have
wintering with the Indians that the British band of Sac Indians are
determined to make war upon the frontier settlements. The British band
of Sac Indians did rendezvous at old Fort Madison, and induced a great
many of the young men to join them on their arrival at the Yellow
Banks. They crossed about five hundred head of horses into the State of
Illinois, and sent about seventy horses through the country toward
Rock River. The remainder, some on horseback the others in canoes, in a
fighting order, advanced up the Mississippi, and were encamped yesterday
five or six miles below Rock river and will no doubt endeavor to reach
their stronghold in the Rock river swamps if they are not intercepted.
From every information that I have received, I am of the opinion
that the intentions of the British band of Sac Indians is to commit
depredations on the inhabitants of the frontier." Respectfully, your
obedient servant, GEORGE DAVENPORT. [Signed,] "To Brig. Gen. Atkinson."

Being satisfied from the information thus acquired, that there was
danger ahead for the small settlements of whites in the Northern portion
of the State, he immediately addressed a letter to Gov. Reynolds, of
Illinois, from which we take the following:

FORT ARMSTRONG, April 13, 1832.

DEAR SIR:--The band of Sacs, under Black Hawk, joined by about one
hundred Kickapoos and a few Pottowattomies, amounting in all to about
five hundred men, have assumed a hostile attitude. They crossed the
river at the Yellow, Banks on the sixth inst., and are now moving up on
the east side of Rock river, towards the Prophet's village.

"The regular force under my command is too small to justify me in
pursuing the hostile party. To make an unsuccessful attempt to coerce
them would only irritate them to acts of hostility on the frontier
sooner than they probably contemplate.

"Your own knowledge of the character of these Indians, with the
information herewith submitted, will enable you to judge of the course
proper to pursue. I think the frontier is in great danger, and will use
all the means at my disposal to co-operate with you in its protection
and defense. With great respect, Your most obedient servant, H.
ATKINSON, Brigadier General of the U. S. Army, His Excellency, Gov.
Reynolds, Belleville, Ills."

On receipt of Gen. Atkinson's letter, Gov. Reynolds issued his
proclamation, calling out a strong detachment of militia to rendezvous
at Beardstown on the 22d