The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-12-28
DECEMBER rs, 1867.
EXCITEMENT In BRUCE.
.NOSETHTTT . Z LaSA
Startling Military Movements!
Bruce Township Votes $50, 600 for the
Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River
go Valley Railroad.

place IN the township OF Bruce ON SATURDAY, INC
21st inst. Public notice having been given that
an election would be held at the Centre School
House in said township on Saturday the 2lst,
for the purpose of taking a vote on subscribing
5000 stock to the said railroad, three or four
days next preceding tho day of election, the par
ties for and against subscription commenced a
lively and spirited canvass among the sovereigns
of the township. Prominent among the belliger-
ants were Gen. Bushnell, Col Reddick, Col
Plumb, Gen. Baldwin, Lieut. d. +. Cameron and
Capt. John hurry, representing those in favor of
subscribing the above amount of stock and
Gen J. T. Buckley, Major Christian Wagner,
Col. ]. Stephenson, Capt. Isaac Mason and Capt
John T. Burtwell, representing those opposed to
subscribing said stock. The first battle took
place at the Centre School House in said town on
Wednesday evening, the 18th inst. After some
preliminary arrangement it was resolved to
engage the enemy Immediately, -Gen. Bushnell
leading the assault most CALAMITY, supported on
his right by Col. Plumb, and on the left by Lieut.
Cameron. Gen. Buckley made brave stand,
but his forces not arriving in due time, and re-
ceiving some slight wounds, was compelled to
fall back to the Mackey School House
The following day considerable skirmshing
was done by both parties, without any favorable
results to either. Late in the evening both ar
mics seemed to be concentrating strong forces
at the Mackey School House During the day
it was discovered that Gen. Buckley had strong
force in ambush on the south bank of Otter
Greek. Col. Plumb, Lieut.. Cameron and Capt
hurry were ordered, with their forces, to dis
cover, if possible, the whereabouts Of the bush
s,haclers and put them TO fight at all hazards :;
also, to arrest some suspected persons that had
been named. who resided in Streator, and there
wait for further orders In the meantime Gen.
Bushnell and Col. Reddick were ordered to en-
gage Gen. Buckley at the Maekey School House
Early in the evening both armies appeared in
full force. Col eReddick snd Gen Bushnell
were both in fine spirits and eager for the con-
Act A little mancuvering for the advantage Of
ground drew the first fire from Col Reddick's
forces, who charged in double-quick, making
fearful slaughter in the ranks of the enemy
Gen. sBuckley holding his ground with great
tainments in preventing his brave men from
being crushed by overwhelming forces. Col.
Reddick having been severely engaged for more
than an hour, Gen Bushnell was ordereds fss-
ward to his relief. Gen. Bushnell charging with
heavy ordnance, Gen. Buckley compelled TO
fall back abost four miles to S.reator, where. he
expected to receive strong reinforcements, tbeing
those of Col. J. Stephenson, Major Wagner,
Capt Mason and Capt. Bmtwell. ~
The following morning it was resolved to
strike . decisive blow at the enemy at Streator,
and to do 80 it was necessary to concentrate all
the availnble9 force that was possible, without
leaving the out-posts too weak. 1t was ascer-
tanned that Gen. Baldwin could reach our lines
by making forced march, and increase our force
to degree that would crush the enemy at once
Therefore Gepreal Baldwin was talegraphed to
report at Streator at O'clock r. N. without fail
Long before night Gen. Baldwin reported, having
made forced march of many miles in unprece-
dsnted short time Everything was now in the
utmost confusion the highest degree of excite
ment prevailing among all classes, as a terrible
aid decisive sbattls was expected TO be fought
early in the evening, "A war council was ordered
to be held at the camp of Col. Plumb where all
the prsliminecy arrangements were made that
would promise success. 1t was finally agreed
that Col: Plumb sh5uld make the assault, sup
ported on the right by Gen. Baldwin and on the
left ~ Col. ReddiSk and, in case Of defeat,
Gen. Bushnell and .Iisit Cameron were to cover
the retreat. Shortly before the assault was tol
be made il WAA aisAmoted alloasound tho camp
that Gen. Buckley was very ill from the effects
of what was supposed to be slight wounds re-
osived " ishE pryvious sngag ements: And to
intensity the excitement, an additional rumorI
became current that during temporary arnsis-
tiee Gen. Buckley Had received y dangerous III
mot fatal wound in the head from the premature
disshsrgs Of : hsas5sasg 81 the hsalqusstsrs Of
Col. Plumb, producing concnssion ~ TIE brain
and slight delirium.
Apd-H Uuiy the cd sdsgp tAssgtsoubles
never come singly, a shout was heard in the
streets that Major Wagner had been decoyed,
arrested and brought into. camp by, some skir-I
mishers sent out BY Gen. Baldwin. But a,twith.l
standing tho casualty thss befsll the enemy's'
chief -6iicsra gskty appeared in strong force
Consequently it became apparent that an engage
ment would shortly 1894 place. 1t was resolved
to make = niqN xtaak, thsEsforY, # precisely
hail paltNs ScioOk ~ i. COL AFiamb 4sd thsI
attack, making gallant charge rwith vtslli~g
effect and fell back ~ god sosisr; whom Gen.
Baldwin was ordered 10 the front. Gen. Bald!