History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 15

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 15

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).

On July 28, 1794, the army began its march upon the Indian villages along the Maumee. On this march, some twenty-four miles to the north of Fort Recovery, Gen. Wayne had built and garrisoned a small post which he called Fort Adams. From this point, on the 4th of August, the army moved toward the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers, where they arrived on the 8th of August. At this point a strong

stockade fort with four good stockhouses by way of bastions was erected, which was called by Gen. Wayne Fort Defiance.

On August 14 Gen. Wayne wrote to the Secretary of War: "I have the honor to inform you that the army under my command took posses- sion of this very important post on the morning of the 8th instant-the enemy on the preceding evening having abandoned all their settlements, towns, and villages with such apparent marks of surprise and precipita- tion as to amount to a positive proof that our approach was not discov- ered by them until the arrival of a Mr. Newman, of the quartermaster- general's department, who deserted from the army near St. Marys. I had made such demonstration as to induce the savages to expect our advance by the route of the Miami villages to the left, or toward Roche de Brute, or foot of the Rapids by the right-which feints appear to have produced the desired effect, by drawing the attention of the enemy to these points, and gave an opening for the army to approach undiscovered by a devious, i. e., in a central direction. Thus we have gained posses- sion of the grand emporium of the hostile Indians of the West without loss of blood."

On August 15, 1794, Gen. Wayne moved his forces towards the foot of the Rapids, and erected a fort, which he called Fort Deposit, for the reception of stores, baggage, and the better to reconnoitre the enemy's ground, which lay behind a thick bushy wood and the British fort, which was called by them Fort Miami, at the foot of the Rapids about seven miles from Fort Deposit, and stood on the northwest bank of the Maumee River near where Maumee City now stands.

Gen. Wayne erected and finished Fort Deposit, not only to protect his provisions and baggage, but because from this point he could the more readily reconnoitre the enemy's position at the foot of the Rapids. The British fort, Fort Miami, contained 250 British regulars and 210 militia, with four nine-pounders, two large howitzers, and six six-pounders, which were mounted in the fort, with two swivels. This fort had been recently constructed, contrary to the treaty with Great Britain, and within the limits of the United States.

From Gen. Wayne's report to the Secretary of War (Gen. Verux), we learn that at eight o'clock on the morning of the 20th of August, 1794, the army, under his command, advanced in columns, agreeably to the standing order of march-the legion on the right, its flank covered by the Maumee, one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left under Gen. Todd, and the other in the rear under Gen. Barbee. A second battalion of mounted volunteers, commanded by Major Price, marched in front of the legion, so as to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action.

This corps was attacked after marching nearly five miles, and received so hot a fire from the enemy, who were concealed in the high grass and woods, as to compel it to fall back. Then the army was formed into two lines by Gen. Wayne in a close, thick wood, while the Indians were drawn up in three lines near enough to support each other at right angles with the river. Gen. Wayne, in his official correspondence, says: "I soon discovered from the weight of fire and extent of their lines that the enemy were in full force in front, in possession of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to turn our left flank. I gave orders to the second line to advance, and directed Maj .- Gen. Scott to gain and turn the right flank of the Indians with the mounted volunteers by a cir- cuitous route. At the same time I ordered the front line to advance with trailed arms and rouse the Indians from their coverts at the point of the bayonet, and when up to deliver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, so as not to give time to load again." Gen. Wayne also com- manded the legionary cavalry to turn the left flank of the enemy next the river, and which afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in. All orders were obeyed with spirit and prompitude, but such was the impetuosity of the charge of the first line of infantry, that the Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were driven from their coverts in so short a time that, although every exertion was used by the officers of the second line of the legion and by Gens. Scott, Todd, and Barbee of the mounted volunteers to gain their proper position, yet but a part of each could get up in season to participate in the action-the enemy being driven, in the course of one hour, more than two miles through the thick woods already mentioned, by less than one-half their number.

From every account the enemy numbered two thousand combatants,

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

and the United States troops actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred. This horde of savages with their allies abandoned themselves to flight, and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving Gen. Wayne's victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which terminated under the influence of the British garrison, Fort Miami, at the foot of the Rapids.

This victory was followed by the treaty of Greenville, which com- menced June 16 and lasted to August 20, 1795, and which the reader will find at length in the chapter on Indian treaties.

The question has often been discussed whether Tecumseh, the Indian chief, was at the council the night before the battle, and participated in all the events of that disastrous campaign of the Indians and their allies.

We shall give the testimony of Anthony Shane, who was present on that occasion, who states that Tecumseh led a party of Shawanees in the attack upon the army of Gen. Wayne. That it was in this engagement that Tecumseh first encountered Gen. Harrison, then a lieutenant. That the chief occupied an advance position in the battle, and while attempting to load his rifle he put in a bullet before the powder and was thus unable to use his gun. Being at this moment pressed in front by some infantry, he fell back with his party till they met another detachment of Indians. Tecumseh urged them to stand fast and fight, saying if any one would lend him a gun, he would show them how to use it. A fowling-piece was handed to him with which he fought for some time, till the Indians were again compelled to give ground. While falling back he met another party of Shawanees, and although the whites were pressing on them he rallied the Indians and induced them to make a stand in a thicket. When the infantry had pressed close upon them, and had discharged their mus- kets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned the fire and then retreated till they had joined the main body of the Indians below the rapids of the Maumee.

Of the killed and wounded in this engagement, according to the report of Gen. Wayne, the regular troops lost twenty-six killed and thirteen wounded, and nine regulars and two volunteers died of their wounds be- fore the 28th of August. The loss of the enemy was more than twice that of the army under Wayne, as the woods were strewn for a consider- able distance with the dead bodies of Indians.

Gen. Wayne remained three days and nights on the banks of the Maumee in front of the field of battle, during which time all the houses and cornfields of the enemy were consumed and destroyed for a consider- able distance both above and below Fort Miami. Upon August 27 the army started upon its return march for Fort Defiance, laying waste the villages and cornfields for a distance of some fifty miles along the Maumee.

The army reached Fort Defiance the 14th of September, 1794, and after fortifying the fort substantially they left on the 17th for the Miami village, where they arrived the next day. The history of events will be seen from Wayne's daily journal from September 18 to October 22, 1794, when Gen. Wayne having completed his work, at the point now bearing his name, Lieut .- Col. Hamtramck assumed command of the fort, and after firing fifteen rounds of cannon he gave it the name of Fort Wayne.

Gen. Wayne, having defeated all the Indian tribes, the history of which we have given in the chapter on Indian wars, concluded a treaty with them at Greenville in 1796, he being appointed sole commissioner to treat with the Northwestern Indians, and also received the military posts given up by the British government. He embarked in a schooner at Detroit for his home in Chester County, Pa., and had only proceeded as far as Erie when he was taken ill and died suddenly from an attack of the gout December 15, 1796, in the 51st year of his age, in the Block House. His dying words were to bury him "at the foot of the flagstaff," with the inscription A. W., and his command was obeyed.

The highest eulogium we can pronounce upon so distinguished a sol- dier, a patriot, a hero, and a citizen is that he was a man of true courage and remarkable foresight-that he perilled his life for his country and - shielded its inhabitants from the murderous tomahawk. He established her boundaries, by compelling her enemies to sue for peace, and he be- held his country advancing step by step in the mechanical arts and intel lectual sciences, and also becoming powerful in arms.

In 1809 his son, Col. Isaac Wayne, of Chester County, had his body removed to the burial-ground of Radnor Church, Chester County, where

the "Pennsylvania State Society of Cincinnati" erected a monument to his memory with the following inscriptions :-

On the North Front. MAJOR-GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE

WAS BORN AT WAYNESBURGH, IN CHESTER COUNTY, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, A. D. 1745. AFTER A LIFE OF HONOUR AND USEFULNESS

HE DIED IN DECEMBER, 1796, AT A MILITARY POST ON THE SHORES OF LAKE ERIE, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF

THE UNITED STATES.

HIS MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS

ARE CONSECRATED IN THE HISTORY OF HIS COUNTRY AND IN THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN. HIS REMAINS ARE HERE DEPOSITED.

On the South Front.

IN HONOUR OF THE DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICES OF

MAJOR-GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE, AND AS AN AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO HIS MEMORY THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY HIS COMPANIONS IN ARMS, THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, JULY 4TH, A. D. 1809, THIRTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AN EVENT WHICH CONSTITUTES THE MOST APPROPRIATE EULOGIUM OF AN AMERICAN SOLDIER AND PATRIOT.

The Council at Greenville.

It does not appear that any military movements worthy of notice took place during the winter of 1794-95. The General, however, was press- ing his appeal on the War Department to reinforce his army, and was engaged in watching the movements of the enemy, and bringing every influence within his power to operate on their minds in favor of peace. He appealed to their hopes and their fears. He availed himself of the influence of the chiefs who were friendly to the United States, and of such as were indisposed to continue the war, by which he distracted their council, kept their minds in a vacillating state, and prevented them from agreeing on any plan of operation of a warlike character. Whether he had succeeded in concealing from them the reduced state of his army, which was producing great fear at headquarters, was not known, though it was believed that a knowledge of that fact would operate as a strong temptation to the savages to try the fate of another battle.

Their number had not been materially reduced, while the strength of the American army had been very greatly diminished by sickness and death, and by the expiration of the term of enlistment of many of the Legion, and of the discharge of the Kentucky volunteers. The fact, however, fortunately was, let the cause of it be what it might, that the British officers and agents, with all the influence they were able to exert, could not stimulate the Indians to recommence hostilities. They had acquired some knowledge of the population and strength of the United States, and of their own utter inability to resist it. Some of them were

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

made to understand that the white people were so numerous that they could bring into the fleld fifty warriors to their one; and that, sooner or later, they must be destroyed if the contest was continued. Though this impression was not general, it occupied the minds of a sufficient number of the more intelligent and influential chiefs and warriors to dis- appoint the hopes and frustrate the plans of Simcoe and his associates.

The Indians were evidently divided in opinion, as to the course they ought to pursue. A majority were disposed to continue the war, but were afraid the British agents would not redeem their pledges, by which they might be again defeated. They remembered the solemn promises of co-operation which had been made to them in times past. They recol- lected that when the fort was built at the foot of the Rapids they were told it was intended for their protection, and as a place of refuge to which they might retreat should they be unexpectedly defeated by the Ameri- can troops. They knew, also, that in violation of those assurances the gates of that strong fortress had been shut against them after their defeat on the 20th of August, and that neither chief nor warrior was permitted to enter it.

Some of the chiefs were decidedly in favor of commencing a negotia- tion for peace without further delay; while others, under the influence of ambition and pride, had partly determined to abandon the country, and remove their families to the Mississippi, rather than submit to the humiliation of suing for peace. This diversity of feeling and opinion, produced in part by the judicious measures pursued by General Wayne, accomplished in the end the great object he had in view from the begin- ning.

It did not require the spirit of prophecy to foresee that, if a diversity of opinion could be produced and kept up among the tribes, and their minds could be continued in a vacillating state, no serious immediate danger was to be apprehended. This proved to be the case, for although they were in a state of great excitement they remained quiet during the winter and spring; and early in June began to collect at Greenville, apparently without any previous agreement or concert, and as they severally arrived gave notice that they had come to negotiate a peace.

On the 16th of June a considerable number of Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawattamies, and Eel River Indians having arrived, the General caused them to be assembled on that day, and for the first time met them in general council. After they had received and smoked the calumet of peace, he rose and thus addressed them :-

I take you all by the hand, as brothers, assembled for the good work of peace. I thank the Great Spirit for this glorious sun, who appears to rejoice at our meeting; and also for permitting so many of us to assemble here this day, being the first of the moon, for the purpose of holding a treaty. The Great Spirit has favored us with a clear sky, and a refreshing breeze for the happy occasion. I have cleared this ground of all brush and rubbish, and have opened roads to the east, the west, the north, and the south, that all your nations may come in safety and with ease to meet me. The ground on which this council-house stands is unstained with blood, and is pure as the heart of General Washington, the great chief of America, and of his great council-as pure as my heart, which now wishes for nothing so much as peace and brotherly love. I have this day kindled the council-fire of the United States; and I now deliver to each tribe present s string of white wampum, to serve as a record of the friendship this day commenced be- tween us. [Wampum delivered. ]

The heavens are bright, the roads are open, we will rest in peace and love, and wait the arrival of our brothers. In the interim we will have a little refreshment to wash the dust from our throats-we will, on this happy occasion, be merry, but without passing the bounds of temperance and sobriety. We will now cover up the council-fire, and keep it alive till the remainder of the different tribes assemble and form a full meeting and representation.

Te-ta-boksh-ke, king of the Delawares, rose and said :-

Our meeting this day affords me infinite pleasure. I thank the Great Spirit, and I thank you, for bestowing on us so great a happiness. All my people shall be informed of the commencement of our friendship, and they will rejoice in it, and I hope it will never end. [A string of white wampum.]

The fire was then raked up, and the Council adjourned.

On the next day, June 17th, forty Pottawattamies arrived and had audience. New Corn, one of the old chiefs, addressed the General and said :-

I have come here on the good work of peace. No other motive could have induced me to undertake so long a journey as I have now performed in my advanced age and infirm state of health. I come from Lake Michigan. I hope after our treaty is over you will exchange our old medals and supply us with General Washington's. My young men

will no longer adhere to the old ones-they wish for the new. They have thrown off the British, and henceforth will view the Americans as their only true friends. We come with a good heart, and hope you will supply us with provisions.

The General replied :-

I give you all a hearty welcome. I am particularly pleased with the appearance of so venerable a man as New Corn. You, young warriors, will, I am pursuaded, pay the highest respect to the counsels of this aged chief. Your friend, The Sun, a Pottawattamie chief, will tell you that yesterday we kindled the council-fire-that the roads are all clear, and that we only wait the arrival of the other expected chiefs to begin the good work.

You must be fatigued; I will not, therefore, detain you at present. You will be sup- plied with provisions and some drink to refresh you and to make your hearts glad.

On the 21st of June, Buck-on-ge-he-las with a party of Delawares, and Asi-me-the with a party of Pottawattamies arrived, and were received in the council house.

Te-ta-boksh-ke, the Delaware king, on behalf of his people addressed the General as follows :-

Brothers, listen ! We are here met by permission of the Great Spirit. Our forefathers used soft cloths to dry up their tears; we use this wampum, and hope by its influence to do away all past misfortunes. We have now opened our eyes and our ears, and hope to settle all difficulties. [A white string.]

. Asi-me-the, the Pottawattamie chief, spoke as follows :-

I have nothing to observe. Our grandfathers, the Delawares, have said what is neces- sary. Excuse my not presenting you with wampum. Why should we, elder brother, be of a different opinion from our grandfathers, the Delawares ? The Great Spirit has been equally kind to us in this meeting. You see us all here. You sent for us. The remain- der of us are dead or incapable of coming to see you. In compliance with your requisi- tion for the surrender of prisoners, and as a proof of our sincere wishes for peace, I now present you two, all who are in our possession.

The General rose and spoke thus :-

Brothers! I take you all by the hand and welcome you to Greenville. The great council-fire has already been kindled, and the calumet of peace has been smoked by the different nations who are here. This old chief, Te-ta-boksh-ke, has witnessed and joined in the solemn act in the presence of the Great Spirit.

We have raked up the fire until the chiefs generally assemble. Last night I had accounts from the Wyandots of Sandusky and Detroit, and all the Indians in that quar- ter. This day they rise upon their feet to come and join in council with us. The roads being all clear they will arrive withont difficulty in ten days. We will then add fresh wood to our fire, whose pure flame shall be seen from the rising to the setting sun. We will postpone entering on business until that period. In the mean time I will give you, my brothers, what will make your hearts glad. I have already given wampum to all the tribes present. I now present you with a little more to evince that my mind and heart are always the same. [Wampum.]

On the 23d of June Le Gris, the Little Turtle, and seventeen Miamis arrived and were presented.

Le Gris merely observed that he was very happy to see the General; that he had nothing particular to say at that time. He wished to encamp and prepare for bad weather, and added that the Miamis were united with him in.friendly sentiments and wishes for peace.

The General said in reply :-

I feel much satisfaction in taking you all by the hand. My pleasure is equally great with yours in this interview. The council-fire was kindled in this house on the first day of this moon. We covered it .up and have preserved it clear waiting for your arrival, and the appearance of our brothers, the Wyandots, Shawanees, and a part of the Five Nations among us; they are now three days on their way hither. I will not detain you; you must require rest, and I will order you to be provided with proper refresh- ments. This belt testifies the sincerity of the welcome with which I receive you. [A belt.]

On the 25th of June the Indian chiefs present were assembled. The General thus addressed them :--

Brothers! I take you all by the hand. I have invited you to this meeting to inform you of some measures I have taken for your convenience. I now give you up my ezte- rior redoubts to accommodate the different nations with council houses. My people have all come in from them, and you will allot them among you as you may think proper. I take this opportunity to make you acquainted with some customs we observe. On firing the evening gun all our men repair to their quarters. I wish your people to act in the same manner. I am persuaded you will perceive the propriety of this measure. If you find any of my foolish young men troubling your camp after that signal, I will thank you to tie them and send them to me. I wish to preserve good order and harmony.

I will now explain what yesterday might have had a strange appearance. It is a standing rule in our armies upon any alarm or accident whatever, for our warriors to repair instantly to their posts. I mention this to you to prevent for the future any mis- apprehension. It is by my invitation you are here; and I stand pledged for your safety and security. It is also our practice to parade our men morning and evening, and call

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

. every man by his name. An accident occurred yesterday in the explosion of some of our fireworks. It will have no other effect than to delay for a few days the exhibition intended for the 4th of July, the anniversary of the independence of America. I have nothing more to mention to you at this time. I call you together merely to acquaint you with these things, to repeat my sentiments of regard, and my care for you ; and to assure you, again, that you may rest as easy, and are as safe here, as if you were in your own villages. The council-fire remains covered till the arrival of the rest of our brothers. General Washington and his great council have sent you large presents, the arrival of which I expect about the same time. Your friends Onas, the Quakers, have also sent you a message, and some small presents as a token of their regard for you.

Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wish, or Bad Bird, a Chippeway chief, rose and said :- Elder brother ! I thank you in the name of all the Ottawas, Chippeways, and Potta- wattamies, for what you have this day told us. It is all very right and good.

The Delawares signified their concurrence in opinion with their grand- children, the Chippeways.

The General then rose and said :--

I have never yet, in a public capacity told a lie. You will not be deceived by placing the utmost confidence in what I shall tell you. I again repeat, that your own towns and villages could not afford you greater liberty, safety, and security, than you will en- joy, while you choose to remain with me.

Meeting adjourned.

On the 26th of June, thirty-four Chippewas, and Pottawattamies, ar- rived. Mi-chi-mang, a Pottawattamie, said to the General, that as soon as they heard his words, they rose to come and see him. He said they had no old chiefs, or they would have come, on this great occasion- "they are all dead." He further observed that they came in expectation of being supplied with provisions to refresh them after their fatigue.

On the 30th of June, the chiefs were assembled at their own request. Le Gris, chief of the Miamis, addressed the General as follows :-

Brother! I have come this day only to see you. The other chiefs present have no other object than to partake of the same pleasure. I hope everything hitherto has been satisfactory to you. I now express our perfect satisfaction.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 15

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427