The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-15
sTILLMAN's DEFEAT.
An Incident of abe Black Hawk War

On the Goth of April, 1882, Gen. White
side, accompanied by Gov. Reynolds, took
up his line of March. The army pro-
ceeded to Oquawka, on the Mississippi.
and thence north TO the mouth OF Rock
river. Here it was agreed between Gen
Whiteside and Gen. Atkinson 1.-THE latter
of whom commanded the rogulars) that
the volunteers should proceed up Rock
river as far as the Prophets town, and
there encamp to rest their horses and
await the arrival of the regulars with pro
visions. Judge William Thomas, who
acted as quarter master to the brigade
made an estimate of the amount Of pro.
visions required until the boats could
arrive, and then Gen. Whiteside took up
his line of march. But when he arrived
at the Prophets town, instead of remain
ing, his men set fire to the village, which
was entirely consumed, and marched on in
the direction of Dixon, forty miles up the
river.
When the army had arrived within
a short distance of Dixon, orders were
given to leave the baggage. wagons, so as
to reach that place by a forced march,
ard large quantities of provisions were left
behind.
At Dixon Gen. Whiteside halted, to
await junction with Gen. Atkinson,
with the provisions and the regular forces
And here, also parties were sent out to
reconnoitre the enemy and ascertain his
position The army here found two bat
talions of IT'S mounted volunteers from
Tazewell, Peoria and Fulton counties,
under the command of Majors Stillman
and Bailey. This force begged to be put
forward upon some dangerous service in
which the officers and men could disting-
uish themselves, and their prayer was
granted by Gov. ReynOlds-they were
ordered to Rock river. on separate duty, to
spy out the Indians. Accordingly, on the
10Th Of May, Major Stllmau began his
march up the river on the southeast side
pursuing his way until he came to "Old
Mans Greek" since called "Stillman'
Run" small stream which heads il
White Rock Grove and falls into the
river near Bloomingville Here he en-
camped as for the night. In short timt
party of Indians on horseback were dis
covered on a rising ground about one mil,
distant from the encampment A party
OF Major Stillman's men Immediate,
jumped on their horses, without orders o.
commander, and were soon followed BY
others, to pursue and attack the Indians
The latter, after displaying a red flag, tn,
emblem OF defiance and war, retreated
but were overtaken and three of then
slain. The rest of the Indians escaped t.
the main camp of their friends, Blacl
Hawk, prompt to repel an insult, soor
rallied his forces, amounting to about 70t
warriors, and moved down on Major Still
mans camp, driving the disofderly rabble
the recent pursuers, before him. Thes,
valorous gentlemen, lately so hot in pur
suit when the enemy were few, were n
less hot in retreat when coming in contac
with superior numbers. They came wit
their horses on the full rush, and in thi
manner broke through the encampment q
Major Stllman, spreading dsmay an
terror among his men, who immediatel
began to join in the flight, so that no effor
20 rally the squad could possibly have sue
ceeded Major Stllman did all that wa
practicable, ordering his men to fall bac
and form upon higher ground, but his me
when they had once got their backs turf
ed on the enemy commenced a retreat
and n retreat Of undsciplined militia,
the face of a superior force is certain I
be disorderly and inglorious flight. Fac
man sought his own individual safety @
best he might, terrified by the approac
of the red Savages