Autobiography of Ma ka tai me she kia kiak, or Black Hawk

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On the least exposed side of the Fort was a work bench; over this the
Major threw the bridle rein of his horse, and most of the horses
huddled around this as if conscious of their danger. The Indians
swarmed around the Block House under cover; an ominous stillness
pervaded the air, which was soon broken by the crack of the rifles of
the white men. The best marksmen with the best guns were stationed at
the port holes, and a lively fire was kept up by the little garrison.
The Indians finding that they were making no impression, turned their
attention to shooting the horses, twenty-five of which they succeeded
in killing. After sharp firing for two hours they retreated, leaving
nine of their men dead on the field. This was the first engagement in
this war, in which the whites had held their position until
reinforcements arrived, without retreating. If the main force had
remained in the grove at this Block House after the volunteers went
out, without making any demonstration when the Indians came charging
up and still in the open prairie, they could have been easily
repulsed. This was the Major's plan of action, but the men became
excited by the firing, and having no commissioned officers to guide
them, started without order to assist their exposed comrades in the
open prairie, when they were flying for their lives to the block
house.

That evening Gen. Posey came up with his brigade, and although the
Indians were encamped a short distance away, he made no effort to
attack them but contented himself with reporting the situation to Col.
Z. Taylor at Dixon's Ferry. Gen. Whiteside had said to Major Dement
before crossing Rock river, that he was going into the Indian
rendezvous, where he could have an Indian for breakfast every morning,
and he found it literally true.

It seems strange that Major Dement should have been ordered by Col.
Taylor into the enemy's country, across Rock river, with so small a
force of volunteers, while a large force of Regulars and Volunteers,
commanded by regular United States officers, remained securely
entrenched in the rear. It was Major Dement's opinion that there were
more fighting men of Black Hawk's band of warriors in the engagement
at Kellogg's Grove than ever afterwards made a stand during the war.
It was easy for Gen. Posey to have moved up and attacked the Indians
on his arrival at the Grove, and then have dealt them a fatal blow by
forcing them to battle then, but he refused to do so, and the war was
not terminated until the fight at Bad Axe some two months later, in
which the Illinois troops did not engage. During this engagement at
the Block House, four whites and eleven Indians were killed. The
whites lost a large part of their horses--the Indians shooting them
from the timber, while the poor animals were huddled about the Block
House.

Although in command, Black Hawk remained in the Grove doing the
engagement, looking on to see that his principal aid, whose voice was
like a trumpet call, carried out his orders.

While reciting the incidents of this battle to the author, when
writing his Autobiography, Black Hawk spoke in high praise of Major
Dement as a commander, who had shown not only good military skill in
coming to the rescue of his party, but in withdrawing his little party
to the Fort.
After Dement's engagement General Posey's brigade started for Fort
Hamilton and remained there a short time. News of Dement's engagement
and march of Posey's brigade having been received at Dixon's Ferry,
where the two other brigades were stationed, Gen. Alexander, with the
2d brigade was ordered to cross Rock river and march to Plum river to
intercept the Indians, as it was deemed probable that they would make
for that point to cross the Mississippi. Gen. Atkinson, with
regulars, and Gen. Fry with his brigade, remained at Dixon waiting for
news of the route taken by the Indians. Next day Capt. Walker and
three Pottowottamie Indians came into Dixon and reported seventy-five
Pottowottamies ready to join the army now encamped at Sycamore creek,
and they were afraid that Black Hawk and his army was not far off.
For their protection, and to await the coming of the balance of the
second brigade, Col. Fry, of Henry's brigade, was sent forward
immediately. The next morning Gen. Henry's brigade moved forward with
Gen. Atkinson at the head, intending to march up Rock river, to the
Four Lakes, and camped at Stillwell's battle-ground the first night
and joined Col. Fry and his Pottowottamie Indians on the 29th, and
continued their march. On the 30th, when going into camp, they saw
signs of Sac Indians, but the sentinels were undisturbed during the
night. The next day they saw one Indian, but he was on the other side
of Plum river. On the 2d of July, Major Ewing being in front, spied a
fresh trail, and soon after came upon the fresh trail of Black Hawk's
entire force, at a point near Keeshkanawy Lake. Scouts from the
battalion came up to Black Hawk's encampment, from which they had
apparently taken their departure a few days before. Here they found
five white men's scalps which had been left hung up to dry. This
battalion continued to march around the lake in detachments, one of
which found where there had been another encampment, but on returning
to camp and comparing notes they began to despair of finding the main
body of Black Hawk's army in that region. On the 5th of July, Gen.
Atkinson with his army took a rest. During the day some scouts
brought in an old Indian nearly blind and half famished with hunger,
whom the Indians had left in their flight. After eating, Gen.
Atkinson questioned him closely as to the whereabouts of Black Hawk
and his army, but was satisfied from his replies and helpless
condition, that he did not know, but on taking up his line of march
the near morning, Gen. Atkinson did not leave him as the Indians had
done, alone and without any means of subsistence, but left him an
abundance of food, and as we afterwards learned, the old man recruited
and afterwards got back to his tribe.,

On the evening of the 9th the army encamped at White Water, and the
next morning Indians were seen on the other side of this stream which
was not fordable, one of whom shot and wounded a regular. After
breaking camp, Gen. Atkinson ordered a move up the river, and that
night camped with his entire force--all having met at the same point.
Gen. Dodge's corps had taken a Winnebago prisoner and brought him into
camp for the purpose of finding out if he knew where Black Hawk's
forces were. He said they were encamped on an island near Burnt
Village. Col. William S. Hamilton, a brave and honored son of
Alexander Hamilton, in command of a company of Menomonees, who had
joined the main army the day before, with Captain Early and his
command, after scouring the island thoroughly, reported there were no
Indians on the island.

Governor Reynolds, who had been on the march up Rock River with his
volunteers and the main army, together with Colonel Smith, Major
Sidney Breese and Colonel A. P. Field, left the army and came into
Galena on the 12th, from whom we obtained our information of the
movements of the army. They were firmly of the opinion that the
Indians had taken to the swamps, and gotten entirely out of reach of
the army, and that no farther danger need be apprehended. Colonel
Field, who is an eloquent speaker, at the solicitation of Colonel
Strode, although nearly worn out with hard marches, made an able and
soul-stirring speech to our regiment, and a large number of the
inhabitants of Galena.

At this time the army was nearly out of provisions, and Fort
Winnebago, about seventy-five miles distant, the nearest point at
which they could replenish. General Atkinson then ordered General
Posey with his brigade, to Fort Hamilton, General Henry's and
Alexander's brigade and General Dodge's squadron to Fort Winnebago for
provisions; and sent General Ewing and his regiment to Dixon with
Colonel Dunn, who had been seriously wounded by one of his own
sentinels, but who afterwards recovered. General Atkinson then built
a fort near the camping ground, which was Fort Keeshkanong. General
Alexander returned on the 15th with provisions to the fort, while
Generals Dodge and Henry thought best to go with their commands to the
head of Fox river, and while on the way stopped at a Winnebago village
and had a talk with their head men, who assured them that Black Hawk
was then at Cranberry Lake, a point higher up Rock river. After a
consultation by the Generals, it was deemed best to send an express to
General Atkinson at Fort Keeshkanong, to let him know of the
information they had got, and their intention of moving on the enemy
the next morning. Dr. Merryman, of Colonel Collins' regiment, and
Major Woodbridge, Adjutant of General Dodge's corps, volunteered to
go, and with Little Thunder, a Winnebago chief, as pilot, started out
to perform this dangerous service, and after traveling a few miles,
came on fresh Indian trails, which Little Thunder pronounced to have
been made by Black Hawk's party, and fearing that they would be
intercepted, insisted on returning to camp. Night was then
approaching, and having no guide to lead them forward, they
reluctantly followed Little Thunder back to camp. Orders were then
given for an early move next morning, and at daylight the bugle
sounded, and the army moved onwards. The trail was followed for two
days, leading for Four Lakes. On the second day, July 21st, scouts
from General Dodge's corps came in and reported Indians, and as a
confirmation of the fact, Dr. A.K. Philleo exhibited a scalp that he
had taken from the head of one that he had shot. Dr. Philleo was
brave as the bravest, and whenever a scouting party started out to
look for Indians (unless his services were required in camp), was
always in the lead, and this being his first Indian, took his scalp,
and sent it to the writer, with written instructions how to preserve
it. To this end we handed over both to a deaf and dumb printer in the
office, who boasted somewhat of his chemical knowledge, who spent
considerable time for a number of days in following the Doctor's
instructions. After the killing of this Indian, some of the scouts
discovered fresh signs of more Indians, and after pursuing it for some
miles, Dr. Philleo and his friend Journey, equally as brave, being in
the lead, espied two more Indians, when each picked his man and fired,
and both fell; one of them, although badly wounded, fired as he fell,
and wounded one of the scouts. The Doctor's attention was now
directed to his wounded companion, hence his second Indian was allowed
to retain his scalp.

The scouts, finding that the trail was fresh, and the Indians were
rapidly retreating, having strewed their trail with camp equipage, in
order to facilitate their movements, sent an express back to camp,
when the army hastily took up the line of march, with Dodge's corps
and Ewing's Spy battalion in the front. By fast riding they soon came
up with the Indians, whom they found already in line to receive them.

AT WISCONSIN HEIGHTS.

Orders were at once given to dismount (leaving enough to hold the
horses) and charge upon the Indians. They had scarcely time to form
into line when they were met by the yelling Indians and a heavy volley
from their guns.

Dodge and Ewing ordered a charge, and as they moved forward, returned
the fire at close quarters, with deadly effect. The Indians then
commenced a flank movement, and by securing a position in the high
grass where they could in a measure conceal themselves, fought
bravely, until Dodge and Ewing gave orders to charge upon them at the
point of the bayonet. In this engagement Col. Jones had his horse
shot from under him, and one man killed--but at the word _"charge,"_
he went forward with his brave men, and all performed their duty nobly
and fearlessly, and soon dislodged the Indians from their hiding place
and forced them into a hasty retreat. It being then too late to
pursue them, orders were given to camp on the battle-ground.

In this engagement Neapope had command, who was not only brave and
fearless, but well skilled in strategy. Having become well acquainted
with him after the war, he told the writer that he knew Gen. Dodge
personally, and had met him on the field of battle, and considered him
one of the bravest men he had ever met, although in this engagement
all the officers showed great skill and bravery, and thus encouraged
their men to acts of noble daring to a degree that he had never before
witnessed in common--not regular--soldiers. He said in this
engagement, the command had been entrusted to him of this small force--
about two hundred--Indians, in order to give Black Hawk and the
remainder of his party, time to cross the river. He reported his loss
at twenty-eight (28) killed.

The newt morning a portion of the army was ordered forward to pursue
the fleeing enemy, but on reaching the river, found that they had
taken to the swamps, when it was deemed prudent to return to camp
without attempting to follow them.

Here the army rested for one day, and made comfortable provisions to
carry the wounded, after having consigned the remains of John Short,
who had been killed the day before, to mother Earth, with the honors
of war.

In the meantime, Gen. Atkinson arrived with his regulars and the
brigades of Generals Posey and Alexander; and on the 28th of July,
took up the line of march with Gen. Atkinson at the head. Their route
led through a mountainous country for several days, as the Indiana
seemed to have selected the most difficult route they could find in
order to gain time, and reach the river in advance, and then secure
the best possible positions to defend themselves.

Having learned from an old Indian that had been left behind, that the
enemy was only a short distance ahead, Gen. Atkinson, on breaking camp
at an early hour in the morning, gave orders for the march towards the
river, with Gen. Dodge's squadron in front; Infantry next; Second
brigade, under command of Gen. Alexander, next; Gen. Posey's brigade
next, and Gen. Henry's in the rear.

After marching a few miles Gen. Dodge's scouts discovered the rear
guard of the enemy, when an express was sent immediately to Gen.
Atkinson, who ordered troops to proceed at double quick. In the
meantime Gen. Dodge's command pushed forward and opened a heavy fire,
from which many Indians were shot down while retreating toward the
Mississippi, where their main body was stationed. Dodge's squadron
being in the lead, were first to open upon the main army of the
Indians, whilst Gen. Henry's brigade, that had been placed in the rear
in the morning, came first to his aid. The battle waged furiously for
more than two hours, and until the last visible Indian warrior was
killed. The Indians had commenced crossing before the battle opened,
and a number took to their canoes and made good their escape as the
battle progressed. The number killed was estimated at something over
one hundred, but the Indians afterward reported their loss at seventy-
eight killed and forty-two wounded. Our loss was seventeen killed and
about the same number wounded.

During the engagement several squaws were killed accidentally and a
number wounded, including children, who were taken prisoners. Among
the latter, Dr. Philleo reported a boy with one arm badly broken, who
exhibited a greater degree of stoicism during the operation of
amputation, than he had ever before witnessed. Being very hungry,
they gave him a piece of bread to eat, which he ravenously masticated
during the entire operation, apparently manifesting no pain whatever
from the work of the surgeon.

Many of the Indians who got across the river in safety were afterwards
killed by the Menomonees.

STEAMBOAT WARRIOR'S FIGHT.

On the 2d of August, 1832, the steamboat, Warrior, was lying at
Prairie du Chien, and word having been received at the fort that Black
Hawk's main army was then at, or near the river above, at a point
designated for all to meet for the purpose of crossing the river,
Lieut. Kingsbury took her in charge, and started up with one company,
in order to intercept the Indians and prevent their crossing before
the main army arrived, as he knew it was in close pursuit of them.
The boat soon came in view of Indians on both sides of the river--
Black Hawk and several lodges having already crossed over-when they
were hailed by Lieut. Kingsbury. A white flag was hoisted by the
Indians, and Black Hawk directed the Winnebago interpreter on board
the Warrior, to say to his chief that he wanted him to send out his
small boat so as he could go on board, a he desired to give himself
up. The Winnebago, however, reported to the commander that they
refused to bring their flag aboard. He then directed his interpreter
to say that if they still refused he would open fire upon them. In
reply, the interpreter said they still refused, when the Lieutenant
directed his six-pounder to be fired among them, and also opened a
musketry fire by his company. This was returned by the Indians, and
the battle continued for some time. Several Indians were killed at
the first fire, after which the remainder sought protection behind
trees, stumps, etc. It was then getting late in the afternoon, and as
the boat was nearly out of wood they dropped down to the fort to
replenish, and started back again the next morning. On reaching an
island some miles above their battle-ground of the day before, they
commenced to rake it with their six-pounder, supposing the Indians had
taken shelter there, and the army considering it a salute, Gen.
Atkinson returned it. Soon after the boat landed and took on board
Gen. Atkinson and the regulars and then returned to Prairie du Chien.
The Illinois volunteers were ordered to Dixon, at which place they
were discharged, while the troops of the lead mines were mustered out
at Galena. After the boat started down the evening before, Black Hawk
and a few of his people left for the lodge of a Winnebago friend, and
gave himself up. Thus ended a bloody war which had been forced upon
Black Hawk by Stillman's troops violating a flag of truce, which was
contrary to the rules of war of all civilized nations, and one that
had always been respected by the Indians. And thus, by the treachery
or ignorance of the Winnebago interpreter on board of the Warrior, it
was bought to a close in the same ignoble way it commenced--
disregarding a flag of truce--and by which Black Hawk lost more than
half of his army. But in justice to Lieut. Kingsbury, who commanded
the troops on the Warrior, and to his credit it must be said, that
Black Hawk's flag would have been respected if the Winnebago, who
acted as his interpreter on the boat, had reported him correctly.

GENERAL ATKINSON'S REPORT.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARTILLERY CORPS, NORTH-WESTERN ARMY, Prairie du
Chiens, Aug. 25, 1832.

SIR:--I have the honor to report to you that I crossed the Ouisconsin
on the 27th and 28th ultimo, with a select body of troops, consisting
of the regulars under Colonel Taylor, four hundred in number, part of
Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's brigades, amounting in all to 1,300
men, and immediately fell upon the trail of the enemy, and pursued it
by a forced march, through a mountainous and difficult country, till
the morning of the 2d inst., when we came up with his main body on the
left bank of the Mississippi, nearly opposite the mouth of the Ioway,
which we attacked, defeated and dispensed, with a loss on his part of
about a hundred and fifty men killed, thirty men, women and children
taken prisoners--the precise number could not be ascertained, as the
greater potion was slain after being forced into the river. Our loss
in killed and wounded, which is stated below, is very small in
comparison with the enemy, which may be attributed to the enemy's
being forced from his position by a rapid charge the commencement, and
throughout the engagement the remnant of the enemy, cut up and
disheartened, crossed to the opposite side of the river, and had fled
into the interior, with a view, it is supposed, of joining Keokuk and
Wapello's bands of Sacs and Foxes.

The horses of the volunteer troops being exhausted by long marches,
and the regular troops without shoes, it was not thought advisable to
continue the pursuit; indeed, a stop to the further effusion of blood
seemed to be called for, till it might he ascertained if the enemy
would surrender.

It is ascertained from our prisoners that the enemy lost in the battle
of the Ouisconsin sixty-eight killed and a very large number wounded;
his whole loss does not fall short of three hundred. After the battle
on the Ouisconsin, those of the enemy's women and children, and some
who were dismounted, attempted to make their escape by descending that
river, but judicious measures being taken by Captain Loomis and
Lieutenant Street, Indian Agent, thirty-two women and children and
four men have been capured, and some fifteen men killed by the
detachment under Lieutenant Ritner.

The day after the battle on the river, I fell down with the regular
troops to this place by water, and the wounded men will join us to-
day. It is now my purpose to direct, Keokuk to demand a surrender of
the remaining principal men of the hostile party, which, from the
large number of women and children we hold prisoners, I have every
reason to believe will be compiled with. Should it not, they should
be pursued and subdued, a step Major-General Scott will take upon his
arrival.

I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the regular and
volunteer forces engaged in the last battle, and the fatiguing march
that preceded it, and as soon as the reports of officers of the
brigades and corps are handed in, they shall be submitted with further
remarks:
5 killed, 6 wounded, 6th inft.
2 wounded, 5th inft.
1 Captain, 5 privates, Dodge's Bat., mounted.
1 Lieutenant, 6 privates, Henry's Bat.
1 private wounded, Alexander's.
1 private wounded Posey's.

I have the great honor to be, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
H. ATKINSON,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U.S.A.
Maj. Gen. Macomb, Com. in Chief, Washington.

APPENDIX.

AT YELLOW BANKS.

Among the many hundreds of troops that came to Yellow Bank--Oquawka--
on their way to the sea of war, Major S. S. Phelps always spoke in
high terms of their good discipline and gentlemanly conduct, except in
one instance--that of a few persons in a company from McDonough
county, who came over at a time when old chief Tama and his wife, who
was noted for being the white man's friend, came over to get
provisions for his little band. On seeing an Indian some of these
soldiers, who had been using their canteens rather frequently, were
eager to slay him, and not only threatened him but Major P. also, for
harboring him. The officers seemed to have no control of these men--
and just at a time when their threats were loudest of what they
intended to do at the close of three minutes, Major P. and one of his
clerks, Mr. Joseph Smart, were standing with their rifles cocked ready
to make the first shot, a cry came from outside of the building, by
one of the more peaceable soldiers, "Here comes another company, Capt.
Peter Butler's, from Monmouth," when these would-be braves instantly
retreated.

We are assured by one of Capt. B.'s company, Mr. James Ryason, that
the foregoing is literally true, and that Major P. and Mr. Smart,
afterwards, amid the threats of these same soldiers, escorted Tama and
wife to the river bank to take their canoe to cross the river, and
stood there with their guns, ready to protect the Indians until they
got out of reach of gunshot--Smart threatening all the time to put a
ball though the first man that attempted to shoot.

In order to appease the wrath of these soldiers and prevent some of
them being killed, Capt. B. advised Maj. P. not to give Tama any
provisions; but on the way down, Mr. Ryason says, Smart (who talked
their language equal to a native born) told them to meet them at a
certain point after night and they would be supplied; and that for the
purpose of assisting Mr. Smart in taking supplies to Tama, he got
leave of absence from the Captain until next morning.

Messrs. James Ryason and Gabriel Shot, both honorable and highly
respected Christian gentlemen, are the only survivors of that company
now residing in this county.

Tama's village, located on South Henderson, half a mile below the farm
of Mr. John T. Cook, at Gladstone, was always noted as being the abode
of friendy Indians. In the fall of 1829, some write men came in and
made improvements on the land in the vicinity, and at the advice of
Mr. Phelps, Tama crossed the river and made a new town at the mouth of
Flint river on the Mississippi, and at the time of Black Hawk's raid
into Illinois, it was the rendezvous of many young men who had been
persuaded by Tama not to join Black Hawk. But when the news reached
them of the indignities offered to their good old chief, they secretly
determined to go upon the war path, and soon after four young Foxes
started to cross the river and avenge the insult. On going up
Henderson creek they espied Mr. William Martin while in the act of
mowing, at a point near Little York, whom they shot and killed, and
for fear of detection, immediately took to the brush. It being late
when they got through the woods, they made a fire and camped just at
the edge of the prairie.

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