HICK'S BATTLE
In the interim
the volunteers of the central battalion had reached Connell's prairie, where an
encampment was formed. On the morning of the November 8, 1855 Maj. Hays ordered Captain White's company of pioneers, fifty
strong, to the crossing of White River, to erect a block-house and construct a
ferry, supported only by Captain Swindal with a guard of ten men.
They had not proceeded more than a mile and a half from camp before the advance
under Lt. Hicks was attacked by 150 Indians, who made an attack
just as the detachment entered the woods that covered the river-bottoms, and
were descending a hill.
Almost simultaneously the main company received heavy fire, and finding himself
outnumbered, White dispatched a messenger to camp and was re-enforced
by Henness with 20 men, and soon after by Martin with 15. The battle
continuing, and the Indians making a flank movement which could be seen from
camp, Van Ogle was moved with 15 men to stop it. Because of rapid movement
another group of twelve men were sent out.
The Indians had a great advantage in position, and after two hours of firing, a
charge was ordered to be made by a portion of the volunteers, while White's
company and Henness' detachment held their positions. The charge was successful,
driving one body of the Indians through a deep marsh, or stream, in their
flight, and enabling Swindal to take a position in the rear of the main body on
a high ridge.
It being too dangerous to charge them from their fronts, where White and Henness
were stationed, they being well fortified behind fallen timber on the crest of
a hill, Rabbeson and Swindal were ordered to execute a flank movements, and
attack the enemy in the rear. A charge being made simultaneously in front and
rear, the Indians were completely routed, with a loss of between 25-30 killed and many wounded. The loss of the volunteers was four wounded.
This battle greatly encouraged the territorial troops. The
Indians were in force, outnumbering them two to one; they had chosen their
position, and made the attack, and were defeated with every circumstance in
their favor.
A battle soon followed and more than 100 men on each side commenced
firing upon each other. The Indians were urged on by their women who beat drums
and shouted encouragement to the warriors. The soldiers calmed the Indian men
down by shooting at the women.
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