AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BLACK HAWK.

I was born at the Sac village, on Rock river, in the year 1767, and

am now in my 67th year. My great grandfather, Nanamakee, or Thunder,

according to the tradition given me by my father, Pyesa, was born in the

vicinity of Montreal, Canada, where the Great Spirit first placed the

Sac nation, and inspired him with a belief that, at the end of four

years he should see a _white man_, who would be to him a father.

Consequently he blacked his face, and eat but once a day, just as the

sun was going down, for three years, and continued dreaming, throughout

all this time whenever he slept. When the Great Spirit again appeared to

him, and told him that, at the end of one year more, he should meet his

father, and directed him to start seven days before its expiration, and

take with him his two brothers, Namah, or Sturgeon, and Paukahummawa,

or Sunfish, and travel in a direction to the left of sun-rising. After

pursuing this course for five days, he sent out his two brothers to

listen if they could hear a noise, and if so, to fasten some grass to

the end of a pole, erect it, pointing in the direction of the sound, and

then return to him.

Early next morning they returned, and reported that they had heard

sounds which appeared near at hand, and that they had fulfilled his

order. They all then started for the place where the pole had been

erected; when, on reaching it, Nanamakee left his party and went alone

to the place from whence the sounds proceeded, and found, that the white

man had arrived and pitched his tent. When he came in sight, his father

came out to meet him. He took him by the hand and welcomed him into his

tent. He told him that he was the son of the King of France; that he had

been dreaming for four years; that the Great Spirit had directed him

to come here, where he should meet a nation of people who had never

yet seen a white man; that they should be his children and he should

be their father; that he had communicated these things to the King, his

father, who laughed at him and called him Mashena, but he insisted on

coming here to meet his children where the Great Spirit had directed

him. The king had told him that he would find neither land nor people;

that this was an uninhabited region of lakes and mountains, but, finding

that he would have no peace without it, he fitted out a napequa, manned

it, and gave him charge of it, when he immediately loaded it, set sail

and had now landed on the very day that the Great Spirit had told him

in his dreams he should meet his children. He had now met the man who

should, in future, have charge of all the nation.

He then presented him with a medal which he hung round his neck.

Nanamakee informed him of his dreaming, and told him that his two

brothers remained a little way behind. His father gave him a shirt, a

blanket and a handkerchief besides a variety of other presents, and told

him to go and bring his brethren. Having laid aside his buffalo robe and

dressed himself in his new dress, he started to meet his brothers.

When they met he explained to them his meeting with the white man and

exhibited to their view the presents that he had made him. He then took

off his medal and placed it on his elder brother Namah, and requested

them both to go with him to his father.

They proceeded thither, were where ushered into the tent, and after some

brief ceremony his father opened a chest and took presents therefrom for

the new comers. He discovered that Nanamakee had given his medal to his

elder brother Namah. He told him that he had done wrong; that he should

wear that medal himself, as he had others for his brothers. That which

he had given him was typical of the rank he should hold in the nation;

that his brothers could only rank as _civil chiefs_, and that their

duties should consist of taking care of the village and attending to its

civil concerns, whilst his rank, from his superior knowledge, placed

him over all. If the nation should get into any difficulty with another,

then his puccohawama, or sovereign decree, must be obeyed. If he

declared war he must lead them on to battle; that the Great Spirit had

made him a great and brave general, and had sent him here to give him

that medal and make presents to him for his people.

His father remained four days, during which time he gave him guns,

powder and lead, spears and lances, and taught him their use, so that

in war he might be able to chastise his enemies, and in peace they

could kill buffalo, deer and other game necessary for the comforts and

luxuries of life. He then presented the others with various kinds of

cooking utensils and taught them their uses. After having given them

large quantities of goods as presents, and everything necessary for

their comfort, he set sail for France, promising to meet them again, at

the same place, after the 12th moon.

The three newly made chiefs returned to their village and explained to

Mukataquet, their father, who was the principal chief of the nation,

what had been said and done.

The old chief had some dogs killed and made a feast preparatory to

resigning his scepter, to which all the nation were invited. Great

anxiety prevailed among them to know what the three brothers had seen

and heard. . When the old chief arose and related to them the sayings

and doings of his three sons, and concluded by saying that the Great

Spirit had directed that these, his three sons, should take the rank

and power that had once been his, and that he yielded these honors and

duties willingly to them, because it was the wish of the Great Spirit,

and he could never consent to make him angry.

He now presented the great medicine bag to Nanamakee, and told him that

he "cheerfully resigned it to him, it is the soul of our nation, it has

never yet been disgraced and I will expect you to keep it unsullied."

Some dissensions arose among them, in consequence of so much power being

given to Nanamakee, he being so young a man. To quiet them, Nanamakee,

during a violent thunder storm, told them that he had caused it, and

that it was an exemplification of the name the Great Spirit had given

him. During the storm the lightning struck, and set fire to a tree near

by, a sight they had never witnessed before. He went to it and brought

away some of its burning branches, made a fire in the lodge and seated

his brothers around it opposite to one another, while he stood up and

addressed his people as follows:

"I am yet young, but the Great Spirit has called me to the rank I hold

among you. I have never sought to be more than my birth entitled me to.

I have not been ambitious, nor was it ever my wish while my father

was yet among the living to take his place, nor have I now usurped his

powers. The Great Spirit caused me to dream for four years. He told me

where to go and meet the white man who would be a kind father to us all.

I obeyed. I went, and have seen and know our new father.

"You have all heard what was said and done. The Great Spirit directed

him to come and meet me, and it is his order that places me at the head

of my nation, the place which my father has willingly resigned.

"You have all witnessed the power that has been given me by the Great

Spirit, in making that fire, and all that I now ask is that these, my

two chiefs, may never let it go out. That they may preserve peace among

you and administer to the wants of the needy. And should an enemy invade

our country, I will then, and not until then, assume command, and go

forth with my band of brave warriors and endeavor to chastise them."

At the conclusion of this speech every voice cried out for Nanamakee.

All were satisfied when they found that the Great Spirit had done what

they had suspected was the work of Nanamakee, he being a very shrewd

young man.

The next spring according to promise their French father returned, with

his napequa richly laden with goods, which were distributed among them.

He continued for a long time to keep up a regular trade with them, they

giving him in exchange for his goods furs and peltries.

After a long time the British overpowered the French, the two nations

being at War, and drove them away from Quebec, taking possession of it

themselves. The different tribes of Indians around our nation, envying

our people, united their forces against them and by their combined

strength succeeded in driving them to Montreal, and from thence to

Mackinac. Here our people first met our British father, who furnished

them with goods. Their enemies still wantonly pursued them and drove

them to different places along the lake. At last they made a village

near Green Bay, on what is now called Sac river, having derived its name

from this circumstance. Here they held a council with the Foxes, and a

national treaty of friendship and alliance was agreed upon. The Foxes

abandoned their village and joined the Sacs. This arrangement, being

mutually obligatory upon both parties, as neither were sufficiently

strong to meet their enemies with any hope of success, they soon became

as one band or nation of people. They were driven, however, by the

combined forces of their enemies to the Wisconsin. They remained here

for some time, until a party of their young men, who descended Rock

river to its mouth, had returned and made a favorable report of the

country. They all descended Rock river, drove the Kaskaskias from the

country and commenced the erection of their village, determined never to

leave it.

At this village I was born, being a lineal descendant of the first

chief, Nanamakee, or Thunder. Few, if any events of note transpired

within my recollection until about my fifteenth year. I was not allowed

to paint or wear feathers, but distinguished myself at an early age by

wounding an enemy; consequently I was placed in the ranks of the Braves.

Soon after this a leading chief of the Muscow nation came to our village

for recruits to go to war against the Osages, our common enemy.

I volunteered my services to go, as my father had joined him, and was

proud to have an opportunity to prove to him that I was not an unworthy

son, and that I had courage and bravery. It was not long before we met

the enemy and a battle immediately ensued. Standing by my father's side,

I saw him kill his antagonist and tear the scalp from off his head.

Fired with valor and ambition, I rushed furiously upon another and smote

him to the earth with my tomahawk. I then ran my lance through his body,

took off his scalp and returned in triumph to my father. He said nothing

but looked well pleased. This was the first man I killed. The enemy's

loss in this engagement having been very great, they immediately

retreated, which put an end to the war for the time being. Our party

then returned to the village and danced over the scalps we had taken.

This was the first time I was permitted to join in a scalp dance.

After a few moons had passed, being acquired considerable reputation

as a brave, I led a party of seven and attacked one hundred Osages! I

killed one man and left him for my comrades to scalp while I was taking

observations of the strength and preparations of the enemy. Finding that

they were equally well armed with ourselves, I ordered a retreat and

came off without the loss of a man. This excursion gained for me great

applause, and enabled me, before a great while, to raise a party of one

hundred and eighty to march against the Osages. We left our village in

high spirits and marched over a rugged country, until we reached the

land of the Osages, on the borders of the Missouri.

We followed their trail until we arrived at the village, which we

approached with exceeding caution, thinking that they were all here,

but found, to our sorrow, that they had deserted it. The party became

dissatisfied in consequence of this disappointment, and all, with the

exception of five noble braves, dispensed and went home. I then placed

myself at the head of this brave little band, and thanked the Great

Spirit that so _many_ had remained. We took to the trail of our enemies,

with a full determination never to return without some trophy of

victory. We followed cautiously on for several days, killed one man and

a boy, and returned home with their scalps.

In consequence of this mutiny in camp, I was not again able to raise

a sufficient force to go against the Osages until about my Nineteenth

year. During this interim they committed many outrages on our nation;

hence I succeeded in recruiting two hundred efficient warriors, and

early one morning took up the line of march. In a few days we were in

the enemy's country, and we had not gone far before we met a force

equal to our own with which to contend. A general battle immediately

commenced, although my warriors were considerably fatigued by forced

marches. Each party fought desperately. The enemy seemed unwilling

to yield the ground and we were determined to conquer or die. A great

number of Osages were killed and many wounded before they commenced a

retreat. A band of warriors more brave, skillful and efficient than mine

could not be found. In this engagement I killed five men and one squaw,

and had the good fortune to take the scalps of all I struck with one

exception--that of the squaw, who was accidentally killed. The enemy's

loss in this engagement was about one hundred braves. Ours nineteen. We

then returned to our village well pleased with our success, and danced

over the scalps which we had taken.

The Osages, in consequence of their great loss in this battle, became

satisfied to remain on their own lands. This stopped for a while their

depredations on our nation. Our attention was now directed towards an

ancient enemy who had decoyed and murdered some of our helpless women

and children. I started with my father, who took command of a small

party, and proceeded against the enemy to chastise them for the wrongs

they had heaped upon us. We met near the Merimac and an action ensued;

the Cherokees having a great advantage in point of numbers. Early in

this engagement my father was wounded in the thigh, but succeeded in

killing his enemy before he fell. Seeing that he had fallen, I assumed

command, and fought desperately until the enemy commenced retreating

before the well directed blows of our braves. I returned to my father

to administer to his necessities, but nothing could be done for him. The

medicine man said the wound was mortal, from which he soon after died.

In this battle I killed three men and wounded several. The enemy's loss

was twenty-eight and ours seven.

I now fell heir to the great medicine bag of my forefathers, which had

belonged to my father. I took it, buried our dead, and returned with my

party, sad and sorrowful, to our village, in consequence of the loss of

my father.

Owing to this misfortune I blacked my face, fasted and prayed to the

Great Spirit for five years, during which time I remained in a civil

capacity, hunting and fishing.

The Osages having again commenced aggressions on our people, and the

Great Spirit having taken pity on me, I took a small party and went

against them. I could only find six of them, and their forces being

so weak, I thought it would be cowardly to kill them, but took them

prisoners and carried them to our Spanish father at St. Louis, gave them

up to him and then returned to our village.

Determined on the final and complete extermination of the dastardly

Osages, in punishment for the injuries our people had received from

them, I commenced recruiting a strong force, immediately on my return,

and stated in the third moon, with five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and one

hundred Iowas, and marched against the enemy. We continued our march for

many days before we came upon their trail, which was discovered late in

the day. We encamped for the night, made an early start next morning,

and before sundown we fell upon forty lodges, killed all the inhabitants

except two squaws, whom I took as prisoners. Doing this engagement I

killed seven men and two boys with my own hands. In this battle many of

the bravest warriors among the Osages were killed, which caused those

who yet remained of their nation to keep within the boundaries of their

own land and cease their aggressions upon our hunting grounds.

The loss of my father, by the Cherokees, made me anxious to avenge his

death by the utter annihilation, if possible, of the last remnant of

their tribe. I accordingly commenced collecting another party to go

against them. Having succeeded in this, I started with my braves and

went into their country, but I found only five of their people, whom I

took prisoners. I afterwards released four of them, the other, a young

squaw, we brought home. Great as was my hatred of these people, I could

not kill so small a party.

About the close of the ninth moon, I led a large party against the

Chippewas, Kaskaskias and Osages. This was the commencement of a long

and arduous campaign, which terminated in my thirty-fifth year, after

having had seven regular engagements and numerous small skirmishes.

During this campaign several hundred of the enemy were slain. I killed

thirteen of their bravest warriors with my own hands.

Our enemies having now been driven from our hunting grounds, with so

great a loss as they sustained, we returned in peace to our village.

After the seasons of mourning and burying our dead braves and of

feasting and dancing had passed, we commenced preparations for our

winter's hunt. When all was ready we started on the chase and returned

richly laden with the fruits of the hunter's toil.

We usually paid a visit to St. Louis every summer, but in consequence

of the long protracted war in which we had been engaged, I had not been

there for some years.

Our difficulties all having been settled, I concluded to take a small

party and go down to see our Spanish father during the summer. We went,

and on our arrival put up our lodges where the market house now stands.

After painting and dressing we called to see our Spanish father and were

kindly received. He gave us a great variety of presents and an abundance

of provisions. We danced through the town as usual, and the inhabitants

all seemed well pleased. They seemed to us like brothers, and always

gave us good advice. On my next and last visit to our Spanish father, I

discovered on landing, that all was not right. Every countenance seemed

sad and gloomy. I inquired the cause and was informed that the Americans

were coming to take possession of the town and country, and that we were

to lose our Spanish father. This news made me and my band exceedingly

sad, because we had always heard bad accounts of the Americans from the

Indians who had lived near them. We were very sorry to lose our Spanish

father, who had always treated us 'with great friendship.

A few days afterwards the Americans arrived. I, in company with my band,

went to take leave for the last time of our father. The Americans came

to see him also. Seeing their approach, we passed out at one door as

they came in at another. We immediately embarked in our canoes for our

village on Rock river, not liking the change any more than our friends

at St. Louis appeared to.

On arriving at our village we gave out the news that a strange people

had taken possession of St. Louis and that we should never see our

generous Spanish father again. This information cast a deep gloom over

our people.

Sometime afterwards a boat came up the river with a young American

chief, at that time Lieutenant, and afterwards General Pike, and a small

party of soldiers aboard. The boat at length arrived at Rock river and

the young chief came on shore with his interpreter. He made us a speech

and gave us some presents, in return for which we gave him meat and such

other provisions as we could spare.

We were well pleased with the speech of the young chief. He gave us good

advice and said our American father would treat us well. He presented

us an American flag which we hoisted. He then requested us to lower

the _British colors_, which were waving in the air, and to give him our

British medals, promising to send others on his return to St: Louis.

This we declined to do as we wished to have two fathers.

When the young chief started we sent runners to the village of the

Foxes, some miles distant, to direct them to treat him well as he

passed, which they did. He went to the head of the Mississippi and then

returned to St. Louis. We did not see any Americans again for some time,

being supplied with goods by British traders.

We were fortunate in not giving up our medals, for we learned

afterwards, from our traders, that the chiefs high up the Mississippi,

who gave theirs, never received any in exchange for them. But the fault

was not with the young American chief. He was a good man, a great brave,

and I have since learned, died in his country's service.

Some moons after this young chief had descended the Mississippi, one of

our people killed an American, was taken prisoner and was confined

in the prison at St. Louis for the offence. We held a council at

our village to see what could be done for him, and determined that

Quashquame, Pashepaho, Ouchequaka and Hashequarhiqua should go down to

St. Louis, see our American father and do all they could to have our

friend released by paying for the person killed, thus covering the blood

and satisfying the relations of the murdered man. This being the only

means with us for saving a person who had killed another, and we then

thought it was the same way with the whites.

The party started with the good wishes of the whole nation, who had high

hopes that the emissaries would accomplish the object of their mission.

The relations of the prisoner blacked their faces and fasted, hoping the

Great Spirit would take pity on them and return husband and father to

his sorrowing wife and weeping children.

Quashquame and party remained a long time absent. They at length

returned and encamped near the village, a short distance below it, and

did not come up that day, nor did any one approach their camp. They

appeared to be dressed in fine coats and had medals. From these

circumstances we were in hopes that they had brought good news. Early

the next morning the Council Lodge was crowded, Quashquame and party

came up and gave us the following account of their mission:

On our arrival at St. Louis we met our American father and explained to

him our business, urging the release of our friend. The American chief

told us he wanted land. We agreed to give him some on the west side of

the Mississippi, likewise more on the Illinois side opposite Jeffreon.

When the business was all arranged we expected to have our friend

released to come home with us. About the time we were ready to start our

brother was let out of the prison. He started and ran a short distance

when he was SHOT DEAD!

This was all they could remember of what had been said and done. It

subsequently appeared that they had been drunk the greater part of the

time while at St. Louis.

This was all myself and nation knew of the treaty of 1804. It has since

been explained to me. I found by that treaty, that all of the country

east of the Mississippi, and south of Jeffreon was ceded to the United

States for one thousand dollars a year. I will leave it to the people of

the United States to say whether our nation was properly represented in

this treaty? Or whether we received a fair compensation for the extent

of country ceded by these four individuals?

I could say much more respecting this treaty, but I will not at this

time. It has been the origin of all our serious difficulties with the

whites.

Sometime after this treaty was made, a war chief with a party of

soldiers came up in keel boats, encamped a short distance above the

head of the Des Moines rapids, and commenced cutting timber and building

houses. The news of their arrival was soon carried to all our villages,

to confer upon which many councils were held. We could not understand

the intention, or comprehend the reason why the Americans wanted to

build homes at that place. We were told that they were a party of

soldiers, who had brought great guns with them, and looked like a war

party of whites.

A number of people immediately went down to see what was going on,

myself among them. On our arrival we found that they were building a

fort. The soldiers were busily engaged in cutting timber, and I observed

that they took their arms with them when they went to the woods. The

whole party acted as they would do in an enemy's country. The chiefs

held a council with the officers, or head men of the party, which I did

not attend, but understood from them that the war chief had said that

they were building homes for a trader who was coming there to live, and

would sell us goods very cheap, and that the soldiers were to remain to

keep him company. We were pleased at this information ad hoped that it

was all true, but we were not so credulous as to believe that all these

buildings were intended merely for the accommodation of a trader. Being

distrustful of their intentions, we were anxious for them to leave off

building and go back down the river.

By this time a considerable number of Indians had arrived to see what

was doing. I discovered that the whites were alarmed. Some of our young

men watched a party of soldiers, who went out to work, carrying their

arms, which were laid aside before they commenced. Having stolen quietly

to the spot they seized the guns and gave a wild yell! The party

threw down their axes and ran for their arms, but found them gone, and

themselves surrounded. Our young men laughed at them and returned their

weapons.

When this party came to the fort they reported what had been done,

and the war chief made a serious affair of it. He called our chiefs to

council inside his fort. This created considerable excitement in our

camp, every one wanting to know what was going to be done. The picketing

which had been put up, being low, every Indian crowded around the fort,

got upon blocks of wood and old barrels that they might see what was

going on inside. Some were armed with guns and others with bows and

arrows. We used this precaution, seeing that the soldiers had their guns

loaded and having seen them load their big guns in the morning.

A party of our braves commenced dancing and proceeded up to the

gate with the intention of, going in, but were stopped. The council

immediately broke up, the soldiers with their guns in hands rushed out

from the rooms where they had been concealed. The cannon were hauled to

the gateway, and a soldier came running with fire in his hand, ready to

apply the match. Our braves gave way and retired to the camp. There was

no preconcerted plan to attack the whites at that time, but I am of

the opinion now that had our braves got into the fort all of the whites

would have been killed, as were the British soldiers at Mackinac many

years before.

We broke up our camp and returned to Rock river. A short time afterward

the party at the fort received reinforcements, among whom we observed

some of our old friends from St. Louis.

Soon after our return from Fort Madison runners came to our village from

the Shawnee Prophet. Others were despatched by him to the village of

the Winnebagoes, with invitations for us to meet him on the Wabash.

Accordingly a party went from each village.

All of our party returned, among whom came a prophet, who explained to

us the bad treatment the different nations of Indians had received from

the Americans, by giving them a few presents and taking their land from

them.

I remember well his saying: "If you do not join your friends on the

Wabash, the Americans will take this very village from you!" I little

thought then that his words would come true, supposing that he used

these arguments merely to encourage us to join him, which we concluded

not to do. He then returned to the Wabash, where a party Of Winnebagoes

had preceded him, and preparations were making for war. A battle soon

ensued in which several Winnebagoes were killed. As soon as their nation

heard of this battle, and that some of their people had been killed,

they sent several war parties in different directions. One to the mining

county, one to Prairie du Chien, and another to Fort Madison. The latter

returned by our village and exhibited several scalps which they had

taken. Their success induced several parties to go against the fort.

Myself and several of my band joined the last party, and were determined

to take the fort. We arrived in the vicinity during the night. The spies

that we had sent out several days before to watch the movements of those

at the garrison, and ascertain their numbers, came to us and gave the

following information: "A keel arrived from below this evening with

seventeen men. There are about fifty men in the fort and they march out

every morning to exercise." It was immediately determined that we should

conceal ourselves in a position as near as practicable to where the

soldiers should come out, and when the signal was given each one was to

fire on them and rush into the fort. With my knife I dug a hole in the

ground deep enough that by placing a few weeds around it, succeeded

in concealing myself. I was so near the fort that I could hear the

sentinels walking on their beats. By day break I had finished my work

and was anxiously awaiting the rising of the sun. The morning drum beat.

I examined the priming of my gun, and eagerly watched for the gate to

open. It did open, but instead of the troops, a young man came out alone

and the gate closed after him. He passed so close to me that I could

have killed him with my knife, but I let him pass unharmed. He kept the

path toward the river, and had he gone one step from it, he must have

come upon us and would have been killed. He returned immediately and

entered the gate. I would now have rushed for the gate and entered it

with him, but I feared that our party was not prepared to follow me.

The gate opened again when four men emerged and went down to the river

for wood. While they were gone another man came out, walked toward the

river, was fired on and killed by a Winnebago. The others started and

ran rapidly towards the fort, but two of them were shot down dead. We

then took shelter under the river's bank out of reach of the firing from

the fort.

The firing now commenced from both parties and was kept up without

cessation all day. I advised our party to set fire to the fort, and

commenced preparing arrows for that purpose. At night we made the

attempt, and succeeded in firing the buildings several times, but

without effect, as the fire was always instantly extinguished.

The next day I took my rifle and shot in two the cord by which they

hoisted their flag, and prevented them from raising it again. We

continued firing until our ammunition was expended. Finding that we

could not take the fort, we returned home, having one Winnebago killed

and one wounded during the siege.

I have since learned that the trader who lived in the fort, wounded

the Winnebago while he was scalping the first man that was killed. The

Winnebago recovered, and is now living, and is very friendly disposed

towards the trader, believing him to be a great brave.

Soon after our return home, news reached us that a war was going to take

place between the British and the Americans.

Runners continued to arrive from different tribes, all confirming the

reports of the expected war. The British agent, Colonel Dixon, was

holding talks with, and making presents to the different tribes. I had

not made up my mind whether to join the British or remain neutral. I had

not discovered yet one good trait in the character of the Americans who

had come to the country. They made fair promises but never fulfilled

them, while the British made but few, and we could always rely

implicitly on their word.

One of our people having killed a Frenchman at Prairie du Chien, the

British took him prisoner and said they would shoot him next day. His

family were encamped a short distance below the mouth of the Wisconsin.

He begged for permission to go and see them that night, as he was to

die the next day. They permitted him to go after he had promised them to

return by sunrise the next morning.

He visited his family, which consisted of his wife and six children. I

can not describe their meeting and parting so as to be understood by

the whites, as it appears that their feelings are acted upon by certain

rules laid down by their preachers, while ours are governed by the

monitor within us. He bade his loved ones the last sad farewell and

hurried across the prairie to the fort and arrived in time. The soldiers

were ready and immediately marched out and shot him down. I visited the

stricken family, and by hunting and fishing provided for them until they

reached their relations.

Why did the Great Spirit ever send the whites to this island to drive

us from our homes and introduce among us poisonous liquors, disease and

death? They should have remained in the land the Great Spirit allotted

them. But I will proceed with my story. My memory, however, is not very

good since my late visit to the white people. I have still a buzzing

noise in my ear from the noise and bustle incident to travel. I may give

some parts of my story out of place, but will make my best endeavors to

be correct.

Several of our chiefs were called upon to go to Washington to see our

Great Father. They started and during their absence I went to Peoria,

on the Illinois river, to see an old friend and get his advice. He was a

man who always told u the truth, sad knew everything that was going on.

When I arrived at Peoria he had gone to Chicago, and was not at home. I

visited the Pottawattomie villages and then returned to Rock river. Soon

after which our friends returned from their visit to the Great Father

and reported what had been said and done. Their Great Father told them

that in the event of a war taking place with England, not to interfere

on either side, but remain neutral. He did not want our help, but wished

us to hunt and supply our families, and remain in peace. He said that

British traders would not be allowed to come on the Mississippi to

furnish us with goods, but that we would be well supplied by an American

trader. Our chiefs then told him that the British traders always gave us

credit in the fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and

clothe our families. He replied that the trader at Fort Madison would

have plenty of goods, and if we should go there in the autumn of the

year, he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had done. The

party gave a good account of what they had seen and the kind treatment

they had received. This information pleased us all very much. We all

agreed to follow our Great Father's advice and not interfere in the

war. Our women were much pleased at the good news. Everything went on

cheerfully in our village. We resumed our pastimes of playing ball,

horse-racing and dancing, which had been laid aside when this great war

was first talked about. We had fine crops of corn which were now ripe,

and our women were busily engaged in gathering it and making caches to

contain it.

In a short time we were ready to start to Fort Madison to get our

supply of goods, that we might proceed to our hunting grounds. We passed

merrily down the river, all in high spirits. I had determined to spend

the winter at my old favorite hunting ground on Skunk river. I left

part of my corn and mats at its mouth to take up as we returned and many

others did the same.

The next morning we arrived at the fort and made our encampment. Myself

and principal men paid a visit to the war chief at the fort. He received

us kindly and gave us some tobacco, pipes and provisions.

The trader came in and we all shook hands with him, for on him all our

dependence was placed, to enable us to hunt and thereby support our

families. We waited a long time, expecting the trader would tell us that

he had orders from our Great Father to supply us with goods, but he said

nothing on the subject. I got up and told him in a short speech what we

had come for, and hoped he had plenty of goods to supply us. I told him

that he should be well paid in the spring, and concluded by informing

him that we had decided to follow our Great Father's advice and not go

to war.

He said that he was happy to hear that we had concluded to remain in

peace. That he had a large quantity of goods, and that if we had made

a good hunt we should be well supplied, but he remarked that he had

received no instructions to furnish us anything on credit, nor could he

give us any without receiving the pay for them on the spot!

We informed him what our Great Father had told our chiefs at Washington,

and contended that he could supply us if he would, believing that our

Great Father always spoke the truth. The war chief said the trader could

not furnish us on credit, and that he had received no instructions from

our Great Father at Washington. We left the fort dissatisfied and went

to camp. What was now to be done we knew not. We questioned the party

that brought us the news from our Great Father, that we could get credit

for our winter supplies at this place. They still told the same story

and insisted on its truth. Few of us slept that night. All was gloom and

discontent.

In the morning a canoe was seen descending the river, bearing an

express, who brought intelligence that La Gutrie, a British trader, had

landed at Rock Island with two boat loads of goods. He requested us

to come up immediately as he had good news for us, and a variety of

presents. The express presented us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The

news ran through our camp like fire through dry grass on the prairie.

Our lodges were soon taken down and we all started for Rock Island. Here

ended all hopes of our remaining at peace, having been forced into war

by being deceived.

Our party were not long in getting to Rock Island. When we came in sight

and saw tents pitched, we yelled, fired our guns and beat our drums.

Guns were immediately fired at the island, returning our salute, and a

British flag hoisted. We loaded, were cordially received by La Gutrie,

and then smoked the pipe with him. After which he made a speech to

us, saying that he had been sent by Col. Dixon. He gave us a number of

handsome presents, among them a large silk flag and a keg of rum. He

then told us to retire, take some refreshments and rest ourselves, as he

would have more to say to us next day.

We accordingly retired to our lodges, which in the meantime had been put

up, and spent the night. The next morning we called upon him and told

him we wanted his two boat loads of goods to divide among our people,

for which he should be well paid in the spring in furs and peltries. He

consented for us to take them and do as we pleased with them. While our

people were dividing the goods, he took me aside and informed me that

Colonel Dixon was at Green Bay with twelve boats loaded with goods, guns

and ammunition. He wished to raise a party immediately and go to him. He

said our friend, the trader at Peoria, was collecting the Pottawattomies

and would be there before us. I communicated this information to my

braves, and a party of two hundred warriors were soon collected and

ready to depart. I paid a visit to the lodge of an old friend, who had

been the comrade of my youth, and had been in many war parties with me,

but was now crippled and no longer able to travel. He had a son that

I had adopted as my own, and who had hunted with me the two winters

preceding. I wished my old friend to let him go with me. He objected,

saying he could not get his support if he did attend me, and that I,

who had always provided for him since his misfortune, would be gone,

therefore he could not spare him as he had no other dependence. I

offered to leave my son in his stead but he refused to give his consent.

He said that he did not like the war, as he had been down the river and

had been well treated by the Americans and could not fight against them.

He had promised to winter near a white settler above Salt river,

and must take his son with him. We parted and I soon concluded my

arrangements and started with my party for Green Bay. On our arrival

there we found a large encampment; were well received by Colonel Dixon

and the war chiefs who were with him. He gave us plenty of provisions,

tobacco and pipes, saying that he would hold a council with us the next

day. In the encampment I found a great number of Kickapoos, Ottawas and

Winnebagoes. I visited all their camps and found them in high spirits.

They had all received new guns, ammunition and a variety of clothing.

In the evening a messenger came to visit Colonel Dixon. I went to his

tent, in which them were two other war chiefs and an interpreter. He

received me with a hearty shake of the hand; presented me to the other

chiefs, who treated me cordially, expressing themselves as being much.

Pleased to meet me. After I was seated Colonel Dixon said: "General

Black Hawk, I sent for you to explain to you what we are going to do and

give you the reasons for our coming here. Our friend, La Gutrie, informs

us in the letter you brought from him, of what has lately taken place.

You will now have to hold us fast by the hand. Your English Father has

found out that the Americans want to take your country from you and has

sent me and my braves to drive them back to their own country. He has,

likewise, sent a large quantity of arms and ammunition, and we want all

your warriors to join us."

He then placed a medal around my neck and gave me a paper, which I lost

in the late war, and a silk flag, saying: "You are to command all the

braves that will leave here the day after to-morrow, to join our braves

at Detroit."

I told him I was very much disappointed, as I wanted to descend the

Mississippi and make war upon the settlements. He said he had been

ordered to lay in waste the country around St. Louis. But having been a

trader on the Mississippi for many years himself, and always having

been treated kindly by the people there, he could not send brave men

to murder helpless women and innocent children. There were no soldiers

there for us to fight, and where he was going to send us there were a

great many of them. If we defeated them the Mississippi country should

be ours. I was much pleased with this speech, as it was spoken by a

brave.

I inquired about my old friend, the trader at Peoria, and observed,

"that I had expected that he would have been here before me." He shook

his head and said, "I have sent express after express for him, and have

offered him great sums of money to come and bring the Pottawatomies and

Kickapoos with him." He refused, saying, "Your British father has not

enough money to induce me to join you. I have now laid a trap for him. I

have sent Gomo and a party of Indians to take him prisoner and bring him

here alive. I expect him in a few days."

The next day arms and ammunition, knives, tomahawks and clothing were

given to my band. We had a great feast in the evening, and the morning

following I started with about five hundred braves to join the British

army. We passed Chicago and observed that the fort had been evacuated

by the Americans, and their soldiers had gone to Fort Wayne. They

were attacked a short distance from the fort and defeated. They had a

considerable quantity of powder in the fort at Chicago, which they had

promised to the Indians, but the night before they marched away they

destroyed it by throwing it into a well. If they had fulfilled their

word to the Indians, they doubtless would have gone to Fort Wayne

without molestation. On our arrival, I found that the Indians had

several prisoners, and I advised them to treat them well. We continued

our march, joining the British below Detroit, soon after which we had a

battle. The Americans fought well, and drove us back with considerable

loss. I was greatly surprised at this, as I had been told that the

Americans would not fight.

Our next movement was against a fortified place. I was stationed with my

braves to prevent any person going to, or coming from the fort. I found

two men taking care of cattle and took them prisoners. I would not kill

them, but delivered them to the British war chief. Soon after, several

boats came down the river fail of American soldiers. They landed on the

opposite side, took the British batteries, and pursued the soldiers that

had left them. They went too far without knowing the strength of the

British and were defeated. I hurried across the river, anxious for an

opportunity to show the courage of my braves, but before we reached the

scene of battle all was over.

The British had taken many prisoners and the Indians were killing them.

I immediately put a stop to it, as I never thought it brave, but base

and cowardly to kill in unarmed and helpless foe. We remained here for

some time. I can not detail what took place, as I was stationed with my

braves in the woods. It appeared, however, that the British could not

take this fort, for we marched to another, some distance off. When we

approached it, I found a small stockade, and concluded that there were

not many men in it. The British war chief sent a flag of truce. Colonel

Dixon carried it, but soon returned, reporting that the young war chief

in command would not give up the fort without fighting. Colonel Dixon

came to me and said, "you will see to-morrow, how easily we will take

that fort." I was of the same opinion, but when the morning came I was

disappointed. The British advanced and commenced the attack, fighting

like true braves, but were defeated by the braves in the fort, and

a great number of our men were killed. The British army was making

preparations to retreat. I was now tired of being with them, our success

being bad, and having got no plunder. I determined on leaving them and

returning to Rock river, to see what had become of my wife and children,

as I had not heard from them since I left home. That night I took about

twenty of my braves, and left the British camp for home. On our journey

we met no one until we came to the Illinois river. Here we found two

lodges of Pottawattomies. They received us in a very friendly manner,

and gave us something to eat. I inquired about their friends who were

with the British. They said there had been some fighting on the Illinois

river, and that my friend, the Peoria trader, had been taken prisoner.

"By Gomo and his party?" I immediately inquired. They replied, "no, but

by the Americans, who came up with boats. They took him and the French

settlers prisoners, and they burned the village of Peoria." They could

give us no information regarding our friends on Rock river. In three

days more we were in the vicinity of our village, and were soon after

surprised to find that a party of Americans had followed us from the

British camp. One of them, more daring than his comrades, had made his

way through the thicket on foot, and was just in the act of shooting me

when I discovered him. I then ordered him to surrender, marched him

into camp, and turned him over to a number of our young men with this

injunction: "Treat him as a brother, as I have concluded to adopt him in

our tribe."

A little while before this occurrence I had directed my party to proceed

to the village, as I had discovered a smoke ascending from a hollow in

the bluff, and wished to go alone to the place from whence the smoke

proceeded, to see who was there. I approached the spot, and when I came

in view of the fire, I saw an old man sitting in sorrow beneath a mat

which he had stretched over him. At any other time I would have turned

away without disturbing him, knowing that he came here to be alone, to

humble himself before the Great Spirit, that he might take pity on him.

I approached and seated myself beside him. He gave one look at me and

then fixed his eyes on the ground. It was my old friend. I anxiously

inquired for his son, my adopted child, and what had befallen our

people. My old comrade seemed scarcely alive. He must have fasted a long

time. I lighted my pipe and put it into his mouth. He eagerly drew a few

puffs, cast up his eyes which met mine, and recognized me. His eyes

were glassy and he would again have fallen into forgetfulness, had I

not given him some water, which revived him. I again inquired, "what has

befallen our people, and what has become of our son?"

In a feeble voice he said, "Soon after your departure to join the

British, I descended the river with a small party, to winter at the

place I told you the white man had asked me to come to. When we arrived

I found that a fort had been built, and the white family that had

invited me to come and hunt near them had removed to it. I then paid

a visit to the fort to tell the white people that my little band were

friendly, and that we wished to hunt in the vicinity of the fort.

The war chief who commanded there, told me that we might hunt on the

Illinois side of the Mississippi, and no person would trouble us. That

the horsemen only ranged on the Missouri side, and he had directed them

not to cross the river. I was pleased with this 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 your absence

and the hardships you would have to undergo. We had been here about two

moons, when my boy went out as usual to hunt. Night came on and he did

not return. I was alarmed for his safety and passed a sleepless night.

In the morning my old woman went to the other lodges and gave the alarm

and all turned out to hunt for the missing one. There being snow upon

the ground they soon came upon his track, and after pursuing it for

some distance, found he was on the trail of a deer, which led toward

the river. They soon came to the place where he had stood and fired, and

near by, hanging on the branch of a tree, found the deer, which he had

killed and skinned. But here were also found the tracks of white men.

They had taken my boy prisoner. Their tracks led across the river and

then down towards the fort. My friends followed on the trail, and soon

found my boy lying dead. He had been most cruelly murdered. His face was

shot to pieces, his body stabbed in several places and his head scalped.

His arms were pinioned behind him."

The old man paused for some time, and then told me that his wife had

died on their way up the Mississippi. I took the hand of my old friend

in mine and pledged myself to avenge the death of his son. It was now

dark, and a terrible storm was raging. The rain was descending in heavy

torrents, the thunder was rolling in the heavens, and the lightning

flashed athwart the sky. I had taken my blanket off and wrapped it

around the feeble old man. When the storm abated I kindled a fire and

took hold of my old friend to remove him nearer to it. He was dead! I

remained with him during the night. Some of my party came early in the

morning to look for me, and assisted me in burying him on the peak of

the bluff. I then returned to the village with my friends. I visited the

grave of my old friend as I ascended Rock river the last time.

On my arrival at the village I was met by the chiefs and braves and

conducted to the lodge which was prepared for me. After eating, I gave

a fall account of all that I had seen and done. I explained to my

people the manner in which the British and Americans fought. Instead of

stealing upon each other and taking every advantage to kill the enemy

and save their own people as we do, which, with us is considered

good policy in a war chief, they march out in open daylight and fight

regardless of the number of warriors they may lose. After the battle

is over they retire to feast and drink wine as if nothing had happened.

After which they make a statement in writing of what they have done,

each party claiming the victory, and neither giving an account of half

the number that have been killed on their own side They all fought like

braves, but would not do to lead a party with us. Our maxim is: "Kill

the enemy and save our own men." Those chiefs will do to paddle a canoe

but not to steer it. The Americans shot better than the British, but

their soldiers were not so well clothed, nor so well provided for.

The village chief informed me that after I started with my braves and

the parties who followed, the nation was reduced to a small party of

fighting men; that they would have been unable to defend themselves if

the Americans had attacked them. That all the children and old men and

women belonging to the warriors who had joined the British were left

with them to provide for. A council had been called which agreed that

Quashquame, the Lance, and other chiefs, with the old men, women and

children, and such others as chose to accompany them, should descend the

Mississippi to St. Louis, and place themselves under the American chief

stationed there. They accordingly went down to St. Louis, were received

as the friendly band of our nation, were sent up the Missouri and

provided for, while their friends were assisting the British!

Keokuk was then introduced to me as the war chief of the braves then in

the village. I inquired how he had become chief? They said that a large

armed force was seen by their spies going toward Peoria. Fears were

entertained that they would come up and attack the village and a council

had been called to decide as to the best course to be adopted, which

concluded upon leaving the village and going to the west side of the

Mississippi to get out of the way. Keokuk, during the sitting of the

council, had been standing at the door of the lodge, not being allowed

to enter, as he had never killed an enemy, where he remained until old

Wacome came out. He then told him that he heard what they had decided

upon, and was anxious to be permitted to speak before the council

adjourned. Wacome returned and asked leave for Keokuk to come in and

make a speech. His request was granted. Keokuk entered and addressed the

chiefs. He said: "I have heard with sorrow that you have determined to

leave our village and cross the Mississippi, merely because you have

been told that the Americans were coming in this direction. Would you

leave our village, desert our homes and fly before an enemy approaches?

Would you leave all, even the graves of our fathers, to the mercy of an

enemy without trying to defend them? Give me charge of your warriors and

I'll defend the village while you sleep in safety."

The council consented that Keokuk should be war chief. He marshalled

his braves, sent out his spies and advanced with a party himself on

the trail leading to Peoria. They returned without seeing an enemy.

The Americans did not come by our village. All were satisfied with the

appointment of Keokuk. He used every precaution that our people should

not be surprised. This is the manner in which and the cause of his

receiving the appointment.

I was satisfied, and then started to visit my wife and children. I found

them well, and my boys were growing finely. It is not customary for

us to say much about our women, as they generally perform their part

cheerfully and never interfere with business belonging to the men. This

is the only wife I ever had or ever will have. She is a good woman, and

teaches my boys to be brave. Here I would have rested myself and enjoyed

the comforts of my lodge, but I could not. I had promised to avenge the

death of my adopted son.

I immediately collected a party of thirty braves, and explained to them

the object of my making this war party, it being to avenge the death

of my adopted son, who had been cruelly and wantonly murdered by the

whites. I explained to them the pledge I had made to his father, and

told them that they were the last words that he had heard spoken. All

were willing to go with me to fulfill my word. We started in canoes,

and descended the Mississippi, until we arrived ear the place where Fort

Madison had stood. It had been abandoned and burned by the whites, and

nothing remained but the chimneys. We were pleased to see that the white

people had retired from the country. We proceeded down the river again.

I landed with one brave near Cape Gray, the remainder of the party went

to the mouth of the Quiver. I hurried across to the tail that led from

the mouth of the Quiver to a fort, and soon after heard firing at the

mouth of the creek. Myself and brave concealed ourselves on the side

of the road. We had not remained here long before two men, riding one

horse, came at full speed from the direction of the sound of the firing.

When they came sufficiently near we fired; the horse jumped and both men

fell. We rushed toward them and one rose and ran. I followed him and was

gaining on him, when he ran over a pile of rails that had lately been

made, seized a stick and struck at me. I now had an opportunity to see

his face, and I knew him. He had been at Qaashquame's village to teach

his people how to plow. We looked upon him as a good man. I did not wish

to kill him, and pursued him no further. I returned and met my brave. He

said he had killed the other man and had his scalp in his hand. We had

not proceeded far before we met the man supposed to be killed, coming

up the road, staggering like a drunken man, and covered all over with

blood. This was the most terrible sight I had ever seen. I told my

comrade to kill him to put him out of his misery. I could not look at

him. I passed on and heard a rustling in the bushes. I distinctly saw

two little boys concealing themselves in the undergrowth, thought of

my own children, and passed on without noticing them. My comrade here

joined me, and in a little while we met the other detachment of our

party. I told them that we would be pursued, and directed them to follow

me. We crossed the creek and formed ourselves in the timber. We had not

been here long, when a party of mounted men rushed at full speed upon

us. I took deliberate aim and shot the leader of the party. He fell

lifeless from his horse. All my people fired, but without effect. The

enemy rushed upon us without giving us time to reload. They surrounded us

and forced us into a deep sink-hole, at the bottom of which there were

some bushes. We loaded our gum and awaited the approach of the enemy.

They rushed to the edge of the hole, fired on us and killed one of our

men. We instantly returned their fire, killing one of their party. We

reloaded and commenced digging holes in the side of the bank to protect

ourselves, while a party watched the enemy, expecting their whole force

would be upon us immediately. Some of my warriors commenced singing

their death songs. I heard the whites talking, and called to them to

come out and fight. I did not like my situation and wished the matter

settled. I soon heard chopping and knocking. I could not imagine what

they were doing. Soon after they ran up a battery on wheels and fired

without hurting any of us. I called to them again, and told them if

they were brave men to come out and fight us. They gave up the siege and

returned to their fort about dusk. There were eighteen in this trap with

me. We came out unharmed, with the exception of the brave who was killed

by the enemy's fist fire, after we were entrapped. We found one white

man dead at the edge of the sink-hole, whom they did not remove for fear

of our fire, and scalped him, placing our dead brave upon him, thinking

we could not leave him in a better situation than on the prostrate form

of a fallen foe.

We had now effected our purpose and concluded to go back by land,

thinking it unsafe to use our canoes. I found my wife and children, and

the greater part of our people, at the mouth of the Iowa river. I now

determined to remain with my family and hunt for them, and to humble

myself before the Great Spirit, returning thanks to him for preserving

me through the war. I made my hunting camp on English river, which is

a branch of the Iowa. During the winter a party of Pottawattomies came

from the Illinois to pay me a visit, among them was Washeown, an old man

who had formerly lived in our village. He informed as that in the fall

the Americans had built a fort at Peoria and had prevented them from

going down the Sangamon to hunt. He said they were very much distressed.

Gomo had returned from the British army, and brought news of their

defeat near Malden. He told us that he went to the American chief with

a flag, gave up fighting, and told him he desired to make peace for his

nation. The American chief gave him a paper to the war chief at Peoria,

and I visited that fort with Gomo. It was then agreed that there should

be no more hostilities between the Americans and the Pottawattomies. Two

of the white chiefs, with eight Pottawattomie braves, and five others,

Americans, had gone down to St. Louis to have the treaty of peace

confirmed. This, said Washeown, is good news; for we can now go to our

hunting grounds, and, for my part, I never had anything to do with this

war. The Americans never killed any of our people before the war,

nor interfered with our hunting grounds, and I resolved to do nothing

against them. I made no reply to these remarks as the speaker was old

and talked like a child.

We gave the Pottawattomies a great feast. I presented Washeown with a

good horse. My braves gave one to each of his party, and, at parting,

said they wished us to make peace, which we did not promise, but told

them that we would not send out war parties against the settlements.

A short time after the Pottawattomies had gone, a party of thirty braves

belonging to our nation, from the peace camp on the Missouri, paid us a

visit. They exhibited five scalps which they had taken on the Missouri,

and wished us to join in a dance over them, which we willingly did.

They related the manner in which they had taken these scalps. Myself and

braves showed them the two we had taken near the Quiver, and told them

the cause that induced us to go out with the war party, as well as

the manner in which we took these scalps, and the difficulty we had in

obtaining them.

They recounted to us all that had taken place, the number that had been

slain by the peace party, as they were called and recognized to be,

which far surpassed what our warriors, who had joined the British, had

done. This party came for the purpose of joining the British, but I

advised them to return to the peace party, and told them the news

which the Pottawattomies had brought. They returned to the Missouri,

accompanied by some of my braves whose families were there.

After "sugar-making" was over in the spring, I visited the Fox village

at the lead mines. They had nothing to do with the war, and consequently

were not in mourning. I remained there some days, spending my time very

pleasantly with them in dancing and feasting. I then paid a visit to the

Pottawattomie village on the Illinois river, and learned that Sanatuwa

and Tatapuckey had been to St. Louis. Gomo told me that "peace had been

made between his people and the Americans, and that seven of his band

remained with the war chief to make the peace stronger." He then told

me: "Washeown is dead! He had gone to the fort to carry some wild fowl

to exchange for tobacco, pipes and other articles. He had secured some

tobacco and a little flour, and left the fort before sunset, but had

not proceeded far when he was _shot dead_ by a white war chief, who had

concealed himself near the path for that purpose. He then dragged him

to the lake and threw him in, where I afterwards found him. I have since

given two homes and a rifle to his relatives, not to break the peace, to

which they have agreed."

I remained for some time at the village of Gomo, and went with him to

the fort to pay a visit to the war chief. I spoke the Pottawattomie

tongue well, and was taken for one of their people by him. He treated

us friendly, and said he was very much displeased about the murder of'

Washeown. He promised us he would find out and punish the person who

killed him. He made some inquiries about the Sacs, which I answered.

On my return to Rock river, I was informed that a party of soldiers

had gone up the Mississippi to build a fort at Prairie du Chien. They

stopped near our village, appearing very friendly, and were treated

kindly by our people.

We commenced repairing our lodges, putting our village in order, and

clearing our cornfields. We divided the fields belonging to the party on

the Missouri among those who wanted them, on condition that they

should be relinquished to their owners on their return from the peace

establishment. We were again happy in our village. Our women went

cheerfully to work and all moved on harmoniously.

Some time afterward, five or six boats arrived loaded with soldiers on

their way to Prairie du Chien to reinforce the garrison at that place.

They appeared friendly and were well received, and we held a council

with the war chief. We had no intention of hurting him or any of his

party, for we could easily have defeated them. They remained with us

all day and gave oar people plenty of whisky. Doing the night a party

arrived, by way of Rock river, who brought us six kegs of powder. They

told us that the British had gone to Prairie du Chien and taken the

fort. They wished us to again join them in the war, which we agreed to

do. I collected my warriors and determined to pursue the boats, which

had sailed with a fair wind. If we had known the day before, we could

easily have taken them all, as the war chief used no precaution to

prevent it.

I started immediately with my party, by land, in pursuit, thinking that

some of their boats might get aground, or that the Great Spirit would

put them in our power, if he wished them taken and their people killed.

About half way up the rapids I had a full view of the boats all sailing

with a strong wind. I discovered that one boat was badly managed, and

was suffered to be drawn ashore by the wind. They landed by running

hard aground and lowered their sail. The others passed on. This boat the

Great Spirit gave to us. All that could, hurried aboard, but they were

unable to push off, being fast aground. We advanced to the river's bank

undercover, and commenced firing on the boat. I encouraged my braves

to continue firing. Several guns were fired from the boat, but without

effect. I prepared my bow and arrows to throw fire to the sail, which

was lying on the boat. After two or three attempts, I succeeded in

setting it on fire. The boat was soon in flames. About this time, one of

the boats that had passed returned, dropped anchor and swung in close to

one which was on fire, taking off all the people except those who were

killed or badly wounded. We could distinctly see them passing from one

boat to the other, and fired on them with good effect. We wounded the

war chief in this way. Another boat now came down, dropped her anchor,

which did not take hold, and drifted whore. The other boat cut her cable

and drifted down the river, leaving their comrades without attempting to

assist them. We then commenced an attack upon this boat, firing several

rounds, which was not returned. We thought they were afraid or only had

a few aboard. I therefore ordered a rush toward the boat, but when we

got near enough they fired, killing two of our braves--these being all

we lost in the engagement. Some of their men jumped out and shoved the

boat off, and thus got away without losing a man. I had a good opinion

of this war chief, as he managed so much better than the others. It

would give me pleasure to shake him by the hand.

We now put out the fire on the captured boat to save the cargo, when

a skiff was seen coming down the river. Some of our people cried out,

"Here comes an express from Prairie du Chien." We hoisted the British

flag, but they would not land. They turned their little boat around, and

rowed up the river. We directed a few shots at them, but they were so

far off that we could not hurt them. I found several barrels of whisky

on the captured boat, knocked in the heads and emptied the bad medicine

late the river. I next found a box full of small bottles and packages,

which appeared to be bad medicine also, such as the medicine men kill

the white people with when they are sick. This I threw into the river.

Continuing my search for plunder, I found several guns, some large

barrels filled with clothing, and a number of cloth lodges, all of

which I distributed among my warriors. We now disposed of the dead, and

returned to the Fox village opposite the lower end of Rock Island, where

we put up our new lodges, and hoisted the British flag. A great many of

our braves were dressed in the uniform clothing which we had taken from

the Americans, which gave our encampment the appearance of a regular

camp of soldiers. We placed out sentinels and commenced dancing over the

scalps we had taken. Soon after several boats passed down, among them

a very large one carrying big guns. Our young men followed them some

distance, but could do them no damage more than scare them. We were now

certain that the fort at Prairie du Chien had been taken, as this large

boat went up with the first party who built the fort.

In the course of the day some of the British came down in a small boat.

They had followed the large one, thinking it would get fast in the

rapids, in which case they were sure of taking her. They had summoned

her on her way down to surrender, but she refused to do so, and now,

that she had passed the rapids in safety, all hope of taking her had

vanished. The British landed a big gun and gave us three soldiers to

manage it. They complimented us for our bravery in taking the boat, and

told us what they had done at Prairie do Chien. They gave us, a keg of

rum, and joined with us in our dancing and feasting. We gave them some

things which we had taken from the boat, particularly books and papers.

They started the next morning, promising to return in a few days with a

large body of soldiers.

We went to work under the direction of the men left with us, and dug

up the ground in two places to put the big gun in, that the men might

remain in with it and be safe. We then sent spies down the river to

reconnoitre, who sent word by a runner that several boats were coming

up filled with men. I marshalled my forces and was soon ready for their

arrival. I resolved to fight, as we had not yet had a fair fight with

the Americans during the war. The boats arrived in the evening, stopping

at a small willow island, nearly opposite to us. During the night we

removed our big gun further down, and at daylight next morning commenced

firing. We were pleased to see that almost every shot took effect. The

British being good gunners, rarely missed. They pushed off as quickly as

possible, although I had expected they would land and give us battle. I

was fully prepared to meet them but was sadly disappointed by the boats

all sailing down the river. A party of braves followed to watch where

they landed, but they did not stop until they got below the Des Moines

rapids, where they came ashore and commenced building a fort. I did not

want a fort in our country, as we wished to go down to the Two River

country in the fall and hunt, it being our choice hunting ground, and

we concluded that if this fort was built, it would prevent us from going

there. We arrived in the vicinity in the evening, and encamped on a high

bluff for the night. We made no fire, for fear of being observed, and

our young men kept watch by turns while others slept. I was very tired,

and was soon asleep. The Great Spirit, during my slumber, told me to

go down the bluff to a creek, that I would there find a hollow tree cut

down, and by looking in at the top of it, I would see a large snake with

head erect--to observe the direction he was looking, and I would see the

enemy close by and unarmed. In the morning I communicated to my braves

what the Great Spirit had said to me, took one of them and went down a

ravine that led to the creek. I soon came in sight of the place where

they were building the fort, which was on a hill at the opposite side

of the creek. I saw a great many men. We crawled cautiously on our hands

and knees until we got to the bottom land, then through the grass and

weeds until we reached the bank of the creek. Here I found a tree that

had been cut down; I looked in at the top of it and saw a large

snake, with his head raised, looking across the creek. I raised myself

cautiously, and discovered nearly opposite to me, two war chiefs walking

arm in arm, without guns. They turned and walked back toward the place

where the men were working at the fort. In a little while they returned,

walking directly towards the spot where we lay concealed, but did not

come so near as before. If they had they would have been killed, for

each of us had a good rifle. We crossed the creek and crawled to a

cluster of bushes. I again raised myself a little to see if they were

coming; but they went into the fort, and by this they saved their lives.

We recrossed the creek and I returned alone, going up the same ravine I

came down. My brave went down the creek, and I, on raising the brow of

a hill to the left of the one we came down, could plainly see the men

at work. I saw a sentinel walking in the bottom near the mouth of the

creek. I watched him attentively, to see if he perceived my companion,

who had gone toward him. The sentinel stopped for some time and looked

toward where my brave was concealed. He walked first one way and then

the other.

I observed my brave creeping towards him, at last he lay still for a

while, not even moving the grass, and as the sentinel turned to walk

away, my brave fired and he fell. I looked towards the fort, and saw the

whites were in great confusion, running wildly in every direction, some

down the steep bank toward a boat. My comrade joined me, we returned

to the rest of the party and all hurried back to Rock river, where we

arrived in safety at our village. I hung up my medicine bag, put away my

rifle and spear, feeling as if I should want them no more, as I had no

desire to raise other war parties against the whites unless they gave me

provocation. Nothing happened worthy of note until spring, except

that the fort below the rapids had been abandoned and burned by the

Americans.

Soon after I returned from my wintering ground we received information

that peace had been made between the British and Americans, and that we

were required to make peace also, and were invited to go down to Portage

des Sioux, for that purpose. Some advised that we should go down, others

that we should not. Nomite, our principal civil chief, said he would go,

as soon as the Foxes came down from the mines.

They came and we all started from Rock river, but we had not gone far

before our chief was taken sick and we stopped with him at the village

on Henderson river. The Foxes went on and we were to follow as soon as

our chief got better, but he rapidly became worse and soon died. His

brother now became the principal chief. He refused to go down, saying,

that if he started, he would be taken sick and die as his brother had

done. This seemed to be reasonable, so we concluded that none of us

would go at this time. The Foxes returned. They said, "we have smoked

the pipe of peace with our enemies, and expect that the Americans will

send a war party against you if you do not go down." This I did not

believe, as the Americans had always lost by their armies that were sent

against us. La Gutrie and other British traders arrived at our village

in the fall. La Gutrie told us that we must go down and make peace, as

this was the wish of our English father. He said he wished us to go down

to the Two River country to winter, where game was plenty, as there had

been no hunting there for several years.

Having heard the principal war chief had come up with a number of

troops, and commenced the erection of a fort near the Rapids des Moines,

we consented to go down with the traders to visit the American chief,

and tell him the reason why we had not been down sooner. When we arrived

at the head of the rapids, the traders left their goods, and all of

their boats with one exception, in which they accompanied us to see the

Americans. We visited the war chief on board his boat, telling him

what we had to say, and explaining why we had not been down sooner. He

appeared angry and talked to La Gutrie for some time. I inquired of him

what the war chief said. He told me that he was threatening to hang him

up to the yard arm of his boat. "But" said he, "I am not afraid of what

he says. He dare not put his threats into execution. I have done no more

than I had a right to do a. a British subject."

I then addressed the chief, asking permission for ourselves and some

Menomonees, to go down to the Two River country for the purpose of

hunting. He said we might go down but must return before the ice came,

as he did not intend that we should winter below the fort. "But," he

inquired, "what do you want the Menomonee to go with you for?"

I did not know at first what reply to make, but told him that they had a

great many pretty squaws with them, and we wished them to go with us on

that account. He consented. We all went down the river and remained all

winter, as we had no intention of returning before spring when we asked

leave to go. We made a good hunt. Having loaded our trader's boats with

furs and peltries, they started to Mackinac, and we returned to our

village.

There is one circumstance that I did not relate at the proper place.

It has no reference to myself or people, but to my friend Gomo, the

Pottawattomie chief. He came to Rock river to pay me a visit, and during

his stay he related to me the following story:

"The war chief at Peoria is a very good man. He always speaks the truth

and treats our people well. He sent for me one day, told me he was

nearly out of provisions, and wished me to send my young men hunting to

supply his fort. I promised to do so, immediately returned to my camp

and told my young men the wishes and wants of the war chief. They

readily agreed to go and hurt for our friend and returned with plenty

of deer. They carried them to the fort, laid them down at the gate and

returned to our camp. A few days afterward I went again to the fort to

see if they wanted any more meat. The chief gave me powder and lead

and said he wanted, me to send my hunters out again. When I returned to

camp, I told my young men that the chief wanted more meat. Matatah, one

of my principal braves, said he would take a party and go across the

Illinois, about one day's travel, where game was plenty, and make a good

hunt for our friend the war chief. He took eight hunters with him, and

his wife and several other squaws went with them. They had travelled

about half the day in the prairie when they discovered a party of white

men coming towards them with a drove of cattle. Our hunters apprehended

no danger or they would have kept out of the way of the whites, who had

not yet perceived them. Matatah changed his course, as he wished to meet

and speak to the whites. As soon as the whites saw our party, some of

them put off at full speed, and came up to our hunters. Matatah gave up

his gun to them, and endeavored to explain to them that he was friendly

and was hunting for the war chief. They were not satisfied with this but

fired at and wounded him. He got into the branches of a tree that had

blown down, to keep the horses from running over him. He was again

fired on several times and badly wounded. He, finding that he would be

murdered, and, mortally wounded already, sprang at the man nearest him,

seized his gun and shot him from his horse. He then fell, covered with

blood from his wounds, and immediately expired. The other hunters being

in the rear of Matatah attempted to escape, after seeing their leader so

basely murdered by the whites. They were pursued and nearly all of the

party killed. My youngest brother brought me the news in the night, he

having been with the party and was slightly wounded. He said the whites

had abandoned their cattle and gone back towards the settlement. The

rest of the night we spent in mourning for our friends. At daylight I

blacked my face and started for the fort to see the chief. I met him at

the gate and told him what had happened. His countenance changed and I

could see sorrow depicted in it for the death of my people. He tried to

persuade me that I was mistaken, as he could not believe that the whites

would act so cruelly. But when I convinced him, he said to me, 'those

cowards who murdered your people shall be punished.' I told him that my

people would have revenge, that they would not trouble any of his people

at the fort, as we did not blame him or any of his soldiers, but that

a party of my braves would go towards the Wabash to avenge the death

of their friends and relations. The next day I took a party of hunters,

killed several deer, and left them at the fort gate as I passed."

Here Gomo ended his story. I could relate many similar ones that have

come within my own knowledge and observation, but I dislike to look back

and bring on sorrow afresh. I will resume my narrative.

The great chief at St. Louis having sent word for us to come down and

confirm the treaty, we did not hesitate, but started immediately that

we might smoke the peace pipe with him. On our arrival we met the great

chiefs in council. They explained to us the words of our Great Father

at Washington, accusing us of heinous crimes and many misdemeanors,

particularly in not coming down when first invited. We knew very well

that our Great Father had deceived us and thereby forced us to join

the British, and could not believe that he had put this speech into the

mouths of those chiefs to deliver to us. I was not a civil chief and

consequently made no reply, but our civil chiefs told the commissioner

that, "What you say is a lie. Our Great Father sent us no such speech,

he knew that the situation in which we had been placed was caused by

him." The white chiefs appeared very angry at this reply and said, "We

will break off the treaty and make war against you, as you have grossly

insulted us."

Our chiefs had no intention of insulting them and told them so, saying,

"we merely wish to explain that you have told us a lie, without any

desire to make you angry, in the same manner that you whites do when

you do not believe what is told you." The council then proceeded and the

pipe of peace was smoked.

Here for the first time, I touched the goose quill to the treaty not

knowing, however, that, by the act I consented to give away my village.

Had that been explained to me I should have opposed it and never would

have signed their treaty, as my recent conduct will clearly prove.

What do we know of the manners, the laws, and the customs of the white

people? They might buy our bodies for dissection, and we would touch the

goose quill to confirm it and not know what we were doing. This was the

case with me and my people in touching the goose quill for the first

time.

We can only judge of what is proper and right by our standard of what

is right and wrong, which differs widely from the whites, if I have been

correctly informed. The whites may do wrong all their lives, and then if

they are sorry for it when about to die, all is well, but with us it is

different. We must continue to do good throughout our lives. If we have

corn and meat, and know of a family that have none, we divide with them.

If we have more blankets than we absolutely need, and others have not

enough, we must give to those who are in want. But I will presently

explain our customs and the manner in which we live.

We were treated friendly by the whites and started on our return to our

village on Rock river. When we arrived we found that the troops had

come to build a fort on Rock Island. This, in our opinion, was a

contradiction to what we had done--"to prepare for war in time of

peace." We did not object, however, to their building their fort on

the island, but were very sorry, as this was the best one on the

Mississippi, and had long been the resort of our young people during

the summer. It was our garden, like the white people have near their

big villages, which supplied us with strawberries, blackberries,

gooseberries, plums, apples and nuts of different kinds. Being situated

at the foot of the rapids its waters supplied us with the finest fish.

In my early life I spent many happy days on this island. A good spirit

had charge of it, which lived in a cave in the rocks immediately under

the place where the fort now stands. This guardian spirit has often been

seen by our people. It was white, with large wings like a swan's, but

ten times larger. We were particular not to make much noise in that part

of the island which it inhabited, for fear of disturbing it. But the

noise at the fort has since driven it away, and no doubt a bad spirit

has taken its place.

Our village was situated on the north side of Rock river, at the foot of

the rapids, on the point of land between Rock river and the Mississippi.

In front a prairie extended to the Mississippi, and in the rear a

continued bluff gently ascended from the prairie.