Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-25

summit VI OHc HiSn Ps'
than they had to descend on the other side equa'-
" steep to the base of another. Nothing but a
deep ravine, with muddy banks, separated 'hese
mountains. The woods, both upon the Top Vi
the highest mountains, and at the 0ottoH U, ""e
deepest holows, was Of the heaviest gro"oh.'
The under bushes were chiefly thorn and Pt'ck'y
ash This is short description OF the route
and shows the difficulties Of The pursuit. NOT
outstanding all this, our army gained on 'he-
evening daily as appeared from the enemy ell,
campments. The tedious march thus continued
was met BY our brave troops without "ur'huI'
and as the Indian signs appeared more recent
the officers and men appeared more anxious 10
push on. On the fourth night of our march from
Helena, and at an encamPnent OF the enemy,
was discovered an old SacIndian by our spies,
who informed them that the main oodv OF the
enemy had, on that dav, gone to the MISSISSIPPI
and intended to cross on the next morning. aug.
Cd. The horses being nearly broken GOWN, anu
the men nearly exhausted from fat'gue' uen.
Atkinson ordered a halt for few hours, III be-
inv after O'Clock. \ with determination to start
at 3 O'Clock for the Mississippi. about 10 miles
distant. At the precise hour, the bug les sound
ed. and in a short time all were ready 10 march
nGen. Dudge's squadron was honored with
being placed in front. the Infantry followed next,
Gen. Henrv's brigade next, Gen. Alexander's
next. and Gen. Posey's formed the rear guard.
aGen. Dodge called for, and as soon received,
90 volunteer spies to 90 ahead OF the whole army
In this order the march commenced. They
had not. however, gone more than hive miles be-
fore one of our spies came back, announcing their
having come in sight of the cnemy's picket
guard. He went back, and the intelligence was
quickly conveyed to General Atkinson, then to
all the commanders OF the brisade-. and the ce-
leriry of the march was instantly increased. In
few minutes more the firing commenced about
500 Yards ahead of the front OF the army, between
our spies and the Indian picket guard. The In
dian, were driven by our spies from hill to hill.
and kept up tolerabIv brisk firing from every
situation commanding the ground over which our
spies had to march; but being charged upon and
routed from their hiding places. they sought safe.
ty by retreatins to the main body on the bank ct
the river and join in one general effort to defend
themselves there or die on the ground.
Lest some might escape by retreating up or
down the river. Gen. Atkinson very judicious!y
ordered Gen. Alexander and Gen. Posey to form
the right wing Of the army, and march down to
the river above the Indian encampment on the
bank, and then move down Gen. Henry form
ell the left wing. and marched in the main trail
of the enemy. The u. S. Infantry and Gen.
Dudse's squadron Of the Mining troops marched
in the centre.
With this order our whole force descended
the almost perpendicular bluff. aud came INTO a
low valley, heavily umbered, with a large growth
Of under brush, weeds and grass Si"nshs.
deep ravines. old los. &c, were 80 plentiful as
to afford every facility for the enemy to make a
strong defence.
General Henry first came upon and COM
menccd heavy fir which was retained By the
enemy The enemy being routed from their
first hiding places, sought others. General
Dodge's sauadr IN and the United States troops
soon came into ,ction, and with Gen Henry,
men, rushed into the strong dehes OF the enemy,
and killed all in their way, except tpw who sue
ceeded in SWIMMING slough Of the Mississippi,
$50 Yards wide. During thi, time, the Brisades
of Generals Alexander and Posey, were march
inc down the river when they fell in with ano-
ther part of the enemy's army. and killed and
routed all that opposed them
The battle lasted upwards of three hours
About so Of the enemy's women and children
were taken prisoners. and many, by accident in
the battle. were killed
When the Indians were driven to the bank OF
the Mississippi, some hundreds OF men. women
children, plunged into the river, and hoped by
diving, &c. to escape the bullets of our guns;
very few, however. escaped our sharpshooterS.
The loss on the side of the enemy, never can be
exactly ascertained, but according to the best
computation, they must have lost in killed. up
wards of $50. Our loss in killed and wounded
was q.
Some had crossed the river before our arrival,
and we learn by prisoner, that Black Hawk.
while the battle waxed warm, had stolen off, and
gone up the river on this side. If he did, he
took nothing with him: for his vaIuables. many
Of them. together with certificates Of good char
acter. and of his having fought bravelv against
the United States during the last war, &c. sigh
ed BY British officers, were found OF the battle
ground.
Ii is the general impression in the army and at
this place, that the Sacs would be glad to con-
clude peace ON almost any terms we might
propose
Ga the morning of the 4th instant party Of ST.
oux came to our camp; and begged permission TO
60 on the back trail and have fight with them
On the same day our whole army started to go
down to Prairie du Chen, (about 40 miles, and
wait further orders.
Gen Atkinson, accompanied BY Gen'ls Dodge
and Posey, with the U. S Infantry. arrived at
the Prairie on the evening of the 4th, on board