Part 6 - “Disaster” ACT XVI: JULY 21, 1832 PENULTIMATE BATTLE OF BLACKHAWK WAR WISCONSIN HEIGHTS,WI. WHIRLING THUNDER
THIS OUISCONSIN RIVER IS UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL. IT SEEMS THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOTH WHITES AND INDIANS. IT IS TOO BAD WE HAVE TO WAR AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
BLACKHAWK
Site of Bad Axe River Battle
WE ARE HEADING TOWARD A PLACE CALLED WISCONSIN HEIGHTS. IT IS A CANYON ALONG THE WISCONSIN RIVER WITH A POINT CALLED SHARPSHOOTER LOOKOUT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
YOU OBVIOUSLY FEEL WE ARE TO BE ATTACKED BY THE ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN MILITIA.
BLACKHAWK
YES, THE SCOUTS HAVE REPORTS OF HUNDREDS OF MILITIA IN CAMPS SURROUNDING US. WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND HERE AND THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN NEED TO REGROUP BEFORE OUR BIG PUSH TO CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI. I FEEL WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF BEING EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AS A TRIBE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
SHOULD WE SURRENDER?
BLACKHAWK
NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT. OUR TRIBE MAY BE MASSACRED DESPITE A SURRENDER. I HAVE NO TRUST IN THE WHITE MAN.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Sauk & Fox Indians
WE WILL KEEP MIGRATING WEST AS OUR TRIBE EMIGRATED FROM THE DETROIT AREA YEARS AGO. THE GREAT SPIRIT HAS GIVEN US THE GO AHEAD TO CROSS BACK INTO IOWA COUNTRY. WE WILL MOVE ON AND LEAVE OUR BURIED ANCESTORS. IT APPEARS WITH SO MANY WARRIORS LOST THAT THE GREAT SPIRIT HAS LITTLE LEFT FOR US EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. I’M FEELING VERY STRONG INSIDE TO KEEP GOING WEST. HOPEFULLY IT ISN’T TOO LATE!
BLACKHAWK
I AGREE, BUT I WANT OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO ARRIVE 2
SAFELY IN IOWA. THE AREA FURTHER SOUTH AROUND SINSINAWA IS NOT SAFE. THAT IS WHERE MANY SAUK ARE EXPECTED TO CROSS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
KILLING INDIANS HAS BECOME A GAME AND PASSION FOR MANY WHITE MILITIA.
BLACKHAWK
AND A FEW OF THE WHITE SQUATTERS HAVE KILLED OUR WARRIORS. BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THESE FARMERS ARE PEACE LIVING AND WANT TO CO-EXIST.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I CAN ACTUALLY HEAR THE MILITIA COMING UPON US. HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF WAR TROOPS ARE DESCENDING INTO THIS CANYON.
Lithograph of battle scene
BLACKHAWK
WE WILL OPEN FIRE AT ONCE, AFTER THEY ARE ALL WITHIN THE CANYON WALLS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
IT APPEARS THEY ARE ALL WITHIN MUSKET RANGE AND WE HAVE THE BEST VANTAGE POINT FOR ATTACK ON SHARPSHOOTERS LOOKOUT.
BLACKHAWK
I’LL GIVE THE SIGNAL...FIRE!
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE HAVE WOUNDED AND KILLED MANY. NOW THEY ARE ATTACKING US. WE WILL BE ABLE TO FEND THEM OFF FOR AWHILE, HOWEVER WE MAY AS A TRIBE BE BETTER SERVED BY CROSSING THE WISCONSIN RIVER IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE KILLED MANY AND TO CONTINUE TO SURVIVE WE MUST HEAD TOWARDS THE BAD AXE RIVER MOUTH WHERE THERE IS CONSIDERABLE COVER AND A NARROW CROSSING OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
BLACKHAWK
I’LL GIVE THE COMMAND TO RETREAT, FORGET THE REMAINING SCALPS. WE ARE MOVING NORTHWEST TOWARD THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER NOW.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE SAUK AND FOX ARE NOW HEADING TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR OUR SAUK CAUSE. WE WILL FIGHT ON AS WE RETREAT FROM WISCONSIN HEIGHTS AND SHARPSHOOTER LOOKOUT.
President Andrew Jackson
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WASHTE! WASHTE!
BLACKHAWK WHIRLING THUNDER
ACT XVII: AUGUST 1, 1832 ARRIVAL AND SURROUNDING BLACKHAWK’S SAUK TRIBE AT THE MOUTH OF THE BAD AXE RIVER, DESOTO, WI. BLACKHAWK
Chief Shabona
WE DON’T HAVE MUCH FURTHER TO TRAVEL. WE ARE WEAK SINCE THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE FOOD AND GAME FOR OUR WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND BRAVES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE CONTINUING TO TRAVEL NORTH. OUR GOAL IS THE BAD AXE RIVER MOUTH - WHERE IT EMPTIES INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE MILITIA PROBABLY KNOWS THIS ALSO, BUT WE MUST PERSIST. IT IS DOUBTFUL THEY WILL CHASE US AFTER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CROSSING.
BLACKHAWK
Black Hawk
MOST LIKELY. THE BAD AXE RIVER MOUTH GIVES OUR TRIBE THE BEST CHANCE OF ESCAPE. AT THAT POINT IT IS VERY NARROW - MUCH EASIER TO NAVIGATE THAN NEAR FORT ARMSTRONG OR SAUKENUK.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. I’M FINDING BABIES, SQUAWS, AND EVEN BRAVES SLAUGHTERED IN THE FIELDS AS WE TRAVEL NORTHWEST.
BLACKHAWK
US steamboat Warrior engages Indians in canoes, Bad Axe Crossing
YES, COLONEL CLARK AT FORT ARMSTRONG AND OTHERS ARE TYRING TO MAKE SURE WE DIE AS A TRIBE. WE WILL MOST PROBABLY CLASH WITH GENERALS SCOTT, ALEXANDER, DODGE, AND CAPTAIN THROCKMORTON WHO PATROLS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WITH FRIENDLY CHIPPEWA ON BOARD. THE CHIPPEWA HAVE INFORMED THE MILITIA THAT MOST PROBABLY WE WILL ATTEMPT TO CROSS AT THE BAD AXE MOUTH.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SHOULD WE ATTEMPT TO SURRENDER NOW? WE COULD ALL BE KILLED. 4
BLACKHAWK
NO, SURRENDER WILL NOT WORK. LOOK WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE FIELDS WITH MANY OF OUR TRIBE SLAUGHTERED AND SCALPED - EVEN THOUGHT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY KNOWS WE ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE INTO IOWA. THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED AS PRISONERS WOULD KILL OUR TRIBE. AS WAR PRISONERS WE WOULD BE A SPECTACLE TO THE WHITE PUBLIC TO THE EAST. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PLACE EVEN HARSHER TERMS ON THE SAUK AND FOX TRIBES THAT HAVE WARRED AGAINST THEM. I CHOOSE TO DIE THAN REMAIN A PRISONER OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT UNTIL THE END - EVEN IF IT MEANS DEATH. AS A SAUK WARRIOR, I’M NOT AFRAID TO DIE, AND NEITHER IS MY PREGNANT WIFE.
BLACKHAWK
Paintings such as this reflect the fear among whites of the Indians
AS A LAST CHANCE IF OUR TRIBE FACES INSURMOUNTABLE OBSTACLES WE MAY CONSIDER SURRENDERING - BUT REMEMBER SOME WHITES MAY NOT HONOR A WHITE FLAG. YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR WIFE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE OUR TRIBE MASSACRED LYING ALONG THE BANKS OF THE OUISCONSIN RIVER AND IN FIELDS TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. IT IS SAD IN A STATE OF RETREAT THAT THE UNITED STATES MILITIA IS KILLING OUR DEFENSELESS WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN. SADLY THIS WAR IS ESSENTIALLY AN ISSUE OF A MAJOR TRESPASS UPON OUR LANDS BY THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN NO AUTHORITY TO ENTER BY THE INDIANS WHO RESIDED ON THESE LANDS.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
BLACKHAWK
IT IS AN INESCAPABLE CONCLUSION THAT THIS WILL BE THE SADDEST MOMENT IN AMERICA’S HISTORY - THE INABILITY TO LIVE IN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE WITH INDIANS EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE UNITED STATES WANTS OUR BATTLE TO BE THE VERY LAST OF THE INDIAN WARS EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI - A WAR TO END ALL INDIAN CONFLICTS. THE SAUK TRIBE WILL BE MADE AN EXAMPLE TO ALL INDIAN TRIBES WHO OPPOSE THE UNITED STATES DOMINANCE.
Apple River Fort
BLACKHAWK
IT IS SAD THAT AS WE CROSS THE PLAINS, RIVERS, STREAMS, FORESTS, AND FIELDS OF WISCONSIN WE CANNOT COME TO 5
COMMON GROUND AND ACTUALLY LIVE IN PEACE WITH WHITES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR ANCESTORS WOULD FIGHT TO THE FINISH I’M CERTAIN. THEY WOULD NOT TOLERATE A VICIOUS GOVERNMENT IN WASHINGTON DC ENACTING LAWS UPON PEOPLE THEY CAN ENSLAVE. THEY HAVE TRESPASSED UPON OUR LANDS AND THUS ASSUME THEY OWN THESE LANDS. THE ENGLISH LAND AND PROPERTY LAWS WHICH WE’VE HEARD THE WHITES DISCUSS HAVE NO MEANING IN INDIAN CULTURE. THE LAND UPON WHICH WE STAND IS ACTUALLY THE LAND OF THE GREAT SPIRIT, AND WE HAVE THE RIGHTS BECAUSE WE POSSESS AND LIVE UPON IT. IT IS OURS UNTIL WE ABUSE THE LAND. Bad Axe Battle Marker
BLACKHAWK
THE LAND BELONGS TO US BY THE DECREE OF THE GREAT SPIRIT. ANY FAIR INTERPRETATION OF ENGLISH LAND LAW WOULD ALLOW OUR TRIBE TO OWN THIS VERY LAND. A TRESPASS IS AN ENTRY ONTO THE LAND OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT PER THE WHITE THINKERS THAT HAVE MADE THAT THE LAW. THE AMERICANS HAVE CHOSEN TO TRESPASS AGAINST US AND DEMAND WE LEAVE OUR OWN LAND. I ONCE HOPED FOR THE BEST BUT I’VE GIVEN UP THINKING THAT WE CAN PEACEFULLY COEXIST. SOMETHING VERY POWERFUL WOULD REQUIRE ME TO LIVE WITH THE WHITE PEOPLE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
BUT IT IS SO VERY TRAGIC, AND THE SAUK AND FOX TRIBES WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY LYING DEAD IN MARSHES, PONDS, STREAMS, FIELDS AND FLOATING DOWN THE OUISCONSIN RIVER IS A TRAGEDY FOR ALL OF MANKIND.
BLACKHAWK
THE BRUTAL SLAYINGS HAVE BEGUN. OUR SCOUTS HAVE INFORMED US THAT EVEN WITH WHITE FLAGS OUR TRIBE WAS SLAUGHTERED WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO FIGHT BACK AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO CROSS WITH RAFTS AND CANOES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
EVEN CHILDREN AND SQUAWS? Wisconsin Heights
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BLACKHAWK
YES. EVEN WITH WHITE FLAGS AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION OF SURRENDER, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WERE ABSOLUTELY MASSACRED. THAT IS WHY I WANT PEACE IF IT CAN BE HAD. I WANT TO SEE NO FURTHER SLAUGHTER OF OUR TRIBE. I DESPERATELY WANT FOOD AND SHELTER FOR OUR STARVING TRIBE SOON.
WHIRLING THUNDER
AS WE NEAR DESOTO WISCONSIN AND THE BAD AXE RIVER, I CAN TELL THE MILITIA IS ALL ABOUT US. I HAVE SEEN CAPTAIN THROCKMORTON ON THE MISSISSIPPI WITH A LARGE SHIP CARRYING FRIENDLY CHIPPEWA INDIANS AND TROOPS. IT IS OBVIOUS THE UNITED STATES MILITARY HAS ORDERS TO NOT ONLY CONTINUE THIS WAR TO THE FINISH, BUT TO MAKE OUR TRIBE COMPLETELY EXTINCT. WE MAY BE BETTER OFF BY GOING MUCH FURTHER NORTH.
BLACKHAWK
I DON’T FEEL WE HAVE THE TIME OR ENERGY. OUR TRIBE IS VERY TIRED FROM LACK OF FOOD. WE ARE WELL DOWN ON WEAPONS. THE BAD AXE RIVER’S MOUTH OPENING INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS WELL KNOWN FOR PROVIDING A NARROWEST ESCAPE TO IOWA. THERE ARE MANY INLETS AND COVER AREAS FOR US TO ESCAPE IF ATTACKED BY LARGE FORCES. WE COULD ALSO GO NORTH TO MINNESOTA TERRITORY FROM THE BAD AXE CROSSING.
Gen E.P. Gaines
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE PAST DAY OR SO COMING INTO THE BAD AXE RIVER I HAVE WITNESSED THE MOST SURPRISING AND BRUTAL SLAYINGS EVER. YOUNG WOMEN AND CHILDREN NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE AT LIFE WITH LITTLE WHITE FLAGS LAYING AT THEIR FEET - A KNOWN ATTEMPT AT SURRENDER. WE ARE PROBABLY NEXT FATHER BLACKHAWK.
BLACKHAWK
NOW THAT WE ARE HERE I SEE THE SHIP WARRIOR AND THROCKMORTON HIMSELF FROM A TREE VANTAGE. THEY APPEAR TO BE PATROLLING TO BLOCK OUR TRIBE’S PASSAGE WITH THE RAFTS WE’VE CONSTRUCTED. SOME HAVE BEGUN SWIMMING ACROSS AND THE MUSKETS ARE ACTUALLY SHOOTING THEM IN THE WATER - WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE MAY BE NEXT. I HEAR THE MUSKETS FROM EVERYWHERE BEGINNING TO FIRE. THEY HAVE CLEARLY SPOTTED OUR TRIBE. WE NEED TO TAKE COVER.
BLACKHAWK
NO! I FEEL WE WILL NEED TO FIGHT TO THE FINISH.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WHY DON’T YOU ESCAPE NORTH TO THE FORT CRAWFORD AREA NEAR PRAIRIE DU CHIEN?
Gen Henry Atkinson
BLACKHAWK
NO I WANT TO STAY AND LIVE OR DIE WITH MY TRIBE. THE 7
GREAT SPIRIT AND MY FATHER AT SAUKENUK WOULD HAVE IT NO OTHER WAY. WE SAUK STAY TOGETHER IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE NEXT WE ENTER WITH THE GREAT SPIRIT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE SAUK TRIBE VALUE DEATH AS MUCH AS LIFE AS WE THEN LIVE WITH OUR ANCESTORS AND THE GREAT SPIRIT IN PEACE FOREVER.
BLACKHAWK
I FULLY UNDERSTAND YOU’RE WANTING ME TO CONTINUE OUR SAUK LEGACY IN THIS WORLD AND HIDING FURTHER NORTH IF WE ARE TO LOSE AT THE BAD AXE CROSSING. Bad Axe River as it appears today.
WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR TRIBE WILL REGROUP TONIGHT FURTHER UPSTREAM ON THE BAD AXE RIVER WHERE WE WILL DECIDE STRATEGY TO CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI INTO IOWA. I FEEL WE HAVE LITTLE TIME AND FRANKLY, HEADING BACK INLAND WE WOULD BE KILLED BY WAITING MILITIA. THEY DEFINITELY HAVE US SURROUNDED.
BLACKHAWK
YES NO DOUBT WE WILL NEED TO CROSS. I SUGGEST THAT WE GIVE THE COMMAND TO CROSS FOR THE REMAINING TRIBE ALL AT ONCE. THERE IS A VERY NARROW CROSSING RIGHT NEXT TO THE ACTUAL MOUTH OF THE BAD AXE. DOING THIS GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE FOR GETTING THE TRIBE ACROSS AND INTO IOWA.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
I HAVE SEEN THE CROSSING AND THIS APPROACH IS WISE. WE CAN SWIM OR RAFT ACROSS EASILY AND AVOID MUCH OF THE MUSKET VOLLEYS WITH THE CURRENT MOVING SO RAPIDLY. MOST OF THE SQUAWS AND CHILDREN WILL BE VULNERABLE AND I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD NOT KILL OUR DEFENSELESS TRIBE MEMBERS ANY FURTHER ONCE WE BEGIN TO CROSS. WE CAN SLEEP HERE TONIGHT. I HAVE CAUGHT SOME BASS AND CRAPPIE AS WELL AS DISCOVERED SOME WILD BERRIES. WE CAN EAT, COUNCIL, PAINT, AND SLEEP. OUR SCOUTS WILL KEEP US INFORMED OF THE MILITIA’S LOCATION. WE MAY HAVE TO CROSS TONIGHT IF THEY COME UPON US WITH A SURPRISE ATTACK. WASTE!
Lithograph from the middle 1800’s.
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WASHTE!
BLACKHAWK WHIRLING THUNDER
ACT XVIII: AUGUST 2, 1832 MASS SAUK TRIBE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CROSSING AND MASSACRE AT THE MOUTH OF THE BAD AXE RIVER - DESOTO, WI. BLACKHAWK
AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF TROOPS HAVE ASSEMBLED IN THIS AREA TO ATTACK OUR TRIBE!
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE READY. THE SUN IS STARTING TO RISE AND GIVE WAY TO MORNING LIGHT. OUR WEAPONS ARE LOADED. THE INLET LEADING TO THE MISSISSIPPI IS GUARDED HEAVILY BY UNITED STATES MILITIA. WE WILL ENTER TO THE NORTH.
Historical Marker of the Battle
BLACKHAWK
YOU AND I WILL STAY BACK AND SUPPORT THE CROSSING AS WE MAY BE ATTACKED FROM THE REAR. IF ALL FAILS HERE ARE WHITE CLOTHES ON STICKS WHICH MAY ALLOW ONE TO BE CAPTURED, BUT AT LEAST OUR TRIBE WILL REMAIN AND NOT BECOME EXTINCT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
LET US SAY A FINAL PRAYER TO THE GREAT SPIRIT: WE ARE ABOUT TO ENTER A DIFFICULT BATTLE AGAINST A FOE WHO HAS TRESPASSED AND STOLEN OUR LAND. HE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN US BY MEN AND WEAPONS. GREAT SPIRIT, GIVE US THE POWER TO OVERCOME THIS FORCE, RESTORE OUR LANDS, AND PROTECT OUR TRIBE - ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG CHILDREN AND WOMEN.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
BLACKHAWK
WE WILL PROCEED UPON THIS BLUFF. WHIRLING THUNDER, YOU AND I WILL OVERLOOK THE CROSSING AND PREVENT ANY ATTACKS FROM THE REAR.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I DIDN’T TELL YOU THAT MY WIFE, GREEN FLOWER, AND I WILL BE HAVING A BABY SOON. SHE WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRIBE DURING THE CROSSING.
BLACKHAWK
HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE LOCAL SAUK PEOPLE MAY HELP OUR SAUK SQUAWS AND CHILDREN. WHIRLING THUNDER, YOU WILL HAVE MANY CHILDREN AND CARRY ON THE SAUK HERITAGE OF OUR ANCESTORS.
Captain Henry Gratiot
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WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR TRIBE IS NOW ENTERING AND CROSSING THE BAD AXE RIVER. IT DOES LOOK GOOD. THUS FAR NO MILITIA ACTIVITY. MAYBE THEY WILL ALLOW OUR TRIBE TO CROSS AND THEN THAT WILL BE THE END OF US AS A SAUK NATION EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI FOREVER.
BLACKHAWK
WE WILL SEE. ONE WOULD HOPE. I HAVE PRAYED FOR OUR TRIBE’S SAFETY.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I SEE SOME HORSES AND NOW THERE’S SOME MUSKET FIRE SHOOTING AT OUR TRIBE. CANNOT THEY SEE THESE ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO MEAN NO HARM AND ARE ONLY SWIMMING AND RAFTING TO IOWA? White Cloud
BLACKHAWK
IT IS GETTING WORSE. I’LL SEND THE ARMED BRAVES INTO THE ATTACK.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I’M HEADING INTO THE BATTLE. MY WIFE IS IN THE OPEN WATER. LOOK AT THE MANY WHITE FLAGS COMING OUT.
BLACKHAWK
AND THE MILITIA IS NOT HEEDING THE SURRENDER CALL. THEY ARE MASSACRING OUR TRIBE. THE MUSKET FIRE FROM THE SHIP AND LAND WILL NOT END.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
OUR BRAVES HAVE A FEW SCALPS, BUT MANY OF OUR CHILDREN AND SQUAWS WITH PAPOOSES ON THEIR BACKS ARE GOING DOWN INTO THE WATER AND DROWNING. THE WHITE MAN WILL NOT STOP. THE MILITIA IS ORDERING A SLAUGHTER OF THE ENTIRE SAUK TRIBE.
BLACKHAWK
I SEE THE WARSHIP HEADING TOWARDS THE TRIBE. THEY ARE NOT HEEDING WARNINGS OF SURRENDER EITHER AND ARE FIRING ON OUR TRIBE FROM A VERY HIGH VANTAGE POINT. IT APPEARS HOPELESS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Shaman
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THE MILITIA IS NOW COMING FROM THE REAR. I’M HEADING INTO BATTLE. YOU HEAD NORTH BLACKHAWK, AS ONLY YOU HAVE THE POWER WITH THE GREAT SPIRIT TO CONTINUE OUR TRIBE’S EXISTENCE. I WILL PROBABLY SEE YOU IN ANOTHER WORLD. THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT ADOPTED FATHER. I KNEW YOUR SONS HAD DIED OF DISEASE AND I HAD ONLY HOPED TO BE A SOURCE OF ETERNAL HOPE THAT
YOU WOULD SOMEDAY REUNITE WITH YOUR FAMILY IN ANOTHER WORLD.
BLACKHAWK
YOU HAVE BEEN A TRUE SON TO ME. CARRY THE SAUK HONOR INTO THE NEXT WORLD. I WILL TRAVEL NORTH AND CONTINUE THE SAUK TRADITION. I WILL REVITALIZE THE TRIBE WITH OUR BRAVES, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE SAFELY CROSSED FURTHER SOUTH.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I WILL GO NOW. I CHOOSE TO DIE WITH MY WIFE AND OUR TRIBE WHO HAVE MET THEIR FATE IN THIS WORLD. YOU ARE THE SAUK LEADER. IF YOU STAY ALIVE, OUR TRIBE WILL ALWAYS HAVE HOPE.
BLACKHAWK
IT IS HARD AS I WATCH THE MASSACRE OF OUR TRIBE DESPITE THE SURRENDER FLAGS. IT IS WOEFULLY SAD THAT PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Keokuk
WHIRLING THUNDER
THIS WAS A TRESPASS INDEED. AN ENTRY ONTO OUR LAND WHICH THE SAUK AND OTHER TRIBES HAVE NEVER AGREED UPON OR ALLOWED. THE GREAT SPIRIT WILL RULE IN THE NEXT WORLD. I GO INTO BATTLE NOW KNOWING THAT I WILL PROBABLY NOT CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT WORLD. I WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH FOR THE SAUK TRIBE’S CAUSE. WE WILL SEE YOU IN ANOTHER WORLD WHICH WILL ALLOW JUSTICE AMONGST ALL PEOPLE. SO LONG BLACKHAWK.
BLACKHAWK
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
SO LONG WHIRLING THUNDER, MY SON. WASHTE! WASHTE!
WHIRLING THUNDER BLACKHAWK
THE END - TRESPASS. Fort Armstrong
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