USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 6
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
were posted Hopkins's and Garrard's troops. But the fire was as warmly returned: not an inch of ground was yielded. Every man. officer and soldier, stood firm. and animated and encouraged cach other. The enemy's fire became warm on the left of the squadron at which Captain Markle's troop was posted, and the right of Elliott's company, which, with Markle's, formed an angle of the camp, was severely annoyed by the enemy's lire. I had assisted in forming the infantry ; composed of Elliott's company of the Nineteenth United States Regiment, Butler's Pittsburg Blues, and Alexander's Pomisyl vania ritlemen, and ordered them to advance to the brink of a declivity from which they could effectively defend themselves and harass the enemy, if they should attempt an attack on that line. This, how- ever, they thought proper to omit. Whilst I was thus engaged, Major Ball rode up to me and observed, he was hard pushed and must be relieved. I galloped immediately to the left wing with an intention of ordering Captain Trotter's troop to reinforce the squadron, but was there informed that the enemy were seen approaching in that dirce tion, and believing it improper on second thought to detach so large a troop from the line, which also covered an angle of the camp. I de termined to give the relief from the infantry. I wheeled my horse and met Major MeDowell, who observed that the spies and guides under the command of Captain Paterson Bain, consisting of len men, Well unemployed. We rode there together, and ordered Captain Bain to the support of the squadron. Seven of them. to-wit: Jantes Andrain. William Conner, Silas Mccullough, James Thompson. James Nages, John Ruland. and Joseph G. Mcclelland, followed their brave leader and rendered most effectual assistance. I then ordered Captain But ler with the Pittsburg Blues to repair immediately to reinforce the squadron, and dirceted Captains Elliott and Alexander to extend to the right and left, and fill the interval occasioned by the withdrawal of the Blues. Captain Butler, in a most gallant manner and highly worthy of the name he bears, formed his men inmediately in excellent order, and marched them to the point to which he was ordered. The alacrity with which they formed and moved was never excelled by any troops on earth. Hopkins made room for them by extending his troops to the right. The Blues were scarcely at the post assigned them before I discovered the effects they produced. A well directed fire from them and Hopkins's dragoons nearly silenced the enemy in that quar ter. They moved in force to the left of the squadron, and right of the infantry at which Captain Markle's and Elliott's companies Were posted. Here again they were warmly received. Lientenant Guyane and Ensign Batteal Harrison boldly stood their ground and fired obliquely on the enemy. Those two young officers in a particular man- ner signalized themselves and shed a luistre on the Nineteenth. Cap tain Elliott and Lieutenant Campbell were on the left of the company and were not engaged. Sergeant Levitt. quartermaster sergeant to the Nineteenth United States Regiment, deserves particular notice for his bravery. At this time daylight began to dawn. I then ordered Cap tain Trotter, whose troops had been ordered by Colonel Siral to mount for the purpose, to make a charge. The captain cried out to his men to follow hin, and they were tilted off at a full gallop. Captain Tror ter's first lieutenant, with eighteen of the men, were on guard. Lieu- tenant Trotter, Cornet Dishman, and the residue of the troop, together with Lieutenant Hobson and four men of Elmore's troop. Doctor Moore and a few other gentlemen, including Mr. Thomas Moore, my private secretary, advanced gallantly and charged a numerous body of the enemy. Major MeDowell, with a small party, rushed into the midst of the enemy and exposed himself very much. I can not say too much
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
for this gallant veteran. Captain Markle, with about fifteen of his troop and Lieutenant Warrens, also made a daring charge upon the enemy. Captain Markle avenged the death of his relation, Lieutenant Waltz, upon an Indian with his own sword. Captain Trotter and his troop. Captain Markle and his little band, performed a most danger ous duty in the bravest manner. Captain Trotter mentions to me as worthy of particular notice. Robert Mitchell, a wagoner who had vol unterred for the expedition. Christian Willman, trumpeter to L'ol- onel Siral's regiment, who blew two charges and hewed down an Indian with his sword. William Montgomery, sergeant major to the regiment of Kentucky light dragoons, was in charge and distinguished himself, as well as in the skirmish the day before. In this charge Cap tain Trotter was wounded slightly, Corporal Riddle shot through the body. David Stale wounded in the right thigh slightly, and the brave Piatt received this mortal wound, being shot through the body and hand. Fearing that Captain Trotter might be too hard pressed. I ordered Captain Johnson, of the Kentucky light dragoons, to advance with lis troop to support him. ) found Johnson ready. and Colonel Simral reports to me that all his other captains, to wit : Elmore. Young and Smith, were anxious to join in the charge But I called for only one troop. The colonel had the whole in excellent order. Cap- tain Johnson did not join Trotter until the enemy was out of reach. He. however, picked up a straggler or two that Trotter had passed over. The cavalry returned and informed me the enemy had ded precipitately. I have on this occasion to lament the loss of several brave men, and a great many wounded: among the former are Cap tain Pierce of the Ohio volunteers, and Lieutenant Waltz. of Markle's troop. From the enclosed list you will see the names and muubers of the killed and wounded. Eight being killed and forty eight wounded. two of whom are since dead. The enemy paid dearly for their temer ity. From the trails through the snow, and those found dead. We could not have killed less than thirty, which with those killed the day Infore, amounts to thiry-eight. The chemy did not take a scalp. The Indian who killed Captain Pierce attempted to scalp him, but was killed. Major Ball informs me that he can say with confidence that there never were officers and soldiers who displayed more cool, firm and soldierly conduct, than those of his squadron.
"The zeal, activity and courage displayed by Captam Hopkins and his officers iCaptain MeClelland and Cornet Herod. of the Penn sylvania volunteers, having been attached to him did not fail to arrest his attention, and meet his fullest approbation. Lieutenant Hedges received a slight wound on the nose. Captain Garrard's troop sus tained the action at that point where it raged with greater violence for some Time after its commencement than at any offer texcept upon the lefty with the firmness of veterans, while the officers were moras ingly employed in stimulating and encouraging their men. Lieutenants Basey and Hickman were both wounded early, but performed their duty in the line to the close of the action. Cornet Mellanalian, quarter master to the detachment. was equally active in the line with the other officers of the troop. Quartermaster Sergeant Strother J. Hawkins. who had no other firearms, loaded and tired his pistol several times at the enemy, and many others, similarly situated, used their pistols as fast as they could load them.
... Young Mr. Baylor placed himself a little in front of the line and fought bravely during the action. Lieutenant Warren's and Cornet Lee's detachments bebaved with great firmness and used their pistols and varbines to the best advantage. Cornet frear tof Warren's was wounded in the arm, but remained some time afterwards in the line.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
Captain Markle's troop, as I have before stated, was situated upon the left of the squadron and most sorely galled. Lieutenant Waltz fen most gallantly. There never were men who sustained so heavy an action with more firmness; but one sentiment pervaded the whole, and vie- tory or death was most obstinately determined upon. Colonel Sim- ral's regiment, although not engaged, with the exception of Trotter's troop, were all ready and panting to engage. The colonel deserves the highest applause for his excellent disposition during the action, and for his cool, firm and deliberate conduct. To Major Ball the great- est praise is due for his bravery and activity during the action. No man could have done more. le informs me he was greatly aided throughout the progress of the action by the exertions of Lieutenant and Adjutant Fullerton and Sergeant Major Edwards. Inmist now mention in the highest terms of approbation Lieutenant Payne, of the Kentucky fight dragoons, who acled as my adjutant on the expedition, for his great activity, attention to duty, and gallantry during the action. He rendered the most essential services. My extra adjutant, Captain Hite, was very active and as brave as a hon. I always found him ready for any service I bad for him to perform. Captain
of the Ohio volunteers marched with me from this place as a private in the ranks, and in the action killed an Indian. He deserves my par ticular notice. Captain Alexander, with his riflemen, were on the left of the front line, and not engaged, but were all ready if an oppor- tunity had offered. Beverly Brown and Thomas Bedford, of Captain Garrard's troop, and Francis Lonsong, of the Blues, were killed light- ing bravely in exposed situations.
" 'I have now, my dear sir, detailed to you the particulars of an engagement bravely fought, and victory gloriously wou, after contend- ing most warmly for at least an hour. From the length of our line simultaneously attacked by them, I am persuaded there could not have been less than 300 of the enemy. They fought most bravely. My strength on the morning of the action was about 590 rank and file. a considerable portion of whom, amounting to at least forty or fifty. were almost rendered unfit for duty by the severity of the weather. Some were so badly frostbitten as to be scarcely able to walk. There never was severer service performed by any troops, and yet there is not a murmur. Reports made to me yesterday morning informs me of 303 who are so severely frostbitten as to be entirely untit for duty. On my march baek I was compelled to move slowly on account of the wounded, seventeen of whom we had to carry on litters. I kept the troops always ready to meet an attack which I daily and nightly expected, until I reached this place. I fortified my camp every night by a breastwork, which kept us very busily engaged. The searcity of axes was now most sensibly felt. I have informed you how I advanced into the enemy's country. My return was much in the same manner I determined to be always ready, to avoid surprises and failing into ambuseades. I assure you the responsibility attached to this command I most seriously felt. Being young in service and inexperienced I felt great diffidence in accepting this command. I. however, hope my con- duet will meet your approbation. I shall hasten to join yon, but it will take the troops some time to recruit and heal. Some will lose their toes; others' feet are so swollen as not to be able to put on their shoes The night march was most severe npon them.
". I met Major Adams with ninety-five men on my return. aboni forty miles from this place, with a supply of provisions. This came most spasoaably. Some companies were entirely without. Hopkins' had eaten nothing for three days. That night I should have ordered a horse to be killed. The greatest praise is due Major Adams for his
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
promptitude in relieving us. My express arrived here on Saturday evening, and he started on Sunday morning. The next day I met Colonel Holt, from Dayton, with additional supplies. Through the whole of this expedition we were certainly favored by Divine Provi- denee. The weather, though severe, was favorable to the enterprise. The snow enabled us to asecriain whether we were discovered. The moon gave light all the night, and on our return the water courses were blocked up by ice; there was not a drop of rain. Such a coneat- enation of favorable circumstances rarely happens. The Indian pris- oners i will send off tomorrow to Piqua to the care of Mr. Johnson, escorted by an officer and twenty troops from this place. The few lines I wrote you from the battle ground I find in some partienlars to be incorrect, not having at that time full reports of the wounded. My prisoners are also more than I then represented. I think, sir, that you may assure the government that the battle of Mississineway was not badly fought, and that the enemy suffered severely. That the troops deserve well of their country, and their losses ought to be compen sated. The number of horses killed were considerable and I have no doula they saved the lives of a great many men. I hope to overtake you before Malden falls.
.| have learned since my return that General Hopkins had re- turned to Vincennes after burning some Indian villages and driving them. supposed to be 300 in number, np the Wabash. This still made my situation more perilons, and I shall not be surprised to learn that Tecumseh commanded in the action against me. Let him be who he may he was a gallant fellow, and maneuvered well. Conner thinks it was Little Thunder (nephew to the Little Turtle) from his loud voice, which he knew. He heard him ordering his men in the Miami language to rush on, that they would soon retreat. I think, sir. the Kentucky cavalry will scarcely be in a situation to render yon mich more servier. Their losses in horses are considerable, and one hundred and thirty eight frostbitten severely. They are fine fellows with a few excep- lions, and as brave as any men in the world. Captain Prince is here very sick. and was unable to get on with us; this was to me a great loss .. . I am, sir, very respectfully, etc .. ". "JOHN B. CAMPBELL .. ". . Lient. Col. 19th U. S. Regt.'
(INCLOSURE. ) " .Dayton, January 1st, 1813.
".My Dear Sir: In my report to yon of the 25th ultimo. from Fort Greenville, I omitted to notice some circumstances and individuals, inadvertently, which and who are as highly worthy of notice. as most of those I have already detailed. Inmist, therefore, in the most special manner. mention Mr. James Bradshaw, Captain Lewis Hite, and Mr. Silas MeCullough, who tendered their services to me on the battle ground, to carry intelligence to Greenville of our situation, and request a reinforcement of men, and a supply of provisions. This dangerous and fatiguing service they performed in the most prompt and expedi- tious manner. In twenty-two hours they traveled upwards of eighty miles without resting, except a few minutes, twice to feed their horses, and reached Greenville worn down with fatigue. At Greenville, in assisting to forward supplies, their conduct merits the highest praise. I must also mention by name Lieutenants Magee and Irvin, of the Pitts- burg Blues, whose cool, deliberate bravery was observed during the hottest fire of the enemy, and I regret extremely that those young gen-
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
tlemen who highly merited distinction, should have been pretermitted in my first report.
" .I made a mistake in stating that Captain was abandoned by halt his guard; only one or two went in for part of their arms, whilst the rest remained with their companions, and upon inquiry, were found to have behaved well. Captain Smith was aided in his excellent disposition at the redoubt he commanded by Lieutenants Adams and Fishel, whose names and bravery are synonymous terms. Adjutant Guy and Quartermaster lite, of the Kentucky light dragoons, are two fine young men, and were actually employed on the morning of the battle.
"'I am, sir, with great respect, yours, etc., " JOHN B. CAMPBELL, Lieut. Cof. 19th U. S. Regt. .His Excelleney Gen. Harrison.'
"What now were the effects of the Mississinewa expedition? The importance of an expedition or movement is seen only in the results. General Ilarrison was relieved of all concern for the safety of the pio- neers who when spring opened up once more returned to their little clearing in the forest and began tilling the soil. The Indians that had
MISSISSINEWA BATTLE GROUND
rendezvoused under the Prophet' on the Mississinewa went farther north and many of them received aid from their friends, the British, at Detroit. The friendly Delawares moved into Ohio and settled on the Auglaize river and were accompanied by a few Miamis. General Harrison could now go forward with his preparations for his advance on Detroit and this he did. In the following September when he advanced from the Maumee, the British retired from that place and the Americans again came into possession of their own. The Indians that had been abandoned by the English sued for peace, which was granted them. The Miamis returned to the regions they had hunted in, but in a few years gave way to the resistless tide of settlers who came in from western Ohio and settled on the Mississinewa. Not in vain were the efforts of the brave Lieutenant Waltz, who, twice wounded, in attempt- ing to mount his horse to lead a charge was shot through the head and killed. Not in vain were the efforts of Captain Pierce to holl the Indians in check from the redoubt he commanded until too late to retreat to the lines, and when shot twice through the body he exclaimed, 'Do not let them scalp me.' Ahhough tomahawked, his body was carried within the lines and later buried with all the honors of war The present generation owes a debt of gratitude to these officers and men who fell so gallantly and whose bodies be buried on the now
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
deserted and ahnost unknown battle field. No stone marks their burial place, no tablet of bronze tells of their sufferings and heroic efforts to preserve the frontier from the British and Indians. Outside of a short account of the battle appearing in a county history published in 1886, which books are becoming hard to secure, is there any record in this county. Few know that within the boundaries of what is now Grant county was fought a battle that in some respeets was the most important of any fought in the northwest during the War of Is12. Few realize that only ninety-six years ago today a white man traveling alone through this section of what is now Indiana would, had he met with Indians, have been tomahawked and sealped. Think of the prog- ress that has been made since those 580 men started on their return trip to Greenville, which many had fears they would never liye to see again, carrying seventeen of their number in litters, severely wounded, while thirty-one others bore the mark of riffe bullet or tomahawk. At the present time the trip to Greenville is made in a few hours in a comfortable railway coach even in the dead of winter and nothing is thought of the fact. But in those days, how different. How many men of the present day could stand for rigors of an overland trip in extreme cold weather suffering the trials and hardships that they suffered? They performed an heroie service and their efforts are almost forgot- ten by the beneficiaries of their work. How long will it remain so? "General Harrison's predictions in regard to the future of Colonel Campbell were fulfilled and had he lived he would have been heard of as one of the great men of the war. Colonel Campbell was a native of Virginia and was a nephew of that Colonel Campbell who so distin- guished himself in the battle of King's Mountain in 1780 during the Revolutionary war. He was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment of United States Infantry in March, 1812, and for good conduet on the Mississinewa expedition he was brevetted a colonel. In April, 1814, he was commissioned a colonel in the Eleventh Infantry and was distinguished and severely wounded in the battle of Chippewa on the 5th of July following. He died of his wounds on August 28, 1514. "Captain Markle returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he was a distinguished citizen for many years, dying in 1867.
"There are now living in Grant county a few men who have heard the Indians talk of the battle, but most of those who ever heard the matter discussed at first hand are no more."
What Mr. Jones says about there being few men now living who ever talked with the Indians about the Battle of the Mississinewa is true with emphasis four years later when this copy is being prepared, and while he writes "Though Chief Meshingomesia was not given to talking about the battle, it is known that he was present, " in another chapter is found the statement from S. P. Metlare, an unele of Mr. Jones, that as a little boy Meshingonesia was hurried off among the women and children to the banks of the Wildeat to a place of safety, and thus there is over contliet in history when only insufficient data is available from which to establish facts. While the story of the now famous battle was featured countrywide in metropolitan news- papers, the following introductory in The Indianapolis Star Jan- ary 24. 1909. when Senator I. T. Strange's hill was before the Indiana legislature, to an article based on the foregoing bit of history pro- duced by Mr. Jones, is of interest since the writer had vivid imagina- tion relative to physical conditions that historie winter.
The clipping follows :
"It is the dead of winter. In the face of a blinding snow and suf- fering intensely from the bitter cold, a company of soldiers is advane- ing into a wilderness broken in infrequent spots by a settler's cabin
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
or a deserted camping ground. The men urge their stumbling horses forward. ever ready for the attack of the wary redskins, whom they have come to subject to the white man's ruh.
"Imagine such a scene in Indiana but a short ninety-seven years ago, and once you have fixed in your mind the perils and hardships of that terrible march, the stage is set for the thrilling climas -the forgotten battle of the Mississinewa.
"The valor of Harrison's heroes at Tippecanoe in their great vie tory over Termseh's hosts has been commemorated in song and story. But the heroism of the brave band of pioneer patriots who gave up their lives beside the Mississinewa that civilization might advance is an un known story. Vet in all the annals of Indian warfare on Hoosier soil there was not a more picturesque struggle or one involving greater bravery and more privations upon the part of the soldiers than this battle of the Mississinewa. I opened the way to Ft. Wayne and De troit on the north and thus led to the final victory against the Indians of the middle West.
"Now that it is proposed to honor these heroes, as those who sleep on the battle field of Tippecanoe have been honored, with a suitable monument. to be built jointly by the national and state . Bernments, it is an opportune time to go back to the records and are on thet this battle was of importance and whether the men parti, spatmg in it de- serve such recognition.
"A bill appropriating $10,000 toward the purchase of a part of the Mississinewa battle ground has been introduced in the United States senate by Senator Hemenway and in the house by Representative Ranch of the Eleventh Indiana district. A similar bill asking that Indiana joja with the national government in this memorial has been placed before the state legislature and the fight for its passage will be led by its anthor, Senator John T. Strange of Grant county.
"The battle ground is in the corner of Grant county not far from the Wabash county line and near the old town of dalapa on the Mis sissinewa river along the banks of which is scenery not to be sur passed in Indiana. And it is not far either from the shaft which will manind future generations of the tragic story of Frances Slocum, the ' White Rose of the Miamis.'
" During the boyhood of men now living there were many marks of the battle yet in evidence. Dr. T. R. Brady of Wabash, Indiana, who is a member of the state senate and will aid in the work for the pas sage of the Strange bill, lived near the scene of the battle and as a boy used to go there in the summer time to gather plinas from a grove of wild plum trees which marked the battle ground. And E. P. Me- Clure of Marion, as a boy, picked bullets from the trees on the battle ground and remembers well the scene as it was then, before most or all of the original trees went down before the ax of the white man. His father and the Indians of that part of the state were good friends and in this manner Mr. MeChire was informed in detail as to the man- ner of the fighting that marked the battle and of its great importance in opening up what was then the territory of Indiana.
"The Indians of Indiana had been peaceable for many years in fact, had been peaceable after their experiences with General Wayne in the neighborhood of what is now Ft. Wayne and elsewhere. This peace had begun about six years before the territory of Indiana was organized in 1800. But when the War of 1812 beset the people of the United States, British representatives, as a part of the plan of that war, proceeded to stir up the Indians against the whites, and it was as the result of this that Gen. William Henry Harrison, the first governor of Indiana as a territory, found much trouble with the In-
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