Official American And British Accounts Of The Battle Of Credit Island

 

Major Zachary Taylor

I’ve included several accounts of the Battle of Credit Island on this site. The following accounts were written by—Major Zachary Taylor and Lieutenant Duncan Graham (British Army).

 

The info is reprinted from Mersey, William A.. “Credit Island, 1814-1914.” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. January 1915. P. 359-368.

 

American Expedition to Wipe Out Saukenuk

 

There was nothing to hinder Indian depredations in the Upper Mississippi Valley. St. Louis was the farthest northern and western point where an American Army was located. It was decided that the Indian Village at Rock River (The Sac near its mouth and the Fox on the west side of the Mississippi opposite the lower end of Rock Island) should be destroyed. Major Zachary Taylor, with a detachment of three hundred and thirty-four men in eight large fortified keel boats, left Cap Au Gris on the 23rd of August, and on the evening of September 5th, reached Rock River. On his arrival, Indians in large number made their appearance. After they had passed the mouth of Rock River, the wind began to blow a hurricane, and Taylor’s boats were blown toward the small island above Credit Island, where about four o’clock a landing was made.

Whiteside’s boat was mortally wounded by an Indian. At daylight the Indians began to gather in the vicinity of the boats, and Major Taylor disembarked his troops and formed them for action, pushing through the willows to the Iowa side and began firing. Captain Rector was ordered to drop down with his boat to the large island, Credit Island, and attack the Indians there with his artillery. The Indians who were reinforced by the company of British soldiers under Lieutenant Duncan Graham, began a fierce firing on the Americans. The British three pounder and the two swivels doing great damage to Taylor’s boats, and after a spirited contest, Taylor, to save his fleet, ordered his boats to drop downstream. The American loss was three men killed and eight badly wounded.

 

Major Taylor gives a full account of the Battle as he saw it from his boat. He says:

 

Sir: In obedience to your orders, I left Fort Independence on the 2d ult. and reached Rock River, our place of destination, on the evening of the 4th, Inst., without meeting a single Indian or any occurrence worthy of relation.

 

“On my arrival at the mouth of Rock River, the Indians began to make their appearance in considerable numbers; running up the Mississippi to the upper village and crossing the river below us. After passing Rock River, which is very small at the mouth, from an attentive and careful examination, as I proceeded up the Mississippi, I was confident it was impossible for us to enter its mouth with our large boats. Immediately opposite its mouth a large island commences, which, together with the western shore of the Mississippi, was covered with a considerable number of horses, which were doubtless placed in those situations in order to draw small detachments on shore; but in this they were disappointed, and I determined to alter the plan which you had suggested, which was to pass the different villages as if the object of the expedition was Prairie du Chien, for several reasons. First, that I might have an opportunity of viewing the situation of the ground to enable me to select such a landing as would bring our artillery to bear on the villages with the greatest advantage. I was likewise in hopes a party would approach us with a flag, from which I expected to learn the situation of affairs, at the Prairie, and ascertain in some measure their numbers and perhaps bring them to a council, which I should have been able to have retaliated on them for their repeated acts of treachery; or, if they were determined to attack us, I was in hopes to draw them some distance from their towns towards the rapids, run down in the night and destroy them before they could return to their defense. But in this, I was disappointed. The wind, which had been in our favor, began to shift about at the time we passed the mouth of Rock River, and by the time we reached the head of the island, which is about a mile and a half long, it blew a perfect hurricane, quarterly down the river, and it was with great difficulty we made land on a small island, containing six or eight acres, covered with willows, near the middle of the river, and about sixty yards from the upper end of the island. In this situation I determined to remain during the night if the storm continued, as I knew the anchors of several of the boats in that event would not hold them, and there was a great probability of their being drifted on sandbars, of which the river is full in this place, which would have exposed the men very much in getting them off, even if they could have prevented their filling with water.

 

“It was about 4 o’clock in the evening when we were compelled to land, and large parties of Indians were on each side of the river, as well as crossing in different directions in canoes; but not a gun was fired from either side. The wind continued to blow the whole night with violence, accompanied with some rain, which induced me to order the sentinels to be brought in and placed in the bow of each boat. About daylight, Captain Whiteside’s boat was fired on at the distance of about fifteen paces, and a corporal, who was on the outside of the boat, was mortally wounded. My orders were, if a boat was fired on, to return it, but not a man to leave the boat without positive orders from myself. So soon as it got perfectly light, as the enemy continued about the boat, I determined to drive them from the island, let their numbers be what they might, provided we were able to do so. I then assigned each boat a proper guard, formed the troops for action and pushed through the willows to the opposite shore; but those fellows who had the boldness to fire on the boats cleared themselves as soon as the troops were formed by wading from the island we were encamped on to the one just below us. Captain Whiteside, who was on the left, was able to give them a warm fire as they reached the island they had retreated to. They returned the fire for a few moments, when they retreated. In this affair, we had two men badly wounded. When Captain Whiteside commenced the fire, I ordered Captain Rector to drop down with his boat to ground and to rake the island below with artillery, and to fire on every canoe he should discover passing from one shore to the other, which should come within reach. In this situation he remained about one hour, and no Indians making their appearance, he determined to drop down the island sixty yards and destroy several canoes that were lying to shore. This he effected, and just on setting his men on board, the British commenced a fire on our boats with a six, a four and two swivels, from behind a knoll that completely covered them. The boats were entirely exposed to the artillery, which was distant three hundred and fifty paces from us. So soon as the first gun fired, I ordered a six-pounder to be brought out and placed, but, on recollecting a moment, I found the boat would be sunk before any impression could be made on them by our cannon, as they were completely under cover, and had already brought their guns to bear on our boats, for the round shot from their six passed through Lieutenant Hempstead’s boat and shattered her considerably. I then ordered the boats to drop down, which was done in order and conducted with the greatest coolness by every officer, although exposed to a constant fire from their artillery for more than half a mile.

 

So soon as they commenced firing from their artillery, the Indians raised a yell and commenced firing on us from every direction, whether they were able to do us any danger or not. From each side of the river, Captain Rector, who was laying to the shore of the island, was attacked the instant the first gun was fired, by a very large party, and in a close and well-contested action of about fifteen minutes, they drove them, after giving three rounds of grape from his three-pounder.

 

“Captain Whiteside, who was nearest to Captain Rector, dropped down and anchored nigh him, and gave the enemy several fires with his swivel; but the wind was so hard downstream as to drift his anchor. Captain Rector, at that moment, got his boat off, and we were then exposed to the fire of the Indians for two miles, which we returned with interest from our small arms and small pieces of artillery whenever we could get them to bear. I was compelled to drop down about three miles before a proper place presented itself for landing, as but few of the boats had anchors sufficient to stop them in the river. Here I halted for the purpose of having the wounded attended and some of the boats repaired, as some of them had been injured by the enemy’s artillery. They followed us in their boats until we halted on a small prairie and prepared for action, when they returned in as great hurry as they followed us.

 

“I then collected the officers together and put the following question to them: ‘Are we able, three hundred and thirty-four effective men, officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, to fight the enemy with any prospect of success and effect, which is to destroy their villages and corn?’ They were of the opinion the enemy was at least three men to one, and that it was not practicable to effect either object. I then determined to drop down the river to the Lemoine without delay, as some of the ranging officers informed me their men were short of provisions, and execute the principal object of the expedition, in erecting a fort to command the river. This shall be effected as soon as practicable with the means in my power, and should the enemy attempt to descend the river in force before the fort can be completed, every foot of the way from the fort to the settlement shall be contested.

 

“In the affair at Rock River, I had eleven men badly wounded, three mortally, of whom one has since died. I am much indebted to the officers for their prompt obedience to orders, nor do I believe a braver set of men could have been collected than those who compose this detachment. But, Sir, I conceive it would have been madness in me, as well as a direct violation of my orders, to have risked the detachment without a prospect of success. I believe I should have been fully able to have accomplished your views if the enemy had not been supplied with artillery and so advantageously posted as to render it impossible for us to have dislodged him without imminent danger of the loss of the whole detachment.

 

“I am, Sir, yours, etc.

 

“ZA. TAYLOR, BREV. MAJ.

“COM. DETACHMENT.”

 

THE BRITISH ACCOUNT.

 

Lieutenant Graham, the day after the battle, writes his superior giving a full account. He places the date as the Sixth, while from Major Taylor’s letter we would infer it to have been the fifth. From my research, I am inclined to believe the date as mentioned by Graham is correct and that Major Taylor was mistaken as to the date. Graham writes:

 

Rock River, Sept. 7, 1814.

 

Capt. Thomas G. Anderson¹⁶

 

Sir: I mentioned to you in my letter of the 4th inst., by the information I had from the Indians, that the enemy were within thirty leagues of this place on their way up. As soon as I found out their strength, I concluded the place of their destination must be La Prairie du Chien. The Rapids was the only place where we could attack such a force to any advantage. On the 5th inst. we moved to the west side of the island and took our position at the narrowest part of the channel, the only place where they could pass at that point. We were determined to dispute the road with them, inch by inch.

 

They appeared in sight at 4 o’clock p. m. with a strong fair wind. There were eight large boats, four of which were equal in size to the one that made her escape from the Prairie. The largest of them had a white flag flying at her masthead. When they came to the head of Credit Island, about two miles from us, a storm of rain, thunder and lightning came on, and the wind shifted to the opposite point of the compass, which compelled them to pass the remainder of the day, and that night here. All the women and children were sent to the Island. I took all the Sioux with us to cover the guns in case of being obliged to retreat, as they promised they would rather be killed to the last man than give up the guns.

 

I told the Sauks, in case the enemy should attempt to land at their village, to retreat to the island, and then we would return and attack them. The sixth, at break of day, some of the Sauks came to us and requested that we should attack them immediately, as the wind was against them, and some of their boats were aground. We crossed to the mainland at the Foxes’ Village. There we left our boats and went as quick as possible through the prairie, unperceived by the enemy, until we were on the beach opposite to them. Here we had a close view of them. I had no idea of the enormous size of their boats before. They lay with their broadsides close to a low sandy beach. The largest of them had six port-holes open on the side next to us. The channel was about six hundred yards broad.

 

We were on an elevated spot, but no covering. I requested the Indians not to waste their ammunition firing at the boats, and save it in case the enemy should attempt to land. They did so. Finding they could not make up matters with the Sauks, as they had killed one of their sentinels in the night, they took down the white flag, and put up the bloody in its place, which I believe to be a signal of no quarters. It was then seven o’clock in the morning. Everything being ready, we opened a brisk fire from the three-pounder and two swivels on their boats. In about three-quarters of an hour the largest of their boats, which was ahead of the others, after having about fifteen shots through her, began to push off, and dropped astern of the rest, and made the best of her way down the current. The others soon followed her. We kept firing at them along the bank, as far as the ground would permit us to drag the guns; but they soon got out of our reach.

 

They went on about a league, and put to shore. I thought they might intend to throw up some breast-works, and make a stand at that place. I sent immediately for the boats to go with all the Indians, to endeavor to dislodge them from there. By the time we were ready to embark, some of the Indians that followed, returned and informed us, that it appeared to them that the Americans had committed the bodies of some of their men to a watery grave, well knowing if they buried them on shore, they would be torn to pieces. They then got up their sails, the wind being fair, and made the best of their way off. As the enemy landed at that place, the Indians say they were about a thousand men. I think their number to be between six and eight hundred.

 

If we had had a larger supply of ammunition and provisions, we might have harassed them as far as the Rapids of the River Des Moines; but having only a scanty supply of the one, and entirely destitute of the other, we were obliged to give up pursuing them any further. Although we have not been able to capture any of their boats, they have been completely repulsed, and I have every reason to believe with a considerable loss, as out of fifty-four shots that we fired at them, there was only three or four that did not go through their boats. The action lasted about an hour. One of the swivels was served by Lieutenant Brisbois, and the other by Colin Campbell, which they executed with credit to themselves, and all attached to the expedition behaved themselves in a manner worthy of veteran troops, for they seemed to vie with each other who would be the foremost, notwithstanding they were entirely exposed to the enemy’s shot, and I am happy to say, that not a man was hurt. It is to the skill and courage of Serg’t. Keating, on whom everything depended, that we owe our success, and no praise of mine can bestow on him what he deserves. As the Indians had no communication with the enemy, I have not been able to find out who commanded the American expedition.

 

Sir, I am, etc.

 

DUNCAN GRAHAM, Lieut. Indian Dept.

 

From a letter dated October 11th, written from Prairie du Chien by Captain Anderson to Col. R. McDouall we learn,

 

“That five of the eight gun-boats, that were driven back from the Rock River (the other three are supposed to have continued their route to St. Louis, are at the entrance of the River Des Moines; and the Americans have built a fort there, on the east side of the Mississippi, about one hundred and forty leagues from this, and about halfway from this to St. Louis, two leagues below the fort of the Rapids. Interpreter Guillroy, who headed this party of eight Sauks, reports to have been within musket shot of the fort for a whole day, and discovered three men, two of which he supposed were looking for honey; and wishing to take them prisoners, prevailed upon the Indians not to fire upon them. By this means they unfortunately made their escape. The third man was walking about the boat, all of which they had uncovered, and made use of the boards to cover their houses.

 

The fort is about fifty yards square, and is picketed in with very large oak pickets, about twelve feet high, and is situated on a high hill that terminates at the waterside, where their boats are hauled up. They have cleared all the trees and brush from the back part of their fort to the distance of musket shot; but in front to the waterside, they have left a thick wood standing; I suppose to cover their going for water. At the north side of their fort, about seven or eight hundred yards distance, is a small hill or elevation, which rather exceed the fort in height, and entirely covers the approach of troops till the extremity of the hill is attained. The Mississippi at this place is about ten or twelve hundred yards wide, and clear from islands.

 

Col. John Shaw, who was with Major Taylor’s expedition in 1856, dictated his recollections of the battle to Lyman C. Draper. He said:

 

The attack occurred on a very bright morning; the preceding night was cloudy, very windy, with some rain. The first cannonball from the British passed through Taylor’s boat, called the Commodore. Yet Taylor in his report says it was Hempstead’s boat; it may be that Hempstead was the Captain of the Commodore, while Taylor was commander of the expedition.

 

“It became necessary for someone to expose himself in order to cast a cable from a disabled boat which was drifting fast towards the shore where the Indians were, to Captain Whiteside’s boat, and one Paul Harpole greatly exposed himself in accomplishing the object. But having done this, he lingered, and one after another he shot at the enemy fourteen guns handed to him, when he was shot in the forehead and tumbled forward into the river. The crippled boat was saved, but poor Harpole’s exploit in which he lost his life, was the wonder and admiration of all. Harpole was a young man of some twenty-three years of age, and resided near Wood’s Fort in Missouri, where he had always been celebrated for his strength and activity and was possessed of much backwoods wit and humor.”

 

Before you go ...

If you’ve ever said, “I remember that place”… this blog is for you.

I dig up the stories, the lost stores, the old Iowa you don’t see anymore. No clickbait. No junk. Just real nostalgia.

 

If you enjoy it, consider tossing a few bucks in the donation slot. It helps keep this thing going.

Buy me a Big Gulp / Support Retro Iowa