USA > Illinois > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 34
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Alexander Waddell,
Pierre Jacque Flaux bert, Jean Marie, Francois Grondine,
J. Bapt. Mellet, John Werly,
Henri M. Glandan,
William Marie,
Thomas Winn,
William Groot,
Louis Merin,
George Wear,
James Garrison,
Josepli Monogue,
Hardy Wear,
Louis Gendron,
Baptiste Marleau,
Francois Young.
Roll of the company of Militia of the Prairie Du Pont, in the
county of St. Clair, August 1st, 1790 :
Philip Engel, Captain.
Jean B. Allary, Lieutenant.
Charles Germain, Ensign.
Baptist Chartrant and - Lalancet, Sergeants.
Touss. Chartran aud Pierre Martin, Corporals.
Louis Rowllard,
Francois Champlan,
Jesse Rayner, Toussant Robineau,
Louis Clermond,
Pierre Cabassier,
J. B. Champlin,
Joseph Cabassier,
Samson Canadien,
Paul Louval,
August Trotier,
Clement Trotier,
Edward Todd,
T'ierre Tessier,
Joseph Touchette,
Herbert Delorme,
Jacques La Marche,
Dennis La Vertu,
Francois Cabassier,
James Lemen,
George Powers, Etienne Pensoneau,
Jolin Brady,
Edward Hebert,
Leonhard Harnish,
Francois Panerasse,
Baril Beaulieu,
M. Boismenue,
Timothy Belley,
George Lunceford,
Louis Pensoneau,
Francois Buxiere,
(Charles Batteau, Jr.,
Thad. Bradley,
Charles Filet,
René Tureau, Francois Trotier,
Francois Lemen,
Antoin Lepage, John Lyle, Joseph Lecompte, Jacques Letourneau,
John Dimpsey,
Layton White,
Hebert Merrier,
125
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Privates :- Noel Allary, Jeau B. Lalande, Jacques le Tourneau, Raphael Daubuchon, Joseph Lambert, Pierre Godin, Joseph De- loge, sr, Joseph Deloge. jr., Jacques Maya', Pierre Martin, jr., Francois L. Abbe, Thomas Chartran, Thomas Winn. Zaman Tellier, B. Cabassier, Jean Chartier, Francois Benousse, Joseph La Cou- ture, Antoiu Lacourse, Pierre Cabassier, Charles Cabassier, Charles Gill, Andrew Marlow, Michael Metioier, Rine Bouvet, Francois L. May, Joseph Boisverre, François Cabassier, Joseph Cabassier, Louis Bisson, William Crow, Ignace Grondine, Gonvile, Louis Groste, Janois Lapance, Marian Pancrasse, Andrew Begnet, Joseph Pettie, Francois Gerome, Laurent Amelin, Laurent Lefevre, - Lacroix, Pierre Guitar, sr., Pierre Guitar, jun., Michel Antaya, Louis Verboniear and Paul Desloges.
During the years when the services of these militia men were called into action, stirring scenes of patriotism in defence of homes were enacted, both within and without the limits of this county by its soldiery, whether regularly enrolled or not. Almost every man was called upon by motives of vengeance to abandon peaceful pur- suits and raise patriot arms in defence of loved homes. The blood of victims massacred called aloud for redress; property stolen, particularly horses, nerved to exhibitions of valor. The Ogles, Ben- jamin and Joseph, sen., James Lemen, John Porter, D. Draper, in company with Capt N. Hull, J. Ryan, and William Bryson, of other counties, avenged the theft of horses in 1791, and the attack upon John Dempsey, who luckily fled before savage deviltry, by chasing a company of twice their number of Indians, with whom they kept up a severe ruuning fight for several hours, killing five of their number, without the loss of a single one of their own band. The Indians evidently over-rated the number of their pursuers, and sought safety in flight, rather than trust to their arms For a full year or more, the Indians were cowed by this defeat of their plans, as during that time no one was molested It was during this time that the Whitesides came to St. Clair County, since embraced in Monroe county, from Kentucky, together with other accessions to the pioneer population.
In 1793, near the present site of Belleville, was enacted a scene which for daring bravery and astonishing results, is rarely equalled. A party of Kickapoos, under the leadership of Old Pecan, had stolen nine horses from citizens of the American bottom, which they had taken as far as Belleville on their trail to Shoal creek, when they were overtaken by eight as brave men as ever pursued a red- skin. Small as was the pursuing party, they divided their number and attacked the Indians in their camp from two sides. The signal for attack was a shot from the gun of William Whiteside. Sur- prised at its suddenness, ignorant of the numbers of their pursuers, the Indians took to flight, leaving a son of the chief upon the camp ground dead; also their arms. The old chief approached. the whites and begged for quarter. When he discovered but eight men in their party, namely, William Whiteside, Samuel Judy, John Whiteside, Uel Whiteside, William Harrington, John Dempsey, William L. Whiteside, and John Porter, he called aloud to his numerous followers to return and regain their lost ground, at the same time seizing his gun which he had surrendered to Capt. Whiteside, determined to wrest it from him ; but he was not a match in strength for the captain, who compelled him to retire with his fleeing band. This little band were now in the heart of the Indian country. Three of the stolen horses were in their possession, a humiliated chief, unarmed, was following up his flying command, eager to turn the tide of success. They quickly turned towards Whiteside's station, which they reached without delay. The Kicka- poos, chagrined at their discomfiture, followed it up by many pre-, datory excursions into the settlements of the whites, and in 1794, in
retaliation for the death of the son of the chief, killed Thomas Whiteside, by shooting him, and a son of William Whiteside, by tomahawk. Numerous other parties were killed by them to the south of the station, near the boundary line of Monroe and St. Clair. Among these the murder of the wife and four children of McMahon, and capture of self and daughter, was the most cruel exhibition of their savage warfare. McMahon made good his escape the second night after his capture, and returned home to find five fresh made mounds, side by side, underneath which his wife and children had been by kind neighbors buried. The sight moved him greatly, but with Christian fortitude he exclaimed, " they were lovely and pleasant in life, and they are not divided in death." The daughter who was taken prisoner, was ransomed by united efforts of friends, and lived for many years in what is now O'Fallon precinct.
Not long after this tragedy, the Whitesides and others made an attack upon the Indians at the foot of the Bluffs, west of Belleville. But one Indian escaped to tell the story of their utter route. Two of the Whitesides were wounded in this fight; but fought with that desperation ever characteristic of them ; the father leading the charge whilst the blood was gushing from his wounds, shouting, " Come on boys, I can fight them yet."
In 1788 the Kickapoo Indians attacked the settlements in earnest. Pioneers were compelled to carry their rifles with them to their fields, and often had to keep guard at night. It was in the spring of this year that William Biggs was taken prisoner, and John Vallis killed while on their way from Bellefonte to Cahokia. Biggs' treatment at the hands of the Indians was remarkable. They proposed his adoption into their tribe and giving him the daughter of a brave for a wife. He rejected all offers and was finally ransomed.
WAR OF 1812.
On the 28th of June, 1809, Nicholas Jarrot, of Cahokia, a French patriot, wedded to the American cause, made oath that the British Agents and traders at PRAIRIE DU CHIEN were instigating the Indians to deeds of violence; furnishing them with arms and ammunition, and otherwise preparing them for warfare along the borders of Western civilization. Almost simultaneously word catne of hostile demonstrations along the Wabash. Murders were here and there committed ; treaties were sct at nought; the storm of war was brewing. In the month of April, 1812, Gomo, an Indian chief, heading a deputation made up of representatives from various tribes, met Gov. Edwards, at Cahokia, to negotiate a treaty. The Governor addressel them in a forcible specch. He told them he understood the hostility of the Indians; laid the blame at the fountain head-with the traders at British outposts ; warned them against their councils; claimed that Americans only desired peace; told them plainly that the only basis for a treaty would be the delivery of murderers within their ranks (some present had participated in the Chicago massacre) for punishment. The Indians in turn professed sorrow for wrongs done; declared their inability to deliver up the murderers ; laid the blame upon one of the tribes (the Winnebagoes) and promised good behaviour. Despite their earnest protestations, and expressed desire for peace, the Indians continued in their depredations. The rangers, for that was the name by which the patriots were known, gathered their families into block-houses for protection, whilst they attempted to raise a little corn for their subsistence with their guns hanging at their sides whilst plowing, ready to protect them- selves against attack. In this county block-houses were occupied at present site of Alma, one near Lebanon, one south from New
126
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Athens, and one in what is now Mascoutah precinct. These were a part of the frontier line of forts extending from a point opposite the mouth of the Missouri, a distance of sixty miles, to the Kas- kaskia, east of the New design, in all twenty-two forts. Spies were instructed to pass daily between these forts, so as to keep up a con- stant line of communication throughout their length. In all, four companies were organized for the defence of Illinois, with William B. Whiteside, James B. Moore, Jacob Short and Samuel White- side as captains. These companies did most efficient service, nerved as they were to deeds of daring, by seeing homes destroyed, and many of their number killed by blood-thirsty savages. Not alone did St. Clair county furnish many rangers for the defence of their homes, but contributed soldiers who fought at New Orleans and elsewhere. They recognized the British as the cause of all their troubles, and their patriotic ardor led them to strike at the root, and thus remove the cause. Among those from this county as par- ticipants in the war of 1812, were John Brigham, David Mckinney, Isaac Griffen, Elijah Hook, B. Bennett, Samuel Ward, William Phillips, Daniel Phillips, Jeremiah Phillips, John Stout, Robert Davis, James C. Davis, John Wood, Moses Stout, Samuel Shook, Jacob Carr, John Scott, Alexander Scott, Robert W. Hughes, Ed- mund Randle (who had his chin shot off at New Orleans), William Randle, Thomas Shelton, Josiah Shelton, David Everett, John Reynolds, Thomas Reynolds, - Reynolds, Reuben Lively, Nathaniel Hill, Moses Short, William McNail, Ira Manville, Jo- seplı Scott, Peter Wright, William Moore, John Journey, Maxey Nichols, William Lemen, Aaron Shuck, John Mace, Abram Clark, David Hill, James Lively, Benjamin Allen, Thomas Brewer, James Lord, David Phillips, Michael Phelps, James W. Davidson, Geo. W. Moore, Stephen Whiteside, John Rutherford, Jacob Short, Christopher Stout, Jacob Stout, William Wright, Bennett Million, William Whiteside, Nicholas Jarrot, Dr. W. H Bradsby, James Bradsby, Samuel B. Davidson, Joseph Conway, Thomas Higgins, and others. Of these patriots, who were the advance guard upon the borders of western civilization, only two are believed to be living to-day : Ira Manville, old in years, still strong in mind, ever patriotic in sentiment, and David Hill.
In December, 1814, whilst the command of Captain James B. Moore, about fifty rangers in all, were engaged in guarding a drove of cattle at a grove near Sugar Creek, on the trail leading from Camp Russell to Peoria, Indians were espied by some of the men, who singled out one of their number, and gave chase. William Hewit, having the fleetest horse, was the first to overtake the Indian, who at once surrendered himself and guu. At this junc- ture, John Moredock, who had sworn that he would kill every Indian that ever crossed his path, because of the murder of his father's entire family, save himself, raised his gun to fire Hewit loudly remonstrated. The Indian wrenched the gun he had just surrendered out of Hewit's grasp, and at the very moment that a ball from Moredock's unerring rifle went crashing through his breast, he fired upon and killed Hewit.
The parties prominent in this adventure were residents of that part of St. Clair county which was subsequently organized as Monroe. Captain Moore was a most gallant and faithful officer ; fearless in the discharge of all duties imposed, and of that class of true patriots honored of all men. The death of Hewit was the last that can properly be classed as among those of the war of 1812.
BLACK HAWK WAR
Before entering much into detail of that war, its causes and results, we give to our readers a brief sketch of Black-Hawk, the celebrated warrior, who figured so conspicuously in those cam-
paigns. Macuta Mahicatah is the Indian name for Black-Hawk. He was born in the Sauk village in the year 1767, and was an Indian of considerable talent and sagacity, shrewd and eloquent in council ; he, however, deported himself in that demure, grave, and formal manner incident to almost all .Indians It is said hè pos- sessed a mind of more than ordinary strength, but slow and plod- ding in its operations. In comparison he could not be classed with the great Indian characters, such as Philip, Brant, Logan, Tecum- sel, and such illustrious men. By the portraits of him now extant, the reader of character will readily observe in his large, high fore- head and the lines worn by care in his face, massive jaws and com- pressed lips, a character indicative of more than ordinary ability. His ambition was to distinguish himself as a great warrior: yet he was merciful to the weak, the women and children. The only road for an Indian to distinguish himself and become a great inan, is in war. So soon as he kills an enemy he may paint on his blanket a bloody hand, which will entitle him to a seat in the councils. In 1810 and 1811 Black-Hawk and comrades were "nursing their wrath to keep it warm," against the whites. A party of Sacs, by invitation, went to see the prophet at Tippecanoe. They returned more angry against the Americans. A party of Winnebagoes had massacred some whites, which excited for murder the Sac band. headed by Black-Hawk. A part of his band and some Winneba- goes attacked Fort Madison in 1811, but were repulsed. Black- Hawk headed the Sacs, in this attack.
In 1812 emissaries from the British arrived at Rock Island with goods, and secured Black-Hawk with five hundred warriors to go with Col. Dixon to Canada. When they reached Green Bay there were assembled there bands of the Ottawas, Pottawatomis, Winne- bagoes, and Kickapoos, under the command of Col. Dixon. Black- Hawk and band participated in the battles of River Raisin, the Lower Sandusky, and other places, but getting dissatisfied with the hard fighting and small amount of spoils, he, and twenty comrades, left for the Sauk village at Rock Island, where he remained for many years at peace, with the exception of a small battle on the Quiver river settlement in Missouri, in the pre-ent limits of St. Charles county, where one white man and an Indian were killed.
The principal cause of the Indian troubles in 1831-'32, better known as the Black-Hawk war, was the determination of Black- Hawk and his band to remain in their ancient village, located on Rock river, nor far from its junction with the Mississippi. The government having some time previously, by various treaties, pur- chased the village and the whole country from the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, had some of these lands surveyed, and in 1828 some of the lauds iu and around the ancient village were sold ; the collision between the two races for the possession of the property produced the first disturbance between the Indians and the govern- ment. Seeing that war was inevitable the Governor of Illinois made a call on the militia of the state for seven hundred men on the 26th of May, 1831, and appointed Beardstown, on the Illinois river, as the place of rendezvous. The call was responded to with that promptness characteristic of the early pioneers of this state. Their habits of life were such that all were familiar with the rifle. After marching eight days, the mounted militia reached a point a few miles below the Sac village on the Mississippi, where they joined the United States forces under Gen. Gaines, and emcamped in the evening. The next morning the forces marched up to the Indian town prepared to give the enemy battle; but in the night the Indians had escaped and crossed the Mississippi. This ended Black Hawk's bravado and his determination to die in his ancient village. The number of warriors under his command was estimated at from four to six hundred men. Black Hawk and his band
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
landed on the west side of the Mississippi, a few miles below Rock Island, and there camped. "Gen. Gaines sent a peremptory order to him and his warriors that if he and his head men did not come to Rock Island and make a treaty of peace, he would march his troops and give him a battle at once. * * * * In a few days Black Hawk and the chiefs and head men to the number of twenty-eight, appeared at Fort Armstrong, and on the 30th of June, 1831, in full council with Gen. Gaines and Governor John Reynolds, signed a treaty of peace."
THE BLACK-HAWK WAR IN 1832.
During the winter of '31-'32 rumors were rife that Black-Hawk . and his band were dissatisfied, restless, and preparing for mischief. A chief of the Winnebago Indians, who 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 Waters. 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 counsel, Black-Hawk re- solved to recross 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 assem- bled them at old 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 frontier, 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 volun- teers to operate in conjunction with Gen. Atkinson, who was in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The Governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d of April. We give Governor Reynolds' circular which he addressed to the citizen-soldiers in the crisis then pending :
" To the militia of the North western section of the State:
" FELLOW-CITIZENS :
"Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed a hostile attitude, and have invaded the state in violation 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 re- spectable standing, and also from Gen. Atkinson, whose character s'ands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts, I have hesitated 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 fur- nished in abundance. I hope my countrymen will realize my ex- pectations, and offer their services, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerfulness in defence of their countrymen.
"JOHN REYNOLDS."
To the stirring appeal of the governor, the patriotic citizens of the state and St. Clair county nobly responded in both campaigns of '31-'32. Many of the best and most prominent men of the county enlisted to protect the frontier and preserve the honor of
the state, and did signal service in the memorable events of the Black Hawk war.
Among the citizens of St. Clair county who went out were : Officers : Captain Solomon Miller, Lieutenant Aarou Land, Lieutenant Isaac Griffen, all of what is known as the old battalion, commanded by Major N. Buckmaster, in the service of 1831. Col. Samuel C. Christy on Governor Reynolds' staff, as Quartermaster ; Captain William Moore, so chosen after the rendezvous at Beards- town, also member of the legislature in 1836 ; Major John A. Wakefield, engaged in spy service; Col. Thomas, commander of the third regiment; Capt. Snyder, Lieutenant John Winstanley, of the same regiment, Lieutenant Joshua W. Hughes, Capt. Gideon Simpson, Capt. John Whiteside, Vital Jarrot, Adjutant- General, with rauk of Colonel, Richard Roman, Surgeon of the old battalion, and doubtless others whose names are not obtainable. In subordinate capacities were -- Jolin Baker, Myram McMillen, Felix Scott, John Peas, Jonathan Moore, Charles Moore, James Reed, Edward Tracewell, Peter Dunn, John Wood;, Benjamin Woods, William G. Brown, Ninian Edwards, jr., Solomon Teter, John Phillips, David Phillips, Andrew Christy, John Laramie. John Messinger, surveyor for many years, Nathaniel Smith, B. J. Smith, Samuel Smith, Robert Higgins, John Dunlap, Richard Bradsby, Franklin Scott, C. T. Askins, J. B. Needles, Gregory Benjamin Scott, who was killed after Stillman's defeat, whilst searching for water. He was shot through the heart. His head was severed from his body, and never recovered. James Anderson, W. G. Brown, Nathaniel Chambers, William Philips, Jacob Engold, Edward Henry, a colored man from East St. Louis. The names of Capt. Jobn Trendley and Felix Scott might properly be introduced here as they served in the Winnebago War, in 1827, as well as had something to do with the Black Hawk. Jeremiah Black, Addison Dingle, went as a substitute for William McClintock, who provided him with a horse and equipments, James McClin- tock, Harbert Patterson and others.
The force marched to the mouth of Rock river, where Gen. Atkinson received 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 its march up the river on the 9th of May. Gov. Reynolds, the gallant "Old Ranger, ' re- mained with the army, and the President recognized him as a major-general, and he was paid accordingly. His presence in the army did much toward harmonizing and conciliating those jeal- ousies which generally exist between volunteers and regular troops. Major John A. Wakefield and Col. Ewing acted as spies 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 Sac dialect. On the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's com- mand had a sort of running battle with the Indians at or near what is now known as Stillman's run, a small, sluggish stream. In the engagement eleven white men and eight Indians were killed. Black-Hawk and warriors fought with the spirit born of despera- tion. Black-Hawk says in his book that he tried at Stillman's run to call back his warriors, as he thought the whites were making a sham retreat in order to draw him into an ambuscade of the whole army under General Whiteside. The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman and his army was, in a measure demoralizing to the entire forces. Undoubtedly the cause of the defeat was a lack of disci- pline. When Gov. Reynolds learned of the disaster of Major Still- man, he at once ordered out two thousand additional volunteers. With that promptitude characteristic of the old "War Governor," he wrote out by candle-light on the evening of Stillman's defeat,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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the order for the additional troops, and by daylight dispatched John Ewing, Robert Blackwell, and John A. Wakefield to distri- bute the order to the various counties. The volunteers again promptly responded ; however, the soldiers from this county did but little fighting. On the 10th of July the army disbanded for want of provisions. Gen. Scott arrived soon after with a large force at the post of Chicago, to effect if possible a treaty with the Indians. Small detachments of Black-Hawk's warriors would per- sistently hang on the outskirts of the main body of the army, thieve and plunder, and pounce upon and kill the lonely sentinel or strag- gling soldier. On the 15th of July the soldiers were reviewed, and those incapable of duty were discharged and returned home. Po- quette, a half-breed, and a Winnebago chief, the " White Pawnee," were selected for guides to the camp of Black-Hawk and band. Several battles and skirmishes occurred with the enemy, the prin- cipal of which was on the banks of the Mississippi, where the warriors fought with great desperation. Over one hundred and fifty were killed in the engagement, and large numbers drowned in attempting to swim the river. After the battle the volunteers were marched to Dixon, where they were discharged.
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