Washington telegraph., 1856-02-20
GToN, ARKANSAS WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 90. 1856.

rected MS men and cheered them on The
militia fought with desperation. receiving
and giving no quarter. The balls few Ike
hail, and the war-whoop rang shrilly throu Oh
the forest The patriots soon discovered
that the Indians were watching until a man
discharged his gun. when they would rush
forward with tomahawk and knife. To pre-
vent this two militia-men stood behind a
tree together and fired alternately.
While the 6ght was going on, volleys of
musketry were heard in the rear 1t was a
sortie from the fort No sooner did Colonel
Ganseyoort hear the roar of battle in the
forest, than he ordered Col Willet. with
two hundred men. to fall upon the British
camp. Col. Willet executed his commits
sion in splendid manner. Like thun-
derbolt his little force burst upon St. Lee
gers encampmeDt, and the mongrel force
of Tories and Indians, and the few regu-
lars present, were scattered like chaf The
savages fed into the forest, while ST. Lecer
and johnson barely escaped-the latter
without his coat Twenty one wagon loads
of spOiis-arms. ammunition, clothing, pro-
visions, blankets, camp equipage. money,
valuable documents and papers-were haul
standards, Willet did not lose a man, and
he was received into the fort with loud
cheers. The British coIors were all hoisted
upon the staff. under the rough American
flag
Herkimer's men, greatly encouraged, at
tackled the enemy with renewed vieor. and
the Indians. having lost nearly one hundred
warriors. and several chiefs, raised the cry,
'OOnah, /, OOnah,'' (the signal to retreat.)
and fed deep into the forest. The British
soon followed, and after terrible battle of
six hours, the Americans were left masters
Of the field The patriots lost one hundred
and sixty men killed. and nearly the same
number wounded. besides some prisoners
The enemy's loss vas much greater. though
never exactly ascertained Gen. Herki,ner
died OF his wounds few davs after the
light His army having no head, and be-
ing unable to reach the fort, retreated.
Smarting under a severe loss, aud morti-
fed at the sacking of their camp, ST. Le-
gers army attacked the fort with renewed
vigor. Lying messages. 10 the effect that
strong reinforcements were at hand, were
sent by the royal commander to the fort.
surrendered Bet Col Gauscvoort scorned
alike threat and overture, continuing bis
defence in the bratest manner. Day after
day the siege continued st. Leger began
to approach by regular parallels, and en-
pioyed the sap aud mining system With
great danger. Col Willet and Lieut.. Stock
well succeeded in passing the British lines,
and Fastening to Gen. Schuyler. implored
all for the besieged garrison In fact the
fort was becoming much straightcned. when
suddenly the enemy broke up their camp
and fed towl ards Canada This sudden
fight was caused by the arrival of scouts
with the intelligence that strong force was
close a; hand to relieve the fort This ru-
NOR was false. but the Indians believed it,
and having become weary with the siege
they at once started off The panic was
communicated TO the remainder of the army,
and they also began such hurried retreat
as to leave all their baggage. artillery and
spare arms The sarages fell upon and
scalped many of their allies in the route
Thus was Fort Schuyler relieved.