NORTHWESTERN
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
The Gift of
RALPH BUDD
BLACK HAWK.
THE
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
H MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE KIA-KIAH I»
OR
SMiE E4WE,
THE
—OF
THE WEST^
BY
GEORGE CONLIN.
CINCINNATI,
1848.
'3 h X /c
PREFACE
, In presenting to the public the life and adventures of
Black Hawk, some account of the Sac and Fox Indians
—of Keokuk, their distinguished chief—and of the
causes which led to the late contest between these tribes
and the United States, was necessarily involved. The
introduction of these collateral subjects, may possibly
impart additional interest to this volume.
In speaking of the policy of the government towards
the fragment of Sacs and Foxes, with whom Black
Hawk was associated, it has been necessary to censure
some of its acts, and to comment with freedom upon the
official conduct of a few public officers.
The Indians are frequently denounced as faithless,
ferocious and untameable. Without going into the in>
quiry, how far this charge is founded in truth, the ques>
tion may be asked, has not the policy of our govern¬
ment contributed, essentially, to impart to them that
character ? Have we not more frequently met them in
bad faith, than in a Christian spirit! and sustained our
▲ 8 A
6 PREFACE.
relations with them, more by the power of the sword
than the law of kindness ? In the inscrutable ways of
Providence, the Indians are walking in ignorance and
moral darkness. It is the solemn duty, and should be
the highest glory of this nation, to bring them out of
that condition, and elevate them in the scale of social and
intellectual being. But, how is this duty performed Î
We gravely recognize them as an independent people,
and treat them as vassals : We make solemn compacts
with them, which we interpret as our interest dictates,
but punish them if they follow the example: We ad¬
mit their title to the land which they occupy, and at the
same time literally compel them to sell it to us upon our
own terms : We send agents and missionaries to re-
jlaim them from the error of their ways—to bring them
from tne hunter to the pastoral life ; and yet permit our
citizens to debase them by spirituous liquors, and cheat
them out of their property: We make war upon them
without any adequate cause—pursue them without mercy
—and put them to death, without regard to age, sex or
condition : And, then deliberately proclaim to the world,
that they are savages—cruel and untameable—degraded
and faithless.
If the present volume shall, in any degree, contribute
to awaken the public mind to a sense of the wrongs in¬
flicted upon the Indians, and to arouse the Christian
statesmen of this land, to the adoption of a more liberal,
upright and benevolent course of policy towards them,
PREFACE.
7
something will have been gained to the cause of hu
manity and of nationd honor.
Tho author taKes this opportunity of acknowledging
Lis chiiir»t.ons JO ^^mes Hall, Esq., for the valuable as-
■•»st^ice rtíc'-ve«! from him, in the preparation of this
la collecting the materials for that magnificent
rork, on which he is now engaged, " The History of
.he Indians of North America," this gentleman has be¬
come possessed of much interesting matter, in regard to
the Sacs and Foxes, and especially the chief Keokuk ;
to all of which he has kindly permitted the author to
have access.
Cincinnati, Ma^, 1838.
CONTENTS
CHAta"ER L
Origin of the Sac and Fox Indiana—Removal to Green Bay—Then
subjugation of tiie Illini confederacy—Their attack upon St. I.ouii
in 1779—Col. George Rogers Clark relieves the town—Governoi
Harrison's letter—Maj. Forsyth's account of the conquest of the
mini—Death of the Sac chief Pontiac—Sac and Fox village on
Rock river—Description of the surrounding country—Civil polity
of the Sacs and Foxes—Legend about their chiefs—Division o>
the tribes into faipilies—Mode of burying their dead—Idea of a fq-
ture state—^Their account of the creation of the world—Marriages—
Social relations—Music and nmsical instruments—Pike's visit to
them in 1805—Population—Character fqr ct^urage .••••- 13
CHAPTER It
Treaty with the Sac Fox Indians in 1789—treaty and cession of
land to the United States at St. Louia in 1804—Black Hawk's ac¬
count of this treaty—Erection of Fort Madison—The British ex¬
cite the Sac and Fox Indiana to make war upon the United States—A
party under Black Hawk join the British standard in 1812—Treaty at
Portage des Sioux in 1815—Treaty ofpeace with Black Hawk and his
band at tame place in 1816—^Treaty for part of their lands in Missouri
in 1824—^Treaty of Prairie des Chiens in 1825—Treaty for the min¬
eral region in 1829—^Treaty of peace in 1832, after the " Block
Hawk war"—Present residence of toe Sac* and Foxes s • • • 49
CHAPTER III.
Birth of Black Hawk -Early adventures—Battles with the Osages and
Chcrokees—Death of his fiithen—Interview with Lieutenant Pike—
Attack upon Fort Madison-—Joins the British in the late war-
Marches to lake Erie—Returns home after the attack upon Fort
Stephenson—Mmrdes of his adopted son—Battle of the Sink-hole near
Gap an Gris—Treafy of peace at Portage de« Sioas iq 181& ■> 79
10
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Building oí Fort Armstrong—The good Spirit of Rock Isiand—Deatn
oí Black Hawk's children—Young Sac offen to die in place of hii
brother—Black Hawk's visit to Maiden—Whipped by some whites—
Whites settle at his village—Black Hawk's talk with Governor Coles
and Judge Hall—Sale of the lands on Rock river—Indians ordered to
remove—Agreement to remove for six thousand dollars—Memorial of
the white settlen to Governor Reynolds—The Governor's letters to
General Clark and General Gaines—The latter leaves Jefferson Bar¬
racks with six companies of the United States troops for Rock Island—
His interview with Black Hawk—Calls upon the Governor of Illinois
for militia—The Indians abandon their village—treaty of peace made
with them—Official letten to the war department—Summary of the
causes which brought on this disturbance—Black Hawk's attempt to
form an alliance with other tribes .•---•-----87
CHAPTER V.,
Keokuk's birth—Kills a Sioux when fifteen years old—Prevents the
abandonment of the Sac village—Bold manœuvre with the Sioux-
Perils his life for the safety of his people—Speech to the Meno>
minies at Prairie des Chiens—Called upon to lead his braves to join
in the Black Hawk war—Allays the excitement of his people on this
subject—Deposed from his post as head chief and a young man elect¬
ed in his place—Re-established in power—Delivers up his nephew to
the whites to be tried for murder—Letter to the Governor of Illinois
—Council at Washington in 1837—Retorts upon the Sioux—His
visit to Boston—His return home—His personal appearance—And
bis character as a war and peace chief - -114
CHAPTER VI.
Murder of twenty-eight Menominies by the Foxes of Black Hawk's
band—Naopope's visit to Maiden—Black Hawk recrosses the Missis¬
sippi—General Atkinson orders him to return—Stillman's attack
Defeated by Black Hawk—His white flag fired upon—He sends out
war parties upon the frontier—Attack upon Fort Buffalo—General
Dodge's battleon the Wisconsin—Black Hawk and his band leave the
Four Lakes and fly to the Mississippi—Pursued by General Atkinson
—Black Hawk's flag of truce fired upon by tiie Captain of the War-
lor—Twenty-three Indians killed . 437
contents.
n
CHAPTER VII.
General Atkinson orertakes Black Hawk—Battle of the Bad Axe—
Alkinsun'a official report—Incidents of the Battle—Capture of
Black Hawk and the prophet—Naoj)ope's statement to General Scott
—General Scott and Governor Reynolds conclude a treaty with the
Sacs, Foxes and Winnebagoes—Causes which led to the war—Mo¬
tives for getting up Indian wars—First attack made by the Illinois
militia—Report of the Secretary at War in regard to this campaign
—General Macomb's- letter to General Atkinson—Secretary Cass'
statement of the causes which led to this war—Comments upon this
statement, and its omissions pointed out .•■••---156
a
CHAPTER VIII.
Black Hawk, Naopope, the Prophet and others confined at JeflTerson
Barracks—In April 1833 sent to Washington—Interview with the
President—sent to Fortress Monroe—Their release—^Visit the east¬
ern cities—Return to the Mississippi—Conference at Roc^ island be*
tween Maj. Garland, Keokuk, Black Hawk and other chiefs—speech¬
es of Keokuk, Pashshepaho and Black Hawk—Final discharge of the
hostages—^Their return to their families—Black Hawk's visit to Wash¬
ington in 1837—His return—His personal appearance—Military tal¬
ents—Intellectual and moral character - -- -- -- - 189
Appendix -Sketches of the Sioux - -- -- -- -- - 222
Colonization of the Indians - -- -- -- -- 228
Indian Dancing Ceremonies 237
Sale of Whiskey to the Indians 245
Index - 42a
HISTORl
OF TBS
SAUKEE AND MUSQUAEEE NATIONS,
OS1TAU.T CALLED THE
• SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
CHAPTER 1.
OrigiD of the Sac and Fox Indians—Removal to Green Bay—Their
subjugation of the lUini confederacy—Their attack upon SL Louis
in 1779—Col. George Rogers Clark relieves the town—Governor
Harrison's letter—^Maj. Forsyth's account of the com|uest of the
lllini—Death of the Sac chief Pontiac—Sac and Fox village on
Rock rivel^Description of the surrounding country—Civil polity
of the Sacs and Foxes—Legend about their chiefs—Division of
the tribes into families—Mode of burying their dead—Idea of a fu¬
ture state—^Their account of the creation of the world—Marriages—
Social relations—Mnsic and musical instruments—Pike's visit to
them in 1805—Population—Character for courage.
The word Saukee, or 0-sau-kee, now written
Sauk or more commonly Sac, is derived from a com
pound in the Algonquin or Chippeway language,
a-saw-we-kee, which means « yellow earth." Mus-
(jua-kee, the name of the Fox Indians, signifies
« red earth." These two tribes have long resided
together, and now constitute one people, although
there are some internal regulations among them
which tend to preserve a distinctive name and hn
eage. The chiefs, on ceremonial occasions, claim
B 13
14
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
to be representatives of independent tribes, but this
distinction is nominal. For many years past the
principal chief of the Sacs, has been, in fact, the chief
of the Foxes likewise. They are united in peace and
war, speak the same language, claim the same ter¬
ritory, h ave similar manners and customs, and possess
traditions which represent them as descended from
the one common origin—the great Chippeway nation.
Both tribes originally resided upon the waters
of the St. Lawrence. The Foxes removed first to
the west, and established themselves in the region
3f Green Bay. Upon a river bearing their name,
which empties into the head of this Bay, they suf¬
fered a signal defeat by a combined body of French
and Indians, at a place, since known as La Butte
de Mort, or the Hill of the Dead.* Subsequently
to this battle, they were joined by the Sacs, who
having become involved in a war with the Iroquois
or Six Nations, were also driven to the westward.
They found their relatives, the Foxes, upon Green
Bay, but so far reduced in numbers, by the attacks
of other tribes, that they were no longer able to
sustain themselves as an independent people. The
union between these two tribes, which then took
place, and continues jto this day, was as much a
matter of necessity as of feeling. The period of
their migration from the St. Lawrence to the upper
I<akes cannot be satisfactorily ascertained. T^a
Hontan speaks of a Sac village on Fox river, as
early as 1689; and Father Hennepin, in 1680,
* Schoolcraft's Travels, p. 347.
SAO AND FOX INDIANS,
ftientiuns the Ontagamies or Fox Indians, as res¬
idents on the bay of Puants, now Green Bay.
From this place, the Sauks and Foxes, crossed
over to the eastern bank of the Mississippi, and
combining with other tribes, began to act on the of¬
fensive. The period of this irruption from the
north, It is not easy to determine. Major Thomas
Forsyth, who resided for near twenty years among
the Sauks and Foxes, in a manuscript account of
those tribes, now before us, says :
" More than a century ago, all the country, com¬
mencing above Rock river, and rimning down the
Mississippi to the mouth of the Ohio, up that
river to the mouth of the Wabash, thence up
that river to Fort Wayne, thence down the Mi¬
ami of the Lake some distance, thence north to
the St. Joseph's and Chicago; also the country
Iving south of the Des Moines, down perhaps, to the
Mississippi, was inhabited by a numerous nation of
Indians, who called themselves Linneway, and
were called by others, Minneway, signifying " men,' '
This great nation was divided into several bands,
and inhabited different parts of this extensive re¬
gion, as follows : The Michigamies, the country
south of the Des Moines; the Cohakias that east of
the present village of Cohokia in Illinois; the Kas-
kaskias that east of the town of that name; the
Tamarois had their village nearly central between
Cahokia and Kaskaskia; the Piankeshaws near
Vincennes; the Weasup the Wabash; the Miamies
on the head waters of the Miami of the Lakes, on
St. Joseph's river and at Chicago. The Pianke
Jß
LIFE or BLACK HAVF
sha WS, Weas and Miamies, must at this time hav«
hunted south towards and on the Ohio. The Peo¬
rías, another band of the same nation, lived and
hunted on the Illinois river: The Máseos or Mas-
contins, called by the French gens des prairieSy
lived and hunted on the great prairies, between the
Wabash and Illinois rivers. All these different
bands of the Minneway nation, spoke the language
of the present Miandes, and the whole considered
themselves as one and the same people; yet from
their local situation, and having no standard to go
by, their language became broken up into different
dialects. These Indians, the Minneways, were at¬
tacked by a general confederacy of other nations,
such as the Sauks and Foxes, resident at Green
Bay a.id on the Ouisconsin; the Sioux, whose
frontiers extended south to the river des Moines:
the Chippeways, Ottoways, and Potawatimies from
the lakes, and also the Cherokees and Choctaws
from the south. The war continued for a great
many years and until that great nation the Minne¬
ways were destroyed, except a few Miamies and
Weas on the Wabash, and a few who are scattered
among strangers. Of the Kaskaskias, owing to
their wars and their fondness for spiritous liquors,
there now (1826) remain but thirty or forty souls:
—of the Peorías near St. Genevieve ten or fifteen ;
of the Piankeshaws forty or fifty. The Miamies
are the most numerous; a few years ago they con¬
sisted of about fom hundred souls. There do no*
exist at the present day (1826) more than five hun
dred souls of the once great and powerful Minne
SAC AN'D FOS INDIANS.
17
way or Illini nation. These Indians, the IVliiine
ways, are said to. have been very cruel to then
prisoners, not unfrequently burning them. I have
heard of a certain family among the Miamies who
were called man-eaters, as they were accustomed
to make a feast of human flesh when a prisoner
was killed. For these enormities, the Sauks and
Foxes, when they took any of the Minneways pris¬
oners, gave them up to their women to be buffeted
to death. They speak also of the Mascontins with
abhorrence, on account of their cruelties. The
Sauks and Foxes have a historical legend of a severe
battle having been fought opposite the mouth of
the Iowa river, about fifty or sixty miles above the
mouth of Rock river. The Sauks and Foxes de-
scended the Mississippi in canoes, and landing at
the place above described, started east, towards the
enemy: they had not gone far before they were
attacked by a party of the Mascontins. The battle
continued nearly all day; the Sauks and Foxes, for
want of ammunition, finally gave way and fled to
their canoes; the Mascontins pursued them and
fought desperately, and left but few of the Sauks
and Foxes to carry home the story of their defeat
Some forty or fifty years ago, the Sauks and Foxes
attacked a small village of Peorías, about a mile
below St. Louis and were there defeated. At a
place on the Illinois river, called I^ittle Rock, there
were fomierly killed by the Chippeways and Otto-
was, a number of men, women and children of the
Minneway nation. In 1800 the Kickapoos made a
gteat slaughter of th« Kaskaskia Indians. 'llie
a
18
LIVK or BtACK HAWK.
Main-Pogue, or Potawatiraie juggler, in 1801, kill¬
ed a great many of the Piankeshaws on the Wa¬
bash."
The land on which St. Louis stands, as well as
the surrounding country, was claimed by the Illmi
confederacy, which had acquiesced m the intrusion
of the whites. This circumstance, it is supposed,
led the northern confederacy to the attempt, which
they made in 1779, to destroy the village of St.
Louis, then occupied by the Spaniards. As the
Sacs and Foxes were active participators in this
attack, no apology is necessary for introducing the
following graphic account of it, from the pen of
Wilson Priinm, Esqr. of St. Louis.*
" In the mean time numerous bands of the In¬
dians living on the lakes and the Mississippi^the
Ojibeways, Menomonies, Winnebagoes, Sioux,
Sacs, &c. together with a large number of Cana
dians, amounting in all to upwards of fourteen hun
dred, had assembled on the eastern shore of the
Mississippi, a little above St. Louis, awaiting the
sixth of May, the day fixed for the attack. The
fifth of May was the feast of Corpus Christi, a_day
highly venerated by the inhabitants, who were all
Catholics. Had the assault taken place then, it
would have been fatal to them, for, after divine
service, all the men, women and children had flock¬
ed to the prairie to gather strawberries, which were
that season very abundant and fine. The town be¬
ing left perfectly unguarded, could have been taken
* Pnblislied in the Illinois Magazine under the head of" Hietoiy rf
HL I.ouis."
SAO ASB FOX IKB1AXS>
in
v/iíh ease, and the unsuspecting inhabitants, wlio
were roaming about in search of fruit, have been
massacred without resistance. Fortunately, how¬
ever, a few only of the enemy had crossed the
river and ambushed themselves in the prairie. The
villagers, frequently came so near them, in »the
course of the day, that the Indians from their places
of concealment, could have reached them with their
hands But they knew not how many of the whites
were still remaining in the town, and in the ab¬
sence of their co-adjutors, feared to attack, lest their
preconcerted plan might be defeated.
On the sixth, the main body of tire Indians cross¬
ed, and marched directly towards the fields, ex¬
pecting to find the greater part of the villagers
there; but 'u this they were disappointed, a few
only hayi..g gone out to view their crops. Tírese
perceived the approach of the savage foe, and im¬
mediately commenced a retreat torvards the town,
the most of them taking the road that led to the up¬
per gate, nearly through the mass of Indians, and
followed by a shower of bullets. The firing alarm¬
en diose who were in town, and the cry " to arms! to
arms!" was heard iir every direction. They rushed
towards the works and threw open the gates to
their brethren. The Indians advairced slowly but
sîondily towards the town, and the inhabitants,
diough almost deprived of hope, by the vast suj)e-
liority m number of the assailants, determined to
(ielbud iliemselves to the last.
•' 111 expectation of an attack, Silvio Francisco
Cftrtalioiia, a governmental oificer, had gone to St.
Lirs OF BLACK HAWK.
Genevieve for a company of militia to aid in de
fending the town, in case of necessity, and had at
the beginning of thè month returned with sixty
men, 'who were quartered on the citizens. As soon
as the attack commenced, however, neither Carta-
bona nor his men could be seen. Either through
fear or treachery, they concealed themselves in a gar-i
ret, and there remained until the Indians had retired.
The assailed being deprived of a considerable force,
by this shameful defection, were still resolute and
determined. About fifteen men were posted at
each gate; the rest were scattered along the line of
defence, in the most advantageous manner.
" When within a proper distance, the Indians be¬
gan an irregular fire, which was answered with
showers of grape shot from the artillery. The fir¬
ing, for a while, was warm; but the Indians per
ceived that all their efforts would be ineffectual on
account of the intrenchments, and deterred by the
cannon, to which they were imaccustomed, from
making a nearer approach, suffered their zeal to
abate, and deliberately retired. At this stage of
affairs, the Lieutenant Governor made his appear
anee. The first intimation that he received of what
was going on, was by the discharge of artillery, on
the part of the inhabitants. He immediately order¬
ed several pieces of cannon, which were posted in
front of the government house, to be spiked and
filled with sand, and went, or rather was rolled in
a wheelbarrow, to the scene of action. In a vei-y
peremptory tone, he commanded the inhabitants to
cease firing and return to tbeir houses. Tiiose
SAC ANA FOX INDIAIfS.
21
posted at the lower gate, did not receive the order,
and consequently kept their stations. The com¬
mandant perceived this and ordered a cannon to be
fired at them. They had barely time to throw
themselves on the ground, when the volley passée
over them, and struck the wall, tearing a great part
of it down. These proceedings, as well as thé
whole tenor of his conduct, since the first rumor
of an attack, gave rise to suspicions very unfavor¬
able to the Lieutenant Governor. It was bruited
about, that he was the cause of the attack,
that he was connected with the British, and that
he had been bribed into a dereliction of duty,
which, had not providence averted, would have
doomed them to destruction. Under pretext of
proving to them that there was no danger of an at
tack, he had a few days before it occurred, sold to
file traders, all the ammunition belonging to the
government; and they would have been left per¬
fectly destitute and defenceless, had they not found,
m a private house, eight barrels of powder, belong¬
ing to a trader, which they seized in the name of
the King, upon the first alarm. Colonel George
Rogers Clark, who was at this time at Kaskaskia,
with a few men under his command, understanding
that an attack was meditated on the town, offered
all the assistance in his power, to aid in the defence.
This offer was rejected by the Lieutenent Governor,
All these circumstances gave birth to a strong aver¬
sion to tfie commandant, which evinces itself, at
this day, in execrations of his character, whenever
[lis name is mentioned to those wlio have known
J^IVK Oï BLACK UAWH.
hilu. Hepreseutations of bis conduct, tugctiier with
a detailed açcoutit of the attack, were sent to iSew
Orleans by a special messenger, and the result was
that the Governor General appomtcd Mr. Francisco
Cruzat, to the oißce of Lieutenant Governor.
" As soon as it was ascertained that the Indians
had retired from the neighborhood, the inhabitants
proceeded to gather the dead, that lay scattered in
all parts of the prairie. Seven were at first found
and buried in one grave. Ten or twelve others, in
the course of a fortnight, were discovered in the
long grass that bordered the marshes. The acts of
the Indians were accompanied by their characteris¬
tic ferocity. Some of their victims were horribly
mangled. With the exception of one individual,
the whites who accompanied the Indians, did not
take part in the butcheries that were committed. A
young man by the name of Calve, was found dead,
Ids skull split open, and a tomahawk, on the blade
of which was written the word Calve, sticking in
his brain. He was supposed to have fallen by the
hand of his uncle. Had those who discovered the
Indians in the prairie, fled to the lower gate, they
would have escaped; but the greater part , of them
took the road that led to the upper gate, through
the very ranks of the enemy, and were thus expos¬
ed to the Avhole of their fire. About twenty per¬
sons. it is computed, met their death in endeavor¬
ing to get within the entrenchments. None of those
within were injured, and none of the Indians were
killed, at least none of them were found. Tliek
object was m)t plunder, for tiiey did not attempt, it.
SAC ANO FOX INDIANS.
23
their retreat, to take away with them any <ȣ the
cattle or the horses that were in the prairie, and
that they might have taken; nor did they attack
any of the neighboring towns, where danger
would have been less, and the prospect of success
greater. The only object they had in view was
ihe destruction of St. Louis; and this would seem
id favpr the idea that they were instigated by the
English, and gives good ground, when connected
(vith other circumstances, to believe that Leyba was
iheir aider and abettor. * • * «
" A Mr. Chanceliier had gone on the day of attach,
to the prairie for strawberries, with his wife, two
daughters and an American, the first that had ever
been in the country, in a cart drawn by two horses.
When they perceived the Indians, they immediate¬
ly fled towards the town in the can; Mr. Chancel-
hor being seated before, and the American hehind,
in order to protect the women, who were in the
middle. In their flight the American was mortally
wounded. As he was falling out, Mr. Chanceliier
seized him and threw him into the midst of the wo¬
men, exclaiming, " they shan't get the scalp of my
American." He was at the same time struck by
two balls, which broke his ana in as many places,
above the elbow. His wife received a bullet
Ihrough the middle of her hand, the elder daugh¬
ter was shot through the shoulder, immediately
above the breast, and the younger was stmck on
the forehead, but the ball glanced aside and merely
Stunned her. The moment Mr. Chanceliier arrived
24
LtKB at black »awk.
ive gate, his horses dropped dead, pierced with a
hundred wounds, but his family was saved."
Mr. Primm, the writer of this interesting narra-
tive, has probably not been fully informed in regard
to the ^extent of Colonel George Rogers Clark's
participation in this affair. In a written memoran¬
dum now before us, made on the authority of his bro¬
ther, General William Clark of St. Louis, who it is
presumed has possession of his father's ofBcial pa¬
pers, it is stated, in reference to this affair, that al¬
though the Spanish Governor could not be made to
believe that an attack was intended, the principal
inhabitants sent over an express to Colonel Clark,
who was then at Kaskaskia with five hundred
men, to come and protect them. He accordingly
marched his force up opposite the town and en¬
camped a little distance from the river. He did not
send over any troops, but was to do so, in case of
an attack; when it was actually made Colonel
Clark crossed the river; and upon seeing the " long
knives," as the Indians called his troops, they hasti¬
ly retreated, having killed seventy-two or seventy-
tlireeof the Spaniards, before his arrival. This sud¬
den appearance of Colonel Clark, upon the scene of
action, explains the conduct of the Indians. So large
a body of warriors, making a preconcerted attack,
upon a town but badly protected, would not, it is
thought, have given up the assault so suddenly
and before they had lost a single man, unless
alarmed by the presence of a superior force. On
the supposition that Colonel Clark actually crossed
die river with his troops, the flight of the Indians
«AC AND FOX INDIANS.
23
IS easily explained. They were probably apprised
of Colonel Clark's being at Kaskaskia, and his
name was every where a terror to the Indians. As
an evidence of this, a short time afterwards, he sent
a detachment of one hundred and fifty men, as far
up the country as Prairie des Chiens, and from thence
across Rock and Illinois rivers and down to Kaskas>
«
kia, meeting with no molestation from the Indians,
who were struck with terror at the boldness of the
enterprise, saying that if so few dared to come,
they " would fight like devils."
General William H. Harrison, long familiar with
, the North West Indians, in an official letter to the
secretary at War, dated H. Q. Cincinnati, March
22d, 1814, giving an able view of the Indian tribes,
makes the following remarks on the descent ot
this northern confederacy, upon the great Illini
nation.
« The Miamies have their principal settlements
on the forks of the Wabash, thirty miles from fort
Wayne; and at Mississineway, thirty miles lower
down. A band of them, under the name of Weas,
have resided on the Wabash, sixty miles above
Vincennes; tmd another under the Turtle, on Eel
river, a branch of the Wabash, twenty miles noith
west of Fort Wayne. By an artifice of the Little
Turtle, these three bands were passed on General
Wayne as distinct tribes, and an annuity was gran¬
ted to each. The Eel river and Weas however to
this day call themselves Miamies, and are recog¬
nized as such by the Mississineway band. The
Miamies, Maumees, or Tewicktovies are tlie un-
O
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
do ibted proprietors of all that beautiful country
which is watered by the Wabash and its branches;
and there is as little doubt, that their claim exten¬
ded as fat east as the Sciota. They have no tradi¬
tion of removing from any other quarter of the
country; whereas all the neighboring tribes, the
Piankeshaws excepted, who are a branch of the
Miamies, are either intruders upon them, or have
been permitted to settle in their country. The Wy-
andots emigrated first from Lake Ontario and
subsequently from lake Huron, the Delawares from
Pennsylvania and Maryland, the Shawanies from
Georgia, the Kickapoos and Potawatamies from the
country between lake Michigan and the Missis¬
sippi, and the Ottawas and Chippeways, from the
peninsula formed by lakes Michigan, Huron and
St. Clair, and the strait cormecting the latter with
Erie. The claims of the Miamies were bounded
on the north and west by those of the Illinois con¬
federacy, consisting originally of five tribes, called
Kaskaskias, Cahokias, Peorians, Michiganians, and
Temorias speaking the Miami language, and no
doubt branches of that nation.
"When I was first appointed governor of Indi
ana Territory, these once powerful tribes were re
duced to about thirty warriors, of whom twenty- •
five were Kaskaskias, four Peorians, and a single
Michiganian. There was an individual lately
alive at St. Louis, who saw the enumeration of
them nade by the Jesuits in 1745, making the
number of their warriors four thousand. A furi¬
ous war between them and the Sacs and Kickapoos
/
SAC AND FOX INDIANS. 27
reduced them to that miserable remnant, which had
taken refuge amongst the white people of Kaskas-
kia and St. Genevieve. The Kickapoos had fixed
their principal village at Peoria, upon the south
bank of the Illinois river, whilst the Sacks remain¬
ed masters of the country to the north."
These historical facts are interesting, as showing
the manner in which the Sauks and Foxes obtain¬
ed ppjssession of the fertile plains of Illinois; and,
as adding another to the many instances on record,
in which hordes of northern invaders have overrun
and subjugated the people of more southern re¬
gions. The causes are obvious for this descent of
the Sauks and Foxes, upon their southern neigh¬
bors. They reached a more genial climate, a
country where game was more abundant than in
the region they left behind, and in which they
could, with greater facility, raise their com, beans
and pumpkins. Other causes than these might
have had their influence. The Illini confederacy
may have provoked the descent of the northern
tribes upon them. On this point. Lieutenant Pike
in his travels to the sources of the Mississippi,
has the following remark.
" By killing the celebrated Sauk chief, Pontiac,
the Illinois, Cahokias, Kaskaskias and Peorias,
kindled a war with the allied nations of the Sauks
and Reynards, which has been the cause of the al¬
most entire destmction of the former nations."
The death of Pontiac may have been the im¬
mediate exciting cause of the war, but it is more
than probable tliat the love of conquest and the hope
2S UTE OF BLACK HAWK.
of obtaming a more fruitful and genial country,
than is to be found upon the shore of the lakes,
were the principal reasons which impelled the
northern confederacy to the subjugation of the
Iiiini.
The principal village of the Sacs and Foxes, for a
long period of time, was on the north side of Rock
river, near its junction with the Mississippi It con¬
tained at one time upwards of sixty lodges, and was
among the largest and most populous Indian villages
on the continent. The country around it is fertile and
picturesque, finely watered, and studded with groves
and prairies. It is described in the following gra¬
phic manner, by a gentleman* who travelled over
It in 1829.
" The Mississippi, which below its junction with
the Missouri, is a troubled stream, meandering
through low grounds, and margined by muddy
banks, is here a clear and rapid river, flowing over
beds of rock and gravel, and bordered by the most
lovely shores. Nothing of the kind can be more
attractive, than the scenery at the upper rapids. On
the western shore, a series of slopes are seen, com¬
mencing at the gravelly margin of the water, and
rising one above another, with a barely perceptible
acclivity, for a considerable distance, until the back
ground is terminated by a chain of beautifully
roimded hills, over which trees are thinly scattered,
as if planted to embellish the scene. This is the
shigular charm of prairie scenery. Although it is
- Jamen Hall, Esqr.
SAC ANO FOX INDIANS.
a wilderness, just as nature made it, the verdant car¬
pet, the gracefullv waving outline of the surface,
the clumps and groves and scattered trees, give it
the appearance of a noble park, boundless in extent,
and adorned with exquisite taste. It is a wild but
not a savage wild, that awes by its gloom. It is a
gay and cheérful wilderness, winning by its socia 1
aspect as well as its variety and intrinsic graceful-
lies^ The eastern shore is not less beautiful: a
broad flat plain of rich alluvion, extending from the
water's edge, is terminated by a range of wooded
hills. A small collection of the lodges of the
Saukies and Foxes stood on this plain when tht
writer last saw it, but their chief village was about
three miles distant. In the front of the landscape,
and presenting its most prominent feature, is Rock
Island, on the southern point of which, elevated up¬
on a parapet of rock, is Fort Armstrong. The
region around is healthy and amazingly fruitful
The grape, the plum, the goosebeivy and various
other native fhiits abound,—^the wild honeysuckle
gives its perfume to the air, and a thousand indige¬
nous flowers mingle their diversified hues with the
verdure of the plain. But all this fertility of soil
and scenic beauty has produced no améliora thig
effect upon the savages. The Sauks of Illinois,
when first visited by the French missionaries were
as they are now. They are still savages, as much
so as the Osages, Comanches and Seminóles, and
not superior to the wandering Chippeways."
The civil polity of these two tribes bears much
resemblance to that of the north western Indians
c 2
^0
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
generally. The peace chiefs are partly eleclive and
partly hereditary. The son succeeds the father by
the assent of the tribe, if worthy of the office, and
if not, a successor, of a more meritorious character,
is chosen by them from some collateral branch of
the family. There is a legend among them relating
to the relative rank of their chiefs, which, although
perhaps purely figurative, may not be uninteresting
to the reader. They say that a great while ago,
their fathers had a long lodge, in the centre of whicli
Avere ranged foiur fires. By the first fire stood two
chiefs, one on the right, who was called the great
Bear, and one on the left, called the little Bear: these
were the village or peace chiefs: they were the
rulers of the band, and held the authority corres¬
ponding to that of the chief magistrate. At the
second fire stood two chiefs: one on the right, called
the great Fox, and one on the left, called the little
Fox: these were the war chiefs or generals. At the
third fire stood two waniors, who were called re¬
spectively the Wolf and the Owl. And at the other
fire, two others who were the Eagle and the
Tortoise. These four last named were not chiefs
but braves of distinction, who held honorable places
in the council, and were persons of influence in
peace and in war. This lodge of four fires may
have existed among these tribes. It is true that
their chiefs remain as described in the legend.
The peace chief or head-man presides in council,
and all important public acts are done in his name;
but unless he be a man of popular talents and great
energy of character his place confers more of honor
SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
31
tliau power. If a weak or irresolute man, althovigh
he nominally retain his authority, the war chiefs
actually exercise it. It is very seldom that he ac¬
quires property, for he is expected to make feasts
and presents, and is compelled to be hospitable and
liberal as a means of sustaining his power among
his people.
The office of war chief is never hereditary, but
resiles from skill and intrepidity in battle, and is
held so long as those qualities are successfully re¬
tained. It may readily be conceived that among
.such a race the war chiefs, having the braves
and young men of the nation under their com¬
mand, would generally maintain a controling in-
riiiSnce. The leading war chief is always bet¬
ter known than the principal peace chief, is often
confounded with him, and still oftener exercises
nis authority.
The Sauks are, at the present time, divided into
twelve families, and the Foxes into eight, each
known by the name of some animal. Among tlie
Sauks there is another division peculiar to it. Tire
males are all classed in two parties or bands—one
called Kish-ko-guis, or long hairs; the other Osh-
cnshis or braves, the former being considérée
something more than brave. In 181Î) each party
numbered about four hundred members, and in 1826,
the number was increased to five hundred in each.
The standard of the Kish-ko-guis or long hairs, is
red, and that of the Osh-cushis or braves, blue.
F.very male child, soon after its birth, is marked
with white or black paint, and is classed in one of
3'i LIFE Of BLACK HAWK.
these two parties, the mother being carefui to ap¬
ply the two colors alternately, so that if the num¬
ber of males in a family be even, each bajid will
receive an equal number of members, and the
whole nation will thus be nearly equally divided
into the two colors of black and white. These
distinctive marks are permanently retained through
life, and in painting themselves for any ceremonies
or public occasions, those of one party use white,
the others black paint, in addition to other colors
which may suit their fancy. The reason of this
singular custom is for the purpose of creating and
keeping alive a spirit of emulation in the tribe. In
their games, sham-battles and other pastimes, the
whites and blacks are opposed to each other; and
in war, each party is ambitious of bringing home a
greater number of scalps than the other.
The chiefs have the management of public
affairs, but as we have already seen are more or
less influenced, especially in matters of war or
peace, by the braves. In their councils, questions
are not considered, generally, as decided, unless
there be unanimity of opinion. Their laws are
few and simple. Debts are but seldom contracted
by them, and there is na mode of enforcing their
collection. For redress of civil injuries, an appeal
is usually made to some of the old men of the tribe,
mutually selected by the parties concerned; and
their decision is considered as binding. A murder
among them is seldom punished capitally. The re¬
latives of the deceased may take revenge in that
way, but it is much more common to receive corn
SAC AND FOX INDIANS. t)'\
pensation in property. If the relatives cannot agree
upon the amount of the compensation, the old men
of the tribe interfere and settle it. The kinsfollc
of the deceased say, that by killing the murderer, it
will not bring the dead to life, and that it is better
to take the customary presents, which often amount
in value to a considerable sum. Occasionally the
murderer arranges the whole matter, by marrying
the widow of the man he has killed. There is
but one offence that is considered of a national
character, and that is/of rare occurrence. It con¬
sists in aiding the enemies of the tribe, in times
of war, and is punishable with death. A sentinel
who has been placed on duty by a chief, but who
neglects it, is publicly whipped by the women. The
Sauks and Foxes have no established mode of de¬
claring war. If injured by a neighboring tribe they
wait a reasonable time for reparation to be made,
and if it is not, they avail themselves of the first
fitting opportunity of taking revenge. The young
Indians manifest, at an early age, a love of war.
They hear the old warriors recounting their exploits,
and as the battle-field is the only road to distinc¬
tion, they embrace the first chance of killing an
enemy. When the question of going to war is un¬
der consideration, some one or a number of them,
undertake to consult the Great Spirit by fasting and
dreams. These latter are related by them in pub¬
lic, and often have their infiuence, being generally
so interpreted as* to inspire confidence in those who
may join the war party. If a party is victorious in
battle, the individual who killed the first enemy.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
leads them back, and on the way, if tliey Iiave
prisoners with them, it is not uncommon to kill
those who are old. The young ones are generally
adopted into the families of such as have lost rela¬
tives in the battle, or whose children have died a
natural death. Upon the return of the victorious
party to their village, a war dance is held round
their captives by way of celebrating their triumph.
Prisoners are sometimes held as slaves, and as such
are bought and sold. If they go to war, which
they are encouraged to do, and succeed in killing
one of the enemy, the slave changes his name and
from that time becomes a freeman. The Sauks and
Foxes treat their prisoners with humanity, and if
they succeed in getting to the village alive, they are
safe, and their persons are held sacred. But one
instance is known of their having burned a prison¬
er, and that was in a war with the Menominies,
and in retaliation for a similar act, first committed
by that tribe. The yomig Indians go to war gener¬
ally between the age of seventeen and twenty, but
sometimes as early as fifteen. Many of them at
the age of forty and forty-five, look old and are
broken down in their physical constitution, in con¬
sequence of the hardships which they have endmed
in war and the chase. In old age they are usually
provided for, and live in peace at their villages.
When one of them is sick, and thinks he is about to
go to the land of spirits, he not unfrequently directs
the manner in which he wishes to be buried, and
his instructions are complied with. The Sauks and
Foxes bury their dead in the ground, and have pre
SAO AND FOX INDIANS.
35
ferences for particular places of interment. The
graves are not dug to any great depth, and a little
bark from a tree is made to answer the purpose of
a coffin. The body is usually carried to the grave
by old women, who howl at intervals, during the
ceremony, most piteously. Before closing the
grave, one of the Indians present at the funeral
will wave a stick or war-club, called "puc-ca
waw-guii," saying in an audible voice, " I have
killed many men in war, and I give their spirits to
my dead friend who lies here, to serve him as slaves
in the other world:" after which the grave is filled
up with earth, hnd in a day or two a rude cabin or
shed is made over it of rough boards or bark. If
the deceased was a brave, a post is planted at the
head of the grave, on which, in a rude manner, the
number of scalps and prisoners he has taken in
war, is represented by red paint. Upon the death
of an adult, his property is usually distributed
among his relatives, and his widow returns to her
own family or nearest kinfolks. The widow is the
principal mourner for the deceased and her grief
seems to be sincere. Her countenance becomes
dejected—she seldom smiles—clothes herself in rags,
and with disheveled hair and spots of black paint
on her cheeks, wanders about in a pensive mood,
seldom shedding tears, except Avhen alone in the
woods. They generally cease mourning at the
suggestion of some friend, wash, paint themselves
red and put on their best clothes and ornaments.
Some of the Sauks and Foxes entertain the opinion
that the spirit of the deceased hovers about ihe vil-
3»
LIFB QF BLACK HAWK.
läge or lodge, for a few days, and then takes its
flight to the land of repose. On its way, they sup¬
pose it passes over an extensive prairie, beyond
which the woods appear like a blue cloud. Be¬
tween this woodland and the prairie, there is a deep
and rapid stream of water, across which there is ?
pole, kept in continual motion by the force of the
current. This stream, the spirit must cross on the
pole, and if it has belonged to a good person, it will
get over safe and find all its good relations tliat
have gone before it. In this woodland, game of all
kinds is abundant, and there the spirits of the good
live in everlasting happiness. If on the contrary,
the spirit has belonged to a bad or wicked person in
this world, it will fall oil" the pole into the stream,
and the current will sweep it down to the land of
evil spirits, where it will forever remain in poverty
and misery. There is nothing very peculiar in the
religious opinions of the Sauks and Foxes, to dis¬
tinguish them from the aborigmes of this country,
generally. They believe in one Great and Good
Spirit, who controls and governs all things, and in
supernatural agents who are permitted to interfere
in their concerns. They are of opinion that there
IS also a bad spirit, subordinate, however, to the
great Manito, who is permitted to annoy and per-
plex the Indians, by means of bad medicines, by
poisonous reptiles, and by killing their horses and
sinking their canoes. All their misfortunes are at¬
tributed to the influence of this bad spirit, but they
have some vague idea that it is in part permitted
as a punishment for their bad deeds. They all be
SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
37
lieve in ghosts, and when they fancy that they
have seen one, the friends of the deceased give a
feast and hang up some clothing as an oifering to
appease the troubled spirit. So far as the ceremo¬
nials are concerned, the Sauks and Foxes may bo
called a religious people. They rarely pass any
extraordinary cave, rock, hill or other object, with
out leaving behind them some tobacco for the use
of the ^spirit who they suppose lives there. They
have some kind of prayers, consisting of words
which they sing over in the evening and at sun¬
rise in the morning.
Their tradition in regard to the creation of the
world, the deluge and the re-peopling of the earth,
is a singular mixture of truth and fiction. If an¬
terior in its origin, to the arrival of the whites on
this continent, it presents matter of curious specula-
lion. The following account of it, entitled the Cos¬
mogony of the Saukee and Musquakee Indians,
IS taken from Doctor Galland's Chronicles of the
North American Savages.
" In the beginning the Gods created every living
being which was intended to have life upon the
face of the whole earth; and then were formed eve¬
ry species of living animal. After this the gods also
formed man, whom they perceived to be both cruel
and foolish; they then put into man the heart of the
best beast they had created; but they beheld that
man still continued cruel and foolish. After this it
came to pass that the Almighty took a piece of
lumself, of which he made a heart for the man;
and when the man received it, he immediately
D
"is lifk of black hawki
became wise above every other animal on tho
earth.
•' And it came to pass in the process of much time,
that the earth produced its first fruits in abundance,
a lid all the living beasts were greatly multiplied. The
earth about this time, was also inhabited by an innu¬
merable host of I-am-woi (giants) and gods. And tho
gods whose habitation is under the seas, made war
upon We-suk-kah, (the chief ged upon the earth)
and leagued themselves with the I-am-woi upon
the earth, against him. Nevertheless, they were
still afraid of We-suk-kah and his immense host of
gods; therefore they called a council upon the
earth; and when they were assembled upon the
earth, at the council, both the I-am-woi and the
gods from under the seas, after much debate, and
long consultation, they resolved to make a great
feast upon the earth, and to invite We-suk-kah, that
they might thus beguile him, and at the feast lay
hands upon him and slay him.
" And when the council had appointed a dele¬
gate to visit We-suk-kah, and commanded him to
invite We-suk-kah to the great feast, which tiiey
were preparing upon the earth for him; behold, the
younger brother of We-suk-kah, was in the midst
of the council, and being confused in the whole as¬
sembly, they said unto him, « Where is thy brother
We-suk-kah." And he answering said unto them
'•I know not; am I my brother's keeper ?" And
the council perceiving that all their devices were
known unto him, they wft'^ sorely vexed; there¬
fore, with one accord, the > hole assembly rushed
SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
39
violently upon him and slew him: and thus was
slam tlie younger brother of We-sulc-kah.
« Now when We-suk-kah had heard of the
death of his younger brother, he was extremely
sorrowful and wept aloud; and the gods whose hab¬
itations aie above the clouds, heard the voice of his
lamentations, and they leagued with him to avenge
the blood of his brother. At this time the lower
gods had fled from the face of the earth, to their
own hatiitations under the seas; and the I-am-woi
were thus forsaken, and left alone to defend them¬
selves against We-suk-kah and his allies.
" Now the scene of battle, where We-suk-kah
and his allies fought the I-am-woi, was in a flame of
fire ; and the whole race of the I-am-woi were de¬
stroyed with a great slaughter, that there was not
one left upon the face of the whole earth. And
when the gods under the sea, knew the dreadful
fate of their allies, the I-am-woi, whom they had
deserted, they were sore afraid and they cried aloud
to Na-nam-a-keh (god of thunder) to come to their
assistance. And Na-nam-a-keh heard their cry and
accepted their request, and sent his subaltern, No-
tah-tes-se-ah, (god of the wind) to Pa-poan-a-tesse-
ah, (god of the cold) to invite him to come with all
his dreadful host of frost, snow, hail, ice and north-
wind, to their relief. When this destroying army
came from the north, they smote the whole earth
with frost, converting the waters of every river,
take, and sea into solid masses of ice, and covering
the whole earth with an immense sheet of snow
and hail. Thus perished all the first inhabitants
40
life of black hawk.
of the earth both men, beasts and gods, except a
few choice ones of each kind, whick We-suk-kab
preserved with himself upon the earth.
" And again it came to pass in the process of a
long time, that the gods under the sea came forth
again, upon the earth; and when they saw We-suk-
kah, that he was almost alone on the earth, they
rejoiced in assurance of being able to destroy him.
But when they had exhausted every scheme, at¬
tempted every plan, and executed every effort to no
effect, perceiving that all their councils and designs
were well known to We-suk-kah as soon as they
were formed, they became mad with despair, and
resolved to destroy We-suk-kah, by spoiling forever
the whole face of the earth, which they so much
desired to inhabit. To this end, therefore, they re¬
tired to their former habitations under the sea and
intreated Na-nam-a-keh (the god of thunder) to
drown the whole earth with a flood.
"And Na-nam-a-keh again hearkened to their
cries, and calling all the clouds to gathef themselves
together, they obeyed his voice and came; and
when all the clouds were assembled, he comman
ded them and they poured down water upon the
¿arth, a tremendous torrent, until the whole surface
of the earth, even the tops of the highest moun¬
tains were covered with water. But it came to
pass, when We-suk-kah saw the water coming up¬
on the earth, he took some air, and made an o-pes-
quie, (vessel, boat or shell) and getting into it him«
sel, he took with him all sorts of living beasts, and
man; and when the waters rose upon the earth the
SAC AXD FOX IXUIaXS.
■Il
0-j^es-quie was lifted up and floated upon the siir-
face, until the tops of the highest mountains were
covered with the flood. And when the o-pes-quie
had remained for a long time upon the surface of
the flood, We-suk-kah called one of the animals,
which was with him in the o-pes-quie, and com-
manded it to go down through the water to the
earth, to bring from thence some earth; and after
many'repeated efforts and With great difliculty,
the animal at length returned,bringing in its mouth,
some earth ; of which, when We-suk-kah had recei¬
ved it, he formed this earth, and spread it forth
upon the surface of the water; and went forth
himself and all that were with him in the o-pes-
qule, and occupied the dry land."
In the social or family relations of the Sanks and
Foxes, it is considered the duty of the men to hunt
and clothe their wives and children—to purchase
arms and the implements of husbandly so far as
they use them—^to make canoes and assist in row¬
ing them—to hunt and drive their horses, make
saddles, &c. &c. The duties of the women, are to
skin the game when brought home and prepare the
skins lor market, to cook, to rtiake the camp, cut
and carry wood, make moccasins, plant and gather
the corn, beans and pumpkins, and do all the drud¬
gery connected with the domestic affairs. It is the
1-ommonly received opinion among the Whites that
the female Indians are the slaves of their husbands.
This is not literally true. The men seldom make
their wives feel their authority: as a general rule
among the Sanks and Foxes, they live happily to
p 2
■Í'J rUK ÜF BLACK HAWK.
gether. The wives take the liberty of scolding their
husbands, very frequently, and it is considered by
both parties that every thing in the family, except
the war and hunting implements, belongs to the
wife, and she may do with it as she pleases. The
men may each have two or three, or even more
wives. They generally prefer to take sisters, as
they agree better together in the same lodge: the
eldest usually regulates all the domestic affairs of
the family and has charge of the property belong¬
ing to it. The men turn off their wives and the
latter leave their husbands whenever they become
discontented. While hving together, the women
are generally faithfid to their husbands. The
daughters seldom leave their mothers until they
are married, which usually occurs when they are
about fourteen or fifteen years of age. The parents
of an Indian girl are generally conciliated by pres¬
ents from her lover, but they may insist upon servi¬
tude from him, which sometimes runs throughout
one, two or three years. There is no particular
marriage ceremony among them, beyond that of
the contract between the parents or parties. A
Voung Sauk lover is represented as a silly looking
fellow, who can neither eat, drhik or sleep—^he ap
pears to be deranged, and with all the pains he
takes to conceal his passion, his malady is still ap¬
parent to his friends. The faithfulness of this sketch,
will hardly be questioned, when the close analogy
which it bears to a pale-faced lover, is recalled to
mind. The Saiiks and Foxes, when pinched with
inniger, will eat almost any kind of meat, but pro
SAC AXD rO\ IXCIAX#. i.')
fer venison and bear's meat to all other; they never
eat it unless cooked. They make much use of corn,
beans and pumpkins, and annually raise considerable
quantities. They are not fond of fish and seldom
eat them if they cfin procure other kinds of food.
There are but three kinds of musical instruments
used among these tribes. The drum, which is beat
at their feasts, dances and games, the tambourin,
and a*kmd of ñageolet, made of cane or two pieces
of soft wood hollowed out and fastened together
wiih strips of leather. Their tunes are always on a
fiat key, have but few variations and are mostly of
a melancholy character. According to Mr. At-
water, who visited those residing near Rock Island",
m 1829, the Sacs and Foxes have "tunes evidently
of French origin, and some songs of considerable
length." " These Indians have among them, what
answers to the Italian Improvisatori who make
songs for particular occasions." The same writer
says, "the Sauks and Foxes have a considerable
number of songs, suited to a great many occasions
in their own language." He further adds, " Among
the Indians of the Upper Mississippi, the Sauks and
Foxes are decidedly the best actors, and have the
greatest variety of plays among them." In com¬
mon with the Indian tribes generali)', they have a
variety of athletic games, in which both the men
and women join. They are addicted to cards and
other games of chance, and often bet very high.
Touching the condition of these tribes in 1805,
Lieutenant Pike, in his travels to the sources of the
Mississippi, sa3's, " The first nation of Indians
44 LITE or BLACK HAÍVK.
whom we met with, were the Sauks, who prhicï
pally reside in four villages. The first at the head
of the rapids des Moyens, on the west shore, contain
ing thirteen lodges. The second on a prairie on the
east shore about sixty miles above. The third on
the river De Roche [Rock river] about three miles
from tlie entrance, and the last on the river Iowa,
They hunt on the Mississippi and its confluent
streams from the Illinois to the river Des Iowa;
and on the plains west of them which border the
Mississippi. The;^ are so perfectly consolidated
with the Reynards (the Foxes) that they can
scarcely be termed a distinct nation; but recentlj'
there appears to be a schism between the two na¬
tions: the latter not approving of the insolence and
ill-will, which has marked the conduct of the former
towards the United States, on many late occur¬
rences. They have for many years past made war
(under the auspices of the Sioux) on the Santeaux,
Osages and Missouries; but as recently a peace has
been (through the influence of the United States)
made between them and the nations of the Missouri,
and by the same means between the Sioux and
fhe Santeaux (their principal allies) it appears it
would be by no means a difficult matter to induce
them to make a general peace, and pay still greater
attention to the cultivation of the earth: as they
now raise a considerable quantity of corn, beans
and melons. The character Avhich they bear with
their savage brethren, is, that they are much more
to be dreaded for their deceit and inclination for
strata ï'mi, than for open courage.
SÀC^AND FOX INDIANS.
45
*' The Reynards reside in three villages. The
first on the west side of the Mississippi six miles
above the rapids of the river de Roche. Thé
second about twelve miles in the rear of the lead
mines, and the third on-Turkey river, half a league
from its entrance. They are engaged in the same
wars, and have the same alliances as the Sauks^
with whom they must be considered as indissoluble
m wat and peace. They hunt on both sides of the
Mississippi, from the river Iowa (below the prairie
des Chiens) to à rivèr of that name, above said
village. They raise a great quantity of corn, beahS
and melons; the former of those articles in such
(luantities, as to sell many hundred bushels per an.'
num.
At this period, 1805, according to Lieutenant Pike,
the total number of sonls in the Sauk nation was
8850, of whom 1400 were children, seven hundred
and fifty women, and seven hundred warriors.
They resided in their villáges and had about seven
hundred stand of arms. Their trade was princi¬
pally in deer skins, with some béar and a few otter,
beaver and raccoon skins. The total number of
the Foxès was 1750, of whom eight hundred and
fifty were children, five hundred women and four
Inmdred warriors, with about four hundred stand
of arms. Their number of villageá and their trade
being the same with the Sauks.
Some further items of information about these
tribes may be gleaned from the statistical view of
tlie Indian nations furnished by Lewis and Clark's
expedition. It is there stated that the Saukee, oi
Utlv ilF BLAá;K 1I*^VK.
O-sau-kee, speak a primitive languagt, dwell ])rm
cipally ill two villages, have about five huiulied
warriors and 2000 souls in the tribe, were at-wai
with the Osage, Chippeway and Sioux. The Fox¬
es or Ot-tar-gar-me, in the Saukee language, num¬
ber not more than 1200 souls, and about three hun¬
dred warriors. These nations, the Sauks and Fox¬
es, says Mr. Lewis, are so perfectly consolidated
that they may in fact be considered as one nation
only; " they are extremely friendly to the whites
and seldom injure their traders; but they are the
most implacable enemies to the Indian nations with
whom they are at war; to them is justly attributed
the almost entire destruction of the Missouries, the
Illinois, the Cahokias, Kaskaskias, and Peorías."
In 1825, the Secretary at War, estimated the en
tire number of Sacs and Foxés at 4,600 souls, and
in 1826, the warriors were supposed to amount to
between twelve and fourteen hundred, .Supposing
these estimates to approximate the truth, it appears
that (íúring the twenty years between 1805 and
1825, these tribes had increased very considerably
in numbers.
The traders generally and those who have had mos'
intercourse with the Sauks and Foxes, speak of
them as honest in their dealings, and feel safe
among them, seldom locking their doors by day or
night, and allowing tlxem free ingress to their stores
and houses. Their reputation for courage, it ap¬
pears, does not stand quite so fair. Ideutenant
Pike speaks of them as being more drea<led bv
tiu'ir savage brethren for " their deceit and inclina-
SAC VOX INDIANS.
tion for stratagem, than for their open conrage."
Major Tilomas Forsyth, late U. S. agent among the
Sacs and Foxes, calls them a dastardly and cow-,
ardly set of Indians. The correctness of these
charges may be questioned. Mr. Schoolcraft, in
speaking of the Foxes says, "the history of their mi¬
grations and wars, shows them to have been a rest¬
less and spirited people, erratic in their dispositions,
having a great contempt for agriculture, and a pre¬
dominant passion for war." He adds, " they still
retain their ancient character, and are constantly
embroiled in wars and disputes with their neigh¬
bors, the results of which show, that they have
more courage in battle, than wisdom in council."
In a report of the war department to the Presi-
dent, made by the secretary Mr. Cass, in 1832, the
Sacs and Foxes are spoken of as being distinguish-!
ed for their "daring spirit of adventure and for
their natural courage."
The truth appears to be, that the Sacs and Foxes
fought their way from the waters of the St. Law¬
rence to Green Bay, and after reaching that place,
not only sustained themselves against hostile tribes,
but were among the most active and courageous in
the subjugation or rather extermination of the nu¬
merous and powerful Illini confederacy. They
have had many wars, offensive and defensive, with
the Sioux, the Pawnees, the Osages and other
tribes, some of whom are ranlred among the most
fierce and ferocious warriors on the continent; and.
It does not appear, that in these conflicts, running
through a long period of years, they were found
48
LIFIS OF KLACK irAWK.
wanting in this greatest of savage virtues. In the
late war with Great Britain, a party from the Sacs
and Foxes, fought under the British standard as a
matter of choicer and in the recent contest be¬
tween a fragment of these tribes and the United
States, although defeated and literally cut to pieces
by an overwhelming force, it is very questionable
whether their reputation as braves, would suffer by
a comparison with that of their victors. It is be¬
lieved that a careful review of their history,
from the period when they first established them¬
selves on the waters of the Mississippi, down to
the present time, will lead the inquirer to the con¬
clusion, that the Sacs and Foxes are truly a coura¬
geous people, shrewd, politic, and enterprising, with
not more of ferocity and treachery of character,
than is common among the tribes by whom thev
are surrounded-
CHAPTER II.
Tresty with the Sac and Fox Indians in 1789—'treaty and cession ol
lend to the United States at St. Louis in 1804—Black Hawk's ae-
coo.>t c>f this treaty^—Erection of Fort Madison—^The British ex«
citoth.« Sdc and Fox Indians to make war upon the United States—A.
party under Black Hawk join the British standard in 1812—Treaty at
Purt>|^a dm Sioax in 1815—Treaty of peace with Black Hawk and his
band at same piace in t816—Treaty for part of their lands in Missouri
In 1824—Treaty if Prairie des Chiens in 1825—Treaty for the min¬
eral ^pon in 1829—Treaty of peace in 1832, after the " Black
Hawk war"—Pie>eas «vsiJenceof the Sacs and Foxes.
The first treaty httween the United States and
rlie Sacs, was made at Fort Harniar, on the Mus¬
kingum river, on tUe tííh of January 1789. It was
concluded by Arthur St. Clair, governor of the
Territory north west o{ the Ohio, on the part of
the United States, and the sachems and warriors oí
tlie Chippeway, Ottaw.a, I-'ottawatamie, Delaware,
Wyandotte and Sac tribes of Indians. The object
of this treaty seems to have been the confirmation
of former treaties and the adjustment of boundary
'ines of previous cessions of land. By the four
teenth article of this treaty, it is provided, that the
United States, " do also receive into their friendship
and protection, the nations of the Potfawatamies,
and Sacs; and do hereby establish a league of peace
and amity between them respectively; and all the
articles of this treaty, so far as they apply to these
nations, are to be considered as made and conclu¬
ded, in all and every p.urt, expressly with them
and each of them."
On the i27th of June 1804, the President, Mr.
Jdiferson, directed Governor William H. Harrisoq,
3 E 45
50
LIFE OF ULACK HAWK.
to make a treaty with the Sacs, and obtain, if pos¬
sible, cessions of land on both sides of the Illinois
river, and to give them, in -lieu thereof, an annual
compensation. In November following, Governor
Harrison concluded a treaty with the Sacs and
Foxes, under his instructions. As this treaty has for¬
med the basis of all the subsequent ones made with
these tribes, and as its validity, has been disputed
by some of the Sac nation, it is deemed expedient, to
copy it entire, in this place, more especially as i'
will be matter of frequent reference in the subse
quent pages of this work.
« Articles of a treaty, made at Saint Louis, in
the district of Louisiana, between William Henry
Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory and of
the district of Louisiana, superintendent of Indian
affairs for the said territory and district, and commis¬
sioner plenipotentiary of the United States, for con¬
cluding any treaty, or treaties which may be found
necessary with any of the north western tribes of
Indians, of the one part; and the chiefs and head
men of the united Sac and Fox tribes of the other
part.
Article 1. The United States receive the united
Sac and Fox tribes into their friendship and protec¬
tion; and the said tribes agree to consider them¬
selves under the protection of the United States,
and of no other power whatsoever.
Art. 2. The general boundary line between the
ands of the United States and of the said Indian
fribes shall be as followsj.viz: Beginning at a point
SAC AND FUX INDIANS.
f>\
Oil the Missouri river, opposite to the mouth of the
Gasconade river; thence, in a direct course so as
to strike the river Jeifreon, at the distance of thirty
miles from its mouth, and doAvn the said Jefi'reoii
to the Mississippi; thence, up the Mississippi to the
mouth of the Ouisconsin river, and up the same to
a point which shall be thirty-six miles, in a direct
line from the mouth of said river; thence, by a
direct line to a point where the Fox river (a branch
of the Illinois) leaves the small lake called Sakae-
gan; thence down the Fox river to the Illinois river,
and down the same to the Mississippi. And the
said tribes, for and in consideration of the friend¬
ship and protection of the United States, which is
now extended to them, of the goods (to the value
of two thousand, two hundred and thirty-four dol¬
lars and fifty cents) which are now delivered, and
of the annuity hereinafter stipulated to be paid, do
hereby cede and relinquish forever, to the United
States, all the lands included within the above de¬
scribed boundary.
Art. 3. In consideration of the cession and relin¬
quishment of land made in the preceding article,
the United States will deliver to the said tribes, at
the town of St. Louis, or some other convenient
place on the Mississippi, yearly and every year,
goods suited to the circumstances of the Indians,
of the value of one thousand dollars (six hundred
of which are intended for the Sacs, and four him-
dred for the Foxes,) reckoning that value at the first
cost of the goods in the city or place in the United
States, \yhere they shall be procured. And if the
f.2
UFE or BLACK HAWK.
said tribes shall hereafter, at an annual delivery of
the goods aforesaid, desire that a part of their an¬
nuity should be furnished in domestic animals, im¬
plements of husbandry, and other utensils, conveni¬
ent for them, the same shall at the subsequent annual
delivery, be furnished accordingly.
Art. 4. The United States will never interrupt
the said tribes, in the possession of the lands which
they rightfully claim; but will on the contrary, protect
them in the quiet enjoyment of the same, against
their own citizens, and against all other white per¬
sons, who may intrude upon them. And the said
tribes do hereby engage, that they will never sell
tneir land, or any part thereof, to any sovereign
power but the United States; nor to the citizens or
subjects of any other sovereign power, nor to the
citizens of the United States.
Art. 5. Lest the friendship which is now estab¬
lished between the United States and the said
Indian tribes, should be interrupted by the mis¬
conduct of individuals, it is hereby agreed, that for
injuries done by individuals, no private revenge or
retaliation shall take place; but, instead thereof,
complaint shall be made by the party injured to the
other; by the said tribes, or either of them, to
the superintendent of Indian affairs, or one of
his deputies; and by the superintendent, or other
person appointed by the President, to the chiefs of
the said tribes. And it shall be the duty of the said
chiefs, upon complaint being made, as aforesaid, to
deliver up the person, or persons, against whom the
complaint is made, to the end that he, or they, may
8AC AND FOX INDIANS.
be pumshfid agreeably to the laws of the state"or
territory where the offence may have been com¬
mitted. And, in like manner, if any robbery, vio¬
lence or murder shall be committed on any Indian,
or Indians, belonging to the said tribes, or either of
them, the person or persons so offending, shall be
tried, and if found guilty, pimished, in like manner
as if the injury had been done to a white man. And
it is further agreed, that the chiefs of the said tribes
shall, to the utmost of their power, exert themselves
to recover horses, or other property which may be
stolen from any citizen or citizens of the United
States by any individual or individuals of their
tribes. And the property so recovered, shall be
forthwith delivered to the superintendent, or other
person authorized to receive it, that it may be re¬
stored to the proper owner. And in cases where
the exertions of the chiefs shall be ineffectual in
recovering the property stolen, as aforesaid, if suf¬
ficient proof can be obtained, that such property was
actually stolen by any Indian, or Indians, belong¬
ing to the said tribes or either of them, the United
States may deduct from the annuity of the said
tribes, a sum equal to the value of the property
which was stolen. And the United States hereby
guaranty to any Indian or Indians, of the said tribes,
a full indemnification for any horses, or other pro¬
perty, which may be stolen from them, by any of their
citizens: Provided, that the property so stolen can¬
not be recovered, and that sufficient proof is pro¬
duced that it w.as actually stolen by a citizen of the
United States.
T. 2
54
LIFE OF BLACK HAM K.
Art. 6. If any citizen of the United States, oi
any other white person, should form a settlement,
upon the lands which are the property of the Sac
and Fox tribes, upon complaint being made there¬
of, to the Superintendent, or other person having
charge of the affairs of the Indians, such intruder
shall forthwith be removed.
Art. 7. As long as the lands which are noAV
ceded to the United States remain their property, the
Indians belonging to the said tribes shall enjoy the
privilege of living and hunting upon them.
Art. 8. As the laws of the United States regula¬
ting trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes,
are already extended to the country inhabited by
the Sacs and Foxes, and as it is provided by those
laws, that no person shall reside, as a trader, in the
Indian country, without a licence under the hand
and seal of the Superintendent of Indian affairs, or
other person appointed for the purpose by the Pre¬
sident, the said tribes do promise and agree, that
they will not suffer any trader to reside among
them, without such licence, and that they will, from
time to time, give notice to the Superintendent, or
to the agent for their tribes, of all the traders that
may be in their country.
Art. 9. In order to put a stop to the abuses and
impositions which are practised upon the said tribes,
by the private traders, the .United States will, at a
convenient time, establish a trading house, or fac¬
tory, where the individuals of the .said tribes can be
supplied with g rods at a more reasonable rate,
than they have been accustomed to procure them.
5MV AV9 rux iKUlA.\«t
55
Ar:, 10. In order to evince the sincerity of their
friendship and affection for the United States, and
a respectful deference for their advice, by an act
which wül not only be acceptable to them, but to
the common father of all the nations of the earth,
the said tribes do, hereby, promise and agree that
fhey will put an end to the bloody war which has
heretofore raged between their tribe and the Great
and LittleOsages. And for the purpose of burying
the tomahawk, and renewing the friendly inter¬
course between themselves and the Osages, a meet¬
ing of their respective chiefs shall take place, at
which, under the direction of the above named
commissioner, or the agent of Indian affairs residing
at St. Louis, an adjustment of all their diflerenees
shall be made, and peace established upon a firm
and lasting basis.
Art. 11, As it is probable that the government
of the United States will establish a miiitarj' post
at, or near the mouth of the Ouisconsin river, and
as the land on the lower side of the river may not
be suitable for that purpose, the said tribes hereby
agree, that a fort may be built, either on the upper
side of the Ouisconsin, or on the right bank of the
Mississippi, as the one or the other may be found
most convenient; and a tract of land not exceeding
two miles square, shall be given for that purpose;
and the said tribes do further agree, that they will
at all times, allo\v to traders, and oilier persons
fravellitig through their country, under the author¬
ity of the United States, a free and safe passage for
themselves and their property of every description; ^
UFR OP BLACK HAWK.
and that íor such passage, they shall at no time,
and on no account whatever, be subject to any toil
or exaction.
Art. 12. This treaty shall take effect and be ob¬
ligatory on the contracting parties, as soon as the
same shall be ratified by the President, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate of the
United States.
In testimony whereof, the said William Henry
Harrison, and the chiefs and head men of said Sac
and Fox tribes, have hereunto set their hands and
affixed their seals. Done at St. Louis, in the dis-
trict of Louisiana, on the third day of November,
one thousand, eight hrmdred and four, and of the
independence of the United States the twenty-ninth.
Additional article.
It is agreed that nothing in this treaty contained
shall affect the claim ot any individual or individuals,
who may have obtained grants of land from the
Spanish governnient, and which are not included
within the general boundary line, laid down in this
treaty: Provided, that such grant have at any time
been made known to the said tribes and recognized
by fhem.
William Henrt Harrison. L. S.
Latowvois, or Laumva, his X mark. L. S.
Pashepaho, or the Stabber, his X mark. L. S.
Quashquame, or jumping fish, his Xmark. L.S.
OrrcHEQUAHA, or sun fish, his X mark. L. S.
Hasheqüarhiqtja, or the bear,lus X mark. L. S.
In presence of
William Prince, Secretary to the Commissioner
SAC ANO FOX INDIANS.
57
John GriíRn, one of the Judges of the Indiana
Territory.
J. BrufF, Maj. Art'y. U. S.
Amos Stoddard, Capt. corps of Artillerists.
P. Choteau, Agent de la haute Louisiana, nour le
department sauvage.
Ch. Gratiot.
Aug. "Ühoteau.
Vigo. •
S. Warrel, Lieut. U. States Artillery.
D. Delaunay.
Joseph Barron. 7 sworn
H'polite Bolen, his ><j mark. 5 Interpreters;
I
On the 31st of December 1804, the President of
the United States, submitted this treaty to the Sen¬
ate for their advice and consent, and it was by that
body duly ratified.
In a Life of Black Hawk, dictated by himself
and written by J. B. Patterson, to which there is a
certificate of authenticity appended from Antoine
Le Clair. U. S. interpreter, for the Sacs and Foxes,
under date of 16th October 1833, there is the fol¬
lowing statement concerning the manner in which
this treaty was made.
« Some moons after this young chief (Lieutenant
Pike) descended the Mississippi, one of ovu people
killed an American, and was confined, in the pris¬
on at St. Louis for the oifence. We held a council
at our village to see what could be done for him—
which determined that Quash-qua-me, Pa-she-pa-ho,
Ou-che-qua-ha, and Ha-she-quar-hi-qua, should go
LlfE OF ULACK HAWK.
fiowu to St. Louis, and see our Atnerican 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 man murder
ed ! This being the only means with us of saving a
person who had killed another, and we thtn thought
it was the same way with the whites.
" The party started witîi the good wishes of the
whole nation, hoping they would accomplish the
object of their mission. The relations of the pris¬
oner blacked their faces and fasted, hoping the
Great Spirit would take pity on them, and retiun
the husband and the father to his wife and children.
" Quash-qua-me and party remained a long time
absent. They at length returned and encamped a
short distance below the village, but did not come
up that day, nor did any person approach their
camp. They appeared to be dressed in fine coats
and had medals. From these circumstances, w«
were in hopes they had brought us good news
Early the next morning, the council lodge wai
crowded—Quash-qua-me and party came up, and
gave us the following account of their mission.
j^On their arrival at St. Louis, they met their
American father, and explained to him their busi¬
ness, and urged the release of their friend. The
American chief told them he wanted land, and
. they agreed to give him some on the west side of
the Alississippi, and some on the Illinois side oppo¬
site the Jeflreon. When the business was all arran¬
ge.], they expected to have their friend released to
come home with them.—But about the time they
SAC AíiD VOX INDIANS.
59
were ready to start, their friend was led out of pris¬
on, wlio ran a short distance and was shot dead.
This is all they could recollect of what was said
and done. They had been drunk the greater part
of the time they were in St. Louis.
« This is all myself or nation knew of the treaty
of 1804. It has been explained to me smce. I find
by that treaty, all our country east of the Missis¬
sippi, and sosith of the Jeifreon was ceded to the
United States for one thousand dollars a year! I
will leave it to the people of the United States to
say, whether our nation was properly represented
in this treaty ? or whether we received a fair com¬
pensation for the extent of country ceded by those
four individuals. I could say much more about
this treaty but I will not at this time. It has been
the origin of all our difficulties." p. 27.
The power among the Indian tribes of this coun¬
try to sell their lands, has always been considered
as vested in the chiefs. They, however, are ac¬
customed to consult the whole nation, and, possibly,
it mr V be necessary, in all cases, that its assent
shoui( I be obtained. It has not been the practice
of our government, it is believed, in its négociations
with the Indians, to institute particular enquiries
for the purpose of ascertaining, how far the chiefs
were authorized to act by their people. A number
of treaties have been formed, at different times, in
which the chiefs must have acted under the general
authority with which they are clothed on this point;
the circumstances of the case being such, as to have
precluded all opportunity of their, ascertaining the
00
LIFS or B1.ACK HAWK.
sense of the tribes, after the négociations had been
commenced.
In the case under consideration, notwithstanding
the statement of Black Hawk, there was every rea¬
son, especially on the part of the Commissioner, for
believing, that the chiefs who signed the treaty,
were fully authorized to act. In the first place,
Government, in its instructions to the Commission¬
er, to make a purchase of lands, of the Sacs and
Foxes, had given as a reason for it, that it was a
matter of complaint, on the part of these two tribes,
that they were not, like their neighbors, receiving
an annuity from the United States. They owned
a very large extent of territory, and had, compar¬
atively, but a limited population. It was natural
that they should wish to dispose of some portion of
it, for the purpose of receiving an annual supply of
goods and money. In the second place, f ve chiefs
of ti.e Sacs and Foxes, united in the treaty, one of
them, Pah-she-pa-ho, being at the time the great
head-chief of the Sac nation. It is admitted by
Black Hawk that a council had been held bj these
two tribes, and that Pah-she-pa-ho and hi-s a."!-so-
ciates had been authorized to visit St. Louis to
purchase the release of a prisoner. It is probable
that the sale of a part of their territory may have
been agreed upon by this council. In the third
place, there must have been a prevailing opinion in
St. Louis, that these chiefs were authorized to act
in the case. The treaty was publicly made, and a
number of high-minded and honorable men, are
parties to it, in the character of commissioner.
«AC AND ÏOX INDIANS.
«1
secretary, and witnesses. Among tiiem are several
officers of the army; the first governor of the ter¬
ritory of Louisiana; and Pierre Chouteau, at that
time Agent for the Sae and Fox Indians, and well
acquainted with them. These circumstances for¬
bid the idea of the treaty having been formed under
circumstances in which there were not satisfactory
reasons for believing, that the Indians, parties to it
were fully atithorized to act.
Black Hawk is mistaken in some things about
this treaty, and it may be that he has been misin¬
formed in regard to the authority of his chiefs to
make this sale of their lands. He says, for instance,
that the treaty was made some moons after the re¬
turn of Lieutenant Pike from the sources of the
Mississippi; when in fact Pike did not leave St.
Louis upon his expedition, until the 9th of August
1805, nearly a year after the date of the treaty.
Again, he says, it was made by four of the chiefs.
The treaty is signed by five. But admitting that
the deputation of chiefs transcended their authority
in the sale of the lands, made at that time, it would
seem that the Sacs and Foxes acquiesced in it.
They never disavowed the treaty, but have regu¬
larly received their annuity, and, on more than one
occasion, have recognized it, as binding. Even
Black Hawk and his band, made this recognition,
m the treaty of peace which they signed with the
United States, at Portage des Sioux, in 1816.
It may be questioned, however, whether good
faith towards the Indians and a due regard to na¬
tional honor, do not make it expedient that oui
F
62
LUE OF BLACK ILA.WK.
government should invariably hold its treaties with
them, in their own country, and in the midst of
tribe owning the lands proposed to be purchased. In
such case, the assent of all the Indians might be
obtained, and the charge of having formed a frauds
ulent treaty, with unauthorized individuals, could
never be raised. The peculiar relation subsisting
between the government of the United States and
the Indian tribes, within its temtoiy, demands on
on the part of the former, great delicacy of action
liberality and perfect good faith. By such a course,
alone, can our national honor be preserved un¬
tarnished.
Subsequently to the treaty of 1804, the erection
by the government of the United States, of Fort
Madison on the Mississippi, above the Des Moines
rapids, gave some dissatisfaction to the Sacs and
Foxes. This was increased by the British agents
and traders, who instigated them to resist the en¬
croachments of the Americans, now beginning to
press upon their hunting grounds. Of this interfe¬
rence on the part of the British, with the Indians,
there can be no doubt. Governor Harrison in a
letter to the secretary of war, dated Vincemies,
July 15th, 1810, says, "a considerable number of
the Sacs went some time since to see the British su¬
perintendent, and on the first instant, more passed
Chicago, for the same destination." General Clark,
under date of St. Louis, July 20th, 1810, says, in
writing to the same department, «One hundred
and fifty Sacs are on a visit to the British agent
by invitation, and a smaller party qn a visit
sic AND FOX 1N0IA.V8.
to thtí island of St. Joseph, in lake Huron." John
Johnson, Esq. the Indian agent, at ForlWayné, un¬
der date of August 7th, 1810, says, to the secretary
at war, " About one hundi'ed Saukees have return¬
ed from the British agent, who supplied them li¬
berally with every thing they stood in need of.
The party received forty-seven rifles, and a number
of fusils with plenty of powder and lead."
McKee, Dixon, and Girty were open and active
agents in exciting the Indians to attack the Ameri¬
can frontiers. They held frequent talks with them
and supplied them liberally with goods and muni¬
tions of war. In 1811, there being a strong proba¬
bility of a war with Great Britain, a deputation of
the Sauks and Foxes, visited Washington city, to
see the President, by whom they were told that in
the event of a war taking place with England, their
great father did not wish them to interfere on ei¬
ther side, but to remain neutral : He did not want
their assistance but desired them to hunt and sup¬
port their families and live in peace. Immediately
after the war of 1812, the Sacs and Foxes, with
whom, as with Indians generally, war is the great
business of life, felt that they ought, as a matter of
course, to take sides with one party or the other, and
went to St. Louis, to offer their services to the Uni¬
ted States agent, to fight against the British; but the
offer was declined, on the ground that the govern¬
ment of the United States had resolved not to em¬
ploy the Indians in that capacity. The machina¬
tions of the British, were successfully continued.
The Sacs and Foxes divided upon the question of
61
UFK OF KLACK HAWK.
taking up arms against the United States. A part
of them claimed the protection of the American
government and received it; a part joined the Brit¬
ish standard, Black Hawk among the number, and
fought against the Americans until the peace of
1815. Thenumberof warriors who joined the British
is supposed to have been about two hundred, and
they have ever since been known as the " British
Band," at the head of which has been « General
Black Hawk."
On the 14th September, 1815, William Clark,
Ninian Edwards and Auguste Chotean, commission¬
ers on behalf of the United States, concluded a
treaty with the chiefs and warriors of the Fox
tribe, by which all injuries and acts of hostility, com¬
mitted by either party during the late war, were to
be forgiven, and peace and friendship established
between the two nations. The fourth article of
the treaty contains a recognition of the former trea-
tv in these words. "The said Fox tribe or nation
do hereby, assent to, recognize, re-establish and con¬
firm the treaty of St. Louis, which was concluded
on the 3rd of November, 1804, to the full extent
o ^ their interest in the same, as well as all other
contracts and agreements between the parlies."
This treaty was made at Portage des Sioux.
On the 13th of September, 1815, the same com.
missioners, at the same place, concluded a treaty of
peace and friendship with the chiefs and warriors
of that part of Sac nation of Indians residing on
the Mississippi river. The first article recognizes
the treaty of 4804 in the following words. « The
•SAC AXD FüX INDtANS.
undersigned chiefs and warriors for then]selve3_aiid
that portion of the Sacs which they represent, do
hereby assent to the treaty between the United
States of America and the united tribes of Sacs
and Foxes, which was concluded at St Louis
on the third of November 1804; and they more¬
over promise to do all in their power to reestablish
and enforce the same." There is a further provis¬
ion that they will remain distinct and separate from
the Sacs of Rock river, giving them no assistance
whatever, until peace shall be established between
them and the United States. The Sacs on Rock
river were that part of the tribe which had been en¬
gaged in the late war, and who now declined making
a treaty with the United States, and continued, al¬
though officially notified of the peace, to commit
occasional depredations on the frontiers; and, it was
not until the following spring that hostilities on
their part actually ceased.
On the 13th of May, 1816, the same commission¬
ers effected a treaty with the chiefs and warriors of
the Sacs of Rock river, and the adjacent country.
The first article of this treaty provides, that, "The
5acs of Rock river and the adjacent country, do
hereby unconditionally assent to, recognize, re-es¬
tablish and confirm the treaty between the United
States of America and the united tribes of Sacs
and Foxes, which was concluded at St. Louis on
the 3d November 1804, as well as all other contracts
and agreements, heretofore made between the Sac
tribe and the United States." Under the 9th article
of the treaty of Ghent, concluded 2 1th December
r 2
R;'» MVK or BLACK HAWtt.
S
1814, between the United States and Great Britain,
it was stipulated, that each party should put an end
to Indian hostilities within their respective territory,^
and place the tribes on the same footing upon
which they stood before the war. Under this pro¬
vision, the second article of the trealy with the
Sacs of Rock river, stipulated that they are placed
upon the same footing which they occupied before
the late war, upon the single condition of their re¬
storing the property stolen by them, from the
whites, subsequent to their notification that peace
had been made between the United States and
Great Britain.
Under the 9th article of the treaty of 1804, the
United States agreed to establish a trading-house
to supply the Sacs and Foxes with goods at a more
reasonable rate than they had been accustomed to
procure thefti. On the third of September 1822,
Maj. Thomas Forsyth, the U. S. Indian agent, made
a treaty at Fort Armstrong, with the chiefs, war¬
riors and head men of the Sacs and Foxes, by
which, in consideration of the sum of one thousand
dollars, they forever released the United States
from all obligation contained in said nmth article
of the treaty of 1804.
On the fourth of August 1824, at Washington
city, William Clark, Indian agent and sole com¬
missioner of the United States, effected a treaty
with the Sacs and Foxes through their chiefs and
head men, by which, for the sum of one thousand
dollars per annum for ten years, they ceded all their
interest and title to any lands claimed by them
SAC AVO FOX IMdANf.
.1 the state ofMissouri, which are situated, lying and
being between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers,
and a line running from the Missouri at the entrance
of Kansas river, north one hundred miles, to the
north west corner of the state of Missouri, and from
thence east to the Mississippi. By this treaty, these
tribes acknowledged the land east and south of the
lines above described, so far as the Indians cla <n
the same, to belong to the United States, and that
none of their tribes shall be permitted to settle or
hunt upon any part of it, after the first day of
January 1826, without permission from the Super-
intendent of Indian affairs.
Upon the 19th of August 1825, William Clarlt
and Lewis Cass, Commissioners on behalf of the
United States, concluded a treaty at Prairie du
Chien, in the territory of Michigan, with the chiefs
and warriors of the Sioux, Winnebagoes, Äleno
minees, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatamies, Sacs,
Foxes and loways. The objects of this treaty were
the restoration of peace among the Indian tribes,
several of whom had been for some time waging
war against each other; the settlement of boundary
lines between these tribes respectively, and between
them and the United States. The Commissioners
succeeded in effecting a peace between the Sioux
and Chippeways, and between the Sacs, Foxes and
loways on the one part, and the Sioux on the other;
and also in adjusting the boundary lines of the ter-
•itory of each tribe to the satisfaction of all parties.
Under this treaty notldng was a.sked by the United
States nor was any thing granted to thetn: the
OS
HIK OF BLACK HAW».
character in Avhich the government presented itself,
being simply that of a pacificator.
The concourse of Indians assembled at this coun¬
cil was very great. About 3000 came to the coun¬
cil ground, clothed in their war dresses, and armed
w ith bows, war-clubs and tomahawks. The Sacs
and Foxes were the last to arrive, but were very
imposing and warlike in tlieir appearance when
they reached the ground. They ascended the Mis¬
sissippi, to Prairie du Chien, in a fleet of canoes,
lashed together. They passed and repassed the
town in a connected squadron, standiitg erect, in
their canoes, in full di-ess, singing their war songs.
Upon landing, they drew up in martial order, as if
m warlike defiance of their bitter enemies, the
Sioux, who were encamped near the shore, and
who in turn shot back the fierce look of hostility
upon their ancient foe. An eye witness describe»
this scene as one unique and singularly magnificent
The council was held under a spacious booth oí
green boughs, and lasted for several days. Keokuk
was present on this occasion, as the head chief ot
the Sacs, and took an active part in the council; his
course being marked by that moderation and sound
policy, for which he is eminently distinguished.
In the early part of the year 1828, the President
of the United States, appointed Governor Cass and
Colonel Pierre Menard, to treat with certain tribes
rf Indians for the cession of what is called the
" mineral region" lying on the Mississippi, south *
of the Wisconsin. Tlie commissioners arrived at
Green Pay late in the summer of that year, and op
COUNCIL GROUND AT PRAIRIE DU CHIENS
SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
ttítí 25th of August, made a temporary agreemeiil
with the Indians, by which the whites were allow¬
ed to occupy the country where the lead mines
were worked; and in the ensuing year a treaty was
to be held with the Indians for the purchase of the
mineral country: in the mean time, no white was to
cross a certain line, described in said agreement,
to dig for ore; and finally the Indians were paid
twenty thoifsand dollars m goods, for the trespasses
already committed on their lands by the miners.
This agreement was ratified by the President and
senate of the United States on the 7th January,
1829. Soon after President Jackson came into
office in 1829, he appointed General McNeil of the
army, to fill the place of Governor Cass in the said
commission, which was to meet at St. Louis and
under the agreement above described, proceed to
the mineral region, to effect by treaty, its purchase.
In consequence of some disagreement in opinion
between these two commissioners, the President
subsequently united with them, Caleb Atwater,
Esq. of Ohio. They reached Prairie du Chien
about the middle of July, where they met deputies
on the part of the Winnebagoes, Chippeways, Otto-
was, Pottawatimies, Sioux, Saules, Foxes and
Menominees; and on the first of August, a treaty
was concluded for about eight millions of acres, ex¬
tending from the upper end of Rock island to the
mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41° 15' to lati¬
tude 43° 15' on the Mississippi. Follovñng the mean
clerings of the river the tract is about two hundi-ed and
forty miles from south to north. It extends along
I.IVE O» m.ACK HAWK.
the Wisconsin and Fox rivers from west to east so as
to give a passage across the country from the Missis
sippi to lake Michigan. At this treaty Keokuk and
Morgan, with two hundred warriors of the Sac and
Fox tribes were present, and according to the state
ment of one of the commissioners, rendered essential
service to them, by intimidating the Winebagoes, who
from some dissatisfaction, threatened to assassinate
the commissioners and those associated with tliem.
On the 21st Sept. 1S32, after the conclusion of
the Black Hawk war, General Scott and Governor
Reynolds concluded a treaty with the Sacs and
Foxes, by which about six million acres of
land were acquired, for which the United States
were to pay them the sum of twenty thousand dol¬
lars per annum for thirty years, to pay off the debts
of the tribes and to support, at the discretion of the
President, a black and gun smith among them. A
reservation was made of forty miles square, on the
loway river in favor of Keokuk, (since purchased,)
including his village, as a reward for his fidelity to
the United States. Black Hawk, his son and the
Prophet were to be held as hostages during the
pTeasure of the President. This is known as the
« Black Hawk purchase." The whole of the six
millions lie upon the west side of the Mississippi and
are iiîcluded within the following boundaries: Be¬
ginning on the Mississippi river at the point where
the Sac and Fox northern boundary line is estab-
lishwl. by the second article of the treaty of Prairie
Oes •'îhiens of 15th July, 1S30, strikes said river;
ttience up said boundary line to a point fitty miles
SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
73
from the Mississippi, measured on said line to the
nearest point on the Red Cedar of Iowa, forty miles
from the Mississippi river; thence in a right line to a
point in the northern boundary of the state of Mis¬
souri fifty miles measured on said boundary from
the Mississippi river; thence by the last mentioned
boundary to the Mississippi river, and by the west¬
ern shore of said river to the place of beginning.
The Sac ând Fox tribes are now residing on the
west side of the Mississippi, and are living upon
friendly terms with the United States. As a gen¬
eral remark, it may be said, that their intercourse
with the United States has been of a pacific char¬
acter. They took no part in the war of the Re¬
volution: they were not parties to the Indian dis¬
turbances which terminated in the treaty of Green¬
ville in 1795. Tecumseh and the Prophet failed to
enUst them in their grand confederacy against the
Americans, which was nearly broken up by the
premature battle of Tippecanoe. The machinations
of the British agents and traders, backed by the
most liberal distribution of goods and fire arms, in¬
duced but a small party of them, not exceeding
two hundred, to join the British standard in the late
war with England. In the still more recent dis¬
turbance, on the frontiers of Illinois, called- the
« Black Hawk war," but a portion of these tribes,
took up arms against the United States, the great
mass of them refusing to take any pan in it; while
Keokuk, their principal chief, exerted all his influ¬
ence to dissuade the « British Band" from engaging
in so hopeless a contest. '
MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAH,
or
BLACK HAWK.
CHAPTER III.
Itirth of Black Hawk—Earljr adventures—Battles with the Osages and
Cherokees—Death of his father—Interview with Lieutenant Fike—
Attack upon Fort Madison—Joins the British in the late viar—
Marches to lake Erie—Returns home after the attack upon Fort
Stephenson—Murder of bis adopted son—Battle of the Sink-hole
near Cap an Gris—^Treatj of peace at Portage des Siou* in 1816.
Black Haw^ is a reinarkable instance of an
individual, in no wise gifted with any uncommon
physical, moral or intellectual endowments, obtain¬
ing, by the force of circumstances, the most extra¬
ordinary celebrity. Since the year 1831, his name
has been femiliarly known to the people of the
United States; and the terror, which for a brief
jieriod, it excited upon the frontiers of Illinois, Mis¬
souri and Indiana, was oply surpassed by the curi¬
osity which pervaded every part of the union, to
behold this notable chief of the woods, after he had
been conquered, and was carried a prisoner of state,
from the wilds of the West to the Atlantic sea¬
board. His tour through the United States, par¬
took largely of the hriumphal march of a successful
«ero. In the number of persons who ñocked around
''4
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
75
him, the honors which he received were scarcely
less flattering than those awarded to the illustrious
Lafayette, while. the " nation's guest." In the one
<?ase there was curiosity alone, in the other, curi¬
osity and gratitude blended. To the casual obser¬
ver, the distinction between tlie two cases is not
very apparent.
The causes which created a desire so universal,
to behold this aboriginal chief, have awakened a
corresponding interest in the public mind, to learn
more of his history, than was revealed in the events
of the campaign of 1832. To gratify this curiosity,
is the object of the present volume. The author
has carefully consulted all the sources of informa¬
tion, touching the life and character of Black Hawk,
that were within his reach; and has studiously
avoided the presentation of any fact which did not
seem to be well authenticated. Should the incidents
here narrated, in the life of this celebrated Indian, not
.prove as rich and amusing as might be anticipated,
Tom the wide spread notoriety which he has ob¬
tained, the work will still be found of some value,
•t presents in a connected form, and as the author
rusts, with historic accuracy, one link in the great
chain of political relations between the United States
ind the Indian tribes of North America. Every
lay is increasing the interest and magnitude of these
1 dations, and any efibrt to preserve the facts with
Afhich they are associated, would seem to be worthy
of public consideration. Black Hawk may die, his
aame be forgotten, and the smoke of his wigwam
be seen no more, but the "Black Hawk war" will
'6 LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
long form a page of deep interest, in the history of
this country.
TTie subject of this memoir is by birth a Sac.
having been born at the principal Sac village, on
Roc c River, in the year, as he himself states, 1767
His father's name was Py-e-sa, his grandfather'?
Na-na-ma-kee or Thunder. Black Hawk was noi
by birth a chief, but at the early age of fifteen
having distinguished himself by wounding an
enemy, he was permitted to paint and wear fea¬
thers; and was placed in the rank of the Braves.
About the year 1783, he united in an expedition
against the Osages, and had the good fortune to
kill and scalp one of the enemy: for this act of
youthful valor, he was, for the first time, permittted
to mingle in the scalp-dance. This triumph was
followed shortly afterwards by two more excursions
against the same tribe. In the first. Black Hawk
was the leader of seven men, who suddenly attack¬
ed a party of one hundred Osages, killed one of
them, and as suddenly retreated without loss. This
exploit, so far increased the number of his followers,
that he soon afterwards started with a party of one
hundred and eighty braves, and marched to an
Osage village, on the Missouri; but found it desert¬
ed. Most of the party being disappointed, left
their leader and returned home. Black Hawk,
however, with but five followers, pursued the trail
of the enemy, and after some days succeeded in
killing one man and a boy; and, securing their
scalps, returned home. In the year 1786, having
recovered from the effect of his late unsuccessful
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
77
pxcmsion, Black Hawk found himself once more at
the head of two hundred braves, and again set off
to avenge the repeated outrages of the Osages upon
the Sac nation. Soon after he reached the enemy's
country, he met a party about equal in number to
his own. A battle ensued. The Osages lost near
one hundred men, and Black Hawk nineteen. He
claims, in the attack, to have killed five of the en¬
emy, with "his own hand. This severe engagement
had the effect, for some time, of keeping the Osages
upon their own lands and arresting their depreda¬
tions upon the Sacs. This cessation of hostilities
gave the latter an opportunity of redressing the
wrongs which the Cherokees had committed upon
them, by murdering some of their women and chil¬
dren. A party was raised for this purpose, and
met the Cherokees upon the Merrimack river, below
St. Louis, the latter being most numerous. In this
battle Py-e-sa, the father of Black Hawk was kill¬
ed. The Cherokees were compelled to retreat with
the loss of twenty-eight men, the Sacs having but
seven killed. Upon the fall of Py-e-sa, Black Hawk
assumed the command and also took possession of
the " medicine bag," then in the keeping of his father.
Owing to the disasters of this expedition, and espe¬
cially the death of his father, Black Hawk, for the
ensuing five years, refrained from all warlike oper¬
ations, and spent his time in fishing and hunting.
At the end of this period, being about the year 1800,
he made another excursion, against the Osages, e
the head of about five hundred Sacs and Fo"
and a hundred loways, who had joined him
G 2
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
allies. After a long march they reached and de¬
stroyed about forty lodges of the enemy, killing
many of their bravest warriors, five of whom were
slain by the leader of the invading army. In the
year 1802, he tenninated a severe and protracted
campaign against the Chippewas, Kaskaskias and
Osages, during which six or seven battles were
fought and more than one hundred of the enemy
killed. The following summer Black Hawk made
one of his periodical visits to St. Louis to see his
Spanish father, by whom he was well received.
Upon his next visit to this Spanish dignitary, he
found many sad and gloomy faces, because the
United States were about to take possession of the
town and country around it. « Soon after the
Americans am ved," says Black Hawk, « I took my
band and went to take leave, for the last time, of
our father. The Americans came to see him also.
Seeing them approach, we passed out at one door,
as they entered at another—and immediately start¬
ed, in our canoes, for our village on Rock river—
not liking the change any more than our friends
appeared to at St. Louis. On anñving at our vil¬
lage, we gave the news that strange people had
taken St. Louis, and that we should never see oiu
Spanish father again. This information made aL
our people sorry. Sometime afterwards (1805) a
boat came up the river with a young American
chief ( Lieutenant, afterwards General Pike,) and a
small party of soldiers. We heard of them, soon
after he had passed Salt river. Some of our young
braves watched him every day, to see what sort of
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
7Ö
people he had on hoard. The boat at length ar¬
rived at Rock river, arid thé young chief came* on
shore with his interpreter—^tnade a speech, and gave
us some presents. We, in return, presented him
with meat and such provisions aS we could spare.
We were weH pleased With the speech of the young
chief. He gave us good advice; áaid our Amencan
father would treat us well. He presented us an
American ^ag, which Ivas heistcd. He then re¬
quested us to pull down our British flags, and give
him our British medals—promising to send us
othere on his return to St; Louis, -^his we declin¬
ed as we wished tof have Iwofathers."
Subsequently to this period, the building of Fort
Edwards, near the head of the DeS Moyens rapids,
gave much uneasitiess to the Sacs. Some of thé
chiefs and a party of their followers went down to
this point, aiid had an interview with the war
chief who had cothmand of the troops engaged in
constructing the fort. The Indians became satis¬
fied and returned home. Not long afterwards a
party, of which Black Hav;k was one, determined
(o attack and fake Fort Madison, standing upon
the west side of the Mississippi, above the mouth
of the Des Moyens, which was then garrisoned with
about fifty men. Their spies having ascertained
that the troops marclred out of the fort every morn¬
ing to exercise, they concealed themselves near
it, with an agreement to fire upon them when they
came out. About sun rise, on the morning of the
proposed attack, the gate opened, and a young
•».an made his appearance but wa.s suffered to
80
LIFE OF BLACK VAWK,
return without being molested. The gate was
agdiu opened and four soldiers came out. They were
followed by a fifth, who was instantly killed. The
others then ran for the fort, but two of them were
shot down before they reached it. The Indians
continued for two days, shooting into the fort, anil
endeavoring to set fire to it. Finding their efforts un-
availing, they gave up the attack and returned home.
The period had ngw arrived when the difficulties
between this country and Great Britain, were to be
settled by an appeal to arms. Some discontent had
prevailed among the Sacs, in regard to the en¬
croachments of the Americans upon their hunting
groimds. They, however, ofiiered their services to
the United States, to fight against the British, but
their offer was declined. They had not been as
liberally supplied Avith presents and goods at Fort
Madison, as they had anticipated, and in the mean
time, the British agents had artfully fomented their
discontent, and labored to win their confidence by
the most liberal distribution among them of goods
and ardent spirits. Shortly after the declaration of
war, Girty, a British trader, arrived at Rock island
vMth two boats loaded with goods, and the British
flag was hoisted. He informed the Indians that he
had been sent to them by Colonel Dixon, with pre¬
sents, a large silk flag and a keg of rum. The day
after his arrival, the goods were divided among the
Indians, they promising to pay for them, in furs, in
the following spring. Girty informed Black Hawk
that Colonel Dixon was then at Green Bay, with a
large quantity of goods, arms and ammunition, and
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
61
was desirous that he should raise a party of warri¬
ors and join him. Black Hawk succeeded in col¬
lecting about two hundred braves, and soon reach¬
ed Green Bay, where he found Dixon encamped,
with a large body of Indians, assembled from other
tribes, who had been already furnished with cloth¬
ing and with arms. Black Hawk had an inter¬
view with Dixon, two other war chiefs and the in¬
terpreter. «He received me," says Black Hawk,
« with a hearty shake of the hand, and presented
me to the other chiefs, who shook my hand cordial¬
ly, and seemed much pleased to see 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 the reasons that have brought
us here. Our friend Girty, informs us in the letter
you brought from him, what has 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 his braves to drive them back to their own
country. He has likewise sent a large quantity of
arms and ammunition, and we want all your warriors
to join us. He then placed a medal round 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 near Detroit.
On the following day, arms, clothing, knives and
tomahawks,were distributed to Black. Hawk's band,
and upon the succeeding morning, they started, in
all near five hundred braves, to join the British ar-
4*
82
LIFK UF SLACK llAWK.
my. Tliis was in August, 1812, shortly aftér the
suiTender and massacre of the American troops
at Chicago, which place they passed a few days af¬
ter it had been evacuated. Of the movements of
Black Hawk during his connection with the British
upon our north west, no satisfactory information
has been obtained. It appears that he was in
two engagements, but seems not to have distin¬
guished himself. The last of these was the attack,
m August 1813, upon Fort Stephenson, then under
the command of Major Croghan. The gallant de¬
fence of this post, and the fatal repulse given to the
combined British and Indian forces, seein to have
disheartened Black Hawk; for soon afterwards, tir
ed of successive defeats, and disappointed in not
obtaining the « spoils of victory," he left the army,
with about twenty of Iiis followers, and returned to
his village on Rock river. It is probable that he
would have remained neutral during the remain¬
der of the war, had it not been for one of
those border outrages, which lawless and unprinci¬
pled white men but too often commit upon the
Indians, under pretence of self defence or retalia¬
ron, often a mere pretext for wanton bloodshed
and murder. Previous to joining Colonel Dixon,
Black Hawk had visited the lodge of an old friend,
whose son he had adopted and taught to hunt. He
was anxious that this youth should go with hirn
and his band and join the British standard, but the
father objected on the ground that he was depen¬
dent upon his son for game; and, moreover, that he
(lid not wish him to fight against the .Americans
UFE OF BLACK HAWK.
who had always treated him kindly. He had
agreed to spend the following winter near a white
settler, upon Salt rivet, one of the tributaries of
the Mississippi which enters that stream below the
Des Moyens, and intended to take his son with '
him. As Black Hawk was approaching his village
on Rock river, after his campaign on the lakes
with Dixon, he observed a smoke rising from a
hollow in thS bluff of the stream. He went to see
who was there. Upon drawing near to the frre, he
discovered a mat stretched, and an old man of sor¬
rowful aspect sitting under it, alone, and evidently
humbling himself before the Great Spirit, by fast¬
ing and prayer. It proved to be his old friend, the
father of his adopted son. Black Hawk seated
himself beside him and inquired what had happen¬
ed, but received no answer, for indeed he seemed
scarcely alive. Being revived by some water, he
looked lip, recognized the friend of his youth, and
in reply to Black Hawk's second inquiry, said, in a
feeble voice,
« 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 refiuested
me to come tOi When we an-ived, I found a fort
built, and the white family that had invited me to
r«)me and hunt near them, had removed to it, I
then paid a visit to the fort, to tell the white people
that myself and little band were fr iendly, and that
we wished to hunt in the vicinity of their fort.
The war chief, who commanded it, told me that we
misht hunt on the Illinois side of the Mississippj,
84
LIFË OF BLACK HAWK.
and no person would trouble us. That the horse
men only ranged on the Missouri side, and he liad
directed thera not to cross the river. I was pleased
with this assurance 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 yoiur absence, and the
hardships you would have to undergo. We had
been here about two moons, Avhen my boy went
out as usual to hunt. Night came on and he did
not return. I was alarmed forTiis safety and pass
ed a sleepless night. In the morning my old wo.
man went to the other lodges and gave the alarm,
and all turned out in pursuit. There being snow
on the groimd, they soon came upon his track, and
after pursuing it some distance, found that he was
on the trail of a deer, that led to the river. They
soon came to the place where he had stood and fir¬
ed, and found a deer hanging upon the branch of
a tree, which had been skiimed. But here also
were found the tracks of white men. They had ta¬
ken my boy prisoner. Their tracks led across the
river, and then down towards the fort. My friends
iollowSd them, and soon found my boy lying dead.
He had been most cruelly murdered. His face was
shot to pieces, his body stabbed in several places,
and his head scalped. His arms were tied behind
him."
The old man ceased his narrative, relapsed into
the stupor from which he had been aroused and in
a few minutes, expired. Black Hawk remained by
his body during the night, and next day buried it
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
85
opon the peak of the bluff. Shocked at the crnei
fate of his adopted son, and deeply touched by the
inouniful death of his old comrade, he was roused
to vengeance against the Americans, and after re¬
maining a few days at the village, and raising a
bsnd of braves, prepared for offensive operations
upon the frontiers.
Having narrated to his band the murder of his
adopted soi», they began to thirst for blood, and
agreed to follow Black Hawk wheresoever he
might lead. The party consisted of about thirty.
They descended the Mississippi in canoes to the
place where Fort Madison had stood, but found it
abandoned by the American troops and burnt.
They continued their course down the river and
landed near Cap au Gris, on the 10th of May,
where they killed one of the United States Rangers,
named Bernard, but were driven off by Lieutenant
Massey, with a detachment from Fort Howard.
The Indians, however, rallied in the woods, and on
the 24th of May, a severe battle and of a character
loinewhat novel, was fought between the troops at
Fort Howard, under Lieutenant Drakeford of the
Ü. S. Rangers, and Black Hawk and his party. The
*ormer, in his official report of this engagement,
lays,
«Yesterday, about twelve o'clock, five of our
nen went out to some cabins on the bluff, about
one quarter of a mile below the fort, to bring a
grind-stone. The backwater of the Mississippi,
rendered it so they went in a canoe. On their re¬
turn they were attacked by a party of Indians, siip-
H
LIFE OF SLACK HAWK.
posed to be about fifty iti number; they killed and
tomahawked three and wounded one mortally.
While about this mischief, we gave them as good a
fire from a little below the fort, as the breadth of
the backwater wopld permit. Captain Craig and
myself with about forty men, waded across the wa«
ter and pursued them: in going about half a mile,
we came on them and commenced a fire which con¬
tinued about one hour, part of which time at a dis¬
tance of forty steps, and no part of the time further
than a hundred and fifty steps: shortly after the
commencement of the battle, we were reinforced
by Captain Musick and twenty of his men ; the
enemy now ran ; some made their escape, and others
made to a sink-hole that is in the battle ground,
£ind from there they returned a most rapid fire; it
being very dangerous, to approach nearer than
fifty steps of the sink, we at length erected a breast¬
work, on the two wheels of a wagon, and resolved
upon moving it up to the edge of the sink, to fire
from behind, down into the sink and preserve us
from theirs. We got the moving battery finished
about sunset, and moved it up with a sufficient
Bumber of men behind it, whilst all other posts
round were sufficiently guarded, in case they should
be put to the route.
" We had not moved to within less than ten steps
of the sink, before they commenced a fire, which
we returned at every opportunity. Night came on
and we were obliged to leave the ground, and de¬
cline the expectation of taking them out without
risking man for man, which we thought not a good
LIFli or ULACK HAWK.
8Ü
exchange on our side. During the time of the
battle another party of Indians commenced a brisk
fire on the fort. Captain Craig was killed in the
commencement of the battle, Lieut. Edward Spears
at the moving of the breast work to the sink. The
morning of the 25th Ave returned to the ground and
i mnd five Indians killed and tlie sign of a great
many wounded, that had been taken off in the
night. Th» aggregate number of killed on our
part is one captain, one third lieutenant, and five
privates; three wounded, one missing,.one citizen
killed and two woimded mortally."
Black Hawk states that but eighteen of his men
Avere ha the sink with him, and that they dug holes
in the sides of the bank, Avith their knives, to pro¬
tect them from the fire of the Americans: Some of
his warriors commenced singing their death songs;
but he, several times called out to the enemy, if
brave men, to come down and fight them. He de¬
scribes the wagon-battery, and its ineificiency in
dislodging them from their depressed but safe situ-
stion. His retreat to the sink-hole under the cir-
I umstances, Avas a sound military moA-ement.
Lieutenant Drakeford having withdrawn his forces,^
Dlack Hawk and his party left their intrcnchmeut
and returned by land, to their village.
The tribes of Indians on the Mississippi, Avere
notified in the early part of this year, 1815, that
peace l.ad been concluded betAveen the United
States and England. Most of those Avho had been
engaged in the Avar, ceased hostilities. Black
liawk, howoA'-er, and ids band, and .some of tha
H 2
00
Ul'E OF BLACK HAWK.
Pottawatamios, were not inclined to bury the toma
liawk Even as late as the spring of 1816, they
committed depredations. Some palliation for these
outrages may be found in the fact, that the Britisn,
on the north-west frontier, long after they were
officially notified of the peace, continued to excite
the Indians to acts of violence against the United
States; and, indeed, participated in them likewise.
It was in the spring of this year that they captured
the garrison at Prairie du Chien, and instigated
Black Hawk and his party to attack some boats,
which were ascending the Mississippi to that point,
with troops and provisions. In this attack. Black
Hawk was the leader. One of the boats was cap¬
tured and several of the crew killed. They were
compelled to return, and dropped down to the fort
at the mouth of the Des Moyens river. As à re¬
ward for their attack upon these boats, the British
agents distributed rum among the Indians engaged
in the affair, and joined with them in dancing and
feasting
In May, Black Hawk and his party, having been
again summoned by the Americans, to make
■feacc, concluded to descend the Mississippi to
Portage des Sioux, to meet the American commis¬
sioners who were there for that purpose. On the
13th of May, 1816, a treaty of peace was signed by
Clark, Edwards, and Chotean on behalf of the United
States, and the chiefs and warriors of the Sacs of
Rock river and the adjacent country. To this treaty
Black Hawk was a party. It recognizes the validity
of the treatti^ of St. Louis, of November 1804.
CHAPTER IV.
fjuildin^ of Tori Armstrong—The good Spirit of Hock Island—Death
of Black Hawk's children—Yoong Sac offers to die in place of liii
brother-«-Black Hawk's visit to Maiden—Whipped by some whites-
Whites settle at his village—Black Hawk's talk with Governor Coles
and Judge Hall—Sale of the lands on Rock river—Indians ordered to
remove—Agreement to remove for six thousand dollars—Memorial of
the white settlers to Governor Reynolds—The Governor's letters to
General ClarlTand General Gaines—The latter leaves Jefferson Bar*
racks with six companies of the United States troops for Rock Island—
His interview with Black Hawk—Calls upon the Governor of Illinois
for militia—The Indians abandon their village—treaty of peace made
with them—Ofhctal letters to the war department—Summary oí tf>e
causes which brought on this disturbance—Black Hawk's attempt to
form an alliance with other tribes.
From the treaty of peace, between the United
States and the Sac Indians of Rock river, in 1816,
to the commencement of hostilities between these
parties in 1832, the life of Black Hawk seems to
have been quiet and monotonous, occasionally re»
lie ved by a wailike excursion, but generally spent
in hunting, throughout the winter, and in loitering
about his village, during the summer. Such, in-
deed, is the life of most Indians. Having no intel¬
lectual pursuits and little desire for the acquisition
of property, beyond the supply of their immediate
wants, they have in reality but two sources of
excitement—war and the chase. They take no
interest in the domestic affairs of their families,
have little taste for the pursuits of agriculture, and,
if not engaged in hostile excursions, in following the
deer, or in trapping the beaver, they sink into list¬
less inactivity. It is highly probable that many of
ibeir wars are undertaken, more for the gratifica-
91
MFE OF BLACK HAWK.
tion of that love of excitement, which is an inde
structihle element of the human mind, than from
any constitutional proneness to cruelty and blood¬
shed. They need both physical and intellectual
excitation, and having none of the resources which
menta.l and moral culture throws open to civilized
man, they seek it in making war upon each otlier
or ttpon the wild animals which share with them
the woods and the prairies.
Subsequently to the treaty of 1816, and perhaps
m that year, the government of the United States
built Fort Armstrong, upon Rock Island, in the
Mississippi river, and but a few miles from the tal¬
lage where Black Hawk and his band resided. This
measure, though not actually opposed, was by no
means acceptable to them. They probably did not
relish the gradual advances upon tl.em, of the
white population; but they entertained, moreover,
a special regard for this beautiful island, which is
justly considered one of the finest in the whole ex¬
tent of the Mississippi. It is fertile, and produces
many varieties of nuts and fruits, and being in the
rapids of the stream, the waters which lave its
^lorcs, yield an abundance of excellent fish. In ad¬
dition to all this, they have a traditionary belief, that
the island was the favorite residence of a good
spii it which dwelt in a cave in the rocks on which
Fort Armstrong now stands. This spirit had often
been seen by the Indians, but after the erection of the
Fort, alarmed by the noise and intrusion of the white
man, it spread its beautiful, swan-like wings, and
disapp-cared. During the year 1817, the Sacs sent
SAC AND FOX INDIANS.
93
out some warriors against the Sioux, and succeeded
in killing several of them, but Black Hawk was not
of the party. About this time, his eldest son sick¬
ened and died, and witlnn a short period after¬
wards, he lost his youngest daughter. This afflic¬
tion seems to have made a deep impression upon
him; and according to a custom common among
the Indians, he blacked his face, and for the ensu
ing two yea^s lived at home, in seclusion, drinking
water at mid-day, and eating boiled corn but spar¬
ingly, in the evening. In the winter of 1819-20,
there was a disturbance between the Sacs and lo-
ways, one of the latter having killed a young man
belonging to the former. Under the agreement of
a late council between these two tribes, the old cus¬
tom of appeasing the friends of one who had been
killed, by presents, had been abolished, and each
party had promised, that in future, the murderer
should be surrendered up, that he might be punish¬
ed with death. A party of Sacs, of which Black
Hawk was one, agreed to visit the loway village
on this occasion, and when about to depart, called
at the lodge of the young man who had committed
the outrage, to ta .re him along. He was sick, but
still ready to accompany them. His brother inter¬
fered, and insisted that he was too unwell to trav¬
el; that he would himself go and die in his place,
and finally set off with the party. Oiv the seventh
day, they reached the loway village. They dis¬
mounted a short distance from it, and bid farewell
to their young brave, who went calmly forwards,
ft!oii(>, singing his deafh-song, and seated hiiriselfiii
04
SAC AND roX 1NÜIAXS,
the middle of the lodges. One of the luway cliiela
went out to Black Hawk, who told him the brother
had come in the place of the young man that had
committed the murder, he being sick. Black Hawk
and his party, now mounted their horses and set otf
on their return ; and casting their eyes towards the
village, saw the loways, armed with spears and
clubs, gathering around the young prisoner. At
night the returning party, having stopped and
iîindled a fire, were suddenly alarmed by the
tramping of horses. They immediately stood to
their arms, but were soon relieved, by finding. In¬
stead of a foe, their young brave, unhurt and in the
possession of two horses. They ascertained that
the loways, at first threatened him with instant
death, but finally, changing their purpose, liad
given him something to eat, smoked the pipe with
him, and presenting him with two horses, bid
him return home in safety. The generous conduct
of the loways is deserving of praise, but the genu¬
ine affection of this young brave, in nobly volun¬
teering to die in place of his sick brother, presents
one of those rare cases of self-devotion, wliich
ihould be held in remembrance.
In the following autumn. Black Hawk and some
of his band went on a visit to their British father at
Maiden and received presents from him. A medal
was given to Black Hawk for his fidelity to the
British in the late war, and he was requested to
come up annualh'-, to that place, with his band,
and receive such presents, as had been promised
them hy Colonel Dixon, when they joined the
MITE OF BLACK HAWK.
95
English forces. These visits were regularly made,
it is believed, from that time down to the year 1832.
It is owing to this circumstance that Black Hawk's
party has long been known by the appellation of
the " British Band."
In the winter of 1822, Black Hawk and his par
ty, encamped on the Two-rivers, for the purposf
of hunting, and while there was so badly treated
by some white men, that his prejudices against the
Americans were greatly strengthened. He was
accused of having killed the hogs of some settlers,
who, meeting him one day in the woods, wrested
his gun from his hands, and discharging it in the
air, beat him so severely with sticks that for several
nights he was unable to sleep. They then return¬
ed him his gun and ordered him to leave the neigh¬
borhood. Of the perpetration of this outrage, there
is little doubt, while the fact of Black Hawk's
having committed the offence charged upon him,
rests, at best, upon suspicion. Supposing him to
have been guilty, and the supposition is at vari¬
ance with the whole tenor of his intercourse witn
the whites, it was on their part, one of those brutal
appeals to club law, which are but too often prac¬
tised towards the Indians ; and which, when
avenged by them, not unfrequently brings upon
their nation, the power and the arms of the United
States.
The ensuing summer, the expediency of a remo
val of the whole of the Sacs and Foxes, to the west
side of the Mississippi, was urged upon them by
tlie agent at Fort Armstrong. The principal Fox
no
I.IFE OF BLAt;K JIAW*.
chief, as well as Keokuk, assented to the removal
The latter sent a messenger through the village in
forming the Indians that it was the wish of their
great Father, the President, that they should re¬
move, and he pointed out the loway river as pre¬
senting a fine situation for their new village. There
was a party, however, among the Sacs, made up
principally of the " British Band,'^ who were de¬
cidedly opposed to a removal; and they called up¬
on their old leader. Black Hawk, for his opinion on
the question. He took the ground that the land on
which their village stood had never been sold; that
the Americans had, therefore, no right to insist up¬
on the measure, and that as a matter of policy he
was opposed to it. The old man was probably
swayed in his decision by another cause. He felt
that his power in the tribe was waning before the
rising popularity of Keokuk. Here was a question
on which their people differed in opinion. By
placing himself at the head of one of the parties,
he might recover his influence, or at least sustain
himself against the overshadowing ascendancy of
his rival. He had an interview with Keokuk to
*see if the matter could not be adjusted with the
President, by giving him other lands in exchange
for those on which their village stood; and the lat¬
ter promised to see the great chief at St. Louis, on
the suhj(;ct. During the following winter, while
Black Ilawk and his party were absent on a hunt¬
ing expedition, several white families arrived .at
their village, destroyed some of tlieir lodges and
.ommenced making fences over their corn-fields.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK. i}7
MIk ik Hawk upon hearing of this movement,
promptly returned to Rock river, and found his
own lodge occupied by the whites. He went to
Fort Armstrong and complained to the interpreter,
the agent being absent. He crossed the Mississippi
and travelled several days to converse with the
Winnebago sub-agent, who concurred with the in¬
terpreter in advising the Sacs to remove to Keo*
kuk's settlement on the loway. He then visited
the prophet, Wabokieshiek, or WhiteTCloud, whose
opinions were held in much respect by the Sacs and
Winnebagoes. He urged Black Hawk not to remove,
but to persuade Keokuk and his party to return to
Rock river, assuring them that if they remained
quietly at their village, the whites would not venture
to disturb them. He then rejoined his hunting party,
and in the spring when they returned to their vil
läge, they found the white settlers still there, and
that the greater part of their corn-fields had been
enclosed by fences. About that time Keokuk visit
ed Rock river and endeavored to persuade the re¬
mainder of the Sacs to follow him to the loway.
He had accomplished nothing with the great chief
at St. Louis, in regard to their remaining at their
village, and as a matter of policy, that peace might
oe preserved, he was warmly in favor of the pro¬
posed removal. Black Hawk considered it an act
of cowardice to yield up their village and the graves
of their fathers, to strangers, who had no right to thé
soil, and the breach between Keokuk and himself
was widened.
The white immigrants continued to increase, and
5 I
98
U»B OF BLBCK HAWK.
the Sac village was the great point of attraction vo
them. It was situated on the neck of land foriaied
by the junction~of Rock river with the Mississippi,
and had been the chief village of tlie tribe for sixty
or seventy years. " Their women had broken the
surface of the surrounding prairie with their hoes,
and enclosed with a kind of flimsy pole fence, many
fields, which were annually cultivated by them, in the
raising of com, beans, potatoes and squashes. They
had also erected several hundred houses of various
dimensions, some probably an hundred feet in
length by forty or fifty broad; which were constrac-
ted of poles and forks, arranged so as to form a
kind of frame, which was then enclosed with the
bark of trees, which, being peeled ofl" and dried un¬
der a weight for the purpose of keeping it expand¬
ed, was afterwards confined to the walls and roof
by means of cords, composed of the bark of other
trees. This indeed is a delightful spot:—on flie
north-west rolls the majestic Mississippi, while the
dark forests which clothe the numerous islands of
Rock river, with its several rippling streams on the
south-east, form a delightful contrast, which is ren¬
dered still more pleasing irom the general declivity
of the surrounding country, as it sinks gradually
away to the shores of these rivers. This ancient
village had literally become the grave-yard of the
nation. Scarcely an individual could be found in
the whole nation, who had not deposited the re¬
mains of some relative, in or near to this place.
Tliither the mother, with mournful and melancholy
et^, annually repaired to pay a tribute of res^t
JAFJÍ or BLACK UAWK.
to her departed offspring; while the weeping sisters
and loud lamenting widows, joined the procession
of grief; sometimes, in accordance with their own
feelings, no doubt, but always in pursuance of an
established custom of their nation, from time imme¬
morial. On these occasions they carefully clear
away every spear of grass or other vegetable, which
they find growing near the grave, and make such
repairs as lAay be thought necessary. They also
carry to the grave some kind of food, which they
leave there for the spirit of the deceased: and before
they conclude these ceremonies, they often, in a
very melancholy and lamenting mood, address the
dead, enquiring how they fare, and who, or whether
any one performs for them the kind offices of moth¬
er, sister or wife; together with many other en¬
quiries which a frantic imagination may happen to
suggest. This being one of the most important re¬
ligious duties, is scrupulously observed by all the
better class of this people."*
The whites who established themselves at this
place, in violation of the laws of congress, and the
provisions of the treaty of 1804, committed various
aggressions itpon the Indians, such as destroying
their corn, killing their domestic animals, and whip¬
ping the women and children. They carried with
them, as articles of traffic, whiskey and other intox¬
icating liquor», and by distributing them in the
tribe, made drunkenness and scenes of debauchery
common. Black Hawk and the other chiefs of the
• Chronicles of the North American Savages, No. 4. page 63.
100-
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
band, remonstrated against these encroachtnents,
and especially in regard to the introduction of spiri¬
tuous liquors among their people: and, upon one oc¬
casion, when a white man continued, openly, to
sell whiskey to them, the old chief, taking with him
one or two companions, went to his house, rolled
out the barrel of whfskey, broke in the head, and
emptied its contents upon the ground, in presence
of the owner. This was done, as he alleges, from
the fear that some of the white persons would he
killed by his people when in a state of intoxicatioiu
Thus things wore on imtil 1827. During that win-
ter, while the Indians were making their periodical
hunt, some of the whites, in the hope of expediting
their removal to the west side of the Mississippi,.
set on fire, in one day, about forty of their lodges, a
number of which were entirely consumed. When
the Indians returned in the spring and demanded
satisfaction for the destruction of their property,
they were met by new insults and outrages.
In the summer of 1829, Black Hawk happened
to meet, at Rock island, with the late governor
Coles, of whom he had heard as a great chief of
Illinois, in company with " another chief" as he
calls him—Judge Hall. Having failed in his ap¬
peals to the Indian agents, for redress of the griev¬
ances of his people, he determined to apply to these
two chiefs, on the subject, and accordingly waited
upon them for that purpose.
« He spoke of the indignity perpetrated upon
himself, (his having been beaten with sticks by the
whites,) with the feeling that a respectable person
LIFE or BLACK BAWK.
10.
among us would have shown under such circum
stances; and pointing to a black mark on his face,
saiJ that he wore it as a symbol of disgrace. The
customs of his nation required, that he should
avenge the wrong that he had received, but he
chose rather to submit to it for the present than
involve them in a war. And this was the only al¬
ternative, for if an Indian should kill, or even strike
a white mah, the aggression would be eagerly seiz¬
ed upon and exaggerated; the whole frontier popu¬
lation would rush to war, and the Indians would
be hunted from their houses like wild beasts. He
spoke of the intrusion upon their fields, the destruc¬
tion of their growing corn, the ploughing up of the
graves of their fathers, and the beating of their
women; and added, "we dare not resent any of
these things. If we did, it would be said that the
Indians were disturbing the white people, and
troops would be sent out to destroy us." We en¬
quired, " why do you not represent these things to
our government ?—the President is a wise and a
good ruler, who would protect you." " Our great
father is too far oflT, he cannot hear our voice."
" But you could have letters written and sent to
him." " So we could," was his reply, " but the
white men would write letters, and say that we
told lies. Our great father would not believe an
Indian, in preference to his own children."* Black
Hawk in reference to this interview, says, "Nei¬
ther of them could do any thing for us; but both
* History of the North American Indians, by Jamea Hall, Esq.
I 2
102
LIFIC or BOACK HAWK.
evidently appeared very sorry. It would give me
great pleasure at all times, to take these two chiels
by the hand."
Under the seventh article of the treaty made at
St. Louis in 1804, it is provided tha', « as long as the
lands which are now ceded to the United States re¬
main their property, the Indians, belonging to the
Raid tribes, shall enjoy the privJege of living and
hunting upon them." It was not lUitil the year,
1829, that any part of the lands upon Rock river,
were brought into market by the United States. It
follows as a matter of course, that all the white
settlers upon them prior to this period, were tres¬
passers, being there in violation of the laws of Con¬
gress, and the provisions of the treaty. Although
the frontier settlements of Illinois, had not approach¬
ed within fifty or sixty miles of Rock river, and the
lands for a still greater distance around it, had not
been offered for sale, yet in this year, government
was induced to make sale of a few quarter sections,
at the mouth 6f Rock river, including the Sac vil¬
lage. The reason for this uncalled for measure, ia
obvious—to evade the provisions of the foregoing
treaty of cession, and create a pretext for the im¬
mediate removal of the Indians to the west side of
the Mississippi.
In the spring of 1830, when Black Hawk and his
band returned from their annual hunt, to occupy
their lodges, and prepare as usual for raising their
crop of vegetables, they found, that the land in and
around their village, had been brought into market
and that their old friend, the trader at Rock Island
MIX OF RLACK HAWK.
10»
had purchased a considerable part of it, liiuck
llawk, greatly disturbed at this new condition of
things, appealed to the agent at that place, who in¬
formed him, that the lands having been sold by
government to individuals, he and his party had no
longer any rig-/ii to remain upon them. Black
Hawk was still unwilling to assent to a removal,
and in the course of the summer, he visited Maiden
to consult his British father on the subject, and re¬
turned by Detroit to see the great American chief.
Governor Cass, residing there, Both of these per¬
sons told him that if the Indians had not sold their
bnds and would remain quietly upon them, they
would not be disturbed. Black Hawk, acting upon
the assumption that the land on which their village
stood, never had been legally sold to the United
•States, retiu-ned home determined to keep possession
of it. It was late in the fall when he arrived: his
people had gone to their hunting grounds for the
winter and he followed them. They made an un¬
successful himt and the season passed off in gloom.
Keokuk again exerted his influence to induce them to
desert Black Hawk and remove to the loway. Such,
however, wms their attachment to their favorite vil¬
lage, that the whole band returned to it in the spring
of 1J3Z. The agent at Rock island forthwith notified
them that if they did not remove from the land,
troopt.: would be sent by the United States to drivo
them (.ff- Black Hawk says, he had a conference,
about this time, with the trader at Rock Island,
who enquired of him, if some terms could not be
made, upon which he and his party would agr,« vr-
104
UFE OF BLECK KEWK.
remove to the west side of the Mississippi. To this
he replied, that if his great father would do justice
to them and make the proposition, they would re.
move. He was asked by the trader, " if the grea;
chief at St. Louis would give six thousand dollars,
to purchase provisions and other articles," if he
would give up peaceably and remove. To this he
agreed. The trader accordingly sent a message to
the agent at St. Louis, that Black Hawk, and his
whole band, could be removed for the sum of six
thousand dollars, but the answer was, that nothing
would be given, and fhat if they did not remove
immediately, an armed force would be sent to
compel them.
The squaws had now planted their com, and it
was beginning to grow, when the whites again
commenced ploughing it up. Black Hawk at last
determined to put a stop to these aggressions upon
his people, and accordingly gave notice to those who
Were perpetrating them, that they must remove,
forthwith, from his village. In the mean time, after
the return of the Indians, which took place in April,
eight of the white settlers united in a memorial to the
Executive of the state of Illinois, in which they set
forth that the Sac Indians of Rock river had "threat,
ened to kill them; that they had acted in a most out-
rageons manner; threw down their fences, turned
horses into their com-fields, stole their potatoes, say¬
ing the land was theirs and that they had not sold
it,—although said deponents had purchased the land
of the United States' government: levehed deadly
weapons at the citizens, and on some occasions hur«.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
105
said citizens for attempting to prevent the destruc¬
tion of their property," &c. &c. The memorial con¬
cludes with the still more startling outrage, that the
said Indians went " to a house, rolled out a barrel
of whiskey and destroyed it." One of these eight
afflicted memorialists, swore the other seven to the
truth of their statements, and with an earnest prayer
for immediate relief, it was placed before his Ex¬
cellency, olí the 19th of May.
This long catalogue of outrages, backed by other
memorials, and divers rumors of border depreda¬
tions, committed by " General Black Hawk" and his
« British Band," called into immediate action the
patriotism and offlcial power of the Governor. Un¬
der date of Bellville, May 26,1831, he writes to the
superintendent of Indian affairs. General, William
Clark, at St. Louis, that in order to protect the citi¬
zens of Illinois, which he considered in a state of
«actual invasion," he had called out seven hundred
militia to remove a band of Sac Indians, then re¬
siding at Rock river, and he pledges himself to the
superintendent, that in fifteen days he will have a
force in the field, sufflcient to « remove them dead
or alive, over to the west side of the Mississippi."
But to save all this disagreeable business, his Ex¬
cellency suggests to General Clark that perhaps a
request from him to these Indians, to remove to the
west side of the ri\rer, would effect the object of
procuring peace to the citizens of the state. The
letter concludes with the magnanimous declaration
that there is no disposition on the part of the people
100
LIFE OF BLACK HAWKv
of the state of Illinois to injure these unfortuiiatei
deluded savages, « if they will let us alone."
General Clark, under date of St. Louis, 28 May,
183tí acknowledges the receipt of the above letter,
and says, that he had already made every eftort in
his power, to get all the IndiaBS who had ceded
their lands to remove.
On the same day, 28th May, 1831, Governor
Reynolds writes to General Gaines, then at St.
Louis, that he had received information that Black
Hawk and his band had invaded the state of Illi¬
nois; and that he had called out seven hundred
troops to meet them. General Gaines, on the 29th
of May, replies to his Excellency that he had or¬
dered six companies of United States troops from
Jefferson Barracks to Rock Island, and that they
would be joined by four other companies from
Prairie des Chiens, making in all ten companies; a
force which he deemed sufficient to repel the in
vasion and give security to the frontier : That if the
residue of the Sacs and Foxes, or other tribes
should unite with the band of Black Hawk, he
would call on bis Excellency for some militia, but
<!id not then deem it necessary.
On the 30th of May, the troops, accompanied by
General Gaines, left Jefferson barracks, in a steam
boat, for Fort Armstrong; and upon the 7th of
June, the commanding general held a council on
Rock island, at which Black Hawk and some of
his braves were present. Keokuk, Wa-pel-lo and
other chiefs from the west side of the Mississippi
were also in attendance. When the council was
LIVE OF RLACK HAWK.
1Ü7
opened, General Gaines rose and stated that the
Pi'esident was displeased with the refusal of the
Sacs of Rock river, to go to the right bank of the
Mississippi, that their great father wanted only that
wliich was reasonable and right, and insisted that
they should remove. Black Hawk replied, in sub«
stance, that the Sacs had never sold their lands and
were determined to hold on to their village. Gen
eral Gaineíinquired, " who is Black Hawk ? Is he
a chief ? By what right does he appear in council ?'■'
No reply was made; Black Hawk arose, gather
ed his blanket around him, and stalked out of the
councU room. On the following morning he was
again in his seat, and when the council was opened,
he arose and said, « My father, you inquired yes¬
terday, "who is Black Hawk? why does he sit
among the chiefs ?" I will tell you who I am,
I am a Sac, my father was a Sac—I am a warrior
and so was my father. Ask those young men, who
have followed me to battle, and they will tell you
who Black Hawk is—^provoke our people to war,
and you will learn who Black Hawk is." He then
sat down, and nothing more was said on the sub¬
ject. The result of this conference was, that Black
Hawk refused to leave his village, and that General
Gaines informed him and his party, if they were
not on the West side of the Mississippi within a few
days, he should be compelled to remove them by
force. The General anxious, if possible, to effect
the object without bloodshed, deemed it expedient
to increase his forces, that the Indians might be in¬
timidated, and thus induced to submit; or, in case
108
LIFE or BLACK HAWK.
of a resort to hostile measures, that he might tie
fully prepared to act with efficiency. He according¬
ly called upon the Governor of Illinois for some
militia, to co-operate with the United States' troops
under his command. On the 25th of June, Gover¬
nor Reynolds, and General Joseph Duncan with
1600 mounted militiamen, principally volimtecrs,
reached Rock river. On the morning of the 26th,
General Gaines with his combined forces, took pos¬
session of the Sac village without firing a gun or
finding an Indian; the whole party, with their
wives and children, having crossed over the Missis¬
sippi the previous night. On the following day
they were found on the west bank of that stream,
encamped under the protection of a wliite flag.
On the 30th of Jnne, General Gaines and Gover¬
nor Reynolds signed a treaty of capitulation anu
peace, with Black Hawk, Pa-she-pa-how, Wee-
sheat, Kah-ke-ka-mah, and other chiefs and head
men of the British band of Sac Indians, and their
old allies of the Winnebago, Pottawatamie and
Kickapoo nations. The preamble to this treaty is
worthy of preservation. It is in these words.
0 « Whereas, the British Band of Sac Indians,
have in violation of the several treaties, entered
into between the United States and the Sac and
Fox nations, in the year 1804, 1816 and 1825, con¬
tinued to remain upon and to cultivate the lands
on Rock river, ceded to the United States by said
treaties, after the said lands had been sold by the
United States, to individual citizens of Illinois and
other states: and whereas the said British Band (/
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
lO'J
Sac Indians, in order to sustain their pretensions to
continue upon said Rock river lands, have assiun..
ed the attitude of actual hostility towards the Uni
ted States, and have had the audacity to drive citi¬
zens of the state of Illinois from their homes, des-
troy their corn, and invite many of their old friends
of the Pottawatamies, Winnebagoes, and Kicka-
poos, to unite with them the said British band of
Sacs, in wár, to prevent their removal from said
lands: and whereas many of the most disorderly
of these several tribes of Indians, did actually join
the said British band of Sac Indians prepared for
war against the United States, and more particular¬
ly against the state of Illinois; from which purpose
they confess nothing could have restrained them,
but the apprehension of force far exceeding the
combined strength of the said British Band of Sac
Indians, with such of their aforesaid allies, as had
actually joined them; but being now convinced
that such a war would tend speedily to annihilate
them, they have voluntarily abandoned their hos¬
tile attitude and sued for peace." Therefore, &c.
The first article stipulates that peace is granted
by the United States to the British Band of Sac In¬
dians—^the second that they are required to submit
to the chiefs of the Sac and Fox nations, who reside
on the west side of the Mississippi—the third that
the United States guaranty to them the integrity
of their lands west of that river under the treaties
of 1S25 and 1830—^the fourth that the said British
Band shall not trade with any nation but the Uni¬
ted States—^that the United States have a right to
K
110
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
establish military posts and roads within their
country—^the sixth that the chiefs and head men of
tlie Sac and Fox nations shall enforce the provis
ions of this treaty—and finally that permanent
peace and friendship be established between the
United States and the said British Band of Sac In.
dians, and that the latter are not to return to the
east side of the Mississippi without the permission
of the former.
The commanding General, under date of sixth of
July, 1831, informs the war department, that, " The
moimted volunteers, the regulars, two pieces of ar.
tillery, and some musquetry and riflemen, induced
the Indians to abandon the village before our arriv¬
al, without firing a gun. Deserted by their allies,
this disorderly band was left alone to seek security
m a speedy flight to the right bank of the Mississip¬
pi, where they were found the next day, under the
protection of a white flag." Governor Reynolds
in his official despatch to the same department, un¬
der date of Belleville. 111. 7th July 1831- says:
« The Indians with some exceptions, from Can¬
ada to Mexico, along the northern frontier of tho
JUnited States, are more hostile to the whites, than
at any other period since the last war; particularly
tho band of Sac Indians, usually and truly called the
« Bi'itish Band," became extremely unfriendly to
the citizens of Illinois and others. This band had
determined for some years past to remain at all
hazards, on certain lands which had been purchased
oy the United States, and afterwards some of them
sold to private individuada by the general govern
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
lU
nieiif. They also determined to drive ofi' the citi¬
zens from this disputed territory. In order to effect
this object, they committed various outrages on the
persons and property of the citizens of this state.
That this band might the more effectually resist all
force that Tvould be employed against them, they
treated with many other tribes to combine together
for the purpose of aiding this British Band to con¬
tinue in possession of the country in question."
General William Clark, the Indian agent at St.
Louis, in his official communication to the depart¬
ment, says, " The disaffected Sacs were depending
for an increase to their number from the discontent¬
ed parts of the Kickapoos, Pottawatamies and
Winnebagoes," and that they exhibited a daring
opposition, &C. &C.
From the tone and pomposity of these docu¬
ments, commencing with Governor Reynold's an¬
nunciation to General Clark, that Illinois was in a
state of " actual invasion," and ending with the let¬
ters to the war department, just cited, it might ap¬
pear, to one not familiar with the facts in the case,
that a powerful confederacy of warlike Indians, af¬
ter years of secret preparation, had made a sudden
and bold descent upon the state of Illinois, and
were about to carry war and desolation throughout
the frontiers—^to make the heavens lurid with the
conflagration of dwelling houses, and the air reson¬
ant with the wails of women and children sinking
beneath the murderous tomahawk; and, that this
banded horde of northern savages, had been suc¬
cessfully met, captured or disperseil, by the patriot-
112
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
ism, valor and overwhelming power of the com.
bined army of the United States and the militia of
Illinois ! And yet, will it be credited by posterity,
that this " actual invasion" of the state, fierce and
appalling as it has been represented, consisted
simply in this: a part of the Sac tribe of Indians,
residing within the boundaries of Illinois, at their
village on Rock river, where they were bom and
had lived all their lives, refused to give up their
corn-fields to some wliite men, who had purchased
the same, under a sale made by the government of
the United States for the purpose of a technical
evasion of one of its own treaties. In short, thus
far, it was little more than a neighborhood quarrel
between the squaws of the "British Band" of In¬
dians, and a few white settlers,—most of whom
were there in violation of the laws of the country
—about the occupancy of some corn-fields, which,
from time immemorial, had been annually cultivat¬
ed by the Indian women. Black Hawk became
excited by these outrages, as he deemed them, up.
on the rights of his people; but instead of killing
every white man in his vicinity, which he could
•have done in one night, he simply commanded
them to leave his village: and threatened in case
they did not, to remove them by force. Such is the
substance of the " actual invasion" of the state of
Illinois, by the British Band of Sac Indians.
It is alledged, however, by the defenders of this
memorable campaign, that this band of Sacs had,
in violation of the treaties of 1804, 1816 and 1825,
continued to remain upon and cultivate the land
Llt'E OF BLáCK HAWK.
113
ÔU Rock river, ceded to the United States, after it
had been sold by the United States to individ¬
ual citizens of Illinois and other states—that they
had refused positively to remove to the west
side of the Mississippi—that they had endeavored
to persuade some of the neighboring tribes to
unite with them in defending this land against
the rightfuj occupancy of the white purchasers—
that they had " threatened to kill" them—" thrown
down^their fences"—on "some occasions "hurt"
said settlers—" stole their potatoes" saying they
had not sold these lands—otherwise "acted in
a most outrageous manner," and finally, in the
words of the capitulation on the 30th June, 1831,
" assumed the attitude of actual hostility towards
the United States, and had the audacity to drive cit¬
izens of the state of Illinois, from their homes."
Admitting these allegations to be true, what may
be said in behalf of the party against which they
are made ? It may be replied, that under the treaty
of 1804, the Indians had an undoubted right to
'' live and hunt" upon the land ceded by that trea¬
ty, so long as it remained the property of the Uni¬
ted States: that as early as 1823-4 the whites had
intruded upon the land on Rock river around tlie
principal village of the Sacs and Foxes—thq Uni¬
ted States neglecting to have these intruders remov¬
ed, as by the treaty they were solemnly bound to
do: that these whites frequently beat the Indian
men, women, and children with sticks, destroyed
their corn fields, distributed whiskey among them,
cheated them out of their furs and peltries and On
114
t-IFK )f BLACK MAWK.
one occasion, when the Indians were absent on a
Imnting excursion, set fire to some thirty or forty of
their lodges, by which many of them were totally
destroyed.
These outrages were perpetrated before a single
acre of the land upon Rock river, had been sold
by the United States, and when in fact, the regular
frontier settlements of Illinois, had not approached
within fifty miles of the Sac village. Consequent¬
ly they were committed in express violation of
the most solemn treaties and of the laws of the
United States, for the protection of the Indians.
In 1829,clearly with a view, on the part of those who
brought about the measure, of-evading the force
of that article of the treaty of 1804, which permitted
the Indians to live and hunt upon these lands, so long
as they remained the property of the United States,
a few quarter sections were sold, on Rock river, in-
eluding the Sac village. New insults and outrages
were now ofiered to the Indians, and they were
again ordered to remove, not from the quarter sec¬
tions which had actually been sold, but to the
west side of the Mississippi. Against this, they re¬
monstrated and finally refused, positively, to Ire
driven away. The results of this refusal havé al¬
ready been shown in the narration which has been
made of the events following upon the « actual in
vasion " of the state of Illinois, in the spring of
1S31. But it has been said that these Indians en
deavored to form an alliance with some of the
neighboring tribes to defend their lands. There is
no doubt that Black Hawk labored to persuade
UVE Oï DtACK ÏIAWK.
Keokuk and the Sac Indians residing with him, to
return to the east side of the Mississippi and assist
in defending their village. His effort to unite with
him, in alliance against the United States, the Win-
nebagoes, Pottawotamies and Kickapooç, was pro-
bably for the same object, though the case is not
so clearly made out. Mr. Schoolcraft in his " Nar
rative " speaks of a war message having been
transtnittedf to the Torch lake Indians, by Black
Hawk, or his counsellors, in 1830, and repeated in
the two succeeding years; and adds that similar
communications were made to other tribes. The
message, continues Mr. Schoolcraft, was very equiv¬
ocal. It invited these tribes to aid the Sacs in
fighting their enemies. Whatever may have been
the object, no success attended the effort. Other
motives than that of retaining possession of these
lands, may have prompted Black Hawk to seek
this alliance. Being an ambitious, restless man, he
may have thought it expedient to do something to
keep himself in power with his people. A milita¬
ry campaign is occasionally a fortunate circum¬
stance for a politician, whether his skin be red or
white. Gitnpowder-popularity is of equal impor¬
tance to the chiefs of the Sacs and the chiefs of the
mini. An " actual invasion " of a state—tvhich,
in these modern times, is supposed to consist in
" levelling deadly weapons " at the inhabitants
thereof, and " stealing their potatoes," is quite a
wind-fall to political aspirants.
That the British Band of Sac Indians cherished
the fiieliug of active hostility towards the whites.
t 1 0 LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
that has been attributed to them, may well be
questioned. That they were provoked to a feeble
assertion of their rights by the injustice of our
government and the lawless conduct of the white
settlers among them, is unquestionably true. But it
should be recollected, that froni the period of then
treaty with the United States, in 1816, to thei<
capitulation in 1831, they had not killed one of om
people. For a number of years prior to 1831, the
Americans had constantly passed through their
country, unarmed, carrying with them large
amounts of money and of goods, for the trade at
the lead mines: and yet not one of these travellers,
sleeping in the woods and the Indian lodges, had
been molested in person or property. For several
years, the whites residing at and around the Sac
village on Rock river were trespassing upon these
Indians, for the purpose of driving them to the west
side of the Mississippi, but still the tomahawk wa.t
not raised for retaliation. If Black Hawk and his
party, had really intended to resort to arms, who
that understands the Indian character, can doubt
for a moment, that they would have struck a de¬
cisive blow, and murdered every white settler upon
Rock river, before General Gaines ascended the
Mississippi ? After our army reached Fort Arm¬
strong and General Gaines had been informed by
Black Hawk that he would not remove, he gave
orders to his braves, that if the American war chief
came to the village to force them away, not a gun
slionld be tired, nor any resistance offered; but thtU
they must remain quietly in their lodges and lot the
UFE OF BLACK HAWK.
117
war chief kill them if he chose. Under these cir¬
cumstances, it .is as difficult to believe that Black
Hawk and his band seriously intended to make
war upon the whites at that time, as it is to admit
that the United States had a right to force the In¬
dians to remove to the west side of the Mississippi,
because a few quarter sections of the land at the
mouth of Rock river, had been prematurely sold;
while millions of acres around, were still the pro¬
perty of the United States, and as such, under the
treaty of 1804, the Indians were expressly permitted
to live and himt upon them.
In the course of this narrative, frequent mention
has been made of the leading chief of the Sac na¬
tion, Avho js higlrly distinguished by his influence,
pacific character and fine talents. The relation he
sustains to Black Hawk and his band, connects
him directly with our narrative. On this account,
as well as to gratify the interest which is felt in his
history, the succeeding chapter will be occupied
with a brief sketch of the life and adventures of
Keokuk, the Watchful Fox.
#
KEOKUK,
THE WATCHFUL FOX
CHAPTER V.
Keokuk's birth—Kills a Sioux when fifteen years oid—Prevents the
abandonment of the Sac viliage—Bold manœuvre with the Sioux-
Perils his life for the safety of his people—Speech to the Meno-
minies at Prairie des Chiens—Called upon to lead his braves to join
in the Black Hawk war—Allays the excitement of bis people on this
subject—Deposed from bis post as head chief and a young man elect>
ed in his place—Re-established in power—Delivers up his nephew to
the whites to be tried for murder—Letter to the Governor of lUinoi!
—Council at Washington in 1837—Retorts upon the Sioux—His
visit to Boston—His return home—His personal appearance—And
his character as a war and peace chief.
It is no easy task to present in a satisfactory
manner, a biographical sketch of an Indian. How¬
ever eventful his life may have been, it is only a
few of the more prominent of his deeds which be¬
come known to the world; while the minor inci¬
dents, those small matters, which make np the sum
of human character, pass unobserved by his com¬
panions, or if noticed, are soon forgotten. The
subject of the present chapter, is yet in the meridian
of life, high in power, and in the enjoyment of a
distinguished reputation. Yet the materials for
estimating his character, and for tracing his pro¬
gress, step by step, from the obscurity of a private
station to the most honorable post in the. nation
over whicJi he now presides, are neither full nor
satisfactory. Rarely enough is known ■i.'" hi:n.
: 18
SKETCUE» OF KEOKUK.
119
throughout the United States, to create the desire
to know more; and it is to be regretted that the
means of gratifying this laudable curiosity, arc
not more abundant.
Keokuk is a native of the Sac nation of Indians,
and was born near or upon Rock river in the north
western part of what now constitutes the state of
IlliiiOis, abopt the year 1780. He is not a hereditary
chief, and consequently has risen to his present ele¬
vation by the force of talent and of enterprize. He
began to manifest these qualities at a very early
period of his life. While but a youth he performed
an act, which placed him, as it were by brevet, in
the ranks of manhood. In the first battle in which
he engaged, he encountered and killed a Sioux
warrior, with his spear, while on horseback; and
as the Sioux are distinguished for their horseman,
ship, this was looked upon as so great an achieve-
ment, that a public feast was made in commemora¬
tion of it, by his tribe; and the youthful Keokuk,
was forthwith admitted to all the rights and privi¬
leges of a Brave. It was further allowed, that ever
afterwards, on all public occasions, he might appear
on horseback, even if the rest of the chiefs and
braves were not mounted.
During the late war between the United States
and Great Britain, and before Keokulc was entitled
to take his seat in the councils of his nation, an ex¬
pedition was sent by our government, to destroy the
Indian village at Peoria, on the Illinois river. A
rmnor reached the Sac village, m which he resided,
that this expedition was also lo attack the Sacs,
I'iO
SKETCHES OF KEOKUK.
and the wh« e tribe was thrown into consternation
The Indians were panic stricken, and the councU
iiastily determined to abandon their village. Kco-
kuk happened to be standing near the council-
lodge when this decision was made. It was no
sooner announced than he boldly advanced to the
door and requested admission. It was granted.
He asked leave to speak, and permission was given
him. He commenced by saying he had heard with
deep regret, the decision of the council—that he
himself was wholly opposed to flight, before an en-
em3' still distant, and whose strength was entirely
tmknown. He called the attention of the council
to the importance of meeting the enemy in their
approach—of harassing their progress—cutting
them off in detail—of driving them back, or of nobly
dying in defence of their country and their homes.
" Make me your leader," he boldly exclaimed;
« let our yomig men follow me, and the pale-faces
shall be driven back to their towns. Let the old
men and the women, and all who are afraid to
meet the white man, stay here, but let your braves
go to battle." Such intrepid conduct, could not
fail to produce its effect upon a race so excitable as
th(! Indians. The warriors with one voice, declar¬
ed tliey were ready to follow Keokuk; and he was
at once chosen to lead them against the enemy.
It turned out, however, that the alarm was false,
but the eloquence of Keokuk in the council, and his
energy in preparing for the expedition, placed hira
at once in the first rank of the braves.
His military reputation, was, on anothei occa
8KETCHI» OF KEOKOK
121
sion, irrnch increased, by the skill and ])roniptness
with which he met a sudden emergency on the
battle field. With a party of his braves, Keokuk
was hunting in the country which lies between the
residence of the Sacs and that of the Sioux, betwixt
whom, for many years, a deadly hatred had ex-
sted. Very unexpectedly, a party of the latter
well mounted, came upon them. The Sacs were
also on hofteback, but their enemies being superior
horsemen and fully equipped for war, had a decid¬
ed advantage. There was no covert from behind
which the Sacs could fight, and flight was impos¬
sible. Keokuk's mode of defence was as novel as
ingenious. He instantly formed his men into a
compact circle, ordered them to dismount, and take
shelter behind their horses, by which movement
they were protected from the missiles of the Sioux,
and at the same time placed under circumstances
m which they could avail themselves of their supe¬
riority as marksmen. The Sioux, raising the war.
whoop, charged upon their entrenched foe with
great fury, but were received with a fire so de¬
structive that they were compelled to fall back.
The attack was repeated but with the same result.
The horses could not be forced upon those whose
guns were pouring forth vollies of fire and smoke,
and after several unsuccessful attempts to break the
line, the Sioux retreated with considerable loss.
At a subsequent period, during a cessation of
hostilities between these tribes, the Sacs had gone
to the prairies to hunt bufialo, leaving their village
but slightly protected by braves. During the hunt
6
122
SKETCHES er KEOKCK*.
Keokuk and his band, unexpectedly approached an
encampment of a large number of Sioux, painted
for war, and evidently on their way to attack his
village. His own braves were widely scattered
over the extensive plains, and could not be speedi¬
ly gathered together. Possessing the spirit of a
fearless and generous mind, he instantly resolved
upon the bold expedient of throwing himself be-
^ tween the impending danger and his people. Un¬
attended, he deliberately rode into the camp of his
enemy. In the midst of their lodges rose the war-
pole, and around it the Sioux were dancing, and
partaking of those fierce excitements, by means of
which the Indians usually prepare themselves for
battle. It happened that revenge upon the Sacs
constituted the burden of their songs, at the mo¬
ment of Keokuk's approach. He dashed into the
midst of them and boldly demanded to see their
chief. « I have come," said he, « to let you know
that there are traitors in your camp: they have told
me that you are preparing to attack my village: I
know they told me lies, for you could not, after
smoking the pipe of peace, be so base as to murder
my women and children in my absence. None but
cowards would be guilty of such conduct." When
the first feeling of amazement began to subside,
the Sioux crowded around him in a manner evinc¬
ing a determination to seize his person, and they
had already laid hold of his legs, when he added,
in a loud voice, « I supposed they told me lies, but
if what 1 have heard is true, then the Sacs are rea¬
dy for yon." With a sudden eflbrt, he dashed
KKOKUK LEAVING THE SIOUX ENCAMPMENT
SKETCHES OF KEOKUK.
12S
aside those who had seized him, plunged his spurs
into his gallant horse, and rode off at full speed.
Several guns were discharged at him, but fortunate¬
ly without effect: a number of the Sioux warriors
instantly sprung upon their horses and pursued
him, but in vain. Keokuk, on horseback, was in
his element; he made the woods resound with the
war-whoop, and brandishing his tomahawk in de¬
fiance of his foes, soon left them far behind, and
joined his little party of braves. His pursuers,
fearful of some stratagem, gave up the pursuit, af¬
ter having followed him for some distance, and
retired to their camp. Keokuk took immediate
steps to call in his braves and speedily returned to
protect his village. His enemies, however, finding
themselves discovered, abandoned the contempla¬
ted attack and retraced their steps to their own
country.
The eloquence of Keokuk and his sagacity in the
civil affairs of his nation, are, like his militaiy tal¬
ents, of a high order. One or two cases in whicb
these have been exhibited, are worthy of being re
torded. A few years since, some of his warriors
fell in with a party of unarmed Menominies, at
Prairie des Chiens, in sight of fort Crawford, and
murdered the whole of them. Justly incensed at
this outrage, the Menominies prepared to take up
arms against the Sacs, and prevailed upon the
Winnebagoes to join them. For the purpose of al¬
laying the rising storm, the United States' agent, at
Praine des Chiens, General Street, invited the sever¬
al parties to a council at that place for the purpose
L 2
BKETCHÏS O? KEOKUK,
of adjusting the difficulty, without a resort to anus.
They accordingly, out of respect to the agent, assem-
"bled at fort Crawford, but the Menominies refused,
sternly, to hold any conference with the Sacs on tht
subject. Keokuk told the agent not to be discour
aged, for he would adjust the difficulty with them
before they separated, in despite of their prejudi
ces and their positive refusal to treat: He only ask
ed an opportunity of meeting them face to face in
the council-lodge. The tribes were brought to¬
gether, but the Menominies persevered in their deter¬
mination to hold no conference with the Sacs. Tl'.e
négociation proceeded, and a friendly feeling was
re-established between the Winnebagoes and the
Sacs. Keokuk then rose and with much delibera
tion, began his address to the Menominies, At
first they averted their faces or listened with
looks of defiance. He had commenced his speecli
without smoking the pipe or shaking hands, which
was a breach of etiquette; and, above all, he was
the chief of a tribe that had inflicted upon them an
injury, for which blood alone could atone. Under
these discouraging circumstances, Keokuk proceed¬
ed, in his forcible, persuasive and impressive man¬
ner. Such was the touching character of his ap¬
peal, such the power of his eloquence, that the fea¬
tures of his enemies gradually relaxed; they listen¬
ed: tliey assented; and when he concluded by re-
mdrlcing, proudly, but in a conciliating tone, " I
came here to say that I am sorry for the impru¬
dence of my 3'oung men; I came to make peace; I
now ofTcr you the hand of Keokuk; who will ¡-cfuso
SKETCl^S or KXOKUK. 127
It ?'' they rose one by one and accepted the proffer¬
ed grasp.
In the late contest between the United States and
Black Hawk's band, Keokuk and a majority of the
Sacs and Poxes, took no part. Black Hawk made
several efforts to induce them to unite against
the whites, which they were strongly inclinea to
do, not only from their love of war and of plunder
but on account of the injustice with which very
many of them believed they had been treated by
the people of the United States. It required all of
Keokuk's influence and modération to prevent the
whole nation from enlisting under the Black Hawk
banner. He requested the agent of the American
Government to send to his village, on the west side
of the Mississippi, a white man who understood the
Sac language, and who might bear witness to his,
Keokuk's sincerity and faithfulness to the whites.
Such a person was sent. The excitement raised
by Black Hawk and the war in which he was
engaged, continued to increase among Keokuk's
yeople. " He stood on a mine, liable to be explo¬
ded by a single spark. He was in peril of being
slain as the friend of the whites. He remained
calm and nnawed, ruling his turbulent little state
with mildness and firmness, but at the constant risk
of his life. One day, a new emissary arrived from
Black Hawk's party. Whiskey was introduced in¬
to the camp, and Keokuk saw that the crisis was at
hand. He warned the white man who was his
guest, of the impending danger, and advised him
o conceal himself. A .scene of tumult ensued.
138
BKETCHES OF KEOKUKt
The emissary spoke of blood that had been she<!
—of their relations being driven from their hunir
ing grounds—of recent insults—of injuries long in¬
flicted by the whites—^hinted at the ready vengeance
tliat might be taken on an exposed frontier—of de¬
fenceless cabins—and of rich booty. The desired
«»fleet was produced. The braves began to dance
around the war pole, to paint and to give other evi¬
dences of a warlike character. Keokuk watched
the rising storm and appeared to minglfc in it. He
drank and listened and apparently assented to all
that was said. At length his warriors called out
to t>e led to battle, and he was asked to lead them.
He arose and spoke with that power which had
never failed him. He sympathized in their wrongs
—I heir thirst for vengeance—^he won their confl-
dence by giving utterance to the passions by which
iriey were moved, and echoing back their own
thoughts with a master spirit. He then considered
nie proposition to go to war, alluded to the power
-of the whites—the hopelessness of the contest: He
(r d them he was their chief—that it was his duty
to rule them as a father at home: to lead them to
war if they determined to go. But in the propos¬
ed war, there was no middle course: The power of
ine United States was such, that unless they con-
Í iiered that great nation, they must perish; that he
•u'ould lead them instantly against the whites on
one condition, and that was, that they should first
luit all their women and children to death, and then
resolve, that having crossed the Mississippi, they
would never return, but perish among the graves 0/
SKETCItüS OF KEOKVK.
129
their fathers rather than yield them to the white-
men. This ^»reposai, desperate as it was, presented
the true issue: it calmed the disturbed "prissions of
his people, the turmoil subsided, order was restored,
and the authority of Keokuk, became for the time
be'ng firmly re-established."*
Black Hawk and his band have always been op¬
posed to Keokuk, and since the late war, which
proved so disastrous to them, and into which they
were plunged, in opposition to his counsel, they
have looked upon him with increased aversion.
They have made repeated efforts to destroy his
influence with the remainder of the tribe, and owing
to the monotony of his pacific rule, were, on one oc¬
casion, nearly successful. A spirit of discontent
pervaded his people—they complained of the ex¬
tent of the power which he wielded—they needed
excitement, and as his measures were all of a
peaceful character, they sought it in a change of
mlers. The matter was at length openly and for¬
mally discussed. The voice of the nation was
taken, Keokuk was removed from his post of head
man and a young chief placed in his stead. He
made not the smallest opposition to this measure of
his people, but calmly awaited the result. When
his young successor was chosen, Keokuk was the
first to salute him with the title of Father. But. the
matter did not rest here. With great courtesy, he
begged to accompany the new chief to the agent of
the United State.s, then at Rock island; and with
• Jamee Hall, Ewj.
1»0
«JCETCMK8 OF KEOEUK.
profound respect, introduced hiin as his ciiief and
ills father—urged the agent to receive him as sucli,
and solicited, as a personal &vor, that the same re*
gard that had ever been paid to him, by the whites,
might be transferred to his worthy successor. The
sequel may be readily inferred. The nation could
not remain blind to the error they had committed.
Keokuk as a private individual was still the first
man among his people. His ready and noble ac*
quiescence in their wishes, won both their sympathy
and admiration. He rose rapidly but silently to
his former elevated station, while the young chief
sunk as rapidly to his former obscurity.
Son^ time in 1832, five of the friendly Sacs be¬
longing to Keokuk's party, murdered a man by the
name of Martin, in Warren county, Illmois. One
of these, proved to be a nephew of Keokuk, but
by the orders of his imcle, he was seized and de¬
livered over to the civil authority of that state to be
tried for the murder. The other four made their
escape.^ Some time afterwards, Keokuk was called
upon to deliver up the other four Sacs, who had
been concerned in the outrage, that they also might
be brought to justice. He replied that they were
beyond his reach, but that he would call a councd
of his head-men and take measures to give satisfac¬
tion to the whites. The council was held, and
Kaokuk stated the demand of their Great Fatlier,
the President^ and that if satisfaction were not
made to him, he feared an army would be sent in¬
to their, country, and that many troubles would
overtake them Immediately four young wamors
■KETCHES or KEOKVK.
131
arose and offered to be surrendered up to the
whites, and suffer death in place of the real offen
ders, to prevent their nation from incurring the dis¬
pleasure of the President. Keokuk, supposing that
this would satisfy the demands of justice, delivered
them up as the murderers and they were imprison
ed. Upon their trial, Keokuk was present, as a
witness. In giving his testimony, he stated with
honest simplicity, that the young men then arraign
ed in court, for the murder of Martin, Were not the
guilty ones, but they had agreed to die in place of
the real murderers who could not be found. The
prisoners were, as a matter of course, set at liberty.
Some months after the close of the " Black Hawk
war," Keokuk was informed that reports were in
circulation, in the state of Illinois, that the Indians
•were dissatisfied and preparing for fresh hostilities.
He dictated a letter to the Governor upon the sub¬
ject, which was forwarded to him. It is in these
words.
"Raccoon Fork of Des Moines river, Nov. 30, 1S3Í.
" To the Great Chief of lUinois.
«Mv Fathek:
" I have been told by a trader, that several of
your village criers [editors] have been circulating
bad news, informing the whites that the Indians
are preparing for war, and that we are dissatisfied.
My Father, you were present when the tomahawk
was buried, and assisted me to place it so deep,
that it will never again bo raised against your
white children of Illinois.
« Father, very few of that misguided band
132
sketches of keokuk.
that entered Rock river last summer, remain You
have humbled them by war, and have made them
friendly by your generous conduct to them after
they were defeated.
« Myself and the greater part of the Sacs and
Foxes, have firmly held you by the hand: We fol-
Jowed your advice and did as you told us. My
Father, take pity on those of my nation that you
forgave, and never mention the disasters of last
summer I wish them to be forgotten.
« I do not permit the criers of our village or
camps to proclaim any bad news against the whites,
not even the truth. Last fall an old man, a Fox,
was hunting on an island, a short distance below
Rock river for turkeys to carry to Fort Armstrong:
he was killed by a white man. My Father, we
passed it over: we have only spoken of it in whis-
pers; our agent has not heard of it We wish to
live in friendship with the whites; if a white man
comes to our camp or village, we give him a share
of what we have to eat, a lodging if he wants it,
and put him on the trail if he has lost it.
" My Father, advise the criers of your villages to
tell the truth respecting us, and assist in strengthen
ing the chain of friendship, that your children may
treat us friendly when they meet us: and be assur¬
ed that we are friends, and have feelings as well as
they have.
" My Father, this is all I have to say at present.
" Keokuk, Chief of the Sac nation."
In the autumn of the year 1837, Keokuk and a
SKETCHES or KEOKUK.
133
party of his warriors made a visit to ^Vashington
city. Black Hawk was of the party, having been
taken along, it is supposed by the politic Keokuk,
lest in his absence, the restless spirit of the old
man should create some r^iw difficulties at home.
We are indebted to a gentleman* who happened
to be at the capital at the time of this visit, for the
following sketch of a council,'held under the direc¬
tion of the Secretary at War, Mr. Poinsett, for the
laudable purpose of reconciling the long cherished
feeling of hostility between the Sacs and Foxes,
and the Sioux,—a deputation of chiefs from this
latter nation being also at the seat of government.
The council was held in a church. The Indians
were seated on a platform erected for the purpose,
the spectators occupying the pews. The Secretary,
representing the President, was seated on the center
of the platform, facing the audience—the Sioux on
his right hand and the Sauks and Foxes on his left,
forming a semi-circle. " These hostile tribes, pre¬
sented in their appearance a remarkable contrast.
The Sioux tricked out in blue coats, epaulettes, fur
hats and various articles of finery, which had been
presented to them, and which were no v/ incongruous¬
ly worn in conjunction with portions of their own
proper costume; while the Saukies and Foxes,
with a commendable pride and good taste, wore
their national dress, without any admixture, and
were studiously painted according to their own no-
tons of propriety. But the most striking object
» Judge HalL
M
134
SKETCHES or KEOKEK.
was Keokuk, who sat at the head of his delegation,
on the extreme left, facing his mortal enemies the
Sioux, who occupied the opposite side of the stage;
having the audience upon his left side, and his own
people on his right, and beyond them the Secretary
at War. He sat grasping in his right hand the wai
banner, the symbol of his station as ruling chief.
His person was erect and his eye fixed calmly but
steadily upon the enemies of his people. On the
floor, and leaning upon the knee of the chief, sat
his son, a boy of nine or ten years old, whose fra.
gile figure and innocent countenance, afforded a
beautiful contrast with the athletic and warlike
form and the intellectual though weather-beaten
features of his father. The effect was in the highest
degree picturesque and imposing. "íhe council was
opened by smoking the pipe, which was passed
from mouth to mouth. The Secretary then briefly
addressed both parties, in a conciliating strain, urg¬
ing them, in the name of their great father, the Pre¬
sident, to abandon those sanguinary wars, by means
of which their race was becoming extinct, and to
cultivate the arts, the thrift and industry of the
white men. The Sioux spoke next. The orator,
on rising first stepped forward, and shook hands
with the Secretary, and then delivered his harangue
in his own tongue, stopping at the end of each sen¬
tence, until it was rendered into English by the in¬
terpreter, who stood by his side, and into the
Saukie language by the interpreter of that tribe.
Another and another followed, all speaking vehe-
mertly and with much aiaimony. The burthen of
SKETCHES OF KEOKCK.
(35
their harangue was, the folly of addressing pacific
language to the Sauks and Foxes, who were faith¬
less and in whom no confidence could be placed.
« My father,' said one of them, < you cannot make
these people hear any good words unless you bore
their ears with sticks.' ' We have often made peace
with them,' said another speaker, an old man, Avho
endeavored to be witty, ' but they would never ob¬
serve any treaty. I would as soon thinlr of making a
treaty with that child,' pointing to Keokuk's little
boy, ' as with a Saukie or Musquakee.' The Sioux
were evidently gratified and excited by the sarcasms
of their orators, while their opponents sat motion¬
less, their dark eyes flashing, but their features as
composed and stolid, as if they did not understand
that disparaging language that was used. We re¬
marked a decided want of gracefulness in edl these
speakers. Each of them having shaken hands with
the Secretary, who sat facing the audience, stood
immediately before and near to him, with the inter¬
preter at his elbow, both having their backs to tlie
spectators; and in this awkward position, speaking
low and rapidly—but little of what they said could
ne heard except by the persons near them. Not so
Keokuk. When it came to his turn to speak, he
rose deliberately, advanced to the Secretary, and
having saluted him, returned to his place, which
being at the foot of the stage, and on one side of it,
his face was not concealed from any of the several
parties present. His interpreter stood beside him.
The whole arrangement was judicious, and though
apparently unstudied, shewed the tact of an " "»tor
136
SKETCHES or KEOKUK.
He stood erect, in an easy, but martial posture,
- with his robe thrown over his left shoulder and
arm, leaving the right arm bare, to be used in ac¬
tion. His voice was firm, his enunciation remark¬
ably c.ear, distinct, and rapid. Those who have
had the gratification of hearing a distinguished sen¬
ator from South Carolina, now in Congress, w hose
rapidity of utterance, concentration of thought and
conciseness of language are alike peculiar to him¬
self, may form some idea of the style of Keokuk,
the latter adding, however, an attention to the
graces of attitude and action, to which the former
makes no pretension. He spoke with dignity but
great animation, and some of his retorts were ex¬
cellent. ' They tell you,' said lie, ' that our ears
must be bored with sticks, but, my Father, you
could not penetrate their thick skulls in that way—
it would require hot iron.' ' They say they would
as soon make peace with a child, as with us,—they
know better, for when they made war upon us they
found us men.' ' They tell you that peace has of¬
ten been made, and that we have broken it. How
happens it then that so many of their braves have
been slain in our countiy ? I will tell you—^thcy
invaded us; we never invaded them: none of my
braves have been killed in their land. We nave
their scalps and can tell where we took them.-
" As we have given the palm to Keokuk, at this
meeting, we must in justice to the Sioux, mention
an eloquent reply, made by one of the same party,
on a different day. The Secretary at War, met the
Sioux delegation in council to treat for the purchase
SKETCHES OF KEUKtiK.
of some of their territory. A certain sum of money
being offered them for the land, they demanded a
greater price. They were then told that the Ameri¬
cans Avere a great people, who would not traffic
with them like a trader—^that the President had
satisfied himself as to the value of the territory, and
offered them the full price. Big Thunder, a son of
lite Little,Crow, replied that the Sioux were a great
nation, and could not, like a trader, ask a price and
then take less: and, then to illustrate the equality
of dignity, between the high contracting parties, he
used a figure, which struck us as eminently beauti¬
ful—'the children of our white parent are veiy
many, they possess all the country from the rising
of the sun to noon-day:—the Sioux are very many,
the land is all theirs from the noon-day to the setting
sun.' "
After leaving Washington city, Keokuk, attend¬
ed by his wife and son, four chiefs of the united
Sac and Fox tribes, and several warriors among
whom were Black Hawk and his son, proceeded
ds far north as Boston, and attracted in all the ci¬
ties through which they passed great attention.
They were met in Boston, with distinguished
honors, being received by governor Everett on
behalf of the state, and the mayor, on behalf of
the city. The ceremony of receiving the Indians
occurred on the 30th of October, and no public
spectacle in the history of Boston, ever assem¬
bled so great a number of its citizens. Between
the hours of ten and twelve, the chieis held a
levee in' Faneuil Hall, for the visits of the la-
M «
»KETCItES or KEOKCK.
dies, exclusively, an immense concourse of whom,
thronged the old «cradle of liberty" to look up¬
on the stranger guests. At 2 o'clock, P. M. the
chiefs were escorted by the Lancers to the State
House, which was filled with ladies, the mem¬
bers of the legislature, the civil authorities, &c.
Governor Everett, first addressed the audience,
by giving them a brief account of the different
tribes represented by the Indian chiefs then present.
Then turning to the Indians, he said,
« Chiefs and warriors of the united. Sac and Fox
tribes, you are welcome to oiu: hall of council. You
have come a far way from your homes in the west
to visit your white brethren. We are glad to take
you by the hand. We have heard before of the
Sacs and Foxes—our travellers have told us the
names of their great men and chiefs. We are glad
to see them with our own eyes.
« We are called the Massachusetts. It is the name
of the red men who once lived here. In former times
the red man's wigwam, stood on these fields, and
his council fires were kindled on this spot.
« When our fathers came over the great Avaters,
they were a small band. The red man stood on
the rock by the sea side, and looked at them. He
might have pushed them into the water and drown¬
ed them; but he took hold of their hands and said,
welcome, Avhite man. Our fathers were hungry,
and the red man gave them corn and venison. Our
fathers Avere cold, and the red man spread his blan¬
ket over them and made them warm. •
' We are now groAvn great and powerful, but wt,
sRnciiEs OF KEókrK. l:î9
n-tneinber the kindness of the red mini to our fathers.
" Brothers, our faces are pale and yours are red,
hut our iiearts are alike. The Great Spirit has made
his children of different complexions, but he love»
them all.
« Brothers, you dwell between the Mississippi and
the Missouri—they are mighty streams. They have
great arm»—one stretches out to the east and the
other away west to the Rocky mountains. But they
make one river and they run together into the-sea.
" Brothers, we dwell in the east and you in the
far west, but we are one family, of many branches
but one head.
" Brothers, as you passed through the hall below,
you stopped to look at the great image of our fa¬
ther Washington. It is a cold stone and cannot
speak to you. But our great father Washington
loved his red children, and bade us love them also.
He is dead but his words have made à great prim
in our hearts, like the step of a strong buffalo on
the clay m the prairies.
" My brother, (addressing Keokuk) I perceive by
your side your young child sitting in the council
hall with you. May the Great Spirit preserve the
life of your son. May he grow up by your side
like the tender sapling by the side of the mighty
oak. May you long flourish both together, and
when the mighty oak is fallen in the forest, may the
young tree take its place, and spread out its brandi¬
es over the tribe.
" Brothers, I make you a short talk, and bid you
«■elcome once more to our council hall."
no
aKETUHES OF KEOKOE>
Keokuk rose first in reply, and shaking hands with
the Governor and Others near to him, spoke with
fine emphasis and much earnest and graceful ges
ticulation, holding his stafi", which he frequently
shifted from hand to hand.
" Keokuk and his chiefs are very much gratified
that they have had the pleasure of shaking hands
with the head man or governor of this great state,
and also Avith all the men that surrotmd him.
" You well say, brother, that the Great Spirit has
made both of us, though your color is Avhite and
mine is red; but he made your heart and mine the
same. The only difference I find is, he made you
speak one language, and I another. He made the
same sky above our heads for both. He gave us
hands to take each other by, and eyes to see each
other. I wish to take all present by the hand,—to
shake hands with all my white brethren.
" I am very happy to say,before I die, that 1 have
been in the great house where my fathers and your
lathers used to speak together as we do now. And
I hope the Great Spirit is pleased with this sight;
fevid will long continue to keep friendship between
tire white and red men. I hope that now, in this
presence, he sees us; and hears our hearts proffer
friendship to each other; and that he will aid us in
what we are now engaged in.
" My remarks are short and this is what 1 say to
you. I take my friends all by the hand, and wish
the Great Spirit to give them all a blessing."
Several other chiefs spoke, and after tlrem Jllack
flawk made, a short address. To these several
SKETCHES OF KEOKUK. Hl
speeches the governor replied collectively. Presents
were then distributed among them by the governor.
Keokuk received a splendid sword and brace of
pistols; his son, Musanwont, a handsome little ri¬
fle: The head chiefs received long swords and the
others short ones. Black Hawk was also presented
with a brace of pistols and a sword. When this
ceremony^ad ended, the Indians repaired to the
common in front of the capitol, and there, in the
presence of some thirty thousand spectators, exhib¬
ited themselves in a war dance, for about half an
hour; and from thence returned to their lodging.
Throughout the whole of his visit in Boston,
Keokuk preserved his grave and dignified manners,
winning the respect and admiration of all who had
an opportunity of coming in contact with him.
Upon his return to the west, he spent a few hours
in Cincinnati, and was visited by a great number
of persons. We had the pleasure of taking him
by the hand, and of making some inquirios in re¬
gard to his character, of those who were personally
acquainted withjiim.
In person, Keokuk, is stout, graceful and com¬
manding, with fine features and an intelligent coun¬
tenance. His broad expanded chest and muscular
limbs, denote activity and physical power; and he
is known to excel in dancing, horsemanship, and all
athletic exercises. He has acquired considerable
property, and lives in princely style. He is fond of
travelling, and makes frequent visits of state to the
Otages, the Ottaways, the Omahas and the. Winne-
h.Tgoes. On tliese occasions he is uniformly moun-
142
SKKTCHKi OF KEOKUK.
ted on a fine horse, clad in a showy robe wrought
by his six wives, equipped with his rifle, pipe, tom¬
ahawk and war-club. He is usually attended in
these excursions by forty or fifty of his young men,
well mounted and handsomely dressed. A man
precedes the party to announce his approach to the
tribe he is about to honor with a visit; and such
is his popularity, that his reception is generally in a
style corresponding with the state in which he
moves. These visits are most frequently made in
autumn, and are enlivened by hunting, feasting,
dancing, horse-racing and various athletic games,
in all of which Keokuk takes an active part. He
moves, it is supposed, in more savage magnificence,
than any other Indian chief upon the continent.
In point of intellect, integrity of character, and
the capacity for governing others, he is supposed to
have no superior among the Indians: Bold, coura¬
geous, and skilful in war—mild, firm and politic ui
peace: lie has great enterprize and active impulses,
with a freshness and enthusiasm of feeling, which
might readily lead him astray, but for his quick
perception of human character, his uncommon pru¬
dence and his calm, sound judgment. At an early
period of his life he became the chief warrior of
his tribe, and by his superior talents, eloquence,
and intelligence, really directed the civil aflairs of
his nation for many years, while they were nomi¬
nally conducted in the name of the hereditary
peace chief. Such is Keokuk, the Watchful Fox,
who prides b'nnself npo)i being the friend of the
whitcinau.
CHAPTER VI.
Murder of twenty-eight Menôminiei by the Foies of Black Hawk ■
band—^Naopope'e visit to Maiden—Black Hawk recroases the Misait»
sippi—General Atkinson orders him to return—Stillnian'a attack-
Defeated by Black Hawk—His white 6ag 6red upon—He sends out
war parties upon the frontier—Attack upon Fort Buffalo—General
Dodge's battle on the Wisconsin—Black Hawk and his band leave the
Four Lakes and fly to the Mississippi—Pursued by General Atkinson
—Black Hawk's flag of truce fired upon by the Captain of the War¬
rior—^Twenty-three Indians killed.
Black Hawk and his band were not long upon
the west side of the Mississippi, before new diffi¬
culties arose, calculated to disturb the harmony
which it was hoped the treaty of the 30th of June,
had established between them and ti;« United
States. The peñod of their removal to the west
side ot the Mississippi, was too late in the season to
enable them to plant com and beans a second time y
and before autumn was over they were without
provisions. Some of them, one night, recrossed the
river tn sieal roasting-ears from their own fields^
—to quote the language of Black Hawk,—and
were shot at by the whites, who made loud com
plaints of this depredation. They, in turn, were
highly exasperated at having been fired upon for
attempting to carry off the corn which they had
raised, and which they insisted, belonged to them.
Shortly after this, a party of Foxes, belonging, it
is believed, to Black Hawk's band, went up the
Mississippi, to Prairie des Chiens, to avenge the
minder of some of their tribe, which had been
committed in the summer of 1830, by a party of
143
144
LIFE OF ,K HAWR.
tlie Menoiniiiies and Sioux. The Foxes attacked
the camp of the Menominies and killed twenty
eight of them. The authorities at Prairie des Chiens,
made a demand of the murderers, that they might
be tried and punished under the laws of the United
States, according to the treaty of 1825. Black
Hawk, with other chiefs, took the ground that the
TJnited States had no right to make this demand,
and refused to give them up. Here then was an¬
other source of difficulty.
Neapope, a chief of the British band, and second
in command to Black Hawk, prior to the removal
of the Indians to the west side of the Mississippi^
had started on a visit to Maiden, to consult their
British Father in regard to the right to retain their
lands on Rock river. He returned late m the fall,
bringing word that in his opinion, the American-s
could not take their lands, unless by purchase;
and this purchase, it was contended by Black
HaAvk had never been made. Neapope on his
Avay from Maiden, called to see the Prophet,
who assured him that early the ensuing spring, not
only the British, but the Ottawas, Chippcwas, Pot-
tawatomies and Winnebagoes, would assist them to
regain their village and the lands around it. Black
Hawk believed, or affected to believe, this informa¬
tion, and began to make preparations to increase
the number of his braves by recruiting from differ¬
ent villages. He sent a messenger to Keokuk, and
to the Fox tribe, to inform them of the good news
he had heard, and to ask their co-operation. Keo¬
kuk had tooi much sagacity to be imposed upon by
I.IFB OF BLACK RAWK. I
tales of either British or Indian assistance, and sent
word to Black Hawk that he was deceived and had
better remain quiet. With a view of preventing
further difficulty, he is said to have made applica¬
tion to the agent at St. Louis, that the chiefs of
the Sacs and Foxes might be permitted to visit
Washington city, to see the President, and if pos
sible malje a final adjustment of the matter in dis
pute. Black Hawk alledges he was anxious to
make this visit to his Great Father, and had deter¬
mined, to submit peaceably to his counsel, whatever
it might be. But the arrangement for the visit,
from some cause, was not perfected, and Black
Hawk proceeded with his own plans. He estab¬
lished his head quarters at the point where Fort
Madison formerly stood, on the west side of the
Mississippi, and made another unsuccessful effort
to draw into his support some of the braves under
Keokuk. Having assembled his own party he be¬
gan to ascend the Mississippi—^the women and
children in canoes with their provisions, camp
equipage and property—his waniors armed and
mounted on their horses. Below Rock island, they
were met by the Prophet, who informed theni that
there was a great war chief then at Fort Arm¬
strong, with a large body of soldiers. The Prophet
stated that the agent and trader at Rock island, had
attempted to dissuade him from joining Black
Hawk, but he had refused to take their advice, be
cause so long as they remained at peace, the Amer¬
icans dare not molest them. Having reached the
mouth..of Rock fiver, itt thé early part of April
r N
146 Uf£ OF WuACK HAWK.
1832, the whole party rashly and in violation of
die treaty of the previous year, crossed to the east
side of the Mississippi, for the avowed purpose of
ascending Rock river, to the territory of their friends,
the Winnebagoes, and raising a crop of corn and
beans with them. General Atkinson with a body
of troops was then at Fort Armstrong, having been
ordered by government to that point, for the pur-,
pose of preventing a war between the Menomenies
and the Foxes, and demanding the surrender of
those Indians who had committed the murders at
Fort Crawford, After Black Hawk and his party
had proceeded some distance up Rock river, he was
overtaken by an express from General Atkinson,
with an order for him to return and recross the
Mississippi, which he refused to obey, on the
ground that the General had no right to make such
an order; the Indians bemg at peace and on theii;
way to the prophet's village, at his request^ to make
corn. Before they had reached this point, they
were overtaken by a second express from General
Atkinson, with a threat, that if they did not return,
peaceably, he would pursue and force them back.
The Indians replied that they wexe determined not
to be driven back, and equally so not to make the
ârst attack on the whites. Black Hawk now as¬
certained that the Winnebagoes, although willing
that he should raise a crop of corn with them,
would niJt join in any hostile action against the
United States. The Pottowatomies manifested the
same del nrmination, and both denied having given
the prop let any assurances of co-operation. Black
I.irE OF BLACK HAWlt.
147
Hawk immediately came to the conclusion, that, if
pursued by General Atkinson, he would peaceably
retunr with his party, and recross the ^Mississippi.
He was encamped at Kish-wa-cokee, and was pre¬
paring to Compliment some Pottowatomie chiefs,
then on a visit to him, by a dog-feast.
In the mean time the Illinois militia, ordered out by
Governoi;,Reynold3, upon his hearing of this second
"invasioit," of the state, had formed a junction with
the regular troops under General Atkinson at Rock is¬
land, the latter assuming the command of the whole.
From this point, the militia, being generally mount¬
ed, proceeded by land to Dixon's ferry on Rock river,
about half way between the mouth of that stream
and the encampment of Black Hawk. General
Atkinson with three hundred regulars and three
himdred militia tiscended Rock river in boats to the
same point. Major Stillman, having under his
command a body of two hundred and seventy-five
mounted volunteers, obtained leave of General
Whitesides, then in command of the Illinois mili¬
tia, at Dixon's ferry, to go out on a scouting expe¬
dition. He proceeded up Rock river about thirty
miles, to Sycamore Creek, which empties into that
river on the east side. Tliis movement brought
him within a few miles of the camp of Black
Hawk and a part of his braves, at the time when
the old chief was engaged in getting up a dog-feast
in honour of his Pottowatomie visiters.
It was on the 14th of IVIay, that Black Hawk,
while engaged in this ceremony, was informed that
a large number of mounted volunteers, had been
148
tIFE ®F BLACK HAWK.
seen about eight miles from his camp. " I imm«
diately started," says he, " three yourig men, with »
white flag, to meet them and conduct them to our
camp, that we might hold a council with them, and
descend Rock river again: and 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 encampment of the
whites, and were taken prisoners. The last party
had not proceeded far, before they saw about twen¬
ty men coming towards them in full gallop. They
stopped and finding that the whites were coming so
fast, in a warlike attitude, they turned and retreat¬
ed, but were pursued and overtaken and two of
them killed. The others made their escape.
When they came in with the news, I was prepar¬
ing my flags to meet the war chief. The alarm
was given. Nearly all my young men were ab¬
sent about ten miles off. I started with what I Lad
left, (about forty^ and had proceeded^ but a short
distance, before we saw a part of the army ap¬
proaching. I raised a yell, and said 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 thS whole army
coming towards us in full gallop ! We were now
confident that our first party had been killed. 1
immediately placed my men in front of some bush¬
es, that Ave might have the first fire, when they ap¬
proached close enough. They made a halt some,
distance from us. I gave another yell, and order-
BATTLE OF SYCAMORE CREEK.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK. läl
cd my brave warriors to charge ypou thetn, expec-
'ting that we would all be killed ! they did charge
—every man rushed and fired, and the enemy re¬
treated in the utmost confusion ànd consternation;
before my little but brave band of warriors. After
pni-sning the enemy for some distance, I found it
useless to follow them, as they rode so fast, and re¬
turned to my encampment with a few of my
braves, (about twenty-five having gone in pursuit
of the enemy.) I lighted my pipe, and sat down
t o thank the Great Spirk for what he had done. ' I
had not been long méditatihg, when two of the
three young men 1 had sent out krith 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 stor}',
which was as follows:
« When we arrived near to the encampment Of
the Avhitcs, A number of them rushed out to meet
us, bringing their guns with them. They took tt.s
into the camp, when an American who spoke the
Sac language a little, told us that his chief wanted
to know hoAv we were, where we were going,
where our camp was, and where Black Hawk was.
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 toll iiini, that he (Black Hawk) would
come to see him; he wished to hold a council witli
him, as he had given up all intention of going to
war. At the conclusion of this talk, a party of
white men came in on horseback. We saw by
152
LIFE or BLACK HAWK-
their couatenances that something had happened.
A general tumult arose. They looked at us with in¬
dignation—^talked among themselves for a mo¬
ment, when several cocked their guns; in a second
they fired at us in the crowd; our companion
fell dead. We rushed through the crowd and made
our escape. We remained in ambush but a short
time, before we heard yelling, like Indians rumiing
an enemy. In a little while we saw some of the
whites 111 full speed. One of 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, moimted his horse, and look my friend here
behind me. We turned to follow our braves, who
were running the enemy, and had not gone far be¬
fore we overtook a white man, whose horse had
mired in a swamp. My firiend alighted and toma¬
hawked the man, who was apparently 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 reluming. We asked them how many
of our men had been killed. They said none after
the Americans had retreated. We inquired then
liow many whites had been killed ? They replied
ihey did not know; but said we will soon ascertain,
as we must scalp them as we go back. On our re¬
turn we found ten men, besides the two we had
killed before we joined our friends. Seeing that
riiey did not y«t recognize us, it being dark, ws
LIVE OF BLACK HAWK.
153
again asked, how m^ny 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 and the whites,
two had jieen killed. We were now certain that
they did not recognize us, nor did we tell them
who we were, until we arrived at our camp. The
news of our death had reached it some time be¬
fore, and all were surprised to see us again."*
Such is the narrative of this defeat, as given by
Black Hawk, and two of his men who were the
bearers of his white flag and a proposition to sur¬
render. The accounts given by Major Stillman's
troops—for it is not ascertained that the commander
published any official statement of the battle—is in
substance about the following. The force under
JVIajor Stillman, two hundred and seventy-five in
number, on the afternoon of the fourteenth of May,
met three Indians bearing a white flag, one of
whom, after having been taken prisoner, was shot
down. The army encamped just before sun-set,
in a piece of woods, surrounded by an open prairie,
about three miles from Sycamore creek. Soon after
they had halted, five more Indians, with apparent
pacific intentions, were seen approaching the camp.
Captain Eades, with a party of armed troops, dash¬
ed at full speed towards them, when they became
* PartatBOn'i Life ef Blaek Hawk, dictated bv biniMlL
7*
154
LIFE or BLACK IIAWK.
alarhied and commenced a retreat. The Captain,
after following them for some distance, and killing
two of the party, gave up the pursuit, and was on
his return to the camp, when he was met by the
whole detachment. The pursuit of the retreating
Indians was immediately renewed, and continued
until both parties had crossed Sycamore creek.
This brought them upon the camp of Black Hawk,
who having been apprized of the approach of the
whites, had mounted his men and prepared for ac¬
tion. The Indians were concealed behind some
bushes, and after having fired their guns, raised the
war-whoop and resorted to the tomahawk. Their
fire was returned, with but little effect, and then
Major Stillman, instantly ordered a retreat across
the creek, and the route became general. His troops
tied through their camp, and did not stop imtil they
reached Dixon's ferry, distant thirty miles. Some
of them deemed it prudent to seek a place of still
greater safety, than the flag of General Atkinson,
and continued their flight for more than fifty miles,
and until they reached their own fire-sides. The
rojl was called at Dixon's ferry next morning, and
fifty-two were found missing. It was, however,
subsequently ascertained that more than half of this
number were among those who rode express to the
« settlements" to carry the news of their gallant
attack upon General Black Hawk and his British
band. Such was the panic among the troops en-
gTged in this skirmish, that they reported the In¬
dian force at 1500 and even 2000 men! Black
Hawk's statement has already bees given, in which
LIFB or BLACK HAW*.
155
fic plací s his number at forty; and one of the vol¬
unteers whose horse was lame, and who hid him¬
self, and watched the Indians as they passed him in
the pursuit and on their retiurn, did not estimate
Ihem at more than a hundred. It is probable the
teal number of the Indians did not exceed fifty. It
IS painful to contemplate this whole affair, for it is
alike discreditable to the national faith and the na
tional arms. The violation of a flag of truce, and
the wanton destruction of the lives of some of those
who bore it, not only placed an indelible stigma
upon the character of the country, but led to a war,
in the prosecution of which, much blood and much
treasure were expended. Had a conference with
Black Hawk been held, scarcely a doubt remains,
considering his failure to secure the co-operation of
other tiibes, and his utter destitution of provisions,
that he and his band would have returned, peace¬
ably, to the west side of the Mississippi. The pre¬
cipitate flight of the troops under Major Stiilman,
has no justification. Supposing the panic to have
been such as to render a retreat across Sycamore
creek, necessary, it should have terminated when
the troops reached their encampment; which, be¬
ing in a copse of woods, surrounded by a prairie,
they would have been protected by trees, while the
Indians, if they continued the attack, must have
fought in the open plain. But no effort was made
to rally at the encampment, and all the baggage of
our troops—^blankets, saddle-bags, camp equ page
and provisions,—fell into the hands of the Im ians.
Black Hawk finding that there was now no ;Iter-
156
hlTH OF BLACK HAMTK
native, determined to fight. Indignant at the at
tack upon his flag of peace—encouraged by his
signal success in putting to flight, a force vastly
superior in numbers to his own—and strengthened
by the booty—especially the provisions—^lie had
taken, he assembled his braves and prepared for
an active border war. He immediately sent out
spies to watch the movements of General Atkinson,
and prepared to remove his women and children,
from the seat of war to the head waters of Rock
river, where he supposed they would be safe from
the attacks of the v/hites. In passing to this point,
by the sources of the Kish-wa-co-kee, he was met
by some Winnebagoes, who had heard of his vie-
tory, and were now disposed to join hhn. Somo
additional war parties were sent out, the new re¬
cruits from the Winnebagoes, constituting one of
them. This arrangement completed, Black Hawk
proceeded with the women and children to the
Four Lakes, in which Catfish, one of the tributaries
to Rock river, has its origin.
Stillman's defeat spread consternation throughout
^e state of Illinois. The Indian forces were gi'eat-
iy magnified in number, and Black Hawk's name
carried with it associations of uncommon military
talent, and of savage cunning and cruelty. General
Atkinson proceeded to fortify his camp, at Dixon's
ferry, and the Executive of the state made a call
for more mounted volunteers. The Secretary at
War sent about 1000 United States' troops from
the sea-board to the scene of action; and General
Wiiifield Scott was ordered to proceed to the north
LtFB or black hawk. i5î
wost, and direct the future operations of the cam¬
paign. A bloody border contest ensued. Many
frontier families were massacred with savage fero¬
city, and some were carried into captivity. A party
of Pottowattomies, thirty in number, fell upon a
little settlement on Indian creek, one of the tribu¬
taries of Fox river, and murdered fifteen men, wo¬
men and children, taking two prisoners, the Misses
Hall; who were subsequently placed in charge of
some Winnebagoes, and by them returned in safety,
a few weeks afterwards, to their friends. At Kel-
log's grove, not far from Galena, in the early part
of June, a party of Indians stole some horses.
Captain J. W. Stephenson pursued them with
twelve men. A skirmish ensued, which resulted
in the death of three of our troops and five or six
of the enemy. On the evening of the 14th of June,
a party of eleven Sacs, killed five white men at
Spafford's farm. General Dodge with twenty-nine
men, followed and overtook them in a swamp,
where the whole were shot down and scalped, they
having first killed three of Dodge's men. The bar¬
barous practice of scalping the dead, was in this
case adopted by our troops and sanctioned by their
officers.*
On the 24th of June, the Indians made an attacli
upon the fort at Buffalo grove, twelve miles north
of Dixon's ferry. It was defended by a hundred
and fifty men, under the command of Captain
Dement, some of whom, with about forty horses,
• 8m Adiotant W. W. Woodhriilsje'« alatement
O
158
Lire OF BLACK &A4VK<
were killed- The commander did not deem it
prudent to march out and encounter the Indians,
who finding that they could not take tiie fort, se,
cured a quantity of provisions, some horses and
cattle, and commenced a retreat. They had not
proceeded far, before they were overtaken by a de«
tachrnent of volunteers under Colonel Posey, who
had come to relieve the fort. Black Hawk, who
commanded the Indians in this aflair, says, « We
concealed ourselves until they came near enough,
and then commenced yelling and firing aud made a
rush upon them. About this time their chief, with
a party of men, rushed up to the rescue of those, we
nad 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 braves, but were forced to give way
when I rushed upon them with my braves. In a
short time, the chief returned with a larger party.
He seemed determined to fight and anxious fo.
battle. When he came near enough, 1 raised the
yell, and firing commenced from both sides. The
(jhief, who is a small man, addressed his warriors
in a loud voice; but they soon retreated, leaving
him and a ievv 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. The chief and his 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 eourage,
LIFE OF BUkCK KAWV.
159
but fortunately for us, Iiis army was uot all com
posed of such brave meij." ^
The Indians had about tAvo hundred men in this
engagement. The ti'oops in the fort united with
those under Colonel Posey, exceeded, in number
Black Hawk's party. The loss of life was incon¬
siderable on either side.
On the 4th of July, the main army under Gen
eral Atkinson, arrived at the foot of lake Cosh-
conong, formed by an expansion of Rock river,
in the vicinity of which the Indians had been
embodied. On the 9th of July, General Atkinson
says, in a letter to General Scott, that he had not
yet been enabled to find the Indians, who he sup¬
poses to be seven or eight hundred strong, his own
force amounting to four hundred regulars and 2100
mounted volunteers.
Two brigades of the moimted volunteers, under
General Dodge, pursued the Indians from this place
towards Fort Winnebago. They were overtaken
on the 21st of July, about sun down, on the banks oí
the Wisconsin. An attack was immediately made,
and about forty of the Indians are supposed to
have been killed. General Dodge lost one man
and had eight wounded. The exact loss of the
Indians in this engagement cannot be ascertained
One account places the number at sixteen.* Black
Hawk says he had but fifty Avarriors with him in
the engagement, the rest being engaged in assisting
the women and children in crossing the Wisconsin
• « Xhc Book of tfao InJiBos of Nortb Amone«," p. 127.
# J
urn or black hawk.
to an island, to protect them from the fury of tne
whites: That he was compelled to fall back into a
deep ravine where he continued to maintain his
ground until dark, and imtil his people had had
time to reach the isTand, and that he lost but six of
his men. This is imdoubtedly a mistake, owing in
all probability to the interpreter in taking down his
statement; for some of his men, subsequently, pla¬
ced the number at sixty. The condition of the In
dians at this time was most deplorable. Before
breaking up their encampment, upon the Four Lakes,
they were almost destitute of provisions. In pur¬
suing their trail from this point to the Wisconsin,
many were found literally starved to death. They
were compelled to live upon roots, the bark of trees
and horse flesh. A party of Black Hawk's band,
including many women and children, now attemp¬
ted to descend the Wisconsin upon rafts and in ca¬
noes, that they might escape, by recrossing the
Mississippi. They were attacked however, in their
descent, by troops stationed on the bank of the riv¬
er, and some were killed, others drowned, a few ta¬
ken prisoners, and the remainder, escaping to the
äsvoods, perished from hunger. Black Hawk, and
such of his party as had not the means of descend¬
ing the Wisconsin, having abandoned all idea of
any farther resistance, and unwilling to trust them¬
selves to a capitulation, now determined to strike
across the conntrj'^, and reach the Mississippi, some
distance above the mouth of the former stream, and
thus effect their escape. They struck it at a point
opposite the loway^ and abc ut forty miles above the
LIFK UV* BLACK HAWK.
183
Wiscuusiii, losing on their route, many of their peo¬
ple from starvation. So soon as they reached the
Mississippi, a part of the women and children, in
such canoes as they could procure, undertook to de¬
scend it, to Prairie des Chiens, but many of them
were drowned before they reached that place, and
those who did arrive at it, were found to be in a
starving condition. On the first of August, while in
the act of «tossing the Mississippi, an attack was
made upon Black Hawk and his party by the steam
boat Warrior, with an aimed force on board. The
commander of the boat, under date of Prairie des
Chiens, 3d August 1832, gives the following ac
count of it.
« I arrived at this place on monday last, (July
30th) and was despatched with the Warrior alone,
to Wapeshaws village, one hundred and twenty
miles above, to inform them of the approach of the
Sacs, and to order down all the friendly Indians to
this place. On our way down we met one of the
Sioux band, who informed us that the Indians, our
enemies, were on Bad-axe river, to the number of
four hundred. We stopped and cut some wood
and prepared for action. About four o'clock on
Wednesday afternoon (August 1st) we found the
gentlemen [Indians] where he stated he left them.
As we neared them, they raised a white flag, and
endeavored to decoy usj but we were a little too
old for them ; for instead of landing, we ordered
(hem to send a boat on board, which they declined.
After about fifteen minutes delay, giving them time
to remove a few of their women and children, we
loi
LITE or BLACK HAWK.
let slip a six-pounder, loaded with caa ster, i'olJow
ed by a severe fire of musketry; and if ever yon
saw straight blankets, you would have seen them
there. 1 fought them at anchor most of the
.ime and we were all mry much opposed. 1
have a ball which came in close by where 1
was standing, and passed through the bulkhead
of the wheel room. We "ought them for about
an hour or more until our w ood began to fail, and
night coining on, we left and went on to the
prairie. This little fight cost them twenty-three
killed, and of course a great many wounded. We
never lost a man, and had but one man wounded,
(shot through the leg.) The next morning before
we could get back again. on account of a heavy
fog, they had the whole [of General Atkinson's] ar
my upon them. We found them at it, walked in,
and took a hand ourselves. Tlie first shot from the
Warrior laid out three. I can hardly tell you any
thing about it, for I am in great haste, as I am now
on my way to the field again. The army lost eight
or nine killed, and seventeen woimded, whom we
brought down. One died on deck last night. We
brought down thirty-six prisoners, women and chil¬
dren. I tell you what, Sam, there is no fun in fight¬
ing Indians, particularly at this season, when the
grass is so veiy bright. Every man, and even my
cabin-boy, fought well. We had sixteen regulars,
five rifle men, and twenty of ourselves. Mr. How,
of Piatt, Mr. James G. Soulaid, and one of the Ro-
lettcs, were with us and fought well."
The flippant and vaunting style of this letter's m
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
Ifl.i
good keeping with the spirit which prompted tne
firing upon a flag of truce. By what circumstance
tire commaaler of the Warrior ascertained that this
Avhite flag was intended as a decoy, is left wholly
unexplained. As he and his men, were beyond
the reach of the Indians, humanity and the rules of
war,"required that he should have allowed himself
more i\\a.nßfteen minutes, to ascertain the true oh
ject of thePlndians, in raising the symbol of a capit¬
ulation. Black Hawk himself, asserts that he di¬
rected his braves not to fire upon the Warrior, as he
intended going on board in order to save the wo¬
men and children; that he raised a white flag and
called to the captain of the boat, desiring him to
send his canoe on shore, that he might go on board,
as he wanted to give himself up. The deplorable
condition to which Black Hawk was at this, time
reduced, flying for safety to the west side of the
Mississippi, encumbered by his women and chil¬
dren, and his whole party exhausted by fatigue
and hunger, renders it extremely difficult to believe
that any decoy was intended by him. Indeed, no-
thuig can be more certain, than that he was most
heartily desirous of ending the disastrous and fa¬
tal contest in which he had become involved, with¬
out the slaughter of any more of his people. If
the thirst for blood had been less rapacious on the
part of the Americans, or their respect for a flag of
truce something greater, the further destruction
of life would have been spared; and the nation pre-
si.Tved from the charge of having fired upon a flag,
held sacred throughout the world.
CHAPTER VIL
Ceneral Atkintoo overtakes Black Hawk—Battle o( the Bad Axe-
Atkinson's official report—Incidents of the Battle—Capture of
Black Hawk and the prophet—Naopope's statement to General Scot
—General Scott and Governor Reynolds conclude a treaty with the
Sacs, Foxes and Winnebagoee—Causes which led to the war—Mo¬
tives for getting np Indian wars—First attack made by the Illinois
militia—Report of the Secretary at War in re^rd to this campaign
—General Macomb's letter to General Atkinson—Secretary Cass'
statement of the causes which led to this war—Comments upon this
statement, and its omissions pointed out.
After the battle upon the Wisconsin, the whole
amy, under the command of General Atkinson,
crossed to the north side of that river, at Helena,
and on the twenty-ninth of July, commenced the
pursuit of the Indians, by forced marches, over a
rugged and mountainous country. On the morning
of the second of August, while ten miles from the
Mississippi, it was ascertained that the enemy were
upon the bank of that stream, near the Bad-axe,
and in the act of crossing to the west side. Arx'ange-
ments were immediately made for an attack. Gen.
Dodge's squadron was placed in front, followed by
the infantry, and these by the brigades of Henry,
Alexander, and Posey. The army had proceeded
in this order about f ve miles, when some Indians
were discovered and fired upon. They immediate
ly retreated to the main body, on the bank of the
river. To prevent the possibility of the liscape of
the enemy, Generals Alexander and Posey, were
directed In form the right wing of the army, and
inarch to the river, above the Iiidiun encampment,
16t>
LUE OF BLACK HAWK.
167
and then to move down along the bank. General
Henry formed the left wing, and the United States'
infantry and General Dodge's squadron, occupied
the centre. In this order, the army descended a
bluff bank into a river bottom, heavily timbered,
and covered with weeds and brush-wood. General
Heniy first came upon a portion of the enemy, and
commenced a heavy fire upon them, which was re¬
turned. General Dodge's squadron and the United
States' troops, soon came into the action, and with
General Henry's men, rushed upon the Indians,
killing all in the way, except a few who succeeded
in swimming a slough of the IMississippi, about a
hundred and fifty yards wide. During this time
the brigades of Alexander and Posey, in marching
down the bank of the river, fell in with another
party of Indians, and killed or routed the whole oí
them. When the Indians were driven to the brink
of the river, a large number of men, women and
children, plunged into the water to save themselves
by swimming; but only a few escaped «our sharp¬
shooters." The battle lasted about three hours.
In the afternoon, of the same day, Generals Atkin¬
son, Dodge and Posey, descended the Mississippi,
to Prairie des Chiens, in the Warrior, and there
awaited the arrival of the mounted volunteers, who
reached that place on the fourth. Among the In
dians who escaped the slaughter was Black Hawk
Twelve of those who effected their escape, were
captured on the fourth, by a party of whites, from
Cassville, under the command of Captain Price,
and most of those who sp.cceeded in reaching tlie
MÍE OE r.I.Arii MAWK.
west side of the jMississip])!, \rei'ö subsei|ueutly at-
tacked by a party of liostile Sioux, and either kill¬
ed or taken prisoners. The brief, but official ac¬
count of this battle is given by the commanding
general, in these words.
Head Quarters, First Artillery Corps, North-western Army
Prairie des Chiens, Augt 25, 1832.
Sik: i have the honor to report to you that 1
crossed the Ouisconsin on the 27th and 28th ultimo,
with a select body of troops, consisting of the regu¬
lars under Col. Taylor, four hundred in number,
part of Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's brigades,
amounting in all to 1300 men, and immediately fell
upon the trail of the enemy, and pursued it by a
forced march, through a mountainous and difficult
country, till 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
loway, which Ave attacked, defeated and dispersed,
with a loss on his part of about a hundred and fifty
men killed, thirty-nine women and children taken
prisoners—the precise number could not be ascer¬
tained, as the greater portion was slain after being
fomed into the river. Our loss in killed and
Avounded, Avhich is stated below, is very small in
comparison with the enemy, which may be attribut¬
ed to the enemy's being forced from his positions
by a rapid charge at the commencement, and
throughotit the engagement—the remnant of the
enemy, cut up and disheartened, crossed to the
«pposite side of the river, and has fled into the in-
life of black HAXTKi
109
tenor, with a view, it is supposed, of joining Keo-.
kuk and Wapello's bands of Sacs and Foxes.
The horses of the volunteer troops being exhaust¬
ed by long marches, and the regular troops without
shoes, it was not thought advisable to continue the
pursuit; indeed a stop to the further eifusion of
blood seemed to be called for, till it might be ascer
iained if the enemy would surrender.
^It is ascertained from our prisoners, that the en¬
emy lost in the battle of the Ouisconsin sixty-eight
tilled 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 Lieut. Street, Indian
agent, thirty-two women and children and four
men have been captured, and some fifteen men
killed by the detachment under Lieut. Ritner.
The day after the battle on this river, I fell down
with the regular troops to this place by water, and
the mounted men will join us to-day. It is now
my purpose to direct Keokuk, to demand a sur¬
render of the remaining principal men of the hostile
party, which, from the large number of women and
children we hold prisoners, I have every reason to
believetfwill be complied with. Should it not, they
should be pursued and subdued, a step Maj. Gen
Scott will take upon his arrival.
I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct
ot the regular and volunteer forces engaged^ in th«
8 p
no
LIFE OF BLACK llAVTK.
last battle and the fatiguing march that preceded
It, as soon as the reports of officers of the brigades
and corps are handed in, they shall be submitted
with further remarks.
5 killed, 2 wounded, 6th inft.
2 do. 5th inft.
I captain, 5 privates Dodge's Bat. mounted.
1 Lieut. 6 privates Henry's
1 private wounded, Alexander's
1 private, Posey's.
I have the honor to be with great respect,
Yr. obt. servant, H. Atkinson,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A.
Maj. Gen. Macomb, Com. in Chief, W ashington.
The destruction of life in the battle of the Bad-
axe, was not confined to the Indian warriors. Lit¬
tle discrimination seems to have been made between
the slaughter of those in arms and the rest of the
tribe. After they had sought refuge in the waters
of the Mississippi, and the women, with their chil¬
dren on their backs, were buffeting the waves, in an
attempt to swim to the opposite shore, numbers of
«them were shot by our troops. Many painful pic¬
tures might be recorded of the adventures and hor¬
rors of that day. One or two cases may be cited.
A Sac women, named Na-ni-sa, the sister of a
warrior of some note among the Indians, found
herself in the hottest of the fight. She succeeded
at length in reaching the river, and keeping her
infant child, close in its blanket, by force of her
teeth, plunged into tHe water, seized hold uoon
LITE OF EI-ACK HAWK,
171
the tail of a horse, -whose rider -was swimming him
to the opposite shore, and was carried safely across
the Mississippi. When our troops charged upon
the Indians, in their deftles near the river, men, wo¬
men and children were so huddled together, that
the slaughter fell alike upon all of them. A young
squaw was standing in the grass, a short distance
from the American line, holding her child, a little
girl of fouB»years old, in her arms. In this posi¬
tion, a ball struck the right arm of the child, just
above the elbow, and shattering the bone, passed
into the breast of its young mother, and instantly
killed her. She fell upon the child and confined it
to the ground. When the battle was nearly over,
and the Indians had been driven from this point.
Lieutenant Anderson of the United States army,
hearing the cries of the child, went to the spot, and
taking it from under the dead mother, caiTied it to
the place for surgical aid. The arm was amputa¬
ted, and during the operation, the half starved child
did not cry, but sat quietly eating a piece of hard
biscuit It was sent to Prairie des Chiens, and en¬
tirely recovered from its wound.
When the fortunes of Black Hawk became des.
perate, his few straggling allies, from other tribes,
not only deserted him, but joined his enemies. It
is to two Winnebagoes, Decorie, and ChaetEir, that
the fallen chief is indebted for being taken captiva
On the 27th of August, they delivered Black Hawk
and the Prophet to the Indian agent. General
Street, at Prairie des Chiens. Upon their dehve-
ty, Decorie, the One-eyed, rose and said:
172
LIFE OF BLACK HAVTK.
" My father, I now stand before you. When we
jiarted, I told you I would return soon; but 1
could not come any soonei. We have had to go
a great distance [to the Dalle, on the Wisconsin,
above the portage.] You see we have done what
you sent us to do. These, (pointing to the prisoi.ers)
are the two you told us to get. We have done what
you told us to do. We always do what you tell
us, because we know it is for our good. Father,
you told us to get these men, and it would be the
cause of much good to the Winnebagoes. We have
brought them, but it has been very hard for us to do
so. That one. Black Hawk was a great way off.
You told us to bring them to you alive : we
have done so. If you had told us to bring
their heads alone, we would have done so, and it
would have been less difficult than what we have
done. Father, we deliver these men into your
hands. We would not deliver them even to our
brother, the chief of the warriors, but to you; be¬
cause we know you, and we believe you are our
friend. We want you to keep them safe; if they
are to be hurt we do not wish to see it. Wait un¬
til we are gone before it is done. Father, many
little buds have been flying about our ears of
late, and we thought they whispered to us that
there was evil intended for us; but now we hope
these evil birds will let our ears alone. We know
you are our friend, because you take our part, and
that is the reason we do what you tell us to
•do. You say you love your red children: we think
we love you as much if not more than you love ua.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
We have confidence in you and you may rely on
US. We have been promised a great deal if we
would take these men—that it wouid do much
good to our people. We now hope to see what
will be done for us. We have come in haste; we
are tir^d and hungry. We now put these men intoj
your hands. We have done all that you told us to
do."
The agfent, General Street, replied: " My chil¬
dren, you have done well. I told you to bring these
men to me, and you have done so. ' I am pleased at
what you have done. It is for your good, and for
this reason I am pleased. I assured the great chief
of the wamors, (General Atkinson) that if these
men were in your country, you would find them
and bring them to me, and now I can say much
for your good. I will go down to Rock island with
the prisonere, and I wish you who have brought
these men, especially, to go with me, with such
other chiefs and warriors as you may select. My
children, the great chief of the warriors, when he
left this place, directed me to deliver these and all
other prisoners, to the chief of the warriors at this
place. Col. Taylor, who is here by me. Some
of the Winnebagoes, south of the Wisconsin, have
befriended the Saukies, and some of the Indians of
my agency have also given them aid. This dis-
jileases the great chief of the warriors, and your
great father the President, and was calculated to do
much harm. Your great father, the President at
Washington, has sent a great war chief from the
far east. General Scott, with a fresh army of sol-
p 2
174
UFR er BLACK UAWK.
diers. He IS now at Rock Island. Your great la¬
ther tlie President has sent him and the Governor
and cliief of Illinois to hold a council with the In¬
dians. He has sent a speech to you, and wishes the
chiefs and warriors of the Winnehagoes to go to Rock
Island, to the ci'uncil on the tenth of next month. I
wish you to bfc ready in three days, when I will go
with you. I am well pleased that you have taken
the Black Hawk, the Prophet and other prisoners.
This will enable me to say much for you to the
great chief of the warriors, and to the president
your great father. My children, I shall now deliv¬
er the two men. Black Hawk and the prophet, to
the chief of the warriors here. He will take care
of them till we start to Rock Island."
Col. Taylor upon taking charge of the prisoners
made a few remarks to their captors, after which
Chaetar, the associate of Decorie, rose and said,
" My father, I am young, and do not know how
to make speeches. This is the second time I evei
spoke to you before people. I am no chief} I am
no orator; but I have been allowed to speak to
you. If I should not speak as well as others, still
ypu must listen to me. Father, when you made
the speech to the chiefs, Waugh Kon Decorie Car-
ramani, the one-eyed Decorie, and others, I was
there. I heard you. I thought what you said to
Ihem, you-also said to me. You said if these two,
{pointing to Black Hawk and the prophet) were
laken by us and brought to you, there would never
more a black cloud hang over j'our Wiiincbagoes.
Vour words entered into my ear, my brains and
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
175
my heart. I left here that same night, and yon
knov/ that you have not seen me since until now.
I have been a great way; I had much trouble; but
when I remembered what you said, I knew what
you said was right. This made me continue and
do u hat you told me to do. Near the Dalle on the
Wisconsin, I took Black Hawk. No one did it but
me. I say this in the ears of all present, and they
know it—^nd I now appeal to the Great Spirit, our
grandfather, and the Earth, our grandmother, for
the truth of what I say. Father, I am no chief,
but what I have done is for the benefit of my na¬
tion, and I hope to see the good that has been pro¬
mised us. That one, Wabokieshiek, the prophet,
is my relation—if he is to be hurt, I do not wish to
see it. Father, soldiers sometimes stick the ends of
their guns into the backs of Indian prisoners, when
they are going about in the hands of the guard. I
hope this will not be done to this man."
Naopope the second in command, with a few other
Indians who escaped from the battle of the Bad-
Axe, were also brought in by the Sioux, who being
the ancient enemy of the Sacs and Foxes, seized
upon this opportunity of waging war upon the rem¬
nant of Black Hawk's hand. They were placed
by General Street, in the custody of Colonel Taylor.
On the seventh of September, the prisoners were
placed on board the steam boat Winnebago, and
sent down to .leiTerson Barracks, a few miles he.-
tow St. Louis. The arrival of General Scoti a
the scene of action, was unfortunately delayetl
til after the campaign was closed, in conseq
ITJ
LIFK OF BLACK HAWK.
of the Asiatic cholera having broken out, among the.
troops under his command, while ascending tho
lakes. The disease continued to rage among them,
with dreadful mortality, for some time after their
arrival at Rock island. Of course, this campaign
added no new laurels to the military reputation of
General Scott; but, by his humane and tireless ex¬
ertions for the alleviation of the sufferings of his
soldiers, he won for himself more true glory, than
the most brilliant victory, over an Indian enemy,
could confer.
While at Rock Island, General Scott instituted
some inquiries among the Indians, in regard to the
difficulties between them and the whites. Among
others interrogated was Naopope, the friend and
counsellor of Black Hawk, who participated in the
campaign, and on account of his courage and skill
as a warrior, directed to a great extent, the move¬
ments of the band, from the period of their recros-
sing the Mississippi, until the battle of the Bad-Axe.
His statement confirms the declaration of Black
Hawk, that in coming over to the east side of the
river, there was no intention of making war upon
the frontier settlers; and that they really intended to
surrender to Major Stillman, upon Sycamore creek,
on the 14th of May, and actually sent a white flag,
m evidence of their submission, which was fired
upon by the American troops.
" I always belonged to Black Hawk's band.
Last summer I went to Maiden; when I came back,
Í found that by the treaty with General G aines,
the Sacs had moved across the Mississippi. I re
un OF BLACK HAWK.
177
mained during the winter with the Prophet, on
Rock river, thirty-five miles above the mouth.
During the winter the Prophet sent me across the
Mississippi, to Blaci Hawk, with a message, to tell
him and his band to cross back to his village and
make corn : that if the Americans came and told
ihem to remove again, they would shake hands
with them. If the Americans had come and told
us to mov«, we should have shaken hands, and im¬
mediately have moved peaceably. We encamped
on Sycamore creek. We met some Pottowatomies
and made a feast for them. At that time I heard
there were some Americans [under Maj. Stillman]
near us. I prepared a white fiag to go and see them,
and sent two or three young men on a hill to see
what they were doing. Before the feast was fin¬
ished, I heard my young men were killed. This
was at sunset. Some of my young men ran out;
two killed, and the Americans were seen rushing
on to our camp. My young men fired a few guns,
and the Americans ran off, and my young rhen
chased them about six miles."
Naopope further stated that the Pottowatomies
immediately left them, and that none of the Kicka-
poos ever joined them. A few of the Winnebagoes
did, and brought in scalps at different times; but so
soon as they discovered that the whites were too
powerful for the Sacks, they birned round and
fought against them. Some of the other witnesses
examined on this occasion, testify, that when
Black Hawk saw the steam boat Warrior approach¬
ing them, on the first of August, he said he pitied
178
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
the wcmen. and children; and, having determined
to surrender to the commander of the boat, raised a
M'hite flag which was immediately fired upon. This
fact is stated in the letter of the Captain of the War¬
rior, and is corroborated by Lieutenant Kingsbury,
who had charge of the troops on board.
Among the prisoners delivered to General Street,
was the prophet Wabokieshiek, or the White
Cloud, a stout, shrewd looking Indian about forty
years of age. This individual exercised consider
able influence over Black Hawk and his band.
He had a village, called after him, upon Rock river,
where he usually resided, and was recognized
among the village chiefs. He claimed to be part
Winnebago and part Sac, his father belonging to
one and his mother to the other of these tribes. He
wore a full suit of hair, with a white head-dress
rising several inches above the top of his hair—a
style of dress suited, it is supposed, to his profes¬
sion. He seems to have had sagacity and cunning
—two qualities essential to the character of a
prophet, and without which they could not long
vetain their influence anfi sacred character. Wa¬
bokieshiek has been represented as tne priest of
assassination, but the evidence on which this charge
IS made, seems to be wanting. He was instrumeu
tal in persuading Black Hawk and his party to re¬
turn to (he east side of the Mississippi in 1832, and
went down to the mouth of Rock river to meet
them, and encourage the belief that the Americans
would not interfere with them, so long as they re¬
frained from any offensive operations. He made a
VVABOKIESHIEIC, THE PROPHET
L1FR OF BLACK HAWK.
181
speech to the braves and warriors of Black Hawk,
in which he told them they had nothing to fear and
much to gain: That the American-war chief, would
not molest them so long as they acted peaceably:
That the time would come when they would be
ready to pursue a different course; but that they
must await such reinforcements as would enable
them to resist the army of the whites. The Pro
phet was either duped himself, or playing upon
the credulity of Black Hawk and Naopope. He
was constantly giving them assurances of assis¬
tance from the other tribes and from their British
Father at Maiden. There may have been reason
for expecting it from the former, but none from
the latter. He entertained strong prejudices against
the whites, and being naturally prone to mischief
making, was willing to stir up the Indians to re¬
sistance, without caring for the results that would
be likely to follow a border war. The likeness
of him, which is here given, is said to convey a
good idea of his style of dress and the expression
of his face.
On the 21st of September, General Scott and
Governor Reynolds concluded a treaty with the
Winnebagoes, and the Sacs and Foxes; the pro¬
visions of which have been stated. For the faith¬
ful performance of it, on the part of the In-^
dians, it was stipulated that Black Hawk and his
two sons, Wabokieshiek the Prophet, Naopope and
five other chiefs of the hostile band, should be re¬
tained as hostages during the pleasure of the Pres
Q
182
LIFE OF BLLCK UAWK>
ident. The remainder of the-prisoners, captured
during the campaign, were set at liberty.
In recurring to the causes which led to this wai
and the spirit and military skill with which it wei^
conducted, there is nothing on which a citizen of
the United States can dwell with satisfaction. Look¬
ing alone to the official documents, that have been
published on the subject, it would appear that the
Indians were the aggressors—that they invaded the
territory of the United States, marking their path
with outrages upon the unoffending citizens; and
that they were met, encountered, and defeated, un¬
der circumstances which shed renown upon the arms
and humane policy of the government. But it is
necessary, in doing justice to both parties in this
' contest, to destroy this flattering picture.
Some of the causes which operated to render
Black Hawk and his ban'd, discontented with the
conduct of the United States, and with their condi¬
tion upon the west side of the Mississippi, have
been enumerated. Whatever may have been their
ulterior views, in returning within the limits of the
state of Illinois, in the spring of 1832, it canndt be
supposed that they came with any immediate hos¬
tile intentions. Had they been determined upon
war, they would neither have encumbered them¬
selves with their wives and children, nor have
openly re-crossed the Mississippi, near to Fort Arm¬
strong, when they knew there was an officer of
the United States army, with a body of troops, .sta¬
tioned at that point, for the express purpose of pre¬
serving peace upon the frontier. Such movement«
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
183
would have been at variance with the well known
military policy of the Indians. Judging from the
success of General Gaines, in removing this same
band, in 1831, without blood shed, to the west side
of the Mississippi, it has been supposed, that a pa¬
cific conference between the commandant of Fort
Armstrong and Black Hawk, in 1832, before he
had commenced his ascent up Rock river, would
have resulted in the peaceable return of the Iiti
dians to their own hunting grounds. The condi
tion of tilings at that time, warrants such a belief,
and the subsequent declarations of the Indians,
strengthen the opinion, that had the experiment
been made, it Would have been successful. It is
true, that the commanding officer at Fort Arm-
Strong, sent two messages to Black Hawk upon
this subject; but the first is represented by the In--
dians to have been an order for them to return; and
the second, that if they did riot, they would be pursued
and forced to re-cross the Mississippi. These efforts
failed, but it does not follow that a friendly council
upon the subject, would toot have resulted differ¬
ently.
Many causes operate in bringing about an In
dian war, and in plunging the government of the
United States, prematurely and unnecessarily, into
it. There is generally upon the frontiers a class of
persons who have nothing to lose, and much to
gain by such a contest. It gives them employment
and circulates money among them. With such pi¬
oneer loafers, an Indian war is always popular.
184
LITE OT BLACK HAWK.
Then there is the "Indian Hater,"* a numerous
and respectable body of men, to be found upon
the frontier settlements, who, from having suifer-
ed in their persons and property by the bar-
barhies and plunder of the Indians, have come at
length to look upon them as no better than the wild
beasts of the forest, and whose many atrocities
make it a moral duty, on the part of the whites, to
exterminate by fire and the sword. Again there
is the regular squatter and land speculator, whose
interest is always promoted by a war, because
it usually results in driving the Indians further
back from the frontier. Intermixed with these
classes, are many quiet and worthy citizens, who
with their families, have been carried to the fron¬
tiers, in the ordinary course of events, by the
tide of emigration. These may have neither a de¬
sire for war nor a feeling of hostility towards the
Indians, but when the tomahawk is raised, they
contribute to swell the alarum, and oftentimes, by
their very fears of a war, do much to bring it
about. Finally, it is not to be disguised, that there
are many individuals, in the states, who are prone
to look to an Indian war, as a means of gratifying
their love for adventure and excitement; or who,
having political aspirations, are disposed to make
the military renown, which may be gained m a
campaign, the means of attaining civic honors
It is obvious, if there be any foundation for these
positions, that an Indian war may oftentimes be
• This class is admirably described by the author of " Legends o(f
«M WeWL»
LIFB OV BLACK HAWK.
185
nndertaken without any just cause, prosecuted
without system and terminated in dishonor to our
government.
When Black Hawk and his party rashly deter¬
mined, in the spring of 1832, to recross the Missis¬
sippi, a fine opportunity was presented, for getting
up a border war, and the necessary machinery was
speedily put in motion. The old chief, with a
few hundred braves and their women and children,
carrying with them their cooking utensils and per¬
sonal property, had no sooner reached the east
bank of the Mississippi, than the alarm note was
sounded upon the frontier, and echoed from cabin
to cabin, until it was spread throughout the state of
Illinois. The most dreadful anticipations of savage
cruelty were indulged—the force of Black Hawk
Was greatly magnified—his thirst for vengeance upon
the whites was only to be appeased by blood—the
«täte was actually invaded by a powerful and re-
1 lorseless enemy—and memorials and petitions, for
an armed force to repuise the invaders and protect
the frontiers, flowed in upon the Governor, from all
quarters. Such was the excited state of public feel¬
ing, such the force of public sentiment, that little
time was left for Executive deliberation. Gov¬
ernor Reynolds issued his proclamation, reiter¬
ating the dangers of the frontier, and calling for a
body of the militia to march and protect it. A call
under such circumstances was promptly responded
to, and in a short time, a large body of mounted
volunteers, embracing many of the most respectable
and inlluential citizens of Illinois, were in the
0 S
18d
LIKE OF BLACK ItAWK.
yicinity of the invading foe, and ready for co-oper¬
ation with tiie regular troops- under General Atkin¬
son. A concentration of these two forces was
madé at Dixon's ferry, on Rock river, about thirty
miles below the encampment of Black Hawk and
his party. Had a conference now been sought with
he Indians, their prompt submission cannot be
doubted. Black Hawk, whatever might have been
his previous expectations, had received no addition
of strength from other tribes—he was almost desti¬
tute of provisions—^had committed no act of hostility
against the whites, and with all his women, chil¬
dren and baggage, was in the vicinity of an army,
principally of mounted volunteers, many times
greater than his own, band of braves. He would
probably have been glad of any reasonable pre¬
text for retracing his precipitate steps. Unfortun¬
ately no effort for a council was made. A body
of impetuousj'olunteers dashed on, without caution
or order, to Sycamore creek, within three miles of
the camp of a part of Black Hawk's party. lie in¬
stantly sent a white flag to meet them for the pur¬
pose of holding a council, and agreeing to return
to the west side of the Mississippi. Unfortunately,
for the cause of humanity, as well as the good faith
of the United States, this flag was held to be but a
decoy, and without waiting to ascertain its true
character, the bearers of it were fired upon and one
of them killed. An onset was immediately made
by Maj, Stillman upon Black Hawk, who finding
there was no alternative but war, met our troop.s,
and put them 1« flight in the manner already de-
UFE or BI,.VCK HAWK.
scribed. Emboldened by his brilliant success in
this engagement, and finding that he would not be
permitted to capitulate, he sent out his war parties,
removed his women and children up Rock river,
and a regular border war was commenced. The
murders which his men committed upon the fron¬
tier settlers, naturally increased the alarm through¬
out the state, additional volunteers rushed to the
seat of Afar, and the commanding General com¬
menced his military operations for a regular cam¬
paign. In about two months. Black Hawk, having
lost many of his men, in the different skirmishes
with the American troops, and not a few of his
women and children by actual starvation, found
himself upon the bank of the Mississippi, endeavor¬
ing to escape the pursuing enemy, by crossing to
the west side of that stream. While engaged in
this act, the steam boat Warrior, having an armed
force on board, ascended the river for the purpose
of cutting off his retreat. Once more Black Hawk
raised the white flag, and sought to surrender
liimself and his whole band, to the whites. Again
his flag was looked upon as a decoy, and in fifteen
minutes, a round of canister shot, from the boat,
was fired, with deadly fatality into the midst of his
men, women and children. The following moru-
mg, the main army, under General Atkinson,
reached the scene of action. His force must have
been six or eight times greater than that of the In¬
dians, and by a judicious movement, the latter was
promptly surrounded on three sides by the pur¬
s' ing army, while ou flic ether, the steam boat
18S mfb of black hawk.
Warrior, the waters of the Mississippi, and a Land
of hostile Sioux on its west bank, precluded all
chance of escape in that quarter. A demand upon
the Indians, at this time, to surrender, uncondition«
ally, would undoubtedly have been most cheerfully
acceded to. But it appears not to have been made.
It is probable that General Atkinson whose char¬
acter for humanity, has always stood high, could
not restrain the impetuosity of his troops long
enough to propose a capitulation. They had been
deeply excited by the murders perpetrated by the
Black Hawk band—^had been harassed by a long
and fatiguing march—and perhaps felt, that the re¬
sults of the campaign, thus far, had been rather in¬
glorious to their arms. These causes may have
conspired to precipitate them into battle, which
had been better spared than fought, inasmuch as
it resulted, necessarily, in the death of a great many
miserable women and children, who were already
on the brink of the grave, from hunger and exhaus¬
tion.
A brief recapitulation of a few of the events of
this disastrous campaign, has thus been made, for
4he purpose of showing, that however hostile Black
I lawk and his band may have been, originally, to-
Avards the whites, he did not make the first attack
upon them; and that the war might in all proba¬
bility have been prevented, or arrested in any stage
of its progress, by the exercise of that forbearance,
good faith and sound policy, which should ever be
cherished by the United States.
The oilicial report of General Atkinsor. to Gener-
UPE üp BLACK HAWK.
8'..
■ol Macomb, after the battle of the Bad-axe has been
quoted in full. On the 25th of November 1832,
the Secretary at War, Mr. Cass, in his annual re¬
port to the President, says, in speaking of this cam¬
paign,
" General Atkinson, with the regular troops and
militia under his command, pursued the Indians
through a country very difficult to be penetrated,
of which Rttle was known, and where much exer¬
tion was required to procure regular supplies.
These circumstances necessarily delayed the opera¬
tions, and were productive of great responsibility
to the commanding officer, and of great sufferings
and privations to all employed in this harassing
warfare. The Indians, however, were driven from
their fastnesses, and fled towards the Mississippi,
with the intention of seeking refuge in the countiy
west of that river. They were immediately follow
ed by General Atkinson, with a mounted force,
overtaken, and completely vanquished. The ar¬
rangements of the commanding general, as well in
the pursuit as in the action, were prompt and judi
cious, and the conduct of the officers and men was
exemplary. The campaign terminated in the un-
qualiñed submission of the hostile party, and in the
adoption of measures for the permanent security of
the frontiers, and the result has produced upon the
Indians of that region, a salutary impression, which
(t is to be hoped will prevent the recurrence of
timiiar scenes."
On the 25th of October 1832, General Macomb
190
UFE or BLACK HAWK.
transmitted to General Atkinson, the following let.
ter, from the Secretary at War.
I
Department at War, Oct. 2itli. 1832.
Sir: The return of the President to the seat of
government, enables me to communicate to you
his sentiments in relation to the operations and re¬
sult of the campaign, recently conducted under
your orders, against the hostile Indians; and it is
with great pleasure, I have received his instruc¬
tions to inform you, that he appreciates the difficul¬
ties you had to encounter; and that he has been
highly gratified at the termination of your arduous
and responsible duties. Great privations and em¬
barrassments, necessarily attend such a warfare, and
particularly in the difficult country occupied by the
enemy. The arrangements which led to the de¬
feat of the Indians, were adopted with judgmen«
and pursued with decision, and the result was hon¬
orable to yourself, and to the officers and men
acting under your orders.
I will thank you to coibmunicate to the forces
that served with you, both regulars and militia, the
feelings of the President upon this occasion. 1
have the honor to be very respectfully, your obt.
servant. Lewis Cass.
Cien. H. Atkinson, JeiTerson Barracks, Missouri.
In the report of the Secretary at"War which li\*
just been referred to, there is the following slalo¬
ment of the causes which led to this contest. « The
roeent hostilities, commenced by llie Sac and Fox
LIFE OF BLACK IIAWK. 191
Indians, may be traced to causes, which have beea
for some time in operation, and which left little
doubt upon the minds of those acquainted with the
savage character, that they were determined to
commit some aggression upon the frontier. The
confederated tribes of the Sacs and Foxes have been
long distinguished for their daring spirit of adven-
ture and for their restless and reckless disposition.
At the commencement of the eighteenth century,
one of these tribes made a desperate attempt to
seize the post of Detroit;, and during a period of
forty yeai-s, subsequent to that effort, they caused
great trouble and embarrassment to the French colo¬
nial government, which was only terminated by a
most formidable military expedition, sent by that en-
terprizing people into their remote regions west of
Green Bay. During the last war with Great Britain,
this confederacy entered zealously into the contest,
and was among the most active and determined of
our enemies. After the peace their communication
with the Canadian authorities was preserved; and,
in every year, large parties of the most influential
chiefs and warriors visited Upper Canada, and re¬
turned laden with presents. That this continued in
tercourse kept alive feelings of attachment to a for¬
eign power and weakened the proper and necessa¬
ry influence of the United States, is known to eve¬
ry one who has marked the progress of events and
conduct of the Indians upon the north western
frontier. The tribes upon the upper Mississippi,
particularly the Sacs and Foxes and Winnebagoes.
confident hi their position and in their natural cou
í"-' Ltl'E OF BLACK HAWK.
»
Tage, and totally ignorant of the vast disproportion
between their power, and that of the United States^
have always been discontented, keeping the frontiei
in alarm, and continually committing some outragt
upon the persons or property of the inhabitants
All this is the result of impulse, an^ is the necessa
ry and almost inevitable consequence of institu
lions, which make war the great object of life. It
is not probable, that any Indian seriously bent up
on hostilities, ever stops to calculate the force of
the white man, and to estimate the disastrous con¬
sequences v/hich we know must be the result. He
is impelled onward in his desperate career, by pas¬
sions which are fostered and encouraged by the whole
frame of society j and he is, very probably, stimu¬
lated by the predictions of some fanatical leader,
who promises him glory, victory and scalps.
" In this state of feeling, and with these incite¬
ments to war, the Sacs and Foxes claimed the right
of occupying a part of the country on Rock river,
even after it had been sold to citizens of the United
States, and settled by them. In 1829 and in 1830,
serious difficulties resulted from their efforts to es¬
tablish themselves in that .section, and frequent
collisions were the consequence. Representations
wore made to them, and every effort, short of actual
hostilities, used by the proper officers, to induce
them to abandon their unfounded pretensions, and
to confine themselves to their own countiy on the
west side of the Mississippi river. These efforts
were successful, with the well disposed portion of
tho tribes, but Avere whelly unavailing with the
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
193
liand known by the name of the " British party."
In 1831, their aggressions were so serious, and the
attitude they assumed, so formidable, that a con
siderable detachment of the army, and of the militia
of Illinois, was called into the field; and the dis¬
affected Indians, alarmed by the preparation for their
chastisement, agreed to reside and hunt, upon
their own lands west of the Mississippi river," and
that they .would not re-cross this river to the usual
place of their residence, nor to any part of their old
hunting grounds east of the Mississippi, without the
express permission of the President of the United
States, or the Governor of the state of Illinois.
" This arrangement had scarcely been concluded,
bèfore a flagrant outrage was committed, by a party
rf these Indians, upon a band of friendly Menomo-
Jiies, almost under the guns of Fort Crawford.
Twenty-five persons were Wantonly murdered, arid
many wounded, while encatnped in the Prairie du
Chien, and resting in fancied security upon our
soil, and under our flag. If an act like this, had
been suffered to pass unnoticed and unpunished, a
war between these tribes would have beeii the con¬
sequence, ill which our frontiers woUld have been
involved, and the character and influence of the
government, would have been lost in the opinion
of the Indians.
" Apprehensive, from the course of events already
stale'', and from other circmnstances, that the dis¬
affected band of Sacs and Foxes, would again har¬
ass and disturb the settlements upon our borders,
and determined that the murderers of the Meno-
9 R
194
LUE OF BLACK UAWK.
menies should be surrendered or taken, tlie depart¬
ment ordered General Atkinson, on the 7th of
March last, to ascend the Mississippi with the dis¬
posable regular troops at Jefferson barracks, and to
carry into effect the instructions issued by your
direction. Still further to strengthen the frontiers,
orders were given for the re-occupation of Chicago.
« The demand for the surrender of the Meno-
menie murderers was entirely disregarded: and the
British party of the Sacs and Foxes re-crossed the
Mississippi, and assuming a hostile attitude, estab¬
lished themselves upon Rock river. The subse¬
quent events are well known, and the result has
already been stated in this report."
In the annual report of Maj. General Macomb
to Congress, of November 1832, very much the
same positions are taken in regard to the causes
which led to this contest with the Indians, that are
contained in the report from the War Department.
Its leading object seems to be to place the United
States in the right—the Indians in the wrong.
It is to be regretted that the Honorable Secretary,
whose opinions and statements on all subjects con-
,iiected with the Indians, carry with them great
weight, had not been more explicit, in assigning the
causes which led to the late war, with a portion
of the Sacs and Foxes. It is not to be supposed,
that the Secretary would designedly omit any thing
which in his opinion, was necessary, to a fair pre-,
sèntation of this matter; but as the case stands, his
statement does not, it is believed, do justice to the
Indians. The Secretary says the Sacs and Foxes
UrK OF BIACK HAWK.
195
"have always been discontented, keeping the fron¬
tier in alarm, and continually committing some out¬
rage on the persons or property of the inhabitants."
Between the treaty of peace at Portage des Sioux,
in 1816, and the attack of Major Stillman, in 1832,
it is stipposed that the Sacs and Foxes never killed
one American ; and, their aggressions upon the per¬
sons and property of the whites, consisted prmci-
pally, iu^n attempt to retain possession of their
village and corn-fields, when pressed upon by the
white settlers, who, in violation of the laws of Con
gress and express treaty provisions, were commit¬
ting outrages upon the Indians: The report of the
Secretary further states, that the Sacs and Foxes
"claimed the right of occupying a part of the
country upon Rock river, even after it had been
sold to citizens of the United States, and settled by
them." But the report does not state that under
the treaty of 1804, by which these lands were ced¬
ed, it is expressly provided that so long as they
remain the property of the United States, the In¬
dians of said tribes shall enjoy the privilege of
" living and hunting upon them;" it does not state
that for six or eight years before the government
had sold an acre of land upon Rock river, the white
settlers were there, in violation of the laws, tres¬
passing upon these Indians, and thus creating that
very hostility of feeling, which, is subsequently cited
as a reason for the chastisement inflicted upon them
by the United States: it does not state, that in the
year 1829, government, for the purpose of creating
a pretext for the removal of the Indians from Rock
196
LIFE OF ELACK HAWK.
river, directed a few quarter sections of land, in
eluding the Sao village, to be sold, although the
frontier settlements of Illinois had not then reached
within fifty or sixty miles of that place, and millions
of acres of land around it, were imoccupied and un¬
sold : it does not state that instead of requiring the
Indians to remove from the quarter sections thus
prematurely sold, to other lands on Rock river,
owned by the United States, and on which, undei
the treaty, they had a right to himt and reside,
they were commanded to remove to the west side
of the Mississippi: it does not state, that the "serious
aggressions" and « formidable attitude" assume"d
by the "British party," in 1831, consisted in their
attempt to raise a crop of com and beans, in throw¬
ing down the fences of the whites who were en¬
closing their fields, in " pointing deadly weapons"
at them and in " stealing their potatoes:" it does
not state that the murder of the Menominie In
dians, at Fort Crawford, by a party of the " Britisl
liand," was in retaliation, for a similar " flagrant
outrage," committed the sununer previous, by the
Menominies, upon Peah-mus-ka, a principal chief
the Foxes and nine or ten of his tribe, who were
going up to Prairie des Chiens on business and
were within one day's travel of that place: it does
not state that one reason assigned by the " British
party" for refusing to surrender the murderers of
tne Menominies, was the fact that the government
had not made a similar démand of that tribe for the
murderers of the Sacs: it does not state that the
« hostile attitude" assumed by the Sacs and Foxes,
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK. 1!)7
HI 1832, after recrossing the Mississippi, and their
establishment on Rock river, simply amounted to
this; that they came over with their women and
children for the avowed purpose of raising a crop
of corn with the Wirmebagoes—were temporarily
encamped on that stream—had committed no out-l
rage upon person or property—and were actually
engaged in entertaining some guests with a dog-
feast, when the Illinois militia approached their
camp, and killed the bearer of a white flag, which
Black Hawk sent to them, in token of his peaceable
disposition. These may be unimportant omissions,
in the opinion of the Secretary, but in looking to
the causes which led to this contest, and the spirit
in which it was conducted, tliey have been deemed
of sufficient importance, to receive a passing notice,
when referring to his report.
The opinion has been expressed more than once
m the course of this work, that there was in reality,
no necessity for this war. A firm but forbearing
course of policy, on the part of the United States,
towards this discontented fragment of the Sacs and
Foxes, would, it is believed, have prevented any
serious aggression upon our people or their proper¬
ty. Certain it is, that a few thousand dollars,
superadded to a humane spirit of conciliation, would
have effected the permanent removal of Black
Hawk and his band, to the west side of the Missis¬
sippi; and, as the government was not contending
with them, in support of its national faith, nor
about to punish them for an insult to its national
honour, there could have been no disgrace in piir-
R 2
198
LIFE ur BLACK HAWK.
chasing the settlement of the difficulty, on such
terms. It has been stated that in the spring of 1831,
Black Hawk agreed to remove his band to the west
side of the Mississippi, and relinquish all claims to
the lands upon Rock river, if the United States
would pay him six thousand dollars, with which to
purchase provisions and other necessaries for his
people; and that the Indian agent at St. Louis, was
informed of this fact. Moreover, it has been pub¬
licly alleged that before the campaign against
Black Hawk, in the summer of 1832, the President
and Secretary at War, were both informed, that the
« British Band" of the Sacs and Foxes, could be
peaceably removed to the west side of the Missis¬
sippi for six or eight thousand dollars. The secre¬
tary was assiu-ed, in the presence-of a member of con¬
gress, that the inquiry had been made by a person
familiar with the Indians, and the fact of their
willingness to remove upon these terms distinctly
ascertained.*
Under the treaty of 1804, the Sacs and Foxes
ceded to the United States, more than twenty mil¬
lions of acres of first rate land, for less than twenty
"thousand dollars. Black Hawk not only contended
for the invalidity of this treaty, but insisted that
the price paid by the United States was wholly be¬
low the value of the land. Under such circum¬
stances, the course of the government was obvious
—to have quieted the complaints of the Indians
and secured their peaceable removal to the Avest, by
a second purchase of their interest to the territory
• See St. Times of ISth .4prU, 183.S.
I.1KE OF BLACK HAWK.
19J
in question. Had it cost twenty, fifty or one hun«
dred thousand dollars, to effect this object, our
country would still have been the gainer, both by
the preservation of the national faith and thô na¬
tional treasure—for the former was wantonly vio¬
lated, and the latter uselessly squandered. The
contest with Black Hawk and his party, destroyed
the lives of four or five hundred Indian men, wo¬
men andP children—about two hundred citizens of
the United States—and cost the government near
two millions of dollars ! Such are the results of a
war commenced and waged by a great nation, up¬
on a remnant of poor ignorant savages;—a war
Avhich had its origin in avarice and political ambi¬
tion, which was prosecuted in bad faith and closed
In dishonor.
CHAPTER VIH.
ißlacl Hawk, Naopope, the Prophet and others confined at Jeflerton
Barmrks—In April 1833 sent to Washington—Interview with the
President—sent to Fortress Monroe—Their release—Visit the east¬
ern cities—Return to the Mississippi—Conference at Rock island be¬
tween Maj. Garland, Keokuk, Black Hawk and other chiefs—speech¬
es of Keokuk, Pashshepaho and Black Hawk—Final discharge of the
hostages—Their return to their families—Black Hawk's visit to Wash
ington in 1837—His return—His personal appearance—^Military tal¬
ents—Intellectual and moral character.
Black Hawk, his two sons, Naopope, Wabokie-
sheik, and the other prisoners, who under the treaty
of 21st September, were to be held as hostages,
during the pleasure of the president, having been
sent down the Mississippi, to Jefferson Barracks,
under charge of Lieutenant Davis, were immedi¬
ately put in irons, a measure of precaution, appa¬
rently, as unnecessary as it was cruel.
«We were now confined," says the old chief,
« to the barracks, and forced to wear the hall ana
chain ! This was extremely mortifying, and alto¬
gether useless. Was the White Beaver [Gen. At¬
kinson] afraid that 1 would break out of his bar¬
racks and run away ? Or was he ordered to inflict
this punishment upon me ? If I had taken him pris¬
oner upon the field of battle, I would not have woun¬
ded his feelings so much, by such treatment, know¬
ing that a brave war chief would prefer death to
flishonor. But I do not blame the White Beaver
for the course he pursued—it is the custom among
white soldiers, and I suppose was a part of his
duty
200
LIFE OF BLACK IIAVVK.
201
** The time dragged heavily and gloomily along
throughout the winter, although the White Beaver
did every thing in his power to render us comfor
table. Having been accustomed throughout a long
life, to roam through the forests—^to come and go
at liberty—confinement under any such circumstan¬
ces, could not be less than torture.
" We passed away the time making pipes, unti
spring, when we were visited by the agent, trader
and interpreter, from Rock Island, Keokuk, and se¬
veral 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."
During the winter they were visited by a great
number of persons, one of whom remarks, « We
were immediately struck with admiration at the gi¬
gantic and symmetrical figures of most of the war¬
riors, who seemed as they reclined, in native ease
and gracefulness, with their half naked bodies ex
posed to view, rather like statues from some mas¬
ter hand, than beings of a race whom we had heard
characterized as degenerate and debased. They
were clad in leggins and moccasins of buckskin,
and wore blankets, which were thrown around
them in the manner of the Roman toga, so as to
leave their right arms bare. The youngest among
them were painted on their necks, with a bright
vermilion color, and had their faces transversely
streaked, with alternate red and black stripes.
From their faces and eyebrows, they pluck out the
hair with the most assiduous care. They also shave
9*
202
LIFE OF BLACK MAW*.
or pull it out from their heads, with the exception
of a tuft about three fingers width, extending from
between the forehead and crown to the back of the ^
head; this they sometimes plait into a queue on the
crown, and cut the edges of it down to nn inch in
length, and plaster it with the vermilion which
keeps it erect, and gives it the appearance of a
cock's comb." The same writer adds, that, " but
for the want of that peculiar expression which
emanates from a cultivated intellect," Nasinewis-
kuk, the eldest son of Black Hawk, could have
" been looked upon as the very personification of the
beau ideal oí manly beauty." Among their many visi¬
ters while at this place, was the distinguished author
of the " Sketch Book," who in a letter, under date
of ISth of Dec. 1832, says, «From St. Louis, I went
to Fort Jefferson, about nine miles distant, to see
Black Hawk, the Indian warrior and his fellow
prisoners—a forlorn crew—emaciated and dejected
—the redoubtable chieftain himself, a meagre old
man upwards of seventy. He has, however, a
fine head, a Roman style of face, and a prepossess¬
ing countenance."* When Catlin the artist, visited
•Jefferson Barracks for the purpose of painting the
portraits of these chiefs, and was about to commence
the likeness of Naopope, he seized the ball and
chain that were fastened to his leg, and raising
them on high, exclaimed with a look of scorn.
• •' The Book of the Indians of North Araericjt," by Samuel G.
llrake of Boston, containing much interesting matter aliout the aborig¬
ines of this country, and from which we have copied several of the
speeches made upon the liberation of Black Hawk.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
« make me so, and show me to the great lather,"
Upon the artist's refusing to paint him as he wished,
he kept varying his countenance with grimaces, to
prevent him from catching a likeness.
During the visit of Keokuk to Jeiferson BarracKs,
he made exertions to obtain the release of the pris¬
oners, pledging himself to the Indian agent at St.
Louis, and to General Atkinson, to be responsible
for their food conduct in future. Soon afterwards,
however, the General received orders from the sec¬
retary at war to have the prisoners sent to Wash¬
ington city. It was in the latter part of April, 1833,
that they reached the capítol, under the escort of an
oíRcer of the army. In the first interview between
President Jackson and Black Hawk, the latter is re¬
presented to have said, " I am a man and you are
another." In the course of their interview, the Pre¬
sident informed him that he and his companions
must proceed on the following day to Fortress
Monroe, there to remain, until the conduct of their
people at home Was such as to justify theit being
set at liberty. In reply to this, the Prophet said,
" We expected to return immediately to our people.
The war in which we have been involved was oc¬
casioned by our attempting to raise provisions on
our own lands, or where we thought we had a right
so to do. We have lost many of our people, as
well as the whites. Our tribes and families are now
exposed to the attacks of our enemies, the Sioux,
and the Menominies. We hope, therefore, to be per.
mitted to return home to take care of them."
Black Hawk concluded his address to the President,
204
LIFE OF LLACK HAWK.
which embraced a history of the late war, by say
ing, " We did not expect to conquer the whites, no.
They had too many houses, too many men. I took
up the hatchet, for my part, to revenge injuries
which my people could no longer endure. Had I
borne them longer without striking, my people
would have said, Black Hawk is a woman. He
is too old to be a chief—^he is no Sac. These re¬
flections caused me to raise the war-whoop. I say
no more of it; it is known to you. Keokuk once
was here; you took him by the hand, and when he
wished to return to his home, you were willing
Black Hawk expects, that, like Keokuk, we shall
be permitted to return too." The President gave
them assurances that their women and children
should be protected from the Sioux and the Menomi-
nies, and that so soon as he was satisfied that peace
was restored on the frontiers, they should be per¬
mitted to return home.
On the 26th of April, they set off for Fortress
Monroe, at Old Point Comfort, where they remain¬
ed until the fourth of June, when, an order was re¬
ceived, from the President, by the commanding of¬
ficer, for the liberation of the Indian captives. The
kind treatment of the prisoners by Colonel Eustis,
then in command at Fortress Monroe, had won
greatly upon their regard. When about to depart.
Black Hawk waited upon the Colonel, and said ;—
" Brother, I have come on my own part, and in
behalf of my companions, to bid you farewell. Our
great father has at length been pleased to permit us
to return to our hunting grounds. We have buried
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
205
the tomanawk, and the sound of the rifle will here¬
after only bring death to the deer and the buifaio.
Brother, you have treated the red men very kindly,
your squaws have made them presents, and you
ftave given them plenty to eat and drink. The
memory of your friendship will remain till the
Great Spirit says it is time for Black Hawk to sing
his death-song. Brother, your houses are as numer¬
ous as tlie leaves upon the trees, and your young
warriors, like the sands upon the shore of the big
lake that rolls before us. The red man has but few
houses, and few warriors, but the red man has a
heart which throbs as warmly as the heart of his
white brother. The Great Spirit has given us
our hunting grounds, and the skin of the deer
which we kill there, is his favorite, for its color is
white, and this is the emblem of peace. This hunt¬
ing dress and these feathers of the eagle are white.
Accept them, my brother; I have given one like
this to the White Otter. Accept of it as a memorial
of Black Hawk. When he is far away this will
serve to remind you of him. May the Great Spirit
bless you and your children—farewell."
On the fifth of June, under the charge of Major
John Garland of the United States army. Black
Hawk and his five companions, took their depar¬
ture from Fortress Monroe. Before leaving the
Chesapeake, they visited Norfolk and the Navy
Yard at Gosport. They were taken on board the
Delaware, 74, and were much delighted with its
appearance. Black Hawk expressed a strong de-
205
LIFE OF BLACK IIAWX.
sire to see the chief wlio commanded it, and to take
the man who built it, by the hand.
At Norfolk a large concourse of persons visited
them. Wabokieshiek, the prophet, addressed them
from the balcony of their hotel, as follows:
" The Great Spirit sent us here, and now happily
we are about to return, to our own Mississippi, and
our own people. It affords us much happiness to
rejoin our friends and kindred. We would shake
hands with all our white friends assembled here.
Should any of them go to our country on the Mis¬
sissippi, we would take pleasure in returning their
kindness to us. We will go home with peaceable
dispositions towards our white brethren, and make
our conduct hereafter, more satisfactory to them.
We bid you all farewell, as it is the last time we
shall see each other."
Black Hawk made a few remarks, and at one
o'clock, June the fifth, they started for Baltimore,
which place they reached at eleven o'clock on the
following day, and were greeted by crowds of
curious spectators. The renown of Black Hawk
had every where preceded him, and all were anx¬
ious to behold the old chief whose name and deeds
had excited so much commotion on the frontiers of
the north west. The President happened to be in
Baltimore at the same time, and, the « monumental
city" was never, perhaps, honored by the presence
of two more distinguished " lions" upon the same
'lay, than upon this occasion. They both attended
the theatre on the evening of the sixth; and, it is
said, that the attention of the house was very equal-
L1>K OF BVACK HAWK.
207
ly divided between thera. On the following day
an interview took place between tliem, when the
President said to the old chief;—
" When I saw you in Washington, 1 told you
that you had behaved very badly, in raising the
tomahawk against the white people, and killing
men, women and children upon tlie frontier. Your
conduct last year, compelled me to send my war
riors against you, and your people were defeated,
with great loss, and your men surrendered, to be
kept until I should be satisfied, that you would not
try to do any more injury. I told you, I would en¬
quire 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. Atkin¬
son, whom you know, have infornied me that Shec-
kak, 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 conduct, and I
have given directions that you should be taken to
your own country.
"Maj. Garland who is with you 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, but I hope they will not again
raise their hands against their white brethren. We.
208
LIFE OF BLACK UAWK.
do not wish to injure you. We desire your pros-
perity and improvement. But if you again plunge
your knives into the breasts of our people, I shall
send a force, which will severely punish you for
all your cruelties. When you go back, listen to the
councils of Keokuk and the other friendly chiefs.
Bury the tomahawk and live in peace with the
frontiers. And I pray the Great Spirit to give you
a smooth path and a fair sky to return."
The reply of Black Hawk to this address, was
brief, and the Prophet merely said,
« My father,—^my ears are open to yoiir words.
I am glad to hear them. I am glad to go back to
my people. I want to see my family. I did not
behave well last summer. I ought not to have taken
up the tomahawk. But my people have suffered
a great deal. When I get back I will remember
your words. I wont go to war again. I will live
in peace. I shall hold you by the hand."
The object of the President, in directing the cap¬
tives to be taken home through some of the princi¬
pal cities of the union, was to exhibit to them the
extent of the population, wealth, and means of de¬
fence of the United States; in the hope, that such
impressions would be made on their minds, as
would induce them to refrain from creating distur¬
bances in future upon the frontiers. They were
accordingly directed to be carried as far north as
Boston, and thence through Albany, Buffalo and
Detroit, to their own country.
The captives reached Philadelphia on the 10th of
Jtme, and remained at Congress Hall, until the
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
209
During their stay in the city, which was
prolonged to four or five days, they visited the
United States' Mint, the Fair Mount Water Works
and other objects of curiosity. They had also an
opportunity of witnessing a grand military dis¬
play in front of their quarters in Congress Hall.
Dlack Hawk wished to know if these were the
same soldiers, who were in his country last sum¬
mer. fn making reference to his late contest
with the United States, he said to those around
him,
" My heart grew bitter against the whites, and
my hands strong. I dug up the tomahawk,
and led on my warriors to fight. I fought hard. I
was no coward. Much blood was shed. But the
white men were mighty. They were many as the
Lîaves of the forest. I and my people failed. 1 am
s-iny the tomahawk was raised. I have been a
prisoner. I see the strength of the white men.
They are many, very many. The Indians are but
few. They are not cowards. They are brave, but
tiiey are few. While the Great Spirit above, keeps
my heart as it now is, I will be the white man's
Iriend. I will remain in peace. I will go to my
people and speak good of the white man. I will
loll them, they are as the leaves of the forest. Very
many—very strong; and that I will fight no more
against them."
On the morning of the 14th, they set off for New
York, and reached that city at 5 P. M. and had an
opportunity, at the moment of their arrival at the
Ikittery, of beholding the greatest assemblage ol
s 2
210
ItFE OF BLACK HAWK.
people-they had yet seen, drawn together to wu-
ness the ascent of a balloon from Castle Garden.
This novel spectacle, greatly astonished the Indians,
and one of them asked the prophet, if the aeronaut
was «going to see the Great Spirit." When the
crowd ascertained that Black Hawk and his party
were on the steam boat, the air resounded with
houts of welcome. Upon their landing, such was
the press of the multitude to get a look at the
strangers, that they could not reach their lodgings
until placed in carriages, and committed to the
charge of the police officers. They were finally,
with much difficulty, taken to the Exchange Hotel,
which was immediately surrounded by thousands
of people, who would not retire to their houses,
until « General Black Hawk," had presented him¬
self sev ral times at the window, and graciously
bowed to the eager and admiring multitude. Dur¬
ing their whole visit to the city of New York, they
were treated with marked attention. Their rooms
were crowded, daily, with ladies and gentlemen,
and they were conducted with ceremony to the
theatres, the public gardens, the arsenal, ançi other
places of interest. Speeches were made to them,
and they received many handsome presents. Among
other civilities, John A. Graham, Esq., waited up¬
on them, and made the following address.
« Brothers, open your ears. You arc brave men.
You have fought like tigers, but in a bad cause.
We have conquered you. We were sorry last year,
tiiat you raised the tomahawk against us; but we
believe you did not know us then as jmu do now
LIFE Ol" BLACK HAWK.
'ill
We think that in time to come, you wiii 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 fish
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
alk 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 fiv 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 enemies. Brothers, the President
lias made you a great talk. He has but one mouth.
That one has soimded the sentiments of all the
people. Listen to what he has said to you. Write
it on your memori-rs it is good—very good.
" Black Hawk, take these jewels, a pair of topaz
earrings, beautifully set in gold, for your wife or
daughter, as a token of friendship, keeping always
111 mind, that women and children are the favorites
t)f 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, Avaiting the commands of the Great
Spirit. Look around you, see all this mighty peo¬
ple, their go to your homes, open your arms, to re
reive your families. Tell them to bury the hatcJiet,
to make bright the chain of fiiendshin. to love the
212 I.IFE or BLACK HAWK.
white men, and to live in peace with them, as long
as the rivers run inta the sea, and the sua rises and
sets. If you do so, you will be happy. You will
tlieii ensure the prosperity of unborn generations
of yonr tribes, who will go hand in hand with the
sons of the white men, and ail shall be blessed by
the Great Spirit. Peace and happiness by the bles¬
sing of the Great Spirit attend you. Farewell."
Black Hawk accepted the present and said in re-
ply.
" Brother, we like your talk. We will be friends.
^Ve like the white people. They are very kind to
us. We shall not forget it. Your counsel is good.
We shall attend to it. Your valuable present shall
go to my squaw. We shall always be friends."
While at New York, Major Garland came to the
determination not to take the captives to Boston,
but to ascend the North riwr, and proceed directly
to the west. This created riuch disappointment,
among the citizens of that city, who were generally
anxious to behold the " great agitator " of the north
western frontier.
In pursuance of this new arrangement, on the
22d of June, the party left New York, in a steam
boat for Albany, where they arrived on the follow¬
ing day. At this city, they were met by a crowd
of spectators, drawn together by their anxiety to
see Black Hawk, so numerous, that it was found
necessary to disguise the Indians, in order to enable
them to reach their lodgings. They remained in
Albany until the morning of the 25th, when they
departed far Buffalo, whieli place they reached on
hiet OF BLACK HAWK.
U13
rhe twenty-eighth. During their stay in Buffalo
which lasted for three days, they had an interesting
interview with some of the Seneca Indians, who
are residing on their reservation near that place.
They were addressed by Karlundawana, a worthy
Seneca chief, who after expressing the pleasure of
his people to meet the Sacs and Foxes, and refer¬
ring to the condition of the Indians generally, re¬
spectfully counselled Black Hawk and his party, to
return home in a peaceable mind; to take up the
tomahawk no more against the white people; but
to cultivate the earth, and be happy. Black Hawk
»■eplied, " Our aged brother of the Senecas, who has
spoken to us, has spoken the words of a good ^nd a
wise man. We are strangers to each other, though -
we have the same color, and the same Great Spirit
made us all, and gave us this country together.
Brothers we have seen how great a people the
whites are. They are very rich and very strong.
It is folly for us to fight with them. We shall go
borne with much knowledge. For myself I shall
advise my people to be quiet, and live like good
men. The advice which you gave us, brother, is
very good, and we tell you now we mean to walk
the straight path in future, and to content ourselves
with what we have, and with cultivating our lands."
From Buffalo the captives were taken by water
to Detroit, where their reception is said to have
been much less enthusiastic than in the other cities
through which they had passed. It was stated in
the newspapers of the day, that they were burnt in
efiigy in that place. Black Hawk, in visiting the
214
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
the former residence of Governor Cass, remarked,
•' This is the old council ground. I have had much
good counsel here; but my trail led to the opposite
shore, and my ears were closed." Their visit to
Detroit being over, they proceeded to Grp«în Kay,
and thence descended the Wisconsin to the Missis¬
sippi and down that river to Fort Armstrong, on
Rock Island, which place they reached about the
first of August. In passing by the site of the old
Sac village, Black Hawk was deeply affected, and
expressed much regret for the causes which com¬
pelled him to emigrate beyond the Mississipph The
return of the Prophet was also attended with mel¬
ancholy associations. His village over wh'ch he
had long presided, was entirely broken un—his
wigwam m ashes—^his familj' dispersed, and, he, a
suppliant for a home in the village of some other
chief.
Fort Armstrong, was chosen by Major Garland
as the most appropriate spot for the ceremonies ol"
the liberation of Black Hawk and his party; as its
central position, would enable him to assemble, at
a short notice, many Indians from the surromiding
villages. This Was thè favorite island of the In¬
dians; in former years abundant in fruits and flow¬
ers; and, from time immemorial the fancied abode
of a good Spirit, which watched over their village,
and protected their hunting grounds. No spot could
have been selected, calculated to awaken so many
painful associations in the mind of Black Hawk, as
Rock Island. For half a century it had been the
witness of his ])ower and influence; it was now to
LIFK OF BLACK HAWK. 217
become the scene of his disgrace, and reluctant
submission to a rival.
Immediately after Major Garland's arrival at
Fort Armstrong, he sent out runners for the purpo.'ie
of assembling the neighboring Indians. The mes¬
senger despatched for Keokuk and his chiefs, found
them encamped about twenty miles below the island,
having just returned from a buffalo hunt, and being
on their »way to fort Armstrong, in expectation of
meeting the returning captives. The runner return¬
ed that night, and reported to Major Garland, that
on the morrow, Keokuk with a party of braves
would reach Rock Island. About noon, on the fol¬
lowing day, the sound of the Indian drum, and the
shouts and wild songs of his people, announced the
approach of the princely Keokuk. He ascended
the Mississippi by water, and led the van with two
large canoes, lashed side by side, handsomely deco¬
rated, with a canopy erected over them, beneath
which sat the chief and his three wives, with the
American flag waving over them. More than
twenty canoes followed the chieftain, each containing
from four to eight of his warriors, whose shouts and
songs, swept over the transparent waters of the
Mississippi, and were echoed from shore to shore.
This fleet of canoes, was rowed slowly up the
stream, until it passed the camp of the captives; it
then returned and the party landed on the bank of
the river, opposite to the camp of Black Hawk.
Here Keokuk and his party spent several hours in
arranging their dress, painting their faces and equip¬
ping themselves with their implements of war. This
10 T
218
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
duty of the toilet being finished, they returned to
their canoes, resumed their songs, and proceeded
directly across the "river. Keokuk, very elegantly
dressed, decorated with his medals and fully armed,
was the first to land, and turning to his followers,
said, "The Great Spirit has sent our brother back.
Let us shake hands with him in friendship." He
then proceeded slowly, followed by his warriors, to
wards Black Hawk, who was seated, with his par
ty, in front of his temporary lodge, leaning upon his
staff, and deeply affected by the occasion. Keokuk
kindly extended his hand to him, which the
old man took with some cordiality. Having
saluted the rest of the captives, he took a seat, his
companions following his example. For some time
all was silence—^no one presuming to utter a word
until the chief had spoken. At last, Keokuk in¬
quired of Black Hawk how long he had been upon
the road ; and, remarked tha,t he had been expect¬
ing his arrival, and was coming up the river to
meet him, when met by the messenger of Major
Garland. The pipe was now introduced and passed
round among both parties, and an interchange of
friendly civilities ensued. After an hour of alter¬
nate smoking and talking, Keokuk arose and shook
hands with Black Hawk, saying he should return
to-morrow ; and then recrossed the river in silence.
A considerable part of that night was spent by the
chief and his party in dnging and dancing.
The grand council, for the final liberation of the
captives, was held, with all due solemnity, upon the
ensuing day. It presented the novel spectacle of
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK-
219
a chief, compelled by a third power, to acknow
ledge the authority of a rival, and formally descend
from the rank which he had long sustained among
his people. Fort Armstrong presented a commo¬
dious room, for the ceremonies of the day, and it
was fitted up for the occasion. About ten o'clock in
the forenoon, Keokuk and one hundred followers,
recrossed the river, and proceeded in martial array
to the garrison. They were conducted into the
cotmciT room, and shown the seats which they
were to occupy. Keokuk was seated with Paslie-
pahow (the Stabber) on one side, Wapellar (the lit¬
tle Prince) on the other. The former a chief of the
Sacs, the latter of the Foxes. The remainder of
his band took their seats in the rear, and maintain¬
ed throughout the ceremony, profound silence.
It was not long before Black Hawk and his as¬
sociates, made their appearance. As they entered
the room, Keokuk and the two chiefs by his side,
arose and greeted them. They were seated direct¬
ly opposite to Keokuk. Black Hawk, and his son,
Nasinewiskuk, who seems to have been warmly
attached to his father, appeared to be much deject¬
ed. They had the day previous made objections
to this council, as unnecessary, and painful to their
feelings. They now came into it with deep feelings
of mortification. For a time profound silence reign¬
ed throughout the assembly. Major Garland at
length arose and addressed the council. He was
pleased to find so much good feeling existing among
the Sacs and Foxes towards Black Hawk and his
party; and he felt confident from what he had ob-
230
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
served, since their arrival, that they would here¬
after live in peace: He had but little further to add,
as tiie President's speech, addressed to Black Hawk
and his party, in Baltimore, contained the views
of their great Father on the matters before them;
and, this speech he should cause to be again inter
preted to them.
Keokuk followed Major Garland, and after hav¬
ing shaken hands with those around him said,
" I have listened to the talk of our great Father.
It is true we pledged our honor with those of our
young braves, for the liberation of our friends.
We thought much of it—our councils were long—
their wives and children were in our thoughts—
when we talked of them our hearts were full.
Their wives and children came to see us, which
made us feel like women; but we were men. The
words which we sent to our great Father were
good: he spoke like the father of children. The
Great Spirit made his heart big in council. We
receive our brothers in friendship—our hearts are
good towards them. They once listened to bad
counsel; now their ears are closed: I give my hand
to them; when they shake it, they shake the handy
t>f all. I will shake hands with them, and then I
am done."
Major Garland rose a second time, and stated,
that he wished it to be distinctly understood by all
persons present, in the council, that their great
Father, the President, would hereafter receive and
acknowledge Keokuk, as the principal chief of the
Sac and Fox nation; that he wished and expected
UFE OF BLACK HAWK. U2l
Black Hawk to listen and conform to his counsels;
if any unkind feeling now existed, it must that day
be buried, and, that the band of Black Hawk must
be henceforth merged in that of Keokuk. The in-!
terpreter so reported the remarks of Major Garland,^
that Black Hawk understood the President to say
that he mtist conform to the counsels of Keokuk;
and, t¿ie old chief, losing all command of his feel¬
ings, became deeply and instantly excited. The
spirit which had sustained him in earlier and better
days, burst forth with uncontrollable violence. He
sprung upon his feet, but so deeply excited as to be
almost unable to utter a word. With the most in¬
dignant expression of countenance, and with a
vehemence of manner characteristic of the savage
when roused to action, he exclaimed,
" I am a man—an old man—1 will not conform
to the counsels of any one. I will act for myself—
no one shall govern me. 1 am old—^my hair is
gray—I once gave counsels to my young men—
Am I to conform to others ? I shall soon go to the
Great Spirit, when I shall be at rest. What I said
to our great Father at Washington, I say again—I
will always listen to him. I am done."
The speech of Black Hawk—the last struggle of
a fallen chieftain, caused a momentary excitement
throughout the council. When it had subsided, the
interpreter was directed to explain to him, that the
President had only requested him to listen to the
counsels of Keokuk. He made no reply, but draw¬
ing his blanket around him, sat in moody silence.
Keokuk approached him, and in a low but kind
T 2
*222 s life of black hawk.
tone of voice said, " Why do you speak so before
the white men ? I will speak for you; you trem¬
bled —you did not mean what you said," Black
Hawk gloomily assented, when Keokuk arose and
remarked to the council,
" Our brother who has again come to us, has
spoken, but he spoke in wrath—his tongue was
forked—he spoke not like a man, a Sac. He knew
his words were bad: he trembled like the oak
whose roots have been wasted away by many rains.
He is old—^what he said let us forget. He says he
did not mean it—^he wishes it forgotten. I have
spoken for him. What I have said are his own
words—not mine. Let us say he spoke in council
to-day—^that his words were good. I have spoken."
Colonel Davenport of the United States army,
then in command of Fort Armstrong, next arose,
and taking Black Hawk by the hand, remarked
that he was glad to meet him, that once he was
his enemy, but now he met him as a friend; that
he was there by the command of the President,
and should always be glad to see him; and,
would at all times be ready to give him any advice
which he might need: that during his absence he
nad held frequent talks with the Sacs and Foxes,
who were anxious for his return, and he felt au¬
thorized to say, that the nation entertained for him
and his party? the most friendly feeling. Black
Hawk listened with much apparent interest to the
remarks of Colonel Davenport.*
* Black Hawk seems to have entertained a warm friendship for Co¬
lonel DawnjHjrt On another occasion, speaking of this council, be
UFR OF BLACK HAWK.
22.1
Major Garland no\V arose and told Black Hawk
he was at liberty to go whertî he pleased;—^that the
people of the United States, as well as himself,
were pleased with the unifohn good conduct of all
the captives while among them—^that they were
convinced their hearts were good, but they had list¬
ened to bad counsels; Having now seen the power
of the white men, and taken their great father by
the hand, who had restored them to their families,
he hoped there would be no further difficulties; but
that peace and harmony \vould long exist between
them.
Black Hawk, rose in reply; cool and collected,
and remarked, that having reflected upon what he
had said, it was his wish that if his speech had been
put upon paper, a line might be drawn over it—^he
did not mean it.
Wapellar, the chief of the Foxes, rose up to say
that he had nothing to say. " I am not in the habit
of talking—I think—I have been thinking all day
—Keokuk has spoken: am glad to see my bro¬
thers: I will shake hands with them. I am done."
The chiefs all arose, a general shaking of hands,
eriiil, " I here met my old friend, a great war chief, [Colonel William
Davenport] whom I had known for eighteen years. He is a good and
a brave chief. He always treated me well, and gave me good advice.
He made a speech to me on this occasion, very different from that of
tlie other chief. It sounded like coming from a brave." He adds, " If
our great fiither wore to make such men our agents, he would much
better suliserve the interests of our people, as well as his own, than in
any other way; and had the war chief alluded to, been our agent, we
never should have had the difficulties with the whites which we have
had."
Those who have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with Colo¬
nel Davenport will join in Black Hawk's spontaneous tribute to liii
tharacter aaa brave, and a gentleman of humane and noble feelings."
224
LJFZ OF BLACK IIAU'K.
followed by an interchange of civilities, ensued, and
the council finally adjourned.
In the evening, Maj. Garland invited the prlnci
pal chiefs, together with Black Hawk, to his quar¬
ters, as it would afford a good opportunity to as¬
certain explicitly, the feeling which existed among
them towards their fallen foe. About seven o'clock
they aiTived. They took their seats in silence,
passed the pipe for all to take a whiff, and in return,
quaffed a glass of champagne, which seemed to
ha vea peculiar relish. Pashepahow, shook hands
with all present, and commenced:—
« We met this morning: I am glad to meet again.
That wine is very good; I never drank any before;
I have thought much of our meeting to-day: it was
one that told us we were brothers:—^that we were
Sacs. We had just returned from a buffalo hunt,
we thought it was time for our brothers to be here,
as our father at St. Louis told us this was the moon.
We started before the rising sun to meet you; we
have met, and taken our brothers by the hand in
friendship. They always mistrusted our eouuselSj
and went from the trail of the red men, where
there was no hunting grounds nor friends; they
returned and found the dogs howling around their
wigwams, and wives looking for their husbands
and children. They said we counselled like wo¬
men, but they have found our counsels were good.
They have been through the country of our great
Father. They have been to the wigwams of tiie
white men, they received them in kindness, and
made glad their hearts. We thank tliem: say to
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
225
them that Keokuk and Pashepahow thank them.
Our brother has promised to listen to the counsels
of Keokuk. What he said in council to-day, was
like the Mississippi fog—the sun has shone and the
day is clear—let us forget it—he did not mean it.
His heart is good, but his eeirs have been open to
bad counsels. He has taken our great Father by
the hand, whose words are good. He listened to
them sfhd has closed his ears to the voice that comes
across the great waters. He now knows that he
ought to hsten to Keokuk. He counselled with us
and our young braves, who listened to his talk. We
told our great Father that all would be peace.
He opened his dark prison and let him see the sun
once more, gave him to his wife and children, who
were without a lodge. Our great Father made
straight his path to his home. I once took the
great chief of the Osages prisoner. I heard the cries
of his women and children; 1 took him out by the
rising sun, and put him upon the Jrail to his village;
" there" said I, " is the trail to your village; go and
tell your people, that I, Pashepahow, the chief of
the Sacs, sent you." We thank our great Father
—our hearts are good towards him; I will see him
before I lay down in peace: may the Great Spirit
be in his councils. What our brother said to-day let
us forget; I am doné."
Keokulc, after going through the usual ceremo¬
nies, said, " We feel proud that you have invited
us here this evening, to drink a glass with you; the
wine which we have drank, we never tasted before;
It is the wine which the white men make, who
220
LIFE OP BLACK HAWK.
know how to maice anything: Ï will take anothet
glass, as I have much to say; we feel proud that
we can drink such wine: to-day we shook hands
with our brothers, who you brought to us; we were
glad to see them; we have often thought of our
brothers; many of our nation said théy would
never return: their wives and children often came
to our wigwams, which made us feel sad: what
Pashepahow has said is true; I talked to our young
men, who had the hearts of men; I told them that
the Great Spirit was in our councils, they promised
to live in peace : those who listened to bad counsels,
and followed our brothers, have said their ears are
closed, they will live in peace. I sent their words
to our great Father, whose ears were open, whose
heart was made sad by the conduct of our brothers;
he has sent them to their wigwams. We thank
him: say to him Keokuk thanks him. Our brothers
have seen the great villages of the white men: they
travelled a long road and found the Americans like
grass; I will tell our young men to listen to Avhat
they shall tell them. Many years ago I went
through the villages of our great Father—he had
many—they were like the great prairies; but he
has gone; another is our father; he is a great war
chief; I want to see him; I shall be proud to take
him by the hand; I have heard much of him, his
head is gray, I must see him: tell him that as soon
as the snow is off the prairie, I shall come. What I
have said I wish spoken to him, before it is put upon
paper, so that he shall hear it, as I have said it : tell
him that Keokuk spoke it: What our brother said
UFE OF BLACK HAWK.
227
m council to-day, let us forget; he told me to speak
I spoke his words; I have spoken."
Black Hawk then said, in a calm and dejected
manner,
« I feel tíiat I am an old man; once I could
speak, but now I have but little to say; to-day we
met many of our brothers; we were glad to see
them. I have listened to what my brothers have
said, their hearts are good; they have been like
Sacs, since I left them; they have taken care of my
wife and children, who had no wigwam; I thank
them for it, the Great Spirit knows that I thank
them; before the sim gets behind the hills to-mor¬
row, I shall see them; I want to see them; when
I left them, I expected soon to return; I told our
great father when in Washington, that I would
listen to the counsels of Keokuk. I shall soon
be far away, I shall have no village, no band;
I shall live alone. What I said in council to day, I
wish forgotten. If it has been put upon paper, I
wish a mark to be drawn over it. I did not mean
it. Now we are alone let us say, we will forget it.
Say to our great father and Governor Cass, that I
will listen to them. Many years ago I met Gover¬
nor Cass in councils, far across the prairies to the
rising sun. His counsels were good. My ears
were closed; I listened to the great father across the
Waters. My father listened to him whose band
was large.—My band was once large. Now
I have no band. I and my son and all the party,
thank our great father for what he has done. He
is old, I am old ; we shall soon go to the great Spir-
*228
UFE OF BLACK HAWK.
it, where we shall rest. He sent us through his
great villages. We saw many of the white men,
who treated us with kindness. We thank them.
We thank you and Mr. Sprague for coming with
us. Your road was long and crooked. We never
saw so many white men before. When you were
with us, we felt as though we had some friends
among them. We felt safe. You knew them all.
When you come upon the Mississippi again, you
shall come to my wigwam. I have none now. On
your road home, you will pass where my village
once was. No one lives there now; all are gone.
I give you my hand; we may never meet again; 1
shall long remember you: The Great Spirit will be
with you, and your wives and children. Before
the sun rises, I shall go to my family. My son will
be here to see you before we go. I will shake
hands with my brothers here, then I am done."
Early on the following morning, the Indians
crossed to the west side of the Mississippi, and re¬
turned to their villages.
In the autumn of 1837, deputations from several
Indian tribes, residing upon the waters of the upper
Mississippi, were invited to Washington city, by di¬
rection of the President of the United States. Among
those represented were the united Sac and Fox tribe,
and their ancient enemy the Sioux, between whom
hostilities were then raging. For the purpose of
effecting a peace between them, and also making a
purchase of land of the Sioux, several councils were
held under the direction of the Secretary at War,
but without accomplishing the object in either case.
LIFE or BLACK HAWK.
?29
Black Hawk, was connected with the delegation
.from the Sacs and Foxes, bnt not in the character
of a delegate or chief. Keokuk, apprehensive, that
if left at home, the old man might create some new
difficulty, had prudently taken him along. He
treated him, uniformly, with great respect, and in¬
vited him to sit with them in the councils.
After leaving Washington the delegation visited
the principal eastern cities, and Black Hawk again
attracted much attention. Public curiosity was
still alive to see the renowned but fallen chieftain
of the famous Black Hawk war. In Boston, which
place he did not visit on his former tour, he was
waited upon by a great concourse of citizens, and
in common with the rest of the delegation, was pub¬
licly presented with some military weapons by the
governor of the state, and made a brief speech upon
the occasion.
Before the return of the deputation to the west,
they remained a few hours in Cincinnati. Keokuk
was sick and received but few visiters. " Which
is Black Hawk," was the eager inquiry of almost
every individual who succeeded in threading his
way through the crowd, to the cabin of the steam
boat. The old man manifested no interest in the
passing scene. He was not inclined to conversation,
but sat moody and silent, with an expression of
countenance strongly indicative of wounded pride
and disappointed ambition. He seemed to feel
deeply the degradation of his situation. Shorn of
power among his people, compelled to acknowledge
the authority of his rival, and bending beneath the
¿30
LIFE UF BLA.CE HAWK.
infirmities of age, it is not singular that he should
shrink from the prying gaze of curiosity, and sigh
for the deep seclusion of his wild hunting grounds.
In height Black Hawk is about five feet ten inch¬
es, with broad shoulders, but limbs not very muscu¬
lar. His nose is sharp and slightly aquiline, and
his eyes are of a dark hazel color. The most strik
ing peculiarity in his personal appearance is the
head, which is singularly formed, and has been
pronounced, by some observers, the envy of phre¬
nologists, His countenance is mild and benevo¬
lent, having little if any of that dark and ferocious
expression, not uncommon among the Indians j and
which, during the late border war, was imagined to
be eminently characteristic of Black Hawk. In trac
ing his history, few, if any incidents can be found,
wliich bear out the charge of savage cruelty that
has sometimes been preferred against hitn. On
the contrary, he seems to have an amiable disposi¬
tion. He himself repels, with indignation, the
charge of his ever having murdered women and
children; and, declares the accusation made against
him, on this point, to be wholly false. The charac¬
ter of Black Hawk for honesty in his dealings, and
for general integrity, stands fan*. In his domestic
relations he appears to be kind and affectionate,
and in one particular, is an exception, to the chiefs
and warriors of his tribe. He has never had but
ont wife. After his return from the campaign on
the lakes, during the war with England, his first
act was to visit his family. " I then started," says
he, « to visit my wife and children. I found them
LIFE OF BLACK HAIVK> 23 .
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 will ever have
She is a good woman and teaches my boys to be
brave." It is said, however, and upon pretty good
authority, that on a certain occasion. Black Hawk's
vow of exclusive devotion to one wife, had well
nigh been broken. While visiting a respectable
frontier settler, many years since, he became pleas¬
ed with the comely daughter of his host; and hav¬
ing seriously contemplated the m'atter, decided in
favor of the expediency of adding the pale faced
beauty, to the domestic circle of his wigwam. He
iccordingly expressed his wishes to the father of
the young lady, and proposed to give him a horse,
m exchange for his daughter, but to his surprise the
offer was declined, Some days afterwards he return¬
ed and tendered two fine horses, but still the father
refused to make the arrangement. The old chiefs
love for the young lady, growing stronger, in pro¬
portion to the difficulty of gaining her father's assent,
he, subsequently, offered five or six horses for her
But even this munificent price was rejected by the
mercenary father. Black Hawk now gave up the
négociation, not a little surprised, at the high value
which the white men place upon their daughters.
It is questionable whether Black Hawk possesses
any marked muitary talents, although during his
contest with the United States, it was common to
represent him as an able warrior, who by the elo-
232
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
quence and fluency of his harangues, commanded
the unlimited confidence of his band. He has, most
probably, been overrated both for his eloquence and
his skill in the battle field. He is no doubt a man of
courage, and seems, from early life, to have had a
strong predisposition for war. Many of his mea-
sures as a leader, have been more influenced by a
sense of what was right in the abstract, than ex
pedient in practice. This circumstance has often
placed him in situations, inimical to the permanent
prosperity of his people.
Black Hawk never made any claims to the ofiice
of a peace chief. Even as a war chief, he was not
recognized by all the tribe to which he belonged.
A fragment of the Sacs and Foxes, however, fol¬
lowed his banner for more than twenty years, and
acknowledged him in that capacity: and, over
them, he certainly exercised, from their confidence
in his judgment, his warlike talent, or some other-
cause, no small amount of influence. His age and
Kindness of disposition, probably, strengthened their
attachment to him. In the campaign of 1832, al¬
though terminating in the defeat of Black Hawk,
and the almost entire annihilation of his band, his
military reputation did not suffer much, if the cir¬
cumstances under v/hich he was placed, be recol¬
lected. During the operations of that period. Gen¬
eral Atkinson estimated the warriors of Black
Hawk at seven or eight hmidred, but the better
opinion is that it did not, at any time, exceed five
hundred; and several persons, who had favorable
opportunities for judging, place the estimate still
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
233
'ower. The commander of the United States troops,
hud with him, in the pursuit of Black Hawk,
twenty seven hundred men, all of them well armed
and most of them well mounted. This was inde¬
pendent of the militia in the different military posts
and fortified stations. The entire number of the
American forces, engaged in the campaign, is sup¬
posed to have approached to three thousand, five
hundfed. Black Hawk was encumbered with the
wives and children, the household property and
travelling equipage of his whole band; and from
the time of his re-crossing the Mississippi to the
battle of the Bad-axe, was constantly in want of
provisions. .Indeed, in the month of July, many of
his party actually starved to death. Under such
circumstances, the wonder is not, that he was final¬
ly defeated and captured, but that it should have
required a campaign of three mouths in which to
accomplish that object. The defeat of Stillman and
the attack upon the fort at Bufialo Grove, may be
claimed by Black Hawk and his band, to have been
as honorable to their arms, as were the victories of
the Wisconsin and the Bad-axe to those of the United
States.
But whatever may be the ultimate opinion in re¬
gard to him, either as a warrior or a man, his
career for good and for evil, is now ended. The
war-banner has passed from his hand—his seat in
the council-house is vacant—the fire of his lodge is
nearly extinguished: the autumn of life is upon
him—and, in a little while the autumn leaves will
rustle over the lone grave of Black Hawk.
V 2
CHAPTER. IX.
Black Hawk at the capture of Fort Erie—At the battle of the Thamei
—His account of the death of Tecunithe—Hit residence and mode
of life after bis last visit to the east—His Fourth of July speech
at Fort Madison—His death and burial.
Since the three first editions of this work were
published, the death of Black Hawk has occurred;
and a few additional particulars of his life have
been collected. These, it is proposed to embody in
a new chapter.
In the course of the preceding pages, the diffi¬
culty of procuring full, and always exact informa¬
tion, in regard to the lives of a people having
neither records nor historians, has been alluded to.
This difficulty will be encountered by any one who
may attempt to chronicle the annals of the aborigi¬
nes in their aggregate condition, or to pourtray
their individual history. In the compilation of
this volume, much pains were taken to obtain ail
the prominent events in the life of Black Hawk,
and, it is supposed, as much success attended the
effort, as is usual in similar cases. Since its publi¬
cation, however, it appears that all his military
movements have not been narrated, and we pro-
ceed to supply the omission.
At page 82 of this volume, it is stated that
Black Hawk was only in two engagements in the
late war with Great Britain, and that the last of
these was the assault upon Fort Stephenson, in
August 1813, then under the command of Major
234 '
UFK OF BLACK HAWK.
233
Croghan. It is true that he and his band were
with the British army in the attack upon this post,
but his connection with that army did not cease until
after the capture of Fort Erie. The authority for
this fact is to be found in the «Book of the In¬
dians," page 145. The author of that work, in
narrating the incidents of Black Hawk's return to
the north-west, in 1833, after his imprisonment at
Fortress Monroe, saysî «Having arrived at Buffalo,
on Friday the 28th of June, they (the party return¬
ing with the old warrior) remained there until Sun¬
day morning. The day after their arrival, they
rode over to Black Rock, where they viewed the
union of the grand canal with the lake at that
place. From this point they had a full view of the
Canada shore, and Black Hawk immediately poin¬
ted out Fort Erie, and seemed well acquainted
with the adjacent country ; he having been there
in the time of the last war with England, in the
British service ; and at the time ' when the Ameri¬
cans walked into Fort Erie,' as he expressed the
capture of it." Of the extent of his participation in
the events attendant upon this capture, there is no
satisfactory information.
Black Hawk was likewise in the battle of the
Thames, a fact not previously stated in this work,
and which is now given on the authority of a wri¬
ter in the Baltimore American, to whose respecta¬
bility the editor of that paper bears testimony
We have, indeed, no reason to doubt the accuracy
t f this statement, which will be read with the more
i Ucrest, from the circumstance that it embraces
236
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
Black Hawk's account of the death of Tecumthe
in regard to which much has been written and pub¬
lished. It is not proposed, on the present occasion,
to compare the relation given by Black Hawk, of
the fall of Tecumthe, with the testimony of others
who have appeared as historians of this event, but
shall content ourselves with simply quoting the ar
tide to which reference has been made. The wri
ter professes to have been Intimately acquainted
with Black Hawk, and in the brief sketch which
he has presented of the life of this warrior, we find
corroborating evidence of the truth of many of the
traits of character, which, in the course of this vol¬
ume, has been assigned to him both as a man and
a warrior. The article is in these words :
" Messrs. Editors—Hearing of the death of the
celebrated Sauk chieftain. Black Hawk, I am in¬
duced to make you the following communication,
which may be interesting to some of your readers.
" During a residence of several years in what is
now the Territory of Iowa, I had many opportuni¬
ties of seeing and conversing with this noted war¬
rior, and often look back with feelings of great
pleasure to the many tokens of good will and
friendship that he has frequently bestowed upon
me. His lodge was always open to a stranger, and
he was ever ready to share that with him which he
might most want, either his furs and blankets for a
couch, or his corn and venison for a repast. He
.always spoke in terms of high regard of the whites,
saying, that in war he fought like a brave man, but
in peace he wished to forget that his hand had ever
LIFB or BI<ACK HAWK.
237
been raised against them. His career as a ^v^arrior
commenced at a very early age ; Vrhen he was but
fourteen years old, his father, Pawheese, led a war
party against the Osages, in which expedition he
accompanied him. They succeeded in reaching the
village of Osages, which they attacked, and after a
very severe encounter, they routed their enemies
and burnt their town. In this battle Black Hawk's
fathemvas killed, but he revenged his death by kil¬
ling and scalping the Osage who had slain him. He
was fond of recounting his eeu'lier exploits, and
often boasted Of his being at the right hand of
Tecumthe, when the latter was killed at the battle
of the Thames. His account of the death of this
distinguished warrior, was related to me by him¬
self, during an evening that I spent in his lodge
some winters ago. In the course of our talk, I
asked him if he, was with Tecumthe when he was
killed. He replied—
« < I was, and I will now tell you all about it.—
Tecumthe, Shaubinne, and Caldwell, two Potawat-
timie chiefs, and myself, were seated on a log near
our camp fire, filling our pipes for a smoke, on the
morning of the battle, when word came from the
British general, that he wished to speak with Te¬
cumthe. He went immediately, and after staying
some time rejoined us, taking his seat without say¬
ing a word, when Caldwell, who was one of his
favorites, observed to him, «my father, what are we
todo? Shall we fight the Americans?' « Yes, my
son,' replied Tecumthe, « We shall go into their
rtery smoke—but you are now wanted by the
238
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK
General Go, my son, I never expect to see yon
again.' Shortly after this, (continued liiack Hawk,}
the Indian spies came in, and gave word of the
near approach of the Americans. Tecnmthe im¬
mediately posted his men in the edge of a swamp,
which flanked the British line, placing himself at
their head. I was a little to his right, with a small
party of Sauks. It was not long before the Amer-
cans made their appearance ; they did not per¬
ceive us at first, hid as we were by the under¬
growth, but we soon let them know where we were
by pouring in one or two volleys as they were
forming into a line to oppose the British. They
faultered a little, but very soon we perceived a
large body of horse (Colonel Johnson's regiment of
mounted Kentuckians) preparing to charge upon
us in the swamp. They came bravely on, yet we
never stirred until they were so close that we could
see the flints in their guns, when Tecumthe spring¬
ing to his feet, gave the Shawnee war cry, and dis¬
charged his rifle. This was the signal for us to
commence the fight ; but it did not last long ; the
Americans answered the shout, returning our fire,
and at the first discharge of their guns, I saw Te¬
cumthe stagger forwards over a fallen tree near
which he was standing, letting his rifle (hop at his
feet. As soon as the Indians discovered he was
killed, a sudden fear came over them, and thinking
that the Great Spirit was displeased, thty fought
- no longer, and were quickly put to flighv. That
night we returned to bury our dead, and seairh
for i he body of Tecumthe. He was found Iviig
LUE OF BLACK HAWK.
839
where he had first fallen ; a bullet had struck him
above the hip, and his skull had been broken by
the butt end of the gun of some soldier, who had
found him, perhaps, when life was not yet quite
gone. With the exception of these wounds, his
body was untouched; lying near him, however,
was a large, fine looking Potawattimie, who had
been killed,- decked off in his plumes and war
paint, whom the Americans no doubt had taken for
Tecurathe ; for he was scalped, and every particle
of skin flayed from his body. Tecumthe himself,
had no ornaments about his person save a British
medal. During the night we buried our dead, and
brought off the body of Tecumthe, although we
were within sight of the fires of the American
camp.^
«This is somewhat diflerent from the account
which is commonly given of Tecumthe's death, yet
I believe it to be true ; for after hearing Black
Hawk relate-it, 1 heard it corroborated by one of
the Potawattimie chiefs, mentioned by him. I
asked him if he had ever fought against the whites
after the death of Tecumthe. He said not—that
he returned home to his village on the Mississippi,
at the mouth of Rock River, and there he remained
until driven away by the whites, in the year 1832.
The wish to hold possession of this village, was the
cause of the war which he waged against the
v/hites during that year. He told me that he never
wished to fight ; that he was made to do so ; tliat
the whites killed his warriors when they went
with a Avhite flag to beg a parley, and that after
life of black hawk.
this was done, he thought they intended to kill him
at all events, and therefore he would die like a
warrior.
" In speaking of, his defeat, he said it was what
he expected ; that he did not mind it ; but what
hurt him more than any thing else, was our govern¬
ment degrading him in the eyes of his own people,
and setting another chief (Keokuk) over him. This
degradation he appeared to feel very sensibly, still
he continued to possess all his native pride. One in
stance that came under my observation, I recollect
well, in which it was strongly displayed. He happen-
ed to be in a small town in Iowa, on the same day
in which a party of dragoons, under Captain
arrived : and in paying a visit to a friend with
whom he always partook of a meal, whenever he
stopped at the village, he met with the Captain, who
had been invited to dine. Black Hawk remained,
also expecting the usual invitation to stay and eat
with them : but when the dinner was ready, the
host took him aside, and told him the Captain, or
rather the white man's chief, was to dine with him
that day, and he must wait until they had finished.
The old chieCs eye glistened with anger as he an¬
swered him, raising the fore-finger of one hand to
his breast, to represent the officer, < I know the
white man is a chief, but /,' elevating the finger of
the other hand far above his head, « was a chief,
and led my warriors to the fight, long before his
mother knew him. Four meat,—my dogs should
not. eat it." Saying this, he gathered the folds of
his blanket about him, and stalked off, looking as
LIFE OF BLACK UAtTK. 241
«
proudly as if he still walked over ground that he
could call ' my own'
" Black Hawk possessed, to a great degree, one
fine trait which it is not usual for us to concede to
the Indian—^kindness and affection for his wife.
He never had but one, and with her he lived ior
upwards of forty years ; they had several children,
three of whom still survive, two sons and a daugh¬
ter. The eldest son is now one of the most pro¬
mising young braves of thé nation, and bids fair to
be one of its most noble men. The daughter is still
quite young, and is considered to be the most beau¬
tiful maiden belonging to her tribe.
" He has now departed on his long journey, to
join those of his people who have gone before him
to their happy hunting grounds, far beyond the set¬
ting sun. May the Great Spirit grant him a clear
sunshine, and a smooth path."
For the particulars, given below, of the last days
and death of Black Hawk, we are indebted to a
highly respectable gentleman, W. Henry Starr, Esq.
of Burlington, Iowa Territory. His communica¬
tion, under date of March 21st, 1839, is given en¬
tire, that the interest of the narrative may be pre¬
served.
"Your letter of the 2nd of January came to
liand in due course of mail, in which you make
some enquiries concerning the old chief bf the Sac
and Fox tribes—^the venerable Black Hawk. I
should have replied to it sooner, could I have done
so satisfactorily either to you or myself. I knew
much by report of the old chief, and somèthmgf
11 V
242
LIFE OF BLACK IIAWK-
from personal acquaintance ; but my knowledge
was not so accurate as to ba serviceable to a faith¬
ful biographer- I have, therefore, taken some¬
time to. make, the necessary enquiries, and satisfy
myself of their accuracy.
« After Black Hawk's last return from the eastern
states, he passed the winter of 1837 8 in the coun¬
ty of Lee, in the south-eastern portion of this terri¬
tory, on a small stream called Devil-creek. The
white settlements extended for forty miles west of
him, and the tribe to which he belonged, with the
exception of a few old braves, and his family, resi¬
ded on the frontier. From, his tribe he was isola¬
ted in position and feeling, His family consisted
of a wife, two sons, Nashçaskuk and Samesett, (as
they are pronounced here,) a daughter and her hus¬
band. They passed their tirnq principally in hunt¬
ing deer, wild turkiea, and the, prairie hen, which
are abundant in that quarter of the territory. For
hunting. Black Hawk is smd to have displayed no
fondness ; but chose to spend his time in improving
his place of residence, and exercising his ingenuity
with mechanic tools. Iq the spring of 1838, they
removed to the frontier, and settled upon the Des
Moines river, about eighty or ninety miles from its
rpouth, near to a trading post, arid in the immediate
vicinity of the villages of the other chiefs of the
tribe. Here he had a very comfortable bark cabin,
which he furnished in imitation of the whites, with
chairs, a table, a mirror, and mattrasses. His dress
was that of the other chiefs, with the exception of
a broad-brimmed black hat, which he usually wore.
I,IFE OF Bl.\CK UA.\VK.
213
In the summer he cultivated a few acres of land in
corn, melons, and various kinds of vegetables. , He
was frequently visited by the whites, and I have
often heard his hospitality highly commended.
" On the 4th of July last, he was present at
Fort Madison, in Lee county, by special invitation,
and was the most conspicuous guest of the citizens
assembled in commemoration of that day. Among
the Roasts called forth by the occasion was the fol
lowing ;
« < Otir illustriom guest, Black Hawk.—Ma}
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 interpre¬
ters, and by them furnished for publication.
" ' It has pleased the Great Spirit that I am here
to-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 winters ago I was fighting
against you—I did wrong, perhaps ; 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 peo¬
ple, 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 friend.
244
LIPE OF BLACK HAWK.
ly with my white brethren—we are here together—
we have eaten together—we are friends—it is Iiis
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 situa¬
tion—but do not attach 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 in¬
toxicated, an uncommon circumstance, as he was
generally temperate.
" In the autumn of 1838, he was at the house oí
an Indian trader, in the vicinity of Burlington,
when I became acquainted and frequently conver¬
sed with him, in broken English, and through the
medium of gestures and pantomime. A deep sea¬
ted melancholy was apparent in his countenance
and conversation. He endeavored to make me
comprehend, on one occasion, his former great¬
ness ; 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 him¬
self, smiting his breast, 'big Captain 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 per¬
mitting Keokuk to supersede him, who, he averred,
excelled him in nothing but drinking whiskey.
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
¿45
«Toward Keokuk he felt the most unrelenting ha¬
tred. Keokuk was, however, beyond his influence,
being recognized as chief of the tribe, by the go
vernment of the United States. He unquestionably
possesses talents of the first order, excels as an ora¬
tor, but his authority will probably be short-lived
oil 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 he
seeks to maintain his authority.
« You enquire if Black Hawk was at the battle of
the Thames ? On one occasion I mentioned Te-
cumthe 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,
* Chemokaman (white man) nesso,' (kill.) From
which I had no doubt of his being personally ac¬
quainted with Tecumthe ; and I have been since
informed, on good authority, that he was in the
battle of the Thames and in several other engage¬
ments with that distinguished chief.
" Soon after this interview with Black Hawk, he
set out for the frontier, where a payment was soon
to be made to the tribe, of a portion of their
annuity.
« The weather was both hot and wet, and it is
supposed, that, on this journey, he imbibed the
seeds of the disease which soon after terminated his
existence. This journey was in September. Early
in October, the commissioner for adjusting claims
with the Sac and Fox tribes, was to meet them at
V 2
246
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
Rock Island, and most of the Indians wefe there on
the first of that month. Black Hawk was taken
sick and was unable to accompany them, A vio¬
lent bilious fever had seized upon him, and on the
3d of October, after an illness of seven days, he
died. His only medical attendant Xvas one of the
tribe, who knew something of vegetable antidotes,
and was called doctor. His wife, who was devo¬
tedly attached to him, mourned deeply during his
illness. She seemed to have had a presentiment of
his approaching death, and said, some days before it
occurred, ' he is getting old—^he must die—Mono-
tah calls him home,*
" After his death, he was dressed in the uniform
presented to him at Washington, by the President
or Secretary at War, and placed upon a rude bier,
consisting of two poles with bark laid across, on
which he was carried by four of his braves to the
place of interment, followed by his family and
about fifty of the tribe, (the chiefs being all absent.)
They seemed deeply affected, and mourned in their
usual way, shaking hands, and muttering in guttu¬
ral tones, prayers to Monotah (their deity) for his
safe passage to the land prepared for the reception
of all Indians, The grave was six feet deep and
of the usual lengtli, situated upon a little eminence
about fifty yards from his wigwam. The body
was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting
posture, upon a seat, constructed for the purpose.
On his left side the cane given him, as I am inform¬
ed, by Mr. Henry Clay, was placed upright, with
lus right hand resting upon it. Many of the olu
Lií-E or fiLXck HAWk.
2Í7
waiTior's tropiiies were placed in tVie grave, and
some Indian garments, togetlier with his favorite
weapons. The grave Was then cóveted With plank,
and a mound óf earth, keveïal feet in height, was
thrown up over it, and the whole enclosed with
pickets twelve feet in height. At the head of the
grave a flag staff was placed, bearing our national
banner ; and àt the foot there stands a post, on
whioh is inscribed, in Indian charácters, his age.
« I do not know the exact age óf Black Hawk,
6ut understood from him, that he was seventy-two.
His virtues commanded the respect of all the
whites Who knew him. He possessed much mag¬
nanimity of soul, and under àll the mortifications
IÓ which he has been subjected, and the insults
that have been heaped upon him by his tribe, and
especially by the haughty Keokuk, he maintained,
until the last years of his life, a uniform cheerful¬
ness and resignation of mind, which bespoke à con¬
scious superiority."
With this sketch of the last days of Black
Hawk, our narrative of his life is closed. After an
eventful and restless career of three score and ten
years," this celebrated Sác has been « gathered to
Ins fathers." His hame cannot be forgotten, for
his deeds are a part of the históty of this country.
If not distinguished for a high order of talent, or
renowned for great warlike achievements, he has
not often been surpassed in the history of his race,
for those less dazzling virtues, hjjmanity, courage,
an ' )ve of country. •' He was an Indian who
2i8 tlFE OF BLACK HAWK.
had a sense of honor, as well as policy ; a man
in whom those who knew him confided."* In the
last speech which he made in the last year of his
life, in alluding to his difficulties with the whites,
ne says, " Rock river was a beautiful country—I
liked my towns, my cornfields, and the home of
my people ;—I fought for it,"—a declaration aa
creditable to the heart of the speaker, as it is impor¬
tant to a just estimate of his conduct, in resisting
the removal of his tribe from their native land
The love of country is not confined to civilized life,
out swells the heart and nerves the arm of the un
tutored man of the woods. " I liked mv towns,
my cornfields, and the home of my people } 1
fought for it," should bc inscribed over the hum¬
ble grave of Black Hawk.
Note.—Since writing that portion of the forego¬
ing narrative which treats of the capses of the late
war with the Sacs and Foxes, the following article,
from the able pen of juáge Hall, has met our obser¬
vation. It was published in the Western Monthly
Magazine in 1833, one year after the termination
of that conflict. The writer was then a resident of
Illinois, and intimately acquainted with the rela¬
tions existing between the whites and Indians. His
remarks are valuable. They embrace a graphic de¬
scription of the region inhabited by the Sacs and
Foxes, and fully sustain the position which we have
• Colonel VVhitlles^,of the Geological Corps of Ohio. See Hespe«
rían for Febroary, iav9, in which this gentlemao has given valuaoíe
recollections of a tour through Wisconsin in 18.12.
LITE OF »LACK HAWK.
taken m this volume, that the « Black Hawk war"
was the result of unprovoked agressions made by
the American people upon the Indians. '
" I have just returned from a delightful voyage.
I have explored a portion of the exquisitely beauti¬
ful shores of the upper Mississippi, and am ready
to confess that until now, I had little idea of the ex¬
tent, the grandeur, or the resources of the west. The
world cannot produce such another country as this
greaf valley of ours. Yet to understand its value,
one must ascend the Mississippi and the Illinois, and
see the noble prairies of the two states which are
destined to eclipse all others. I cannot convey to
you in adequate language, my admiration of this at¬
tractive region. The traveller who visits the western
country, and fancies he has acquired any knowledge
of it—I say any, by simply tracing the meanders
of the Ohio, or spending weeks, or years,' if you
please, at Cincinnati or Louisville, is very much
mistaken. There is much to admire in western
Pennsylvania and Virginia ; Kentucky and Ohio
are full of attraction ; but the man who is really an
admirer of nature, and would witness the most
splendid exhibitions of the creative power, must go
to Illinois and Missouri.
« I visited this region for the first time four years
ago, while the Sacs and Foxes were at peace with
the whites, and before Black Hawk had got to be a
great man. They were friendly and well-disposed,
and the white people residing near them, would
almost as soon have distrusted or disturbed each
other, as those peaceful red men. I took great in¬
terest in noticing their dwellings, and remarking
their deportment, as it, was the first occasion I had
ever enjoyed of seeing the savage in his own wild
home. I had embarked on board a steamboat at
St. Louis, intending to take a pleasant excursion to
250
l.ltK OF BLACK HAWK.
the falls of St, Anthony. The weather was very
delightful, only a little too warm ; and the river
was unfortunately so low, that on arriving at the
Bts Moines rapids, we found it difficult to ascend
them, and above that point, our progress ^ivaS con¬
tinually impeded by the difficulty of the navigation
This circumstance, though vexatious to sudi of the
passengers as had business ahead, ôr families at
home, was not disagreeable to one who, like my¬
self, travelled only for amusement, as it afforded
opportunities of exploring the romantic shores.
We spent a day at the Lower Rapids, and I have
seldom seen a more attractive country. The land
is high on both sides, and rises gradually in beau¬
tiful swells. I saw hundreds of acres covered
with the native buckeye, the most beautiful tree
of the forest—if, indeed, any can be entitled to
that distinction among so great a variety of noble
and majestic trees. Beneath, was a rich under¬
growth of wild gooseberry bushes. Add to these
the beautiful creeper, and the wild honeysuckle,
which were occasionally seen, and it is impossible
to imagine a vegetation more splendidly luxuriant
and ornamental. The whole country is based on
rock, and the springs which burst out from the hill
sides are clear as crystal and delightfully cold. The
shores of the river are plentifiilly strewed with
crystalizations and petrifactions. We picked up
some fine specimens of cornelian, and saw a vast
number of geodes of every size, from one inch in
diameter to fifteen.
" It was Sunday. Have you ever experienced
the singular and pleasing associations connected
with a sabbath passed in the wilderness ? I have
often enjoyed these feelings, but never felt them
with such force as on this day. It was calm and
sultry. The brilliant sunbeams were brightly re¬
flected from the broad bosom of the Mississippi.
tIF* OF BLACK HAWK.
251
and the deep green outline of the forest was splen¬
didly illumined, while the deep shadows underneath
the foliage afforded an attractive appearance of
coolness and seclusion. The passengers and crew
were scattered about singly or in small parties, so
that when I wandered but a small distance from
the vessel, and seated myself on a 1 nil which com.
manded a view of the river and its banks, I found
myself perfectly alone. Not a living object was
visibly not a sound was heard, not a leaf or a limb
stin'ed. How different from the streets of a city
Ujion a sabbath morn, when crowds of well-dressed
persons are seen moving in every direction ; when
the cheerful bells are sounding, and the beautiful
smiling children are hurrying in troops to Sunday
school ! Here 1 was in solitude. I saw not the
laborer resting from toil, nor the smile of infancy,
nor the christian bowing before his God ; but Na¬
ture proclaimed a sabbath by the silence that reign¬
ed abroad, and the splendor with which she had
adorned her works.
" It is natural that these recollections of my first
visit to the frontier should mingle with the obser¬
vations made in my recent tour through the same
scenes ; I Shall therefore not attempt to separate
the remarks made on either occasion, but give some
of the results of both voyages.
" I can scarcely describe the sensations with which
I first saw the solitary lodge of an Indian hunter,
on the shore of the Mississippi. In my childhood
I had read with thrilling interest, the talcs of border
warfate ; but I had not learned to hate an Indian
with mortal hatred. I verily believe they have
souls. People may think differently in certain pla¬
ces, which shall be nameless, but I cannot be per¬
suaded to the contrary. You cannot imagine any
thing more frail than an Indian wigwam—a mere
shelter of poles and mats, so small, so apparently
252
I.1FE OF BLACK HAWK.
inadequate to any purpose of security or comfort,
that it is hardly possible to believe it to be intended
for the residence of human beings. In such habi¬
tations reside the Indian warrior, whose name is a
terror lo his enemies ; and the dark maiden, whose
story supplies the poet with rich materials, with
which to embellish the page of fiction. In such
wretched hovels reside the aboriginal lords of the
soil.
" I have seen in this region, evidences of perse¬
cution perpetrated by our people upon this unhap¬
py race, such as the American people would scarce¬
ly believe ; and I am satisfied that if the events of
the late war could be traced to their true source,
every real philanthropist in the nation would blush
for his country.
" I could relate many anecdotes, to show the
friendly feelings entertained towards our govern-
ment and people by the Sacs—^feelings which, whe¬
ther of fear or of kindness, have rendered them
wholly submissive, and which nothing but the most
unprovoked aggression on our side, could have kin¬
dled into hostility. I will only, at this time, repeat
one, which occurred during my first voyage, reser¬
ving others for a future letter.
" One day, Avhen the boat stopped to take in
wood, some of us strolled up to the house of a Mr.
D., a respectable farmer from Pennsylvanieu He
had been living here several years, at a spot distant
from any settlements, and without a single neigh¬
bor. Upon our inquiring whether he felt no alarm
in residing thus alone in the vicinity of the Indians,
he replied that his family had formerly experienced
much uneasiness, but that they had long since be¬
come satisfied that there was no ground for appre¬
hension. He was convinced that the Sacs, their
nearest neighbors, so far from being disposed to in-
LIVE OF BLACK HAWK.
jure the whites, were cautious and timid oí giving
oiTence. In support of this opinion, he related the
following anecdote.
" His house stands on a high bank of the Missis¬
sippi, and the family were one day much alarmed
by discovering a large number of Indians passing
up the river in canoes. They passed along in a
most disorderly manner, some paddling their little
vessels, and others strolling along the shore, but the
majority evidently intoxicated. It was the latter
circumstance which caused alarm. The Indians
had been to St. Louis to receive their annuities, and
had procured a sufficient supply of whisky to ren¬
der them unsafe visitors. They continued, how¬
ever, straggling along in larger or smaller parties all
day, without stopping. At night, one of them, a
young warrior of prepossessing appearance, came
to the house, and in the most respectful manner,
asked permission to sleep upon the floor of the
cabin. Mr. D., although by no means pleased with
his guest, knew not how to refuse. The Indian
warrior was invited to supper. A plentiful meal,
such as composed the ordinary repast of the fami¬
ly, was placed before him, and having satisfied his
hunger, he wrapped himself in his blanket, threw
himself on the floor before the fire, and went to
sleep. In the course of the night, Mr. D. happen¬
ing to go out, discovered some Indians lying in the
bushes not far from the house ; without disturbing
them, he proceeded in a different direction, where
he found another party; they were strewed, in
short, entirely around his dwelling. The fact of be¬
ing thus surrounded, the concealment, and the si
lence of the Indians, all conspired to awaken suspi¬
cion, and he passed the night in no small degree of
uneasiness. He rose early in the morning ; his In¬
dian guest also started up, gathered his blanket
around him, and took leave ; first, however, ex-
W
254
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
plaining to Mr. D. that he belonged to a party oi
Sacs who were returning from St. Louis, and that
many of them being intoxicated, it had been
thought proper to station a guard round Mr. D.'s
house, to protect him and his property from injury.
He added, that if any depredation should be disco¬
vered to have been committed by the Indians, the
chiefs would pay IMr. D. the full amount. Such an
example of the care taken by the chiefs of this
tribe to avoid giving umbrage to the whites, affords
the highest testimony, either of their friendship for
our people, or tlieir respect for our power.
" The Sac and Fox tribe inhabited, at that time,
a beautiful tract of country in Illinois, upon the
borders of Rock river. These two tribes are usu¬
ally mentioned in conjunction, because the Foxes,
many years ago, having been nearly exterminated
in a war with some of their neighbors, the remnant
of the nation, too feeble to exist as a separate tribe,
sought refuge in. the Sac villages, and have remain¬
ed ever since incorporated with the latter people.
They are a fine looking race of people, and are well
disposed towards the whites. They have long been
divided, however, into two parties, one of which is
friendly towards our government, while the other,
called the British band, is under, the influence of
the British traders. It has always been the policy
of the latter, to keep the Indians upon the western
frontier in a state of disaffection towards the Amer¬
ican people, and by these means, to secure to them¬
selves an undue proportion of the fur trade. So
long as it should remain difficult upon our part to
gain access to the tribes, and oiu* intercourse with
them be liable to interruption, jealousy, and dis¬
trust, so long, would the British trader possess an
advantage over us in relation to this traffic. The
British fur companies, whose agents are numerous,
intelligent, and enterprising, have always acted upon
XIF^ or UAWI^.
35&
this policy, and the English officers in Canada, both
tivil and military, have given it their sanction. Al¬
most all the atrocities which have been committed
an our frontiers by the Indians, within the last fifty
years, have been directly or indirectly incited by
the incendiary agents of that mercenary govern¬
ment. The British band of the Sacs and Foxes
have been in the habit of visiting Maiden annu¬
ally, and receiving valuable presents — presents,
which being made to a disaffected portion of a
tribe residing not only within the United States, but
within the limits of a state, could be viewed in no
other light than as bribes,—the wages of disaffec¬
tion. Black Hawk, though not a chief, is one of the
most influential individuals of the British hand"
In a late number of the American Museum, we
find the following article. It bears intrinsic evi¬
dence of coming from the same pen, and presents
in a striking point of view the rapid extension of
our settlements, and the consequent recession of the
Indians.
" Most of our readers^ have become familiarly
acquainted with the name of the redoubted Black
Hawk, whose adventures are detailed in this volume
and whose fame has been spread from Maine to
Florida. There was a time, when he shared the
eager attention of the public with Fanny Kemble
and the cholera, and was one of the lions of the
day J and as regularly talked about as the weather,
the last new novel, or the candidates for the presi¬
dency. The war in Illinois, though of brief dura¬
tion, and not marked by any stirring events, came
suddenly upon us after a long series of peaceful
256
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK.
years upon the northwestern border. The savages,
weary of fruitless conflicts, or quelled by the supe¬
rior numbers of a gigantic and growing foe, seemed
to have submitted to their fate, and the pioneer had
ceased to number the war-whoop among the in¬
quietudes of the border life. The plains of Illinois
and Missouri were rapidly becoming peopled by
civilized men.' A race less hardy than the back¬
woodsmen were tempted by the calm to migrate to
those delightful solitudes, that bloomed with more
than Arcadian fascinations of fruitfulness and beau¬
ty. The smoke of the settler's cabin began to as¬
cend from the margin of every stream in that wide
region, and the cattle strayed through rich pastures,
of which the buffalo, the elk, and the deer, had long
enjoyed a monopoly—an unchartered monopoly—
wondering, no doubt, at their good luck in having
their lives cast in such pleasant places.
It was the writer's lot to ramble over that beauti
ful country while these interesting scenes were pre
sented ; while the wilderness still glowed in its
pristine luxuriance : while the prairie-grass and the
wild flowers still covered the plain, and the deer
continued to frequent his ancient haunts, and while
the habitations of the new settlers were so widely
and so thinly scattered, that the nearest neighbors
could scarcely have exchanged the courtesy of an
annual visit without the aid of the seven-leagued
boots of ancient story. But though in solitude,
they lived without fear. There were rone to mo¬
lest nor make them afraid. If they had few friends,
they had no enemies. If the Indian halted at the set¬
tler's door, it was to solicit hospitality, î\ot to offer
violence. But more frequently he stalked silently by,
timid of giving offence to the white mar, whom he
doubtless regarded as an intruder upon J M own an¬
cient heritage, but whose possession h" had been
taught to respect, because he had eve» foitnd U
LIFE OF BLACK HAWK. 257
guarded by a strong and swift arm, that had never
failed to repay aggression with ten-fold vengeance.
Suddenly, however, a change came over this cheer¬
ing scene. The misconduct of a few white men
disturbed the harmony of a wide region. The In¬
dians were oppressed and insulted to the last point
of forbearance, and a small but restless band, re¬
garded as insubordinate and troublesome even by
their own nation, seized upon the occasion to rush
to war..
It is wonderful to look back upon this eventful
history. The country over which Black Hawk,
with a handful of followers, badly armed, and des¬
titute of stores or munitions of war, roamed for
hundreds of miles, driving off the scattered inhabi¬
tants, is now covered with flourishing settlements,
with substantial houses, and large farms—not with
the cabins and clearings of bordermen—^but with
the comfortable dwellings and the well-tilled fields
of independent farmers. Organized counties and
all the subordination of social life are there ; and
there are the noisy school-house, the decent church,
the mill, the country store, the fat ox, and the sleek
plough-horse. The yankee is there with his no¬
tions and his patent-rights, and the travelling agent
with his subscription book ; there are merchandise
from India and from England, and, in short, all the
luxuries of life, from Bulwer's last novel down to
Brandreth's pills. And all this has been done in six
years—in less than half the time of Jacob's court¬
ship. In 1832 the Saukie warriors ranged over
that fertile region, which is now (1838) covered
with an industrious population ; while the Territo-
j-ies of Wisconsin and Iowa, and vast settlements
111 Missouri, have since grown up, beyond the re¬
gion Avhich was then the frontier and the seat of
war.
W 2
«
APPENDIX.
SKETCHES OF THE SIOUX.
The Sioux or Dacotas, are a numeious, power,
ful and warlike nation of Indians, who have been
appropriately called the Arabs of the west. He«
tween them and the Sacs and Foxes, there has ex¬
isted, from the settlement of the two latter tribes on
the waters of the Mississippi, a hostility of feeling
that has kept them embroiled in a constant warfare.
The efforts of government to break down their pre¬
judices and make peace between them, have failed in
accomplishing that benevolent end. It is not, how¬
ever, against the Sacsand Foxes alone,that their arms
arc turned. From time immemorial they have been
at vvar with the Chippeways, and are also constant¬
ly making hostile incursions upon other neighbor¬
ing tribes. They usually fight on horseback, and
being very superior horsemen, they are generally
more than a match for their antagonists. In School¬
craft's Narrative, we find the following account of
their numbers, habits and peculiarities of char¬
acter.
« The numerical strength of the Sioux nation was
stated by the late General Pike at 21,675, three
thousand eight hundred of whom are warriors.
This is the most powerful Indian tribe in North
A.merica. It consists of seven bands, namely the
Minokantongs, the Yengetongs, the Sissitongs, the
Wahpetongs, the Titongs, the Mendewacantongs
and the Washpecontongs. These are independent
bands under their own chiefs, but united in a con¬
federacy for the protection of their territories; and
258
«KETClItS OV THE SlOtX. 2.'3
send deputies to a general council of the chiefs and
warriors, whenever the concerns of their nation re¬
quire it. If one of the tribes is attacked, the others
are expected to assist in the repulsion of the enemy.
They inhabit all the country, between the Missis¬
sippi and Missouri rivers, from north latitude about
46° to the junction of these rivers near St. Louis,
with trifling exceptions in favor of some scattered
bands of Foxes, Sacs and Kickapoos. Their coun¬
try als« extends south of the Missouri, where the
principal part of the Titongs reside, and east of the
Mississippi to the territories of the Chippeways—
the Winnebagoes and the Menominies. The great¬
est chief of the nation at present (1820) is Talan-
gamane, or the Red Wing.
"The Minocantongs, or people of the waters,
are located at St. Peters, and along the banks of
the Mississippi towards Prairie du Chien. They
reside in four principal villages.
"The Yengetongs and the Sessitongs inhabit the
upper parts of the river St. Peters, and are some¬
times called the Sioux of the plains. Their traflic
is principally in Buffalo robes. The Wahpetongs,
or people of the leaves are the most erratic in their
dispositions of all the Sioux; they inhabit the St.
Peters between the Prairie de Francois and the
White Rock, during a part of the year, and gener¬
ally go out to hunt above the falls of St. Anthony
towards the sources of the river De Corbeau, and
upon the plains which give origin to the Crow, Sac
and Elk rivers.
"The Titongs inhabit both banks of the IVIis-
souri, and rove in quest of game over an immense
extent of country. They are said to be related to
tiie Mahas, and some other bands south of the
Missouri.
" The Mendewacantongs, or people of the Medi¬
rme Lake, the Washperontonvs, or people of the
APPENDIX.
Leaves, who have run away, and some other scat¬
tered bands, Avhose names are unknown, inhalñt
the country generally, from St. Peters south to the
mouth of the Missouri, and are chiefly located up¬
on the sources of the rivers Ocano, Iowa, and Des-
moines.
" The Sioux are generally represented as a brave,
generous and spirited people, with proud notions of
their origin as a tribe, and their superiority as hunters
and warriors, and with a predominant passion for
war. They speak the Narcotah language, which is
peculiar to themselves, and appears to have little af-
finiry with any other Indian tongue. It is not so soil
and sonorous as the Algonquin which abounds in
labials, but more so than the Winnebago, which is
the most harsh and guttural language in America.
The Narcotah sounds to an English ear, like the Chi-
ncse,and both in this, and in other respects, the Sioux
are thought to present many points of coincidence.
It is certain that their manners and customs diffei
essentially from those of any other tribe, and their
physiognomy, as well as their language, and opin¬
ions, mark them a distinct race of people. Their
sacrifices and their supplications to the unknown
God—their feasts after any signal deliverance from
danger—their meat, and their burnt ofierings—^the
preparation of incense, and certain customs of their
liemales, offer too strildng a coincidence, with the
manners of the Asiatic tribes, before the commence¬
ment of the Christian era« to escape observation,
while their paintings and hieroglyphics bear so
much analogy to those of the Asteeks of Mexico,
as to render it probable that the latter are of Nau
dowessian origin."
« From my knowledge of the Sioux nation," ob
serves Lieutenant Pike, " I do not hesitate to pro
nounce tljein the most warlike and independent :ia
tioii ofiiidians, within the boundaries of the United
SKKTCUi;» OF TlIK SIOUX. 2(>1
States, their every passion being subservient to that
of war. Their guttural pronunciation, high cheek
bones, their visages, and distinct manners, together
with their own traditions, supported by the testimo¬
ny of neighboring nations, put it in my mind be¬
yond a shadow of doubt, that they have emigrated
from the north west point of America, to which
they had come across the narrow streights, which
ni that quarter divide the two continents; and are
absolutely descendants of a Tartarean tribe."
The following anecdote of a Sioux chief, and of a
council held by Governor Cass, some years since, for
the purpose of making peace between the Sioux
end Chippeways, is drawn from a letter from that
officer, to the war department.*
Some years since, mutually weary of hostilities,
the chiefs of both nations met, and agreed upon a
truce. But the Sioux disregarding the solemn com¬
pact they had formed, and actuated by some sud¬
den impulse attacked and murdered a number of
Chippeways. The old Chippeway chief was pre¬
sent at the time, and his life was saved by the in¬
trepidity and self-devotion of a Sioux chief. This
man intreated, remonstrated, threatened. lie ad¬
jured his countrymen, by every motive, to abstain
. from any violation of their faith: and finding his
remonstrances useless, he attached himself to the
Chippeway chief, and avowed his determination to
save him or perish. Awed by such intrepidity, the
Sioux filially agreed that he should ransom the
Chippewa. This he did at the expense of all the
property-he possessed. The Sioux chief now ac¬
companied him on his journey, until he considered
him safe from any of the parties of the Sioux, who
might be disposed to pursue him.
" Believing it equally mconsisteiit with humanity
• See Treits of Itidian Character, by G. Turner.
i>63
AMENDIX.
and sound policy, that these border contests should
be suffered to continue; and feeling that the Indians
have a full portion of moral and physical evils,
without adding to them the calamities of a war,
which had no definite object. Governor Cass being
at Sandy lake, offered his mediation to the Chippe-
way chiefs, to which they readily acceded. In
consequence, a deputation of ten of their men de¬
scended the Mississippi with him.
" The Chippe ways landed occasionally, to examine
whether any of the Sioux had recently visited that
quarter. In one of these excursions, there was
found, suspended to a tree, in an exposed situa¬
tion, a piece of birch-bark, made flat, by being fas¬
tened between two sticks, about eighteen inches
long by fifteen broad. This bark contained the
answer of the Sioux nation, to overtures which the
the Chippeways had made, on Governor Cass' offer
of mediation:—which overtures had been found
and taken off by a party of the Sioux. So revenge¬
ful and sanguinary had the contest been between
these tribes, that no personal communication could
take place. Neither the sanctity of the oflice, nor
the importance of the message, could protect the
ambassador of either party from the vengeance of
he other.
" The preliminaries to a peace being thus settled,
the Sioux and Chippeways met in joint council—
stnoked the pipe of peace together, and then in
tlieir own figurative language, " buried the toma¬
hawk so deep, that it could never he dug up
a Sil in."
Another anecdote is related by Mr. Schoolcraft
which we quote as illustrative of the character, in
some degree, of this singular and warlike race."
" Le Petit Corbeau, a chief of a small band of
Sioux, located upon the banks of the MLs.sissippi,
towards the confiuo.s of the Ghippewny leiritorv.
t
SKK'IXÎHES OF THE SIOUX.
2€3
going out one morning to examine his beaver trap,
found a Sauteur in the act of stealing it. He had
approached without exciting alarm, and while the
Sauteur was engaged in taking the trap from the
water, he stood maturely surveying him with a
loaded rifle in his hands. As the two nations were
at war, and the offence was in itself one of the
most heinous nature, he would have been justified
in killing him on the spot, and the thief looked for
nothi»g else, on finding himself detected. But the
Sioux chief walking up to him discovered a no¬
bleness of disposition which would have done hon¬
or to the most enlightened of men. ' Take no alarm,'
said he, <at my approach; I only come to present to
you the trap of which I see you stand in need. You
are entirely welcome to it. Take my gun also, as
I perceive you have none of your own, and depart
with it to the land of your countrymen, but linger
not here, lest some of my young men, who are
panting for the blood of their enemies, should dis
cover your footsteps in our country, and fall upon
you.' So saying he delivered him his gun and ac«
coutrements, and returned unarmed to the village of
which he is so deservedly the chief,"
COLONIZATION OF THE INDIANS.
The plan, now in progress of execution, for the
removal of all the Indians, within the limits of the
United States, to á region of country west of Mis¬
souri and Arkansas, will of course, when carried
out, greatly modify our relations with them. New
laws must be enacted by Congress, and new treaties
formed between the Indians and the United States.
From the organization of the federal government
to the present time, our relations with the Indians
have been the subject of frequent legislation, and
the statute book bears many evidences of benevo¬
lent action towards this ill-fated race. If the laws
enacted by Congress for the protection and civiliza¬
tion of the aborigines of this country, had been re¬
gularly and rigidly enforced, and a more impartial
interpretation of the treaties made with them, had
been observed, their condition would have been far
better than it now is—^they would have passed from
the hunter to the pastoral state, and have grown in
' numbers,^irtue and intelligence. But these laws
and these treaties, have been year after year violated
by our own people, and the result has been a con¬
stant deterioration of the Indians. This is especial¬
ly true of those laws intended to prevent our citi¬
zens from hunting on the Indian lands, residing in
their country, and trading with them without a li¬
cense from the United States. These have general¬
ly been a dead letter upon the national statute
book, and the encroachments of the lawless fron¬
tiers-men, the trader, the land speculator, and the
vender of spirituous liquors, have impoverished
degraded, and vitiated, more or less, every tribe
within the limits of the United States. It is to this
intercourse, with these classes of persons, that the
264
COLONIZATION OF THE INDIANS. 265
had faith, the savage harbanties, and border-wars,
of which so much complaint is made against tha
Indians,are tobe mainly attributed. The rapacity of
our people, for their peltries and their land, the fee¬
ble execution of laws made for their protection, and
the loose morality which has governed our general
mtercourse with them, have wasted their numbers,
debased their character, and tarnished the honor of
that nation, which, from the very organization of
Its government, has claimed to be their benevolent
protectôr.
The plan of removing the Indians beyond the
limits of the United States is not new. If not orig¬
inal with Mr. Jefferson, it was commended by him,^
and has been approved, we believe, by each succes¬
sive administration since his day. It looked of
course to a peaceable not a forcible removal of
them. Whether the details of the original plan cor
responded with those of the law, under which this
removal is going on, we do not know.
The substance of the present plan may be gath¬
ered from the following provisions:
1st. To secure the lands on which they are plac¬
ed to the several tribes by patent, with only such
restrictions as are necessary lO prevent white men
from purchasing them, or encroaching upon them.
2d. To establish a territorial government, all the
offices of which, (except those of the governor and
secretary,) are to be filled with Indians, wherever
competent-natives can be obtained.
3d. To provide for a general council of delegates,
chosen by and from the tribes, with legislative pow¬
ers ; their enactments not to be valid till they have
been approved by the President of the United
States.
4th. To have a delegate, always a native, re¬
main at Washington, during the scssiôns of Con¬
gress,-to attend to the a/Burs of the territory,
12 X
266
APPENDIX»
who shall be allowed the pay and emoluments of a
member of Congress.
. 5th. To encourage, by Uberal annual payments
of money provided for in treaties, the establishment
of schools and colleges; in Which competent native
teachers are always to be preferred when they con
be had.
The power and influence of the United States ar«
to be directed in protecting them from the whites;^
in preserving peace among the diflerent tribes, and
hi stimulating them, by rewards and emoluments,^
in acquiring the habits of civilized life. The eflbrt*
of the benevolent to carry Christianity among them,
if made in conformity with the regulations of the
territory, are to be cherisheih These are the lead,
ing features of the new system of Indian regula¬
tions, established by government for the civilization
of the Indians. The territory set apart for this ob¬
ject, lies west of the states of Arkansas and Mis¬
souri, running north from the Red river about six
hundred miles, and west from the western bounda-
ries of these states about two hundred miles. The
number of Indians within the territory of the Uni¬
ted States is estimated to approach to near half a
million of souls.
It must be obvious to every one familiar with the
Indian character, and with the history of our past
relations with this people, that the success of this
^»lan, will depend, in a very gx-eat degree, upon the
manner in which its details shall be executed by
ihe -govemment. A failure will inevitably ensue,
if white men are permitted to come in contact with
the Indians. The strong arm of the military power
of the United States, will be requisite to stay the
encroachments of our people, whose love of ad¬
venture and whose thirst for gain, will carry, them
among the Indians, unless arrested by more cogent
COLOMZATIOX Of THE IXDIAXS. £'./
poixsiclorations than a sense of duty, or the prohibi¬
tions of the statute book.
Instead of attempting to supply them with goods
by licensing traders to reside among tJiem, they
should be encouraged to sell their furs and peltries
and to make their purchases in the United States.
On the former system they are liable to eoiiitant
imposition, and the very articles which the traders
parry among them, are worthless in kind and poor
in quality; but if the Indians traded with us, with¬
in the limits of the United States, they would have
the competion arising from a number of buyers and
sellers, they would obtain better prices for their furs
and procure more valuable articles, upon fairer
terms, in exchange. They would also be benefitted
by observing our manners and customs, adopting
pur style of dress, learning the value of property,
and gaining some knowledge of agriculture and the
use of mechanical tools, and implements of husban¬
dry. But the most important advantage to be gain¬
ed by their trading within the United States, would
be in their protection from imposition. It has been
truly and forcibly remarked,
« Humginity shudders at the recital of the nefa¬
rious acts practised by the white traders upon the
Indians. Yet not half of them are known or dreamed
of by the American people. We refer again to Mr.
Tanner's Narrative, which every man who has a
vote on this subject ought to read. Here we find
the traders sometimes taking hy force, from an In¬
dian, the produce of a whole year's hunt. Without
making him any return, sometimes pilfering a por¬
tion while buying the remainder, and still oftener
wresting from the poor wretches, while in a state
of intoxication, a valuable property, for an inade¬
quate remuneration. In one place, our author tells
of an Indian woman, his adopted mother, who, " in
the course of a single day, sold one hundred and
268
APPENDIX.
twenty beaver skins, with a large quantity of buf¬
falo robes, dressed and smoked skins, and other
articles, for rum." He oathetically adds, « of all
our large load of peltries, the produce of so many
days of toil, so many long and difficult journeys,
one blanket and three kegs of rum, only remained,
besides the poor and almost worn out clothing on
our bodies." The sending of missionaries, to la¬
bor by the side of the miscreants who thus swindle
and debauch the ignorant savage, is a mockery of
the office, and a waste of the time of these valuable
men. If the Indians traded within our states, with
our regular traders, the same laws and the same
public sentiment which protects us, would protect
them."
This is no exaggerated picture. Fraud, oppres¬
sion and violence, have characterized our inter¬
course with the Indians, and it is in vain to hope
for any amelioration of their savage condition, .so
long as an intercourse of this kind is permitted. In
the very nature of things, the plan of civilizing the
Indians, by forming a confederacy of them, beyond
the limits of the United States, will prove unsuc¬
cessful, unless they are surrounded by a cordon of
military posts, and the whites are stayed, by phys¬
ical force, from entering their territories for any
f nrpose whatever.
It is to this intercourse that the Indian wars, which
tiave so frequently caused the blood of the white and
the red man to flow in torrents, lipon our frontier, are
mainly to be attributed. It has been asserted, even
by those who claim to be the grave historians of
this unfortunate people, that these wars are almost
without exception, the result of that cruelty and in¬
satiable thirst for blood which belong to the Indian
character. One of these writers, the Rev. Timothy
Flint, in his " Indian Wars of the West," says,
« We affirm an unJoubting belief, from no unfre
COLONIZATION OF THE INDIANS.
C(i>
qiieiit, nor inconsiderable means of observation, that
aggression has commenced, in the account current
of mutual crime, as a hundred to one, on the part
of the Indians." ■ We do not question the sincerity,
of this belief, but we do question, entirely, the cor-'
rectness of the conclusion to which the writer brings'
his mind: we affirm without hesitation, that it is a
conclusion that cannot be sustained by testimony.
If the individual making it, had looked less super¬
ficially at the case, and had gone to the primary
causes that have produced the bloody collisions be¬
tween his countrymen and the Indians, he could
never have made so great a mistake as the one he
has committed in the paragraph quoted above. If
kindness, good faith and honesty of dealing, had
marked our social, political and commercial inter¬
course with the Indians, few, if any of theae bloody
wars would have occurred; and these people, in¬
stead of being debased by our intercourse with them,
would have been improved and elevated in the
scale of civilization. The history of the early settle¬
ment of Pennsylvania and its illustrious founder,
affords the strongest testimony on this point. The
justice, benevolence and kindness which marked
the conduct of Penn towards the Indians, sliielded
his infant colony from aggression, and won for him
personally, a generous affection, that would have
been creditable to any race of people.
Upon this point it has been well and forcibly re¬
marked by a philanthropic writer,* of our country,
that,
« The American Indian is sometimes regarded as
a being who is prone to all that is revolting and
cruel. He is cherished in excited imaginations, .^s
a demoniac phantasm, delighting in bloodshed,
* See a " Discourse on the Surviving Remnant of the Indian Ra.-e
111 the United States," by Job R. Tyson, Esq. of Philadelphia.
X 2
270
APPKNDIX.
witliout a spark of generous sentiment or native
benevolence. The philosophy of man should teach
us, that the Indian is nothing less than a human
being, in whom the animal tendencies predominate
over the spiritual. His morals and intellect having
received neither culture nor developement, he pos¬
sesses on the one hand, the infirmities of humanity;
while on the other the divine spark in his heart, if
not blown into a genial warmth, has not been ex-
tinguished by an artificial polish. His afiections
are strong, because they are confined to a few ob«
iects ; his enmities are deep and permanent, because
they are ifursed in secret, without a religion to con-
trol them. Friendship is with him a sacred senti¬
ment, He undertakes long and toilsome journeys
to do justice to its object; he exposes himself, for
its sake, to every species of privation; he fights for
it; and often dies in its defence. He appoints no
feudal messenger to proclaim, by an empty for¬
mality, the commencement of war. Whilst the
European seeks advantages in the subtle finesse of
négociation, the American pursues them according
to the instincts of a less refined nature, and the dic¬
tates of a less sublimated policy. He seeks his en¬
emy before he expects him, and thus renders him
his prey.
No better evidence need be adduced of his ca-
jiacity for a lively and lasting friendship, than the
History of Pennsylvania, during the life time of
the founder. It is refreshing and delightful to see
one fair page, in the dark volume of injustice an
crime, which American annals, on this subject pre¬
sent. While this page refiects upon the past an
accumulated odium, it furnishes lessons for the
guide and edification of the future. Let me invite
tiie philanthropist to this aflecting story.
A chief object of Penn, in the settlement of his
province, was neither land, gold nor dominion, bu*
COLONIZATION -or THF. INDIANS.
5è71
.«the glory of God, by the civilization of the pool
Indian." Upon his arrival m Pennsylvania, the
pledge contained in his charter was redeemed by a
friendly compact with the « poor Indian " which
was neve.r to be violated, and by a uniform and
scnipulous devotion to his rights and interests.
Oldmixon and Clarkson inform us, that he expen¬
ded « thousands of pounds " for the physical and
social improvement of these irntutored and house-
less tenants of the woods. His estate became im¬
paired by the munificence of his bounty. In return
for benevolence so generous and pure, the Indians
showed a reality of affection and an ardor of grati¬
tude, which they had on no previous occasion pro¬
fessed. The colony was exempted from those ca¬
lamities of war and desolation, which form so
prominent a picture in the early annals of Ameri¬
can settlements. During a period of forty years,
the settlors and natives lived harmoniously toge-
ther, neither party complaining of a single act of
violence or the infliction of an injury unredressed.
The memory of Penn lived green and fresh in their
esteem, gratitude, and reverence, a century after.
The tribe thus subdued by the pacific and philan¬
thropic principles of Penn, have been untruly de¬
scribed as a cowardly and broken down race. They
were a branch of the great family of Indians, who,
for so many years, carried on a fierce and bloody
strife with the Alligewi on the Mississippi, and
waged a determined hostility with the Mengwe.
At one period they v/ere the undisputed masters of
tlie large tract of country, now known as the terri¬
tory of the middle states. On the arrival of the
English, their number in Pennsylvania was compu¬
ted at thirty or forty thousand souLs. Their history
spoke only'of conquest. They were a brave, proud
and warlike race, who gloried in the preservation
a character for valor, descended from the re-
V72
AFPEKDIX.
motest times. The confederacy of the Six Nations,
by whom they were finally vanquished, was not
formed until 1712, and their defeat, as evidenced
by their peculiar subjugation occurred within a few
months antecedent to the demise of the proprietary.
The same people annihilated the colony of Des
Vries, in 1632, formed a conspiracy to exterminate
the Swedes, under Printz, in 1646; and were the
authors of the subsequent murders which afflicted
the settlements, before the accession of the English
colonists.
« Such an example furnishes some insight into
the elements of Indian character. Little doubt can
exist, if the subject were fairly examined, that most
of those sanguinary wars, of which history speaks
with a shudder, would be found to have arisen less
from the blood-thirsty Indian, than from the aggres¬
sions of the gold-thirsty and land-thirsty defamer "
INDIAN DANCING CEREMONIES.
In a historical memoir of the Indians, published
in the Noith American Review and attributed to the
able pen of our present minister to France, there is
a description of a war-dance, from which the fol¬
lowing extract is made.
" An Indian War Dance is an important occur¬
rence in the passing events of a village. The
whole population is assembled, and a feast provi¬
ded for all. The warriors are painted and prepar¬
ed as for battle. A post is firmly planted in the
ground, and the singers, the drummers and other mu¬
sicians, are seated within the circle formed by the
dancers and spectators. The music and the dan-
cers begin. The warriors exert themselves, with
great energy. Every muscle is in action : and there
is the most perfect concord between the music and
their movements. They brandish their weapons,
and with such apparent fury, that fatal accidents
seem unavoidable. Presently a wanior leaves the
circle, and with his tomahawk or casse-tete, strikes
the post. The music and dancing cease, and pro¬
found silence ensues. He then recounts, with a
loud voice, his military achievements. He de¬
scribes the battles he has fought—the prisoners he
has captured—the scalps he has taken. He points
to his wounds, and produces his trophies. He ac¬
companies his narrative with the actual representa¬
tion of his exploits; and the mimic engagement,
the advance and the retreat, are all exhibited to his
nation as they really occurred. There is no exagger¬
ation, no misrepresentation. It would be infamous
12* 273
27-t
APPENDIX.
for a warrior to boast of deeds he never performed.
If the attempt were made, some one would ap¬
proach and throw dirt in his face saying, « I do this
to cover your shame ; for the first time you see an
enemy, you will tremble." But such an indignity
is rarely necessary: and, as the war parties gener¬
ally, contain many individuals, the character and
conduct of every warrior are well Icnown. Shouls
of applause accompany the narration, proportioned
in duration and intensity to the interest it excites.
His station in the circle is then resumed by the ac¬
tor, and the dance proceeds, till it is interrupted in a
similar manner.
« In the poem of Ontwa, a scene like this is so
well described, that we cannot resist the temptation
to transfer it to our pages. Of all who have at¬
tempted to embody in song, the " living manners"
of the Indians, the anonymous author of that poem
has been the most successful His characters, and
traditions and descriptions, have the spirit and bear¬
ing of life; and the whole work is not less true t®
nature than to poetry.
A hundred warriors now advance,
All dressed and painted for tlie dance ;
And sounding club and hollow skin
A slow and measured time begin :
AVith rigid limb and sliding foot,
And murmurs low the time to suit ;
Forever varying with the sound.
The circling band moves round and round,
IS'ojv slowly rise the swelling notes
When every crest more lively floats ;
Now tossed on high with gesture proud
Then lowly mid tire dtclc bow'd ;
While clanging arms grow louder still.
And every voice becomes more shrill ;
Till fierce and strong the clamor grows,
And the wild war whoop bids it close.
Then starts Skunktonga forth, whose band
Came from far Huron's storm-beat strand.
And thus recounts his battle feats,
Wliile Iris dark club the raeasitre beats.**
INDIAN DANCING CEREMONIES.
STS
Major Long of the U. S. army, in his Expedition
up tlie Missouri, gives an account of a council
.vhich he held, at Council Bluff, with a party of one '
hundred Ottoes, seventy Missouries, and fifty or six¬
ty Soways. The Otto nation is known by the name
of Wah-toh-ta-na. Their principal village is situa¬
ted on the river Platte, about forty miles above its
junction with the Missouri. At the period of
this visit, these Indians had held little if any inter
course with the whites. After the council was
over, they performed a dance, in honor of their
visiters, the description of which will convey to the
reader a very vivid picture of this ceremony. We
give it, in Major Long's own words.
" The amusement of dancing was commenced by
striking up their rude instrumental and vocal music;
the former consisting of a gong made of a large
keg, over one of the ends of which, a skin was
stretched, which was struck by a small stick, and
another instrument, consisting of a stick of firm
wood, notched like a saw, over the teeth of which
a small stick was rubbed forcibly backward and
forward. With these, rude as they were, very good
time was preserved with the vocal performers, who
sat around them, and by all the natives as they sat,
in the inflection of their bodies, or the movements
of their limbs. After the lapse of a little time, three
individuals leaped up, and danced around for a few
minutes; then, at a concerted signal of the master
of ceremonies, the music ceased and they retired to
their seats, uttering a loud noise, which, by patting
the mouth rapidly with the hand, was broken into
a succession of similar sounds, somewhat like the
hurried barking of a dog. Several sets of dancers
succeeded, each terminating as the first. In the in¬
tervals of the dances, a warrior would step forward,
and strike a flag-stafl'they had erected,with a stick,
whip, or other weapon, and recount his martial
276
ATPENDHC.
deeds. This ceremony is termed striking the post,
and whatever is then said, may be relied upon as
rigid truth, being delivered in the presence of many
a jealous warrior and witness, who could easily de-
tect, and would immediately disgrace the striker
for exaggeration or falsehood. This is called the
hesgar's dance—during which,some presents are al¬
ways expected by the performers; as tobacco, whis¬
key, or trinkets. But on this occasion, as none of these
articles were immediately offered, the amusement
was not, at first, distinguished by much activity.
"■ The master of the ceremonies continually called
aloud to them to exert themselves, but still they
were somewhat dull and backward. lëtan now
stepped forward, and lashed a post with his whip,
declaring that he would punish those that did not
dance. This threat, from one whom they had
vested with authority for this occasion, had a mani¬
fest effect upon his auditors, who were presently
highly wrought up, by the sight of two or three
tittle mounds of toliacco twist, which were now
laid before them, and appeared to infuse new life.
" After lashing the post, and making his threat,
lëtan went on to narrate his martial exploits. He had
stolen horses seven or eight times from the Kanzas;
he had first struck the bodies of three of that nation
slain in battle. He had stolen horses from the letan
nation, and had struck one of their dead. He had
stolen horses from the Pawnees, and struck the
body of one Pawnee Loup. He had stolen horses
several times from the Omawhahs, and once from
the Puncas. He had struck the bodies of two
Sioux. On a war party, in company with the Paw¬
nees, he had attacked the Spaniards, and penetrated
into one of their camps; the Spaniards—excepting a
man and a boy—fled, himself being at a distance
before his party; he was shot at and missed by the
man, whom he immediately shot down and struck.
INDIAN DANCING CEREMONIES.
277
* This, my father,' said he, ' is the only material act
of my life that I am ashamed of.'
"After several rounds of dancing, and of striking
at the post, by the warriors, Mi-a-ke-ta, or The Lit tit
Soldier, a war-worn veteran, took his turn to strike
the post. He leaped actively about, and strained
his voice to its utmost pitch, whilst he portrayed
some of the scenes of blood in which he had acted.
He had struck dead bodies of individuals of all the
Red nations around ; Osages, Konzas, Pawnee
Loup's, Pawnee Republicans, Grand Pawnees, Pun¬
cas, Omawhaws, Sioux, Padoucas, La Plain, or
Bald heads, lëtans. Sacs, Foxes, and loways. He
had struck eight of one nation, seven of another, &c.
« He was proceeding with his account, when lëtan
ran up to him, put his hand upon his mouth, and
respectfully led him to his seat. This act was no
trifling compliment to the well-known brave; it in¬
dicated, that he had so many glorious achievements
to speak of, that he would occupy so much time, as
to prevent others from speaking; and, moreover, put
to shame the other warriors, by the contrast of his
actions with theirs.
« Their physical action in dancing is principally
confined to leaping a small distance from the ground,
with both feet, the body being slightly inclined, and,
upon alighting, an additional slight but sudden in¬
clination of the body is made, so as to appear like
a succession of jerks; or the feet are raised alter¬
nately, the motion of the body being the same.
Such are the movements in which the whole party
correspond; but, in the figurcs^as they are termed
in our assembly rooms—each individual performs
a separate part, and each part is a significant pan¬
tomimic narrative. In all their variety of action,
they are careful to observe the musical cadences.
In this dance, lëtan represented one who was in the
act of stealing horses; he carried a whip in his hand
2Î8
APr£Nm\.
as did a consideralile number of the Indians, and
around his neck were thrown several leathern
thongs, for bridles and halters, the ends of which
trailed upon the ground behind him. After many
preparatory manœuvres, he stooped down, and
with his knife, represented the act of cutting the
hopples of horses. He then rode his tomahawk, as
children ride their broomsticks, making use of his
whip, as to indicate the necessity of rapid move¬
ment, lest his foes should overtake him. Wa-sa-
ha-jing-ga, or Little Black Bear., after a variety of
gestures, threw several arrows in succession, over
his own head—thereby indicating his familiarity
with the flight of such missiles. He, at the same
time, covered his eyes with his hand, to indicate
that he was blind to danger. Others represented
their manœuvres in battles, seeking their enemy,
discharging at him their guns or arrows, &,c. See. ,
"JVIost of the dancers were the principal war.
riors of the nation—men who had not condescend¬
ed lo amuse themselves or others, in this manner,
for years before. But they now appeared in honor
of tire occasion, and to conciliate, in their best man¬
ner, the good will of the representative of the gov¬
ernment of the Big Knives, Amongst these veteran
warriors, letan, or Sha-mon-e-kus-see, Ha-she-a
(the Broken Arm), commonly called Cut Nose, and
JVa-sa-ha-zing-ga (or Little Black Bear), three
Xputhful leaders, in particular, attracted our atten¬
tion. In consequence of having been appointed
soldiers on this occasion, to preserve order, they
were painted entirely black. The countenance of
the first indicated much wit, and had, in its expres-
sion, something of the character of that of Voltaire.
He frequently excited the mirth of those about him,
by his remarks and gestures. Ha-she-a, (called Cut
Nose, in consequence of having lost the tip of his
nose, in a quarrel with lëtan,) wore a handsome
INDIAN DANCINtí CERKMONIES.
279
«obe of white wolf skin, with an appendage be¬
hind him, called a crow. This singular decoration
IS a large cushion, made of the skin of a crow, stuffed
with any light material, and variously ornamented.
It has two decorated ^icks, projecting from it up¬
ward, and a pendent one beneath; this apparatus
is secured upon the buttocks by a girdle passing
round the body. The other actors in the scene were
decorated with paints oí several colors, fantastically
disposed upon their persons. Several Avere painted
Avith/Vhite clay, Avhich had the appearance of be¬
ing grooved in many places. This grooved appear¬
ance is given by drawing the finger-nails over the
part, so as to remove the pigment from thence in
parallel lines. These lines are either rectilinear,
imdulated, or zigzag; sometimes passing over the
forehead transversely, or vertically; sometimes in
the same direction, or obliquely over the Avhole
visage, or upon the breast, arms, &c. Many were
painted with red clay, in which the same lines ap¬
peared. A number of them had the representation
of a black hand, with outspread fingers, on differ¬
ent parts of the body, atrongly contrasting Avith the
principal color Avith which the body was OA-er-
spread; the hand was depicted in different positions
upon the face, breast, and-back. The face of others
was colored, one half black, and one half white, or
red and Avhite, &c. Many colored their hair with
red clay, but the eye-lids and base of the ears were
generally tinged with vermilion.
" At the conclusion of the ceremony, whiskey—
which they always expect on similar occasions—^
was produced, and a small portion Avas given to
each. The principal Chiefs of the different nations
who had remained passive spectators of the scene,
now directed their people to return to their camp.
The word of the Chiefs was obeyed, excepting by
a few of the loways, Avho appeared to be deter
APPENDIX.
mined to keep their places, notwithstanding the re.
iterated command of the Chiefs. lëtan now sprang
towards them, with an expression of much ferocity
m his countenance, and it is probable a tragic scene
would have been displayed, had not the chiefs re¬
quested him to use gentle means; and thus he sue
ceeded; after which, the Chiefs withdrew "
CHAPTER II.
SALE OF WHISKEY TO THE INDIANS.
In tracing out the causes which led to the late
war with the Sac and Fox Indians of Rock river,
reference was made to the violations of the laws of
tyongress in the introduction of whiskey among them
by the white traders. The opinion, moreover, was
expressed that the licensed traders of the United
States, among these tribes, were in the habit of
selling this article to them, and under circumstances
which must have brought home the fact to the
knowledge of our Indian agents. Black Hawk with
other chiefs of the band to which he belonged,
earnestly remonstrated against the introduction of
whiskey among his people, because of its debasing
effect upon their morals, and the danger of its pro¬
voking them to acts of aggression upon the whites,
while in a state of intoxication. One of the facts,
set forth in the memorial which the white settlers
on Rock river, presented to Governor Reynolds, in
1831, and upon which he declared the state to be
actually invaded by the Sac and Fox Indians, and
ordered out the militia to repel it, was the destruc¬
tion, by Black Hawk, of a barrel of whiskey, which
the owner was retailing to the Indians. The viola¬
tion of the laws of Congress and of express treaty
provisions, in the sale of ardent spirits to the In¬
dians, winked at, as they undoubtedly were, by the
public agents, mainly contributed to bring about a
war, which resulted in the destruction of a great
part of the "band of Black Hawk. That the allega¬
tions, in regard to the sale of intoxicating liquors,
to the Indians, by the regularly licensed traders of
the United States, may not be supposed to rest upon
gratuitous assumptions, the following letter, is
Y 2 281
282
APPENDlXi
quoted, which places the matter beyond all ques¬
tion.
Petefs, July 25, 1832
Gek. .Toseph M. Street, P
Indian Agent, Prairie du Chien. 5
Sir—I arriPeil at this piare yestefday from the sources of the Missi»
sippi, having visited the Chippewa bands and trading-posts in that quarter
Much complaint is made respecting the conr^uct of the persons licensed
by you last year, who located themselves at the Granite Rocks, and on
the St. Croix. No doubt can exist that each of them took in, and
Used in their trade, a considerable quantity of whiskey. And I am
now enabled to say, that they each located themselves at points within
the limits of my agency, where there are no trading-posts established.
My lowest trading-post on the Mississippi, is the Pierced Prairie, eigh¬
teen miles liclow the mouth of the De Corbeau. It embraces one
mile square upon which traders are required to be located. On the
St. Croix, the posts established and confirmed by the Department ate
Snalte River and Yellow River, and embrace each, as the permanent
place of location, one mile square. I report these facts for your infor¬
mation, and not to enable you to grant licenses for these posts, as
the instructions of the Department give to each agent the exclusive
control of the subject of granting licenses for the respective agencies.
Much solicitude is felt by me to exclude ardent spirits wholly from
the Chippewas and Ottowas, the latter of whom have, by a recent
order, been placed under my charge. I am fhlly satisfied that ardent
spirits are not necessary to the successful prosecution of the tiwJe, that
they are deeply pernicious to the Indians, and that both Üteir use
and abuse is derogatory to the character of a wise and sober govern¬
ment Their exclusion in every shape, and every quantity, u an ob¬
ject of primary moment ; and it is an object u hich I feel it a duty to
^rsevcrc in the attainment of, however traders may bluster. I feel a
reasonable confidence in stating, tliat no whiskey has been used in my
agency during the last two years, except the limited quantity taken
iy special permission of the Secretary of War, for tlie trade of th
ludson's Bay lines ; and saving also the quantity clandestinely intro¬
duced from Prairie dn Chien and St. Peters.
I know, sir, that an appeal to you on this subject cannot be lost,
and that your feelings and judgment fully approve of temperance
measures. But it requires active, persevering, Unyielding eflbrts. And
in all such efforts, judiciously urged, I am satisfied tfiat the govemmrait
will sustain the agents in a dignified discharge of their duties. Let us
proceed in the accompUshment of this object with firmness, and with a
determination never to relinquish it, tmtil ardent spirits are entv-ely ex¬
cluded from the Indian country.
I am sir.
Very respectfully,
Vour obedient servant,
Hskrt R. ScHooLCsLirr-
SaLK OV UlUîKKV 10 TllK INlJlANS i^SIl
_ P. S. Capt. Jouett, commanOing at tliis post, haa recently seized
lixteen kegs of high-wines. His prompt, decisive, and correct con>
duct in this, and other transactions relating to Indian affairs, merits the
approbation of government.
The Petite Corbeau has requested that no trader may he located at
the mouth of the St Croix.
The following picture of the present condition of
the Winnebagoes, given in the St. Louis Bulletin,
shows the deplorable results of the intercourse of
he wl^^tes with the Indians—the baneful effects of
spirituous liquors upon their morals and habits.
The Winnebagoes were neighbors of the Sacs and
Poxes, and long intimately associated with them.
Twenty years ago, all of these tribes, raised annu¬
ally more com, beans and other vegetables, than
were needed for their own consumption. Now they
are miserable, squalid beggars, without the means
of subsistence. The faithlessness of the Govern¬
ment, the perfidy and avarice of its agents and
citizens, have brought this race of people to the
horrible condition, in which they are represented in
the statement that follows.
An agent of the Temperance Society, in a journal of a late tour to
the region of the Upper Mississippi, presents a picture, melancholy
indeed, of the present condition of the Indian tribes in that quarter,
which must deeply rouse the commiseration of every benevolent man.
From our own personal observation one year since, we would cor¬
roborate the assertion, that were the world ransacked for a subject
in which should be concentrated and personified injustice, oppression,
drunkenness, squalid filth, and degradation, one would point to the
straggling Indian on the banks of the Upper Mississippi fur the aptest
exemplification.
There were some two or three hundred of these stragglers.—Win¬
nebagoes, chiefly, about Prairie du Chien—men, women, and children,
many of whom had scarcely the fragments of a filthy blanket to hide
llieir nakedness or screen them from the cold—strolling and straggling
about in squads of from two to a half dozen each, begging for whi^cy,
or cold potatoes, or crusts of bread. One old female, doubtless turned
of threescore and ten, half naked, was gathering up from the dirt and
ashes about the boiler of the steam boat, a few pieces of dried apples
that had been dropped and trodden under foot, which, with her tooth-
ass gums, she attempted to masticate with all the eagerness of a starv-
ng swiue. I.illle hildren, from one to four years old, were crawling
Q84
APPENDIX.
A'.iout in a state of nudity, and almost of starvation, while their own
mothers and fathers, were sta2:gering, and fighting, and stvearing. It is a
fact, that while tlicse poor creatures cannot articulate a word of any
thing else in English, the most awfully profane expressions will drop
from their lips in English, as fluently as if it had been their vernacular
tongue. When the whites first settled in that neighborhood, the In¬
dians raised com and other provisions enough, not only for their own
use, but also for the fur-traders and settlers.
Now they are altogether dependent for even the scanty subsistence
by which they are dragging out the remnant of a miserable life, upon
the whites. And what has been the cause of so great a change in a
few years in the circumstances and habits of a whole people 1 Tlie
answer is plain to every one at all acquainted with Indian history.
It is the peiiidy and avance of the whites, and wbisicet, whisket has
been the all potent agent by which it has been èflêcted. By selling
and giving them whiskey till they become drunk, they are soon filched
of the little annuities received from government ; and then treated the
rest of the year like so many dogs.—As an illustration of the feeling to¬
wards them, a merchant at Prairie du Chien expressed the very hu-
mane wish, that there might soon be anoth» Indian war to kill tliem
aUoir.
INDEX.
' A
Armstrong fort built, 96.
Atkinson, General, ordered to Rock Island, 140—directs Black
Hawk to return to the west side of the Mississippi, 140—
takes command of the Illinois millitia. 141—^proceeds to
Dixon's Ferry, 141—^attack on Black Hawk at Bad-axe,
150—official account, 158—his letter of approval from War
Department, 179.
B
Black Hawk's account of the treaty of 1804, 58.
Black Hawk Purchase, in 1832, 70.
Black Hawk, birth and early adventures, 74—bis battle with
the Osages in 1786, 75-^with Cherokees, 75—^with Chip-
peways, Kaskaskias and Osages. 76—his account of Pike's
visit, 77—his attack on Fort Madison, 78—joins the British
army, 80—his return, 80—murder of his adopted son, 81—
battle of the sink-hole near Cap an Gris, 83—his attack up¬
on boats going to Prairie des Chiens, 86—makes peace
with the United States, 86—death of his eldest son, 90—
visit to the loway village, 89—visit to Maiden, 90—whip¬
ped by some Americans, 91—refuses to remove to the west
side of the Mississippi, 92—whites encroach upon his vil¬
lage, 93—burning of his lodges, 96—interview with Gov¬
ernor Coles and Judge Hall, 96—agrees to remove for six
thousand dollars, 100—interview with Gaines, 103—re¬
moves to west side Mississippi, 104—treats with Gaines
and Reynolds, 104—causes which led to the war, 108—
his attempted alliance with other tribes, 111—discontented
on west side of the Mississippi, 138—sends messenger to
Keokuk, 138—collects his band at Fort Madison and crosses
to east side of the Mississippi, Í39—proceeds to the pro¬
phet's village up Rock river, 140—ordered back by General
Atkinson, 141—makes his camp at Kisk-wa-cokee—is at¬
tacked in his camp by Maj. Stillman, 145—his flag of truce
fired upon, 145—defeats Stillman, 146—attack upon Buf¬
falo Grove, 149—his battle on the Wisconsin, 151—flies
to the ^Mississippi, 152—attacked by the steam boat War¬
rior, 153—his white flag fired upon, 153—his defeat at the
Bad-ax", 156—escape, 161—capture, 162—causes leading
to this war, 171—^at Jefferson Barracks, 169—sent to
Wasliinirtmi city, 192—confined at Fortress Monroe, 193
—interview with the President, 192—sire^ech to Col. Eus-
tis [9;( released, 195—visit to Norfolk, 196—to Baltimore,
•285
INDEX.
196—interview with President, 197—visit to Philadelphia.
199—to New York, 200—to Albany, 202—to Buffalo, 202—
interview with Senecas, 203—visit to Detroit, 203—reaches
fort Armstrong, 206—refuses to submit to Keokuk, 209—his
final speech in the council, 215—visit in 1837 to Washington,
216—visit to Boston, 217—to Cincinnati, 217—^his character
and personal appearance, 218—number of his warriors in
campaign of 1832, 220.
Cahokias conquered, 16.
Clark, George Rogers, relieves St. Louis, 24—sends troops
into the Indian country, 23.
Cole, Governor, meets Black Hawk, 96.
Clark, General, letter to War Department, 107.
Cap au Gris, battle of, 83.
Cholera among Scott's troops, 166.
Cass, Lewis, report to the President, 178.
Cass' letter to Gen. Atkinson, 179.
Cass' account of Sacs and Foxes, 181.
Colonization of the Indians, 228.
D
Drakeford's battle near Cap au Gris, 84.
Dodge, General, kills 29 Indians, 149—his battle of the Wis*
cousin, 151.
Davenport, Col. Wm., speech to Black Hawk, 210.
E
Everett, Governor, speecn to Keokuk in Boston, 131—makes
them presents, 135.
F
Fort Armstrong built, 87.
Foxes, party of, murder 28 Menominies, 137
G
Gond spirit of Rock Island, 87.
Galland's description of Sac village, 94.
Gaiites, General, lettt r to Reynolds, 102—orders troops to
Ilock Island, 102—interview with Black Hawk, 103—takes
possession of Sac village, 103—treats with the British
Hand, 104—his letter to War Department, 106.
tîafland, Maj., takes charge of prisoners, 197—his release
of Black Hawk, 211.
H
llarns-n. General, aceoiint of the conquest of the Illinois
tribes, 26—hU treaty with the Sacs and Foxes in 1804,50.
Hull, .Iiniye, awc.unl cf Sac village, 26—bis interview with
INDEX.
Black Hawk, 96—his account of the Sacs and Foxes at
Washington, 127.
I
Illinois tribes conquered, 15.
Indians, power to sell lands, 59.
Johnson, John, letter to Secretary at War, 63,
Illinois militia, flight at Sycamore creek, 146.
Irving, Washington, account of Black Hawk, 191.
Indian dancing ceremonies, 237.
K
Kaskaskias conquered, 16.
Keokuk removes west of Mississippi, 92—his birth, 114—age,
115—admitted to the council-lodge, 116—bold adventure
with the Sioux, 117—his interview with the Menominies.
119—in peril with his tribe, 122—removed from his post ot
head chief, 123—re-instated, 124—delivers up his nephew
to be tried for murder, 125—his letter to Governor of Illi¬
nois, 125—visit to Washingion city in 1827 and council
with Secretary at War, 127—visit to Philadelphia, New
York and Boston, 132—speech in reply to Gov. Everett,
133—return to the west, 135—character, 135—his visit to
Jefferson barracks, 190—his speech on the liberation of
Black Hawk, 208—flnal speech in the council, 213—his
visit to Washington in 1837,216—conduct to Black Hawk,
217.
I.
Lewis and Clark's account of Sacs and Foxes, 45.
M
Minneway tribes, 15.
Mascontins, battle with Sacs and Foxes, 17.
Memorial to Gov. Reynolds, 102.
Menominies, murdered hy the Foxes, 133.
Macomb, Gen., report to Secretary at War, 178.
N
Nanpoke's visit to Maiden, 138—captured, 16.5—his testimony
before Scott, 166—at Jefferson barracks, 189.
O
Osages, battle with Sacs and Foxes, 75.
P
Peorias conquered, 16.
Primin's account of the attack on St. Louis In 1779, 18.
Pike's account of Sacs and Foxes, 44.
INDEX.
Pose}', Cel., at Buffalo grove, 150.
Prophet, Wabokieshiek, 168.
Pashepahow's speech, 212.
Q
Quasiiquame, account of treaty of 1804, 58.
R
Reynolds, Governor, letter to Clark, 101—to Gaines, 102—
declares the state to be invaded, 101—letter to War De¬
partment, 106—orders out the militia and joins Atkinson,
141—makes a treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, 170.
S
Sae and Fox Indians, origin of, 13—Identity of the tribes, 14
—residence, 14—removal to the west, 14—conquest of the
mini tribes, 15—their attack on St. Louis in 1779, 18—their
village, 28—their war and peace chiefs, 30—division into
families, 31—mode of burial, 35—idea of a future state, 36
—in regard to the creation of the world, 37—social relations,
41—musical instruments, 41—Pike's account of them, 45
—their character for courage, 48—treaty with the United
States in 1789, 49—ditto at St. Louis in 1804, 50—they are
excited 'to hostilities by British agents, 62—offer to fight
against England, 63—part of them join the British standard,
64—treaty with them 13th Sep. 1815, 64—ditto 14th Sep.
1815, 64-^itto with British Band, 64-—relinquish lands in
Missouri, 66—treaty of Prairie des Chiens in 1825, 65—
treaty for mineral region in 1828, 68—Black Hawk pur¬
chase in 1832, 70—their present residence, 71—sale of
their lands on Rock river, 99—treaty with Scott and Rey-
rrolds, 170—described by Gov. Cass, 181.
Stillman, Maj., proceeds to Sycamore creek, 141—attacks
Black Hawk and is defeated, 142—afires upon Black Hawk's
flag of truce, 145.
Stephenson, J. W., kills some Indians, 149.
Scott, General, arrival at Rock Island, 165—treaty with Sacs
and Foxes, 170.
Senecas, their speech to Black Hawk, 209.
Sioux Indians, sketches of, 222.
Sale of whiskey to the Indians, 245.
W
Wabokieshiek, advice to British Band, 93.
Warrior's attack on Black Hawk, 153.
Wapellar's speech, 211.
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