The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

RICHMOND, December 26.

We are concerned to be under the necessity of following up our accounts from the Western Territory, with more disagreeable intelligence from thence.

Some time in the last month, captain Handley with his company of (drafted) militia, and an escort under their care, marched from Knoxville for Cumberland: on their route they were surprised on the Cumberland trace, between Knoxville and Nashville, by a party of Indians, consisting of about 200—on their first fire, captain Handley and eleven of his men fell, and the remainder of the company and escort instantly dispersed—of which twenty-four are still missing, supposed to be killed or taken prisoners.

The militia had no suspicion of being near an enemy, until they received the fatal fire, which brought their commander and so many of their fellow soldiers to the ground.

It is barely justice to the memory of Capt. Handley to mention, that he had served his country, in a military capacity, five campaigns with distinguished reputation and applause, and that equally in public and private life he lived beloved and respected, and has died universally lamented.