What I learned at the 175th Anniversary

[Robert Braun]

Back from the 175th commemorative observances at WH. Or more correnctly, the "Indian Commemorative Observances" at Wisconsin Heights.

Here's what I learned at the Wisconsin Heights 175th Anniversary:

1. Black Hawk was a chief;
2. Black Hawk was a chief warrior;
3. The corn the U.S. Government promised in 1831 was never delivered;
4. Women work the land and raise the crops, and they had tilled 800 acres at Saukenuk
5. The acreage at Saukenuk had plenty of corn.
6. The Sac and Fox women induced Black Hawk to re-occupy Saukenuk
7. Sac and Fox warriors never go to war with women and children along;
8. The Black Hawk War was not a “war,” because there were women and children along with the warriors;
9. Black Hawk was forced to fight during the “pursuit” to save women and children;
10. White people had no business being on Sac land, similar to today where Americans are in lands where they have no business being (read "Iraq, Afghanistan, Insert other world place where Americans allegedly don't belong here: __________ .)

What has been stricken from every book and tablet are any mention of General James Henry, Major Ewing, Cols. Jones, Collins, and Fry, Pierre Pauquette, the dozen or so Winnabago guides, no any of the American casualties.

So too has been stricken from every pylon and obelisk of Egypt the facts that:

• Neapope either deserted the band or got lost;
  
• Black Hawk-- without Neapope's rear-guard, was surprised by the militia presence;
  
• Dodge and Ewing secured "Militia Hill" before Black Hawk and his fifty braves;
  
• Black Hawk's charge was repulsed with a single miltia volley;
  
• A flanking move by Kickapoo against the American right was repulsed.
  
• Of the 68 native dead, about half were left on the field. How many were wounded? A significant number. However you slice it, by any modern military measure, BH's blocking force was rendered "combat ineffective."
  
• The State of Wisconsin did the right thing to reserve, purchase and restore the historic landscape. Unfortunately, "maintenence" is apparently not in the DNR lexicon. Instead of Wisconsin Heights, you'd think you were in Da Nang. The neglect of the site borders on the criminal.
  

Let the name of **insert the name of any American battle participant here** be unheard and unspoken, erased from the memory of man, for all time.

Other than the historical re-write and the sparse but typical "resentment" of our presence and our militia impressions by a few “white guy haters” the day was an excellent experience. And I got to catch up a bit will many of my long time friends.

No guilt here,

Bob

P. S. I was asked to bring an American flag and pole, which I did. Even brought a metal stand for it. Do think that we could have at least said the "Pledge of Allegiance?" Apparently not...

r

[Larry Koschkee]

Yup! We were at the same ceremony. The points you have made in this thread ring true. I would like to add to your discussion of the event.

On the shuttle bus to the battle site I immediately learned I was in with a bunch of "Blame America First" passengers.

I learned that Robert Braun, Ceremony Tour Guide, dressed in circa 1832 must be a "Buckskinner" just like David Gjestson.

I learned that Lincoln slept here... (at Wisconsin Heights the night of the battle) Lincoln was part of the Illinois Militia that overtook Black Hawk at Wisconsin Heights.

I learned that Indian decoys lured the militia to the spot that the battle was fought and Black Hawk and 50 warriors sprung a trap on the unsuspecting militia in the area of battle field, what modern historians call "spy ravine."

I learned that General Henry, Illinois' favorite son, was the hero of the Battle of Wisconsin Heights.

I learned that guest speakers Dr. Trask and Sandra (forgive me I forgot her last name) a Sauk lady from Oklahoma were singing out of the same hymnal. The song they were singing was that the Sauk and Fox women were the root cause of the Black Hawk War. Bob, I warned you about this position in a message reply back in October of 2006. I had finished Trask's book and he came across as a femanazi. I attended his lecture at UW-M School of Continuing Education the next day and he preached the same sermon to the attendees.

I learned that Sandra's (Sauk Guest Speaker) tearful presentation reminded people of the "Trail of Tears."

I learned that Sandra's written speech should be preserved and published so that future generations would know the truth about the Black Hawk War.

I learned from a couple WDNR retired individuals that the upkeep of the battlesite is hopeless.

I learned there are locations of "Marker Trees" on or near the battlefield that are kept secret from the general public.

regards,

Larry

[Robert Braun]

I just realized that the reason the marker trees are kept secret is because of their connection to ancient Druid tree language.

Or space aliens...

Or Bigfoot...





Bob.