Several shameful acts against the Indians were perpetrated by the whites about this time. In one instance several settlers, claiming that they had been ill-used, fell upon Black Hawk and beat him unmercifully. The indignity, added to other wrongs, led him to determine upon war against the whites. He had been promised help by other tribes, but when he called upon them, nearly all refused to give the slightest aid. He convinced Keokuk that he had made a great mistake in parting with the lands, and that chief promised to do what he could to get them back. Black Hawk said he would let the whites have all the valuable lead mines, on condition that they were allowed to stay in their village and till their cornfields, where, according to tradition, one of their villages had stood for nearly two centuries.
So sure were the Sacs that their wishes would be granted, that they went on their usual fall hunt in 1830. When they came back, they found that the whites had moved in, and taken possession of every wigwam and lodge. The Sacs were upon the banks of the Mississippi, without shelter for their squaws and children. No wonder that they felt the wrong was beyond bearing.
The chiefs decided to take possession of their village. The whites were alarmed when the blanketed warriors and their families stalked in among them and made themselves at home. It was evident that any attempt to oust the rightful owners would cause bloodshed; so the settlers said they would stay and work and plant in partnership. This was done, but the situation of the Indians was made almost intolerable. The whites took care that they had the best land, and they treated their dusky neighbors with brutal harshness, insulting them on every pretext, and, in one instance at least, they beat a young man so badly that he died of his injuries. It was to be expected in some cases the Indians would give great provocation, but nothing could excuse the wholesale stealing of their village and land. The chiefs, knowing how closely they were watched, and that the intruders were anxious for an excuse for calling upon the authorities, told their people in no circumstances to be the first to commit a hostile act against the intruders.
The Sacs were notified that their lands had been sold, and they must not again set foot on the eastern side of the river. We have shown that they disregarded the warning, and Black Hawk and his band did not hesitate to declare they meant to stay. The settlers appealed to the governor of Illinois, who, asserting that the State had been invaded by hostile Indians, called out seven hundred militia to protect the citizens. He requested General Gaines, commanding the western department, to coöperate with him. That officer summoned a strong force of regulars and went to the region in dispute. Under date of June 2d, 1831, the general made the following interesting statement:
"I have visited the Rock River villages, with a view to ascertain the localities, and, as far as possible, the disposition of the Indians. They confirm me in the opinion I had previously formed, that, whatever may be their feelings of hostility, they are resolved to abstain from the use of their tomahawks and firearms except in self-defence. But I am resolved to abstain from firing a shot without some bloodshed, or some manifest attempt to shed blood, on the part of the Indians. I have already induced one-third of them to cross the Mississippi to their own land. The residue, however, say, as the friendly chiefs report, that they will never move; and what is very uncommon, their women urge their hostile husbands to fight rather than to move and thus abandon their homes."
General Gaines awaited the arrival of the militia. They appeared about a week later. Knowing what was to be expected from them, if they were once let loose, the Indians immediately moved across the Mississippi, and the army took possession of the Sac village without the firing of a shot. A treaty was signed, but it was without permanent effect, for before the close of the year, both parties violated it.
Being in a starving condition, a number of Sacs secretly recrossed the river, and stole some of their own corn. Matters remained in an unsettled condition, and in the following spring, General Atkinson, at the head of a regiment of regulars, set out for the Upper Mississippi. At his approach Black Hawk and his party left their camp, and went up Rock River. He expected to be joined by the Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes and Kickapoos, but they wisely kept out of the fighting, when they knew a disastrous end was certain.
Black Hawk moved leisurely up stream, and on the way was overtaken by several expresses from General Atkinson, ordering him to return. In every instance the chief sent back a defiant answer, and kept on. Instead of pursuing, General Atkinson halted at Dixon's Ferry, and waited for the reinforcements that were on the way. He was pleased to find, however, that quite a strong military force had already arrived at the place before his advent.
Having decided upon a reconnaissance, Major Silliman at the head of two hundred and seventy men, moved cautiously toward the hostiles. Black Hawk sent three messengers with a flag of truce to invite the officer to a conference. Instead of accepting the invitation or respecting the flag, the major made prisoners of the bearers. Not understanding why they did not return, Black Hawk sent five other messengers after them. They were fired upon and two killed, the others escaping by running. Thus the Sacs were receiving valuable lessons in civilized warfare.
As soon as the chief learned of the outrage, he prepared to ambush the advancing company, although their number was more than double that of the Indians. The effort succeeded so well, that the soldiers were driven back in disorderly flight with the loss of a dozen men.