History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 44

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 44
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 44

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).

" Elliot, who was now present and in command of the entire force of the enemy, ordered The Pipe, with his Delawares, to flank to the right and attack Crawford in the rear. This was quickly accomplished, the Indians passing along just beyond the edge of the grove on the west; and the action became at once general, close and hot. This skillful manœuvre of the savages came well nigh proving fatal to the Americans; but the latter, having the advantage of position, maintained their ground, although clearly outnumbered by their assailants. The firing began at four o'clock and continued very warm on both sides. Girty was conspicuous in his excitement and en- deavors. The enemy were sheltered by the grass which grew high and rank upon the plains, so that they could scarcely be seen, when on foot, at any great distance away. On the other hand, the Americans were better protected by the grove they had so bravely secured.

" At times it was doubtful how the day would end, as the battle continued with varying success. After a while, however, it was evident to Crawford that the Indians were slacking their efforts. Toward sunset they became more cautious in their attacks, being evidently less inclined to expose them- selves to the deadly aim of the frontiersmen; and finally, at dusk, they drew back further into the plains, and the firing ceased as daylight disappeared.

"The afternoon had been unusually hot. Little or no air was stirring. The river was over a mile away from the battle- ground, and the soldiers suffered very much from thirst. No spring was near nor running stream. Many canteens were emptied long before the battle was ended. Several of the vol- unteers went in search of water. John Sherrard was one of the number-his gun having become useless to him from forc- ing a bullet into the barrel without powder. After a while, in wandering about, he came to a spot where a tree had been blown down and a considerable depression in the ground had been caused by the upheaval of the roots. Here he found some stagnant water. After quenching his thirst he filled his can- teen and hat, and, thus supplied, made his way to his company -the men eagerly drinking of the water, bad as it was. The residue of the time, during the battle, Sherrard employed in traveling back and forth with canteens filled at the pool, the bullets flying thickly around him, but he escaped unhurt.

" As the battle progressed, the savages, skulking in the high grass of the prairie, would frequently get within close range of the guns of the Americans, generally to be shot before they could make good their retreat ; for, in all manœuvres of that sort, the volunteers were the equals of the Indians. Some of the borderers climbed trees, and from their bushy tops took deadly aim at the heads of the enemy as they arose above the grass. Daniel Canon was conspicuous in this novel mode of warfare. He was one of the dead-shots of the army ; and, from his lofty hiding place, the reports of his unerring rifle, gave unmistakable evidence of the killing savages. ‘I do not know how many Indians I killed,' said he, afterward, 'but I never saw the same head again above the grass after I had shot at it.'"*

Crawford was left in full possession of the battle field, yet the Indians were not dispirited, for they knew reinforcements were hastening to their relief, which would soon reach them. The American army, during the three hours and a half contest, lost. five killed and ninetcen wounded. Of the latter were Major Brinton, Captains Munn and Ross, Lieutenant Ashley, Ensign McMasters, and Philip Smith. Captain Ogle was killed ; also, private John Campbell, of Pigeon creck, Washington county.

Both parties lay on their arms during the night, and both adopted the policy of kindling large fires along their lines and then retiring some distance in the rear of them, to prevent being surprised by a night attack.

CRAWFORD'S RETREAT AND ESCAPE OF THE MAIN BODY UNDER WILLIAMSON.

On the morning of the 5th, desultory firing at long shot be- gan, which was kept up during the day. Little damage was done and both parties retained their relative positions. Early on this morning Crawford would gladly have made a vigorous attack upon the foe, but owing to the fatigue and sickness of his men and the extreme heat, he was unable to do so, and he deferred a general attaek until nightfall. Throughout the day plans for a night attack was agreed upon, and prepara- tions made to strike a decisive blow with hopes of success. But during the afternoon all plans and hopes were suddenly changed. The sentinels discovered an advancing troop of mounted men hastening to the aid of the Indians. These were Butler's Rang- ers from Detroit. Crawford immediately called a council of the officers, and while deliberating, another band of warriors-ap- parently two hundred strong-were seen rapidly advancing from the south. Other small squads of savages were discovered constantly arriving. "They kept pouring in from all quarters " arc the words of John Rose in his letter to General Irvine.

Instead of the contemplated attack, a retreat that night was at once agreed upon. Orders were given, and immediately preparations for the retreat were made.

The volunteers killed were now buried, and fires burned over their graves to prevent discovery. Of the twenty-three woun- ded, seven were in a dangerous condition. Biers were prepared for these. The wounds of the others were mostly slight ; none so bad but they could ride on horseback. The whole body was to forni in four lines, or divisions, keeping the wounded in the center. By sundown the arrangements were all complete.

The retreat was to commence at nine o'clock at night. The Indians, however, became apprized of this intended retreat, and about sundown attacked the army with great force and fury, in every direction, excepting that of Sandusky.

When the line of march was formed by the commander-in- chief, and the retreat commenced, the guides prudently took the direction of Sandusky, which afforded the only opening in the Indian lines, and the only chance of concealment. After marching about a mile in this direction, the army wheeled about to the left, and by a circuitous route gained, before day, the trail by which they came.

Although the enemy had early discovered the movement of the Americans and had opened fire upon them, yet they were in great confusion and apparent alarm. It was not clear to them that a retreat was really intended by Crawford. They were fearful it was only a feint-a ruse or manœuvre of some kind, not a flight. It was, perhaps, this uncertainty, or the well-known aversion of the Indians to night contests, that saved the borderers. Certain it is the enemy did not make an immediate effort to pursue them.

The next morning a halt was called; many had got separated, and the main army did not then number niore than three hun- dred. It was discovered that Col. Crawford was missing. No one could give any information concerning him ;- whether killed, captured, or making his escape through the wilderness, was a matter of conjecture with every one. Dr. John Knight and John Slover were also missing. Major McClelland was re- ported killed.

The command of the army now devolved upon Williamson, who immediately exerted himself in collecting the different parties, and in bringing order out of the general confusion. He was powerfully aided by the gallant Rose, and the retreat was again continued. Jonathan Zane, whose skill as a woods- man is well known and who had acted as guide to the expe- dition, accompanied Williamson on the retreat and rendered effcient service in piloting them through.

Doddridge gave the following account of the separation of Crawford from the army, which has been copied by DeHass and others:

*This interesting incident was communicated to Mr. Butterfield by Robert A. Sherrard.

FARM & RESIDENCE OF HON., J.W. LAUGHLIN BARNESVILLE BELMONT COUNTY, O

CERY

THE ENTERPRISE

PRINTING OFFICE

"THE ENTERPRISE OFFICE, BARNESVILLE,O. GEORGE MC CLELLAND PROPR ..

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

"At the commencement of the retreat, Colonel Crawford placed himself at the head of the army, and continued there until they had gone about a quarter of a mile, when missing his son John Crawford, his son-in-law Major Harrison, and his nephews Major Rose* and William Crawford, he halted and called for them as the line passed, but without finding them. After the army had passed him, he was unable to overtake it, owing to the weariness of his horse. Falling in company with Dr. Knight, and two others, they traveled all night, first north and then to the east to avoid the pursuit of the Indians. They directed their course to the north star.

A full detail of the incidents of the retreat would occupy more space than we are enabled to devote to this unfortunate affair, but we make the following extract from Butterfield's work, which we deem of importance for our purpose in these pages :

"John Sherrard, whose services in supplying his company with water upon the battlefield have been noticed, overtook the army just before the latter left the woodland again to thread its way in the open country in what is now Crawford county. His story was a melancholy one. In company with Daniel Harbaugh, after having beeome separated from the division to which he belonged, just as the retreat commenced the evening before, he had followed, as best he could, the main body of the troops, making, however, very slow progress, owing to the dark- ness, which rendered it exceedingly difficult to keep the trail of the retreating forces.

"It was a fortunate circumstance the two followed in the rear of the divisions moving to the southwest from the field of bat- tle; for, had they taken the track of McClelland's party, which led between the camps of the Delawares and Shawanese, both, doubtless, would have been killed or captured. Not long after sunrise the next morning they had gained the woods, and were moving along the trace on the east side of the Sandusky, some distance south of where the Old Town formerly stood, when Sherrard, who was riding in advance of his companion, saw an Indian a short distance away on his left. He immediately dis- mounted and got behind a tree, calling, at the same time, to his comrade to place himself in a like posture of defense.

"Harbaugh had not been quick enough in discovering the Indian; for, getting upon the exposed side of the tree, he was quickly shot by the savage, exclaiming, as he gradually sunk down in a sitting posture: 'Lord, have mercy upon me! I am a dead man!' and immediately expired. As soon as the smoke of the Indian's gun had cleared away, the savage was discov- ered by Sherrard, running, as if for life, doubtless expecting a shot from the latter. But he had already escaped beyond the reach of a bullet.

" At the sight of Harbaugh's pale face his friend was greatly moved-more unmanned than at any of the scenes he had wit- nessed during the battle. After a moment to collect his thoughts, Sherrard stripped the saddle and bridle from his dead companion's horse turning the animal loose. He then relieved his own horse of a very uncomfortable pack-saddle, and put in its place the saddle of Harbaugh. Mounting and taking a parting glance at the lifeless form of his comrade, still in a sit- ting posture, he rode sadly onward.

Sherrard had proceeded on the trail not a very great distance when he made the discovery that, in the excitement of the moment, he had forgotten to disengage from the pack-saddle he had left behind his supply of provisions, which were rolled up in a blanket. He resolved to retracc his steps and secure what had thus inadvertently been left. Upon returning to the spot where Harbaugh was shot a shocking spectacle was presented to his view. The Indian had returned, scalped the lifeless sol- dier, and then made off with his horse, gun, and bridle. Sher- rard's pack-saddle and blanket had, however, not been discovered by the savage. A brief examination disclosed the fact that Harbaugh had received the fatal bullet in his right breast.

"Sherrard, securing his blanket and provisions, again re- sumed his journey, overtaking the retreating army soon after, without any further encounter with an enemy, and was cor- dially greeted by his companions in arms."

The little retreating army was compelled to fight another battle, to save itself from destruction, which Butterfield desig- nates as the battle of Olentangy. This took place on the 6th of June, at the eastern edge of the open country, near a small

branch of the Olentangy creek, in what is now Crawford county. On this day the enemy was discovered in pursuit, and being superior in numbers and equipments, endeavored to cut off the retreat of the Americans before they could regain the forest. The Americans made a sudden and vigorous attack, which they maintained long enough to drive back the advance of the pur- suers and gain the woods, and a drenching rain and storm ended the conflict. In this engagement they had three killed and eight wounded.

The army resumed the retreat, and the enemy continued to skirmish on the rear and flanks, during the 7th and 8th, but without serious result, and on the latter day the pursuit was abandoned to the great relief of the Americans. The last shot is said to have been fired near where the village of Crestline now stands. Williamson experienced considerable trouble, during the exciting events of the retreat, in keeping the army together and preserving order. "Not a man of you will ever reach home," he exclaimed, "if any one attempts to shift for himself. Your only salvation is in keeping in line. Our ranks once broken, and all is lost."

"The homeward march," proceeds Butterfield, "was along the trail of the army when outward bound,-to the Muskingum. The stream was crossed on the 10th, between the two upper Moravian towns. From this point to the Ohio 'Williamson's Trail' was followed-the troops reaching Mingo bottom on the 13th, when, to their great joy, they found that several of the missing had arrived before them-some, indeed, two days pre- vious.

"On the 11th, Marshall wrote Irvine from Washington county, informing him of the failure of the campaign, and inclosing a letter from one of the soldiers who had left the army on the 6th. 'This moment' says Marshall, 'came to hand the inclosed letter, by which you will learn the unhappy fate of our little army. What the consequences may be, God only knows. I would fondly hope that matters are not quite so bad as they are rep- resented.' Pentecost, whose home was but twenty-five miles from Mingo bottom, also heard, on the same day, of the result of the expedition, and made haste to inform himself of the true state of affairs. 'I met the men,' he wrote to the executive of the State on the 17th, 'at Mingo bottom last Wednesday.' He also informed Moore that the men were much confused when he met them, and he could not get as much information as he de- sired. 'What little I got,' adds Pentecost, 'was from Major Rose, aid-de-camp to General Irvine, who went as aid to Col. Crawford. I hope the general will give you a particular ac- count, as he will receive it from the major."

"The army re-crossed the Ohio river immediately upon reach- ing it, without accident. It was while the troops were thus en- gagcd that Rose wrote to Irvine: 'Those volunteers who marched from here * * * under the command of Col. Wil- liam Crawford, are this moment returned, and re-crossing the Ohio with Col. Williamson.' 'I am sorry to observe,' continues the chivalric writer, "they did not meet with that success which so spirited an enterprise, and the heroic bravery of the greater part deserved."

"Williamson, also, at the same time and place, wrote to the commander of the Western Department: 'I take this oppor- tunity to make you acquainted with our retreat from Sandusky Plains, June 6th. We were reduced to the necessity of making a forced march through the enemy's lines in the night, much in disorder; but the main body marched round the Shawanesc camp, and were lucky enough to escape their fire. They marched the whole night, and the next morning were rein- forced by some companies, of which I can not give a particular account, as they were so irregular and so confused. * %

" I must acknowledge myself ever obliged to Major Rose for his assistance, both in the field of action and in the camp. Ilis character in our camp is estimable.

"Opposite Mingo bottom, on the evening of the 13th, the troo is went into camp for the last time. On the 14th they were discharged, and the campaign, of only twenty days' dura- * tion, was ended. %

"Concerning the causes which produced the failure of the expedition against Sandusky, it may be said there was a con- catenation of circumstances contributing to the disaster. The expedition of Brodhead and Williamson to the Muskingum, produced more than usual watehfulness of the border by the enemy. This led to an early knowledge of the movement ; whereby the savages were enabled to make preparations to meet the invaders of their territory. And to this is chargeable, to a great extent, the ealantous result of the enterprise. The strict- ures of Irvine, as given in his official account of the campaign to the commander-in-chief, were, as viewed from his stand-point,

*The statement that Major Roso was a nephew of Crawford's is a great error. The man who had been an aid-de-camp of General Irvine, had passed by the name of John Rose, and had been sent as an aid to the commander of this expedition, afterwards proved to bo a Rus- sian baron who had fled his country for having killed a nobleman in an encounter, and joined the Continental army to aid in the struggle against Great Britain, for independence. His real name was Gustavus H. de Rosenthal.

16-B. & J. COS.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

undoubtedly just. It seems that he supposed the Wyandotte town was only deserted just before the arrival of the army. The opinions of the rank and file were, as hereafter mentioned, that inexperience on the part of the officers contributed greatly to the failure of the expedition; nevertheless, if this was the approximate cause of the failure, the remote ones were as we have stated. But great praise must. be awarded the patriotic volunteers, who so bravely imperiled their lives, notwithstand- ing the enterprise did not prove successful. During the twenty days of the campaign, each one, with a single exception, was a day of marching. Two battles were fought in the meantime, and two victories won. The extrication of the army from the toils woven around it by a foe so much superior in numbers, may be considered remarkable."

CAPTURE AND DEATH OF COLONEL CRAWFORD.

In the retreat, as we have seen, Crawford had become separa- ted from the main body by reason of his horse falling. In the confusion and panic, every man was looking out for himself, so that no other horse could be had. Crawford called for his son John, his nephew William, and his son-in-law William Harri- son, who being aids to the Colonel, should have been near him in the line of duty, and from one of whom he would have ob- tained a horse to enable him to push forward and regain his position as commander. But neither answered his call. Doc- tor Knight, surgeon of the expedition, eame galloping up, and both calling for the three men above named and getting no response, Crawford requested Knight to remain with him, which he did. Crawford then denounced the troops for diso- beying orders. Hot firing was going on in front, toward the south-west, which indicated that the enemy was between him and the main body of his troops, and he and Knight moved east, reaching the Sandusky about midnight, and by daylight of June 6, they were but eight miles away from the battle-field, by reason of darkness and jaded horses. But by two o'clock in the afternoon they made nine miles, and fell in with Captain Biggs and others during the day, and also, a wounded officer, Lieutenant Ashley, whom Biggs was carrying. Camping over night, they had gone a short distance next morning, (June 7), when they found a dead deer, and shortly after met a volun- teer who had shot it. Making a meal of the deer, all started on their journey. Crawford and Knight by this time were on foot. When near the present site of Leesville, on the south side of the Sandusky, they were confronted by several Indians, who had ambuscaded them. One Indian took Crawford by the hand, and another the hand of Knight. They were then taken to a Delaware camp half a mile away, where they remained two days with nine other prisoners. The Indians had killed and scalped Biggs and Ashley, and their scalps and two horses were brought into camp. On the 10th of June, Crawford was taken to the Half King's Town, and the other prisoners to another town. In the night Crawford had an interview with Simon Girty, who was at Half King's Town, and whom he offered one thousand dollars to save him, he having known Girty before the latter became a British captain. This offer becoming known to Captain Pipe and the other chiefs, they arranged for his death in the shortest possible time. He was taken to the old town on the morning of June 11, with Knight and the other prisoners, with their faces painted black, indicating their fate. Pipe and Wingenund came and shook hands with Crawford, having known him years before. Pipe then painted Crawford's face black with coal and water, and all started on a trail to an- other Delaware town. Here they halted, and saw five prisoners tomahawked by boys and squaws, and their scalps were thrust into the faces of Knight and Crawford. Here Knight was given over to some Indians to be taken next day to the Shawanese towns. Crawford and Knight were then taken to Pipe's village. In the afternoon, Crawford was taken to a spot where a stake had been set in the ground, and a fire kindled about seven feet away. Around were nearly a hundred Indians, mostly squaws and boys. Girty, Pipe, Wingenund, and a British officer in disguise were near. Knight was present, tied and guarded, but lived to detail these particulars. Crawford was stripped, his hands bound by a rope, fastened to the stake and to his wrists, with play sufficient to enable him to walk around the post, or sit down. He then asked, after they had beat him, if they intend- ed to burn him, and being answered that they did, he remarked that he would bear it patiently. Pipe then made a speech to the Indians, who took their guns and shot powder into Crawford's flesh from his feet to his neck. They then cut off his ears, and thrust burning sticks into his body. The squaws putting burn- ing faggots upon his feet, so that he literally walked on fire.

In his pain he called on Girty to shoot him, but Girty replied laughingly that he had no gun. Heck welder says that Crawford also called on Wingenund to save him, but the chief replied that the King of England, if on the ground, could not save him. Being almost dead he fell on his stomach, when he was scalped, and a squaw put coals on his head; then he raised upon his feet again, and began to walk around. Knight was then taken away, but the next morning he was marehed by the spot, and told by his Indian guard to look at his "big captain," which he did, and saw only his charred bones in the ashes, around which the Indians had danced all night, wildly singing the scalp song of " Aw-oh-aw-oh-aw-oh."

Col. Crawford's nephew and son-in-law, who were also cap- tured, were executed at the Shawanese town. His son, John, escaped and returned home.

ESCAPE OF DR. KNIGHT.

Knight was taken in charge by a Delaware chief, who was to guard the Doctor to a Shawanese town, more than a day's travel distant. Before starting Knight was painted black, which meant that he was to suffer torture. The Indian was mounted on a splendid steed, while Knight was compelled to plod along in front of him on foot.

When evening came on they halted for the night in the vi- cinity of Kenton, Hardin county, having made considerable more than half the journey. The Indian bound the Doctor, and then ordered him to lie down and sleep, which he pretended to do, but kept awake ncarly the whole night, watching for the savage to go to sleep, so he could make an effort to escape. The chief, however, did not sleep a wink, but closely eyed his pris- oner, evidently suspecting the Doctor's intention. Early in the morning the Indian untied Knight, and then devoted himself to stirring up the fire, preparatory to cooking some breakfast. While at this, and with his back toward him, the Doctor picked up a stiek of wood that lay with one end in the fire, and with it struck the Indian a blow on the side of the head which felled him to the ground, and, when in the act of drawing back to strike another blow, the Indian scrambled off on his hands and knees until out of reach of Knight, and then jumped to his fect and ran off into the forest. Knight then snatched up the Indian's gun and aimed to shoot him, but, in the excitement, broke the lock in cocking it. He then followed some distance, when he gave up the chase and returned to the camping ground, and, gathering up the blanket, moccasins, and ammunition which belonged to the chief, started on his way for Fort Pitt.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 44

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728