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Black Hawk War Message Board :: Winnebago War of 1827 :: Winnebego War of 1827 Discussion :: FULL SPEED AHEAD - To The Portage Author Topic: FULL SPEED AHEAD - To The Portage (Read 680 times) Larry Koschkee Full Member member is offline Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 586 FULL SPEED AHEAD - To The Portage « Thread Started on Jul 13, 2005, 9:35pm » It has been reported that General Atkinson and thirteen companies departed Prairie du Chien August, 29, 1827 destined to "The Portage" with two six pounder artillery pieces in five keel boats and ten mackinaw boats. Further reports indicate Atkinson was at the English Prairie (present day Muscoda, Wisconsin) on September 2nd and arrived at "The Portage" the 6th of September. A conservative calculation for Atkinson's trip would be between 8 - 9 days American Army officer, Major Stephen H. Long, a well re-known explorer, topographer and cartagrapher reported navigation speed calculations on this same water route in 1817. "The Wisconsan is navigable for Mackinaw boats about 350 miles. Its navigation during the lower stages of the water is much obstructed by sand bars... Boats can ascend these rivers at the rate of 14 miles per day in the former, (Wisconsin) & 12 miles per day in the latter." (Fox River) Atkinson was reported to ascend the Wisconsin to English Prairie in 4 days. Using a modern estimated river mileage point A to point B of 45 miles divided by 14 miles/day = 4 days. Atkinson did well. Again using a modern estimated river mileage point A to point B for Prairie du Chien to Portage - 120 miles divided by 14 miles/day = 8-9 days which is very close to Atkinson's movement up the river. This un-scienctific study shows me two things. Logistically, Atkinson was moving his companies efficiently under the period parameters and secondly he was not spending much time, if any, sweeping or reconnoitering the region for Red Bird. « Last Edit: Jul 13, 2005, 9:38pm by Larry Koschkee » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Larry W. Koschkee "We must turn away from white man councils and go down the Red Path of life to TAWAPAHA (victory)." - Big Walker, Hotcangara Nation, 1828 Robert Braun Moderator member is offline < Aide toi et Dieu t'aidera. > Joined: Mar 2002 Gender: Male Posts: 1,373 Location: Fort Atkinson Re: FULL SPEED AHEAD - To The Portage « Reply #1 on Jul 14, 2005, 11:26am » This is a very interesting analysis! Aksinson's movement appears to be a deployment to the Portage, lacking in tactical overtones (as Larry has suggested.) Perhaps Dodge's columns were meant to provide the tactical elements to the deployment (i. e. security for the movement north and south of the river. Best, Bob Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged "Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?' ... If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom...crouch down and lick the hands, which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" --Samuel Adams Forum Jump--------------------» Home--------------------» Black Hawk War--------------------- Black Hawk War General Discussion- Black Hawk War Articles--------------------» Battles of the Black Hawk War--------------------- Sycamore Creek (Stillman's Run)- Pecatonica (Bloody Pond)- Wisconsin Heights- Bad Axe- Other Battles and Skirmishes--------------------» Winnebago War of 1827--------------------- Winnebego War of 1827 Discussion--------------------» Native American Tribes of the Black Hawk War--------------------- Native American Tribes of the Black Hawk War--------------------» American Armed Forces of the Black Hawk War--------------------- Illinois Militia- Michigan Territory (Wisconsin) Militia- U.S. Regular Army- Forts of the Black Hawk War- Indiana Militia--------------------» Old Lead Region Historical Society--------------------- Old Lead Region Historical Society- Distaff Discussion--------------------» Open Discussion--------------------- Open Discussion

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