USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 10
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
THE HUDSON BAY COMPANY
The connection of Monroe county with the Hudson Bay Company was never so close, nor its relations with it of sufficient importance to warrant any extended account in these pages, except as its methods and operations offer some information in regard to the disposal of the im- mense stocks of furs and peltries taken by the pioneers, the hunters and trappers, both of the Indian tribes and the white men. The marketing of these furs was principally through the intermediary of the independ- ent fur traders, either those located permanently or the roving coureurs de bois, who were either representatives of the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwestern Company or individually operating for smaller concerns; but, having neither the capital nor the organization for con- ducting a business on the scale of their great competitors, who practically dominated every part of the new and rich territory of the northwest.
The Hudson Bay Company enjoys the distinction of being the oldest organization, the largest united company doing business under the same system, and unchanged in any particular, that exists in the world to-day. It was incorporated in 1670, and received its charter from Charles II. Prince Rupert, of England, was associated with the first body of "mer- chant adventurers trading into Hudson Bay," as the first nucleus of the company was designated in the charter, which gave them the right to trade upon all rivers and their tributaries flowing into Hudson's Bay. They established their first posts at the mouths of the principal rivers that fall into the bay on the east, south and west shores, such as East Main, Ruperts, Moose, Churchill, and a few smaller ones. The men selected for the positions of managers or superintendents of these posts were called "factors," and the posts themselves, "factories." They en- deavored to draw the interior Indians down to the coast and those from every part of the territory to their principal posts, but after a few years they found that the long journey to the "factories" took up so much of the Indians' time, and left them after their return to their hunting grounds, so exhausted from their strenuous exertions in nego- tiating the turbulent and swift flowing waters that the company's man- agement decided to stretch out and establish trading places in different parts of the north,-so the company pushed ahead to the south and west and ran up their flag, a blood red ground with H. B. C. in white block letters in the center. In the early days, of course, the fur trade had always been the principal commerce of the country, and after the French regime several Scotch merchants of Montreal continued this profitable business with greater vigor than ever. This they did under the name of the "Northwest Company." Their agents and the courieur de bois were ever pushing out in every direction and a considerable trade was carried on with them by the trappers and hunters in this section. Some idea may be gained, of the fur trade done by the Hudson Bay Company from the statement made in 1829, by Mckenzie, which gave the peltries purchased in that year, as follows :
106,000 beaver skins 6,000 lynx skins
2,100 bear skins 600 wolverine skins
1,500 fox skins 1,650 fisher skins
4,000 kitt fox skins 100 racoon skins
4,000 otter skins
3,800 wolf skins
16,000 musquash skins 700 elk skins
32,000 martin skins 1,800 mink
1,750 deer skins
1,200 deer skins (dressed)
500 buffalo skins
This list, no doubt, would vary from year to year.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
MONROE COUNTY AS A GAME REGION
Monroe county was a famous game region from time immemorial, and it is due, perhaps, partially to this fact that the Indians were ex- tremely fond of making long visits within its borders, and as nearly permanent homes as these nomadic peoples were ever known to make. As far back in the dim past as the date of Charlevoix's journal of his brief visit to the River Raisin country, it was the hunter's paradise- and his observations at the time (1721) are well worth recording and reading. This old explorer, adventurer and traveller, from whose intelli- gent and sagacious observations and forceful descriptions of the country through which he passed on his expeditions from Montreal to the north- west, are to-day respected and admired for their accuracy and interest.
CHARLEVOIX'S DESCRIPTION
The following extract is from "Charlevoix's Travels" contained in two large volumes written, of course, in French, and translated by a careful scholar: "The first of June, being the day of Pentecost, after having sailed up a beautiful river (the River Raisin) for the space of an hour, and runs between two fine stretches of meadow land, we passed over a carrying place of about sixty paces in width, in order to avoid turning round a point of land. This river is said to have its rise, at a great distance to the northwest. It is a somewhat sandy spot of ground on one of its banks, and naturally bears a great abundance of grape and other vines. The following day I saw nothing striking, but coasted along a charming country, hid at times by less attractive pros- pects, but which were so seldom seen as to be unimportant. Whenever I went ashore I was enchanted by the beauty and variety of the scene, which was terminated by the noblest forests in the world. Add to this, that the waterways and the wide marais swarm with waterfowl of every kind. It is to be supposed, that the woods afford game in equal profu- sion, for nothing could be of easier fancy than to believe that here was the home of all the animals and birds, that make life pleasant in these silent abodes." (No wonder that the name of La Plaisance was given to a part of this charming landscape.)
"Were we to sail," continues Charlevoix, "as we here did, with a serene sky, in a delightful climate, and in waters as clear as those of the purest fountain, were we sure of finding as secure and agreeable places to pitch our tent to spend the night, where we might enjoy the pleasures of hunting, breathe the purest of air and enjoy the sensation of being in the finest of countries, we might wish to travel to the end of our days. How the giant oaks and elms reminded me of Mamre!" In those days, and even at a later time, buffalo, bear, deer and indeed all the ani- mals common to this latitude were found here. A "hunter's paradise," indeed.
HENNEPIN'S RECORD
The explorer and missionary, Father Hennepin, was here in 1701, and was as enthusiastic in his admiration of the beauties of the River Raisin Valley as was his brother Jesuit, Charlevoix. Fortunately these early day visitors to our shores were careful to record their discoveries and impressions, for whenever we make research into the far past for information, we invariably find it in the written words of these Jesuits, or the black robed priests, who appeared to be inspired to give to the succeeding generations the result of their journeyings through the unex- plored wildernesses of the northwest. Father Hennepin's account of the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
country about here runs as follows: "The borders are so many vast prairies and grand forests and charming streams, the freshness of whose waters keeps the banks always green. Long and broad rows of fruit trees are seen, which have never felt the careful hand of the vigilant gardener. Everywhere along these broad natural avenues under the trees are seen assembled by hundreds the timid deer and fawn; also the squirrel bounding in eagerness to gather the plums and nuts with which the ground is almost literally covered. Here the cautious turkey calls and collects her numerous brood and conducts them to gather the grapes and berries which abound most luxuriantly-and here, too, come the mates to gorge themselves on the abundance of good things. Pheasants, quail, partridge, woodcock and multitudes of pigeons beyond the power to count them, swarm in clouds in the woods and cover the country which is dotted with thickets and forests of majestic trees of very great height and size, forming a charming perspective, which sweetens the sad loneliness of the solitude. The fish are here nourished and bathed by living waters of crystal clearness and delicious purity, and this great abundance renders them none the less appetizing. Swans are so numer- ous, that at times, one would take them for lilies among the reeds in which they are crowded together. The gabbling geese, the duck, the widgeon are so abundant that to give an idea of their numbers I must use the expression of a savage, whom I asked, before arriving, if there is much game there: "So much," he replied, "that they draw up in lines to let the boats pass through." They are not not now so formal or so disposed to exercise plein de grace.
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BRITISH
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GRAVES
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BRITISH PLAN OF BATTLE OF RIVER RAISIN, JANUARY 22, 1813
This photographic copy is believed to be the only map and plan of the battle- ground in existence, and is taken from the papers accompanying Proctor's official report of the battle, published in Major Richardsons "War of 1812." 1
CANNON
HULL'S
CHAPTER VI THE BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN
BRITISH FORCES LEAVE AMHERSTBURG-ROUT OF THE AMERICANS-AP- PEARANCE OF PRISONERS-MAJOR RICHARDSON'S NARRATIVE-COLONEL PROCTOR'S REPORT-FACTS ABOUT THE BATTLE-GENERAL WIN- CHESTER'S REPORT-ACCOUNT OF HON. LAURENT DUROCHER-HARRI- SON TO SHELBY-HARRISON TAKES THE FIELD-TECUMSEH, THE GREAT SHAWNEE.
"Towards the close of the autumn of 1812," says Major Richardson, t "General Winchester, having established himself at that point of the Miami, whither General Tupper had, on the occasion of Major Muir's retreat from Fort Wayne, been ordered to dislodge us, (British), and thrown up on the right bank of the river a strong fortification, to which, in compliment to the governor of the state of Ohio, the name of Fort Meigs had been given, a detachment consisting of about 50 men under the command of Major Reynolds of the Essex militia, with a three pounder and 200 Indians, were sent to Frenchtown* on the river Raisin, distant eighteen miles from Amherstburg, to watch his move- ments. Here this little party continued unmolested until the afternoon of the 18th of January, 1813. When Colonel Lewis, who had been detached from General Winchester's division, with an advance guard of nearly 800 men suddenly fell upon them, and notwithstanding a very gallant resistance, in the course of which efficient service was rendered by the three pounder under Bombardier Kitson of the Royal Artillery, aided simply by a few militia acting as gunners, compelled them to retire across some intermediate open ground to a wood, distant nearly a mile from their original position. Here the enemy were kept in check, not only by the fire from the three pounder, but by a running fusilade from the militia and Indians, chiefly of the Pottawattami tribe. After the conflict had continued at the point upwards of half an hour, Major Reynolds finding himself closely pressed by superior numbers gave up the contest, the Americans suffering him to effect his retreat, without further interruption. In this little affair the British loss was one militiaman and three Indians killed. That of the enemy was much more severe, they themselves admitting twelve killed and fifty-five wounded. Colonel Lewis having established himself in the position sent immediate notices of his success to General Winchester, who, quitting
t Major in the British army, in command of a regiment at the Battle of French- town, a historian and author of "History of the War of 1812," copied from his reports and letters in the Archives at Ottawa, Canada.
* Frenchtown, now the city of Monroe, was so called because of the number of French families settled upon the banks of the river, who built their houses near together, as was usual with French settlers, for mutual protection. The stream was called Sturgeon River by the Indians, because that fish was found there in large numbers; but Riviere aux Raisins, by the French, on account of the abundance of grapes which grew upon its banks.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Fort Meigs with the main body of his army, pushed forward with all expedition and effected a juncture with Colonel Lewis on the 20th.
"The account of the repulse of Major Reynolds having reached Am- herstburg in the course of the night of the 18th, Colonel Proctor, with a promptness and decision which it is to be regretted had not marked his subsequent operations, resolved on an instant to advance upon the cap- tured position before the enemy could have time to fortify it. Accord- ingly the whole disposable force of the garrison was ordered upon this service, and early on the 19th, leaving a handful of men to occupy the fort, he crossed the Detroit river opposite Amherstburg with a body of 500 troops and militia, 800 Indians under Chief Roundhead (Tecum- seh being absent collecting reinforcements) with three three-pounders. The different vessels being laid up for the season, parts of their crews were ordered to serve with the artillery, and the two companies of New- foundland Fencibles, attached to the brigade.
BRITISH FORCES LEAVE AMHERSTBURG
"No sight could be more beautiful," writes Richardson, "than the departure of this little army from Amherstburg. It was the depth of winter, and the river at the point where we crossed being four miles in breadth, the deep rumbling noise of the guns prolonging their reverberations like the roar of distant thunder, as they moved along over the ice, mingled with the wild cries of the Indians, seemed to threaten some convulsion of nature; while the appearance of the troops, winding along the road, now lost behind some cliff of rugged ice, now emerging into view, their polished arms glittering in the sunbeams, gave an air of romantic grandeur to the scene.
"On the night of the 21st, we halted and bivouacked in the open air, about five miles from the enemy's position, with no other protection from the cold than our great coats and the fires which were kindled at our feet. Two hours before dawn we were again upon the advance to the River Raisin, and on the 22d, before daybreak, came within sight of the enemy, occupying the position lately held by Major Reynolds. Such was apparently their feeling of security and consequent negligence, that they had not thrown out a single picket, and our line was actually half formed within musket shot of their defenses .*
"The conduct of Colonel Proctor on this occasion has ever been a matter of astonishment to me, and on no one principle that I am aware of can it be satisfactorily accounted for. The Americans were lying in their beds, undressed and unarmed; a prompt and forward movement of the line, either would have enabled us to have taken them with the bayonet at advantage, or to have seized the intermediate close fence forming a parapet from which they shortly afterwards so severely annoyed us. Instead of this he commenced firing his three-pounders in answer to the alarms of the sentinels, who, at length perceiving us, had rapidly discharged their muskets-thus affording them time and facility for arming and occupying the only position from which they could seriously check our advance. Resting their rifles on the breastwork by which they were covered, the Americans fought under every advantage, the dark line of troops before them serving as a point of direction which could not fail to be perceived along the field of snow by which they were surrounded. Much execution was done among the artillery and sea- men. Singled out by the marksmen, the officers and men of these de-
*This, was the fatal blunder, or worse, of General Winchester, which cost so dear in human life and so much in treasure, and misery to the French inhabitants. [There appears to have been two delinquent generals in this affair] ED.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
partments, placed in front of the line were particularly exposed, and some of the guns were abandoned from want of men to work them. The fire of the enemy was not less galling to the troops, who, falling at every step, continued to advance with the utmost resolution and gallantry.
ROUT OF THE AMERICANS
"The action had continued about an hour, when the American right being entirely broken by the militia and Indians, a movement was made to occupy the ground they had abandoned and to take them in flank. This manœuvre succeeded; a corps of Americans to the number of four hundred threw themselves into the strong block houses they had already constructed since their arrival, where they continued to make an obstinate defence. Meanwhile their right and part of their center closely followed across the ice by the Indians fell almost unresist- ing victims to the ferocity of their pursuers, and for nearly two miles along the road by which they passed the snow was covered by the bodies and blood of the slain. Among the fugitives was General Winchester himself, who, falling into the hands of the Wyandotte chief, Roundhead, was conducted, together with his son, a handsome youth of sixteen, to our rear. There, being informed of the state of the action, he imme- diately wrote an order in pencil to the officer commanding the block houses, desiring him to surrender what troops were under him as pris- oners of war.
"This being conveyed to Colonel Proctor, who was then in advance with the left wing, which was fast establishing itself on the flank of the enemy's position, the fire from our line was discontinued, and an officer dispatched with a flag and the document in question. The result of this was the surrender of a considerable body of men, who, dreading to fall into the hands of the Indians, had resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible, and who could not, without great difficulty have been ex- pelled from their formidable position. In this manner was the whole of the American fort annihilated-150 men only-of those who had been routed early in the day contriving to effect their escape into Fort Meigs, the post so recently established on the banks of the Miami. So com- plete was the surprise of the enemy that General Winchester, when brought in, had no other covering than the dress in which he slept.
"In this affair which, if properly conducted, would have been at- tended by little loss to the assailants, we had twenty-four rank and file killed, eleven officers, and one hundred and fifty-eight rank and file wounded, exclusive of sergeants whose number is not recorded. In a forward movement made upon the enemy in the heat of the action, but in which we had been checked by the desperate and deadly fire of their riflemen, one of the three-pounders had been abandoned not twenty yards from the fence. The Americans eagerly sought to obtain posses- sion of this piece, and leaped the breastworks for the purpose of dragging it in, under cover of their own fire. Their object, however, was seen and frustrated by the British line, which had not retired many yards before it again halted and renewed the contest, compelling the Americans to retire behind their breastworks.
APPEARANCE OF PRISONERS
"The appearance of the prisoners captured at Frenchtown" con- tinues Major Richardson, "was miserable to the last degree ; their squalid bodies were covered by clothing which had evidently undergone every change of season and were arrived at the last stage of repair. It was the depth of winter, but scarcely an individual was in possession of a great coat or cloak, and few of them wore any garments of wool of
VIEWof WINCHESTER NORTHAMERICA DEDICATED To ME. PRESIDENT MAD I SONT from the Morn" Chronicle An 23,1813'] It appears from, One of the It byartbyers. it was the forms Windat This Moment Watchester Prisoner. The Indian according to the Redoutede
i'm his notion of the Laws of Nations & Country due to Prisoners of His top. sanderother Bois wind Waisteat &t Shirt, Reprends be presented him total Proctor who with big with arecorded in aptona the baccaratalves
CARTOON OF CAPTURE OF GEN. WINCHESTER.
Cartoon published in London, England, in 1813, burlesqueing capture of General Winchester at Battle of River Raisin by Chief Roundhead. This rare print was discovered in London by Hon. C. M. Burton of Detroit, when there in 1910 and loaned to the History of Monroe County.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
any description. They still retained their summer dress, consisting of cotton or linen stuff of various colors shaped into frocks and descend- ing to the knee; their trousers were of the same material. The only dis- tinction between the garb of the officer and that of the soldier, was that the one in addition to his sword, carried a short rifle instead of a long one, while a dagger often curiously worked and of some value sup- plied the place of the knife. This description may be considered as applicable to the various bodies of irregular troops sent out by the states of Ohio and Kentucky throughout the war."
COLONEL PROCTOR'S REPORT
The following is the British official report of the battle of the River Raisin :
"From Colonel Proctor to Major General Sheaffle. SANDWICH, Jan. 25, 1813.
"My Dear General : In my last despatch I acquainted you that the enemy was in the Michigan territory marching upon Detroit. I there- fore deemed it requisite that he should be attacked without delay, and with all and every description of force within my reach. Early in the morning of the 19th, I was informed of his being in possession of French- town, on the River Raisin, thirty-six miles from Detroit, after experienc- ing every resistance that Major Reynolds of the Essex Militia had it in their power to make with a three pounder, well served and directed by Bombardier Kitson of the Royal Artillery and the militiamen whom he had trained to the use of it. The retreat of the gun was covered by a brave band of Indians, who made the enemy pay dearly for what he obtained. The Indians fell back eighteen miles to Brownstown, the set- tlement of the brave Wyandottes, where I directed my force to assemble. On the 21st instant I advanced twelve miles to Swan Creek, whence we marched to the enemy, and attacked him at break of day, on the 22d in- stant, and after experiencing for our numbers a considerable loss, about half of the enemy's force, posted in houses and enclosures, and which in dread of falling into the hands of the Indians, they most obstinately defended, at last surrendered at discretion; the other part of their force, in attempting to return whence they came, were, I believe, all, or perhaps excepting a very few, killed by the Indians.
"Brigadier General Winchester was taken in the pursuit by the Wyandotte chief, Roundhead. He was cut off from those who were posted, and whom he afterwards surrendered. I had much difficulty in bringing the Indians to consent to the sparing of their lives. You will perceive that I have lost no time, indeed, there was none to spare, as they would have been joined by Mr. Harrison in a few days, and the people from Detroit had already begun to show themselves. The troops, the marine and the militia, displayed great bravery; all behaved well; where so much zeal and spirit were displayed by all, it would be unjust to attempt to particularize. I shall only venture to mention some of the wounded. Lieutenant Colonel St. George, who received four wounds in a gallant attempt to occupy a building favorably situated for the enemy's annoyance; Ensign Kerr, of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, who I fear is very dangerously wounded. The zeal and cour- age of the Indian department were never more conspicuous than on this occasion. The Indian warriors displayed their usual courage. I am much indebted to the different departments, the troops having been well and timely supplied with every requisite the district can afford. We feel the insufficiency of medical attendance. If the Indians had not
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
appeared quite so soon in the enemy's rear, which deterred them from quitting their fastnesses, scarcely a man could have escaped death. I send my A. D. C., Lieutenant McLean, with this dispatch; he will be able to answer any question respecting the affair at Frenchtown that you may be desirous of asking, our situation here generally. I have decided to the best of my judgment respecting the prisoners, which is to send them by the River Thames, to be passed over on your frontier. The reasons for not sending them back by the route by which they came are so obvious that I shall not, except required, obtrude them on you; indeed I see no option or arrangement that could be made but the one directed.
"I fortunately have not been deprived of the services of Lieutenant Houghton of the Royal Artillery, and acting in the quartermaster general's department, although he was wounded. I enclose a list of the . killed and wounded. I lament there having been so many of both, but of the latter a large proportion will return to duty, and most of them before long. Before this reduction of my force, I had too few for the defence of this frontier. May I not hope that you will send me a com- pany of the Forty-first Regiment? You are aware of the insufficiency of my means. I also send a return of the arms, ammunition, etc., taken on the twenty-second inst., likewise of the prisoners, who you will per- ceive to be equal to my utmost force, exclusive of the Indians, who though a powerful aid are an uncertain one being dependent on suc- cess, and which would have strongly appeared had I failed on the twenty-second instant, nor could I have been sure of the militia in the event of any disaster. I have not heard it officially, but I believe that a party of the enemy, one hundred, bringing 500 hogs for General Win- chester's force, has been completely cut off. I shall defer until my next opportunity, which shall be in a few days, saying more, having already detained Lieutenant McLean too long, of whose courage and exertion displayed on the twenty-second, I would speak, did I think it just to attempt to particularize any one especially when I may be sup- posed to be partial.
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