USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 8
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MOVING AGAINST THE MIAMI VILLAGES
During the latter part of 1812 General Harrison was engaged in establishing a depot of supplies at the rapids of the Manmee, with a view of moving an important detachment of his army and making a demon- stration toward Detroit and, by a sudden passage of the strait upon the ice, an actual investure of Malden, Canada. But before carrying out that plan it became necessary to destroy the Miami settlements on the Mississinewa River. This duty was assigned to a detachment of about six hundred mounted men commanded by Lieutenant John B. Campbell of the Nineteenth Regiment, U. S. Infantry. The troops con- sisted chiefly of a regiment of Kentucky dragoons, comprising Captain Elliott's company of the Nineteenth United States Regiment, Butler's Pittsburgh Blues and Alexander's Pennsylvania Riflemen, with a small company of spies and guides.
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BURN VILLAGES IN WABASH COUNTY
The expedition marched from Dayton, Ohio, on the 14th of Decem- ber, 1812. Early on the morning of the 17th the forces reached the north bank of the Mississinewa River near the mouth of Josina Creek (about a mile from the south line of the present Wabash County), in- habited by a number of Delawares and Miamis. The troops marched into the town, surprised the Indians, killed eight warriors and took forty-two prisoners. The town was immediately burned, a house or two excepted in which the prisoners were confined. Advancing further down the river three deserted villages were burned, several horses cap- tured and many cattle killed.
The detachment then returned and encamped near the first village that had been destroyed, and about half an hour before daylight of the 18th, while the officers were holding a council of war, a party of Indians made a furious attack upon the camp.
BATTLE OF THE MISSISSINEWA
The battle that ensued, just over the line in Grant County, is thus described by the conunander: "The attack commenced upon that angle of the camp formed by the left of Captain Hopkins' troops and the right of Captain Girrard's, but in a few seconds became general from the entrance to the right of Ball's squadron. The enemy boldly ad- vaneed to within a few yards of the lines and seemed determined to rush in. The guards posted at the different redoubts retreated to camp and dispersed among their several companies, thus leaving me without a disposable force.
CAPTAIN PIERCE KILLED
"Captain South of the Kentucky Light Dragoons, who commanded one of the redoubts in a handsome and military manner, kept his posi- tion, although abandoned by half his guards, until ordered to fill up the space in the rear line between the regiment and squadron. The redoubt at which Captain Pierce commanded was first attacked. The Captain maintained his position until it was too late to get within the line. HIe ree ived two balls through his body and was tomahawked. He died bravely and much lamented.
"The enemy then took possession of Captain Pierce's redoubt, and poured a tremendous fire upon the angle to the right and left of which were posted Hopkins' and Girrard's troops. But the fire was warmly
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returned. Not an inch of ground was yielded. Every man, officer and soldier stood firm, and animated and encouraged each 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 fire.
"I had assisted in forming the infantry, composed of Elliott's com- pany of the Nineteenth U. S. Regiment, Butler's Pittsburgh Blues and Alexander's Pennsylvania Riflemen, and ordered them to advance to the brink of a declivity, from which they could the more effectually defend themselves and harass the enemy, if they should attempt an attack upon that line.
"While I was thus engaged Major Ball rode up to me and observed that he was hard pressed and must be relieved. I galloped immediately to the left wing with the intention of ordering Captain Trotter's troops to reinforce the squadron, but was there informed that the enemy was seen approaching in that direction ; and believing it improper, on second thought, to detach a large troop from the line which also covered an angle of the camp, I determined to give the relief from the infantry. I wheeled my horse and met Major MeDowell, who observed that the spies and guides under command of Captain Patterson Bain, consisting of ten men, were unemployed. We rode to them together and ordered Captain Bain to the support of the squadron. I then ordered Captain Butler, with the Pittsburgh Blues, to immediately reinforce the squadron, and directed Captains Elliott and Alexander to extend to the right and left and fill the space occasioned by the withdrawal of the Blues. Cap- tain Butler, in a most gallant manner and highly worthy of the name he bears, formed his men immediately and in excellent order, and marched them to the point to which they were ordered. The alaerity with which they were formed and moved was never exceeded 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 when I discovered the effects they produced. A well-directed fire from them, and Hopkins' dragoons nearly sileneed the enemy in that quarter. They (the enemy) then moved in force to the left of the squadron and the right of the infantry, at which point Captains Markle's and Elliott's companies were posted. Here, again, they were warmly received.
"At this time daylight began to dawn. I then ordered Captain Trotter, whose troops had been ordered by Colonel Simrall to mount for the purpose, to make a charge. The Captain cried out to his men to follow him, and they tilted off at full gallop. Major MeDowell, with a small party, rushed into the midst of the enemy and exposed himself
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very much. I cannot say too much for this gallant veteran. Captain Markle with about fifteen of his troop and Lieutenant Warren also made a daring charge on the enemy. Captain Markle avenged the death of his relation, Lieutenant Waltz, upon an Indian with his own sword.
"Fearing that Captain Trotter might be too hard pressed, I ordered Captain Johnson, of the Kentucky Light Dragoons, to advance with his troops to support him. I found Johnson ready, and Colonel Simrall reports to me that all his other captains-Elmore, Young and Smith- were anxious to join the charge; but I called for only one troop. The Colonel had the whole in excellent order. Captain Johnson did not join Trotter till the enemy were out of reach. He, however, picked up a straggler or two that Trotter had passed over. The cavalry returned and informed me that the enemy had fled precipitately.
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED
"I have, on this occasion, to lament the loss of several brave men, and many wounded. Among the former were Captain Pierce, of the Ohio Volunteers, and Lieutenant Waltz, of Markle's troop."
Dillon, in his "History of Indiana, " says: "In this engagement, which lasted about one hour, the loss of the troops under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell amounted to eight killed and forty-two wounded, and several afterwards died of their wounds. 'The number of horses killed, (107),' says the commanding officer, 'was considerable ; and I have no doubt they saved the lives of a great many men.' Fifteen Indians were found dead on the battle ground, and it is probable that an equal number were carried away from the field, dead or mortally wounded, before the close of the action. The Indian foree engaged in the battle was inferior in muumbers to that engaged under Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who, in his official report says: 'I am persuaded that there could not have been less than 300 of the enemy.' A nephew of the great Miami chief, Little Turtle, was in the engagement. His name was Little Thunder, and he distinguished himself by his efforts to in- spire the Indians with courage and confidence.
"Nearly all the Indians who were taken prisoners at this time were Muneies and were included among those who composed Silver Heel's band. The villages which were destroyed were situated on the banks of the river at points from fifteen to twenty miles distant from its june- tion with the Wabash, where the principal Mississinewa village stood.
HLARD MARCH TOWARD GREENVILLE
"The want of provisions and forage, the loss of the horses, the suffer- ing condition of the troops, the severity of the cold, and the rumors
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of a large Indian force at the Mississinewa village under command of Tecumseh, indueed Lieutenant Colonel Campbell to send an express to Greenville for reinforcements and to commence immediately his march toward that post. Ilis camp was fortified every night by a breastwork. The expedition was compelled to move slowly on its return, owing to the condition of the wounded men, seventeen of whom were carried on litters. The intense coldness of the weather, the scarcity of provisions among the Indians and their fear of killing the prisoners, combined to save the retiring troops from the pursuit and annoyance of about one hundred thirty Miamis. At a place about forty miles from Greenville the suffering expedition was met and furnished with supplies by a de- tachment of ninety men under the command of Major Adams.
"The number of men rendered unfit for duty by being frost-bitten on their arrival at Greenville were: In Major Ball's squadron, 107; in Colonel Simrall's regiment of dragoons, 138; in the corps of infantry and riflemen, 58."
WHAT BECAME OF THE INDIANS
To continue the story from the Indian standpoint: "But a portion of the Miamis as a tribe were engaged in the battle, another faction be- ing friendly to the United States. The hostile and defeated members of the tribe left for the north and joined their fortunes with Great Britain during the war which ensued. Toward the close of the follow- ing year, however, they were again permitted to occupy their former hunting grounds upon giving assurance of future good behavior."
MISSISSINEWA BATTLE FIELD IN 1836
No person ever lived in Wabash County who did more to preserve its early history than Hon. Elijah Hackleman, a Hoosier by birth and particularly identified with the development of Central Indiana and the valley of the Upper Wabash. Born at Cedar Grove, Franklin County, in the border-land of Ohio, he was educated in that section of the state and became prominent in the public affairs of the adjoin- ing County of Rush, while still a young man and previous to settling at Wabash. There he became still more prominent as a lawyer and a man of affairs which vitally concerned the city, county and state. But before fixing his residence there, as early as 1836 (then in his nine- teenth year), he took a trip through the Upper Wabash country.
After leaving Wabash, May 19, 1836, the party of which young Hackleman was a member, proceeded toward Marion. When they
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reached the site of the battle already described they made a casual ex- amination of the site, which was then readily pointed out by those who had settled in the vicinity. At that time the adjacent lands were almost in a state of nature, with only here and there a small patch of ground cleared of the timber and underbrush in the vicinity of the Indian villages.
THE VISIT OF 1861
Twenty-five years afterward, when Dillon was preparing a new edition of his well known "History of Indiana," desiring to give a more complete account of the battle, as well as the location and sur- roundings of the battle-field, he requested Mr. Hackleman, undoubtedly the best person qualified to assist him historically, to carefully examine the grounds, make such measurements as were necessary and send him the details. Accordingly on the 16th of June, 1861, Mr. Haekleman, accompanied by Naaman Fletcher, Alanson P. Ferry and Capt. William Morse, revisited the site of the old battle ground and the Indian village destroyed by Captain Campbell.
During the visit careful measurements were made of the situation, the grounds occupied by the encampment and the plan of the engage- ment. Many of the facts pertaining to the relative positions of the different commands under Colonel Campbell were obtained from Me- shin-go-me-sia, the Indian chief, and William B. Richards, both of whom fought in the battle.
Mr. Hackleman himself gives a more detailed account of his visit : "We started from Wabash on a day's excursion to the Indian Lands, and, on approaching its borders we procured a guide-John Ray, long a resident of the neighborhood.
SITE OF THE INDIAN VILLAGE
"Our first objective point was the site of the old Indian village at the mouth of Josina Creek that had been destroyed by Colonel Campbell on the 17th of December, 1812. The village has never been rebuilt, but remains as a commons, or rather a paradise for the Indian ponies, on which can be seen large numbers of them grazing on the fine blue grass that covers fifty or a hundred aeres surrounded and interspersed with clumps of plum thickets. A short distance further up we visited the old Indiana cemetery in which quietly sleep many of the old Indian warriors. In some places the burials had been so shallow that numbers. of the Indian bones were protruding from the ground.
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FIRST PLOWING OF THE BATTLE FIELD
"Thence we proceeded up the right bank of the river a mile or more, when we came to the side of the Battle Ground. It is situated on a level plain on the second bottom of the Mississinewa River about 100 rods south of Me-shin-go-me-sia's village, the lines of encampment forming a hollow square of about 500 feet to the side fronting to the south, and being within a few rods of a steep hill or declivity some forty feet above the first bottom. About one-half of the battle-ground had been cleared and inelosed for agricultural purposes by the chief, and only the day before had been plowed for the first time by a white man (Samuel Gilpen), who was very much astonished at his day's labors, having plowed up some eight or ten dozen horse-shoes. Each of our party took a few of these horse-shoes as mementoes of the battle- field.
"A diagram of the ground was made at this visit to accompany a second edition of 'Dillon's History of Indiana,' then in contemplation of publication. Mr. Dillon subsequently died, and his second edition was never published.
REVISITING THE GROUNDS IN 1883
"At a later date, September 14, 1883, I again, in company with Judge Thomas B. Helm, of Logansport, and Capt. Elias S. Stone, of La Fontaine, visited this place, in order to make some corrections in the diagram. We found the whole battle-field covered with a luxuriant growth of corn, completely obliterating all traces of the deadly confliet that was once enacted there.
"Having now given, somewhat imperfectly, some of my recollections of the three visits to this battlefield-the first one forty-seven years ago (written in 1883) when the whole country was a wilderness; the sec- ond, twenty-two years ago, when the country was partially eleared; and the third, only a few days ago, when we found the landmarks almost obliterated-I admit that I feel a strong desire to snatch this sacred place from the ruin that seems inevitable, before the mantle of oblivion shall hide all traces of its existence.
THE SLAUGHTER OF THE HORSES
"When I visited this place in 1861, I had in my possession all the public documents relating to this battlefield, and was so fortunate as to arrive at a time when the ground was first being plowed, revealing
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the exact location where the cavalry horses suffered most. This location is about twenty-five rods north of the bluff and about five rods cast of the old Indian road leading to the Me shin-go-me-sia village, and will therefore locate the northern angle of the camp.
"It is said by the citizens of that vicinity that William B. Richards, one of the soldiers of Colonel Campbell's regiment, who moved to Liberty township about the year 1840, but who is now deceased, often pointed out the exact location of the battle ground; also stating that a large majority of the horses were killed at the northwest angle of the camp; in fact, that the dead horses literally covered that part of the camp, so much so that the commanding officer ordered the dead soldiers to be buried near the southeast corner of the camp, which is probably the best authority we have for suggesting that location on our diagram as the 'burial place.'
"I should be much gratified if I were able to give a biography of Mr. Richards, as he was the only soldier of Colonel Campbell's com- mand that lived in the vicinity of the battle field. He was a Pennsyl- vanian by birth and a member of Captain Alexander's company of Pennsylvania riflemen. He located in this vicinity, as before noted, about the year 1840, and spent the remainder of his days not many miles distant from this scene of his early military exploits, dying at the resi- dence of his son-in-law, Mr. Presler, in Huntington County, about the year 1860. Ile was the father of Samuel Richards, of Liberty township, and of George Richards, of Chester township, Wabash County.
IMPORTANCE OF THE BATTLE
"I am of opinion that the importance of this battle has never been fully appreciated by the people of this country. Having no enemy in the rear, General Harrison was enabled to push his campaign to a fav- orabk conclusion without unnecessary delay. I would suggest, there- fore, that it would be an act of patriotism on the part of the people of Wabash and Grant counties to take immediately some measures to per- petuate, becomingly, the identity of Colonel Campbell's battle field on the Mississinewa."
FORMAL ACTION TO PRESERVE THE BATTLE GROUND
While on the visit to the battle field made September 14, 1883, at which were present, as stated, Messrs. Elijah Hackleman, Thomas B. HIelm and Capt. Elias S. Stone, the first formal measures were taken to preserve the Mississinewa battle field as historie ground, having a real Vol. 1-4
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place in the founding of the United States. About 11 o'clock A. M. of that day a meeting was held some five rods in front of the location of Captain Markle's company, and probably on the very ground where Lieutenant Waltz was killed.
On motion, Judge Thomas B. Helm of Logansport, was elected presi- dent, and Elijah Hackleman of Wabash was appointed secretary.
The object of the meeting being stated to be for the purpose of suggesting to the citizens of Wabash and Grant counties the propriety of taking some measures whereby the identity of this battle field may not be lost.
COMMITTEE FROM GRANT AND WABASH COUNTIES
On motion of Capt. Elias S. Stone, of La Fontaine, the following preamble and resolutions were read :
"Whereas. so far as the meeting is advised there has heretofore never been any effort made by the citizens of this community, or by the state, to perpetuate the identity of Col. John B. Campbell's battle field, which battle was fought on this ground on the 18th of December, 1812; and
"Whereas, we consider it second in importance only to the battle of Tippecanoe, the location and identity of which have long since been preserved by the action of the Legislature of the State of Indiana; and
" Whereas, the patriotism of the citizens of Wabash and Grant coun- ties, on whose borders the battle was fought, should prompt them to such measures as will resene its location from that oblivion that inevit- ably awaits it: Therefore
"Resolved that a committee of five be appointed by this meeting with full power to take into consideration such measures as may be necessary to preserve the identity of this battle field, by making the saine a publie park, either by the contribution of the citizens of the two counties, or by the action of the legislature, or by any other legiti- mate measures ; and that said committee keep a record of its proceedings and have full power to call a meeting of the citizens of the two conn- ties at any time and place it may think proper to take action in the matter herein set forth."
Which preamble and resolution were adopted, and the committee appointed under the same consisted of the following gentlemen : Capt. Elias S. Stone, La Fontaine, chairman ; Col. Asbury Steele and George Gunder, Marion; Capt. William II. Morse and Major M. HI. Kidd, Wabash.
It was ordered that the secretary of the meeting he directed to fur-
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nish the papers of Marion and Wabash with its proceedings, with a re- quest for publication, and that all other papers published in the two counties be requested to copy.
Since 1883 various efforts have been made, which can hardly be dignified as movements, to erect a memorial on the battlefield in Grant County. Finally, in 1909, these repeated, if fitful attempts, bore sub- stantial fruit. How, is well told in the Lewis Company's "History of Grant County," published in 1914, the extract in point being as follows : "In 1909 there was an immense concourse of people assembled at Battle Ground Farm in Pleasant Township, the purpose being to arouse an in- terest in the battle and its direct influence on the great Northwest Ter- ritory then open for settlement. W. R. Broek, owner of the farm, did much to provide for the comfort of the visitors that day and, with wigwams scattered about, it was a realistic picture of 'almost one hundred years ago on this very spot.'
"This memorial picnic was held on Sunday, August 29th, that year, and the visitors were from surrounding connties, as well as from all parts of Grant County. An organization was effected known as the Mississinewa Battle Ground Association, with Major G. W. Steele as its president and Senator J. T. Strange, of Grant County, vice president. Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Blackford, Howard and Cass, have similar representation in the organization. Because it was Territorial Government when the Battle of the Mississinewa occurred, December 17 and 18, 1812, surrounding counties have equal interest in commemorating this im- portant military engagement. It meant just as much to them, and it was an enthusiastic meeting at Battle Ground Farm.
"Major Steele, Senator Strange and others had outlined the sup- posed position of the army under Colonel JJohn B. Campbell and the In- dians whom they defeated, thus opening up the country for settlement, by planting small American flags on the hillside, and for the first time many visitors familiar with the locality had some definite understand- ing of the military engagement there. It had been popularly under- stood that the fight occurred within the timber on Battle Ground Farm, and many other citizens who had similar traditions did not wholly agree with the outline of flags that day. There was an impromptu program from a platform erected in the woods, all the orators saying, 'Almost one hundred years ago,' then decrying the neglect-a century almost eycled by, and no monument marking the site of this important bat- tle! In 1912 certifieates of membership were placed on the market at $1 cach, and a fund was started for the purchase of ground. If the pur- pose of the association is accomplished, there will be a Government Res- ervation in the neighborhood of the battlefield."
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Since the organization of the last Mississinewa Battle Ground As- sociation substantial progress has been made in the formulation of plans for a suitable monument, and in the raising of funds not only for a site, but for adjacent grounds to be set off as a Government Reservation. Major Steele, commander of the National Military Home, Marion, has been succeeded in the presidency by IIon. J. Wood Wilson, of Marion, and E. II. Johnson, Marion, by Hiram Beshore, of Marion, as secretary. The representatives from Wabash County are: Capt. Benjamin F. Wil- liams, Fred J. King and Dr. T. R. Brady.
CHAPTER V
LAST OF THE INDIANS
CAPTAIN CHARLEY, THE FAITHFUL MIAMI-THE MIAMIS COMPLETELY SUBDUED-BIG MIAMI RESERVE (1818)-THE INDIAN MILL ON MILL CREEK-WANTED: INDIAN LANDS-POTTAWATOMIES NAME GOVERNOR RAY-" WAU-SA-AUGH, WHISK WHISK"-NATIVE DANCES FOR THE COMMISSIONERS-REV. MCCOY'S MISSION-SIGNING OF THE TREATY- DOUBTFUL STORY OF RICHARDVILLE-GREAT MARCH OF THE POTTA- WATOMIES-LAST OF MIAMIS, AS A TRIBE-THE VERY LAST OF THE MIAMIS-MESHINGOMESIA'S BAND-THE VILLAGE AND CHIEF, LA GRO- LA FONTAINE-THE NAMING OF SILVER CREEK-INDIAN PONIES AT A PREMIUM-TREATY AND JOSINA CREEKS-LITTLE TURTLE-P.1-LONZ-WA (GODFREY ).
The result of the battle of the Mississinewa was what General IIar- rison wished it to be. Both the British and their Indian allies were massed before him, rather than divided. Most of the hostile Miamis joined the British at Detroit while a few moved to Ohio with the Del- awares and there sought the protection of the United States.
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