AN HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 29 
exception of occasional Indian skirmishes in the vicinity of 
the settlements above and below St. Louis — in which the 
well-known warrior, Black Hawk, took a prominent part— 
we have little to note in the way of historical incident per- 
taining to this immediate section of country till the year 
1814. At this time, the success which had attended the 
American arms in the defeat of the Indians under Tecum- 
seh, Perry’s victory on Lake Erie, and the retaking of De- 
troit, induced the United States military authorities at St. 
Louis to give some attention to securing the important mil- 
itary position at Prairie du Chien, then threatened by the 
British forces at Mackinaw. Accordingly, in the spring of 
1814, some gunboats were sent up with a view to protect 
the feeble garrison then engaged in enlarging their means 
of defence. But before these arrangements could be prop- 
erly carried out, a British military expedition, composed 
largely of Indian traders, clerks, and employes in the inter- 
est of the English fur-trading companies, with the usual 
complement of Indian savages, the whole being under com- 
mand of Col. McKay, left Mackinaw, and by the usual trav- 
eled route made their appearance unexpectedly before the 
feeble Fort, and demanded its surrender. According to the 
most reliable authorities, this attack oceurred on July 17th. 
Lieut. Perkins, the American officer in command of the 
Fort, at first declined to surrender, but after several days 
skirmishing, the supply of ammunition being nearly exhaust- 
ed, and especially fears of a general Indian massacre in case 
of a successful assault, induced a capitulation on the fourth 
day. As soon after as practicable the Ameriean troops 
were sent down the river. to St. Louis, being escorted as far 
as Rock river by asmall company of British soldiers, to 
prevent them from Indian assault in their defenceless con- 
dition. 
Before the fact of this capture was made known to the 
military authorities at St. Louis, Lieut. Campbell had been 
gre 
