Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-28
Tue constitutional g1lutQ.
DEFEAT OF BLACK HAWK.

'Ie hh"I"ilS unucf bi1ck Hawk. Inc Indians, IL
appears, were overtakcn Icy our Troops after II
forced march OF several days, the Gust bank
of the Mississippi-which river they were aiming
TO crcss-and there defeated, after battle OF
ssvera hours duration. The Indian loss in killed,
l50-ours in killed and wounded, 27. The
Hawk himself fled the field and escaped. The fol.
lowing the particulars, as detailed in the Gale
man:
AUGUST G.-IIaving just returned from the war,
VIC nave IT IN our power to inpart some cheering
intelligence.
The whole army under Cen Atkinson, embracing
the brigodes commanded by Gcnls. Henry, Puscy,
ana Alexander, and squadron under command of
Gen. Dodge, all crossed to the north side of
the Ousconsin at Helena, the 2Sth and 29th
ult They took up line of march i'll Il northCrly
direction, in order interscct tho Indian trail. AT
the distance of about five miles the great trail was
discovered, leading in direction \. of w. towards
the Mississippi, and supposed to be about days
old.
Gen. Atkinson seeing the direction of the enemy
knew well that it would require all diligence and
expedition to ovcrtako them before they could
cross the Mississippi, and hence commenced from
that time u forced march; leaving all baggage
CONS, and every thing else which calculated
to retard the pursuit.
The country through which the cEemy's truil led
our army between the Ouisconsin bluffs and the
kickapoo river, was one continued series of mount
aims. No sooner had they reached tho summit Of
one high and almost perpendicular hill, than they
had to descend on the other side equally steep TO
the base of another. Nothing but deep ravinc,
with muddy banks, separated these mountains. The
woods, botn upon the top of the highest mountains
and ut the bottom of the deepest hollows, of
the heaviest growth. The under bushes chief.
ly thorn and prickly ash. This is short dc$crp-
ton of the route, and sbcws the difficulties of the
pursuit. Notwithstanding all this, army gain
cd on the enemy daily appeared from the enc
my's oncampmcnts. The tedious march thus con-
tinued was met by our brave troops without muir
f,n
the officers and appeared more anxious to
push on. o. the fourth night of march
from Helena, at an encampnient of the cnomy,
discovered an old Sac Indian by our spies, who
informed them that the main body of Il c enemy
had, on that day, gone to tho Mississippi. and in
tended to cross on the next morning, Aug. I'd.
The horses being nearly broken down, and the
men nearly exhausted from fatigue, General At
knson ordered halt for few hours, (it being
altar o'clock,) with determination to start at
o'clock for the Mississippi, about 10 miles distant.
At the precise hour the buges sounded, and in
short time all ready TO march.
Gen. Dodgc's squadron was honored with being
placed i'll front, the Infantry followed next, Gen.
Iicnry's brigade next, Gen. Alcxandcr's next, and
General Poscy's formed the guard.
Gen. 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 five miles before
o.! our spies came back, announcing their having
come in sight OF the cnemy's picket guard. He
went back, and the intelligence quickly
rcyed to Gen. Atkinson, then to all the command
ers of the brgadcs, and the CELEBRITY of the march
was Instantly increased. In a few minutes more,
the firing commenced at about 500 yards ahead of
the front OF tho army, between spies and the
Indian picket guard. The Indians were driven by
our spies from hill to hill, and kept up tocrably
brisk firing from every situation commanding the
ground over which spies had march but
being charged upon and routed from their hiding
places, they sought safety by retreating the main
body the bank of the river and Joined IN one gen
cFinrt tn Ill ri,
ground.
Lest might escape by rctrcating up or
down the river, General Atkinson very judiciousy
ordered General Alexander and General Poscy to
form the right wing of the army, land march down to
the river above the Indian cncampmcnt OH the bank,
and then move down. Gen. Henry formed the lett
wing, and marched in the main trail of the enemy.
The u. >. Infantry and Gen. Dodgc'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, with large growth of
under brush, weeds and grass. Sloughs, deep
vines, old logs, &c. were plentiful TO afford
every facility for the enemy TO make strong de-
fence.
Genera, Henry first came upon and commenced
n heavy fire which was returned by the enemy. The
enemy being routed from their first hiding places,
sought others General Dodges squadron and the
u. >. Troops soon came into action, and with Gen
Hcnry's men, rushed n o the strong defcs ofthe
emy and killed all in their way, except few who
succeeded i'll swimming slough of the Mississippi,
$50 yards wide. During this time, the Brigades of
Gems. Alexander and Poscy were marching down
the river, when they fell in with another part of the
encmy's army, and killed and routed all that OPP
pc ed thcm.
The battle lasted upwards of three hours. About
50 of The cnemy's and children were taken
prisoners, and many, by accident i'll the battle,
killed.
When the Indians were driven to the Bank Of the
Mississippi some hundreds of men, women and
children plugged into the river, and hoped by d.
ving &c. to escape the bullets of our guns; very
few, however, escaped sharp-shoocrs.
The loss OH the side of the enemy, never can be
exactly asccrtained but according to the best
putation, they must have lost in killed upwards
OF $50. Our loss in killed and wounded was 81
Some had crossed the river before arrival,
and we learn by prisoner, that Black Hawk, while
the battle waXCd warm, had stolen of, and gone
uP the river on this side: If he did, lie took no.
thing with him: for his va!ua5les, muny of them,
together with certificates of good character, and of
his having fought bravery against the United States
d iriug the last war, &c. signed b. British officers
were found on the battle .grouII.
l. i the general impression III the army, and at
iha pace, that the Sacks wouid be glad to con-
c!ldc peace on almost any terms might pro
pose.
On the morning of the Ith inst, party Of Sioux
came to our camp, and begged permission to go on
tho back trial and have fight with them. On tho
same day our whole army started to go down to
Prairie du Chen, (about 10 niles and wait further
ORDERS
Gen. Atkinson, accompanied by Generals Dodge
and Posey, with the L. 3 Infantry, arrived at the
Prairie OH the evening Of the lh, board the S.
IL. Warrior, and viii remain until the moJ,ltcd yo
luntccrs arrive.
The Winncbagocs, ut Prairie du Chen are daily
bringing in Sac prisoners and calps.
On the same day, party Of ID from Cass
vile, under command of Capt Price woro recon .
poilering the country between that place and fbe
I E,Il Cr,.f