The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 28

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 28

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

managed by the more refined of the present day. Their music consisted of the Indian drum, shaking of bells and singing.

But few whites visited the encampment, owing to the excitement of the times. The Government had, during the first year of the war, declined any offer of the services of the friendly Indian warriors ; but a state of inactivity did not suit the Indian character, and there was great danger, if our Government did not employ them in the great contest going on, that the young men would go to the British party. Finally, after much counseling, and Government conference, authority was given to employ Indian warriors. Soon some two or three companies were raised and equipped as riflemen, officered in part by whites, and sent to the command in front, and were reported to have performed very important service during the remainder of the war.

There were two companies of United States Rangers stationed, in 1813, four miles north of Piqua, on the St. Mary's road. They were partly mounted ; keep- ing up regular daily communication with the line of frontier posts. Most of the militia of Miami County were employed as volunteers or drafted men during the war, and generally had a six-months tour of duty at the frontier posts. The fron- tier line of posts prevented any very serious irruption of the Indians. The fol- lowing small affairs produced some excitement : The first was soon after Major Wolverton was stationed at Greenville, September, 1812. An Indian camp was discovered a few miles from the post, and, without attempting to ascertain their character, they were attacked by a party under the Major in command, and several killed, among them two or three females, and several were captured. They made no resistance. This, unfortunately, proved to be a hunting party of friendly Indians-the family of an Indian by the name of Killbuck. The remainder of the family were taken to the fort, kept for some time, and sent under guard to the Indian Agent, Col. Johnston, who promptly returned them personally to Green- ville, and ordered the restoration of their property, made them some reparation, and then sent them to their tribe.

KILLING OF DILBONE AND WIFE.

The second and principal alarm was from the killing by the Indians of three persons on Spring Creek, about the middle of August, 1813. The first was David Gerard, about four miles north from Troy. Gerard and a man by the name of Ross were hewing timber about one hundred yards from the former's house, when Gerard was shot. Ross fled and gave the alarm. This was 4 o'clock P. M. The Indians scalped, Gerard, and fled without disturbing his family. Two miles further north, a man and his wife by the name of Dilbone, at work in a flax and corn patch, pulling flax, were attacked. Dilbone was shot through the breast, but ran through the corn, a short distance, to the fence. He saw the Indians attack and tomahawk and scalp his wife, but, being mortally wounded, could give no aid. He secreted himself partially, and the Indians did not find him. The Indian in this attack lost his rifle, which was picked up the next day. These Indians, upon obtaining this additional scalp, fled. It appears that in this foray there were two Indians, one a lad half grown, and they only had one rifle. These murders being just before night, Dilbone was not found till next morning. He lived till the afternoon, and the writer saw him previous to his death. It was ascertained that these parties passed privately through this Indian camp at the agency, and imme- diately went on north to the British to receive their reward for the scalps. The Indians who committed these murders, it was supposed, came down the river in a canoe from the Indian encampment, under the guise of a fishing party, as a party of three or four Indians were seen by the writer of this article, among others, on the river, near the mouth of Spring Creek, the evening previous, and they disap- peared rather mysteriously.

Upon the killing of these persons, great alarm took place along the frontier. Rumors of extensive forays by the Indians were circulated, and a general attack

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upon the frontier settlers was apprehended. Quite a number of block-houses were erected by settlers, as places of retreat in case of an attack, a few families associ- ating in the erection of each. There was much excitement, and apprehension of Indian troubles during the remainder of the year 1813, and men in considerable numbers were kept in the line of the frontier for its protection. Three or four per- sons were killed by the Indians in the vicinity of Greenville, but no further out- breaks of consequence occurred during the war.

Difficulties being arranged with the tribes immediately on the north and a large force in the northwest the assemblage of Indians at the agency was removed to their own homes, thus relieving this portion of our great cause of apprehended danger. During these troubles the greater number of the friendly Indians, who had not been influenced by Tecumsch and the Prophet, were assembled in the vicinity of Piqua, under the control of Col. John Johnston, Indian agent. The tribes which claimed and received protection from the United States, were the Shawanoes, Delawares, Wyandots in part, Ottawas in part, a portion of the Senecas, the Mun- seys and Mohicans. A few remained at Zanesfield. Toledo, and Upper Sandusky, under the control of Maj. B. F. Stickney. The number at Piqua perhaps amounted to not less than 6,000. These, so long as they remained friendly, were a bulwark to the frontiers. But the sagacious Tecumseh, urged on by his noble British coad- jutors, sent his emissaries into their camps and sought every means to win them over; but there was an insurmountable barrier in the presence of Col. John John- ston, whose influence more than counterbalanced all Tecumseh's specious arguments and the high price offered by the British for American scalps. Knowing that so long as Johnston was alive they could not effect their object, therefore various plots for his assassination were devised. Surrounded by Indians, a price upon his head, rising in the morning with no assurance of living till night, retiring at night expect- ing to be murdered in his bed, he remained at his post, though often warned by the friendly chiefs of certain death, and by them advised to seek safety elsewhere. The Government had placed him there, his duty required his presence; and honor and his country, and the safety of his companions on the frontier, forbade his leav- ing the post. His wife, with true womanly devotion, and heroism characteristic of the women in those days, remained with him, while his family papers and valu- able effects were removed to a place of greater safety. On several occasions his life seemed to have been under the special care of Divine Providence.

Once, while he was passing near a cluster of plum trees, on his way to the Indian camp, he was accosted by a friendly Delaware woman, who told him that hostile Indians were there secreted to murder him. The alarm soon spread, and the would-be murderers fled.

Shortly prior to this, the Indians had made an unsuccessful attack on Fort Harrison, after having attempted to gain admission by sending their women and children to the fort under pretense of begging food. Failing in this, they set fire to it, and endeavored to storm it, but met a bloody repulse from Capt. Zachary Taylor, of Mexican fame. Burning with revenge, and stung by defeat, a large por- tion of them, partly under the lead of Pashetowa, a chief noted for his cold-blooded cruelty, made a descent upon a little settlement called Pigeon Roost, killing twenty- three men, women and children. The taste of blood had excited them into & frenzy, and it is supposed that the Chief Pashetowa, with two or three followers, came down the Miami [see supra] as far as the Indian camps around Piqua, with the express purpose of killing Col. Johnston, but, failing in this, they determined to satiate their thirst for blood, and, accordingly, after fleeing from the Indian camp, they went up the river, crossed to the east bank, and hovered around his residence, then, passing on down, they killed Dilbone and his wife, the children only escap- ing by secreting themselves in the weeds and high grass. It is said that three miles further down the same party killed and scalped David Gerard.

Subsidiary to this, we add a brief extract from McAffee, which may throw additional light on this question and expose the diabolical expediencies to which the cowardly myrmidous of the British Government stooped : At Dayton, Col.

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Johnston received word that the Indians had recently killed two men and a woman, some distance within the frontiers, near Piqua, and that the citizens, much alarmed and enraged, had assembled in considerable numbers, with a determination to take revenge on the friendly Shawanoes and Delawares residing near that place, whom they accused of committing the murders. Col. Johnson (not John Johnston) immediately pushed forward in advance of the regiment, with Captain Coleman's company, and, on arriving at Piqua, was informed by Johnston, Esq., the Indian agent, that he had called on the chiefs for an explanation, and had been assured by them, with much candor and promptitude, that the British were attempting to embroil them with their white brethren by sending hostile Indians to commit depredations in their vicinity, in the expectation that the whites would charge it to them. Two murders had also been committed near Manary's block-house, and the Shawanoes at Wopoghconata had informed the agent that a hostile party had previously passed that place, by whom it was evident the murders must have been committed. It was with great difficulty, however, that the citizens could be pacified. The circumstances being made known to Gen. Harrison, he published an address to the frontier inhabitants, assuring them that he had received satisfactory evidence that the murders were committed by the hostile Indians, and entreating the people not to take redress into their own hands, but to rely on the Government, which would certainly inflict exemplary punishment for any aggression committed by the friendly Indians. This address, with the arrival of the mounted regiment, quieted the minds of the people, and reconciled them to trust for safety and satisfac- tion to the army and the Government. The Indians around the agency were a source of continual anxiety to the Government. From a spirit more humane than politic, President Monroe refused to enlist them in the army. With their families in our possession, we could have relied on their fidelity. Though they were supplied with white flags to pass them through the lines, Howe says that, on one occasion, the militia basely fired on them, though bearing a white flag, killed two Indiaus, wounded a third, took the survivors prisoners, and, after robbing them of all they possessed, conveyed them to the garrison at Greenville, to which post the party be- longed. They brought them to Col. Johnston, at Upper Piqua, who decided to take them back to Greenville and restore them to their people and property. Application was made to the officer in command at Piqua for a guard on the journey, but he could not obtain a soldier to accompany him. He then told the commander if he would go with him, he would go, but, as the distance was twenty- five miles, through the forest infested with Indians, who had shortly prior to this killed two girls near Greenville, he likewise refused. Col. Johnston, viewing the evil impression it would create among the friendly Indians, decided to go alone. Mounting his horse, bidding his wife adieu, it appeared for the last time, with his charge he started on his lonely and perilous journey to Greenville, which, despite many dangers, he reached in safety, restored the Indians to their homes, procured their property, made them a speech, dismissed them, and, mounting his horse, started alone for his home, reaching it in safety.

The Indians frequently gave evidences of their fidelity during the war. At the surrender of Detroit the frontier was laid bare to the incursions of hostile Indians. Fort Wayne was threatened, many women and children were there who would be in danger and also a hindrance to its defense, and Col. Johnston requested them to be brought to the agency. Logan, the famous Mingo chief, immediately offered his services, and with a party of volunteers, all mounted Indians, started to the fort, received their charge and returned with them in safety through a country swarming with painted foes, Logan and his party exercising a gallantry that elicited the highest commendations from the ladies.

These acts of bravery on the part of the Indians showed that some of them could be trusted. Difficulties began to thicken along the frontier ; the British, under the infamous Proctor, were offering large rewards for American scalps, and holding out other inducements to the Indians under our protection. Murders were committed, Col. Johnston was each moment in danger of assassination, Dilbone and

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his wife were killed and scalped, Gerard was slaughtered, the excitement was intense, all the men capable of bearing arms were scouting or in the army, the women and children were huddled together in the house of a Mr. Hart, defended by only twelve men, the entire male population at home at that time. It is said the heroic women ran tears and bullets into the same mold. Six of the twelve men did picket duty, while the other six acted as a garrison. Something must be done with the Indians around the agency. About the 20th of June, Gen. Harrison held a council with the chiefs of the friendly Delaware, Shawanoes, Wyandot and Seneca tribes ; inform- ing them that a crisis had arrived which required all the tribes who remained neu- tral, and who were willing to engage in the war, to take a decided stand either for the Americans or against them ; that the President wanted no false friends ; that the proposal of Gen. Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia for the tribes in our friendship indicated that he had received some hint of their willingness to take up the tomahawk against the Americans ; and to give the United States a proof of their disposition ; they must either remove with their families into the interior, or the warriors must accompany him in the ensuing campaign and fight for the United States. To the latter condition the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed ; and said they had long been anxious for an invitation to fight for the Americans. Gen. Harrison exacted a promise from them to fight as white men, and not slay women and children, old men or defenseless prisoners, for by their conduct he could tell whether the British could restrain Indians ; for if be could restrain them, the British could restrain theirs. Gen. Harrison humorously told them that he had been informed that Gen. Proctor had promised to deliver him (Harrison) into the hands of Tecumseh if he succeeded against Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior might think proper. "Now," continued he, "if I can succeed in taking Proctor, you shall have him for your prisoner, provided you will agree to treat him as a squaw, and only put petticoats upon him ; for he must be a coward who would kill a defenseless prisoner." The subject being brought before the Government, authority was given to enlist them, and the sequel proved that, "a strong corps of Indians fought under the American standard, and were uniformly distinguished for their orderly and humane conduct." Thus was the agency at Piqua relieved of a wearisome burden, and the indolent warriors utilized, who, by their orderly military discipline, proved the contemptible perfidy and cowardice of Proctor. Previous to the open attack upon Fort Wayne, but while it was closely watched by hostile Pottawatomies, Stephen Johnston, father of Maj. Stephen Johnston, of Piqua, who was a clerk in the United States factory store erected near the fort for the purpose of supplying the Indians with agricultural implements, feeling apprehen- sive as to the safety of his wife, whom he had sent to the frontier in delicate health, in company with Peter Oliver and a discharged militiaman, attempted to run the Indian blockade and visit her. Leaving at 10 o'clock at night, they had not pro- ceeded far before Johnston was fired upon by six Indians and instantly killed ; while the other two retreated to the fort before the Indians could reload their guns. An Indian was hired for $20 to bring in the body of Mr. Johnston. After this, the Indians disclosed their hostile designs by open acts of hostility. At a subsequent parley, Winnemac, a noted Pottawatomie Chief, denied the killing of Johnston by his tribe, but exhibited his base treachery by his efforts to massacre the garrison while denying any hostility. We subjoin an exhibition of personal bravery, which, inasmuch as being partly enacted in this county, deserves a place in this connec- tion : " About the 1st of September [History of Fort Wayne], a most interesting occurrence took place. A white man and four Indians arrived at the fort on horse- back 'in full yell.' It was the Indian yell of triumph. The white man, who was foremost, proved to be William Oliver. He was accompanied by four friendly Shawanoe Indians, the brave Logan among the number. The garrison had been for more than a fortnight in a state of suspense, not knowing whether the express to Gen. Harrison had got through or not, and every day in expectation that the British force would arrive. All were on tiptoe to hear the news. William Oliver had arrived in defiance of five hundred Indians, had broken through their ranks

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and reached the fort in safety." Harrison was at Cincinnati, waiting to know if Fort Wayne still held out, but no man was found brave enough to undertake the perilous journey. Oliver came to Cincinnati on business, learned of the condition of things, and offered his services. Harrison thought the danger too great, and endeavored to dissuade him from making the attempt ; but he had determined to accomplish it, or lose his life in the effort. When Gov. Harrison shook hands with him he observed that he 'should not see him again.'

A man by the name of Worthington, an Indian Commissioner, embarked with Oliver in this adventurous undertaking. Placing themselves at the head of eighty whites, forty of whom, so perilous seemed the task before them, after a march of about three days, returned home-the balance continued to the Indian village of Waupaukonetta, where Oliver met friends and acquaintances among some friendly Shawanoes, where he selected four of the bravest Indians, Logan among the number, to accompany him to Fort Wayne. Having cautiously pursued their course to within twenty-four miles of the fort, a council was called, to debate the expediency of a further advance. Leaving all behind, except Logan and the other Indians, the next morning they mounted their horses, and pursued their journey, with the common wariness of Indians, and without any remarkable occurrence, until they came within some four miles of the fort. Oliver had determined to enter the fort in broad daylight. They now began a cautious exam- ination of the ground, with a view of determining, if possible, what changes had been made, and the exact locality of the Indians.

The keen eye of Logan soon discovered that the enemy was concealed along the road, for the purpose of cutting off any re-enforcements that might attempt to reach the beleaguered fort. Leaving the main road, they cautiously moved across to the Maumee River, tied their horses in a thicket, and advanced on foot toward the fort, in order to get a view of it, and ascertain, if possible, whether it still held out against the Indians.

Fully satisfying themselves on this point, they retraced their steps, mounted their horses, and proceeded toward the fort again, on the main road. The critical moment had now arrived ; the fort was to be gained, it might be, through a leaden hail. but it was a case of life or death, and putting whip and spurs to their horses, the faithful Shawanoes, led by the intrepid Oliver, started full speed for the fort. It is remarkable that this moment chosen by Oliver was the only safe one that had for days occurred, seemingly ordered by a kind Providence for the safe arrival of cheer and encouragement to the imperiled garrison. They first approached the gate of the esplanade, and, finding it inaccessible, they went down the river bank, and were admitted at the northern gate.

Said one of the Lieutenants of the fort, " The safe arrival of Oliver at that particular juncture may be considered miraculous. One hour sooner, or one hour later, would, no doubt, have been inevitable destruction both to himself and to his escort. It is generally believed by those acquainted with the circumstances, that not one hour for eight days and nights, preceding or following the hour at which Mr. Oliver arrived, would have afforded an opportunity for any safety."

So close, indeed, were they to the Indians, that, in passing, they saw the beds on which they had lain while on guard. Oliver learned that the " commanding officer had been drunk nearly all the time, and the two Lieutenants, inefficient men, entirely unfit to hold commissions of any grade." Oliver immediately prepared a letter, announcing to Gen. Harrison his safe arrival at the fort, and the perilous situation of the garrison, and started the Shawanoes with it to Worthington, while he remained at the fort. At a favorable moment, Logan and his companions stole out from the fort in safety, but the watchful eye of the Indians soon detected them, and they were hotly pursued. The garrison waited with bated breath, but soon the exultant yell of triumph set up by Logan announced to the inmates, that they had passed harmless through the lines. The Indians now began a furious attack upon the fort, but were repulsed by the little garrison, buoyed up by the knowledge of approaching aid. When Harrison

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received word, at Cincinnati, of the condition of the fort, he took his line of march for its relief.

The faithful Shawanoes met the advancing army at Piqua, Ohio, and the message of Oliver was delivered to Harrison, who, upon reading it, assembled his men, and, addressing them, said, in part ; "If there is a man under my command who lacks the patriotism to rush to the rescue, he, by paying back the money received from the Government, shall receive a discharge, as I do not wish to com- mand such." A man by the name of Miller, of the Kentucky militia, responded to the proposition. The narrator says that as he received his discharge, on the morn- ing of the 6th, " his comrades, not willing to let him return without some special man- ifestation of their appreciation of his course, put him on a rail, carried him around the lines to the music of the Rogue's March, and down to the Miami, where they took him off the rail, led him into the water, and baptized him in the name of King George, Aaron Burr, and the devil." As he came out of the water, the men stood on the bank and threw handfuls of mud on him ; then, forming into two lines in an adjacent lane, made him run the gauntlet, each one throwing a handful of dirt on him, and then let him go."

The army left the same day and camped in the woods about twelve miles from Piqua. When in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, the Indians endeavored to surprise them in the night, but finding them prepared, reported to the main body that the " Kentucks were coming as thick as the trees.". The Indians soon raised the siege, and the army entered the fort amid the shouts of welcome from the beleaguered garrison to Gen. Harrison and the brave boys of Ohio and Kentucky. As a resume of the war of 1812, in which our county was concerned, we append an interesting letter, written by James Harvey Buchanan, and handed to us. Mr. Buchanan says that in the spring of 1812, Indian murders, burnings and thefts were common occurrences near Greenville, Piqua and Troy.

Gen. Munger, Col. Ewing and Maj. McCorkle called for a company of volun- teers. The citizens readily responded to the call. On the 3d of May, at Staunton, fifty names were put on the roll, volunteers to be armed and ready to march for Camp Wayne by sunrise the 6th of May, 1812. An election forthwith, by the officers in command, was held, and, on counting the ballots, George Buchanan was elected Captain of the volunteers, John Bobo, First Lieutenant, and John McLary, Second Lieutenant, or standard bearer. Men that could not go sent their arms or substitutes. Many of the early citizens were wild with affright, and were fleeing from their homes.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 28

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051