The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-06-20
THE FORT OF 1913.

turned his attention mainly TO them, mean
time making arrangements 10 carry the fort
by assault. Twice everything was ready. but
at the last moment the Indian allies refused
10 advance. warned by the effective fire of
the besieged and by the fate which befell
others of their nation when attempting to
carry "a fort further east
The attack on the gun-boats was more
successful Two or three balls planted be-
tween wind and water led the commander of
the fiotilla TO up anchor and flee down the
river, leaving the garrison TO its fate.
Finding himself no nearer success at the
end of three days fight, Col. Mckay ordered
lot OF red hot shot prepared to fire the bar
racks and block houses. About this time the
supply of powder ran short in the fort. The
ammunition had not all been unloadcd from
the gun boats when the British force arrived.
hence their flight was a severe blow. Know
ing no re-enfOrcementS could reach him. and
learning the preparations being made TO
breach the walls, Lieut.. Perkins arranged
terms of surrender by which the garrison
was allowed 20 march out with their arms
and proceed down the river. To the credit
of the English officers, these terms of sur
render were not violated. as i'm so many
other cases. Not only were the Indians held
back but "A guard accompanied the garrison
part way down the river 10 prevent anything
like an ambuscadc. The casualties during
this memorable siege were very light. An
attempt was made TO retake the fort by
means of an expedition from ST. Louis. but
il was attacked and routed on the Rock Isl
and rapids by force sent from Prairie du
Chen under command of Capt. Duncan
Graham, by Capt. /. q. Anderson. then COM
handing the fort.
In accordance with the terms OF tho treaty
between the United States and Great Britain
Fort Mckay, rs it had been named. was evac-
uated by the British in 1915 and Prairie du
Chen again passed into the hands of the
In no MI of
ton the fort was destroyed by fire. supposed
TO have been set by some one left by the re-
firing forces.
When Fort Crawford was erected the
Sioux were almost an unknown factor. and
OF those BcdOuins of the plains, the Chey-
ennes. not so much was known as of the in
habitants of the Tonga islands. 1t was
the treacherous Winncbagoes and crafty
Sacs and Foxes who made the most Disagree
able quantity in the problem OF peacable
frontier. The removal Of the garrison TO
Fort Smelling i'm 1926 gave the former an op-
portunity, and massacre of the inhabitants
of tho fiourishing village was arranged. The
plan was developed prcmaturely by chief
named Red Bird and two braves. The muir
derous trio, early In June. 1927. went 10 the
house of Hon. Jas. Lockwood. and made
their way into Mrs. Lockwood's bedroom.
The lady. hearing them coming, fled TO the
store of Capt. Graham, OF Rock Island Rap
ids fame, and was saved by him. Baffled in
their first prey. the Indians went further
down the river, where they killed two men
and scalped an infant. which they left for
dead. Strange TO relate. the child lived and
became the mother Of a large family. The
news Of the massacre soon reached the viii
lage and the settlers flew to arms. The In
dams reiterated and the Winnebago war
followed. which was terminated by the dra-
matte surrender Of Red Bird. who gave him
self up to Major Whistler. He was brought
TO Fort Crawford. where he died in confine-
ment. His two accomplices were sentenced
TO be hung. but were pardoned by President
Adams.
When the Blackhawk war closed that noted
chieftain was confined at Fort Crawford
where he remained until taken 90 st. Louis
by Lieut. JEFF Davis. who turned him over to
the United States authorities at that point.
Warned by experience the War Department
maintained IA garrison at the fort until the
commencement of the Mexican war. IL was
just previous 90 the breaking out Of that
struggle that Col. Zachary Taylor was COM
mandant.