1st) we found the gentlemen [Indians] where he stated he left them.  As we neared them, they raised a white flag, and endeavored to decoy us; but we were a little too old for them; for instead of landing, we ordered them to send a boat on board, which they declined.  After about fifteen minutes delay, giving them time to remove a few of their women and children, we let slip a six-pounder, loaded with canister, followed by a severe fire of musketry; and if ever you saw straight blankets, you would have seen them there.  I fought them at anchor most of the time and we were all very much exposed.  I have a ball which came in close by where I was standing, and passed through the bulkhead of the wheel room.  We fought them for about an hour or more until our wood began to fail, and night coming on, we left and went on to the prairie.  This little fight cost them twenty-three killed, and of course a great many wounded.  We never lost a man, and had but one man wounded, (shot through the leg.) The next morning before we could get back again, on account of a heavy fog, they had the whole [of General Atkinson’s] army upon them.  We found them at it, walked in, and took a hand ourselves.  The first shot from the Warrior laid out three.  I can hardly tell you any thing about it, for I am in great haste, as I am now on my way to the field again.  The army lost eight or nine killed, and seventeen wounded, whom we brought down.  One died on deck last night.  We brought down thirty-six prisoners, women and children.  I tell you what, Sam, there is no fun in fighting Indians, particularly at this season, when the grass is so very bright.  Every man, and even my cabin-boy, fought well.  We had sixteen regulars, five rifle men, and twenty of ourselves.  Mr. How, of Platt, Mr. James G. Soulard, and one of the Rolettes, were with us and fought well.”

The flippant and vaunting style of this letter is in good keeping with the spirit which prompted the firing upon a flag of truce.  By what circumstance the commander of the Warrior ascertained that this white flag was intended as a decoy, is left wholly unexplained.  As he and his men, were beyond the reach of the Indians, humanity and the rules of war, required that he should have allowed himself more than fifteen minutes, to ascertain the true object of the Indians, in raising the symbol of a capitulation.  Black Hawk himself, asserts that he directed his braves not to fire upon the Warrior, as he intended going on board in order to save the women and children; that he raised a white flag and called to the captain of the boat, desiring him to send his canoe on shore, that he might go on board, as he wanted to give himself up.  The deplorable condition to which Black Hawk was at this time reduced, flying for safety to the west side of the Mississippi, encumbered by his women and children, and his whole party exhausted by fatigue and hunger, renders it extremely difficult to believe