Re: Illinois Militia, Black Hawk War, 1832

[Mike Thorson]

Careful Cliff, you might be getting a letter from the McBarron estate lawyers - like I did when I posted this on the old Black Hawk War website (yes, I gave full credit) .

[Robert Braun]

Of course, McBarron got the ball rolling (and quite well, too) when it came to an analysis and artistic presentation of some of America's more obscure military moments. Like me, many a flegling American Military enthusiast continues to pore over these prints.

A deeper look into the background of this print reveals several interesting learnings, since it 1966 publication date:

1. Greg Carter has pointed out that the officers, save Lincoln, in the print are rendered in close approximation the the extant Illinois Militia Law. One concern is the lack of supporting evidence for compliance with that act during the BHW, as suggested by this rendition;

2. Lincoln, with perhaps a bow to tradition, is protrayed with a sword, an early pattern "over the shoulder" sword belt and a rifle with accouterments. Lincoln's own comments in Congress suggest he had no sword. The record of issue for Lincoln's company in which he served as Captain indicated the State of Illinois issued muskets with bayonets, ramrods and wipers. No rifles as far as I have determined;

3. Lincoln is portayed in a style of coat suggestive of a period later than 1832;

4. I've always been suspicious of those southwestern "water gourds" in McBarron prints;

5. Most of the Illinois volunteers-- most of the First Army, the 20-day Interim Regiment, and most of the Third Army-- were mounted, including Lincoln. The men in this print seem to be equipped for infantry service.

I wrote an in-depth analysis of the McBarron print in light of research findings since 1966. I should post that someday!

Regards, Bob.

[Cliff Krainik]

Lions and Tigers and Estate Lawyers - oh my!

Thanks for the legal alert, Mike. As we say say in Washington - I must have misspoke myself - what I meant to say was -

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Hi Darryl,

Welcome to the Black Hawk War Message Board. Here's another great illustration of Illinois Militia during the Black Hawk War. Good luck with your research -

images.andale.com/f2/116/104/7566189/1088581415633_PRINTbhwFULLsc.jpg [/img]

"Battle of Sycamore Creek" (aka Stillman's Run)

Woodcut engraving illustrating page 150 of Benjamin Drake's The Great Indian Chief of the West: or, Life and Adventures of Black Hawk. Cincinnati: Anderson, Gates & Wright, 1858

images.andale.com/f2/116/104/7566189/1090521331996_PRINTdtBHW.jpg [/img]


Note: This work first appeared in 1838, published in Cincinnati by George Conclin. The illustration of "Battle of Sycamore Creek" did not appear in the first edition - only the likenesses of Black Hawk and Wabokieshiek, The Prophet.

Original book and illustration from the Black Hawk War Collection, Cliff and Michele Krainik, Warrenton, Virginia.

[Greg Carter]

It is interesting that in the Stillman's Run illustration the mounted man appears to be firing a Derringer at an Indian foe. A bit fanciful there.

GMC