42 chapters
10 hour read
Selected Chapters
42 chapters
THE Black Hawk War
THE Black Hawk War
This book represents long years of patient toil from which a corresponding return is not expected; it has been a labor of love. To whom, then, should it be dedicated but yourself, who spent so many toilsome years to rear its author, who may never repay a fraction of the debt he owes you. F.E.S....
51 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
In the autumn of 1871, I began the collection of materials for the book which is just completed; at a time when many original sources existed from which to draw. Since that time, no opportunity wherein I might see and talk with persons who were in the Black Hawk campaigns has been lost, and from those interviews I have been able to gather information, old letters, commissions, muster rolls and papers obtainable by no possible system of correspondence. I have endeavored to be thorough, and to be
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Birth–Personal Description and Character of Black Hawk–Not a Chief–Made a Brave–Expeditions Against the Osages–Death of Py-e-sa–Period of Mourning–Expedition Against the Osages–Expedition Against the Cherokees–Expedition Against the Chippewas, Osages and Kickapoos–The First Appearance of the Americans. Black Hawk’s name, as given in his autobiography, was Ma-ka-tai-she-kia-kiak [1] , and, without reference to the many renditions of it by various writers, is the version that will be adopted in th
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
British Intrigue Against the Frontiers–Hatred of the Americans–Treaty of 1804. By the treaty of Paris, Sept. 3, 1783, Great Britain covenanted to surrender certain western forts which were of great strategic importance to the Americans in protecting the frontier from Indian incursions and also in dealing with such as were disposed to treat honorably with the Government. The compact was solemnly made and signed, but, disgruntled from the loss of her colonies, the British government sent secret in
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
On December 31st, 1804, the President submitted this treaty to the Senate, which ratified it immediately. In justice to Black Hawk, his relation of all incidents leading up to this treaty, from the departure of French rule to its ratification, which he always insisted was the bone of contention between himself and the whites, will be given, and in justice to the Americans, his inaccuracies, their logical deductions and the manner in which he played the same against the facts will also be given.
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
That the Indian had many wrongs must not be denied, but that such wrongs should be transferred from those who suffered them to the personal account of Black Hawk, either entire or to any great extent, is a proposition too monstrous for sober consideration. The simpering casuist has strenuously endeavored to effect that transfer, even to the extent of adopting his statements about the liquor and the murder. As needless, yea repugnant, to all sense of propriety and truth as the task may be to shor
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Erection of Fort Madison–Rumors of Indian Attack–Black Hawk Joins Tecumseh–Returns to His Village–Attacks Fort Madison–The Siege. The object of the expedition of Lieutenant Pike, in 1805-6-7, was, among other things, to select suitable locations for military reservations, Indian posts and forts. One of the last named he located at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, immediately above the mouth of the river of that name, on the west bank of the Mississippi. In 1808, First Lieutenant Alpha Kingsley
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Black Hawk Enlists With the British in the War of 1812–Deserts–Foster Son Story–Keokuk Made Chief. It was not enough that British intrigue had maintained a reign of terror upon the frontier where the sturdy pioneer was slowly and painfully conquering a few roods of timberland to provide a home for his family. It was not enough that his life, the only protection of that family, should be daily menaced with ambush. British arrogance now menaced the nascent Republic by extending its infamous tactic
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Expedition of Governor Clark to Prairie du Chien–Lieutenant Campbell’s Battle. During the absence of Black Hawk, in 1812 and 1813, Fort Madison fell and considerable trouble was encountered from Indians, but, whether Sacs or others, [24] the Sacs were never molested by the Americans. That the Sacs were unprepared to stand an attack was freely told him on his arrival, and Wash-e-own, who paid him a visit, was warm in his praises of American kindness, upon which Black Hawk scornfully commented: “I
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Major Taylor’s Battle–Battle of the Sink Hole–Various Murders–British Agents Withdrawn from Rock River Country. Disturbances by the Sacs now followed so frequently that Major Zachary Taylor, with a detachment of troops, was sent against that one disturbing and bandit element of Indian population located near the mouth of Rock River, Black Hawk’s village. Black Hawk attacked and repulsed Major Taylor in a manner which made the pulse of every settler throb with fear for the safety of his family. H
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
At the close of hostilities with England, a quietus to the horrors of Black Hawk’s raids was demanded. The treaty with that power provided for it. As shown in the preceding pages, all efforts had failed to get the Indians together for that purpose until it was learned that Jackson was on their trail. Then Duncan Graham fled from Rock River and the Indians generally became suddenly impatient at the delay of the few days necessary for notifications to meet the commissioners, William Clark, Ninian
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Fort Armstrong Built–Black Hawk as a Fault-Finder–Annihilation of the Iowas. Black Hawk’s intermittent promises of good behavior and declarations of future tranquility were justly distrusted by the War Department, and rather than remain open to future disadvantage, it resolved to erect near his haunts a fort. Accordingly, on the 10th day of May, 1816, Gen. Thomas A. Smith and Brev. Lieut. Col. W. Lawrence, with a detachment of men, landed on Rock Island and soon thereafter, under the direction o
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Treaties of 1822-24-25–Winnebago Outbreak–Attack on the Boats–Arrest and Discharge. The Sacs and Foxes were also trespassers upon Illinois soil, dispossessing by conquest, after the manner just related, the Santeaux, who claimed the soil from which they were driven. [54] Black Hawk was always strenuously insistent for the principle that land could not be alienated, therefore his nation could not, by treaty, legally have alienated their lands. If lands were inalienable by grant, how, then, could
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
Council–Militia Organized–March to Black Hawk’s Village–Flight–Village Burned–Treaty of 1831. Once awakened, General Gaines lost no time in bringing about a convention with the Indians, to avoid, if possible the trouble of a demonstration, but Black Hawk was fired with hatred and unprepared to accept any terms whatsoever. A council or talk was had in the council chamber at Fort Armstrong, which Black Hawk and his British sympathizers attended in numbers, and all fully armed. General Gaines opene
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Unrest–Messengers and War Parties Sent Out–Attack on the Sioux–They Retaliate–Attack on the Menominees–A Council. The Sioux and Sacs and Foxes had been enemies for generations. Predatory excursions by each nation into the other’s country had decimated the ranks of both, until the Government found it necessary to interfere and demand a treaty of peace between them. Accordingly, on the 19 of August, 1825, William Clark and Lewis Cass, as commissioners on behalf of the United States, met representa
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Ne-a-pope’s Mission–Keokuk’s Village–Council–Black Hawk Moves Down Iowa River and up the Mississippi to Rock River–Atkinson Moves up to Fort Armstrong. With these contentious spirits, Black Hawk, restless Black Hawk, employed his genius, sending out runners to all points of the compass, some going as far as the Gulf of Mexico, to rally round him the confederacy which Tecumseh attempted, but who, with his transcendent genius for organization and war, failed, and so did Black Hawk, much more inglo
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Council–Atkinson’s Call for Troops–Reynolds’ Proclamation–Black Hawk Defiant–Gratiot’s Journey. What the intentions of General Atkinson might have been, above his actual instructions, when leaving St. Louis, are entirely conjectural. The same may be said with reference to the 10th, but when he arrived at Fort Armstrong, during the night of the 12th, they are plainly evident. On the 13th, at 10 A.M., he called a council, at which Keokuk and his head men, some seventy in number, including Wapello,
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
At Beardstown the forces rapidly gathered. Colonels March and Christy were again placed in charge of the commissary department, but Christy, unable to give the service that attention which it demanded, resigned, leaving March to go alone to St. Louis for supplies, with instructions to have them at Yellow Banks (now Oquawka), on the Mississippi River, by the time the army reached that point. Col. E.C. Berry, Adjutant-General, and Col. Henry Eddy, Quartermaster-General of the State Militia, accomp
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Roster–Movement up Rock River Begun–The Prophet’s Village Burned–Forced March to Dixon’s Ferry. Prior to that time, several officers had been granted furloughs, and when Black Hawk crossed the river were far away from their regiments, but immediately upon hearing of the hostile intention of the Indians, every officer returned to this point and rejoined his regiment. Among the number were Capt. W.S. Harney and Lieut. Jefferson Davis. All being now in readiness to march, it may be well to repeat t
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Dixon’s Ferry, now Dixon, Illinois, at the period of this campaign consisted of a ferry, the simple flat-bottomed affair of those days, and a 90-foot log cabin, built in three sections, both owned by John Dixon. The patriarchal appearance of this old pioneer had brought to him the title “Na-chu-sa” from the Indians, meaning in the Winnebago dialect “Long hair white,” and from the whites “Father Dixon.” By his kindness, gentleness, honesty and courage he had won the love of every person, white an
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
Call for Additional Troops–Burial of the Dead–Arrival of Atkinson–Lead Mines Militia–Erection of Forts–Dodge’s March to the Four Lakes Country. The straggling arrival of the panic-stricken troops into camp at Dixon’s Ferry, from three o’clock to daylight of the morning of May 15th, threw Whiteside’s camp into confusion. The force of Dodge’s warning had now a depressing, yea, disastrous effect on the army, and the conduct of the men was most humiliating to Governor Reynolds. With one accord the o
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
On the 18th, after ten days’ rations had been issued, Atkinson, by order No. 17, directed Whiteside to be in readiness to move up the river the following morning, while Col. Johnson was to remain with his battalion at Dixon’s as a corps of reserve until the return of the main army, which contemplated a movement after the Indians the following morning, or until further orders. Later in the day rumors of possible attacks caused Atkinson, for better security of the post, to order the company of Cap
38 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
General Panic–Independent Companies Raised–Atkinson’s March Continued–Insubordination–Army Disbanded–Interim Regiment Raised. If Stillman’s defeat spread consternation, the Indian Creek massacre created a veritable and universal panic in the West. Counties began the organization of companies and regiments, Putnam alone contributing an entire regiment, called the Fortieth, which was mustered into the field May 21st. It was composed of the companies of Captains George B. Willis, Robert Barnes, Wil
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Various Illinois Murders, Including Those of Sample, Payne and the St. Vrain Party. Before recording the actions of this little regiment, or parts of it, all of them important, time must be taken to consider intermediate incidents of greatest importance and sadness. The first demonstration by the Indians after crossing the Mississippi was blood-curdling to the last degree, and proof positive that the wily old Sac was for war, and had not come for the purpose of “making corn” at all. In the autum
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Atkinson’s March to Mouth of Fox River–Dodge’s March to Meet Him–Captain Iles’ March . On the 29th of May General Atkinson crossed over from Dixon’s Ferry to Ottawa to take up his headquarters opposite the mouth of Fox River, where Fort Johnston was established, and where he remained until June 8th, Col. Zachary Taylor returning to Dixon’s to take charge of that post with the regulars who returned with him. On May 29th Atkinson issued General Order 26: “Colonel Fry of the Illinois volunteers wil
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXV.
Captain Snyder’s Battle–Murders in the Lead Mines Country–Battle of the Pecatonica–Captain Stephenson’s Battle. Kellogg’s Grove, by reason of the many fights with the Indians at and around the place, was the most conspicuous locality during the campaign, with the possible exception of Dixon’s Ferry, which was headquarters of the army during the different campaigns. To Mr. J.B. Timms, present owner of the grove, and Mrs. E.B. Baker, daughter of O.W. Kellogg, who built there the first building in
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVI.
On Sunday morning, the 24th day of June, Colonel Strode sent an express of three men, Frederick Dixon, Edmund Welch and one Kirkpatrick, with dispatches for General Atkinson, then at Dixon’s Ferry. By reason of the drenching rain falling at the time of their departure, the men discharged their muskets upon starting out. Arrived at Apple River fort, twelve or fourteen miles southeast from Galena, at about noon, the express found there Capt. Clack Stone, the commandant, with only fifteen or twenty
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Organization of Forces at Fort Wilbourn and Disposition of Same–Murder of Phillips–March to Dixon’s Ferry. Returning to the movements of the troops along the Illinois River, we find in the Missouri Republican that Colonel Davenport and two companies of United States Infantry arrived in St. Louis on June 11th, in the steamer Otto from the Cantonment of Leavenworth, and that they immediately took the boats Caroline and Winnebago for Fort Deposit, or Fort Wilbourn, as it subsequently was called. On
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
It has already been stated that Major Dement’s battalion was ordered on detached service. Following is a copy of his order: “Order No. 37. “Major Dement’s Battalion of Volunteers will be prepared for detached service as early to-morrow morning as practicable, supplied with provisions for ten days. Major Dement will make a requisition on the ordnance officer for ammunition for his command, and report to the commanding general for instructions relative to the service to be performed. Pursuant to t
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Murders Near Ottawa–Posey’s Division Ordered Forward–Alexander’s Division Ordered to Plum River–Henry’s Division, with Regulars, Moved. At 12 o’clock of the 23d General Henry’s Brigade marched for Dixon’s Ferry with General Atkinson, camping for the night eight miles out. About 7 o’clock of the 24th they resumed the march, camping for the second night at the “Winnebago Inlet,” twelve miles from Dixon’s. On the morning of the 25th, Atkinson and staff pushed forward, escorted by Capt. Stephen H. W
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXX.
Consolidation of the Divisions–Captain Dunn Shot–Henry, Alexander and Dodge Detached to Move to Fort Winnebago–Posey Sent to Fort Hamilton–Disintegration of the Army–Alexander’s Return. Alexander marched to the mouth of Plum River, found no Indians to intercept, and, receiving orders to meet the right wing at Lake Koshkonong, marched thence and joined Atkinson. Posey, after reinforcing Major Dement, marched on to Fort Hamilton, as ordered, and there joined Dodge’s Battalion, June 28, with orders
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Fort Winnebago Reached–Stampede–Henry’s Treatment of Disobedient Officers–Black Hawk’s Trail to Westward Discovered–Forced March–Battle of the Wisconsin–At Blue Mounds. When Henry, Dodge and Alexander left, on the 10th, for Fort Winnebago, their horses were in none too good a condition for such a march, but it was begun early and continued diligently through the wilderness, until the fort was reached, at the end of the second day, a distance of sixty or seventy miles. The horses, several hundred
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXII.
CHAPTER XXXII.
[224] On the 20th Alexander received an express from Scott giving particulars of the inefficiency of his army. On the 21st Atkinson and Alexander marched from Ft. Koshkonong [225] in the direction of the Blue Mounds in the midst of a heavy rain, which continued all day and all night. The convoy of wagons met was turned back. On the 22d the troops crossed the ford below Lake Koshkonong. On the 23d the forces marched from the encampment of the morning, eight miles south of “the river of the Four L
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Throckmorton’s Narrative–Atkinson’s Report–Black Hawk’s Flight–Capture–Delivery to General Street–Council. After darkness had finished the battle of the Wisconsin, many of the fugitives, women, children and old men, were sent by Black Hawk down the Wisconsin to escape, but on receipt of Dodge’s letter, Gov. Joseph M. Street, agent of the Winnebagoes at Prairie du Chien, sent Lieutenant Ritner with a small detachment of regulars up the river to the ferry, later called Barrett’s, to intercept them
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
On the 23d of June Col. George Boyd, Agent for the Menominees at Green Bay, wrote Atkinson offering or suggesting the services of the Indians of this agency, to which Atkinson replied on the 12th of July, requesting him to raise a company of 200 Menominees to arrest the progress of Black Hawk toward the Milwaukee River. This letter was entrusted to Colonel Hamilton and safely delivered. On the 12th July Colonel Boyd replied as follows: [239] “Sir:–I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of y
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXV.
CHAPTER XXXV.
With the exception of Black Hawk’s immediate party, the prisoners were sent to Fort Armstrong, and in a report from General Scott to Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, dated at Fort Armstrong, August 19th, he states that he had examined many of the 118 prisoners taken, from whom he had learned that at one time ten lodges of Winnebagoes had been with Black Hawk’s party, and that Winnebagoes brought in scalps eight different times. They also stated that the Agent St. Vrain was killed by Winnebagoe
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXVI.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Allusion to the presence of General Scott in this campaign has been made, but for the purpose of receiving substantial treatment later on was temporarily dropped. He may not have participated in any of its pitched battles, but in his conflict with an enemy more dreadful than bullets, he displayed a genius and heroism seldom found in military annals. For the first time in the history of this continent, Asiatic cholera had appeared in Quebec and Montreal during the early days of warm weather. Few
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
In the year 1832, Michigan, as a Territory, embraced that territory later erected into the State of Wisconsin, and while the latter was storm-swept with the troops, the peninsula was in no danger whatever. A great danger was anticipated, and during the tremendous scare which spread over it from one end to the other, enough correspondence passed between Acting Governor Stevens T. Mason, Gen. J.R. Williams and his subalterns to have sufficed for a war of two years’ duration. From the first, a fear
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Prison Life–Eastern Trip–Return–Council at Fort Armstrong–Black Hawk’s Apology–Black Hawk Released. In every way possible for those early days, Keokuk endeavored to make the confinement of Black Hawk tolerable. Early in the spring he took with him the wife and daughter of Black Hawk, together with Colonel Davenport, Antoine LeClaire and many prominent Sacs and Foxes, to pay the old prisoner a visit and cheer him up. Further than that, he endeavored to secure his release, pledging himself to Gene
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXXIX.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Second Trip East–A Quiet Life–July Fourth Toast at Fort Madison–Interview with Iowas–Death–Burial–His Grave Robbed–Bones Recovered–Consumed by Fire–Death of Madam Black Hawk. In 1837 it became necessary for a delegation of Sacs and Foxes to go to Washington. Keokuk, who was at its head, prudently took Black Hawk along, fearing perhaps that during his absence he might create some new disturbance. [276] Knowing that he was neither a delegate nor chief, he remained indifferent to the attention give
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
APPENDIX NO. 1. Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hawk War.
APPENDIX NO. 1. Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hawk War.
Little consideration should be given to the great majority of stories told of Mr. Lincoln’s service in the Black Hawk War. If one were to believe them all, one would find every man in the army to have wrestled and vanquished him or otherwise participated in some undignified frolic wherein he was made to appear ludicrously delightful. While the age was one of jest and joust, and Mr. Lincoln was apt at both, yet his career as captain in that war was temperate and dignified. In 1832 all of his youn
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
APPENDIX NO. 2. Jefferson Davis in the Black Hawk War.
APPENDIX NO. 2. Jefferson Davis in the Black Hawk War.
In the year 1832, when the State of Illinois was but fourteen years of age, there was to be found on the south bank of Rock River, sixty-five miles above its mouth, a frontier post called Dixon’s Ferry. It was an unpretentious affair, consisting of a solitary tenement laid east and west, in three sections, and built of logs–a cozy but rambling affair ninety feet in length. At this point the great “Kellogg’s trail,” run by O.W. Kellogg in the year 1827, crossed the river, and John Dixon, from who
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter