Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II, Part 33

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 916

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McClung, in his "Sketches of Western Adventure," relates some anecdotes, showing the heroism and activity of a young man who was in this action :

The late William Kennan, of Fleming county, at that time a young man of eighteen, was attached to the corps of rangers who accompanied the regular force. He had long been remarkable for strength and activity. In the course of the march from Fort Wash- ington he had repeated opportunities of testing his astonishing powers in that respect, and was universally admitted to be the swift- est runner of the light corps. On the evening preceding the action his corps had been ad- vanced, as already observed, a few hundred yards in front of the first line of infantry, in order to give seasonable notice of the enemy's approach. Just as day was dawning he ob- served about thirty Indians within 100 yards of the guards' fire, advancing cautiously toward the spot where he stood, together with about twenty rangers, the rest being considerably in the rear.

Supposing it to be a mere scouting party, as usual, and not superior in number to the ran- gers, he sprang forward a few paces in order to shelter himself in a spot of peculiarly rank grass, and firing with a quick aim upon the foremost Indian, he instantly fell flat upon his face, and proceeded with all possible ra- pidity to reload his gun, not doubting for a moment but that the rangers would maintain their position and support him. The Indians, however, rushed forward in such overwhelm- ing masses that the rangers were compelled to fly with precipitation, leaving young Ken- nan in total ignorance of his danger. Fortu-

nately the captain of his company had observed him when he threw himself into the grass, and suddenly shouted aloud, "Run, Kennan ! or you are a dead man !" He in- stantly sprang to his feet and beheld Indians within ten feet of him, while his company was already more than 100 yards in front.

Not a moment was to be lost. He darted off with every musele strained to its utmost, and was pursued by a dozen of the enemy with loud yells. He at first pressed straight forward to the usual fording-place in the creek, which ran between the rangers and the main army; but several Indians who had passed him before he rose from the grass threw themselves in the way and completely cut him off from the rest. By the most pow- erful exertions he had thrown the whole body of pursuers behind him, with the exception of one chief (probably Messhawa), who dis- played a swiftness and perseverance equal to his own. In the circuit which Kennan was obliged to take the race continued for more than 400 yards. The distance between them was about eighteen feet, which Kennan could not increase nor his adversary diminish. Each for the time put his whole soul into the race.

Kennan, as far as he was able, kept his eye upon the motions of his pursuer, lest he should throw the tomahawk, which he held aloft in a menacing attitude, and at length, finding that no other Indian was immediately at hand, he determined to try the mettle of

* It is stated in some accounts that about fifty, and in others, that nearly 200 women were killed in the action and flight .- H. H.

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his pursuer in a different manner, and felt for his tomahawk in order to turn at bay. It had escaped from its sheath, however, while he lay in the grass, and his hair had almost lifted the cap from his head when he saw himself totally disarmed. As he had slackened his pace for a moment the Indian was almost in reach of him when he recom- menced the race; but the idea of being without arms lent wings to his feet, and, for the first time, he saw himself gaining ground. He had watched the motions of his pursuer too closely, however, to pay proper attention to the nature of the ground before him, and he suddenly found himself in front of a large tree which had been blown down, and npon which brush and other impediments lay to the height of eight or nine feet.

The Indian (who heretofore had not nt- tered the slightest sound) now gave a short, quick yell, as if secure of his victim. Ken- nan had not a moment to deliberate. He must clear the impediment at a leap or per- ish. Putting his whole soul into the effort. lie bounded into the air with a power which astonished himself, and clearing limbs, brush and everything else, alighted in perfect safety upon the other side. A loud yell of aston- ishment burst from the band of pursuers, not one of whom had the hardihood to attempt the same feat. Kennan, as may be readily imagined, had no leisure to enjoy his triumph, but dashing into the bed of the creek (upon the banks of which his feat had been per- formed), where the high banks would shield him from the fire of the enemy, he ran up the stream until a convenient place offered for crossing, and rejoined the rangers in the rear of the encampment, panting from the fatigue of exertions which have seldom been sur- passed. No breathing time was allowed him, however. The attack instantly commenced, and, as we have already observed, was main- tained for three hours with unabated fury.

When the retreat commenced, Kennan was attached to Maj. Clarke's battalion, and had the dangerous service of protecting the rear. This corps quickly lost its commander, and was completely disorganized. Kennan was among the hindmost when the fight com- menced, but exerting those same powers which had saved him in the morning, he quickly gained the front, passing several horse- men in the flight. Here he beheld a private in his own company, an intimate acquaintance, lying upon the ground with his thigh broken, and in tones of the most piercing distress, implored each horseman who hurried by to take him up behind him. As soon as he be- held Kennan coming up on foot, he stretched out his arms and called aloud upon him to

save him. Notwithstanding the imminent peril of the moment, his friend could not reject so passionate an appeal, but seizing him in his arms he placed him upon his back and ran in that manner for several hundred yards. Horseman after horseman passed them, all of whom refused to relieve him of his burden.

At length the enemy was gaining upon him so fast that Kennan saw their death certain unless he relinquished his burden. He accordingly told his friend that he liad used every possible exertion to save his life, but in vain ; that he must relax his hold around his neck or they would both perish. The un- happy wretch, heedless of every remonstrance, still clung convulsively to his back, and im- peded his exertions until the foremost of the enemy (armed with tomahawks alone) were within twenty yards of them. Kennan then drew his knife from its sheatlı and cut the fingers of his companion, thus compelling him to relinquish his hold. The unhappy man rolled upon the ground in utter helpless- ness, and Kennan beheld him tomahawked before he had gone thirty yards. Relieved from his burden, he darted forward with an activity which once more brought him to the van. Here again he was compelled to neglect his own safety in order to attend to that of others.

The late Governor Madison, of Kentucky, who afterwards commanded the corps which defended themselves so honorably at Raisin, a man who united the most amiable temper to the most unconquerable courage, was at that time a subaltern in St. Clair's army, and being a man of infirm constitution, was totally exhausted by the exertions of the morning and was now sitting down calmly upon a log, awaiting the approach of his enemies. Kennan hastily accosted him and inquired the cause of his delay. Madison, pointing to a wound which had bled profusely, replied that he was unable to walk any further, and had no horse. Kennan instantly ran back to a spot where he had seen an exhausted horse grazing, caught him without difficulty, and having assisted Madison to mount, walked by his side until they were out of danger. For- tunately, the pursuit soon ceased, as the plunder of the camp presented irresistible attractions to the enemy. The friendship thus formed between these two young men endured without interruption through life. Mr. Kennan never entirely recovered from the immense exertions which he was compelled to make during this unfortunate expedition. He settled in Fleming county, and continued for many years a leading member of the Baptist church. He died in 1827.

The number of Indians engaged in this action can never be ascertained with any degree of certainty. They have been variously estimated from 1,000 to 3,000.

Col. John Johnston, long an Indian agent in this region, and whose opportunities for

forming a correct opinion on this subject are worthy of consideration, in a communication

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to us (1846), says : "The number of Indians at the defeat of St. Clair, must have been large. At that time game was plenty and any number could be conveniently subsisted. Wells, one of our interpreters, was there with and fought for the enemy. To use his own language, he tomahawked and scalped the wounded, dying and dead, until he was

unable to raise his arm. The principal tribes in the battle were the Delawares, Shawanese, Wyandots, Miamies and Ottawas, with some Chippewas and Putawatimes. The precise number of the whole I had no accurate means of knowing ; it could not be less than 2,000."

The following song is not the best of poetry, but it has frequently been sung with sad emotion, and is worthy of preservation as a relic of olden time :

SAINCLAIRE'S DEFEAT.

'Twas November the fourth, in the year of ninety-one, We had a sore engagement near to Fort Jefferson ; Sinclaire was our commander, which may remembered be, For there we left nine hundred men in t' West'n Ter'tory.

At Bunker's Hill and Quebeck, where many a hero fell, Likewise at Long Island, (it is I the truth can tell,) But such a dreadful carnage may I never see again As hap'ned near St. Mary's, upon the river plain.

Onr army was attacked just as the day did dawn, And soon were overpowered and driven from the lawn. They killed Major Ouldham, Levin and Briggs likewise, And horrid yells of sav'ges resounded through the skies.

Major Butler was wounded in the very second fire ; His manly bosom swell'd with rage when force'd to retire ; And as he lay in anguish, nor scarcely could he see, Exclaim'd, "Ye hounds of hell, O! revenged I will be."

We had not been long broken when General Butler found Himself so badly wounded, was forced to quit the ground. "My God !" says he, "what shall we do, we're wounded every man ? Go charge them, valiant heroes, and beat them if you can."

He leaned his back against a tree, and there resigned his breath, And like a valiant soldier sunk in the arms of death ; When blessed angels did await, his spirit to convey ; And unto the celestial fields he quickly bent his way.

We charg'd again with courage firm, but soon again gave ground, The war-whoop then redoubled, as did the foes around. They killed Major Ferguson, which caused his men to cry, " Our only safety is in flight, or fighting here to die."

"Stand to your guns," says valiant Ford, "let's die upon them here Before we let the sav'ges know we ever harbored fear.' Our cannon-balls exhausted, and artill'ry-men all slain, Obliged were our musketmen the en'my to sustain.

Yet three hours more we fought them, and then were forc'd to yield, When three hundred bloody warriors lay stretch'd upon the field. Says Colonel Gibson to his men, " My boys, be not dismay'd ; I'm sure that true Virginians were never yet afraid.

Ten thousand deaths I'd rather die, than they should gain the field !" With that he got a fatal shot, which caused him to yield. Says Major Clark, "My heroes, I can here no longer stand, We'll strive to form in order, and retreat the best we can."

The word, Retreat, being pass'd around, there was a dismal cry, Then helter-skelter through the woods, like wolves and sheep they fly. This well-appointed army, who but a day before, Defied and braved all danger, had like a cloud pass'd o'er.

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Alas ! the dying and wounded, how dreadful was the thought, To the tomahawk and scalping-knife, in mis'ry are brought .- Some had a thigh and some an arm broke on the field that day, Who writhed in torments at the stake, to close the dire affray.

To mention our brave officers, is what I wish to do ; No sons of Mars e'er fought more brave, or with more courage true. To Captain Bradford I belonged, in his artillery. He fell that day amongst the slain ; a valiant man was he.

Some time after the defeat of St. Clair, Wilkinson, who had succeeded him in the command of Fort Washington, ordered an expedition to visit the battle- ground. Capt. Buntin, who was with the party, afterwards addressed a letter to St. Clair, from which we make an extract :

In my opinion, those unfortunate men who fell into the enemy's hands with life were used with the greatest torture, having their limbs torn off; and the women have been treated with the most indecent cruelty, hav- ing stakes as thick as a person's arm driven through their bodies. The first I observed when burying the dead ; and the latter was discovered by Col. Sargent and Dr. Brown. We found three whole carriages ; the other five were so much damaged that they were rendered useless. By the general's orders pits were dug in different places, and all the dead bodies that were exposed to view or could be conveniently found (the snow being very deep) were buried. During this time there were sundry parties detached, some for our safety and others in examining the course of the creek ; and some distance in advance of the ground occupied by the militia, they found a

large camp, not less than three-quarters of a mile long, which was supposed to be that of the Indians the night before the action. We remained on the field that night, and next morning fixed geared horses to the carriages and moved for Fort Jefferson. . . . As there is little reason to believe that the enemy have carried off the cannon, it is the received opinion that they were either buried or thrown into the creek, and I think the latter the most probable ; but as it was frozen over with thick ice, and that covered with a deep snow, it was impossible to make a search with any prospect of success. In a former part of this letter I have mentioned the camp occupied by the enemy the night before the action ; had Col. Oldham been able to have complied with your orders on that evening things at this day might have worn a differ- ent aspect.

Mr. McDowell, previously mentioned, was one of those who visited the battle- ground.

He states that although the bodies were much abused and stripped of all of value they recognized and interred them in four large graves. Gen. Butler was found in the shattered remains of his tent. After he was wounded he was borne to the tent, and while

two surgeons were dressing his wounds a ball struck one of them in the hip. At this instant, an Indian. who was determined to have the scalp of Butler, rushed in and while attempting to scalp him, was shot by the dy- ing surgeon.

In December, 1793, Gen. Wayne, having arrived with his army at Greenville, sent forward a detachment to the spot of St. Clair's defeat.

They arrived on the ground on Christmas day and pitched their tents on the battle- ground. When the men went to lie down in their tents at night they had to scrape the bones together and carry them out to make their beds. The next day holes were dug and the bones remaining above ground were buried, six hundred skulls being found among them. The flesh was entirely off the bones,

and in many cases the sinews yet held them together. After this melancholy duty was performed a fortification was built and named FORT RECOVERY, in commemoration of its being recovered from the Indians, who had possession of the ground in 1791. On the completion of the fort one company of artil- lery and one of riflemen were left, while the rest returned to Greenville.

ATTACK ON FORT RECOVERY.

The site of St. Clair's battle became the scene of a sanguinary affair in the summer of 1794, while Wayne's army was encamped at Greenville, of which Burnet's Notes give the best description we have seen.

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On the 30th of June a very severe and bloody battle was fought under the walls of Fort Recovery between a detachment of American troops, consisting of ninety rifle- men and fifty dragoons, commanded by Major McMahon, and a very numerous body of Indians and British, who at the same instant rushed on the detachment, and assailed the fort on every side with great fury. They were repulsed with a heavy loss, but again rallied and renewed the attack, keeping up a heavy and constant fire during the whole day, which was returned with spirit and effect by the garrison.

The succeeding night was foggy and dark and gave the Indians an opportunity of carrying off their dead by torch-light, which occasionally drew a fire from the garrison. They, however, succeeded so well that there were but eight or ten bodies left on the ground, which were too near the garrison to be approached. On the next morning, McMahon's detachment having entered the fort, the enemy renewed the attack and con- tinued it with great desperation during the day, but were ultimately compelled to retreat from the same field on which they had been proudly victorious on the 4th of Novem- ber. 1791.

The expectation of the assailants must have been to surprise the post, and carry it by storm, for they could not possibly have received intelligence of the movement of the escort under Major McMahon, which only marched from Greenville on the morning preceding, and on the same evening depos- ited in Fort Recovery the supplies it had convoyed. That occurrence could not, there- fore, have led to the movement of the sav- ages.

Judging from the extent of their encamp- ment, and their line of march, in seventeen columns, forming a wide and extended front, and from other circumstances, it was believed their numbers could not have been less than from 1.500 to 2,000 warriors. It was also be- lieved that they were in want of provisions, as they had killed and eaten a number of pack- horses in their encampment the evening after the assault, and also at their encampment on their return, seven miles from Recovery, where they remained two nights, having been much encumbered with their dead and wounded.

From the official return of Major Mills, adjutant-general of the army, it appears that twenty-two officers and non-commissioned officers were killed, and thirty wounded. Among the former were Major McMahon, Capt. Hartshorn and Lieut. Craig : and among the wounded, Capt. Taylor of the dragoons and Lieut. Darke of the legion. Capt. Gibson, who commanded the fort, be- haved with great gallantry, and received the thanks of the commander-in-chief, as did every officer and soldier of the garrison and the escort who were engaged in that most gallant and successful defence.

Immediately after the enemy had retreated it was ascertained that their loss had been

very heavy ; but the full extent of it was not known till it was disclosed at the treaty of Greenville. References were made to that battle by several of the chiefs in council. from which it was manifest, that they had not even then ceased to mourn the distressing losses sustained on that occasion. Ilaving made the attack with a determination to carry the fort or perish in the attempt, they ex- posed their persons in an unusual degree, and of course a large number of the bravest of their chiefs and warriors perished before they abandoned the enterprise.

From the facts afterwards communicated to the general it was satisfactorily ascertained that there were a considerable number of British soldiers and Detroit militia engaged with the savages on that occasion. A few days previous to that affair the general had sent out three small parties of Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians, to take prisoners for the purpose of obtaining information. One of those parties returned to Greenville on the 28th, and reported that they had fallen in with a large body of Indians at Girty's Town (crossing of the St. Mary's), on the evening of the 27th of June, apparently bending their course towards Chillicothe, on the Miami ; and that there were a great many white men with them. The two other parties followed the trail of the hostile Indians, and were in sight when the assault on the post commenced. They affirm, one and all, that there were a large number of armed white men, with painted faces, whom they frequently heard conversing in English, and encouraging the Indians to persevere ; and that there were also three British officers, dressed in scarlet, who appeared to be men of distinction from the great attention and respect which were paid to them. These persons kept at a dis- tance in the rear of the assailants. Another strong, corroborating proof that there were British soldiers and militia in the assault. is that a number of ounce-balls and buckshot were found lodged in the block-houses and stockades of the fort ; and that others were picked up on the ground, fired at such a dis- tance as not to have momentum sufficient to enter the logs.

It was supposed that the British engaged in the attack expected to find the artil- lery that was lost on the fatal 4th of No- vember, which had been hid in the ground and covered with logs by the Indians in the vicinity of the battle-field. This inference was supported by the fact that during the conflict they were seen turning over logs and examining different places in the neighbor- hood, as if searching for something. There were many reasons for believing that they de- pended on that artillery to aid in the reduc- tion of the fort ; but fortunately most of it had been previously found by its legitimate owners, and was then employed in its de- fence.

James Neill, a pack-horse man in the American service, who was taken prisoner by the Indians during the attack, and tied to a stump about half a mile from the fort, after

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his return stated to the general that the en- emy lost a great number in killed and wounded ; that while he was at the stump he saw abont twenty of their dead and a great many wounded carried off. He understood there were 1,500 Indians and white men in

the attack ; and on their return to the Miami the Indians stated that no men ever fought better than they did at Recovery ; and that their party lost twice as many men in that attack as they did at St. Clair's defeat.

Jonathan Alder, who was then living with the Indians, gives in his manuscript autobiography an account of the attack on the fort. He states that Simon Girty was in the action, and that one of the American officers was killed by Thomas McKee, a son of the British agent, Col. Alexander McKee. We have room but for a single extract, showing the risk the Indians encountered to bring off their wounded.

In the morning, when we arose, an old In- dian addressed us, saying, ".We last night went out to take the fort by surprise, and lost several of our men killed and wounded. There is one wounded man lying near the fort who must be brought away, for it would be an eternal shame and scandal to the tribe to allow him to fall into the hands of the whites to be massacred. I wish to know who will volunteer to go and bring him away." Big Turtle, who knew where he lay, answered that he would go ; but as no one else volunteered, the old Indian pointed out several of us suc- cessively, myself among the number, saying that we must accompany Big Turtle. Upon this we rose up without a word and started. As soon as we came into the edge of the cleared ground those in the fort began shoot- ing at us. We then ran crooked, from one tree to another, the bullets in the meanwhile flying about us like hail. At length, while

standing behind a big tree, Big Turtle or- dered us not to stop any more, but run in a straight line, as we were only giving them time to load-that those foremost in going should have the liberty of first returning. He then pointed out the wounded man, and we started in a straight line through a shower of bullets. When we reached him we were within sixty yards of the fort. We all seized him and retreated for our lives, first dodging from one side and then to the other, until out of danger. None of us were wounded but Big Turtle. A ball grazed his thigh and a number of bullets passed through his hunt- ing shirt that hung loose. When we picked up the wounded man his shirt flew up, and I saw that he was shot in the belly. It was green all around the bullet holes, and I con- cluded that we were risking our lives for a dead man.

A small village, now (1846) containing a few houses only, was laid off on the site of St. Clair's defeat, in 1836, by Larkin and McDaniels. It is twenty-three miles north of Greenville. Many relics of the battle have been discovered- muskets, swords, tomahawks, scalping knives, cannon balls, grape and musket shot, etc. Among the bones found is that of a skull, now in possession of Mr. William McDaniels, showing the marks of a bullet, a tomahawk and a scalping knife. St. Clair lost several cannon, all of which but one were subsequently recovered by Wayne. This was long known to be missing, and about a dozen years since was discovered buried in the mud near the mouth of the creek. It is now in possession of an artillery company in Cincinnati. When the low ground in the valley of the river was cleared, several years since, a large quantity of bullets and grape shot were found in the bodies of trees, from twenty to thirty feet above the ground, from which it seems that the troops and artillery, having been sta- tioned on high ground, fired over the enemy. On burning the trees the lead melting ran down their trunks, discoloring them so much as to be perceived at a considerable distance.

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Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II, Part 33

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio Number of Pages: 916

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 916