The British Band was a mixed-nation group of Native Americans commanded by the Sauk leader Black Hawk, which fought against Illinois and Michigan Territory militias during the 1832 Black Hawk War. The band was composed of about 1,500 men, women, and children from the Sauk, Meskwaki, Fox, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Ottawa nations; about 500 of that number were warriors. Black Hawk had an alliance with the British that dated from the War of 1812, giving them their colloquial name. The band crossed the Mississippi River from Iowa into Illinois in an attempt to reclaim their homeland and in violation of several treaties. Subsequently, both the Illinois and Michigan Territory militia were called up and the Black Hawk War ensued.
This 1854 artist rendering depicts members of the British Band at Stillman's Run.
Black Hawk led the British Band across the Mississippi River on 5 April 1832.
The British Band suffered a defeat at Horseshoe Bend, shown here in an 1857 painting.
The grave of Felix St. Vrain, killed by Ho-Chunk warriors intent on joining the British Band in 1832.
Black Hawk, born Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, was a Sauk leader and warrior who lived in what is now the Midwestern United States. Although he had inherited an important historic sacred bundle from his father, he was not a hereditary civil chief. Black Hawk earned his status as a war chief or captain by his actions: leading raiding and war parties as a young man and then a band of Sauk warriors during the Black Hawk War of 1832.
Portrait by George Catlin, 1832
Plans of the original Fort Madison, 1810. Black Hawk participated in the 1809 and 1812 sieges; the fort was captured by British-supported Indians in 1813.
Plaster life cast of Black Hawk, original ca. 1830, at Black Hawk State Historic Site
Calumet (or "peace pipe") used by Black Hawk, on display at Black Hawk State Historic Site.