Scott Co, Iowa - IAGenWeb Project DAVENPORT PAST AND PRESENT ___________________________________________________________________ NOTE: In this Chapter there are pictures of Geo. L.Davenport and Antoine LeClaire's Old Residence. To view the pictures,please go to the Scott County Main Page and click on Pictures/Documents. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHAPTER III Stillman's Run - Retreat - Massacre at Bad Axe - Treaty - Close of BlackHawk's History.
In 1823, by the advice of the agent at Fort Armstrong, thelarger portion of the Sacs and Foxes, headed by *Keokuk, removedacross the Mississippi. That portion of the Sac nation which, under theleadership of Black Hawk, had, by their fidelity to the British in 1812, earnedthe appellation of the "British Band," steadily refused to vacate theSac village at Rock River. *KEOKUK - The design of the presentChapter will not allow the name of Keokuk that prominence which his characterdeserves. He rose from obscurity to a Chieftainship by the mere force ofhis talents. He was a brave warrior, a firm friend to the Americans, andan orator without a rival among the tribes of the North-West. He was aSac, and his name denotes th "Watchful Fox." He eventuallysuperseded Black Hawk, and was, for a long time, head chief of the Sac nation. The following descriptionis taken from a cotemporaneous work: "Inperson, Keokuk is stout, graceful, and commanding, with fine features, and anintelligent countenance. His broad expanded chest, and muscular limbs,denote activity and physical stength; and he is known to excel in dancing,horsemanship, and all athletic exercises. * * * In point of intellect, and integrity of character, and thecapacity for governing others, he is supposed to have no superior among theIndians. Bold, courageous, and skillful in war - mild, firm, and politicin peace. He has great enterprise, and active impulses, with a freshnessand enthusiasm of feeling, whih might readily lead him astray, but for his quickperception of human character, his uncommon prudence, and his calm soundjudgment. * * * Such is Keokuk,the Watchful Fox, who prides himself upon being the friend of the white man. - Lifeof Black Hawk; Cincinnati. It has been ascribed to a spirit of rivalry - this differencebetween Keokuk and Black Hawk, which prevented the latter from adopting theexpedient operation of the former by moving over the Mississippi. I cannotadopt this view - it may have had some influence, but it is entirely too trivialin its nature to influence the important step which Black Hawk took some fewyears after. Patriotism, and the love of home - of the village where histribe had lived for more than a century, and where everything which makes lifehonorable or desirable had originated, had undoubtedly more influence in BlackHawk's decision than the mere desire of outvieing the rising splendor of Keokuk. He regarded the Americans as aggressors - he had fought against them in1812 - his ancestors - his father - himself had lived, hunted, fought, died, andwere buried in the Sac village. He had grown old there - there slept hisson; there was every endearment which could be evolved from the past, as well ofthe savage as the refined - and he could not bring himself to leave them. There were enough circumstances, apart from his dislike of the Americans,and their ruffianly aggressions, to explain why he left it unwillingly, and how,after leaving it, he returned with a "forlorn hope" to breast thewhole force of the United States in an attempt to regain it. By the terms of the treaty with the United States, the Indianswere to retain possession of their lands until they were sold to actualsettlers. Some white families, however, who probably considered asIndian's title to life, land and liberty, as merely nominal, and of no account,when measured against the "Rights" of the white man, moved on to theSac village. Not content with thus actually stealing the land, they tookadvantage of Black Hawk's absence on a hunting expedition to not only fence inthe Indian's cornfields, but to take possession of Black Hawk's lodge. These whites had established themselves in direct violation ofthe treaty of 1804. They continued their aggressions - destroyed theIndian's corn, killed their domestic animals, and whipped their wives andchildren. Much against the wishes of Black Hawk, they introduced a trafficin spirituous liquor, and made drunkeness and debauchery common. Theremonstrances of Black Hawk, and other chiefs, were unavailing, equally inregard to the encroachments upon their lands, or the sale of spirituous liquors. The Indians were regarded as legitimate prey by these harpies - andappeals to their sense of justice or to their reason were alike unavailing. Black Hawk, upon one occasion, even took the trouble to put in practice amodern principle of action - the Maine law - by knocking in the head of a barrelof whisky, which the owner had continued to vend in spite of the old chief'sremonstrances. This condition of things continued until 1827. In thewinter of this year, while the Indians were absent on their periodical hunt, thewhites devised a famous scheme for getting rid of those upon whose lands theywere intruding. It was a well conceived operation - although moralistswould call it rather robbery than honorable policy. It was no less than toexpedite the Indians on their destination of the Mississippi, by burning theirlodges! Accordingly, the torch was applied to some forty lodges, whichwere entirely consumed. When the Indians returned in the Spring, andrequired satisfaction for this unwarrantable outrage, they received only freshinsults. The wigwam of an Indian is inconsiderable - but still so far asright is concerned, there was, in the burning of these lodges, as clear a caseof halter-deserving arson as ever fell under the jurisdiction of judicialermine. To apply the incendiary torch to one's lodge, and to run theplough-share through the sacred mounds of ancestral graves, are no lightprovocations, although committed upon the Red man. When one adds to these,the indignity of blows upon his own person, and worse, upon that of his wife andchildren, we can nearly or quite excuse him if he applies, as his remedy, thesharpest lex talionis at his command. Especially is such a resultexcusable after warning, expostulations, and appeal to higher powers, havesignally and utterly failed. There is always upon the frontier a set of reckless men,speculators, squatters, and loafers, who, devoid of principle and humanity, careless for the rights and lives of others, and especially for those of Indians,than they do for the same qualities in an irrational animal. Such men heldpossession of the frontiers in 1827, and such were they who had infringed uponthe precincts of the Sac village. Under the seventh article of the treaty of 1804, it wasprovided; "that as long as the lands which are now ceded to the UnitedStates remain their property, the Indians belonging to said tribes, shall enjoythe privilege of living and hunting upon them." None of the lands upon the Rock River were brought into themarket until 1829, and consequently the Indians, prior to this time, had as muchright to them as if they held them in fee simple. At this time, 1829, thelands purchased in the treaty of 1804, were not offered for sale within sixtymiles of this point - yet for the unjustifiable purpose of getting rid of theIndians on the Rock River, the lands upon which the Sac village stood werethrown into the market. In the spring of 1830, when Black Hawk and his party returnedfrom their winter's hunt, and commenced preparations for planting, they werenotified that the land was sold, and that they must remove west of theMississippi. Unwilling, however, to remove, he visited Malden to consulthis "British Father," and returned by way of Detroit to see GeneralCass. Both advised him if he had not sold his land to remain quietly uponit, and he could not be disturbed. He returned late in the fall, and foundhis band absent upon their winter's hunt. Keokuk exerted himself stronglythis winter to induce Black Hawk's followers to desert him, and to remove acrossthe Mississippi. It was in vain. Their attachment to their villagewas stronger than any representations of the danger of such a course, andaccordingly, in the Spring of 1831, they all returned. The agent at RockIsland immediately notified them to remove, or troops would be sent to drivethem off. In the meantime the squaws had commenced planting their corn,which the whites ploughed up. This enraged Black Hawk, and he threatenedto remove the whites by force if they persisted in such proceedings. Thewhites became alarmed - a startling memorial was drawn up, concluding, afterenumerating a long list of outrages, with the astounding outrage of the"Indians going to a house, rolling out a barrel of whisky, and knocking itin its head!" Terrifying rumors were circulated of borderdepredations committed by "General Black Hawk" and his "BritishBand." The Executive of Illinois promptly ordered out seven hundredmilitia to meet this "invasion." However, General Gaines ordered some ten companies to RockIsland, and with them proceeded there in June. A conference was held withBlack Hawk, the result of which was, that he refused to leave. However,some sixteen hundred militiamen having arrived, Gen. Gaines took possession ofthe Sac village, and Black Hawk retreated across the river. A treaty wasthen concluded, wherein Black Hawk agreed not to cross the river withoutpermission. Thus ended, for that year, this famous campaign - which, whilebeing in reality but a squabble between Black Hawk's squaws, and the whites,about cornfields, and the rights of way, was magnified by Gov. Reynolds into anactual invasion. In the Spring of 1832, Black Hawk received information from theProphet that not only the British, but several tribes of Indians would assisthim in recovering his lands. After vainly endeavoring to persuade Keokukto join him, he started in April from his rendezvous at Fort Madison, and,attended by his band, with their wives and children, landed at Rock River, andproceeded to ascend it. This was in violation of the treaty of thepreceding year. He was ordered by Gen. Atkinson - then stationed at FortArmstrong - to return; but he refused on the grounds of his mission being apeaceful one, as he was proceeding to a Winnebago village further up the river,there, by their invitation, to raise corn. After reaching the Winnebago village, Black Hawk ascertainedthat the tribe would not assist him, although willing that he should plant corn. He then determined to return along the Rock River, and recross theMississippi, as he had by this time learned that all the promised assistancefrom other tribes had failed. Before returning, he determined to give afeast in honor of some Pottowatomies then visiting him. In the meantime, Gen. Atkinson, with six hundred troops, hadascended Rock River in pursuit of Black Hawk, and at this time had arrived atDixon's ferry, a point about half way from the Mississippi to Black Hawk's camp. There, Maj. Stillman, with some three hundred volunteers, proceededforward on a scouting expedition. He proceeded up to Sycamore Creek, whichwas within a few miles of Black Hawk. The latter hearing that troops had been seen near him,immediately sent three young men with a flag of truce, to conduct them to hiscamp, for the purpose of a conference. These, upon approaching the troops,were taken prisoners, and one of them shot! Five others were dispatched bythe wary old chief to mark the result. These had not proceeded far beforethey saw the troops coming toward them at full gallop. Two of them wereovertaken and killed, the other three reached the camp, and gave the alarm. All of Black Hawk's men were then absent, but about fifty. Theseimmediately charged upon the advancing troops, and completely routed thevalorous three hundred! The retreat did not stop on reaching their camp,but many not even deeming Gen. Atkinson's flag a sufficient defense, kept onfifty miles farther, to their own homes! This was the famous "battle" of "Stillman'sRun," and it, perhaps, conferred a more lasting notoriety upon thoseengaged in it, than would have the hardest fought battle. The wholeproceeding - from the firing upon the flag-bearers at the beginning, to their"turning tail" to the Indians at the end - is the most cowardly affairon record. There is not a doubt but if the flag had been respected, and aconference held, that Black Hawk would have peaceably returned to the west sideof the Mississippi. A bloody frontier war ensued. The "British Band"divided in squads, and attacked and butchered wherever they could find anopportunity. One thousand more troops were ordered out, and Gen. Scottproceeded towards the scene of action with about the same number, having beendespatched by the Secretary of War. The Indians were gradually drivennorth, and, as they reached the Wisconsin river, they were defeated, with abloody loss, by Gen. Dodge, the former losing some forty of their braves, thelatter but one. This decisive blow ended, in reality, the war. Thewomen and children escaping down the Wisconsin on rafts, starved, or were shotby troops stationed along the river, with but a miserably small exception. Black Hawk, and his remaining party, attempted to reach theMississippi by taking a direct line across the country, toward a point someforty miles above the mouth of the Wisconsin. After losing many bystarvation, the flying band reached the river, and made preparations forcrossing it - but the steamboat Warrior gave them another check. Regardless of a white flag, exhibited by them, the Captain let fly a six-pounderamong them, and, to use his own elegant language, "if you ever saw straightblankets you saw them there!"* The next morning, the whole of Gen.Atkinson's army arrived in pursuit of the Indians, and immediately attackedthem. This "battle" was simply a massacre - the sharp-shootersamusing themselves by picking off the women and children, who were endeavoringto cross the river. The most who escaped by crossing the river passed fromScyllad to Charybis - for they were attacked by a party of Sioux, and wereeither killed or taken prisoners. The "battle" of Bad Axe wassimply a victory of overpowering numbers over a starved remnant of a bravetribe, and an indiscriminate massacre of men, women and children. From theunjustifiable act of the Warrior in firing upon a flag of truce to the shootingof innocent women and harmless children, there is not much to admire. *See B, end of Chapter III. Black Hawk escaped, but was taken by a couple of treacherousWinnebagoes, and delivered, along with the Prophet, to General Street, August27th, at Prairie du Chien. He was sent in a few days to Rock Island,where, on the 21st September, a new treaty was concluded between the Whites andIndians. In consequence of cholera in the Fort, the treaty was held on theWisconsin side - on the spot of ground now occupied by the Mississippi andMissouri Railroad buildings. It was at this treaty that Keokuk made a reserve of a section ofland which was made over to the wife of Antoine Le Claire, on a single conditionthat the latter should build his house upon the spot of ground occupied by themarquee of Gen. Scott during the treaty. The result of the treaty was,that the United States required from the Sacs and Foxes six millions of acreslying west of the Mississippi, which acquisition was known as the"Black Hawk Purchase," and subsequently as the "IowaDistrict." A reserve of forty miles square, known as"Keokuk's Reserve," was made in favor of that Chief on Iowa River. This land was purchased for twenty thousand dollars per annumfor thirty years - the payment of the debts of the tribe, and the support of ablack and gun smith among them. This ends the brief notice of prominent events in the life ofBlack Hawk, and the celebrated "Black Hawk War" - than which latterthere is scarcely a more farcical "war" on record. Begining inthe aggressions of the whites, and lack of forbearance afterward with the lessrefined Indians - with bombast and cowardice, and vilation of scared pledgesinterspersing its sparse details of nobleness, charity and bravery, it is notone which can or should refect particular credit upon the part of the Whites. But let it pass - every year's inquiries are revealing these facts - andposterity will yet pass a righteous verdict upon its character. When Black Hawk passed down the river, during a visit to RockIsland in the Spring of '33, we are informed by Lieut. Mitchell that, as hepassed along below Rock Island, he "cried like a child," as his eyelooked upon the site of his old village. There is something peculiarlyaffecting in this incident, and it reveals no little of the Beautiful in theheart of the SAVAGE. He was in his sixty-fifth year - an old man. There were the rolling prairies of his beautiful village - the theatre ofthe great exploits of his whole life, which he was never to visit again. Expatriated, conquered, thrust down from his high position, andignominiously treated, with the sight of boyhood and manhood's home in thepossession of the stranger-enemy, and with the prospect of a distant removal inhis old age, from all that he valued - why should not the aged chief weep? He died - and among all the famous events of "General BlackHawk's" history - among all his brave exploits, and magnanimous deeds,there is not one so lustrous as the aged man weeping as he passed his old home,and the graves of his kindred. Let Posterity do him at least the justice to own that there wasin his acts a single one of poetic beauty, which is paralleled only in actsgiving birth to "Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn." ____________________________________________________________________ A. Indian Customs. - Inclosing these chapters, it may not be inappropriate to give a few of thecustoms, beliefs, &c., of the Sac and Fox tirbes: MARRIAGE. - Our women plant thecorn, and as soon as they get done, we make a feast, and dance the crane dance,in which they join us, dressed in their best, and decorated with feathers. At this feast our young braves select the young woman they wish to havefor a wife. He then informs his mother, who calls on the mother of thegirl, when the arrangement is made, and the time appointed for him to come. He goes to the lodge when all are asleep, (or pretend to be,) lights hismatches, which have been provided for the purpose, and soon finds where hisintended sleeps. He then awakens her, and holds the light to his face,that she may know him - after which he places the light close to her. Ifshe blows it out, the ceremony is ended, and he appears in the lodge the nextmorning as one of the family. If she does not blow out the light, butleaves it to burn out, he retires from the lodge. The next day he placeshimself in full view of it, and plays his flute. The young women go out,one by one, to see who he is playing for. The tune changes, to let themknow that he is not playing for them. When his intended makes herappearance at the door, he continues his courting tune, until she returns to thelodge. He then gives over playing, and makes another trial at night, whichgenerally turns out favorable. During the first year they ascertainwhether they can agree with each other, and can be happy - if not, they part,and each looks out again. If we were to live together, and disagree, weshould be as foolish as the whites. No indiscretion can banish a womanfrom her parental lodge - no difference how many children she may bring home,she is always welcome - the kettle is over the fire to feed them. DANCES. - The crane dance oftenlasts two or three days. When this is over, we feast again, and have our nationaldance. The large square in the village is swept and prepared for thepurpose. The chiefs and old warriors, take seats on mats, which have beenspread at the upper end of the square - the drummers and singers come next, andthe braves and women form the sides, leaving a large space in the middle. The drums beat, and the singers commence. A warrior enters thesquare, keeping time with the music. He shows the manner he started on awar party - how he approached the enemy - he strikes, and describes the way hekilled him. All join in applause. He then leaves the square, andanother enters and takes his place. Such of our young men as have not beenout in war parties, and killed an enemy, stand back ashamed - not being able toenter the square. I remember that I was ashamed to look where our youngwomen stood, before I could take my stand in the square as a warrior. What pleasure it is to an old warrior, tosee his son come forward and relate his exploits - it makes him feel young, andinduces him to enter the square, and "fight his battles o'er again." This national dance makes our warriors. When I was traveling last summer, on a steam boat, on a large river, goingfrom New York to Albany, I was shown the place where the Americans dance theirnational dance {West Point}; where the old warriors recount to their young men,what they have done, to stimulate them to go and do likewise. Thissurprised me, as I did not think the whites understood our way of making braves. LABORS, WARS, FEASTS, &c. - When ournational dance is over - our corn-fields hoed, and every wed dug up, and ourcorn about knee high, all our young men would start in a direction towardssun-down, to hunt deer and buffalo - being prepared, also, to kill Sioux, if anyare found on our hunting grounds - a part of our old men and women to the leadmines to make lead - and the remainder of our people start to fish, and get matstuff. Every one leaves the village, and remains about forty days. They then return: the hunting party bringing in dried buffalo anddeer meat, and sometimes Sioux scalps, when they are found trespassing onour hunting grounds. At other times they are met by a party of Sioux toostrong for them, and are driven in. If the Sioux have killed the Sackslast, they expect to be retaliated upon, and will fly before them, and viceversa. Each party knows that the other has a right to retaliate, whichinduces those who have killed last, to give way before their enemy - as neitherwish to strike, except to avenge the death of their relatives. All ourwars are predicated by the relatives. All our wars are predicated by therelatives of those killed; or by aggressions upon our hunting grounds. The party from the lead mines bring lead,and the others dried fish, and mats for our winter lodges. Presents arenow made by each party; the first, giving to the others dried buffalo and deer,and they, in exchange, presenting them with lead, dried fish and mats. This is a happy season of the year - having plenty of provisions, such asbeans, squashes, and other produce, with our dried meat and fish, we continue tomake feasts and visit each other, until our corn is ripe. Some lodge inthe village makes a feast daily to the Great Spirit. I cannot explain thisso that the white people would comprehend me, as we have no regular standardamong us. Every one makes his feast as he thinks best, to please the GreatSpirit, who has the care of all beings created. Others believe in twoSpirits: one good and one bad, and make feasts for the Bad Spirit, tokeep him quiet! If they can make peace with him, the Good Spirit willnot hurt them! For my part, I am of opinion, that so far as we have reason,we have a right to use it, in determining what is right or wrong; and shouldpursue that path which we believe to be right - believing, that "whateveris, is right." If the Great and Good Spirit wished us to believe anddo as the whites,he could easily change our opinions, so that we would see, andthink, and act as they do. We are nothing compared to His power,and we feel and know it. We have men among us, like the whites, whopretend to know the right path, but will not consent to show it without pay! I have no faith in their paths - but believe that every man must makehis own path! ORIGIN OF CORN.-I will here relate themanner in which corn first came. According to tradition, handed down toour people, a beautiful woman was seen to descend from the clouds, and alightupon the earth, by two of our ancestors, who had killed a deer, and were sittingby a fire, roasting apart of it to eat. They were astonished at seeingher, and concluded that she must be hungry, and had smelt the meat-andimmediately went to her, taking with them a piece of the roasted vension. They presented it to her, and she eat-and told them to return to the spotwhere she was sitting, at the end of one year, and they would find a reward fortheir kindness and generosity. She then ascended to the clouds, anddisappeared. The two men returned to their village, and explained to thenation what they had seen, done, and heard-but were laughed at by their people. When the period arrived, for them to visit this consecrated ground, wherethey were to find a reward for their attention to the beautiful woman of theclouds, they went with a large party, and found, where her right hand had restedon the ground, corn growning-and where the left hand had rested, beans-andimmediately where she had been seated, tobacco. The two first have, ever since, beencultivated by our people, as our principal provisions-and the last used forsmoking. The white people have since found out the latter, and seems torelish it as mich as we do-as they use it in different ways, viz: smoking,snuffing and eating! SPORTS, &c.-We thank the GreatSpirit for all the benefits he has conferred upon us. For myself, I nevertake a drink of water from a spring, without being mindful of his goodness. We next have our great ballplay-from three to five hundred on a side, play this game. We play forhorses, guns, blankets, or any other kind of property we have. Thesuccessful party take the stakes, and all retire to our lodges in peace andfriendship. We next commence horse-racing, andcontinue our sport and feasting, until the corn is all secured. We thenprepare to leave our village for our hunting grounds. The traders arrive,and give us credit for such articles as we want to clothe our families, andenabel us to hunt. We first, however, hold a council with them, toascertain the price they will give us for our skins, and what they will chargeus for goods. We inform them where we intend hunting-and tell them whereto build their houses. At this place, we deposit part of our corn, andleave our old people. The traders have always been kind to them, andrelieved them when in want. They were always much respected by ourpeople-and never since we have been a nation, has one of them been killed by anyof our people. We disperse, insmall parties, to make our hunt, and as soon as it is over, we return to ourtraders' estabishment, with our skins, and remain feasting, playing cards, andother pastimes, until near the close of the winter. Our young men thenstart on the beaver hunt; others to hunt raccoons and muskrats-and the remainderof our people go to the sugar camps to make sugar. All leave ourencampment, and appoint a place to meet on the Mississippi, so that we mayreturn to our village together, in the spring. We always spent our timepleasantly at the sugar camp. It being the season for wild fowl, we livedwell, and always had plenty, when the hunters came in, that we might make afeast for them. After this is over, we return to our village, accompanied,sometimes, by our traders. In this way, the year rolled round happily. But these are times that were! ________________________ B. - Myself and band having no meansto descend the Ouisconsin, I started, over a rugged country, to go to theMississippi, intending to cross it, and return to my nation. Many of ourpeople were compelled to go on foot, for want of horses, which, in consequenceof their having had nothing to eat for a long time, caused our march to be veryslow. At length we arrived at the Mississippi, having lost some of our oldmen and little children, who perished on the way with hunger. We had been here but a little while, beforewe saw a steam boat (the "Warrior,") coming. I told my bravesnot to shoot, as I intended going on board, so that we might save our women andchildren. I knew the captain, (THROCKMORTON,) and was determined to givemyself up to him. I then sent for my white flag. While the messengerwas gone, I took a small piece of white cotton, and put it on a pole, and calledto the captain of the boat, and told him to send his little canoe ashore, andlet me come on board. The people on the boat asked whether we were Sacs orWinnebagoes. I told a Winnebago to tell them that we were Sacs, and wantedto give ourselves up! A Winnebago on the boat called to us "run andhide, that the whites were going to shoot!" About this time one of mybraves had jumped into the river, bearing a white flag to the boat - whenanother sprang in after him, and brought him to shore. The firing thencommenced from the boat, which was returned by my braves, and continued for sometime. Very few of my people were hurt after the first fire, havingsucceeded in getting behind old logs and trees, which shielded them fromthe enemy's fire. The Winnebago, on the steam boat, musteither have misunderstood what was told, or did not tell it to the captaincorrectly; because I am confident that he would not have fired upon us, if hehad known my wishes. I have always considered him a good man, and toogreat a brave to fire upon an enemy when sueing for quarters. After the boat left us, I told my people tocross, if they could, and wished: that I intended going into the Chippewacountry. Some commenced crossing, and such as had determined to followthem, remained - only three lodges going with me. Next morning, atdaybreak, a young man overtook me, and said that all my party had determined tocross the Mississippi - that a number had already got over safe, and that he hadheard the white army last night, within a few miles of them. I now beganto fear that the whites would come up with my people, and kill them, before theycould get across. I had determined to go and join the Chippewas; butreflecting that by this I could only save myself, I concluded to return, and diewith my people, If the Great Spirit would not give us another victory! During our stay in the thicket, a party of whites came close by us, butpassed without discovering us! Early in the morning a party of whites,being in advance of the army, caome upon our people, who were attemptingto cross the Mississippi. They tried to give themselves up - the whitespaid no attention to their entreaties - but commenced slaughtering them! In a little while the whole army arrived. Our braves, but a few innumber, finding that the enemy paid no regard to age or sex, and seeing thatthey were mudering helpless women and little children, determined to fight untilthey were killed! As many women as could, commenced swimming theMississippi, with their children on their backs. A number of them weredrowned, and some shot, before they could reach the opposite shore. One of my braves, who gave me thisinformation, piled up some saddles before him, (when the fight commenced,) toshield himself from the enemy's fire, and killed three white men! Butseeing that the whites were coming too close to him, he crawled to the bank ofthe river, without being perceived, and hid himself under it, until the enemyretired. He then came to me, and told me what had been done. Afterhearing this sorrowful news. I started, with my little party, to theWinnebago village at Prarie La Cross. On my arrival there, I entered thelodge of one of the chiefs, and told him that I wished him to go with me to hisfather - that I intended to give myself up to the American war chief, and die,if the Great Spirit saw proper! He said he would go with me. I thentook my medicine bag, and addressed the chief. I told him that it was"the soul of the Sac nation - that it never had been dishonored in anybattle - take it, it is my life - dearer than life - and give it to the Americanchief!" He said he would keep it, and take care of it, and if I wassuffered to live, he would send it to me. During my stay at the village, the squawsmade me a white dress of deer skin. I then started, with severalWinnebagoes, and went to their agent, at Prarie du Chien, and gave myself up. On my arrival there, I found to my sorrowthat a large body of Sioux had pursued, and killed a number of our women andchildren, who had got safely across the Mississippi. The whites ought notto have permitted such conduct - and none but cowards would ever have beenguilty of such cruelty - which has always been practiced on our nation bythe Sioux. The massacre, which terminated the war,lasted about two hours. Our loss in killed, was about sixty, besides anumber that were drowned. The loss of enemy could not be ascertained by mybraves, exactly; but they think that they killed about sixteen, during theaction. We are indebted for the above details tothe life of Black Hawk, dictated by himself. - Ed |