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Post by Robert Braun on Apr 15, 2002 15:58:44 GMT -5
Major Stillman gets the digs for the actions of the Illinois militia at "Stillman's Run."
What ever happened to his "pal" and semi-co-commander, Major Bailey?
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Post by Greg Carter on Apr 15, 2002 22:59:40 GMT -5
That is a good question Bob. I have heard very little about that major or his command.
GMC
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Post by Robert Braun on May 8, 2002 21:27:13 GMT -5
Ellen Whitney tells us that David Baily (1803-1854) was a native of Hillsborough New Hampshire. He lived in Boston and St. Louis before moving to the site of Pekin, Ill. in about 1824.
Bailey served as colonel of the 38th (Tazwell Co.) Regiment of Illinois Militia; raised a battalion of mounted rangers under the orders of April 23, and assumed command as major.
On May 12, Ill. Gov. Reynolds ordered Bailey's troops, along with those of Maj. Isaiah Stillman, to Old Man Creek where Black Hawk was rumored to be hiding. Being under the direct control of the governor, and not having been mustered into Federal service, Reynolds likely felt at liberty to free-lance his horsemen, and I'm comfortable asserting that probably Baily and Stillman did little to dissuade their commander-in-chief. Discipline was a problem on the march... and you probably know much of the rest of the story.
After "Stillman's Run," Bailey's and Stillman's commands were sworn into U. S. service, as the 5th Regiment, Whiteside's Brigade, and Major Baily became a staff officer on the regimental staff.
Baily accompanies part of the regiment to Ottowa on May 22, and from there on to Chicago, where presumably he lead the Chicago volunteer militia. One source has him concluding his militia service on June 16... but actually, it appears that he re-enlists in Jacob M. Early's independant spy company, and was mustered out at Cold Spring, Michigan Territory on July 10, 1832.
Fellow company members George Harrison and Abe Lincoln also began the return trek home from Cold Spring. There is no evidence that ex-Major Bailey was the one that stole Abe's horse!
After the war, Mrs. Whitney indicated that Bailey ran a sawmill near Peoria, then returned to farming near Pekin.
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Post by Wilson on Feb 9, 2005 21:21:04 GMT -5
Thank you for asking about David Bailey. There is more to the story regarding David Bailey. He was also involved in a legal case referred to as the "Black Nance" Case (circa 1841). Please see Bailey vs. Cromwell in the legal history of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln was hired by Bailey in this case. They lost the first round and it was eventually appealed and brought before the Illinois Supreme Court. Lincoln won the case which is reported to be one of the first legal cases in which Lincoln emancipated a slave. This case occured while Bailey lived in Pekin. We do not know how Bailey knew Lincoln, but they did serve during the Black Hawk War. Can anyone find an association between Bailey and Lincoln during this conflict?
I would be happy to send anyone a link to some of the web sites that discuss this legal case. He was my great, great, great Grandfather.
Chris Wilson
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Post by Robert Braun on Feb 10, 2005 13:33:08 GMT -5
I for one would be interested in seeing additional information. As for the Lincoln-Bailey legal conection, it might be that the two men served together in Jacob Earley's Spy Company. If this connection can be verified, this service might be one reasonable answer to the question "how did they know about each other?"
Thanks for your post... and welcome to the Black Hawk War discussion board!
Bob Braun
Moderator.
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