The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-11-14

Crawford to allow me to 60 with him (my
consent having been asked previously }
TO which the General agreed, in case Col.
Gibson would not object.
Afer obtaining Col. Gibson's permis.
sion, | left Fort Pitt on Tuesday, the 2ls,
of May, and arrived at Mingo valley the
next evening. The volunteers did not all
cross the river TILL Friday morning the
24lh; they then divided themselves into
eighteen companies, elecung their cap
tains hy vote. They elected also a com
mander in chief, four field mai ors, and one
brigade major. Four hundred and 65
men voted.
We took up the line of march on Satur-
day, Ma, gath, in westerly direction
On the fourth day we reached the old Mo.
rayian village on the Muskirgum, about
sixty miles from the Ohio river
On Tuesday evening, May 2sth, Major
Brenton aud Captain Bean went short
distance beyond the camp to reconnoitre.
About quarter of a mile from the camp
they discovered two Indians, upon whom
they fired, and then retreated. 1t was
here that we were FIRST discovered, a, we
afterwards learned.
On Thursday, June 4th, the eleventh
day of our march, we arrived at the place
where Sandusky formerly stood. The in
habitants had moved eighteen miles down
the creek near the Lower Sandnsky. AS
neither our guides nor any one of us knew
anything about their moving, we suppos>
ed that 90 Indisn village was nearer than
Upper Sandusky, which was about forty
miles distant. %
After resting our horses we set oiit TO
iook for their settlements; but we had
hardly travelled four miles from the old
village, when number Of our men desi
red TO return home; some of them pret en-
dcj to have only five days provisions
left.
The field officers and captains held a
council. and determined to move on that
afternoon; bui before the council sat, a
small body of horse was sent out to re
connoitre.
Inst as the council broke MP a niessens
ger arrived from these spies, bringing the
oews that they had journeyed about three
miles when they met great number oi
Indians advancing, The spies joined us
soon after, and ahcut mile ahead w
met the Indians, occupying forest before e
us, while we were ID an open plain; our
men dismounted, advanced, and drove
them out of their position.
The enemy, after being reinforced
wheeled TO the right, and part of them
tack ed us 10 the rear, which gave the
fight serious turn. The contest grew
hotter oD both sides, and lasted from
o'clock until dusk, each party keeping
their ground. The field officers met next
morning and concluded, f, that as the enemy
were increasing in numbers continually,
and as many Of cur men were wounded all
ready, it would be best TO retire on the
following night. The whole force was to
form in three columns, and take the woun-
ded men 10 the middle. We had four men
dead and twenty y-three wounded, seven of
them dangerously, and on their account
we had 10 prepare as many bers. to car
nv them of. After dark the officers went
to the sentines and called them off as
suddenly as possible. just as the troops
were forming the enemy fred some guns,
whereupon some Of our men declared that
the Indians having discovered our irten-
tions, were giving the alarm: Now, ma.
nv of our foremost men rushed ON, and the
rest following them, left the wounded men
behind; who, how ever, escaped. some on
horseback, others by tie aid Of their
friends.
Scarcely quarter of mile from The
battle field, heard Col. Crawford calling
upon his son-in.law, Major Harrison, and
his nephews, Major Rose, and William
Crawford. went TO him and told him
that they were probably before us. He
asked me, ''Is it you, Doctor!" ] an
swered YES" and he replied that they
were not ahead, and asked me not TO
leave him, which promised.
We now waited and called continually
for those men, till all the troops had pas.
sed. The Colonel now said, that his horse
was nearly exhausted, that he could not
keep up with the troops, and requested
4 that some of his best friends might sta,
with him. lie then accused the militia
OF starting in such an abrupt manner,
LEAVING the wounded men behind against
his orders. oan after Two men, an old
man and young one, overlook u.s. We
asked them about the persons before men,
TONED, but they did not know aay thing
about them.