The Second Black Hawk War

It is a lot of fun to here stories about your family growing up. However, you never know if they are really true. What is really great is when you can actually document when a story is really true. Michael Christensen found himself a foot note in the Black Hawk War in Utah. Luckily he survived or I would not be here. Funny how history works. It is important to note that Michael had only been in the States about two years.

So here is the story:

Michael Christian Christensen abt 20 years after the war

In 1865 the second uprising of the Ute Indians begins in Sanpete County. While most of the problems occur in Sanpete, on two occasions problems over flow into Utah County. In Utah History this is referred to as the second Black Hawk War. This war started when Indian’s along with their young chief named Black Hawk met with some Mormons in Manti, Utah on April 9, 1865. The reason for this meeting surrounds some stolen cattle that some hungry Ute’s had killed and eaten. One of the Mormon men becomes infuriated at Black Hawk and attacks him. Black Hawk angered by the attack claims that he will retaliate. Chief Black Hawk and his braves attack many settlements killing people and stealing their cattle. This war went on for several years before Black Hawk agreed to a peace in 1867 and by 1868 the Indians agreed to a peace treaty, which was the official end of the Black Hawk War.[1] Michael finds himself a footnote in history of the Black Hawk War. On May 16, 1866 Michael is herding cattle with Christian Larsen in Spanish Fork Canyon when a War party of Indians comes down and kills Christian Larsen. Michael sees the Indians before they see him and hides in a large sagebrush. The Indians soon leave and Michael is safe. I have found several accounts on this attack and will turn to the account given by Michael’s youngest daughter Christina Christensen Daniels.

On May 16, 1866 father was herding on the east side of town toward the mouth of the Spanish Fork Canyon. Christen Larsen (Uncle to Marinus Larsen) was with him also Jas Atkins, some Indians came down from the canyon and father having time to see them hid in a large sage brush. The Indians caught and killed Larsen Scalping him. After looking around and not seeing any one else they hurried back to the mountains for fear of being caught themselves.[2]

Michael survives that day and continues herding cattle even though the risks of his job are more apparent to him now than they had ever been in Denmark.

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    [1] John A. Peterson, The Black hawk War, Utah Encyclopedia, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/b/BLACKHAWKWAR.html.

    [2] Christina C. Daniels, Biography of Mikkel Christensen, Pioneer of 1863, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers,  March 10, 1957 p. 2,

(Refer to the following for back up to Christinas quote) Anne Miller Eckman, et al. Pioneer Pathways Daughter of the Utah Pioneers Vol 7, pg.  289, 326, Elisha Warner, History of Spanish Fork  LDS Archive 979.224/s3 H2w p. 68-69.