General Henry in this instance had the abiding confidence of the men, and his presence alone was a battalion in strength.
Following closely after Iles’ departure, Captain Snyder started out to cover the same territory and report depredations.
CHAPTER XXV.
Captain Snyder’s Battle–Murders in the Lead Mines Country–Battle of the Pecatonica–Captain Stephenson’s Battle.
Kellogg’s Grove, by reason of the many fights with the Indians at and around the place, was the most conspicuous locality during the campaign, with the possible exception of Dixon’s Ferry, which was headquarters of the army during the different campaigns. To Mr. J.B. Timms, present owner of the grove, and Mrs. E.B. Baker, daughter of O.W. Kellogg, who built there the first building in 1827, I am indebted for a description of the same as it appeared in 1832.
O.W. Kellogg (brother-in-law to John Dixon), after running “Kellogg’s Trail” from Peoria to Galena in 1827, selected that large and beautiful grove of burr oak timber for his home, erected substantial buildings, and brought much live stock to it, with his family. There he lived until the spring of 1831, when, in order to be near the Dixons, he removed south to Buffalo Grove, another fine grove about one mile due west of the present site of the city of Polo, twelve miles north of Dixon. There again he built and removed his family, where he was living at the breaking out of hostilities in 1832.
In that year Kellogg’s Grove was known as “Kellogg’s Old Place,” and generally designated as such in the public and private journals of that day. Previously to 1827, however, by reason of the character of the timber, it had been designated “The Burr Oak Grove,” and thus it is we find the battle fought there by Capt. A.W. Snyder sometimes denominated “The Battle of Burr Oak Grove,” naturally confusing one as to its exact location. As a matter of fact, it was fought about two and a half miles from Kellogg’s buildings, but still Kellogg’s Grove, as it covered a vast area, including the battlefield. The Timms family bought it and moved thence in 1835, since which time the present owner has continually resided there, conferring upon it the name of “Timms’ Grove,” which it still enjoys.
In 1832 the buildings comprised log cabins, a barn, large for those days, and outbuildings to the number of seven, strung along a distance of 120 feet, each approximating seven feet in height, sixteen in length, and all covered with basswood bark.
The site of the monument erected on the site of that grove is in Kent township, Stephenson county, about thirty-five miles to the southeast of Galena, thirty-seven miles north of Dixon and seven or eight miles from Lena.