USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of Fort Wayne, from the earliest known accounts of this point, to the present period. Embracing an extended view of the aboriginal tribes of the Northwest, including, more especially, the Miamies with a sketch of the life of General Anthony Wyane; including also a lengthy biography of pioneer settlers of Fort Wayne. Also an account of the manufacturing, mercantile, and railroad interests of Fort Wayne and vicinity > Part 18
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*The remains of Majors Wyllys and Fontaine, with some eight other officers and val- iant men who fell on the occasion, were buried in some trenches, near the banks of the Maumee, some twenty rods below the residence of J. J. Comparet, Esq. The inden- tations on either side of the Manmee, just below Mr. Comparet's dwelling, still exhibits to the stranger the fatal ford where so many brave men fell, and whose blood reddened the stream.
down the Maumee a short distance, and made his escape, reaching Fort Washington in safety, and recovered from his wounds. When Wayne's army came here, this man Smith came with it, and ever after lived, and, some years ago, died here. Mrs. Sutten- field, whose name is already familiar to the reader, informed the writer that Smith lived for two years in her family, and many times heard him relate his adventures and narrow escape from the Indians on the occasion in question. The Indians being in ambush, along the banks of the Maumee, both above and below, at the time Harmar's men began to move over the river, a cross fire was opened upon them by the Indians,
and a large number fell in the river, rendering the water, which was not, then deep enough to cover the bodies, quite bloody, so much so, that Smith, though very dry, would not drink it. When it grew dark, the Indians, none of whom had pursued the retreating forces, came to the river, and began to strip the bodies, exulting greatly over their victory. In describing the noise they made while thus engaged, Smith who was still concealed, said their voices " sounded like the chattering of a parcel of black birds." (9)
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ami village again. But Harmar would not venture a return. Said he: "You see the situation of the army : we are now scarcely able to move our baggage : it will take up three days to go and return to this place : we have no more forage for our horses : the Indians have got a very good scourging ; and I will keep the army in per- fect readiness to receive them, should they think proper to follow."*
The militia had now become little better than wooden men in the eyes of General Harmar. He had lost all faith in them, and began at once to narrow the bounds of the camp. A second defeat and retreat were complete; and without further attempt to move upon the Indians, on the morning of the 23d of October, after a loss of one hundred and eighty-three killed, and thirty-one wounded, the army again took up its line of march for Fort Washington, whither it arrived on the 4th of November, having met with no further at- tack or trouble with the Indians after the movement of the 22d, about and near the ruins of the Miami village.
Among the names of the killed during the efforts of the army in this campaign, were Major Wyllys and Lieutenant Ebenezer Frothingham, of the regulars; Major Fontaine, Captains Thorp, McMurtrey, and Scott, Lieutenants Clark and Rogers, and Ensigns Bridges, Sweet, Higgins, and Thielkeld, of the militia. The loss on the part of the Indians was thought to be about equal that of the forces under Harmar.
Turning our attention to the expedition of Major Hamtramck, who, as the reader will remember, had moved from Vincennes up the Wabash, we find that while Harmar was moving upon the Miami village at this point, and destroying the villages, corn, etc., of the Indians in the region, the former had proceeded with his command to the mouth of Vermillion river, and laid waste several deserted villages, returning again to Vincennes, uninter- rupted in his efforts.
The campaigns of 1790, against the Indians of the Northwest, were now closed, and the chilling blasts of another long, dreary winter, with its anxieties, its hardships, and its perils, had begun to set in about the sparse and lonely settlements of the west.
*Deposition of Hardin, Sept. 14, 1791.
CHAPTER XI.
" Those western Pioneers an impulse felt, Which their less hardy sons scarce comprehend ; Alone, in Nature's wildest scenes they dwelt ; * * * And fought with deadly strife for every inch of ground."
F. W. THOMAS.
Effect of the movement of Gen. Harmar-Hostilities renewed by the Indians-Opposi- tion to the Militia-Petition of the settlers-Increase of the regular army-Ap- pointment of Gen. St. Clair-Preparations for another movement against the Mi- ami village here -- Instructions of the Secretary of War-Expedition of Gen. Scott -A second expedition from Kentucky-Gen. Wilkinson's account of the same- Effect of these expeditions -- What the Indians believed-Organization of an In- dian confederacy-British influence-Simon Girty-Mrs. Suttenfield's recollec- tions-Treaty of 1783-British disregard of it -- Army under St. Clair move for this point-Unfavorable weather, &c .- The army reach the site of the present town of Fort Recovery-Approach of winter -- The army encamp for the night- Indians on the alert-Preparations for an early move next morning-Sudden and furious attack by the Indians-Militia give way-Great consternation-St. Clair's account-Great slaughter-Officers nearly all killed-Artillery silenced-Retreat the only hope, which is effected -- Horses nearly all killed -- Cannon left behind- Main road gained-Guns, knapsacks, &c., strewn for miles along the road-Rout continued for 29 miles-Statement of the killed, wounded, &c-Many women had followed the expedition -- terrible Treatment by the Indians-B. Van Cleve's ac- count -- A new order of things the only hope of the west.
HE INDIANS, though much effected by the campaign of Har- mar, both in the destruction of their villages and the loss of considerable numbers of their braves in the skirmishes with the troops at this point and near Eel river, were yet much "elated at the departure of Harmar, and so much did they es- teem it a success on their part, that they renewed their attacks on the frontier with increased force and ferocity. Meetings were called to devise means for defending the settlements. The policy of employing regular officers to command militia was denounced, and petitions were extensively circulated, praying the President to employ militia only in defence of the frontier, and offering to raise a sufficient force to carry the war immediately into the Indian country."*
The prayer of the petitioners, however, was not granted, but the ** American Pioncer." p. 205.
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HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
President readily favored the increase of the regular army on the frontier, and appointed General St. Clair to the command. Ener- getic measures were adopted to furnish him with arms, stores, &c., for an early campaign; but the difficulties and delays incident to furnishing an army, so far removed from military depots, with can- non, ammunition, provisions, and the means of transportation, were so great, that much time was lost before General St. Clair was able to move his army from Fort Washington; and then it was said to be in obedience to express orders, and against his own judgment, as he was neither provided with sufficient force, nor the means of transportation.
It was on the 3d of March, 1791, that Congress passed the "act for raising and adding another regiment to the militia establish- ment of the United States, and for making further provision for the protection of the frontier." An army of some three thousand troops was proposed to be placed under the command of General Arthur St. Clair. On the 21st of March, ('91), the following in- structions were addressed, by the Secretary of War, Gen. Henry Knox, to General St. Clair ; which shows with what importance the possession of this point was still held, and in which President Washington, doubtless, wielded a large share of influence. Said the Secretary ; " While you are making use of such desultory oper- ations as in your judgment the occasion may require, you will pro- ceed vigorously, in every preparation in your power, for the pur- pose of the main expedition ; and having assembled your force, and all things being in readiness, if no decisive indications of peace should have been produced, either by the messengers or by the desultory operations, you will commence your march for the Mi- ami village, in order to establish a strong and permanent military post at that place. In your advance you will establish such posts of communication with Fort Washington, on the Ohio, as you may judge proper. The post at the Miami villageis intended for awing and curbing the Indians in that quarter, and as the only preventive of future hostilities. It ought, therefore, to be rendered secure against all attempts and insults of the Indians. The garrison which should be stationed there ought not only to be sufficient for the de- fense of the place, but always to afford a detachment of five or six hundred men, either to chastise any of the Wabash or other hostile Indians, or to secure any convoy of provisions. The establishment of said post is considered as an important object of the campaign, and is to take place in all events. In case of a previous treaty, the Indians are to be conciliated upon this point if possible ; and it is presumed good arguments may be offered to induce their acquies- cence. Having commenced your march upon the main expedition, and the Indians continuing hostile, you will use every possible exertion to make them feel the effects of your superiority; and, after having arrived at the Miami village, and put your works in a defensible state, you will seek the enemy with the whole of
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SCOTT'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE WEA TOWNS.
your remaining force, and endeavor, by all possible means to strike them with great severity. * * In order to avoid future wars, it might be proper to make the Wabash, and thence over to the Maumee, and down the same to its mouth at lake Erie, the bound- ary [between the people of the United States and the Indians], ex- cepting so far as the same should relate to the Wyandots and Dela- wares, on the supposition of their continuing faithful to the treat- ies. But if they should join in the war against the United States, and your army be victorious, the said tribes ought to be removed without the boundary mentioned."
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On the 9th of March, some days before instructions were ad- dressed to General St. Clair, General Knox, had communicated similar instructions to Brigadier-General Scott, of Kentucky, to move, with a sufficient body, against the Wea or Oniatenon towns* on the Wabash. Accordingly on the 23d of May, following, " with a force of about eight hundred mounted and armed men," Scott " crossed the Ohio, at the mouth of the Kentucky river," and took up his line of march for Ouiatenon, and on the afternoon of the first of June, after a most disagreeable march of over 150 miles, through rain and storm, and the encounter of many obstacles, they succeed- ed in reaching and surprising the village of Ouiatenon, which, with other towns, the growing corn, &c., in the region, were soon after destroyed, and thirty Indians, mostly warriors, killed, and fifty- eight taken prisoners ; from whence, without the loss of a man, and but six wounded, on the 14th of June, they started on their re- turn march for the rapids of the Ohio. On the 4th of the month, while at the Oniatenon towns, Scott gave the Indians a written speech, in which he assured them of the pacific and humane feelings of the United States government towards them, in view of their becoming peaceable and quiet in their future relations with the government and people of the country.
Scarcely had Gen. Scott and his corps of mounted men returned to Kentucky, when General St. Clair addressed a letter to the board of war of the district of Kentucky, authorizing them to send a sec- ond expedition of five hundred men up the Wabash. Readily com- plying with this request, on the 5th of July, at Danville, Brigadier- General James Wilkinson was appointed to the command of the second expedition, and ordered to be in readiness at Fort Washing- ton by the 20th of July with the number of men specified, "well mounted on horseback, well armed, and provided with thirty days' provisions." Accordingly, on the first of August, with five hun- dred and twenty-five men, Wilkinson left Fort Washington, moving, by way of feint, in the direction of the Miami village, at this point, and soon brought up at the Indian town of Ke-na-pa-com-a-qua, on the north bank of Eel river, about six miles from the present town of Logansport. After cutting up the corn, then in the milk, and
*Situated on the south side of the river, about eight miles below the present site of Lafayette. The site of the old village of Quiatenon is now known as " Wea Piniric."
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HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
burning the cabins the next morning, set out for the Indian towns beyond. Striking the village of Tippecanoe on the route, it in turn, with the growing corn, was destroyed ; and advancing to one of the Kickapoo towns, it too with considerable corn, were burned and cut down. Moving on, the same day, to the town of Ouiatenon, the saine destroyed by General Scott in June, and where the corn had been replanted, and which had now gained considerable growth, was cut down again; and from here, striking the trail of Scott, they took up the line of march for the rapids of the Ohio, where they arrived on the 21st of August, aftor a march of some four hundred and fifty-one miles, " without any material incident."
In his report, General Wilkinson said: "The volunteers, of Ken- tucky have, on this occasion, acquitted themselves with their usual good conduct ; but, as no opportunity offered for individual distinc- tion, it would be unjust to give one the plaudits to which they all have an equal title. * * * *
But, sir, when you reflect on the causes which checked my career and blasted my designs, I flat- ter myself you will believe every thing has been done which could ' be done in my circumstances .* I have destroyed the chief town of the Ouiatenon nation, and made prisoners of the sons and sisters of the King: I have burned a respectable Kickapoo village, and cut down at least four hundred and thirty acres of corn, chiefly in the milk. The Ouiatenons, (Weas) left without houses, home, or pro- visions, must cease to war, and will find active employ to subsist their squaws and children during the impending winter."
The principal design of the campaigns of Generals Scott and Wilkinson was that of weakening the strength of the Indians of the Wabash country, with a view to giving material aid to General St. Clair in his approaching campaign against the Miamies of Ke-ki- on-ga and the region here ; but an opposite effect was the result. From formerly having entertained the belief that the Americans designed to despoil them of their lands, and destroy the whole In- dian race, after these and the former efforts of General Harmar, the Indians of the northwest, still instigated by the English, began now most fully to believe that such was truly their design ; and in- stead of slackening their efforts or ceasing to make war upon the Americans, the Miamies and Shawanoes, more espescially, began to call to their aid a numerous body of warriors from the surround- ing tribes of the Pottawattamies, Kickapoos, Delawares, Ottawas, Wyandotts, and other tribes of the northwest ; " and while Gen. St. Clair was making preparations to establish a military post at the Miami village, the Miami chief, Little Turtle, the Shawanoe chief, Blue Jacket, and the Delaware chief, Buck-ong-a-helas, were ac- tively engaged in an effort to organize a confederacy of tribes suffi- ciently powerful to drive the white settlers from the territory lving
* The difficult marches through swamps, thickets, &c., had lamed and worn down some two hundred and seventy horses, with other impediments, which made it diffi- cult to take further action.
135
TREATY OF 1783-SIMON GIRTY.
on the northwestern side of the river Ohio"-receiving aid and counsel " from Simon Girty,* Alexander McKee, Mathew Elliott, (the latter two the sub-agents in the British Indian department), and from a number of British, French, and American traders who generally resided among the Indians, and supplied them with arms and ammunition, in exchange for furs and peltries."
It will here be proper to notice that although, at the definitive treaty of 1783, between the colonial government of America and Great Britain, it was declared in the seventh article of that docu- ment that the King of the latter would, " with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any negroes or property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his forces garrisons, and fleets, from the United States, and from every post, place, and harbor, within the same,"t yet, at the time of Harmar's, St. Clair's, and Wayne's campaigns, the British Government still held and garrisoned the posts of Niagara, Detroit, and Michilmaci- nac; and from these points, under the plea that that part of the treaty of 1783, relating to the collection and payment of all debts|| theretofore contracted with and due to the King's subjects, had not been faithfully complied with by the Americans, much to the detriment of the former, the English Government persisted in hold-
*This man seems to have been a noted eharaeter through most of the early struggles in the north and west, from Dunmore's war, in 1774, till after the war of 1812. He was once adopted by the Senecas, the same year that he joined Lord Dunmore's cam - paign ; but subsequently alliel himself to the Wyandotts, and long after led a rov- ing, savage life among the Indians of the northwest, usually leading them to battle, or instigating them to deeds of feroeity against the Americans, under British employ or encouragement. He was of Irish deseent, and said to have been the wildest and most reckless of the family. He had three brothers-Thomas, George, and James. Mrs. Suttenfield informed the writer that she learne I some time suqsequent to the ar- rival of herself and husband at the Fort here, in 1814, that Simon and James Girty had lived for some time. prior to the war of 1812. near the bend of the Maumee, about two miles below Fort Wayne. At the capitulation of Detroit, in 1812, Mrs. S. and her husband being there, saw Simon Girty, and deseribed him as a short, heavy set, rough looking character, with grey hair. When he had last visited Detroit, some years prior. he had caused his horse to jump off a considerable embankment into the river, and then swam her over the same. "Here's old Simon Girty again on American soil ! " he exc'aimed, as he approached a crowd gathered at a prominent point in the place, at the time Mrs. S. and her husband saw him at Detroit. " What did you do with that black mare you jumped into the river when Wayne was after you ? " enquired one of the crowd. " O, she's dead, and I buried her with the honors of war," replied Girty.
Notwithstanding his peculiar organization and the many unfortun ate traits of char- acter ascribed to him, he is said to have possessed some redeeming points-was strong in his friendship towards those he became attached, and, in many respects, was some- what honorable. He was often at the Miami village here, and doubtless had much to do, at various times, with exciting the Indians to warfare against the Americans, against whom, with the Indians, he fought at St. Clair's defeat. Generally attired in the Indian costume, it was of course difficult to distinguish him, except when he spoke the English language. He is said to have lived to the age of near a hundred years, and died in Canada, some years subsequent to the war of 1812. Interesting accounts of him will be found in " Annals of the West," beginning on page 281, and in the " American Pioneer," beginning on page 282.
+Laws U. S., i, 205.
;Article 4, U. S. Laws
|| Some of the States had passed laws, soon after the treaty of 1783, tending to prevent or restrain the collection of debts due from American citizens to the King's subjects.
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HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
ing these posts, (more especially to retain the fur trade) and con- tinned, from time to time, to give aid and comfort to the Indians and others in open warfare and attacks upon the U. S. forces and the settlements along the Ohio, and other points in the west.
With the advantages presented by the fur trade, carried on by the English and Canadians, (the latter being then subjects of the King of England) and withal not' a little jealous of the United States in her efforts to extend her dominion over the tribes and ter- ritory north of the Ohio, to relinquish her hold upon the country and leave the tribes to the control and influence of the Americans, were points not easily to be set aside by the British Government. And accordingly, while Gen. St Clair was preparing to march up- on the Miami village, at the junction of the St. Mary and St. Jo- seph, the English, at Niagara, Detroit, and Michilimacinac, were using what means they could to defeat the purposes of the United States Government; and but a small insight as to their movements, at that time, in league with the Indians and others, would doubt- less have been sufficient to have convinced St. Clair and his officers of the utter futility of any effort to capture the Miami village, or establish a military post at this point, as then being pushed for- ward. But the effort seemed destined to be made ; and after much delay and many impeding and perplexing circumstances, in the early part of the month of September, 1791, the main body of St. 1 Clair's army, under General Butler, took up its line of march from . the vicinity of Fort Washington, and, moving northward some twenty-five miles, on the eastern bank of the Great Miami, erected a post, which they called Fort Hamilton. On the 4th of October, Fort Hamilton being completed, the army began its further march for the Miami village. Having advanced forty-two miles from Fort Hamilton, they erected another garrison, calling it Fort Jefferson, six miles south of Greenville, Ohio. The season was now far ad- vanced ; and the 24th of October had arrived before the army was again on its move for the village.
After a march of nine days, during which time a number of the militia deserted ; heavy rains fell ; provisions became short; a re- connoitering party from the main army, was fired upon, two killed, and one supposed to have been taken prisoner; and St. Clair sick much of the way, on the 3d of November the main army reached the site of the present town of Fort Recovery, Ohio, and encamped, at the head waters of the Wabash, in view of several small creeks, about fifteen miles from the Miami village here.
The chill of winter now begun to be perceptibly felt-snow had already fallen, and the earth was white therewith. Some Indians were here seen, but they fled as soon as observed.
The advance and general movement of St. Clair was sufficiently well known* to the confederated tribes and their allies to inspire *Ths news of St. Clair's march upon the Miami villages having reached the Indians during the autumn of 1791, the famous Shawanoes chief, Tecumseh, says the life of
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ATTACK UPON THE ARMY OF ST. CLAIR.
them with great courage and determination, and had already be- gun a resort to strategem to draw the army into their clutches; and had even advanced to within a few miles of the main body of the army, where, under the lead of the famous Little Turtle, Buck-ong- a-helas, Blue Jacket, Simon Girty, and several other white men, lay-in readiness to meet the advancing columns of St. Clair-some twelve hundred warriors.
The army was now some fifteen miles from the Miami village. With a view to a place of safety for the knapsacks of the soldiers, St. Clair, with Major Ferguson, had, on the evening of the arrival of the army at its present encampment, concluded " to throw up at slight work," and then, with the regiment yet back, to move on to attack the enemy. But neither were consummated; and before the sun had sent his rays over the western wilds-between that hour which the adage has accounted the darkest just before day, and the full twilight of the morning-the Indian whoop and wild yell of the enemy startled the army of St. Clair, already under arms, into the wildest commotion, and at once began a furious attack upon the militia, which soon gave way, and pell-mell, came rushing into the midst of the camp, through Major Butler's battalion, creating the wildest disorder on every side, and closely pursued by the In- dians. "The fire, however, of the front line checked them ; but al- most instantly a very heavy attack began upon that line; and in a few minutes it was extended to the second likewise. The great weight of it was directed against the center of each, where the ar- tillery was placed, and from which the men were repeatedly driven with great slaughter."* Soon perceiving but little effect from the fire of the artillery, a bayonet charge was ordered, led by Lieut .- Colonel Darke, which drove the Indians back some distance, but, for the want of sufficient force, they soon moved forward to the at- tack again, and the troops of Darke were, in turn, compelled to give way ; while, at the same time, the enemy had pushed their way into camp by the left flank, and the troops there also were giving way. Repeated and effectual charges were now made by Butler and Clarke's battallions, but with great loss; many officers fell, leaving the raw troops without direction-Major Butler himself be- ing dangerously wounded. In the second regiment every officer had fallen, except three, and one of these had been shot through the body.
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