USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > A history of Columbia County, Wisconsin : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 8
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THE PURSUIT OF RED BIRD
After committing the murders and the attack upon the transports, Red Bird and the other Indians implicated fled up the Wisconsin River, and a mounted force composed of volunteers from Galena and troops which had been dispatched from Fort Snelling scoured both sides of that stream to the portage. But they caught no sight of Red Bird or his party.
Several weeks later General Atkinson got into communication with Major Whistler, who was ordered to proceed up the Fox to the portage with all the troops at his disposal. He arrived on the 1st of Sept., 1827, and General Atkinson arrived soon after. Major Whistler had not been long at the portage before an Indian came to his tent and informed him that at about three o'clock of the next day "they will come in." In reply to the question, "Who will come in?" he said "Red Bird and We-Kaw." After making this answer, he retired by
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the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day another Indian came, took position in nearly the same place and, in reply to questions, gave the same solemn promise. At sundown a third came, confirming what the two had said, adding that he had, to secure that object, given to the families of the murderers nearly all his property,
A company of Oneida and Stockbridge Indians accompanied Major Whistler's troops, and were encamped on the bluff opposite the portage where Fort Winnebago was subsequently built to await the arrival of General Atkinson. In the meantime the Winnebagoes to the number of several hundred, were encamped on the ridge where Cook street now runs, west of the Catholic Church. The Winnebagoes had heard of the General's approach before it was known to Major Whistler.
VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF THE CHIEF
On the day following the visit of the three mysterious Indians to Major Whistler, a great stir was noticed in the Winnebago camp, and by the aid of a field glass the troops discovered a party of about thirty warriors on an eminence in the distance. The remainder of the story is told by Col. Thomas L. MeKenney, who was present with Major Whist- ler's command at the surrender of Red Bird: "At about noon of the day following, there was seen descending a mound on the portage (Ketchum's Point) a body of Indians-some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass we could discern the direction to be toward our position, and that three flags were borne by them-two, one in front and one in the rear, were American, and one in the center was white. They bore no arms. *
* * In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of the Fox River, when on a sudden we heard a singing. Those who were familiar with the air said: 'It is a death song!' When still nearer, some present who knew him said: 'It is Red Bird singing his death song!' The moment a halt was made on the margin of the river, pre- paratory to crossing, two scalp yells were heard. The Menominees and other Indians who had accompanied us, were lying carelessly about upon the ground regardless of what was going on, but when the scalp yells were uttered they sprang as one man to their feet, seized their rifles and were ready for battle. They were at no loss to know that the yells were 'scalp yells' but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless inferred the first.
"Barges were sent across to receive, and an escort of military to accompany them within our lines. The white flag which had been seen
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in the distance was borne by Red Bird. *
* And now the advance of Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff, on which was our encampment, and order being called, Car-a-mau-nee spoke, saying : 'They are here-like braves they have come in-treat them as braves- do not put them in irons.' * * The military had been previously drawn out in line. The Menominee and Oneida Indians were in groups upon their haunches on our left flank. On the right was the band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, at about ten paces distant, were the murderers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle; the magnifi- cent Red Bird, and the miserable We-Kau, a little in advance of the center.
THE MAGNIFICENT RED BIRD
"All eyes were fixed upon Red Bird; and well they might be, for of all the Indians I ever saw he was, without exception, the most perfect in form, in face and gesture. In height he was about six feet, straight, but without restraint. His proportions were those of the most exact symmetry, and these embraced the entire man, from his head to his feet. His very fingers were models of beauty. I never beheld a face that was so full of all the ennobling and at the same time the most winning expression. It were impossible to combine with such a face the thought that he who wore it could be a murderer. It appeared to be a compound of grace and dignity, of firmness and decision, all temp- pered with mildness and mercy. During my attempted analysis of this face I could not but ask myself, 'Can this man be a murderer ? Is he the same who shot, scalped and cut the throat of Gagnier?' His head, too-sure, no head was ever so well formed. There was no ornament- ing of the hair, after the Indian fashion; no clubbing it up in blocks and rollers of lead on bands of silver; no loose or straggling parts, but it was cut after the best fashion of the most civilized. His face was painted, one side red, the other intermixed with green and white. Around his neck he wore a collar of blue wampum, beautifully mixed with white, which was sewn on to a piece of cloth, the width of the wampum being about two inches, whilst the claws of the panther or wildcat, distant from each other about a quarter of an inch, with their points inward, formed the rim of the collar. Around his neck were hanging strands of wampum of various lengths, the circles enlarging as they descended. He was clothed in a Yankton dress-new and beautiful. The material was of dressed elk or deer skin, almost a pure white. It consisted of a jacket, the sleeves being cut to fit his finely
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formed arm, and so as to leave outside of the seam that ran from the shoulder, back of the arm and along over the elbow, about six inches of the material, one-half of which was cut into fringe; the same kind of fringe ornamenting the collar of the jacket, its sides, bosom and termination, which was not circular, but cut into points, and which also ran down the seams of the leggins, these being made of the same material. Blue beads were employed to vary and enrich the fringe of the leggins. On his feet he wore moccasins.
"A piece of scarlet cloth about a quarter of a yard deep, and double that width, a slit being eut in its middle, so as to admit the passing through of his head, rested, one-half on his breast and beneath the necklace of wampum and claws, and the other on his back. On one shoulder and near his breast, was a beautifully ornamented feather, nearly white; and about opposite, on the other shoulder, was another feather, nearly black, near which were two pieces of thin shaven wood in the form of a compass, a little open, each about six inches long, richly wrapped around with porcupine's quills, dyed yellow, red and blue. On the tip of one shoulder was a tuft of horse hair, dyed red, and a little curled, mixed up with ornaments. Across the breast, in a diagonal position, and bound tight to it, was his war pipe, at least three feet long, brightly ornamented with dyed horse hair, the feathers and bills of birds. In one of his hands he held the white flag, and in the other the calumet, or pipe of peace.
"There he stood-not a muscle moved, nor was the expression of his face changed a partiele. He appeared to be conscious that, according to Indian law, and measuring the deed he had committed by the injus- tice and wrongs and cruelties of the white man, he had done no wrong. The light which had shown in upon his bosom from the law, which demanded an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, so harmonized with his conscience as to secure its repose.
"As to death, he had been taught to despise it, confiding in that Heaven, that Spirit-land, where the game is always plenty, the forests always green, the waters always transparent, tranquil and pure, and where no evil thing is permitted to enter. He was therefore prepared to receive the blow that should consign his body to the ground and send his spirit to that blissful region to mingle with his fathers who had gone before him. He and We-Kau were told to sit down. His motions, as he seated himself, were no less graceful and captivating than when he stood or walked. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel's hymn. Everything was still. It was, indeed, a moment of intense interest to all. The Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band; the notes operated upon his feelings in such a way as to produce in his countenance a
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corresponding pensiveness. The music having ceased, he took up his pouch (which I forgot to say was a handsomely ornamented otter skin, that hung on his left side,) and taking from it some kinnickinnie and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion, then rubbing the two together filled the bowl of his calumet, struck fire into a bit of punk with his flint and steel, and lighted it and smoked. All the motions employed in this ceremony were no less harmonious and appropriate than had characterized his other movements. He sat after the Turkish fashion with his legs crossed.
"If you think there was anything of affectation in all this, you are mistaken. There was just the manner, and appearance, and look, you would expect to see in a nobly built man of the highest order of intelli- gence, and who had been taught all the graces of motion, and then escorted by his armies to a throne, where the diadem was to be placed upon his head. * * * All sat except the speakers. The substance of what they said was:
BEGS NOT TO BE PUT IN IRONS
"We were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power over any, except two-the third had gone away, and these had volun- tarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. As their friends, they had come with them. They hoped their white brothers would agree to accept the horses of which there were perhaps twenty, the meaning of which was, to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for their friends, and earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and concluded by asking for a little tobacco and something to eat. They were answered, and told, in substance, that they had done well thus to come in. By having done so, they had turned away our guns, and saved their people. They were admonished against placing themselves in a like situation in the future; and advised, when they were aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform their Great Father of their complaints, and he would redress their grievance that their friends should be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws by which their Great Father's white children were tried; that for the present, Red Bird and We-Kau should not be put in irons; that they should all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke. We advised them to warn their people against killing ours; and endeavored also to impress them with a proper notion of their own weakness, and the extent of our power, etc.
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RED BIRD GIVES AWAY HIS LIFE
"Having heard this, the Red Bird stood up, the commanding officer, Maj. Whistler, a few paces in front of the center of the line, facing him. After a moment's pause, and a quick survey of the troops, and with a composed observation of his people, he said, looking at Maj. Whistler :
" 'I am ready.' Then advancing a step or two, he paused, saying : 'I do not wish to be put in irons. Let me be free. I have given away my life -- it is gone;' stooping and taking some dust between his finger and thumb, and blowing it away, 'like that,' eyeing the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight; then adding: 'I would not take it back. It is gone.'
"Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him, to indicate that he was leaving all things behind him, and marched briskly up to Maj. Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backwards from the center of the line, when Maj. Whistler stepping aside, the Red Bird and We Kau marched through the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent that had been provided for them in the rear."
Colonel Childs, in his "Recollections of Wisconsin," thus describes Red Bird as he saw him on the same occasion: "He was dressed in fine style, having on a suit made of neatly-dried buffalo skins perfectly white, and as soft as a kid glove; and on each shoulder, to supply the place of an epaulette, was fastened a preserved red bird. Hence the name of this noted chief, Red Bird."
The next spring after Red Bird's surrender, the noble looking chief, his miserable looking accomplice, We-Kau, and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie du Chien by Judge J. D. Doty, who went from Green Bay by way of the portage. They were convicted and sen- teneed to be hung, December 26, 1828, but Red Bird died soon after- ward in prison, and a deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit pardon for the others. It is believed by many that the proud chief committed suicide. His companions of more common clay sur- vived and were pardoned by President Adams on the implied condition that the tribe would cede the lead lands of Southwestern Wisconsin then in possession of the miners. To this the Winnebagoes agreed.
Mme. Gagnier was compensated for the loss of her husband and the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1829, provision was made for two sections of land to her and her two children, and the Government also agreed to pay her the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebago Indians.
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DE KORRA AS RED BIRD'S HOSTAGE
In connecting the Winnebago uprising and Red Bird with the his- tory of Columbia County, the following story told of our old friend, De Korra, must not be omitted: It is said that soon after the attack upon the boats the militia of Prairie du Chien seized him as a hostage for the surrender of Red Bird. De Korra was informed that unless the latter should be placed in the hands of the Government within a specified time he would have to die in his place. A young Winnebago was sent to inform the tribe of the state of affairs, and several days elapsed without bringing any tidings of the whereabouts of the mur- derers. The day for the supposed vicarious execution was near at hand, when De Korra asked permission of Colonel Snelling to bathe in the river, as was his custom to improve his uncertain health. The commanding officer told him he might have that liberty and any other reasonable privilege, if he would promise on the honor of a chief that he would not leave town. De Korra thereupon gave his hand to the colonel, thanking him for his friendly act, and then solemnly raising his arms aloft promised to remain, adding that if he had a hundred lives he would sooner lose them all than break his word. He was then set at liberty. Many advised him to escape, but he steadfastly refused, complacently remaining at Prairie du Chien until the day before that named for his execution. Still nothing was heard promising the appre- hension of the murderers. On what he had every reason to believe was the day of his doom, General Atkinson arrived with his troops from Jefferson Barracks, the order for the execution was countermanded and De Korra was permitted to return to his home above the portage.
FORT WINNEBAGO AND "A PARTY NAMED ASTOR"
It is probable that John Jacob Astor had considerable to do with the building of Fort Winnebago. As before stated, a number of French Canadians had been engaged in trading and transportation at the portage for twenty years prior to the War of 1812. After hostilities with Great Britain had ceased the American Fur Company commenced to extend its operations, under the vigorous push of Mr. Astor, into the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin. A trading post had been estab- lished at the portage for a number of years previous to the Winne- bago uprising, and Pierre Pauquette, the energetic young man from St. Louis, who had already become widely known in the primitive activities of the region, was selected by Mr. Astor as the representa- tive of the American Fur Company at that point. About the time that Vol. I-4
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ground was broken for the fort, in 1828, a visitor at the portage wrote to an Eastern correspondent that "a party named Astor had influenced the Government to establish a military post here to protect his trading post from the Indians."
THE COMING OF MAJOR TWIGGS
Although Astor was then the richest man in America, it is not believed that his interests cut an overpowering figure in the selection of this locality as a military post. It was long recognized that the portage was one of the most important keys to the control of the
FORT WINNEBAGO (NEAR THE PORTAGE) IN 1834
Winnebagoes, and steps were taken accordingly. Under orders from the war department, Maj. David E. Twiggs started from Fort Howard with three companies and arrived at the portage September 7, 1828. The site selected for the fort was occupied by Francis LeRoy, the trader and carrier, and was on the east side of the Fox River immedi- ately opposite the portage. At the east end of the portage were a log house and barn, occupied by Pauquette. The other buildings com- prised the Indian agency in which resided John H. Kinzie and his wife, and two huts occupied by half-breeds.
At the west end of the portage were the three houses in which lived Perish Grignon and his wife (sister of De Korra), Lavoin Grignon, the son, and Lecuyer, the trader. These were the habitations at and near the portage when Major Twiggs and his three companies of soldiers
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founded old Fort Winnebago. Among his first lieutenants was one Jefferson Davis, and among his captains William S. Harney, after- ward so famous as an Indian fighter in Florida.
GROUND BROKEN FOR THE FORT
The soldiers came amply provided with provisions and prepared for winter. Major Twiggs, in the capacity of "boss carpenter," erected temporary barracks of tamarack logs, obtained principally from Pine Island in the Wisconsin, about six miles west of the portage. Active operations for the erection of the fort were soon in progress. To Lieu- tenant Davis and his party was assigned the task of going up the Yel- low River, a tributary of the Wisconsin, some fifty miles distant, and getting out the pine logs. These were rafted down in the spring, hauled across the portage with teams and wrought into proper form with whipsaw, broadax and adz. Another party was detailed to get out the needed stone from Stone Quarry Hill, the most abundant source of supply from which Portage City builders have ever drawn. The brick necessary for the chimneys were burned just opposite the "nar- rows," and near the present Wisconsin River bridge. The locality is still known as Armstrong's brick yard. Lime was burned near Pau- quette farm on the Bellefountain.
Says Turner in his story of "Old Fort Winnebago:" "An enor- mous well was sunk in the very center of the square, around which the usual fort buildings were constructed, and it has continued from its never-failing fountain to contribute to the comfort of the thirsty pil- grim until the present day; but a modern windmill now does the duty that was formerly so tedious and irksome. So all hands were busy. Officers, who in after years became distinguished in the war with Mexico, the Florida and other Indian wars, and the great conflict involving the perpetuity of our Union, planned and wrought with the common soldier in bringing into form the fort and the necessary accom- panying buildings. Stable, hospitals, bakeries, blacksmith shops, com- missary buildings, ice cellars (which were filled from Swan Lake), sutlers' stores, magazines, laundries, bathhouses, etc., rapidly sprang into existence. Gardens were also cleared, and old soldiers have recorded the fact that they could not be excelled in the matter of the quantity and quality of the vegetables produced.
"In the regular course of military movements, some of the com- panies first doing duty here were transferred to different posts. and their places were taken by others: and so it happened that many whose names were enrolled on the scroll of fame in after years, were initiated
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into the science of war at Fort Winnebago. Perhaps the most promi- nent of them all was Lieutenant Jefferson Davis, the subaltern of Capt. William S. Harney. To his honor, be it said, his services at Fort Win- nebago were highly creditable. I have heard it remarked by those who knew him here, that he had no liking for the amusements to which offi- cers, as well as private soldiers, resort to relieve the tedium of camp life; but that he was ever engaged, when not in active service, in some commendable occupation. His services in the lumber camps on the Yellow River, and his successful mission in bringing down fleets of lumber through the Dells of the Wisconsin, attest to his faithfulness as a soldier."
COMPLETED
The fort was completed in the spring of 1830. The principal build- ings stood on the side of a square, and the only structures in the nature of fortifications were two heavy, compact block houses, perforated for musketry and situated at the northeast and southwest corners of the quadrangle. At the same angle was the magazine, a low arched struc- ture of heavy stone. A little south, and across the military road lead- ing to Fort Howard, were the hospital and the quarters of the medical staff; and still further south were the carpenters' shops in which Jeff Davis is said to have exhibited much skill in the manufacture of quaint furniture. Westward, on the slope toward the river, was the com- missary building, near which were the stables of the sutler and the slaughter houses. Forty rods east were the blacksmiths' shops, and on the north and south sides of the fort lay the truck gardens; on the east, the parade grounds.
The fort proper was inclosed by a solid picket or stockade. There were two entrances, each guarded by thick double gates. The main buildings were neat one-and-a-half-story edifices, painted white, with sharply sloping roofs and uniform dormer windows.
AMUSEMENTS AT THE POST
After the fort was completed, there was much leisure for amuse- ment and both officers and privates saw that time should not hang heavily. Billiards, cards, dancing and amateur theatricals varied the nights, while horse racing and athletic sports absorbed the days. At one period the mail arrived every two weeks from Chicago, via Mineral Point. The stage which brought it hove in sight upon a height three miles from the fort, and it was a favorite pastime to lay wagers on the
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moment of its first appearance, as well as the precise moment it would reach the postoffice (the sutler's storehouse) ; also as to whether or not the betters would be honored by the receipt of letters. Game was abundant in its season, and many days were devoted to the hunt. Sleigh-riding parties were also popular.
Social calls were not confined to intercourse between the few ladies of Fort Winnebago. It was nothing unusual for a lady and her escort to make a "party call" upon some acquaintance at Fort Crawford, down the Wisconsin River, 118 miles, or down the Fox to Fort Howard, 175 miles away.
NOTED MEN AND WOMEN AT THE FORT
Previous to the evacuation of Fort Winnebago in 1845, Colonel Cut- ler, Major Green, Colonel McIntosh, Captains Low and Jewett and Lieutenant Mumford were in command; but they were not the char- acters of greatest interest to the people of Columbia County. For instance, there were Capt. Gideon Low and Lieut. Horatio P. Van Cleve, who came from Fort Howard in the early '30s. Both Lieutenant Davis and Captain Low served in the Black Hawk War, the latter being ordered to Fort Atkinson. After the danger was over he returned to Fort Winnebago, where he remained until 1840. He then resigned and took charge of the Franklin House, which he had built two years before, and until his death at the agency ten years later was known as the most popular landlord of the portage. Captain Low was buried in the fort cemetery but his remains were finally removed to the Silver Lake grounds.
Jacob Low, his only son, was a New York merchant and sea-faring man in his earlier years, but in 1843 joined the captain at Fort Win- nebago. There he became an Indian trader and a few years afterward moved to his farm in that section of the county which now bears his name, Lowville Township. Afterward he blossomed into a successful politician and office holder, and died at his home in Lowville during 1875.
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