Post by Cliff Krainik on Aug 2, 2004 22:00:47 GMT -5
REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF BAD AXE - ANNIVERSARY - August 1-2, 1832
PART III
PART III
OFFICIAL
The following official information has been received at the department of war:
Head quarters, first artillery corps north western army,
Prairie du Chien, Aug, 25, 1832
Sir: I have the honor to report to you that I crossed the Ouisconsin on the 27th and 28th ult. With a select body of troops, consisting of the regulars under col. Taylor, four hundred in number, part of Henry’s, Posey’s, and Alexander’s brigades, and Dodge’s battalion of mounted volunteers, amounting in all to thirteen hundred men, and immediately fell upon the trail of the enemy, and pursued it by a forced march through a mountainous and difficult country, till the morning of the 2d inst., when we came up with his main body on the left bank on the Mississippi, nearly opposite the mouth of Ioway, which we attacked, defeated, and dispersed, with a loss on his part of about 150 men killed, 39 women and children prisoners - the precise number could not be ascertained, as the greater portion was slain after being forced into the river. Our loss in killed and wounded, which is stated below, is very small in comparison with the loss of the enemy, which may be attributed to the enemy’s being forced from his position by a rapid charge at the commencement and throughout the engagement - the remnant of the enemy, cut up and disheartened, crossed to the opposite side of the river, and has fled into the interior, with a view, it is supposed, of joining Ke-o-Kuck and Wapello’s bands of Sacs and Foxes.
The horses of the volunteer troops being exhausted by long marches, and the regular troops without shoes, it was not thought advisable to continue the pursuit, indeed a stop to the further effusion of blood seemed to be called for, till it might be ascertained if the enemy would surrender.
It is ascertained from our prisoners that the enemy lost in the battle of the Ouisconsin 68 killed and a very large number wounded; his whole loss does not fall short of three hundred - after the battle on the Ouisconsin, those of the enemy’s women and children, and some who were dismounted, attempted to make their escape by descending that river, but judicious measures being taken here by capt. Loomis and gen. Street, Indian agent, thirty-two women and children and four men have been captured, and some 15 men killed by the detachment under lieut. Ritner.
The day after the battle on this river, I fell down with the regular troops to this place by water, and the mounted men will join us today. It is now my purpose to direct Ke-o-Kuck to demand a surrender of the remaining principal men of the hostile party, which, from the large number of women and children we hold prisoners, I have every reason to believe will be complied with. Should it not, they would be pursued, and subdued, a step maj. gen. Scott will no doubt take on his arrival.
I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the regular and volunteer forces engaged in the last battle and fatiguing march that preceded it - as soon as the reports of the officers of brigades and corps are handed in, they shall be submitted with further remarks.
5 killed and 2 wounded, 6th inf.
2 wounded, 5th inf.
1 captain, 5 privates, Dodge’s battalion, mounted
1 lieut., 6 privates, Henry’s
1 private, Posey’s
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your ob’t serv’t,
H. ATKINSON,
Brevet brigadier gen’l U.S.A.
Maj. Gen. MACOMB, commander in chief, Washington city.
Original autograph of Dr. Addison Philleo and the September 1, 1832 issue of the Niles’ Weekly Register from the Black Hawk War Collection, Cliff and Michele Krainik, Warrenton, Virginia.
