Abraham Lincoln and the Black Hawk War

April 7, 1832, New Salem, Illinios, Abraham Lincoln is elected captain of company in Thirty-first Regiment of Illinois Militia.

April 19, 1832, News reaches New Salem of Gov. Reynolds' call for mounted volunteers to meet at Beardstown April 22, 1832 to drive Black Hawk and his band west of Mississippi River. Sangamon County is called on for 350 men. 

April 21, 1832, New Salem and Richland, Illinois: In preparation for service in the Black Hawk War, volunteers from the New Salem area gathered at the farm of Dallis Scott on Richland Creek, about nine miles southwest of New Salem. There, they organized a militia company and elected Abraham Lincoln as their captain—a role he would later describe as one of his greatest honors. On the same day, Lincoln gave William Sampson a receipt “in full of all demands up to the day,” likely settling financial matters before departing. Reflecting in 1860, Lincoln recalled that “in less than a year Offutt's business was failing—had almost failed—when the Black Hawk War of 1832 broke out,” referring to his employer Denton Offutt’s store, which had struggled prior to the war.

April 22, 1832, Abraham Lincoln’s newly formed militia company encamped at Beardstown. A wrestling match between Lincoln and Lorenzo Dow Thompson was held to determine which company—Lincoln’s or Captain William Moore’s—would claim the preferred campsite. Lincoln was defeated in two straight falls. That same day, Governor John Reynolds wrote to General Henry Atkinson at Fort Armstrong, reporting that he anticipated having “about 1,500 mounted men on the 25th or 26th.” A wet spring had delayed farming, and many volunteer farmers expected to return home soon to tend their fields. Horses were difficult to obtain, and forage for them was already scarce.

April 23-26, 1832, Abraham Lincoln and other captains hold light drills. Two Sauk messengers sent by Gen. Atkinson return from Black Hawk's camp and report that Black Hawk and chiefs of band say they have "no bad intentions," but will not return to west side of Mississippi. 

April 25, 1832, Captain Abraham Lincoln draws from Brigade Quartermaster William Thomas corn, pork, salt, one barrel of flour, and five and a half gallons of whiskey.

April 26, 1832, Captain Abraham Lincoln draws fifty pounds of lead.

April 27, 1832, Beardstown, Illinois. Captain Abraham Lincoln draws one axe from the quartermaster.

April 28, 1832, Captain Abraham Lincoln's company is enrolled in state service by Col. John J. Hardin, inspector general and mustering officer. Lincoln drew supplies: soap, candles, flints, 50-pound grid iron, 4 tin buckets, 7 coffee boilers, 7 tin pans, and 16 tin cups, as well as 1 keg powder, whiskey, corn, pork, flour, bread, salt, 3 blankets, 144 yards of domestic, and "1 Buck Tape." He also drew from Cyrus Edwards, acting quartermaster general, 30 muskets and bayonets. [When Lincoln returns these arms, three muskets and nine bayonets are missing.]

April 29, 1832, En Route to Yellow Banks, Illinois: The march from Beardstown begins as Governor Reynolds leads approximately 1,500 mounted militia toward Yellow Banks. Around 150 foot soldiers, lacking horses, are ordered to travel by boat to the same destination. That evening, the militia camps about three miles east of Rushville.

April 30, 1832, En Route to Yellow Banks, Illinois: The volunteer force advances, with differing accounts placing the day's march at either three or seven miles—Orville H. Browning notes the camp was moved four miles north of Rushville, while William Carpenter reports they camped in Rushville itself. General Samuel Whiteside issues strict orders prohibiting the firing of weapons within the camp without permission. Abraham Lincoln’s company is officially assigned to the Fourth Illinois Regiment of Mounted Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Samuel M. Thompson, part of Brigadier General Whiteside’s brigade. Notably, Thompson had begun his military service as a first lieutenant in Lincoln’s own company.

May 1, 1832, En Route to Yellow Banks, Illinois: After a 25-mile march, Captain Abraham Lincoln’s company camps along Crooked Creek, approximately six miles northeast of Macomb.

May 2, 1832, En Route to Yellow Banks, Illinois: After a 20-mile march, the volunteers camp on an open prairie, roughly 18 miles south of Yellow Banks and two miles from the nearest timber or water. Troops express growing dissatisfaction over the cold and damp conditions of the campsite.

May 3, 1832, En route to Yellow Banks, Illinois. the volunteer forces reached the Henderson River around noon, according to O.H. Browning, though Governor Reynolds and a Madison County volunteer reported arriving later in the evening. Reynolds described the river as 50 yards wide and "running like a milltail." To cross it, volunteers felled trees into the water and swam their horses across. They resumed their march and camped that night at Yellow Banks. The local citizens were calm, a mood that spread throughout the army—so much so that no guard was posted overnight. Provisions were running low, and some undisciplined troops resorted to shooting hogs on nearby farms. That day, Governor Reynolds also wrote to General Atkinson, requesting cartridges for 500 to 600 muskets.

May 5, 1832, Yellow Banks, Illinois: With the troops facing imminent starvation, Governor Reynolds sends three messengers to Fort Armstrong, 50 miles away, urgently requesting provisions. Without resupply, the men will be out of food within 24 hours.

May 6, 1832, En Route to Rock River: Before noon, the steamboat William Wallace arrives with much-needed supplies, followed later by another steamboat from Fort Armstrong carrying additional provisions. With rations secured, the volunteers resume their march toward the mouth of the Rock River, making camp that night on Camp Creek, 30 miles north of Yellow Banks.

May 7, 183, En Route to Rock River: The march continues with most baggage wagons allocated to officers’ gear, while enlisted men carry their own cooking utensils and rations for eight to ten days. After covering about 20 miles, the volunteers make camp near the Rock River at nightfall. According to Rock Island County tradition, the May 7–10 encampment stretched along the south side of the river near present-day Milan, possibly extending across Vandruff’s Island and even to the opposite bank, utilizing the river’s accessible fords.

May 8, 1832, Rock River, Illinois: At Camp near the Old Sac Village, Governor John Reynolds formally transfers command of the volunteer forces to General Henry Atkinson. That same day, Reynolds’ volunteers are mustered into federal service. A rumor circulates through the camp that Black Hawk and his followers are approaching downriver, heightening tensions. General Atkinson conducts a review of the troops and instructs them to be ready to march at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, Indian agent Felix St. Vrain later confirms that the volunteers remain encamped on Vandruff’s Island, across from the old Sac village.

May 9, 1832, Rock River, Illinois: General Henry Atkinson departs Fort Armstrong at 9:30 a.m. aboard the steamboat Java with U.S. regular troops. By 11:00 a.m., they arrive at the old Sauk village, where they join Governor Reynolds’ volunteer forces near the Rapids of the Rock River. However, the Java is unable to navigate past the rapids, limiting its further movement upriver.

May 10, 1832, En Route to Prophetstown, Illinois: Acting on General Atkinson’s orders, General Samuel Whiteside leads 1,500 mounted volunteers up the left bank of the Rock River, following Black Hawk’s trail. The column covers 26 miles in a day’s march. Meanwhile, General Atkinson and the regular U.S. troops advance by keelboats and mackinaw boats along the river. Colonel Zachary Taylor commands the regulars and the unmounted Illinois infantry during the movement.

May 11, 1832, Prophetstown, Illinois: General Whiteside's forces reach the abandoned village of the Prophet at noon and briefly halt to burn the remaining Indian huts. Pressing on, they continue marching twelve miles north, where Whiteside orders the abandonment of twenty baggage wagons to quicken the pace. A forced march follows toward Dixon’s Ferry, and the army makes camp eight miles south of the crossing.

May 12, 1832, Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: General Whiteside’s army arrives at Dixon’s Ferry at 10 a.m., low on supplies with less than two days’ rations remaining. There, Whiteside encounters Major Isaiah Stillman and his force of about 260 men. Despite Governor Reynolds’ request, Whiteside declines to assume command of Stillman’s troops.

May 13, 1832,  Dixon's Ferry, Illinois, battalions led by Major Isaiah Stillman and Major David Bailey set out with four days’ rations toward Old Man’s Creek, where a portion of Black Hawk’s band was believed to be camped. Governor John Reynolds, recognizing the impatience of Stillman’s and Bailey’s volunteers to await the arrival of General Henry Atkinson and the regular army, authorized them to proceed against the Native forces “to take all cautious measures to coerce [them] into submission.” That same day, Captain Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed a note granting Royal Potter a furlough to care for a sick man, one of his first recorded official acts during the Black Hawk War.

May 14, 1832, Battle of Stillman’s Run: In a disastrous and disorganized skirmish near Old Man’s Creek, poorly led Illinois militia forces panicked and fled when confronted by a small group of Black Hawk’s warriors—only about 40 to 50 in number. The confrontation began when several militia members ignored orders and attacked Native truce-bearers, provoking a full engagement. The militia was quickly routed, leaving 12 dead on the field as survivors retreated in disarray to Dixon’s Ferry. The defeat stirred widespread panic in Illinois and prompted a surge of militia mobilization. Meanwhile, General Samuel Whiteside's main force remained inactive, unaware of the scale of the disaster.

May 15, 1832, En Route to Stillman’s Battlefield: Survivors of the previous day’s rout staggered into Dixon’s Ferry before dawn, spreading alarming reports of a "terrible slaughter." The chaotic return of militia members deeply unsettled the encamped forces. Responding swiftly, Governor Reynolds issued a call for 2,000 additional volunteers to assemble at Hennepin by June 10. At 7 a.m., General Whiteside’s army—including Captain Abraham Lincoln’s company—set out for the site of the engagement. They reached the battlefield by sunset and were met with a grim scene: the bodies of the fallen had been scalped and mutilated. Abraham Lincoln, serving as a militia captain, assisted in burying the dead after the battle.

May 16, 1832, Stillman's Battlefield and En route to Dixon's Ferry, IL. Dead soldiers are buried. Before return march to Dixon's Ferry begins, Gen. Whiteside draws up army in battle line, "doubtless by way of challenge to Black Hawk." Hasty march is made by hungry army back to ferry. Gen. Atkinson has not arrived. Volunteers are eager to go home, and only by earnest appeal of Gov. Reynolds are officers able to hold men. Gen. Atkinson is encamped six miles below Dixon's Ferry.

May 17, 1832, Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: General Henry Atkinson arrived at noon with 320 regulars, volunteer infantry, and a six-pounder cannon, bolstering the army’s strength. Two Potawatomi chiefs entered camp and pledged their people would remain neutral. The regulars camped on the north side of the river, while the volunteers, including Captain Abraham Lincoln’s company, were stationed to the south. Atkinson issued strict orders prohibiting the unauthorized discharge of firearms. Lincoln’s company received a ration of 10 quarts of meal and 10 pounds of pork—though by this point, most supplies were being distributed to entire regiments rather than individual companies.

May 18, 1832, Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: Colonel William S. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, was sent out with a small scouting party to reconnoiter the area around Stillman’s defeat. Meanwhile, General Atkinson spent the day organizing and preparing the army for its upcoming march against Black Hawk’s forces.

May 19, 1832, En Route Up the Rock River: The army began its advance up the Rock River, with the regulars transporting a cannon and supplies by keelboat. After a day’s march, they established camp approximately 12 to 14 miles from Dixon’s Ferry.

May 20, 1832, En Route Up Rock River: The army marches four more miles and makes camp along the Rock River. General Atkinson receives reports of property damage in La Salle County and along the Fox and Illinois Rivers, where some men were pursued by Native forces but no casualties occurred.

May 21, 1832, En route up Rock River. Army meets William S. Hamilton at noon about six miles below Kishwaukee River. He reports that Indians had passed up that river. Regulars encamp above mouth of Old Man's Creek, and volunteers below. This is third camp above Dixon. Day's march is 16 miles. On march up Rock, volunteers apparently follow trail which is sometimes distant from river, but they encamp on river each night with regulars, who are in charge of keelboats.

May 22, 1832, En Route to Kishwaukee River: General Atkinson and the regular troops return to Dixon’s Ferry, which serves as the army’s headquarters and supply base. Colonel Zachary Taylor is assigned to accompany the volunteer forces as inspector general, tasked with overseeing their movements, camp arrangements, and battle formations. Captain W. S. Harney joins as assistant inspector. Meanwhile, General Whiteside leads 1,400 men on a 10-mile march northeast to the Kishwaukee River.

May 23, 1832, En Route to Potawatomi Village: The army marches 12 miles, following an Indian trail to a small Potawatomi village situated between the Kishwaukee River and its southern branch—both sometimes referred to as Sycamore Creek. On this day, two men who had been searching for lost horses return with news that a group of Native warriors heading north toward the Rock River has crossed the army’s path. Governor Reynolds convenes a council of brigade officers, who ultimately decide not to pursue the Native forces.

May 24, 1832 – En Route to Fox River: The army advances 25 miles and makes camp near Capa’s village along the South Branch, west of present-day Sycamore, Illinois.

May 25, 1832 – En Route to Fox River: Lincoln’s company marches 20 miles, camping six miles from Paw Paw Grove. Meanwhile, some volunteers reach the Fox River, about 20 miles north of Ottawa. The day is spent searching troops for plunder taken from Native villages..

May 26, 1832, En Route to Ottawa, Illinois: General Whiteside’s army reaches Ottawa, where the mustering out process begins. Lincoln’s regiment marches an additional 20 miles, camping two miles above the mouth of the Fox River. At Colonel Zachary Taylor’s recommendation, Governor Reynolds calls for the re-enlistment of five or six companies to remain in service until new recruits arrive.

May 27, 1832, Fort Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois: Captain Abraham Lincoln’s company is formally mustered out of U.S. service by Brigade Major Nathaniel Buckmaster. Lincoln prepares the muster roll for his company, certifying that the remarks regarding the activities of several members are accurate and fair. Shortly after, he reenlists, joining Captain Elijah Iles’ company for service in a 20-day regiment.

May 28, 1832, Fort Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois: After an all-day ride from Dixon’s Ferry, General Atkinson arrives in Ottawa. That same day, following the mustering out of the initial volunteer force, Governor Reynolds issues a call for a small ranger unit and 1,000 additional volunteers to rendezvous at Ottawa on June 12, supplementing the 2,000 troops he had summoned on May 15.

May 29, 1832, Fort Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois: Lieutenant Robert Anderson musters Abraham Lincoln and 71 others into a mounted volunteer company under Captain Elijah Iles. The company includes several former generals, colonels, and captains. Lincoln provides his own arms, valued at $10, and horse and equipment valued at $120. Anderson, of the Third U.S. Artillery, had been appointed assistant inspector general of the field troops on May 9, 1832, by order of Lieutenant Albert Sidney Johnston. Meanwhile, Colonel Jacob Fry, commanding the re-enlisted volunteers, is ordered by General Atkinson to prepare Fort Johnson—located on the south side of the Illinois River opposite the mouth of the Fox River—for the protection of local inhabitants.

May 30, 1832, Fort Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois: General Atkinson returns in the evening from a brief trip to the Illinois Rapids (Peru) to consult with Governor Reynolds. He decides to postpone the pursuit of Black Hawk until reinforcements from the new militia forces arrive, expected by June 15.

June 4, 1832, Fort Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois: A letter from Captain Bowling Green to Governor Reynolds, dated June 4 from Lincoln’s home village of New Salem, reflects the mindset on the Illinois frontier: "I have Raiseed A Malitia Company to Defend the frontiers if Necessary, we shall Wait your order if you think proper we should Like to Ranege on the frontiers at any of the points it is Dangerous the Boys has all got home well Except Hohimer, he is yet Like to Die. They appeared to Complain of the office[r]s when they first Come, but all appear satisfied, and willing to go back if it is thought proper, the people is alarmed in Fulton County and sent to me to Come with men to their assistanc no more, war is the order of the Day P.S. we are not anxious if the good of the Country Does not Require."

June 5, 1832, Fort Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois: General Atkinson orders Captain Iles' company to prepare for "an excursion of several days." The day is spent molding bullets and readying flintlocks. Atkinson commends the "prompt patriotic & soldierly conduct of the Illinois Corps of Volunteers under Col. Fry," which includes Iles’ company. He encourages the men to re-enlist at the end of their 20-day term, promising them preference over "new levies" and inviting them "in terms of confidence & esteem to share with him in the trials, dangers, & he hopes honors of anticipated conquest."

June 6, 1832, En route to Dixon's Ferry, Illinois: Captain Iles' company, reduced to about 50 men due to a detachment assigned to assist with transporting supplies from Illinois Rapids to Ottawa, left Ottawa on the march to Dixon's Ferry with orders to report to Colonel Zachary Taylor. “We wanted,” wrote Captain Iles, “to be as little encumbered as possible, and took nothing that could be dispensed with, other than blankets, tin cups, coffee pots, canteens, a wallet of bread, and some fat side meat, which we ate raw or broiled.” The company made camp southeast of the present town of Sublette in Lee County.

June 7, 1832, En route to Dixon's Ferry, Illinois: Captain Iles’ company reached Dixon’s Ferry in the afternoon and camped by a spring half a mile above the ferry on the left bank of the river. Iles and Lieutenant Colonel James D. Henry, who had joined the march seeking adventure, crossed the river to report to Colonel Taylor. A few days earlier, when Taylor had ordered a company of volunteers to march to Galena, the men had refused. Taylor remarked, “The more I see of the militia the less confidence I have of their effecting any thing of importance.”

June 8, 1832 – En route to Galena, Illinois: Captain Iles received orders to march to Galena, tasked with scouting the country for signs of Indians and gathering intelligence. At sundown, his company encountered Colonel Henry Dodge of the Michigan Territory (now Wisconsin), who was leading about 100 mounted men toward General Atkinson’s headquarters. The company made camp 20 miles from Dixon’s Ferry.

June 9, 1832 – En route to Galena, Illinois: Captain Iles’ company continued its march and camped about 100 yards from Apple River Fort. The night before, Indians had stolen twelve horses from the area, and earlier that day, they had fired at and chased two men into the fort. The company slept with their weapons in hand. During the night, Lieutenant Colonel Henry drilled the men, organizing them into two lines—one to fire and fall back to reload while the other stepped forward to continue the attack.

June 10, 1832, upon arriving in Galena, Illinois. Captain Iles’ company found the townspeople deeply demoralized. In a later report to Colonel Taylor, they noted that the citizens were so frightened they would take no action to stop Indians from recrossing the Mississippi—“were they to pass in sight of their doors.”

June 11, 1832, En route to Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: Captain Iles began the return march to Dixon’s Ferry, carrying letters and dispatches from Colonel James M. Strode. The company camped for the night at the same location near Apple River Fort where they had stayed on June 9.

June 12, 1832, En Route to Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: The company continued its march and camped for the night at the same site used on June 8. That day, General Atkinson relocated his headquarters from Ottawa to Fort Wilbourn, a recently built post near Crosiar’s Ferry on the south side of the Illinois River. The fort was situated at the foot of the rapids, about one and a half miles below the Little Vermilion River and at the head of steamboat navigation.

June 13, 1832, Captain Iles and his company arrived at Dixon’s Ferry. On the way, they passed through Buffalo Grove—about 12 miles from the ferry—where they encountered a camp of 170 Sioux, Menominee, and Winnebago warriors under the command of Colonel William S. Hamilton. Iles reported evidence of small bands of hostile Indians in the area who had carried out minor depredations, appearing more interested in stealing horses than taking scalps.

June 14, 1832, En route to Illinois River. Capt. Iles, charged with delivery of Col. Taylor's letter of June 13, 1832 to Gen. Atkinson, probably left Dixon's Ferry this morning for Illinois River.

June 16, 1832, Fort Wilbourn, Illinois: Captain Iles’ company was mustered out of service by Lieutenant Robert Anderson. Abraham Lincoln re-enlisted for 30 days as a private in an independent spy company led by Captain Jacob M. Early, a Springfield preacher and physician who had previously served as a private in both Lincoln’s and Iles’ companies. The spy company received special privileges, including camping within the lines, exemption from regular camp duties, and the freedom to draw rations as often and in whatever quantities they desired.

June 17, 1832, Fort Wilbourn, Illinois: General Atkinson issued an order prohibiting the sale of ardent spirits to the Illinois volunteers.

June 20, 1832, Fort Wilbourn, Illinois: Captain Early’s company was officially mustered into service.

June 22, 1832, En route to Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: Captain Early was ordered to lead his company of spies to Dixon’s Ferry and report to General Hugh Brady. The company remained stationed at Dixon’s Ferry until June 25.

June 25, 1832, En route to Kellogg’s Grove, Illinois: A battle took place at Kellogg’s Grove, approximately 38 miles northwest of Dixon’s Ferry, between a small force under Major John Dement and a party of Sauk warriors led by Black Hawk. Five white men were killed in the fighting. In response to Major Dement’s call for reinforcements, Captain Early’s company was dispatched to the grove at 4 p.m.

June 26, 1832, Kellogg’s Grove, Illinois: Captain Early wrote to General Atkinson: “I arrived here by day brake this morning [26th] & found Gen. Posey's men encamped here The circumstances connected with the attack on Maj. Dement's Bat[talion]. are as well as I can gather substantially these Yesterday morning the Maj. ordered out a small party for the purpose of examining a trail leading to the Mississippi The detachment had not proceeded more than half a mile when they discovered a few Indians at a small distance from them the men rushed on them in a disorderly manner till they came to the main body of Indians where they were secreted in a thicket on seeing the Indians the men wheeled & fled precipitately & all the efforts of Maj. Dement to rally them were unavailing (for at the time the men commenced retreating before the Indians Maj. Dement came up with a reinforcement from the garrison The Maj. stated to me that his force on the field was equal in numbers to that of the enemy After the men retreated to the fort the Indians surrounded the house & commenced killing the Horses, they kept up a constant fire on the House & Horses for 2 or 3 hours. Major Dement Lost 5 killed & several wounded but none mortally when the Indians left the ground they retreated toward their encampment on the 4 lakes     When Gen Posey came up about an hour by sun he sent a regiment in the direction in which the Indians had retired. When they had proceeded about ½ mile the Indians showed themselves from a thick wood which skirted the praeria . . . they [regiment] retired to their camps without engaging the enemy. The trail spoken of above has not yet been examined. Gen Posey says he will send a detachment with me to examine it. As soon as I see it you shall have the best information in my power to give you.”

June 28, 1832, En route to Dixon’s Ferry, Illinois: Captain Early’s company began the return march from Kellogg’s Grove to Dixon’s Ferry. That same day at noon, Brigadier General James D. Henry’s brigade of volunteers, along with regulars under Colonel Zachary Taylor—accompanied by General Atkinson and Governor Reynolds—departed Dixon’s Ferry, following the left bank of the Rock River. Each horseman carried fifteen days’ provisions. The army camped twelve miles from the ferry.

June 29, 1832, En route up Rock River: The army reached Stillman’s battlefield by afternoon and made camp there. Early’s company arrived at Dixon’s Ferry before 6 a.m. and likely accompanied Colonel Enoch C. March and John Marsh to General Atkinson’s camp.

June 30, 1832, en route up Rock River, the army crossed the Kishwaukee River and, four miles beyond, reached the Rock River, which was “very narrow at this place & continues to decrease in width rapidly to its source.”

July 1, 1832, en route up Rock River. In the afternoon, the army crossed into Michigan Territory (present-day Wisconsin) at Turtle Village, the future site of Beloit. Camp was made on "the plain between Rock river & the creek."

July 2, 1832, en route up Rock River. The army encamped opposite the mouth of the Yahara River, also known as the River of the Four Lakes.

July 3, 1832, en route up Rock River. Captain Early’s company advanced ahead of the main army and discovered the primary trail of Black Hawk’s band near the southern outlet of Lake Koshkonong. The army camped about a mile and a half below the lake, where they remained until July 6. During this time, Early’s company was actively engaged in scouting and spy duties. Lincoln’s mess included his stepbrother John D. Johnston, G. B. Fanchier, George M. Harrison, all privates, and First Corporal R. M. Wyatt.

July 6, 1832, en route to White Water River. The regulars and General Henry’s brigade marched up the east bank of the Rock River under the command of General Brady. They camped that evening four or five miles above the mouth of the White Water River, at the site of an old Indian village.

July 7, 1832, en route to White Water River. Indians fired on the camp, wounding one soldier. Black Hawk was believed to be encamped at the fork of the White Water and Rock Rivers. In search of a ford, General Atkinson advanced up the White Water River over a difficult and nearly impassable route for about ten miles, where the army made camp.

July 8, 1832, Camp on White Water River, Old Indian Village. Indian guides informed General Atkinson that the White Water River could not be crossed. A council of war was held, and it was decided to return to the mouth of the river, near the site of present-day Fort Atkinson. After a two-day pursuit through swamps and sinkholes, the enemy remained as distant as ever. “If we had pushed on up the river,” Governor Reynolds later wrote, “by forced marches, for a day or two, the Indians would have been reached and the war ended.” Upon reaching the camp site used on the 6th, the army halted.

July 9, 1832, Camp on White Water River, Old Indian Village. General Atkinson wrote to General Winfield Scott: “The country is so cut up with Prairie, wood and swamp, that it is extremely difficult to approach them. Indeed many parts of the country for miles is entirely unpassable, even on foot. We are engaged at this moment [July 9] in throwing a Bridge across this creek (White Water) with a view of getting up with the enemy, who is represented to be only five or six miles before us.” Atkinson commanded 450 regulars, about 2,100 mounted volunteers, and 100 Indian allies. Captain Early’s company was likely among the scouting parties sent out that morning. They initially reported Indians still in the area, but a later party returned with word that the Sauk had moved “up the country” about 12 miles, prompting Atkinson to postpone pursuit.

July 10, 1832, En route to Rock River. With supplies running low, the volunteer forces were dispersed. Brigades under Alexander and Henry were sent to Fort Winnebago (present-day Portage, Wisconsin) for provisions, while Posey's brigade was ordered to remain in the southern Wisconsin mineral district until further notice. Captain Early’s independent spy company was mustered out of service. Lincoln prepared the company’s mustering-out roll. Early’s company began the return march to Dixon’s Ferry. According to Stevens, the company may have accompanied Colonel John Ewing’s regiment, though that regiment had already left the army by July 10. More likely, the company escorted a detachment under Adjutant Isaac Parmenter. The night before departure, Lincoln and George M. Harrison had their horses stolen. U.S. Infantry troops encamped near the mouth of the White Water River.

July 11–14, 1832. Captain Early’s company likely spent these four days traveling approximately 200 miles to Peoria via Dixon’s Ferry, which they probably reached on the night of July 12. Thanks to the generosity of friends, Lincoln and Harrison were able to ride horseback for part of the journey.

July 15, 1832. The company disbanded at Peoria. Lincoln and Harrison purchased a canoe and began their journey down the Illinois River. They stopped in Pekin, where Lincoln crafted an oar and Harrison bought provisions. As they resumed their trip, one man rowed while the other steered. With the river running very low, progress was slow—“hardly half the speed of legs on land; in fact we let her float all night and in the morning always found objects still visible that were beside us the previous evening.” At one point, they were invited aboard a log raft for a shared meal of “fish, corn bread, eggs, butter and coffee . . . the only warm meal . . . for several days.”

July 17, 1832, Havana, Illinois, and en route to New Salem, Illinois. After selling their canoe in Havana, Lincoln and Harrison set out on foot for New Salem. Harrison recalled, "The long strides of Lincoln after slipping back in the burning sand six inches every step were just right for me," adding, "He was greatly diverted when he noticed me behind him stepping in his tracks to keep from slipping."

July 19, 1832, Havana, Illinois and En route to New Salem, Illinois. Sangamo Journal, at Lincoln's request, carries correction: "Some weeks ago [May 3] we gave a list of those candidates [eight] of this County (omitting, by accident the name of Capt. Lincoln, of New Salem,) who were on the frontier periling their lives in the service of their country."

July 24, 1832, Lincoln certified that Nathan Drake served in his company, having been enrolled on April 29, 1832, and discharged on June 8, 1832. "Given under my hand this 24th July 1832. A. Lincoln, Captain."

July 26, 1832, Discharge papers sent by Captain Early to Lincoln and other members of the unit stated they were honorably discharged “with the special thanks of Brig. Gen. H. Atkinson, Commander in Chief of the Army of the Illinois Frontier . . . at Headquarters on White Water of Rock River.”