Rock Island County, Illinois - The whole text, 1908 (part 2 of 16)

"Sir: I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, advising me of your having received undoubted information that the section of the frontier of your state near Rock Island is invaded by a hostile band of Sac Indians headed by a chief called Black Hawk. That in order to repel said invasion, and to protect the citizens of the state, you have called on the militia to the number of 700 militiamen to be in readiness immediately to move against the Indians, and you solicit my cooperation.

"In reply, it is my duty to state to you that I have ordered si.x companies of the regular troops stationed at Jefferson Barracks to embark tomorrow morning and repair forthwith to the spot occupied by the hostile Sacs. To this detachment I shall, if necessary, add four companies. With this force I am satisfied that I shall be able to repel the invasion and give security to the frontier inhabitants of the state. But should the hostile band be sustained by the residue of the Sac, Fox and other Indians to an extent requiring an augmentation of mj^ force, I will, in that event, communicate with Your Excellency by express and avail myself of the co-operation which you propose. But, under existing circumstances, and the present aspect of our Indian relations on the Rock Island section of the frontier, I do not deem it necessary or proper to require militia, or any other description of force, other than that of the regular army at this place and Prairie du Chien.

"Sir: On the 28th inst. I had the honor of receiving a letter from the Governor of Illinois dated the 28th. informing me of the measures which he had considered it necessary to pursue for the protection of the citizens of his state from Indian invasion and for the purpose of removing a band of Sacs then about Rock Island. A copy of his letter and my answer herewith enclosed.

"Deeming the information received from the Governor of Illinois important, I immediate!}^ communicated it to General Gaines W'ho happened to be in this place at the time, and shortly after was called upon by Governor Reynolds himself, to whom I gave such information respecting the Sacs complained of as had come to my knowledge, and also furnished him with such of the reports of the agent for those tribes as had relation to the subject. To the Commanding General I furnished similar information: and also for the purpose of possessing him of the views of the government on that subject, I gave him copies of such of my correspondence with the War Department as had any relation thereto.

"I also enclose to you copies of two reports of the agent for the Sacs and Foxes of the 15th and 28th inst. By the first it will be seen that the band complained of is determined to keep possession of their old village; and it is probable from a knowledge of the disposition evinced in the matter by the Sacs and for the purpose of dispossessing them, that the Commanding General has thought proper to make a display in that quarter of a part of the force under his command, six companies of which are now leaving this place for Rock River. The exjiedition (be the result what it may) cannot fail of pvodiicing good effects, even should the Indians be disposed to move peaceably to their own lands; and if not, their opposition should, in my opinion, be put down at once.

Gaixes Goes To Fort Akmstroxg

General Gaines immediately proceeded to Fort Armstrong and upon his arrival with his troops commenced putting the fort in condition to withstand a siege if necessary. The six companies he brought with him from Jefferson Barracks were strengthened by four additional companies- from Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. .\11 the settlers in this vicinity were warned of impending danger and came to the fort with their families, bringing their horses, cattle and everything of value that could be carried. The soldiers began target practice, and morning and evening guns were fired, something not heretofore done. June 5, General Gaines sent for Black Hawk, Keokuk, Wapello and other chiefs for the purpose of holding a council. Black Hawk came to the council attended by all his chiefs and many warriors, all in war paint, carrying arms, and singing war songs. None but the chiefs were allowed to enter the fort, and here in the presence of Keokuk, Wapello, and other head chiefs. General Gaines told Black Hawk that he and his band must move west of the Mississippi River, and that if they did not go, he, Gaines, would move them by force. Gaines gave the Indians until the twentieth in which to move. Previous to this Black Hawk had held two inten-iews with the Prophet, a AVinnebago living at his village where Prophetstown is now located- The Prophet claimed to have had visions or dreams, and said that the white soldiers would do no one any harm; that their object was merely to frighten the Indians, and it was upon this information that Black Hawk acted.

Gaines Asks Aid From The Governor

"Sir: I do myself the honor to report to Your Excellency the result of my conference with the chiefs and braves of the band of Sac Indians settled within the limits of your state near this place.

"I called their attention to the facts reported to me of their disorderly conduct towards the white inhabitants near them. They disavow any intention of hostility but at the same time adhere with stubborn pertinacity to their purpose of remaining on the Rock River land in question.

"I notified them of my determination to move them, peaceably if possible, but at all events to move them to their own side of the Mississippi River, pointing out to them the apparent impossibility of their living on lands purchased by the whites without constant disturbance. They contended that this part of their country had never been sold by them. I explained to them the different treaties of 1804, '16 and '25, and concluded with a positive assurance that they must move off, and that I must as soon as they are ready assist them with boats.

"I have this morning learned that they have invited the Prophet's band of Winnebagoes on Rock River, with some Pottawatomies and Kickapoos, to join them. If I find this to be true, I shall gladly avail nwself of my present visit to see them well punished; and, therefore, I deem it to be the only safe measure now to be taken to request of Your Excellency the battalion of mounted men which you did mo the honor to .^ay would eo-operale with me. They will find at this post a supply of rations for the men. with some corn for their horses, together with a supply of powder and lead.

''I have deemed it expedient under all the circumstances of the case to invite the frontier inhabitants to bring their families to this post until the difference is over.

"P. 8. Since writing the foregoing remarks. I have learned that the Winnebagoes and Pottawatomie Indians have actuallv been invited by the Sacs to join them. P>ut the former evince no disposition to comply: and it is supposed liy Colonel Gratitit, the agent, that none will join the Sacs, except, perhaps, some few of the Kickapoos. E. P. G."

This letter evidently pleased Governor Reynolds for he said: "I was very much rejoiced on receiving this letter, as it put my whole proceedings on a legal and constitutional footing, and the responsibility of the war was removed from me to the United States."

While at Fort Armstrong the settlers had prepared another petition, together with numerous affidavits, which they presented to General Gaines. The following is the substance of the de])ositions of sundry citizens of the Rock River .settlement, taken before William Brasher, J. P., and Joel Wells, J. P.. on the 10th of .Tune, 1S31.

"First. John Wells, John W. Spencer, Jonah H. Case, Rennah Wells, Samuel Wells, Benjamin F. Pike, Joseph Danforth and Moses Johnson, before Wm. Brazer, J. P., swear that the Sac Indians did through the last year repeatedly threaten to kill them for being on their ground, and acted in the most outrageous manner; thi-ew down their fences, burnt or destroyed their rails, turned horses into their cornfields and almost destroyed their crops, stole their potatoes, killed and ate their hogs, shot arrows into their cattle and put out their eyes, thereby rendering them useless to their ow-ners, saj-ing the land was theirs, and that they had not sold it. In April they ordered the deponents to leave their hou.ses, and turned from fifty to one hundred horses into one man's wheat field, threatening that the fields should not be reaped, although said owners had purchased the land of the United States government. The Indians also leveled deadly w^eapons at the citizens, and on some occasions hiu't some of the said citizens, for attempting to prevent the destruction of their property. Also that the Indians stole their horses, some of which were returned by the agent six or eight months after, and in a miserable condition : others were never heard of again, Xearly fifty Indians headed by their notorious war chief, all armed and equipped for war, came to the house of Rennah Wells, and ordered him to be off or they would kill him. which, for the safety of his family, he obeyed. They then went to another house, rolled out a barrel of whiskey and destroyed it, as well as committing many other outrages to the knowledge of the deponents.

"Second. John Wells, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that on the 30th day of September, 1S30, he saw two Sac Indians throwing down his fence, who said they were doing it for the purpose of going through, in which they persisted although forbidden by the owner, and when the owner attempted to prevent them, one of them made a pass at him with his fist, and drew- his knife on him.

"Third. Rennah and Samuel Wells, before Joel Wells. J. P., swore that on the 29th of May a party of Sac Indians, calling themselves chiefs, with Black Hawk at their head, came to the house of Rennah Wells, near the mouth of Rock River, and said that he must let the squaws cultivate his field, which Wells refusing, they beciuno much displeased, and told him to go off; upon Wells' refii-sal they went away. That on the next day the same chiefs, with about fifty warriors, came, armed, and told \\'ells that he must move or they would cut the throats of himself and family, and making motions to that effect, upon which said Wells told them that he would take counsel and tell them at three o'clock the next day w-hat would be his determinaton. They consented, and went away; at the appointed time they returned and told Wells that he must go off, which he accordingly did, leaving all his possessions to the Indians.

"Fourth. Nancy Thompson and Nancy Wells before W. J. Brasher, swore that in October, 1830. two Indians residing in the village forty or fifty miles above the mouth of Rock River, and called Sacs or Winnebagoes, came to the house of Rennah Wells and commenced chasing some sheep, as if thej' would kill them. Those Indians were ordered to desist, upon which they drew their knives and made at the woman, who being alarmed, called for assistance. Samuel Wells being sick in the house at the time, ran out with a pitchfork, and the Indians pursued no farther. London L. Case heard the alarm given, and joined. The Indians then returned to the river bank eighty or one hundred yards distant; when Case, thinking they were still in pursuit of the sheep, went to ascertain the truth, and coming near the Indians they wounded him severely in three places with a knife and tomahawk.

"Fifth. Joseph Danforth, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that he saw Sacs at a fence belonging to John Wells, who forbid them going through, when they continued throwing down the fence. Wells attempted to prevent them, when one of the Indians strttck him with his fist, and drew his knife. Danforth got a stick, and. the Indians making several attempts toward Danforth, he (Danforth) knocked one of them down with his stick. The Indian rose several times and made at

June 4, General Gaines wrote to Henry Gratiot, sub-Indian agent, to investigate the situation at the Sac village at once; and on the twelfth that gentleman sent the following reply:

"Sir: I have the honor to report to you that, agreeably to my intimation to you I visited the village of Sac Indians near this place yesterday for the purpose of persuading off the Winnebago Prophet and some young men of his band whom I knew had previously been there and, I believe, with an intention to support the Sac Indians. I found that the Prophet had just left there for his village, which is within my agency upon Rock River, and although he had previously promised that he would retiu-n home and remain there, I have reason to believe that his object is to get as many of his band and of the other bands of the, Winnebagoes (who reside at Rock River, within my agency) as he can, for the purpose of joining the Sacs and of supporting them in their present pretensions.

"I have recently been at some of the principal villages of Winnebagoes within my agency, and have ascertained from \mquestionable authority that, although they had been invited to join the Sacs, they had refused to do so. I think it will be prudent for me to follow the Prophet, to prevent him from influencing any of the Indians up the river to join him. Should I, however, find that any of the warriors have left before my arrival amongst them, I will (if you think it best) return immediately to this place, bringing with me three or four influential chiefs, who can be relied on and who will, with my assistance, I think, be able to control them.

yesterday, apparently determined to defend themselves in their present position. On the receipt of your letter on the 4th inst., I immediately hastened to this place with a view to give you the most satisfactory information upon the subject of it and tender my ser\'ices in anj"^ way you may think useful. "I am, respectfully yours. "Henry Gr.\tiot, Sub-Agent, etc. "Major-General Gaines."

The Rock River Rangers

At the suggestion of General Gaines the men and larger boys of the settlement formed themselves into a compan}\ elected officers, and named themselves "Rock River Rangers," and tendered their ser\-ices to General Gaines, who accepted the company of fiftyeight men, and mustered them into the service. No record of this company's enrollment has been found, it probably never having been forwarded to Washington. Judge Spencer in his "Reminiscences," gives June 5th as the date. The following is a roster of the company:

The Illinois .Soldiers

Governor Reynolds in defending Ixis position in calling out the militia said: "If I did not act, and the inhabitants were murdered after being informed of their situation, I would be cnndomned from Dan to Beersheba: and if I levied by raising troops, when there w£Cs no necessity for it, I would also be responsible." Governor Reynolds knew that the settlers had applied to the Indian agent and the military officers of the United States and had obtained no relief, and he says: "I considered it my duty to call on the volunteers to move the Indians to the west side of the Mississippi." It was but seventeen years after the close of the war of 1812 and these same Sacs and Foxes had fought the Americans in that war. There were many of the old soldiers still young enough to enlist and they inflamed the young men to appear against their old foe. The governor had extracts from the petitions sent him circulated throughout the counties from which he had asked for troops. Moreover, he made, as he saj-s, "both private and public speeches to the masses," and urged the people and his friends to turn out for the defense of the frontier. He adds: "The warm feelings of the late election for governor had not yet died away, and my electioneering friends converted their electioneering fever into the militarj-, which was a powerful lever in the crusade for Rock Island."

to the governor's call and appeared at Beardstown on or about the 10th of June. Some were armed with muskets, some with shotguns and some with no firearms -whatsoever, but all were mounted. The governor managed to purchase enough muskets from a Beardstown merchant for the remainder of the troops. These muskets were light pieces, made with brass barrels for the South American service, and answered the purpose. The governor appointed Joseph Duncan, then a member of Congress and afterwards governor of this state, brigadier general to take immediate command of the l)rigade, and Samuel Whiteside a major, to take command of a spy battalion.

This army left its encampment near Rushville for Rock Island June 15, the governor marching with the brigade. After a pleasant march the army encamped at Rockport, now Andalusia. Here there had been previously erected a small log cabin or stockade, which was used as headquarters. During the afternoon a steamboat arrived at the encampment, coming from Fort Armstrong, loaded with provisions. The camp at Rockport was laid out according to military practice, pickets were placed, as it was feared the Indians might make a night attack, and the utmost vigilance was observed. The night was a beautiful one and it passed off quietly without any disturbance.

General Gaines Makes A Demonstration

On the 18th of June, General Gaines sent from Fort Armstrong the steamboat Enterprise, carrying one company of soldiers and one cannon. The boat steamed up Rock River, and passed the Indian village, the object being to overawe and intimidate the Indians. Black Hawk said: "The water being shallow, the boat got around, which gave the whites some trouble. If they had asked for assistance, there was not a brave in my bantl who would not willingly have aided them." Judge John W. Spencer who was on the boat says: "Strange to say, although a steamboat was seldom seen in those days, the Indians seemed not to take the least notice of the boat, not even looking at it, and even the women and children showed no signs of wonder or fear."

Prepare To Attack

On the morning of June 20th, bright and early, General Duncan marched his army from Rockport to a position on Rock River opposite the Sac village. An attempt was made to ferry the troops across, but it proved too slow, and General Gaines being shown a ford by George S. Miller, the army marched across through the water to Vandruff's Island. General Gaines left Fort Armstrong on the steaml)oat Enterprise, which had been fortified, and which carried one company of regulars and several cannon. The Enterprise entered Rock River and steamed up stream until opposite the Sac village where it met General Duncan's army with, which it was to co-operate. The other nine companies of regular, together with the Rock River Rangers, under command of Captain John Bliss, the then commandant of Fort Armstrong, marched from the fort to the Indian town.

Judge Spencer in his Reminiscences says: "Major Bliss formed our company of Rock River Rangers in an extended line of a half mile in front of the regulars, with one cannon in the rear, for our march for Rock River. We marched near where the road is now traveled until we reached General Rodman's land, then turning to the left until reaching the top of the bluff, taking the direction of Black Hawk's Watch Tower. On arriving there, we planted the cannon on the brow of the bluff and then commenced throwing grape and cannister into the bushes on Vandruff's Island." Vandruff's Island at this time was covered with bushes and vines so as to be impenetrable to the sight at a distance of twenty feet. The Enterprise was run to the lower point of the island and several rounds of grape and cannister were shot into the bushes to see if any enemy was there. The spy battalion under Whiteside then formed a line of battle ;uul swept the island. and it was then learned that the north bank of Rock River was so near and so high that the firing had no effect. General Duncan's army followed in the wake of Whiteside's spy battalion and before thej^ got to the north side of the island the army was so jammed up and mixed together that no one knew where his company or regiment was. In the meantime Captain Bliss with the regulars and the Rock River Rangers had learned that it was impossible from that distance to distinguish Indians from regulars or volunteers, and that their shots were as likely to kill friend as foe. The Indian village now became exposed to view but no Indians were to be seen. The river, narrow but deep, lay between the army and the village, and the main part of Duncan's army remained on the island \mtil scows were foiuid in which they were ferried across."

Black Hawk says: "We crossed the river during the night and encamped some distance below Rock Island." He said he would have remained and been taken prisoner by the regulars but that he "was afraid of the multitude of palefaced militia, who were on horseback, as they were under no restraint of their chiefs."

The Illinois militia had come to fight Indians and when they fo\md the redmen gone, they became determined to be avenged upon something. Shortly after they reached the Indian village it began to rain and soon the rain descended in torrents, and early the morning of the 26th, the troops commenced setting fire to the houses. Soon the frail dwellings were wrapped in flames and in less than one hour's time almost every wigwam in the village was in ashes. Governor Ford who was present said: ".-^nd thus perished an ancient village which had once been the delightful home of six or seven thousand Indians; where generation after generation had been born, had died and been buried; where the old men had taught wisdom to the young; whence the Indian youth had often gone out in parties to hunt or to war, and - returned in triumph to dance aroimd the spoils of the forest, or the scalps of their enemies; and where the dark-eyed Indian maidens by their presence and charm.s, had made it a scene of delightful enchantment to nianj' an admh-ing warrior."

The army spent the night at the Indian town, the regulars, however, going back to the fort. On the morning of .Time 26, General Duncan marched his army to the Mississippi River and encamped on the exact spot where the City of Rock Island is now located, the camp extending from where the Rock Island Railway Company's freight depot is now located down to wheie the present ferry dock stands.

The horses, some sixteen hundred, were pastured in the bend of the river below and a strong guard placed around them. During the second night a steamboat came up the ri\er and when opposite where the horses were kept commenced blowing its whistle. This imnatural noise at night so frightened the animals that they broke loose and stampeded, and it was with difficulty that their guards escaped being trampled to death. The frightened animals ran out on the prairies, up and down both river banks, and it was several days before they could be recovered, some few however being lost.

General Gaines on the 27th sent a notice to Black Hawk that if he did not come to Fort Armstrong he would come after him with his army, a few of the Indians appeared but not Black Hawk. Gaines then sent a peremptory order to the chief and in a few days Black Hawk and his chiefs and headmen to the number of twenty-eight appeared at Fort Armstrong, and on June 30th, 1831, a new treaty was signed by which the British band of Sacs again agreed to make their homes on the west side of the Mississippi and never to cross such river,, except with the consent of the President of the United States or of the Governor of Illinois. Black Hawk signed this treaty and then for the first time ratified, against his will, the treaty of 1804. This treaty was signed by General Gaines and Governor Reynolds for the United States, and by Black Hawk and twenty-seven chiefs and warriors for the Sacs and Foxes. The vohniteer army was not satisfied with the result of this campaign and called the treaty a "Corn Treaty'' because General Gaines had given to the destitute Indians corn to keep them from starving. The army was disbanded on Jul}' 2d, and the men returned to their homes. Not a man was injured or killed, either by accident or bj' the Indians: nor did any die of disease, and strange to say none ever applied for a pension. This ended the first Black Hawk campaign.

For a long time after the signing of this treaty there was considerable discussion and much feeling over the question whether Generals Gaines and Duncan knew that Black Hawk and his Indians had deserted their village on the night of the 19th of June. Thomas Ford, afterwards Governor of Illinois, who was a militia volunteer and marched ahead with the spies, said:

"Gaines and Duncan had reason to believe before the commencement of the march from the camp on the Mississippi, that the Indians had departed from their village; that measures had been taken to ascertain the fact before the volunteers crossed to Vandruff's Island; General Duncan, in company with the advanced guard, following the spies, preceded the main army in crossing, and that this will account for the want of order and confusion in the march of the troops." When the militia arrived opposite the Sac village the greatest confusion reigned in their midst. George S. Miller, a resident of this county, acted as guide, and when it became known that the Indians were not in the village, General Duncan began to reprimand Miller for not letting him know that the main river was on the north side of Vandruff's Island. Miller cursed him to his face at the head of his troops for refusing his services as a guide when offered the night before, and also censured him for not giving information which had been offered him, which inclines me to the belief that both Generals Gaines and Diuu'an knew that the Indians had departed. As witnesses to this treaty we find the names of two Rock Island settlers, Joseph Danforth and Benjamin V. I'ike.

Black Hawk with his l)and now removed to Iowa near the mouth of the Des Moines River, at the site of the abandoned Fort Madison. Neapope, second in command, took a trip to Maiden, Canada, and upon his return in the fall of 1831, told Black Hawk that he would receive assistance from the British.

The Prophet, whose village on Rock River was where Prophetstown, Illinois, now is, and who had great influence over Black Hawk, also sent word that the Ottawas, ("hippewas, Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes would be with him and would render aid. Black Hawk after receiving these messages said: "We are to be happy once more." Black Hawk now directed all his efforts to getting together his warriors in anticipation of his march to his old village and its occupation, and prepared for an attack by the Americans should they again undertake to drive him away. The ami}- through spies was kept informed of Black Hawk's actions, and early in April, Keokuk sent to Fort Armstrong a warning that Black Hawk was about to commence his march to reoccupy his old village.

Again messengers were sent out from Fort Armstrong to warn the settlers of their danger and advising them to seek shelter at once, either at Fort Armstrong or in the stockade which had been erected around the trading store of Davenport and Farnham. The most daring and persevering of these messengers was Judge John W. Spencer. On foot he traveled as far as Dixon, going from cabin to cabin somiding the alarm and advising the settlers to seek protecti(ni. We cannot realize today the wild excitement and dread despair the news of an Indian ujjrising cavised among our pioneer settlers. Few if any had horses to use in carrying their families and goods. Oxen were the beasts of burden and the settlers were obliged to take wliat little they could and carry it on their persons. John Wakefield, in his history of the Black Hawk War wi'itten in 1834, gives an amusing sketch of the excitement attendant upon the news of the expected Indian attack. He says: "In the eastern part of the state the people were as much alarmed as in the northwest. DiH-ing one of the many false alarms that ' The Indians are coming' a family was living near the Irocjuois River that had no horses l)ut a large family of small chiliiren. Tlie father and mother each took a child and the rest were directed to follow on foot as fast as possible. The eldest daughter also carried one of the children that was not able to keep up. They fled to the river where they had to cross. The father had to carry over all the children at different times as the stream was high and so rapid the mother and daughter could not stem the current with such a l.iurden. When they all, as they thought, had got over they started when the cry of poor little Susan was heard on the opposite bank asking if they were not going to take her with them. The frightened father again prepared to plunge into the strong current for his child, when the mother, seeing it, cried out: 'Never mind Susan! We have succeeded in getting ten over which is more than we expected at first and we can better spare Susan than you, my dear.' So poor Susan, who was only about four years old, was left to the mercy of the frightful savages." But little Susan came off unhurt, as one of the neighbors who was out hunting came along and took charge of her.

The Turkey Scare

All the settlers in this vicinity had come to Fort Armstrong and taken quarters there or in the stockade, l)oth of which were overcrowded. After the first scare, the settlers wanted to go back to their farms and do their spring planting. Captain Bliss, who commanded at the fort, yielded to their request, and arranged with them a signal of alarm in case the.v or any of them should be attacked, or were in imminent danger of an attack, which signal was that they should "fire off a gun." When such gun was fired, every one should flee to the Island. .\]n-\\ 7. Joshua \'andruff and Hackley Samms, while crossing Vandruff Island, saw a flock of wild turkeys. They could not resist the temptation and, creeping within raitge. fired their guns at the flock, each man bringing down his l>ir(l. Tlie noise of the two guns c()\ild be heard all over the settlement and it caused the greatest excitement, filling the hearts of the settlers with terror. Mothers caught their children and fled towards the fort. Those who had horses and were plowing, hastily, unhitched the animals, loaded their families upon the horses and started towards the fort. It is said some of the settlers fled pell-mell, leaving their families to take care of themselves. Vandruff and Samms soon realized the mistake, especially Joshua, when he encountered his wife and their ten children, running towards the fort. When the settlers reached the Mississippi they crowded the few skiffs tied to the shore and some came near being drowned. Captain Bliss had heard the gun-shots and hastily called together a company of his regulars and started to meet the Indians, while Captain Phil Kearney, who was left in command of the fort, began preparing it for a siege. Bliss and his men got nearly to Rock River when they met Vandruff and Samms running after the fleeing settlers trying to explain the mistake. When these two told the captain "how it happened," it is said the air became impregnated with sulphur, so loud and vehemently did that warrior swear. For many years afterwards, the "turkey scare" was a tender spot with Vandruff and Samms.

Black Hawk Starts

TIic 6th of April, 1S32. Black Hawk, with about 1,00U Indians, including warriors, women, old men and children, together with all their possessions, crossed the Mississippi at Yellow Banks (Oquawka) and leisurely proceeded up the east bank of the river to Rock River and thence up that river opposite to his old village where he camped the night of April 12. The next morning he started for the Prophet's village with the intention, as he said, " to make corn." There is and always has been a question whether Black Hawk, when he crossed the Mississippi River and invaded Illinois in 1832, intended attacking the Americans, or merely again occupying his village with the intention of resisting forcible removal, or whether he intended going to the Prophet's village merely to raise a crop. If he wanted merely to raise a crop, he could have done that as easily at the mouth of the Des Moines River as at Prophetstown. From Black Hawk's biography we learn that the trip to Prophetstown was part of his plan to again' get control of the site of his ancient village and his cornfields. He tells us that while at the Des Moines "I concluded that I had better keep my band together, and recruit as many more as possible, so that I would be prepared to make the attempt to rescue my village in the spring." He then, as he says, "tried to recruit braves from Keokuk's band," and "requested my people to rendezvo\is at that place, and sent out soldiers to bring in the warriors, and stationed my sentinels in a position to prevent any from moving up until all were ready."

The taking with him his women, children and old men would indicate that he did not on that trip contemplate war, as no Indian war party ever carries with it the women or children. Black Hawk undoubtedly intended taking his women and children to the Prophet's village, there to leave them to make a crop, and during the summer continue his recruiting and possibly in the fall occupy his village. For had he intended going to war at once he would have stop])pd at his village and there made his defense.

At Yellowbanks the Prophet met Black Hawk, and made a talk to his braves, telling them "that as long as they were peaceable, the Americans would not dare molest them. That we were not yet ready to act otherwise. We must wait until we ascend Rock River and receive o\u' reinforcements and we will then be able to withstand an army."

General Atkinson Comes To Fort Armstrong

On J>me 31, 1831, a war party of nearly lUO Sacs and Foxes had attacked a camp of Menominees situated about one half a mile about Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien and killed twenty-five. Black Hawk says the killed were Sioux and Menominees. Between the former and the Sacs and Foxes there had always been a bitter and hostile feeling. April 1, 1S32, General Henry Atkinson, then commanding Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, received orders to pro('eed up the Mississippi and demand from the Sacs and Foxes the principals engaged in the nuu-dcr of the Menominees. Atkinson left St. Jjouis April 8, with six companies of the Sixth Regiment. 220 men accompanying the expedition. Albert Sidney Johnson, afterwards a Confederate general, was a second lieutenant in this command.

April 10. Atkinson's army reached the Des ^Toines Rapids, where they were informed that Black Hawk and his warriors were marching up the river. The army now hastened to Fort Armstrong, arriving there the night of the Tith. The loth, General Atkinson called the Indians then in that vicinity to the fort. Among those who came were Keokuk and Wapello. Atkinson demanded the murderers of the Menominees and these two disclaimed any part in that aflfair. General Atkinson then started for Fort Crawford and also sent out messengers to warn the settlers of Black Hawk's coming. On the 19th of the month. General Atkinson returned to Fort Armstrong. .Accompanying him was Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterwards President of the United States, and two companies of the First Infantry. Before leaving Fort Armstrong. General Atkinson had sent a letter to Ciovernor Reynolds asking for state aid.

.A.fter Black Hawk passed his old village, General Atkinson sent Captain Phil Kearney up Rook River after him, with orders for Black Hawk to return and recross the Mississippi, which order Black Hawk refused to obey, claiming his mission was a peaceful one.

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

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

Section Of The State

"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 Ri\er 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 resjjectable standing, and also from General .Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts and information, I have not hesitated as to the course I should pursue. No citizen ought to remain inactive when his country is invaded, and the helpless part of the community are in danger. I have called out a strong detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d inst. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abundance.

I hope my coimtrymen will realize my expectations and offer their services, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerfulness, in defence of their country."

The season was wet and backward, and the farmers had lieen delayed in their work but, as in the year 1831, volunteers were eager and willing to offer their ser^-ices, many of the most influential men in the state enlisting and many who neither had horses or could procure them, marching on foot.

April 27, the militia left Rushville and marched to Yellow Banks (Oquawka) from whence they marched up the Mississippi to the mouth of Rock River which they reached May 7. General Atkinson mustered the troops into the service of the United States, and May 9 they commenced their march up Rock River. Before marching Governor Reynolds engaged the sersdces of Thomas Ivinney, a Rock Island settler as a guide, Mr. Kinney being able to understand a little of the Sac language. In the march up the river, General Whiteside with the Illinois Volunteers marched on the east side. While General Atkinson, with four hundred regulars came, some on the west side and some in boats with the supplies. With Atkinson was Colnnel Zachary Taylor.

It seems the martial spirit of the citizens of Rock Island County was not stilled or satisfied by the march of the Rock River Rangers in 1831 from Fort Armh^tronj; to the 8ac village, for in 1832 we find one company enrolled in the service where every menil>(>r save one was from Rock Island County, that one beinu- a brother of the captain, and he came from Adams County to enlist under liis brother. The following is from the rolls as corrected and now on file iia the \A ar Department at Washinjrton.

assigned to Colonel Moore's regiment and nuirched up Rock River to Dixon, where it was assigned to art odd mounted battalion, commanded by Major Samuel Bogart, and was ordered to do guard duty on the frontier. It was mustered out September 4, 1832, at Macomb,

The companies composing this odd battalion were: Captains Peter Butter's of Warren County, John W, Kenne}''s of Rock Island County, James White of Hancock County, John Sain's of Fulton County, William Mc- ]\Iurty's of Knox County and Asel F. Ball's of Fulton County. It is impossible to learn just what duty the battalion did to which the Rock Island ccunpany was assigned. Reynolds in "My Own Times" says: "On tlip 12th of June I ordered a battalion to be organized and to select their officers, to gviard the frontiers between the ^lississippi and Peoria on the north of Illinois River, Samuel Bogart was elected major of the battalion,"

From another attthority, I learn that the company did guard diitj- on the frontier, drew its rations daily, ate heartily, played euchre and received the remunerative sum of 86 cents per day for each man and his horse. Samuel Bogart, the major of the odd battalion to which Kenney's company was attached, was before enlistment a merchant in McDonough County,

Other Rock Island Soldiers

Rock Island County fm-nished more soldiers than those given in Captain John W. Kenney's company. Yet, I have been able to trace but few owing to the fact that the rolls are by no means complete. A large number joined the state militia and were never sworn into the United States ser\ ice, consequently no lecord was kept and their names will rcunain forever unknown. I have frequently' heard certain of oiu- old citizens claim to have been in the Black Hawk War, and have made diligent search for their names, I give in this sketch only such names as ap-

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

Koswell U. Spkncer

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

James Knetsar

James Knetsar, who for many years lived in Moline and who died there in the eighties, was a member of Captain David Powell's company of mounted volunteers. He enlisted in White County on June 16th, and was mustered out of the service on August 2d at Dixon's Ferry (Dixon). The original records give his name as "James Netson." but they have since been corrected. Mr. Knetsar lost his horse, saddle and bridle in the sen-ice.

Reddish, The Tunnels And Eames

10; Luther Tunnel and William Ttmnel, who were also enrolled that day. The records show that the night of May 22, Luther Tunnel lost his horse, account "affright of horses," there being a stampede that night. This company was part of an odd battalion of spies, commanded by Major D. Henry of the brigade of mounted volunteers commanded by Brigadier General Samuel Whiteside. It w'as mustered out of the service of the United States at the mouth of Fox River on the Illinois River May 27, 1832, and as the company was originally mustered in at Carrcflton, the men were discharged two himdred and thirty miles from the place of their enrollment.

Charles Eamcs, who was sheriff of this county from 1837 to 1839, was a member of Captain Enoch Dimcan's company of mounted riflemen, commanded by Colonel H. Dodge. He enlisted in company with his brother May 19, 1S32. He was mustered out of the sendee September 14.

The Wells Family

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

April 21 to June 3, 1832, when it was ninstored out. This company did garrison duty. The records say it was composed of men from Rock Island and adjacent counties, but I have been unable to place but one, he being Samuel Wells. The ro.ster of the company is:

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

At the commencement of hostilities. Governor Reynolds of Illinois, appointed George Davenport, the Indian trader on the island, one of the quartermasters, his commission giving him the rank of colonel, by which title he was afterwards known.

The volunteer army after a hard inarch, reached Dixon on the evening of i\lay lOth, ahead of the regulars. Black Hawk and his Indians had in the meantime reached the Prophet's village and had sent word to the Pot taw-atomies asking them to meet him in a council on Sycamore Creek, (since called

Stillman's Run.) The Pottawatomies were divided. Shaubena, their highest chief, favored the whites, but Big l''oot and Mike Girty, a half-breed, were for war. When Whitesides arrived at Dixon, he fotuid there aliead of him two independent Vjattalions, in all three hundred and forty-one men. The one was commanded by Major Isaiah Stillman, the other liy Major IX'iA'id Bailey. These commands objected to joining the main army except as rangers, they said they had come to "fight Indians" and believed if they were allowed, they could go out and in a few days end tlie trouble. .4fter much pei-suasion. General Whitesides allowed Majors Stillman's and Bailey's battalions to go on a scouting expedition, and on the morning of May 13, they set out. In the afternoon of the 14th, they ]iitched camp al)out Ihree miles from Sycamore ('reek. Black Hawk with forty of his Indians were but three miles from the camp of the whites. The Indians were preparing a dog feast for the visiting Pottawatomies. Le.arning that a body of white soldiers were making camp. Black Hawk sent three of his young men with a white flag to talk with the w-hites, and to arrange for a council with White Beaver (.\tkinson). When the Indian party was still a mile awa3^ they were perceived by the volunteers and almost the whole cam]) rushed out and captured the Indian envoys, and hurried them into camp. Black Hawk had sent five other Indians to follow those bearing a white flag, to watch and see how the others were received. When the whites perceived the second party, about twenty of the mounted vobniteers started in pursuit and killed two of the Indians, the other three escaped and returned to where ]51ack Hawk and his thirty-five braves were in camp. When Black Hawk heard of how his flag bearers had been treated he prepared his braves to meet the whites, who were now all in hot pursuit. The Indians withdrew behind a fringe of bushes and when the volunteers came within close range the Indians fired a volley. The volunteers fled, pursvied by part of the Indians. Night fall ended the phase. Stillman's and Bailey's hrisrade kept up the flight until they reached Dixon, twenty-five miles away. Many of them never went to Dixon, but started for their own homes. The report went out that the whites had been defeated by Black Hawk and about two thousand warriors. The number of whites killed was eleven. While the number of Indians was three. One of the latter being one of the flag bearers, the two others being of the party of five that had followed the flag bearers.

It has been said that Stillman's and Bailey's men were under the influence of liquor, that they had taken with them several barrels of whiskey, and they were indulging freely in drink just before the Indian flag bearers appeared on the scene.

The firing on the flag of truce was, to say the least, dishonorable treatment. Had the whites received tlie truce bearers in the proper manner, there is no donbt that such arrangements would have been made that hostilities would never have commenced, and Black Hawk and his Indians would have - retnrned to the west bank of the Mississippi.

Black Hawk and his band were almost destitnte of provisions and ammvmition, and their capture of Stillman's stores, higlily elated them. Black Hawk now sent his women and children by waj' of the Kishwaukee to the swamps of Lake Koshkonong near the headwaters of Rock River. The Winnebagoes acting as guides. Here his party was recruited by Winnebagoes and Pottawatomies.

On the day of Stillman's defeat. General Whiteside with fourteen hundred men proceeded to the scene of battle and buried the dead. The State of Illinois has at Stillman Valley, erec+ed a monument in honor of those killed in this engagement. On the 19th, General Atkinson and the entire army moved up the Rock River, leaving Stillman and

Bailey, and their brigades at Dixon. Atkinson soon however, returned to Dixon leaving General Whiteside with his volunteers to follow Black Hawk's trail. The volunteers now began to object to going farther, claiming that they were not compelled t(> sen'e in Michigan territory. They also claimed to having enlisted for one month, and that their time of enlistments had expired. After several days the officers determined to abandon their search for Black Hawk and they turned abovit and marched south to Ottawa, where on the 271 h and 28th days of May, they were nmstered out of the service.

On the 22d day of May, a party of thirty Pottawatomies and three Sacs, under Girty killed fifteen men, women and children at the Davis farm on Indi.an Creek, twelve miles north of Ottawa. Sylvia and Rachel, two daughters of William Hall, were taken captive and carried by the Indians to their camp on Lake Koshkonong. Afterwards, White Crow, a Winnebago chief, who had been sent to their rescue by Henry Gratiot, agent for the W'innebagoes, succeeded in purchasing them and delivered the girls to their relatives. At the time of the mustering out at Ottawa, Governor Reynolds called for at least two thousand men to ser\'e during the war, and General Winfield Scott started from Fortress Monroe on the sea board with one thousand regulars. In the meantime three hundred mounted volunteers under Colonels Frj'e and Henry agreed to rem.ain in the field to protect the frontier. Abraham Lincoln was among this number. He, having re-enlisted May 27, as a private. Black Hawk now divided his people into several parties and made forays against the whites.

On June 14th, a partj^ of eleven Sacs killed five white men at Spafford farm on the Peckatonica River. Colonel Dodge with twentynine men followed them and the ne.xt day killed eleven, although he had three killed and one wounded in his own party.

a party of braves made an attack an Apple River Fort, fourteen miles east of dalena. After an hour's siege, the Indians after destroying the neighboring cabins, withdrew.

On June 25th, the same party attacked Major Dements' spj^ battalion, a himdred and fifty strong, at Kellogg's Grove. General Posey arrived in time with a detachment of volunteers for their relief. The Indians lost fifteen. The whites' loss was five. Skirmishes were had at Plum River Fort, Hun- Oak Grove, Sinsiniwa Mound, and Blue Mounds.

On June 15th, the new troops met at Fort Wilburn at Peru, their aggregate strength was about three thousand and twenty men, making the entire army in the field about four thousand effective men. The army now under General Atkinson, marched up the east bank of Rock River. White Crow offered to conduct our army to Black H.awk's camp, and that wily savage kept the whites on a goose chase for several days trying to entrap them. Black Hawk in the meantime, had started westward to the Wisconsin River, and on the evening of July 21st, the Indians were overtaken on the bluffs of the Wisconsin where a decisive battle was fought in which General Henry commanded the American forces. This armj' charged the enemy and drove them from position after positi(>n with great loss, until sundown. This was the first important victory of the whites in this campaign. In the morning it was learned that the Indians were heading towards the Mississippi River and had left one hundred and sixty-eight dead on the field, twenty-five more being found next day along the trail. General Henry having lost but one man killed, and eight wounded.

On the morning of August 2d, the army readied the bluffs of the Mississippi. The Indians had reached the river and were making active preparations to cross. At this time. Captain Throckmorton commanding the steamer Warrior, arrived at the spot.

The Indians displayed a white flag. Throckmorton commanded them to come on board. They replied that they could not, because they had no boats. Upon this Throckmorton fired his six-pounder cannon loaded with canister into the Indians, killing twenty-three women and childi-en. General .\tkinson now came upon the scene, and at the mouth of the Bad .A.xe, attacked the Indian encampment. The Indians were completely routed, suffering a loss of one hiuich-ed and fifty killed, besides many drowned in their attempt to cross the river. The .\mcrican loss was l)ut seventeen. General Atkinson with the captiued Indians, and about fifty women and children, went to Prairie du Chien. There on Avigust 7th. General Scott with nine companies of infantry from Fortress Monroe, arrived and assumed command. The vohinteors now returned to Dixon and were discharged, on the 17th day of August. Black Hawk, who had started back, was cajitured by some treaclrerous Winnebagoes and on the 27th day of August was delivered a captive to the whites at Prairie du Cliien. He was kept that winter at Jefferson Barracks and in April. LSSS, was sent as a prisoner to Fortress Monroe where he was confined until June 4. when he w'as discharged. After visiting the ]3rincipal cities in the east, he returned west, locating on a small reservation on the Des Moines River in Davis County, Iowa, where he died October 3, 1S3S. The following year his remains were stolen, and in the spring of 1840 Governor Lucas succeeded in recovering them and caused the skeleton to be delivered at the then capitol at Burlington. When the capitol was removed to Iowa City, the remains were taken there. January 16, 1S55, they were destroyed by fire.

The final treaty was concluded September 21, 1832. The treaty says: "Concluded at Fort Armstrong." but in consequence of cholera then raging at the fort, the treaty was held on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi now the State of Iowa.

Among the witnesses to this treaty were Antoine LeChiire, interpreter, Benjamin F. Pike, John W. .Spencer and George Davenport. assistant quarter master general Illinois Militia.

Governor Reynolds in referring to this final engagement says: ".Although the warriors fought with the courage and valor of desperation, yet the conflict resembled more a carnage than a regular battle." Another noted authority calls it "a di.-honorable chapter in the history of the borders.'' Out of the band of nearly one thousand Indians men, women and children who crossed the Mississippi at Yellow Banks in April, not more than one hundred and fifty lived to tell the story. The American loss in this war was about two hundred and fifty. The financial cost to the government- and the State of Illinois was nearly S2,000,000.

The following is a list of settlers of this county, as complete as I have been able to make from the data that I have found, in the spring of 1S32. Just previous to tbe breaking out of the war in 1832, there was quite an increase of settlers, many of whom left. Some stayed during the war and then left and I have not been able to learn their names. Anbury, GriflSth Kinney, Samuel

Incidents Concerning Fort Armstrong

About the time the fort was completed the Indians began crossing to the island and woiild watch the soldiers in its construction. They would often sing and go through some of their dances to amuse the soldiers, and the latter began to think that the Indians were peaceful. The Hon. Bailey Davenport described an incident during this time that shows that the Indians had not become reconciled to the erecting of the fort. He said: "One day a small party came over to dance, and after the dance the colonel in command gave them presents. In a few days after, and while a large number of soldiers were out cutting timber, a large party of warriors, headed by the Ne-ka-!e-quat, came over in canoes and landed on the north side of the island, and danced up to the entrance of the encampment, and wanted to enter and dance in front of the commander's tent. About the same time a large party of warriors was discovered approaching over the ridge from the south side of the island, headed by Keokuk. The colonel immediately ordered the bugle sounded to recall the soldiers from the woods, and had all imder arms (about six hundred) and the cannon run ovil in front of the entrance, ready to fire. The Indians were ordered not to approach any nearer. The colonel, taking the alarm before Keokuk's party got near enough to rush in, saved the encampment from surprise and massacre."

The Powder Plot

Be it truth or fiction there is connected with the history of Fort Armstrong an incident that to my mind possesses more reasons in favor of its being fact than fiction.

After the Black Hawk War, some soldiers happening to enter the cave in "Rock Island Arsenal," found three kegs of powder each attached to a fuse. No one seemed to know how these things had come 'there, but after the war some Indians had said that Black Hawk when he marched up Rock River in April, 1832, stopped overnight at his old village, and during the night of April 12 he, with over two hundred braves, had gone to the island, crossing at the ford between Rock Island and Moline, remaining there nearly all night. It was said his intention was to see if he could not capture the fort. Black Hawk, in his autobiography, does not mention this incident, the reason being that his attempt to blow up the fort proved a failure. It is a fact that Black Hawk was on the island that night. Benjamin F. Pike, the captain of the Rock River Rangers in 1831, and afterwards sheriff to this county, together with two companions, had been selected to do picket and scout duty that night. They took their place ne.ar the ford, and some time near midnight saw Black Hawk and his braves cross the slough to the island. They at once ran to the fort and to the stockade and gave the warning.

The garrison at this time was commanded by Captain Bliss who had with him only two companies of infantry, partly full, not over eighty men. The stockade around Colonel Davenport's store was filled with settlers and their families and was crowded to its utmost capacity. By an oversight the only well on the premises had not been enclosed in the stockade. Dreading fire from the Indians' fire arrows, every bucket, tul) and barrel was hastily filled with water and the anxious settlers momentarily awaited the attack. An old swivel had been brought up from the fort and this was loaded to the brim and placed in front of the gate, where Sergeant Hanchett of the garrison, with a smoldering fire by his side, stood ready to fire it off at the first approach of the enemy. The night was one of terror to the settlers; a drifting rain and pelting hail storm had set in, and the occasional claps of thunder and flashes of lightning but added new alarm to the already frightened women and children. At about 2 o'clock in the morning the firing of cannon was heard from the direction of the fort and those in the stockade believed the attack had commenced, but they were soon apprized that the firing was from the cannon on board the steamer Chieftain, which brought General Atkinson and his regulars from St. LouLs.

It is said that when the people at the stockade heard the firing of cannon and the shouts of the garrison welcoming the reinforcement, they believed it the shouts of triumph of the Indians at the capture of the fort, and Elder Kinney of Rapids City, a devout Presbyterian advised IIkmh all to "iinito in an appeal to God as their only hope of safety:" whereupon Antoine Gouqiiy, Colonel Davenjiort's French Servant, said, "Ze prayer he be good for ze vimmin an ze childer. hut he be not wort one cent to fight ze Injins. Wattair, he be bettair zan ze prayer."

Black Hawk had been with the British so much that he well knew the use of gunpowder. He was in the attack on the fort at Detroit and undoubtedly believed he could with a few kegs of powder blow up the fort at its gate and the rock embankment upon which it stood, and then with his braves rush in oij the weak garrison. The Sac chief knew also that the fort was but weakly garrisoned. The Prophet had several times attempted to enter its gate, but had been kept out on the orders of Major Bliss, who suspected treachery. The last attempt of the Prophet to enter the fort was but a few days before Black Hawk's attempt to capture it.

The Burnixg Of The Fort

For thirt}--nine years the fort stood as first constructed, and though evacuated and no longer the abode of the soldier since 1836, it was used as a Government warehouse and was a picturesque sight, being an object of interest to all travelers up and down the river as well a,s to visitors to this locality.

On Sunday afternoon, October 7, 1855. some vandal set fire to the historic buildings. J. B. Danforth, .Jr.. agent of the quartermasters department of the army, in charge at that time, in a letter WTitten on the 9tl^ of the month to Major D. H. Vinton, quartermaster United States Army at St. Louis, said, "Sir: The barracks and one block fort "at this place were destroyed bj' fire yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. I was in the city at church at the time the fire originated. I immediately rallied abotit a hundred men with buckets, and endeavored to quell the flames, but to no pm-pose. We had no fire engine, and it was impossible to stay the progress of the conflagration. The buildings were fired by some persons to me vuiknown, and in the following manner: About thirty kegs of powder had been stored in the magazine by the contractors for the improvement of the rapids, by permission of the secretary of war. The magazine had several times been broken open and powder stolen. It was then stored in a safe room, or what was believed to be safe in the barracks. It had all been taken away, except one keg and one or two parts of kegs. Some persons, while I was at church, had broken open a window and ignited a part of a keg of powder, thus causing the loss of the buildings. I have published an advertisement (at my o\\-n expense) to endeavor to find out the perpetrators of the outrage, which I hope will meet your approval. I send you a copy of my paper, containing the advertisement and an editorial notice of the fire."

When the United States government (under the act of 1862) commenced the construction of Rock Island Arsenal in 1863, all that remained of Fort Armstrong was removed. The first building erected stands nearly on the site of tlie old fort, and the window frames of the basement of this building are made of oak obtained from the old fort.

Roster At The Fort

Commanding officers: Lieutenant Colonel Willoughbv ilorgan, from 1819: Captain M. Marston, from August 1819 to June 1821, of Company F, Fifth Infantry; Captain S. Burbank, from June, 1821 to Jime, 1823, of Company D, Fifth Infantry; Major J. H. Vose, from June, 1823 to June 4, 1825, of Companies D and F, Fifth Infantry; Captain S. Burbank, from June 4, 1825 to May 21, 1826. of Companies D and F, Fifth Infantry; Major J. H. Vose, from May 21, 1826 to October 9, 1827, of Companies E and H, Fifth Infantry; Captain J. Plympton, from October 9, 1827 to April 28, 1828, of Companies E and H, Fifth Infantry; Major S. Burbank, from April 28, 1828 to April 30, 1828, of Companies E and H, Fifth Infantry; Captain J. Cireen, from April 30, 1828 to June, 1828, of Companies C and G. Third Infantry; Captain J. S. Nelson, from June, 1828 to August 13, 1828, of Companies C and G, Third Infantry; Captain J. Green, from August 13, 1828 to July 27, 1830, of Companies C and G, Third Infantry; Captain John Bliss, July 27, 1830 to July 26, 1831, Companies D and H, Third Infantr}'; Captain T. J. Beall, from. July 26, 1831 to September 2, 1831, of Companies C and K, First Infantry; Major John Rliss, from September 2, 1S31 to May 4, 1832, of Companies C and K, First Infantry; Captain T. J. Beall, from May 4, 1832 to October 26, 1832, of Companies C and K, First Infantry; Lieutenant A. S. Miller, from October 26, 1832 to December 2, 1832, of Companies C and K, First Infantry; Captain T. F. Smith, from December 2, 1832 to June 8, 1833, of Companies G and K, First Infantry; Lieutenant Colonel W. Davenport, from June 8, 1833 to May 4, 1836, of Companies G and K, First Infantry.

Political Divisions

The fortunes of Rock Island County have been those of the State of Illinois. In 1541, Ferdinand De Soto discovered the ^lississippi River, crossing it somewhere near Memphis; and upon this discovery rested Spain's claim and title to the "far west." The country now known as the State of Illinois is shown on the very early Spanish maps as a part of Florida. Spain made no attempt, however, to plant her settlements in the "Illinois."

In 1763, at the close of the French and Indian Wars, Illinois became British territory, and so remained imtil July 4, 1778, when Colonel George Rogers Clark and his Virginians captured the British forts and settlements. In October of that year, Illinois was by act of the General Assembly of Virginia created the "County of Illinois," and became a part of the commonwealth of Virginia.

During the Revolutionary War, Illinois and what is now the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, was claimed by each of the states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia. In 1785 these states surrendered their claim to the General Government, and then Congress passed ap act for the government of this country, which was designated "Western Territory." but nothing was done towards organizing a form of government. On July 13, 17S7, Congress passed the celebrated ordinance known ,as the "Ordinance of 1787," for the government of this country, then called the "Northwest Territory." In 1788 the first officers were appointed. In 1790 the country now Illinois, was established as St. Clair County, named after General Arthur St. Clair, the first governor of the Northwest Territory.

In this year Illinois County became part of Indiana Territory, and in 1809 the country west of the Wabash, north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi, was erected into Illinois Territory, which was divided into two counties - Randolph and St, Clair - the territory now Rock Island County forming part of St. Clair County. On September 14, 1812, our county became a part of Madison County, and on January 31, 1821, we were made a part of Pike County. This was the first county erected by the State of Illinois.

part of the former, and so remained until January 13, 1825. when we became a part of Peoria County. On February 17, 1827, Jo Daviess County was erected from Peoria County, and Galena became our coimty seat. We remained part of Jo Daviess County until 1833, when Rock Island County was organized, with the boundaries as thej' exist today.

The ordinance of 1787 provided for the forming of one or two states out of the territory now the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. The ordinance provided that the northern boundary of the territory now Illinois should be an east and west line drawm through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. Had this provision been carried out when Illinois was erected into a state in 1818, that part of Rock Island County east of Moline would now^ be in Wisconsin.

When the bill to admit Illinois as a state was presented to Congress and referred to the committee, our northern boundary was as defined in the ordinance of 1787, which would have left out of our state the counties of Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago. Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, De Page, Cook, Lee, Whiteside, and also a portion of Kendall, Will. La Salle and Rock Island Counties.

In 1816 the United States made a treaty with the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie Indians and it became necessary to establish the point where a line "due west from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan" would strike the Mississippi River. Such a line was siu^^eyed by John Sullivan in 1818, and a monument was erected at its terminus, "on the bank of the Mississippi River near the head of Rock Island." This place is between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets in the City of Moline, and is now occupied by the Moline City Waterworks.

Alexander Pope, the representative from Illinois in Congress, was fully alive to the interests of his constituency. Mr. Pope asked to strike out of the bill the description which bounded Illinois on the north b\' a line drawn directly west from the southerly boundary of Lake Michigan, and insert the following: at the mouth of the Wabash River, thence up the same and with the line of Indiana to the northwest corner of said state; thence east with the line of the same state to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north along the middle of said lake to north latitude 42 degrees 30 minutes; thence west to the middle of the Mississippi River, and thence down along the middle of that river to its confluence with the Ohio River, and_ thence up the river along its northwest shore to the beginning." This carried.

The northern boundary of Illinois was thus fixed, and was made to include a strip of land sixty-one miles nineteen chains and thirteen links wide, extending from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River, embracing a sm-face of 8,500 square miles. The line siu-veyed by Sullivan in 1818 was accepted as a true line until 1833, when Captain Talcott. while making the siun^ey of the Ohio-Michigan boundary, was instructed to ascertain the exact point on the Mississippi River which is due west from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. He established this point as being "about seven miles north of the fort (Armstrong) on Rock Island."

From 1829 to 1848 the question of adding these fourteen northern and a portion of the four other Illinois counties to Wisconsin was a prominent one in the northern part of the state. Strange to s.ay, for many years most of the people living in the northern part of the state were in favor of being added to Wisconsin; but when Wisconsin was admitted as a state in 1848 its southern boundary line was fixed at the heretofore established northern bovmdary of the State of Illinois, and thus was forever settled what for many years was a subject of much dispute.

Colonel Stanhope E. Blunt

Summing up the history pertainina; to the Rock Island Arsenal, located upon the Islaiul of Rock Island, and lying conjointly, one might say, between the cities of Moline, Rock Island and Davenport, is no light task. In the data which contributes to the construction of this history, some of which has been incorporated verbatim, there are numerous dates and incidents which give rise to conflicting thoughts and deductions and the writer has been compelled, in some instances, to resort to comparisons upon which to base his judgments.

Since the advent of Colonel George Davenport, May 10, 1816, several histories of the Arsenal have been written, and a number of personal memoirs of well known pioneers have been printed. Of these latter, the reminiscences of the late Judge J. W. Spencer probablj' afford the most authentic report, and it is to be deplored that he did not pursue his work to the end that would dispel all doubts as to many transformations and conditions throtigh which the Arsenal passed during the days of the early pioneers and the settlement of Rock Island County.

Starting at the beginning, the pm-poses and anticipations relative to old Fort Armstrong naturally present- themselves; and as this celebrated fort was l)uilt on the Island of Rock Island, acquired through a treaty with the Indians in the year 1804, it will be proper to precede our account of it by a Ijrief description of the island itself. Rock Island is situated on the Mississippi River, opposite the upper end of the City of Rock Island, and between it and Davenport on the Iowa side. It is about two and three quarters miles long by three-fourths of a mile wide, and contains an area of nearly a thousand acres. The base of this island is a mass of limestone, of the Hamilton group, which underlies this section of coimtrv. At its lower extremity this rocky exposure rises in an almost perpendicular wall to a considerable height above the water, and was the cause of its being called by its appropriate name - Rock Island.

This mass of light grey or whitish limestone, rising in the broad channel of the Mississippi, and crowned with its luxuriant covering of natural forest trees, was an object of great interest to the early explorers in this region, and its effect was greatly enhanced by coming in view of it unexpectedly, as the traveler was sure to do, in passing the bend in the river a short distance below. After Fort Armstrong was built on the lower point of this island, the view on ascending the river became still more picturesque, and it has been described as one of the most romantic and beautiful scenes in the whole western coimtry. Mr. Henry C. McGrew, who published the first newspaper in Rock Island, and of whom mention is made elsewhere, wrote a letter in 1870, in which he said:

"Although thirty-eight years have passed since I first landed at Rock Island, I shall never forget my first impressions of the place. It was a beautiful moonlight night in Jime; and, as I stood upon the deck of the steamer, as we rounded the bend below the village, and beheld old Fort Armstrong on the island in the river, with its whitewashed walls, pretty gardens and officers' houses, the scene was charming, presenting the appearance of some ancient castle. Then there was the village of Davenport on the opposite bank, with its white painted cottages, and on the east, Rock Island, encircled by the bluffs. The panorama inspired me with a feeling of happiness I shall never forget; and, coupled with the idea that I was on the outskirts of civilization, gave the whole scene an air of romance."

Governor Ford, in his History of Illinois, speaking of the arrival of the soldiers here during the first Black Hawk disturbance, in 1831, says :

"The volunteers marched to Rock Island the next morning, and here they encamped for several days, precisely where the town of Rock Island is situated. It was then in a complete state of nature, a romantic wilderness. Fort Armstrong was built on a rocky cliff at the lower point of an island, near the center of the river, a little way above; the shores on each side formed of gentle slopes of prairie extending back to bluffs of considerable height, made it one of the most picturesque scenes in the western country. The river here is a beautiful sheet of clear, swift-running water, about three-quarters of a mile wide. Its banks on both sides were inhabited only by Indians, from the Lower Rapids to the fort; and the voyage up stream, after several days progress through a wilderness country, brought the traveler suddenly in sight of the fort, perched upon a rock, surrounded by the grandeur of Nature, which, at a distance, gave it the appearance of one of those enchanted castles in an uninhabited desert, so well described in the Arabian Night's Entertainments".

by the white man. "Here they loved to assemble for their summer pastimes, and to indulge in the simple amusements of their race; along these rocky shores was their favorite fishing-ground; the swift current which here pours down over successive chains of rapids, was the scene of many a dash and frolic in their light canoes; and here dwelt the kindly spirit who.se protecting power preserved the red man, and over whose subterrean abode none dared to walk but with the silent step of supreme reverence and awe." The estimation in which the Srx and 'Fox Indians held this island is well described by Black Hawk in the following language:

' ' This was the best island in the Mississippi, and had long been the resort of our young people during the summer. It was our garden, which furnished us with strawberries, blackberries, plums, apples, and nuts of various kinds, and its waters supplied us with pure fish, being situated in the rapids of the river. In my early life I spent many happy days on this island. A good spirit had care of it, who lived in a cave in the rocks inamediately under the place where the fort now stands, and has often been seen by our people. He was white, with large wings like a swan's, but ten times larger. We were particular not to make a noise in that part of the island, for fear of disturbing him. But the noise of the fort has since driven him away, and no doubt a bad spirit has taken his place."

The events which led to the building of Fort Armstrong on Rock Island are elsewhere fully described. The British band of Sacs and Foxes had been troublesome in this region all through the latter part of the War of 1812-14. The British had captured the fort at Prairie du Chien, and had not only provided the Indians of this locality with artillery, munitions of war, and men, but had left them at the close of the war with feelings of strong and bitter hostility to the Government. From Jefferson Barracks, below St. Louis, to the mouth of the Wisconsin, the Government had practically no established militaiy post by which to enforce its authority or to afford protection to its citizens, whose duties might call them into this jjortion of the ITnited States. The river was, moreover, a highway of the nation, which must be kept guarded by suitable, military stations along its banks. The situation at Rock Island was central, accessible, and in near proximity to the most dangerous body of Indians on the river: it was also nearly centrally located on the western border of that great tract of country which these Indians had ceded to the United States in the treaty of 1804, and which would soon be opened for actual settlement.

At the time the fort was built, there were at least 4,000 Indians living on the main shores and adjacent to the island. All those On the east side 'were the wards of the Government, living on Government lands, which I 'mm were nllov.-ed by the terms of the treaty t'l iiceiipy so long as these lands belonged to the United States.

Building Of The Fort

In 1816 Fort Armstrong was built on the lower point of Rock Island. The force of regulars under Colonel William Lawrence who came up the river for the purpose of locating and erecting the fort, arrived at the mouth of Rock River and examined the country for a suitable site. They decided on the above location. On the 10th of May, 1816, they landed on the island, and as soon as they had completed their encampment. Colonel Lawrence employed the soldiers to cut logs and build storehouses for their provisions. He also had a bakehouse and oven erected, whicli was the first building finished on the island. The erection of the fort and its accompanying buildings soon followed, and was named Fort Armstrong, in honor of the secretary of war.

blockhouse was built at each of the four angles, and embrazures for cannon and loopholes for musketry were provided. A magazine, store-house, barracks, and officers' quarters were erected within the enclosure, and sections of heavy stone work built for protection against fire.

Colonel George Davenport came with the troops as contractor for the Commissary Department. On the 10th of August, 1816, Mrs. Davenport and Mrs. Lewis, afterward Mrs. Goldsmith, reached the island. They were the first American ladies who ever ascended the river to this place. Mrs. Davenport died in 1847, aged 72 years. Mrs. Goldsmith, a venerable relic of the ]K)st. died in the 76th year of her age.

In 1823, the Virginia, laden with iHdvisions for the garrison at Prairie du Chein, touched the fort. This is said to have been the first steamboat that landetl on the island. In 1831 , the old Fort on the island was the scene of a council with the Sac and Fox Indians, with a view to persuading them to retire peaceably to the west side of the Mississippi River. Aljout thirty chiefs were present. This council was held by General Gaines, who came from Jefferson Barracks in the steamer Enterprise with a force of regular troops. It resulted in convincing General Gaines that the Indians were determined to fight rather than give up their possessions.

We shall have more to say of these matters when we come to give an account of the Black Hawk War in 1831 and '32. During the war, Fort Armstrong was the rendezvous for the soldiers assembled in this qtiarter. On the 7th day of August, 1832, five days after the battle of Bad Axe, General Winfield Scott arrived from Fortress Monroe with a force of United States regulars to assist in putting down the Black Hawk disturbance. He was, as we know, too late for that, but in season to call together the conquered Sacs and Foxes at Rock Island, and to conclude a treaty with them, on the 2Lst of September, for the strip of land known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," in Iowa. This treaty was not held at Fort Armstrong, as was contemplated, owing to existence of cholera among the soldiers, which then prevailed, but was held on the opposite side of the river, on the grounds formerly occupied by the Chicago, Rock Island A: Pacific Depot, and now by the Kimball House. At that time, there were about 1,500 soldiers at the fort.

Fort Armstrong was evacuated by the garrison in 1836, but the island was still held as a military reservation by the Government under successive agents appointed to take charge of it. The first of these was General Street, Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, who, by order of the Government, established the Indian Agency on the island soon after the withdrawal of the troops. In the spring of 1838, the Indian Agency was removed to Agency City, Iowa, on the Des Moines River, and General Street was succeeded by Colonel George Davenport, who had charge of the island until the spring of 1840. Fort Armstrong was then a depot for arms. Captain Shoemaker was placed in charge, and remained vmtil the spring of 1845, when the arms, being required for the Mexican War, were shipped to New Orleans, and Captain Shoemaker went with the army to Mexico. He was succeeded by Thomas Drum, who died in 1853, when Sergeant Cummings, of Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien), was appointed, and on his declination, Colonel J. B. Danforth, Jr., was appointed, January 20, 1854. In 1857, H. Y. Slaymaker, of Davenport, was appointed. In May, 1861, T. J. Pickett succeeded Mr. Slaymaker, and held the position until the island was again occupied for arsenal piu-poses.

Rock Island Armory And Arsenal

The movement for the establishment of a Western Arsenal on Rock Island was begun as earlv as 1839, in which year it was made the object of a special survey and the subject of a report to the War Department by Major Bell, of the Ordnance Department, as a feasible and desirable location. In 1843 its advantages for that purpose was reported to Congress by a commissioner appointed by the President, under the provisions of an act of Congre.ss approved September 9, 1841. At a later date it was also the subject of a recommendation to the Government for the same public use.

It was not until the summer of 1861 that the initial step was taken by the citizens of Rock Island looking to the accomplishment of this object. On the first day of July, of that year, a petition addressed to the senators and representatives in Congress was drawn up by the following committee of citizens of Rock Island, viz: N. B. Buford, J. Wilson Drury, Ira O. Wilkinson, Ben Harper, Reuben Hatch, George Mixter, J. B. Danforth, Jr., and P. L. Cable, asking Congress to establish a national armory and arsenal on Rock Island, and setting forth the special advantages of the site for such an establishment.

By the action of these gentlemen another committee of leading citizens of the three cities - Rock Island, Moline and Davenport - was appointed, consisting of the following named persons: Ira O. Wilkinson, N. B. Buford, H. C. Connelly, J. Wilson Drury and Bailey Davenport, of Rock Island; W. H. F. Gurley, George L. Davenport, and G. M. French of Davenport, and C. ,\tkinson and P. R. Reed, of Moline. These gentlemen memorialized Congress in an ably prepared pamphlet, with a map of this locality, upon the claims and advantages of Rock Island as the site for the proposed Western Arsenal and Armory.

This memorial sets forth that a new Armory and Arsenal, for the manufacture, safekeeping and distribution of arms and munitions of war, are of pressing national necessity demanded alike by the present wants and futiue requirements of the Government , and that the preponderating growth of the northwest, as well as the absence of any such establishment within its limits, indicate that such an armory should be located upon the upper Mississippi. Coming directly to the claims of Rock Island, the memorialists say: "Believing that Rock Island, in the State of Illinois, in the eentrality and safety of its geographical position, the facilities it affords for transportation to and from other parts of the country, the cheapness and abundance of its motive power and the materials used in the manufacture of arms, in the supply and cheapness of labor and food, in the healthfulness, spaciousness and general eligibilitv of the site, and the possession and ownership thereof by the Government free of cost or expense - enjoys advantages equal, if not superior, to those possessed by any other place in the northwest for the location of such an establishment - j-our memorialists would respectfully ask your attention to a brief notice of these advantages." The ad\-antages are set forth in the ten or twelve pages which follow with great force and cogency of argument. In this document we find a report of the action of the Iowa Legislature and of the authorities of Illinois on the subject, and a certificate of the government agent in charge of the Island.

Joint Resolutions Of The Iowa Legislature

"Be It Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Iowa, That the senators in Congress from this State be requested to use their utmost exertions to procure the establishment, at the earliest possible time, by the Government of the United States, of an Arsenal and Armory, for the distribution of arms to the states of the northwest, on the Island of Rock Island, in the State of Illinois.

"Resolved That the Secretary of State be requested to forward to each of the Senators and representatives in Congress a copy of these resolutions."

No session of the legislature of Illinois had been held immediately prior to this action, but Governor Yates and the other state officers, both civil and military, addressed a letter to the Secretary of War, urging the location of the Armory upon Rock Island.

Certificate From The Government Agent

"I, T. ,1. Pickett, Government Agent for the Island of Rock Island, hereby certify that the lands owned by the Government on said island are free from the claims of squatters, and that the only occupants thereon are eight in number, who hold leases under and acknowledge themselves tenants of said Government, in which lease it is specifically agreed that the lessors are to vacate the premises in thirty days from the date of receiving notice requiring them to leave T. J. Pickett, Government Agent. Rock Island. 111., Oct. 2.5, 1861."

Copies of the above memorial were freely distributed among the members of Congress and laid on the desk of every senator and representative. An act of Congress providing for the Arsenal and Armory, and making an appropriation of $100,000, was passed July 11, 1S62. In May of the following year a commission, composed of Major F. D. Callander, Major C. P. Kingsbury and Captain F. J. Treadwell, was sent by the Ordnance Department to locate the proposed Arsenal building on Rock Island. Sites also for magazines on the island were recommended by the commission. The report was adopted and Major Kingsbury was ordered to take charge of the work of construction. He arrived in August, 1863, and on the 3d day of vSeptember broke ground for the government building at the lower end of the island.

From an article prepared by Captain L. M. Haverstiek, and published in the Chicago Inter-Ocean at the time we quote the following, with a few changes adapting it to our purpose :

"An arsenal merely for the storage and repair of arms was not what the Ordnance Department contemplated, nor what the country needed at Rock Island. Therefore in August, 1865, General T. J. Rodman was assigned to the command of the island, with instructions to prepare plans for an armory and arsenal combined, where small arms and other munitions of war could be manufactured as well as repaired and stored. The great scientific knowledge and long experience of General Rodman peculiarly fitted him for this work, and the result was an elaborate plan, equal to the wants and interests of the country.'"

General Rodman'S Plans

General Rodman's plans were submitted to Congress during the session of 1865 and approved. An appropriation was made to begin work on the new buildings; and from thiat time forward steady progress has been made until now Rock Island Arsenal is the foremost in the United States.

A portion of the Island had been sold under a special act of Congress. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company had located their track across the island and built upon its banks the abutments for their bridges. When the Government decided to utilize the island for a permanent and extensive manufacturing depot, it was found necessar}- to buy out the interests of the private parties and of the railroad company. A commission consisting of General J. M. Scofield, Selden JI. Church and James Barnes. was appointeii to appraise the lands on the island owned by individuals.

An act of Congress, approved June 27, 1866. appropriated the money necessary to buy out their claims, authorized the reloca. tion of the railroad bridge, and provided for compensating the railroad companj- for changing its route across the island. The same act made an appropriation to begin work on the development of the waterpower.

Under this and subsequent acts the Government united with the railroad company in the erection of the iron bridge, which served the general purposes until the constitution of the present magnificent bridge, sharing in the expense and securing a free wagon way in addition to the railroad tracks.