Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-27

i Aucy~ captured one Ofesthe stranded boat
and massacred all on board. The othe
boats succeeded in dropping down tn
river beyond the enemy's reach, excep
Campbell's own boat, which swun,
around and stuck fast upon the rocl
above described, where she lay exposed Il
the enemy's fire TOR several hours. More
than half Of his men were either killet
or wounded, himself being literally sho
to pieces-his left side, shoulder and arm
being mangleG in the most shocking man
ner. At last brisk wind blowing dowr
the stream hoated the boat off and dowr
the river beyond the reach Of the fire OF
the enemy, Just as the latter were prepar-
ing to board. The expedition was utterly
defeated, and the fate of the little garrison
at Prairie du Chen sealed.
The valley Of the Mississippi became a
conquered province OF the enemy, and 90
remained until the close of the war, when
ii was given up again to the United States
along with Michigan.
What was the reward of Rolett is no,
known; one thing, however, is certain
from an Indian trader of very limited
means he at once became q very wealthy
man, and so continued to the day of his
death.
The armament returned to st. Louis,
having lost nearly all of their stores and
more than half their men, Capt Camp.
bell for leng time fingered between life
and death. Nature, aided by an iron con-
stitution, finally triumphed-her recovered
but was MANNED and crippled for life, his
left arm being entirely useless.
Long years after, the steamboat Gen.
Pike was ascending the Mississippi; in
crossing the rapids, she ran aground
where Campbell's boat had stranded to
keep her from being drifted over and stove
upon the opposite rock, she anchored
right in the current; when she swung
around to anchor, her bow lay within a
few feet of the rock A tall, athletic man,
with his left arm hanging powerless at his
side, stood looking at the rock, apparent
ly absorbed in deep thought. AS he thus
stood some one mentioned that the author
of Campbell's massacre" prepetrated on
that rock, was on board.
'sWho do you say?' Intercepted the
stranger, g do you mean old Rolett?"
Yes, Pierre Rolett, of Prairie du
Chfen."
X Where is he?''
Up there in the cabin was the reply.
The stranger Immediately went up into
the cabin, where he found Rolett. Walk
ing up TO him, he said:
- Your name, sir, am informed, is Mr.
Rolett-Rolett, of Prairie du Chen"
THAT is my name, sir" replied he. /
"Well, sir, do you sec that rock o.
pointing to the rock over the bow of the
boat.
Yes,n was the reply s
well, that's Campbell's Rock. Do You
see that island on the opposite side of the
boat2 That is Campbell's Island Now,
sir, do you seer me? | am John Campbell.
Do you see that arm, how worthless ii is
/ am MANNED and crippled for life, and
you arc the author of it all. You inst
gated old Black Hawk and his bloody say
ages to way-lay me here; they were cOn-
cealed there among the willows on that
island; our boat drifted down upon the
rock; more than half my men were either
killed or wounded; j was shot all 10
pieces, as you see me now, and you were
the instigator Of the whole scheme-you
bloody, treacherous, black-hearted old
scoundrel-you instigated the savages to
murder me and my men. Now, you must
do one of two things-either leap upon
the rock, and run your chances OF being
drowned or swimming to the island, or
will cut your throat from ear to ear. Take
your choice"
Upon that he drew knife and made a
blow at him, just grazing his neck. Ro-
lett, seeing there was no trifling with such
a man, made leap from the stern OF the
boat into the water, and finally reached
the island, but not without the greatest
difficulty and at the imminent hazard OF
drowning. The boat pursued her way,
leaving the half-drowned and dripping
Rolett TO manage as best he could to reach
the main line. Tat rock and island have
ever since been known a. "Campbell's
Rock and Island" The latter, however,
is sometimes called "Rolett's Leap" IN
commemoration If the exploit of the
frightened Indian trader. Most travellers
ON the upper Mississippi are acquainted
with the name and location Of this rock
and island, but few are aware of the orig
inal history of those names, or the bloody
tragedy there enacted. Campbell, Black
Hawk, Rolett and all engaged in that
bloody atiray, whether savage or civilized,
have all, or most of them, passed away,
but the locality and the name are lasting
chronicles of one OF those bloody and
thrilling scenes with which the early his
tory of this valley abounds. Rock Island
Argus.