History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 10

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

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ter's forces were maintaining their ground un- til they received from Winchester what they understood to be an order for surrender, upon which they acted, although that officer declared that his message was intended as suggestion or advice, and not an order. Ile was induced to send it by Proctor, the British commander, by representing to him that by such step alone could he save his men from an Indian mas- sacre, at the same time pledging, in case of sur- render, protection to prisoners. Such promise was never regarded, as the inhuman barbarities that followed, abundantly showed. Of 800 men there under Winchester, full one-third were killed in battle and the massacre which followed, and less than 40 escaped, the rest being taken prisoners.

Something of the real character of that murderous scene, will be seen from the follow- ing account thereof, given by Dr. Gustavus M. Bower, Surgeon's Mate of the Fifth Kentucky Regiment, an eye-witness. It is as follows :

Yours of the 5th instant, requesting me to give you a statement respecting the late disaster at French- town, was duly received. Rest assured, sir, that it is with sensations the most unpleasant that I under- take to recount the infamous and barbarous conduct of the British and Indians after the battle of the 22d January. The blood runs cold in my veins when I think of it.

On the morning of the 23d, shortly after light, six or eight Indians came to the house of Jean Bap- tiste Jereaume, where I was, in company with Major Graves, Captains Hart and Hickman, Doctor Todd, and fifteen or twenty volunteers, belonging to differ- ent corps. They did not molest any person or thing on their first approach, but kept sauntering about until there was a large number collected (say one or two hundred), at which time they commenced plun- dering the houses of the inhabitants, and the massacre of the wounded prisoners. I was one amongst the first that was taken prisoner, and was taken to a horse about twenty paces from the house, after being divested of part of my clothing, and commanded by signs there to remain for further orders. Shortly after being there, I saw them knock down Captain Hickman at the door, together with several others with whom I was not acquainted. Supposing a gen- eral massacre had commenced, I made an effort to get to a house about one hundred yards distant, which contained a number of wounded, but on my reaching the house, to my great mortification, found it surrounded by Indians, which precluded the pos- sibility of my giving notice to the unfortunate vic- tims of savage barbarity. An Indian chief of the Tawa tribe of the name of MeCarty, gave me posses- sion of his horse and blanket, telling me by signs to lead the horse to the house which I had just before

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

ieft. The Indian that first took me, by this time came up, and manifested a hostile disposition towards me, by raising his tomahawk as if to give me the fatal blow, which was prevented by my very good friend MeCarty. On my reaching the house which I had first started from, I saw the Indians take off several prisoners, which I afterwards saw in the road, in a most mangled condition, and entirely stripped of their clothing.

Messrs. Bradford, Searls, Turner and Blythe, were collected round a carryall, which contained articles taken by the Indians from the citizens. We had all been placed there, by our respective captors, except Blythe, who came where we were entreating an Indian to convey him to Mahlen, promising to give him forty or fifty dollars, and whilst in the act of pleading for mercy, an Indian more savage than the other, stepped up behind, tomahawked, stripped and scalped him. The next that attracted my at- tention, was the houses on fire that contained several wounded, whom I knew were not able to get out. After the houses were nearly consumed, we received marching orders, and after arriving at Sandy Creek, the Indians called a halt and commenced cooking ; after preparing and eating a little sweetened gruel, Messrs. Bradford, Searls, Turner and myself, re- ceived some, and were eating, when an Indian came up and proposed exchanging his moccasins for Mr. Searls's shoes, which he readily complied with. They then exchanged hats, after which the Indian inquired how many men Harrison had with him, and, at the same time, calling Searls a Washington or Madison, then raised his tomahawk and struck him on the shoulder, which cut into the cavity of the body. Searls then caught hold of the tomahawk and ap- peared to resist, and upon my telling him his fate was inevitable, he closed his eyes and received the savage blow which terminated his existence. I was near enongh to him to receive the brains and blood, after the fatal blow, on my blanket. A short time after the death of Searls, I saw three others share a similar fate. We then set out for Brownstown, which place we reached about 12 or 1 o'clock at night. After being exposed to several hours' inces- sant rain in reaching that place, we were put into the Council-house, the floor of which was partly covered with water, at which place we remained until next morning, when we again received march- ing orders for their village on the river Rouge, which place we made that day, where I was kept six days, then taken to Detroit and sold. For a more de- tailed account of the proceedings, I take the liberty of referring yon to a publication which appeared in the public prints, signed by Ensign J. L. Baker, and to the publication of Judge Woodward, both of which I have particularly examined, and find them to be literally correct, so far as came under my notice.

There can be no reasonable ground for doubt, as to where lay the real responsibility for this atrocious scene, to wit: With the

British commander. The actual perpetrators might plead the barbarous dispositions and practice of their race, in partial extenuation of their savagery ; General Proctor, in shame- fully consenting thereto, had no such mitiga- tion. The bloody work was done by his own command, without even protest. The only pretext put forth in his behalf, was, that he believed to be true a report set afloat by American prisoners, for the purpose of intim- idating their captors and staying their lives, that General Harrison, with a large force, was at Otter Creek. This report -known to the Indians as incorrect-was sufficient to frighten the British to flight to Malden.

Harrison, on the night of the 16th, started from Upper Sandusky for Lower Sandusky (Fremont), and on the 18th dispatched a Bat- talion to Winchester ; and learning the situa- tion, he hastened to the Maumee Rapids, ar- riving there on the morning of the 20th, and waited there until the evening of the 21st, for a Regiment, which fell behind in crossing the Black Swamp. On the 22d this Regiment was dispatched to Frenchtown, other troops follow- ing. The movement was in vain, since the fatal engagement occurred on that day, and Harrison met a few survivors before reaching the ground. It was not deemed best io pro- ceed, and the forces returned to the Rapids; whence, as a matter of precaution against be- ing eut off from convoys of stores and artillery vet in the Black Swamp. Harrison proceeded to " Carrying " (Portage) River, to await rein- forcements daily expected, but which, in con- sequence of rains, did not arrive until the 30th. Now reinforced by two Regiments, Gen. Harrison, on the 1st February, advanced toward the Rapids, where he set about the construction of a fortification, which. in honor of the Governor of Ohio, he named Fort Meigs, where his entire force was concen- trated. At the same time fortifications were constructed at Upper Sandusky.

The situation in the Northwest, at this time, was far from satisfactory - the chief military results there, since the opening of the War, having been the capture of Mack- inaw, the surrender of Hull, the massacre at Chicago, and the massacre on the River Raisin. Harrison found an entire change in his plans necessary, as a result of Winchester's

FORT MEIGS AND VICINITY.

MAUMEE RIVER.

BOTTOM

LAND .

10 200

TRAVERSE

WELL

e A

A-Gun Batteries. B-Mortar Battery. C-Blockhouses. D-Lovkouts. E-Old Magazine. F-New Magazine. H-Gateways in the Grand Traverse. K-Outer Gateways. M-Graves of Officers. N-Officers' Quarters. P-Store Houses. R-Forges aud Repair Shops. S- Burial Ground of Pittsburg Blues. T-Garrison Burial Ground. The Guns were placed in position at the differeut Batteries as occasion required.

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF FORT MEIGS, FROM THE NORTH.

Across the River from the Fort, where the main British Batteries were planted.

GRAND

Across the Fort and down the Valley, from the West Angle.

Down the Ravine toward Perrysburg, from the North Angle, looking East. Dudley Burial Ground on the right, marked by a dead Walnut tree.

Felipe

Down the small Ravine off the East Angle of the Fort.

Up the Valley from the Fort. Battle- field of Fallen Timbers in the distance."

SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS.

sad failure. For this purpose, he returned to Ohio, but soon hastened back to Fort Meigs, that he might more closely watch the progress of matters.

It had now become the accepted policy of the Government, to employ regular troops only and secure the command of the Lakes, which was expected to be accomplished by the 1st of June, 1813. General Ilarrison con- sidered the exclusive use of regulars im- practicable, for lack of sufficient foree of such. Hence, militia continued to be a dependence for troops.

It was expected that the British, on the opening of Spring, would proceed for the con- quest of Fort Meigs, and Harrison directed his efforts accordingly. The investment of that post began April 28th, and by May 1st the British had their batteries in position. Such was the structure of the Fort, that five days of cannonading proved ineffective. On the 5th General Clay of Kentucky, with 1,200 additional troops, on flat boats, came down the Manmee. Of these, 800 were detached under Col. Dudley, to attack the batteries on the left bank of the River, while the balance of Clay's troops landed on the South shore and foreed their way into the Fort. Dudley captured the batteries, but neglecting to spike the guns and basten to the Fort, he wasted time until Proc- tor cut him off from retreat, and killed and captured all but 150 of his command. Col. Miller succeeded in capturing and rendering useless the British batteries on the South side of the River. This day's operations consti- tuted a sad record for the Americans, although the British saw little encouragement for the future. The Indians found it "hard to fight people who lived like ground-hogs." Mean- time additional troops for Harrison were ap- proaching from the South. Such was the situation, that Proctor determined to retreat, and on the 9th left for Malden.

A private soldier of the Petersburg (Va.) Volunteers, writing from Zanesville, O., March 28, 1813, to a friend at Petersburg, gave an ac- count of the experience of his Company and other troops of Harrison's Army, in a passage from Upper Sandusky to Fort Meigs, not long before that date. Major Orr was in command. The writer says: " We had with us 20 pieces of Artillery, and a quantity of military stores of every description. We at this time knew

nothing of the unfortunate events on the Raisin. On the second day of our march, a courier arrived from General Harrison, order- ing the Artillery to advance with all possible speed. This was rendered totally impossible by the snow which took place, it being a com- plete swamp nearly all the way. On the even- ing of the same day, news arrived that General Ilarrison had retreated to Portage River, 18. miles in rear of the camp at the Rapids. As many men as could be spared, determined to proceed immediately to reinforce him. It is unnecessary to state, that we were among the first who wished to advance. At two o'clock the next morning our tents were struck, and in half an hour we were on the road. I will candidly confess that on that day I regretted being a soldier. On that day we marched 30 miles, under an incessant rain ; and I am afraid you will doubt my veracity, when I tell you, that in eight miles of the best road, it took us over the knees, and often to the middle. The Black Swamp (four miles from Portage River, and four miles in extent) would have been considered impassable by all but men deter- mined to surmount every difficulty to accom- plish the object of their march. In this Swamp you lose sight of terra firma altogether. The water was abont six inches deep on the ice, which was very rotten, often breaking through to the depth of four or five feet. The same night we eneamped on very wet ground, but the driest that could be found, the rain still continuing. It was with difficulty we could raise fires. We had no tents; our clothes were wet ; no axes; nothing to cook in, and very little to eat. A brigade of pack-horses being near us, we procured from them some flour ; killed a hog (there being a plenty of them along the road). Our bread was baked in the ashes, and the pork we broiled on the coals. A sweeter meal I never partook of. When we went to sleep, it was on two logs laid close to each other, to keep our bodies from the damp ground. Good God ! what a pliant being is man in adversity ! The loftiest spirit that ever inhabited the human breast, would have been tamed amid the difficulties that surrounded us. The next morning we arrived at Portage River (the headquarters of the North western Army)." The writer says of the view obtained from Fort Meigs : " Along this river is the handsomest country I ever saw. There had been several

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

fine plantations in the vicinity, but all is now a scene of desolation. After Hull's surrender, the whole country was laid waste by the In- dians. Every half-mile had been a honse. The only indications of habitations that now re- main, are the ruins that cover the grounds where they once stood." He wrote of a march after British troops to within five miles of River Raisin, and return, a distance of 60 miles, made in 21 hours, with but two hours of sleep.

About this time, Proctor's forces again gathered about Fort Meigs, remaining there for a week, their object seeming to be the diversion of Harrison's attention from Erie, and giving employment to the immense bands of Indians gathered at Malden, rather than any active work against the Fort. Proctor then moved toward Sandusky. Harrison's principal stores were at that point, while he was at Fort Seneca, on the Sandusky River, and about 10 miles South of Lower Sandusky. Major George Croghan was at Fort Stephenson, Lower San- dusky (Fremont). This post was regarded as indefensible from heavy cannon, such as Proc- tor was expected to bring, and Harrison after a council of war, concluded it best, as a matter of prudence, to abandon it, and July 31st dis- patched an order to Croghan, accordingly ; but before this could be done, the enemy appeared ascending the Sandusky River in open boats, and soon invested the Fort, while bands of In- dians ranged through the woods, ready to in- tercept Croghan's men, should they leave the Fort.

The garrison of Fort Stephenson consisted of 150 men only, with a commander just past his 21st year; while the investing force, in- cluding Tecumseh's Indians, was said to be 3,300 strong. Croghan had a single piece of cannon, to the six of the enemy (the latter, fortunately, not being heavy). Proctor de- manded a surrender, repeating the old story of the danger that resistance might provoke his Indian allies to acts of savage barbarity. To all this, the intrepid Croghan replied, that when Proctor got possession of the Fort there would be found therein no men to massacre. Whereupon, fire was opened on the Northwest angle of the Fort. Apprehending Proctor's design to be to effect a breach and enter there, Croghan strengthened that poiut with bags of flour aud sand ; while under cover of night, he

so located his six-pounder as to rake the angle, loading his piece with slugs, when he awaited the enemy's approach. Throughout the night of Angust Ist, and until the evening of the 2d, the fire continued on the angle of the Fort. At last, assuming that the requisite breach had been effected, and under cover of smoke and gathering darkness, Proctor directed a column of 350 men to advance. When within 20 paces of the walls, they were seen by Croghan, who at onee ordered a fire of musketry upon them, but with little effect, the advance of the enemy not being stayed. The ditch being filled with Proctor's troops, the gun was suddenly un- masked and fired, the first discharge killing 27 men. This seemed to be decisive. The col- umn in the ditch recoiled and withdrew. The Fort was saved without the loss of a single man. The next morning the British and allies concluded not to continue their movement to- ward Harrison at Fort Seneca, but, leaving guns, stores and clothing, and some wounded, withdrew, abandoning the field. A British account of this affair, placed Proctor's force at 400 regular and 300 Indians, with two six-pound guns. Their loss was 90 killed at the Fort, about 100 men being lost in all.

Few military events of the West have com- manded more attention, than bas this brilliant defense of Fort Stephenson. This fact is due, first, to the real merits of the case; aud second, to the connection subsequently given it with General Harrison's candidacy for President, in 1836 and 1840. On both these occasions, de- termined and persistent effort was made by that gentleman's political opponents, to preju- dice voters against him, by charging to cow- ardice his order to Croghan for the evacuation of Fort Stephenson. Suffice it here to state, that neither Major Croghan nor any other officer of Harrison's Army for one moment countenanced such view ; but one and all fully approved the course taken by their commander. In fact, Crogban would have promptly with- drawn his force, when directed, had not the presence of the enemy rendered capture cer- tain. By fortuitous circumstances then un- known to him, he was enabled to make a defense for which he bad not reason to hope.

The brilliant victory at Lower Sandusky substantially closed the military movements in Northwestern Ohio, and attention was

THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.

next directed toward Erie and Perry's prep- arations for Naval operations. It so hap- pened, that that commander, on the very day of Croghan's victory (August 2d), had com- pleted the equipment of his fleet at Erie, but, owing to a lack of water, he did not cross the bar in the harbor until the 4th, when he set sail in search of the enemy. Not finding them, he returned on the Sth to Erie, to take in rein- forcements. August 12th, he again left, and anchored in Sandusky Bay on the 15th, whence he soon departed in quest of the enemy. Cruis- ing off Malden, but not finding the object of his search, he retired to Put-in Bay. His fleet consisted of the Brig Lawrence (the flag ship), of 20 guns ; the Niagara, of 20; the Caledonia, of 3; the Schooner Ariel, of 4; the Sloop Trippe, and Schooners Tigress and Porcupine, of 1 gun each-nine vessels with 54 guns and two swivels. The British had six vessels, but they were superior in size, with a greater num- ber of guns.

On the morning of the memorable 10th of September, Commodore Perry discovered the enemy bearing down upon him, when he at once made preparation for the conflict, which was accepted on both sides as probably deci- sive of supremacy on the Lake, and as certain to have most important bearing on the general contest. The report made by Perry con- stitutes the most compact and interesting account of the engagement to be had. It is as follows :

UNITED STATES SCHOONER ARIEL, } Put-in Bay, 13th Sept., 1813. S

At sunrise on the morning of the 10th, the en- emy's vessels were discovered from Pnt-in Bay, where I lay at anchor with the Squadron under my com- mand.

We got under way, the wind light S. W., and stood for them. At 10:00 A. M. the wind hanled to S. E., and brought us to windward ; formed the line and brought up. At 15 minutes before 12, the enemy commenced firing. At five minutes before 12, the action commeneed on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and it being most directed to the Lawrence, I made sail and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every brace and bow being shot away, she became nmanageable, notwith- standing the great exertions of the sailing master. In this situation she sustained the action npwards of two hours, within canister-shot distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and a greater part of the crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieu-

tenant Yarnall, who, as I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what wouldl comport with the honor of the flag.

At half-past two, the wind springing np, Captain Elliott was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into close action. I immediately went on board her, when he anticipated my wish by volun- teering to bring the Schooner, which had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, into close action.

It was with unspeakable pain, that I saw, soon after I got on board the Niagara, the flag of the Law- rence come down, although I was perfectly sensible that she had been defended to the last, and that to have continued to make a show of resistance, would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remaining of her brave erew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her, and circumstances soon permitted her tlag to be hoisted.

At 45 minutes past two, the signal was made for close action. The Niagara being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore up and passed ahead of their two Ships and a Brig, giving a raking fire to them from the starboard guns, and to a small Schooner and Sloop, from the larboard side, at half-pistol shot distance. The smaller ves- sels at this time having got within grape and canister distance, under the direction of Captain Elliott, and keeping up a well-directed fire, the two Ships, a Brig and a Schooner surrendered, a Schooner and Sloop making vain attempt to escape.

Those officers and men, who were immediately under my observation, evinced the greatest gallantry, and I have no doubt that all others conducted them- selves as became American Officers and Seamen.

In the days of this battle, war history was largely recorded in ballads. This was specially true of events appealing to the popular senti- ment. A fair sample of such record is fur- uished in the following production, in connec- tion with the Naval engagement of September 10th, which at the time and for many years thereafter was familiar to old and young :

JAMES BIRD.

Sons of Pleasure, listen to me ; And ye daughters too give ear. You a sad and mournful story As was ever told shall hear. Hull, you know, our troops surrendered, And defenseless left the West; Then our fleet was quick assembled, The invader to resist.

'Mong the troops that marehed to Erie, Were the Kingstown volunteers ; Captain Thomas then commanded. To protect our West froutiers.

Tender were the scenes of parting: Mothers wrung their hands and eried ;

Maidens wept their loves in secret ; Fathers strove their tears to hide.

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

But there's one among the number. Tall and graceful in his mien ; Firm his step, his look undaunted ; Ne'er a nobler youth was seen, One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary, ('raved his mother's prayers ouce more, Pressed his father's hand and left them For Lake Erie's distant shore.

Mary tried to say "Farewell, James," Waved her hand but nothing spoke : "Farewell, Bird, may lleaven protect you," From the rest at parting broke. Soon he came where noble Perry Had assembled all his fleet ;

There the gallant Bird enlisted, Hoping soon the for to meet.

Where is Bird ? The battle rages, Is he in the strife, or no? Now the cannons roar tremendous, Dare he boldly meet the foe" Yes, behold him-see !- with Perry, In the self-same ship they fight- Though his mess mates fall around him, Nothing ean his soul atright.

But behold a ball has struck him, See the crimson current flow ;

"Leave the deck," exclaimed brave Perry ; " No," cried Bird, " I will not go. Ilere on deck I'll take iny station, Ne'er will Bird his colors fly, I'll stand by you, gallant Captain, Till we conquer, or we die."

And he fought, though faint and bleeding, Till our stars and stripes arose, Victory having erowned our efforts, All triumphant o'er onr foes. But did Bird receive a pension ? Was he to his home restored ?

No, nor ever to his bosom Clasped the maid his heart adored.

But there came most dismal tidings From Lake Erie's distant shore: Better, far, poor Bird had perished 'Midst the battle's awful roar. " Dearest Parents," read the letter, "This will bring sad news to you, Do not monrn, my hest beloved. Though this brings my last adieu.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 10

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408