Captain Wells took the lead at the head of his little band of Miamis.

He had blackened his face before leaving the garrison, in token of his impending fate.

They took their route along the lake shore.

When they reached the point where commenced a range of sand-hills intervening between the prairie and the beach, the escort of Pottowattamies, in number about five hundred, kept the level of the prairie, instead of continuing along the beach with the Americans and Miamis.
They had marched perhaps a mile and a half, when Captain Wells, who had kept somewhat in advance with his Miamis, came riding furiously back.
"They are about to attack us," shouted he; "form instantly, and charge upon them." Scarcely were the words uttered, when a volley was showered from among the sand-hills.

The troops were hastily brought into line, and charged up the bank.