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The Blackhawk War BY HENRY LITTLE, 1875
I said that the Indians did not anticipate war; that not only appears from their own declarations, but it is also evident from the fact that they had made no provisions or preparation for war. Their whole available force* when they re-crossed the river in 1832, amounted to only three hundred and sixty-eight (368) men, and they were encumbered with their women and children; they were also entirely destitute of supplies or resources of any kind.
The Indians never start upon the war-path before making some preparations, and among the first things they do is to provide for their women and children, not only to secure a safe retreat for their non-combatants, but to be free from such a serious encumbrance.
When those Indians were in that poor, miserable, helpless condition, they could not presume to make war upon one of the most powerful nations upon the globe. They had already been made aware of the military strength of our country by the action of Major Stoddard and General Gaines. As that wretched, destitute, beggarly set of fugitives were standing there on the bank of that noble river, they were more fit for the alms-house, than to make war upon the United States Government. Behold those abject, imploring-creatures standing upon the bank of that river with outstretched hands, begging, entreating, and importuning in the most pitiable manner, and reasoning
upon the justice of their claims, and trembling with fear lest their rights might be denied them. Does that look like war? Both reason and common sense answer no.
There those poor, despised, helpless wretches stand upon the bank of that river as pitiable objects of charity and commiseration, rather than fear. As yet they had not advanced into the country, but were waiting for replies to their requests.
Michigan
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