USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 48
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T a time when there seemed to be the fairest pros- pect of a long and universal peace in America, the southern colonies were suddenly involved in a destructive Indian war. In 1761, a firm peace had been made with the Cherokees. Three of their chief men soon after visit- ed Great-Britain, and there confirmed it with the British court. About the same time, Sir William Johnson made a tour among the Indian nations, to quiet the fears and jeal- Reasons of ousies which might have been occasioned by the conquest the Indian of Canada. These fears and jealousies, it seems, had been war. fomented by French emissaries, with much industry and success. The same year a conference had been held be- tween several of the American governors and the six na- tions, with a view of ratifying fornrer treaties, and of more entirely conciliating and fixing their friendship. At this conference, a warm dispute arose on account of certain lands, of which a Delaware chief complained that certain H 3
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Book II. English settlers had taken possession, in consequence of a fraudulent conveyance. Though this animosity appeared 1763. at that time to be in some measure stifled, and to subside, yet the Indians were by no means satisfied .* To this ground of dissatisfaction, there was an addition of many more. The French had ever paid a more flattering atten- tion to the Indians than the English ever deigned to show them, Their conquests now made them haughty, and they treated these rude neighbours with less condescension and decorum, than had before been usual. And besides, con- trary to the faith of treaties, settlements had been made be- yond our just limits.t We had also drawn a line of forts round their best hunting grounds; and their suspicions were, that the English had concerted a plan for their total extirpation.
These injuries and suspicions having roused the resent- ment of the Shawanese and Delaware Indians, they united with the other tribes along the Ohio ; and having drawn the Indians about Detroit, and a considerable part of the clans on this side of the Mississippi, into their measures, they determined to make a sudden and general attack on the frontiers at the same time. That they might, at one blow, cut off both the inhabitants and all their means of subsist- once, they resolved to begin their work of destruction at the time of harvest. Their plan was concerted with un- common art and secrecy. They made their irruption so unexpectedly, so generally, and with such violence, that, before any relief could be obtained, great numbers of the inhabitants were masacred, their houses burned, and their laid waste crops ruined, with all the marks of horror and cruelty at- Frontiers and desert- tending an Indian war. In consequence of the general ed. alarm and consternation, all the frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, for twenty miles back into the country, with thousands of fine settlements, were abandon- ed to the enemy. The travelling merchants, who, under the security of a general peace, were trading in the Indian country, were murdered, and their effects plundered. These were estimated at several hundred thousand pounds ..
But that which, in a military view, was considered as of' much greater importance, was the capture of le Bœuf, Ve- nango, and Presque Isle. These forts were advantageous- ly situated, so as to command the heads of all the navigable rivers, southward of lake Erie, and were important to keep up the communication between fort Pitt and the lakes, and the posts north of them. The Indians made themselves
* Rider's History of England, vol. xiviii, p. 64, 65, and vol. xlix. p. 33 .. 1 t The same, vol .. I. p. 45, 46.
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masters of these forts, rather by stratagem than by any Book Il. power sufficient to have reduced them. They pretended to the soldiers, that they had cut off the other garrisons, 1763, boasted of the great numbers they had with them, and made them the most flattering promises of safety and good usage. When, by these arts, they had induced them to give up these posts, they commonly violated their promises, and killed or captivated them. By the same means they got possession of Michilimakinack.
Flushed with these successes, they attempted to reduce fort Pitt, Detroit, and Niagara. Though the theatre of this Indian war was of vast extent, though the different nations were separated by immense tracts of country, yet in their operations they preserved an admirable degree of connec- tion and concert. At the same time, they invested fort Pitt and Detroit, though at a great distance from each other.
The commander in chief, apprised of the danger to which all the western posts were exposed, detached strong reinforcements to those garrisons. Captain Dalyell con- ducted the reinforcement dispatched to Detroit. After his arrival at the fort with his reinforcement, he imagined, from the intelligence given him, that he could surprise the ene- my, and drive them entirely from that settlement. With this view, it was determined to make an attack on their camp, which lay at the distance of about three miles from the fort. Between two and three of the clock in the morn- ing, captain Dalyell, with two hundred and seventy men, began his march with all possible secrecy and precaution. But the Indians were so vigilant and sharp sighted, that they discovered his party, lined the hedges, posted them- selves behind houses, and took the most effectual measures to annoy and defeat him. Before he had reached their camp, he was saluted with a severe fire in his front. In- stantly it commenced in his rear, and soon it became furi- Battle of ous and destructive on every side. The captain fell in the Detroit; beginning of the action. The darkness of the night pre- vented a sight of the Indians, and the whole party were at once on the point of irreparable disorder and ruin. In this emergency, captain Grant, on whom the command de- volved, saw that his only safety was in a speedy retreat. To effect this, he made a spirited charge upon the enemy : by this they were soon driven from the roads, and repulsed in every quarter. The English having thus extricated themselves, returned to the fort. But it was an unfortu- nate affair, in which seventy men were killed, and forty wounded. The Indians now finding the garrison to be nu- merous and well supplied, despairing of any further suc- cess, soon withdrew, and gave them no more trouble.
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1763. Fort Pitt is besie- ged.
BOOK II. Meanwhile, fort Pitt was so closely surrounded on all sides, that all communication, even by private message, was cut off between that and the country. The Indians, in some measure, supplied their want of skill and cannon, by their incredible boldness and perseverance. Regard- less of danger, and with a resolution which would have done honour to the best troops, they took post under the banks of the river, close to the fort, and burying them- selves in holes, for several days together, poured in upon it an incessant storm of shot and fire arrows. Captain Ecuy- er, who commanded the garrison, took every precaution which judgment or art could suggest, and defended himself with no less zeal and perseverance, than the enemy made their assault.
General Amherst well knew the importance of this post, and had detached colonel Bouquet, a trusty officer, with a large quantity of provisions and military stores, under a strong escort, for its relief. When the colonel had advan- ced to the remotest part of the English settlements, he could not obtain the least intelligence of the state of the garrison, or of the numbers, position, or motions of the enemy. In these circumstances, he determined to prepare for the worst, and disengaged himself from all ammunition and provisions, which did not appear to be absolutely ne- cessary. Having thus disencumbered himself, the army entered a rough and mountainous country. Before him lay a dangerous defile, called Turtle Creek, several miles in length. On both sides, it was encompassed with steep and craggy hills. After refreshing his troops, it was de- termined, if possible, to elude the observation of the ene- my, and pass this defile in the night. Though the colonel had not been able to obtain the least intelligence of the enemy, yet this alert and keen sighted foe had discovered his party; and finding that a reinforcement was coming on, they immediately raised the siege of fort Pitt, and, ta- king the route by which they knew the army must pass, de- termined to surprise it the first favourable opportunity.
Attack on colonel Bouquet, Aug. 5th.
While the English were making the necessary arrange- ments for refreshment and repose, after a fatiguing march of seventeen miles that day, their advanced guard was sud- denly and furiously attacked. This was so expeditiously and firmly supported, that the enemy were soon obliged to fly, and the English pursued them to a considerable dis- tance. But that which, with another enemy, would have been considered as a defeat, and victory, in this case seem- ed only as an artful relaxation or amusement. So far were the enemy from abandoning the field, that the moment the
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pursuit ended, they returned, with redoubled fury, to the Book II. fight. Several other parties, who lay in ambush in the high grounds, along the flanks of the army, now sprang up, 1763. and rushing on to the encounter, with a resolution no less than that of their companions, galled the English with a furious and obstinate fire. To dislodge them from the high grounds, it was necessary to make a charge with the whole line. This succeeded, but produced nothing deci- sive. No sooner were the savages driven from one place, than they sprang up in another. Such were the reinforce- ments which constantly came rushing on to the battle, that, at length, the whole detachment was completely surround- ed.
Having thus surrounded the army, and drawn it some distance from the convoy, they commenced a furious at- tack upon that. It now became immediately necessary for the main body to fall back, or the convoy would be in- stantly lost. This was effected with the utmost address and resolution. But the enemy were not intimidated; the action, every moment, became more warm and general. The troops were attacked on every side, and with incred- ible spirit and obstinacy did the savages support and press their charge. During the whole of this serious ac- tion, which took so many shapes, and in which so many manœuvres were necessary, the English were not thrown into the least disorder, but, by their firm and steady con- duct, and superior discipline, maintained the field, and, with fixed bayonets, drove the enemy from all their posts. Nearly seven hours did the action continue, without the least intermission. It began about one o'clock in the af- ternoon, and continued until the approach of night termi- nated the action.
The ground on which the battle was fought, was tolera- bly convenient for an encampment. . The wounded men and convoy were placed in the centre, and the army was marshalled in a circle round the whole. In this manner the troops passed an anxious night, obliged to the strictest vigilance, by a subtile and enterprising foe, who, at some distance, still encompassed them about.
On the first dawn of the morning, they began to show The action themselves on every side of the camp. At the distance of renewed, about five hundred yards, they presented themselves round Aug. 6th, the whole of it; and, by an ostentation of their numbers, and the most horrible shouting and yelling, round the whole circumference, they attempted to intimidate, and strike the whole army with terror. Upon this signal, they furiously renewed the attack. The English, exhausted as they-were,
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Book II. with the fatiguing and terrible action of the preceding day, and the anxieties of a sleepless night, were instantly called 1763. to service, which required the utmost vigour of body and mind. Beside their other distresses, they suffered the ca- lamity of a total want of water. In this hot season, with the agitation of their spirits, their thirst was inexpressible, and the want of water more intolerable than the fire of the enemy. In these circumstances, they were exceedingly pressed from every quarter.
Under the advantage of an incessant fire, the enemy made the most daring and repeated attempts to penetrate the centre of the camp. In every attempt they were re- pulsed, yet their attempts were again and again renewed, without discouragement and without dismay. The Eng- lish were constantly victorious, and yet constantly in dan- gér. Their most spirited exertions made no decisive im- pressions on the enemy. When pressed, they always gave way, but the moment the pursuit was over, they returned to the attack with as much spirit and alacrity as ever. The English were confined to their convoy, and could not lose sight of it a moment, without exposing that interesting ob- ject, with all their wounded men, to be an instant prey to the enemy. Many of the horses were killed and disabled, and numbers of the drivers were stupified with fear, hid in the bushes, and were incapable of hearing or obeying orders. To advance or retreat was equally impracticable. In these circumstances, they saw before them the melan- choly prospect of crumbling away and perishing in a drea- ry wilderness, without honor, or revenge. Each moment the fate of Braddock was presented to their view. Besides, they foresaw that, in their fall, that of the important gar- rison of fort Pitt, would be involved. In this most critical and distressed situation, the commander conceived an ex- pedient which succeeded to his wishes.
Observing the cagerness and temerity of the enemy, he determined to take advantage of it, and, if possible, bring them to a more close engagement. For this purpose, he ordered two companies, who had been posted in the most advanced situation, to retire within the circle ; the troops on the right and left opened their files, seemingly to cover their retreat, and to fill up the vacancy which had been made by this movement. A company of light infantry and another of grenadiers, were ordered to support the two companies who feigned the retreat. The movements were made, and the plan executed, without the least con- fusion. At the same time, the thin line of troops which occupied the ground whence the advanced companies had
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been withdrawn, moved back toward the centre of the cir- Book II. cle, giving ground to the enemy. They, mistaking these motions for a retreat, rushed in headlong from the woods 1763, and fastnesses which covered them, and advancing, with a most daring intrepidity, within the circle, poured in a ter- rible and galling fire upon the English. At the moment they imagined themselves masters of the camp, two of the four companies, which had been ordered for that purpose, made a sudden turn, unobserved by the enemy, and charg- ed them furiously upon their right flank. The enemy re- ceived them with firmness, kept a good countenance, and returned the fire with resolution. But, as these two com- panies were making a second charge, with great spirit and energy, on their flank, the other two companies advancing, poured in a heavy and well directed fire upon their front, and, by this unexpected exertion, put them to an immedi- ate rout. The four companies pursued them with such The ene- resolution and celerity, as gave them not a moment to col_ my defeat -- lect, or look behind them, till they were totally dispersed. ed. The enemy round the camp, during this fierce engagement in the front, were awed and kept in play by the rest of the army, and when they perceived that their comrades were routed, they soon followed their example, and fled.
This happy manœuvre rescued the army from apparent destruction. It gained the field and cleared the adjacent woods. By it the enemy were entirely disheartened, as they had lost more than sixty men in these various encoun- ters, besides a great number who had been wounded. Among these, were a number of their bravest warriors, who had most distinguished themselves by the fierceness of their attack, and their animosity against the English. In their fall, was extinguished no small part of the fuel of war.'
Though the victory had been gained, after this hard fought battle, yet the marching of the army was a matter of great difficulty. It had sustained the loss of fifty men, and sixty had been wounded. At the very time when an additional number of horses were necessary, on the ac- count of the wounded men, so many had been killed, that there was not a number sufficient to carry on but a small part of the provisions. With great reluctance, the colonel was obliged to destroy the greatest part of them ; so that, after every exertion, one principal object of the expedition was defeated.
The troops thus disburthened, advanced about two miles, and pitched their camp at Bushy Run. After such fatigues
* Rider's Hist. vol. I. p. 60-69.
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Book II. on their march, and such a severe chastisement as they had given the enemy, in the preceding actions, it was natural 1763. to expect repose. But scarcely had the English fixed their camp, when the enemy appeared in ambush round about them, and gave them another fire. Indeed, at this time, nothing could have been more mortifying. The enemy however soon drew off, and, except a few scattered shots, gave them no more trouble. Four days after, the army arrived at fort Pitt.
Few enterprises have been managed witlı more caution, skill, and gallantry, than this. Colonel Bouquet, his offi- cers and men, gained singular honor, by the firmness, pre- sence of mind, and dexterity of movement, displayed on this interesting occasion.
In few of the hard fought battles and signal victories of Europe, which are celebrated with so much eclat, is there such an exhibition of obstinate, persevering fortitude, and of military skill, as appeared in this action. Indeed, after all the severities and dangers of a campaign in Europe, little idea can be formed of what is to be endured in a war with savages, in America.
In Europe, the country is generally cultivated and in- habited, roads are made, hospitals and magazines are pre- pared. If troops are conquered and taken, it is only an Difficulties exchange of masters. They expect kind treatment from a civilized and generous enemy. But in a war with sava- ges, in America, every thing is the reverse, every thing is terrible. Here, troops hold their marches through groves, thickets, and defiles, through a vast and dreary wilderness, where there are neither hospitals, magazines, nor refresh- Inents for the well, nor conveniences, nor relief, for the sick and wounded. The face of the country, the nature of the service, the appearance and manner of the enemy, are terrible. Their wild and horrible yells, their terrible vis- age, and manner of attack, are so alarming, that they have often thrown the best troops into confusion. Their ex- treme art, in first discovering, waylaying, and surprising their enemy, the suddenness and violence of their attacks, and their merciless cruelty, all conspire to make them a truly terrible enemy. Victories over them are often not decisive, while defeats involve the vanquished in total ruin. The least misfortune to be expected, in general, is simple death. If, in the rude campaigns of America, there be less dignity, there is something more adventurous, more interesting to the heart, and more amusing to the imagina- tion, than in the more grand events of a regular war. In them, all the powers of courage and address are called
of an In- dian war.
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forth into exertion, and all the firmness of body and mind Book II. is put to the severest trial.
1764.
An Indian war forms a truly difficult and dangerous ser- vice. It requires a firm body of the best regular troops, with a large proportion of the best marksmen, to compose a light infantry. At the same time, a commander of the firmest and coolest mind, full of caution, and rich in expe- dients, who, with a glance of his eye, can catch every advantage and opportunity, is absolutely necessary. To appoint a self-sufficient, incautious, dull man, to command in enterprises of this kind, is little better than sacrificing an army to the rage and cruelty of an insidious foe.
By the arrival of colonel Bouquet at fort Pitt, that post was effectually secured against any further attempts of the enemy. By the seasonable succours sent to this post, and to Detroit, the enemy received a considerable check and disappointment. However, they were not discouraged from making further attempts, in a different quarter. . They bent their whole force against Niagara. This was not less worthy of their attention than the other posts. This they endeavuored to distress, by every art of which they were masters. They hoped to reduce it by hunger, if other expedients should fail them. The great distance of these posts from each other, and of them all from the set- tled country, was a circumstance favorable to their design. For this purpose, they watched the convoys, by land and Delach- water. On the fourteenth of September, they surrounded ment cut off, Sept. 14th.
-an escort, near Niagara, slew seventy of the soldiers, and destroyed the whole detachment.
Afterwards, as a schooner was passing lake Erie, with provisions, for Detroit, she was attacked by a crowd of ca- noes, on board of which were nearly four hundred Indians. A hot engagement ensued, but the savage fleet was obliged to sheer off, with considerable loss.
The garrisons soon became so well supplied with troops, military stores, and provisions, that the enemy had no prospect of effecting any thing of consequence further against them. But they continued still to be so numerous and powerful, and did such damages on the frontiers, that requisitions were made on the colonies, for troops to sup- press them.
In consequence of a letter received from the earl of General Halifax, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, Assembly signifying his majesty's pleasure that, in consequence of the ford, at Hart- insurrection of the Indians, Connecticut should assist in March 4th, the war against them ; and of a letter from general Gage, now commander in chief in North-America, urging the same.
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Book II. a General Assembly was convened at Hartford, on the 8th of March, 1764. The assembly were by no means insen- 1764. sible that, from their local situation, they were entirely safe from the incursions of the Indians ; and that, by their extraordinary exertions in the preceding war, they had greatly exhausted their resources, and made it a matter of extreme difficulty to afford assistance in a new war. Nev- ertheless, as it was his majesty's pleasure, and urged by the commander in chief, they complied with his majesty's requisition. They wished to promote his majesty's ser- vice, and to manifest their obedience. The assembly therefore enacted, That provision should be made for levy- ing, clothing and paying two hundred and sixty-five able bodied meu, officers included, with the utmost dispatch. The men were all to be between twenty-one and fifty years of age. They were directed to march to any place in North-America, where the commander in chief should order them. It was enacted that the troops should consist of one battalion, and be commanded by a field officer of the rank of major : and that it should be composed of five companies, each company including one captain, two subalterns and fifty men. The command of the battalion was given to major Israel Putnam, afterwards general Put- nam.
A new corps rais- ed to an- noy the Indians.
To defray the expense of this little armament, the as- sembly ordered an emission of seven thousand pounds, in bills of credit, at five per cent, and for the purpose of re- deeming them, levied a tax of one penny on the pound.
Reinforced with the new recruits, colonels Bouquet and Bradstreet, in such a spirited manner, attacked and harassed the enemy, the next spring and summer, that they became willing to bury the hatchet, and adopt articles of pacifica- tion.
Peace is made in Septem- ber.
Peace.
In September, a treaty was completed. The English appear rather to have dictated and imposed the terms than to have given them equal advantages. The articles in substance were, That in twenty days after the ratification Articles of of the articles, they should deliver up all the prisoners in their hands : That they should renounce all claim to the forts which the English had then in their country : That the English should build as many more as they should judge necessary to secure their trade ; and that they should cede to them forever, all the land within cannon shot of the forts. It was also stipulated, that if any Indian should kil! an Englishman, that he should be delivered up to be judg- ed by the English laws, and that half of the jury should consist of Indians : and that if any of the Indian nations
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