Dodge's "coersion" of Henry at Ft. Winnebago

[Robert Braun]

In another thread, the idea was advanced that Col. Dodge "coerced" General Henry" to disobey Gen. Atkinson's orders to "return without delay" from Fort Winnebago.

In Wakefield’s 1834 recollection of the Black Hawk War, pp. 102-3, he wrote: “GENERALS HENRY AND DODGE had by this time, come to the conclusion to go back around the head of Fox river, to see if they could not fall in with Black Hawk, and stop his passage to the north ; as they supposed he was intending to make his way to the Chippeway nation. General Alexander concluded that it was best to obey General Atkinson's order. He accordingly returned the same way we came, to join General Atkinson; taking with him twelve days' provision. We drew the same number of days' rations. July 15th. We took up the line of march on this day, with General Henry at our head, with the intention to try and see if we could not hunt out Black Hawk.

Regarding this section, editor Frank Stevens offered the following: “Editor's note -- Had Henry concluded to obey Atkinson's orders literally, by returning direct to Koshkonong as soon as the provisions had been drawn, the campaign would have ended in disgrace just as the others had ended. On receipt of news purporting to locate Black Hawk's forces, he called a council of war, at which Alexander declined to disobey orders. While Dodge was in favor of immediate pursuit, he maintained that his forces were so crippled and decimated that the plan was impossible so far as his command was concerned. Thereupon Henry declared he would pursue the enemy if he had to move alone.

In Thomas Ford’s History of Illinois, p. 138-139 we read: “In a council held between Alexander, Henry, and Dodge it was determined to violate orders by marching directly to the enemy, with the hope of taking him by surprise; or at least putting him between them and Gen. Atkinson; thus cutting off his further retreat to the north. Twelve o'clock on the 15th was appointed as the hour to march. Gen. Henry proceeded at once to reorganize his brigade with a view to disencumber himself of his sick and dismounted men, that as little as possible might impede the celerity of his march. Gen. Alexander soon announced that his men were unwilling and had refused to follow; and Major Dodge reported his horses so much disabled by their late march that he could not muster a force worth taking along. Gen. Henry was justly indignant at the insubordination and defection of his companions in arms, and announced his purpose to march in pursuit of the enemy alone if he could prevail upon but fifty men to follow him.

Frank Stevens, in his Black Hawk War, p. 214 quotes from Ford, and expands on that material: “At this place it was ascertained through the Winnebagoes that Black Hawk occupied a strong position at the rapids on Rock River. Henry at once called a council of war, composed of every officer from the rank of captain up, at which he disclosed his information and proposed the question of disobeying Atkinson's orders by pursuing the enemy. Dodge had so exhausted his men and disabled his horses in forcing a march to be in first at Fort Winnebago, that he reported he could not muster a force worth taking along. Alexander reported the unwillingness of his men to disobey orders, leaving Henry alone to make the pursuit, if it were to be made at all. He quietly yet firmly resolved that it should be made. Thereupon he reorganized his brigade by disencumbering his command of the sick, injured and dismounted men, and appointed noon of the 15th for the hour to march. The disaffection of Alexander's men had a demoralizing influence on Fry's Regiment, belonging to Henry's Brigade, which resulted in the signing of a remonstrance, headed by Lieut-Col. Jeremiah Smith, and the presentation of the same to Henry as that officer was ready to march. Fry did not sign this document and had no sympathy with it. On the contrary, he was bitterly opposed to such action. This action emanating from so conspicuous a person and officer as Smith, would, under usual conditions, have frustrated Henry's plans and demoralized his brigade, but he was the man for an emergency, with the will to meet it and the physique to enforce it against ordinary opposition. His genius rose to this occasion and his action ended the Black Hawk war, as it would have been ended long before could he have ordered the volunteer forces as he desired.”

The evidence suggests that, while Dodge argued for a creative "interpretation" or orders and an immediate pursuit, his command (initially) was not in shape to begin the campaign. Henry carried this idea forward, and clearly found merit in the idea. He decided to carry on-- alone if necessary. I submit that he was not coerced into this action, but rather embarked on the plan once his officers signaled a general agreement to take up the pursuit.

[Larry Koschkee]

At the risk of falling into the glory debate between the favorite sons of Illinois and Wisconsin, James Henry and Henry Dodge, I still submit Dodge coerced Henry into an agreement to ignore Atkinson's orders. Prior to their arrival at Fort Winnebago, Henry, the younger less experienced, generally deferred to Dodge's recommendations

Dodge was now the Major of the United States Rangers and Henry the Captain. Dodge took the initiative in formulating the decision to ignore Atkinson's direct orders. Henry, once again, deferred to the ever forceful Dodge.

Larry

[Robert Braun]

There is little doubt that the younger Henry very likely deferred to Dodge in some matters in the field. But you have not proven your thesis that Dodge "coerced" Henry to disobey Atkinson's orders.

In fact, Henry seems to have taken a liking to the idea Dodge offered at the officer's council, and ran with it among his command, on his own. Proof of this was the severe reprimand and threat of punishment Henry directed at the company officers of one of his regiments not in league with the idea of pursuing BH. This is not coercion. Power of suggestion, yes. But coercion suggests power in the sense of the perjorative, which Dodge clearly did not use on Henry. Dodge's "coercive" powers did not work on other officers present at the council.

I maintain there is little evidence that Dodge directly and deliberately"ignored" orders of General Atkinson. Rather than risk alienating his own command-- which apparently was a real concern-- he chose a different route by which to return to Atkinson and the main army. In so doing, Dodge maintained the "spirit," if not the letter, of the original orders.

Atkinson's original orders, coming so close on the heels of DOdge's refusal to construct Fort Cosconong, probably had more to do with keeping the agressive Dodge on a short tether, so that he did not galavant across the contryside and discover the trail for himself-- an honor Atkinson (still smarting over his recent removal from command) wanted for himself and his Regulars.

Finally, the commissions as U. S. Rangers for Dodge, Henry and others does not yet come into play. Dodge may have accepted the commision, but he and Henry were not yet mustered into these grades; neither were they serving in these capacities, nor expected to serve until the BH conflict was resolved. Hence claims to authority under Articles of War to which Dodge might be subjected would be dubious at best. Dodge and Henry continued to serve as militia officers, beholden under the Militia Act, until properly mustered out of U. S. service.