Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-18
| From the st. Louis Times
SAC AND FOX BUFFALO HUNT
MEETING WITH THE SIOUX


Sacs and Foxes. during the summer, tc
make hunt for Buffalo. For this pur
pose, Ke-o-kuck, with large party, star
ted in July, towards the head waters Of
/; the Iowa River. This precaution, of ia
king strong force, was made necessary
in consequence of the inveterate hostili-
ties of the Sioux, who have long been con
slant aggressors upon their hunting
grounds.
On the tenth day, after leaving their
villages, they discovered Buffalo; and i'm
mediately commenced making their en-
campment. On the next day, small par
ties were sent out to make observations
who, on their return in the evening, re-
, ported that the herd of Buffalo was small
mot exceeding 300 and that they had
likewise discovered signs of the Sioux
saw large smokes, and had no doubt but
they proceeded from their encampment
!, A council was Immediately a@embled:-
. A great part of the Warriors we're for ad
vancing during the night, and attaching
the Sioux camp at daylight next morn
ing; others for removing their women and
children to the rear. Ke-o-kuck, in bis
speech, related the many depredations
theSioux had committed on their nation;
and dwelt with emphasis, on the cruel
murder of many of their helpless women
and children, who had crossed the Miss
issipp above Prairie du Chen, after the
defeat of Black Hawk last summer
"Scarcely a warrior in my presence,
(says Ke-o-kuck,' but what has lost some
friend or relation by the Sioux. Now is
the time to chastse our enemies. Let US
surround their camp this night, and by the
rising of to-morrow's sun, we will not
leave Sioux to relate the fall of his com.
radew
Every Warrior consented, with applause
to the speech of Ke o-kuck. Fire glisten-
ed in their eyes-they brandished their
spears-drew their knives and returned
them to their scabbards, eager for the
fight they had in view. Ke-o-kuck paus-
ed: After pacing backwards and for
wards across the council Lodge, he stop
ped-threw down his spear, and said:-
"Warriors, have been commanded by
my Great Father, not TO go to war with
the Sioux: have promised and will keep
my zUord" loud murmuring ran through
the Lodge.) Ke-o-kuck resumed. 81 will
90 says he, to the Sioux camp to morrow !;
/ ariU make peace or Fall in the attemptn'
From the stern manner in which he
spoke, in closing his speech, no objection
was made to the course he had marked
out to pursue. The council broke up &
Ke-o-kuck returned to hisLodge, and was
not seen during the evening. Wapel-lo
was heard to say,to party ofyoung war
riors who had paid him visit, that his O.
pinion was, s'Ke- o-kuck would never re-
turn!-that the Sioux, they got a small
party in their power,would certainly muir
der them.-But, says the chief, if ke-o-
kuck falls we will avenge his DEATH"
Next morning, at dawn of day, the tread
of horses was beard. 1t was Ke-o kuck
with three young
Braves, who had volunteered their servi-
ces to accompany him-all veil mounted
and armed, leaving the Gimp. Not a
word was spoken by either, as the party
passed along in front of the encampment.
In little while they were out OF view
and the whole camp was onetscene OF con
fusion-eyery warrior, in haste, prepar-
ing to follow their chief But the Vii
Ilage Crier, in loud voice proclaimed,
that it was the command d Ke-o-kuck,
that no one should follow him but remain
in their camp, and be prep,red for what
might happen.
As they travelled onward towards the
: Sioux camp, Ke-okuck, It'd his young
men, that, when they discovered the ST.
oux, two of them must remain in the rear,
in such position, that they could see his
meeting with them: And, should he fall,
to push with all speed to the camp, and
tell the news.
After travelling about seventeen or
eighteen miles, and on ascending rise
in the Prairie, they disco ered the en-
campment Of the Sioux, on rise imme-
diately in front of them-and a valley in
r towering. Here Ke-o-kuck stationed the
two young Braves, who W ere to remain
behind, and, with the other, decended in
to the low ground, in full view of the ST.
oux encampment, which, they discovered
was fortified. The Sioux, saw the party
approaching-when considerable move
ment commenced in their camp. Ke-o'
knck and his faithful companion, were
stopped about four hundred yards from
the Sioux camp, by a deep creek. He
made signs with his blanket for them to
come and see him-when two men imme-
diately started, each hearing Flag-fol-
lowed by ten men well armed. When
they reached the creek, Ke-o kuck, mo-
ltioned the Elaa hearers to come over To