Early in April, 1832, Brig.-General Atkinson, with about three hundred
troops, was ordered to Fort Armstrong to prevent a threatened war
between the Menominees and Fox Indians, on account of a massacre,
committed by a band of the latter on a small band of drunken Menominees
the previous summer at a point near Fort Crawford. To prevent bloodshed
he was directed to demand the murderers of the Foxes; but on arriving at
Rock Island he soon learned that there was imminent danger of a war of a
different character--that Black Hawk, with his entire band, was then on
his way to invade the State of Illinois and would probably be joined by
the Pottowattamies and Winnebagoes. In order to ascertain the facts in
the case, he called upon the Indian Agent and Col. George Davenport,
both located here, and requested them to furnish, in writing, all the
information they had in relation to the movements and intentions of
Black Hawk in coming to the State of Illinois. Both gentlemen replied to
his inquiries immediately as follows:
ROCK ISLAND, April 12, 1832.
My opinion is that the squaws and old men have gone to the Prophet's
town, on Rock river, and the warriors are now only a few miles below the
mouth of Rock river, within the limits of the State of Illinois. That
these Indians are hostile to the whites there is no doubt. That they
have invaded the State of Illinois, to the great injury of her citizens,
is equally true. Hence it is that that the public good requires that
strong as well as speedy measures should be taken against Black Hawk and
his followers.
Respectfully, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
[Signed,] ANDREW S. HUGHES.
To Brig-Gen. Atkinson.
ROCK ISLAND, April 13, 1832.
"DEAR SIR:--In reply to your inquiry of this morning, respecting the
Indians, I have to state that I have been informed by the man I have
wintering with the Indians that the British band of Sac Indians are
determined to make war upon the frontier settlements. The British band
of Sac Indians did rendezvous at old Fort Madison, and induced a great
many of the young men to join them on their arrival at the Yellow
Banks. They crossed about five hundred head of horses into the State of
Illinois, and sent about seventy horses through the country toward
Rock River. The remainder, some on horseback the others in canoes, in a
fighting order, advanced up the Mississippi, and were encamped yesterday
five or six miles below Rock river and will no doubt endeavor to reach
their stronghold in the Rock river swamps if they are not intercepted.
From every information that I have received, I am of the opinion
that the intentions of the British band of Sac Indians is to commit
depredations on the inhabitants of the frontier." Respectfully, your
obedient servant, GEORGE DAVENPORT. [Signed,] "To Brig. Gen. Atkinson."
Being satisfied from the information thus acquired, that there was
danger ahead for the small settlements of whites in the Northern portion
of the State, he immediately addressed a letter to Gov. Reynolds, of
Illinois, from which we take the following:
FORT ARMSTRONG, April 13, 1832.
DEAR SIR:--The band of Sacs, under Black Hawk, joined by about one
hundred Kickapoos and a few Pottowattomies, amounting in all to about
five hundred men, have assumed a hostile attitude. They crossed the
river at the Yellow, Banks on the sixth inst., and are now moving up on
the east side of Rock river, towards the Prophet's village.
"The regular force under my command is too small to justify me in
pursuing the hostile party. To make an unsuccessful attempt to coerce
them would only irritate them to acts of hostility on the frontier
sooner than they probably contemplate.
"Your own knowledge of the character of these Indians, with the
information herewith submitted, will enable you to judge of the course
proper to pursue. I think the frontier is in great danger, and will use
all the means at my disposal to co-operate with you in its protection
and defense. With great respect, Your most obedient servant, H.
ATKINSON, Brigadier General of the U. S. Army, His Excellency, Gov.
Reynolds, Belleville, Ills."
On receipt of Gen. Atkinson's letter, Gov. Reynolds issued his
proclamation, calling out a strong detachment of militia to rendezvous
at Beardstown on the 22d of April. In obedience to this command a large
number of citizens assembled and offered their services. They were met
by Gov. Reynolds, and after bring organized into a brigade, he appointed
Brig. Gen. Samuel Whitesides commander. His brigade embraced 1600
horsemen and two hundred footmen--being four regiments and an odd spy
battalion.
First regiment, Col. Dewitt; second, Col. Fry; third, Col. Thomas;
fourth, Col. Thompson; Col. James D. Henry, commanded the spy battalion.
The troops took up their line of march at once, under command of Gen.
Whitesides, accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief, Gov. Reynolds. For
the purpose of laying in provisions for the campaign they went to Yellow
Banks, on the Mississippi river, where Major S. S. Phelps, who had been
appointed quarter master, supplied them. They arrived on the 3d of May,
and left for Rock river on the 7th.