Martinsburgh Gazette

INDIAN WARFARE.

The New York Advocate contains a letter from Fort Atkinson, Council Bluffs, dated the 26th, June, written by an officer on that station, by which it appears that Colonel Leavenworth, with a detachment of 204 regulars, 500 Sioux Indians, and 2 pieces of artillery, were to proceed the following day to the Aricara village for the purpose of chastising the savages who had so treacherously murdered the men belonging to Gen. Ashley's party In addition to what has been published, this writer states that "the Aricaras have built around their town a strong row of pickets, and thick mud walls : not of sufficient strength however to resist our cannon, the country around them being well situated from the operation of artillery. A battle is unavoidable, as the Young Ara, or grey eyes, the Chief of the Aricaras is determined not to allow a white man to pass their village if he can prevent it, and is a most blood thirsty savage ; one who has always been opposed to the trading business on the river, and the late massacre, as it may be called, will no doubt make them place greater confidence in their skill in the art of war than they really possess. Major Henry and Mr. Immel, both belonging to the Fur Company, are, it is supposed, on their way down the river from the Mountains. and should they reach the Aricaras before us, I fear they will be cut off, as they are unacquainted with the hostile disposition of Indians towards them.— This instance of treachery and barbarity in the Aricaras has excited so general a hatred of them that I believe should we be successful, they will receive no quarter. I have been assigned to the command of six pounds gun, intended to commence the action in the front, assisted by a band of Otos, while the infantry with the other large guns upon them from the right and left—if we gain a hill which is on the right of their town—their death peal is rung. At any rate it is impossible the expedition should fail, as the Aricaras are at war with almost every tribe around them, in consequence of their friendship for the whites : as the Aricaras are good marksmen it is impossible we should all escape, as they are all armed with long British muskets or rifles. On our way up I expect we shall be joined by about 100 warriors of the Sioux nation, who are at war with them, and well acquainted with their mode of fighting. Should I be fortunate enough to return, I shall transmit a detailed account of our proceedings, and I hope to give a brilliant character to our expedition. It is supposed by some, that the Sacs, Foxes, or Pawnees, will attack the fort in our absence, if they can learn the number of troops leaving it; but I think their fears are groundless. as they are acquainted with the strength of the garrison, where 100 soldiers can keep out as many thousand Indians. Our cantonment is at present a scene of bustle and confusion making preparation for the war, and never did I see soldiers more animated at thoughts of conquest, than are the troops at this post.