CHAPTER VI

General Alexander returns back to Fort Kushkanong — Generals Henry and Dodge take up the line of march to intercept the enemy, should they be making to the north — March to the Rapids on Rock River — Come to a Winnebago tillage — Have a talk with the Indians — Send an express to General Atklnson — They come across the trail of the enemy and return — Fired on as they enter our camp — We take up the line of march next morning in pursuit — Terrible storm on that evening — Second day come to the Four Lakes — Encamp there — A discription {description^ of those Lakes — Doctor Philleo kills an Indian — We overtake the enemy the same evening^ and have a general battle — We defeat the enemy — They retreat across the Wisconsin River — An Indian talks to us from the top of a mountain,before day, on the next night— General Henry addresses his men — Major Ewing with his Spy Battalion proceeds next morning to the top of the mountain — Makes but little discovery.

GENERALS HENRY AND DODGE had by this time, come to the conclusion to go back around the head of Fox river, to see if they could not fall in with Black Hawk, and stop his passage to the north; as they supposed he was intending to make his way to the Chippeway nation. General Alexander concluded that it was best to obey GeneralAtkinson's order. He accordingly returned the same way we came, to join General Atkinson ; taking with him twelve days' provision. We drew the same number of days' rations. July 15th. We took up the line of march on (his day, with General Henry at our head, with the intention Wakefield 102

Wakefield 103 to try and see if we could not hunt out Black Hawk. But on account of our horses taking the fright on the night of the 12th, our brigade was very much weakened. The next morning after we started, the morning report was made out: General Henry had six hundred effective men ; and Colonel Dodge's corps was reduced to one hundred and fifty, or nearly so; but their weakness did not discourage these true men, nor any of their officers. We had now the brave General Henry at our head, and our intention was to find the enemy, if they were to be found in this region of the country. We now went with more speed than we had done before; the men appeared to have imbibed new spirit. They had a prospect of falling in with the enemy, and they well knew, that, if we went back to Gen. Atkinson by the way we came to fort Winnebago, there would be but a very slight chance of ever seeing an Indian; for they now had been watching him some time; and being intimately acquainted with the situation of the country, they could dodge from swamp to swamp, and bid him defiance. We now thought that while they were watching Gen. Atkinson, we could steal upon old Black Hawk, and take him by surprise. We had Poquet, the half-breed, whom I have mentioned before, and twelve Winnebago Indians with us as pilots, and progressed with considerable speed. Nothing of importance occurred on our march from the 15th to the i8th. We this day came to a small Winnebago village, on Rock river; having reached that river once more, though some distance above Gen. Atkinson. Generals Henry and Dodge" here called a halt, and had a talk with this nation of the forest—for forest it really was. It might have been supposed, from the appearance of the place they were in, that they

Wakefield 104 had tried to hide from all the world, as their bark wigwams were in the midst of a very large growth of timber, in a bend of the river, and the earth was covered with an almost impenetrable undergrowth. Gen. Dodge who was well acquainted with the Winnebagoes, attended strictly to the examination. They were asked where Black Hawk and his band were?—They replied that they were above, on Rock river, at a place called the Cranberry Lake, about half a day's travel from where we then were. Generals Henry and Dodge consulted with the officers generally, in relation to the course most proper to pursue. They came to the conclusion to send an express to Gen. Atkinson, informing him that they had learned where Black Hawk was, and that they would march against him on the next day. We were then, from the best information we could obtain from the Indians, about thirty-five miles above Gen. Atkinson where he was still engaged in building a fort, at Lake Kushkanong. It may not be considered a digression to state, here, the reasons we had for believing that the Winnebagoes were telling us the truth; for we had been a long time very suspicious that they were secret allies of Black Hawk, as we caught them in many lies. There was one fellow, who, on examination, stated that he had come from Black Hawk only two days before. He was then asked what he had been up there after? He replied that he had two sisters married to Sac men, and that each of his sisters had six daughters, who were also married to Sac men, and that he had been up to see them. This was a very reasonable story, and we thought that it might be true. But, at the same time, it went to show that they were to some extent, allies of the Sacs, as they were intermarried so much with each other.


Wakefield 105 Generals Henry and Dodge now made application for a pilot to go with two of our men to Gen. Atkinson, to inform him where the Indians were, and that we were going in pursuit of them the next day. After some Indian chat among themselves, they reluctantly consented that Little Thunder should go. The next thing was, to get two of our men, possessed of sufficient courage and perseverance to go. Doctor E. H. Merryman, Adjutant of Col. Collins's regiment, and Mr. W. W. Woodbridge, Adjutant of Gen. Dodge's squadron, were the men who volunteered to perform this important and hazardous service. They started about 1 o'clock P. M., in company with Little Thunder as their pilot, intending to reach Gen. Atkinson's camp that night; but they had not proceeded more than eight miles before they came upon a large fresh trail, which they soon learnt, by its appearance, and the signs and gestures of Little Thunder, their pilot, was that of Black Hawk and his whole army making their escape.—They pursued their course a little further, intending to go on with the message; but this Indian petitioned them to go back, intimating by signs that they would soon be killed if they went on. The expresses could not speak his language, nor could he speak theirs; but they made signs for him to proceed with them, but they did not succeed in getting him more than two miles further, when he suddenly wheeled his horse to the right-about, and giving him timber, left them. It was now nearly night, and the country they were in impassable to a stranger; the ground being covered with prickly ash and white thorn; and in the midst of these thickets were the worst kind of swamps. They were therefore compelled to return to their camp. It was some time before they overtook their pilot, and after dark when they got back. On entering the encampment the

Wakefield 106 sentinels fired at one of them, and came very near killing him. They now told the joyful news, that they had discovered the trail of Black Hawk and his band making out of the swamps, which seemed to give new life to every heart; as now there appeared to be a prospect of bringing our toils and troubles to a speedy issue. Orders were accordingly given for all hands to be ready for an early march next morning in pursuit of the enemy. At the dawn of day the bugle sounded. All now were up, making ready with great eagerness for a march. Here we had to leave every thing that was calculated to retard our march. Five baggage waggons, sutlers' stores and a number of other valuable articles were left, in order that we should have nothing to impede us on our march. July ipth. This day we had, for about twelve miles, the worst kind of road. To look at it, it appeared impossible to march an army through it. Thickets and swamps of the worst kind we had to go through; but the men had something now to stimulate them. They saw the Sac trail fresh before them, and a prospect of bringing our campaign to an end. There was no murmuring, no excuses made; none getting on the sick report. If we came to a swamp that our horses were not able to carry us through, we dismounted, turned our horses before us, and stepped in ourselves, sometimes up to our arm-pits in mud and water. In this way we marched with great celerity. In the evening of this day, it commenced thundering, lightening, and raining tremendously. We stopped not, but pushed on. The trail appeared to be still getting fresher, and the ground better; which still encouraged us to overcome every difficulty found in the way. It continued raining until dark, and indeed until after dark. We now saw the want of our tents in the morning; a great number of us having left this necessary article behind, in order to

Wakefield 107 favor our horses. The rain ceased before day, and it turned cold and chilly. In the morning we arose early, at the well known sound of the bugle, and prepared in a very short time our rude breakfast, dried our clothes a little, and by seven o'clock were on the march at a quick pace. On this day some of our scouts took an Indian as a prisoner. On examination he was found to be a Winnebago. He stated that Black Hawk was but a little distance ahead of us, and that he had seen some of his party not more than two miles ahead. But it was a bad piece of conduct on our part, that this Indian was not kept as a prisoner of war, but was set at liberty, and let go: no doubt, he that night informed the Sacs of our pursuit. We halted, and the order of battle was formed, as we expected we would overtake them this evening. The order was as follows : General Dodge and Major Ewing were to bring on the battle. Major Ewing was placed in the centre, with his spy battalion; Captain Gentry and Captain dark's companies on our right; and Captain Camp and Captain Parkinson on our left. Our own battalion (Major Ewlng's) was reduced to two companies, (as Captain Webb and his company had been left at Fort Dixon;) Captain Lindsey, of our battalion, was placed on the right, and Captain Huston's company on the left; Colonel Fry and his regiment on the right; and Colonel Jones with his regiment on the left; and Colonel Collins in the centre. In this order we marched in quick time, with all possible speed, in hope that we would overtake the enemy on that evening. We were close to the Four Lakes, and we wished to come up with them before they could reach that place, as it was known to be a strong hold for the Indians ; but the day was not long enough to accomplish this desirable object. We reached the first of the Four Lakes about


Wakefield 108 sun down. General Henry here called a halt, and consulted with Poquet, our pilot, as to the country we were approaching. Poquet, who was well acquainted with this country, told him he could not get through it after night; that we had to march close to the margin of the lake for some distance, as the underwood stood so thick, one man could not see another ten steps. General Henry concluded to encamp here until the break of day. General Dodge sent Captain Dixon [Joseph Dickson] on ahead with a few men, to see if they could make any discovery of the enemy, who returned in a very short time, and stated they had seen the enemy's rear guard about one mile and a half distant. General Henry gave strict orders for every man to tie up his horse, so as to be ready to start as soon as it was daylight. The order was strictly obeyed, and after we took our frugal supper, all retired to rest, except those who had to mount guard; for we had marched a great way that day, and many were still wet by the rain that fell the preceding night; but being very much fatigued we were all soon lost in sleep, except those on guard. July 21 st. At the break of day the bugle sounded, and all were soon up, and in a few minutes had breakfast ready; and after taking a little food, we mounted our horses, and again commenced the pursuit. We soon found that the pilot had told us no lie; for we found the country that the enemy was leading us into, to be worse if possible, than what he told us. We could turn neither to the right nor left, but were compelled to follow the trail the Indians had made; and that too, for a great distance at the edge of the water of the lake. Here it may not be uninteresting to the reader, to give a small outline of those lakes. From a description of the country, a person would very naturally suppose that those lakes were as little pleasing to the eye of the

Wakefield 109 traveller, as the country is. But not so. I think they are the most beautiful bodies of water I ever saw. The first one that we came to, was about ten miles in circumference, and the water as clear as crystal. The earth sloped back in a gradual rise; the bottom of the lake appeared to be entirely covered with white pebbles, and no appearance of its being the least swampy. The second one that we came to, appeared to be much larger. It must have been twenty miles in circumference. The ground rose very high all around;—and the heaviest kind of timber grew close to the water's edge. If those lakes were anywhere else, except in the country they are, they would be considered among the wonders of the world. But the country they are situated in is not fit for any civilized nation of people to inhabit. It appears that the Almighty intended it for the children of the forest. The other two lakes we did not get close enough to for me to give a complete description of them; but those who saw them, stated that they were very much like the other. I am digressing and leaving my subject too long; so I will go back and pursue our march. We had not marched more than five miles, before Doctor Philleo came back, meeting us, with the scalp of an Indian. He had been on ahead with the front scouts, and came on this Indian, who had been left as a rear guard to watch our movements. There were several shots fired at him about the same time, and I suppose all hit him, from the number of bullet holes that were in him; but Doctor Philleo scalped him; so he was called Philleo's Indian; which reminds me of the hunters: He who draws the first blood is entitled to the skin, and the remainder to the carcase, if there are several in the chase; which was the case at this time. But I am not done with Doctor Philleo yet. I will show you that he is a good soldier, and something of

Wakefield 110 an Indian fighter. The signs now began to get very fresh, and we mended our pace very much. We had not proceeded more than ten or fifteen miles further, before our fighting Doctor run afoul of two more Indians; he showed his bravery in assisting to kill them. I suppose he killed one, and Mr. Sample Journey the other; so there was a scalp for each. But one of those miserable wretches sold his life as dear as possible. He, in the act of falling after he was shot, fired, and shot three balls into a gentleman who was himself in the act of shooting at him. The balls were all small; one went through his thigh, one through his leg, and the other through his foot. I am sorry that I have forgotten the gentleman's name; he belonged to General Dodge's squadron. We now doubled our speed, all were anxious to press forward, and as our horses were nearly worn out, we carried nothing, only what was actually necessary for us to eat; camp kettles, and many such articles, were thrown away. The trail was now literally, in many places, strewed with Indian trinkets, such as mats, kettles, &c.; which plainly told us that they knew we were in pursuit. We too, saw from the face of the country that we were drawing close to the Wisconsin river, and our object was to overtake them before they reached it; so we now went as fast as our horses were able to carry us; —but this was too severe for our poor horses; they began to give out; but even this did not stop a man. Whenever a horse gave out, the rider would dismount, throw off his saddle and bridle, and pursue on foot, in a run, without a murmur. I think the number of horses left this day, was about forty. The rear guard of the enemy began by this time (about three o'clock P. M.) to make feint stands; and as the timber stood thick, we did not know but that the whole army of Black Hawk was

Wakefield 111 forming for action; in consequence of which, we got down and formed as often as twice, before we found out that their object was to keep us back until they could gain some strong position to fight from. Our front scouts now were determined not to be deceived any more ; but the next they came to, they stopped not for their feigned manoeuvre, but pursued them to the main body of the enemy. They returned to us in great haste, and informed General Henry that the Indians were forming for action. We all dismounted in an instant. The line of battle was then formed in the same order that it had been laid off the preceding day : General Dodge's corps and Major Ewing's spy battalion still in front. The horses were left, and every fourth man detailed to hold them ; which gave seven horses to each man to hold. We had scarcely time to form on foot, before the Indians raised the war-whoop, screaming and yelling hideously, and rushed forward, meeting us with a heavy charge. General Dodge and Major Ewing met them also with a charge, which produced a halt on the part of the enemy. Our men then opened a tremendous volley of musquetry upon them, and accompanied it with the most terrific yells that ever came from the head of mortals, except from the savages themselves. They could not stand this. They now tried their well-known practice of flanking: but here they were headed again by the brave Colonel Jones and his regiment who were on our left, where he met them in the most fearless manner, and opened a heavy fire upon them. Colonel Fry was placed on the extreme right. They tried his line, but were soon repulsed. Their strong position was on the left, or near the centre, where Colonels Jones, Dodge, and Ewing, kept up a constant fire upon them for something like half an hour. The enemy here had a strong position. They had


Wakefield 112 taken shelter in some very high grass, where they could lie down and load, and be entirely out of sight. After fighting them in this position for at least thirty minutes, during which time Colonel Jones had his horse shot from under him, and one of his men killed, and several wounded. Colonels Dodge, Ewing and Jones, all requested General Henry to let them charge upon them at the point of the bayonet, which General Henry readily assented to, and gave the order, " charge !" which was obeyed by both men and officers in a most fearless manner. All were intent upon the charge. We had to charge up a rising piece of ground. When we got on the top, we then fired perfectly abreast. They could not stand this. They had to quit their hiding place, and made good their retreat. When they commenced retreating, we killed a great number. Their commander, who, it was said, was Na-pope, was on a white poney [pony] on the top of a mountain in the rear of his Indians; who certainly had one of the best voices for command I ever heard. He kept up a constant yell, until his men began to retreat; when he was heard no more. Colonel Collins was kept during this engagement, in the rear, as a reserve, and to keep the enemy from flanking, and coming in upon us in the rear, which was a very good arrangement of General Henry. It was now nearly sun down, and still raining as it had been all the evening; but so slow that we made shift to keep our guns dry. The enemy retreated toward the river with considerable speed. The ground they were retreating to, appeared to be low and swampy ; and on the bank of the river there appeared to be a heavy body of timber, which the enemy could reach before we could bring them to another stand. So General Henry concluded not to pursue them any further that night, but remain on the battle ground until

Wakefield 113 next morning; and then he would not be in danger of losing so many of his men; knowing that, in the dark, he would have to lose a number; for the Indians would have the timber to fight from, while we would have to stand in the open prairie. Next morning, (July 22d,) the troops were paraded, and put in battle order on foot, except Colonel Fry's regiment, and took up the line of march to the river; leaving Col. Collins's regiment to guard the horses and baggage, and take care of the wounded. We marched down to the river, which was about one mile and a half off; but before we reached the bank, we had a very bad swamp to go through, fifty or sixty yards on this side of the timber, which stood very high on the bank of the river. We now saw that General Henry had acted very prudently. If he had attempted to follow them the evening before, he would have lost a great many of his men. When we got to the bank, we found they had made their retreat across the river during the night, leaving a great many articles of their trumpery behind. We also saw a good deal of blood, where their wounded had bled. We now returned to the camp; seeing there was no chance to follow them this day across the river. We in this battle were very fortunate indeed. We had only one man killed and eight wounded; and we have learned since the battle, that we killed sixty-eight of the enemy, and wounded a considerable number; twenty-five of whom, they report, died soon after the battle. We now were nearly out of provision, and to take up the line of march against them, in the condition our horses were in, told us plainly that we would suffer for something to eat before we could get it. We buried the brave young man who was killed,

Wakefield 114 with the honors of war. It was stated that he had just shot down an Indian, when he received the mortal wound himself. His name was John Short, and belonged to Captain Briggs's company from Randolph county. He had a brother and a brother-in-law in the same company, who witnessed his consignment to his mother earth. The wounded were all well examined, and none pronounced mortal. We continued this day on the battle ground, and prepared litters for the wounded to be carried on. We spent this day in a more cheerful manner than we had done any other day since we had been on the campaign. We felt a little satisfaction for our toils, and thought that we had no doubt destroyed a number of the very same monsters that had so lately been imbruing their hands with the blood of our fair sex—the helpless mother and unoffending infant. We dried our clothes which then had been wet for several days. This day was spent in social chat between men and officers. There were no complaints made; all had fought bravely; each man praised his officers, and all praised our General. Late in the evening, some of our men, who had been out to see if there were any signs of the enemy still remaining near us, returned, and stated that they saw smoke across the river. General Henry had been of the opinion through the day, that if the Indians did ever intend fighting any more, they would attack us that night, and this report went to confirm him in his belief more fully. That night he had a larger guard than usual. He made use of another excellent precaution. He had fires made in advance of our lines, at least forty yards, and had them kept burning all night. Orders were given for every man to sleep upon his arms: so that he could be ready for action at the shortest notice, should an alarm be

Wakefield 115 given. We had scarcely got to sleep, when we were alarmed by the running of our horses; we had to parade, as usual, to keep them from killing us. Men and officers now fully expected that it was the enemy who frightened them. Orders were now given, for no man to sleep that night, but for every man to stand to his arms, and be ready to receive the enemy. We all now expected to have hard fighting, and were prepared for the worst. There was not a man who shrunk from his duty. All punctually obeyed the orders of his officers, and made every preparation to receive the enemy, should he come. About one hour and a half before day, on the same mountain from which the Indian Chief had given his orders on the evening of the battle, we heard an Indian voice, in loud shrill tones, as though he was talking to his men, and giving them orders. General Henry had his men all paraded in order of battle, in front of the tents, and the fires roused up. After all were paraded. General Henry addressed his men in the most beautiful manner I ever heard man speak on such an occasion. I am sorry I cannot give the precise words, but I will attempt an outline of them. The Indian was still yelling in the most loud and terrific manner. General Henry commenced: " My brave soldiers, now is the critical and trying moment; hear your enemy on the same mountain from which you drove them only on the evening before last, giving orders for a charge upon you: there is no doubt but that they have mustered all their strength at this time: now let every mother's son be at his post: —Yes, my brave soldiers, you have stemmed the torrent of every opposition—you have stopped not for rivers, swamps, and, one might say almost impenetrable forests; suffered through the beating storm of night, amidst the sharpest peals of thunder, and when

Wakefield 116 the heavens appeared a plane of lightning. My brave boys, hear their yells; let them not daunt you; remember the glory you won on the evening before last; be not now the tarnishers of this reputation, that you are so justly entitled to: remember that you are fighting a set of demons, who have lately been taking the lives of your helpless and unoffending neighbors. Stand firm my brave Suckers* until you can see the whites of their eyes, before you discharge your muskets, and then meet them with a charge as you have before done, and that too with great success." The Indian all this time was talking as though he was addressing his men, and appeared to approach nearer. Every officer then on the ground, was at his post, and had his particular station assigned to him, and the ground he was to occupy during the action. In this order we stood until daylight. Just before day the Indian quit talking. When it was just light enough to discover a man a short distance, the brave and fearless Ewing took his battalion of spies, and mounted on horseback, we were soon at the top of the mountain to see who it was that had serenaded us so long, at that late hour of the night. We found only the sign of a few horse tracks, that appeared as though they had been made that night. We marched in quick time around every part of the mountain, and found no one. We took a circuitous route back to camp, but found no one on the way. What it was that made this Indian act so, was now a mystery that no one could solve. But before the reader gets through the history of this war, he will find out the cause. I cannot inform him now, as it does not come in its proper place. It will be recollected that Doctor Merryman and Adjutant Woodbridge, were both started as express
* Suckers, a familiar name the IIlinoisans are known by.



Wakefield 117 bearers by Generals Henry and Dodge, as soon as the Winnebagoes informed them that the Indians were at the Cranberry Lake; and had to return on account of Little Thunder (who was their pilot,) getting frightened. The day after that, late in the evening, they started again still in company with the same pilot. They now left the Sac trail, and this child of the forest was less afraid; so, knowing the country well, he took them on that night, amidst the storm, to General Atkinson's camp, or fort Kushkanong, where General Atkinson was, with his Infantry, and those of our volunteers, who had lost their horses at Fort Winnebago. The next day Adjutants Woodbridge and Merryman, still with the same pilot, started back to General Henry, with an express from General Atkinson. They got to General Henry during the action, (July 21st,) but there was no time then for reading expresses; nor did those two men think of delivering expresses at that time; but immediately went to fighting. So those gentlemen performed a double duty, and deserve well of their country for the important services they rendered. Now for the expresses. General Atkinson directed General Henry to pursue on the trail of Black Hawk until he could overtake him and to defeat or capture him, also stating, that he would start himself, with the Infantry and General Alexander's Brigade; and that the rest of the volunteers who were with him under Lieutenant Colonel [P. H.] Sharp, would be left to guard the Fort; and that they would go by way of the Blue Mounds; and directed us, if we got out of provision, to go to that place for a supply.


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