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BLACK HAWK
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAK,
BLACK HAWK,
EMBRACING THE TRADITIONS OF HIS NATION, VARIOUS WARS IN WHICH HE HAS
BEEN ENGAGED, AND HIS ACCOUNT OF THE CAUSE AND
GENERAL HISTORY OF THE
BLACK HAWK WAR OF 1832,
His Surrender, and Travels Through the United States.
DICTATED BY HIMSELF.
ANTOINE LECLAIR, U. S. INTERPRETER.
J. B. PATTERSON, EDITOR AND AMANUENSIS.
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, 1833-
LIFE, DEATH AND BURIAL OF THE OLD CHIEF, TOGETHER WITH
A History ot trie Black Hawk War,
By J. B. PATTERSON, Oquawka, III, 1882
Copyrighted by J. B. PATTERSON, 1882,
PRESS OF
CONTINENTAL PRINTING CO.
418 N. 3d ST., ST. LOUIS.
AS A TOKEN OF HIGH REGARD,
I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME
TO MY FRIEND,
HON. bailey davenport,
OF ROCK ISLAND, ILL.
AFFIDAVIT.
DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, SS.
Be it remembered, that on this sixteenth day of November, Anno
Domini eighteen hundred and thirty-three, J. B. Patterson, of said dis-
trict, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the title of which
is in the words following, to-wit ;
"Life of Makataimeshekiakiak, or Black Hawk, embracing the Tradi-
tions of his Nation — Indian Wars in which he has been engaged — Cause
of joining the British in their late War with America, and its History —
Description of the Rock River Village — Manners and Customs — En-
croachments by the Whites contrary to Treaty — Removal from his village
in 1831. With an account of the Cause and General History of the Late
War, his Surrender and Confinement at Jefferson Barracks, and Travels
through the United States. Dictated by "himself."
J. B. Patterson, of Rock Island, Illinois, Editor and Proprietor.
The right whereof he claims as author, in conformity with an act of
Congress, entitled "An act to amend the several acts respecting copy-
rights."
W. H. BROWN,
Clerk of the District of Illinois.
Indian Agency,
Rock Island, October 16, 1833.
I do hereby certify, that Makataimeshekiakiak, or Black Hawk, did
call upon me, on his return to his people in August last, and expressed
a great desire to have a History of his Life written and published, in
order (as' he said) "that the people of the United States, (among whom
he had been traveling, and by whom he had been treated with great re-
spect, frieudship and hospitality,) might know the causes that had im-
pelled him to act as he had done, and the principles by which he was
governed."
VI AFFIDAVIT.
In accordance with his request, I acted as Interpreter; and was par-
ticularly cautious to understand distinctly the narrative of Black Hawk
throughout— and have examined the work carefully since its completion,
and have no hesitation in pronouncing it strictly correct, in all its par-
ticulars.
Given under my hand, at the Sac and Fox Agency, the clay and date
above written.
Antoixk Le Clair,
U. S. Interpreter for the Saes and Foxes.
ORIGINAL DEDICATION. VII
NE-KA-NA-WEN.
MA-NE-SE-NO OKE-MAUT WAP-PI MA-QUAI.
Wa-ta-sai we-yeu,
Ai nan-ni ta co-si-ya-quai, na-katch ai she-ke she-he-nack, hai-me-ba-
ti ya-quai ke-she-he-nacb, ken-e-chawe-he-ke kai-pec-kien a-cob, ai-we-ne-
she we-he-yen; ne-wai-ta-sa-raak ke-kosb-pe kai-a-poi qui-wat. No-ta-
wacb-pai pai-ke se-na-mon nan-ni-yoo, ai-ke-kai na-o-pen. Ni-me-to sai-
ne-ni-wen,ne-ta-to-taben ai mo-he-man ta-ta-que, ne-me-to-sai-ne-ne-wen.
Nin-a-bai-ba poi-pon-ni cbi-cha-yen, kai-ka-ya ha-ma-we pa-she-to-he-
yen. Kai-na-ya kai-nen-ne-naip, he-nok ki-nok ke-cha-kai-ya, pai-no-yen
ne-ket-te-sim-mak o-ke-te-wak ke-o-cbe, me-ka ti-ya-quois na-kacb mai-
qupi, a-que-qui pa-cbe-qui ke-kan-ni ta-men-nin. Ke-to-ta we-yen, a-que-
ka-ni-co-te sbe-tai-bai yen, neD, chai-cha-me-co kai-ke-me-se ai we-ke
ken-ne-ta-mo-wat ken-na-wa-ba-o ma-co-qua-yeai-quoi. Ken-wen-na ak-
cbe-man wen-ni-ta-bai ke-men-ue to-ta-we-yeu, ke-kog-bai be-ta-shi be-
kai na-we-yen, he-na-cha wai-che-we to-mo-nan, ai pe-cbe-qua-cbi mo-
pen ma-me-co, mai-che-we-ta na-mo-nan, ne-ya-we-nan qui-a-ba-wa pe-ta-
kek, a que-year tak-pa-sbe-qui a-to-ta-mo-wat, chi-ye-tuk he-ne cba-wai-
cbi be-ni-nan ke-o-cbi-ta mow-ta-swee-pai che-qua-que.
He-ni-cba-hai poi-kai-nen na-na-so-si-yen, ai o-sa-ke- we-yen, ke-pe-me-
kai-mi-kat bai-nen hac-yai na-na-co-si-peu, nen-a-kai-ne co-ten ne-co-ten
ne-ka cbi-a-quoi ne-me-cob me-to-sai ne-ne wak-kai ne-we-yen-nen, kai-
sbai ma-ni-to-ke ka-to-me-nak ke-wa-sai- be co-wai mi-a-me ka-cbi pai-
ko-tai-bear-pe kai-cee wa-wa-kia be-pe ha-pe-nach-be-cba, na-na-ke-na-
way ni-taain ai we- pa-he- wea to-to-na ca, ke-to-ta-we-yeab, be-nob, mia-ni
ai sbe-be-ta ma-ke-si-yen, nen-a-kai na-co-tenne-ka-be-nen e-ta-quois, wa.
toi-na-ka cbe-ma-be-keu na-ta-cbe tai-bai-ben ai mo-co-man ye-we-yeu ke-
to-towe. E-nok ma-ni-bai sbe-ka-ta- ma ka-si-yen, wen-e-cha-hai nai-ne-
mak, mai-ko-ten ke ka-cha ma-men-na-tuk we-yowe, keu-ke-nok ai she-
me ma-na-ni ta-men-be-yowe.
MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAK
Ma-taus-we Ki-sis, 183-3.
Vlll DEDICATION.
DEDICATION.
[Translation.]
To Brigadier General H. Atkinson :
Sir — The changes of fortune and vicissitudes of war made you my
conqueror. When my last resources were exhausted, my warriors worn
down with long and toilsome marches, we yielded, and I became your
prisoner.
The story of my life is told in the following pages: it is intimately
connected, and in some measure, identified with a part of the history of
your own: I have, therefore, dedicated it to you.
The changes of many summers have brought old age upon me, and I can
not expect to survive many moons. Before I set out on my journey to
the land of my fathers, I have determined to give my motives and rea-
sons for my former hostilities to the whites, and to vindicate my char-
acter from misrepresentation. The kindness I received from you whilst
a prisoner of war assures me that you will vouch for the facts contained
in my narrative, so far as they came under your observation.
I am now an obscure member of a nation that formerly honored and
respected my opinions. The pathway to glory is rough, and many
gloomy hours obscure it. May the Great Spirit shed light on yours, and
that you may never experience the humility that the power of the Amer-
ican government has reduced me to, is the wish of him, who, in his native
forests, was once as proud and bold as yourself.
Black Hawk.
10th Moon, 1833.
advertisemp:nt. ix
ADVERTISEMENT.
It is presumed no apology will be required for presenting to the public
the life of a Hero who has lately taken such high rank among the distin-
guished individuals of America. In the following pages he will be seen
in the characters of a Warrior, a Patriot and a State prisoner ; in every
situation he is still the chief of his Baud, asserting their rights with dig-
nity, firmness and courage. Several accounts of the late war having been
published, in which he thinks justice is not done to himself or nation, he
determined to make known to the world the injuries his people have
received from the whites, the causes which brought on the war on the
part of his nation, and a general history of it throughout the campaign.
In his opinion this is the only method now left him to rescue his little
Band, the remnant of those who fought bravely with him, from the effects
of the statements that have already gone forth.
The facts which he states, respecting the Treaty of 1804, in virtue of
the provisions of which the government claimed the country in dispute
and enforced its arguments with the sword, are worthy of attention. It
purported to cede to the United States all of the country, including
the village and corn-fields of Black Hawk and his band, on the east side
of the Mississippi. Four individuals of the tribe, who were on a visit to
St. Louis to obtain the liberation of one of their people from prison, were
prevailed upon, says Black Hawk, to make this important treaty, without
the knowledge or authority of the tribes, or nation.
In treating with the Indians for their country, it has always been cus-
tomary to assemble the whole nation; because, as has been truly sug-
gested by the Secretary of War, the nature of the authority of the chiefs
of the tribe is such, that it is not often that they dare make a treaty of
much consequence, and we might add, never, when involving so much
magnitude as the one under consideration, without the presence of their
young men. A rule so reasonable and just ought never to be violated,
and the Indians might well question the right of the Government to dis-
possess them, when such violation was made the basis of its right.
X ADVERTISEMENT.
The Editor has written this work according to the dictation of Black
Hawk, through the United States Interpreter, at the Sac and Fox Agency
of Rock Island. He does not, therefore, consider himself responsible
for any of the facts, or views, contained in it, and leaves the old Chief
and his story with the public, whilst he neither asks, nor expects, any fame
for his services as an amanuensis.
The Editor.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
BLACK HAWK
I was born at the Sac village, on Rock river, in the year
1767, and am now in my 67th year. My great grandfath-
er, Nanamakee, or Thunder, according to the tradition
given me by my father, Pyesa, was born in the vicinity of
Montreal, Canada, where the Great Spirit first placed the
Sac nation, and inspired him with a belief that, at the end
of four years he should see a white man, who would be
to him a father. Consequently he blacked his face, and
eat but once a day, just as the sun was going down , for three
years, and continued dreaming, throughout all this time
whenever he slept. When the Great Spirit again appeared
to him, and told him that, at the end of one year more, he
should meet his father, and directed him to start seven
days before its expiration, and take with him his two
brothers, Namah, or Sturgeon, and Paukahummawa, or
Sunfish, and travel in a direction to the left of sun-rising.
After pursuing this course for five days, he sent out his
two brothers to listen if they could hear a noise, and if so,
to fasten some grass to the end of a pole, erect it, pointing
in the direction of the sound, and then return to him.
Early next morning they returned, and reported that
they had heard sounds which appeared near at hand, and
that they had fulfilled his order. They all then started
12 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
for the place where the pole had been erected ; when, on
reaching it., Nanamakee left his party and went alone to the
place from whence the sounds proceeded, and found that
the white man had arrived and pitched his tent. When he
came in sight, his father came out to meet him. He took
him by the hand and welcomed him into his tent. He told
him that he was the son of the King of France ; that he
had been dreaming for four years ; that the Great Spirit
had directed him to come here, where he should meet a
nation of people who had never yet seen a white man ; that
they should be his children and he should be their father ;
that he had communicated these things to the King, his
father, who laughed at him and called him Mashena, but
he insisted on coming here to meet his children where the
Great Spirit had directed him. The King had told him
that he would find neither land nor people ; that this was
an uninhabited region of lakes and mountains, but, finding
that he would have no peace without it, he fitted out a
napequa, manned it, and gave him charge of it, when he
immediately loaded it, set sail and had now landed on the
very day that the Great Spirit had told him in his dreams
he should meet his children. He had now met the man
who should, in future, have charge of all- the nation.
He then presented him with a medal which he hung
round his neck. Nanamakee informed him of his dream-
ing, and told him that his two brothers remained a little
way behind. His father gave him a shirt, a blanket and a
handkerchief besides a variety of other presents, and told
him to go and bring his brethren. Having laid aside his
buffalo robe and dressed himself in his new dress, he started
to meet his brothers. When they met he explained to
them his meeting with the white man and exhibited to their
view the presents that he had made him. He then took
off his medal and placed it on. his elder brother Namah,
and requested them both to go with him to his father.
BLACK HAWK. 13
They proceeded thither, were ushered into the tent, and
after some brief ceremony his father opened a chest and
took presents therefrom for the new comers. He discov-
ered that Nanamakee had given his medal to his elder
brother Namah. He told him that he had done wrong ;
that he should wear that medal himself, as he had others
for his brothers. That which he had given him was typi-
cal of the rank he should hold in the nation ; that his broth-
ers could only rank as civil chiefs, and that their duties
should consist of taking care of the village and attending
to its civil concerns, whilst his rank, from his superior
knowledge, placed him over all. If the nation should get
into any difficulty with another, then his puccohawama, or
sovereign decree, must be obeyed. If he declared war he
must lead them on to battle ; that the Great Spirit had
made him a great and brave general, and had sent him
here to give him that me.dal and make presents to him for
his people.
His father remained four days, during which time he
gave him guns, powder and lead, spears and lances, and
taught him their use, so that in war he might be able to
chastise his enemies, and in peace they could kill buffalo,
deer and other game necessary for the comforts and luxu-
ries of life. He then presented the others with various
kinds of cooking utensils and taught them their uses. Af-
ter having given them large quantities of goods aspresents,
and everything necessary for their comfort, he set sail for
France, promising to meet them again, at the same place,
after the 12th moon.
The three newly made chiefs returned to their village
and explained to Mukataquet, their father, who was the
principal chief of the nation, what had been said and done.
The old chief had some dogs killed and made a feast
preparatory to resigning his scepter, to which all the na-
14 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
tion were invited. Great anxiety prevailed among them to
know what the three brothers had seen and heard. When
the old chief arose and related to them the sayings and
doings of his three sons, and concluded by saying that the
Great Spirit had directed that these, his three sons, should
take the rank and power that had once been his, and that
he yielded these honors and duties willingly to them, be-
cause it was the wish of the Great Spirit, and he could never
consent to make him angry.
He now presented the great medicine bag to Nanama-
kee, and told him that he "cheerfully resigned it to him,
it is the soul of our nation, it has never }>-et been disgraced
and I will expect you to keep it unsullied."
Some dissensions arose among them in consequence of
so much power being given to Nanamakee, he being so
young a man. To quiet them, Nanamakee, during a vio-
lent thunder storm, told them that he had caused it, and
that it was an exemplification of the name the Great Spirit
had given him. During the storm the lightning struck,
and set fire to a tree near by, a sight they had never wit-
nessed before. He went to it and brought away some
of its burning branches, made a fire in the lodge and seat-
ed his brothers around it opposite to one another, while he
stood up and addressed his people as follows :
"I am yet young, but the Great Spirit has called me to
the rank I hold among you. I have never sought to be
more than my birth entitled me to. I have not been am-
bitious, nor was it ever my wish while my father was yet
among the living to take his place, nor have I now usurped
his powers. The Great Spirit caused me to dream for four
years. He told me where to go and meet the white man
who would be a kind father to us all. I obeyed. I went,
and have seen and know our new father.
"You have all heard what was said and done. The
BLACK HAWK. 15
♦
Great Spirit directed him to come and meet me, and it is
his order that places me at the head of my nation, the
place which my father has willingly resigned.
"You have all witnessed the power that has been given
me by the Great Spirit, in making that fire, and all that I
now ask is that these, my two chiefs, may never let it go
out. That they may preserve peace among you and ad-
minister to the wants of the needy. And should an enemy
invade our country, I will then, and not until then, as-
sume command, and go forth with my band of brave war-
riors and endeavor to chastise them."
At the conclusion of this speech every voice cried out
for Nanamakee. All were satisfied when they found that
the Great Spirit had done what they had suspected was
the work of Nanamakee, he being a very shrewd young
man.
The next spring according to promise their French father
returned, with his napequa richly laden with goods, which
were distributed among them. He continued for a long
time to keep up a regular trade with them, they giving him
in exchange for his goods furs and peltries.
After a long time the British overpowered the French,
the two nations being at war, and drove them away from
Quebec, taking possession of it themselves. The differ-
ent tribes of Indians around our nation, envying our peo-
ple, united their forces against them and by their combined
strength succeeded in driving them to Montreal, and from
thence to Mackinac. Here our people first met our British
father, who furnished them with goods. Their enemies
still wantonly pursued them and drove them to different
places along the lake. At last they made a village near
Green Bay, on what is now called Sac river, having de-
rived its name from this circumstance. Here they held a
council with the Foxes, and a national treaty of friendship
16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
and alliance was agreed upon. The Foxes abandoned
their village and joined the Sacs. This arrangement being
mutually obligatory upon both parties, as neither were
sufficiently strong to meet their enemies with any hope of
success, they soon became as one band or nation of people.
They were driven, however, by the combined forces of
their enemies to the Wisconsin. They remained here for
some time, until a party of their young men, who descended
Rock river to its mouth, had returned and made a favora-
ble report of the country. They all descended Rock river,
drove the Kaskaskias from the country and commenced
the erection of their village, determined never to leave it.
At this village I was born, being a lineal descendant of
the first chief, Nanamakee, or Thunder. Few, if H any
events of note transpired within my recollection until about
my fifteenth year. I was not allowed to paint or wear
feathers, but distinguished myself at an early age by
wounding an enemy ; consequently I was placed in the
ranks of the Braves.
Soon after this a leading chief of the Muscow nation
came to our village for recruits to go to war against the
Osages, our common enemy.
I volunteered my services to go, as my father had joined
him, and was proud to have an opportunity to prove to him
that I was not an unworthy son, and that I had courage
and bravery. It was not long before we met the enemy
and a battle immediately ensued. Standing b}r my father's
side, I saw him kill his antagonist and tear the scalp from
off his head. Fired with valor and ambition, I rushed fu-
riously upon another and smote him to the earth with my
tomahawk. I then run my lance through his body, took
off his scalp and returned in triumph to my father. He
said nothing but looked well pleased. This was the first
man I killed. The enemy's loss in this engagement hav-
BLACK HAWK. 17
ing been very great, they immediately retreated, which
put an end to the war for the time being. Our party then
returned to the village and danced over the scalps we had
taken. This was tht first time I was permitted to join in
a scalp dance.
After a few moons had passed, having acquired consid-
erable reputation as a brave, I led a party of seven and at-
tacked one hundred Osages ! I killed one man and left
him for my comrades to scalp while I was taking observa-
tions of the strength and preparations of the enemy. Find-
ing that they were equally well armed with ourselves, I or-
dered a retreat and came off without the loss of a man.
This excursion gained for me great applause, and enabled
me, before a great while, to raise a party of one hundred
and eighty to march against the Osages. We left our vil-
lage in high spirits and marched over a rugged country,
until we reached the land of the Osages, on the borders of
the Missouri.
We followed their trail until we arrived at the village,
which we approached with exceeding caution, thinking
that they were all here, but found, to our sorrow, that they
had deserted it. The party became dissatisfied in conse-
quence of this disappointment, and all, with the exception
of five noble braves, dispersed and went home. I then
placed myself at the head of this brave little band, and
thanked the Great Spirit that so many had remained. We
took to the trail of our enemies, with a full determination
never to return without some trophy of a victory. We fol-
lowed cautiously on for several days, killed one man and a
boy, and returned home with their scalps.
In consequence of this mutiny in camp, I was not again
able to raise a sufficient force to go against the Osages un-
til about my nineteenth year. During this interim they
committed many outrages on our nation ; hence I succeed-
18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
ed in recruiting two hundred efficient warriors, and
early one morning took up the line of march. In a few
days we were in the enemy's country, and we had not gone
far before we met a force equal to our own with which to
contend. A general battle immediately commenced, al-
though my warriors were considerably fatigued by forced
marches. Each party fought desperately. The enemy
seemed unwilling to yield the ground and we were deter-
mined to conquer or die. A great number of Osages were
killed and many wounded before they commenced a re-
treat. A band of warriors more brave, skillful and effi-
cient than mine could not be found. In this engagement
I killed five men and one squaw, and had the good fortune
to take the scalps of all I struck with one exception — that
of the squaw, who was accidentally killed. The enemy's
loss in this engagement was about one hundred braves.
Ours nineteen. We then returned to our village well
pleased with our success, and danced over the scalps which
we had taken.
The Osages, in consequence of their great loss in this
battle, became satisfied to remain on their own lands.
This stopped for a while their depredations on our nation.
Our attention was now directed towards an ancient enemy
who had decoyed and murdered some of our helpless wo-
men and children. I started with my father, who took
command of a small party, and proceeded against the ene-
my to chastise them for the wrongs they had heaped upon
us. We met near the Merimac and an action ensued ; the
Cherokees having a great advantage in point of numbers.
Early in this engagement my father was wounded in the
thigh, but succeeded in killing his enemy before he fell.
Seeing that he had fallen, I assumed command, and
fought desperately until the enemy commenced retreating
before the well directed blows of our braves. I returned
BLACK HAWK. 19
to my father to administer to his necessities, but nothing
could be done for him. The medicine man said the wound
was mortal, from which he soon after died. In this bat-
tle I killed three men and wounded several. The enemy's
loss was twenty-eight and ours seven.
I now fell heir to the great medicine bag of my fore-
fathers, which had belonged to my father. I took it, bur-
ied our dead, and returned with my party, sad and sor-
rowful, to our village, in consequence of the loss of my
father.
Owing to this misfortune I blacked my face, fasted and
prayed to the Great Spirit for five years, during which
time I remained in a civil capacity, hunting and fishing.
The Osages having again commenced aggressions on
our people, and the Great Spirit having taken pity on me,
I took a small party and went against them. I could only
find six of them, and their forces being so weak, I thought
it would be cowardly to kill them, but took them prisoners
and carried them to our Spanish father at St. Louis, gave
them up to him and then returned to our village.
Determined on the final and complete extermination of
the dastardly Osages, in punishment for the injuries our
people had received from them, I commenced recruiting a
strong force, immediately on my return, and started in the
third moon, with five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and one
hundred Iowas, and marched against the enemy. We
continued our march for many days before we came upon
their trail, which was discovered late in the day. We en-
camped for the night, made an early start next morning,
and before sundown we fell upon forty lodges, killed all
the inhabitants except two squaws, whom I took as prison-
ers. During this engagement I killed seven men and two
boys with my own hands. In this battle many "of the brav-
est warriors among the Osages were killed, which caused
20 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
those who yet remained of their nation to keep within the
boundaries of their own land and cease their aggressions
upon our hunting grounds.
The loss of my father, by the Cherokees, made me
anxious to avenge his death by the utter annihilation, if
'possible, of the last remnant of their tribe. I accordingly
commenced collecting another party to go against them.
Having succeeded in this, I started with my braves and
went into their country, but I found only five of their peo-
ple, whom I took prisoners. I afterwards released four of
them, the other, a young squaw, we brought home. Great
as was my hatred of these people, I could not kill so small
a party.
About the close of the ninth moon, I led a large party
against the Chippewas, Kaskaskias and Osages. This was
the commencement of a long and arduous campaign, which
terminated in my thirty-fifth year, after having had seven
regular engagements and numerous small skirmishes. Dur-
ing this campaign several hundred of the enemy were
slain. I killed thirteen of their bravest warriors with my
own hands.
Our enemies having now been driven from our hunting
grounds, with so great a loss as they sustained, we returned
in peace to our village. After the seasons of mourning
and burying our dead braves and of feasting and dancing
had passed, we commenced preparations for our winter's
hunt. When all was ready we started on the chase and
returned richly laden with the fruits of the hunter's toil.
We usually paid a visit to St. Louis every summer, but
in consequence of the long protracted war in which we had
been engaged, I had not been there for some years.
Our difficulties all having been settled, I concluded to
take a small party and go down to see our Spanish father
during the summer. We went, and on our arrival put up
BLACK HAWK. 21
our lodges where the market house now stands. After
painting and dressing we called to see our Spanish father
and were kindly received. He gave us a great variety of
presents and an abundance of provisions. We danced
through the town as usual, and the inhabitants all seemed
well pleased. They seemed to us like brothers, and al-
ways gave us good advice. On my next and last visit to our
Spanish father, I discovered on landing, that all was not
right. Every countenance seemed sad and gloomy. I in-
quired the cause and was informed that the Americans
were coming to take possession of the town and country,
and that we were to lose our Spanish father. This news
made me and my band exceedingly sad, because we had
always heard bad accounts of the Americans from the In-
dians who had lived near them. We were very sorry to
lose our Spanish father, who had always treated us with
great friendship.
A few days afterwards the Americans arrived. I, in
company with my band, went to take leave for the last
time of our father. The Americans came to see him also.
Seeing their approach, we passed out at one door as they
came in at another. We immediately embarked in our ca-
noes for our village on Rock river, not liking the change
any more than our friends at St. Louis appeared to.
On arriving at our village we gave out the news that a
strange people had taken possession of St. Louis and that
we should never see our generous Spanish father again .
This information cast a deep gloom over our people.
Sometime afterwards a boat came up the river with a
young American chief, at that time Lieutenant, and after-
wards General Pike, and a small party of soldiers aboard.
The boat at length arrived at Rock river and the young
chief came on shore with his interpreter. He made us a
speech and gave us some presents, in return for which
22 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
we gave him meat and such other provisions as we could
spare.
We were well pleased with the speech of the young
chief. He gave us good advice and said our American
father would treat us well. He presented us an American
flag which we hoisted. He then requested us to lower the
British colors , which were waving in the air, and to give
him our British medals, promising to send us others on his
return to St. Louis. This we declined to do as we wished
to have two fathers.
When the young chief started we sent runners to the vil-
lage of the Foxes, some miles distant, to direct them to treat
him well as he passed, which they did. He went to the
head of the Mississippi and then returned to St. Louis.
We did not see any Americans again for some time, being
supplied with goods by British traders.
We were fortunate in not giving up our medals, for we
learned afterwards, from our traders, that the chiefs high
up the Mississippi, who gave theirs, never received any in
exchange for them. But the fault was not with the young
American chief. He was a good man, a great brave, and I
have since learned, died in his country's service.
Some moons after this young chief had descended the
Mississippi, one of our people killed an American, was
taken prisoner and was confined in the prison at St. Louis
for the offence. We held a council at our village to see
what could be done for him, and determined that Quash-
quame, Pashepaho, Ouchequaka and Hashequarhiqua
should go down to St. Louis, see our American father and
do all they could to have our friend released by paying for
the person killed, thus covering the blood and satisfying
the relations of the murdered man. This being the only
means with us for saving a person who had killed another,
and we then thought it was the same way with the whites.
BLACK HAWK. 23
The party started with the good wishes of the whole na-
tion, who had high hopes that the emissaries would accom-
plish the* object of their mission. The relations of the
prisoner blacked their faces and fasted, hoping the Great
Spirit would take pity on them and return husband and
father to his sorrowing wife and weeping children.
Quashquame and party remained a long time absent.
They at length returned and encamped near the village, a
short distance below it, and did not come up that day, nor
did any one approach their camp. They appeared to
be dressed in fine coats and had medals. From these cir-
cumstances we were in hopes that they had brought good
news. Early the next morning the Council Lodge was
crowded, Quashquame and party came up and gave us the
following account of their mission :
" On our arrival at St. Louis we met our American father
and explained to him our business, urging the release of
our friend. The American chief told us he wanted land.
We agreed to give him some on the west side of the Mis-
sissippi, likewise more on the Illinois side opposite Jeff reon.
When the business was all arranged we expected to have
our friend released to come home with us. Ab/>ut the time
we were ready to start our brother was let out of the pris-
on. He started and ran a short distance when he was
SHOT DEAD !"
This was all they could remember of what had been
said and done. It subsequently appeared that they had
been drunk the greater part of the time while at St.
Louis.
This was all myself and nation knew of the treaty of
1804. It has since been explained to me. I found by
that treaty, that all of the country east of the Mississippi,
and south of Jeffreon was ceded to the United States for
one thousand dollars a year. I will leave it to the people
24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
of the United States to say whether our nation was prop-
erly represented in this treaty? Or whether we received
a fair compensation for the extent of country Ceded by
these four individuals?
I could say much more respecting this treaty, but I will
not at this time. It has been the origin of all our serious
difficulties with the whites.
Sometime after this treaty was made, a war chief with a
party of soldiers came up in keel boats, encamped a short
distance above the head of the Des Moines rapids, and
commenced cutting timber and building houses. The news
of their arrival was soon carried to all our villages, to con-
fer upon which many councils were held. We could not
understand the intention, or comprehend the reason why
the Americans wanted to build houses at that place.
We were told that they were a party of soldiers, who had
brought great guns with them, and looked like a war party
of whites.
A number of people immediately went down to see what
was going on, myself among them. On our arrival we
found that they were building a fort. The soldiers were
busily engaged in cutting timber, and I observed that they
took their arms with them when they went to the woods.
The whole party acted as they would do in an enemy's
country. The chiefs held a council with the officers, or
head men of the party, which I did not attend, but under-
stood from them that the war chief had said that they were
building houses for a trader who was coming there to live,
and would sell us goods very cheap, and that the soldiers
were to remain to keep him company. We were pleased
at this information and hoped that it was all true, but we
were not so credulous as to believe that all these buildings
were intended merely for the accommodation of a trader.
Being distrustful of their intentions, we were anxious for
them to leave off building and go back down the river.
BLACK HAWK. 25
By this time a considerable number of Indians had ar-
rived to see what was doing. I discovered that the whites
were alarmed. Some of our young men watched a party
of soldiers, who went out to work, carrying their arms,
which were laid aside before they commenced. Having
stolen quietly to the spot they seized the guns and gave a
wild yell ! The party threw down their axes and ran for
their arms, but found them gone, and themselves surround-
ed. Our young men laughed at them and returned their
weapons.
When this party came to the fort, they reported what had
been done, and the war chief made a serious affair of it.
He called our chiefs to council inside his fort. This cre-
ated considerable excitement in our camp, every one wanting
to know what was going to be done. The picketing which
had been put up, being low, every Indian crowded around
the fort, got upon blocks of wood and old barrels that they
might see what was going on inside. Some were armed
with guns and others with bows and arrows. We used this
precaution, seeing that the soldiers had their guns loaded
and having seen them load their big guns in the morning.
A party of our braves commenced dancing and pro-
ceeded up to the gate with the intention of going in, but
were stopped. The council immediately broke up, the
soldiers with their guns in hands rushed out from the rooms
where they had been concealed. The cannon were hauled
to the gateway, and a soldier came running with fire in his
hand, ready to apply the match. Our braves gave way
and retired to the camp. There was no preconcerted plan
to attack the whites at that time, but I am of the opinion
now that had our braves got into the fort all of the whites
would have been killed, as were the British soldiers at
Mackinac many years before.
We broke up our camp and returned to Rock river. A
26 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
short time afterward the party at the fort received rein-
forcements, among whom we observed some of our old
friends from St. Louis,
Soon after our return from Fort Madison runners came
to our village from the Shawnee Prophet. Others were
despatched by him to the village of the Winnebagoes, with
invitations for us to meet him on the Wabash. Accordingly
a party went from each village.
All of our party returned, among whom came a prophet,
who explained to us the bad treatment the different nations
of Indians had received from the Americans, by giving
them a few presents and taking their land from them.
I remember well his saying : " If you do not join your
friends on the Wabash, the Americans will take this very
village from you !" I little thought then that his words
would come true, supposing that he used these arguments
merely to encourage us to join him, which we concluded
not to do. He then returned to the Wabash, where a party
of Winnebagoes had preceded him, and preparations were
making for war. A battle soon ensued in which several
Winnebagoes were killed. As soon as their nation heard
of this battle, and that some of their people had been killed,
they sent several war parties in different directions. One
to the mining country, one to Prairie du Chien, and an-
other to Fort Madison. The latter returned by our village
and exhibited several scalps which they had taken. Their
success induced several parties to go against the fort. My-
self and several of my band joined the last party, and were
determined to take the fort. We arrived in the vicinity
during the night. The spies that we had sent out several
days before to watch the movements of those at the garri-
son, and ascertain their numbers, came to us and gave the
following information : "A keel arrived from below this
evening with seventeen men. There are about fifty men
BLACK HAWK. 27
in the fort and they march out every morning to exercise."
It was immediately determined that we should conceal
ourselves in a position as near as practicable to where the
soldiers should come out, and when the signal was given
each one was to fire on them and rush into the fort. With
my knife I dug a hole in the ground deep enough that by
placing a few weeds around it, succeeded in concealing
myself. I was so near the fort that I could hear the sen-
tinels walking on their beats. By daybreak I had finished
my work and was anxiously awaiting the rising of the sun.
The morning drum beat. I examined the priming of my
gun, and eagerly watched for the gate to open. It did
open, but instead of the troops, a young man came out
alone and the gate closed after him. He passed so close
to me that I could have killed him with my knife, but I let
him pass unharmed. He kept the path toward the river,
and had he gone one step from it, he must have come upon
us and would have been killed. He returned immediately
and entered the gate. I would now have rushed for the
gate and entered it with him, but I feared that our party
was not prepared to follow me.
The gate opened again when four men emerged and
went down to the river for wood. While they were gone
another man came out, walked toward the river, was
fired on and killed by a Winnebago. The others started
and ran rapidly towards the fort, but two of them were
shot down dead. We then took shelter under the river's
bank out of reach of the firing from the fort.
The firing now commenced from both parties and was
kept up without cessation all day. I advised our party to
set fire to the fort, and commenced preparing arrows for
that purpose. At night we made the attempt, and succeeded
in firing the buildings several timss, but without effect, as
the fire was always instantly extinguished.
28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
The next day I took my rifle and shot in two the cord
by which they hoisted their flag, and prevented them from
raising it again. We continued firing until our ammuni-
tion was expended. Finding that we could not take the
fort, we returned home, having one Winnebago killed
and one wounded during the siege.
I have since learned that the trader who lived in the
fort, wounded the Winnebago while he was scalping the
first man that was killed. The Winnebago recovered, and
is now living, and is very friendly disposed towards the
trader, believing him to be a great brave.
Soon after our return home, news reached us that a war
was going to take place between the British and the Amer-
ricans.
Runners continued to arrive from different tribes, all
confirming the reports of the expected war. The British
agent, Colonel Dixon, was holding talks with, and making
presents to the different tribes. I had not made up my
mind whether to join the British or remain neutral. I had
not discovered yet one good trait in the character of the
Americans who had come to the country. They made
fair promises but never fulfilled them, while the British
made but few, and we could always rely implicitly on their
word.
One of our people having killed a Frenchman at Prairie du
Chien, the British took him prisoner and said they would
shoot him next day. His family were encamped a short
distance below the mouth -of the Wisconsin. He begged
for permission to go and see them that night, as he was to
die the next day. They permitted him to go after he
had promised them to return by sunrise the next morning.
He visited his family, which consisted of his wife and
six children. I can not describe their meeting and parting
so as to be understood by the whites, as it appears that
BLACK HAWK. 2D
their feelings are acted upon by certain rules laid down by
their preachers, while ours are governed by the monitor
within us. He bade his loved ones the last sad farewell
and hurried across the prairie to the fort and arrived in
time. The soldiers were ready and immediately marched
out and shot him down. I visited the stricken family, and
by hunting and fishing provided for them until they reach-
ed their relations.
Why did the Great Spirit ever send the whites to this
island to drive us from our homes and introduce among
us poisonous liquors, disease and death ? They should
have remained in the land the Great Spirit allotted them.
But I will proceed with my story. My memory, however,
is not very good since my late visit to the white people. I
have still a buzzing noise in my ears from the noise and
bustle incident to travel. I may give some parts of my
story out of place, but will make my best endeavors to be
correct.
Several of our chiefs were called upon to go to Wash-
ington to see our Great Father. They started and during
their absence I went to Peoria, on the Illinois river, to see
an old friend and get his advice. ' He was a man who al-
ways told us the truth, and knew everything that was go-
ing on. When I arrived at Peoria he had gone to Chicago,
and was not at home. I visited the Pottawattomie villages
and then returned to Rock river. Soon after which our
friends returned from their visit to the Great Father and
reported what had been said and done. Their Great Father
told them that in the event of a war taking place with
England, not to interfere on either side, but remain neu-
tral. He did not want our help, but wished us to hunt and
supply our families, and remain in peace. He said that
British traders would not be allowed to come on the Mis-
sissippi to furnish us with goods, but that we would be well
30 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF •
supplied by an American trader. Our chiefs then told
him that the British traders always gave us credit in the
fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and
clothe our families. He replied that the trader at Fort
Madison would hare plenty of goods, and if we should go
there in the autumn of the year, he would supply us on
credit, as the British traders had done. The party gave a
good account of what they had seen and the kind treat-
ment they had received. This information pleased us all
very much. We all agreed to follow our Great Father's
advice and not interfere in the war. Our women were
much pleased at the good news. Everything went on
cheerfully in our village. We resumed our pastimes of
playing ball, horse-racing and dancing, which had been
laid aside when this great war was first talked about. We
had fine crops of corn which were now ripe, and our wo-
men were busily engaged in gathering it and making caches
to contain it.
In a short time we were ready to start to Fort Madison
to get our supply of goods, that we might proceed to our
hunting grounds. We passed merrily down the river, all
in high spirits. I had determined to spend the winter at
my old favorite hunting ground on Skunk river. I left part
of my corn and mats at its mouth to take up as we re-
turned and many others did the same.
The next morning we arrived at the fort and made our
encampment. Myself and principal men paid a visit to
the war chief at the fort. He received us kindly and gave
us some tobacco, pipes and provisions.
The trader came in and we all shook hands with him,
for on him all our dependence was placed, to enable us to
hunt and thereby support our families. We waited a long
time, expecting the trader would tell us that he had orders
from our Great Father to supply us with goods, but he
BLACK HAWK. 31
said nothing on the subject. I got up and told him in a
short speech what we had come for, and hoped he had
plenty of goods to supply us. I told him that he should
be well paid in the spring, and concluded by informing
him that we had decided to follow our Great Father's
advice and not go to war.
He said that he was happy to hear that we had conclud-
ed to remain in peace. That he had a large quantity of
goods, and that if we had made a good hunt we should be
well supplied, but he remarked that he had received no
instructions to furnish us anything on credit, nor could
he give us any without receiving the pay for them on
he spot !
We informed him what our Great Father had told our
chiefs at Washington, and contended that he could supply
us if he would, believing that our Great Father always
spoke the truth. The war chief said the trader could not
furnish us on credit, and that he had received no instruc-
tions from our Great Father at Washington. We left th'e
fort dissatisfied and went to camp. What was now to be
done we knew not. We questioned the party that brought
us the news from our Great Father, that we could get
credit for our winter supplies at this place. They still told
the same story and insisted on its truth. Few of us slept
that night. All was gloom and discontent.
In the morning a canoe was seen descending the river,
bearing an express, who brought intelligence that La
Gutrie, a British trader, had landed at Rock Island with
two boat loads of goods. He requested us to come up
immediately as he had good news for us, and a variety of
presents, The express presented us with tobacco, pipes
and wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire
through dry grass on the prairie. Our lodges were soon
taken down and we all started for Rock Island. Here
32 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
ended all hopes of our remaining at peace, having been
forced into war by being deceived.
Our party were not long in getting to Rock Island.
When we came in sight and saw tents pitched, we yelled,
fired our guns and beat our drums. Guns were immedi-
ately fired at the island, returning our salute, and a British
flag hoisted. We landed, were cordially received by La
Gutrie, and then smoked the pipe with him. After which
he made a speech to us, saying that he had been sent by
Col. Dixon. He gave us a number of handsome presents,
among them a large silk flag and a keg of rum. He then
told us to retire, take some refreshments and rest our-
selves, as he would have more to say to us next day.
We accordingly retired to our lodges, which in the
meantime had been put up, and spent the night. The
next morning we called upon him and told him we wanted
his two boat loads of goods to divide among our people,
for which he should be well paid in the spring in furs and
peltries. He consented for us to take them and do as we
pleased with them. While our people were dividing the
goods, he took me aside and informed me that Colonel
Dixon was at Green Bay with twelve boats loaded with
goods, guns and ammunition. He wished to raise a party
immediately and go to him. He said our friend, the
trader at Peoria, was collecting the Pottawattomies and
would be there before us. I communicated this informa-
tion to my braves, and a party of two hundred warriors
were soon collected and ready to depart. I paid a visit to
the lodge of an old friend, who had been the comrade of
my youth, and had been in many war parties with me, but
was now crippled and no longer able to travel. He had
a son that I had adopted as my own, and who had hunted
with me the two winters preceding. I wished my old
friend to let him go with me. He objected, saying he
BLACK HAWK. 33
could not get his support if he did attend me, and that I,
who had always provided for him since his misfortune,
would be gone, therefore he could not spare him as he
had no other dependence. I offered to leave my son in
his stead but he refused to give his consent. He said that
he did not like the war, as he had been down the river
and had been well treated by the Americans and could not
fight against them. He had promised to winter near a
white settler above Salt river, and must take his son with
him. We parted and I soon concluded my arrangements
and started with my party for Green Bay. On our arrival
there we found a large encampment ; were well received
by Colonel Dixon and the war chiefs who were with
him. He gave us plenty of provisions, tobacco and pipes,
saying that he would hold a council with us the next day.
In the encampment I found a great number of Kickapoos,
Ottawas and Winnebagoes. I visited all their camps and
found them in high spirits. They had all received new
guns, ammunition and a variety of clothing.
In the evening a messenger came to visit Colonel Dixon.
I went to his tent, in which there were two other war
chiefs and an interpreter. He received me with a hearty
shake of the hand ; presented me to the other chiefs, who
treated me cordially, expressing themselves as being much
pleased to meet me. After I was seated Colonel Dixon said :
" General Black Hawk, I sent for you to explain to you
what we are going to do and give you the reasons for our
coming here. Our friend, La Gutrie, informs us in the
letter you brought from him, of what has lately taken
place. You will now have to hold us fast by the hand.
Your English Father has found out that the Americans
want to take your country from you and has sent me and
my braves to drive them back to their own country. He
3
34 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
has, likewise, sent a large quantity of arms and ammuni-
tion, and we want all your warriors to join us."
He then placed a medal around my neck and gave me a
paper, which I lost in the late war, and a silk flag, saying :
"You are to command all the braves that will leave here
the day after to-morrow, to join our braves at Detroit."
I told him I was very much disappointed, as I wanted
to descend the Mississippi and make war upon the settle-
ments. He said he had been ordered to lay in waste the
country around St. Louis. But having been a trader on
the Mississippi for many years himself, and always having
been treated kindly by the people there, he could not send
brave men to murder helpless women and innocent chil-
dren. There were no soldiers there for us to fight, and
where he was going to send us there were a great many
of them. If we defeated them the Mississippi country
should be ours. I was much pleased with this speech, as
it was spoken by a brave.
I inquired about my old friend, the trader at Peoria, and
observed, " that I had expected that he would have been
here before me." He shook his head and said, " I have
sent express after express for him, and have offered him
great sums of mony to come and bring the Pottawatomies
and Kickapoos with him." He refused, saying, "Your
British father has not enough money to induce me to join
you. I have now laid a trap for him. I have sent Gomo
and a party of Indians to take him prisoner and bring him
here alive. I expect him in a few days."
The next day arms and ammunition, knives, toma-
hawks and clothing were given to my band. We had a
great feast in the evening, and the morning following I
started with about five hundred braves to join the British
army. We passed Chicago and observed that the fort had
been evacuated by the Americans, and their soldiers had
BLACK HAWK. 35
gone to Fort Wayne. They were attacked a short dis-
tance from the fort and defeated. They had a considera-
ble quantity of powder in the fort at Chicago, which they
had promised to the Indians, but the night before they
marched away they destroyed it by throwing it into a well.
If they had fulfilled their word to the Indians, they doubt-
less would have gone to Fort Wayne without molestation.
On our arrival, I found that the Indians had several prison-
ers, and I advised them to treat them well. We continued
our march, joining the British below Detroit, soon after
which we had a battle. The Americans fought well, and
drove us back with considerable loss. I was greatly sur-
prised at this, as I had been told that the Americans would
not fight.
Our next movement was against a fortified place. I was
stationed with my braves to prevent any person going to,
or coming from the fort. I found two men taking care of
cattle and took them prisoners. I would not kill them,
but delivered them to the British war chief. Soon after,
several boats came down the river full of American sol-
diers. They landed on the opposite side, took the British
batteries, and pursued the soldiers that had left them.
They went too far without knowing the strength of the
British and were defeated. I hurried across the river,
anxious for an opportunity to show the courage of my
braves, but before we reached the scene of battle all was
over.
The British had taken many prisoners and the Indians
were killing them. I immediately put a stop to it, as I
never thought it brave, but base and cowardly to kill an
unarmed and helpless foe. We remained here for some
time. I can not detail what took place, as I was stationed
with my braves in the woods. It appeared, however, that
the British could not take this fort, for we marched to an-
36 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
other, some distance off.- When we approached it, I found
a small stockade, and concluded that there were not many
men in it. The British war chief sent a flag of truce.
Colonel Dixon carried it, but soon returned, reporting
that the young war chief in command would not give up the
fort without fighting. Colonel Dixon came to me and
said, "you will see to-morrow, how easily we will take that
fort." I was of the same opinion, but when the morning
came I was disappointed. The British advanced and com-
menced the attack, fighting like true braves, but were de-
feated by the braves in the fort, and a great number of our
men were killed. The British army was making prepara-
tions to retreat. I was now tired of being with them, our
success being bad, and having got no plunder. I deter-
mined on leaving them and returning to Rock river, to see
what had become of my wife and children, as I had not
heard from them since I left home. That night I took
about twenty of my braves, and left the British camp for
home. On our journey we met no one until we came to
the Illinois river. Here we found two lodges of Pottawat-
tomies. They received us in a very friendly manner, and
gave us something to eat. I inquired about their friends
who were with the British. They said there had been
some fighting on the Illinois river, and that my friend, the
Peoria trader, had been taken prisoner. "By Gomo and
his party?" I immediately inquired. They replied, "no,
but by the Americans, who came up with boats. They
took him and the French settlers prisoners, and then burned
the village of Peoria." They could give us no informa-
tion regarding our friends on Rock river. In three days
more we were in the vicinity of our village, and were soon
after surprised to find that a party of Americans had fol-
lowed us from the British camp. One of them, more dar-
ing than his comrades, had made his way through the thick-
BLACK HAWK. 37
et on foot, and was just in the act of shooting me when I
discovered him. I then ordered him to surrender, marched
him into camp, and turned him over to a number of our
young men with this injunction : "Treat him as a brother,
as I have concluded to adopt him in our tribe."
A little while before this occurrence I had directed my
party to proceed to the village, as I had discovered a smoke
ascending from a hollow in the bluff, and wished to go
alone to the place from whence the smoke proceeded, to
see who was there. I approached the spot, and when I
came in view of the fire, I saw an old man sitting in sor-
row beneath a mat which he had stretched over him. At
any other time I would have turned away without disturb-
ing him, knowing that he came here to be alone, to hum-
ble himself before the Great Spirit, that he might take pity
on him. I approached and seated myself beside him. He
gave one look at me and then fixed his eyes on the ground.
It was my old friend ! I anxiously inquired for his son,
my adopted child, and what had befallen our people. My
old comrade seemed scarcely alive. He must have fasted
a long time. I lighted nry pipe and put it into his mouth.
He eagerly drew a few puffs, cast up his eyes which met
mine, and recognized me. His eyes were glassy and he
would again have fallen into forgetfulness, had I not given
him some water, which revived him. I again inquired,
"what has befallen our people, and what has become of
our son?"
In a feeble voice he said, "Soon after your departure to
join the British, I descended the river with a small party,
to winter at the place I told you the white man had asked
me to come to. When we arrived I found that a fort had
been built, and the white family that had invited me to
come and hunt near them had removed to it. I then paid
a visit to the fort to tell the white people that my little band
38 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
were friendly, and that we wished to hunt in the vicinity
of the fort. The war chief who commanded there, told
me that we might hunt on the Illinois side of the Mississip-
pi, and no person would trouble us. That the horsemen
only ranged on the Missouri side, and he had directed
them not to cross the river. I was pleased with this assur-
ance of safety, and immediately crossed over and made my
winter's camp. Game was plenty. We lived happy, and
often talked of you. My boy regretted your absence and
the hardships you would have to undergo. We had been
here about two moons, when my boy went out as usual to
hunt. Night came on and he did not return. I was alarmed
for his safety and passed a sleepless night. In the morn-
ing my old woman went to the other lodges and gave the
alarm and all turned out to hunt for the missing one.
There being snow upon the ground they soon came upon
his track, and after pursuing it for some distance, found
he was on the trail of a deer, which led toward the river.
They soon came to the place where he had stood and fired,
and near b}', hanging on the branch of a tree, found the
deer, which he had killed and skinned. But here were also
found the tracks of white men. They had taken my boy
prisoner. Their tracks led across the river and then down
towards the fort. My friends followed on the trail, and
soon found my boy lying dead. He had been most cruel-
ly murdered. His face was shot to pieces, his body stab-
bed in several places and his head scalped. His arms
were pinioned behind him."
The old man paused for some time, and then told me
that his wife had died on their way up the Mississippi. I
took the hand of my old friend in mine and pledged
myself to avenge the death of his son. It was now dark,
and a terrible storm was raging. The rain was descend-
ing in heavy torrents, the thunder was rolling in the
BLACK HAWK. 39
heavens, and the lightning flashed athwart the- sky. I
had taken my blanket off and wrapped it around the feeble
old man. When the storm abated I kindled a fire and
took hold of my old friend to remove him nearer to it.
He was dead ! I remained with him during the night.
Some of my party came early in the morning to look for
me, and assisted me in burying him on the peak of the
bluff. I then returned to the village with my friends. I
visited the grave of my old friend as I ascended Rock river
the last time.
On my arrival at the village I was met by the chiefs and
braves and conducted to the lodge which was prepared for
me. After eating, I gave a full account of all that I had
seen and done. I explained to my people the manner in
which the British and Americans fought. Instead of steal-
ing upon each other and taking every advantage to kill the
enemy and save their own people as we do, which, with
us is considered good policy in a war chief, they march
out in open daylight and fight regardless of the number of
warriors they may lose. After the battle is over the}'- re-
tire to feast and drink wine as if nothing had happened.
After which they make a statement in writing of what they
have done, each party claiming the victory, and neither
giving an account of half the number that have been
killed on their own side They all fought like braves, but
would not do to lead a party with us. Our maxim is :
" Kill the enemy and save our own men." Those chiefs
will do to paddle a canoe but not to steer it. The Ameri-
cans shot better than the British, but their soldiers were
not so well clothed, nor so well provided for.
The village chief informed me that after I started with
my braves and the parties who followed, the nation was
reduced to a small party of fighting men ; that they wrould
have been unable to defend themselves if the Americans
40 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
had attacked them. That all the children and old men
and women belonging to the warriors who had joined the
British were left with them to provide for. A council had
been called which agreed that Quashquame, the Lance,
and other chiefs, with the old men, women and children,
and such others as chose to accompany them, should de-
scend the Mississippi to St. Louis, and place themselves
under the American chief stationed there. They accord-
ingly went down to St. Louis, were received as the friendly
band of our nation, were sent up the Missouri and pro-
vided for, while their friends were assisting the British !
Keokuk was then introduced to me as the war chief of
the braves then in the village. I inquired how he had be-
come chief? They said that a large armed force was seen
by their spies going toward Peoria. Fears were enter-
tained that they would come up and attack the village and
a council had been called to decide as to the best course to
be adopted, which concluded upon leaving the village and
going to the west side of the Mississippi to get out of th-e
way. Keokuk, during the sitting of the council, had been
standing at the door of the lodge, not being allowed to
enter, as he had never killed an enemy, where he remained
until old Wacome came out. He then told him that he
heard what they had decided upon, and was anxious to be
permitted to speak before the council adjourned. Wacome
returned and asked leave for Keokuk to come in and make
a speech* His request was granted. Keokuk entered
and addressed the chiefs. He said : " I have heard with
s orrow that you have determined to leave our village and
cross the Mississippi, merely because you have been told
that the Americans were coming in this direction. Would
you leave our village, desert our homes and fly before an
enemy approaches? Would you leave all, even the graves
of our fathers, to the mercy of an enemy without trying
BLACK HAWK. 41
to defend them? Give me charge of your warriors and
I'll defend the village while you sleep in safety."
The council consented that Keokuk should be war chief.
He marshalled his braves, sent out his spies and advanced
with a party himself on the trail leading to Peoria. They
returned without seeing an enemy. The Americans did
not come by our village. All were satisfied with the ap-
pointment of Keokuk. He used every precaution that our
people should not be surprised. This is the manner in
which and the cause of his receiving the appointment.
I was satisfied, and then started to visit my wife and
children. I found them well, and my boys were growing
finely. It is not customary for us to say much about our
women, as they generally perform their part cheerfully
and never interfere with business belonging to the men.
This is the only wife I ever had or ever will have. She is
a good woman, and teaches my boys to be brave. Here I
would have rested myself and enjoyed the comforts of my
lodge, but I could not. I had promised to avenge the death
of my adopted son.
I immediately collected a party of thirty braves, and
explained to them the object of my making this war party,,
it being to avenge the death of my adopted son, who had
been cruelly and wantonly murdered by the whites. I
explained to them the pledge I had made to his father,
and told them that they were the last words that he had
heard spoken. All were willing to go with me to fulfill
my word. We started in canoes, and descended the Mis-
sissippi, until we arrived near the place where Fort Madi-
son had stood. It had been abandoned and burned by the
whites, and nothing remained but the chimneys. We were
pleased to see that the white people had retired from the
country. We proceeded down the river again. I landed
with one brave near Cape Gray, the remainder of the party
42 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
went to the mouth of the Quiver. I hurried across to the
trail that led from the mouth of the Quiver to a fort, and
soon after heard firing at the mouth of the creek. Myself
and brave concealed ourselves on the side of the road.
We had not remained here long before two men, riding
one horse, came at full speed from the direction of the
sound of the firing. When they came sufficiently near
we fired ; the horse jumped and both men fell. We rushed
toward them and one rose and ran. I followed him and
was gaining on him, when he ran over a pile of rails that
had lately been made, seized a stick and struck at me. I
now had an opportunity to see his face, and I knew him.*
He had been at Quashquame's village to teach his people
how to plow. We looked upon him as a good man. I
did not wish to kill him, and pursued him no further. I
returned and met my brave. He said he had killed the
other man and had his scalp in his hand. We had not
proceeded far before we met the man supposed to be killed,
coming up the road, staggering like a drunken man, and
covered all over with blood. This was the most terrible
sight I had ever seen. I told my comrade to kill him to
put him out of his misery. I could not look at him. I
passed on and heard a rustling in the bushes. I distinctly
saw two little boys concealing themselves in the under-
growth, thought of my own children, and passed on with-
out noticing them. My comrade here joined me, and in
a little while we met the other detachment of our party.
I told them that we would be pursued, and directed them
to follow me. We crossed the creek and formed ourselves
in the timber. We had not been here long, when a party
of mounted men rushed at full speed upon us. I took
deliberate aim and shot the leader of the party. He fell
lifeless from his horse. All my people fired, but without
effect. The enemy rushed upon us without giving us time
BEACK HAWK. 43
to reload. They surrounded us and forced us into a deep
silk-hole, at the bottom of which there were some bushes.
We loaded our guns and awaited the approach of the
enemy. They rushed to the edge of the hole, fired on
us and killed one of our men. We instantly returned their
fire, killing one of their party. We reloaded and com-
menced digging holes in the side of the bank to protect
ourselves, while a party watched the enemy, expecting
their whole force would be upon us immediately. Some
of my warriors commenced singing their death songs. I
heard the whites talking, and called to them to come out
and fight. I did not like my situation and wished the mat-
ter settled. I soon heard chopping and knocking. I could
not imagine what they were doing. Soon after they ran
up a battery on wheels and fired without hurting any of
us. I called to them again, and told them if they were
brave men to come out and fight us. They gave up the
siege and returned to their fort about dusk. There were
eighteen in this trap with me. We came out unharmed,
with the exception of the brave who was killed by the en-
emy's first fire, after we were entrapped. We found one
white man dead at the edge of the sink-hole, whom they
did not remove for fear of our fire, and scalped him, plac-
ing our dead brave upon him, thinking we could not leave
him in a better situation than on the prostrate form of a
fallen foe.
We had now effected our purpose and concluded to go
back by land, thinking it unsafe to use our canoes. I found
my wife and children, and the greater part of our people,
at the mouth of the Iowa river. I now determined to re-
main with my family and hunt for them, and to humble
myself before the Great Spirit, returning thanks to him for
preserving me through the war. I made my hunting camp
on English river, which is a branch of the Iowa. During
44 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
the winter a party of Pottawattomies came from the Illi-
nois to pay me a visit, among them was Washeown,an old
man who had formerly lived in our village. He informed
us that in the fall the Americans had built a fort at Peoria
and had prevented them from going down the Sangamon
to hunt. He said they were very much distressed. Gomo
had returned from the British army, and brought news of
their defeat near Maiden. He told us that he went to the
American chief with a flag, gave up fighting, and told him
he desired to make peace for his nation. The American
chief gave him a paper to the war chief at Peoria, and I
visited that fort with Gomo. It was then agreed that there
should be no more hostilities between the Americans and
the Pottawattomies. Two of the white chiefs, with eight
Pottawattomie braves, and five others, Americans, had
gone down to St. Louis to have the treaty of peace con-
firmed. This, said Washeown, is good news ; for we can
now go to our hunting grounds, and, for my part, I never
had anything to do with this war. The Americans never
killed any of our people before the war, nor interfered
with our hunting grounds, and I resolved to do nothing
against them. I made no reply to these remarks as the
speaker was old and talked like a child.
We gave the Pottawattomies a great feast. I presented
Washeown with a good horse. My braves gave one to
each of his party, and, at parting, said they wished us to
make peace, which we did not promise, but told them
that we would not send out war parties against the settle-
ments.
A short time after the Pottawattomies had gone, a party
of thirty braves belonging to our nation, from the peace
camp on the Missouri, paid us a visit. They exhibited
five scalps which they had take^n on the Missouri, and
wished us to join in a dance over them, which we willingly
BLACK HAWK. 45
did. They related the manner in which they had taken
these scalps. Myself and braves showed them the two we
had taken near the Quiver, and told them the cause that
induced us to go out with the war party, as well as the
manner in which we took these scalps, and the difficulty
we had in obtaining them.
They recounted to us all that had taken place, the num-
ber that had been slain by the peace party, as they were
called and recognized to be, which far surpassed what our
warriors, who had joined the British, had done. This party
came for the purpose of joining the British, but I advised
them to return to the peace party, and told them the news
which the Pottawattomies had brought. They returned to
the Missouri, accompanied by some of my braves whose
families were there.
After "sugar-making" was over in the spring, I visited
the Fox village at the lead mines. They had nothing to
do with the war, and consequently were not in mourning.
I remained there some days, spending my time very pleas-
antly with them in dancing and feasting. I then paid a
visit to the Poftawattomie village on the Illinois river, and
learned that Sanatuwa and Tatapuckey had been to St.
Louis. Gomo told me that "peace had Been made between
his people and the Americans, and that seven of his band
remained with the war chief to make the peace stronger."
He then told me : "Washeown is dead ! He had gone to
the fort to carry some wild fowl to exchange for tobacco,
pipes and other articles. He had secured some tobacco
and a little flour, and left the fort before sunset, but had
not proceeded far when he was shot dead by a white war
chief, who had concealed himself near the path for that
purpose. He then dragged him to the lake and threw him
in, where I afterwards found him. I have since given two
horses and a rifle to his relatives, not to break the peace,
to which they have agreed."
46 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
I remained for some time at the village of Gomo, and
went with him to the fort to pay a visit to the war chief. I
spoke the Pottawattomie tongue well, and was taken for
one of their people by him. He treated us friendly, and
said he was very much displeased about the murder of
Washeown. He promised us he would find out and pun-
ish the person who killed him. He made some inquiries
about the Sacs, which I answered. On my return to Rock
river, I was informed that a party of soldiers had gone up
the Mississippi to build a fort at Prairie du Chien. They
stopped near our village, appearing vttry friendly, and
were treated kindly by our people.
We commenced repairing our lodges, putting our village
in order, and clearing our cornfields. We divided the
fields belonging to the party on the Missouri among those
who wanted them, on condition that they should be relin-
quished to their owners on their return from the peace es-
tablishment. We were again happy in our village. Our
women went cheerfully to work, and all moved on harmon-
iously.
Some time afterward, five or six boats arrived loaded
with soldiers on their way to Prairie du Chien to reinforce
the garrison at that place. They appeared friendly and
were well received, and we held a council with the war
chief. We had no intention of hurting him or any of his
party, for we could easily have defeated them. They re-
mained with us all day and gave our people plenty of whis-
ky. During the night a party arrived, by way of Rock
river, who brought us six kegs of powder. They told us
that the British had gone to Prairie du Chien and taken
the fort." They wished us to again join them in the war,
which we agreed to do. I collected my warriors and de-
termined to pursue the boats, which had sailed with a fair
wind. If we had known the day before, we could easily
BLACK HAWK. 47
have taken them all, as the war chief used no precaution
to prevent it.
I started immediately with my party, by land, in pursuit,
thinking that some of their boats might get aground, or
that the Great Spirit would put them in our power, if he
wished them. taken and their people killed. About half
way up the rapids I had a full view of the boats all sailing
with a strong wind. I discovered that one boat was badly
managed, and was suffered to be drawn ashore by the
wind. They landed by running hard aground and low-
ered their sail. The others passed on. This boat the
Great Spirit gave to us. All that could, hurried aboard,
but they were unable to push off, being fast aground. We
advanced' to the river's bank undercover, and commenced
firing on the boat. I encouraged my braves to continue
firing. Several guns were fired from the boat, but with-
out effect. I prepared my bow and arrows to throw fire
to the sail, which was lying on the boat. After two or
three attempts, I succeeded in setting it on fire. The boat
was soon in flames. About this time, one of the boats
that had passed returned, dropped anchor and swung in
close to one which was on fire, taking off all the people
except those who were killed or badly wounded. We
could distinctly see them passing from one boat to the
other, and fired on them with good effect. We wounded
the war chief in this way. Another boat now came down,
dropped her anchor, which did not take hold, and drifted
ashore. The other boat cut her cable and drifted down
the river, leaving their comrades without attempting to
assist them. We then commenced an attack upon this
boat, firing several rounds, which was not returned. We
thought they were afraid or only had a few aboard. I
therefore ordered a rush toward the boat, but when we
got near enough they fired, killing two of our braves — these
48 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
being all we lost in the engagement. Some of their men
jumped out and shoved the boat off, and thus got away
without losing a man. I had a good opinion of this war
chief, as he managed so much better than the others. It
would give me pleasure to shake him by the hand.
We now put out the fire on the captured boat to save
the cargo, when a skiff was seen coming down the river.
Some of our people cried out, " Here comes an express
from Prairie du Chien." We hoisted the British flag, but
they would not land. They turned their little boat around,
and rowed up the river. We directed a few shots at them,
but they were so far off that we could not hurt them. I
found several barrels of whisky on the captured boat,
knocked in the heads and emptied the bad medicine into
the river. I next found a box full of small bottles and
packages, which appeared to be bad medicine also, such
as the medicine men kill the white people with when they
are sick. This I threw into the river. Continuing my
search for plunder, I found several guns, some large
barrels filled with clothing, and a number of cloth lodges,
all of which I distributed among my warriors. We now
disposed of the dead, and returned to the Fox village
opposite the lower end of Rock Island, where we put up
•our new lodges, and hoisted the British flag. A great
many of our braves were dressed in the uniform clothing
which we had taken from the Americans, which gave our
•encampment the appearance of a regular camp of soldiers.
We placed out. sentinels and commenced dancing over the
scalps we had taken. Soon after several boats passed
down, among them a very large one carrying big guns.
■Our young men followed them some distance, but could
do them no damage more than scare them. We were
now certain that the fort at Prairie du Chien had been
taken, as this large boat went up with the first party who
.built the fort.
BLACK HAWK. 49
In the course of the day some of the British came down
in a small boat. They had followed the large one, thinking
it would get fast in the rapids, in which case they were
sure of taking her. They had summoned her on her way
down to surrender, but she refused to do so, and now,
that she had passed the rapids in safety, all hope of taking
her had vanished. The British landed a big gun and gave
us three soldiers to manage it. They complimented us
for our bravery in taking the boat, and told us what they
had done at Prairie du Chien. They gave us a keg of
rum, and joined with us in our dancing and feasting. We
gave them some things which we had taken from the boat,
particularly books and papers. They started the next
morning, promising to return in a few days with a large
body of soldiers.
We went to work under the direction of the men left
with us, and dug up the ground in two places to put the
big gun in, that the men might remain in with it and be
safe. We then sent spies down the river to reconnoitre,
who sent word by a runner that several boats were com-
ing up filled with men. I marshalled my forces and was
soon ready for their arrival. I resolved to fight, as we
had not yet had a fair fight with the Americans during
the war. The boats arrived in the evening, stopping at a
small willow island, nearly opposite to us. During the
night we removed our big gun further down, and at day-
light next morning commenced firing. We were pleased
to see that almost every shot took effect. The British
being good gunners, rarely missed. They pushed off as
quickly as possible, although I had expected they would
land and give u.s battle. I was fully prepared to meet them
but was sadly disappointed by the boats all sailing down the
river. A party of braves followed to watch where they
landed, but they did not stop until they got below the Des
4
50 Al'f OHTOGliAi'MV Of
Moines rapids, where they came ashore and commertce4
building a fort. I did not Want a fort in our country, as
we wished to go down to the Two River country in the fall
and hunt, it being our choice hunting ground, and we
concluded that if this fort was built, it would prevent us
from going there. We arrived in the vicinity in the even-
ing, and encamped on a high bluff for the night. We
made no fire, for fear of being observed, and our young
men kept watch by turns while others slept. I was very
tired, and was soon asleep. The Great Spirit, during my
slumber, told me to go down the bluff to a creek, that I
would there find a hollow tree cut down, and by looking
in at the top of it, I would see a large snake with head
erect — to observe the direction he was looking, and I
would see the enemy close by and unarmed. In the morn-
ing I communicated to my braves what the Great Spirit
had said to me, took one of them and went down a ravine
that led to the creek. I soon came in sight of the place
where they were building the fort, which was on a hill at
the opposite side of the creek. I saw a great many men.
We crawled cautiously on our hands and knees until we
got to the bottom land, then through the grass and weeds
until we reached the bank of the creek. Here I found a
tree that had been cut down ; I looked in at the top of it
and saw a large snake, with his head raised, looking across
the creek. I raised myself cautiously, and discovered
nearly opposite to me, two war chiefs walking arm in arm,
without guns. They turned and walked back toward the
place where the men were working at the fort. In a little
while they returned, walking directly towards the spot
where we lay concealed, but did not come so near as be-
fore. If they had they would have been killed, for each
of us had a good rifle. We crossed the creek and crawled
to a cluster of bushes. I again raised myself a little to see
BLACK HAWK. 51
if they were coming ; but they went into the fort, and by
this they saved their lives.
We recrossed the creek and I returned alone, going up
the same ravine I came down. My brave went down the
creek, and I, on raising the brow of a hill to the left of
the one we came down, could plainly see the men at work.
I saw a sentinel walking in the bottom near the mouth of
the creek. I watched him attentively, to see if he per-
ceived my companion, who had gone toward him. The
sentinel stopped for some time and looked toward where
my brave was concealed. He walked first one way and
then the other.
I observed my brave creeping towards him, at last he lay
still for a while, not even moving the grass, and as the
sentinel turned to walk away, my brave fired and he fell.
I looked, towards the fort, and saw the whites were in
great confusion, funning wildly in every direction, some
down the steep bank toward a boat. My comrade joined
me, we returned to the rest of the party and all hurried
back to Rock river, where we arrived in safety at our vil-
lage. I hung up my medicine bag, put away my rifle and
spear, feeling as if I should want them no more, as I had
no desire to raise other war parties against the whites un-
less they gave me provocation. Nothing happened worthy
of note until spring, except that the fort below the rapids
had been abandoned and burned by the Americans.
Soon after I returned from my wintering ground we re-
ceived information that peace had been made between the
British and Americans, and that we were required to make
peace also, and were invited to go down to Portage des
Sioux, for that purpose. Some advised that we should go*
down, others that we should not. Nomite, our principal
civil chief, said he would go, as soon as the Foxes came
down from the mines,
52 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
They came and we all started from Rock river, but we
had not gone far before our chief was taken sick and we
stopped with him at the village on Henderson river. The
Foxes went on and we were to follow as soon as our chief
got better, but he rapidly became worse and soon died.
His brother now became the principal chief. He re-
fused to go down, saying, that if he started, he would
be taken sick and die as his brother had done. This
seemed to be reasonable, so we concluded that none of us
would go at this time. The Foxes returned. They said,
"we have smoked the pipe of peace with our enemies, and
expect that the Americans will send a war party against
you if you do not go down." This I did not believe, as
the Americans had always lost by their armies that were
sent against us. La Gutrie and other British traders ar-
rived at our village in the fall. La Gutrie told us that we
must go down and make peace, as this was the wish of
our English father. He said he wished us to go down to
the Two River country to winter, where game was plenty,
as there had been no hunting there for several years.
Having heard the principal war chief had come up with
a number of troops, and commenced the erection of a fort
near the Rapids des Moines, we consented to go down
with the traders to visit the American chief, and tell hfrn
the reason why we had not been down sooner. When we
arrived at the head of the rapids, the traders left their
goods, and all of their boats with one' exception, in which
they accompanied us to see the Americans. We visited the
war chief on board his boat, telling him what we had to say,
*and explaining why we had not been down sooner. He
appeared angry and talked to La Gutrie for some time. I
inquired of him what the war chief said. He told me that
he was threatening to hang him up to the yard arm of his
boat. "But" said he, "I am not afraid of what he says,
BLACK HAWK 53
He dare not put his threats into execution. I have done
no more than I had a right to do as a British subject."
I then addressed the chief, asking permission for our-
selves and some Menomonees, to go down to the Two River
country for the purpose of hunting. He said we might go
down but must return before the ice came, as he did not
intend that we should winter below the fort. "But," he
inquired, "what do you want the Menomonees to go with
you for?"
I did not know at first what reply to make, but told him
that they had a great many pretty squaws with fhem, and
we wished them to* go with us on that account. He con-
sented. We all went down the river and remained all
winter, as we had no intention of returning before spring
when we asked leave to go. We made a good hunt. Hav-
ing loaded our trader's boats with furs and peltries, they
started to Mackinac, and we returned to our village.
There is one circumstance that I did not relate at the
proper place. It has no reference to myself or people, but
to my friend Gomo, the Pottawattomie chief. He came to
Rock river to pay me a visit, and during his stay he relat-
ed to me the following story :
"The war chief at Peoria is a very good man. He always
speaks the truth and treats our people well. He sent for-
me one day, told me he was nearly out of provisions, and
wished me to send my young men hunting to supply
his fort. I promised to do so, immediately returned to my
camp and told my young men the wishes and wants of the
war chief. They readily agreed to go and hunt for our
friend and returned with plenty of deer. They carried
them to the fort, laid them down at the gate and returned
to our camp. A. few days afterward I went again to the
fort to see if they wanted any more meat. The chief gave
me powder and lead and said he wanted me to send my
54 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
hunters out again. When I returned to camg, I told my
young men that the chief wanted more meat. Matatah, one
of my principal braves, said he would take a party and go
across the Illinois, about one day's travel, where game
was plenty, and make a good hunt for our friend the war
chief. He took eight hunters with him, and his wife and
several other squaws went with them. They had travelled
about half the day in the prairie when they discovered a
party of white men coming towards them with a drove of
cattle. Our hunters apprehended no danger or they would
have kept out of the way of the whites, who had not yet
perceived them. Matatah changed his course, as he
wished to meet and speak to the whites. As soon as the
whites saw our party, some of them put off at full speed,
and came up to our hunters. Matatah gave up his gun to
them, and endeavored to explain to them that he was
friendly and was hunting for the war chief. They were
not satisfied with this but fired at and wounded him. He
got into the branches of a tree that had blown down, to
keep the horses from running over him. He was again
fired on several times and badly wounded. He, finding that
he would be murdered, and, mortally wounded already,
sprang at the man nearest him, seized his gun and shot
him from his horse. He then fell, covered with blood
from his wounds, and immediately expired. The other
hunters being in the rear of Matatah attempted to escape,
after seeing their leader so basely murdered by the whites.
They were pursued and nearly all of the party killed. My
youngest brother brought me the news in the night, he
having been with the party and was slightly wounded. He
said the whites had abandoned their cattle and gone back
towards the settlement. The rest of the night was spent in
mourning for our friends. At daylight I blacked my face
and started for the fort to see the chief, I met him at the
liLACK HAWK. 55
gate arid told him what had happened. His countenance
changed and I could see sorrow depicted in it for the death
of my people. He tried to persuade me that I was mis-
taken, as he could not believe that the whites would act so
cruelly. Butwhen I convinced him, he said to me, 'those
cowards who murdered your people shall be punished.'
I told him that my people would have revenge, that they
would not trouble any of his people at the fort, as we did
not blame him or any of his soldiers, but that a party of my
braves would go towards the Wabash to avenge the death
of their friends and relations. The next day I took a par-
ty of hunters, killed several deers, and left them at the fort
gate as I passed."
Here Gomo ended his story. I could relate mfiny simi-
lar ones that have come within my own knowledge and
observation, but I dislike«to look back and bring on sorrow
afresh. I will resume my narrative.
The great chief at St. Louis having sent word for us to
come down and confirm the treaty, we did not hesitate,
but started immediately that we might smoke the peace
pipe with him. On our arrival we met the great chiefs in
council. They explained to us the words of our Great
Father at Washington, accusing us of heinous crimes and
many misdemeanors, particularly in not coming down when
first invited. We knew very well that our Great Father
had deceived us and thereby forced us to join the British,
and could not believe that he had put this speech into the
mouths of those chiefs to deliver to us. I was not a civil
chief and consequently made no reply, but our civil chiefs
told the commissioners that, "What you say is a lie. Our
Great Father sent us no such speech, he knew that the sit-
uation in which we had been placed was caused by him."
The white chiefs appeared very angry at this reply and
said, "We wrill break off the treaty and make war against
you, as you have grossly insulted us."
56 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
Our chiefs had no intention of insulting them and toia
them so, saying, "we merely wish to explain that }^ou
have told us a lie, without any desire to make you angry,
in the same manner that you whites do when you do not
believe what is told you." The council then proceeded
and the pipe of peace was smoked.
Here for the first time, I touched the goose quill to the
treaty, not knowing, however, that, by the act I consent-
ed to give away my village. Had that been explained to
me I should have opposed it and never would have signed
their treaty,, as my recent conduct will clearly prove.
What do we know of the manners, the laws, and the cus-
toms of the white people? They might buy our bodies for
dissection, and we would touch the goose quill to confirm
it and not know what we were doing. This was the case
with me and my people in touching the goose quill the first
time.
We can only judge of what is proper and right by our
standard of what is right and wrong, which differs widely
from the whites, if I have been correctly informed. The
whites may do wrong all their lives, and then if they are
sorry for it when about to die, all is well, but with us it is
different. We must continue to do good throughout our
lives. If we have corn and meat, and know of a family that
have none, we divide with them. If we have more blankets
than we absolutely need, and others have not enough, we
must give to those who are in want. But I will presently
explain our customs and the manner in which we live.
We were treated friendly by the whites and started on
our return to our village on Rock river. When we arrived
we found that the troops had come to build a fort on Rock
Island. This, in our opinion, was a contradiction to what
we had done — "to prepare for war in time of peace." We
-did not object, however, to their building their fort on the
BLACK HAWK. 57
island, but were very sorry, as this was the best one on
the Mississippi, and had long been the resort of our young
people during- the summer. It was our garden, like the
white people have near their big villages, which supplied us
with strawberries, blackberries, gooseberries, plums, ap-
ples and nuts of different kinds. Being situated at the
foot of the rapids its waters supplied us with the finest fish,
In my early life I spent many happy days on this island.
A good spirit had charge of it, which lived \n a cave in
the rocks immediately under the place where the fort now
stands. This guardian spirit has often been seen by our
people. It was white, with large wings like a swan's, but
ten times larger. We were particular not to make much
noise in that part of the island which it inhabited, for fear
of disturbing it. But the noise at the fort has since driven
it away, and no doubt a bad spirit has taken its place.
Our village was situated on the north side of Rock river,
at the foot of the rapids, on the point of land between
Rock river and the Mississippi.
In front a prairie extended to the Mississippi, and in the
rear a continued bluff gently ascended from the prairie.
BLACK HAWK'S TOWER.
On its highest peak our Watch Tower was situated,,
from which we had a fine view for many miles up and
down Rock river, and in every direction. On the side of
this bluff we had our corn fields, extending about two
miles up parallel with the larger river, where they adjoined
those of the Foxes, whose village was on the same stream,
opposite the lower end of Rock Island, and three miles
distant from ours. We had eight hundred acres in culti-
vation including what we had on the islands in Rock river.-
The land around our village which remained unbroken,
was covered with blue-grass which furnished excel-
58 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
lent pasture for our horses. Several fine springs poured
out of the bluff near by, from which we were well sup-
plied with good water. The rapids of Rock river fur-
nished us with an abundance of excellent fish, and the
land being very fertile, never failed to produce good crops
of corn, beans, pumpkins and squashes. We always had
plenty ; our children never cried from hunger, neither
were our people in want. Here our village had stood for
more than a hundred years, during all of which time we
were the undisputed possessors of the Mississippi valley,
from the Wisconsin to the Portage des Sioux, near the
mouth of the Missouri, being about seven hundred miles
in length.
At this time we had very little intercourse with the
whites except those who were traders. Our village was
healthy, and there was no place in the country possessing
such advantages, nor hunting grounds better than those we
had in possession. If a prophet had come to our village
in those days and told us that the things were to take place
which have since come to pass, none of our people would
have believed him. What! to be driven from our village,
and our hunting grounds, and not even to be permitted to
visit the graves of our forefathers and relatives and our
friends?
This hardship is not known to the whites. With us it is
a custom to visit the graves of our friends and keep them
in repair for many years. The mother will go alone to
weep over the grave of her child. The brave, with pleas-
ure, visits the grave of his father, after he has been suc-
cessful in war, and repaints the post that marks where he
lies. There is no place like that where the bones of our
forefathers lie to go to when in grief. Here prostrate by
the tombs of our fathers will the Great Spirit lake pity on
us.
BLACK HAWK. 59
But how different is our situation now from what it was
in those happy days. Then were we as happy as the buf-
falo on the plains, but now, we are as miserable as the
hungry wolf on the prairie. But I am digressing from my
story. Bitter reflections crowd upon my mind and must
find utterance.
When we returned to our village in the spring, from our
wintering grounds, we would finish bartering with our tra-
ders, who always followed us to our village. We pur-
posely kept some of our fine furs for this trade, and, as
there was great opposition among them, who should get
these furs, we always got our goods cheap. After this
trade was over, the traders would give us a few kegs of
rum, which were generally promised in the fall, to encour-
age us to make a good hunt and not go to war. They
would then start with their furs and peltries, for their
homes, and our old men would take a frolic. At this time
our young men never drank. When this was ended, the
next thing to be done was to bury our dead ; such as had
died during the year. This is a great medicine feast.
The relations of those who have died, give all the goods
they have purchased, as presents to their friends, thereby
reducing themselves to poverty, to show the Great Spirit
that they are humble, so that he will take pity on them.
We would next open the caches, take out the corn and
other provisions which had been put up in the fall. We
would then commence repairing our lodges. As soon ^s
this was accomplished, we repair the fences around our
corn fields and clean them off ready for planting. This
work was done by the women. The men during this time
are feasting on dried venison, bear's meat, wild fowl and
corn prepared in different ways, while recounting to one
another what took place during the winter.
Our women plant the corn, and as soon as they are
60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
done we make a feast, at which we dance the crane dance
in which they join us, dressed in their most gaudy attire,
and decorated with feathers. At this feast the young men
select the women they wish to have for wives. He then
informs his mother, who calls on the mother of the girl,
when the necessary arrangements are made and the time
appointed for him to come. He goes to the lodge when
all are asleep, orpretend to be, and with his flint and steel
strikes a light and soon finds where his intended sleeps.
He then awakens her, holds the light close to his face that
she may know him, after which he places the light close to
her. If she blows it out the ceremony is ended and he ap-
pears in the lodge next morning as one of the family. If
she does not blow out the light, but leaves it burning he
retires from the lodge. The next day he places himself in
full view of it and plays his flute. The young women go
out one by one to see who he is playing for. The tune
changes to let them know he is not playing for them.
When his intended makes her appearance at the door, he
continues his courting tune until she returns to the lodge.
He then quits playing and makes another trial at night
which usually turns out favorable. During the first year
they ascertain whether they can agree with each other and
be happy, if not they separate and each looks for another
companion. If we were to live together and disagree, we
would be as foolish as the whites. No indiscretion can
banish a woman from her parental lodge ; no difference
how many children she may bring home she is always wel-
come— the kettle is over the fire to feed them.
The crane dance often lasts two or three days. When
this is over, we feast again and have our national daace.
The large square in the village is swept and prepared for
the purpose. The chiefs and old warriors take seats on
mats, which have been spread on. the upper end of the
BLACK HAWK. 6 IT
square, next come the drummers and singers, the braves-
and women form the sides, leaving a large space in the mid-
dle. The drums beat and the singing commences. A _
warrior enters the square keeping time with the music. He
shows the manner he started on a war party, how he ap-
proached the enemy, he strikes and shows how he killed
him. All join in the applause, and he then leaves the-
square and another takes his place. Such of our young
men as have not been out in war parties and killed an ene-
my stand back ashamed, not being allowed to enter the-
square. I remember that I was ashamed to look where our
young men stood, before I could take my stand in the ring
as a warrior.
What pleasure it is to an old warrior, to see his son>
come forward and relate his exploits. It makes him feel:
young, induces him to enter the square and "fight his.
battles o'er again."
This national dance makes our warriors. When I was-
travelling last summer on a steamboat, on the river going
from New York to Albany, I was shown the place where
the Americans dance the war-dance, (West Point), where
the old warriors recount to their young men what
they have done to stimulate them to go and do likewise.
This surprised me, as I did not think the whites under-
stood our way of making braves.
When our national dance is over, our cornfields hoed,
every weed dug up and our corn about knee high, all
our young men start in a direction toward sundown, to
hunt deer and buffalo and to kill Sioux if any are found
on our hunting grounds. A part of our old men and wo-
men go to the lead mines to make lead, and the remain-
der of our people start to fish and get meat stuff. Every
one leaves the village and remains away about forty days.
They then return, the hunting party bringing in dried
62 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
buffalo and deer meat, and sometimes Sioux scalps, when
they are found trespassing on our hunting grounds. At
other times they are met by a party of Sioux too strong
for them and are driven in. If the Sioux have killed the
Sacs last, they expect to be retaliated upon and will fly
before them, and so with us. Each party knows that the
other has a right to retaliate, which induces those who
have killed last to give way before their enemy, as neither
wishes to strike, except to avenge the death of relatives.
All our wars are instigated by the relations of those killed,
or by aggressions on our hunting grounds. The party
from the lead mines brings lead, and the others dried fish,
and mats for our lodges. ' Presents are now made by each
party, the first giving to the others dried buffalo and deer,
and they in return presenting them lead, dried fish and
mats. This is a happy season of the year, having plenty
of provisions, such as beans, squashes and other produce ;
with our dried meat and fish, we continue to make feasts
and visit each other until our corn is ripe. Some lodge in
the village makes a feast daily to the Great Spirit. I can-
not explain this so that the white people will understand
me, as we have no regular standard among us.
Every one makes his feast as he thinks best, to please
the Great Spirit, who has the care of all beings created.
Others believe in two Spirks, one good and one bad, and
make feasts for the Bad Spirit, to keep him quiet. They
think that if they can make peace with him, the Good
Spirit will not hurt them. For my part I am of the opin-
ion, that so far as we have reason, we have a right to use
it in determining what is right or wrong, and we should
always pursue that path which we believe to be right, be-
lieving that " whatsoever is, is right." If the Great and
Good Spirit wished us to believe and do as the whites, he
could easily change our opinions, so that we could see,
iiLAcK HAWK-. G3
and think, and act as they do. We are nothing compared
to his power, and we feel and know it. We have men
among us, like the whites, who pretend to know the right
path, but will not consent to show it without pay. I have
no faith in their paths, but believe that every man must
make his own path.
When our corn is getting ripe, our young people watch
with anxiety for the signal to pull roasting ears, as none
dare touch them until the proper time. When the corn is
fit for use another great ceremony takes place, with feast-
ing and returning thanks to the Great Spirit for giving us
corn.
I will here relate the manner in which corn first came.
According to tradition handed down to our people, a beau-
tiful woman was seen to descend from the clouds, and
alight upon the earth, by two of our ancestors who had
killed a deer, and were sitting by a fire roasting a part of
it to eat. They were astonished at seeing her, and con-
cluded that she was hungry and had smelt the meat. They
immediately went to her, taking with them a piece of the
roasted venison. They presented it to her, she ate it, tell-
ing them to return tp the spot where she was sitting at the
end of one year, and they would find a reward, for their
kindness and generosity. She then ascended to the clouds
and disappeared. The men returned to their village, and
explained to the tribe what they had seen, done and heard,
but were laughed at by their people. When the period had
arrivedfor them to visit this consecrated ground, where
they were to find a reward for their attention to the beau-
tiful woman of the clouds, they went with a large party,
and found where her right hand had rested on the ground
corn growing, where the left hand had rested beans, and
immediately where she had been seated, tobacco.
The two first have ever since been cultivated by our peo- .
(>4 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF*
pie as 'our principal provisions, and the last*is used for
smoking. The white people have since found out the lat-
ter, and seem to relish it as much as we do, as they use it
in different ways, namely : Smoking, snuffing and
chewing.
We thank the Great Spirit for all the good he has con-
ferred upon us. For myself, I never take a drink of water
from a spring without being mindful of his goodness.
We next have our great ball play, from three to five
hundred on a side play this game. We play for guns, lead,
horses and blankets, or any other kind of property we may
have. The successful party takes the stakes, and all re-
turn to our lodges with peace and friendship. We next
■ commence horse racing, and continue our sport and feast-
ing until the corn is secured. We then prepare to leave
■ our village for our hunting grounds.
The traders arrive and give us credit for guns, flints, pow-
der, shot and lead, and such articles as we want to clothe
■ our families with and enable us to hunt. We first, howev-
er, hold a council with them, to ascertain the price they
will give us for our skins, and then they will charge us fpr
the goods. We inform them where we intend hunting, and
tell them where to build their houses. At this place we
deposit a part of our corn, and leave our old people. The
traders have always been kind to them and relieved them
when in want, and consequently were always much respect-
ed by our people, and never since we were a nation, has
one of them been killed by our people.
We then disperse in small parties to make our hunt, and
as soon as it is over, we return to our trader's establish-
ment, with our skins, and remain feasting, playing cards
and at other pastimes until the close of the winter. Our
young men then start on the beaver hunt, others to hunt
raccoons and muskrats ; the remainder of our people go to
BLACK HAWK. 65
the sugar camps to make sugar. All leave our encamp-
ment and appoint a place to meet on the Mississippi, so
that we may return together to our village in the spring.
We always spend our time pleasantly at the sugar camp.
It being the season for wild fowl, we lived well and always
had plenty, when the hunters came in that we might make
a feast for them. After this is over we return to our vil-
lage, accompanied sometimes by our traders. In this way
the time rolled round happily. But these are times that
were.
While on the subject of our manners and customs, it
might be well to relate an instance that occurred near our
village just five years before we left it for the last time.
In 1827, a young Sioux Indian got lost on the prairie,
in a snow storm, and found his way into a camp of the
Sacs. According to Indian customs, although he was an
enemy, he was safe while accepting their hospitality. He
remained there for some time on account of the severity
of the storm. Becoming well acquainted he fell in love
with the daughter of the Sac at whose village he had been
entertained, and before leaving for his own country, prom-
ised to come to the Sac village for her at a certain time
during the approaching summer. In July he made his
way to the Rock river village, secreting himself in the
woods until he met the object of his love, who came out
to the field with her mother to assist her in hoeing corn.
Late in the afternoon her mother left her and went to the
village. No sooner had she got out of hearing, than he
gave a loud whistle which assured the maiden that he had
returned. She continued hoeing leisurely to the end of
the row, when her lover came to meet her, and she prom-
ised to come to him as soon as she could go to the lodge
and get her blanket, and together they would flee to his
country. But unfortunately for the lovers the girl's two
5
66 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
brothers had seen the meeting, and after procuring their
guns started in pursuit of them. A heavy thunderstorm
was coming on at the time. The lovers hastened to, and
took shelter under a cliff of rocks, at Black Hawk's watch-
tower. Soon after a loud peal of thunder was heard, the cliff
of rocks was shattered in a thousand pieces, and the lovers
buried beneath, while in full view of her pursuing broth-
ers. This, their unexpected tomb, still remains undis-
turbed.
This tower to which my name had been applied, was a
favorite resort and was frequently visited by me alone,
when I could sit and smoke my pipe, and look with won-
der and pleasure, at the grand scenes that were presented
by the sun's rays, even across the mighty water. On one
occasion a Frenchman, who had been making his home
in our village, brought his violin with him to the tower, to
play and dance for the amusement of a number of our
people, who had assembled there, and while dancing with
his back to the cliff, accidentally fell over it and was killed
by the fall. The Indians say that always at the same time
of the year, soft strains of the violin can be heard near that
spot.
On returning in the spring from our hunting grounds, I
had the pleasure of meeting our old friend, the trader
of Peoria, at Rock Island. He came up in a boat from
St. Louis, not as a trader, but as our Agent. We were
well pleased to see him. He told us that he narrowly es-
caped falling into the hands of Dixon. He remained
with us a short time, gave us good advice, and then re-
turned to St. Louis.
The Sioux having committed depredations on our peo-
ple, we sent out war parties that summer, who succeeded
in killing fourteen.
I paid several visits to Fort Armstrong, at Rock Island,
BLACK HAWK. 67
during the summer, and was always well received by the
gentlemanly officers stationed there, who were distin-
guished for their bravery, and they never trampled upon
an enemy's rights. Colonel George Davenport resided
near the garrison, and being in connection with the Amer-
ican Fur Company, furnished us the greater portion of our
goods. We were not as happy then, in our village, as
formerly. Our people got more liquor from the small
traders than customary. I used all my influence to pre-
vent drunkenness, but without effect. As the settlements
progressed towards us, we became worse off and more
unhappy.
Many of our people, instead of going to the old hunting
grounds, when game was plenty, would go near the settle-
ments to hunt, and, instead of saving their skins, to pay
the trader for goods furnished them in the fall, would sell
them to the settlers for whisky, and return in the spring
with their families almost naked, and without the means of
getting anything for them.
About this time my eldest son was taken sick and died.
He had always been a dutiful child and had just grown to
manhood. Soon after, my youngest daughter, an inter-
esting and affectionate child, died also. This was a hard
stroke, because I loved my children. In my distress I left
the noise of the village and built my lodge on a mound
in the corn-field, and enclosed it with a fence, around
which I planted corn and beans. Here I was with my fam-
ily alone. I gave everything I had away, and reduced my-
self to poverty. The only covering I retained was apiece
of buffalo robe. I blacked my face and resolved on fast-
ing for twenty-four moons, for the loss of my two children
— drinking only of water during the day, and eating spar-
ingly of boiled corn at sunset. I fulfilled my promise,
hoping that the Great Spirit would take pity on me.
68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP
My nation had now some difficulty with the lowas. Our
young men had repeatedly killed some of them, and the
breaches had always been made up by giving presents to
the relations of those killed. But the last council we had
with them, we promised that in case any more of their peo-
ple were killed by ours, instead of presents, we would give
up the person or persons, who had done the injury. We
made this determination known to our people, but notwith-
standing this, one of our young men killed an Iowa the
following winter.
A party of our people were about starting for the Iowa
village to give the young man up, and I agreed to accom-
pany them. When we were ready to start, I called at the
lodge for the young man to go with us. He was sick, but
willing to go, but his brother, however, prevented him and
insisted on going to die in his place, as he was unable to
travel. We started, and on the seventh day arrived in
sight of the Iowa village, and within a short distance of it
we halted and dismounted. We all bid farewell to our
young brave, who entered the village singing his death
song, and sat down on the square in the middle of the
village. One of the Iowa chiefs came out to us. We
told him that we had fulfilled our promise, that we had
brought the brother of the young man who had killed one
of his people — that he had volunteered to come in his
place, in consequence of his brother being unable to travel
from sickness. We *had no further conversation but
mounted our horses and rode off. As we started I cast
my eye toward the village, and observed the lowas com-
ing out of their lodges with spears and war clubs, We
took the backward trail and travelled until dark — then en-
camped and made a fire. We had not been there long be-
fore we heard the sound of horses coming toward us.
We seized our arms, but instead of an enemy it was
BLACK HAWK. 69
our young brave with two horses. He told me that after
we had left him, they menaced him with death for some
time — then gave him something to eat — smoked the pipe
with him and made him a present of the two horses and
some goods, and started him after us. When we arrived
at our village our people were much pleased, and for their
noble and generous conduct on this occasion, not one of
the Iowa people has been killed since by our nation.
That fall I visited Maiden with several of my band, and
was well treated by the agent of our British Father, who
gave us a variety of presents. He also gave me a medal,
and told me there never would be war between England
and America again ; but for my fidelity to the British, dur-
ing the war that had terminated some time before, re-
quested me to come with my band and get presents every
year, as Colonel Dixon had promised me.
I returned and hunted that winter on the Two Rivers.
The whites were now settling the country fast. I was out
one day hunting in a bottom, and met three white men.
They accused me of killing their hogs. I denied it, but
they would not listen to me. One of them took my gun
out of my hand and fired it off — then took out the flint,
gave it back to me and commenced beating me with sticks,
ordering me at the same time to be off. I was so much
bruised that I could not sleep for several nights.
Some time after this occurrence, one of my camp cut a
bee tree and carried the honey to his lodge. A party of
white men soon followed him, and told him the bee tree
was theirs, and that he had no right to cut it. He pointed
to the honey and told them to take it. They were not sat-
isfied with this, but took all the packs of skins that he had
collected during the winter, to pay his trader and clothe
his family with in the spring, and carried them off.
How could we like a people who treated us so unjustly ?
70 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP
We determined to break up our camp, for fear they would
do worse, and when we joined our people in the spring a
great many of them complained of similar treatment.
This summer our agent came to live at Rock Island. He
treated us well and gave us good advice. I visited him and
the trader very often during the summer, and for the first
time heard talk of our having to leave our village. The
trader, Colonel George Davenport, who spoke our lan-
guage, explained to me the terms of the treaty that had
been made, and said we would be obliged to leave the
Illinois side of the Mississippi, and advised us to select a
good place for our village and remove to it in the spring.
He pointed out the difficulties we would have to encounter
if we remained at our village on Rock river. He had
great influence with the principal Fox chief, his adopted
brother, Keokuk. He persuaded him to leave his village,
go to the west side of the Mississippi and build another,
which he did the spring following. Nothing was talked of
but leaving our village. Keokuk had been persuaded to
consent to go, and was using all his influence, backed by
the war chief at Fort Armstrong and our agent and trader
at Rock Island, to induce others to go with him. He sent
the crier through our village, to inform our people that it
was the wish of our Great Father that we should remove
to the west side of the Mississippi, and recommended the
Iowa river as a good place for the new village. He wished
his party to make such arrangements, before they started
on their winter's hunt, as to preclude the necessity of their
returning to the village in the spring.
The party opposed to removing called on me for my
opinion. I gave it freely, and after questioning Quash-
quame about the sale of our lands, he assured me that he
" never had consented to the sale of our village." I now
promised this party to be the leader, and raised the stand-
r.LACK HAWK.
71
ard of opposition to Keokuk, with a full determination not
to leave our village. I had an interview with Keokuk, to
see if this difficulty could not be settled with our Great
Father, and told him to propose to give any other land
that our Great Father might choose, even our lead mines,
to be peaceably permitted to keep the small point of land
on which our village was situated. I was of the opinion
that the white people had plenty of land and would never
take our village from us. Keokuk promised to make an
exchange if possible, and applied to our agent, and the
great chief at St. Louis, who had charge of all the agents,
for permission to go to Washington for that purpose.
This satisfied us for a time. We started to our hunting-
grounds with good hopes that something would be done
for us. During the winter I received information that
three families of whites had come to our village and de-
stroyed some of our lodges, were making fences and divid-
ing our cornfields for their own use. They were quarrel-
ing among thetuselves about their lines of division. I
started immediately for Rock river, a distance of ten
days' travel, and on my arrival found the report true. I
went to my lodge and saw a family occupying it. I wished
to talk to them but they could not understand me. I then
went to Rock Island ; the agent being absent, I told the
interpreter what I wanted to say to these people, viz. :
" Not to settle on our lands, nor trouble our fences, that
there was plenty of land in the country for them to settle
upon, and that they must leave our village, as we were
coming back to it in the spring." The interpreter wrote
me a paper, I went back to the village and showed it to
the intruders, but could not understand their reply. I pre-
sumed, however, that they would remove as I expected
them to. I returned to Rock Island, passed the night
there and had a long conversation with the trader. He
72 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
advised me to give up and make my village with Keokuk
on the Iowa river. I told him that I would not. The
next morning I crossed the Mississippi on very bad ice,
but the Great Spirit had made it strong, that I might pass
over safe. I traveled three days farther to see the Winne-
bago sub-agent and converse with him about our difficul-
ties. He gave no better news than the trader had done.
I then started by way of Rock river, to see the Prophet,
believing that he was a man of great knowledge. When we
met, I explained to him everything as it was. He at once
agreed that I was right, and advised me never to give up
our village, for the whites to plow up the bones of our
people. He said, that if we remained at our village, the
whites would not trouble us, and advised me to get Keo-
kuk, and the party that consented to go with him to the
Iowa in the spring, to return and remain at our village.
I returned to my hunting ground, after an absence of
one moon, and related what I had done. In a short time
we came up to our village, and found that the whites had
not left it, but that others had come, and that the greater
part of our cornfields had been enclosed. When we
landed the whites appeared displeased because we came
back. We repaired the lodges that had been left standing,
and built others. Keokuk came to the village, but his
object was to persuade others to follow him to the Iowa.
He had accomplished nothing towards making arrange-
ments for us to remain, or to exchange other lands for our
village. There was no more friendship existing between
us. I looked upon him as a coward and no brave, to
abandon his village to be occupied by strangers. What
right had these people to our village, and our fields, which
the Great Spirit had given us to live upon ?
My reason teaches me that land cannot be sold. The
Great Spirit gave it to his children to live upon and culti-
BLACK HAWK. 73
vate as far as necessary for their subsistence, and so long
as they occupy and cultivate it they have the right to the
soil, but if they voluntarily leave it, then any other people
have a right to settle on it. Nothing can be sold but such
things as can be carried away.
In consequence of the improvements of the intruders on
our fields, we found considerable difficulty to get
ground to plant a little corn. Some of the whites permit-
ted us to plant small patches in the fields they had fenced,
keeping all the best ground for themselves. Our women
had great difficulty in climbing their fences, being unaccus-
tomed to the kind, and were ill treated if they left a rail
down.
One of my old friends thought ne was safe. His corn-
field was on a small island in Rock river. He planted his
corn, it came up well, but the white man saw it ; he wanted
it, and took his teams over, ploughed up the crop and re-
planted it for himself. The old man shed tears, not for
himself but on account of the distress his family would be
in if they raised no corn. The white people brought whis-
ky to our village, made our people drunk, and cheated
them out of their horses, guns and traps. This fraudulent
system was carried to such an extent that I apprehended
serious difficulties might occur, unless a stop was put to it.
Consequently I visited all the whites and begged them not
to sell my people whisky. One of them continued the
practice openly ; I took a party of my young men, went to
his house, took out his barrel, broke in the head and
poured out the whisky. I did this for fear some of the
whites might get killed by my people when they were drunk.
Our people were treated very badly by the whites on
many occasions. At one time a white man beat one of our
women cruelly, for pulling a few suckers of corn out of
his field to suck when she was hungry. At another time
74 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
one of our young men was beat with clubs by two white
men, for opening a fence which crossed our road to take
his horse through. His shoulder blade was broken and
his body badly bruised, from the effects of which he soon
after died.
Bad and cruel as our people were treated by the whites,
not ©ne of them was hurt or molested by our band. I hope
this will prove that we are a peaceable people — having per-
mitted ten men to take possession of our corn fields, pre-
vent us from planting corn, burn our lodges', ill-treat our
women, and beat to death our men without offering resist-
ence to their barbarous cruelties. This is a lesson worthy
for the white man to learn : to use forbearance when in-
jured.
We acquainted our agent daily with our situation, and
through him the great chief at St. Louis, and hoped that
something would be done for us. The whites were com-
plaining at the same time that we were intruding upon their
rights. They made it appear that they were the injured
party, and we the intruders. They called loudly to the
great war chief to protect their property.
How smooth must be the language of the whites, when
they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like
right.
During this summer I happened at Rock Island, when a
great chief arrived, whom I had known as the great chief
of Illioois,t( Governor Cole) in company with another chief
who I have been told is a great writer (Judge James Hall.)
I called upon them and begged to explain the grievances to
them, under which my people and I were laboring, hop-
ing that they could do something for us. The great chief
however, did not seem disposed to council with me. He
said he was no longer the chief of Illinois ; that his child-
ren had selected another father in his stead, and that he
BLACK HAWK. 75
now only ranked as they did. I was surprised at this talk,
as I had always heard that he was a good brave and great
chief. But the white people appear to never be satisfied.
When they get a good father, they hold councils at the
suggestion of some bad, ambitious man, who wants the
place himself, and conclude among themselves that this
man, or some other equally ambitious, would make a bet-
ter father than they have, and nine times out of ten they
don't get as good a one again.
I insisted on explaining to these chiefs the true situation
of my people. They gave their assent. I arose and
made a speech, in which I explained to them the treaty
made by Quashquame, and three of our braves, according
to the manner the trader and others had explained it to
me. I then told them that Quashquame and his party
positively denied having ever sold my village, and that as
I had never known them to lie, I was determined to keep
it in possession.
I told them that the white people had already entered
our village, burned our lodges, destroyed our fences,
ploughed up our corn and beat our people. They had
brought whisky into our country, made our people drunk,
and taken from them their horses, guns and traps, and
that I had borne all this injury, without suffering any of
my braves to raise a hand against the whites.
My object in holding this council was to get the opin-
ion of these two chiefs as to the best course for me to pur-
sue. I had appealed in vain, time after time to our agent,
who regularly represented our situation to the chief at St.
Louis, whose duty it was to call upon the Great Father to
have justice done to us, but instead of this we are told
that the white people wanted our country and we must leave
it for them !
I did not think it possible that our Great Father wished
76 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
us to leave our village where we had lived so long, and
where the bones of so many of our people had been laid.
The great chief said that as he no longer had any au-
thority he could do nothing for us, and felt sorry that it
was not in his power to aid us, nor did he know how to
advise us. Neither of them could do anything for us, but
both evidently were very sorry. It would give me great
pleasure at all times to take these two chiefs by the hand.
That fall I paid a visit to the agent before we started to
our hunting grounds, to hear if he had any good news
forme. He had news. He said that the land on which
our village now stood was ordered to be sold to individ-
uals, and that when sold our right to remain by treaty
would be at an end, and that if we returned next spring
we would be forced to remove.
We learned during the winter, that part of the land
where our village stood had been sold to individuals, and
that the trader at Rock Island, Colonel Davenport, had
bought the greater part that had been sold. The reason
was now plain to me why he urged us to remove. His
object, we thought, was to get our lands. We held sev-
eral councils that winter to determine what we should dp.
We resolved in one of them, to return to our village as
usual in the spring. We concluded that if we were re-
moved by force, that the trader, agent and others must be
the cause, and that if they were found guilty of having
driven us from our village they should be killed. The
trader stood foremost on this list. He had purchased the
land on which my lodge stood, and that of our graveyard
also. We therefore proposed to kill him and the agent, the
interpreter, the great chief at St. Louis, the war chiefs at
Forts Armstrong, Rock Island and Keokuk, these being
the principal persons to blame for endeavoring to remove
us.
BLACK HAWK. 77
Our women received bad accounts from the women who
had been raising corn at the new village, of the difficulty
of breaking the new prairie with hoes, and the small quant-
ity of corn raised. We were nearly in the same condition
with regard to the latter, it being the first time I ever knew
our people to be in want of provisions.
I prevailed upon some of Keokuk's band to return this
spring to the Rock river village, but Keokuk himself
would not come. I hoped that he would get permission to
go to Washington to settle our affairs with our Great
Father. I visited the agent at Rock Island. He was dis-
pleased because we had returned to our village, and told
me that we must remove to the west of the Mississippi. I
told him plainly that we would not. I visited the inter-
preter at his house, who advised me to do as the agent
had directed me. I then went to see the trader and up-
braided him for buying our lands. He said that if he had
not purchased them some person else would, and that if
our Great Father would make an exchange with us, he
would willingly give up the land he had purchased to the
government. This I thought was fair, and began to think
that he had not acted so badly as I had suspected. We
again repaired our lodges and built others, as most of our
village had been burnt and destro}7ed. Our women se-
lected small patches to plant corn, where the whites had
not taken them in their fences, and worked hard to raise
something for our children to subsist upon.
I was told that according to the treaty, we had no right
to remain on the lands sold, and that the government would
force us to leave them. -There was but a small portion
however that had been sold, the balance remaining in the
hands of the government. We claimed the right, if we
had no other, to " live and hunt upon it as long as it re-
mained the property of the government," by a stipula-
78 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
tion in the treaty that required us to evacuate it after it
had been sold. This was the land that we wished to
inhabit and thought we had a right to occupy.
I heard that there was a great chief on the Wabash, and
sent a party to get his advice. They informed him that
we had not sold our village. He assured them then, that
if we had not sold the land on which our village stood, our
Great Father would not take it from us.
I started early to Maiden to see the chief of my British
Father, and told him my story. He gave the same reply
that the chief on the Wabash had given, and in justice to
him I must say he never gave me any bad advice, but
advised me to apply to our American Father, who, he said,
would do us justice. I next called on the great chief at
Detroit and made the same statement to him that I had
made to the chief of our British Father. He gave me the
same reply. He said if we had not sold our lands, and
would remain peaceably on them, that we would not be
disturbed. This assured me that I was right, and deter-
mined me to hold out as I had promised my people. I
returned from Maiden late in the fall. My people were
gone to their hunting ground, whither I followed. Here I
learned that they had been badly treated all summer by the
whites, and that a treaty had been held at Prairie du Chien.
Keokuk and some of our people attended it, and found
that our Great Father had exchanged a small strip of the
land that had been ceded by Quashquame and his party,
with the Pottowattomies for a portion of their land near
Chicago. That the object of this treaty was to get it back
again, and that the United States had agreed to give them
sixteen thousand dollars a }^ear forever for this small strip
of land, it being less than a twentieth part of that taken
from our nation for one thousand dollars a year. This
bears evidence of something I cannot explain. This land
BLACK HAWK. 70
they say belonged to the United States. What reason
then, could have induced them to exchange it with the
Pottowattomies if it was so valuable? Why not keep it? Or
if they found they had made a bad bargain with the Potto-
wattomies, why not take back their land at a fair proportion
of what they gave our nation for it ! If this small portion
of the land that they took from us for one thousand dollars
a year, be worth sixteen thousand dollars a year forever to
the Pottowattomies, then the whole tract of country taken
from us ought to be worth, to our nation, twenty times as
much as this small fraction.
Here I was again puzzled to find out how the white peo-
ple reasoned, and began to doubt whether they had any
standard of right and wrong.
Communication was kept up between myself and the
Prophet. Runners were sent to the Arkansas, Red river
and Texas, not on the subject of our lands, but on a secret
mission, which I am not at present permitted to explain.
It was related to me that the chiefs and head men of the
Foxes had been invited to Prairie du Chien, to hold a
council for the purpose of settling the difficulties existing
between them and the Sioux.
The chiefs and headmen, amounting to nine, started for
the place designated, taking with them one woman, and
were met by the Menonomees and Sioux, near the Wiscon-
sin and killed, all except one man. Having understood
that the whole matter was published shortly after it occur-
red, and is known to the white people, I will say no
more about it.
I would here remark, that our pastimes and sports had
been laid aside for two years. We were a divided people,
forming two parties. Keokuk being at the head of one,
willing to barter our rights merely for the good opinion of
the whites, and cowardly enough to desert our village to
80 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
them. I was at the head of the other division, and was
determined to hold on to my village, although I had been
ordered to leave it. But, I considered, as myself and band
had no agency in selling our country, and that, as provis-
ion had been made in the treaty, for us all to remain on it
as long as it belonged to the United States, that we could
not be forced away. I refused therefore to quit my vil-
lage. It was here that I was born, and here lie the bones
of many friends and relations. For this spot I felt a sacred
reverence, and never could consent to leave it without be-
ing forced therefrom.
When I called to mind the scenes of my youth and
those of later days, when I reflected that the theatre on
which these were acted, had been so long the home of my
fathers, who now slept on the hills around it, I could not
bring my mind to consent to leave this country to the
whites for any earthly consideration.
The winter passed off in gloom. We made a bad hunt
for want of guns, traps and other necessaries which the
whites had taken from our people for whisky. The pros-
pect before us was a bad one. I fasted and called upon
the Great Spirit to direct my steps to the right path. I
was in great sorrow because all the whites with whom I
was acquainted and had been on terms of intimacy, ad-
vised me contrary to my wishes, that I began to doubt
whether I had a friend among them.
Keokuk, who has a smooth tongue, and is a great
speaker, was busy in persuading my band that I was
wrong, and thereby making man}'' of them dissatisfied
with me. I had one consolation, for all the women were on
my side on account of their cornfields.
On my arrival again at my village, with my band in-
creased, I found it worse than before. I visited Rock Isl-
and and the agent again ordered me to quit my village.
BLACK HAWK. 81
He said that if we did not, troops would be sent to drive
us off. He reasoned with me and told me it would be bet-
ter for us to be with the rest of our people, so that we
might avoid difficulty and live in peace. The interpreter
joined him and gave me so many good reasons that I al-
most wished I had not undertaken the difficult task I had
pledged myself to my brave band to perform. In this
mood I called upon the trader, who is fond of talking, and
had long been my friend, but now amongst those who ad-
vised me to give up my village. He received me very
friendly and went on to defend Keokuk in what he had
done, endeavoring to show me that I was bringing distress
on our women and children. He inquired if some terms
could not be made that would be honorable to me and sat-
isfactory to my braves, for us to remove to the west side of
the Mississippi. I replied that if our Great Father could
do us justice and make the proposition, I could then give
up honorably. He asked me " if the great chief at St.
Louis would give us six thousand dollars to purchase pro-
visions and other articles, if I would give up peaceably
and remove to the west side of the Mississippi? " After
thinking some time I agreed that I could honorably give
up, being paid for it, according to our customs, but told
him that I could not make the proposal myself, even if I
Wished, because it would be dishonorable in me to do so.
He said that he would do it by sending word to the great
chief at St. Louis that he could remove us peaceably for
the amount stated, to the west side of the Mississippi. A
steamboat arrived at the island during my stay. After its
departure the trader told me that he had requested a war
chief, who was stationed at Galena, and was on board the
steamboat, to make the offer to the great chief at St.
Louis, and that he would soon be back and bring his an-
swer. I did not let my people know what had taken place
6
82 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
for fear they would be. displeased. I did not much like
what had been done myself, and tried to banish it from my
mind.
After a few days had passed the war chief returned and
brought an answer that " the great chief at St. Louis would
give us nothing, and that if we did not remove immediate-
ly we would be driven off."
I was not much displeased with the answer they brought
me, because I would rather have laid my bones with those
of my forefathers than remove for any consideration. Yet
if a friendly offer had been made as I expected, I would,
for the sake of our women and children have removed
peaceably.
I now resolved to remain in my village, and make no
resistance if the military came, but submit to my fate. I im-
pressed the importance of this course on all my band, and
directed them in case the military came not to raise an arm
against them.
About this time our agent was put out of office, for what
reason I could never ascertain. I then thought it was
for wanting to make us leave our village and if so it was
right, because I was tired of hearing him talk about it.
The interpreter, who had been equally as bad in trying to
persuade us to leave our village was retained in office, and
the young man who took the place of our agent, told the
same old story over about removing us. I was then satis-
fied that this could not have been the cause.
Our women had planted a few patches of corn which
was growing finely, and promised a subsistence for our
children, but the white people again commenced ploughing
it up. I now determined to put a stop to it by clearing our
country of the intruders. I went to their principal men
and told them that they should and must leave our country,
giving them until the middle of the next day to remove.
BLACK HAWK. 83
The worst left within the time appointed, but the one who
remained, represented that his family, which was large,
would be in a starving condition, if he went and left his
crop. He promised to behave well, if I would consent to
let him remain until fall, in order to secure his crop. He
spoke reasonably and I consented.
We now resumed some of our games and pastimes, hav-
ing been assured by the prophet that we would not be
removed. But in a little while it was ascertained that a
great war chief, General Gaines, was on his way to Rock
river with a great number of soldiers. I again called upon
the prophet, who requested a little time to see into the
matter. Early next morning he came. to me and said he
had been dreaming ; that he saw nothing bad in this
great war chief, General Gaines, who was now near Rock
river. That his object was merely to frighten us from our
village, that the white people might get our land for noth-
ing. He assured us that this great war chief dare not, and
would not, hurt any of us. That the Americans were at
peace with the British, and when they made peace, the
British required, and the Americans ageed to it, that they
should never interrupt any nation of Indians that was at
peace, and' that all we had to do to retain our village was
to refuse any and every offer that might be made by this
war chief.
The war chief arrived and convened a council at the
agency. Keokuk and Wapello were sent for, and with a
number of their band were present.
The council house was opened and all were admitted,
and n^self and band were sent for to attend. When we
arrived at the door singing a war song, and armed with
lances, spears, war clubs, bows and arrows, as if going to
battle, I halted and refused to enter, as I could see no nec-
essity or propriety in having the room crowded with those
84 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OV
who were already there. If the council was convened for"
us, why then have others in our room. The war chief having
sent all out except Keokuk, Wapello and a few of their
chiefs and braves, we entered the council in this warlike
appearance, being desirous of showing the war chief that
we were not afraid. He then rose and made a speech.
He said :
" The president is very sorry to be put to the* trouble
and expense of sending so large a body of soldiers here
to remove you from the lands you have long since ceded to
the United States. Your Great Father has already warned
you repeatedly, through your agent, to leave the country,
and he is very sorry to find that- you have disobeyed his
orders. Your Great Father wishes you well, and asks
nothing from you but what is reasonable and right. I
hope you will consult your own interests, and leave the
country you are occupying, and go to the other side of the
Mississippi."
I replied :
" We have never sold our country. We never received
any annuities from our American father, and we are de-
termined to hold on to our village."
The war chief, apparently angry, rose and said :
" Who is Black Hawk? Who is Black Hawk f "
I replied :
"lama Sac! My forefather was a Sac ! and all the
nations call me a SAC ! ! "
The war chief said :
" I came here neither to beg nor hire you to leave your
village. My business is to remove you, peaceably if
I can, forcibly if I must! I will now give you two days
in which to remove, and if you do not cross the Missis-
sippi by that time, I will adopt measures to force you
away."
BLACK HAWK. 85
I told him that I never would consent to leave my village
and was determined not to leave it.
The council broke up and the war chief retired to his
.fort. I consulted the prophet again. He said he had been
dreaming, and that the Great Spirit had directed that a
woman, the daughter of Mattatas, the old chief of the
village, should take a stick in her hand and go before the
war chief, and tell him that she is the daughter of Matta-
tas, and that he had always been the white man's friend.
That he had fought their battles, been wounded in their
service and had always spoken well of them, and she had
never heard him say that he had sold their village. The
whites are numerous, and can take it from us if they
choose, but she hoped they would not be so unfriendly.
If they were, she had one favor to ask ; she wished her
people to be allowed to remain long enough to gather their
provisions now growing in their fields ; that she was a wo-
man and had worked hard to raise something to sup-
port her children. And now, if we are driven from our
village without being allowed to save our corn, many of
our little children must perish with hunger.
Accordingly Mattatas' daughter was sent to the fort, ac-
companied by several of our young men, and was admit-
ted. She went before the war chief and told the story of
the prophet. The war chief said that the president did
not send him here to make treaties with the women, nor to
hold council with them. That our }^oung men must leave
the fort, but she might remain if she wished.
All our plans were defeated. We must cross the river,
or return to our village and await the coming of the
war chief with his soldiers. We determined on the latter,
but finding that our agent, interpreter, trader and Keokuk,
were determined on breaking my ranks, and had induced
several of my warriors to cross the Mississippi, I sent a
86 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
deputation to the agent, at the request of my band, pledg-
ing myself to leave the country in the fall, provided per-
mission was given us to remain, and secure our crop of
corn then growing, as we would be in a starving situation
if we were driven off without the means of subsistence.
The deputation returned with an answer from the war
chief " That no further time would be given than that
specified, and if we were not then gone he would remove
us."
I directed my village crier to proclaim that my orders
were, in the event of the war chief coming to our village
to remove us, that not a gun should be fired or any resist-
ance offered. That if he determined to fight, for them to
remain quietly in their lodges, and let him kill them if he
chose.
I felt conscious that this great war chief would not hurt
our people, and my object was not war. Had it been,
we would have attacked and killed the war chief and his
braves, when in council with us, as they were then com-
pletely in our power. But his manly conduct and soldierly
deportment, his mild yet energetic manner, which proved
his bravery, forbade it.
Some of our young men who had been out as spies
came in and reported that they had discovered a large
body of mounted men coming toward our village, who
looked like a war party. They arrived and took a posi-
tion below Rock river, for their place of encampment.
The great war chief, General Gaines, entered Rock river
in a steamboat, with his soldiers and one big gun. They
passed and returned close by our -village, but excited no
alarm among my braves. No attention was paid to the
boat; even our little children who were playing on the
bank of the river, as usual, continued their amusement.
The water being shallow, the boat got aground, which
BLACK HAWK. 87
gave the whites some trouble. If they had asked for as-
sistance, there was not a brave in my band who would not
willingly have aided them. Their people were permitted
to pass and repass through our village, and were treated
with friendship by our people.
The war chief appointed the next day to remove us. I
would have remained and been taken prisoner by the reg-
ulars, but was afraid of the multitude of pale faced mili-
tia, who were on horse back, as they were under no re-
straint of their chiefs.
We crossed the river during the night, and encamped
some distance below Rock Island. The great war chief
convened another council, for the purpose of making a
treaty with us. In this treaty he agreed to give us corn in
place of that we had left growing in our fields. I touched
the goose quill to this treaty, and was determined to live
in peace.
The corn that had been given us was soon found to be
inadequate to our wants, when loud lamentations were
heard in the camp by the women and children, for their
roasting ears, beans and squashes. To satisfy them, a
small party of braves went over in the night to take corn
from their own fields. They were discovered by the
whites and fired upon. Complaints were again made of
the depredations committed by some of my people, on
their own corn fields.
I understood from our agent, that there had been a pro-
vision made in one of our treaties for assistance in agricul-
ture, and that we could have our fields plowed if we re-
quired it. I therefore called upon him, and requested him
to have a small log house built for me, and a field plowed
that fall, as I wished to live retired. He promised to have
it done. I then went to the trader, Colonel Davenport,
and asked for permission to be buried in the grave-yard
88 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
at our village, among my old friends and warriors, which
he gave cheerfully. I then returned to my people satis-
fied.
A short time after this, a party of Foxes went up to
Prairie du Chien to avenge the murder of their chiefs and
relations, which had been committed the summer previous,
by the Menomonees and Sioux. When they arrived in the
vicinity of the encampment of the Menomonees, they met
with a Winnebago, and inquired for the Menomonee camp.
They requested him to go on before them and see if there
were any Winnebagoes in it, and if so, to tell them that they
had better return to their own camp. He went and gave
the information, not only to the Winnebagoes, but to the
Menomonees, that they might be prepared. The party
soon followed, killed twenty-eight Menomonees, and made
their escape.
This retaliation, which with us is considered lawful and
right, created considerable excitement among the whites.
A demand was made for the Foxes to be surrendered to,
and tried by, the white people. The principal men came
to me during the fall and asked my advice. I conceived
that they had done right, and that our Great Father acted
very unjustly in demanding them, when he had suffered all
their chiefs to be decoyed away, and murdered by the
Menomonees, without ever having made a similar demand
of them. If he had no right in the first instance he had
none now, and for my part, I conceived the right very
questionable, if not an act of usurpation in any case,
where a difference exists between two nations, for him to
interfere. The Foxes joined my band with the intention
to go out with them on the fall hunt.
About this time, Neapope, who started to Maiden when
it was ascertained that the great war chief, General Gaines,
was coming to remove us, returned. He said he had seen
BLACK HAWK. 89
the chief of our British Father, and asked him if the Amer-
icans could force us to leave our village. He said : "If
you had not sold vour land the Americans could not take
your village from you. That the right being vested in
you only, could be transferred by the voice and will of the
whole nation, and that as you have never given your con-
sent to the sale of your country, it yet remains your exclu-
sive property, from which the American government never
could force you away, and that in the event of war, you
should have nothing to fear, as we would stand by and
assist you."
He said that he had called at the prophet's lodge on his
way down, and there had learned for the first time, that
we had left our village. He informed me privately, that
the prophet was anxious to see me, as he had much good
news to tell me, and that I would hear good news in the
spring from our British Father. " The prophet requested
me to give you all the particulars, but I would much rather
you would see him yourself and learn all from him. But
I will tell you that he has received expresses from our
British Father, who says that he is going to send us guns,
ammunition, provisions and clothing early in the spring.
The vessels that bring them will come by way of Milwau-
kee. The prophet has likewise received wampum and
tobacco from the different nations on the lakes, Ottawas,
Chippewas and Pottowattomies, and as to the Winnebagoes
he has them all at his command. We are going to be
happy once more."
I told him I was pleased that our British Father intended
to see us righted. That we had been driven from our lands
without receiving anything for them, and I now began to
hope from his talk, that my people would once more be
happy. If I could accomplish this I would be satisfied. I
am now growing old and could spend the remnant of my
90 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
time anywhere. But I wish first to see my people happy.
I can then leave them cheerfully. This has always been
my constant aim, and I now begin to hope that our sky
will soo'n be clear.
Neapope said :
"The prophet told me that all the tribes mentioned would
fight for us if necessary, and the British father will sup-
port us. If we should be whipped, which is hardly possi-
ble, we will still be safe, the prophet having received a
friendly talk from the chief of Wassacummico, at Selkirk's
settlement, telling him, that if we were not happy in our
own country, to let him know and he would make us
happy. He had received information from our British
father that we had been badly treated by the Americans.
We must go and see the prophet. I will go first ; you had
better remain and get as many of your people to join you
as you can. You know eveiy thing that we have done.
We leave the matter with you to arrange among your peo-
ple as you please. I will return to the prophet's village
to-morrow. You can in the meantime make up your
mind as to the course you will take and send word to the
prophet by me, as he is anxious to assist us, and wishes to
know whether you will join us, and assist to make }^our
people happy."
During the night I thought over everything that Nea-
pope had told me, and was pleased to think that by a little
exertion on my part, I could accomplish the objecr of all
my wishes. I determined to follow the advice of the
prophet, and sent word by Neapope, that I would get all
my braves together, explain everything that I had heard to
them, and recruit as many as I could from the different
villages.
Accordingly I sent word to Keokuk's band and the Fox
tribe, explaining to them all the good news I had heard.
BLACK HAWK. 91
They would not hear. Keokuk said that I had been im-
posed upon by liars,' and had much better remain where I
was and keep quiet. When he found that I was deter-
mined to make an attempt to recover my village, -fearing
that some difficulty would arise, he made application to the
agent and great chief at St. Louis, asking permission for
the chiefs of our nation to go to Washington to see our
Great Father, that we might have our difficulties settled
amicably. Keokuk also requested the trader, Colonel
Davenport, who was going to Washington, to call on our
Great Father and explain everything to him, and ask per-
mission for us to come on and see him.
Having heard nothing favorable from the great chief at
St. Louis, I concluded that I had better keep my band to-
gether, and recruit as many as possible, so that I would be
prepared to make the attempt to rescue my village in the
spring, provided our Great Father did not send word for
us to go to Washington. The trader returned. He said
he had called on our Great Father and made a full state-
ment to him in relation to our difficulties, and had asked
leave for us to go to Washington, but had received no an-
swer.
I had determined to listen to the advice of my friends,
and if permitted to go to see our Great Father, to abide by
his counsel, whatever it might be. Every overture was
made by Keokuk to prevent difficulty, and I anxiously
hoped that .something would be done for my people that it
might be avoided. But there was bad management some
where, or the difficulty that has taken place would have
been avoided.
When it was ascertained that we would not be permitted
to go to Washington, I resolved upon my course, and
again tried to recruit some braves from Keokuk's band, to
accompany me, but could not.
92 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
Conceiving that the peaceable disposition of Keokuk
and his people had been in a great measure the cause of
our having been driven from our village, I ascribed
their present feelings to the same cause, and immediately
went to work to recruit all my own band, and making
preparations to ascend Rock river, I made my encamp-
ment on the Mississippi, where Fort Madison had stood. I
requested my people to rendezvous at that place, sending
out soldiers to bring in the warriors, and stationed my sen-
tinels in a position to prevent any from moving off until
all were ready.
My party having all come in and got ready, we com-
menced our march up the Mississippi ; our women and
children in canoes, carrying such provisions as we had,
camp equipage, &c. My braves and warriors were on
horseback, armed and equipped for defence. The prophet
came down and joining us below Rock river, having
called at Rock Island on his way down, to consult the war
chief , agent and trader; who, he said, used many argu-
ments to dissuade him from going with us, requesting him
to come and meet us and turn us back. They told him also
there was a war chief on his way to Rock Island with
a large body of soldiers.
The prophet said he wouid not listen to this talk, be-
cause no war chief would dare molest us so long as we
were at peace. That we had a right to go where we
pleased peaceably, and advised me to say nothing to my
braves and warriors until we encamped that night. We
moved onward until we arrived at the place where General
Gaines had made his encampment the year before, and en-
camped for the night. The prophet then addressed my
braves and warriors. He told them to " follow us and act
like braves, and we have nothing to fear and much to gain.
The American war chief may come, but will not, nor dare
BLACK HAWK. 93
not interfere with us so long as weact peaceably. We are
not yet ready to act otherwise. We must wait until we as-
cend Rock river and receive our reinforcements, and we
will then be able to withstand any army."
That night the White Beaver, General Atkinson, with a
party of soldiers passed up in a steamboat. Our party be-
came alarmed, expecting to meet the soldiers at Rock
river, to prevent us going up. On our arrival at its mouth,
we discovered that the steamboat had passed on.
I was fearful that the war chief had stationed his men
on some high bluff, or in some ravine, that we might be
taken by surprise. Consequently, on entering Rock river
we commenced beating our drums and singing, to show
the Americans that we were not afraid.
Having met with no opposition, we moved up Rock river
leisurely for some distance, when we were overtaken by
an express from White Beaver, with an order for me to
return with my band and recross the Mississippi again. I
sent him word that I would not, not recognizing his right
to make such a demand, as I was acting peaceably, and
intended to go to the prophet's village at his request, to
make corn.
The express returned. We moved on and encamped
some distance below the prophet's village. Here another
express came from the White Beaver, threatening to pur-
sue us and drive us back, if we did not return peaceably.
This message roused the spirit of my band, and all were
determined to remain with me and contest the ground with
the war chief, should he come and attempt to drive us.
We therefore directed the express to say to the war chief
"if he wished to fight us he might come on." We were
determined never to be driven, and equally so, not to make
the first attack, our object being to act only on the* defen-
sive. This we conceived to be our right.
94 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
Soon after the express returned, Mr. Gratiot, sub-agent
for the Winnebagoes, came to our encampment. He
had no interpreter, and was compelled to talk through his
chiefs. They said the object of his mission was to per-
suade us to return. But they advised us to go on — assur-
ing us that the further we went up Rock river the more
friends we would meet, and our situation would be bet-
tered. They were on our side and all of their people were
our friends. We must not give up, but continue to ascend
Rock river, on which, in a short time, we would receive
reinforcements sufficiently strong to repulse any enemy.
They said they would go down with their agent, to ascer-
tain the strength of the enemy, and then return and give
us the news. They had to use some stratagem to deceive
their agent in order to help us.
During this council several of my braves hoisted the
British flag, mounted their horses and surrounded the
council lodge. I discovered that the agent was very much
frightened. I told one of his chiefs to tell him that he
need not be alarmed, and then went out and directed my
braves to desist. Every warrior immediately dismounted
and returned to his lodge. After the council adjourned
I placed a sentinel at the agent's lodge to guard him, fear-
ing that some of my warriors might again frighten him.
I had always thought he was a good man and was deter-
mined that he should not be hurt. He started with his
chiefs to Rock Island.
Having ascertained that White Beaver would not per-
mit us to remain where we were, I began to consider what
was best to be done, and concluded to keep on up the river,
see the Pottowattomies and have a talk with them. Several
Winnebago chiefs were present, whom I advised of my
intentions, as they did not. seem disposed to render us any
assistance. I asked them if they had not sent us wampum
BLACK HAWK. 95
during the winter, and requested us to come and join their
people and enjoy all the rights and privileges of their
country. They did not deny this ; and said if the white
people did not interfere, they had no objection to our
making corn this year, with our friend the prophet, but
did not wish us to go any further up.
The next day I started with my party to Kishwacokee.
That night I encamped a short distance above -the proph-
et's village. After all was quiet in our camp I sent for my
chiefs, and told them that we had been deceived. That
all the fair promises that had been held out to us through
Neapope were false. But it would not do to let our party
know it. We must keep it secret among ourselves, move
on to Kishwacokee, as if all was right, and say something
on the way to encourage our people. I will then call on
the Potto wattomies, hear what they say, and see what
they will do.
We started the next morning, after telling our people
that news had just come from Milwaukee that a chief of
our British Father would be there in a few days. -Find-
ing that all our plans were defeated, I told the prophet that
he must go with me, and we would see what could be done
with the Pottowattomies. On our arrival at Kishwacokee
an express was sent to the Pottowattomie villages. The
next day a deputation arrived. I inquired if they had
corn in their villages. They said they had a very little and
could not spare any. I asked them different questions and
received very unsatisfactory answers. This talk was in
the presence of all my people. I afterwards spoke to
them privately, and requested them to come to my lodge
after my people had gone to sleep. They came and took
seats. I asked them if they had received any news from
the British on the lake. They said no. I inquired if they
had heard that a chief of our British Father was coming
96 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
to Milwaukee to bring us guns, ammunition, goods and pro-
visions. They said no. I told them what news had been
brought to me, and requested them to return to their vil-
lage and tell the chiefs that I wished to see them and have
a talk with them.
After this deputation started, I concluded to tell my peo-
ple that if White Beaver came after us, we would go back,
as it was useless to think of stopping or going on without
more provisions and ammunition. I discovered that the
Winnebagoes and Pottowattomies were not disposed to
render us any assistance. The next day the Potto watto-
mie chiefs arrived in my camp. I had a dog killed, and
made a feast. When it was ready, I spread my medicine
bags, and the chiefs began to eat. When the ceremony
was about ending, I received news that three or four
hundred white men on 'horse-back had been seen about
eight miles off. I immediately started three young men
with a white flag to meet them and conduct them to our
camp, that we might hold a council'with them and descend
Rock river again. I also directed them, in case the whites
had encamped, to return, and I would go and see them.
After this party had started I sent five young men to see
what might take place. The first party went to the camp
of the whites, and were taken prisoners. The last party
had not proceeded far before they saw about twenty men
coming toward them at full gallop. They stopped, and,
finding that the whites were coming toward them in such a
warlike attitude, they turned and retreated, but were pur-
sued, and two of them overtaken and killed. The others
made their escape. When they came in with the newrs, I
was preparing my flags to meet the war chief. The alarm
was given. Nearly all my young men were absent ten miles
away. I started with what I had left, about forty, and had
proceeded but a short distance, before we saw apart of the
BLACK HAWK. 97
army approaching. I raised a yell, saying to my braves,
"Some of our people have been killed. Wantonly and
cruelly murdered ! We must avenge their death !"
In a little while we discovered the whole army coming
towards us at a full gallop. We were now confident that
our first party had been killed. I immediately placed
my men behind a cluster of bushes, that we might have
the first fire when they had approached close enough.
They made a halt some distance from us. I gave another
yell, and ordered my brave warriors to charge upon them,
expecting that they would all be killed. They did charge.
Every man rushed towards the enemy and fired, and they
retreated in the utmost confusion and consternation before
my little but brave band of warriors.
After following the enemy for some distance, I found it
useless to pursue them further, as they rode so fast, and
returned to the encampment with a few braves, as about
twenty-five of them continued in pursuit of the flying ene-
my. I lighted my pipe and sat down to thank the Great
Spirit for what he had done. I had not been meditating
long, when two of the three young men I had sent with the
flag to meet the American war chief, entered. My aston-
ishment was not greater than my joy to see them living and
well. I eagerly listened to their story, which was as
follows :
" When'we arrived near the encampment of the whites,
a number of them rushed out to meet us, bringing their
guns with them. They took us into their camp, where an
American who spoke the Sac language a little told us that
his chief wanted to know how we were, where we were
going, where our camp was, and where was Black Hawk?
We told him that we had come to see his chief, that our
chief had directed us to conduct him to our camp, in case
he had not encamped, and in that event to tell him that he,
98 AUT©BIOGRAPHY OF
Black Hawk, would come to see him ; he wished to hold a
council with him, as he had given up all intention of going
to war."
This man had once been a member of our tribe, having
been adopted by me many years before and treated with
the same kindness as was shown to our young men, but
like the caged bird of the woods, he yearned for freedom,
and after a few years residence with us an opportunity for
escape came and he left us. On this occasion he would
have respected our flag and carried back the message I
had sent to his chief, had he not been taken prisoner, with
a comrade, by some of my braves who did not recognize
him, and brought him into camp. They were securely tied
with cords to trees and left to meditate, but were occa-
sionally buffeted by my young men when passing near
them. When I passed by him there was a recognition on
the part of us both, but on account of former friendship I
concluded to let him go, and some little time before the sun
went down I released him from his captivity by untying
the cords that bound him and accompanied him outside of
our lines so that he could escape safely. His companion
had previously made a desperate effort to escape from his
guards and was killed by them.
They continued their story :
"At the conclusion of this talk a party of white men
came in on horseback. We saw by their countenances
that something had happened. A general tumult arose.
They looked at us with indignation, talked among them-
selves for a moment, when several of them cocked their
guns and fired at us in the crowd. Our companion fell
dead. We rushed through the crowd and made our es-
cape. We remained in ambush but a short time, before
we heard yelling like Indians running an enemy. In a
little while we saw some of the whites in full speed. One of
BLACK HAWK. 99
them came near us. I threw my tomahawk and struck
him on the head which brought him to the ground ; I ran
to him and with his own knife took off his scalp. I took
his gun, mounted his horse, and brought my friend here
behind me. We turned to follow our braves, who were
chasing the enemy, and had not gone far before we over-
took a white man, whose horse had mired in a swamp. My
friend alighted and tomahawked the man, who was appar-
ently fast under his horse. He took his scalp, horse and
gun. By this time our party was some distance ahead.
We followed on and saw several white men lying dead on
the way. After riding about six miles we met our party
returning. We asked them how many of our men had
been killed. They said flone after the Americans had re-
treated. We inquired how many whites had been killed.
They replied that they did not know, but said we will soon
ascertain, as we must scalp them as we go back. On our
return we found ten men, besides the two we had killed
before we joined our friends. Seeing that they did not
yet recognize us, it being dark, we again asked how many
of our braves had been killed? They said five. We asked
who they were? They replied that the first party of three
who went out to meet the American war chief, had all been
taken prisoners and killed in the encampment, and that out
of a party of five, who followed to see the meeting of the
first party with the whites, two had been killed. We were
now certain that they did not recognize us, nor did we tell
who we were until we arrived at our camp. The news of
our death had reached it some time before, and all were
surprised to see us again."
The next morning I told the crier of my village to give
notice that we must go and bury our dead. In a little
while all were ready. A small deputation was sent for
Our absent warriors, and the remainder started to bury the
100 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
dead. We first disposed of them and then commenced
an examination in the enemy's deserted encampment for
plunder. We found arms and ammunition and provisions,
all of which we were sadly in want of, particularly the
latter, as we were entirely without. We found also a
varie'ty of saddle bags, which I distributed among my
braves, a small quantity of whisky and some little barrels
that had contained this bad medicine, but they were
empty. I was surprised to find that the whites carried
whisky with them, as I had understood that all the pale
faces, when acting as soldiers in the field, were strictly
temperate.
The enemy's encampment was in a skirt of woods
near a run, about half a day's travel from Dixon's ferry.
We attacked' them in the prairie, with a few bushes be-
tween us, about sundown, and I expected that my whole
party would be killed. I never was so much surprised
in all the fighting I have seen, knowing, too, that the
Americans generally shoot well, as I was to see this army
of several hundreds retreating, without showing fight, and
passing immediately through their encampment, I did
think they intended to halt there, as the situation would
have forbidden attack by my party if their number had
not exceeded half of mine, as we would have been com-
pelled to take the open ( prairie whilst they could have
picked trees to shield themselves from our fire.
I was never so much surprised in my life as I was in
this attack. An army of three or four hundred men, after
having learned that we were sueing for peace, to attempt
to kill the flag-bearers that had gone unarmed to ask for
a meeting of the war chiefs of the two contending parties
to hold a council, that I might return to the west side of
the Mississippi, to come forward with a full determination
to demolish the few braves I had with me, to retreat when
BLACK HAWK'. 101
they had ten to one, was unaccountable to me. It proved
a different spirit from any I had ever before seen among
the pale faces. I expected to see them fight as the Ameri-
cans did with the British during the last war, but they had
no such braves among them.
At our feast with the Pottowattomies I was convinced
that we had been imposed upon by those who had brought
in reports of large re-enforcements to my band and resolved
not to strike a blow ; and in order to get permission from
White Beaver to return and re-cross the Mississippi, I sent
a flag of peace to the American war chief, who was re-
ported to be close by with his army, expecting that he
would convene a council <and listen to what we had to say.
But this chief, instead of pursuing that honorable and
chivalric course, such as I have always practiced, shot
down our flag-bearer and thus forced us into war with less
than five hundred warriors to contend against three or four
thousand soldiers.
The supplies that Neapope and the prophet told us about,
and the reinforcements we were to have, were never more
heard of, and it is but justice to our British Father to say
were never promised, his chief having sent word in lieu of
the lies that were brought to me, "for us to remain at
peace as we could accomplish nothing but our own ruin by
going to war."
What was now to be done? It was worse than folly to
turn back and meet an enemy where the odds were so
much against us and thereby sacrifice ourselves, our wives
and children to the fury of an enemy who had murdered
some of our brave and unarmed warriors when they were
on a mission to sue for peace.
Having returned to our encampment, and found that all
our young men had come in, I sent out spies to watch the
movements of the army, and commenced moving up
102 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
Kishwacokee with the balance of my people. I did not
know where to go to find a place of safety for my women
and children, but expected to. find a good harbor about the
head of Rock river. I concluded to go there, and thought
my best route would be to go round the head of Kishwa-
cokee, so that the Americans would have some difficulty
if they attempted to follow us.
On arriving at the head of Kishwacokee, I was met by
a party of Winnebagoes, who seemed to rejoice at our suc-
cess. They said they had come to offer their services,
and were anxious to join us. I asked them if they knew
where there was a safe place for our women and children.
They told us that they would send two old men with us to
guide us to a good safe place.
I arranged war parties to send out in different directions,
before I proceeded further. The Winnebagoes went alone.
The war parties having all been fitted out and started, we
commenced moving to the Four Lakes, the place where
our guides were to conduct us. We had not gone far be-
fore six Winnebagoes came in with one scalp. They said
they had killed a man at a grove, on the road from Dix-
on's to the lead mines. Four days after, the party of
Winnebagoes who had gone out from the head of Kish-
wacokee, overtook us, and told me that they had killed
four men and taken their scalps : and that one of them was
Keokuk's father, (the agent). They proposed to have
a dance over their scalps. I told them thatl could have no
dancing in my camp, in consequence of my having lost
three young braves ; but they might dance in their own
camp, which they did. Two da 7s after, we arrived in
safety at tHe place where the Winnebagoes had directed us.
In a few days a great number of our warriors came in. I
called them all around me, and addressed them. I told
them : "Now is the time, if any of you wish to come into
SLACK HAWK. 103
distinction, and be honored with the medicine bag ! Now
is the time to show your courage and bravery, and avenge
the murder of our three braves !"
Several small parties went out, and returned again in a
few days, with success — bringing in provisions for our peo-
ple. In the mean time, some spies came in, and reported
that the army had fallen back to Dixon's ferry ; and others
brought news that the horsemen had broken up their camp ,
disbanded, and returned home.
Finding that all was safe, I made a dog feast, preparatory
to leaving my camp with a large party, (as the enemy were
stationed so far off). Before my braves commenced feast-
ing, I took my medicine bags, and addressed them in the
following language :
"Braves and Warriors : These are the medicine bags
of our forefather, Mukataquet, who was the father of
the Sac nation. They were handed down to the great war
chief of our nation, Nanamakee, who has been at war
with all the nations of the plains, and have never yet been
disgraced ! I expect you all to protect them I"
After the ceremony was over and our feasting done I
started, with about two hundred warriors following my
great medicine bags. I directed my course toward sunset
and dreamed, the second night after we started, that there
would be a great feast prepared for us after one day's
travel. I told my warriors my dream in the morning and
we started for Moscohocoynak, (Apple river). When we
arrived in the vicinity of a fort the white people had built
there we saw four men on horseback. One of my braves
fired and wounded a man when the others set up a yell as
if a large force were near and ready to come against us.
We concealed ourselves and remained in this position for
some time watching to see the enemy approach, but none
came. The four men, in the mean time, ran to the fort
104 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
and gave the alarm. We followed them and attacked their
fort. One of their braves, who seemed more valiant than
the rest, raised his head above the picketing to fire at us
when one of my braves, with a well-directed shot, put an
end to his bravery. Finding that these people could not
be killed without setting fire to their houses and fort I
thought it more prudent to be content with what flour,
provisions, cattle and horses we could find than to set fire
to their buildings, as the light would be seen at a distance
and the army might suppose we were in the neighborhood
and come upon us with a strong force. Accordingly we
opened a house and filled our bags with flour and pro-
visions, took several horses and drove off some of their
cattle.
We started in a direction toward sunrise. After march-
ing a considerable time I discovered some white men com-
ing towards us. I told my braves that we would go into
the woods and kill them when they approached. We con-
cealed ourselves until they came near enough and then
commenced yelling and firing and made a rush upon them.
About this time their chief, with a part}7 of men, rushed
up to rescue the men we had fired upon. In a little while
they commenced retreating and left their chief and a few
braves who seemed willing and anxious to fight. They
acted like men, but were forced to give way when I rushed
upon them with my braves. In a short time the chief re-
turned with a larger party. He seemed determined to
fight, and anxious for a battle. When he came near
enough I raised the yell and firing commenced from both
sides. The chief, who seemed to be a small man, ad-
dressed his warriors in a loud voice, but they soon re-
treated, leaving him and a few braves on the battle field.
A great number of my warriors pursued the retreating
party and killed a number of their horses as they ran.
BLACK HAWK. • 105
The chief and his few braves were unwilling to leave the
field. I ordered my braves to rush upon them, and had
the mortification of seeing two of my chiefs killed before
the' enemy retreated.
This young chief deserves great praise for his courage
and bravery, but fortunately for us, his army was not all
composed of such brave men.
During this attack we killed several men and about forty
horses and lost two young chiefs and seven warriors. My
braves were anxious to pursue them to the fort, attack and
burn it, but I told them it was useless to waste our powder
as there was no possible chance of success if we did at-
tack them, and that as we had run the bear into his hole
we would there leave him and return to our camp.
On arriving at our encampment we found that several of
our spies had returned, bringing intelligence that the army
had commenced moving. Another party of five came in
and said they had been pursued for several hours, and
were attacked by twenty-five or thirty whites in the woods ;
that the whites rushed in upon them as they lay concealed
and received their fire without seeing them. They im-
mediately retreated whilst we reloaded, They entered
the thicket again and as soon as they came near enough
we fired. Again they retreated and again they rushed into
the thicket and fired. We returned their fire and a skir-
mish ensued between two of: their men and one of ours,
who was killed by having his throat* cut. This was the
only man we lost, the enemy having had three killed ;
they again retreated.
Another party of three Sacs had come in and brought
two young white squaws, whom they had given to the Win-
nebagoes to take to the whites. They said they had joined a
party of Pottowattomies and went with them as a war party
against the settlers of Illinois.
106 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF*
The leader of this party, a Pottowattomie, had been se-
verely whipped by this settler, some time before, and was
anxious to avenge the insult and injury. While the party
was preparing to start, a young Pottowattomie went to the
settler's house and told him to leave it, that a war party
was coming to murder them. They started, but soon re-
turned again, as it appeared that they were all there when
the war party arrived. The Pottowattomies killed the
whole family, except two young squaws, whom the Sacs
took up on their horses and carried off, to save their lives.
They were brought to our encampment, and a messenger
sent to the Winnebagoes, as they were friendly on both
sides, to come and get them, and carry them to the whites.
If these young men, belonging to my band, had not gone
with the Pottowattomies, the two young squaws would have
shared the same fate as their friends.
During our encampment at the Four Lakes we were
hard pressed to obtain enough to eat to support nature.
Situated in a swampy, marshy country, (which had been
selected in consequence of the great difficulty required to
gain access thereto,) there was but little game of any sort
to be found, and fish were equally scarce. The great dis-
tance to any settlement, and the impossibility of bringing
supplies therefrom, if any could have been obtained, de-
terred our young men from making further attempts. We
were forced to dig roots and bark trees, to obtain some-
thing to satisfy hunger and keep us alive. Several of our
old people became so reduced, as to actually die with hun-
ger ! Learning that the army had commenced moving,
and fearing that they might come upon and surround our
encampment, I concluded to remove our women and child-
ren across the Mississippi, that they might return to the
Sac nation again. Accordingly, on the next day we com-
menced moving, with five Winnebagoes acting as our
guides, intending to descend the Wisconsin.
BLACK HAWK. 107
Neapope, with a party of twenty, remained in our rear,
to watch for the enemy, whilst we were proceeding to the
Wisconsin, with our women and children. We arrived,
and had commenced crossing over 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 hilr,"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 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
Wisconsin, I ordered my warriors to return, by different
routes, and meet me at the Wisconsin, and was astonish-
ed to find that the enemy were not disposed to pursue us.
In this skirmish with fifty braves, I defended and ac-
complished my passage over the Wisconsin, with a loss of
only six men, though opposed by a host of mounted mili-
tia. I would not have fought there, but to gain time for
our 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
108 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
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 the opinion that it was much greater, in
proportion, than mine. We returned to the Wisconsin and
crossed over to our people.
Here some of my people left me, and descended the
Wisconsin, hoping to escape to the west side of the Missis-
sippi, that they might return home. I had no objection to
their leaving me, as my people were all in a desperate con-
dition, being worn out with traveling and starving with
hunger. Our only hope to save ourselves was to get across
the Mississippi. But few, of this party escaped. Unfort-
unately for them, a party of soldiers from Prairie du Chien
were stationed on the Wisconsin, a short distance from its
mouth, who fired upon our distressed people. Some were
killed, others drowned, several taken prisoners, and the
balance escaped to the woods and perished with hunger.
Among this party were a great many women and children.
I was astonished to find that Neapope and his party of
spies had not yet come in, they having been left in my rear
to bring the news, if the enemy were discovered. It ap-
peared, however, that the whites had come in a different
direction and intercepted our trail but a short distance from
the place where we first saw them, leaving our spies con-
siderably in the rear. Neapope and one other retired
to the Winnebago village, and there remained during the
war. The balance of his party, being brave men, and
considering our interests as their own, returned, and joined
our ranks.
Myself and band having no means to descend the Wis-
consin, I started over a rugged country, to go to the Mis-
sissippi, intending to cross it and return to my nation.
Many of our people were compelled to go on foot, for
BLACK HAWK. 109
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.
We had been here but a little while before we saw a
steamboat (the " Warrior,"") coming. I told my braves
not to shoot, as I intended going on board, so that we
^night save our women and children. I knew the 'captain
(Throckmorton) and was determined to give myself up to
him. I then sent for my white flag. While the messenger
was gone, I took a small piece of white cotton and put it
on a pole, and called to the captain of the boat, and told
him to send his little canoe asho,re and let me come aboard.
The people on board asked whether we were Sacs or Win-
nebagoes. I told a Winnebago to tell them that we were
Sacs, and wanted to give ourselves up ! A Winnebago on
the boat called out to us "to run and hide, that the whites
were going to shoot !" About this time one of my braves
had jumped into the river, bearing a white flag to the boat,
when another sprang in after him and brought him to the
shore. The firing then commenced from the boat, which
was returned by my braves and continued for some time.
Very few of my people were hurt after the first fire, hav-
ing succeeded in getting behind old logs and trees, which
shielded them from the enemy's fire.
The Winnebago on the steamboat must either have mis-
understood what was told, or did not tell it to the captain
correctly ; because I am- confident he would not have
allowed the soldiers to fire upon us if he had known my
wishes. I have always considered him a good man, and
too great a brave to fire upon an enemy when sueing for
quarters. .
After the boat left us, I told my people to cross if they
110 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
could, and wished ; that I intended going into the Chippe-
wa country. Some commenced crossing, and such as had
determined to follow them, remained ; only three lodges
going with me. Next morning, at daybreak, a young man
overtook me, and said that all my party had determined to
cross the Mississippi — that a number had already got over
safe, and that he had heard the white army last night with-
in a few miles of them. I now began to fear that the whites
would come up with my people and kill them before they
could get across. I had determined to go and join the
Chippewas ; but reflecting that by this I could only save
myself, I concluded to return, and die with my people, if
the Great Spirit would not give us another victory. Dur-
ing our stay in the thicket, a party of whites came close by
us, but passed on without discovering us.
Early in the morning a party of whites being in advance
of the army, came upon our people, who were attempting
to cross the Mississippi. They tried to give themselves up ;
the whites paid no attention to their entreaties, but com-
menced slaughtering them. In a little while the whole
army arrived. Our braves, but few in number, finding
that the enemy paid no regard to age or sex, and seeing that
they were murdering helpless women and little children,
determined to fight until they were killed. As many
women as could, commenced swimming the Mississippi,
with their children on their backs. A number of them
were drowned, and some shot before they could reach the
opposite shore.
One of my braves, who gave me this information, piled
up some saddles before him, (when the fight commenced),
to shield himself from the enemy's fire, and killed three
white men. But seeing that the whites were coming too
close to him, he crawled to the bank of the river, without
being perceived, and hid himself under the bank until the
SLACK HAWK HI
enemy retired. He then came to me and told me what
had been done. After hearing this sorrowful news, I start-
ed with my little party to the Winnebago village at Prairie
La Cross. On my arrival there I entered the lodge of one
of the chiefs, and told him that I wished him to go with
me to his father, that I intended giving myself up to the
American war chief and die, if the Great Spirit saw proper.
He said he would go with me. I then took my medicine
bag and addressed the chief. I told him that it was "the
soul of the Sac nation — that it never had been dishonored
in any battle, take it, it is my life — dearer than life — and
give it to the American chief!" He said he would
keep it, and take care of it, and if I was suffered to live,
he would send it to me.
During my stay at the village, the squaws made me a
white dress of $eer skin. I then started with several Win-
nebagoes, and went to their agent, at Prairie du Chien, and
gave myself up.
On my arrival there, I found to my sorrow, that a large
body of Sioux had pursued and killed a number of our
women and children, who had got safely across the Mis-
sissippi. The whites ought not to have permitted such
conduct, and none but cowards would ever have been guil-
ty of such cruelty, a habit which has always been practiced
on our nation by the Sioux.
The massacre, which terminated the war, lasted about
two hours. Our loss in killed was about sixty, besides a
number that was drowned. The loss of the enemy could
not be ascertained by my braves, exactly; but they think
that they killed about sixteen during the action.
I was now given up by the agent to the commanding of-
ficer at Fort Crawford, the White Beaver having gone down
the river. We remained here a short time, and then start-
ed for Jefferson Barracks, in a steam boat, under the charge
112 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
of a young war chief, (Lieut. Jefferson Davis) who treat-
ed us all with much kindness. He is a good and brave young
chief, with whose conduct I was much pleased. On our
way down we called at Galena and remained a short time.
The people crowded to the boat to see us : but the war
chief would not permit them to enter the apartment where
we were — knowing, from what his feelings would have
been if he had been placed in a similar situation, that we
did not wish to have a gaping crowd around us.
We passed Rock Island without stopping. The great
war chief, Gen. Scott, who was then "at Fort Armstrong,
came out in a small boat to see us, but the captain of the
steamboat would not allow anybody from the fort to come
on board his boat, in consequence of the cholera raging
among the soldiers. I did think that the captain ought to
have permitted the war chief to come on board to see me,
because I could see no danger to be apprehended by it.
The war chief looked well, and I have since heard was
constantly among his soldiers, who were sick and dying,
administering to their wants, and had not caught the dis-
ease from them and I thought it absurd to think that any
of the people on the steamboat could be afraid of catch-
ing the disease from a well man. But these people are
not brave like war chiefs, who never fear anything.
On our way down- 1 surveyed the country that had cost
us so much trouble, anxiety and blood, and that now
caused me to be a prisoner of war. I reflected upon the
ingratitude of the whites when I saw their fine houses,
rich harvests and everything desirable around them ; and
recollected that all this land had been ours, for which I
and my people had never received a dollar, and that the
whites were not satisfied until they took our village and our
graveyards from us and removed us across the Missis-
sippi.
BLACK HAWK. 113
On our arrival at Jefferson Barracks we met the great
■war chief, White Beaver, who had commanded the Ameri-
can army against my little band. I felt the humiliation of
my situation ; a little while before I had been leader of my
braves, now I was a prisoner of war, but had surrendered
myself. He received us kindly and treated us well.
We were now confined to the barracks and forced to
wear the ball and chain. This was extremely mortifying
and altogether useless. Was the White Beaver afraid I
would break out of his barracks and run away? Or was he
ordered to inflict this punishment upon me? If I had
taken him prisoner on the field of battle I would not have
wounded his feelings so much by such treatment, knowing
that a brave war chief would prefer death to dishonor.
But I do not blame the White Beaver for the course he
pursued, as it is the custom among the white soldiers, and
I suppose was a part of his duty.
The time dragged heavily and gloomily along through-
out the winter, although the White Beaver did everything
in his power to render us comfortable. Having been ac-
customed, throughout a long life, to roam the forests o'er,
to go and come at liberty, confinement, and under such
circumstances, could not be less than torture.
We passed away the time making pipes until spring,
when we were visited by the agent, trader and interpreter,
from Rock Island, Keokuk and several chiefs and braves
of our nation, and my wife and daughter. I was rejoiced
to see the two latter and spent my time very agreeably with
them and my people as long as they remained.
The trader, Sagenash, (Col. Davenport) presented me
with some dried venison, which had been killed and cured
by some of my friends. This was a valuable present, and
although he had given me many before, none ever pleased
me so much. This was the first meat I had eaten for a
8
114 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
long time that reminded me of the former pleasures of my
own wigwam, which had always been stored with plenty.
Keokuk and his chiefs, during their stay at the barracks,
petitioned our Great Father, the president, to release us,
and pledged themselves for our good conduct. I now be-
gan to hope I would soon be restored to liberty and the
enjoyment of my family and friends, having heard that
Keokuk stood high in the estimation of our Great Father,
because he did not join me in the war, but I was soon
disappointed in my hopes. An order came from our Great
Father to the White Beaver to send us on to Washington.
In a little while a-11 were ready and left Jefferson Bar-
racks on board of a steamboat, under charge of a young
war chief and one soldier, whom the White Beaver sent
along as a guide to Washington. We were accompanied
by Keokuk, wife and son, Appanooce, Wapello, Powe-
shiek, Pashippaho, Nashashuk, Saukee, Musquaukee, and
our interpreter. Our principal traders, Col. Geo. Daven-
port, of Rock Island, and S. S. Phelps and clerk, William
Cousland, of the Yellow Banks, also accompanied us.
On our way up the Ohio we passed several large villages,
the names of which were explained to me. The first is
called Louisville, and is a very pretty village, situated on
the bank of the Ohio River. The next is Cincinnati,
which stands on the bank of the same river. This is a
large and beautiful village and seemed to be in a thriving
condition. The people gathered on the bank as we passed,
in great crowds, apparently anxious to see us-.
On our arrival at Wheeling the streets and river banks
were crowded with people, who flocked from every direc-
tion to see us. While we remained here many called
upon" us and treated us with kindness, no one offering to
molest or misuse us. This village is not so large as either
of those before mentioned, but is quite a pretty village.
BLACK HAWK. 115
We left the steamboat here, having traveled a long dis-
tance on the prettiest river I ever saw (except our Missis-
sippi) and took the stage. Being unaccustomed to this
mode of traveling, we soon got tired and wished ourselves
seated in a canoe on one of our own rivers, that we might
return to our friends. We had traveled but a short dis-
tance before our carriage turned over, from which I re-
ceived a slight injury, and the soldier had one arm broken.
I was sorry for this accident, as the young man had be-
haved well.
We had a rough and mountainous country for several
days, but had a good trail for our carriage. It is astonish-
ing what labor and pains the white people have had to
make this road, as it passes over several mountains, which
are generally covered with rocks and timber, yet it has
been made smooth and easy to travel upon.
Rough and mountainous as this country is there are many
wigwams and small villages standing on the roadside. I
could see nothing in the country to induce the people to
live in it, and was astonished to find so many whites living
on the hills.
I have often thought of them since my return to my own
people, and am happy to think that they prefer living in
their own country to coming out to ours and driving us
from it, as many of the whites have already done. I think
with them, that wherever the Great Spirit places his peo-
ple they ought to be satisfied to remain, and be thankful
for what He has given them, and not drive others from
the country He has given them because it happens to be
better than th«eirs. This is contrary to our way of think-
ing, and from my intercourse with the whites, I have
learned that one great principle of their religion is "to do
unto others as you wish them to do unto you." Those
people in the mountains seem to act upon this principle,
116 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
but the settlers on our frontiers and on our lands seem
never to think of it, if we are to judge by their actions.
The first village of importance that we came to, after
leaving the mountains, is called Hagerstown. It is a large
village to be so far from a river and is very pretty. The
people appear to live well and enjoy themselves much.
We passed through several small villages on the way to
Fredericktown, but I have forgotten their names. This
last is a large and beautiful village. The people treated
us well, as they did at all other villages where we stopped.
Here we came to another road much more wonderful
than that through the mountains. They call it a railroad,
(the Baltimore and Ohio). I examined it carefully, but
need not describe it, as the whites know all about it. It is
the most astonishing sight I ever saw. The great road
over the mountains will bear no comparison to it, although
it has given the white people much trouble to make. I was
surprised to see so much money and labor expended to
make a good road for easy traveling. I prefer riding horse-
back, however, to any other way, but suppose these people
would not have gone to so much trouble and expense to
make a road if they did not prefer riding in their new
fashioned carriages, which seem to run without any trouble,
being propelled by steam on the same principle that boats
are on the river. They certainly deserve great praise for
their industry.
On our arrival at Washington, we called to see our Great
Father, the President. He looks as if he had seen as
many winters as I have, and seems to be a great brave.
I had very little talk with him, as he appeared to be busy
and did not seem to be much disposed to talk. I think he
is a good man ; and although he talked but little, he treated
us very well. His wigwam is well furnished with every
thing good and pretty, and is very strongly built.
BLACK HAWK. 117
He said he wished to know the cause of my going to war
against his white children. I thought he ought to have
known this before ; and consequently said but little to him
about it, as I expected he knew as well as I could tell him.
He said he wanted us to go to Fortress Monroe and stay
awhile with the war chief who commanded it. But having
been so long from my people, I told him that I would rath-
er return to my nation ; that Keokuk had come here once
on a visit to him, as we had done, and he had let him re-
turn again, as soon as he wished, and that I expected to be
treated in the same manner. He insisted, however, on our
going to Fortress Monroe ; and as the interpreter then pres-
ent could not understand enough of our language to inter-
pret a speech, I concluded it was best to obey our Great
Father, and say nothing contrary to his wishes.
During our stay at the city, we were called upon by
many of the people, who treated us well, particularly the
squaws ; we visited the great council house of the Ameri-
cans ; the place where they keep their big guns ; and all the
public buildings, and then started for Fortress Monroe.
The war chief met us on our arrival, and shook hands, and
appeared glad to see me. He treated us with great friend-
ship, and talked to me frequently. Previous to our leav-
ing this fort, he made us a feast, and gave us some
presents, which I intend to keep for his sake. He is a
very good man and a great brave. I was sorry to leave
him, although I was going to return to my people, because
he had treated me like a brother, during all the time I re-
mained with him.
Having got a new guide, a war chief (Maj. Garland),
we started for our own country, taking a circuitous route.
Our Great Father being about to pay a visit to his chil-
dren in the big towns towards sunrise, and being desirous
that we should have an opportunity of seeing them, had
directed our guide to take us through.
118 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
On our arrival at Baltimore, we were much astonished
to see so large a village ; but the war chief told us we would
soon see a larger one. This surprised us more. During
our stay here, we visited all the public buildings and places
of amusement, saw much to admire, and were well enter-
tained by the people who crowded to see us. Our Great
Father was there at the same time, and seemed to be much
liked by his white children, who nocked around him, (as
they had around us) to shake him by the hand. He did
not remain long, having left the city before us. In an in-
terview, while here, the President said :
" When I saw you in Washington, I told you that you
had behaved very badly in going to war against the whites.
Your conduct then compelled me to send my warriors
against you, and your people were defeated with great loss,
and several of you surrendered, to be kept until I should
be satisfied that you would not try to do any more injury.
I told you, too, that I would inquire whether your people
wished you to return, and whether, if you did return, there
would be any danger to the frontier. Gen. Clark and Gen.
Atkinson, whom you know, have informed me that your
principal chief and the rest of your people are anxious you
should return, and Keokuk has asked me to send you back.
Your chiefs have pledged themselves for your good con-
duct, and I have given directions that you should be taken
to your own country.
" Major Garland, who is with }^ou, will conduct you
through some of our towns. You will see the strength of
the white people. You will see that our young men are as
numerous as the leaves in the woods. What can you do
against us? You may kill a few women and children, but
such a force would soon be sent against you as would destroy
your whole tribe. Let the red men hunt and take care of
their families. I hope they will not again raise the toma-
BLACK HAWK. 119
hawk against their white brethren.- We do not wish to
injure you. We desire your prosperity and improvement.
But if you again make war against our people, I shall send
a force which will severely punish you. When you go
back, listen to the councils of Keokuk and the other
friendly chiefs ; bury the tomahawk and live in peace with
the people on the frontier. And I pray the Great Spirit to
give you a smooth path and a fair sky to return."
I was pleased with our Great Father's talk and thanked
him. Told him that the tomahawk had been buried so
deep that it would never be resurrected, and that my re-
maining days would be spent in peace with all my white
brethren.
We left Baltimore in a steamboat, and traveled in this way
to the big village, where they make medals and money,
("Philadelphia.) We again expressed surprise at finding
this village so much larger than the one we had left ; but
the war chief again told us«we would see another much
larger than this. I had no idea that the white people had
such large villages, and so many people. They were very
kind to us, showed us all their great public works, their
ships and steamboats. We visited the place where they
make money, (the mint) and saw the men engaged at it.
They presented each of us with a number of pieces of the
coin as they fell from the mint, which are very handsome.
I witnessed a militia training in this city, in which were
performed a number of singular military feats. The chiefs
and men were all well dressed, and exhibited quite a war-
like appearance. I think our system of military parade
far better than that of the whites, but as I am now done
going to war I will not describe it, or say anything more
about war, or the preparations necessary for it.
We next started for New York, and on our arrival near
the wharf, saw a large collection of people gathered at
120 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
Castle Garden. We had seen many wonderful sights in
our way — large villages, the great national road over the
mountains, the railroad, steam carriages, ships, steamboats
and many other things ; but we were now about to witness
a sight more surprising than any of these. We were told
that a man was going up in the air in a balloon. We
watched with anxiety to see if this could be true ; and to
our utter astonishment, saw him ascend in the air until the
eye could no longer perceive him. Our people were all
surprised and one of our young men asked the Prophet if
he was going up to see the Great Spirit?
After the ascension of the balloon, we landed and got
into a carriage to go to the house that had been provided
for our reception. We had proceeded but a short distance
before the street was so crowded that it was impossible for
the carriage to pass. The war chief then directed the
coachman to take another street, and stop at a different
house from the one we had intended. On our arrival here
we were waited upon by a number of gentlemen, who
seemed much pleased to see us. We were furnished with
good rooms, good provisions, and everything necessary
for our comfort.
The chiefs of this big village, being desirous that all
their people should have an opportunity to see us, fitted
up their great council house for this purpose, where we
saw an immense number of people ; all of whom treated us
with great friendship, and many with great generosity.
One of their great chiefs, John A. Graham, waited upon
us and made a very pretty talk, which appeared in the vil-
lage papers, one of which I now hand you.
mr. Graham's speech.
"Brothers: Open your ears. You are brave men.
You have fought like tigers, but in a bad cause. We have
BLACK HAWK. 121
conquered you. We were sorry last year that you raised
the tomahawk against us ; but we believe you did not know
us then as you do now. We think, in time to come, you
will be wise, and that we shall be friends forever. You
see that we are a great people, numerous as the flowers of
the field, as the shells on the sea shore, or the fishes in the
sea. We put one hand on the eastern, and at the same
time the other on the western ocean. We all act together.
If some time our great men talk long and loud at our
council fires, but shed one drop of white men's blood, our
young warriors, as thick as the stars of the night, will leap
on board of our great boats, which fly on the waves and
over the lakes — swift as the eagle in the air — then penetrate
the woods, make the big guns thunder, and the whole
heavens red with the flames of the dwellings of their ene-
mies. Brothers, the President has made you a great talk.
He has but one mouth. Triat one has sounded the senti-
ments of all the people. Listen to what he has said to
you. Write it on your memories, it is good, very good.
"Black Hawk, take these jewels, a pair of topaz ear-
rings, beautifully set in gold, for your wife or daughter, as
a token of friendship, keeping always in mind, that women
and children are the favorites of the Great Spirit. These
jewels are from an old man, whose head is whitened with
the snows of seventy winters, an old man who has thrown
down his bow, put off his sword, and now stands leaning
on his staff, waiting the commands of the Great Spirit.
Look around you, see all this mighty people, then go to
your homes, open your arms to receive your families. Tell
them to bury the hatchet, to make bright the chain of
friendship, to love the white men, and to live in peace with
them, as long as the rivers run into the sea, and the sun
rises and sets. If you do so, you will be'happy. You
will then insure the prosperity of unborn generations of
122 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
your tribes, who will go hand in hand with the sons of the
white men, and all shall be blessed by the Great Spirit.
Peace and happiness by the blessing of the Great Spirit
attend you. Farewell."
In reply to this fine talk, 1 said, "Brother : We like your
talk. We like the white people. They are very kind to
us. We shall not forget it. Your council is good. We
shall attend to it. Your valuable present shall go to my
squaw. We shall always be friends."
The chiefs were particular in showing us everything that
they thought would be pleasing or gratifying to us. We
went with them to Castle Garden to see the fire-works,
which was quite an agreeable entertainment, but to the
whites who witnessed it, less magnificent than would have
been the sight of one of our large prairies when on fire.
We visited all the public buildings and places of amuse-
ment, which, to us, were truly astonishing yet very grati-
fying-
Everybody treated us with friendship, and many with
great liberality. The squaws presented -us many hand-
some little presents that are said to be valuable. They
were very kind, very good, and very pretty — for pale-faces:
Among the men, who treated us with marked friendship,
by the presentation of many valuable presents, I cannot
omit to mention the name of my old friend Crooks, of the
American Fur Company. I have known him long, and
have always found him to be a good chief, one who gives
good advice, and treats our people right. I shall always
be proud to recognize him as a friend, and glad to shake
him by the hand.
Being anxious to return to our people, our guide started
with us for our own country. On arriving at Albany, the
people were so* anxious to see us, that they crowded the
streets and wharfs, where the steamboats landed, so much,
BLACK HAWK. 123
that it was almost impossible for us to pass to the hotel
which had been provided for our reception. We remained
here but a short time, it being a comparatively small vil-
lage, with only a few large public buildings. The great
council house of the state is located here, and the big
chief (the governor) resides here, in an old mansion.
From here we went to Buffalo, thence to Detroit, where I
had spent many pleasant days, and anticipated, on my
arrival, to meet many of my old friends, but in this I was
disappointed. What could be the cause of this? Are
they all dead? Or what has become of them? I did not
see our old father there, who had always given me good
advice and treated me with great friendship.
After leaving Detroit it was but a few days before we
landed at Prairie du Chien. The war chief at the fort
treated us very kindly, as did the people generally. I called
on the agent of the Winnebagoes, (Gen. J. M. Street), to
whom I had surrendered myself after the battle at Bad
Axe, who received me very friendly. I told him that I
had left my great medicine bag with his chiefs before I gave
myself up ; and now, that I was to enjoy my liberty again,
I was anxious to get it, that I might hand it down to my
nation unsullied.
He said it was safe ; he had heard his chiefs speak of it,
and would get it and send it to me. I hope he will not
forget his promise, as the whites generally do, because I
have always heard that he was a good man, and a good
father, and made no promise that he did not fulfill.
Passing down the Mississippi, I discovered a large col-
lection of people in the mining country, on the west side of
the river, and on the ground that we had given to our rela-
tion, Dubuque, a long time ago. I was surprised at this,
as I had understood from our Great Father that the Mis-
sissippi was to' be the dividing line between his red and
124 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
white children, and he did not wish either to cross it. I
was much pleased with this talk, as I knew it would be
much better for both parties. I have since found the coun-
try much settled by the whites further down, and near to
our people, on the west side of the river. I am very much
afraid that in a few years they will begin to drive and abuse
our people, as they have formerly done. I may not live to
see it, but I feel certain the day is not far distant.
When we arrived at Rock Island, Keokuk and the other
chiefs were sent for. They arrived the next day with a
great number of their young men, and came over to see
me. I was pleased to see them, and they all appeared
glad to see me. Among them were some who had lost
relations the year before. When we met, I perceived the
tear of sorrow gush from their eyes at the recollection of
their loss, yet they exhibited a smiling countenance, from
the joy they felt at seeing me alive and well. .
The next morning, the war chief, our guide, convened a
council at Fort Armstrong. Keokuk and his party went
to the fort ; but, in consequence of the war chief not hav-
ing called for me to accompany him, I concluded that I
would wait until I was sent for. Consequently, the inter-
preter came and said, "they were ready, and had been
waiting for me to come to the fort." I told him I was
ready and would accompany him. On our arrival there
the council commenced. The war chief said that the
object of this council was to deliver me up to Keokuk. He
then read, a paper, and directed me to follow Keokuk's
advice, and be governed by his counsel in all things ! In
this speech he said much that was mortifying to my feel-
ings, and I made an indignant reply.
I do not know what object the war chief had in making
such a speech ; or whether he intended what he said ; but
I do know that it was uncalled for, and did not become
BLACK HAWK. 125
him. I have addressed many war chiefs and listened to
their speeches with pleasure, but never had my feelings of
pride and honor insulted on any other occasion. But
I am sorry I was so hasty in reply to this chief, because I
said that which I did not intend.
In this council I met my old friend (Col. Wm. Daven-
port,) whom I had known about eighteen years. He is a
good and brave chief. He always treated me well, and
gave me good advice. He made me a speech on this occa-
sion, very different from that of the other chief. It sounded
like coming from a brave. He said he had known me a
long time, that we had been good friends during that
acquaintance, and, although he had fought against my
braves, in our late war, he still extended the hand of
friendship to me, and hoped that I was now satisfied, from
what I had seen in my travels, that it was folly to think of
going to war against the whites, and would ever remain at
peace. He said he would be glad to see me at all times,
and on all occasions would be happy to give me good
advice.
If our Great Father were to make such men our agents
he would much better subserve the interests of our people,
as well as his own, than in any other way. The war
chiefs all know our people, and are respected by them.
If the war chiefs at the different military posts on the
frontier were made agents, they could always prevent
difficulties from arising among the Indians and whites \
and I have no doubt, had the war chief above alluded to
been our agent, we would never have had the difficul-
ties with the whites we have had. Our agents ought
always to be braves. I would, therefore, recommend
to our Great Father the propriety of breaking up the
present Indian establishment, and creating a new one,
and make the commanding officers at the different fron-
126 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
tier posts the agents of the Government for the different
nations of Indians.
I have a good opinion of the American war chiefs gen-
erally with whom I am acquainted, and my people, who
had an opportunity of seeing and becoming well acquainted
with the great war chief (Gen. Winfield Scott), who made
the last treaty with them, in conjunction with the great
chief of Illinois (Governor Reynolds), all tell me that he
is the greatest brave they ever saw, and a good man — one
who fulfills his promises. Our braves spoke more highly
of him than of any chief that had ever been among us,
or made treaties with us. Whatever he says may be de-
pended upon. If he had been our Great Father we never
would have been compelled to join the British in the last
war with America, and I have thought that as our Great
Father is changed every few years, that his children
would do well to put this great war chief in his place, for
they cannot find a better chief for a Great Father any-
where.
I would be glad if the village criers (editors), in all the
villages I passed through, would let their people know my
wishes and opinions about this great war chief.
During my travels my opinions were asked for on dif-
ferent subjects, but for want of a good interpreter (our
regular interpreter having gone home on a different
route), were seldom given. Presuming that they would be
equally acceptable now, I have thought it a part of my
duty to lay the most important before the public.
The subject of colonizing the negroes was introduced
and my opinion asked as to the best method of getting clear
of these people. I was not fully prepared at the time to
answer, as I knew but little about their situation. I have
since made many inquiries on the subject, and find that a
number of States admit no slaves, whilst the balance hold
BLACK HAWK. 127
these negroes as slaves, and are anxious, but do not know
how to get clear of them. I will now give my plan, which,
when understood, I hope will be adopted.
Let the free States remove all the male negroes within
their limits to the slave States ; then let our Great Father
buy all the female negroes in the slave States between the
ages of twelve and twenty, and sell them to the people of
the free States, for a term of years, say those under fif-
teen until they are twenty-one, and those of and over fif-
teen, for five years, and continue to buy all the females
in the slave States as soon as they arrive at the age of
twelve, and take them to the free States and dispose of
them in the same way as the first, and it will not be long
before the country is clear of the black-skins, about which
I am told they have been talking for a long time, and for
which they have expended a large amount of money.
I have no doubt but our Great Father would willingly do
his part in accomplishing this object for his children, as he
could not lose much by it, and would make them all
happy. If the free States did not want them all for ser-
vants, we would take the balance in our nation to help our
women make corn.
I have not time now, nor is it necessary to enter more
into detail about my travels through the United States.
The white people know all about them, and my people
have started to their hunting grounds and I am anxious to
follow them.
Before I take leave of the public, I must contradict the
story of some of the village criers, who, I have been told,
accuse me of having murdered women and children
among the whites. This assertion is false ! I never did,
nor have I any knowledge that any of my nation ever
killed a white woman or child. I make this statement of
truth to satisfy the white people among whom I have been
128 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
traveling, and by whom I have been treated with great
kindness, that, when they shook me by the hand so cor-
dially, they did not shake the hand that had ever been
raised against any but warriors.
It has always been our custom to receive all strangers
that come to our village or camps in time of peace on
terms of friendship, to share with thei.i he best provi-
sions w^e have, and give them all the assistance in our
power. If on a journey or lost, to put them on the right
trail, and if in want of moccasins, to supply them. I feel
grateful to the whites for the kind manner they treated
me and my party whilst traveling among them, and from
my heart I assure them that the white man will always be
welcome in our village or camps, as a brother. The toma-
hawk is buried forever ! We will forget what has passed,
and may the watchword between the Americans and
he Sacs and Foxes ever be — "Friendship."
I am doile now. A few more moons and I must follow
my fathers to the shades. May the Great Spirit keep our
people and the whites always at peace, is the sincere wish
of Black Hawk.
BLACK HAWK. 129
STARTS FOR A NEW HOME.
After we had finished his autobiography the interpreter
read it over to him carefully, and explained it thoroughly,
so that he might make any needed corrections, by adding
to, or taking from the narrations ; but he did not desire to
change it in any material matter. He said, " It contained '
nothing but the truth, and that it was his desire that the
white people in the big villages he had visited should know
how badly he had been treated, and the reason that had
impelled him to act as he had done." Arrangements hav-
ing been completed for moving to his new home, he left
Rock Island on the ioth of October with his family and a
small portion of his band, for his old hunting grounds on
Skunk river, on the west side of the Mississippi river below
Shokokon. Here he had a comfortable dwelling erected,
and settled down with the expectation of making it his per-
manent home, thus spending the evening of his days in
peace and quietude.
Our next meeting with the Chief was in the Autumn
of 1834 while on our way to the trading house
of Captain William Phelps (now of Lewistown, Ills.),
at Sweet Home, located on the bank of the Des
Moines river. This was soon after the payment of the an-
nuities at Rock Island, where the chiefs and head men had
been assembled and received the money and divided it
among their people by such rule as they saw. fit to adopt ;
but this mode of distribution had proved very unsatisfac-
tory to a large number of Indians who felt that they had
been sorely wronged. The Sacs held a convocation at
Phelps' trading house soon after our arrival, and petitioned
their Great Father to change the mode of payment of^their
9
130 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
0
annuities. Black Hawk was a leading spirit in this move-
ment, but thought best not to be present at the meeting.
The writer of this drew up a petition in advance of the
assembling of the meeting, in accordance with the views
of the Messrs. Phelps, and after a short council, in which
the Indians generally participated, the interpreter read and
explained to them the petition, which was a simple prayer
to their Great Father, to change the mode of payment so
that each head of a family should receive and receipt for
his proportion of the annuity. They were all satisfied and
the entire party "touched the goose quill," and their
names were thus duly attached to this important docu-
ment.
The Secretary of War had long favored this mode of
payment of the annuities to the Indians, and at a meeting
of the Cabinet to consider this petition the prayer of the
Indians was granted, and in due time the Indian depart-
ment received instructions, so that upon the payment of
1835 this rule was adopted. On his return from Rock
Island, Black Hawk, with a number of his band, called on
his old friend Wahwashenequa (Hawkeye), Mr. Stephen
S. Phelps, to buy their necessary supplies for making a
fall hunt, and to learn at what points trading houses
would be established for the winter trade. During their
stay the old chief had frequent interviews with the writer
(his former amanuensis). He said he had a vqry com-
fortable home, a good corn field, and plenty of game, and
had been well treated by the few whites who had settled
in his neighborhood. He spent several days with us and
then left for home with a good winter outfit.
The change in the manner of payment of annuities
would have been opposed by Keokuk and his head men,
had they been let into the secret, as the annuity money
when paid over was principally controlled by him, and
BLACK HAWK. 131
always to the detriment cf the Sacs' traders who were in
opposition to the American Fur Company, the former having
to rely almost entirely upon the fall and winter trade in
furs and peltries to pay the credits given the Indians before
leaving for their hunts.
BLACK HAWK'S LAST VISIT
To Yellow Banks was in the fall of 1836, after the
town of Oquawka had been laid out, and when told that the
town had taken the Indian name, instead of its English in-
terpretation, he was very much gratified, as he had known
it as Oquawka ever since his earliest recollection and had
always made it a stopping place when going out to their
winter camps. He said the Skunk river country was
dotted over with cabins all the way down to the Des
Moines river, and was filling up very fast by white peo-
ple. Anew village had been started at Shokokon (Flint
Hills) by the whites, and some of its people have already
built good houses, but the greater number are still living
in log cabins. They should have retained its Indian
name, Shokokon, as our people have spent many happy
days in this village. Here too, we had our council house,
in which the braves of the Sac nation have many times
assembled to listen to my words of counsel. It was situ-
ated in a secluded but romantic spot in the midst of the
bluffs, not far from the river, and on frequent occasions,
when it became necessary to send out parties to make
war on the Sioux to redress our grievances, I have assem-
bled my braves here to give them counsel before starting
on the war-path. And here, too, we have often met when
132 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
starting out in the fall for our fall and winter's hunt, to
counsel in regard to our several locations for the winter.
In those days the Fur Company had a trading house here
and their only neighbors were the resident Indians of
Tama's town, located a few miles above on the river.
The Burlington Hawk-Eye, of a late date, in reference
to this council house, says :
"A little distance above the waterworks, and further
around the turn of the bluff is a natural amphitheater,
formed by the action of the little stream that for ages has
dripped and gurgled down its deep and narrow channel to the
river. It is a straight, clear Cut opening in the hill side,
slightly rising till at a distance of seventy-five or one hun-
dred yards from the face of the bluff it terminates as sud-
denly and sharply as do the steeply sloping sides.
" Well back in this grassy retreat, upon a little projection
of earth that elevates it above the surrounding surface, lies
a huge granite boulder. In connection with the surround-
ings it gives to the place the appearance of a work of man,
everything is so admirably arranged for a council chamber.
Here, it is rumored by tradition, the dusky warriors of the
Sacs gathered to listen in attentive silence to the words of
their leader, Black Hawk, who from his rocky rostrum
addressed the motionless groups that strewed the hill
sides ; motionless under his addresses and by them aroused
to deeds of darkness and crafty daring that made the
name of their chief a synonym with all things terrible.
"Whatever of truth this story may contain we cannot say,
and it may be no one knows. Certain it is, however,
that Black Hawk's early history is intimately linked and
interwoven with that of our city, and n justice to a brave
man and a soldier, as well as a ' first settler ' and a citizen,
his name and his last resting place should be rescued from
the oblivion that .will soon enshroud them."
BLACK HAWK. 133
Another village has been commenced by the whites on
the Mississippi river, at Fort Madison, which is being
built up very rapidly. The country, too, is fast settling
up by farmers, and as the Sacs have made a settlement on
the frontier farther west, on our old hunting grounds, he
said he would have to move farther back so as to be near
his people ; and on bidding us farewell, said it might be
the last time, as he was growing old, and the distance
would be too great from the point at which he intended to
build a house and open a little farm to make a visit on
horseback, and as the Des Moines river is always low in
the fall of the year he could not come in his canoe.
At the close of the summer of 1837 the President of the
United States invited deputations from several tribes of
Indians residing on the Upper Mississippi to visit him at
Washington. Among those who responded to his invita-
tion were deputations from the Sacs and Foxes and Sioux,
who had been at enmity, and between whom hostilities
had been renewed, growing out of their inhuman treat-
ment of many of the women and children of the Sacs,
after they had made their escape from the battle of Bad
Axe, at the close of the war.
Keokuk, principal chief of the Sacs and Foxes, (by
the advice of his friend, Sagenash, Col. George Daven-
port, of Rock Island) invited Black Hawk to join his dele-
gation, which invitation he readily accepted, and made
one of the party ; whilst the Sioux were represented by
several of their crafty chiefs. Several counsels were held,
the object of which was to establish peace between the
Sacs and Foxes and Sioux, and in order to perpetuate it,
make a purchase of a portion of the country of the
Sioux, which territory should be declared neutral, and on
which neither party should intrude for any purpose ; but
the wily Sioux, whose domain extends far and wide, would
134 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
not consent to sell any of their land ; hence nothing was
accomplished.
Before returning to their country the Sac and Fox dele-
gation visited the large cities in the East, in all of which
Black Hawk attracted great attention ; but more particu-
larly in Boston, as he did not visit it during his former
tour. The delegation embraced Keokuk, his wife and lit-
tle son, four chiefs of the nation, Black Hawk and son, and
several warriors. Here they were received and welcomed
by the mayor of the city, and afterwards by Governor
Everett as the representative of the State. On the part of
the city, after a public reception, the doors of Faneuil
Hall were opened to their visitors to hold a levee for the
visits of the ladies, and in a very short time the "old
cradle of liberty" was jammed full.
After dinner the delegation was escorted to the State
House by a military company, and on their arrival were
conspicuously seated in front of the Speakers' desk, the
house being filled with ladies, members of the legislature,
and dignitaries of the city council.
Governor Everett then addressed the audience, giving
a brief history of the Sac and Fox tribe, whose principal
chiefs (including the great war chief) were then present,
and then turning to them he said : " Chiefs and warriors
of the united Sacs and Foxes, you are welcome to our hall
of council. Brothers, you have come a long way from
your home to visit your white brethren ; we rejoice to take
you by the hand. Brothers, we have heard the names of
your chiefs and warriors. Our brethren who have traveled
in the West have told us a great deal about the Sacs and
Foxes. We rejoice to see you with our own eyes.
•'Brothers, we are called the Massachusetts. This is
the name of the red men who once lived here. Their
wigwams were scattered on yonder fields, and their coun-
BLACK HAWK. 135
cil fire was kindled on this spot. They were of the same
great race as the Sacs and Foxes.
" Brothers, when our fathers came over the great water
they were a small band. The red man stood upon the
rock by the seaside and saw our fathers. He might have
pushed them into the water and drowned them; but he
stretched out his hand to them and said : ' Welcome, white
man.' Our fathers were hungry, and the red man gave
them corn and venison. They were cold, and the red man
wrapped them in his blanket. We are now numerous and
powerful, but we remember the kindness of the red men
to our fathers. Brothers, you are welcome; we are glad
to see you.
" Brothers, our faces are pale, and your faces are dark,
but our hearts are alike. The Great Spirit has made His
children of different colors, but He loves them all.
" Brothers, you dwell between the Mississippi and Mis-
souri. They are mighty rivers. They have one branch
far East in the Alleghanies and another far West in the
Rocky Mountains, but they flow together at last into one
great stream and run down into the sea. In like manner
the red man dwells in the West and the white man in the
East, by the great water; but they are all one band, one
family. It has many branches, but one head.
"Brothers, as you entered our council house, you be-r
held the image of our great father, Washington. It is a
cold stone ; it cannot speak to you, but he was the friend
of the red man, and bade his children live in friendship
with their red brethren. He is gone to the world of spirits ^
but his words have made a very deep print in our hearts,
like the step of a strong buffalo on the soft clay of the
prairie.
" Brother, (addressing Keokuk) I perceive your little
son between your knees. May the Great Spirit preserve
136 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
his life, my brother. He grows up before you, like the
tender sapling by the side of the great oak. May they
flourish for a long time together ; and when the mighty
oak is fallen on the ground may the young tree fill its
place in the forest, and spread out its branches over the
tribe.
"Brothers, I make you a short talk and again bid you
welcome to our council hall."
Keokuk rose and made an eloquent address. Several
of the other chiefs spoke, and after them the old war
chief, Black Hawk, on whom the large crowd were look-
ing with intense interest, arose and delivered a short but
dignified address.
Presents were then distributed to them by the Governor ;
Keokuk received a splendid sword and a brace of pistols,
his son a nice little rifle, the other chiefs long swords, and
Black Hawk a sword and brace of pistols.
After the close of ceremonies in the Capitol, the Indians
gave an exhibition of the war dance, in the common in
front of the Capitol, in presence of thirty thousand specta-
tors, and then returned to their quarters.
BLACK HAWK'S REMOVAL TO THE DES
MOINES RIVER.
Soon after his return from Boston he removed his fam-
ily and little band farther West, on the Des Moines river,
near the storehouse of an Indian trader, where he had
previously erected a good house for his future home. His
family embraced his wife, two sons, Nashashuk and
Gamesett, and an only daughter and her husband. As he
BLACK HAWK. 137
had given up the chase entirely — having sufficient means
from the annuities — he now turned his attention to the
improvement of his grounds, and soon had everything
comfortably around him. Here he had frequent visits from
the whites, who came out in large numbers to look at the
country, many of whom called through curiosity to see the
great war chief, but all were made welcome and treated
with great hospitality.
In 1838 Fort Madison had grown to be a little village,
and its inhabitants were not only enterprising and indus-
trious, but patriotic citizens. On the 4th of July of that
year they had a celebration, and having known and re-
spected Black Hawk while residing in that part of the
country, invited him to join them as a guest on that oc-
casion.
In reply to a letter of B. F. Drake, Esq., of Cincinnati,
asking for such incidents in the life of Black Hawk as he
knew, Hon. W. Henry Starr, of Burlington, Iowa,
whom we knew for many years as a highly honorable and
intelligent gentleman, gave the following account of the
celebration in his reply, dated March 21, 1839:
" On the 4th of July, 1838, Black Hawk was present
by special invitation, and was the most conspicuous guest
of the citizens assembled in commemoration of that day.
Among the toasts called forth by the occasion was the fol-
lowing :
" 'Our illustrious guest, Black Hawk : May his declining
years be as calm and serene as his previous life has been
boisterous and full of warlike incidents. His attachment
and present friendship to his white brethren, fully entitle
him to a seat at our festive board.'
" So soon as this sentiment was drank, Black Hawk arose
and delivered the following speech, which was taken down
at the time by two interpreters, and by them furnished for
publication :
138 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
" 'It has pleased the Great Spirit that lam hereto-day —
I have eaten with my white friends. The earth is our
mother — we are now on it — with the Great Spirit above
us — it is good. I hope we are all friends here. A few
summers ago I was fighting against you — I did wrong, per-
haps ; but that is past — it is buried — let it be forgotten.
" 'Rock river was a beautiful country — I liked my towns,
my cornfields, and the home of my people. I fought for
it. It is now yours — keep it as we did — it will produce you
good crops.
" 'I thank the Great Spirit that I am now friendly with
my white brethren — we are here together — we have eaten
together — we are friends — it is his wish and mine. I thank
you for your friendship.
" 'I was once a great warrior — I am now poor. Keokuk
has been the cause of my present situation — but do not at-
tach blame to him. I am now old. I have looked upon
the Mississippi since I have been a child. I love the Great
river. I have dwelt upon its banks from the time I was
an infant. I look upon it now. I shake hands with you,
and as it is my wish, I hope you are my friends.'
"In the course of the day he was prevailed upon to
drink several times, and became somewhat intoxicated, an
uncommon circumstance, as he was generally temperate.
" In the autumn of 1837, he was "at the house of an In-
dian trader, in the vicinity of Burlington, when I became
acquainted and frequently conversed with him in broken
English, and through the medium of gestures and panto-
mine. A deep seated melancholy was apparent in his
countenance, and conversation. He endeavored to make
me comprehend, on one occasion, his former greatness, and
represented that he was once master of the country, east,
north, and south of us — that he had been a very successful
warrior — called himself, smiting his breast, ' big Captain
BLACK HAWK. 139
Black Hawk,' ' nesso Kaskaskias,' (killed the Kaskaskias, )
* nesso Sioux a heap,' (killed a great number of Sioux).
He then adverted to the ingratitude of his tribe, in permit-
ting Keokuk to supercede him, who, he averred, excelled
him in nothing but drinking whisky.
" Toward Keokuk he felt the most unrelenting hatred.
Keokuk was, however, beyond his influence, being recog-
nized as chief of the tribe by the government of the
United States. He unquestionably possessed talents of
the first order, excelled as an orator, but his authority
will probably be short-lived, on account of his dissipation
and his profligacy in spending the money paid him for the
benefit of his tribe, and which he squanders upon himself
and a few favorites, through whose influence be seeks to
maintain his authority.
4 'You inquire if Black Hawk was at the battle of the
Thames? On one occasion I mentioned Tecumthe to
him and he expressed the greatest joy that I had heard of
him, and pointing away to the East, and making a feint, as
if aiming a gun, said, 'Chemocoman (white man) nesso,'
(kill.) From which I had no doubt of his being person-
ally acquainted with Tecumthe, and I have been since in-
formed, on good authority, that he was in the battle of
the Thames and in several other engagements with that
distinguished chief."
In September, 1838, he started with the head men of
his little band to go to Rock Island, the> place designated
by the Agent, to receive their annuities, but was taken sick
on the way and had to return to his home. He was con-
fined to his bed about two weeks, and on the 3d day of
October, 1838, he was called away by the Great Spirit to
take up his abode in the happy grounds of the future, at
the age of seventy-one years. His devoted wife and fam-
ily were his only and constant attendants during his last
140 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
sickness, and when brought home sick, she had a pre-
monition that he would soon be called away.
The following account of his death and burial we take
from the Burlington Hawk-Eye, and as we knew the writer
as a reliable gentleman, many years ago, we have no
doubt of it being strictly correct.
Captain James H. Jordan, a trader among the Sacs
and Foxes before Black Hawk's death, was present at his
burial, and is now residing on the very spot where he died.
In reply to a letter of inquiry he writes as follows :
Eldon, Iowa, July 15, 1881.
" Black Hawk was buried on the northeast quarter of
the southeast quarter of section 2, township 70, range 12,
Davis county, Iowa, near the northeast corner of the
county, on the Des Moines river bottom, about ninety rods
from where he lived when he died, on the north side of
the river. I have the ground on which he lived for a door
yard, it being between my house and the river. The only
mound over the grave was some puncheons split out and
set over his grave and then sodded over with blue grass,
making a ridge about four'feet high. A flag-staff, some
twenty feet high, was planted at the head, on which was a
silk flag, which hung there until the wind wore it out.
My house and his were only about four rods apart when
he died. He was sick only about fourteen days. He was
buried right where he sat the year before, when in council
with Iowa Indians, and was buried in a suit of military
clothes, made to order and given to him when in Wash-
ington City by General Jackson, with hat, sword, gold
epaulets, etc., etc.
"The Annals of Iowa of 1863 and 1864 state that the old
chief was buried by laying his body on a board, his feet
fifteen inches below the surface of the ground, and his
BLACK HAWK. 141
head raised three feef above the ground. He was dressed
in a military uniform, said to have been presented to him
by a member of General Jackson's cabinet, with a cap on
his head ornamented with feathers. On his left side was
a sword presented him by General Jackson ; on his right
side a cane presented to him by Henry Clay, and one
given to him by a British officer, and other trophies.
Three medals hung about his neck from President Jack-
son, ex-President John Quincy Adams and the city of
Boston, respectively. The body was covered with boards
on each side, the length of the body, which formed a
ridge, with an open space below; the gables being closed
by boards, and the whole was covered with sod. At the
head was a flag-staff thirty-five feet high which bore an
American flag worn out by exposure, and near by was the
usual hewn post inscribed with Indian characters repre-
senting his war-like exploits, etc. Enclosing all was a
strong circular picket fence twelve feet high. His body
remained here until July, 1839, wnen it was carried off by
a certain Dr. Turner, then living at Lexington, Van Buren
county, Iowa. Captain Horn says the bones were carried
to Alton, Ills., to be mounted with wire. Mr. Barrows
says they were taken to Warsaw, Ills. Black Hawk's-
sons, when they heard of this desecration of their father's
grave, were very indignant, and complained of it to Gov-
ernor Lucas of Iowa Territory, and his excellency caused
the bones to be brought back to Burlington in the fall of
1839, or the spring of 1840. When the sons came to take
possession of them, finding them safely stored "in
a good dry place " they left them. there. The bones
were subsequently placed in the collection of the Burling-
ton Geological and Historical Society, and it is certain that
they perished in the fire which destroyed the building and
142 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
all the society's collections in 1855 ; though the editor of
the Annals, (April, 1865, p. 478) says there is good reason
to believe that the bones were not destroyed by the fire,
and he is " creditably informed that they are now at the
residence of a former officer of said society and thus
escaped that catastrophe."
Another account, however, and probably a more reliable
one, states that the last remains of Black Hawk were con-
sumed as stated, in the burning building containing the
collections and properties of the Burlington Geological
and Historical Society.
In closing this narrative of the life of this noble old
chief it may be but just to speak briefly of his personal
traits, He was an Indian, and from that standpoint we
must judge him. The make-up of his character com- .
prised those elements in a marked degree which consti-
tutes a noble nature. In all the social relations of life he
was kind and affable. In his house he was the affection-
ate husband and father. He was free from the many vices
that others of his race had contracted from their associa-
tions with the white people, never using intoxicating beve-
rages to excess. As a warrior he knew no fear, and on
the field of battle his feats of personal prowess stamped
him as the " bravest of the brave."
But it was rather as a speaker and counsellor that he
was distinguished. His patriotism, his love of his country,
his home, his lands and the rights of his people to their
wide domain, moved his great soul to take up arms to
protect the rights of his people. Revenge and conquest
formed no part of his purpose. Right was all that he de-
manded, and for that he waged the unequal contests with
the whites. With his tribe he had great personal influence
and his young men received his counsel and advice, and
BLACK HAWK. 14&
yielded ready acquiescence in his admonitions. With
other tribes he was held in high esteem, as well as by
English and American soldiers, who had witnessed his
prowess on the field of battle.
THE BLACK HAWK TOWER.
This favorite resort of Black Hawk, situated on the
highest bank of Rock river, had been selected by his f ather
as a look-out, at the first building up of their village.
From this point they had an unobstructed view up and down
Rock river for many miles, and across the prairies as far
as the vision could penetrate, and since that country has
been settled by the whites, for more than half a century,
has been the admiration of many thousands of peoplet
The village of Black Hawk, including this grand " look-
out," was purchased from the Government by Col. George
Davenport, at Black Hawk's particular request, for the
reason, as he afterwards told us, that he could leave it
with an abiding assurance that the graves of their people
would be protected from vandal hands.
This property including hundreds of acres lying between
Rock river and the Mississippi, is now owned by Hon. B.
Davenport, and as it has long been a pleasure resort for
picnic and other parties, he has erected an elegant pavilion
on its site, with a good residence for a family, who have
charge of it, which will now make it the finest pleasure
resort in that part of the country. And in order to make
it more easy of access, he has constructed a branch from
the Rock Island and Milan railroad, leading directly to
the Tower. Now its many visitors in the future can sit on
144 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
the veranda, and while enjoying the elegant scenery, can
take ease and comfort in the cool shade. And for this
high privilege the name of Davenport will receive many
hearty greetings.
Fifty years ago (1832) we made our first visit to Black
Hawk's Tower with Col. George Davenport, and listened
with intense interest to his recital of scenes that had been
enacted there may years before ; and one year later had
them all repeated, with many more, from the lips of Black
Hawk himself. How changed the scene. Then it was in I
its rustic state, now this fine pavilion, being a long, low
structure, built somewhat after the Swiss cottage plan, i
with broad sloping roofs, and wide, long porches on the
north and south sides, the .one facing the road and the
other fronting the river and giving a view of a beautiful
stretch of country up and down Rock river, greatly en- j
hances its beauty and adds much to the comfort of ^visitors.
BLACK HAWK. 145
The following beautiful word paintings by a recent vis-
itor to the Tower, we take from the Rock Island Union :
BLACK HAWK'S WATCH TOWER.
BY JENNIE M. FOWLER.
Beautiful tower! famous in history,
Rich in legend, in old-time mystery,
Graced with tales of Indian lore,
Crowned with beauty from summit to shore.
Below, winds the river, silent and still,
Nestling so camly 'mid island and hill,
Above, like warriors, proudly and grand,
Tower the forest trees, monarchs of land.
A land mark for all to admire and wonder,
With thy history ancient, for nations to ponder,
Boldly thou liftest thy head to the breeze,
Crowned with thy plumes, the nodding trees.
Years now are gone — forever more fled,
Since the Indian crept, with cat-like tread,
With moccasined foot, with eagle eye —
The red men our foes in ambush lie.
The owl, still his nightly vigil keeps,
While the river, below him, peacefully sleeps,
The whip-poor-will utters his plaintive cry,
The trees still whisper, and gently sigh.
The pale moon still creeps from her daily rest,
Throwingher rays o'er the river's dark breast,
The katy-did and cricket, I trow,
In days gone by, chirruped, even as now.
Indian! thy camp-fires no longer are smouldering,
Thy bones 'neath the forest moss long have been mouldering,
The " Great Spirit " claims thee. He leadeth thy tribe,
To new hunting-grounds not won with a bribe.
On thy Watch Tow'r the pale face his home now makes,
His dwelling, the site of the forest tree takes,
Gone are thy wigwams, the wild deer long fled,
Black Hawk, with his tribe, lie silent and dead.
Bock Island, August 18, 1882.
IO
' ~ '.': •' .'•■•'* ,
PROPHET.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
PREFACE
On the 12tb of April, 1832, soon after our arrival at Kock Island on a
visit to relatives, (the family of Col. Geo. Davenport) a steamboat came
down from Galena with officers to Fort Armstrong, for the purpose of lay-
ing in supplies and medical stores for a brigade then being formed at that
place. One regiment, composed principally of miners, who had aban-
doned their mines and came in to offer their services as soldiers in the field,
were unanimous in the election of Henry Dodge as Colonel. They had
long known him as a worthy, brave and accomplished gentleman, the soul
of honor, and hence would be an intrepid soldier.
Among the officers on this trip was Dr. A. K. Philleo, well known to Col.
Dodge as a social gentleman, a skilled physician and an accomplished
surgeon, who had accepted the position of surgeon at his urgent request,
with a, proviso : Being editor of the Galenian, (the only paper printed in
the town) he considei'ed the position a very important one, as it was the
only paper within hundreds of miles of the seat of war, and the only one
on the Mississippi above Alton, 111. ; hence he must procure a substitute
or decline the appointment of surgeon. Having made his acquaintance*
after he had learned that we had been engaged in newspaper life, he in-
sisted that we should take a position on the Galenian for a few weeks, or
until the close of the war, so that he could accept the offer of Col. Dodge,
and seeing that he was a great favorite among the officers, and anxious to
go to the field, we accepted the position and accompanied him to Galena
the same evening.
Here we found an infantry regiment, commanded by Col. J. M. Strode,
composed principally of miners and citizens of Galena, which had been
hurriedly organized for home protection, whilst that of Col. Dodge, be-
ing well mounted, were making preparations to take the field. After
taking char-e of the Galenian we made the acquaintance of Col. Strode,
and found him to be a whole-souled Kentuckian, who advised us to enroll
our name on the company list of Capt. M. M. Maughs, and as our time
would mostly be devoted to the paper, he would detail us Printer to the
Begiment, by virtue of which appointment we would become an honorary
member of his staff. We retained our position on the paper and that on
the staff of the Colonel throughout the war, and was made the recipient
of dispatches of the regular movement of the army, its skirmishes and
battles from officers of the regular army as well as that of the volunteers,
from which we made our weekly report, and from these data we have made
up most of our history of the war.
FOX MURDERERS WANTED.
Early in April, 1832, Brig, -General Atkinson, with about three hundred
troops, was ordered to Fort Armstrong to prevent a threatened war be-
tween the Menominees and Fox Indians, on account of a massacre com-
mitted by a band of the latter on a small band of drunken Menomiuees
the previous summer at a point near Fort Crawford. To prevent blood-
shed he was directed to demand the murderers of the Foxes; but on ar-
riving at Rock Island he soon learned that there was imminent danger
of a war of a different character — that Black Hawk, with his entire band,
was then on his way to invade the State of Illinois and would probably
be joine 1 by the Pottowattomies and Winnebagoes. In order to ascer-
tain the facts in the case, he called upon the Indian Agent and Col. George
Davenport, both located here, and requested them to furnish, in writing,
all the information they had in relation to the movements and intentions
of Black Hawk in coming to the State of Illinois. Both gentlemen replied
to his inquiries immediately as follows:
Rock Island, April 12, 1832.
My opinion is that the squaws and old men have gone to the Prophet's
town, on Rock river, and the warriors are now only a few miles below
the mouth of Rock river, within the limits of the State of Illinois. That
these Indians are hostile to the whites there is no doubt. That they
have invaded the State of Illinois, to the great injury of her citizens,
is equally true. Hence it is that that the public good requires that
strong as well as speedy measures should be taken against Black Hawk
and his followers.
Respectfully, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
[Signed,] Andrew S. Hughes.
To Brig. -Gen. Atkinson.
Rock Island, April 13, 1832.
"Dear Sir: — In reply to your inquiry of this morning, respecting the
Indians, I have to state that I have been informed by the man I have
wintering with the Indians that the British baud of Sac Iudians are de-
termined to make war upon the frontier settlements. The British band
of Sac Indians did rendezvous at old Fort Madison, and induced a great
many of the young men to join them on their arrival at the Yellow Banks.
FOX MURDERERS WANTED. cli.
They crossed about five hundred head of horses into the State of Illinois,
and sent about seventy horses through the country toward Rock River.
The remainder, some on horseback the otheis in canoes, in a fighting or-
der, advanced up the Mississippi, and were encamped yesterday five or
six miles below Rock river and will no doubt endeavor to reach their
stronghold in the Rock river swamps if they are not intercepted. From
every information that I have received, I am of the opinion that the in-
tentions of the British band of Sac Indians is to commit depredations on
the inhabitants of the frontier."
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
[Signed.] George Davenport.
"To Brig. Gen. Atkinson."
Being satisfied from the information thus acquired, that there was dan-
ger ahead for the small settlements of whites in the Northern portion of
the State, he immediately addressed a letter to Gov. Reynolds, of Illi-
nois, from which we take the following :
Fort Armstrong, April 13, 1832.
"Dear Sir: — The band of Sacs, under Black Hawk, joined by about
one hundred Kickapoos and a few Pottowattomies, amounting in all to
about five hundred men, have assumed a hostile attitude. They crossed
the river at the Yellow Banks on the sixth inst., and are now moving up
on the east side of Rock river, towards the Prophet's village.
"Tiie regular force under my command is too small to justify me in
pursuing the hostile party. To make an unsuccessful attempt to coerce
them would only irritate them to acts of hostility on the frontier sooner
than they probably contemplate.
"Your own knowledge of the character of these Indians, with the
information herewith submitted, will enable you to judge of the course
proper to pursue. I think the frontier is in great danger, and will use
all the means at my disposal to co-operate with you in its protection and
defense. With great respect,
Your most obedient servant,
H. Atkinson,
Brigadier General of the U. S. Army,
His Excellency, Gov. Reyno'ds, Belleville, Ills."
On receipt of Gen. Atkinson's letter, Gov. Reynolds issued his procla
mation, calling out a strong cletatchment of militia to rendezvous at
Beardstown on the 22d of April. In obedience to this command a large
number of citizens assembled and offered their services. They were met
by Gov. Reynolds, and after being organized into a brigade, he appoint.
<3lii FOX MURDERERS WANTED.
ed Brig. Gen. Samuel Whitesides commander. His brigade embraced
1600 horsemen and two hundred footmen — being four regiments and an
odd spy battalion.
First regiment, Col. Dewitt; second, Col. Fry; third, Col. Thomas;
fourth, Col. Thompson; Col. James D. Henry, commanded the spy bat-
talion.
The troops took up their line of march at once, under command of
Gen. Whitesides, accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief, Gov. Rey-
nolds. For the purpose of layiDg in provisions for the campaign they
went to Yellow Banks, on the Mississippi river, where Major S. S.
Phelps, who had bern appointed quarter master, supplied them. They
arrived on the 3d of May, and left for Rock river on the 7th.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR
About the first of April Black Hawk's band assembled
at Fort Madison for the purpose of making arrangements
to ascend the Mississippi, and soon after the entire party
started. The old men, women and children, with their
provisions and camp equipage, in canoes, and the men all
armed, came on horseback. On the sixth day of April,
the braves, on horseback, made a call at Yellow Banks,
one day after the canoes had passed the same point, and
told Josiah Smart, Mr. Phelps' interpreter, where they
were going, and the object of their visit. They said they
had observed a great war chief, with a number of troops
going up on a steamboat, and thought it likely that the
mission of this war chief was to prevent them going up
Rock river, but they were bound to go. Messrs. Phelps and
Smart tried to persuade them to recross the river and re-
turn to their country, assuring them that the Government
would not permit them to come into Illinois in violation of
the treaty they had made last year, in which they had
agreed to remain on the west side of the river. But they
would not listen to their advice. On the next day they took
up the line of march for Rock river, and on the ioth of
April, 1832, Black Hawk, with a portion of his band of
Sacs, reached the mouth of Rock river a few miles below
Rock Island. The old men, women and children with
their provisions and camp equipage, who came up in
canoes, arrived on the 9th, and the men all armed, came
1 54 HISTORY OF THE
up on horseback, reaching the camp on the ioth. While
encamped there they were joined by the Prophet, who had
previously invited them to come up to the country of the Win-
nebagoes and raise a crop. He called on his way at Fort
Armstrong and had talks with the Agent and Col. Daven-
port, the trader, both of whom advised him to persuade
Black Hawk and party to return to their own country, or
they would be driven back by the soldiers then at Fort
Armstrong, under the command of Gen. Atkinson, who
had just arrived. The Prophet would not listen to their
advice, but assured Black Hawk that he had a right to go
forward with his entire party to the Winnebago country ;
and as he expected large reinforcements to his little army
as he ascended Rock river, he was determined to go for-
ward, but had given positive orders to his band, under no
circumstances, to strike a blow until they had been rein-
forced by warriors from the Winnebagoes and Pottowat-
tomies.
Early next morning they b$oke camp and started up
Rock river, but were soon overtaken by a small detach-
ment of soldiers, who held a council with Black Hawk and
communicated to him the orders of Gen. Atkinson. These
were for him to return with his band and re-cross ^the Mis-
sissippi. Black Hawk said, as he was not on the war path,
but going on a friendly visit to the Prophet's village, he
intended to go forward, and continued on his journey.
On receipt of his answer, Gen. Atkinson sent another de-
tachment to Black Hawk with imperative orders for him
to return, or he would pursue him with his entire army and
drive him back. In reply, Black Hawk said the General
had no right to make the order so long as his band was
peaceable, and that he intended to go on to the Prophet's
village.
In the meantime the forces under the command of Gen.
BLACK HAWK WAR. 155
Whitesides had arrived, and were turned over to Gen At-
kinson by the Governor. The brigade, under the com-
mand of Gen. Whitesides, was ordered up Rock river to
Dixon's Ferry, and as soon as boats could be got ready,
Gen. Atkinson started for the same destination with 300
regulars and about the same number of Illinois militia.
Black Hawk with his party had already reached a point
some thirty or forty miles above Dixon's Ferry, where they
were met in council by some Pottowattomies and Winne-
bago chiefs. They assured Black Hawk that their people
would not join him in making war against the United
States, and denied the Prophet's story to him. During
this council Black Hawk became convinced that he had
been badly imposed upon by the Prophet, and resolved at
once to send a flag of truce to Gen. Atkinson and ask per-
mission to descend Rock river, re-cross the Mississippi and
go back to their country.
STILLMAN'S DEFEAT.
About this time, Gen. Whitesides had concentrated a
large force of militia at Dixon's Ferry, and at the solicita-
tion of Major Stillman, permitted him to take out a scout-
ing party of nearly 300 mounted men. They went up
Rock river, about thirty miles to Sycamore creek, and en-
camped within a few miles of Black Hawk's camp, but
were not aware of its position at the time. Indian scouts
having intercepted their coming reported at once to Black
Hawk that a large army of mounted militia were coming
towards his camp ; and before the volunteers had entirely
completed their arrangements for encampment, outside
156 HISTORY OF THE
guards espied three Indians coming in with a white flag.
After holding a parley with them, (one of the guards being
able to talk a little with them in their own language), they
were hurried into camp, and before any explanations were
made, the flag bearer was shot and instantly killed, whilst
his comrades made their escape during the confusion in
getting the regiment ready to pursue the fleeing Indians.
These had secreted themselves in ambush as the army rush-
ed by, helter skelter, after another small party of Indians
who had followed the flag bearers, and who, when hearing
the uproar in camp made a hasty retreat. The entire regi-
ment was soon mounted and started out in squads towards
the camp of Black Hawk. The latter having learned by
a scout that the army was coming, started at once with less
than fifty mounted warriors, his entire force then in camp,
to meet the enemy, and on arriving at a copse of timber and
underbrush near Sycamore creek, made ready to meet
them.
Capt. Eads' company, who were the first to start out,,
killed two of the five fleeing Indians. Soon after crossing
Sycamore creek they were surprised by a terrific war
whoop fromthe Indians, who were concealed in the bushes
near by, and with deadly aim commenced firing into the
front ranks of the regiment, and with unearthly yells (as
one of the fleeing party told us on arriving at Galena )r
charged upon our ranks, with tomahawks raised, ready to
slaughter all who might come within their reach. Judging
from the yelling of the Indians, their number was variously
estimated at from one thousand to two thousand.
The entire party was thrown into such confusion that
Major Stillman had no control of any of them, and, with
one exception, the entire army continued their flight to
Dixon's Ferry, thirty miles distant, whilst some went back
to their homes.
BLACK HAWK WAR. 157
The retreating army passed through their camping
ground near Sycamore creek, where they should have
halted, and under cover of the timber, could have shot
down their pursuers while yet in open prairie. Black
Hawk and a small portion of his command gave up the
chase, and returned to his camp, while the remainder pur-
sued the fugitives for several miles, occasionally overtak-
ing and killing some soldiers, whose horses had given out.
Among the retreating party was a Methodist preacher,
whose horse was too slow to keep out of the reach of the
Indians, who adopted a novel plan to save himself and
horse. On coming to a ravine he left the track of his pur-
suers some distance, and followed down the ravine until
he found a place deep enough to shelter himself and horse
from view, and remained there for two hours in safety.
He had the precaution to keep a strict count of the Indians
as they went forward, and waited their return. Being sat-
isfied that all had returned and continued on the way to
their camp, he quietly left his hiding place, trotted leisurely
along and reached Dixon's Ferry about sunrise next
morning.
He reported his mode of procedure and the strategy
used to render his safety certain from the Indians who had
dispersed and driven the army before them. He was in-
terrogated as to the number, and when he reported twenty-
five, great indignation was manifested by some of the
brave volunteers who had got into camp some hours before
him, and reported the number at fifteen hundred to two
thousand ! But as he was well known to many of the vol-
unteers and highly respected as a meek and lowly Christian
gentleman, they stood by him and prevented any personal
violence.
When the report of this fiasco came into Galena the next
morning about 8 o'clock, on the 15th of May, our regiment.
158 HISTORY OF THE
was immediately called to arms, as great danger was
apprehended by the citizens. The general supposition was
that the Potto wattomies and Winnebagoes had joined Black
Hawk, it being well known that his entire band, including
women and children, that had gone up Rock river, did not
exceed one thousand persons. Dwellings were vacated
and most of the inhabitants repaired to the stockades for
safety.
The news of Stillman's defeat "by 2,000 blood-thirsty
Indian warriors " spread fast, far and wide, and the Gov-
ernor of Illinois called for more volunteers ; and when the
news reached Washington, the Secretary of War ordered
Gen. Scott, then at New York, to take a thousand soldiers
and proceed to the seat of war and take command of the
army.
This violation of a flag of truce, the wanton murder
of its bearers, and the attack upon a mere remnant of Black
Hawk's band when sueing for peace, precipitated a war
that should have been avoided.
[In confirmation of the dastardly act of the volunteers in
killing the bearer of a white flag, and by which the war
was precipitated, we give the following letter of Mr. Elijah
Kilbourn, one of the scouts connected with Stillman's
command. Mr. K. is the man Black Hawk makes men-
tion of in his narrative as having been taken captive during
our last war with Great Britain, and by him adopted into
the Sac tribe ; and again taken prisoner by three of his
braves at the battle of Sycamore creek.]
BLACK HAWK WAR. 159
KILBOURN'S NARRATIVE.
A REMINISCENCE OF BLACK HAWK.
[From the Soldiers' Cabinet.]
Much has been said both for and against the Indian
character ; but we doubt whether greater or nobler quali-
ties have ever been exhibited in the conduct of civilized
rulers or commanders than are shown in the incidents we
are about to relate concerning Black Hawk, whose deeds
upon the northwestern frontier will render his name illus-
trious while history exists.
Elijah Kilbourn, the subject of the great chieftain's kind-
ness, and to whom we are indebted for the present sketch,
was a native of Pennsylvania. Just before the outbreak of'
the late war with Great Britain, he left the place of his
birth to join the stirring scenes of adventure on the bord-
ers ; and although now an old man, he still remembers, and
loves to recount, the deeds and perils of his younger days,
and especially those we are about to record.
"We had been," commenced Kilbourn, in whose own
language the story shall be given, " scouting through the
country that lay about Fort Stephenson, when early one
morning one of our number came in with the intelligence
that the Fort was besieged by a combined force of British
and Indians. We were very soon after in our saddles,
bearing down with all speed in that direction, for the
express purpose of joining in the fight — but on arriving, we
found that the enemy had been signally repulsed by the
brave little garrison under the command of Major Crogan.
Our disappointment at learning this was, however, in a
measure lessened, when we learned that Black Hawk, the
leader of the savages, had, soon after the termination of
160 HISTORY OF THE
the battle, gone with some twenty of his warriors back to
his village on Rock river, whither we instantly determined
to follow him.
" At sunrise the next morning we were on his trail, and
followed it with great care to the banks of a stream. Here
we ascertained that the savages had separated into nearly
equal parties — the one keeping straight down the banks of
the stream, while the other had crossed to the other side
and continued on toward Rock river. A council was now
held, in which the oldest members of our party gave it as
their opinion that Black Hawk had changed his intention
of going to his village, and had, with the greater part of
his followers, pursued his way down the stream, while the
rest had been sent by him for some purpose to the town.
In this opinion all coincided ; but still our leader, who was
a very shrewd man, had some doubts on his mind concern-
ing the movements of the chief, and therefore, to make
everything sure, he detailed four of us to follow the trail
across the stream, while he with the rest, some seven or
eight in number, immediately took the one down the bank.
" We soon after found ourselves alone and in the vicinity
of Indian settlements, and we were therefore obliged to
move with the utmost caution, which had the effect of
rendering our progress extremely slow. During the course
of the following morning we came across a great many
different trails and by these we were so perplexed that we
resolved to return t© the .main body ; but from the signs
we had already seen we knew that such a step would be
attended with the greatest risk, and so it was at last de-
cided that it would be far more safe for all hands to sepa-
rate, and each man look out for himself. This resolve
was no sooner made than it was put into execution, and a
few minutes later found me alone in the great wilderness.
I had often been so before, but never before had I been
BLACK HAWK WAR. 161
placed in a situation as dangerous as the present one, for
now on all sides I was surrounded by foes, who would re-
joice in the shedding of my blood. But still I was not go-
ng to give up easily, and looking well to my weapons and
redoubling my caution, I struck off at an angle from the
course I had first chosen, why I hardly knew.
" I encountered nothing very formidable till some two
hours before sunset, when, just as I emerged from a tan-
gled thicket, I perceived an Indian on his knees at a clear,
sparkling spring, from which he was slaking his thirst.
Instinctively I placed my rifle to my shoulder, drew a bead
upon the savage and pulled the trigger. Imagine, if you
can, my feelings as the flint came down and was shivered
to pieces while the priming remained uaignited.
" The next moment the savage was up on his feet, his
piece levelled directly at me and his finger pressing the
trigger. There was no escape ; I had left my horse in the
woods some time before. The thicket behind me was too
dense to permit me to enter it again quickly, and there was
no tree within reach of sufficient size to protect me from
the aim of my foe, who, now finding me at his mercy, ad-
vanced, his gun still in its threatening rest, and ordered
me to surrender. Resistance and escape were alike out of
the question, and I accordingly delivered myself up his
prisoner, hoping by some means or other to escape at
some future period. He now told me, in good English, to
proceed in a certain direction. I obeyed him, and had
not gone a stone's throw before, just as I turned a thick
clump of trees, I came suddenly upon an Indian camp,
the one to which my captor undoubtedly belonged.
"As we came up all the savages, some six or eight in
number, rose quickly and appeared much surprised at my
appearing thus suddenly amongst "their number; but they
offered me no harm, and they behaved with most marked
ii
162 history of the* g&y. 8^3
respect to my captor, whom, upon a close inspection, I
recognized to be Black Hawk himself.
" 'The White mole digs deep, but Makataimeshekiakiak
(Black Hawk) flies high and can see far off,' said the
chieftain in a deep, gutteral tone, addressing me.
" He then related to his followers the occasion of my
capture, and as he did so they glared on me fiercely and
handled their weapons in a threatening manner, but at the
conclusion of his remarks they appeared better pleased,
although I was the recipient of many a passing frown.
He now informed me that he had told his young men that
the}^ were to consider me a brother, as he was going to
adopt me into the tribe.
" This was to me but little better than death itself, but
there was no alternative and so I was obliged to submit,
with the hope of making my escape at some future time.
The annunciation of Black Hawk, moreover, caused me
great astonishment, and after pondering the matter I was
finally forced to set down as its cause one of those unac-
countable whims to which the savage temperment is often
subject.
"The next morning my captors forced me to go with
them to their village on Rock river, where, after going
through a tedious ceremony, I was dressed and painted,
and thus turned from a white man into an Indian.
"For nearly three years ensuing it was my constant
study to give my adopted brothers the slip, but during the
whole of that time I was so carefully watched and guarded
that I never found an opportunity to escape.
"However, it is a long lane that has no turning, and so it
proves in my case. Pretending to be well satisfied with
my new mode of life, I at last gained upon the confidence
of the savages, and one day when their vigilance was con-
siderably relaxed, I made my escape and returned in safety
to my friends, who had mourned^for me as dead.
BLACK HAWK WAR. 163
" Many years after this I was a participant in the battle
at Sycamore Creek, which, as you know, is a tributary of
Rock river. I was employed by the government as a
scout, in which capacity it was acknowledged that I had
no superior; but I felt no pride in hearing myself praised,
for I knew I was working against Black Hawk, who,
although he was an Indian, had once spared my life, and I
was one never to forget a kindness. And besides this I
had taken a great liking to him, for there was something
noble and generous in his nature. However, my first
duty was to my country, and I did my duty at all haz-
ards.
"Now you must know that Black Hawk, after moving
west of the Mississippi, had recrossed, contrary to his
agreement, not, however, from any hostile motive, but to
raise a crop of corn and beans with the Pottowattomies
and Winnebagoes, of which his own people stood in the
utmost need. With this intention he had gone some dis-
tance up Rock river, when an express from General
Atkinson ordered him peremptorily to return. This order
the old chief refused to obey, saying that the General had
no right to issue it. A second express from Atkinson
threatened Black Hawk that if he did not return peaceably,
force would be resorted to. The aged warrior became
incensed at this and utterly refused to obey the mandate,
but at the same time sent word to the General that he
would not be the first one to commence hostilities. *^
" The movement of the renowned warrior was immedi-
ately trumpeted abroad as an invasion of the State,
and with more rashness than wisdom, Governor Reynolds
ordered the Illinois militia to take the field, and these were
joined by the regulars, under General Atkinson, at Rock
Island. Major Stillman, having under his command two
hundred and seventy-five mounted men, the chief part of
164 HISTORY OF THE
whom were volunteers, while a few like myself were reg-
ular scouts, obtained leave of General Whitesides, then
lying at Dixon's Ferry, to go on a scouting expedition.
' ' I knew well what would follow ; but still, as I was under
orders, I was obliged to obey, and together with the rest
proceeded some thirty miles up Rock river to where Syca-
more creek empties into it. This brought us to within six
or eight miles of the camp of Black Hawk, who, on that
day — May 14th — was engaged in preparing a dog feast for
the purpose of fitly celebrating a contemplated visit of some
Pottawattomie chiefs.
"Soon after preparing to camp we saw three Indians
approach us bearing a white flag ; and these, upon coming
up, were made prisoners. A second deputation of five
were pursued by some twenty of our mounted militia, and
two of them killed, while the other three escaped. One
of the party that bore the white flag was, out of the most
cowardly vindictiveness, shot down while standing a
prisoner in camp. The whole detachment, after these
atrocities, now bore down upon the camp of Black Hawk;
whose braves, with the exception of some forty or fifty,
were away at a distance.
"As we rode up, a galling and destructive fire was poured
in upon us by the savages, who, after discharging their
guns, sprung from their coverts on either side, with their
usual horrible yells, and continued the attack with their
tomahawks and knives. My comrades fell around me like
leaves ; and happening to cast my eyes behind me, I be-
held the whole detachment of militia flying from the field.
Some four or five of us were left unsupported in the very
midst of the foe, who, renewing their yells, rushed down
upon us in a body. Gideon Munson and myself were taken
prisoners, while others were instantly tomahawked and
scalped. Munson, during the afternoon, seeing, as he sup-
BLACK HAWK WAR. 165
posed, a good opportunity to escape, recklessly attempted
to do so, but was immediately shot down by his captor. And
I now began to wish that they would serve me in the same
manner, for I knew that if recognized by the savages, I
should be put to death by the most horrible tortures. Nothing
occurred, however, to give me any real uneasiness upon
this point till the following morning, when Black Hawk,
passing by me, turned and eyed me keenly for a moment
or so. Then, stepping close to me, he said in a low tone :
' Docs the mole think that Black Hawk forgets f
" Stepping away with a dignified air, he now left me, as
you may well suppose, bordering in despair, for I knew too
well the Indian character to imagine for a single instant that
my life would be spared under the circumstances. I had
been adopted into the tribe by Black Hawk, had lived nearly
three years among them, and by escaping had incurred
their displeasure, which could only be appeased with my
blood. Added to this, I was now taken prisoner at the very
time that the passions of the savages were most highly
wrought upon by the mean and cowardly conduct of the
whites. I therefore gave up all hope, and doggedly deter-
mined to meet stoically my fate.
" Although the Indians passed and repassed me many
times during the day, often bestowing on me a buffet or a
kick, yet not one of them seemed to remember me as hav~
ing formerly been one of the tribe. At times this infused
me with a faint hope, which was always immediately after
extinguished, as I recalled to mind my recognition by
Black Hawk himself.
" Some two hours before sunset Black Hawk again
came to where I was bound, and having loosened the cords
with which I was fastened to a tree, my arms still remain-
ing confined, bade me follow him. I immediately obeyed
him, not knowing what was to be my doom, though I
166 HISTORY OF THE
expected none other than death by torture. In silence we
left the encampment, not one of the savages interfering
with us or offering me the slightest harm or indignity. For
nearly an hour we strode on through the gloomy forest,
now and then starting from its retreat some wild animal
that fled upon our approach. Arriving at a bend of the
river my guide halted, and turning toward the sun, which
was rapidly setting, he said, after a short pause :
" ' I am going to send you back to your chief, though I
ought to kill you for running away a long time ago, after
I had adopted you as a son — but Black Hawk can forgive
as well as fight. When you return to your chief I want
you to tell him all my words. Tell him that Black Hawk's
eyes have looked upon many suns, but they shall not see
many more ; and that his back is no longer straight, as in
his youth, but is beginning to bend with age. The Great
Spirit has whispered among the tree tops in the morning
and evening and says that Black Hawk's days are few,
and that he is wanted in the spirit land. He is half dead,
his arm shakes and is no longer strong, and his feet are
slow on the war path. Tell him all this, and tell him, too,'
continued the untutored hero of the forest, with trembling
emotion and marked emphasis, ' that Black Hawk would
have been a friend to the whites, but they would not let
him, and that the hatchet was dug up by themselves and
not by the Indians. Tell your chief that Black Hawk
meant no harm to the pale faces when he came across the
Mississippi, but came peaceably to raise corn for his starv-
ing women and children, and that even then he would have
gone back, but when he sent his white flag the braves who
arried it were treated like squaws and one of them inhu-
manly shot. Tell him too,' he concluded with terrible
force, while his eyes fairly flashed fire, * that Black Hawk
will have revenge, and that he will never stop until the
Great Spirit shall say to him, come away.''
BLACK HAWK WAR.. 167
" Thus saying he loosened the cord that bound my arms,
and after giving me particular directions as to the best
course to pursue to my own camp, bade me farewell and
struck off into the trackless forest, to commence that final
struggle which was decided against the Indians.
"After the war was over, and the renowned Black-
Hawk had been taken prisoner, he was sent to Washington
and the largest cities of the seaboard, that he might be
convinced how utterly useless it was for him to contend
against fate. It was enough, and the terrible warrior re-
turned to the seclusion of his wilderness home, while the
scepter of his chieftainship was given to the celebrated
Keokuk.
" On the occasion of the ceremony by which Black
Hawk was shorn of his power, and which took place on
Rock Island, in the Mississippi, I shook the hand of the
great chief, who appeared highly pleased to meet me
once more ; and upon parting with me he said with mournful
dignity, as he cast above him a glance of seeming regret :
' My children think I am too old to lead them any more !'
"This was the last time I ever saw him ; and the next
I learned of him was that he had left his old hunting grounds
forever, and his spirit had gone to that bar where the
balance will be rightly adjusted between the child of the
forest and his pale face brethren."
Although the Winnebagoes and the Pottowattomies had
resolved to take no part in the war, a few young men
from each of these tribes, being emboldened by Black
Hawk's victory in the engagement with Stillman's regiment,
concluded to join him. As the party moved up the river,
war parties were sent out, in one of which the Winne-
bagoes joined, whilst the Pottowattomies, some twenty-
five or thirty, went alone on the war path into a settlement
that had been made on Indian creek, not far from its
168 HISTORY OB1 THE
entrance into Fox river, and killed fifteen men, women
and children, and took two young ladies prisoners, the
Misses Hall, whom two young Sacs, who had just rode up,
took upon their horses and carried them to a Winne-
bago camp, with a request that they be delivered to the
whites. They were returned soon after, and to the writer
said they had been well treated by the Winnebagoes.
On the 19th of June a message came into Galena from
Kellogg' s Grove, with a report that a party of Indians
had been seen in that neighborhood and that they had
stolen some horses. Captain James Stephenson, with twelve
picked men fromhis company, started immediately in pur-
suit of the Indians. On seeing him approach they took to
the brush, when the Captain and his men dismounted.
Leaving one to hold the horses, the balance entered the
thicket, and two of them were killed at the first fire of the
Indians, while three of the enemy were laid prostrate. For
the purpose of re-loading, Capt. Stephenson ordered a re-
treat, which was a bad move, as it gave the Indians time to
re-load and seek trees for safety. Capt. Stephenson* and
party again advanced, both parties firing simultaneously,
each losing a man, when an Indian who had been secreted
behind a tree rushed forward with his knife, but was sud-
denly checked by one of the soldiers running his bayonet
through him. While in this position he seized the bayonet
with both hands and had almost succeeded in pushing it
out, when another soldier rushed forward, and with one
stroke of his knife almost severed the head from his body.
In this engagement Capt. S. lost three of the best men of
his company and the Indians five, just one-half of their
number.
* Capt. Stephenson was held in high estimation as a brave and accomplished
gentleman, and at the organization of Rock Island county the county commis-
sioners honored his name by calling the county seat Stephenson, which name it
tetained until after his death, when that of Rock Island was adopted.
BLACK HAWK WAR. 169
On the return of Capt. Stephenson and party the news
of his loss of three men, who were well known and highly-
respected, soon spread over town and caused much sorrow
among their many friends. After learning the mode of
attack, military men generally criticized it severely.
BATTLE OF PECATONICA.
On the 14th of June, a small scouting party of Sacs
killed five men at the Spafford farm, and on reception of
the news next day, Gen. Atkinson ordered Col. Henry
Dodge to take command of Posey's brigade, then sta-
tioned near Fort Hamilton, and while on his way from
Fort Union, where his regiment was in camp, to visit the
brigade, he heard the sharp crack of a rifle, and instantly
looking in the direction of the sound, saw a man fall from
his horse, who had been shot by Indians near by. Instead
of going forward as he set out to do, he hastily returned to
his command, mustered a portion of his cavalry and went
in pursuit of the Indians, and soon got on the trail of
twenty-five warriors, who had commenced their retreat
soon after shooting, and espying him, hastened back to
the front. The Indians crossed and recrossed the Peca-
tonica river several times, being closely pushed by Col.
Dodge and his men, and finding escape hopeless, made a
stand. The colonel immediately dismounted his men and
picked his way cautiously, with the intention of firing and
then charging upon them. But the Indians, being on the
lookout, watched their opportunity and got the first fire,
by which a brave soldier named Apple was killed, and
another by the name of Jenkins was wounded. The fight
continued vigorously until the last Indian was killed, seve-
1 70 HISTOKY OF THE
ral of them having been shot while trying to escape by
swimming. At the commencement of the fight, the forces
on each side were nearly equal, but the Indians, in swim-
ming the river, had got their powder wet, and although
they made desperate efforts to close in on our men with
knives, they were shot down in their endeavors.
Col. Dodge, in speaking of this engagement, at Galena,
after the close of the war, said he was amazed at the des-
peration displayed by a big, burly brave, who came
towards him with gun at his shoulder and halted quickly
when only a few paces from him, drew the trigger, and
was sorely disappointed in his gun not going off. Quick
as thought the colonel brought his rifle in position, pulled
the trigger, but, owing to the dampness of the powder, it
failed to go off. In the meantime the brave was coming
towards him, knife in hand and desperation in his eye,,
and when only a few feet from him the colonel shot him
down with his revolver. At the same time one of his
brave bo}^s, by the name of Beach, was engaged in a des-
perate encounter with the last remaining savage, in which
both used knives ; the Indian was killed and Beach very
badly wounded.
Thus ended one of the most sanguinary engagements of
the war.
FIGHT AT APPLE RIVER FORT.
Capt. A. W. Snyder's Company, of Col. Henry's Regi-
ment, was detailed to guard the country between Galena
and Fox and Rock rivers, and was surprised on the nigh
of the 17th of June, while encamped in the vicinity of
Burr Oak Grove. His sentinels, while on duty, were fired
BLACK HAWK WAR. 171
upon by Indians, who did not deem it prudent to continue
the attack, but immediately fled. As soon as it was light
enough next morning to follow their trail, Capt. Snyder
started with his company, but on reaching their camp,
found that they had fled on his approach. He redoubled
his speed and continued on their trail until he overtook
them. Finding that there was no escape, the Indians got
into a deep gully for protection, but were soon surrounded,
when Capt. Snyder ordered his men to charge upon them.
The Indians fired as they approached and mortally wounded
one of his men, Mr. William B. Mekemson, a brave vol-
unteer from St. Clair county, (whose father's family after-
wards settled in this, Henderson county, all of whom, ex-
cept one brother, Andrew, a highly respected Christian
gentleman, have, long since, gone to meet their kinsman in
another world.) Mr. M. being unable to ride, a rude lit-
ter was made and men detailed to carry him back to camp,
at Kellogg's Grove. The company had not proceeded far
before they were attacked by about seventy-five Indians,
and two men, Scott and McDaniel, killed, and a Mr. Cor-
nelius wounded. The company was soon formed into line
by the aid of Gen. Whiteside, who was then acting merely as
a private, and using the precaution of Indians, each man got
behind a tree, and the battle waxed furiously for sometime
without any serious results, until the Indian commander was
seen to fall, from the well directed aim of Gen. White-
side's rifle. Having now no leader the Indians ingloriously
fled, but for some reason were not pursued. Our reporter,
however, said that most of the company refused, for the
reason that the second term of their enlistment had expired,
and they were anxious to be mustered out of service,
although the officers were eager to pursue.
The company then commenced their march to camp,
and on approaching the litter on which Mekemson lay,
172 HISTOEY OF THE
found that the Indians had cut off his head and rolled it
down the hill. Soon after, Major Riley, with a small force
of regulars, came up, and after consultation with Capt.
Snyder, it was deemed best not to follow the retreating In-
dians, as their route probably led to the main army of
Black Hawk.
APPLE RIVER FORT.
On the 23d of June scouts came into Galena, and reported
at headquarters that a large body of Indians had been seen
about thirty miles distant, but not being on the march,
they were not able to conjecture to what point they were
going. Col. Strode immediatery made all necessary pre-
parations to receive them, should Galena be the point of
attack, and dispatched an express early next morning for
Dixon's Ferry. On their arrival at Apple River Fort they
halted for a short time, and then proceeded on their jour-
ney, and while yet in sight, at the crack of a gun the fore-
most man was seen to fall from his horse and two or three
Indians rushed upon him with hatchets raised ready to
strike, while his comrades galloped up, and with guns
pointed towards the Indians kept them at bay until the
wounded man reached the Fort. But had the Indians
known these guns were not loaded, (as afterwards re-
ported) they could have dispatched all three of them with
their tomahawks.
In a very short time after hearing the crack of the gun
a large body of Indians surrounded the fort, yelling and
shooting, when the inmates, under command of Capt.
Stone, prepared for defence, every port hole being manned
by sharp-shooters. One man, Mr. George Herclurode,
was shot through a port hole and instantly killed, and Mr.
James Nutting wounded in the same way, but not seriously ;
which was the only loss sustained during the engagement
BLACK HAWK WAR. 173
of more than one hour's duration. A number of Indians
were wounded and carried off the field. Capt. Stone
had only twenty-five men, with a large number of women
and children in the fort, but had providentially received a
quantity of lead and provisions from Galena only an hour
before the attack, and as he was short of bullets, the ladies
of the fort busied themselves in melting lead and running
balls as long as the battle lasted. Black Hawk, finding the
fort impregnable from assault without firing it — an act
that he well knew would, in a very short time, have
brought a large body of troops on his path — concluded
that it would be better to return and carry with them all
the flour they could, killed a number of cattle and took
choice pieces of beef, and all the horses that were in the
stable. One of the expressmen, not deeming the fort a
place of safety, hurried back to Galena, but getting lost on
the way did not get in until early next morning. On hear-
ing the news, Col. Strode took one hundred picked men,
well mounted, and went to the relief of the fort, and was
much gratified to find that its noble defenders had put to
flight about one hundred and fifty Indians who had been
under the command of Black Hawk himself.
KELLOGG'S GROVE FORT.
After leaving Apple River Fort, being well supplied with
provisions, the Indians moved leisurely toward the fort at
Kellogg' s Grove, with the intention of taking it, as scouts
had come in and reported that it was not very strongly
garrisoned on the day previous to their arrival on the 23d
of June. At this time the Illinois troops were rendez-
174 HISTORY OF THE
voused at a place known as Fort Wilbourn on the Illinois
river, at or near where now stands the city of LaSalle.
What was then called the new levy, after Stillman's defeat,
were assembled there, numbering about three thousand
men, being formed into military organizations consisting
of three brigades. The first brigade was commanded by
Gen. Alexander Posey. The second by Gen. M. K.
Alexander, and the third by Gen. James D. Henry. Major
John Dement, of Vandalia, was elected to the command
of a spy battalion composed of three companies. Gen.
Atkinson, of the United States Regulars, commanding,
while these organizations were progressing.
The Indians had made a raid on Bureau creek, situated
between the Illinois and Rock rivers. John Dement had
been chosen major by the members of three companies of
Gen. Posey's brigade, which was a spy battalion. The
Major's battalion being ready for duty when the news
reached the fort of the attack upon the settlers on Bureau
creek, it was ordered to march at once to the scene of dan-
gerfor protection of the settlers, and to discover and watch
the movements of the Indians, if possible. The Major
was ordered to scour the country through to Rock river,
and then to report to Col. Zackary Taylor, who com-
manded a small force of United States troops at a small
fortification at Dixon's Ferry on Rock river.
On the 22d of June, 1832, Major Dement reached Col-
onel Taylor's command, having performed the duties to
which he was assigned by General Atkinson. On his ar-
rival Colonel Taylor informed the Major that he had
arrived at an opportune time, as he wished him to take his
command, swim their horses across the river, and prompt-
ly occupy the country between his position and the Lead
Mines at Galena, a distance of about sixty miles, with
headquarters at Kellogg' s Grove, thirty-seven miles in the
BLACK HAWK WAR. 175
direction of Galena and Apple River Fort. There had
been stationed at the Grove two companies of Regulars,
commanded by Major Riley, and three companies of Vol-
unteers that had abandoned this position the day before
the arrival of Major Dement, and left the country without
protection and entirely unguarded. These troops had
been engaged in two or three skirmishes with the Indians,
and according to the reports of the soldiers, had been
worsted in each. Major Dement' s command numbered
one hundred and forty men, all told, not one of whom had
ever seen any military experience, but they were men to
be relied upon. They were citizen soldiers, brave and in-
telligent, equal to any emergency, and had no superiors in
the service. This being an odd battalion, Major Dement
was entitled to the staff of a Colonel. His staff was com-
posed of Zadoc Casey, Paymaster; Anderson,
Colonel Hicks, and others. The Captains of the compa-
nies, and the staff officers, were leading citizens, who had,
at short warning, left their several avocations to engage in
defending the country against the attacks of the Indians.
MAJOR DEMENT'S BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS.
On the evening of the second day, after crossing Rock
river, the' Major's command marched to the stockade at
Kellogg's Grove and encamped. In the morning, learning
that Indian traces had been seen four or five miles from
the grove, twenty-five volunteers were called for to go out
and reconnoitre. This number was quickly filled, nearly
every one volunteering being an officer, and, as it afterward
turned Jout, they were unfortunately accepted. These
176 HISTORY OF THE
volunteers had not yet gotten out of sight of their camp,
before three Indians were seen on their ponies between
the fort and a small grove on the prairie, riding backward
and forward. The reconnoitreing party started after
them in one, two and three order, according to the speed
of their horses, while the Indians made straight for the
small grove. Major Dement, who was watching the
movements of the volunteers from his camp, and seeing
the movements of the Indians, at once suspected a trap,
mounted with a portion of his men, and went to their aid.
His men that had first started were a mile out upon the
prairie in pursuit of those few Indians. Being well
mounted, the Major and his relief party soon overtook the
hindermost of the little band, but several were too far in
advance in their mad pursuit of the fleeing Indians for him
to reach them in time. The fleeing Indians were making
for a grove some three miles away, hotly pursued by the
Major's men. In this grove, as the commander feared, a
large number of the Indians were concealed. When
within four or five hundred yards of this grove he halted
and dismounted his men and formed them in line. Some
six or seven of his men were still in advance following the
Indians toward this grove. On nearing the grove, his men
who were in advance, were received with a galling fire,
which killed two and wounded a third. With hideous
yells the Indians emerged from the grove and rapidly ap-
proached. They were all mounted, stripped to their
waists and painted for battle. As they reached the bodies
of the dead soldiers, a large number surrounded them,
clubbing and stabbing their lifeless remains. A volley
from the rifles of the whites killed two or three at this
point, but by the time the last of the little band had
reached the ridge upon which their comrades were drawn
up in line, the Indians were close upon them and on both
BLACK HAWK WAR. 177
flanks. At this point three men who had been out of
their camp hunting for their horses, came in sight and
were massacred in sight of their friends. The main por-
tion of the battalion had been ordered to hold themselves
in readiness for any emergency, but hearing the yelling,
instead of obeying the order, mounted in hot haste and
started to the rescue of their companions. On discovering
the force of the Indians, they retreated to the grove, and
almost neck and neck with the Indians, sprang over their
horses and occupied the Block House.
On the least exposed side of the Fort was a workbench ;
over this the Major threw the bridle rein of his horse, and
most of the horses huddled around this as if conscious of
their danger. The Indians swarmed around the Block
House under cover ; an ominous stillness pervaded the air,
which was soon broken by the crack of the rifles of the
white men. The best marksmen with the best guns were
stationed at the port holes, and a lively fire was kept up by
the little garrison. The Indians finding that they were
making no impression, turned their attention to shooting
the horses, twenty-five of which they succeeded in killing.
After sharp firing for two hours they retreated, leaving
nine of their men dead on the field. This was the first en-
gagement in this war, in which the whites had held their
position until reinforcements arrived, without retreating.
If the main force had remained in the grove at this Block
House after the volunteers went out, without making any
demonstration when the Indians came charging up and
still in the open prairie, they could have been easily re-
pulsed. This was the Major's plan of action, but the men
became excited by the firing, and having no commissioned
officers to guide them, started without order to assist their
exposed comrades in the open prairie, when they were fly-
ing for their lives to the block house.
12
1 78 HISTOItY OF THE
That evening Gen. Posey came up with his brigade, and
although the Indians were encamped a shorj distance
away, he made no effort to attack them but contented him-
self with reporting the situation to Col. Z. Taylor at Dix-
on's Ferry. Gen. Whiteside had said to Major Dement
before crossing Rock river, that he was going into the In-
dian rendezvous, where he could have an Indian for break-
fast every morning, and he found it literally true.
It seems strange that Major Dement should have been
ordered by Col. Taylor into the enemy's country, across
Rock river, with so small a force of volunteers, while a
large force of Regulars and Volunteers, commanded by
regular United States officers, remained securely en-
trenched in the rear. It was Major Dement's opinion that
there were more fighting men of Black Hawk's band of
warriors in the engagement at Kellogg's Grove than ever
afterwards made a stand during the war. It was easy for
Gen. Posey to have moved up and attacked the Indians on
his arrival at the Grove, and then have dealt them a fatal
b.ow by forcing them to battle then, but he refused to do
so, and the war was not terminated until the fight at Bad
Axe some two months later, in which the Illinois troops
did not engage. During this engagement at the Block
House, four whites and eleven Indians were killed. The
whites lost a large part of their horses — the Indians shoot-
ing them from the timber, while the poor animals were
huddled about the Block House.
Although in command, Black Hawk remained in the
Grove during the engagement, looking on to see that his
principal aid, whose voice was like a trumpet call, carried
out his orders.
"While reciting the incidents of this battle to the author,
when writing his Autobiography, Black Hawk spoke in
high praise of Major Dement as a commander, who had
BLACK HAWK WAR. 17!)
shown not only good military skill in coming to the rescue
of his party, but in withdrawing his little party to the Fort.
After Dement's engagement General Posey's brigade
started for Fort Hamilton and remained there a short time.
News of Dement's engagement and march of Posey's bri-
gade having been received at Dixon's Ferry, where the
two other brigades were stationed, Gen. Alexander, with the
2d brigade was ordered to cross Rock river and march to
Plum river to intercept the Indians, as it was deemed
probable that they would make for that point to cross the
Mississippi. Gen. Atkinson, with regulars, and Gen. Fry
with his brigade, remained at Dixon waiting for news of
the route taken by the Indians. Next day Capt. Walker
and three Pottowottamie Indians came into Dixon and re-
ported seventy-five Pottowottamies ready to join the army
now encamped at Sycamore creek, and they were afraid
that Black Hawk and his army was not far off. For their
protection, and to await the coming of the balance of the
second brigade, Col. Fry, of Henry's brigade, was sent
forward immediately. The next morning Gen. Henry's
brigade moved forward with Gen. Atkinson at the head,
intending to march up Rock river, to the Four Lakes, and
camped at Stillwell's battle-ground the first night and
joined Col. Fry and his Pottowottamie Indians on the 29th,
and continued their march. On the 30th, when going
into camp, they saw signs of Sac Indians, but the
sentinels were undisturbed during the night. The next
day they saw one Indian, but he was on the other side
of Plum river. On the 2d of July, Major Ewing being
in front, spied a fresh trail, and soon after came upon the
fresh trail of Black Hawk's entire force, at a point near
Keeshkanawy Lake. Scouts from the battalion came up
to Black Hawk's encampment, from which they had appar-
ently taken their departure a few days before. Here they
180 HISTORY OF THE
found five white men's scalps which had been left hung up
to dry. This battalion continued to march around the lake
in detachments, one of which found where there had been
another encampment, but on returning to camp and com-
paring notes they began to despair of finding the main
body of Black Hawk's army in that region. On the 5th of
July, Gen. Atkinson with his army took a rest. During
the day some scouts brought in an old Indian nearly blind
and half famished with hunger, whom the Indians had left
in their flight. After eating, Gen. Atkinson questioned
him closely as to the whereabouts of Black Hawk and his
army, but was satisfied from his replies and helpless con-
dition, that he did not know, but on taking up his line of
march the next morning, Gen. Atkinson did not leave him
as the Indians had done, alone and without any means of
subsistence, but left him an abundance of food, and as we
afterwards learned, the old man recruited and afterwards
got back to his tribe.
On the evening of the 9th the army encamped at White
Water, and the next morning Indians were seen on the
other side of this stream which was not fordable, one of
whom shot and wounded a regular. After breaking camp,
Gen. Atkinson ordered a move up the river, and that night
camped with his entire force — all having met at the same
point. Gen. Dodge's corps had taken a Winnebago
prisoner and brought him into camp for the purpose of
finding out if he knew where Black Hawk's forces were.
He said they were encamped on an island near Burnt Vil-
lage. Col. William S. Hamilton, a brave and honored
son of Alexander Hamilton, in command of a company of
Menomonees, who had joined the main army the day be-
fore, with Captain Early and his command, after scouring
the island thoroughly, reported there were no Indians on
the island.
BLACK HAWK WAR. 181
Governor Reynolds, who had been on the march up
Rock River with his volunteers and the main army, to-
gether with Colonel Smith, Major Sidney Breese and
Colonel A. P. Field, left the army and came into Galena
on the 1 2th, from whom we obtained our information of
the movements of the army. They were firmly of the
opinion that the Indians had taken to the swamps, and got-
ten entirely out of reach of the army, and that no farther
danger need be apprehended. Colonel Field, who is an
eloquent speaker, at the solicitation of Colonel Strode, al-
though nearly worn out with hard marches, made an able
and soul-stirring speech to our regiment, and a large num-
ber of the inhabitants of Galena.
At this time the army was nearly out of provisions, and*
Fort Winnebago, about seventy-five miles distant, the
nearest point at which they could replenish. General At-
kinson then ordered General Posey with his brigade, o Fort
Hamilton, General Henry's and Alexander's brigade and
General Dodge's squadron to Fort Winnebago for provi-
sions ; and sent General Ewing and his regiment to Dixon
with Colonel Dunn, who had been seriously wounded by
one of his own sentinels, but who afterwards recovered.
General Atkinson then built a fort near the camping
ground, which was called Fort Keeshkanong. General
Alexander returned on the 15th with provisions to the fort,
while Generals Dodge and Henry thought best to go with
their commands to the head of Fox river, and while on the
way stopped at a Winnebago village and had a talk with
their head men, who assured them that Black Hawk was
then at Cranberry Lake, a point higher up Rock river.
After a consultation by the Generals, it was deemed best
to send an express to General Atkinson at Fort Keeshka-
nong, to let him know of the information they had got,
and their intention of moving on the enemy the next
1*2 HISTORY OF THE
morning. Dr. Merryman, of Colonel Collins' regiment,
and Major Woodbridge, Adjutant of General Dodge's
corps, volunteered to go, and with Little Thunder, a Win-
nebago chief, as pilot, started out to perform this
dangerous service, and after traveling a few miles, came
on fresh Indian trails, which Little Thunder pronounced
to have been made by Black Hawk's party, and fearing
that they would be intercepted, insisted on returning to
camp. Night was then approaching, and having no guide
to lead them forward, they reluctantly followed Little
Thunder back to camp. Orders were then given for an
early move next morning, and at daylight the bugle
sounded, and the army moved onwards. The trail was
followed for two days, leading for Four Lakes. On the
second day, July 21st, scouts from General Dodge's corps
came in and reported Indians, and as a confirmation of the
fact, Dr. A. K. Philleo exhibited a scalp that he had taken
from the head of one that he had shot. Dr. Philleo was
brave as the bravest, and whenever a scouting party
started out to look for Indians (unless his services were
required in camp), was always in the lead, and this being
his first Indian, took his scalp, and sent it to the writer,
with written instructions how to preserve it. To this end
we handed over both to a deaf and dumb printer in the of-
fice, who boasted somewhat of his chemical knowledge,
who spent considerable time for a number of days in fol-
lowing the Doctor's instructions. After the killing of this
Indian, some of the scouts discovered fresh signs of more
Indians, and after pursuing it for some miles, Dr. Philleo
and his friend Journey, equally as brave, being in the lead,
espied two more Indians, when each picked his man and
fired, and both fell ; one of them, although badly wounded,
fired as he fell, and wounded one of the scouts. The
Doctor's attention was now directed to his wounded com-
BLACK HAWK WAK. 1 Ho
panion, hence his second Indian was allowed to retain his
scalp.
The scouts, finding that the trail was fresh, and the In-
dians were rapidly retreating, having strewed their trail
with camp equipage, in order to facilitate their movements,
sent an express back to camp, when the army hastily took
up the line of march, with Dodge's corps and Ewing's Spy
battalion in the front. By fast riding they soon came up
with the Indians, whom they found already in line to re-
ceive them.
AT WISCONSIN HEIGHTS.
Orders were at once given to dismount (leaving enough
to hold the horses) and charge upon the Indians. They
had scarcely time to form into line when they were met by
the yelling Indians and a heavy volley from their guns.
Dodge and Ewing ordered a charge, and as they moved
forward, returned the fire at close quarters, with deadly
effect. The Indians then commenced a flank movement,
and by securing a position in the high grass where they
could in a measure conceal themselves, fought bravely,,
until Dodge and Ewing gave orders to charge upon them
at the point of the ba}'onet. In this engagement Col. Jones
had his horse shot from under hirn, and one man killed —
but at the word " charge," he went forward with his brave
men, and all performed their duty nobly and fearlessly,
and soon dislodged the Indians from their hiding place
and forced them into a hasty retreat. Tt being then too
late to pursue them, orders were given to camp on the bat-
tle-ground.
In this engagement Neapope had command, who was not
only brave and fearless, but well skilled in strategy. Hav-
184 HISTORY OK THE
ing become well acquainted with him after the w#r, he told
the writer that he knew Gen. Dodge personally, and had
met him on the field of battle, and considered him one of
the bravest men he had ever met, although in this engage-
ment all the officers showed great skill and bravery, and
thus encouraged their men to acts of noble daring to a de-
gree that he had never before witnessed in common —
not regular — soldiers. He said in this engagement, the
command had been entrusted to him of this small force
— about two hundred — Indians, in order to give Black
Hawk and the remainder of his party, time to cross the
river. He reported his loss at twenty-eight (28) killed.
The next morning a portion of the army was ordered
forward to pursue the" fleeing enemy, but on reaching the
river, found that they had taken to the swamps, when it
was deemed prudent to return to camp without attempting
to follow them.
Here the army rested for one day, and made comforta-
ble provisions to carry the wounded, after having consigned
the remains of John Short, who had been killed the day
before, to mother Earth, with the honors of war.
In the meantime, Gen. Atkinson arrived with his regu-
lars and the brigades of Generals Posey and Alexander ;
and on the 28th of July, took up the line of march with
Gen. Atkinson at the head. Their route led through a
mountainous country for several days, as the Indians
seemed to have selected the most difficult route they could
find in order to gain time, and reach the river in advance,
and then secure the best possible positions to defend them-
selves.
Having learned from an old Indian that had been left
behind, that the enemy was only a short distance ahead,
Gen. Atkinson, on breaking camp at an early hour in the
morning, gave orders for the march towards the river, with
\
BLACK HAWK WAR. 185
Gen. Dodge's squadron in front; Infantry next; Second
brigade, under command of Gen. Alexander, next; Gen.
Posey's brigade next, and Gen. Henry's in the rear.
After marching a few miles Gen. Dodge's scouts dis-
covered the rear guard of the enemy, when an express
was sent immediately to Gen. Atkinson, who ordered
troops to proceed at double quick. In the meantime Gen.
Dodge's command pushed forward and opened a heavy
fire, from which many Indians were shot down while re-
treating toward the Mississippi, where their main body was
stationed. Dodge's squadron being in the lead, were first
to open upon the main army of the Indians, whilst Gen.
Henry's brigade, that had been placed in the rear in
the morning, came first to his aid. The battle waged furi-
ously for more than two hours, and until the last visible
Indian warrior was killed. The Indians had commenced
crossing before the battle opened, and a number took to
their canoes and made good their escape as the battle pro-
gressed. The number killed was estimated at something
over one hundred, but the Indians afterwards reported
their loss at seventy-eight killed and forty-two wounded.
Our loss was seventeen killed and about the same number
wounded.
During the engagement several squaws were killed acci-
dentally and a number wounded, including children, who
were taken prisoners. Among the latter, Dr. Philleo
reported a boy with one arm badly broken, who exhibited
a greater degree of stoicism during the operation of ampu-
tation, than he had ever before witnessed. Being very
hungry, they gave him a piece of bread to eat, which he
ravenously masticated during the entire operation, appar-
ently manifesting no pain whatever from the work of the
surgeon.
Many of the Indians who got across the river in safety
were afterwards killed by the Menomonees.
I 86 HISTORY OF THE
STEAMBOAT WARRIORS FIGHT.
On the 2d of August, 1832, the steamboat, War-
rior, was lying at Prairie du Chien, and word having been
received at the fort that Black Hawk's main army was
then at, or near the river above, at a point designated for all
to meet for the purpose of crossing the river, Lieut. Kings-
bury took her in charge, and started up with one com-
pany, in order to intercept the Indians and prevent their
crossing before the main army arrived", as he knew it was
in close pursuit of them. The boat soon came in view of
Indians on both sides of the river — Black Hawk and several
lodges having already crossed over— when they were
hailed by Lieut. Kingsbury. A white flag was hoisted by
the Indians, and Black Hawk directed the Winnebago in-
terpreter on board the Warrior, to say to his chief that he
wanted him to send out his small boat so as he could go
on board, as he desired to give himself up. The Winne-
bago, however, reported to the commander that they re-
fused to bring their flag aboard. He then directed his in-
terpreter to say that if they still refused he would open
fire upon them. In reply, the interpreter said they still
refused, when the Lieutenant directed his six-pounder to
be fired among them, and also opened a musketry fire by
his company. This was returned by the Indians, and the
battle continued for some time. Several Indians were
killed at the first fire, after which the remainder sought
protection behind trees, stumps, etc. It was then getting
late in the afternoon, and as the boat was nearly out of
wood they dropped down to the fort to replenish, and
started back again the next morning. On reaching ^an
island some miles above their battle-ground of
the day before, they commenced to rake it with their
BLACK HAWK WAR. 1&7
six-pounder, supposing:] the Indians had taken shelter
there, and the army considering it a salute, Gen.
Atkinson returned it. Soon after the boat landed
and took on board Gen. Atkinson and the regulars
and then returned to Prairie du Chien. The Illinois
volunteers were ordered to Dixon, at which place they
were discharged, while the troops of the lead mines were
mustered out at Galena. After the boat started down the
evening before, Black Hawk and a few of his people left
for the lodge of a Winnebago friend, and gave himself up.
Thus ended a bloody war which had been forced upon
Black Hawk by Stillman's troops violating a flag of truce,
which was contrary to the rules of war of all civilized na-
tions, and one that had always been respected by the In-
dians. And thus, by the treachery or ignorance of the
Winnebago interpreter on board of the Warrior, it was
brought to a close in the same ignoble way it commenced —
disregarding a flag of truce — and by which Black Hawk
lost more than half of his army. But in justice to Lieut.
Kingsbury, who commanded the troops on the Warrior,
and to his credit it must be said, that Black Hawk's flag
would have been respected if the Winnebago, who acted
as his interpreter on the boat, had reported him correctly.
GENERAL ATKINSON'S REPORT.
Headquarters First Artillery Corps, North- )
western Army, Prairie du Chiens, Aug. 25, 1832. £
Sir : — I have the honor to report to you that I crossed the
Ouisconsin on the 27th and 28th ultimo, with a select body
of troops, consisting of the regulars under Colonel Tay-
lor, four hundred in number, part of Henry's, Posey's and
188 HISTORY OF THE
Alexander's brigades, amounting in all to 1,300 men, and
immediately fell upon the trail of the enemy, and pursued
it by a forced march, through a mountainous and difficult
country, tffl the morning of the 2d inst., when we came
up with his main body on the left bank of the Mississippi,
nearly opposite the mouth of the Ioway, which we at-
tacked, defeated and dispersed, with a loss on his part of
about a hundred and fifty men killed, thirty men, women
and children taken prisoners — the precise number could
not be ascertained, as 'the greater portion was slain after
being forced into the river. Our loss in killed and
wounded, which is stated below, is very small in compar-
ison with the enemy, which may be attributed to the
enemy's being forced from his position b}^ a rapid charge
the commencement, and throughout the engagement the
remnant of the enemy, cut up and disheartened, crossed
to the opposite side of the river, and has fled into the in-
terior, with a view, it is supposed, of joining Keokuk and
Wapello's bands of Sacs and Foxes.
The horses of the volunteer troops being exhausted by
long marches, and the regular troops without shoes, it was
not thought advisable to continue the pursuit ; indeed, a
stop to the further effusion of blood seemed to be called
for, till it might be ascertained if the enemy would surren-
der. •
It is ascertained from our prisoners that the enemy lost
in the battle of the Ouisconsin sixty-eight -killed and a very
large number wounded ; his whole loss does not fall short
of three hundred. After the battle on the Ouisconsin,
those of the enemy's women and children, and some who
were dismounted, attempted to make their escape by de-
scending that river, but judicious measures being taken
by Captain Loomis and Lieutenant Street, Indian Agent,
thirty-two women and children and four men have been
BLACK HAWK WAK. . 189
captured, and some fifteen men killed by the detachment
under Lieutenant Ritner.
The day after the battle on the river, I fell down with
the regular troops to this place by water, and the wounded
men will join us to-day. It is now my purpose to direct
Keokuk to demand a surrender of the remaining principal
men of the hostile party, which, from the large number of
women and children we hold prisoners, I have every rea-
son to believe will be complied with. Should it not, they
should be pursued and subdued, a step Major-General
Scott will take upon his arrival.
1 cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the
regular and volunteer forces engaged in the last battle, and
the fatiguing march that preceded it, and as soon as the
reports of officers of the brigades and corps are handed
in, they shall be submitted with further remarks
5 killed, 6 wounded, 6th inft.
2 wounded, 5th inft.
1 Captain, 5 privates, Dodge's Bat., mounted.
1 Lieutenant, 6 privates, Henry's Bat.
1 private wounded, Alexander's.
1 private " Posey's.
I have the honor to be, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
H. Atkinson,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A.
Maj.-Gen. Macomb, Com. in Chief, Washington.
KEOKUK AND SON
APPENDIX,
AT YELLOW BANKS.
Among the many hundreds of troops that came to Yel-
low Banks— Oquawka — on their way to the sea of war,
Major S. S. Phelps always spoke in high terms of their
good discipline and gentlemanly conduct, except in one
instance — that of a few persons in a company from Mc-
Donough county, who came over at a time when old chief
Tama and his wife, who was noted for being the white
man's friend, came over to get provisions for his little band.
On seeing an Indian some of these soldiers, who had been
using their canteens rather frequently, were eager to slay
him, and not only threatened him but Major P. also, for
harboring him. The officers seemed to have no control
of these men — and just at a time when their threats were
loudest of what they intended to do at the close of three
minutes, Major P. and one of his clerks, Mr. Joseph
Smart, were standing with their rifles cocked ready to
make the first shot, a cry came from outside of the build-
ing, by one of the more peaceable soldiers, " Here comes
another company, Capt. Peter Butler's, from Monmouth,"
when these would-be braves instantly retreated.
We are assured by one of Capt. B.'s company, Mr.
James Ryason, that the foregoing is literally true, and that
192 . APPENDIX.
Major P. and Mr. Smart, afterwards, amid the threats of
these same soldiers, escorted Tama and wife to the river
bank to take their canoe to cross the river, and stood there
with their guns, ready to protect the Indians until they got
out of reach of gunshot — Smart threatening all the time to
put a ball through the first man that attempted to shoot.
In order to appease the wrath of these soldiers and pre-
vent some of them being killed, Capt. B. advised Maj. P.
not to give Tama any provisions ; but on the way down, Mr.
Ryason says, Smart (who talked their language equal to a
native born) told them to meet them at a certain point after
night and they would be supplied ; and that for the pur-
pose of assisting Mr. Smart in taking supplies to Tama, he
got leave of absence from the Captain until next morning.
Messrs. James Ryason and Gabriel Short, both honor-
able and highly respected Christian gentlemen, are the
only survivors of that company now residing in this county.
Tama's village, located on South Henderson, half a mile
below the farm of Mr. John T. Cook, at Gladstone, was
always noted as being the abode of friendly Indians. In
the fall of 1829, some white men came in and made im-
provements on the land in the vicinity, and at the advice of
Mr. Phelps, Tama crossed the river and made a new town
at the mouth of Flint river on the Mississippi, and at the
time of Black Hawk's raid into Illinois, it was the rendez-
vous of many young men who had been persuaded by
Tama not to join Black Hawk. But when the news reached
them of the indignities offered to their good old chief, they
secretly determined to go upon the war path, and soon
after four young Foxesstartedto cross the river and avenge
the insult.^ On going up Henderson creek they espied
Mr. William Martin while in the act of mowing, at a point
near Little York, whom thev shot and killed, and for fear
APPENDIX. 193
of detection, immediately took to the brush. It being late
when they got through the woods, they made a fire and
camped just at the edge of the prairie.
Some time after the shooting, friends of Mr. Martin dis-
covered his lifelesss body and after removing it to the
house, started on the trail of his murderers, and followed it
some distance through the underbrush, but wisely con-
cluded, as it was growing late, to return and give the alarm.
An express was sent to Capt. Butler during the night, who
started out with' his company early in the morning, and on
emerging into the prairie discovered the camp fire of the
Indians, and followed their trail to a slough in the Mississippi
two miles below Keithsbur/j. Here the Indians embarked
in their canoes and were probably on the other side of the
river by this time. A demand was immediately made upon
Keokuk for the murderers, as they belonged to his band of
Foxes, who surrendered two men to the commanding
officer at Rock Island.
These Indians soon afterwards made their escape, and
before the time fixed for their trial, Keokuk delivered four
3^oung men to Maj. Phelps, then sheriff of Warren county,
to be tried for the offence. Maj. P. and his deputy, Mr.
James Ryason, took them to Monmouth jail, where the' fol-
lowing proceedings were had before the Circuit Court (for
a copy of which we are indebted to George C. Rankin,
Esq., now Circuit Clerk) :
WARREN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.
William Martin was shot and scalped by two Indians,
near Little York, Warren county, August 9th, 1832. In
their report at the October term of the Warren Circuit
Court, the Grand Jurors say :
"Six or seven Indians of Keokuk's band of Sac and Fox
Indians who were not included in the war path under Black
13
194 APPENDIX.
Hawk and other chiefs of the Sac and Fox nation, came
over from the western bank of the Mississippi river to the
inhabited parts of Warren county, in said State, and un-
lawfully and feloniously murdered the said William Martin
in the most barbarous manner. That the names of the
said Indians are unknown to the Grand Jury. That two of
the said Indians have been heretofore given up by the
chiefs of said Indians, that they were confined in the Fort
at Rock Island for some time but have made their escape,
and are now at large in their own country. That the
Grand Jury cannot now find an indictment because the
names of the said Indians are unknown to said Jury. But
they recommend that the Governor of the State be fur-
nished with a copy of this presentment, and that he be
desired to request of the President of the United States
that the whole of the said Indians concerned in the said
murder may be demanded of the said Sac and Fox nation
that they may be indicted and punished for murder under
the authority of the laws of this State."
In compliance with the demand of the President, the
chiefs surrendered four Indians, namely, with their inter-
pretations :
Sa-sa-pi-ma (he that troubleth).
Ka-ke-mo (he that speaks with something in his mouth).
I-o-nah (stay here).
Wa-pa-sha-kon (the white string).
Concerning which, the Grand Jury at the June term
1833 say :
" From an examination made by this Grand Jury they
are now able to state that the four Indians lately surrend-
ered by the chiefs at the request of the President of the
United States, are not the real murderers of Martin. The
chiefs represent that at the time the demand was made the
real offenders had escaped from the territory and power
APPENDIX. 195
of their nation. That the prisoners now in custody volun-
teered themselves to be surrendered in place of those wh®
escaped, and that from custom amongst Indians, they sup-
posed this would be a sufficient compliance with the requi-
sition of the President. The Grand Jury will not positively
say that the chiefs have prevaricated, but they do say that
the demand already made has been eluded."
By a writ of habeas corpus, the four Indians above
named were brought before the Judge presiding, Hon.
Richard M. Young, June 14th, 1833, and released.
Indictment was returned against the real murderers,
Shash-quo-washi, Muck-que-che-qua, Muck-qua-pal-a-
shah, and Was-a-wau-a-quot, who, " not having the fear
of God before their eyes, but being moved and seduced
by the instigations of the devil," killed Wm. Martin. The
indictment was drawn by Thomas Ford, States Attorney,
and recites that William Martin was shot a little below the
shoulder blade. Among the witnesses named were Keo-
kuk and Stabbing Chief. The guilty parties were never
arrested, and a nolle prosequi was entered at the October
term of court, 1835.
GEN. SCOTT ARRIVES AT CHICAGO.
Gen. Scott, with a full regiment of regulars, came up
the lake and landed at Chicago about the 10th of July —
the cholera in the meantime having broken out among his
troops, from which several had died. While encamped at
that point, it continued its virulence to such an extent, and
in a number of cases fatally, that he deemed it best to
march out on the high land, and soon after continued his
journey, by slow marches, to Rock Island. On reaching
196 APPENDIX.
Rock river, where Milan is now situated, the cholera had
disappeared, and he went into camp with his entire regi-
ment. The clear water of this beautiful stream was a God-
send to the many tired men, for the ablution of their bodies
and the'cleansing of their apparel, tents, etc., and seemed
to have a general invigorating effect upon the entire regi-
ment.
Gen. Scott then went over to Rock Island with two com-
panies to garrison Fort Armstrong, and there learned the
situation of affairs in the army, and the great reduction
made in the ranks of Black Hawk's band 'of Indians, so
that a final close of the war was daily expected.
A few days after their arrival at Fort Armstrong, symp-
toms of cholera again appeared among the troops of one
company, and the physician in charge tried every known
remedy to check it, but failed in every instance, and after
running its course, which was usually about twenty-four
hours, the patient died. During the first three or four days
of its ravages, about one-half of that company had been
consigned to their last resting place in the soldiers' ceme-
tery.
, Being on a visit to Rock Island at the time the cholera
was raging, the writer, at the request of Col. Wm. Berry,
(who had also come down from Galena to pay his respects
to Gen. Scott,) accompanied him to the Fort and intro-
duced him to the General. It was a very warm, but
beautiful Sabbath, when we were admitted to the General's
quarters, about 10 o'clock in the morning, and after the
introduction of our friend and the usual salutations of the
day, the General, after expressing his doubts of the pro-
priety of admitting us into the. Fort, forcibly and touch-
ingly detailed the ravages that the cholera was making in
his ranks. Medicine, in the hands of a skillful physician,
seemed to have no effect to stay its progress, and he was
APPENDIX. 197
just on the eve of trying a different remedy as we came in,
and if we would join him in a glass of brandy and water,
he would proceed at once to put it into execution. He
said he was satisfied that brandy was a good antidote to
cholera, and by its use many of his soldiers were still well.
THE GENERAL'S REMEDY.
The General pulled off his coat, rolled up his sleeves,
and directed an orderly to tear off strips of red flannel,
fill a bucket with brandy and carry them to the hospital.
On arriving at the bedside of a patient he directed him
to be stripped, and then with flannel soaked in brandy he
rubbed his chest thoroughly, in order to bring on a reac-
tion, in the meantime administering a little brandy with a
spoon. In the course of half an hour he returned and
reported progress. He said he left his patient free from
pain, and directed a small portion of the brandy to be
given occasionally.
The well soldiers, seeing that their General was not
afraid of cholera, nor too proud to act as nurse to a sick
soldier, took courage and insisted on his retiring, so that
they could fill his place. Seeing that new life had been
infused among the well soldiers, and a gleam of hope
seeming to inspire the sick, he gave directions for them to
continue, as he had commenced, and then retired.
On returning to his quarters he washed his hands, rolled
down his sleeves, put on his uniform, and then invited us
to take a little brandy. After listening to his mode of
treatment, we casually remarked that it looked feasible,,
but at the same time reprehensible in the General of the
army exposing himself in the performance of a duty that
198 APPENDIX.
could be done as well by a common soldier. He gave us
a look, and kept his eyes upon us as his giant form raised
up, and, with a sweep of his sword arm, said in majestic
tones : " Sir, .it is the duty of a General to take care of
his army ; should he fall another can take his place ; but,
without an army his occupation is gone ! "
The General's treatment was continued right along, and
the result was that many of those attacked got well.
Soon after the close of the war, which terminated with
the battle of Bad Axe, on the second day of August, 1832,
he came to Galena, and, in conference with Governor
John Reynolds, ordered the chiefs head men and warriors
of the Winnebago Nation to meet them at Fort Armstrong,
Rock Island, on the 15th day of September, ,1832, for the
purpose of holding a treaty.
At the time fixed by the Commissioners they were met
by the chiefs, head men and warriors of the Winnebago
Nation, with whom a treaty was made and concluded, by
which the Winnebagoes ceded to the United States all the
lands claimed by them lying to the south and east
of Wisconsin river and the Fox river of Green Bay.
The consideration of this cession on the part of the
United States, to be a grant to the Winnebago Nation of a
tract on the west side of the Mississippi river known as the
neutral ground and annual annuities for twenty-seven
years of $10,000 in specie and a further sum, not to exceed
$3,000 annually, for the purposes of maintaining a farm
and a school for the education of Winnebago children
during the same period of twenty-seven years.
APPENDIX. 199
TREATY WITH SACS AND FOXES .
After concluding the treaty with the Winnebagoes, and
for the purpose of making a lasting peace with the Sacs
and Foxes, these Commissioners held a treaty at the same
place, and a week later, on the 21st day of September,
with chiefs, head men and warriors of that confederate
tribe. The Commissioners demanded, partly as indemnity
for expenses incurred in the late war with Black Hawk's
band and to secure future tranquility, a cession of a large
portion of their country bordering on the frontiers. In
consideration thereof the United States agree to pay to said
confederate tribes annually, for thirty years, $20,000 in
specie; also, to pay Messrs. Farnham and Davenport,
Indian traders at Rock Island, the sum of $40,000, to be
receipted for in full of all demands against said Indians .
And, further, at the special request of said confederate
tribes, the United States agree to grant, by letters patent,
to their particular friend, Antoine L~ Clair, interpreter, one
section of land opposite Rock Island and one section at
the head of the rapids of the Mississippi river.
fsaa THE CITY OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.
This beautiful city now covers that " Section of land
opposite Rock Island " that was donated by treaty to An-
toine LeClair by the Sacs and Foxes, and also three or
four more sections. At that time it was wholly uninhab-
ited, the Foxes having removed their village from that
point some three years before. As a town site it was re-
garded by strangers and travelers on steamboats as the
200 APPEND IX.
most beautiful west of the Mississippi between St. Louis
and St. Paul, and now, with its twenty-three thousand in-
habitants, elegant residences, magnificent public buildings,
fine churches, schoolhouses, extensive manufactories, and
large business blocks, it stands unrivalled as a beautiful
city. It has ten miles of street railroads, affording easy
access to all parts of the city. It has two daily papers,
the Gazette and Democrat, (morning and evening) both
ably conducted ; and also a German daily and two week-
lies. The river is spanned by an elegant bridge that was
built at the cost of nearly a million dollars, which is used
by the various railroads from East to West, and has a
roadway for teams and pedestrians.
THE CITY OF ROCK ISLAND
Is located on the bank of the river in Illinois, immedi-
ately opposite to Davenport, and is a large and flourishing
city, with a population of about twelve thousand inhabi-
tants. It has fine public buildings, elegant churches and
residences, substantial business blocks, extensive manufac-
tories and elegant water works. The city is lighted by
electric lights, from high towers, that cast their refulgent
rays over the entire city, which makes it the finest lighted
city in the west. There are two daily papers, (morning
and evening) The Union and The Argus, both enjoying
the privilege of Press dispatches, and both issue weeklies.
The Rock Islander is also published weekly, and all have
the appearance of great prosperity. The professions are
represented by men of fine ability, including some, of wide
reputation. The banking business is done principally by
APl'KNDIX. 201
two National Banks, that have a deservedly high reputa-
tion, and are doing a large business. There are two first-
class hotels — the Harper House and Rock Island House —
and several of less pretentions. The city has large coal
fields, in close proximity, with railroads running daily to
and from the banks, by which the three cities are sup-
plied.
THE CITY OF MO LINE
Is located two miles up the river from Rock Island, but
connected with it by street railways. It has a population
of over 8,000 inhabitants, and is extensively known from
its many manufacturing establishments, which are supplied
with water power from a dam across the river from the
Island.
FIFTY YEARS AGO,
When the writer first visited this most beautiful Island
in the Mississippi river, then and now known as Rock
Island, the ground on which the triplet cities of Davenport,
Rock Island, and Moline now stands, was covered with
prairie grass, and apparently a sterile waste as regards to
the two former, whilst the latter was principally covered
with timber. Now how changed ! Then the site of Daven-
port was claimed to be the most beautiful on the west bank
of the Mississippi, between St. Paul and St. Louis by
Black Hawk and his confreres, who had traveled up and
down the river in canoes, whilst his judgment was con-
firmed by thousands of passengers who viewed it from
steamboats in after years. Now
THE TRIPLE CITIES
are widely known as the leading manufacturing cities of
202 APPENDIX .
the great West, with railroads stretching out from ocean to
ocean, and although the Mississippi makes a dividing line,
they are united by a magnificent bridge, which makes their
intercourse easier than over paved streets.
Rock Island, at that time, was excluded from settle-
- ment by the orders of Government, as it had been reserved ,
on the recommendation of Hon. Lewis Cass, whilst he was
in the Senate and Cabinet, as a site for a United States
Arsenal and Armory. Fort Armstrong was situated on the
lower end of the Island, and was then in command of Col.
William Davenport. The Sac and Fox agency (Maj.
Davenport, agent,) stood on the bank of the river about
half a mile above the Fort ; next came the residence and
office of Antoine Le Clair, United States Interpreter for the
Sacs and Foxes, and a little higher up, the residence,
store-house and out buildings of Col. George Davenport,
who had by an act of Congress, preempted a claim of two
hundred acres of land running across the Island from bank
to bank of the river. The Island is about two miles long,
and being at the foot of the rapids has the best water power
on the river, capable of running a much greater amount
of machinery than is at present in operation. The entire
Island is now owned and occupied by the Government,
(the heirs of Col. Davenport having sold and deeded their
interest), and is now used as an
ARMORY AND ARSENAL,
which are destined to be in the near future, the most ex-
tensive works of the kind probably in the world. Indeed,
army officers who have traveled extensively in the Old
World, say they have never seen anything to compare with
it, in elegant grounds, water power and buildings, and with
such facilities for moving anything to and from the
Arsenal. These works were commenced under the super-
APPENDIX.
203
vision of Gen. Rodman, the inventor of the Rodman gun,
and since the death of the General, D. W. Flagler, Lieut.
Col. of Ordinance, has been in command, and a more effi-
cient and better qualified officer for the place could not
have been found in the army.
There are already completed ten massive stone buildings,
which are used for work shops, storage, etc., officers' quar-
ters, both durable and comfortable, and many other build-
ings. The former residence of Col. George Davenport,
(the house in which he was killed for money many years
ago) built in 1831, of solid hewed timber, and afterwards
weather-boarded, still stands unoccupied.
The Island is mostly covered with trees of different
varieties, which are kept neatly trimmed, and is laid out like
a park, with wide avenues extending its whole length,
which makes the most elegant drives and shady walks for
the thousands of visitors who flock to the Island to feast
their eyes upon its magnificence.
THE CITY OF KEOKUK, IOWA,
Is located at the foot of the Lower Rapids-, 139 miles from
Rock Island, and bears the name of the distinguished chief
of the Sacs and Foxes. At our first visit there, in 1832,
there was a long row of one-story buildings fronting on the
river, that were used by Col. Farnham, agent of the Amer-
ican Fur Company, as a store and warehouses— this being
the principal depot for trade with the Sacs and Foxes, who
were then the sole proprietors of the country and its prin-
cipal inhabitants, with the exception of a few individuals
who had got permission to put up shanties for occupation
during the low-water season, while they were engaged ia
204 APPENDIX.
lighting steamers passing up and down the river, but un-
able to cross the rapids while loaded.
At that day the old chief, Keokuk, boasted of having
the handsomest site for a big village that could be found
on the river, and since that day it has grown to be a large
and elegant city, with wide streets, fine public buildings,
nice churches, school-houses, elegant residences, extensive
business houses, wholesale and retail stores, manufacto-
ries, and a flourishing Medical University with elegant
buildings, which has been in successful operation for more
than twenty years. The United States District Court for
Southern Iowa is also located here. The city is well pro-
vided with good hotels. The Patterson House, an im-
mense building, five stories high, being chief, which has
always ranked as first-class — with a number of hotels of
smaller dimensions, but well kept — affording ample accom-
modation for the thousands of travelers that frequently
congregate at this place. The various professions are rep-
resented by men of fine ability — some of them of wide
reputation. They have two daily papers, The Gate City>
and The Constitution, which are ably conducted.
A fine canal, running the entire length of the Rapids,
from Montrose to Keokuk, has been built by the United
States, through which steamboats can now pass at any
stage of water — but designed more particularly for low
water — so that there is no longer any detention to lighten
steamboats over the Rapids.
THE CITY OF MUSCATINE, IOWA.
Muscatine was first settled as a wood yard by Col. John
Vanater, in July, 1834, and was laid out as a town by him
in 1836, and called Bloomington. The county was organ-
APPENDIX. 205
ized in 1837, under the name of Muscatine, and Blooming-
ton made the county seat. The name of the town was
changed to correspond with that of the count}' in 1851. Its
population at the last census was 8,294 ; present population
not less than 10,000. Besides being the centre of a large
trade in agricultural products, it is extensively engaged in
manufacturing lumber, sash, doors and blinds, and pos-
sesses numerous large manufactories, oat-meal mills, and
and the finest marble works in the State. It is also the cen-
tering point of a very large wholesale and retail trade. It
is situated at the head of the rich Muscatine Island, the
garden spot of the Northwest, and is the shippingpoint for
millions of melons and sweet potatoes annually.
Muscatine is a good town, with a good business and good
newspapers. The Journal and Tribune are published daily,
semi-weekly and weekly. Hon. John Mahin has been the
editor of the Journal since 1852, and there is no editor in
the State whose service dates further back than his.
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE.
Soon after the close of the war and the discharge of the
volunteer army, the writer, with some twenty others who
had served through the war, formed a company for the
purpose of laying out the town of Dubuque. One of their
number, Capt. James Craig, being a surveyor, he was se-
lected to survey the lines and lay out the town. About the
middle of September, 1832, he started out from Galena
with his chain-carriers, stake-drivers, etc., (stakes having
been previously sawed and split on an island opposite, all
ready for use), and in due time completed the survey.
Blocks fronting the river on three or four streets back were
206 APPENDIX.
completed, each lot receiving its stakes, whilst those far-
ther back were staked as blocks, and not subdivided. A
few of the original proprietors built and took possession
at once. Among them were the Messrs. Langworthy, en-
terprising and energetic young gentlemen, who commenced
business as grocers in a smallway, with supplies for min-
ers. Their faith was strong that adventurers would come
in, and that the time was not far distant when the town
would take a start, and in a few years become a populous
city. Miners and prospectors soon took possession of
claims in the immediate vicinity, and in one instance a claim
was made and ore struck within the limits of our survey.
It was well known that the Indians had been in the habit,
for many years, of visiting this portion of their country,
for the purpose of getting their supplies of lead ; hence
the supposition of miners, who had long been engaged in
prospecting for lead-mining, that lead would be found on
this side of the river and in the vicinity of Dubuque. This
caused a great rush to the new fields, of hundreds, who
expected to strike it rich with less labor and expense. All
were aware, however, that under the treaty just made with
the Sacs and Foxes by Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds,
they had no right to enter upon these lands, and stood in
daily fear of being ordered off by United States troops.
But their numbers steadily increased. At length the long-
expected order came. Major Davenport, Indian Agent at
Rock Island, was ordered to go forward, and, with one
company of infantry in two Mackinaw boats, commanded
by Lieut. Beach, they landed near the mouth of Fever
river ^Galena) about the first of October. The Major
came up to Galena with a letter from Col. George Daven-
port to the writer, to assist him in the discharge of his del-
icate duty. Word was sent to Lieut. Beach notto proceed
up the river until the afternoon of the next day, as the'
APPENDIX. 207
sight of troops by the miners might make them hard to
manage ; otherwise, I assured the Major, he would have
no trouble. We proceeded at once to a point opposite
Dubuque, where we found a comfortable stopping place
with the ferryman, and he being a man of consider-
able influence, I suggested to him the propriety of going
over to Dubuque to send men to all the mining camps, re-
questing a meeting the next morning, at nine o'clock, of
all the miners, with the agent, to hear what he had to say,
and to assure them at the same time that his mission was a
peaceable one, and that there should be no objection man-
ifested to disobey the orders of the Government.
After the departure of our messenger we took a private
room to talk over the programme for the meeting, when we
suggested that, on assembling, the Major should make a
little speech explanatory of his visit, in which he should
express sorrow for the hardships it would be to leave their
claims, with the hope that the time was not distant when
all might lawfully return, etc. The Major said he was not
a speech-maker, nor a very good talker, but would read
the orders sent to him to dispossess them, and see that
they crossed the river.
After some discussion, the writer, at his request, wrote
out a short address for the Major, and on going over the
next morning, we met some four or five hundred miners at
the grocery store, who had assembled to listen to the or-
ders sent for their removal. ' There being no boards or
boxes into which to improvise a stand for the speaker, a
whisky-barrel was introduced, from the head of which,
after apologizing to the miners for the disagreeable duty
that had been placed upon the Major, and in consequence
of his suffering from a bad cold, we had taken the stand
to read to them his short address, and as most of them had
s'pent the summer in the service of the Government as sol-
208 APPENDIX.
diers in the field, and had been honorably discharged, the
Major felt satisfied that there would be no objection man-
ifested by any one in the large crowd before us to disobey
an order from the Government. After the close of the
Major's address, the question was put to vote by raising of
hands. There was a general upraising of hands, which
was declared to be unanimous for immediate removal.
Owing to the good treatment received by the Major, he
proposed to treat the entire party, and, to facilitate the
matter, buckets of whisky with tin cups were passed around,
and after all had partaken they shook hands with the Ma-
jor and commenced crossing over in flatboats.
At three o'clock in the afternoon we crossed over on the
last boat, and took our departure for Galena. During the
evening the Major's report of how his peaceable removal
of a large body of intruders from the west to the east
bank of the Mississippi had been accomplished, was made
out and mailed. But the further fact that all those miners
had recrossed the river, and were then in their mining
camps, was not recorded, for the reason that the Major
had not been posted as to their intentions.
Owing to the provisions of the treaty, it was a longtime
before Congress passed an act for the sale of these lands,
and confirmation to the titles of town sites, hence,
many of those who had laid out the town of Dubuque had
left the country, and at the time of proving up their claims
failed to put in an appearance — the writer being one of
them — whilst those who remained, with the Messrs. Lang
worthy, became sole proprietors — the latter having lived to
see the town rise in importance, and at this time become
one of the most populous cities on the west side of the
Mississippi.
No.2A£# Sect. & Shelf ^
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