The Ho-Chunks were reacting Response to a wave of lead miners trespassing on their lands , and to false rumors that the United States had sent Sending two Ho-Chunk prisoners to a rival tribe for execution .

In part they were reacting Response to poor treatment and a desire for freedom ; in addition , there was a widespread Dispersal , mistaken belief that Parliament had passed a law for emancipation , but it was being withheld by the colonial rulers .