Orders were at once given to dismount (leaving enough to hold the
horses) and charge upon the Indians. They had scarcely time to form into
line when they were met by the yelling Indians and a heavy volley from
their guns.
Dodge and Ewing ordered a charge, and as they moved forward, returned
the fire at close quarters, with deadly effect. The Indians then
commenced a flank movement, and by securing a position in the high grass
where they could in a measure conceal themselves, fought bravely, until
Dodge and Ewing gave orders to charge upon them at the point of the
bayonet. In this engagement Col. Jones had his horse shot from under
him, and one man killed--but at the word _"charge,"_ he went forward
with his brave men, and all performed their duty nobly and fearlessly,
and soon dislodged the Indians from their hiding place and forced them
into a hasty retreat. It being then too late to pursue them, orders were
given to camp on the battle-ground.
In this engagement Neapope had command, who was not only brave and
fearless, but well skilled in strategy. Having become well acquainted
with him after the war, he told the writer that he knew Gen. Dodge
personally, and had met him on the field of battle, and considered him
one of the bravest men he had ever met, although in this engagement all
the officers showed great skill and bravery, and thus encouraged
their men to acts of noble daring to a degree that he had never before
witnessed in common--not regular--soldiers. He said in this engagement,
the command had been entrusted to him of this small force--about two
hundred--Indians, in order to give Black Hawk and the remainder of his
party, time to cross the river. He reported his loss at twenty-eight
(28) killed.
The newt morning a portion of the army was ordered forward to pursue the
fleeing enemy, but on reaching the river, found that they had taken
to the swamps, when it was deemed prudent to return to camp without
attempting to follow them.
Here the army rested for one day, and made comfortable provisions to
carry the wounded, after having consigned the remains of John Short, who
had been killed the day before, to mother Earth, with the honors of war.
In the meantime, Gen. Atkinson arrived with his regulars and the
brigades of Generals Posey and Alexander; and on the 28th of July, took
up the line of march with Gen. Atkinson at the head. Their route led
through a mountainous country for several days, as the Indiana seemed to
have selected the most difficult route they could find in order to gain
time, and reach the river in advance, and then secure the best possible
positions to defend themselves.
Having learned from an old Indian that had been left behind, that the
enemy was only a short distance ahead, Gen. Atkinson, on breaking camp
at an early hour in the morning, gave orders for the march towards
the river, with Gen. Dodge's squadron in front; Infantry next; Second
brigade, under command of Gen. Alexander, next; Gen. Posey's brigade
next, and Gen. Henry's in the rear.
After marching a few miles Gen. Dodge's scouts discovered the rear guard
of the enemy, when an express was sent immediately to Gen. Atkinson, who
ordered troops to proceed at double quick. In the meantime Gen. Dodge's
command pushed forward and opened a heavy fire, from which many Indians
were shot down while retreating toward the Mississippi, where their main
body was stationed. Dodge's squadron being in the lead, were first to
open upon the main army of the Indians, whilst Gen. Henry's brigade,
that had been placed in the rear in the morning, came first to his aid.
The battle waged furiously for more than two hours, and until the last
visible Indian warrior was killed. The Indians had commenced crossing
before the battle opened, and a number took to their canoes and made
good their escape as the battle progressed. The number killed was
estimated at something over one hundred, but the Indians afterward
reported their loss at seventy-eight killed and forty-two wounded. Our
loss was seventeen killed and about the same number wounded.
During the engagement several squaws were killed accidentally and a
number wounded, including children, who were taken prisoners. Among
the latter, Dr. Philleo reported a boy with one arm badly broken,
who exhibited a greater degree of stoicism during the operation of
amputation, than he had ever before witnessed. Being very hungry, they
gave him a piece of bread to eat, which he ravenously masticated during
the entire operation, apparently manifesting no pain whatever from the
work of the surgeon.
Many of the Indians who got across the river in safety were afterwards
killed by the Menomonees.