History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 16

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 16

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Two, however, persevered. They were to- gether in one canoe, and approached the boat astern, where there were no holes through which the whites could fire upon them. They soon leaped on board. One seized the long steering oar, or rudder. The other jumped upon deck,

*This advance boat was the Oliver H, Perry, according to Smith's History of Wisconsin.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

where he halted, and discharged five muskets, which had been left there by the crew, fled be- low through the deck into the bottom of the boat. In this manner he wounded one man very severely. After this exploit, he hurried to the bow, where he seized a long pole, and with the assistance of the steersman, succeeded in grounding the boat on a sand-bar, and fixing her fast under the fire of his people. The two Winnebago boatmen then began to load and fire, to the no small annoyance of the crew. He at the stern was soon dispatched. One of the whites observed his position through a crack, and gave him a mortal wound through the boards. Still, he struggled to get overboard, probably to save his scalp. But his struggles were feeble, and a second bullet terminated them before he could effect his object. After the fight was over, the man who slew him took his scalp.

The bow of the boat was open, and the war rior there still kept his station, out of sight, excepting when he stooped to fire, which he did five times. Ilis third shot broke the arm, and passed through the lungs, of the brave Beau- champ. At this sight, one or two began to speak of surrender. "No, friends," cried the dying man; "you will not save your lives so. Fight to the last; for they will show no mercy. If they get the better of you, for God's sake throw me overboard. Do not let them get my hair." He continued to exhort them to resist- ance as long as his breath lasted, and died with the words "fight on," on his lips. Before this time, however, his slayer had also taken his leave of life. A sailor, named Jack Mandeville, shot him through the head, and he fell over- board, carrying his gun with him.

From that moment Mandeville assumed the command of the boat. A few had resolved to take the skiff, and leave the rest to their fate. They had already cast off the rope. Jack in- terposed, declaring that he would shoot the first luan, and bayonet the second, who would persevere. They submitted. Two more had

hidden themselves in the bow of the boat, out of sight, but not ont of danger. After a while the old tar missed them, sought them, and com- pelled them by threats of instant death, enforced by pricks of his bayonet, to leave their hiding place, and take a share in the business in hand. Afterwards they fought like bull dogs. It was well for them that Mandeville acted as he did; for they had scarcely risen when a score of bul- lets, at least, passed through the place where they had been lying.

After the two or three first volleys the fire had slackened, but it was not, therefore, the less dangerous. The Indians had the advant- age of superior numbers, and could shift their positions at pleasure. The whites were com- pelled to lie in the bottom of the boat, below the water mark, for its sides were without bul- warks. Every bullet passed through and through. It was only at intervals, and very warily, that they could rise to fire; for the flash of every gun showed the position of the marksman, and was instantly followed by the reports of two or three Indian rifles. On the other hand they were not seen, and being thinly scattered over a large boat, the Winnebagoes could but guess their positions. The fire, was therefore, slow; for none on either side cared to waste ammunition. Thus, for upwards of three hours, the boatmen lay in blood and bilge-water, deprived of the free use of their limbs, and wholly unable to extricate themselves.

At last, as the night fell, Mandeville came to the conclusion that darkness would render the guns of his own party wholly useless, while it would not render the aim of the Winnebagoes a jot less certain. He, therefore, as soon as it was dark, stoutly called for assistance, and sprang into the water. Four more followed him. The balls rained around them, passing through their clothes; but they persisted, and the boat was soon afloat. Seeing their prey es- caping, the Winnebagoes raised a yell of min- gled rage and despair, and gave the whites a farewell volley. It was returned, with three

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hearty cheers, and ere a gun could be re-loaded, the boat had floated out of shooting distance.

For half the night, a wailing voice, apparently that of an old man, was heard, following the boat, at a safe distance, however. It was con- jectured that it was the father of him whose body the boat was bearing away. Subsequently inquiry proved this supposition to be correct.

Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this battle, seven of whom were killed, and fourteen were wounded. They managed to put 693 balls into and through the boat. Two of the crew were killed outright, two mortally, and two slightly wounded. Jack Mandeville's courage and presence of mind undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat; but we have never heard that he was rewarded in any way or shape.

Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, reached the mouth of the Bad Ax about midnight. The Indians opened a fire upon her, which was promptly returned. There was a light on board, at which the first gun was probably aimed, for that ball only hit the boat. All the rest passed over harmless in the darkness .*

Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats arrived there. The people left their houses and farms, and crowded into the dilapi- dated fort. Nevertheless, they showed much spirit, and speedily established a very effect- ive discipline. An express was immediately sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snel- ling, for assistance. A company of upwards of 100 volunteers soon arrived from Galena, and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted.

In a few days, four imperfect companies of the 5th Infantry arrived from Fort Snelling. The commanding officer ordered a march on the Red Bird's village; but as the volunteers re-

fused to obey, and determined to return home, he was obliged to countermand it.

The consternation of the people of the lead mines was great. Full half of them fled from the country. Shortly after, however, when Gen. Atkinson arrived with a full regiment, a considerable body of volunteers joined him from Galena, and accompanied him to the port- age of Wisconsin, to fight with or receive the submission of the Winnebagoes.

The Red Bird there appeared, in all the para- phernalia of an Indian chief and warrior, and surrendered himself to justice, together with his companions in the murder of Gagnier, and one of his band, who had taken an active part in the attack on the boats. They were incarcer- ated at Prairie du Chien. A dreadful epidemic broke out there about this time, and he died in prison. He knew that his death was certain, and did not shrink from it.

In the course of a year, the people of the lead mines increased in number and in strength and encroached upon the Winnebago lands. The Winnebagoes complained in vain. The next spring, the murderers of Methode, and the other Indian prisoners, were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. A deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit their par- don. President Adams granted it, on the im- plied condition that the tribe would cede the lands then in possession of the miners. The Winnebagoes have kept their word-the land has been ceded, and Madame Gagnier has been compensated for the loss of her husband, and the mutilation of her infant. We believe that she received, after waiting two years, the mag- nificent sum of $2,000 .*

We will close this true account of life be- yond the frontier, with an anecdote which places the Winnebago character in a more amiable light than anything already related. The

*It is stated in Neill's Minnesota, that among the passen- gers on Lindsay's boat was Joseph Snelling, a talented son of the Colonel, who wrote a story of deep interest, based on the faets narrated. This we presume was William J. Snelling, the writer of this narrative. As for the date of the attack ou these keel boats, Judge Lockwood gives it as June 26th, which Neill follows; Gen. Smith, on Judge Doty's authority, we presume, says the 30th. Whatever was the real date, one thing is quite certain, that the murder of Gagnier's family and the boat attack, transpired the same day, and the next day the first of the keel bouts arrived at Prairie du Chien, in- creasing the war panic among the people.

*At the treaty held at Prairie du Chien with the Winneba- goes, in 1-29, provision was made for two sections of land to Therese Gagnier and her two children, Francois and Louise: and for the United States to pay Therese Gaguier the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years. to be deducted from the annuity to said Indians.

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militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after the affair of the boats, seized the old chief De- Kau-ray -- the same who has already been men- tioned. He was told that if the Red Bird should not be given up within a certain time, he was to die in his stead. This he steadfastly believed. Finding that confinement injured his health, he requested to be permitted to range the country on his parole. The demand was granted. He was bidden to go whither he pleased during the day, but at sunset he was required to return to the fort on pain of being considered an old woman. He observed the condition religiously. At the first tap of the retreat, De-Kau-ray was sure to present himself at the gate; and this he continued to do till Gen. Atkinson set him at liberty.

An Incident of " The Winnebago War."

The following incident, found in the Western Courier, published at Ravenna, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1830, was read by the secretary at a meeting of the Wisconsin Historical Society, in December, 1862:

"There is no class of human beings on earth who hold a pledge more sacred and binding, than do the North American Indians. An in- stance of this was witnessed during the Winne- bago war of 1827, in the person of De-Kau-ray, a celebrated chief of that Nation, who, with four other Indians of his tribe, was taken prisoner at Prairie du Chien. Col. Snelling, of the 5th regiment of Infantry, who then com- manded that garrison, dispatched a young In- dian into the Nation, with orders to inform the other chiefs of De-Kau-ray's band, that unless those Indians who were the perpetrators of the horrid murders of some of our citizens, were brought to the fort and given up within ten days, De-Kan-ray and the other four Indians, who were retained as hostages, would be shot at the end of that time. The awful sentence was pronounced in the presence of De-Kan-ray, who, though proclaiming his own innocence of the outrages which had been committed by others of his Nation, declared that he feared

not death, though it would be attended with serions consequences, inasmuch as he had two affectionate wives, and a large family of small children, who were entirely dependent on him for their support; but, if necessary, he was willing to die for the honor of his Nation.

"The young Indian had been gone several days, and no intelligence was yet received from the murderers. The dreadful day being near at hand, and De-Kan-ray being in a bad state of health, asked permission of the colonel to go to the river to indulge in his long- accustomed habit of bathing in order to improve his health. Upon which, Col. Snell- ing told him if he would promise, on the honor of a chief, that he would not leave the town, he might have his liberty and enjoy all his privileges, until the day of the appointed ex- ecution. Accordingly, he first gave his hand to the colonel, thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both his hands aloft, and in the most solemn adjuration, promised that he would not leave the bounds prescribed, and said if he had a hundred lives he would sooner lose them all than forfeit his word, or deduct from his proud Nation one particle of its boasted honor. Ile was then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness and make his escape. "But no," said he, "do yon think I prize life above honor? or, that I would betray a confidence reposed in me, for the sake of say- ing my life?" He then complacently remained until nine days of the ten which he had to live had elapsed, and nothing heard from the Nation with regard to the apprehension of the mur- derers, his immediate death became apparent; but no alteration could be seen in the counte- nance of the chief. It so happened that on that day Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from Jefferson barracks, and the order for the execution was countermanded, and the Indians permitted to repair to their homes."

GEN. CASS ON THE WINNEBAGO OUTBREAK, 1827

In a speech, Gen. Lewis Cass, at Burlington Iowa, in June, 1855, made the following refer- Ience to the Winnebago outbreak in 1827:

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

"Twenty-eight years have elapsed," said the venerable statesman, "since I passed along the borders of this beautiful State. 'Time and chance happen to all men,' says the writer of old; and time and chance have happened to me, since I first became identified with the west. In 1827 I heard that the Winnebagoes had assumed an attitude of hostility toward the whites, and that great fear and anxiety pre- vailed among the border settlers of the north- western frontier. I went to Green Bay, where I took a canoe with twelve voyagers and went up the Fox river and passed over the portage into the Wisconsin. We went down the Wiscon- sin until we met an ascending boat in the charge of Ramsay Crooks, who was long a resi- dent of the northwest. Here we ascertained that the Winnebagoes had assumed a hostile attitude, and that the settlers of Prairie du Chien were apprehensive of being suddenly attacked and massacred. After descending about seventy miles further, we came in sight of the Winnebago camp. It was situated upon a high prairie, not far from the river, and as he approached the shore he saw the women and children running across the prairie, in an oppo- site direction, which he knew to be a bad sign. After reaching the shore he went up to the camp. At first the Indians were snl- len, particularly the young men. He talked with them awhile, and they finally consented to smoke the calumet. He afterwards learned that one of the young Indians cocked his gun, and was about to shoot him, when he was forci- bly prevented by an old man, who struck down his arm. He passed down to Prairie du Chien, where he found the inhabitants in the greatest state of alarm. After organizing the militia, he had to continne his voyage to St. Louis. He stopped at Galena. There were then no white inhabitants on either bank of the Mississippi, north of the Missouri line. Arrived at St. Louis, after organizing a force under Gen. Clark and Gen. Atkinson, he ascended the Illinois in his canoe, and passed into Lake Michigan with-

out getting ont of it. The water had filled the swamps at the head of Chicago river, which enabled the voyageurs to navigate his canoe through without serious difficulty. Where Chi- cago now is he found two families, one of which was that of his old friend Kinzie. This was the first and last time he had been at Burling- ton. New countries have their disadvantages of which those who come at a later day know little. Forty years ago flour sold at $2 a barrel, and there were hundreds of acres of corn in the west that were not harvested. The means of transportation were too expensive to allow of their being carried to market."

Gen. Dodge to Gen. Atkinson. GALENA, Ang. 26, 1827.

DEAR GENERAL :- Capt. Henry, the chairman of the committee of safety, will wait on you at Prairie du Chien, before your departure from that place. Capt. Henry is an intelligent gen- tleman, who understands well the situation of the country. The letter accompanying Gov. Cass' communication to you has excited in some measure the people in this part of the country.

As the principal part of the efficient force is preparing to accompany yon on your expedition up the Ouisconsin, it might have a good effect to send a small regular force to this part of the country, and in our absence they might render protection to this region.

I feel the importance of your having as many mounted men as the country can afford, to aid in punishing those insolent Winnebagoes who are wishing to unite, it would seem, in common all the disaffected Indians on our borders. From information received last night, some straggling Indians have been seen on our fron- tier.

Your friend and obedient servant,

II. DODGE. To Gen. H. ATKINSON, Prairie du Chien.

There has repeatedly, during the past dozen or fifteen years, appeared in the papers an arti- cle purporting to be An Indian's Race for Life. It stated, that soon after the Winnebago diffi-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

culties in 1827, that a Sionx Indian killed a Winnebago Indian while out hunting near the month of Root river; that the Winnebagoes were indignant at the act, and 2,000 of them assembled at Prairie du Chien, and demanded of Col. Taylor, commanding there, the procure- ment and surrender of the murderer. An officer was sent to the Sioux, and demanded the mur- derer, who was given up; and finally was sur- rendered to the Winnebagoes, on condition that he should have a chance for his life-giving him ten paces, to run at a given signal, and twelve Winnebagoes to pursne, each armed only with a tomahawk and scalping knife-but he out-ran them all and saved his life.

H. L. Dousman and B. W. Brisbois, have always declared that no such incident ever oc- cured there, and that there is "not one word of truth in the statement." This note is appended here that future historians of our State may un- derstand that it is only a myth or fanciful story.

Daniel M. Parkinson's Recollections of "The Winnebago War."

In the year 1822 considerable excitement was created in relation to the lead mines near Ga- lena, and a number of persons went there from Sangamon county, among whom was Col. Ebe- nezer Brigham now of Blue Mounds, Dane Co., Wis. In 1826 the excitement and interest rela- tive to the lead mine country became consider- ably increased, and in 1827, it became intense, equalling almost anything pertaining to the California gold fever. People from almost all portions of the Union inconsiderately rushed to the mining region.

With Col. William S. Hamilton, James D. Brents and two others, I arrived at Galena on the 4th of July, 1827, and on the same day ar- rived also a boat from St. Peter's, which had been attacked by the Indians a short distance above Prairie du Chien, bringing on board one man killed and two men wounded. In the en- counter with the Indians they killed two of them. *

Upon the reception of the alarming intelli- gence of the attack on this boat and also upon some of the inhabitants near Prairie du Chien and the reports being spread over the country, a scene of the most alarming and disorderly confusion ensned-alarm and consternation were depieted in every countenance-thousands flocking to Galena for safety, when in fact it was the most exposed and unsafe place in the whole country. All were without arms, order or con- trol. The roads were lined in all directions with frantic and fleeing men, women and chil- dren expecting every moment to be overtaken, tomahawked and scalped by the Indians. It was said, and I presume with truth, that the encampment of fugitives at the head of Apple river on the first night of the alarm was four miles in extent and numbered 3,000 persons.

In this state of alarm, confusion and disorder it was extremely difficult to do anything; almost every man's object was to leave the country, if possible. At length a company of riflemen was raised at Galena, upon the requisition of Gov. Cass of Michigan, who arrived there on the sec- ond day after the alarm. This company was commanded by Abner Fields, of Vandalia, Ill., as captain and one Smith and William S. Ham- ilton as lieutenants, and was immediately put in motion for Prairie du Chien, by embarking on board the keel-boat, Maid of Feure River. On our way up the river, I acted as sergeant of the company, and we made several reconnoitering expeditions into the woods near the river, where Indian encampments were indicated by the ris- ing of smoke. In these reconnoissances we run the hazard of some danger, but fortunately all the Indians that we met were friendly disposed, and did not in the least sympathize with those who had made hostile demonstrations.

When we arrived at Prairie du Chien we took possession of the barracks, under the prior orders of Gov. Cass, and remained there for several days until we gave way to Col. Snell- ing's troops who arrived from Fort Snelling. While we remained there, a most serious difficulty

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occurred between Col. Snelling, of the regular army, and Capt. Fields and Lieut. Smith of our volunteers, which eventuated in Lieut. Smith sending Col. Snelling a challenge and Capt. Fields insisted upon doing so likewise, but Col. Hamilton and I at length dissuaded him from it. Col. Snelling declined accepting Lieut. Smith's challenge, and immediately sent a corporal with a file of men to arrest Mr. Scott, the bearer of Smith's communication. The volunteers refused to surrender Scott into the hands of the guard, but Col. Hamilton wrote a note to Col. Snelling stating, in effect, that Scott should immediately appear before him. Accord- ingly Col. Hamilton and I conducted Mr. Scott into the presence of Col. Snelling, who inter- rogated him as to his knowledge of the con- tents of Lieut. Smith's communication; and upon Mr. Scott's assuring the colonel that he was entirely ignorant of the subject- matter, he was dismissed.

Col. Snelling then addressed the volunteers in a pacific and conciliatory manner, which seemed to dispose of the matter amicably; but the colonel, nevertheless, refused to furnish us with any means of support or any mode of con- veyance back to Galena-as the boat in which we came, returned there immediately after our arrival. But for the noble generosity of Mr. Lockwood, who kindly furnished us with a boat and provisions, we would have been compelled to have made our way back to Galena on foot, or the best we could without provisions. During our entire stay at the garrison, we received the kindest treatment and most liberal hospitality at the hands of Mr Lockwood. At the time of our arrival at Prairie du Chien, the citizens had in their custody as hostages for the good con- duct of their Nation three Indians, one of whom was the well-known chief De-Kau-ray. He disclaimed on the part of his Nation as a whole, any intention to engage in hostilities with the whites; he was, however, retained some time as a hostage before being released.

During our absence, another volunteer com- pany was raised, commanded by Gen. Dodge, who was constantly in the field with his mounted force, keeping in check the approach of the enemy. During his rangings, he took young Win-ne-shiek, son of the chief Win-ne-shiek, who was detained as a hostage for some time. No farther disturbances of a serious character took place that season; and in the succeeding autumn, Gens. Atkinson and Dodge held a council or treaty with the Winnebagoes. After this we had no more Indian troubles till 1832. James H. Lockwood's Account of "The Win- nebago War."

In the winter of 1825-26, the wise men at Washington took it into their heads to remove the troops from Fort Crawford to Fort Snelling, and abandon the former. This measure was then supposed to have been brought about on the representation of Col. Snelling of Fort Snelling, who disliked Prairie du Chien for difficulties he had with some of the principal inhabitants. During the winter there were confined in the guard-house at Fort Crawford two Winnebago Indiaus, for some of their sup- posed dishonest acts; but what they were charged with, I do not now recollect. At that time, as already mentioned, our mails from St. Louis, the east and south, came via Springfield to Galena, and the postmaster at Prairie du Chien sent to Galena for the mails of that place and Fort Snelling. An order would frequently arrive by steamboat countermanding a previous order for the abandonment of the fort, before the arrival of first order by mail, and this mat- ter continued during the summer of 1826, and until October, when a positive order arrived, directing the commandant of Fort Crawford to abandon the fort, and proceed with the troops to Fort Snelling; and if he could not procure transportation, to leave the provisions, ammu- nition and fort in charge of some citizen.

But a few days previous to this order, there had been an alarming report circulated, that the Winnebagoes were going to attack Fort Craw-

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History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 16

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168