Post by Larry Koschkee on Jul 29, 2007 9:51:52 GMT -5
In most cases, history has shown us that an army campaign is sucessful when well provisioned. In the Black Hawk War conflict I can see where this was true and not true.
Atkinson's Federal Regulars had ample provisions, however could not effectively prosecute the war effort. Some people would counter and say that is an unfair assessment because Atkinson's army was on foot but Black Hawk and his followers were mounted, therefore had more speed and mobility. This was partly true, however we must not forget that not all warriors were mounted. Case in point is the Sauk warriors pursued and killed by Dodge's company on the Pecatonica River were on foot. Also, there were many women and children ahead of the army on foot.
I would concede the fact that Atkinson incompetence contributed greatly to the armies inability to catch Black Hawk.
Provisions actually slowed the army down. Wagon loads of it bogged down in the marshy areas of the Rock River. It is not clear what beast of burden was pulling the wagons. Most likely it was oxen, which are a slow form of transportation. In addition, the army drove cattle with them. Driving cattle and chasing Black Hawk does not match up well either. It was clear Atkinson did not march too far from his provisions and comfort.
The Illinois and Michigan Territory militia did not make good use of their provisions and effected their prosecution of the war effort. Col Henry Dodge's battalion has been considered by many historians the most disciplined militia unit in the BH but I believe they can be justly criticized for not managing their provisions in some cases.
The lack of provision management manifested itself at the conclusion of the Battle of Wisocnsin Heights. The militia had just brought Black Hawk and followers to bay and their thoughts immediately went to lack of provisions. Here we find a victorious army which had just driven an exhausted enemy into a river, stopped pursuing and marched several miles for provisions. Unprecedented?
One could argue that the militia was exhausted and many of the horses broken down. Black Hawk and followers were in worst shape, yet they kept moving. Oh, the milita had no means to cross the river. Just a couple miles to the north from where Black Hawk crossed the river there was a fording place at the old Sauk Village (present day Sauk City). The militia could have crossed there with some effort. How would the militia know about this crossing? Winnebago guides!
Atkinson's Federal Regulars had ample provisions, however could not effectively prosecute the war effort. Some people would counter and say that is an unfair assessment because Atkinson's army was on foot but Black Hawk and his followers were mounted, therefore had more speed and mobility. This was partly true, however we must not forget that not all warriors were mounted. Case in point is the Sauk warriors pursued and killed by Dodge's company on the Pecatonica River were on foot. Also, there were many women and children ahead of the army on foot.
I would concede the fact that Atkinson incompetence contributed greatly to the armies inability to catch Black Hawk.
Provisions actually slowed the army down. Wagon loads of it bogged down in the marshy areas of the Rock River. It is not clear what beast of burden was pulling the wagons. Most likely it was oxen, which are a slow form of transportation. In addition, the army drove cattle with them. Driving cattle and chasing Black Hawk does not match up well either. It was clear Atkinson did not march too far from his provisions and comfort.
The Illinois and Michigan Territory militia did not make good use of their provisions and effected their prosecution of the war effort. Col Henry Dodge's battalion has been considered by many historians the most disciplined militia unit in the BH but I believe they can be justly criticized for not managing their provisions in some cases.
The lack of provision management manifested itself at the conclusion of the Battle of Wisocnsin Heights. The militia had just brought Black Hawk and followers to bay and their thoughts immediately went to lack of provisions. Here we find a victorious army which had just driven an exhausted enemy into a river, stopped pursuing and marched several miles for provisions. Unprecedented?
One could argue that the militia was exhausted and many of the horses broken down. Black Hawk and followers were in worst shape, yet they kept moving. Oh, the milita had no means to cross the river. Just a couple miles to the north from where Black Hawk crossed the river there was a fording place at the old Sauk Village (present day Sauk City). The militia could have crossed there with some effort. How would the militia know about this crossing? Winnebago guides!