A Journal of Two Campaigns of the Fourth Regiment of U.S. Infantry: In the Michigan and Indiana Territories, Under the Command of Col. John P. Boyd, and Lt. Col. James Miller During the Years 1811, & 12. — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
A Journal of Two Campaigns of the Fourth Regiment of U.S. Infantry: In the Michigan and Indiana Territories, Under the Command of Col. John P. Boyd, and Lt. Col. James Miller During the Years 1811, & 12.
John Stuart Mill · en
Major Daviess, with a small detachment
of dragoons attempted to dislodge them; but failed in the attempt,
and was himself mortally wounded. Capt. Snelling, of the regulars,
soon after made a desperate charge at the head of his company, with
success, losing one man, who was tomahawked by a wounded Indian. The
Indians fell back, and for a short time, continued the action at a
distance--here was some sharp shooting, as they had greatly the
advantage, by the light afforded them from our fires, which could
not be entirely extinguished. We were well supplied with buck shot
cartridges, which were admirably calculated for an engagement of
this nature. The savages were severely galled by the steady and well
directed fire of the troops. When near day-break, they made their last
desperate effort to break our lines, when three cheers were given, and
charge made by the 4th Regt. and a detachment of dragoons--they were
completely routed and the whole put to a precipitate flight. They fled
in all directions, leaving us masters of the field which was strewed
with the bodies of the killed and wounded. Some sharp-shooters of the
militia, harassed them greatly in their retreat, across the marshy
prairie. The day was appropriated to the mournful duties of dressing
the wounds of our unfortunate comrades, and burying the dead. To
attempt a full and detailed account of this action, or portray to the
imagination of the reader the horrors attendant on this sanguinary
conflict, far exceeds my powers of description.--The awful yell of the
savages, seeming rather the shrieks of despair, than the shouts of
triumph--the tremendous roar of musquetry--the agonizing screams of
the wounded and dying, added to the shouts of the victors, mingling in
tumultuous uproar, formed a scene that can better be imagined than
described.
The following statements are from Sergeant Montgomery Orr, of Capt.
Barton's Company, (one of the Companies first attacked) and that of
William Brigham, a private of the late Captain Whitney's Company of
Riflemen, who was on his post, in front of Barton's Company, at the
time of the attack; the latter of whom was mortally wounded, and died
of his wounds a few weeks afterwards at Vincennes. Their veracity is
unquestionable, and as I had the recital from their own lips, I do not
hesitate to declare my belief of them.
_Statement of Sergeant Orr._