AMBUSH

[Greg Carter]

adding here a day late, I think Larry is correct on his synopsis of the the attack on Dement's men near Kellogg's Grove.

As for the attack on Plum River, I have to admit that it does seem to be more of a target of opportunity than it does an ambush. It is hard to ambush a fixed fortification, yes, but ambushing or attacking the inhabitants is not. Had the occupants of this blockhouse not become complacent they would have had 6 men aware of the presence of the Indians than 3 men scared out of their wits flying to the blockhouse as shots rang out.

GMC

[Larry Koschkee]

Ambush the Ambush

Jeffrey wrote: There is a component of predictability on the side being ambushed. During my tour of duty in Vietnam the Captain in our unit used predictability in an un-orthodox way and deliberately established troop movement patterns, flanked the ambushers and ambushed them. Hair-raising tactics but very effective. Why take such an exteme risk? Due to the dense jungle-like terrain it was a excellent way to draw the foe to a known location rather than patroling the miles and miles of thick vegetation hoping to come across the enemy.

Larry K

[Robert Braun]

Greg said:

adding here a day late, I think Larry is correct on his synopsis of the the attack on Dement's men near Kellogg's Grove.

As for the attack on Plum River, I have to admit that it does seem to be more of a target of opportunity than it does an ambush. It is hard to ambush a fixed fortification, yes, but ambushing or attacking the inhabitants is not. Had the occupants of this blockhouse not become complacent they would have had 6 men aware of the presence of the Indians than 3 men scared out of their wits flying to the blockhouse as shots rang out.

GMC

I agree with Greg regarding his comments regarding ambushing fort occupants outside the fort. Greg's Plum River fight, and the Aubrey, Force and Green murders at Mound Fort stand as examples of Greg's assertion.

Bob.

[Greg Carter]

I was picking through Whitney tonight. In his account of the actions of his company during the fight near Kellogg's Grove, Captain Snyder refers to the attack made by the Sauk as an "Ambush".

GMC