“‘My Father:–Near the Dalle, on the Wisconsin, I took Black Hawk. No one did it but me. I say this in the ears of all present, and they know it, and I now appeal to the Great Spirit, our grandfather, and the earth, our grandmother, for the truth of what I say.
“‘My Father:–I am no chief; but what I have done is for the benefit of my nation, and I hope to see the good that has been promised to us.
“‘My Father:–That one, Wa-bo-kie-shiek (the Prophet), is my relation. If he is to be hurt, I do not wish to see it.
“‘My Father:–Soldiers sometimes stick the ends of their guns (bayonets) into the backs of Indian prisoners when they are going about in the hands of the guard. I hope this will not be done to these men.’”–Copied in Niles Weekly Register, Vol. 43, page 78, issue of Sept. 29, 1832.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Stambaugh’s Expedition.
On the 23d of June Col. George Boyd, Agent for the Menominees at Green Bay, wrote Atkinson offering or suggesting the services of the Indians of this agency, to which Atkinson replied on the 12th of July, requesting him to raise a company of 200 Menominees to arrest the progress of Black Hawk toward the Milwaukee River. This letter was entrusted to Colonel Hamilton and safely delivered.
On the 12th July Colonel Boyd replied as follows:[[239]]
“Indian Agency Office.