Stillman's Run Battle Site
Encyclopedia
Stillman's Run Battle Site is a site in Stillman Valley, Illinois
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and has been since December 1983. The Battle of Stillman's Run
was an 1832 clash between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk
and his Sauk Indian Band. The battle took place in 1832 as part of the Black Hawk War
. During the engagement 12 militia men were killed while making a stand on a small hill. The rest of the militia fled back to Dixon's Ferry
where they spread news of a terrible slaughter at Stillman's Run.
and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to witness statements, the militia may have been outnumbered two to one. The engagement was the first battle of the 1832 Black Hawk War
which had ignited after Black Hawk crossed the Mississippi River
into Illinois with his "British Band" of Sauk and Fox. During the engagement 12 militia men were killed while making a stand on a small hill. The rest of the militia fled back to Dixon's Ferry
where they spread news of a terrible slaughter at Stillman's Run. The number of Sauk and Fox killed in the engagement is largely unknown. Black Hawk is quoted as saying at least three and maybe as many as five of his warriors were killed.
A marble and granite monument stands at the site of the Battle of Stillman's Run
today. It was designed and constructed by Creo and Creo, and J.H. Anderson. The monument was erected by the Battlefield Memorial Association of Stillman Valley in 1901. It was built using funds from the state of Illinois, appropriated during the 42nd General Assembly. The site of the monument is less than one acre and currently functions as a small park.
The polished marble
monument has several inscriptions on it. One one side of the monument and inscription notes:
one inscription on the monument reads:
a historical marker
at the site reads:
Another inscription on the monument denotes that it was erected by the Battlefield Memorial Association of Stillman Valley and it notes that the funding came from the Illinois General Assembly
and was approved May 1, 1901. There is also a listing of the dead inscribed as well.
on December 8, 1983 for its significance in military history.
Stillman Valley, Illinois
Stillman Valley is a village in Marion Township, Ogle County, Illinois, United States. It lies east of Byron, south of Rockford, and west of Davis Junction. The population was 1,120 at the 2010 census, up from 1,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located on the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern...
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and has been since December 1983. The Battle of Stillman's Run
Battle of Stillman's Run
The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to...
was an 1832 clash between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk
Black Hawk (chief)
Black Hawk was a leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe in what is now the United States. Although he had inherited an important historic medicine bundle, he was not one of the Sauk's hereditary civil chiefs...
and his Sauk Indian Band. The battle took place in 1832 as part of the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. During the engagement 12 militia men were killed while making a stand on a small hill. The rest of the militia fled back to Dixon's Ferry
Dixon's Ferry
Dixon's Ferry was the former name for Dixon, Illinois, United States. It was located on the bank of the Rock River near present day Illinois Route 26, John Dixon operated a rope ferry service to transport mail from Peoria to Galena. He also established the first post office. The surrounding...
where they spread news of a terrible slaughter at Stillman's Run.
History
The Battle of Stillman's Run occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah StillmanIsaiah Stillman
Cavalry Major Isaiah Stillman led Illinois militia in the first armed confrontation of the Black Hawk War against Black Hawk’s Sauk Indian Band...
and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to witness statements, the militia may have been outnumbered two to one. The engagement was the first battle of the 1832 Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
which had ignited after Black Hawk crossed the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
into Illinois with his "British Band" of Sauk and Fox. During the engagement 12 militia men were killed while making a stand on a small hill. The rest of the militia fled back to Dixon's Ferry
Dixon's Ferry
Dixon's Ferry was the former name for Dixon, Illinois, United States. It was located on the bank of the Rock River near present day Illinois Route 26, John Dixon operated a rope ferry service to transport mail from Peoria to Galena. He also established the first post office. The surrounding...
where they spread news of a terrible slaughter at Stillman's Run. The number of Sauk and Fox killed in the engagement is largely unknown. Black Hawk is quoted as saying at least three and maybe as many as five of his warriors were killed.
Monument
Battle of Stillman's Run
The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to...
today. It was designed and constructed by Creo and Creo, and J.H. Anderson. The monument was erected by the Battlefield Memorial Association of Stillman Valley in 1901. It was built using funds from the state of Illinois, appropriated during the 42nd General Assembly. The site of the monument is less than one acre and currently functions as a small park.
The polished marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
monument has several inscriptions on it. One one side of the monument and inscription notes:
In memory of the Illinois volunteers who fell at Stillman's Run, May 14, 1832, in an engagement with Black Hawk and his warriors."
one inscription on the monument reads:
"The presence of soldier, statesman, martyr, Abraham Lincoln assisting in the burial of these honored dead has made his spot more sacred."
a historical marker
Historical marker
A historical marker or historic marker is an indicator such as a plaque or sign to commemorate an event or person of historic interest and to associate that point of interest with a specific locale one can visit.-Description:...
at the site reads:
"Here, on May 14, 1832, the first engagement of the Black Hawk War took place. When 275 Illinois militiamen under Maj. Isaiah Stillman were put to flight by Black Hawk and his warriers. So thoroughly demoralized were the volunteers that a new army had to be called into the field."
Another inscription on the monument denotes that it was erected by the Battlefield Memorial Association of Stillman Valley and it notes that the funding came from the Illinois General Assembly
Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
and was approved May 1, 1901. There is also a listing of the dead inscribed as well.
Grave sites
| Listed casualties from monument (US Militia) |
|---|
| Captain John Giles Adams John Giles Adams John Giles Adams was a cavalry officer in the Illinois Militia during the Black Hawk War of 1832. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1828, eventually marrying and fathering eight children... |
| Sergt John Walters |
| Corp’l Bird W. Ellis |
| Corp’l James Milton |
| Private Isaac Perkins |
| Private Joseph Draper |
| Private David Kreeps |
| Private Zadock Mendinall |
| Private Tyrus M. Childs |
| Private Joseph B. Farris |
| Private James Doty |
| Scout Gideon Munson |
Significance
The Stillman's Run Battle Site was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 8, 1983 for its significance in military history.
External links
- Battle Ground Cemetery - information and photos