The Black Hawk War Including a Review of Black Hawk's LifeStevens, Frank Everett
History
The Black Hawk War Including a Review of Black Hawk's Life
Stevens, Frank Everett
Black Hawk War, 1832; Black Hawk, Sauk chief, 1767-1838
“Whole army, consisting of 1,300 horses and some foot, removed seven
miles and again encamped four miles north of Rushville. The two
companies from Adams were now attached to the Greene, Montgomery and
Bond troops and formed into a regiment to the command of which Col.
Jacob Fry of Greene County was elected. Major Gregory commanded the
battalion of Greene troops and Capt. Philip W. Martin of Adams was
elected to the command of the battalion composed of the Adams, Bond
and Montgomery troops. David Crow succeeded Martin in the command of
the Bear Creek Company of Adams troops. E.S. Freeman of Adams was
appointed adjutant to the regiment, Hiram Bennett of Montgomery
quartermaster, E.L.R. Wheelock of Adams paymaster, Dr. Dulaney of
Greene surgeon and Calvert Roberts of Montgomery sergeant-major. A
brigade had been formed previous to the troops leaving Beardstown, to
command which General Samuel Whitesides was appointed by Governor
Reynolds, who accompanied the army on its march. Mr. Nathaniel
Buckmaster of Madison County received the appointment of brigade
major, after having been a candidate for the command of the regiment,
consisting in part of the troops from his own county, and after having
been rejected by them.
“Tuesday, May 1.
“Took up line of march for Yellow Banks, 70 or 75 miles distant;
traveled about 25 miles and encamped in McDonough County.
“Wednesday, May 2.
“Continued our march successfully and encamped at night, by order of
Mr. Buckmaster, in a large prairie, two miles from timber or water.
Night cold and tempestuous–much dissatisfaction and murmuring among
the troops. All cursing Buck for keeping them in the prairie.
“Thursday, May 3.
“About 12 o’clock reached Henderson River; not fordable–no boats or
canoes. No pioneers had been sent forward to construct bridges. Army
crossed in great disorder by felling trees into the river at different
places, making thereby a show of bridges upon which the troops crossed
with difficulty and swam their horses–two or three horses drowned.
Continued our march to the Yellow Banks in Warren County, which we
reached before night and encamped. Provision scarce. Hogs shot by the
soldiers. Supplies brought up Mississippi River by steamboat William
Wallace. No guard placed out at night.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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