644

BLACK-HAWK RETIRES UP ROCK RIVER.

[BOOK V. and that Governor Reynolds was of the same opinion. But in this they were both mistaken, although when the treaty was made, Black-hauk without doubt intended strictly to observe it; yet he could not foresee what would happen. He had been promised corn to supply the wants of his people, instead of that which they had been obliged to abandon; but what they received was far from sufficient, and they began to feel the encroachment of famine. In this state of things, a party of Sacs, as the old chief says, went over the river to steal corn from their own fields! and thus began a new series of troubles which ended in bloodshed.

Black-hawk, with his chief men, had signed the treaty, and it was broken the same year by both parties. It was dated on the 30 June, 1831, five days after the "flight," and among the signers we recognize, besides MUCATA-MUHI-EATAK (Black-hawk), as his name was then written, PASHEPAHO (Stabbingchief), WEES HEAT (Sturgeon-head), KAKEKAMAH (All-fish), and several others. It was in the course of the same summer, that the party from Black-hawk's band killed the 28 Menomonies, of which we have before given an account, and although the whites considered it their concern, seem not to have undertaken to revenge it until the spring of 1832; and the probability is, they would hardly then have undertaken it, had not some of the Sacs intruded themselves again into their old village, by which a new cry was raised against them. Be this as it may, General Atkinson set out for the Upper Mississippi, about the first of April, at the head of the sixth regiment of United States infantry, at whose approach Black-hawk and his party abandoned their camp on the Mississippi, where Fort Madison had been built, and ascended Rock River. It was in this direction he expected to be reinforced by the Pottowattomies, Winnebagos, and Kikapoos, but who in the end declined the hazardous and unequal conflict.

As Black-hawk moved leisurely up Rock River, he received several expresses from General Atkinson, ordering him in a peremptory manner to leave the country; but he constantly said he would not, and said he was going to the Prophet's village to make corn, to which he had been invited, and the whites might attack him if they dared; that they might come on if they chose, but they would not find him unprepared; yet he would not begin with

them.

Meanwhile General Atkinson, not judging it expedient to pursue the Indians up Rock-River, made a stand at Dixon's Ferry. and waited for a reinforcement.

10001

CHAPTER IX.

March of Major Stillman-Kills some of BLACK-HAWK's men-Stillman's defeat— Talk with the Winnebagos-Menomonies join the whites-Settlement on Indian Creek destroyed-Captivity of two young women-Murders-Plum River settlement broken up-Congress orders out troops-Murders near Galena-Indians cut off by General Dodge-Snider's defeat-Stevenson's defeat-Attack on the fort at Buffalo Grove-On that at Apple River-Defeat of Major Dement-Murder at Cincinawa Mound-Ravages of the cholera among the regular troops-Battle of the Ouisconsin-Action with the steam-boat Warrior-Battle of the 2d of August, and end of the war.

BEFORE the arrival of General Atkinson at Ogee's or Dixon's Ferry, General Whitesides had proceeded there with a considerable body of mounted men, and a march of discovery was resolved upon. Accordingly, about the 13th of May, a company of 270 men proceeded on towards Sycamore Creek, under Major Stillman. BLACK-HAWK being apprized of the march of this detachment, sent out three young warriors with a white flag to meet them, and invite them to his camp; but the whites, paying no regard to the flag, took the bearers of it prisoners. Five others had been sent after the first, to see what ensued, and to report what might take place. These five were discovered and pursued by a small party of the whites, and, ing overtaken, two of

them were killed, and the rest escaped. It was now near night, on the 14th of May. The party that had killed the two Indians returned to the main body, which, it seems, was preparing to encamp for the night when this circumstance took place; all immediately mounted their horses and rushed forward in confusion. It does not appear that Black-hawk had any thoughts that the whites would attack him, for he had not but about 40 of his men with him at this time, the others being out upon a hunting excursion; but when his spies returned, and reported that two of their number had been barbarously murdered, the war-whoop was sounded, and the best preparations were made, that the time would allow to meet the invaders.

When they approached Sycamore Creek, the whites proceeded to cross it in the same disorderly manner they came to it, although the country was very favorable for ambushes. The Indians stood firm, and were doubtless sure of a victory, seeing the enemy pass the creek man by man as they arrived; and when a sufficient number had crossed, the Indians rushed upon them with their usual fury of attack. The whites say the Indians "showed themselves on every quarter, mounted and armed. They commenced the attack with guns," and continued it with knives and tomahawks. Their situation became in a moment desperate, and Major Stillman, who was in the rear, learning the situation of the advance column, immediately ordered a retreat, but none was effected-it was a most disorderly and wretched flight! scarce two flying together; and it was owing to the smallness of Black-hawk's force that any were so fortunate as to escape.

Thus Black-hawk with about 40 men had put 270 to flight, and dispersed them in such a manner, that it was reported at first by themselves, that 60 or 70 had been killed; but, as it proved afterwards, it was their great fear of the Indians, that had driven them so far from their companions, that they did not all arrive at Dixon's Ferry for several days after the fight, although the battle-ground was only 30 miles from that place. They generally came in, one at a time, as they had crossed Sycamore Creek on the evening of the 14th; and in the end, all but 12 were accounted for, and 11 of these were found afterwards on the battle-ground and interred. A letter from that country says, "The dead that were found were cut and mangled in a most shocking and indecent manner; their hearts cut out, heads off, and every species of indignity practised upon their persons. One alone escaped this treatment: he was found dead, with his head nearly cut off, embraced by the arms of an Indian who had been shot through the body, but yet had strength enough remaining to tomahawk the man who had shot him, and partly to cut off his head, dying in the very act-his last convulsive struggle being an embrace of his enemy even in death." From Black-hawk's own account, it appears he lost but three men in the whole transaction, and that these were killed who were sent out to meet the whites in their approach to Sycamore Creek.

Hence it appears that the whites were guilty of the first blood shed in this war. The affair of Sycamore Creek caused a dire alarm to be sounded throughout the western region. Black-hawk's 40 warriors were magnified into 1500, and only the next day after Stillman's defeat, Governor Reynolds issued a proclamation calling on the militia to assemble at Hennepin, on Illinois River, by the 10 of June, to the number of 2000 men; which number, he said, he “considered necessary to subdue those Indians, and drive them out of the state." Although the news of Major Stillman's disaster flew over the country among the whites with great rapidity, yet it is mentioned as a circumstance well worthy of remark, that messengers from the hostile Sacs, bearing to the Missouri Indians the news of their victory, arrived at the Des Moines Rapids 24 hours before the express sent by Governor Reynolds at the same place.

About the time the proclamation of the 15th of May was issued, calling for 2000 militia, an attempt was made by the whites to secure or draw off the Winnebagos, and prevent their joining the war party. On the 26 May, Mr. Gratoit, a sub-Indian agent, held a council at the head of the Four Lakes with a number of the Winnebago chiefs, and they all signified their desire of remaining at peace with the white people. At this council, the chief, called the Little-black, made a speech, and among other things said,

646

MURDERS ON INDIAN CREEK.

[BOOK V.

"Father, what you have heard of us is from forked tongues, and what you have heard of Man-eater is false. Man-eater is sick; but he has sent his sister and daughter here to speak for him. Father, since I knew you, I have always heard your counsel, and did what you told me. My father, the Great Spirit, has sent you both here. You have taken me by the hand, and you have held it fast in yours. We hope, in the name of the Great Spirit, and all our women and children, that you will hold it fast, and we will hold on to you so hard that you cannot shake us off. My father, I ask nothing but a clear sky over our heads, which have been hanging down lately, and the sky has been dark, and the wind has been blowing continually, and trying to blow lies in our ears, but we turn our ears from it; but when we look towards you, the weather is clear, and the wind does not blow. My father, our young men do not travel much, for they are afraid of the Sacs, and afraid they will be taken for Sacs by the troops. My father, we wish you to give us a paper like the one General Atkinson gave us, that we may show it to the whites whom we meet, that they may know we are friends and for peace.”

As soon as the troubles began, there were many of the Menomonies and Sioux, who, thirsting for the blood of the Sacs, came and offered themselves to the whites, to fight for them, but their services were refused; now they had had a fight, and being beaten, they were glad to call upon the Indians for assistance, and it was granted. Yet it should not be supposed that it was from any love they bore towards the whites that they were glad to fight for them, but from their natural inclination to war, and to seek revenge for injuries they had received from the Sacs during their former troubles. Consequently several hundreds of them were soon upon the march in various directions to surprise those belonging to the war party, and others attached themselves to the army.

Blood had now been shed, and no one had any right to expect but that the Indians would retaliate upon any whites, according to their manner, whether in arms or the cradle. There was a small settlement upon Indian Creek, near its confluence with Fox River, about 25 miles from the town of Hennepin, the rendezvous of the army. On the 20th of May, this settlement was fallen upon by a small band of warriors, led by a Pottowattomie, who, after killing 15 persons, took considerable plunder, and proceeded to Black-hawk's

camp.

The Indians gave as a reason for their attack upon this place, that not long before, a man who lived there by the name of Hall, had severely beaten the Pottowattomie who led the party that committed the murder. Yet the family of this man, if not the man himself, had been told by a friendly Indian, that a party would come and murder them, and advised them to fly for their lives. They immediately did so, but as vengeance had decreed, they appear to have returned again very soon, as they were there found and murdered, as before stated. Two daughters of Mr. Hall were led away captive, one about 16, and the other about 18 years of age; two brothers of these young women, who were at work in the field when the massacre began, made their escape and arrived safe at Dixon's Ferry. Black-hawk said the young women would have been killed by the Pottowattomies when they were taken, but were spared at the intercession of two of his men, who were with them. The following account was written immediately after they were delivered from captivity, by a person at Dixon's Ferry, where they were delivered, and is probably correct.

"Of the Misses Halls, whose case seems to interest every body, (and who are now at Galena,) it may not be uninteresting to hear the following, as the best information that could be collected from the Indians who succeeded in procuring their liberation. After the bloody scene of despatching such of the family as were about the house, (to which they could not avoid being eye-witnesses,) those young women were each placed on a horse, which was led by a man-other men walked alongside, to guard and keep them from falling off

The editor of the American Annual Register is under a great mistake_in_placing_this affair a month earlier. It changes the whole aspect of affairs; making the Indians the first murderers, which is not fact.

in difficult passes.--At night a lodge was set apart, and blankets spread for them, and elderly squaws made to sleep on each side, by whom they were taken care of. Such food as the Indians had, was offered to them; but they cried and wept, and were too unwell to eat or be comforted. All of which the young women say is true, and that the Indian men offered no insult to them. They also confirm what is stated of Black-hawk's camp, as seen in going through a narrow passage, where their horses mired in the mud:more of the camp, it is supposed, they were not allowed to see. It seems there was more difficulty in procuring the liberty of one than the other: a young warrior claimed her as his prize, and was very unwilling to give her up; but after using all the arguments they were capable of, the Winnebagos say they had to use threats, which, together with an addition of ten horses to the offer, obtained his consent. The young warrior cut from Miss Hall's head a lock of her hair; which, by the by, has no affinity to a similar act among whites, but is to be kept as a trophy of his warlike exploits. The price paid by the Winnebagos is stated to be forty horses, wampum and trinkets,—in all to the amount of 2000 dollars."

Black-hawk was now in the neighborhood of Four Lakes, at the head sources of Rock River, about 60 miles from Fort Winnebago, and General Atkinson was in pursuit of him; but before he reached his place of retreat, he had retraced his steps, and was next discovered on the Ouisconsin.

About this time, a travelling preacher of the denomination called Dunkards was killed on the road to Chicago. His head was severed from his body, and carried off as a trophy. He was noted for his odd appearance; his beard being represented as near a yard in length. He had been informed that suspicious Indians were in the neighborhood, and a family, at whose house he stopped, retreated towards the settlements on receiving the information; but the Dunkard preacher thought proper to abide in the deserted house over night, and was killed.

On the 22 May, a party of spies having been sent out by General Atkinson, with despatches for Fort Armstrong, were attacked by the Indians, and four of them were killed. St. Vrain, an Indian agent, was among the number. They were all scalped, and their scalps were carried to Black-hawk's camp. St. Vrain had been odious to the Sacs from the part he took concerning their removal.

About this time, a man by the name of Smith was murdered near the Blue Mounds on the Galena frontier, and Mr. Winters, a mail contractor at Galena, was killed near Dixon's Ferry. The body of another man was found near the same place, but it was so disfigured that it was not known.

On the 6th June, a small settlement at the mouth of Plum River, 30 miles from Galena, was attacked, and the people retreated to a block-house, which they had wisely taken the precaution to erect. This the Indians tried to take for about an hour, but could not effect their object, and drew off. The inhabitants then went down the river in a boat to Galena. Whether any persons were killed, I do not find.

By the beginning of June, there were so many troops spread over the Indian country, that Black-hawk's party found but few opportunities to murder the frontier inhabitants. And although there were about 3000 men in arms to combat 500 Indians, yet congress ordered 600 mounted rangers to be raised "for the defence of the frontiers."

On the 14th of June, five persons were killed not far below Hamilton's Fort, near Galena, and on the 16th one man was killed within a mile of the same place. General Dodge being in the neighborhood, marched with 30 of his mounted men immediately in pursuit. When about three miles on his way, he discovered 12 Indians, whom he took to be the party who had committed the murders, and he pursued them with great spirit. Immediately after crossing East Pichetoneka Creek, the Indians buried themselves in a thick swamp. The whites dismounted, and after securing their horses, and placing a small guard to watch for any that might attempt to escape, rushed in after the retreating Indians. They presently came up with them, and began an indiscriminate slaughter. No resistance was made, and every Indian was killed

648

STEVENSON'S DEFEAT.-FORTS ATTACKED.

[Book V. or murdered in a few minutes. Not satisfied with this, they tore off the scalps of every one, and bore them off in triumph.

On the same day, Captain Snyder met with and defeated a small Indian force near Kellog's Grove. Four of the Indians were said to have been killed, and one of the whites was mortally wounded. In their return march, they were attacked by an ambush and defeated, having three of their men killed and mortally wounded. The whites now escaped by flight.

On the 18th of June, as Captain Stevenson with a small force was scouting near where General Dodge cut off the 12 Indians, he was met by a force under Black-hawk, and a fierce contest ensued. The whites fought well, but they were defeated. At one time, Captain Stevenson was left almost alone by his party, and was severely wounded; but they rallied again, and effected a retreat, with the loss of three only of their number. The fight was close and desperate for a short time, in which bayonets, knives and tomahawks were chiefly used.

An attempt was made on the 24 of June, by a considerable body of warriors, to surprise the fort at Buffalo Grove, on Rock River, only about 12 miles to the northward of Dixon's Ferry. It was guarded by 150 militia, who were prepared to meet them, and a considerably sharp contest ensued. Sixteen of the Indians were killed before they retreated. But few of the whites were wounded. The garrison was in great fear of being cut off, having expended all their ammunition before a reinforcement arrived, which had been sent for while the attack was going on.

About this time, as Black-hawk was approaching a small fort on Apple River, about 12 miles from Galena, he fell in with four men who had been sent express to this place. They did not discover the Indians until fired upon, when they fled for the fort, and the Indians pursued them; one of the men, a Mr. Welsh, was wounded before reaching the fort, and another man was killed in the fort, who had raised his head above the pickets to make discovery. The Indians contented themselves by taking away a considerable quantity of flour, and a number of cattle and horses. They would doubtless have burnt the fort and buildings, and killed all the people, but from fear that the light of them would be seen by some large body of white soldiers, who might pursue and overtake them.

On the 25th of June, a pretty severe fight took place between a company of spies under Major Dement and a band of Indians, not far from Kellog's Grove. He had arrived there only the evening before, and being informed that an Indian trail was discovered in the neighborhood, set off immediately with 30 mounted men to attack them. He had not proceeded far before the Indians appeared, and confidently attacked him. The Indian yell so frightened the horses that they were thrown into confusion, and soon began a retreat. The Indians pursued them a considerable distance, and lost nine of their number, two of whom were chiefs. Five of the whites were killed, and they lost about 30 of their horses.

On the 29th of June, three men were attacked in a field at the Cincinaway Mound, about 10 miles from Galena, and two of them were killed. Major Stevenson marched immediately in pursuit of the murderers. On arriving at the Mound he found the bodies of the two men, John Thompson and James Boxley, both shockingly mutilated. The heart of the former was taken out, and both were scalped. Having left a few men to bury the dead, Major Stevenson followed the trail of the party to the Mississippi, where he found they had stolen a canoe and effected their escape across the river.

Mention has been made of the prompt action of congress for the relief of the frontiers. "General Scott was ordered from the sea-board with nine companies of artillery, and their cannon were to be drawn from the coast; nine companies of infantry were ordered from the lakes, and two companies from Baton Rouge, to put an end to the war. Such was the promptness with which these orders were executed, that five out of the six companies of artillery ordered from Fort Monroe in the Chesapeake arrived in 18 days at Chicago, 1800 miles distant in the interior of the country. Unfortunately this detachment was attacked by the cholera on the route, and the whole