Voices from Stillman's Run:

The following Letter from An Officer of the Army, is published at the request of the writer who pledges himself for the correctness of the statements contained therein.

A copy of a letter, from an officer in the Army, to the Editor, direct,

HEAD-QUARTERS, DIXON'S ON ROCK RIVER.

May 18, 1832

Dear Sir:

Gen. Atkinson arrived here this day, with supplies for the army, and we will move against the Indians to-morrow. Before this reaches you, rumour will have told you all about the battle between Maj. Stillman's men and the Indians. The facts in relation to this affair, can probably never be truly known. From the best information I have been able to obtain from the officers and men; and from what I know myself are about these: About 260 men had been embodied under the command of Major Stillman, and were at this place when we were received into the service of the United States, at Rock Island. When we arrived here, Gov. Reynolds requested Gen. Whiteside to take command of these men and order them up Rock River, to attack the Indians; the Gen. Refused to do so, saying, that as he had been received into service, and was then acting under orders from Gen. Atkinson, he did not feel authorized to take or assume the command of any other troops than his own brigade; and stated, further, that he did not approve of the expedition; for if it was necessary to order out 2,000 men to whoop these Indians, it was certainly erroneous policy to order 200 men to make an attack when they could not be supported by the main body. Notwithstanding this, the Governor ordered them out, and about 30 miles above this place, they came up with the Indians and made an attack on them, killed 6 or 8, and then when the Indians rallied, our men gave way and run in confusion to their camps. They were pursued by the Indians, and while our men were retreating with their commander some distance ahead, the Indians killed and mangled 12 of those who were in the rear. The strength of the Indians is variously estimated, from 60 to 1,000; the most probable number is about 100. They took all the baggage and stores of the command under Major Stillman, together with 6 or 8 keggs of powder and 2 or 3 hundred pounds of lead. The next day our brigade, under Whiteside, marched up to the battle ground, buried the dead, and reconnoitered the country, and endeavored to come up with the Indians, but they had decamped the night before in great haste, leaving all their heavy articles, and canoes, and went off with only their light plunder, arms and ammunition. No man can say when our campaign will be ended --- my own impression is that we are to have a bloody battle before we leave here; --- and the life of many a valiant fellow will have to be sacrificed to repair the loss and disgrace, occasioned by the ignorance and cowardice of two or three men. The Indians are now flushed with victory, and will fight to desperation; and I have no doubt but many others who would, under other circumstances, have remained neutral, will now join the hostile band.