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Post by Greg Carter on Aug 27, 2002 23:13:40 GMT -5
The Militia of the State of Illinois was divided as follows when it was reorganized in 1826-
First Brigade, First Division- Madison, Bond, Washington, Clinton, Fayette, Montgomery & Green County Regiments.
Second Brigade, First Division- Alexander, Union, Jackson, Randolph, Monroe & St. Clair County Regiments
Third Brigade, First Division- Sangamon, Morgan, Fulton, Pike, Calhoun, Peoria, Schuyler & Adams County Regiments
First Brigade, Second Division- Johnson, Franklin, Pope & Gallatin County Regiments
Second Brigade, Second Divison- Edgar, Clark, Crawford, Lawrence & Wabash County Regiments
Third Brigade, Second Division- Hamilton, Jefferson, Marion, White, Edwards, Clay & Wayne County Regiments.
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Gene
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Posts: 8
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Post by Gene on Sept 9, 2002 11:40:42 GMT -5
A small look at one of the companies;
Company of Capt. William Highsmith, organized in Crawford County Illinois, 12 May 1832.
Highsmith was a native of Kentucky, came to Crawford county in 1820. He served the county as a commissioner and was a Justice of the Peace in Crawford Co. for twenty years.
He was commissioned (Ensign) in the 16th regiment Illinois Militia in 1824 and Lt. in 1834. He was also a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.
When the Black Hawk War broke out he was Capt of a company in the 2d Regiment, 2d brigade, 3d army.
Though a little vague at this time, it appears that Highsmith's company was also attached to 1st regiment commanded by Jonathan Mayo.
(ref Whitney's)
Crawford county bills itself as being "the first county" in Illinois, though I myself am a little confused on this information. This is because Crawford was formed out of Edward county which orginally encompassed the entire eastern area of Illinois, from far south to what is now the Wisconsin border.
As time goes on, I'll being talking a lot more about Highsmith's Co. and Crawford County as well!
Gene
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Gene
New Member
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Post by Gene on Sept 9, 2002 13:59:40 GMT -5
Black Hawk War; Highsmiths Co. raised in Crawford County IL
NAME Rank
ALLISON, DAVID M PVT
ALLISON, JOHN PVT
ALLISON, JOHN PVT
ALLISON, SAMUEL H PVT
ALLISON, SAMUEL H PVT
ALLISON, SAMUEL V 1LT
ALLISON, SAMUEL V 1LT
BARLOW, JOHN W PVT
BARRICK, JOHN PVT
BARSHAR, BRAZEL PVT
BOLE, BENJAMIN S SGT
BRIMBERRY, JOHN PVT
BRIMBERY, JOHN PVT
CAMPLAIN, WILLIAM SGT
CARTER, BENJAMIN PVT
CARTER, BENJAMIN PVT
CHRISTY, JOHN A SGT
CONDRY, JAMES PVT
EASTON, THOMAS PVT
EASTON, THOMAS PVT
FULLER, MARTIN CPL
FULLER, MARTIN CPL
FULLER, THOMAS PVT
FULLER, THOMAS SGT
GARRISON, PETER PVT
GARRISON, PETER PVT
GORDON, SQUIRE H PVT
GREGG, JOHN PVT
GRICE, WILLIAM R PVT
GURLEY, MORRIS PVT
HAGER, HENRY D CPL
HAGER, HIRAM PVT
HIGHSMITH, NATHAN CPL
HIGHSMITH, NATHANIEL CPL
HIGHSMITH, WILLIAM CPT
HIGHSMITH, WILLIAM CPT
JAMES, JACKSON PVT
JOHNSON, HIRAM PVT
JOHNSON, JOHN PVT
JOHNSTON, JOHN PVT
KINNEY, GEORGE W PVT
KINNEY, GEORGE W PVT
LAGOW, JOHN CPl
LAGOW, JOHN CPL
LEVITT, WILLIAM PVT
LEWIS, JAMES PVT
LEWIS, JAMES PVT
MARTIN, ISAAC PVT
MARTIN, ISAAC PVT
MC COY, WILLIAM SGT
MC COY, WILLIAM SGT
MC MICKLE, JOHN H 2LT
MC MIKLE, JOHN H 2LT
MONTGOMERY, ANDREW PVT
MONTGOMERY, ANDREW PVT
MYRES, ANDREW W PVT
MYRES, JOHN L PVT
PARKER, JOHN JR PVT
PARKER, JOHN JR PVT
PARKER, JOHN SR PVT
PARKER, THOMAS N PVT
PARKER, THOMAS N PVT
PARKER, WILLIAM PVT
PHELPS, AMOS PVT
PHILPS, AMOS PVT
PIPER, BEVERLY B PVT
RECE, WILLIAM PVT
REECE, WILLIAM PVT
RICHARDS, JOHN D PVT
SIMONS, ROBERT PVT
STOCKWELL, THOMAS PVT
STOCKWELL, THOMAS PVT
VANWINKLE, JACOB PVT
WEGER, JAMES PVT
WEGER, JAMES PVT
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Gene
New Member
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Post by Gene on Sept 10, 2002 9:34:41 GMT -5
Organizationally speaking; (clarification)
Highsmiths Co. was part of the 2d Brig. Commanded by Milton K Alexander. This brigade is mentioned several times in Thayers "Battle of Wisconsin Heights". Alexander is also commended for his actions at the Battle of Bad Axe River.
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Post by Robert Braun on Sept 10, 2002 11:12:28 GMT -5
I hope you won't mind my intrusion into the discussion. Gen. Alexander was indeed mentioned several times in Theyer's WH book. On July 14, at the officer's council at Fort Winnebago, it was Alexander that argued for a strict interpretation of Atkinson's orders. Accordingly he rejected Henry's and Dodge's proposal to strike for Cranberry Lake-- the supposed hiding spot of BH and the British Band-- and announced his intentions to return with his pack train of rations to Atkinson's Regulars in the vicinity of Fort Koshkonong. In addition, there is evidence that Alexander's men influenced Henry's volunteers to think twice about their commander's orders to march the next morning. Henry's company officers became anxious and got up a petition which the lieutenant colonel of one of Henry's regiments presented to the brigade commander the next morning. Henry recieved the petition-- and his reaction has become one of the storied incidents of the pursuit to Wisconsin Heights. Gen. Alexander returned to Atkinson's command, and went on to lead a brigade in the crossing of the Wisconsin River at Helena, and again at the Battle of the Mississippi (Bad Axe) as Gene has indicated.  |
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Gene
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Post by Gene on Sept 11, 2002 1:15:13 GMT -5
Thank you Bob, very nice post!
I really appreciate Thayer's work. He had a knack for bringing out and connecting some pretty interesting details about this conflict (I love the little side stories), If you have a copy of "The Battle of WI Heights" look at page 22. Thayer makes note about Nathaniel Highsmith (brother of Capt Highsmith) and his medical ailment. I had to laugh, having suffered the same ailment myself! Even though the ailment is no laughing matter when left unchecked, and...having to ride a horse to your next stop.
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