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 6
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1
In his next letter Captain Armstrong says :
" FORT HAMILTON, July 8, 1792. Half-past 12 o'clock P. M.
" DEAR SIR, -Your letter by express was this mo- ment handed me. I am truly sorry for the misfortunes of Colonel Spencer's family, and much obliged to you for the carly information and advice. The convoy moved this morning, at which time the spies were detached in the direction mentioned in my letter of yesterday. It they discover no fresh tracks, they will not return. Ke assured every exertion on my part will be made, not only to save my mien, but to procure as much hay as possible. The weather for some days pact has been unfavorable to 1
our hay parties. The horse will be detached for you the moment Captain Peters arrives.
" Yours, with due respect, " JOHN ARMSTRONG. "GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON."
Spirituous refreshments were regarded then as neces- sary, and General Wilkinson provided them for the gar- rison at Fort Hamilton :
" FORT WASHINGTON, July 10, 1792.
" DEAR SIR,-I send you by Captain Peters ten gal- lons port wine, and five gallons brandy, which please ac- cept. The wagons are hired at twenty shillings per day and found. You know how to get the pennyworth out of them. Drive late and early, and make short halts; at the same time, keep your scythes steadily at work. We shall soon complete the three hundred tons, and the sooner the safer and better. I wish you to send me an escort of twenty horse on Friday, that I may join you. Last night I received an express from Major-general Wayne, the pur- port solely to prohibit offensive operations on our part. This express costs the public one hundred dollars, for what? The shoes and belts are sent to you. Mr. Mil- ler is to do duty while he continues with you.
"In haste, I am yours, etc., " JAMES WILKINSON, " Brigadier general. " J. ARMSTRONG, EsQ., Captain Commandand."
To this Captain Armstrong replied :
"FORT HAMILTON, Jah; 14, 1792, 7 " 8 o'clock P. M. -
"DEAR GENERAL, -Your letter of this morning, by Sergeant Armstrong, came duly to hand. I send you the two men mentioned therein, as also a letter to Colorel Johnson, on private business, which I will ask you to forward by your express. My hay and bullocks are safe, and, I conceive, much more exposed when grazing than when in the pen. Captain Peters's company will on the morrow encamp on the parade, as well as the men of Lieutenant Hartshorn's troops. I am willing to believe were you here they would remain on the ground they at present occupy.
" Believe me, sir, I am conscious of our exposed posi- tion, and well know we have been reconnoitered by the enemy, who will probably, with three hundred, attempt a stroke at this post --- I mean the haymakers. In two days more I shall have all my hay home ; and Mr. Miller, who has been particularly useful to me, and a julge of the quantity, says there will be an hundred and fifty tons. This is more than I calculated ou. The remaining one hundred and fifty can easily be procured, and as much more, if wanted, and workmen, guards, etc., can be fur- Y nished. Two or more carpenters are wanted, to assist. " With due respect,
"Jour: ARMSTRONG. " GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON."
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CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN WILKINSON AND ARMSTRONG.
General Wilkinson writes to Captain Armstrong, dated July 12, 1792:
"I have this moment received your letter, by Sergeant Policy, and sent out Sergeant Armstrong and a party of the horses for the two prisoners who have escaped from the enemy.
" You will mount them on two of the quartermaster's best horses, and let them move under cover of the right. I can not leave this post until I take their examination, and transmit it to the Secretary of War, and therefore the sooner they arrive the better. *
"Should the enemy attempt to pull down your bul- lock-pen, or to fire your hay during the season of dark- ness, Captain Peters and a sub. are to sortie with fifty men, and with or without flints, as you may judge proper. The gates to be instantly shut, and your works manned in the most defensive manner your forces may admit. I go upon the probability that circumstances may induce you to have his command somewhere or somehow within your walls.
"Captain Barbee is not to move before he receives further orders, but is daily to keep out light reconnoiter- ing parties, on foot or horseback, in every direction."
On the 17th, Armstrong sends the following:
"BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON :
"DEAR GENERAL, -Your letter of yesterday came duly to hand. The distressed situation of the settlers on the Little Miami, and. in short, everywhere on the frontiers, calls loudly for the aid of government. It is not probable that you may be authorized to call into sery- ire from Kentucky a body of horse sufficient to justify an enterprise against some of the Indian towns-perhaps that at Auglaize River, or at its mouth. The savages are certainly very poor, and the destroying their corn-fields would make them more so. This, in my opinion, would have a better tendency to bring about a peace than to expend - dollars in presents at a treaty. Some of Captain Barbee's men being sick and their horses laine, the greater part of the infantry being on fatigue, was l to detach any part of the former, who are employed for the safety of the workmen, the objects you have iu view could not be accomplished in due season; and, indeed, with all my exertions, unless additional workmen are · sent forward, it will be Winter before the house I have commenced will be finished. Two carpenters, two saw- yers, with whips and files, could be employed to publie advantage.
" Inclosed you have a return of Captain Barbee's troops, who are daily employed as patrol :. With me there is no doubt but the enemy are contemplating a stroke at our advanced posts. If intended against this place and St. Clair, policy would justify the peaceable disposition they have shown toward both, as it might, in their opinion, throw us off our guard; but be assured 1 -hall leave as little chance as our situation will admit of.
"Inclosed you have an account against those spies, for articles furnished by Mr. Ewing, for the payment of which I am held responsible. Please 'to direct the stop- pages to be made, and paid to Mr. Bunton in behalf of the contractor. All is well here.
" Yours, Joax ARMSTRONG."
On the 19th General Wilkinson wrote :
" Four WASHINGrox, July 19, 1792.
" DEAR SIR, -Mr. Hartshorn has this day returned from Columbia, and I expect to leave this post (if noth- ing material intervenes) on the 2d, with sixty-eight fresh pack-horses; in the mean time you will be pleased to send back all the hired teams you can spare, as they are expensive, under an escort of infantry taken from your garrison, say twenty or twenty-five men. I gave the horse, the riflemen, and Captain Peters's company for a march forwards, and shall take from you all but two of your scythes. This may happen about the 24th; in the mean time, make hay.
" Yones, JAMES WILKINSON. "J. AuxstRose, Captain Commandant."
There seems then to have been a long gap between the - letters. Armstrong writes in November:
" FORT HAMILTON, November 15, 1792.
" DEAR GENERAL, -- Your letter of the 12th inst. came duly to hand. From the unfinished state of the building vou have ordered to be erected we could not possibly spare a seron'l team from the fort, and the one sent in was of little worth. Every exertion is used to complete the buik !- ing as soon as possible ; but unfortunately for us, we have lost two days this week in consequence of the wet weather. Our mason is sick, and one other of the sawyers, so that both saws are idle, the cellar unfinished, as also the plas- tering your rooms; the doors ere hung just finished, floor laid, and partition ap, so that you can lodge therein. The building for the reception of forage is also up : and on Monday we shall raise the rafters, but plink will still be wanting. The magazine is finished, excepting the hang- ing of the doors and underpinning. Nothing further has been done to the stables. The meadow has been out and the hay in stack. Major Smith has. no doubt, mentioned the circumstance of a boy being fired on and chased at his post ; also an attempt to carry off the cattle by re- moving the pickets. Captain Barbce will, no doubt, in- form you of the rencounter between one of his men and a savage. The villains are donbikes watching the road: it will, therefore, be very unsafe for Major Story's express to keep it any part of the way ; if they do, it should be in the night time. I have thought proper, sir, to detain at this post four of the Columbia militia, whose terms have not expired, to serve as spies to apprise us of the approach of our cuemy, who, being disappointed in their favorite object (stealing horses), would embrace a second- ary one, that of taking scalps. The number of small
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
parties employed daily in the woods will, I hope, justify the measure."
The building mentioned in the foregoing letter was erected for the quarters of the commanding officer of the fort, and commonly called General Wilkinson's house. It was situated on the west side of the fort near the bank of the river, a little further than the west line of Jobn W. Sohn's house. It was a frame building, weatherboarded, fifty feet long by twenty feet wide, and two stories high. It had a heavy stone chimney in the center, and was di- vided into two rooms on cach floor. On the west was a covered porch or piazza to the second story, supported by wooden posts extending the whole length of the building, with doors communicating from each of the upper rooms. From this piazza was a fine prospect extending np and down the river. The gate of the fort, was hung to the southwest corner of the house, and there was a space of fifty or sixty feet between the west side of the fort and the river bank. The kitchen on the north was a rough, one-story log builling, with an open space of about eight feet between the kitchen and the main house. When the fort was abandoned in 1796, this building was occupied by William MeClellan as a tavern for a number of years. It stood till about the year 1812 or 1813, when it was pulled down and removed. .
"The building marked F in the interior of the fort was called the officers' mess-room. After the county of Butler was organized, it was the room in which the Court of Common Pleas and Supreme Court were held for sev- eral years.
The magazine stood in the south-east angle of the fort. It was a building about fourteen feet long, made of large logs hewed square, and laid close together, with a floor and ceiling of heavy logs hewed and laid in the same manner. The roof was hipped on all four sides, coming to a point in the center, where it was surmounted by a round ball of wood.
SUCCESSORS TO CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG.
Nor long after this, and before the close of the year, Captain Armstrong was succeeded in the command of the fort by Major Michael Rudolph, a brave Maryland officer, who had served both in Lee's Legion and elsewhere, with credit, during the Revolutionary War. The best rement- bered fact of his command was the punishment of three deserters. The story rests upon hearsay largely, and the character of Major Rudolph would exclude any gratui- tous cruelty. Desertion had become common. and it was found necessary to make an example. We find the nar- rative in Tlowe's " History of Ohio," and it rests upon a manuscript in the possession of Mr. McBride. It is Hee- essary, however, to say that Mr. McBride, in his later
years, would not assume the responsibility of vouching for- it. It is as follows:
," Late in the Fall of 1792, an advance corps of troops, under the command of Major Rudolph, arrived at Fort Hamilton, where they wintered. They consisted of three companies of light dragoons, one of rifle, and one of in- fantry. Radolph was a major of dragoons, from lower Virginia. His reputation was that of an arbitrary and tyrannical officer. Some time in the Spring, seven sol- diers deserted to the Ohio River, where, procuring a canoe, they started for New Orleans. Ten or fifteen miles be- low the Falls of the Ohio, they were most by Lieutenant (since General) Clark, and sent back to Fort Hamilton, where a court-martial sentenced three -of them to be hung, two to run the gauntlet, and the remaining two to lie in ivous in the guard-house for a stipulated period. John Brown, Seth Blin, and - Gallaher were the three sentenced to be hung. The execution took place the next day on a gallows erected below the fort, just south of the site of the present Associate Reformed church, and near the residence of James B. Thomas.
" Five hundred soldiers were drawn up in arms around the fatal spot, to witness the exit of their unfortunate comrades. The appearance of the sufferers at the gallows is said to have been most prepossessing. They were all young men of spirit and handsome appearance, in the opening bloom of life, with their long hair floating over their shoulders. John Brown was said to have been a young man of very respectable connections, who lived near Albany, New York. Early in life he had formed an attachment for a young woman in his neighborhood, of unimpeachable character, bat whose social standing did not comport with the pride of his parents. He was for- bidden to associate with her, aud required to pay his ad- dresses to another. Broken-hearted and despouding, ho left his home, enlisted in a company of dragoons, and enme to the West. His commanding officer treated him so unjustly that he was led to desert. When under the gallows, the sergeant neting as executioner inquired why the sentence of the law should not be enforced upon him. He replied, with emphasis-pointing to Major Rudolph -- ' that he had rather die nine hundredl deaths than be subject to the command of such a man,' and was swang off without a murmur. Seth Blin was the son of a re- spectable widow, residing in the State of New York. The rope being awkwardly fastened around his neck, he struggled greatly. Three times he raised his feet, until they came in contact with the upper part of the gallows, when the exertion broke his neck.
" Immediately after the sentence had been pronounced on these men, a friend hastoned to Fort Washington, where he obtained a pardon from General Wilkins m. But he was too late. The exception had been hastoned by Major Rudolph, and he arrived at Hatailton tiftoen minutes after the spirits of these unfortunate men bad taken their flight to another world. Their bodies were
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SUCCESSORS TO CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG.
immediately committed to the grave, under the gallows. There, in the dark and narrow house, in silence, lies the son of a widowed mother, the last of his family. A veg- etable garden is now cultivated over the spot, by those wbo think not nor know not of the once warm heart that lies cold below.
" The two other deserters were sentenced to run the gauntlet sixteen times, between two ranks of soldiers, which was carried forthwith into execution. The lines were formed in the rising ground east of the fort, where now lies Front Street, and extended from Smithman's corner to the intersection of Ludlow Street. One of them, named Roberts, having passed eight times through the ranks, fell, and was unable- to proceed. The attendant physician stared that he could stand it no longer, as his life bad already been endangered.
" Some time after, General Wayne arrived at the post, and, although frequently represented as an arbitrary man, he was so much displeased with the cruelty of Major Ru- dolph, that he gave him his choice to resign or be cash- iered. He chose the former, returned to Virginia, and subsequently, in company with another gentleman, pur- chased a ship, and went on a trading voyage to Europe. They were captured (it is stated) by an Algerine cruiser, and Rudolph was hung at the yard-arm of his own ves- sel. ' I have heard some of those who were under his com- mand, in Wayne's army, express satisfaction at the fate of this unfortunate man."
To inflict the cruel punishment of death for the crime of desertion was at first so abhorrent to the feeling of the officers (many of whom were in the army for the first time) that it was difficult to procure a conviction. Even if a deserter was sentenced by a court-martial, he was got off' by some scheme or device, or perhaps the use of some such pitiful tales as that just relate.l.
The wife and children of General James Wilkinson accompanied him to Fort Washington when he joined the army as second in command in 1792. Three de- serters were under sentence of death and were to be shot within two or three days after their arrival. But Mrs. Wilkinson employed her importunities to such ad- vantage that she procured from the commanding gen- era! a pardon for those criminals. The usual prepara- tions were, however, made for their execution, and on the appointed day they were brought on the parade- ground in full view of the whole army. But while the sentence of the court-martial was being read by the adju- taut. General Wayne rode up and stopped the proceed- ings, and stated, among other things, that he had been induced, chiefly for the gratification of the lady of Genera! Wilkinson, to grant a reprieve for those deserters. " But." said he, in a loud, clear, and emphatic manner, " the first man, and every man, who shall herefter be found guilty of the crime of desertion, shall savely die, so help me Gol." The successful interposition of this lady caused her name to be imprinted as an angel of mercy on the
hearts of every sollier in the army. Two of the poor fellows, on returning to their quarters, after being re- lensed, ejaculated, "Thank God!" at every step; the other (an Irishman) inquired, " Why don't ye thank Lady Wilkinson ? I am sure the general said it was her that saved us."
A story was published by a writer in the Southern Literary Messenger that Major Rudolph, after his leaving the army, went to Europe, entered the French Army, and afterwards became famous as Marshal Ney. It affords another ingenious example of the literary myths which surroand distinguished men. We have had the Dauphin of France among us, and it is no more than right that we should return the compliment by giving the French one of the bravest and most dashing generals of modern times.
In the month of September, 1793, the army of Geu- eral Wayne marched from Cincinnati to Fort Hamilton, aud encamped about half a mile south of the present High Street, on the edge of the prairie mentioned previ- onsly. They did not march on the same paths that St. Clair had used, nor did they encamp at the same places. This precaution they observed all the way up the coun- try. They did not even cross the river at the same ford. At the point we mention a breastwork was thrown up, of which the marks were visible until a few years ago.
That Sunnner General Wayne caused an addition to be made to Fort Hamilton, by inclosing with pickets an area of ground on the north of the fort erected by Gien- eral St. Clair. This addition extended ap the river to about the north line of Stable Street. Near the northwest angle were erected artificers' shops, and the residue of the space was mostly occupied by stables for the dragoons' horses and barracks for the men.
On leaving Fort Hamilton, General Wayne detailed a strong body of men for its defense. The command of the place was given to Major Jonathan Cass, father of Gen- cral Lewis Cass. Major Cass was a brave officer ot the Revolution. He joined the cause of the struggling colo- nies immediately after the first gun had been fired at Lexington, and participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, Germantown, Saratoga, and Mon- mouth. He was a native of New Hampshire, of which colony his ancestors were pioneers. He remained in com- mand at this place until after the treaty of Greenville, a period of two years. We do not know who was in charge after him, but it is probable that the troops were lessened gradually, mitil in the end they were all withdrawp. The treaty of Greenville was signed on the 3d of August. 1795; but six months before this Israel Ludlow bad labl ont the town of Hamilton, and a little settlement was springing up around the walls. Some of the buildings were still standing in 1813.
Much of the success obtained by one ands & p; Was owing to the experience gained in the eye. well were active. viellint woodsmen, and watched BR Buvo- ments of the savages with mecasing vigilant. It is to
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
be wished we could have had the names of those who thus acted, as well as of the garrison in the fort, but they are no longer preserved. Some of them have been left to us, however, and are given in the following paper :
AGREEMENT.
" We, the subscribers, having engaged as spies, scouts, and messengers in the service of the United States to be stationed at Forts Hamilton, St. Clair, and Jefferson, do covenant, bind, and oblige ourselves to receive, obey, and, as far as may be in our power, carry into effect all the lawful commands which may from time to time be given us by the commandant of the post where we may respect- ively be stationed, for and in consideration of which we are, by agreement with Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Wilkinson, to be subsisted with a Continental ration per day to each of us, and are to receive one dollar for every day of our service, from the time of muster until dis- · charged.
" As witness our hands, at Fort Washington, the 12th of May, 1792.
" DANIEL GRIFFIN, JOHN FLETCHER,
" DANIEL CAMPBELL, JOSIAH CLAWSON,
" RESIN BAILEY,
JOSEPH SHEPPERD."
The enlistments, discharges, and appointments of non- commissioned officers were as follows :
ENLISTMENTS AND DISCHARGES.
"I, ARTHUR CONWAY, do acknowledge myself to be fairly and truly enlisted in the service of the United States of America, and in the First United States Regiment, to serve as a soldier for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged; and to be obedient to the order of - Congress and the officers set over me, agreeable to the establishment of Congress, passed the 13th of April, 1789. As witness thereof I have set my hand this twenty-second day of February, 1794.
" Witness: . ARTHUR CONWAY.
" ADAM YOHE."
DISCHARGE.
" By JOSIAH HARMAR. ESQ., brigadlive-general in the service of the United States of America, and commanding the troops in the Western Department.
"These are to certify that the bearer hereof, Casper Sheets, private soldier in Captain David Strong's com- pany, and in the First Regiment, having faithfully served the United States for the term of two years, eight months, and three days, and not inclining to re-enlist upon the os- tablishicent of the 30th of April, 1790; he is hereby hon- orably discharged the service.
"Given at head-quarters, at Fort Washington, this fourth day of December, 1790.
" ATTEST :
JOSIAHI HARMAB. ". Brigndig weed.
"WILLIAM PETERIES, Lieutenant, leting Adjutant."
CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT AND REDUCTION AS CORPORAL.
" This may certify that Casper Sheets, late a soldier in my company, was appointed corporal first day of April, 1788, and was reduced the 17th of September, 1790. " D. STRONG, "Captain First United States Regiment. "FORT WASHINGTON, May 13, 1791."
MURDERS BY THE INDIANS FROM 1790 TO 1795.
The red man was almost everywhere in the thickets around Fort Hamilton, lurking for the scalp of his enemy. and many a gallant spirit met an untimely grave in the vicinity. The life of a white man, unprotected, out of the reach of the guns of the fort, was not safe for a ino- ment. The road from Cincinnati to Fort Hamilton was narrowly watched; the murders were so frequent upon it that when cases of the kind were reported in Cincinnati they scarce obtained a passing remark, unless some per- son of distinction had fallen.
In the Summer of 1792, two wagoners were watch- ing some oxen which had been turned out to graze on the common below Fort Hamilton. A. shower of rain coming on, they retired for shelter under a tree which stood north of where the Columbia bridge now is. The Indians, who had been concealed in the adjoining underbrush watching them, crept silently up, and, rushing violently upon them before they were aware, killed one and took the other prisoner. The one taken prisoner was Heury Shafor, who, several years after his return from the Indians, settled in Butler County, on the west side of the Miami River, bro or three miles below Rossville, where he lived until neor 1840. So stealthily bad the Indians approached. that the murder was unknown to the men in the currisop nutil evening, when they went out to look after the .men and oxen, although the transaction had taken place within one hundred and fifty yards of the pickets of the fort.
In the Summer of 1792 a large body of Indians sur- rounded Fort Jefferson. Before they were discovered by the garrison, a party of them erept up and secreted then- selves in the underbrush and behind some logs near the fort. Knowing that Captain Shayler, the conmandant, was passionately fond of hunting, they imitated the noise of turkeys with great exactness. The captain, not dreaming of decoy, hastened out with his son, fully as- pecting to return loaded with game. As they approached nearer the place where the sound eame, the savages rose and fired. The son, a lad of fine promise. fell. The cap- tain turned, and tled to the garrison. The Indiar, par- sted him closely, calculating either to take him pristwer or to enter the sally gate with him in case it should be opened for his amision. They were, however, dieap- pointed ; though at his heels, he entered. and the gate
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