USA > Wisconsin > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 50
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The only Indians living on this river below this place and near it, are the Sauks and Foxes. The principal town of the former, on the east side of the Mississippi, is situated on the north side of Rock river, near its mouth, and in sight of the Mississippi. Not many years ago this town contained, it is said, 4,000 or 5,000 inhabi- tants. They have sold all the country east of the river Mississippi, and are withdrawing from it to a new town some ten miles west of the old town, and about the same distance from Rock Island.
The principal town of the Foxes is on the brink of the river near Du Buque's mine, and in sight of his tomb, which is erected on a high hill, where the cross on his grave can be seen from the river to a considerable distance from it. Du Buque was an Indian trader and lived and died here.
The Fox town contains twenty wigwams or upwards, and I presume some 200 Indians. I saw but a few acres of poorly cultivated corn near the town, and the wigwams looked shabby enough. Morgan is the principal warrior of this village, as Keokuk is of the Rock river town.
The Sauks and Foxes were so useful to us as auxiliaries, that I feel grateful to them and make a few remarks on their principal men who were with us.
Keokuk, the principal warrior of the Sauks, is a shrewd politic man, as well as a brave one, and he possesses great weight of character in their national councils. He is a high-minded, hon- or able man, and never begs of the whites.
While ascending the Mississippi to join us, at the head of his brave troops, he met, arrested and brought along with him to Fort Crawford,
two United States soldier, who were deserting From the garrison when he met them. I in- formed him that for this act he was entitled to a bounty in money; to which he proudly replied, that he acted from motives of friendship towards the United States, and would accept no money for it.
Morgan is the principal warrior of the Foxes, and resides at Du Buque's mine on the western bank of the Mississippi. Though less versatility of talent belongs to him than Keokuk possesses, yet he is a brave man and fond of war. More than a year before we were in this country, this Indian general had gone to the Sioux country and killed a woman and three children of that Nation, which act produced the war, then raging between the two Nations. This act has since been dreadfully avenged by a large party, on some twenty individuals of the Foxes.
Tiama, a principal civil chief of the same tribe, is an excellent man, and son-in-law of Quasquawma. Their village is already noticed as being located on the west side of the river, opposite where we lay on an island, at the head of the lower rapids.
Qnasquawma was the chief of this tribe once, but being cheated out of the mineral country, as the Indians allege, he was degraded from his rank and his son-in-law, Tiama, elected in his stead. The improvisatori, whose name has escaped my recollection, is a shrewd wit and a very good man, certainly a very amiable and agreeable one. He is highly esteemed by all his people.
Tom, a half-blood, is a great pet among the whites. He speaks prairie.wolf French and a little English, in addition to his knowledge of Indian languages.
Of the above named individuals, and several others belonging to these brave and generous allies, I brought away with me as correct a likeness as I ever saw drawn. Gratitude towards them was my motive for being at the expense of these beautiful paintings which have
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
gone to London a year since. Like many other expenses I was necessarily put to, I have never received even one cent from the government towards them, nor have I received one cent, either for my expenses or my services at St. Louis, the lower rapids, Rock Island, or Galena. I say this because it has been stated, very differently. even on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is not true, that all my expenses were paid by the United States; nor is it true that iny services have been paid for by the government at all. In saying this, I do it in justice to myself as I woukl to do justice to any other injured individual, however humble in the Nation. I am even yet unpaid, but I never will condescend to beg for my pay at the doors of Congress. I did once expect very different treatment from my country. UP AND DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI BEFORE THE BLACK
HAWK WAR.
In May, 1831, Joseph M. Street, Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, left the agency in care of sub-agent, Thomas P. Burnett The latter reported to Gen. William Clark, superintendent of Indian affairs, at St. Louis, on the 18th of that month, that "the Indian relations among the different tribes of this quarter, have not a very : micable appearance. The threatenings of the Sauks and Foxes, and occasional acts of mischief committed by them against the whites, in the vicinity of Rock Island, have doubtless been communicated to you before this time.
"The Sioux chief, Wabashaw, and a consid- erable number of his tribe, are now here (at Prairie du Chien). A small party of them who came across the country from Red Cedar, state that within their country north of the line of the purchase of last summer, they came upon a war road of the Sauks and Foxes. They fol- lowed the trail leading out of the country sev- eral days, and from the signs remaining at their vamps, they have no doubt, that three or more of the Sioux have been murdered by the Sanks and Foxes. Among other appearances that confirmed them in this belief, was a painted buf-
1
falo robe, such as no Indians in this quarter but the Sioux make or use, cut in pieces at one of their camps. They pursued their trail until they came upon their camp, a few miles north of the old Red Cedar fort; but finding them double their own number, did not make an at- tack. They say that they have made peace and promised to keep it, and will not in any case be the aggressors.
"Col. Morgan informed me, two days since, that he had sent down to the Sanks and Foxes to send up ten or twelve of their men to see him, and have a talk with him. They were ex- pected here on yesterday, but have not yet ar- rived. The Sioux are waiting their arrival, and are, I believe, ready to meet them, either as friends or enemies. When they were informed that the Foxes were coming, they put their arms in order. They say that if the Sanks and Foxes come and deport themselves peaceably, they will not molest them, but if they seeany hostile manifestations, they will strike them. My own opinion is, that if the Sauks and Foxes have had war party out against the Sioux, they will not come here upon Col. Morgan's invitation, know- ing as they do, that the Sioux always visit this place about this season in considerable numbers. "A part of the Monomonees have been to see me since Gen. Street's departure. They re- newed their promise not to go against the Chip- pewas for the present, but to wait a while longer to hear from their Great Father."
The squally appearance of Indian affairs called for the watchful attention alike of agents and officers of the army. But it became a ques- tion of etiquette, which should take the lead in the matter. The military seems to have claimed that right, while the agents claimed at least to know what had been done in the premises; both being then under the superintendence of the War Department, the military considered the Indian Department as subordinate to theirs. But Mr. Burnett thought otherwise, claiming that each branch of the public service had its appropriate duties with which the other should
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
not interfere, while in case of necessity one should assist the other, both acting in unison. And as the Sauks and Foxes alluded to in his letter to Gen. Clark, did come to the place, with whom Col. Morgan held a council, without the knowledge or co-operation of the agent, Mr. Burnett claimed to be informed of the nature and extent of the proceedings, and addressed a note, dated May 23, 1831, to Col. Morgan, as follows:
"SIR-I was informed yesterday that you held, on the morning of that day, a council with a party of Sioux and a party of Fox Indians which you had assembled in the village of Prairie du Chien. As the acting Indian agent at this place, it properly concerns me to know what takes place at this post in relation to Indian affairs. I should therefore be glad to be informed of the circumstances that required such council. The objects to be effected, and the results ac- complished; also the names of the chiefs or men of influence of either tribe, who were present. Will you please to communicate to me as early as may be convenient, the desired information, and likewise whether Gen. Street was apprised, previous to his departure, of the contemplated meeting of those Indians."
This brought from Col. Morgan the following tart reply, and raised the question of preroga- tive:
"SIR-I acknowledge in you no right to call on me to render an account of my proceedings to you, though if you will do me the favor to call at my quarters on my return from St. Peter's, for which place I am just about to set out, I will explain to you the object of the council and tell you what passed. You were apprised yourself of the Foxes having been in- vited, and you knew they had arrived. Why stay four or five miles off? I stated to the In- dians that you should have been to the council, if you had been here."
Col. Morgan had sent for the Sauks and Foxes to visit this post. On the 21st inst., about fifteen men of the Foxes, of Dubuque mines, ar- rived at the village, and on the next day Col. Morgan held a council with them and the Sioux, who were here. I presume that whatever took place at the council, or was effected by the meeting of the Indians, of any importance, will be communicated to you through the proper channel, by Col. Morgan who acted alone in the measure.
"The Sioux had been waiting the arrival of the Foxes for several days. The Foxes landed at the village on Saturday evening, not later 1 think than 4 o'clock. The council was opened the next morning, as I am informed, at 10 o'clock; yet no intimation of either time or place of meeting, or that my presence was at all desired, was given, although there was ample time to do so. Throughout the transaction, there has been no consultation had, or co-opera- tion had with the agency. The only communi- cation upon the subject previous to the council and departure of the Indians, was the simple fact that he had sent for the Foxes, of which I apprised you. I suppose that if anything oe- curred of sufficient importance to found a re- port upon, he will communicate the facts, and in that case, it must appear that the measure was undertaken and carried through without any connection or co-operation with this agency. I have, therefore, given the above statement of facts to show that the absence of co-operation in this affair was not from neglect of duty or inattention on the part of this agency."
The information that I have collected on the subject, is this: "Some fifteen Foxes from Dubuque mines, all young men except one or two, came up and had a talk with the Sioux and Col. Morgan, in which each expressed a desire to continue the peace which had been concluded between them the last year. The Foxes denied any knowledge of a war party having goue against the Sioux. They said they wished to
Mr. Burnett informed Gen. Clark of the transaction of Col. Morgan, May 28, 1831: "In my letter of the 18th inst., I informed you that | be at peace, and would not do any act of hos-
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
tility, but they could not answer for those be- low-they spoke for themselves only. They smoked and danced together and parted in ap- parent friendship and harmony."
The extent of the frontier and the number of tribes within the agency kept up an almost in- cessant excitement as to their affairs, and to keep the government advised of all their move- ments, required constant vigilance and the writ- ing of numerous letters. Under date of June 13, 1831, Mr. Burnett writes to Gen. Clark: "I have received since the last mail from this place information which I consider entitled to credit, that a war party of Sioux is now being organized among Washaba's band to go against the Chippewas, by a warrior of some note in that band. I have also understood that there are a few Menomonees, relatives of those who were killed by the Chippewas in the fall and winter past, now with the band of Sioux. But I have not been able to learn whether they intend join- ing the Sioux in their expedition or not, but think it probable that some of them will do so."
Under date of June 29th he wrote: "Iam in- formed by Maj. Langham, who arrived here from below a few days since, that the Winne- bagoes of the Prophet's village on Rock river, have united with the Sauks and Foxes. The Winnebagoes of the Wisconsin and Upper Mis- sissippi are still peaceable. They are most likely waiting to see the first results of the movements below, and intend to act afterwards according to circumstances.
"Until within two or three weeks past, very few of those Indians have visited this place for a length of time, fewer, I am told, than usual at this season of the year. Lately a great many of them have been here, the most of whom came down the Wisconsin and have gone up the Mis- sissippi. A great portion of them are old men, women and children. They continue to pass by daily. Many rumors are in circulation as to their present disposition and intention; very few of which are, perhaps, entitled to implicit belief. They have served, however, to give considerable
alarm to many of the inhabitants of the prairie, and many of them begin to think themselves in danger. I have spared no pains to ascertain the disposition of the Winnebagoes here and have found no evidence of a disposition to hos- tilities on their part, unless their sending so many of their old men, women and children up the river and purchasing powder in larger quantities than usual for ordinary hunting, should indicate something of the kind.
"I also learned a few days since that the one- eyed Deeori had left his village at Prairie La Crosse and gone down to the Sanks and Foxes. This was accidentally communicated tomy in- formant by a Winnebago and is probably true. Decori was down about two weeks since and called to see me on his return home. His de- portment was as nsual; I saw no change. In faet I have not discovered any change in the deportment or appearance of any of them that I have seen. They all appear to be perfectly friendly. None of the traders here think they have any hostile intentions.
"Col. Morgan left the fort for Rock Island on the morning of the 27th inst., with two compa- dies from his post, and two more from Fort Winnebago, under Maj. Twiggs. He had pre- viously ealled in all fatigue parties and put his whole force under a course of training. Much alarm prevails in the mines. The people are arming and preparing for their defense. I do not consider that there is any immediate dan- ger either here or in this vicinity. Much, how- ever, will doubtless depend on the result below. The Sioux and Menomonees are certainly friendly, and against the Sauks and Foxes, would willingly unite with the whites if per- mitted to do so. I have heard nothing since my last of a war party of those Indians against the Chippewas."
In February, 1832, Mr. Burnett was in Ken- incky, when Gen. Street wrote him that "the Menomonees and Sioux are preparing for a re- taliatory war against the Sauks and Foxes in the spring. The Menomonees have made peace
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
with the Chippewas, in order to have no fears from that quarter. The two tribes met above ยท the mill on the Chippewa and made their peace. I have advised the superintendent so as to have the earliest interferance, if any is intended. The Sauks and Foxes, I learn, expect retaliation and will be prepared to meet them. If the govern- ment is not early in stopping them, they will certainly go in considerable force, and a bloody contest may be expected."
About the Ist of April Mr. Burnett received instructions, while yet in Shelbyville, to "pro- ceed to the agency at Prairie du Chien by way of St. Louis, and call on Gen. Clark for the funds allotted to the agency for 1832, or such portion thereof as he shall determine to for- ward. The receipts will be forwarded to you at St. Louis as soon as a conveyance by steam- hoat shall occur." Mr. Burnett reached the agency about the Ist of May. At that time the Sanks and Foxes under Black Hawk were in hostile movements on Rock river, with Gen. Atkinson in pursuit. To aid in the defense of the country, Gen. Atkinson, from Dixon's ferry, May 26, 1832, addressed Gen. Street as fol- lows:
" SIR :- I have to request that you send me at this place. with as little delay as possible, as many Menomonee and Sionx Indians as can be collected, within striking distance of Prairie du Chien. I want to employ them in conjunction with the troops against the Sanks and Foxes, who are now some fifty miles above us in a state of war against the whites. I understand the Menomonees, to the number of 300 warriors, who were with you a few days ago, are anxious to take part with ns. Do encourage them to do so, and promise them rations, blankets, pay, etc. I have written to Capt. Loomis to furnish them some arms, if they can be spared, and ammuni- tion. If there are none at Prairie du Chien, I must procure some in this quarter. Col. Ham- ilton, who has volunteered his services to lead the Indians to this place, will hand you this let- ter; and if the Indians can be prevailed on to | like that red thing, he was afraid of it. Waudgh-
come, will perform the duty. I have to desire that Mr. Marsh may be sent with Col. Hamilton and the Indians, and an interpreter of the Me- nomonee language." In accordance with this requirment, Gen. Street gave, on May 30, to Mr. Burnett the following instructions:
"SIR :- You will please proceed with Mr. John Marsh, who goes express to the nearest Sioux village, and render him such aid as may be necessary in obtaining as many Indians as possible, to come down with you, and proceed under the command of Mr. Marsh to join Gen. Atkinson. The letter of Gen. Atkinson will be your guide in the business. Use every means to expedite the object; and hasten your return, as much depends upon the expedition."
The nearest Sioux village was 130 miles up the river from the seat of the agency, which had to be ascended in canoes, there being no steamer then to be had. Yet in six days after receiving the order, Mr. Burnett made the fol- lowing report to Gen. Street:
" SIR :- In obedience to your order of the 30th ult., I set out immediately from this place, in company with Mr. Marsh, in a canoe, with eight hands, to visit the nearest village of the Sionx Indians. From recent indications among the Winnebagoes of the upper Mississippi of a disposition to engage in hostilities with the Sauks and Foxes, Mr. Marsh and myself thought best to call at their village on the river La Crosse, and invite so many as might be disposed to join us on our return, and go with the Sionx and Menomonees to join Gen. Atkinson's army on Rock River. We arrived at the Winnebago village on the evening of the next day after leaving this post, and that night had a talk with the chiefx and braves upon the subject. Win-o-a-she-kan was opposed to the measure, and declined having anything to do with it. Ile said the Sanks had twice, this season, presented the red wampum to the Winnebagoes at Port- age, and that they had as often washed it white, and handed it back to them; that he did not
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
ha-ta-kan took the wampum, and said that he with all the young men of the village would go; that they were anxious to engage in the expe- dition, and would be ready to accompany us on our return.
" The next day we reached Prairie Aux Ailes (Wabasha), and found the Sioux extensively anxious and ready to go against the Sauks and Foxes. They were intending to make a de- scent upon them in a few days, if they had not been sent for. They engaged with alaerity in their preparations, but we found it necessary to wait till Monday morning to give them time. We left their village on our return, at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, accompanied by the whole ef- fective force of the band, and at La Crosse were joined by twenty warriors of the Winnebagoes, the remainder of their village to follow the next day, and reached this place to-day, at 2 o'clock P. M., with 100 warriors, eighty of whom are Sioux and twenty Winnebagoes. I think from the disposition manifested by the Winne- bagoes, that fifty or sixty more of them will be here before the expedition leaves the prairie, making a force of of 120 or 140. The Indians with whom I have met, appear well effected towards the whites, are in fine spirits and seem anxious to engage with the Sauks and Foxes.
" I made the promise authorized to the In- dians of subsistance, pay, etc., and told them that their families should be supplied with pro- visions during their absence from home. The most of the families of the warriors have accom- panied them thus far, to take a supply of pro- visions home with them, when the expedition shall have left this place. It is due to Mr. Marsh to say that he has displayed great zeal and energy in effecting the object of our visit, and that his exertions had the effect of bring- ing ont the greatest possible force from the bands we have called upon."
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Mr. Burnett greatly desired and strongly urged Gen. Street to allow him to accompany these Indians and take part in the war. But the general thought his services were needed
at and near the agency, and, therefore, declined to comply with the request.
In the meantime the Sauks and Foxes re- treated from the Rock river to the Wisconsin. where they were routed, "horse, foot and dragoons." The news of this defeat of the In- dians soon reached Prairie du Chien, and it was thought probable that if the Sauks and Foxes could get canoes or even rafts, that they would attempt to escape from their pursuers by de scending the Wisconsin river. To prevent this. some volunteer troops were stationed on that giver at the ferry, now Barrett's. But the In- dians took across the country towards Bad Ax.
AN EPISODE OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
As soon as it was ascertained that the hostile Indians under Black Hawk were wending their way to the Mississippi, after the battle of Wis- consin Heights, Joseph M. Street, Indian agent, wrote to Thomas P. Burnett, sub-Indian agent, with a view to adopt means to intercept the savages, the following letter, on the 25th of July, 1832:
"SIR :- You will proceed up the Mississippi to the Winnebagoes, twenty-five or thirty miles
above this place, and inform them * * * of the crossing of the Sauks to the north side of the Wisconsin, and that their chiefs Carramana and Decori are here, and that I want all of the Winnebagoes to come down with you immedi- ately; tell them it is the wish of their chiefs also. One object of this is, to get them out of the way, with their canoes, to prevent their crossing the Sauks over the river. Send on word, if you can, to the upper villages, that the Sauks have been defeated, and have crossed the Wisconsin. And should the Winnebagoes hesi- tate, tell them that if they do not come, I will not pay the annuity to any who refuse. The time is now near and they will lose their money. Ilasten back as soon as possible."
The next day, July 26th, Mr. Burnett reported: "Sir :- In obedience of your order of yesterday, I set out from this place in a bark canoe late last evening to visit the Winnebagoes, supposed
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HISTORYLOF VERNON COUNTY.
to be encamped twenty-five or thirty miles above Prairie du Chien. This morning before day the steamboat enterprise, with a military command, came by my encampment and took myself and crew on board. Before arriving at the place where the Indians had been encamped, we found that they had been gone for several days, and had removed some distance above.
"We therefore continued on up a considerable distance, passing several lodges at different points until we came to the principal camp, on the east side of the river, supposed to be sixty miles above Prairie du Chien. 1 communicated your message to all the Indians I saw on the way, who readily promised to obey your in- structions.
"At the principal camp I found Washington Decori with a considerable part of the tribe from the Wisconsin and Kickapoo rivers. I immediately informed them of your request, and desired them to get ready as soon as possible and go to the agency. They manifested entire willingness to do so, but said some of their party were out hunting, and would be in at night, for whom they wished to wait,, so that all might come together. They promised very positively, that they would start as soon as the hunters should arrive, and would certainly see you by the middle of the afternoon to-morrow. Atter some conversation about their starting this evening, and their still objecting to do so until the hunters came in, Lieut. Abercrombie told them that he would wait until sunset for them to get ready, and if they did not start by that time, he would take all their canoes and bring them down with the steamboat. About two hours after this they concluded to start and let the hunters come on after them; and after seeing all the canoes move off, we started on our return, and reached this place at 9 o'clock this evening. The Indians whom I saw will be here to-morrow by 12 o'clock. They had not heard of the battle on the Wisconsin, but appeared to be highly gratified and pleased at the news."
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