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r,KhtyMorrison Creek Massacre.Editor Times: I furnish you herewith an extract from “The Western Sun” of Vincennes, Ind., of May 20, 1815, in reference to the Indian massacre which occurred on Morrison creek four miles north of the present town of Sullivan. This extract was furnished me by Hon. Henry S. Cauthorn, of Vincennes, after I had made very general inquiry of the older living citizens of the county, without ascertaining anything definite as to facts. Their traditions differing in time from 1811 to 1815, and in the number of Lieut. Morrison’s men killed from six or sevan to sixty or seventy. We finally obtained this authentic sketch as to date and facts; also a sketch from James Polk, Esq., of Knox county, agreeing therewith ; also from the Secretary of War, Robert Lincoln, we received a copy of a letter written by Judge B. Parke, of Vincennes, to Gov. Posey, of Indiana Territory, written two days prior to this publication in the “Western Sun,” giving substantially the same history of the massacre of this squad, This extract and its confirmation we furnished to the publishers of the late History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, but finding it was omitted or crowded out of that more permanent History to make partial amends therefor, and for the gratification of the very many who have recently heard this circumstance discussed we furnish you this extract for publication. J. W. IIinkee.EXTRACT EROM WESTERN SEN 01*MAY 20, 1815.“On Saturday last the 13th inst. about the break of da}’, Lieut. Morrison, with sixteen men, was surprised, and his party dispersed by a party of Indians between Bus-seron and Fort Harrison. The Lieutenant and eight men have come in; five bodies have been found and three are still missing. This mischief is supposed to have been done by a party of between twenty and thirty Ottawas and Potawatamies.This affair has excited a high degree of irritation on the frontiers; suspicions are entertained of the fidelity of some of those called friendly Indians ; a belief expressed that they were guilty of some gross treachery ; and that they had been in some way instrumental in producing this misfortune. We have taken much pains to gain a correct knowledge of the circumstances of this affair, and we give the following as the substance of the information we have obtained.In consequence of information given at the fort by the Owl’s son, of a party of hostile Indians being on their way against the frontiers, Lieut. Morrison with fifteen rangers, four or five citizens, and three Indians, marched in pursuit of them on Thursday the 11th inst. On Friday morning, owing to the rain of the preceeding night, or to some other cause, there was a difficulty in following the trail, all the citizens, excepting one then returned to the fort. About midday a fresh Indian sign was discovered, and a high piece of ground pointed out Toy one of the Indians as the place where the enemy Indians might probably be found. The pursuit, however, was abandoned, and a determination to come to the settlement announced, and the Indians asked to accompany the party; they refused, observing that they had no business at the settlements, and as they had turned out with a view of following the Indians, and that being abandoned they would return to their own people; and by advices just received from Fort Harrison, it appears that they arrived at that place early on Saturday morning. And, in a word, from an assiduous and dilligent enquiry, we have not been able to learn of a solitary circumstance that is calculated to excite the remotest suspicion of treachery or misconduct in Little Eyes or any of the friendly Indians. So far otherwise that it appears that they acted with the utmost fidelity and' zeal throughout.”of]wa“biablt;flafin: tel or i On hei th;:
Newspaper Details
Sullivan Times
Sullivan, Indiana, US
Sat, May 31, 1884
Page 1
Full Page
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Sullivan C.
IN, USA 01 Feb 2025
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