encounter with the last remaining savage,
in which both used knives; the Indian was killed and Beach very badly
wounded.

Thus ended one of the most sanguinary engagements of the war.

FIGHT AT APPLE RIVER FORT.

Capt. A.W. Snyder's Company, of Col. Henry's Regiment, was detailed
to guard the country between Galena and Fox and Rock rivers, and was
surprised on the night of the 17th of June, while encamped in the
vicinity of Burr Oak Grove. His sentinels, while on duty, were fired
upon by Indians, who did not deem it prudent to continue the attack, but
immediately fled. As soon as it was light enough next morning to follow
their trail, Capt. Snyder started with his company, but on reaching
their camp, found that they had fled on his approach. He redoubled his
speed and continued on their trail until he overtook them. Finding that
there was no escape, the Indians got into a deep gully for protection,
but were soon surrounded, when Capt. Snyder ordered his men to charge
upon them. The Indians fired as they approached and mortally wounded one
of his men, Mr. William B. Mekemson, a brave volunteer from St. Clair
county, (whose father's family afterwards settled in this, Henderson
county, all of whom, except one brother, Andrew, a highly respected
Christian gentleman, have, long since, gone to meet their kinsman in
another world.) Mr. M. being unable to ride, a rude litter was made and
men detailed to carry him back to camp, at Kellogg's Grove. The company
had not proceeded far before they were attacked by about seventy-five
Indians, and two men, Scott and McDaniel, killed, and a Mr. Cornelius
wounded. The company was soon formed into line by the aid of Gen.
Whiteside, who was then acting merely as a private, and using the
precaution of Indians, each man got behind a tree, and the battle waxed
furiously for sometime without any serious results, until the Indian
commander was seen to fall, from the well directed aim of Gen.
Whiteside's rifle. Having now no leader the Indians ingloriously fled,
but for some reason were not pursued. Our reporter, however, said that
most of the company refused, for the reason that the second term of
their enlistment had expired, and they were anxious to be mustered out
of service, although the officers were eager to pursue.

The company then commenced their march to camp, and on approaching
the litter on which Mekemson lay, found that the Indians had cut off his
head and rolled it down