I have endeavored to be thorough, and to be thorough has required space. I deplore the necessity which forbids an expression of thanks to each individual by name who has contributed documents, valuable portraits and information from which this work has been constructed. I thank them all as generously as I have borrowed, which has been much. Especially must I thank Mrs. Catherine Buckmaster Curran, of Alton, Illinois, who furnished me with a complete set of papers, without which I could never have finished my work as it should be finished. Mrs. Colonel William Preston Johnston, of New Orleans, who, at great inconvenience and sacrifice of time, secured a copy of the journal kept by Lieut. Albert Sidney Johnston during his service in those campaigns. Dr. J.F. Snyder, Virginia, Illinois, President State Historical Society. Prof. B.F. Shambaugh, Iowa City, Iowa. Mr. R.G. Thwaites, Madison, Wisconsin. Charles Aldrich, Des Moines, Iowa. Miss Caroline M. McIlvaine, Librarian Chicago Historical Society, Chicago. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I.–Birth, Personal Description and Character of Black Hawk. Not a Chief. Made a Brave. Expeditions against the Osages. Death of Py-e-sa. Period of Mourning. Expedition against the Osages. Expedition against the Cherokees. Expedition against the Chippewas, Osages and Kickapoos. The first Appearance of the Americans 17 CHAPTER II.–British Intrigue against the Frontiers. Hatred of the Americans. Treaty of 1804 25 CHAPTER III.–Treaty of 1804 and Black Hawk’s Version 31 CHAPTER IV.–Treaty of 1804 34 CHAPTER V.–Erection of Fort Madison. Rumors of Indian Attack. Black Hawk joins Tecumseh. Returns to his Village. Attacks Fort Madison. The Siege 37 CHAPTER VI.–Black Hawk enlists with the British in the War of 1812. Deserts. Foster Son story. Keokuk made Chief 41 CHAPTER VII.–Expedition of Governor Clark to Prairie du Chien. Lieut. Campbell’s Battle 46 CHAPTER VIII.–Major Taylor’s Battle. Battle of the Sink Hole. Various Murders. British Agents withdrawn from Rock River Country 52 CHAPTER IX.–Treaty of Portage des Sioux, 1815. Treaty of St. Louis, 1816 60 CHAPTER X.–Fort Armstrong built. Black Hawk as a Fault Finder. Annihilation of the Iowas 66 CHAPTER XI.–Treaties of 1822-4-5. Winnebago Outbreak. Attack on the Boats. Arrest and Discharge 71