Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-09-06

formed in order under the immediate com
mand Of Col. Cass, and proceeded bv :,
route across the country to ford in The
Aux Canard river, four or five miles above
the bridge. When we arrived at the ford
| Stockton, Herd, and myself examined the
river, ascertained that it could be crossed
waded it first and took a position as sent;'
nels, while the remainder of the army
were crossing. When they were all safe,
! ~ crossed, Col. Cass directed me to take
command of the front guard, to which was
joined Or. Scott, who joined us as vol.
unteer and acted as our guide. We wers
directed to proceed on in advance and if
we discovered an enemy to report forth
win to the commandment The remainder
OF the troops were under the immediate
command of Coils. Cass and Miller. The
whole marched forward with as much ex-
petition as possible on the most direct
route to the bridge, through tremendous
thicket Of brush, and prickly ash swamps
tlll we arrived in sight of the bridge. The
front guard avoided the prairie and cot
some distance in front, and halted in the
edge Of a wood on the skirt of a small prai-
RE; at which time Coils. Cass aud Miller
marched into the edge Of prairie in sight
OF the bridge, by which means the enemy
got sight OF our troops. At the same time
ABOUT fifty Indians lay within sight of the
front guard, across small prairie and ra-
vine, and in sight of our men; thew
raised the yell and fled without firing
gun. The troops under Col. Cass were
under the necessity of marching up the ra-
vine to cross it, which detained them some
time, and gave the enemy warning of our
approach. The troops speedily crossed
the ravine and halted in prairie in sight
of the enemy, and within a half mile. or
perhaps three-fourths of mile, of the
bridge, when they formed in order of bat
tie. The infantry formed in column pro-
tected on the right by the river; the rifle
men were formed on the left wing extend
ing to the woods. In this order they all
marched forward. The rifemen had ad-
vanced about one hundred yards in front
of the infantry, when fire commenced by
our men across the river and was return
ed by the British. We had advanced
within a few hundred yards of the enemy,
when party of rihemen were directedto
penetrate a point of woods in which the
Indians were supposed to be concealed.
There appeared to be momentary hest
tation, when |, together with DIR. Scott,
Stockton, Herd, and the front guard rush
ed into the woods calling upon them to
follow, which was promptly done by
Capts. ullery and Robertson's companies
of riflemen. We emerged from the woods
about hundred and fifty or two hundred
yards from the British column, and imme-
diately commenced well directed fire up
on his flank, and the enemy pressed by
Col. Cass in front, Immediately fled from the
field, leaving us in possession of the bridge
without the loss Of one drop of blood. By
this time it began to grow dark. Our
troops crossed the bridge, placed sentinels
at it, and retired and lodged in some barns
that night. From our estimate Of the Bri-
fish column there were about one hundred
and fifty troops in uniform, and about fifty
Indians about our own number. This
| night it was reported in Gen. Hull's camp
tina: the sound of canon was heard in the
direction Of the bridge. which led to the
impression that the British had returned
in force and had re-captured the bridge.
Under the influence of this report, Gen.
Hull sent to our assistance the whole Of
the 4th Z. S. Regiment and piece of ar
tillery, under the command of Lieut.. Est
man, with orders for us to return to camp.
When this reinforcement arrived all was
quiet; we had not had even an alarm du-
ring the night.
July 18th, 1Sl2.-This morning after
the arrival Of the re-inforcements, stray
ling horseman reported that the British
troops were moving up from Maiden, on
which report Col. Cass, Mccullough and
myself proceeded to the bridge, crossed it,
and advanced to the point from which the
British troops had retreated the evening
before, but discovered no signs Of our en-
envy. Col. Cass returned, but McCul-
Tough and myself advanced two or three
miles towards Maiden before we disco
covered any one, other than some men in
boats. We stopped and were looking at
two boats in the river that appeared to be
loaded with men, and while viewing them
two British horsemen hove in sight, and
as soon as the horsemen saw us they
wheeled their horses and returned towards
Maiden at full speed; and as soon as the
horsemen eturned one Of the boats raised
a white flag and continued rowing up the
river-the other returned to the fort. We
returned and reported to Col. Cass. The
officers then met and held council, Il
was present though not one of the council
but attended to what was donc) The o.
fcers IN councH peGs all in tdror Of alan
donlng the bridge, in obedience 10 the Gm.
Hu!rs orders, EXCEPT COL. CA>S
AND CAPT. SMELLING, who msiyte1
upon retaining possession Of 1t as an imP0r'
fant paint, bat they were oropowDcd IN
council. TIE ridge was abandoned, they
returned to camp without leaving guard
to maintain the position we had so easily
gained. When we arrived in camp we
met Col. Macarthur, who had returned
from the river Thames with a consldtra-
bic quantity of public stores. (Ncte on
the Journal.) This was bad manoen'er
to fatigue men to take the bridge and then
give it up as we found it.
Ut