the black hawk war was a war between the indians under command of chief black hawk and american settlers on the frontier in 1832. it took place mostly in illinois and wisconsin. several small battles were fought, including the battle of stillman's run and the battle of bad axe. during the war, dozens of americans and hundreds of indians were killed. many more americans died of cholera and other diseases than died in battle. after the war, the sac, fox and kickapoo indians lost most of their land in illinois and wisconsin. both future union president abraham lincoln and future confederate president jefferson davis fought in the black hawk war, both on the side of the union.