Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-27
CAMPBELL'S ROCK.
An Interesting Story OF the Upper
Mississippi.

CAMYBELL'S kOCks
.. interesting Story OF the Upper
Mississippi.
Some twenty years ago we published a
communication (signed $50 in relation
- Campbell's Rock, which attracted a
rood deal of attention, and at the request
Fl an old settler, we reproduce 1t, as fol
lows:
This is the name of very dangerous
,ocL situated in the middle of the Miss
;ssippi River, about midway of the upper
ranids In low water it rises about foot
above the surface; and boats in going up
orsown must perform nearly semi-circle
in pass;ng round it. This is very difficult,
asnecially when the wind blows down
stream. If boat keeps exactly at the
ripht distance, neither too near nor too
far She will steer clear of all danger; but
f she varies twenty feet either way she
i almost sure TO "strike upon the rock. I"
And many are the steamboats,, to say
nothing of the keels, flats and barges, that
have terminated their navigation OF
the ''great river" upon the rock.
Its name, as well as the island
and chain upon the rapids, it derived
from 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
beinp not one white settler in that entire
region except small garrison at Prairie
du Chen, and the few Indians, compris-
ing some of the most powerful and war
like tribes then inhabiting the valley,
were then entirely under the influence of
the Canadian French settlers, who, if not
pensioners Of Great Britain, were entirely
devoted to her interests, and Of conse-
auence, Hostile to the United States. The
principal man among them was Pierre
Rolett, an Indian trader, residing at
Prairie du CHEN The garrison at that
point had become weak and exhausted in
consequence of the distance and difficulty
Of procuring reinforcements and supplies.
The only means of securing the latte- was
by the slow and laborious process OF row
ing and cordeling keel boats up against
the strong current from ST. Louis. There
were no steamb boats in those days. This
required, with the best success, about a
month
Under these circumstances Rolett con-
ceived the idea of leading a detachment
OF the enemy through the wilderness to
the lakes to capture the garrison. This
expedition was undertaken under the
guidance of Rolett, and proved complete
ly successful. The garrison, with all It's
stores and munitions of war, fell into the
hands of the enemy, who held it until the
end of the war. In the meantime, how
ever, an expedition was fitting out at st.
Louis to relieve the little garrison thus
menaced. 1t ultimately started, with
several keel boats loaded with provisions
and munitions of war and about fifty men,
recruits for the garrison The whole was
under the command OF Capt. John Camp
bell. He was Scotchman by birth, but
from early life had resided In Kentucky,
a man of giant frame and indomitable
courage and perseverance. Rolett was
aware Of the expedition and OF the char
acter of the man in command of it. lie
knew perfectly well that if Campbell
reached Prairie du Chen before he could
conduct the enemy through the wilder
ness, it would be most disastrous to him
self, and not only would bis plans be
frustrated, but Campbell would cut of
his head just as surely as he caught him,
He therefore instigated the Indians to
cut Oft or drive back the expedition under
Campbell.
Black Hawk was then young warrior
chief residing with his nation (the Sacs)
at Rock Island, few miles below the
point above described. Long and tedious
was the navigation of the little fleet
destined for the relief of the fort al
Prairie du Chen. At last it arrived al
the foot Of the fatal rapids, where il re.
NAMED several days to rest and recruit,
preparatory TO the labor and fatigue OF
crossing them.
During oil that time the Indians pro-
iessed the greatest friendship, furnishing
he men with everything 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 succeeded in lulling
every suspicion Of any hostile purpose
The Indians even informed Campbell OF
holett's ireachery, and urged him TO make
al haste lest the garrison should tall be.
lore ne could relieve it. On the third day
,le expedition started, several Of Black
Hawks warriors plotting the boats
through the intricate and dangerous chan.
mel.
As the boats approached the designated
point OF the little island, upon the far side
" which lay concealed among the willows
about 800 warriors and several rascally
traders, Black Hawk appeared and beck
oned The boats TO come near the island,
pretending that there was the best water
ana the safest passage.
Campbell, not snspecting treachery,
carried the boat very near the shore, and
suddenly two'of them, together with his
o"h, grounded upon the rocks. Imam in,
s'ant the whole band of savages poured
~ well directed and deadly fire upon the