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 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
147
WAYNE'S EFFORTS FOR PEACE-WM. WELLS.
listen to the proposition mentioned in the enclosed copy of an ad- dress, dispatched yesterday by a special flag (Christopher Miller,) who I sent under circumstances that will insure his safe return, and which may eventually spare the effusion of much human blood. But should war be their choice, that blood be upon their own heads. America shall no longer be insulted with impunity. To an all- powerful and just God I therefore commit myself and gallant army."
In his address to the Indians, as dispatched by Miller "to the Delewares, Shawanees, Miamis, and Wyandots, and to each and every of them ; and to all other nations of Indians northwest of the Ohio, whom it may concern," said General Wayne: " Brothers- Be no longer deceived or led astray by the false promises and lan- guage of the bad white men at the foot of the rapids: they have neither the power nor inclination to protect you. No longer shut your eyes to your true interest and happiness, nor your ears to this last overture of peace. But, in pity to your innocent women and children, come and prevent the further effusion of your blood. Let' them experience the kindness and friendship of the United States of America, and the invaluable blessings of peace and tranquility." He urged them also-" each and every hostile tribe of Indiaus to appoint deputies " to assemble without delay at the junction of the Auglaize and foot of the rapids, " in order to settle the prelimina- ries of a lasting peace." The answer brought by Miller on his re- turn, on the 16th, was, " that if he (General Wayne) waited where he was ten days, and then sent Miller for them, they would treat with him; but that if he advanced, they would give him battle."
The slow movement of Wayne towards the Miami village had caused many of the Indians to feel no little distrust as to their abili- ty to defeat the great chief* of the Americans who was creeping so cautiously upon their strongholds.
A man by the name of Wells, already referred to in a previous chapter, who, at the age of twelve years, had been captured in Ken- tucky and adopted by the Miamies, and who had lived to manhood and raised a family among them, just prior to the advance of the army towards the rapids, began to feel a new awakening in his mind. He had fought by the side of Little Turtle against both llarmar and St. Clair; and it was said of him, that " afterwards, in the times of calm reflection, with dim memories still of his child- hood home, of brothers and playmates, he seemed to have been harrowed with the thought that amongst the slain, by his own hand, may have been his kindred." He had resolved to break his at- tachment to the tribe, even to his wife and children. In this state of mind, with much of the Indian characteristics, inviting the war chief of the Miamies-Little Turtle-to accompany him to a point on the Maumee, about two miles east of Fort Wayne, at what was long known as the " Big Elm," whither they at once repaired. Wells
*From his great vigilonce, Wayne was called by the Indians the Black Snake.
148
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
readily told the chief his purpose. "I now leave your nation," said he, " for my own people. We have long been friends. We are friends yet, until the sun reaches a certain height, (which was mentioned). From that time we are enemies. Then if you wish to kill me, you may. If I want to kill you, I may." When the time indicated had come, Capt. Wells crossed the river, and was soon lost to the view of his old friend and chieftain, Little Turtle. Mov- ing in an easterly course, with a view to striking the trail of Wayne's forces, he was successful in obtaining an interview with the Gen- eral, and ever thereafter proved the fast friend of the Americans .* The resolnte movement of Wells was a severe blow upon the Miam- ies. To Turtle's mind it seemed to have been an unmistakable foreboding of sure and speedy defeat to the confederated tribes of the northwest, as already referred to.
In accordance with previous arrangements, on the 15th of Au- gust, General Wayne moved with his forces towards the foot of the rapids, and came to a halt a few miles above that point, on the 18th, and the next day began the erection of a temporary garrison, more especially for the reception of stores, baggage, and the better to reconnoitre the enemy's ground, which lay " behind a thick, bushy wood, and the British fort."+ This post was called " Fort Deposit."
The Miamies were now undecided as to the policy of attacking General Wayne, notwithstanding the fact that they, with the aid of other tribes, and through the influence of the British, had succeeded' in defeating the former expeditions of Harmar and St. Clair. At a general council of the confederated tribes, held on the 19th of Au- gust, Little Turtle was most earnest in his endeavors to pursuade a peace with general Wayne. Said he, " we have beaten the enemy twice under different commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune to attend us always. The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps. The nights and the days are alike to him, and during all the time that he has been marching on our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something whispers me, it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace." But his words of wisdom were but little regarded. One of the chiefs of the council even went so far as to charge him with cowardice, which he readily enough spurned, for there were none braver or
* After the arrival here of the army under Wayne, Wells was made captain of the Spies, and settling at the " Old Orchard," a short distance from the confluence of the St. Mary and St. Joseph, on the banks of a little stream there, afterwards ealled " Spy Run," and which still bears that name, the government subsequently granted him a pre-emption of some three hundred and twenty acres of land thereabout, including his improvement thereon, the old orchard, etc. Wells afterwards, also became. by ap- pointment of the Government, Indian Agent here, in which capacity he served for sev- eral years.
+This fort, at the foot of the Rapids, called Fort Miami, was about seven miles from Fort Deposit, and stood on the north western bank of the Maumee, near where Maumee City now stands.
149
GENERAL WAYNE'S REPORT TO SECRETARY KNOX.
more ready to act where victory was to be won or a defense re- quired, than Little Turtle, and so, without further parley, the coun- cil broke up, and Turtle, at the head of his braves, took his stand to meet and give battle to the advancing army.
" At eight o'clock," says Wayne, in his report to Secretary Knox, on the 28th of August, 1794, " on the morning of the 20th, the army again advanced in columns, agreeably to the standing order of march ; the legion on the right, its flank covered by the Maumee : one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, under Brigadier-gen- eral Todd, and the other in the rear, under Brigadier-general Bar- bee. A select battallion of mounted volunteers moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced, so as to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the In- dians would decide for peace or war.
" After advancing about five miles," continued the report, " Ma- jor Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy, who were secreted in the woods and high grass, as to compel them to retreat. The legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in a close, thick wood, which extended for miles on our left, and for a very considerable distance in front, the ground being covered with old fallen timber, probably occasioned by a tornado, which ren- dered it impracticable for the cavalry to act with effect, and afford- ed the enemy the most favorable covert for their mode of warfare. The savages were formed in three lines, within supporting distance of each other, and extending for near two miles, at right angles with the river. I soon discovered, from the weight of the fire and ex- tent of their lines, that the enemy were in full force in front, in pos- session of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to turn our left flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line to advance and support the first ; and directed Major-general Scott to gain and turn the right flank of the savages, with the whole of the mounted vol- unteers, by a circuitons route; at the same time I ordered the front line to advance and charge with trailed arms, and ronse the Indians from their coverts at the point of the bayonet, and when up, to de- liver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, followed by a brisk charge, so as not to give them time to load again.
" I also ordered Captain Mis Campbell, who commanded the leg- ionary cavalry, to turn the left flank of the enemy next the river, and which afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in. All these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude ; but such was the impetnousity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that the Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were drove from all their coverts in so short a time, that, although every possible ex- ertion was used by the officers of the second line of the legion, and by Generals Scott, Todd, and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers, to gain their proper positions, but part of each could get up in season to participate in the action ; the enemy being drove, in the course
150
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
of one hour, more than two miles through the thick woods already mentioned by less than one-half their numbers. From every ac- count, the enemy amounted to two thousand combatants. The troops actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred .* This horde of savages, with their allies, abandoned themselves to flight, and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving our victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which term-, inated under the influence of the guns of the British garrison." 1
The wisdom, foresight and valor of Little Turtle were now no longer to be questioned. At the Indian council, on the night be- fore the attack, he clearly saw the end of all their efforts against the army of Wayne; and the Indians soon began to feel and realize that their main hold upon the northwest was broken forever.
Though it is not positively known whether Tecumseh was at the council or not, the night before the battle, yet it is authentically recorded, in the life of this chief, in accordance with the following account by Anthony Shane, that he led a party of Shawanoes in the attack upon the army of General Wayne. And it was in this engagement that he first encountered the white chief, Gen. Harri- son, then a Lieutenant, with whom, a few years later, he had so much dealing. Says the account of Shane: He occupied an advanced position in the battle, and while attempting to load his riffe, he put in a bullet before the powder, and was thus unable to use his gun. Being at this moment pressed in front by some infantry, he fell back with his party, till they met another detachment of Indians. Tecumseh urged them to stand fast and fight, saying if any one would lend him a gun, he would show them how to use it. A fowl- ing-piece was handed to him, with which he fought for some time, till the Indians were again compelled to give ground. While fall- ing baek, he met another party of Shawanoes; and, although the whites were pressing on them, he rallied the Indians, and induced them to make a stand in a thicket. When the infantry pressed close upon them, and had discharged their muskets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned the fire, and then retreated till they had joined the main body of the Indians below the rapids of the Maumee.
As presented in the foregoing report, " the bravery and conduct of every officer belonging to the army, from the generals down to the ensign," merited the " highest approbation. There were, how- ever, some," says Wayne, " whose rank and situation placed their conduct in a very conspicuous point of view, and which I observed with pleasure, and the most lively gratitude. Among whom, I must beg leave to mention Brigadier-general Wilkinson, and Col.
*The exact number of Indians engaged in this action, against Wayne's army has never been ascertained. There were, however, about 450 Delawares, 175 Miamies, 275 Shawanees, 225 Ottawas, 275 Wyandotts, and a small number of Seneeas, Pottawatta- mies, and Chippewas. The number of white men who fought in defense of the Indians in this engagement, was about seventy, including a corps of volunteers from Detroit, under the command of Captain Caldwell-His. Ind.
1
WAYNE'S VICTORY AT THE RAPIDS-KILLED, WOUNDED, &c. 151
Hamtramck, the commandants of the right and left wings of the legion, whose brave example inspired the troops. To those I must add," said he, " the names of my faithful and gallant aids-de- camp, Captain De Butt and T. Lewis; and Lieutenant Harrison, who, with the adjutant-general, Major Mills, rendered the most es- sential service by communicating my orders in every direction, and by their conduct and bravery exciting the troops to press for vic- tory. Lieutenant Covington, upon whom the command of the cav- alry now devolved, cut down two savages with his own hand; and Lieutenant Webb one, in turning the enemy's left flank. The wounds received by Captains Slongh and Prior, and Lieutenant Campbell Smith, an extra aid-de-camp to General Wilkinson, of the legionary infantry, and Captain Van Rensselear, of the dragoons, Captain Rawlins, Lieutenant MeKenny, and Ensign Duncan, of the mounted volunteers, bear honorable testimony of their bravery and conduct.
" Captains H. Lewis and Brock, with their companies of light infantry, had to sustain an unequal fire for some time, which they supported with fortitude. In fact, every officer and soldier, who had an opportunity to come into action, displayed that true bravery which will always ensure success. And here permit me to declare, that I never discovered more true spirit and anxiety for action, than appeared to pervade the whole of the mounted volunteers ; and I am well persuaded. that, had the enemy maintained their favorite ground for one-half hour longer, they would have most severely felt the prowess of that corps. But, while I pay this tribute to the living, I must not neglect the gallant dead, among whom we have to lament the early death of those worthy and brave officers, Cap- tain Mis Campbell, of the dragoons, and Lieutenant Towles, of the light infantry, of the legion, who fell in the first charge."
Of the killed and wounded, in this engagement, according to the report of General Wayne, the regular troops, lost twenty-six killed, and eighty-seven wounded. Of the Kentucky volunteers, seven were killed and thirteen were wounded; and nine regulars and two volunteers died of their wounds before the 28th of the month. The loss of the enemy was more than twice that of the army under Wayne; and "the woods were strewn for a considerable distance with the dead bodies of Indians."
Wayne's victory was now complete. It was short and decisive ; and after remaining " three days and nights on the banks of the Maumee, in front of the field of battle, during which time all the houses and cornfields (of the enemy) were consumed and destroyed for a considerable distance both above and below Fort Miami, as well as within pistol shot of the garrison, who were compelled to remain tacit spectators to this general devastation and conflagra- tion ; among which were the houses, stores, and property of Col- onel McKee, the British Indian agent, and principal stimulator of the war now existing between the United States and the sav-
-
152
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
ages,"* on the 27th, the army started upon its return march for Fort Defiance, laying waste, as it moved, villages and cornfields for a distance of some fifty miles along the Maumee.
It will be proper here to mention, that while the American forces occupied their position within range of the British fortt at the rap- ids, from the afternoon of the 20th to the forenoon of the 23d, five letters passed between the British commander (Major Campbell) and General Wayne ; the first coming from the British command- ant, enquiring the cause of the army of the United States approach- ing so near his majesty's fort-that he knew " of no war existing between Great Britain and America," etc. To which Gen. Wayne replied : " Without questioning the authority or the propriety, sir, of your interrogatory, I think I may, without breach of decorum, observe to you, that, were you entitled to an answer, the most full and satisfactory one was announced to you from the muzzles of my small arms, yesterday morning, in the action against the horde of savages in the vicinity of your post, which terminated gloriously to the American arms; but, had it continued until the Indians, etc., were driven under the influence of the post and guns you mention, they would not have much impeded the progress of the victorious army under my command, as no such post was established at the commencement of the present war between the Indians and the United States." To which, in turn, the British commandant, having taken the rejoinder of Wayne as an insult to the British flag, threat- ened to open his batteries upon the American forces, should they continue to approach his post "in the threatening manner" they were then doing, etc. Wayne's reply was this time to the effect that he also knew of no war then existing between Great Britain and America-reminding him of the definitive treaty of 1783-showing him that Great Britain was then and there maintaining a post be- yond the limits and stipulations of that treaty ; and ordering him to retire peacefully within the limits of the British lines. To which the British commandant replied that he certainly would not aban- don the post at the summons of any power whatever, until he re- ceived orders to that effect from those he had the honor to serve under, or the fortunes of war should oblige him so to act ; and still firmly adhered to his previous proposition, or threat. And thus the controversy ended.
Reaching Fort Defiance again, the army soon began repairs upon the fort, in order to render it the more substantial in its general structure ; and here the army remained till the morning of the 14th of September, 1794, when " the legion began their march for the Miami village," (this point) whither they arrived at 5 o'clock, P. M., on the 17th of September, and on the following day, the
*Wayne's report.
+At the period of Wayne's engagement near the rapids, there were about 250 regu- lars and 210 militia in this fort, with "four nine-pounders, two large howitzers, and six six-pounders mounted in the fort, and two swivels." -- American State papers.
1
153
JOURNAL OF WAYNE'S CAMPAIGN.
troops fortified their camps, while "the commander-in-chief re- connoitered the ground and determined on the spot to build a gar- rison."*
The history of events, from the time of the arrival of Wayne and his army at the Miami village, on the afternoon of the 17th, to the completion of the fort, will be partially seen, at least, from the fol- lowing dates at the Miami village, as presented in the daily journal of Wayne's campaign:
Camp Miami Villages, 18th Sep. 1794 .-* Four deserters from the British came to us this day ; they bring the information that the ludians are en- camped 8 miles below the British fort to the number of 1600.
20th Sep .- Last night it rained violently and the wind blew from the N. W. harder than Iknew heretofore. Gen. Barber with his command arrived in camp about 9 o'clock this morning with 553 kegs of flour, each containing 100 pounds.
23d Sep .- Four deserters from the British garrison arrived at our camp ; they mention that the Indians are still embodied on the Miami, 0 miles below the British fort ; that they are somewhat divided in opinion, some are for peace and others for war.
24th Sep .- This day the work commenced on the garrison, which I am apprchen- sive will take some time to complete it. A keg of whisky containing ten gallons, was purchased this day for eighty dollars, a sheep for ten dollars : three dollars was offered for one pint of salt, but it could not be obtained for less than six.
25th Sep .- Lieutenant Blue, of the dragoons, was this day arrested by ensign Johnson, of the 4th S. L., but a number of their friends interfering, the dispute was settled upon lieutenant Blue asking Johnson's pardon.
26th Sep .- M'Cleland, one of our spies, with a small party came in this evening from Fort Defiance, who brings information that the enemy are troublesome about the garrison, andthat they have killed some of our men under the walls of the fort. Sixteen Indians were seen to-day near this place ; a small party went in pursuit of them. I have not heard what discoveries they have made.
30th Sep .- Salt and whisky were drawn by the troops this day, and a number of the soldiery became much intoxicated, they having stolen a quantity of liquor from the quartermaster.
4th Oct .- This morning we had the hardest frost I ever saw in the middle of De- cember, it was like a small snow ; there was ice in our camp.kettles 2 of an inch thick ; the fatigues go on with velocity, considering the rations the troops are obliged to live on.
5th Oct .- The weather extremely cold, and hard , frosts, the wind N. W. ; every thing quiet and nothing but harmony and peace throughout the camp, which is some- thing uncommon.
6th Oct .- Plenty and quietness the same as yesterday ; the volunteers engaged to work on the garrison, for which they are to receive threegills of whisky per man per day; their employment is digging the ditch and filling up the parapet.
8th Oct .- The troops drew but half rations of flour this day. The cavalry and other horses die very fast, not less than four or five per day.
9th Oct. - The volunteers have agreed to build a block-house in front of the gar- rison.
11th Oct .- A Canadian (Rozelie) with a flag arrived this evening; his business was to deliver up three prisoners in exchange for his brother, who was taken on the 20th August ; he brings information that the Indians are in council with Girty and M'Kee near the fort of Detroit, that all the tribes are for peace except the Shawan- ees, who are determined to prosccute the war.
16th Oct .- Nothing new, weather wet, and cold, wind from N. W. The troops healthy in general.
17th Oct .- This day Captain Gibson arrived with a large quantity of flour, becf, and sheep.
19th Oct .- This day the troops were not ordered for labor, being the first day for four weeks, and accordingly attended divine service.
*Daily journal Wayne's campaign.
1
154
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
20th Oct .- An express arrived this day with dispatches to the commander-in- chief; the contents are kept secret.
A court-martial to sit this day for the trial of Charles Hyde.
218/ Oct .-- This day were read the proceedings of a general court martial. held on lientenant Charles Hyde, (yesterday ) was found not guilty of the charges exhibited against him, and was therefore acquitted.
On the morning of the 22d of October, 1794, the garrison was in readiness, and Lieutenant-colonel Hamtramck assumed com- mand of the Post, with the following sub-legions: Captain Kings- bury's Ist; Captain Greaton's 2d ; Captains Spark's and Reed's 3d; Captain Preston's 4th ; and Captain Porter's of artillery ; and after firing fifteen rounds of cannon, Colonel Hamtramck gave it the name of FORT WAYNE.
And here was the starting-point of a new era in civilization in the great northwest !
On the 28th of October, having completed his work at the point now bearing his name, General Wayne, with the main body of the regulars, took up his line of march for Fort Greenville, arriving at that point on the 2d of November.
Early in September the news of Wayne's victory had spread over a large part of the country, and operated most favorably for the government. It not only removed the dissatisfaction to which the great delays attending the campaign had given rise, but it was the best possible illustration of the benefits to be derived from the pro- tection of the general government, which had been greatly under- rated. A's a permanent peace with the Indians was now consid- ered certain, this increased the desire for tranquility at home. And the troubles which, but a short period before, had threatened to in- volve the government in much trouble, through the desire of Genet and his followers to move upon the Spaniards of the Lower Mis- sissippi, began greatly to dispirit the insurgents ; and by the first of October, ('94) tranquility and good order were in a great meas- ure restored throughout the country .*
After the close of the engagement of the 20th of August, Wayne continued to invite the Indians to a friendly meeting, with a view to permanent peace between the tribes and the United States. But the Indians, for some time, seemed to-be balancing between a de- sire still for the overthrow of the Americans and the hope of " ef- fectual support from the British," on the one hand, and the fear of ulti - mate defeat on the other, let their own strength or aid from the English be as formidable as it might ; and while Wayne was inviting them to meet him at Greenville to conclude a treaty with him there, " Lieu- ' tenant-general Simcoe, Col. McKee, and other officers of the British Indian department, persuaded Little Turtle, Blue Jacket, Buck-ong- a-helas, and other distinguished chiefs, to agree to hold an Indian council at the mouth of Detroit river."t
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.