Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-06-27
COL. BUTLER AND THE INEBRIATE.
THE BATTLE OF WYOMING.


Who is there that has read Campbcll's
beautiful poem, Gertrude of Wyoming"
aud not risen from its perusal with feel
lngs the most bitter, a hatred the most in
tense. toward the band of white and red
savages who laid waste and depopuIated
that beautiful valley Yet it is more than
probable that, could the facts b. divested
OF those distorted positions and extrava
CANT coloring which the excited fapcies of
the fugitIves gave them, we should find
much, that has rendered the story one of
the most thrilling on record, to be mere
fable. Enough is true, however, to stir
up the blood and awaken the liveliest
emotions of anguish, in peruslng the his
tory OF the valley, as written by an unbi-
ased and careful pen. Replete with Incl
dent, it has furnished the pencil of the
artist with innumerable subjects, full of
action and bold relief; and among many
others of thrilling interest, the little cir.
cumstance represented in the engraving.
will serve to convey an idea Of the peculiar
position of some of the actors In that mem
orable fight and rout
When the enemy, consisting of clever
hundred tories and Indians under com
mand of Colonel John Butler, arrived In
the vicinity of the valley, they found it
undefended by any force which could be
considered respectable, and, feeling secure
of their pray, they made their head quar-
ters at fortified house called Winter
moot's fort, and sent out scouts and fora
| glng parties, and gave themselves up to
riot and debauchery. The inhabitants
finding themselves deserted by Congress,
and thrown upon their own exertions to
defend their homes from the torch and
themselves, their wives and children from
the tomahawks of the savages, resolved, as
the only hope of success, to march out and
attack the foe while lulled in fancied Sc
curity. Thier whole force, consisting of
about three hundred, old men, young men
and boys, divided into six companies. and
under command of Colonel Zebulon But
lcr, who happened In the Valley at the
time, marched out of Forty Fort The
women, children, and few old men were
left in the fort to await, with feelings of
the most intense anxiety, the issue of
battle on which depended their lives
The little force was joined by the justices
of the courts, and every male inhabitant
capable of bearing arms, and marched for
!
ton, if not III numbers. The object was
to surprise the enemy in bis camp, and
gain by stratagem what they lacked in
strength Colonel John Butler was 1ot
to be caught mapping. however, and altbo'
encamped In very irregular manner and
exposed to sudden surprise, yet his scouts
| had informed him of the march of the lit
tie army, and when they arrived in the
vicinity Of Wintermoot's, they found his
line drawn up ready to receive them
There was no alternative but to fight, and
the little force was wheeled into line aud
harangued by their brave commander
g Men," said he, "yonder is the enemy
The fate of the Hardings tells what we
have to expect if defeated We come ont
to fight, not only for liberty, but for life
Itself, and, what is dearer, to preserve
our homes from conhagration and our wo-
men and children from the tomahawk.-
Stand firm the first shock. and the In
dians will give way Every man to his
duty"
1t was about four o'clock of hot. sui
try afternoon, when the battle commenced
by an attack on the euemy's left wing =
The contest was short, sharp and bloody
For nall an nOur III was kept up with tue
utmost spirit and determination, and
promised success to the Americans. but
an unfortunate mistake of an order threw
the victory into the hands of the enemy
Colonel Denison, who commanded the
American left, finding the Indians who
opposed him were outhanking him and
getting into his rear, gave the order to
:: fall back" in order to change his posi-
ton This was understood as an order
to retreat, and was repeated with increas
!, ing emphasis along the line Fatal error
A few moments more aud the enemy s
left. which was composed of tories, would
have given way, and the Indians would
, have retreated also. The damage was ir
, retrievably done, however, and no exhor
, tions or commands, could rally the broken
, division. The Indians sprang from their
coyerts in cloud, and fell upon the re
treating Americans, cutting them do"r
by scores and now commenced that fear
full massacre which makes the blood ruI
/ chilled through the veins as We read
, Desperation lent wings to the flying fu
i gitives, while fury ragged. and shudder
, inc nifty Quit the sauguine field