rses across the river, and promptly occupy the country between
his position and the Lead Mines at Galena, a distance of about sixty
miles, with headquarters at Kellogg's Grove, thirty-seven miles in the
direction of Galena and Apple River Fort. There had been stationed at
the grove two companies of Regulars, commanded by Major Riley, and three
companies of Volunteers that had abandoned this position the day before
the arrival of Major Dement, and left the country without protection
and entirely unguarded. These troops had been engaged in two or three
skirmishes with the Indians, and according to the reports of the
soldiers, had been worsted in each. Major Dement's command numbered
one hundred and forty men, all told, not one of whom had ever seen any
military experience, but they were men to be relied upon. They were
citizen soldiers, brave and intelligent, equal to any emergency, and had
no superiors in the service. This being an odd battalion, Major Dement
was entitled to the staff of a Colonel. His staff was composed of
Zadoc Casey, Paymaster; ------ Anderson, Colonel Hicks, and others.
The Captains of the companies, and the staff officers, were leading
citizens, who had, at short warning, left their several avocations to
engage in defending the country against the attacks of the Indians.

MAJOR DEMENT'S BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS.

On the evening of the second day, after crossing Rock river, the Major's
command marched to the stockade at Kellogg's Grove and encamped. In the
morning, learning that Indian traces had been seen four or five miles
from the grove, twenty-five volunteers were called for to go out
and reconnoitre. This number was quickly filled, nearly every one
volunteering being an officer, and, as it afterward turned out, they
were unfortunately accepted. These volunteers had not yet gotten out
of sight of their camp, before three Indians were seen on their ponies
between the fort and a small grove on the prairie, riding backward and
forward. The reconnoitering party started after them in one, two and
three order, according to the speed of their horses, while the Indians
made straight for the small grove. Major Dement, who was watching the
movements of the volunteers from his camp, and seeing the movements of
the Indians, at once suspected a trap, mounted with a portion of his
men, and went to their aid. His men that had first started were a
mile out upon the prairie in pursuit of those few Indians. Bei