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CHAPTER I.
INDIAN TROUBLES FOLLOWING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.-INDIAN STATESMANSHIP. -FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS. -GENERAL WAYNE'S MILITARY MOVEMENTS. -TREATY OF GREENVILLE. -RESTORATION OF PEACE. -DEATH OF WAYNE. -CAPTAIN WILLIAM WELLS.
THE continued unsettled condition of the entire Northwestern country, largely aggravated by the failures of the campaigns of Harmar and St. Clair, and other coincident hostile movements against the Indians, imposed upon the Government imperative necessity for prompt and more vigorous measures in behalf of enforced peace. Recognizing such emergency, President Washington, in April, 1792, nominated General Anthony Wayne for Major General of the Army, with special reference to operating against the Indians of the Northwest. Such appointment was accepted by General Wayne, upon the expressed condition that he should not, as in the cases of Generals Harmar and St. Clair, be required to advance into the wilderness before his army was properly constituted and drilled; and with the further condition, that adequate provision of material be supplied before a movement. He was specially led to such requirements by the knowledge that two of his Revolutionary compatriots had suffered failure, and one of them (General St. Clair) serious defeat, from untimely advance upon the enemy. The following spring (of 1793), preliminary to an advance by General Wayne, a Board of Commissioners (Benjamin Lincoln, Beverly Randolph and Timothy Pickering) was appointed by the President, with authority to negotiate a treaty of peace and boundaries with the several tribes of Indians in the Northwest. Much confidence was felt in the success of this measure, on which would depend the necessity of a military campaign for the enforcement of peace. In April, 1793, the Commissioners received their instructions, which included the securing-of a confirmation of the treaty of Fort Harmar (1789), and more particularly that part of the same which fixed the boundaries and ceded to the Government the lands lying East, South and West of a line drawn up the Cuyahoga River, from its mouth to the portage of the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum; thence down that branch to the forks ; thence West to the portage of the Big Miami, called the Loramies; thence along that portage to the Miami (sometimes called Ouse or Maumee), and down the same to its mouth ; thence along the Southern shore of Lake Erie to the beginning at the mouth of the Cuyahoga. In consideration of such concessions, the Commissioners were instructed to offer the Indians the guarantee by the United States of the right of soil to all remaining lands in that quarter, and the relinquishment of places granted in the former treaty for trading posts ; and also the abandonment of any military posts existing within the boundaries named in the treaty. To this, they were to offer payment of $50,000 in hand, and a permanent annuity of $10,000. The Commissioners proceeded to Niagara, where they were received by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe, of Canada, whose hospitalities they accepted. May 30th they advised Colonel McKee, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, of their mission and their purpose to hold a treaty at Sandusky, requesting him to inform the Indians that they would meet them the latter part of June following. General Chapin, Superintendent of the Six Nations, was invited to attend the treaty, with compensation. June 7th they addressed Governor Simcoe, suggesting the delicacy and importance of their mission, soliciting his co-operation in removing the prejudices then existing with the Indians toward the United States, and suggesting the appointment of British officers, to accompany them to Sandusky. To all this the Governor acceded. They were detained for some days by adverse winds. Meantime Colonel Butler, a British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Captain Brandt arrived, with some 50 Indians, a delegation from the Nations assembled at the Rapids of the Maumee, to confer with the United States Commissioners in the presence of Governor Simcoe, in regard to the proposed meeting of the Indians at the Rapids with the Commissioners, for holding a treaty. The matter was freely discussed, pro and con., but
[37]
38 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
without reaching an agreement for a joint meeting. The Indians made it a condition precedent to undertaking a treaty, that the Ohio River should be the boundary between their lands and those of the Whites. This proposition was signed by Chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, Mingoes, Pottawatomies, Ottawas, Connoys, Chippewas and Munsees.
Replying to such proposition, the Commissioners said:
We do know very well, that at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, 25 years ago, the River Ohio was agreed on as the boundary line ; and we also know, that seven years after that boundary was fixed, a quarrel broke out between your father, the King of Great Britain, and the people of the Colonies, which are now the United States. The quarrel was ended by the treaty of peace made with the King about 10 years ago, by which the great Lakes and the waters which unite them, was declared by him to be the boundaries of the United States.
The Commissioners then refer in detail to the several treaties with tribes held subsequent to the close of the Revolution, and in support of the claim to a division of the lands North of the Ohio, cite the White settlements already made within such territory, which could not be abandoned. The Indians were inflexible in their condition of boundary, when the Commissioners declared the negotiations ended, saying: " We sincerely regret that peace is not the result; but knowing the upright and liberal views of the United States, which, so far as you gave us opportunity, we have explained to you, we trust that impartial judges will not attribute the continuance of the war to them." This was done at Captain Elliott's, at the mouth of the Detroit River, August 16, 1793.
In this connection may properly be given a specimen of the acumen and true statesmanship which marked the discussion of the rude denizens of the forest. For such purpose is reproduced a portion of the final answer of the Indian Council at the Rapids of the Maumee to the communication of the Commissioners in which they declared the negotiations closed. Referring to the offer of' money consideration by the Commissioners, the Council said
Money to us is of no value, and to most of us unknown. And, as no consideration whatever can induce us to sell the lands on which we get sustenance for our women and children, we hope we may be allowed to point out a mode by which your settlers may be very easily removed, and peace thereby obtained. We know [as the Commissioners had stated] that these settlers are poor, or they would never have ventured to live in a country which has been in continual trouble ever since they crossed the Ohio. Divide, therefore, this large sum of money which you have offered us among these people. Give to each, also, a portion of what you say you would give to us annually, over and above this very large sum of money ; and, as we are persuaded, they would most readily accept it in lieu of the land you sold them. If you add, also, the great sum of money you must expend in raising and paying armies, with a view to force us to yield to you our country, you will certainly have more than sufficient for the purpose of repaying these settlers for all their labor and their improvements. You have talked to us about concessions. It appears strange that you should expect any from us, who have only been defending our rights against your invasions. We want peace. Restore to us our country, and we shall be enemies no longer. You make one concession to us by offering us your money ; and another, by having agreed to do us justice, after having long and injuriously withheld it-we mean, in the acknowledgment you now make, that the King of England never did, and never had a right to give you our country, by the treaty of peace. And you want to make this act of justice a part of your concessions; and you seem to expect that because you have at last acknowledged our independence, we should for such favor surrender to you our country. You have talked, also, a great deal about preemption, and your exclusive right to purchase Indian lands, as ceded to you by the King at the treaty of peace. We never made any agreement with this King, nor with any other nation, that we would give to either the exclusive right of purchasing our lands ; and we declare to you that we consider ourselves free to make any bargain or cession of lands whenever or to whomsoever we please. If the White people, as you say, made a treaty that none of them but the King should purchase of us, and that he had given that right to the United States, it is an affair that concerns you and him, and not us. We have never parted with such power. * * * * We desire you to consider that our only demand is the peaceable possession of a small part of our once great country. Look back and review the lands from whence we have been driven to this spot. We can retreat no further, because the country behind hardly affords food for its inhabitants; and we have, therefore, to leave our bones in this small place to which we are now confined. We shall be persuaded that you mean to do us justice when you agree that the Ohio shall remain the boundary line between us. If you will not consent thereto, our meeting would be altogether unnecessary. This is the great point which we hoped would have been explained before you left your homes, as our message, last Fall, was principally directed to obtain that information.
Done at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, the 13th day of August, 1793.
FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS. - 39
This decisive message was signed by all tribes represented in Council at that place, viz.: The Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, Mingoes, Pottawatomies, Ottawas, Connoys, Chippewas and Munsees.
Thus closed the efforts of the Government to negotiate for an adjustment of existing troubles, without the arbitrament of arms. Considering the matter at this distant period, free from the conditions involved, it is difficult to see how the case of the Indians could have been more clearly or more forcibly put. It has been truly said of the matter, that "among the rude states men of the Wilderness, there was exhibited here as pure patriotism and as lofty devotion to the good of their race as ever won applause among civilized men. The White men, ever since they came into the country, had been encroaching upon their lands. They had long before occupied all the regions beyond the mountains. They had crushed the Confederacy which the far-sighted Pontiac had formed to protect his race 30 years before. They had taken possession of the common hunting grounds of all the tribes, on the faith of treaties they did not acknowledge. They were now laying out settlements and building Forts in the very heart of the country to which all the tribes bad been driven, and which was now all they could call their own. And now they asked that it should be guaranteed to them that the boundary which they had so long asked for should be drawn, and a final end made of the continual aggressions of the Whites; or, if' not, they solemnly determined to stake their all, against fearful odds, in defense of their homes, their country, and the inheritance of their children. Nothing could be more patriotic than the position they occupied, and nothing could be more noble than the declarations of this great Council."*
While, however, the world must ever accept and admire the lofty patriotism and heroic devotion thus shown by these untrained statesmen of the forest, and question the course of aggression to which they were made subject, the fact remains of the impracticability of the policy of defiance to which their logic led them. It was not-unfortunately for them-an issue for decision by reason or by discussion; but a case of peace or war, in which superiority in
* "Annals of the West," J. D. Albach, 1856, pp. 631-632.
arms, not in fact and argument, was to determine the result. But there was with the Indians a most important-perhaps a controlling consideration, outside that of the justice of their cause, to wit : The assurance of British, and even the hope of Spanish, intervention, should the case come to arms. The proof of this was found in admissions by the Indians, and speeches and messages of British and Spanish emissaries active in encouraging the Indians to resistance of American demands.
Accepting the situation as thus plainly fixed by the Indian Council, the United States Commissioners, the following day (August 17th), left the mouth of the Detroit River and reached Fort Erie on the 23d, whence they advised General Wayne of the outcome of their attempt at treaty. That officer at once directed his efforts toward raising, organizing and equipping such force as would be necessary to the gigantic charge thus devolved upon him, meantime keeping himself advised, as far as might be, of the plans and movements of the Indians. He was supplied with proof clearly showing the strong assurance of these, that in the crisis at hand they would have the active and decisive support of the British. Two Pottawatomies, taken prisoners in June, 1794, replied to questions as follows
When did your Nation receive the invitation from the British to join them and to go to war with the Americans?
On the first of the last moon. The message was sent by three Chiefs-a Delaware, a Shawnee and a Miami.
What was the message brought by those Indian Chiefs, and what number of British troops were at Roche de Boeuf * (foot of Rapids of the Maumee), May 1st?
That the British sent them to invite the Pottawatomies to go to war against the United States ; that they (the British) were then at Roche de Boeuf, on their way to war against the Americans ; that the number of British troops then there was about 400, with two pieces of artillery, exclusive of the Detroit Militia ; and had made a fortification around Colonel McKee's houses and stores at that place, in which they had deposited all their ammunition, arms, clothing and provision, with which they promised to supply all hostile Indians in abundance, provided they would join and go with them to war.
What tribes of Indians, and what their numbers, at Roche de Boeuf, on the 1st of May? [1794.]
The Chippewas, Wyandots, Shawnees, Tawas, Delawares and Miamis.
* A point on the North side of the Maumee River, and a short distance above Waterville, Lucas County.
40 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
The prisoners further stated that Governor Simcoe the previous Winter sent the Pottawatomies a message urging united war against the Americans, saying he would command the whole force; and again in May, 1794, from Roche de Boeuf, sent another message, promising fullest support in the proposed hostilities. "All the speeches that we got from him," said they, " were as red as blood ; all the wampum and feathers were painted red; the war pipes and hatchets were red; and even the tobacco was red." They stated the Governor promised to join the Indians with 1,500 of his warriors; but the tribe wanted peace, except a few foolish young men. Like testimony was obtained from members of other tribes-all concurring in clearly establishing the unscrupulous activity of the British authorities in fomenting trouble and encouraging hostilities on the part of the Indians, but for which promise of support the whole difficulty would probably have been adjusted on a peaceful basis.
If more conclusive proof be wanting as to the part taken by the British Government in fomenting antagonism between the Indians and the United States, it is supplied in the fact, that in April, 1794, Governor Simcoe was sent jealousy to the Rapids of the Maumee, within the acknowledged territories of the United States, and at a time of special irritation between the Indians and our Government, to erect there a Fort. This action could have no other possible object, than by such means to encourage the savages with assurance of active support from the British Government. About the same time, and as if in co-operation with the British intervention, a messenger from the Mississippi Province of Spain appeared in the Northwest, for the purpose of giving the Indians assurance of the sympathy and support of the Spanish Government. The character of his mission is shown in the opening sentences of his address to the Indians:
"Children!" said he, "you see me on my feet, grasping the tomahawk to strike them. We will strike together. I do not desire you to go before me in the front; but to follow me. I present you with a war-pipe, which has been sent in all our names to the Musquakies, and all those Nations who live toward the setting Sun, to get upon their feet and take hold of our tomahawk ; and as soon they smoked it, they sent it back with a promise to get immediately on their feet, and join us and strike this enemy. You hear what these distant Nations have said to us, so that we have nothing further to do, but to put our designs into immediate execution, and to forward this pipe to the three warlike Nations who have so long been struggling for their country, and who now sit at the Glaize. Tell them to smoke this pipe, and forward it to all the Lake Nations and their Northern Brethren. Then nothing will be wanting to complete our general union from the rising to the setting of the Sun, and all Nations will be ready to add strength to the blow we are going to strike."
The reasons and object operating both with Great Britain and Spain, in such alliance with the Indians, were understood at the time. The former power in March, 1793, had joined Russia in steps for cutting off the trade of France, then in a revolutionary state, with a view to the subjection of that country. To that end, the British Government, in June, 1794, issued an order for interdicting trade with all ports of France or ports occupied by French troops. To this the United States interposed its protest, and the matter soon assumed the character of serious irritation. This source of trouble, added to the lingering sensibility over the result of the recent revolution and the interests of Indian trade, was sufficient with the British Government to induce it to the aggressive action taken with the Indians. Spain's motive for the steps taken by her, arose in provoked by the advance of American colonies toward her domain in the Mississippi Valley. She bad long been tampering with the Indians in the South, and now turned her attention to those of the North, in the hope of crippling the advancing settlements in the Northwest.
While measures were in progress with reference to a peaceful adjustment of difficulties with the Indians, General Wayne was active in the raising, equipping and drilling his forces for aggressive steps, should such be found necessary. On the 30th of April, 1793, he moved down the Ohio, from Legionville, and encamped near Fort Washington, at a point called " Hobson's Choice,"* from the fact that the high water prevented the selection of any other place in the vicinity. Here he was engaged in drilling his troops, etc , while negotiations for peace were in progress at the North. Such
* This term is understood to have had its origin in the practice of the pioneer livery-keeper of Cambridge, England, whose name was Hobson, and whose rule was, that customers must, in succession, take the horse nearest the stable door, to the end that no favoritism should be shown or advantage had by one customer over others. Hence, " Hobson's Choice " is no choice.
GENERAL WAYNE'S MILITARY MOVEMENTS. - 41
menacing preparations were offensive to the Indians, and had no doubt the effect of embarrassing peaceful measures.
The United States Commissioners left the mouth of Detroit River August 17, 1793, and arrived at Fort Erie on the 23d, whence they despatched a messenger with notice to General Wayne of the failure of the negotiation. That officer at once commenced operations looking to an early advance toward the Maumee River. October 23d, he was six miles from Fort Jefferson ; and soon thereafter, in view of the approach of the Winter season, he established Winter-quarters at Fort Greenville (built by him), near the site of the present Town of Greenville, Darke County. While lying there he sent out a detachment to the field of St. Clair's defeat, where 600 skulls were gathered up and buried. One of the party stated that before lying down in their tents at night, they had to scrape the bones together, to make room for their beds. Here was built Fort Recovery.
During the early months of 1794, General Wayne was engaged in preparation for a careful, but sure, advance. Meantime, by means of Captain Gibson and his force of spies, he was kept advised of the plans of the Indians.
July 26th, Colonel Scott, with 1,600 mounted Kentuckians, joined Wayne at Greenville, and on the 28th, his force moved forward. He reached the junction of the Au Glaize and Maumee Rivers, at Grand Glaize, and built Fort Defiance at that point. The Indians, learning of his approach, had hastily abandoned their Towns. Wayne was disappointed in not reaching Grand Glaize, the headquarters of the Savages, without discovery; but they learned of his advance through a runaway member of the Quartermaster's Corps, who afterwards was taken at Pittsburgh. To accomplish such surprise, Wayne had cut two roads-one to the Rapids of the Maumee, at Roche de Boeuf, and another to the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph, while he pressed forward between the two, which strategy was defeated by the deserter referred to.
While at Fort Defiance, Gen. Wayne became fully advised of the movements and plans of the Indians, and of the collusion with them of the British authorities. In order, however, that hostilities even then might be averted, he transmitted by Christopher Miller a message to the Indians, appealing to them, in the name of humanity and peace, for an amicable adjustment of matters, closing his address in the following language:
Brothers! Be no longer deceived or led astray by the false promises and language of the bad men at the foot of the Rapids. They have neither power nor inclination to protect you. No longer shut your eyes to your true interests and happiness ; nor your ears to this overture of peace. But, in pity to your innocent women and children, come and prevent the further effusion of your blood. Let them experience the kindness and friendship of the United States of America, and the invaluable blessings of peace and tranquillity.
This was dated at Grand Glaize, August 13, 1794.
Advancing down the Maumee, Gen. Wayne met Miller on the 16th, with the message of the Indians, to the effect, that if he would wait ten days at Grand Glaize, they would decide for peace or for war. Fully understanding the subtle design of such a proposition, Gen. Wayne continued his advance, reaching Roche de Boeuf, 41 miles below Grand Glaize, on the 18th. Here he commenced some light works, which he named Fort Deposit, taking its name from the fact that its chief purpose was that of deposit for heavy baggage during the battle then imminent. On the 20th, about 8 A. M., Wayne moved down the North bank of the River. The Indians were encamped on Swan Creek, in rear of the British Fort (Miami), and behind thick brushwood. The Legion was on the right, its right covered by the River. A Brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, under Brig.Gen. Todd, and another in the rear, commanded by General Barbie. A select Battalion of mounted. men, under Major Price, moved in front of the Legion, whose duty it was to give notice for any needed action. About five miles down, Price's force was so severely assailed by the enemy, ambushed in woods and grass, as to compel retreat. In two lines, the Legion promptly formed, extending some miles on the left, and some distance in front. The presence on the ground of a large quantity of fallen timber, the result of a severe tornado a year or two previous, constituted a barrier insurmountable to the Cavalry, while affording excellent defense for the enemy, who were formed in three lines, within supporting distance, and extending for nearly two miles, at right angles with the River. The purpose of the enemy to turn Wayne's left was at once discovered. The
42 - HISTORY OR TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
General ordered his second line to advance to the support of the first, the whole mounted force being in motion. He directed Major General Scott, by a circuitous movement to gain and turn the right flank of the Indians, the front line at the same time advancing and charging with trailed arms, to drive the enemy from their covert at the point of the bayonet, a close and well directed fire to be dealt at their backs, followed by a brisk charge, in order that no time be allowed them for re-loading. The Legionary Cavalry, under Captain Campbell, were sent to turn the left flank of the enemy, next the River, for which operation the field was favorable. All these movements were made with promptness. Such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of Infantry, that the Indians, Canada Militia, and Detroit Volunteers were driven from all coverts so suddenly, that it was impossible for other portions of the command to gain their proper positions in season to participate as contemplated by the plan of the movement. The result was, that by a force one-half their own, the Indians were driven two miles through thick woods, within the space of one hour. Their number was estimated at 2,000; while of Wayne's force, not more than 900 were sufficient to drive the savages and their allies precipitately in all directions, leaving the victors in complete possession of the field. The battle closed in full view of the British Fort, and even under the muzzles of its guns. A large portion of the Indians found themselves so completely cut off from retreat, that they took to the River, across open ground, in passing which many were cut down by the Cavalry, who followed them into the stream.
Captain Campbell, of the Dragoons, was killed, and Captain Solomon Van Rennssalaer, of the same Corps, was shot through the body, devolving the command of that force on Lieutenant Covington, who had cut down two Indians during the fight. The General's orders made strong commendation of all officers and men engaged, specially recognizing BrigadierGeneral Wilkinson and Colonel Hamtamck. His Aides (De Butts, Lewis and Wm. H. Harrison) and Adjutant General (Major Mills) were also mentioned for special service. Besides these, like acknowledgment was made as to Captains Lewis and Brock of the Light Infantry ; of Captains Slough and Prior and Lieutenant Campbell Smith of the Legionary Infantry; Captain Van Rennssalaer of the Dragoons, and of Captain Rawlins, Lieutenant McKinney and Ensign Duncan of the Mounted Volunteers-all wounded in the engagement. Among the dead, were Captain Campbell of the Dragoons, and Lieutenant Fowler of the Infantry of the Legion, killed in the first charge. The number of Americans killed, including those dying of their wounds, was 39; and number wounded, 100. The loss of the enemy was estimated at twice that of General Wayne's command. The woods, for considerable distance, were strewed with dead Indians and the bodies of White auxiliaries, armed with British muskets and bayonets.*
General Wayne remained three days and three nights in front of the scene of battle, .during which time his forces destroyed all houses and cornfields of the Indians for miles above and below the Fort, and some within pistol shot of the British fortification. This work of destruction included not only the property of the Savages, but the houses and stores of Colonel McKee, the British Agent, who was mainly responsible for the hostile course of the Indians. The destruction of McKee's property was the more significant, since the fact was well known to General Wayne that it belonged really to the British Government, and was sent there to sustain the Indians in their warfare on the United States.
* Andrew Race, a soldier of Wayne's Army, is credibly reported as giving the following statement in regard to the battle of Fallen Timbers : That the Indians were camped back some three miles from the Maumee River on the " Openings," the position having been selected by them with reference both to springs of water there existing and to the advantages of an open space, whereby they were secured against sudden attack, with dense forests about them, to which they could readily retreat if attacked. While thus situated, the Indians were visited by a man claiming to have been sent by the commander of the British Fort at Miami, to notify them of Wayne's defenseless condition at Presque Isle, and of the ease with which he might be overcome and captured by vigorous attack. Accepting such statement as correct, the Indians at once moved forward for attack of the supposed defenseless force, who quietly awaited their approach within ready musket shot, when a murderous fire was opened on the Indians, who soon became demoralized and sought escape, mainly through the River, with Wayne's Cavalry in hot pursuit. What extent of credence is to be accorded to this statement, cannot now be known.
GENERAL WAYNE'S MILITARY MOVEMENTS. - 43
While tarrying in the vicinity, General Wayne, in company with several officers, including General Wilkinson and Lieutenant Harrison, made critical examination of the British Fort, for such purpose approaching very near to the same. He found it to be a complete military work, mounting five guns on the River front. The rear had two bastions, with eight pieces of artillery. The whole was surrounded by a deep ditch with horizontal pickets projecting from the parapet over the ditch. The rise from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the parapet, perpendicular, was about 20 feet. All was surrounded by an abatis, and defended by a numerous garrison. General Wayne was so deeply impressed by what he there saw, that it was understood to be his strong desire to storm the Fort. The special examination made in the face of the British commander iv, is designed as well to provoke that officer to hostile action as for information as to the fortification. He did not succeed in the former of these purposes, but he did command the attention of the officer in command, as shown in the correspondence which followed the inspection. This was opened August 21st, by Major Win. Campbell, commanding the British fortification, in the following letter to General Wayne:
MIAMI RIVER, August 21st, 1794.
An army of the United States of America, said to be under your command, having taken post on the banks of the Miami (Maumee) for upwards of the last 24 hours, almost within the reach of the guns of this fort, being a post belonging to His Majesty the King of Great Britain, occupied by His Majesty's troops, and which I have the honor to command, it becomes my duty to inform myself, as speedily as possible, in what light I am to view your making such near approaches to this garrison. I have no hesitation, on my part, to say that I know of no war existing between Great Britain and America.
To this, on the same day, General Wayne replied as follows:
I have received your letter of this date, requiring from me tile motives which have moved the army under my command to the position they at present occupy, far within the acknowledged jurisdiction of the United States of America. Without questioning the authority or the propriety, sir, of your interrogatory, I think I may, without breach of decorum, observe to you, that were you entitled to an answer, the most full and satisfactory one was announced to you from the muzzles of my small arms, yesterday morning, in the action against the horde of savages in the vicinity of your post, which terminated gloriously to the American arms ; but, had it continued until the Indians, etc., were driven under the influence of the post and guns you mention, they would not have much impeded the progress of the victorious army under my command, as no such post was established at the commencement of the present war between the Indians and the United States.
Major Campbell replied in the following note on the 22d:
Although your letter of yesterday's date fully authorizes me to any act of hostility against the army of the United States in this neighborhood, under your command, yet, still anxious to prevent that dreadful decision which, perhaps, is not intended to be appealed to by either of our countries, I have forborne, for these two days past, to resent those insults you have offered to the British flag flying at this fort, by approaching it within pistol shot of my works, not only singly, but in numbers with arms in their hands. Neither is it my wish towage war with individual's ; but should you, after this, continue to approach my post in the threatening manner you are this moment doing, my indispensable duty to my King and country, and the honor of my profession, will oblige me to have recourse to those measures, which thousands of either nation may hereafter have cause to regret, and which I solemnly appeal to God, I have used my utmost endeavor to arrest.
The same day General Wayne responded in the following note:
In your letter of the 21st you declare: "I have no hesitation on my part, to say that I know of no war existing between Great Britain and America." I, on my part, declare the same, and the only cause I have to entertain a contrary idea at present is the hostile act you are now in commission of, i. e., by recently taking post far within the well-known and acknowledged limits of the United States, and erecting a fortification in the heart of the settlements of the Indian tribes now at war with the United States. This, sir, appears to be an act of the highest aggression, and destructive to the peace and interest of the Union. Hence it becomes my duty to desire, and I do hereby desire and demand, in the name of the President of the United States, that you immediately desist from any further act of hostility or aggression, by forbearing to fortify, and by withdrawing the troops, artillery, and stores, under your orders and direction, forthwith, and removing to the nearest post occupied by His Britannic Majesty's troops at the peace of 1783, and which you will be permitted to do unmolested by the troops under my command.
Which correspondence closed with the following letter of Major Campbell:
I have this moment to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date ; in answer to which I have only to say that, being placed here in the command of a British post, and acting in a military capacity only, I cannot enter into any discussion either on the right or impropriety of my occupying my present
44 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
position. These are matters that I conceive will be best left to the ambassadors of our different nations. Having said this much, permit me to inform you that I certainly will not abandon this post at the summons of any power whatever until I receive orders for that purpose from those I have the honor to serve under, or the fortune of war should oblige me. I must still adhere, sir, to the purport of my letter this morning, to desire that your army, or individuals belonging to it, will not approach within reach of my cannon, without expecting the consequences attending it. Although I have said, in the former part of my letter, that my situation here is totally military, yet, let me add, sir, that I am much deceived if His Majesty the King of Great Britain had not a post on this River at and prior to the period you mention.
"The only notice taken of this letter," says Wayne, " was the immediate setting fire to and destroying everything within view of the Fort, and even under the muzzles of the guns. Had Major Campbell carried his threats into execution, it is more than probable that he would have experienced a storm."
It has been confidently stated, with much appearance of correctness, that Little Turtle, or Mosh-e-noh-qua, the famous Miami Chief, who had already successfully fought St. Clair and Harmar, was opposed to meeting General Wayne at the Maumee Rapids. It was reported that at a council held the night previous to that engagement, he addressed his associates, counseling prudence, saying:
We have beaten the enemy twice, under different commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune always to attend us. The Americans are now led by a Chief who never sleeps. The night and the day are alike to him. And during all the time he has been marching upon our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something whispering me it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace.
The fact is well attested of a general belief among the Indians of the Northwest, that General Wayne was supernaturally endowed, and thus invulnerable. This view no doubt operated largely toward the condition of discouragement and apprehension on their part which followed their great disaster at Fallen Timbers in August, 1794.
The immediate object sought in this expedition to the Maumee River having been attained in the brilliant and complete victory of " Fallen Timbers," General Wayne by easy marches made his way to the Grand Glaize, arriving there August 27th. On his way he laid waste whatever could be found of the villages and crops of the Indians, extending his search for the same to a distance of 50 miles North and South of the River. Fort Defiance was improved and strengthened for subsequent use. Thence Wayne proceeded to the Miami Villages, which General Harrison had laid waste in 1790, at which point General Wayne constructed a strong fortification, which was named Fort Wayne, being now the site of the City of that name. October 14th the Mounted Volunteers marched thence to Fort Washington (Cincinnati). Leaving a sufficient force at Fort Wayne, the General, with a remnant of his former command, proceeded to Greenville, where he arrived November 2d, after a fatiguing tour of 97 days, during which he marched upwards of 300 miles, through the heart of the enemy's country, being compelled to cut his way throughout a dense wilderness, meantime erecting three fortifications-Fort Adams, at the St. Mary's ; Fort Defiance, at Au Glaize, and Fort Wayne at the Miami Villages.
The effect of long fatigue and exposure upon General Wayne's troops was very severe. The sick list was large, rendering many unfit for duty. Besides these causes, the army was reduced materially by expiration of terms of service. Such state of things gave not a little apprehension of unfortunate results, should the enemy by any concerted movement renew their hostility. To prevent this, every effort was made to keep them ignorant of the true state of things with him.
Meantime, General Wayne was kept advised of the active efforts of the British authorities to cheer up the Indians, and, with promises of more adequate support, sought to encourage them to renewed war. Thus, on the 30th of September (40 days after the battle on the Maumee), Governor Simcoe, Colonel McKee and Captain Brandt, arrived at the foot of the Rapids, with 100 Mohawk and Massasagoe Indians, having sent for Chiefs of other hostile tribes to meet them with reference to a treaty to be holden at the mouth of Detroit River. It was further learned that the above parties, with Blue Jacket, Buck-on-ge-he-las, Little Turtle, Captain Johnny, and Chiefs of the Delawares, Miamis, Shawnees, Ottawas and Pottawatomies, had started for the same place,
TREATY OF GREENVILLE. -45
October 1st; and that the Indians were being supplied with provisions from the British stores at Swan Creek. Other information, indicating strong probabilities of the success of British collusion, was received by General Wayne and forwarded to the War Department at Washington, with a strong appeal for recruits for his enfeebled army. His anxiety was increased by the killing of Colonel Robert Elliott, the acting Contractor, by the Indians, while passing between Cincinnati and the out-posts, October 6, 1794.
With all these untoward facts and indications, General Wayne was in receipt of communications from Chiefs of different tribes friendly to peace, with some of a hostile nature. As the Fall and Winter passed, the friendly sentiment communicated to him increased in strength, making the situation somewhat more hopeful. It was evident, that the Indians were not agreed as to their policy. A majority were disposed to war, provided British pledges of help could be relied on. It was a source of serious doubt on that point, that the Fort built at the foot of the Rapids ostensibly for their protection, was kept closed against them on the occasion of their extremest distress, in the defeat of August 20th-neither Chiefs nor Warriors having been admitted to its protection from Wayne's fierce assault. Wayne saw that with a divided sentiment among the Indians, there was hope for an early adjustment of the trouble. The result was, a steadily growing tendency toward permanent peace among the several tribes ; and by June, 1795, several Chiefs, without apparent concert of action, began to assemble at Greenville, with the view of a treaty of peace. The first to arrive were Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawatomies and Eel River Indians. After they had received and smoked the calumet of peace, General Wayne addressed them as follows
I take you all by the hand, as brothers, assembled for the good work of peace. I thank the Great Spirit for this glorious Sun, who appears to rejoice at our meeting; and also for permitting so many of us to assemble here this day, being the first of the Moon, for the purpose of holding a treaty. The Great Spirit has favored us with a clear sky, and a refreshing breeze, for the happy occasion. I have cleared this ground of all brush and rubbish, and have opened roads to the East, the West, the North and the South, that all your Nations may come in safety, and with ease, to meet me. The ground on which this Council house stands, is unstained with blood, and is pure as the heart of General Washington, the great Chief of America, and of his great Council-as pure as my heart, which now wishes for nothing, so much as peace and brotherly love. I have this day kindled the Council-fire of the United States; and I now deliver to each tribe present, a string of white wampum, to serve as a record of the friendship, this day commenced between us. [Wampum delivered.] The heavens are bright-the roads are open-we will rest in peace and love, and wait the arrival of our brothers. In the interim we will have a little refreshment, to wash dust from our throats-we will, on this happy occasion, be merry, but without passing the bounds of temperance and sobriety. We will now cover up the Council-fire and keep it alive till the remainder of the different tribes assemble, and form a full meeting and representation.
To this greeting Te-ta-bosh-ke, King of the Delawares, replied in the expression of a friendly sentiment, when the fire was raked up and the Council adjourned.
The next day, June 17th, 40 Pottawatomies, with their Chief, New Corn, arrived and were received. On the 21st, Buck-on-ge-he-las, with a party of Delawares, and Asi-me-the, with more Pottawatomies, came in. On the 23d arrived Le Gris, the Little Turtle, and 70 Miamis.
On the 25th, the Chiefs present assembled, and were addressed by General Wayne, in a few words of friendly feeling. On the 26th, 34 Chippewas and Pottawatomies arrived.
June 30th, the Chiefs, on their own motion, assembled, when several of them addressed the General in warm terms of friendship. The same occurred on the 3d of July. On the 4th, A-gosh-a-way and 23 Ottawas arrived from Detroit.
On the 15th of July, the Council met, with present Chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Miamis, and Wabash tribes, and was formally opened, by uncovering the fire and administering the oath to interpreters. General Wayne addressed the Council, setting forth the condition of affairs and the importance of permanent amicable relations. The Council was continued from day to day, being addressed by most of the principal Chiefs present, upon the several parts of the treaty which General Wayne presented for their consideration. On July 30th, the same was unanimously approved by every tribe represented, to wit : The Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Wyandots, Delawares,
46 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Shawnees, Miamis, Weas and Kickapoos. On the 3d of August, the treaty having been transcribed, was again read in Council and duly signed by General Wayne on the part of the United States, and the Chiefs for their respective tribes. The Council met at different times thereafter, and finally adjourned on the 10th. The attendance of the several tribes was as follows : Wyandots, 180; Delawares, 381 ; Shawnees, 143; Ottawas, 45; Chippewas, 46; Pottawatomies, 240 ; Miamis and Eel Rivers, 73; Weas and Piankeshaws, 12; Kickapoos and Kaskaskias, 10. Total attendance, 1,130.
The basis of this treaty was the one made at Fort Harmar in 1789. Its main provisions as follows: 1. Hostilities were immediately to cease and all prisoners discharged. 2. The boundaries between the lands of the United States and those of the Indians, were to begin at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River; run thence up the same to the portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum ; thence down the latter to the crossing above Fort Laurens ; thence Westerly to a fork of that branch of the Great Miami running into the Ohio, at or near which fork stood Loramie's store, and where commences the portage between the Miami of the Ohio and St, Mary's River, a branch of the Maumee running into Lake Erie; thence a Westerly course to Fort Recovery, on a branch of the Wabash ; thence Southerly in a direct line to the Ohio at the mouth of the Kentucky. 3. As compensation to the United States for goods formerly delivered and those to be delivered, and indemnification for injuries and expenses of War, the Indians ceded all lands lying Eastwardly and Southerly of the boundary line here described. 4. The following Reservations of lands within the territory of the Indians, were made to the United States : One at Loramie's Store, six miles square; one at Girty's Town, on the St. Mary's River, two miles square ; one at head of navigable water of the Au Glaize, six miles square; one at Fort Defiance, six miles square ; one at Fort Wayne, six miles square; one about eight miles West from Fort Wayne, on the Wabash River, two miles square; one at old Wea Towns, on the Wabash, six miles square ; one at the foot of the Rapids of the Maumee, 12 miles square; one at the mouth of the Maumee, six miles square ; one upon Sandusky Lake, where a Fort formerly stood, six miles square; and one at the lower Rapids of the Sandusky River (now Fremont), two miles square. Provision was also made for the relinquishment of all claim by the Indians to post at Detroit and certain lands in that section ; to the post at Mackinaw, and lands in that vicinity; to lands at the mouth of the Chicago River, and other points in Illinois. Free access was granted by the Indians for all necessary communication with all reserved lands within the Indian territory. The United States agreed to pay to the Indians annually in goods, at market cost, the sum of $9,500, to be divided among the several tribes, with the provision that any tribe might change its annuity from goods to domestic animals, farming implements, etc., at their choice. The Indians were to possess their lands in quiet, for the purpose of hunting, planting and dwelling thereon, so long as they pleased, without molestation by the United States; but when they should desire to sell the same, they should be sold only to the United States. Meantime, the Indians were to be protected from all invasion by Whites. Intruders were to be punished and removed by. either party to the treaty. The Indians could hunt on lands ceded by them. All injuries were to be referred to law for adjustment, and not privately avenged ; and all known hostile designs against either to be made known to the party concerned.
Such, in substance, is the most important Indian treaty that had then or has since been negotiated in the West. Dated August 3, 1795, it was presented to the Senate December 9th, and ratified December 23d following. It is difficult to estimate all that was involved in the question of peace or continued war with the several tribes who then menaced the settlement of the great Northwest, and the lives of the scattered settlers already there. The honor won by General Wayne in the short space of one year--from August 20, 1794, to August 3, 1795 by means of one battle and one treaty, in bringing permanent peace to that region, in spite of British perfidy, is enough to commend his name to lasting and grateful remembrance of mankind. No other citizen has been permitted to do as much for this section. It is a source of just pride with the citizens of Lucas County and of the Maumee Valley, that the
RESTORATION OF PEACE-DEATH OF WAYNE. - 47
first and controlling success of General Wayne in this great result was won at Turkey Foot Rock.
Permanent peace having thus been secured and the Indians placed beyond the reach of collusion and temptation, the British Government in 1796 surrendered its posts within the limits of the United States, including Fort Miami, at the foot of the Rapids of the Maumee, the Town of Detroit, and the military works there and at Mackinaw, pursuant to the treaty negotiated in 1793 by Chief Justice Jay.
As soon as he had received those Posts, in the name of the Government, and made arrangements for their care, General Wayne proceeded to Erie, on his way to Washington. On his passage down the Lake, he was seized with a violent attack of gout in the stomach, which terminated in his death before reaching the port of destination. He was buried at Erie.* Upon disinterment of the body by his son, many years thereafter, for removal to his place of nativity, it showed no signs of decay, a result supposed to have been due to antiseptic qualities of the soil, which would, in time,
* In his " Notes on the Northwestern Territory," Judge Burnet states that one of General Wayne's motives in going from Detroit to Philadelphia at this time, was to meet certain charges made against him by General Wilkinson. What these were, is not specifically stated. General Wayne characterized them as unfounded and malicious. Suffice it here to state, that no attempt ever was made to sustain them; and they were entirely disregarded at the War Department. General Wilkinson was one of the most accomplished officers and men of his day. He served with special credit in the Revolutionary War, where he imbibed a strong personal antagonism to General Wayne. In the Spring of 1792, while a Colonel, in command of Fort Washington, Wilkinson was made a Brigadier-General. Although General Wayne was made Commander-in-Chief previous to that time, and assigned to the campaign against the Indians, he did not reach Fort Washington until September, 1793. During the interim, as Judge Burnet states, Wilkinson improved his opportunity for creating prejudice and bitterness among the officers against Wayne, for which purpose he was, in his easy and graceful deportment and suavity of manners, well adapted. In this work be was probably helped by the known bluntness, sometimes reaching rudeness, of Wayne's manner, by which he often gave unintentional offense. Wilkinson was thus enabled to arrange on his side a large portion of those about him, whereby General Wayne was not a little embarrassed on taking command. But many were have given it the solid, permanent state of the mummy.
General Wayne was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in January, 1745, and was in the 52d year of his life, and had just reached his mental and physical prime, when suddenly cut off. He was the son of a farmer, who was a prominent man, having served in the Provincial Legislature and taken part in expeditions against the Indians. Anthony's record has long been familiar with readers of American history, and need not be detailed here. It has been justly stated of him, that " there was scarcely an important battle or hazardous enterprise, from the beginning to the end of the Revolutionary struggle, in which be was not more or less distinguished" prominent among which stands his desperate and successful attack on Stony Point, which gave him the name of "Mad Anthony," and procured for him a gold medal, at the hands of Congress. The first civil organization established after the Greenville treaty, was the County formed of the Michigan Peninsula (in 1796), and named Wayne, in honor of its deliverer from Indian and British rule, with Detroit for its seat of attached to that officer, while others properly kept aloof from the dispute. After the victorious battle of Fallen Timbers, Wilkinson undertook to belittle Wayne's honors, by representing that the result was due, not to military skill, but to want of concert in action on the part of the Indians-that the attack by them was premature, and before half of their forces had arrived-that Blue Jacket, the Shawnee in command, had rejected Little Turtle's plan of attack, who afterwards became Wilkinson's confidential friend, and was among the most talented Chiefs in the West. It was thus claimed among Wilkinson's adherents that if Little Turtle's advice had been acted upon in a simultaneous attack by the entire Indian force, they could not have been flanked, and the result with them would have been a victory instead of a defeat. The number of Indians reported as killed in the engagement was over 50, besides some taken away by comrades. This statement was met with ridicule, and Major Smith facetiously reported a dialogue as taking place on the banks of the River Styx, between Old Charon and the ghost of one of Wayne's soldiers, who boasted of the great slaughter of Indians in that battle ; when the old ferryman, shaking his head, protested, solemnly, that he had, upon count, ferried over the ghosts of just 16 Indians from that field, and not one more. All this, however, can never detract from the brilliant record of " Mad Anthony," whether as made in the War of the Revolution proper, or in the magnificent campaign by which alone that War was brought to its actual close.
48 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
justice, which was then a garrison Town, compactly built on streets not averaging more than one rod in width, and completely enclosed with strong pickets. It was the most ancient Town on the Upper Lakes, having been settled by the French as early as 1683, and was the Capital of Upper Canada until it fell into the bands of the United States.*
* In this connection, the following statement from Burnet's " Notes," as to the original White settlers on the Detroit River, will be of interest, and the more so, as it applies with much propriety to those on the River Raisin, and in the " Bay Settlement," South of that stream
"When the American troops took possession of the Northern posts, the inhabitants of Detroit and its contiguous settlements, from Lake St. Clair to the River Raisin, on both sides of the Straits, were, almost exclusively, Canadian French, who were the owners and cultivators of the soil. The land had been laid out, originally, into farms of very narrow fronts-in most instances not more than fifty rods-and running back from one to two miles, for quantity. The owners and occupiers were extremely ignorant, and were under the influence of a strong religious superstition. They had been treading in the footsteps of their fathers, time out of mind, like mere imitative beings, without seeming to know that any improvement had been made in agriculture since Noah planted his vineyard. They raised the same crops without variation, and in the same succession, they had been accustomed to see from boyhood. When a field became exhausted it was suffered to rest till it became partially recruited, by its own scanty, spontaneous products, and by the rains and dews of heaven. Their houses, barns, and other improvements, were fronting on the Strait, separated from it by a narrow road, which ran along the edge of the water. Each farm had an orchard contiguous to the house, containing a variety of fine fruit. When the litter about the barn and stable increased so much as to become inconvenient, they piled it on sleds, drew it down to the Strait, which was just at hand, and threw it into the water. Under that practice, the soil, though naturally good, produced very light crops, and the price of every agricultural product was extravagantly high. That continued to be the case till emigrants from the United States purchased and settled among them, and introduced a better system of agriculture.
"The native French were Catholics, and conscientiously exact in the performance of their religious duties. Their tithes were regularly brought and deposited in the storehouse of the Priest, with apparent cheerfulness.
"Previous to the establishment of American Courts at Detroit, all matters of controversy among the inhabitants had been settled in a summary way by the Commandant, to whose decision the inhabitants had been accustomed to submit. They had been habituated, all their lives, to this summary, expeditious mode of settling their disputes; and were, con
The real design of the protracted and persistent efforts of the British authorities in their unwarranted intrigue with the Indians, manifestly, was to combine their several tribes in a Confederacy sufficiently strong to compel the United States to accept the Ohio River as a boundary line. This was sought, not in the sequently, very much dissatisfied with the slow, tedious progress of an American Court; against which they complained very loudly.
"Among the advantages of which the people of Detroit then boasted, was the excellence of their domestic servants. No visitor from the States could spend any time at a public or private house in that City, without being satisfied that they did possess that advantage in a greater degree than the inhabitants of any other part of the United States.
"The Canadian French were naturally obstinate and headstrong; and were illiterate and untaught in the principles of equality, professed and practiced in Republics. They had grown up from infancy under the impression that nature had established different orders in society-that power and rank were inseparable from wealth ; and that inferiority and submission were ordained for the poor. That impression was carried out into practice, and accounts, in a great measure, for the excellence of their hirelings and domestics ; but their best servants were the Pawnee Indians and their descendants, who are held and disposed of as slaves, under the French and British Governments-a species of slavery which existed to a considerable extent in Upper Canada. It was introduced at the early settlement of the country, and was founded on the assumed right of selling captives taken in war as slaves. The Pawnees were numerous and powerful; but were considered as degraded by all the other tribes; on which account, prisoners taken from them by any other Nation were condemned to slavery, and were held as slaves by the captors or sold as such to others. Many of them were purchased by the Canadians, and employed as drudges in the fur trade, and frequently as house servants. The Indian code justified the putting of prisoners to death, which had been their common punishment, till it was commuted for the milder one of being sold into slavery for life. That relation existed when the country was delivered up to the United States, though the practice of purchasing Indian captives as slaves by the white people, had ceased before the surrender ; and consequently the principal part, if not all the Indians then in slavery, were the descendants of enslaved captives. Immediately after the laws of the United States were introduced, and their Courts of judicature established, the validity of that relation was questioned, and the value of that species of property very much diminished ; not only by the uncertainty of its tenure, but by the effect which the discussion of the subject produced on the minds of the slaves. Very soon after the right became a subject of inquiry, public opinion decided against it, and the relation ceased to exist."
CAPTAIN WILLIAM WELLS. -49
interest of the Indians, but with expectation, that such line once fixed, the great Northwest, now constituting several of the largest and most prosperous States of the Union, would become a protectorate of Great Britain. The stake, to an unscrupulous power, was very tempting. Besides this, was added a desire, if possible, to humble the young Government, whose entire territory consisted of domain wrested by force from British possession. To these considerations were added special sources of irritation, including the action of the Virginia Legislature in maintaining laws against the payment of claims held by British creditors against citizens of that State. At the very time of the battle of Fallen Timbers, there was a general apprehension that these matters might culminate in renewed war. But it so happened, that at that very time John Jay, Envoy Extraordinary of the United States, was actively engaged in negotiating for the adjustment of all matters of difference between the two Governments; and with such effect, that, three months after Wayne's signal victory over the British allies, what is known as the "Jay Treaty " was concluded with Lord Greenville. Just how much that battle had to do with such result, is a matter of opinion only. Suffice it here to know, that by that treaty the yet straggling shreds of the Revolutionary War were gathered up and finally disposed of, and peace secured to the great Northwest.
The association of the name of Captain William Wells with many of the prominent events in the early history of the Maumee Valley, will justify brief mention of his life. Of him Jesse L. Williams, in a historical sketch of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne, says:
Of Captain Wm. Wells's birthplace and parentage, we have no record. He was captured at the age of 12 years, when he was an inmate of the family of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, in Kentucky, by the Miami tribe, and going through the formal adoption, lived to manhood among them. His Indian name was Black Snake. He became quite an influential man among them, and married a sister of the celebrated Chief, Little Turtle. He fought by the side of his Chief in the contests with Generals Harmar and St. Clair. Afterward, in times of calm reflection, with dim memories still of his childhood home, of brothers and playmates, he seems to have been harassed with the thought that among the slain, by his own hand, may have been his kindred. The approach of Wayne's army, in 1794, stirred anew conflicting emotions, based upon indistinct recollections of early ties, of country and kindred on the one hand, and existing attachments of wife and children on the other. He resolved to make his history known. With true Indian characteristics, the secret purpose of leaving his adopted nation was, according to reliable tradition, made known in this manner: Taking with him the War Chief, Little Turtle, to a favorite spot on the banks of the Maumee, Wells said : " I leave now your nation for my own people. We have long been friends. We are friends yet, until the sun reaches a certain height [which he indicated]. From that time we are enemies. Then, if you wish to kill me, you may. If I want to kill you, I may." At the appointed hour, crossing the river, Captain Wells disappeared in the forest, taking an easterly direction to strike the trail of Wayne's army. Obtaining an interview with General Wayne, he became ever afterward the faithful friend of the Americans.
He was made Captain of the spies connected with Wayne's army. His adventures in that capacity are sufficiently detailed by Mr. McBride. After the treaty of Greenville, and the establishment of peace, he was joined by his wife and family, and settled at the " Old Orchard " a short distance from the confluence of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph, on the banks of a small stream there, afterward called "Spy Run," and which still bears that name. The Government subsequently granted him a pre-emption of some 320 acres of land, including his improvement, the Old Orchard, etc. Wells afterward also became, by appointment of the Government, Indian Agent here (Fort Wayne), in which capacity he served several years.
By his first wife, Captain Wells had four children-three daughters and one son. The former became Mrs. Judge Wolcott of Maumee City (South Toledo), and Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Hackley, of Fort Wayne. Mr. Williams, referring to the latter two ladies, says
Of the first members of this Church, two were half Indian, who had before (in 1820) joined the Baptist Church, under the labors of Rev. Mr. McCoy, a Missionary to the Indians at this post (Fort Wayne). They were educated in Kentucky, and are yet kindly remembered by some in the Church and community as ladies of refinement and intelligent piety.
The son, Wayne Wells, died while yet a young man, while crossing Lake Erie, in 1823. For his second wife, Captain Wells married a second sister of the Indian Chief, Little Turtle, having with her a daughter, Jane, who married Matthew Griggs, a pioneer of Fort Wayne, and settled at Peru, Indiana. For a time Captain Wells had command of a small force of spies in Wayne's service. Among them were Robert McClellan, made famous through Irving's " Astoria," and Henry Miller. The former was
50 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
an athlete without an equal in agility and endurance. He had leaped over a covered wagon, requiring a rise of eight and one-half feet. Miller, with his brother Christopher, while young had been made captives by Indians and adopted by an Indian family. When 24 years of age, Henry made his escape to the Whites, but was unable to induce his brother to go with him. In June, 1794, while his headquarters were at Fort Greenville, General Wayne dispatched Wells, Miller and two others (Hickman and Thorp) to bring into camp an Indian, as prisoner, with the hope through him of obtaining information as to the intentions of the enemy. For such purpose Miller entered the Indian country, crossing the St. Mary's and thence to the Au Glaize; following up that stream they discovered a smoke. Dismounting they made examination and soon found three Indians camped on high ground. Soon Wells approached unobserved quite to the party, whom they found roasting their venison by a fire. By arrangement Wells and Miller each were to select a victim-one taking the Indian at the left, and the other the one at the right, with McClellan to run and capture the third. The two shots were effective, and McClellan sprang after the remaining Indian, who made all possible speed down the River; but finding himself likely to be overtaken, he sprang from the bank into the stream, 20 feet down, sinking into the soft mud at the bottom, which held him firmly in its grasp. McClellan made a like spring, landing near the Indian, whom after a severe struggle, he was soon enabled to subject to his control. With the assistance of Wells and Miller, the captive was taken from the water. He was sulky, refusing to speak. When washed of the mire, he was found to be a white man. Taking their course for Greenville, the prisoner for a time continued silent and sullen. It finally occurred to Miller that the captive might be his own brother, and to test that point, he rode up and called him by his Indian name. This startled him, and he inquired how his name came to be known. The mystery was soon explained. The prisoner was Christopher Miller. The case was a remarkable one, and his extraordinary escape from the fate of his two associates, by being between them, made a strong impression on his mind. Finally, after agreeing not to rejoin the Indians, but to remain with the Whites, he was released, and soon joined Wayne's force and did good service during the balance of the War. One more incident in Captain Wells's service may be given here. On one of his expeditions through the Indian country, and when on the bank of the St. Mary's, he discovered an Indian family coming up the River in a canoe. Dismounting, he concealed his men, and then went to the bank, and called the Indians to come over. Suspecting no danger, they crossed to where he was. As the canoe touched the shore, Miller heard the clicks of his men's rifles, preparatory to shooting the Indians. What was his surprise, to find the party to consist of his Indian father and mother, by adoption, and their children ! Saying to his men that the family before them "having fed him when be was hungry, clothed him when he was naked, and nursed him when sick; and in every respect been as kind and affectionate to him as they were to their own children," they must not suffer in any way at his hands. Accepting such ground for lenity, the party approached the canoe, and shook bands with its alarmed inmates in the most friendly manner. While Wayne was at Fort Defiance, in August, 1794, Wells was sent to bring in another prisoner, with a view to information from the enemy. For such purpose he followed cautiously down the Maumee, until be came opposite the subsequent site of Fort Meigs, and about two miles above Fort Miami (then called Fort Campbell, after its British commander). At this point was an Indian Village, into which Wells and party rode, as if from the Fort. In the dress of the Indian, they were received and treated as friendly. Passing through the Village, the party met an Indian man and woman, whom they made prisoners, and with them set off for Defiance, On their way, they fell in with an Indian encampment, which they approached, hoping for information. The Indians were communicative, giving all they had heard about Wayne's movements and the probabilities of a battle. At length an Indian some distance from them, in an undertone and another tongue, said he suspected the visitors were spies. Wells heard this, and at once gave the signal, when the party fired their rifles at the Indians about them, and immediately put spurs to their horses. The Indians promptly fired on them,
CAPTAIN WILLIAM WELLS. - 51
one ball wounding McClellan in the shoulder, and another breaking Wells's arm. Taking their prisoners, the party resumed their march to Fort Defiance, where the captives were duly examined, and the wounded cared for. The battle of Fallen Timbers soon thereafter closed hostilities with the Indians, and Captain Wells and his intrepid command found no further service of the kind in which they had so distinguished themselves.
In the War of 1812-15, Captain Wells was in command of Fort Wayne. It is stated, that upon hearing of Hull's order for the evacuation of Fort Dearborn, he made a rapid march to reinforce Captain Heald ; to the end, that position might be held as a protection to Fort Wayne and the Maumee Valley. But he was too late by a few hours. On the 15th of August, the little force at the Fort, accompanied by Captain Wells and his Miamis, left the Fort and moved along the shore to Sand Hills, where they were attacked by 500 Pottawatomies. At the beginning of the conflict, Wells was with the wife of Captain Heald (a niece of his). Turning to her, he said : We have not the slightest chance for life. We must part to meet no more in this world. God bless you," and dashed into the fight. After the most desperate contest, lie was wounded, taken prisoner and reserved for torture. To save himself from such fate, he sought to provoke his captors with insulting epithets, calling them Persotum (the name for a Squaw), the most opprobrious term in the Indian tongue, when applied to males. The result was his instant death with a tomahawk, and the tearing of his heart from his body, and the eating of a portion of it while yet warm by the assassin.
These details of Captain Wells's record, besides the interest given them by his identification with the Maumee Valley, are valuable, as giving in brief space something of Indian life and Indian connection with the early history of this region. To all this, is added the relation borne by that intrepid hero to one of the prominent families of Lucas County.