Battle of Kellogg's Grove | |||||||
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Part of the Black Hawk War | |||||||
Monument and graves located in a park near Kent, Illinois. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States |
Sauk Fox Kickapoo | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
John Dement Adam W. Snyder Samuel Whiteside | Black Hawk | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
approximately 300 | 80 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
8 KIA 3 WIA | at least 15 KIA |
The Battle of Kellogg's Grove is either of two minor battles, or skirmishes, fought during the Black Hawk War in the U.S. state of Illinois, in present-day Stephenson County at and near Kellogg's Grove. In the first skirmish, also known as the Battle of Burr Oak Grove, on June 16, 1832, Illinois militia forces fought against a band of at least 80 Native Americans. During the battle, three militia men under the command of Adam W. Snyder were killed in action. The second battle occurred nine days later when a larger Sauk and Fox band, under the command of Black Hawk, attacked Major John Dement's detachment and killed five militia men.
The second battle is known for playing a role in Abraham Lincoln's short career in the Illinois militia. He was part of a relief company sent to the grove on June 26 and he helped bury the dead. He made a statement about the incident years later which was recollected in Carl Sandburg's writing, among others. Sources conflict about who actually won the battle; it has been called a "rout" for both sides. The battle was the last on Illinois soil during the Black Hawk War.