USA > Ohio > The Ohio country between the years 1783 and 1815 : including military operations that twice saved to the United States the country west of the Alleghany Mountains after the revolutionary war > Part 15
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This capture of the entire British squadron on these waters, the first instance in the history of America's brilliant successes on the water, had a very depressing effect on the British and their savage allies, and correspondingly opposite effect upon all three of the American armies (North- western, Central, and Eastern), and upon the entire populace as well. This was the continued work of young officers, Perry being but twenty-seven years of age, and his subordinates much younger.
Perry was immediately promoted to a Cap- taincy, and Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a medal.
1 AMERICAN SQUADRON, MASTER-COMMANDER OLIVER HAZARD PERRY
Name of Vessel
Rigging
Tons
Register
Total
Crew
Crew Fit
for Duty
| Broadside,
Pounds
Armament
Lawrence Niagara Caledonia Ariel
Brig Brig Brig
480 480
I36 I55 53
105 I27
300 300
2 Long 12S, 18 Short 32S.
80
2 Long 24S, I Short 32.
Schooner
II2
36
48
4 Long 12s, (I burst early).
Scorpion Somers
Schooner Schooner
86
35
30
184
56
Long 32, I Long 24,
I Short 32.
I Short 32,
Porcupine Tigress Trippe
Schooner Schooner Sloop
83
25
32
I Long 32.
96
27
32
I Long 32.
60
35
24
I Long 24.
9 Vessels
1,67I
532
416
936
54 Guns,
2 Swivels.
64
2 Long 12S, 18 Short 32S.
I80
94
2 Swivels.
The schooner Ohio had gone to Erie for supplies.
273
From 1812-1813
Captain (acting Commodore) Barclay, in his report to the British government, expressed high praise of Commander Perry for his thoughtful and kind attention to the wounded and the prisoners, and for his magnanimity. He not . only declined to take the swords from the sur- rendering officers, but he loaned them one thou- sand dollars to be expended for their comfort.
The prisoners who were able to travel were taken to Pittsburg by way of the Sanduskys and Franklinton. The wounded and sick were taken
BRITISH SQUADRON, CAPTAIN-COMMANDER ROBERT HERIOT BARCLAY
Name of Vessel
Rigging
Tons
Register
Crew
Broadside,
Pounds
Armament
Detroit
Ship
490
150
I38
I Long 18, 2 Long 24, 6 Long I2S, I Short 18, I Short 24, 8 Long 9s, I Gun on Pivot, 2 Howitzers.
Queen Charlotte
Ship
400
I26
189
I Long 12, 2 Long 9s, 14 Short 24s, and I Howitzer.
Hunter
Brig
I80
45
30
4 Long 6s, 2 Long 4s, 2 Long 2S, 2 Short 12S.
Lady
Prevost
Brig
230
86
75
I Long 9, 2 Long 6s, Io Short I2S. and I Howitzer.
Chippewa Little Belt
Schooner Sloop
70 90
I 5 I8
9
I Long 9, and 2 Swivels.
I Long 12, and 2 Long 6s.
6 Vessels
1,460
440
459
64 Guns, 4 Howitzers, 2 Swivels
I8
Compare Official Letters of the Military and Naval Officers of the United States during the War with Great Britain in the Years 1812, 1813, 1814, and 1815, by John Brannan, Washington, 1823, page 207; Lossing's War of 1812, page 520; and The Naval War of 1812 by Theodore Roosevelt, vol. i., pages 3II, 312.
I8
274
The Ohio Country
to Erie in the hospital vessels, the Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Niagara. It not being practicable to repair the two first named vessels, they were left in Little Bay, Erie harbor, where they finally went to the bottom, followed a few years later by the Niagara which had meantime been doing good service as a receiving ship.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE AMERICANS SEEK THE BRITISH AT FORT MALDEN
Definite Preparations for the Invasion of Canada-Observ- ance of the Day of Fasting and Prayer-A Sham Battle -Enthusiastic Enlisting in Kentucky for the Invasion- Aged Aborigine Warriors Join the Ranks-The Crossing of Lake Erie-Arrival at Fort Malden-Found Deserted and Fired by the Enemy.
C OLONEL RICHARD M. JOHNSON'S regi- ment of mounted infantry being recalled from the southwest, where it had been inadvert- ently sent by the Secretary of War, was ordered to escort the army supplies down the St. Marys, Auglaize, and Maumee rivers, from Forts Barbee, Amanda, and Winchester. During its sojourn in Kentucky this regiment had been recruited to over full numbers, and, by the aid of Lieutenant- Colonel James Johnson, brother of the Colonel, the discipline was brought to a high state.
About the Ist of September, with a train of
275
L
2 76
The Ohio Country
thirty wagons, and a brigade of packhorses, they started northward and arrived at Fort Winchester on the 9th, the day appointed by President Madison for fasting, humiliation, and prayer, according to Act of Congress. Captain Robert B. M'Afee, who was present, writes in his little book on the war, that:
"Those who chose to observe the day in that manner were encouraged to do so; and although there is in general but little religion to be found in the army, yet in the evening of this day a number of little parties were seen in different parts of the lines paying their devotions to the God of armies, and chanting His praises with plainness, sincerity, and zeal; whilst their less pious but moral and orderly compatriots preserved around them the strictest order and de- corum. A pleasing tranquillity pervaded the ranks, and the patriot soldier seemed to feel a cheering con- fidence that the God of battles would shield him in the hour of danger."
Before continuing the march, a spirited and valuable disciplinary sham battle was fought in the vicinity of Fort Winchester, between the infantry and cavalry, in which the horses par- ticipated with but little less zest than their riders; and they were thus taught not to fear the noise and smoke of the guns of the infantry as their riders directed the rapid charge between their ranks.
277
1813
General Harrison had invited the venerable Governor Isaac Shelby, the Revolutionary hero of King's Mountain, South Carolina, in 1781, to accompany his Kentucky troops to the invasion of Canada; and this invitation was accepted. Announcement that the Governor would be pres- ent on the march, and in the field, caused great enthusiasm in Kentucky, and nearly double the number of volunteers called for responded; thus giving General Shelby the proud command of about three thousand mounted men, exclusive of Colonel Johnson's regiment. The United States Arsenal at Newport was emptied of arms, and many of these troops were supplied at the San- duskys, they coming through Ohio along the course of the right wing of the Northwestern Army.
Upon the arrival of General Shelby and staff at Fort Ball, they learned of Perry's victory. A despatch was at once sent to Major-General Henry, in command of the advancing reinforce- ments at Upper Sandusky, to hasten forward the troops. Shelby met Harrison at Fort Seneca, and, passing onward, they arrived on the 14th of September at the mouth of the Portage River, the site of the present Port Clinton, Ohio; and during the next two days the troops arrived.
278
The Ohio Country
General McArthur, with his force, was ordered to take command of Fort Meigs, and to deliver orders to General Clay, there in command, to move his troops to the mouth of the Portage River, where the advancing Kentuckians were to gather. McArthur was also ordered to embark ar- tillery and provisions from Fort Meigs (which would then be reduced to the principal block- houses in the southwest corner of the enclosure) to join the consolidating army on the Lake; and to carry orders to Colonel Johnson to go along the left bank of the Maumee River, Bay, and Lake Erie, keeping abreast of the boats. Thus all of the Northwestern Army that could be spared from garrison and guard duty was mo- bilized and concentrated.
The army also now embraced two hundred and sixty aged Aborigine warriors of the Wyandot, Shawnee, and Seneca tribes which Harrison had been placating. As a result of the efforts of the British to get these tribes also as allies, and of the desire of the Aborigines to be engaged in the strife, the United States government decided to enlist all who would come into its service, but with the injunction and full understanding on their part, that they must conform to the modes of civilized warfare. Harrison instructed and
279
1813
enjoined them that they must not kill, or injure, defenceless prisoners, old men, women, or children; and, if those fighting with him would forbear such conduct it would prove that the British could also restrain the Aborigines with them if they desired so to do. He greatly pleased them by hu- morously telling them that, inasmuch as he had been informed that General Proctor had promised to deliver him (General Harrison) into the hands of Tecumseh if he succeeded in capturing Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior might desire, he would promise to let them have Proctor as their prisoner, if they could take him, provided they would only put petticoats on him and treat him as a squaw.
These Aborigines accompanied the American army into Canada, and, presumably, were present at the Battle of the Thames, but no savage act has been imputed to them, nor to those who were subsequently subject to American command. This has been taken as additional evidence, that, if the British officers did not directly instigate, they at least willingly permitted, the massacres of prisoners who had surrendered, not to the Savages but to themselves; this, too, after their promise of protec- tion. And they are held responsible for such acts. 1
1 See History of the War of 1812, page 303, by R. B. M'Afee, an active participant.
280
The Ohio Country
General Harrison was much in the saddle, personally attending to delinquents, and to busi- ness of a general nature. On September 22d, he addressed a note from Franklinton to Governor Meigs, in part as follows:
"Be pleased to send a company of one hundred men to Fort Meigs. Thirty or forty will do for Lower Sandusky. I am informed that the term of enlist- ment of the garrison at Fort Findlay will expire on the 22d instant. Will you be pleased to order there twenty or thirty men? . ."
The army commenced to embark for the advance, at the mouth of Portage River, on September 20th. The vessels under command of Captain Perry were used as transports, ex- cepting the wrecks Lawrence, Detroit, and Queen Charlotte, which contained the wounded, and sick, they now being airy and good hospitals. All of these vessels were viewed with great interest by the soldiers, many of whom from the interior country had never before seen such broad water and such large boats; and the many marks they bore of the fierce battle were associated with the thoughts of the complete victory of American arms they represented, to the enthusiasm of the soldiers who grew impatient for an opportunity
1813 28I
to show their prowess in battle for their country's honor.
All the horses, even those of the officers, were left on the mainland.
It required four days to transport, by the slow-moving sail vessels, the army of nearly five thousand men, with armament and supplies, to Put-in-Bay Island. On the 25th, encampment was made on Middle Sister Island which, being but about six acres in size, afforded only close quarters.
Harrison, in company with Perry on the Ariel, reconnoitred the enemy at Fort Malden and at Amherstburg, and returned in time to issue a Gen- eral Order to embark against them the next morn- ing. This Order contained the following request :
"The General entreats his brave troops to remember that they are sons of sires [soldiers of the Revolu- tionary War] whose fame is immortal; that they are to fight for the rights of their insulted country, whilst their opponents combat for the unjust pretensions of a master. Kentuckians, remember the River Raisin, but remember it only whilst the victory is suspended. The revenge of a soldier cannot be gratified upon a fallen foe.
"By command, ROBERT BUTLER, "Acting Adjutant-General." 1
1 The sad massacre of Kentuckians at the River Raisin nine months previous to this date by the savage allies of
1
282
The Ohio Country
The weather continued favorable, and, after seven hours' sailing, in sixteen armed vessels and nearly one hundred smaller boats, the army landed about four o'clock in the afternoon, Sep- tember 27, 1813, on the sandy shore of Canada, about three miles below Amherstburg and the ill-famed Fort Malden.
There was no enemy found to dispute the land-
the British had, like most stirring events in war, been commemorated in song. A stanza of one of the songs often heard around the camp-fires of the Northwestern Army, runs as follows:
"Freemen! no longer bear such slaughters; Avenge your country's cruel woe; Arouse, and save your wives and daughters! Arouse and smite the faithless foe!
CHORUS: "Scalps are bought at stated prices, Malden pays the price in gold."
The British policy toward the Colonies, and also toward the United States, had been, as expressed in the New Quarterly Review and British Colonial Register, No. 4, London, following Perry's victory, as follows, viz .: " ... We dare assert, and recent events have gone far in establishing the truth of the proposition, that the Canadas cannot be effectually and durably defended without the friendship of the Indians and command of the lakes and the River St. Lawrence. . . We must consider the interest of the Indians as our own; for men whose very name is so formidable to an American, and whose friendship has recently been shown [in the Savage massacres of Winchester's and Dudley's troops surrendered to the British] to be of such great importance to us, we cannot do too much. . . "
283
1813
ing, or the entrance into the town. The British troops and their savage allies had hastily de- parted, after setting fire to the army and navy buildings, and to all the public stores they could not carry away. A detachment of troops was hurried forward, and they prevented the de- struction of bridges. Upon inquiring among the few people left in the town for horses on which to mount the general officers, it was ascertained that Proctor had taken them all, more than one thousand in number; but one small pony was found and taken for General Shelby's use.
CHAPTER XXV
THE BRITISH PURSUED, AND CAPTURED AT THE THAMES
Pursuit of the British through Canada-Detroit Recovered by Americans, who Hasten to Complete Victory at the Thames-Aborigines Desert their Allies and Flock to the Americans-General Cass Appointed Military and Civil Governor of Michigan Territory-Name of De- troit's Fort Changed to that of Shelby-Kentucky Troops Return Home by Way of the Raisin.
L EAVING Colonel Smith's regiment of riflemen at Amherstburg, to guard the small boats left behind, and to guard the town from prowling Savages, the Americans pressed forward the next morning; and soon after midday they arrived at Sandwich. Captain Perry's squadron arrived in the river opposite, about the same time as did the troops.
General McArthur, with seven hundred men, was sent across the river to Detroit, to guard against the large number of Savages reported in
284
285
From 1813-1814
the woods near by; and they drove away a band of Savages from the town, and found that De- troit's Fort Lernoult had been abandoned, and partly burned; and that the fire had been ex- tinguished by the citizens who now generally welcomed the Americans.
A few days later, the Aborigines who had become discouraged by the British disasters, and did not follow Proctor's retreating columns- the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawotamis, Miamis, and Kickapoos-came to McArthur for peace and he reported that he had agreed with them that hostilities should cease for the present on their " agreeing to take hold of the same tomahawk with us, and to strike all who are or may be enemies of the United States, whether British or Indians. They are to bring in a number of their women and children and leave them as hostages whilst they accompany us to war. Some of them have already brought in their women, and are drawing rations." The Wyandots were soon added to the above mentioned tribes suing for peace; but no effort was made to marshal them against the British.
The martial law that had been enforced by the British at Detroit was now declared ended by proclamation of General Harrison, who also
286
The Ohio Country
reproclaimed the civil government of the Terri- tory of Michigan, which ended with the surrender of Hull in June, 1812.
Colonel Johnson's regiment arrived at Detroit, September 30th, with four pieces of light field artillery from Fort Meigs, and they were ordered across the river. A council of officers decided to continue the pursuit of the British by land rather than by water. McArthur and his brigade remained at Detroit; a brigade and one regiment were left at Sandwich, and the other part of the army, numbering about three thousand and five hundred, having obtained horses in addition to those of Johnson's regiment, started again the 2d of October on the track of the retreating British. Captain Perry took the heavy baggage and much of the supplies on some of his vessels to the mouth of the Thames River on Lake St. Clair; and he there learned, that some small vessels with the British cannon and heavy baggage had just escaped him, and passed up the river beyond where his vessels could go.
Evidently the British did not expect to be pursued beyond Sandwich as they did not destroy the bridges. The road being good, the Americans' progress was rapid. Seven deserters from the British were met, and the situation was learned
287
From 1813-1814
from them. The next day, a small detachment of the British, which had been sent to destroy bridges, was captured.
Captain Perry received permission to accompany the army, and, leaving his boats well guarded, his force passed up the River Thames, their small cannon driving Aborigines and others away from partially destroyed bridges, which were speedily repaired for the pursuing army's use.
The Wyandot chief, Walk-in-the-Water, with sixty of his warriors reported, as deserters from the British, to Harrison, who, being intent after the main foe, told them to pass around to Detroit out of the way of the American army.
The British, being closely pressed, attempted to destroy their stores, and everything they could not well carry. Near Chatham they set fire to a house which contained near a thousand mus- kets. These were saved by the Americans. They burned other buildings, and three of their small boats, which contained artillery and heavy munitions, from which Harrison's army saved two 24-pounder cannon, and a good quantity of ammunition; and early in the morning of the 5th of October two of the British gunboats and several bateaux laden with supplies were cap- tured, with more prisoners. The Thames was
-
288
The Ohio Country
crossed at Arnold's Mill, partly by each cavalry- man taking an infantryman behind him on his horse, and partly by means of the near-by bateaux.
Early in the afternoon of the 5th of October, American scouts reported the position of the com- bined enemy as near, and well chosen for defence. The Americans at once advanced and attacked them. The battle was sharp and decisive. The pervading spirit was, that there was to be no more withstanding of outraged Americans de- termined to rid their "Ohio Country" homes of the Savage incubi that for about forty years had been a blight to their own and their parents' hap- piness, and a blot for all time on civilization !
Johnson's cavalry broke the British lines by their impetuous charge, and, in less than five minutes (is the record) after the first shot, nearly the entire British force threw down their arms and surrendered. The Savages started their part well, but were, within a few minutes, unable to withstand the American rifles. Tecumseh was killed, whether by Colonel R. M. Johnson or other is not known; and no one could for long rally his followers. Proctor with a few followers attempted to escape in his carriage, but he was so closely pressed that he rushed into the forest
289
From 1813-1814
on foot, and later, finding a horse, was sixty-five miles from the battle-field within twenty-four hours. His carriage, private papers, and many valuable military papers were captured. Among the battle-field captures were six brass cannon, three of which were captured from the British in the Revolutionary War but surrendered to them by Hull at Detroit.
The American loss in the Battle of the Thames was fifteen killed, and thirty wounded including the brave Colonel R. M. Johnson. The British loss was eighteen killed, twenty-six wounded, and six hundred prisoners including twenty-five offi- cers. The Savages left thirty-three of their dead on the field. Further is not definitely known, but their loss must have been large from wounds and want of proper care, they, with Tecumseh, being carried from the field on their retreat.
The American army started on its return to Detroit the 7th of October. Harrison preceded at a more rapid pace, leaving Shelby in command. They arrived at Sandwich on the Ioth, in a cold, driving storm. This storm injured several of Perry's vessels on their return from the Thames, and caused the loss of much of the military property captured. It also put a stop to the contemplated movement against Mackinac.
19
290
The Ohio Country
Report was soon received that the small British garrison had abandoned that post, which was probably not correct, as it was a rallying point for the northern Savages, and the north- western fur trade which had been valuable to the British.
The report of the signal victory at the Thames was received throughout the United States with illuminations, bonfires, and patriotic addresses. General Harrison was lauded; and Congress after- wards gave him a vote of thanks, and a gold medal.
General Lewis Cass was appointed civil and military governor of the Territory of Michigan, and was directed to retain his brigade of soldiers, numbering about one thousand, to guard against the Savages, and to hold against invasion by the British. This appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate and Cass continued in this office several years, giving good service in his multiform duties.
The fort at Detroit was repaired, and the name Lernoult, which it had borne since 1778, was changed to Fort Shelby, in honor of Kentucky's distinguished Governor. Its site is yet indicated, and its name perpetuated, in Fort and Shelby streets.
291
From 1813-1814
The Kentucky volunteers were permitted to re- turn home. They stopped at the River Raisin on their way home, and there buried such remains as could be found (sixty-five skeletons) of the mas- sacred soldiers of General Winchester's army of the previous January. Their horses were found where left, at the mouth of Portage River, Ohio.
The Savages, the much valued allies of the British, were left without food for the winter after the defeat of them and their allies at the Battle of the Thames. They had been tutored to war, and to complete subserviency to the British, and had lost interest in hunting wild game for their subsistence. As at the close of the Revolutionary War, they turned at once, and with as little apparent regret for their past hostilities, to the Americans for their support. As formerly, they gathered at Detroit in such great number that they could not be fully fed by the Americans, who were, themselves, scantily supplied. They went about the streets gathering and devouring, so far as they could, whatever of fragmentary food that could be given them by the soldiers and citizens.
Harrison dealt kindly with them; and he as- sembled them at Greenville, Ohio, July 22, 1814, where a lasting treaty was effected for their best interest.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE OHIO COUNTRY FREE FROM THE SAVAGE ALLIANCE
Proctor's Request and Harrison's Reply-Harrison Goes to Reinforce Army of the Centre-Period of Quiet in the Ohio Country-General Harrison Resigns-Renewed Efforts for Defence and Advance-Scarcity of Food and Money-Further Neglect by Eastern Authorities-Ex- peditions through Canada-Unfortunate Expedition to the North.
A FTER providing for the garrisoning of the several forts in the old Northwestern Ter- ritory, General Harrison, with about thirteen hundred soldiers, sailed in Captain Perry's squad- ron for Buffalo1 where they arrived the 24th of
1 General Harrison received by messenger Lieutenant Le Breton a letter from Major-General Proctor dated October 18th (place of writing not given), addressed to him at the Moravian towns by the Thames, but delivered at Detroit before his departure from that place. This letter requested the return of private papers and property cap- tured at the Battle of the Thames; also a request for mild treatment of the British prisoners and subjects. This writing of Proctor was considered by Harrison unnecessary,
292
293
From 1813-1814
October, 1813, to co-operate with the Army of the Centre; but Harrison did not remain there as a party to the resulting defeats.
On account of antagonisms in the War Depart- ment General Harrison's able and successful work in the War of 1812-14 had been nearly completed. He returned to his family in Cin- cinnati, where he retained head-quarters until he resigned from the army, his resignation to take effect May 31, 1814.
The West and Northwest experienced com- parative quiet after the Battle of the Thames.
as such conduct had been already provided for, and, further, it was asking from him what Proctor had not been known to accord to Americans. Lieutenant Le Breton was given good opportunity to see that the proprieties of civilization had been complied with in regard to the British prisoners. He was not permitted to return by land, however, but was taken across Lake Erie in boat with Harrison.
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