o sustain the conflict, and a retreat was
directed.

To enable the troops to effect this they were again formed into line,
as well as could be under such circumstances, and another charge was
made, as if to turn the right flank of the enemy, but in reality to
gain the road. This object was effected; and a precipitate flight
commenced which continued until they reached Fort Jefferson, a
distance of thirty miles, the men throwing away their guns and
accoutrements as they ran.

Great was the havoc done by the Indians in this engagement. Of the
twelve hundred men engaged under General St. Clair, nearly six hundred
were left dead on the field, and many were wounded. Every officer of
the second regiment [299] was killed in the various charges made by it
to retrieve the day, except three, and one of these was shot through
the body. Major General Butler having been wounded, and carried to a
convenient place to have his wounds dressed, an Indian desperately
adventurous, broke through the guard in attendance, rushed up,
tomahawked and scalped him, before his own life paid the forfeit of
his rashness. General St. Clair had many narrow escapes.[23] Early in
the action, a number of savages surrounded his tent and seemed
resolved on entering it and sacrificing him. They were with difficulty
restrained by some regular soldiers at the point of the bayonet.
During the engagement eight balls passed through his clothes, and
while the troops were retreating, having had his own horse killed, and
being mounted on a sorry beast, "which could not be pricked out of a
walk," he had to make his way to Fort Jefferson as he could,
considerably in the rear of the men. During the action Adjutant
Bulgess received a severe wound, but yet continued to fight with
distinguished gallantry. Presently a second shot took effect and he
fell. A woman who was particularly attached to him had accompanied him
in the campaign, raised him up, and while supporting him in her arms,
received a ball in the breast which killed her instantly.

The Chicasaws were then in amity with the whites, and some of their
warriors were to have cooperated with Gen. St. Clair, but did not
arrive in time. There was however one of that nation in the
engagement, and he killed and scalped eleven of the enemy with his own
hands, and while engaged with the twelfth was himself killed, to the
regret of those who witnessed his deeds of daring and of courage.

According to the statement of