The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-22
THE UNION
A s.,ru,,.n on the western p,a,.,.

The following is brief account OF the battle fought by
Lieut. ROYALS command, acting escort TO Major
Bryant paymasier United States army, who proceed
ing Fort Mann 10 pay the troops stationed at that post
On the 9TH of June. they encamped on the Arkans
river Major Bryant being anxious 10 reach Fort Mann
as early possible, and pay the troops there order
return and pay the other troops ofh district Lieut. Roy
all ordered detail OF twenty five mounted mea (Which
all the Major requesedD TO proceed the next morn
ing with him in advance OF the command On the morn
ing of the lsth at twenty minutes past five o'clock just
the Major about starting, the alarm of Indians
was given BY Lieut. Stemmel, OF Lieut. Col Gilpns bat
talon, who, together with Lieut. kuhow had come out
few days previous with company of artillery and two
Founders, the Major into the fort mum
Der of Indians riding down the opposite side of
the river; and upon looking to the rear, they the
whole plain covered with Indians and a large number
in full charge upon the camp. The number who
charged the camp is estimated TO have been between
200 and 800 warriors, besides which, large party,
supposed to number about 200 more, to the
north, whilst another Of about the same number APP
peared to the south The enemy made an attempt 10
charge through Major Bryans line OF tents but gal
anty met and repulsed Finding themselves foied on
that side, they charged down on Lieut. Royals line,
where they were warmly received They then charged
the caral oil wagons and galany received by the
teamsters and in charge of the beef cattle The
easerness of the of the artillery, well those of
Lieut. Royals command to get at the enemy, so
great that the 6pounder, loaded with canister the
Majors side OF the camp, could not open Consequently
that part ofohe action was fought with carblnes and
pistols. The other 6-pounder, under charge of a SER
gean of artillery, opened upon them On the other side
Major b. seeing that the Indians repulsed from that
ine down TO the 6pounder, directed it be pushed
forward beyond the cara and took charge OF it, Several
discharges were made from IT. which did execution
among the enemy. 1t found, upon examination, that
fifteen horses of Lieut. Royals command, and five from
the plain together with tour mules had been carried off
Two of the latter afterwards found killed. having
been lanced they could get them OH Their aen-
ton directed to the Indians seen in the north
but upon consultation, Lieut.. Royal ordered many
men as could be collected 10 mount; and with thirty
eight men-including John Y b. Detz of Washington
City, paymaster's clerk a brave young gentleman
they set off in pursuit of the party who had charged
the camp They crossed the river about miles from
camp. when they discovered party OF the enemy retreat
ing before Them leaving several wounded horses behind
them. They continued the pursuit, and when about
twelve miles from the river, among the sand hills they
found themselves completely surrounded by from 500 TO
700 of the enemy, preparing to charge but they antcl-
pated their design and charged through to elevation
on the right, and obtained the advantage them In
this charge a number OF the Indians were killed Or
wounded Whilst upon the hill above mentioned they
tanned several charges from the enemy, from front and
rear and succeeded in each attack in killing and wound
ing large number of Indians. -Four Americans were
wounded in this affair. The men behaved galanty.
Sergeant Sekirk had his horse wounded, and behaved
gallanty; and Mr. Detz, who has been mentioned be-
fore, rendered important services his horse was wound
ed in two places, and arrow passed through his
clothes. Finding that the enemy had retired to some
distance and DESTROYS to get the wounded into camp,
they slowly retired and reganed the camp None of the
Americans killed IN either action. MAJOR Bryant
rendered valuable and important services; he
every point OF the attacked positions, encouraging the
men and directing their efforts 10 Tepulse the enemy
Lieus Semmel Kuhlow, and Royal behaved calamity,
There were, in the estimation of every OF the COM
mand not less than 900 Indians concentrated between
Fort Mann and Weme creek, all well armed and mount
ed But it thong ht from the reception they met
WITH they will hereafter keep clear.