USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 9
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(Defiance) with the chiefs in council, and that war or peace depended upon the conduct of the British assembled at the rapids. These reports were soon credited, for on June 30th an escort of ninety riflemen and fifty dragoons, commanded by the redoubtable Major McMahon, and encamped just without the walls of Fort Recovery, was attacked by a very numerous body of the above Indians. The escort was about to return to Fort Greenville from which post it had brought a brigade of laden pack horses on the day previous. On ac- count of the superior number of the savages and their sudden onslaught the men were soon driven into the Fort and the horses captured. This successful attack was followed by a general assault upon the post and garrison in every direc- tion. The savages, however, were soon repulsed with great slaughter. but renewed the attack and kept up a heavy and constant fire, at a good distance, for the remainder of the day. They again renewed the attack with vigor on the fol- lowing day, but were finally compelled to retreat with dis- grace from the same field where they had formerly gained such a signal victory over unfortunate St. Clair. Wayne es- timated the number of savages in this engagement at from 1,500 to 2,000. The Americans lost twenty-two men and had thirty wounded, including Major McMahon, Capt. Hartshorn and Lieut. Craig. The Indian loss was much heavier, and was greatly deplored by the chiefs who mentioned it with re- gret at the treaty of Greenville in the following year.
Major-General Scott, of Kentucky, arrived at Greenville on July 26th with 1,600 mounted volunteers. William Lewis and Meriwether Clark. who explored the far west in 1804, were with Scott. The army commenced to advance on the 28th, marching some twelve miles per day. Wayne wished to deceive the enemy and had previously made such demon- strations as would induce the savages to expect his advance by the route of the Miami villages to the left or toward the rapids of the Maumee by the right. Instead he took a cir- cititous route in a central direction, while their attention was directed to the above points.
On the thirtieth Beaver Swamp (near Coldwater, O.) was reached and two days were spent for construction of a sev- enty foot bridge of logs over this swale. On August 1st the army arrived at the St. Mary's river, twenty-four miles be- yond Recovery, where a small fort was erected, provisioned, garrisoned and named Fort Adams (near Rockford, O.).
BrJus Excellarry ANTHONY WAYNE, Esquire, Major General and Com . fud. L. l'! fander in Chief of the Legion of the United States.
QUESE areto certify, that the bearer hereof
Driego. a Corporal
has served in the above said Lagion,"
Capatina : Hithard Peters
"company for the spaog of and is for the reason below
mention ed discharged from the said Legion, he having received his pay. arre ts of pay, cloathing of all sorts, and all other just demands from the time of his Enlisting in the said Legion to this day of his discharge, as appears by the followv.
jug receipt; he is discharged having faithfuling wvier the. aber I'mvery - that bring the time for which.
And to prevent any ill usc that may be mace of his discharge, hy its falling in. to the hands of any other person whatsoever, here follows the description of the above said Peter Due he is
Aged livesity
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Given under my hand and seal at
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o all whom it may Concern Civil and Military. «
Visie Splatforme dient
1
SOLDIER'S DISCHARGE FROM WAYNE'S LEGION, ISSUED AT FORT GREENVILLE IN 1795
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DARKE COUNTY
Crossing that stream the march was directed toward the northeast, and on the 7th the "Oglaize Town," on the Au- glaize river, was reached. The army reached the junction of that stream with the Maumee on the 8th, some seventy- seven miles beyond Recovery.
Referring to this spot in his report to the Secretary of War, Wayne says: "Thus, sir. we have gained possession of the grand emporium of the west. without loss of blood. The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens show the work of many hands, the margins of these beauti- ful rivers, the Miamis of the lake, and Auglaize, appear like one continued village for a number of miles, both above and below this place ; nor have I ever before beheld such immense fields of corn in any part of America, from Canada to Florida."
Here a strong garrison was established and called Fort Defiance. A last overture of peace was now made to the assembled Indians, who thereupon sent word that they would decide for peace or war if the Americans would wait ten days at Grand Glaize (Defiance). Impatient of delay. Wayne moved forward and on August 20th arrived in sight of Fort Miami, the British garrison at the rapids of the Maumee, 150 miles from Greenville, having previously deposited all the heavy. baggage and prepared for light action. The enemy were encamped behind the thick, bushy wood and the British fort. Advancing about five miles down the west bank of the river, the front guard of mounted volunteers under Major Price were suddenly fired upon by the enemy at about 11 o'clock and put to confusion, retreating through the front guard of the regulars. A stand was soon made, however, and the position held until joined by a battalion of riflemen about fifteen minutes later. The Americans immediately formed in two lines, principally in a close thick wood of fallen timber, where the Indians had sought refuge, hoping to find shelter for fighting after their usual manner. The savages were formed in three lines within supporting distance of each other and extending for nearly two miles at right angles with the river. They made a strong attack on the front of the Ameri- cans and were endeavoring to turn their left. Seeing their purpose Wayne, realizing the insufficiency of a cavalry charge or a standing fire, ordered a charge made by the front line with trailed arms, to rouse the enemy from their coverts. This was to be followed by a well directed fire on the backs of the enemy when aroused, and a brisk charge so as not to
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give them time to reload. The second line was ordered to support the first; the mounted volunteers under Major-Gen- eral Scott on the left flank were directed to turn the enemy's right by a circuitous route; and the cavalry under Capt. Campbell. were ordered to advance along the river to turn the left. These orders were obeyed with spirit and prompt- ness and with such impetuosity that the first line drove the Indians and Canadians from their positions so quickly that the second line could scarcely get up to participate in the action, the enemy being driven in one hour more than two miles through the high grass and thick woods by half their numbers. The savages with their Canadian allies fled and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving the victorious Americans in full and quiet possession of the field of battle. In this engagement the official loss of the Americans was thirty-three officers and privates killed and 104 wounded. The enemy, who were estimated at from 1,500 to 2,000, prob- ably lost twice the number. The American troops actually engaged in this decisive battle were less than nine hundred.
On the night before the battle, it is said, the Indians held a council to decide what action should be taken, and Blue Jacket, the chief of the Shawanese, because of former suc- cesses, spoke in favor of an engagement, but Little Turtle was inclined to peace. The latter is credited with speaking thus: "We have beaten the enemy twice under separate commanders; we cannot expect the same good fortune al- ways to attend us. The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps; the night and day are alike to him, and during all the time that he has been marching upon our vil- lages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something whispers me, it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace."
Being reproached for cowardice, which was foreign to his nature, he laid aside resentment and took part in the battle, but left the leadership to his opponent. The result proved his sagacity.
After the battle the army encamped near Fort Miami, a post built by order of the British Governor of Canada in 1794 and commanded by Major William Campbell, who was or- dered to withdraw and remove to the nearest military post occupied by the British at the peace of 1783. This he refused
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to do, and Wayne contented himself with burning everything within reach of the fort.
The army returned to Fort Definance on the 27th after laying waste the villages and cornfields on both sides of the Maumee along the route.
Referring to this engagement Rufus King said: "The bat- tle at the rapids of the Maumee opened the land for the Ordi- nance of 1787. Measured by the forces engaged it was not a great one, nor was that which had been fought on the heights of Quebec. But estimated by the difficulties overcome and the consequences which followed, both were momentous. To the bold spirit of Pitt, Earl of Chatham, is due presumably that the people of the Mississippi valley are not today Cana- dian-French. Next in honor with the people of the north- west, as among their founders, might well be placed the lion- hearted Anthony Wayne, who opened the glorious gates of the Ohio to the tide of civilization so long shut off from its hills and valleys."
Roosevelt says of the Battle of Fallen Timbers: "It was the most complete and important victory ever gained over the northwestern Indians during the forty years' warfare to which it put an end; and it was the only considerable pitched battle in which they lost more than their foes."
This expedition has been aptly compared with Caesar's campaign against the Gauls on account of the gigantic tasks accomplished, the rude condition of the country and the sav- age ferocity of the foe. When it is recalled that the field of action was some five hundred miles from Fort Pitt by the route taken ; and that it was necessary to cut a road for near- ly half that distance through howling wilderness, inhabited by enraged savages, the stupendous task accomplished is faintly realized.
After the return to Defiance this post was greatly strength- ened and a road cut along the Maumee to the Indian villages at the confluence of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph, forty-seven miles distant. The army left Defiance on September 14th and arrived at the Miami villages on the 17th, where it en- camped until a suitable fort was erected, provisioned, gar- risoned and called Fort Wayne. Several weeks were spent here during which the troops destroyed the Indian towns, cornfields and stores. The term of service of the mounted Kentuckians having expired they were dismissed and soon left for their homes.
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On October 28th the march for Greenville was taken up, by the regulars, and the army arrived at this post November 2d. saluted with twenty-four rounds from a six pounder. Wayne re-established headquarters here and sent out detach- ments to build forts at Upper Piqua, Loramie's Store and St. Mary's guarding the portage betwen the Great Miami and St. Mary's rivers and at the old Tawa towns, at the head of navigation on the Auglaize. These posts were established (some say in 1794) for the storage of supplies to facilitate their transportation by water in proper seasons, and also with the view of abandoning the old overland route and adopting this one, "as the most economical, sure and certain mode of supplying those important posts, at Grand Glaize and Miami villages, and to facilitate an effective operation toward the Detroit and the Sandusky, should that measure eventually prove necessary;" also to "afford a much better chain for the general protection of the frontiers," etc.
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x > xx
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PLAN OF WAYNE'S ENCAMPMENT AT GREENVILLE
1. Lieut. Massie's Bastion.
2. Lieut Pope's Bastion.
3. Capt. Porter's Bastion.
4. Capt. Ford's Bastion.
5. Headquarters.
6. Park of Artillery.
7. Second troop of Dragoons.
8. First troop of Dragoons.
9. Fourth troop of Dragoons.
10. Third troop of Dragoons.
11-12. Gateways.
13-14. Third Sub Legion.
15-16. First Sub Legion.
17-18. Second Sub Legion.
19-20. Fourth Sub Legion.
21 to 28. Picket Guards.
29. Advance.
30. Rear Guard.
+
GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENT 1795
GREENVILLE TREATY MEDAL (Courtesy C. & N. W. Railway)
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LAKE ERIE
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Portage
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Fr Laurens
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RIKER
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Q washington
I
MAP OF OHIO, SHOWING GREENVILLE TREATY LINE
CHAPTER VI.
THE GREAT PEACE.
After the battle of the Maumee the Indians of the north- west still hesitated to seek peace. The British agents, Sin- coe, McKee and Brant, stimulated them to continued hos- tilities. They strengthened Fort Miami, supplied the savages from their magazines, called a council and urged them to propose a truce or suspension of hostilities until spring. in order to deceive the Americans. that they might neglect to keep sufficient troops to retain their position. They advised the savages to convey their land to the king in trust, so as to give the British a pretext for assisting them, and, in case the Americans refused to abandon all their posts and posses- sions on the west side of the Ohio, to make a general attack and drive them across the river. Notwithstanding all this advice the Indians began to understand their critical condi- tion and to lose faith in the British. Some in despair crossed the Mississippi, but the humane disposition of the Americans finally won their confidence.
Late in December the chiefs of several tribes manifested their desire for peace to the commandant at Fort Wayne. Proceeding to Greenville representatives of the Chippewas. Ottawas, Sacs, Pottawatomies and Miamis entered, together with the Shawanese, Delawares and Wyandots, into prelim- inary articles with General Wayne, January 24th, 1795. It was agreed that all the sachems and war chiefs representing the above nations should meet Wayne at Greenville on or about June 15th, to consult and conclude such a peace as would be for the interest and satisfaction of both parties. In the meantime hostilities ceased, prisoners were exchanged and the Indians were preparing to meet in June as agreed. The first to arrive were a large number of Delawares, Otta- was, Pottawatomies and Eel River Indians. On June 16th, Wayne met these in general council for the first time.
Parkman, the historian, says:
"An Indian council, on solemn occasions, was always op- ened with preliminary forms, sufficiently wearisome and te-
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DARKE COUNTY
dious, but made indispensable by immemorial custom; for this people are as much bound by conventional usages as most artificial children of civilization. The forms were var- ied, to some extent, according to the imagination of the speak- er; but in all essential respects they were closely similar, throughout the tribes of the Algonquin and Iroquois lineage.
"An Indian orator was provided with a stock of metaphors, which he always made use of for the expression of certain ideas. Thus, to make war was to raise the hatchet ; to make peace was to take hold of the chain of friendship; to deliber- ate was to kindle the council fire; to cover the bones of the dead was to make reparation and gain forgiveness for the act of killing them. A state of war and disaster was typified by a black cloud ; a state of peace by bright sunshine, or by an open path between two nations.
"The orator seldom spoke without careful premeditation of what he was about to say ; and his memory was refreshed by belts of wampum, which he delivered after every clause in his harangue, as a pledge of the sincerity and truth of his words. These belts were carefully preserved by the hearers, as a sub- stitute for written records ; a use for which they were the bet- ter adapted, as they were often in hieroglyphics expressing the meaning they were designed to preserve. Thus, at a treaty of peace, the principal belt often bore the figure of an Indian and a white man holding a chain betwen them."
Accordingly, when addressing the council on June 16th, Wayne first passed around the calumet, to be smoked by the assembled chiefs, after which he said: "I have cleared the ground of all brush and rubbish, and opened roads to the east, to the west, to the north and to the south, that all nations may come in safety and ease to meet me. The ground on which the council house stands is unstained with blood and is as pure as the heart of General Washington, the great chief of America and of his great council-as pure as my heart, which wishes for nothing so much as peace and brotherly love. I have this day kindled the council fire of the United States ; we will now cover it up and keep it alive until the remainder of the different tribes assemble, and form a full meeting and representation. I now deliver to each tribe present a string of white wampum to serve as record of the friendship that is this day commenced between us."
Owing to the great distance of some of the tribes and the difficulty of traveling, also to the interference of the British
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DARKE COUNTY
agents, the Indians kept arriving in small bands from their homes on the Maumee, the Wabash and the Great Lakes. These were the chief men, the scions of many a proud and noted tribe. Some had met in former treaties and had fought the Americans on many a bloody field; many had helped to rout the armies of Harmar and St. Clair, and all had been de- feated by the troops of Mad Anthony. As they arrived they were cordially received and expressed sentiments of peace. On the 15th of July, Wayne addressed the council at length. explaining his powers and urging the treaty of Fort Har- mar as a basis for lasting peace. Time was given for de- liberation, and discussion followed on the 18th, relative to the merits and force of this treaty, of which some of the chiefs pleaded ignorance.
On the 20th Wayne read to the assembled warriors the offer of peace sent to them just before the battle on the Mau- mee. He also read and explained the treaty of Fort Har- mar and pointed out a number of chiefs who were present and had signed both that and the previous treaty at Fort Mc- Intosh, and asked them to consider seriously what he had said and make known their thoughts at their next meeting. On the 21st the discussion was continued, several prominent warriors took part, and were followed by Me-she-kun-no-quo. or Little Turtle, the great chief of the Miamis, who claimed ignorance of the lands ceded along the Wabash and expressed surprise that these lands had been ceded by the British to the Americans when the former were beaten by and made peace with the latter. On Wednesday, the 22d, this tall and crafty warrior made a shrewd and eloquent address before the great council, setting forth in a touching, forceful and statesman- like manner the claims of his offended nation. Let us im- agine this tall and swarthy chieftain stepping majestically to the center of the assembled council. Thoughts of the past power and prestige of his waning nation and the early vic- tories over the advancing Americans throng his brain as he casts his eagle eyes toward the blazing July sun and then turns impressively toward his large and picturesque audience. On the one side he beholds the somber, but sympathetic, faces of a hundred bronzed warriors who have figured in ev- ery raid and engagement of the tribes throughout the border wars : on the other side he sees the Great Chief who defeated his people on the Maumee, a young aide who will one day lead the victorious Americans against the combined British
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DARKE COUNTY
and Indian foe and finally sit in Washington's chair, besides a motley assembly of officers, interpreters and spies required to properly conduct the important deliberation of the occa- sion.
On this interesting occasion he arose with dignity and said : "General Wayne! I hope you will pay attention to what I now say to you. I wish to inform you where my younger brothers, the Miamis live, and also the Pottawatomies of St. Joseph, together with the Wabash Indians. You have pointed out to us the boundary line between the Indians and the United States; but I now take the liberty to inform you that that line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of coun- try which has been enjoyed by my forefathers, time imme- morial, without molestation or dispute. The prints of my ancestor's houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. I was a little astonished at hearing you and my brothers, who are now present, telling each other what business you had transacted together, heretofore, at Muskingum, concerning this country. It is well known that my forefather kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to the headwaters of the Scioto; from thence to its mouth ; from thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash, and from thence to Chicago, on Lake Michigan. At this place I first saw my elder brothers, the Shawanese. I have now in- formed you of the boundaries of the Miami nation, where the Great Spirit placed my forefather a long time ago and charged him not to sell or part with his lands, but to preserve them for his posterity. This charge has been handed down to me. I was much surprised to hear that my brothers differed so much from me on this subject ; for their conduct would lead me to suppose that the Great Spirit and their forefathers had not given them the same charge that was given me, but on the contrary, had directed them to sell their lands to any white man who wore a hat, as soon as he should ask it of them. Now, elder brother, your younger brothers, the Miamis, have pointed out to you their country and also to your brothers present. When I hear your proposals on this subject, I will be ready to give an answer. I came with an expectation of hearing you say good things, but I have not yet heard what I expected.
"Brothers, the Indians! I expected, in this council that our minds would have been made up, and we should speak
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with one voice. I am sorry to observe that you are ratlier unsettled and hasty in your conduct."
After the great chief of the Miamis had spoken, Tar-he, the Wyandot, arose and said that the ground belonged to the Great Spirit above, and that they had an equal right to it; that he always considered the treaty of Muskingum as found- ed upon the fairest of principles, as being binding upon the Indians and the United States alike; and that peace was now desired by all. During the following days, discussion con- cerning the boundaries and terms were continued and on the 24th, General Wayne arose and spoke in part as follows :
"Brothers, the Miamis! I have paid attention to what the Little Turtle said, two days since, concerning the lands which he claims. He said his father first kindled the fire at De- troit and stretched his line from thence to the headwaters of the Seioto ; thence down the same to the Ohio ; thence down that river to the mouth of the Wabash, and from thence to Chicago, on the southwest end of Lake Michigan. and ob- served that his forefathers had enjoyed that country undis- turbed from time immemorial.
"Brothers! These boundaries enclose a very large space of country indeed; they embrace, if I mistake not, all the lands on which all the nations now present live, as well as those which have been ceded to the United States. The lands which have been ceded have within these three days been ac- knowledged by the Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Wyandots, Delawares and Shawanese. The Little Turtle says the prints of his forefathers' houses are everywhere to be seen within these boundaries. Younger brother! It is true these prints are to be observed, but at the same time we discover marks of French possessions throughout this country established long before we were born. These have since been in pos- session of the British, who must, in their turn, relinquish then to the United States, when they, the French and the Indians, will be all as one people.
"I will point out to you a few places where I discover strong traces of these establishments ; and first of all, I find at Detroit, a very strong print, where the fire was first kind- led by your forefathers; next at Vincennes on the Wabash ; again at Musquiton on the same river ; a little higher up on that stream, they are to be seen at Ouiatenon. I discover another strong trace at Chicago, another on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan. I have seen quite distinctly the prints of
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a French and of a British post at the Miami villages, and of a British post at the foot of the rapids, now in their posses- sion. Prints, very conspicuous, are on the Great Miami, which were possessed by the French forty-five years ago ; another trace is very distinctly to be seen at Sandusky.
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