HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARTILLERY CORPS, NORTH-WESTERN ARMY, Prairie du
Chiens, Aug. 25, 1832.
SIR:--I have the honor to report to you that I crossed the Ouisconsin
on the 27th and 28th ultimo, with a select body of troops, consisting
of the regulars under Colonel Taylor, four hundred in number, part of
Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's brigades, amounting in all to 1,300
men, and immediately fell upon the trail of the enemy, and pursued it
by a forced march, through a mountainous and difficult country, till the
morning of the 2d inst., when we came up with his main body on the left
bank of the Mississippi, nearly opposite the mouth of the Ioway, which
we attacked, defeated and dispensed, with a loss on his part of about
a hundred and fifty men killed, thirty men, women and children taken
prisoners--the precise number could not be ascertained, as the greater
potion was slain after being forced into the river. Our loss in killed
and wounded, which is stated below, is very small in comparison with
the enemy, which may be attributed to the enemy's being forced from
his position by a rapid charge the commencement, and throughout the
engagement the remnant of the enemy, cut up and disheartened, crossed to
the opposite side of the river, and had fled into the interior, with a
view, it is supposed, of joining Keokuk and Wapello's bands of Sacs and
Foxes.
The horses of the volunteer troops being exhausted by long marches,
and the regular troops without shoes, it was not thought advisable to
continue the pursuit; indeed, a stop to the further effusion of blood
seemed to be called for, till it might be ascertained if the enemy would
surrender.
It is ascertained from our prisoners that the enemy lost in the battle
of the Ouisconsin sixty-eight killed and a very large number wounded;
his whole loss does not fall short of three hundred. After the battle
on the Ouisconsin, those of the enemy's women and children, and some
who were dismounted, attempted to make their escape by descending
that river, but judicious measures being taken by Captain Loomis and
Lieutenant Street, Indian Agent, thirty-two women and children and four
men have been captured, and some fifteen men killed by the detachment
under Lieutenant Ritner.
The day after the battle on the river, I fell down with the regular
troops to this place by water, and the wounded men will join us to-day.
It is now my purpose to direct, Keokuk to demand a surrender of the
remaining principal men of the hostile party, which, from the large
number of women and children we hold prisoners, I have every reason to
believe will be compiled with. Should it not, they should be pursued and
subdued, a step Major-General Scott will take upon his arrival.
I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the regular and
volunteer forces engaged in the last battle, and the fatiguing march
that preceded it, and as soon as the reports of officers of the brigades
and corps are handed in, they shall be submitted with further remarks:
5 killed, 6 wounded, 6th inft.
2 wounded, 5th inft.
1 Captain, 5 privates, Dodge's Bat., mounted.
1 Lieutenant, 6 privates, Henry's Bat.
1 private wounded, Alexander's.
1 private wounded Posey's.