USA > Ohio > The history of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 13
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1813.]
MAJOR CROGHAN.
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yesterday too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain this place, and by heavens we can !"
Ignorant that the air of bravado pervading this letter had been adopted for the purpose of deceiving the enemy, Harrison, who had suffered greatly already through the disobedience of his subordinates, at once decided to order Major Croghan under arrest. Colonel Wells, escorted by a company of dragoons, was accordingly de- spatched to Fort Stephenson, with the following missive :---
JULY 30, 1813.
Sir,-The general has just received your letter of this date, informing him that you had thought proper to disobey the orders just issued from this office, and delivered to you this morning. It appears that that the information which dictated the order was incorrect; and as you did not receive it in the night as was cx- pected, it might have been proper that you should have reported the circumstance and your situa- tion, before you proceeded to its execution. This might have been passed over ; but I am directed to say to you, that an officer who presumes to aver that he has made his resolution, and that he will act in direct opposition to the orders of his general, can no longer be intrusted with a sepa- rate command. Colonel Wells is sent to relieve you. You will deliver the command to hin, and
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repair with Colonel Ball's squadron to this place. By command, &c., A. H. HOLMES,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
As the escort commanded by Colonel Ball ap- proached the vicinity of the fort, it was suddenly assaulted by a body of Indians, about twenty in number, from the west side of the road. The colonel gallantly struck the first blow. Dashing in between two savages, he instantly cut down one with his sword. The other aimed a blow at his back with a tomahawk, but by a sudden spring of his horse he escaped the stroke, and the weapon was sunk into the cantel and pad of his saddle. Before the savage could repeat the blow he was shot by Corporal Ryan. Lieutenant Hedges, who was in the rear, followed in pursuit of a large Indian, but just as he came up with him his stirrup broke, and he was projected headlong from his saddle upon the fugitive, knocking him down. Both instantly rose to their feet, when Hedges struck the savage on the head, and as he was falling, plunged his sword up to the hilt in his body. The rest of the Indians fled, but Colonel Ball after this advanced with greater caution, keeping his men ready for enother charge, should the Indians re-appear. No further alarm, however, took place, and the whole party moved down to the fort without mo- estation.
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1813.] FORT STEPHENSON ATTACKED.
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Colonel Wells, in accordance with the orders of the commander-in-chief, was left in charge of the garrison, and Major Croghan proceeded with Colonel Ball's squadron to head-quarters. He there explained to General Harrison his motives for writing the note, together with the peculiar position of the garrison at Fort Stephenson. His explanation being deemed satisfactory, ho remained all night with the general, who treated him kindly and with marked attention, and in the morning he was permitted to return to his command.
A reconnoitering party which had been sent to the shore of Lake Erie were the first to dis- cover the approach of the enemy by water, on the evening of the 31st of July. They imme- diately proceeded to the fort to give the garrison timely notice, and had only passed it a few hours, when the British and their Indian allies made their appearance. The Indians first showed themselves on the brow of the hill opposite the fort, but were speedily dispersed by a six- pounder, the only piece of artillery possessed by the garrison. The British gun-boats next made their appearance, a landing of the troops was effected, and the fort being completely surround- ed so as to cut off every avenue of escape, its little garrison, consisting of one hundred and sixty men, was summoned to surrender. The investing force consisted of five hundred regu-
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1813.
lars and eight hundred Indians, the whole being under the command of General Procter in per- son. Tecumseh was stationed with a body of two thousand Indians on the road to Fort Meigs, to intercept any reinforcements which General Harrison might send to relieve the besieged garrison. To the summons of Procter, Major Croghan returned the answer of a soldier, and the cannonade was immediately commenced with the utmost fury. The fire of all their guns being concentrated on the north-west angle of the fort, induced the belief in Major Croghan that they would endeavour to make a breach and storm the works at that point. IIe therefore had the angle strengthened with bags of flour and sand, which proved so effectual that the picket- ing in that place did not suffer any material in- jury. He also ordered Captain Hunter to re- move the six-pounder in the night to a block- house from which it could rake the exposed angle, to load the piece with a half-charge of powder, and a double charge of slugs and grape-shot, and mask its position from the enemy. On the evening of the 2d of August, when the smoke of the firing had completely enveloped the works, the enemy advanced to the assault. Colonel
Short, who headed the principal column, ad- vanced with great bravery to the brink of the ditch, into which he was the first to leap, calling on his men to follow, and in a few minutes it
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ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE HARRISON. 231
was filled. The masked battery was now opened, and the six-pounder, at the distance of only thirty feet from the assailants, discharged with fatal effect on the advancing column, killing twenty-seven men, and wounding nearly double that number. Although some of the officers at- tempted to rally the men, the assault was not renewed, and in the night the besiegers precipi- tately retired, apprehensive of an attack from General Harrison, of whose force they had pro- oably heard an exaggerated account. This de- fence elicited the warmest encomiums throughout the United States. The youthful commander and his brave companions were highly compliment- ed by the general-in-chief, and received the still more conspicuous approbation of Congress. The president conferred on Major Croghan the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel, and the ladies of Chillicothe presented him with an elegant sword, accompanied by a suitable address.
While General Harrison was oncamped at Fort Seneca about the time of the attack on Fort Stephenson, an attempt was made to assassinate him by an Indian of the name of Blue Jacket. It was not, however, that Blue Jacket who opposed Little Turtle at the Indian council held prior to the battle of the " Fallen Timbers," but another personage, bearing the name, but without either the military talent or oratorical renown of that celebrated warrior. No people on earth
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1813.
more faithful in preserving a secret intrusted to thom than the Indians, but each warrior has a friend from whom he will conceal nothing. Pro- videntially, however, the friend of the confidant of Blue Jacket was a young Delaware chief of the name of Beaver, whom General Ilarrison had countenanced and assisted when an orphan boy, and who now, in the vigour of carly man- hood, was considered one of the most promising warriors of his tribe. When Blue Jacket told his confidant, a Shawanese warrior, he intended to kill General Harrison, that confidant like a true friend endeavoured to turn him from his purpose. He assured Blue Jacket that the at- tempt would only insure his own destruction, as & guard surrounded the general's quarters night and day. Blue Jacket replied " that he would kill the general if he was sure that his guards would cut him in pieces not bigger than his thumb nail." The Shawanese, greatly agitated by this rash resolve, revealed to his friend, the Beaver, the fatal secret of Blue Jacket. The Beaver was placed by this communication in a most distressing predicament. He was bound by ties of affection, gratitude, and honour to defend the life of General Harrison, and on the other hand the feelings and principles of an Indian warrior forbade a disclosure of what had been told him in confidence.
While he was hesitating as to what course he
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DEATH OF BLUE JACKET.
1813.]
ought to adopt, he saw Blue Jacket staggering toward him in a state of intoxication. The reckless chief, having just been ejected by Colo- nel McPherson, the Indian agent, from his quar- ters, was loudly denouncing vengeance upon him for the insult. The sight of the traitor roused the honest indignation of the Beaver, and unable to control his feelings, he advanced to Blue Jacket, and exclaimed :--- " You must be a great warrior ! You will not only kill this white man for serving you as you deserve, but you will also murder our father, the American chief, and bring disgrace and mischief upon us all ; but you shall do neither. I will serve you as I would a mad dog.". With one blow the indignant and excited Beaver struck the culprit to the earth, and with the next terminated his existence. Some Shawa- nese Indians, who witnessed this terrible homi- cide, were now addressed by the undaunted Bea- ver. " There," said he, " take him to the camp of his tribe, and tell them who has done the deed."
The Shawanese did not resent, but on the contrary applauded the conduct of the Beaver, and rejoiced at their happy escape from the igno- miny which the accomplishment of Blue Jacket's design would have brought upon them. At the treaty of Greenville, in 1815, General Cass, one of the commissioners, related the whole of the transaction to the assembled chiefs, and after
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1818.
thanking the Beaver in the name of the United States for having saved the life of General Har- rison, made him a handsome present out of the goods appropriated to the purposes of the treaty.
In the mean time the utmost exertions were made by the Americans to gain the ascendency on Lake Erie, and Commodore Perry was order- ed to superintend the construction of several small vessels of war, in order to contend against the British squadron, commanded by Captain Barclay, which up to this time possessed com- plete control of the lake. After overcoming a thousand obstacles connected with the construc- tion of a navy in that remote and thinly settled region, Perry at length completed two new brigs of twenty guns each, which he named the Niagara and the Lawrence. These, together with the flotilla previously in his possession, con- sisting of a captured ship called the Caledonia, mounting three heavy guns, the Ariel with four long twelves, the Scorpion and Somers, each of two guns, and three other small vessels of one gun cach, made up a naval force of fifty-five guns. This fleet Commodore Perry considered capable of successfully encountering the British squadron of war vessels carrying altogether sixty-four guns; at any rate, he determined to give the matter a trial. Perry had, however, a decided advantage over the British commodore
1818.]
PERRY'S VICTORY.
235
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in able seamen, Barclay's vessels being chiefly manned by Canadian watermen and soldiers. The weight of metal was also in favour of Perry. the British guns being better suited to an action at long-shot. On each side the respective crews amounted to about five hundred men.
Having got his ships under weigh, Perry sailed to the head of the lake and anchored in Put-in- bay, opposite to and distant about thirty miles from Malden. Here he remained at anchor several days, watching the movements of the enemy, and determined to offer battle the very first oppor- tunity ; but for some time Barclay avoided an action in the hope of obtaining additional sailors. Being disappointed in this, and his provisions getting short, he sailed from Malden in order to seek an engagement.
On the 10th of September, at sunrise, the British fleet appeared in the offing, distant about ten miles. Commodore Perry immediately weigh- ed anchor, and with a light breeze from the south-west sailed in the direction of the hostile squadron. At ten o'clock the wind hauled to the south-east, which brought the American ves- sels to windward, and gave them the weather- gage. Commodore Perry, who was on board the Lawrence, now hoisted his fighting flag, bear- ing the motto, " Don't give up the ship "" -- the dying words of the gallant captain whose name the vessel bore. Hle then formed his line of
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
[1813.
battle and bore up to the enemy, who, at the same time, hauled his courses and prepared for action. The lightness of the wind caused the hostile fleets to approach each other but slowly, and prolonged for two hours that solemn inter- val of silence and suspense which precedes a naval battle. At length, about fifteen minutes before twelve, a bugle sounded on board the British ship Detroit, her crew cheered, and a tremendous fire opened on the Lawrence at long- shot, which the latter was obliged to endure for ten minutes without returning, her guns not being of sufficient length to carry her metal to such a distance. At five minutes before twelve, the Lawrence, having gained a nearer position, commenced firing, but did very little executior., Finding his situation hazardous, Perry made all sail, and directed the other vessels to fol- low for the purpose of closing with the enemy. But the lightness of the wind prevented them from being brought into close action, while the severity of the fire to which the Lawrence was exposed, soon cut away every brace and bowline, and rendered her perfectly unmanage- able. In this situation she remained exposed for two hours to the concentrated fire of the British squadron, within canister-shot distance, until she was reduced to a mere wreck, and nearly the whole of her crew were either killed or wounded. About half-past two the wind freshening, Captain
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PERRY'S VICTORY,
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Elliot brought his ship into close action in gal- lant style. The commodore immediately re- solved to remove his flag on board that ship. He therefore hauled down his fighting flag, and taking it under his arm, ordered a boat to put him on board the Niagara. Passing through a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, he reached the Niagara in safety, and in a few minutes the flag with its inspiriting motto was once more fluttering in the freshening breeze. At this moment the flag of the Lawrence was hauled down. Sh was utterly incapable of further resistance, and any attempt to continue the combat would only have been a uscless sa- crifice of the relies of her brave and mangled crew. A fine breeze was now sweeping over the surface of the lake, and under its influence every vessel in the American squadron closed gallantly and fearlessly with the enemy. Finding the Niagara but little injured, Perry immediately determined to break the enemy's line. He ac- cordingly bore up to the British line, through which he passed, firing both broadsides at once; and the small vessels following enclosed the enemy between them, and kept up a most de- structive fire until every vessel in the British squadron struck her colours.
The principal loss in killed and wounded was on board the Lawrence; the loss in the other vessels was trifling. The British loss must have
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1813.
been considerable. Commodore Barclay was dangerously wounded in the action. He had previously lost one arm at the battle of Trafalgar --- the other was now rendered useless. He was a brave and experienced seaman ; and Commodore Perry, in his official despatch, mentions him in terms of the highest respect and commise- ration.
The next day the funeral obsequies of the British and American officers who had fallen in the engagement were performed, at an opening . on the margin of the bay, in an appropriate and affecting manner. The crews of both fleets united in the ceremony. The stillness of the atmosphere, the sound of the minute guns from all the ships, the mournful waving of the flags, the strains of solemn music, the slow and mea- sured stroke of the oars in the procession of boats, and the wild and solitary aspect of the place, rendered these funereal rites most impres- sive, and formed an affecting contrast to the terrible conflict of the preceding day. Then the crews of both squadrons were engaged in deadly strife, with feelings of mutual animosity and bit- terness ; now they were associated together as brothers to pay the last tribute of respect to the slain of both nations. Two American officers, Lieutenant Brooks and Midshipman Lamb, of the Lawrence, and three British, Captain Finnis and Lieutenant Stoko of the Charlotte, and
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RETREAT OF PROCTER.
1813.]
Lieutenant Garland of the Detroit, were interred side by side on the margin of the lake on which the American squadron now floated in undis- puted freedom.
This interesting naval battle was fought mid- way between the British and American armies, which lay on the opposite shores of Lake Erie, anxiously awaiting the result. Had the Ame- ricans lost the battle, Procter and Tecumseh were prepared to renew their ravages on the frontier ; but the triumph of Perry obliged the British general to abandon Fort Malden. After setting the works on fire and destroying the military stores, he commenced a retreat, taking care to carry with him all the horses and cattle in the neighbourhood.
On the day succeeding the engagement, Genc- ral Procter said to Tecumseh, "My fleet has whipped the Americans, but the vessels being much injured, have gone into Put-in-bay to refit, and will be here in a few days." Ile could not, however, long deceive the Indians and their chief. The sagacious cyc of Tecumseh soon de- tected signs of a retreat, against which he most earnestly remonstrated, and in the name of the Indians demanded to be heard by the general. Having lost all confidence in the ability of Proc- ter to prosccate the war successfully against the Americans, Tecumseh seriously meditated a with-
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1813.
drawal from the contest, but was induced to remain.
This celebrated warrior was born at Piqua, in Clarke county, Ohio, in the year 1768. Like Napoleon, even in his boyish pastimes he showed a passion for war, and was loved and respected by his companions, who regarded him as their leader. The first battle which he is said to have fought occurred at Dayton, in Montgomery county, between a party of Kentuckians under Colonel Logan, and some Shawanese. When about seventeen years of age, he manifested great military skill and prowess in an attack on some boats on the Ohio, near Maysville, Kentucky. The boats were all taken and those in them kill- ed with the exception of one person, who was burnt alive. Tecumseh was a silent spectator of the horrid spectacle, never having seen a prisoner burnt before. After it was over he expressed his strong abhorrence of the cruel practice, and by his eloquence persuaded his party never again to indulge in such barbarities. From this po- riod his reputation as a brave warrior rapidly rose. In the summer of 1795 he was made a chief; and from the spring of that year until 1796 he resided on Deer Creek, near the present site of Urbanna. While residing on Deer Creek an incident occurred which greatly enhanced his reputation as a hunter. One of his brothers, and several Shawanese of his own age, proposed
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LIFE OF TECUMSEHI.
241
to wager with him that they could each kill as many deer in the space of three days as he could. Tecumseh promptly accepted the chal- lenge. The parties took to the woods, and at the end of the time stipulated returned with the evidences of their success. None of Tecumseh's opponents had more than twelve deer skins, he brought upward of thirty. From this time Tecumseh was generally conceded to be the greatest hunter in the Shawanese nation.
From Deer Creek Tecumseh removed, in the spring of 1796, to the vicinity of Piqua on the Great Miami. In 1798 he accepted the invita- tion of the Delawares, then residing, in part, on White River, Indiana, to remove to that neigh- bourhood with his followers. He continued in that vicinity a number of years, gradually ex- tending his influence among the Indians.
In 1799 there was a council held about six miles north of Urbanna, for the adjustment of certain difficulties which had arisen between the Indians and the settlers on Mad River. Tecum- seh, with other Shawanese chiefs, attended and made a speech which was much admired. A French interpreter, named Dechauset, although as well acquainted with the language of the Shawanese as with that of France, said that he found it very difficult to translate the lofty flights of Tecumseh on this occasion.
In 1803 a stout Kentuckian came to Ohio
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
- [1813.
for the purpose of exploring the lands on Mad River, and stopped at the house of Captain Abner Barrett, situated on the head waters of Buck Creek. In the course of the evening in- telligence was brought to Captain Barrett of the arrival and encampment of several Indians in his immediate neighbourhood, on hearing which the stout Kentuckian displayed considerable alarm. Shortly after the announcement of this unwelcome news, the door of Barrett's house was suddenly opened, and Tecumseh entered with his usual stately air. Ile paused and looked around in silence until his eye rested on the trembling coward, who did not even venture to look the stern savage in the face. Ilis terror was per- ceived by Tecumseh, who turning to his host and pointing him out, exclaimed, "A big baby ! Big baby !" He then stepped up to him, and touching him on the shoulder, reiterated, " Big baby! Big baby !" while the curl of his lip ex- pressed the most supreme contempt.
From the year 1805 to 1808 Tecumseh with his brother Laulewasikaw, the prophet, resided at Greenville. It was here that they formed their plans of hostility to the whites. During their residence at this place they were visited by many Indians, who were wrought into the highest cx- citement by the eloquence of Tecumseh, and the cunning of the prophet.
With the battle of Tippecanoe the prophet lost
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BATTLE OF THE THAMES.
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his popularity among the Indians, he having previously promised them a certain victory. Te- cumsch never recovered from the effects of that disastrous engagement. He became the ally of the British from necessity and policy. IIe knew that they did not care either for him or his In- dians; and he hated and despised them as much as he did the Americans. His bravery and hu- manity throughout the war of 1812 has been already recorded. HIe entered the battle of the Thames with a strong conviction that he should not survive it. Farther flight he deemed dis- graceful, though the hope of victory was too feeble to inspire him with eagerness for the combat. IIe however heroically took his stand among his followers, raised the war-whoop, and boldly met the enemy, resolved on victory or death. From the commencement of the attack on the Indian line his voice was heard animat- ing the Indians, and when that was silent for ever, the battle ceased, and the Indians at once surrendered. It is stated by Mr. James, & British historian, that Tecumseh after he fell was not only scalped, but that his body was ac- tually flayed, and the skin converted into razor strops by the Kentuckians. This unworthy treat- ment is, however, not confirmed by the testimony of any other historian. The humanity and bra- very of Tecumseh were well known to the Ameri- can soldiers, and it is very unlikely that his remains
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1813.
should have been abused in this manner by Colo- nel Johnson's brave and gallant riflemen. There is also much conflicting testimony relating to the manner of his death, which renders it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain the pre- cise facts. It is generally believed that he fell by a pistol-shot fired by Colonel Johnson ; and it is probable that his remains received honour- able interment after the battle. He left a son who, when Tecumseh fell, was about seventeen years of age, and fought by his side. The latter was subsequently honoured with the re- cognition of the British government, but he possessed neither the influence, courage, or sa- gacity of his father.
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PEACE.
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CHAPTER XVII.
Council at Dayton -- Peace with England-Columbus made the capital of the state-Extinction of the Indian title -- Treaty with the Delaware and Wyandot Indians -- Bank- ing in Ohio -- Contest between Ohio and the Bank of the United States -- Nullification in Ohio-Last days of Arthur St. Clair-The Chic and Miami canals- - History of common schools in Ohio-School and canal laws pass- ed -- Seneca Indians-Execution of Seneca John for witch- craft-Departure of the Senecas for the far West.
IN the month of March, 1814, a council was convened at Dayton, Montgomery county, at which the Indians present were required to take up arms against the British, seventy-five cents a day being allowed to each warrior. Most of the Indians engaged to aid the Americans, should the war with England continue. Happily, how- ever, such was not the case, for on the 24th of December the Treaty of Ghent was signed by the representatives of England and the United States. By the terms of this treaty it was agreed that there should be a mutual restoration of all conquered territory, and an appointment of com- missioners to negotiate the boundaries. In case of disagreement, the points in dispute to be settled by arbitration. The question of im-
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