USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Seneca and Sandusky Counties, Ohio directory; historical, descriptive & business showing of the counties > Part 6
USA > Ohio > Seneca County > Seneca and Sandusky Counties, Ohio directory; historical, descriptive & business showing of the counties > Part 6
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
On Saturday, the 25th of May, the little army com- menced its march, striking at once into a pathless wilder- ness, and directing their course due west. On the fourth day, they halted at the ruins of the old Moravian town, about sixty miles from the Ohio, where a few of the vol- unteers gave a sample of the discipline which was to be expected from them, by abandoning the party and re- turning home. The main body, however, still seemed eager to prosecute the expedition, and the march was continued with unabated spirit. On the morning of the 30th, Major Brunton' and Captain Bean, being a few hundred yards in advance of the troops, observed two Indians skulking through the woods, apparently observ- ing the motions of the detachment. They instantly fired fe a
upon them, but without success. Secrecy now being out of the question, it only remained to press forward with all practicable dispatch, and afforded the enemy as little time for preparation as possible. As the wilderness be- gan to deepen around them and the critical moment ap- proached in which their courage would be tried, it be- came evident that the ardor of the men was considerably cooled.
On the eleventh day of their march, they reached the spot where the town of Sandusky had formerly stood, but from which the Indians had lately removed, to a spot about eighteen miles below. Here the detachment halted, and here the insubordinate spirit of the army first displayed itself. They insisted upon returning home, alledging the tired condition of their horses, and the fact that their provisions were likely to be soon exhausted. The officers, yielded to the wishes of their constituents, (for the troops had elected their own officers,) determin-
0 1
S
C
00 0 P a
S
re a fr b V
ec da
3
HISTORICAL.
ed in council, that they would continue their march one day longer, and if no Indians appeared, they would then return home! What other results than these which we are now about to record, could have been anticipated from such officers and such men? Just as the council broke up, a single light-horseman, belonging to the ad- vanced guard, rode in at a gallop, announcing that a large body of Indians were formed in an open wood, a few miles in advance, and seemed determined to arrest the further progress of the invaders. Instant prepar- ations were made for battle. The troops, notwithstand- ing their previous murmurs, advanced with alacrity, and soon came up with the light-horsemen, who were slowly retiring, within view of the enemy. The country was generally open, and well adapted to the operations of cavalry. Here and there a thin copse of woodland ap- peared, free from undergrowth and giving to each party a full view of their enemy's movements. The Indians had partly obtained possession of one of these copses, although their full force had not yet come up.
The importance of seizing the woods was instantly seen, and Crawford hastily ordered his men to dismount, tie their horses, and force the enemy from their position before their reinforcements could arrive. This judicious order was promptly and effectually obeyed. Both flanks of the Indian position were immediately turned, and a rapid and threatening movement upon their front, quickly compelled them to give way. Crawford now took pos- session of the wood, but scarcely had he done so, when the main body of the enemy hurried up to the assistance of their van, and, out-flanking Crawford, in turn opened a heavy and galling fire upon his men, from which they found it very difficult to obtain shelter.
The action now became sharp and serious ; Crawford maintaining his ground, and the enemy, (who were hourly increasing in number,) making the most strenuous efforts to gain the wood. From four in the evening until dusk, the firing was very heavy, and the loss con-
8
d
S
r-
4
HISTORICAL.
siderable. During the whole of this time scarcely an In- dian was visible, unless for a moment when shifting his position. Their number could only be ascertained from the many wreaths of smoke which arose from every bush, tree, or tuft of grass within view. At night the enemy drew off, and Crawford's party slept upon their arms upon the field of battle. On the next day the attack was renewed, but at a more respectful distance. The In- dians had apparently sustained some loss on the close firing of the preceding evening, and seemed now de- termined to await the arrival of additional reinforcements. Occassional shots were fired through the day, on both sides, but without much injury to either. As soon as it was dark, the field officers assembled in council; and, as the numbers of the enemy were evidently increasing every moment, it was unanimously determined to retreat by night, as rapidly as was consistent with order and preservation of the wounded. The resolution was quickly announced to the troops, and the necessary dis- positions made for carrying it into effect. The out-posts were silently withdrawn from the vicinity of the enemy, and as fast as they came in, the troops were formed in three parallel lines, with the wounded borne upon biers in the centre. By nine o'clock at night, all necessary arrangements had been made, and the retreat began in good order.
Unfortunately, they had scarcely moved a hundred paces, when the report of several rifles were heard in the rear, in the direction of the Indian encampment. The troops soon became very unsteady. At length, a solitary voice, in the front rank, called out that their design was discovered and that the Indians would soon be upon them. Nothing more was necessary. The cavalry were instantly broken ; and, as usual, each man endeavored to save himself as best he could. A prodigious uproar ensued, which quickly communicated to the enemy that white men had routed themselves and that they had · nothing to do but pick up stragglers. The miserable
n U S
W t f
1
5
HISTORICAL.
wounded, notwithstanding the piercing cries with which they supplicated to be taken with them, were abandoned to the mercy of the enemy, and soon put out of pain.
In the retreat, Col. Crawford, Dr. Knight, John Craw- ford and Major Harris, Captain Biggs and Lieut. Ashley joined, and determined to make their escape. They had not advanced many miles when several Indians sprang up within twenty yards of Knight and Crawford, present- ing their guns, and in good English ordered them to stop. Knight instantly sprung behind a large black oak, cocked his gun and began to take aim at the foremost. Crawford, however, did not attempt to conceal himself, but calling hastily to Knight, ordered him twice not to fire.
Instantly, the Indian at whom Knight had taken aim, ran up to the Colonel with every demonstration of friend- ship, shook his hand cordially, and asked him how he did. Knight still maintaining a hostile attitude behind the tree, Crawford called to him again, and ordered him to put down his gun, which the doctor very reluctantly obeyed.
Biggs and Ashley seeing the condition of their friends, halted, and the two men in the rear very prudently took to their heels and escaped. One of the Indians then told Crawford to order Biggs to come up and surrender, or they would kill him. The colonel complied, but Biggs feeling no inclination to obey his commander in the present instance, very cooly cocked his rifle, took deliber- ate aim at one of the Indians, and fired, although without effect. He and Ashley then put spurs to their horses, and for the time escaped. . The two prisoners were then taken to the Indian camp, which stood within a few miles of the place where they were taken ; and on the next evening, five Delawares came in with the scalps and horses of Biggs and Ashley, who, it appeared, had re- turned to the road, and were intercepted a few miles further on.
On the morning, which was the ioth of June, Crawford
S 1 1
6
HISTORICAL.
and Knight, together with nine prisoners, were conduct- ed by their captors, seventeen in number, to the old town of Sandusky, about thirty-three miles distant. The main body halted at night, within eight miles of the vill- age, but as Colonel Crawford expressed great anxity to speak with Simon Girty, who was then at Sandusky, he was permitted to go on that evening, under the care of two Indians. On Tuesday morning, the 11th of June, Colonel Crawford was brought back from Sandusky on purpose to march into town with the other prisoners. Knight eagerly accosted him, and asked if he had seen Girty ? The colonel replied in the affirmative ; and add- ed that Girty had promised to use his utmost influence for his (the colonel's) safety, but was fearful of the con- sequences, as the Indians generally, and particularly Captain Pipe, one of the Delaware chiefs, were much in- censed against the prisoners, and were endeavoring to have them all burned. The colonel added, that he had heard of his son-in-law, Colonel Harrison, and his nephew, William Crawford, both of whom had been taken by the Shawanese, and admitted to mercy. Shortly after this communication, their capital enemy, Captain Pipe, appeared. His appearance was by no means un- prepossessing, and he exhibited none of the ferocity which Knight, from Girty's account, had been led to ex- pect.
On the contrary, his language was flattering and his manners bland. But one omious circumstance attended his visit. With his own hand he painted every prisoner black! While in the act of painting the doctor, he was as polite as a French valet, assuring him that he should soon go to the Shawnee town and see his freinds; and while painting the colonel he told him that his head should be shaved-i. e., he should be adopted-as soon as he arrived at Wyandot town. As soon as the prisoners were painted, they were conducted towards the town, Captain Pipe walking by the side of Crawford, and treat- ing him with the utmost kindness, while the prisoners,
t
1 C S
S
S t
a
n 1
S 1 n e a 0
7
HISTORICAL.
with the exception of Dr. Knight, were schocked at ob- serving the bodies of four of their freinds, who had just left them, tomahawkee and scalped, with an interval of nearly a mile between each. They had evidently perish- ed in running the gauntlet. This spectacle was regarded as a sad presage of their own fate. In a short time the overtook the five prisoners who remained alive. They were seated on the ground. and appeared much dejected. Nearly seventy squaws and Indian boys surrounded them, menacing them with knives and tomahawks, and exaust- ing upon them every abusive epithet which their lang- uage afforded. Crawford and Knight were compelled to sit down apart from the rest, and immediately afterwards the doctor was given to a Shawnee warrior to be conduct- ed to their towns, while the colonel remained stationary.
The boys and squaws then fell upon the other prisoners and tomahawked them in a moment. Among them was Captain McKinley, who had served with reputation throughout the Revolutionary War until the capture of Cornwallis. An old squaw, approaching him and brand- ishing a long knife, seized him by the hair, instantaly cut off his head and kicked it near the spot where Crawford sat in momentary expectation of a similar fate. Another destiny, however, was reserved for him. After having sufficiently exhausted their rage upon the lifeless bodies of the five prisoners, the whole party started up, and driving Crawford before them, marched towards the vill- age.
Presently, Girty appeared on horseback, coming from Sandusky. He stopped for a few moments, and spoke to Crawford, then, passing to the rear of the party, address- ed Knight-" Is this the doctor ? " inquired he with an insulting smile. "Yes! Mr. Girty, I am glad to see you ! " replied poor Knight, advancing towards him, and anxiously extending his hand. But Girty cursed him in a savage tone, ordered him to be gone, and not to sup- pose that he would give his hand to such a-rascal. Upon this the Shawanee warrior who had him in custody,
8
HISTORICAL.
dragged him along by a rope. Girty followed on horse- back, and informed him that he was to go to Chillicothe. Presently they came to a spot where there was a large fire, around which about thirty warriors, and more than double that number of squaws and boys were collected.
As soon as the colonel arrived, they surrounded him, stripped him naked, and compelled him to sit on the ground near the fire. They then fell upon him and beat him severely with sticks and their fists. In a few minutes, a large stake was fixed in the ground, ånd piles of hick- ory poles, rather thicker than a man's thumb, and about twelve feet in length, were spread around it. Colonel Crawford's hands were then tied behind his back; a strong rope was produced, one end of which was fasten- ed to the ligature between his wrists and the othet tied to the bottom of the stake. The rope was long enough to permit him to walk around the stake several times and then return. Fire was then applied to the hickory poles, which lay in piles at the distance of six or seven yards from the stake.
The colonel, observing these terrible preparations, call- ed to Girty, who sat on horseback at the distance of a few yards from the fire, and asked if the Indians were going to burn him. Girty very coolly replied in the af- firmative. The colonel heard the intelligence with firm- ness, merely observing that he would bear it with forti- tude. When the hickory poles had been burnt asunder in the middle, Captain Pipe arose and addressed the crowd, in a tone of great energy, and with animated gest- ures, pointing frequently at the colonel, who regarded him with an appearance of unruffled composure. As soon as he had ended, a loud whoop burst from the as- sembled throng, and they all rushed at once upon the unfortunate Crawford. For several seconds the crowd was so great that Knight could not see what they were doing; but in a few minutes they had dispersed suffici- ently to give him a view of the colonel.
His ears had been cut off, and the blood was streaming
S P th b
S I u u
a S e a S
re tu je P
ca sn hi or tu rı ne to te CO th 0 ca K S re
do
9
HISTORICAL.
down each side of his face. The warriors shot charges of powder into his naked body, commencing with the calves of his legs and continuing to his neck. The boys snatched the burning hickory poles and applied them to his flesh. As fast as he ran round the stake, to avoid one party of tormentors, he was promptly met at every turn by others, with burning poles, red hot irons, and rifles loaded with powder only ; so that in a few minutes nearly one hundred charges of powder had been shot in- to his body, which had become black and blistered in a terrible manner. The squaws would take a quantity of coals and hot ashes and throw them upon his body, so that in a few minutes he had nothing but fire to walk up- on. In the extremity of his angony, the unhappy colonel called aloud upon Girty, in tones which rang through Knight's brain with maddening effect-Girty! Girty! ! Shoot me through the heart! Quick! Quick! ! Do not refuse me ! ! " "Don't you see I have no gun, colonel ?" replied the monster, bursting into a loud laugh, and then turning to an Indian beside him, he uttered some brutal jests upon the naked and miserable appearance of the prisoner
The terrible scene had now lasted nearly two hours, and Crawford had become much exausted. He walked slowly around the stake, spoke in a tow tone, and earn- estly besought God to look with compassion upon him and pardon his sins. His nerves had lost much of their sensibility and he no longer shrunk from the fire-brands with which they incessantly touched him. At length he sunk in a fainting fit upon his face and lay motionless. Instantly an Indian sprung upon his back, knelt lightly upon one knee, made a circular incision with his knife upon the crown of his head, and clapping the knife be- tween his teeth, tore the scalp off with both hands! Scarcely had this been done, when a withered hag ap- proached with a board full of burning embers, and poured them upon the crown of his head, now laid bare to the bone. The colonel groaned deeply, arose, and again
e d e
d
S
a e f-
1- r e
ed h d S, Is
It el a 1-
e- e. re an d. n, 1e at S,
-
IO
HISTORICAL.
walked slowly around the stake! ! Nature at length could do no more, and at a late hour of the night, death released him from the hand of his cruel tormentors.
The awful torture which Crawford had undergone, made a deep impression upon the mind of Knight. He resolved, if possible, to make his escape, and this he did in a most wonderful manner, before reaching Shawnee town. The particulars of his last adventure, are omitted for want of room. Thus ended the lamented expedition of Colonel William Crawford; rashly undertaken, inju- diciously prosecuted, and terminating with almost unpre- cedent calamity.
Soon after this, a treaty was concluded with the Wyandots, Delaware, Chippewas and Ottawas, when the United States acquired the title of those tribes to all the land east, west and south of a line drawn from the mouth of Cuyahoga up that river to the Tuscarawas portage, and to the forks of the Tuscarawas above Fort Lawrence ; thence to the Loramies, thence to the Maumee, and thence with that river to Lake Erie, The territory thus ceded, included about three fourths of the present state of Ohio. In May, 1785, Congress proceeded to provide by ordinance for the future survey and sale of the public domain in the west. The land was directed to be divided into townships of six miles square, by lines running north and south and intersected by other lines at right angles. These townships were subdivided into sections, each con- taining a square mile, or six hundred and forty acres ; and each range was to be numbered from south to north, commencing on the Ohio river. The ranges were to be distinguished by progressive numbers westward, the first resting upon the western boundary of Pennsylvania as a base-line.
A
A A A
A
A
A A
CHRONOLOGY
Of Historical Events in America during the last One Hundred Years.
Abolition riot in Philadelphia, Pa.
. Aug. 12, 1734 Act of Congress creating the Dep and Sec. of War. . Aug. 7, 1789
6.
of Treasury .Sept. 2, 1789
P. O. Department Sept. 22, 1789
"
.6
providing for taking the first census Mar. 1, 1790
first copyright law passed May 31, 1790
renewing the seat of gov't to Philadelphia July 16, 1790
taxing distilled spirits Dec. 20, 1791
.6
giving bounties to fishing vessels . Feb. 16, 1792
..
establishing P. O. and Post Roads .Feb 20,1792
44 providing a uniform military system May 8, 1792
fixing the President's salary at $25,000 .Feb. 8, 1793
66 establishing a uniform rule of Naturalization .June 29, 1792
creating the Navy Department .. April 3, 1798
establishing a uniform system of Bankruptcy . April 14, 1802
.6 prohibiting the slave trade after 1808 . Mar. 2, 1808
establishing National Banks. , 1862
. .
prohibiting slavery in the Territories .June 19, 1862
..
prohibiting Polygamy in the U. S. July 1, 1862
creating the office of Ass. Sec. of War. Jan. 19, 1864
repealing frankling privilege after July 1, 1873
Adams, John, of Mass., inaugurated President Mar. 4, 1797
July 4, 1826
Adams, John, died aged 91
Adams, John Quincy, of Mass., inaugurated President .Mar. 4, 1825
Adams, John Quincy of Mass., died at Washington . Feb. 23, 1848
Alabama, the Ram, burnt the ships Golden Eagle and Oliver Jane. . Feb. 21, 1863
Albans, St. Vt., banks robbed by Confederate refugees from Canada . Oct. 19, 1864 Algerians, The, took 94 prisoners foom American ships. . July 12, 1776
American Sunday School Union formed at Philadelphia. -, 1824
.6
Sept. 24. 1789
establishing the Judicial System of the U. S.
CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS.
Amnesty proclaimed by President Lincoln Dec, 8, 1863 Anderson, Major, evacuated Fort Moultrie and established him- self at Fort Sumpter . Dec. 26,1860 Anderson Cross Roads, Ky., battle of . Oct 2, 1863
Arsenal, U. S. Custom House and P. O., at Charleston, S. C.,
Seized by the Confederates. . Dec. 28, 1860
Arsenals at Taylorsville, Savannah, Ga., Mobile, Ala., and Augusta, Ga , seized by the Confederates . .Jan., 1861
Arsenal at Baton Rouge, and U. S. Mint and Custom House at New Orleans, seized by the Confederates . Jan., 1861
Asylum, Colored Orphan, burnt by rioters in New York
July 13, 1863
Atlanta, Ga., battle of 66 bombarded by Sherman. . Aug. 9 1864 ,Aug. 3, 1864
evacuated by Gen. Howe Sept 2, 1864
evacuated by Sherman Sept 2, 1864
" evacuated and fired by Sherman . Sept 14, 1864
Augusta, Ga., siege of. May 23, to .June
4, 1781
Bank, The, of Penna , at Phila , first in the U. S. chartered Mar 1, 1780
Bank of North America, at Phila., incorporated Dec 31, 1781
Bank of U. S. established in Philadelphia . Dec 20, 1791 Bartlett, Joshia, of N. H. a signer at the Declaration, died May 17, 1795
Beauregard, Gen., took command of the Confederate forces at Charleston Mar 5, 1861
Beligerent rights withdrawn from the Confederate States by Brazil . . . ... May 31, 1865
Beligrent rights withdrawn from the Confederate States Great Britian
.June 2, 1865
Black Hawk war commenced
April 1, 1832
the Indian Chief, captured Aug 27, 1832
war ended Oct 1832
Mar
Bonds, 10-40, issued 3, 1863
Booth, J. Wilkes, shot in the attempt to capture him April 26 1865
Boston plundersd by British Soldiers Mar 10, 1776
Boston, great fire at. Nov 9, 1872
Bright: Jesse D., of Ind., expelled from the U. S. Senate
Feb 5, 1862
Brown, John, captured and tried fotrer ason and murder
Oct 29, 1859
Brown, John, executed under the laws of Virginia
Dec
2, 1859
Buchanan, James, inaugurated President died at Lancaster, Pa ... June 1, 1868
Buffalo and Black Rock burned by the British Dec 30, 1813
1, 1861 Bull Run, Va., first battle of .July
Bunker Hill, monument finished . July 23, 1861
Burr, Aaron, Col. Vice-President, term expired . duel with Gen. Alexander Hamilton .July 11, 1807
Mar 4, 1801
conspiracy and trial of 1780
Calhoun, John C , Vice-President IS25
resigned. Dec 23, r832
died
Mar 31, 1850
. July 12, 1812
Canada invaded by Hull
evacuated by Hull, who occupied Detroit . Aug 8, 1812
Canadian revolt. -1837
Carolina seceded fron the Union May 20, 1861 Carolina S., Convention ratified the Confederate Constitution ... April 3, 1861
Carroll, Charles, of Carrolton, Md, the last of the signers of the
Dec. of Ind., died. NOV 14, 1832
Mar 4, 1857
by
CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS.
Cass, Lewis, Gen., speech in the U. S. Senate on the N. W. boundary line, originating the Democratic saying "54-30 or
.Dec 15, 1845 fight".
Cemetary, Union National at Gettysburgh, Pa., consecrated. Nov 19, 1863 Census, Act of Congress providing for taking the first .Mar 1, 1790
66 first (pop. 3,929,326) taken.
66 second (pop 5,305,485) taken.
Charlestan, U. S. Arsenal, P. O. and Custom House at, seized by the State. . Dec 28, 1860
Charleston, bombarded and burned .. ... Sept 12, 1862
Chase, Samuel, a signer of the Dec. of Ind., and a Judge of the Superior Court, died . June 19, 1811
Chase, Salmon P., Sec. of the Treasury, resigned. June 30, 1863
Cherokee Indians emigrated west of the Missiissipi .
-1838
joined the Confederacy . . .. 66 Council repealed its act of secession and abolished Aug 23, 1861 slavery . . Feb 16, 1863
Chicago, one-third of the city destroyed by fire Oct 8-10, 1871
Cholera raged in U. S -1832
Clay, Henry, died
,Jan 29, 1852
Clark, Abraham, of N. H., a signer of the Dec. of Ind., died Sept 1794
Clymer, Gen., of Pa., a signer of the Dec. of Ind., died June 24, 1813
Cold Harbor, Va., battle of .June 1-3, 1864
Columbia River discovered by Cap. Gray May 11, 1794
Colonization Society, American, formed at Washington 1817
Commissioners sent to France
Dec 30, 1776
Commissioners, Southern, refused recognition by the State Dep. at Washington April 8, 1861
Confederacy, Southern, formed at Montgomery, Ala Feb 4: 1861 Confederacy, Southern, Jeff. Davis chosen Provisional Pres. of. .. Feb 8, 1861 Congress, first of the U. S., met in New York Mar 4, 1789 Congress, Confederate, met at Richmond, Va .Feb 18, 1862 Constitution of U. S., adopted by the Convention in Philadelphia Sept 15 1787 Constitution ratified by eleven States .... 1788
Convention, Peace met at Washington
Feb 4, 186[
66 National Tenperance, first met, at Philadelphia. Oct 16, 1865
Copyright Law, first passed May 31, 1790 April 26, 1777
Davis, Jefferson took leave of the U. S. Senate inaugurated Pres. of the Conf. States Feb 18, 1861
.Jan 21, 1861
Danbury Conn., Burned by Gov Tryon's orders
appointed his Cabinet Feb 21, 1861
captured May 10, 1865
released on bail May 10, 1867
Dakota formed into a Territory Mar 2, 1861
Declaration of Independence adopted .July 4, 1776
Delaware River blockaded by English ships Mar 14, 1813
Donnelson, Fort, Tenn., captured .Feb 16. 1862 Door's Rebellion in R. I. -1843
Douglass, Stephen A., U. S. Senator for Ill., died . June 2, 1861
Ellery, Wm., of R. I., a signer of the Declaration, died Feb 15, 1820
Ellsworth, Oliver, Chief Justice of the U. S., died May 24, 1861 Emancipation Society, National, formed at Cleveland, Ohio Aug 26, 1857 Emancipation Proclaimed by Prest. Lincoln .Jan 1, 1863
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.