History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 25

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 25
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 25

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).

As Lieut. Grignon, of the Indian department, is to reside for some time at Green Bay, you will communicate with me through him, by every possible opportunity, taking care to ac- quaint me with every consequence that occurs. If our post is likely to be attacked, you will also call upon him to collect whatever Folles Avoines, Winnebagoes and militia from Green Bay that he can, and repair with the utmost ex- pedition to your assistance. I am not without hopes of being able, by and by, to send a de- tachment of troops to re-inforce your garrison.

It will be necessary that some regular system should be adopted for victualing the troops. which Capt. Rolette will undertake. They must be supplied with game and deer, and what beef can be got. We have not any pork to spare, and, indeed the only chance of our

being able to keep a fort at Prairie du Chien, is by the country being able to feed and sup- port that garrison, without making any demand upon this post for provisions, which is out of the question for me to grant. Capt. Dease and yourself must make the best arrangements you ean for supplying the troops, taking care that the utmost regularity and correctness appear in your accounts and disbursements. Col. Mc- Kay mentions his finding Mr. Honore, of the Indian department, a very useful commissary, and you had better still employ him in that capacity.

On Capt. Rolette's return he will take with him the proper form, according to which your monthly pay-lists are to be made out. On the 24th of each month, the troops to be regularly mustered, and the men all present or their absence accounted for. You will always be upon your guard, and take the necessary pre- cantions to become acquainted, through the Sauks, with all the motions of the enemy ; and endeavor to ascertain, as early as possible, if they have intentions of attacking you, that you may, in due time, be prepared for a most de- termined and vigorous defense. With the as- sistance of your Indians, I doubt not yon will be able to repel any attempt of the enemy ; but above all things, be constantly in readiness for it. I have the honor to be, etc.,

(Signed) R. MCDOUALL, Lieut. Col. Commanding. POINT AU ECORCE, Ang. 24, 1814. My Dear ANDERSON :

As soon as the boat arrives, you will send down ten kegs of powder to the Sauks, etc. I need not tell you to put the place in the best state of defence, and get all the Indians from above, ete Yours, etc.

(Signed) WM. MCKAY, Lieut. Col., etc.

Besides these, I received other letters from my friends

Tuesday, September 13 .- Lient. Brisbois ar rived early in the morning in a canoe, with in- terpreter Grignon, and the men that went down

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with the first supplies of provisions. At 12 o'clock the weather cleared up, having rained successively two days and nights. At half past six Lient. Graham arrived with the whole de- tachment under his command, all well, after having driven off eight large gun-boats, with about 100 men in each of them. We were obliged to give a good deal of bread and some wheat to the warriors from below. The Puants drove off and killed one of Capt. Rolette's oxen. Notwithstanding his men saw them drive the ox away, they neither attempted to rescue him out of their hands, nor come and give information, in order to get assistance from me.

Wednesday, September 14 .- Began to write dispatches to Mackinaw. Finished at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. To Lieut. Col. McDonall, as follows :

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, FORT MCKAY, Sept. 14, 1814.

SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favor of the 21st ult., which I received on the 12th inst., in the evening, with one case of fixed shot and one keg of powder, the conductor of the boat, not, as he says, having been able to drag the boat across the portage. I sent off a boat this afternoon to bring away the ammunition, and the one from Mackinaw will return immedi- ately from there to Green Bay with these dis- patches, directed to Lieut. Grignon, for him to forward.

I have the honor most graciously to thank you for myself, and in the name of all the troops, etc., attached to this garrison, for your con- descending approbation of their conduct in the late engagement at this place, under our nu- daunted and able commander, Lient. Col. Me- Kay, to whose judicious management the inhab- itants of this place, and the Indian tribes on the Mississippi, acknowledge a happy and easy de- liverance from an enemy that absolute necessity obliged them for a moment to countenance. I beg you may be assured every particular of

your orders shall be strictly attended to, and put in execution without delay. I am happy in having your approbation of Capt. Dease's able assistance to act in conjunction with me. I shall only take the liberty to remark, the only change that can at present be made about the garrison, is to put in comfortable quarters in which to lodge the troops; and as for provisions, in my opinion, the cheapest and most convenient means would be to send a detachment from here taking the Sauks, etc., on their way, and bring from some dis_ tance above St. Louis, a drove of cattle, where the Indians report that there are vast droves running wild about American abandoned settle- ments. In this case, and even in the event of depending upon the Indians, a quantity of salt would be necessary.

Lieut Graham having arrived last evening with the detachment from Rock river, I have the honor to communicate to you, that on leay - ing here the 27th ult., they made the best of their way, and arrived at the Rock river on the 20th; and soon got certain information that the enemy were near at hand, but could not know their strength till eight large gun-boats hove in sight on the 5th inst., at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The foremost being the largest, and a finely painted boat, was supposed to be the commanding officer's. She had a white flag hoisted at her mast-head. This was supposed to be with an intent either to deceive the In- dians, or to use every means to gain them. over to their side. Our people kept themselves con- cealed, expecting the enemy would attempt to ascend the rapids, when they would have had a fair opportunity to capture the whole. The enemy had no communication with the Indians, but lay quietly at anchor.

In the course of the night, contrary to Lieut. Graham's orders, some of the Indians shot two of the sentries from off their boats, and the next morning the enemy struck the white flag, and, to their confusion be it said, hoisted a searlet one in its place, a signal for no quarters. Lieut. Graham, finding their intentions were to re-

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main there some time, and as the Indians be- came ungovernable, it became necessary to commenee a fire upon them, which was done with much honor to those who commanded the guns. They having fired about fifteen rounds into the front boat, she turned her stern to the current, and sailed down as fast as possible, the seven others immediately following. The guns played upon them as long as they could be dragged along the beach.

Lieut. Brisbois commanded one of the swivels, Sergt. Keating the three-pounder, and Sergt. Colin Campbell, of the fencibles or volunteers, the other swivel. The shots were well di- reeted, for out of fifty-four that were fired, not more than three missed doing execution. The enemy were thrown into such a consternation on seeing a few red coats, that they could do nothing with their guns, and in fact did not fire more than fifteen shots till they recovered their senses, and then they were too far off to do execution, but kept up a brisk random firing. Notwithstanding about 1,200 Indians, and the detachment from this place were the number present, and every man displayed the greatest courage and good conduet, yet the battle was fought by only about twenty men that manned the guns.

If the officers and men of this garrison have merit for their conduet on the 17th of July last, surely the detachment to the Rock river excel, and deserve every praise. The gun-boats were supposed to have 800 men on board, and some of them were pierced for twelve guns. I beg to mention particularly Lieut. Graham's judi- eions conduet in the command of the detach- ment, and Lieut Brisbois, Sergt. Keating, and Sergt. Colin Campbell of the volunteers, for their courage and well managed firing. On this head too much cannot be said of Sergt. Keating.

The satisfaction afforded the Indians from their having had this assistance, can only be imagined. Their shouts and acclamations of joy at every shot from our guns, drowned the

report of the guns, and notwithstanding the only assistance they could give was to drag about the guns, they displayed the greatest courage, and promised to die to a man with their fathers. The Feuille with his warriors were particularly active in this duty. The Sauks have, without repeating their gallant con- duct in the field, behaved in a manner foreign to Indian Nations. They, having large fields of corn, strove one with another, who would be the most obliging, and furnish the most of that artiele to the detachment.

Not being well acquainted with the duties of a commanding officer, I dreaded reproach by leaving the garrison, is the reason why I did not go myself with the detachment below; but should any other opportunity present itself, I will risk the leaving the garrison in charge of some militia, to go and meet the enemy with all the force I ean muster, unless I receive con- trary orders. The iron three-pounder, we took with Fort McKay, is without any elevating serew, a necessary part of the gun we cannot get made here. I take the liberty to refer you to letters written to and received from Lieut. Graham during his absence with the detach- ment to the Rock river, which will afford you a more minute detail of the whole management.

That worthy soldier, Sergt. Keating, begs of me to request you will do him the favor to ae- cept his warmest acknowledginents for the honor you have shown him. From his bebay- ior sinee he left Mackinaw, I have not the smallest doubt but he will continue to deserve your approbation of his conduct. I have the honor, etc.,

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

Sent a harge off for the portage to bring away the ammunition, and at the same time to take the dispatches there and forward them by the barge that came from Mackinaw to Lient. Grignon at Green Bay, and for him to forward to Maekinaw.

Thursday, Sept. 15th. - Nothing material happened till the afternoon at 6 o'clock,

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when interpreter Frenier arrived from above, with news that the Sioux would all leave their villages on the 14th inst., to come and wait at the place I told them till further orders, except the Little Corbeau with his lodge, who would come and camp here. This chief sent word to the Renards above this, that his Father had told him to destroy the Americans as much as lay in his power, and he knew these Renards to be Americans; but at the same time they were related to the Sionx, on which account he warned them to be out of his way when he should come down. That he would be down with a detachment, and intended to hunt Americans all winter ; and that whatever of that description came in his sight he would cut down. When the Americans were here, they sent a carrot of tobacco to each village except his, saying they knew him to be too good an Englishman to be induced to join them. The Little Corbeau said he was quite proud of the honor they did hum ; but as it was done with a view to despise him, he could not forget it on that account, and the only means of retaliation he had, was to make his young men take a few scalps, which he would have done before the spring.

Friday, September 16th .- Got word of some Puants having killed an ox, and that they were drying the meat a short distance below the en- trance of the Onisconsin. By allowing them to go on in this way, without trying to prevent it, they would in a short time destroy all the cattle in this region, and leave us destitute of provisions. 1, therefore, ordered Lieut. Bris- bois, of the Indian department, with one inter- preter and four men, to go to their lodge and take whatever meat they had, and order them away.

FORT MCKAY, Sept. 16, 1814.

LIEUT. BRISBOIS .-

SIR :- Some Puants camped a short distance below the entrance of the Onisconsin, having, in defiance of the orders they have received to the contrary, killed, within this day or two, an

ox belonging to a citizen of this place; you are requested to go immediately, with one inter- preter and four of the volunteers, to order them away from this, and take what beef they may have remaining. Yours, etc.,

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

At 6, Lieut. Brisbois returned, bringing with him a little dried meat, and some tallow. I gave the meat to those that had been to bring it, and the tallow I kept for the use of the guns. Lieut. Brisbois brought word that the Puants ex- pected to have been taken, and confined in the garrison. They said they were surprised that we complained that they killed an ox ; that we would be more surprised when their Father ar- rived from Mackinaw, for then they would neither leave an ox, cow or horse in the village.

Saturday, September 17th .- Lient. Graham, when at Rock river, found some of the Mis- souri Indians there, who came with an intention to sec the superintendent; and finding that they behaved themselves so well in the action, he promised them some trifling articles from the King's store. I, accordingly, mustered what I could, and set off interpreter, Guillroy, with them, ordering, at the same time, that he should remain with the Sauks in case any news should be received of the enemy's coming up, to get occular information, and immediately to bring me word.

Sunday, September 18th .- At 10, assembled the troops as usual, and read to them the con- tents of Lieut. Col. McDonall's letter as far as it regarded them. I then spoke to them in the following manner: "After reading the con- tents of Lieut. Col. MeDouall's letter to you as far as it regards Michigan fencibles, volun- teers, etc., I now take the opportunity to thank the detachments in general that defeated the eight American gun-boats at the Rock river, for their good and spirited conduct during their absence from this place, and do not make the smallest doubt but they will receive the thanks of Lient. Col. McDouall. I also take this op- portunity of explaining to you all, the orders

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of the day, in which you will find the demands made upon the different corps ; and as it is for the preservation of this place in general, and for the good of His Majesty's service, I have not the smallest doubt but my demands will be executed without a murmur. From your good conduct, and attention to your duties since the Michigans and volunteers so nobly possessed themselves of this fort, and delivered the citi- zens of this place from an enemy, the presence of which was most aggravating to them, I have every reason to believe I shall not be under the necessity of going to extremities, a most dis- agreeable task to one who wishes his fellow- soldiers and volunteers everything that is good and glorious."

At 12 o'clock, a Sioux woman from above, brought word that a party of Gens de Feuille, with some Yanktons of the Riviere des Moines, numbering about forty men, were near the Feu- ille's village, destined for the war path; but they did not know where the the Feuille, or Leaf, was; and having been notified not to go alone, he went with his warriors to know what were the intentions of this party. No news since.

About 2 o'clock, hearing that Winosheek, an old Puant, was in possession of a pipe and wamhum for the Sioux, I inquired what was "the intention of it. The old man brought it to my room, and showed it to me, saying it was to ask permission of the Sioux to winter on their lands between this and the Riviere des Sioux ; not to go to war on the Sotrax [Sauteurs, or Chippewas], but, on the contrary, to request all Indians, of what Nation soever, to join hands, and not allow an American to come this far. How true this is, I know not.

Monday, Sept. 19th. - Five Sauks arrived about 10 o'clock with news that the enemy were at the entrance of the Riviere des Moines, but uncertain what were their number, or whether they were making a fort, or on their way up here. I, therefore, await interpreter Guillroy's return, to decide what I will do-

whether to go and meet them, or wait their arrival here. At 12, sent off interpreter Ren- ville to notify the Sioux to keep themselves in readiness, and to assemble from the Prairie a La Crosse downwards to hunt till further orders.

Tuesday, Sept. 20th .-- Nothing of consequence. A party of militia at work at the fort. En- gaged Charles La Pointe at ten shillings a day to oversee and finish the doubling of some part of the garrison [pickets] where they are weak. The three guns kept constantly drilling. Bought a horse to draw the six-pounder.

Wednesday, Sept. 21st .- At 2 P. M., the barge arrived from portage with the ordnance stores, and powder and tobacco for the Indian depart- ment. A case of round shot for the three- ponnder wanting, and nearly a keg of powder ; and one-third of a roll of tobacco belonging to the Indian department missing. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon six Renards, of the Barboul- liers' band arrived from above to learn the news. They brought a pipe, and the following speech from the Barboullier :

"My Father, why have you not confidence in me ? I am yours. In everything you do I wish to be with you. I can only die once, and the only death I look for is along side of you. I expected you would have sent me word to tell me the enemy were coming up. I send you my pipe to tell you my ideas, and at the same time to know yours.

"My father, if there are any bad birds, do not, 1 beg of you, number me with them. I have hold of your hand, and will never let it slip ; but will follow your road as long as I live. Send me word what you intend doing. I am ready to follow you. When I went to meet the bad dogs last time at the Rock river, I had but a few mouthfuls to give my warriors, but now I have really too much-what might make a good feast. My yonng men are numerous, stout and hungry."

I replied : " My brethren you must not call me Father. You have only one Father in this country, that is the Red Head, Robert Dickson,

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the others are all your brethren. The moment that the Sanks arrived from below, and told me they had seen the enemy, they supposed, on their way up here, I sent off an interpreter with them to inform all the Indians he should see on his way up, till he should meet the Little Cor- beau, of the news the Sauks brought. At the same time to request all to repair to Prairie a la Crosse, to await the return of interpreter Guillroy, whom I sent down some days ago to gain certain information of the enemy. That on his return I would again send and notify all the Indians whether I would go, and meet the enemy below, or await them here; and that I had not the smallest doubt, from their coura- geous conduet heretofore, but they would be all ready at a moment's warning." F then in- formed them of the news from Mackinaw, etc. Capt. Dease gave them a little powder and to- bacco, and they went off at 7 o'clock in the evening. In the course of the day, I went out to the inhabitants to purchase flour, but could procure none. There are only two days' rations of that article in the garrison.

Thursday, Sept. 22d .- Capt. Dease assem- bled the inhabitants at this place, and appealed to them to try and procure flour. Want of horses, mills and time were the reasons they gave for not supplying that article. They promised to furnish what they can spare as fast as possible; but not with that energy generally shown by British subjects on like occasions. Capt. Dease preferred to go with ammunition to the Sauks.

Friday, Sept. 23d .- Capt. Dease set off at 9 o'clock in the morning with three men, accom- panied by Thomas, the Sauk chief. Fired a few rounds from the guns to practice.

Sunday, Sept. 25th .- Assembled the troops as usual, and immediately after went out and practiced at the target. Shot six rounds with the six-pounder, five with each of the three- pounders, and five with a swivel. Confined De- mairaix, a Michigan private, for refusing to do his duty when on fatigue, and one of the volun- teers for absolutely refusing to mount guard.

Duncan Campbell made the best shot at the guns.

Monday, Sept. 26th .- Two men of the volun- teers, Kennet and Grignon, were confined in the guard-house by the officer of the day, for fight- ing when on guard. Established a court of inquiry to be held to investigate the condnet of the men in the guard-room. Not being able to inflict corporal punishment, this method is adopted in case they are found guilty and merit punishment. They will be detained in confine- ment till an occasion offers to send them to Mackinaw. At 12 o'clock, the court of inquiry not finding Demairaix and Grignon guilty of the crimes they were charged with, I had them released.

Tuesday, Sept. 27th .- At 10, a court martial was held, when Pierre Emare, private in the volunteers, was found guilty of neglect of duty in refusing to mount guard; but the court after condemning him to be sent to Mackinaw in irons, to lose his pay from the time of his en- gagement, and to lose his share of the prize money, recommended him to the mercy of the commanding officer. Finding his erime pro- ceeded entirely through ignorance, and in con- sequence of his former good conduct, I ordered him to be released from confinement to-morrow morning, and return to his duty. At 2, a canoe arrived from below, with six Renards, among them Bardack, a chief, with news that the Americans, seen at the Riviere des Moines, were those driven back from the Rock river, who put ashore to bury some of their dead.

They also complained hard of Capt. Dease not giving them any powder on his way down. They also came to inquire about a report circu- lating amongst them, that the Sioux were assem- bled to go to war against the Renards and Sauks. This report was fabricated by the bands of the Jenne Homme, or Young Man, and Tonnerre Noir, or Black Thunder, Renard Yankee chiefs, to irritate those Nations against the Sioux, and by this means to disaffect our Sauks and Renards. I contradicted the report, and told them it

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sprung from the Little Corbeau having sent word to the Tonnerre Noir and Jeune Homme, when they heard of his coming down the river, to be out of the way, for his Father at Mackinaw told him to cut down everything American that he found in the road, no matter what color or size. In the evening interpreter Renville arrived from above. The Little Cor- beau, with 100 of his warriors, would not re- main above to hunt, Jest his presence might be necessary here sooner than word could reach him from me. He therefore will be here to-mor- ro «, and appears to be determined to remain till his Father arrives from Mackinaw.

Wednesday, Sept. 28th .- At 11 o'clock, the Little Corbeau arrived with 100 men and their families. With all his young men, he called upon me, gave me a soldier's pipe and every assurance of his fidelity, and insists, that when Robert Dickson arrives, he will go to work with his warriors, to exterminate those Indians about here that adhere to the Americans. It was with much difficulty that the Feuille or Leaf with the assistance of Mr. Renville, who [ sent up for that purpose, prevented Little Corbeau's falling upon the Renards above this. However, he promises to be quiet till his Father, Robert Dickson, arrives; then he, with the Feuille, will insist upon beginning with the Gens de la Feuille.

I only said to him, that his having been to Mackinaw, rendered it unnecessary for me to give him any advice, or tell him his Father's or- ders; but requested him not to permit his young men to injure the people here in killing what few Americans yet remain. The Bardack, or Ren- ard, that I yesterday requested to remain to hear the news from the Little Corbeau himself, being present, he told them that what he had said respecting the American Indians was true; but as to speaking in general terms against others, he intended to say, that he regarded every Indian and white soldier, no matter of what color, as long as they were British sub- jects, as his brother-the rest his inveterate

enemies, and would act with the greatest vigor towards both accordingly. He then said: "I wish to talk with my friend, the Bardack ; but as I am only on a visit in the house of a brother soldier, I can say nothing ; however, [ will thank you not to go away to-day, and I will do myself the pleasure to invite you and talk over the affairs of our Nations in general, at my own wigwam or lodge." I gave them each a glass of whisky, and among the whole, forty loaves of bread, which I got with much diffiulty.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 25

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