Post by Larry Koschkee on Jan 1, 2003 18:07:03 GMT -5
A'mik va'e...Algonquin... "White Beaver"
Historical accounts of the BHW show that Brigadier General Henry Atkinson was called "White Beaver" by the Indians.
What did the Indians see in him to warrant this name? It was customary practice amongst the Indians to give others names based on visions, actions or deeds.
Did Atkinson have a reputation as a dam builder? No I do not think so.
Was he a house or lodge builder? Perhaps.
Atkinson had a engineers mind and displayed srtong organizational skills in the logistics of supplying an army.
Fortification was certainly part of his mind set just as it is with the beaver.
Atkinson was, in some ways responsible for the construction of forts prior, during and after the Black Hawk War. During the BHW he even ordered the construction of a bridge across the Rock River near Burnt village.
Col. Henry Dodge was somewhat perturbed at Atkinson on two occasions. One at Dixon's Ferry where he found Atkinson building a fort. A second time when he was ordered to meet Atkinson at Lake Koshkonong he discovered Atkinson was building a fort there. Atkinson gave orders for Dodge and his men to help. Dodge told him he came to fight Indians, not build forts.
What is the earliest account published that we find the name "White Beaver"? Is there a reference prior to the BHW, perhaps during the "Winnebago Fuss" or Winnebago War of 1827?
Historical accounts of the BHW show that Brigadier General Henry Atkinson was called "White Beaver" by the Indians.
What did the Indians see in him to warrant this name? It was customary practice amongst the Indians to give others names based on visions, actions or deeds.
Did Atkinson have a reputation as a dam builder? No I do not think so.
Was he a house or lodge builder? Perhaps.
Atkinson had a engineers mind and displayed srtong organizational skills in the logistics of supplying an army.
Fortification was certainly part of his mind set just as it is with the beaver.
Atkinson was, in some ways responsible for the construction of forts prior, during and after the Black Hawk War. During the BHW he even ordered the construction of a bridge across the Rock River near Burnt village.
Col. Henry Dodge was somewhat perturbed at Atkinson on two occasions. One at Dixon's Ferry where he found Atkinson building a fort. A second time when he was ordered to meet Atkinson at Lake Koshkonong he discovered Atkinson was building a fort there. Atkinson gave orders for Dodge and his men to help. Dodge told him he came to fight Indians, not build forts.
What is the earliest account published that we find the name "White Beaver"? Is there a reference prior to the BHW, perhaps during the "Winnebago Fuss" or Winnebago War of 1827?
