Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-05-25

/ Neither of the commanding officer
being much acquainted with lndia'
warfare, they asked the opinion an.
advice of the soldier and woodsman
colonel Boon, who was well acquaint
ed with the situation Of the ground
He, in his PLAIN, frank, and impressive
manner, stated, that in his opinion, thu
enemy invited an attack; their numbe
might probably vary from three to fiv'
hundred, owing to the ambiguous ma
ture of the sign; the man body va
near; and prepared for action, and ths
ground was well calculated for onsbus
cade. The river wound in an irregu
lar elIipsis, near the centre Of which
and on the top Of the hill then in view
passed the great Buffalo road, leading
to Limestone; two ravines made up il
different directions, about one mile in
advance, and terminated near each
other, on the right and left Of the road
both ravines were covered with small
underwood, while the ground between
the river and the ravines, was uneven
and barren; the Indians would be able
to fight under cover, while the Ken
tuckians could scarce be protected by
a single shrub. 1t was, therefore.
most advisable to wait for the rein
forcement hourly looked for, under
the command Of colonel Logan, and in
the meantime, the surrounding coun-
try could be examined, and the posi-
ton Of the enemy reconnoitred; but in
the event Of an immediate attack be-
ing resolved on, the troops ought to be
one division to march up on
the south side Of the river, cross near
the mouth OF a small creek. and fall
upon the outside of the ra,iHes. while
the other division should place itselfin
a position to take advantage Of circum-
cooperate with the first divis-
ion in the event Of an attack, and make
I'D effort to take the enemy in their
OWL snares, should they be in an5us-
:ade. llrcaiy had Boon gained over
% his opinion, large portion of those
who heard hum, when the rash and
inpatient M'Gay applied the roscIs
q the sides of his horse, and plunged
nto the stream, crying on; at the same
inc, in a loud voice, .rhesc who are
rot towards. will follow tne. and l VIII
how them where the Indians aretj
4 confusion, SO common and SO fatal
lmong undisciplined troops, now took
,lace. One followed, another fol-
owed. some doubted, others wayered,
! few were determined, and Il part
TODD firm. But unfortunately, the
prompt and authoritive word Of COM
nand, 'hal',' was not given, and the
ouncil was broken up. Morgan, to-
,ethcr with some others, who atten-
lively listened to the advice Of Boon,
we're convinced of its correctness. and
opposed to crossing the river, but at
ensth suffered themselves to be car
led along in the crowd, until the
vhole force was on the northern bank.
70 order was observed, no command
vas given. The narrow strip Of bot
in which the salt-spring is
was soon passed, and the hill
scended. Here they were led, by
he Temperance Of the few Indians
rst discovered, to ridge on the left,
rhiCh terminated near the two ravines.
nd at this termination, was covered
nth small oak. The distance from
be spring to the ravines, was about
ne mile, and the Intervening ground
Deven and barren; for ages back, it
ad been stripped Of its foliage BY the
read of the innumerable herds Of deer
nd buffalo that resorted to the lick.
nd presented an almost un5rokenl
Of rocks, through which a
wv scattering scrubby oaks, had here
nd there forced their way. M'Gay
nd M'Bride, at the head Of the party
, front, that first reached the woods,
ERE instantly attacked by the Indians
nat lay concealed, and waiting for
lem. The action now commenced,
nd soon became warm and bloody:
constant and destructive fire was ,
ept up. The savage war-whoop,
lat burst from both ravines, filled the
II with loud and increased peals of
scordant yells. II was soon discov- :
red that the ravines, which concealed .
'e enemy. extended hey ond the whole |.
ne Of the kentuckians, and now pour !
forth a countless horde Of hungry 9
'nibals prepared for slaughter. and 2
'irstiDg for blood. Todd and Trigg
IL bad Eru.a.l .x,l f,=l 4 1.