Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-08-07

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REMiNfscENcE ny NON. o. II. SMITH
Aueao cnAnoEpEp wirn moo osrEArdSo,
rhe American army mad reached
Fort Meigs, undor the command Of
Gen Harrison. Major Whistler wa,
In charge OF Fort Wayne. The coun,
try on the Maumec, 81. Joseph's and
81. Mary'a, was filed with hostile Mi
ami Indians. Fort Wayne was bcsoig'
cd on all sides, and Major Whistler
and his few mon were about TO sur
render. The news Of the desperate
condition of the besioged reached
General Harrison, and ho determined
at onco 10 relieve Major Whistler
Early ono morning there was seen
running toward the Fort small man
pursued by several Indians from the
woods. The foremost Of the pursu.
ors was Joseph RichardviIle, a Mani
chief. Tho cato ofthe Fort was open
and In rushed Col. William sutton.
field, and fell exhausted. Ho soon
reeived, and took from ono ofhi boots
dispatch from General Harrison tc
Major Whistler, informing the Major
that he would promptly come TO his
relief, and requiring a return dispatch
Of tho forces andposition Of the enemy
then besieging tho Forts. General
Harrison had asked for volunteer
messenger 10 carry the dispatch as
hastily as possible 10 Fort Wayne
but ne ono was willing TO take the
hazard. Col. Suttonfeld, then only
q private, stepped forward and offer.
ed bis services. He was accepted by
the General, furnished with fine
horse, his dispatch concealed in his
boot, and just at twilight he left the
army for Fort Wayne. His path led
up the Maumee river. His fine ami.
NAL carried him rapidly forward, and
he seemed likely 10 reach the Fort
without even seeing the enemy, when
entering q dense underground he
found himself in the very midst ol
the Miami chiefs and warriors. Chiei
Richardville, Joseph Richardville
Francis Godfrey, and young Lafount.
aine, were there. The Indians sprang
to their guns, and Col. Suttonfeld put
spurs TO his horse. Several rifles
were fred at the flying Colonel. The
ohiefs mounted their fresh horses
pursued at killing pace, and were
fast nearing the Colonel, when the
horse ran into a morass prairie, sank
TO his belly and could get no further
The Colonel sprang TO his feet and
ran for life. The Fort was distant
some two miles. The horses of the
Indians stuck i'm the same morass
The most active OF the chiefs dis.
mounted and pursued the Colonel
The feetest, Joseph Richardville, the
favorite brave of the old chief, was
only about one hundred yards behind
when the Colonel entered the Fort
The dispatch was read, giving great
Joy TO the Major and his men. The
return dispatch was soon prepared
and q volunteer messenger was call
ed for by Major Whistler to carry il
TO Gen. Harrison. No one offered
Night was approaching, when Col
Suttonfild stepped forward and offer
od 10 carry the dispatch to Meigs i
he was furnished with a feet hors,
with untiring bottom. He was di
rected to select for himself, and a
once made choice Of blooded sor,
rel of the Majors. Night had com,
lit was clear moonlight-thc gat,
Of Fort Wayne was thrown open
and out bound Col Suttonfield Will
the speed of deer The eyes of tn,
Fort were upon him as he took hi,
path down the Maumee and entered
the woods. The sound of rihel
reached the Fort-the Col. had agaiI
met the willy chiefs ut new encamp
ment. His clothes were pcrfora
ted with balls, but he and his hors,
escaped without harm. The mex
day the Col. took from his boot tn,
dispatch of Major Whistler and hand
ed II to Gen. Harrison. But the enc
was not yet. The Indian war wa
soon over, and the Col. married al
estimable lady, and settled in For
Wayne, where first became acquain
ted with him. The reader will no
ask me whether he was brave man
and / will not stop to say that h
was strictly honest. The Colonel wa
a positive man in all he said or did
and of course had some enemies
Among others, he had n little squeak
ing neighbor; who had become offend
ed at the Colonel, and in his absenc
at Indianapolis, spending few week
at a session OF the Legislature, iile'
an affidavit before RobeIt Hand,
Justice of the peace, against tho Col
onel for marking and old sow witt
intent TO steal her. The Colonel ol
arriving at home heard of it, an,
went TO the squire ready for trial.
The squire only had jurisdiction +
hear the case, acquit or recognize, a
1.-THE case might warrant. The Colonc
looked upon him with perfect con
tempt. esquire j demand jury.
Justice, Constable put q jury in th
box" ''Therc are only eleven juror
present" the Colonel, Put the pros
ecutor on the jury2' The prosecu
| tor took his seat in the box. Th
squire, allow shall / swear the Jury /?
The Cononel. "You do swear yol
| will truly try and upon your oath
say whether Colonel William Sutton
field marked the SOW with intent [
steal Der or not" The jury wer
sworn, and the prosecutor examined
The Colonel, "Now squire, deman
the ayes and noes" The Colon'
could neither read or right Th
squire, Each juror will answer q
his name is called, guilty or nc
guilty. Constable call the roll
The jurors were called and all aswel
ed mot guilty" till the prosecute
was called. He hung down his hea
and squcaked out "guilty. IN