Near De Soto in Vernon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Black Hawk War
Battle Bluff · Battle Hollow · Battle Island
Photographed By Keith L, October 7, 2009
1. Black Hawk War Marker
Battle Bluff ↑ Elv 1139ft
Battle Hollow → Severe fighting 1 mile east between Gen. Henry's 300 Ill. militia and 300 Sac Indians Aug. 2 1832.
← Battle Island Hard fighting opposite. 1200 white soldiers engaged. 17 killed. 12 wounded of Indians. 150 shot, 150 drowned, 50 taken prisoners. 300 crossed river of whom 150 were killed by Sioux instigated by Gen. Atkinson. Of the 1000 Sacs who crossed the river from Iowa in April 1832, "not more than 150 survived to tell the tragic story of the Black Hawk War."
R.G. Thwaites
No. 8 CVP 1930 S
Erected 1930 by Viroqua, Wisconsin historian Dr. C.V. Porter. (Marker Number 8 CVP.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1832.
Location. 43° 27.412′ N, 91° 12.796′ W. Marker is near De Soto, Wisconsin, in Vernon County. Marker is on Great River Road (State Highway 35) 2˝ miles
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Bad Axe (a few steps from this marker); Head of Battle Isle (approx. 0.7 miles away); Chief Win-no-shik, the Elder (approx. 2.1 miles away); Winneshiek’s Landing (approx. 2.1 miles away); Black Hawks Outpost (approx. 2.4 miles away); Site of Red Bird's Village (approx. 3.9 miles away); Black Hawk and Winnebago Trail (approx. 5.9 miles away); Walnut Mound Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Soto.
More about this marker. R.G. (Reuben Gold) Thwaites, quoted in the text, was superintendent of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Dr. Porter, who was also a De Sota, Wisconsin school teacher, died November 30, 1931.
Also see . . . Black Hawk: The Battle for the Heart of America. "In 1989 the Wisconsin State Assembly... issued a formal apology and expressed its deepest, heartfelt "regret and sorrow" to the surviving members of the Sauk and Fox nations for the wrongs done 157 years before." (Submitted on November 14, 2009.)
Photographed By Keith L, October 7, 2009
2. Black Hawk Historic Trail Markers
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Battle Hollow is about a half mile to the west of this site. There the militia caught up with Black Hawks rear guard. Fierce fighting took place. It was the battle that ended the Black Hawk War.
Grateful appreciation is given to Dr. C.V. Porter whose hard work and dedication preserved this segment of history for all.
Vernon County Historical Society
Wisconsin Humanities Committee
Wisconsin State Dept. of Transportation
Vernon County Highway Department
The State of Wisconsin recognizes Dr. Porter's markers as part of Vernon County history but does not condone the language or prejudicial inferences used on some of the markers. Dr. Porter used descriptive, interpretative language which he researched and felt was acceptable for his time.
Battle Hollow is about a half mile to the west of this site. There the militia caught up with Black Hawks rear guard. Fierce fighting took place. It was the battle that ended the Black Hawk War.
Grateful appreciation is given to Dr. C.V. Porter whose hard work and dedication preserved this segment of history for all.
Vernon County Historical Society
Wisconsin Humanities Committee
Wisconsin State Dept. of Transportation
Vernon County Highway Department
The State of Wisconsin recognizes Dr. Porter's markers as part of Vernon County history but does not condone the language or prejudicial inferences used on some of the markers. Dr. Porter used descriptive, interpretative language which he researched and felt was acceptable for his time.
Photographed By Keith L, October 7, 2009
3. Black Hawk War Markers
Photographed By Keith L, October 7, 2009
4. Black Hawk War Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,244 times since then and 299 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
