USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 66
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At a conference held with several of the Delaware and Mohawk chiefs.
Intelligence received from Capt. Pike:
At my arrival at the Lower Shawanese towns, I was told by the CORNSTALK, that he was much rejoiced to hear from his brethren, the white people, in the spring, upon the first disturbances ; that he had, in consequence thereof, ordered all his young people to remain quiet, and not to molest the traders, but to convey them safe to their grandfathers, the Delawares, where they would be safe. The Shawanese chiefs de- clared they were well pleased to hear from their brethren, the English, and that they had spoke to all their young people to remain quiet. Upon his arrival at the Standing Stone, he sent word to the Shawanese to assemble their counsellors ; but, as they were out hunting, it could not be immediately effected. The principal warriors always listened to the chiefs, and had no hostile intentions. The mischiefs which had been done were perpetrated by the foolish young people ; but that now, as soon as they were assembled, they would be able to prevent any thing of that nature for the future. The Shawanese told me that a party of TWIGHTWEES, one of TAWAS, and a party of Wyandotts, were as far advanced on their way to war against the white people, as their towns ; but that they had advised them to return; that they expected the war which threatened them would be extinguished, as they now endeavored a peace.
Pluggy, a Mohawk, who was questioned whether he knew of these parties, said that some hunters who were of the Wyandotts and Tawas, came to the Shawanese towns to hear news, but were sent back.
Speech of the Mohickons to the Shawanese.
" Brethren : Formerly you came to us on the other side of the moun- tains, and told us we were your elder brothers, desiring us to come over and show ourselves to your grandfathers, the Delawares, that they might know our relationship. We did so, and as our people held fast the same chain of friendship ; but now we see you only holding with one hand, whilst you keep a tomahawk in the other. We desire you, there- fore, to set down and not to be so naughty, but pity your women and children. We therefore, take the tomahawk out of your hands, and put it into the hands of your grandfathers, the Delawares, who are good judges, and know how to dispose of it.
Answer of the Shawanese :
" Brethren : We are glad to hear what you have said, and that you [222 ]
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have taken the tomahawk out of our hands, and given it to our grand- fathers, the Delawares ; but, for our parts, we are not sensible that we have had the tomahawk in our hands. It is true, some foolish young people may have found one out of your sight, hid in the grass, and may have made use of it; but that tomahawk which we formerly held, has been long since buried, and we have not since raised it."
There was a great deal of consultation amongst the different nations, while I was at their towns, but nothing particular, relative to what is now in question.
Colonel Stephen demanded of Captain Pike, how he was received by the Shawanese, who says, " That he arrived there about noon, and after having cleared their eyes and opened their ears in the common form, that they had a great dance, and afterwards came to him; and, upon hearing what he had to say, expressed their satisfaction, by saying, they hoped their friendship was now renewed. Though he heard some of the young people expressing a threatening at the Delawares so much in- terfering in their quarrel with the white people; that if they had any thing to say, they wondered why the white people did not come them- selves to speak."
The Delawares said, " That as the sentiments of the Shawanese were not known, that if the Governor had an inclination, they would join him in any thing he had to offer to them, for the promotion of peace and the restoration of harmony to the country."
Reply of the Mohaws and Delawares Chiefs to his Lordship's answer. Present-Captain WHITE EYES, Captain PIPE, Captain WINGANUM, Delawares.
Captain PLUGGY and BIG APPLE TREE, Mohawks.
Captain WHITE EYES spoke in behalf of the Delawares :
" Brothers: Your brethren, here present, are very happy to have heard your good speeches, and are glad to find you acknowledge your- self their elder brother. We acquainted you, that our sincere desire was, that the peace between us and our brethren, the English, should be upon a lasting footing. We now are convinced, that it will be upon a sure and permanent foundation, as our children may have an opportunity of being instructed in the Christian religion. We shall acquaint all the tribes of Indians, of what has here passed between us ; and we are satis- fied, that it will be very satisfactory to them, to hear the good talk from our older brother. For my part, I can assure you, brother, that for my tribe I can answer, even for the foolish young people thereof, that they will not be the cause of any disturbance, in any manner, hereafter, either by theft or otherwise, or give cause of any trouble to your people. The chiefs of the other tribes of our nations, will confirm what I have said, as soon as they have an opportunity." A string. -
" Brother : As your brethren, the Shawanese, are desirous to speak to you by themselves, I hope you will listen to them. I will desire them to speak to you ; and that you may then have an opportunity of speaking together, I would be glad to acquaint them when they could see you to enter into conference. I am much obliged to you for the promises you have given me, that justice shall be due us in the trade here, and that
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proper persons shall be appointed, to see that we are fairly dealt with. I shall acquaint the young men with it, that they may come to trade in their usual manner.
The BIG APPLE TREE, Mohawk, spoke :
" Brother : This day it hath pleased God that we should meet togeth- er : we who are sent on behalf of another nation. The Shawanese told me that they heard there was something yet good in the heart of the Big Knife. They desired me to take their hearts into our hands, and speak strongly on their behalf to the Big Knife. I am glad the Shaw- anese, my younger brethren, have desired me to undertake this busi- , ness, if I can serve them ; and I am equally rejoiced at the appearance thereof, from your good speeches. You may be assured that as they have delivered themselves into our care, we shall do our endeavor to induce them to pursue proper measures to restore peace. You may be also assured, that your brother, the Chief of the Wyandotts, will also assist me in taking care that our younger brothers, the Shawanese, act a prudent part. Wheresoever, brothers, you build your council fire to speak to the Shawanese, you may be assured that we, the Mohawks, with our brethren, the Wyandotts, will come with them to speak also ; and that we hope peace then will be restored and established on a per- manent footing." A string.
His Lordship's answer :
" Brethren : I shall consider of what you have said, and will give you an answer this afternoon."
His Lordship's answer to their reply :
" Brethren : I am glad to find that what I have said in our late con- ference has been satisfactory to you ; and you may be assured that what- ever I have promised shall be confirmed, so that my actions shall con- vince you of the sincerity of my heart. I am glad to find you have a desire of instructing your children in the Christian religion, which will be the cause of peace remaining between us on a lasting footing, and of adding happiness to your own Nation." A string.
" Brethren : I have already informed you of the evil disposition of the Shawanese towards us; but to convince you how ready the Big Knife is to do justice, at all times, even to their greatest enemies, at the request of my good brethren, the Six Nations, and you, the Delawares, I will be ready and willing to hear any good speeches which the Shaw- anese may have to deliver to me, either at Wheeling, (where I soon pur- pose to be,) or, if they should not meet me there, at Little Kenhawa, or somewhere lower down the river." A string.
" Brethren, the Mohawks: You will hear by my speech to my younger brethren, the Delawares, that I am prevailed upon to listen to the Shawanese, notwithstanding their bad behaviour towards my people; and as I am prevailed upon merely by the confidence I repose in the friendship of my brethren, the Wyandotts and Five Nations, I expect this will be looked upon as a strong proof of my regard towards them. And, as it is your wish. I will meet the Shawanese at one of the places mentioned in my answer to my younger brethren, the Delawares, pro- vided they are led to the council fire by my brethren, the Mohawks, the Wyandotts, and the Delawares, as I shall be satisfied that whatever [224 ]
GENERAL HARMAR'S LETTER, 1790.
they may there promise, you, my brethren, will see them strictly adhere to." A string.
The Delaware's reply :
" Brother : We are much rejoiced to hear what you have now said, and believe it to be sincere ; and you may be satisfied, that I, in behalt of my people, will endeavor to convince you that we are so. When the Delawares, the Six Nations, the Shawanese, and you, our elder brother, meet together, you will then see who are sincere in their friendship. In a short time it will be seen ; for those who are determined on good, will not fail to meet you. I shall speak to the Shawanese, and, if their in- tentions are equal to their professions, they will see you ; but, on behalf of my people, I promise to meet you. This is all I have to say at this time ; but you may be certain that myself, Capt. Pipe, and Capt. Wing- anum, will wait on you."-American Archives, Vol. 1, p. 871-876.
[NO. XXIII. ]
HARMAR'S LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR, 1790.
HEAD QUARTERS, FORT WASHINGTON, ? November 23, 1790. S
SIR :- I had the honor to address you on the 2d of September, and last on the 4th inst., duplicates of which are now enclosed. My Adju- tant, Lieut. Denny, whom I dispatched on the 7th inst., will have the honor to deliver you the latter of those letters. It contains the substance of the late expedition undertaken against the savages of the Miami of the Lakes, and its branches, the rivers St. Joseph and St. Mary.
The hurry occasioned on my return, by disbanding the militia, did not suffer me to enter into the detail of facts, at that time. It will be the object of the following sheets to supply that omission, by submitting to your notice every occurrence and transaction of any consequence, that happened during the expedition ; with the addition of such remarks as may tend either to elucidate events, and connect their order, or convey an idea of the country through which we passed. You will likewise receive herewith two plans, explanatory of the route taken by the army, of the actions which took place, and of the several dispositions for forming the order of march, the order of encampment, and the order of battle. For these dispositions I beg leave to refer you to the plan No. 1. in which they are severally and particularly laid down.
As there are three Miamis in the northwestern territory, all bearing the name of Miami, I shall in future, for distinction sake, when speaking of the Miami of the Lakes, call it the Omee, and its towns, the Omee towns. By this name they are best known on the frontiers. It is only, however, one of the many corruptions or contractions, universally used among the French Americans, in pronouncing Indian names. Au Mi for instance, is the contraction of Au Miami.
On Thursday, the 30th of September, I took the field, with such of
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APPENDIX-NO. XXIII.
the Federal troops as were then assembled at Fort Washington, consist- ing of two battallions, commanded by the Majors Wyllys and Doughty, with three brass pieces of ordnance, viz : a six pounder, a three pounder, and a five and one-half inch howitzer ; together with Capt. Ferguson's company of artillery ; making in the whole three hundred and twenty men, including non-commissioned officers. With this force I immedi -. ately proceeded to join the militia under the command of Col. Hardin, whom I had put in motion the 26th, and ordered to advance along what! is called, " Clarke's Old Trace," for about five and twenty miles ; there ! to halt till further orders. The militia had been draughted from Ken -. tucky and Pennsylvania, and both together amounted to 1133 men. Many of the former were substitutes, and by no means equal, either in spirit or appearance, to the generality of their countrymen. My whole force then was fourteen hundred and fifty-three, (including two troops of cavalry) but from this number we may safely deduct two hundred of the militia as good for nothing. This day I marched northerly about seven miles, encamped at night on the waters of Mill Creek, which empties s into the Ohio two miles below this fort. The country through which we passed was rich and hilly but not very difficult. A pretty good road might easily be made through it.
The next day being the first of October, we advanced nine miles ; the general course N. by E. The country now assumed a level face, covered thickly with underwood. In the evening I was joined by Col. Truby, of the Pennsylvania militia, with such of the cattle as had been left behind at Fort Washington. Our whole stock of beeves consisted of 175 head. The pack horses amounted to 578.
On the 2d we marched N. E. about 13 miles to a branch of the little: Miami river. The underwood disappeared, and the face of the country in this distance, seemed, with some exceptions, rich and level.
The next morning at ten o'clock, reached Turkey creek, a stream off the same river, two miles eastward. Here I formed a junction with Col. Hardin, and the Kentucky militia under his command. The re- mainder of the day was employed in making arrangements.
On the 4th, the whole army took up the line of march, and crossing the Little Miami, encamped two miles beyond it, on a considerable. branch called Sugar creek, or Cesar's creek. We gained about eleven miles on a general course of N. E. by E. Several horses were missing this morning, supposed to have been stolen last night by the savages.
The 5th we advanced northerly ten miles, and encamped on Glady creek, a small stream emptying on the east side of this river. The face of the country was open and level, generally rich bottom, or low land, diversified with small prairies or natural meadows.
The army marched northerly ten miles the next day, and encamped on a western branch of the Little Miami, having previously re-crossed this river about three miles north from the site of Old Chilicothe, an Indian town destroyed in 1780. This part of our route lay in an open fine country, beautifully checkered with prairies. In the evening Lieut. Frothingham, of the federal troops, joined me with a few soldiers, as did Capt. Hall, with a reinforcement of Kentucky militia. The first frost this season happened last night.
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GENERAL HARMAR'S LETTER, 1790.
On the 7th we crossed and encamped on the west side of the Pikkawa fork, more commonly called Mad river, a powerful branch of the Great Miami. It is a beautiful but rapid stream, running through a pleasant, level country of the greatest fertility. Our course was a little westward of north, and ran through some handsome prairies. Marched about nine miles this day.
We gained about eight miles on the 8th, encamping on an eastern stream of the Great Miami. Course N. N. W. A very low wet glade crossed the route, which being impassible for the pack-horses, they were filed off to avoid it. The country was otherwise very fine.
Advanced on the 9th near eight miles farther, to another stream of the last mentioned river. Our course lay a little west of north. The country was rich and level. Yesterday and to day the weather proved wet and disagreeable.
On Sunday the tenth, it became cool and clear: we marched nearly the same course about ten miles, crossing, at one third of the distance, the Great Miami, where once stood another Chillacothe of the Indians : it was burnt in 1782, by a body of militia from Kentucky. I suppose this place to be what Hutchins calls in his map " The English Tawixt- wi." Here are the ruins of an old fort. Extensive prairies skirt both sides of the river: we encamped at night on the east side of a western branch of the Great Miami, which may be computed, according to this route, to lie a hundred miles distant from Fort Washington. The general course of this and the subsequent part of our march to the Omee towns, described the segment of a circle ; hence I conclude, that a straight line drawn between those towns and the fort, would not exceed one hundred and ten miles. We now discovered many tracks of the savages.
Thus far the country continued open, generally level, and extremely fertile : we found it, besides, abundantly watered. But after this day's march, till the army arrived at the Omee river, it changed to a dead flat, (excepting a solitary eminence,) with a soil much inferior to that we had left; and scarcely a stream of water was any where to be found. The woods were indeed open and free from underwood, and the timber was chiefly white oak. The troops, &c., suffered extremely through the want of water. There is reason to believe, however, that the country thus extending between the Great Miami and Omee, though so dry at this time, is deluged every spring with standing water, and rendered im- passable. It is remarkable, that no stones of any kind, (except in one spot,) were seen during the whole march from the place of departure, to the point of destination. This short account will render any farther description, as to the general face of the country, unnecessary in the re- maining part of the route.
The army proceeded on the eleventh, about twelve miles N. N. W., and encamped on a small stream running into the Great Miami. Within the first eight miles are the ruins of a French store, which stood on a considerable branch of the same river, and was burnt by the Kentuckians in 1782. This is the utmost point to which, in this direction, they ever penetrated the Indian country.
On the 12th we advanced about seven miles, the general course being
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APPENDIX-NO. XXIII.
north, to Glaize (or perhaps Glace) river, a branch of the Omee ; thence e proceeded six miles farther, nearly west.
The next day we gained in about ten miles, on a course W. N. W., the Pikkawa branch of the Omee, commonly named the river St. Mary .. The day was cold, moist, and very disagreeable. In the morning, thee cavalry took a Shawanee prisoner, and I availed myself of this event, to) obtain some intelligence of the force and probable designs of the enemy. The army encamped near what is called La Source's old house.
The following day being the 14th, I detached Colonel Hardin with six hundred men, composed of fifty federal troops, and five hundred and fifty militia, one hundred of whom were mounted. The object was, to reconnoitre the country, and feel, at their towns, the enemy's pulse, while the army advanced. We marched about nine miles this day, pur -. suing nearly the course of yesterday ; the weather rainy.
Advanced on the 15th about nine miles, in a direction somewhat more northerly, to an inconsiderable stream of the St. Mary. We had the pleasure of seeing water several times in the course of this day's march. 'The weather became clear in the afternoon.
A dispatch arrived on the 16th, from Colonel Hardin, informing me, that the savages and the traders (who are, perhaps, the worst savages of the two,) had evacuated their towns, with appearances of precipitation, and burnt the principal village, called the Omee, together with all the traders' houses. This village lay on a pleasant point, formed by the junction of the rivers Omee and St. Joseph. It was situate on the east bank of the latter, opposite the mouth of St. Mary, and had for a long time past, been the rendevous of a set of Indian desperadoes, who in- fested the settlements, and stained the Ohio, and parts adjacent, with the blood of defenceless inhabitants. This day we advanced nearly the same distance, and kept nearly the same course as yesterday ; we en- camped within six miles of the object. And on Sunday, the 17th, entered on the ruins of the Omee town, or French village, as part of it is called. Appearances confirmed accounts I have received of the con- sternation into which the savages, and their trading allies, had been thrown by the approach of the army. Many valuables of the traders were destroyed in the confusion, and vast quantities of corn, and other grain and vegetables, were secreted in holes dug in the earth, and other hiding places. Colonel Hardin rejoined the army.
Besides the town of Omee, there were several other villages situate upon the banks of three rivers. One of them, belonging to the Omee Indians, called Kegaiogue, was standing, and contained 30 houses, on the bank opposite the principal village. Two others, consisting togeth- er of about 45 houses, lay a few miles up the St. Mary, and were in- habited by Delawares. Thirty-six houses occupied by other savages of this tribe formed another, but scattered town, on the east bank of the St. Joseph, two or three miles north from the French village. And about the same distance down the Omee river, lay the Shawanee town of Chilicothe, consisting of 58 houses, opposite which, on the other bank of the river, were 16 habitations more, belonging to savages of the same nation. All these I ordered to be burnt during my stay there, together with great quantities of corn and vegetables hidden, as at the
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GENERAL HARMAR'S LETTER, 1790.
principal village, in the earth and other places, by the savages, who had abandoned them. It is computed there were not less than 20,000 bushels of corn in the ear, which the army either consumed or destroyed.
As the name of Chilicothe has been applied to different places in the course of this letter, it may not be improper to remark here, that it is derived from the name of an influential chief, who formerly headed the Shawanese. Whenever his people happened to be driven from their town, they retired to some other spot, and founded a second by the same name, and so a third, a fourth, &c. In like manner the Miami, and some other Indians, have communicated the respective names of their nations, or tribes, to various rivers and places, as they severally happened to remove, or spread themselves over the country. The savages know well how to choose a situation for a town. The site and surrounding country of every Chilicothe is very beautiful.
On the 18th two Indians were killed and scalped by the cavalry ; and another was killed at night. We lost a great number of horses at this time, occasioned by the negligence of the militia guards, and their diso- bedience of orders.
On the 19th Col. Hardin, was detached with 180 men, taken from the Pennsylvania and Kentucky militia, and 30 federal troops, com- manded by Lieut. Armstrong. . Part of the detachment proceeded about ten miles westerly of the main body of the army, now posted at Chili- cothe, (the Pennsylvanians, who formed the left column, having fallen some miles in the rear) when a body of Indians appeared and advanced to the attack ; and though the enemy did not, as it is believed, exceed a hundred and thirty, yet the militia made no resistance, but fled, leaving the handful of federal troops to their fate ; seven only of whom escaped. The militia lost but few men; among these fell, lamented by his ac. quaintance, Capt. Scott, of the militia, son to Gen. Scott, of Kentucky, I am not informed of the loss sustained by the savages ; but I conceive it could not be great.
Incensed at the disgraceful conduct of the militia, and determined to prevent, if possible, a repetition of it upon any future occasion, I repre- hended it in my next orders with great severity. This measure, though harsh, will appear to have been necessary. It operated as a stimulus to wipe off the foul stain, which the reputation of the militia had incurred.
'The great object of the expedition being now completely effected, that is, the destruction of the Omee towns and the provisions laid up for their subsistence. On the 21st, the army began to return towards Fort Washington by the route they came.
It was originally my intention, to have returned by the way of the Ouiattanon, (commonly called the Weeah) towns on the Wabash ; and break them up also. Major Hamtramck, commanding at Fort Knox, Vincennes, had been previously ordered to make a movement towards them with the troops under his command : three hundred militia from Kentucky, were ordered to reinforce him. The movement was intended as well for a divertion to prevent an union of the Indian strength, as for the purpose of effecting a junction with our whole force, in case I should have judged it advisable to enter the country of the Ouiattons. Cir- cumstances, however, rendered it impracticable for me to attempt it, at
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