The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-06-16

til we left the cars and took up our march
for the above station. We started out on foot
with the prospect of twelve miles tramp,
which was anything but pleasant for the
most of US. We had proceeded less than
four miles when we met Gen. Dodd with one
of his aids, who gave US directions how to
proceed, and furnished US with conveyances
to ride to the place of destination. At Lock
port, small town on the Canal, the
General provided all hands with dinner, and
divided our company, placing Is men under
command Of Lieut.. Frank Carson, of your
city, and the balance under command of
Capt. Gavitt. The two Companies then
proceeded eight miles by wagon and canal
boat to the function of the main feeder and
the canal, where Lieut.. Carson's command
was directed to remain and watch Plague
Creek Reservoir, beautiful sheet of water
of about 1900 acres, and the. locks at that
point, while Capt. Gavitt's command was
sent one and half mile up the feeder to
the noted Birch Creek Reservoir. Thus we
were disposed of for the night, myself with
the former command. The night set in, and
all was doubt as to what the morrow would
bring forth as the whole country was full of
know nothngs, or at least tell notbiRgS, ex-
cept vague rumors of crimes, depredatioHs
and threats, in all which our informants
were strongly suspected of being interested.
Our little band was divided into four
watches, consisting of four men each; one of
which was kept patroling the canal bank
and Reservoir embankment for two hours,
while the other three were occupying any,
thing but comfortable bivouac, awaiting their
turn. The night passed without moestation
from any source. J. Ingle, jr., Commissary
General remained with us, and did all in his
power 10 render US comfortable. In the
morning after partaking of sumptuous break
fast upon the delicious fish with which the
the water of the aforesaid Reservoir abounds,
the Commssary and myself started to visit
Capt. Gavitt's command at the aqueduct.-
We found upon our arrival, that repair
force had been at work there, and had nearly
rebuilt that work, (Which you will recol.ect
was burned by the Regulators some 10 days
since). In about one hour after our arrival
the water was lie. on the aqueduct and the
repairs pronounced finished.
The repair force was then directed to the
Birch Creek Reservoir, point six miles fur
ther up the Feeder, where the greatest mis-
chief has been done, and Capt. Gavtt's com.
mand was detailed by Gen. Dodd to protect
the workmen. A draft of six men including
myself, was made upon Lieut.. Carson's COM
pany to join Capt. Gavitt. Three repair
boats, started Immediately with the soldiers
, and loborers, and arrived at the Reservoir at
u o'clock NJ. The afternoon was spent in
cautious accommodating of the premises, and
in endeav oring to sift something out Of the
profeSSed friendly Indians themselves, by
4 which a clue could be obtained to arrest
some of the guilty parties.
The injury done at this point is incalcula-
Bile, especially in case of dry season. An
: immense body of water has been wasted
e upon the useless swamps of this section of
t. country, which was indispensable to summer
% navigation. The Birch Creek Reservoir is
y in tn e direction of and beyond Terre Haute
n and also contributes to the Canal south, q
d miles to Worthington. The break in the
It Reservoir embankment can be repaired by
= the present repair force, during the presen
i week, if properly protected. The work
e will be vigorously prose cuted and speedil!
s put in complete repair, but how long it will
y be permitted to stand depends upon plans
J. yet in embryo, which we hopeto be able sue
m cessfully to execute, and which | shall be
s better able to speak of hereafter.
It rs No opportunity has yet offered t.
n send dispatches to the railroad station.
4, Thursday Morning. June IA, A. NJ.
J. No hostile demonstrations made by the
y natives last night, although we were men.
J. aced by many cowardly threats of annihil
alton. A strong guard was placed at tht
feeder dam, on Eel river; also over the re
: pair boat and the reservoir embankment a
this place. Late last night and this morn
: ing, handbills were discovered posted in va
rious places, notifying call whom it nigh
concern that the feeder dam would be Gu
to-day, and that the repair force on the re-
servcir would not be permitted to procee
with their work. The natives appear to IN
Il derstand our plan of operations perfectly
e which they have no doubt learned through
Is the perfdy Of some of their number who hat