Naopope the second in command, with a few other Indians who escaped from the battle of the Bad-Axe, were also brought in by the Sioux, who being the ancient enemy of the Sacs and Foxes, seized upon this opportunity of waging war upon the remnant of Black Hawk’s band.  They were placed by General Street, in the custody of Colonel Taylor.

On the seventh of September, the prisoners were placed on board the steam boat Winnebago, and sent down to Jefferson Barracks, a few miles below St. Louis.  The arrival of General Scott at the scene of action, was unfortunately delayed until after the campaign was closed, in consequence of the Asiatic cholera having broken out, among the troops under his command, while ascending the lakes.  The disease continued to rage among them, with dreadful mortality, for some time after their arrival at Rock island.  Of course, this campaign added no new laurels to the military reputation of General Scott; but, by his humane and tireless exertions for the alleviation of the sufferings of his soldiers, he won for himself more true glory, than the most brilliant victory, over an Indian enemy, could confer.

While at Rock Island, General Scott instituted some inquiries among the Indians, in regard to the difficulties between them and the whites.  Among others interrogated was Naopope, the friend and counsellor of Black Hawk, who participated in the campaign, and on account of his courage and skill as a warrior, directed to a great extent, the movements of the band, from the period of their recrossing the Mississippi, until the battle of the Bad-Axe.  His statement confirms the declaration of Black Hawk, that in coming over to the east side of the river, there was no intention of making war upon the frontier settlers; and that they really intended to surrender to Major Stillman, upon Sycamore creek, on the 14th of May, and actually sent a white flag, in evidence of their submission, which was fired upon by the American troops.

“I always belonged to Black Hawk’s band.  Last summer I went to Malden; when I came back, I found that by the treaty with General Gaines, the Sacs had moved across the Mississippi.  I remained during the winter with the Prophet, on Rock river, thirty-five miles above the mouth.  During the winter the Prophet sent me across the Mississippi, to Black Hawk, with a message, to tell him and his band to cross back to his village and make corn:  that if the Americans came and told them to remove again, they would shake hands with them.  If the Americans had come and told us to move, we should have shaken hands, and immediately have moved peaceably.  We encamped on Sycamore creek.  We met some Pottowatomies and made a feast for them.  At that time I heard there were some Americans [under Maj.  Stillman] near us.  I prepared a white flag to go and see them, and sent two or three young men on a hill to see what they were doing.  Before the feast was finished, I heard my young men were killed.  This was at sunset.  Some of my young men ran out; two killed, and the Americans were seen rushing on to our camp.  My young men fired a few guns, and the Americans ran off, and my young men chased them about six miles.”