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Much has been written of the ill-fated expedition of
Arthur St. Clair against the Indians in 1791. While serving as Governor of the
Northwest Territory he was appointed Major General in the United States army on
March 4 of that year. An expedition against the Indians was assembled and
organized at Fort Washington. Considerable difficulty was experienced in
fit-ting out this expedition. On September 18 the troops had advanced and
commenced the building of Fort Hamilton, on the present site of the city of
Hamilton, named in honor of Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary of the Treasury.
Here General Richard Butler, second in command, and
Captain Ebenezer Denny, aide-de-camp to General St. Clair, joined the army. The
entire force numbered 2,300 non-commissioned officers and privates fit for duty.
A detachment was left as a garrison at Fort Hamilton and the main army proceeded
on its north-ward march.
On October 14 the site of a new fort was selected
forty-four miles from Fort Hamilton. This was called Fort Jefferson. The site
was in the present county of Darke, six miles south of Greenville. It is now
marked by a monument. After completing this fort the army continued its march
northward.
General St. Clair was in poor health, suffering from
the gout and unable to walk. He realized that his ability to keep the army
together depended upon keeping
The expedition, considerably reduced in numbers,
proceeded to a point twenty-nine miles from Fort Jef ferson, ninety-seven miles
from Fort Washington and fifteen miles south of the Miami villages, where it
encamped November 3 on the banks of a tributary to the Wabash River. It was here
on the morning of November 4 before sunrise that the Indians commenced their
attack.
There are a number of accounts of what followed by
participants in this battle that was so disastrous to the expedition. Among
those that have been frequently published are the account of Benjamin Van Cleve
and Major Ebenezer Denny. The following diary of Colonel Winthrop Sargent,
Adjutant General of the army, who was with the expedition from the time it left
Fort Washington until its shattered ranks returned, is here presented for the
first time to the readers of the QUARTERLY DIARY
In this diary (principally intended as a record of
meteorological observations) brief memorandums of public transactions in which
the author has borne a part or been officially interested are frequently made,
and on the 16th of June, being appointed adjutant general of the army operating
against the Western Indians, the movements and casualties of the troops with all
immediately connected circumstances, were minutely detailed in their order to
the close of the campaign, and afforded proper documents for a narrative
thereof. The unfortunate defeat
upon the 4th of November, by involving the loss of all his papers,
excepting some loose notes, has put it out of his power to take up even the
march of the army with any degree of regularity at an earlier period than the
7th of October.
From memorandums of some of the officers, and a
reference to the Acts of Congress, the following succinct prefatory statement is
made, to perpetuate a right understanding of the commencement, progress and
failure of the expedition under Major-General St. Clair, and as a necessary
introduction to the writer's minute account of the action upon the 4th
of November, 1791.
In addition to the First United States Regiment,
which, by an act of Congress of April 30, 1790,
it
was provided should consist of twelve hundred and sixteen non-commissioned
officers and privates, a second, to consist of nine hundred and twelve, was
granted by a law passed the 3d of March, 1791; authorizing at the same time the
President to cause to be enlisted at his discretion any number of men not
exceeding two thousand, under the denomination of levies, for the term of six
months; and in case there should be a failure in obtaining the due complement
for the First or Second Regiment, to make up the same either of levies or
militia,--thus providing for an army of four thousand one hundred and
twenty-eight non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians.
That a part of this force was destined for the
Southern States there can be no doubt. Small garrisons were necessary for
Venango, Fort Harmar, Forts Washington, Knox and Steuben; and the posts
necessary to preserve a communication upon our march from Fort Washington, it
must have been intended should have been garrisoned from this army also. With
the residue the General was to have marched to the site of the Miami towns and
there established himself. There was no alternative--his orders were positive.
It was not until the 3d of March, as has been
observed, that the bill authorizing the raising a second regiment, levies, etc.,
passed into a law, and so unsuccessful was the recruiting service, and so many
obstacles in the way of marching the men to the frontier, that upon the last of
May (the time of my arrival at headquarters, Fort Washington) the whole
effective strength was little more than one company and the garrisons at the
posts before mentioned were small indeed.
By memorandums of Mr. Inspector Mentzees, it appears
that upon June 13th, Captain Armstrong's company of the First Regiment, and
Captain Kirkwood's of the Second, arrived at headquarters.
Upon the 14th, Captain M----'s company, of the First
Regiment.
Upon the 22d, Major Fike's battalion of levies from the
territory southeast of the Ohio, not exceeding two companies.
Upon the 27th, Major Gaither, with parts of his own
Maryland battalion and Patterson's, of Jersey.
Upon the 1st of August, General Wilkinson marched from
headquarters to the Indian towns with some Kentucky mounted volunteers. General
Scott did the same thing before him, and the principal effects of both these
expeditions were an enormous public expense.
August the 14th, such of the First and Second United
States Regiments as had arrived, with Rhea's, Gaither's and Patterson's levies,
encamped at Ludlow's Station, upon Mill creek, five miles advance of Cincinnati.
This movement, it was expected, by abstracting the men from the debaucheries of
the town, would preserve them in better health and condition for service and
acquaint them in some degree with camp duties, of which officers as well as men
were generally very ignorant. Another advantage in advancing this little army
was the opening a road towards the Miami and reconnoitering the proper position
whereon to erect a fort of deposit.
Upon the 29th, Lieutenant-Colonel Darke arrived with
Bed-
dinger's battalion of Virginia levies, some detachments
for the
Maryland and Jersey levies, together with Beattie's and
Doyle's
companies of the First United States Regiment.
September 5th, Beddinger's battalion marched for
Ludlow's
Station. Up to this time, the immediate command in camp
was
with Major Hamtranck, General St. Clair being either
stationary
at Fort Washington, or in Kentucky, upon the necessary
ar-
rangements for the campaign and to make up, if
possible, the
very great deficiencies of the regular and levy corps
by volunteers
or draughts from the militia. At this period, or on the
4th, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Darke assumed the command in camp.
Upon the 6th, Captain Bradford moved from Fort Wash-
ington with two pieces of field artillery, etc., and
upon the same
day the troops marched from Ludlow's Station for the
Miami;
the distance, about eighteen miles; a road to be cut
the whole
way through considerable woods, and three days elapsed
before
their arrival. About the loth the work, now called Fort
Hamil-
ton, was commenced; but the troops were very
indifferently sup-
plied with tools.
Upon the 8th, Lieutenant-Colonel Gibson arrived with
But-
ler's and Clark's battalions of Pennsylvania levies.
With these
troops, as well as with Major Gaither, came a
considerable num-
ber of pack horses and some intended for the dragoons.
Hard-
Winthrop Sargent
241
ships and inattention, during a long and tedious
water-passage,
had unfitted them for the arduous service to which they
were
devoted.
Upon the 10th, General Butler and the quartermaster
general
arrived, with Major Hart, three companies of the Second
United
States Regiment, and a company of riflemen, commanded
by
Captain Faulkner.
Upon the 11th, two other companies of the Second United
States Regiment, together with a detachment of
artillery and five
field pieces were put in motion to join the camp.
Upon the 18th, I accompanied General St. Clair to camp,
and remained stationary with the army during the
residue of the
campaign. His frequent absences from the territory, to
this
period, by vesting the executive duties of the civil
government in
me, had made it necessary that my military services
should in
some degree be dispensed with.
From the 20th to the 27th, General St. Clair at Fort
Wash-
ington, and the command of the army with Major
Hamtranck.
Large fatigue parties constantly at the works upon the
Miami.
About the last of September Captain Ford joined the
army with
five pieces of artillery.
From the 1st to the 9th of October, General St. Clair
absent
from the army, and the command with General Butler.
Previous
to the General's leaving camp, he was pleased to
publish the order
of march, battle and encampment.
Upon the morning of the 4th of October we beat the Gen-
eral. Some deficiencies of pack horses postponed the
march till
twelve o'clock, when the army was put in motion by two
columns
from their encampment at the prairie near Fort
Hamilton, crossed
the Miami (the fording of which at this time was not
deep) and
advanced three miles, opening two roads, about two
hundred and
fifty yards apart, as they marched; the pack horses and
bullocks
moving in the center interval of wood, and the
artillery in the
front, centre and rear of the columns.
Upon the 5th, General Butler so far changed the
disposition
prescribed by the commanding general as to advance the
artillery
by a single broadcut road of twelve feet. Five pieces
in front,
and dressing with the heads of columns marching by
single files
about one hundred yards on right and left; the
ammunition and
baggage horses following immediately this artillery,
and the five
additional pieces bring up the rear, covered by the
rear guard
et cetera; the bullocks between the road and the
columns. The
woods were everywhere so compact as made the opening of
a
road extremely tedious. Bridges were frequently to be
thrown
over streams and ravines, and the infantry, though
marching by
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Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
single files, were necessitated to cut their way at
every step. Our
progress was consequently slow, and we made only a
distance of
---- miles.
Upon the 6th, we advanced in the same order and gained
---- miles.
The march of the 7th and succeeding days to the defeat
and
return of the army to Fort Washington, with a
description of
the country we passed over and a particular account of
the action
upon the 4th of November, 1791, is entered
in this diary.
Upon the 10th of October Colonel Oldham joined the army
with upwards of three hundred Kentucky militia. Upon
paper,
we now stood respectable in numbers; the accompanying
report
of the morning immediately preceding our defeat will
show the
effectives. The absence of the First Regiment and
desertions
from the militia has very much reduced us; with the
residue
there was too generally wanting the essential stamina
of soldiers.
Picked up and recruited from the offscourings of large
towns
and cities; enervated by idleness, debaucheries and
every species
of vice, it was impossible they could have been made
competent
to the arduous duties of Indian warfare. An
extraordinary
aversion to service was also conspicuous amongst them
and dem-
onstrated by the most repeated desertions, in many
instances to
the very foe we were to combat. The late period at
which they
had been brought into the field left no leisure or
opportunity to
attempt to discipline them. They were, moreover, badly
clothed,
badly paid and badly fed.
Their ammunition, powder particularly, was, with
sufficient
reason, I apprehend, supposed to be of very inferior
quality,
although some experiments since the campaign have
tended to
confirm another opinion. That our magazines, however,
con-
tained some very bad powder, sent out for the use of
the army,
and that this powder, in a number of instances, was
served out,
I am full well convinced. Captain Faulkner and Major
Clarke
have both made complaints to me upon this subject, and
Major
Ferguson has very frequently represented to me that the
military
stores and arms were sent on in most infamous order.
The various arrangements in the different departments
rest-
ing with the commanding general almost altogether, he
was worn
down by the fatigues before the commencement of the
campaign.
Early in May he arrived at Fort Washington, and before
the
army took the field was compelled to make three
journeys into
Kentucky. It was not until the 10th of September, as
had been
observed, that the quartermaster general joined the
army; all his
arduous duties were therefore with the General to that
date.
Great delinquencies continued with the contractor, even
to the
Winthrop Sargent
243
defeat of the army, and were beyond a doubt one amongst
the
many primary causes of that misfortune. To correct,
remedy or
avert, was the province of the General, and helped to
accumulate
his difficulties.
Friday, the 7th of October, 1791. -- Fair
weather and strong
southwest wind all day. Moved at ten o'clock this
morning and
marched four and a half miles; thirty-seven and a half
from
Fort Washington by a direct course, but the necessity
of devia-
tion, to avoid fallen timber and for the advantage of
ascending
and descending hills, sometimes considerably lengthens
the way.
The country we have passed over this day has been
rougher
than in any of the preceding marches, but good
wheat-land with
much and various sized timber; many springs and small
runs of
water; lime and some sandstone.
Saturday, the 8th of October.--Fair and pleasant
weather,
with moderate southwest wind.
The army moved at ten o'clock, and made a march of six
and three-fourths miles; distance from Fort Washington,
forty-
four and one-fourth miles. The county level or small
irregulari-
ties only, and upland of good soil and well watered by
small runs.
A stream of twenty feet meanders in the line of march,
which,
of course, was several times crossed by troops and upon
the
banks of which is very rich land. The flank guards
fired un-
successfully upon an Indian this day; the first we have
seen upon
our march.
Sunday, the 9th of October. -- Fair and
pleasant weather,
with moderate southwest wind. The army moved at ten
o'clock,
distance four miles, over gently swelling lands with
several small
streams; good soil, and but little underbrush; timbered
with large
oak, hickory, ash, walnut, sugartree and a considerable
propor-
tion of beech, which seems indeed to abound in lands of
every
description in this country.
Monday, October 10th. -- Fair weather and moderate
south-
west wind. Moved at eight o'clock this morning; our
march
eight miles, and fifty-six miles from Fort Washington.
The
country level, of good soil and open woods, composed of
great
variety of timber, with many small runs of water and
two streams
of fifteen feet, with some large sand stone. We passed
an old
Indian camp yesterday and several today, and have
observed
some fresh tracks. Lieutenant-Colonel Oldham, from
Kentucky,
with nearly three hundred militia, joined the army.
Tuesday, the 11th of October.--Fair weather and light
southwest wind. In motion this morning at eight
o'clock; dis-
tance, six and a quarter miles, and sixty-two and a
quarter from
Fort Washington. The country rich, level and well
watered,
though not so plentifully as in the preceding marches;
the woods
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Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
open and timber good. This day, at one o'clock, we were
halted
by a swamp or sunken "prairie" in our front,
which appears ex-
tensive to right and left. One mile in rear of this is
a stream
of six feet, gliding gently to the westward.
Wednesday, October 12th.--Fair weather and light north
wind. Last evening and this morning the country was
recon-
noitered to the right and left, down the swamp. Upon
the left
and west it was crossed by a single horseman and some
foot,
though with considerable difficulty, the horse sinking
to his belly
and the distance being between two and three hundred
yards.
A mile or two more westerly this party came into a
large, well-
beaten path, running north and south. Upon the right an
old
Indian path was discovered, through which the army
marched,
being put in motion at twelve o'clock. Our distance,
five miles,
and sixty-seven and a half from Fort Washington. The
given
course till this day has been north seventeen degrees
west, but in
the last five miles we have moved thirty degrees east
of north,
in order to clear the defile mentioned. The country has
been of
open woods and young timber, with several small runs
from the
swamp, upon which the soil is rich, but generally, our
way being
upon a gentle ridge, the quality of the land is
inferior to any we
have passed over. We have discovered many Indian tracks
this
day, with old and new camps of warriors and hunters,
and had
almost surprised some of them. Our parties were near
enough
to shoot down a single Indian and seize upon his gun,
although
he was carried off or concealed near his camp, in which
a con-
siderable quantity of fresh peltry was found, and some
blankets,
and near it four or five horses were taken. Our
encampment
this evening is in a pretty bottom of good land, with a
gentle
stream of ten feet passing through it, and, from
appearances,
almost at the head of the swamp.
Thursday, October 13th.--Light northerly
wind and fair
weather all day. Ice made in shallow vessels
one-twentieth of
an inch thick last night. The army has advanced one
mile this
day, and are sixty-eight and a half miles from Fort
Washington.
Encamped in two lines facing to the front and rear, the
militia
in the rear of the whole and the horse upon the flanks,
covered
by Faulkner's company of riflemen. The artillery
disposed in
the first and second line, in the intervals between the
battalion,
the whole occupying (from some unevenness in the
ground) a
length of more than one thousand yards. In the distance
from
our last encampment, we have passed a ridge of
indifferent soil.
On this ground we are to halt for some days, to erect a
small
fort of deposit.
Friday, the 14th of October.--Heavy rain for
two hours
before daylight; cloudy until ten o'clock, with
moderate west
Winthrop Sargent
245
wind; the residue fair and wind strong. Notwithstanding
that
the orders of the General are very pointed against
firing, and a
penalty of one hundred lashes is directed to be
inflicted for the
crime, the militia and the levies are every day guilty
of it, and
more particularly at the present encampment. Game, it
is true,
is very plenty and presents a strong temptation, but
the conse-
quences are extremely injurious to the service, and
tend, amongst
other improprieties, to destroy all order in the army.
Two hun-
dred men, properly officered, have been this day on
duty in clear-
ing the face of the ground for a fort, and laying the
foundation.
It is a square work, with one-hundred-and-fourteen-feet
sides,
with four small bastians; to be built of rough logs,
laid horizon-
tally, and the barracks and store rooms to compose the
curtains.
The situation is a pretty, rising ground, terminating
in gentle
and low descents to east and west, to a prairie. A
continuation
of swelling grounds to the north for a considerable
distance, and
a small prairie near, on the south, with a stream eight
feet in
that direction and a good spring at less than thirty
yards distance.
The provision of tools for this work, Fort Hamilton on
the
Miami, and the great services for which they must be
wanted,
has been scanty in the extreme. Eighty axes only can be
fur-
nished by the quartermaster, and of these, thirteen are
borrowed
from the troops, who are but ill supplied for this
season of the
year. Besides the axes, are one saw and one frow. Of
spades
and mattocks we have sufficient.
Saturday, October the 15th.--Rain the latter part of
last
night and all this day, with moderate northeast wind.
The
fatigue party of two hundred men at work upon the fort,
and
to be continued till the business is completed. A
detachment,
ordered out to surprise an Indian camp discovered by
one of
the militia yesterday five miles distant, returned
without being
able to find it. Information received from Fort
Washington this
day of the arrival of twenty Chickasaw Indians there,
upon their
way to Congress.
Sunday, October the 16th.--Rain all last night and
until
eleven o'clock this day, with northeast wind; residue
fair and
mild, with moderate wind from the southwest.
Monday, October the 17th.--Rain the latter part of last
night and this afternoon, with cloudy weather and
moderate
northwest wind all day. The army was served with all
the flour
in the magazines this day, amounting to one day's
rations only;
and of liquor there is but sufficient for tomorrow's
issue. With
the best disciplined troops, the General would at this
season have
much to apprehend. The roads are becoming very bad, and
forage almost exhausted. The resources of the
contractor are so
limited that we can not look forward to any
considerable supply
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Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society
Publications
of rations. The militia discontented, and under no
subordina-
tion and the time of service for the levies very near
expiring
Melancholy considerations, these, to the whole army;
but dis-
tressing beyond measure must they be to the commanding
gen-
eral, whose reputation is to be hazarded upon events
extremely
precarious. Two soldiers of the artillery and one of
the First
United States Regiment were apprehended this afternoon,
at-
tempting to desert to the enemy.
Tuesday, October the 18th.--Rain almost all last night,
with some hail; the morning cloudy, and faint sun at
noon, with
moderate northwest wind all day. A militia-man was shot
through the thigh yesterday by an Indian, five miles
from our
camp, but was protected by a companion who advanced to
his
assistance, and after lying concealed all night in the
bushes, he
was this day brought in. Several Indians have been
discovered
in our vicinity, and five or six men are missing but
whether by
desertion, or to the enemy, is uncertain. About six
thousand
weight of flour was brought to camp this evening,
which, with
two hundred and forty bullocks of three hundred weight
each,
is our whole stock of provisions; and the daily issues,
including
for women and retainers, amounts to nearly twenty-seven
hun-
dred rations per diem.
Wednesday, October the 19th.--Moderate northerly wind
and cloudy weather all day, except two hours of sun at
noon
Provisions have become so scarce, and the means of
transporta-
tion to our camp so uncertain, that the General has
directed
nearly three hundred baggage-horses in addition to
fifty of the
contractor's, to Fort Hamilton, to bring on flour, and
ordered
that the officers and others entitled to extra rations
shall be lim-
ited to a single one, and the troops are put to half
allowance of
bread.
Thursday, October 20th.--The morning pleasant, with
sun-
shine; strong northeast wind and cloudy during the day;
moder-
ate and northwest wind in the evening, clouds
dispersing and
appearance of fine weather. No appearance of Indians
for a
day or two last past near our camp and some of the
soldiers who
were supposed to have been taken by them are come in,
after
having been lost in the woods. Discontentment and
murmuring
prevails in the militia camp at being put to
half-allowance of
flour, notwithstanding they are served with beef for
the defici-
ency, and they talk loudly of returning home. Upon an
order
for an escort to some provisions from Fort Hamilton
this day,
the commanding officer assured the General that his men
could
not be depended on, for they would indisputably all
desert, and
Captain Faulkner's company of riflemen was put upon
this
duty, although their services are essential in camp.
The militia
Winthrop Sargent
247
has never been enrolled in the general roster for duty,
because
it has been deemed inexpedient, and, indeed, they have
rendered
no service whatever; but produce, by their example and
general
conduct, much disorder and irregularity amongst the
soldiery.
Friday, October the 21st.--Fair weather and moderate
northerly wind till noon; residue cloudy, with a small
flight of
snow and strong wind. The troops have this morning been
served
with one quarter of a ration of flour for the morrow
and the
whole stock is now expended. Dependence upon the
contractor,
even while the army halts, has become precarious
indeed, and
the General has ordered the quartermaster to Fort
Washington
for the purpose of ascertaining precisely the ultimate
resources.
In case the contractor should find himself inadequate
to our
supplies, Mr. Hodgedon is directed to make every
exertion, either
jointly with him, or independently, to effect the
desired purpose.
Ice made last night in small vessels around our tent
half an
inch in thickness. By a single observation of Major
Ferguson
the latitude of the fort erecting here is found to be
forty degrees,
four minutes and twenty-two seconds.
Fair weather and moderate northwest wind all this
Saturday,
the 22d of October, and sixteen thousand pounds of
flour has
been brought to camp in the course of the day under an
escort
of sixty militia, which augments the corps to upwards
of three
hundred and forty only, as a dozen men deserted from
them
last night. The fatigue for the fort has been reduced
to sixty
men this day, and one captain, one subaltern, the sick
and those
unable to march are ordered to remain as a garrison to
the work.
The army to hold itself in readiness to march at the
shortest
notice.
Sunday, October the 23d.--Fair weather and light north-
west wind. The fort, which, in compliment to the
secretary of
state, has been called Jefferson, being almost
completed, Captain
Shalor, with nearly ninety men (invalids), took
possession of it
this morning. Two pieces of artillery are to be left
for the de-
fence of the place, and the army, being now without
horses, is
under the necessity of depositing all its baggage; the
military
and ordnance stores must also for the present remain
here; and
tents, with entrenching tools, only carried forward.
These will
be transported in four-ox teams, which, upon all
occasions, we
have found very useful; indeed, they seem better, for a
thousand
obvious reasons, than packhorses to attend the
movements of a
large army. A few horses, indeed, for pushing forward
light
pieces of artillery, may be necessary, but the great
burden of
transportation I am more than ever persuaded, from
attentive
observation, should rest upon oxen. The General has
been under
the necessity of executing three soldiers today; one of
them for
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Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
shooting a brother soldier and threatening the life of
an officer,
and two for desertion. These last mentioned seem rather
unfor-
tunate than extremely criminal, though it appears that
their in-
tention was to have robbed their officers and have gone
to the
enemy, by the information of a third person, whose
general
character has been extremely infamous, and who is
believed by
the immediate officers of the condemned to have been
the author
of the plan. Yet he made oath to a court martial that
he was
seduced by them into it, and escaped with his life,
being sen-
tenced to receive one hundred lashes at five different
times. The
General's humanity is well known, but desertions have
become
so prevalent as to be very alarming, and examples (in
terrorem)
are necessary. It seems indeed to be the opinion of
some officers
of experience that pardon to deserters under any
circumstances
encourages very much the crime and is a mistaken
clemency,
producing, in a course of service, more capital
punishment than
would probably be necessary if the troops were once
assured
that death must be the inevitable consequence of
abandoning their
colours.
Monday, October the 24th.--Calm and cloudy, with mild
weather; some small rain towards the evening. The army
moved
this morning at nine o'clock, marching by the Indian
path nearly
a north course over rich, level grounds of fine young
white oak,
walnut, hickory and ash timber, with some sandstone,
and en-
camped (after a march of five and a half miles, and
seventy-
four from Fort Washington) upon high ground with open
woods
at the bank of a handsome stream of forty feet running
east,
and which, it is supposed, discharges itself into the
Great Miami
below Tawintwa. We have passed no water in this day's
march,
though there is no doubt but we might have found it in
a short
distance either to the right or left. Many new and old
camps
have been observed near our route and they are very
plenty about
this encampment. The ashes at some of them were warm
upon our
arrival, and we are probably now upon the last
hunting-grounds
of the Indians. The army is disposed of in two lines,
with the
artillery and cavalry upon the right and left, and the
militia in
the rear and towards the left flank of the army, about
half a
mile distant, near a considerable wet prairie.
Tuesday, October the 25th.--Rain almost all the last
night
and small showers until four P. M. with light and
variable wind;
the residue fair, and moderate wind from the northwest.
A de-
tachment of fifty men from the militia with the deputy
surveyor
have marched this morning to explore the country for
twenty
miles to the northwest, and a party of twenty as an
escort for
two days to return some horses, on their way to Fort
Hamilton.
The army halts from the impossibility of being supplied
with
Winthrop Sargent
249
beef or flour for any forward movement at present. By
de-
spatches received this day it appears that no magazines
are
established at Fort Hamilton, and that our horses sent
back
must proceed of course to Cincinnati, and even there
supplies
are precarious. So that any further operations have
become
doubtful. Small delays alone will render it
impracticable for
the General to advance, as the time of service for some
of the
levies is nearly up, and their example of going off, if
followed
by the militia, will render our force contemptible
indeed.
Wednesday, October the 26th.--Damp, cloudy day and
light northwest wind. The militia were moved across the
creek
this day up a pretty defensible piece of ground, half a
mile in
advance. The country to the northwest for nineteen
miles has
been found by the deputy surveyor to be principally
upland,
timbered with young white oak and hickory. A large
beaten
path, running north and south, was crossed by him about
ten
miles from camp and his party had nearly surprised a
camp of
five Indians in that distance, the rear of whom were
fired upon
but escaped into a small swamp and made off, leaving
their
blankets and some peltry behind them. Parties of
observation
have been twelve miles upon an east course, and found
the stream
upon which we are encamped fully eighty feet wide; in
about
three miles it makes a sudden turn to the northwest,
but in a
short distance flows in an opposite direction. One of
the militia
is supposed to have fallen into the hands of the
savages the last
evening, as he was observed by two of his companions
who were
out hunting to be pursued by them.
Thursday, October the 27th.--Cloudy, and light north
wind,
with damp weather all day. The twenty Chickasaw Indians
men-
tioned to have been at Fort Washington arrived in camp
this day.
Piamingo, who is now their king, with Colbert and some
other
character of distinction, are among the number. These
people
have the most inveterate animosity to all the Indian
tribes north-
west of the Ohio, but most particularly to the
Kickapoos, and
have been at war with the whole of them from time
immemorial.
We have with us also one of the Cubashe Indians, who
was upon
a visit to his friends in captivity with us, and who
offered his
services to the General. I have been expecting that
this poor fel-
low, who is indisposed, would be under some dreadful
appre-
sensions from these guests, as every species of cruelty
is mutu-
ally practiced by their nations, but he has demeaned
himself like
a man upon the occasion, and they have politely
condescended to
take him by the hand, as our friend. This is the day of
issuing
provisions to the troops and the contractor has it not
in his
power to serve them with more than a single ration of
flour,
but we expect such a supply on the morrow as will
enable us to
250
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
move forward for a few marches. Beyond that, our
prospects are
gloomy; no magazines established, and even an
uncertainty of a
supply at Fort Washington, with the difficulties of
transporta-
tion every day increasing by the season and to become
still
greater, as we add to our distance, may make events
fatal to
the whole army. But the General is compelled to move
on, as
the only chance of continuing our little army. Thirteen
men of
the Viriginia troops have insisted upon their
discharges this
day; almost the whole battalion will speedily follow
their ex-
ample, and in a short time the period of enlistments
with the
other battalions will begin to expire. So that the only
prospect
of effecting the purpose of the campaign is by
immediately
marching the army so far into the enemy's country that
they
may be afraid to return in such detachments as shall
from time
to time be entitled to claim their discharges.
Friday, October the 28th.--The morning and until twelve
o'clock cloudy; residue fair with light northwest wind
all day.
We had a soldier killed and scalped this morning three
miles
from camp. He was hunting with another man, who
received
a shot in his body, but had strength enough to run half
a mile
and conceal himself in the bushes till night, when he
joined the
army, and, most probably, will die of his wound. About
ten
thousand weight of flour was brought to camp this
evening.
Saturday, October the 29th.--Fair weather and pleasant,
with light northwest wind. The Chickasaw Indians, with
an
officer and five privates, are gone out for a short war
excursion.
There appears some little discontent in the party, but
resting
principally with Piamingo and Colbert, the former of
whom came
out from his nation expressly to go to Congress, and
Colbert for
hostility, and therefore, although Piamingo has altered
his in-
tention, yet the other insists he can not yield to him
in the field.
The division of them might put it out of their power to
meet
any war parties of Indians upon equal terms, and from
this con-
sideration the chief voluntarily follows Colbert as his
leader.
This man had latterly had one brother killed, and
another
wounded, by the Western Indians.
Sunday, October the 30th.--Strong south wind all last
night and this day, with warm weather. A fatigue party
with
one hundred and thirty non-commissioned officers and
privates
were detached yesterday morning to open a road forward,
under
cover of two hundred militia. They were to work until
three
o'clock this day, and then return to the army. This has
been
the usual strength of our fatigues for this purpose,
but they have
heretofore been covered by the piquets, and never
preceded the
army more than three or four hours. The army was put in
motion this morning at nine o'clock, ,and have marched
seven
Winthrop Sargent
251
miles over a level country, with oak, hickory, maple,
buckeye
and some beech, and have encamped upon a small run of
poor
water, near the commencement of a very brushy piece of
land,
eighty-one miles from Fort Washington. One spring and
two
or three runs of water, issuing from low land or
stagnant
marshes, and of bad quality, have laid in our route.
Monday, October the 31st.--A strong gale the last night
from the west northwest, and brisk wind from the same
quarter,
with fair weather, all day. The impossibility of
getting forward
with all the baggage of the army, and the expectation
of flour,
has determined the General to halt this day. Some
military stores
that were brought on to the last encampment from Fort
Jeffer-
son, together with baggage which the officers took the
liberty of
bringing up, delayed our last movement very much, and
so over-
loaded the wagons and the few packhorses of the troops
that in
many instances it was found necessary to discharge them
in part
upon the road, whereby some corps were deprived of
their tents.
Sixty of the militia have deserted in a body this day,
and it has
become probable that a considerable part (and perhaps
the whole)
of the residue may speedily follow. They murmur at the
allow-
ance of provisions, and complain that they are not
sufficiently
clothed for the service at this season. The First
United States
Regiment is detached upon this occasion; they are to
move back
beyond Fort Jefferson, and prevent our provisions which
may
be upon the way from being rifled by these deserters,
and to
apprehend them, if it be practicable. This movement may
have
a further good effect upon the militia that are in
camp, and be
the means of keeping them to their duty; but however
necessary
it may be, I have to regret that we are hereby deprived
for a
time of a corps of three hundred effective men
(effective from
the experience of the officers, and the opportunities
they have
had for discipline) which must be estimated as the best
in the
service. Captain Powers, of the levies, has been
ordered in ad-
vance today with fifty men, to reconnoitre the country.
Tuesday, November the 1st.--Cloudy and moderate
weather, with light southerly winds all day. Thirty-two
thousand
weight of flour arrived in camp the last evening, under
escort of
Faulkner's company of riflemen. The army is ordered to
halt
this day to give the General time, I imagine, to make
up despatches
for the war office, as no other cause is obvious. It is
very true
that we have not the means of transporting all the
tents, and en-
trenching tools without dismounting some of the
cavalry, but the
same objections will remain for the morrow. Forty
return horses
left the camp this afternoon for Fort Hamilton, under
the escort
of a subaltern and fourteen men of the Second United
States
252
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
Regiment, who are to give them protection to within one
day's
march of the fort, and rejoin the army.
Wednesday, November the 2d.--Light westerly wind, with
cloudy, cold weather all day, and some small rain and
snow from
three to four o'clock P. M. The army in motion at nine
this
morning, and made a march of eight miles, which
increases our
whole distance from Fort Washington to eighty-nine
miles. The
first five miles, and to a creek of almost still water
or gently
running to the east, is generally very low, level and
wet land,
with large oak, ash and hickory timber. The residue is
also level
and moist, and principally of beech timber. The whole
distance
must be rendered almost impassable in wet weather. Upon
the
left, but more particularly upon the right, are very
extensive
swamps. The old Indian path has been our guide through
them,
deviating from it, however, occasionally, from a half
to a whole
mile, in order to shorten the road, which has made our
course
about north thirty degrees west. The encampment is on
tolerably
good ground, with a small limestone run of water and
some bot-
tom land in front, in two lines, east northeast and
west south-
west, and the artillery equally disposed in the centre
of the first
and second line. One of our small commands fell upon an
In-
dian camp yesterday and took five horses with a gun and
some
peltry, but according to general practice, suffered all
the Indians
to escape them. We are informed that one of our hunters
has
lately been killed near Fort Hamilton.
Thursday, November the 3rd.--Light northeast wind last
night and this day, with a small flight of snow, but
not enough
to cover the ground. The army has marched eight miles
this
day, and our distance from Fort Washington is
ninety-seven miles
by the line which the surveyor has run, the road not
very materi-
ally deviating therefrom; its breadth is almost all the
way suffi-
cient for two carriages. In the first three miles of
this morning,
we passed small, low prairies (extensive to the right
and left)
and wet, sunken grounds of woodland, timbered with oak,
ash
and hickory; the residue, of gentle, rising grounds,
timbered
principally with beech, but some oak and hickory; and
small
limestone runs, though not abounding with water at this
time.
Our encampment is on a very handsome piece of rising
ground,
with a stream of forty feet in front running to the
west. The
army in two lines, and four pieces of artillery in the
centre of
each; Faulkner's company of riflemen upon the right
flank with
one troop of horse also upon the left. The militia
across the
stream (which is supposed to be the St. Mary, emptying
itself
into the Miami of the Lakes) and over a rich bottom of
three
hundred yards, upon a high extensive fine flat of open
woods.
Here are an immense number of old and new Indian camps,
and
Winthrop Sargent
253
it appears to have been a place of their general
resort. About
fifteen of them, horse and foot, quitted this ground
near the
time we arrived upon it, as was discovered by their
tracks in the
banks of the stream. Colonel Oldham, who has long been
con-
versant with Indian affairs, supposes it a party of
observation,
and the first that has been about us since he joined
the army;
imagining all the others that have been noticed mere
hunters.
Friday, November the 4th, 1791.--Moderate northwest
wind,
serene atmosphere and unclouded sky; but the fortunes
of this
day have been as the cruelest tempest to the interests
of the coun-
try and this army, and will blacken a full page in the
future
annals of America. The troops have all been defeated,
and
though it is impossible at this time to ascertain our
loss, yet there
can be no manner of doubt that more than one-half of
the army
are either killed or wounded. The whole amount of our
private
baggage, with the artillery, military stores,
provisions and horses,
have fallen into the hands of the enemy, and the
shattered re-
mains of our forces are coming into Fort Jefferson this
evening,
at seven o'clock, after the precipitate flight of
twenty-nine miles
since nine o'clock in the morning. The detail of this
misfortune
shall be made out as soon as I am furnished with
returns from
the different corps in action.
Saturday, November the 5th.--Fair weather and fresh
north-
west wind all day.
Upon a consultation last night with the field officers,
the
General thought proper to move the army at ten o'clock
P. M. It
appeared that Fort Jefferson was destitute of
provision, that flour
was near at hand and that there was no prospect of
refreshing
the troops but from that source. The garrison might be
sud-
denly invested, and, of course, it became a matter of
the utmost
consequence to throw in supplies as soon as possible.
We moved
about seven miles during that night, and were obliged
to halt
from the severe fatigues the troops had undergone. At
daylight
we resumed our march, and at eight o'clock we met a
convoy
of flour, and, soon after, a drove of cattle. Two
rounds of the
former, per man, was served out and the residue, about
eighty-
five hundred pounds, and the cattle, were immediately
sent back
for the garrison and wounded, under an escort of fifty
men
from the First Regiment. We continued our march all day
and
for a couple of hours in the night, which brought the
advance to
within thirteen miles from Fort Hamilton, but the men
are very
much dispersed, and the disorder consequent upon a
defeat was
perhaps never more conspicuous.
Sunday, November the 6th.--Fair weather and light
southerly
wind. Arrived at Fort Hamilton at nine o'clock this
morning.
The First Regiment got in generally by evening, and the
lame
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Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
and wounded of the army have been dropping in singly
and by
small parties all day. Some of them, and of the militia
more
particularly, are pushing on to Fort Washington,
notwithstand-
ing orders to the contrary. Indeed, very little
attention is paid
by them to any regulation whatever. The officers appear
to have
lost almost the shadow of command, and there is
scarcely a hope
of reducing them to system and obedience short of the
fort. Such
are the effects of our ignominious flight--for so it
must be deemed
from the circumstances along of the men's throwing away
their
arms after they quitted the field of action, and which
was very
general in every corps engaged.
Monday, November the 7th.--Fair weather and light
southerly wind all day. The garrison at Fort Hamilton
relieved
this day by Captain Armstrong and fifty men of the
First United
States Regiment. The wounded and stragglers of the army
are
still coming in, and probably will be for a number of
days. At
twelve o'clock the First Regiment, militia, and such of
the other
corps as have arrived, were put in motion for Fort
Washington,
and marched twelve miles before night.
Tuesday, November the 8th.--Showery and calm before
day-
light and till noon; residue cloudy. In motion at
daylight, and
arrived at Fort Washington at twelve o'clock. The
troops were
immediately encamped in its vicinity upon Deer creek,
and every
means possible used to make them comfortable; but all
the camp
equipage being lost in the late action, they are
destitute indeed
of common necessaries, even axes they have not. The
officers
finding houses to cover themselves, quit their men, and
the con-
sequences are very great disorder.
Wednesday, November the 9th.--Rainy morning and until
twelve o'clock; the residue fair, with moderate
southwest wind.
Every house in this town is filled with drunken
soldiers and there
seems one continued scene of confusion. The General's
indis-
position prevents much of his own attention to the army
at this
time; he has been suffering under a most painful fit of
the gout
since the 23rd ultimo, and was not able to mount his
horse on
the morning of the action without assistance. But no
efforts
have been wanting to prevent abuses and disorder, as
well as to
afford comfort and convenience to the soldiers and to
obtain hos-
pitals and all proper provisions for the wounded, whose
situa-
tion is truly distressing at this time.
Thursday, November 10th.--Heavy showers of rain with
much thunder, before day; light and wet weather until
nine
o'clock; the residue of this day fair weather, with a
strong west
wind. A detachment of fifty men as an escort to some
pro-
visions has marched for Fort Jefferson this day.
Winthrop Sargent
255
Friday, November the 11th.--Fair and cold weather, with
moderate northwest wind. Major Zeigler, with upwards of
one
hundred men of the First United States Regiment,
marched this
day as a reinforcement to the escort for Fort
Jefferson. Piam-
ingo, Colbert and the other Chickasaws, with the white
people
mentioned to have gone out from our camp on the 29th
ultimo,
have returned with five scalps, having been twenty
miles beyond
the Miami towns on the road to Detroit. Here they fell
in with
an Indian, who, mistaking them for friends, gave so
vaunting
an account of the late unfortunate action and defeat,
that before
he had completed his narrative they shot him through
the body.
He told them that they had but seven hundred warriors
engaged,
and that his "own arm was quite weary with
tomahawking."
Saturday, November the 12th.--Cloudy, cold morning,
with
appearances of snow; the day fair, and moderate west
wind.
Sunday, November the 13th.--Cloudy and moderate
weather,
with light southerly wind.
Monday, November the 14th.--Very heavy rain from three
o'clock this morning and through the day, with strong
south
wind. Twenty more Chickasaws have arrived under the
Elder
Colbert, who appears a clever, intelligent fellow, and
had in-
tended to have joined the army.
Tuesday, November the 15th.--Snow the latter part of
last
night and in small flights during the day, with
moderate west wind
and mild weather.
Wednesday, November the 16th.--Overcast and calm all
day. The last of Beddinger's battalion of levies
discharged.
Thursday, November the 17th.--Calm, fair and warm
weather all day. The whole country is just whitened by
a small
snow last night.
Friday, November the 18th.--Fair weather and calm.
Piamingo had his audience of leave from the General
this day,
and condoled with him upon the misfortunes of the
campaign.
He took occasion to observe that the armies of Britain
had been
formerly opposed to his nation and that the officers
were at first
distinguishable among the soldiery, as among our
troops, by
cocked hats, plumes, etc., and were soon
killed--whereupon con-
fusion ensued and the men fell easy victims of their
prey. But
grown wiser by experience, they dressed their forces
all alike
and became victorious. He recommended strongly to the
General
to fight the Indians in their own way from behind logs
and trees,
and be continually changing the ground in time of
action. This
is their manner and they seldom fire twice from under
the same
cover, but, as soon as they have discharged their
pieces from
behind one tree, shift themselves to another; so that
it is almost
impossible to find them out, or to know whither to
direct your
fire.
Saturday, November the 19th.--Fair and pleasant
weather,
with light southwest wind. By intelligence from Fort
Jefferson,
we are informed that the first escort with provisions
had safely
arrived, that the wounded and missing of the army had
got in
there in considerable numbers and had exhausted all the
supplies
that were forwarded upon the 5th, and the last of them
reduced
to the necessity of receiving horse-flesh and green
hides for their
support; but we know this state of affairs can not have
existed
long, as Major Zeigler must have arrived with ample
stores be-
fore this time. Lieutenant Dennie, aide-de-camp to the
General
was dispatched this evening for Philadelphia by way of
the Ohio
river, with the particulars of the action and losses
upon the 4th
and the General himself proposes soon to follow.
A NARRATIVE OF THE UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR OF FRIDAY, WITH
THE
DISPOSITION OF THE ARMY, ETC.
Upon the Thursday evening of November the 3d, at four
o'clock, the army, having marched eight miles, and
ninety-seven
from Fort Washington, and being by estimation about
twenty
miles from the Miami towns, were immediately encamped
in two
lines on a small rising ground descending gradually in
front to a
stream of fifty feet, fordable at this time, and which
is supposed
to empty itself into the Miami of Lake Erie.
Patterson's, Clarke's and Butler's battalions composed
the
first line, Patterson on the right, and four pieces of
artillery upon
the right of Butler.
The Second United States Regiment, with Gaither's and
Bed-
dinger's battalions, formed the rear line; Beddinger on
the right
(in a rear face) and four pieces of artillery upon the
left of his
battalion. One troop of horse, commanded by Captain
Truman,
and a company of riflemen, under Captain Faulkner, were
en-
camped upon the right flank, and occupied a front of
about
seventy yards, which was the whole distance between the
lines,
the length of them being nearly four hundred, the rear
some-
what more and the front line somewhat less. Snowden's
troop
of horse was on the left.
The encampment, very defensible against regular troops,
was
found on experience to be feeble to an Indian attack.
Descend-
ing, as has been observed, to the front, though in some
places the
stream was more than a hundred yards distant, yet in
others it
approached within twenty-five.
He was directed to make two detachments that evening,
and
to send out three or four active, enterprising
officers, with twenty
Winthrop Sargent
257
men each, by daylight the next morning, to explore the
country
and acquire information of the enemy. Although the
Colonel
seemed fully impressed with the necessity of these
measures and
was also soldier enough to pay implicit obedience to
orders, yet
his command was of a very different complexion, and
there is
no manner of doubt that upon any, order disagreeable
and re-
pugnant to their caprice, they would have faced to the
right
about; and of this disposition we had the fullest
testimony from
Colonel Oldham's evidence and the conduct of the men.
Those
detachments were never made, and the militia
complaining of
being too much fatigued for the purpose in the evening
and the
attack commencing at an early hour in the
morning--though not
so soon but that they might have gone out and done us
most
essential service by discovering the movements of the
enemy. For
I was in their camp after the troops had been under
arms and
dismissed, and long enough to express my surprise to
Colonel
Oldham that these parties had not been sent out, and to
receive
assurance that they should instantly be attended to.
The militia were not enrolled for any of the common
duties
of camp, and the only services demanded of them has
been for
small escorts and the usual purpose of reconnoitering,
for
which, being woodsmen, they seem better calculated than
any
other part of the army. But it was not often that they
could be
commanded, even in this way, though, except in this
present in-
stance, their refusal was always signified and no
opportunity
given to perform such service by detail from the line.
Captain Stough of the levies, with a detachment of
upwards
of twenty men (volunteers), was ordered in advance
during the
evening, to come in by a detour upon the Indian path at
the dis-
tance of a couple of miles, for the purpose of
intercepting any
small parties of Indians that might be returning from
stealing
our horses. For we were under the necessity of either
turning
them out to feed or suffering them to starve, and there
was no
doubt but that some of them must be taken away. This
detach-
ment soon found itself surrounded by the enemy, and,
after ex-
changing a few shot, escaped under cover of the night
and re-
turned to camp about twelve o'clock. But no report was
made
to headquarters, though the commanding officer assures
me he
waited on General Butler and Lieutenant-Colonel Gibson,
and
requested them to communicate that he had fallen in
with very
great number of Indians.
In the course of the night, about fifty shot were
fired, prin-
cipally by our own sentinels, sometimes, no doubt, at
the enemy,
but oftener, probably, without any object whatever.
This, how-
Vol. XXXIII -- 17.
258
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
ever, as it exceeded much our usual practice, induced
the General,
in addition to his orders for the men to be prepared at
all times
for immediate service, to direct that the troops should
lay upon
their arms with all their accoutrements on. And upon
the morn-
ing of the 4th they were turned out somewhat earlier
than com-
mon, and continued upon the parade until objects could
be dis-
tinctly seen at the distance of at least three hundred
yards.
In the common order of duty the troops had been paraded
every morning ten minutes before daylight, and
continued under
arms till near sunrise, but for the purpose of
collecting the horses
which were to be sent back to Fort Jefferson for
ammunition
and stores, and to refresh the men who were to be put
generally
on duty in erecting some works of deposit at this
place, they were
dismissed at an earlier hour than usual. It was in this
oppor-
tunity that I visited the militia camp and was informed
that the
parties to have been ordered out had been altogether
neglected.
Colonel Oldham mentioned to me the loss of all his own
horses,
and the apprehension that we must have suffered much in
this
way, but gave me no reason to suppose that he had made
any
discoveries which might lead him to suppose the enemy
were in
force to fight us.
Immediately upon my return to headquarters, and about
half
an hour before sun-rising, the attack commenced upon
the militia.
Their position appeared to me (and I had reconnoitered
it well)
to have been a very defensible one. For four hundred
yards in
front the wood was open and afforded no cover to the
enemy; it
could hardly be supposed an attempt would be made upon
their
rear, for in that case the Indians must have been
exposed to two
fires--a situation they extremely dread--and besides,
the bottom
land in that direction, and which was just at the back
of their
tents, fell suddenly to near thirty feet, and men
stepping off only
a little distance from it must have put themselves
under good
cover. I regretted to the General upon the preceding
evening that
we could not occupy this ground, but the troops, much
fatigued,
had at that time got their camp, and it was too late to
alter their
disposition.
The firing of the enemy was preceded for about five
minutes
by the Indian yell, the first I ever heard; not
terrible, as has been
represented, but more resembling an infinitude of
horse-bells sud-
denly opening to you than any other sound I could
compare it to.
The resistance of the militia deserves not the name of
defense,
but should be branded as the most ignominious flight.
Except a
very faint and feeble fire from their small guards, I
can not learn
that there was any opposition, or even to show of it.
But dashing
"helter skelter" into our camp, they threw
the battalions, not then
quite formed, into some confusion. And not conceiving
even this
Winthrop Sargent
259
a place of sufficient security, they broke through the
second line,
carrying with them a few men of Gaither's, and but for
a fire
they received from the enemy and which drove them back,
there
is no doubt but they would have been off. During the
whole
action their conduct was cowardly in the most shameful
degree, a
few instances to the contrary excepted.
Close upon the heels of the flying militia followed the
In-
dians, who for a moment seemed as if determined to
enter our
camp with them; but the complexion of the troops, drawn
up in
tolerable order and with fixed bayonets, cooled their
ardour a
little, and they were fain to cover themselves behind
logs and
bushes at the distance of about seventy yards. From the
very
early attack upon the left of the front, and through
the whole
of the second line, there can be little doubt but that
we were com-
pletely surrounded at the time of the first onset upon
the militia.
And though it may be impossible to ascertain with
precision the
numbers of the enemy, yet if we estimate them at
upwards of a
thousand, I am persuaded we shall not overrate them.
Taking
this for granted, and when it is known that our whole
force (the
militia excepted) amounted only to thirteen hundred and
eighty
men--eighty of whom were officers' servants, who are
very
seldom, if ever, brought into action--and that the
various guards,
equal to two hundred and twenty by being made up in the
general
detail from the corps, and dispersed in the suddenness
of the at-
tack (never after to be effectually collected),
reducing our efficient
numbers to one thousand and eighty of raw and
undisciplined
troops, ignorant totally of the Indian and indeed all
other mode
of fighting--for the whole army was constituted by new
raised
troops, engaged only for six months, the Second
Regiment ex-
cepted, and this also was but of the moment, just
brought into
the field, without time for instruction and never
having fired even
a blank cartridge--whoever, I say, shall be acquainted
with all
these circumstances must acknowledge that we
entertained an
unequal war and long maintained the contest, too soon
rendered
doubtful by the superiority of the Indian mode of
fighting. For
though very early in the action we lost considerable
number of
officers, yet it was not until a severe service of more
than two
hours that a retreat was thought of.
The Second United States Regiment, Butler's and Bed-
dinger's battalions, the artillery and the cavalry were
the prin-
cipal sufferers; and Gaither's battalion also
experienced great
loss. Clarke's battalion, being advantageously posted
and ac-
quainted with this kind of fighting, lost but few men,
and a com-
pany of riflemen posted on the right flank scarcely
any.
Whether it was that the Indians respected and stood
aloof
from men fighting in some measure after the manner of
them-
260
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
selves or from some other cause, I know not; but it is
certain that
those corps suffered less than any others, excepting
Patterson's,
which was always drawn up between them and which shared
little
in the misfortunes of this day.
The great weight of the enemy's attack and fire seemed
to
commence with the artillery of the first line, and to
continue
along Butler's battalion to the left and through the
whole of the
second. This battalion charged the enemy with very
great spirit;
and the artillery, if not well served, was bravely
fought and every
officer and more than two-thirds of the men killed or
wounded.
Concealed as the Indians were, it was almost impossible
to dis-
cover them and aim the pieces to advantage; but a large
quantity
of cannister and some round shot were, however, thrown
in
amongst them.
The Second United States Regiment made three successive
and successful charges, the enemy giving ground to the
power-
ful effect of their bayonets--but not till they had
felt its force.
In those arduous services, however, the regiment was
cut up, two
officers only being left alive, and one of them
wounded.
Our whole loss of regular troops and levies, in
non-com-
missioned officers and privates, amounted to five
hundred and
fifty killed and two hundred wounded; and of
commissioned
officers, out of ninety-five whom we had in the field,
thirty-one
were killed and twenty-four wounded. The militia* had
four
officers killed and five wounded, and of
non-commissioned officers
and privates, thirty-eight killed and twenty-nine
wounded. Four-
teen artificers and ten pack-horse men were also
killed, and
thirteen wounded.
The Indians, in more than one or two instances, during
the
engagement pushed with a very daring spirit upon the
artillery
of the front line and on the left flank of the army,
and twice
gained our camp, plundering the tents and scalping the
dead and
dying--but at both times they were driven back. It
happened
unfortunately that this part of our encampment was
feeble
through the day, for the troops ordered there, being
made up of
detachments from different battalions, displayed not
that spirit
which may be expected from complete corps, where every
man
fights under the eye of his own immediate officer, and
in the
presence of those comrades, who will mark his more
minute action
and forever censure or applaud in proportion to the
merit of his
particular exertions. And it appears very extraordinary
that a
knowledge of the amazing power of this stimulus does
not at
* By the return of the militia upon the morning of the
3rd, they had
twenty-nine commissioned officers and two hundred and
ninety non-com-
missioned officers and privates present.
Winthrop Sargent
261
least induce all honorary duties of the soldier to be
performed in
this order. There was not, however, under these
circumstances,
and scarcely upon any occasion, a want of bravery
observable
amongst the troops. At the close of the action, indeed,
and after
they had been engaged warmly for more than two hours,
dis-
order and confusion seemed to pervade the greatest part
of them.
They were very much depressed in spirits by the loss of
their
officers, and huddled together in crowded parties in
various parts
of the encampment where every shot from the enemy took
effect.
It was in vain that their surviving leaders used
threats and en-
treaties, and almost every other means that could be
devised, to
reduce them to the appearance of order.
In this desperate situation of affairs, when even hope,
that
last consolation of the wretched, had failed the army,
that the
General took the resolution of abandoning his camp and
attempt-
ing a retreat. There was a mere possibility that some
of the
troops might be brought off, though it could not be
counted on
among the probabilities. But there was no alternative.
The men
must either retreat, or be sacrificed without
resistance, as the
enemy were shooting them down at pleasure from behind
trees
and the most secure covers, whilst they could scarcely
be led to
discharge a single gun with effect.
Upon this occasion very extraordinary exertions were
made
to draw together men sufficient to give the appearance
of
efficiency. Feints were made in various directions and
different
parts of the encampment, and whilst they served in some
measure
to produce the first effect, they operated to deceive
the enemy.
Having thus collected in one body the greatest part of
the
troops and such of our wounded as could possibly hobble
along
with us, we pushed out from the left of the rear line,
sacrificing
our artillery and baggage; and with them, we were
compelled to
leave some of our wounded.
In about one mile and a half, we gained the road, the
enemy
scarcely pursuing beyond that distance, and annoying us
very little
on our retreat. There can be no doubt they had it in
their power
to have cut us off, almost to a man; it is probable,
however, that
they might have been suspicious of the movement, and
therefore
thought it most eligible to embrace the opportunity to
plunder,
before possibly it could be snatched from them. Those
unfor-
tunate men also whom we were compelled to leave behind
must
for a time have engaged their attention. Although there
were
but a very few of them--all that were able to walk
being brought
off, and some of the officers on horses--yet the
sympathy for
those few is sufficient to torture the mind of
sensibility. The
soldier who has not been compelled to sacrifice his
brave com-
panion to all the torments which the most infernal
invention can
262
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
devise, knows not the extent of military sufferings,
and is happily
a stranger to the most agonizing motives of vengeance.
But the
determined resolution of our unfortunate friends
(incapacitated
from wounds to quit the field, yet who, as soon as the
fate of
the day became uncertain, charged their pieces with a
coolness
and deliberation that reflects the highest honor upon
their
memory) and the firing of musketry in camp after we
quitted it,
leaves us very little room for doubt that their latest
efforts were
professionally brave and that where they could pull a
trigger they
avenged themselves.
It is not probable that many of the Indians fell this
day,
though there are persons who pretend to have seen great
numbers
dead. I had myself an opportunity of making
observations, but
they were not correspondent with this assertion.
The conduct of the army after quitting the ground was
in a
most supreme degree disgraceful. Arms, ammunition and
ac-
coutrements were almost all thrown away, and even the
officers
in some instances divested themselves of their fusees
and C----,
exemplifying by this conduct a kind of authority for
the most
precipitate and ignominious flight.
It was half an hour past nine o'clock when we quitted
the
field of action, and by seven in the evening we had
reached Fort
Jefferson, a distance of twenty-nine miles. Here we met
the
First United States Regiment, and upon the counsel of
the field
officers and myself, the General ordered the march to
be resumed
at ten o'clock, with that corps, the remains of the
artillery, cavalry,
Second United States Regiment and such of the militia
and levies
as could be collected. They were extremely fatigued,
but no re-
freshments could be obtained for them, there being only
three
hundred weight of flour and no meat with the garrison;
and, in
fact, upon this information, the militia and levies
would not be
halted, but had pushed forwards towards Fort Hamilton.
The probability at this time was that Fort Jefferson
would
very soon be invested by the Indians, and the great
object with
the General was to throw in a quantity of provisions as
soon as
possible. A convoy of flour was known to be upon the
way, and
we had every reason to suppose that by forced marches
it might
be deposited with the garrison by next morning. We
marched
seven miles that night in bad roads without success and
were com-
pelled to halt, for the men could not possibly be
pushed further.
At reveille, upon the 5th, we were again in motion, and
in
three or four miles met the pack-horses with flour and
a small
drove of cattle. All the last, with fifty loads of the
flour, were
immediately pushed towards Fort Jefferson, escorted by
a captain
and fifty men of the First Regiment, which it was
presumed
would be competent to get in if the enemy were not in
force, and
Winthrop Sargent
263
that if they were in force the whole army could not
effect it. In-
deed, the First Regiment, worn down as it was by
constant march-
ing, was the only corps fit for any kind of duty, the
residue of
the troops being almost all destitute of arms and
clothing and
very much dispirited by their late defeat. The convoy,
however,
happily succeeded, and very few Indians had been
observed about
the fort upon the 5th. On the evening of this day, and
having
marched an hour or two in the night, we were within
thirteen
miles of Fort Hamilton, and sixty from the field of
action; with
the advance only, for the troops at this time were very
much
dispersed and some stragglers had stolen forward to
seek refresh-
ments. A couple of pounds of flour per man was all that
we
could afford them, and all, indeed, that we could
promise our-
selves, short of the fort.
Upon the morning of the 6th of November we moved early
and crossed the Miami about ten o'clock. All this day
and fore-
noon of the 7th the troops were coming in to Fort
Hamilton, of
the wounded and others, in small parties, and so
continued for a
number of days. Many of the poor fellows, incapable of
keep-
ing pace with the foremost of the retreat, fancied
themselves
quite in the rear and the savages at their heels, and
being with-
out any means of defense whatever (having, as has been
observed,
too generally thrown away their arms), they quit the
road and
dared not again attempt it till they had struck the
Miami river.
Some of them, and even of the wounded, were out six,
seven and
eight days, without the smallest refreshment.
At twelve o'clock, upon the 7th of November, we marched
from Fort Hamilton with the First Regiment and some
shattered
remains of artillery and cavalry. Second United States
Regi-
ment, levy corps and militia (leaving Captain
Armstrong, with
fifty men of the First United States Regiment as a
garrison),
and arrived at Fort Washington upon the noon of the
8th.
Every exertion was immediately made to place the
wounded
in an eligible situation and afford them all the
comforts that the
circumstances of the country would admit.
The troops were encamped, and no endeavors were spared
to impress them with the idea that they were still
soldiers; but
officers and men seemed to have lost all consideration
for mili-
tary propriety and service. The First and Second
Regiments and
the artillery, however, soon recollected themselves in
some meas-
ure, but, the levies were lost forever; their time of
service was
near expiring; all relation between officers and men
forgot, and
not even the semblance of duty acknowledged for the
public.
Great excesses were committed in the town, and nothing
was
more devoutly to be wished for than that we were fairly
rid of
them. In justice, however, it must be observed that
there were
264
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
officers whose exertions were not wanting to correct
abuses, and
others only prevented from evincing them by wounds and
in-
ability; that they and the whole army were distressed
for the
want of clothing, blankets, camp equipage (except
tents), and
this at a season when they were most essentially
necessary. Their
situation indeed was truly distressing, and could only
be justly
conceived of by experiencing it.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED OFFICERS
Artillery
Major Ferguson, Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Spear,
killed. Captain Ford, wounded.
Cavalry
Captain Truman, Lieutenant Debutts and Cornet Bhines,
wounded.
First United States Regiment
Captain Doyle, wounded. Only a baggage-guard of this
corps was with the army.
Second United States Regiment
Major Heart, Captains Phelon, Newman and Kirkwood,
Lieutenant Warren, Ensigns Balch and Cobb, killed.
Lieutenant
Greaton, wounded.
First Regiment of Levies
Captains Vanswearingen, Tipton and Price, Lieutenants
Mc-
Math and Boyde, Ensigns Wilson, Reaves, Brooks, Chase
and
Turner, Adjutant Burges and Doctor Grasson, killed.
Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Darke, Captains Darke and Buchannon,
Lieu-
tenants Morgan, Lyle, McRhae, Price and Davidson, and
Ad-
jutant Whistler, wounded.
Second Regiment of Levies
Captains Cribbs, Platt, Smith and Purdy, Lieutenants
Kelso
and Lukins, Ensigns McMichael, Beatty and Purdy, and
Adjutant
Anderson, killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Gibson, Major
Butler, Cap-
tain Slough, Lieutenants Thomson, Cummins and Reed,
Ensign
Morehead and Adjutant Crawford, wounded.
Kentucky Militia
Lieutenant-Colonel Oldham, Captain Lemon, Lieutenants
Briggs and Montgomery, killed. Captains Thomas and
Madison,
Winthrop Sargent
265
Lieutenants Owens and Stagher, Ensign Walters and
Doctor
Ganoe, wounded.
Major-General Butler, killed.
Colonel Sargent, Adjutant General, and the Viscount Ma-
lartie acting as aide-de-camp to the General, wounded.
We lost in this action three six-pounders and three
threes,
brass, and two pieces of iron ordnance. Two traveling
forges
and four four-oxteams, complete; two baggage wagons
with
horses; three hundred and sixteen pack-horses
full-harnessed,
besides those of the contractor's department;
thirty-nine artillery,
and a considerable number of dragoon and private riding
horses;
with the horseman's swords, pistols, etc.; three
hundred and
eighty-four common and eleven horseman's tents and
marquees;
twelve hundred muskets and bayonets, with
cartridge-boxes, belts
and all the other accoutrements complete, and all the
drums of
the army; one hundred and sixty-three felling axes;
eighty-nine
spades; eight-eight mattocks; armourer's, carpenter's,
black-
smith's and tinman's tools in whole sets; with a
variety of valu-
able et cetera requisite for establishing works upon
the great
scale, at the Miami towns, also two medicine chests,
and a
quantity of quartermaster's stores; which, together
with the pro-
visions of bread and beef in camp, have been estimated
by a
tolerably accurate calculation, at the sum of
thirty-two thousand,
eight hundred and ten dollars.
In the before-going detail of our unsuccessful essay
with the
savages, I have cautiously avoided marking the conduct
of in-
dividual character, and where so laudable exertion
prevails for the
display of military abilities and prowess, as was
evident upon this
unfortunate day among all ranks of officers, in a full
proportion
to their genius and opportunities, though to
discriminate for the
public eye might be deemed invidious, yet private
memorandums
upon those occasions are useful, in which names may be
intro-
duced and particular merit of "all ranks"
(from the command-
ing general to the youngest subaltern officer) to be
recorded with-
out injury to individual feelings.
And to commence in the highest grade. It may with
justice
be observed of our General, that his conduct was cool
and brave,
and though very much debilitated by a long and severe
fit of the
gout, yet, had the army been respectable in numbers and
as equal
to the receiving disposition as he was of making it,
there can be
but little doubt that the fortunes of the day might
have worn a
better aspect.
Major-General Butler fought on foot until the moment
be-
fore he fell, and with his own command (which was the
front
line), encouraging the men to duty by precept arid
example. He
was shot from his horse about half an hour before the
action was
266
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
over, and, from the nature of his wound, must have
expired
within a few moments of the troops quitting the field.
Lieutenant-Colonels G---- and D---- were both wounded,
the former dangerously; Colonel G---- had not, that I
know of,
an opportunity given him to display much military
ability. Colonel
D---- was more fortunate. The General ordered him to
charge
the enemy with the Second United States Regiment; some
con-
sequent and simple movements were obvious--field
enough, per-
haps, for very subaltern genius, but beyond his
capacity. The
true character of this gentleman is brave, without the
most dis-
tant semblance of a general. In action, he is most
passionately
intent upon Indian-killing himself, but inadequate to
performing
it by battalion, or even by platoons. And in the
execution of the
command to the Second Regiment, which was performed
with
great ardor and spirit, the whole merit is due to Heart
and his
own officers, for the Colonel only went along with
them, after
the exertion for their formation under a heavy and
galling fire
from the enemy was over, and in which arduous service I
ob-
served the adjutant, Mr. Warren, to be particularly
active. The
Major's conduct through the day was soldierly beyond my
ex-
pectations.
Major Butler, of the levies, received a wound in the
leg
early in the action that might have excused a modest
soldier from
duty; but after retiring from the field to dress his
wounds, he
returned to the charge with spirit, and fought on
horseback dur-
ing the residue of service.
Almost all the officers of Beddinger's battalion were
cut up
at an early period of the action, without rendering
those im-
portant services which a judicious and enterprising
field-officer
might have made them competent to. They were
conspicuously
brave in some instances, and the lives of Captain
Vanswearingen
and Lieutenant McMath seemed to have been thrown away
by
themselves with a degree of hardy temerity. Adjutant
Burges
fell, exerting himself to rally broken troops and
reduce them to
order, and a Lieutenant Stevenson was remarkably
conspicuous
from his tact and activity in forming detachments from
the scat-
tered soldiers of the battalion and leading them to
duty with
great animation. It appeared to me very unfortunate
that the
major was absent upon this occasion. The situation of
his corps
in the line early exposed them to a galling fire, and
demanded the
abilities and command of a field-officer. His
indisposition had
compelled him to quit the army immediately after its
advance
from Fort Jefferson. The conduct of Major Clarke was
cool and
brave. Although his abilities are too moderate and his
attentions
too small to constitute the perfect officer, yet he had
his battalion
in good order upon this day and to the moment of our
quitting the
Winthrop Sargent
267
field, the command for which he seemed to receive with
reluct-
ance and executed with propriety.
Major G----, though not deficient, I presume, in
spirit, has
too much the vis-inertiae for a soldier. I can not,
from my own
observation or the intelligence I have been able to
acquire, say
that he attempted any extraordinary exertion upon this
trying
occasion.
Major P---- is, beyond a doubt, a damned bad soldier
for
peace or war, and a very scoundrelly character at all
times. To
rank him among the military is extremely disgraceful to
the pro-
fession of arms.
Major Ferguson (whose department, though in all
services
the most arduous and attended with as many perils as
any in the
army, does not afford a very ample field for the
brilliant display
of military merit) was a most cool, determined,
indefatigable and
gallant man, and united all those requisites which are
so seldom
to be met with, but which are absolutely essential in
the artillery
officer who aspires to the head of that scientific
profession.
Lieutenant-Colonel Oldham of the militia, and who
deserved
a better command, received a mortal wound in the camp
of the
regular troops, about half an hour before we quitted
the field,
and was left, not quite dead. As his own men were early
dis-
persed, he had not an opportunity of exhibiting more
than per-
sonal coolness and bravery upon this occasion.
Amongst the captains and subalterns who fell in this
action
and those who survived, it would be difficult even from
collective
observations of the most judicious officer to make a
just dis-
crimination and render a proper tribute to their
memories. They
appeared, almost all of them, to put the best possible
complexion
upon the business to the very latest moment.
Captain Butler, of Clarke's battalion, being called to
the
duties of a brigade-major, was, from that consideration
perhaps,
more immediately an object of my notice and applause.
His at-
tentions in the staff department, and the coolness and
spirit of
his behavior as a company officer in action and in his
own par-
ticular command during the whole campaign, together
with a
zeal for enterprise which on many occasions was
observable, point
him out as a man of more than ordinary merit, and would
induce
my commendations to the notice of government. His
situation
in life is, I believe, a very dependent one. He resides
upon the
frontiers with a hardy set set of men perfectly versed
in Indian
warfare, and could embody and command them with
reputation.
In case of another active campaign, an independent
rifle corps
of a couple of hundred men bestowed upon Captain Butler
for
the most daring service would, I am persuaded, meet the
most
sanguine expectations that could reasonably be formed.
268
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
Adjutant Crawford, of the same battalion (a man of
fifty
years of age, with all the vigor and activity of forty)
is a brave
and attentive officer, and would serve with honor in
the corps
above mentioned. It deserves to be remembered that very
early
in the action he received a brace of balls in his body,
but that not-
withstanding he continued with cheerfulness and spirit
to dis-
charge his duty during the service, and marched with
the army
ninety-seven miles to Fort Washington, on foot, in bad
roads,
without a murmur or complaint, and scarcely ever
betraying the
symptoms of fatigue or that he was wounded.
Captain Price, of Gaither's battalion, a soldier of the
last
war, fell very gallantly in attempting to lead his own
company to
charge. He was advanced some paces of his men when he
was
shot down.
Ensign Shambourgh, of the First Regiment, who was left
in
our camp with their baggage as quartermaster, behaved
with a
very becoming spirit, and is endowed with much more
military
knowledge than falls to the share of most of the
officers in that
corps. He was very useful and attentive at the
artillery (after
all the officers there and almost all the men were
killed or
wounded) by serving the pieces as a volunteer and
annoying the
enemy.
Captain Bradford, Lieutenant Spear and Captain Ford
fought bravely with their pieces, and evinced a
coolness and de-
termination that might have insured a happier issue.
The two
former fell.
Captain Truman and a Mr. Gihon, of the Horse, caught my
particular attention as the most enterprising officers
of the corps,
but the situation of the cavalry, very debilitated at
the commence-
ment of the campaign, and worn down at this time,
incapacitated
them from any exertion of consequence.
Captain Faulkner, of the rifle corps, discovered
coolness,
spirit and judgment in this action and a zeal and atten-
tion to service at all times. A Lieutenant Huston, of
his com-
pany, exerted himself with very becoming gallantry
through the
day.
Doctor Allison, of the First United States Regiment,
and
who had been appointed the surgeon-general to the army,
dis-
played a great share of military zeal in action by
encouraging the
broken ranks and assisting the officers to rally them
to the charge.
Although there might have been full employ in the line
of his
profession, yet circumstances would not admit that
attention in
the confusion of the battle.
Even the women exerted themselves upon this day, and
drove
out the skulking militia and fugitives of other corps
from under
wagons and hiding places by firebrands and the usual
weapons
Winthrop Sargent
269
of their sex. We lost about thirty of them, many of
whom were
inhumanly butchered, with every indecent and aggravated
cir-
cumstance of cruelty that can be imagined, three only
making
their escape.
Sunday, the 20th of November.--Cloudy weather, with
light
southwest wind all day. The Chickasaw Indians have
departed
this evening to their own country with some presents
from the
governor, and though not quite equal perhaps to their
expecta-
tions, yet they seem tolerably well contented with
them. A boat
has returned this day, after an unsuccessful essay to
ascend the
Miami to Fort Hamilton. The navigation of that river
has been
found by the troops at almost all times extremely
difficult, and
should never be attempted but when the Ohio has a great
super-
iority of height.
* * *
Tuesday, November 22d.--Cloudy, 'calm weather all day.
Major Zeigler has returned with his command from Fort
Jeffer-
son after a very fatiguing march, the flat part of the
country
being under water, and the whole road extremely deep
and miry.
The Miami river is not now fordable and 'tis probable
it will not
again be, until the next summer. Some wounded officers
returned
with Major Zeigler; and the garrison consisted of one
hundred
and sixteen men, and there were there forty wounded, of
officers
and privates, when he left. No Indians have been seen
upon his
march, but a great many of their tracks observed, and
two men,
missing from his detachment, are supposed to be taken
by them.
Three men of the Second United States Regiment deserted
last
night, with a boat, down the river
* * *
Thursday, November the 24th.--Strong wind from the
west,
with rain nearly all day. General Scott and about two
hundred
Kentucky militia have arrived at Cincinnati, upon a
projected
expedition to the Indian country, but there can be no
doubt it
must fail. It was proposed to assemble fifteen hundred
men, and
they were generally turning out, I am informed, with
great spirit
on the report that Fort Jefferson was invested, but,
upon its being
contradicted, they have dispersed to their homes. The
present
opportunity would certainly be a very favorable one for
an in-
cursion to the Indian country, and productive of very
happy
effects. And unless some stroke shall be made in this
winter to
damp the spirits of the enemy, they will probably give
us much
trouble in the spring.
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Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
Friday, November 25th.--Very strong wind from the west,
with a small flight of snow last night; moderate wind
from the
same quarter during the day, and cold, cloudy weather.
We have
information of small parties of Indians in the
neighborhood of
Forts Hamilton and Jefferson.
Saturday, November 26th.--Moderate westerly wind, and
fair
cold weather all day. General Scott and the militia
have returned
to Kentucky, upon certain information that the
expedition can
not now be carried forward.
Sunday, November 27th.--Light easterly wind, and snow,
till
four P. M., with moderate weather all day. Two inches
have
fallen, upon a level. About forty men of the Second
Regiment,
under a subaltern officer, have been detached for the
Muskingum
this day.
* * *
Wednesday, November 30th.--Calm all day and fair
weather.
The waters of the Ohio have been rising for some time
and are
now high, with a probability of their remaining up, as
there are,
at present, strong indications of rain. Major Hamtranck
departed
this evening for Vincennes, with Captain Beattie's
company. He
took along with him two Indians, who came from the
Aubashe last
summer, to visit their wives in captivity at this
garrison.
* * *
Thursday, December 8th.--Weather fair, and light wind
from the west. The Governor has departed from the
territory
for Philadelphia, by the way of Louisville, Lexington
and through
the wilderness; and by his absence, my duty as
adjutant-general
ceases.
APPENDIX
Wednesday, February the 1st (1792).--Strong northwest
wind all last night, and moderate, from the same
quarter, during
the day; some small flights of snow in the morning and
the
residue fair. In motion at seven o'clock, and arrived
upon the
field of action at half past ten; distance, eight
miles. To con-
ceive of the various conflicts and emotions of my mind,
upon a
view of this melancholy theater of our recent
misfortunes, 'tis
essential to become an actor in a similar scene of
tragedy; to
view brave companions falling around you in every
quarter, with-
out a possibility of avenging themselves; and to be
exposed for
more than two hours and a half to a most galling and
heavy fire,
without a single ray of hope or consolation, but that
the enemy,
deriving courage and confidence from the reduced
numbers and
thinness of our ranks, would rush on to closer quarters
and suffer
Winthrop Sargent
271
us to sell our lives in the charge of the bayonet.
Despair then,
I know, would have steeled our nerves, and engaged, man
to
man, every soldier acting more than hero, would have
glutted his
own and country's vengeance in the blood of our
infernal foe.
Although the whole field was covered with twenty inches
of snow,
yet, at every tread of the horse's feet, dead bodies
were exposed
to view, mutilated, mangled and butchered with the most
savage
barbarity; and, indeed, there seems to have been left
no act of
indecent cruelty or torture which was not practiced on
this occa-
sion, to the women as well as men.
Upon a review of this ground, I find that the sketch I
have
made of it is a tolerably correct one. The immediate
spot of the
encampment appears very strong, and is certainly so
defensible
against regular troops that I believe any military man
who has
not had the fatal experience of the late misfortune
would have
unhesitatingly have pitched upon it. It is, however, (I
must con-
fess) surrounded by close woods, thick bushes and old
logs, which
afford the best cover for an Indian attack; but these
appear now
to be very much increased since I observed them before
the action.
In riding around our lines, I was astonished to see the
amaz-
ing effect of the enemy's fire; particularly from the
artillery of
the front line, on, to and around the left flank, and
beyond the
artillery of the rear. Every twig and bush seems to be
cut down,
and the saplings and larger trees marked with the
utmost pro-
fusion of their shot. Our own fire seems very loose,
and, even
the artillery, to have been directed with very little
judgment.
The ground of the militia encampment is confirmed in my
mind to have been the proper position for the army. It
is the
same high flat which has been heretofore described, and
capacious
enough to have admitted of any extent of lines. It has
been re-
connoitered this day, on, forward two miles and a half,
upon a
course northwesterly, where the path again crosses the
stream
that was in front of our encampment, and where it runs
to the
northeast, a circumstance that serves to evince pretty
clearly that
it is the Saint Mary's. In the meandering of this water
from the
left of the battle ground on to the west, north, and so
toward the
east, two branches of nearly equal width with the main
stream,
one at half a mile, and the other at a mile's distance,
empty them-
selves into it; and at the confluence of those, as well
as at the
place of crossing, before mentioned, are some
considerable en-
campments which, beyond a doubt, were occupied by the
Indians
on the night preceding our defeat; so that had Colonel
Oldham
sent forward the parties which he was directed to do we
might
have acquired such information of the enemy as would
have en-
abled us at least to have fought them upon our own
terms, and,
272
Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications
perhaps, given a very different complexion to
the fortunes of
that day.
We have all been very busily engaged since our arrival
upon
this ground in rendering the last solemn rites to the
victims of
war, searching for the artillery (but without effect),
and burn-
ing the wagons and such of the gun carriages as have
been mate-
rially injured, in order to take off the iron-work. We
have col-
lected about three tons, and buried many of our dead;
but this
task has been so arduous (the bodies being frozen down
to the
ground, quite covered with snow, and breaking to pieces
in tear-
ing them up) that it has not been fully completed.
Indeed, it
seemed to be the labor of days; and the provisions of
the men
and provender for the cavalry (very much worn down by
their
severe marches) is too nearly exhausted to render it in
any de-
gree proper to bestow this time more particularly, as
we must
almost immediately expect thawing weather, and that the
country
will in consequence be long rendered impassable.
* *
*
Monday, April 23d, 1792.-- * * * Ensign Turner, of the
levies, supposed to have been killed in the action of
the 4th of
November, we are informed has arrived in Philadelphia.
Being
close pursued by some Indians in the retreat, and
finding resist-
ance vain, he submitted himself and was carried to
Detroit, where
a private gentleman ransomed him for an inconsiderable
sum of
money. He learned while a prisoner that the enemy in
action
amounted to fifteen hundred men under the command of
Blue
Jacket, and that they had nine hundred more at no great
distance.
They acknowledge only thirty killed.
* * *
Thursday, November, 22d, 1792.--* * * A man by the name
of Rennels who deserted from Fort Jefferson last summer
and
has been with the Indians, arrived here this day. He
reports that
he had been almost starved after leaving the fort
before he could
fall in with any of their towns or camps; that his
first discovery
was of a very large war party, two or three hundred
strong, who
had just halted for the night; that he rushed suddenly
into the
midst of them and was immediately surrounded by them
with
guns, bows and arrows, clubs and tomahawks, but,
throwing away
a rifle that he had with him, they seized upon him,
declaring after
he had informed them who he was, whence he came, etc.,
that he
should be burned to death when the sun went down. He,
how-
ever, by assuming a cheerful countenance and
endeavoring to be
very useful in helping them to form their camp, make
their fires,
and other services, averted this fate, and, in a couple
of hours,
Winthrop Sargent
273
became adopted amongst them, his head shaved, painted,
etc., as
is their custom upon such occasions, and has since, by
his own
account, been much in favor with them. He relates that
he has
been with them to the British posts, Michilmackinac
particularly.
That they are there equipped with all the necessaries
to come to
war against the United States--march out upon these
occasions
under English colors, and are received when they return
with
scalps with military parade and every mark of
approbation and
encouragement. This man has brought to me from
Michilmack-
inac a couple of small memorandum books in manuscript
which I
left in the field upon the 4th of November at General
St. Clair's
defeat. They were sewed up under a blank cover to my
address,
but without any information of the person sending them
to me.
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