"ARMY ROAD"

[Larry Koschkee]

Soon after the Battle of Bad Axe U.S. General Land Office survey crews were back in the field laying out exterior section lines in the Western Michigan Territory. Fortunately for historians the surveyors jotted down the location of the Wisconsin Heights Battlefield. In addition to the battlefield, the surveyors noted a trail in the landscape made by a mass movement of humanity - two armies, Black Hawk's army and an army of militia. There are some historical accounts that describe the trail left by the British Band but have not seen a description of the trail left by the aggregate armies.

I have rode horseback in groups of 250 to 300 horses and seen firsthand the impact on soil and vegetation. To Double or triple that amount along with individuals on foot, the trail must have been spectacular. The battle was on July 21 and the surveys began a month and one-half to two months later, although not fresh, the trail still must have been signficantly visible.

The survey notes that cover the region from Pheasant Branch (Middleton, WI) to the Wisconsin Heights battle site indicated locations of the "army road" when entering and departure of three townships, Springfield, Berry and Roxbury. My favorite entry is "Army Road from Four Lakes to Wisconsin."

Only a small segment of this "Army Road" is part of a modern road system. It is not clear if the Winnebago "Pilots" were leading the British Band on a well known or well travelled Indian trail. I think not, rather they were making use of natural landscapes with topography that leads to the Wisconsin. The two main regional Indian trails between the Four Lakes and the Wisconsin River was the Sauk Trail to Prairie du Sac (Yellow Banks) and trail to "High Banks" crossing near present day Tower Hill State Park or old Helena region.

So this "Army Road" was most likely a trail of convenience, never to be travelled by an army again.

Larry

[mpcavanaugh]

I've done some reseach into the military road but it wasn't for Black Hawk War usage. When I read this thread I rememberd some info that I have.

You can check out the orginal survey notes and plat maps at digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SurveyNotes/

Here is another site on the State His. website that may be of some use.....

www.wisconsinhistory.org/localhistory/articles/surveyor.asp

Mike

[Larry Koschkee]

Wouldn't it have been great to have the GLO Survey Notes on the internet in years past? It would have saved a lot of time and energy in research. Now you can sit in the comfort of your home and examine to your hearts content.

I have had my nose in these notes for more years than I care to remember and have come across many nuggets of information that I would not have otherwise been privy to.

Larry

[Larry Koschkee]

I want to expand this thread to examine the written record of accounts from the time the British Band and militia left the Pheasant Branch region to the conclusion of the conflict at dusk on the bank of the Wisconsin River. In many cases the historical accounts give the observer landscape snapshots that suggest or pinpoint were combtant activity occurred. On the other hand, some accounts introduce confusion to combatant activity and therein lies the rub. There is a realization that observers may draw different conclusions from the written material and hold to their opinions or previously held non-contemporaryh opinions.

The most significant landscape reference is the heights of the Wisconsin River, from which the battle derived its name - Wisconsin Heights. The Winnebago and perhaps other regional Indian tribes, called the region "Sauk Bluffs" because of the close proximity of a 18th century Sauk village located up river and on the opposite river bank from the battle site. The twin cities of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City are located there today. The heights of the Wisconsin River extend west many miles to the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers and reach a few miles north - stopping at the glaciated area of Wisconsin. Sauk Bluffs would be a specific reference point for the Indian not only due to the heights, but for the ancient Indian trail river crossing.

The British Band's flight path from Pheasant Branch to the Wisconsin River is settled and documented. General Land Office Survey Notes made in the fall of 1832 cited the "Army Road" as bearing in a northwest direction across section lines. This trajectory can be corroborated at times with topography characteristics of the countryside. A present day researcher has satellite earth imagery at their disposal and it is a great research tool. Other excellent visual aids are aerial photography and topographical maps.

Recently, an Amigo and I flew over this pathway with a helicopter. In preparation for this flight we converted the GLO survey "Army Road" information to modern air flight guidance statistics. These statistics were then plotted and audited with GPS (Globe Position System). This was a 174 year leap in navigation technology.

We flew from Barneveld, WI to the Pheasant Branch Creek area at Middleton, WI one early March morning. The early departure was intended to take advantage of morning shadows cast by the Sun across the landscape. The Morey Airport lies just east of the upper reach of this creek and it sits on the location of the "Army Road" that crossed a section boundary line between present day Townships, Middleton and Springfield in Dane County, WI. The airport was our first visual aid and point of beginning. What took hours for the British Band and militia to make the trip from Pheasant Branch to the heights of the Wisconsin, took us just minutes the first time. We backtracked and ran the plotted route two more times at different altitudes. For the most part, it appeared the Winnebago "Pilot's" chose a reasonable direction in which to travel on a path of least resistance. However, in my opinion, the path of least resistance would have been to strike out directly west into the Black Earth Creek valley. This route would have been approximately 2 1/2 air miles longer to the river versus the Wisconsin Heights river crossing area. Perhaps at the time, Black Earth Creek valley may have been choked with with wetlands or marsh making it difficult to travel, or there was not a good river crossing in that segment of the Wisconsin river, or some other reason. After flying that route, which essentially follows Highway 14 to Mazomanie, WI, we both agreed that had the valley not been in a boggy condition it would have been an easier route.

If the British Band's focus was just to cross the Wisconsin, they missed their second opportunity to do so when they got to the watershed of Halfway Prairie Creek, which has Indian Lake in its upper reach. That valley, which is the route of State Highway 19, would have taken them to the Mazomanie area also. They continued onward keeping a Northwest orientation. The GLO Survey shows the "Army Road" crossing sections 27 and 34 in present day Roxbury Township. That point is on or very near present day State Highway 12 between Roxbury Creek and township road - Bruening Road. This point is approximately 4 air miles southeast of the battleground or 5 air miles southeast of the Wisconsin River bridge at present day Sauk City, WI. This brings up a significant question, why did the band ignore two watershed routes to the Wisconsin River and cross southwest of Sauk City?

To be continued ~
.

[Larry Koschkee]

Part II

After obtaining a birds-eye-view of the two armies route to the Wisconsin River it was time to examine written accounts for landscape clues that would place the armies at identifiable points along the "Army Road" and scene of the battle.

There are some general descriptions of the landscape by the militia in route to the battlefield, but nothing noteworthy that would allow a person to look at a piece of terrain and determine the specific location of the militia or Indians.

An excellent overview of the landscape on the march from Pheasant Branch to the battle site is given by Charles Bracken. "...occasionally small parties of Indians were seen on the surrounding eminences, the route was through oak openings from the time of leaving the Fourth Lake." This summary, for the most part, is corroborated with the witness tree entries of the GLO Survey notes for the townships that the "Army Road" went through. In the Survey notes the surveyors determined the distance of the two closest trees from the section and 1/4 section markers. Today, the general rule of thumb for transcribing the witness tree data to meaningful analysis is as follows:

Prairie (> 200 feet)
Savanna (53-200 feet)
Woods (<53 feet)

I have found only one account that places the militia at a specific spot on the road. R. H. Magoon's "Memoirs" state that four miles from the British Band campsite at Pheasant Branch before an Indian was shot and scalped, he fired a load of buckshot into the thigh of Isam Hardin. An estimate where this took place would be in the vicinity of section 32, north of Schneider Road, Springfield Township, Dane County, WI.

Magoon went on to say "Two hours subsequently a view was had of thirty mounted Indians, about eighty rods to the left. One of Henry's regiments was detached to follow them, while the main body continued on the trail. This troop of mounted Indians were making in a southerly direction, while the others were continuing due west." (Eighty rods would be 440 yards or 1/4 mile). My estimate of the travel from the place where the Indian was killed and Isam Hardin was wounded would be at an average of 3 miles per hour, which would place the column northwest of Indian Lake in Berry Township, Dane County, Wi. Here is a valley that Breunig Road runs through in section 34, of Roxbury Township, Dane County, WI. A major portion of this valley orientates south, connecting with the larger valley, within which Halfway Prairie Creek flows.

Magoon goes on to say: "Fearing a decoy, Henry's regiment was re-called, and the whole army descended into a valley opening toward the Wisconsin River. The march was continued cautiously, the scouts maintaining a lead of thirty rods. As the army defiled down the valley, the width increased and the bank on the right dwindled in proportions until equalized with the surrounding surface. At this natural outlet, the alarm was communicated from the scouts, who shouted, "Here they come, thick as bees."

James B. Estes mentioned a similar approach: "The Indians were overtaken, and followed down, and along a long hollow, or ravine, being the first one east of Black Earth Valley." Estes would most likely be referring to the valley that State Highway 12 is routed through in Roxbury Township that is north of the Halfway Prairie Creek valley. Halfway Prairie Creek does have a segment that leads into the Highway 12 valley. Breunig Road is the connecting visual aid between the two valleys and most likely the route of the two armies. Following the Highway 12 valley route in sections 20 and 29, the valley continues in sections 30 and 19, then narrows at the section lines of 19 in Roxbury Township and 24 of Mazomanie Township, Dane County, Wisconsin. This valley flow is very apparent when flying over it.

There are more landscape descriptions, but offer no clue to specific or general militia location on the "Army Road" until the approach to the battle site. James B. Henry gives an excellent description of this approach.

"...It was immediately discovered that the close pursuit and daring courage of the scouts from the squadron had brought the enemy at bay -- at this point the Quisconsin was in sight on the right, a succession of lofty peaks on the left, and less elevated heights on the right; the Brigade occupying an uneven plain, in front lay the second step of the river, thinly covered with low over-cup oak, on the left and between the position of the Brigade and the above mentioned Sacs. runs a deep ravine from left to right, diagonally across the front and bounding the aforesaid step; before this lies a marsh covered with the most luxuriant growth of grass, which continues to the margin of the river, being interrupted only by one slight elevation of sandy ground.

Thus was the situation of the country when it was discovered that the whole force of the enemy was advancing."

More landscape scenario was given in written accounts once the battle commenced. The main battle that is -- Daniel M. Parkinson wrote that there was a running gun battle before hand. "Upon one occasion, we were thrown into order of battle, but the enemy immediately receded, and a running fire was then kept up almost constantly by our scouts and the rear guard of the Indians, until the main battle was fought.

To be continued ~

[Robert Braun]

This is a fascinating series. I believe that Larry is as close to discovering BH's route and the route of the pursuing militia as we may get.

Larry--- we should compare notes!

Best to you,

Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

It has pointed out in this thread that Black Hawk and followers had at least two paths of opportunities to reach the Wisconsin river sooner than the eventual point on its bank. It is clear they were simply not looking for a river crossing, rather they were fixed on descending the river.

Black Hawk's autobiography states their intent: While at the encampment of the Four Lakes - " and finding that the army had commenced moving and fearing that they might come upon and surround our encampment, I concluded to remove my women and children across the Mississippi, they they might return to the Sac nation again. Accordingly, on the next day, we commenced moving with five Winnebagoes acting as our guides, intending to descend the Quisconsin."

Post war interrogation of prisoners revealed the Winnebago provided the means to descend the river. Some examples:

1) Wa-coo-se-mak a Fox warrior and relative of Keokuk said he left Black Hawk after the battle of Wisconsin and came down the Wisconsin. He said: "The Winnebagoes furnished canoes for the escape of those who came down the Wisconsin after the battle."

2) Pa-mis-seu was a third ranked Chief in Black Hawk's band and told the government interpreter, Antonie LeClair, the Winnebagoes provided some canoes.

3) Puk-qua-wa a Sac said: "after the Wisconsin battle, those who escaped down that river procured canoes from the Winnebagoes leaving their worn down horses."

4) Wau-na-so a Fox warrior said: "he has heard that the Winnebagoes traded canoes to the Sac on the Wisconsin."

Evidently there was not enough canoes available for the entire group - Black Hawk said: ...myself and band having no means to descend the Quisconsin, I started over a rugged country, to go to the Mississippi, intending to cross it, and return to my nation.

What Winnebago faction was the source for the canoes? One clue is Samuel Stambaugh and his Menominees had captured some Sac near Cassville and one informed Stambaugh that "a number of Sacs, old men & wounded were taken to some Winnebago Villages on the Four Lakes and to Villages on Bar-ri-bault river, near the Wisconsin Portage on the night after the battle of Wisconsin Heights."

At the time of battle of Wisconsin Heights the most significant Sac sympthazier in the immediate region was Broken Arm (Spotted Arm). He had moved his village north from Exeter early on in the BH and was camped close to Fort Winnebago. Spoon Decorah was nearby. Konoke Decorah was Chief of a Winnebago village at the mouth of the Barribault (Baraboo) River. The Decorah's had close blood kin in Chief Winneshiek's village at Prairie la Crosse, namely One-eyed Decorah. Waukon Decorah's village was between Prairie du Chien and Prairie la Crosse and Waukon resisted the order to bring down all their canoes to Prairie du Chien. Spotted Arm's family was closely related to the Winneshiek brothers who were part of Black Hawk's pilots.

Although I do not have absolute evidence, my suspicion is that these two Winnebago families had a hand in providing canoes and comfort to Black Hawk and followers on the Wisconsin River.

[Larry Koschkee]

The second phase of my research of the "Army Road" or War Road is from Wisconsin Heights battle field to the Blue Mounds Fort. The GLO Land Survey field notes continue to offer clues to the pathway of the militia. As was noted early on in this thread, the survey crews were back out in the field after the Battle of Bad Axe. The notes I am reviewing are dated October, 1832.

I have gathered the Army Road references from the notes and began a physical examination of distance and terrain two weeks ago. On the first leg of my boots on the ground action, I was surprised to learn that after Henry and Dodge left the battlefield for the Blue Mounds they apparently did not traverse out in the flat sand barrens of the Wisconsin River. This immense sand terrace adjacent to the river is west of HWY 78 and for sake of a landmark - the village of Mazomanie is sited on a portion of it. Survey notes indicate this was not significantly marshy.

Third phase will be the War Road made by the militia and federal troops from Fort Blue Mounds to the Helena crossing of the Wisconsin River. Approximately 1300 soldiers traversed this track on foot or horseback.

to be continued ~