Post by Larry Koschkee on Jun 29, 2005 17:45:47 GMT -5
It is prudent in military tatics to seek the high ground when engaged in warfare and so it seems a portion of the Illinois militia heeded that sound advice by erecting a fortification at the highest eminence in the State of Illinois. Charles Mound, 1235 feet above sea level, is located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, section 13, T29N, R2E and lies just north of the small town of Scales Mound.
GPS quadrants are Latitude 42 degrees 30 minutes N, Longitude 90 degrees 14 minutes W.
"I have so far sustained a little Fort on apple river with from 25 to 30 men and one 14 miles East of this place at Charles Mound with 40 men."
Letter - James M. Strode to Henry Atkinson, Hugh Brady, and John Reynolds. Headquarters 27th, Regt. Ills. Militia, Galena, June the 30th, 1832. (Whitney II, pg 723)
Captain Samuel H. Scales commanded 39 men in a "Company of Infantry of 27th Regiment Illinois Militia" based at Fort Charles. (Whitney I, pgs 519-4-520) They served "May 15th, 1832 to 6th Day of September, 1832."
The mound is named for Elijah Charles, who built a house at the base of the mound in 1828. Captain Scales opened a tavern nearby in 1830.
Captain Scales has his own mound named for him, Scales Mound, which is nearby Charles Mound at an estimate distance of one and one-half to two miles southwest. Many people have been confused about the fort site, thinking it was located at Scales Mound and have interchanged the term Charles Mound and Scales Mound as one in the same. Actually, they are seperate mounds.
I have hiked to the summit of Charles Mound and is the case with many outlier geological formations in northern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin, it has a commanding view. One can see other eminent land formations where BHW forts were sited... Sinsinawa, Hard Scrable, Gratiot, Platte Mounds. In addition, one can see the White Oak Springs landscape where two forts were located and the high ground of the Apple River fort.
When poking around old fort locations, I am always taking into consideration the availability of potable water sources. Charles Mound is no exception. There is a spring about two-thirds of the way to the top. Presently it is dammed for a pond near the farm residence. At the base of the mound a small stream flows southward, so it is apparent there was no lack of water.
P.S. Charles Mound is located so close to the Illinois-Wisconsin state line one gets the feeling while there that a good running long jump could propel yourself up out of Illinois into Wisconsin.
GPS quadrants are Latitude 42 degrees 30 minutes N, Longitude 90 degrees 14 minutes W.
"I have so far sustained a little Fort on apple river with from 25 to 30 men and one 14 miles East of this place at Charles Mound with 40 men."
Letter - James M. Strode to Henry Atkinson, Hugh Brady, and John Reynolds. Headquarters 27th, Regt. Ills. Militia, Galena, June the 30th, 1832. (Whitney II, pg 723)
Captain Samuel H. Scales commanded 39 men in a "Company of Infantry of 27th Regiment Illinois Militia" based at Fort Charles. (Whitney I, pgs 519-4-520) They served "May 15th, 1832 to 6th Day of September, 1832."
The mound is named for Elijah Charles, who built a house at the base of the mound in 1828. Captain Scales opened a tavern nearby in 1830.
Captain Scales has his own mound named for him, Scales Mound, which is nearby Charles Mound at an estimate distance of one and one-half to two miles southwest. Many people have been confused about the fort site, thinking it was located at Scales Mound and have interchanged the term Charles Mound and Scales Mound as one in the same. Actually, they are seperate mounds.
I have hiked to the summit of Charles Mound and is the case with many outlier geological formations in northern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin, it has a commanding view. One can see other eminent land formations where BHW forts were sited... Sinsinawa, Hard Scrable, Gratiot, Platte Mounds. In addition, one can see the White Oak Springs landscape where two forts were located and the high ground of the Apple River fort.
When poking around old fort locations, I am always taking into consideration the availability of potable water sources. Charles Mound is no exception. There is a spring about two-thirds of the way to the top. Presently it is dammed for a pond near the farm residence. At the base of the mound a small stream flows southward, so it is apparent there was no lack of water.
P.S. Charles Mound is located so close to the Illinois-Wisconsin state line one gets the feeling while there that a good running long jump could propel yourself up out of Illinois into Wisconsin.