With the onset of the Black Hawk War in 1832, Colonel Henry Dodge, commander of the Iowa County Regiment of Militia Volunteers, called up more than twenty companies of rough and ready miners to defend the lead diggings of the western Michigan Territory (present-day Wisconsin.) Most of these companies garrisoned forts, stockades, and strong-points located in or near the population centers of the region.
Volunteer militiamen from several forts fought successfully under Dodge at the "Battle of Bloody Lake"(Pecatonica) on June 16, 1832. By late June, Dodge hand-picked four mounted Michigan Territory companies and combined them with two companies of Illinois mounted rangers, to form the "Michigan Mounted Volunteers."
The "Michigan Mounted Volunteers" served as a highly mobile squadron that successfully defended the northern half of the Mineral District. This unit pursued Black Hawk and his band of warriors and followers from the Rock River Rapids (present-day Hustisford, WI), through the "Four Lakes region" (present-day mAdison, WI) to the battlefield at Wisconsin Heights. Dodge's command also formed the vanguard of General Henry Atkinson's army of U. S. Regulars and mounted militia-- from the crossing point of the Wisconsin River at Helena to the banks of the Mississippi River and the Battle of the Mississippi (Bad Axe.)
"The security of the Mineral settlements require the course you have adopted of Organizing the whole military force of the district. You will continue to Keep them under Arms and act as circumstances may require until my arrival at Rock River...
I shall require your cooperation in our contemplated movement against the enemy some two weeks hence. I calculate to increase your command by a strong detachment of the Illinois militia..."--- Gen. Henry Atkinson to Col. Dodge, June 11, 1832.
Dodge's "Michigan Mounted Volunteers!"
The Old Lead Region Historical Society's re-created militia company has three main goals:
First, to present the most authentic Black Hawk War militia impression in the hobby today;
Second, to expand and grow in knowledge and understanding of the militia experience in 1832, and;
Third, to enjoy ourselves in the company of fellow Black Hawk War enthusiasts!
Most readily available books, pamphlets and sources on the Black Hawk War of 1832 contain no descriptions whatever of the clothing and equipage worn or used by the participants. Whenever possible, direct source material is used to confirm the presence and/or use of a particular item of clothing or equipage. Unfortunately, the records for the Black Hawk War are neither comprehensive nor complete. To that end, we are frequently confronted with the question of whether or not a clothing or equipage piece was available during 1832, and then must determine whether or not the availability and use if the item was probable.
The OLRHS has developed guidelines for our militia impression-- devised with the intent to guide the enthusiast to the most probable clothing and equipage worn and used by the Michigan Territory militia. These published guidelines are available to OLRHS members.
"A Well Regulated Militia..."
Starting in 1792, Federal law required that able-bodied males between the ages of 18 and 45 serve in the militia. Many states and territories passed similar legislation and organized formal militia companies to deal with national or local threats or emergencies. With a small Regular Army widely scattered among several frontier posts and forts, America's militia system formed the backbone of National defense.
Today's so-called "popular history" is quick to dismiss America's milita as "rag tags" or "dirty shirts"-- a drunken rabble untrained and unfit to stand against a determined foe. Certainly, there were instances where these assertions rang true. However, militia contributions to victories at Lexington and Concord, Bunker's (Breed's) Hill, Guilford Courthouse, Cowpens, King's Mountain, Black Rock, Battle of the Thames, New Orleans, Pecatonica and Wisconsin Heights stand as proof that America's militia volunteers could rise to meet and overcome supreme challenges!
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." —Second Amendment, U. S. Constitution.
"Resolution Bordering on Fierceness..."
"This motley column pushed along over the rough roads made for themselves in their long hunts after the Indians, and carried with them such provisions and subsistence-stores as could be procured on short notice and from limited sources of supply.—a half-savage looking race of men, clad for the most part in buckskin garments, and to a stranger almost as wild as the Indians themselves. They were expert woodmen, reared up on the frontier, and trained from their earliest infancy to a knowledge of woodcraft— brave and hardy, inured to privation and toil, and ever ready to shoulder their rifles, and under the leadership of their favorite chieftains, march against their hereditary foeman, the aborigines of America. Their language was peculiar, and with an honesty which was proverbial, they combined an appetite for strong drink which seems never to have been appeased. They chose their own officers. Made pretty much their own laws, and were, as a general thing, patient under discipline; a long, lank wiry set of men with gaunt jaws and stiff hair, and eyes full of resolution bordering on fierceness..." Source: "The Major: Reminiscences on the Black Hawk War."
Wisconsin newspaper; no date.
Now Recruiting!
The smell of woodsmoke... the taste of a roast perfectly prepared in a "tin kitchen"... the crack of flintlock musketry... all this and so much more awaits you as a member of our militia company! Far from the so-called "popular" impression of "militia," our group carefully reproduces the clothing, equipage, and arms of typical citizen-soldiers circa 1827-1832. We drill in accordance with the actual militia manual in use during this time. And we have a grand time enjoying the sights, smells, and experiences of small village or fort garrison living in the company of outstanding 1830s portrayers. If you have never slept in a real blockhouse, fired a flintlock musket, or eaten a meal prepared over an open fire, we encourage you to give our militia group a try!
Persons interested in joining the militia company should talk with us at any of our events, or contact Bob Braun.
Our group may adjust its impression slightly to conform with the program goals of a particular historic site or event (i.e., serve as an Illinois volunteer militia company when attending Lincoln's New Salem.) All participants will be expected to understand and abide by the Society's written guidelines for militia portrayal. And yes... our leadership is aways elected by the company members, in accordance with true militia tradition!
The OLRHS' Militia Company has participated in numerous events over the years! Your reenacting time is precious--- and we select from among the very best events available, at premiere historical sites and locations in the Wisconsin-Illinois region-- and beyond!
Some of the events we've enjoyed include: Dixon's Ferry, Dixon, IL; Pendarvis State Historic Site, Mineral Point, WI; "Militia Training Days" at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg, IL; Apple River Fort State Historic Site, Elizabeth, IL; "Grant's Birthday Celebration" in Galena, IL; Garfield Farm & Inn Museum, LaFox, IL; Alamo 169th Anniversary Commemorative Event, Dripping Spirings, TX; the April, 2005 dedication of the new Lincoln Museum, Springfield, IL; the October 2003 dedication of the new "Lincoln the Surveyor" statue at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, and the November 2002 dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Library, Springfield, IL.
After a long day on the dusty drill field, it's time to gather with comrades at the GROCERY!
Come join "Black Betty" for some jollification and irreverant humor!
