Southern shield., 1854-09-30

O Proctor, he commenced brisk fire upon the Fort from his gun-boats in the riv- CT, and howitzer on shore. The fire was kept up through the night with but little effect. Atan early hour the next morning, three six-pounders, which iH the night had been placed on the s}osef the pickets, opened their ire, but with no great effect. From the maneuvres of Proctor, Croghan judged that he would attempt taking it by storming itI atits northwest angle. With the best means in his power he strengthened the point of anticipated assault. HeI had divined the intentions of Proctor. Finding that his guns were intellectual, Proctor formed his men into two col umns. Lieut.. Col. Short led the prin- cipal one, of one hundred and fifty men, and advanced to within twenty paces of his lines. The garrison open ed a destructive fire upon them, which threw them into confusion. They were quickly rallied by their leader, and, again advancing, leaped into the ditch; just then, the single six-pounder of the Fort was brought into requisi- tion. A fire of grape was poured from it which killed or wounded nearly eve ry man who had entered the ditch.- The fall of the advance threw the bal ance of the column into such disorder and fear, that their officers were una ble to rally them. They retired and sought safety in the adjoining woods. During the assault a fire was kept up against the Fort, from five x-pound- CTS and a howitzer. The only loss sus- tained by the garrison was one man killed and one wounded. The loss of the enemy was at least one hundred and fifty. In the ditch were found killed, Lieut.. Col. Short, one lieutenant and fifty soldiers. Early on the morning of the Sd, the enemy sailed down the river, leaving behind them a boat con taining clothing and military stores, and several stands of arms.
 me ueIGnCT or JnIS Tort was a deS- ! perate undertaking. The adventurous bravery and daring resolution of the young commander, achieved what the wisdom of more experienced officers would have decided to De impossible. It was truly forlorn hope for the brave band of youths, in their lily pro- tected Fort, to expect even to survive the determined attack of their enemies. The pickets were eighteen feet high; the bayonets of the soldiers were nail ed upon the side of the upper end, pointing downwards. The charge of the enemy evinced a disposition to con- quer the post at all hazards. In the course of twenty-four hours, they dis charged five hundred shots, one hun dred of which fell within the fort, hap pily doing no injury.
 Among the incidents of this brilliant defence, showing the confidence of the enemy in obtaing an easy victory, was the insolence of the Indian allies pre- vious to the charge. When Elliott went to demand the surrender of the Fort, lie was received outside the pickets by Ensign Shipp. While conversing, one of Elliott's Indians came up, and talk ing hold of Shipp, attempted to take off his coat. Shipp drove him off with his sword. The Indian was certain there would be a equalization, and plea sed with Shipp's coat, intended to se- cure it for himself in advance. The enemy intended to punish with outra- geous barbarity the refusal of Col. Croghan to surrender. The threat made by Elliott, that if they were compelled to take the Fort, there would be general massacre. wonld have been realized had the event of the day been favorable to the besiegers. Col. snort, who led the attack, was not less bloody minded than Proctor and his agents. As he advanced to storm the Fort, he shouted to his men "to give the Americans no quarters. ''- Scarcely had he given utterance to the savage order, when he was laid pros trate by shot from the Fort. The man who would refuse quarters, found himself a supplioant for the kindness which he hadresolved to deny to others. The men who were ordered to give ''no quarters" were relieved and treated with the utmost kindness by the soldiers in the garrison; and while the fire was kept up against them, they supplied the suffering and wounded enemy with water from their own canteens.
 This victory-for such 1t may truly be termed-was hailed with joy and qualification. It was the turning point of war in this section, and was the precursor of decisive and important success, which followed closely upon 1t, resulting in driving the enemy from his strongholds, and planting the Amer ican standard both upon regained and conquered territory.
 l In all things act conscientiously.