Background
Benjamin Drake was born in 1795 in Mays Lick, Kentucky, United States. His father being Isaac Drake and his mother Elizabeth Shotwell, both of whom had migrated to Kentucky from near Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1788.
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The Great Indian Chief of the West: or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk
(Of all the Native American leaders who attempted to resis...)
Of all the Native American leaders who attempted to resist the westward expansion of the United States and further white settlement during the 19th century, few fought as long or as hard as Black Hawk, a leader of the Sauk in the present-day Midwest. Though he is no longer as well-known as his contemporary Tecumseh, or subsequent Native American leaders like Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Geronimo, his eventual surrender and trip east as a prisoner turned him into one of the first Native American celebrities in the country. Long before curious Americans came out in throngs to get a glimpse of him, Black Hawk played a crucial role in some of the seminal events of the 19th century, including the negotiations of several treaties and the War of 1812. Today, of course, he is best known for leading a band of about 1,500 during the Black Hawk War in 1832, a series of small battles fought in the Wisconsin territory after Black Hawk led his people east across the Mississippi River in an attempt to reclaim his people’s old lands in Illinois. One of the earliest battles in the war resulted in a shocking defeat of American militia and one of America’s most notorious losses before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, but the fighting ultimately lasted only a few months, culminating in a massacre of Native Americans at the Battle of Bad Axe. During the fighting there, American soldiers literally pushed the Native Americans back to the Mississippi River and then shot men, women and children as they attempted to cross the river to safety. Given the limited amount of fighting, the Black Hawk War was hardly a war in the traditional sense, but it is still well-known among Americans today, and it was truly a seminal moment in American history. Black Hawk’s defeat essentially ended all Native American resistance east of the Mississippi River and opened up the rest of Illinois and Wisconsin to white settlement. The war also provided an opportunity for some of the era’s most famous Americans to get military experience, including several U.S. Senators, several Territorial Governors, future Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and most famously, Abraham Lincoln.
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Great Indian Chief of the West - Or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk
(Great Indian Chief of the West - Or, Life and Adventures ...)
Great Indian Chief of the West - Or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Benjamin Drake is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Benjamin Drake then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.
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Benjamin Drake
Edit ProfileEducation
Although Benjamin had only rudimentary schooling, yet by hard work and by virtue of the natural strength and honesty of his mind he acquired a style of writing remarkable for its grace, clarity, and accuracy.
Career
While still a youth Drake went to Cincinnati from his father’s farm to be clerk in the drug store of his brother Daniel and later a partner in the general merchandise store financed by Daniel Drake and conducted as Isaac Drake & Company. After the failure of this enterprise Benjamin studied law, 26, and practised this profession with great success.
He contributed special articles, editorials, and stories to the newspapers, — in 1825 to the Literary Gazette, published by John P. Foote and after the suspension of this journal to various others.
In 1827, in conjunction with Mansfield, he published a statistical account of Cincinnati under the name Cincinnati in 1826.
This was republished in London and Germany for the information of intending immigrants and probably played a considerable part in determining the immigration from those places toward the rapidly developing city and the valley of the Ohio.
The Radicals increased in strength and were successful in securing the authorization of a constitutional convention. In this body Drake, the vice-president, was easily the most active and conspicuous member.
He was the directing force in the formation of the new constitution and the author of the sections dealing with the elective franchise.
He was peculiarly adapted to this position, for, as Carl Schurz wrote, “in politics he was inexorable most of the members of his party, especially in the country districts, stood much in awe of him”.
The Radicals maintained absolute control of the state from 1865 to 1871, with Drake as their leader.
Never personally popular, he was elected to the United States Senate in 1867 as a recognition and reward for his services to his party.
Achievements
Works
book
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The Great Indian Chief of the West: or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk
(Of all the Native American leaders who attempted to resis...)
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Great Indian Chief of the West - Or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk
(Great Indian Chief of the West - Or, Life and Adventures ...)
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The Great Indian Chief of the West: or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk
Politics
Drake acted in accordance with the view that he was “a representative of radical radicalism”.
He took his stand with Morton, Wilson, and other extreme Radicals, in enthusiastic support of the Reconstruction measures, which permitted him to give full play to his dogmatism and intolerance. He regarded the wide-spread political and social disorder in the South as a sinister expression of the rebellious spirit in the whites and of a fixed purpose to prevent by violence the operation of the Republican party in the reconstructed states.
Personality
Drake was a man of strict integrity and unusually sound mind, seeking always accuracy of statement. He had polished and courteous manners, was kindly, fond of society, and well liked.
