Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-25

! The writer hero says that il was ascer-
tanned that the Indians had moved rapid.
|ly up Sycamore creek. Here he is mis-
taken. We do not believe that there was
sensible man upon the ground who sup
posed the Indians had moved up Syca-
more creek. On the contrary, it was be
lleved by all that they had moved up Rock
rlver--an entire different direction.--
Again he Whitesides was sent up
Sycamore in pursuit another mistake,
Whitesdes with his brigade was ordered
up Sycamore, and across to the Illinois,
not in pursuit of the Indians, because no
person believed the Indians had taken
that route. He further says, that White
sides brigade was disbanded from some
cause arising out of local and State par
ties. These statements, if true, would
reflect disgrace upon the militia; but, as
fortune would have it, they are glazing
mlsstatements. Let Us hear the truth.
When Gen. Atkinson arrived at the bat
tie ground, the time for which the militia
had enlisted was within few days of ex-
Ipiring. Owing to this fact, Gen. White
sides was ordered, not in pursuit of the In
dlans, but across to the Illinois to dis
charge his brigade. Politics had nothing
to do in this matter; and further, why did
Gen. Atkinson march back to Dixon's?
The answer is plain. He knew that the
term of service of Whitesides' brigade
had expired. Not being willing to pur-
sue the Indians up Rock river without
being aided by mounted militia, he de-
termined to fall back TO Dixon's, and
there remain until the Governor Of Illinois
could call out new troops. This version
OF the matter saves all difficulties. 1t dis,
|graces no man. On the contrary, if the
statements in the Narrative are true, then
it follows that Whitesidcs and his brigade
are disgraced, and Gen. Atkinson would
stand before the nation as disgraced Of
hcer. Otherwise, what excuse could he
give, for laying with his troops at Syca-
more two days, having then struck the In
dian trail? What excuse could he give
for sending the militia in pursuit of the
Indians, while he with his regulars lay in,
active? What excuse could he give for
falling back to Dixon's and there laying
twenty days? He could furnish none but
the one given above. For, could lie have
pursued the Indians Immediately on strik-
ling their trail at the battle ground, the
campaign would have been ended in ten
days, and thousands of dollars saved to the
nation. But this he could not do, because.
as above stated, the term of service of the
mounted militia had expired, and it was
wise in him to await, until the Governor
could call out new troops.
| One further misstatement IN the above
extract, and we have done with it. The
writer says that Gen. Atkinson, upon hear
ing of the militia being disbanded, hasten
ed across to the Illinois. This much is
true. But when he says that by the per
suasive influence of Gen. Atkinson he in
ducee few companies to remain and as
sst in protecting the frontier, he is mis-
taken. -Four companies had volunteered
to remain and protect the frontiers some
days before Gen. Atkinson's arrival
When Gen Atkinson arrived, be found
them there, and the rest of the militia
gone to their homes. They volunteered
jof their own accord, without the presence
or influence Of Gen. Atkinson and With
iout the hope or expectation of pay, but
from patriotic sense Of duty. Gen. At
kinson is entitled to no credit for their
staying, but he deserves credit for staying
with them until the new troops came on.
The Narrative goes on to say, by in
defatigable exertions, Gen. Atkinson sue
ceeded in less than three weeks, in call
ing out new militia mounted force, in
organizing it anew" &c. The facts in
this case are these: before the term for
which the mounted militia had enlisted
was expired, in anticipation of their dis
bandment, Gov. Reynolds, probably on
the requsition of Gen. Atkinson, ordered
out new militia force; and it was to the
promPtness Of the officers with whom the
orders were entrusted for execution. and
to the patriotism and martial spirit of our
citizens, that the public were indebted
for the collection and rapid organization
OF the new volunteers. The orders for
this purpose were issued by Gov. Rey-
nolds while he was with the army on
Rock River, and before Whitesides' bri-
gadc had. marched for Illinois river. I'll
is difficult to divine the object of the mar
rallve writer in thus attempting to place
to the credit ofGen. Atkinson the execu-
ton oil measure which came strictly
within the prescribed duties of the Gov
ernor, and which was carried into effect
in the only legal and proper manner--by
the Governor himself.
In reviewing the Narrative thus far our
task has been the unpleasant one Of 4. or