Outdoor Life and Indian Stories / Making open air life attractive to young Americans by telling them all about woodcraft, signs and signaling, the stars, fishing, camping, camp cooking, how to tie knots and how to make fire without matches, and many other fascinating open air pursuits. Also, stories of noted hunters and scouts, great indians and warriors, including Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, General Custer, Pontiac, Tecumseh, King Philip, Black Hawk, Brandt, Sitting Bull, and a host of others whose names are famous; all of them true and interesting

by Edward Sylvester Ellis

The war having begun was carried on in the usual barbarous fashion of the border. The Sacs were too wise to meet the troops in open battle, but attacked exposed places, when there was no thought of their coming. Scores of dreadful outrages took place, and in more than one instance, the white men proved as cruel in their methods as the Indians themselves ever were.

The state of affairs grew so intolerable, that General Scott was ordered to the frontier with nine companies of artillery. The same number of companies were also sent thither from the Lakes, and two companies from another point. It was wise to launch a strong enough force against Black Hawk to make sure of crushing him and his hostiles. However, General Scott's companies were soon attacked by the cholera and terribly decimated.

It is interesting to record the names of two persons who figured in the Black Hawk War, on the side of the Americans. One was a tall, ungainly captain of Illinois, who was registered as Abraham Lincoln. The United States officer who mustered him and the soldiers into the service of the country was Jefferson Davis.

Black Hawk had gathered a thousand warriors, with whom he awaited General Atkinson at a point between Rock and Wisconsin rivers. When he saw that the troops outnumbered his bucks almost two to one, he retreated, and, though General Atkinson strove hard, he could not bring the chief to a stand. Seeing that his force was too bulky to escape together, Black Hawk approached the Mississippi above the mouth of the Wisconsin. Most of the women and children went down the river in canoes. Several were drowned, and nearly all the others fell into the hands of the whites.

When the main body under Black Hawk reached the bank of the river, they were alarmed by the sight of the steamboat Warrior, which seemed to be waiting for them. Most of the Indians were in a starving condition, and the sufferings of the women and children were so pitiful that Black Hawk, seeing the hopelessness of keeping up the struggle, decided to surrender. He sent a body of his warriors to the edge of the stream, bearing a flag of truce. The troops were not wholly blamable for thinking this was a ruse to lure them to land, for the trick was used many times during our border troubles. Black Hawk always said he honestly meant to surrender. Be the truth as it may, the steamer opened with a six-pounder. More than a score of Indians were slain, besides a large number wounded, while not a man was killed on the steamboat.

In the latter part of July, General Atkinson, with sixteen hundred men, crossed to the north side of the Wisconsin at Helena, and pressed on with the purpose of hitting the Indian trail. He made a forced march, and, four nights later, an old Sac was met who told him the Indians had gone to the Mississippi which they meant to cross the next day. The horses and men were so tired that General Atkinson was forced to rest for several hours.

Before the Sacs were able to reach the river, they were overtaken, and the fight that followed and lasted for several hours was more of a massacre than a battle. While the Americans lost only twenty-seven men, that of the Indians was ten times as great. Black Hawk escaped by the narrowest chance with the remnant of his force.

This battle was the finishing stroke to the Black Hawk War. The Sioux and Winnebagoes kept continually bringing in prisoners, and General Atkinson asked Keokuk to send messengers to demand the surrender of Black Hawk and the remainder of the hostiles, and to deliver the chief, alive or dead, within an appointed time.

Black Hawk, with a few friends, took refuge at the Winnebago village of Prairie la Cross. Worn out, depressed and hopeless, he told the chief he was ready to surrender to the whites, and they were welcome to do what they chose with him; he would not make the least objection if they decided to put him to death. The squaws made him a dress of white deerskin, and clothed in this, he walked voluntarily to Prairie du Chien, with the two Winnebagoes who had been sent after him. About midday, August 27, 1833, he and his companion, better known as The Prophet (no relative of course of Tecumseh), walked into Prairie du Chien Fort and gave themselves up as prisoners of war.

When Black Hawk surrendered to the commander, he waited for one of his companions to speak, and gave close attention to the reply of the officer. All eyes being turned upon the chieftain, he said: