Washington telegraph., 1853-05-25
Incident in the War OF fsI2.


before the commanding officer an unknown
Indian. clad in the widest savage costume,
covered with war paint, and armed to the
teeth, who gave information Of the approach
through the woods on The south bank Of the
Saranac, of considerable body of British,
accompanied BY small band Of Hurons, or
Canadian Indians, who acted as guides and
scouts. 1t is well known that one column
Of the British army, under command of
General Brisbane, had approached Platts-
burg from the west along the Deekmantown
road, to the north of the Saranac The
American army was now entrenched on the
south bank, in the angle formed by the riv-
er and lake. 1t will, therefore. be readily
understood that the approach of this new
force would place the Americans in a posi-
ton sufficiently critical, to say nothing Of
the dangers to which they were already ex-
posed.
The information brought by the savage
was too important to be wholly slighted, and
came in too suspicious manner to be Who'll
ly trusted. The officer, therefore, thought
it best to interrogate the messenger
Who are you, my friend?" said he.
Mohican,' was the reply.
What is your name"'
'Stockbridge Hauk, answered the strang-
Where did you come from, and why are
you here 2" pursued the officer
Indian came from the Dutch rivers
replied he.
'But why are you here, say ?"
"Why are the Mingoes in the woods ?
can the captain tell me that !,' replied the
savage, his eyes flashing fire.
Does anybody know this person - ask
ed the officer, turning to the bystanders
but no one replied, for no one knew him.
What do you want me to do them" said
the officer to the Tudian, still suspicious.
''Take four, seven, ten soldiers" replied
the savage, holding up both hands, and
spreading his fingers. "Me take 'em and
wait for Mingoes in the woods
"Ho's right by Jove exclaimed the Off
GERS. 1.-The men are too few to have an am-
bush laid for them and we need piquet of
that kind. The red-skin must be friendly
after all. Let nine picked men, headed by
a corporal, 90 with him; but let them be
watchful and keep on their guard, and let
me be informed Of the first approach Of an
enemy in that direction?
The officer turned away The men were
quickly detailed and guided BY the Indian,
they took their silent way in the woods, up the
south bank of the Saranac, down which the
new hostile force was reported TO be coming.
They moved forward rapidly for about half
an hour, when the Indian began to proceed
with more caution, and to listen for every
unusual sound that disturbed the forest
At last, putting his ear close to the ground,
he listened for moment, and then quickly
rising up. he made rapid sign to the soldiers
to betake themselves to neighboring thick
et which bordered small creek flowing into
the river. The men concealed themselves
among the bushes as quickly as possible,
while the Indian crawied swarthily to po-
sition somewhat advanced concealing him.
self behind the trunk of a fallen tree
He had enjoined upon them not to fire or
make any noise until they should receive
from him certain signal. Fer some dis
tance forward of the place where he lay the
woods were tolerably clear and underbushed,
and kind Of path which skirted the bank
of the river crossed the creek nea. its mouth
about ten rods from where the soldiers were
concealed. From the position the Indian
occupied, this pass was in full view. In
order to cross the stream, any one going
along that path had to descend about ten
feet, almost perpendicularly; 50 that while
he was in the bed Of the brock, be could
not be seen by those who should happen to
be any distance behind.
The soldiers had not remained in ambush
long, when by quick ign, the scout gave
them to understand that some one was ap-
preaching. They soon saw an Indian com
ing at rapid but silent pace along towards
the crossing. He had but just got clearly
in view, when at distance Of about two
rods behind, appeared another, and 90 on 70
the number Of seven. They were all in
war paint, armed with rifles and tomahawks.
The soldiers were all attention to the move
ments Of their guide, expecting every mo-
ment to receive the signal to fire. To their
surprise, however, they saw him lay down
his gun, and draw from beneath the log
long and powerful bow, and body Of flint
headed sharp pointed arrows. He then
turned himself about under the log, until
he faced the pass in the creek.
The strange Indians appeared to move
forward without the least hesitation or sus-
picion. The foremost of them on coming
to the creek. dropped at once to cross it
At this moment the guide was observed to
draw in his bow with quick and powerful
effort and 50 rapidly as almost to elude
the sight. an arrow was sped on its mission
of death. The stranger was seen to drop
in the middle of the brook, and not cry,
issued from his mouth
Quick as lightning the Mohican adjusted an
arrow in his bow, so that rs soon as the sec
ond Huron dronned down to cross the stream