History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 55

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 55

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).

In 1812, emissaries from the British lage. The number of warriors under arrived at Rock Island with goods, and his command was estimated at from succeeded in securing Black Hawk with four to six hundred men. Black Hawk 500 warriors to go with Col. Dixon to and his band landed on the west side of Canada. When they reached Green the Mississippi, a few miles below Rock Bay, there were assembled bands of the Island, and there encamped. General Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes Gaines sent a peremptory order to him

THE BLACK HAWK WAR IN 1832.

During the winter of '31 and '32, rumors were rife that Black Hawk and his band were dissatisfied, restless, and preparing for further demonstrations of war. A chief of the Winnebagoes, who then had a village on Rock river, some thirty miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, joined Black Hawk, who was located on the west bank of the father of rivers. The chief had great influence with Black Hawk and his band. He made them believe that all the tribes on Rock river would join them, and that together they could bid defiance to the whites. By this unwise council, Black Hawk resolved to re-cross the river, which he did in the winter of 1832. That move proved to be their destruction. Through his influence and zeal Black Hawk encouraged many of the Sacs and Foxes to join him at the head of his determined warriors. He first assembled them at Fort Madison, on the Mississippi; subsequently, marched them up the river to the Yellow Banks, where he pitched his tent April 6th, 1832. This armed array of savages soon alarmed the settlers, and a general panic spread through the whole fron- tier, from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. Many settlers in terror abandoned their homes and farms, and the governor decided, on the 16th of April, to call out a large number of volunteers to operate in conjunction with Gen. Atkinson, who was then in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d of April. The following is a copy of an address by Gov. Reynolds to the people of the state, during the crisis then pending :

" To the Militia of the northwestern section of the state.

" FELLOW-CITIZENS:

" Your country requires your services. The

220

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Indians have assumed a hostile attitude, and have invaded the state in violation of the treaty of last summer. The British band of Saes and other hostile Indians, headed by Black- IIawk, are in possession of the Rock river country, to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I warriors fought with the spirit born of James D. Henry, lieutenant-colonel ; desperation. Black Hawk says in his and John Thomas as major. A part of book that he tried at Stillman's run to the company of Captain A. W. Snyder call back his warriors, as he thought the made a temporary stand at Kellogg's whites were making a sham retreat in Grove, a small tract of timber in La- consider the settlers on the frontier to be in order to draw him into an ambuscade of salle county, seventeen miles northeast imminent danger. I am in possession of the the whole army under Gen. Whiteside. of Ottawa. Near the grove several sol- above information from gentlemen of respecta- ble standing, and also from General Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts, I have hesi- tated not 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 danger. I have called out a large detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abundance. I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations, and offer their ser- vices, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerfulness in defence of their countrymen. JOHN REYNOLDS." The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman diers were killed. The facts, briefly and his army was, in a measure, demor- stated, were : Captain Snyder and com- alizing to the entire forces. Undoubt- pauy-in all twenty-five men-watched edly, the cause of the defeat was a lack the movements of the Indians, and came of discipline. When Governor Reynolds upon them when within two or three learned of the disaster of Major Stillman, miles of the grove, concealed in a ravine. he at once ordered out two thousand The company rushed on them with cau- additional volunteers. With that promp- tion from tree to tree. A soldier, seeing titude characteristic of the old " War one of the Indians exposed, prepared to Governor," he wrote out by candlelight shoot him, but was too late. The Indian on the evening of Stillman's defeat, the shot first, and the soldier was mortally order for additional troops, and by day- wounded. Vengeance was swift, and the light despatched John Ewing, Robert Indians, five in number, bit the dust. A Blackwell, and John A. Wakefield to distribute the order to the various coun- The volunteers again promptly of thirst. Drs. Roman, Jarrot and Cor- responded.

To the stirring appeal of the gover- nor, the patriotic citizens of the state ties. and Madison county nobly responded in both campaigns of '31-'32. Many of the

litter was made, whereon to carry the wounded men. Soon they complained nelius, with a couple of soldiers, started down a ravine, in search of water. On their way they were fired upon by am- bushed Indians, and the two soldiers were killed. The Indians were so close,

On the 10th of July the army dis- best and most prominent men of the banded for want of provisions. General county enlisted to protect the frontier Scott arrived soon afterward with a large and preserve the honor of the state, and events of the Black Hawk war. force at the post of Chicago, to effect if did signal service in the memorable possible a treaty with the Indians. that the faces of the slain were powder- Small detachments of Black Hawk's burned. That the three doctors escaped

The force marched to the mouth of warriors would persistently hang on the was really miraculous. Before prepara- Rock river, where General Atkinson re- outskirts of the main body of the army, tions could be made for wreaking ven- thieve and plunder, and pounce upon geance upon the Indians, they had fled, and kill the lonely sentinel or straggling and on the 19th of June, 1832, the soldier. On the 15th of July the soldiers twenty days' men were discharged. This were reviewed, and those incapable of ended the campaign and the Black-

ceived the volunteers into the United States service and assumed command. Black Hawk and his warriors were still up on the Rock river.

The army under Atkinson commenced duty were discharged and returned home. Hawk war.

its march up the river on the 9th of May. Poquette, a half-breed, and a Winnebago At the battle of the Bad Axe, Black- Gov. Reynolds, the gallant "Old Ran- chief, the "White Pawnee," were select- Hawk and some of his warriors escaped ger," remained with the army, and the ed for guides to the camp of Black Hawk the Americans, and went up the Wis- President recognized him as a major- and band. Several battles and skir- consin river, but subsequently surren- general, and he was paid accordingly. mishes occurred with the enemy, the dered himself. Fort Armstrong, on His presence in the army did much to- principal of which was on the banks of Rock Island, was the place appointed ward harmonizing and conciliating those the Mississippi, where the warriors fought where a treaty would be made with the it also sought out its many victims in jealousies which generally exist between with great desperation. Over one hun- Indians, but before it was effected that volunteers and regular troops. Major dred and fifty were killed in the engage- dreadful scourge, the cholera of '32, ment, and large numbers drowned in visited not only the regular army, de- attempting to swim the river. After the pleting its ranks far more rapidly than battle the volunteers were marched to the balls of the Indians had done, but Dixon, where they were discharged.

John A. Wakefield and Colonel Ewing acted as spics for a time in the campaign of '32, to discover the location of the enemy, if possible. A Mr. Kinney acted as guide for them; he understood the Immediately after their discharge, the dusky bands of the Black-Hawk hostilities on the part of the Indians tribe. were reopencd, and Governor Reynolds Sac dialect. On the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's command had a sort of On the 15th September, 1832, a treaty called for twenty days' volunteers from was made with the Winnebago Indians. among the discharged men, for the pro- They sold out all their lands in Illinois running battle with the Indians at or near what is now known as Stillman's run, a small, sluggish stream. In the tection of the frontier settlements. Many and all south of the Wisconsin river and engagement eleven white men and eight Indians were killed. Black Hawk and promptly responded, and a regiment was west of Green bay, and the government organized, with Jacob Fry as colonel ; gave them a large district of country

221

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

west of the Mississippi, and ten thousand dollars a year for seven years, besides providing free schools for their children for twenty years, oxen, agricultural implements, etc., etc.

September 21st, 1832, a treaty was made with all the Sae and Fox tribes, on which they ceded to the United States the tract of country, on which a few years afterward the state of Iowa was formed. In consideration of the above cession of lands, the government gave them an annuity of twenty thousand dollars for thirty years, forty kegs of tobacco and forty barrels of salt, more gunsmiths, blacksmith shop, etc., etc.,

six thousand bushels of corn for imme- company of the First Regiment, com- diate support, mostly intended for the manded by Col. John Thomas of the Black Hawk band. Brigade of Mounted Volunteers of the

The treaties above mentioned termi- Illinois Militia, and commanded by nated favorably, and the security re- Brigadier General Samuel Whiteside. sulting therefrom gave a new and rapid Was mustered out of the United States impetus to the development of the state, service at the mouth of Fox river, Illi- and now enterprising towns and villages, nois, May 27th, 1832. The distance and beautiful farms, adorn the rich and from place of enrollment, Madison alluvial prairies that before were only county, Ill., 284 miles. desecrated by the wild bands who in-

labited them. Agricultural pursuits, Solomon Preuitt, elected April 19th, 1832, commerce and manufactures, churches elected Lieut. Col. April 28th, 1832. and schools, are lending their influence First Lieutenant. Josiah Little, elected Captain April 28th, 1832. Second Lieutenant. to advance an intelligent and prosperous people.

Below we append a roster of the sol- diers of the Black Hawk war who enlis- ted from Madison county.

Muster Roll of Captain Julius L. Barnsback's company of Mounted Volun- teers of the First Regiment of the Brigade, under the command of Gen. Whiteside. This company was orga- nized at Edwardsville. It was mustered Thomas Akins.

out of the service at the mouth of Fox . John E. Ilankins. river, Illinois, May 28th, 1832. Dis- tance 284 miles from the place of en- listment.

Captain.

Julius L. Barnsback.

First Lieutenant.

Ryland Ballard.

Second Lieutenant.

Jesse Bartlett.

First Sergeant.

Jacob J. Kinder.

Sergeants.

Mathias Hanlan. Stephen Gaskill. Henry Armstrong. Corporals.

Robert Murphy. Isham M. Gillham. John E. Sharp. Isaac MeLane.

Privates.

Armstrong, Williani. Hamilton, William.

Armstrong, David.

Hood, Aaron.

Bartlett, Martin S.

Johnson, Charles.

Bartlett, Nicholas. Johns, James.

Bowles, Stephen. Knight, James.

Burge, William. Kell, William.

Barnsback, George.

Bowles, Anstin.

Motley, Obediah C.

Colyer, Charles.

Cox, John B.

Dove, John.

Day, Fauntleroy.

Ford, Aaron.

Flinn, Joseph.

Guthrie, Ilenry.

Gillhanı, John F. Van Hoozer, Joliu.

Ilart, Ilenry. Wall, JJohn A.

Hart, John. W'all, David.

Weeks, Robert W.

Muster Roll of Captain Josiah Little's

Sccond Lieutenant.

Richard Randle.

First Sergeant. William Tindall.

Sergeants.

William Torrence. William G. Martin.

John Montgomery,

Corporals.

Josias T. Randle, Henry H. West,

Milton Gingles, Benj. Stephenson.

Privates.

Adams, O. M., Montgomery, William,

Beers, Henry,

Owens, John,

Carey, Thomas,

Otwell, Ceylon Y.,

Cochran, Hugh E.,

Prickett, John,

Carson, John,

Powell, Arkansas,

Dugger, Alfred,

Kandle, Peter W'.,

Gillespie, Joseph, Gracey, James T.,

Shields, G. R.,

llerrington, Charles, IJolman, Nath., Shields, Alexander, Stice, Charles, Hamilton, Samuel, Steele, Jesse, Starr, William E.,

Howard, Abraham, Journey, Ninian E ..

Lusk, Marquis,

Voyles, Abel,

McCullock, Samuel,

Walker, John L., Yates, Elijalı.

Muster Roll of Captain Aaron Arm- strong's Company of Mounted Volun- teers, commanded by Maj. Nathaniel Buckmaster, commanding a Battalion and stationed for the protection of the frontier between Ottawa and Chicago, at Fort Walker, Illinois, 290 miles from Edwardsville, Madison county, in which county the company was recruited. It was first commanded by Capt. N. Buck- master, of Allon, until the 20th of June, 1832, when he was promoted, and Lieut. Aaron Armstrong took command of the company, and received the commission of Captain. It was mustered out of service July 26th, 1832.

Major. Nathaniel Buckmaster.

Captain.

Aaron Armstrong.

Whiteside, Thomas.

Muster Roll of Capt. Erastus Wheel- er's Company of the Brigade, Mountain Volunteers, commanded by Gen. Samuel Whiteside. This enlistment was made for sixty days' service, and was muster- ed out at the mouth of Fox River, Illi- nois, the 28th of May, 1832, being 295 miles from the place of enrollment.

Captain.

Erastus Wheeler.

First Lieutenant.

John T. Lusk.

Norman, James.

Page, Robert.

Ralph, William.

Scanland, Lewis W.

Sample, James. Smith, Levi. Smith, E. C.,

Captain.

Jacob Swaggart, on furlough. First Sergeant. William Arundell, elected Second Lieutenant April 28tb, 1832.

Second Sergeant. Joseph Squire, cleeted Ist Serg't Apr. 28, 1832.

Sergeants.

James R Wood. James Sanders.

Corporals. John Lawrence. Isaiah Dunnagan.

Privates.

Barnett, Benj. F. Keykendall, William. Lee. V'insant.

Bridges, Madison. Basy, Newton. Linton, James.

Beck, Sanford. More. Abel. Prenitt, Solomon.

Barr. Zachariah.

Chapman, Enoch.

Palmer, Sarril.

Cochran, William C.

Chapman. Joseph. Davis, William. Dunnagan, John M. Dickson, Thomas. Edwards, Cvrns. Evans, William. Fiene, James. Gillham, Josiah R. Gillham, Marcus. Ilarris, Meeds A. IInmes, Willis. Hodges, James II.

' Harkleroad, John. Job, Levi. Jones, George.

Robberts, Absalom. Robberts, Elijalı. Rose, Francis, Robberts, William, Jr. Rogers, Jonathan. Rice, Elias. Sanders, William. Stont, Christopher. Solomon, John. Scarritt, James. Surls, William. Starkey, Russel. Sowell, Lewis C. Scanland, Stephen. Sowell, William. Smith, Elias.

Cleveland, Lorin,

Pearce, Robert P.,

Robinson, Allen,

Vanhooser, Valentine,

MeElroy, James, McMahan, Robert,

Jones, Martin. Walker, Philip V.

Job, Samuel. Wood, Jesse. Kirigan, Edward. Waddle, James.

Merry, David W.

222

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

First Licutenant.

Jacob Swaggard. Promoted to this position June 20th, 1832.

Second Lieutenant.

William Tindall. Promoted to this position June 20th, 1832.

The following incident is furnished by be overtaken ; and the sequel will show Judge Joseph Gillespie, a member of that they were making for a large party Capt. Erastus Wheeler's company of of their people, of whose vicinity we mounted volunteers, and afterward pro- were ignorant where we killed the Indi- moted battalion paymaster : ans and we were within about three miles

First Sergeant. " The first call for troops for the Black from our encampment at the grove, Hawk war in 1832 were disbanded at where a large part of our force was left Samuel P. Gillham. Ottawa, and volunteers were called in the morning. We made a stretcher on Sergeants. John P. Dyo, Henry Beer, Nicholas Felker. to remain and guard the frontier until which to carry the wounded man, and the arrival of the second call. A com- men were detailed to carry him. These pany was made up of these volunteers men would give up their horses and Corporals. Martin Bridges, William McAninch, Calvin Kinder, George Milton. from Madison and St. Clair. They, to- guns to their comrades until relieved. gether with some regular officers (Maj. The men were scattered along without Privates. Riley was one) started to cross the couu- any regard to order ; some were a quar- Adams, Washington F., Johnson, Charles, ty to Galena. We camped one night at ter of a mile ahead of those who were Armstrong, William, Kennedy, George F., Kellogg's grove, somewhere between carrying the wounded man, some having Avers, David, MeFarland, William, Atkins, Eber, Murphy, Robert, Brewer, Rice, Mahuron, John, Rock river and Galena. We occupied two guns and two horses, some going to Bensell, Charles E., Piper, William, Doney, Robert, Day, Philip S., Fruit, Franklin, Rice, George, Smith, Asa G., Sampson, Peter, a large barn. The night was very dark, get their horses and guns after being and one of our sentinels was shot at and relieved. While things were iu this con- a horse stolen. In the morning a party dition Meckemson begged for water and started to try to overtake the Indians. two squads were sent, one to each side Goodwin, Abner, Swaggart, Samuel, Gittham, John F., Shirtlofft, John. Giltham, Isom M., Thompson, William, Gitlham, William, Taylor, Elijah, Vincent, John, Waddle, George, Hank, Daniel, They were making west, apparently for of the ridge, to find something to quench the Mississippi river. We followed the thirst of the dying man. The squad their trail for fifteen or twenty miles, that went down on the west side went when they discovered us coming down a into an ambuscade and were fired upon, Hart, Henry, Hart, Pleasant, Whittington, James, Howard, Abram, Washburn. John A., long ridge. We did not see them un- and one man, Dr. Jarrot, was wounded. Johns, James, Wethers, Enoch B., til we were on the ground where they The men instantly retreated to where Jackson, Lon, Wright, David. had stopped, and from which they Meckemson lay, the Indians following A tribute here is due to Gen. James first sighted us. They wheeled around with a yell, and cut off his head with a D. Henry, who was once a citizen of and took nearly the back track. This tomahawk. In the scattered and con- Edwardsville, and afterward moved to movement balked us a considerable fused condition of the men they were Springfield. Among those who dis- time. We thought the Indians would unable to protect the wounded man ; all tingnished themselves in this war, none naturally keep on in the direction of that could be done was to fall back to a were more efficient as an officer than he. the river to which they had been tend- cluster of men, who were further ahead It was his foresight and determination ing. After upwards of half an hour when Meckemson asked for water and that enabled the army to overtake the we again struck the trail, making back. to be laid down, which was perhaps a Indians at Fort Winnebago. He was In a couple of hours we discovered four quarter of a mile. There a rally was the chief officer in command at the Indians, more than a mile ahead of us, made and some persons sent to the grove battle of the Wisconsin, which followed going up a long ridge. We had a very for reinforcements, and a rambling fire the first real victory of the campaign, deep stream with steep banks to cross took place between us and the Indians and the battle of the Bad axe, which before reaching them, and were delayed without any damage to either side. practically closed it. An ardent ad- mirer of the General says: "He was exceedingly modest and retiring till his passions were fully aroused, and then he showed an intensity of feeling and iron a considerable time in getting our horses Neither side advanced to meet the other, across. We however followed as rapid- and soon the redskins disappeared, and ly as our horses would carry us. We we, for fear of another ambuscade, finally overtook them, they ensconcing declined to follow. We then leisurely themselves in a dry branch which had took up our line of march for our en- will, which was irresistible so far as he been washed quite deep in wet weather. campment and soon met Major Riley had power to act. The fear of nothing but his Maker ever entered his breast, and he knew and cared as little for We surrounded and killed them, but in |with reinforcements, but, as it was get- doing so fatally shot and killed a ting dark, we all wended our way back. man from St. Clair county, named Mec- Next morning we visited the scene of danger and death as a marble statue. kemson. The Indians tried to surrender, the ambuscade and found that there had At the close of the war he was the most but we, as some of us supposed, very on- been Indians enough there to whip us popular man in Illinois, and had he lived he could have been elected to any office in the gift of the people." He died at

mercifully refused to accept their offer. If out of our boots, but they evidently ex- we had done so Meckemson's life would pected that we would follow them into have been saved. It excited the sur- the thicket where they would have had New Orleans on the 4th of March, 1834, prise of some of the men that the In- us at their mercy. My connection with whither he had gone for the benefit of dians should have taken the back track the service ended soon after this, as we his health.

after they found that they were about to were disbanded and returned home."

223

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

BLACK HAWK WAR.

Two or three other companies were

toward the Fort with 2,300 men, and on Oregon, south of the usually travelled the 8th of May, met the enemy under course. While in California, in 1846, organized besides those above given but the command of Gen. Arista, at Palo he heard that the Mexican commander on account of the records at Springfield Alto. The Mexicans, with a force of in this territory was raising a force to being imperfect we are unable to give 6,000 men were signally defeated and expel the American settlers from that their rosters ; all have been gleaned forced to fall back to Resaea de la province, and about the same time re- that are accessible. Those who volun- Palma. They were followed by Gen. ceived instructions from Washington to teered in 1831, were substantially the Taylor's forces, and the following day protect the interest of the States in Cali- same persons whose names appear in the the armies again met, when the Ameri- fornia. The American settlers came to rosters of 1832. Capt. Erastus Wheeler cans were victorious, losing only about the rescue, and after several conflicts commanded a company in 1831, and the 100 men, while the Mexicans sustained the Mexicans were routed and com- names of those who do not appear in his 'a loss of ten times that number. pelled to abandon the territory. At the company of 1832, from Madison county are I. B. Randle, Howard Clark, and Elijah Taylor. In the latter year Capt. the United States, and on the 11th of 1846. David Smith, from Alton, also com- manded a company. Charles Sebastian, pany.

The news of the capture of Thorn- advice of Fremont the settlers declared ton's party created great excitement in their independence of Mexico, July 5th,

Soon after the war had actually begun, 1.

May, Congress declared war against Mexico. Volunteers were called for, the authorities at Washington concluded of Edwardsville, belonged to his com- and the ranks were speedily filled. to send an army to take the Capital of Three campaigns were planned by the Mexico. General Scott was placed in United States for the invasion of Mexico. command, and carly in 1847, his forces WAR WITH MEXICO. This conflict was caused by a question arising between the United States and Mexico, relating to the territorial boun- One under Gen. Taylor to operate on landed at Vera Cruz, and were subsequent- the line of the Rio Grande from Mata- ly joined by the main body of Taylor's moras. Gen Kearney was to invade the army. This was one of the Mexican daries between the two Republics. The Spanish possessions of California and strong holds. The city was at once be- New Mexico. Gen Wool to enter the sieged, and after a furious bombardment northern states of Mexico, and conquer the castle and city surrendered. The "Chihuahua."

United States' Congress, in the early part of 1845, passed a bill for the an- nexation of Texas, then an independent armny then began to march to the city of Republic. July 4, 1845, Texas ap- In September of 1846, Gen. Taylor, Mexico, from which time forth, the his- with 6 000 troops moved against Mon- tory of the American army was a series proved the bill, and thus became a part of the Union. But Mexico continued terey. After a four days' resistance the of successes to the United States troops. city was surrendered to the Ameri- At Cerro Gordo the Mexicans were cans. The most wonderful feat of the routed; Puebla was taken without a whole war, was the battle in the narrow struggle ; Contreras, Churubusco, Molino mountain pass of Buena Vista, Feb. 23, del Rey and the castle of Chapultepec, 1847. It was here that Gen. Taylor's all had to give way before the valorous little army of less than 5,000 men, met American army. The Mexicans were the enemy under the command of Gen. completely whipped and routed, and on Santa Anna, with a force of 20,000 the 14th of September, 1847, General Mexicans. The Americans were vic- Scott, with his forees, entered the Capital torious, and by this victory secured the of the Mexicans. This practically

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 55

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698