Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-08-15

IN this order the march commenced They
had not, however, gore more than miles before
one of our spies came back, announcing their
Ia wing come in sight of the enemy's picket guard
He went back, and the intelligence was quickly
conveyed to Gen. Atkinson, then to all the COM
manders of the brigades, and the celebrity of the
march was instantly, increased. In few min
utes more, the firing commenced at about SUI
yards ahead of the front Of the army, between our
spies and the Indian picket guard The Indians
were driven by our spies from hill to hill, and
kept up toerably brisk firing from every situa-
ton commanding the ground over which our Spies
had to march; but being charged upon and rout-
ed from their hiding places, they sought safety by
retreating to the main body on the bank of 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, General Atkinson very judicious-
ly ordered General Alexander and General Po-
,sey to form the right wing of the army, and
march down to the river above the Indian en-
campment on the bank, and then move down.
Gen Henry formed the left wing and marched
in the main trail of the enemy. The U. ). In
fantry and Gen. Dodge's squadron OF the mining
troops marched in the centre
With this order our whole force descended the
almost perpendicular bluff, and came into low
valley, heavily timbered, witha large growth OF
under brush, weeds and grass. Sloughs, deep ra-
vines old logs, &c. were SO plentiful as to afford
every facility to the enemy to make strong de-
fence
SEMI Henry first come upon and commenced
a heavy fire which was returned by the enemy.
The enemy being routed from their first hiding
places, sought Others Gen. Dodge's squadron
and the U S. troops soon came into action, and
with Gen. Henry's men, rushed into the strong
defes of the enemy and killed all in their way,
except few who succeeded in swimming slough
of the Mississippi, $50 yds. wide. During this
time the Brigades ofGens. Alexander, and Posey,
were marching down the river when they fell in
with another part of the enemy's army, and killed
and routed all that opposed them.
The battle lasted upwards of three hours A.
bout 80 of the enemy's women and children were
taken prisoners, and many, by accident in the bat
tie, were killed.
When the Indians were driven to the Bank of
the Mississippi, some hundreds of men, women
and children plunged into the river, and hoped
by dlvlng,Nc to escape our fire; very few, how
ever, escaped our sharp shooters.
The loss on the side of the enemy, never can
be distinctly ascertained but according to the best
computation, they must have lost in upwards
OF $50. Our loss in killed and wounded was 81.
Some had crossed the river before our arrival :,
and we learn by 4 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 valuabes, many of
them, together with certificates of good character,
and of his having fought bravely against the U.
States during the late war, &c. signed by British
officers, were found on the battle ground. NJ
1t is the general impression in the army and at
this place, that the Sacs would be glad to con-
.sclude peace on almost any terms might pro-
pose.
On the morning of the 18th inst party of ST.
oux came to our camp, and begged permission to
go on the back trail and have fight with them.
= On the same day our whole army started to 60
down to Praire du Chen, (about 40 mes) and
wait further orders.
Gen. Atkinson, accompanied by Gems. Dodge
and Posey. with the U. s. Infantry, arrived at
the Prairie on the evening of the 4th, On board
the s. B. Warrior, and will remain until the
mounted volunteers arrive.
The Winnebagoes, a. Praire du Chen, are
daily bringing in Sac prisoners and scalps
On the same day, a party of Is men from Cass-
vile, under the command of Capt. Price, were
accommodating the country between that place and
the Ouisconsln, and fell upon fresh Sac trail
making towards the Mississippi. They rushed
with full speed of horses, and soon came upon,
killed and took prisoners to the number of H.
Gen. Scott and staff left here this morning for
Fraire du Chen, on the steamboat Warrior, to
to join Gen. Atkinson.