Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-06-05

ly did he evade pursuit, that~lthough a
force of nearly 5000 volunteers was or
ganizing, the Government hurrying ma
tional troops to the West, and such men
as Abraham Lincoln, Zachary Taylor and
General Scott engaging to defeat the saw
ages, the latter wore sweeping unre-
sisted over unprotected settlements,
leaving death and destruction in their
wake
At this time a new peril seemed to
menace the fort at Chicago and it's infant
settlements at aurora, Naperville and
Fort Beggs. Black Hawk was swiftly
approaching the frontier settlements, and
the pioneers were flying to Fort Dearborn
for refuge, although there was scarcely
room there for them. The Pottawat-
tamies were fr endly, but Colonel
Hamilton and Messrs. Caldwell and
Robinson, leading citizens, feared
that emissaries of the willy and persua-
sive Black Hawk might induce them to
join in war. A council was held and
Big Foot, famous chief, and few Win
nebagoes deserted the whites. Fort
Payne was built at Naperville, the ut
most caution and vigilance exercised, and
General Scott and nine companies, IN
cluding class Of West Point cadets,
started from the East for Chicago. They
politan center Of the upper lake country,
in July, but here the Asiatic cholera at
tackled them. They arrived at Fort Dear
born dying of the dread scourge. Ninety
soldiers perished the garrison was quar-
antined, the settlers fled, and meantime
Black Hawk was securing the prairies,
stealthily descending on isolated settle-
ments, and defying the State and the
Government with his vagrant band Of
bloodthirsty assassins.
The fatal duress of Gen. Scott and his
soldiers at Fort Dearborn encouraged
Black Hawk. The settlers were driven
from Chicago back to their isolated
homes, and although the Winnebagoes
and Pottawattamies refused to Join Black
Hawk, he managed TO gather sanguinary
horde about him, full of courage, though
destitute of discretion. They had been
signally victorious in all their forays.
Gen. Whiteside had retreated from dis
astrous defeat al Stillmans Run in an
awkward position. His army was out Of
all rntions except parched corn, and his
enemy had retreated to Wisconsin. To
pursue him meant victory, but Just then
the term of enlistment of the volunteers
expired. His soldiers were tire of war;
fare and discouraged. The insisted on
marching to Ottawa. and there were dis
charged the last of May by Gov. Rey-
nolds.
After they had left Dixon Gen. Atkin-
son removed to Fort Armstrong Upon
him seemed now 10 rest the fate of the
whites. He realized that unless some-
thing was done speedily the Indian allies
would desert to he ranks of The viotori-
ous Black Hawk. call for 900 re
cruits was ISSUED and Whiieside enlisted
IN the ranks There was n skirmish near
Galena. and then 5000 men from the plov
were ready to battle with their enemies
Through spies umong neutral tribes
Black Hawk kept track Of the preparation,
neing made by his foes. At that time
thriving settlement of Americans wa,
conferred about the lead interests O.
uslesa Their situation was quite
i1mote' their environment favor
ape n to stealthy attack, snt
DiacA Hawk determined to sweep the
place from exis, ence before the new re-
cr''lts came to the field. June ls he SEN
some warrior to steal horses from Appl,
River fort; The thieves were pursued b,
Captain Stephenson and twelve men
The savages retreated with their plunde,
victorious, after killing three men. pnf