USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 69
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Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this attack, seven of whom were killed and fourteen wounded. They managed, however, to put 693 bullets into different parts of the boat, some even passing through it. Two of the crew were killed outright, two mortally and two slightly wounded. The daring and presence of mind of Mandeville no doubt saved the rest as well as the boat.
Mr. Lindsay's boat-the rear one-did not reach the Indian encampment until midnight. The Indians opened fire on it and the fire was returned, but, owing to the darkness, no injury was done and the boat escaped in safety.
The arrival of the boats at Prairie du Chien caused a panic. The people thereabouts - crowded into the dilapidated fort, leaving farms and houses to the mercies of the dreaded Indians.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
An express was immediately sent to Galena and another to Fort Snelling for assistance. A company of nearly a hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena, and the fears of the settlers were much assuaged. A few days later relief also arrived from Fort Snelling. The consterna- tion and alarm felt throughout the lead mines and outlying settlements was fully as great as that felt at Prairie du Chien. Everybody crowded to the block-houses that were hastily constructed, and, for a time, work of all kinds was at a standstill. Many, in fact, were so terrified at the wild stories afloat that they left the country.
Troops were at once ordered to the seat of war from Fort Howard and St. Louis. The former were under the command of Maj. Whistler, who, on the 1st of September, arrived at " the portage." While here, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, commanding the detachment coming up from St. Louis, directing Maj. Whistler to halt and fortify himself at the portage, and await his arrival. The object of these joint expeditions was to capture the " hostiles " and intimidate the remainder of the tribe in such a manner that no further depredations would be committed. The Winnebagoes had previously been advised that their safety lay in the surren- der of the Gagnier murderers. While Maj. Whistler was awaiting the arrival of the other troops at the portage, he received a mysterious call. An Indian came unceremoniously to his tent and informed the officer that about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the next day " they will come in." In reply to the question " Who will come in ?" he answered, " Red Bird and We-Kaw." After making this answer, he retired by the way he came. At 3 o'clock on the same day, a second Indian made his appearance in the same silent manner, made a similar announcement, and an- swered the question as to who would come in in the same manner as the first. At sundown a third came, and confirmed what the other two had stated, adding that he had given nearly all his property to the families of the murderers to secure this object.
The pathetic and the heroic were both combined in this voluntary submission, and the pre- liminary arrangements. That the prisoners were aware that they were probably going to their death, is shown in their endeavor to first secure something for their families previous to giving themselves up. It was the relinquishment of two lives to satisfy the demands of the law upon the whole tribe. The act rises to the level of the heroic, in the fact that the murders committed at Prairie du Chien were, according to the Indian law, if not justifiable, at least permissible, on the ground of the complicity of the whites in the murder of the four Winnebago prisoners. Cer- tainly, the victims of this savage vengeance were in no ways associated in that act, but, belong- ing to the same tribe of "pale-faces," under the savage law, the act was in accordance with justice.
The grand finale of this impressive scene is thus described by an eye witness : " About noon of the day following the announcement, there was seen descending a mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass they were made out to be coming toward Maj. Whistler's camp. They bore no arms, and Whistler was at a loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox River, when, on a sudden, was heard singing. Those who were familiar with the air said it is the death song. When still nearer, those who knew him said it is Red Bird singing his death song. The moment a halt was made preparatory to passing over, two scalp yells were given.
"The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied us were lying carelessly about the ground regardless of what was going on ; but when the scalp yells were heard they sprang as one man to their feet, seized their rifles and were ready for battle. They were at no loss to know what these yells were, but they had not heard them with sufficient accuracy to determine whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but, doubtless, inferred the first.
"Barges were sent across to receive the Indians, and an escort of military to accompany them within Whistler's 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 way up the ascent of the bluff on which was Whistler's encampment. In the lead was Kar-ray-mau-nee, a distinguished chief.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
Arriving on the level on which was the encampment of the Americans, and order being called, Kar.ray-mau-nee 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. McKenney. The latter told the chief he was not the big captain. His talk must be to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and the hope expressed that the Indians might be turned over into his hands.
"The military had been previously drawn out into line. The Menomonee and Wa- banackie (Oneida) Indians were in groups upon their haunches upon 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 paces distant, were the murderers. On the right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle, the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable-looking We-kaw a little in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed on Red Bird. In height, he is about six feet, straight, but with an easy air, devoid of restraint. His proportions are those of most exact symmetry ; and these embraced the entire man from his head to his feet.
" He and We-kaw 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 music having ceased, he took up his pouch, and taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand 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 sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows :
" They were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power over any except two ; the third had gone away ; these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. As their friends, they had come with them. They hoped their white brothers would accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty, the meaning of which was to take them in com- mutation of the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them, 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 were 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 redress their grievances ; that their friends would 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-kaw 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 sur- vey of the troops, he said, ' 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 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 back ; it is gone !' Having thus spoken he 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 step- ping aside, Red Bird and We-Kaw marehed 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, taking with them Maj. Whistler's advice, and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco.
" We-Kaw, the miserable looking brave, the accomplice of Red Bird, was in all respects the opposite of that unfortunate chief. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if born to command and worthy to be obeyed; the other as if he had been born to be hanged-meager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in his form, like the starved wolf, gaunt, hungry and bloodthirsty, his entire presence indicating a spirit wary, cruel and
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
treacherous. The prisoners were committed for safe keeping at Prairie du Chien, to await their trial at the regular courts of justice for murder.
"The next spring, Red Bird, We-Kaw and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie du Chien, before Judge J. D. Doty, who went from Green Bay for that purpose, con- victed and sentenced to death. Red Bird died in prison. A deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit the pardon of the others. President Adams granted it upon the implied condition that they would cede their lands then in the possession of the miners. The Winne- bagoes agreed to this. Mm. Gagnier was compensated for the loss of her husband and the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty made at Prairie du Chien, in 1829, provision was made for two sections of land for herself and her two children, and the Government agreed to pay her the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebago Indians.
Before closing this account of the troubles of 1827, mention must be made of an incident that calls to mind the "noble savage" of Cooper, the traditional rather than the real. Im- mediately after the affair with the boats, the volunteer soldiery at Prarie du Chien seized the old chief of the tribe De-Kanry and four other Indians. He was informed that if Red Bird was not given up in ten days he and his companions were to suffer in their stead. This he devoutly believed. A young Indian was sent as messenger to inform the tribe of the conditions. Several days had elapsed and not anything had been heard from the murderers. The fateful day was drawing near and De-Kaury, being in a bad state of health, asked permission of the officer in command to go to the river where he could indulge in a much prized custom of bathing in order to improve his health. Col. Snelling told him that if he would promise upon his honor as a chieftain not to try and escape, but to come back immediately upon finishing the bath, he might go; and if he would further promise not to leave town he might have his liberty until the day set for his execution.
De-Kaury, upon this, first thanked the officer for his kind offer, then, raising both hands aloft, promised he would not leave the bounds prescribed, adding that if he had a hundred lives to lose he would rather lose them all than forfeit his word. He was then set at liberty. Friends advised him at once to flee to the woods and make good his escape, but the savage, with the dignity of an ancient Roman, drew himself proudly up and asked his advisers if they thought he prized life above honor. No entreaties could move him. He complacently remained enjoy- ing his freedom until nine days of the ten had nearly passed, and still nothing had been heard from the murderers ; no alteration could be seen in the face of this savage stoic. The same day Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from St. Louis, and the order for the execution was countermanded, and the Indians sent to their homes.
The excitement over, everything settled back to the usual ruts, until the country was again awakened by another and more startling outbreak a few years later.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
Mention has been made in an earlier portion of this work, of the different treaties made by the Sacs and Foxes, by which these tribes ceded their lands east of the Mississippi to the United States. "Black Hawk, in His Life," edited in 1833, by J. B. Patterson, claims that these treaties were made without the assent of himself or his band, although he admits "touching the goose- quill " at the treaty made at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, but excuses himself for this implied acquiescence by saying he was not fully aware of the import of the document he was signing. Notwithstanding this cession, Black Hawk continued to occupy the tribal village which was sit- uated on the north side of Rock River, on a point of land between that river and the Missis- sippi. But the constant pressure of the incoming white emigration led to innumerable difficul- ties, Black Hawk himself being at one time severely beaten by three white settlers, upon a charge of having killed some of their hogs-the castigation being so severe that he remained lame for some time afterward. Covert depredations were undoubtedly committed on both sides; the white standing upon the treaties and endeavoring to shoulder the red man out of the country ;
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
the latter protesting against these treaties, and stubbornly resisting the encroachments of the new-comers. The Sacs and Foxes were also divided into two bands-one headed by Keokuk, recognizing the validity of the treaties, and the other headed by Black Hawk, who was deter- mined not to give up the graves of his fathers and retire across the Mississippi. Thus matters stood, when, in the fall of 1830, Black Hawk and his band crossed to the western side of the Father of Waters upon their fall hunt, their hunting-grounds being on that side of the river. During their absence, the whites took possession of their village, and, when the band returned in the winter, they found themselves houseless and shelterless, and their homes in the hands of those whom they could consider as no less than usurpers.
The Indians had nothing to do but to return to the western shore. Early in the succeeding spring, however, Black Hawk re-crossed the Mississippi with a band of Sacs, and took pos- session of their bark cabins and cornfields in a menacing manner, but, according to Black Hawk's statement, they did not intend to shed white blood, except in their own defense and the defense of what they considered their homes.
The settlers became alarmed, fearful of that vengeance which their own acts had partly pro- voked, and appealed to Gov. Reynolds, who issued a proclamation, declaring the State invaded by hostile Indians, and called for help from Gen. Gaines, commander of the Western Depart- ment, besides ordering out 700 militia. The campaign ended abruptly by the withdrawal of the Indians to the western shore of the Mississippi, accompanied with a threat from Gen. Gaines to cross the river and pursue the band. Black Hawk was brought to sign another treaty, by which he and his band agreed never to re-cross the great river without permission of the President or Governor of the State. In the face of this treaty, early in the spring of 1832, Black Hawk, accompanied by his band, together with their women and children, again crossed the river. To a close student of the Indian character this is not at all surprising, and, in fact, the red chief- tain, had he only known it, had, in the history of eighteen centuries, numerous and noble authorites for treaty-breaking, and upon slighter pretexts than the recovery of home and lands. His mistake, as mistake it undoubtedly was, lay in his insufficiency of force to back his claims.
Black Hawk himself claims that he was led into this movement by deceptive assurances of assistance from the Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies and his British Father. This assistance did not come, and, having made the cast of the die, the savage chieftain was forced to abide the. consequences.
This new inroad created the wildest consternation among the inhabitants of the newly-set- tled portion of the country in dispute. All the district between the Rock, Wisconsin and Mis- sissippi Rivers began vigorous preparations for defense against the savage foe. Block-houses were erected, companies formed, and everything put into the best shape for defense. Within the present limits of Grant County, there were two regularly-constructed block-houses, one at Platteville and one at Cassville. At the former place, a mounted company was formed, of which John H. Roundtree was elected Captain. This company, together with one formed by Capt. Gentry, in the adjoining county, were attached to Col. Dodge's command, and formed his mounted battalion and served all through the war. The second company formed in the county was at Hazel Green, but their service consisted principally in drawing their rations with rega- larity and presenting themselves for muster occasionally, and, as a consequence, the fact that there was a company organized at that point is remembered by only a few. A third company was formed under command of Capt. Price, at Cassville, and did good service in clearing the country between the Grant and Wisconsin Rivers of the " hostiles." This company was com- posed of thirty six men, but having only eighteen horses, half remained to guard the block- house while the other portion scoured the country around.
A call was issued by Gov. Reynolds to the militia, and a force of 1,800 men, under the command of Brig. Gen. Whiteside, was soon in the field. In the meantime, Gen. Atkinson had set out for the seat of war, and had sent several expresses to Black Hawk, ordering him to- leave the country. To these the Sac chieftain made reply that he was going to the Prophet's town and the whites might attack if they dared, and continued his retreat up Rock River.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
To add to the complexity of the situation, it was feared that the Winnebagoes would join Black Hawk in his outbreak, which they undoubtedly would have done had the odds not been quite so great. But, although much given to the small pecadillos which mark the bravo-which was the position they occupied among the other tribes-they had too keen and distinct a remem- brance of the swift chastisement following their outbreak five years before, to attempt another rising without heavy odds on their own side. At this time, however, their future action was clouded with uncertainty, which added much to the precariousness of the situation of settlers in the lead region.
At this moment, Col. Dodge stepped to the front, and, by his positition as commander of the militia in this portion of Michigan Territory, and known energy of character, succeeded in organizing the settlers and miners into proper shape for vigorous defense. Several mounted companies, as has been before mentioned, were organized and placed under the command of the gallant Colonel, who, having first written a letter to Gov. Reynolds telling him of the dangers which might result to the northern country should Black Hawk be driven back on them, started for Rock River to get a better insight into the situation.
Black Hawk had, during this time, continued his retreat up that river followed by Maj. Stillman, at the head of a force of about three hundred men. On the 12th of May, he encamped near Sycamore Creek, and, shortly afterward, three Indians were discovered approaching the camp. These men, according to Black Hawk's account, were sent by him "to conduct the whites to his camp, or, if they had encamped, he would come to them," when he hoped to make arrangements by which he would be allowed to descend Rock River again.
From all accounts given of this disgraceful affair, it seems that the whites did not wait to learn of the message brought by these embassadors, although one account seeks to excuse the action of the half-drunken mob, by stating that the Indians bore a red flag, this is put much in doubt by other testimony ; and, in view of what occurred afterward, both here and elsewhere, it is important to remember that so far no white man's blood had been shed by Black Hawk or his band. No sooner had the soldiers in Stillman's command caught sight of the three Sacs, than with a howl they at once set out in pursuit. The Indians, witnessing the hostile movements of their opponents, turned and endeavored to effect their escape. This two succeeded in doing, but their companion was killed. Black Hawk was informed of the turn of events, and, hastily placing his men in ambush, waited the time when the whites should come within range. This was not long, and the disorderly mob of pursuers, unable to form any organized resistance, at once gave way before the onset, and, what had a few moments before been a victorious pursuit, was changed to an unseemly and disorderly rout. The whites lost eleven killed, and a number wounded, beside having their camp and material fall into the hands of the Indians. Black Hawk, in his account of the affray, sarcastically says : " After pursuing the enemy some dis- tance, I found it useless to follow them, as they rode so fast." Only three Indians were killed. Had it not been for the bravery of Capt. Adams, and a few men under his command. who threw themselves between the terrified whites and the pursuing savages, the loss of the former would bave been much larger.
Upon receiving the news of Stillman's disastrous rout, Gov. Reynolds sent an express to Col. Dodge informing him of the fact, and the danger to be apprehended throughout the mineral country, and that officer at once notified the settlers and miners directing them to at once repair to the block houses, and place themselves in a position to resist attacks.
After the affair at Stillman's Run-as it was afterward known-Black Hawk had continued his retreat unmolested up Rock River, sending out, in the meantime, small predatory bands in every direction. These bands, in the interval succeeding the disbanding of the volunteers shortly after Stillman's defeat, and the enlistment of new men, had created a panic throughout the mineral region and along the Rock River, they having scoured the country between that river and the Mississippi most effectually. On the 22d of May, a party of about seventy Indians, led by a Pottawatomie who had been badly whipped by a settler named Hall, attacked the latter at his home on the Indian Creek, where he had just returned with his neighbors, Davis and
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Pettigrew, and massacred fifteen persons, only three escaping, two being the daughters of Mr. Hall, who were taken into captivity, and a young lad who escaped to Ottawa and gave the alarm. The two girls were taken to Black Hawk's camp at Koshkonong, where they were turned over by that chief to the Winnebagoes, who returned them to their friends, receiving therefor a reward of $2,000, which had been offered by Gen. Atkinson.
Numerous other murders were committed by these roving bands, Durley, a mail con- tractor, being killed near Buffalo Grove on the 21st of May, and, two days later, another party of whites were attacked near the same place, and four, Felix St. Vrain, agent for the Sacs and Foxes at Rock Island; Aaron Hawley, Fowler and Hale were killed. On the 6th of June, James Aubrey was killed at Blue Mounds, while going to a spring for water, he being at the time not more than a mile and a half away from the fort.
Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, had again placed a force of 2,000 volunteers in the field. Capt. Adam Gentry, with a company from a regiment which had been formed of those volunteers who had been recently disbanded, while on a scout over the country between Rock River and Galena, was attacked in camp near Burr Oak Grove by a small party of four Indians, whom he pursued and killed. While returning to Camp, he was again attacked by a large force of Indians. Gen. Whiteside, formerly in command of all the volunteer forces, was now a private in Capt. Gentry's Company. As the men broke and fled under the sudden onslaught, Whiteside sprang from his horse, and, " drawing a bead " on the chief as he came charging down, pulled the trigger, and with a loud yell the savage dropped from his saddle. This loss disconcerted the Indians, and gave the command time to rally. The savages showed no signs of continuing the attack ; but, securing the body of their leader, slowly retreated. Whiteside, upon being asked afterward why he risked his life in so open a manner, sturdily replied, that " He had never run from an Indian yet, and never would."
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