Voices from Stillman's Run:

To the Editors of the Journal: Having noticed in several papers, different and equally incorrect accounts of the late disaster of our arms on Sycamore creek, I am in hopes a short sketch by one of the actors in that tragedy, will not be obstrusive or unacceptable to your readers. I also deem it the legitimate and proper reward of merit, that the conduct of each officer should be presented to the public eye, that his merits or demerits may receive their proper eulogy, or animadversion, as the case may be. In this undertaking, I shall state nothing for fact but that which passed before my own vision; and that I am willing to hold myself responsible for the same, I shall not write anonymous.

The detachment under Gen. Stillman, 206 in number, were at Dixon's on the arrival of the governor and the main army. Stillman received written orders from the Governor to march his detachment on an excursion up Rock river. Stillman, aware that his force was too small to march into tile country of the enemy requested a junction of one or two battalions from the main army, which was refused.

Sunday the 13th of May, was dark and unpropitious. The rain fell in torrents, and wringing wet, our force was at an early hour on the march. On the following morning we found ourselves ten miles from the Governor. beneath a clear sky. The same sun saw us on the upper side of Sycamore creek, two miles from Rock river, and thirty five from Dixon's. The sun was perhaps an hour high when we made a halt for the night. After some time was spent in the preliminaries of encampment, we observed a party of 8 or 7 mounted men, about half a mile distant to the north on an eminence...

Some said they were Indians, some that they were our advanced guard. Believing them to be the enemy, I instantly had my horse caparisoned for pursuit. Here stronger arguments rose, and being ridiculed for my credulity, I stript my horse and turned him loose. Instantly we observed an officer in full speed towards us, and heard the ominous word, parade! parade!! The officer alluded to, was Lieut. A. Gridley of Bloomington, McLane county, in him are combined the gentleman and the soldier. I was instantly mounted with about five or six others, and rode with rapid strides in the direction of the enemy, who instantly disappeared, behind the hill. At the foot of this eminence we passed capt. Covel, with two prisoners mounted.

After a pursuit of about five miles up Rock river, we overtook the fugitives, and found them armed with bows and arrows, sears and rifles. At the further edge of a ravine, about 40 rods wide, we recognized a red flag, and ordered them to surrender. This order being disobeyed we fired and brought down three Indians and one poney.

The Indians now rallied to the number of about 30, and moved towards us with moderation. We then fell back across the ravine till we were reinforced b about as many whites. The brave and intrepid coolness displayed by Lieut. Gridley on this occasion, deserves a high eulogy. After much exertion he succeeded n forming the ranks to await the approaching shock of battle. Soon after this we were joined by the main body under Gen. Stillman. Night was now closing fast around us, and as it was not supposed that any great body of Indians were in that vicinity we recrossed the bog and formed a line of battle. A deputation bearing a white flag, was seen advancing, and capt. Eads, of Peoria, with two or three other individuals rode forward. At this the flag receded till capt. Eads was drawn into an ambuscade, from which he narrowly escaped. It was now known that this sham was only to give the Indians time to send out their flanks. Stillman now saw his error in crossing the slough, and therefore gave orders to retreat and form on an eminence, about one mile in the rear. The Indians were now seen by the glimmering moon light, on three sides like swarms of summer insects. Our lines were never again formed. Some companies formed and fired, and were thrown into confusion by the retreat of others. A general retreat now followed, and all the exertion of officers was insufficient to arrest the flight. Stillman’s last order was to retreat over Sycamore creek, and make a stand on the hill beyond. This order also was disobeyed, and no further orders were given. I remained on the bank of the creek till most of the army had passed. Our camp then resounded as though 500 men were under the torture of the tomahawk and scalping knife. This noise was undoubtedly made by the Indians as none of the whites were killed at this place.

Before I left the camp I heard orders given by some man to "kill those d_____d Indian prisoners." There had been one brought in subsequent to the two taken by capt. Covel. I heard a musket, a death groan, and saw one tumble over the guard fire, the others I believe were killed, but I did not see it. The pursuit was kept up for ten miles from Sycamore in perfect flanking order, and without confusion as the whole route was prairie, except the spot on which we encamped. The spot contained a few low scrub oaks, with large bodies and tops, the limbs pointing downwards and spreading at ten feet from the ground. I arrived at Dixon's at half past 2 o’clock and found to my great joy, that many of my friends had arrived before me. Until the companies were paraded the next day, it was believed that half our number at least were cut off. It was found, however, that 52 only were missing. Our scattered troops continued to arrive for three days, till the loss was reduced to eleven. The bodies of ten were found mangled in the most shocking manner. The trees where we encamped were found to contain from 6 to 10 bullets each.

It has been intimated by many of the main army, that intoxication and cowardice were the causes of our defeat. To such I would say, do better yourselves before you boast. It is true there was, perhaps, one case of inebriation. On our march about ten miles from Sycamore it was found that the baggage wagon was too heavy. One barrel of whiskey was therefore, unheaded and all our canteens filled. A quantity was still left which could not be lost, and was finally saved in a summary way. Stillman, it is true has been censured for his defeat,—but was any officer ever praised for a defeat? Some say, why did he not form, and make a determined stand? To such I would say, is it possible for one man, or for ten men, to stop the flight of 200? Or would it be prudence for 200 men to stand and see themselves surrounded by five times their number, superior in discipline? as was the fact in this case. On the whole, our escape may be considered fortunate almost to a miracle. The conduct of our captains, without one exception, deserves the highest encomiums on this occasion. Froth all the information I can obtain, I am of opinion, that not less than 30 Indians fell in this victory of theirs. The bravery of Samuel Hackleton, Esq. of Lewiston, Fulton county, deserves the warmest praise. He commanded the first charge on the Indian spies, and was wounded in a personal conflict.

"Here cease we, but ere long a more powerful force

They may expect to take the field against them."

Yours, respectfully, A.H. Maxfield.