Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-09
A sKIRMIsH ON THE WESTERN PLAINS.

The following is brief account Of the battle fought by
Lieut. RoYALLs command, acting an escort 10 Major
BnrANT, Paymaster United States Army, who proceed
ing Fort Mann to pay the troops stationed that post
On the 18th OF June they encamped the Arkansas river
Major Bryant being anxious to reach Fort Mann early
possible and pay The troops there in order and pay
he other troops OF his district Lieut. Royal ordered detail
Of seveniy-fve mounted (which all the Major
quese proceed the next morning with him in advance Of
the command On the morning Of the 18th, at twenty min
past five O'clock just the Major about starting,
the alarm of Indians given by Lieut. Hemmel, Of Lieut.
Gpns battalion who, together with Lieut. Kuhlow, had
out few days previous with company of artillery
and two sxpounders TO escort the Major into the Fort
number of Indians riding down the opposite side Of
the and upon looking to the they the whole
plain covered with Indians and large number full charge
upon the camp. The number who charged the camp os
mated to have been between 200 and 800 warriors besides
which large party, supposed number about 200 more
were seen to the north, whilst another OF about the
number appeared the SOUTH The enemy made attempt
to charge through Major Bryans line Of tents but gal
any met and repulsed. Finding themselves foied that
sde they charged down Lieut. Royals line, where they
were warmly received They then charged the cara OF
gons and CALAMITY received by the teamsers and men
in charge Of the beef cattle. The eageness Of the men
of the artillery as we'll as those Of Lieut. Royals command
get the enemy, great that the sxpounder loaded
with canister the Majors side ofhe camp could not open;
consequently that part of the action fought with cabInes
and pistols the other sxpounde under charge o. sergeant
of artillery opened upon them. On the other slde MAJOR d.,
seeing that the Indians repused from that line, ran down
the FOUNDER directed il TO be pushed forward beyond
the ara and took charge of several discharges were made
from it, which did execution among the enemy. ~ was
found upon examination that fifteen horses Of Lieut. Royals
command and five from the plain, together with four mules
had een carried off, two of the latter were afterwards ounc
killed, having been lanced they could not get tnem OH
Their attention directed to the Indians seen IN h'
north; but upon consultation Lieut. ROYAL ordered az man,
could be collected to unit, and with thyee men
including Mr. Diety paymas es clerk, brave young gen
leman, they set off pursuit of the party VINO naa cnage
the camp. They crossed the river about two miles IRON
camp, when they discovered uty OF the enemy reea
before thcm leaving several 'nded horses pennu 'no
They continued the nynit ana when about twelve mile
from the river among the sand hi U.s. they found ,hemseve
compeey surrounded NV from soo TO 700 Of the enemy pre-
parno 10 CHARGE bpt ,bev an ated their design, an
charged through elevation on III right ana ooane
advantage them In this charge number Of the indat
were killed wounded whilst upon ne NIL above meno
ed they sustained several charges from ne enemy, non "
and rear and succeeded in each ,,,.c killing and woun
ing large number Of Indians Four Am orleans were wou
ed in this affair The ,nc, hohayaJ = dlantly Sergea
Sekirk had his horse wounded and beha we'd CALAMITY,
Mr. Dety, who has been mentioned before rendered mPe
tant services his horse wounded in two PAGES anu
arrow passed through his clothes Finding nat Tue no
had retired TO distance and DESTROYS to "a ne
into camp thew slowly retired and reaap.5 re- camp No
Of Tho Amcrcons ,ye,s t;,od !; ohe a.,;oa Major Brya
,enJered valuable and ;,,.or.a, ..;.. l. = at eve
point Of the attacked POSITIONS encouraging the m 90 anu
rcc,pc tboy oaor,s 10 ronnI.. H. -. -. Hemme
Kuhlor and Rovall hoh.,oJ c.ian,v w.. - 8, in
estimation of everv an. 90 H. eorr,aJ -, i.L 10
Indians concentrated between Fort Mann and Weme ee'
all well armed and mounted. But il is thought fro u
warm reception they met with they will hereafter keep "