, 1856-03-14
In connection with the above reports, we
publish the following letter received from
Can't j. A. WHITE, of the Pioneer compa-


ny:
CoNNEM's STATION,
March lOh, 1856.
MAJ. W. WILEY:
.Siy-In haste, address you few lines
to inform you and the citizens generally,
that am still right side up with care.
You have doubtless learned, how well the
Pioneer company have performed their
mssion-of the various block-houSes and
boats they have built-of the roads they
have opeued-and Of the amount of labor
generally, they have performed, since en-
tering into the service.
Now am going to tell of some of the
fighting they have done to-day. Early
this morning, started with my command
armed with rifles, axes, cross-cut saws
and scribeing avis, for White river, in ac-
cordsnce with the command Of the govern
or, for the purpose of erecting block
house and ferry, at the crossing. After
gaining the edge Of the timber and going
down a steep descent, my advance guard
commanded by Lieut.. Hicks, was suddenly
and furiously attacked by between so and
100 armed Indians, from the top of the
hill VIC had just descended. At the same
instant l, with the rest Of my company re-
ceived murderous fire from the same dev-
ils-all within point blank" shot-and
not over 100 yards from us. l ordered my
men to take shelter behind logs and trees,
and stand their ground-which was done
admirably. We Immediately returned their
fire, with such ffrmness and deliberation
that the Indians soon found we were ready
for the emergency, and viii h told to them
that we were as well skilled in making a
mark with our guns, as we were with o
scratch-awl, and that when we strike line,
it is sure to be pretty straight, We main
tanned our position, for perhaps half an
hour, before assistance could reach us from
camp, it being near q mile of As soon
as learned that assistance was at hand, !
ordered a retreatzback up to the top Of
the hill. On gaining the top, l found that
we were, and had been, nearly surrounded
by the Indians. again ordered my men
to seek shelter aud while doing so, the In
dians supposed We we're retreating back to
camp, when they came out in full view aud
poured storm of bullets and shot at US.
Upon examination, found that several oI
my men were pretty badly wounded, when
l dispatched assistance to. camp, and re-
sumed my stand. Most of the other COM
panies had by this time gained positions
and the battle waged hot and furious
The Indians soon found that they were
badly mistaken at our movement, as mum.
bers paid the penalty Of their lives for their
rashness. The remaining and unhurt por-
ton Of my company were up and doing all
the time, either in deliberate firing or ma
king and conducting charges upon them in
their strong holds.
The fight continued until about three
o'clock in the afternoon, and considering
the great advantage the Indians had over
us, ! consider 1t one glorious victory. We
completely routed them with great loss on
their part, while with US, we lost none and
but few wounded. Three men Of my
command were pretty badly wounded, but
none dangerous. 1 think the Indian force
must have been near $50 strong-ours, all
told did not exceed one hundred.
Now sir, you find that the Pioneer com.
pany are able, not only to do the tOOrk, but
they ore also able to fght, when the word
is given. This has been one Of the proud
est days of my life as my whole command,
to a man, stood up to the work manfully.
After this think the Indians will know
that there is "deep water" about when
they see axes, shovels, saws, and brave
men packing them,
Yours in haste,
]. A. WHITE.
We are indebted to the authorities at