Chief Black Hawk, a prominent figure in 19th-century American history, stands as a symbol of Native American resistance against the relentless westward expansion of the United States. Born Makataimeshekiakiak, meaning Black Sparrow Hawk, he was a Sauk war chief who fiercely defended his people’s ancestral lands. His life, marked by both military prowess and profound sorrow, offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of cultural clash and the struggle for survival in a rapidly changing world. This article delves into the life and legacy of Chief Black Hawk, exploring his origins, his role as a war leader, the events surrounding the Black Hawk War, and his eventual captivity and death.
Early Life and Rise to War Chief
Makataimeshekiakiak entered the world in the spring of 1767, within the Sauk village of Saukenuk, nestled along the banks of the Rock River in what is now Rock Island, Illinois. The Sauk were a Native American tribe with a rich cultural heritage and a deep connection to their land. Young Makataimeshekiakiak was raised immersed in the traditions and customs of his people, learning the skills necessary for survival and the values of courage and honor.
While Quashquame held the position of civil chief, responsible for ceremonial duties and diplomacy, Makataimeshekiakiak distinguished himself as a natural leader in matters of war. His bravery and strategic acumen were evident from a young age. By the age of 15, he had already taken his first life in battle, a testament to the volatile environment in which he lived. Before his 18th birthday, he had successfully led war parties to victory, solidifying his reputation as a formidable warrior and earning him the title of war chief. This appointment recognized his exceptional abilities in leading and inspiring warriors, a crucial role in a society where defending their territory and way of life was paramount.
The Treaty of 1804 and Growing Discontent
A pivotal event that profoundly shaped the course of Chief Black Hawk‘s life and fueled his later resistance was the Treaty of 1804. This treaty, negotiated in St. Louis under the supervision of William Henry Harrison, involved the cession of Sauk and Meskwaki lands in western Illinois and northeast Missouri to the U.S. government. However, the circumstances surrounding the treaty were fraught with controversy.
The Sauk delegation, led by Quashquame, had been sent to St. Louis with a specific purpose: to surrender a murder suspect and offer amends for the killing. They were not authorized to negotiate or sign away tribal lands. Furthermore, the Sauk argued that the delegates did not fully understand the implications of the treaty they were signing, due to language barriers and a lack of proper representation.
Black Hawk, a frequent visitor to Quashquame’s village, expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the treaty in his autobiography. He believed that the Sauk and Meskwaki had been deceived and that their land had been unjustly taken. This perceived betrayal by the U.S. government sowed seeds of distrust and resentment among the Sauk people, contributing to a growing sense of discontent. The treaty became a primary source of Sauk displeasure with the U.S. government and caused many Sauk, including Chief Black Hawk, to side with the British during the War of 1812, hoping they would help reclaim their land.
The Black Hawk War: A Fight for Ancestral Lands
The simmering resentment over the loss of Saukenuk, his birthplace, eventually boiled over into open conflict. Between 1830 and 1831, Chief Black Hawk led several incursions across the Mississippi River, attempting to reclaim the land he considered rightfully his. Each time, he was persuaded to return west without bloodshed, but his determination remained unwavering.
In April 1832, fueled by promises of alliance with other tribes and the British (promises that ultimately proved false), Black Hawk led his "British Band," a group of over 1500 people, including warriors, women, children, and the elderly, back into Illinois. His intention was to resettle in Saukenuk and cultivate their ancestral lands.
However, upon arriving, Black Hawk found no allies waiting to support him. Faced with the overwhelming military power of the United States, he attempted to retreat back to Iowa. Unfortunately, an encounter with the undisciplined Illinois militia escalated into the Battle of Stillman’s Run, marking the beginning of the Black Hawk War.
The conflict that followed was a tragic and unequal struggle. The militias of Michigan Territory and Illinois were mobilized to hunt down Black Hawk’s band. Despite their valiant efforts, the Sauk warriors were outmatched and outgunned. A series of engagements ensued, resulting in significant losses for Black Hawk’s people. The war became a symbol of the brutal realities of westward expansion and the devastating impact on Native American communities.
Captivity, Tour, and Autobiography
The Black Hawk War culminated in the defeat of Black Hawk’s band. Most of his followers were killed, captured, or scattered. The defeated chief, along with Neapope, White Cloud, and eight other leaders, was taken into captivity and held at Jefferson Barracks.
After eight months of confinement, in April 1833, President Andrew Jackson ordered that Black Hawk and his fellow prisoners be taken east on a tour of the United States. The purpose of this tour was to impress upon the Native American leaders the power and might of the American government and to discourage future resistance.
The men traveled by steamboat, carriage, and railroad, and were met by large crowds wherever they went. In Washington, D.C., they met with President Jackson and Secretary of War Lewis Cass. They were then delivered to Fortress Monroe in Virginia, where they were held for a few weeks and posed for portraits by various artists.
On June 5, 1833, the prisoners were sent west by steamboat, following a circuitous route that took them through major cities. Everywhere they went, the war chiefs were treated as a spectacle, drawing huge crowds of onlookers in cities such as New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
However, as they traveled closer to the battle sites and the history of the conflict, the reception became markedly different. In Detroit, for example, a crowd burned and hanged effigies of the prisoners, reflecting the deep-seated animosity and prejudice that existed towards Native Americans.
During his captivity in 1833, Black Hawk recounted his life story to Antoine LeClaire, a government interpreter. This account, edited by the local reporter J.B. Patterson, was published as The Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, or Black Hawk, Embracing the Traditions of his Nation, Various Wars In Which He Has Been Engaged, and His Account of the Cause and General History of the Black Hawk War of 1832, His Surrender, and Travels Through the United States. Also Life, Death and Burial of the Old Chief, Together with a History of the Black Hawk War. This publication marked a significant milestone as the first Native American autobiography published in the United States. It offered a valuable perspective on the events of the time and provided insight into the thoughts and feelings of a Native American leader during a period of great upheaval.
Death and the Fate of His Remains
After his tour, Black Hawk was returned to his nation. He lived with the Sauk along the Iowa River and later the Des Moines River in what is now southeast Iowa. He died on October 3, 1838, after a two-week illness, and was buried on the farm of his friend James Jordan on the north bank of the Des Moines River in Davis County.
Tragically, Black Hawk’s remains were not allowed to rest in peace. In July 1839, his grave was desecrated by James Turner, who stole his bones with the intention of preparing his skeleton for exhibition. Black Hawk’s sons, Nashashuk and Gamesett, appealed to Governor Robert Lucas of Iowa Territory, who intervened and secured the return of the bones to his offices in Burlington.
With the consent of the chief’s sons, the remains were entrusted to the Burlington Geological and Historical Society. However, when the Society’s building burned down in 1855, Black Hawk’s remains were believed to have been destroyed.
An alternative account suggests that Lucas passed Black Hawk’s bones to a Burlington physician, Enos Lowe, who later bequeathed them to his partner, Dr. McLaurens. According to this version, workers eventually discovered the bones left behind by McLaurens after he moved to California. They buried the remains in a potter’s grave in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, where they may still lie today.
The story of Chief Black Hawk is a complex and multifaceted one. He was a warrior, a leader, and a symbol of resistance. His life was marked by both triumph and tragedy, and his legacy continues to resonate today. He embodies the struggle of Native Americans to preserve their way of life in the face of relentless westward expansion, and his story serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the diverse cultures and histories that make up the American narrative.