CHAPTER V.

ERECTION OF FORT MADISON–RUMORS OF INDIAN ATTACK–BLACK HAWK JOINS

TECUMSEH–RETURNS TO HIS VILLAGE–ATTACKS FORT MADISON–THE SIEGE.

The object of the expedition of Lieutenant Pike, in 1805-6-7, was, among

other things, to select suitable locations for military reservations,

Indian posts and forts. One of the last named he located at the head of

the Des Moines Rapids, immediately above the mouth of the river of that

name, on the west bank of the Mississippi.

In 1808, First Lieutenant Alpha Kingsley, with Captain Ninian Pinckney’s

company, was sent there from below to construct the fort and garrison

it. His work attracted the attention of passing Sacs and excited the

suspicion that the act might be a possible infraction of the 1804

treaty. To determine the matter, a party, including Black Hawk, traveled

down the river to the scene, where a council or talk was immediately

held, at which the intention of the Government was fully discussed. The

explanations were satisfactory in every particular to the respective

chiefs, who, every one, cheerfully ratified the action of the

Government, commending the act as one of prevision for both parties, and

with assurances of good feeling returned to their respective homes. Even

Drake, the especial champion of Black Hawk, is forced to state, on page

79: “Some of the Indians went down the river, and, after an interview

with the officers in charge of the troops constructing it, returned

home, satisfied that there was no infraction.”

Not so with Black Hawk. He came to the spot bent on mischief, and while

the others entered and were engaged in the council, he remained aloof,

that no obligation might rest upon him if the talk should result

adversely to his wishes, his favorite trick for avoiding the meshes of

engagements which might conflict with the arrangements he had made with

his British friends, who were furnishing him supplies, as we have seen.

Thus was the construction of Fort Madison permitted to continue, and

thus was it in due time completed and garrisoned by seventy-five men;

but Black Hawk had studied well its plans and marked it for his

vengeance at such a time as stealth should permit him to ambush it and

butcher its garrison, lulled into a supine security[17].

During the winter of 1808-9, British agents, taking advantage of the

suppositious dissatisfaction of the Indians, moved industriously among

the tribes, and, through Black Hawk, were able to create among his

followers a desire to annoy the Americans. Reports of impending attacks

reached the garrison of Fort Madison from time to time. “Upon receiving

this information,” Lieutenant Kingsley wrote, “I made every exertion to

erect the blockhouses and plant my pickets; this we did in two weeks

(lying on our arms during the night), and took quarters in the new fort

the 14th inst. (April, 1809). Being tolerably secure against an attack,

we have been able to get a little rest, and are now making the best

preparations for the safety and defense of this establishment.”

This letter is dated, “Fort Madison, near River Le Moin, 19th April,

1809.” In the same letter Lieutenant Kingsley reported that rumors of an

Indian alliance are reaching him frequently, and that any coming trouble

may be traced directly to British influence. “The sooner the British

traders are shut out of the river,” he added, “the better for our

Government.” Thus was Black Hawk allied, preparing for his part in the

war of 1812 with England.

Governor Harrison, in a letter to the Secretary of War, dated Vincennes,

July 15th, 1810 (Drake, p. 62), said: “A considerable number of the Sacs

went some time since to see the British superintendent, and on the first

instant more passed Chicago for the same destination.”

General Clark, under date St. Louis, July 20th, 1810, stated in writing

to the same department: “One hundred and fifty Sacs are on a visit to

the island of St. Joseph, in Lake Huron.” John Johnson, the Indian agent

at Fort Wayne, under date of August 7th, 1810, said to the Secretary of

War: “About one hundred Saukees have returned from the British agent,

who supplied them liberally with everything they stood in need of. The

party received forty-seven rifles and a number of fusils, with plenty of

powder and lead.”

In 1811 Black Hawk eagerly accepted British counsel to join the Prophet

at Tippecanoe[18] for the purpose of annihilating Governor Harrison.

Failing in that effort, he turned westward with a party of Winnebagoes

to attack Fort Madison, but the long march homeward must have exhausted

his martial spirit, because that attack was not made by him until

September 5th, 1812, at 5:30 P.M. However that may be, he considered it

unwise to precipitate his contemplated attack without preparation and

care. Therefore, he had the ground thoroughly reconnoitered by his

spies, who reported that every morning it was customary for the troops

to march out for exercise, leaving no defense behind, and this was the

hour finally fixed for his attack.

His British band and about 200 Winnebagoes stealthily marched to the

neighborhood, where, after a consultation, the plan of attack was

changed into one of assault, which was immediately begun and continued

until darkness compelled the Indians to retire. The following morning it

was not resumed, as contemplated by the garrison, which lulled it into

negligence, for a soldier was permitted to leave the gate. He returned

safely, and John Cox, another private, was permitted to go out with less

show of caution. This poor fellow was instantly shot and scalped and the

Indians, with yells, then recommenced their assault. During the

engagement the boat of a Mr. Graham, who had arrived on the 4th, was

burned, as were two others belonging to the Government. Soon after fire

was thrown upon the blockhouses that stood near the bank of the river,

but syringes made from gun barrels were used with such effectiveness

that the blaze was confined to little damage. One detachment of the

enemy killed the live stock, plundered and burned the house of a Mr.

Julian and destroyed the corn. On the 7th the battle was renewed and

raged with greater fury, the Indians again throwing fire upon the

blockhouses and shooting flaming arrows into the roofs, but the garrison

repulsed every attack. In the evening the house of a Mr. Nabb was burned

and the blacksmith shop and factory of the garrison threatened. Had

these been fired in the prevailing wind, every man of the garrison had

been burned alive, but commanding officer Thomas Hamilton, by the most

heroic measures, forced the fire away until the wind veered, when he

dispatched a soldier to fire the factory, which he successfully did, and

in three hours it was consumed without danger to the garrison. During

the day, several Indians crept into a stable, and there, harbored from

musket balls, shot deadly arrows into the roofs, but a shot from the

cannon by Lieutenant Burony Vasquez finally drove them out. On the 8th

the attack diminished in ferocity, and on the 9th not an Indian remained

to be seen.

Inside the fort only one man was wounded, but the casualties of the

Indians were reported as upwards of forty.

Fort Madison, for the purposes of trading, was favorably located, but

for purposes of defense it was hopelessly inadequate. Timber, ravines

and the bank of the river afforded the enemy positions from which he

could not be driven. At the same time a small party could harass the

garrison with no great danger to itself unless some of the number became

imprudent. During the siege there were but first and second lieutenants

Hamilton and Vasquez, two sergeants, two corporals and a few more than

thirty privates to defend a fort–a force totally inadequate against a

horde of bloodthirsty savages.

After the 9th Black Hawk permitted several days to elapse before

resuming hostilities, during which he formed another plan to capture and

massacre the garrison. To all appearances they had retired to their

homes. Immediately so-called friendly Indians came to trade, including

Quash-qua-me and Pash-e-pa-ho, who, while professing friendship under

that treaty, could not resist British and Black Hawk intrigue, and were

then leagued with Black Hawk to destroy the fort by stratagem. These two

were readily admitted to the fort, retired and called again and again,

offering finally to entertain the fatigued garrison with a dance. The

officers, to oblige the men, signified a willingness to witness the

ceremony. Quash-qua-me was to signal Black Hawk, who was to be near by,

to rush in upon the men and murder every one while the dance progressed.

Early in the day a young woman, who had formed a strong attachment for

one of the garrison, appeared before Lieutenant Hamilton as though in

great distress. She was taken inside the stockade, and, when free from

observation, disclosed the plot of the would-be assassins. Her simple

story touched the heart of every man, and, though their long seige had

worn them down well nigh to despair, her love and devotion inspired a

strength and courage which would only falter when the spirit had fled

and left the useless body a clod upon the field.[19] Lieutenant Hamilton

caused a six-pounder, loaded with grapeshot, to be masked and ranged

full upon the stockade entrance. Sentinels were posted with orders to

allow no more than one Indian to enter at a time. Quash-qua-me and his

companions duly appeared and were admitted singly. The warriors within,

to a considerable number, gathered about the entrance, the designated

place, and began their dance, raising with their whoops and yells a din

to heaven. Suddenly the dance was suspended by the warriors making a

furious rush for the gate, which conveniently opened. Confident that the

plot had been successfully carried out by those inside, the others

outside madly charged the angle. A lighted fuse, flashed above the

unmasked cannon, brought those in front to a sudden halt, while those

behind, by reason of it, were plunged headlong into a confused and

confounded mass. Aghast at their miserable miscarriage, a general

retreat was attempted, but this was not accomplished by Quash-qua-me and

his immediate followers, who were made prisoners.

Finding himself in disgrace and fearing condign punishment, Quash-qua-me

renounced hostilities against the Americans, was released, and, with

slight exception, remained thereafter their faithful friend. His

followers, who were imprisoned, finally confessed the plot in its every

detail, and when released, as they immediately were, maintained a

lasting penitence.

In this episode Black Hawk was at a convenient distance in the bushes,

leaving all the danger and obloquy to fall upon Quash-qua-me.

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