Battleground Cemetery. On May 14th, 1832 - 12 State of Illinois Volunteer Militia were slaughtered on this site. This was the first engagement of the Blackhawk War of 1832. The militia were called upon from the governor of the State of Illinois because Chief Blackhawk and his band of warriors had been attacking and killing early settlers of the state. The men were killed by the light of the moon and the next morning when a young militia Captain by the name of Abraham Lincoln came through with his men, they found a horrific and grisly site of the men that stood this ground so that Major Stillman and the other men could make their escape to Dixon's Ferry. I have visited the site on many occasions, and did actually catch the image of a possible apparition toward the east side of the memorial grounds. Could this be the ghost of a militia soldier still standing his post? Further investigation will be needed to determine that. I will post our findings on our facebook page and blogs.
Dan
Dan