USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Upland > The record of the court at Upland, in Pennsylvania, 1676 to 1681, And a military journal, kept by Major E. Denny, 1781 to 1795 > Part 21
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
kept on each flank. The river is in good navigable or- der, and weather pleasant. The boats were enabled to keep their stations. Passed the Scioto about daylight.
20th .- About eight o'clock in the morning a storm of wind and rain met us. Such a one I had never before seen on the river. The boats had to be cut loose, and even when single were in danger of filling every instant. At this time were supposed to be about five miles below Scioto and close upon the Indian shore. Any apprehen- sion from the Indians by me was forgotten ; I was clear for making the nearest land, headed my boat for shore, and made the signal for the others to follow. One only obeyed the signal and landed along side of me. The rest passed and made for the Kentucky side, at the hazard of their lives. They, however, got safe, with no other damage than shipping large quantities of water. In this situation we were obliged to remain the whole day. As the sun went down the storm ceased. I fired a gun and put off-the boats all followed, and next morning reached Limestone.
LIMESTONE, 21st. - Upon landing here was informed that an officer of the regiment, with soldiers, was on the opposite shore. Procured a light boat and crossed the river, where I found Lieutenant Pratt with a small party of men. He informed me that General Harmar, with about three hundred regulars and volunteers, had marched the morning before for Paint creek, which empties into the Scioto about sixty miles up, at which place it was expected the Indians who had been on the Ohio, would be found with their plunder. Here I found
343
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
that the General had calculated my time, for expecting that Mr. Pratt would see me, he had left instructions for me to proceed to Fort Washington. Parted with Pratt in the evening.
22d .- Arrived at Fort Washington about twelve o'clock.
FORT WASHINGTON, May 2d. - The troops returned from Paint creek, under command of Captain Ferguson. General Harmar parted with them at mouth of Scioto. and proceeded in his barge for Muskingum.
July 11th .- Governor St. Clair arrived at Fort Wash- ington from the Illinois, where he had spent part of the winter and spring in organizing the several counties in that quarter of the territory, and establishing a system of government. General Harmar had returned to head- quarters some weeks since. The Governor remained with us but three days. In the mean time it was agreed and determined that General Harmar should conduct an expedition against the Maumee towns, the residence of all the renegade Indians, from whence issued all the parties who infest our frontiers. One thousand militia were ordered from Kentucky, and the Governor on his way to New York, the seat of the general government, was to order five hundred from the back counties of Pennsylvania. 15th September was the time appointed for the militia to assemble at Fort Washington.
15th .- The General commenced his preparations; cal- culations of provisions, horses, stores, &c., were imme- diately made out and ordered accordingly. Every day employed in the most industrious manner. Captain Ferguson, with his company, engaged in getting in com-
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
plete order the artillery and military stores. Indeed every officer was busily employed in something or other necessary for the expedition, but particularly the quarter- . master, Pratt. No time was lost.
Sept. 18th. - The Kentucky militia began to come in, but not such as we had been accustomed to see on the frontiers. They appear to be raw and unused to the gun or the woods; indeed many are without guns, and many of those they have want repairing. Our artificers employed in putting to right the militia arms. General much disheartened at the kind of people from Kentucky. One-half certainly serve no other purpose than to swell their number. If the leading patriots of Kentucky don't turn out rascals, then some men that I know are greatly mistaken.
19th .- A battalion of Pennsylvania militia arrived. 22d .- Governor St. Clair returned from New York.
25th .- Major Doughty, with two companies of the first regiment, brought from Fort Harmar, joined, and also the residue of the Pennsylvania militia. These last are similar to the Kentuckians ; too many substitutes. Much difficulty in regulating and organizing the militia. Colo- nels dispute about the command. The General, after much trouble, effects a compromise and reconciliation. Kentuckians compose three battalions under Majors Hall, M'Millen and Ray, and Lieutenant-Colonel com- mandant Trotter. Pennsylvania militia into one bat- talion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Truby and Major Paul. The whole to be commanded by Colonel John Hardin from Kentucky, subject to the orders of General Harmar
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
plete order the artillery and military stores. Indeed every officer was busily employed in something or other necessary for the expedition, but particularly the quarter- . master, Pratt. No time was lost.
Sept. 18th. - The Kentucky militia began to come in, but not such as we had been accustomed to see on the frontiers. They appear to be raw and unused to the gun or the woods; indeed many are without guns, and many of those they have want repairing. Our artificers employed in putting to right the militia arms. General much disheartened at the kind of people from Kentucky. One-half certainly serve no other purpose than to swell their number. If the leading patriots of Kentucky don't turn out rascals, then some men that I know are greatly mistaken.
19th .- A battalion of Pennsylvania militia arrived. 22d .- Governor St. Clair returned from New York.
25th .- Major Doughty, with two companies of the first regiment, brought from Fort Harmar, joined, and also the residue of the Pennsylvania militia. These last are similar to the Kentuckians ; too many substitutes. Much difficulty in regulating and organizing the militia. Colo- nels dispute about the command. The General, after much trouble, effects a compromise and reconciliation. Kentuckians compose three battalions under Majors Hall, M'Millen and Ray, and Lieutenant-Colonel com- mandant Trotter. Pennsylvania militia into one bat- talion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Truby and Major Paul. The whole to be commanded by Colonel John Hardin from Kentucky, subject to the orders of General Harmar
Pace page 1-11
ORDER OF MARCH.
Spies & Guides. 6
Advance Company 30
Pioneers 2.1
Cimatry
MC Millen's But of Militia 200
Federal
General
Federal
Staff
Music &. Colors
Artillery 55.
Flank
(mp.8 9)
Flank
Ammunition
Officers Baggage.
Ray's Bat. of Militia
Park Horses & Cattle . x xx × x X
× x
x
×
×
x x x
×
x
x
×
Hall's Bat .of Militia 200.
1
Rear Guard 30
...
C'ol Truby and Maj Paul, Penn." Mililit,
Guard
Capt &. 50
Bat.of Fed. Troops Major Doughty
Bat.of Militia Major Ray
Cavalry
OF ENCAMPMENT
Gnard
AM: Millen's, Bal . !!!!! 1. 10
Provisions
Mayor Hall's Bat. of Militia
-
Cup! 8. 30.
Guard
-
Col. Truly Bat of Militia
Major Wyllys Bat of Fed Troops
Capt 8. 50
Guard
ORDER
Fuir page 141
ORDER OF BATTLE.
In Case of an Attack in Front
Wyllys
MMe Millen
Doughty
Ray
M.Millen
Mountil Ma
Cavalry
Cavalry
Mountd Ma
Mc Millen
Minniti Ma.
cavalry
Cavalry
Doughty
Cavalry
Doughty
×
x
x
Pack Horses
×
Major Ray
In case of an attack at night the Troops form inside the fires
Col. Truby's
×
×
×
x
×
*
X
X
×
×
X
×
In Case of an Attack on the right Flank
Rav
Mounted Ma. Cavalry
Cavalry
×
×
*
×
x
*
Pack Horses
1
Hall
Mount'd M.
Cavalry
Cavalry
M Militia
++
Truby
Wyllys
Hall
Doughty
Ray
=
.
×
x
×
×
×
×
×
x ×
×
×
Hall's Battalion
In Case of an Attack on the left Flank
Wyllys
× ×
Pack Horses
Wyllys
Truby
Cavalry
Mº Millen.
Cavalry
M.Miltint,
Hall
In Case of an Attack m Rear
Engraved at J'M. Butlers entahhahment. 2-12 Chestnut &t Philad
Mowit'd M. Cavalry
Park Horses
×
×
x
×
Truby
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MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
26th. - The whole of the militia took the field under the direction of Colonel Hardin, an old continental offi- cer, amounting to one thousand one hundred and thirty- three. They marched on the direct route to the Indian towns.
29th. - General Harmar moved out with the federal troops and joined the militia.
30th. - The General having got forward the supplies, moved on with the federal troops, formed into two small battalions under the immediate command of Majors Wyllys and Doughty, together with Captain Ferguson's company of artillery, who took along three light brass pieces.
Oct. 2d. - Their number three hundred and twenty. Total, one thousand four hundred and fifty-three.
3d .- Joined the advance troops early in the morning. Spent this day in forming the line of march, encamp- ment and battle, and explaining the same to the militia officers. Major James Fontaine appointed volunteer aid-de-camp to the General. Mr. Stephen Ormsby brigade-major to the militia, and Mr. John Bellie quar- rer-master. Doctor Slater surgeon to Colonel Trotter's tegiment. Encamped on waters of Little Miami, thirty- one miles from Fort Washington.
4th .- The army took up the line of march and gained eleven miles. Encamped on branch of the Little Miami, forty-two miles from Fort Washington.
5th. - Joined by a small reinforcement of horsemen and mounted infantry. The horse formed into two troops, and with the company of mounted infantry, put under
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
the command of Major Fontaine. The army now con- sists of
3 battalions Kentucky militia,
1 do. Pennsylvania militia, 1,133
8
1 do. light troops mounted,
2 do. of regular troops, 320
Total, - - 1,453
Much trouble in keeping the officers, with their com- mands, in their proper order, and the pack horses, &c., compact. Encamped this evening on Glade creek, a branch of Little Miami, about fifty-two miles from Fort Washington.
6th. - Passed through a beautiful open country. En- camped three miles north of old Chillicothe, sixty-two from Fort Washington.
7th. - Open country. Encamped on Mad river on Pickaway fork of Great Miami, seventy-one miles from Fort Washington.
8th .- Gained about nine miles. Encamped on waters of Great Miami, about eighty miles advance.
9th .- Marched at usual hour and gained ten miles. Encamped on waters of Great Miami, about ninety miles from Fort Washington.
10th. - Same waters. Encamp about one hundred miles from Fort Washington.
11th .- Encamp five miles north-west of a place called the French Store, about one hundred and twelve miles from Fort Washington.
12th. - Encamp about seven miles north-west of new
347
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
Chillicothe, on Grave creek, a branch of the Miami or Omee, which empties into Lake Erie, and about one hundred and twenty-five miles from Fort Washington. Half pound powder and one pound lead served out to each rifleman, and twenty-four rounds cartridges to the musquetry. Commanding officers of battalions to see that their men's arms are in good order and loaded.
13th. - Early this morning a patrol of horsemen cap- tured a Shawanee Indian. Marched through a thick brushy country. Encamped on great branch of the Mi- ami or Omee river, near the ruins of La Source's old house, about one hundred and thirty-five miles from Fort Washington.
14th. - Colonel Hardin detached early this morning with six hundred light troops, to push for the Miami vil- lage. This detachment sent forward in consequence of intelligence gained of the prisoner, which was that the Indians were clearing out as fast as possible, and that the towns would be evacuated before our arrival. As it was impossible for the army to hasten their march much, the General thought proper to send on Colonel Hardin in hope of doing something before they would all be able to clear out. Marched this day about ten miles. Beech and white oak land generally, and no running water. Country very flat, and appears as if at particular seasons it was altogether under water. Encamped about one hundred and forty-five miles from Fort Washington. This night the horses were ordered to be tied up, that the army might start by daylight, with a view of keep- ing as near to Colonel Hardin as possible. The distance
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
to the Indian towns this morning, when the detachment went ahead, supposed to be about thirty-five miles.
15th .- Every exertion made to get forward the main body. Difficult march this day over beech roots and brush. Encamped on the waters of the Omee about one hundred and fifty-three miles from Fort Washington. Horses were again tied, grass cut and brought to them that the army might not be detained next morning, as had frequently been the case; for although repeat- ed orders were given to the horse-masters to hopple well their horses, and directions to the officers and men not to suffer them to pass through the lines, many of them, owing to the scarcity of food, broke loose and passed the chain of sentries and were lost. Patrols of horsemen are ordered out every morning at daylight to scour the neighboring woods and bring in any horses that might have passed the lines ; and the pickets turned out small parties for the same purpose. The cattle, also, every pains taken to secure them. At evening, when the army halts, the cattle guard, which is composed of an officer and thirty men, build a yard always within the chain of sentries, sometimes in the square of the en- campment, and place themselves round the inclosure, which secures them.
16th. - March through beech and swamp oak land. Met an express from Colonel Hardin, who informed us that the enemy had abandoned every place. Encamped within seven miles of the Miami village, and about one hundred and sixty-three from Fort Washington. Horses tied up again and grass brought them.
349
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
17th. - About noon the army arrived at the Miami village, or Maumee towns, on the Omee river, distant from Fort Washington about one hundred and seventy miles. Two very considerable branches meet here, the St. Joseph from the north-west, and the St. Mary from the south- west, which form the Miami or Omee, emptying into Lake Erie. Several little towns on both branches, but the principal one is below the confluence on the north side. Several tolerable good log houses, said to have been occupied by British traders ; a few pretty good gar- dens with some fruit trees, and vast fields of corn in al- most every direction. The militia picked up as much plunder as loaded some of them home. A great deal is found hidden and buried about, and many things left as if the enemy went off in a hurry.
18th. - Colonel Trotter was ordered out with three hundred men, militia and regulars, to reconnoitre the country and to make some discovery of the enemy. He marched a few miles, when his advance horsemen over- took and killed two of the savages - one of the militia slightly wounded. The Colonel proceeded no farther, marched back to camp the same evening. Colonel Hardin, commanding officer of the militia, showed dis- pleasure at Trotter's return without executing the orders he had received, and desired the General to give him the command of the detachment. The men were furnished with two days provisions, and Hardin marched on the morning of the 19th. I saw that the men moved off with great reluctance, and am satisfied that when three miles from camp he had not more than two-thirds of his
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
command ; they dropped out of the ranks and returned to camp. Hardin proceeded, and about ten miles from camp, not expecting to be near the enemy, he suddenly came upon a party supposed to be about one hundred only, and owing to the bad order of his men, and their dastardly conduct, was entirely defeated. The Indians made the first discovery, and commenced a fire at the distance of one hundred and fifty yards, and advanced. The greatest number of the militia fled without firing a shot; some few, with thirty regulars that were of the de- tachment, stood and were cut to pieces. Of the militia forty are missing, but it is well known that very few of these were forward in the fight. The conjecture is, that most of them ran back from the rear and have pushed for the Ohio. Twenty-five of the regulars are missing. The army moved from the Miami village this morning; encamped at Chillicothe (a Shawanee town), two miles east, for the convenience of burning and destroying the houses and corn. Last night, a Captain M'Clure and M'Quircy of the militia, took a notion to trap some of of the Indians, who we suspected lurked about after night and carried off straggling horses. A short distance out- side the sentries they close hoppled a horse with a bell on, and took their station in a hazel thicket but a few yards off. It was not long until an Indian stalked up and seized the horse. The captains rushed upon him, cut off his head and brought it into camp, and claimed at least the price of a wolf's scalp. Detachments em- ployed collecting and burning corn, &c.
20th .- The army all engaged burning and destroying
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
command ; they dropped out of the ranks and returned to camp. Hardin proceeded, and about ten miles from camp, not expecting to be near the enemy, he suddenly came upon a party supposed to be about one hundred only, and owing to the bad order of his men, and their dastardly conduct, was entirely defeated. The Indians made the first discovery, and commenced a fire at the distance of one hundred and fifty yards, and advanced. The greatest number of the militia fled without firing a shot; some few, with thirty regulars that were of the de- tachment, stood and were cut to pieces. Of the militia forty are missing, but it is well known that very few of these were forward in the fight. The conjecture is, that most of them ran back from the rear and have pushed for the Ohio. Twenty-five of the regulars are missing. The army moved from the Miami village this morning; encamped at Chillicothe (a Shawanee town), two miles east, for the convenience of burning and destroying the houses and corn. Last night, a Captain M'Clure and M'Quircy of the militia, took a notion to trap some of of the Indians, who we suspected lurked about after night and carried off straggling horses. A short distance out- side the sentries they close hoppled a horse with a bell on, and took their station in a hazel thicket but a few yards off. It was not long until an Indian stalked up and seized the horse. The captains rushed upon him, cut off his head and brought it into camp, and claimed at least the price of a wolf's scalp. Detachments em- ployed collecting and burning corn, &c.
20th .- The army all engaged burning and destroying
Face page 1-17
VIEW OF THE MAUMEE TOWNS DESTROYED BY GENERAL HARMAR, October, 1790
JOSEPH'S
-
RIVER
1 1 1
1
MIAMIS
11 1
DELAWARES
--
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111111
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GeriuFiel
1
Gardens
OF
MIAMI
RIVER- GR
sayre
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R.I.
--
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: Road
-
Eng
-
1 1 AAAAAAAAA MIAMIS & SHAWANEES
PRINCIPAL TOWN OF
SHAWANEES
--
LAKE
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MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
everything that could be of use : corn, beans, pumpkins, stacks of hay, fencing and cabins, &c. Twelve or fifteen of the savages made their appearance this day near to one of our burning parties. Some of Major Fontaine's corps got on their flank undiscovered. A few shots were exchanged, and two of the Indians were killed, without any loss on our side.
21st. - The army having burned five villages, besides the capital town, and consumed and destroyed twenty thousand bushels of corn in ears, took up their line of march back to Fort Washington, and encamped eight miles from the ruins.
Nine o'clock at night. - The General ordered out four hundred choice men, militia and regulars, to be under the command of Major Wyllys, to return to the towns, intending to surprise any parties that might be assem- bled there, expecting the Indians would collect to see how things were left. The Major marched about mid- night in three divisions, at the distance of a few hundred yards apart, intending to cross the Omee as day broke, and come upon the principal ruins all at the same in- stant, but at different quarters. The wings commanded by Majors Hall and M'Millen came upon a few Indians immediately after crossing the Omee, put them to flight, and contrary to orders, pursued up the St. Joseph for several miles. The centre division, composed chiefly of the regular troops, were left unsupported. It would seem as if the enemy designed to draw the principal part of the force after a few of their people, while their main body attacked Major Wyllys. The centre division sus-
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
tained a very unequal fight for some time; they were obliged at length to give way. The few that escaped fled in the direction to where the militia had gone, and met them returning from the pursuit of the scattering In- dians. The enemy followed and were met by the militia several miles up the St. Joseph ; this narrow creek was between the parties ; a smart fire commenced and was kept up. The Indians attempted to force their way across but were repulsed, and at length withdrew. Our parties collected their wounded, and returned slowly to camp. One of Major Fontaine's corps, who was attached to the centre division, immediately after the defeat of Wyllys, escaped to camp, and gives a very imperfect account of the business. He got in about eleven o'clock, A. M. Major Ray with his battalion was immediately dispatch- ed to support the parties, but met Colonel Hardin re- turning to camp with his wounded. Hardin had been an officer in the Revolutionary war; on this expedition under Wyllys, he had volunteered his services, with a view of retrieving his affair of the 19th, and had as- sumed the command of the militia. He declares, as well as other officers, whose veracity cannot be doubted, that the enemy must have lost one hundred killed, besides a number who were seen carried off wounded. The fede- rals lost forty-eight men and two officers (Major Wyllys and Lieutenant Frothingham,) in the business of this day; the militia not so many. The whole of the killed and missing of the army amounts to one hundred and eighty-three, but it is verily believed that a number of the militia who are missing have deserted, and are on
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MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
their way to Kentucky. Major Fontaine, who com- manded the cavalry and was with the centre division, charged the enemy, but was not supported-his men faltered ; himself far in front, was singled out and fell. The design of sending back Major Wyllys with his com- mand, was evident to all the army, and would have an- swered the fullest expectations, provided due obedience had been observed on the part of the militia, but owing to their ungovernable disposition, an excellent laid plan has in some measure been defeated, and our loss is equal if not greater than the savages'. The General advised with his principal officers about returning to the towns. It was agreed not to return.
22d. - Continued in our encampment, fixing up biers for the wounded and making repairs, &c. The frost had destroyed the food early on our march out, and the horses of the army were now very much reduced, so much so that it was utterly impossible for the main body to per- form anything rapidly, and to get back upon the road which we had so lately passed was attended with difficulty.
23d .- The army took up the line of march ; proceeded slowly. Every attention paid to keep the men compact. Vigilance was the order of the day.
Nov. 3d .- Got back to Fort Washington.
4th. - At Fort Washington. The militia mustered this afternoon in their camp on the south side of the Ohio, and discharged by a general order; those from Kentucky to receive pay and rations up to the 10th in- · stant.
5th and 6th. - The militia began to move off in small 23
5
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
parties for their homes. It was an arduous task to keep the militia in order or within reasonable bounds, at any time, but when we had gotten so far on our way home as to consider ourselves in some measure out of the enemy's country, they broke out and became altogether ungovern- able. The General was under the necessity of punishing one of them for discharging his piece in presence of sev- eral officers, contrary to a special order. This fellow, it seems, is the son of a Baptist preacher in Kentucky. His officers and many of his men would have opposed the punishment, and although there was much forbear- ance on the part of the General through the whole cam- paign, I have no doubt but a hue and cry will be raised against him in Kentucky as soon as those fellows get home. If he is blamable, it is only for being too indulgent to the militia. I feel conscious of having acted my part. As the adjutant of the General, I had not only my regimen- tal duties to attend to, but the duty of adjutant to the army, brigade-major, &c., and in most instances, when militia field officers were upon duty, had, at the request of the General, to station the guards and go the rounds. The general detail of all guards and detachments kept and made out by myself; their examination on the grand parade daily, was also my duty; regulating the march, keeping the columns in their proper places, as- sisting the quarter-master in keeping up the baggage, looking after and correcting accidents and delays, was no trifling employment ; and every morning half an hour before daylight, agreeably to orders, it was my particular duty to see the army all under arms. However, I feel
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