“It is not at all improbable but we shall come in conflict with the enemy in a day or two. On such an occasion it is only necessary for the troops to be firm. If they stand, and more particularly if they advance upon the enemy, success is inevitable. “The several corps and brigades will be in readiness to move to-morrow morning.” Superior officers seemed not to know how to manage the men, all of whom had votes they dared not antagonize at home, and here, surrounded with swamps, provisions scarce and no enemy in sight, with a remarkable spirit of procrastination rampant, the capture of Black Hawk seemed extremely remote. While it was the boast of the army of volunteers that it contained the leading spirits of the state, we are forced to the conclusion that it had been much better for the state and the reputation of the army if there had been in it and commanding fewer judges of the Supreme Court, members of Congress and candidates for various other offices, and more of such men as Henry and Dodge. ----- Footnote 192: Posey. Footnote 193: 2d Lt. Samuel Bowman of Capt. Gershom Patterson’s Company, who was killed at the Battle of the Bad Axe, Aug. 2. Footnote 194: It has been said he crossed the boundary line between Illinois and the present state of Wisconsin on this day, at a point where the Turtle Village was located, where Beloit now stands. Wakefield, p. 4. Thwaites, 32. Ford, 31. Moses, 372. But I quote Johnston’s Journal, written on the day and on the spot. Footnote 195: A.S. Johnston’s Journal. Footnote 196: Ford states that this old Indian was put to death by a later detachment, but that is a mistake. Footnote 197: Johnston’s Journal. ----- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXX. CONSOLIDATION OF THE DIVISIONS–CAPTAIN DUNN SHOT–HENRY, ALEXANDER AND DODGE DETACHED TO MOVE TO FORT WINNEBAGO–POSEY SENT TO FORT HAMILTON–DISINTEGRATION OF THE ARMY–ALEXANDER’S RETURN.