Part 2 - “home Again” ACT 2: RETURNING TO THE SAUK HOMELAND - ROCK RIVER BASIN TIME: APRIL 5 1832 DUSK PLACE: NORTHEASTERN IOWA - JUST NORTH OF THE ROCK RIVER’S FLOW IN ILLINOIS WHIRLING THUNDER
WE HAVE FINALLY MADE IT FATHER. WE HAVE 200 CANOES READY. IT WILL REQUIRE A FEW TRIPS. Site of Bad Axe River Battle
BLACK HAWK
YES. WE WILL HAVE OUR BRAVES ENTER FIRST. THEY ARE ARMED WITH BOW AND GUNS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SHOULD WE PAINT OUR FACES WITH WAR PAINT?
BLACK HAWK
YES. WE SHOULD EXPECT WAR THE MOMENT WE ARE IN ILLINOIS. WE WILL LOSE WARRIORS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I’VE HEARD THAT GOVERNOR EDWARDS HAS 8000 MILITIA READY TO FIGHT SHOULD WE RETURN. Black Hawk
BLACK HAWK
YES THAT IS TRUE; HOWEVER WE HAVE 500 GREAT SAUK WARRIORS WHO NO ONE CAN STOP. OUR 1500 WOMEN AND CHILDREN WILL BE WELL PROTECTED.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SHOULD WE LEAVE SOME SCOUTS FROM THE REAR JUST IN CASE THE ILLINOIS MILITIA CIRCLES OUR TRIBE?
BLACK HAWK
A GREAT IDEA, BUT I BELIEVE WHAT WITH THE ILLINOIS TROOPS DECIMATED BY CHOLERA, THE FIGHTING INITIALLY WILL BE MINIMAL. I WANT OUR BEST WARRIORS TO LEAD AND STOP ANY ATTACKS AGAINST OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Sauk & Fox Indians
WHIRLING THUNDER
SHOULD WE TAKE ANY TEPEES, FOOD, OR CROPS WITH US ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER?
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BLACK HAWK
NO, ONLY CROP CORN AND BEAN SEEDS. THE ROCK RIVER BASIN IS EXTREMELY FERTILE AS IS SAUKENUK, MY HOMELAND.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WHAT IF THE WHITE MAN WANTS TO BECOME FRIENDLY?
BLACK HAWK
THIS MIGHT BE A FAKE MOVE, SO WE HAD BEST WARN THEM TO LEAVE US ALONE. I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY THE TREATY STATING UNTIL ALL THE LAND WAS OCCUPIED BY FARMERS, WE COULD STILL HUNT ALL THE LAND AND FARM WHAT WAS NOT CLAIMED BY AN AMERICAN TITLE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WHAT AGAIN WAS A TITLE TO LAND FATHER?
Lithograph of battle scene
BLACK HAWK
I DON’T UNDERSTAND IT WELL, BECAUSE IT DOESN’T EXIST IN OUR CULTURE. BY ENGLISH LAW OF THE WHITE MAN, ONE WHO WRITES ON A PIECE OF PAPER WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS A CLAIM TO POSSESSION AND OWNERSHIP TO THE LAND TO THE EXCLUSION OF OTHERS WHO LATER OCCUPY THE LAND. THE PAPER SIGNIFIES THAT THEY NOW OWN THE LAND TO THE EXCLUSION IN EVERY WAY AGAINST INDIANS AND EVEN OTHER WHITES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO ALL ONE HAS TO DO IF YOU ARE A WHITE MAN IS STAKE OUT A SECTION OF LAND?
BLACK HAWK
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
NOT EVEN THAT. MOST OF THE SECTIONS HAVE BEEN DRAWN ON PAPER BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. THE WHITES HAVE USED OTHER BOUNDARIES, ROCKS, LAKES, TREES, OR SIGNS TO POST THEIR CLAIMS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THE GREAT SPIRIT NEVER GAVE THE WHITE MEN THE LAND, CORRECT?
BLACK HAWK
IN THE WHITE MAN’S TERMS, THIS IS CALLED A TRESPASS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
A TRESPASS. THIS MUST MEAN THAT ONE IS OCCUPYING LAND THAT ANOTHER OWNS. IS THAT RIGHT?
President Andrew Jackson
BLACK HAWK
ABSOLUTELY. OUR GREAT SPIRIT ENDOWED OUR TRIBE 3
WITH THESE LANDS. WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH HIM AND NO ONE ELSE. WE DON’T HAVE ENGLISH PROPERTY LAW. THE WHITE SQUATTERS SAY THEIR CLAIMS ARE GREATER THAN THE GREAT SPIRIT OR ANY INDIAN TRIBE INCLUDING THE SAUK TRIBE. I STRONGLY DISAGREE, AS NO ONE IS STRONGER THAN THE GREAT SPIRIT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO WHY DID KEOKUK SELL OUT TO THE WHITE MAN?
BLACK HAWK
KEOKUK IS A LAZY MAN WITH AN UNMOTIVATED TRIBE. THEY TOOK THE CONCESSIONS AND ARE MOVING WEST TO MISSOURI AND BEYOND.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Chief Shabona
SO FATHER, WHAT OF THE KICKAPOO, FOX, OTHER SAUK, WINNEBAGO, AND HO CHUNK TRIBES? ARE THEY BEING FORCED TO IOWA ALSO?
BLACK HAWK
UNLESS WE FIGHT BACK, ALL THE TRIBES WILL BE FORCED TO MOVE TO IOWA OR TO OTHER LANDS BEYOND OUR HOMELANDS. I’M KNOWN AS TROUBLE FOR NOT AGREEING WITH ANDREW JACKSON’S INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF 1830, THE PRIOR TREATIES, OR THE VERY IDEA OF MOVING TRIBES ANYWHERE. WHEN THE WHITE MAN FIRST CAME, INDIANS TREATED HIM WARMLY. WE AGREED TO A PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
YES, THE ELDERS OF OUR TRIBE TALK ABOUT TRADING FURS, CORN SEEDS, JEWELRY AND GOLD FOR YEARS WITH THE WHITE MAN.
BLACK HAWK
US steamboat Warrior engages Indians in canoes, Bad Axe Crossing
AS IT TURNS OUT THE WHITE MAN WAS ORIGINALLY VERY NICE. BUT THEN THEY BECAME A WARRING PARTY AGAINST OUR TRIBES. THE LAND WAS TOO VALUABLE FOR THEM NOT TO STEAL IT FROM OUR GRASP. WE HAD NO TITLE CLAIMS TO FILE AT THE ILLINOIS LAND OFFICE. IT IS NOT OUR CULTURE. THE GREAT SPIRIT AND INDIAN CULTURE AGREE THAT LAND IS NOT FOR SALE TO ANYONE. ONE DOES NOT HOWEVER, GIVE UP HIS RIGHTS TO THE LAND UNTIL HE WALKS AWAY FROM IT. WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT. WE WERE FORCED OFF THE TRIBAL LANDS OF OUR ANCESTORS - INCLUDING THE FOUNDER OF THE SAUK TRIBE, MUKATEQUET.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO YOU BELIEVE THAT REMOVING SOME WHITE MEN’S 4
SCALPS WILL CAUSE THEM TO RECONSIDER TAKING OUR LAND?
BLACK HAWK
POSSIBLY. WOULD YOU WANT TO FACE OUR WARRIORS?
WHIRLING THUNDER
NO. AS GOOD AS OUR WARRIORS ARE WITH THE BOW, TOMAHAWK, AND KNIFE A WHITE MAN DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE.
BLACK HAWK
UNLESS THE WHITE MAN HAS GUNS, CANNONS, AND OUT NUMBER US BY HUNDREDS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
YOU’re THINKING THEN THAT APRIL 5TH, WHEN THERE IS NO MOON IN THE SKY IS THE TIME FOR INVASION.
Paintings such as this reflect the fear among whites of the Indians
BLACK HAWK
YES. IT IS SPRING, THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC WILL PREVENT THE ILLINOIS MILITIA FROM GENERATING ANY KIND OF INITIAL RESPONSE, AND THEY MAY JUST LEAVE US ALONE IN THE ROCK RIVER BASIN IF WE REMOVE A FEW SCALPS. TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT. THE WEATHER IS PERFECT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING. THE SUN IS SETTING IN IOWA. SHOULD WE GET INTO THE WATER?
BLACK HAWK
WASHTE! WE ARE BEGINNING WITH OUR STRONGEST WARRIORS. OUR ADVANCE SCOUTS HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY WHITES OR MILITIA WHO MAY AMBUSH OR ATTACK US. OUR SCOUTS HAVE CROSSED A FEW MILES TO THE NORTH AND I’VE SEEN THEM MOTIONING FROM ACROSS THE RIVER THAT ALL IS CLEAR.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE HAVE SOME BIRCH BARK CANOES BUT MOST ARE ELM LOG OPEN CANOES WHICH SEEM TO BE STURDIER.
BLACK HAWK
I GAVE THE COMMAND. WE ARE ENTERING COLD WATER. OUR RETURN HAS BEGUN. WE WILL MEET INLAND OF THE MOUTH OF THE ROCK RIVER. IF ANY WHITE MAN OPPOSES OUR RETURN, THEN THEY ARE TO BE IMMEDIATELY SCALPED.
Apple River Fort
WHIRLING THUNDER
BOTH OUR WAR AND CIVIL CHIEFS ARE PAINTED FOR WAR. OUR WARRIORS ARE PAINTED WITH WAR COLORS AND ARE 5
DRESSED APPROPRIATELY. THE CROSSING IS PROCEEDING WELL.
BLACK HAWK
WELL WE ARE LAST. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME WHIRLING THUNDER, YOU ARE THE NEW WAR CHIEF. YOU WILL BE BY TRIBAL CUSTOM MY REPLACEMENT AS THE SAUK WAR CHIEF.
WHIRLING THUNDER
THERE IS BUT ONE CANOE LEFT FOR US FATHER. SHOULD WE PADDLE?
BLACK HAWK
Bad Axe Battle Marker
YES, WE ARE ON OUR WAY AND WE WILL STAY BEHIND THE TRIBE. I’M KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR AN ATTACK FROM THE REAR. THE ILLINOIS MILITIA UNDER GOVERNOR REYNOLDS IS QUITE SMART, EXPECTS OUR CROSSING, AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO CRUSH OUR SAUK TRIBE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I DON’T BELIEVE THE WHITE MAN IS THAT SMART. DO YOU MEAN THEY WILL ACTUALLY CROSS THE RIVER DOWNSTREAM AND TRAVEL BEHIND OUR TRIBE?
BLACK HAWK
Black Hawk
YES, THEY COULD COME FROM BEHIND IF NEED BE. THEY SAY I AM NOT TO BE TRUSTED. THE LATEST REPORT IS THEY SAID I SIGNED A TREATY JUNE 30, 1831 - LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO. I NEVER COMPLETED THIS TREATY. AND IF I DID, NONE OF THE INDIANS FROM ANY TRIBE EVER RECEIVED THE MONEY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WAS TO HAVE GRANTED US ON A YEARLY BASIS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I’LL STAY IN BACK AND STEER THE CANOE. I CAN SEE OUR TRIBE GATHERING AT THE STREAM BED NORTH OF THE ROCK RIVER. IF WE ARE SIGHTED WE HEAD TOWARDS THE GALENA RIVER.
BLACK HAWK
Wisconsin Heights
I’LL KEEP WATCHING TO OUR REAR. WE HAVE TWO BOWS, MANY ARROWS AND ARE WELL ARMED FOR AN ATTACK. WE CAN HEAR THE OWLS TALK, THE CURRENT FLOW AND DEER MOVE IF AN ATTACK IS IMMINENT. AS YOU GET OLDER, YOU BECOME WISER AND MORE IN TUNE WITH NATURE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR ELDERS SAY YOU MUST STAY IN TOUCH WITH NATURE - AS IT FOREBODES WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING. YOU MUST BECOME A GOOD INTERPRETER OF THE GREAT 6
SPIRIT’S WORLD.
BLACK HAWK
RIGHT NOW I SENSE THAT THIS WILL BE A QUIET LANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I CAN ALREADY SEE THAT THE ILLINOIS SIDE IS MORE LUSH, HAS BETTER COVER FOR ANIMALS LIKE DEER AND WOLVES, AND WILL HAVE MORE WATER FOR FISH.
BLACK HAWK
YES THE ROCK RIVER BASIN IS OUR HOMELAND. IT IS THE MOST FERTILE OF ALL LANDS AND WILL BE OUR HOME FOREVER. WASHTE! WASHTE!
WHIRLING THUNDER
Gen E.P. Gaines
BLACK HAWK
ACT III - RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF HOMELAND PORTENDING THE BATTLE OF STILLMAN’S RUN TIME - MAY 14, 1832 THE BEGINNING OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS. WHIRLING THUNDER
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
IT IS VERY GREEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI. OUR TRIBE WILL HAVE MANY FEASTS.
BLACK HAWK
SON, YOU WILL LEARN THAT GAME, FISH, AND THE SOIL WILL BRING HIGH YIELDS TO OUR TRIBE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I HAVE CAUGHT AT LEAST 100 BASS SO FAR THIS SPRING FROM THE ROCK AND GALENA RIVERS. I WILL TRY WITH SOME OTHER YOUNG BRAVES THE APPLE RIVER IN A COUPLE DAYS.
BLACK HAWK
Gen Henry Atkinson
THE APPLE RIVER CANYON IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AREA IN THE WORLD. IT HAS THE VERY BEST WATER AND IS DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AND ENTER DUE TO THE CLIFFS. 7
WHIRLING THUNDER
YES, I’VE HEARD OTHERS TALK ABOUT THE MANY RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE AREA THAT ALL FEED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI.
BLACK HAWK
YES THERE ARE THE SUGAR, PECATONICA, AND LEAF RIVERS. THE SPECIFIC CREEKS ARE THE TURTLE, RICHLAND, AND YELLOW CREEKS. THERE ARE MANY MORE CREEKS WHICH YOU WILL BE CANOEING. THE ELM TREES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO CARVE A DUGOUT FOR A CANOE, BUT THESE ELM CANOES ARE VERY STURDY - MUCH MORE SO THAN THE BIRCH BARK ALONG THE OUISCONSIN RIVER. Bad Axe River as it appears today.
WHIRLING THUNDER
AS FAR AS I CAN TELL WE HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO CANOE. THE PLENTIFUL FISHING IS WHAT I REALLY ENJOY. WE DIDN’T HAVE NEARLY THIS MANY FISH OR VARIETY IN IOWA.
BLACK HAWK
I’VE ENJOYED THE WONDERFUL HUNTING AGAIN. IOWA WAS GREAT FOR PHEASANT; HOWEVER THE DEER, RABBIT, AND SQUIRREL HAVE BEEN IN PAST YEARS VERY PLENTIFUL IN THE ROCK RIVER BASIN.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE DID COME UPON SOME WHITE MEN TODAY. WHAT DID THEY DO?
Black Hawk
BLACK HAWK
WHIRLING THUNDER
BOTH PARTIES STARED AT ONE ANOTHER.
BLACK HAWK
SO THE WHITE MAN HAS OBVIOUSLY BY NOW HEARD AND ACTUALLY SEEN THAT WE HAVE RECLAIMED OUR LAND.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SHOULD WE TAKE SCALPS FATHER?
BLACK HAWK
NOT UNLESS PROVOKED.
WHIRLING THUNDER
DO THE WHITE MEN KNOW WE WILL TAKE THEIR SCALPS? Lithograph from the middle 1800’s.
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BLACK HAWK
THE OLDER WHITE MEN KNOW. THEY WILL ONLY ATTACK WITH HIGH NUMBERS ON THEIR SIDE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO WE ONLY AMBUSH IF WE ARE IN A WAR PARTY?
BLACK HAWK
YES. THE WHITE SQUATTERS MAY LEAVE US ALONE. IT IS THE ILLINOIS MILITIA THAT I’M MOST WORRIED ABOUT. THEY WILL ATTACK ACCORDING TO ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REYNOLDS.
WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN SEEM SOMEWHAT ILL FATHER. HAVE YOU NOTICED ANYONE BECOMING SICK? Historical Marker of the Battle
BLACK HAWK
YES, THE CORN AND BEAN CROPS WERE VERY POOR LAST YEAR. OUR HUNTING HAS BEEN DECENT, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SUPPLY THE TRIBE. WE NEED MORE FOOD. IT IS HARD TO TRANSPORT FISH.
WHIRLING THUNDER
OUR YOUNG BRAVES CAN HUNT TOMORROW. WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT NEW HUNTING SKILLS BY THE OLDER WARRIORS. MAYBE OUR YOUTH WILL BRING IN A HARVEST OF FOOD.
BLACK HAWK
FOR YEARS THE ROCK RIVER BASIN SUPPLIED OUR TRIBE WITH MUCH FOOD. AND NOW IT HAS BECOME WEAKER BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. IT APPEARS THE WHITE MAN HAS RAVAGED THE LAND AND ITS COVER. THE GAME ANIMALS AND THE FOWL HAVE LEFT. WE WILL NEED TO RESTORE THIS LAND TO WHAT IS ONCE WAS - WHAT THE GREAT SPIRIT INTENDED.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE SEE MANY FIELDS PLOWED OVER, FEW CROPS, AND EVEN THE MAPLE TREES HAVE SMALL YIELDS OF SYRUP.
BLACK HAWK
YES I AGREE. SOME OF THIS IS THE DROUGHT, HOWEVER WHEN ONE ABUSES THE LAND THE GREAT SPIRIT REMINDS US THAT THE LAND WILL NOT YIELD FRUIT IN YEARS TO COME. WE NEED TO GET MORE FOOD FOR OUR TRIBE SO AS TO NOT BECOME MORE WEAKENED. WE NEED TO RESETTLE OUR OLD LANDS THAT GAVE OUR TRIBE MUCH FOOD FROM MANY SOURCES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Captain Henry Gratiot
SHOULD WE DO ANY TRADING FOR FOOD WITH THE WHITE SQUATTERS?
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BLACK HAWK
NO. THAT WOULD BE SURRENDERING. WE CANNOT COEXIST WITH THEIR ENGLISH PROPERTY LAWS. THEY WILL HAVE TO MOVE. IF IT WAS JUST THE WHITE MAN LIVING IN A SIMPLE CABIN OUR TRIBE COULD PEACEFULLY COEXIST AS WE DID WITH THE FRENCH, SPANISH, AND ENGLISH. BUT NOW WE HAVE THE ILLINOIS MILITIA AND PRESIDENT JACKSON’S DECREE WITH THE INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF 1830. YES WE ARE IN A WAR.
WHIRLING THUNDER
BUT IF IT COMES TO STARVING?
BLACK HAWK
White Cloud
THEN WE WILL ATTACK RATHER THAN ACQUIESCE. THE ILLINOIS MILITIA WILL AT BEST TAKE US AS PRISONERS OF WAR RATHER THAN ALLOW US TO PEACEFULLY COEXIST. ONCE THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IS OVER THEY WILL REGROUP, ATTACK, AND WE WILL BE IN A BATTLE FOR OUR TRIBE’S LIFE.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WILL AN ATTACK BY US ON ANY WHITE MAN BRING THE ILLINOIS MILITIA?
BLACK HAWK
IT MAY. HOWEVER THE ILLINOIS MILITIA IS SLOW. PRESENTLY ACCORDING TO OUR SCOUTS THEY ARE DEALING WITH SEVERE CHOLERA WITH MANY DEATHS AND ILLNESS. IT MAY BE MONTHS BEFORE REPLACEMENTS COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Black Hawk
SO WE KEEP OCCUPYING THE LAND AND THEN WHAT?
BLACK HAWK
I FEEL WE WILL BE AT WAR FOR SOME TIME. ALL WE CAN DO IS CONTINUE TO WIN SKIRMISHES, STRIKE FEAR INTO THE SQUATTERS AND INDIRECTLY IMPART LOW MORALS UPON THE ILLINOIS MILITIA. IF THE MILITIA DOESN’T BACK UP THE WHITE SQUATTERS THEN WE WILL WIN THIS WAR. THE SQUATTERS WILL NOT STAY IF THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S FORCES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO WE ARE HEADING OVER TO AN AREA CALLED OLD MAN’S CREEK TODAY? Shaman
BLACK HAWK
YES, THIS IS IN THE HEART OF THE ROCK RIVER BASIN. WE NEED FOOD AND WE WILL BEGIN OUR WAR TACTICS OF SURPRISE AND AMBUSH. WE MAY BE REQUIRED TO FIGHT 10
AS THIS AREA HAS BEEN HEAVILY POPULATED BY WHITES. REMEMBER! IF PROVOKED WE ATTACK AND AIM FOR THE SCALP.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE WILL GATHER OUR WAR PARTY SHORTLY AND TRAVEL ALONG THE RIVER, LOOKING FOR CROPS AND ALSO GAME. IF WE ARE CONFRONTED WE WILL ATTACK UNLESS THE WHITE MEN LEAVE.
BLACK HAWK
WE ARE ON OUR WAY WITH OUR WAR PARTY. WE HAVE A FEW MILES TO TRAVEL. IF WE ARE CONFRONTED WE WILL ATTACK PER PLAN. OUR SCOUTS ARE TWO MILES AHEAD AND WILL REPORT BACK IF WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY WHITES.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Keokuk
I KNOW FATHER YOU HAVE TRIED IN VAIN PREVIOUSLY TO NEGOTIATE FOR YOUR INDIAN CONFEDERACY OF TRIBES AND IT HAS NOT WORKED. SHOULD WE GIVE IT ONE MORE TRY IF WE ARE CONFRONTED BY THE MILITIA?
BLACK HAWK
NO, I DON’T TRUST THE WHITE MAN. OUR SCOUTS REPORT THAT THE ILLINOIS MILITIA UNDER STILLMAN AND ATKINSON ARE HEADING OUR WAY.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO WE WILL GO TO WAR TODAY?
BLACK HAWK
YES. WE HAVE 600 WARRIORS WITH US. MANY MORE ARE COMING. THE FOX AND POTAWATOMI TRIBES ARE SUPPORTING US NOW. MANY MORE MAY JOIN IF WE CAN BREED SOME SUCCESS AGAINST THE ILLINOIS MILITIA.
Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene
WHIRLING THUNDER
LOOK, OUR SCOUTS ARE SIGNALING THE MILITIA IS UPON US. WHAT DO WE DO?
BLACK HAWK
FOLLOW ME. WE WILL SURROUND THE MILITIA, AND THEN ATTACK FROM ALL SIDES AS THEY SCATTER. I WILL GIVE THE SIGNAL.
WHIRLING THUNDER
Fort Armstrong
THE ILLINOIS MILITIA HAS ABOUT 3OO MEN WITH MUSKETS AND HORSES.
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BLACK HAWK
YES, WE SHOULD EASILY TAKE SOME SCALPS TODAY. I THINK THEY HAVE SPOTTED US. THEY MAY ATTACK SOON.
WHIRLING THUNDER
SO SHOULD WE ATTACK NOW BEFORE THEY ORGANIZE FURTHER?
BLACK HAWK
ABSOLUTELY. GIVE THE WAR CRY WHIRLING THUNDER.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WE ARE OFF. OUR WARRIORS ARE ATTACKING FROM ALL SIDES. THE MILITIA IS SURPRISED AND FLEEING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. SOME ARE HEADING THIS WAY.
BLACK HAWK
Historical Marker, “Red Bird’s Village”
HIDE BEHIND THESE ROCKS AND WE WILL JUMP THEM ON THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS VALLEY PASS. THE REST OF OUR WARRIORS WILL DROWN THEM IN OLD MAN’S CREEK.
WHIRLING THUNDER
I’VE GOT A SCALP. HE DIDN’T PUT UP MUCH OF A FIGHT. I WANT MORE.
BLACK HAWK
I THINK THAT IS IT FOR NOW. WE HAVE CLAIMED 12 SCALPS. WE HAVE LOST 3 BRAVES HOWEVER. THAT WAS QUICK. Black Hawk
WHIRLING THUNDER BLACK HAWK
YES, MOST WAR BATTLES DON’T LAST LONG. THE WINNER USUALLY STRIKES FIRST AND VERY HARD. WE DID WELL. WE WILL NOW HEAD UPSTREAM ON THE ROCK RIVER. I FEEL WE WILL FIND BETTER FOOD SOURCES FURTHER NORTH.
WHIRLING THUNDER
WASHTE! MY FIRST SCALP. WASHTE! Pecatonic Battle Site
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BLACK HAWK