The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-12-25
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM TIN INDIAN
COUNTRY.
Opothkyho,o's Forces Increasine-Co Colonel
Cooper tn Fire M,Les of Him-Cot Drew's
Cherokee Regiment DistaAded-A Battle
Expected Oasiy. eg IS .tssz.-
(From the Fort sn it'll News, 18th. ]

Reliable news reached here YES terday from
the Indian country, from which we learn
that large number of creeks, Cherokees and
Seminoles have Joined Opothley hOlo. The
Cherokee regiment, under Colonel Drew, has
disbnnced, part have Joined the enemy, and
portion have returned home, and part re-
main with Dol. Cooper. Opothleyholo is on
samped about the Big Bend of ArkaE sas,
with a force variously estim ated at from two
to four Z 1nsand men, we'll armed aud all
naked he waist, and painted.
Col. Ioper Is encamped within five miles
of the enemy, with a small torce. consisting
OF Ucl. Simms' Texas regiment, Col. McIn-
tosh's Greek regiment, and the CLoctaw and
Chickasaw regiment. The enemy are deter
mined to iighr. and Col. Cooper is in pretty
tight place, but we expect he will conquer or
dispense UpoIhleyh olo's forces.
We learn from d Choctaw living near Red
river that q thousand Choctaws started fe W
days ago to the relief Of Dol. Cooper.
Two Greek Indiaus were in town Yesterday.
and they say that most OF the Seminoles, ex-
cept John Jumpers company, adjoined the
enemy, but several had left and returned
home. They speak Of . battle TO take place
soon between col. Cooper's forces and the
enemy.
ran officer at Fort Gibson writes the fol-
lowing TO an officer at Fort Smith. The letter
Col. Ross starred from here yesterday
morning with small force, partly armed.
to join Colonies Cooper and Drew, having
been ordered by both colonies to push ahead
more than forty men. and only small por-
tion armed. Last evening he met the major
and adjutant, and a few other officers and
men of bis regiment, about twenty. five miles
from here on their way to this place They
reported to him that the Cherokee regiment
was completely broken up, part Of hem are
supposed TO have gone over to 0po thley nolo
anu tine balance dispersed. DOL Cooper was
encampsd. within a mile OF them, and the
enemy tour or five miles.
Col. Drew with some of his officers is sup
posed to be now with Dol Cooper. Mai. Peg
sta ties, this occurred the night before last,
that on that evening he and the cha plain Wis.
tied Ophothley hoto's camp, that he had at
the best Of his knowledge at least 1000 men
They were well armed with rifles, six shoot
| ers. and knives, stripped to the waist am
painted. When he returned to his camp he
found his regiment dispersed, and be ,nads
his way In here. Why he did not JAIN Col.
Cooper cannot say. I understand he and hts
party learned the enemy were between thsm
| and Col: o., ool. Ross will give more full
the particulars.
since commenced writing, learn Major
Peg believes the enemy 5000 strong, and
fears for Col. Cooper's safety are On ter tanned
The Nescs Of the lltA and 18th says sYnn II
pox 70 gradually disappearing from Fort
Smith. A large quantity Of government hay
has been destroyed BY incsndiariss.
One hundred Talon mea had been arrested
n Carroll and Madison counties. Their pass.
words and grips we found ont.