Carroll County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 4 of those read), 1882

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 4 of those read)

C APT.VIX i,0(;ax. His Eahi.y History - Tin-; AnorTED Sox of Patt. Bkx.hmin Lo- G.\N - The Tkied Fiuend of the Whites - His Military Achievements - His Bravery and Fidelity in the Exeuu- TioN OF Impoiitant TRUSTS - His TuvE Character Manifi>ti;d in the Siege of Fort Wavnf;- His nFATii as a Test OF Fidelity, etc.

C1APT. LOGAN, whose career as a warrior is so intimately as- '' sociated with the pioneer historj' of Allen County, and especially of Fort Wayne, was the tried friend of the white man, and sacrificed his life in the attestation of that fidelity, in the month of November. 1812, during the progress of the memorable siege of Fort AVayne.

From the best authorities at command. Logan, whose Indian name was Spemica-Lawba. the High Horn, sprang fi-om the Machachac tribe of the Shawanoes. and was liorn at the principal town of his tribe, on Mail River, Ohio, about the year 1778. He is alleged to have been the nephew of Tecumseh (his sister's son), but the statement is probably incoiTect. There are manifest reasons for the statement that there was no relationship existing between them.

The first account we have of him is from Oapt. Benjamin Lo gan, of Kentuckj', who had command of an expedition of mounted men fi-om that State against the Shawanoes on the north side of the Ohio, which destroyed the Machachac towns 'on Mad River, in September. 1786. After the capture and destruction of the vil lage. the men were greatly annoyed by an-ows shut by an invisible hand, not unfamiliar with the use of the bow and arrow. A critical investigation revealed a young Indian fully equipped for the work engaged in. That youth was the Capt. Logan of after years.

The otKcer in command being much ]>Ieased with the courage and address of the boy. adopted him into his family, to which he became a valuable addition. Subsequently, he was exchanged and permitted to rotm'n to his people, but he retained the name of Logan, and continued to be the trusted friend of the white people.

Because of his bravery and intellectual qualities, he was promoted to the position of a civil chief, and acquired considerable distinction as a counselor and as an executive officer.

In the war against England in 1812, he joined the American Army and acted as one of the guides to Gen. Hull in his e.xpedition against Detroit. Afterward, when it became necessai-y, as well as expedient, to remove the women and chikh'en in the vicinity of Fort Wayne to some place of safety in Ohio, John Johnston, the Indian Agent at Piqua, selected Logan as the most suitable person to be intrusted with so important an enterprise. He discharged that duty with the utmost delicacy and kindness, removing twenty-five women and children more than one himdi-ed miles, those imder his charge beai'ing testimony to his imiformly humane treatment, not sleeping, it is said, during the entire journey from Fort Wayne to Piqua.

Immediately after Hull's siUTender at Detroit, in August, 1812, dm-ing the progress of the memorable siege of Fort Wayne, the place was infested by some foiu- or five hundred Indians, the entire garrison consisting of less than one hnndi-ed persons, not more than sixty of whom were fit for duty, and the commanding officer totally ineificient. Relief was necessary, and none was more readily accessible than the body of Ohio troops' near Piqua. These had been directed toward Fort Wayne, but to establish communication with them and make their presence here quickly available was an undertaking at once hazardous and critical, requiring both com'age and tact in its successful execution, as the sequel will show.

On the 31st of August, it having been ascertained that the In dians, in large force, were on the route to Fort Wayne, and it was essential that the garrisons should be made acquainted with the situation, William Oliver (afterward Major) and Thomas Worthington, with Capt. Logan and a number of trusty Shawanoes, imdertook the difficult task of communicating with the gai-rison. On the following day, when within twenty-four miles of the fort, Oliver and Logan, with Capt -Johnny and Bright Horn, all well armed and mounted, made an effort to reach the fort. While at a distance of five miles from the place, the keen eye of Logan discovered signs of strategy on the part of the besiegers to cut oflf all communication with the fort. Leaving the main road at this point, they struck across the country to the Maumee. which they reached in safety at a point one mile and a half below the fort. Dismounting, they proceeded cautiously on foot, to ascertain whether om- troops were still in possession. Having satisfied themselves, they returned to their horses, remounted and rode back to the fort, just in time to prevent the successful execution of a maneuver of the Indians to obtain possession.

The great point to be next gained was to inform Worthington of the situation. Oliver was to remain in the fort, hence the perilous task was left to be executed by Logan and his two companions. They passed the Indian lines in safety and reached Worthington 's camp in due season, but, owing to some delays, the re-enforeements did nut reach the £ort until the 12th of September. The Indians, after a struggle of many days, tinally abandoned the siege and withdi'ew.

On the morning of the 22d of November, an imputation of unfaithfulness having been cast upon him by a subordinate officer, Logan, to refute an imputation as groundless as this, attended by Capt. Johnny and Bright Horn, started down the Maumee to recounoiter. Suddenly, about noon, they were surprised by some of the enemy, among whom was Winamac, a Pottawatomie chief, and Elliott, a half-breed holding a commission in the British Army. Being overpowered, they were taken prisoners by the latter, who started with them to the British camp at the foot of the rapids. A favorable opijortuuity presented itself; he and his companion attacked their captors and killed two, wounding a third. Subsequently, they succeeded in wounding two others. During the progi-ess of this movement, Logan received a shot through the body. Thus wounded fatally, Capt. Johnny mounted Logan upon one of the enemy's horses, and Bright Horn, also wounded, upon another, and started them for Winchester's camp, which they reached about midnight Capt. Johnny, in the meantime, having secured Winamac's scalp, started on foot, reaching the eamp early in the morning.

After two days of intense suffering, which had been borne with stoic indifference, having preserved his honor with the sacrifice of his life, he died, with the utmost composure and resignation, and was buried with the honors of war.

Gen. Winchester said of him: "More firmness aiad consummate bravery has seldom appeared on the military theater." His death cast a gloom over the entire army, and he who gave utterance to the ingenious implication upon the honor of the chief seemed deeply grieved at the consequences of his unprovoked assault, prompted, as it certainly was, from motives of jealousy.

Cpiaptee Xii

Gui;i..Nvii.i,i. - lli.> .Sri-.i.c u o.s iuk ()i i v.mon, etc. XN the campaign of Gen. Hai-mar, in the year 1790, Blue Jacket, -L an induential Shawanoe chief, was associated with the Miami chief. Little Turtle, in the command of the Indians. In the battle of August 20, 1794, when the combined army of the Indians was defeated by (}en. Wayne, Blue Jacket had the chief control. The night previous to the battle, while the Indians were posted at Presque Isle, a council was held, composed of chiefs from the Miamis, Puttawatomies, Delawares, Shawanoes, Chippewas, Ottawas and Senecas - the seven nations engaged in the action. They decided against the proposition to attack Gen. Wayne that night in his encampment. » * * The council of Blue Jacket, however, prevailed over the better judgment of Little Turtle. The battle was fought and the Indians defeated."

At the treaty of Greenville, which followed as an effect of their formidftblo engagement. Blue Jacket conducted himself with groat dignity and moderation. He was not among the first to act upon Gen. Wayne's proposition. He thus stated his reasons: " Brother, when I came hero last winter, I did not mean to deceive you. What I promised you, I did intend to perform. My wish to conclude a firm peace with you being sincere, my uneasiness has been great that my people have not come forward so soon as you could wish or might expect But you must not be discouraged by these unfavorable appearances. Some of our chiefs and warriors are here; more will arrive in a few days; you must not, however, expect to see a great number. Yet, notwithstanding, our nation will be well represented, our hearts are open and void of deceit." At the conclusion of the treaty, he again spoke, as follows: " Elder brother, and you, my brothers, present: You see now present myself, as a war chief, to lay down that commission, and place myself in the rear of my village chiefs, who for the future will command me. Kemember, brothers, you have all buried your war hatchet. Your brothers, the Shawanoes, now do the same good act. We must think of war no more." He kept his word.