Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-02-10
FArrrrE, Feb. 9th, 1888.
GEs'L WILLIAM r. SMITH,
STATE IIIsToRIAS

(
STATE HIsT0RIAS:
SlR-I regret exceedingly that you should
| be annoyed with SO many communications
upon the subject Of the Battle Of the Peketon-
lea, and particularly when those communIca-
tions disagree so much as mine and those OF
Lieutenant Charles Bracken. Mr.. Bracken.
| in his last communication, seems to have de-
parted entirely from his request, contained IN
a note appended to his account Of the Battle
Of the Peketonica, in which he requests any
Of the survivors to correct any mistakes which
he may have made; admitting that, after
lapse Of twenty years, he might have made
some. But when those mistakes are pointed
out, and corrected, he claims, not only TO pos
sess a superiority Of memory over me, but
also, that his account was written frem data
that could, or should be relied upon, more
than my memory.
Now, had Mr.. Bracken claimed in the
start, to have written his account of that affair
from such data as he refers to in his last COM
munication, perhaps I should not have pre-
suned to set up my memory in opposition
thereto. But, as Mr.. Bracken made no such
claim. and evidently carried the idea that he
had written entirely from memory, l supposed
| was doing him a kindness in complying
with his request,-in which It seems I was
mistaken, Judging from the tone Of his com
munication.
However, as to the data to which Mr.. B.
refers. / have a word to say; and that IS,
that my memory differs with 1lr. Brscken's
as to what those accounts contain. If either
Of those accounts, particularly that published
by AIr. Fitch. quotes Mr.. Bracken as taking
or having the command of the detachment
from Fort Defiance, l will agree that am
mistaken as 10 what those accounts contain.
But as the question at issue is not, what
those accounts contained, but, what are the
facts in the case, I shall, without further cav
il with Mr. Bracken, as to memory. proceed
to lay before you the evidences which have
procured in support Of the correctness Of my
memory, wherein I differ with 1Ir. Bucken
Upon seeing Mr. Bracken's communication
to you, Gin reference to this matter.) in late
number Of The Wisconsin Tribune, immedi-
ately addressed the following named gentle
men upon this subject, to wit: Robert G.
Hoard, who was Captain of the Company
stationed at Fort Defiance at the time in ques-
ton; Thomas Beam, who was a soldier at
Fort Deflnce; Alexander Higgenbotham,
who was soldier at Fort Hamilton, and was
with the detachment from the time it left f.
Hamilton until after the Battle of the Peke-
tonica; Bennett Million, who was also with
the detachment during the burying of the
men who were killed at the farm Of Spad0rd
& Spencer, and the same that made his mi
raculous escape from the Indians.
From whom have received the following
answers. I would here mention that these
are all the men Chat is, Million and Higgen-
bethany that had any connection with the
bulyiug of those men, or the Battle Of the
Peketonica, that have any knowledge of in
this country, except my father, (CoI. Parks
on.) upon whom, from feelings of delicacy, I
have not called, for his recollection of the
matter.