Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-08-19
General Dodge. although express.

company them. After reflection
General Henry promised to cast his
lot with the mining regiment in pur-
suit of Black Hawk"
From this language it would seem
that Col. Dodge and General Henry
were merely instruments in the
hands of nine men and only prom
Used to accompany these men in pur-
suit Of Black Hawk to appease their
rebellious feelings. Col. Dodge at
the same time expressing doubts as
to their ability to master Black
Hawk. Such are by no means the
facts in the case, and | speak almost
from positive knowledge. | was
there, and my father, Col. D. NJ.
Parkinson, was there and COM
manded a company as captain. He
was somewhat a compeer of Col.
Dodge and General Henry, and
warm personal friend of both, and
was admitted to their councils upon
this and other occasions. So was
captain Gentry. to whose company l
then belonged; and my father in
formed me at the time that Col.
Dodge was the prime mover in this
matter and suggested it, and also
that Gen. Henry approved of the
course suggested and helped to carry
it out. The idea that Col. Dodges
men had to urge him on in pursuit
of the Indians is quite absurd to
those who knew him, also that he
should express doubt as to their abil-
| ity 10 master him. There is not an
act of Gen. Dodge's life that would
Justify such a belief. His policy
and practice was to encounter In
dams under all circumstances, re-
gardless of numbers or circum-
stances, and he was never unsuc-
cessful.
Again on the same page, second
paragraph, appears this remarkable
statement:
"By design or oversight, the two
barrels sent to Clark's corps were
musty and sour Col. Dodge refused
to replace them with flour of eatable
quality. On being acquainted with
the refusal, Lieut.. Magoon selected
a file of his best men, and marching
to the staff quarters deliberately
bore off the precious goods. This
peremtory course becoming known
to the officers of the staff, caused
some comment, but beyond a futile
demur no action was taken.
This statement is SO remarkable,
and so at varience with anything
reasonable, and such breach of all
rules, regulations and practices at all
allowable in a well regulated army,
and SO unlike Lieut.. Magoon to have
done it, and so unlike Gen. Dodge
to have permitted it, that it requires
greater stretch Of credulity than |
am capable of possessing for me to
believe there is one word Of truth in
it.
We were there under orders from
Gen. Atkinson; our requisition for
provisions was from him and they
were issued out to us by the orders
of the commandments of Fort Winnie
bago, and Gen. Dodge had nothing
to do whatever with the matter.
Mr.. Absolem Townsend, formerly of
this county, who was present on this
occasion, says he believes the state
ments to be false; | have his letter
in relation to all matters connected
with this communication, which will
be found at its close.
Again on page 49,. The army
is encamped on the second Of the
Four Lakes.
This same history says: The
camp was early astir, breakfast was
gulped hurriedly, and accoutrements
donned SO as to be prepared at
moments notice The morning wore
away without any command being
issued, and the impotence of the
men manifested itself in murmur-
lngs at the protracted delay At 8
o'clock orders were given to mount.
This statement as to the murmurings
of the men, and the orders for
mounting not having been given un-
TIL . O'Clock is beyond doubt untrue
and was made by the author no
doubt for no other purpose than to
throw discredit upon the command
ing officers.
Gov. Reynolds of Illinois, who
was then governor of that state, in
his account of the Black Hawk war.
speaking Of this very morning says:
by the time it was light the whole
army were on the Indian trail and
in hot pursuit. This statement is
exactly in accordance with my rec
objection in the matter. The sun
was Just rising as we marched over
the ground where the capitol Of the
state now stands, and which was
then an unbroken wilderness.
On page 1872 of this remarkable |
history appears this still more re-
markable statement:
by an infamous arrangement of
the commandinp officer Of tba f,,,oo-