The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-09
A HISTORIC FIGHT.
The Mississinewa River in indiana
Was the Scene of nm Early
Battle with the Indians.

II is known to but comparatively few
people that the Mississinewa river,
which runs through Indiana, was once
the scene of fierce battle between
the whites and the Indian sayages
The stream runs through wild country
for great deal of its course, and along
its banks in many places nestle the
cottages of the artists. Some of the
best landscape paintings that have
been shown in all exhibitions of the va
rious 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
its past.
Following the course of the river from
Marion, about seven miles up the
stream and stopping near the old tum-
ble-down Corners mill, the wanderer
will find himself on the Mississinewa
battlefield. 1t is quiet enough place
now. Only the calls of the wild birds
or the occasional crack of the hunt
er's rifle breaks the almost monotonous
stiffness of the place. 1t can scarcely
be conceived that on the 18th day Of
December, in the year 1912, a bloody
battle was here fought. The fight took
place between Lieut.. John II. Camp
bells Nineteenth regiment Of cavalry
and the Mamis.
A distant relative of Gen. William
Henry Harrison now has in his posses
sion the official report of that battle
as sent to the general by Lieut.. Camp
bell. Below ii is given ,erbatim:
Early in the morning of the 7th |
reached, undiscovered, all Indian town
on the Mississinewa, inhabited by n
number of Delawares and Miamis. The
troops rushed into the town, killed
eight warriors, took ~ prisoners, eight
=. whom are warriors and the residue
women and children. | ordered the
town to be burned Immediately, with
the exception Of house or two, in
which | confined the prisoners. While
we were in council, however, and about
half an hour before dawn on the 18th,
which was the next day after the fight,
We were most iiercely attacked by a
large body of Indians, their onslaught
being accompanied by most hidous
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
different reGoub;s TO retreat into camp
and disperse among their several COM
panies. The redoubt which Capt. Pierce
commanded was first attacked. He
received two balls through the body
and was tcmahawked. The enemy then
took possession of Capt. Pierce's re-
doubt 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
as warmly returned and not an inch
of the ground was yielded. The en-
emy then moved in force against the
left of the squadron and right of the
infantry, where Capts. Markle and FL
lots companies were posted. Here
again they were warmly received.
AT this time daylight began to
dawn. now ordered Capt. Trotter,
whose troops had been commanded by
Col Simrall, TO mount for the purpose
70 make a charge. The captain cried
for his men 10 follow him, and they
dashed off at full gallop. Maj. Nc
Lowell with small party, rushed into
the very midst of the enemy, Capt
Markle. with about Is of his troops,
and Lieut.. Waring also made darirs
charge Capt. Markle avenged the
death Of his relative. Lieut.. Waltz, upon
an Indian with his own sword. BY this
time the cavalry returned and informed
me that the enemy had fed precipi.
lately"
The battle lasted about one hour and
resulted in loss to the whites of about
eight killed and ~ wounded. Fifteer
Indians were found dead upon the
battle-ground, and it is thought as many
more had been carried away dead oil
mortally wounded. The Indian forces
numbered 300 and the forces of the
whites consisted of 600 veterans. a
strange coincidence is noticeable in The
account of this battle. On the 17tf
| the Indians lost eight killed and hac
- taken prisoners. and on the 18th tht
loss and captures among the whites
were exactly the same tigures.-Mun
Gle Und.) Times.