In May of 1832,Black Hawk returned to what had once been the domain of his people in an effort to gain support for his cause. Closely followed by an American detachment under Major Stillman, the Sauk chief and 600 of his followers were attempting to reach White Cloud’s settlement, located to the northeast of Saukenuk. As they moved along the Rock River, Black Hawk and an advance force of 40 warriors received word that the Winnebago tribe would not support him in his effort to regain lost territory. With his capital occupied by white settlers, his nation divided and spread throughout the west, his scant few followers reduced to refugee status, Black Hawk came to realization that to fight would mean the end of his tribe. On May 14th he dispatched five of his closest advisors under a flag of truce; the objective of this dramatic change in policy was to parley with Stillman and his superiors and reach an amicable settlement for the Sauk. Peace, however, would not be the end result of this undertaking. As the Sauk delegation approached, the militiamen mistook the flag of truce for an act of aggression and opened fire. Two of the Indians were killed and the survivors rushed back to Black Hawk’s camp pursued by the Americans.
Despite the superior numbers of the American militiamen, this would not be Black Hawk’s last stand. Stillman attempted to ambush the Sauk camp with 275 soldiers. However, Black Hawk managed to organize his 40 warriors into an effective fighting force and repelled the Americans. The militiamen broke ranks and fled in a panic. Much of the blame for this disastrous retreat was placed upon the commander of the ill fated ambush—Stillman’s Run would be a blow to the ego of many who would fight the coming war. Black Hawk and his followers moved south into Wisconsin where they were joined by Winnebago and Potawatomi warriors who had learned of his stunning victory. News spread like wildfire and the Sauk chief gained recognition among whites and Indians alike as a force to reckoned with. Thousands of white settlers fled the occupied zones as war parties ravaged the countryside. Black Hawk brought back a style of frontier war not seen since the days of Little Turtle and Tecumseh.
Unlike Little Turtle and Tecumseh, Black Hawk did not make efforts to restrain his men and the reports of atrocities against settlers soon made him the most feared Indian leader in America. Throughout the summer of 1832, Black Hawk and his growing number of warriors eluded capture from the enraged militia. The tide was soon to turn, however, as more states committed their resources to finding the elusive figure. President Andrew Jackson appointed Winfield Scott to direct the war effort and entrusted him with the task of tracking Black Hawk and his followers down. On July 21, 1832, Black Hawk and his forces encountered an American force at what became known as the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. Black Hawk and his army managed to escape across the Wisconsin River and then turned northward towards the Mississippi River. Upon reaching the banks of the Mississippi on August 1, Black Hawk saw that the Americans had cut his escape route off. In addition to the 1300 troops that were blocking his path, the steamship Warrior was patrolling the river. Trapped and facing virtual anhiliation, Black Hawk sent two emissaries under a white flag (a symbol he knew his enemy would understand) to the American lines. Once more, the Americans opened fire, killing the Indian emissaries. Black Hawk and his people were now trapped along the Mississippi.
Mark C Carnes, Ed, U.S. History. (New York: MacMillan Library Reference, 1996).
Kenneth C. Davis, Don’t Know Much About History. (New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2003).
Gilbert Legay, Atlas of Indians. (Hauppage: Barron’s, 1995)
Carl Waldman, Atlas of the North American Indian. (New York: Checkmark Book, 2000).
