Part 5 - “Moving North” ACT XI: JUNE 17,1832 ATTACK ON DEMENT’S CABIN MOUTH OF ROCK RIVER’S MOUTH, NW IL. BLACK HAWK
WHITE CLOUD’S SCOUTS HAVE ARRIVED. THEY REPORT MAJOR FIGHTING AT THE ROCK RIVER FLOW NEAR ITS MOUTH AT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Site of Bad Axe River Battle
ALSO ATTACKS BY THE POTAWATOMI TRIBE HAVE OCCURRED IN BUREAU COUNTY TODAY ACCORDING TO THE GREAT PROPHET.
BLACK HAWK
THE DEMENT CABIN MASSACRE HAS ALSO OCCURRED PER THE SCOUTS. THE POTAWATOMI TRIBE HAS RISEN TO OUR INDIAN CAUSE AND JOINED US IN THE GREAT FIGHT OF OUR LIVES. WE CAN NEVER FORGET THEIR ASSISTANCE. OUR INDIAN CONFEDERATION IS COMING TOGETHER.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE WHITE TOWNSPEOPLE ARE IN QUITE A STIR AND ASSEMBLING TO COUNTER ATTACK.
BLACK HAWK
Black Hawk
CHIEF MEOMMUSE’S SON WAS IN THIS BATTLE. THIS IS THE SAME GROUP RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INDIAN CREEK MASSACRE ACCORDING TO THE CAPTURED WHITES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WILL WE HAVE OUR VILLAGE CRIER OUT TONIGHT FOR DEAD BRAVES OF ANOTHER TRIBE?
BLACK HAWK
INDEED. THIS IS OUR CUSTOM, AND AS HEAD OF THE TRIBE, IT IS MY DECISION. I FEEL IT IS TIME. BEGIN THE DRUMS AND A NATIONAL DANCE WILL OCCUR AT COUNCIL TONIGHT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WHAT A WAY TO HONOR FALLEN POTAWATOMIS! Sauk & Fox Indians
BLACK HAWK
YES, OUR INDIAN BROTHERS ARE UNITED IN BATTLE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
EXCEPTING KEOKUK OR THE SIOUX. 2
WASHTE! WASHTE!
BLACK HAWK WHIRLING THUNDER
ACT XII JUNE 18,1832 BATTLE OF WADDAM’S GROVE, ILLINOIS COLONEL STEPHENSON SEVERELY WOUNDED. BLACK HAWK
WE HAVE HEARD THAT A BAND OF WARRIORS HAS FOUGHT BACK STEALING HORSES, LOOTING BARNS AND HOUSES IN ILLINOIS NEAR THE APPLE RIVER.
Lithograph of battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
THAT IS GOOD IF THEY WERE PROVOKED.
BLACK HAWK
NO, THIS IS A REAL ALL OUT WAR NOW. THE SAUK NEED EVERY ADVANTAGE POSSIBLE - INCLUDING THE SCARE THREAT AGAINST WHITES HOUSED IN THEIR OWN CABINS ON A HOMESTEAD,
WHIRLING THUNDER
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FATHOM WHAT IS HAPPENING ON BOTH SIDES. THERE IS A MAJOR STIR IN THE AIR. YOUR TWO BROTHERS, SUNFISH AND SPURGEON, ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE SLOW DECAY OF THE SAUK TRIBE. THEY NEED TO GET A MORALE BOOST. WE CAN WIN THIS WAR AND SURVIVE.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
BLACK HAWK
YES I UNDERSTAND. DEATH IS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT AT TIMES, BUT WHEN ONE JOINS THE GREAT SPIRIT IT IS ALSO A TIME OF CELEBRATION. WE WILL LOSE SAUK BRAVES NO DOUBT. WHITES DON’T UNDERSTAND INDIAN CULTURE. THOUGH DEAD IN THIS LIFE, WE PAY EVERLASTING RESPECT TO OUR ELDERS WHO HAVE PASSED. HOW CAN WE LEAVE OUR SAUK TRIBAL ANCESTORS WHO ARE BURIED EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER? DID KEOKUK DISCUSS THIS WITH PRESIDENT JACKSON OR GOVERNOR HARRISON WHEN HE REAFFIRMED THESE TREATIES? I DON’T THINK SO.
President Andrew Jackson
WHIRLING THUNDER
INDIANS - ESPECIALLY THE SAUK - HAVE MUCH MORE RESPECT AND HONOR FOR THE DEAD WARRIORS AND 3
SQUAWS THAN MOST OTHER TRIBES. THEY ARE HONORED IN OUR DANCES AND BY THE WAY WE LIVE - ALWAYS RESPECTING OUR ELDER SAUK.
BLACK HAWK
WE TREAT ALL OUR ELDERS WITH NOTHING BUT THE HIGHEST RESPECT, AND FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AFTER DEATH. MY FATHER, THUNDER, FOUGHT THE OSAGE INDIANS IN MISSOURI. HE IS HONORED DAILY IN MY PRAYERS TO THE GREAT SPIRIT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
AND DIDN’T THUNDER ALSO BY INDIAN LORE MEET AND TRADE WITH ZEBULON PIKE?
BLACK HAWK
Chief Shabona
THUNDER CAME WITH PEACE TO WHITE MEN, AS WE DO. THE SAUK ARE A FRIENDLY TRIBE AND DO NOT GO TO THE WAR FACE PAINT UNLESS WE HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE OF IMPENDING DEATH OF OUR TRIBE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I’M TO RECEIVE MY SPECIAL PAINTINGS AND WET FEATHERS AT COUNCIL TONIGHT BECAUSE OF MY BIRTHDAY - I AM 18.
BLACK HAWK
ONLY IF YOU ARE HONORABLE - RESPECTING THE AGE OLD GRUDGE THAT THE MEDICINE MAN HAS PLACED UPON THE CHEROKEE FOR KILLING THUNDER. Black Hawk
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE DAYS OF PLAYING BALL, HORSE RACING, AND DANCING AROUND THE GREAT FIRE.
BLACK HAWK
I KNEW WHEN THE WHITES ESTABLISHED FORT ARMSTRONG NEAR SAUKENUK, MY HOME, THAT WE WERE IN FOR A FIGHT FOR OUR TRIBE’S VERY SURVIVAL. THE WHITES ARE UNRELENTING. EVER SINCE THE LAND WENT FROM THE INDIAN TO SPAIN, THEN FRANCE, AND FINALLY THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE BEEN THREATENED.
WHIRLING THUNDER
US steamboat Warrior engages Indians in canoes, Bad Axe Crossing
OUR PLENTIFUL HARVESTS OF CORN AND TOBACCO ARE SEEN NOW AS A THING OF THE PAST.
BLACK HAWK
WITHOUT OUR LAND, OUR TRIBE CANNOT SURVIVE THE WINTERS. WE NEED GAME AND CROPS. WE HAVE NOT HAD BEANS FOR MONTHS. 4
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE CAN NO LONGER SMOKE THE PEACE PIPE WITH ANY WHITES INCLUDING THE GREAT FATHER OF THE UNITED STATES.
BLACK HAWK
THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE KICKAPOO, POTAWATOMIS, WINNEBAGO, AND OTTAWA TRIBES ARE THREATENED BY THE WHITE SETTLEMENTS IN THE HEART OF AMERICA.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE INDIANS ARE TOO WILLING TO TRADE ANYTHING FOR RUM. THIS DRINK HAS RUINED OUR TRIBE AND MADE US TO SOME DEGREE DEPENDENT UPON THE WHITES WHO SUPPLY IT. NOT ONLY ARE WE DEPENDENT, BUT IT IS DESTROYING OUR CULTURE AND NOT ALLOWING US TO FIGHT FOR OUR DEFENSE. THE WHITES ARE WINNING WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT AGAINST SOME TRIBES.
Paintings such as this reflect the fear among whites of the Indians
BLACK HAWK
THE SAUK MUST FIGHT ON TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH INCLUDING CORN, SQUASH, BEANS, STRAWBERRIES, APPLES, CRANBERRIES, GOOSEBERRIES, PLUMS, NUTS, BLUEBERRIES, AND PUMPKINS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE AGAIN HAVE SCOUTING REPORTS SOUTH OF US THAT NEAR YELLOW CREEK A BIG FIGHT HAS ERUPTED. BOTH SIDES SUFFERED CASUALTIES; HOWEVER COLONEL STEPHENSON WAS SEVERELY WOUNDED AND MAY DIE.
BLACK HAWK
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
IN THIS AREA THE ESCAPE FOR THE SAUK APPEARS TO BE THE APPLE RIVER HEADING TOWARDS GALENA. THE FIGHTING MAY BE INTENSE, HOWEVER I BELIEVE FOR OUR SURVIVAL WE MUST TRAVEL NORTH OF THE WISCONSIN BORDER. THE ANSWER IS TO HEAD TO THE BAD AXE RIVER WHERE WE CAN CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT ITS NARROWEST POINT. THERE ARE MANY ISLANDS AND INLETS AT THE BAD AXE RIVER’S MOUTH FOR COVER.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE MUST FIGHT ON. I DO NOT WANT TO BE A NOMADIC TRIBE WHICH BARELY SURVIVES. MY ANCESTORS ARE BURIED HERE, AND I WILL DIE HERE. THOUGH I AM NOT YOUR REAL SON BLACK HAWK, YOU HAVE BEEN MORE OF A FATHER TO ME THAN ANYONE COULD HOPE. I KNOW YOU GRIEVE DAILY AT THE LOSS OF YOUR REAL SONS BY DISEASE. I WILL BE STRONGER AND SURVIVE.
Apple River Fort
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BLACK HAWK
WE WILL AVENGE THE KILLINGS AT WADDAM’S GROVE, ILLINOIS. WASHTE! WASHTE!
WHIRLING THUNDER BLACK HAWK
ACT XIII: JUNE 24, 1832 BATTLE OF APPLE RIVER FORT
NW IL.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Bad Axe Battle Marker
THIS BEAUTIFUL APPLE RIVER CANYON YOU HAD DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY IS AMAZING.
BLACK HAWK
WE HAVE THE WHITE MEN TRAPPED INSIDE THIS FORT. THIS WILL BE A BIG VICTORY FOR OUR TRIBE IF WE CAN MOUNT AN AGGRESSIVE ATTACK AND GET INSIDE ITS WALLS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE MUSKET FIRING IS VERY LOUD. IT WILL NOT LET UP. THE HARPER FERRY MUSKET IS ABSOLUTELY DEAFENING. THE MILITIA IS LOADING THE POWDER AND BALLS WITH FIRING AT A RATE OF THREE SHOTS PER MINUTE. Black Hawk
BLACK HAWK
IT APPEARS WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AS VERY FEW OF OUR WARRIORS HAVE BEEN KILLED OR WOUNDED. THESE MUSKETS JUST ARE NOT VERY ACCURATE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
IN FACT I CAN HEAR THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN SCREAMING FROM WITHIN THE FORT. THEY ARE RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO LOAD MUSKETS. A LADY NAMED ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG I’VE HEARD MORE THAN ONCE AS I ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB THE APPLE FORT’S WALL. MY ARROWS HAVE CLAIMED THE LIVES OF SOME MILITIA. Wisconsin Heights
BLACK HAWK
THERE HAS BEEN AN ESCAPE OUTSIDE OUR TRIBE’S DEFENSES - WHICH I’M SURE WAS SENT TO WARN THE SQUATTERS IN THE AREA OF THE BATTLE AND TO TAKE COVER. IN FACT THERE ARE REGIMENTS ALL THE WAY FROM JEFFERSON BARRACKS HERE. 6
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE NEED TO WIN THIS BATTLE BEFORE HEADING NORTH AS WE’VE PLANNED. IT APPEARS THAT THE MILITARY HAS RECOVERED TO SOME DEGREE FROM THE CHOLERA, SCURVY, YELLOW FEVER, AND SMALL POX WHICH KILLED MANY OF THEM IN THEIR ENCLOSED QUARTERS.
BLACK HAWK
MUCH OF OUR TRIBE IS STILL CENTERED ABOUT THE ROCK RIVER BASIN. THEY WANT TO STAY AND DEFEND OUR HOMELAND. IT IS WORTHWHILE FOR US TO DEFEND OUR LAND GIVEN TO US BY THE GREAT SPIRIT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR SCOUTS SAY THERE IS NEED AGAIN OF WARRIORS NEAR KELLOGG’S GROVE. WE CANNOT LOSE OUR TRIBE HERE. I DON’T WANT TO ALLOW OUR WARRIORS TO GO SOUTH UNTIL WE HAVE THE SITUATION HERE STABLE. BUT IT IS YOUR DECISION FATHER.
Gen E.P. Gaines
BLACK HAWK
YES WE WILL PULL BACK AND HEAD ON TO KELLOGG’S GROVE TO FEND OFF THE MILITIA AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME.
WHIRLING THUNDER
FATHER BLACK HAWK, THERE IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DISCUSS.
BLACK HAWK
WE HAVE LITTLE TIME BUT GO AHEAD. REMEMBER WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
THERE IS THIS GIRL IN OUR TRIBE WHO I HAVE TAKEN A LIKING TO. I WAS WONDERING IF I MIGHT.....
BLACK HAWK
ARE YOU SERIOUS? THIS IS HONORABLE BUT WE ARE IN A FIGHT FOR OUR TRIBE’S LIFE. WE HAVE ONLY BEGUN TO FIGHT. SO WHO IS SHE? IS SHE THE GIRL I SAW THE OTHER DAY NEAR YOU ON THE INDIAN PONY?
WHIRLING THUNDER
YES THAT IS HER. HER PARENTS HAVE AGREED. HER MOTHER IS FLOWING STREAM AND SHE IS KNOWN AS GREEN FLOWER. HER FATHER IS HIGH RAPIDS. I MUST GO THROUGH THE CEREMONY. I WANT YOUR PERMISSION TO START A FIRE OUTSIDE OF HER TENT TONIGHT AND IF THE FIRE IS OUT IN THE MORNING, THIS MEANS SHE HAS ACCEPTED MY MARRIAGE PROPOSAL.
Gen Henry Atkinson
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BLACK HAWK
OF COURSE. WE ALL WENT THROUGH THIS SAUK CUSTOM. RARELY DO THE WOMEN TURN DOWN AN OFFER. REMEMBER THAT THE WOMAN CAN SEPARATE FROM YOU AND REMARRY IF SHE ISN’T TREATED WELL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ARE A BIT YOUNG, IMMATURE, AND NEED MORE GROOMING IN THE SAUK TRADITIONS. LET ME THINK ABOUT THIS COURTSHIP. IF I SAY NOTHING GO AHEAD, TREAT HER WELL, AND HAVE MANY CHILDREN.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Bad Axe River as it appears today.
I WILL JOIN YOU IN A CRANE DANCE TONIGHT. WE HAVE KILLED ENOUGH OF THE ENEMY. WASHTE! WASHTE!
BLACK HAWK WHIRLING THUNDER
ACT XIV: JUNE 25, 1832 THE SECOND BATTLE OF KELLOGG’S GROVE NW IL. BLACK HAWK
WE NEED TO EAT WELL TO AVOID DISEASE. WE ARE FIGHTING DISEASE AS MUCH AS THE WHITE MILITIA. ALCOHOL HAS CREPT INTO OUR TRIBE. Black Hawk
WHIRLING THUNDER
REMAINING STRONG WE HAVE CLEARED THE WAY FOR OUR PARTY TO CLASH WITH DEMENT.
BLACK HAWK
THIS WILL NOT BE EASY. HE HAS STRONGER MILITIA THE FURTHER SOUTH WE GO INTO ILLINOIS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS HOWEVER. THE WHITE SETTLERS ARE FEARING FOR THEIR LIVES AND MANY DON’T HAVE FAITH THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WILL PROTECT THEM. Lithograph from the middle 1800’s.
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BLACK HAWK
AKTEE REPORTS THAT HIS TRADES WITH WHITES ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER HAVE CONTINUED TO BE EXCELLENT. THE WHITES WANT OUR BLANKETS AND AKTEE HAS RECEIVED
FOOD AND RUM. WE COULD DO WITHOUT THE RUM. WE NEED MUSKETS AND AMMUNITION INCLUDING BOTH POWDER AND MUSKET BALLS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO IT IS THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THAT WANTS US OUT OF OUR LANDS, NOT NECESSARILY THE WHITE SQUATTERS?
BLACK HAWK
MANY OF THE EUROPEAN SETTLERS, AS I CALL THEM, WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY. BUT HOW CAN WE PEACEFULLY COEXIST WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BREAKING TREATIES, FIGHTING US FOR EVERY FISH ON THE ROCK RIVER RAPIDS, AND ENSURING OUR TRIBE’S TOTAL DESTRUCTION. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IS A GREAT DOCUMENT, BUT THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MILITARY IS NOT FOLLOWING IT. IT IS AS IF SINCE THE UNITED STATES CAME HERE AND INTO THE ENTIRE NORTHWEST TERRITORY, WE HAVE NO RIGHTS.
Historical Marker of the Battle
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE NEED TO ATTACK WASHINGTON DC, NOT THE WHITES WHO ARE LIVING HERE. I COULD ACTUALLY SEE OUR TRIBE LIVING IN HARMONY WITH THE FARMERS OF THE REGION. THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOTH.
BLACK HAWK
SO WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALL THE MILITARY FORTS THAT ARE BEING BUILT?
WHIRLING THUNDER
BURN THEM AS SOON AS THEY ARE BUILT!
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
BLACK HAWK
WE HAVE DONE THAT, AND THE MILITIA JUST BUILDS MORE. PEACE TREATIES AND SMOKING PEACE PIPES IS A WASTE OF TIME. WE NEED TO FIGHT. SCALPS ARE TRULY THE ONLY MEASURE OF WAR THE WHITE MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE NOW HEADED TO KELLOGG’S GROVE WHERE THE SECOND BATTLE IN THIS AREA WILL SURELY OCCUR.
BLACK HAWK
WE WILL ATTACK IN FORCE FROM THE BLUFF OVERLOOKING KELLOGG’S GROVE AND AVENGE ANY WARRIOR LOSSES IN THE FIRST BATTLE AT BURR OAK’S GROVE NINE DAYS AGO.
Captain Henry Gratiot
9
WHIRLING THUNDER
I SEE MANY ILLINOIS MILITIA IN UNIFORM WAITING FOR US.
BLACK HAWK
WE HAVE GATHERED GREATER THAN 100 WARRIORS FOR THE BATTLE. WE WILL SURROUND, ATTACK, AND HAVE SOME WARRIORS SET FOR AMBUSHES OF ESCAPING MILITIA.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THEY HAVE OPENED FIRE. WE WILL FOLLOW OUR BATTLE PLAN. I’M ENCIRCLING THE MILITIA FROM THE REAR BY HORSE. REMEMBER TO SHOOT THE HORSE OF THE MILITIA, AS THE WHITE MILITIA MEN ARE NOT FLEET OF FOOT, AND ARE EASY TO SCALP OFF THEIR HORSE.
BLACK HAWK
White Cloud
I HAVE MET WITH NEOPOPE AND WEESHEET WHO ARE READY ON THE FLANK. WE NEED A DECISIVE VICTORY TODAY.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE GREAT PROPHET AND MEDICINE MAN HAVE WARNED US AGAINST TOO MANY ADVANCES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
BLACK HAWK
I REALIZE THIS - HOWEVER A DECISIVE VICTORY STANDS IN FRONT OF US. WE MUST TAKE ADVANTAGE SO THAT THE MORALE OF THE MILITIA IS DESTROYED. WE ARE ON OUR WAY. BEGIN WAR CHANTS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
I HAVE ALREADY SCALPED TWO MILITIA BY SHOOTING DOWN THEIR HORSE AND ATTACKING WITH MY TOMAHAWK BEFORE THEY COULD RELOAD THEIR MUSKET.
BLACK HAWK
IN PART THEY ARE RETREATING, AND WE WILL ADVANCE BEHIND THEM.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THE ENGLISH HAVE CONTINUED TO SUPPLY ARMS THROUGH MILWAUKEE. THE FEW MUSKETS WE HAVE HAS HELPED OUR CAUSE.
BLACK HAWK
Shaman
10
THE ENGLISH STILL HAVE DREAMS OF RETAKING AMERICA. I DON’T KNOW IF THAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT WE WILL FIGHT WITH THEM AS THEY HAVE SUPPORTED OUR CAUSE FOR YEARS. WE MAY BE ABLE TO LIVE PEACEFULLY WITH THE BRITISH.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WELL OUR ARMS ARE WORKING. WE HAVE HELD OFF THE MUSKET FIRE FROM THE ILLINOIS MILITIA. WE WILL CONTINUE ON UNLESS WE INCUR HEAVY LOSSES.
BLACK HAWK
WE MUST RETREAT. WE HAVE KILLED MORE THAN THE ENEMY, AND A COUNTER ATTACK IS BEING PLANNED WITH GENERAL POSEY AND ZACHARY TAYLOR PER THE SCOUTS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE GREAT WHITE FATHER CLARK IN ST. LOUIS HAS EXPRESSED REMORSE OVER THE ATTACKS AND WANTS TO TRADE, NOT FIGHT FURTHER.
BLACK HAWK
OUR TRIBE MET THE GREAT WHITE FATHER, GENERAL CLARK, BACK AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WHILE HE WAS THE FIRST TRAVELING WHITE MAN UP THE MISSOURI RIVER. WE KEPT HIM FROM BEING SCALPED, AS DID MANY OTHER TRIBES. HE WILL NOT FORGET.
Keokuk
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE ONLY THING THE WHITE MAN HAS TRULY KEPT HIS WORD ON IS THE TRADE FOR A PIECE OF LAND CALLED CHICAGO FOR $16,000. OTHER THAN THIS CHICAGO TRADE, OUR TRIBES HAVE SUFFERED IMMENSELY. MAYBE THE GREAT FATHER CLARK SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED WITH TRADES INVOLVING FURS, FOOD, TRAPS, AND HORSES.
BLACK HAWK
THAT IS A DREAM. HE IS PAID BY THE GREAT FATHER IN WASHINGTON - PRESIDENT JACKSON WHO IS NOT ON THE INDIAN’S SIDE.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
ARE WE TO HEAD NORTH NOW FATHER BLACK HAWK?
BLACK HAWK
YES, WE WILL REGROUP AND HEAD TOWARD THE BAD AXE RIVER, REARM WITH THE BRITISH, REGROUP WITH OUR WARRIORS, AND FINALLY SETTLE WHERE WE CAN. WE MAY HAVE TO RE-ESTABLISH OURSELVES IN IOWA. I DON’T FEEL IT IS SAFE TO HEAD TOWARDS GALENA AS THE MILITARY HAS THIS AREA WELL PROTECTED WITH MANY FORTS AND MILITIA.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Fort Armstrong
NOW MAY I OBTAIN PERMISSION FOR THE YOUNG SAUK’S HAND TONIGHT?
11
BLACK HAWK
I’VE SAID NOTHING - WHICH MEANS I’VE TALKED TO THE FATHER OF THE SAUKS, MUKATEQUET, WHO HAS GRANTED PERMISSION. WASHTE! WASHTE!
WHIRLING THUNDER BLACK HAWK
ACT XV: JUNE 29, 1832 SINSINAWA MOUND RAID, GRANT COUNTY, WI.
Historical Marker, “Red Bird’s Village”
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE FINALLY RIDING NORTH WITH FRESH HORSES. SOME OF THE WHITES FRIENDLY TO INDIANS HAVE READILY TRADED FOR HORSES AND THE BRITISH - WHO HAVE NEVER RECOVERED FROM THE WAR OF 1815 - HAVE ALSO ASSISTED. THEY FEEL THEY WILL AGAIN OVERTAKE NORTH AMERICA. THE INDIANS COULD PROBABLY LIVE WITH THE BRITISH IN PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.
BLACK HAWK
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO CALL US THE BRITISH BAND. THEY FEEL ENGLAND IS BEHIND ALL THE INDIAN UPRISINGS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
I DON’T THINK THE US GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY CARES FOR INDIANS AT ALL. THEY SAY THEY DO, BUT AS WE HAVE DISCOVERED THEY ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED IN ANY MANNER. JUST LOOK AT ALL THE SLAUGHTERS THAT HAVE OCCURRED AFTER WHITE FLAGS.
BLACK HAWK
WELL THE FAMOUS COIN DEAL INVOLVING THE MENOMINEE INDIANS HAS LED THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO BE SUSPICIOUS OF ALL DEALINGS BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND INDIANS WITH ARMS ENTERING THROUGH THE GREAT LAKES AND MILWAUKEE. Pecatonic Battle Site
12
WHIRLING THUNDER
I FEEL WITH THE RECENT LOSSES AND THE WAR TURNING AGAINST US, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE BRAVES HEADING BACK TO IOWA, WE ARE DOWN TO 500 OF THE SAUK TRIBE AGAINST 4000 WHITE MILITIA. HOW LONG CAN OUR TRIBE MAINTAIN AGAINST THOSE ODDS?
BLACK HAWK
WE WILL NEED OTHER THE SUPPORT OF OTHER TRIBES. IT IS DIFFICULT WITH KEOKUK TRAVELING THROUGHOUT THE ROCK RIVER BASIN ENCOURAGING ALL INDIANS TO SURRENDER SO THE WHITES WILL GIVE MUCH IN RETURN. INDIANS SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO TRUST THE WHITE MILITIA AND GOVERNMENT. THEY JUST WANT OUR LAND AND THE SAUK OFF IT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE NEED TO ASK THE GREAT SAUK WARRIOR AND FOUNDER OF OUR TRIBE, MUKATEQUET, OUR COURSE. IN HIS DEATH HE WILL GUIDE US.
BLACK HAWK
OUR GREAT SPIRIT WILL ALSO GUIDE US. IF WE EVENTUALLY ARRIVE BACK IN IOWA, SO BE IT. WE WILL SURVIVE.
Henry Dodge
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE TO HEAD TOWARDS A PLACE CALLED SINSINAWA MOUNDS. THIS IS NEAR PLATTEVILLE. SOME OF THE BRAVES FEEL THAT WE CAN UPSET THE ENTIRE REGION BY KILLING A FEW WHITES. I DON’T DISAGREE.
BLACK HAWK
WELL AS WE APPROACH WE WILL AMBUSH. AFTER WE HAVE SCALPED THOSE WHITES PRESENT, WE WILL CARVE OUT THEIR HEARTS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THIS SHOULD SEND SHIVERS THROUGHOUT THE AREA. MAYBE THE WHITES WILL SURRENDER. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PLATTEVILLE RESIDENTS MAY LEAVE AND GO TO GALENA IF THERE IS ANY MORE VIOLENCE IN THE AREA.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
BLACK HAWK
WE MAY STALL THE WAR FROM ENDING, BUT I FEEL THE UNITED STATES WILL THROW ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AT OUR TRIBE. THEIR GOAL IS TO MAKE US EXTINCT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE HAVE MASSACRED THE WHITES AT SINSINAWA AND TAKEN THEIR SCALPS AND HEARTS. WE WILL EAT THEIR HEARTS TONIGHT, AS WELL AS HAVE A COUNCIL DANCE TO CELEBRATE THE SCALPS.
Modern Historical Marker
BLACK HAWK
THIS WILL PROBABLY ONLY WORK FOR A WHILE AS THE HO CHUNK IN THIS AREA HAVE TAKEN SIDES WITH THE WHITES, 13
AND ARE PLOTTING AGAINST US. WE WILL MOVE FURTHER NORTH. THANK THE GREAT SPIRIT WHITE CLOUD HAS REMAINED ON OUR SIDE. WASHTE! WASHTE!
Sauk and Fox Indians
Black Hawk
Bad Axe River Battle Site
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WHIRLING THUNDER BLACK HAWK