Vernon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 6: The Black Hawk War, 1884

Chapter 6: The Black Hawk War

To the people of Vernon county the brief contestbetween a portion of the Sac and Fox Indians and the Americans,in 1 8.32,known from the name of the leader of the savages as the Black Hawk War, promises more than usual interest, for the reason that, within the limits of the county, as at present constituted, occurred one of the principal incidents of the war. In the outline history of Wisconsin, previously given, a brief sketch of the hostile movements of both pirties en gaged in the work of death, will be found; but, at this point, it is proposed to enter more into detail, especially to relate somewhat copiously, whaTj transpired after the belligerents entered the bounds of this county.

Black Hawk's return from the west side of the Mississippi, and his moving up Hock river, caused the mustering into the service of the United States, in Illinois, of about 800 volunteers, who were sent in pursuit. Gen. H. Atkinson, brevet brigadier general in the United States Army, followed the militia with his regulars, Init at too great a distance to alford support. On the 12th of May the volunteers reached Dixon's ferry, where they were joined by 275 men from the northern counties of the State. The latter force, however, were immediately sent out on scouting duty. But the two battalions still moved along together until Stillman's run was reached; the creek then being known as Kishwaukee, about thirty miles above the ferry.

Black Hawk now made advances for peace, but two of his messengers being killed, the negotiations were broken off. That chief at this time had but forty men under his immediate command, mojt of his party being some ten miles away; nevertheless, with his handful of warriors, he starte d back to meet his puisuers. Raising the war whoop, he rushed in upon the volunteers, and scattered them in every direction. The fugitives, in their flight, did not stop until the ferry was reached. This was afterwari] known as "the battle of Stillman's Run," of May 14,18.32. The governor of Illinois issued a proclamation immediately after, calling for an additional force of 2,000 mounted volunteers. These incidents caused throughout the west the greatest alarm. The loss of the Indians in this, the first "battle" of the "war," was none. Of the volunteers, one major, one captain and nine of tlie rank and tile, were killed, and live men wounded.

provisions; and on the 19th, with 2,400 men, advanced up Rock river. On the 27th and 28th of the month, the volunteers were disbanded by tlie governor, leaving the defense of the frontiers in the hands of the regular troops and a few citizens who had volunteered temporarily. Meanwhile, the sivages were waging war in earnest against the exposed settlements. Their war parties were scattered from Chicago to Galena; from the Rock river to the lead mines. It was a warfare in regular Indian style; there was success first on one side, tlien on the other; until on the 'i4ih of June, Black Hawk made an unsuccessful attack on Apple Hiver Fort, near the present village of Elizabeth, III. Meanwhile the volunteers called out by the governor of Illinois were assembling and ordered to rendezvous at Dixon's ferry, where they were mustered into the service of the United States and formed into three brigades. The contest now began to assume somewhat llie appearance of regular war. But, before we proceed to narrate the aggressive movements of the Americans up the Rock river valley in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band, it is proper to more particularly describe the incidents which occurred in various localities where the savages carried on their depredations previously.

In the night of the 17th of June a volunteer company encamped near Burr Oak Grove, thirty-five miles east of Galena, was tired on by the enemy. The next morning he started in pursuit of the savages, and succeeded in killing all of them - four in number - with the loss on his part ot only one man. However, later in | the day he was attacked by the Indians in con- I siderable force, losing two killed and one \ wounded; but he beat off the assailants and \ killed their leader.

Hattle Of Pecatonica

On the 14th of June a party of men were attacked in a cornfield near the mouth of Spofford's creek, and five killed. Two days after Col. Henry Dodge, with twenty-eight men, struck the trail of the savages, overtaking them on the bank of the Pecatonica in what is now Lafayette Co., Wis. The savages numbered seventeen, and all were killed. Dodge's loss was three killed. This was, all things considered, the most spirited and effective fighting done during "the war." Capt. James W. Stephenson, at the head of the Galena volunteers, being on the lookout for Indians near the head of Yellow creek, lost three of his men, and was obliged to retreat. This ended what may be called the irregular fighting of the campaign. We now return to Rock river, up the villey of which Black Hawk and his force had moved and the Americans just commencing pursuit.

A battalion of spies was the first body ordered forward. They reached Kellogg's grove, and were informed on the morning of the 25th of June that a heavy trail was to be seen of the enemy not far away. Twenty-five men went out to reconnoiter, and were defeated, leaving five killed and three wounded, though the enemy's loss is said to have been nine killed. The enemy now retired up the river in the direction of Lake Koshkonong, in Wisconsin; and the fighting in Illinois was ended. The first halt made by Black Hawk was at what was afterward known as "Black Hawk Grove," just outside of the present city of Janesville, Rock Co., Wis., where his forces remained some time in camp. It must not be understood that they were now at their former homes. This was not the case. It was not then the country claimed by the Sacs, but by the Rock River Winnebagoes.

Gen. Atkinson having arrived at the mouth of the Pecatonica, in pursuit of the savages, and hearing that the Sac chief was further up Rock river, determined to follow him, with the intention of deciding the campaign by a general battle if possible. Black Hawk, judging of his intentions from the report of his spies, broke uj) his camp and retreated still further uj) the river, to the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where on the west side of the river, in what is now the town of Milton, he again formed a camp. Here he remained some time, when he again moved, this time to an island in the lake, still known as Black Hawk's Island. It is in the southeast corner of the town of Sumner, in Jefferson Co., Wis. Black Hawk afterward made his way still further up the valley of Rock river.

But now let us return to the army under Gen. Atkinson, in its march from the mouth of the Pecatonica to Lake Koshkonong, where he found the Sac chief had eluded him. The recital is best given in the words of one who was in the army at the time and marched under Atkinson :

"The 30th of June, 1832, we passed through the Turtle village [now the city of Beloit, Rock Co., Wis.,] which is a considerable Winnebago town, but it was deserted. We marched on about a mile and encamped on the open prairie near enough to Rock river to get water from it. We here saw very fresh signs of the Sac Indians, where they had apparently been fishing on that day. Gen. Atkinson believed we were close to them and apprehended an attack that night. The sentinels fired several times, and we were as often paraded and prepared to receive the enemy, but they never came, though from tbe accounts given by the sentinels to the ofticersof the day, there was no doubt that Indians had been prowling about the camp."

"July 1. - We had not marched but two or three miles before an Indian was seen across Rock river at some distance off, on a very high prairie, which, no doubt was a spy, and likely was one that had been prowling about our encampment the night before. We proceeded a few miles further, and came to the place where the Indians, who had taken the two Misses Hall prisoners, had staid for several days ( near the site of the present city of Janesville). It was a strong position where they could have with stood a very powerful force. We afterward discovered they always encamped in such places. We had not marched but a few miles from this place before one of our front scouts came back meeting the army in great haste, and stated that they had discovered a fresh trail of Indians, where they had just gone along in front of us. Maj. Ewing, who was in front of the main army some distance, immediately formed his men inline of battle, and marched in that order in advance of the main army, about three-quarters of a mile. We had a very thick wood to march through, where the undergrowth stood very high and thick ; the signs looked very fresh, and we expected every step to be fired upon from the thickets. We marched in this opiler about two miles, not stopping for the unevenness of the ground or anything else, but keeping in line of battle all the time, until we found the Indians had scattered ; then we resumed our common line of march, whic was in three divisions. Soon after we had formed into three divisions, the friendly Indians that were with us raised an alarm, by seven or eight of them shooting at a deer, some little in advance of the army. The whole army here formed for action ; but it was soon ascertained tliat these children of the forest had been at what their whole race seems to have been born for, shooting at the beasts of the woods.

" We here encamped by a small lake (Ston's) this night, and had to drink the water, which was very bad, but it was all that could be found. Here a very bad accident happened. One of the sentinels, mistaking another that was on post, with a blanket w'rapped around him, for an Indian, shot him just below the groin, in the thick of the thigh. At first the wound was thought mortal. I understood before I left the army, that the man was nearly well. Here Gen. Atkinson had, on this night, breastworks thrown up, which was easily done, as we were encamped in thick, heavy timber. This was a precaution which went to show that he set a great deal by the lives of his men, and by no means was any mark of cowardice ; foi-

"July 2. - We started this morning at the usual time, but went only a few miles befoi'e Maj. Ewing, who was still in froflt with his battalion (of scouts), espied a very fresh trail, making off at about a left angle. He dispatched ten men from the battalion, in company with Capt. George Walker and a few Indians, to pursue it and see, if possible, where it went to. He moved on in front of his bat-' Lalion a short distance further, when he came to the main Sac trail of Black Hawk's whole army, which appeared to be about two days old."

Capt. Karly, who commanded a volunteer independent company, and had got in advance this morning, called a halt; so did Maj. Ewing with his battalion. Then Maj. Ewing sent back one of his staff officers for the main army to call a halt for a few minutes. He, with Maj. Anderson, of the Infantry, ('apt. Early and Jonathan H. Ptigh, went a little in advance, when .Maj Anderson, with a telescope, took a view across the lake; as we liad now got to Tjake Koshkonong. [The army entered what ' is now Jefferson county, very nearly where, in '- going north, its south line is crossed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. The trail, after leaving the southeast quarter of section 35, in township 5 north, of range 1.3 east, ran nearl}' due north to the southeast corner of section 26, in the same township and range, where the army reached the lake in what is now the town of Koshkonong]. They thei discovered three Indians apparently in their canoes.

"Maj. Ewing went himself and informed Gen. Atkinson what discovery was made, and requested Gen. Atkinson to let him take his ' battalion round through a narrow defile that was between two of those lakes, where we supposed the Indians were. By this time our scouts, wlio had taken the trail that led off on our left, returned, bringing with them five while men's I scalps. They followed the Indian trail until it took them to a large Indian encampment that they had left a few days before. They reached it ; the scalps were sticking against some of the wigwams ; some of them were identified ; but I do not recollect the names of any, except one, which was said to be an old gentlemen by the name of Hall.

"Maj. Ewing then marched his battalion about a mile, where the pass on the side of the lake appeared so narrow that he dismounted his men and had the horses all tied, and a few men left to guard them. The rest of us marched on foot about one mile through a narrow defile on the (east) bank of the Koshkonong Lake. This was considered a dangerous procedure, but Maj. Ewing, who was in front with Maj. Anderson, would have been first in danger. He now found that we were getting too far in advance of our horses ; so Maj. Ewing sent a part of the men back for them. When we mounted our horses, we were joined by ("apt. Early and his independent corps. We then marched some distance around the (Koslikonong) lake and went in between two of them, in a narrow defile until we found another deserted encampment. W-e now saw clearly that the Indians were gone from the Koshkonong lake ; so, the next thing to be done was to find in which direction they had steered their course.

Gen. Atkinson having been re-enforced by Gen. Alexander, took up his line of march, arriving at the burnt village on the 6th of July. Tiiat evening. Gen. Posey's brigade, in company with Col. Dodge's squadron, joined Atkinson. Col. John Ewing and his regiment came within a mile and a half of the main army and encamped. On the 10th, Gen. Atkinson sent Col. Ewing with his regiment down Rock river to Dixon's; Gen. Posey, with the rest of his brigade, was dispatched to Fort Hamilton; while Col. Henry and his brigade, Gen. Alexander's brigade and Col. Dodge's squadron were sent to Fort Winnebago, now Portage,

Columbia Co., Wis., for provisions. Atkinson dropped down a short distance from the burnt village and built a stockade fort, which ho called Fort Koslikonong. It was located on the south side of Rock river ii, the eastern outskirts of tlie present village of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson Co., Wis. Alexander returned from Fort Winr.ebago by the direct route, while Dodge and Henry took a more easterly one, striking Rock river at a point where there was a small Winnebago village, now Ilustisford, Dodge Co., which point was reached July 18th. Information was here obtained that Black Uawk was at Cranberry Lake, farther i\p the river. This was believed to be reliable, and an express was started down the stream at once, to inform Gen. Atkinson of the Sac chief's whereabouts. The express came very unexpectedly, at a distance not moi'e than eight miles from the starting point, upon the trail of Black Hawk, making his way down the river. The express returned to the army with the news, and the next morniHg, July 19th, the pursuit began.

Black Hawk Puesued To The Wisconsin

In the march in jnirsuit of the enemy, the Americans crossed the Crawfish near what is now Azlalan, in Jefferson Co., Wis., and were of course soon in what is now Dane county. ]iut the account of the march is best told by one who participated in the pursuit:

-'July 19, 1832. - This day we had for about twelve miles, the worst kind of a road. To look at 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 somelliing now to stimulate them. They saw the Sac trail fresh before them, and the prospect of bringing our campaign to n end. Tliere was nomurmuring, no excuses made, none getting on the sick report. If we came to a swamp that our horses were not able to carry us througli, 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 fresherand 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, a great number of us having left this necessary article behind in the morning, in order to favor our horses.

"The rnin ceased before day, and it turned cold and chilly. In the morning we rose 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 7 o'clock (July 20th), 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 thai he hid 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 prisonei of war, but was set at liberty and let go, no doubt, that he might inform 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 : Gen. Dodge and Maj. Ewing were to bring on the battle. Maj. Ewing was placed in the center with his spy battallion, Capt. Gentry and Capt. Clark's companies on our right, and Capt Camp and Capt. Parkinson on our left. Our own battalion (Maj. Ewing's) was reduced to two comjtanies (as Capt. Wells and his company had been left at Fort Dixon); Capt. Lindsey, of our own battallion, was placed on the right an<l Capt. Huston's c<jmpany on the left; Col. Fry and his regiment on the right, and Col. Jones, with his regiment, on the left, and Col. Collins in the center. In this order we marched in quick time, with all possible speed, in hope , that we would overtake the enemv on thai evening. We were close to the Four Lakes [in what is now Dane Co., Wis.,] and we wished to come up with tliein before they could reach that place, as it was known to be a stronghold for the Indians; but the day was not long enough to accomplish this desirable object.

"We reached the first of the F'our Lakes [now known as Lake Monona, or Third Lake,] about sundown. Gen. Henry here called a halt and consulted with Pouquet [Peter Pauquette], our j^ilot, as to the country we were approaching. Pouquet, who was well acquainted with this country, told him he could not get through after night; that we had to march close to the mai'gin of the lake for some distance, as the underwood stood so thick one man could not see another ten steps. Gen. Henry concluded to encamp here until tlie break of day. Gen. Dodge sent Capt. Di.xon on ahead with a few men to see if they could make any discovery of tiie enemy, who returned in a very short time and stated that they had seen the enemy's rear guard about one mile and a half distant. Gen. 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 e.vcept those who had to mount guard, for we had marched a great way that day, and many were still wet by ihe rain that fell the preceding night; but being very much fatigued, we were all soon lost in sleep e.veept those on guard.

"July 21, at the break of day, the bugle si)un<led, 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. We had not I marched more than five miles before Dr. 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. 'I here 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 Dr. Philleo had 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 carcass, if there are several in the chase,' which was the case at this time."

Leaving our journalist for a moment, we will describe the particulars of the march from the time the Catfish creek, or rather the Yahara as it is legally called, was reached until the army left the Fourth lake, the most northerly of the Four lakes, properly called Lake Mendota. In the timber skirting the Yahara, the Americans overtook the rear guard of the flying foe, where an Indian was wounded, who crept away and hid himself in the thick willows where he died. A scouting party of fourteeTi men was sent forward and preceded the main body about two miles. When they arrived at the point now the site of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, an Indian wa.s seen coming up from the water's edge, who seated himself upon the bank, apparently indifferent to his fate. In a moment after his body was pierced with bullets, one of which passed in at the temple and out of the back part of his head. On examination, it was found that he was sitting upon a newly made grave, probably that of his wife, who had perhaps died of fatigue, hunger and exhaustion, and her disconsolate companion had resolved to await the advancing foe and die there also. The trail was followed around the southern end of Lake Mendota (or Fourth lake), passing a little north of what is now the Capital Park, and along the lake across the University grounds. A few miles brought them to what appeared an admirable position for a battle field with natural defenses and places of ambush. It had been cliosen by the enemy and here they had lain apparently the previous night. This spot was afterward laid out as the City of Four Lakes. It is about three-fourths of a mile north of the present village of Pheasant Branch, in Dane county. \Ve now return to the journal, from which we broke off to relate these particulars.

"But I am not done with Dr. Philleo yet. I will show you that he is a good soldier, and of 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 ran afoul of two more Indians; he showed his bravery by 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 himself was in the act of shooting at him. 'I'he ba Is were all small; one went through his thigh, one through his leg, and the other through his foot. I am sorry I have forgotten the gentleman's name; he belonged to Gen. 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, etc., 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 now we went as fist 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 murm.ur. I think the number of horses left this day was about forty. The rear guard of the enemy began by this time (about 3 o'clock p. M.) to make feint stands; and as the timber stood thick, we did not know but what the whole army of Black Hawk was 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 determined not to be deceived any more; but the next they came to, they stopped not for their feigned maneuver, but pursued them to the main body of the enemy. They returned to us in great haste and informed Gen. Henry that the Indians were forming for action.

Battle Of Wisconsin Heights

"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. Gen. Dodge's corps and Maj. 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 furiously, and rushed forward meeting us with a heavy charge. Gen. Dodge and Maj. Henry met them also with a heavy charge, which produced a halt on the part of the enemy. Our men then opened a tremendous volley of musketry 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 Col. Jones and his regiment, who were on our left, where he met them in the most fearless manner, and opened a heavy fire npon them. Col. 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 center, where Cols. Jones, Dodge and Ewing kept up

"The enemy here had a strong position. They liad taken shelter in some very high grass, where thej 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 Col. Jones had liis horse shot from under him, and one of his men killed and several wounded, Cols. Dodge, Ewing and Jones all requested Gen. Henry to let them charge upon them at the point of the bayonet, which Gen. Henry readily assented to, and gave the order 'Charge!' wliich 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 hidingplace, and made good their retreat. When they commenced reti'eating we killed a great number.

"Their commander, who, it was said, was Napope, was on a white pony on the top of a mountain in the rear of his Indians; he 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. Col. Collins was kept, during the 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 Gen. Henry. It was now nearly sundown and still raining, as it had been all the evening, but so slow that we made shift to keep our guns dry. The enemy reli'eated toward the river with considerable speed. The ground tliey 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 t iiemy could reach before we could bring them to another stand. So Gen. Henry concluded not to pursue them any further that night, but remain on the battle ground until 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. [The battle gi'ound was on the east side of the northeast quarter of section 24, in what is now the town of Mazomanie, Dane Co., Wis.]

"Next morning, July 22, the troops were paraded and put in battle order on foot, except Col. Fry's regiment, and took up the line of march to the river, leaving Col. Collins' 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 banks, we had a very bad swamp to go through, fifty or sixty yards on this side the timber, which stood very high on the bank of the river. W^e now saw that Gen. 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 trumphery 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 aross the river.

"We, in this battle (known in history as the Battle of Wisconsin Heights), 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 (but Black Hawk declared afterward that he lostonly fix), and wounded a considerable number, twenty-five of whom they report died soon after the battle. We now were nearly out of prov^isions, 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, 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 he belonged to Capt. Briggs' company from Randolph Co., Til. ITe had a brother and a brother-in-law in tlic same company, wlio witnessed his consignment to the mother earth. Tlie 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 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 se.x - the helpless mother and unoffending infant. We dried our Mothes, which then liad been wet for several days. This day we spent in social chat between men and officers. 'I'here were no complaints made; all had fought bravely; each man praised his officers; and all paaised our general. Late in the evening, some of our men, who had been out to see if there were any signs of the enemy remaining near us, returned and stated that they saw smoke across the river."

From this time until the Wisconsin river was crossed there were not many incidents of importance worthy of record; so we leave the journal, from which we have been copying, to relate only such events as will preserve the chain of our narrative until that time. On the 2.3d of July the army was put in motion, not in pursuit of Black Hawk, but to go to the Blue Mounds for supplies of jirovisions. And just here we must go back in our relation to the time when the army left the Rock river - July 19. On this day, the same express that had discovered the trail of Black Hawk the day previous, again started for Gen. Atkinson's camp, or Fort Koshkonong, where the general was with his infantry. That officer, as soon as he was informed that Black Hawk's trail was discovered, directed the same express to return at once to Gen. Henry with orders to the latter to pursue on the trail of the Sac chief until he could overtake him, and to defeat or capture him. However, before these orders had reached Gen. Henry, they had been anticipated. Black Hawk had been pursued, overtaken and defeated, but not captured. Gen. Atkinson also notified Gen. Henry that he would start himself with the infantry and Gen. Alexander's brigade; that the rest of the volunteers who were with him would be left to guard the fort; and that he would go by way of Blue Mounds. He also directed Gen. Henry, if he got out of provisions, to go to that place for a supply. This explains why the army, after the battle of Wisconsin Heights, marched for the Blue Mounds. Not only Gen. Henry's command, but also those of Gen. Atkinson, reached the Blue Mounds without any mishap; so, also, a part of Gen. Posey's brigade from Fort Hamilton, who passed on to Helena, in what is now Iowa Co., Wis., where the Wisconsin river was to be crossed by the whole army. By the 26th of June all the commands had reached that place and preparations were made to cross the stream on ra4'ts made for that purpose.

On the 27th and 28th of July, Gen. Atkinson with his select body of troops, consisting of the regulars under Col. Taylor, 400 in number, part of Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's brigades, and Dodge's battalion of mounted volunteers, amounting in all to 1,.300 men, crossed the Wisconsin river and immediately fell upon the trail of the enemy. They were in what is now Sauk Co., Wis. Pursuing this trail first down the river, then to the northward, they finally struck off in a west-northwest direction through what is now Richland county, until the Kickapoo river was reached near the present Soldier's Grove, in what is now Crawford Co., Wis.

Before entering upon the particulars of the march through Vernon county, as given in the journal from which extracts have already been so liberally made, it will be well to glance at the route taken from the Kickapoo to the Miss- issippi. After the Kickapoo was crossed, Black Hawk, followed closely by Gen. Atkinson, was soon in what is now Vernon county, passing, in a direction north of west, near the farm at ])resent owned by Anson G. Tainter, in the town of Franklin ; thence across West Prairie, to the bi-akes or ravines leading into the head of Battle creek ; thence down that creek through sections 2 and 3, in township 11, range 7, in the town of Wheatland, to the point where he was overtaken and compelled to fight the battle known in history as the Battle of Bad Ax. Keeping this general description of the flight of the savages through Vernon county and the pursuit of them by the Americans in view, the following narrative will prove of interest to the reader :

" About 12 o'clock this day (August 1, 1832), we came to a small river called the Kickapoo. We here found that the country was about to change. A short distance before we got to this stream, we came to a beautiful body of pine timber, which was tall and large. As soon as we crossed this stream, we found the mountains were covered with prairie grass. We here found the Indian trail was getting fresher. They had encamped at this creek. We had now been three days in those mountains and our horses had lived on weeds, except those that became debilitated and were left behind; for a great number had become so, .and were left to starve in this dreary waste. We here for the first time in three days had an opportunity of turning our horses out to graze. Accordingly we left them graze for about an hour, which they made good use of and during which we took a cold lunch. About 1 o'clock we started, at a faster gait than usual. We found from the face of the country that we were not a great way from the Mississippi. The country was still hilly, but hills of a small size, and almost barren ; so we could get along with more speed. It gave the men new spirits. We now saw that our horses would not have to

" On this evening, we came across the grave of an Indian chief, who was buried in the grandest style of Indian bvirials ; painted and otherwise decorated as w^ell as those wretched beings were able to do. He was placed on the ground, with his head resting against the root of a tree ; logs were placed around him and covered over with bark ; and on the top of which, green bushes were laid ; so intended that we might pass by without discovering the grave. He was examined and found to have been shot. It was now late in the evening, and we had preceded but a short distance from here, before some of our front spies came across an Indian that had been left behind from some cause or other. The spies interrogated him about Black Hawk and his band. He stated that they would get to the river that day and would cross over on the next morning. The old sinner then plead for quarters ; but that being no time to be plagued with the charge of prisoners, they had to leave the unhappy wretch behind, which appeared to be a hard case. But, no doubt, he had been at the massacre of a number of our own citizens, and deserved to die for the crimes which he had perpetrated in taking the lives of harmless and unoffending women and children.

"We this day made a tolerable push, having marched until 8 o'clock at night before we stopped. " We then halted and formed our encampment. But it was for a short time only. Gen. Atkinson gave orders for all to confine their horses and be ready to march by two o'clock in pursuit of the enemy. We were now all tired and hungry and something to eat was indispensibiy necessary. We had a long way to go after water, and the worst kind of a preci" pice to go down and up to procure it. All was now a bustle for awhile, to prepare something to sustain nature, and to do it in time to get a little rest before we would have to march. About 9 o'clock the noise began to die away,

"At the appointed hour (2 o'clock in the morning of August 2) the bugle sounded; all were snon up and made preparations for a march at quickstep ; moving on to complete the work of death upon those unfortunate children of the forest. General Atkinson this morning had the army laid off and arranged in the following manner : General Dodge, witli his squadron, was placed in front, the Infantry next, tlie second brigade next, under the command of Gen. Alexander; the first brigade next) under the command of Gen. Posey ; the third brigade next, under command of Gen. Henry.

"In this order the march had commenced. We had not proceeded more than four or five miles before there was a herald sent back, informing us that the front spies had come in sight of the enemy's rear guard (in reality their outpost). The intelligence was soon conveyed to Gen. Atkinson, and then to all the commanders of the different brigades. The celerity of the march was then doubled and it was but a short time before tlie firing of the front spies commenced, about half a mile in front of the main army. The Indians retreated towards the Mississippi, but kept up a retreating fire upon our front spies for some time, until Gen. Dodge, who commanded, began to kill them very fast. The Indians then retreated more rapidly and sought refuge in their main army, which was lying on the bank of the Mississippi (which river they had, in fact, reached the day before)."

While Klack Hawk and his band and their pursuers were traversing the rugged country across what is now Richland county into Vernon, intelligence was conveyed to Prairie du Chien, by express, of the battle of Wisconsin Heights and of the retreat of the enemy across the Wisconsin river. The commander of the American forces at Prairie du Chien at once came to the conclusion that the savages would soon reach the Mississippi, and by crossing that stream escape the army in pursuit of them; so he engaged a steamboat, placed some regulars upon it and a six pounder, with orders to cruise up and down the Mississippi to cut off the retreat of the Sac chief and his people. The steamer proving to be a slow one was withdrawn and a faster one armed in its place - the Warrior.

On the 1st of August, the Warrior discovered the Indians on the bank of the Mississipj)! where they had just arrived, not far below the mouth of the Bad Ax, making prejaarations to cross to the west side. A flag raised by Black Hawk was not respected by the Warrior, but a fire was opened from the boat upon the Indians with not only the small arms of the regulars but the six-pounder. The fire was returned by Black Hawk's party. The contest was kept up until the steamboat was compelled to drop down the river to Prairie du Chien for fuel. The loss of the enemy was twenty-three killed. On board the Warrior none were killed and but one wounded. But the presence of the steamboat and the firing of course wholly interrupted the preparations of the savages to cross the river, while Atkinson and his army were marching rapidly upon their rear.

It was the next morning, as we have already seen, that the Americans under Gen. Atkinson came in sight of what was supposed by them to be the rear guard of the Indians, but which was, in reality, one of their out-posts. It appears that the savages raised a white flag for the purpose of surrendering, which was either not seen or was not regarded, and the firing on both sides soon became spirited, the Indians retiring slowly to their main force on the bottom of the river, where the latter were busily employed transporting their women and children and the aged and infirm across the Mississippi (the Warrior not having returned to again cut off their retreat.)

bered that Gen. Henry had early in the morning been put in the rear, but he did not remain there long. Maj. Ewing, who commanded the spy battalion, sent his adjutant back to the general informing him that lie was on the main trail; he at the same time formed his men in order of battle and awaited the arrival of tlie brigade which marched up in quick time. When they came up. Gen. Henry had his men formed as soon as possible for action; he placed Col. Jones and Maj. Ewing in front. Gen. Atkinson called for a regiment from Gen. Henry's brigade to cover his rear. Col. Collins formed on the right of Col. Jones and Maj. Ewing, when all were dismounted and marched on foot in the main trail, down the bluff into the bottom. Soon the tire was opened on the main force of the enemy, at which time Gen. Henry sent back an officer to bring up Col. Fry with his regiment. Col. Collins was by this time in the heat of the action with his regiment. Capt. Gentry, from Gen. Dodge's corps, was by this time also up, and opened a heavy fire. He fell into the lines of Col. Jones and Maj. Ewing. Capts. Gruer^and Richardson, from Gen. Alexander's brigade, with their companies and a few scattering gentlemen from Gen. Dodge's corys, were also up; who all joined Gen. Henry and fought bravely. Col. Fry obeyed the call of his general and was soon where the conflict raged with his regiment. By this time the savages were falling rapidly.

It was about half an hour after the battle commenced before Col. Zachary Taylor with his infantry and Gen. Dodge with his s<]iiadr(in got on the ground and joined in the batile. They had been thrown on the extreme right, by following the enemy's rear guard as was supposed, but which was, as already explained, their retreating outpost. Generals Posey and Alexander had been stationed up the river on the extreme right, in order to prevent the Indians from making their escape in that direction, so they did not participate in the slaughter of the savages. The victory, of course, with inch overpowering numbers, was complete; but those of the Indians who escaped death from the Americans had most of them made good their retreat to one of the islands in the river, when, at an opportune moment for tlie attacking parties the Warrior appeared in the river and opened fire upon the fugitives with her cannon, at the same time sending her two boats to the shore to transjjort troops to the island, also to attack the now distressed savages. Col. Taylor sent a detachment in the boats and the Indians were soon all killed on the island but one. There were of Black Hawk's entire force, besides a few who had succeeded in reaching the west side of the Mississippi, otily himself and ten warriors with tliirty-five women and children who made their escape. About 150 were killed. The loss of the Americans was twenty-seven killed ancj wounded. Such was the battle of Bad Ax. Black Hawk was soon brought in a prisoner by the Winnebagoes, and the war was ended.

Official Report Of Tub Battle

"Sir: - I have tiie honor to report to you that I crossed the Wisconsin on the 27th and 2.sth ult., with a select body of troops, consisting of regulars under Col. (Zachary) Taylor, 400 in number; part of Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's brigades; and Dodge's battalion of mounted volunteers; amounting in all to 1,300 men; and immediately fell upon the trail of the enemy and pursued it by forced marches through a mountainous and difficult country, till the morning of the 2d instant, when lie came up with his main body on the left bank of the Mississippi, nearly opposHe the mouth of the Iowa, which we attacked, defeated and dispersed with a loss on his part of about I.tO men killed and tliirty-iiine women and children prisoners. The precise number of the killed could not be ascertained, as the greater portion were slain after being forced into the river. Our loss in killed and wounded, which is stated below, is very small in comparison with the loss of the enemy, which may be attributed to the enemy's being forced from his ])ositions by a rapid charge at the commencement, and through the engagement. The remnant of the enemy, cut up and disheartened, crossed to the opposite side of the river, and has fled into the interior, with a view, it is supposed, of joining Keokuk and Wapilo's bands of Sacs and Foxes. "The horses of the volunteer troops being exhausted by long marches, and the regular troops without shoes, it was notthouglit advisable to continue the pursuit. Indeed a stop to the further effusion of blood seemed to be called for, until it might be ascertained if tiie enemy would not surrender.

"It is ascertained from our prisoners, that the enemy lost in the battle of the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin Heights), sixtj'-eiglit killed, and a very large number wounded. His whole loss does not fall short of three hundred. After the battle of the Ouisconsin, the enemy's women and children, and some who were dismounted, attempted to make their escape by descending that river, but judicious measures being taken here by Capt. Loomis and Gen. Street, an Indian agent, thirty-two women and children, and four men have been captured, and some fifteen killed by the detachment under Lieut. Ritner.

"The day after the battle on this river I fell down with the regular troops to this place by water, and the mounted men will join us to-day. It is now my purpose to direct Keokuk to demand the surrender of the remaining principal men of the hostile party ; which, from the large number of women and children we hold as prisoners, I have ever)' reason to believe will be complied with. Should it not, they should be pursued and subdued; a step Maj. Gen. Scott will no doubt take on his arrival.

"I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the regular and volunteer forces engaged in the last battle (Bad Ax), and the fatiguing march that preceded it.