Stillman Valley Memorial

[Ric Grupe]

In the small town of Stillman Valley, Illinois there is a very interesting memorial. I have driven past it many times. Yesterday, I stopped.

Here, on May 14, 1832, the first engagement of the Black Hawk War took place, when 275 Illinois Militiamen under the command of Major Isaiah Stillman were put to flight by Black Hawk and his warriors. So thoroughly demoralized and decimated were the volunteers that a new army had to be called into the field.

The Memorial...

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585573-L.jpg

The inscriptions...

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585569-L.jpg

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585568-L.jpg

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585567-L.jpg

Another look...http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20576262-L.jpg

At the top...

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585571-L.jpg

The unlucky ones...

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585577-L.jpg

Fifteen miles down the road, overlooking the Rock River a fifty foot statue to the victor!

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/20585578-L.jpg