| Black Hawk War, 1832 On the 14th day of May, 1832, a bloody engagement took place between the regular
forces of the United States, and a part of the Sacs, Foxes, and Winnebago Indians, commanded by Black Hawk and
Keokuk, near Dixon's Ferry in
Illinois.
The Governor (John Miller) of Missouri, fearing these savages would invade the
soil of his State, ordered Major-General Richard Gentry to raise one thousand volunteers for the defense of the frontier. Five companies were at once
raised in Boone county, and in Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Lincoln,
Pike, Marion, Ralls, Clay and Monroe other companies were raised.
Two of these companies, commanded respectively by Captain John Jaimison, of
Callaway, and Captain David M. Hickman, of Boone county, were mustered
into service in July for thirty days, and put under command of Major Thomas W.
Conyers.
This detachment, accompanied by General Gentry, arrived at Fort Pike on the 15th
of July, 1832. Finding that the Indians had not crossed the Mississippi into
Missouri, General Gentry returned to Columbia, leaving the fort in charge of
Major Conyers. Thirty days having expired, the command under Major Conyers was
relieved by two other companies under Captains Sinclair Kirtley, of Boone, and
Patrick Ewing, of Callaway. This detachment was marched to Fort Pike by Col.
Austin A. King, who conducted the two companies under Major Conyers home. Major
Conyers was left in charge of the fort, where he remained till September
following, at which time the Indian troubles, so far as Missouri was concerned,
having all subsided, the frontier forces were mustered out of service.
Black Hawk continued the war in Iowa and Illinois, and was finally defeated and
captured in 1833. Source: (1) |
| Florida or
Siminole War, 1837 In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on Governor Boggs,
of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers for service in Florida against the
Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation had made common cause under
Osceola.
The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone county by Colonel Richard Gentry,
of which he was elected Colonel; John W. Price, of Howard county,
Lieutenant-Colonel; Harrison H. Hughes, also of Howard, Major. Four companies of
the second regiment were raised and attached to the first.
Two of these companies were composed of Delaware and Osage Indians.
October 6, 1837, Col. Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the seat of war,
stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where they were mustered into
service.
Arriving at Jackson barracks, New Orleans, they were from thence transported in
brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. General Zachary Taylor,
who then commanded in Florida, ordered Col. Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee
Lake, one hundred and thirty-five miles inland by the route traveled.
Having reached the Kissemmee river, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle
ensued, in which Col. Gentry was killed.
The Missourians, though losing their gallant leader, continued the fight until
the Indians were totally routed, leaving many of their dead and wounded on the
field. There being no further service required of the Missourians, they returned
to their homes in 1838. Source: (1)
Colonel Gentry, Captain VanSwearingen, Lieut. Brooks and Center, 6th
Reg. U.S. infantry were killed.
Their bodies were brought to Jefferson Barracks and buried.
Source: (2) |
