OHJ Archive

A Surgeon's Mate at Fort Defiance:

The Journal of Joseph Gardner Andrews

For the Year 1795

Edited by RICHARD C. KNOPF*

On May 4, 1792, Joseph Gardner Andrews enlisted in the army

of the United States as a surgeon's mate. His qualifications for the

position were considered adequate by the standards of his day: he

had graduated from Harvard College in 1785 and, since that time,

had been employed as a schoolmaster at Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Perhaps partly from a spirit of adventure, perhaps in part from a

desire to learn by actual experience the practice of medicine, he had

taken this step.

At the time Andrews joined the army it was stationed at Legion

Ville, a few miles down the Ohio River from Pittsburgh. There it

was being rigorously trained for an expedition against the hostile

Indians of the Northwest Territory. The commander-in-chief of the

Legion of the United States, as the army was then called, was Major

General Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution and,

more recently, an Indian fighter in the South.

Wayne had replaced Arthur St. Clair, also a Revolutionary officer

of note and, at this time, governor of the Northwest Territory, as

commander of the army, March 5, 1792. This change came as a

result of St. Clair's disastrous defeat, November 4, 1791, when

three-quarters of his army were killed or wounded in a major action

on the banks of the Wabash River, some ninety-five miles north of

his base at Fort Washington (Cincinnati). This, however, was not

*Richard C. Knopf is historical editor and research historian of the Anthony Wayne

Parkway Board, which has its offices at the Ohio State Museum, Columbus.

58 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

the first rout of the United States army in the West. In 1790,

Brigadier General Josiah Harmar, leading the first expedition against

the hostile Indians, had been defeated at the Miami Indian villages,

located at the confluence of the St. Marys and St. Joseph rivers.

After official hearings had been conducted to investigate the

reasons for the failure of the first two expeditions, the federal

government decided to make a third, and, it hoped, final attempt.

It was at this moment that Wayne was called to the most demanding

mission of his military career.

Unlike his predecessors, he spent nearly two years augmenting and

training his army. First at Legion Ville, then at Hobson's Choice,

near Cincinnati, he literally whipped his troops into a fighting

machine. Discipline was strict and punishments were harshly meted

out. Wayne was not of the opinion that the Indians could be over-

come easily. They were well armed and daily became stronger and

more formidable under British supervision. They were not merely

bands of disorganized savages.

In the end, the strict discipline, rigorous training, and attention

to duty paid off. After an unhindered march into the Maumee

Valley, Wayne achieved final and decisive victory over the Indian

confederacy in the battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794. In

three-quarters of an hour the training of two years achieved the

desired result. The Indian hold was broken. The following summer,

peace officially came to the frontier with the signing of the treaty

of Greene Ville, August 3.

In the course of Wayne's victorious march northward, several out-

posts were built, among which was Fort Defiance, situated at the

junction of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers. This was undoubtedly

the strongest fort erected during the campaign and, because of its

strategic location, one of the most important on the frontier.

It was to this post that Joseph Gardner Andrews was assigned

following the Fallen Timbers victory. The frontier about him was

in a state of unrest and uneasiness. The victory of arms seemed

secure, but official peace-making had not yet taken place. At his

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 59

seat in Fort Defiance Andrews saw the Indians, band by band,

making their way to Greene Ville to sue for an end to hostilities

and a settlement of the difficulties with the Americans. In the late

summer of 1795 he saw them returning to their villages, laden with

trinkets given them by the "chief who never sleeps." Peace with

the Indians had been made.

Meanwhile, news trickled in of the mission of John Jay to the

Court of St. James. Some of the points of difference Jay had been

instructed to work out with the British were not resolved, but, insofar

as the frontier was concerned, the British agreed to give up their

posts within the acknowledged borders of the United States of which

Detroit, Fort Miamis, and Michilimackinac were of importance to

Wayne, for it was he who was to take possession of them in 1796.

Andrews' account of the "diurnal occurrences" at Fort Defiance is

among the best written by any officer or enlisted man on the frontier

during this period. His clear style and excellent English attest to his

educational background and experience as a schoolmaster. The vivid

picture he draws of life in the wilderness and of his duties as a

physician is unparalleled in other contemporary diaries and journals.

At the time of writing he was but twenty-seven years old.

Punctuation and spelling have been retained in the original form.

Footnotes are inserted primarily to identify, or to clarify identification

of, persons mentioned in the journal, where such information is

available, or to acquaint the reader with terms the meaning of which

is not readily apparent in the text.

The Andrews journal is reproduced through the courtesy of the

division of manuscripts of the Library of Congress.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 61

DIURNAL EVENTS AT & NEAR FORT DEFIANCE. JANUARY, 31 DAYS - 1795.

1. The Year was ushered in by a salute of 15 rounds from the

small pieces of Artillery at this place, immediately succeeded

by the Reveille. The Officers of the Garrison, agreeably to a

previous invitation, dined with Mr. Daniel Mayo,² issuing

Commissary stationed at this Post; where they were as sump-

tuously entertained as circumstances would allow. Information

was this Evening received from some hunters, who were sent

two days since in quest of game, that they had this day observ'd

the tracks of two horses & of one man with Mocasins a small

distance below Snake'stown, about 9 miles from this Garrison,

down & on, the North side of the Miamis River.3

2. The Mess, consisting of Major Hunt,4Mr. Lee5 & myself, dined

with Mr. Mayo on the remains of yesterdays entertainment.

Wrote to Doctor Richard Allison,⁶Surgeon General of the

Legion at Greeneville;⁷& to Doct. John Elliot,⁸Surgeon 1st.

Sub Legion at Fort Wayne;⁹Enclosed to the former Monthly

returns of the Medicines, Hospital Stores & Furniture As well

as of the sick & wounded at this Post. This day the Commissary

having furnished the Commandant with the Quantitity [sic]

2 A small contractor who furnished supplies for the army.

3 Snakestown, an Indian village. The Miamis River is the Maumee of today.

4 Thomas Hunt, of Massachusetts, was commandant at Fort Defiance. He had served

in the American Revolution, beginning as an enlisted man and rising to captain in 1779.

Identification notes, unless otherwise specified, are from Francis B. Heitman,

Historical Register of the United States Army . . ., September 20, 1789, to March 20,

1903 (Washington, D.C., 1903); Milo M. Quaife, ed., The John Askin Papers

(Detroit, 1928-31); Ernest A. Cruikshank, ed., The Correspondence of Lieut. Governor

John Graves Simcoe . . . (Toronto, 1923-31); John Johnston Papers in the Draper

Collection, State Historical Society of Wisconsin; and the files of the Anthony Wayne

Parkway Board.

5 Lieutenant Robert Lee, of Pennsylvania, 4th Sub Legion.

6 Dr. Allison, of Pennsylvania, served as a surgeon's mate in the Revolution and as

the surgeon general of the army during the Indian Wars. He was the first practicing

physician in Cincinnati.

7 Fort Greene Ville, General Wayne's headquarters, was built by him in 1793 and

named for General Nathanael Greene. It served as the advanced center of operations

during the campaign of 1793-94, and was the site where the treaty of Greene Ville,

which ended the Indian Wars, was signed in the summer of 1795.

8 Dr. Elliot, of New York, had served as a surgeon's mate in the Revolution and

was appointed a surgeon in 1791.

9 Fort Wayne was built in 1794 by Wayne at the confluence of the St. Joseph and

St. Marys rivers (the site of present Fort Wayne, Indiana) shortly after the battle of

Fallen Timbers.

62 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

of Provisions, &c. on hand; it appears there are 17113 Rations

of beef; 15136 of flour; & 10497 of soap; The daily issues are

computed at 164 Rations.

3. Paid Mr. Mayo, for Messrs. Elliot & Williams,10 Contractors

for the Legionary Supplies, in full of all demands at Greeneville,

on the road from Fort Recovery11 to this place, & at this place

to the first instant. Our Mess dined at home on 3 roasted

pheasants, a stewed rabbit & a boiled Pike--Decent fare.

4. Drew an order of Nanning John Visscher,12 Lt. 2d Sub Legion

& late Pay Master to ye. 3d S.L. in favor of Mr. Mayo, who is

obliging enough to collect & bring the money on his return to

this post. Our Mess dined with Capts. Thomson¹³& Britt;14 it

being the Anniversary of Capt T.'s birth & the 12th day of

Christmas: The Dinner was by no means inelegant.

5. Mr. Mayo with his own & Major Cushing's15 waiters, together

with four discharged soldiers, accompanied with two men

express from this to Fort Wayne; departed for Greeneville, via

the last mentioned Fort.

6. Attempted to dine at home on a solitary morsel of poor corned

beef; so unpalatable after our late fare, it could not escape the

insults of the whole Mess.

7. Dined at home on a boiled Indian pudding, a dish of excellent

hominy, (the relics of Savage industry) & a piece of corned

beef.

8. Dined at home on a similar dinner with that of yesterday. A

10 Robert Elliot and Eli Williams. Elliot had been killed by Indians in 1794 near

Fort Hamilton.

11 Fort Recovery was erected by Wayne in December 1793 on the site of St. Clair's

defeat of 1791. In June 1794 the fort was attacked by the largest force of Indians

ever to collect against the Americans. The attack was repulsed.

12 Heitman says Lieutenant Visscher, of New York, was transferred from the 2d

to the 3d Sub Legion in 1793, and was appointed lieutenant in 1794.

13 Robert Thomson, of Pennsylvania, 4th Sub Legion. He had enlisted in 1789, served

as a lieutenant, 1791-92, resigned for a short time, and rejoined as a lieutenant in 1792.

14 Daniel Britt, of Pennsylvania, 1st Sub Legion. He had served under Harmar

as a paymaster and under St. Clair as an ensign and lieutenant.

15 Thomas H. Cushing, of Massachusetts, 1st Sub Legion. He served as both an

enlisted man and an officer in the Revolution. After the Indian Wars he became in-

spector and adjutant of the army in 1797, lieutenant colonel in 1802, and brigadier

general in 1812. He was discharged in 1815, and died in 1822. During the Wayne

campaign Cushing was a member of a group which was critical of Wayne and favored

General James Wilkinson, Wayne's second in command.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 63

private, of the 3d Sub Legion, by the name of Skinner having

obtained permission to go in quest of vegetables has not

return'd with his comrade; wch circumstance, with that of his

having been recently punished for theft, induces a general

belief that he has deserted to the British.

9. Dined at home on hominy, Indian pudding & boiled pike. The

general depth of the snow on the ground is 6 or 7 inches.

10. Two lambs born last night, wch was by far the coldest we have

experienced since the commencement of this winter. Am at a

loss to assign the true physical cause of the difference observable

in the state of the rivers Miamis & Glaize;¹⁶the former being

covered with large bodies of solid, firm ice, superficially

sprinkled with snow; while the latter river contains but a small

portion of ice, or rather masses of snow in a partial state of

congelation--this diversity in the appearance of these rivers

has been notable ever since the commencement of the cold

weather. One would be apt to imagine that this dissimilarity

was occasioned by some large springs flowing with considerable

rapidity from the adjacent banks or from the greater or perhaps

more numerous flexions of the Glaize, thereby preserving, for

a greater length of time, the fluidity of that river: But as we

are not sufficiently acquainted with the Country to assert that

either of those causes does not exist in a greater degree in one

of the rivers than in the other, I shall rest it to some future

period to be ascertained.

11. The two rivers froze quite across: The Miamis becoming solid

stopped the passage of the Glaize; so that within four or five

hours they were cotemporarily congealed.

12. Died this afternoon Corporal Pounds of the 4th Sub Legion:

7 or 8 days since he complained of burning pain all over the

abdominal region & his pulse being quick, I let him bleed freely

& applied flannels wrung out of warm emmollient decoctions,17

on wch, the next day he found himself tolerably well; & the day

after returned to his duty; but last evening While on guard he

was seized with the same complaint with redoubled violence:

16 The Auglaize River, which joins the Maumee at Defiance.

17 A decoction is a medicine produced by boiling.

64 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

The same course was pursued without effect; on wch, & on

acct. of the excruciating spasms, I was induced to make a liberal

use of opiates: however, notwithstanding every effort, we were

deprived this day of a very valuable noncommissioned officer.

I gave the disorder the appellation of an Inflammation of the

Bowel:¹⁸but do not recollect to have been informed of an

instance where that disease terminated with such rapidity.

13. Our express returned from Fort Wayne; by Letters from wch

place we are advised of the arrival at that post of 30 or 40

Savages of the Ottawa, Pottowattoma & Sacquey Nations with

overtures of peace: That they set out for Head Quarters on the

9th inst. We likewise learn that Lord Dorchester, Governor of

Upper Canada,¹⁹has written to Genl. Wayne mentioning that

his Ldshp had been directed by the D. of Portland,²⁰one of his

Majesty's principal Secys of State, to apprize the Genl. that it

had been mutually agreed between Mr. Jay21 & the British

Ministry, that during the progress of the present treaty, all

things should remain in statu quo between the two nations; &

that all prisoners taken on either side should be returned: His

Ldshp concludes his letter by observing that nothing will afford

him so much satisfaction as to see an amicable & permanent

treaty settled between the two powers, & nothing on his part

shall be wanting to coopperate in the promotion of such a

desireable object. This method of communicating the trans-

actions of the Cabinet is truly very novel.

14. Our Mess dined with Major Cushing on "Hog & hominy." Two

or three of the Garrison hunters came in, & brought with

them a man who calls himself Bell, who was taken on the north

side of the Miamis, six miles below this place: when he ar-

18 Probably appendicitis. Corporal Pounds undoubtedly died from generalized

peritonitis, resulting from a ruptured appendix.

19 Lord Dorchester (Sir Guy Carleton) was actually governor general of all Canada.

20 The Duke of Portland (William Henry Cavendish Bentinck) was home secretary

and thus chief administrator for Canada in London, 1794-1801.

21 In 1794 John Jay had served as minister plenipotentiary to the Court of St.

James to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce between Great Britain and the

United States. His efforts resulted in the treaty of London of November 19, 1794

(Jay's Treaty), signed by President Washington on June 25, 1795, which, among other

things, provided for the evacuation of those frontier posts being held by the British

within the acknowledged limits of the United States.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 65

rived, he was examined by the Major [Hunt]: but the acct.

he gave to the Major proving contradictory to that wch he had

palmed on the soldiers who captured him; & from his having

offered the soldiers money to let him proceed; he was put in

confinement as a suspicious character; in wch situation it is

intended he shall remain 'till some intelligence respecting him

can be obtained.

15. Capt. Thomson with 40 non Commissioned officers & privates

set off this morng [morning] with ten hand-sleds for the

purpose of procuring corn & other vegetables from an Indian

field about eleven miles down the Miamis.

16. The only thorough pleasant day we have had since the entrance

of this month.

17. Capt. Thomson with his party returned about 2 o'Clock having

collected about fifteen bushels of corn; the remaing [remaining]

contents of the field were buried with snow, wch the Capt.

informs is 2 or 3 inches deeper than at this place. Our hunters

came in & report that they had discovered the bodies of two

men (who by their garb appeared to be Legionary Soldiers)

about four miles up the Miamis on the west of Bean Creek:

Major Hunt immediately ordered a Corporal & 8 privates

accompanied with the hunters to bring the bodies to the Gar-

rison on hand-sleds: The party returned about sunset with the

defunct; who, it is conjectured, deserted from Fort Wayne, but

being unable to cross Bean-Creek were frozen to Death.

18. A party of men were sent up the Glaize to the Stone-Quarry

for the purpose of demolishing a Kentucky boat to save the

plank; as it is probable at the breaking up of that river, the ice

will sweep every thing before it.

19. Last night, between 12 & 2 oClock, the floor of the room oc-

cupied by Lieut. Lee & myself, took fire by means of a brand

falling from the chimney-place; the smoke awakened Mr. Lee,

by wch, considerable damage was prevented. Convened this

day a Court-martial, whereof Capt Thomson was president;

Lieut. Pope²²& Ens. Strother²³members; at wch were tried

22 Piercy Smith Pope, of Virginia, Artillery.

23 Benjamin Strother, of Virginia, 4th Sub Legion.

66 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

Hikes, a private of the 4th & Doneghue, a private of the 3d

Sub Leg. The former was charged with having stolen a shirt

& some bread from one of the soldiers; but the proof not ap-

pearing satisfactorily evident, he was acquitted. Doneghue was

charged with having struck Serjt. Foley without cause; he was

found guilty & sentenced to receive 100 lashes, of wch Major

Hunt remitted a moiety; the remainder was inflicted at Evening

parade. Lieutenants Pope & Lee with myself strolled down the

Miamis as far as the Island in view of the Garrison; examined

two or 3 springs wch we supposed, by their smell & appearance,

might be capable of affording us a sufficient supply of salt.

20. Walked on the ice in company with Capt Britt & Lt. Lee to

the Salt Springs nearly opposite the island in sight of the Fort:

Mr. Lee had one of the Springs cleared from filth, &c.

21. Captains Thomson & Britt dined with our Mess; their room

being under the Carpenter's command.

22. Dined at home on ordinary fare.

23. Dined at home on corned beef.

24. Serjts. King & Lee of the 4th Sub Legion arrived from Greene-

ville on a visit to their relation Lieut Lee; we allot a chamber,

adjoining our own, for their use during their stay at this place.

25. Attempted to reduce to salt some of the water from the newly

discovered spring.

26. It requiring so large a quantity of the saline water to produce

any essential degree of saltness, together with the want of

proper conveniences for the business, we are induced to give

up any further trial for the present.

27. Dined at home on broiled pheasants & a yankey pudding.

28. Serjts King, Lee & Foley with Corpl. White, departed for

Greeneville, via Fort Adams;²⁴By Serjt. King I sent my gold

watch to Major Mills²⁵for the purpose of having her repaired;

24 Fort Adams was built in 1794 by Wayne on the St. Marys River, near the site

of present Celina, Ohio.

25 Major John Mills was inspector and adjutant of the army, having received that

post in 1794. A native of Massachusetts, he had served as an officer in the Revolution

was appointed a captain in 1791 and a major in 1793, and died after the Wayne

campaign in 1796.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 67

I likewise sent 2 Letters to Majr. Mills & one to Doct Strong,²⁶

Capt Andrews²⁷& Doct. Hayward.²⁸Strolled with Capt Britt

on the ice as far as Genl. Wayne's last encampment near this

place. The Southerly winds render the ice rotten & consume

the snow fast.

29. This morng about 11 oClock, a Shawanoese & a Delaware

arrived with a flag; & after having dried their clothes & per-

ceived the cordiality with wch they were recd. returned to a

party they had left about a mile down the Miamis: In about

two hours the whole party came up, wch consisted of 3

Delaware Chiefs; 11 Do. [ditto] Warriors & 2 Do. Squaws; 3

Shawanoese Chiefs; 4 Do. Warriors & 3 Do. Squaws together

with the following named prisoners--Matthias Dawson, taken

two years & an half since on the Monongehala river; James

Patten, taken about four years since at Muskingum; Joseph

Guy, taken last December near Fort Hamilton; Susanna Baker,

taken near two years since at Kentucky. Among the Indians who

arrived this day are Blue Jacket,²⁹The King of the Glaize

& Stephen Young30--these Savages are the first that have been

at this place, since the erection of the Fort, with pacific views.

30. Four of the Chiefs who arrived yesterday dined with our Mess.

31. Lieut. Lee, Adjt. & QM of the Garrison, with a command of 20

Non Commissioned Officers & privates to escort the Shaw-

anoese, Delawares, & prisoners to Head Quarters. Martin

Schaub, my waiter, whose time of service will expire on the

28th proxo. accompanied Mr. Lee; & Barney McCarney sup-

plied the place of my waiter.

26 Joseph Strong, of Connecticut, surgeon's mate, 2d Sub Legion.

27 Samuel Andrews, of Massachusetts, 2d Sub Legion.

28 Nathan Hayward, of Massachusetts, surgeon, 3d Sub Legion. He had enlisted

as a surgeon's mate under the Confederation.

29 Blue Jacket, war chief of the Shawnees, had replaced the Miami chieftain, Little

Turtle, as the war captain of the Indian forces after the battle of Fort Recovery,

June 30-July 1, 1794. He led the Indians at the battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20,

1794.

30 Stephen Young, a Delaware, had come to Wayne at Greene Ville in January

1794, asking terms of peace.

68 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS NOTED AT FORT DEFIANCE,

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 1795.

Winds

Days Variations of the Weather in each day. Prevalent

1. Snow - Cloudy East

2. Cloudy all day West

3. Fine snow - cloudy SE.

4. Cloudy - fair - overcast SW.

5. Snow - cloudy West

6. Do. - Do. SE.

7. Fair & pleasant for the season North

8. Cloudy - fine snow NE.

9. Do. - Do. SE.

10. Fair & pleasant - Cloudy - Snow West NW.

11. Snow - cold & cloudy NW.

12. Cloudy & cold Do.

13. Do. Do. - fine Snow Do.

14. Cloudy NE.

15. Do. Do.

16. Fair & pleasant East.

17. Snow - fair West.

18. Fair & pleasant East.

19. Do. NE.

20. Do. Do.

21. Cloudy - fair East.

22. Do. - Do. - Cloudy - fine snow Do.

23. Cloudy - Snow NE.

24. Snow Do.

25. Cloudy - drizzling rain West.

26. Do. - Do. Do.

27. Do. - Do. South.

28. Fair & pleasant - Cloudy - Rain Do.

29. Rain - Cloudy SE.

30. Snow & very Cold - fair NW.

31. Fine snow - fair Do.

The want of a Thermometer is much to be lamented; as a knowledge of

the temperature of the Atmosphere is essentially necessary in assigning causes

of every disorder arising from Climate, &c.

Snow - 15. - Rain 4.

70 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

DIURNAL OCCURRENCES AT, & NEAR FORT DEFIANCE.

FEBRUARY - 1795. - 28 DAYS.

1. Stationary being scarce, the Officers receive but half the usual

allowance.

2. Lieut. Pope & Ens. Strother dined with us on roasted pheasant,

&c.

3. Supped with Capts Thomson & Britt.

4. Dined at home on ordinary fare.

5. Accompanied by Capt. Britt, crossed the Glaize & sauntered

up to Capt. Uriah Springer's³¹late redoubt; returned on the ice,

& supped with Major Cushing.

6. Dined & supped with Capts. Thomson & Britt. About a quarter

of an hour past tatoo, The Centinel posted on the western side

of the parapet discharged his gun; on wch, a Corpl. & 5

privates were detached from the guard to know the cause of

this alarm; who, on their return, inform that the Centinel

(Doneghue) averred that he fired at a man who was crossing

the Miamis on the ice, & that he had dropped him: On examing

[examining] the spot wch he pointed out as the place where

the man fell, no appearance of blood could be discovered; but,

lo! next morng the tracks of a large dog were very conspicuous.

7. This day I am twenty & seven years old.

8. Dined at home on miserable corned beef.

9. Dined with Capts Thomson & Britt--the frequency of my

eating with those gentlemen arises from their having received

some excellent beef from Cincinnati; whereas for want of

having made seasonable arrangements for procuring our pro-

visions from the same source; our sole dependence is on the

Contractors, whose beef is truly miserable.

10. At 10 oClock AM a Court Martial convened at Mr. Pope's

Quarters.--Capt. Britt President; Lieut. Pope & Ens. Strother

members. Thos. Doneghue being arraigned for having sold a

shirt to an Indian pleaded guilty & was sentenced to receive 50

lashes on his Posteriors & to be put under stoppages of pay 'till

the amt. of the shirt shall be refunded; the Sentence was appro-

31 Of Virginia, 3d Sub Legion. Springer had been an officer in the Revolution.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 71

bated by the Commandant; & the former part of the punishment

inflicted in front of the men at Evening parade.

11. Dined with Capts Thomson & Britt.

12. Notwithstanding the stormy weather, Capts Thomson and Britt

with myself strolled down the Miamis on the ice to the farthest

extremity of the island within view of this Garrison: On my

return I was sent for by one Moran, who had fractured his

right clavicle in pursuit of a squirrel he had wounded.

13. Dined with Capts Thomson & Britt on pot-pye of pheasants.

A private named Hough of the 2d. S. L. being absent without

permission, wch, with the circumstances of his having taken his

two new shirts, induces a general belief that he has deserted to

the British.

14. Dined with Capts Thomson & Britt on the remains of yesterday.

Wrote to Major Thomas H. Cushing relative to a misunder-

standing that has taken place in consequence of some little

liberties I used to Del Toboso [?]. Received Major Cushing's

reply.

15. Wrote to Major Cushing, conceiving him to have misconstrued

the intention of some passage of mine wch was sent yesterday.

Recd. Major Cushing's answer. Dined with Capts Thomson &

Britt.

16. The man who was taken by a party of our men on the 14th ulto.

escaped from the guard room; A Serjt. Corpl. & 2 privates were

next morning detached in pursuit of him; but were unable to

effect his recovery. Wrote to Major Cushing on the old Affair.

17. Dined with Capts Thomson & Britt.

18. Dined at home on Venison.

19. Supped with Capts Thomson & Britt.

20. Five Shawanoese having met with two of our hunters below

Snakestown, raised a flag denotive of peace & requested the

men to return with them to this Fort; wch being acceded to,

they arrived about 1/2 past 12 o'Clock AM. Dined with Capts.

Thomson & Britt on pot-pye.

21. Lewis Troutman, a private of the 1st S. L. after a long & tedious

illness, fell a victim to ardent Spirits: He had by a long series

72 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

of debauchy, so injured his constitution that the united powers

of nature & art were inadequate to its reparation. Troutman,

while a soldier at Post Vincennes³²was, from his fortitude &

perservance in the wars of Bacchus, admitted as a member of

the "Damnation Club;" where an essential requisite was to be

ever ready to receive 100 lashes if it might be the means of

procuring a pint of whiskey for the good of said society: He

informed me that he had absolutely received seven hundred

lashes in that noble pursuit.

22. The entrance of the day was honored with a federal discharge

from our small pieces of arty. followed by an handsome

Reveille. The Officers of the Garrison dined with our Mess on

the following [illegible] dishes--Venison, pheasants & rac-

oons; a baked rice pudding & Squirrel pye; bacon & eggs; &

a boiled flour pudding: The Day was enjoyed with those

pleasing & agreeable sensations wch must naturally result from

the recollection of the great services of the man, to whom

this day gave birth. Two of the Indians who went in with Lieut

Lee on the 31st ulto. returned with a letter from that officer,

dated Fort Adams, informing that he expected to get to this

post on the 24th current.

23. The two Indians, who arrived from Mr. Lee's party, departed

for their towns to give information of the reception they had

experienced of Genl. Wayne.

24. The Officers of the Garrison dined with our mess on roasted

turkey, harshed [hashed?] Venison, Cold pot-pye, smoked neat's

tongue & a baked rice pudding. Five men & a squaw of the

Shawanoese, together with a white man, (who was taken so

young that he had lost the knowledge of his mother tongue)

arrived from their hunting camp, about a mile distant: They

presented Majr. Hunt with a Shoulder & two hams venison

& a turkey. They returned to their Camp at sunset.

25. Mr. Lee returned with the Indians he accompanied to Glle.

32 Fort Knox, on the Wabash River in Indiana. Originally it was the French post

Vincennes, and later a British post which was captured by George Rogers Clark

during the Revolution.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 73

[Greene Ville] but four of his command arrived, the remaining

part being taken sick & left at the different posts between this

& Head Quarters. Recd letters from Majr. Mills & Lieut.

Visscher.

26. The officers of the Garrison & the Indian Chiefs, who returned

with Mr. Lee, dined with our mess. It appears that preliminary

articles have been interchangeably signed & a treaty is to be

held at Greenville on or about the 15th June next.

27. The Indians departed for their Towns, proposing to return &

plant on their old grounds agreeably to Genl. Wayne's request

& mention their intention to give up all prisoners at the treaty,

conformably to one of the preliminary Articles.

28. Dined with Capts. Thomson & Britt. Wrote to Lt. Visscher &

Major Mills & to Doct Allison, Surg. Genl. enclosing monthly

returns of Sick & Medicines. paid 13 lbs flour for 2 pewter

dishes, one Do. plate & a candlestick, Indian property.

74 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS NOTED AT FORT DEFIANCE,

FEBRUARY, 1795.

Days Variations of the Weather Winds.

1. Fair - Cloudy - fair East.

2. Do - Quite a warm Spring like day South.

3. Snow - windy NW.

4. Cloudy - Snow - fair NNW.

5. Snow - fair & pleasant NW.

6. Cloudy - fair & pleasant Do.

7. Cloudy East.

8. Snow - Sun set clear SE.

9. Cloudy - fine snow - Overcast NW.

10. Cloudy West.

11. Snow SW.

12. fine snow - fair - overcast - cloudy - snow West.

13. Snow - Cloudy & cold NNW.

14. Cloudy - Clear & cold Do.

15. Clear & cold NW.

16. Cloudy - Snow SE-SW-South

17. Cloudy - snow - cloudy - Fair & windy NW.

18. Cloudy - fair & pleasant WNW.

19. Cloudy - fair, mild & pleasant SW.

20. Overcast - Cloudy NE.

21. Fair & pleasant - Cloudy - rain SW.

22. Cloudy - rain South.

23. Do - Snow East.

24. Cloudy WSW-NW.

25. Fair & cold NW.

26. Cloudy - fair - cold & windy - cloudy Do.

27. Cloudy - snow SW.

28. Snow - Cloudy West

Although we had more or less snow for thirteen days, yet the snow in the

vicinity of this place never at one time exceeded six or seven inches in depth.

Snow - 13

Rain - 2.

76 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

DIURNAL INCIDENTS AT & NEAR FORT DEFIANCE; MARCH - 1795 - 31 DAYS

1. Wrote to Lieut. Saml. Drake34 & Ens. Thos. Swain.35 Capts

Thomson & Britt dined with our mess.

2. Capt. Thomson with a Corpl. 1 music & 6 privates departed

for Gville via Fort Adams--Capt. T's. sole business is to pro-

cure private stores for the officers of this post, & as soon as

effected, he is to return with all convenient speed. Capt. Britt

dined with our Mess & recd a general invitation to dine untill

the return of Capt Thomson: After dinner, Capt. B & myself

strolled on the ice up the Miamis as far as bean-creek 2 miles

distant from the Fort--We found the river quite open for 500

or 600 paces above & below the mouth of the creek. Com-

menced digging an ice house.

3. Two privates started for Fort Wayne. The Officers of this

Garrison having agreed to join in copartnership to manufacture

maple sugar & to place the immediate direction in the hands

of Major Cushing, who commenced tapping the trees this day;

we walked within sight of Bean Creek in order to ascertain in

some degree the probable number of trees, wch could be readily

attended by a small number of hands. We calculate on at-

tempting 600. The further progression of the ice house is halted

on account of the advancement of the season.

4. Examined with some attention the manner of boring the trees

& am apt to think that gashing with an axe would be more

productive of sap tho' possibly less salutary to the tree.

5. Capt Britt & our Mess dine on solitary fare.

6. The ice appears very sensibly affected by the late southerly

winds; insomuch that it is really hazardous to attempt crossing

either river.

7. Dined with Lieut. Pope & Ens. Strother on a roasted racoon

& a pair of ducks. After dinner arrived two Frenchmen who

call themselves Pierre Menard³⁶& Francois Kee;³⁷On interro-

34 Of Connecticut, 2d Sub Legion.

35 Swaine, 4th Sub Legion.

36 Possibly the Pierre Menard who at this time was a trader and merchant at

Kaskaskia. Born in Quebec in 1766, he moved about 1787 to Vincennes, where he

was employed by Colonel Francois Vigo, the Indian trader. He served in various local

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 77

gating the former, he avers that having killed an Indian & a

squaw in rescuing the life of a french prisoner, was apprehensive

he should be taken & delivered to the civil authority of Detroit,

altho' agreeably to the savage custom he had purchased his life

of the relations of the deceased, by the surrender of his

property; but he had received information that Govr. Simcoe³⁸

had offered a considerable reward to have him apprehended:

wch was his reason for coming to this place. The other man is

travelling in the laudable pursuit of bettering himself.

8. The Gentlemen of the Garrison, except Major Cushing, dined

with our Mess on Turkey, racoon & squirrel & a dessert of

bread & honey. The ice in the Miamis breaks near its edges.

9. The ice in the Miamis has entirely gone off for upwards of two

miles above this place; it appears, however, to meet with an

obstruction at the first Island below.

10. The impediment to the progression of the ice at the Island is

totally obviated.

11. The two Frenchmen departed for Greeneville, via Fort Wayne.

12. Strolled with Capt. Britt on the South side of the Miamis

as far as Genl. Scott's³⁹late encampment, near Bean Creek, tho'

on the opposite side of the river: We could discover no ice in

the whole course of our jaunt & are therefore induced to think

that the Miamis is nearly clear.

13. Major Cushing, Capt. Britt & Mr. Lewis⁴⁰dined with our Mess

on a roasted Brant & a Brant-pye.

14. Dined at home on a broken dinner.

15. This day several Delawares, Shawanoese & one Wyandot ar-

rived; the Delawares sent a letter by George White Eyes Junr.,

signed by several Sachems & Chiefs, purporting that on being

informed what has been effected towards a conclusion of the

and territorial offices, and in 1818 was elected the first lieutenant governor of Illinois.

He was one of the organizers of the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company. He died in 1844.

37 Not identified.

38 John Graves Simcoe, lieutenant governor of Upper Canada.

39 Major General Charles Scott had commanded the Kentucky Mounted Volunteers

in the Wayne campaign of 1793-94.

40 Not identified.

78 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

war, their hearts were filled with gladness, & the more ef-

fectually to evince their sincerity they were ready to deliver up

all the white prisoners in their several possessions, either im-

mediately or at the treaty, wch should be deemed most exped-

ient by Majr. Hunt: That they were of opinion the sooner this

object was accomplished the better, that their [sic] might not be

any distrust or jealousy. They further mention their purpose of

coming up in season to put seed into the ground, wch they hope

can be done without molestation.⁴1 Majr. Hunt immediately

dispatched a Serjeant & Private with the letter to Genl. Wayne

to Know his wish respecting its contents.

16. A number of Shawanoese arrived this afternoon.

17. Capt. DB [Daniel Britt] was arrested by Major Hunt for being

drunk on the eve of the 16th when Officer of the day; for un-

gentlemanly, unofficer-like conduct & for such behavior as is

subversive of military order, &c. Major Cushing, Mr. Pope,

Mr. Strother, Mr. Lewis, One Delaware & eight Shawanoese

dined with our mess. There are about this place 70 Indians

for the purpose of making sugar if the season should prove

favorable.

18. Capt. DB is liberated from his arrest thro' the intercession of

the officers of the Garrison. A Young man (who called himself

Anty Sheane half Indian & the other moiety french) arrived;

he being intelligent in the French, English & 5 Indian Lan-

guages, the Major has taken him into our mess to act as

interpreter.⁴²

19. Commenced a Vocabulary of the Shawanoese Language, being

assisted by Mr. Sheane.

20. A Frenchman arrived from Fort Wayne on his way to Detroit;

& soon after came our express, who bro't me letters from

Doct. Hayward dated 1st. Decr. 94; from Maj. Burbeck⁴³

41 During the campaign of 1794, Indians had been driven from several villages in

the Maumee and Auglaize valleys. They were now asking permission to return to plant

the fields around those villages.

42 Anthony Sheane (Shane) later had a trading post on the south bank of the St.

Marys River, on a reservation granted him by the federal government. The place was

called "Shane's Crossing," but later became Rockford, Ohio.

43 Henry Burbeck, of Massachusetts, Artillery. He had served as an officer in the

Revolution, and rose to brevet brigadier general during the War of 1812.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 79

25th Jany; from the Paymaster Genl. 22d Jany; & from Capt.

M. Porter,⁴⁴17th March; wch last was accompanied with a

piece of bacon of the Capt's own curing. I recd by the express

also three silk hkchfs, [handkerchiefs] wch I had directed to be

purchased at Fort Wayne; price two Dollars each.

21. Last night the ice in the river Glaize was swept away.

22. The frenchman who arrived on the 20th; departed for Detroit

with several Indians.

23. Two Delawares arrive from their Village.

24. Dined at home free from company.

25. Lent Lieut. Lee thirty Dollars, also delivered him thirty Dollars

to be expended for my use at Fort Wayne. we had for supper

the first fish caught here this season.

26. Mr. Lee with Nekskorwetor (a Shawanoese Chief) a Corporal

& seven men departed for Fort Wayne for the purpose of pro-

curing a supply of provisions for this post: My waiter &

another accompanied them on this day's march, to return to-

morrow with what game might be killed by Mr Lee's party.

Sent by Mr Lee 2 Letters to Capt Porter & one to Major

Burbeck; all bearing date yesterday. Plenty of fish caught at

this place.

27. My waiter & the other private returned with two ducks & two

Squirrels killed by Nekskorwetor.

28. Dined at home on boiled beef, fry'd fish & roasted ducks. The

Serjt. & private who departed for Greeneville on the 15th inst.

returned with a letter from Genl. Wayne to Major Hunt,

authorizing him to invite the Delawares to plant in the vicinity

of this place & to receive the prisoners when they should be

brought in. recd. a letter from Lt. Drake.

29. An extract of the act for increasing the bounty, pay and rations

of the soldiers was at this place published.

30. The Delawares returned with Major Hunt's answer to their talk

of the 15th. inst.

31. Two Delawares arrive in a bark Canoe, from the Sandusky.

44 Moses Porter, of Massachusetts, Artillery. He was an officer in the Revolution,

and rose to colonel and brevet brigadier general in the War of 1812.

80 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, NOTED AT FORT DEFIANCE,

MARCH - 1795.

Date Variations of the weather Winds

1. Cloudy - Snow - Cloudy SW.

2. Fair & pleasant SW.

3. Do SW.

4. Do SSW.

5. Do. SW.

6. Do. South.

7. Windy - Rain SW.

8. Blustering - Cloudy - fine snow NW.

9. Clear & cold Do.

10. Overcast - cold - fair & pleasant WSW.

11. Cloudy - fair & pleasant Do.

12. Fair & pleasant - Cloudy - Snow South.

13. Do Do - fine snow West. -- SW.

14. Fair & cold - Cloudy NW.

15. Variably Cloudy & fair SW.

16. Snow - fair & pleasant NE. -- W.

17. Cloudy - rain - wind & rain at night SW.

18. Cloudy - fine snow & rain WSW.

19. fair - overcast - cold - snow NW.

20. Fair & pleasant - cloudy West.--SW.

21. Cloudy - Rain SW.

22. Overcast - fair & pleasant WSW.

23. Cloudy - foggy - fine rain East.

24. Foggy - Cloudy - small rain - thunder Do.

25. Cloudy - rain SSW.

26. Cloudy - Cold NW.

27. Cloudy with wind - snow - cold ENE.

28. Cloudy - fine snow WNW.

29. Fair - Overcast - fair & warm South.

30. Rain - Cloudy - fair West.

31. Fair & pleasant Do.

82 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

DIURNAL OCCURRENCES AT & NEAR FORT DEFIANCE:

APRIL, 30 DAYS - 1795 -

1. Accompanied Major Hunt & Capt. Britt on a fishing party, a

small distance up the Glaize; we took about four dozen; & it

is computed that at least 500 were taken with hooks by the

soldiery.

2. In Company with the same Gentlemen attempted the fishing

business; but in catching 15 fishes, we lost three hooks -- A

Bad exchange at this place.

3. Lieut. Lee & his party returned from Fort Wayne with two

bbls. of Pork & 9 kegs flour: He also returned the thirty Dolls.

I delivered him to be expended for my use, as the things wch

I wanted to procure were not to be had at FW. Recd. by Mr

Lee a letter from Capt. Cornelius Lyman,⁴⁵dated ye. 20th Jany

& one from Doct. Strong 21st. Jany 1795.

4. Lieut. Pope with a party of men departed with two boats for

Fort Wayne to obtain a further supply of provisions, Mr Lee

not having bro't more than a sufficiency for one week. Wrote to

Capt. Porter. Major Cushing communicated a message from

Genl. Wilkinson⁴⁶to me, expressed in a letter to the Major,

bearing date 21st Jany. 1795. We are at present free from the

troublesome presence of the Indians. Two Frenchmen arrived

this day from the river Raison, via Fort Wayne: They mention

that the common topic of conversation among the British is

respecting the speedy cession of the Posts.⁴⁷

5. A Mr. Wilson, who is to act as Commissary at this place & a

Mr. Bridges, a trader came from Fort Wayne on a raft of logs.

The Gentlemen of the Garrison, the two Frenchmen, & Messrs.

Bridges & Wilson dined with our Mess. recd a letter from

Ens Swaine, dated the 28th ulto.

6. At a Court Martial, whereof Capt. Britt was president; Lieut.

45 Of Massachusetts, 2d Sub Legion. He had served as an ensign in the Revolution,

and was discharged in 1783. He returned to the army as a lieutenant in 1791.

46 Brigadier General James Wilkinson was second in rank to Wayne in 1795.

During the campaign of 1793-94 he had command of the right wing of the army.

After the war and during the year 1795, because of his antagonism to Wayne, he was

given little to do, and devoted his time to his personal affairs and to intrigues with

Spanish and British officials.

47 As a result of Jay's Treaty.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 83

Lee & Ens. Strother Members, were tried Jackson & Ulrick,

privates of the 3d. S. L., charged with having set their guns

aside & seating themselves on their posts on the night of the

4th Inst. To the latter charge they plead guilty, but deny their

having dislodged their guns from their possession: The Court

found them both guilty & sentenced each to receive 100 lashes;

The Commdt. having approbated the sentence, the punishment

was inflicted at Evening parade.

7. Dined at home perfectly free from any Company excepting the

Mess.

8. The two Frenchmen departed for La Raison. Two indians came

in from their hunting Camp to get provisions.

9. The rivers much higher than they have been since my residence

at this Post. The Soldiery reduced to half allowance of meat.

10. The water is now on the decline. The two Indians who came in

on the 8th; presented our Mess with three turkeys.

11. The Canoe wch Mr. Pope's party took up with them to Fort

Wayne, returned laden with provisions, the Non Commissd.

Officer who had charge of this boat informs that Mr. Pope

on his upward passage had met with a couple of Deserters in a

Canoe from Fort Wayne, that he took them back to that place,

where it is expected they will meet the last human punishment.

Recd. A letter from Lieut. Drake.

12. Mr. Pope with the residue of his party returned from Fort

Wayne in the other boat laden with pork & flour; so that the

embargo on the soldiers' appetite is suspended.

13. Capt. Britt with a party of men, departed with the two boats

for Fort Wayne for a further supply--Mr. Bridges accompanied

the Capt. wrote to Lt. Drake and Ens. Swaine. Two privates

were sentenced by a Court martial to receive 100 lashes each;

but from the intercession of the indians who lost the corn &

from the restoration of the property; the punishment was

remitted.

14. The Officers, excepting those of our Mess, commenced clearing

the ground on the other side of the rivers for Gardening.

15. James Kisnnat Gilman, late a private in the 1st S. L. who was

taken near Fort Jefferson about two years since, came in (as he

84 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

says) from Captivity: He informs that the Indian Agent Capt

Elliot⁴⁸is endeavouring to infuse into the minds of the savages

that the Americans have the intention of poisoning their food.

16. On the Division of the sugar made at this place during the past

season among the 8 Officers, it averaged 20 lbs each--miserable

doings--but the season has been extremely unfavorable all

round.

17. Several Shawanoese indians arrived from Swan Creek; they

are encamped opposite the 1st island below this place.

18. The Shawanoese who arrived yesterday, among whom is a chief

called Pawotgue, dined with us to day.

19. Lt. Lee, Ens. Strother & myself, accompanied by the Indian

Interpreter, strolled down the Miamis to the Shawanoese en-

campment: An old woman presented us with a plate of pan-

cakes, of wch from motives of Complaisance we were obliged

to partake, not without some disturbance lest there might have

been savory additions from the head or blanket. But down it

must go.

20. We discovered by means of a Shawanoese that Gilman, who

came in on the 15th inst was not a prisoner but a deserter from

us; in consequence of wch he was handcuffed & deprived of a

blanket previously extorted from the Compassion of Maj. Hunt.

Some Shawanoese attempting to take a Canoe belonging to the

Garrison without permission & refusing to desist at the demand

of the Centinel were fired on without injuring any of them: An

eclaircissement took place between a Chief & Maj. Hunt & all

things were adjusted.

21. Capt. Britt & party arrived from Fort Wayne; recd 2 Letters

from Lieut Visscher & one from Capt. Porter; also 12 vols. of

Medical books purchased of Doct. Hayward & my Chest from

Fort Recovery. Learn that Maj. Buell⁴⁹& Capt. Brock⁵⁰are

in arrest.

48 A British Indian agent in the Old Northwest. He had been active, with Simon

Girty and Alexander McKee, since the early days of the Revolution in stirring up the

Indians against the Americans.

49 John H. Buell, of New York, 2d Sub Legion.

50 Joseph Brock, of Virginia, 4th Sub Legion.

THE ANDREWS JOURNAL 85

22. Several Shawanoese dine with our Mess.

23. Lieut Lee with a small party departed for Fort Wayne with

one boat for a further supply of provisions: Mr. Lee took charge

of Gilman to have him forwarded from Fort Wayne to Head

Quarters for trial. Wrote to Capt Porter.

24. A considerable number of Delawares arrived & have en-

camped a little east of the Mouth of Bean Creek.

25. Went up to the Delaware encampment to visit a woman, to

whom I had given an emetic the preceding Evening--It had the

proposed effect & the woman was much pleased with my

attention.

26. Administered to an old Delaware woman with an aedematous

[edematous] affection of the Leg.

27. Lieut Lee arrived, just after dinner, from Fort Wayne: The

shortest passage we have yet known effected. Recd a letter

from Capt. Preston.⁵1

28. In Company with Messieurs Pope & Lee strolled up to the old

stone Quarry, or the place where we procured stones for our

Chimneys; about one mile and an half up the Glaize.

29. Dine at home without interruption.

30. Blue Jacket, (A Shawanoese Chief) his son & son in Law

(Mr Laselle) with two other Indians arrived. Blue Jacket is

supposed to possess the greatest influence in his nation.

Laselle brought a number of horse loads of spirit, Shrub, &c

for sale; But the shrub being priced at 2 1/2 & the spirit @ 2

Dollars the sales are not rapid. Mr. L. considering all things,

is certainly a very decent well behaved young fellow: they all

dined with our Mess.

51 William Preston, of Virginia, 4th Sub Legion.

86 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS NOTED AT FORT DEFIANCE,

APRIL, 1795.

Date Variations of the weather Winds

1. Fair & pleasant SW

2. Overcast - fair - Cloudy - rain ENE

3. Fair - Cloudy - distant thunder in the night South

4. Overcast - fair & warm - cloudy - rain - thunder SSE

5. Cloudy - fair & warm - cloudy - thunder - rain SE

6. Rain Do

7. Do Do

8. Cloudy - fair & pleasant West

9. Fair - overcast - fair NW

10. Fair & cold Do

11. Fair - pleasant & warm SW

12. Fair - cloudy - rain - thunder in the night SE

13. Cloudy - Fair & pleasant Do

14. Fair, warm & pleasant - rain in the night WSW

15. Cloudy - rain - fair - thunder at night SE

16. Cloudy - Squalls of rain, hail & thunder, wind - fair ESE

17. Cloudy - Squalls of rain, hail & wind SW

18. Cloudy - Squalls of wind, rain & hail Do

19. Fair & cool Do

20. Fair & pleasant NW

21. Cloudy - fair East

22. Fair & pleasant. NE

23. Do SW

24. Do. SW

25. Do ESE

26. Cloudy - fine rain - cold Do

27. Do Do fair - cold NE

28. Fair - Cold for the season Do

29. Rain - Chilly - Cloudy NNE

30. Rain - fair - thunder in the night. NW.

[The Andrews journal will be continued in the next issue.]

Ohio History Journal