USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
"P. S. I expect to break an ensign here to-morrow. He is under trial."
The expeditions sent from one post to the other were invariably accompanied with danger. Ambuscade, were always to be dreaded. Captain AArmstrong writes :
"FORT HAMILTON, May 7, 1792.
" LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JAMES WILKINSON :
"DEAR SIR, -- Ou the evening of the 5th inst., yone letter was handed me by the corporal conducting the es- cort. As Indians had shown themselves on the opposite shore for three succeeding days, I detained the escort until the evening of the 6th, and in the interim detached Lieutenant Gaines, with tweuty men, five miles on the road leading to St. Clair, with directions to recross Jo- sephi's Creek, and to form in ambuscade antil the same party pass him, which promi-es an ample reward. If there was nothing improper in the request I would solicit their continuance here until the opening of the campaign. JOHN ARMSTRONG.
" Yours. "Captain First Regiment, United States Army."
Captain Armstrong's apprehensions seem to be well founded in this case. He wrote to Colonel Wilkinson. May 0, 1792 :
" The express from St. Clair arrived this morning ale ut
12
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTI.
seven o'clock. Sergeant Brooks, who brought the dis- patches, says he saw, and was within two rods of, an In- dian about halt a mile from this post. The savage was endeavoring to shoot a deer with an arrow, and, on dis- covering the party, he gave a yell, which was answered at no great distance by three or four others. A raft on which three or four might have crossed the river floated past the fort about two o'clock. The horse upon which MeDonald was sent express on the 23d of April has re- turned to the garrison; the rider must, therefore, have been killed."
On the 11th of May, Colonel Wilkinson writes to Captain Armstrong :
" FORT WASHINGTON, May 11, 1792.
"DEAR SIR .- Your letter of the 8th came to hand in due season. I thank you for the precautions taken for the security of the convoy to St. Clair. I love a man who thinks; too few do so, and none else should com- mand. All the tools which can be procured here will be delivered you by Captain Peters-I mean of those you have required. The balance of Kersey's company, one sergeant and three privates, will join you with this es- cort. You may make the exchange proposed for a mau at. Dunlap's Station, but must send an orderly good zol- dier to take the place of the sawyer.
" Your monthly rations are in future to be regulated by the inclosed form, and they must be delivered at this post (as practicable) on the 4th of each successive month. The couriers will, in future, leave Jefferson on the first day of the mouth, and every twelve or fifteen days after. You may rest satisfied that the command of Fort Ham- ilton shall not be changed whilst I have influence, in any instance, until some general movement takes place. . Let him who wins wear, he who woos enjoy,' will, I believe, be the motto of my colors. Mr. Hartshorn must be here by the 25th, to take command of the horse. Hamilton will be up by the same day, I expect. I rest much upon the enterprise and perseverance of these young men; I lope they may distinguish themselves. I will furnish you another officer the moment the state of this garrison permits.
" For the safety of our communications, to save the troops, to assist in guarding the cattle, and for the pur- pose of scouting and reconnoitering, I have determined to annex to each of the outposts two confidential woods- men, to be subject to the orders of the respective com- mandants, agreeably to the inclosed articles. The whole party are to accompany the convoy out, and, on Captain Peters's return, Resin Baily and Joseph Shepperd are in the first instance to be stationed with you; but, to pro- portion the duty of these men fairly, there must be a rotation. The party, then, which leaves Fort Jefferson. will deliver the dispatches from that post and St. Clair to yon ; your men are to ron with them, and, on their return, are to go forward to St. Clair, where they will continue, and the party at St. Clair will carry forward
------
--
the dispatches to Jefferson, where they will take post until remanded by Major Strong, and will proceed in this manner until other regulations may be deemed expedient. Nevertheless, on extraordinary occasions extraordinary messengers are to be dispatched.
" You will receive by this escort ten fat bullocks, which are to be killed and issued before you touch a ra- tion of the bacon other than what may be necessary to your own mess. The grazing of these cattle and saving the guard harmless will, i know, be extremely hazard- ous, but rely on your genins and resources.
"The cattle must be penned inside of the walls of the garrisou every night. Should any men desert you, the scouts are to take the track, pursue, overtake, and make prisoners of them, and for every one so apprehended and brought back you may engage them twenty dollars. If the deserter is discovered making for the enemy it will be well for the scout to shoot him and bring his head to you, for which allow forty dollars. One head loppel off in this way and set upon a pole on the para.le might do lasting good in the way of deterring others.
" Yours respectfully, J. WILKINSON. "CAPTAIN JOHN ARMSTRONG, Fort Hamilton."
Captain Armstrong, on the 15th of May, wrote to General Wilkinson:
"MY DEAR FRIEND,-Your letters of the 29th of April and 11th May came duly to hand. Captain Peters. with his convoy, marched this morning, and I am ex- tremely happy you mentioned the circumstance . of the troops returning from St. Clair being detained on the op- posite shore all night, as it gives me an opportunity of communicating to you the cause why they were so de- tained, and trust my motives will justit'y the measure, and convince you that in doing so I did my duty. Those troops arrived at sunset, the large flat being rendered useless by a neglect in the men of Lieutenant Shaum- burgh's command. The river was high. Having the small flat only to effect the crossing, it would have taken the greater part of the night, and from the height of the water and darkness of the weather. I conceived would be attended with much danger, and perhaps the loss of sev- erai lives.
"I sincerely thank you for your friendly advice re- specting the exercise of the law martial against a citizen, and shall adhere strictly thereto.
"Sure I am, the circumstance of' having confined one of the contractor's men must have been improperly and partially represented to you. Contempt of an order of the commanding officer of a post would be unjustifiable in a citizen, much more so in one that is, in some measure, connected with the aring, and, agreeable to the customs established in the last war, subject to be punished by martial law (see section 13, article 25, of the articles of war). Men employed by the contractor as an aid to the quartermaster are indulged with an ide: that
13
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN WILKINSON AND ARMSTRONG.
they were not subject to the martial law. Figure to your- seif what would be the situation of an officer command- ing one of our recruits! That they are subject thereto I have never heard disputed. Should these characters. be impressed with a different idea, and supported therein, fatal would be the consequences produced in the army. I shall at all times give a negative to the establishment of so bad a precedent. In the return you inclosed from the quartermaster he has committed an error. The company book mentioned therein, it seems, was intended for, and is appropriated, with the wafers, quills, and greater part of the paper, to the use of his department. The oil-stone is also missing. My surveyors remain idle for want of files. On further inquiry I find the surveyor mentioned in my last is at Covault's Station, instead of Dunlap's .. I wish you could, for a time, spare me the cooper belonging 'to Captain Kersey's company, and now at Fort Washington, to be employed in making canteens. I have a quantity of cedar collected for that purpose. A part of each of the unfinished buildings in the bastions is raised two stories high, and may hereafter he converted into soldiers' barracks and officers' quarters. I intend finishing the upper story in each, so that when you honor us with a visit, a cool, comfortable room will be at your service. The articles mentioned in the inclosed returns are actually wanted, and I hope you will think proper to order them furnished.
"Captain Peters's detachment marched yesterday moru- ing, and in the evening the savages tomahawked a man employed by the quartermaster to drive the public team, about four hundred yards from the fort, where he had strolled without arms and contrary to the order of 5th April. It appears that the fellow was sitting down at the root of a tree, and perhaps asleep.
" I employ as a guard to the cattle a non-commissioned offieer and eight men, who have orders to confine them- selves to some thicket near the drove, and be seen as seldom as possible. Permit me here to observe, the con- tractor ought to have one or two men to drive the bul- locks, covered by the guard.
"Your orders respecting the bacon, ete., shall be strictly attended to. I have signed the abstracts up to the first of May, and confess to you I can't sce any way of exe- enting them agreeable to the copy from the War Office. You will please to observe there is no column for artificers, wagoners, paek-horsemen, or for any extra rations what- ever. I would thank you to point out the mode of bring- ing those in, with a strict uniformity to the returns sent forward, referred to in your orders. I kept no copy of my letter by MeDonald, as it contained nothing material. Our regiment is becken, indeed, and not benefited much by the commanding officer's being at so great a distance, who, I presume, would reduce some companies to fill others, and send the supernumerary officers on the re- cruiting service.
"Those woodsmen you have been pleased to direet for
each post will be the means of saving many of our best men, who are generally employed on the service under- taken by them. Your partisan corps will have much in their power, and I trust, do honor to themselves; it is the handsomest command in the army. I am sorry the God of War has formed any unjust prejudices against me. I will not suffer him to do me injustice, and ask no fa- vors. The person who made the representation to you must be young in service, and possessed of more passion than judgment. To have crossed the troop and left near a hundred horses without a guard would, in my opinion, have been very improper.
" Yours, respectfully, JOHN ARMSTRONG, " Captain Commandant."
Colonel Wilkinson was appointed a brigadier-general in May, 1792, and on the twenty-sixth of that month he writes to Captain Armstrong, from Fort Washington:
"I applaud the plan and progress of your buildings, and wish you to extend and complete them, because I shall spend much of my idle time with you after our chief arrives. You should contrive some place for cool- ing wine and preserving fresh meat and butter, milk, etc. The contractor must find nich to drive his cattle, in my opinion, and that point is now before the executive for their decision."
He also adds, in the same letter: " Hardin and Free- man left us day before yesterday, the former for San- dusky, the latter for Maumee. I think it equivocal what may be the event, but do expect they will return."
In his next letter Captain Armstrong says :
" FORT HAMILTON, June 1, 1792. " DEAR SIR, -Your letter of the 24th of May came duly to hand. I am pleased with the idea of having much of your company this Summer. I have happily anticipated your wishes. I have a cellar adjoining the well, and in part of it a cistern that contains about four hundred gallons; which I fill with water once every day, which serves to keep the cellar cool, and answers the purpose of a fish pond. The pleasing idea of being received into the arms of friendship in Philadelphia must, in some mensure, lessen the fatigues of the long journey your lady is about to undertake. I sincerely wish her a pleasant and safe passage.
" Will you come and eat strawberries with us? If we had a cow you should have eream also. Green peas we have in abundance. If you could spare some radish sceds, their produce would hereafter serve to ornament your table. Four of the cattle left for the supply of this post broke from the drove some days since, took the road for Fort Washington, and could not be overtaken by the party on foot who pursued them as far as Pleasant Ron. One other this morning swald across the river, and is so wild that Mr. Ewing has crossed to shoot him. There is, therefore, only one bullock remaining; he will give the garrison about four days' provision.
--
.
£
14
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
" You will no doubt receive by this express a letter from Lieutenant Gaines, inelosing two orders relative to the affairs of this garrison. Should he inclose you the orders of the 25th and 31st of May, anything that may appear ambiguous therein will be explained by the fol- lowing relation : I had filled the cistern already spoken of in the evening, in order to give the water the night to settle for the use of the troops next day. Mr. Gaines drew the plug and emptied it. As the drawing of three or four hundred gallons of water is attended with mueh fatigue, by the way of reprimand, I observed to Lieu- tenant Gaines that, if directing him to attend the filling and emptying it would have any other effect than to hurt his feelings, I would direct his attention thereto for a month. His reply was that he would disobey such an order, the issuing of which will be the cause of a con- plaint. He is young in service, and will learn better. I have read him this part of my letter, and referred him to the eighteenth chapter of the baron's instructions.
"From the list of appointments accompanying your list, I see there are but three brigadiers appointed. I think the law says four, and, I hope, means yourself.
" Respectfully, your obedient servant, " JOHN ARMSTRONG. " BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON."
On the 11th he narrates the escape of two scouts:
"DEAR SIR, -Bailey and Clawson left this on the night of the 7th, which was the evening of the day they arrived. They report that, two miles on the other side the Seventeen Mile Creek, about half-past five o'clock P. M., they saw thrce Indians standing in the road, with their faces towards St. Clair, and about one hundred and fifty yards in their front. They took to the left of the road in order to make the fort for which they were bound. A foot from the road, in erossing a branch, they saw two watching at a lick ; in running down the bank their belts broke, and they lost their packets, after which, at a little distance, they saw two more Indians, who pursued them. They say they heard the savages in pursuit until yester- day ten o'clock, when they struck a creek, the center of which they took and kept until they struck the river-I suppose ten miles.
" Yours, with great respect, " JOHN ARMSTRONG. " FORT HAMILTON, June 11, 1792."
On the same date, General Wilkinson writes:
"FORT WASHINGTON, June 11, 1792.
" DEAR SIR, -- I this morning received your letter of last evening, aud regret the accident which has betalien my last dispatches, though I think it as fifty to one the enemy have uot got them, for it is probable they were not in view when the papers were dropped, and if they were, their attention would have been too much engaged to regard the packet.
" By this conveyance you will receive the iron, hemp, and two seythes, ete. I have ordered Hodgson to send out the window-glass, and every other article which has not been heretofore furnished, and to strengthen your gar- rison I send you the fragment of Pratt's company at this place. One-half the scythes, fairly assorted, must be sent forward to Fort Jefferson, and I must flatter myself that you will employ your utmost exertions to procure the largest quantity of hay profitable in your neighborhood. This is, indeed, an object of great magnitude. When the grass is finally secured, it is my purpose to throw a small quantity of salt among it, in order to render it pal- atable and nutritious. In this momentous business you shall command every requisite aid, and must duly notify me of every want.
" The lieutenants stationed with you and at St. Clair are to accompany Lieutenant Hartshorn to Fort Jeffer- son, where they are to continue for the security. of the bullock and grass guards at the post. The regular trans- port of provisions which are now about to commence will furnish frequent opportunities of writing, and, as the horse will make their head-quarters with you, you can at any time employ a party to come on to this post. i expect one hundred mounted riflemeu from Kentucky in six or seven days, engaged for three months to ply on the com- munication to Jefferson.
"With mach esteem, I am, dear sir, yours sincerely, " JAMES WILKINSON, " Brigadier general.
"N. B .- You must consider the order restraining the movements of the commanding officers of posts as done away, and are to exercise your discretion. The cavalry are to receive your orders after they return fron: Jefferson. ".J. W.
"CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG."
To which Captain Armstrong replied :
"FORT HAMILTON, June 21, 1792. "DEAR GENERAL, -Agreeable to the direction, con- tained in your letter of the 11th instant, five of the scythes were scut forward to Major Strong, and with the remaining six I commenced work on Monday, and have already cured five cocks of hay, which, in my opinion. is little inferior to timothy. It is so warin on the prairie, that it is cut, cured, and cocked the same day. conse- quently can lose none of its juices. An additional num- ber of seythes will be necessary. in order to procure the quantity you want. I can find no seud as a substitute for whetstones; perhaps some might be procured among the citizens. One, two, or three, if more ean not be had," would be a great relief. The window-glass, iron, and hemp came forward, but none of the other articles wrote for.
"I have allowed the mowers oue and a half rations per day, and both them and the hay-makers half' a pint of whisky each. This, I hope, will meet your approba- tion. I have also promised to use my endeavors to pro-
15
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN WILKINSON AND ARMSTRONG.
cure them extra wages. 'As the contract price of whisky is about sixteen shillings per gallon, and this extra liquor can not be considered as part of the ration, would it not be well to furnish it as well as the salt in the quarter- master's department? I am sure you will conceive that men laboring hard in the hot sun require an extra allow- ance, and it may be bought here at fifteen shillings cost and carriage. Lieutenant Hartshorn returned last even- ing with his command, and will, no doubt, report to you. He is of opinion that there is a camp of Indians not far distant from this, on the west side of the river. I shall employ his company as a covering party to the haymakers, ete., which will make the duty of the infantry lighter-the many ohjects we have to attend to makes their duty very hard. The want of camp-kettles to cook their meat in is a great inconvenience. Inclosed you have a return for ar- tieles we can not well do without. The want of clothing for the men is also a subject of complaint. I am told there are a number of pairs of linen overalls in store at head- quarters. I wish you would think proper to send them here, with some shirts, to cover our nakedness. Indeed. I should feel much relieved by a visit from you. Permit me here to suggest the necessity of furnishing grass hooks for the horse, and, indeed, the contractor's men ought to have them also.
"The officers of the Second Regiment contend with me for rank, and, I believe. are about to make a representa- tion to the President on the subject. As I filled Captain Mercer's vacancy, and was myself the bearer of his com- mission, and being appointed by a different act of Con- gress, I feel no uneasiness with respect to their claims. But the want of my commission may be some incon- venience. I addressed General Knox on this subject in March last; having received no answer, I fear, from the multiplicity of business in your office at that time, he overlooked my request, and have therefore to solicit your influence with him for a copy of my commission, to sup- port my clains.
" Respectfully yours, .
JOHN ARMSTRONG, " Captain Commandant."
The traet of land about a mile south of Fort Hamil- ton, between where the pond was and the Miami River, comprehending five or six hundred acres, was, at the time of which we are writing, a beautiful natural prairie, covered with a luxuriant growth of grass. It was here the grass was cut and hay made.
After Wilkinson's visit the following was sent by Arni- strong :
" DEAR GENERAL, -I feel myself in some measure re- lieved from the visit you have paid this post. As the important daries imposed on my command have come within your own observation any remarks with respect to my apprehensions from the enemy become imnecessary. Every force you may please to put under my command -ball be employed to the utmost advantage my ability and
exertions may be allequate to. Securing the hay appears to be an object of great attention. Perhaps one or more public teams may be had at head-quarters. The use of them here would effeet your wish. Fifty pairs of shoes, if more can not be spared, would be a great relief. Teli cartridge and ten bayonet belts, also, would enable me to parade my company in uniform. To serve me in this instance I am sure would give you pleasure. I well knew they are in store, but perhaps claimed by some officers who have not men to wear them. Ten men will complete my company ; perhaps you may think proper to increase my command by sending them forward. The whip-saw I have received is not calculated for my wants; perhaps a better one might be procured. The seythe's are subject to be broken, and, some of them being good for naught, more may be thought necessary. The whip-saw, file, and whetstones, as soon as they can be had, will serve to for- ward the business you have ordered. Two or more non- commissioned officers would add to the safety of my small parties.
" Yours, with respect, JOHN ARMSTRONG. "July 1, 1792."
Wilkinson forwarded a horse to Armstrong's care : " FORT WASHINGTON, July 6, 1792. " DEAR SIR, -I have only time to tell you that you must forward by the convoy, if it has not reached you, the inclosed letter, or if it has, by two of your runners, it being of moment. Keep a good look out for 'Poor Jaek,' or Charley may burn the hay. Adieu.
" Yours, etc .. JAMES WILKINSON, " Brigadier-general. "N. B. I send a nag for your particular attention. She is my favorite, and is very poor. J. W.
"J. ARMSTRONG, Captain Commandant."
General Wilkinson writes to Captain Armstrong, duted "FORT WASHINGTON, July 7, 1792. "I send out to apprise you that this day, about noen, a party of savages fired on a party consisting of two men, a woman, and Colonel Spencer's son, about one and a half miles above this, and on this side of the river. One man was killed, the other wounded, but not mortally, and poor little Spencer carried off a prisoner. I sent out a party. who fell in with their trail in General Harmar's trace, about six miles from this, and followed it on the path, about two miles farther, when the men failing with fatigue, the sergeant was obliged to return. Master Spen- cer's trail was upou the path. This is a for.her answer to the pacific overtures, and makes me tremible for your hay. I pray you, if possible, to redouble your vigilance, and on Monday morning early Captain Peters will march with his company and six wagons to your assistance. Send me twenty horses the moment Peters reaches you, . and I will be with you next day ; in the mean time, your cavalry should scout on both sides of the river, and your ritienien be kept constantly in motion."
16
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
The Spencer referred to in General Wilkinson's letter was Oliver M. Spencer, of Cincinnati, who was then a boy eleven years of age. His father lived in Columbia, and young Spencer had been on a visit to Cincinnati, to spend the Fourth of July, and, having stayed until the 7th, set out in a cance with foar other persons who were going to Columbia. About a mile above Deer Creek, one of the men, much intoxicated, made so many hirches in the canoe as to endanger its safety, and Spencer, who could not swim, becoming alarmed, was, at his earnest request, set on shore, as was also the drunken man, who was un- able to proceed on foot, and was. accordingly, left where he landed. The three in the canoe, and Spencer on shore, proceeded on, but bad progressed only a few rods, when they were fired on by two Indians. A Mr. Jacob Light was wounded in the arm, and another man killed on the spot, both falling overboard, the man on shore tomahawked and scalped, and Spencer, after a vain at- tempt to escape, was made prisoner, and carried off by the savages and taken out to an Indian village at the mouth of the Auglaize River, where he remained several months in captivity. The tidings of these events were taken to Fort Washington by Light, who swam ashore a short distance below, by the aid of his remaining aria, and Mrs. Coleman, the other passenger, who, though a woman of sixty years of age, and, of course, encumbered with the apparel of her sex, was unable to make any effort to save herself, but whose clothes, floating on the surface of the river, buoyed her up in safety. It is cer- tain, at any rate, incredible as it may be thought by some, that she floated down a considerable distance, and came safely to shore. Spencer, after remaining nearly a year among the Indians, was taken to Detroit, where he was ransomed, and finally sent home, after an absence in va- rious places of three years, two years of which he passed among his relatives in the State of New Jersey. He re- sided, subsequently, in the city of Cincinnati, became a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was for many years cashier in the Miami Exporting Company Bank. He died at Cincinnati, in May, 1836, leaving ser- eral sons, who subsequently hell offices of honor and trust. A narrative of Mr. Spencer's captivity was written by himself, and published in 1836.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.