USA > Ohio > Allen County > A standard history of Allen county, Ohio : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development > Part 17
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Things had begun to look dark for the besieged when Capt. Wil- liam Oliver, accompanied by Maj. David Trumble and fifteen soldiers who had evaded the encircling savages, arrived on the night of the 4th with the welcome news that Gen. Green Clay's command in eighteen large flatboats, had reached the left bank of the Maumee at the head of the grand rapids. The river was so high that the pilot declined to run the boats over the rapids at night. Captain Hamilton, with a sub- altern and canoe, was immediately dispatched to meet General Clay and convey to him this command: "You must detach about eight hundred men from your brigade, who will land at a point I (Hamilton) will show, about one or one and a half miles above Fort Meigs, and I will conduct them to the British batteries on the left bank of the river. They must take possession of the enemy's cannon, spike them, cut down the carriages, then return to their boats and cross over to the fort. The balance of your men must land on the fort side of the river, opposite the first landing, and fight their way to the fort through the savages. The route they must take will be pointed out by a subaltern officer now with me, who will land the canoe on the right bank of the river to point out the landing for the boats."
General Clay himself remained in charge of the troops landing on the right bank of the Maumee. But the subaltern was not at the rendez- vous and some confusion resulted. Sorties were made from the garrison to aid these. They were subjected to a galling fire from the British infantry and the Indians under Tecumseh, but safely reached the fort- ress. Another detachment under Colonel Boswell landed and drove away the threatening savages. For their relief General Harrison dis- patched several hundred men under command of Col. John Miller, who attacked the nearest battery and drove away the enemy four times as numerous.' The troops advanced with loaded but trailed arms. The first fire of the enemy did little damange. Then it was that a charge was ordered, and the enemy fled with great precipitation. The American troopers and militia alike covered themselves with glory in this encounter. Twenty-eight Americans were killed in this sortie and twenty-five were wounded. Forty-three prisoners were brought back to the fort. It was one of the bravest incidents of the entire seige.
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Had the wise orders of General Harrison been carried out in full, the terrible massacre which occurred would have been avoided. Colonel Dudley executed his task gallantly and successfully up to the point of the capture of the batteries, and without the loss of a man. He reached them unobserved, the gunners fleeing precipitately. The Americans rushed forward and spiked eleven of the largest guns, hauling down the enemy's flag. Great and loud was the applause that reached them from the fort across the river. But most of Dudley's troops were unused to warfare with the savages. They were extremely anxious for a combat-and they were Kentuckians. Colonel Dudley had landed with 866 men. Of these only 170 escaped to Fort Meigs. Elated with their initial success, and being fired upon by some of the Indians, the Kentuckians became infuri- ated and boldly dashed after their wily opponents without any thought of an ambuscade. The commands of Colonel Dudley and warnings from the fort were alike unheeded by these impetuous southerners.
General Harrison offered a reward of $1,000 to any man who would cross the river and apprize Colonel Dudley of his danger. This duty was promptly undertaken by an officer, but the enemy had arrived on the opposite bank before he could reach it. Many, indeed, were those killed, including Colonel Dudley himself, in the fierce contest that waged for about three hours. Many more were wounded, and the others were taken prisoners. Those who could walk were marched toward Fort Miami. Those who were wounded too badly to move were immediately slain and scalped by the savages, and an equally sad fate met those who were taken to the fort. The Kentuckians had become demoralized and it developed into each man fighting for himself as best he could in the confusion.
Lieutenant Underwood has left a vivid account of the battle, from which the following is taken:
"While passing through a thicket of hazel, toward the river in form- ing line of battle, I saw Colonel Dudley for the last time. He was greatly excited ; he railed at me for not keeping my men better dressed (in better line). I replied that he must perceive from the situation of the ground, and the obstacles that we had to encounter, that it was impossible. When we came within a small distance of the river we halted. The enemy at this place had gotten in the rear of our line, formed parallel with the river, and were firing upon our troops. Having noth- ing to do, and being without orders, we determined to march our com- pany out and join the combatants. We did so accordingly. In passing out we fell on the left of the whole regiment and were soon engaged in a severe conflict. The Indians endeavored to flank and surround us. We were from time to time ordered to charge. The orders were passed along the lines, our field officers being on foot. * *
* We made several charges afterwards and drove the enemy a considerable distance. * * * At length orders were passed along the lines directing us to fall back and keep up a retreating fire. As soon as this movement was made the Indians were greatly encouraged, and advanced upon us with the most horrid yells. Once or twice the officers succeeded in producing a temporary halt and a fire on the Indians, but the soldiers of the dif- ferent companies soon became mixed, confusion ensued, and a general rout took place. The retreating army made its way towards the bat- teries, where I supposed we should be able to form and repel the pur- suing Aborigines. They were now so close in the rear as to frequently shoot down those who were before me. *
** * In emerging from the woods into an open piece of ground near the battery we had taken, and before I knew what had happened, a soldier seized my sword and
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said to me, 'Sir, you are my prisoner!' I looked before me and saw, with astonishment, the ground covered with muskets. The soldier, observ- ing my astonishment, said 'your army has surrendered,' and received my sword. He ordered me to go forward and join the prisoners. I did so."
Tecumseh was far more humane than his white allies. While the bloodthirsty work was proceeding a thundering voice in the Indian tongue was heard from the rear, and Tecumseh was seen approaching as fast as his horse could carry him. He sprang from his horse, rage showing in every feature. Seeing two Indians butchering an American, he brained one with his tomahawk and felled the other to the earth. He seemed torn with grief and passion.
After this incident the prisoners were not further molested. It is certainly convincing proof that the British authorities did not discourage the inhumanities of their savage alles, and it is believed that many of the officers encouraged them in their savagery and atrocities. Inimical as was Tecumseh toward the Americans, insatiable as was his hatred of us, we cannot but admire him as a man. In personal courage he was excelled by none. In oratory few were his peers, but in humanity he stood out in striking contrast to the customs of his own tribe, one of the most savage of all. He was never guilty of wanton bloodshed, and ever used every effort to restrain his followers from all deeds of cruelty and torture in dealing with their captives.
A British officer, who took part in the siege, tells of a visit to the Indian camp on the day after the massacre. The camp was filled with the clothing and plunder stripped from the slaughtered soldiers and officers. The lodges were adorned with saddles, bridles, and richly orna- mented swords and pistols. Swarthy savages strutted in cavalry boots and the fine uniforms of American officers. The Indian wolf dogs were gnawing the bones of the fallen. Everywhere were scalps and skins of hands and feet stretched on hoops, stained on the fleshy side with vermillion, and drying in the sun.
"As we continued to advance into the heart of the encampment," says Major Richardson, "a scene of a more disgusting nature arrested our attention. Stopping at the entrance of a tent occupied by the Minoumini (Menomeni) tribe he observed them seated around a large fire over which was suspended a kettle containing their meal. Each warrior had a piece of string hanging over the edge of the vessel, and to this was suspended a food, which, it will be presumed we heard not without loathing, consisted of a part of an American. Any expression of our feelings, as we declined the invitation they gave us to join their repast, would have been resented by the savages without ceremony; we had, therefore, the prudence to excuse ourselves under the plea that we had already taken our food, and we hastened to remove from a sight so revolting to humanity."
Some of the soldiers, who finally escaped from their captivity, have left us terrible tales of their treatment by the savages, all of which was done without a word of protest from the English officers. The young men were generally taken by the savages as prisoners back to their villages, and some of them were never heard of afterwards by their friends. Most of them, however, were taken on board boats bound for Malden.
"I saved my watch by concealing the chain," says Lieut. Joseph R. Underwood, "and it proved a great service to me afterwards. Having read, when a boy, Smith's narrative of his residence among the Indians my idea of their character was that they treated those best who appeared
Vol. 1-8
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the most fearless. Under this impression, as we marched down to the old garrison (Fort Miami) I looked at those whom we met with all the sternness of countenance I could command. I soon caught the eye of a stout warrior painted red. He gazed at me with much sternness as I did at him until I came within striking distance, when he gave me a severe blow over the nose and cheek-bone with his wiping stick. I aban- doned the notion acquired from Smith. On our approach to the old gar- rison I perceived that the prisoners were running the gauntlet and that the Indians were whipping, shooting and tomahawking the men as they ran by their line. When I reached the starting place, I dashed off as fast as I was able, and ran near the muzzles of their guns, knowing that they would have to shoot me while I was immediately in front or let me pass, for to have turned their guns up or down the lines to shoot me would have endangered themselves as there was a curve in their line. In this way I passed without injury except some strokes over the shoul- ders with their gun-sticks. As I entered the ditch around the garrison the man before me was shot and fell, and I fell over him. * *
* How many lives were lost at this place I cannot tell, probably between twenty and forty."
"We heard frequent guns at the place during the whole time the remainder of prisoners were coming in," wrote Leslie Combs. "Some were wounded severely with war clubs, tomahawks, etc. The number who fell after the surrender was supposed by all to be nearly equal to the killed in the battle. Their bloodthirsty souls were not yet satiated with carnage. One Indian shot three of our men, tomahawked a fourth, and stripped and scalped them in our presence. * Then all raised the war-whoop and commenced loading their guns. Tecumseh, more humane than his ally and employer ( Proctor), generously inter- fered and prevented further massacre.'
The Dudley massacre was the third great loss suffered by the Amer- ican armies of the Northwest in less than a year after the beginning of the War of 1812. Harrison said that "excessive ardor *
* * always the case when Kentucky militia were engaged *
* was the source of all their misfortunes." The main body of the savages now withdrew from the British command, partly because they were tired of the con- tinued siege, and partly because their thirst for blood and butchery was satiated. But Proctor did not retire until he had dispatched another white flag, with a demand upon General Harrison to surrender. The reply was such as to indicate that the demand was considered an insult. Because of the withdrawal of his dusky allies General Proctor felt him- self compelled to give up the siege on the 9th instant and return with his remaining forces to Amherstburg, Canada, where he disbanded the militia. Before finally withdrawing he gave a parting salute from his gunboats, which killed ten or a dozen and wounded twice that number. The British forces are estimated to have numbered more than three thou- sand men. Of these, 600 were British regulars, 1,800 were Canadian militia, and 1,800 were Indians. Harrison's forces at the maximum did not much exceed 1,000 effective men. This does not, of course, include those under Colonel Dudley.
The total loss at the fort during the entire siege was 81 killed and 189 wounded. The British reported loss was only 15 killed, 47 wounded, and 41 taken prisoners. The men welcomed the relief from the terrible tension to which they had been subjected. They were glad to get to the river and wash themselves up, for there had been a great scarcity of water within the stockade. Many had scarcely any clothing left, and that which they wore was so begrimed and torn that they looked more
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like scarecrows than human beings. Of the part taken by his troops, General Harrison had only words of commendation. In his reports to the Secretary of War, he described the savages as the most effective force. A long list of names received special mention.
After the enemy had withdrawn, Fort Meigs was greatly strengthened. The damage which the British guns had wrought was repaired, the Brit- ish battery mounds were leveled, while the open space in front was extended ; better drainage and sanitary conveniences were also estab- lished, for the lack of which the garrison had suffered considerable sick- ness. Reinforcements were hurried forward from Upper Sandusky, while General Harrison made a tour of the various other fortresses within his jurisdiction. The extent of the frontier under his command was indeed extensive, and it required constant watchfulness as well as great executive ability to guard against invasion and to prevent the advance of the enemy within it.
Comparative calm followed the abandonment of the siege of Fort Meigs for a couple of months. But Harrison was not inactive during this time. He fully appreciated the strength of the Indian allies of Britain. Heretofore it had been the American policy not to employ friendly Indians in its service, except in a few instances. This policy the Indians could not understand. In order to clarify the situation a council was called at Franklinton (Columbus) on June 21st. The Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, and Senecas were represented by fifty of their chief and head men. Tarhe, Chief Sachem of the Wyandots, became the spokesman of all tribes present. Harrison said that the time had come for an expression of the tribes as to their stand, for the Great Father wanted no false friends. As a guarantee of their good intentions, the friendly tribes should either move into the settlements or their war- riors should accompany him in the ensuing campaign. To this proposal all the warriors present unanimously agreed, asserting that they had been anxious for an opportunity to fight for the Americans. Harrison prom- ised to let them know when their services were wanted. Although the tribes were not called upon to take part in the war, many of the Indians of their own free will did accompany Harrison in his later campaigns.
In July General Proctor again headed an expedition for the mouth of the Maumee. On the 20th of the month the boats of the enemy were discovered ascending the Maumee toward Fort Meigs. With him was an army estimated to number at least 5,000. The Indians also began to appear in the neighborhood in considerable numbers. A picket guard, consisting of a corporal and ten soldiers, was surprised about 300 yards from Fort Meigs on the night of their arrival, and all but three were killed or captured. Fourteen soldiers, whose term of enlistment had expired, desired to return home on foot by way of Fort Winchester. They were attacked by savages when only a few miles above the fort, and only two escaped. Reinforcements arrived at the fort, which greatly added to its strength. Among these were Lieutenant Montjoy with twenty United States troops. The American force within the fort was small and numbered only a few hundred. They were in charge of General Clay, who immediately sent word to General Harrison at Lower San- dusky. Harrison said that he was unable to send additional troops at once, but advised great precaution against surprise and ambuscade by the wily enemy.
Proctor and Tecumseh had formulated a plan for the capture of Fort Meigs by strategy. A sham battle was staged by Tecumseh along the road toward Lower Sandusky, near enough so that the noise might be distinctly heard by the troops in the fort. When the Indian yells, inter-
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.
mingled with the roar of musketry, reached the garrison, the men instantly flew to arms. Thinking that a severe battle was being fought, the men could hardly be restrained from marching out to the defense, as they supposed, of their gallant commander-in-chief. This was precisely the purpose of the enemy. The shooting was intended to convey the impression to the besieged that an advancing force of reinforcements was being attacked by the Indians, thus hoping to draw out the garrison. General Clay had had too much experience, however, in Indian warfare and refused to be drawn into their plans. Furthermore, he did not think that Harrison would come thus unannounced so soon after the messenger. After several futile attempts to draw the Americans from their protec- tion the enemy departed from Fort Meigs on July 27th, having been in its vicinity less than two days. After leaving Fort Meigs for the second time, a part of the British army sailed around through Lake Erie and up the Sandusky River to Fort Stephenson, hoping to find it an easy prey.
It is rather interesting to read of the doings about camp in this early day. There were a number of court martials that we have a record of for drunkenness and insubordination at Fort Meigs. Herewith are two general orders issued at that fortress that make interesting reading in this day of national prohibition. The first relates to what was probably the first official celebration of our national natal day in this vicinity.
(General Order)
Camp Meigs, July 4, 1813.
The General commanding announces to the troops under his com- mand the return of this day, which gave liberty and independence to the United States of America; and orders that a national salute be fired under the superintendence of Captains Gratiot and Cushing. All the troops reported fit for duty shall receive an extra gill of whisky. And those in confinement and those under sentence attached to their corps, be forthwith released and ordered to join their respective corps.
The General is induced to use this lenience alone from consideration of the ever memorable day, and flatters himself that in future the sol- diers under his command will better appreciate their liberty by a steady adherence to duty and prompt compliance with the orders of their offi- cers, by which alone they are worthy to enjoy the blessings of that liberty and independence-the only real legacy left us by our fathers.
All courts martial now constituted in this camp are hereby dissolved. There will be fatigue this day.
Robert Butler, A. Adjt .- Gen.
(General Order)
Camp Meigs, July 8, 1813.
The commanding General directs that the old guard, on being released, will march out of camp and discharge their arms at a target placed in some secure position, and as a reward for those who may excel in shoot- ing, eight gills of whisky will be given to the nearest shot, and four gills to the second. The officer of the guard will cause a return, signed for that purpose, signifying the names of the men entitled to the reward. G. Clay, Gen. Com.
Robert Butler, A. Adjt .- Gen.
For a moment let us turn our attention to another momentous event of Northwestern Ohio, although not taking place within the Maumee region. The event was so heroic and the success so wonderful that it will greatly interest all those interested in the history of this section. The
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defense of Fort Stephenson at Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) by George Croghan, a Kentucky youth who had barely passed his majority, ranks high among the achievements of the brave Northwestern Army. In historical sequence this action took place shortly after the siege of Fort Meigs had been lifted.
Fort Stephenson was a ramshackle old stockade which had been begun by Major Wood in April but not wholly completed. It was built of piles 16 feet high, and surrounding them was a dry ditch about 8 or 9 feet wide and 5 or 6 feet deep. About an acre of ground was within the enclosure, with a blockhouse at the northeast corner and a guard- house at the southeast corner. The piles of logs were set close together and each one was sharpened at the top. In this day we would con- sider it a very flimsy structure, but it was the ordinary fort stockade of the frontier days where artillery had little part in the conflicts. When General Harrison visited the fort, even after Croghan had labored day and night to strengthen it, he was extremely dubious about its efficiency in resisting such an attack as might be brought by the enemy. The gen- eral had his headquarters at Fort Seneca, only nine miles above on the Sandusky River.
Definite orders were finally sent to Croghan to destroy Fort Stephen- son, as follows: "Immediately on receiving this letter you will abandon Fort Stephenson, set fire to it, and repair with your command this night to headquarters. Cross the river and come up on the opposite side. If you should deem and find it impracticable to make good your march to this place, take the road to Huron, and pursue it with the utmost cir- cumspection and dispatch." When Croghan received this curt and per- emptory command, belated over night, he felt that a retreat could not be safely undertaken, for the Indians were already hovering around the for in considerable numbers. For this reason he sent back the following answer: "Sir, I have just received yours of yesterday, ten o'clock P. M., ordering me to destroy this place and make good my retreat, which was received too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain this place, and, by Heaven, we can!" This reply made General Harrison extremely angry and he summoned Croghan before him at Fort Seneca. But when the gallant Croghan appeared at headquarters and made his explanation, the commanding general's wrath was quickly appeased. He again received orders to destroy the fort, but the swift approach of the enemy prevented their execution.
The first sight of the approaching enemy was on the evening of July 31. 1813. It was not many hours before the advance guard of the enemy made their appearance. There were at least five hundred British regulars, veteran troops of European wars, and one or two thousand Indians, according to the best reports. As soon as the Indians appeared on the hill across the river, they were saluted by a charge from the 6-pounder, which soon caused them to retire. Indians showed themselves in every direction, demonstrating that the entire fort was surrounded and a retreat was absolutely impossible. General Proctor sent a flag of truce demanding a surrender. The mettle of the youthful commander, when told that the Indians could not be restrained in the event of the certain capture, reveals his mettle. His envoy told the British officer that "the commander says that when the fort is taken there will be no survivors left to massacre. It will not be given up so long as there is a man able to resist."
With these words the parley ended and the men retired to their respective lines. The enemy promptly opened fire with their howitzer
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and 6-pounders, the firing continuing throughout the night with little intermission and with little effect as well.
During the battle Croghan occasionally fired his 6-pounder, changing its position from time to time in order to convey the impression that he had several cannon. From apparent indications he decided that the enemy would attack the fort from the northwest angle. Hence it was that he removed his 6-pounder to a blockhouse, from which he could cover this angle. The embrasure thus made was masked; the piece was loaded with half a charge of power, and a double charge of slugs and grape shot. He also strengthened his little fort as much as possible with bags of sand and flour and whatever else was available. Late in the eve- ning the enemy proceeded to make an assault. It was only when the columns were quite near that the men could be distinguished by the besieged. They were then thrown into confusion by a galling fire of musketry directed toward them from the fort. Colonel Short, who was at the head of the advancing column, soon rallied his men, however, and led them with commendable bravery to the brink of the ditch. Paus- ing for a moment, he leaped into the ditch and called upon his men to follow him.
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