History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 24

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 24
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Sunday, August 28th .- Gave the Feuille ten bushels of wheat to take him, with the Renards, to the Rock river. A young lad of this place, by the name of Antoine Du Bois, volunteered his service, and embarked with the Sioux inter- preter. I gave the Feuille a few articles he was absolutely in want of. Fifty Sioux, of the Feuille band, with forty-five Renards, left this place at 2 o'clock singing the war song; and at 6, about sixteen Puants arrived from above, de. barked at the upper end of the village, and walked down to the lower end, singing the war- song, then immediately embarked and went off. Wrote a note to Capt. Grignon to prepare bim- self to go off express to Mackinaw to-morrow at 10 o'clock.

Monday, August 29th .- Finished the dis- patches at 10, and Capt. Grignon being detained

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in expectation of Mr. Antoine Brisbois arriving from below, did not set off till 4 in the after- noon. Mr. Brisbois did not arrive.

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, FORT MCKAY,

Ang. 29, 1814. To LIEUT. COL. MODOUALL .-

SIR :- The command of this post having been left to me by Lient. Col. McKay, I have the honor to communicate to you, that on the 27th inst., I sent off a small detachment under the command of Lient. Graham, of the Indian department, for the Rock river, consisting of thirty men, one brass three-pounder, and two swivels. Having sent Lient. Graham to that place on the 15th inst., in order to get a party of Sauks to proceed with him to within two miles of the enemy's abandoned Fort Madison, to take possession of, and, if possible, bring away a gun-boat that the enemy had got sunk, by the fall of a tree, last spring, on their way up here; and, at the same time, to get informa- tion of the enemy.

But the Sauks, having got repeated informa- tion, by scouting parties, that the Americans were on the point of leaving St Louis for this place, they were afraid, and would not go. Lient. Graham, therefore, determined to pro- ceed, with his small party of volunteers, to burn the gun-boat, in order to prevent its falling into the enemy's hands. As he was on the point of embarking for that purpose, two young Sauks arrived from the Sanks on the Missouri (where there are still ten lodges-say 100 men) express, with news that a courier had been sent by some French gentlemen, from St. Louis, to the Sauks on the Missouri, to notify them that a strong detachment of the enemy was to march from St. Louis on or about the 12th inst., to eut off the Indians at Rock river.

The courier from St. Louis was sent to the Indians on the Missouri, that they might imme- diately give information to those on Rock river to be on their guard. Lient. Graham, believing this report to be true, returned here on the 23d

inst., but previous to his return, exclusive of circulating reports, the Indians at the Rock river sent word to me,and to the Indians above this, through the medium of a pipe, to inform me of the enemy's being on their way here and begged that I would send them some ammu- nition, with one or two guns and a few soldiers, to assist them in defending their lands, women and children.

On Lient. Graham's arrival, I called together all the officers to have their opinions on the subject, and they universally agreed that it was absolutely necessary to send a small detachment, not only for the preservation of the post, but to retain the Indians in our favor. This small de- tachment, together with the aid they get from the Feuille with forty of his young men, will greatly encourage the Indians on the lower Mississippi, and prevent their joining the enemy which necessity might otherwise compell them to do.

The Sauks, Renards and Kickapoos that were about the entrance of Rock river when Lieut. Graham was there, formed about 800 men, though, with the re-inforcements that will join them by the time the detachments from this reaches them, I amwell persuaded will reach from 1,200 to 1,500 men. Upwards of 100 men, Sionx, Puants and Renards, from above this, passed here yesterday on their way to join the detach- mient. Ammunition, arms and tobacco are the principal articles the Indians are really in dis- tress for.

I beg leave to remark that the critical situa- tion of the country here at present absolutely requires that Robert Dickson should be here with the re-inforcements of troops asked for by Lient. Col. McKay. The volunteer privates from Mackinaw and the bay, though willing to serve their country, are becoming weary of garrison duty, and as the time for which they volunteered their services having expired, they hope to be soon relieved. I send Capt.

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Grignon, of the bay express, with this commu- nication I have the honor to be, etc.,

THOS. G. ANDERSON,

Capt. Commanding.

Tuesday, August 30th-At 12 o'clock the Bourgne, a Puant chief, arrived, and reports that he heard that Robert Diekson had left Mackinaw some time since for this post.

Wednesday, August 31st-Requested of Mr. Brisbois to repair Mr. Fisher's store, a con- venient place to put part of the public goods. The Fenille having assured me that he had sent off two young men from his village to inform the Little Corbean, I did not send an interpret- er, as ordered on the 28th inst. The Feuille gave me this information on the 29th inst., in the morning.

Thursday, Sept. 1st, 1814-

To MR. FRENIER: You will leave this im- mediately, with three men in a wooden canoe, and proceed with all haste up the Mississippi till you fall in with the Little Corbeau. You will tell him the enemy are on their way up here. That Robert Dickson, from Indian re- ports, will be here in a very short time, and that it is requested that the principal part of his band will remain above this, not higher up than the Prairie La Crosse, to hunt, till further orders.

Yours, etc., THOMAS G. ANDERSON, Capt. Commanding. Mr. Frenier went off at 10 o'clock. Showers of rain all day.

Friday, September 2d-Two ' letters that I wrote Lient. Graham when he went down to the Rock river in quest of the American gun- boats, having been omitted, are inserted as fol- lows:

FORT MCKAY, Aug. 14, 1814. To LIEUT. GRAHAM:

SIR-You will leave this to-morrow morning at 10 o.clock, with one interpreter and six men, in a canoe. You will proceed immediately to the Rock river, unless you get certain news of the enemy's approach. On your arrival there

you will call together the Sauk chiefs, soldiers and braves, and give them a carrot of tobacco, as a present, and a request to them to go with you to assist in obtaining the object of your voyage, which is, to bring up an American gun- boat that is lying a short distance above Fort Madison. In case you are successful in getting the boat, you will use your endeavors in getting the Indians to assist you in bringing her up here; but if you cannot get that assistance, you will run her up into the Rock river where she will be safe till she can be sent for from here. If your best exertions fail in getting off the boat yon will burn her, to prevent her falling into the enemy's hands.

In case you get certain information of the enemy's approach; or if you find it necessary on any other occasion to send an express here by land, you will order the Indians bearing it, to show themselves on the hills opposite this place. On their arrival, they will halloo a few shouts, then fire one gun, and shortly after they will fire three shots. This will be a signal to let me know who they are. In asking assistance from the Indians, you will tell them if they go with you and bring up the boat, they will be amply recompensed when the re-inforcement arrives from Mackanaw. Wishing you a short and successful passage, I am, sir, etc.,

Tuos. G. ANDERSON, Capt. Com'd'g. FORT MCKAY, Ang. 21, 1814. LIEUT. GRAHAM:

SIR-Last evening three Renards arrived here with a pipe, sent, they say, by the Sauks, to tell me the Americans were on their way up here; but the express conld [not] tell me what num- ber of barges were coming, nor where they were seen. I will thank you to make particular inquiry of the Sanks, where the pipe came from; and tell them if they send in future, to send people that can be depended upon to give every information. They asked for ten kegs of gun- powder, and guns-two articles that they are already well supplied with. I, therefore gave them none.

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Get certain and particular information before you send or return. You will tell the Indians, in case the enemy are coming up, to follow them by land, on each side of the Mississippi, and an- noy them as much as possible; at the same time not to waste their ammunition in firing random shots. They requested me to go down and meet the enemy at the Rock river. This being impossible, for several reasons, I refused them positively. If you cannot get the gun-boat, use every means to destroy it. Yours, etc.,

THOS. G. ANDERSON, Capt. Com'd'g.

At 4 A. M., a Puant arrived with Francois La Pointe's horse, that had been stolen by the Puants.

Saturday, Sept. 3d .-- A cool pleasant morn- ing, but foggy.

To LIEUT. GRAHAM:

SIR :- You will receive by interpreter Grig- non, 520 pounds of flour, all that I can possibly muster. Indian report says, that Robert Dick- son left Mackinaw a long time ago for this place. I have been waiting now three days, in hopes of certain information on that head, to no purpose. If you think it necessary, you can remain a few days longer than the term men- tioned in your instructions of the 26th ult. I am very anxious to hear from you. I refer you to Mr. Grignon for further particulars. In hopes shortly to receive flattering news from you, I am, sir, etc.,

Tuos. G. ANDERSON, Capt. Comd'g.

Sunday, Sept. 4th .- At 10 the militia assem- bled as usual. I thanked the inhabitants of St. Friole, by way of encouraging them, for having furnished what little flour they had done. Having heard a rumor that the volunteers were about to take their discharge when on parade, I represented to them the disgrace that would attend such a step, etc. They made no reply, and continned their duty for the present. At 3 A. M. two Renard canoes arrived, with six men and several women and children. By way of getting provisions and ammunition, they fab- ricated a story that the detachment gone below

had surrendered to the Americans. Knowing this to be a base falsehood, I abused the cow- ardly villains, as they deserved, and gave them nothing. This afternoon a canoe of Renards from above was seen by old La Pointe, to go down the river behind the island. He did not give me notice till late in the evening.

Monday, Sept. 5th .- The Renards that ar- rived yesterday, went off above.

Tuesday, Sept 6th .- Finding that one Fon- taine had a mare and a young colt here, and that he had been in the Illinois three years, I ordered the mare to be taken (the colt being only this spring's) and broke in for the King's serviee.

Wednesday, Sept. 7th .- At 4 o'clock four Sauks, old men arrived from the Roek river, bringing the following communications from Lieut. Graham:

ROCK RIVER, Sept. 3, 1814. CAPT. THos. G. ANDERSON:

SIR .- Agreeably to your orders of the 26th of last month, I proceeded with all expedition for this place, which I reached on the 29th of the same month. Although there is no apparent danger, our coming here has given more satis- faction to the Sanks than if all the goods in the King's store in Mackinaw had been sent them, as they are now firmly convinced that their English Father is determined to support them against the ambition and unjust eonduet of their ene- mies. I made known to them the intention of the expedition, to which they answered that, if we should come to action, they would stand by us to the last man. One hundred and twenty-two men, Sioux, Renards and Puants, ar- rived here the day before yesterday. The whole of the Indians appear to be much animated to meet the enemy, and I think with what foree we have to be able to repulse any party that the enemy will be able to send this way.

I have not been able to obtain any satisfactory information of the enemy coming up. Four days ago, five Indians that went down on dis- covery, returned. They were as far as Cap au

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Gris. They say at that point there is a small fort, which I suppose to be Fort Independence. There was a considerable number of men in and around it, with two large gun-boats at anchor before it. Whether this force is stationed there to guard their frontiers, or for collecting for an expedition to come this way, is uncertain. I detained this letter three or four days, waiting the return of five Indians that had been gone about twelve days, in hopes to obtain from them more certain information; but finding their stay too long, I send off this, as I know you are impatient to hear from this place.

Eight Indians went off, three days ago, to find out what detained the others. To them I gave orders to burn the boat, as I thought it would be impossible to send the number of men it would require to bring her up in case of an at- tack. As there is continually a number of In- dians on the look-out, we cannot be surprised on the least notice of their coming. We shall take our position on the island,* which is the best place for defense that I know on the Missis- sippi. I beg you will pay attention to those that go up with this, as we are dependent on them here for provisions. As soon as the dis- covering party returns, if there is no appear- ance of the enemy coming up, I shall of course return. I hope cre this you have news from Mackinaw.

Sir, I am, etc., (Signed). DUNCAN GRANIAM, Lieut. Indian Dept.

(P. S.) Having finished this at 10 o'clock at night, in the morning the discovering party ar- rived. They saw, yesterday morning three large gun-boats under sail on their way up,about thirty leagues from here. It seems their fears prevented them from knowing their exact num- ber. Before this reaches you, we shall, I hope, decide the business. As soon as it is daylight, I will send Lieut. Brisbois with a canoe well manned, if possible to know their strength.

Should we be attended with success, you shall soon hear. I expect them after to-morrow. Nothing further at present. The 4th of Sep- tember about 1 o'clock in the morning.

(signed) DUNCAN GRAHAM.

At five, a canoe arrived from the above; three Iroquois from the Riviere des Sotrax* having left their families on that river, and came here to get some ammunition, as they were quite des- titute of that article.

FORT MCKAY, Sept. 7th, 1814.

To Lieut. GRAHAM-

SIR :- I received your communication of the 3d and 4th inst., and from the enemy's ap- parent force, I hope ere this the business is decided in our favor. I am much gratified to have it in my power to give a most flattering detail of the good couduct of the Sauks, etc., to Lient. Col. McDouall, who I am well persuaded will be highly pleased with them. No news from Mackinaw, but hourly expected. The ex- press for Mackinaw left here on the 29th ult., also an express for the Sioux on the Ist inst., not yet returned. In case of your being suc- cessful, and take any prisoners, use every effort to preserve them; and if your stock of provis- ions will admit, bring such prisoners up here, to be sent on to Mackinaw. I am, sir,

Tuos. G. ANDERSON, Capt. Commanding. N. B. You will receive this by the return of the Sauks you sent up here, who leave here to- morrow morning. T. G. A.

Thursday, Sept. 8th .- The Sauks that ar- rived with the communication from Lieut. Graham, set off with dispatches at 8 o'clock in the morning. Previous to their setting out, I gave them each a blanket, a breech-clout, and a knife, they being four in number. They went off highly pleased.

Friday, Sept. 9th-At 3 o'clock in the after- noon, six Puant canoes arrived from the Oniseon- sin, with La Gruness, and the Old Wolf. They

*Rock Island, unquestionably.

*Saut eur or Chippewa River, doubtless.

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brought word that a Folle Avoine woman from Mackinaw brought news to the bay, that when she left the post, the American fleet was in sight of Mackinaw. Ilow long since, or what was their force, she knew nothing about.

Saturday, Sept. 10th-At 1 o'clock P. M., five Sioux arrived from the Rock river, bring- ing news that Lieut. Graham, with the detach- ment under his command, and the Indians, had attacked and defeated eight large American gun-boats at the Rock river; had taken neither prisoners nor anything else. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, a young Sauk, who had set off from the Rock river express with two Sioux and a Renard, but having tired them out, arrived here alone with dispatches from Lient. Graham, as follows:

ROCK RIVER, Sept. 7th, 1814.

Capt. THOMAS G. ANDERSON-

SIR :- I mentioned to you in my letter of the 4th inst., by the information I had from the Indians, that the enemy were within thirty leagues of this place on their way up. As soon as I found out their strength, I concluded the place of their destination must be La Prairie du Chien. The rapids was the only place where we could attack such a force to any advantage. On the 5th inst., we moved to the westside of the island, and took our position at the narrow- est part of the channel, the only place where they could pass at that point. We were de- termined to dispute the road with them, inch by inch.

They appeared in sight at 4 o'clock r. M., with a strong fair wind. There were eight large boats, four of which were equal in size to the one that made her escape from the Prairie. The largest of them had a white flag flying at her mast head. When they came to the head of Credit island, about two miles from us, a storm of rain, thunder and lightning came on, and the wind shifted to the opposite point of the com- pass, which compelled them to pass the remain- der of the day, and that night there. All the women and children were sent to the island .

took all the Sionx with us to cover the guns in case of being obliged to retreat, as they prom- ised they would rather be killed to the last man than give np the guns.

I told the Sanks, in case the enemy should attempt to land at their village, to retreat to the island, and then we would return altogether and attack them. The 6th, at break of day, some of the Sauks came to ns, and requested that we should attack them immediately, as the wind was against them, and some of their boats were aground. We crossed to the main land at the Foxes' village. There we left our boats, and went as quick as possible through the prai- rie unperceived by the enemy until we were on the beach opposite to them. Here we had a elose view of them. I had no idea of the enor- mous size of their boats before. They lay with their broad sides close to a low sandy beach. The largest of them had six port-holes open ou the side next to us. The channel was abont 600 yards broad.

We were on an elevated spot, but no covering. I requested the Indians not to waste their am- munition firing at the boats, and save it in case the enemy should attempt to land. They did so. Finding they could not make up matters with the Sauks, as they had killed one of their sen- tinels in the night, they took down the white flag, and put up the bloody flag in its place, which I believe to be a signal of no quarters. It was then 7 o'clock in the morning. Every- thing being ready, we opened a brisk fire, from the three-pounder, and two swivels, on their boats. In about three quarters of an hour the largest of their boats, which was ahead of the others, after having about fifteen shots through her, began to push off, and dropped astern of the rest, and made the best of her way down the current. The others soon followed her. We kept firing at them along the bank, as far as the ground would permit us to drag the guns ; but they soon got out of our reach.

They went on about a league, and put to shore. I thought they might intend to throw

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up some breast-works, and make a stand at that place. I sent immediately for the boats to go with all the Indians, to endeavor to dislodge them from there. By the time we were ready to embark, some of the Indians that followed, returned and informed us, that it appeared to them that the Americans had committed the bodies of some of their men to a watery grave, well knowing if they buried them on shore, they would be torn to pieces. They then got up their sails, the wind being fair, and made the best of their way off. As the enemy landed at that place, the Indians say they were about 1,000 men. I think their number to be between 600 and 800.

If we had had a larger supply of ammunition and provisions, we might have harassed them as far as the rapids of the Riviere des Moines ; but having only a scanty supply of the one, and en- tirely destitute of the other, we were obliged to give up pursuing them any further. Although we have not been able to capture any of their boats, they have been completely repulsed, and I have every reason to believe with a consider- able loss, as out of fifty-four shots that we fired at them, there was only three or four that did not go through their boats. The action lasted about an hour. One of the swivels was served by Lieut. Brisbois, and the other by Colin Camp- bell, which they executed with credit to them- selves; and all attached to the expedition be- haved themselves in a manner worthy of veteran troops, for they seemed to vie with each other who would be the foremost, notwithstanding they were entirely exposed to the enemy's shot, and I am happy to say that not a man was hurt. It is to the skill and courage of Sergt. Keating, on whom everything depended, that we owe our success, and no praise of mine can bestow on him what he deserves. As the Indians had no communication with the enemy, I have not been able to find out who commanded the Ameri- can expedition. Sir, I am, etc.

DUNCAN GRAHAM,

Lieut. Indian Dept.

Sunday, Sept. 11th .- The Indians from the Rock river detachment continued arriving in small bands.

Monday, Sept. 12th .- The remainder of the Sioux, Puants and Renards arrived from the detachment below. At 4 o'clock a wooden canoe arrived from the portage, with interpret- er Bester and Lance Corporal Haywood, and their men, bringing with them one case ord- nance stores and one keg of powder. The con- ductor of the boat from Mackinaw, not being active, did not get the boat over the portage, therefore the ordnance stores, etc., were left there till I can send for them. I received let- ters as follows:

MICHILLIMACKANAC, Aug. 21, 1814. To Capt. Anderson, or officer commanding Fort McKay:

SIR :- I have great pleasure in returning you my thanks for your judicious and spirited con- duct during operations which ended in the cap- ture of Fort MeKay. I doubt not that whenever another opportunity presents, you will again distinguish yourself by such praise worthy con- duct. I beg you will take the carliest oppor- tunity of expressing my entire satisfaction with the good conduct and spirit evinced by all ranks employed upon the expedition ; but in particular to mention my obligations to Capts. Dease and . Grignon, and Lieuts. D. Graham and Brisbois, and the interpreters, St. Germain, Renville, Honore and Grignon, of the Indian department. I likewise request you to return to Sergt. Kear- ing, particularly, my thanks for the bravery and good conduet which he so conspicuously dis- played, and also to the detachment of the Mich- igan Fencibles and to the volunteers and militia, for their spirited and exemplary behavior. You will convey to the garrison in general my firm belief that the fort which they so gallantly won, they will as gallantly defend.

In the event of C'ol. MeKay's having left the fort, you will command them until further orders, making every possible exertion to strengthen your post, and omitting no precau-

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tion which may be necessary for its defense. I have sent Lance Corporal Heywood, of the 10th Veteran Battalion, in charge of some ordnance stores. He is to remain with you, and be employed at the artillery, under Sergt. Keating, whom I have appointed ordnance store keeper at Fort McKay.

You will see the obvious necessity of culti- vating the best possible understanding with the Indians, particularly with our allies, the Sauks and Renards. You will signify to them how highly I am pleased with their conduct, and that everything in my power shall be done to supply their wants. You will signify to the Leaf and Little Corbeau my approbation of the assistance which they have afforded, and my hope that, if another attack is threatened this fall, that they will bring down the whole of their warriors to your assistance. Point ont to them of what consequence it is to them to keep the enemy at their present distance. You may assure them that great efforts are making by the King in their behalf ; and that the ministry are determined to make no peace till the lands plundered from the Indians are restored. To attain this purpose, great re-inforcements of troops are coming out.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 24

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298