After leaving Apple River Fort, being well supplied with provisions,
the Indians moved leisurely toward the fort at Kellogg's Grove, with the
intention of taking it, as scouts had come in and reported that it was
not very strongly garrisoned on the day previous to their arrival on the
23d of June. At this time the Illinois troops were rendez-voused at a
place known as Fort Wilbourn on the Illinois river, at or near where
now stands the city of LaSalle. What was then called the new levy, after
Stillman's defeat, were assembled there, numbering about three thousand
men, being formed into military organizations consisting of three
brigades. The first brigade was commanded by Gen. Alexander Posey. The
second by Gen. M. K. Alexander, and the third by Gen. James D. Henry.
Major John Dement, of Vandalia, was elected to the command of a spy
battalion composed of three companies. Gen. Atkinson, of the United
States Regulars, commanding, while these organizations were progressing.
The Indians had made a raid on Bureau creek, situated between the
Illinois and Rock rivers. John Dement had been chosen major by the
members of three companies of Gen. Posey's brigade, which was a spy
battalion. The Major's battalion being ready for duty when the news
reached the fort of the attack upon the settles on Bureau creek, it was
ordered to march at once to the scene of danger for protection of the
settlers, and to discover and watch the movements of the Indians, if
possible. The Major was ordered to scour the country through to Rock
river, and then to report to Col. Zackary Taylor, who commanded a small
force of United States troops at a small fortification at Dixon's Ferry
on Rock river.
On the 22d of June, 1832, Major Dement reached Colonel Taylor's
command, having performed the duties to which he was assigned by General
Atkinson. On his arrival Colonel Taylor informed the Major that he had
arrived at an opportune time, as he wished him to take his command, swim
their horses across the river, and promptly occupy the country between
his position and the Lead Mines at Galena, a distance of about sixty
miles, with headquarters at Kellogg's Grove, thirty-seven miles in the
direction of Galena and Apple River Fort. There had been stationed at
the grove two companies of Regulars, commanded by Major Riley, and three
companies of Volunteers that had abandoned this position the day before
the arrival of Major Dement, and left the country without protection
and entirely unguarded. These troops had been engaged in two or three
skirmishes with the Indians, and according to the reports of the
soldiers, had been worsted in each. Major Dement's command numbered
one hundred and forty men, all told, not one of whom had ever seen any
military experience, but they were men to be relied upon. They were
citizen soldiers, brave and intelligent, equal to any emergency, and had
no superiors in the service. This being an odd battalion, Major Dement
was entitled to the staff of a Colonel. His staff was composed of
Zadoc Casey, Paymaster; ------ Anderson, Colonel Hicks, and others.
The Captains of the companies, and the staff officers, were leading
citizens, who had, at short warning, left their several avocations to
engage in defending the country against the attacks of the Indians.