When first the demand was made the Indians retired to the plain close by to consult. On determining on the foregoing statements among other things, Keokuk returned and finished his talk as follows: “You wish us to keep at peace and have nothing to do with the Rock River Indians. We will do so. In token of our intentions, you see we have laid our spears there together. While you are gone to Prairie du Chien we will endeavor to speak to Black Hawk’s band and try to persuade them to go back. If we do not succeed, I can do no more; then we will go home and try to keep our village at peace. The one who has raised all this trouble is a Winnebago called the Prophet.” Wapello spoke to the same effect. As it was evident that Keokuk, by reason of his continued acts of friendship, might lose much of his influence if too much were exacted of him, all demands, including hostages, which were first asked, were waived and the council adjourned to the 19th of April. General Atkinson immediately started up the river for Fort Crawford, where he secured all the reinforcements which could be spared from that garrison; at the same time he sent messengers to Fort Winnebago and the lead mines district to admonish the settlers to place themselves in a state of defense. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: GEN. HENRY ATKINSON.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: CAPT. HENRY SMITH, U.S.A.] [Illustration: GEORGE DAVENPORT, ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER.] [Illustration: LIEUT. N.J. EATON, U.S.A.] [Illustration: LIEUT. M.L. CLARK, U.S.A.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lieut.-Col. Zachary Taylor, with two companies of the First Infantry, returned with Atkinson to Fort Armstrong, which was reached on the 19th. Immediately after the conclusion of the council on the 13th, General Atkinson dispatched a letter to Governor Reynolds, who had not been idle, asking the latter for the assistance again of his militia, to drive Black Hawk and his band from the State once more. Promptly on the 16th, the Governor responded with a call for an indefinite number of men, accompanied by this appeal: “To the MILITIA OF THE NORTHWESTERN SECTION OF THE STATE. “FELLOW CITIZENS: “Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed a hostile attitude and have invaded the State in violation of the treaty of last summer. “The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed by Black Hawk, are in possession of the Rock River country, to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the settlers on the frontiers to be in imminent danger. “I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen of respectable standing, and also from General Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes.