The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-21
A HISTORIC FIGHT.
Mississinevva River the Scene OF an
Early Battle.
Muncie Times.

Muncie Times.
1t is known to but comparatively few peo-
pie that the Missssinewa river, which runs
through this section Of Indiana, was once
the scene of a fierce battle between the
whites and the Indian savages. The stream
runs through wild country for great deal
of it's course. and along its banks in many
places nestle the cottages of the artists.
Snme of the best landscape paintings that
have been shown in all exhibitions of the
various large cities were executed from
scenes along the banks of the stream. Poets
have raved over the placid little body OF
water, and many are the stories that have
been written about it's past.
Following the course of the river from
Marion about seven miles up the stream,
and stopping near the old tumble-down Com
ners mill, the wanderer viii find himselI on
the Mississinewa battlefield; 1t IS quleI
enough place now. Only the calls or the
wild birds or the occasional crack OF the
hunters rifle breaks the almost monotonous
stiffness of the place. 1t can scarcely De
conceived that on the seventeenth day or
December, in the year 1879, bloody Datlle
was here fought. The fight took place pc
tween Lieutenant John r. CampDellS Nlne-
teenth Regiment of cavalry and the Mlamis
A distant relative of Gen. William henry
Harrison now has in his possession SION the tha 9la
general by Lieutenant Campbell. Below u
is given verbatim:
Early in the morning or the 1Ith - l
reached undiscovered, an Indian town on
the Mssissinewa, inhabited by a NUMBER
of Delawares and Miamis. Ihe troops
rushed into the town, killed eight warriors,
took forty-tWo prisoners, eight Of whom
are warriors and the residue women ana
children. / ordered the town to be burned
Immediately, with the exception or mouse
or two i'm which / confined the prisoners.
While we were in council, however ana
about half an hour before dawn on the leln
which was the next day after the hight, We
were most fiercely attacked by a large Dody
Of Indians, their onslaught being accom-
panied by a most hideous yell. Every man
OF our brave troops rushed to his post with
all dispatch. The enemy boldly advanced
to within few yards of the line, causing
the guards which we had placed at the diff
ferent redoubts to retreat into camp ana
disperse among their several companies
The redoubt which Captain Pierce COM
manded was first attacked. tie receiVeu
two balls through the body and was tonna-
,"aDtain Pierce's redoubt and poured a
tremendous fire upon the angle, to the right
and left of which were posted the troops
of Gerard and Hopkins. But the fire was
ground was yielded. The enemy then moved
in force against the left of the squadron
and right of the infantry, where Captains
Markle ana Elliots companies were posted.
Here again they were warmly received.
At this time daylight began TO dawn
now ordered Captain Trotter, whose troops
had been commanded by Colonel Smrail to
mount for the purpose to make a charge
The captain cried for his men TO follow
nlm ana I0ey OdSHed OH at iuil EdiiOI- MAJ.
Mcdowell with a small party, rushed into
the very midst of the enemy Captain
Marke with aboAt fifteen Of his troops and
Lieutenant Waring also made daring
charge Captain Markle avenged the death
Of his relative. Lieutenant Waltz, upon an
Indian with his own sword. BY this time
the cavalry returned and informed me that
the enemy had fled precipitately"
The battle lasted about one hour and re-
suited in a loss 10 the whites of about eight
killed and forty-two wounded Fifteen In
dians were found dead upon the battle
ground and 1t Is thought as many more had
been carried away dead or mortaly
wounded. The Indian forces numbered three
hundred and the forces OF the whites con-
sisted of six hundred veterans. A strange
coincidence is noticeable ia the account OF
this battle. on the 18th the Indians lost
eight killed and had forty-two taken pfis-
oners and on the 18th the loss and captures
among the whites were exactly the same
hgures.