Black Hawk War

The Black Hawk War was fought in 1832 in the Midwestern section of the United States. The war was named for Black Hawk, the leader of a band of Sauk and Fox Indians, who fought against the U.S. Army and Illinois militia for possession of lands in the region.

Hostilities

The governor issued a proclamation on April 16, mustering five brigades of volunteers to form at Beardstown and to head north to force Black Hawk out of Illinois. Although federal U.S. army troops were also involved, the militia, which by the end of the war reached 9,000 men, were the majority. On May 9, the militia began an aggressive pursuit, finally coming into contact with Black Hawk and his warriors on the Rock River near Dixon on May 14. When the militia fired upon them, the warriors returned fire and killed 11 militiamen in the Battle of Stillman's Run. Although the militia numbered 300, they fled after the initial volley and returned home with news that 2,000 "bloodthirsty warriors were sweeping all Northern Illinois with the bosom of destruction." After this initial skirmish, Black Hawk sent the women and children of his band to the Michigan Territory and then moved into northern Illinois.

Related Topics:
April 16 - Beardstown - U.S. army - Militia - May 9 - Dixon - Battle of Stillman's Run - Michigan Territory

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On May 19, the militia traveled up the Rock River in search of Black Hawk. Several small skirmishes ensued when they encountered the Indians raiding the Illinois settlements of Ottawa and Galena. Following these skirmishes, the governor recruited additional militia forces, raising the number to 4,000. With the one-month enlistment for militia already expired, the Governor mustered them out of service on May 27 and May 28. The Federal Government then ordered General Winfield Scott with 1,000 regulars and 300 mounted volunteers to resume the chase.

Related Topics:
May 19 - Ottawa - Galena - May 27 - May 28 - Winfield Scott

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the end of June to the beginning of August, the federal troops pursued Black Hawk and his band throughout northern Illinois. They remained hot on his trail, but always seemed to remain two to three days behind. On August 1, with his band depleted and hungry, Black Hawk surrendered on the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Bad Axe River.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Black Hawk was ordered to board a U.S. ship positioned on the river, but many of his band had already crossed the river. When the ship's crew fired upon the Indians on the shore, a battle ensued and 850 of Black Hawk's band and 17 soldiers were killed. Black Hawk escaped with ten warriors and 35 women and children to Wisconsin, but on August 27 they were captured and delivered to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. On September 21, a peace treaty was signed with the Sauk and Fox Tribes and Black Hawk was placed in the custody of Keokuk, the same man who betrayed him by selling his land two years earlier. Black Hawk never again attempted to regain his homeland.

Related Topics:
August 27 - Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin - September 21

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~