CHAPTER VII.

EXPEDITION OF GOVERNOR CLARK TO PRAIRIE DU CHIEN–LIEUTENANT CAMPBELL’S

BATTLE.

During the absence of Black Hawk, in 1812 and 1813, Fort Madison fell

and considerable trouble was encountered from Indians, but, whether Sacs

or others,[24] the Sacs were never molested by the Americans. That the

Sacs were unprepared to stand an attack was freely told him on his

arrival, and Wash-e-own, who paid him a visit, was warm in his praises

of American kindness, upon which Black Hawk scornfully commented: “I

made no reply to these remarks, as the speaker was old and talked like a

child.”

Such perverse assertions as this one, constantly recurring throughout

his autobiography, are irritating to one who desires candor, and in the

face of them it is difficult to deal justly in the premises without

appearing almost savage. He constantly asserts that he never fought the

Americans without being first attacked, yet who can say that the

Americans had attacked or disturbed him up to this point? And how had

the Americans disturbed him after his arrival home in 1814? His village

had never been molested, though on his account it might have been with

good cause. He was still enjoying the use and occupation of it, but,

notwithstanding that fact, he was no sooner back to it but he began an

organized campaign of bloodshed on the frontier. Like the torch applied

to the dried grass of the prairie, the Sacs and Winnebagoes, under him,

spread their ravages in 1814. British agents again had material to work

on, and their machinations produced results, as the journals of the day

recite.

Black Hawk stated that he, with thirty braves, _immediately_ on his

return in 1814, out of revenge for the murder of his supposed adopted

son, descended the Mississippi, and that the battle of the “sink hole”

followed. This would need to be early in 1814, whereas the fact is that

the battle of the “sink hole” was fought nearly a year and a quarter

after that time, and, what is more, after peace had been declared

between the United States and Great Britain. Now if we cannot believe

Black Hawk’s assertion in that important matter, which is refuted by the

record, then when can he be believed?

Indian depredations made necessary the rehabilitation of the fort at

Prairie du Chien[25], long since allowed to fall into a state of decay

by the British, and, by reason of the need of troops further to the

east, Dickson had removed the garrison to Green Bay. For the purpose of

capturing and repairing it, Governor Clark of St. Louis prepared an

expedition to ascend the river, which was duly chronicled in the prints

of the day:

“A military expedition, of about 200 men in five barges, under the

command of Gov. Clark, left St. Louis on the 1st of May, for Prairie

du Chien, supposedly with a view of building a fort there and making a

station to keep in check the Sioux, Winnebagoes and Falsavoine, lately

stirred up to hostility by the infamous British agent, Dickson. There

have been several murders by them.”[26]

Another dispatch showing the success of the venture is as follows:

“St. Louis, June 18.–On Monday evening last a barge arrived here from

Prairie du Chien, with Gov. Clark and a few gentlemen who accompanied

him on his expedition to that place. We are very happy in being able

to announce the fortunate result of that hazardous enterprise.

“Nothing worthy of remark attended the flotilla from the time they

left St. Louis until they reached Rock River. Such of the disaffected

Sacs and Foxes as appeared on the approach of the boats were fired on;

some canoes were taken with the arms of the affrighted savages, who

sued for peace on any terms. Peace was granted them on condition they

would join against the enemies of the United States and immediately

commence hostilities against the Winnebagoes. The Foxes, who lived

above Rock River at Deboque’s mines, were willing to come into the

same arrangement.

“Twenty days before the arrival of the Governor at Prairie du Chien,

Dickson left that place for Mackinaw with 85 Winnebagoes, 120

Falsavoine, and 100 Sioux, recruits for the British army on the lakes.

He had information of the approach of Gov. Clark, and had charged

Captain Deace, commanding a body of Mackinaw fencibles, with the

defense of the place; but Deace and his party ran off, the Sioux and

Renards having refused to oppose the Americans. As soon as the troops

landed at the town, notice was sent to the inhabitants (who had fled

into the country) to return. All came back, but a few scoundrels who

knew they deserved a halter.

“Every attention was then directed to the erection of a temporary

place calculated for defense. Sixty rank and file of Major Taylor’s

company of the Seventh Regiment, under command of Lieutenant Perkins,

took possession of the house formerly occupied by the old Mackinaw

company, and a new fort was progressing on a most commanding spot,

when the Governor left the Prairie.

* * * * *

“Two of the largest armed boats were left, under the command of

Aid-de-Camp Kennedy and Captains Sullivan and Yeizer, whose united

force amounted to 125 dauntless young fellows from this county. The

regulars, under the command of Lieutenant Perkins, are stationed on

shore, and are assisted by the volunteers in the erection of the new

fort. * * *”[27]

During this celebrated voyage Black Hawk and his British Sacs were busy

to undo, at the first favorable moment, all the good work done by

Governor Clark, as may be seen by an article which appeared in the

Missouri Republican:

“St. Louis, July 16.–Platoff, the Hetman Cossack in the service of

Russia, offered 100,000 ducats and his daughter to any person who

would assassinate Bonaparte. Alexander discountenanced the affair as

infamous and dishonorable. How will the English Government and their

agent, Robert Dickson[28] (a native of Scotland), appear to the world

when it is announced that he suborned a Sac warrior to assassinate

Governor Clark while in council at Prairie du Chien? The affair rests

on the testimony of the Indians; the fellow left Rock Island for the

diabolical purpose, was admitted to the council, but found the

Americans armed at every point and all possibility of escape cut off;

he therefore prudently declined the attempt. A gentleman who was at

the Prairie and in the council informs us that this Indian rose and

occupied the attention of the assembly with a harangue of trifling

import; that his eyes were fixed on the Governor as if riveted to the

object. At that moment the Governor shifted his sword from an unhandy

position to one across his knees, when the savage retired to his seat.

* * *”[29]

It may be of interest, though not connected with Black Hawk, to note

here that one very strong reason for the subsequent surrender of the

fort was the decimation of its garrison:

“St. Louis, July 2.–On Sunday last, an armed boat arrived from Prairie

du Chien, under the command of Capt. John Sullivan, with his company

of militia and 32 men from the gunboat Governor Clark, their time of

service (60 days) having expired. Captain Yeizer, who commands on

board the Governor Clark, off Prairie du Chien, reports that his

vessel is completely manned, that the fort is finished, christened

Fort Selby, and occupied by the regulars. * * *”[30]

But Fort Selby could not spare the withdrawal of the militia mentioned,

and on July 21, 1814, the fort surrendered to Colonel McKay after a four

days’ siege.

Weakened as the garrison was by the withdrawal of the militia, General

Howard, on his return from Kentucky, advised that immediate steps be

taken to reinforce it. He quickly perceived the danger from an attack

and the inability of the small force to defend the post, and he as

quickly brought into the field a relief expedition.

Following is the best account extant upon the subject, repeated

verbatim:

From the Missouri Gazette, July 30, 1814.

DISASTER.

“As soon as Gov. Clark returned from his successful expedition to

Prairie du Chien, it was thought proper by Brigadier-General Howard,

commanding in this district (who had in the interim returned to this

place from Kentucky), to send a force to relieve the volunteers, and

preserve the acquisition so important to the welfare of our country.

For this purpose, Lieut. John Campbell of the first regulars, acting

as brigade major, was entrusted with the command of 42 regulars and 65

rangers, in three keel boats, the contractor’s and sutler’s boats in

company. The whole party, including boatmen and women, amounting to

about 133, reached Rock River, within 180 or 200 miles of the Prairie,

without any accident. As soon as they entered the rapids they were

visited by hundreds of Sacs and Foxes, some of the latter bearing

letters from the garrison above to St. Louis. The officers, being

unacquainted with Indian manners, imagined the savages to be friendly;

to this fatal security may be attributed the catastrophe which

followed. It appears that the contractor’s and sutler’s boat had

arrived near the head of the rapids and proceeded on, having on board

the ammunition, with a sergeant’s guard; the rangers, in two barges,

followed, and had proceeded two miles in advance of the commander’s

barge; the latter inclined to the east side in search of the main

channel, and being now on a lee shore, proceeded with much difficulty,

and as the gale increased were drifted into shoal water within a few

yards of a high bank covered with grass, waist high; a few steps from

the bow and stern an umbrage of willows set out from shore.

“In this position the commanding officer thought proper to remain

until the wind abated; sentries were placed at proper intervals, and

the men were occupied in cooking, when the report of several guns

announced an attack. At the first fire all the sentries were killed,

and before those on shore could reach the barge, 10 or 15 out of 30

were killed and wounded. At this time the force and intentions of the

Indians were fully developed. On each shore the savages were observed

in quick motion; some in canoes crossing to the battleground; others

were observed running from above and below to the scene of attack; in

a few minutes from five to seven hundred were assembled on the bank

and among the willows within a few yards of the bow and stern of the

barge; the Indians gave the whoop, and commenced a tremendous fire;

the brave men in the barge cheered, and returned the fire from a

swivel and small arms. At this critical juncture, Lieuts. Riggs and

Rector of the rangers, who commanded the two barges ahead, did not

hear the guns, but saw the smoke, and, concluding an attack was made,

dropped down. Riggs’ boat stranded about 100 yards below Campbell’s,

and Rector, to avoid a like misfortune and preserve himself from a

raking fire, anchored above; both barges opened a brisk fire on the

Indians, but as the enemy fired from coverts, it is thought little

execution was done.

“About one hour was spent in this unequal contest, when Campbell’s

barge was discovered on fire, to relieve which Rector cut his cable

and fell to windward of him, and took out the survivors. Finding he

could not assist Riggs, having a number of wounded on board, and in

danger of running on a lee shore, he made the best of his way to this

place, where he arrived on Sunday evening last.

KILLED AND WOUNDED.

“There were 3 regulars killed and 14 wounded; 2 died on their passage

to this place; 1 ranger killed and 4 wounded on board Lieut. Rector’s

barge. Brig.-Maj. Campbell and Dr. Stewart are severely wounded. Two

women and a child were severely wounded–one of the women and the child

are since dead. Just as we had finished detailing the above

unfortunate affair, we received the glad tidings of the arrival of

Lieut. Riggs at Cap au Gray; he lost 3 men killed and 4 wounded. Would

to Heaven we could account for the remaining 2 barges.

CONSOLATORY.

“As we were preparing the foregoing for press, gunboat Gov. Clark,

commanded by Capt. Yeizer, arrived here, in nine days from Prairie du

Chien, with the contractor’s and sutler’s barges, which were

fortunately relieved at the moment the Indians were about to board

them. From the officers of the Gov. Clark we have received the

following very important news from the Prairie: On the 17th inst. the

long-expected British force appeared in view. Marching from the

Ouisconsing toward the village, the line of the regular troops,

militia and Indians extended about 2 miles, with 24 flags flying. A

British officer arrived at the fort, demanding its surrender. Lieut.

Perkins returned for an answer that he was able and prepared to defend

the post entrusted to his charge. Before the return of the flag, the

British commenced a fire upon the Gov. Clark from a small battery of 1

or 2 three-pounders, which was immediately answered from a six-pounder

from the boat. Soon after firing commenced, a large body of Indians

and white troops crossed to the island which fronts the village, and

enabled them to fire on the boat at pistol-shot distance, and screen

themselves behind trees from the grape which incessantly poured from

the boat. In this manner the contest continued for two hours, until

the gunboat received several shot between wind and water, when it was

concluded to move down the river; by this movement down the narrow

channel they had to run the gauntlet through a line of musketry nearly

nine miles. On approaching the rapids, Capt. Yeizer sent his skiff

with nine men down to reconnoiter, who discovered Riggs’ boat engaged

with the Indians and Campbell’s barge on fire. These appearances

induced the boat’s crew to return, and the Indians to call to them to

come on shore, raising to their view the English flag, believing them

to be Mackinaw voyageurs. Before dispatching the reconnoitering boat,

the Gov. Clark joined the contractor’s and sutler’s boats. Those on

board were ignorant of the fate of the boats below, and would, within

half an hour, have been in the power of the savages, if they had not

thus been providentially snatched from destruction.

“Seven were wounded on board the Gov. Clark, namely, Lieut. Henderson

and Ensign St. Pierre, severely. Five privates were wounded; one died

on the way down the day after his leg was amputated.

“Every account of the attack on Campbell’s detachment reflects highest

encomium on the skill and undaunted bravery of Lieuts. Rector and

Riggs of the rangers. The former, after a contest of two hours and

twenty minutes, withdrew to a favorable position, which enabled him to

save the few regular troops as well from the flames which surrounded

them as the fury of the savages. The high wind which then prevailed,

and the loss of his anchors, prevented his rendering a like assistance

to Lieut. Riggs. The latter, though stranded and in a hopeless

situation, kept up an incessant fire on the Indians, and by a rusé de

guerre afforded his party an opportunity of making the savages feel

some of the consequences of their perfidy. He ordered his men to cease

firing for about ten minutes, and at the same time ordered howitzers

to be well loaded with grape, and the small arms to be in readiness.

The Indians, believing the rangers to be all killed, or that they had

surrendered, rushed down the bank to extinguish the fire on board

Lieut. Campbell’s barge and to board Riggs’. Our hero then opened upon

them a well-directed fire, which drove them in all directions, leaving

several of their dead behind.”

When Campbell reached Rock River he called upon Black Hawk with a

handful of men as an escort–so ridiculously small that Black Hawk

repeatedly stated he could have captured and put them all to death with

little or no effort. Campbell made the Indians presents, and in return

received from Black Hawk a solemn promise that no effort to assist the

British or disturb him in his ascent would be made by the Indians, but

during the night some powder arrived from the British, who had in the

meantime driven the Americans from Fort Selby, and sent it to Black Hawk

with instructions to use the same in case any Americans attempted to

pass his village to succor the garrison at Prairie du Chien.

Black Hawk had a very facetious way of putting that request into his

biography. He stated on page 56 that Campbell and his aids, after

holding a council with him, remained all day, and then after receiving

word during the night (along with the powder), that Prairie du Chien had

fallen, and that the British wished him to join them again: “I

immediately started with my party by land in pursuit, thinking that some

of their boats might get aground, or that the Great Spirit would put

them in our power if he wished them taken and their people killed.”

It is astonishing to note how frequently he confused the behests of the

British with those supposed to emanate from the Great Spirit!

While the men were helplessly floundering in the mud to extricate their

boat, which had run aground, Black Hawk was pouring a murderous fire

into their exposed ranks, and that, too, after promising the day

previous to be friendly. To reduce the hapless wretches still more, fire

was thrown by arrows into the sails, and the boat, likely to be

consumed, was abandoned; then the Indians plunged into the water and

drew it ashore. At this stage Black Hawk virtuously knocked in the heads

of all the kegs of whisky which he found in the hold, yet when he

retired down the river to the Fox village, opposite the mouth of Rock

River, he hoisted the British flag and when, immediately after, the

British came along with a keg of rum, Black Hawk and his band had a

great feast and dance,[31] ending the scene in a protracted and

hilarious spree. A refinement of the ethics of liquor-drinking quite

abstruse–this difference between whisky and rum!

Those British brought the Indians a gun which was used on the

defenseless Americans under Zachary Taylor a little later as Black Hawk

stated: “We were pleased to see that almost every shot took effect.”

-----

Footnote 24:

The moment Black Hawk returned, the Sacs of his village became

unusually active in their depredations.

Footnote 25:

This was one of the posts the British solemnly stipulated in the

treaty of Paris to turn over to the U.S.. but which they retained.

Footnote 26:

Niles Register, Vol. 6, p. 242.–June 11, 1814.

Footnote 27:

Niles Register, Vol. 6, p. 242.–June 11, 1814.

Footnote 28:

History generally records Dickson as a trader of good parts and not-

so savage as pictured during this war.

Footnote 29:

Niles Register, Vol. 6, p. 426.–Aug. 20, 1814.

Footnote 30:

Niles Register, Vol. 6, p. 390.–Aug. 6, 1814.

Footnote 31:

His autobiography.

-----

------------------------------------------------------------------------