Neapope
Encyclopedia
Neapope was a spiritual leader of the Sauk tribe and advisor to Black Hawk
during the Black Hawk War
.
, Neapope was first consulted by Black Hawk in 1820 on whether to declare war against neighboring American settlers or to move his supporters, including Neapope and Sauk chieftain Keokuk
, from Illinois and into Iowa. Although Neapope advised a confederacy, including the Winnebago
and Potowatomi in particular, to help defend Black Hawk's tribe, few chieftains would agree to an alliance. Neapope also travelled to Malden, Ontario in an attempt to gain British support from General Gaines, however Gaines declined stating the American settlers had a legal right to the land and advised Black Hawk to remain at peace with local settlers. Returning from Canada, Neapope stopped at the camp of the Winnebago Prophet, Wabokieshiek, where he was assured of support before returning to Black Hawk.
As fighting began, Neapope would serve throughout the war as one of Black Hawk's leading allies, most notably during the Battle of Wisconsin Heights
(near present day Sauk City, Wisconsin
) where he successfully held off local militia while allied forces were able to escape across the Wisconsin River
. Near the end of the war, Neapope was captured by Black Hawk rival Keokuk, who now cooperated with American settlers, and was imprisoned with Black Hawk until their release several weeks later by President Andrew Jackson
and eventually rejoined the Sauks in Iowa.
Black Hawk (chief)
Black Hawk was a leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe in what is now the United States. Although he had inherited an important historic medicine bundle, he was not one of the Sauk's hereditary civil chiefs...
during the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
.
Biography
A prominent chieftain of the Sauk prior to the Black Hawk WarBlack Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
, Neapope was first consulted by Black Hawk in 1820 on whether to declare war against neighboring American settlers or to move his supporters, including Neapope and Sauk chieftain Keokuk
Keokuk (Sauk chief)
Keokuk was a chief of the Sauk or Sac tribe in central North America noted for his policy of cooperation with the U.S. government which led to conflict with Black Hawk, who led part of their band into the Black Hawk War...
, from Illinois and into Iowa. Although Neapope advised a confederacy, including the Winnebago
Ho-Chunk
The Ho-Chunk, also known as Winnebago, are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska....
and Potowatomi in particular, to help defend Black Hawk's tribe, few chieftains would agree to an alliance. Neapope also travelled to Malden, Ontario in an attempt to gain British support from General Gaines, however Gaines declined stating the American settlers had a legal right to the land and advised Black Hawk to remain at peace with local settlers. Returning from Canada, Neapope stopped at the camp of the Winnebago Prophet, Wabokieshiek, where he was assured of support before returning to Black Hawk.
As fighting began, Neapope would serve throughout the war as one of Black Hawk's leading allies, most notably during the Battle of Wisconsin Heights
Battle of Wisconsin Heights
The Battle of Wisconsin Heights was the penultimate engagement of the 1832 Black Hawk War, fought between the United States state militia and allies, and the Sauk and Fox tribes, led by Black Hawk. The battle took place in what is now Dane County, near present-day Sauk City, Wisconsin...
(near present day Sauk City, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
) where he successfully held off local militia while allied forces were able to escape across the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
. Near the end of the war, Neapope was captured by Black Hawk rival Keokuk, who now cooperated with American settlers, and was imprisoned with Black Hawk until their release several weeks later by President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
and eventually rejoined the Sauks in Iowa.