FORT DIXON
Shortly before the outbreak of the Black Hawk War in 1832,
Dixon's Ferry was a quiet and at times lonely outpost. But it was the
hostilities and confrontations with the white settlers from Black
Hawk and his followers that would turn Dixon's Ferry into a major
military encampment.
While the name was never officially changed, Dixon's Ferry would
come to be known as "Fort Dixon." It would be established as the
central command post during the early stages of the Black Hawk War.
Because of its location relative to Fort Dearborn (Chicago), Fort
Armstrong (Rock Island) and Fort Clark (Peoria) it was to be the
gathering place for the state militia and the regular army during the
campaign.
With men and equipment being rapidly deployed into this area to
suppress the Indian uprising, a fort was quickly constructed on the
North side of the Rock River and slightly upstream from where
"Father" John Dixon's home was located (the site of the fort is about
where TCI cable is located) and consisted of two blockhouses.
The buildings were constructed of logs, one being two stories
high and approximately four times larger than the other and also
provided gun ports in which to defend the North and East directions.
An embankment about four feet high of earthen sod surrounded the two
buildings with an opening to the fort which faced the river's edge.
Soldiers and horses were camped along the river for some distance in
each direction. Reports show that there were close to 3,000 men
bivouacked at Fort Dixon in the early stages of the war.
It would be here, that some notable figures in our nation's
history would serve during their formative careers. Although it would
be some years later, either during or after the Civil War which
brought about prominence to the following: Zachary Taylor, Winfield
Scott, W. S. Harney, Albert Johnson, Robert Anderson, Jefferson Davis
and Abraham Lincoln. Each of these men would garner a place in
American history.
While no picture of Fort Dixon has ever been found from the time
period, Noah Brooks, a friend of Abraham Lincoln who lived and worked
in Dixon had painted a picture of it. To date this is the only type
of picture depicting the old fort.
A few years ago efforts to perhaps rebuild a replica of the fort
on or near its location never materialized. Renewed interest in this
type of venture along with an information center, library and museum
have been discussed. Assistance is needed by concerned citizens of
Dixon and other communities of Lee County. If you would like to help
with such a project, please contact the Lee County Historical Society
for information.
The Black Hawk War became the last major Indian conflict east of
the Mississippi River and only lasted a short time, yet it brought
together those men previously mentioned in one common goal. They
would go separate ways after that war, not knowing that some of them
once more would meet.
Zachary Taylor served as a colonel and had led the First Infantry
Regiment in the Black Hawk War. The Mexican War would raise him from
relative obscurity to the presidency. He became our nations 12th
president.
Winfield Scott after service in the Black Hawk War and the
Seminole and Creek Wars (1835-36) was discussed as a candidate for
the presidency but instead became general in chief of the army. Scott
was known as "Old Fuss and Feathers" because of his emphasis on
appearance and discipline. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he
commanded the defense of Washington D. C., but he resigned because of
age on Nov. 1, 1861.
Robert Anderson, went on to become a major and commanded the
Union garrison at Fort Sumter. Located at the entrance to the harbor
of Charleston, South Carolina, it was the site of the Civil War's
first shot on April 12, 1861. Though the fort was unimportant
militarily, it became a vital symbol to both North and South. Once
convinced that Abraham Lincoln's administration would not give up the
fort, President Jefferson Davis faced a crisis in diplomacy. If
Sumter were not taken, the Confederate States could not boast
independence.
Jefferson Davis, after graduating from West Point in 1828, served
at frontier military posts and in the Black Hawk War before resigning
in 1835. His marriage to Zachary Taylor's daughter ended after three
months time due to her death. He would later win the support of the
southern states which had ceded from the Union and become the only
president of the Confederate States of America.
Abraham Lincoln, a young but eager soldier during the Black Hawk
War served but a brief time in this area. In his rise to statesman
and to becoming our country's 16th president, his travels still
brought him back through this area on numerous occasions. On July 17,
1856, Lincoln delivered his well known address on the lawn of the Lee
County Court House. A boulder now marks the spot where the speech was
delivered. August 27, 1858 in Freeport brought about the
Lincoln/Douglas debate.
How ironic that a young captain named Abraham Lincoln, who never
saw combat during his brief stay at Fort Dixon or in the military,
would later be involved with and witness the major conflict between
the North and South.
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the Lee County Historical Society. They are not to be reproduced,
redistributed, sold, or otherwise altered. These pictures and
articles are for the sole private, non-commercial use for research
and education. These pictures may not be used without the expressed
written permission of the Lee County Historical Society.