Force and Green had left the fort , on horseback , to investigate the previous night 's disturbances .
Were several miles east of Fort Blue Mounds when Force came across Black Hawk 's band , guided to the fort by sympathetic Ho - Chunk .
Force and Green had left the fort , on horseback , to investigate the previous night 's disturbances and were several miles east of Fort Blue Mounds when they came across Black Hawk 's band , guided to the fort by sympathetic Ho - Chunk .