HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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the next day, went into camp in a strong position near the mouth of Sycamore Creek. As soon discovered, Black Hawk was in camp at the same time, as he afterwards claimed, with about forty of his braves, on Sycamore Creek, three miles distant, while the greater part of his band were encamped with the more war-like faction of the Pottawatomies some seven miles farther north on the Kishwaukee River. As claimed by Black Hawk in his autobiography, having been disappointed in his expectation of forming an alliance with the Winnebagoes and the Pottawatomies, he had at this juncture determined to return to the west side of the Mississippi. Hearing of the arrival of Stillman's command in the vicinity, and taking it for granted that this was the whole of Atkinson's command, he sent out three of his young men with a white flag, to arrange a parley and convey to Atkinson his offer to meet the latter in council. These were captured by some of Stillman's band regardless of their flag of truce, while a party of five other braves who followed to observe the treatment received by the flagbearers, were attacked and two of their number killed, the other three escaping to their camp. Black Hawk learning the fate of his truce party was aroused to the fiercest indignation. Tearing the flag to pieces with which he had intended to go into council with the whites, and appealing to his followers to avenge the murder of their comrades, he .prepared for the attack. The rangers numbered 275 men, while Black Hawk's band has been estimated at less than forty. As the rangers caught sight of the Indians, they rushed forward in pell-mell fashion. Retiring behind a fringe of bushes, the Indians awaited the attack. As the rangers approached, Black Hawk and his party rose up with a war whoop, at the same time opening fire on their assailants. The further history of the affair was as much of a disgrace to Stillman's command as had been their desecration of the flag of truce. Thrown into panic by their reception by Black Hawk's little band, the rangers turned and, without firing a shot, began the retreat, dashing through their own camp and abandoning every thing, w
Dundee Area History
