Crossing Point?

[Robert Braun]

What is the location of the ford used by the Kickapoo war-party to cross the Pecatonica on the morning of June 16, 1832?

Perhaps a clue may be found here:

...On the prairie their party saw the Indian band eastward on the spur or edge of the prairie and headed for the ford of the river which was just above where Ike Miller's house stood later...

---Argyle Atlas June 9, 1932.

[Larry Koschkee]

Interesting information Bob... have you determined the plot of ground where the Ike Miller house stood?

Larry K

[Robert Braun]

Larry, I think I have a handle on "a" Miller family, A. S. Miller, on a plot of ground that sat adjacent to the Pecatonica River.

If "A. S. Miller" = "Ike Miller," I think we're able to narrow down the area of the river crossing.

I have to run down a few more names that pop up in the historical record, and see how they fit in.

Also... it appears that "A. S. MIller" no longer owned the property in question at the time of the Argyle Atlas article.

[Larry Koschkee]

Bob,

Charles Bracken spoke of the Indians and Militia crossing at two different locations.

They were moving at what might be called common time, their chief, a grey-headed warrior, was walking backward, and appeared to be earnestly addressing his young men. After observing them for a few moments, we fired, but I think without effect. My comrades, after discharging their guns, retreated down the hollow we had ascended, and I turned westwardly up the ridge overlooking the east Pekatonica, keeping out of gunshot, but watching the enemy closely. They descended the hill to the creek, turned up it a short distance and commenced crossing at some willows, a short distance below where the bridge now stands.

At this moment I advanced within gunshot. With the report of my gun, I sent forth a shout that told the Genereral, and my comrades yet in the rear, that I had secured the first scalp; at the same time I received the fire of the Indians without injury.

The General and the principal part of our men having come up by the time the Indians had fairly crossed the creek a running fight took place; the enemy being on one side of the creek, and we on the other until they reached the thicket in the bend of the creek. Having effected a crossing at the Old Indian Ford, which is near Williams' Mill, and marching thence up stream, we formed on the open ground to the north-east of the thicket, so as to hem the enemy in the bend of the creek.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Collections, Vol II, pp 369-370

I tried to place the two crossings with my 1874 LaFayette County map. There is a bridge across the Pecatonica in the southwest corner of section 11 of Wiota Township (E. A. Pickett land owner) just east of A. S. Miller's 120 acres in section 10 (southeast quarter). Today there is no longer a bridge crossing there. Perhaps this is where the Indians crossed.

The 1874 map does not show a mill on the Peckatonica in sections 10 or 11, however there is a grist mill in the section north of 10, southwest corner section of section 3 on Whitsides Creek.

Larry K.

[Robert Braun]

There were indeed two crossing points-- the one for the war-party as indicated in your Bracken quote, and another for the militia. This second crossing point is indicated in the post-war battle map generally used to illustrate the battle and the movements of the combatants.

I have been delayed in my inquiry. Let me look into it this week... and hopefully we can approach some reasonable location(s) for the crossing.

For my own part, I am of the opinion the militia crossed somewhere in the vicinity of the confluence of Whitesides Creek at the Pecatonica. The ground north of the loop of the river is I believe too steep (once you ford Whitesides Creek and continue along the riverback of the Pecatonica) to admit the uncomplicated passage of mounted men. On the other hand, the map indicates they went around the elevation to cross at "Indian Ford"...




In addition, there does not seem to be an indication that the militia crossed two flowages to get to the dismount point.

Bracken does seem to state that once across the Pecatonica, the party followed the river course to the dismount point.

It's funny that noone but Bracken recalled anything like a "running fight" along the banks of the river....

Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Bob,

A couple of questions here about the "Horseshoe Bend" map. Heretofore, I had not studied this map closely... what is your take on the dotted line extending from "B" in two directions and is the "arrow" on the map indicating due north?

Regarding your statement about Bracken's indicating a "running fight" along the banks of the river... Parkinson stated something to that effect...We came pretty nearly up to the Indians on the open prairie, about two miles from the timber; when I suggested to Col. Dodge the propriety of commencing an attack upon them; but before the remainder of the command, who were close at hand, and coming up at full speed, had joined us, the Indians had crossed a deep creek in the prairie, of which we knew nothing, and which was of difficult passage for horses. This retarded us a little, which endable the Indians to reach the main Pecatonica, and were crossing it just as we came up in full view of them again; and some shots were exchanged here, but without effect, the distance being too great.

Parkinson's and Bracken's statement citing exchange of gunfire is what I had always considered the start of the "Battle of the Pecatonica" or when the stop watch started ticking. Perhaps in a new thread we could debate its merits. That is why in your thread How Long Did The Skirmish Last? I thought one half hour was a reasonable length of time from the first volley on the river to the last expired Indian at the pond.

It is also interesting to note that all the militia did not cross the Pecatonica at the "Indian Ford." Parkinson and Capt. Gentry swam their horses across before the others forded... Asa Duncan attempted but failed

Larry K.

[Robert Braun]

Larry, and all--

Let me see if I can start to answer your questions:

1. I have initially presumed that the dotted lines eminating from "B" indicated-- a.) the path of Dodge's skirmish line (double dotted lines) and b.) the presumed path of Gentry and Parkinson--or at least Parkinson-- after they crossed the river at about the point of the Kickapoo crossing. The accounts indicate to me that Gentry and Parkinson crossed here to act as a kind of "picket post" in case the war-party doubled back. (If this is indeed Parkinson's route, I question whether or not the orientation of this route to the Kickapoo crossing point is correct.)

2. The arrow is supposed to indicate true North. As we both know, it does not. There are several problems with the battle map, not the least of which is the incorrect orientation of "Bloody Lake."

Taken together, I believe Parkinson and Bracken talk about crossing a portion of Cherry Branch, before reaching the ridgeline (on the Miller farm) that overlooks the loop in the Pecatonica. It was this ridgeline that Bracken wanted to ascend. Apparently, he summoned Alexander Higgenbotham, Matthew J. Fitch, and William Deveise as a detachment: “That movement of the general will turn the Indians to the left; if you will follow me we will get the first scalps.”

As far as I have been able to determine, Bracken and his party left Dodge's detachment, headed north on the reverse slope of the ridge,and ascended the ridge that today overlooks the westen and southwestern portion of the river loop. It was from this point that I believe at least Bracken fired a shot. Also at this point, Bracken believed he hit an Indian, which precipitated the cry "That's my hair!" This statement has been misinterpreted by Bill Stark (Along the Black Hawk Trail) and many of his readers to presume that the Americans fought over the scalps of the Kickapoo.

If shots were EXCHANGED, meaning the Kickapoo shot back, it seems Parkinson was the only one to record it. Bracken would surely have recorded it; and Parkinson, particularly in later years, would not be about allowing Bracken any more credit than he was due. In truth, Parkinson wasn't on the ridge to "witness" any "exchange of gunfire", and Higgenbotham, in a post-war letter written to satisfy the soliciation of Peter Parkinson Jr., cast some doubt on Bracken's version-- at least the part about killing an Indian at the Kickapoo crossing point.

Which brings up a final point. I have been under the impression that the "Indian Ford" recorded in pioneer testimonies and later writings was the spot marked "Ford" on the map-- and not necessarily the crossing point of the Kickapoo.

[Larry Koschkee]

This is one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" moments... In front of me I have copies of the 1832-1833 land survey maps, 1996 aerial land photos and GIS maps of Wiota township, sections 10 and 11, topographic maps, 1874 Lafayette County Plat Book, the Battle of Horse Shoe Bend map and Bracken and Parkinson narratives.

Where did the Kickapoo cross the Pecatonica? Bob said there may be a clue in the Argyle Atlas, June 9, 1932 quote: On the prairie their party saw the Indian band eastward on the spur or edge of the prairie and headed for the ford of the river which was just above where Ike Miller's house stood later. The Kickapoo may have been headed for that "ford" but crossed downstream from the "Old Indian Ford." Their crossing was described by Charles Bracken: They descended the hill to the creek, turned up it a short distance and commenced crossing at some willows, a short distance below where the bridge now stands. The bridge Bracken sited shows up on my 1874 plat map and this bridge crossing was in use for many years but was abandoned in favor of new crossing at the Village of Woodford. I described the location of this bridge crossing previously in this thread.

Therefore, I submit the Kickapoo crossed below A. S. Miller or Ike Miller's house and below the bridge.

In addition, as previously stated, Parkinson and Capt. Gentry crossed the stream below the "Old Indian Ford" where the balance of the militia crossed. So we have three seperate crossings.

A comment here about the "Old Indian Ford."... The 1832-1833 Land Survey maps show a east-west road crossing the Pecatonica River in the vicinity of Bloody Lake. It was called "Road to Sugar Creek," and it tracked west and southwest towards "Hamilton's Diggings. I am sure you have noted also that these early roads were simply following Indian traces or trails.

Larry K.

[Robert Braun]

A nice summary, Larry! I would like to consult my plat maps (don't have a copy of the 1832-33 land survey) and topo maps to see visually what you describe herein.

From what I can recall of the plat maps, I concur with your findings, except to note that I am under the impression that Parkinson and Gentry crossed at or very near the crossing point of the Kickapoo. Regardless, the point you make about "three" crossing points makes sense to me.

Nice invesitgative work!

Bob.