The Black Hawk War Including a Review of Black Hawk's Life
Dignifying Black Hawk’s return with the term invasion was a misnomer, at
least an exaggeration, on the part of Reynolds, but Gaines promptly set
out for Fort Armstrong, where he quickly absorbed the situation and
communicated it to Reynolds.
“Headquarters, Rock Island, June 5, 1831.
“JOHN REYNOLDS, Governor of Illinois.
“Sir:–I do myself the honor to report to your Excellency the result of
my conference with the chiefs and braves of the band of Sac Indians
settled within the limits of your State near this place.
“I called their attention to the facts reported to me of their
disorderly conduct towards the white inhabitants near them. They
disavow any intention of hostility, but at the same time adhere with
stubborn pertinacity to their purpose of remaining on the Rock River
land in question.
“I notified them of my determination to move them peaceably if
possible, but at all events to move them to their own side of the
Mississippi River, pointing out to them the apparent impossibility of
their living on lands purchased by the whites without constant
disturbance. They contended that this part of their country had never
been sold by them. I explained to them the different treaties of 1804,
’16 and ’25, and concluded with a positive assurance that they must
move off, and that I must as soon as they are ready assist them with
boats.
“I have this morning learned that they have invited the Prophet’s band
of Winnebagoes on Rock River, with some Pottawattomies and Kickapoos,
to join them. If I find this to be true, I shall gladly avail myself
of my present visit to see them well punished; and, therefore, I deem
it to be the only safe measure now to be taken to request of your
Excellency the battalion of mounted men which you did me the honor to
say would co-operate with me. They will find at this post a supply of
rations for the men, with some corn for their horses, together with a
supply of powder and lead.
“I have deemed it expedient under all the circumstances of the case to
invite the frontier inhabitants to bring their families to this post
until the difference is over.
“I have the honor to be, with great respect,
“Your obedient servant,
“EDMUND P. GAINES,
“Major-Gen. by Brevet, Commanding.”
“P.S. Since writing the foregoing remarks, I have learned that the
Winnebagoes and Pottawattomie Indians have actually been invited by
the Sacs to join them. But the former evince no disposition to comply;
and it is supposed by Colonel Gratiot, the agent, that none will join
the Sacs, except, perhaps, some few of the Kickapoos.
E.P.G.”
The situation had developed such symptoms, to the mind of General Clark,
that, after writing Governor Reynolds and urging Gaines forward, he made
the following report to the Secretary of War:
“Superintendency of Indian Affairs,
“St. Louis, May 30, 1831.
“Sir:–On the 28th inst. I had the honor of receiving a letter from the
Governor of Illinois dated the 26th, informing me of the measures
which he had considered it necessary to pursue for the protection of
the citizens of his State from Indian invasion and for the purpose of
removing a band of Sacs then about Rock Island. A copy of his letter
and my answer is herewith enclosed.
“Deeming the information received from the Governor of Illinois
important, I immediately communicated it to General Gaines, who
happened to be in this place at the time; and shortly after was called
upon by Governor Reynolds himself, to whom I gave such information
respecting the Sacs complained of as had come to my knowledge, and
also furnished him with such of the reports of the agent for those
tribes as had relation to the subject. To the commanding General I
furnished similar information; and also for the purpose of possessing
him of the views of the Government on that subject, I gave him copies
of such of my correspondence with the War Department as had any
relation thereto.
“I also enclose to you copies of two reports of the agent for the Sacs
and Foxes of the 15th and 28th inst. By the first it will be seen that
the band complained of is determined to keep possession of their old
village;[73] and it is probable from a knowledge of the disposition
evinced in the matter by the Sacs and for the purpose of dispossessing
them, that the commanding General has thought proper to make a display
in that quarter of a part of the force under his command, six
companies of which are now leaving this place for Rock River. The
expedition (be the result what it may) cannot fail of producing good
effects, even should the Indians be disposed to move peaceably to
their own lands; and if not, their opposition should, in my opinion,
be put down at once.
“I have the honor to be, with high respect,
“Your most obedient servant,
“WILLIAM CLARK.
“THE HON. JOHN H. EATON, Secretary of War.”
“Rock Island, June 12, 1831.
“Sir:–I have the honor to report to you that, agreeably to my
intimation to you, I visited the village of Sac Indians near this
place yesterday for the purpose of persuading off the Winnebago
Prophet and some young men of his band whom I knew had previously been
there, and, I believe, with an intention to support the Sac Indians. I
found that the Prophet had just left there for his village, which is
within my agency upon Rock River, and although he had previously
promised that he would return home and remain there, I have reason to
believe that his object is to get as many of his band and of the other
bands of the Winnebagoes (who reside at Rock River, within my agency)
as he can, for the purpose of joining the Sacs and of supporting them
in their present pretensions.
“I have recently been at some of the principal villages of Winnebagoes
within my agency, and have ascertained from unquestionable authority
that, although they had been invited to join the Sacs, they had
refused to do so. I think it will be prudent for me to follow the
Prophet, to prevent him from influencing any of the Indians up the
river to join him. Should I, however, find that any of the warriors
have left before my arrival amongst them, I will (if you think it
best) return immediately to this place, bringing with me three or four
influential chiefs who can be relied on and who will, with my
assistance, I think, be able to control them.
“In my opinion there are at least 400 warriors at the Sac village
which I visited yesterday, apparently determined to defend themselves
in their present position. On the receipt of your letter of the 4th
instant, I immediately hastened to this place with a view to give you
the most satisfactory information upon the subject of it and tender my
services in any way you may think useful.
“I am, respectfully yours,
“HENRY GRATIOT, Sub-Agent, etc.
“MAJ.-GEN. GAINES.”
-----
Footnote 54:
Annals of the West, Perkins & Peck Edition, pp. 713, 795.
Footnote 55:
U.S. Stat., p. 223, and comment in above Annals, p. 796.
Footnote 56:
U.S. Stat., p. 229.
Footnote 57:
U.S. Stat., p. 272.
Footnote 58:
Vol. 5, Wis. Hist. Colls., p. 130, _et seq._
Footnote 59:
P. 143, above.
Footnote 60:
Vol. 5, Wis. Hist. Colls., p. 144.
Footnote 61:
Vol. 5, Wis. Hist. Colls., p. 147.
Footnote 62:
Annals of the West, pp. 796-7; Brown’s Hist. of Illinois, p. 357.
Footnote 63:
December 24, 1811; January 11, 1812, and December 10, 1814.
Footnote 64:
Peck’s Gazeteer for 1825. The land was surveyed in 1815 and 1816.
By letter of the Surveyor-General, August 10, 1815, we are informed
that lands were selected in Southern Michigan, Northern Ohio, the
military tract in Illinois and in Missouri, but by reason of Indian
hostility the first two selections could not be surveyed that
year.–Niles Reg., Vol. 9, p. 15.
Footnote 65:
Annals of the West, p. 797. In 1828 the President issued his
proclamation opening this land, which had been previously surveyed,
and the following year was occupied, and later sold.
Footnote 66:
In 1828 some few lingered, but by May all but Black Hawk’s band and
Quash-qua-me remained.
Footnote 67:
The planting of the corn in 1829 by the squaws was done to feed those
who had gone to the Iowa River and were there preparing new fields,
which could not then be used.
Footnote 68:
Wakefield, Appendix, Note 1, pp. 107-116.
Footnote 69:
Catlin.
Footnote 70:
“My Own Times,” p. 328.
Footnote 71:
See page 170, post.
Footnote 72:
Forsythe’s letter of 1829, _ante_, was one of them.
Footnote 73:
See letter Col. Henry Gratiot, next following.
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CHAPTER XIII.
COUNCIL–MILITIA ORGANIZED–MARCH TO BLACK HAWK’S VILLAGE–FLIGHT–VILLAGE
BURNED–TREATY OF 1831.
Once awakened, General Gaines lost no time in bringing about a
convention with the Indians, to avoid, if possible the trouble of a
demonstration, but Black Hawk was fired with hatred and unprepared to
accept any terms whatsoever. A council or talk was had in the council
chamber at Fort Armstrong, which Black Hawk and his British sympathizers
attended in numbers, and all fully armed. General Gaines opened the
council by stating that the great father at Washington desired only what
was right, and closed by insisting that the Indians should remove
peaceably. Black Hawk replied that the Sacs had never sold their lands
and were determined not to give up their village. General Gaines then
asked: “Who is Black Hawk? Is he a chief? By what right does he appear
in council?” To these questions Black Hawk that day made no reply, but
on the following morning he was again in his seat. When the council
opened he arose and, addressing General Gaines, said: “My father, you
inquired yesterday, ‘Who is Black Hawk? Why does he sit among the
chiefs?’ I will tell you who I am. I am a Sac; I am a warrior, and so
was my father. Ask those young men who have followed me to battle, and
they will tell you who Black Hawk is; provoke our people to war and you
will learn who Black Hawk is.”[74] It is further recorded of this
meeting that in the heat of passion Black Hawk called General Gaines a
liar and made demonstrations to kill him, which were only averted by the
coolness of Gaines in parrying his threats by words of calmness. In this
delicate affair Antoine LeClaire, the interpreter, was a powerful factor
in smothering the threatened disturbance. The situation has been briefly
set out in fortieth of Niles Register, page 310, as follows:
“Encampment, Rock Island, June 8th.
“We yesterday had a talk with the Indians, and from their
determination not to leave the white settlements, and from their
numbers, we shall have pretty serious work; that is, we shall have no
play. They came into the council house yesterday with their spears,
hatchets and bows strung. I have no doubt, from the extreme agitation
of the interpreter, that there was more danger than most were aware
of, as our troops were near a quarter of a mile off and they were
about ten for one of us.”