Post by Larry Koschkee on Sept 8, 2003 15:41:58 GMT -5
Before daybreak on a summer morning, August 2, 2003, three companions and I strapped two canoes on our vehicle and departed my cabin for Vernon County to take in the sights and sounds of the countryside at the Battle of Bad Axe site. We tramped around some of the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, spent way too much time examining prairie plants and finally put the canoes in the water at Black Hawk Park. Two hours later it was time for a shore lunch near the Iowa side of the river. The conversation led to what numbers did the U. S. military put up against Black Hawk's Band 171 years ago? Hundreds? Thousands?
Some research here gives a snap shot of Atkinson's numbers when his army was amassed on the Wisconsin River in the Michigan Territory. His letters from this place were designated as: "Head Quarters, 1st Army Corps, Northwestern Army on Quisconsin river, Helena."
It is interesting to note that in the waning days of the Black Hawk War, the strength of Atkinson's command was at its lowest point since he started his march up the Rock River. Two possible reasons attributed to the troop reduction:
a) Black Hawk's Band was no longer in Illinois and the mining country of the Michigan Territory, therefore several militia units were dismissed.
b) The pursuit of BH by Henry and Dodge's commands to the Wisconsin River and the ensuing fight was exhausting and took its toll on men and horses.
Atkinson reorganized his command of regular army and militia at Helena (Iowa County, Michigan Territory) on the Wisconsin River on July 26th and 27th, 1832. He selected only the most fit militia and horses, the remainder of the several volunteer corps were ordered to Fort Hamilton.
General Atkinson started from Jefferson Barracks, Mo on April 8th with about 220 men in the 6th Regiment of the U. S. Infantry. These ranks swelled to 629 by July 26th with addition of 2 more 6th Infantry compainies, 4 companies of the 1st Regiment Infantry from Fort Crawford and 2 companies of the 5th Regiment Infantry from Fort Winnebago.
During the months of May, June and early July Atkinson commanded militia enumerated in the thousands.
After crossing to the north side of the Wisconsin River the "Morning Report" of July 31st. gives the number of Atkinson's command in pursuit of Black Hawk's Band.
Camp: 6 miles East of the Kickapoo Ocoosh Mountains
31st July, 1832, Commanded by Brevet Brigadier General H. Atkinson
1st Reg. Infy. 4 companies, A, B, G and K
5th Regt. Infy. 2 companies, D and F.
6th Regt. Infy. 8 companies, A, B, C, D, E, G, I, and K
Present
For Duty Commissioned Officers 20
Non-Commissioned Officers,
Muscians, Artificers,
and Privates 277
Morning of July 31st, 1832
Camp: 6 miles east of the Kickapoo River in the Ocoosh Mountains 31st July, 1832, Commanded by Brevet Brigadier General H. Atkinson
1st Brigade Commissioned
Officers 27
Non-Commissioned
Officers 127
2nd Brigade Commissioned
Officers 49
Non-Commissioned
Officers 206
3rd Brigade
Total Number of Men 367
Dodge's Batt'n Commissioned
Officers 15
Non-Commissioned
Officers 132
Total Mounted Volunteers present 1013
Horse 1013
(My) Note... 1st Brigade - Posey's
2nd Brigade - Alexander's
3rd Brigade - Henry's
Two days before the Battle of Bad Axe, Atkinson has a force of 1310 men in the field in hot pursuit of Black Hawk's Band. This "Morning Report" is corroborated by Atkinson's letter to Winfield Scott, July 27th, 1832.
"General, I arrived here yesterday from the Blue Mounds and we are now in the act of crossing this river with a select body of men consisting of regulars & volunteers amounting to thirteen hundred..."
Sources: Whitney's Black Hawk War, 1831-1832, Vol. I, pp 572-577; Vol. II, pg 891; "Scanlan Papers", Wisconsin Room, UW-Platteville, Platteville, WI.
Some research here gives a snap shot of Atkinson's numbers when his army was amassed on the Wisconsin River in the Michigan Territory. His letters from this place were designated as: "Head Quarters, 1st Army Corps, Northwestern Army on Quisconsin river, Helena."
It is interesting to note that in the waning days of the Black Hawk War, the strength of Atkinson's command was at its lowest point since he started his march up the Rock River. Two possible reasons attributed to the troop reduction:
a) Black Hawk's Band was no longer in Illinois and the mining country of the Michigan Territory, therefore several militia units were dismissed.
b) The pursuit of BH by Henry and Dodge's commands to the Wisconsin River and the ensuing fight was exhausting and took its toll on men and horses.
Atkinson reorganized his command of regular army and militia at Helena (Iowa County, Michigan Territory) on the Wisconsin River on July 26th and 27th, 1832. He selected only the most fit militia and horses, the remainder of the several volunteer corps were ordered to Fort Hamilton.
General Atkinson started from Jefferson Barracks, Mo on April 8th with about 220 men in the 6th Regiment of the U. S. Infantry. These ranks swelled to 629 by July 26th with addition of 2 more 6th Infantry compainies, 4 companies of the 1st Regiment Infantry from Fort Crawford and 2 companies of the 5th Regiment Infantry from Fort Winnebago.
During the months of May, June and early July Atkinson commanded militia enumerated in the thousands.
After crossing to the north side of the Wisconsin River the "Morning Report" of July 31st. gives the number of Atkinson's command in pursuit of Black Hawk's Band.
Camp: 6 miles East of the Kickapoo Ocoosh Mountains
31st July, 1832, Commanded by Brevet Brigadier General H. Atkinson
1st Reg. Infy. 4 companies, A, B, G and K
5th Regt. Infy. 2 companies, D and F.
6th Regt. Infy. 8 companies, A, B, C, D, E, G, I, and K
Present
For Duty Commissioned Officers 20
Non-Commissioned Officers,
Muscians, Artificers,
and Privates 277
Morning of July 31st, 1832
Camp: 6 miles east of the Kickapoo River in the Ocoosh Mountains 31st July, 1832, Commanded by Brevet Brigadier General H. Atkinson
1st Brigade Commissioned
Officers 27
Non-Commissioned
Officers 127
2nd Brigade Commissioned
Officers 49
Non-Commissioned
Officers 206
3rd Brigade
Total Number of Men 367
Dodge's Batt'n Commissioned
Officers 15
Non-Commissioned
Officers 132
Total Mounted Volunteers present 1013
Horse 1013
(My) Note... 1st Brigade - Posey's
2nd Brigade - Alexander's
3rd Brigade - Henry's
Two days before the Battle of Bad Axe, Atkinson has a force of 1310 men in the field in hot pursuit of Black Hawk's Band. This "Morning Report" is corroborated by Atkinson's letter to Winfield Scott, July 27th, 1832.
"General, I arrived here yesterday from the Blue Mounds and we are now in the act of crossing this river with a select body of men consisting of regulars & volunteers amounting to thirteen hundred..."
Sources: Whitney's Black Hawk War, 1831-1832, Vol. I, pp 572-577; Vol. II, pg 891; "Scanlan Papers", Wisconsin Room, UW-Platteville, Platteville, WI.
