s I had been told that the
Americans would not fight.

Our next movement was against a fortified place. I was stationed with my
braves to prevent any person going to, or coming from the fort. I found
two men taking care of cattle and took them prisoners. I would not kill
them, but delivered them to the British war chief. Soon after, several
boats came down the river fail of American soldiers. They landed on the
opposite side, took the British batteries, and pursued the soldiers that
had left them. They went too far without knowing the strength of the
British and were defeated. I hurried across the river, anxious for an
opportunity to show the courage of my braves, but before we reached the
scene of battle all was over.

The British had taken many prisoners and the Indians were killing them.
I immediately put a stop to it, as I never thought it brave, but base
and cowardly to kill in unarmed and helpless foe. We remained here for
some time. I can not detail what took place, as I was stationed with my
braves in the woods. It appeared, however, that the British could not
take this fort, for we marched to another, some distance off. When we
approached it, I found a small stockade, and concluded that there were
not many men in it. The British war chief sent a flag of truce. Colonel
Dixon carried it, but soon returned, reporting that the young war chief
in command would not give up the fort without fighting. Colonel Dixon
came to me and said, "you will see to-morrow, how easily we will take
that fort." I was of the same opinion, but when the morning came I was
disappointed. The British advanced and commenced the attack, fighting
like true braves, but were defeated by the braves in the fort, and
a great number of our men were killed. The British army was making
preparations to retreat. I was now tired of being with them, our success
being bad, and having got no plunder. I determined on leaving them and
returning to Rock river, to see what had become of my wife and children,
as I had not heard from them since I left home. That night I took about
twenty of my braves, and left the British camp for home. On our journey
we met no one until we came to the Illinois river. Here we found two
lodges of Pottawattomies. They received us in a very friendly manner,
and gave us something to eat. I inquired about their friends who were
with the British. They said there had been some fighting on the Illinois
river, and that my friend, the Peo