The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-01-11
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Fresh News from the War-lReAyy Battle at
the Mccormick School HOuse-COniitct nos
Declslvei

Fresh News from the WaP-Renyy Rntale M
the Mccormick School House-Coniitct NOS
1t was rumored throughout the Township of
Farm Riass sthit a .tsoss prcs,e Bailroad.n
had collected and fortified themselves at the Nc
Cormick school house. Whereupon it was deter
mined by the opposing party to promptly at
tack; and, if possible, dislodge the enemy. Ac-
oordingly, on Saturday, Jan. 4th, the opposing
forces began to rally from all parts of the town,
and fierce conflict was anticipated by all. The
Railroad party were well fortified, and com.
manded by four able leaders, Maj. Gen. Van Do
rem, Brig Gen. Baldwin, Lieut.. Col. Strawn and
Capt Vankirk, who seemed to bear the marks of
previous conflict. The opposing party, rising
Is did their ancestors of l776, in opposition, as
they claim, to an unjust taxation came like the
aforesaid fathers, armed only with the rude weap-
ons with which they had been accustomed to
drive the vermin from their farms and protect
their hen'roosts, but nevertheless, with the same
spirit that pervaded the heroes of Lexington and
Bunker Hill. They lacked unity of action, but
soon concentrated so far as to select Lieut.. Gen
Human commander in chief, whose long expe.
riencc undisputed salor, and unprecedentcd en-.
durance of forced marches in past wears, demon-
strated the wisdom of their choice. The second
IN command was Col. Hester, who, in unity
with the action of Cen H,nnan endeayored to
bring the forces under some degree of discipline.
but on account of the great enthusiasm that pre-
vailed succeeded but poorly. However, part of
the force was concentrated to attack the enemy's
centre and left wing, while the rest were de-
ployed to act AS skirmishers and bushwhackers.
to hold the encmy's right in ehock The battle
was opened at about2 O'clock p. VI. by' three
shots fired from the besiegers, which YVES near
the headquarters of Gen. Unman and is said L,
have been fired by that cgicer in person; where.
upon Gen. Baldwin sent dispatch tocoL Strawn
TO reply, but the Colonel'- requisite ammunition
not having arrived yet, lac was unable to do 50.
Whereupon Gen. Baldwin opened with small
arms, which made considerable noise bu. did lit
tie damage. As soon as Col. Strawn's ammu-
milton arrived, and Gen. Van Doren 20. his guns
IN position, the battle commenced to rage and
continued for about two hours" when u sixty
four shell, fred with great resolution l5y Cen.
Human, barely missed the enemy's magazine,
and exploded on the table in Gen Van Dor.n's
headquarters. This was followed by a gallant
charge on the part of the besiegers, which was
repulsed by Gen. Baldwin. Some very effective
shots were now fred by Capt O'Morrow's
shsrpshooters, and the Clancy sbnsh W ackcrs
At this juncture of the fight, Col. Strawn fred
aheavy shot which produced quite consterna-
ton IN the lines of the besegers, but which, was
soon returned with equal effect The bcsieged
had considerably the advantage of the besiegers
on account Of the superiority OF their weapons;
nevertheless the engineering was poor, the range
OF their guns being too great Tor their elevated
position. which accounts for the fact that MANY
OF their shells burst il, tbs, rear OF the enemy
As'fhe evening came ON the hesiegers withdrew ]
whereupon the beseged held a council of war and
determined to still hold out in hopes Of reinforce
ments
Though some mistakes were madaty both par-
ties, great credit is due to the officers for the
skill displayed boil, in the attack and defence.
1t is the prevalent runor that the present supe-
rior commission which Gen. Baldwin holds to
the one he held during the Bruce campaign was
given him for meri voriois conduct on that ocoa-
sion, that he received with it large prepay, and
was well supplied with ammunition of the best
government manufacture