On the night of August first an old Sac Indian was captured. Unable to keep pace with the main body he had been abandoned. The army was now about ten miles from the Mississippi and from the captured Indian it was learned that Black Hawk intended to cross the great river early the following day. General Atkinson’s army was nearly exhausted from its recent exertions and he decided that a few hours’ rest was absolutely necessary for his men. Accordingly, a halt was called about eight o’clock of the evening of August first, and orders given to proceed at two o’clock the following morning.
At that hour the bugles sounded and the army once more was soon on the march. A grim spirit of determination filled the men and they were eager for the fray.
“I wish we were in front,” complained Robert as they started out.
“Don’t worry, Red,” advised Mason. “I have a feeling that we’ll get all the fighting we want, all right.”
“Look at Deerfoot,” directed Joseph in a low voice.
The Pottowattomie rode proudly forward, his head held high and a gleam in his eyes that boded ill for his enemies. His attitude reflected that of the whole army.
CHAPTER XXIX
BAD AXE
Suddenly shots were heard. A bugle sounded and the men realized that the deciding struggle of the war had commenced. Orders were at once given for the army to form for the attack. An orderly came riding furiously through the lines with orders from General Atkinson. Alexander and Posey with their commands formed the right wing, Dodge with his regulars the center, and General Henry the left.
The firing increased. Dense timber afforded a protection to the Sacs and hindered the operations of the army. An advance was ordered, however, and the Indians withdrew slowly. Their fire seemed to come from a wide range of ground and it was confidently believed that now the main body of Black Hawk’s force had been encountered. Upstream the Indians retreated. A proof of John Mason’s remark as to the jealousy borne General Henry was provided by the commands which next were issued. The right wing and the center were ordered to pursue the savages. General Henry, however, received no orders at all and so was apparently left out of the fight entirely. This was evidently part of a plan to deprive him of any share in the honor which everyone felt was to be won in this fight.
“A mean shame!” protested John Mason hotly. “I knew they were going to try something like this all the time.”