The Black Hawk War of Utah

1847-1873

The Black Hawk War was not a single event. Over 150 bloody confrontations took place between the years 1847-1873. The following are a compilation of firsthand accounts from Peter Gottfredson's book Indian Depredations in Utah, while others are taken from personal journals, old newspapers, state archives, personal interviews, libraries, and LDS Church and State archives. They are arranged in chronological order according to date.

 

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1. CHIEF WAH-KARA 1847-1850  Ute Chief Wah-Kara Aka (Walker)  Uncle of Black Hawk. At First Wakara Accepted Their Arrival, Even Inviting Them To Settle. (But according to historical accounts Wah-kara was poisoned by fellow members of the church who wanted him out of the way.) History by Tina Kelley and Kathryn L. MacKay

2. FORT UTAH Battle Creek 1849-1850  Ignoring the Ute's demand that Mormon settlers stay out hte Ute's prime hunting grounds, fearing retaliation and to secure a foothold in Utah Valley Fort Utah was erected within a few weeks. As tensions escalated over land and food, Brigham's militia spared no expense and set no limits committing the worst kind of atrocities upon the Native inhabitants.   Jim Bridger offered Hickman $100 for the head of Chief Old Elk. Barely in his twenties, young Black Hawk is witness the murder of his family and the decapitation of his 50 kin.

3. HOW THE BLACK HAWK WAR BEGAN 1865  "We had to do these things, or be run over by them. It was a question of supremacy between the white man and the Indian."

4. POLITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The conditions were right for The Black Hawk War 1865. Settlers domesticated crops, cattle, and farming devastate Native Indians food supply.

5. THE "SQUAW FIGHT" the GRASS VALLEY MASSACRE 1865 Over a dozen Ute women and children murdered.

6. THE MURDER OF CHIEF SANPITCH NEAR MANTI 1866  Wounded, the chief makes his escape only to have his throat slit near Moroni.

7. CIRCLEVILLE MASSACRE 1866  One by one their throats were cut. Three children escape and take refuge in nearby cave.

8. EXCERPTS From Indian Depredations in Utah 1865-1873 First hand accounts of the battles they fought.

9. DIAMOND CREEK BATTLE JUNE 26, 1866  Chief Mountain, Black Hawk's brother, wounded. Research finds discrepancies in the story! Chief Mountain was the brother of Black Hawk.

10. CHIEF BLACK HAWK WOUNDED IN BATTLE AT GRAVELLY FORD IN 1866  But..."Black Hawk's good fortune again befriended him."

11. THE DEATH OF BLACK HAWK  1870  Black Hawk's "Mission of Peace."

12. SIGNING OF THE TREATY? AT MOUNT PLEASANT ENDING THE BLACK HAWK WAR 1872 "You need never to fight the Indians, but if you want to get rid of them try to civilize them." Brigham Young also advocated that "a sack of flour will kill more Indians than a keg of powder." -1866 the Denver Rocky Mountain News

13. LIFE AMONG THE UTES 1872  Told by Peter and Hans Gottfredson - Profiles the humor, generosity, character and superstitions of the Native people.

14. TALES OF THE OLD WEST 1857-1874  by Peter Gottfredson (Auto-Biography) "One sailor was not working to suit the Captain, he picked up a rope with a heavy hook in the end, and from behind struck the sailor on the head with the hook, killing him instantly. I stood close by watching..."

15. PETER GOTTFREDSON IN THE INDIAN CAMPS   He was keenly aware of and witness to the exploitation that encircled himself and upon the Native people he loved and respected as his own.

16. PETER AND HANS GOTTFREDSON  Both Peter and his brother Hans were friends of the Ute and Paiute during the 1860's and spent much of their time with them. They loved hunting, and as scouts and trailers they were far superior to white men.