History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 32

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 32
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 32

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This created an additional alarm among the inhabitants. The same evening my boat re- turned, the men becoming too much alarmed to proceed. That night sentinels were posted by the inhabitants within the breast-works, who saw, in imagination, a great many Indians prowl- ing about in the darkness ; and in the morning there was a great variety of opinion as to what was best to be done for the safety of the place, and appearances betokened a great deal of un- easiness in the minds of all classes.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

On the morning of the 28th I slept rather late, owing to the fatigue of the preceding day. My brother-in-law awakened me, and told me the people had got into some difficulty, and that they wished me to come out and see if I could not settle it. I went out on the gallery, and inquired what the difficulty was ; and heard the various plans and projects of defense proposed by different persons. Some objected to staying in the village and protecting the property of the villagers while theirs, outside the village, was equally exposed to the pillage of the In- dians. Others were for remaining and fortify- ing where they were, and others still urged the repairing of the old fort. As the eminence on which my house stood overlooked the most of the prairie, some were for concentrating our people there and fortifying it. After hearing these different projects, I addressed them some- thing as follows: "As to your fortifying my house, you can do so, if it is thought best, but I do not wish you to go there to protect it ; I have abandoned it, and if the Indians burn it, so be it; but there is one thing, if we intend to pro- tect ourselves from the Indians, we must keep together, and some one must command."

Some one then nominated me as commander, but I said: "No, I would not attempt to com- mand you, but here is Thomas MeNair, who holds from the governor a commission of cap- tain over the militia of this place and has a right to command; if you will agree to obey him implicitly, I will set the example of obedi- ence to his orders, and will, in that case, furnish you with powder and lead as long as you want to shoot (I being the only person having those articles in the place), but unless you agree to obey McNair, I will put my family and goods into my boats and go down the river, as I will not risk myself with a mob under no control." Upon this they agreed to acknowledge Mr. Mc- Nair as commander, and I was satisfied that he would take advice upon all measures undertaken. Joseph Brisbois was lieutenant, and Jean Brunet was ensign, both duly commissioned by the

governor. Capt. McNair ordered a move of all the families, goods, with the old guns, to the fort, and it was near sunset before we had all got moved there.

About that time we discovered the skiff of the other keel-boat coming around a point of an island near Yellow river, about three miles distant; but we could not discover whether they were white men or Indians in the canoe, and of course it created an alarm, but in a few moments thereafter, the keel-boat love in sight and the alarm ceased. It soon arrived, reporting that they had received a few shots in passing the places where the other boat had been attacked, but had received no injury. On this boat Joseph Snelling, son of Col. Snelling, returned to Prairie du Chien. Joseph Snelling and my- self acted as supernumeraries under Capt. Mc- Nair. The government of Fort Crawford was conducted by a council of the captain and those who acted under him. It was immediately re- solved to repai the old fort as well as possible for defense, and the fort and block-house were put in as good order as circumstances and ma- terials would admit. Dirt was thrown up two or three feet high around the bottom logs of the fort, which were rotten and dry, and would easily ignite. Joseph Snelling was put in com- mand of one of the block-houses, and Jean Bru- net of the other, with a few picked men in each, who were trained to the use of the swivel and wall pieces that were found and mounted there- in; and a number of barrels were placed around the quarters filled with water, with orders, in case of an attack, to cover the roof of the building with blankets, etc., and to keep them wet. All the blacksmiths were put in requisition to repair the condemned muskets found in the fort, and, mustering our force, we found of men and women about ninety that could handle a musket in case of an attack.

The next day after taking possession of the fort, J. B. Loyer, an old voyageur, was engaged to cross the Mississippi and go back through the country, now the State of Iowa, to inform F

Lawrence Case

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Col. Snetling, commanding Fort Snelling, of onr situation. For this service Loyer was prom- ised fifty dollars, and furnished with a horse to ride and provisions, and Duncan Graham was engaged to accompany him, for which he was to receive twenty dollars, provisions and a horse to ride; and for these payments, I be- came personally responsible.

Gov. Cass, who had come to Butte des Morts, on the Fox river, to hold a treaty with the Win- nebagoes, learned from rumer that there was dissatisfaction among them, and starting in his canoe, arrived at Prairie du Chien on the morning of the 4th of July. He ordered the company of militia into the service of the United States, and appointed me quarter-mas- ter and commissary, with the request that I would use my own funds for the supply of the department, and that he would see it refunded; and, furthermore, assumed the debt for ammu- nition and provisions already advanced, and also the expenses of the express to Fort Snell- ing, and directed me to issue to the troops a keel-boat load of flour, that I previously receipt- ed for to one of the agents of the contractors for Fort Snelling, who feared to go farther with it.

After these arrangements had been made, Gov. Cass proceeded in his canoe to Galena, and raised a volunteer company under the late Col Abner Fields as captain, and assigned him to the command of Fort Crawford. Lient. Mar- tin Thomas, of the United States ordnance de- partment, and then stationed at the arsenal near St. Louis, who happened to be at Galena, came up and mustered the two companies of the militia into the service of the United States; and contracted with Phineas Black, of the vil- lage of Louisiana, in Missouri, whom he found at Galena, for a quantity of pork which was sent up by the boat that brought the volunteer company. Gov. Cass proceeded from Galena to St. Louis to confer with Gen. Atkinson, then in command of Jefferson barracks and of the western military department. This resulted in Gen. Atkinson's moving up the Mississippi with

the disposable force under command at Jef- ferson barraeks. During this time Col. Snell- ing came down the Mississippi with two com - panies of the 5th regiment of United States In- fantry, and assumed the command of Fort Crawford, and soon after discharged the Galena volunteer company, as they could not well be brought under military discipline. But the Prairie du Chien company was retained in ser- vice until some time in the month of August, for which service, through the fault of some one, they never received any pay.

During this time Gen. Atkinson arrived with the troops from Jefferson barracks, having on his way up dispatched a volunteer force under Gen. Dodge from Galena, to proceed by land to the portage of Wisconsin. When Gen. At- kinson, with great difficulty, owing to the low state of the water in the Wisconsin, arrived at the portage, he met old grey-headed Day-Kan- Ray, with his band, who, finding himself sur- rounded by the volunteers in the rear, and Gen. Atkinson's force of regulars in front, and a company of volunteers from Green Bay, con- cluded to disclaim any nnfriendly feelings to- wards the United States, and disavowed any connection with the murders on the Mississippi. Gen. Atkinson, on these assurances of Day- Kan-Ray, returned, but ordered the occupation of Fort Crawford by two companies of troops. Notwithstanding these murders of our citizens and movements of troops, the wise men at Washington, with about as much judgment as they generally decide upon Indian affairs, de- cided that this was not an Indian war.

After the people had taken possession of the fort, and before the arrival of Gen. Cass, Indi- ans were seen in the village, and a guard was sent out to take them and bring them to the fort. They made no resistance, but surrendered themselves and were brought to the guard house. One proved to be the famous Red Bird, who headed the party that murdered Gagnier and Lipcap ; another was Wah-wah-peck-ah, the Indian I had met up the Wisconsin river, and

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

whose conduct had so much alarmed me and my men ; the other was a young Indian whose name I do not recollect. There being no charge of crime against Wah-wah-peck-ah and the young Indian, after the United States troops were stationed at Fort Crawford, they were dis- charged ; and Red Bird was retained in the guard-house, where he died before he was tried for the murder of Gagnier and Lipcap.

AN INTERESTING EVENT OF THE WINNEBAGO WAR.

On the Ist of September, 1827, Maj. Wil- liam Whistler, with government troops, arrived at the portage; and, while there, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his ap- proach, and directing him to halt and fortify himself, and await his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jef- ferson barracks, below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler, from Fort Howard, at Green Bay, was to capture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. The Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the murderers of the Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler was at the portage, he received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, "they will come in." In reply to the question, "who will come in ?" he said, "Red Bird and We- Kau." After making this answer he retired by the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came and took position in nearly the same place and in the same way, when to like questions he gave like answers; and at sun- down a third came, confirming what the two had said, adding, that he had, to secure that ob- ject, given to the families of the murderers near- ly all his property.

There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote themselves for the good of their people, but only to recon-

cile those who were about to be bereaved to the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the pur- pose is seen in the fact that the murders com- mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the wrongs and outrages of which the Indians com- plained; but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall suffer for it. One scalp is held due for an- other, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or peo- ple who may have made a resort to this law a necessity.

About noon of the day following there were seen descending the mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass the Americans could discern the direction to be to- wards their position. They bore no arms,and no one was at a loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be ful- filled. In the course of half an hour they had aproached within a short distance of the cross- ing of Fox river, when on a sudden singing was heard. 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, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp yells were heard. The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied the troops were lying carelessly about the ground, regard- less of what was going on; but when the "scalp yells" were uttered, they sprang to their feet as one man, seized their rifles, and were. ready for battle. They were at no loss to know what these yells were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indi- cated 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

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

the lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red Bird.

And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which was the encampment. In the lead was Car-i-mi- nie, a distinguished chief. Arriving on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, order being called, Car-i-mi-nie spoke, saying, "They are here. Like braves they have come in; treat them as braves; do not put them in irons." This address was made to Col. MeKenney. The latter told him he was not the big captain. His talk must be made to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a hope ex- pressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him.

The military had been previously drawn out in line. The Menomonee and Wabauckie (Oneida) Indians were in groups upon their haunches, on the left flank. On the right was the band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paco distant, were the murderers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable looking We-Kau, a little in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed on Red Bird. In height he was about six feet, straight, but without restraint. llis proportions were those of most exact symmetry; and these embraced the entire man from his head to his feet.

lle and We-Kau were told to sit down. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel's hymn. Everything was still. Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The musie having ceased, he took up his pouch, and taking from it kinnikinnie and tobacco, out 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 on a bit of punk with his flint and steel, lighted and smoked it. All i back, it is gone." Having thus spoken, he

sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows:

They were required to bring in the mur- derers. They had no power over any except two; the third had gone away; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give them- selves up. As their friends they had come with them. They hoped their white brother 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 them, and earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and con- cluded by asking for a little tobacco and some- thing 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 the Great Father of their complaints, and he would re- dress their grievances; 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.

Having heard this, 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, he spoke, saying: "I am ready." Then advancing a step or two, he paused say- ing, "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 thumb and finger and blowing it away), "like that," eyeing the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, "I would not take it

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threw his hands behind him and marched up to Maj. Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, when, the major stepping aside, Red Bird and We-Kau marched through the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard was set over them. The comrades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, tak- ing with them our advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco.

We-Kan, the miserable looking being, the ac- complice of Red Bird, was in all things the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if born to command and wor- thy to be obeyed; the other as if he had been born to be hanged; meager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the starved wolf; gaunt, hungry, and blood-thirsty; his entire appearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The pris- oners were committed into safe keeping at Prairie du Chien to wait their trial in the reg- ular courts of justice for murder.

LAST ACT IN THE WINNEBAGO WAR.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:

WHEREAS, at a court of Oyer and Terminer, held at the village of Prairiedu Chien, in the month of September, A. D. 1828. Wa-ni-ga, otherwise called the Sun, and Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Benffe, were convicted of the offense of murder in the second degree, and the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Benffe, was also convicted of another offense of murder in the second degree; And, whereas, also it appears satisfactorily to me that the clemency of the executive may be ex- tended to the said convicts without injury to the public;

Now, therefore, I, John Quincy Adams, Presi- dent of the United States of America, in con- sideration of the promises, divers other good and

sufficient causes one hereunto moving, have granted and do hereby grant to the said Wa-ni- ga, otherwise called the Sun, and to the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe, my full and free pardon for the offenses afore- said.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents. Given at the city of Washington this third day of November, A. D. , 1828 and of the Indepen- dence of the United States the fifty-third. By the President; J. Q. ADAMS.

H. Clay, Secretary of State .*

MRS. COASM CHERRIER (NEE GAGNIER). +

My father was born in St. Louis; he came to Prairie du Chien about the time of the last war with England.

My mother Theresa Chalefau, was born in Prairie du Chien; her father came to Prairie du Chien from Canada, before the last war with England.

I was born in this place (now called French- town) Aug. 15, 1826. The following spring my father moved his family to a house on what is now known as the Ackerly place, a short dis- tance below the limits of "Lower Town. " The house had only one room. It was there that the murder of father and Lipcap, and the terrible mutilation of myself occurred.

I will tell the story as learned from my mother. June 10, 1827, my father visited the village of Prairie du Chien; the afternoon of that day mother noticed there were skulking Indians on the bluff east of the house, partially concealed, but being accustomed to seeing Indians almost daily, was not alarmed. Father did not return

*Copied from the original pardon.

+ The autobiograbieal account which follows was taken from the lips of Louisa Cherrier (nee Gagnier), wife of Coasm (usually known as Comb) Cherrier. Mr. Cherrier, wife and children, reside in what is usually known as " French Town, " in the town of Prairie du Chien. What Mrs. Cherrier re- lates is the story often told her by her mother, Theresa Gag- nier, wife of Rigeste Gagnier. It will be noticed that the narrative differs in some important particulars from that given previously in this chapter; but there are so many ad- ditional and exceedingly interesting statements that, in the main, are doubtless correct, as to justify the insertion of this relation as a sequel to the so-called "Winnebago War."

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

home until about noon of the next day, (June 11). He was accompanied by his half brother, Paschal Menoir, after dinner the family con- sisting of father, mother, Lipeap (an old man living with us), my brother Frank, three years old, myself, nearly ten months old, and Paschal Menoir (visitor), were having an after dinner chat. Young Menoir was sitting in the open window on the west side of the house, facing the door. My father was sitting on a trunk against the wall, to the right of the window, and also facing the door. My mother had re- turned to the work of the day, family washing. My brother Frank was amusing himself. Lip- cap had gone to his work in the corn patch not very far from the house. I had creeped to my father's feet and lifted myself by his clothing, and was standing with my hands on his knees. At this moment four Indians, who had reached the door unnoticed, entered the room. Mother placed four chairs, and bade them be seated; they complied, the table being as left. Mother asked them to have dinner; they replied: "We are not hungry. but thirsty." She satisfied their wants, and watching them closely, she said to father in French: "These Indians mean to do us some harm." Father made no reply. My father's gun was hanging in fastenings to a joist directly over h; three of the Indians had guns in their hands, the fourth, a chief, whose Indian name signified "Little Sun," was seated the nearest to my father, with his side toward him. This Indian had, unknown to the family, a shorter gun concealed under his blanket, and it was held in such a position as to bring my father in range. One of the other Indians left his chair, and took down my father's gun. Father instantly rose, seized and wrenched the gun from him, and stood it by the trunk, then both were seated again. My father spoke to mother, saying: "Come take this little girl." At this moment, at a signal from one of the other Indians, "Little Sun" fired his concealed gun, the bullet entering the right breast of my father, who had not changed his position. At

almost the same instant another Indian shot his gun at Paschal Menoir, who was still sitting in the window, but missed him. Young Menoir, with great presence of mind, fell backward, through the window. He was undoubtedly sup- posed by the Indians to have been killed, and was not immediately looked after. He made his escape into the timber, which stood close up to that side of the house.

The house was filled with powder smoke; my little brother was crying and calling for mother. Mother picked him up and ran out of the house. The Indians had preceded her, and leaped over the fence near the house. Mother, with Frank, made hier way over the fence, and dropped di- rectly in front of one of the Indians, who was crouching, unnoticed by her, on that side. Drop- ping the child, she seized his gun, and with un- natural strength, wrenched it away from him, and instantly cocked it, with the intention of killing him; some irresistible impulse compelled her at the moment of firing, to give an upward inclination, sufficient to carry the bullet over the Indian's head. She threw the gun after the Indians, who had started to kill Lipcap. My mother then returned to the house. I had creeped under the bed. The house was par- tially cleared from smoke. Father was not dead, but could not speak or move, but made motions with his eyes, which she clearly under- stood as saying: "Make your escape." She then ran out, and through a picket fence, which di- vided their grounds from those of a man named Joseph Lambeire, who was eating his dinner in his cabin, which he occupied alone. He had heard the shots fired, but did not know their meaning.

My mother who had not been to Prairie du Chien since they moved to the place, did not even know the way. She hurriedly told him what had occurred, and asked him to help her escape. Lambeire whose horse was tied to a fence near by, told her to bring the horse. She did so, when he mounted and rode cowardly and rapidly away, without a word to her, who

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then returned to the house. Father, who still lived, again with expressive look, plainly sig- naled "get away." Mother then with my little brother, made her way into the timber close to the house, into which Menoir had escaped. (All this occurred in a little time). While doing this, she discovered that Lipcap was being chased by the Indians, and making his way toward her, shouting, "wait for me." In her flight, she noticed a large soft maple tree, which had been blown down, and that the place where it had stood, was surrounded by a dense new growth of brush. She crept into this, and into the cavity made by uprooting the tree, placed Frank, and crouching low over him, remained almost breathless, until within twelve feet of her hiding place, the Indians overtook Lipcap and killed him with their knives, mutilating him and taking his scalp. My mother was not discovered.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 32

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298