USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Rock Island > Early Rock Island > Part 3
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"We then supposed them to be principally Winnebagoes.
"H. SANDERS, "A. CHAPMAN.
"Sworn and subscribed this 11th day of May, 1831.
"STEPHEN DEWEY, J. P."
BENJAMIN F. PIKE'S AFFIDAVIT.
Upon his arrival at Belleville Pike had prepared the follow- ing statement :
"State of Illinois, St. Clair County.
"Present, Benjamin F. Pike, before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, and made oath and deposed, that he has resided in the vicinity of Rock River, in the State of Illinois, for almost three years last past ; that he is well acquainted with the band of the Sac Indians whose chief is the Black Hawk, and who have resided and do now reside near the mouth of Rock River in this state ; that he under- stands so much of the said Indian language as to converse with the said Indians intelligibly ; that he is well satisfied that said Indians, to the amount of about three hundred war- riors, are extremely unfriendly to the white people ; that said Indians are determined, if not prevented by force, to drive off the white people, who have some of them purchased land
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of the United States near said Indians, and said Indians to remain sole occupiers of the said country.
"That said Indians do not only make threats to this effect, but have, in various instances, done much damage to said white inhabitants, by throwing down their fences, destroying the fall grain, pulling off the roofs of houses, and positively asserting that if the whites do not go away they would kill them ; that there are about forty inhabitants and heads of families in the vicinity of said Indians, who are immediately affected by said band of Indians; that said Pike is certain that said forty heads of families, if not protected, will be com- pelled to leave their habitations and homes from the actual injury that said Indians will commit on said inhabitants ; that said band of Indians consists, as above stated, of about three hundred warriors, and that the whole band is actuated by the same hostile feelings towards the white inhabitants ; and that, if not prevented by an armed force of men, will commit on said white inhabitants. That said Indians have said that they would fight for their country where they reside, and would not permit the white people to occupy it at all. That said white inhabitants are desirous to be protected, and that immediately, so that they may raise crops this spring and summer.
"BENJAMIN F. PIKE.
"Sworn and subscribed before me, this 26th May, 1831.
"JOHN H. DENNIS, J. P."
Pike presented his petition from the Rock River settlers and these affidavits personally to Governor Reynolds, who on the same day issued a call for seven hundred mounted militia, to move the Indians west of the Mississippi River. He also wrote the following letter to General Clark, Super- intendent of Indian Affairs :
"Belleville, 26th May, 1831.
"Sir: In order to protect the citizens of this state, who reside near Rock River, from Indian invasion and depreda- tions, 1 have considered it necessary to call out a force of militia of this state of about seven hundred strong, to remove a band of the Sac Indians who are now about Rock Island. The object of the government of the state is to protect those
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citizens by removing said Indians, peaceably if they can, but forcibly if they must. Those Indians are now, and so I have considered them, in a state of actual invasion of the state.
"As you act as the public agent of the United States in relation to those Indians, I considered it my duty to inform you of the above call on the militia and that in or about fifteen days a sufficient force will appear before said Indians to remove thein, dead or alive, over to the west side of the Mississippi ; but to save all this disagreeable business, per- haps a request from you to them for them to remove to the west side of the river would effect the object of procuring peace to the citizens of the state. There is no disposition on the part of the people of this state to injure those unfortunate and deluded savages if they will let us alone ; but a govern- ment that does not protect its citizens deserves not the name of a government. Please correspond with me at this place on this subject.
"Your obedient servant,
"JOHN REYNOLDS. "Gen. Clark, Supt., etc."
Felix St. Vrain, the then agent for the Sacs and Foxes, had in the meantime gone to St. Louis and in the following letter sets out the situation at Rock River :
"St. Louis, May 28, 1831.
"Respected Sir: Since my last of the 15th inst. on the subject of the band of Sac Indians, etc., the Indian village on Rock River near Rock Island, I have heard from the Indians and some of the whites that a house had been nnroofed instead of pulled down and burned, and that the fence had caught fire by accident. As regards the destroying of the wheat, etc., the Indians say that a white man hauled some timber through a field and left the fence down by which means their horses got into the field. This, however, has been contradicted by the white inhabitants of that place. They say that the Indians are constantly troubling them by letting their horses into their fields and killing their hogs, etc. This, however, I am confident is occasioned int a great measure by whisky being given to the Indians in exchange for their guns, traps, etc.
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"I had a talk with the principal chief and braves of that band of Indians. I spoke to the Black Thunder, who is the principal of that band. I told them that they had sold those lands to the government of the United States and that they ought to remove to their own lands. They then said that they had only sold the lands south of the river. I then produced the treaties and explained to them that they had relinquished their rights as far as the Ouisconsin. Quash- quam-me (the Jumping Fish) then said that he had only consented to the limits being Rock River, but that a Fox chief agreed (as he understands, afterwards) for the Ouiscon- sin ; that he (Quash-quam-me) had been deceived and that he did not intend it to be so. I had considerable talk witlı them on this subject, and could discover nothing hostile in their disposition unless their decided conviction of their right to the place could be construed as such. I have been informed that a white man and his family had gone to an Indian village on the borders of Rock River about forty miles from Rock Island, for the purpose of establishing a ferry, and that the Indians at that place had driven them away, at the same time saying to them that they would not hurt them, but they should not live there. This village is occupied by a mixture of Winnebago, Sac and Fox bands and headed by the Prophet, a chief. I have the honor to be "Your obedient servant, "FELIX ST. VRAIN, Indian Agent.
"Gen. William Clark, Supt. Indian Affairs, St. Louis."
Upon receipt of Governor Reynold's letter, General William Clark sent to General Edward P. Gaines the following letter :
"Superintendency of Indian Affairs. "St. Louis, May 28, 1831.
"Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a letter of 26th inst., just received from the Governor of Illinois, by which you will perceive he has thought it necessary to call out a force of about 700 militia for the protection of the citi- zens of that state, who reside near Rock River, and for the purpose of removing a band of Sacs which he states are 110\' about Rock Island.
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"As the commanding general of this division of the army, I have thought it my duty to communicate to you the above information ; and for the purpose of putting you in possession of the views of the government in relation to this subject, as well as to inform you of the means which have been hereto- fore employed for the removal of the Sacs now complained of, I enclose to you herewith copies of my correspondence with the War Department and with the agent for those tribes, also extracts from such of their reports as had immediate relation to the subject.
"The Sacs and Foxes have been counseled with on the subject of their removal from the lands which they had ceded to the United States. The prospect of collisions with the white settlers who were then purchasing those lands, and the interminable difficulties in which they would be involved thereby were pointed out, and had the effect of convincing a large majority of both tribes of the impropriety of remaining at their old village. They, therefore, acquiesced in the justice of the claim of the United States and expressed their willingness to comply with my request to remove to their new village on Ioway River, west of the Mississippi, all but parts of two bands headed by two inconsiderable chiefs, who, after abandoning their old village, have, it appears, returned again, in defiance of all consequences.
"Those bands are distinguished and known by the name of 'The British Party,' having been for many years in the habit of making annual visits at Malden in Upper Canada for the purpose of receiving their presents, and it is believed to be owing in a great measure to the counsels they have there received, that so little influence has been acquired over them by the United States agents.
"In justice to Keokuk, Wapello, the Stabbing Chief, and, indeed, all the other real chiefs and principal men of both tribes, it should be observed that they have constantly and zealously co-operated with the government agents in further- ance of its views, and in their endeavors to effect the removal of all their property from the ceded lands.
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"Any information in my possession which you may deem necessary in relation to this subject will be promptly afforded. With high respect, I have the honor to be
"Your most obedient servant,
"WILLIAM CLARK.
"Major-General Edmund P. Gaines, Commanding Western Department, U. S. A.
"P. S. The agent for the Sacs and Foxes (Mr. St. Vrain) has received his instructions and will perform any service you may require of him with the Sacs and Foxes."
General Clark the same day sent to Governor Reynolds the following communication in reply to liis letter :
"Superintendency of Indian Affairs, "St. Louis, May 28, 1831.
"Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th inst., informing me of your having considered it necessary to call out a force of militia of about seven hundred for the protection of the citizens of Illinois who reside near Rock Island invasion and for the purpose of removing a band of Sac Indians who are now about Rock Island, etc.
You intimate that to prevent the necessity of employing this force, perhaps a request from me to those Indians to remove to the west side of the Mississippi would effect the object of procuring peace to the citizens of your state. In answer to which I would beg leave to observe, that every effort on my part has been made to effect the removal of all those tribes who had ceded their lands. For the purpose of affording you a view (in part) of what has been done in this matter, I enclose you herewith extracts from the reports of the agents for the Sacs and Foxes by which it will be seen that every means, short of actual force, has been employed to effect their removal.
"I have communicated the contents of your letter to General Gaines, who commands the western division of the army, and who has full power to act and execute any military movement deemed necessary for the protection of the frontier. I shall also furnish him with such information regarding the Sacs and Foxes as I am possessed of, and would beg leave to
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refer you to him for any further proceedings in relation to this subject. I have the honor to be, with great respect, " Your obedient servant.
"WEM. CLARK. "His Excellency, John Reynolds, Governor of Illinois."
Governor Reynolds certainly meant business, for on the same day he sent the following letter :
" Belleville, May 28, 1831.
"General Gaines.
"Sir: I have received undoubted information that the section of this state near Rock Island is actually invaded by a hostile band of the Sac Indians headed by Black Hawk ; and in order to repel said invasion, and to protect the citizens of the state, I have, under the provisions of the constitu- tion of the United States and the laws of this state, called on the militia, to the number of 700 men, who will be mounted and ready for service in a very short time. I con- sider it my duty to lay before you the above information, so as you, commanding the military forces of the United States in this part of the Union, may adopt such measures in regard to said Indians as you deem right.
"The above mentioned mounted volunteers (because such they will be) will be in readiness immediately to move against said Indians, and, as Executive of the State of Illinois, I respectfully solicit your co-operation in this busi- ness. Please honor me with an answer to this letter.
"With sincere respect to your character,
"I am, your obedient servant, "JOHN REYNOLDS."
To which letter General Gaines replied as follows :
" H. Q. Western Department, May 29, 1831.
"His Excellency, Governor Reynolds.
"Sir: I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, advising me of your having received undoubted information that the section of the frontier of your state near Rock Island is invaded by a hostile band of Sac Indians headed by a chief called Black Hawk. That in order to repel said invasion, and to protect
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the citizens of the state, you have called on the militia to the number of 700 militiamen to be in readiness immediately to move against the Indians and yon solicit my co-operation.
"In reply, it is my duty to state to you that I have ordered six companies of the regular troops stationed at Jefferson Barracks to embark to-morrow morning and repair forthiwith to the spot occupied by the hostile Sacs. To this detachment I shall, if necessary, add four companies. With this force I am satisfied that I shall be able to repel the invasion and give security to the frontier inhabitants of the state. But should the hostile band be sustained by the resi- due of the Sac, Fox and other Indians to an extent requiring an anginentation of my force, I will, in that event, communi- cate with Your Excellency by express and avail myself of the co-operation which you propose. But, under existing cir- cumstances, and the present aspect of our Indian relations on the Rock Island section of the frontier, I do not deem it necessary or proper to require militia, or any other descrip- tion of force, other than that of the regular army at this place and Prairie du Chien.
" I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant, "EDMUND P. GAINES,
"Major-General by Brevet, Commanding."
General Clark the following day forwarded to the War Department at Washington the following communication:
"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 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
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to whom I gave such information respecting the Sacs com- plained 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 sub- ject, 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 ; 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 dis- posed 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."
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GAINES GOES TO FORT ARMSTRONG.
General Gaines immediately proceeded to Fort Armstrong and upon his arrival with his troops commenced putting the fort in condition to withstand a siege if necessary. The six companies he brought with him from Jefferson Barracks were strengthened by four additional companies from Fort Craw- ford, at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. All the settlers in this vicinity were warned of impending danger and came to the fort with their families, bringing their horses, cattle and everything of value that could be carried. The soldiers began target practice, and morning and evening guns were fired, something not heretofore done. June 5 General Gaines sent for Black Hawk, Keokuk, Wapello and other chiefs for the purpose of holding a council. Black Hawk came to the council attended by all his chiefs and many warriors, all in war paint, carrying arms, and singing war songs. None but the chiefs were allowed to enter the fort, and here in the presence of Keokuk, Wapello and other head chiefs, General Gaines told Black Hawk that he and his band must move west of the Mississippi River, and that if they did not go, he, Gaines, would move them by force. Gaines gave the Indians until the twentieth in which to move. Previous to this Black Hawk had held two interviews with the Prophet, a Winne- bago living at his village where Prophetstown is now located. The Prophet claimed to have had visions or dreams, and said that the white soldiers would do no one any harm, that their object was merely to frighten the Indians, and it was upon this information that Black Hawk acted.
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GAINES ASKS AID FROM THE GOVERNOR.
After the council, General Gaines at once sent by special messenger the following letter to Governor 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 mie 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, "EDWARD P. GAINES,
"Major-General by Brevet, Commanding.
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"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 110 disposition to comply ; and it is supposed by Colonel Gratiot, the agent, that none will join the Sacs, except, per- haps, some few of the Kickapoos. E. P. G."
This letter evidently pleased Governor Reynolds for he said: "I was very much rejoiced on receiving this letter, as it put my whole proceedings on a legal and constitutional footing, and the responsibility of the war was removed from me to the United States."
THE SETTLERS' AFFIDAVITS.
While at Fort Armstrong the settlers had prepared another petition, together with numerous affidavits, which they pre- sented to General Gaines. The following is the substance of the depositions of sundry citizens of the Rock River settle. ment, taken before William Brasher, J. P., and Joel Wells, J. P., on the 10th of June, 1831.
" First. John Wells, John W. Spencer, Jonah H. Case, Rennah Wells, Samuel Wells, Benjamin F. Pike, Joseph Dan- forth and Moses Johnson, before Wm. Brazer, J. P., swear that the Sac Indians did through the last year repeatedly threaten to kill them for being on their ground, and acted in the most outrageous manner; threw down their fences, burnt or destroyed their rails, turned horses into their cornfields and almost destroyed their crops, stole their potatoes, killed and ate their hogs, shot arrows into their cattle and put out their eyes, thereby rendering them useless to their owners, saying the land was theirs, and that they had not sold it. In April they ordered the deponents to leave their houses, and turned from fifty to one hundred horses into one man's wheat field, threatening that the fields should not be reaped, although said owners had purchased the land of the United States govern- ment. The Indians also leveled deadly weapons at the citi- zens, and on some occasions hurt some of the said citizens, for attempting to prevent the destruction of their property. Also that the Indians stole their horses, some of which were
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returned by the agent six or eight months after, and in a - miserable condition; others were never heard of again. Nearly fifty Indians headed by their notorious war chief, all armed and equipped for war, came to the house of Rennalı Wells, and ordered him to be off or they would kill him, which, for the safety of his family, he obeyed. They then went to another house, rolled out a barrel of whisky and destroyed it, as well as committing many other outrages to the knowledge of the deponents.
"Second. John Wells, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that on the 30th day of September, 1830, he saw two Sac Indians throwing down his fence, who said they were doing it for the purpose of going through, in which they persisted although forbidden by the owner, and when the owner at- tempted to prevent them, one of them made a pass at him with his fist, and drew his knife on him.
"Third. Rennah and Samuel Wells, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that on the 29th of May a party of Sac Indians, calling themselves chiefs, with Black Hawk at their head, came to the house of Rennah Wells, near the mouth of Rock River, and said that he must let the squaws cultivate his field, which Wells refusing, they became much displeased, and told him to go off ; upon Wells' refusal they went away. That on the next day the same chiefs, with about fifty war- riors, came, armed, and told Wells that he must move or they would cut the throats of himself and family, and making motions to that effect, upon which said Wells told them that he would take counsel and tell them at three o'clock the next day what would be his determination. They consented, and went away ; at the appointed time they returned and told Wells that he must go off, which he accordingly did, leaving all his possessions to the Indians.
" Fourth. Nancy Thompson and Nancy Wells, before W. J. Brasher, swore that in October, 1830, two Indians resid- ing in the village forty or fifty miles above the mouth of Rock River, and called Sacs or Winnebagoes, came to the house of Rennalı Wells and commenced chasing some sheep, as if they would kill them. Those Indians were ordered to desist, upon which they drew their knives and made at the woman, who
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being alarmed, called for assistance. Samuel Wells being sick in the house at the time, ran out with a pitchfork, and the Indians pursued no farther. London L. Case heard the alarm given, and joined. The Indians then returned to the river bank eighty or one hundred yards distant ; when Case, thinking they were still in pursuit of the sheep, went to ascertain the truth, and coming near the Indians they wounded him severely in three places with a knife and tomahawk.
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