The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-08-14
The SkIrmish at PatteTson's Creek

The following is an extract from letter re-
ceived in Washington from Col. Lewis Wallace,
of the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, who is a
brother-in- law OF Senator Lane of Indiana:
"My report of the skrmish on Kelley Isl
and, near Patterson's Greek, is not only true,
but in fact, too lightly colored. There were but
thirteen of my picket, and at least serenity of the
enemy engaged. On my side there was but one
man killed on the enemy's side twenty seven
were killed, including those who have since died.
This disparity is accounted for by the fact that
nv men were on the island, under cover, while
the enemy had to cross the creek directly under
our fire. In the first engagement, the enemy,
in the desperation of fear, spurred their horses
headlong into a culvert, where, heaped into a
helpless mass, they fell an easy prey. Eight OF
them died there, and were left on the track.
Hav, my corporal, led the attack. To illustrate
his perfect GOODNESS: Turning sharp elbow,
near the railroad, he saw the enemy, and coun.
ted them, i2 in all fearing the effect OF the
number upon the squad, he shouted to the reb-
els: Halt turn and fight, you d-d sons OF
- Then to his men !: Forward, boys
there's only twenty lone of them. Let out-the
best horse gets the first man. On they rode,
each one like Nolan at Balakava-liay at their
head. Splenddy mounted, the gallant fellow
soon overlook the flying enemy, and closing with
them, at their horses tails, emptied every bar
rel of his revolver, all the time brushing their
pistols out of his face, as il they had been
musketOes.
"In further illustration, one Of the pickets
bov named Hollowe, 10 years old, fired away
his last cartridge, and having nothing else To do
turned to picking raspberries, pausng on!y tC
veil: There's another down-hit 'en again
Again bullet grazed the right corner d
Louis Forley's head and knocked him down com
petely. Three men rushed out TO Kill him
Ones arm was raised TO s;rike-a bulle, from th'
Island stretched him across Forley's body. Ano
ther put a pistol at Forleys head-whiz cam'
another ball, and the second rebel went dowI
upon the first The third ran. Forlcy recovered
shook off his dead enemies, rose up t.
run, and after few steps fell again, this tin
into pile of friendly grape-vines, under which
he hid till dark While he was thus concealed
the enemy searched the ground. Some OF thei
expressions were very amusing: Come AVA
from there yelled an officer, while Tn
fight was in progress. "D-n you, don
you see we're fighting the whole regiment!" Th
idea was tha. the Il were my entire regiment
and SO the Secession journals are reporting II
In the same way Forley overheard them at eac
shot from my picket: "Who is hit now: There
another gene." When my boys at last scattered
two of them were compelled to throw away thei
rifles Instead of leaving them where the enc
nv could get them, each one pitched his weaI
ont into the canal big fellow was ia the al
of pluncng his sword into Hays back, wbe
little HOllowell leveIed him with the butt OF h
gun, breaking it into so splinters. But it is n
use going further. | could AL pages with IL
incidents of this fight.