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Post by pshrake on Apr 7, 2003 20:56:49 GMT -5
If you think you saw this post somewhere else...you did. I moved it from another thread.
Thank you Marge for collecting and transcribing the muster rolls and for making it available to the general public. Your efforts reflect a lot of hard work. I can imagine the endless hours it took to carefully transcribe and recheck the records.
Thank you.
As a side note to the muster rolls, As I interpret them, they represent two different milita operations. The first focuses around Field's Company and Thomas McNair's Companies. Both were organized through the effort of Lewis Cass when he was on his 3 week whirlwind tour through the region trying to assess the actual situation with the HoChunk and desperately trying to orchestrate some form of defence. Thomas McNair's company was created exclusively out of the Prairie du Chien settlement, as an effort to bring order to the sheer chaotic pandemonum which the village had fallen into follwing the Red Bird attacks.
Fields company, formed by Cass on the same trip was formed as an emergency reenforcement for Prairie du Chien and was sent up river to the settlement. Along the way they made a few forays into the countryside looking for Indians but shortly after arriving at the Prairie they were met by the 4 companies of regulars under Snelling and sent back to Galena.
Apparently, some serious disagreement arose between Field and Snelling which resulted in a challange of a duel. Snelling had at least one officer arrested. Though later released, the company was sent back to Galena with no means of support from the regular army.
It should also be noted that Thomas McNair was the owner of "McNair's Coulee" where the Gagnier murders took place. Also not that there are at least two other Gagnier's serving in the company... relatives of the slain Registe Gagnier perhaps?
The second milita operation focuses around Hamilton's, George McNair's, and James Strode's companies who, as the records state, served under Dodge with Atkinson up the Wisconsin River. The two interesting highlights from this record, as I see it, is that we now definately know that Dodge commanded 3 companies whereas before I has assumed it was only two. Also, the records refer Atkinson's force as the "Army on the Ouisconsin" I had never seen this name applied to Atkinson's force before.
It should also be noted that this was not the total milita force ordered out during the Red Bird War. Governonr Edwards of Illinois called out several units of the state milita. Specifically I have records illustrating in part, the service of the "Vermillion County company" of state militia. They were sent to the Chicago area where there was deep concern that the Pottawatomie were on the verge of joining up with Red Bird.
Again, Marge, this is some great stuff a very important resource on the Uprising of 1827.
Pete
« Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2003, 12:43am by pshrake » Logged
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Post by pshrake on Apr 7, 2003 20:59:03 GMT -5
LETTER OF GOV. EDWARDS TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
Belleville, Illinois, 5 Nov., 1827
Sir:- In consequence of your request that I should transmit an estimate of the sum necessary to pay the militia which were recently called into service in this Sate, I have the honor herewith to transmit an inspection roll of the first detachment, and muster roll of the second.
These will show the number of men that were in service. Those reported on the inspection roll served thirty days. The muster roll of Capt. Bankson shows the term of service of his company.
All these were mounted riflemen, and found their own subsistence, ammunition, &c., and, of course, will expect to be allowed one dollar a day, the same that was allowed during the late war for similar service.
The inspection roll shows on over proportion of officers. This arose from the impossibility of procuring arms. Six hundred men were ordered out, but arms could not be procured for a larger number than those that actually marched, and the balance had to be discharged.
I have the honor to be very respectfully, sir,
Y’r mo. ob. s’t,
Ninian Edwards
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Post by Robert Braun on Apr 18, 2003 10:45:24 GMT -5
In reading John Reynolds' My Own Times..., p. 178, I noted the following:
As soon as it could be organized, Governor Edwards ordered out a regiment of mounted troops, to march to Galena and enter into the Winnebago war. The Governor appointed General Thomas M. Neal colonel of the regiment. The troops were raised out of the counties of Morgan and Sangamon, and marched under Colonel Neal to Galena. When this fine regiment arrived at Galena, the war had closed and they were not needed.
Apparently, there is additional material that covers this particular militia unit. In the notes portion of John Wakefield’s book, I found:
From Sangamon and Morgan counties in Illinois, a regiment of mounted volunteers, under command of Colonel Thomas M. Neale of Springfield, marched to Galena, but when that point had been reached, Red Bird, the moving spirit in the uprising, had surrendered and the regiment saw no service. Its movements, however, are to be found in an article written by Hon. William Thomas of Jacksonville, and published in the Jacksonville Journal of August 17, 1871.
Anyone have access to microfilm copies of the Jacksonville Journal?
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Post by Marge Smith on Apr 21, 2003 10:25:10 GMT -5
From the History of Morgan County, Illinois, 1878. page 288-290. A reprint from the weekly Journal of August 17, 1871, by Judge William Thomas about his experiences in the Winnebago War. [the following is a small extract]
"We were required to take ten days' provisions, during which time it was expected we would make Galena, where additional supplies could be obtained. During our preparations to start we had constant, heavy rains, which raised the rivers, creeks, and branches to an unusual height. The companies from this county made their way to Peoria in messes and squads, swimming the streams not bridged. Upon the arrival of all the companies at Peoria, Colonel Samuel T. Matthews was elected lieutenant-colonel, and Elijah Iles, major, who, because he rode a mule, was called the 'mule major.' ...
"The heavy rains had extended to Rock River, and the prairies were so saturated with water, so that we could only travel in a walk, our horses breaking the sod at every step. Following a trail made by the Indians, and persons going to the lead mines, on the fifth day from Peoria we reached Rock River (now Dixon). During this march we had to drink the water standing in swamps, pools, and holes in the prairie. On reaching Rock River, seeing that it was a beautiful clear stream, with a gentle current, we expected a good drink of water, but to our surprise we found it no better than the water of the swamps through which we had passed. Dozens were made sick by swallowing the water before tasting...
"Beyond the river we found the country dry. By this time our ten days' provisions were almost exhausted--we had in a baggage wagon only two barrels of flour, and some crackers, and nearly a barrel of whisky, which we divided that evening, and prepared for an early march the next morning. On the morrow we made an early start, and about twelve o'clock we found a beautiful spring of clear water...
"The next day, by a forced march, we reached Gratiot's Grove, fifteen miles from Galena, where we were unable to obtain supplies, and where we remained the next day, when we removed our encampment to the White Oak Springs, near a tavern house occupied by a Mrs. Nabb, from Springfield. We neither found or could hear of any officers of the U. S. army, nor of any hostile Indians.
"Capt. Smith of Sangamon, and Capt. Rodgers of this county, agreed to go to Prairie du Chien with a report from Col. Neale to the commanding officer at that post. They started without a pilot or compass. They were gone several days and finally returned, reported that they had lost their way and had not been able to reach the garrison. The thirty days being then about expiring, and all apprehension from the hostility having ceased, Col. Neale decided to disband the army; the men were supplied with provisions enough to supply them home, and returned in companies, squads, and messes."
Marge Smith
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Post by Marge Smith on Apr 21, 2003 11:19:19 GMT -5
I have never looked at the following papers, but may yield some clues as to type of equipment, etc. The following is from Guide to the Manuscripts of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Edited by Alice E. Smith, 1944 [This is the 1st of 3 volumes]
No. 307 Henry, William. Papers, 1823-49. 155 items.
Letters to Captain Henry concerning his activities as a merchant in Galena, Illinois, as chairman of the Committee of Safety at Galena in 1827, as sutler for two companies of United States Rangers during the Black Hawk War, as justice of the peace of Iowa County, and as first postmaster of Mineral Point, 1836. The collection contains information about early lead mining, land speculation, the battle of the Pecatonica, and the establishment of a newspaper, with some political correspondence. With these papers are appointments, accounts, and legal documents of Lieutenant Matthew G. Fitch, Mineral Point.
As far as I know these documents are in Madison, at one point they were transferring items to the region they concerned, but I don't think they are at Platteville.
Has anybody looked at this collection?
Marge Smith
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Post by Robert Braun on Apr 21, 2003 12:08:31 GMT -5
Regarding his contributions to the Winnebago War, Iles wrote simply in his Sketch of Early Life... p. 42: In 1827 I was elected major in the command of Col. T. McNeal, which was intended to take part in the war against the Winnebagoes. We had no fighting, and the hostilities were stopped by the treaty of Prairie du Chien. No mention of the mule, which by the way is a great story!  Bob |
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Post by pshrake on Apr 21, 2003 13:07:56 GMT -5
Marge's post noting the rainy conditions, and the situation around Peoria reminded me of an account I found in relation to the Chicago area. There were fears that the Pottawatomie sympathetic to the HoChunk. In reality the Pottowatomie would have nothing to do with Red Bird and denied all invitations to particiapte in the uprising, but the settlement still became panicked. A emergency company was formed in the settlement and a detachment from the Vermillion river area came to thier defecne. The following account was found in Milo Quaifes "History of Chicago."
NARRATIVE OF HESEKIAH CUNNINGHAM
Vermillion County Battalion
In the night time about the 15th or 20th of July, 1827, I was awakened by my brother-in-law, Alexander McDonald, telling me that Mr. Hubbard had just come in from Chicago with the word that the Indians were about the massacre the people there, and that men were wanted for their protection at once. The inhabitant of the country capable of bearing arms had been enrolled under the militia laws of the State, and organized as the ‘Vermillion County Battalion,’ in which I held a commission as captain. I dressed myself and started forthwith to notify all the men belonging to my company to meet at Butler’s Point (six miles southwest of Danville), the place where the county business was then conducted and where the militia met to muster. The Captains of the other companies were notified the same as myself, and they rode the remainder of the night at this work, up and down the Little Vermillion.
At noon the next day, the battalion was at Butler’s Point; most of the men lived on the Little Vermillion River, and had to ride or walk from six to twelve miles to the place of rendezvous. Volunteers were called for, and in a little while fifty men, the required number, were raised. Those who agreed to go then held and election of their officers for the campaign, choosing Achilles Morgan, Captain; Major Bayles, First Lieutenant; and Colonel Isaac R. Moores, as Second. The names of the private me, as far as I now remember them, are as follows: George M. Beckwith, John Beasley, myself (Hezekiah Cunningham), Julian Ellis, Seaman Cox, James Dixon, Asa Elliot, Francis Foley, William Foley, a Mr. Hammers, Jacob Heater, a Mr. Davis, Evin Morgan, Isaac Goen, Jonothan Phelps, Joshua Parish, William Reed, John Myers (‘Little Vermillion John’), John Saulsbury, a Mr. Kirkman, Anthony Swisher, George Swisher, Joseph Price, George Weir, John Vaughn, Newton Wright and Abel Williams. Many of the men were without horses, and the neighbors who had horses and did not go, loaned their animals to those who did; still there were five men who started afoot, as there were no horses to be had for them. We disbanded, after we were mustered in, and went home to cook five days’ rations, and were ordered to be at Danville the next day. The men all had a pint of whiskey, believing it essential to mix a little of it with the slough water we were to drink on our route. Abel Williams, however, was smart enough to take some ground coffee, and a tin cup along, using no stimulants whatever; he had warm drinks on the way up to Chicago, and coming back all of us had the same.
We arrived at the Vermillion River about noon on Sunday, the day after assembling at Butler’s Point. The river was up, and running, bank full, about a hundred yards wide, with a strong current. Our men and saddles were taken over in a canoe. We undertook to swim our horses, and they were driven into the water the current would strike them and they would swim in a circle and return to the shore a few rods below. Mr. Hubbard, provoked at this delay, threw off his coat and said, “give me old Charley,” meaning a large, steady-going horse, owned by James Butler and loaned to Jacob Heater. Mr. Hubbard, mounting this horse, boldly dashed into the stream, and the other horses were quickly crowded after him. The water was so swift that “Old Charley” became unmanageable, when Mr. Hubbard dismounted on the upper side and seized the horse, by the mane, near the animal’s head, and swimming with his left arm, guided the horse in the direction of the opposite shore. We were afraid he would be washed under the horse or struck by his feet and be drowned; but he got over without damage, except the wetting of his broadcloth pants and moccasins. These he had to dry on his person, as we pursued our journey.
I will here say that a better man that Mr. Hubbard could not have been sent to our people. He was well known to all the settlers. His generosity, his quiet and determined courage, and his integrity, were so well known and appreciated that he had the confidence and good will of everybody, and was a well-recognized leader among us pioneers.
At this time there were no persons living on the north bank of the Vermillion River near Danville, except Robert Trickle and George Weir, up near the present woolen factory, and William Reed and Dan Beckwith; the latter had a little log cabin on the bluff of the Vermillion near the present highway bridge, or rather on the edge of the hill east of the highway some rods. Here he kept store, in addition to his official duties as Constable and County Surveyor. The store contained a small assortment of such article as were suitable for barter with the Indians who were the principal customers. We called it “The Saddle-Bags Store” because supplies were brought up form Terre Haute in saddle-bags, that indispensable accompaniment of every rider in those days before highways provided for the use of vehicles.
Mr. Reed had been elected Sheriff the previous March, receiving fifty-seven out of the eighty votes that were cast a the election, and which represented about the entire voting population of the county at that time. Both Reed and Dan wanted to go with us, and after quite a warm controversy between them, as it was impossible for them both to leave, it was agreed that Reed should go and that Beckwith should look after the affairs of both until Reed’s return. Amos Williams was building his house at Danville at this time, the sale of lots having taken place the previous April.
Crossing the North Fork at Denmark, three miles north of Danville, we passed the cabin of Seymour Treat. He was building a mill at that place; and his house was the last one in which a family was living until we reached Hubbard’s Trading –Post on the north bank of the Iroquois River, near what has since been known as the town of Buncombe; and from this trading-house there was no other habitation, Indian wigwams excepted, on the line of our march until we reached Fort Dearborn.
We reached Chicago about four o’clock on the evening of the 4th day, in the midst of one of the most severe rainstorms I ever experienced, accompanied by thunder and vicious lightning. The rain we did not mind, we were without tents and were used to wetting. The water we took within us hurt is more than that which fell upon us, as drinking it made many of us sick. The people of Chicago were very glad to see us. They were expecting an attack every hour since Colonel Hubbard had left them, and as we approached they did not know whether we were enemies or friends, and when they learned that we were friends they gave us a shout of welcome. They had organized a company of thirty or fifty men, composed mostly of Canadian half-breeds interspersed with a few Americans, all under the command of Captain Beaubien. The Americans seeing that we were a better looking crowd, wanted to leave their associates and join our company. This feeling caused quite a row, but the officers finally restored harmony and the discontented men went back to their old command. The town of Chicago was composed at this time of six or seven American families, a number of half-breeds, and a lot of idle, vagabond Indians loitering about. I made the acquaintance of Robert and James Kinzie, and their father, John Kinzie. We kept guard day and night for some eight to ten days, when a runner came in- I think from Green Bay-bringing word that General Cass had concluded a treaty with the Winnebagos, and that we might now disband and go home. The citizens were overjoyed at the news; and in their gladness they turned out one barrel of gin, one barrel of brandy, one barrel of whiskey, knocking the heads of the barrels in. Everybody was invited to take a free drink; and, to tell the plain truth, everybody did drink. The ladies at Fort Dearborn treated us especially well. I say this without disparaging the god and cordial conduct of the men toward us. The ladies gave us all manner of good things to eat. They loaded us with provisions and gave us all those delicate attentions that the kindness of a woman’s heart would suggest. Some of them-three ladies whom I understood were recently from New York, distributed tracts and other reading matter among our company, and interested themselves zealously in our spiritual as well as temporal welfare.
Pete
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