JULY 21:

1961 Inuvik NWT John George Diefenbaker 1895-1979 opens government built Arctic town of Inuvik, North West Territories; to replace Aklavik as the central town of the district.

July 21, 1832:  General James Henry's forces defeat Black Hawk and his followers in the "Battle of Wisconsin Heights." According to military records, Black Hawk loses sixty-eight warriors; however, Black Hawk says he only loses six men.

BACKGROUND:
 

From http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/oss/lessons/secondary/blackhawk_account.htm
 

The Battle of Wisconsin Heights: Black Hawk's Account
 

"During our encampment at the Four Lakes, we were hard put to, to obtain enough to eat to support nature. Situate in a swampy, marshy country, . . . . there was but little game of any sort to be found--and fish were equally scarce. . . . We were forced to dig roots and bark trees, to obtain something to satisfy hunger and keep us alive! Several of our people became so much reduced, as actually to die with hunger! . . . . I concluded to remove my women and children across the Mississippi, that they might return to the Sac nation again. Accordingly, on the next day, we commenced moving, with five Winnebagoes acting as our guides, intending to descend the Ouisconsin.

. . . . we were proceeding to the Ouisconsin, with our women and children. We arrived and had commenced crossing them to an island, when we discovered a large body of the enemy coming towards us. We were now compelled to fight, or sacrifice our wives and children to the fury of the whites! I met them with fifty warriors, (having left the balance to assist our women and children in crossing) about a mile from the river, when an attack immediately commenced.

I was mounted on a fine horse, and was pleased to see my warriors so brave. I addressed them in a loud voice, telling them to stand their ground, and never yield it to the enemy. At this time I was on the rise of a hill, where I wished to form my warriors, that we might have some advantage over the whites. But the enemy succeeded in gaining this point, which compelled us to fall back into a deep ravine, from which we continued firing at them and they at us, until it began to grow dark.

My horse having been wounded twice during this engagement, and fearing from his loss of blood, that he would soon give out--and finding that the enemy would not come near enough to receive our fire, in the dusk of the evening--and knowing that our women and children had had sufficient time to reach the island in the Ouisconsin, I ordered my warriors to return, in different routes, and meet me at the Ouisconsin--and were astonished to find that the enemy were not disposed to pursue us.

In this skirmish, with fifty braves, I defended and accomplished my passage over the Ouisconsin, with a loss of only six men; though opposed by a host of mounted militia.

I would not have fought there, but to gain time for my women and children to cross to an island. A warrior will duly appreciate the embarrassments I labored under--and whatever may be the sentiments of the white people, in relation to this battle, my nation, though fallen, will award to me the reputation of a great brave in conducting it.

The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained by our party; but I am of opinion, that it was much greater, in proportion, than mine. We returned to the Ouisconsin, and crossed over to our people.

Myself and band having no means to descend the Ouisconsin, I started, over a rugged country, to go to the Mississippi, intending to cross it, and return to my nation. Many of our people were compelled to go on foot, for want of horses, which, in consequence of their having had nothing to eat for a long time, caused our march to be very slow. At length we arrived at the Mississippi, having lost some of our old men and little children, who perished on the way with hunger.
 

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>From http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/oss/lessons/secondary/dodge.htm
 

The Battle of Wisconsin Heights: Henry Dodge's Account

Camp on the Wisconsin Thirty miles below Fort Winnebago July 22d. 1832 Brigadier General Atkinson

On the 20th. We made a forced march & reached the head of the 4 lakes, and on the 21st. We overtook the enemy at this place, our advanced spies killed two Sacks [Sauks] before we met with a body of the enemy--they showed themselves frequently on the surrounding hills to divert our attention, our spies met with three and pursued them within a mile of their camp, our men were pursued in turn by the enemy on horseback. Believing the main body of the enemy near us, I dismounted my squadron of horse, which formed the right and left columns of the advanced guard, the centre column was composed of the spies commanded by Colo. Ewing, I ordered my squadron to advance in front, and fortunately met with a good position, a natural elevation of ground which covered my men who were ordered to squat down, the Enemy raised the Yell and Galloped up within thirty yards of us, we fired on them and killed one and wounded one or two others, when they retreated.

The Indians occupied a height which enabled them to kill one of Genl Henry's men & wounded one of mine.

After consulting Genl Henry we determined to charge the enemy. . . . we dislodged him from his position & drove him down the height into the high grass in the swamp. Our fire was so heavy he soon gave way. . . . the enemy then gave way in every direction retreating to the river. The Winnebagoes scalped eleven Indians killed by the whites, and the whites took thirteen scalps last night--eight were found today and three were killed in the chase. The enemy were seen to carry a number from the field during the action, so that the numbers killed cannot fall short of forty (perhaps more) many were wounded but the number is not known.

We lost one killed & seven wounded, one of our men was wounded before the battle, on our march. When the battle was over it was 7 Oclk. Our men had made a forced march of forty miles many of them on foot, and exposed about six hours in the rain their arms wet and out of order. Knowing they had retreated to the river and that they had chosen their position and that we could not reach them before dark, after consulting with Genl. Henry it was agreed to defer a further attack on the enemy untill the next morning.

We marched from our position to the river early in the day, and found he had crossed the river, he had left his camp in much hurry & confusion, from the appearance of the trees, bark canoes had been prepared for the purpose of crossing the Wisconsin when they might arrive there with the main body.

The conduct of the officers & men composing my Squadron was brave and cool, they advanced to the charge with a quick pace and even front, they behaved well, and it would be difficult for me to discriminate between them, they deserve the confidence of their country. . . . They have done honor to their state & themselves. I would always unite with great confidence with such brave and gallant men.

I am with sentiments of great respect Your obedient Servant H Dodge Col. Commanding Michigan [Territory] Mounted Volunteers