USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 5
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Had the counsel of Captain Dement been followed, at this time a conflict and loss of valuable lives might have been averted. On the captain's return with his scouting party to Dixon's Ferry, he informed the commanding general of the situation of Black Hawk, and the friendly attitude of those of his army they had met. No blood having been shed, he thought that the chief could have been induced to return peaceably to his home in Iowa; and the account afterward given by Black Hawk indicated that the captain was cor- rect in his judgment of the situation.
Said Black Hawk: "Never was I so much surprised in my life as I was in this attack. An army of three or four hundred, after having learned that we were suing for peace, to attempt to kill the flag-bearers that had gone, unarmed, to ask for a meeting of the war chiefs of the two contending parties to hold a council, that I might return to the west side of the Mississippi, to come forward, with a full determination to demolish the few braves I had with me, to retreat, when they had ten to one, was unaccountable to me. I sent a flag of peace to the American war chief, expecting as a matter of right, reason and justice, that our flag would be respected."
The expected provisions having reached Dixon's Ferry, the army again moved north, following the Indians to Fox river.
"The term of enlistment having expired, the volunteers demanded to be dismissed. They were mustered out May 26 or 27, and a new
49
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
call issued for volunteers. Whitesides and two or three hundred vol- unteers remained in arms for the protection of the settlers until the new levies could be organized. These, with several companies of regulars, made their headquarters at Dixon's Ferry. Ranging com- panies were formed to keep up communication between the lead mine region and more southern counties. Maj. Riley, of the United States army, converted the former residence of O. W. Kellogg, at Kellogg's Grove, thirty-seven miles northeast of Dixon, into a small, well appointed stockade, and other temporary fortifications were raised in different localities."
During this time Black Hawk was making the best possible way north to the Four Lakes, to find safety for his women and children.
" The fatal act of Stillman's men precipitated all the horrors of In- dian border warfare upon the white settlements in Jo Daviess coun- ty, as it then existed, and in the adjoining portions of Michigan Territory. Nor is it certain that all the outrages were perpetrated by the "British Band." It is certain that young Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes joined Black Hawk, and, after the war suddenly elosed at Bad Axe, it was ascertained that many of the murders had been committed by these Indians. Among the first results of " Still- man's defeat " was the descent of about twenty-five Indians upon an unprotected settlement at Indian creek, where they massacred fif- teen men, women and children, and captured two young women, Sylvia and Rachel Hall. These girls, seventeen and fifteen years old respectively, were afterward brought in by Winnebagoes to Gra- tiot Grove, and were ransomed for $2,000 in horses, wampum and trinkets. Part of the compensation agreed upon by Gen. Dodge for their ransom was paid to "Whirling Thunder," one of the Winne- bago chiefs, at Dixon's Ferry.
"The atrocities perpetrated by the Indians upon the bodies of their victims aroused the vengeance of the settlers and miners, many of whom had previously felt that the Indians were not so much in fault, and had needlessly been provoked to bloodshed. Un- expected and mortifying as the beginning of this war had been, its relinquishment was not dreamed of, and every effort was made to en- sure future protection. A fair wagon road was made from Dixon's Ferry to Rock Island, which was the base of supplies. Another road, but more imperfect, was made from Rock Island to Fort Koslı- kanong (near Madison, Wisconsin,) and to other temporary fortifica- tions. Conforming to the inevitable, a fort was constructed on the north side of the river, consisting of two block houses within an in- closure made by a breastwork of sod and earth four and a half feet high, and abutting on the river a few rods west of the ferry. The
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
northeast block house was two stories high, and was so arranged as to command the north and east sides of the fort. Here Captain Palmer was stationed with one company of United States infantry to guard the ferry, thus affording a safe and speedy passage to pass- ing troops at all times, endearing himself to citizens and soldiers alike by his gentlemanly bearing and deportment.
" On Saturday, May 19, Sergeant Fred Stahl (now a respected citi- zen of Galena) and four privates, with John Winters, the mail con- tractor, for guide, left Galena to bear dispatches to Gen. Atkinson, who had arrived at Dixon's Ferry. On the evening of that day they were ambuscaded by Indians just at the edge of Buffalo Grove, now in Ogle county. One of the party was instantly killed and the others narrowly escaped to Galena.
" May 23, Felix St. Vrain, agent for the Sacs and Foxes, bearer of dispatches, left Gen. Atkinson's headquarters, at Dixon's Ferry, accompanied by six men. At Buffalo Grove they found the body of the volunteer that had been killed a few days before, and buried it. The next day (24th) they were attacked by a party of thirty Indians, near "Kellogg's old place." St. Vrain and three others were killed. The remaining three escaped and arrived at Galena on the morning of the 26th.
"On the 15th of June the new levies of 3,000 volunteers, in camp at Fort Wilburn, near La Salle, were formed into three brigades, under command of Gen. Atkinson. The first brigade was commanded by Gen. Alexander Posey ; the second by Gen. Milton R. Alexander, and the third by Gen. James D. Henry. They moved to Dixon's Ferry a few days after.
"Capt. John Dement was elected major of an independent spy bat- talion, consisting of three companies of about 140 men, belonging to Gen. Posey's brigade. Maj. Dement was sent in advance of the main force to report Indian depredations that had been committed in the Bureau woods, to Col. Taylor at Dixon's Ferry. After scouring the woods he arrived at the river the evening of the second or third day. He arrived just after two companies of regulars had been driven in from an attempt to keep open the road between Galena and Dixon. Taylor met Dement as he arrived, and informed him that he had come just in time-that he had just the place for him, and directed him to swim his horses across the river in the morning and receive his orders. In Maj. Dement's command were men who had held nearly every office in the state from governor down. His men were fatigued from their long ride and expected a short rest when they arrived at the river. Dement, although ready to do his duty without flinching, was desirous of not appearing anxious to get his men prema-
51
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
turely into a fight, when the regulars could not hold their own, and a large force of volunteers were so soon to arrive; he therefore re- quested Col. Taylor, when he should deliver him his orders, to read them to his men, that they might know that he (Dement) was not re- sponsible for the movement. As they were ready to start, Taylor read the orders, and then addressed the men in a very abrupt man- ner, alluding to the unfortunate propensity of the Illinois militia for running away, and said that if they wished to sacrifice the reputation of the militia, already so poor, they had an opportunity to do so.
" Maj. Dement replied that the discontent Col. Taylor alluded to was greatly exaggerated, and its cause by no means understood, and allusion to the courage of the soldiers, unjust and entirely uncalled for from men who, with the experience of the regular army would entrench themselves behind walls and send to the front men who had never seen service. Then telling his men that none need obey his orders to march that didn't wish to go, he moved off, and all, save one man, followed, and he came up after they had gone a short distance. By evening of the second day they arrived at the stockade at Kellogg's Grove, and encamped. In the morning, learn- ing that an Indian trail had been seen four or five miles from the grove where they were encamped, the major called for twenty-five volun- teers to go and investigate. These were immediately forthcoming, and among them were the only captains he had in his command. These men started just before sunrise, leaving Maj. Dement giving instructions to those who remained, and on reaching the edge of the grove they discovered seven Indians a few hundred yards on the prairie. The cry of "Indians !" was raised, when the men in the grove sprang to their horses in confusion, and by the time Maj. Dement had brought them to order and finished his instructions, the volunteers were a mile out on the prairie in pursuit. Being splendidly mounted Maj. Dement rapidly overtook a number of them, but sev- eral were too far in advance ; the Indians making for another grove some three miles away, where Dement was convinced a large num- ber of Indians lay concealed. Finding it was impossible to overtake some five or six who were in advance, on arriving at a ridge some 400 yards from the grove to which the Indians were running, he halted the remainder of his men and formed line. As he feared, on nearing the grove those in advance were received with a warm fire, which killed two and wounded a third, and with hideous yells a large body of Indians poured from the grove, extending to the right and left, to outflank the little band, and rapidly approached. They were all mounted, stripped to the skin, and painted for battle. As the Indians reached the bodies of the dead soldiers a large number sur-
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
rounded them, clubbing and striking the lifeless remains. A volley from the rifles of Maj. Dement's men killed two or three at this point, but by the time two or three men had reached the ridge, the Indians were close upon them, and were on both flanks. Then came an exciting race for the grove, Indians yelling, bullets flying, and woe to the man whose horse stumbled or gave out !
" Here occurred an unfortunate circumstance: Three men whose horses had strayed during the night had, early in the morning, gone out in search of them, and were now caught on one of the flanks. The Indians swept over them, killing every one.
"The men in the grove hearing the firing and yelling, instead of remaining in ambush as they had been instructed, mounted in hot haste and started to the rescue of their comrades. On discovering the superior force of the Indians, they fell back again and reached the grove with 970 men, and almost neck and neck with the Indians, sprang from their horses and occupied the log house and barn there situated. On the least exposed side of the house was a work-bench ; over this Dement threw his bridle rein, and most of the horses in- stinctively huddled together at this house as if conscious of danger. As the Indians swarmed into the grove and covered themselves, an ominous stillness for some minutes prevailed, which was soon broken by the sharp crack ! crack ! of many rifles. The best marksmen and best rifles were placed at the port-holes and a lively fire was kept up by the little garrison. The Indians finding they made no impression turned their attention to shooting the horses, some twenty- five of which they killed. It was unpleasant to the volunteers, who rode their own horses, to hear the crack of the rifle and the heavy thud of the bullet and see some favorite horse spring as the ball struck it. After a sharp contest of an hour or two, the Indians withdrew. leaving nine dead and losing probably several others killed and wounded. Reinforcements were sent for the relief of Dement from Dixon's Ferry, but too late to assist him or follow the retreat- ing body of Indians.
"It is a remarkable fact that this was the first instance during this war where the Indians were defeated and the position of the volun- teers held until reinforcements came up. Previous to this the de- tachments of troops were always driven back to the main army by the overwhelming numbers of Indians. After this fight the Indians would not come to open battle of their own volition with the whites, and the only fights that occurred were when the soldiers overtook the Indians in their retreat ; which style of warfare continued until hostilities ceased with Black Hawk's surrender in August."
Black Hawk described the battle in which he claimed to have two
-
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THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
hundred warriors in the following manner : " We started in a direc- tion toward sunrise. After marching a considerable time I discovered some white men coming toward us. I told my braves that we would get into the woods and kill them when they approached. We con- cealed ourselves until they came near enongh and then commenced yelling and firing and made a rush upon them. About this time their chief, with a party of men, rushed np to rescue the men we had fired upon. In a little while they commenced retreating and left their chief and a few braves who seemed willing and anxious to fight. They acted like braves, but were forced to give way when I rushed upon them with my braves. In a short time the chief returned with a larger party. He seemed determined to fight and anxions for a battle. When he came near enough I raised the yell and firing com- menced on both sides. The chief, who seemed to be a small man, addressed his warriors in a loud voice, but they soon retreated, leav- ing him and a few braves on the battle-field. A great number of my warriors pursued the retreating party and killed a number of their horses as they ran. The chief and his few braves were unwilling to leave the field. I ordered my braves to rush upon them. and had the mortification of seeing two of my chiefs killed before the enemy retreated. This young chief, Col. Dement, deserves great praise for his courage and bravery. During the attack we killed several men and about forty horses, and lost two young chiefs and seven warriors."
Gen. Atkinson commenced his slow and cantions march up the river about the 25th of June, and finally reached lake Koshkanong, Wis- consin, where he was joined by Gen. Alexander's brigade, and then continued his march to White river, or Whitewater, where he was joined by Posey's brigade and Maj. Dodge. Gen. Alexander, Gen. Henry and Maj. Dodge were sent to Fort Winnebago for supplies. Here they heard that Black Hawk was making his way toward the Wisconsin river, and, disobeying orders. Henry and Dodge started in pursuit (Gen. Alexander and his brigade returned to Gen. Atkin- son), struck the broad fresh trail of the Indians, and followed them with tireless energy. Black Hawk was overtaken at the Wisconsin river, and his braves offered battle to enable the women and children to cross the river. The battle of Wisconsin Heiglits was fought on July 22, 1832, at which the Indians were badly whipped. Skirmish- ing commenced a little after noon, but the heaviest fighting was about sunset. Abont ten o'clock the men bivonacked for rest on their arms.
The next morning not an Indian remained on the east side of the Wisconsin. Gen. Henry pushed back for supplies, and Gen. Atkin- son's forces coming up. the pursuit was renewed and the battle of
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Bad Axe was fought August 2, 1832. This terminated the war, and Black Hawk's surrender, subsequent visit to Washington, and return to his people in Iowa, are events familiar to the reader. Black HIawk claimed : "In this skirmish with fifty braves I defended and accomplished my passage over the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) with a loss of only six men, though opposed by a host of mounted militia."
At the close of the war the United States troops that had not previously been discharged were mustered out at Dixon's Ferry. The pack horses from all the territory between Dixon and the Wis- consin river, the mining region and the scene of Black Hawk's de- feat were gathered and corraled here, preparatory to being driven farther south for sale in more densely settled portions of the state. The wounded and sick soldiers were brought here and carefully nursed and cared for.
By the terms of Gen. Scott's treaty at Rock Island the Winne- bago Indians were to have 40,000 rations of bacon and flour, as a remuneration for the suffering's they had endured during the sum- mer by the occupation of their hunting grounds. The rations for the Rock river band of that nation were moved here in boats from Rock Island, and Father Dixon appointed to distribute it to the Indians at his discretion.
It is an interesting circumstance that at this remote outpost of civilization there met a number of men since famous or infamous in their country's service: Gen. Scott, Col. Zachary Taylor, subse- quently president of the United States ; Gov. Reynolds, and Gen. Atkinson; Lieut. Robert Anderson, the defender of Fort Sumter ; Maj. John Dement, now of Dixon ; private Abraham Lincoln, after- ward president of the United States during the rebellion ; and Lieut. Jeff. Davis, afterward the leader of the rebellion. These were all here in their country's service.
When Maj. Anderson visited Washington after the evacuation of Fort Sumter, during a conversation the president said : " Major, do you remember of ever meeting me before ?" "No," replied Ander- son, "I have no recollection of ever having that pleasure. " My memory is better than yours," said Lincoln, "You mustered me into the U. S. service as a high private of the Illinois volunteers at Dixon's Ferry in the Black Hawk war."
During this war, and, in fact, for years after, Father Dixon's log house was a "house of call" for the traveler and the wandering tribes of red-men. There might have been seen the raw-boned Hoosier bound for the lead mines, yellow-breeched Sucker with his boat-shaped " prairie schooner," with four, five or six yoke of oxen; the tramping hunter, the Pottawatomie, the cunning Winnebago, or
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THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
the treacherous Sioux ; all these were welcomed under the hospitable roof of the white-haired pioneer, whom the Indians called Na-chusa -the white-haired-and were made to keep the peace with one an- other about the friendly fireside of him whom both the red and the white man loved and respected.
Early in the spring of 1833 the Winnebago Indians became res- tive, and many families again abandoned the homes to which they had so recently returned. Father Dixon's old counselor could not talk so assuring of his own tribe as in 1832. He frankly admitted the trouble that was likely to follow, and faithfully said that the tem- per of his people was too uncertain for assured peace. The peaceful family in the old log house was broken up, and mother Dixon, with the children, went to Peoria county, and remained there until the war-cloud passed over. The last of the Indians left in 1836.
During the Black Hawk war Father Dixon had the contract for supplying the army with beef from the time the Wisconsin river was crossed until the final battle of the Bad Axe river. His place on the march was in the rear of the army, and many times he was left so far behind as to be out of supporting distance. It so happened on the march, that at one time midnight was passed before he came to camp. He was hailed by the sentinel with the snap of the lock of the gun in the sentinel's hands and the words: "Who comes there ?" Father Dixon replied : " Major of the Steer Battalion." The soldier gave the order: "Major of the Steer Battalion, march in." This sally of wit on both sides was the foundation of Father Dixon's military title. Another time he had been off the trail hunt- ing one of his beeves, and on again returning to the trail he suddenly found himself face to face with two Indians, who were as much as- tonished at the meeting as he was. It was no time for ceremony. All were armed ; Father Dixon lowered his gun and, walking about five rods, gave his hand to the nearest savage, saluting him in Win- nebago. The Indian replied in Winnebago. Father Dixon and both the Indians were alike overjoyed at this unexpected good fortune- Father Dixon, that he was permitted to save his scalp for another day ; the Indians, that they had found some one understanding their own language, under whose influence they could safely be introduced to Gen. Atkinson, for whom they had important dispatches. Their life was endangered to be seen by a soldier, and they felt their peril and were in serious embarrassment about how to approach the army.
The Black Hawk Canoe .- On the surrender of Black Hawk at the battle of Bad Axe his canoe was captured and afterward broken into pieces and carried off as relics. One fragment of black walnut timber fell into the hands of Mr. Geo. J. Anderson, of Dixon, who
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
worked it into three walking-sticks, and on the occasion of an old settlers' reunion at Dixon, one, which had been mounted with a golden head, was publicly presented to Col. John Dement as a memento of his conflict in battle with the brave warrior during the Black Hawk war. The presentation was made by Dr. Oliver Everett, of Dixon. It was a complete surprise to Col. Dement, and awakened emotions through vivid recollections of the scenes of early military life. Mr. Anderson holds in possession one of the three canes, for which he has refused the liberal sum of ten dollars, although it is unfinished and unmounted with gold or silver.
AFTER THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
Peace and quiet were soon restored at Dixon's Ferry, and there were signs of returning travel and consequent prosperity.
The first notion store was opened in 1833, in the block-house which stood on the north side of the river, by a Mr. Martin, " where," says a pioneer writer, " the prime necessaries of life were sold ; such as pipes, tobacco, tea, coffee and sugar were sold to meet the wants of advancing civilization. Life's luxuries, -shoes, boots and clothes, -were not yet so imperative."
In the winter of 1833 and 1834 a school was opened in the house partly built by Ogee and finished by Mr. Dixon. This was the first house erected at the Ferry, and this the first school opened in the bounds of Lee county. The pioneer writer, in the History of Dixon, says of this school : "Unpretentiously it was the pioneer of the more costly school edifices of our town. Its teacher and only one of its scholars survive to live in memory of its feeble infancy. There are structures where better facilities can be had for a sound education, but none are found where a more genuine good will prevails than existed in that old log house."
Mr. John Dixon having secured under the preëmption laws the northeast quarter of section 5, township 21, range 9 east, of 4th prin- cipal meridian, he laid out the first plat of the present city of Dixon as early as 1834 or 1835; a Mr. Bennett, from Galena, making the survey. The second house built at Dixon's Ferry was on the south side of the river, and was built by James Dixon, back of where the Exchange building now stands. It was a log cabin about sixteen fe t square, with a small "lean-to" built against the east side of the house used as the village post-office, where Mr. John Dixon distrib- uted the mail to his neighbors. It is stated by old citizens that this house and the old block-house on the north side of the river disappeared about 1855. The foundation of the latter has just been exposed by the rushing of high waters in the Rock river at this
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AFTER THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
writing, April 1881. After the close of the war the Indians lingered in the vicinity of Lee county until 1836, when the last wandering tribes of the red-men disappeared.
John K. Robinson, who came to Dixon's Ferry in May 1832, and made his home with Mr. J. Dixon, and who now resides at Men- dota, this state, writes : "In 1833, the last week of December, Zachariah Malugin, with myself as his only assistant, built the first house in Lee county, outside of Dixon, at the grove that still bears his name. There was no other settlement made in Lee county that year. A few months later the families of Gilmore and Christance came to Malugin's Grove in the spring of 1835.
In 1833 and 1834 a settlement began in the southern part of the county, in what is now known as East Grove township. Of this neighborhood were Joseph Smith, H. W. Bogardus, Charles Falvey, and F. Anderson, who settled in that early day, built their cabins, and commenced opening up farms for their future homes.
About this time improvements were opened at Sugar Grove, now in Palmyra township, in the northwest part of the county, where, in April 1834, Isaac Morgan and his sons, Harvey and John, com- menced the first improvements in that part of the county, and they were joined by a number of families the autumn of the same year, among whom may be mentioned Mr. Wright, Mr. Tomlin, Capt. Oliver Hubbard, and John H. Page. In 1834 Stephen Fellows, with a family of eight, Michael, Simon, Samuel, William, Alfred, George, Albion, and Stephen. Absalom Fender, with a large family, came in 1835, and also W. W. Bethea. To these were soon added C. B. Anthana, Anson Thummel, Geo. L. Herrick, Jack Keplinger, Enoch and Noah Thomas with their father, Nathan Morehouse, two brothers, Sandy and Elkanah Bush, and Martin Richardson. These families, with others who are worthy of note, but whose names will appear in the chapter on Palmyra, soon attracted attention to the fertile lands and beautiful groves of the northwest neighborhood, and others followed soon to swell the number of the new settlement.
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