Shortly after the debacle at Old Man Creek on May 14, 1832, James W. Stephenson of Galena raised a company of mounted volunteer “rangers” for the defense of the Fever River lead region. Officially designated as part of the 27th Regiment of Illinois Militia, Stephenson directed his company on several independent excursions. These expeditions included accompanying Colonel Henry Dodge in an investigation of the St. Vrain party massacre. On June 28, shortly after the Battle of Bloody Lake (Pecatonica), Captain Stephenson’s company became engaged in a brief skirmish with a Sauk war-party at Waddam’s Grove, which resulted in several casualties, including Stephenson (for more information on this skirmish, click here. ) After July 2, 1832, Stephenson’s company was added to Dodge’s “Michigan Mounted Volunteers,” and served at the battles of Wisconsin Heights and Mississippi (Bad Axe.)
An examination of a “property returns” document illustrates some of the equipment and supplies requisitioned by and issued to Stephenson’s company before joining the Michigan Mounted Volunteers.(1)
The earliest indication of weapons available to Stephenson’s ranger company was found in a April 30, 1832 receipt for “one hundred guns and accoutrements, the number intended by the commanding officer at Rock Island for the use of Genrl [sic] Dodge of the Territory of Michigan.” It seems more than probable that a portion of these weapons wound up in the hands of Stephenson’s Company. These weapons were most likely overage .69 caliber Pattern of 1795 U. S. muskets. The term “accouterment” suggests government cartridge boxes of the Pattern of 1808 with a buff (white) leather sling, and a bayonet belt in buff leather with a black leather bayonet scabbard. The bayonet belt could be adjusted by means of a brass plate.
On May 19, 1832, Illinois’ Acting Assistant Quartermaster J. A. Atchison issued the following items from state sources to Stephenson’s Company: 56 saddles, 61
bridles, and 128 blankets. Two days later, Atchison issued four felling axes, 25 [feet?] of bed cord for halters, six powder flasks, ten canisters of gun powder, 100 flints, six sacks or bags, and 75 pounds of lead. Preliminary analysis of this issue indicated that Stephenson’s men clearly did not bring in to service their own saddles or bridles. This suggests that the company drew horses from a state of Federal Government source, as volunteers bringing their own horses usually brought saddles and tack as well (for more information on an original 1832 powder flask, click here. )(2)
On May 23, Atchison issued one saddle and ten blankets to the rangers. Three days later, Stephenson’s command drew 19 saddles, 28 bridles, 40 blankets, and 40 circingles. On June 2, the state issued more horse equipage and ammunition: three saddles, two bridles, twelve blankets, four circingles, ten canisters of gunpowder, and 100 “musket flints” (a clue to the primary weapons employed by the company.) On June 20, after the expedition to find the St. Vrain party, Stephenson’s company drew three more blankets, and one additional circingle.
On July 2, just before assignment to Dodge’s command, Stephenson’s company (now commanded by Captain Enoch Duncan) drew four more blankets and 21 [feet?] of bed cording for halters. At some point after July 2, an official identified as “W. Hempstead” authorized Duncan’s company to draw seven “Yaeger”-style flintlock rifles and equipment, two muskets, three cartridge boxes and belts, eight leather pouches (for use with the rifles), 35 pounds of gun powder, 16 pounds of loose musket balls, 307 flints, and one item identified as a “waer perce.” Mrs. Ellen Whitney tentatively corrected this entry as a “war piece.” It may be a “war purse” or some form of pouch, dispatch case, or wallet.
The use of state-issued “yager” or “yaeger” rifles is interesting. Rifles identified as a “yager” traditionally were hunting rifles of Germanic style, employed a shorter, heavier barrel, were more accurate than conventional .69 cal. smoothbore muskets, and generally did not mount a bayonet. However, the “yager” rifle mentioned in these records was most likely either the .54 cal. Model of 1803 rifle manufactured at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia or the Pattern of 1817 “Common” Rifle. Regarding the former, antique weapons expert Norm Flayderman wrote that “production of the Model 1803 rifle from the War of 1812 to 1820 topped out at 15,703 weapons. Shortened versions were manufactured during the War of 1812. Barrel length increased to 36" in 1815 and apparently, the balance of production to 1820 was to this length. The stock was lengthened proportionately to 30 1/2" and rifling standard with seven grooves. Marked with varying dates; the eagle stamped in center of lock is slightly smaller and the U.S. appears within the shield on the eagle's breast. These rifles were not serial numbered.” (3)
