Fort Beggs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Beggs |
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| Plainfield, Illinois | |
The monument for Fort Beggs in Plainfield, Illinois
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| Coordinates | 41°36′4.97″N 88°12′37.81″W / 41.6013806°N 88.2105028°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | May 1832 |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
James Walker |
| Occupants | Residents of Plainfield |
Fort Beggs was a temporary fort built quickly in May 1832. It was used for just one week during the Black Hawk War. When news spread about Native American attacks on the frontier, people living in Plainfield, Illinois, decided to turn the home of Rev. Stephen R. Beggs into a safe place. This fort was located in Plainfield, right by the DuPage River. Today, a monument stands there, placed by the Will County Centennial Committee in 1936, to remember its history.
What Was Fort Beggs?
Building a Safe Place
Rev. Beggs' cabin became a fort on a Thursday. People used logs from his barn and shed to build a protective wall around the cabin. This quick barrier was called a "breastwork." The entire fort was packed with about 125 people seeking safety.
Rev. Beggs later described how difficult their situation would have been if they were attacked: "We had only four guns, and some of them didn't even work well. Ammunition was very low. The women quickly melted down all our pewter spoons, bowls, and plates to make bullets. For other ways to defend ourselves, we gathered a lot of axes, hoes, forks, sharp sticks, and clubs."
A Time of Fear
By Sunday, a group from Chicago arrived to help. This group was led by Captain Naper and included both settlers and Native Americans. On Monday, the group split up. Some went to explore along the Fox River. The others, mostly Native Americans, went with a man named Mr. Lorton (who might have been David Lawton). They planned to meet up with General Brown and Colonel Hamilton near Aurora, Illinois.
However, they were captured on their way. The Native Americans in the group were "on good terms with Black Hawk," so they were allowed to go free. Mr. Lorton, on his way back to Chicago, briefly returned to Fort Beggs. He told everyone what had happened and warned them that an attack might come later that night.
The Panic Spreads
This news caused a lot of fear at Fort Beggs. Rev. Beggs described the scene: "Such a sight as what happened at Fort Beggs was rarely seen, even in those dangerous times. The bravest people lost their courage, and strong men turned pale. Women and children cried and fainted. It seemed almost impossible to calm them down."
At this moment, everyone decided they needed to leave as soon as possible. They were trying to decide whether to escape to Ottawa, Illinois or Chicago. Then, James Walker, who had been chosen as their captain, urged them to wait. He wanted them to wait until the rest of the men returned.
While they waited, the settlers built a wall around the fort using old fences. They then set this fence on fire. This was so they could see any attackers coming during the night. Captain Naper returned with his men on Wednesday evening. He brought news of a terrible event, the Indian Creek massacre. He advised them to leave immediately for either Ottawa or Chicago. The settlers chose Chicago. They quickly got ready and left the very next day, which was a Thursday.
