Ohio History Journal

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WINTHROP SARGENT'S DIARY WHILE WITH GENERAL

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR'S EXPEDITION AGAINST

THE INDIANS

 

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 Wash

ington. 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 abil-

ity to keep the army together depended upon keeping

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it continually in motion. As they penetrated the Indian

country the difficulties and dangers of the expedition

became more apparent. On the 30th of October sixty

of the militia deserted, intending to plunder the con-

voys of provisions that were following the army in the

rear. Major Hamtranck with 300 men selected from

the First United States Regiment followed the de-

serters to apprehend them if possible and prevent their

plundering of the stores on the way to the army.

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 en-

camped November 3 on the banks of a tributary to the

Wabash River. It was here on the morning of Novem-

ber 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 Colo-

nel 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 QUAR-

TERLY:

DIARY

In this diary (principally intended as a record of meteorolog-

ical 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 ad-

jutant 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

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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 state-

ment is made, to perpetuate a right understanding of the com-

mencement, 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 con-

sist 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 discre-

tion 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 in-

tended 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 alter-

native--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 Regi-

ment, and Captain Kirkwood's of the Second, arrived at head-

quarters.

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Upon the 14th, Captain M----'s company, of the First Regi-

ment.

Upon the 22d, Major Fike's battalion of levies from the ter-

ritory 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 ab-

stracting the men from the debaucheries of the town, would pre-

serve 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 ad-

vancing 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-

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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

Vol. XXXIII -- 16.

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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

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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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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

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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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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

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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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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

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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

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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

• 14
 

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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

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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

• 16
 

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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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.

• 18
 

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

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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

• 20
 

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.

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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

• 22
 

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-

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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.

• 24
 

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

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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

• 26
 

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

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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,

• 28
 

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

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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

• 30
 

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.

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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

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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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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

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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,

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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,

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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.

 

 

 

EXTRACTS FROM WINTHROP SARGENT'S JOURNAL.

1793-1795

 

In the library of the Ohio State Archaeological and

Historical Society is a typewritten copy of the Journal

of Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Territory North-

west of the Ohio River, covering the period from Oc-

tober 1, 1793, to December 31, 1795. This for the most

part is made up of weather reports day by day but oc-

casionally other items of interest are included. It shows

that the writer by no means spent all of his time at his

post in the Northwest Territory. There were visits to

the East covering a number of months. The Journal

begins when he was in New York, setting out on a jour-

ney to Mount Vernon where he visited General Wash-

ington October 13 and 14, 1793. He describes Mount

Vernon and its environs. Washington's farm, he tells

us, includes about 10,000 acres of land, "⁷⁰⁰ of which

are in plantations the present season, cultivated by

slaves of which the President has now fully 200, better

Vol. XXXIII--18.

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