Black Hawk War

The Black Hawk War

When the United States assumed control of the country by reason of its purchase from France, nearly the whole state was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who were not disposed to submit without a struggle to what they regarded the encroachment on their rights of the pale faces. Among the most noted chiefs and one whose restlessness and hatred of the whites occasioned more trouble to the government than any other of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was born at the Sac village, on the Rock river, in 1767. He was simply the chief of his own band of Sac warriors; but by his energy and ambition he became the leading spirit of the united nation of the Sacs and Foxes, and one of the prominent figures in the history of the country from 1804 until his death. In early manhood he attained distinction as a fighting chief, having led campaigns against the Osages and other neighboring tribes. About the beginning of the nineteenth century he began to appear prominent in affairs on the Mississippi. His life was a marvel. He is said by some to have been the victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill will against the Americans.

November 3, 1804, a treaty was concluded between William Henry Harrison, then governor of the Indian Territory, on behalf of the United States, and five chiefs of the Sac and Fox nations by which the latter, in consideration of $2,234 in goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity of $1,000 to be paid in goods at just cost, ceded to the United States all that land on the east side of the Missouri extending from a point opposite the Jefferson, in Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embracing an area of fifty-one million acres. To this treaty Black Hawk always objected and always refused to consider it binding upon his people. He asserted that the chiefs and braves who made it had no authority to relinquish the title of the nation to any of the lands they held or occupied and. moreover, to get one of their people released, who had been imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man.

In 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the river for the purpose of holding friendly council with the Indians and selecting sites for forts within the territory recently acquired from France by the United States. Lieutenant Pike seems to have been the first American whom Black Hawk had met or had a personal interview with and was very much impressed in his favor. Pike gave a very interesting account of his visit to the noted chief.

Fort Edwards was erected soon after Pike's expedition, at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of the present town of that name, the latter being the first fort erected in Iowa. These movements occasioned great uneasiness among the Indians. When work was commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation, from the nation, headed by their chiefs, went down to see what the Americans were doing and had an interview with the commander, after which they returned home and were apparently satisfied. In like manner, when Fort Madison was being erected, they sent down another delegation from a council of the nation held at Rock river. According to Black Hawk's account, the American chief told them he was building a house for a trader, who was coming to sell them goods cheap, and that the soldiers were coming to keep him company a statement which Black Hawk says they distrusted at the time, believing that the fort was an encroachment upon their rights, and designed to aid in getting their lands away from them. It is claimed by good authority that the building of Fort Madison was a violation of the treaty of 1804. By the eleventh article of that treaty the United States had the right to build a fort near the mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by article six they bound themselves "that if any citizen of the United States or any other white person should form a settlement upon their lands such intruder should forthwith be removed." Probably the authorities of the United States did not regard the establishment of military posts as coming properly within the meaning of the term "settlement" as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison within the territory reserved to the Indians, who became very indignant. Very soon after the fort was built, a party led by Black Hawk attempted its destruction. They sent spies to watch the movements of the garrison, who ascertained that the soldiers were in the habit of marching out of the fort every morning and evening for parade and the plan of the party was to conceal themselves near the fort and attack and surprise them when they were outside. On the morning of the proposed day of the attack five soldiers came out and were fired upon by the Indians, two of them being killed. The Indians were too hasty in their movements, for the parade had not commenced. However, they kept up the siege several days, attempting the old strategy of setting fire to the fort with blazing arrows, but finding their efforts unavailing, they desisted and returned to their wigwams on Rock river. In 1812, when war was declared between this country and Great Britain, Black Hawk and his band allied themselves with the British, partly because he was dazzled by their specious promises but more probably because they were deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk himself declared they were forced into the war by having been deceived. He narrates the circumstances as follows: "Several of the head men and chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes were called upon to go to Washington to see their great father. On their return they related what had been said and done. They said the great father wished them, in the event of war taking place with England, not to interfere on either side but to remain neutral. He did not want our help but wished us to hunt and support our families and live in peace. He said that British traders would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us with goods but that we should be supplied by an American trader. Our chiefs then told him that the British traders always gave them credit in the fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. He repeated that the traders at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods; that we should go there in the fall and he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had done." Black Hawk seems to have accepted the proposition and he and his people were very much pleased. Acting in good faith, they fitted out for their winter's hunt and went to Fort Madison in high spirits to receive from the trader their outfit of supplies; but after waiting some time they were told by the trader that he would not trust them. In vain they pleaded the promise of their great father at Washington ; the trader was inexorable. Disappointed and crestfallen, the Indians turned sadly to their own village. Says Black Hawk: "Few of us slept that night. All was gloom and discontent. In the morning a canoe was seen ascending the river; it soon arrived bearing an express, who brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock Island with two boats filled with goods, and requested us to come up immediately, because he had good news for us and a variety of presents. The express presented us with pipes, tobacco and wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire on the prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down and all started for Rock Island. Here ended all our hopes of remaining at peace, having been forced into the war by being deceived." He joined the British, who flattered him and styled him ''General Black Hawk," decked him with medals, excited his jealousy against the Americans and armed his band but he met with defeat and disappointment and soon abandoned the service and returned home.

There was a portion of the Sacs and Foxes whom Black Hawk, with all his skill and cunning, could not lead into hostilities against the United States. With Keokuk, the "Watchful Fox," at their head, they were disposed to abide by the treaty of 1804 and to cultivate friendly relations with the American people. So when Black Hawk and his band joined the fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the nation remained neutral and for protection organized with Keokuk for their chief. Thus the nation was divided into the "war party" and "peace party." Keokuk became one of the nation's great chiefs. In person he was tall and of portly bearing. He has been described as an orator, entitled to rank with the most gifted of his race, and through the eloquence of his tongue he prevailed upon a large body of his people to remain friendly to the Americans. As has been said, the treaty of 1804, between the United States and the Sac and Fox nations was never acknowledged by Black Hawk and in 1831 he established himself with a chosen band of warriors upon the disputed territory, ordering the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers complaining, Governor Reynolds of Illinois despatched General Gaines, with a company of regulars and one thousand, five hundred volunteers to the scene of action. Taking the Indians by surprise, the troops burned their village and forced them to conclude a treaty, by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi and agreed to remain on the west side of the river.

Necessity forced the proud spirit of Black Hawk into submission, which made him more than ever determined to be avenged upon his enemies. Having rallied around him the warlike braves of the Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1832.

This armed array of savages soon alarmed the settlers and a general panic spread through the whole frontier, from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. Many settlers in terror abandoned their homes and farms and the Governor decided, on the 16th of April, to call out a large number of volunteers to operate in conjunction with General Atkinson, who was in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The Governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d of April. Governor Reynolds' circular which he addressed to the citizen soldiers in the crisis then pending, follows:

"To the Militia of the Northwestern Section of the State:

"FELLOW CITIZENS: Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed hostile attitude, and have invaded the state in violation of the treaty of last summer. The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed by Black Hawk, are in possession of the Rock river country, to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the settlers on the frontiers to be in imminent danger. I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen of respectable standing, and also from General Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts I have hesitated not as to the course I should pursue. No citizen ought to remain inactive when his country is invaded and the helpless part of the community are in danger. I have called out a large detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abundance. I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations and offer their services, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerfulness in defense of their country.

"JOHN REYNOLDS."

To the stirring appeal of the Governor the patriotic citizens of the state and Macoupin county nobly responded. Many of the best and prominent men of the county enlisted to protect the frontier and preserve the honor of the state and did signal service in the memorable events of the Black Hawk war. Among the citizens of Macoupin county who went out were as follows:

Officers: Captain Harris, afterward better known to the citizens of this county as General Harris, who organized the first company. Captain Bennett Nolan also organized a company. Lieutenant Colonel Powell H. Sharp, then a resident of what is now Scottville township, ranked as lieutenant colonel in this war and is spoken of as a brave man. William Coop, Jefferson Weatherford and the late Judge John Yowell were commissioned lieutenants. The two former were lieutenants in Captain Harris' company and the latter a lieutenant in Captain Nolan's company. Aquilla P. Pepperdine was the orderly sergeant in Captain Harris' company. Thomas McVey and John Lewis were also sergeants in the same company. Captain Harris' company rendezvoused at Beardstown and was mustered at Rock Island under command of Colonel A. B. Duwitt of Jacksonville. William J. Weatherford was lieutenant colonel of the regiment. A portion of the Macoupin county men were in the regiment commanded by Colonel James Collins. Lieutenant Colonel Sharp was attached to this regiment. Of the private soldiers from this county may be mentioned the following: George Mathews, Oliver W. Hall, Lewis Solomon, Jr., Theodorus Davis, James Hall, John Bayless, John Coop, Hardin Weatherford, Ransom Coop, a Mr. Powell, Hiram English, Thomas Thurman, Reverdy English, David Rusk, Joshua Martin, Travis Moore, Samuel Cummings, Samuel D. Ray, Wilford Palmer, Larkin Richardson, Samuel McVey, John Chapman, Charles McVey, Mathew Withrow, Aaron Sample, John Ross, Spencer Norville, Charles Lair, William Talkington, James White, Achilles Deatheridge, E. H. Richards, John England, George Sprouse, Harvey McPeters and Zachariah Stewart.

Captain Thomas S. Gelder, then a resident of Greene county, served in the campaign of 1831 and immediately after his return settled with his father on a farm in Chesterfield township.

Among those who enlisted from Macoupin county in Captain Kinkead's company of Greene county were: John Record, Isham Caudle, Isaac McCollum and Isaac Prewitt. There may have been others but these are all the names that we have been able to gather, as no official record has been preserved at Springfield. Few of the hardy soldiers of this war remain with us. Many after the war was ended moved to other sections of the country and many others have passed over the river and are now in the embrace of the silent sleep of death.

The force marched to the mouth of Rock river, where General Atkinson received the volunteers into the United States service and assumed command. Black Hawk and his warriors were still up on Rock river.

The army under Atkinson commenced its march up the river on the 9th of May. Governor Reynolds, the gallant "Old Ranger," remained with the army, and the President recognized him as a major general and he was paid accordingly. His presence in the army did much toward harmonizing and conciliating those jealousies which generally exist between volunteers and regular troops. Major John A. Wakefield and Colonel Ewing acted as spies for a time in the campaign of 1832, to discover the location of the enemy if possible. A Mr. Kinney acted as guide for them. He understood the Sac dialect. On the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's command had a sort of running battle with the Indians at or near what is now known as Stillman's run, a small, sluggish stream. In this engagement eleven white men and eight Indians were killed. Black Hawk and warriors fought with the spirit born of desperation. Black Hawk says in his book that he tried at Stillman's run to call back his warriors, as he thought the whites were making a sham retreat in order to draw him into an ambuscade of the whole army under General Whiteside. The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman and his army was in a measure demoralizing to the entire forces. Undoubtedly the cause of the defeat was a lack of discipline. When Governor Reynolds learned of the disaster of Major Stillman, he at once ordered out two thousand additional volunteers. With that promptitude characteristic of the old "War Governor," he wrote out by candle light on the evening of Stillman's defeat, the order for additional troops, and by daylight dispatched John Ewing, Robert Blackwell and John A. Wakefield to distribute the order to the various counties. The volunteers again promptly responded. However, the soldiers from this county did but little fighting. On the 10th of July the army disbanded for want of provisions. General Scott arrived soon after with a large force at the post of Chicago, to effect, if possible, a treaty with the Indians. Small detachments of Black Hawk's warriors would persistently hang on the outskirts of the main body of the army, thieve and plunder, and pounce upon and kill the lonely sentinel or straggling soldier. On the 15th of July the soldiers were reviewed and those incapable of duty were discharged and returned home. Poquette, a half breed, and a Winnebago chief, the "White Pawnee," were selected for guides to the camp of Black Hawk and band. Several battles and skirmishes occurred with the enemy, the principal of which was on the banks of the Mississippi, where the warriors fought with great desperation. Over one hundred and fifty were killed in the engagement and large numbers drowned in attempting to swim the river. After the battle the volunteers were marched to Dixon, where they were discharged. This ended the campaign and the Black Hawk war. At the battle of Bad Axe, Black Hawk and some of his warriors escaped the Americans and had gone up the Wisconsin river.

The Winnebagoes, desirous of securing the friendship of the whites, went in pursuit and captured and delivered them to General Street, the United States Indian agent. Among the prisoners were the son of Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe. These with Black Hawk were taken to Washington, D. C., and soon consigned as prisoners to Fortress Monroe. At the interview Black Hawk had with the president he closed his speech delivered on the occasion in the following words: "We did not expect to conquer the whites. They have too many houses, too many men. I took up the hatchet, for my part, to revenge injuries which my people would no longer endure. Had I borne them longer without striking, my people would have said: 'Black Hawk is a woman; he is too old to be a chief; he is no Sac.' These reflections caused me to raise the war whoop. I say no more. It is known to you. Keokuk once was here; you'took him by the hand, and when he wished to return to his home, you were willing. Black Hawk expects like Keokuk, he shall be permitted to return, too."

By order of the president, Black Hawk and his companions, who were in confinement at Fortress Monroe, were set free on the 4th day of June, 1833. After their release from prison they were conducted in charge of Major Garland through some of the principal cities that they might witness the power of the United States and learn their own inability to cope with them in war. Great multitudes flocked to see them wherever they were taken and the attention paid them rendered their progress through the country a triumphal procession instead of prisoners transported by an officer. At Rock Island the prisoners were given their liberty amid great and impressive ceremony. In 1838 Black Hawk built him a dwelling near Des Moines, Iowa, and furnished it after the manner of the whites and engaged in agricultural pursuits, together with hunting and fishing. There, with his wife, to whom he was greatly attached, he passed the few remaining days of his life. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk remained true to his wife and served her with a devotion uncommon among Indians, living with her upwards of forty years.

At all times when Black Hawk visited the whites he was received with marked attention. He was an honored guest of the old settlers' reunion in Lee county, Illinois, and received marked tokens of esteem. In September, 1838, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his annuity from the government, he contracted a severe cold, which resulted in an intense attack of bilious fever, and terminated his life October 3d. After his death he was dressed in the uniform presented him by the president while in Washington. He was buried in a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. The body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting position upon a seat constructed for the occasion. On his left side the cane given him by Henry Clay was placed upright, with his right hand resting upon it. His remains were afterward stolen and carried away but they were recovered by the governor of Iowa and placed in the museum of the Historical Society, at Burlington, Iowa, where they were finally destroyed by fire.

Fort Armstrong, on Rock Island, was the place appointed where a treaty would be made with the Indians but before it was effected that dreadful scourge, the cholera of 1832, visited not only the regular army, depleting its ranks far more rapidly than the balls of the Indians had done, but it also sought out its many victims in the dusky bands of the Black Hawk tribe.

On the 15th of September, 1832, a treaty was made with the Winnebago Indians. They sold out all their lands in Illinois and all south of the Wisconsin river and west of Green Bay and the government gave them a large district of country west of the Mississippi, and $10,000 a year for seven years, besides providing free schools for their children for twenty years, oxen, agricultural implements, etc.

September 21, 1832, a treaty was made with all the Sac and Fox tribes, on which they ceded to the United States the tract of country on which a few years afterward the state of Iowa was formed. In consideration of the above cession of lands, the government gave them an annuity of $20,000 for thirty years, forty kegs of tobacco and forty barrels of salt, more gunsmiths, blacksmith shop, etc., six thousand bushels of corn for immediate support, mostly intended for the Black Hawk band.

The treaties above mentioned terminated favorably and the security resulting therefrom gave a new and rapid impetus to the development of the state, and now enterprising towns and villages and beautiful farms adorn the rich and alluvial prairies that before were only desecrated by the wild bands who inhabited them. Agricultural pursuits, commerce and manufactures, churches and schools, are lending their influence to advance an intelligent and prosperous people.

Extracted 11 Aug 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County: Biographical and Pictorial by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, pages 58-64.

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