USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume I > Part 15
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upon the old boundary. When he had taken his seat, chiefs from the Wyandots, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Ottawas and Winnebagoes, spoke in succession, and distinctly avowed that they had entered into the Shawnee confederacy, and were determined to support the principles laid down by their leader. The governor, in conclusion, stated that he would make known to the president the claims of Tecumseh and his party, to the land in question; but that he was satisfied the government would never admit that the lands on the Wabash were the property of any other tribes than those who occupied them when the white people first arrived in America; and, as the title to these lands had been derived by purchase from those tribes, he might rest assured that the right of the United States would be sustained by the sword. Here the council adjourned.
On the following day, Gov. Harrison visited Tecumseh in his camp, at- tended only by the interpreter, and was politely received. A long conver- sation ensued, in which Tecumseh again declared that his intentions were really such as he had avowed them to be in the council; that the policy which the United States pursued, of purchasing land from the Indians, he viewed as mighty water, ready to overflow his people; and that the confederacy which he was forming among the tribes to prevent any individual tribe from selling without the consent of the others, was the dam he was erecting to resist this mighty water. He stated further, that he should be reluctantly drawn into war with the United States; and that if he, the governor, would induce the president to give up the lands lately purchased, and agreed never to make another treaty without the consent of all the tribes, he would be their faithful ally, and assist them in the war, which he knew was about to take place with England; that he pre- ferred being the ally of the Seventeen Fires, but if they did not comply with his request, he would be compelled to unite with the British. The governor replied, that he would make known his views to the president, but that there was no probability of its being agreed to. "Well," said Te- cumseh, " as the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put sense enough into his head to induce him to give up this land; it is true, he is so far off, he will not be injured by the war; he may sit still in his town and drink his wine, while you and I will have to fight it out." This prophecy, it will be seen, was literally fulfilled; and the great chieftain who uttered it, attested that fulfillment with his blood. The governor, in conclusion, proposed to Tecumseh that in the event of hostilities between the Indians and the United States, he should use his influence to put an end to the cruel mode of warfare which the Indians were accustomed to wage upon women and children, and upon prisoners. To this he cheerfully assented; and it is due to the memory of Tecumseh to add, that he faithfully kept his promise.
Campaign of Tippecanoe .- Not long after this council, a Winnebago chief, who had been employed to watch the proceedings of Tecumseh, brought word to Gov. Harrison that the former was sending to each of the tribes a large wampum belt, with a view of uniting them in one
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great confederation; and that, upon a return of the belt, he saw a Brit- ish agent fairly dance with joy-adding, with tears in his eyes, that he and all the village chiefs had been deprived of their power, and that the control of everything was in the hands of the warriors, who were greatly opposed to the United States. The governor of Missouri sent word that the Sac Indians had allied themselves to the confederacy; that Te- cumseh himself was then doing all in his power to induce the tribes west of the Mississippi to join him; to which were added the reports of dif- ferent Indian agents, who were generally of opinion that the period for a war with the Indians would soon arrive.
Early in 18II, as a part of the annuity to the Indians, Gov. Har- rison sent a boat load of salt up the Wabash, a portion of which was to be given to the Prophet for the Shawnees and Kickapoos; but, upon the arrival of the boat at the point where the Prophet had his lodges, he made bold to seize the entire cargo, alleging as a reason for so doing that he had 2,000 men to feed, who had been without salt for two years. Upon being informed of this, Gov. Harrison felt justified in demanding aid from the government, and made application to the secretary of war to have Col. Boyd's regiment, then at Pittsburg, sent immediately to him, requesting, at the same time, to receive authority to act on the offensive as soon as it was known that the Indians were in actual hostility against the United States. The governor's apprehensions were well founded, and it soon became an acknowledged fact that Vincennes was to be the first point of attack.
A council was held in which Tecumseh participated, but was defiant, and closed an impassioned speech with the prophetic declaration: " I will stamp my foot at Tippecanoe, and the very earth shall shake." This was on the 30th day of July, 1811, and in the early morning of the 6th of November, was fought the battle of Tippecanoe, where, in the defeat of the Prophet, the gallant Harrison and his small but heroic army won lasting fame. Here the Prophet lost his influence, for he had made war against the orders of Tecumseh, then absent in the south. The latter on his return was deeply dejected. He sent word to Gov. Har- rison that he wished to visit the president, but upon Gov. Harrison de-' clining to allow him an escort, he refused to visit Washington.
Tecumseh at Fort Wayne .- One of the strange inconsistencies of the dealings of the general government, which has been apparent to the present day, is exhibited by what followed. Only a few days after the battle of Tippecanoe, on the 22d of November, 1810, the period for the annual meeting of the Indians to receive their annuities, having arrived, they began to assemble at Fort Wayne in great numbers. John John- son was then Indian agent here. Many of the chiefs in attendance were fresh from Tippecanoe, claiming their portions of the annuity equally with the most peaceful of the tribes-representing that the Prophet's followers had him in confinement, and purposed taking his life; that he was chargeable with all their troubles; together with many other stories of a similar character, all more or less, in the main untrue,
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especially as regarded the Prophet's confinement. But the stories pre- sented to Col. Johnson had the desired effect and he was induced thereby to inform the government that the Indians were all favorable to peace, and that no further hostilities should be committed against them; and yet, says M'Afee, in most of the nations here assembled, a British fac- tion was boiling to the brim, and ready to flow on our devoted frontiers, wherever the British agents might think proper to increase the fire of their hostility. The old council-house was located near the spot lately oc- cupied by Michael Hedekin. It was a two-story log building, about sixty feet long, by about twenty wide; and stood but a short distance to the southwest of the fort. It was in this building the agent lived.
The assemblage of the Indians to receive their annuity at the hands of Col. Johnson, after the battle of Tippecanoe, consisted principally of chiefs and head men of the Miamis, Delawares, the Pottawatomies, and Shawnees. Col. Johnson, on this occasion, made them a speech, pre- senting the importance of an adherence to peaceable relations on the part of the tribes and the United States, telling them that the president was desirous of living in peace and friendship with them; and that par- don would be granted to any of the hostile tribes who would put away their arms and be peaceable. To this Black-Hoof, a Shawnee chief, responded in behalf of all the tribes present, assuring him that they all had the strongest desire to lay hold of the chain of peace and friendship with the United States. It was believed that this expression was sincere on the part of the Shawnees and a large number of the Delawares; but that the Miamis and Pottawatomies had little or no intention of being peaceable after receiving their annuities. Little Turtle, now in the de- cline of life and influence, was the strenuous advocate of peace, but a majority of his people followed the counsels of Tecumseh. The Indians generally made great pretensions to a desire for peace.
Tecumseh made his appearance at Fort Wayne some time during the month of December. The result of his brother's recklessness had affected him deeply. His scheme was broken, but he was still for war - for freedom-for the expulsion of the white race that occupied the ancient hunting ground of his fathers. His air was haughty, and he was still obstinate in the opinions he had embraced. He made bitter reproaches against Harrison, and at the same time had the presumption to demand ammunition from . the commander at Fort Wayne, which was refused him. He then said he would go to his British father, who would not deny him. He appeared thoughtful a while, then gave the war-whoop, and went away to join the British at Malden.
War with Great Britain .- Such was the spirit in which Tecumseh left Fort Wayne on this memorable occasion; and early in the spring of 1812, he and his party began to put their threats into execution. Small parties began to commit depredations on the frontier settlements of In- diana and Illinois territories, and part of Ohio. Twenty scalps were taken in Indiana territory alone before the first of June; and the peo- ple were compelled to protect themselves by going into forts. Volunteer
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companies of militia were organized, and the Indians were frequently pursued, but generally without success, as they fled at once after com- mitting their depredations. Governor Harrison asked permission of the war department to raise a mounted force to penetrate to their towns, with a view of chastising them. But this was sefused, the government hesitating to disturb them in that way at that time, fearing they would take a more active part with the British. The government was imbued with a "peace on any terms " policy, and the Indians accepted all that was given them, and laughed at the credulity of the giver. In June, 1812, war was declared with Great Britain, and congress passed acts au- thorizing the recruiting of the army, and the employment of 100,000 militia.
During this month the president made a requisition on the state of Ohio for 1200 militia, and the famous Fourth regiment, under com- mand of Col. Miller, which had sometime before been ordered to the relief of Vincennes, was now ordered to Cincinnati, to join the militia, which was ordered by Governor Meigs to rendezvous on the 29th of April, at Dayton. As directed by the secretary of war, on the 25th of May following, Governor Meigs surrendered the command of the army to General Hull, for some time previous governor of Michigan territory, but who had been appointed a brigadier-general in the United States army. From Dayton the army under Hull marched for Staunton on the Ist of June. From Staunton it marched to Urbana. Here Governor Meigs and General Hull held a council with twelve chiefs of the Shaw- nee, Mingo and Wyandot nations, to obtain leave from them to march the army through their territory, and to erect such forts as might be deemed necessary. This was promptly granted, and every assistance which they could give the army in the wilderness was promised. Gov- ernor Meigs had held a council with these Indians on the 6th, in which it was agreed to adhere to the treaty of Greenville. On the 10th of June, the Fourth regiment, under Col. Miller, made its appearance at Urbana, and was escorted into camp through a triumphal arch, adorned with an eagle, and inscribed with the words, "Tippecanoe-Glory."
From Urbana the army, on the 16th, moved as far as King's Creek,' and from this point opened a road as far as the Scioto, where they built two block-houses, which they called Fort M'Arthur, in honor of the offi- cer whose regiment had opened the road. To this fort the whole army came on the 19th, and on the 21st Col. Findley was ordered to open the road as far as Blanchard's fork, on the Auglaize, whither the army, ex- cepting a guard left at Fort M'Arthur, marched on the 22d. Here, amid rain and mud, another block-house was erected, which was called Fort Necessity. From Fort Necessity the army moved to Blanchard's fork, where Col. Findley had built a block-house, named in honor of that offi- cer. A road was shortly after, under direction of Col. Cass, cut to the rapids, and the main army soon encamped on the banks of the Maumee, opposite the old battle ground of Gen. Wayne. From this point, after a day or two's rest, the army moved down just below the old British
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fort Miami. For a considerable period, the movements of the army under Hull were directed toward Detroit and the region of the lakes, and there, a great disaster was destined soon to come, which not only caused great perturbation among the settlers and frontier posts, but which really threatened them with destruction.
From the time of his abrupt departure from Fort Wayne up to the breaking out of the war of 1812, Tecumseh had plotted against the Americans, and from the first hostile movements of the British, had allied himself to their cause, and begun to take a most active part with the enemy, in whose army he was made a brigadier-general in the serv- ice of the king. Early in August, at the head of a party of Shawnees, accompanied by a number of British soldiers, he made an attack upon a company of Ohio militia sent to escort some volunteers engaged in bringing supplies for the army. This occurred at Brownstown, and was the first action after the declaration of war. Tecumseh and his party succeeded in drawing the company into an ambush, in which it suffered considerable loss, and it was then followed by Tecumseh in its retreat toward the river Ecorce. The movements of the army under Hull were directed toward Detroit, which became the headquarters of that force. Hull prepared orders to be sent to the forts giving warning of the neces- sity of preparing for defense, but there was remarkable delay in transmission.
The garrison at Mackinaw not having received the order of Gen. Hull, written about the 5th of July, relating to the declaration of war, that post was surrendered on the 17th of that month, which caused Gen. Hull to declare that the whole northern hordes of Indians would be let loose upon him. Fort Dearborn, at Chicago, was in a position as hazardous as that of Mackinaw. Toward the last of July, Gen. Hull began to think seriously of the situation at Chicago, and of the relief of the garrison under Capt. Heald, which was being surrounded by a party of Indians in communication with Tecumseh, which, though not yet attempting any acts of violence was only awaiting the necessary encour- agement from the enemy. Hull took action by sending an express to Major B. F. Stickney, then Indian agent at Fort Wayne, requesting him to at once extend to Capt. Heald all the information, assistance and ad- vice within his power, who was ordered to accept of such aid, and to con- form to such instructions as he might receive from the Indian agent at Fort Wayne. Instructions were accordingly prepared by Major Stick- ney to accompany the order of Gen. Hull, and an agent dispatched to Chicago. In this letter Capt. Heald was promised military aid as soon as it was possible to render it.
Capt. William Wells was at that time Indian sub-agent here. He was a great favorite with the Miamis, and accounted a perfect master of everything pertaining to Indian life, both in peace and war, and withal a stranger to personal fear; and, says Major Stickney, "if Gen. Wayne desired a prisoner to obtain information, Capt. Wells could always fur- nish one." This capable man was selected to lead a party to the aid of
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Capt. Heald, and Major Stickney suggested the raising of a band of thirty warriors. These he selected from the Miamis. The Pottawat- omies were known to be in the vicinity of Chicago, and the fact of Wells being a favorite with the Miamis made the former tribe unfriendly toward him, there having arisen an enmity between the two tribes. So that Wells' position was at best, should trouble arise upon their arrival at Fort Dearborn, a most precarious one, a fact that he was by no means unacquainted with. But his nature was fearless. On the 3d of August, with his braves well equipped by the agent, he set out full of hope and courage, for the relief of the garrison at Chicago, whither they arrived on the 12th.
Wells and his party had not been long at the fort before he discov- ered unmistakable evidences of coming trouble. A large number of Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes, professing friendship, were encamped about the fort; and for some time Tecumseh and the British, through their runners, had kept up a regular correspondence with the Indians. On the night of the 14th, a runner having arrived among the Indians with the news from Tecumseh that Major Vanhorn had been defeated at Brownstown; that the army under Hull had returned from Canada to Detroit; and that there was prospect of success, the Indians at once de- cided to remain no longer inactive.
Wells was warmly attached to Capt. Heald. The latter had married his niece, and she was with her husband to share the dangers that sur- rounded them.
On the arrival of Wells with his warriors at the fort, Capt. Heald informed him that he had received the dispatch from the agent at Fort Wayne, with the order of Gen. Hull, and had then called together all the Indian warriors in his neighborhood, and had entered into a treaty with them. The leading terms were, that he was to deliver up to the Indians the fort with all its contents, except arms, ammunition and provisions necessary for their march to Fort Wayne. The Indians on their part were to permit him to pass unmolested. Wells at once pro- tested against the terms of the treaty. There was a large quantity of . ammunition and whisky in the fort. These, he declared, they should not have. He urged that if the Indians had the whisky they would get drunk, and pay no regard to the treaty; and he was for throwing the ammunition and whisky into the lake. The Indians learned what was going on, and determined to attack Heald and his party, at the first con- venient point, after they should leave the fort. Wells understood In- dian character so perfectly that he was aware of their intentions at a glance.
As soon as it was daybreak, Wells saw that the tomahawk was sharpening for them, and told Heald they must be off as quick as possi- ble, hoping to move before the Indians were ready for them. No time was to be lost. Topeeneebee, a chief of the St. Joseph band, had, early in the morning, informed Mr. Kinzie of the mischief what was in- tended by the: Pottawatomies, who had engaged to escort the detach-
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ment; and urged him to relinquish his design of accompanying the troops by land, promising him that the boat containing himself and family should be permitted to pass in safety to the St. Joseph. This offer was declined by Mr. Kinzie, on the ground that his presence might op- erate as a restraint upon the fury of the savages, so warmly were the greater part of them attached to himself and family.
As the garrison marched out on the morning of the 15th, the band struck up the Dead March, as if some invisible force had impressed upon them the fate many of them were soon to meet; and on they moved, solemn. and thoughtful, in military array, Capt. Wells taking the lead, at the head of his little band of Miami warriors, his face black- ened. Taking their route along the lake shore, as they gained a range of sand hills lying between the prairie and the beach, the escort of Pot- tawatomies, some 500 in number, instead of continuing along the beach with the Americans and Miamis, kept the level of the prairie. They had marched about a mile and a half, when Capt. Wells, who had ridden a little in advance with the Miamis, suddenly came galloping back, ex- claiming: "They are about to attack us; form instantly, and charge upon them," telling his niece not to be alarmed, that " they would not hurt her, but that he would be killed." No sooner had he ceased to speak, than a volley was fired from among the sand hills. The little company being hastily brought into line, charged rapidly up the bank. A veteran, some seventy years, was the first to fall. Capt. Wells fell, pierced with many balls, and in the words of Mrs. Kinzie, " Pee-so- tum held dangling in his hand a scalp, which, by the black ribbon around the queue, I recognized as that of Capt. Wells." Their leader being killed, the Miamis fled; one of their chiefs, however, before leav- ing the scene of the disaster, rode up to the Pottawatomies, exclaimed to them: " You have deceived the Americans and us. You have done a bad action, and brandishing his tomahawk, I will be the first to head a party of Americans to return and punish your treachery;" and then galloped away over the prairie in pursuit of his companions, who were rapidly starting for Fort Wayne. "The troops," wrote Mrs. Kinzie, " behaved most gallantly. They were but a handful; but they seemed resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Our horses pranced and bounded, and could hardly be restrained, as the balls whistled among them."
The Indians made desperate attempts to rush upon and tomahawk the soldiers, but every such effort was bravely repulsed. Several women and children were killed; and the ranks at length became so reduced as not to exceed twenty effective men; yet they were undaunted and resolute, and remained united while able to fire. Withdrawing a dis- tance, the Indians sent a French boy to demand a surrender. The boy was Capt. Heald's interpreter, who had deserted to the side of the In- dians in the early part of the engagement. Advancing very cautiously toward the Americans, a Mr. Griffith advanced to meet him, intending to kill him for his conduct in deserting; but the boy declaring that it was
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the only way he could save himself, and at the same time appearing quite sorry for having been obliged to act as he did, he was permitted to approach. He said the Indians proposed to spare the lives of the Americans, if they would surrender. But the surviving soldiers all re- fused. The boy soon returned, saying the Indians were very numerous, and strongly urged Mr. Griffith to use his endeavors to bring about a surrender, which was at length consented to. The men having laid down their arms, the Indians came forward to receive them; when, in the face of their promise, they tomahawked three or four of the men; and one Indian, it is stated, with the fury of a demon, approached Mrs. Heald, with his tomahawk raised to strike her. Much accustomed to danger, and being well acquainted with Indian character, with remark- able presence of mind she looked him earnestly in the face, and smiling said: "Surely you will not kill a squaw." The Indian's arm fell, and the brave lady was protected by the barbarous hand that was about to rob her of life. She was the daughter of Gen. Samuel Wells, of Kentucky, who fought most valiantly at the battle of Tippecanoe. The rage of the Indians was lavished upon the body of Capt. Wells. After this massacre, his head was cut off, and as his character was unequaled for bravery, the Indians took his heart from his body, cooked it, and divided it among themselves in very small pieces. They religiously believed that each one who ate of it, would thereby become as brave as he from whom it was taken.
In accordance with their ancient custom, the Indians now divided the prisoners. Captain Heald and wife and Mr. Griffith being selected by the Ottawas, were taken by this band to the lake shore, beyond the mouth of the river St. Joseph. Having been severely wounded, they consid- ered their fate as inevitably sealed; but Griffith's eye fell upon a canoe, at a convenient point, sufficiently large to hold them, and one night soon afterward they succeeded in making their escape, traversing the lake in this frail bark some 200 miles to Mackinaw, where the Britishi com- mander enabled them to reach the United States in safety.
On the next day after this disaster Gen. Hull filled the cup of mis -. fortune in the west by surrendering Detroit without firing a gun, to an inferior British force, consisting of some 700 troops and about 600 In- dians, under command of Gen. Brock .. This placed the whole territory in the hands of the British. Said Gen. Brock, in writing to his superior officer: "When I detail my good fortune, you will be astonished." The nation shared his astonishment and added thereto disgust.
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