Early Rock Island, Part 5

Author: Meese, William A. (William Augustus), b. 1856; Rock Island county (Illinois) Historical Society
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Moline, Ill. : Press of Desaulniers & Co.
Number of Pages: 124


USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Rock Island > Early Rock Island > Part 5


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6


After Black Hawk passed his old village, General Atkinson sent Captain Phil Kearney up Rock River after him, with


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orders for Black Hawk to return and recross the Mississippi, which order Black Hawk refused to obey, claiming his mis- sion was a peaceful one.


The news that Black Hawk and his warriors were again marching up Rock River alarmed the whole northern frontier and the Governor daily received messages and messengers. George Davenport. the Indian trader on Rock Island, had before General Gaines' arrival written him: "From every information I have received, I am of the opinion that the intention of the British band of Sac Indians is to commit depredations on the inhabitants of the frontier."


THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.


April 16 Governor Reynolds received General Atkinson's letter, asking the assistance of the state militia. Promptly on the same day the Governor issued the following pro- clamation :


"TO THE MILITIA OF THE NORTHWESTERN SECTION OF THE STATE.


" Fellow Citizens :


" Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed a hostile attitude and have invaded the state in vio- lation of the treaty of last summer. The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed by Black Hawk, are in possession of the Rock River country to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the settlers on the frontier to be in imminent danger. I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen of respectable standing, and also from General Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts and infor- mation, I have not hesitated as to the course I should pursue. No citizen ought to remain inactive when his country is invaded. and the helpless part of the community are in dan- ger. I have called out a strong detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d inst. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abundance.


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I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations and offer their services, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerful- ness, in defence of their country."


The season was wet and backward, and the farmers had been delayed in their work but, as in the year 1831, volun- teers were eager and willing to offer their services, many of the most influential men in the state enlisting and many who neither had horses or conld procure them marching on foot.


April 27 the militia left Rushville and marched to Yellow Banks (Oquawka) from whence they marched up the Missis- sippi to the mouth of Rock River which they reached May 7. General Atkinson mustered the troops into the service of the United States, and May 9 they commenced their march up Rock River. Before marching Governor Reynolds engaged the services of Thomas Kenney, a Rock Island settler as a guide, Mr. Kenney being able to understand a little of the Sac language. In the march up the river General Whiteside with part of the army marched on the east bank while the rest of the army, under General Atkinson, came up the river in flat boats.


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A ROCK ISLAND COMPANY.


It seems the martial spirit of the citizens of Rock Island County was not stilled or satisfied by the march of the Rock River Rangers in 1831 from Fort Armstrong to the Watch Tower, for in 1832 we find one company enrolled in the ser- vice where every member save one was from Rock Island County, that one being a brother of the captain, and he came from Adams County to enlist under his brother. The follow- ing is from the rolls as corrected and now on file in the War Department at Washington :


Name and Rank


Residence


Enrolled


Remarks


CAPTAIN


1832


John W. Kenney


Rock Island Co.


May 20


FIRST LIEUTENANT


Joseph Danforth


Rock Island Co.


May 20


PRIVATES


Davis, Thomas.


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Danforth. Manly


Rock Island Co.


July 1


Danforth, Samuel


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Kenney, Samuel


Rock Island Co.


May 20 On Furlough


Kenney, Thomas.


Adams Co .. June 12


McGee, Gentry


Rock Island Co.


May 20


McNeal, Henry


Rock Island Co.


May 20


McNeal. Neel


Rock Island Co.


July 1


Maskal, James


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Smith, Martin


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Samins, William H. .


Rock Island Co.


July 1


Thompson, Joel


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Thompson, William


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Wells, Ira


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Wells, Eri.


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Wells, Asaph


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Wells, Nelson


Rock Island Co. May 20


Wells, Rannah


Rock Island Co.


May 20


Wells, Joel, Jr.


Rock Island Co. May 20


Wells, Joel, Sr


Rock Island Co. May 20


Wells, Luke, Sr


Rock Island Co.


May 20


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This company was part of an odd mounted battalion, com- manded by Major Samuel Bogart, and was called into the service of the United States on the requisition of General Atkinson, by the Governor's proclamation dated May 20, 1832. It was mustered out September 4, 1832 at Macomb.


The companies composing this odd battalion were Captains Peter Butter's of Warren County, John W. Kenney's of Rock Island County, James White of Hancock County, John Sain's of Fulton County, William McMurty's of Knox County and Asel F. Ball's of Fulton County. It is impossible to learn just what duty the battalion did to which the Rock Island company was assigned. Reynolds in "My Own Times" says : "On the 12th of June 1 ordered a battalion to be organized and to elect their officers, to guard the frontiers between the Mississippi and Peoria on the north of Illinois River. Samuel Bogart was elected major of the battalion."


After being mustered into the service at Fort Armstrong, the Rock Island company joined Colonel Moore's regiment which had been recruited in Vermilion and neighboring counties, and marched up Rock River to Dixon. From there it was assigned to guard duty on the frontier. From another authority I learn that it did guard duty on the frontier, drew its rations daily, ate heartily, played euchre and received the remunerative sum of 86 cents per day for each man and his horse. Samuel Bogart, the major of the odd battalion to which Kenney's company was attached, was before enlist- mient a merchant in McDonough County.


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OTHER ROCK ISLAND SOLDIERS.


Rock Island County furnished more soldiers than those given in Captain John W. Kenney's company. I have been able to trace. but few owing to the fact that the rolls are by 10 means complete. A large number joined the state militia and were never sworn into the United States service, con- sequently no record was kept and their names will remain forever unknown. I have frequently heard certain of our old citizens claim to have been in the Black Hawk War, and have made diligent search for their names. I give in this sketch only such names as appear on record in the reports of the War Department.


All enlistments were from twenty to thirty days and a great many enlisted in another company on the same day that their term of enlistment in one company expired.


ROSWELL H. SPENCER.


Roswell H. Spencer was a brother of Judge John W. Spen- cer and was one of the very early settlers. He seems to have been an ardent patriot, having three enlistments to his credit, serving out each enlistment, and upon his term of service expiring again enlisting in a new company. He enlisted first in Captain Thomas Carlin's company which belonged to what was known as the spy battalion. He was enrolled May 10 at Rock Island, and mustered out May 27 at the mouth of the Fox River. He again enlisted May 27, 1832, in Captain A. W. Snyder's company and was mustered out of service June 21, at Dixon's Ferry on Rock River. The same day we find him again enlisting in Captain Jacob M. Early's com- pany and he was mustered out on White Water River on Rock River, July 10, 1832, by order of Brigadier General Atkinson, U. S. Army. This was one of the companies in which Abraham Lincoln served as a private.


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AT KELLOGG'S GROVE.


After Stillman's defeat, Captain Snyder's company was sent to Galena, whence it went to Kellogg's Grove, where were several log honses that the company used for their quar- ters. The night of June 15 several Indians were seen lurking around, one of the sentinels having an encounter with one. The morning of the 16th, Captain Snyder marched his com- pany in pursuit of the Indians. For twenty miles they followed a circuitous trail which brought them almost back to their starting place. Here four Indians were seen, and Sny- der's company commenced the attack; all the Indians were killed, and one of Snyder's men. On their return to the block houses they were fired on by a large body of Indians, and two more of the company were killed. Snyder's com- pany now entered into a general engagement and after several hours of battle the Indians withdrew. The loss to Snyder's company was three killed and several wounded. With Spen- cer in this battle were Lucius and John Wells of this county. Serving as privates in this company were Joseph Gillespie, Pierre Menard, Richard Roman, James Semple, General Samuel Whiteside and other distinguished men. Stephenson County has erected on the battle ground a fitting memorial to mark the spot.


THE WELLS FAMILY.


The Wells family seems to have been a family of fighters. We find eleven of them enrolled in the company of Rock River Rangers in 1831, and in 1832 we find eight of these enrolled in Captain Kenney's company. Lucins Wells and John Wells were with Spencer in Captain A. W. Snyder's company and were present and participated in the battle of Kellogg's Grove. Samuel Wells was also a member of Cap- tain Seth Pratt's company of Illinois Volunteer Militia, stationed at Fort Armstrong, in the service of the United States from April 21 to June 3, 1832.


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REDDISH, THE TUNNELS AND EAMES.


In Captain Thomas Carlin's company we find enrolled with Roswell H. Spencer, John Reddish, who enlisted at Rock Island May 10; Luther Tunnel and William Tunnel, who were also enrolled that day. The records show that the night of May 22 Luther Tunnel lost his horse, account "affright of horses," there being a stampede that night. This company was part of an odd battalion of spies, commanded by Major D. Henry of the brigade of mounted volunteers commanded by Brigadier General Samuel Whiteside. It was mustered out of the service of the United States at the mouth of Fox River on the Illinois River May 27, 1832, and as the company was originally mustered in at Carrolton, the men were discharged two hundred and thirty miles from the place of their enroll- ment.


Jolin Reddish was also in Captain Samuel Smith's com- pany, serving from May 27 to June 15.


Charles Eames, who was sheriff of this county from 1837 to 1839, was a member of Captain Enoch Duncan's company of Mounted Riflemen, commanded by Colonel H. Dodge. He enlisted in company with his brother May 19, 1832. He was mustered out of the service September 14, by Lieutenant J. R. Gardiner, U. S. Army, by order of Brigadier General Gardiner, U. S. Army, by order of Brigadier General H. Atkinson.


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CAPTAIN SETH PRATT'S COMPANY.


I find a company of Illinois volunteer militia was stationed at Fort Armstrong and was in the service of the United States from April 21 to June 3, 1832, when it was mustered out. This company did garrison duty. The records say it was composed of men from Rock Island and adjacent counties, but I have been unable to place but one, he being Samtiel Wells. The roster of the company is :


Captain: Seth Pratt.


Lieutenants: John M. Crabtree, Joseplı Leister.


Sergeants: Simpson Stewart, William B. Sisk, Elihu Sparks, Abra- liam Crabtree.


Corporals : James Stockton, George Yates, James Keller, James Curry, Thomas Burton.


Fifer: James Carr.


PRIVATES


Gordon Acton


Henry Ford


Larkin B. Langston


Nathan Bradbury


William Foster Jolını Letclier


Henry Brantly


Isaac Gullilier Henry Melton


C. Birdwell


Parnell Hamilton


Francis McConnell


Isaac Bootlı


Harrison Hunly


Frederick McDanial


Daniel Brock


William Hopper


James New


Amos Bradley


Alfred Jackson


Win. C. Overstreet


John Bradshaw Jonathan Leighton Jolın Pervine


Jolını M. Bohvare


Nicholas Long


William Pointer


Henry Castlebury James M. Low


Jonathan Russ


Steplien L. Cooper


Iredell Lawrence Andrew Smothers


John Davis Martin Langston


Isaac Schmick


Samuel Smith


Samuel Wells


Benjamin Gobel in his reminiscenses speaks of joining a company and doing guard duty at the fort, but I do not find his name on the roster.


At the commencement of hostilities, Governor Edwards of Illinois appointed George Davenport one of the quarter- masters, his commission giving him the rank of colonel.


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THE END OF THE WAR.


The march of the army up Rock River, the defeat of Major Stillman's command, the Indian Creek massacre, the battle on the Pecatonica, attack on Apple River Fort, at Kellogg's Grove, and other minor skirmishes fast followed one another, but as none of these are connected with Rock Island County, I leave to the reader the pleasure of reading the histories of the Black Hawk War.


The 2d. of August, 1832. the slaughter of the Sacs on the Mississippi at the mouth of the Bad-Axe virtually ended the Black Hawk War. Reynolds in referring to this final engagement says : "Although the warriors fought with the courage and valor of desperation, yet the conflict resembled more a carnage than a regular battle." Another noted author- ity calls it "a dishonorable chapter in the history of the borders." Out of the band of nearly one thousand Indians who crossed the Mississippi at Yellow Banks in April, not more than one hundred and fifty lived to tell the story. The American loss in this war was about two hundred and fifty. The financial cost to the government and the State of Illinois was nearly $2,000,000.


On the 17th of August the captured Black Hawk was delivered to the Americans by two Winnebagoes. He was kept that winter at Jefferson Barracks and in April, 1833, was sent as a prisoner to Fortress Monroe where he was con- fined until June 4, when he was discharged. After visiting the principal cities in the east he returned west, locating on a small reservation on the Des Moines River in Davis County, Iowa, where he died October 3, 1838. The following year his remains were stolen, and in the spring of 1840 Governor Lucas succeeded in recovering them and caused the skeleton to be delivered at the then capitol at Burlington. When the capitol was removed to Iowa City, the remains were taken there. January 16, 1855, they were destroyed by fire.


The final treaty was concluded September 21, 1832. The treaty says : "Concluded at Fort Armstrong," but in con- sequence of cholera then raging at the fort, the treaty was held on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi, now the State of Iowa. It was signed on the spot of ground upon which


76


Antoine LeClaire's residence was built and the site has been appropriately marked by a monument erected by the Davenport Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Among the witnesses to this treaty were "Antoine LeClaire, interpreter ; Benjamin F. Pike, John W. Spencer and George Davenport, Assistant Quarter Master General Illinois Militia."


Black Hawk has been greatly censured and abused, and, by some few, praised. We can better judge him today than could those whose interests and sympathies during the times from 1828 to 1832 may have been of a personal nature.


At the time of the Black Hawk War in 1832, Black Hawk was sixty-five years old. After losing his village and lands, after defeat in war, when but few of his people had escaped the white man's bullet, after being held a prisoner for some months, and upon his release and restoration to freedom, this savage who fought for his country said to one of his con- querors : "Rock River was a beautiful country. I like my towns, my cornfields and the home of my people. I fought for it; it is now yours. It will produce you good crops." What white man could say more? Black Hawk was truly the last defender of Illinois.


It was not my intention to enter into a detailed account of the Black Hawk War. My aim was to put together as many of the facts regarding that war as were of local interest and try to give to Rock Island County and her citizens such credit as is their due for the part they took in that affair.


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ROCK ISLAND SETTLERS IN 1832.


The following is a list of settlers of this county, as com- plete as I have been able to make from the data that I have fotind, in the spring of 1832. Just previous to the breaking ont of the war in 1832, there was quite an increase of set- tlers, many of whom left. Some stayed during the war and then left and I have not been able to learn their names.


ALbury, Griffith


Graft, Jolın


Allen, Archibald


Haskill, James


Bain, Jolın L.


Harlan, George W.


Sams, William F. Smith, Martin W. Stringfield, Sevier Smart, Josialı


Barrel, Jolín


Hultz, Uriah S.


Bartlett, Michael


Hubbard, Thomas


Sampson, H. Spencer, John W.


Burner, Edward


Hubbard, Goodridge


Brasher, William T.


Henderson, Cyrus


Spencer, Roswell H.


Benson, Henry


Hail, David B.


Thompson, William


Been, Joseph


IIenry, William


Bryant, Leonard


Heans, William


Case, Jonah H.


Hulls, M. S.


Case, Louden, Sr.


Haney, -


Vandruff, Joshua Vandruff, Henry


Case, Charles H.


Kinney, John W.


Vandruff, Samuel


Cook, Horace


Kinney, Samuel


Vanetta, Benjamin


Clark, B. W.


Kinney, Thomas


Vanetta, Gorham


Corbin, Edward


Kent, Erastus


Varner, Edward


Carr, William


Lovitt, Thomas


Wells, Levi


Culver, Martin


McCoy, Joseph


Wells, George


Danforth, Manly


McNeil, Henry


Wells, Joel, Sr.


Danforth, Joseph


Miller, George V.


Wells, Joel, Jr.


Davis, Thomas


McGee, Gentry


Wells, Huntington


Dance, Russel


McNeil, Neel


Wells, Jolın


Davenport, George


Maskal, James


Wells, Samuel


Davidson, Thomas


Noble, Ames C.


Wells, Rinnah


Frith, Isaialı


Pence, Judge


Wells, Asaph


French, Charles


Pike, Benjamin


Wells, Eri


Farnham, Russel


Reddislı, John


Wells, Ira


Gardiner, Thomas


Syins, Thomas


Wells, Nelson


Goble, Benjamin


Syms, Robert


Wells, Lucius


Gouquy, Antoine


Thompson, Joel Tunnell, Luther Tunnell, William


Case, Londen, Jr.


Johnson, Moses


The Kinneys above mentioned are the same whose names in the roster of the War Department are given as Kenney.


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J


BLACK HAWK.


Part IV


Fort Armstrong-Its Erection in 1816, Attempted Capture, Roster of its Commandants, The Powder Plot, As it Appeared in 1829, The Burning of the Fort in 1855.


Part IV


FORT ARMSTRONG.


The treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814, ended the war of 1812, but the failure of the American arms on the Upper Mississippi, the defeat and disaster of our three river expedi- tions by the Indians in that year, spread a feeling of gloom and uncertainty over all the settlers in the then northwest country. The Pre-emption Act of Congress, however, had the effect of causing the tide of emigration to set into Illinois. In order to afford onr settlers better protection the War Department decided to erect a number of forts on the Upper Mississippi, at such points where they would prove the most serviceable.


In his letter dated September 5, 1805, to General James Wilkinson, Lieutenant Pike says : "I have chosen three places for military establishments." None of these, however, was on the island of Rock Island. Vet Pike describes the site of Fort Armstrong as one that is suitable, if objection is mnade to the one chosen being on the west side of the river. and says there is "no water but that of the Mississippi."


During the war of 1812 the country around the mouth of Rock River had been the seat of most of the Indian trouble. Here was the leader of the Indians in this section of the country, and here was the largest Indian village, and its inhabitants were unfriendly to the Americans.


In September, 1815, the Eighth United States Infantry, un- der command of Colonel R. C. Nichols, left St. Louis for the upper river to locate and build a fort somewhere near the mouth of Rock River in the then Indian country, so that white settlers might have protection from the numerous tribes who had, previous to this, been incited against the Americans by the British soldiers and traders. In November the expedi-


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tion had only reached the Des Moines River, where it went into winter quarters. During the winter Colonel Nichols was placed under arrest and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel William Lawrence, major of the regiment, was placed in charge. In April, 1816, Brevet Brigadier General Thomas A. Smith, colo- nel of the rifle regiment, arrived with his regiment and took command. The expedition proceeded up the river, arriving at the inouth of Rock River early in May. The foot of the island of Rock Island was selected as the site for the fort and May 10 the troops were landed on the island and set to work cutting trees and quarrying rock. General Smith remained on the island only until proper shelter, protection and defense had been prepared for the troops and then with his rifle regiment went up the river to Prairie du Chien. Before leaving General Smith sent a messenger to the Sacs and Foxes at their village on Rock River inviting them to a council, but they refused to come.


The Eighth Infantry under Colonel Lawrence proceeded with the construction of the fort which, when completed, was named Fort Armstrong, in honor of General John Armstrong, then Secretary of War. The fort was 400 feet square, the lower half of the walls being of stone and the upper half of hewn logs. At the northeast, southeast and southwest angles block houses were built. The fort was at the extreme northwest angle, the corner of the fort being about 200 feet from the island end of the present bridge.


About the time the fort was completed the Indians beganl crossing to the island and would watch the soldiers in its con- struction. They would often sing and go through some of their dances to amuse the soldiers, and the latter began to think that the Indians were peaceful. The Hon. Bailey Davenport described an incident during this time that shows that the Indians had not become reconciled to the erecting of the fort. He said : "One day a small party came over to dance, and after the dance the colonel in command gave them presents. In a few days after, and while a large number of soldiers were out cutting timber, a large party of warriors, headed by the Ne-ka-le-quat, came over in canoes and landed on the north side of the island, and danced up to the entrance of the encampment, and wanted to enter and dance in front of


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the commander's tent. About the same time a large party of warriors was discovered approaching over the ridge from the south side of the island, headed by Keokuk. The colonel immediately ordered the bugle sounded to recall the soldiers from the woods, and had all under arms (about 600) and the cannon run out in front of the entrance, ready to fire. The Indians were ordered not to approach any nearer. The colonel, taking the alarm before Keokuk's party got near enough to rush in, saved the encampment from surprise and massacre."


Black Hawk does not mention this. In speaking of the building of the fort he said, "We did not, however, try to prevent their building the fort on the island, but we were very sorry, as this was the best island on the Mississippi, and had long been the resort of our young people during the sum- mer. It was our garden (like the white people have near their big villages), which supplied us with strawberries, blackberries, plums, apples, and nuts of various kinds ; and its waters supplied us with pure fish, being situated in the rapids of the river. In my early life I spent many happy days on this island."


S3


ROSTER AT THE FORT.


The officers and troops stationed at Fort Armstrong from August, 1819 (first return on file), until abandoned May 4, 1836, were as follows :


Date


Commanding Officers


Garrison


From


To


Lt. Col. Willoughby Morgan


1819


Capt. M. Marston 5th Inf. . Aug., 1819 June, 1821 Co. 17, 5th Inf.


Capt. S. Burbank, 5th Inf. . June, 1821


June, 1823


Co. D, 5tlı Inf.


June, 1823 June 4, 1825 Cos. D & F, 5th Inf. Maj. J. H. Vose, 5th Inf. . Capt. S. Burbank, 5th Inf. . June 4, 1825 May 21, 1826 Cos. D & F, 5th Inf.


Maj. J. H. Vose, 5th Inf. . . May 21, 1826 Oct. 9, 1827 Cos. E & H, 5tb Inf.


Capt. J. Plympton, 5th Inf. . Oct. 9, 1827 Apr. 28, 1828 Cos. E & II, 5th Inf.


Maj. S. Burbank, 5th Inf. . .


Capt. J. Green, 3d Inf. .


Apr. 28, 1828 Apr. 30, 1828 Cos. E & H, 5th Inf. Apr. 30, 1828, June, 1828 Cos. C & G, 3d Inf.


Capt. J. S. Nelson, 3d Inf. . Capt. J. Green, 3d Inf.


June, 1828 Aug. 13, 1828 Cos. C & G, 3d Inf.


Ang. 13, 1828 July 27, 1830 Cos. C & G, 30 1nf.


Capt. John Bliss, 3d Inf. . .


July 27, 1830 July 26, 1831/Cos. D & 11, 3d Inf.


Capt. T. J. Beall, 1st Inf. . July 26, 1831 Sept. 2, 1831 Cos. C & K, 1st Inf.


Maj. John Bliss, Ist Inf. . . Sept. 2, 1831 May 4, 1832 Cos. C & K, 1st Inf. Capt. T. J. Beall, 1st Inf. .


May 4, 1832 Oct. 26, 1832 Cos. C & K, 1st Inf.


Lieut. A. S. Miller, Ist Inf. . Oct. 26, 1832 Dec. 2, 1832 Cos. C & K, 1st Inf. Capt. T. F. Smith, 1st. Inf. . Dec. 2, 1832 June S, 1833 Cos. G & K, 1st Inf. Lt. Col. W. Davenport, 1st Inf. June 8, 1833 May 4, 1836 Cos. G & K. 1st Inf.


May 4, 1836, the fort was evacuated and the troops sent to Fort Snelling. Lieutenant Colonel William Davenport was in command at that time and he left Lieutenant John Beach of the infantry in charge with a few men to take care of the property. The fort was never re-garrisoned. November, 1836, Lieutenant Beach was ordered away and all the property was removed. From 1836 to 1838, General Street, Indian agent, had charge of the island, and he was succeeded by Colonel George Davenport who had been appointed Indian agent. In 1840 some of the buildings were repaired and an ordnance depot established at the fort, Captain W. R. Shoe- maker having charge until 1845, when the depot was broken up and the goods removed to St. Louis. Thomas L. Drum of Rock Island was custodian from 1845 to 1853. Ordnance Sergeant Cummings was in charge for a short time in 1853 and 1854; J. B. Danforth from 1854 to 1857, and H. V. Sly- maker from 1857 to 1863.




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