USA > Indiana > Grant County > Fairmount > The making of a township, being an account of the early settlement and subsequent development of Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana, 1829 to 1917, based upon data secured by personal interviews, from numerous communications > Part 2
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The Making of a Township.
of the battle yet in evidence. Dr. T. R. Brady, of Wabash, lived near the scene of the battle, and as a boy used to go there in the summer time to gather plums from a grove of wild plum trees which marked the battle ground ; and E. P. McClure, of Marion, as a boy, picked bullets from the trees on the battle ground, and remembers well the scene as it was then, before most or all of the original trees went down before the ax of the white man. His father and the Indians of that part of the State were good friends and in this manner Mr. McClure was informed in detail as to the manner of the fighting that marked the battle and of its great importance in opening up what was then the Territory of Indiana.
"The Indians of Indiana had been peaceable for many years-in fact, had been peaceable after their experiences with General Wayne in the neighborhood of what is now Ft. Wayne, and elsewhere. This peace had begun about six years before the Territory of Indiana was organized, in 1800. But when the War of 1812 beset the people of the United States, British representatives, as a part of the plan of that war. proceeded to stir up the Indians against the whites, and it was as the result of this that Gen. William Henry Harrison, the first Governor of Indiana, as a Territory, found much trouble with the Indians on his hands. General Harrison had been successful in his treaty making with the Indians and was satisfied with the progress the wilderness of Indiana was making until about 1806, when he found that Tecumseh, a Shawnee, and his brother, known in history as "The Prophet," were causing trouble. The Indians organized against the encroachments of the white man, and finally General Harrison was forced to order them to disband. They refused, and it was then that he led an expedition against them, which ended in the Battle of Tippecanoe, on November 7, 18II.
"The Indians were scattered, but the beginning of the War of 1812, about a year later, gave them new courage and a new opportunity for hostilities. As a result of their activities and the success of the Brit- ish in the Northwest, an order was issued from Washington that Gen- eral Harrison take charge of the forces in this part of the country, and this he did about a year after he had so signally distinguished himself at the Battle of Tippecanoe, making his headquarters at Piqua, Ohio.
"The importance of the engagement of the Indians in the Missis- sinewa region is shown in a letter then written by General Harrison to his superiors at Washington. Other expeditions had failed against the Indians in this territory and General Harrison was determined that
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Battle of the Mississinewva.
a decisive blow should be struck. This letter, dated November 15, 1812, and addressed to the Secretary of War, was as follows :
" 'I have received no information from General Hopkins, but there is no doubt of the complete failure of the mounted expedition under his command, and that measures must be immediately taken to prevent the evils which will otherwise flow from it. As soon as the informa- tion reached me I determined to direct an expedition against the Miami towns of the Mississinewa. The situation of this town as it regards my lines of operation, even if the hostility of the inhabitants was less equivocal, would render a measure of this kind highly proper, but from the circumstances of General Hopkins' failure, it has become indispensable. Relieved from the fears excited by the late invasion of their country, the Indians from the upper part of the Illinois River and to the south of Lake Michigan will direct all their efforts against Ft. Wayne and the convoys which are to follow the track of the left wing of the army. Mississinewa will be their rendezvous, where they will receive provisions and every assistance they may require for any hostile enterprise. From that place they can, by their runners, ascer- tain the period at which every convoy sets out from St. Mary's and with certainty intercept it previously to its arrival at Miami Rapids ; but that place being broken up and the provisions destroyed there will be nothing to subsist any body of Indians nearer than the Pottawatomie towns upon the waters of the St. Joseph or Lake Michigan. The troops destined for the Mississinewa expedition are the dragoons, belonging to my army, with the addition of perhaps a single company of mounted volunteers. The dragoons will amount to about 600 men, but the greater part of them are to be entirely relied upon. The expe- dition will be commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell. of the Nineteenth Infantry. He has no military experience, but is brave, sen- sible and judicious, and will be ably seconded by the talents and expe- rience of Major Ball. I am confident that you will not hear of any. retrograde movement upon the part of this detachment until the object upon which they are sent is accomplished.'
"Leaving Greenville, Ohio, December 14, 1812, the men pushed forward through the wilderness into Indiana. It was cold when they left Greenville, but on December 16th it became much colder, and great were the hardships of the trip. On the morning of the 17th, after a long and hard march, they came upon a village of Indians on the Mis- sissinewa River and surprised and routed them. They killed eight Indian warriors and took forty-eight prisoners, eight of whom were men and the rest women and children. Colonel Campbell left men to
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The Making of a Township.
guard the prisoners, and, with horsemen, proceeded along the river, destroying Indian towns and dissipating the supplies the Indians had accumulated at this, their base of operations.
"On the following morning the camp was attacked by Indians, but Colonel Campbell, well aware of the likelihood of this, had pre- pared for it, and the redskins were routed. Then, having accomplished the purposes for which he was sent ont, the Indians being driven from the base of operations from which they had done so much to harass General Harrison and thwart his plans, and being short of supplies. the Colonel and his men turned homeward. The march back was one of the most severe in the history of the country. Eight of the soldiers had been killed in the engagements and forty-eight had been wounded, and of the latter seventeen had to be carried, thus making the progress of the trip very slow. Seeing that he would not have provisions, the Colonel sent word ahead for relief, but it did not come until they were within forty miles of Greenville, and many of the brave men of the expedition, footsore and almost frozen, had not had food for three days when the relief party met them.
"That General Harrison was, indeed, well pleased with Colonel Campbell and his command, and was repaid for the confidence he had imposed in the young officer. is indicated in his report to James Mon- roe, Secretary of War, under date of January 3, 1813, in which he enclosed a detailed report by Colonel Campbell. In this General Har- rison spoke in the highest terms of the bravery of the men who com- posed the expedition.
"General Harrison enclosed the report of the expedition which had been made to him by Colonel Campbell, under date of December 25. 1812. Colonel Campbell goes into detail regarding the privations suffered and the actual fighting. It is, perhaps, the best account of Indian fighting in the Hoosier wilds on record. Imagine what the Hoosiers a hundred years from now will think of such an article !
"In the course of his report Colonel Campbell wrote: 'On the march I occasionally formed in the order of battle to accustom the troops to it. They formed with the utmost celerity and in good order. The first two days I marched forty miles. The third day I pushed the troops as much as they could bear, marched the whole night. although excessively cold, stopping twice to refresh and warm. This day and night we marched forty miles. Early in the morning of the 17th I reached, undiscovered, an Indian town on the Mississinewa. inhabited by a mixture of Delawares and Miamis. The troops rushed into the town, killed eight warriors and took forty-two prisoners. eight
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Battle of the Mississinerva.
of whom were warriors, the residne women and children. I ordered the town immediately to be burnt, a house or two excepted, in which I confined the prisoners : and I ordered the cattle and other stock to be shot. I then left the infantry to guard the prisoners, and with Sim- ral's and Ball's dragoons advanced to some Miami villages a few miles lower down the Mississinewa, but found them evacuated by all but a sick squaw, whom we left in her house. I burnt on this excursion three considerable villages, took several horses and killed a great many cat- tle, and returned to the town I first burnt, where I had left the pris- oners, and encamped. My camp was in the usual form. but covered more ground than common. The infantry and riflemen were on the line. Captain Elliott's company on the right. Butler's in the center and Alexander's on the left. Major Ball's squadron occupied the right and one-half of the rear line. Between Ball's right and Simral's left there was an interval which had not been filled up, owing to the imusual extent of the ground the camp embraced. it having been laid off in my absence to the lower towns. I now began to deliberate on our future movements, whether to go on further, encumbered with pris- oners, the men much fatigued, and a great many severely frost-bitten ; horses suffering from want of forage, which was very partially relieved by the scanty supplies of corn obtained in the towns. I determined to convene the field officers and captains of the detachment to consult, and then to take such a course as my own judgment might approve. At 4 in the morning of the 18th I ordered to be beaten the reveille, and the officers convened at my fire a short time afterward.
"'While we were in council and about an hour before day, my camp was most furiously attacked by a large party of Indians, preceded by and accompanied with a most hideous yell. This immediately broke up the council and every man ran to his post. The attack commenced upon that angle of the camp formed by the left of Captain Hopkins' troop and the right of Captain Garrard, but in a few seconds became general from the extremes of the right to the left of Ball's squadron. The enemy boldly advanced to within a few yards of the lines and seemed determined to rush in. The guards posted at the different redoubts returned to camp and dispersed among their several companies, this leaving me without a disposable force. Captain Smith. of the Ken- tucky Light Dragoons, who commanded at one of the redoubts, in a handsome military manner, kept his position until ordered in to fill up the interval 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
ยท
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The Making of a Township.
lines. He received 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 in a tremendous fire upon the angle, to the right and left of which were posted Hopkins' and Gar- rard's troops. But the fire was as warmly returned ; not an inch of ground was yielded. Every man, officer and soldier stood firm and animated and encouraged each other.'
"The writer here continues at considerable length to detail the various maneuvers and formations for battle. Then he pays this tribute to his men :
"'Captain 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 he was ordered. The alacrity with which they formed and moved was never excelled by any troops on earth.
" 'The battle had gone on in the night. At this time daylight had begun to dawn. I then ordered Captain Trotter, whose troop had been ordered by Colonel Simral to mount for the pur- pose, to make a charge. The Captain cried out to his men to follow him and they were tilted off at full gallop. Captain Trotter's first lieutenant, with eighteen of the men, were on guard. Lieutenant Trotter, Cornet Dishman and the residue of the troop, together with Lieutenant Hobson and four men of Elmore's Troop, Dr. Moore and a few other gentlemen, including Mr. Thomas Moore, my private secre- tary, advanced gallantly and charged a numerous body of the enemy. Major McDowell, with a small party, rushed into the midst of the enemy and exposed himself very much. I can not say too much for this gallant veteran. Captain Markle, with about fifteen of his Troop, and Lieutenant Warren's, also, made a daring charge upon the enemy. Captain Markle avenged the death of his relation, Lieutenant Waltz. upon an Indian, with his own sword. Captain Trotter and his Troop. and Captain Markle and his little band, performed a most dangerous duty in the bravest manner. Captain Trotter mentions to me as worthy of particular notice Robert Mitchell, a wagoner, who had vol- unteered for the expedition, and Christian Wilman, Trumpeter to Colonel Simral's Regiment, who blew two charges and hewed down an Indian with his sword. William Montgomery, Sergeant Major of the Regiment of Kentucky Light Dragoons, was in charge and distin- guished himself as well as in the skirmish the day before. In this charge Captain Trotter was wounded slightly, Corporal Riddle shot through the body. David Stule wounded in the right thigh slightly and
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Battle of the Mississinewa.
the brave Piatt received his mortal wound, being shot through the body and hand. Fearing that Captain Trotter might be too hard pressed, I ordered Captain Johnson of the Kentucky Light Dragoons to advance with his Troop to support him. I found Johnson ready and Colonel Simral reports to me that all his other Captains, to-wit: Elmore, Young and Smith, were anxious to join in the charge. But I called for only one troop. The Colonel had the whole in excellent order. Captain Johnson did not join Trotter until the enemy was out of reach. He, however, picked up a straggler or two that Trotter had passed over. The cavalry returned and informed me that the enemy had fled precipitately. I have on this occasion to lament the loss of several brave men and a great many wounded. Among the former are Captain Pierce, of the Ohio Volunteers, and Lieutenant Waltz, of Markle's Troop. From the enclosed list you will see names and numbers of the killed and wounded, eight being killed and forty-eight wounded, two . of whom are since dead. The enemy paid dearly for their temerity. From the trails through the snow and those found dead we could not have killed less than thirty, which, with those killed the day before, amounts to thirty-eight. The enemy did not take a scalp. The Indian who killed Captain Pierce attempted to scalp him, but was killed. Major Ball informs me that he can say with confidence that there never were officers and soldiers who displayed more cool, firm and soldierly con- duct than those of his squadron.
"This concludes the principal account of the fighting written by the commanding officer. He then generously proceeds to give unstinted praise to his various officers, making personal mention of the deeds of each and also complimenting the valorous conduct of many privates.
"Colonel Campbell wrote of his return march :
"'I have now, my dear sir, detailed to you the particulars of an engagement bravely fought, and victory gloriously won, after contend- ing most warnily for at least an hour. From the length of our line simultaneously attacked by them, I am persuaded there could not have been less than three hundred of the enemy. They fought most bravely. My strength on the morning of the action was about five hundred and ninety rank and file, a considerable portion of whom, amounting to at least forty or fifty, were almost rendered unfit for duty by the severity of the weather. Some were so badly frost-bitten as to be scarcely able to walk. There never was severer service performed by any troops. and yet there is not a murmur. Reports made to me yesterday morning inform me of three hundred who are so severely frost-bitten as to be entirely unfit for duty. On my march back I was compelled to move
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The Making of a Township.
slowly on account of the wounded, seventeen of whom we had to carry on litters. I kept the troops always ready to meet an attack, which I daily and nightly expected, until I reached this place. I fortified my camp every night by a breastwork, which kept us very busily engaged. The scarcity of axes was now most sensibly felt. I have informed you how I advanced into the enemy's country. My return was much in the same manner. I determined to be always ready, to avoid sur- prises and falling into ambus- cades. I assure you the respon- sibility attached to this command I most seriously felt. Being young in service, and inexperienced, I felt great diffidence in accepting this command. I. however, hope my conduct will meet your appro- bation. I will hasten to join you. but it will take the troops some time to recruit and heal. Some HON. JOHN T. STRANGE will lose their toes; others' feet are so swollen as not to be able to put on their shoes. The night march was most severe on them.'
"The brilliant young Colonel, in the concluding paragraph of his report, gives us an estimate of the importance of the Battle of the Mississinewa.
"'I have learned, since my return, that General Hopkins had re- turned to Vincennes, after burning some Indian villages and driving them, supposed to be three hundred in number, up the Wabash. This still made my situation more perilous, and I shall not be surprised to learn that Tecumseh commanded in the action against me. Let him be who he may, he was a gallant fellow and maneuvered well. Conner thinks it was Little Thunder (nephew to the Little Turtle) from his loud voice, which he knew. He heard him ordering his men in the Miami language to rush on, that they would soon retreat. I think, sir, the Kentucky Cavalry will scarcely be in a situation to render you much more service. Their losses in horses are considerable and one hundred and thirty-eight frost-bitten severely. They are fine fellows with a few exceptions, and as brave as any men in the world. Captain Prince is
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Battle of the Mississinewva.
here very sick, and was unable to get on with us; this was to me a great loss.
"'I am, sir, very respectfully, etc., "'JOHN B. CAMPBELL, " 'Lieut .- Col. Nineteenth U. S. Reg.'
"The valiant Campbell, for whom General Harrison predicted such a bright future, was promoted in the following year for his success in the Mississinewa expedition. In April. 1814, he was commissioned a Colonel in the Eleventh Infantry, but was fatally wounded in the battle of Chippewa, on July 5th, of that year, and died August 29th, fol- lowing."
And these are the men and such are the deeds which prompted Sen- ator John T. Strange, of Grant County, in January, 1909, to introduce a bill in the State Legislature for an appropriation to commemorate their achievements.
However much historians may differ as to the importance of the battle, there can be no question about the heroism displayed by Colonel Campbell's valiant band in an action which assured peace and safety for the pioneers on what was then the Western frontier.
BILL INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOHN T. STRANGE BEFORE THE STATE LEG-
ISLATURE IN JANUARY, 1909, TO PROVIDE MEMORIAL ON MISSISSINEWA BATTLEFIELD .*
Preamble.
Whereas, It has been almost one century ago since the Battle of the Mississinewa was fought, and
Whereas, Up to this time no action has ever been taken to purchase the ground upon which the battle occurred, or to erect a monument to commemorate the heroism of those engaged on behalf of the United States in said battle, or to commemorate the importance of the success- ful termination of said battle in the settlement of the great North- west ; and
Whereas, At this time it is deemed fitting and proper for the great State of Indiana to recognize in some suitable manner the vast im- portance of this event to the people of Indiana, and to the great North- west ; therefore,
I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That there is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the State Treas- ury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $10,000 for the purchase of
"This measure failed to pass.
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The Making of a Township.
the Mississinewa Battle Ground and the erection thereon of a suitable monument in Grant County, Indiana, to commemorate the suffering, services and heroism of those engaged there in battle on the 17th and 18th days of December, 1812, and to perpetuate the importance of the event.
2. Three Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor, whose duty it shall be to carry out the provisions of this act, and said Trustees shall serve without compensation.
3. That said Trustees shall keep an accurate account of all dis- bursements and make a full report thereof and of the execution of their said trust to the Governor not later than January 1, 1910.
CHAPTER III.
ME-SHIN-GO-ME-SIA, CHIEF OF THE MIAMIS.
1 IN JUNE, 1861, Hon. Elijah P. Hackleman, a pioneer resident of Wabash County, upon request of John B. Dillon, author of Dillon's History of Indiana, visited the scene of the Battle of the Mississi- newa. Mr. Hackleman made care- ful measurements of the ground and gathered considerable impor- tant information relative to this engagement. He obtained many facts from Me-shin-go-me-sia and William B. Richards, both of whom, it is stated, participated in the battle. Richards later moved to Liberty Township, where he lived until his death.
Me-shin-go-nie-sia was born near the mouth of Josina Creek, in Wabash County, not very far from where the battle was fought. The year of his birth is given as about 1782 .* He died December 16, 1879. There is a sharp differ- ME-SHIN-GO-ME-SIA ence of opinion prevalent regarding his participation in the Battle , of the Mississinewa. This battle was fought on December 18. 1812. Me-shin-go-me-sia, if the year of his birth be correctly given, was then thirty years old. In order to properly qualify as chief of his tribe, an Indian must possess qualities which elevate a man somewhat in the esteen and confidence of his race. He must have stability, and skill, and bravery as a warrior. He must be able to inspire his followers and by personal example to stimulate courage. It is not very likely, there- fore, that an Indian old enough to fight who skulked away at a time like that, when fearlessness, the most important attribute of all, was im- perative, would ever be accepted or even tolerated as Chief of the proud Miamis. If, on the other hand, the year of his birth, as given, be in- correct, Me-shin-go-me-sia may have been a child when the battle was fought, and therefore might have been carried away with other chil- dren to a place of safety.
* Kingmans' Atlas, Page 16.
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The Making of a Township.
Me-shin-go-me-sia was the eldest of ten children. When his father. Me-to-cin-yah, passed away, Me-shin-go-me-sia became Chief of the Miamis. He managed the affairs of his people with wisdom ; his pru- dence in business matters was recognized. He adopted the dress of the whites, but continued to use the Indian language; he spoke English fairly well. In all his habits he was strictly temperate. His conduct was manly and he was upright in his dealings. In his later years he joined the Baptist Church and lived a consistent Christian life. He was married about the year 1815 .* No husband was ever more devoted or attentive to his wife. She was stricken with blindness before her death, and he was constantly by her side, ministering to her every need. At his death he owned 160 acres of good land. He enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.
"Me-shin-go-me-sia was a remarkable man." stated E. P. McClure, who knew him well. Mr. McClure's father, the late Samuel McClure, was intimately acquainted with the old chief. Samuel McClure settled on the Indian reserve in 1827, where he built one of the first cabins erected in Wabash County. He was implicitly trusted by the Indians. So highly was he esteemed that they gave him the name Che-cum-wah, meaning twin brother. "My father went to Washington City with Me-shin-go-me-sia several times on treaty matters. I recall, as a boy," remarked E. P. McClure, "that Indians made father's house their home when they came to Marion. The Miamis lived seven miles northwest of Marion, and this was their trading point. I used to get pies and cakes from mother's pantry for them to eat. They liked delicacies of this sort. I remember they used to wrap their blankets about them, eight or ten in a room, and lie down on the floor, their feet to the fire- place. That is the way they wanted to sleep, and father always let them have their wish about it. One day Sas-a-quas, sometimes called Sassafras, brought a gray pony to town and made me a present of it. I was a very proud boy. It was the first pony I ever owned. Sas-a- quas used to make bows and arrows for me. I have heard that the Miamis practiced polygamy. I have mingled with them a great deal. but I never knew of but two cases where the Miamis had plural wives. Shap-an-do-siah and Sas-a-quas each had two wives. I do not believe that Me-shin-go-me-sia took part in the Battle of Mississinewa. He was a peaceable man. I have heard my father in conversation with him many times on a wide variety of subjects, and not once do I recollect of hearing Me-shin-go-me-sia say anything about participating in that fight. My understanding has always been, and I am firmly of the opin-
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