Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER XXXIX.

BLACK HAWK'S DEFEAT-HE AND HIS BAND ARE DRIVEN INTO THE MISSISSIPPI-TERRIBLE INDIAN SLAUGHTER-THE WAR ENDED BLACK HAWK CAPTURED, AND WITH OTHER CHIEFS CONFINED IN IRONS HE VISITS WASHINGTON AND THE EASTERN CITIES-HIS RECEPTION.

GEN. ATKINSON was not satisfied with his triumph upon the Wisconsin, but pushed forward with his whole army in pursuit of the Indians, making forced marches over a rough, uneven country. On the morning of the second of August, when within ten miles of the Mississippi, it was ascertained that the enemy was then on the bank of the river in their front, preparing to embark, at a place called Bad Axe. Arrangements were at once made for an attack. Gen. Dodge's squadron was placed in front, followed by the infantry, and these by the brigades of Henry, Alexander and Posey. They had proceeded in this order for about five miles, when they discovered a small party of Indians, and immediately fired upon them. This band retreated to the main body on the bank of the river. In order to prevent the Indians from escaping, Generals Alexander and Posey were directed to form the right wing of the army, and to march to the river above the Indian encampment, and then to move down along the bank. Gen. Henry formed the left wing, and the United States infantry and Gen. Dodge's squadron occupied the centre. In this order the army descended into the valley of the river, which was covered with weeds and heavy brushwood. Gen. Henry was the first to discover the enemy. He opened a heavy fire upon them, which was returned. Gen. Dodge's troops and the United States infantry joined him in the action, and the whole, with Gen. Henry's men, rushed upon the savages, killing them without mercy. Only a few of them escaped.

Meanwhile, the brigades of Alexander and Posey, which were approaching along the river's bank, fell in with another party of Indians, putting them to rout with great slaughter. The Indians were driven to the edge of the river, where they hoped to escape by swimming to the opposite side, but they were shot in the water, until nearly all had perished. Among the few who escaped was Black Hawk.

Generals Atkinson, Dodge and Posey, descended the Mississippi to Prairie du Chien in the Warrior, and there awaited the arrival of the mounted volunteers. The latter arrived on the fourth. The few Indians who escaped in this battle, reached the western side of the Mississippi, only to fall a prey to the tomahawks of their enemies, the Sioux. The loss of the Indians was about a hundred and fifty killed, thirty-nine women and children taken prisoners. The American loss did not exceed ten killed and fifteen wounded.

Soon after this fatal battle, Black Hawk and the prophet, Wabokieshiek, who had escaped into the country of the Sioux, were captured by two chiefs belonging to the Winnebagoes, and delivered as prisoners to the Indian agent at Prairie du Chien. The prisoners were all conducted to Fort Barracks, a few miles below St. Louis.

Soon after, Gen. Scott arrived at Rock Island from the East, and made some investigations into the causes which led to the Black Hawk War, from which it was made to appear.that the whole contest might have been avoided.

On the twenty-first of September, Gen. Scott and Governor Reynolds concluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes and the Sacs and Foxes. For the faithful performance of the provisions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated that Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet and six other chiefs of the hostile band, should be retained as hostages during the pleasure of the President. All the other prisoners were set at liberty. The hostages were confined in Fort Barracks, and put in irons.

"We were now confined," says the old chief, Black Hawk, "to the barracks, and forced to wear the ball and chain. This was extremely mortifying and altogether useless. Was the

White Beaver (Gen. Atkinson) afraid that I would break out of his barracks and run away, or was he ordered to inflict this punishment upon me? If I had taken him prisoner, upon the field of battle, I would not have wounded his feelings so much by such treatment, knowing that a brave war chief would prefer death to dishonor. But I do not blame the White Beaver for the course he pursued. It is the custom among white soldiers, and, I suppose, was a part of his duty.

"The time dragged heavily and gloomily along throughout the winter, although the White Beaver did everything in his power to render us comfortable. Having been accustomed, throughout a long life, to roam through the forests, to come and go at liberty, confinement under any such circumstances could not be less than torture.

"We passed away the time making pipes, until spring, when we were visited by the agent, trader and interpreter, from Rock Island, Keokuk and several chiefs and braves of our nation, and my wife and daughter. I was rejoiced to see the two latter, and spent my time very agreeably with them and my people, as long as they remained."

Keokuk made exertions to obtain the release of Black Hawk, pledging himself to be responsible for his good conduct. But while the rival chief was endeavoring to effect this, an order arrived from the Secretary of War to have the prisoners sent to Washington City. Accordingly they set out, and reached the National Capital in the latter part of April, 1833. They were immediately sent to Fortress Monroe, "there to remain until the conduct of their nation was such as to justify their being set at liberty." The chiefs were much dissatisfied with this part of their reception, and remonstrated bitterly. The prophet said: "We expected to return immediately to our people. The war in which we have been involved was occasioned by our attempting to raise provisions on our own lands, or where we thought we had a right to do so. We have lost many of our people, as well as the whites. Our tribes and families are now exposed to the attacks of our enemies, the Sioux and the Menominies. We hope, therefore, to be permitted to return home to take care of them.'

Black Hawk concluded his complaint by saying: "We did not expect to conquer the whites. No; they had too many horses, too many men. I took up the hatchet, for my part, to revenge injuries which my people could no longer endure. Had I borne them longer without striking, my people would have said Black Hawk is a woman. He is too old to be a chief. He is no Sac. These reflections caused me to raise the war-whoop. I say no more of it; it is known to you. Keokuk once was here, and when he wished to return to his home, you were willing. Black Hawk expects that, like Keokuk, we shall be permitted to return, too." The President assured them that their women and children should be protected against their enemies, and that as soon as he was satisfied that peace was restored to the frontiers, he would set them at liberty.

It was on the twenty-sixth of April that the chiefs entered Fortress Monroe, at Old Point Comfort, where they remained until the fourth of June, when they were released. When about to depart Black Hawk waited upon the commandant of the fort and said:

"Brother, I have come on my own part and in behalf of my companions to bid you farewell. Our great father has at length been pleased to permit us to return to our hunting grounds. We have buried the tomahawk, and the sound of the rifle will hereafter only bring death to the deer and the buffalo. Brother, you have treated the red men very kindly. Your squaws have made them presents, and you have given them plenty to eat and drink. The memory of your friendship will remain until the Great Spirit says it is time for Black Hawk to sing his death song. Brother, your houses are as numerous as the leaves of the trees, and your young warriors like the sand upon the shore of the big lake that rolls before us. The red man hath but few houses and few warriors, but the red man has a heart which throbs as warmly as the heart of his white brother. The Great Spirit has given us our hunting grounds, and the skin of the deer which we kill there is his favorite, for its color is white, and this is the emblem of peace. This hunting dress and these feathers of the eagle are white. Accept them, my brother. I have given one like this

to the White Otter. Accept of it as a memorial of Black Hawk. When he is far away this will serve to remind you of him. May the Great Spirit bless you and your children. Farewell." On the fifth of June Black Hawk and his five companions left the Fortress under the charge of Major John Garland, of the United States army. Before leaving the place they visited Norfolk and the navy-yard at Gosport. They were taken on board of some of the war ships, and Black Hawk expressed a desire to see the chiefs who commanded them.

At Norfolk they were greeted by crowds of citizens, who tendered them a cordial reception. From the balcony of his hotel the Prophet Wabakieshiek addressed them as follows:

"The Great Spirit sent us here, and now happily we are about to return to our own Mississippi and to our own people. It affords us much happiness to rejoin our friends and kindred. We would shake hands with all our white friends assembled here. Should any of them go to our country, on the Mississippi, we would take pleasure in returning their kindness to us. We will go home with peaceable dispositions towards our white brethren, and make our conduct hereafter more satisfactory to them. We bid you all farewell, as it is the last time we shall see each other."

Black Hawk also made a speech, after which the party left for Baltimore. Here, as everywhere else in the East, they were greeted by crowds of curious spectators. The President happened to be at Baltimore at the same time, and at an interview with him he addressed the old chief as follows:

"When I saw you in Washington I told you that you had behaved very badly in raising the tomahawk against the white people and killing men, women and children upon the frontier. Your conduct last year compelled me to send my warriors against you, and your people were defeated with great loss, and your men surrendered, to be kept until I should be satisfied that you would not try to do any more injury. I told you I would inquire whether your people wished you to return, and whether, if you did return, there would be any danger to the frontier. Gen. Clark and Gen. Atkinson, whom you know, have informed me that Keokuk, your principal chief, and the

« ZurückWeiter »