What was Black Hawk like?
The Palimpsest: White men knew him as a hard-headed, consistent, and effect man for the distraught Indians. His young years were filled with violence. He fought the Osages at every opportunity. He practically wiped out the Osages. He joined the British in the War of 1812 and was made a General. He was ever ready to lead a war party and accept wampum collars, gunpowder and bolts of bright cloth from Canada. Hon. John Atwood: His presence with English army was a constant menance to the U.S. soldiers, who dreaded his barbarous methods of warfare. BiCentennial History: He had a hatred for the Cherokees who killed his father and organized a war party against them. He made war against the Chippewa, Osage and Kaskaskia. Many bloody battles were fought and Black Hawk had the glory of personally killing 13 or the enermy’s bravest warriors. Ford’s History: At the close of the War of 1812, he has never joined in making peace with the United States, but he and his band kept up connection with Cana
