creek.  Soon after they had halted, five more Indians, with apparent pacific intentions, were seen approaching the camp.  Captain Eades, with a party of armed troops, dashed at full speed towards them, when they became alarmed and commenced a retreat.  The Captain, after following them for some distance, and killing two of the party, gave up the pursuit, and was on his return to the camp, when he was met by the whole detachment.  The pursuit of the retreating Indians was immediately renewed, and continued until both parties had crossed Sycamore creek.  This brought them upon the camp of Black Hawk, who having been apprized of the approach of the whites, had mounted his men and prepared for action.  The Indians were concealed behind some bushes, and after having fired their guns, raised the war-whoop and resorted to the tomahawk.  Their fire was returned, with but little effect, and then Major Stillman, instantly ordered a retreat across the creek, and the route became general.  His troops fled through their camp, and did not stop until they reached Dixon’s ferry, distant thirty miles.  Some of them deemed it prudent to seek a place of still greater safety, than the flag of General Atkinson, and continued their flight for more than fifty miles, and until they reached their own fire-sides.  The roll was called at Dixon’s ferry next morning, and fifty-two were found missing.  It was, however, subsequently ascertained that more than half of this number were among those who rode express to the “settlements” to carry the news of their gallant attack upon General Black Hawk and his British band.  Such was the panic among the troops engaged in this skirmish, that they reported the Indian force at 1500 and even 2000 men!  Black Hawk’s statement has already been given, in which he places his number at forty; and one of the volunteers whose horse was lame, and who hid himself, and watched the Indians as they passed him in the pursuit and on their return, did not estimate them at more than a hundred.  It is probable the real number of the Indians did not exceed fifty.  It is painful to contemplate this whole affair, for it is alike discreditable to the national faith and the national arms.  The violation of a flag of truce, and the wanton destruction of the lives of some of those who bore it, not only placed an indelible stigma upon the character of the country, but led to a war, in the prosecution of which, much blood and much treasure were expended.  Had a conference with Black Hawk been held, scarcely a doubt remains, considering his failure to secure the co-operation of other tribes, and his utter destitution of provisions, that he and his band would have returned, peaceably, to the west side of the Mississippi.  The precipitate flight of the troops under Major Stillman, has no justification.  Supposing the panic to have been such as to render a retreat across Sycamore creek necessary, it should have terminated when the troops reached their encampment; which, being in a copse