l Atkinson, at Rock
Island. Major Stillman, having under his command two hundred and
seventy-five mounted men, the chief part of whom were volunteers,
while a few like myself were regular scouts, obtained leave of General
Whitesides, then lying at Dixon's Ferry, to go on a scouting expedition.

"I knew well what would follow; but still, as I was under orders, I was
obliged to obey, and together with the rest proceeded some thirty miles
up Rock river to where Sycamore creek empties into it. This brought us
to within six or eight miles of the camp of Black Hawk, who, on that
day--May 14th-was engaged in preparing a dog feast for the purpose of
fitly celebrating a contemplated visit of some Pottawattomie chiefs.

"Soon after preparing to camp we saw three Indians approach us bearing
a white flag; and these, upon coming up, were made prisoners. A second
deputation of five were pursued by some twenty of our mounted militia,
and two of them killed, while the other three escaped. One of the party
that bore the white flag was, out of the most cowardly vindictiveness,
shot down while standing a prisoner in camp. The whole detachment,
after these atrocities, now bore down upon the camp of Black Hawk,
whose braves, with the exception of some forty or fifty, were away at a
distance.

"As we rode up, a galling and destructive fire was poured in upon us
by the savages, who, after discharging their guns, sprung from their
coverts on either side, with their usual horrible yells, and continued
the attack with their tomahawks and knives. My comrades fell around me
like leaves; and happening to cast my eyes behind me, I beheld the whole
detachment of militia flying from the field. Some four or five of us
were left unsupported in the very midst of the foe, who, renewing their
yells, rushed down upon us in a body. Gideon Munson and myself were
taken prisoners, while others were instantly tomahawked and scalped.
Munson, during the afternoon, seeing, as he supposed, a good opportunity
to escape, recklessly attempted to do so, but was immediately shot down
by his captor. And I now began to wish that they would serve me in the
same manner, for I knew that if recognized by the savages, I should be
put to death by the most horrible tortures. Nothing occurred, however,
to give me any real uneasiness upon this point till the following
morning, when Black Hawk, passing by me, turned and eyed me keenly for a
moment or so. Then, stepping close to me