The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-05-04
An Interesting Story Of the Up.
per Mississippi.

relates the following thrilling incident
of the wal Of 1912, the facts in regard
TO which were, we believe, never before
made public. The story is full of inter.
est.
Some twenty years ago we published
a communication (signed "S.") in re.
lation to Campbell's rock, which at
tracted a good deal of attention, and at
the request Of an old settler, we repro
duce it as follows:
This Is the name Of n very dangerous
rock, situated In the middle of the Mis-
sissippi River, about midway of the up
per rapids. In low water It rises about
a foot above the surface; and boats in
going up or down must perform nearly
a semi-circle in passing round IL. This
Is very difficult, especially when the
wind blows down stream. II n boat
keeps exactly at the right distance,
neither too near o too far, she will
steer clear of all danger, but IL she
varies twenty feet either way, she is al
most sure to "strike upon the rock"
And many is the steamboat, to say
nothing of the keels, flats and barges,
that has terminated its navigation of
the "great river" upon the rock. Its
name, as well as the island and chain
upon the rapids, is from a most bloody
tragedy enacted at that point during
the war of 1912. At that time the
whole Mississippi Valley above st. Louis
was Indian country, there being not one
white settler in that entire region ex-
cept a small garrison at Prairie du
Chen, and the few Indians, comprising
some of the most powerful and warlike
tribes then inhabiting the valley, were
then entirely under the influence of the
Canadian French settlers, who, il not
pensioners of Great Britain, were en-
tirely devoted TO her interests, and of a
consequence, hostile to the United
States. The principal man among them
was Pierre Rolett, an Indian trader re-
siding at Prairie du Chen. The gar
rison at that point had become weak
and exhausted in consequence of the
distance and difficulty of procuring re-
Inducements and supplies. The only
means of securing the latter was by the
slow and laborious process of rowing
and cordelling keelboats up against the
strong current from st. Louis. There
were no steamboats, in those days. This
required, with the best success, about a
month.
Under these circumstances Rolett
conceived the idea of leading a detach-
ment of the enemy through the wilder
ness to the lakes to capture the garri-
son. This expedition was undertaken
under the guidance of Rolett, and prov.
ed completely successful. The garri-
son, with all its stores and munitions of
war, fell into the hands of the enemy,
who held it until the end of the war. In
the meantime, however, an expedition
was fitting out at St. Louis
to relieve the little garri-
son thus menaced. 1t ultimately
started, with several keel boats loaded
with provisions and munitions of war,
and about fifty men, recruits from the
garrison. The whole was under the
command of Captain John Campbell.
He was a Scotchman by birth, but from
early life had resided in Kentucky, n
man of giant frame and indomitable
courage and perseverance. Rolctt was
aware of the expedition and of the
character of the man in command Of it.
He knew perfectly well that if Camp
bell reached Prairie du Chen before he
could conduct the enemy through the
wilderness it would be most disastrous
to himself, and not only would his plans
be frustrated, but Campbell would cut
off his head just as surely as he caught
him. lie therefore instigated the Indi-
ans to cut Off or drive back the expedi-
ton under Campbell.
Black Hawk was then a young war;
rior chief residing with his nation (the
Sacs) at Rock Island, a few miles be-
low the point above described. Long
and tedious was the navigation of the
little fleet destined for the relief of the
fort at Prairie du Chicn. At last it ar.
rived at the foot of the fatal rapids,
where it remained several days to rest
and recruit, preparatory to the labor
and fatigue of crossing them.
During all that time the Indians pro-
fessed the greatest friendship, furnish.
ing the men with every thing in their
power.
Black Hawk himself and several of
his principal warriors, remained and
slept on board the boats for several
nights. The crafty savages thus sue
ceeded in lulling every suspicion of any
hostile purpose. The Indians even in
formed Campbell of Rolett's t~reachery,
and urged him to make all haste lest
the garrison should fall before he could
relieve it. On the third day the expe-
dition started, several of Black Hawks
warriors plotting the boats through the
intricate and dangerous channel
AS the boats approached the desig-
mated point of the little island, upon the
far side of which lay concealed among
the willows about five hundred warriors
and several rascally traders, Black Hawk
appeared and beckoned the boats to
come near the island, pretending that
there were the best water and the safest
passage.
Campbell, not suspecting treachery,
carried the boat very near the shore,
and suddenly two of them, together
with his own, grounded the rocks. In
an instant the whole band of savages
poured in a well directed and deadly fire
upon the boats. A large number of the
men were either killed or wounded al
the first fire. They captured one OF
&bo etra hnato anI n.oaaoo,ol Ill