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Day-by-Day
The 1832 annuity register was penned at the culmination of a dramatic year of upheaval in HoocÄ…k history and just prior to the commencement of drastic and hotly contested change over the following season. Place the census in context by tracing the story day-by-day from 1832 to 1833.
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*Please note that these day-by-day entries are best viewed in a desktop browser.
Day-by-Day
-1832-
Day-by-Day
-1833-
The year 1832 witnessed the maturing of tensions and issues which had built—sometimes gradually, often precipitously—over the prior decades. From early spring through August, the region was wracked with the upheaval of what became known as the Black Hawk War. U.S. officials sought to manipulate their interactions with the HoocÄ…k and other affected tribes to set up a situation in which the U.S. could make substantial territorial gains. These subtle steps led to the Treaty of 1832 at Rock Island where HoocÄ…k families lost their remaining land east of the Wisconsin River. That fall, the annuity was paid in an agitated atmosphere as each of the registered families faced questions of resistance, compliance, famine, and the expectation of forced expulsion from their villages which was demanded by June 1 the following year.
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Displacement, plundered villages, failed crops, and miscarried promises combined to set the tone for the discussions surrounding the first drive to expel HoocÄ…k families from their land in the following year. The 1832 annuity was truly situated at the watershed pinnacle between two of the region's most consequential years of the decade. Today we have the benefit of hindsight, but to those for whom these events were real and imminent, the future was yet unknown. Place yourself in their shoes as you immerse yourself in the day-by-day events of 1832.
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**Please note that many historic quotes in the following timeline refer to the Ho-Chunk (HoocÄ…k) as the "Winnebago," a name used for the Ho-Chunk by other tribes and the U.S. Government. The word's meaning differs from the tribe's preferred name for themselves, but it refers to the same people group.
Smallpox breaks out on upper Rock River as spring approaches; Families flock to Portage
Jan.-Mar.
1832
Many HoocÄ…k families travel to the Fort Winnebago Indian sub-agency after hearing that two lodges of their Nation have already succumbed to smallpox at the head of the Rock River. Smallpox has been afflicting the area since January. Word has been passed that sub-agent Kinzie has procured vaccine matter. However, Kinzie's March 1 request for a more ample supply of the vaccine has been stalled due to a delayed bill in Congress.
Sauk War invitation from Black Hawk arrives at Turtle Creek village
April
1832
News spreads quickly that Black Hawk has recrossed the Mississippi, encamping at the Winnebago Prophet's village on the Rock River as a show of resistance to the U.S. government. A war message, wampum, and tobacco painted red arrive at Turtle Creek Village and are rejected by the community's leadership.
HoocÄ…k war party leaves Prairie du Chien
April 8
1832
On the evening of April 8, a party of 15 to 20 HoocÄ…k warriors under "Washington Deccorri" depart from Prairie du Chien to fight the Sauk in company with the half-brother of a Menominee chief who had been murdered by the Sauk the previous summer. Those seeking to avenge this killing are turned back near Dubuque by an express sent by Prairie du Chien agent Joseph Street. It was at this time the policy of the region's U.S. agents and military officers to force neutrality among other tribes as the Sauk situation developed.
Sub-agent Kinzie assembles emergency council with the Fox and Wisconsin River bands
Apr. 21
1832
Responding to a summons from sub-agent John Kinzie, HoocÄ…k leaders within the immediate area of Fort Winnebago meet in an afternoon council at the Portage agency. News had arrived that Black Hawk had crossed the Mississippi and tensions were at an all time high. The assembled leaders "disavowed any intention or desire to join the disaffected Sacs and Foxes."
White Crow and Whirling Thunder descend Rock River to dissuade others from joining Sauk
Apr. 24-5
1832
Rock River sub-agent Henry Gratiot travels to Turtle Creek village to ascertain HoocÄ…k intentions as Black Hawk encamps just downstream on the Rock River. White Crow and Whirling Thunder propose to descend Rock River to Black Hawk's encampment at the HoocÄ…k/Sauk community called Prophetstown to assess the situation. Gratiot requests to accompany them, worried they will be swayed to Black Hawk's cause there. At the Winnebago Prophet's village, Black Hawk's band raises a British flag while White Crow and Whirling Thunder implore the HoocÄ…k of the settlement to take refuge at Turtle Creek instead of joining with Black Hawk.
"When we talked of going down to withdraw our people, [Gratiot] went with us...and we went down with a white flag to the Sack encampment and we put up the American Flag in our Lodge and the Sacks hoisted the British Flag, and took down ours, and we were vexed at it, but for fear of alarming our Father & Sister, we could say nothing. My Fathers, when the Socks came up where we were, dancing their war dance, all our young men and all of us, gathered around you father Gratiot, we were determined to fall with you." —White Crow
Rock River delegation declares neutrality to General Atkinson at Rock Island, IL
Apr. 28
1832
Whirling Thunder and White Crow inform Gratiot that they will descend to the mouth of Rock River to announce their neutrality in the matter to General Atkinson. Arriving on the 28th, they state their desire to stay out of the conflict. Atkinson warns them, "Your nation will lose every thing you have, your lands and money if you join the Sacs on this occasion." Atkinson provides the HoocÄ…k emissaries with a written passport to show to suspicious settlers for fear that they will be harmed by indiscriminate settlers on their return to Turtle Creek.
"Father, my tomahawk has been buried, the great God who hears, knows that I tell the truth, and it shall never be raised, we love our Country…we wish to raise our corn in peace. Father, the Great Spirit made the land for the Whites, and the Indians...Father, it’s a hard case for me, they send me tobacco painted red; it troubles me a great deal...I came to let you know candidly, that they have sent me this tobacco; they are going up this river; they have sent to me to join them...We will have nothing to do with the Sacs." —White Crow
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“You see I am a very old man, it is hard for me to travel, I came down here, I find the weather is clear, here, I will go back, it is clear at my village also, I am very thankful to you. Father, I am going up, I shall meet…I am going back to my village. What I hear concerning the Sacs is not good. I will send you word if any thing occurs. Father, the Great Spirit hears me…Time will prove whether ours [tomahawks] will be raised or not." —Whirling Thunder
HoocÄ…k confer with surrounding tribes, determine to leave the war zone
Apr.-May
1832
A nebulous meeting is held at some point prior to the councils of late May between HoocÄ…k leaders and neighboring Algonquin tribes. A joint decision is made to fall back from areas that Black Hawk is traveling and wait out the war at their respective agencies where the U.S. officials could see their neutrality. White Crow described this meeting at Porter's Grove in early June.
Henry Dodge convenes a council at the Four Lakes (Lake Mendota)
May 26
1832
Four Lakes area leaders including Old Turtle, Spotted Arm, Little Black, and Silver respond to militia commander Henry Dodge's call to meet at the "head of the Four Lakes." Dodge announces that if the HoocÄ…k Nation aids or harbors Black Hawk's band, the U.S. government will interpret that as a declaration of war on the part of the HoocÄ…k. He further set up the clause that "[i]f you make war on us you will have your country taken from you, your annuity money will be forfeited, and the lives of your people lost." This day, the neutrality which Kinzie, Atkinson, Gratiot, and others had impressed upon the HoocÄ…k ironically becomes no longer an option. This same day, Atkinson sends word to agent Street to gather tribal warriors to fight in a striking reversal of policy. The clear wish by HoocÄ…k leadership for neutrality was now construed as a de facto declaration of war.
"Your residence being so near our settlements, it is necessary and proper that we should explicitly understand from you, the Chiefs and Warriors, whether or not you intend to aid, harbour, or conceal the Sauks in your country, for to do so will be considered by us as a declaration of war on your part." —Henry Dodge
"My Fathers...we ask you to pity us: I am old and shall soon leave this world, I leave my children to your care. Fathers, we are now planting corn and we do not want the troops to come among us for we are your friends & think nothing bad." —Spotted Arm's Sister
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“My Fathers I ask for nothing but a clear sky over our heads. Our heads have been hanging down lately, and the sky has been dark, the wind has been blowing continually and trying to blow lies in our ears, but we turn our ears from it…Fathers, our young men do not travel much, for they are afraid of the Sauks, and afraid that they would be mistaken for Sauks by your people...My fathers, We have been advised to leave our country, but we have not listened to it. We consider you our friends and we will do what you tell us. Father if any one tell you any thing bad against us we say they are liars and we wish you not to believe them but come and see us and you will find that we have told you the truth." —Little Black
Dodge convenes a council at Blue Mounds; Fox, Wisconsin, and Rock bands represented
May 28
1832
Two days following the Four Lakes council, a second meeting was convened at Blue Mounds. HoocÄ…k representatives announce that they are not normal speakers for their bands, but White Crow and Whirling Thunder are preoccupied trying to convince the Sauk to get away from their village. Both "Wacanca" and "Snake" express a willingness to fall upon Black Hawk's camp at any time the U.S. will direct them. However, in doing so, they note that they had heretofore known that the U.S. government always requested that they resolve conflict without resorting to their own redress.
“Fathers...I am sending my wife and children on the Ouisconsin for safety…It is not me that used to speak in councils. The speakers are the Blind [White Crow] the Whirling Thunder and the Little Priest but they are now with the Sacks to try to get them away from their town." —Wau-kaun-ka
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"Fathers, you shall hear the words of the whole nation…you see the Sacks are spilling blood on our own land. Fathers my great Father [President Adams in 1828] has told me to let my tomahawk lay still and if any nation was to raise the tomahawk he would chastise them. Fathers the tomahawk has been raised four times against us. Seven of our people have been killed by the Sacks. My own grand daughter has been killed & cut to pieces by them and yet no chastisement!! ...My tomahawk is not raised, but just say the word, and it will soon be raised. I am going away. I wish you would give us a paper for each of our villages that the whites who come there may see that we are friendly." —Snake
Rock River leaders meet Dodge at Porter's Grove, many taken hostage
Jun. 3-4
1832
White Crow and Whirling Thunder hand over the Hall girls whom they had ransomed from their Sauk captors. As per a council with surrounding tribes, White Crow has called upon all his people to retire across the Wisconsin River for the remainder of the war so as not to be seen as aiding Black Hawk, and allow the government to engage Black Hawk's band uninhibited. He makes clear that they will lose that season's crop and will expect relief that fall if they remove themselves. Dodge responds that they may have relief for their losses if they attack and plunder the Sauk. Dodge further orders them to follow through and remove themselves from the area, as well as to fight against Black Hawk, but then he proceeds to take all the attending HoocÄ…k leaders hostage. Gratiot is able to convince Dodge to release all but five. The elderly Whirling Thunder as well as White Crow's and Spotted Arm's sons are among those retained as hostages.
"My Fathers—You are now writing to our Great Father, the President; we wish you to tell him that...we shall withdraw entirely from our Country, ‘till the war between the whites & Sacs are ended, but in so doing we shall lose all our corn, and we request you to ask the President to give us something in the fall to support us in the winter, for we shall raise no corn or anything else and when the land is cleared of the Sacks, we want to return home." —White Crow
"I was extremely mortified to find that notwithstanding the uniformly good conduct and recent manifestations of fidelity of the Winnebagoes, all of the fears and bad feelings of the whites towards them had been renewed. Genl. Dodge the commander of the militia of Ioway county had seized about 20 and was holding them as hostages...On my arrival there I endeavored again to calm the feelings of the people, and prevailed on Genl. Dodge to discharge all of the hostages but five. They are now here with me. They can scarcely brook the indignity with which they consider themselves treated." —Henry Gratiot
Joint HoocÄ…k, Dakota and Menominee force assembling at Prairie du Chien to fight Sauk
Jun. 6
1832
Waukon Decorah leaves Prairie du Chien to raise additional warriors among the Fox and Wisconsin River bands for a combined Dakota, Menominee, and HoocÄ…k force which is being sought and outfitted by agent Joseph Street. The body of warriors is being placed under direction of Colonel Hamilton and arrives at Blue Mounds on June 17, but soon moves on.
Fox and Wisconsin bands send message to Rock River villages via sub-agent Kinzie
Jun. 7
1832
Portage sub-agent Kinzie forwards a copy of a "Talk" which was narrated by the Fox and Wisconsin River bands to be sent to the Rock River HoocÄ…k. A "line of demarcation" was to be set over which Black Hawk would not be allowed to pass. They beseech the Rock River band tp abandon their villages to wait out the war nearer to the agency at Portage.
"Brothers!...If you love your brothers in this section of country, you will immediately leave the Sacs & Foxes, and come among us. We wish to avoid giving suspicion to our friends the whites, or have any thing to do with either party. We think it right therefore to draw a line, over which the Sac & Fox Indians must not pass. We have already had much trouble from suffering them to come among us, in using our country to make war against the whites....If they do [cross the line], we are determined to shew them that we love our women & children, that we are men, and able to protect our country against those who presume to use it against our consent. We wish you to listen to these words. They are written, at our request, by the Amn. war chief at this place, and our Father, the agent." —HoocÄ…k at Portage
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Kinzie protests drawing HoocÄ…k into war; must pay annuity early so fall hunt successful
Jun. 11
1832
Word arrives at Fort Winnebago that military officials are demanding that HoocÄ…k "raise the hatchet" and join them against Black Hawk. Kinzie protests attempts to draw them into the conflict. He does not feel it proper to leave his post to personally bring the annuity from Detroit due to the unsettled state of the region and proposes in a follow-up letter to send Hamilton Arndt to collect the payment in his stead. Kinzie requests that the silver coinage be forwarded by September 1 for an early annuity payment, foreseeing that considerable hardship will result from a late annuity payment.
"Owing to the present state of affairs with the disaffected Sac and Fox Indians, and the general excitement which appears to pervade the different Indian tribes in this Country, I have thought it expedient not to go down to Detroit this year for the Winnebago annuity. I have therefore to request that you will have the goodness to forward the specie to me by the 1st September next as I shall make arrangements to pay it sometime in that month. The greater part of the nation in this neighborhood assemble here during that month, preparatory to going to their winter hunt, and should they be detained later, it will affect considerably their fall hunt.
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"...I understand that Genl. Atkinson has sent a Mr. W. S. Hamilton to Prairie du Chien, to enlist all the Sioux, Menominees and Winnebagoes he can to aid in exterminating the hostile Sac and Fox Indians. I think the measure impolitic and contrary to treaty stipulations and to the views and wishes of government. I understand that some of the Winnebagoes of Genl. Streets Agency have consented to join Genl. Atkinson. I hope it may not be true; for the Winnebago nation is at peace with all the Ind. Tribes, and I think it wrong that our people should excite them to war, when the greater part are anxious of remaining neutral; as they should do... I shall continue to impress upon the Winnebagoes the necessity of their remaining quiet—I have however advised them to refuse shelter to the Sacs in their Country. As soon as I hear from General A., I will send an express to Green Bay." —John H. Kinzie
Waukon Decorah reports that the Rock River band entirely removed from war zone
Jun. 18
1832
Waukon Decorah, upon arriving with his warriors from Prairie du Chien, informs Dodge that the Rock River HoocÄ…k have removed themselves entirely across the Wisconsin River. Dodge sends his elderly hostage, Whirling Thunder, along with other HoocÄ…k chiefs and a "confidential man" to spy out the area to determine where Black Hawk's people are.
Secretary of War authorizes war time relief to tribes which have evacuated their villages
Jun. 19
1832
Secretary of War Lewis Cass sends authorization to regional Indian Department superintendents William Clark and Governor George Porter to allow their agents to draw rations at three regional forts, including 15,000 at Fort Winnebago. Rations are intended to relieve hardship among those who have left the war zone to seek refuge near Indian agencies. No rations are to be distributed to anyone suspected of complicity with Black Hawk's band.
Tensions rise at refugee camps near Fort Winnebago as Black Hawk crosses toward Mississippi
Jul.-Aug. 2
1832
By mid-summer, upwards of fifty lodges of Rock River HoocÄ…k and most of the tribe's leaders regardless of region converge at the Fort Winnebago Indian Agency. Other bands arrive as word reaches their summer hunting grounds that Black Hawk is closing in on the Wisconsin River villages. Reports arrive regularly of possible indications of Black Hawk's whereabouts. On the evening of July 21, the agency interpreter reports on a battle which took place opposite the Sauk Prairie only 40 miles away. News travels back and forth with the Mississippi band via the Baraboo and La Crosse Rivers as Black Hawk's band nears the Mississippi and the war comes to a close in the Bad Axe Massacre by the beginning of August.
HoocÄ…k disperse to hunting grounds to subsist; Kinzie sends request for emergency relief
Aug. 7
1832
Sub-agent Kinzie reports that Cass' news of special relief rations for Indians displaced by the war only arrived after he had sent away the refugees to forage for subsistence in their hunting grounds due to the lack at Fort Winnebago. Even now, recent requisitions by General Atkinson for his army have made this relief impossible to implement. Due to a substantial percentage of HoocÄ…k in his agency having lost their entire crop, Kinzie requests fast action to prevent a winter of starvation. His request is addressed to Cass but is sent to Porter as a way of "cc"ing his immediate superior.
"I had the honor on the 15th inst. to receive your communication of the 19th June authorizing me to draw on the Commissary at this post for Fifteen thousand rations of pork and flour, should it be required for the relief of such Indians who might seek protection at this Sub Agency, pending the Indian war.
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"That communication came too late for me to avail myself of the provisions made in it, as the Winnebagoes (a considerable number of whom came here for protection) have all gone to their homes in consequence of the scarcity of provisions at that time. I afforded them all the relief in my power, by drawing on the Commissary at this post. The call of Genl. Atkinson’s army for provisions at this place prevented my affording them any further relief. By my advice they dispersed to find subsistence, if possible in their hunting grounds.
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"Many have suffered and are likely to suffer more, on account of the failure of their cornfields, should the Government not afford them relief before winter. I would respectfully suggest the propriety of distributing in the fall from two to three thousand bushel of corn, at this place, to those who have lost their crops, and who have been deprived of the means of laying up their winter’s supply. The corn should be purchased as soon as possible, in order to ensure its arrival here from Detroit, before the close of navigation on the Fox river, which generally closes by the last of October." —John H. Kinzie
Black Hawk surrenders; HoocÄ…k Black Hawk and Big Grin rewarded for making arrangements
Aug. 27
1832
Following the harrowing Bad Axe Massacre of August 1-2, HoocÄ…k on the Mississippi River discover Black Hawk's encampment in the interior of the Wisconsin River region. After an intensive tribal council, Black Hawk is convinced to surrender at Prairie du Chien. The identity of those who confronted Black Hawk at his camp is contested to this day, but HoocÄ…k Black Hawk and a man named "Big Grin" receive the reward for his surrender.
Treaty ending Black Hawk War results in HoocÄ…k losing all land east of Wisconsin River
Sep. 15
1832
Already in June, the federal government had issued a directive stating that if any tribe was substantially involved with Black Hawk, they would not be allowed peace following war's end unless they gave up their land east of the Mississippi. Even if a tribe is not highly involved, officials should try everything in their power to accomplish the expulsion of the region's Native inhabitants upon the occasion of settling scores at war's end. At the Rock Island negotiations concluding on September 15, the resulting treaty requires the HoocÄ…k to relinquish all their land east of the Wisconsin River, displacing 75% of HoocÄ…k people in Kinzie's agency. A strip of land called the "Neutral Grounds" between the Dakota and Sauk on the west side of the Mississippi is given in exchange. They are required to vacate the ceded land by June 1, 1833, as well as hand over any tribal members who had joined with Black Hawk to be tried as murderers. Wau-kaun-kaw is taken hostage to ensure compliance. Sixty thousand rations are promised to those who move themselves from the ceded land as required by the treaty.
"If the main body of any of the tribes, possessing the country east of the Mississippi, have joined in these hostilities, no peace will be granted to them, but upon the condition of their abandoning all claim to such country, & removing to any district, west of that river, which may be assigned to them by the government…If however, disaffected individuals only, living in the region, should be found engaged in hostilities, you will not interfere with the possessory right of the tribe, to which such individuals belong.
"It is very desirable, that the whole country between Lake Michigan & the Mississippi, & south of the Ouisconsin, should be freed from the Indians; & with this view, you will endeavor to prevail upon the friendly or neutral Chiefs of those tribes, if such there be, who have not principally been engaged in these hostilities, to cede their claims, & to remove west of the Mississippi….If any considerable proportion, tho’ not a majority, of the tribes east of the Mississippi...should have taken up arms against the United States, the same proportion of the country possessed by them will be required; the boundaries to be amicably arranged with those who have not engaged in this warfare." —Lewis Cass, June 15
HoocÄ…k process news of coercion at treaty council; Those left homeless plan for future
Sep.-Oct.
1832
Sub-agent Gratiot returns from Rock Island to learn of the great consternation which accompanied the Rock River delegation back to their villages. Upon seeking more information (sickness had prevented him from attending the treaty), he finds that the treaty had been signed without questions for fear of being punished as hostile. Sub-agent Kinzie returns to similar sentiments during a post-treaty meeting convened at the request of those who had not attended the council and were astonished at the result.
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Possibly at the same Fort Winnebago meeting, HoocÄ…k of the Fox and Rock River bands contemplate and report to Kinzie their plans for relocating across the Wisconsin River. The Rock River band largely decides to take up residence between the Sauk Prairie and Baraboo, while the Fox River band plans to relocate entirely to the Baraboo River area. They declare that they will not live in the trans-Mississippi Neutral Grounds for fear of hostilities from the Sauk and Dakota but may go there for their winter hunts.
"On my arrival home from Rock Island, I found that some of the leading men of the Winnebagoes of Rock River and Wisconsin had called at my house on their return from the Treaty; They informed Mrs. Gratiot they were forced to make a Treaty, which they were much displeased with, and that it would terminate as did the Sauk Treaty heretofore made with Gen'l Gaines.
"While my interpreter was on Rock River, he saw an old Chief of the Winnebagoes, (Old Soldier) second Chief of Turtle Village, and next Chief to Whirling Thunder of whom he made enquiry in relation to the late treaty, their removal west of the Wisconsin, and the location of his village: informed the interpreter they were not pleased with the Treaty and said "before we remove, we will carry our wampum, to the neighboring Indians. Then we will move, but will return again—the Great Spirit is mad with the whites, and when they gather again to come against us, he will send a sickness among them that will destroy them, and we will remain on Rock River in peace." —Henry Gratiot (quoting Old Soldier)
Kinzie repeats necessity of paying annuity on time as Porter decides to personally bring silver
Oct. 1
1832
As the new agency house at the Portage nears completion, sub-agent Kinzie reports on progress and notes that he is "sorry that the annuity money has not yet arrived," referring to a request that summer that the silver be forwarded as early as possible to avoid interfering with the important fall and winter hunts. Porter had announced a date at which he had intended to pay the annuity, presumably in mid-October. The tribe was gathered, but Porter did not arrive for weeks.
Kinzie's August 7 request for emergency relief forwarded after two month's lapse
Oct. 10
1832
Kinzie's August 7 request to Secretary of War Cass for rapid relief to those who had lost their corn that season is received by Governor Porter by September. However, it was delayed in his office before being endorsed and forwarded nearly a month later. It had been filed under the assumption that it was a copy, rather than the original request to the Secretary of War. Porter requests quick action upon suspecting his mistake, apprehending "the worst consequences from the want of such relief."
Menominee arrive at agency with a wampum message for HoocÄ…k; quiet discussions ensue
Oct. 26-Nov.
1832
Upon arriving at Fort Winnebago, sub-agent Gratiot observes HoocÄ…k leaders frequently sequestered away in “secret meetings,” away from the government officials. He hears from a trader that a Menominee man has arrived at the Portage with a symbolic band of wampum around his neck and a message from the British which he intends to carry through all of the regional tribes. HoocÄ…k leaders conclude to reject these war overtures. Not knowing the result, Gratiot fears the elusive message and meetings and recommends a strong mounted force be present on the Wisconsin frontier in the ensuing spring.
Eight men who had joined Black Hawk surrendered as prisoners by White Crow
Oct. 28-9
1832
At ten a.m. on October 28, a delegation headed by White Crow arrives at the Fort Winnebago agency to surrender seven men (the eighth arriving the following day) who were suspected of fighting with Black Hawk's Sauk band. Upon the occasion, White Crow—distressed by the summer’s events—appoints his son to succeed him as a chief in his place. The prisoners are placed in “close confinement” in the Fort Winnebago guard house basement awaiting a court hearing.
First installment of rations promised in 1832 treaty distributed to gathered families
Nov. 2
1832
HoocÄ…k elders sign a receipt for the delivery of 20,000 rations of pork and flour from the Fort commissary, which was one third of the 60,000 rations promised through the 1832 treaty. Kinzie’s request for additional relief has not yet been realized. Split evenly among the total number of HoocÄ…k families represented at the census, this distribution would provide approximately seven days' provision per person.
Assembled HoocÄ…k disperse to hunt the immediate area to avail themselves of fresh snow
Nov. 6
1832
Following a day of inspecting the agent's records and facilities, plans are made to hold a council between HoocÄ…k leaders and the Governor on November 6. As a result of unexpected fine hunting weather, the council is postponed. Porter witnesses many unable to leave their lodges due to the weather.
"After a stormy night, the ground in the morning being covered with snow, some inches deep, the boat arrived about the middle of the day. Owing to the severity of the weather, which prevented many of the Indians, who were bad off for clothing, from leaving their wigwams, and the advantages which the snow furnished for hunting, in consequence of which, many of the young men had left their encampments, they did not assemble in council, agreeably to the appointment. A postponement until to-morrow was asked by them, and acceded to by the Governor." —George Porter (via Secretary Boyer)
Council held; HoocÄ…k request relief, Governor Porter chastises them for wartime actions
A tense council is held at the Fort Winnebago agency with speeches from Little Elk, White Crow, and Governor Porter. Little Elk and White Crow assess their nation's situation and their neutrality in the Black Hawk war, reminding Porter that they had lost their mode of survival during the war when they had abandoned their cornfields. They need relief to survive the winter. If not received, White Crow anticipates that "We shall certainly lose half of our nation." Porter chastises them for their situation and informs them that the families of those imprisoned at Fort Winnebago for aiding Black Hawk will not receive an annuity payment.
"I have been selected by my nation, here present, to say a few words to you, that it may reach the ears of our great father, at Washington. We have been advised, by our father, (Mr. Kinzie,) to remain quiet; but some of our young people have not done so. We are ashamed of it, and our father is also…No one can say otherwise than they [the Fox and Wisconsin bands] have behaved well during all last summer…I hope, therefore, that the conduct of the tribes [bands] I represent may be made known to our father, the President, that he may take pity upon us… All our corn has been destroyed during the past summer; our only hope for the present is the chase: game is scarce; but I hope we will be able to make out to live till our great father can render us his aid…We have been waiting for some time here for our money, and our traders have also. We may loose all our fall hunts in consequence of it; and we will not, perhaps, reach our wintering grounds. The time has now past for laying up our winter’s supply of provisions… I hope, father, that you will tell our great father, the President our condition, and for him to take pity upon us, his red children, in the spring; it is when we will want his support in provisions most...You have good houses and good living: we have no such houses, and we have to hunt for our living." —Little Elk
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"Ever since I can remember, I have followed the advice of the whites. I am in a very bad situation, as also our band. We have waited here long. Our American father has been a great while trying to purchase our lands; but we always told him we would not sell, unless the whole nation would consent. Some years ago we sold a piece of land, because he told us we would be a great deal better off than ever we were before; but ever since, we have been worse off than we were before we sold any of our land.
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"This spring, when the snow went off, the Sacs and Foxes came to us and said they were going to raise the war club against the whites, and wished to persuade us to join them… When he (Atkinson) saw we could not get them off our land, he advised us to leave our land; to go away from our country, and to keep out of his way. We said we could not do that, as we had nothing to eat. He then said we should eat whatever we found in our country...but we told him we could not do so, as there would be claims enough presented against us, by the whites, at our payment... Many of the whites...took all our corn, and many articles, as they passed our villages, and have even taken up the dead that were buried, and took off the blankets, &c., in which they were wrapped… I have been told by some of the white chiefs that, as soon as the fuss would be over, we should be recompensed for our losses for corn, &c., they destroyed for us. I am looking for something to eat hereafter from our great father, the President. If we should not get something, we shall certainly loose half of our nation." —White Crow
ANNUITY PAID AT FORT WINNEBAGO INDIAN SUB-AGENCY
Nov. 8
1832
"Annuity money paid by the sub-agent to all those entitled to receive it." That simple sentence in Governor Porter's travel log is all that is recorded. However this day's events offer us a time capsule snapshot into the people and places of the Ho-Chunk Nation in the midst of pivotal events whose effects have reverberated for nearly 200 years.
Porter suspends treaty ration distribution until spring
Nov. 8
1832
Possibly as a result of Little Elk's statement that they will need relief most in the spring, Porter writes to a government contractor to halt any further distributions of rations promised under the Treaty of 1832 until the spring, and then to use moderation so as to stretch the limited supply. Assuming a robust winter's hunt, Porter purports there should be no need until then.
Porter and HoocÄ…k leaders visit prisoners in Fort Winnebago guardhouse
Nov. 9
1832
At the council of two days prior, the topic of the HoocÄ…k prisoners had arisen. White Crow had told Governor Porter, "I hope they will be better treated, while in your hands, than they have been. They are badly off for clothing; they are freezing to death. They are only suspected; and until they are found guilty, they should not be treated as if they wished their death. If they are found guilty, I will not say a word; but, as it is, they suffer greatly." On November 9, Porter, in company with Whirling Thunder and Little Priest, but not specifically mentioning White Crow, go to review the prisoners' situation. Porter pronounces them in good care with the military's provision and does not accede to White Crow's request that the neighboring HoocÄ…k bring them food regularly.
Prisoners escape guardhouse basement
Nov. 17
1832
Fort Winnebago Lieutenant Davies races to agency house to report that the eight HoocÄ…k prisoners have dug a tunnel out from under the guardhouse foundation and have escaped. Kinzie writes to sub-agent Gratiot on the Rock River to assist in encouraging the tribe to return them to Fort Winnebago. Gratiot plans to check Turtle Creek village but doubts anything can be done while the HoocÄ…k are occupied on their winter hunts.
Prairie du Chien agent recommends that no treaty rations be issued east of the Mississippi
Dec. 5
1832
In the first volley of a hotly contested matter which will greatly expand in the coming months, Agent Joseph Street urges to his superiors that no rations should be issued to the HoocÄ…k east of the Mississippi except at Prairie du Chien. This would streamline and force the matter of their expulsion west of the river. He is disappointed to hear from those visiting his agency that sub-agent Kinzie is counseling the tribe to remain north of the Wisconsin River instead of relocating to Iowa's "Neutral Grounds" which they had received in the 1832 treaty.
"It is now supposed that the whole [of the treaty rations] will be issued at Fort Winnebagoe. This will be a perversion of the intention originally and greatly injurious to the U.S. as well as to the Inds. If it is the cause of their remaining E. of the Misspi. it will make them poor and miserable, and end in some misunderstanding with the Whites, and Indian Troubles.
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"Not one ration ought to be issued at any place E. of the Mississippi but Prairie du Chien. And most of them if to be beneficial ought to be delivered West of that River…[s]o that when the Inds. had actually moved over, they might get their rations and proceed on to the [land?] and look out and establish their corn patches. A large part of these rations ought to be corn for planting; Otherwise they will raise nothing any where another year. Their crops have been destroyed, and they have no seed. I shall endeavor to keep some part of what I have for seed for the Mississippi Indians, if I can keep them from eating it up this winter. They are sufficient & most have some to eat." —Joseph Street