|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Apr 15, 2002 10:16:31 GMT -5
The key to understanding Col. Dodge's requirements for defending the lead region in the Michigan Territory is the huge amount of territory it covered. In an age when steamboats were probably the fastest means of travel, the territory could only be covered on horseback. The need to provide defense meant the raising of volunteer militia companies to "garrison" a series of forts, blockhouses, and strongpoints. But in order to react to a strike by a "British Band" war-party meant an elastice, rapid-response force was needed.
Hence, the "Michigan Mounted Volunteers" were born.
There were some companies of militia infantry. However, when horses were available, the preference was definately for companies of mounted rangers.
Fort Jackson in Mineral Point became a central respoitory and distribution point for military munitions and materiel. Among these were saddles, bridles, curcingles, and blankets issues specifically to the local miltia companies. We presume that the government saddles were dragoon saddles...surplus from the War of 1812, but we don't know for certain.
Like the Illinois militia, the "Michigan Mounted Volunteers' provided the U. S. Army with a combat arm that had lacked since the War of 1812...cavalry. Only mounted men could keep up with the more mobile "British Band" in 1832.
The object lesson was not lost on the War Department. It ordered the formation of the U. S. Rangers, a mounted force, in June, 1832. Commissioned to lead the new command was none other than Henry Dodge.
|
|
|
|
Post by Greg Carter on Apr 16, 2002 0:41:11 GMT -5
Bob,
The US Rangers eventually became the 1st US Dragoons, correct?
GMC
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Apr 22, 2002 11:57:52 GMT -5
Yes.. this seems to be the lineage. The U. S. Mounted Rangers were folded into the U. S. Regiment of Dragoons.
Later, the War Department authorized two regments of dragoons, labled-- as you would expect-- as the "1st Regiment" and the "2d Regiment."
Bob.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marge Smith on Dec 9, 2002 16:07:52 GMT -5
Around May 8, 1832 Henry Dodge left Mineral Point to Gratiot Grove, Kirker's Farm, Chambers Plantation, Kellogg's Grove to Dixon. Along the way he met returning Gentry, Moore and Cox. According to his son's biography there were 27 men. Does anyone know the names. Was there anything published about this trip?
Marge
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Dec 9, 2002 16:32:55 GMT -5
William Salter, in his Life of General Henry Dodge pp. 27-28 recorded the following letter send by Dodge to Gov. Reynolds at Dixon:
Mineral Point, May 8, 1832
His Excellency John Reynolds:
Dear Sir.--The exposed situation of the settlements of the mining district to the attack of the Indian enemy makes it a matter of deep and vital interest to us that we should be apprised of the movements of the mounted men under your Excellency's immediate command. Black Hawk and his band, it is stated by the last advices we have had on this subject, was to locate himself about twenty miles above Dixon's Ferry, on Rock river. Should the mounted men under your command make an attack on that party, we would be in great danger here; for should you defeat Black Hawk, the retreat would be on our settlements. There are now collected within twenty miles above our settlements about two hundred Winnebagoes, and should the Sauks be forced into the Winnebago country, many of the wavering of that nation would unite with the
hostile Sauks. I have no doubt it is part of the policy of this banditti to unite themselves as well with the Pottawattamies as Winnebagoes. It is absolutely important to the safety of this country that the people here should be apprised of the intended movements of your army. Could you detach a part of your command across the Rock river, you would afford our settlements immediate protection, and we would promptly unite with you, with such a mounted force as we could bring into the field. Judge Gentry, Colonel Moore and James P. Cox, Esq., will wait on your Excellency and receive your orders.
I am, sir, with respect and esteem, your obedient servant.
H. DODGE,
Commanding Michigan Militia.
Salter continues his narrative, and names two of the men in the 27-man detachment:
The Illinois troops were not in a situation to act upon the suggestion of Col. Dodge. They were soon demoralized by Stillman's defeat, May 14th, upon which Governor Reynolds the same night made a call for two thousand men, and sent an express to inform Col. Dodge of the disaster, and of the imminent danger to which the mining settlements were exposed. Meanwhile, Col. Dodge had gone himself on a scouting expedition, with a party of twenty-seven men, including his sons, Henry L., and Augustus C., to learn the movements of the enemy, and had approached near to the scene of the disaster, of which he was apprised the day following.
Henry Lafayette Dodge was 22; Augustus Caesar Dodge was 20 at the time of the scout in question.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marge Smith on Dec 9, 2002 16:47:29 GMT -5
Sorry, I have the letter and I have Henry's bio. But
neither tells me who went with him. I want to know
who were the 27 men. Are militia rosters available,
from where?
Marge
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Dec 9, 2002 17:03:37 GMT -5
As of May 8, 1832, only one militia company had been raised and mustered in the Michigan Territory-- that of William "Billy" Hamilton at Hamilton's Diggings. Since Dodge went by way of Gratiot's Grove, it seems unlikely that many of Hamilton's men would have gone with him, if any.
I suspect that Dodge's scouting party was made up of local volunteers, already in posession of personal arms and horses, that Dodge was able to pull together on very short notice.
I am informed that the 1832 militia rosters for the Michigan Territory reside in the collection of the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D. C., and are unfortunately unpublished.
|
|
|
|
Post by Larry Koschkee on Dec 9, 2002 18:08:21 GMT -5
Well what are we waiting for Bob? Lets' saddle up with pick and shovel and head for Washington. The month of April would be a good departure time. It is a warm and beautiful time of the year there...  Perhaps the OLRHS would sponser us, all expenses paid... If that don't work will write a grant application with backing from the Wisconsin State Historical Society. A Michigan Territory Militia roster would be a excellent memorial to those that served and fill a historical hole in Wisconsin's history. Larry K |
|
|
|
Post by pshrake on Dec 9, 2002 18:28:36 GMT -5
I think that one might not have to go as far as Washington D.C. to get a look at the muster rolls. I would bet that the State Historical Society of Wisconsin might have a copy in their microfilm collections, or that one of the U.W. 4 year campuses might have a set in thier collections. I know that when I was at U.W. Eau Claire they had a set of the muster rolls for the Winnebago War. I do not remember if they had a set of the Black Hawk War but most UW libraries have thier catalogs available on line and it would be easy to check.
Pete Shrake
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Hoffman on Dec 9, 2002 18:34:57 GMT -5
I work at Golda Meier Library at UW-Milwaukee.
Tell what you need and I can look it up on the main system computers. I can also do a general look on to every campus in the state.
Later,
Nick Hoffman
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Hoffman on Dec 9, 2002 18:36:37 GMT -5
BTW, I doubt you'd have to go to Washington, unless this is an extremely rare item, i can get almost anything on library loan. Should not be a problem.
Take Care,
Nick
|
|
|
|
Post by Marge Smith on Dec 10, 2002 0:36:33 GMT -5
Page 480 of the History of Iowa County, 1881 says
...Col. Dodge, despairing of an immediate reply, collected together a few trusty and stout settlers and miners from the vicinities of Mineral Point and Dodgeville, among whom was the Colonel's second son, Augustus C. Dodge, now of Burlington, Iowa. This organized corps of volunteers departed from Mineral Point about the 8th day of May, for a reconnoitering expedition to the supposed location of Black Hawk's warriors. They proceeded by way of Apple River to Buffalo Grove, at which place an Indian trail was discovered, leading to Rock River, at a point nearly opposite the Kishwakuee, and within a few miles of the ground on Which Maj. Stillman and his entire command were so disastrously routed. On receiving the Governor's communication, Col. Dodge instantly returned home, alarmed the inhabitants of the mining country, and advised them to fortify and unite for mutual protection and defense..."
The document I found is supposedly written by one of the men on this expedition. He says:
"The preceding summer a company of volunteers had been organised, and Gen. Dodge chosen captain; James H. Gentry, Lieutenant; this company was ordered to rendezvous at Mineral Point, a few days after the meeting, to be in readiness to march to Rock River.
On the day appointed, the company mustered to the amount of some fourteen or sixteen, and armed from a stock of new yagars, which the foresight of the General had provided.
There being a considerable falling off in numbers from the original muster roll, a polite notice was conveyed to several of the absentees to attend, and bring their horses; and it was found that the charms of home and a sound scalp was too strong for military ambitions.
Several of these being in possession of the horses, the Gen. was constrained to lay a requisition; and ordered an immediate search, a few of them were found snugly concealed in the neighboring thickets, and were immediately furnished with riders from the crowd of volunteers that presented themselves.
Among the latter, and having a good horse, I anticipated considerable enjoyment in the excursion; being of a warm and sanguine disposition, I let my fancy run riot in imaginary exciting adventure; and though not particularly blood thirsty, I revelled in anticipation of a fracas, and in my heart wished that Reynolds had anticipated the General's prediction; and had done himself the pleasure of being whipped."
This goes on for about ten typed pages. It is funny, very descriptive of places and people, very admiring of Henry Dodge.
I thought if there was a list of men who were on this excursion, I might pen down the writer.
Marge
|
|
|
|
Post by Larry Koschkee on Dec 10, 2002 10:00:42 GMT -5
Pete and Nick... you are not helping me here. I was very much looking forward to a junket to Washington for research.  Mike Thorson's thread " Sherman's Company Roster" found within this board section cited Bob Birmingham of the Wisconsin State Historical Society as putting together the roster. I will give Bob a call this week for assistance in locating muster rolls. Sorry... Marge Smith for going off on this tangent. I am sure members of this board are searching resources available to them for the answer to your question. Regards, Larry K |
|
|
|
Post by Mike Thorson on Dec 10, 2002 11:53:02 GMT -5
I know all the rosters have been located and copied by someone at the WSH but I think it was done privately, and the person who did it isn't interested in sharing the info. So, a trip to the Nat archives is probably necessary. With all of the interest surrounding it, and the relatively small number of Michigan Militia, you'd think the WSH would have copies of them in their own archives, available for everyone to see.  |
|
|
|
Post by Marge Smith on Dec 10, 2002 12:19:09 GMT -5
Thank you for your help. Years ago I tried to get
these muster rolls (I was trying to compile a census of who was in the lead mines in 1832). Wisconsin turned me down and said to go to the State of Michigan, which I did. Michigan told me to go to Wisconsin, and then I gave up.
I'm going to email National Archives and the Regional Archives in Chicago tomorrow. Maybe in 6 months!
Marge
|
|
