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 45

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 45
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 45

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).

He traveled on all that day and night, stopping at intervals to rest, and until the following evening, when he was compelled to halt from fatigue and hunger. The next morning he threw away the gun, since he was unable to repair it.

His course continued eastward through the present counties of Hardin, Crawford, Richland, Wayne and Tuscarawas to the Tuscarawas river, which he reached at a point a short distance above the mouth of what is known as Conotten creek (some- times called One Leg), where he rested and refreshed himself with various kinds of berries which he found in abundance in the bottoms along the river.

From the Tuscarawas he kept a course almost due east, avoid- ing all trails and open ground, and arrived at the Ohio river below Fort McIntosh. From here he followed up the river to Fort Pitt, at which place he arrived on the 4th of July, three weeks after making his escape.

ESCAPE OF JOHN SLOVER.

"John Slover, who had been a prisoner among the Indians and was one of the pilots of the army, was also taken prisoner, to one of the Shawanese towns on the Scioto. After being there a few days and as he thought, in favor of the Indians, a council of the chiefs was held in which it was resolved that Slover should be burned. The fires were kindled and he was blackened and tied to a stake, in an uncovered end of the council house. Just about as they were commencing the torture, there came on suddenly, a heavy thunder gust with a great fall of rain which put out the fires. After the rain was over the Indians con- cluded that it was then too late to commence and finish the torture that day, and therefore postponed it till the next day. Slover was then loosed from the stake, conducted to an empty house, to a log to which he was fastened with a buffalo tug fastened around his neck, his arms were pinioned behind him with a cord. Until late in the night the Indians sat up smok- ing and talking. They frequently asked Slover how he would like to eat fire the next day. At length one of them laid down and went to sleep, the other continued smoking and talking

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with Slover. Sometime after midnight, he also laid down and went to sleep. Slover then resolved to make an effort to get loose if possible, and soon extricated one of his hands from the cord and then fell to work with the tug round his neck, but without effect. He had not been long engaged in these efforts, when one of the Indians got up and smoked his pipe awhile. During this time Slover kept very still for fear of an examination. The Indian lying down, the prisoner renewed his efforts, but for some time without effect. He resigned himself to his fate, after resting for awhile, he resolved to make another and a last effort, and as he related, put his hand to the tug, and without difficulty slipped it over his head. The day was just then breaking. He sprang over a fence into a cornfield, but had proceeded but a little distance in the field, before he came across a squaw and several children, lying asleep under a mulberry tree. He then changed his course for part of the commons of the town, on which he saw some horses feeding. Passing over the fence from the field, he found a piece of an old quilt. This he took with him. It was the only covering he had. He then untied the cord from the other arm, which by this time was very much swollen. Having selected, as he thought, the best horse on the commons, he tied the cord to his lower jaw, mount- ed him and rode off at full speed. The horse gave out about 10 o'clock, so he had to leave him. He then traveled on foot with a stick in one hand, with which he put up the weeds behind him, for fear of being tracked by the Indians. In the other hand he carried a bunch of bushes to brush the gnats and mos- quitoes from his naked body. Being perfectly acquainted with the route he reached the river Ohio in a short time, almost famished with hunger and exhausted with fatigue."

A BALLAD OF THE OLDEN TIME.

The following quaint old ballad, illustrative of the songs of the olden time, contains a very fair account of the Crawford campaign. Much of the early history of this region might be obtained from the verses and songs of the pioneers, but unfor- tunately, many of them have entirely disappeared and are be- yond the reach of the antiquarian. The following is from an admirable collection of these ballads entitled "South Western Pennsylvania in Song and Story ; " compiled and published by Frank Cowen, Esq., of Greensburgh, Pa.

CRAWFORD'S DEFEAT.

Come all you good people wherever you be, Pray draw near awhile and listen to me; A story I'll tell you which happened of late, Concerning brave Crawford's most cruel defeat.

A bold hearted company, as we do hear, Equipped themselves, being all volunteer : Their number four hundred and eighty and nine; To take the Sandusky town was their design.

In seventeen hundred eighty and two, The twenty-sixth of May, I tell unto you, They crossed the Ohio, as I understand, Where brave Colonel Crawford, he gave the command.

With courage undaunted away they did steer, Through the Indian country without dread or fear, Where Nicholson, 'Slover, and Jonathan Zane Conducted them to the Sandusky plain.

Now brave Colonel Crawford, an officer bold, On the fifth day of June did the Indians behold On the plains of Sandusky ; at tliree the same day, Botlı armies did meet in battle array.

The Indians on horseback - Girty gave the command- On the side of the plains, they boldly did stand; Our men like brave heroes upon them did fire, Until backward the Indians were forced to retire.

Our rifles did rattle and bullets did fly ; And some of our men on the ground there did lie; And some being wounded, to comrades, they said,

"Fight on, brother soldiers, and be not dismayed !"

Then brave Colonel Williamson, as I understand, He wanted two hundred men at his command : If the same had been granted, I make no great doubt, But he soon would have put the proud Indians to rout.

For this brave commander, like a hero so bold, Behaved with courage, like David of old, Who with the Philistiens he used to war, And returned safe home without receiving a scar.

There was brave Major Brinton, the first in command, In the front of the battle he boldly did stand ; With courage and conduct, his part did maintain, Though bullets like hail in great showers they came.

And as this brave hero was giving command, The rifle balls rattled on every hand, He received a ball, but his life did not yield ; He remained with the wounded men out on the field.

Brave Biggs and brave Ogle received cach a ball : On the plains of Sandusky, it was their lot to fall ; And not these alone, but several men Had the honor to die on the Sandusky plain.

There was brave Captain Munn like a hero of old, Likewise Captain Ross, who was another as bold, Received each a ball, but did not expire, Though into the camp they were forced to retire.

There was brave Captain Hogland, I must not go past : He fought out and bravely, while the battle did last, And on the retreat to a file did go- What became of hin after, we never did know.

There was Ensign McMasters, another as brave ; He fought many battles his country to save; On the plains of Sandusky, he received a wound- Not being able to go, he was left on the ground.

There were Sherrard and Rogers with Paull of renown: They marched with Crawford to the Sandusky town, Where they bravely did fight till the battle was done, And without a scar they returned safe home.

Our officers all so bravely did fight, And likewise our men, two days and a night, Until a reinforcement of Indians there came, Which caused us to leave the Sandusky plain.

Then said our commander, "Since we have lost ground- By superior numbers they do us surround- We'll gather the wounded men, and let us save All that's able to go, and the rest we must leave."

There was brave Colonel Crawford upon the retreat, Likewise Major Harrison and brave Doctor Knight, With Siover, the pilot, and several men, Were unfortunately taken on the Sandusky plain.

Well, now they have taken thesc men of renown, And dragged them away to the Sandusky town, And there in their council condemned for to be Burnt at the stake by cruel Girty.

Like young Diabolians, they this act did pursue, And Girty, the head of this infernal crew- This renegade whiteman was a stander-by, While there in the fire their bodies did fry.

The scalps from their heads while alive they did tear; Their bodies with red-hot irons they did sear; They bravely expired without ever a groan, Which might melt the heart that was harder than stone

After our heroes were burnt at the stake, Brave Knight and brave Slover, they make their escape ; And with Heaven's assistance, they brought us the news, So none need the truth of these tidings refuse.

Now, from East unto West, let it be understood- Let every one arise to revenge Crawford's blood, And likewise the blood of these men of renown, That were taken and burnt at the Sandusky town.

CHAPTER XVI.

INDIAN PURSUIT OF FUGITIVES FROM THE CRAWFORD EXPEDI- TION-ADVENTURE OF LEWIS WETZEL.

N the confusion of the retreat many individual members of Crawford's ill-fated expedition became separated from their fellows, and had to make the best of their way back to the settlements alone. Of these some were overtaken by flying parties of Indians, who followed their trail, and were carried back captive to suffer the rigors of savage barbarity; others were killed on the way; the rest successfully made their way home to the border.

Among the fugitives that came to Wheeling was a man named Thomas Mills, a resident of that vicinity. In his eagerness to escape he had traveled continuously, and, riding his horse very fast, was finally forced to abandon him near the site of the present town of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and traverse the rest of the way on foot.

Arriving at Wheeling, and anxious to recover his horse, he prevailed upon Lewis Wetzel to go back with him in search of

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the animal. Fully satisfied that the savages would follow up the fugitives to the border, Wetzel advised him of the danger to be apprehended of encountering them, and warned him "to pre- pare for fighting." They pursued their journey, however, until they came to the Indian Springs, about two miles from St. Clairs- ville, on the Wheeling road, when they were suddenly met by a party of about forty Indians in pursuit of stragglers from the expedition. Each party discovered the other at the same mo- ment. With his usual celerity of movement and quick appre- hension of the situation, Wetzel fired instantly, and, seeing an Indian fall, wheeled and ran, At the return fire of the Indians, Mills was wounded in the heel, and soon overtaken and killed. Immediately on the discharge of Wetzel's rifle and his flight, four Indians, knowing his gun to be empty, singled out, dropped their guns, and started in swift pursuit, expecting, doubtless, to speedily overtake and capture or tomahawk him. But they reckoned without their host, for Wetzel had, by practice, ac- quired the art of loading his gun as he ran, and did not seem to care how near the savages came, now that he was out of reach of the rifles of the rest of the party. Accordingly he kept some distanee ahead of his pursuers while reloading his gun, and then, relaxing his speed until the foremost Indian had got within ten or twelve steps of him, he wheeled, shot him dead, and again took to flight. He had now to exert his speed to keep in advance of the savages until he should again load. When this was accomplished and he turned to fire, the second Indian was near enough to catch hold of the gun, when, as Wetzel expressed it, "they had a severe wring." He finally got the muzzle to the breast of his antagonist and killed him also.

By this time both pursuers and pursued were much jaded, and, although Wetzel had now a better opportunity of loading quickly, yet the two remaining savages, taught prudence by the fate of their companions, would spring behind trees when- ever he made a movement of turning towards them. Coming to a more open piece of ground he was at last enabled to fire upon one of them who had taken refuge behind a sapling too small to conceal his body. The ball fractured his thigh and produced death. The remaining Indian, instead of pressing upon Wetzel, uttered a shrill yell and, exclaiming, "No catch 'um; gun always loaded," returned to his party, and Wetzel reached Wheeling without further molestation.

EXPOSURE OF THE BORDER-DESIGNS AGAINST WHEELING-INCUR- SION OF WYANDOT'S AND FIGHT OF POE AND BIG FOOT-INCUR- SION ON SHORT CREEK AND KILLING OF MAJ. SAM'L M'COLLOCH.

Like the unfortunate defeat of Gen'l Braddock, one serious result of the disaster to Col. Crawford's Expedition was the im- mediate exposure of the border to the incursions and attacks of the savages, who threatened to overrun the whole country. Elated with their success, and supposing they had destroyed the principal protection of the frontier, furnished by the army under Crawford's command, they not only harrassed the settle- ments by frequent raids and massacres, but almost immediately projected larger expeditions against the most strongly fortified settlements that were thought to interpose the greatest obstruc- tions to driving the whites entirely from the border.

After the escape of John Slover to Wheeling, who was one of the pilots of Crawford's ill-fated expedition, and had been captured during the retreat, and carried back to the Indian towns, as heretofore related, he gave to Gen'l Irvine, and others, an ac- count of the designs of the savages in prosecuting hostilities against the frontier. Hearing their deliberations in council, while a captive, and understanding their language, he became possessed of their plans, and his timely information was of great advantage to the Commander of the Western Department, in enabling him to anticipate and frustrate their designs. Among other things, Slover reported that in their council, they had determined upon two expeditions, one of which was designed against Wheeling. The information derived from this and other sources to the same effect, kept the people of the border on the look out constantly for the savages, and every little band which made a foray, was immediately pursued and driven off by the whites with the most active promptitude.

Sometime during the summer, a party of Wyandots, consist- ing of seven warriors, came into one of the settlements adjacent to Wheeling, killed an old man, robbed his cabin, and retreated with the spoils. Their presence was soon discovered by scouts who were constantly traversing the country, and a party of eight men quickly gathered, and started in pursuit. Among the party, were the brothers Adam and Andrew Poe, noted through the whole border for their activity, undaunted bravery and skill as Indian fighters. Coming on their trail, they were.

first overtaken by the Poe's when the celebrated encounter oc- curred with Big Foot, which is fully narrated in our account of the Poe's in a subsequent chapter.

On the 30th of July, the inmates of Fort Van Metre, on Short creek, made arrangements by which they could undertake the performance of certain field labor, necessary to the production of their crops. Accordingly, the commander of the Fort, Major Sam'l McColloch, and his brother John, were assigned the dan- gerous duty of reconnoitering the river paths, to ascertain if any Indians were lurking in the vicinity. Following the path along the south bank of the creek until near its junction with the Ohio, and then along the river to Beach bottom, a distance of three miles, and perceiving no indication of an enemy, they retraced their steps to the mouth of the creek, a short distance above which, they ascended a steep and rugged eminence, known as Girty's point, from some associations with the noto- rious renegade of that name. Not thinking of any immediate danger, after careful inspection, the brothers pursued their course towards the Fort, following the elevated ridge rising abruptly from the northern bank of the creek, and had arrived at the termination of a deep ravine, which made up from the stream. John being somewhat in advance of his brother, and riding around the top of a tree-which had fallen across the way-when a low, half suppressed growl from a well trained hunting dog, accompanying them, arrested their attention. Immediately they were greeted with a volley of bullets from an invisible foe. On reaching the path, John turned to look for his brother, saw him falling from his horse, and before his body reached the earth, a stalwart savage sprang from his covert, tomahawk and scalping knife in hand, with which to complete the bloody tragedy and secure a trophy of victory .. While the Indian was in the act of scalping him, the younger brother, with frenzied resolution, suddenly wheeled his horse, and, amid a shower of balls, elevating his rifle, sent the swift messenger of death to the heart of the murderer, who sprang into the air and fell dead. He quickly turned and made his way down the ravine to the Fort, though closely pursued. The next morning a party from the Fort went to recover the remains of their belo- ved commander, which they found in a mutilated condition. After scalping their victim, they had opened him and abstract- ed his heart, influenced doubtless, by that species of hero-wor- ship, which seems inherent in their nature. Maj. McColloch's person and heroic exploits, were well known to them, and it is reported that the savages said afterwards, that they ate his heart, that they might be brave and strong like him.

The Indians composing the ambuscade are said to have num- bered about one hundred, and were en route to attack the fort. While this fatal rencontre may have saved the lives of many of the garrison, it inflicted a severe blow on them in the loss of their commander, who was their pride and chief dependence, a man whose noble qualities and sterling worth endeared him " to the whole border. The savages immediately decamped, well knowing that pursuit would follow and the enraged settlers swarm so thickly around them that none would be left to boast of their achievement. The remains of Major McColloch were brought in and interred within the inclosure of Fort Van Metre in the presence and amid the tears of his sorrowing neighbors. To this day his name is a household word in the community where he lived and his fate lamented as that of a brave and generous"soldier meeting an untimely death.

STATE OF THE GARRISON AT FORT HENRY-EXPECTATION OF AN ATTACK ON WHEELING.

The garrison at Wheeling had been frequently changed dur- ing the early part of 1782, by the General commanding the De- partment, and the regular troops withdrawn to other places, as the necessities of the service seemed to require. On the first day of February Lieut. John Hay and his men were relieved by a lieutenant, sergeant, and fifteen Washington county militia.

On the 5th of April a meeting of the different county lieu- tenants, and one field officer from each battalion of the militia, within the Department, was held at Fort Pitt on the invitation of General Irvine, to receive his instructions and give him in- formation of their different forts and defenses, in order to be prepared for the expected invasion of the Indians or for aggres- sive measures. General Irvine informed them that in making arrangements for the protection of the country within his De- partment it would have to be done by a combination of the regulars and the militia; that from the extent of country and the limited number of troops which could be spared to his De- partment in the exigencies of the general service, the border would have to depend in large measure upon the valor and skill

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of their own people, but he would aid them in any way to the full extent of his ability to make good the defense of their forts and settlements. He, of course, would maintain the general military direction and control. The final arrangement was that the regular troops were to remain at Fort Pitt and Fort McIntosh. and the militia were to patrol the frontiers from Pittsburgh to Wheeling. The Lieutenants of Ohio and Monon- galia counties having received no instructions from the Execu- tive of Virginia to call out the militia upon Irvine's requisition as the Pennsylvania Lieutenants had, it was agreed to have them act as volunteers until that authority could be obtained.

Reports were made by the officers of the condition of sup- plies of the different forts, stations, and block-houses, and of the forees which could be rallied to their defense.

The Washington county Lieutenant and militia remained at Fort Henry until some time in April, when they were relieved, and the fort placed in charge of Col. Ebenezer Zane. On the 22d of July there were only five Ohio eounty militia in garri- son, and shortly afterwards even these ceased to occupy the for- tress as a regularly employed foree, but took their place among the other citizens liable to military duty when the emergeney should arise calling them to action.

The State of Virginia furnished at different times an ample supply of ammunition for the use of the fort, but when Col. Zane took command his first care was to replenish the stoek in view of the probable necessity of its use at any time, if the expected inroad of the savages should occur. He accordingly made an immediate application to General Irvine for an addi- tional supply of powder, and received directions to draw the quantity desired from a lot which had just been forwarded to Mingo bottom for Col. Marshall, of Washington county. On applying to that functionary it was ascertained that the powder had been received and was already distributed to the militia. This made necessary the following

REQUISITION OF COL. ZANE ON GEN. IRVINE FOR POWDER. " WHEELING, July 22, 1782.

"SIR: I applied to Colonel Marshall for powder to furnish this garrison of that you have sent to Mingo bottom. He tells me it is already issued to the militia, which lays us under the ne- cessity of applying once more to you for thirty or forty pounds. Any powder you may now furnish for the use of this garrison I will undertake to account for and replace if not burnt at the enemy.

"Five militia are all the strength we have at present, except the inhabitants of the place. A few Indians have been view- ing our garrison yesterday and have returned on their back track, in consequence of which, we may shortly expect an at- tack. If any aid can be afforded, it will be very acceptable; if it cannot, we mean to support the place or perish in the at- tempt.

I am, with due respect, your obedient, humble servant, " EBENEZER ZANE.

" WILLIAM IRVINE, Brigadier General, Commanding Western Department, Fort Pitt."

The occasional presence of several Indians in frontier towns was not so rare an oceurrence as to call for the special mention made by Col. Zane, but their inspection of the fort and garrison and perhaps some suspicious aetions, as well as the general im- pression prevailing of the plans of the savages put the wary Colonel on his guard. Doubtless it was these apprehensions of mischief and the precautionary measures adopted in conse- quenee, that really prevented, in the end, a surprise of the set- tlement such as occurred in 1777.

INDIAN COUNCIL AT CHILLICOTHE.

Up to this time in the eurrent year (1782) the border settle- ments had only suffered from the desultory attaeks of several bands of savages, such as had been aceustomed to eommit depredations on the border for years past. No large bodies of Indians had crossed the river threatening the destruction of the forts, which were the refuge and defence of the inhabitants. But this immunity from attaek was not of long duration.

In August a grand council was held at Chillicothe in which the Wyandots, Shawanese, Mingoes, Pottowatamies, and various other tribes were represented. Simon Girty, and - McKee, the white renegades also took part in the proceedings. It is said the couneil was eonvened to determine the course of the tribes in view of the probable elose of the war between the United States and Great Britain. The surrender of Cornwal- lis had now become known to them and its probable effcet in

bringing a conclusion to the war. In this event, they were to expect that Virginia would immediately bring all her power to erush the tribes which had harrassed her border and murdered her people all through the war.

Simon Girty, it is claimed used all of his exertions at this meeting to secure a continuance of the war, reciting to them their wrongs, the encroachments of the whites, the value of Kentucky as a hunting ground, the necessity of eombining their strength to regain possession of their lands and prevent the final loss of their homes and means of living, and extinc- tion as a people. His speech was well received and it was de- termined to continue the war.

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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 45

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