# The Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, or Black Hawk — Character guide

> Key figures in The Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, or Black Hawk by Black Hawk.

- [Black Hawk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/black_hawk.md): Born at the Sac village on Rock River in 1767, he rises to lead a band whose land is claimed by the United States under a treaty four tribal members allegedly signed without the nation's consent. Proud, eloquent, and unb
- [Keokuk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/keokuk.md): A polished orator welcomed in American councils, Keokuk receives a splendid sword and pistols from the governor while Black Hawk looks on from the crowd. His strategy of peace and cooperation places him in quiet oppositi
- [Gomo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/gomo.md): Within the tight circle of chiefs and warriors who followed Black Hawk across the Mississippi and back, Gomo belongs to the trusted few whose counsel and presence steadied the band. His loyalty places him at the center o
- [Nanamakee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/nanamakee.md): According to the tradition Black Hawk received from his father, Pyesa, Nanamakee, or Thunder, was born near Montreal, where the Great Spirit inspired him to believe that after four years he would meet a white man who wou
- [Neapope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/neapope.md): Neapope urged Black Hawk to recross the river and raise corn with the Potawatomi and Winnebago, a decision that turned a hungry band's planting into a war. In battle he proved not only brave and fearless but well skilled
- [Matatah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/matatah.md): Sauk woman and relative of Black Hawk, captured during the war.
- [Quashquame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/quashquame.md): Sauk chief who signed away tribal lands, criticized by Black Hawk.
- [Tama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/tama.md): Sauk chief who remains neutral during the conflict.
- [Old Wacome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/old_wacome.md): Sauk elder and advisor to Black Hawk.
- [General Henry Atkinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/general_atkinson.md): Atkinson sends express orders for Black Hawk to return peaceably across the Mississippi and, when refused, threatens force, becoming the military face of American expansion in the campaign. He builds forts, coordinates m
- [General Winfield Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/general_scott.md): Scott belongs to the victorious American side that Black Hawk addresses with bitter dignity in his 1833 farewell, wishing his conqueror never taste the humility the government forced on him. As the officer who arrives to
- [Colonel Dixon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/colonel_dixon.md): U.S. militia officer who fights at Stillman's Run.
- [Major Isaiah Stillman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/major_stillman.md): U.S. militia commander defeated by Black Hawk at Stillman's Run.
- [Colonel George Davenport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/colonel_davenport.md): U.S. Army officer and trader at Fort Armstrong.
- [General Henry Dodge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/general_dodge.md): U.S. militia commander who pursues Black Hawk at Wisconsin Heights.
- [General Alexander Posey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/general_posey.md): U.S. militia general during the Black Hawk War.
- [Governor John Reynolds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/governor_reynolds.md): Illinois governor who mobilizes militia against Black Hawk.
- [Colonel J. M. Strode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/colonel_strode.md): U.S. officer at Fort Armstrong during the war.
- [Major John Dement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/major_dement.md): U.S. officer who leads a battle against the Sauks at Kellogg's Grove.
- [Captain A. W. Snyder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/captain_snyder.md): U.S. militia captain during the Black Hawk War.
- [Captain James Stephenson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/captain_stephenson.md): U.S. officer who commands a company at Fort Dixon.
- [Colonel Taylor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/colonel_taylor.md): U.S. officer involved in the war's final engagements.
- [General Ewing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/general_ewing.md): U.S. militia general during the conflict.
- [General Samuel Whitesides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/general_whitesides.md): U.S. militia general who leads troops at Stillman's Run.
- [Colonel Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/colonel_jones.md): U.S. militia officer during the war.
- [Colonel William Berry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/colonel_berry.md): U.S. officer commanding a regiment in the war.
- [Major P.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/major_p.md): U.S. officer mentioned in dispatches during the war.
- [Elijah Kilbourn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/mr_kilbourn.md): Settler who provides a narrative of the Apple River Fort fight.
- [William Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/mr_martin.md): Settler and witness to events during the war.
- [Joseph Smart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/mr_smart.md): Settler who testifies about the conflict.
- [Dr. A. K. Philleo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/dr_philleo.md): Physician who treats wounded after the war.
- [J. B. Patterson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters/j_b_patterson.md): Editor and compiler of Black Hawk's autobiography.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_autobiography_of_ma_ka_tai_me_she_kia_kiak_o_se/characters