USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 73
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
out the metal into bullet molds with iron spoons ; a second person, armed with a knife, would receive the bullet and render it spherical by detaching the small tongnes of lead adhering from the mold.
About this time were organized numerous militia companies, forming the Iowa County Regiment of Michigan Volunteers. Below are given the names of the Captains and the differ- ent terms of service: Capt. Clark's company, from May 16 to October 11, 1832; Capt. Dixon's, from June 17 to July 17, 1832; Capt. Gentry's, from May 11 to October 9, 1832 ; Capt. Parkison's, from June 17 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Price's, from May 20 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Roundtree's, from May 17 to June 17, 1882: Capt. Berry's, May 19 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Delong's, from May 24 to August 20. 1832; Capt. Funk's, from May 19 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Gehan's, from May 19 to August 20, 1832; Capt. W. S. Hamilton's, from May 2 to August 20, 1832; Capt. J. Hamilton's, from May 19 to August 20, 1832 : Capt. Jones', from May 20 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Mone's, from May 19 to August 20, 1832; Capt. O'Hara's, from July 4 to Angust 20, 1832; Capt. Sherman's, from May 20 to August 20. 1832; Capt. Terry's, from May 18 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Thomas', from June 1 to August 20, 1832; Capt. R. C. Hoard's, from May 21 to August 20, 1832.
DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES.
Mineral Point, or Fort Jackson, was virtually the seat of war, and actual headquarters, during the campaign. Here all the miners concentrated for their own safety, and hither came the commanders of the county forts to recruit their supplies. The Point was the distributing center whence all supplies were doled out under the supervision of United States Quartermaster George B. Cole. At the first intimation of war, the United States Government ordered a lib- eral supply of war munitions to be dispatched to Fort Jackson, from Prairie du Chien. They were received by Capt. Estes, and, as by him entered in the Quartermaster's book, were as follows : 195 stand of arms, muskets, bayonets, wipers and screw-drivers, except cartridge-boxes ; 9 small swords and belts. June 9, from G. W. & John Atchison, Galena, Ill., 3 kegs gunpowder, 150 stands of arms (muskets), 2 swivel guns, 1,000 ball cartridges, 150 boxes belts, very much worn ; 150 flints, 20 Ibs of cannon balls, 2 lbs of slow matches, 1 old saddle, 3 kegs powder, sun- dries for mounted miners. From G. W. & John Atchison, 12 blankets, 7 bridles and 2 old saddles. On the 12th inst. were received, 10 saddles of good quality, 23 good blankets and 24 grass lincs. From P. A. Lorimer. Diamond Grove, 2 bridles, 3 blankets, 2 cotton saddle blankets, 6 saddles, 12 bridles, 18 sureingles and girths were added to the stores on the 15th.
The contractors for furnishing Sutlers' supplies and munitions of war, during the war, were G. W. & John Atchison, of Galena, Ill., and James Morrison and P. A. De Lorimier, of Dia- mond Grove. George B. Cole was Regimental Quartermaster, and from his journal the follow- ing entries are taken as they appear in that book :
ACCOUNT OF ARMS DISTRIBUTED AT MINERAL POINT.
May 30, 1832 .- To John Moore, Captain at Fort Jackson, thirty-six I'nited States muskets and accouterments. Robert C. lloard, Captain at Fort Defiance, seventeen United States muskets and accouterments.
Col. Dodge's order for his Fort at home, two boxes, forty stands and accouterments; also four hundred cartridges. Capt. Delong, at Fort Deselhorst, thirty United States muskets and accouterments.
Capl. Rountree, at Platteville, twenty United States muskets and accouterments, got by Mc. Cormack.
Jolin Lindsay, Orderly Sergeant of mounted men, six United States muskets and accouter- ments ; also eighty cartridges.
Richard Kirkpatrick, of the mounted men, to Col. Dodge's order, four muskets.
Capt. Gentry and Lieut. Davidson's Mounted Miners, six United States muskets and accouter- ments, and forty cartridges.
June 1, 1832 .- To John B. Terry, Captain at Fort Bonaparte, twelve United States muskets.
June 6, 1832 .- To Capt, Moore, at Fort Jackson, twenty guns.
The order of the Adjutant, six muskets to several persons, their receipts being taken.
June 2, 1832 .- To William Kendle, one musket for to join Col. Dodge at Fort Gratiot.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
June 10, 1832 .- To D. M. Parkinson, at Fort Defiance, twelve United States muskets and aceouterments, for the mounted men ordered to the Blue Mounds. No Captain eleeted yet for the company.
The mounted men detached for the Blue Mounds, seven United States muskels and aecoutermenls.
June 11, 1832 .- To Warren Lewis, Commissary, one United States musket.
llenry Messersmith, one United States swivel, for the Forl at Blue Mounds.
June 12, 1832 .- To Capt John Moore, at Forl Jackson, sixteen United Stales muskets.
May 28, 1832 .- To Thomas J. Parrish and Capt. James Jones, two muskets, taken out of the wagon on the road from Prairie du Chien to Mineral Point.
Jamies Gentry, James P. Cox, P. Bequette, Capt. Delong. Thomas Hynes, George Robinson, James Jones and Thomas Parrish, each one publie sword.
June 13, 1832 .- To G. B. Cole, Quartermaster, one United States musket.
Bought in Galena, five dozen flints, and issued the same to the horse company.
John R. Ewing and Adam Coon, one gun each.
May 29, 1832 .- To John Lindsay, one musket, per William Woodbridge's order.
June 15, 1832 .- To Col. Dodge's order, one box containing twenty muskets, one swivel and twenty pounds of mus- ket balls.
June 21, 1832 .- To Fort Jones, on Blue River, five United States muskets, twelve pounds of powder and twenty pounds of musket balls, issued to Lieut. Armstrong.
June 24, 1832 .- To Capt. Hami ton, Shullsburg, fifteen muskets on Colonel's order.
John Porter, one United States musket.
June 29, 1832 .- To Henry Blaney, one United States musket.
July 1, 1832 .- To John Fenemore, one United States musket.
Johnson, one United States musket.
John B. Terry, Iwenty muuskets on Colonel's order.
('apt Jones, twenty muskets on Colonel's order.
Two boxes, 40 muskets, sent lo Fort Union headquarters.
On June 10, equestrian equipments, consisting of blankets, bridles, saddles and surcingles, were delivered to John Hood. Samuel Patrick, John Woods, Horace Auchiens, Austin Palmer, Philip Oates, W. W. Standerford, Mason Wooton, William Sublette, William B. Dean, Lawson Hood, John Dougherty, Willis St. John, James Beddiet, William Brown, Thomas Webster, and six outfits to D. M. Parkinson for the rangers at Fort Defiance. On June 15, by orders of Adjt. Woodbridge, five new saddles, three bridles and blankets, were delivered to the rangers. To D. M. Parkinson, five saddles and bridles, and seventeen halters. Portions of equipments were supplied to Col. Dodge, Edward Davis, Charles Lewis. John R. Ewing, J. B. Ilunter, Thomas Denson, George Willard, R. H. Kirkpatrick and A. C. Dodge.
The horses attached to Fort Jackson were procured by Capt. James Jones, from Prairie du Chien, and were distributed as follows by the Quartermaster: Eleven horses were sent to Fort Defiance, and twenty mounted volunteers, under command of John F. O'Neill, were detached from the Mineral Point garrison to do duty at Blue Mounds. Subsequently, single allotments were made to Pleasant Ewing, Capt. Gentry, Bennet Hany, John R. Ewing and a man named Morrison.
Late in May, Col. Dodge was seized with a secret distrust of the Winnebago Indians, fear- ing that their treacherous nature might assert itself in favor of the rebellious warriors. Nourish- ing the overt suspicion, Col. Dodge called upon Capt. Gentry's company of mounted miners to escort him to the head of the Four Lakes, where, in the assumed capacity of a Peace Commis- sioner, he proposed to hold a powwow with the suspected tribe, and to obtain a renewal of their fealty to the American Government. 'The interview resulted in a reiteration of the treaty obli- gations and a peace declaration.
OCCURRENCES AT MOUND FORT.
The Blue Mounds at this early date constituted one of the outposts of Western civilization, and, from their sequestered situation, offered many advantages to a prowling enemy. The prox- imity of the settlement to Indian Territory only enhanced its precariousness, and instigated the inhabitants, at the first outbreak, to resort to defensive measures. The Mound Fort was com- menced on May 10, 1832, and completed in two weeks from that time, the labor being chiefly of a desultory character. The buildings consisted of two block-houses, each about twenty feet square, and a log building in the center, about thirty feet by twenty feet, for a storehouse and barracks. The whole was inclosed by a picket fence, about one hundred and fifty feet on each of the four
483
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
sides. The piekets were of stout oak, about sixteen or seventeen feet high, planted about three feet in the ground. The fort was situated on a commanding site, about a mile south of the Eastern Mound. Capt. James Aubrey was the authority in command until the date of his death, June 6. Edward Bouchard was promoted from First Lieutenant. The charge, subsequently, devolved on Capt. John Sherman. The garrison was composed of fifty men, who were enrolled May 20, 1832. Their names were Ebenezer Brigham, John C. Kellogg, John Daniels, George Force, Thomas MeRaney, John Messersmith, William Collins, Jacob Keith, John Sherman, Robert Collins, Jonathan Ferrill, Moses Collins, Moses Foreman, A. G. Aubrey, Esau Johnston, A. G. Houton, Jeremiah Lycan, Jason Putnam, Alpha Stevens, Hugh Bowen, John Steward, John Dolbey, Daniel Evans, James Hanlon, William H. Houghton, Ed Bouchard, James Hayes, Thomas Hillson, James Smith, Jefferson Smith, R. S. Lewis, Solomon Watson, Harvey Brock, Samuel Davis, Fernando MeRaney, Milton MeRaney, Allen Rand, Henry Starr, Anson Frazier, J. B. Deshon, Samuel Woodworth, Emerson Green, John Messersmith, Jr., Henry and George Messersmith, Robert Crayton, Albert Hunt, French Lake and Henry Powell. The ladies who shared in their husbands' fortunes were Mrs. Aubrey, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Kellogg, Mrs. Farrell, Mrs. MeCraney and Mrs. Woodworth, together with several young children.
On the 6th day of June, James Aubrey, a member of Col. Ebenezer Brigham's family, was killed at the spring, about a mile and a half from the Mound Fort, whither he had gone for water. This treacherous deed was the handiwork of Sac Indians, who had been piloted to the place by a Winnebago guide. On the 20th of June, a small party of Indians were perceived hovering around the Mound Fort, with the object of discovering their intentions. Lieut. Force and Private Green mounted their horses, and rode forth on the prairie toward the enemy. The officer advanced cautiously ; but, despite this guard, he was inveigled into an ambush, and instantly killed. Green, who was retraeing his way, was pursued, overtaken and massacred. A heavy gold chronometer, owned by Lieut. Force, was taken by the savages, who ruthlessly mutilated the lifeless corpse. Preceding the battle of the Wisconsin Heights, in the vicinity of the Third Lake, a straggling Indian, in the rear of Black Hawk's band, was shot down, and the body permitted to lie in his tracks, as the men, fearing vermin or infection, refused to approach it. In the following spring, a prairie fire swept that territory. Subsequently, Wal- lace Rowan happened along, and, in the crumbling skeleton form, discovered a gold watch bear- ing Lieut. Force's inscription. Rowan retained the watch for some time; but finally restored it to the family of the murdered man. This attack occurred in full view of the stockade, yet the garrison were powerless to assist their comrades. Col. Dodge, who was then at Union Fort, on being informed of the attack, hastily summoned his men, and set out on the war-path at night. On the 24th inst., he passed Blue Mounds, and followed the Indian trail to Sugar River, where the footprints diverged in every direction, denoting the disbandment and separation of the Indian body. To advance further would prove futile exertion, so they returned to Dodge- ville, on the way interring the bodies of Force and Green.
On his route south, Col. Dodge sent a messenger, with instructions to Fort Defiance and Mineral Point, to raise what force could be mounted, and proceed to the scene of the Aubrey murder. Just before that time, a number of French ponies had been brought down from Prairie du Chien, for the use of the inhabitants of the mining district, and which were already mounted by a company of about thirty men, of whom Daniel M. Parkinson was one. When this troop arrived at Blue Mounds, they found that the body of William Aubrey had been decently interred. After remaining there one day, and reconnoitering the country, the company, which was com- manded by Capt. John F. O'Neill, returned by way of Fretwell's Diggings to Mineral Point.
FORT JACKSON ALARMED.
D. M. Parkinson, in his reminiscences of pioneer life in Wisconsin, relates the following : "About this time, the people of Fort Defiance and Mineral Point became very much alarmed, in consequence of Capt. James B. Estes coming, under whip and spur, at the best speed of his horse, announcing successively at Fort Defiance and Mineral Point. that he had seen a large
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
body of Indians about seven miles below Fort Defiance, making their way toward the Fort, adding, at Mineral Point, that he had no doubt but that Fort Defiance at that moment was in possession of the Indians. Immediately upon Capt. Estes announcing this intelligence, Capt. Hoard, who commanded at Fort Defiance, ordered me, with three others-Lieut. M. G. Fitch, John Ray and Reasin Hall-to make a reconnaissance, and ascertain the facts. We did so ; but could find no Indians, nor discover signs of any in this vicinity." These false alarms were not uncommon in those eritieal times. Many men seemed to possess eyes of a powerfully magnifying character, that tortured everything seen into an Indian ; thus many a well-run race has been made when there were no Indians, probably within miles, and nothing to justify the flight more than a tree, stump, or elump of weeds. But, notwithstanding there were a few of these flighty gentlemen, the most of the men then in the country were bold and resolute in character. and could readily distinguish between trees or bushes and Indians, as their conduct upon all occa- sions well testified. During this miniature " Reign of Terror." E. Brigham. of the Mounds, faithfully recorded passing events in a daily diary. A few extraets pertaining to the locality. will not prove uninteresting.
Blue Mound Fort, June 2, 1832 .- Extraet of a letter sent to Gen. Dodge : Wakanka says there are two young prisoners with the Sauks. By the authority vested in E. Bouchard. two Indians, White Ox and another, were sent on express to the Four Lake Indians."
(Same date.) A letter was brought by two Frenchmen. St. Paul and -, on public service, supposed to be from Gen. Atkinson. Gratiot having left, I opened it and found there were two women prisoners with the Sauks.
June 5, 1832 .- White Ox, brother and Wakanka returned. The two first named had been to Lake Koshkonong, and informed me that the Winnebagoes had bought the two girls at Kosh- konong and then left their captors. The Sauks then followed them and surrounded them. Our army was at Koshkonong Lake, not far behind, and they were afraid they would be killed by the Sauks. The Sauks were in two columns, marching direct for this country, 400 in number.
June 5, 1832 .- Gen. Dodge promised us at this time to communicate with us every four days by express, any and every particular relating to the state of the country in general : to assist us with a mounted force ; promised us arms, ammunition and provisions without delay.
June 6 .- W. G. Aubrey killed.
June 16 .- Notwithstanding all promises, our teams returned from Mineral Point without arms or ammunition, for want of Gen. Dodge's order.
June 21 .- Emerson Green and George Foree both killed and sealped. Foree horribly man- gled, his head cut off, a gold watch taken, a sum of money and two horses.
June 21 .- Foree is lying on the prairie unburied. It is dangerous to go out of sight of the fort.
The General (Dodge) has not performed agreeable to promise ; seems to negleet us ; appears to bear malice against us for no cause ; our situation is a delicate one. I expeet an attack from the Indians : we cannot stand a siege. (My near relatives live in Angelica, A'legany Co .. N. Y. To be given to Bradley Sherman or J. W. Sherman. )
For a month after the murder of Force and Green, nothing worthy of especial mention occurred at the Mound Fort. The arrival of a contingent from Gen. Posey's brigade. disarmed all further fears on the seore of safety.
The murder of Spafford and others in the early part of the outbreak. occurred about six miles southeast of Fort Hamilton, now Wiota, on the bank of a small stream which, in commein- oration of the foul deed, was named Spafford's Creek.
On June 14, 1832, Messrs. Spafford Spencer. Bennett Million, MeIlvaine and Searls, an En- glishman answering to the patronymie of John Bull, were surprised by the Indians while working in a corn-field owned by Spafford and Spencer. Seizing his ritte, Spafford, the brave pioneer, faced the foe, to whose overpowering numbers he fell a victim. The others fled under shelter of a ravine to the river. On reaching shore, MeIlvame and the Englishman attempted to swim the river. and both were shot in the water. Million and Spencer, on reaching the shore, hugged the
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
bank for 300 yards, before they were perceived by the Indians. The war-whoop pealed forth from a score of lusty lungs, and the pursuit commenced. Spencer continued down the river bank, being followed by two Indians, one of whom was mounted on one of Spafford's plow- horses, and who, by reason of his mount, was far in advance of the other. Spencer still retained the gun he had snatched up at the first alarm, so, awaiting his opportunity, he shot the approaching horseman, and eluded further pursuit by secreting himself in a dense thicket. At the sound of the war-whoop, Million plunged into the stream, which was about fifty vards wide at this point, and never appeared at the surface until he struck the opposite shore, where at a single bound he scaled the bluff and disappeared from view, amid a shower of bullets. On the day of the Peca- tonica battle, Spencer emerged from concealment, and bent his footsteps toward the fort. At a distance he saw it surrounded by friendly Sioux and Menomonee Indians, who were executing a war-dance over the spoils collected from the day's battle. Unacquainted with this fact, and sup- posing them to be re-enforcements, and that the Sauks had captured the fort and butchered the inmates, he fled in dismay, and toward evening concealed himself under a hog pen, where he was found ten days afterward. Within a year, he became deranged and wandered off no one knows whither.
BATTLE OF THE PECATONICA.
On June 11, 1832, Col. Dodge and his command visited Gen. Atkinson's headquarters in Illinois. A general plan of the campaign was matured, and Col. Dodge returned to Gratiot's Grove, where his whole command were dismissed to their posts. The news of the Spafford oc- currence, was received by express at Fort Union on the evening of the same day. Instructing Capt. Gentry to muster all his men and march to Fort Hamilton, Col. Dodge, accompanied by Maj. Thomas Jenkins and John Messersmith, Jr., proceeded by way of Blue Mounds to that post, camping the ensuing night at Fretwell's Diggings. The next morning, when they were within a half a mile of Fort Hamilton, they were met by a German, on horseback, named Apple, who announced his intention of connecting his fortune with Capt. Gentry's company. He then moved off toward his cabin, to procure his blanket and outfit. A few minutes after, the sharp rattle of musketry was heard, and the German's horse soon appeared, galloping riderless and bloody, toward the fort. Re-enforcements having arrived from Fort Defiance, with Gentry's company, the garrison was augmented to a respectable number. Col. Dodge was received with loud cheers by the men who demanded to be led forth against the enemy. Animated by an instinctive impulse, they all mounted and sallied forth in quest of revenge. The scalpless body of Apple was found in a hazel thicket skirting the road, where the Indians lay in ambush. The short and sanguinary engagement known as the Battle of the Pecatonica, is best recited in the official report, made by Col. Dodge to Gen. Atkinson, dated June 19, 1832:
" They (the Indians) retreated through a thicket of undergrowth, almost impassable for horsemen, and scattered, to prevent our trailing them. Finding we had an open prairie around the thicket, I dispatched part of my men to look for the trail of the Indians, in the open ground, while I formed as large a front as possible, to strike the trail, which we soon found in the open ground. After running our horses about two miles, we saw them about a half a mile ahead, trotting along at their ease. They were making for the low ground, where it would be difficult for us to pursue them on horseback. Two of the small streams we had to cross had such steep banks as to oblige us to dismount and jump our horses down them, and force our way over the best way we could. This delay again gave the Indians the start, but, the men being eager in the pursuit, I gained on them rapidly. They were directing their course to a bend of the Peca- tonica, covered with a deep swamp, which they reached before I could cross that stream, owing to the steepness of the banks and the depth of the water. After crossing the Pecatonica to the open ground, I dismounted my command, linked my horses and left four men in charge of them, and sent four men in different directions, to watch the movements of the Indians, if they should attempt to swim the Pecatonica. They were placed on high points, that would give them a complete view of the enemy, should they attempt to retreat. I formed my men on foot, at open order, and at trailed arms we proceeded through the swamp to some timber and undergrowth,
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
where I expected to find the enemy. When I found the trail. I knew they were close at hand. They had got close to the edge of the lake, where the bank was about six feet high. which was a complete breastwork for them. They commenced to fire, when three of my men fell, two dan- gerously wounded, one severely, but not dangerously. I instantly ordered a charge on them, made by eighteen men, which was promptly obeyed. The Indians being under the bank, our guns were brought within ten or fifteen feet of them, before we could fire on them. Their party consisted of thirteen men ; eleven men were killed on the spot, and the remaining two were killed in crossing the lake, so they were left without one, to carry the news to their friends .* The vol- unteers under my command behaved with great gallantry; it would be impossible for me to dis- crininate among them. At the word . charge !' the men rushed forward, and literally shot the Indians to pieces. We were Indians and whites, on a piece of ground not to exceed sixty feet square."
Those who participated in the battle are as follows: Gen. Dodge, Thomas Jenkins. John Messersmith, Jr., Daniel M. Parkinson, Peter Parkinson, Jr .. Matthew G. Fitch, Dominick MeGraw, Samuel Black, Thomas H. Price, Benjamin Lawhead, Samuel Bunts, Levin Leach, Mc- Connell, Charles Bracken, Pascal Bequette, Dr. Allen Hill, Alexander Higginbotham, R. I. Kirkpatrick, Asa Duncan, William Carns, John Ilood. Samuel Patrick, W. W. Woodbridge and Messrs. Porter, Davies, Van Wagner, Morris. Wells and Rankin.
The wounded were four-Samuel Black, Wells and Morris mortally, and Thomas Jenkins severely wounded.
BATTLES OF WISCONSIN HEIGHTS AND BAD AXE.
About the first of July. 1832. the army commanded by Gen. Atkinson, operating against Black Hawk and his warriors, moved up the valley of the Rock River. The right wing com- posed of the United States regular soldiers, and Henry's brigade of Illinois volunteers, com- manded by Gen. Atkinson in person, marched on the cast side of the river. Gen. Alexander's brigade formed the center; the left wing, consisting of Posey's brigade and the miners under Gen. Henry Dodge, rendezvoused at Wiota, and marched from that place about the same time for Koshkonong Lake. Gen. Dodge's command consisted of five companies of mounted men, com- manded by Capts. Clark, Gentry, Dixon, Parkison and Jones, and about twenty Menomonee In- dians and eight or ten white men, under command of Col. W. S. Hamilton. Near Sugar River, he was joined by Capt. Stephenson's company of about eighty men from Galena, which aug- mented his force to about three hundred men. Dissatisfied with Gen. Posey's command, the volunteers on arriving at Koshkonong, procured an exchange with Alexander's brigade. The next day the forces moved up Rock River, and, on the second day. joined Gen. Atkinson at what was know as the burnt village on Bark River. To replenish their commissary supplies. Dodge's command with Henry's and Alexander's brigades, were ordered to Fort Winnebago, about fifty miles distant. where were ample stores. Gen. Dodge very imprudently proceeded toward the fort in advance of the supporting brigade. and throngh the heart of a country infested with a savage foc, estimated to number from eight hundred to twelve hundred braves. Fortunately the journey was accomplished in safety, and the welcome portals of Winnebago reached on the even- ing of the second day. Through the medium of Pierre Panquette, a half-breed, and several Win- nebago Indians, who happened to be at the fort, it was learned that Black Hawk had pitched his camp in the vicinity of Ilustis' Rapids on the Rock River. This information induced Dodge and Henry to forego a direct return to camp. according to Gen. Atkinson's orders; they con- sidering it wiser to deviate from a direct path ; for by striking Rock River above the enemy. they could place them between Atkinson's brigade and their united forces. and by this strategical move, the possibility of flight would be precluded, and the Indians forced to an encounter.
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