Carroll County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 8 of those read), 1882

Fort on'iiii; .\1m mii -lii^i it i iiii: \'i.|.ii;y. the 28th of July, 171(4, the regular troops imder his com- ^-^ mand having been joined two days previously by Maj. Gen. Scott, with about sixteen hundi-ed mounted volunteers fi-om Kentucky, Gen. Wayne, with this imited force, commenced his inarch for the Indian towns on the Maumee River. At a point on .the St. Mary's River about twenty- foiu' miles to the northward of Port Recovery, he erected and gai-risoned another post, which he called Fort Adams. Moving hence, on the 4th of August, he arrived at the junction of the Maumee and Auglaize on the Sth. The capture of the post at this point is best described in the language of Gen. Wayne's re2)ort to the Seeretaiy of War, dated August 14, 1794. He says: " I have the honor to inform you that the army under my command took possession of this very important post on the morning of the 8th inst., the enemy on the preceding evening having abandoned all their settlements, towns and villages, with such apparent marks of siu-prise and precipitation as to amount to a positive proof that om- approach was not discovered by them until the an-ival of a Mr. Newman, of the Quartermaster General's Depai'tment, who deserted from the anny near the St. Mary's. ***** j ija,^ made such demonstrations for a length of time previously to taking up our line of march, as to induce the savages to expect our advance by the route of the Miami villages to the left, or toward Roche de Bout by the right - which feints ajjpear to have produced tie desired affect by drawing the attention of the enemy to those points, and gave an opening for the army to approach undiscovered, by a devious, i. e., in a central, direction. Thus, Sir, we have gained the grand emiiorium of the hostile Indians of the West, with out loss of blood. The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens show the work of many hands. The miu'gin of those beautiful rivers, the Miamis of the lake (or Maumee) and Auglaize, appear like one continued village for n number of miles, both above and below this place: nor have I ever before lieheld Biich immense fields of corn in any pai't of America, from Canada to Florida. Wo are now employed in completing a strong stockade fort, with four good block-houses, by way of bastions, at the confluence of Auglaize and the Maumee, which I have called Defi- ance. Eveiything is now prepared for a forward move to-morrow morning towai"d Koche de Bout, or Foot of the Rapids. Yet I have thoiight proper to offer the enemy a last overture of peace; and as they have everything that is dear and interesting now at stake, I have reason to expect that they will listen to the proposition mentioned in the inclosed copy of an address ' to the Delawares, Shawanoes, Miamis and Wyandots. and to each and every of them; and to all other n^.tions of Indians noi-thwest of the Ohio, whom it may concern,' dispatched yesterday by a special flag (Christopher Miller), who I sent under circumstances that will insure his safe return, and which may eventually spai-e the effusion of much human blood. But. should war be their choice, that blood be upon their own heads. America shall no longer be insulted with impunity. To an all-powerful and just God I therefore commit myself and gallant army."

The dispatch addressed as above and forwai-ded contains this passage: "Brothers - Be no longer deceived or led astray by the false promises and language of the bad white men at the Foot of the Rapids; they have neither the power nor inclination to protect you. No longer shut your eyes to yoiu- true interest and happiness, nor your eai's to the last overtiure of peace. But, in pity to yom- innocent women and children, come and prevent the further effusion of your blood. Let them experience the kindness and fi-iendship of the United States of America, and the invaluable blessings of peace and tranquillity." Inviting the Indians also to meet him without delay between the mouth of the Auglaize and the foot of the rapids of the Maumee. in order to settle the preliminaries of a lasting jjeace.

" The bearer of the letter left Fort Defiance at 4 o'clock. P. M., on the 13th of August. On the 16th, he brought an answer from some of the hostile Indians to Gen. Wayne, in which they said that, if he waited where he was ten days, and then sent Miller for them, the.y would treat with him. but that if he advanced, they would give him battle."

But Gen. Wayne was not thus induced to check his onward march, for, on the 15th. he moved his forces from Fort Defiance and directed them toward the British fort, at the foot of the Maumee Rapids. Five days later, he had gained a decisive victory over the Indians and their allies, almost under the guns of the British fort, on the left bank of the Maumee. The Indians had been as good as their word, but met with a reception not contemplated in their pomjwus reply to his proposition for peace. They had fought and been disastrously defeated.

The following, from Wayne's official report of his proceedings, addressed to (he Secretary of War, and bearing date at Fort Defiance August 28, 179-t, will give the reader an acciu-ate idea of his efforts at conquering a peace:

" Sib - It is with infinite pleasm-e that I now announce to you the brilliant success of the Federal army under my command, in a general action with the combined forces of the hostile Indians, and a considerable number of the volunteers and loilitia of Detroit, on the 20th inst.. on the banks of the Maumee. in the vicinity of the British post and garrison at the foot of the rapids. The army advanced from this placa (Fort Defiance) on the loth, and arrived at Roche de Bout on the ISth; the 19th was employed in making a temporary post (Fort Deposit) for the reception of omstores and baggage, and in reconnoitering the position of the enemy, who were encamped behind a thick brush of wood, and the British fort.

Legion on the right, its flank covered by the Maumee: one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, under Brig. Gen. Todd, and the other in the rear, under Brig. Gen. Barbee. A select battalion of mounted volunteers moved in front of the Legion, commanded by Maj. Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced so as to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for pej.ce or war.

"After advancing about five miles. Maj. Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy, who were secreted in the woods and high grass, as to compel them to reb'eat. The Legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in a close, thick ^ wood, which extended for miles on om- left, and for a very considerable distance in front, the grounds being covered with old fallen timber, probably occasioned by a tornado, which rendered it impracticable for the cavalry to act with effect, and afforded the enemy the most favorable covert for their modes of warfare. The j savage.s wei-e formed in thi-ee lines, within supporting distance j of each other, and extending for near two miles, at right angles I with the river. I soon discovered, from the weight of the fire and extent of their lines, that the enemy were in full force in front, in possession of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to tiu-n our left flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line ta advance and support the first, and directed Maj. Gen. Scott to gain and turn the right flank of the savages, with the whole of I the moimted volunteers, by a circuitous route; at the same time, - I ordered the front line to advance and charge with trailed arms, and rouse the Indians from their coveris at the point of the bayonet, and, when up, to deliver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, followed by a brisk charge, so as not to give them time to load again.

" I also ordered Capt. Mis Campbell, who commanded the legionary cavahy, to tvirn the left flank of the enemy next the river, and which afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in. ' All these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude: but such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that the Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were di'ove from all their coverts in so short a time, that, although every possible exertion was used by the officers of the second line of the Legion, and by Gens. Scott, Todd and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers, to gain their proper positions, but part of each could get up in season to participate in the action, the enemy being drove, in the course of one hoiu\ more than two miles through the thick woods already mentioned, by less than one-half their numbers. From every account, the enemy amounted to 2,000 combatants. The troops actually engaged against them were short of 900. This horde of savages, with their allies, abandoned themselves to flight, and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving om- victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which terminated imder the influence of the guns of the British gan'ison, as you will obseiwe by the inclosed con-espond ence between Maj. Campbell, the commandant, and myself, upon the occasion.

" The bravery and conduct of every officer belonging to the army, from the Generals down to the Ensigns, merit my highest approbation. There were, however, some whose rank and situation placed their conduct in a vei-y conspicuous point of view, and which I observed with pleasure and the most lively gi'atitude; among whom I must beg leave to mention Brig. Gen. Wilkinson and Col. Hamti-amck. the commandants of the right and left wings of the Legion, whose brave example inspired the troops.

To those I must add the names of my faithful and gallant Aidsde-camp, Capts. De Butt and T. Lewis, and Lieut. Harrison, who, with the Adjutant General, Maj. Mills, rendered the most essential service by communicating my orders in every direction, and by their conduct and bravery exciting the troops to press for victory. Linut. Covington, upon whom the command of the cavalry now devolved, cut down two savages with his own hand, and Lieut. Webb one, in turning the enemy's left flank. The wounds received by Capts. Slough and Prior, and Lieut. Campbell Smith, an extra Aid-de-camp to Gen. AVilkinson, of the legionary infantry, and Capt. Van Rensselaer, of Lhe dragoons, Capt. Rawlins, Lieut. McKenney and Ensign Duncan, of the mounted volunteers, liear honorable testimony of their bravery and conduct.

" Capts. H. Lewis and Brock, with their companies of light inf antr}', had to sustain an unequal fire for some time, which they supported with fortitude. In fact, every officer and soldier who had an opportunity to come into action displayed that true bravery which will always insiu'e succe.ss. And here permit me to declare that I never discovered more true spirit and anxiety for action than appeared to pervade the whole of the mounted volunteers, and I am well persuaded that, had the enemy maintained their favorite ground for one-half hour longer, they would have most severely felt the prowess of -that corps. But, while I pay this trilrate to the living, I miTst not neglect the gallant dead, among hwom we have to lament the early death of those worthy and brave officers. Capt. Mis Campbell, of the dragoons, and Lieut, Towles. of the light infantry of the Legion, who fell in the first charge. » * * * *.* * * «

" We remained three days and nights on the banks of the Maumee, in front of the field of battle, dm-ing which time all the houses and corn-fields were consumed and destroyed for a considerable distance, both above and below Fort Miami, as well as within pistol shot of the garrison, who were compelled to remain tacit spectators to this general destruction and conflagration, among which were the houses, stores and property of Col. McKee, the British Indian Agent, and principal stimvilator of the war now existing between the L^nited States and the savages.

"The armyretm'ned to this place (Fort Defiance) on th.' 27th, by sasy marches, laying waste the villages and corn-lields for fifty miles on each side of the Maumee. There remains yet a groat number of villages and a great quantity of corn to be consumed or destroyed, upon Auglaize and the Maumee above this place, which will he effected in the course of a few days. In the interim, we shall improve Fort Defiance, and, as soon as the escort returns with the necessary supplies from Greenville and Fort Recovery, the army will proceed to the Miami villages, in order to accomplish the object of the campaign. It is, however, not improbable that the enemy may make one desperate efibrt against the army, as it is said that a re-enforcement was hoiu-ly expected at Fort Miami fi-om Niagara, as well as numerous tribes of Indians living on the margin and islands of the lakes. This is a business rather to be wished for than dreaded, while the army remains in force. Their numbers will only tend to confuse the savages, and the victory will be the more complete and decisive, and which may eventually insure a permanent and happy peace."

The exact uumlier of Indians engaged in this action has of course never l)epn accm'ately ascertained, but, fi-om the best information at hand, there were about four- hundi-ed and fifty Delawares, one hundred and seventy-five Miamis, two hundred and seventy-five Shawanoes, two hundred and twenty-five Ottawas, two huhdi'ed and seventy-five Wyandots, and a small number of Senecas, Pottawatomies and Chippewas - in all, fi'om fifteen to eighteen hundred warriors, not including about one hundi'ed Canadians fi-om Detroit under command of Capt. Caldwell. The loss of the Indians can only be estimated by the number of dead left on the field, and upon that basis it would be safe to fix the number of killed at little less than eighty, and about two hundred wounded; for, when the battle was ended, and the Indians had withdrawn, forty of their dead remained on the field, in addition to the large number necessarily taken ofl" the field dm-ing the progress of the engagement, according to their universal usages, until their compulsory retirement, the wounded being more than double their death loss. According to the official report of Gen. Wayne in the War Department, his loss was twenty-six regulars and seven Kentucky volunteers killed, while of the wounded there were eighty-seven regulars and thirteen volunteers. Subsequently, nine regulars and two volunteers died from the effect of their wounds - at the date of the report, August 28, 179-t,

Gen. Wayne, with his army, remained at Fort Defiance, whither he had marched after the battle of the 20th, until the 14th of September, when, leaving that point, he moved up the Maumee in the direction of the English fort at the junction of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's. Prior to this departure from Fort Defiance, and after his engagement at the foot of the rapids, being in the vicinity of Fort Miami, then under the command of Maj. Campbell, of the Twenty-fourth Regiment, in the service pf the King of Great Britain - fi-om some technical objection growing out of the apparent disposition on the part of Gen. Wayne to hold his position in the vicinity of the British fort, the commandant challenged his right to remain there in hostile attitude. The result was a short but spicy correspondence between the two oflS cers, in which the Briton, while endeavoring to establish the right of his sovereign, to occupy that territory by right of anterior possession, admitted that his situation there was totally militaiy. However, Gen. Wayne, in the name of the President of the United States, desired and demanded that he " immediately desist from any fiu'ther act of hostility or aggi'ession by forbearing to fortify, and by withdrawing the troops, artillery and stores, imder your (his) orders and discretion, forthwith, and removing to the nearest post occupied by His Britannic Majesty's troops at the peace of 1783." This advice was subsequently taken by Maj. Campbell, and the fort Americanized.

Departing, for the moment, from a narrative of succeeding events, the reader's attention is directed to some incidents preceding, but intimately related to, the decisive engagement of the 20th of August, 1794, at the rapids of the Maumee.

Gen. Wayne, as has been already stated, had come to a halt about seven miles above the British fort (Miami), which stood on the northwestern bank of the Maumee, near where Maumee City now stands, on the 18th of August, and, on the following day, had erected a temporaiy garrison, designed especially for the reception of stores, baggage; also, for the additional pm-pose of better reconnoitering the enemy's ground, lying "behind a thick, bushy wood," adjacent to the British fort., calling it Fort Deposit,

In anticipation of the presence and piu'pose of Gen, Wayne, in case of their failiu'e to accept his proposals and have peace, the Miamis were wavering and imdecided as to the policy of attack- ing him (in consequence, no doubt, of the recent determination of Capt. Wells, the warm friend and son-in-law of Little Turtle), to leave their nation and return to his own people. The circiunstances surrounding this incident are of particular interest, and deserve to be recorded here.

Wells, at the age of twelve years, had been captiu'ed in Kentucky by the Miamis; had lived to manhood and raised a family among them, having married the daughter of Little Tm'tle, the great war chief of that nation. About the time of the advance of Wayne's army, his mind began to be impressed with reminiscences of his childhood and youth, renewing those early memories, and picturing the scenes of parental anxiety at the period of his separation fi-om the home fireside, the hours of anguish suftered by those who gave him life, the vacant chair at the old kitchen table, his relation to some of those very people against whom he, with his adopted people, was about to raise the war-cry and hui'l the deadly tomahawk. With those ever-present memories persistently claiming dominion, he finally resolved to sever his connection with the savage race, in their warlike enterprise, and henceforth give his allegiance to the white people. " In this state of mind, with much of the Indian characteristics, inviting the war chief of the Miamis, Little Tiu'tle, to accompany him to a point on the Maumee about two miles east of Fort Wayne, at what was long known as the 'Big Elm,' whither they at once repaired, Wells told the chief his purpose. ' I now leave youi- nation,' said he, ' for my own people. We have long been friends. AVe are friends yet, imtil the sun reaches a certain height (which was named). From that time, we are enemies. Then, if you wish to kill me, you may. If I want to kill you, I may.' When the time indicated had come, Capt. Wells crossed the river and was soon lost to the view of his old friend and chieftain. Little Turtle. Moving in an easterly course, with a view to striking the trail of Wayne's forces, he was successful in obtaining an interview with the General, and ever thereafter proved the fast fi-iend of the Americans. The resolute movement of Wells was a severe blow upon the Miamis. To Little Tm-tle's mind it seemed to have been an unmistakable foreboding of siu'e and speedy defeat to the confederated tribes of the Northwest. ****** At a general council of the confederated tribes, held on the IDth of August, Little Tm-tle was most earnest in his endeavors to persuade a peace with Gen. Wayne. Said he. ' We have beaten the enemy twice under different circumstances. We cannot expect the same good fortune to attend us always. The .Americans are now led by a chief that never sleeps. The nights and the days are alike to him, and, diu-ing all the time he has been marching on oiu' villages, notwithstanding the watchfiiluess of om' young men, we have never been able to siu-prise him. Think well of it. There is something whispers me it would be pnident to listen to his offers of peace.' But his words of wisdom were biit little regarded. One of the chiefs of the council even went so far as to charge him with cowardice, which he readily enough spui-ned, for there were none braver nor more ready to act, where victoiy was to be won or a defense required, than Little Tm'tle. and so. without fiu'ther parley, the council broke up 'and Little Tm-tle,. at the head of his braves, took his stand to meet and give battle to the advancing army."*

The sequel showed the wisdom and foresight of Little Tm-tle, and well had it been if the counsel of the sagacious chief had been heeded. But destiny willed otherwise, and the Miamis paid dearly for their temerity.

I ''HAT the junction of the St. Joseph's of the lakes with the -L St. Mary's, forming the Maumee, is a sti-ategic point of more than ordinaiy consequence, the experiences of the past two centm'ies sufiiciently demonstrates. The first knowledge of the locality obtained by Eiu'ojieans of which we have iufoi-mation embodies descriptions of its importance in a commercial as well as in a militai'y point of view. The statement is additionally established by the consequence attached to it by the aborigines themselves, ascertained through their traditions handed down from generation to generation in regular succession. But the object of this article is not so much to record the opinions entertained by its primitive inhabitants and their immediate followers as to show what the more modern conception of it has brought forth. The contemplated expedition of George Rogers Clark, in 1779; of La Balme, in 17S0; followed by those of Harmar and St. Clair in 1790 and 1791, foreshadow the operations of succeeding years, and determine the motives which induced Gen. Wayne to guard the point by the erection of substantial and permanent works for its defense by the military power of the Government. Accordingly, having defeated the combined Indian forces at the rapids of the Maumee, and almost under the guns of l,he British Fort Miami, an account of which has already been given, his army took up its line of march for the Miami villages at the junction of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, on the 14th of September, 1794. aiTiving at the destined point on the 17th, and on the 18th selected the site for a fortification afterward known by his name.

On the work commenced on the garrison, and, considering the state of the weather and the suiToundings, proceeded toward completion with proper rapidity, occupying the time until the 18th of October - just one month from the selection of the site.

On the 17th of October, the day preceding the completion and dedication of the work. Gen. Wayne forwarded to the War Dejiai'tment a dispatch containing a description and plan of the new fort. It was constructed of logs, and not very safe, but deemed to be sufficiently so for the time and purpose contemplated in its erection, commanding the Maumee for half a mile below the junction, and the mouth of the St. Joseph's and of the St. Mai-y's. The following extracts fi-om the daily jom-nal of the campaign, giving a better idea of the proceedings and casualties than can be elsewhere ascertained, are inserted here as a jiart of the accoimt;

Septemlier 25. Lieut. Blue, of the dragoons, was this day arrested by Ensign Johnson, of the Fourth S. L., but a number of friends interfering, the dispute was settled upon Lieut. Blue asking Johnson's pardon.

September 20. McClelland, one of oui came in tliis evening from Fort Dcfiiinee. the enemy are troublesome alioiit tin- li.-irrison. :ith! i1i;i some of our men under the w:ill> 'il ilir ImiI Sixi.-.n to-day near this place ; asmall \y.\y\\ wciii in [mi^uii ul heard what discoveries they have made.

September 30. Salt and whi.sky were ilraun hy il and a numlier of the soldiers became mini] iTil.iviia stolen a quantity of liquor from the Quail,)ni;i^ter.

OrKilHili l'lrnl\ anil quielne.ss the same as yesterday ; the volunici 1- rii^a^. il in «Mrk .m iln- garrison, for which they are to receive three gill- III wlii-kx jiri I , raih day; their employment is di.gging the f)ctober 8. The troops drew but half rations of flour this day. The cavalry and other horses die very fast, not less than four or five per day.

October 11, A Canadian (Rozelie) with a flag arrived this evening ; his business was to deliver up three prisoners in e.xchange for his brother, who was taken on the 20th of August ; he brings information that the Indians are in council with Girty and McKee, near the fort of Detroit, and all the tribes are for peace except the Shavvanoes, who are determined to prosecute the war.

October 21, This day were read the proceedings of a court martial, held on Lieut, Charles Hyde (yesterday) was found not guilty of the charges exhibited against him, and that he was therefore acquitted.

On the morning of the following day, October 22, 179-1-, the new fort having bean fiillyicompleted and ready for occupancy, passed the ordeal of a formal dedication to the God of War, with the usual ceremonies. Gen, Wayne then invested Lieut, Col. John F, Hamtramck with the command of the post, who, upon assuming the position, placed the following officers in command of sub-legion: Capt, Kingsbiu'y, fii'st: Capt. Greaton, second; Capts. Sparks and Reed, third; Capt. Preston, fourth; with Capt. Porter of the artillery.

The garrison being thiis completely officered, a final salute of fifteen rounds of artillery was fired, and the stars and stripes were flung to the breeze, thereafter to float over the ramparts, indicative of the invincible character of the works, as manifested in the appropriate and significant name of Fort Wayne,

The fort having been completed and officered, with a garrison ec^ual to the demands for defense, Gen. Wayne left the post on the 2Sth of October, and took up his line of march for Fort Greenville, reaching that point on the 2d day of November, with the main body of his regular troops. Dtu'ing the succeeding two years, Col. Hamtramck continued in command of the new fort, watching the movements of the Indians, who were still numerous in the vicinity, reporting from time to time To his superior officers the condition of the garrison, as well as the disiiosition manifested by the leading spirits amn,,^; the Tndiims. wlietlicr for peace or