join us.' He then placed a medal around my neck, and gave me a paper and a silk flag, saying, 'You are to command all the braves which are to leave here day after tomorrow, to join our braves at Detroit.' Black Hawk fought in 2 engagements with his new allies, and annually received payment for his services up to the time of his own war against the Americans. From this circumstance his force was designated the British band.

Keokuk, his rival, unlike him, remained the friend of the Americans. Notwithstanding the insatiate passion of the Sacs and Foxes for war, and the belief that they had been injured by the people of the United States, he drew after him a majority of the nation, and thus weakened the efforts of Black Hawk. In diplomacy and judgment he was more than a match for his brother chieftain, and as we shall see, through the influence of the United States whose cause he had espoused, he became the sole chief of his people.

In accordance with the treaty stipulations, Keokuk and his followers remained on the west side of the river. Black Hawk, however, actuated no doubt partly by patriotism, but mostly by the ill will he entertained toward the Americans declared all the previous treaties void, and in the Spring of 1831 recrossed the Mississippi with his women and children and 300 warriors. Every argument had been used by his most prudent advisers, to deter him from embarking in this hazardous enterprise, and even the authorities of Canada, with whom he had consulted, counseled him to leave his village if he had sold it. The government of the United States, desirous of preventing bloodshed, bore with him a long time, hoping after due reflection he would abandon his rash design. This, however, being construed as weakness, he was induced to believe that the government either could not or would not attempt his removal. He also affected to believe it was an act of cowardice to abandon his village, and thus leave the graves of his fathers, to be ruthlessly plowed up by strangers, whose rights to the soil was of doubtful authority.

This celebrated Indian town was romantically situated on a promontory formed by the junction of the Mississippi and Rock rivers, and the great beauty and fertility of the adjacent country made it the centre of attraction for emigrants from all parts of the country. The village was capable of sheltering a population 6,000 or 7,000 inhabitants. The houses consisted of poles wrought into frames and covered with bark, previously prepared by drying to adapt it to the walls of these structures. Seven hundred such lodges of various dimensions, the largest of which did not perhaps exceed 100 feet in length and 50 in breadth, constituted the dwellings of the villagers. About 700 acres of the adjacent prairie was sur rounded by a fence, and the enclosed soil cultivated by the Indian women in corn, beans, peas and squashes. The place was said to be 150 years old, and had for 60 or 70 years been the principal vil lage of the Sac Nation. On the one hand flashed the broad waters of the Mississippi in the rays of the evening sun, on the other the rippling stream of Rock river struggled between the dark forest-clad islands which obstructed its channel. Hardly an individual could be found who did not have friends and relations whose ashes were reposing in the adjacent grave yards. Hither, in accordance with an immemorial custom of the nation, bereaved

mothers, wives and sisters performed annual pilgrimages to pay a tribute of respects to their departed relatives. On these melancholy occasions they carefully removed the growing vegetation from the mounds and addressed words of endearment to the dead, inquiring how they fared in the land of spirits and who performed the kindly office of mother, sister or wife. The depositing of food on the grave concluded these time-honored religious services.

As is usually the case with rival factions brought in contact, the conduct of both whites and Indians admitted of censure. The 7th article of the treaty of 1804 provided that as long as the lands which are now ceded to the U. Ŝ. shall remain their property the said Indians shall enjoy the privilege of living and hunting on them. These lands were not brought into market till the year 1829, and consequently all who had previously settled on them were trespassers, having violated the laws of congress and the preexisting treaties. The most advanced settlements at that time did not approach nearer than 50 or 60 miles of Rock river, and the lands for even a greater distance had not been offered for sale, yet the government disposed of a few quarter sections at the mouth of this stream, embracing the site of the village and fields cultivated by the inhabitants. The manifest object of this advanced movement upon the Indian settlements was to evade the provisions of the treaty, by having the governmental title to the lands pass into the hands of individuals and thus obtain a pretext for removing its owners west of the Mississippi. The white inhabitants thus introduced, commenced depredations by destroying the corn of the Indians, killing their domestic animals, and in some instances whipping their women and children. They carried with them as articles of traffic intoxicating liquors, and by frequently selling them in violation of law, introduced scenes of drunkenness and disorder. Some of the chiefs remonstrated against these outrages and even visited the house of a white settler and emptied the contents of his whiskey barrels on the ground, to prevent their people from becoming intoxicated and murdering the white inhabitants. The Americans, on the other hand, preferred grave charges against the Indians, many of which were true. Notwithstanding, in 1816 Black Hawk had recognized the treaty of 1804, and to use his own expression, he touched the goose quill to this paper in its confirmation, he endeavored to deceive his tribe with statements that their lands were inalienable and that the previous cessions and treaties were fraudulent and void. Again, when the government surveyed and sold the site of their village, although the object which induced the purchasers to pass over such large scope of unoccupied territory was hardly justifiable, yet, when the title of the government became vested in individuals the right of the Indians ceased and they should have peaceably retired. Furthermore, Black Hawk and his band, when they crossed the river, notified the whites that they must depart from the village, and the latter refusing to comply with their demand, their property was destroyed and they suffered in person various indignities at the hands of the savages. A petition signed by 40 persons, was sent on the 30th of April, 1831, to the executive of Illinois, representing that the previous fall the Black Hawk band of Indians destroyed most of the crops and made several attempts upon the lives of the owners when they endeavored to prevent the depre

dations; that now they act in a more outrageous and menacing manner and their number, which amounts to 600 or 700, is to be further augmented if necessary, by the Potawattomies and Winnebagoes. A few days after another petition was sent, which after detailing similar outrages committed by the sav ages, states that if relief does not arrive the inhabitants will be compelled to leave their crops and homes. Several depositions were also presented to the governor, corroborating the above evidence. B. F. Pike stated under oath that the number of warriors was about 300; that they had in various instances done much damage to the white inhabitants by throwing down their fences, destroying their fall grain, pulling off the roofs of their houses and positively asserting that if the Americans did not leave they would kill them.

Governor Reynolds, thus informed in regard to the state of affairs at the mouth of Rock River and believing that Black Hawk and his band were determined to retain possession of the country by force, resolved to effect their expulsion. A call was accordingly made for volunteers, and when it became known the whole northwestern part of the State resounded with the clamor of war. Many of the old citizens, who 20 years before had fought these Indians in the war with Great Britain, still survived and urged their sons to appear on the tented field against the same enemy. The exigencies of the situation demanded that troops should reach the scene of action in the shortest time practicable, and therefore the 10th of June was appointed as the time, and Beardstown as the place for the assembling of the forces. No county south of St. Clair and east of Sangamon was included in the call, it being impossible for troops from the remote parts of the State to meet, organize and reach the place of rendezvous in the brief interval of 14 or 15 days, the allotted time. The governor circulated documents among the people and made speeches showing that the defence of the northwestern frontier required prompt and energetic action. Notwithstanding it was the most busy season of the year, hundreds abandoned their plows and cornfields, and more than twice the number called for volunteered. It was easier to obtain men than provide means of sustenance. Cols. Enoch C. March and Samuel C. Christy were appointed quartermasters, who, being extensive merchants, possessed superior facilities for obtain. ing supplies. These gentlemen were successful in the discharge of their duties and provisions were in readiness at the appointed time for the expedition to march.

The governor, aware that General Clark, the superintendent of Indian affairs stationed at St. Louis, had great influence with the Sac and Fox tribes, on the 27th of May, 1831, the day on which he made the call for volunteers, addressed a letter to him requesting his co-operation. In this letter he states: "I have called out about 700 militia to protect the citizens near Rock Island from Indian depredations. I consider it due the general government to state that in about 15 days a sufficient force will appear before the hostile Indians to remove them dead or alive west of the Mississippi, but perhaps a request from you would induce them to leave without the necessity of resorting to arms. On the 28th another letter was sent to General Gaines at Jefferson Barracks, in which

he also stated: "I have received undoubted information that the section of the State near Rock Island is actually invaded by hostile bands of Indians headed by Black Hawk, and in order to repel the invasion and protect the citizens of the State, I have, under the provisions of the constitution of the United States and the laws of this State, called out the militia to the number of 700 men, who will be mounted and ready for service in a very short time. I consider it my duty to lay before you the above information that you may adopt such measures as you deem just and proper." Both generals Gaines and Clark considered the precaution of raising troops pursued by governor Reynolds unnecessary, believing that the forces of the regular army were sufficient to protect the frontier settlements. On the 2d of June, general Gaines replied to His Excellency that he had ordered 10 companies to Rock Island, 6 from Jefferson Barracks and 4 from Prairie du Chien, which he deemed sufficient for the protection of the frontiers, that if the entire Sac and Fox nation and other tribes united with the band of Black Hawk, he would call on him for additional forces to repel the invasion, but did not regard it necessary at that time.

Accompanied by six companies from the barracks, Gen. Gaines passed up the river in a steamboat to Fort Armstrong, situated on Rock Island, and on the 7th of June a council was held with the Indians. Black Hawk, Keokuk, Wapello, and a number of other chiefs and braves were present. Gen. Gaines stated in council that the President was displeased because the Sacs on Rock river refused to depart, that their great father only required that which was reasonable when he insisted that they should remove west of the river. Black Hawk replied by asserting that they had never sold their land and they were determined never to abandon them. Gen. Gaines thereupon inquired, "Who is Black Hawk? is he a chief, and why does he sit in council?" Black Hawk then arose from his seat, and gathering his blanket around him stalked out of the room without deigning a reply. When the council reconvened on the following morning Black Hawk was again present and said: "My father, you inquired yesterday who is Black Hawk, and why does he sit among the chiefs. I will tell you who I am. I am a Sac. My father was a Sac. I am a warrior and so was my father. Ask those young braves who have followed me to battle and they will tell you who Black Hawk is. Provoke our people to war and you will learn who Black Hawk is."

The result of the conference was that Black Hawk refused to leave, and Gen. Gaines informed him that if he and his band were not on the west side of the Mississippi in a short time he would be compelled to remove him by force. The American commander also wrote to governor Reynolds requesting the assistance of the volunteers and intimating that it might be necessary to call for more troops as Black Hawk was endeavoring to secure the cooperation of the neighboring tribes. It was hoped that by this augmentation of the forces the Indians might be intimidated, and thus prevent the effusion of blood, and in case of actual conflict the army would be enabled to act with greater efficiency.

Great enthusiasm was exhibited by the people in responding to the call for troops, and instead of 700, 1600 men offered their services. All were eager to enlist having made arrangements on leaving home to remain and take a part in the expedition. The

entire number could be provisioned and equipped, and it was deemed folly to appear on the field without a force sufficiently large when one more imposing and adequate could be secured. Among the volunteers were many of the best and most energetic citizens of the State, a number of whom afterward attained celebrity and still live to enjoy the respect of their countrymen. The whole force consisted of one brigade, subdivided into two regiments, and a spy and odd battalion. The governor, who accompanied the expedition, appointed Joseph Duncan, then a member of congress, brigadier general to command the entire brigade, and Samuel Whitesides a major to command the spy battalion. The other officers, not being regarded so essential to the success of the campaign, were elected by the volunteers.

Col. James D. Henry was chosen to command the first regiment, Col. Daniel Lieb the second, and major Nathaniel Buckmaster the odd battalion. Thus organized and furnished with the necessary supplies, the brigade left their encampment near Rushville on the 15th of June for the seat of the Indian disturbances. Although not highly disciplined, it was the largest military force that had ever assembled in the State, and made a very imposing appearance in its march over the then broad expanse of prairie wilderness. Eager for a fray with the Indians the utmost vigilance was required on the part of the officers, to keep the men from indiscrimi nately killing every straggling savage they encountered in their pleasant journey of four days to the Mississippi. A halt was made on its banks eight miles below the old Sac village, where they were met by a steamboat containing provisions, in charge of general Gaines, who received them into the service of the United States. A beautiful site was selected for an encampment, and as a battle was considered imminent, the greatest watchfulness was exercised during the night to guard against surprise, but no disturbance occured. Here generals Duncan and Gaines concerted measures of attack; the latter officer having been in the vicinity of the Indian town for some time, thus became acquainted with the topography of the place. Previous to the arrival of the volunteers he had possessed and fortified with cannon a commanding bluff in range of the village, and in another direction had posted a strong force of regulars to aid if necessary in the conflict. In accordance with the plan adopted, on the following morning General Gaines with a force of regulars and cannon steamed up the river in the boat, while the volunteers marched across the country, both forming a junction at Woodruff's Islands in the channel of the river opposite the Sac village. The boat having come within range of the island, fired several rounds of grape and canister into the dense growth of timber and thickets to test the presence of the Indians, who it was feared might be concealed among them, to intercept the passage of the volunteers across the stream. The spy battalion, followed by the main body of the forces in three columns, passed over a slough to the island, when it was discovered that the rapid elevation of the land from the water had prevented the shot taking effect more than 100 yards from the shore. Owing to this circumstance the Indians might have been concealed in full force without being discovered. Fortunately no enemy was found, for the volunteers became so completely bewildered in the tangled thickets as to disqualify them for effective resistance, and in case