Post by Larry Koschkee on Aug 10, 2004 16:43:17 GMT -5
In route to the Civil War re-enactment weekend at Boscobel, Wisconsin Randy Majors, Will Storrs and I stopped at Black Hawk Park on the Pecatonica River near Woodford, WI in Lafayette County.This is where the historic Battle of Pecatonica (Battle of Horseshoe Bend) took place June 16, 1832.
"Boots and Saddles" was my shout.
To the amazement of some fisherman and a picnicking family we unloaded our horses and commenced crossing the Pecatonica. It was pre-determined that I was Asa Duncan, Randy was Peter Parkinson, Jr. and Will was Captain James H. Gentry. (Cuz he always wants to lead)
We eased our mounts into the muddy colored water which was called Pikihtanwi or "muddy" by the Algonquin speaking Fox and Sauk. It is the same name they gave to the Missouri River. The horses swam without difficulty and scrambled up the steep bank on the opposite side. The water line on the riders came midway up the thighs... no trouble keeping rifles or powder horns dry. Moved the horses back from the bank a few yards and trotted them into the river which increased the water line on the riders to 6 - 8 inches above the waist which would submerge pistols in the belt or pommel holstered pistols. Once again moved the horses away from the bank, wheeled them around and galloped into the river and results was a water line just under the throat latch of the horses and a water line up to my chin and the other two were spitting and sputtering Pecatonica river water. Definately no dry powder or rifles in all three riders cases.
What did we learn from this swimming expediton?
1) If any of Dodge's men had dry gun powder when they met the first Kickapoo volley they would have had to have eased their mounts into the Pecatonica with well trained and calm horses or crossed a shallow fording place in the river. Horses that have not crossed deep water before would have done a considerable amount of thrashing around and lunging rather than swimming.
2) Men, horses and equipment smell like muddy river water for some time.
Captain Gentry had his new chasseur-pattern forage cap floating for a few seconds after the galloping charge. Randy and I warned him not wear anything of value, but the man just has to lead.
3) Fish don't bite when a horse is in the fishing hole.
Enroute to Boscobel we pondered the question: How did the Kickapoo cross two small creeks and the Pecatonica on foot and still have dry powder.
1) Did they ford the river at a shallow place, or float over on logs? The Pecatonica certainly must have been too wide to jump.
2) Did they find a Tarzan vine and swing across?
3) Historical accounts do not mention canoes.
Does anybody know of any Indian tricks to keep your powder dry?
"Boots and Saddles" was my shout.
To the amazement of some fisherman and a picnicking family we unloaded our horses and commenced crossing the Pecatonica. It was pre-determined that I was Asa Duncan, Randy was Peter Parkinson, Jr. and Will was Captain James H. Gentry. (Cuz he always wants to lead)
We eased our mounts into the muddy colored water which was called Pikihtanwi or "muddy" by the Algonquin speaking Fox and Sauk. It is the same name they gave to the Missouri River. The horses swam without difficulty and scrambled up the steep bank on the opposite side. The water line on the riders came midway up the thighs... no trouble keeping rifles or powder horns dry. Moved the horses back from the bank a few yards and trotted them into the river which increased the water line on the riders to 6 - 8 inches above the waist which would submerge pistols in the belt or pommel holstered pistols. Once again moved the horses away from the bank, wheeled them around and galloped into the river and results was a water line just under the throat latch of the horses and a water line up to my chin and the other two were spitting and sputtering Pecatonica river water. Definately no dry powder or rifles in all three riders cases.
What did we learn from this swimming expediton?
1) If any of Dodge's men had dry gun powder when they met the first Kickapoo volley they would have had to have eased their mounts into the Pecatonica with well trained and calm horses or crossed a shallow fording place in the river. Horses that have not crossed deep water before would have done a considerable amount of thrashing around and lunging rather than swimming.
2) Men, horses and equipment smell like muddy river water for some time.
Captain Gentry had his new chasseur-pattern forage cap floating for a few seconds after the galloping charge. Randy and I warned him not wear anything of value, but the man just has to lead.3) Fish don't bite when a horse is in the fishing hole.
Enroute to Boscobel we pondered the question: How did the Kickapoo cross two small creeks and the Pecatonica on foot and still have dry powder.
1) Did they ford the river at a shallow place, or float over on logs? The Pecatonica certainly must have been too wide to jump.
2) Did they find a Tarzan vine and swing across?
3) Historical accounts do not mention canoes.
Does anybody know of any Indian tricks to keep your powder dry?
