The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-03-09
The Indian Avenger at Plattsburgh.

The Indian Avenger at Plattsburgh.
AT the battle of Plattsburgh in 1912.
during the din and uproar of the heavy
cannonade on lake and land, there ap-
peared before the commanding officer an
unknown Indian, clad in the widest saw
age costume, covered with war paint and
armed to the teeth, who gave informa-
tion Of the approach through the woods
on the south bank of the Saranac, of
considerable body of the British, accom-
panied by small band of Hurons. or
Canadian Indians, who acted as guides
and scouts. 1t is we'll known that one
column of the British army, under com.
mand of General Brisbane had approach
ed Plattsburgh from the west along the
Beekinantown road, to the north of the
Saranac. The American army was now
entrenchcd on the south bank in the an
gle formed by the river and lake. 1t
will therefore, be readily understood that
the approach of this new force would
place the Americans in a position suff.
cicntly critical, to say nothing of the
dangers to which they were already ex-
posed.
The information brought by the saw
age was too important to be wholly trust
ed. The officer therefore, thought it
best to intcrrogate the messenger.
"Who are you, my friend ?" said he.
Mohican," was the laconic reply.
"What is your name"
"Stockbridge Hank" answered the
stranger.
"Wherc did you come from. and why
are you here ?" pursued the officer.
"Indian come from the Dutch rivers"
replied be.
But why are you here say 2"
"Why are the Mingoes in the woods2
can the captain tell me that ?" replied
the savage, his eyes flashing fire.
Does anybody know this person p"
asked the officer, turning to the bystan-
dersi but no one replied for no one knew
him.
"What do you went me to do then 2"
said the officer to the Indian, still sus-
picious.
take four, seven, ten soldier" repli.
ed the savage, holding up both hands,
and spreading his fingers I" Me take
'em and wait for NIingoes in the woods. 4"
"He's right, by Jove p' exclaimed the
officer. The men are too few to have
an ambush laid for them, and we need a
picket of that kind. The red skin must
be friendly after all Let nine picked
men, headed by corporal 90 with him;
but let them be watcbful and keep on
their guard and let me be Informed of
the first approach of the 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 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 a moment, and then quickly
rising up, he made rapid sign for the
soldiers to betake themselves to neigh
boring thicket which bordere6 small
creek flowing into the river The men
concealed themselves among the bushes
as quick as possible, while the Indian
crawled stealthily to position somewhat
more advanced, concealipg himself be-
hind the trunk of fallen tree He had
enjoined upon them not to fire or make
a noise until they should receive from
him certain signal. For some dis.
tance forward of the place where he lay,
the woods were tolerably clear of under
brush, and kind of path which skirted
the bank of the river, crossed the creek
near its mouth, about ten rods from
where the concealed soldiers were hid.
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 so that while
he was in the bed of the brook, he could
not be seen by those who should happen
to be any distance behind
The soldiers had not remained in am
bush long when by quick sign, the
scout gave them to understand that
some one was approaching-Thcy saw
an Indian coming at a rapid but silent
pace along towards the crossing. He
had just got clearly in view, when at a
distance of about two rods behind, ap-
peared another and so on to the number
Of seven They were all in war paint,
and armed with rifles and tomahawks.
The soldiers were all attention to the
movements of their guide, expecting ey-
cry moment to receive the signal to fire.
To their surprise, however they saw him
lay down his gun, and draw from be.
meath the log long and powerful bow,
and bundle of flint headed, sharp-point-
ed arrows. He then turned himself a,
bout under the log, until he faced the
pass in the creek. irr -f
The strange Indians appeared ia
move forward without the least hesita-
tion or suspicion. The foremost Of them
I IL