The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-14
mo. 2 Concluded.
BY ALBEIT G. BRAcKETT.

his treaty StlpulateS ldSIlnS P0oOS'
and that the British Band Immediately
remove west OF the Mississippi, not to re-
turn without the express permission OF the
United States governments.
kkWhile this treaty was being made, some
of the mounted volunteers, unrestrained
BY any discipline, committed some out
RACES which it is unnecessary to record.
Their behavior was bad and the settlers
were glad when they started for their
homes.
On the End of July, Captain Pike $
company was mustered out Of the service,
as all fears Of the Indians had vanished.
They had behaved very well during the
disturbance, and received the thanks OF
General Gaines. Lieutenant Aubrey
and Private Samuel Wells, of this com
pany, were killed the next summer by the
Indians.
After the Indians had removed to the
Iowa side of the river, their condition was
truly deplorable; they had been forced to
leave their fields, the corn of which was
nearly fit to eat, and held in their places
by the strong arm of the soldiery, many
actually died of hunger. 1t is true that
they had timely warning to leave their
village, but deeming themselves strong
enough to withstand the white forces, they
had taken no precautions TO procure any
sustenance other than their corn fields on
Rock river afforded. A young Indian and
his wife nearly famished, formed the reso
luton one night to recross the river and
fill bag with corn and then return. Ac-
cordingly they padded across the stream
In little canoe and proceeded to the corn
field. While they were plucking the ears
from the stalks, an enraged settler came
upon them and commenced beating the
Indian most numerically with a club
The woman ran away and the Indian fol-
lowed dreadfully bruised with his shoulder
blade broken. The poor wretch died the
next day from the effects of the injuries he
had received.
After Black Hawk was forced to remove
west of the Mississippi, he commenced
forming plan to revenge himself against
the whites He visited Keokuk's Band,
and tried by his eloquence to induce them
TO espouse his cause. This he was unable
to effect, and determining to combat with
his enemies he prepared the British Band
for war, Neapope, second in command to
Black Hawk, visited Wabokieshiek, the
prophet, and received from him the assur.
ance that the tribes of Ottawas, Chippeways S,
Winnebagoes and Pottowotomies, would
assist in the war Accordingly, early in
the spring of 1889, he, with his Band,
commenced ascending the Mississippi for
the purpose OF invading his former terri
tory, He reached the mouth of Rock
river and assembled that stream in the ear
ly part of April, ostensibly to visit his
friends, the Winnebagoes, but in reality
to commence a war against the whites.
he had with him about 200 warriors
and number of women and children
They came up in canoes and were al
armed to the teeth. Brevet Brigadiel
General Atkinson being at that time il
command of Fort Armstrong, sent a mes
sage to Black Hawk to return To this
the old chief paid not the slightest attention
and continued on his course. Another
message was sent with similar success
when Atkinson addressed letter to Mr.
Reynolds. governor of Illinois, asking fo
assistance as his force of Regulars was in
sufficient to repel the invaders. Governor
Reynolds called for mounted volunteer
and large number were soon at his dis
posal. Brigadier General Whiteside,
marched Immediately TO Dixons ferry, OF
Rock river, and found that the INDIAN
a party was encamped on Sycama7,
creek. General Atkinson left Fort Arm
strong with all the disnosable force Of tina
post and marcheG 10 join General White
SIDE. lie arrived at Dixon ferry on thu
>-IInght Of the l4th of May. The day pre-
vious body Of Whiteside's brigade, 27i
strong had started out under command O
Major Stillman to attack the encampmen
OF Indians on the Sycamore creek Abou
dusk this party halted on prairie, lit VI
their camp fires, and made preparation
to rest during the night. Black Hawk
with about 10 followers, was three mile
of, and hearing Of the proximity of tn,
volunteers, he sent out a flag of truce Il
ascertain their intentions This flag wa
carried by three young warriors, VIII
marched into the camp Of the whites
Five others went out to witness the recep
ton their comrades met with.
1t was beautiful moonlight evening
and objects could be discerned nearly a
well as in the day time. The three In
dians we're we'll received at first, but sooI
the whites, forgetting all seIf-respect, ant
what is OF more Importance, the respec
ever due to a flag of truce, fred upon tht
bearers of it, by which one was killed out
right, the other two made their eacape
Captain Fades and party mounted thei
horses and commenced the pursuit O
the five Indians who we're spectators; TIVE
of these they killed, the other three re
joined Black Hawk. BY this time til,
whole detachment was mounted, and
following the course of the retreating In
dams towards Black Hawks encampment
leaving their own camp, with provisions
blankets, and other stores, without a sigr
of a guard. They reached Sycamore
creek which they forded and were in the
highest spirits at their easy conquest
Black Hawk being apprised of the treat
ment of his braves, had formed his mer
behind some bushes and awaited the
attack Of the valorous major.
When they crossed the creek, Black
Hawk gave the order to fire, and his uner.
ring rifles emptied number of their sad.
dies This was feebly returned by the
volunteers, but Major Stillman becoming
alarmed for the safety of himself apc
troops, gave the order to retreat, and he
with his men was soon engaged in most
disgraceful and disorderly fight. The
Indians followed screaming like fiends
incaInate, and the sharp crack of their
rifles was.mingled with their shrill wal
cries. Twelve volunteers were killed, and
forty missing, some of the latter we're found
sitting by their own fresides, miles and
miles from the scene of action. 1t must be
admitted that this battle added nothing to
the chivalrous character of the Illinois.
ians. The whole of the camp eouipage
fell into the hands of the Indians. T6is
was the first blood drawn in the BLACK
Hawk war;" and was considered by the
Indians presage of future success.
AS soon as the result of this fight be.
knnmry