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The Battle of Stillman's Run
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"Some of our people have been killed! We must avenge their deaths!"
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Chief Black Hawk
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Black Hawk is away from the bulk of his followers to meet with some Potawatomie chiefs. A scout arrives with news that over 300 mounted American soldiers are approaching. Black Hawk dispatches three men under a white flag to meet the soldiers. He is ready to surrender.
The soldiers imprison the white-flag bearers and question them. Before they can explain their mission to an interpreter, a group of enraged and drunken soldiers opens fire. They kill one of Black Hawk's men instantly. The other two run into the bush and hide.
Black Hawk sends out five more men to find out what happened. As they approach, the soldiers charge -- killing two of the five men. The other three get away and report back to Black Hawk.
Black Hawk shouts his war cry. He and his armed warriors charge the Americans. The Americans run. The warriors pursue for a few kilometres, but the Americans show no sign of stopping. The warriors decide to let them go.
The next morning Black Hawk and his people survey the battle area. They find 12 dead Americans. Of Black Hawk's people, five, including the three killed under the white flag, are dead. In the soldiers' abandoned camp they find much-needed arms, ammunition, and food.
The American soldiers who ran belong to an Illinois militia regiment led by a Major Isaiah Stillman. The major is said to be among the first to run. In the days following the incident, the soldiers of the regular army dub the incident The Battle of Stillman's Run.
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