USA > Illinois > Piatt County > History of Piatt County; together with a brief history of Illinois from the discovery of the upper Mississippi to the present time > Part 4
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In 1804 a treaty was made by which the Sacs sold to the United States their country on the Rock river. That portion of the Sac and Fox tribes which joined the English in the war of 1812 violated this treaty. This treaty was confirmed by that portion of the tribe which remained at peace, and in 1816, Black Hawk, with other hostile Indians, professed repentance, and, obtaining pardon, recognized the treaty of 1804, which was re-enacted. Still another treaty was made in 1825, hoping thus to settle the hostilities among the northwest tribes. In 1830 a treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes, in which they confirmed the former treaties and agreed to remove to the territory west of the Mississippi. According to the former of these treaties the Sacs and Foxes had the privilege of hunting on the grounds while they were the property of the United States. In 1829 portions of land around
* Gov. Ford.
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the mouth of the Rock river were sold for settlement, and soon after there was begun a series of depredations among these settlers and the Indians. Each party brought charges against the other, and probably there was trouble on both sides.
At this time the Sacs and Foxes were divided into two factions. One, the larger, was 'for peace, and was under Keokuk, who had sound judgment, and who ultimately became sole chief of the nation. Keokuk, according to the stipulations of the treaty, withdrew across the river.
In the spring of 1831, Black Hawk, who commanded the hostile faction of the tribes, declared all treaties void, and with his families, some Kickapoo and Pottawatomie allies, and three hundred warriors, recrossed the Mississippi to take possession of their former village and the hunting-grounds thereabouts.
. Black Hawk claimed that the treaty of 1804 was made by some chiefs after being made drunk. He said that these chiefs, while in St. Louis seeing about some prisoners, sold their land without the knowl- edge of the tribe, and that they came home loaded with presents, knew they had sold some land, but could tell nothing more. But be all this as it may, Black Hawk was among those to confirm the treaty when its full purport was known. It seems, then, that it was rather tardy patriotism mingled with his hate for the Americans which caused him to recross the Mississippi river.
When Black Hawk appeared again among the whites, tearing down their fences, taking their food, ordering them away and threatening them with deatlı, the settlers were not tardy in making complaints to Gov. Reynolds. The governor hastened to notify Gen. Gaines, of the United States army, and superintendent of Indian affairs, of the Indian invasion. Volunteers were called for and 1,600 men answered the call.
The entire force was divided into two regiments, an odd battalion and a spy battalion. Col. James D. Henry commanded the first regi- ment ; Col. Dan Lieb, the second ; Maj. Natlı. Buckmaster, the odd battalion, and Maj. Sam'l Whiteside the spy battalion. Maj. Gen. Joseph Duncan, of the state militia, commanded the entire brigade. This was the largest military force that Illinois had ever raised, and its appearance was truly grand as it traversed with anxious speed the far-reaching prairie.
In the short space of four days the army reached Rockport, about eight miles below the mouth of Rock river, where Gen. Gaines was met. The two generals formed a plan of operations for the morrow, and in
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the morning the volunteers started across the country toward the Indian town, while the steamboat ascended the river. It was supposed that the battle would be fought on an island opposite the Indian town, and their preparations were made accordingly. The steamboat approached the island, firing grape and canister to find if the enemy were there. While traversing the island. the spy battalion and main body of volunteers became confused and mixed together, but no trace of the Indians was discovered. Some time was spent in ferrying the troops over the deep and rapid stream on the other side of the island, but when the village was reached no Indians were there. Long before the army reached the place the Indians had quietly departed for the western side of the Mississippi. It has been thought that this move- ment on the part of the Indians was partially anticipated by the two generals. There was a carelessness shown in the movement about the islands that would tend to confirmn such an idea, but the exact facts of the case will probably never be known. In lieu of the enemy the feel- ing of vengeance prompted the soldiers to attack the village itself, and it was set on fire. Soon only ashes remained of the once flourishing village.
From this place the volunteers proceeded to Rock Island, where they encamped for several days. While at Fort Armstrong, on this island, Gen. Gaines threatened to pursue the hostile Indians unless they presented themselves for a peace council. Black Hawk finally , was induced to make his appearance, and in company with many other chiefs of the British* band of the Sacs, signed a treaty in which they agreed to stay on the west side of the river, and to cross it only on per- mission of the governor of Illinois or the president of the United States. In such manner did the British Sacs finally ratify the old treaty of 1804.
Black Hawk, like Tecumseh, had his prophet. White Cloud, had great influence among the tribe. He was cunning and used every means in his power to gain influence. Previous to the troubles about the Rock River village, he had gone to Canada, hoping to gain the British to their interest. Upon his return he reported favorably to the Indians, and soon after their crossing to the west side of the river in 1831, a murmur of discontent ran through Black Hawk's tribe. Ever since the last treaty they had been alert for some new excuse for beginning hostilities. White Cloud's assurance that not only the British, but the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatomies and * Those in sympathy with the British.
This prophet,
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Winnebagoes would assist them in regaining their land, caused them to set aside their treaty of peace.
Notwithstanding the sagacity and judgment of Keokuk, which prompted his bold and eloquent speeches, Black Hawk's warlike and revengefnl nature claimed for him all the daring and malicions warriors of the nation. Black Hawk, being quite an old man at this time, was easily flattered at thus seeing so many young braves flock to him for leadership.
He, accordingly, with five hundred of the nation's chivalry, equipped for Indian warfare, again, in 1832, started across the Mis- sissippi river. Their deceived eyes saw before them a ready and complete victory over the hated Americans.
After crossing the river they started to the Rock River country, expecting to continue their course up the river and gain the Pottawato- mies and Winnebagoes as allies. The whites, knowing of Black Hawk's movements, were somewhat alarmed, and ere they reached their destination several couriers from Gen. Atkinson overtook the Indians, ordering them to recross the Mississippi. This they refused to do, stating that they were peacefully going to their Indian friends' ground to raise corn. Gov. Reynolds, upon becoming acquainted with the facts, immediately called for volunteers. The imminent dan- ger to which the frontier settlers were subject caused, as in 1831, a goodly number of the state's brave and eminent men to respond to the call. In a few days' time 1,800 men met at Beardstown, the former place of rendezvons. The volunteers were organized into four regi- ments and a spy battalion. The first regiment was commanded by Col. DeWitt ; the second, by Col. Fry ; the third by Col. Thomas ; the fourth by Col. Thompson, and Col. James D. Henry commanded the spy battalion. Brigadier Gen. Samuel W. Whiteside, who com- manded the spy battalion in the former campaign, had charge of the entire brigade.
Gen. Whiteside, in company with Gov. Reynolds, took up his line of march April 27. Upon reaching the mouth of Rock river it was arranged that Gen. Whiteside, with volunteers, was to march up the river to Prophetstown and there await the regulars, who were to come with the provisions in keel-boats. Gen. Whiteside, however, set fire to Prophetstown and proceeded up the river to Dixon. Upon the arrival at Dixon Majors Stillman and Bailey were found with near three hun- dred men. These men were ready to win their laurels, and accordingly made known their desire to hazard danger. It being rumored that 4
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some hostile Indians were in the vicinity of "Old Man's Creek " - now called Stillman's Run-Major Stillman was ordered to find the enemy. Soon after reaching the creek and camping for the night, a small party of Indians was descried about a mile away. Some of Stillman's men, thirsting for Indian blood, mounted their horses without orders and started in pursuit of the Indians, who retreated displaying in defiance the red flag. These brave men had not thought of the pos- sibility of Black Hawk being near, and accordingly, when he rallied his men and started in pursuit, their valor changed rapidly to ungovern- able fear and they retreated to camp with their horses on a full run. Hearing that Black Hawk was in pursuit the entire company precipi- tately joined in the retreat. Major Stillman tried in vain to have his men fall back and form on higher ground, but the "higher ground " was not found, and the entire company reached Dixon several at a time. Some of the boldest of the men, however, covered the retreat, fighting bravely, and eleven only of the men were killed.
The accounts given by the returning men were various. The most ludicrous was that given by a man from Kentucky, who, in a very bom- bastic manner, told of the wonderful mode of attack of the enemy and of the bravery of some of the men - of himself particularly. Although the retreat of Stillman's men caused a high degree of merriment for a time among the remainder of the troops, still no great blame could be laid upon Major Stillman or any of his men, as they were undisciplined and under the circumstances almost any company would have done the same.
After this adventure a council was held in the camp at Dixon, and it was decided that the army should start toward Stillinan's creek the next morning. When the volunteers arrived at the scene of the dis- aster of the night before, not an Indian was to be seen. Some had gone farther up the Rock river and some sought revenge on the nearest white settlers.
As soon as Shabbona, the Pottawatomie peace chief, heard of the murderous designs of Black Hawk, he hastened to inform the white settlers on Indian creek. They had had so many false alarms that the usual precaution was not taken. On May 20 a party of about seventy Indians massacred fifteen persons of the families of Messrs. Hall, Davis and Petigrew, and took two young ladies, Rachel and Silvia Hall, prisoners. The accounts given by J. W. Hall, who escaped, and by the Misses Hall- afterward Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Munson-are authentic and are rite with the horror of the massacre and the fear and
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suffering experienced by the two prisoners .* These young women, after a weary march of many miles, were finally bought for $2,000 worth of goods by some Winnebago chiefs, at the instigation of Mr. Gratiot. Mrs. Munson died in 1870; Mrs. Horn is still living in Nebraska.
General Whiteside, not finding the Indians where he expected, buried the dead found and returned to Dixon. The majority of the volunteers were now anxious to be discharged, and knowing that little could be done against the will of the men, they were first marched for a time in pursuit of the Indians and then on to Ottawa, where they were discharged.
Previous to this, however, the governor had made a call for more volunteers, and after the discharge a volunteer regiment was soon formed of the discharged men at Ottawa. Jacob Fry was elected colonel ; John Thomas, major, and James D. Henry, lieutenant-colonel. On June 15 three brigades, commanded respectively by Gen. Posey, Gen. Alexander and Gen. J. D. Henry, were formed at the place of rendezvous. The entire frontier force now amounted to over three thousand men. Soon attacks were made by Indians on Apple River fort, twelve miles from Galena, and on Fort Hamilton in the lead mines. Galena also was in imminent danger. The fears of the whites in this were soon somewhat quieted, for the Illinois forces were put into motion by June 22, and ere long were almost in the heart of the Indian country. Colonel Dement had pushed forward to Kellogg's Grove, where he, while endeavoring to find the whereabouts of the Indians, was attacked by about three hundred of them. The Indians, after losing near fifteen inen, retreated under the well-aimed fire of the whites. After this battle portions of the troops were stationed at various places throughout northern Illinois, while Gen. Atkinson, accompanied by Gen. Henry's brigade, marched up Rock river toward four lakes, where he heard that Black Hawk had fortified his position for an attack. While traveling in this direction he encamped for one night at Turtle Village, a deserted town of the Winnebagoes. Frequent alarms were given that night by the sentinels, and the whole command was paraded for battle several times. The next morning the march was resumed, and at Lake Kush-ka-nong was joined by Gen. Alexander's brigade. After the surrounding country was examined in search of the enemy the entire force was marched up the Rock river to the Burnt Village, another Winnebago town, where Gen. Posey's brigade, Gen. Dodge's battalion, joined it.
* Printed in Baldwin's History of La Salle County.
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During this march the scouts brought in frequent reports of Indian trails discovered. Much time was frequently spent in looking up these trails, but all to no avail. At one time thie Winnebago Indians assured the general that Black Hawk's entire force was fortified on an island opposite the Burnt Village. After examination this was proved to be another false alarm. By this time eight weeks had been spent in search of the enemy. The volunteer force had been reduced nearly one- half. Still the enemy were weeks in the advance, and owing to lack of provisions Gen. Atkinson thought it necessary to disperse his com- mand for procuring supplies. Gen. Posey marched on to Fort Hamil- ton ; the governor went to his home at Belleville ; Henry, Alexander and Dodge went to Portage, Fox and Winnebago, while Gen. Atkin- son made his headquarters at Lake Kuslı-ka-nong, where he remained until the volunteer general returned with supplies. An unfortunate circumstance happened to the forces bound for Fort Winnebago. The horses stampeded, and many were lost and others disabled. After reaching the fort two days were occupied in collecting food, when some Winnebago chiefs reported Black Hawk to be within thirty-five miles of Gen. Atkinson.
Gens. Alexander, Henry, and Maj. Dodge held a council, at which it was decided to march without orders direct upon Black Hawk. But at the time appointed to march Gen. Alexander reported his men unwilling to go, while Maj. Dodge reported his horses too much dis- abled by their late march. Gen. Henry was naturally indignant at such a state of affairs, and announced his intention to go alone if fifty men would follow him. Soon some mounted volunteers arrived, which augmented, somewhat, the number ready for duty. When Gen. Henry returned to his brigade he found his own men on the point of mutiny. A written protest signed by all except one of the officers was handed to the general. Gen. Henry, with the commanding sternness of a brave and complete soldier, made no other reply than to order the officers under arrest for mutiny, appointing a regiment as a guard to escort them to Gen. Atkinson. This action created a real sense of fear among the officers, and Gen. Henry consented to consult with them before the decisive step was taken. The officers very gladly returned to their duty, and from that time on no charge could be brought against tliem.
Gen. Henry took up his line of march on July 15, in quest of the Indians. After three day's march they encamped upon the Rock river. Here, learning from some Winnebago Indians that Black
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Hawk was further up the river, Gen. Henry resolved to make a forced march upon them the next morning, and two men were sent with dis- patches to Gen. Atkinson. These inen had a chief, Little Thunder, with them as guide, and when eight miles from camp came upon the fresh trail of the enemy. The Indian guide was terrified and started back without permission. Upon reaching the camp he was about to effect the escape of the other Indians when they were stopped and taken to Gen. Henry's tent. Here they confessed that they had been deluding the army, hoping to give the Indians more time for escape. Gen. Henry succeeded in getting from them all they knew of Black Hawk's movements. The next morning other dispatches were sent to Gen. Atkinson, and the army, dispensing with everything that was not absolutely necessary, was ready for a forced march. Notwithstanding that upon the afternoon of the first day a violent storm overtook them, the army marched cheerfully forward, inspired by the sight of the fresh trail to renewed energy. After four and a half days of weary march- ing, the advance guard came upon the rear of the retreating enemy. The Indians seemingly began to make feints of forming for battle, hop- ing thus to gain time. The Indians were not overtaken for three or four hours after they were first seen. The advance guard was fired upon by the Indians, but they were soon caused to retreat by a bat- talion and two regiments charging upon them. The fight was kept up for some time during their retreat until dark. The next morning when Gen. Henry advanced to the Wisconsin, he found that the Indians had all crossed it and escaped to the mountains.
On account of lack of provisions Gen. Henry resolved to fall back to Blue Mounds. Arriving at this place he found Gen. Atkinson with the regulars and Alexander and Posey's brigades. It became evident soon to Gen. Henry and his men that the regular officers and Gen. Atkinson did not enjoy Henry's success. They envied him. After a few days of preparation the army was again put on the march, Henry being placed in the rear to mind the baggage. Henry and his men bore this insult with grave dignity.
On the morning of the fourth day after crossing the Wisconsin the advance reached the Mississippi bluffs. When within about three or four miles of the camp the army was attacked by about twenty-eight Indians. They adroitly retreated up the river, followed by the entire army except Henry's brigade that was left without orders. After a council among his officers, Henry hastily concluded to continue on the main trail. Upon arriving at the foot of a bluff Henry halted and the
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
horses were left. When the advance men came within sight of the river they were fired upon by the Indians. Henry came up with the main body and a general battle ensned. The fifty advance Indians retreated upon the others and in the surprise all was confusion. The Indians were driven from place to place and finally, at the point of the bayonet, were forced into the river, some reaching an island in the river. By this time Gen. Atkinson with the other part of the men arrived. Gen. Atkinson soon formed the regulars and Dodge's battalion for an attack upon the island. Wading through the deep water a fierce battle began on the island. The Indian loss here was very great. A number of the Indians had escaped across the river ere the action began. Black Hawk, who led the twenty that Gen. Atkinson followed, escaped up the river. Black Hawk and his party were captured while on the Wisconsin river by some Winnebago chiefs, who brought them to Prairie du Chien and delivered them up to the United States Indian agent there. Gen. Atkinson, with the regulars, went to Prairie du Chien in a steamboat, while the volunteers went by land. Here Gen. Scott was met, who had been sent from the east to take chief command in the war. While on the way his army was afflicted with Asiatic cholera, so that he did not reach the Missis- sippi until the decisive battle was fought. Gov. Ford considers Henry the hero of the entire war. From Prairie du Chien the volunteers were sent to Dixon, where they were discharged. The prisoners were sent down to Rock Island, thence on to Jefferson barracks. A treaty was here made with the Sacs and Foxes by which the United States gained a large portion of the territory between the Des Moines and Turkey rivers in Iowa. From Jefferson barracks the prisoners were taken to Washington. They were also taken to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and other cities, that they might see the power and number of the whites. They were returned to their own country in June, 1833. Black Hawk died in 1840, at the age of eighty, and was buried by his people on the banks of the Mississippi.
INDIAN MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. '
The Indians depended, for their sustenance, upon hunting, fishing, and primitive tilling of the soil. They knew nothing about herding animals. They had but few domestic animals, the principal being the horse and the dog. They pursued their game with arrows tipped with horn, pointed stone, or some similar substance. Fish were taken in nets or with the spear. Their meat was preserved by smoking. The
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fruit and berry season was a happy time for them and the young girls went joyfully forth to gather the luscious food. Nearly all the Indians of America cultivated the soil. The artieles cultivated were few : maize, the tobacco plant, the squash and the bean, complete the list. Their women did the farming, and often, after their stores were col- lected, all was squandered in some great festivities. They made but little preparation for the future, thus showing their lack of thriftiness.
Everyone has heard of the hospitality of the Indian. A stranger may enter his cabin in the day or in the night, be freely entertained, and no questions, as to why he came or when he will go, are asked. An Indian will often give up his own resting-place that his guest inay be comfortable.
The Indians are sociable creatures. Their living together, many families in one cabin, and the collecting of houses into towns, proves this statement. Polygamy was allowed, but there was an unwritten law in regard to who should marry. An Indian could not marry his own kinfolks, those who used the same totem or family symbol, but his wives eould bear the closest relationship. The marriage ceremony consisted of the groom making a few presents to the bride's father. If the presents were accepted the contraet was complete, and for a time the husband lodged with his wife's family. Divorces were allowed, and the marriage tie could be severed as easily as it was made. When divorces occurred, the mother, of necessity, elaimed all the children. If a mother died, the innocent little babe shared her grave. Thus she alone liad care of the babe in death even as in life. No restraint whatever was put upon the Indian children. They, by exposure, became hardy. The Indian boy learns to be courageous by hearing the daring tales of Indian exploits told around the wigwam fire. The bow and arrow are among his first playthings. His ear early hears the war song, and its purport soon is recognized. With exquisite joy he looks forward to joining, for the first time, in the war-dance. While the Indian boy, from the example of his elders, thus becomes a warrior, and learns to be proud of idleness, in like manner the girl learns to be a drudge. The wife is but a slave.
The Indian's idea of a Supreme Being is very indefinite. A spirit lies in everything ; he recognizes it in every action and in every object. Yet they believed in the Great Spirit. It is said that the Illinois worshiped a god under the name Manitou, and this they found in every animal. The medicine-man boasted of a power over the spirits, and was a sort of magician. The Indian had great faith in his sub- verting every evil and euring all ills.
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The waking Indian recognized his dreams as glimpses into the invisible world. It was thus he received messages from his god. They professed no fear of death; they believed the dead still lived, and therefore buried with them their earthly belongings. The superstitions among the different Indians of America are various. Some of the southern tribes, upon the death of a lord or chief, killed two finely formed Indians that they might act as servants to the lord of shadows and death.
Bancroft quotes from Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, the substance of a statement in regard to the living sometimes visiting the remote region of the shadows. Orpheus-like, a brother went in search of his Eurydice, in this case a sister, and but for liis uncontrollable curios- ity would have secured her from the society of the dead and restored her to her family. Festivals were often held in honor of the dead. Some of the tribes every few years gathered and cleansed the bones from their various burial-places, and amid their most solemn cere- monies buried them in a common grave.
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