Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-08-02

and filth with which they were spa
tered would almost have prevented their
morhers from recognizing them.
And yet these men were among inc
bravest of our soldiers in the war Oh
1872. The uprising of the Creek lhdi-
ans had been brought about by the Bill
ish and Spaniards, who had lurnlshed
arms. and promised reward OF 80 Tor
every scalp brought TO Pensacola
whether it was of man. woman or child.
Tecumseh and his brother, with thirty
of their warriors, had mace the long
Journey of a thousand miles from the
northwest. and 10y their stirring Appeals
had aroused many OF the Creeks 10 en-
ter the contest, and attempt 10 drive the
hated white man from the homes their
fathers had left them.
Massacres horrible beyond descrip-
ton had followed, and the frightened
settlers had fed 10 the forts and block
houses for protection, and then the men
began TO rally to drive back the fierce
savages. and protect their homes and
families from their cruelty. And now
this army of C,aiborne's was on its way
10 attack one of the stronghoids of the
Creeks.
For nine long days they had no meat,
and parched corn and roasted acorns
had been their only food. They had sent
in a long petition to their commander
not 10 lead them into the Creek country.
I'VE aren't very far from the Holy
Ground. are we?" said young John
Fletcher. one of the Mississippi volun-
teers. to George Gatlin, his companion
in arms.
about ten miles" replied his friend.
General Claiborne has had his scouts
out and | have just been talking with
one of them. He says this Holy
Ground Is on a bluff of the Alabama, and
that there isn't path or trail leading TO
il. The Indians call it The Grave Of
White Men and their prophets declare
that if a pale face ever steps his foot
over the wizard circles they have drawn
about the place. he will fall dead. They
have a big square n the center Of the
town where they burn their victims
Horrible" said John with a ahudder.
THE prophets also declare that our
bullets will fatten right over and do
their warriors no harm" continued
George: "but they've taken pains to
drive lot of stakes all around the place
and have carried their women and chill
dren across the river, so I reckon they
mean to be on the safe side"
What do they call the place.
"Econschaca," replied George. There
are about a thousand warriors there
now. Blu, never you mind he added,
as he saw how downcast his companion
was. Wen be enough for them
THE GREAT HALF-BREED.
as Weatherford there?" asked John
Eyes. Billy Weatherford Is the lead
or. but one man doesn't make an army,
though | will say he's the best man in
the Creek nation But then. he's half
white. you know. His father was a
white man, and somehow he's different
from most Of the half-breeds for he
seems 10 have inherited the best, not
the worst. from each side Tecumseh
had to work with him a long time be-
fore he got him to 20 in at all. recK-
on he knows how this affair is likely 10
turn out He's a magnificent looking
man. He stands six feet four in his
stocking feet and Is as brave as a lion. -
But the conversation was interrupted
by the call TO fall in" and the little
army was soon in motion. The marshes
increased in number, and the report
that there were deep ravines about the
Holy Ground added to the fears; but
the soldiers kept steadily on. and when
they halted Econoschaca was only two
miles away.
The plan IS TO surround the town so
that none of the Creeks can escape"
said George. a little later. Three di-
visions have been made, and Colonel
Carson is going to lead ours to the up
per part of the town In a few mo-
ments the colonel had given the word,
and the Mississippi volunteers had be-
gun their advance The air was chilly.
The fights begun" growled Gatlin.
Keep close TO me. John" and the SOL
diers advanced steadily. returning the
fire. They lodged behind trees and
stumps, an nearer and nearer forced
their way: but Weatherford' warriors
also were fighting stubbornly, and Try
Ing TO hold their places.