FIGHTING AGAINST FATE
BLACK HAWK AND HIS WAR
Black Hawk was born on Rock River, in Illinois, about the year 1767.
When only fifteen years old he took the scalp of an enemy and soon
gained so much fame on the war path, that he became one of the foremost
of leaders, and often headed parties of his people against other
tribes. It was claimed by the majority of the chiefs and sachems of the
Sacs and Foxes that the treaty made with Governor Harrison in 1804,
by which their lands east of the Mississippi were sold, was executed
on the part of the Indians by a few chiefs, who had no authority of
the nation to whom the act was unknown until some time later. When,
therefore, the Americans built a fort on the Mississippi, the Indians
were angry and tried to cut off the garrison.
When Illinois became a State, in 1818, hundreds of emigrants flocked
thither. They came so fast that their settlements surrounded the
territory occupied by the Sacs and Foxes. Trouble is sure to come when
such a state of affairs exists. The Indians looked upon the white
people as intruders--as they certainly were--while the new comers
were anxious to be rid of their unwelcome neighbors, and did all they
could to make their situation uncomfortable. They thought that by
doing this, they would force the Indians to "pull up stakes" and go
elsewhere. But the true owners stayed where they were. When they were
absent on a hunt, the settlers tore down the fences and turned the
Indians' cattle into their cornfields, whose crops were trampled and
destroyed. In 1827, during another absence of the warriors and their
families, some miscreants set fire to their village and nearly fifty
houses were laid in ashes.
[Illustration: AN INDIAN CATTLE RAID]
Two months after these events, General Atkinson entered the Winnebago
country with a military force and captured the chief and six
Winnebagoes who were thrown into prison until they could be tried. The
chief died in jail. After a long time four were found guilty and two
acquitted, the former being sentenced to be hanged. Black Hawk was
accused of being one of the party who fired on the keel boats, but was
set free for lack of evidence. Not long afterward, when all danger was
past, he confessed that he was guilty as charged.
Several shameful acts against the Indians were perpetrated by the
whites about this time. In one instance several settlers, claiming that
they had been ill-used, fell upon Black Hawk and beat him unmercifully.
The indignity, added to other wrongs, led him to determine upon war
against the whites. He had been promised help by other tribes, but when
he called upon them, nearly all refused to give the slightest aid. He
convinced Keokuk that he had made a great mistake in parting with the
lands, and that chief promised to do what he could to get them back.
Black Hawk said he would let the whites have all the valuable lead
mines, on condition that they were allowed to stay in their village
and till their cornfields, where, according to tradition, one of their
villages had stood for nearly two centuries.
So sure were the Sacs that their wishes would be granted, that they
went on their usual fall hunt in 1830. When they came back, they found
that the whites had moved in, and taken possession of every wigwam and
lodge. The Sacs were upon the banks of the Mississippi, without shelter
for their squaws and children. No wonder that they felt the wrong was
beyond bearing.
The chiefs decided to take possession of their village. The whites were
alarmed when the blanketed warriors and their families stalked in among
them and made themselves at home. It was evident that any attempt to
oust the rightful owners would cause bloodshed; so the settlers said
they would stay and work and plant in partnership. This was done, but
the situation of the Indians was made almost intolerable. The whites
took care that they had the best land, and they treated their dusky
neighbors with brutal harshness, insulting them on every pretext, and,
in one instance at least, they beat a young man so badly that he died
of his injuries. It was to be expected in some cases the Indians would
give great provocation, but nothing could excuse the wholesale stealing
of their village and land. The chiefs, knowing how closely they were
watched, and that the intruders were anxious for an excuse for calling
upon the authorities, told their people in no circumstances to be the
first to commit a hostile act against the intruders.
The Sacs were notified that their lands had been sold, and they must
not again set foot on the eastern side of the river. We have shown
that they disregarded the warning, and Black Hawk and his band did
not hesitate to declare they meant to _stay_. The settlers appealed
to the governor of Illinois, who, asserting that the State had been
invaded by hostile Indians, called out seven hundred militia to protect
the citizens. He requested General Gaines, commanding the western
department, to coöperate with him. That officer summoned a strong force
of regulars and went to the region in dispute. Under date of June 2d,
1831, the general made the following interesting statement:
"I have visited the Rock River villages, with a view to ascertain the
localities, and, as far as possible, the disposition of the Indians.
They confirm me in the opinion I had previously formed, that, whatever
may be their feelings of hostility, they are resolved to abstain from
the use of their tomahawks and firearms except in self-defence. But I
am resolved to abstain from firing a shot without some bloodshed, or
some manifest attempt to shed blood, on the part of the Indians. I have
already induced one-third of them to cross the Mississippi to their
own land. The residue, however, say, as the friendly chiefs report,
that they will never move; and what is very uncommon, their women urge
their hostile husbands to fight rather than to move and thus abandon
their homes."
General Gaines awaited the arrival of the militia. They appeared about
a week later. Knowing what was to be expected from them, if they were
once let loose, the Indians immediately moved across the Mississippi,
and the army took possession of the Sac village without the firing of
a shot. A treaty was signed, but it was without permanent effect, for
before the close of the year, both parties violated it.
Being in a starving condition, a number of Sacs secretly recrossed
the river, and stole some of their own corn. Matters remained in an
unsettled condition, and in the following spring, General Atkinson, at
the head of a regiment of regulars, set out for the Upper Mississippi.
At his approach Black Hawk and his party left their camp, and went up
Rock River. He expected to be joined by the Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes
and Kickapoos, but they wisely kept out of the fighting, when they knew
a disastrous end was certain.
Black Hawk moved leisurely up stream, and on the way was overtaken
by several expresses from General Atkinson, ordering him to return.
In every instance the chief sent back a defiant answer, and kept on.
Instead of pursuing, General Atkinson halted at Dixon's Ferry, and
waited for the reinforcements that were on the way. He was pleased to
find, however, that quite a strong military force had already arrived
at the place before his advent.
Having decided upon a reconnaissance, Major Silliman at the head of two
hundred and seventy men, moved cautiously toward the hostiles. Black
Hawk sent three messengers with a flag of truce to invite the officer
to a conference. Instead of accepting the invitation or respecting the
flag, the major made prisoners of the bearers. Not understanding why
they did not return, Black Hawk sent five other messengers after them.
They were fired upon and two killed, the others escaping by running.
Thus the Sacs were receiving valuable lessons in civilized warfare.
As soon as the chief learned of the outrage, he prepared to ambush the
advancing company, although their number was more than double that
of the Indians. The effort succeeded so well, that the soldiers were
driven back in disorderly flight with the loss of a dozen men.
The war having begun was carried on in the usual barbarous fashion of
the border. The Sacs were too wise to meet the troops in open battle,
but attacked exposed places, when there was no thought of their
coming. Scores of dreadful outrages took place, and in more than one
instance, the white men proved as cruel in their methods as the Indians
themselves ever were.
The state of affairs grew so intolerable, that General Scott was
ordered to the frontier with nine companies of artillery. The same
number of companies were also sent thither from the Lakes, and two
companies from another point. It was wise to launch a strong enough
force against Black Hawk to make sure of crushing him and his hostiles.
However, General Scott's companies were soon attacked by the cholera
and terribly decimated.
It is interesting to record the names of two persons who figured in the
Black Hawk War, on the side of the Americans. One was a tall, ungainly
captain of Illinois, who was registered as Abraham Lincoln. The United
States officer who mustered him and the soldiers into the service of
the country was Jefferson Davis.
Black Hawk had gathered a thousand warriors, with whom he awaited
General Atkinson at a point between Rock and Wisconsin rivers. When
he saw that the troops outnumbered his bucks almost two to one, he
retreated, and, though General Atkinson strove hard, he could not bring
the chief to a stand. Seeing that his force was too bulky to escape
together, Black Hawk approached the Mississippi above the mouth of
the Wisconsin. Most of the women and children went down the river in
canoes. Several were drowned, and nearly all the others fell into the
hands of the whites.
When the main body under Black Hawk reached the bank of the river,
they were alarmed by the sight of the steamboat _Warrior_, which
seemed to be waiting for them. Most of the Indians were in a starving
condition, and the sufferings of the women and children were so pitiful
that Black Hawk, seeing the hopelessness of keeping up the struggle,
decided to surrender. He sent a body of his warriors to the edge of the
stream, bearing a flag of truce. The troops were not wholly blamable
for thinking this was a ruse to lure them to land, for the trick was
used many times during our border troubles. Black Hawk always said he
honestly meant to surrender. Be the truth as it may, the steamer opened
with a six-pounder. More than a score of Indians were slain, besides a
large number wounded, while not a man was killed on the steamboat.
In the latter part of July, General Atkinson, with sixteen hundred men,
crossed to the north side of the Wisconsin at Helena, and pressed on
with the purpose of hitting the Indian trail. He made a forced march,
and, four nights later, an old Sac was met who told him the Indians had
gone to the Mississippi which they meant to cross the next day. The
horses and men were so tired that General Atkinson was forced to rest
for several hours.
Before the Sacs were able to reach the river, they were overtaken,
and the fight that followed and lasted for several hours was more of a
massacre than a battle. While the Americans lost only twenty-seven men,
that of the Indians was ten times as great. Black Hawk escaped by the
narrowest chance with the remnant of his force.
This battle was the finishing stroke to the Black Hawk War. The Sioux
and Winnebagoes kept continually bringing in prisoners, and General
Atkinson asked Keokuk to send messengers to demand the surrender of
Black Hawk and the remainder of the hostiles, and to deliver the chief,
alive or dead, within an appointed time.
Black Hawk, with a few friends, took refuge at the Winnebago village
of Prairie la Cross. Worn out, depressed and hopeless, he told the
chief he was ready to surrender to the whites, and they were welcome
to do what they chose with him; he would not make the least objection
if they decided to put him to death. The squaws made him a dress of
white deerskin, and clothed in this, he walked voluntarily to Prairie
du Chien, with the two Winnebagoes who had been sent after him. About
midday, August 27, 1833, he and his companion, better known as The
Prophet (no relative of course of Tecumseh), walked into Prairie du
Chien Fort and gave themselves up as prisoners of war.
When Black Hawk surrendered to the commander, he waited for one of
his companions to speak, and gave close attention to the reply of the
officer. All eyes being turned upon the chieftain, he said:
"You have taken me prisoner with all my warriors. I am much grieved,
for I expected, if I did not defeat you, to hold out much longer, and
give you more trouble before I surrendered. I tried hard to bring you
into ambush, but your last general understands Indian fighting. The
first one was not so wise. When I saw I could not beat you by Indian
fighting, I determined to rush on you, and fight you face to face. I
fought hard. But your guns were well aimed. The bullets flew like birds
in the air, and whizzed by our ears like the wind through the trees in
winter.
"Black Hawk is a true Indian, and disdains to cry like a woman. He
feels for his wife, his children and friends. He does not care for
himself. He cares for his nation and the Indians. They will suffer. He
laments their fate. The white men do not scalp the dead; but they do
worse--they poison the heart; it is not pure with them. His countrymen
will not be scalped, but they will, in a few years, become like the
white men, so that you cannot trust them, and there must be, as in the
white settlements, nearly as many officers as men, to take care of them
and keep them in order.
"Farewell, my nation! Black Hawk tried to save you and avenge your
wrongs. He drank the blood of some of the whites. He has been taken
prisoner, and his plans are stopped. He can do no more. He is near his
end. His sun is setting, and he will rise no more. Farewell to Black
Hawk!"
There was no thought, however, of putting the chief or any of his
companions to death. The prisoners and their guard were taken by
steamboat down the river to Jefferson Barracks. Black Hawk, The
Prophet, eleven head men or chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes, and some
fifty warriors composed the party. Upon their arrival all were put in
irons. By a treaty made with the Sacs and Foxes, a short time after,
they ceded five million acres of land, containing much valuable lead
deposits, to the United States. At the same time, the Winnebagoes
surrendered four millions six hundred thousand acres of equally good
land to our government. In addition to an annuity for thirty years,
the payment of the debts of the tribes, and a supply of provisions,
a reservation of forty square miles on the Iowa River was given to
Keokuk and his band for their loyalty during the troubles now happily
brought to an end. Black Hawk, his two sons, and seven of the principal
warriors, were to be held as hostages at the pleasure of the President
of the United States.
Black Hawk now entered upon the experience which gave him his real
reputation as an orator. His war against the settlements had drawn more
attention and raised more interest throughout the country than many
wars of greater magnitude before or since, and, wherever he went, he
was a notable personage. In the month of April, 1833, the chief and his
companions arrived in Washington, and had an interview with President
Jackson. Each had heard of the other, and the salutation of the
chieftain when presented to the foremost citizen of the United States,
was: "I am a man and you are another!"
Old Hickory received his visitor kindly, but, as was his custom, used
plain words. He told him that a number of articles of dress which had
been prepared would be speedily given to him, and the chief was at
liberty to distribute them as he thought best. The President added that
the party must leave at once for Fort Monroe, and be content to remain
there until he gave them permission to return to their homes. Their
stay would depend upon the conduct of their people. When the terms of
the treaty had been complied with, and the distant warriors showed
a friendly spirit, the chiefs and their friends would be set free.
The President assured them that they need feel no uneasiness about
their women and children, for they would be shielded from all harm at
the hands of the Sioux and the Menominies. He meant to compel the
different tribes to live at peace with one another, and, when he became
sure that everything would remain quiet, the prisoners would be sent to
their homes.
It is worth noting that among all the curiosities shown to these
visitors, they were more interested in the portraits of the Indian
chiefs in the War Department than in anything else. They seemed never
to weary of standing in front of the paintings, and gazing upon the
features of those of their own race, whose fame had come down to them
in tradition, and whose deeds and oratory had filled even civilized
brethren with admiration for their heroic qualities.
The Indians arrived at Fort Monroe in the latter part of April. None
was put in irons, and all were treated with kindness. Few indeed
could feel any emotion other than sympathy for those men who had
suffered so much from a people that claimed a higher civilization and
professed the gentle teachings of Christianity. Although the cage in
which they were kept was a gilded one, it was none the less a prison,
and they sighed for the free air of the prairies and mountains. The
welcome order arrived in about five weeks, and they left by steamboat
for Baltimore. Naturally they attracted great interest at all points
where they stopped, and their tour through the northern cities was,
to use a common expression, an "ovation." We Americans are famous
for our "speeches" and "addresses" which are ready on the slightest
provocation. Most of those directed at Black Hawk were of a wishy-washy
character, that could bear no comparison with the sturdy, sententious
eloquence of the natural orator. The best one of the lot was made by
Hon. John A. Graham, at a reception given to the red men in New York.
"Brothers," said he, "open your ears. You are brave men. You have
fought like tigers, but in a bad cause. We have conquered you. We
are sorry, last year, that you raised the tomahawk against us; but we
believe you did not know us then as you do now. We think that in time
to come, you will be wise, and that we shall be friends forever. You
see that we are a great people, numerous as the flowers of the field,
as the shells on the seashore, or the fish in the sea. We put one hand
on the eastern, and, at the same time, the other on the western ocean.
We all act together. Sometimes our great men talk loud and long at
our council fires, but if you shed one drop of white men's blood, our
young warriors, as thick as stars of the night, will leap on board our
great boats, which fly on the waves, and over the lakes, swift as the
eagle of the air, then penetrate the woods, make the big guns thunder,
and the whole heavens red with the flames of the dwellings of their
enemies."
[Illustration: SHAWANOH, THE UTE CHIEF]
"Brothers, the President made you a great talk. He has but one mouth.
That one has sounded the sentiments of all the people. Listen to what
he has said to you. Write it on your memories. It is good, very good.
"Black Hawk, take these jewels, a pair of topaz ear rings, beautifully
set in gold, for your wife or daughter, as a token of friendship,
keeping always in mind that women and children are the favorites of the
Great Spirit. These jewels are from an old man, whose head is whitened
by the snows of seventy winters; an old man, who has thrown down the
bow, put off the sword, and now stands leaning on his staff, awaiting
the command of the Great Spirit.
"Look around you; see all these mighty people; then go to your homes,
and open your arms to receive your families. Tell them to bury the
hatchet, to make bright the chain of friendship, to love the white men
and to live in peace with them, as long as the rivers run into the sea,
and the sun rises and sets. If you do so, you will be happy. You will
then insure the prosperity of unborn generations of your tribes, who
will go hand in hand with the sons of the white men, and all shall be
blessed by the Great Spirit. Peace and happiness, by the blessing of
the Great Spirit, attend you! Farewell!"
The grim countenance of the old chief showed the pleasure he felt, as
the well-chosen words were interpreted to him. His mouth expanded into
a smile, when the pretty present was handed to him, and he was told for
whom it was intended.
"Brother," said he, in reply, "we like your talk. We will be friends.
We like the white people; they are very kind to us. We shall not forget
it. Your counsel is good; we shall attend to it. Your valuable present
shall go to my squaw. It pleases me very much. We shall always be
friends."
In the month of August, 1813, a peculiar battle was fought near Fort
George, by several hundred volunteers and Indians, the latter supported
by two hundred English regulars. The Americans surprised the British
and Indian camp at daybreak, killed seventy-five and took a number
of prisoners. The singular feature of the fight was that the Seneca
Indians, who were with the Americans, decoyed their brethren on the
British side into an ambush by a series of signals which the others
thought were made by friends. Among the chiefs who led the warriors
were Red Jacket, of whom we have learned, and Captain Pollard, whose
Indian name was Karlundawana. He was now an aged chieftain of the
Senecas, held in high respect not only by them, but by the whites, to
whom he had always been a loyal friend.
Black Hawk arrived in Buffalo in the latter part of June, and on
the afternoon of the next day, paid a visit to the Senecas, who had
gathered in their council house to give them welcome. Captain Pollard
was their spokesman, and taking the hand of Black Hawk, he welcomed
in a few fitting words, telling him of the pleasure it gave him and
his people to greet the great chief of the Sacs and Foxes. Then, with
touching earnestness, he urged his visitors to go to their homes with
peaceable minds toward the whites; to cultivate the earth, and to
think no more of war, which was certain at all times to bring evil and
suffering upon them.
Black Hawk's native sense, coupled with what he had seen for himself,
of the resources and power of the United States, could not fail to
convince him of the truth of the words of the Seneca chieftain. He
meant what he said:
"Our aged brother of the Senecas, who has spoken to us, has spoken the
words of a good and wise man. We are strangers to each other, though we
have the same color, and the same Great Spirit made us all, and gave
us this country together. Brothers, we have seen how great a people the
whites are. They are very rich and very strong. It is folly for us to
fight with them. We shall go home with much knowledge. For myself, I
shall advise my people to be quiet and live like good men. The advice
which you gave us, brother, is very good, and we tell you now that we
mean to walk the straight path in the future, and to content ourselves
with what we have and with cultivating our lands."
A marked but perhaps natural change in the feelings of the white people
showed itself as the Indians drew near Detroit, for they were then
entering a section where the inhabitants could not forget the injuries
they had suffered from these redskins. While they offered no violence,
they scowled at them. Insulting remarks were made in their hearing, and
several men, more impulsive than their fellows, burned Black Hawk and
his companions in effigy.
It will be remembered that the Menominies and Winnebagoes had always
been enemies of the Sacs and Foxes. They made savage war against them
during the late hostilities, and it was a couple of Winnebagoes who
brought the chief to the camp as a prisoner. From Green Bay, the route
of the party was through the country of these people, and the danger of
an attack by them was thought to be so great, that a strong guard of
troops escorted the returning captives to Chicago, which at that time
was little more than a frontier post.
Naturally, Black Hawk and his companions seemed depressed when they
drew near the scene of the late stormy events in their lives. They saw
the lands they loved in the possession of the invaders, and the homes
that once had been theirs in ashes and ruins. But their dejection
showed only in their faces. None uttered a word of complaint.
Fort Armstrong, on Rock Island, had been selected as the place where
the Indians were to be made fully free, with liberty to go whither they
chose and do what they pleased, so long as they did not injure the
white people. When their old comrades came in with news of the families
of those who had been separated so long from them, the spirits of all
rose, and as the numerous presents were distributed, every one was
happy, as might be expected.
The bitterest cup of which Black Hawk had to drink was now pressed to
his lips. He and Keokuk had headed two warring factions of the Sacs.
But for the aid given by the white men to his rival, Black Hawk was
sure he would have triumphed; but that rival was more cunning than
he, in that he took the side of those who were mightier than the two
together. He had conquered, and was now the sole head of the Sac
nation. Black Hawk must meet him, and submit to the crowning shame of
all. There was no help for it.
Keokuk was absent on a buffalo hunt when Black Hawk reached Fort
Armstrong, but he and a number of his warriors came in the following
day. It did not add to Black Hawk's peace of mind to see his rival's
breast covered with medals presented to him by the people who had
despoiled both. But Keokuk could afford to be genial, and when he saw
the other he advanced toward him.
"The Great Spirit has sent our brother back; let us shake hands in
friendship."
Black Hawk silently returned the pressure, and looked in the face of
Keokuk with a world of pathos in his gloomy features. As he still
remained silent, too depressed to find words, Keokuk began asking him
questions about his journey home. Then pipes were brought out, and
all smoked and chatted for an hour or more. A more formal reception
took place on the morrow, when Keokuk returned and the grand council
was held. There was some friction during the speaking, in which the
commandant of the fort took part, but in the end all was made smooth,
and Black Hawk finally left for his wigwam, with expressions of good
will toward all, including the chief who had supplanted him.
Black Hawk died October 3, 1838, and his funeral was attended by
hundreds of whites as well as Indians. He was buried at his request in
a sitting posture, with his cane between his knees and grasped in his
hands. His bones were stolen and found a year later in the possession
of a surgeon of Quincy, Illinois. Governor Lucas of Iowa compelled
their restoration to the friends of the dead chieftain.
[Illustration: THE EARLY RAILROAD IN INDIAN COUNTRY]