It was early morning when Waub-O-Jeeg's scouts discovered Fox and Sioux warriors crossing the river in their wooden canoes at the lower end of the portage. Both sides were surprised. The Fox asked the Sioux to let them fight the battle as they thought they could easily defeat a few Chippewas. The firing began. Waub-O-Jeeg quickly landed at the upper end of the portage and brought his warriors down, sending some into the surrounding forest back from the river so there would be no escape for the enemy. The battle began on the jagged cliffs and ravines where the river forces passage through barriers of solid rock. Bullets were flying and both sides fought bravely. War clubs pounded skulls and knives cut into human flesh. Warriors screamed and cried with pain. Blood colored the waters as men jumped or fell into the river to a watery grave. The rushing waters were too rapid and dangerous for canoes to be of use. It was a bloody scene. By midday the Fox were losing ground so the Sioux gave their war whoops and rushed to their aid. The battle continued until Waub-O-Jeeg's men began to run out of ammunition. Fortunately, the sixty warriors from Sand Lake arrived in time to help in the final defeat of the Fox and Sioux whose tattered remnants fled downstream.