USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 13
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us to drink. The mosquitos are very troublesome, and larger than I ever saw. The most of this country is covered with beech, the land of a wet soil intermixed with rich tracts, but no running water to be found.
A bridge to be built over this swamp to-morrow, which prevents the march of the legion till the day after. We are informed there is no water for twelve miles.
July 31, 1794 .- Commenced building the bridge, being seventy yards in length, which will require infinite labor; it will be five feet deep, with loose mud and water.
One hundred pioneers set out this morning, strongly escorted, to cut a road to the St. Marys River, twelve miles. I expect the bridge will be completed so as to march early in the morning.
Camp St. Marys River, August 1, 1794 .- Proceeded on our way before sunrise, and arrived at this place at three o'clock, being twelve miles as aforesaid. Our encampment is on the largest and most beautiful prairie I ever beheld, the land rich and well timbered; the water plenty but very bad-the river is from forty-five to fifty yards wide, in which I bathed. I am told there is plenty of fish in it.
August 2, 1794 .- The legion detained here for the purpose of erecting a garrison, which will take up three days. This day one of the deputy quartermasters was taken up by the Indians. Our spies discovered where four of the enemy had retreated precipitately with a horse, and supposed to be the party the above person had been taken by. It is hoped he will not give accurate information of our strength.
August 3, 1794 .- An accident took place this day by a tree falling on the commander-in-chief and nearly putting an end to his existence; we expected to be detained here some time in consequence of it, but fortu- nately he is not so much hurt as to prevent him from riding at a slow pace.
No appearance of the enemy to-day, and think they are preparing for a warm attack. The weather very hot and dry, without any appearance of rain.
Camp thirty-one miles in advance of Fort Recovery, August 4, 1794. -The aforesaid garrison being completed, Lieutenant Underhill, with one hundred men, left to protect it; departed at six o'clock and arrived here at three o'clock, being ten miles. The land we marched through is rich and well timbered, but the water scarce and bad; obliged to dig ยท holes in boggy places and let it settle.
Camp forty-four miles in advance of Fort Recovery, August 5, 1794. -We arrived at this place at four o'clock, nothing particular occurring. The land and water as above described-had some rain to-day.
Camp fifty-six miles from Fort Recovery, August 6, 1794 .- Encamped on this ground at two o'clock. In the course of our march perceived the track of twenty Indians. I am informed we are within six miles of one of their towns on the Oglaize River, supposed to be the upper Delaware town. If so I expect to eat green corn to-morrow.
Our march this day has been through an exceedingly fine country, but the water still bad-the day cooler than heretofore.
Camp sixty-eight miles from Fort Recovery, August 7, 1794 .- This day passed the upper town on the Oglaize, which the Indians evacuated some time ago. I expected to see one of their new towns, where I am told there are all sorts of vegetables, which will be very acceptable to the troops. We have had no appearance of Indians to-day.
Camp Grand Oglaize, August 8, 1794. Proceeded on our march to this place at five o'clock this morning, and arrived here at the confluence of the Miami and Oglaize Rivers at half past ten, being seventy-seven miles from Fort Recovery. This place far excels mn beauty any in the western country, and believed equalled by none in the Atlantic States. Here are vegetables of every kind in abundance, and we have marched four or five miles in cornfields down the Oglaize, and there is not less than one thousand acres of corn round the town. The land in general of the fir nature.
This country appears well adapted for the enjoyment of industrious people, who cannot avoid living in as great luxury as in any other place throughout the States, nature having lent a most bountiful hand in the arrangement of the position, that a man can send the produce to market in his own boat. The land level and river navigable not more than sixty miles from the lake.
The British have built a large garrison about fifty miles from the place,
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and our spies inform us that the enemy are encamped about two miles above it on the river.
Grand Oglaize, August 9, 1794 .- We remain here. The commander- in-chief has ordered a garrison to be erected at the confluence of the Miami and Oglaize Rivers, which was begun this morning, and will take up some time; by this means the troops will be much refreshed, as well as the horses and cattle, the latter being much wearied and in need of a recess of labor. No appearance of an enemy.
Grand Oglaize, August 10, 1794 .- The troops in good spirits. No interruption from or account of the enemy. We have plenty of vegeta- bles. One of our militia officers wounded by his own sentinel by mis- take.
Grand Oglaize, August 11, 1794 .- Nothing occurs to prevent the com- pletion of our work.
[Here were a few leaves lost out of the manuscript.]
Took up their line of march, and at one arrived on this ground with- out any occurrence. Our camp is situated in sight of Snaketown, on the Miami of the Lake. Vegetables in abundance.
Camp nineteen miles from Oglaize, August 16, 1794 .- Our march this day was through a bushy ground, and the road generally bad. Miller (the flag) returned this day from the enemy with information from the tribes, that if the commander-in-chief would remain at Grand Oglaize ten days they would let him know whether they would be for peace or war.
Camp thirty-one miles from Camp Oglaize, August 17, 1794 .- This day a small party of the enemy's spies fell in with ours; both parties being for discoveries, they retreated, at which time the enemy fired and wounded one of our horses, Our camp, head of the Rapids.
Camp forty-one miles from Grand Oglaize, August 18, 1794 .- The legion arrived on this ground, nothing particular taking place. Five of our spies were sent out at three o'clock; they fell in with an advanced body of the enemy, and obliged to retreat; but May, one of our spies, fell under the enemy's hold. What his fate may be must be left to future success.
Camp Deposit, August 19, 1794 .- The legion still continued in en- campment, and are throwing up works to secure and deposit the heavy baggage of the troops, so that the men may be light for action, provided the enemy have presumption to favor us with an interview, which if they should think proper to do, the troops are in such high spirits that we will make an easy victory of them.
By this morning's order, the legion is to march at five o'clock.
Camp in sight of a British garrison, on the Miamis of the Lake, August 20, 1794, one hundred and fifty miles from Greenville .- This day the legion, after depositing every kind of baggage, took up the line of march at seven o'clock, and continued their route down the margin of the river, without making any discovery, until eleven o'clock, when the front guard, which was composed of mounted volunteers, were fired on by the enemy. The guard retreated in the utmost confusion through the front guard of the regulars, commanded by Captain Cook and Lieu- tenant Steele, who, in spite of their utmost exertion, made a retreat. These fell in with the left of Captain Howell Lewis's company of light infantry and threw that part of the men into confusion, which Captain Lewis observing, he ordered the left of his company to retreat about forty yards, where he formed them and joined the right, which had stood their ground. They continued in this position until they were joined by part of Captain Springer's battalion of riflemen, which was nearly fifteen minutes after the firing commenced, who drove the enemy that had attempted to flank us on the right. Nearly at the same time, the right column came up, and the charge was sounded-the enemy gave way and fired scattering shots as they run off.
About the time the right column came up, a heavy firing took place on the left, which lasted but a short time, the enemy giving way in all quarters, which left us in possession of their dead to the number of forty. Our loss was thirty killed and one hundred wounded. Among the for- mer we have to lament the loss of Captain Campbell of the dragoons, and Lieutenant Henry B. Fowles of the 4th sublegion; and of the latter, Captains Prior of the first, Slough of the fourth, and Van Rensselaer of the dragoons, also Lieutenant Campbell Smith of the fourth sublegion. The whole loss of the enemy cannot at present be ascertained, but it is
more than probable it must have been considerable, for we pursued them with rapidity for nearly two miles. As to the number of the enemy en- gaged in this action, opinions are so various, that I am at a loss to know what to say; the most general opinion is one thousand five hundred, one-third of which are supposed to be Canadians; I am led to believe this number is not over the mark. After the troops had taken some refreshment, the legion continued their route down the river, and en- camped in sight of the British garrison. One Canadian fell into our hands, whom we loaded with irons.
Camp Foot of the Rapids, August 21, 1794. - We are now lying within half a mile of the British garrison. A flag came to the commander-in- chief, the purport of which was that he, the commanding officer of the British fort, was surprised to see an American army so far advanced in this country; and why they had the assurance to encamp under the mouths of his Majesty's cannons! The commander-in-chief answered, that the affair of yesterday might well inform him why this army was encamped in its present position, and had the flying savages taken shelter under the walls of the fort, his Majesty's cannon should not have protected them.
Camp Foot of the Rapids, August 22, 1794 .- We have destroyed all the property within one hundred yards of the garrison. The volunteers were sent down eight miles below the fort, and have destroyed and burnt all the possessions belonging to the Canadians and savages. The com- mander-in-chief led his light infantry within pistol-shot of the garrison, to find out the strength and situation of the place, and in hopes of bring- ing a shot from our inveterate but silent enemies. They were too cow- ardly to come up to our expectations, and all we got by insulting the colors of Britain was a flag, the amount of which was, that the command- ing officer of the fort felt himself as a soldier much injured, by seeing his Majesty's colors insulted, and if such conduct was continued, he would be under the necessity of making a proper resentment; upon which the commander-in-chief demanded the post, it being the right of the United States, which was refused. A small party of dragoons were sent over the river to burn and destroy all the houses, corn, etc., that were under cover of the fort, which was effected.
Camp Deposit, August 23, 1794 .- Having burned and destroyed everything contiguous to the fort without any opposition, the legion took up its line of march, and in the evening encamped on this ground, being the same they marched from the 20th. It may be proper to remark that we have heard nothing from the savages, or their allies the Canadians, since the action. The honors of war have been paid to the remains of those brave fellows who fell on the 20th, by a discharge of three rounds from sixteen pieces of ordnance, charged with shells. The ceremony was performed with the greatest solemnity.
Camp Thirty-two Mile Tree, August 24, 1794 .- The wounded being well provided for with carriages, etc., the legion took up the line of march, and halted in their old camp about two o'clock in the evening without any accident. In this day's march we destroyed all the corn and burnt all the houses we met with, which were very considerable.
Camp Fifteen Mile Tree, August 25, 1794 .- The legion continued their march, and encamped on this ground at three o'clock P. M. This morning a few of the volunteers remained in the rear of the army; and soon after the legion took up their line of march they saw eight Indians coming into our camp; they fell in with them, killed one and wounded two.
Camp Nine Mile Tree, August 26, 1794 .- The legion continued their march, and after burning and destroying all the houses and corn on' their route, arrived on this ground at two o'clock, being one of our encamp- ing places when on our advance.
All the wounded that were carried on litters and horseback were sent forward to Fort Defiance. Dr. Carmichael through neglect had the wounded men of the artillery and cavalry thrown into wagons, among spades, axes, picks, etc., in consequence of which the wounded are now lying in extreme pain, besides the frequent shocks of a wagon on the worst of roads. The wounded of the third sublegion are under obliga- tion to Dr. Haywood for his attention and humanity to them in their distress.
Camp Fort Defiance, August 27, 1794 .- The legion continued their route, and at three o'clock were encamped on the Miami, one mile above
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the garrison. On this day's march we destroyed all the corn and burnt all the houses on our route. The wounded are happily fixed in the garrison, and the doctors say there is no great danger of any of them dying.
Fort Defiance, August 28, 1794 -The commander-in-chief thinks pro- per to continue on this ground for some time, to refresh the troops and send for supplies. There are corn, beans, pumpkins, etc., within four miles of this place, to furnish the troops three weeks.
General Orders .- The quartermaster-general will issue one gill of whiskey to every man belonging to the Federal army (this morning), as a small compensation for the fatigues they have undergone for several days past. Maj .- Gen. Scott will direct his quartermasters to attend accordingly with their respective returns. The commander-in-chief wishes it to be fairly understood, that when he mentioned, or may men- tion, the Federal army in general orders, that term comprehends and includes the legion and mounted volunteers as one compound army, and that the term legion comprehends the regular troops, agreeable to the organization by the President of the United States, and by which appel- lation they are known and recognized on all occasions, when acting by themselves, and separate from the mounted volunteers. As the army will probably remain on this ground for some time, vaults must be dug, and every precaution taken to keep the encampment clean and healthy.
The legion will be reviewed the day after to-morrow at ten o'clock. In the interim the arms must be clean and varnished, and the clothing of the soldier repaired and washed, to appear in the most military con- dition possible; but in these necessary preparations for a review, great caution must be used by the commanding officers of wings, not to per- mit too many men at one time to take their locks off, or to be engaged in washing.
All the horses belonging to the quartermaster and contractors' depart- ment, in possession of the legion, must be returned this afternoon.
This is the first fair day that we have had since we began to return to this place, it having rained nearly constant for five days, which was the occasion of fatiguing the troops very much.
Fort Defiance, August 29, 1794 .- We are as yet encamped on this ground; all the pack-horses belonging to the quartermaster and con- tractors' department moved this morning for Fort Recovery, escorted by Brig .- Gen. Todd's brigade of mounted volunteers, for the purpose of bringing supplies to this place. It is said the legion will continue in their present camp until the return of this escort. Our spies were yes- terday twelve miles up this river, and they bring information that the cornfields continue as far as they were up the river.
Fort Defiance, August 30, 1794. - This day at ten o'clock, the com- mander-in-chief began to review the troops at the posts occupied by the different corps, and I am led to believe that he was well pleased at their appearance. Major Hughes, Captain Slough, Captain Van Rensselaer, and Lieutenant Younghusband obtained a furlough to go home to repair their healths, being, as they pretended, very much injured by the ser- vice.
I believe the first two and the last mentioned if they never return will not be lamented by the majority of the army.
The outguards were much alarmed this morning at the mounted vol- unteers firing off all their arms without our having any notice.
Headquarters, August 31, 1794. General Orders .- A general court- martial, to consist of five members, will sit to-morrow morning at ten o'clock for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before them. Major Shaylor, president; Lieutenant Wade, judge advocate.
The disorderly and dangerous practice of permitting the soldiery to pass the chain of sentinels, on pretext of going after vegetables, can no longer be suffered. In future, on issuing day, only one man from each mess, properly armed and commanded by the respective sublegionary quartermasters, will be sent as a detachment for vegetables, to march at seven o'clock in the morning.
The pack-horses shall forage daily under protection of a squadron of dragoons; every precaution must be taken to guard against surprise. Any noncommissioned officer or soldier found half a mile without the chain of sentinels, without a pass signed by the commanding officer of wings or sublegion, or from headquarters, shall be deemed a deserter and punished accordingly. Every sentinel suffering a noncommissioned
officer or private to pass without such written permit, except a party on command, shall receive fifty lashes for each and every violation of this order.
. A fatigue party of three hundred noncommissioned officers and pri- vates, with a proportion of commissioned officers, will parade at seven o'clock to-morrow morning, furnished with one hundred axes, one hun- dred picks, and one hundred spades and shovels, with arms, commanded by Major Burbeck.
A part of this order was in consequence of three men of the first sub- legion being either killed or taken by the enemy when out foraging, which was done some time since in a very disorderly manner, at the same time liable to the attacks of the enemy without having it in their power to make the smallest resistance.
Fort Defiance, September 1, 1794 .- This morning the fatigue party ordered yesterday began to fortify and strengthen the fort, and make it of sufficient strength to be proof against heavy metal; the work now on hand is a glacis with fascines and a ditch twelve feet wide and eight feet deep; the block-houses are to be made bomb-proof.
Fort Defiance, September 2, 1794 .- Every effective man of the light troops in the redoubts round the camp was ordered this morning to make three fascines.
The foraging party that went out this day brought in as much corn, dry enough to grate, as will suffice the troops three days. The soldiery gets sick very fast with the fever and ague, and have it severely.
Fort Defiance, September 3, 1794 .- Nothing but hard fatigues going forward in all quarters. The garrison begins to put on the appearance of strength, and will in a few days be able to stand the shock of heavy cannon; the troops are very sickly, and I believe the longer we continue in this place the worse it will be.
Fort Defiance, September 4, 1794 .- The number of our sick increases daily, provision is nearly exhausted; the whiskey has been out for some time, which makes the hours pass heavily to the tune of Roslin Castle, when in our present situation they ought to go to the quick step of the merry man down to his grave. Hard duty and scanty allowance will cause an army to be low spirited, particularly the want of a little of the wet.
If it was not for the forage we get from the enemy's fields, the rations would not be sufficient to keep soul and body together.
Fort Defiance, September 5, 1794 .- No news of the escort; this day the troops drew no flour, and I fear we will shortly draw no beef; how- ever, as long as the issuing of beef continues the troops will not suffer, as there is still corn in abundance on the river.
Fort Defiance, September 6, 1794 .- The work on the garrison goes on with life, and will be completed in a few days. The weather very wet and cold, this morning there is a small frost.
Fort Defiance, September 7, 1794 .- Nothing of consequence took place this day. Our sick are getting better.
Fort Defiance, September 8, 1794 .- This day brings us information of the escort; by express we learn it will be with us to-morrow. It will be fortunate for us should provisions arrive, as we have not drawn any flour since the seventh instant, nevertheless we have the greatest abundance of vegetables.
Fort Defiance, September 9, 1794 .- The escort has not yet arrived, but will be in to-morrow. Gen. Scott with the residue is ordered to march to-morrow morning at reveille. The commander-in-chief engaged with the volunteers to bring on the flour from Greenville on their own horses, for which they are to receive three dollars per hundred, delivered at the Miami villages.
Fort Defiance, September 10, 1794 .- The escort arrived this day about three o'clock, and brought with them two hundred kegs of flour and nearly two hundred head of cattle. Captain Preston and Ensigns Strother, Bowyer, and Lewis joined us this day with the escort. We received no liquor by this command, and I fancy we shall not receive any until we get into winter quarters, which will make the fatigues of the campaign appear double, as I am persuaded the troops would much rather live on half rations of beef and bread, provided they could obtain their full rations of whiskey. The vegetables are as yet in the greatest abundance. The soldiers of Captain Wm. Lewis's company are in per- fect health, the wounded excepted.
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Fort Defiance, September 11, 1794 .- This day Gen. Barber's brigade of mounted volunteers marched for Fort Recovery for provisions, to meet us at the Miami villages by the 20th.
Fort Defiance, September 12, 1794 .- This day the pioneers were or- dered to cut the road up the Miami under the direction of the suble- gionary quartermaster; they are to commence at seven o'clock to-mor- row morning.
Fort Defiance, September 13, 1794 .- This day a general order was issued, setting forth that the legion would march to-morrow morning precisely at seven o'clock, every department to prepare themselves accordingly.
The squaw that Wells captured on the 11th of August was this day liberated and sent home. Three soldiers of the 1st and three of the 3d sublegions deserted last night; sixteen volunteers pursued them; they are to receive twenty dollars if they bring them in dead or alive.
Camp 112th Mile Tree, September 14, 1794 .- The legion began their march for the Miami villages at seven o'clock this morning, and en- camped on this ground at three o'clock, after marching in the rain eight hours.
Camp 32d Mile Tree, September 15, 1794 .- The legion marched at six and encamped at four o'clock. Captain Preston, who commanded the light troops in the rear, got lost and lay out from the army all night with a large part of the baggage.
Camp 33d Mile Tree, September 16, 1794 .- We encamped on this ground at four o'clock, after passing over very rough roads and woods thick with brush, the timber very lofty and the land generally rich and well watered.
. Camp Miami Villages, September 17, 1794 .- The army halted on this ground at five o'clock P. M., being forty-seven miles from Fort Defiance and fourteen from our last encampment; there are nearly five hundred acres of cleared land lying in one body on the rivers St. Joseph, St. Marys, and the Miami; there are fine points of land contiguous to those rivers adjoining the cleared land. The rivers are navigable for small craft in the summer, and in the winter there is water sufficient for large boats, the lands adjacent fertile and well timbered, and from every ap- pearance it has been one of the largest settlements made by the Indians in this country.
Camp Miami Villages, September 18, 1794 .- This day the commander- in-chief reconnoitered the ground and determined on the spot to build a garrison on. The troops fortified their camps, as they halted too late yesterday to cover themselves. Four deserters from the British came to us this day; they bring information that the Indians are encamped eight miles below the British fort to the number of sixteen hundred.
Camp Miami Villages, September 19, 1794 .- This day we hear that Gen. Barber's brigade of mounted volunteers are within twelve miles of this place, and will be in early to-morrow with large supplies of flour; we have had heavy rains, the wind N. W., and the clouds have the ap- pearance of emptying large quantities on this western world.
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