myself to make that sacrifice, and therefore withdraw the tender of my resignation now on file in your department.

“I also ask leave to surrender the remainder of the furlough the
department was kind enough to extend to me in April last, and to
report myself for duty.  WINFIELD SCOTT.

“The Hon. J.H.  EATON, Secretary of War.”

To this the Secretary of War replied: 

“WAR DEPARTMENT, November 13, 1829.

“SIR:  Your letter of the 10th instant is received, and I take pleasure in saying to you that it affords the department much satisfaction to perceive the conclusion to which you have arrived as to your brevet rights.  None will do you the injustice to suppose that the opinions declared by you upon this subject are not the result of reflections and convictions; but since the constituted authorities of the Government have, with the best feelings entertained, come to conclusions adverse to your own, no other opinion was cherished or was hoped for but that, on your return to the United States, you would adopt the course your letter indicates, and with good feelings resume those duties of which she has so long had the benefit.  Agreeably to your request, the furlough heretofore granted you is revoked from and after the 20th instant.  You will accordingly report to the commanding general, Alexander Macomb, for duty.  J.H.  EATON.

    “To Major-General WINFIELD SCOTT.”

General Scott, on reporting to General Macomb, was assigned to the command of the Eastern Department, while General Gaines was assigned to the Western.  From the assignment of General Scott to the command of the Eastern Department, for a period of nearly three years, his duties were those of an ordinary department commander, with no incidents necessary to be ingrafted into his biography.

A treaty had been made by the United States Government in 1804 with the chiefs of the Sac Indians, in which their lands east of the Mississippi were ceded to the Government, but with the reservation that so long as they belonged to the Government of the United States the Indians should have the privilege of occupying and hunting on them.  The Sacs and Foxes were contiguous and friendly tribes, and their principal village was on a peninsula between the Rock River and the Mississippi.  Their principal chief was known as Black Hawk.  The United States Government in its treaty acquiring the title to these Indian lands made a guarantee that the Indians should be free from intrusion from any white settlers.