Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 26

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472

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Gen. Harrison having assumed the command of the Northwestern Army, the number of Kentucky volunteers that responded to his call was so great that he was obliged to decline the services of several hundred at Frankfort and Louisville. In the latter part of September there were, at Vincennes, about 2,000 mounted volunteers from that State, under commanil of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, nod these were nosigned to the duty of operating against the enemy in the districts along the Wabash and the Illinois Rirers, with a view to breaking up onil destroying the settlements of the hostile Indians in those quarterz. Little was accomplished save the destruction of one Kicks- poo down at the head of Lake Peoria; and the forces, after suffering great hardships and privations, returned to Vincennes The mounted volunteers hnd refused to obey their commander, and irere discharged. Geu. Hopkins immediately organized a force, chiefly of infantry, for the purpose of pene- Irating the Inding country as far as the Prophet's town, and of destroying the villages which lind been rebuilt in that vicinity. The main body of the army moved from Vincennes and arrived at Fort Harrison on the 5th of Norember, 1812. On the morning of the 10th. Gen. Hopkins, baring reached the Prophet s town, sent n detachment of 300 men, under command of Gen. Butler, to surprise and capture the Winnebago lown, lying one mile from the Wabash on Wild Cal Creek. They surrounded the place about the break of day, but found that the Indians had fled. Gen. Hopkins says in his report of this expedition: " There were in the main town about forty houses, many of them from thirty to fifty feet in length, besides many tem- purary huts in the surrounding prairie, in which they had cultivated a good deut of corp."

" On the 20th, 21st and 22d.' says Gen. Hopkins, " we irere embarked in the complete destruction of the Prophet's town, which had about forty rahins and huts, and the large Kickapoo villoge adjoining below it, on the west side of the river, consisting of about 160 cabins and huts-fimiling and destroying their corn, reconnoitering the ctreutjacent country, and con- strueting works for the defense of our bonts and army. Seven miles cast of us, on Ponee Passu ( Wild Cat) Creek, u party of Indians were discovered. They bad fired on a party of ours on the 21st, and killed a man by the name of Dunn, a gallant soldier in Capt. Duval's company. On the 2:41, upward of sixty horsemen, under commaud of Lieut. Cols. Miller and Wilcox, ADx- tous to bury their comrade, as well as to gnin n more complete knowledge of their ground, went on to a point near the Iniliou eucampment, fell into an umbush, and eighteen of our party were killed, wounded and missing. * * * On the return of this party, and the infornintion of a large ossem- blage of the enemy, who, encouraged by the strength of their camp. appeared to be waiting for us, every preparation was made to march early and engage the enemy at every risk; when, from the most violent storm and fall of snow, attended with the coldest weather I ever saw or felt at this seisen of the year, and which ilid not subside till the erening of the 25il, ire irere delayed until the 24th. Upon arriving on the ground, we found that the enemy had ileserled their camp before the fall of snow, and han passel the Ponce Passn ( Wild Cut) Creek. I have no doubt hul their ground was the strongest I have ever seon. The deep, rapid creek spoken of was in their rear, running in n semui-circle, and fronted by n blud 100 feet high, almost perpendicular, and only to be penetrated by three steep ravines. If the enemy would not ilefend themselves here, it tras crident they did not intend fighting at all.

" Atter reconnoitering sufficiently, we returned to camp, and fuunil the ice so necumulnteil na to alarm us for the return of the boats I had fully iletermined to have spent one more week in endeavoring to find the lonlinus' camps, but the shoeless, shirtless state of the troops, now clad in the rem- ounts of their sututuer dress, a river full of ice, the hills covered with EDOIY, A rigid elimnte, nul no certain point to which we could further direct our operation-uniler the influence and adrice of every staff and field officer, undters were given and measures pursued for our return on the 25th."

During the Intter part of the year 1812, Gen. Harrison was engaged in cainblishing a depot of supplies at the rapids of the Maumee, with a view of moring thenee with a choice iletachment of the nrmy, and with as much pro- rision, artillery atul ammunition as the means of transportation would allow nul niaking a demonstration toward Detroit, umil, by a sudden passage of the strait upon the ice, an netunl inresture of Malden.

Before enrrying ont this plan, it became necessary to break up and destroy the Miami settlements ou tho Mississinewa River, in the Territory of In-

Although the Minmis professed to be neutral in the war between the United States and Great Britain, yet, from their participation in the attacks upon Fort Wayne and Fort Harrison and other acts of hostility, their neu- trality iras strungly suspected. At noy time they might be influenced by tho other hostile ludlinus to " take up the townhulk "

212

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF INDIANA .- CONTINUED.

The ilnty of altacking the Miami villages on the Mississineiva IVOS as. signal to a ilelarliment of about 000 mounted men, comman leil by Lient. John B. Campbell, of the Nineteenth Regiment of United States Infantry The detachment iens composed chietly of a regiment of Kentucky dragoons -comminiled by May. James V. Ball-and n corps of infunirs, consisting of Capl E;lhoti'm company of the Nineteenth United States Regtment, Bulter's l'itigtinrgh Itlues und Alexander's Pennsylvanin Kitlemen, Together with n small compnuy of spies ninl guides.

The expeilitien muarcheil frut Dnyion, Chin, on The lith of December, 1812. Carly on the morning of the 17th, they renched an lundian toin on the Mississinewa, inhabited hy a number of Deluienres noil Slinmix. The troops rushed into the Inin, unexpected by the enemy, nod killed eight irurriurs nhiltonk forty- two prisoners. The town www immediately bernel-a linuse or tiro exceptid, in which the prisoners were confined. Advancing further down the river, three villages-deserted by their inhabitnuts-were burned, ser eral hurses captured und many cattle killed.

The iletneluinent then returned and eneamped ueor the first rillage thnt had lou destroyed ; unil on the 18th, about half an hour before day, while the officers were holding a conneil of war, a purty of Indians minden furions nitark npon the i smp. The battle that ensued is thus described by the com- maniter :

" The Black commeneed upon thint nagle of the camp formeil by the left of Capl llopkins' Troops and the right of Capt. Garrard's, but in a feu sec- unds became general from the entrance to the right of Ball's squadron. The enemy boldly mraneed to within a few yards of the lines, amit seeineil ileter- Thine En rush in. The guards pested at the differeal redoubts retreated to camp, and dlingerseul among their different companies-thus leaving me with- unt a dispoable force.

"Capit Smith, of the Kentucky Light Dragoons, who enmieanded one of the reduulis in o handsolde nad military munner, koju his position-although adminloned hy half his guards-until ordered to fill up The interval in the rear line, keliveen the regiment ond squadron. The rednght ut which Copt. l'ierce ronnunnded was first attacked. The Capitu mamtuinet bis position until it nus too Inte to get within the line. He receired are hulls through bin hody und was tuinghnu ked. HEv died hrovely nud much Inmented.

"'Cho enemy then took pussessiun nf Cant. Pierce's redoubt, undl poured a tremendous fire njuin the angle to the right anil left of which were posted Ilupkins' und furtard's troops. But the fire i'us ns wvaruily relurued. Not nu inch of granund was yielded. Krery mua, olheer nuit sollier, stooil firm, mul ununted and encourageil ench ulber.

" The enemy's fire hecame warm on the left of the squadron, al which l'apl Markle's Trop was posted; nud the right of Elliott's company-which, nille Murkle's, farineil nu angle of the camp-uny severely annoyed by the enemy's fire

"+ I hiel assisted in formning the infantry - composed of Fltioli's company of the Nineteenth United States Regiment, Buller's l'insburgh Itlues and Alessi- der . Pennsylvanin Riflemien-and onlered them to advance to the brink of n dlertivity, trom which they could more effielually defend themselves and harrys the enemy, if they should alleluft an attack upon that line. +

" While I was this engaged, Major Bult roule up to mie and observed thai he was hatil pressed and must Le reliered. I galloped immediately lo the left wing, isilk au iutealion of ordering Capt. Trotter's troops to reinforce the squidrun, but iras there informed thul the enemy nas seen approaching ih ihnt chemitinn ; and believing il improper, on second thought, to iletoch a large Trop fran the line which also covered an augle of the camp, 1 deter- milneil to gir the relief from the iumintry. I wheeled my horse and inet Mujer SheDawell, who observed that the spies und gunles, inder cominnul of Capt. I'llergon Bain, consisting of ten mien, uery unemployed). We rode tu them together, and ordered Chpt. Buin In the support of the squadron. Seven of them, to-trit: Jumues Adrian, William Conner, Silny McCullongh, Inines Thompson, James Noggs, John Buihnul nud Joseph G. MeClelland, falloned their lirave leader, and rendered mnost effectunl assistance. 1 then nelereil Popt Butler, with ibe Pittsburgh Blues, to repair immediately lo rriforer the squadron, and directed Cupts. Elliott and Alexander to extend la the night and left, and fill the interral occasioned by the withdrawal of the Blins. Copt. Butler, iu n most gallant manuer, and highly worthy of the mime be tienrs, furined his men immediately and in excellent order, and tinycheil them to the point to which he was ordered. The aluerity with which they farmed and morell uny never racceled by uny troops on enrtb. Hapkius maile ruot for them by exleghug his troops to the right The Bhi nere scarcely al The post assigned them, before | discovered the efrets they proilneed. A nell-direchdl tre from thew nod llopkins' dragoons nearly wilnerd the quemy in that quarter. They |the enemy ) Then moved In friteu In The left of the squadron and right of the infantry, at which point I'nuls. Markle's nwI Elliott's cupipanics nere posted. Here again they ivere warmly preen rd * 4

" Vi this lime dnylight began to down. then ordered Capt, Trolter, why troop Ind been ordered by Col. Simrall to mount for the purpose, to maken charge. The Captain rriel ont to huis men to follow hun, and they tillil odl nt full gullop. Mujer Mellomrell, with n sinll party, rushed into The midst of The enemy, und usposed hunself very much ; 1 can- Hot suy tor tunch for this gallant releran. Uhp. Markle, with nboul fifteen of his Iranjeaud Lieut. Warren, also fundo n during charge on the quemy. t'uuit Murhle ni vugel the death of bis relutiun, lacul Wultz, upon nn lilian with his onn sirop.

" Fencing Thul Capl. Trotter might bo too bard pressed, I ordered Capt. Johnson, of the Kentucky Light Drugoons, tu wennce with his troops to wnyport hitu, I found Johnson ready, und Col. Sumurat] reports lo me thel ull ins ether Taptnins, viz .. Elmore, Young and Smith, were Anxious to join The charge , bul 1 called for only une troop The Colonel had the whole in excellent under. Capt. Johnson did not join Trotter till the ruemy were ont of reach. He, bowerer, pickel upu struggleror lwu thut Treiler had jinssd urer The canlry returned ond informord wue the enomy hud fledl precipi- IntelL

"I ture, nu Ibis occasion, lo lament the loss of several Grave men, and Innuy wounded. Among the former are Capl Tierce, of the Chin Voluu- (rer. nul Liem Waliz, of Markle's Iroop."

Dillon, in his Ilistory of Indiona, says

"lu this engagement, which lasted obent one buur, the loss of the troops under cummunt of Lient. Col. Campbell amounted to eight killed and forty- Ivo wontuted, and sereral afteru unit diest of their wounds. " The nuinher uf hurvex killed," says the commmuling ofbeer, ' was considerable; and 1 bare ho iloubt they saved the lives of a great tonny men.' Fifteen luiaus irere famil drad on the hattlo ground, and it Is probable that an equal nomuber were carried nirny from the field dead or mortally nonuded, before The close uf the netion The Indian foreo engaged in the ballle ivas interior in num- bers to Iluut under Lieut. Col. Campbell, ubo, in his officinl report, says: '1 min persuaded that there could not lime heen less than 300 of the enemy.' A nephew of the great Miami chief, Little Turllo, was wu the engagenient. Elis mimiDo iras Little Thunder, and ho distinguishuit himself hy his efforts to iumpire the Indians with courage and confidenre.

" Nearly all the lodians who were taken prisonersni this time were Min- cit., And were included among those who composed Silver Heel's batul. The villages which nere ilestroyed wire situated on the linuks of the river, nl points from fifteen la twenty miles distant from ils junction with the Wa- Un-b, where the principal Mississine wu village stoud. The uunl of provi- sions and forage ; the loss of horses, the suffering condition of the troops, The severity of the cold, aud the rumors of a large Indiun force at the Mis- HASDei village, under the common of Tecumseh, induced Lieu. Col. Campbell to send an express lo Greenville for reinforcements, and to com. mence imaicdiniety his march lowohl that post. This estop was forlified

every night by a hirenslivork The expedition ivas compelled to move slowly on its return, owing to the condition of the iroumiled Dien-serenteen of whom were carried ou litters. The intense coldness of the weather, the srarcily uf provisions minong the Endions, and Their feur of killing the pris. onery, combined to snie the reliring troops from the pursuit and annoyance of ahout one hundred and thirty Miamis. M & pince shout forty miles from Greenrille, the suffering expelthion irns met nul formsbel with supplies hy & detachment of ninety meu, under the command of Major Adams. The number of men rendered unfit for duty, by being frost-hinten, on their arrival nt Greenvillo, were . In Mujor Bull's squadron, 10i : in Col. Simmalt's regi- ment of dragoons, 138; in the corps of infantry und riflemen, 08 "

The companies of mountril rangers, irho operuled against the Indians in ludlinna Territory in 1818, nre thus ileseriheil . "They consisled severally of About one liumfred mien. Each mun uns armed with a rifle and a largo knife, and many of them carried torunhanks. Ne uniforms were required to lie worn by these troops, but the men generally wrore huuting shirls, some of which were made of husey, und athers of linen. The discipline that uns required in the ronger serrice uns nol ns striet na that which wos observed in the regutor service, bul muore strict than thot n hich was maintained by the militia companies. l'uch ringer earned his own supply of provisions, consisting of tlour or torn ineal, bacon, etc. Their orders of march anil en- enmpment irere generally iletermineil by the character of the coumry orer which They passed. Through hearily timbered districts they marched in single tile. Those who marebed in front on one ilny were thrown in the rear on ibe succeeding doy. Tho borges in the rear of the line of marel ativays suffereit more from faligue than those in front ; beennse, in passing over fallen Trees, marines, gutlies, or other alistructions, curb borgo after the first would lose some ilistunce ishich he wns forred to regain by increaseil speed , and in n troop of one hundred, the horse that passed lost over any such ob- siruciinn, would be compelled to gallop a considerable distance in order to muninlain his proper place in the file.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

A memorial asking lor the nilm-sion of Imiliano into the Union is a State irns noapteil by the General Assembly of the Territory December 14. 1816. The same was presented to Congress by the Detegute, Wir. Jennings, on the 43th of the same month, and was referred by thit hody to a committee, of which Mr Jennings uns rhnirman. Thnl gentleman, on the 5th of Innnury, 1816 reporled a bilt to the House of Representatives, to eunhle the people of Indiann Territory to farm i constitution upon which they should be nd- mitted talu the I'nion an equal let me with the original States. Au appor- lioninent bad bech inmile by the General Assembly and confirmed by Con. cress, upon which nu election nos hell ou Monday, the 13th of May, 15]f. The following were the members electeil and the counties represented :

Wayne County-Four members: Jureminh Cox, Patrick Bainl, Joseph Holman, Hugh Cull

Franklin County-Fire members. Willium H. Eads, James Brownlee, Enoch Mel'arly, Robert linhinn, Ir .. James Noble.

Dearborn County-Three members: Inmes Dill, Solomon Manunring, Ezra Ferris.

Switzerland County-Ohur ineniber: Wilhat Cotton.

Clark County-Fire member : Inuthin Jethings, James Scott, 'Thomas Carr. John K. Graham, Inmes Lemon.

Jefferson County-Three meuibery: David 11. Maxwell, Samuel Smock, Nathaniel Hunt.

Elarrison County-Fire members. Denuis Pennington, Doris Floyd, Daniel C. Lane, Jobn Boone, Putrick Shields.

Washington County-Five inemhers: John De Panw, Samuel Milroy, Robert Melotire, William Lowve, William Grahnm.

Knox County-Fire members. Julin Johnson, John Badoliet, Willing Folke, Benjamin Furke, John Benenel.

Gibson County-Finir members Daril Robb, James Smith, Alesamler Derin, Frederick Roupe.

Warrick County-One member : Daniel Grass

Posey County-One member : Dann Lynn Perry County-One member : Charles Polke.

The convention commenced ils session nl Corydon. in Harrison County, on the 10th of June, ISIG, und continued till The 29th, when it adjournel, having completed the wurk of forming o Sinte Constitution. The conreation was presided orer by llon. Jonathan teunings; Hon. William Hendricks, Secretary.

On the 12th of June, the President appointed the following committers ; Commitire to prepare a Bill of Rights wwl Prestoble to the Constitution -Mesars. Badollet, Munwuring, Graham (of Clark County |, Laue, Smith nod Pennington.

Committee on the Distribution of the Powers of the Government-Mesers. Johnson, Polke [ af Perry County), Floyd, Maxwell and MeCarly

Commillee wu the Legislative Department of The Government-Messrs Noble, Ferris, Milroy. Benefiel und Gross

Committee on The Exerutive Department of the Government-Messrs. Grabum lof florke County), Polke (of Knox County). Rappe, Shields, Sinock, Smith, Ferris nul Brownlee.

Committee on the studietnl Department of the Government-Messrs. Scott, Juhnson, Dill, Milroy, Nohle. Coltou and Loire.

Committee on lupienrhmeuls-Messrs Dill, Fox, llum, Eads nud Cart Coltmitiec on the General l'rorisiouy of the Constitution (not embraced in the sulijects referred to other committees)-Messrs. Maxwell, De Fant, Robb, Scott und Burd.

Committee on the Modr of Rerising the Constitution-Messrs. Hanon, Pennington, Deiin, Johusou aud Grahato (of Washington Conbly ).

Comumiltee relative to the Change of Government, and Preserving the Existing Lars until repraled by The Sinle Legislature, and providing for Appeals from the Territorial Courts to the State Courla-Mrsars. Floyd, Lemon, Hohoun, Melulire, Mnounring And Benefel

Committee ou Elucilion anil the Vuiversal Disseminalion of Useful Knowledge, and Other Subjects which it might be decured proper to advise the State Legislature to provide far-Messrs. Scoll, Badollet, Polke tof Knox County ), Lygo und Buone.

Committee on the Militin-Messes. Dill, Elounn, Carr, Cotton, Robb, Ilot- man, Cox, De Innwr, Nobile, Rappe and Brnefiel.

Cummitlee ou Elective Franchise und lileetinus-Messrs Ferris, Lenion, Grass, Polke (uf l'erry Conuly |. C'ull, Smith and De Poon.

Committee ou Frisons (appointed subsequently )-Messrs. Carr, Penning- ton, Milroy, Gruss, Ilunt, Gralumu (of Washington County) ond MeCurly.

Committeo ou General Revisions (oppeinted June 21)-Mesers. Parke, Bndollet, Scott, Johnson uil Ferris.

Respecting tho merits of The Constitution framed by the above hody of nble sud clear-sighted men, Dillon, in Ins llislory of Indiaun, remarks. "lo the clearne's and eoneisquess of its style-in the comprehensive und just provisions which it mnude for the minintenanre of eivil oud religions liberty -in its mandates, which were designed to protect the rights of the people, individually and rullectively, and to provide for the public welfare-the Conalilution that was formed for Indiano in 1810 was not inforior lo auy of The Stale Constitutions which were in existence at that time."

Ou the first Monday in August, 1816, the first general election under the State Constitution was held in the several counties. . tonathan Jennings uns elected Governor, rereiring 6,211 votes, a majority of 1,277 over bis com- petitor, Thomas l'oacy, who received 8,934. Christopher llorrisou, of Washi- inglon County, was elected Lieutenant Governor. William Hendricks was

elected member of Congress. The election resulted as follows fur members of thu first General Assembly of the State .

Sennie -- Willimm Pulke, Knox County ; William Prince, Gibson County ; Datuel Gris, l'usey, Perry and Warrick Counties, l'utrick Inird, Wayne County ; John Conner, Franklin County ; John DePomis, Washinglen, Ornuge anul Jackson Counties , John Pnul, Jefferson and Switzerlandl Counties ; l'zra Ferriy, Wearhorn County : Dennis Peunington, Harrison County ; Inmes lleggs, Clark County.

House of Representatives- Joseph Ilolmann, Ephruim Overmun und .lobn Scott, Wayne County ; James Noble, Darid Mounts and James Bronnlee, Franklin County ; Amos Lane nod Erasmus Poivell, Dearborn County ; John Dminont, Switzerland County ; Williamson Dunn amil Somnel Alexaniter, Jefferson County. Benimaiu Ferguson, Thomas Curr anil John K. Gmalum, Clark County : Davis Floyd, Jneob Xeuor and ,John Bound, Murrison County ; Sumunel Milroy noil Alexander Litlle, Washington County ; William Grahaw, Jackson County ; Jaunthan Limilley, Orange County ; Isane Bluekfurd, Wnl. ter Wilson mint ltonry L Mills, Knox County, Ediuntul Hogou nud John Johnson, Gibsou Conuly ; Dann Lynn, Posey County ; Ratliff Boon, Warrick County, Samuel Conner, F'erry County.

The hret General Assembly under the State Constitution comeneil at Corydon, on Monday, the 4th of November, 181G. John Paul was elected President of the Seunte pro tempore, and Isane Blackford, Spoaker of The House. The Governor amil Lieutenant Gorernor were inullgurated on the 7th of November, immediately after which the Governor delirereil lus west sage to the General Assembly.

The Territoriul Government of Indiann uns this superseded by n Stale Government on the 7th of November, 1816; and the State of Indiana way formully admitted into the Union by a joint resolution of Congress, approved on the 1th of December, in the same year.

The General Assembly elected tiro United States Senators-James Noble and Walter Taylor-on the 8th of November, 1816. Robert .\ News was elected Secretary of State ; Williumy H. Lilly, Anditar of I'ublic Accounts ; Daniel C. Lune, Treasurer of Stale. T'ho session of the General Assembly oujournel January 3, 1817.

PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HER RESOURCES.

The growth of the Stato of luiliana torraril that high position ulurh she lius nttaineil among the States of the Northwest was comjuntalively slou for numy yenry-unlike The mpid development of some of the prairie States, since the orn of ruilronda, where these avenues of travel over n country tree Promu swmaps and henry forests precede the pioneer setilers, and carry in adronee of inumigration the materials for hauilels nud rilluges In lading the colllitry was rovered, for the most part, with n henry growth of Trees ; and where these prevail it is always more or less ivet anil sivamajor, till the forests nro eleareil uwny and The surface exposed to the sun. The rainta of trees also interfere with The easy cultivation of the soil, ond ore, in a tua. bered country, n serions hindrance to gooil ronds. The roads in o prairie country, in good ireaiger, are smooth almost as a floor ; in the heavily tim. bered country it takes from a quarter lo half a century to take them gooi), And this can only be done by a vast expenditure of labor anil money.

When the carly setllers first arrived in ludliana-in any portion of the Stnte, except nlong the navigable rivers-they were obliged to followy Indian trails through the forests ; these, in process af lime, wore into well marked iminigrunt ingou trarks. As The counties becmue organizeil, tho Coinmia- sioners laid out ronds from peint lo point in their respective counties ; hul thoy nere, for the most part, little more than openings through the timber and brush, without bridges savo the primitive "" cross- way" ol logs, ilneb, covering the small streams und sloughs, frequently hecame sunken in the Doxy soil, or flonteil nuny by the sirollen fresheis after henry rains. The Inrger streams were either forded or ferried over by surh ruile contrivances ns the pioneer seltlers were able to construct. Over such romts ny these leng journeys had to be performed to mill und market, and in going from one settlement to another, which usually consumeil more timo then is now re- quired to go from Indiaunpolis to New York or Washington.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 26

Author: Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co. Number of Pages: 472

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472