The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-01

dams. These were driven before the Kentucky volun
to their towns the Wabash, which destroy
ed, and the troops then returned to the Miami OF the
lakes, where they made winter encampment here al
ensgns commission IN the second regiment OF onils
States infantry rendered TO the volunteer COZ
which he declined, unless permitted to remain Win ne
northwestern army, which he had entered 10 snare IN ne
effort OF the Kentucky militia to wipe our n ,e M
of Hulls surrender by the recapture OF Detroit Ills
proposition was assented TO- and he received an ensgn
appointment in the nth infantry then part OF the north
western army, under the command OF Zen winchester
After enduring every wvation in winter encampmen in
the wldernesses and frozen marshes OF he lake country
awaiting in vain the expected support OF adalona FORCES
son with Welss regiment 9th U, SD advanced to
encounter the force of British and Indians which defend
| III Deuoit On leaving Kentucky, the volunteers had
Ole iged themselves drive t~e British invaders from
soil These and their leaders held in such es
tmaon at home, that the expectation formed of them
exceeded their promises; and these volunteers though
disappointed in every which they had reason to
Notwithstanding in PROVISIONS clothes, cannon, In
everything rather than lose reputation, to
press to the enterprise and endeavor to draw on after
them, by entering into action, the troops behind. 1t
proper here to enter into explanations OF the causes OF
the disaster at the river Raisin the consequence OF thus
movement to give the particulars OF the battle The
incidents which sgnazed the character of the subject OF
this memoir alone are proper here.
There two battles at the river Raisnone on the
lSth the other the 22i of 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 kentuckians, encountered. In
ing to the attack this formidable force OF the erees and
bravest and most expert warriors the continent asons
party OF them described from the line with which En-
sign Butler advanced running forward to reach fence
from which to ply their rifles Butler instantly
proposed, and was permed 10 anticipate them Calling
upon of the most alert and active men OF the COM
pany, he directly to meet the Indians at the fence
He and his comrades outstrpped the enemy and getting
possession Of the fence kept the advantage OF the posi-
ton Tor their advancing friends Tins incident, OF how
little Importance to results worth remembrance
in giving the traits OF young soldiers character 1t is
said that the hardest veteran at the opening OF the fire IN
| battle, feels, for the moment, somewhat appalled, and
Wolfe. declared
"horrd yell OF the Indian strikes the boldes heart with
alright" The stripping student, who, for the first time,
presenting in bold relief long files of those terrible enc
miles, whose massacres had filled his native State with
tales of horror, must have felt some stirring sensations
But the crack of the Indian rifle and his savage yell,
awoke in him the chvalric instincts OF his nature; and
the promptitude with which he communicated his enthu
sias to few comrades around and rushed forward to
meet danger in its most appalling form, rskng himself
to others, and to secure triumph which he could
scarcely hope TO share, gave earnest OF the military tai
emit the self sacrificing courage and the soldiery SYM
pahies which have drawn to him the nations esteem
The close of the battle of the 18th gave another instance
which these latter traits OF Gen Buffers character were
still more srkngly illustrated The Indians, driven from
the deences around the town the river Raisn retired
lighting into the thick woods beyond it The contest OF
shooting from tree to tree was here COMMUNICATING
Kentuckians pressing forward, and the Indians retreat
nguntil night closed in when the kenucka were re-
called to the encampmen in the village. The Indians
advanced their Opposers Withdrew, and kept up the
fire until the Kentuckians emerged from the woods into
the open ground. Just the column to which Ensign
Butler belonged reached the verge OF the dark Forest the
voice of wounded man, who had been left some dis.
lance behind heard calling out most pteousy for
help Butler induced three OF his company to go back in
the, woods with him, to bring him off, He was found,
and they fought their way backbone OF the men, Jere-
miah Walker receiving shot, OF which he subsequently
died.
In the second sanguinary battle of the river Raisin on
the cad Of January with the British and Indians another
OF self devotion performed by Butler After the
and Of the right wing belonging to Weiss
against the small body of troops under Major
Madison, that maintained their ground within the pick
eted gardens double barn, commanding the plat Of
on one side by the Indians, under the cover of an
orchard and fence the British, the other side, be-
ing posted to command the space between it and
the pickets A party in the of the barn were
discovered advancing to take possession of IT. All saw
the fatal consequences of the secure lodgmen of the
enemy at place which would present every man within
the pckets at close reshot to the aim of their marks
men, Major Madison inquired if there was no one who
would volunteer to the gauntlet OF the fire OF the
British and Indian lines, and put torch to the conbus
bes within the barn, to save the remnant OF the little
army from sacrifice Butler, without moments delay
took some blazing sticks from fire at hand eaped the
pckets and running at his utmost speed thrust tG fire
into the straw within the barn One who anx-
ous spectator OF the event we narrae, says. that al
though volley upon voley fired at him, Butler, after
making steps his way back turned to the
tire had taken, and not being satisfied returned TO the
barn, and it in blaze. As the conflagraton grew
the enemy retreatg IRON the OF the build
ing which they had entered at end as the flame
cended in the other Soon after reaching the pckets in
safety and the shouts OF his trends, he struck by
ball in his breast Believing, from the pain he felt thai
it had penetrated his chest turning to Ad uant (now
Genera) McCalla, one of his Lexington comrades, anc
pressing his hand the spot he said, fear this shot
mortal but while able to move, will do my duty
TO the anxious inquiries of this TREND who met him
afterward again. he opened his vest with smile, ant
showed him that the ball had spent itself the thick
waddng of his coat and on his breasbone He suffered
however, Tor many weeks.
The little band within the pickes, which Wncheste
had surrendered after being carried himself prisone
into Poctors camp, denied his powers They continued
to hold the enemy at bay until they enabled to
pulate honorable terms, which, nevertheless Proc
Tor shameully violated by leaving the sick and wounded
who were unable to walk to the tomahawk of his allies
Butler who among the few of the wounded who
Fort MISUNDERSTANDING under his wound, and every pr
vatlon-oppressed with grief, hunger, fatigue and thu
Indictment cold of that desoate region Even here hi
forgot himself and his mind wandered back to the las
night scene which he surveyed the bloody shores
the river Rasn He gave up the heroic part and became
the schoo-boy again, and commemorated his to
his lost friends in verse; like some passionate, heart
broken lover. These eegac strains intended
for any but the eye of mutual friends whose sympatbes
dead We give of these lines of his boyhood, t.
show that the heroic youth had bosom not less kline
than brave
l.
Il The battle IS DER! the din is past,
Nights mantle on the field Is cast
/ The Indian yell is heard no more,
And silence broods DER EHe's shore.
At this lone hour go to tread
The field where yalor vainly bed-
To raise the wounded warriors crest,
Or with tears his icy breast;
To trea II ID command