On the sixth, the main body of the Indians crossed, and marched directly towards the fields, expecting to find the greater part of the villagers there; but in this they were disappointed, a few only having gone out to view their crops.  These perceived the approach of the savage foe, and immediately commenced a retreat towards the town, the most of them taking the road that led to the upper gate, nearly through the mass of Indians, and followed by a shower of bullets.  The firing alarmed those who were in town, and the cry “to arms! to arms!” was heard in every direction.  They rushed towards the works and threw open the gates to their brethren.  The Indians advanced slowly but steadily towards the town, and the inhabitants, though almost deprived of hope, by the vast superiority in number of the assailants, determined to defend themselves to the last.

“In expectation of an attack, Silvio Francisco Cartabona, a governmental officer, had gone to St. Genevieve for a company of militia to aid in defending the town, in case of necessity, and had at the beginning of the month returned with sixty men, who were quartered on the citizens.  As soon as the attack commenced, however, neither Cartabona nor his men could be seen.  Either through fear or treachery, they concealed themselves in a garret, and there remained until the Indians had retired.  The assailed being deprived of a considerable force, by this shameful defection, were still resolute and determined.  About fifteen men were posted at each gate; the rest were scattered along the line of defence, in the most advantageous manner.

“When within a proper distance, the Indians began an irregular fire, which was answered with showers of grape shot from the artillery.  The firing, for a while, was warm; but the Indians perceived that all their efforts would be ineffectual on account of the intrenchments, and deterred by the cannon, to which they were unaccustomed, from making a nearer approach, suffered their zeal to abate, and deliberately retired.  At this stage of affairs, the Lieutenant Governor made his appearance.  The first intimation that he received of what was going on, was by the discharge of artillery, on the part of the inhabitants.  He immediately ordered several pieces of cannon, which were posted in front of the government house, to be spiked and filled with sand, and went, or rather was rolled in a wheelbarrow, to the scene of action.  In a very peremptory tone, he commanded the inhabitants to cease firing and return to their houses.  Those posted at the lower gate, did not receive the order, and consequently kept their stations.  The commandant perceived this and ordered a cannon to be fired at them.  They had barely time to throw themselves on the ground, when the volley passed over them, and struck the wall, tearing a great part of it down.  These proceedings, as well as the whole tenor of his conduct, since the first rumor of an attack, gave rise to suspicions very unfavorable to the Lieutenant