Voices from Stillman's Run:

We now have it in our power to give the particulars relating to the defeat of our army on Rock river by the Indians.

Capt. Stephenson, of the Galena rangers, came in town on 15th May, and brings us more sure intelligence of the affair between the detachment under Gen. Stillman, at 35 miles above Dixon's ferry, the circumstances of which, were faintly and erroneously set forth in our extra paper of May 16. He states, that he joined the detachment of Gen. Stillman, near Dixon's, towards night fall. Three Indians delivered themselves up---their object being doubtless, to parley with the whites, and thus give sufficient time to their own forces to prepare. Shortly afterwards they saw a few Indians standing on an eminence near them; and two or three men went out, but seeing that they held forth no flag of truce, they suspected their hostility, and pursued them with the whole of Gen. S's force---about 270 men. This pursuit was continued through a swamp of considerable extent. The Indians having gained a piece of high land, stood their ground, and turned on their pursuers. The transition from the sullen silence of the forest, to a scene of action, was as sudden as thought for, as if by magic, each tree and stump appeared to send forth a band of savages; the exact number of which could not be ascertained; but the extent of their line would, it is supposed, support the assertion, that there were at least 1000 Indians. The scene that then appeared exceeds description---the swampy ground, the surprize, the retreat of the whites, threw everything into confusion: the whites flew back to their camp--slew the three Indians who were the bait for their peril, and retreated from their camp. It was ascertained that about 25 men were missing.

The Indians shewed great discipline and advanced by alternate ranks--Darkness shedding her veil over the field of carnage, hid from the horrors of the day.

After Capt. James W. Stephenson arrived in Galena, Serg't Fred Stahl, privates W. Durley, Vincent Smith, Redding Bennett, and Jas. Smith, of the rangers, went out mounted as express to Gen. Atkinson at the Rock river---they returned on Sunday, and stated, that they were attacked by a party of Indians at Buffalo Grove, about 50 miles from here; about 12 or 13 guns, at about 20 steps from them, were fired--Durley was shot, it is supposed, is the side, and he fell dead---Mr. Stahl escaped unhurt, the back of his coat grazed by a ball. J. Smith was shot through the hat. They left Durley on the field and retreated. Mr. Stahl met an express from Rock river: learned that Gen. Whiteside had buried all the bodies found on the field of battle;---that the number of them were 12 missing and 11 found dead on the field---those had their ears, arms and legs cut off, and their hearts extracted: they found also an Indian setting up against a tree dead, with three white men's scalps in his hands…..

The tomahawk and scalping knife have again been drawn on our frontier. Blood of our best citizens has been spilt in great profusion within the borders of Illinois. Many have fallen victims to our merciless foe, and shared the fate of those of early times in older states.

Thrice within the last three years, have we been assaulted by some neighboring tribes of savages; thrice within that time have we been invaded, and our treaties disregarded. Now our country and our country's cause call aloud for revenge. Revenge! Revenge! Revenge! Let not the blood of those heroes, who have thus early fallen in defence of our invaded frontier, be washed from the spot on which it so nobly flowed, until it shall rise into the heavens, and call down the God of war, who shall inspire every man among us with vengeance, that every one may glut his steel, and dye his hunting shirt purple with those monster's blood.

Let us no more hear our able statesmen on our floor, vindicating the toleration of independent governments of Indians within the limits of our states. Let there be no more voices raised against sending the Indians beyond our settlements. Let not the walls of the Senate Chamber, or the representative hall echo the sound of that voice through the nation which would advocate the establishment of Indian governments among us, where the only result is, the murder of our women and children.

That mercy which our government has heretofore extended towards the Indians, has universally resulted in their hostility towards our frontier inhabitants. Indians, like white men, are fond of holidays; hence nothing gives them more pleasure than to be called together to attend a treaty. They like treaties because they generally get many presents and are well fed while there. They have been required to do more than promise to learn from hostility. This they never hesitate to do; and they hesitate as little to break them.

Something now has to be done. The Indians must be exterminated, or sent off; or we must look for such a war every season. Our government must acknowledge herself beat, or she must humble our invaders, and give up that we are completely conquered and vanquished.

We are glad to find that Gov. Reynolds is so prompt in his discharge of his duties. He dispatched an expression Tuesday last to the lower part of Illinois for two thousand more militia. It appears that we need not entertain any fears but this war will terminate all the Indian disturbances for many years. If Gov. Reynolds will only "stick to the faith" and carry on a war of extermination until there shall be no Indian (with his scalp on) left to the north part of Illinois, he will be rewarded with the warmest gratulations from every bosum capable of heaving one forth.

Thus far we are highly pleased with his prompt course and decisive measures.