Major Isaiah Stillman led a detachment of 275 poorly trained Illinois militia to confront Black Hawk’s group. However, the encounter quickly descended into chaos. Despite their numerical superiority, the militia’s lack of organization and experience proved disastrous. Miscommunication and fear led to a panicked retreat, later derisively dubbed “Stillman’s Run.” Historical accounts suggest that 12 militiamen were killed, while Black Hawk’s forces sustained minimal casualties. Some reports indicate that the militia’s premature attack on a small Native envoy, sent by Black Hawk to negotiate, triggered the battle.
The significance of Stillman’s Run extends beyond its immediate outcome. It underscored Black Hawk’s resolve to resist U.S. encroachment and reclaim his people's land. Black Hawk’s leadership and strategic acumen, despite limited resources, highlighted the resilience of Indigenous resistance against overwhelming odds. Conversely, the defeat exposed the inadequacies of the militia’s preparation and command structure, which became a recurring theme throughout the Black Hawk War.
This early conflict galvanized both sides, setting the stage for further violence. The U.S. military intensified its efforts, eventually deploying federal troops under General Winfield Scott. Despite outbreaks of cholera among the troops, the U.S. forces ultimately overwhelmed Black Hawk’s band. The war culminated in the Battle of Bad Axe in August 1832, effectively ending Native resistance in the region.
The Battle of Stillman’s Run remains a poignant episode in American history, illustrating the broader struggles between Native Americans and U.S. expansionist policies. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of such conflicts and the enduring impact of contested treaties and broken promises on Indigenous communities.
Stillman’s Run: The First Clash of the Black Hawk War
