Talk Tonight About Battle of Rock Island Rapids-- Part 2

Campbell's Island (near East Moline) was the site of the Battle of Rock Island Rapids, one of the western-most battles of the War of 1812.  (The Battle is also called the Battle of Campbell's Island.)

A band of approximately 500  Sauk warriors, allied with the British Army, clashed on July  19, 1814, with an American force let by Lieutenant John Campbell of the 1st United States Regiment of Infantry.

Campbell was leading three small gunboats along the Mississippi River to carry military supplies to Fort Shelby, located at the present-day site of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, when they were ambushed by Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Indians led by  Chief Black Hawk.

There were some 400 Indians versus 33 U.S. Regulars and  65 Illinois Rangers.  This was an American loss.

Losses for the Indians put at more than two killed.  For the Americans 14 killed and 37 total casualties.

--Brock-Perry

Talk Tonight About the Little-Known War of 1812 Battle of Rock Island Rapids

From the January 11, 2022, Quad Cities.com "Learn about War of 1812 Battle of Rock Island Rapids on Wednesday library program" by Jonathan Turner.

Rock island is part of the Quad-Cities straddling the Iowa-Illinois border on the Mississippi River.

Kevin Braafladt,   the Army   Sustainment Command Deputy Historian at the Rock Island  Arsenal and Army  Sustainment Command History Office will give a free talk Wednesday, January 12 at 6 pm (CST) about a Quad-City battle fought during the War of 1812. 

This session (presented by the Davenport Public Library) will discuss the Battle of Rock Island Rapids within the context of the War of 1812 as well as the local conflicts that broke out during the war on the Mississippi River.

This program is scheduled to be held in person at the Main Davenport Public Library at 321  N. Main Street and it will also be held virtually.

So, if you're living in the area you have time to go, or you can attend virtually by going to the library site and registering for Zoom.

--Brock-Perry

Patrick Gass-- Part 4: No Problems and the War of 1812

Despite his duties as a non-commissioned officer, Gass sometimes joined  the expedition's hunting trips.  He experienced no outstanding  adventures on the journey,  and no major injuries or illnesses.  However, he did slip in a canoe and fell back across the  gunwale which invalided him off the Jefferson River and into Lewis' advance party that located the Shoshones in August 1805.

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AFTERWARDS

Gass stayed in the Army after the expedition and served in the War of 1812.  

At one point during the war, he worked  under Daniel Boone in the construction of a small, temporary fort on the Mississippi River known as Fort Independence, or "Cap-au-Gris."

At the Battle of Lundy's Landing, he suffered the loss of an eye and was discharged from the Army.

--Brock-Perry

Old Fort Madison in Iowa-- Part 1: A Major Indian Trading Post

From the May 24, 2021, Des Moines (Iowa) Register "Trip on a tankful:  Old Fort Madison 'an odd piece of American history" by Paula Reece.

A lesser-known piece of American history is the establishment of the United States  Government Factory System.  In response to the 1804 Treaty of St. Louis, government trading posts were set up as part of the payment to the Sac and Fox Nations for lands they gave to the United States.

To keep peace and good will, the government sold everything to the Indians at cost and offered high prices on Native goods.

What set the government  factories apart from private trading posts was the fact that no alcohol was sold.  One of the most successful government  trading posts was along the Mississippi River in what is today the town of Fort Madison, Iowa.

Eugene Watkins, site manager at Old Fort Madison, a replica of the original fort, says it is one of the most unique spots to visit in Iowa.

--Brock-Perry

U.S. Presidents Who Served in the War of 1812-- Part 2: Andrew Jackson and Others

As mentioned in the previous post, James Buchanan served in the War of 1812 as a private in Henry Shippen's Company, 1st Brigade, 4th Division of the Pennsylvania Militia and participated in the defense of Baltimore.

As stated before, only two of the Founding Fathers served in the American Revolution, but a total of five were in the War of 1812.  Starting with Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) and then William Henry Harrison (1841), John Tyler (1841-1845), Zachary Taylor (1849-1850) and James Buchanan (1857-1861).

But, the War of 1812 is forever linked to Andrew Jackson who led American forces to victory at the Battle of New Orleans.  It was a battle where a ragtag American Army defeated a larger trained professional British Army in a battle that saved the Mississippi River from British control and was actually fought after the war was over, but due to slow communication no one knew it was over.

It should also be noted that Jackson's military career began when he was just thirteen.  as a teenager, he served as messenger for an American unit during the American Revolution.  But he was definitely not one of the Founding Fathers at that age.

Moreover, during his quite colorful life, Jackson took part in 103 duels -- however killing just one man.

--Brock-Perry

Looking For Fort Johnson-- Part 1: People Don't Know Much About the War in the Upper Mississippi Valley

From Illinois State Archaeology Survey "War of 1812 Forts Project."

During the summer of 2003, David Noka began an unsubsidized search for Fort Johnson and Cantonment Davis in Warsaw, Illinois.  They were assisted by others.

As far as the War of 1812 is concerned, some people in the country know a little about the war, mainly sea victories, Fort McHenry, Battle of New Orleans and the burning of Washington, D.C., but most would be hard-pressed to say much about the important aspect of the war in the Upper Mississippi region.

Brevet Major Zachary Taylor established Fort Johnson in September 1814.  It commanded the mouth of the Des Moines River and a series of rapids on the Mississippi River.

It was abandoned and destroyed less than eight weeks later when it became apparent that because of its remoteness, if would be too hard to supply during the winter.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Johnson (Illinois)-- Part 3: Three Fortifications in Warsaw, Illinois

From Joseph Smith Papers.

Fort Johnson.  Located at the foot of the Des Moines rapids on the Mississippi River in the town of Warsaw, Illinois.

Three forts have been constructed there:  Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815-1818) and Fort Edwards  (1816-1824).

I was wondering about the Fort Edwards mentioned in the last post.  So it replaced Fort Johnson.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Johnson-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Built on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in modern-day Warsaw, Illinois.  Was established in 1814 by Major Zachary Taylor after retreating from the loss at the Battle of Credit Island.  The fort was able to hold a full company of troops. and had a commanding view of both the Mississippi River and the mouth of the Des Moines River.

Taylor and his men remained there into October 1814,when their supplies ran out.  They retreated from here to Cap au Gris, near St. Louis.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 9: More Indian Problems

But in 1813, problems with the Indians resurfaced in the Illinois Territory as there were scattered attacks in Illinois as well as in the Missouri Territory.

By August 1813, General Benjamin Howard of Missouri had gathered both Illinois and Missouri Rangers and militia.  The Illinois militia was commanded by Benjamin Stephenson.  Howard's army of 1,400 marched north along the Mississippi River.

Howard's men were on the west side of the river while Stephenson was on the east.

--Brock-Perry

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Work Continues On Quad-Cities Monument-- Part 2: Black Hawk Vs. Americans

A cleanup will be held October 11 and they are asking for help from the public.

They are also seeking monetary contributions to repair the low perimeter wall around the monument.

The Battle of Campbell's Island pitted Chief Black Hawk and his Sauk Indians, around 500 of them, against a group of American soldiers in small boats.  Sixteen Americans were killed and it is not known how many Indians.

Lt. John Campbell was in charge of the Americans.

The monument was erected in 1906 by the State of Illinois and  the DAR chapter and is a white granite obelisk with four plaques around the base.  One is a bronze relief sculpture of the battle.

--Brock-Perry

This John B. Campbell Is Not the One From the Battle of Rock Island Rapids

I was looking to find out more information on the commander of American forces at the Battle of Rock Island Rapids and for whom Campbell island was named for in Illinois.

I came across the name of John B. Campbell, an American officer during the War of 1812, and initially thought he was the same.  This is the man I wrote about in yesterday's post.

It turns out they are two different men, but I did see some sources confusing the two.

The Battle of Rock Island Rapids was fought July 19, 1814.  The Colonel John B. Campbell I wrote about in the last post was mortally wounded at the Battle of Chippawa on July 5, 1814, and died August 28, 1814.

--Brock-Perry

Campbell's Island in the Early 1900s to 1980-- Part 1

Campbell's Island was bought at the turn of the 20th century by a street car company which intended to build an amusement park on the island.  In 1904, a street car bridge was built on top of a closing dam built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1899.

The island became a popular resort from then to the mid-1950s with cottages available for rent.

The House-In-the-Woods Inn operated from 1904-1911 when it burned down, but was rebuilt and renamed the Campbell Island Inn.  In the 1950s it became the Ship's Wheel Boat Club and operated until it burned down in 1979.

--Brock-Perry

Defenses and Battles in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois Territories-- Part 2

4.  Fort Shelby, defeated 1814. Where the Wisconsin River flows into the Mississippi River at present-day Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

5.  Battle of Rock Island Rapids, July 1814 and the Battle of Credit Island, September 1814, by the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois.

6.  Fort Johnson, abandoned 1814.  Where the Des Moines Rover joins the Mississippi River.

7.  Fort Cap au Gris and the Battle of Sinkhole, May 1815.  On the Mississippi River, a short distance above St. Louis.

--Brock-Perry

Defenses in Missouri and Illinois Territories in War of 1812-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Map of the Upper Mississippi River in 1812, showing U.S. fortifications.

1.  Fort Bellefontaine, U.S. headquarters at St. Louis.

2.  Fort Osage on the Missouri River, west of St. Louis, abandoned 1813.

3.  Fort Madison, defeated 1813 (north of where the Des Monies River flows into the Mississippi).

--Brock-Perry

Campbell's Island-- Part 2: An American Defeat

Three American gunboats were heading up the Mississippi River with military supplies for Fort Shelby at present day Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.  One of the boats had 42 people in it, including soldiers of the 1st U.S. Infantry regiment and their families.  The other two had 66 United States Rangers.

The Indians attacked and forced the Americans to turn back.  The Americans lost eight killed in the 1st U.S. Infantry and sixteen wounded.  Four Rangers were killed and eight wounded.

This defeat helped the Sauk Indians to maintain control over the Quad City area (Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois) for almost twenty more years.

The Campbell's Island State Memorial was dedicated in 1908.

--Brock-Perry

USS Louisiana (1812): The Battle of New Orleans

From Wikipedia.

Sloop of war built in New Orleans, launched 1812, broken up in 1821.

341 tons, 99 feet long, 28-foot beam.  Mounted sixteen 24-pdrs.

Originally built as a merchant ship for $15,510.

Commanded by Captain Charles C.B. Thompson.

From 23 December 1814, to January 8, 1815, fired on the advancing British troops in support of Andrew Jackson.

The lack of wind caused crew members to go ashore and they had to tow the ship upriver against the current.

Played a key role in the American victory at the Battle of New Orleans.

The Battle of Rock Island Rapids-- Part 2: Sixteen Americans Killed, Including One Woman and One Child

The 143 Americans encountered friendly Indians at first, but as they moved into the Rock Island Rapids, they were attacked.  Sixteen Americans were killed (one woman and one child among  them) and twenty-four, including Lt. Campbell were wounded.

Black Hawk claimed that he had two killed.

Afterwards, the Sauk Indians controlled the Quad-Cities area for almost twenty years.

The island was named in honor of Lt. Campbell and the monument to the action was dedicated July 20, 1908 with a huge crowd, speeches, music and a reenactment.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Rock Island Rapids-- Part 1: Ambushed by Black Hawk

From the March 5, 2017, Quad-City Dispatch-Argus "Campbell's Island 1814 battle recalled by 'survivor' by Jonathan Turner.

Susan McPeters, portraying the wife of one of the soldiers at the battle, put on a one-woman show in period dress.

On July 19, 1814, 500 Sauk Indians, led by the famous warrior Black Hawk attacked U.S. soldiers in boats in an expedition led by Lieutenant John Campbell in one of the westernmost battles of the war.

Lt. Campbell had command of three gunboats and was carrying military supplies north from St. Louis along the Mississippi River to Fort Shelby, at the present-day site of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

--Brock-Perry

Preserving the Monument on Campbell's Island, Illinois

From the March 5, 2017, WQAD 8, Quad Cities (Ill. and Iowa)  "War of 1812 reenactment put on in efforts to help preserve local historical monument" by Yessinia Chavez.

I wrote about this in the last post.

The Kapeles Museum in Rock Island and the Marry Little Deere-Fort Armstrong Chapter of the Daughters of the American revolution are having a reenactment of the War of 1812's Battle of Rock Island Rapids.

This is part of their effort to preserve the historical monument on Campbell's Island commemorating the battle.  They years and elements have worn it down.

--Brock-Perry

Illinois War of 1812 Engagement at Campbell's Island-- Part 2

The battle of Campbell's Island took place between American forces and Indians led by Sauk warrior Black Hawk.  The American soldiers were in three boats which were headed upstream on the Mississippi River.

One boat was attacked by Black Hawk and his warriors.  Women and children of some of the American officers were also in the boat.

There is a current exhibit at the museum containing documents of the war.

The D.A.R. wants to restore a monument to the engagement on Campbell's Island.

--Brock-Perry