The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-24
WOODSFIELD, OHIO, SATURDAY, JUNE "A, r4s.

behind. It's not proper here 10 enter
into explanations Of the causes of the
disaster a: The river Raisin, the conse-
quences Of this movement, nor to give
the particulars Of the battle. The in.
cidents which signalized the character
Of the subject o! this memorial alone
are proper here.
There were two battles at the river
Raisin-one on the 18th, the other on
the 22d Of January. In the first, the
whole body Of lndan>warriors, drawn
together from all the lake tribes, for the
defence Of Upper Canada against the
approaching Kentuckians,were encoun.
tered. In moving TO the attack OF this
formidable force of the 6ercest, and
bravest, and most expert warriors on
the continent, strong party Of them
were described from the line with which
Ensign Butler advanced, running for.
ward to reach fence, as covert from
which to ply their rifles. Butler in.
stantly proposed, and was permitted,
TO anticipate them. Calling upon some
fof the most alert and active men OF the
company, he ran directly to meet the
Indians at the fence. He and his com.
rades outstripped the enemy; and, get
ting possession Of the fence, kept the
advantage Of the position Tor their ad.
vancing friends. This incident, Of
however little Importance asto results,
is worth remembrance in giving the
traits Of a young soldiers Character
II is said that the hardest veteran, at the
opening Of the fire in battle, feels, for
the moment, somewhat appalled,; and
Gen. Wolfe, one Of the bravest of men,
declared that the ''horrid yell OF the In
dian strikes the bodest heart with af.
fright" The stripping student, who,
for the first time, beheld field of bat.
tie on the SHOWS of the river Raisin,
presenting in bold relief long files Of
those terrible enemies, whose massa.
cres had filled his native State with
tales of horror, must have ielt 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 a few comrades around, and rushed
forward TO meet danger in its most ap.
palling form, risking himself to save
others, and to secure triumph which
he could scarcely hope 10 share, gave
earnest Of the military talent, the self.
sacrificing courage, and the soldierly
sympathies which have drawn to him
the nations esteem. The close of the
battle of the 10th gave another instance
in which these latter traits Of Gen. But.
ler's 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 con.
test of sharp-shooting from tree to :ree
was hers continued-the Kentuckians
pressing forward, and the Indians le.
treating-unti night closed in, when
the Kentuckians were recalled to the
encnmpment in the village. The In.
dians advanced as their opposers with.
drew, and kept up the fire until the
Kentuckians emerged from the woods
into the open ground. Just as the CO.
lumn to which Ensign Butler belonged
reached the verge Of the dark forest
the voice Of a wounded man, who had
been left some distance behind, was
heard calling out most piteously fol
, help. Butler induced three Of his com
pany to 60 back in the woods with him
to bring him off. He was found, and
J they fought their way backbone Of the
: men, Jeremiah Walker, receiving .
shot, Of which he subsequently, died.
In the second sanguary battle OF the
} river Raisin, on the 22d Of January
, with The British and Indians, another
: act Of seli.deyo.ion was performed BY
5 Butler. After the rout and massacre o
, the right wing, belonging to Wells
} command, tho whole force ofthe British
: and Indians was concentrated agains
{ the small body Of troops under Majol
! Madison, that maintained their grount
: within the picketed gardens. A doubls
, barn, commanding the plat ofthe grount
!. on which the Kentuckians stood, wa,
! approached on one side BY the Indians
r under the cover Of an orchard ant
i fence; the British, on the other side
J being SO posted as to command tn
i space between It and the picke,s. A
: party in the rear Of the barn were dis
/. covered advancing to take possession
. Of il. All saw the fatal consequence
: Of the secure lodgment Of the enem,
d at a place which would present ever.
(. man within the pickets at close rife
d shot,to the aim OF their marksmen. >
5. Major Madison inquired If there wa
II no one who would volunteer to run
: guantlet Of the fire Of the British an,