USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > History of western Ohio and Auglaize County, with illustrations and biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent public men > Part 10
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It had been Wayne's plan to reach the headquarters of the savages, at the mouth of the Auglaize, undiscovered ; and in order to do this, as has been stated, he had caused two roads to be cut, one toward the foot of the rapids and the other to the junction of the St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers, while he pressed forward between the two; and this without much doubt would have been successful but for Newman who deserted at Fort Adams.
The first duty of the General after taking possession of the locality was the construction of a strong stockade fort, with four blockhouses, serving as bastions, at the confluence of the rivers, which he named Fort Defiance.
"Soon after the encampment of the army at the mouth of the Auglaize (August IIth), the General dispatched the spies, Wells, McClellan, Miller, May and Mahaffy, down the river to secure information of the intentions of the enemy, and if possible to bring him a prisoner. The spies proceeded cautiously down the river
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until opposite the site of Fort Meigs, where there was an Indian village. The party, dressed and equipped as Indians, rode into the village, stopping occasionally, to talk with the villagers in their language, and giving them the impression that they were Indians from a distance who had come to take part in the expected battle. After passing safely through the village, they met some distance from it, an Indian man and woman on horseback, who were re- turning to town from hunting. They made them captives without resistance and immediately set off for Defiance.
"A short time after dark they passed near a large encamp- ment of Indians, who were merrily amusing themselves around their camp fires. Ordering their prisoners to be silent under pain of instant death, they went around the camp until they got about half a mile above.it. They then held a consultation, tied and gagged their prisoners, and rode back to the Indian camp with their rifles lying across the pommels of their saddles. . They in- quired when they had last heard of General Wayne and the move- ments of his army, and how soon and where the expected battle would be fought. The Indians standing about Wells and his party were very communicative, and answered the questions without any suspicions of deceit in their visitors. At length an Indian who was sitting at some distance apart said in an undertone in another tongue to some who were near him that he suspected these strang- ers had some mischief in their heads. Wells overheard it, gave the preconcerted signal, and each fired his rifle into the body of an Indian not more than six feet distance. The moment the Indian made the remark, he and his companions rose up with their rifles in hand, but not before each of the others had shot their man. The moment after Wells and party had fired they put spurs to their horses, lying with their breasts on the animals' necks, so as to lessen the mark to fire at, and before they had got out of the light of the camp-fires the Indians had fired upon them. As McClellen lay in this position, a ball entered beneath his shoulder-blade and came out at the top of his shoulder ; Wells' arm was broken by a ball, and his rifle dropped to the ground; May was chased to the smooth rock in the Maumee, where his horse fell and he was taken prisoner.
"The rest of the party escaped without injury, and rode full speed to where the prisoners were confined, and mounting them upon horses, continued their route. Wells and McClellen being
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severely wounded, and their march slow and painful to Defiance, a distance of about thirty miles, ere they could receive surgical aid, a messenger was dispatched to hasten to the post for a surgeon and guard. As soon as he arrived with the tidings of the wounds and perilous situation of these heroic and faithful spies, very great sympathy was manifested. Wayne's feeling for the suffering soldier was at all times quick and sensitive. We can, then, imagine the intensity of his solicitude when informed of the sufferings and perils of his confidential and chosen band. He instantly dis- patched a surgeon and a company of the swiftest dragoons to meet, assist, and guard these brave fellows to headquarters, where they arrived safe, and the wounded in due time recovered.
"May, who was taken prisoner, having formerly lived among the Indians and ran away from them, was recognized. They told him the second day before the battle: 'We know you; you speak Indian language ; you not content to live with us; to-morrow we take you to that tree' - pointing to a very large burr oak at the edge of the clearing near the British fort - 'we will tie you up and make a mark on your breast, and we will try what Indian can shoot nearest it.' Accordingly, the next day he was tied to that tree, a mark made on his breast, and his body riddled with at least fifty bullets. Thus ended poor May !"
From his corps of scouts, General Wayne received full and accurate information of the Indians, and of the aid that they ex- pected to receive from the English of Detroit and elsewhere. After a careful consideration of the situation and number of the enemy, and the number, condition and resources of his own army, he decided that he was ready for battle. But true to the spirit of peace, advised by Washington, he made a last effort to negotiate a peace with the enemy. Christopher Miller, once a captive among the Indians, was chosen to carry the message under a flag of truce. Miller, however, valued his own personal safety more than the general did, and remonstrated against so hazardous a duty.
He declared that there was undoubted evidence that the In- dians were resolutely bent upon battle, and would listen to noth- ing of which he might be the bearer. He added further, that he knew them of old, and was satisfied that they would roast him alive, in defiance of his white flag, and sacred character as embas- sador. Wayne, however, was not to be diverted from his purpose. He assured Miller he would hold eight or ten Indians then in camp
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as hostages for his safe return, and if the enemy roasted him, he swore that he would compel all his prisoners to undergo the same fate; but concluded with an assurance that the Indians, when in- formed of his determination, would dismiss him in perfect safety, for a regard to the lives of their friends.
Reluctantly, and with many dark prophecies of the fate which awaited him he consented to go upon the mission, and having taken leave of his friends, he set off at a rapid pace for the Indian camp. When within view of it, he hoisted a white flag upon a pole and marched boldly forward. As soon as they beheld him ap- proaching, they ran out to meet him with loud yells, brandishing their tomahawks, and crying out in their own language, "Kill the runaway!" Miller, who well understood their language, instantly addressed them with great earnestness, and in a few words made known the cause of his visit, and the guarantee which Wayne held for his safe return. To the first of the intelligence they listened with supreme contempt. A long conference ensued, in which many chiefs spoke, but nothing could be determined upon.
On the next day Miller was ordered to return to Wayne, with an evasive message. He accordingly left them with great readiness, and was returning with all possible dispatch, when he met the gen- eral in full march upon the enemy, having become tired of waiting for the return of his messenger.
The troops, as well as the horses and cattle having been much refreshed, by a five days' rest and luxurious living on green corn and other vegetables, on the 15th of August took up their line of march to meet the enemy. They crossed the Maumee opposite their encampment ; the men on foot wading the river, which was not very deep at that time, and proceeded down the river and en- camped at one o'clock at a point where there was an abundance of corn. On the next day (August 16), the army continued the march and encamped nineteen miles from Defiance. On the 17th they advanced twelve miles and encamped at the head of the rap- ids. At some time in the afternoon the spies from the two armies met and exchanged shots. The parties retreated immediately in the direction of their respective armies. One of the horses belong- ing to the Americans was wounded.
On the 18th the army moved ten miles down the river to Roache de Boeuf, and encamped at three o'clock in the afternoon. The army had advanced forty-one miles from Defiance, and being
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near the enemy began to throw up works in which to deposit the heavy baggage of the troops during the expected battle. The place was called "Camp Deposit." During the 19th, the army continued the labor on the works ; and on the morning of the 20th, after every kind of baggage had been deposited in the fort, under a sufficient guard for its protection, the army took their line of march, and continued their route down the margin of the river.
The men were in high spirits. The army consisted of two thousand regulars, and eleven hundred mounted men under Gen- eral Scott. The companies of riflemen under Captains Butler and Gibson were on the left of the army outside, some distance from the musket-men, and outside of them, on the left, were the Ken- tucky mounted men under Scott. A select battalion of mounted volunteers moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced so as to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for peace or war.
About eleven o'clock the army had advanced five miles, when Major Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy that he was compelled to retreat. In retreating his corps passed through the front guard of regulars on foot, commanded by Captain Cook and Lieutenant Steele, which threw them into some confusion. However, in fifteen minutes the order of battle was formed in two lines, when the charge was sounded. The ground for miles was covered with a thick growth of timber, which rendered the oper- ation of cavalry exceedingly difficult. The Indians occupied a thick wood in front, where an immense number of trees had been blown down by a hurricane, the branches of which were inter- locked in such a manner as greatly to impede the exertions of the regulars.
The Indians were formed in three parallel lines at right angles to the river, and displayed a front of more than two miles. Wayne rode forward and reconnoitered their positions, and perceiving from the weight and extent of the fire, that they were in full force, instantly made disposition for the attack. "He ordered the first line of the infantry to advance with trailed arms, so as to rouse the savages from their cover, then to fire into their backs at close range, and to follow them hard with the bayonet, so as to give them no time to load. The regular cavalry were directed to charge the left flank of the enemy ; for Wayne had determined 'to put the
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horse hoof on the moccasin.' Both orders were executed with spirit and vigor.
"It would be difficult to find more unfavorable ground for cavalry; nevertheless, the dragoons rode against their foes at a gallop, with broad-swords swinging, the horses dodging in and out among the trees and jumping the fallen logs. They received a fire at close quarters which emptied a dozen saddles, both captains being shot down. One, the commander of the squadron, Captain
THE DASH OF THE DRAGOONS.
Mis Campbell, (a curious name, but so given in all reports) was killed; the other, Captain Van Rensselar, a representative of one of the old Knickerbocker families of New York, who had joined the army from pure love of adventure, was wounded. The command devolved on Lieutenant Covington, who led forward the troopers, with Lieutenant Webb alongside; and the dragoons burst among the savages at full speed, and routed them in a mo- ment. Covington cut down two of the Indians with his own hand, and Webb one.
At the same time the first line of infantry charged with equal impetuosity and success. The Indians delivered one volley and
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were then roused from their hiding places with the bayonet; as they fled they were shot down, and if they attempted to halt they were at once assailed and again driven with the bayonet. They could make no stand at all, and the battle was won with ease." Such was the rapidity of the advance, and the precipitation of the retreat, that only a small part of the volunteers could get up in time to share in the action, although there can be no question that their presence, and threatening movement, contributed equally with the impetuous charge of the infantry, to the success of the day.
General Wayne, in his official report to the Secretary of War, states that "the bravery and conduct of every officer belonging to the army, from the generals down to the ensigns, merit my highest approbation. There were, however, those whose rank and situ- ation placed their conduct in a very conspicuous point of view, and which I observed with pleasure, and the most lively gratitude. Among whom I must beg leave to mention Brigadier General Wilkinson, and Colonel Hamtramck, the commandants of the right and left wings of the legion, whose brave example inspired the troops. To those I must add the names of my faithful and gal- lant aides-de-camp, Captains De Butt and T. Lewis, and Lieuten- ant Harrison (afterwards President W. H. Harrison), who, with the Adjutant General, Major Mills, rendered the most essential service by communicating my orders in every direction, and by their conduct and bravery exciting the troops to press for vic- tory."
When the attack on the Indians was commenced, Lieutenant Harrison, one of the Wayne's aids, addressed the General, saying, "I'm afraid you'll get into the fight yourself, and forget to give me the necessary field orders."
"Perhays I may," replied Wayne, "and if I do, recollect the standing order of the day is, charge the d-d rascals with the bayonets !"
The number of federal troops engaged in the action did not exceed nine hundred, and from all accounts it is estimated that the enemy numbered nearly two thousand.
The battle, though very decisive in its results, was too short to be very sanguinary. The American loss was thirty-three killed and one hundred wounded. Of the wounded eleven afterward died. The Indian loss was much more severe, and has been vari- ously estimated at from forty to one hundred. The uncertainty
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with regard to the number of Indians slain, is owing to the great exertions made by the Indians to remove their dead. Wayne re- ported that the Indian loss was twice as great as the whites, and that the woods were strewn with their dead bodies and those of their white auxiliaries. A number of the slain were white men from Captain Caldwell's company of the British regulars. Antoine Lasselle, of that company, was captured.
In forty minutes from the commencement of the action, the Indians abandoned themselves to flight, and were closely pursued for two miles, the cavalry halting only when near the walls of Fort Miami, and so strong was the resentment of the Kentucky troops against the English, that it was with great difficulty that they were restrained from making an immediate attack upon it. They advanced within pistol shot, and insulted the garrison with a select volley of oaths and epithets that were very irritating to the instigators of Indian atrocities. The commandant of the fort, Major Campbell, became so indignant that he addressed a note to General Wayne, on the following day, with regard to his in- tentions ; Wayne responded that he thought that they were suf- ficiently evident from his successful battle with the savages.
"The Englishman wrote in resentment of this curt reply, complaining that Wayne's soldiers had approached within pistol shot of the fort, and threatening to fire upon them if the offense was repeated. Wayne responded by summoning him to surrender the fort, a summons which he of course refused to heed.
"Immediately upon the receipt of the second note of Major Campbell, General Wayne and his staff reconnoitered the fort in every direction, and decided that an assault upon the fort with the means at his command was not practicable.
"The army remained in the vicinity of Fort Miami three days and three nights, during which time they burned all the houses and destroyed all the fields of corn and vegetables in the neigh- borhood to within one hundred yards of the fort. The volunteers were sent eight miles down the river, and burned and destroyed all the possessions belonging to the Indians and Canadians within that distance, among which were the houses, stores, and property of Colonel McKee, the British Indian agent. A small party of dra- goons were sent over the river, who burned and destroyed all the houses and cornfields that were under cover of the fort.
"The remains of the braye heroes who fell in the battle of
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the 20th were buried with all the honors of war by a discharge of three rounds from sixteen pieces of ordnance, charged with shells. The ceremony was performed with the greatest solemnity. On the 23rd of August, the army broke up their encampment, and re- turned to Camp Deposit, where they had left their baggage and stores on the 20th. Continuing the march on the 24th they halted at two o'clock at their old camp of the 17th."
Isaac Paxton, from whose journal we are quoting, states further, that on August 25th, "The legion continued their march, and encamped on the ground which they had occupied on the 16th .. This morning, a detachment remained in the rear of the army, and soon after the legion had taken up their line of march, they saw eight Indians coming toward the camp. They attacked them, killed one, and wounded two of them.
"On the 26th, the legion continued their march, and at two o'clock arrived on the ground where they had encamped on the 15th. Dr. Carmichael, through neglect or inadvertance, had placed a number of the wounded men in wagons among spades, axes, picks, and other articles, in consequence of which and the jolting of the wagons over bad roads, they suffered extremely. All the wounded that were borne on litters and on horseback were sent forward to Fort Defiance, where they crossed the Maumee river by wading, and at three o'clock encamped on the south bank of the river one mile above the fort, where they remained until th 14th of September. The seventeen days spent at this point were occupied in fortifying and strengthening the fort to make it suf- ficiently strong to be proof against heavy ordnance.
"Flour became very scarce before the army left Defiance, but they had plenty of corn which was becoming dry enough to grate, and abundance of vegetables - pumpkins, beans, melons and fruits.
"On the 29th of August, all the pack-horses belonging to the. quartermaster and contractor's department were sent to Fort Re- covery, escorted by Brigadier General Todd's brigade of mounted volunteers, for the purpose of bringing supplies to Defiance. They returned on the 10th of September, and brought two hundred kegs of flour and two hundred head of cattle.
"While at Defiance, a number of the men became sick of fever and ague, which they had severely, but recovered.
"On the 9th of September, the commander-in-chief engaged
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with some of the volunteers to bring on flour from Greenville, on their own horses, for which they were to receive three dollars per cwt., delivered at the Miami villages.
"On the IIth of September, General Barber's brigade of mounted volunteers set out for Fort Recovery for provisions, to meet the army at the Miami villages.
"On the 13th of September, at seven o'clock A. M., the pio- neers under the direction of the sub-legionary quartermaster, with a strong escort, set out to cut a road up the Maumee river.
"At seven o'clock, on the morning of the 14th of Septem- . ber, the army began their march from Defiance for the Miami villages, and after marching eight hours in a continuous rain, eleven and a half miles, at three o'clock P. M. made their encamp- ment for the night. The next morning (the 15th), they set out at six o'clock and marched eleven and a half miles further, and en- camped at four o'clock. This day, Captain Preston, who com- manded the light troops in the rear, got lost, and lay out all night from the army, with a considerable portion of the baggage. The next day (the 16th), the army marched ten miles over a rough road, through very thick woods, and encamped at four o'clock.
"On the 17th of September, they marched fourteen miles to the Indian Miami villages, at the confluence of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's rivers, where they arrived at five o'clock P. M. and pitched their tents. This is the place to which General Harmar marched in 1790; in the vicinity of which Colonel Hardin and a part of his troops were defeated by the Indians on the 17th of Oc- tober in that year, and on this ground the town of Fort Wayne, in the State of Indiana, has since been laid out. At this place there was then a body of cleared land, lying together and under culti- vation, of at least five hundred acres, and in the vicinity had been no less than five Indian villages. It had been the largest Indian settlement in the country.
"The next day the troops were engaged in fortifying their camp, as it was too late on the evening before, when they halted, to effect it to their satisfaction. General Wayne reconnoitered the ground, and determined on the spot on which to build a gar- rison, which he selected on the south side of the Maumee river, opposite to the mouth of the St. Joseph's river. In the evening, four deserters from the British came into camp giving informa-
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tion that the Indians, to the number of sixteen hundred, were en- camped eight miles below the British fort.
"On the 20th, General Barber's command, which had been sent to Fort Recovery for provisions on the 11th, arrived in camp, bringing five hundred and fifty-three kegs of flour, each contain- ing one hundred pounds.
"On the 24th of September; the work of building the garri- son commenced by cutting timber in the forest, and bringing it to the place selected for the site. The timber was hauled by men on the hind wheels of wagons. At one time, while the troops remained at this camp, they were on short allowance for several days. A sheep was sold for ten dollars. Three dollars was offered for one pint of salt, but it could not be obtained for less than six. A keg of whisky, containing ten gallons, was sold for eighty dol- lars. However, they soon received supplies from Greenville.
"On the 26th, Robert McClellen, one of the spies, with a small party, came to the camp from Fort Defiance, and brought informa- tion that the Indians were troublesome about the garrison, and that they had killed some men under the walls of the fort. Six- teen Indians were seen this day by a party that were getting out timber. They were pursued, but could not be overtaken.
"On the night of the 3d of October, the weather became ex- tremely cold. Ice froze in the camp kettles three-quarters of an inch thick; and on the morning of the 4th the frost appeared like a light snow. The weather continued cold for several days."
"On the 22nd day of October, the fort was completed and garrisoned by a detachment, under Major Hamtramck, who gave to it the name of Fort Wayne.
"On the 14th of October, the mounted volunteers, from Ken- tucky, who had become dissatisfied and mutinous, were moved to Fort Washington, where they were immediately mustered out of service and discharged.
"On the 28th of October, the legion broke up their camp at Fort Wayne, and at nine o'clock A. M. took up the line of march on their return for Greenville. They followed General Harmar's old trace up the St. Mary's river, and marched nine miles that day, when they encamped.
"On the next morning, they resumed their march at sunrise, and proceeded twelve miles, when they encamped at three o'clock.
"The ensuing day they set out at seven o'clock, and marched
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all day in a continued, heavy, cold rain until sunsetting, when they encamped on the southwest bank of the St. Mary's river.
"On the 31st, the troops took up their line of march at sun- rise, and marched all day in a heavy rain until three hours after dark, when they encamped at Girty's town on the St. Mary's.
"On the Ist and 2nd of November the army continued their march, and one the evening of the 2nd they arrived at Greenville, where they were saluted with twenty-four rounds from a six- pounder.
The army went into winter quarters here. There was sick- ness among the troops, and there were occasional desertions ; the discipline was severe, and the work so hard and dangerous that the men generally refused to re-enlist. The officers were uneasy lest there should be need of a further campaign. But their fears were groundless. Before winter set in heralds ar- rived from the hostile tribes to say they wished for peace.
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