| East Dubuque Local Area History Project | |
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by
J. P. |
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The treaty that started the Black Hawk War with the Sauk (Sac) Indians was signed in 1804. The treaty gave up the Sauk claims to the land east of the Mississippi but most of the Indians thought it was not valid because the Indians who signed it were not authorized to represent the Sauk. The government ordered them to leave their land anyway. The Indians tried to negotiate and tried to make a new agreement, but the government said no. The Indian chief, Keokuk felt they had no choice but Black Hawk, a brave Indian warrior, said that he was staying. The Indians split, half went with Keokuk to the Iowa side of the river and the other Indians stayed with Black Hawk. |
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| Black Hawk once again tried to negotiate. He also tried to go to Washington D.C. to talk to the president, but permission was not granted. Black Hawk ordered settlers off his land. The militia got upset and burnt down the Indian village. The Indians had no food, hunting tools, or tools for fighting. What are they going to do? | |
| Black Hawk moved his braves up the Rock River to a place now called Stillmans Run, near Phophet’s village where the Indians hoped to plant corn. Isaiah Stillman challenged the Indians with three hundred militiamen, and some were drunk. The Indians were ready to retreat, and sent some braves with a white flag to talk. Stillman’s militia shot and killed two Indian braves under the truce flag, trying to get back to the Mississippi peacefully. There was a fight, and Black Hawk with only thirty to forty braves won. | |
| Black Hawk and the Indians needed supplies so they started raiding. In the meantime the frightening settlers built twenty-two forts, including the Apple River Fort. The Apple River Fort was the only fort that ever was attacked. When Black Hawk and Indian braves attacked the Apple River Fort for supplies, the settlers defeated them. | |
| After the attack at Apple River, the Indians moved northeast to Killoggs Grove, where the last battle in Illinois took place. The Indians ambushed some soldiers. Soldiers took cover in two cabins. Two of the soldiers sneaked out to get help and got past the Sauk. The Indians knew more troops would be coming soon, and retreated. | |
| Black Hawk and his braves headed north to Wisconsin, chased by the military. They caught up with each other at Bad Axe River near Prairie DuChien, where the Indians were massacred. | |
| Black Hawk was captured and taken to Prairie du Chien, where he surrendered. Black Hawk and five other Indians were taken to Washington D.C. and imprisoned at Fortress Monroe. Black Hawk meet the president Andrew Jackson. | |
| On October 3, 1838 Black Hawk died and was buried above ground in a sitting position, in a small log hut covered in sod. Somebody then dug up his body and his body was stolen. | |
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Bibliography Lucile M. Gray, The Story of Illinois. Fenton, Michigan: McRoberts Publishing Inc.,1977 |
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