USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati in 1841 : its early annals and future prospects > Part 2
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
18
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
in about twenty cabins, principally adjacent to the present landing. The larger part of the trees in the bottom between Walnut street and Broadway were cut down, but remained on the ground for several years.
At this period an abundant supply of game and fish made good the failure of the provisions brought by the settlers. The Indians, although unfriendly, had as yet committed no hostilities or even depredations.
About the first of June, 1789, Major Doughty arrived with 140 men from Fort Harmar on the Muskingum and built four block-houses nearly opposite the mouth of Licking. When these were finished, within a lot of fifteen acres reserved by the United States and immediately on the line of Third street between Broadway and Lawrence street, he commenced the construction of Fort Washington. This building, of a square form, was simply a fortification of logs hewed and squared, each side about one hundred and eighty feet in length, formed into barracks two stories high. It was connected at the cor- ners by high pickets with bastions or block-houses, also of hewed logs, and projecting about ten feet in front of each side of the fort, so that the cannon placed within them could be brought to rake the walls. At the centre of the south side, or front of the fort was the principal gateway, a passage through this line of barracks about twelve feet wide and ten feet high secured by strong wooden doors of similar dimensions. As an appendage to the fort, on its north side and enclosed with high palisades extending from its north-east and north-west corners to a block-house, was a small triangular space in which were shops for the accommodation of the artificers. Extending along the whole front of the fort was a fine espla- nade about eighty feet wide and enclosed with a handsome paling on the brow of the bank, the descent from which to the lower bottom was sloping about thirty feet. The exterior of the fort was whitewashed and at a short distance presented a handsome and imposing appearance. On the eastern side were the officers' gardens finely cultivated, ornamented with
19
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
handsome summer-houses, and yielding in their season abun- dance of vegetables. The site of this building is that part of Third street opposite the Bazaar, now Mechanic's Institute, and extending an average breadth of about sixty feet beyond the line of the street on both sides.
Fort Washington was completed by November. On the 29th of the succeeding month, general Harmar arrived with 300 men and took possession of it.
In the course of this year, several log houses, and one frame, were built; and some of the out lots, north of Seventh street, cleared. The legal title to the ground on which the town was built, being still in John Cleves Symmes, the pa- tentee, all the deeds for the original in and out lots, were made in his name. In 1790, the lots, on fractional section No. 12, were laid out by Mr. Symmes, as an addition to the town plat. General Arthur St. Clair, at this time, was the gover- nor of the north-western territory, and, in January, 1790, arrived at the village for the purpose of organizing the coun- ty, which, at the suggestion of Mr. Symmes, was called Ham- ilton, in compliment to the then secretary of the treasury. 'This county covered, it is believed, the whole territory west of the Muskingum ; and Cincinnati was then, as it ever since has been, its seat of justice. The town had an increase of forty families this year, and about as many cabins were erect- ed; two frame buildings were also added, during the same time. Fifteen or twenty of the inhabitants were killed by the Indians, in the course of 1790. The increase at Columbia, near the Little Miami, was rather greater, and a new station called Colrain, 17 miles north-west of Cincinnati, on the Great Miami, was laid out. Four or five other stations around the village, and generally within five or six miles, were also erect- ed. At these places general Harmar stationed a few regulars for their defence. The Indians were constantly prowling around the neighborhood, and those who ventured outside their forts, did it at the peril of their lives.
All his preparations for a northern campaign having now
20
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
become completed, general Harmar commenced his march from Fort Washington on the 30th September, with three hun- dred and twenty regulars, and eight hundred and thirty-three militia from Kentucky and Pennsylvania. In four days the army reached the Indian town Chillicothe, on the Little Mia- mi, sixty miles from Cincinnati. The principal object of general Harmar, was to destroy the Maumee fort and village at the confluence of the St. Mary and St. Joseph's; and, learning that the enemy had concentrated their forces at this post, despatched colonel Todd to Kentucky for a further sup- ply of troops. In a few days, six hundred volunteers joined the army. Harmar then proceeded to Fort Loramie, about fif- ty miles, and marched within a few miles of the Maumee fort. Here he encamped, sending forward colonel Hardin with a detachment of four hundred and eighty men, with orders to surprise the enemy by night and storm the fort. When the detachment arrived, they found the fort and village abandoned. These they set on fire. The main body arriving, they push- ed on to another Indian post on the St. Mary's, three miles distant. Colonel Hardin moved forward with his corps to re- connoitre, and the Indians, who were lying in covert near the borders of a prairie through which the troops had to pass, suddenly attacked the detachment, with such impetuosity as to break its ranks. Great numbers were killed in the action, and also in their retreat to the main body. General Harmar, next morning, gave orders for the army to return to Fort Washington, and after a march of eight miles, halted for the night. Here colonel Hardin, desirous of retrieving the mis- fortunes of the day, solicited and obtained permission of the commander-in-chief, once more to give the enemy battle. He returned next day to the site of Maumee town, with six hun- dred militia, and sixty regulars. On their approach, the In- dians retreated. A severe battle ensued, in which the enemy was driven across the St. Joseph. Major Fountain, pierced with eighteen balls, and colonel Willis, two brave officers, were among the slain. The detachment then returned to
21
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
the main body, and the next morning the army resumed its march. The Indians followed in sight of the army, almost to Fort Washington, without, however, committing any serious depredations.
On the 8th of January, 1791, John S. Wallace, John Sloane, Abner Hunt, and a Mr. Cunningham, who were exploring the country west of the Great Miami, fell in with a large body of Indians : Cunningham was killed, and Hunt taken ; the other two escaped to the station at Colrain. This station consisted of fourteen inhabitants, under the protection of colo- nel Kingsbury, with a detachment of eighteen regulars. On the morning of the 10th, the Indians, about three hundred in number, made their appearance before the station, and de- manded a surrender, which was promptly refused. A fire was instantly commenced from the garrison, and returned by the Indians. An express was sent to Cincinnati, for a reinforce- ment. Captain Truman, with thirty regulars and thirty-three volunteers, reached the station next morning about 10 o'clock ; but before he arrived the Indians, who had continued the at- tack until about 9 o'clock of the same day, had departed. Hunt, who had three days before been taken by the Indians, was found a short distance from the station, with his legs and arms extended and fastened to the ground-his head scalped, his body mangled, and a blazing fire-brand placed in his bow- els. During the attack, the bullets in the garrison being ex- pended, the women supplied the deficiency by melting their spoons and plates, and casting them into balls.
Various attempts to negociate with the Indians were resort- ed to ; but having all failed, another body of troops, under the command of general St. Clair, was raised for the defence of the frontiers. St. Clair, after repairing to Lexington to obtain the assistance of the Kentucky militia, reached Cincinnati on the 15th May, 1791. His expedition against the Indians was protracted till late in the season, by the slowness with which recruits were raised ; their delay in descending the Ohio, in consequence of low water; and, as it was alleged, an unpar-
22
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
donable negligence of the quarter-master and commissary de- partments. On the 7th of August, all the troops which had arrived, except the artificers, and a small garrison for the fort, moved to Ludlow's station, six miles north of Cincinnati, in order to obtain forage from the woods, which was entirely consumed about Fort Washington, and to await the arrival of the troops which were expected. The army, amounting to two thousand and three hundred non-commissioned officers and privates, moved from Ludlow's station on the 17th of Sep- tember to the Great Miami, where they erected Fort Hamil- ton. Having placed a small garrison in the fort, the army then proceeded on its march, and, by the 12th of October, reached the site, where they built Fort Jefferson, about forty miles north of Fort Hamilton. These posts were intended as places of deposit and of security, either for convoys of pro- visions which might follow the army, or for the army itself, should any disaster befall it.
On the 14th, the army, consisting of seventeen hundred non-commissioned officers and privates fit for duty, again com- menced its march, with not more than three days' supply of flour. Many of the horses died for want of forage, and on the 31st, sixty of the Kentucky militia deserted in a body.
On the 3d of November the army reached a creek, fifty miles from the Miami villages, and encamped on a command- ing piece of ground in two lines, having the creek in front. The right wing, composed of Butler's, Clark's and Patterson's battalions, commanded by general Butler, formed the first line ; the left, consisting of Bedinger's and Guthrie's battalions and the second regiment, commanded by colonel Darke, form- ed the second line. The right flank was supposed to be se- cured by the creek, by a steep bank, and a small corps of troops. Some of their cavalry and their pickets covered the left flank. The militia were placed over the creek about a quarter of a mile in advance, and encamped in the same order. At this place the general determined to throw up a slight work for the security of the baggage, and, when joined by
23
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
major Hamtramck, who had been detached to protect the con- voys of provisions and prevent further desertion, to proceed immediately to the Miami villages. But both these designs were defeated. For next morning, about half an hour before sunrise, an attack was made upon the militia, who very soon gave way, and rushing into the camp through major Butler's battalion, threw it into great confusion. The greatest exer- tions of the officers were ineffectual to restore order. The Indians pursued the flying militia, and attacked the right wing with great fury. The fire, however, of the first line for a few minutes checked them, but almost instantly, a much heavier attack began upon that line, and shortly was extended to the second. The great weight of it was directed against the cen- tre of each, where the artillery was placed and from which the men were repeatedly driven with great slaughter. Find- ing no great effect from the fire, and confusion beginning to spread, from the great numbers falling in every quarter, it be- came necessary to try the effect of the bayonet. Accordingly colonel Darke with part of the second line, was ordered to charge the left flank of the enemy, which he executed with great spirit. The Indians instantly gave way, and were driv- en back three or four hundred yards ; but for want of a suffi- cient number of riflemen to pursue this advantage, colonel Darke soon returned, and in turn was obliged to give way. At that moment the enemy entered the camp by the left flank, having pushed back the troops that were posted there. Seve- ral charges were then made with uniform success ; but in all of them great numbers were killed, particularly the officers. Major-general Butler was dangerously wounded, and every officer of the second regiment, except three, fell. The artil- lery being silenced, and all their officers killed except captain Ford, who was badly wounded, and half the army fallen, it became necessary to retreat, which was done very precipitate- ly. The camp and artillery were necessarily abandoned. The Indians pursued the remnant of the army about four miles, when fortunately they returned to the field to divide the
24
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
spoils. The troops continued their retreat to Fort Jefferson, where they found major Hamtramck, with the first regiment As this regiment was far from restoring the strength of the morning, it was determined not to attempt to retrieve the for- tune of the day. Leaving the wounded at Fort Jefferson, the army continued its retreat to Fort Washington. In this un- fortunate battle, which lasted three hours and fourteen min- utes, thirty-eight commissioned officers were killed upon the field, and five hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned of- ficers and privates were killed and missing. The wounded amounted to two hundred and fourteen.
General St. Clair, on his arrival at Cincinnati, gave major Ziegler the command of Fort Washington, and repaired to Philadelphia. Soon after, colonel Wilkinson succeeded major Ziegler, and with the regulars under his command, and about one hundred and seventy militia under major Gano, marched to the field of battle and buried the dead. Great numbers of the slain were found upon the road near the battle ground. After interring the dead in the best manner possible, colonel Wilkinson returned to Cincinnati, with nearly one thousand stand of arms, and one piece of artillery, which the enemy had not taken from the field.
This year, Cincinnati had little increase in its population. About one half of the inhabitants were attached to the army and many of them killed. The unfortunate event of the cam- paign, not only alarmed the citizens for their safety, but so discouraged several of them from persevering to make their settlements, that they removed to Kentucky. No new man- ufactories were established, except a horse-mill for grinding corn.
On the fifth of March, 1792, congress passed another law, making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States. This act directed that the battalion of artillery should be completed according to its establishment; that both the two regiments of infantry in ser- vice should be filled up to the number of nine hundred and
25
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
sixty ; and that three additional regiments should be raised, for a time not exceeding three years. A discretion, however, was given the president, to raise the whole or part of the three regiments, and to discharge them at pleasure. On the seventh of April, general St. Clair resigned the command of the army, and Anthony Wayne was appointed to succeed him.
The recruiting service was commenced and carried on with much activity. Commissioners were again sent to treat with the Indians, and, if possible, to bring them to an amicable ne- gociation ; but they treated every offer with disdain, and cru- elly massacred all but one of the commissioners. Such a flagrant outrage called upon the nation for redress, by the most exemplary exertion of its power.
The enemy frequently attacked convoys of provisions, and killed great numbers. The troops at Fort Jefferson, under the command of captain Shaler, and of major Adair, who suc- ceeded him, had several skirmishes with the enemy, in which many were slain.
About fifty persons were added, by emigration, this year, to the population of Cincinnati. Several cabins, three or four frames and a Presbyterian house of worship were erected. This building stood on Main street, near the site of the pre- sent First Presbyterian church, and is still in existence, al- though removed to Vine, below Fifth street. It is now occu- pied as a place of worship, by a society of German Metho- dists.
The troops which had been recruited for Wayne's army, assembled at Pittsburg during the summer and autumn of 1792, and encamped for the winter, on the Ohio, about twen- ty miles below that place. They descended the river the next spring, (1793,) under the command of general Wayne, and landed at Cincinnati. Here the general made an encamp- ment where he remained for two or three months, and then marched to the spot where he established Fort Greenville. The army remained at the fort during the winter, and until July following. In the fall of this year, soon after the army C
26
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
left Cincinnati, the small-pox broke out among the soldiers in Fort Washington, and spread through the town with such ma- lignity that nearly one third of the soldiers and citizens fell victims to its ravages.
In July, 1794, the army left Fort Greenville, and built Fort Adams, Fort Defiance and Fort Deposit. At the latter place, the heavy baggage of the army was deposited, as a general engagement with the enemy was shortly expected. Accord- ingly, on the morning of the 20th of August, the army ad- vanced to meet the enemy, and after marching about four miles, the Indians, who were secreted behind fallen trees and high grass, made a sudden attack upon the mounted volun- teers under major Price, who were compelled to retreat to the main body. The army was immediately formed in order of battle, having the Miami on the right, a thick wood on the left, and the fallen timber, among which the Indians were se- creted, in front. The savages were formed in three lines, within supporting distance of each other, and extending near- ly two miles at right angles with the river. It was soon dis- covered from the weight of the enemy's fire, and the extent of their lines, that they were endeavoring to turn the left flank of the American army. The second line, therefore, was or- dered to advance with trailed arms, and rouse the Indians from their coverts, at the point of the bayonet, and as soon as that was effected, to deliver a close fire upon their backs, followed by a brisk charge, so as not to give them time to load again. Major Campbell was ordered to turn the left flank of the ene- my near the river. The orders of the commander-in-chief were promptly obeyed; and such was the impetuosity of the charge of the first line, that the enemy, consisting of Indians, Canadian militia and volunteers, were driven from their cov- erts in so short a time, that notwithstanding every exertion was used by the second line, and generals Scott, Todd and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers, to gain their proper posi- tion, only part of each could get up to participate in the ac- tion ; the enemy being driven in the course of an hour, more
27
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
than two miles. From the best accounts, the enemy amount- ed to two thousand, while the American troops actually en- gaged against them, were less than nine hundred. The sava- ges, with their allies, abandoned themselves to flight, and left the Americans in quiet possession of the field of battle.
The army remained several days near the battle-ground, during which time they destroyed all the houses and corn- fields, for a considerable distance above and below Fort Miami. In this decisive battle, thirty-three American officers and pri- vates were killed, and one hundred wounded. On the 28th, the army commenced its return to the Auglaize, by easy marches, destroying in its route all the villages and corn-fields within fifty miles of the river; from thence up the Miami to the junction of the St. Joseph and St. Mary's, where they erected Fort Wayne. They then proceeded to Loramie stores, seventy miles south-east from Fort Wayne, and erected Fort Loramie, and marched from thence to Greenville, which they reached about the 20th of November, and went into winter quarters.
In this battle, the Indians received a chastisement so severe, and lost so many of their leading warriors, that they began to fear the American power, and to exhibit a disposition favora- ble to peace. This disposition was promptly reciprocated by our government, and accordingly, on the 3d of August, 1795, a treaty was made by general Anthony Wayne at Fort Green- ville, with all the warlike tribes, which put an end to their un- provoked, protracted and sanguinary hostilities.
This event was hailed by the infant settlements, as the era of peace and security. They now looked forward to an ex- emption from ravage, danger and distress, and all the horrors of savage warfare. The return of peace gave them new am- bition and new hopes. They removed from their forts into the adjacent country, selected farms, built cabins, and began to subdue the forest. They were soon joined by other emi- grants, who, upon the news of peace began to flock across the mountains in great numbers.
28
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
In 1799, the legislative power of the governor and judges was superseded by that of a general assembly, composed of a house of representatives, elected by the people, and a legisla- tive council, appointed by congress. By this general assem- bly, a delegate was chosen to represent the territory in the national legislature. A division of the territory was made, and the boundaries of Ohio determined in 1802, when con- gress passed a law enabling the people of the state to form a constitution ; and in 1803, the state government went into op- eration. In January of the year preceding, the territorial legislature incorporated the town of Cincinnati.
The whole Miami country, with the exception of Cincin- nati and its vicinity, at the time of Wayne's treaty, was one interminable forest. In 1795, the town contained 94 cabins, 10 frame houses, and about 500 inhabitants. In 1800, the population was estimated at 750, and in 1805, at 960 only. This period of ten years has exhibited the least proportional increase, of any equal term of years since the settlement of the place. This was owing to the fact, that the recent treaty afforded peace and security to settlers, who preferred spread- ing themselves over a newer country, where land could be obtained more cheaply.
From this period, Cincinnati has proceeded with a steady and rapid growth, to its present population and improvement.
In 1808, the United States reservation around Fort Wash- ington, was sold by direction of the secretary of the treasury.
The war with Great Britain, declared in 1812, by paralyz- ing the enterprise of the Atlantic United States, sent out vast numbers to the west; and, though that section of the Union suffered in many respects, by the immediate consequences of that rupture, yet it was the means, to a great extent, of filling the country with population, and money disbursements, which developed more rapidly its natural wealth and resources. But the most important event in the history of the west, was the introduction of steam-boats on its waters. At once the vast interior of Ohio became a competitor, in market, with older
29
BOUNDARIES AND DIVISIONS.
and less productive regions. Of all these advantages, as the outlet for the Miami country, Cincinnati had its full share ; and an impulse was given to commercial and manufacturing enterprise, which is even yet felt.
In 1819, a charter was obtained from the state legislature, by which Cincinnati was incorporated as a city. This char- ter, since repeatedly amended and altered, forms the basis of its present municipal authority.
BOUNDARIES AND DIVISIONS.
CINCINNATI is bounded-north by Fulton and Mill-creek townships; the Ohio river forms its southern and eastern boundaries ; and Mill-creek lies on its west. It is divided into seven wards, whose boundary lines are as follows.
Ist Ward, includes that part of the city, which is between Main street and the corporation line, on the north and west, and the third ward, on the south and east. 'The line between the first and third wards is-from Main street, east on Fourth to Pike street, thence to Symmes or High street, to the reser- voir of the city water-works, thence north 16 degrees east to the line of Fulton township.
IId Ward comprehends all between Main street and West- ern-row, and Sixth street on the north and the fourth ward on the south. The boundary line between the second and fourth wards is-from Main along Fourth to Walnut street, thence on Walnut to Baker street, thence along Burnet street, Wright's alley, McFarland and Ruffner streets to Western-row.
IIId. Ward, from Main street to the Fulton township line, and from the division line with the first ward, to the river Ohio.
IVth Ward, from Main street to Western-row, and its divi- sion line with the second ward, to the river Ohio.
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.