Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-06-21

ted to remain with the northwestern army,
which he had entered to share in the effort
Of the Kentucky militia 10 wipe out the
disgrace Of Hull's surrender by the re-
capture Of Detroit. His proposition was
assented to, and he received an ensien's
appointment Of the 18th infantry, then a
part Of the northwestern army, under the
command Of Gen. Winchester After en-
during every privation in winter en-
campment, inthe wildernesses and frozen
marshes of the lake country, awaiting iii
vain the expected support Of additional
forces, the Kentucky volunteers, led by
Lewis, Allen, and Madison, with Wells
regiment, 9th U. 81 advanced to en-
counter the force of British and Indians
which defended Detroit. On leaving Ken
lucky, the volunteers had pledged them
selves to drive the British invaders from
our soil. These men and their leaders
were held in such estimation at home, that
the expectation formed OF them exceeded
their promises and these volunteers,
though disappointed in every succor which
they had reason to misunderstanding in
provisions, clothes, cannon, in everything
resolved, rather than lose reputation, to
press OH to the enterprise, and endeavor
10 draw on after them, by entering into ac-
ton, the troops behind. Ii is not proper
here to enter into explanations of the
|causes of the disaster at the river Raisin,
the consequence of this movement, nor to
give the particulars Of the battle. The in
cidents which signalized the character of
the subject Of this memoir alone are pro-
per here. #..
There were two battles at the river Raisin
one on the 18th, the other on the 22d o f
January. In the first, the whole body of
Indian warriors, drawn together from all
the lake tribes, for the defence of Upper
Canada against the approaching kentuck-
ians, were encountered. In moving to the
attack OF this formidable force of the fiercest
and bravcst, and most expert warriors on
the continent, strong party of them were
described from the line with which En-
sign Butler advanced, running forward to
reach fence, as a cover from which to
ply their rifles. Butler instantly propos-
ed, and was permitted, to anticipate them.
Calling upon some of the most alert and
active men of the company, he ran direct
ly to meet the Indians at the fence. He
and his comrades outstripyel the enemy;
and getting possession OF the fence, kept
the advantage OF the position for their ad-
vancing friends. This incidents, Of how
ever little Importance as to the results, is
worth remembrance in giving the traits of
the young soldiers character. 1t is said that
the hardest veteran, at the opening of the
fire in battle, feels, for the moment, some
what appalled,; and Gen. Wolfe, one of
the bravest Of men, declared that the Choir
rid yell of the Indian strikes the boldest
heart with alright" The stripping stu
dent, who, for the first time, beheld field
Of battle on the SHOWS Of the river Raisin,
presenting in bold relief long files of those
terrible enemies, whose massacres had FL
ed his native State with horror, must have
felt some stirring sensations. But the
crack of the Indian rifle, and his savage
yell, awoke in him the chivalric instincts
OF his nature; and the promptitude with
which he communicated his enthusiasm to
few comrades around, and rushed for
ward to meet danger in its most appalling
form, risking himself to save others, and
to secure atriumph which he could scarce
ly hope t. share, gave earnest of the mill.
tary talent, the self-sacrifcing courage,
and the soldierly sympaihies which have
drawn to him the nations esteem. The
close of the battle of the 18th gave another
instance in (which these latter traits of Gen.
Buffers character were still more striking
ly illustrated. The Indians, driven from
the defences around the town on the river
Raisin, retired fighting into the thick woods
beyond it. The contest Of sharp-shooting
from tree to tree was here continued-the
kentuckians pressing forward, and the
Indians retreating-until night closed in,
when the kentuckians were recalled to
the encampment in the village. The In
dians advanced as their opposers withdrew,
and kept up the fire until the kentuckians
emerged from the woods into the open
ground. Just as the column to which En-
sign Butler belonged reached the verge of
the dark forest, the voice of wounded
man, who had been left some distance be-
hind, was heard calling out most piteously
for help. Butler induced three of his
company togo back in the woods with him,
to bring him off. He was found, and they
fought their way backbone of the men,
Jeremiah Walker, receiving a shot of
which he subsequently died.
In the sanguinary battle of the river
Raisin, on the 22d of January, with the
British and Indians, another act of self-de-
votion was performed by Butler. After
the route and massacre of the right wing,
belongingto Wclls's command, the whole
force of the British and Indians was con-
centrated against the small body Of troops
under Major Madison, that maintained
their ground within the picketed gardens.
A double barn, commanding the plat of
ground on which the Kentuckians stood,
was approached on one side by the Indi-
ans, under the cover of an orchard and
fence; the British being so posted to com
mand the space between it and the pick
cts. Aparty in the rear of the barn were
discovered advancing to take possession
Iof it. All saw the fatal consequences
the secure Judgment of the enemy at q
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