Post by Larry Koschkee on Jul 29, 2007 10:39:40 GMT -5
The Black Hawk War was conducted in the "Horse and Buggy Days," therefore you would conclude the militia would know the capabilities of a horse and nutrition to sustain it. Time and time again we read historical accounts of used up horses. This indifferent care of their mounts led to the escape of Black Hawk and followers across the Wisconsin River or some cases an escape down the river.
Henry and Dodge exhibited good leadership over their men, but I believe did not know how to conserve their horses, which is surprising. The mounted militia was made up of one horse and one man. There was not a luxury of a remuda of horses supporting the march. These are approximate numbers, but when Dodge and Henry left Fort Winnebago, Dodge's battalion was about 130 mounted and Henry about 450, down from 300 and 1200 respectively. (I do not have Atkinson's Morning Report taken at Soldier's Grove in front of me therefore, I can not provide horse numbers after they all crossed the Wisconsin River).
After the Batlte of Bad Axe you can look back and see a huge destruction of horseflesh.
Henry and Dodge exhibited good leadership over their men, but I believe did not know how to conserve their horses, which is surprising. The mounted militia was made up of one horse and one man. There was not a luxury of a remuda of horses supporting the march. These are approximate numbers, but when Dodge and Henry left Fort Winnebago, Dodge's battalion was about 130 mounted and Henry about 450, down from 300 and 1200 respectively. (I do not have Atkinson's Morning Report taken at Soldier's Grove in front of me therefore, I can not provide horse numbers after they all crossed the Wisconsin River).
After the Batlte of Bad Axe you can look back and see a huge destruction of horseflesh.