US Military Figure. The actions of his Illinois militia led to the first armed confrontation during the Black Hawk War (1832). Raised in Massachusetts, he moved to Illinois to become a trader, living at Coopers Creek Landing in Fulton County. In 1827 he became a captain in the Illinois Militia, later advancing to Brigadier General elect. When Black Hawk and his followers crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois in April 1832, Governor John Reynolds, fearing they were hostile, ordered Stillman to meet the possible threat with a battalion under his command; unable to raise the full compliment, he was made a Major instead of full General. Marching with his men towards Dixon's Ferry, Stillman met up with another militia led by Major David Bailey, and they encamped upon the banks of Old Man's Creek, near present-day Stillman Valley. On May 14, 1832, three Indian scouts came to the camp, apparently to negotiate a truce, and Stillman ordered them taken prisoner. This angered Chief Black Hawk, who ordered 40 of his warriors to attack the troops. Fearing they were outnumbered, the much larger militia broke ranks in a panic and Stillman retreated in humiliation back to Dixon's Ferry. This engagement would later be called the Battle of Stillman's Run. A year following the Black Hawk War, he was promoted to full General in the militia.
US Military Figure. The actions of his Illinois militia led to the first armed confrontation during the Black Hawk War (1832). Raised in Massachusetts, he moved to Illinois to become a trader, living at Coopers Creek Landing in Fulton County. In 1827 he became a captain in the Illinois Militia, later advancing to Brigadier General elect. When Black Hawk and his followers crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois in April 1832, Governor John Reynolds, fearing they were hostile, ordered Stillman to meet the possible threat with a battalion under his command; unable to raise the full compliment, he was made a Major instead of full General. Marching with his men towards Dixon's Ferry, Stillman met up with another militia led by Major David Bailey, and they encamped upon the banks of Old Man's Creek, near present-day Stillman Valley. On May 14, 1832, three Indian scouts came to the camp, apparently to negotiate a truce, and Stillman ordered them taken prisoner. This angered Chief Black Hawk, who ordered 40 of his warriors to attack the troops. Fearing they were outnumbered, the much larger militia broke ranks in a panic and Stillman retreated in humiliation back to Dixon's Ferry. This engagement would later be called the Battle of Stillman's Run. A year following the Black Hawk War, he was promoted to full General in the militia.
Bio by: Ben Jacobson
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