Wisconsin History Day By Day


Related Web Sites:
The Black Hawk War of 1832

Bad Axe, Battle of

Wisconsin Historical Markers

The Tragic Bad Axe Massacre of 1832


Read More About It

"Massacre at Bad Axe: An Eye Wintess Account of the Black Hawk War of 1832" by Crawford Beeches Thayer

"Battle at Bad Axe" by Mississippi Valley Archeology Center (video recording)

"The Story of the Black Hawk War" by Jim Hargrove


Vocabulary:

massacre


Interesting Fact:

Abraham Lincoln served as a captain in the Black Hawk War, but his militia from Illinois did not take part in any battles.


Study Questions:

  • On a map, trace the route of Black Hawk and his people in 1832.
  • How many battles did Black Hawk have in Wisconsin?
  • Who was leading the militia against Black Hawk?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on August 2:

    1943: PT-109, a Navy torpedo boat commanded by Lt. John F. Kennedy, sank after being rammed by a Japanese destroyer.
    1876: "Wild Bill" Hickok is killed while playing poker in a Deadwood saloon.



  • August 2

    August 2, 1832: The massacre at Bad Axe brought an end to the Black Hawk War. After repeated attempts to surrender, Black Hawk's fighting force was attacked by the Army and by an armed ship on the Mississippi River, the "Warrior." Approximately 150 Indians were killed during the battle while nearly that many drowned while trying to escape.


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