Alexander Posey (general)
Alexander Posey (c. 1794-?) was an American militia officer who served as a brigadier general under General Henry Atkinson during the Black Hawk War, specifically in the later stages of the second campaign as one of the commanders present at the Battle of Bad Axe.
Biography
Born in
On June 25, a detachment of soldiers from his command under Major John Dement were involved in
Shortly after the Spafford Farm massacre, Dodge and Colonel William S. Hamilton arrived at Posey's encampment to take over Posey's command. Posey had previously received a letter from Atkinson on June 28 which stated "You will report and receive the orders of Genl. Dodge as practicable, who is an officer of great experience & merit & is aquatinted with the country." However, Posey refused to turn over his command to Dodge outright. Dodge agreed not to take his command by force and instead suggested they put the decision to the Illinois militiamen, with whom Dodge had considerable support. Of those most outspoken included Major Demet who had told his men "would lead them on to victory and retrieve the honor which a short time before they had lost in an Indian fight under Posey."
This statement accurately reflected the resentment against Posey for his refusal to use his main force against the raiding party which had attacked Demet's men. The Illinois Herald, a local Springfield newspaper, also campaigned for his removal in favor of Dodge citing cowardice and lack of aggressive leadership.
However, due in part to a personal appeal to his men as well as "a matter of state pride", Posey retained his command by a small majority. This caused some distention in the ranks as Demet reportedly tore up his commission, threw the shredded paper on the ground and spat on them, before resigning his command of his battalion.
Meeting up with Major
As Atkinson's forces began to run low on provisions, Posey sent his 2nd Regiment under Colonel Ewing to accompany Alexander, Henry and Dodge to Fort Winnebago for supplies while he was sent back to Fort Hamilton to guard the mining country left exposed by Dodge's absence.
In late-July, Posey moved out from Fort Hamilton to join Atkinson's expedition at
See also
References
- The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois: Containing a History of the County - Its Cities, Towns, Etc. Chicago: H.F. Kett & Co., 1878.
- Blanchard, Rufus. History of Illinois, to Accompany an Historical Map of the State. Chicago: National School Furnishing Co., 1883.
- Campbell, Henry Colin. Wisconsin in Three Centuries, 1634-1905. New York: The Century History Company, 1906.
- Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Chicago: S.C. Griggs & Co., 1854.
- Roland, Charles P. Albert Sidney Johnston, Soldier of the Three Republics. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 2001.
- Thwaites, Reuben Gold. How George Rogers Clark Won the Northwest: And Other Essays in Western History. Chicago: A.C. McClerg & Co., 1903.
- Trask, Kerry A.Black Hawk: The Battle for the Heart of America. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2006.