Ohio History Journal

LETTERS FROM DR. JOSEPH STRONG TO CAPTAIN

JOHN PRATT

 

Edited by LOCKWOOD BARR*

 

The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine (Vol. XIII, No.

4, March, 1941), published extracts from the biography of Doctor

Joseph Strong (Yale, 1788), written by one of his descendants,

Lockwood Barr (Yale, 1905). Since that publication there have

been found in the Connecticut State Library fourteen heretofore

unknown letters written by Dr. Strong during 1793-1795 while

serving in the Legion of General Anthony Wayne in his Ohio

campaign against the Indians. These letters were addressed by

Strong to his close friend Captain John Pratt, at Middletown,

Connecticut, where the latter was then residing, having retired

from active service as Quartermaster in the Legion because of

ill health.

Dr. Strong and Captain Pratt had been associated in some

manner while they had both resided in Middletown, 1791-1792,

before joining the Legion. Captain Pratt had been commissioned

as a recruiting officer with headquarters in Middletown.  Dr.

Strong in one of his letters to Dr. Cogswell wrote that he had been

called suddenly and unexpectedly to leave "my Post in Middle-

town" and join the Legion in Philadelphia. Perhaps Dr. Strong

was serving in Middletown under Captain Pratt as a medical

examiner for recruits. Whatever their relation, the two evidently

had the same circle of personal acquaintances, although Captain

Pratt was some 17 years older than Dr. Strong. When they went

into the Legion, Captain Pratt as Quartermaster and Dr. Strong

as surgeon's mate, they evidently were in the same group, since

in Captain Pratt's certificate of disability, dated November, 1793,

Dr. Strong states that Pratt "has been a patient of mine since

the movement of the Army."

 

* Lockwood Barr is an amateur genealogist, living in New York City.

(236)

• 1
 

DR. JOSEPH STRONG LETTERS                      237

 

The book entitled The Ancestry and Descendants of John

Pratt of Hartford, by Charles B. Whittelsey (Hartford, 1900, pp.

46-47), gives the following resume of Captain John Pratt, patriot

of the Revolution:

Capt. Pratt was the son of Zachariah, son of William, son of John,

son of John, son of John. Capt. Pratt was born October 12, 1753, in

Hartford. He died December 27, 1824. On February 28, 1795, he mar

ried Elizabeth Cooper (1761-1862), daughter of Lamberton and Eliza-

beth Cooper of Middletown.

Pratt served in the American Revolution as a lieutenant in the 3rd

and 4th Pennsylvania Regiments. In 1779 he was made Assistant Com-

missary General, under General James Clinton, with headquarters at

Albany, N. Y. In 1791 George Washington appointed him a Captain

in the first regiment in the service of the United States, and a few

weeks later Secretary of War, General Knox, ordered Capt. Pratt to

immediately commence recruiting in Connecticut with headquarters at

Middletown for service in the Legion of Gen. Anthony Wayne for his

campaign in Ohio against the Indians.

After 17 years of service he retired from the army, and in 1793

purchased a farm not far from Middletown. He served in the Connecti-

cut State Legislature during 1799, 1806-7-8 and 1809. During the

visit of Lafayette to America in 1824, Capt. Pratt officially welcomed

him to Middletown and presided at the reception given in that city.

Pratt was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

 

* * * *

Extracts from the letters from Dr. Strong to Captain Pratt,

in the Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut, follow:

From Philadelphia, Dr. Strong on December 22, 1792, wrote

Captain Pratt, 1st U. S. Regt., New Brunswick (N. J.), in part:

.  . . I had a lengthy passage from Brunswick to Philadelphia, I

arrived in this City 12 o'clock at night the day I left you. I am at the

Conastoga Waggon in good quarters. . . . I visited the War office this

morning & delivered your letter to Major Stagg. The God of War

[Gen. Wayne?] was present & he shook my hand with a good smile.

He told me to go on to Pittsburgh with the Detachment. I have been

introduced to Gen. Harmon. Spent two hours with him today; he

says you are the best man for Quarter Master General he knows. I am

very happy you have received your orders to come here. I wish you

to oversee the transportation of my things here, as I shall not return.

There can be no necessity for my return since the Troops are all to

march from this port & you are to come here . . .

• 2
 

238     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

In a letter dated February 4, 1793, he wrote Captain Pratt

who was then in Middletown, Conn.:

. . . I arrived at Pittsburgh in 9 days after I left Philadelphia &

finished my business to the full satisfaction of Major Swan. I have

written to Gen. Wayne & await his orders . . . I think it likely I shall

go to Ft. Washington [Cincinnati] as Doctor Allison has written very

strongly to Genl. Wayne for an Adjutant in the medical line. There is

no one who can be sent from Legion Ville until Dr. Andrews &

myself arrive. I shall not urge the matter, but hope to go & deliver

all your letters down the Ohio . . . I am at Ft. Fayette with officers.

Yesterday I was invited to go on a visit to Doctor McDowells. I

delivered your good letter and he was pleased to hear from a friend

whom he highly valued . . . Doctor McDowell wishes very much for

a quart of blue grass seed. If you will send a part or all at any op-

portunity, he would acknowledge it very much. He wants it for his

farm . . .

* * * *

From   Headquarters at Legion Ville, March 4, 1793, Dr.

Strong wrote Captain Pratt in Middletown:

. . . I wish I knew whether you would continue in the Army or

resign. Capt. Mills has reported in a letter to Lt. Turner that Capt.

Pratt, Capt. Buell & Hunt were ordered to Head Quarters. It is be-

lieved here & your friends wish you to come on very much indeed.

The 1st Regiment comes under your command. Capt. Jeffer now com-

mands it. He told me that you had been his benefactor, but if you

arrived he must give up his present command . . . There is in general

a friendship subsisting between the officers; but some bitter enmities.

The Cavalry & Artillery agree much better than Infantry & Artillery.

One officer has sent another a Challenge to a duel today--Janifer &

Devins are the names. Whether they will fight will be know tomorrow.

Duelling is in my opinion a wretched resort for the protection of mili-

tary honor, yet many consider it the only paladium for a broken

character . . . Capt. Collins has just arrived in this place from a journey

of 2200 miles in the Indian Country. He was employed by Gen. Wil-

kinson as a spy in disguises to find out the disposition of the savages.

He says the Indians are extremely hostile & have all declared in the

most pointed terms that the only ground of a lasting treaty must be

founded in giving up all lands on the western & northwestern side of

the Ohio river . . .

* * * *

From Ft. Washington (Cincinnati) on May 14, 1793, Dr.

Strong wrote Capt. Pratt:

. . . Major Doyle, Capt. Guion & his company will descend the Ohio

river in a few days to build a garrison near the mouth of the Tennessee.

• 3
 

DR. JOSEPH STRONG LETTERS                     239

 

It will be called Ft. Massack. It is considered by some as a dangerous

enterprise. The object of this business is to protect the Spanish settle-

ments from Kentucky . . . Hamilton Armstrong lately fought a Duel

with Devin, in which he received a wound through the left side of his

head. The ball entered the cheek near the nose, passed out behind the

car. The wound is not mortal. He is now under my care & is recover-

ing. Duelling is but a miserable resource for the security of wounded

honor. It makes wounds but does not heal them . . . Ft. Jefferson is

soon to be evacuated and the route to Green Ville is to be on the

Miami. I know nothing of the designs of the Commander-in-Chief--

it is expected he will move on to the Miami & Anglaire waters this

summer if possible . . .

 

In Nov., 1793, Dr. Strong wrote for Capt. Pratt the following

certificate of disability, which is now in the Wayne Documents in

the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:

I certify that Capt. John Pratt of the United States Legion has

been a patient of mine since the movement of the Army: that his dis-

order at first was a remitting fever which passed through a course of

the most severe symptoms and terminated in an obstinate and very

debilitating intermittent and left him in a state which from present

appearances will not admit his doing his duties required of an officer

during the ensuing winter.

Given under my hand at Ft. Washington [Cincinnati] this 23rd

day of November 1793.

(signed)   Joseph Strong

Surgeon's Mate

2nd S. Legion

To his Excellency

Major Genl. Wayne

Comd. in Chief U. S. Legion

 

Dr. Strong on August 9, 1794, at Ft. Washington, wrote to

"John Pratt, Esquire" at Middletown expressing the wish that

he might visit him:

. . . but my friend, I cannot forsake my charge at this trying hour.

Our friends are now on the lake waters pursuing the savages & I am

here alone preparing to receive the wounded & distressed. Major Cass is

in this Garrison with a fractured leg. He has required my constant

• 4
 

240     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

attention for three months in order to prevent mortification. He is now

beyond the power of it, unless a new cause arises. It has been the

most troublesome case I ever took unto my care . . .

* * * *

From Ft. Washington, September 6, 1794, Dr. Strong wrote:

. . . the express leaves this place for Philadelphia in a few mo-

ments to carry the welcome tidings of Victory over the savages. The

enemy attacked Gen. Wayne's army on the Maumee of the Lakes a few

miles above Ronche de Bout on the 20th of August about 10 o'clock

a. m. They kept up a scattering & retiring & feeble fire for about an

hour & retreated about a mile during that session. They then fled

before the surge made by our troops & the field was truly ours. They

left about 30 dead on the ground of battle.    On our side were

killed  of        regulars..................  24

wounded       ......................... 89

 

113 killed & wounded

Killed of Militia Volunteers....... 7

wounded   .........................  13

 

20 killed & wounded

Capt. Robt. M. Cambell, a worthy & respectable officer, with Lt.

Henry B. Towels sleep on the bed of honor in pleasant repose. Capt.

Slough, Prior, Vanranselear, Lt. Cambell & Smith are wounded. The

army are now at Ft. Defiance at the junction of the Maumee River &

the Anglaire with the wounded . . .

*  *  *  *

On September 28, 1794, from Ft. Washington, Strong wrote:

. . . Genl. Wilkinson has pressed me with the urgency to go up the

river with him & his lady & thence to Philadelphia. It is suggested that

I may go on to Phil. to purchase Medicines & Stores for the Army for

the year 1795 . . . The Army, I believe, are now at the old Miami

Village, though no express has arrived lately. They left Ft. Defiance

at the junction of the Anglaire river & the Maumee on the 13th inst.

for the Maumee towns & it is but 5 days march . . .

* * * *

On January 15, 1795, Dr. Strong wrote:

. . . Ft. Washington is at present a lively place. There are 300

men in Garrison with Capt. Lyman, Bissell, Grayson, Lighterer, Rich-

mond & Ferro. Genl. Wilkinson, Col. Strong, Major Cass, Thaumburg,

Capt. Guion . . . Dr. Allison is here. A daughter was born to Mrs.

• 5
 

DR. JOSEPH STRONG LETTERS                     241

 

Allison of late but alas it died 3 days after birth. Mrs. Ford has a

fine daughter living . . . There is at this time every appearance of a

lasting pacification with the Indians in the spring. Four tribes have

come to the cantonment at Green Ville signifying a desire for peace

with the U. S. & declare that all hostile tribes will join them in a short

season . . . Lord Dorchester has sent a letter of friendship to Genl.

Wayne by the Indians who have arrived. We have two French traders

at Ft. Wayne from Detroit . . .

* * * *

On February 18, 1795, from Ft. Washington Dr. Strong re-

ported to Captain Pratt:

. . . The treaty [with the Indians] is to be held at Greenville on

the 15th of June. I expect to be present & think it will be interesting.

The moment it is finished I shall make an attempt to return to visit

you. Col. Strong will accompany me. Your friends here are well.

Guion & myself are mess mates. Gen. Wilkinson & Lady are here.

Doctor Allison is here. Mrs. Allison has been very ill. Mr. Hunt

is the bearer of this letter enclosed to Dr. Smith, N. Y. This day I

received orders from  Gen. Wayne to repair to Head Quarters. I

shall go on the 25th inst. there to remain until a treaty is concluded . . .

 

* * * *

From Headquarters, April 22, 1795, Dr. Strong wrote:

. . . I cannot leave this place until the issue of the approaching

Treaty is known. It promises to be effective & most interesting to the

public than any one of former date. It will commence 15th June &

probably be ratified by 4th July. There are great preparations making

to celebrate the day as a festival & to illuminate the night with all kinds

of fireworks . . . The Indians are constantly visiting us with small

parties, bringing skins of furs to traffic with our merchants . . . Doctor

Carmichael, Brown, Seleman & myself are all the faculty on the ground.

There is a Sub Legion for each of us. Elliott is at Ft. Wayne with

Col. H. Scott is on a tour of pleasure in Kentucky. Col. Strong is

here & we shall start on our eastern tour together soon after the

Treaty is executed.  General Wilkinson, Doctor Allison, Guion still

in arrest, are all at Ft. Washington. Capt. Ford at Columbus. Cass

and Hunt like two twin majors are kept at Ft. Defiance . . .

* * * *

From Green Ville, July 10, 1795, while the negotiations for

the Treaty of Peace were being arranged, Dr. Strong wrote:

. . . The Treaty is in hand & the good work of peace will be

finished I believe in the month of August. Dr. Rhees, the bearer of

• 6
 

242     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

this letter, has promised to visit you. He has lived with me for 3

weeks & has attended the Council House where Indian eloquence

comes forth rapidly like a torrent. He will give you an intelligent

account of this affair. He is an immigrant from Wales, of the Clerical

order, an enemy to tyrants, a true philanthropist, a generous republican.

He exercrates the overgrown oppression of the English government &

weeps for millions who have so long groaned in their inhuman vassalage

to despots. You will discover in him the traits of the scholar &

Christian. I wish you to make him happy while he is in Middletown.

He is travelling the northern states to see the country & collect in-

formation. He came from Georgia through the wilderness . . .

 

* * * *

The last letter in the collection is dated Head Quarters,

Green Ville, August 25, 1795:

. . . Col. Strong is setting forth for Ft. Washington. He is de-

termined not to visit N. E. this fall. He cannot without resigning his

army appointment. The great Mogul is against it. Though he says I

may go in a few weeks, when the sickly season is over. I have the

care of the 1st & 2nd Legions. Business is abundant for one man, to

prescribe for & visit 80 patients in a day . . .

 

* * * *

General Anthony Wayne concluded his Treaty with the

Indians in August, 1795. On May 1, 1796, Dr. Strong resigned

his commission and, instead of settling in New England as he had

anticipated in his letters to Captain Pratt, he began the practice

of medicine in Philadelphia where he married and remained until

his death in 1812.

• 7