06/24/2026
Today is the 194th anniversary of the battle at the Apple River Fort.
While many of the small details of the that fateful Sunday in 1832 are still hazy to this day, the main events are seared into history. It was after noon, and the Fort inhabitants were going about their business: men kept watch with their muskets, in what shady spots they could find. Some of the ladies and children planned to go berry picking, to bake pies later that evening. Four dispatch riders from Galena arrived, stopping for a brief rest and to share news.
As the riders set off again, they rode up what is now Terrapin Ridge, where they (almost literally) ran into Black Hawk himself and about 200 braves. There was a brief standoff, then chaos. The riders returned to the Fort, gathering what people they could. Within minutes, Black Hawk and his braves had the Fort surrounded.
At first, the men kept up decent fire. But then one young man, George Herclerode, proud owner of a brand new percussion musket, stuck his head above the wall. As Black Hawk put it in his autobiography, "One of their braves, who seemed more valiant than the rest, raised his head above the picketing to fire at us when one of my braves, with a well-directed shot, put an end to his bravery."
Panic ensued. Should they surrender? Should they hole up and hope for the best? In the chaos, Elizabeth Armstrong rallied the women and children into action. Women reloaded muskets so the men could fire faster; children ran cups of drinking water and molded musket balls over a campfire. After roughly 45 minutes, Black Hawk determined that taking the Fort itself wasn't worth it. Nor was burning it, the smoke column would've given away his position; he was an expert at maneuver warfare, and needed the element of surprise on his side.
Instead, as he and his braves left, they raided nearby cabins and stores, stealing much needed supplies, releasing cattle, and causing general destruction. The Fort defenders hunkered down inside, waiting until relief arrived from Galena.
It is an incredible tale of bravery, on both sides of this awful conflict. We invite you to stop by the site this weekend to see the Fort come alive with costumed interpreters, historical demonstrations, and more to commemorate this anniversary.
Image from the Battle of the Apple River Fort Anniversary event from 2006.
