In reply, Black Hawk said the General had no right to
make the order so long as his band was peaceable, and that he intended
to go on to the Prophet's village.
In the meantime the forces under the command of Gen. Whitesides had
arrived, and were turned over to Gen. Atkinson by the Governor. The
brigade, under the command of Gen. Whitesides, was ordered up Rock
river to Dixon's Ferry, and as soon as boats could be got ready, Gen.
Atkinson started for the same destination with 300 regulars and about
the same number of Illinois militia. Black Hawk with his party had
already reached a point some thirty or forty miles above Dixon's
Ferry, where they were met in council by some Pottowattomies and
Winnebago chiefs. They assured Black Hawk that their people would not
join him in making war against the United States, and denied the
Prophet's story to him. During this council Black Hawk became
convinced that he had been badly imposed upon by the Prophet, and
resolved at once to send a flag of truce to Gen. Atkinson and ask
permission to descend Rock river, re-cross the Mississippi and go back
to their country.
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