Considering  that  nineteeu-twentieths  of  the  troops  engaged
had  never  before  been  under  fire,  their  behavior  in  the  trying
ordeal  was  worthy  the  reputation  of  veterans;  taking  the  positions
assigned  them  without  noise  and  with  little  confusion,  they  re-
ceived the  charge  of  the  Indians  and  retui'ned  their  fire  without
disorder,  notwithstanding  the  fierceness  jf  the  attack.  The  com-
panies of  Capts.  Barton  and  Guiger  having  suffered  severely  in
the  fii'st  onset,  the  commands  of  Capts.  Cook  and  Wentworth  were
ordered  to  their  support  from  the  center  of  the  rear  line.  A
heavy  fire  having  been  opened  on  the  left  of  the  front  line,  Maj.
Daviess,  of  the  dragoons,  seeing  the  emergency,  formed  his  com-
mand in  the  rear  of  the  companies  of  Capts.  Baen,  Suelling  and
Prescott,  of  the  Foiu-th  United  States  Regiment,  occupying  that
position.  It  having  been  ascertained  that  the  heaviest  part  of  the
fire  proceeded  from  Indians  concealed  behind  a  clump  of  trees  a  few
paces  in  front.  Maj.  Daviess  was  ordered  to  dislodge  them.     Un-


60


HISTORY  OF  CARROLL  COUNTY.
del-estimating  the  strength  of  the  position,  the  attacking  force  was,
as  a  consequence,  inadequate  to  the  task,  the  enemy  avoiding  him
in  front  and  attacking  his  flank.  In  executing  this  movement,  the
Major  was  mortally  wounded  and  his  party  driven  back.  The  In-
dians, however,  were  immediately  dislodged  by  Capt.  Snelling's
company.  Within  a  few  moments  after  the  commencement  of  the
attack,  the  th-e  of  the  Indians  extended  along  the  left  flank,  the
whole  of  the  front,  the  right  flank,  and  part  of  the  rear  line.  The
fire  was  especially  severe  along  the  right  flank  (south  end  of  the
ground),  occupied  by  Capt  Spenoer"s  company  of  mounted  rifle-
men and  Capt  WaiTick's  command.  Eai'ly  in  the  fight,  Capt.
