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

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

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Several small parties went out, and returned again in a few days, with
success--bringing in provisions for our people. In the mean time,
some spies came in, and reported that the army had fallen back to
Dixon's ferry; and others brought news that the horsemen had broken up
their camp, disbanded, and returned home.

Finding that all was safe, I made a dog feast, preparatory to leaving
my camp with a large party, (as the enemy were stationed so far off).
Before my braves commenced feasting, I took my medicine bags, and
addressed them in the following language:

"BRAVES AND WARRIORS: These are the medicine bags of our forefather,
Mukataquet, who was the father of the Sac nation. They were handed
down to the great war chief of our nation, Nanamakee, who has been at
war with all the nations of the plains, and have never yet been
disgraced! I expect you all to protect them!"

After the ceremony was over and our feasting done I started, with
about two hundred warriors following my great medicine bags. I
directed my, course toward sunset and dreamed, the second night after
we started, that there would be a great feast prepared for us after
one day's travel. I told my warriors my dream in the morning and we
started for Moscohocoynak, (Apple river). When we arrived in the
vicinity of a fort the white people had built there we saw four men on
horseback. One of my braves fired and wounded a man when the others
set up a yell as if a large force were near and ready to come against
us. We concealed ourselves and remained in this position for some
time watching to see the enemy approach, but none came. The four men,
in the mean time, ran to the fort and gave the alarm. We followed
them and attacked their fort. One of their braves, who seemed more
valiant than the rest, raised his head above the picketing to fire at
us when one of my braves, with a well-directed shot, put an end to his
bravery. Finding that these people could not be killed without
setting fire to their houses and fort I thought it more prudent to be
content with what flour, provisions, cattle and horses we could find
than to set fire to their buildings, as the light would be seen at a
distance and the army might suppose we were in the neighborhood and
come upon us with a strong force. Accordingly we opened a house and
filled our bags with flour and provisions, took several horses and
drove off some of their cattle.

We started in a direction toward sunrise. After marching a
considerable time I discovered some white men coming towards us. I
told my braves that we would go into the woods and kill them when they
approached. We concealed ourselves until they came near enough and
then commenced yelling and firing and made a rush upon them. About
this time their chief, with a party of men, rushed up to rescue the
men we had fired upon. In a little while they commenced retreating
and left their chief and a few braves who seemed willing and anxious
to fight. They acted like men, but were forced to give way when I
rushed upon them with my braves. In a short time the chief returned
with a lager party. He seemed determined to fight, and anxious for a
battle. When he came near enough I raised the yell and firing
commenced from both sides. The chief, who seemed to be a small man,
addressed his warriors in a loud voice, but they soon retreated,
leaving him and a few braves on the battle field. A great number of
my warriors pursued the retreating party and killed a number of their
horses as they ran.

The chief and his few braves were unwilling to leave the field. I
ordered my braves to rush upon them, and had the mortification of
seeing two of my chiefs killed before the enemy retreated.

This young chief deserves great praise for his courage and bravery,
but fortunately for us, his army was not all composed of such brave
men.

During this attack we killed several men and about forty horses and
lost two young chiefs and seven warriors. My braves were anxious to
pursue them to the fort, attack and burn it, but I told them it was
useless to waste our powder as there was no possible chance of success
if we did attack them, and that as we had ran the bear into his hole
we would there leave him and return to our camp.

On arriving at our encampment we found that several of our spies had
returned, bringing intelligence that the army had commenced moving.
Another party of five came in and said they had been pursued for
several hours, and were attacked by twenty-five or thirty whites in
the woods; that the whites rushed in upon them as they lay concealed
and received their fire without seeing them. They immediately
retreated whilst we reloaded. They entered the thicket again and as
soon as they came near enough we fired. Again they retreated and
again they rushed into the thicket and fired. We returned their fire
and a skirmish ensued between two of their men and one of ours, who
was killed by having his throat cut. This was the only man we lost,
the enemy having had three killed; they again retreated.

Another party of three Sacs had come in and brought two young white
squaws, whom they had given to the Winnebagoes to take to the whites.
They said they had joined a party of Pottowattomies and went with them
as a war party against the settlers of Illinois.

The leader of this party, a Pottowattomie, had been severely whipped
by this settler, some time before, and was anxious to avenge the
insult and injury. While the party was preparing to start, a young
Pottowattomie went to the settler's house and told him to leave it,
that a war party was coming to murder them. They started, but soon
returned again, as it appeared that they were all there when the war
party arrived. The Pottowattomies killed the whole family, except two
young squaws, whom the Sacs took up on their horses and carried off,
to save their lives. They were brought to our encampment, and a
messenger sent to the Winnebagoes, as they were friendly on both
sides, to come and get them, and carry them to the whites. If these
young men, belonging to my band, had not gone with the Pottowittomies,
the two young squaws would have shared the same fate as their friends.

During our encampment at the Four Lakes we were hard pressed to obtain
enough to eat to support nature. Situated in a swampy, marshy
country, (which had been selected in consequence of the great
difficulty required to gain access thereto,) there was but little game
of any sort to be found, and fish were equally scarce. The great
distance to any settlement, and the impossibility of bringing supplies
therefrom, if any could have been obtained, deterred our young men
from making further attempts. We were forced to dig roots and bark
trees, to obtain something to satisfy hunger and keep us alive.
Several of our old people became so reduced, as to actually die with
hunger! Learning that the army had commenced moving, and fearing that
they might come upon and surround our encampment, I concluded to
remove our women and children across the Mississippi, that they might
return to the Sac nation again. Accordingly, on the next day we
commenced moving, with five Winnebagoes acting as our guides,
intending to descend the Wisconsin.

Neapope, with a party of twenty, remained in our rear, to watch for
the enemy, whilst we were proceeding to the Wisconsin, with our women
and children. We arrived, and had commenced crossing over to an
island, when we discovered a large body of the enemy coming towards
us. We were now compelled to fight, or sacrifice our wives and
children to the fury of the whites. I met them with fifty warriors,
(having left the balance to assist our women and children in crossing)
about a mile from the river, When an attack immediately commenced, I
was mounted on a fine horse, and was pleased to see my warriors so
brave. I addressed them in a load voice, telling them to stand their
ground and never yield it to the enemy. At this time I was on the
rise of a hill, where I wished to form my warriors, that we might have
some advantage over the whites. But the enemy succeeded in gaining
this point, which compelled us to fall into a deep ravine, from which
we continued firing at them and they at us, until it began to grow
dark. My horse having been wounded twice during this engagement, and
fearing from his loss of blood that he would soon give out, and
finding that the enemy would not come near enough to receive our fire,
in the dusk of the evening, and knowing that our women and children
had had sufficient time to reach the island in the Wisconsin, I
ordered my warriors to return, by different routes, and meet me at the
Wisconsin, and was astonished to find that the enemy were not disposed
to pursue us.

In this skirmish with fifty braves, I defended and accomplished my
passage over the Wisconsin, with a loss of only six men, though
opposed by a host of mounted militia. I would not have fought there,
but to gain time for our women and children to cross to an island. A
warrior will duly appreciate the embarrassments I labored under--and
whatever may be the sentiments of the white people in relation to this
battle, my nation, though fallen, will award to me the reputation of a
great brave in conducting it.

The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained by our party; but I am
of the opinion that it was much greater, in proportion, than mine. We
returned to the Wisconsin and crossed over to our people.

Here some of my people left me, and descended the Wisconsin, hoping to
escape to the west side of the Mississippi, that they might return
home. I had no objection to their leaving me, as my people were all
in a desperate condition, being worn out with traveling and starving
with hunger. Our only hope to save ourselves was to get across the
Mississippi. But few of this party escaped. Unfortunately for them, a
party of soldiers from Prairie du Chien were stationed on the
Wisconsin, a short distance from its mouth, who fired upon our
distressed people. Some were killed, others drowned, several taken
prisoners, and the balance escaped to the woods and perished with
hunger. Among this party were a great many women and children.

I was astonished to find that Neapope and his party of spies had not
yet come in, they having been left in my rear to bring the news, if
the enemy were discovered. It appeared, however, that the whites had
come in a different direction and intercepted our trail but a short
distance from the place where we first saw them, leaving our spies
considerably in the rear. Neapope and one other retired to the
Winnebago village, and there remained during the war. The balance of
his party, being brave men, and considering our interests as their
own, returned, and joined our ranks.

Myself and band having no means to descend the Wisconsin, I started
over a rugged country, to go to the Mississippi, intending to cross it
and return to my nation. Many of our people were compelled to go on
foot, for want of horses, which, in consequence of their having had
nothing to eat for a long time, caused our march to be very slow. At
length we arrived at the Mississippi, having lost some of our old men
and little children, who perished on the way with hunger.

We had been here but a little while before we saw a steamboat (the
"Warrior,") coming. I told my braves not to shoot, as I intended
going on board, so that we might save our women and children. I knew
the captain (Throckmorton) and was determined to give myself up to
him. I then sent for my white flag. While the messenger was gone, I
took a small piece of white cotton and put it on a pole, and called to
the captain of the boat, and told him to send his little canoe ashore
and let me come aboard. The people on board asked whether we were
Sacs or Winnebagoes. I told a Winnebago to tell them that we were
Sacs, and wanted to give ourselves up! A Winnebago on the boat called
out to us "to run and hide, that the whites were going to shoot!"
About this time one of my braves had jumped into the river, bearing a
white flag to the boat, when another sprang in after him and brought
him to the shore. The firing then commenced from the boat, which was
returned by my braves and continued for some time. Very few of my
people were hurt after the first fire, having succeeded in getting
behind old logs and trees, which shielded them from the enemy's fire.

The Winnebago on the steamboat must either have misunderstood what was
told, or did not tell it to the captain correctly; because I am
confident he would not have allowed the soldiers to fire upon us if he
had known my wishes. I have always considered him a good man, and too
great a brave to fire upon an enemy when sueing for quarters.

After the boat left us, I told my people to cross if they could, and
wished; that I intended going into the Chippewa country. Some
commenced crossing, and such as had determined to follow them,
remained; only three lodges going with me. Next morning, at daybreak,
a young man overtook me, and said that all my party had determined to
cross the Mississippi--that a number had already got over safely and
that he had heard the white army last night within a few miles of
them. I now began to fear that the whites would come up with my
people and kill them before they could get across. I had determined
to go and join the Chippewas; but reflecting that by this I could only
save myself, I concluded to return, and die with my people, if the
Great Spirit would not give us another victory. During our stay in
the thicket, a party of whites came close by us, but passed on without
discovering us.

Early in the morning a party of whites being in advance of the army,
came upon our people, who were attempting to cross the Mississippi.
They tried to give themselves up; the whites paid no attention to
their entreaties, but commenced slaughtering them. In a little while
the whole army arrived. Our braves, but few in umber, finding that
the enemy paid no regard to age or sex, and seeing that they were
murdering helpless women and little children, determined to fight
until they were killed. As many women as could, commenced swimming
the Mississippi, with their children on their backs. A number of them
were drowned, and some shot before they could reach the opposite
shore.

One of my braves, who gave me this information, piled up some saddles
before him, (when the fight commenced), to shield himself from the
enemy's fire, and killed three white men. But seeing that the whites
were coming too close to him, he crawled to the bank of the without
being perceived, and hid himself under the bank until the enemy
retired. He then came to me and told me what had been done. After
hearing this sorrowful news, I started with my little party to the
Winnebago village at Prairie La Cross. On my arrival there I entered
the lodge of one of the chiefs, and told him that I wished him to go
with me to his father, that I intended giving myself up to the
American war chief and die, if the Great Spirit saw proper. He said
he would go with me. I then took my medicine bag and addressed the
chief. I told him that it was "the soul of the Sac nation--that it
never had been dishonored in any battle, take it, it is my life--
dearer than life--and give it to the American chief!" He said he
would keep it, and take care of it, and if I was suffered to live, he
would send it to me.

During my stay at the village, the squaws made me a white dress of
deer skin. I then started with several Winnebagoes, and went to their
agent, at Prairie du Chien, and gave myself up.

On my arrival there, I found to my sorrow, that a large body of Sioux
had pursued and killed a number of our women and children, who had got
safely across the Mississippi. The whites ought not to have permitted
such conduct, and none but cowards would ever have been guilty of such
cruelty, a habit which had always been practiced on our nation by the
Sioux.

The massacre, which terminated the war, lasted about two hours. Our
loss in killed was about sixty, besides a number that was drowned.
The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained by my braves, exactly;
but they think that they killed about sixteen during the action.

I was now given up by the agent to the commanding officer at Fort
Crawford, the White Beaver having gone down the river. We remained
here a short time, and then started for Jefferson Barracks, in a steam
boat, under the charge of a young war chief, (Lieut. Jefferson Davis)
who treated us all with much kindness. He is a good and brave young
chief, with whose conduct I was much pleased. On our way down we
called at Galena and remained a short time. The people crowded to the
boat to see us: but the war chief would not permit them to enter the
apartment where we were--knowing, from what his feelings would have
been if he had been placed in a similar situation, that we did not
wish to have a gaping crowd around us.

We passed Rock Island without stopping. The great war chief, Gen.
Scott, who was then at Fort Armstrong, came out in a small boat to see
us, but the captain of the steamboat would not allow anybody from the
fort to come on board his boat, in consequence of the cholera raging
among the soldiers. I did think that the captain ought to have
permitted the war chief to come on board to see me, because I could
see no danger to be apprehended by it. The war chief looked well, and
I have since heard was constantly among his soldiers, who were sick
and dying, administering to their wants, and had not caught the
disease from them and I thought it absurd to think that any of the
people on the steamboat could be afraid of catching the disease from a
well man. But these people are not brave like war chiefs, who never
fear anything.

On our way down, I surveyed the country that had cost us so much
trouble, anxiety and blood, and that now caused me to be a prisoner of
war. I reflected upon the ingratitude of the whites when I saw their
fine houses, rich harvests and everything desirable around them; and
recollected that all this land had been ours, for which I and my
people had never received a dollar, and that the whites were not
satisfied until they took our village and our graveyards from us and
removed us across the Mississippi.

On our arrival at Jefferson Barracks we met the great war chief, White
Beaver, who had commanded the American army against my little band. I
felt the humiliation of my situation; a little while before I had been
leader of my braves, now I was a prisoner of war, but had surrendered
myself. He received us kindly and treated us well.

We were now confined to the barracks and forced to wear the ball and
chain. This was extremely mortifying and altogether useless. Was the
White Beaver afraid 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 on 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, as it is the custom among the 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 is his power to render us
comfortable. Having been accustomed, throughout a long life, to roam
the forests o'er, to go and come at liberty, confinement, and under
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.

The trader, Sagenash, (Col. Davenport) presented me with some dried
venison, which had been killed and cured by some of my friends. This
was a valuable present, and although he had given me many before, none
ever pleased me so much. This was the first meat I had eaten for a
long time that reminded me of the former pleasures of my own wigwam,
which had always been stored with plenty.

Keokuk and his chiefs, during their stay at the barracks, petitioned
our Great Father, the president, to release us, and pledged themselves
for our good conduct. I now began to hope I would soon be restored to
liberty and the enjoyment of my family and friends, having heard that
Keokuk stood high in the estimation of our Great Father, because he
did not join me in the war, but I was soon disappointed in my hopes.
An order came from our Great Father to the White Beaver to send us on
to Washington.

In a little while all were ready and left Jefferson Barracks on board
of a steamboat, under charge of a young war chief and one soldier,
whom the White Beaver sent along as a guide to Washington. We were
accompanied by Keokuk, wife and son, Appanooce, Wapello, Poweshiek,
Pashippaho, Nashashuk, Saukee, Musquaukee, and our interpreter. Our
principal traders, Col. Geo. Davenport, of Rock Island, and S. S.
Phelps and clerk, William Cousland, of the Yellow Banks, also
accompanied us. On our way up the Ohio we passed several large
villages, the names of which were explained to me. The first is
called Louisville, and is a very petty village, situated on the bank
of the Ohio River. The next is Cincinnati, which stands on the bank
of the same river. This is a large and beautiful village and seemed
to be in a thriving condition. The people gathered on the bank as we
passed, in great crowds, apparently anxious to see us.

On our arrival at Wheeling the streets and river banks were crowded
with people, who flocked from every direction to see us. While we
remained here many called upon us and treated us with kindness, no one
offering to molest or misuse us. This village is not so large as
either of those before mentioned, but is quite a pretty one.

We left the steamboat then, having traveled a long distance on the
prettiest river I ever saw (except our Mississippi) and took the
stage. Being unaccustomed to this mode of traveling, we soon got
tired and wished ourselves seated in a canoe on one of our own rivers,
that we might return to our friends. We had traveled but a short
distance before our carriage turned over, from which I received a
slight injury, and the soldier had one arm broken. I was sorry for
this accident, as the young man had behaved well.

We had a rough and mountainous country for several days, but had a
good trail for our carriage. It is astonishing what labor and pains
the white people have had to make this road, as it passes over several
mountains, which are generally covered with rocks and timber, yet it
has been made smooth and easy to travel upon.

Rough and mountainous as this country is there are many wigwams and
small villages standing on the roadside. I could see nothing in the
country to induce the people to live in it, and was astonished to find
so many whites living on the hills.

I have often thought of them since my return to my own people, and am
happy to think that they prefer living in their own country to coming
out to ours and driving us from it, as many of the whites have already
done. I think with them, that wherever the Great Spirit places his
people they ought to be satisfied to remain, and be thankful for what
He has given them, and not drive others from the country He has given
them because it happens to be better then theirs. This is contrary to
our way of thinking, and from my intercourse with the whites, I have
learned that one great principle of their religion is "to do unto
others as you wish them to do unto you." Those people in the
mountains seem to act upon this principle, but the settlers on our
frontiers and on our lands seem never to think of it, if we are to
judge by their actions.

The first village of importance that we came to, after leaving the
mountains, is called Hagerstown. It is a large village to be so far
from a river and is very pretty. The people appear to live well and
enjoy themselves much.

We passed through several small villages on the way to Fredericktown,
but I have forgotten their names. This last is a large and beautiful
village. The people treated us well, as they did at all other
villages where we stopped,

Here we came to another road much more wonderful than that through the
mountains. They call it a railroad, (the Baltimore and Ohio). I
examined it carefully, but need not describe it, as the whites know
all about it. It is the most astonishing sight I ever saw. The great
road over the mountains will bear no comparison to it, although it has
given the white people much trouble to make. I was surprised to see so
much money and labor expended to make a good road for easy traveling.
I prefer riding horse back, however, to any other way, but suppose
these people would not have gone to so much trouble and expense to
make a road if they did not prefer riding in their new fashioned
carriages, which seem to run without any trouble, being propelled by
steam on the same principle that boats are on the river. They
certainly deserve great praise for their industry.

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