Isaiah Stillman
Encyclopedia
Cavalry Major
Isaiah Stillman (1793–15 April 1861) led Illinois
militia
in the first armed confrontation of the Black Hawk War
against Black Hawk
’s Sauk Indian Band. The first armed confrontation would be named Battle of Old Man's Creek, but would later be named Stillman's Run
.
, but he would leave the east and travel to Illinois
to become a trader of pots, pans, and other items. For a time he lived in the Coopers Creek Landing in Fulton County
before deciding to join the Illinois militia
as a Captain at the age of 35 in 1827. By the early part of 1832, Isaiah had attained the rank of Brigadier General elect. With this new position, he gained the responsibility of defending everything west of the Illinois River
. This land was mostly an empty place, with few First Nation's tribes and settlements.
In April 1832, Gov Reynolds ordered him to raise a command. He was unable to raise a full battalion so therefore was made a Major instead of a General. The next year after Black Hawk War, he was promoted to General. He died in Kingston, Peoria County on April 15, 1861, at the age of 67. He is buried in Peoria.
John Reynolds
order General Stillman to gather himself a battalion for the Illinois militia.
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Isaiah Stillman (1793–15 April 1861) led Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
in the first armed confrontation 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....
against 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...
’s Sauk Indian Band. The first armed confrontation would be named Battle of Old Man's Creek, but would later be named 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...
.
Early life
Isaiah Stillman was born and raised in the state of MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, but he would leave the east and travel to Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
to become a trader of pots, pans, and other items. For a time he lived in the Coopers Creek Landing in Fulton County
Fulton County, Illinois
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...
before deciding to join the Illinois militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
as a Captain at the age of 35 in 1827. By the early part of 1832, Isaiah had attained the rank of Brigadier General elect. With this new position, he gained the responsibility of defending everything west of the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
. This land was mostly an empty place, with few First Nation's tribes and settlements.
In April 1832, Gov Reynolds ordered him to raise a command. He was unable to raise a full battalion so therefore was made a Major instead of a General. The next year after Black Hawk War, he was promoted to General. He died in Kingston, Peoria County on April 15, 1861, at the age of 67. He is buried in Peoria.
Black Hawk War
In April of 1832, Governor of IllinoisGovernor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
John Reynolds
John Reynolds (U.S. politician)
John Reynolds was a United States politician from the state of Illinois. He was one of the original four justices of the Illinois Supreme Court, 1818–1825, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1826–1830, 1846–1848, and 1852–1854 , and the 4th Illinois Governor from 1830–1834...
order General Stillman to gather himself a battalion for the Illinois militia.