New Hampshire Statesman

DEFEAT OF THE RICAReE INDIANS.

An extra sheet of the National Intelligencer, of the 4th inst. furnishes us with the result of the expedition against the Ricarees. It has proved entirely successful. We have not room to give the official documents at full length.—The following is however a full summary of the proceedings.

The troops arrived before the Ricaree towns on the ninth of August, when the Sioux who accompanied them were met by the Ricarees, and driven back, until supported by the regular troops, and Ashley's men. The Ricarees were then driven back into their towns. On the 10th an attack was made on the Indian towns, which proved so successful that the Ricarees sent to sue for peace, mentioning that their chief, "Grey Eyes," who occasioned all the mischief had been killed by the first discharge from the cannon, and that they had lost a great many of their men. A treaty was accordingly concluded; but on the night of the 10th the Indians decamped, leaving their town deserted. The Sioux Indians had abandoned our troops on the 11th, having had a meeting previously with the Ricarees. Messengers were sent out to persuade them to resume their habitations. They however returned, after an ineffectual search, on the evening of the 14th. Possession was then taken of the villages, and on the ensuing day the mother of the chief, who was killed, was placed in one of the houses and the villages left to her care.

On the evening of the 15th, the troops were embarked to descend the river, and every one removed from the villages—except the woman mentioned above. They had not however, lost sight of the towns, when they perceived them in flames. It is supposed they were set fire to by one M'Donald, a partner, and one Gordon a clerk of the Missouri Fur Company. This may be the occasion of further hostilities, as the Indians will doubtless feel themselves much aggrieved by such a breach of good faith.

It is supposed the Ricarees lost above fifty of their people, while our troops had but two men wounded. The troops arrived at Fort Atkinson on the 30th of August.

In ascending the river two boats and seven men were lost in a storm, together with some ammunition and provisions. The names of the wounded men are, Hugh Johnson, under Gen. Ashley's command, and Smith, a private of Maj. Ketchum's company.