Woodbine Township near Elizabeth in Jo Daviess County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Voices of the Past

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

1. Voices of the Past Marker

Inscription.

“God grant that America may never have greater cowards in her armies, than the ladies on Apple River Fort.”
The Galenian, July 4, 1832

The women of Apple River settlement defended their homes in the battle that broke out on June 24. They could not retire to the sidelines or a place of safety. Organized by Elizabeth Armstrong, they molded bullets, reloaded spare muskets and rifles and handed them to men on the firing platforms, and served as medics. Without their aid, the men on the walls could not have loaded their single-shot firearms fast enough to repel the attackers who outnumbered them.

“There was a very heavy fire kept up for the space of an hour on both sides. Such bravery and heroism amongst women has scarcely ever been surpassed in any country. Women and children were all actively engaged in the defence of the fort. Girls eight years old were busily engaged in running balls and making cartridges, and women loading guns. … This little band of men, women and children, had bravely stood their ground and kept the field, in spite of Black Hawk and his ferocious savage brothers …” – John Flack, one of the settlers
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in the fort during the battle in a letter to John Wakefield in 1834.

[Caption] Elizabeth Armstrong shown handing muskets to a fellow fort defender.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1832.

Location. 42° 19.12′ N, 90° 13.048′ W. Marker is near Elizabeth, Illinois, in Jo Daviess County. It is in Woodbine Township. It is on Old Fort Road east of Illinois Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the entrance road to Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elizabeth IL 61028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

2. Voices of the Past Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Voices of the Past (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building the Apple River Fort (about 500 feet away); Attack! On Apple River Fort (about 500 feet away); Chicago Great Western Railroad Depot (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabeth.

Also see . . . Elizabeth Armstrong. Wikipedia entry on the settler, who found temporary shelter at Apple River Fort with her husband and two children and was praised for her actions during the Battle of Apple River Fort. (Submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.