
rapids He must, at that time, have been about
so miles from Dixon's Ferry
1t is said that orders 1--we been transmitted from,
the !" ar Department to the commanding officer
OF the expedition, TO prosecute the war in the most
energetic manner and no longer listen to the talks
IL
ready.
The perous state of our fellow citizens of fiji.
noise and the prospect ola continuance of The war
for some months, suggests the proprcty of assist.
ancc from this State. Having no organized mill
tia ut least in this quarter, the only left is
the formation Of volunteer companies. Arms and
means of transportation to the scene of action
will, we have doubt, be furnished by the Govern
mcnt officers.
BY timely aid, like calamity on our own Dor
dcrs may bc prevented for it easy Goresec that
it these Indians not oilectuully qucllcd the
same hostile spirit will soon be infused into all the
border tribes.
LATER.-Wc have counter and less disastrous
reports 10y a short steamboat passage from Gacna
1t was reported there by persons who were in the
cnga cement, that % or 81 men only were killed
In the other particulars Tic above details are near
ly correct. Business entirely suspended at
Gdlcua, and the families I'M the surrounding conn
try were moving in for protection As proof of
the raPidity with which the Indians traverse the
country, it is stated that runner from Black
Hawk and his allies bearing to the Missouri In
dams news Of the defeat Of the militia, arrived at
the Des Moihes Rapids twenty four hours before
the express sent by Governor Reynolds.
E'OREHGN.
LATEST FROM FRANCE