Being in a starving condition, a number of Sacs secretly recrossed the river, and stole some of their own corn. Matters remained in an unsettled condition, and in the following spring, General Atkinson, at the head of a regiment of regulars, set out for the Upper Mississippi. At his approach Black Hawk and his party left their camp, and went up Rock River. He expected to be joined by the Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes and Kickapoos, but they wisely kept out of the fighting, when they knew a disastrous end was certain. Black Hawk moved leisurely up stream, and on the way was overtaken by several expresses from General Atkinson, ordering him to return. In every instance the chief sent back a defiant answer, and kept on. Instead of pursuing, General Atkinson halted at Dixon's Ferry, and waited for the reinforcements that were on the way. He was pleased to find, however, that quite a strong military force had already arrived at the place before his advent. Having decided upon a reconnaissance, Major Silliman at the head of two hundred and seventy men, moved cautiously toward the hostiles. Black Hawk sent three messengers with a flag of truce to invite the officer to a conference. Instead of accepting the invitation or respecting the flag, the major made prisoners of the bearers. Not understanding why they did not return, Black Hawk sent five other messengers after them. They were fired upon and two killed, the others escaping by running. Thus the Sacs were receiving valuable lessons in civilized warfare. As soon as the chief learned of the outrage, he prepared to ambush the advancing company, although their number was more than double that of the Indians. The effort succeeded so well, that the soldiers were driven back in disorderly flight with the loss of a dozen men. The war having begun was carried on in the usual barbarous fashion of the border. The Sacs were too wise to meet the troops in open battle, but attacked exposed places, when there was no thought of their coming. Scores of dreadful outrages took place, and in more than one instance, the white men proved as cruel in their methods as the Indians themselves ever were. The state of affairs grew so intolerable, that General Scott was ordered to the frontier with nine companies of artillery. The same number of companies were also sent thither from the Lakes, and two companies from another point. It was wise to launch a strong enough force against Black Hawk to make sure of crushing him and his hostiles. However, General Scott's companies were soon attacked by the cholera and terribly decimated. It is interesting to record the names of two persons who figured in the Black Hawk War, on the side of the Americans. One was a tall, ungainly captain of Illinois, who was registered as Abraham Lincoln. The United States officer who mustered him and the soldiers into the service of the country was Jefferson Davis.