Cook County, Illinois - The whole text, 1884 (part 12 of 61)

"In reply to your inquiries, I ha»-e to say that I think Matthew Irwin was not Mill igMil at Fort Dearborn. I>ut thai he was I'nitcd States factor, acting also a* Indian Agent. I lis duties were confined principally to Indian affairs, under the direction «( the commanding MMCr, when he was nol ftnetiaUy instructed by the Department at Washington.

" A* regards the unfortunate killing of Mr. lalime by Mi. John Kinzie, I have heard (he account of it related by Mrs. Kinzie and her daughter, Mrs. Helm. Mr. Kinzir never, in my hearing, alluded to or spoke of it. He deeply regretted the act. Knowing his aversion 10 converse on the subject, I never spoke to him about it.

" Mrs. Kinzie said that her husband and Lalime bad been for several years on unfriendly terms, and had had frequent altercations ; that at the time of' the encounter, Mr. Kinzie had crossed the river alone. 111 a canoe, going to the fort ; and that I jlime met him outside of the garrison ami shot him, the ball cutting the side of his neck. She supposed I aim,.- saw her husband crossing, and, taking his pistol, went through the gate purposely to meet him Mr. Kinzie closing with 1 .a lime, slabbed him, and retreated to his house covered with blood. He told his wife what he had done, that he feared he had killed l^tlimc, that prultably a squad would be sent for him, and thai he must hide. She. in haste, look bandages, and » ilh him retreated to the wood*, where, as soon as possible, she dressed his wound*, returning just in time to meet an officer with a Mead, with orders to seize her husliainl. He could not be found. For some days he was hid in the bush and cared for by his wife.

"I.alime was, I understood, an educated man, and quite a favorite with the officers, who were greatly excited. They decided he should be buried near Mr. Kinzic's house, and he was buried near ihe l>aiik of the river, about the present terminus of Ru-di Street, and within about two hundred yards of Mr. Ktn/ic's house, in plain view front his front door anil piazza. The grave »a> inclosed bv a picket fence, which Mr. Kinzie. in his lifetime kept in perfect order, My impression has ever been that Mr. Kin/ic acted, as he told his'wife. in self-defense. This i* borne out by the fart that, after a full investipation by (he officers, whose friend Ik was. they acquitted Mr. Kinzie. who then returned to his family.

" In some of these details 1 may be in error, but the fact has ever Iircn lirm in mv mind that l.alime'madc the attack, provoking (he killing in self-defense- Most certainly Mr. Kinzie deeply regretted the result, and avoided anv reference to it.

Chicago Ix 1830. From Ihk Lake Early Military History

It is the purpose in what follows to put in order and preserve in history all that can be gathered from records, early publications and the memories of men still living, concerning the citizen-soldiery of Chicago and Cook County; to make therefrom as complete a record as is possible of the various military organizations ; to note their exploits and parades, in times of peace : and to record their arduous and patriotic service in times of war, when, putting off the war-like appearance they became invested with the full armor of the warrior, and, soldiers in deed as well as in name, won the im|>erishable renown accorded in the war annals of the centuries to those only who have fallen unconquered or returned victorious.

A garrison of soldiers, trained in the arts of war, and subject to strict military discipline and drill even in times of peace, constituted the first civilized white community of Chicago. A fort had been built and occupied, destroyed and rebuilt years before the village of Chicago boasted more than half a dozen huts and shanties outside the garrison. The inlluence of such a garrison has ever most depressing effect on the innate military ardor of the private citizen. Seldom does the civilian so far acquire the spirit of self-abasement as to put on his sword, and sash, and pompons, and epaulets under the critical and supercilious gaze of the regular, except under the urgent stress of danger to be met or duty to be performed, demanding other service than those involved in a dress parade. So it happened that for many years the fighting qualities of the Chicago militiaman were unostentatiously held in abeyance, and the waiting heroes, hidden in citizen's garb, quietly threaded the paths of life even to the end, unheralded and unsung. But, remote from the protection of the garrison, the militia has ever been found, hilariously noisy, gaudy, and ostentatious in its preparatorydemonstrations, but in emergency, the fearless and unflinching defender of the fireside, home, and country.

Even as far back as 1812, the militia, with its characteristic reliability in time of extremity, makes its first appearance in the annals of Chicago. The massacre attending the evacuation of Fort Dearborn, August 15, 1812, numbered among its victims -- twelve militiamen." Captain Nathan Heald, the commandant of Fort Dearhorn at the time of its evacuation, in a letter written from Pittsburgh, November 7, 181 2, details the losses as follows:

''Our strength was about fifty-four regulars and twelve militia, out of which twenty-six regulars Bad all the militia were killed in lilt action, with two women and twelve children 1-nsign (Jeorgc Ronan and Dr. Isaac : Van Vnorhis. of my company, with Cap. ta.n Wells, of Fort Wayne, to mv great sorrow, arc numbered among lot dead."

It is not believed that of the twelve militia heroes who thus early baptized the soil of Chicago with their life-blood, the name of a single one has been rescued from oblivion. Whether their homes had been in Chicago or its vicinity, or whether, at the call of danger they came from a distance to the scene of peril may never be known. 1

There was not at that time, nor for many years after, any enrollment 1 the militia of I IbfcagO, Of ol the men subject to military duty in the territory now embraced in Cook County. In 1827 quite a panic occurred at Chicago on account of the hostilities with the Winnebagoes, who were on the war-path during the summer of that year. Fort Dearborn was not at that time occupied as a military post, but was under the charge of Dr. Alexander Wolcott, the Indian Government Agent. The few traders anil the families who then made up the settlement were defenseless in case of an attack. There was no militia organization at that time, (jurdon S. Hubbard, still a resident of the city, tells the story of the reception of the news and the efforts to meet the expected or probable attack as follows:*

'* At the breaking out of the Winnebago war. early in July. tSi;, Fort Dearborn was without military occupation. Dr. Alexander Wolcotl, Indian Agent, had charge of the fort living in the brick building, just within the north stockade previously occupied by the commanding othecrs. The old officers' quarters built of log* on the west, and w ithin the pickets, were occupied by Russcl E. I leacock, and one other American family, while a numl>erof WJUfum with their families were living in the soldiers' quarters, on the east side of the inclosurc. The storehouse and guard-house were on either side of the southern gate : the sutler's store was east of the north gate, and north of the soldiers' barracks : the block-bouse was located at the southwest and the bastion at the northwest corners of the fort, and the magazine, of brick, was situated about half way between the west end of the guard and block-houses. The annual payment of the Pottawatomie Indians occurred in September of the year 1 *2;. A large body of them bad assembled, according to custom, to receive their annuity. These left after the payment for their respective villages, except a portion of Uig Foot's band. The night following tin- pavment, there was a dance in the soldiers' barracks, during the progress of which a violent storm of and rain arose ; ami about midnight, these quarters were struck by lightning and totally consumed, together with the storehouse ami a portion of the guard-house. The sleeping inmates of Mr. Kinzies house, on the opposite bank of the river, were aroused by the cry of '-fire" from Mrs, Helm, one of their number, who. from her window, had seen the flames. On hearing the alarm I, with Robert Kinric. late Paymaster of United States' Army, hastily arose, anil only partially dressed, ran to the river. To our dismay we found the'eanoe, which was used for crossing the river, tilled with water ; it hail l>cen partially drawn up on the beach and became tilled by the dashing of the waves. Not I>cing able to turn it over, and having nothing with which to hail it out. we lost no lime, but swam the stream. Kntering by the north gate we saw at I glance the situation. The barracks and store-house being wrapped in flames, we directed our energies to the saving of the guard-house, the east end of which was on fire. Mr. Kinzic. rolling himself m a wet blanket, got upon the roof. The men ami women, about 40 in number formed a line to the river, and w ith buckets, tubs, and even- available utensil, passed the water to him ; this was kept up till daylight before the flames were sulnlued. Mr, Kinzie maintaining his dangerous position w ith great fortitude, though his hands, face and portions of his bod v were severely burned. His father, mother, and sister, Mrv Helm, had meanwhile freed the canoe from water, and crossing in it, fell into line with those carrying water. Some of the Big Foot band of Indians were present at the fire ; but merely as spectators, and could not be prevailed upon to assist. They all left next day for their homes. The strangeness of their Iwhavi'or was the subject of discussion among us. Six or eight days after this event, while at breakfast in Mr. Kinzic's house, wc heard singing, faintly at first, but gradually growing louder as the singers approached. Mr. Kinzie recognized the leading voice as that of Itob Forsyth, and left the table for the piazza of the house, where we all followed. About where Wrclls Street now crosses the river, in plain sight from where we stood, was a light birch bark canoe, manned by thirteen men, rapidly approaching, the mm keeping time with their paddles to one of the Canadian Ixuat songs ; it proved to be Governor Cass and his secretary, Robert Forsyth, ami they landed and soon joined us, From them we first learned of the breaking out of the Winnebago war, and the massacre on the L'ppcr Mississippi, Guvcrnoi Cass was at Green Hay by appointment, to hold a treaty with the Winncbagoes and Mcnomoncc tribes, who. however, did not appear to meet him in council. News of hostilities reaching the Governor there, he immediately procured a light birch bark canoe, purposely made for spied, manned it with twelve men at the paddles and a steersman, and started up the river, making a portage into the Wisconsin, then down it and the Mississippi to Jefferson Barracks, below St. I.ouis. Here he persuaded the commanding officer to charter a steamer, and embarking troops on it, ascended the Mississippi in search of the hostile Indians, and to give aiil to the troops at Fori Snelling On reaching the mouth of the Illinois Kiver, the Governor (with his men and canoe, having been brought so far on the steamer, ! here left it, anil ascending that stream and the Desplaincs. passed through Mud Lake into the South Branch of the Chicago Kiver. reached Chicago. This trip from Green Bay round was performed in about thirteen days, the Governor's party sleeping only live to seven hours, and averaging sixty to seventy miles travel each day. On the Wisconsin Kiver they passed Winnebago encampment's without molestation. I'hey did nut stop to parley, passing rapidly by. singing their boat-song* ; the Indians were vi taken by surprise that, before they recovered from their astonishment, the canoe was out of danger. Governor Cass re. mained at ( Imago but a few hours, coasting Lake Michigan back to Green Bay. As soon as he left, the inhabitants of Chicago assenrbied for consultation. Big Foot was suspected of acting in concert with the Winneliagoes, as he was known to be friendly to them, and many of his band had intermarried with that tribe. Shawbonee was not here at the payment, his money having been drawn for him by his friend. Billy Caldwell. The evening before Governor ( ass's visit, however, he was in Chicago, and then the guest of Caldwell. At my suggestion, he and Caldwell were en gaged to visit Big Foot's village (Geneva Lake), and get what information they could of the plans of the Winnebagues : and also learn what action Big Font's hand intended taking. They left immediately, and on ncaring Geneva Lake arranged that Shawbonee should enter the village alone, Caldwell remaining hidden. Upon entering the village, Shawbnnce was made a prisoner, and accused of living a friend of the Americans and a spy. He affected great indignation at these charges and said to Big Foot: 'I was not at the payment, bM was told by my braves that you desired us to join the Winnchagocs and make war on the Americans. I think the Winuebagovs have been foolish ; alone they cannot succeed. So 1 have come to council with you. hear what you have to say, when I will return to my people and report all you tell me ; if they shall then say. we will join you, t will consent." Alter talking nearly all night they agreed to let him go, provided he was accompanied by one of their ow n number ; to this proposal Shawbonee readily consented, though it placed him in a dangerous position. His friend Caldwell was waiting for him in the outskirts of the village, and his presence must not be known, as it would endanger both of their lives. Shawbonee was equal to the emergency. After leaving, in company with one of Big Foot s braves, as Die place of Caldwell's' concealment was neared, he commenced complaining in a loud voice of being suspected and made a prisoner, and when quite near said : ' We must have no one with us in going to Chicago. Should we meet any one of your band or amy ont tltt, we must tell them to go away ; WC must go by ourselves, and get to Chicago by noon to-morrow, Kinzie will give us something to Kit. and we can go on next day.' * aldwcll heard and understood the meaning of this, and started alone by another route. Strategy was still to lie used, as Shawbonee desired to report . soon ncaring Chicago, he said to his companion, ' If Kinzie sees you, he will ask why your l>and did not assist in putting out the fire? Maybe he has heard news of the war ami is angrv with Big Foot ; let us camp here, for our horses are very tired.' ' This they did. and after a little, the Big Foot brave siiggesied that Shawbonee should go to the fort for food and information. This was what he wanted to do. and he lost no time in reporting the result of his expedition, and procuring food returned to his camp. Starting the next morning with his companion for his own village ; on reaching it he called a council of his Indians, who wete addressed by Big Foot's emissary ; but they declined to take part with the Winnebagocs, advising Big Foot to remain neutral. ,

"On receiving Shawbonec's report, the inhabitants of Chicago were greatly excited , fearing an attack, we assembled for consultation, when 'I suggested sending to the Wabash for assistance, and tendered my services as messenger. Thl» was at firm objected to, on the ground that a majority of the men at the fort were in my employ, anil in case of an attack, no one could manage them or enforce their aid but myself. It was. however, decided that I should go as I knew the route and all the settlers. An attack would probably not be made until Big I'opt's emliassador had returned with his report ; this would give at least two weeks' security, and in that time I could, if successful, make the trip and return. I started between lour and hvc I*. M. , reaching my trading house on the Iroquois River by midnight, where I changed my horse and went on ; it was a dark, rainy night. On reaching Sugar Creek, I found the stream swollen out of its banks, and my horse refusing to cross. I was obliged to wait till daylight, when I discovered that a large tree had fallen across the Irail, making the ford impassable. I swam the stream and went on, reaching my friend Mr. Spencer's house at noon, lired out. Mr. Spencer started immediately to give the alarm, asking for volunteers to mcit ai Danville the next evening, with live days' rations. By the day following at the hour appointed, one hundred men were organized into a company, and appointing a Mr. Morgan, an old frontier hghter. as their captain, we immediately started for Chicago, camping that night on the north fork of the Vermillion Kiver. It rained continually, the trail was very muddy, and wc were obliged to swim most of the streams ami many of the large sloughs, hut we still Dmhcd on, reaching Fort Dearborn the seventh day after my di-|>arture, to the great joy of the waiting people. We reorganized, and had a force of about one hundred anil fifty men. Morgan commanding. At the end of thirty days, news came of the defeat ot the Winnebagues, anil of their treaty with the commanding nfiieer. who went from Jefferson Barracks, as before slated. I'pon hearing this, Morgan disbanded his company, who returned to their homes, leaving Fort Dearborn in charge of the Indian Agent as before."

" In the night time, about the tsth or2oth of July.f 1S27. I was awakened by my brother-in-law, Alexander McDonald, telling me that Mr, Hubbard had just come in from Chicago with the word that the Indians were about to massacre the people there, and that men were wauled for their protection at once. The inhabitants o( the country capable of hearing arms liad been enrolled under the militia laws of the State, and organised as ' The Vermillion County Battalion,' in which I held a commission as Captain. I dressed mvself and started forthwith to notify all the men lielonging to my companv to meet at Butler's Point (six miles southwest of Danvillei. the place where the county business was then conducted and where the militia met to muster. The Captains of the other companies were notified the same as myself, and they warned out their respective companies the same as myself, and they rode the remainder of the night at this work, up ami down the Little Vermillion.

"At noon the next day, the battalion was at Butler's Point . nv>st of the men lived on the Little Vermillion Kiver, and had to ride or walk from six to twelve miles 10 the place of rendezvous. Volunteers were called for, and in a little while fifty men, the required numlier. were raised. Those who agreed to go then held an election of their officers for the campaign, choosing Achilles Morgan. Captain: Major Bayles, First Lieutenant; and Colonel Isaac K, Mnorcs, as Second, The names of the private men, as far as 1 now remember them, are as follows : George M. Bcckwiih, John Itcaslcy, mysell lllezekiah 1 unninghamt, Inliait Kilts. S aroan Cox, James Dixon, Asa F.IIiott. Francis Foley. William Foley, a Mr. Hammers, Jacob Heater, a Mr. Davis, F-vin Morgan. Isaac Goen, Jonathan Phelps, loshua Parish, William Keed, John Myers I' l ittle Vermillion John'). John Saulsbury. a Mr. Kirkman, Anthony Swisher, Ge.wge Swisher, Joseph I 'rice, George Weir, John Vaughn, Newton Wright and Abel Williams. Many of the men were w ithout horses, and the neighbors w ho had horses and did not go, loaned their animals to those who did ; Mill there were five men who started afoot, as there were no horses to lie had for them. We disbanded, after we were mustered in, and went home to cook live days' rations, and were ordered to be at Danville the next day. the men all hail a pint of whisky, believing it essential to mix a little of it with the slough water we were to drink on our route. Abel Williams, however, was smart enough to take some gTound coffee, and a tin cup along, using no stimulants whatever ; he had warm drinks on the way up to Chicago, and coming back all of us hail the same.

" We arrived at the Vermillion Kiver about noon on Sunday, the day after assembling at Butler's Point. The river was up, running, bank full, about a hundred yards wide, with a strong current. Our men and saddles were taken over in a canoe. We r

!.. swim our horses, and as they were driven into the water the current would strike them and they would swim in a circle ami return to the shore a few rods below. Mr. Huhbard. provoked at this tielay, threw off his coat and said, "(live me old Charley.' meaning a large, steady-going horse, owned by James Hutlcr and loaned to Jacob Heater. Mr. Hubbard, mounting this horse, boldly dashed into the stream, and the other horses were quickly crowded aft»r him. The water was so swift that ' old Charley ' became unmanageable, when Mr. Hubbard dismounted on the upprr side and seized the horse, by the mane, near the animal's head, and swimming with his left arm,' guided the horse in the direction of the opposite shore. We were afraid he would be washed under the horse or struck ov his feet and lie drowned ; but he got over without damage, except the wetting of his broadcloth pants and moccasins. These he hail to dry on his person, as we pursued our journey.

" I will here say that a better man than Mr. Hubbard could not have been sent to our people, lie was well known lo all the settlers. His generosity, his quiet and determined courage, and his integrity, were so well known and appreciated that he had the confidence and good will of everybody, and was a well-recognized leader among us pioneers.

" At this time there were no persons living on the north bank of the Vermillion River near Danville, except Rolwrt Trickle and George Weir, up near the present woolen factory, and William Reed and l>an Beckwith ; the latter had a little log cabin on the bluff of the Vermillion near the present highway bridge, or rather on the edge of the hill east of the highway some roils. Here he kept store, in addition to his official duties as Constable and County Surveyor. The store contained a small assortment of such articles as were suitable for barter with the Indians who were the principal customers. W'c called it " The Saddle-Hags Store," because the supplies were brought uh from Terre Haute in saddle-bags, that indispensable accompaniment of every rider in those days before highways were provided for the use of vehicles

" Mr. Reed had been elected Sheriff the previous March, receiving fifty-seven out of the eighty votes that were cast at the election, and which represented about the entire voting population of the county at that time. Hoth Reed and I >an wanted to go with us. and after quite a warm controversy between ihcm, as it was impossible for them both to leave, it was agreed that Reed should go and that Reckwith should look after the affairs of both until Reed's return. Amos Williams was building his house at Danville at this time, the sale of lots having taken place the previous April.

" Crossing the North Fork at Denmark, three miles north of Danville, we passed the cabin of Seymour Treat. He was building a mill at that place ; and his house was the last one in which a family was living until wc reached Hubbard's Trading-l'ost on the north bank of the Iroquois River, near what has since been known as the town of buncombe ; and from this trading-house there w.is no other habitation, Indian wigwams excepted, on the line of our march until we readied Fort Dearborn. * - -

" We readied C h icago about four o'clock on the evening of the fourth day, in the midst of one of the most severe rainstorms I ever experienced, accompanied by thunder and vicious lightning. The ram wc did not mind, we were without tents and were Deed to wetting.. The water wc took within us hurt us more than that which fell upon us, as drinking it made many of us sick. The people of Chicago were very glad to see us. They were expecting an attack every hour since Colonel I lubbard had "left them, and as m approached they did not know whether we were anemia or friends, and when ihey learned that we. were friends they gave us a shorn of welcome.* They had organized a company' of thirty or fifty men, composed mostly of Canadian half-breeds', interspersed «ilii a few Americans, all under the command of Captain Iteaubien. The Americans seeing that we were a better looking crowd, wanted to leave their associates and join our company. This feeling caused quite a row, but the officers finally restored harmony and the discontented men went back to their old command. The town of Chicago was composed at this time of six or seven American families, a number of half-breeds, and a lot of idle, vagalwnd Indians loitering about. I made the acquaintance of Robert and lames Kinrie. and their father, John Kinzic. We kept guard day and night for some eight or ten days, when a runner came in - I 'think from tureen Uay - bringing word that General Cass had concluded a treaty with the W innebagos, and that we might now disband and go home. The citizens were overjoyed at the news ; and in their gladness they turned out one barrel of gin, one barrel of brandy, one barrel of whisky, knocking the heads of the barrels in. Everybody was invited to take a free drink; and, to tell the plain truth, everybody rf/,/ drink The ladies at Fort Dearborn treated us especially WIN. I say this without disparaging the good and cordial conduct ol t lie men toward us The ladies gave us all manner of good th ng, lo cat. They loaded us with provisions and gave us all those delicate attentions that the kindness^ woman's heart would su£ HibbaM on ,his,» gest. Some of them - three ladies whom I understood were recently from New York, distributed tracts and other reading matter among our company, and interested themselves zealously in our spiritual as well as temporal welfare."

militia company ever organized in Chicago of which any tradition or record is preserved. The commander of this companv was [ean Baptiste Beaubien.

The first', truest and bravest volunteer militiamen of Cook County were Shawbonce and his friend "Billy Caldwell." Their names appeal on no muster rolls, but their services as protectors of the whites against their savage foes have enrolled them in the hearts of their descendants forever. But for them the first families of Chicago would have had no descendants to perpctuatitheir lives or tell the story of their preservation. Merited mention of these friends of early Chicago, ever true and brave, appears elsewhere.

In October, i8i8, Fort Dearborn was again garrisoned and so remained with the exception of May and a part of June, 1832, until its final evacuation, May 10. 1837. When the Black Hawk War broke out, in the early spring of 1832. threatening the entire devastation of all the white settlements in the country' west and northwest of the great lakes, the regular army was found inadequate to repel the threatened danger, and the militia were again called into requisition. Under the call for troops the State of Illinois furnished one hundred and seventy-four companies of volunteers, which appear on the muster rolls of the I'nited States, and served in some capacity during the war. In addition, many com - panics of State Militia were under arms, who performed meritorious services, but were not mustered into the sen - ice by any United States officer. No rolls of these companies are preserved in the archives of the Government. Fortunately, through the industrious historic research of Hon. John Wentworth and others, the roster of one Of these companies, made up of earlv residents of Chicago, has been rescued from oblivion, as will appear in its proper connection. The participation of residents of Chicago in the war is detailed in the following sketch :

Chicago DURING the Black Hawk War. - Hlack Hawk,*a leading chief of the Sacs, had refused, in 1X31, to comply with the terms of the treaty with his tribe, which he himself never signed for his band, which required him to remove west of the Mississippi and relinquish forever all title to lands heretofore owned by him or his band in Illinois. He claimed, with reasons that might have substantiated his claims in any court of law, had he been white, that neither he nor his band ever sold or intended to sell their town, near Rock Island, nor the adjacent farms. On returning from a hunt, in the summer of 1831, he found his village and the adjacent fields occupied by white settlers, who, under the treaty as proclaimed, had come in anil taken possession of the Cabins and the growing crops he and his band had planted. He determined, at all hazards, to reinstate his band in possession of their ancient homes. The Governor of Illinois, under the terms of the treaty, took a different view of the case, proclaimed the invasion of the State, and called on the United States to helpexjK'l the invaders. The result was the burning of the village, the defeat of Black Hawk, his retreat to the west bank of the Mississippi, and a treaty ; Hlack Hawk agreeing by its terms to remain on the west banks of the great river and to relinquish all claims to any part of the domain of Illinois ever after.

The following spring, Hlack Hawk's band having had a poor hunt, and having lost the crops they had planted the previous season, found themselves poorer even than poor Indians usually were. They were poverty-stricken They could not pay their debts to the Indian traders, and had run short of provisions ami ammunition. In their destitute condition, it is not strange that they looked lovingly toward their old homes, and held somewhat lightly the forced treaty they had made the fall before. It' is stated, on what is deemed good authority, that George Armstrong, who had a trading-post at that time at Fort Armstrong, was a heavy creditor of the tribe, and was not averse to their return, as, out of the scare which might occur and the probable treaty which would ensue, he might, through his influence with the chiefs of the tribe, secure his debt from such subsidies as should conic to them. Whether Armstrong influenoed them to return is not known. It is certain, however, that he had early knowledge of their intention, and informed General Atkinson as early as April 12, 1832, when he wrote him :

* Black Hawk, although » chiit of a ham), was m>< at tbia mnr l lie- leading <llief of the Sacs. lit was. according to Indian polity. to Keokuk, "ho was the lending chief of the nation. Chiels trained their supremacy in three ways; by inheritance, by marriage with n chief s lUuglitrr, oe by bravery in war. Black Hawk was not a hereditary chief: he hint cawed his position by bravery in war, and had drawn aroand him the best families of the tribe - the heads of which had fought with him on many a btotKly Held. Keokuk took iki part in his eaid. but. although his superior in rank, was powerless to control Ihe band which acknowledged allegiance to him.

So, among the Pottawatomie!, Big Foot, chief of a band, seemed not to be under the control of any other chiefs of Out nation. Although Kcnkoi. the head chief, dnired peace, Black Hawk d«l not heed hi. advice or orders.

settlements. - * * From every information that I have received I am of the opinion thai the intention of the British hand of Sac Indians is to commit depredations on the inhabitant!, of the frontier "

It is quite likely that Black Hawk, who was a warm friend of Armstrong, was in collusion with him to get up a scare and a new treaty. The Galenian. a paper published in Galena, under date of May 2. 1832. says that " Black Hawk was invited by the 'prophet,* and had taken possession of a tract of forty miles upon Rock River, but did nut remain long before commencing his march up the river. C aptain William B. Green, afterward a citizen of Chicago, who served in Stephenson's company of mounted rangers, said that " Black Hawk and his band crossed the river with no hostile intent, bill to accept an invitation from I'ittawak, a friendly chief, to come over and spend the summer with his people on the head-waters of the Illinois." Whatever may have been the causes or influences which determined Black Hawk, he decided to so far violate the terms of the treaty as to return. April 6, 1832, he crossed the Mississippi with his whole band, including old men, women, children, warriors, ponies and household goods, as was common to the tribe on making a peaceful migration. The warriors numbered 3S6; the camp followers, probably three times that number. It is well to remember that Black Hawk's soldiers at the maximum numbered less than half a thousand. Some stopped at the village of the Prophet; many dispersed among the neighboring villages, while Black Hawk, with the remnant of his party, numbering mure non-combatants than warriors, made his way up the Rock River toward the Winnebago country. His return, in violation of the treaty, and the warning of Davenport, resulted in the hasty muster of the militia by Governor Reynolds to repel the threat ened invasion. On Saturday. May 9, the militia had rendezvoused, to the number of eighteen hundred men, at Dixon's Ferry, awaiting the arrival of General Atkinson's forces from Fort Armstrong. Prior to this, J. W. Stephenson, John Foley and - Atchison had returned from a reconnoitering expedition, and reported that the Indians "had dispersed among the neighboring tribes." The Galenian, in commenting on the report of these scouls said: " It is already proved that they will not attempt to light it out with us, as many have supposed. Will the temporary dispersion of Black Hawk's band among their neighbors cause our troops to be disbanded ?" It seems to have been decided by the troops, if not by the Governor, that they would not disband until they had exterminated the trespassers. On May 10, Major Isaiah Stillman, with a force of about four hundred well-mounted volunteers, was permitted by the Governor tti make a reconnoissance on the trail of the halfstarved remnant of the migratory tribe; the Galenian says, -' With a fixed determination to wage a war of extermination wherever he might find any part of the hostile band." On the evening of May 12, Stillman's force encamped at White Rock Grove, in what is now Ogie County, about thirty-five miles from Dixon. They had with them a full commissary supply, including a barrel of whisky, and authorities are quite unanimous in saying that many of them were inspired by the maudlin courage they had imbibed. Black Hawk, with his war chief, Ne-o-pope, about a hundred and fifty warriors, and twice that number of women, children, and old men. was encamped but a short distance away. His proxim-

Prophet " Wh.tc Cloud" mas a Winnebago chief, then having his village at what is now Prophrtslown. III. Hr was in fall sympathy with Black Hawk, and although the Winnebagoes would not join him in open war against the whiles, his inv.tation to Black Hauk income over and planr corn in his territory did not reassure the whites. It had the appearance of duplicity on ihe part of While Cloud, and aroused the suspicion that a general alliance of the Wtimebagoes. Pottnnatomies and Foxes against the white, would be the probable sequence of Black Hawk s visit.

ity was unknown to the whites, but hearing of their arrival he determined to communicate with them. He accordingly sent a small party of his braves with a Hag of truce toward Stillman's camp. On appearing in sight, some of Stillmen's men, without orders hastily mounted and rode furiously toward them, firing as they advanced, killing two of the Indians and capturing two others. The rest of the party fled to Block Hawk's camp, pursued by the whites, and bearing tidings of the death of their comrades and the violation of the flag of truce. The war-whoop was the reply to the outrage, and an immediate silly in force was made to avenge it. The drunken squad which had done the mischief and opened the war, murdered their two prisoners, and retreated to the camp. Here a general panic ensued, and the whole battalion fled for sifcty. Kleven of Stillmaii's men were killed before the escape was effected, among whom were Captain Adams and Major Perkins. 'The place of slaughter, where the mutilated remains of the victims were afterward found and buried, is still known as " Stillman's Run." The panic-stricken soldiers lied to Dixon and other places of safety, spreading consternation among the settlers. General Whiteside, then in command at Dixon, marched immediately to the scene of the late disaster, but the hostile band hail disappeared, lie hail only the melancholy satisfaction of burying the mutilated remains of the victims of this ill-starred and rash encounter. Black Hawk and his braves were on the war-path. They had broken up into small parties, and, in the style of savage war-fare, were devastating the white settlements, robbing, destroying, and murdering in sweet revenge for the outrages of Stillman's men. The volunteers who thus precipitated the rupture were soon after mustered out of the service, and for a few weeks thereafter the settlers were left to defend themselves against the aroused and merciless foe. The news of the breaking out of the war soon reached the settlers of Cook County, then comprising the present counties of McHenrv, Du- Page. Will and hake. The settlers of I hi Page County, lieing nearest the scene of danger, made a unanimous stampede for the stockades at Fort Dearborn as a place of refuge and safety. The news of the outbreak reached Naper's settlement, a few days after the discomfiture of Stillman's forces, and caused not a little anxiety. It being planting-time, the settlers, taking extra precautions against surprise, still remained to finish the work of yetting in seed. On the morning of the iSlh, Shata, a son of Shawbonee, a messenger sent by his father from the Pottawatomie*, who remained friendly to the whites, reai bed the settlement with the intelligence that a party of Sacs were on the Fox River committing depredations. He stated that they had burned the dwellings and destroyed the property of Hollenbeck and Cunningham, then living at Hollenbeck 's drove now Millbrook, Kendall County:, continued their march up the river, ami were then not more than ten miles from the settlement. No time was lost in hastily gathering together what few effects could be carried, and in the afternoon the families, with the exception of Christopher Payne's, started with an escort for Chicago, some of the men remaining to guard the hamlet and crops from destruction, if possible. The following day Laughton an Indian-trader living on the Desplaines River, came to the settlement with three Pottawatomie Indians and a half-breed named Burrasaw. Thev came in search of news regarding the threatened invasion. It was decided to visit the camp of the friendly Pottawatomie*, and Laughton s party, joined by Captain Joseph Naper and a few other settlers, went to their camp in the Bic

Woods, some ten miles away. They found the whole tribe engaged in a big feast, but managed to gather from them the unwelcome information that a hand of Sacs, three hundred in number, were encamped in the Blackberry timber only four miles distant; that thev were bent on mischief; that they would try to prevail on them to spare the settlement, etc. An old squaw, more sober than her lord, said to Naper " Puc-a-chc." which Naper understood as the most forcible and imperative expression in the dialect to indicate that only (light could avoid imminent peril. Translated into English it meant "be off," '-go quick," or "run for your life." Laughton, who, from his intimate relations with the Pottawatomies as a trader, had no fear for himself, remained. Na|H-r and his companions returned at once to the settlement. There they waited further developments, meantime preparing for fight if it should prove necessary. They loaded on their remaining wagons what they would carry, and hid in a well what it was necessary to leave behind. While engaged in these preparations for flight. I.uughlnn returned, accompanied by some fifty Pottawatomies, to warn them to hasten their departure, as a band of Sacs had already crossed the Fox River, all efforts to dissuade them from hostile intent have proved unavailing. No further delay was made. I he settlers hastily warned all within reach of the imminent danger, and with the family of Payne left behind the day before, followed their families In their flight to Chicago, which place was reached on the evening of the 20th. At that time the panic had become wide-spread and the fugitives were pouring in from all quarters. The arrival of the Napervilte settlers brought the first reliable news of the near approach of the Indians. Fort Dearborn was at this time temporarily unoccupied as a military post. The troops r>f the garrison had been sent to Green Hay Fort Howard and Major Whistler, who had been ordered to re-garrison the fort from Fort Niagara, bad not yet arrived. So the refugees took possession of the fort, several hundred finding crowded but welcome accomodations in the deserted barracks and such improvised shelter as they could erect. Some Michigan Militia also came over and garrisoned the fort in an irregular way, crowding its capacity to the utmost. The fort at this lime was in charge of Colonel T. J. V. Owen. GovermctW Agent of the Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Chippewa Indians. The means of defense at this time were certainly inadequate to the scare, to say nothing of the actual danger. The Cook County and Chicago Militia again came to the front. Already the Chicago Militia was enrolled, as appears by the following quotation from the Fergus s Historical Series, No. 16, pp. 64-65:

"Chicago's Early Defenders. - In my pursuit of the names of the early settlers of Chicago, a friend has presented me with the following, which he assures me was copied, some years ago, from the original. The officers are all dead. Captain Kercheval, once a prominent man in this city, and who represented it in the Legislature in 1838, died within a year or two in California, leaving a son who is a printer in this city. His widow resides at East St. Louis, III., with her sister, the widow of Colonel Thomas J. V. < )wen, once Indian Agent here. The two Lieutenants having been Postmasters in this city, are welt remembered. Of the soldiers. I know of but one living, David McKee, of Aurora, III. If there is another living, he is wanted at the Chicago Historical Society's rooms, corner of Dearborn Avenue and Ontario Street.

Early Military History

talionof four companies from the citizens of northern Illinois. The pay-rolls of these four companies of volunteers, I am told, is still preserved at Washington, D. C, where it was sent for the purpose of procuring landwarrants. It is hoped that a copy of it will soon be in live Chicago Historical Society's library. I doubt not but the names of many persons now living are upon it.

" I am inclined to think the paper was drawn up by Colonel Richard J. Hamilton, the stepfather of our present Judge Murry F. Tuley. Thirty-seven is the number capable and witling to bear arms at that date. There was no clergyman here to be their chaplain, if they wanted one.* John Wentworth.

Muster Roll

May 2, 1832. - We, the undersigned, agree to submit ourselves, for the time being, to Gholson Kerchcval, Captain, and George W. Dole and John S. C. Hogan, First and Second Lieutenants, as commanders of the Militia of the town of Chicago, until all apprehension of danger from the Indians may have subsided : Richard J. Hamilton, Jeddiah Woolley, Jesse H. Brown, George H. Walker,

This company never entered the service under the command of Captain Kercheval or Lieutenants Dole and Hogan, but the members were pledged to duty whenever and wherever required for defense. So, when the fugitives arrived from the Naper settlement, and the heads of the families indicated their intention to return immediately to look after their property, they found no difficulty in raising a company from the ranks of Kercheval's volunteers to return with them. The company consisted of about thirtv men, under the command of Jesse B. Brown and Richard J. Hamilton, and was made up from the roster of high privates before given, together with a dozen Napervillc settlers, among whom were John and Joseph Naper, Christopher Pavne, Baley Hobson, Alanson Sweet, Israel Blodgett, and Robert Strong.

On Saturday. May 21, this Chicago Militia company, known as Captain Brown's, left Fort Dearborn for the seat of war. They stopped at night at Laughton's and on the next day reached Naper's settlement, where they found everything had remained undisturbed since the fugitives had left place. Thence they proceeded to Plainficld, where the settlers had erected a rough log fort and were apparently secure against attack. From there they marched to Holdcrman's Grove, where they spent the night and a part of the following day. While there an express from Ottawa came to them! bringing the intelligence that a party of Sacs had fallen upon the settlement at Indian Creek, and murdered all the settlers. The company immediately proceeded to Ottawa, and from thence to the scene of the tragedy, where they found, amidst a scene of complete destruction and desolation, the BMUlgled and lifeless remains of fifteen of the settlers. The victims had all been scalped, and their bodies mutilated according to the extreme standard of savage warfare, the children Iveing hacked in pieces, the bodies of the Women nailed, suspended by their feet, to the walls of the houses, and those of the men mutilated in a manner so shocking as to be indescribable. They buried the dead and returned to Ottawa. From thence, with a reinforcement of twelve volunteers, under Major Bailey, they started on their return march. At Holderman's Grove they found everything laid waste, and proceeded to Plainficld, where they found the settlers within the fort in a state of great alarm, occasioned by the news they had just received of the Indian Creek' massacre. The following morning the Plainficld fort was abandoned, and the settlers, under the escort of the soldiers, set out for Fort Dearborn - all but Rev. Adam Payne, a peripatetic preacher, who refused to join the company. He started in the opposite direction for Ottawa, and was never again seen alive. His body was found some days after. His scalp and his long flowing beard had been torn off by the merciless band at whose hands he met his death. The company reached Chicago, with the new accession of fugitives and terror, on the evening of the 26th, after an arduousand heart-sickening, if not dangerous, campaign of five days.

With no regular garrison at the fort, it was deemed necessary to keep a volunteer patrol force constantly on the watch, to guard against the near approach or sudden surprise of the dreaded and wily foe. The Michigan Militia in the garrison did good picket duty, but it devolved on the Chicago men and such allies as might be drawn from the men who had their families in the fort to make more extended reconnoissancc. Soon after the return of Captain Brown's company two new companies were organized to reconnoiter the country toward the Fox River. Very meager accounts of these companies appear, as they were never mustered into the regular service, and no rosters of the companies have been preserved. In one of the series of articles entitled " By-Gone Days," published in the Chicago Times, in 1875, the remembrance of these two companies is revived as follows : " Meanwhile the Chicago heroes had left no Opportunity unimproved to cover themselves with laurels. Robert Kinzie had a company of fifty Pottawatomies under his command, who acted as scout's and runners, while Captain Jean Baptiste Beaubicn, with a company of twenty or more whites, scoured the country about Naperville, Plainficld and Ottawa, in a stvle that was exceedingly lively." Hurlbut's "Chicago Antiquities," p. 308. says : " During the Indian excitement of 1832, Mr. Beaubien had command of some twenty-five men, who, as scouts, did duty for a short time." The only extended campaign of these two companies of which any account is preserved occurred in June, 1832.

of Captain ISrown's company, a new company was raised to revisit the deserted settlements near Fox River, to ascertain whether the enemy had visited them, and look after t he property left behind and the growing crops, if they had not been destroyed. Robert Kinzie was already on duty with a company of fifty Pottawatomie scouts, Captain heaubien's company numbered some twentyfive mounted men, among whom were several of Brown's men who had re-enlisted. The two Napers and Alanson Sweet were members. The command set out from Chicago on the morning of June 1. At noon they reached the Desplaincs River, where they found Captain Kinzie already encamped with his band of Pottawatomie*. It was agreed that Kinzie with his scouts should proceed directly to the Naper settlement, while Captain Beaubien should make a detour to Captain Hoardman's to look after the property there, it being expected that the latter, being better mounted, would reach the place of rendezvous first. Heaubien's company rink quite rapidly, found hoardman's property safe, and before sunset reached Ellsworth's drove. A skirt of timber hid the settlement from view, but smoke was seen rising from the |>oint where Naper's house was Unrated; whether it was from its smouldering ruins or not was a question, to solve which John Naper volunteered to leave the company and go alone to the settlement. He was to lire one shot in case he found friends. He was watched by the little party until he disappeared in the woods. Soon after two shots were heard in quick succession, and, as Naper did not reappear, the natural conclusion was that the Sacs had killed him. Two of the Chicago company, one mounted on a pack mule and the other on a diminutive pony which he had I lorrowed from the American Kur Company, manifested great trepidation, and without orders turned the heads of their slow and unreliable steeds toward the East Branch timber. Captain Heaubien was not slow to discover the depletion in his ranks, and rose to the exigencies of the occasion. He rode rapidly after the fugitives, vociferating, " Halt ! Halt ! ! " Disregarding the orders of their commander, they con- . tinned their flight, now hotly pursued bv Captain Beau- * bien. He soon ran them down, drew* his pistol, and brought them to a halt and return to the ranks by the following statement of the rase : " You run ? By ( iar you run, I shoot you." Soon after the return of the deserters Naper made his appearance bringing the relieving intelligence that friends only awaited them at the settlement. Kinzie and his Indian scouts had outmarched them, and were already encamped there They rode with haste to the village', with light hearts and empty stomachs. A fat steer, somewhat wild, was run down by the Pottawatomies with a din of yells, dispatched and brought in with great exultation over the success Ol the hunt, and the commissary still further supplied by breaking into the log store which had escaped the depredations of the Sacs, and bringing forth ample supplies of rum and tobacco for the Indians. In the evening the Pottawatomie scouts were prevailed upon to perform the « war dance " with all the variations that ^nn"'m. T could suggest, after which entertainment the tired soldiers slept the sound sleep which only fatigue can bring, The following morning Beaubien's company rose refreshed. They had slept off the fatigue of the day before, and with' renewed strength came renewed ardor for a conflict with the Sacs of whom they had failed to find traces thus far. Fearing that in the' heat of some possible conflict, they might slay some of their allies, the Pottawatomies, they took from the stores a web of sheeting, tore it in strips, and as a precautionary insignia, tied them about the head and waist of each friendly Indian. Thus having secured the safety of Kinzie's Indian scouts. Captain Beaubien and his company left them, and started for the big Woods in search of the enemy. AH day they scoured the plains, without meeting a trace of the foe, returning quite jaded and disheartened to the Naper settlement late in the evening. On the following morning they set out on their return to Chicago, leaving Kinzie and his Indian scouts to keep watch for the Sacs, who never afterward appeared in force in that region. They had already gone up the Rock River, beyond the present boundaries of Illinois. Nothing exciting occurred during the re- -turn journey except a slight emeute in the ranks. One of the soldiers who had hastily enlisted without any preliminary drill in the manual of arms, placed the whole command in jeopardy by allowing his gun to fire itself off at unseasonable and unexpected times. As the guns were all strapped to the horse's sides, each had the full range of such members of the company as happened to go before, It is not strange that three unexpected discharges from the young man's gun before reac hing Brush Hill, a distance of ten miles, should spread discontent in the front ranks. They had steeled their heart* to a I toe terrors ol Indian warfare, tlx deadly ambush, the savage assaults, the tomahawk and the scalping knife : but this new element of annihilation which belched from an unmanageable gun at suchmncertain seasons, and with such uncertain aim had a most demoralizing effect on the entire force. When, on reaching Brush Hill, and dismounting, the young man's gun fired itself off for the fourth time. Captain Beaubien asserted his authority and ordered him to give up the dangerous weapon, which, in a mutinous and defiant manner, he refused to do, whereupon he was collared by the Captain, and after an exhibition of ground and lofty tumbling, such as the prairies had never smiled on before, disarmed. Equanimity, discipline, and safety being thus restored, the company resumed their march, reaching Chicago the same evening The fugitives were re-assured by their return that there was no immediate clanger. ( kcasional excursions were made during the succeeding weeks to the deserted settlements, each party returning with the welcome news that they had discovered no traces of Indians and that the crops were growing undisturbed. It was. nevertheless, not deemed prudent for the settlers to return to their homes, while the hostile Sacs were known to be still unconquered only one hundred and fifty miles away. They might return and repeat on some defenseless hamlet the horrors of Indian Creek. So all through the summer days of June the fugitives remained quartered in and about Fort Dearborn. Major Whistler arrived July 2, with a small detachment of soldiers from Niagara, to rc-occupy the fort as a military post and prepare quarters for General Scott and his command, whose arrival was daily expected. He arrived July 8, and on the following morning the dread news was known that with him had come an enemy more terrible than that from which they had fled. It was the scourge of cholera in its most fatal form. The soldiers died off like distempered sheep. The corpses were too numerous for formal or Christian burial, and were huddled hastily into common graves. The terror of this new enemy, which was the only one before which the hem Scott everquailed, drove the refugees from the fort. They chose to face the possible danger of the tomahawk and scalping knife, rather than the ghostly pestilence that "walked at noon-day," striking the siient death-blow with unseen hand. The settlers accordingly returned precipitately to their deserted homes, and, by the ioth, Chicago was abandoned to the pest-stricken garrison and the few stouthearted residents who, in the interests of humanity, chose to remain, to assist in caring for the sick and burying the dead. August 3, Black Hawk's fugitives were surrounded and utterly routed at the mouth of Bad Axe River, ami the war was at an end. It is not the purpose here to give a full sketch even of the Black Hawk War, except so far as may be necessary to show the participation in it of Chicago soldiers. Front the story as told, it is shown that every able-bodied citizen volunteered.* and nearly all in some capacity dill service until the danger bad passed away. Cholson Kcrcheval, Colonel Owen, and many others were kept busy in providing for the wants of 'the homeless fugitives' as they came in.

Curdon S. Hubbard, still surviving, and residing in Chicago, did service in Colonel Moore's regiment of Illinois volunteers. He was at time living at Danville, although his business brought him frequently to Chicago. He was Second Lieutenant in Captain Alexander Bailey's company, and, according to the records, was mustered into the service May 2 ?, 18.52, and was mustered out June 2.?. The record would be incomplete without the roster of Captain Joseph Naper's company. It was raised during July, too late to take active part in the war. The members were all residents of Cook County, and many of them afterward residents of Chicago. The roster appears in the " Record of the Services of Illinois Soldiers in the Black Hawk War 1831-321 and in the Mexican War 1846-48 ." by Isaac ElllOtt, Adjutant-General of the State of Illinois, pp. 149-50. In March, 1S80, it was published in the Chicago Evening Journal, with the following letter :

I send yi>u a list of the soldiers who volunteered from ihis county to go with (k-neral Scott in pursuit of Ill.uk Hawk. The most;., these gent It-men are dead, but they have left descendant! who constitute some of our most valuable citizen*. There are many citizens of Chicago now living who hail a personal acquaint- - ance with nearly al! of them. I have given the resilience of I hose »hom I know are now living. Probably others are living whose resklence I do not know. This list has ln-en sent to Washington and compared with the original. Many of them resided in thai part of Cook County which is now I Hi Page County.

The fourth Corporal is now the County Judge of Dul'age County, and would be a go.nl man for gentlemen of historical tastes to interview. JoilN Wkntw.ir tii.

Chicaco, March 2. Ie-So. Mustek Roll of a Compitny of Mounted I'olunliers in the Set trier of the United States, in defenie of the Northern frontier of the State of Illinois, against the Sac and h'ox Indians, from the County of Cook, in said State, in the yetir /Sjj, under the command of Captain Joseph Naper : Joseph Naper, Captain, afterward member of Legislature. Alansnn Sweet, First- McuMUMt, now living - Sheiman King. Second- Lieutenant, I i veil at

Organization of the Cook Count v Militia. - In 1829 the legislature of the State of Illinois enacted the following law regulating the militia of the State:

Section i. Be il enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the tieneral Assembly, That there shall lie one regimental and one company muster, and one regimental muster of officers in each year; the company muMcr shall be held on the lirst Saturday in September, unless changed to some other day by order of the commandants of regiments or odd battalions, in which case sixty days notice of each change shall be given to the commandants of each company. Kcgimental drill musters shall be held on the Friday and Saturday next preceding the regimental musters. Hereafter, no brigade inspector shall be required to attend regimental or drill musters.

Skitios 2. For the purpose of review or drill inspection, the brigadier-general may change the time fixed by law for regimental musters, by giving to the several commandants of regiments, or odd battalions, under their command, I notice to that effect, on or before the first day of March in each year.

Skction 3. Commandants of companies may receive-any lawful excuse of non-commissioned officers or privates under their command, for a failure to attend muster, or for not being prnpcrlv

SNTins 4 No non-com missioned officer or private shall l>c fined more than one dollar for failing to attend any regimental muster nor more lhan fifty cents for failing to amend any company muster.

SKCriOS 5. No person conscientiously opposed to doing military duty by reason of religious opinions, shall be compiled so 10 do in lime* of |>eace: Provided such person shall work two days in each year, on the public road*, in the district in which such person or in addition to the road labor now required of il.n m - ptesi rilw il in lln se. imd -. cti in .1 'An persons having conscientious scruples against

The lirst section of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms," approved February 6, IS27. is hereby repealed.

Suction 6. So much of the act, to which this is an amendment, as required battalion musters to be arid; so much of said act as fixes the time for holding regimental drill musters; so much thereof "as allows compensation to division and brigade inspectors; so much thereof as requires two company musters to beheld in each v ear, and prescribing the holding of the same; lie ami the samearc hereby repealed. This act to I* in force from and after it* passage,

I Approved, January 11. 1829.) The above law was certainly not calculated to bring the militia of the State to any great degree of efficiency, as it provided cheap ways and means whereby every soldier enrolled could be exempt from service. Coder this general law a special act was passed by the Illinois Legislature in 1833. organizing the militia in Cook County. The act was as follows:

SKCrlov I. lie it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, I ha I all the citizens of Cook County liable to perform militia duty, shall organize themselves into a regiment, two battalions, and not less than four nor more lhan eight companies. After the election of colonel, which shall be held on the 20th day of March next, at the house of David Lortou, on the Drsplaines River, in said county, and before the people separate, the colonel elect, and the people present, may divide the county off into two battalion districts, and not less than four nor more than eight company districts, and the militia present, when the bounds of the said battalions and companies are described ia writing, shall proceed forthwith to elect two mniors, and not less than four nor more than tight captains, and a lirst and second lieutenant to each company: Provided always, that none shall be eligible to the several offices herein provided for, unless he shall at the time of said election be resident citizen in such battalion district, if a major, or in said company district if a captain or lieutenant ; nor shall any militiaman, not residing in the battalion or company district, be allowed to vote for any officer, *o lo be elected, but in all rases, the militamen shall elect their o»-n officers in their own districts.

Sir. 2. After the organization of the militia so to be made at the house of David l^>rtnn, on the said 201h day of March next, the colonel elect shall give to each major, captain, ami lieutenant, a certificate of election ; and if they cannot elect all their officers in one day, they may continue said election from day to day, not exceeding three days. After said elections shall be closed, and the results ascertained, the colonel shall cause each captain lo furnish him within three days a company roll : Provided, that in no case shall any company be recognized as such, unless there be thirty-two privates in the sime.

Sue. 3 The said colonel, when so elected, shall lie allowed to receive, for the use of the militiamen of his regiment, two hundred stand of the Mate nrms, to wit : one hundred rifles and one hundred muskets with their accoutermenls.

discretion he shall deem it necessary, to deliver to the colonel - I I "- li C mntN the compleir . i t .,nr.« mentinnc i in the preceding section of this act ; but the colonel, before he shall receive said arms, shall execute to the Governor a bond, in the penal sum of $3,200, conditioned that the said arms shall be at all times hereafter forthcoming to the order of the liovernor ; after which, each captain shall execute a bond in the penal sum of Stfi for each gun. to the colonel, conditioned that said gun shall be at all times hereafter forthcoming to the order of the colonel ; and each private, before he shall receive from his captain any of the said arms, shall give him a receipt for the gun, describing it, conditioned that if he fails or refuses to return it to the order of his captain, he will pay, or cause to lie paid to his said captain, the sum of $itj as a penalty for such failure or refusal : Provided always, that the said arms, or any of them, be lost In battle, oF by any unavoidable accident, the said bonds, or receipts, to that extent, shall be null and void: Provided also, that the said colonel shall lie allowed to execute the bond herein required of him in the Clerks office of the county commissioner s court, with sureties to be approved bv the Clerk thereof, payable to the Governor of this State for the use of the people ; which bond shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State within sixty days, after which certificate of said colonel's bond, by the said Clerk, the quota of arms herein allowed to said county ol took shall be delivered to the order of said colonel, who shall make equal distribution of them among the captains, who shall distribute them to those who have no arms in the several companies, as sha 1 he equal and just : Provided, that the cost of transportation of said arms shall lie paid by the county requiring them.

SIX. 5 The provisions of this act, so far as it confers the power on the Governor to deliver State arms to the militia of this Mate, as provided in this act, shall be general. All bonds to be taken under the provisions of this act, shall be conditioned for the return of the arms in good order.

(Approved February 22. 1S33.) The Organization under the provisions of the foregoing law was not completed until more than a year after its passage. In the spring of 1S34, by order of the Military Commandant of the State an election was held at the house of David Urton, fUughton) on June 7. 1834. - he law was by no means popular. A large part of the community were adverse to training on general principles, and did not care to be bothered with the responsibility of enrolled soldiery which involved the custody of arms and the payment of fines in case of failure to perform the required drill duty at the time specified, l he non-military party were in a large majority and, as they could not ignore a quasi election under the law, determined to elect if possible a colonel after their own heart. 1 he day appointed for their election brought such a crowd of citizens as had never been assembled in Cook County In-fore. Laughton's tavern the place appointed, was situated some twelve nu ts from tort Dearborn, near the present suburb of Kivers.de, on what was known for many years as the

Southwestern Plank Road - now Ogden Avenue. All the able-bodied citizensof Chicago attended; and thev went prepared for a short, sharp and decisive campaign. In addition to ordinary commissary stores of crackers, cheese, dried beef, etc., a large supply of strong beverages was taken along to strengthen the soldier)' in case of a prolonged contest. A part of the outfit was, according to an aged chronicler, "one keg of brandy, four packages of loaf sugar, and sixteen dozen lemons." The election was entirely a one-sided affair, and was quickly over. The anti-militia patty were triumphant. The successful candidate for the Colonel was the chivalrous, good-natured, Jean Baptiste Beaubien, then the most popular man in Cook County and one who it was believed could be depended upon for lax dicipline and light fines in time of peace. The election was celebrated with all the hilarity that the occasion demanded. A barrel set in a spring which gushed from the bluff near I-aughton's house was utilized as a punch bowl. Into it the brandy and lemons and sugar were poured, ami from it the crowd drank to the Colonel elect, until the spring water again asserted its supremacy. The story is apocryphal ; but it is here repeated, nevertheless, as one version of an o'er true tale. It is certain that on the occasion a larger majority of the citizens of Chicago got gloriously tipsy than at any other epoch in her history, before or since. The regiment at that time organized was, for a quarter of a century thereafter, known as the Sixtieth Regiment of Illinois Militia

Its childhood, under the lax discipline of its over indulgent and big-hearted Colonel, showed a somewhat Spontaneous growth, untrammeled and unpestcred with the rigors of military discipline, except at intervals so rare as to render them novel episodes in the Otherwise free and easy existence. There is mention of but one regimental muster of the Sixtieth in its early days in the military annals of the time, and the date, or even the year when it transpired, is undetermined. The rather umnilitary but hospitable speech of the good-natured Colonel on dismissing his command is well remembered by old settlers and often quoted. The recollections of K. K. [ones concerning it were given in a letter which appeared in the Chicago Tribune sometime in 1876 or 1877. The letter is as follows :

" In the year '41 or '42 an attempt was made to organiie the militia, and those liable to military were warned out. Kx-Sherilf Sam l.owc had been commissioned as one of the Captains, and was full of Military zeal, but the people were determined to 1 bust the whole arrangement somehow. Captain Lowe's company nvel inside Fort dearborn, which was then but recently abandoned by the regular troops. The men liable to do military duty did not desire to train, lint we boys did. and we fell into the ranks proniptly rresenlly along comes' the Captain, taking down the names, age. occupation, and hearing excuses, if any. When the Captain came to me, he said, with great emphasis : ' Are vou eighleen? ' N-n.n-o-ci Sir.' 1 Stand aside.' Ami thus he served all the boys who were willing, and had only those in the ranks who looked upon the whole thing as a nuisance, and were decidedly unruly. The Captain threatened to put some of them under arrest, and was fast losing his temper, when rive recruits marched onto the parade ground, took the left of the line and saluted without a wink ora smile. As Kalstaff says, ' such a lot.' Every one was uniformed 011 his own hook, and regardless of any regulations, ancient or It is impossible for me to describe the scene that followed, lie militia broke ranks and gathered around that army and shouted and laughed and clapped their hands. The Captain was mad and at last succeeded in getting his company in line, made a speech as to their and his duty. All this time the five scouts, all wellknown young men, stood like statues and looked gravely at the Captain; who. white w ith passion, ordered a corporal (C. R. \ an**- cook) lo take charge of that squad, and drill them hard and las.

This burlesque put the town in ureal good humor, and, as was intended, ' knocked the spots ofl " of any more militia trainings in Chicago. The next day was battalion drill, and » new company of fantastic* numbering about one hundred, took the plate of that squad, and, as no questions were asked, we boys joined, and were

At the close of that regimental parade Colonel Itcaubicn made the boys a speech about as follow : ' Boy*, you have l>cen good soldiers to-day, M we will all go down to my friend ( ieorge Chacklicld's and take some whisky. (Jcorgc. he got some good. I try it this morning." "

At the time of the organization of the Militia of Cook County, in 1X34, the county embraced what is now Will, DuPage, Mc Henry, and Lake counties, and for many years, until Chicago had grown to be quite a village, the Chicago quota of militia attached to the regiment consisted of but a single company. For the four years succeeding the election of Colonel Beaubien it does not appear that there was any effort made to formally complete the organization by the election of subordinate field officers, or the organization of companies. Until 1838 the Colonel enjoyed his title and held autocratic and undivided command over his unenrolled and uncounted cohorts. The records of the Slate Adjutant General show the first full regimental staff. and the officers of the first Chicago company which formed a part of the regiment, with dates of commissions and rank, to have been as follows :

Commission

It would appear from the above that a second regimental election was held May i, 18.58, ami a company election held in Chicago April 28, 1838, the date of rank being recorded on the date of election. It does not appear that the commissions, except that of Colonel Beaubien, were issuetl until nearly two years after the elections; a sad reflection on the laxity of martial spirit and military pride in Chicagoans at that time. The receiving of the commissions and the partial organization of the regiment in February, 1840, came opportunely. Soon after, a detachment of the regiment was ordered by the Governor to perform guard duly at the execution of John Stone, the first murderer convicted and executed" in Cook County. He had been convicted of the crimes of rape and the subsequent murder of his victim, a Mrs. Thompson: the crimes having been committed in the present town of Jefferson, Cook County. He was tried at the May term of court, convicted, and sentenced to be bung May 29. An appeal was made to the Supreme Court, with motion for a newtrial. The motion was refused, but, pending the decision, a reprieve was granted, postponing the time of execution to July 10, at which time the culprit was hung. The command of the regiment on this occasion was, by public notice from Colonel Beaubien, given to Lieutenant-Colonel Seth Johnson. The notice transferring the command appeared in the Chicago American of July 8, 1840, and read as follows:

Chicago, Julv 6, 1S40. Until further orders, the command of the (10th Regiment of Illinois Militia is transferred to Lieutenant-Colonel Seth Johnson, of the same regiment. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. Bv order.

1 in, v 1 , |ulv 7. 1840. in compliance with Regimental Order No, t. issued July 6. 1S40. Lieutenant-Coloncl Seth Johnson assumes command of the doth Regiment Illinois Militia, and directs that an election be held at the Mansion House, Chicago, (or the purpose of elecling four captains, (om first licutei mts, ai \ two sevi -nd h'-nkn.iiit-. in the ali..\e regiment. Hv order.

In an account of the execution which appeared in the Chicago American of July 17, 1840. the services of the militia were noticed as follows: " The prisoner was hung Friday afternoon 1 July 10 , three miles from the city, near the lake shore. At the request of the Sheriff, nearly two hundred citizens assembled on horseback, with sixty armed militiamen, under command of Colonels Johnson and Beaubien, ami Captain Hunter. Colonel Johnson appeared in full uniform and much credit is due to him and Captain Hunter for their active and successful services in maintaining quiet and order upon this occasion." How long after the execution of Stone Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson held command is not a matter of record. It appears from a regimental order published in the Daily American of August to, 1842, that Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson at that date still held command. The order was as follows:

Ciiicaiuj. May »8. 1842. Regimental (Irkkrs No. 2. F« the further organization of the both Regiment of Illinois Mililia in Ccok County, the commandant of said regiment hereby orders an election to be held at the si-veral places herein specified, on the 15th of June, 1842, for the purpose of electing one captain, one second lieutenant, for each company district laid off as follows:

The polls will open in each company district at the above named places at 9 o'clock A. M.. on the 15th of June, 1842, and willi mtinue "]« n to receive totes until sunset, anil .ill rlecttM must vote f»'m MM. Three judges of election and one clerk must be chosen and sworn in for each poll, as in ordinary elections. No person shall be eligible to a command in the militia in this State who is not a citizen of the United States, and has not resided in the proper bounds at least ten davs, liy order of

Not long after, Colonel Beaubien re-assumed command ami determined to have a muster. W hether it was the same before mentioned, or not, is not certain. The order appeared in the Chicago Democrat and was as follows:

Chicago, August, 1842. Regimental Order No. 5. The commander of the 60th Regiment of the Illinois Militia of Cook County orders: and directs that the officers appointed on the 161I1 of June and also on the 23d Jay of July. 1^42. in the i regiment, and who have been sworn into office. pfOCttd without delay to enrol their companies within their respective company dis. Iricts, and be in readiness to attend tin- regimental drill and muster on the 7lh day of .September. 1*42; and on the 14th of the same month a court martial will be held to assess tines on all delinquent officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates belonging to the 60th Regiment. By order of

Chicaoo. August 6, 1S42. I he commander of the Goth Regiment of Illinois Militia hereby orders and directs that an election for one captain and one tirst and second lieutenant \x held at Doty's tavern, l.vons and Summit precinct, to form Company V district, on Saturday the 20th hut., at 10 A. »., when and where all those subject to serve in the militia residing within the b.-unds of said district are required to attend, and select three judges and one clerk to keep the poll on uath, and the poll so taken ami cert i lied to be returned to the commander of the regiment so soon as the law requires. The polls to be kept open until 6 ft H. By order of said Air,,hehia,knnCt,i0" ^',hcld L'"raP»"y "». at <he time aforesaid, M the I...kc House in Chicago for a second lieutenant of said company. In the place of D. Hatch, removed from the State?

companies H, C and D, were Chicago companies. In alphabetical order the companies A and E do not appear, and there IS a discrepancy in the orders as to companies F and H ; Beaubien ordered an election to be held at 1 toly'i tavern, Lyons and Summit, to elect officers for Company F. Johnson ordered the election to he held for Company F at McKay's, at Athens, and for Company H, at Lyons and Monroe.

Colonel Beaubicn's muster, in compliance with order No. 5, given before, probably came off. There were delinquents sufficiently numerous to bring out a notice in the Chicago Democrat of October 10, 1S42, from A. H. Tappan, Constable and Collector, wherein he stales that a list of fines assessed by the "Court of Enquiry and Assessment for the 60th Regiment Of Militia and the Independent Companies attached *' hail been placed in his hands for collection. The advertisement closes with the following : " It is hoped that every person within the bounds of the regiment subject to military duty will hold himself in readiness promptly to meet his fines. "

The following officers of Chicago Militia companies, appear in the State records as elected and commissioned, prior to 1S47 and subsequent to 1S42 :

The names of militia officers of Chicago, outside of those of independent companies attached, which appear elsewhere, are copied from the State records, and are as follows:

Rank

Colonel . l.t.-Col . Major . . Major . . I '1 ilonel iMaior . . Colonel Captain . Captain . Captain . 1-.1 l.ii ut 2d Lieut Adjutant Surgeon Captain . 1st Lieut 2d I.icut 2d I.icut Captain .

2d Lieut Q'nuster 2d I .ieul 1st Lieut Caplain . Captain . I si Lieut 1st Lieut 2d Lieut st Lieut 2d Lieut Captain 1st Lieut 1st I ieul 2d Lieut Captain 2d Lieut 3d Lieut 1st Lieut Caplain . Captain . Captain . 1st Lieut 2d Lieut Caplain .

The following officers of Chicago Militia companies appear on the State records as elected and commissioned prior to 1842, and subsequent to 1840:

The Sixtieth, as the reader already knows, was the first militia regiment organized in t ook County. It continued its existence as a militia State organization until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion in 1861. Its first Colonel, J. B Beaubien, held command, except at such times as he chose temporarily to abdicate, until 1847, at which time he became HrigadicM ieneral of Second Brigade, Sixth Division. Illinois Militia,* and J. B. F. Russell was commissioned Colonel.

Pate

Further lists of officers connected with the regiment during its existence appear in sketches of the independent companies which were attached to it. and in later years made up the organization.

summer and fall of 1842. when the foregoing orders were issued, and the muster of the Cook County Militia occurred, there was a revival of the military spirit which resulted in the organization of the first independent militia companies of Chicago. There had been, prior to this date, one or two ephemeral organizations of which only the names are preserved. In 18,57, the Chicago American asked : " W hat has become of the Dragoon Company? " The question suggests the prior existence of such a company-, although no record appears elsewhere concerning it. The same paper, August 12, t8io, asks: " What has become of the Chicago City Guards ? " The answer is, as in the former case; nobody knows what has become of them, and nobody would have known that they had ever existed had not the American missed them and attempted a futile hunt for their remains. December 8. 1841, a correspondent in the American wrote:

" I am a little surprised that a city as populous and as public spirited in all other respects as Chicago is, should so lonjf remain destitute of one or mure independent military companies.

That a city, numbering at least six thousand inhabitants, has not even one uniformed company is lamentable. In Ottawa there are two companies, and in Joliet one."

" The formation of a draKoon company would be much too expensive, for each member would be required to furnish himself with a good horse. An artillery company would not meet our wants: it being an arm of the service that moves with the heaviness of its own eighteen or twenty-four pounders. 1 would therefore rccom mend a light infantry company. As to the unifurm; it is a matter of fancy or taste. A neat gray uniform need not cost each member over $20: ;1 ff|, hat or cap. with plate scales, and tassels with plumes, $10. This b the full amount that would be required, ex-

" Illinois Militia - This title we daresay, sounds somewhat oddly. It is rather a new thing for this portion of the State, at all events. The idea of an Illinois training has not probably been contemplated bv many of our citijtens, Ucsidcs, the militia system generally hits been so burlesqued; there have been s<> many invincible* In the field that not a few have looked upon the matter as long exploded. Such views may, perhaps, be properly entertained when there is no danger of war. but they surely cannot be w hen a lew months, nay, perhaps weeks, may possibly present us with scenes and sounds very different from those to which nearly all of us have been accustomed. The sword is already more than half-drawn (nun its scabbard. This matter ha* been suggested to us by the fact that militia officers are engageil in enrolling our citizens, and that the twenty-seventh of the present month i* training day."

" The gentlemen of this city desirous of forming themselves into an Independent Volunteer Company of Light Infantry will meet at the City lintel on Friday evening next, at seven o'clock.

" Many Citizens." This meeting resulted in an attempt to organize a company. March 14, 1842, there appeared in the Daily- American the following notice:

-' Attkntion. Company I - The member* of the Washington tiuards will meet at the court-room on Randolph Street next Tuesday evening, the t$lh, at seven, and it is hoped 'hat others who feel interested in the good cause will come and assist, and also those who wish to join. Hv order of 1 111: Committee."

of Wells and Randolph streets, on Saturday, April 2, for company drill. A general attendance of members and those wishing to join is requested. H. ToWNSKNO, SniYltin.

It iloes not appear that the Washington Guards became sufficiently organized at that time to be recognized on the State records as an independent company, From such mention as can be found, it appears that there had been in Chicago, prior to the summer of 1842, three independent military companies, viz.: a dragoon company, prior to 1837 ; the Chicago City Guards, prior to August 12. 1S39, and the Washington Guards, in existence April 2, 1842. Quite soon after that date two independent companies were formed ; one of infantry, the Montgomery Guards, and a cavalry company, first recorded on the books of the State Adjutant-General as the Chicago Cavalry. The Montgomery Guards may have succeeded the Washington Guards ; at any rate it was the first independent infantry company that had sufficient vitality to become historical. It survived the Mexican War, and the long period of peace succeeding, even to the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, at which time it was ready as ever since its organization in 1842 to fight the battles of its country. It has the longest record of any company in the c ity, was the first to organize, and never ceased its organization until it went out in the glory of actual warfare during the Rebellion. It was an Irish company, as the nanu s of the first officers would show. They were, as appear* from the official roster at Springfield, as follow* : Captain. Patrick Relley : First Lieutenant, VV. It. Snowhook; Second Lieutenant, Henry Cunningham ; Third Lieutenant. Michael O'Brien.

The Chicago Cavalry was also organized in the early spring of 1842. Its first officers commissioned were : Captain, Jesse Leavenworth; First Lieutenant. Isaac N. Arnold ; Second Lieutenant, James V. Sanger ; Third Lieutenant, S, li Colih; Cornet. S. N l>avis.

These two earliest inde|>endent companies of Chicago were attached to the Sixtieth Regiment of Illinois Militia. Both companies appeared in their new uniforms on July 4, 18.12, The Chicago Cavalry headed the procession, and the Montgomery Guards were presented a Hag on that occasion. The Chicago American, July 5. gives an account of the presentation ceremonies, as follows :

"On pn-scnting the standard to the companv Dr. EMM thus addressed the company: '(icntlemen of the tlaUmamuy C&aida, - you have honored me in receiving at my hands the banner - accept it. It is the first that has been presented in our new* citv, may it be the last to suffer in defeat. llchnM ! it unfurls to the Iweeje ihc name of the illustrious Montgomery: it fakes up glorious associations of the chivalrous dead. It |K>ints as .1 beacon light tit the shadowy future. Uemcmber ! humble as you are now, the dis. jointed times may call upon Mime spirit from' amongst your ranks to shed his blood for a nation's rights and to leave behind him a name like that which now floats upon the breeze above you. lie was but one of the many sonsof Krin's Isle that planted the seed of bln-rtv in a foreign land, and watered it with his blood. History points equally to the torrid rcgiuus <if tin- fiery South; the snow-clad hilis of Canada; the sunny valleys of prance; and the orange groves of Spain - and each bears testimony in our favor. !.et the spirit that actuated such, inspire you, and hover over this banner as an heirloom from father-land - a talisman to lead you on to glory. Kemembcr your country has claims on you yet - she bids you be united and firm in support of your own rights, and yield an (quality to all. She bids you spurn the oppressor, by whatsoever name he may be called, and to walk upright, for the eve of the stranger is upon you. Farewell and remember vour tori, your countrv, and your rights.

" "We receive this banner gratefully at our hands. We pledge ourselves to keep its ample folds floating in the breeze until we shall have the honor to say that we, the Montgomcrv I iuanls. hase added fresh laurels to our adopted countrv. We shall ever be Vcadv to meet the enemy first in action anil last out. The Hritish flag, it is true, has dotted the globe, but it has marked it w ith crueltv anil oppress-on ; but the star-spangled banner is hailed everywhere as the harbinger or freedom, the hope of the oppressed and the terror of tyrants. The sympathies of the whole world are following its course as it ploughs the ocean in search of distant climes, and unliom millions will yet bless the hour when it was unfurled to wage unceasing war upon the oppressors of mankind.'"

The Montgomery Guards: B. Rellev, Captain; W. 11. Snowhook, first Lieutenant; H. Cunningham, Second Lieutenant; M. O'Brien, Third Lieutenant. .... At. thl* *'P°ch t"<-> military spirit sensibly waned ne city directory of 1845 names no military organiza- OW. May 21 .045. the Chicago Democrat inquires: Where are the Chicago Cavalry, City Guards, and

Montgomery Guards? We should have to look to them for defense in case of the invasion of our city, and we should like to know their condition." The breaking out of the Mexican War the next year, revived the military spirit, and brought these companies again into prominence. Neither of them failed to furnish many Mexican soldiers, although the companies remained in Chicago.

Chicago i\ thk Mexican War. - Neither the official records nor the newspapers of the day ; the memories of the old soldiers of the Mexican War still surviving, nor all that can be gathered from those sources of information, give the full history of Chicago and Cook County during the years of the Mexican War. The newspapers caught such local news as was, at the time, interesting; the Adjutant-General's office at Springfield took, ap|>arently. as much cognizance of that war as the law demanded and little more. From its records it would be impossible to tell how many men Illinois furnished, how many went from Cook County, or how many from Chicago.' Neither could the number of companies raised in Chicago be ascertained, nor the names of the men who enlisted, nor the companies to which tlu-y were assigned, nor any other historic fact of local or individual importance. This is written after a careful examination of all the published reports, and a cursory examination of the records at Springfield.

Nevertheless, from the only three reliable sources for historic information known - the State records, the newspapers, and the memory of the soldiers - it is believed that most concerning the period that pertains to the history of Chicago and Cook County has been rescued from oblivion.

From the newspapers of Chicago the following extracts are given ; showing in a quite disjointed way the war atmosphere which pervaded the city during 1846: lanuarv 6 - A. Garrett, Mayor, invited the citizens of Chicago to attend "a meeting at the court-house on Friday, January S. to take into consideration the best method of defending our city in case of war."