Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-02-24

thathe anticipated battlc---that as the 9Th re-
giment was that day, according to the ordei
Of march, in front, he saw no reason for chang.
ing its position then; so the Indians were di.
rected TO advance as skirnishers---,he yolun-
teers succeeded them next came the regulars
1.-the 9th in front. the 4th extended on their
left, the LIST forming the reserve. We push
men came up with and captured sbout SO head
Of cattle. We had now reached the edge of
a wide and almost impossible marsh. Here
the mules and all the horses were left, and we
started across. The marsh was three fourths
of a mile wide;---on the opposite side was
hammock 100 yards in width. The footing
there was good, butihe timber heavy ard thicl.
In traversing the bog every man sunk to his
waist, at every s,ep.-.-On the way it was per-
ceived that the Indians had deserted US. When
within sixty yards Of the hammock, fire was
opened upon the volunteers, who fled: Colonel
t;entry behaved gallantly, and thrice rallied
them, when he received q ball near his hin,
The column pressing onward, The blunt Of the
action fell upon the 9th, who from their posi-
ton could not return the fire. They had to
wide slowly on in the face OF death; Sleep.
back was shot frst-.-thcn fell Col. Thompson
with three balls, Van Swearngen, Brook and
Center Immediately after; these were all shot
from the tops of trees. Butthree officers then
remaiaed, and the regiment was much disor.
dered: They gained the hammock, and the
right company fired yoIey; this was the sig
nal for cheering, and it was the most ioyful
sound ever heard. The first gun discharged
in the hammock was accompanied by hellsh
| yells, which continued 10 the end Of the en-
gagement The 4th entered the hammo ck near
the same time, while we remained on our
knees in the mud. amidst the high grass $50
yards distant, 80 minutes. 1t was a dreadful
period Of suspense. Every ball seemed a mes.
senger. while every yell seemed more and
more horrible. At last we received the order
to advance, and j assure you we lost no time
We gained a footing, and made over to the
other side OF the woody bottom TO the magni-
fcent lake of Okechubbe. On the shore we
could descry the devils on either side Of us,
but all efforts TO bring them TO action were a.
gain avalling. The fight commenced at ten
minutes before II and lasted near an hour;-..
scattering fires Kept up for two hours. We
continued OH the ground until sunset when
We bore away the remnant of the wounded and
dead. Five officers and thirty privates killed,
two officers and 100 prvates wounded. We
found 10 Indians dead on the field; their num-
bers are etnnkntwn, probably there were a.
bout 400. Such was the battle Of Okechubbee,
fought on Christmas day.
The Legislature Of Tennessee have repealed
the law licensing iipping houses, and making
1t penal offence,I Enable, a, the discretion OF
the court, for any person TO retail ardent spir-
/ its.
The Canal round the muscle shoals has late
ly been completed, and boats now pass thro'
with ease.
I'VE are indebted to the kindness of Major
I. Z. LEcATE. for the following corrcspon-
dence between that gentleman while superin-
'endent Of the lead mines, and Col. Bomford,
OF the Ordnance Department, called for and
published by resolution Of the United States
Senate. Congress having taken the subject
of the disposition Of the lead mines into con-
sideration, it behoovcs The operators theron to
consult for the public good, and determine
whether their sale would prove of benefit, and
if SO, give an expression Of their views upon
the matter. and urge the measure through our
Delegate in Congress; Lu, If their sale should
be thought deirimentaito the public in,eres,
alike action to prevent would seem 10 be ne
cessary. Confident, as we are, that to do the
will Of his constituents is the chief desire of
Gel. Jones, il IS due 10 him that an express
sion Of opinion should le made on this subject.
in order that his course may be ia accordance
with their WISH.
JANUARY &c, 1899.
Referred 10 the Committee and Public Lands,
and ordered to be printed.
DEPARTMENT or War,
january 26, 1888.
SIR: ] have the honor Il transmit. herewith.
report Of the Colonel IL Ordnance. which
furnishes the correspondence relative to the
lead mines. called Tor by resolution of the
Senate Il the l0tl, insiint.
Very respectfully,
Your most obsdient servant.
,E ]. r. POINSETT.
Hon. r. M. JouNsU,
President Of he Senate.
OR,NANcE OrvicE,
Washington. January %, 1898.
SIR: In conformity With resolution of the
United States Senate, dated The 10Th instant.
! herewith transmit c,pies Of The correspon-
Gence between Major .eoate late snno-;n,o,