Autobiography of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, or Black HawkBlack Hawk, Sauk chief
History
Autobiography of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, or Black Hawk
Black Hawk, Sauk chief
Black Hawk War, 1832; Black Hawk, Sauk chief, 1767-1838; Sauk Indians -- Biography
I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the regular and
volunteer forces engaged in the last battle, and the fatiguing march
that preceded it, and as soon as the reports of officers of the brigades
and corps are handed in, they shall be submitted with further remarks:
5 killed, 6 wounded, 6th inft.
2 wounded, 5th inft.
1 Captain, 5 privates, Dodge's Bat., mounted.
1 Lieutenant, 6 privates, Henry's Bat.
1 private wounded, Alexander's.
1 private wounded Posey's.
I have the great honor to be, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
H. ATKINSON,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U.S.A.
Maj. Gen. Macomb, Com. in Chief, Washington.
APPENDIX.
AT YELLOW BANKS.
Among the many hundreds of troops that came to Yellow Bank--Oquawka--on
their way to the sea of war, Major S. S. Phelps always spoke in high
terms of their good discipline and gentlemanly conduct, except in one
instance--that of a few persons in a company from McDonough county, who
came over at a time when old chief Tama and his wife, who was noted for
being the white man's friend, came over to get provisions for his little
band. On seeing an Indian some of these soldiers, who had been using
their canteens rather frequently, were eager to slay him, and not only
threatened him but Major P. also, for harboring him. The officers seemed
to have no control of these men--and just at a time when their threats
were loudest of what they intended to do at the close of three minutes,
Major P. and one of his clerks, Mr. Joseph Smart, were standing with
their rifles cocked ready to make the first shot, a cry came from
outside of the building, by one of the more peaceable soldiers, "Here
comes another company, Capt. Peter Butler's, from Monmouth," when these
would-be braves instantly retreated.
We are assured by one of Capt. B.'s company, Mr. James Ryason, that
the foregoing is literally true, and that Major P. and Mr. Smart,
afterwards, amid the threats of these same soldiers, escorted Tama and
wife to the river bank to take their canoe to cross the river, and stood
there with their guns, ready to protect the Indians until they got out
of reach of gunshot--Smart threatening all the time to put a ball though
the first man that attempted to shoot.
In order to appease the wrath of these soldiers and prevent some of them
being killed, Capt. B. advised Maj. P. not to give Tama any provisions;
but on the way down, Mr. Ryason says, Smart (who talked their language
equal to a native born) told them to meet them at a certain point after
night and they would be supplied; and that for the purpose of assisting
Mr. Smart in taking supplies to Tama, he got leave of absence from the
Captain until next morning.
Messrs. James Ryason and Gabriel Shot, both honorable and highly
respected Christian gentlemen, are the only survivors of that company
now residing in this county.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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