"British Band"... Who were they???

[Larry Koschkee]

Who were the "British Band"?... The forum name, "Tribes of the British Band," which this thread is posted under suggests the band is made up of more than one tribe or nation.

At the risk of appearing to be "splitting hairs" I assert that the historical accounts show the "British Band" were made up of a homogeneous, splinter group of the United Sac and Fox nations. This faction lead by Black Hawk was distinctly seperate from the main body of Sac and Fox lead by Keokuk.

Furthermore, the band did not have any Kickapoo, Winnebago or Pottawatomi components.

One complelling evidence of my assertion is the 1831 Treaty signed the 30th of June. This treaty was directed at the British Band of Rock River, not the Kickapoo, Winnebago, nor the Pottawatomi.

The signatories were Sac and Fox. No other tribes or nations were signatory.

Before Black Hawk's band crossed the Mississippi River, in April of 1832, they held a council to establish a chain of command or political structure. Five War Chiefs and nine Head Chiefs were chosen; all Sac except the "Winnebago Prophet (Wa-ba-kee-shic). One main body Sac chief, Pa-ma-ho was elected which indicates there were more than just Sac "British Band" members in Black Hawk's band.

The case I am trying to make here is; the Black Hawk War was Military militia and regulars against "Black Hawk's Band" which was made up of "British Band" Sac and Fox, main body Sac and Fox (Keokuk defectors); allied tribes or nations of Kickapoo, Winnebago and Pottawatomi.

[Robert Braun]

Great analysis! Do you think the situation in 1831 was substantially similar to the situations and conditions in April, 1832?

I seperate from your comments in only one major area... that the Sauk and Fox sub-sets within the "British Band" were homogeneous.

I suggest that, while the Sauk and Fox moieties within the "British Band" may well have agreed in terms of their stand on preserving tradition and in their repudiation of the Treay of 1804, that these groups maintained their own tribal identites as Fox or Sauk clans or family groups, appointed and followed their own leadership (within their clans or family groups), camped and travelled together, and even fought together.

I offer as evidence of my suggestion that in several treaties, culminating with the so-called "Corn Treaty" of 1831, that Sauk and Fox leaders signed for their people-- each moeity is distinguished by its own signature grouping.

[Larry Koschkee]

To answer your question, Bob Do you think the situation in 1831 was substantially similar to the situation and conditions in April, 1832, I inadvertently did not state that the Black Hawk's band held a council shortly before crossing the Mississippi River in April of 1832. Sorry for the confusion there...

Let me be clear on the context in which I used the word homogenous....The dissident group, "British Band," of Sac and Fox that split off from the main body of the United nations of Sac and Fox had the same fundamental determination and resolve.

Having said that, I agree with your comments about the Sac and Fox maintaining their individual indentities.

Larry Koschkee

[Mike Thorson]

It's a valid point I think. I'll try to name it more accurately.