Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-02-13

| Ten Eyek's party, for heavy firing was
heard after he had crossed Piney Fork,
in that direction. I have given the
particulars as far as l can, and as far
as the fight is concerned, and I will
try and relate the feelings of the gar
rison on the foundation of such a fact.
Our loss is three officers and seventy
six enlisted men, three citizens that
know of, and perhaps more. Colonel
Darlington, in his dispatch, reported
ninety-four killed, but I think it is
less than that number l know on the
night of tho 22d inst. Captain Arnold
came into the Office, and told the Ser
geant Major that he wanted every COM
pany to account for every man, as
there were ninety dead bodies at
this post, and there were only seventy
six enlisted men and three officers,
making a total of seventy-nine account
ed for, making a deficiency of eleven
men. The garrison were in high stats
of excitement when the bodies were
brought in, and no doubt the Indiane
could have taken the fort if they had
followed up their success, as they were
in overpowering numbers. The gen
eral assembly was sounded and the
troops formed into line of battle about
4 P. N, on the 21st. Col. Darlington
made a speech and said some encour-.
sging words. Our whole armed force
at that time only mustered one hun
dred and eleven men IN fighting trim.
Think of that. Immediately after
dark platforms were built to every
loophole, and wagons were hauled in
to a circle around the magazine to
make an effectual stockade, determin-
ed to fight to the last man.
At 8 o'clock P. NJ, same day, the
general assembly was sounded again, and
the troops were again formed in line
The Colonel said few words, and the
troops deployed around the stockade at
the ioepholes, so that every company
would know which side to take, and every
man what loophOle to take in case Of an
attack. Our determination and that of
our officers, was to fight at the lOopholes
around the stockads as long as possible,
and then fall back in the stOcksde around
the magazine with the women Of the gar
rison, and there fight to the last man, If
and then blow up the magazine,
but think that we could stand against
large force at the lOopholes. as We have
the advantage of good sized logs to stand
behind. We wore called in as soon as
we had our places assigned to US. A run
ming guard or night watch has been kept
in the eompany's quarters every night
since, and think it will continue in the
future. There was not much sleep that
night, everything quiet, men talking in
squads in low voices, guessing if some
wounded man had not made his escape
and one man left to tell the tale; but none
have yet appeared, and all hope is given
up. l, however, went 10 bed and slept
well until about half past A. NJ, when
l awoke and found the Colonel sitting by
the fire talking and casing with some of
the boys who were still up. The special
cour: sr had left that night for Fort Lara
ME, with the dispatches of the full ae
counts and requesting reinforcements
The 22d, 23d and Oath passed of quiet
y. The excitement has somewhat passed
off, the men of different company's were
busy dressing their comrades, lately so
'ull Of life and good humor, also digging |
he graves; the 25th (Christmas) was not |
Is joyful here as in the States. That day |
t showed quite hard, and the cofins or
boxes finished and numbered, (they were |
made large enough to hold four bodies) the |
bodies were put in the cofins took their
lames, rank, company, and number Of box
n which they were buried, as fast as they
we're brought out of the buildings. On the /
18th they were buried; the grave was
itch fifty feet long, six feet deep and six
eet wide, and they were buried two boxes
leep and covered. The boxes were placed
n rotation, and every mans box has a
lumber, and it is on file, so if his body is
o be taken up they will know where to go
or it, but they are so dishgured that no
ne would know them, so it is of no use to
AXE them up. Everything has passed off
uietly so far; no Indians have been seen
ince the day Of the massacre, up to-day
10 doubt the Indians lost larger number
# killed, and I think rather more than
urs, although we had noae wounded, all
f the first party Colonel Fetterman's)
eing killed. None left to tell the ta{e-
)ur total loss lin soldiers) seventy nine,
nd three citizens.