Battle of Stillman's Run Investigation

The engagement was the first battle of the Black Hawk War (1832), which developed after Black Hawk crossed the Mississippi River from Iowa into Illinois with his band of Sauk and Fox warriors along with women, children, and elders to try to resettle in Illinois. The militia had pursued a small group of Sauk scouts to the main British Band camp following a failed attempt by Black Hawk's emissaries to negotiate a truce. Each time, he was persuaded to return west without bloodshed. In April 1832, encouraged by promises of alliances with other tribes and the British, he again moved his "British Band" into Illinois. Finding no allies, he attempted to return to Iowa, but ensuing events led to the Battle of Stillman's Run. Black Hawk believed that the 1804 treaty was invalid mainly due to the fact that it was only signed by two Sauk elders and had never been taken to the Indiana Council.

On April 5, 1832, Black Hawk and around 1,000 warriors and civilians re-crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois. About half of Black Hawk's bands were combatants and the rest were a combination of women, children, and elderly. The band consisted of Sauk, Fox, some Potawatomi, and some Kickapoo; in addition some members of the Ho-Chunk nation were sympathetic to Black Hawk. Black Hawk's reason for crossing into Illinois is disputed. It has long been believed that he wanted to reclaim lost territory and, perhaps, create a confederacy of Native Americans to stand against white settlement. However, modern historians have questioned this and indicated that Black Hawk may he been trying to resettle among the Ho-Chunk and point to the large number of non-combatants that accompanied Black Hawk's supposed war party. Other Illinois tribes promised aid to the British Band and Black Hawk believed that he had been promised assistance by the British in Canada.

Black Hawk led the march of the group along the Rock River into Illinois. Illinois Governor John Reynolds perceived the return of Black Hawk as an invasion, and he immediately called up the militia. General Henry Atkinson, whom Black Hawk addressed as "White Beaver," commanded the military expedition.

Atkinson was not told about Governor Reynolds' decision to order Major Isaiah Stillman's militia to march on Old Man's Creek, despite being in overall command. Reynolds' orders, issued on his behalf by General Samuel Whiteside to Stillman, were for Stillman to find Black Hawk and coerce him into submission. Following these orders, Stillman moved on Old Man’s Creek. Whiteside had refused to accept Stillman's battalion under his command, thus leaving it "orphaned" and under the direct command of Governor Reynolds. The militia commanded by Whiteside grew restless as they awaited the arrival of Atkinson and his Army regulars; many of the volunteer militia wanted to quit the war and head back home. When diplomacy failed to persuade Black Hawk to take his band back west to Iowa, Stillman and Bailey's battalions of Illinois Militia were marched up the Rock River.

Prior to the battle at Stillman's Run, Black Hawk's grand vision of British support and a Native American confederacy had collapsed. No significant parties aided him and his followers. The British Band started to weaken with hunger, and Black Hawk soon realized that the only option was to return across the Mississippi River. When he detected the U.S. militia camp eight miles (13 km) away, Black Hawk sent out peace envoys in order to negotiate a truce. They were told to wave a white flag at the militia

On May 14, 1832, a detachment of 275 militia under the command of Majors Isaiah Stillman and David Bailey, under orders from Illinois Governor Reynolds, were encamped near Old Man's Creek, not far from its confluence with the Rock River. The militia camp was located about three miles (5 km) east of the Rock River near present-day Stillman Valley, Illinois, and seven miles (11 km) south of the Sauk encampment. It is believed that the militia and its commanders were unaware of their proximity to Black Hawk's British Band.

In conference with the local Potawatomi, Black Hawk learned of Stillman's presence and sent three emissaries to the militia camp under a flag of parley in order to negotiate a peace with the soldiers. The already suspicious soldiers took the three emissaries to their camp, and during the proceedings the militia became aware of several of Black Hawk's scouts in the surrounding hills, watching the proceedings. Once the scouts were spotted, soldiers shot at the three emissaries, killing one. The other two fled back toward their camp, located near the confluence of the Rock and Kishwaukee rivers.

The scouts were pursued by the disorganized militia and several were killed. The surviving scouts arrived at Black Hawk's camp ahead of the militia and reported the events. At the camp, the warriors set up a skirmish line in order to fend off the pending militia attack. The militia soldiers, intent on pursuing the scouts, chased them back toward the main force of Black Hawk's warriors and their skirmish line. Black Hawk and his force concealed themselves and ambushed the pursuers. Believing that thousands of Sauk and Fox were attacking them, the militia panicked and fled back to the main force camped at Dixon's Ferry, today modern-day, Dixon, Illinois). Stillman's exact whereabouts are unknown during this point in the battle. His later account published in a newspaper did not mention his location and noted his only order was to retreat. Stillman's account, published in the Missouri Republican, has been called fanciful.

Twelve of Stillman's militia was killed in the melee. A band of volunteers under the leadership of Captain John Giles Adams made a stand on a hill south of the main militia camp. The men fought by moonlight as the main body of the militia fled back to Dixon. The entire 12-man detachment, including Adams, was killed in the fight. Dyer has said that Adams may have been killed by his own men as he attempted to muster them to battle. The number of Sauk and Fox killed in the engagement is largely unknown; the militia party that was sent to locate the "missing" 53 militia men found no dead Sauk. Black Hawk is quoted as saying at least three and maybe as many as five of his warriors were killed.

The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred in Illinois on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for the panicked retreat by Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia after being attacked by an unknown number of Sauk warriors of Black Hawk's British Band. The numbers of warriors has been estimated that as few as fifty but as many as two hundred participated in the attack. However, reports found in Whitney's Black Hawk War (Letters and reports compiled by the Illinois State Library) indicated that large numbers of Indians were on the move throughout the region, and it appeared that widespread frontier warfare was underway. By 1838 Black Hawk would be dead.

During the engagement, 12 militiamen were killed by Band warriors while making a stand on a small hill. The remainder of the militia fled back to Dixon's Ferry. Citizens erected a monument on May 11, 1901 in Stillman Valley, Illinois commemorating the battle from appropriated funds by the 42^nd General Assembly of Illinois. A 2006 article corroborates that militia volunteer Abraham Lincoln was present at the battleground's burials; sources agree about little else.

This location was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December of 1983.

The 12 militiamen killed in this engagement included: Cpt. John Giles Adams, Sgt. John Walters, Corporal Bird W. Ellis, Corporal James Milton, Private Isaac Perkins, Private Joseph Draper, Private David Kreeps, Private Zaddick Mendinall, Private Tryus M. Childs, Private Joseph B. Farris, Private James Doty and Scout Gideon Munson.

Address: IL 72 (E. Roosevelt Street) & Spruce Street, Stillman Valley, IL 61084 (225 Spruce Street)

GPS: 42°6′21″N 89°10′48″W

Hauntings: Captain John Giles Adams was beheaded after he fell in battle. He was also scalped and disemboweled by the Indians. Many people believe that the ghost of Captain Adams has been encountered here throughout the years.

Dan Norvell captured a head on a full spectrum camera that he believes is that of Captain Adams. It was taken in the afternoon.

There have been a number of paranormal groups that have investigated this location and have seen shadow figures, captured numerous EVPs on Ghost Box or Ovilus sessions which lead to the possibly of this location being haunted. Due to the way some of these militiamen died here, is it any wonder that there are ghost stories?

Close to where Black Hawk and his warriors were stationed high on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Rock and Kishwaukee Rivers there is a bridge that spans the rivers. Norvell took a picture looking down towards the riverbed and captured a figure of a man apparently walking on water! He proceeded towards the shore before disappearing. This was most likely a residual effect.

The Ghost Research Society investigated the Battle of Stillman's Run Battleground Cemetery on June 22, 2019 and the team members included: Jim Piscopo, Ron & Laura Lovatt and Dale Kaczmarek with help from Dan Norvell and Larry Eissler from the Dan Norvell Project.

Equipment setup: Some IR cameras were set up including the Tri-Field Natural EM Meter, K-II and REM Epod. Digital cameras and recorders were used along with the Ovilus X and Phasma Box. I also ran a live Facebook segment and had quite a lot people and GRS members sign in to check out our investigation.

Experiments performed: EVP, Ovilus X and Phasma Box sessions were conducted by the benches very near to a historic plaque. Photographs were taken; some trying to recreate the alleged paranormal picture that Norvell had taken some time ago.

Personal experiences:

Ron & Laura Lovatt: On Saturday, June 22nd the GRS along with Dan and Larry from Dan Norvell Project and conducted an investigation of the Blackhawk War sites in Northern Illinois.  The Blackhawk wars took place between May of 1832 and August of 1832 and it was a brief conflict between the U.S. and Native Americans over land.

The equipment used during the investigation included a Phasma Box, video cameras, digital cameras, K-II, and digital recorders.

The first sight was the gathering location.  As a group we stood on a bridge that connected the Kishwaukee and the Rock Rivers and shared stories of the events that happened in this location and the evidence that was gathered in the past.  No new evidence was gathered there.

The second site we went to was the Battle Ground Memorial Park in Stillman Valley, IL. This location was very active.  We were able to capture a lot of EVPs from the Phasma Box and did get a number of hits on the K-II.  The words and or sentences from the Phasma Box included:

The # 12 came up a lot, done investigation, how old is Steve, mass grave, depression, dollar, ok, trap, Abraham Lincoln, gentlemen, under stone and recognition.

We also took digital pictures and video.  None of our pictures showed any additional evidence.  But our K-II did get a number of hits during the time we were there.

One last note, at one point, Jim thought he saw a shadow on one side of the main monument.  I ran over and did experience a momentary cold slot but no K-II hits.

Conclusion... Some areas were more active than others but there was not enough evidence gathered that night to say that areas are truly hunted but we believe there is paranormal activity.

Jim Piscopo: We arrived at Kirkland at 5pm and met with Dan and Larry for dinner. Our group included Dale, Ron, Laura and I. After dinner we went to a bridge going over a river where Blackhawk and his tribe were camped. Dan and Larry gave us a very interesting account of the Blackhawk wars. After this we went to the Battle Ground Memorial where 12 militiamen were buried. We did some EVP sessions using the Phasma Box, Ghost box and K-II meter. During this session we got some very interesting and relevant responses. I was taking pictures with my Fuji S1000.

Dan Norvell & Larry Eissler: On the night of our investigations with the Ghost Research Society, Dan and I experienced the Phasma Box for the first time. Intrigued by the device, we witnessed numerous responses that coincided with the questions an investigator asked or coincided with the location we were investigating. For example, when asked how many soldiers are represented at the Battleground Memorial, the Phasma Box answered with the correct number. There were also responses blurted out where questions were not asked, such as the name of Bird Ellis who is not physically buried at the monument site.

Dale Kaczmarek: I always find battlefields interesting locations to investigate often due to violent and traumatic deaths that have occurred there. This was no exception since some of the militiamen were not only beheaded, but scalped and disemboweled! This type of gruesome death can often attract some paranormal activity many years afterwards.

While I did not experience anything paranormal, R. Lovatt did complain, at one spot, to have felt an intense cold which can be an indicator of something paranormal. It was a little cool outside and later almost downright cold. The K-II meter was spiking on the stone garbage can where Lovatt had placed it. I do not believe the fluctuations were caused by being in the proximity of the tablet or other equipment.

I, for one, believed this to be a somewhat peaceful location despite the carnage that had taken place here. The Phasma Box, however, was pretty active indicating that the spirits had a lot to say.

Evidence collected:

Don’t investigations Blackhawk.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session at the Battleground Cemetery, the device blurted out, “Don’t investigations.” (Perhaps the device was trying to say, “Don’t investigate”?)

How are you twelve remains Blackhawk.MPG - while conducting a Phasma Box session at the Battleground Cemetery, the device said, “How are you?” followed by, “12 remains.” (There were the tombstones and remains of the 12 militiamen lined up in a row, very close to us.)

In a mass grave Blackhawk.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session at the Battleground Cemetery, the device said, “In a mass grave.” (There is a mass grave nearby)

There’s nothing to hum I need attention Blackhawk.MPG – while conducting a Phasma Box session in the Battleground Cemetery, the device suddenly said, “There’s nothing to (hum?) I need attention.”

Words spoken by the Ovilus X in dictionary mode: seed and decided. In phonetic mode; help and you. The Ghost Hunting Tools application said map, current and black.

Conclusions: This was a great area that I would like to return to with Dan and Larry next year when we visit a few other locations associated with the Black Hawk War including Kellogg’s Grove. This seemed to be quite active and had some very significant words and sentences that came through the Phasma Box.

The return visit would include placing infrared and full spectrum cameras around the perimeter of the property along with other detection devices like: shadow detectors, Melmeters, REM Epod’s and laser grids. I think using these types of devices that we might be able to pick up some visual phenomena as well.