The Black Hawk War Including a Review of Black Hawk's Life
ascertained if the enemy would surrender. It is ascertained from
our prisoners that the enemy lost in the battle of the Ouisconsin
sixty-eight killed and a very large number wounded. His whole loss
does not fall short of three hundred. After the battle of the
Ouisconsin, those of the enemy’s women and children, and some who
were dismounted, attempted to make their escape by descending that
river, but judicious measures being taken by Capt. Loomis and
Lieut. Street, Indian agent, thirty-two women and children and
four men have been captured, and some fifteen men killed by the
detachment under Lieut. Ritner.
“The day after the battle of this river, I fell down with the
regular troops to this place by water, and the mounted men will
join us to-day. It is now my purpose to direct Keokuk to demand a
surrender of the remaining principal men of the hostile party,
which, from the large number of women and children we hold
prisoners, I have every reason to believe will be complied with.
Should it not, they should be pursued and subdued, a step Maj-Gen.
Scott will take upon his arrival.
“I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the regular and
volunteer forces engaged in the last battle and the fatiguing
march that preceded it. As soon as the reports of officers of the
brigades and corps are handed in, they shall be submitted with
further remarks.
5 killed, 2 wounded, 6th Inft.
2 wounded, 5th Inft.
1 captain, 5 privates Dodge’s Bat. mounted.
1 lieutenant, 6 privates, Henry’s.
1 private wounded, Alexander’s.
1 private, Posey’s.
“I have the honor to be, with great respect,
“Your obedient servant,
“H. ATKINSON, Brevet Brig-Gen.,
U.S.A
“MAJOR-GEN. MACOMB, Com.-in-Chief, Washington.”
Whipped so thoroughly that no more fight remained in him, Black
Hawk, at the close of August 2d, fled to the woods of the North with
his sons and principal officers, hoping that he would be protected
by his whilom friends, the Winnebagoes, when once in the fastnesses
of the Dalles of the Wisconsin, far from the scenes of conflict; but
General Street, in calling the Winnebagoes to the Agency on August
4th, had anticipated and frustrated every plan and move of the
defeated and fugitive Indians. From the Agency he sent in pursuit of
them the one-eyed Decori and Chaeter, who caught first Black Hawk
and the Prophet, and later the Sioux caught Ne-a-pope. The most
authentic account of that capture seems to be the one made by David
McBride, and is to be found in Vol. 5 of the Wisconsin Historical
Collections, page 293, verbose, but in the main correct:
“He became satisfied the battle was lost, and hastily retreated to
a surrounding height, overlooking the sanguinary battleground,
accompanied by his faithful adjunct, the Prophet, and for an
instant turned to view the scene of his disastrous defeat, his
haughty bosom filled with mingled feelings of disappointment and
despair, * * * then hastily fled, to seek a temporary refuge among
his pseudo friends, the Winnebagoes of the Lemonweir valley.
“The fugitive chief fled northward with his follower, until he
entered the valley of the Lemonweir, where he hoped to secrete
himself among its numerous bluffs and rocky cliffs. * * * When he
reached what is now known as the Seven Mile Bluff, from its lofty
and precipitous heights he could see an enemy or friend in their
approaches for many miles. Here he felt secure for the present,
and cast himself down under the shade of its evergreens to rest
his wearied body, that had for many days known no respite or
repose, dispatching his companion in search of food, and to
ascertain whether any of his Winnebago friends were in the
vicinity. Late in the evening, the messenger returned without
food, but with information that they were pursued; that either
friends or foes were on their trail. Not a moment was to be lost;
they must separate and each secrete himself as best he could. The
Prophet sought refuge in a cliff of the romantic chimney rocks, at
the east end of the bluff,[238] and Black Hawk selected a unique
hiding place, where he had often, years before, secreted himself,
when on hunting excursions, to watch for game. On a bold
promontory of the bluff that stretches far out into the valley, on
its northern face, and high on the summit of a towering crag,
stands an isolated gray pine, with its dwarfed and straggling
limbs. About twenty feet from its base, a remarkable thicket of
small branches starts suddenly out from its trunk like a cradle
from the ship’s mast, covered with a dense mass of deep green
foliage closely matted together, forming a complete protection
from outward view to a much larger animal than man, and from which
an extended view was readily obtained of the leading trail, which
passed to the foot of the cliff, up and down the valley for many
miles, and which has since the above event, been familiarly known
as Black Hawk’s Nest, by the early settlers of the valley.
“For two whole days and nights he kept still in his eyrie. Twice
during the first, runners passed on the trail, but doubtful of
their character as friends or foes, the accustomed signal was not
given. Towards evening of the third, two tall chiefs approached in
view; the quick, discerning eye of the fugitive recognized the
well-known costume and gait of his former Winnebago friends,
Cha-e-tar and One-Eyed De-cor-ra. They had been friends in the
early period of the contest, had given him important intelligence
of the movements of the white men, and had even piloted him to the
settlement at Spafford’s Farms and Fort Mound, while another of
their chiefs, White Crow, was acting as guide to Col. Dodge. Soon
these runner chiefs came close to the hiding place of Black Hawk
and encamped for the night at the base of the cliff upon which he
was perched. Before they slept, in soft whispers, the purport of
their journey was disclosed to the deeply interested ear of their
intended victim. Their errand was to make him captive. Overwhelmed
with disappointment at their duplicity and treachery, but fearful
of the result of an attempt at this moment to seek revenge, with
characteristic stealthiness, at midnight, he quickly descended and
again sought safety in flight. After communicating with his
friend, the Prophet, on his future plans of escape from the grasp
of his pursuers, they both started for Prairie La Crosse, one
hundred miles up the Mississippi, where he could cross to the west
side and again be secure.
“But in this he was alike deceived and unfortunate. As day broke,
Cha-e-tar and De-cor-ra, believing he had sought refuge in the
great cave in one of the twin bluffs about fifteen miles west,
started on their hurried journey, and had proceeded but a few
miles ere they came upon the well-known trail of the fugitives.
Though prepared for the emergency, their instructions were to take
them alive, if possible, and their policy was to keep close on
their footsteps, well knowing they could make the capture before
crossing the river. For two days these wary chiefs kept close in
Black Hawk’s rear, until, on the evening of the second day, they
saw their victims enter the wigwams of their band at the river,
and in a few moments after they were in the presence of the
fugitive chief and his companion. Black Hawk saw at once his fate
was sealed; he was in the hands of his captors, his long-cherished
visions of triumph over his white enemies instantly vanished, but
he was still a brave, a warrior that could meet his worst fate
with dignified composure. * * * He silently held out his hands for
the accustomed cord.”
On the 27th of August the two were delivered to General Street at
Prairie du Chien, which important event was fully chronicled in a
letter written by General Street to the St. Louis Globe, dated
Prairie du Chien, 3d September, 1832:
“F.P. Blair, Esq.:
“Dear Sir:–The Indian war is over. The celebrated leaders of the
hostile Indians, Black Hawk and the Prophet, were delivered to me
at this place on the 27th ultimo, by the Winnebagoes of my agency.
The day after Generals Scott and Atkinson left this place, I sent
out two parties of Winnebagoes to bring Black Hawk, the Prophet
and Ne-a-pope to me. They returned the 27th ult., about 10 or 11
o’clock, and delivered the two first. The same day I turned them
over to Col. Taylor, commanding Fort Crawford, and expect to
accompany them with a military escort to the headquarters of Gen.
Scott at Rock Island in a day or two.
“I am now waiting the return of an express sent up the Wisconsin,
by which I expect to receive about fifty or sixty more prisoners
taken by the Indians. There are now forty-eight in the fort,
delivered me by the Winnebagoes of my agency, and I have
previously delivered to Gen. Atkinson forty-three taken by the
Winnebagoes and Menominees.
“The moment the hostile Indians entered the limits of my agency by
crossing the Wisconsin, with the aid of the commanding officer at
the fort, I assembled the Indians of my agency and encamped them
before my door, where they remained until the battle of the
Mississippi and the rout of the hostile Indians.
“I herewith convey to you an account of the delivery of Black Hawk
and the Prophet to me.
“Your most obedient servant,
“JOSEPH M.
STREET.”
“Prairie du Chien, 27th August, 1832.
“At 11 o’clock to-day, Black Hawk and the Prophet were delivered
to Gen. Joseph M. Street by the One-Eyed Decori and Chaeter,
Winnebagoes, belonging to his agency. Many of the officers from
the post were present. It was a moment of much interest.
“The prisoners appeared in a full dress of white tanned deerskins.
Soon after they were seated the One-Eyed Decori rose up and said:
“‘My Father:–I now stand before you. When we parted, I told you I
would return soon, but I could not come any sooner. We have had to
go a great distance (the Dalle on the Wisconsin, above the
portage). You see we have done what you sent us to do. These are
the two that you told us to get (pointing to Black Hawk and the
Prophet).
“‘My Father:–We have done what you told us to do. We always do
what you tell us, because we know it is for our good.
“‘My Father:–You told us to get these men, and it would be the
cause of much good to the Winnebagoes. We have brought them, but
it has been very hard for us to do so. That one–Mucatamish-ka-kaik
(Black Hawk)–was a great way off. You told us to bring them to you
alive. We have done so. If you had told us to bring their heads
alone, we would have done so, and it would have been less
difficult than what we have done.
“‘My Father:–We deliver these men into your hands. We would not
deliver them even to our brother, the chief of the warriors, but
to you, because we know you, and believe you are our friend. We
want you to keep them safe. If they are to be hurt, we do not wish
to see it. Wait until we are gone before it is done.
“‘My Father:–Many little birds have been flying about our ears of
late, and we thought they whispered to us that there was evil
intended for us, but now we hope these evil birds will let our
ears alone.
“‘My Father:–We know you are our friend, because you take our