And look what we've got to fight it with." "Thockmorton told me," I explained, "that Atkinson is preparing to send in more troops; he expects to bring a load north with him on his next trip." "From Jefferson ?" "Yes; they are concentrating there." "How many regulars are there ?" "About four hundred from the First and Sixth regiments." He laughed scornfully.
"I thought so.

That means that Atkinson may send two or three hundred men, half of them recruits, to be scattered between Madison, Armstrong and Crawford.

Say we are lucky enough to get a hundred or a hundred and fifty of them stationed here.

Why, man, there are five hundred warriors in Black Hawk's camp at this minute, and that is only fifteen miles away.

Within ten days he could rally to him Kickapoos, Potawatamies and Winnebagoes in sufficient force to crush us like an eggshell.