Battle of Rock Island Rapids facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Rock Island Rapids
Part of the War of 1812
Date July 19, 1814 Location Campbell Island, Illinois Result Western Nations Victory
Belligerents
British allied Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo	United States
Commanders and leaders
Chief Black Hawk	Major John Campbell (WIA) Lieutenant Stephen Rector Lieutenant Jonathan Riggs Federick Yezier
Strength
400	33 regulars of the 1st Infantry regiment 65 Illinois rangers
Casualties and losses
More than 2 killed	14 killed 2 civilians killed 21 wounded Total: 37

The Battle of Rock Island Rapids, also known as the Battle of Campbell Island, was a fight during the War of 1812. It happened on July 19, 1814. American forces were defeated by Native American tribes allied with the British. These tribes included the Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo.

The battle took place near what is now Campbell Island in Illinois. An American military group was trying to deliver supplies to a U.S. fort called Fort Shelby at Prairie du Chien. But they were attacked on their way. Later, another American group tried to recapture Prairie du Chien after the British took it. This group was also ambushed in the Battle of Credit Island and had to retreat.

The Upper Mississippi River during the War of 1812. The number 5 shows the location of the Battle of Rock Island Rapids.

What Happened?

Why the Expedition Started

In June 1814, the U.S. Army fort at Prairie du Chien was in danger. British and Native American forces threatened to attack it. The fort needed more supplies and soldiers. So, Governor William Clark of Missouri put together a group to help. This group was led by Lieutenant John Campbell.

The Journey Begins

On July 4, Campbell's group left Cape au Gris. They had three strong boats called keel boats. Each boat had a cabin and sails. There were 33 regular soldiers and 65 rangers. Some of the rangers were Frenchmen from Cahokia. The group also included settlers, boatmen, and even families of the soldiers. In total, there were 133 people.

Lieutenant John Campbell commanded the first boat. Lieutenant Stephen Rector commanded the second boat. Lieutenant Jonathan Riggs commanded the third.

On July 13, the group met some Native Americans. These Native Americans told Campbell that the fort at Prairie du Chien was still holding out.

On July 18, the expedition met more Native Americans. They carried a white flag and said they wanted peace. Near the mouth of the Rock River, five more Native Americans met them. They said the village nearby wanted to talk with Campbell. The boats landed on the Illinois shore across from Rock Island.

About 150 Sauk and Fox warriors, along with women and children, came to meet them. Chief Black Hawk led this group. Campbell and Black Hawk talked. Black Hawk promised that the Mississippi River would stay open for U.S. travel. The Native Americans seemed very friendly that night. Many recognized old friends among the Frenchmen from Cahokia.

A Sudden Change

On the morning of July 19, the expedition continued towards Prairie du Chien. A good wind pushed their boats north. But during the night, something important happened. A group of Native Americans arrived at the Sauk village from Prairie du Chien. They brought six kegs of gunpowder. They told the Sauks that the fort at Prairie du Chien had been captured by the British.

These messengers asked the Sauks to join the British in fighting the Americans again. Chief Black Hawk agreed to this.

Chief Black Hawk quickly gathered his warriors. They decided to chase the American boats moving up the river. The Native American force followed the boats by land. They hoped to ambush Campbell if he landed ashore.

Campbell's boat had just passed the top of Rock Island. Then, it got stuck on some rocks. The boat was heavily loaded. A strong wind, almost like a hurricane, was blowing. Campbell later said:

'I was afraid of her dashing to pieces on the rocks, and ordered her to be put to shore, which in doing from the severe gale of wind which was blowing, and the roughness of the water dashed her so hard on shore it was impossible to get her off while the storm lasted."

The Battle of Campbell Island

Campbell's boat was forced onto the northern shore of what is now Campbell's Island. This island is about six miles east of Moline. The area where the boat landed had tall grass and bushes. Campbell immediately placed two guards about sixty yards from the boat.

They had been camped for only about 25 to 30 minutes when Chief Black Hawk attacked. Both guards were killed right away. Another soldier on shore was also killed. Campbell ordered the ropes holding the boat to be cut. He wanted to move the boat away from shore to safety. But a strong wind was blowing towards the shore. This kept the boat stuck. Campbell ordered his men to defend the boat to the very end.

Lieutenants Rector's and Riggs' boats were about three miles upriver. Riggs' boat was in front. He heard the gunfire and saw smoke rising from the island. He immediately turned his boat around. He signaled to Rector, who also turned around and sailed towards the island. As they got closer, they saw that Native Americans had surrounded Campbell's boat. The storm made it hard for them to get close enough to help.

Many Native Americans were seen coming in canoes from the eastern shore. It was later estimated that about 400 Native Americans surrounded them. They fired muskets and arrows at Campbell's trapped soldiers. Black Hawk's men tried to set the boat on fire with flaming arrows. They hit the boat's sail, and it caught fire. Major Campbell's right wrist was broken by a musket ball during the attack. The storm pushed the boat even deeper into the rocks.

After an hour, the storm calmed down. Rector was able to anchor his boat 20 yards away. Riggs anchored his boat 100 yards away. By this time, ten soldiers and two civilians were dead. A fifth of the soldiers were wounded and could not fight. Rector's men were the first to reach the battle. They helped move the wounded to his boat. The boat became so heavy that Rector had to throw out almost all their supplies to stay afloat. Major Campbell was shot again, this time in the chest. Four of Rector's Illinois rangers were killed by more Native American gunfire.

The Governor Clark river gunboat, commanded by Federick Yezier, arrived at the perfect time. This gunboat had been damaged at Prairie du Chien and was retreating downriver. It helped evacuate the rest of Campbell's group. Once everyone was safe, they pushed the boat back into the river. Then, they took turns rowing day and night until they reached safety in St. Louis.

After the battle, the Native American forces took supplies from the abandoned boat. They also celebrated. According to Chief Black Hawk, only two Sauk warriors were killed. However, the actual number might be higher because other tribes like the Fox and Kickapoo also fought.

What Happened Next?

Battle of Credit Island
Part of the War of 1812
Date September 5, 1814 Location Near Davenport, Scott County, United States Result Decisive British and Native victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Sauk	United States
Commanders and leaders
Lieutenant Duncan Graham Chief Black Hawk	Zachary Taylor Captain Nelson Rector
Strength
800-1,200 Natives 30 British regulars and volunteers 1 Grasshopper cannon 2 Swivel guns	334 regulars
Casualties and losses
None	3 killed 14 wounded Total: 17

Some people later criticized Major Campbell for his defeat. They said he didn't put enough guards around his camp. Others blamed his lack of experience. Some also said he ignored warnings about a coming Native American attack.

Second Expedition to Prairie du Chien

On August 23, 1814, another American expedition was formed. Major Zachary Taylor led this group. Their goal was to recapture Fort Shelby and Prairie du Chien. The British had taken these places on July 20. The expedition had 334 soldiers and 8 keelboats. They also wanted to make sure Americans could travel freely on the Upper Mississippi River again. They planned to destroy Sauk villages along the river.

On September 4, Taylor's group reached the river. Taylor realized his cannons would not be effective from his boats. Also, too many Native Americans were present to land safely. He decided to pretend to move upriver towards Prairie du Chien. While doing this, a strong storm forced the Americans to land at Pelican Island for the night. Two of the boats had weak anchors and had to be tied to the shore.

The Battle of Credit Island

At dawn on September 5, some Native Americans waded from Credit Island to Pelican Island. They killed a U.S. guard. Taylor sent a force to fight them off. He then told Captain Nelson Rector to land his boat on Credit Island. This was to stop another attack. Rector was to fire his swivel guns at any enemies.

A group of 30 British soldiers and fur traders joined the Native Americans. Lieutenant Duncan Graham led them. They moved a small cannon and two swivel guns to a hill across from Pelican Island. More than 800 to 1,200 Native Americans, led by Chief Black Hawk, joined them. From the hill, they had a clear view of Taylor's boats.

They began firing their cannons. The first shot hit Taylor's boat directly. About 51 to 54 shots hit the American boats. The attack lasted for 50 to 60 minutes. After this, Taylor retreated downriver. He escaped his dangerous position to the Illinois shore. American casualties were 3 killed and 14 wounded.

Taylor later said:

I was compelled to drop down about three miles before a proper place presented itself for landing, as but few of the boats had anchors sufficient to stop them in the river. Here I halted for the purpose of having the wounded attended and some of the boats repaired, as some of them had been injured by the enemy’s artillery.

Taylor's expedition quickly went downstream to St. Louis. The British did not chase them because they were low on ammunition and supplies. This was the last time the Americans tried to recapture Prairie du Chien.

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