On the 2d of August, 1832, the steamboat, Warrior, was lying at Prairie
du Chien, and word having been received at the fort that Black Hawk's
main army was then at, or near the river above, at a point designated
for all to meet for the purpose of crossing the river, Lieut. Kingsbury
took her in charge, and started up with one company, in order to
intercept the Indians and prevent their crossing before the main army
arrived, as he knew it was in close pursuit of them. The boat soon came
in view of Indians on both sides of the river--Black Hawk and several
lodges having already crossed over-when they were hailed by Lieut.
Kingsbury. A white flag was hoisted by the Indians, and Black Hawk
directed the Winnebago interpreter on board the Warrior, to say to his
chief that he wanted him to send out his small boat so as he could go on
board, a he desired to give himself up. The Winnebago, however, reported
to the commander that they refused to bring their flag aboard. He then
directed his interpreter to say that if they still refused he would open
fire upon them. In reply, the interpreter said they still refused, when
the Lieutenant directed his six-pounder to be fired among them, and also
opened a musketry fire by his company. This was returned by the Indians,
and the battle continued for some time. Several Indians were killed
at the first fire, after which the remainder sought protection behind
trees, stumps, etc. It was then getting late in the afternoon, and
as the boat was nearly out of wood they dropped down to the fort to
replenish, and started back again the next morning. On reaching an
island some miles above their battle-ground of the day before, they
commenced to rake it with their six-pounder, supposing the Indians had
taken shelter there, and the army considering it a salute, Gen. Atkinson
returned it. Soon after the boat landed and took on board Gen. Atkinson
and the regulars and then returned to Prairie du Chien. The Illinois
volunteers were ordered to Dixon, at which place they were discharged,
while the troops of the lead mines were mustered out at Galena. After
the boat started down the evening before, Black Hawk and a few of his
people left for the lodge of a Winnebago friend, and gave himself
up. Thus ended a bloody war which had been forced upon Black Hawk by
Stillman's troops violating a flag of truce, which was contrary to the
rules of war of all civilized nations, and one that had always been
respected by the Indians. And thus, by the treachery or ignorance of the
Winnebago interpreter on board of the Warrior, it was bought to a close
in the same ignoble way it commenced--disregarding a flag of truce--and
by which Black Hawk lost more than half of his army. But in justice to
Lieut. Kingsbury, who commanded the troops on the Warrior, and to his
credit it must be said, that Black Hawk's flag would have been respected
if the Winnebago, who acted as his interpreter on the boat, had reported
him correctly.