"Blackhawkiana"

St. Louis, Missouri, Sept. 13th, 1832.

My dear Sister,

…The day after tomorrow we Set off on the most interesting part of our expedition. We shall have a waggon to convey our baggage, tents, buffalo skins, provisions &c and horses and ourselves. We proceed parrallel to the Missouri River to the frontier post of Independence, (and then) at the mouth of the Kansas [River and] then strike across through the Indian countries to Fort Gibson on the Arkansas. Our present intention is, after we have attended the conferences of the commissioners with the Indians, and the ceremonials & fétes that will necessarily take place, to make an excursion with Some of the Indians to their hunting grounds, to witness their mode of hunting the Buffalo &c. and to get some accurate idea of Indian life & manners….
Sept 14. Since writing the foregoing I have been to Fort Jefferson, about 9 miles from this, to see the famous Black Hawk, and his fellow chiefs, taken in the recent Indian War. This redoubtable Black Hawk who makes such a figure in our Newspapers, is an old man upwards of Seventy: emaciated & enfeebled by the sufferings he has experienced and by a touch of cholera. He has a small, well formed head, with an aquiline nose and a good expression of eye and a physician present, who is given to craniology perceived the organ of benevolence strongly developed---though I believe the old chieftain stands accused of many cruelties.
His brother in law the prophet is a strong, stout man, and much younger. He is considered the most culpable agent in fomenting the late disturbance---though I find it extremely difficult, even when so near the seat of action, to get at the right story of these feuds between the White & red man and my sympathies go strongly with the latter.
I have to get ready for departure --- give my love to all the folks at home

Your afte brother
W.I.