450 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY January 11, 1805, Michigan was made a separate Territory. The southern boundary line was to run due east from the most southern shore of Lake Michigan as it was then defined, and over which serious controversy arose later. Gen. William Hull was appointed governor and the new government began operations June 30th. Under instructions from the government, Governor Hull who was also Superintendent of Indian Affairs for that territory, in January, 1807, issued a call to the various Indian tribes of that section to meet at Detroit for a treaty council, to which they made no response. A second and third invitation was not accepted and President Jefferson even went so far as to direct the Governor to forward to the Indians assurances of the continued friendly intentions and good will of the United States. Investigation proved that while the tribes had been willing to attend the conference, through the scheming of the British agent Alexander McKee, they had been kept away. Evading the British influence, representatives of the tribes finally visited Governor Hull and told of the operations of McKee and the British to gain their favor and aid, "for the war likely to ensue with the United States." The British had gathered some eight hundred Indians about the Fort at Malden, present Amherstburg, to whom they furnished liquor and made many glowing promises of future reward. Governor Hull in the fall of the above year was obliged to feed hundreds of these savages while on their way to and from Malden; although from fifty to one hundred were the number that had been provided for to the Detroit council. President Jefferson desired that the Indians be instructed to a neutral position as between the United States and any other nation in case of trouble, as this government was strong enough to fight its own battles. He indicated that when any people or nation coveted the aid of the Indians, it was evidence of their weakness. Calling attention again to the treaty made by the United States with the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawotamies, and Wyandots at Detroit November 17, 1807, these tribes ceded to this government all their rights to the lands west of the middle of the Maumee River from its mouth to where the Auglaize enters the Maumee thence extending north to the south part of Lake Huron, thence eastward along the Canadian boundary. The United States agreed besides the ten thousand dollars purchase price and annuity and implements for agriculture, to furnish two blacksmiths for the term of ten years, one of which was to be located TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 451 with the Ottawas on the Maumee and the other at Saginaw among the Chippewas. Hunting rights were also given so long as the lands remained the property of the United States. The Indian reservations included a tract six miles square on the west or north bank of the Maumee above Roche de Boeuf and to include the village where Ton-Tog-a-ne or the Dog lived, and another tract three miles square including Presque Isle, about the site of the battle ground of Fallen Timbers above now Maumee. Whenever the lands could not conveniently be laid out in square tracts, they were to be outlined in the manner most convenient to their situation. As the settlers began to establish themselves, the matter of roads became a problem between Ohio and the lake region, and it was at the treaty of Brownstown, Michigan Territory, November 5, 1808, that the Western Reserve road 120 feet in width from now Perrysburg to Fremont and the Western Reserve line was provided for; also a road from Lower Sandusky, (Fremont) to run southerly to the Greenville Treaty line along the Sandusky River. CHAPTER XXXIX HOSTILITIES BETWEEN U. S. AND ENGLAND AGAIN CAUSE OF THE BREACH-INDIAN SITUATION A FACTOR-TECUMSEH'S INDIAN FEDERATION SCHEME-TECUMSEH MEETS HARRISON-BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE-HARRISON DISPLAYS GREAT GENERALSHIP AND BRAVERY- PARTICULARS OF THE IMPORTANT CONTEST-WAR DECLARED. With the rapid increase in population within the Northwest Territory and plans being developed to carve the various divisions into statehood, the Atlantic district too was growing and fast accumulating wealth through its trade with foreign nations. It has been noted with what persistence Great Britain laid every obstacle possible in the way of western advancement, and the prosperity on the seaboard was also interrupted by British aggression. As has been shown they continued their intercourse with the Indians within this nation's western limits in order to keep them attached to the British interests and hostile to the United States. On June 7, 1809, Samuel Tupper, agent of the Trading Post on the Sandusky wrote that the conduct of the British in furnishing liquor to the Indians of that section and their persistent hostility to the measures put forth by the American government, have long been the subject of much complaint and the infamous stories they circulated most embarrassing. But the evils this government experienced on the ocean were now even more intolerable than those of the interior. Robert B. McAfee in his history of the Western operations of the War of 1812, written in 1815, gives one of the best expositions extant of the whole situation of that period and he is therefore here quoted at length as follows: "The war in Europe, which had originally been instigated by the British against the revolution in. France, continued to rage with unabated violence. England and France, the leading parties in the war, used every species of artifice and violence, to involve all other nations in the contest. Orders and decrees were published, by which the maritime rights of neutral nations were in- - 452 - TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 453 fringed, and extensive coasts declared in a state of blockade, without any adequate means of enforcement. By the British orders in council, our vessels were required, under the penalty of being liable to capture, to call at a British port, on their way to any place belonging to France and her allies. By way of retaliation, Bonaparte decreed, that all vessels which had submitted to this British regulation, should be subject to capture by his cruisers. And thus no vessel of the United States could sail, either to Britain or France, or to any of their allies including all Europe, without being subject to capture by one or the other of the belligerents. At the same time the British naval officers carried on the practice of impressing American seamen, in a manner so extensive and vexatious, as to cause much distress among our seafaring people, and much inconvenience and risk to our merchants. "An endless course of negotiation was pursued, on these different subjects of complaint, without the prospect of success becoming any brighter. The American government could obtain in this way neither indemnity for the past nor security for the future. No alternative was left, but a resort to arms, to vindicate our honor and our rights, and to protect our interests on the ocean. Our losses by captures and impressments nearly equalled the expenses of a war in men and money. A formal declaration of war was accordingly made on the 18th of June, 1812. But previous to this declaration, hostilities had commenced with the Indians, and the battle of Tippecanoe had been fought. "A preliminary view of Indian affairs will enable the reader to understand this commencement of the war. By the combined counsels and schemes of the British agents, and some of the principal chiefs among the Indians, the seeds of hostility were sown among them soon after the peace of Greenville, and were gradually nurtured into war. At that time, Little Turtle and Blue Jacket were the leading chiefs among the northwestern tribes. They had disagreed about the manner of opposing Wayne's army. The plan of Blue Jacket was adopted, and eventuated in the total defeat of the Indians, as predicted by the other. After this event, Little Turtle continued friendly to the United States. He was of opinion that the Indian tribes were unable to contend against the Americans; that no material aid would be furnished them by the British; and that war would only be the means of their losing more of their lands. Blue Jacket had more confidence in the British; he thirsted for revenge against the Americans; and he wished to regain the lands which had been ceded by the treaty of 454 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Greenville. His influence increased, whilst the Little Turtle became unpopular. He found in Tecumseh, a Shawanoese Indian, whom he associated with him in his views and projects, an able and persevering coadjutor. The leading principles in their policy were, to combine all the tribes together in one confederacy; to prevent the sale of their lands by any single tribe; and to join the British in the event of war, with a view to revenge and the recovery of their lands. They contended, that by the treaty of Greenville, the United States had acknowledged the right to their lands to reside jointly in all tribes; and that of course the United States had no right to purchase lands from any single tribe, without the consent of the others. Blue Jacket did not live to execute his schemes; but they were diligently pursued by Tecumseh, in which he was encouraged and supported by the British agents. "The various tribes, who were in the habit of visiting Detroit and Sandwich, were annually subsidized by the British. When the American agent at Detroit gave one dollar by way of annuity, the British agent on the other side of the river, Detroit, would give them ten. This course of iniquity had the intended effect; the Indians were impressed with a great aversion for the Americans; and disregarding the treaty of Greenville, they desired to recover the lands which they had ceded, and for which they had annually received the stipulated annuity. They wished also to try their strength again with the 'Big Knife,' as they called the Kentuckians, in order to wipe away the disgrace of their defeat by General Wayne. And they were still promised the aid of the British, in the event of a war between the Indians and Americans. Their natural temper for war was thus inflamed, and they were held in readiness at any moment to commence the contest. "About the year 1804, a Shawanoese Indian, the brother of Tecumseh; proclaimed himself a Prophet, alleging that he had been commanded by the Great Spirit, who made the red people, and who was not the same that made the white people, and whom the latter worshiped, to inform his red children, that the misfortunes which had fallen upon them, proceeded from their having abandoned the mode of life which he had prescribed for them, and adopted the manners and dress of the white people; and that he was commanded to tell them, that they must return to their former habits, leave off the use of whiskey, and as soon as possible clothe themselves in skins instead of blankets. "The Prophet fixed himself at Greenville, the spot which had been so noted from the cantonment of General Wayne's army, TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 455 and from the treaty made by him with the Indian tribes at that place in the year 1795. The fame of the Prophet spread through the surrounding Indian tribes, and he soon found himself at the head of a considerable number of followers, composed principally, however, of the most abandoned of the young men of the Shawanoese, Delawares, Wyandots, Potawatamies, Ottawas, Chippewas, and Kickapoos. Besides these he was visited by an immense concourse of men, women and children from the tribes of the Mississippi and Lake Superior. The most absurd stories were told, and believed by the Indians, of his power to perform miracles, and no fatigue and suffering was thought too great to be endured to get a sight of him. The people of Ohio became much alarmed at the great assemblage of the Indians upon their frontier, and a commission was sent by the governor to insist upon their removal. The United States' agent at Fort Wayne also joined in the remonstrance, against his forming a permanent settlement at Greenville, which was within the boundary of the United States. Accordingly, in 1808, he removed to the Wabash, and fixed his residence on the north bank of that river, near the mouth of the Tippecanoe. This land was the property of the Miami tribe, who made strong remonstrances against it, but were not strong enough to effect his removal by force, as he had collected around him a considerable body of the most daring and unprincipled young men, of all the neighboring tribes. The chiefs of the latter were almost unanimously opposed to him, as they discovered that he was constantly endeavoring to destroy their influence, or to prevail on the warriors to take the authority into their own hands. Several of the most influential chiefs were put to death by the young men, under the pretence of their practicing magic. Teteboxke, the venerable chief of the Delawares, with several of his friends, were condemned to the flames. The loss of their chiefs began, however, to be regretted, and those that survived made a common cause, in opposing the extension of the Prophet's in influence. He was only able to retain about 40 warriors of his own tribe, the chiefs of which hated him most cordially. In the year 1809, he had not more than 250 or 300 warriors with him. They had suffered much for provisions and the greater part of them, perhaps, would have perished, if they had not been supplied with corn by Governor Harrison, of Vincennes. In September, 1809, a treaty was made at Fort Wayne, by the governor, as commissioner upon the part of the United States, for the extinguishment of the title to a considerable tract of land, extending about sixty 456 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY miles up the Wabash above Vincennes. The Delawares, Miamis and Potawatamies were parties to this treaty; but the Prophet and his followers were not invited; because, as the governor said in his address to the legislature of Indiana, 'it never had been suggested, that they could plead even the title of occupancy to the lands which were then conveyed to the United States,' and it was well known they were the rightful property of the Miamis, who had possessed them from the time of the first arrival of the white people among them. The Shawanoese tribe made no pretensions to those lands. Their principal chief attended the treaty, and recommended to the Miami chiefs to make the cession. About the time that the treaty was made, the affairs of the Prophet were at a low ebb. In the course of the succeeding winter, however, the intrigues and negotiations of his brother Tecumseh, procured a large accession of strength. They were joined by a consider. able number of Winnebagoes or Puants, the greater part of the Kickapoo tribe, and some of the Wyandots. Although the affairs were managed in the name of the Prophet, Tecumseh was in fact the director of everything. This extraordinary man had risen into consequence, subsequently to the treaty of Greenville in the year 1795. He had been considered an active warrior in the war which was terminated by that treaty, but possessed no considerable influence. The principal object in his labors, by which he obtained distinction, was to unite all the tribes upon the continent in one great confederacy, for the purpose of opposing the encroachments of the whites. Tecumseh was on a mission for this purpose, when the treaty was concluded in 1809. Upon his return, he threatened to kill the chiefs who had signed it, and declared his determination to prevent the lands from being surveyed and settled. "Governor Harrison, upon being informed of his proceedings, sent him a message, informing him 'that any claims he might have to the lands which had been ceded, were not affected by the treaty; that he might come to Vincennes and exhibit his pretensions, and if they were found to be solid, that the land would either be given up, or an ample compensation made for it.' Accordingly in the month of August, 1810, he came down to Vincennes, attended by several hundred warriors. A day was appointed to hear his statement, which it took him many hours to make. He asserted, that the Great Spirit had made the continent for the use of the Indians exclusively—that the white people had no right to come here, and take it from them—that no particular part of it was TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 457 given to any tribe, but that the whole was the common property of all; and that any sale of lands, made without the consent of all, was not valid. In his answer, the governor observed, that the Indians, like the white people, were divided into different tribes or nations and that the Great Spirit never intended that they should form but one nation, or he would not have taught them to speak different languages, which put it out of their power to understand each other—and that the Shawanoese, who emigrated from Georgia, could have no claim to the lands on the Wabash, which had been occupied far beyond the memory of man by the Miamis. The governor having proceeded thus far, sat down for the purpose of giving the interpreters time to explain what he had said, to the different tribes that were present. As soon as it was interpreted in Shawanoese, Tecumseh interrupted the interpreter, and said that it was all false, and giving a signal to his warriors, they seized their tomahawks and war clubs and sprang upon their feet. "For some minutes the governor was in the most imminent danger. He preserved his presence of mind, however, and, disengaging himself from an armchair in which he was sitting, seized his sword to defend himself. A considerable number of citizens of Vincennes were present, all unarmed. At a little distance, however, there was a guard of a sergeant and twelve men, who were immediately brought up by an officer. The governor then told Tecumseh, that he was a bad man, and he would have no further intercourse with him; and directed him to retire to his camp and set out immediately on his return home. As the Indians with Tecumseh greatly outnumbered the citizens of the town, and the regular troops there, two companies of militia were brought in during the night, and a large number the next day. Early, however, on the 'following morning, Tecumseh sent for the interpreter, made an apology for his conduct, and earnestly requested that he might have another conference with the governor. His request was at length granted; but the governor took care to be attended by a number of his friends, well armed, and to have the troops in the town ready for action. In his speech Tecumseh said that he had been advised by some white persons, to act as he had done; but that it was not his intention to offer any violence to the governor. The latter then inquired, whether he had any other grounds for claiming the lands, that had been ceded to the United States, but those which he had stated; and he answered in the negative. The governor then observed to him, that so great a warrior should disdain to conceal his intentions, and desired to know 458 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY whether he really intended to make war upon the United States, if the lately purchased lands were not relinquished by them. He answered that it was decidedly his determination, and that he would never rest until he brought all the tribes upon the continent to unite in one confederacy. The activity and perseverance, which he manifested in the prosecution of this scheme, were most wonderful. He visited all the tribes west of the Mississippi, and on Lakes Superior, Huron, and Erie repeatedly, before the year 1811. So sanguine were his followers about this time, and so much were they encouraged by the British agents, that in the event of a war between Indians and America, they believed the confederated tribes with the aid of the British, would be able to drive the Americans over the Ohio River to the south side, and thus regain all the country on the northwest of that river. And from the sine qua non, advanced by the British commissioners in the negotiations at Ghent, it would appear, that the British ministry had indulged a delusion not much less extravagant. "It was the intention of Tecumseh, to avoid hostilities with the whites, until he should effect a combination strong enough to resist them, or until the expected war American-British conflict should commence. Whether the British were really the authors of this plan for forming a general confederacy amongst the tribes, or whether the scheme originated with Blue Jacket and Tecumseh themselves, is not certain; but from the papers found in the baggage of the British army taken on the Thames, it appears more than probable, that the former was the case—at least it is certain, that an intimate communication was kept up, between the Prophet and Tecumseh, and the British Indian department, from their first establishment at Greenville; and that they were constantly supplied with arms, ammunition and clothing, from the King's stores at Malden. In the winter and spring of the year 1811, many depredations and several murders were committed upon the inhabitants of the frontiers of the Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri territories. The perpetrators were demanded of the respective chiefs, but no satisfaction could be obtained. A militia officer was sent by Governor Harrison to demand the delivery of some horses that had been stolen from the settlements, and which were discovered with the Indians; no satisfaction was however obtained; and Tecumseh and his brother informed the officer, that they would pay a visit in person to the governor. They were told that they would be well received, provided they came with not mor than thirty followers. This was acceded to. The governor, how TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 459 ever, caused their motions to be watched, and was soon informed, that they were descending the river with several hundred warriors. The same officer was dispatched to meet them, and to forbid their approach to Vincennes with that body. Compliance was again promised, and Tecumseh came on with a few canoes only, but was soon followed by all the rest, who joined and encamped with him a mile from the Town of Vincennes. The inhabitants were much alarmed, and there is little doubt but that it was the intention of the Indians to surprise and plunder the town. The governor was, however, on his guard. The militia of the town was kept under arms, and some companies were brought in from the country. Tecumseh demanded an interview. The governor agreed to it, and asked whether it was the intention of the Indians to come armed to the council. Tecumseh replied that he would be governed by the conduct of the white people; if they attended the council armed, his warriors would be armed also, but if the white people would come unarmed, he would come in the same way. The governor informed him that he would be attended by a troop of dragoons, dismounted, who would have only side arms, and that the Indians might bring their war clubs,, tomahawks and knives. The meeting took place in a large arbour, on one side of which were placed the dragoons, eighty in number, seated in rows; on the other side, the Indians. Besides their swords, the dragoons had their pistols stuck in their belts. The Indians were evidently alarmed, and when the governor, who was seated in front of the front row of dragoons began to address them, Tecumseh complained that he could not hear him, and desired him to remove his seat to an open space near himself. The governor complied. In his speech he complained of the constant depredations, which were committed by the Indians of Tippecanoe. The refusal on their part to give satisfaction—and the constant accumulation of force at that place for the avowed purpose of obliging the United States to give up lands, which they had fairly purchased, of the rightful owners. In his answer Tecumseh denied that he had taken the murderers under his protection; but admitted his design of forming a grand confederacy of all the nations and tribes of Indians upon the continent for the purpose of putting a stop to the encroachments of the white people. He said, that the policy which the United States pursued, of purchasing lands from the Indians, he viewed as a mighty water, ready to overflow his people, and that the confederacy which he was forming among the tribes, to prevent any individual tribe from 460 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY selling without the consent of the others, was the dam he was erecting to resist this mighty water.' And he added, 'your great father may sit over the mountains and drink his wine, but if he continues this policy, you and I will have to fight it out.' He admitted that he was then on his way to the Creek nation for the purpose of bringing them over to his measures; and he actually did, two days afterwards, set out on this journey with twelve or fifteen of his warriors. Having visited the Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws, he crossed the Mississippi and continued his course northwardly as far as the river Des Moines. Having obtained, it is believed, the promise of assistance from all the tribes in that direction, he returned to the Wabash by land, across the heads of the Illinois River. In his absence his affairs had sustained a sad reverse. His town was consumed, his large deposit of provisions were destroyed, his bravest followers killed, and the rest dispersed. Upon his departure to visit the southern Indians, the Prophet, his brother, was left in charge of the temporal as well as spiritual concerns of the establishment. It is believed that he received from Tecumseh positive instructions to avoid coming to extremities with the white people, and to restrain his followers from committing depredations which might lead to the commencement of hostilities before his plans were ripe. The Prophet, however, wanted the inclination as well as the authority necessary to follow the direction. Murders and other depredations followed in quick succession; no redress could be obtained; the people upon the frontiers became exceedingly alarmed, as well as the citizens of Vincennes, at which place a large meeting was held which passed a number of resolutions indicating their sense of the danger they were in, and warmly approbating the measures which had been taken by the governor for their defense. These resolutions, with a strong remonstrance against the propriety of suffering this banditti to continue their depredations, were forwarded to the President of the United States. They produced the desired effect, and the fourth regiment commanded by Colonel Boyd, which was at that time at Pittsburgh, was ordered to repair immediately to Vincennes, and was placed under the command of Governor Harrison. The governor was also directed to add to them a body of militia, to take measures for the defence of the citizens, and as a last resort to remove the Prophet and his followers by force. "As soon as it was known in Kentucky that Harrison was authorized to march with an army against the Indians, a number of TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION = 461 volunteers went over to join his standard. Many of them were men of high standing at home as military, civil, and literary characters. Of this number were Samuel Wells, a major-general of the militia, who had been an active soldier in former wars with the Indians—Joseph H. Daveiss, Esq., a very eminent attorney, who had great military ambition—Col. Abraham Owen, a veteran in Indian warfare—and Colonel Keiger, who raised a small company of young men near Louisville, including among them, Messrs. Croghan, O'Fallon, Shipp, Chum and Edwards, who afterwards distinguished themselves as officers in the army of the United States. "In the latter part of September, (1811) the governor commenced his march up the Wabash, with a force of about nine hundred effective men, composed of the fourth regiment, a body of militia, and about 130 volunteer dragoons. The fourth regiment had been raised for some time, and was trained and well officered. The militia, too, who were all volunteers, had been trained with great assiduity by the governor, in those particular evolutions which had been practised by General Wayne's army, and which had been found useful in a covered country and operating against Indians. Conformably to his orders from the President, the governor halted within the boundary of the United States, and endeavored by the intervention of the Delaware and Miami tribes, to induce the Prophet to deliver up the murderers and the stolen horses. These messengers of peace were received and treated with great insolence, and the demands made by them rejected with disdain by the Prophet and his council. To put an end to all hopes of accommodation, a small war party was detached for the purpose of commencing hostilities. Finding no stragglers about the camp, they fired upon one of the sentinels and wounded him verely ; the Delaware chiefs informed the governor of the object of the party, and that it was in vain to expect that anything but force could obtain either satisfaction for the injuries done, or security for the future. He learned also from the same source, that the strength of the Prophet was daily increasing by the ardent and giddy young men from every tribe, and particularly from the tribes on and beyond the Illinois River. The governor was at this time busily engaged in erecting a fort on the southeast side of the Wabash, some miles within the boundary of the United States, and in preparing ammunition, and disciplining his men for the expected conflict, which from the character of the enemy, he knew would be a desperate one. His little army had been much 462 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY weakened by sickness, the effect of flesh food without vegetable and a sufficient quantity of bread. The governor finding his flour growing short, had early in October put the troops upon half allowance of that article—this regulation extended to the officers of every rank, and was rigidly conformed to in the family of the general. The sick having been deposited in the fort, which the officers, in compliment to their commander, had requested might be called Fort Harrison, and the weak and convalescent being drawn out to form the garrison, the troops on the 29th of October took up the line of march; the infantry in two columns in single file on each side of the trace, and capable by a single conversion of being formed into two lines, to receive the enemy on any point he might attack, or of being reduced into a hollow square. "The country through which the army passed was occasionally an open, beautiful prairie, intersected by thick woods, deep creeks, and ravines. The cavalry and mounted riflemen, of the Latter of which there were two companies, covered the advance, the flanks and the rear, and were made to exchange positions with each other as the ground varied—so as to keep them upon that which best suited the mode of fighting which they respectively practised. The Indians being perfect masters of the art of ambuscading, every precaution was used to guard against surprise, and prevent the army from being attacked in a disadvantageous position. At some distance above Fort Harrison, two routes for approaching the Prophet's town presented themselves to the choice of the governor. The one passing up the south side of the Wabash was much shorter than the other, but it led through an uneven woody country. To the north of the river, the prairies were very extensive, affording few situations for the kind of warfare peculiar to the savages. To deceive the enemy, the governor caused the route to be reconnoitered on the south side and a wagon road laid out, and having advanced upon it a short distance, he suddenly changed his direction, and gained the right bank of the Wabash, by crossing it above the mouth of Raccoon Creek. Here the army was joined by some of the volunteers from Kentucky, amongst whom were Major-General Wells, and Colonels Owen and Keiger. To General Wells the command of the mounted riflemen was assigned with the rank of major. Colonel Owen was appointed aid-de-camp to the governor; and the rest of the volunteers with a detachment of the Indiana militia under Major Beck were formed into a company, and placed under the command of Colonel Keiger as captain. To Colonel Daveiss the TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 463 command of the dragoons had been given with the rank of major. In passing the large prairies the army was frequently halted, and made collectively to perform the evolutions which they had been taught in smaller bodies, during their stay at Fort Harrison, at which place the governor had manoeuvered the relieving guards every day in person, and had required the attendance of the field officer on those occasions. "The Indians not expecting the army on the north side of the river, no signs of them were seen until it approached Pine Creek, a very dangerous pass, where a few men might successfully have opposed a whole army. The appearance of this creek formed a singular exception to the other water courses of this country. It runs for the distance of fifteen or twenty miles above its mouth, between immense cliffs of rock, upon whose summits were found considerable quantities of pine and red cedar, the former of which was rare, and the latter nowhere else to be found near the Wabash. The ordinary crossing place, to which the trace led that the army was pursuing was represented by the traders, who served as guides, to be extremely difficult, if not impassable for wagons, and that it was no doubt the spot where the Indians would make their attack, if they had determined to meet the army in the field. It had been twice selected by them for that purpose once in the year 1780, when General Clark undertook a campaign against the Indians of the Wabash; but their design was then frustrated by a mutiny of a part of his troops seventy or eighty miles above Vincennes—and a second time in the year 1790, when Colonel Hamtramck penetrated with a small force as high as the Vermillion, to make a diversion in favor of General Harmar's expedition to the Miami of the Lake (Maumee). The governor had no intention of encountering the enemy in a place like this. He accordingly, in the course of the night preceding his approach to the creek, dispatched Captain Prince of the Indiana militia, with an escort of forty men, to reconnoitre the creek some miles above, and endeavor to find a better fording. About 10 o'clock next day, this excellent officer met the army in its advance and informed the general that at the distance of six or eight miles, he had found a trace used by the Illinois Indians in traveling to Tippecanoe, which presented an excellent ford at a place where the prairie skirted the creek. This prairie which they were now crossing, excited the admiration and astonishment of the officers and soldiers, who had never been on the northwest side of the Wabash. To the north and west the prospect was unbounded- 464 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY from the highest eminence no limit was to be seen, and the guides asserted that the prairie extended to the Illinois River. On the evening of the 5th of November, the army encamped at the distance of nine or ten miles from the Prophet's town. It was ascertained that the approach of the army had been discovered before it crossed Pine Creek. The traces of reconnoitering parties were very often seen, but no Indians were discovered until the troops arrived within five or six miles of the town on the 6th of November. The interpreters were then placed with the advanced guard to endeavor to open a communication with them. The Indians would, however, return no answer to the invitations that were made to them for that purpose, but continued to insult our people by their gestures. Within about three miles of the town, the ground became broken by ravines and covered with timber. The utmost precaution became necessary, and every difficult pass was examined by the mounted riflemen before the army was permitted to enter it. The ground being unfit for the operation of the squadron of dragoons, they were thrown in the rear. Through the whole march, the precaution had been used of changing the disposition of the different corps, that each might have the ground best suited to its operations. Within about two miles of the town, the path descended a steep hill, at the bottom of which was a small creek running through a narrow wet prairie, and beyond this a level plain partially covered with oak timber and without underbrush. Before the crossing of the creek, the woods were very thick and intersected by deep ravines. No place could be better calculated for the savages to attack with a prospect of success, and the governor apprehended that the moment the troops descended into the hollow, they would be attacked. A disposition was, therefore, made of the infantry, to receive the enemy on the left and rear. A company of mounted riflemen was advanced a considerable distance from the left flank to check the approach of the enemy; and the other two companies were directed to turn the enemy's flanks, should he attack from that direction. The dragoons were ordered to move rapidly from the rear and occupy the plain in advance of the creek, to cover the crossing of the army from an attack in front. In this order the troops were passed over; the dragoons were made to advance to give room to the infantry, and the latter having crossed the creek, were formed to receive the enemy in front in one line, with a reserve of three companies—the dragoons flanked by mounted riflemen forming the first line. During all this time, Indians were frequently seen TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 465 in front and on the flanks. The interpreters endeavored in vain to bring them to a parley. Though sufficiently near to hear what was said to them, they would return no answer, but continued by gestures to menace and insult those who addressed them. Being now arrived within a mile and a half of the town, and the situation being favorable for an encampment, the governor determined to remain there and fortify. his camp, until he could hear from the friendly chiefs whom he had dispatched from Fort Harrison on the day he had left it, for the purpose of making another attempt to prevent the recurrence to hostilities. Those chiefs were to have met him on the way, but no intelligence was yet received from them. Whilst he was engaged in tracing out the lines of the encampment, Major Daveiss and several other field officers approached him, and urged the propriety of immediately marching upon the town. The governor answered that his instructions would not justify his attacking the Indians as long as there was a probability of their complying with the demands of the government, and that he still hoped to hear something in the course of the evening from the friendly Indians, whom he had dispatched from Fort Harrison. "To this it was observed, that as the Indians seen hovering about the army had been frequently invited to a parley by the interpreters, who had proceeded some distance from the lines for the purpose; and as these overtures had universally been answered by menace and insult, it was very evident that it was their intention to fight; that the troops were in high spirits and full of confidence; and that advantage ought to be taken of their ardor to lead them immediately to the enemy. To this the governor answered that he was fully sensible of the eagerness of the troops, and admitting the determined hostility of the Indians, and that their insolence was full evidence of their intention to fight, yet he knew them too well to believe that they would ever do this but by surprise, or on ground which was entirely favorable to their mode of fighting. He was, therefore, determined not to advance with the troops until he knew precisely the situation of the town, and the ground adjacent to it, particularly that which intervened between it and the place where the army then was—that it was their duty to fight when they came in contact with the enemy—it was his, to take care that they should not engage in a situation where their valor would be useless, and where a corps upon which he placed great reliance would be unable to act—that the experience of the last two hours ought to convince every 466 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY officer that no reliance ought to be placed upon the guides as to the topography of the country—that relying on their information, the troops had been led into a situation so unfavorable, that but for the celerity with which they changed their position, a few Indians might have destroyed them ; he was, therefore, determined not to advance to the town until he had previously reconnoitered, either in person, or by some one on whose judgment he could rely. Major Daveiss immediately replied that from the right of the position of the dragoons, which was still in front, the opening made by the low grounds of the Wabash could be seen; that with his adjutant, D. Floyd, he had advanced to the bank, which descends to the low grounds, and had a fair view of the cultivated fields and the houses of the town ; and that the open woods in which the troops then were, continued without interruption to the town. Upon this information, the governor said he would advance, provided he could get any proper person to go to the town with a flag. Capt. T. Dubois, of Vincennes, having offered his services, he was dispatched with an interpreter to the Prophet, desiring to know whether he would not comply with the terms that had been so often proposed to him. The army was moved slowly after them in order of battle. In a few moments a messenger came from Captain Dubois, informing the governor that the Indians were near him in considerable numbers, but that they would return no answer to the interpreter, although they were sufficiently near to hear what was said to them, and that upon his advancing, they constantly endeavored to cut him off from the army. Governor Harrison during this last effort to open a negotiation, which was sufficient to show his wish for an accommodation, resolved no longer to hesitate in treating the Indians as enemies. He, therefore, recalled Captain Dubois, and moved on with a determination to attack them. He had not proceeded far, however, before he was met by three Indians, one of them a principal counsellor to the Prophet. They were sent, they said, to know why the army was advancing upon them—that the Prophet wished, if possible, to avoid hostilities; that he had sent a pacific message by the Miami and Potawatamie chiefs, who had come to him on the part of the governor—and that those chiefs had unfortunately gone down on the south side of the Wabash. A suspension of hostilities was accordingly agreed upon; and a meeting was to take place the next day between Harrison and the chiefs, to agree upon the terms of peace. The governor further informed them that he would go to the Wabash, TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 467 and encamp there for the night. Upon marching a short distance he came in view of the town, which was seen at some distance up the river upon a commanding eminence. Major Daveiss and Adjutant Floyd had mistaken some scattered houses in the fields below for the town itself. The ground below the town being unfavorable for an encampment, the army marched on in the direction of the town, with a view to obtain a better situation beyond it. The troops were in an order of march, calculated by a single conversion of companies to form the order of battle, which it had last assumed, the dragoons being in front. This corps, however, soon became entangled in ground covered with brush and tops of fallen trees. A halt was ordered, and Major Daveiss was directed to change position with Spencer's rifle corps, which occupied the open fields adjacent to the river. The Indians seeing this maneuver at the approach of the troops towards the town, supposed that they intended to attack it, and immediately prepared for defence. Some of them sallied out and called to the advanced corps to halt. The governor upon this rode forward and requested some of the Indians to come to him ; assured them that nothing was farther from his thoughts, than to attack them—that the ground below the town on the river—was not calculated for an encampment, and that 'it was his intention to search for a better one above. He asked if there was any other water convenient besides that which the river afforded ; and an Indian with whom he was well acquainted, answered that the creek, which had been crossed two miles back, ran through the prairie to the north of the village. A halt was then ordered, and some officers sent back to examine the creek, as well as the river above the town. In half an hour, Brig.-Maj. Marston Clarke and Maj. Waller Taylor returned and reported that they had found on the creek everything that could be desirable in an encampment—an elevated spot, nearly surrounded by an open prairie, with water convenient and a sufficiency of wood for fuel. An idea was propagated by the enemies of Governor Harrison after the battle of Tippecanoe, that the Indians had forced him to encamp on a place chosen by them as suitable for the attack they intended. The place, however, was chosen by Majors Taylor and Clarke after examining all the environs of the town; and when the army of General Hopkins was there in the following year, they all united in the opinion, that a better spot to resist Indians was not to be found in the whole country. "The army now marched to the place selected, and encamped 468 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY late in the evening on a dry piece of ground, which rose about ten feet above the level of a marshy prairie in front towards the town, and about twice as high above a similar prairie in the rear; through which, near the bank, ran a small stream clothed with willows and brushwood. On the left of the encampment this bench of land became wider; on the right it gradually narrowed and terminated in an abrupt point about 150 yards from the right flank. The two columns of infantry occupied the front and rear. The right flank, being about eighty yards wide, was filled with Captain Spencer's company of eighty men. The left flank, about one hundred and fifty yards in extent, was composed of three companies of mounted riflemen under Major-General Wells, commanding as a major. The front infantry under the command of Major Floyd was flanked on the right by two companies of militia infantry and on the left by one company of thy same troops. The rear line consisted of a United States infantry under Captain Baen, commanding as a major; and four companies of militia infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Decker; the regulars being stationed next the riflemen under Wells, and the militia on the other end of the line adjoining Spencer's company. The cavalry under Daveiss were encamped in the rear of the front line and the left flank. The encampment was not more than three-fourths of a mile from the town. "The order given to the army in the event of a night attack was for each corps to maintain its ground at all hazards till relieved. The dragoons were directed in such a case to parade dismounted with their swords on and their pistols in their belts, and to wait for orders. The guard for the night consisted of two captains' commands of forty-two men and two non-commissioned officers each; and two subalterns' guards of twenty men and noncommissioned officers—the whole under the command of a field officer of the day. "The night was dark and cloudy ; the moon rose late, an after midnight there was a drizzling rain. Many of the men appeared to be much dissatisfied ; they were anxious for a batty and the most ardent regretted that they would have to retail without one. The army generally had no expectation of ar attack ; but those who had experience in Indian affairs suspected some treachery. Colonel Daveiss was heard to say he had no doubt but that an attack would be made before morning. "It was the constant practice of Governor Harrison to call up the troops an hour before day, and keep them under arms till it TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 469 was light. After 4 o'clock in the morning (November 7, 1811 ) the governor, General Wells, Colonel Owen and Colonel Daveiss had all risen, and the governor was going to issue his orders for raising the army when the treacherous Indians had crept up so near the sentries as to hear them challenge when relieved. They intended to rush upon the sentries and kill them before they could fire; but one of them discovered an Indian creeping towards him in the grass and fired. This was immediately followed by the Indian yell, and a desperate charge upon the left flank. The guards in that quarter gave way and abandoned their officer without making any resistance. Captain Barton's company of regulars and Captain Keiger's company of mounted riflemen, forming the left angle of the rear line, received the first onset. The fire there was excessive ; but the troops who had lain on their arms, were immediately prepared to receive and gallantly resist the furious savage assailants. The manner of the attack was calculated to discourage and terrify the men; yet as soon as they could be formed and posted, they maintained their ground with desperate valor, though but very few of them had ever before been in battle. The fires in the camp were extinguished immediately,. as the light they afforded was more serviceable to the Indians than to our men. "As soon as the governor could mount his horse, he proceeded towards the point of attack, and finding the line much weakened there, he ordered two companies from the center of the rear line march up and form across the angle in the rear of Barton's Keiger's companies. General Wells immediately proceeded the right of his command; and Colonel Owen, who was with him, was proceeding directly to the point of attack when he was of from his horse near the lines, and thus bravely fell among the first victims of savage perfidy. A heavy fire now commenced all along the left flank, upon the whole of the front and right lank, and on a part of the rear line. "In passing through the camp towards the left of the front line, the governor met with Colonel Daveiss and the dragoons. The colonel informed him that the Indians concealed behind some trees near the line were annoying the troops very severely in that quarter, and he requested permission to dislodge them, which was granted. He immediately called on the first division of his cavalry to follow him, but the order was not distinctly heard, and but few of his men charged with him. Among those who charged were two young gentlemen who had gone with him from Ken- 470 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY tucky, Messrs. Mead and Sanders, who were afterwards distinguished as captains in the United States service. They had not proceeded far out of the lines when Daveiss was mortally wounded by several balls and fell. His men stood by him and repulsed the savages several times, till they succeeded in carrying him into camp. "In the meantime the attack on Spencer's and Warwick's cornpanies on the right became very severe, Captain Spencer and his lieutenants were all killed, and Captain Warwick was mortally wounded. The governor in passing towards that flank, found Captain Robb's company near the center of the camp. They had been driven from their post; or rather, had fallen back without orders. He sent them to the aid of Captain Spencer where they fought very bravely, having seventeen men killed during the battle. Captain Prescott's company of United States infantry had filled up the vacancy caused by the retreat of Robb's company, Soon after Colonel Daveiss was wounded, Captain Snelling at the head of his company charged on the same Indians and dislodged them with considerable loss. The battle was now maintained on all sides with desperate valor. The Indians advanced and retreated by a rattling noise made with deer hoofs; they fought with enthusiasm, and seemed determined on victory or death. "As soon as daylight appeared, Captain Snelling's company, Captain Posey's, under Lieutenant Albright, and Captain Scott's were drawn from the front line and Wilson's from the rear, and formed on the left flank; while Cook's and Baen's companies were ordered to the right. General Wells took command of the corps formed on the left, and with the aid of some dragoons, who were now mounted and commanded by Captain Parke, made a successful charge on the enemy in that direction, driving them into an adjoining swamp through which the cavalry could not pursue them. At the same time Cook's and Lieutenant Larbie's companies, with the aid of the riflemen and militia on the right flank, charged on the Indians and put them to flight in that quarter, which terminated the battle. "During the time of this contest the Prophet kept himself secure on an adjacent eminence, singing a war song. He had told his followers that the Great Spirit would render the army of the Americans unavailing, and that their bullets would not hurt the Indians, who would have light, while the enemies were involved in thick darkness. Soon after the battle commenced he was informed that his men were falling. He told them to fight on, that TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 471 it would soon be as he had predicted, and then began to sing louder. * * * "The Indians left 38 warriors dead on the field, and buried several others in the town, which with those who must have died of their wounds, would make their loss at least as great as that of the Americans. The troops under the command of Governor Harrison of every description amounted on the day before the battle to something more than eight hundred. The ordinary force that had been at the Prophet's town throughout the preceding summer was about four hundred and fifty. But they were joined a few days before the action by all the Kickapoos of the Prairie and by many bands of Potawatamies from the Illinois River, and the St. Josephs of Lake Michigan. They estimated their number after the battle to have been 600 ; but the traders who had a good opportunity of knowing, made them at least 800, and some as many as 1,000. However, it is certain that no American victory was ever before obtained over the northern Indians, where the numbers were anything like equal. The number of killed too was greater than was ever before known. It is their custom always to avoid a close action, and from their dexterity in hiding themselves, but few of them can be killed, even when they are pouring destruction into the ranks of their enemy. It is believed that there was not ten of them killed at St. Clair's defeat, and still fewer at Braddock's. At Tippecanoe, they rushed up to the bayonets of our men, and in one instance related by Captain Snelling, an Indian adroitly put the bayonet of a soldier aside, and clove his head with his war club, an instrument on which there is fixed a triangular piece of iron broad enough to project several inches from the wood. Their conduct on this occasion, so different from what it usually is, was attributed to the confidence of success with which their prophet had inspired them, and to the distinguished bravery of the Winnebago warriors. "The Indians did not determine to attack the American camp till late at night. The plan that was formed the evening before was to meet the governor in council the next day, and agree to the terms he proposed. At the close of the council, the chiefs were to retire to the warriors, who were to be placed at a convenient distance. The governor was then to be killed by two Winnebagos who had devoted themselves to certain death to accomplish this object. They were to loiter about the camp after the council had broken up; and their killing the governor and raising the war 17-VOL. 1 472 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY whoop was to be the signal for a general attack. The Indians were commanded by White Moon, Stone Eater and Winemac, a Potawatamie chief, who had been with the governor on his march and at Fort Harrison, making great professions of friendship. "The Fourth Regiment was about two hundred and fifty strong, and there were about sixty volunteers from Kentucky in the army. The rest of the troops were volunteers from the Indiana militia. Those from the neighborhood of Vincennes had been trained for several years by the governor, and had become very expert in the maneuvers which he had adopted for fighting the Indians. The greater part of the territorial troops followed him as well from personal attachment as from a sense of duty. Indeed„ a greater degree of confidence and personal attachment has rarely been found in any army towards its commander than existed in this; nor have there been many battles in which the dependence of the army on its leader was more distinctly felt. During the whole action the governor was constantly on the lines, and always repaired to the point which was most hardly pressed. The reinforcements drawn occasionally from the points most secure, were conducted by himself and formed on the spot where their services were most wanted. The officers and men who believed that their ultimate success depended on his safety, warmly remonstrated against his so constantly exposing himself. Upon one occasion as he was approaching an angle of the line against which the Indians were advancing with horrible yells, Lieutenant Emerson of the dragoons seized the bridle of his horse and earnestly entreated that he would not go there; but the governor putting spurs to his horse, pushed on to the point of attack, where the enemy were received with firmness and driven back. "The army remained in camp on the 7th and 8th of November to bury the dead and dress the wounded; and to make preparations for returning. During this time General Wells was permitted with the mounted riflemen to visit the town, which he found evacuated by all except a chief whose leg was broken. The general burnt their houses, destroyed their corn and brass kettles, and returned to camp unmolested. The town was well prepared for an attack, and no doubt but the Indians fully expected it; for they had determined to agree to no terms which could be offered. The wounds of the chief being dressed and provision made for him, he was left with instructions to tell his companions that if they would abandon the Prophet and return to their respectiv tribes, they should be forgiven. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 473 "On the 9th of November the return of the army was commenced. It marched slowly on account of the wounded, the difficulty of transportation, and some apprehensions of another attack. As the army had come up the river, a block-house had been built on its bank, where some boats and heavy baggage had been left. The wounded were now put in the boats as the army returned, and were taken to Fort Harrison and Vincennes by water. Captain Snelling and his company were left at Fort Harrison and the governor arrived at Vincennes on the 18th, having been met and welcomed back by a concourse of two hundred citizens." Thus in detail is given the particulars of the battle of Tippecanoe not generally accorded the importance in history it deserves. It was in fact the first battle of the War of 1812 and gave General Harrison, the commander, the title of "Old Tippecanoe" when he was chosen President of the United States in the political campaign of 1840. The details of the engagement show that he had been trained with Wayne as to what to anticipate in Indian warfare. And while as was usually the case, there were no British at the head of the troops in this battle, they were responsible for the Indian attitude towards the Americans. There were, by the way, about this time ten American agencies for trade with the Indians, in operation. Those in this section were at Fort Wayne on the Upper Maumee and on the Sandusky River. But the tension between the United States and both the Indians and British had been gradually becoming more serious. While McAfee has ably stated the cause for the declaration of war it may be summarized as on account of Great Britain's interference with American trade, enforced by a blockade; the impressment of American seamen ; and the encouragement of the Indians in their depredations, more especially in the West. CHAPTER XL WAR OF 1812 OPENS IN THE WEST OHIO MILITIA CALLED OUT-RENDEZVOUS OF ARMY AT DAYTON-GENERAL HULL CHOSEN COMMANDER-TROOPS BUILD FORTS ON NORTHWARD MARCH-DETROIT THE OBJECTIVE-ROUTE OF THE ARMY-ARRIVAL AT DETROIT-DETAILS OF HULL'S CAMPAIGN AND SURRENDER-RELIEF EXPEDITION OF CAPTAIN BRUSH-CAUSE OF HULL'S FAILURE-PROCEEDINGS AT CHICAGO, AND DISASTER AT FORT DEARBORN. Governor Hull, of Michigan, on his visits to Washington from Detroit in the winter and early spring of 1812, had urged the government to strengthen the military forces of the Northwest; and observing the advantage to the British on account of their naval control of the Great Lakes he had also declared the absolute necessity of an American fleet on Lake Erie as an adjunct to the military success of the United States. Advocating the theory that original source material when authentic and available makes the most readable as well as most valuable history, Captain McAfee's narrative is here again quoted as follows: "In April, 1812, President. Madison made a requisition on the State of Ohio for 1,200 militia, and ordered the Fourth Regiment from Vincennes to Cincinnati, under the command of Colonel Miller, to be joined with the militia. Colonel Boyd in the meantime having gone to Washington City, had been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. In obedience to the requisition, Governor Meigs of Ohio issued orders to the major-generals of the middle and western divisions of that state, for their respective proportions of men to rendezvous on the 29th of April at Dayton, a town at the mouth of Mad River on the Big Miami. The corps were raised without difficulty—the people of Ohio, with an ardent love of country and zeal for its interests, voluntarily tendered their services to the government of their choice. In a few days, more than the number wanted came forward. Citizens of the first respectability enrolled themselves, and prepared for the dangers of the field, contending with each other who should go first into the service of their country. The troops being collected, they - 474 - TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 475 proceeded to choose their field officers, when Duncan M'Arthur was elected colonel of the first regiment, and James Denny and William A. Trimble, majors—for the Second Regiment, James Findley, colonel, and Thomas Moore and Thomas B. Van Horne, majors—for the Third, Lewis Cass, colonel, and Robert Morrison and J. R. Munson, majors. No accommodations having been prepared for the troops, they were obliged to camp without tents or other equipage; and having been hurried from home very suddenly, they had to encounter many difficulties without being prepared to meet them. Most of them had never been in a camp before, and were entirely unacquainted with the necessary equipments. It was the middle of May before blankets and camp equipage arrived from Pittsburgh by the way of Cincinnati. "William Hull, Esq., governor of the Michigan Territory, having been appointed a brigadier-general in the army of the United States, was destined to command these troops (against his desire). He arrived at Dayton about the 20th of May, and appointed his son, Capt. A. F. Hull, and Robert Wallace, Jr., his aides, Lieut. Thos. S. Jessup, his brigade major, and Dr. Ab. Edwards, his hospital surgeon. Gen. James Taylor, of Kentucky, also accompanied his army as quartermaster general. The organization of the troops into regiments being completed, Governor Meigs proceeded as directed by the Secretary of War, to surrender the command to General Hull. The 25th of May, being selected for this ceremony, the army was formed in close column and addressed by the governor in a speech full of patriotic sentiments and good advice. He congratulated them on being placed under General Hull, a distin- guished officer of revolutionary experience; and who, being superintendent of Indian affairs and governor of the territory to which they were destined, would thence be able more effectually to provide for their comfort and convenience. Colonel Cass also delivered an appropriate address, which was received with much applause. General Hull being invested with command, then addressed the troops in flattering and animated terms. After commending their patriotism and recommending discipline, he proceeded : 'In marching through a wilderness memorable for savage barbarity, you will remember the causes, by which the barbarity had been heretofore excited. In viewing the ground stained with the blood of your fellow citizens, it will be impossible to suppress the feelings of indignation. Passing by the ruins of a fortress, erected in our territory by a foreign nation, in times of profound peace, and for the express purpose of exciting the say- 476 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY ages to hostility, and supplying them with the means of conducting a barbarous war, must remind you of that system of oppression and injustice, which that nation had continually practiced, and which the spirit of an indignant people can no longer endure.' "The delivery of this speech by the general animated every breast, and great expectations were formed of his prowess and abilities. His manners were familiar and his appearance prepossessing. The frost of time had given him a venerable aspect, and the idea of his revolutionary services inspired the troops with confidence. Such were the auspicious circumstances under which General Hull took command of the army. Those who were induced by their discernment, or their intimate acquaintance with the general, to doubt his abilities to lead an invading army, hesitated to express their sentiments and were silent before the voice of public admiration. "On the first of June, the army marched up the Miami to Staunton, a small village on the east bank. Here they waited for the boats in which the baggage was coming up the river. They intended to ascend Lorimies River eighteen miles, then march by Piqua to the Auglaize, and then descend that river. But on the 6th of June, they were informed that the water was too low for the boats to ascend—they were then ordered by the general to march to Urbana, a village about thirty miles to the east of Staunton. Here they were informed on the morning of the 8th, by a general order, that they would be met that day on parade by the governor accompanied by many distinguished citizens and some Indian chiefs. On the following day, Governor Meigs and General Hull held a council with twelve chiefs of the Shawanoe, Mingoe, and Wyandot nations, to obtain leave from them to march the army through their territory; and to erect such forts as might be deemed necessary; which was promptly granted by them, and every assistance which they could give the army in the wilderness was promised. Governor Meigs had held a council with these Indians on the 6th, in which it was agreed to adhere to the treaty of Greenville. At these councils the just and humane policy of our government was exhibited in fair-dealing with the Indians, and in exhorting them to peace and neutrality. It formed a striking contrast to the conduct of the British, who were using every insidious means to engage the Indians in their service, and to excite them to massacre our innocent women and children. "On the 10th of June, the Fourth Regiment, with Colonel Miller at its head, arrived at Urbana. They were met about a mile from town by Colonels M'Arthur, Cass, and Findley, at the head TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 477 of their respective regiments, by whom they were escorted into camp through a triumphal arch adorned with an eagle, and inscribed with the words, Tippecanoe—Glory. On this occasion the general issued a congratulatory order to his troops to excite their emulation. "On the next day General M'Arthur was detached with his regiment to cut a road for the army as far as the Scioto River, which rises northwest of the head branches of the Big Miami. The whole army having moved as far as King's Creek, three miles from Urbana, another general order was issued on the 16th of June, from which the following are extracts : 'In the honor of this army the general feels the deepest interest. He sincerely hopes that nothing will take place during the campaign, to tarnish the fame it has already acquired ; its glory, however, is not yet complete. Bare professions of patriotism do not establish the character of a patriot. It is necessary for this army to meet with a cheerful and manly fortitude, the fatigues and dangers it may be called to encounter, before it can be entitled to the honorable appellation of a patriotic army. It is easy to boast of patriotism ; it is hard to perform the duties it requires. The general retains the highest confidence in the honorable motives of this army, and he assures the officers and soldiers, that while on the one hand he will do all in his power for their comfort and convenience, on the other hand he expects a ready submission to his orders and a punctual discharge of all their duties.' "On the day this order was issued, Colonel M'Arthur's regiment had opened the road as far as the Scioto and had begun to build two block-houses on the south bank of the river, which is there, but 40 or 50 feet wide. These houses were strengthened by stockades, and in honor of the colonel, the whole was called Fort M'Arthur (near present Kenton, Hardin County). At this place, Peter Vassar, a Frenchman, while on guard, deliberately shot a brother sentry by the name of Joseph England, and wounded him badly, but he afterwards recovered and returned home. Vassar was put under guard, and a general order was issued, prohibiting settlers from selling liquor to any non-commissioned officer or private, without a written permit from his commanding officer. "The whole army having arrived here on the 19th, Colonel Findley was ordered to proceed with his regiment on the 21st and cut the road as far as Blanchard Forks of the Auglaize; and on the 22nd, the whole army followed, except a part of Captain 478 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY Dill's company, which was left to keep the fort and take care of the sick. It now rained for several days excessively, so as to render the road almost impassable for wagons. After marching only sixteen miles the army halted again in the midst of a swampy country, in which the water courses, both of the Ohio and the lakes, have their sources. A block-house was erected here (in now Hancock County) which was honored with the name of Fort Necessity. The mud was deep and from every appearance the whole army was likely to stick in the swamps. The horses and oxen were put on short allowance; and every man who could make a pack saddle was detailed on that business. The general intended to transport his baggage on pack horses; but as soon as a sufficient number of saddles were made, the order was rescinded and they were deposited in the block-house. "The general's first order of march was given, it is believed, on the 20th of June at Fort M'Arthur; but he seems to have entirely forgotten to give his army an order of battle—perhaps he did not deem it necessary, intending to do all the fighting himself on paper. The following was the order of march : 'The 4th United States regiment on the right; Colonel M'Arthur on the left; Colonel Findley on the left of the 4th ; and Colonel Cass on the right of M'Arthur; the cavalry on the right of the whole. In marching, the riflemen of the respective regiments will form the flank guards, and on the day the army marches, they will be excused from any other duty.' "When the army was ready to march from Fort Necessity, they were met by Gen. Robert Lucas and Mr. William Deeny, who had been sent by General Hull from Dayton, with dispatches for Mr. Atwater, the acting governor at Detroit. Their report was not the most favorable. General Lucas had been present at several councils held by Mr. Atwater with the chiefs of the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes, and the Wyandots of Brownstown, They all expressed a disposition to be friendly, except Walk-in-the-Water of the Wyandots, who declared that the American Government was acting improperly in sending an army into their country, which would cut off their communication with Canada. He said the Indians were their own masters and would trade where they pleased ; and that the disturbance on the Wabash was the fault of Governor Harrison entirely. General Lucas had also ascertained that the British had collected a considerable body of Indians at Malden, who were fed and supplied with arms and ammunition, and were ready to fight the Ameri- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 479 cans at the first signal from their employers. It was represented that Detroit was in a bad state of defense, and that the citizens generally were much elated at the approach of an army for their protection. General Lucas had no opportunity of visiting Fort Malden; but from every information, it was believed to be in a much worse situation than Detroit, one side of it being entirely open. The weather having become more favorable, the army at last marched from Fort Necessity and arrived in three days at Blanchard's Forks, where Colonel Findley had built blockhouses and stockading on the southwest side, which was called Fort Findley. (This fort was on the south bank of Blanchard River where the Main Street of Findlay crosses that stream). "On the 26th of June, Colonel Dunlap arrived in camp as an express from Chillicothe with dispatches from the war department for General Hull. They were confidential ; but it was believed that they contained certain and official intelligence of the declaration of war against England, as the general ordered all the heavy camp equipage to be left at this fort and determined to commence a forced march. Colonel Cass was sent with his regiment to cut the remainder of the road to the Rapids (Maumee River opposite Presque Isle and Turkey Foot rock). The balance of Captain Dill's company being left at the fort, the army proceeded, but not with more speed than usual, and in a few days encamped on the banks of the Miami of the Lake (Maumee) opposite the battle ground of General Wayne and in view of a small village at the foot of the rapids (site of Maumee). Here the army was cheered with a view of civilized habitations, after a tedious march through a dreary wilderness. Having delayed here a day, they marched down through the village in regular order, and encamped just below the ruins of the old British Fort Miami, from which the Indians were supplied by the British previous to their battle with Wayne on the 20th of August, '94. "At this place a small schooner (the Cuyahoga) belonging to a Captain Chapin, was employed to carry a quantity of baggage to Detroit, about thirty officers and privates being put on board for its protection. It being the last of the month, complete muster rolls of every company in the brigade were made out and deposited in a trunk, which was put on board this vessel. An open boat with the sick, was also sent in company with Captain Chapin. It was here represented to General Hull, by Captain M'Pherson of Cincinnati, that war must have been declared, and 480 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY that the schooner would certainly be captured at Malden. Notwithstanding this suggestion, and the general's own knowledge on the subject, he persisted in sending the vessel. "Lieutenant Davidson with twenty-five men being left here to build a block-house, the army again marched on the 1st of July, after considerable time spent in preparation as usual. Their route was through an open country, interspersed with thin groves of oak, and scattering settlements of French. When they arrived at the River Raisin, on which there is a handsome village of French inhabitants (site of Monroe) information was received that the schooner, in attempting to pass Malden with the baggage, had been captured by the British, and the whole crew and passengers made prisoners, the enemy having previously received intelligence of the declaration of war which was made on the 18th of June by the American Government. Though General Hull had certainly received intimation of this act of the government by Colonel Dunlap, yet the troops had not been informed of it till the evening before they reached the River Raisin, at which time the baggage had been captured. The colonels having on that evening informed their men of the declaration of war, and that the situation of the army required strict subordination, firmness, and bravery to insure success; and each man being supplied with ten rounds of ammunition and extra flint; every heart beat warm in the cause of the country and new life and animation beamed in every countenance. "A day was spent at the River Raisin ; and a day and a half in marching fifteen miles to the River Huron. Here the 4th of July was spent in erecting a bridge over the river, which is but 40 feet wide, but very deep. The road crosses about half a mile from the lake, from which place the army had a full view of the Canada shore below Malden, and a delightful prospect of Lake Erie to the east. A large vessel supposed to be the Queen Charlotte, with troops on board, was seen going towards Malden, where the firing of cannon was distinctly heard. An attack from the British and Indians was expected at this place, and the army anxiously desiring it, was kept under arms the whole day. "On the 5th, the army marched early, and having passed the villages of Brownstown and Maguaga, and the rivers DeCorce and Roach (Rouge), it arrived at Springwells, the lower end of the Detroit settlement, and but two miles from the town. Here is a handsome eminence on the River Detroit, well calculated for a fort, which would command the town of Sandwich on the Ca- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 481 nadian shore, the river being about three-quarters of a mile wide. The following extract from a general order issued at this place, will show in what manner General Hull informed the northwestern posts of the declaration of war. 'The garrisons of Detroit, Michilimacinac, Chicago, and Fort Wayne, being placed by the President of the United States, under the command of General Hull, the commanding officers of those garrisons are informed that Congress has declared war against Great Britain; and they will immediately place their garrisons in the best possible state of defense, and make a return to Brigade-Major Jessup at Detroit, of the quantity of provisions the contractor has on hand at their respective posts, the number of officers and men, ordnance and military stores of every kind, and the public property of all kinds.' When this general order, containing a variety of other matters trivial and local, had issued from the pen of the general, it was left to find a conveyance to Chicago and Macinaw in the best way it could, no human means being employed by the general for that purpose. "On the morning of the 6th (July), Colonel Cass was sent with a flag of truce to Malden, which was commanded at that time by Colonel St. George. The object was to demand the baggage and prisoners captured in the schooner. When he arrived there he was blind-folded and his demands were refused ; he then returned to camp with Captain Burbanks of the British army. In this instance General Hull betrayed his ignorance of military diplomacy in sending Colonel Cass with a flag to an equal, if not an inferior in rank. But perhaps there was some greater object in view than simply to demand the baggage. Five pieces of artillery were brought down from the fort on the 7th and placed on the bank in front of the army, in a situation to annoy the enemy at Sandwich. On the same day the general held a council with the principal chiefs of the Wyandot, Shawanoe, Potawatamie, Seneca and Mohawk nations, which ended in their professing to be our friends. On the next day the general became alarmed, lest the enemy should bombard his camp from the upper side of Sandwich; he therefore removed into the rear of Detroit to be out of the reach of danger. "The town of Detroit contains about 160 houses and 700 inhabitants. It is handsomely situated on the west side of the River Detroit, about nine miles below Lake St. Clair, the opening of which can be seen from the town. Fort Detroit stands on an elevated spot of ground in the rear of the town, and about 482 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY 250 yards from the bank of the river. It is a square, containing nearly two acres of ground. It is surrounded with a double row of pickets, the outside row being set in the ditch, and the other obliquely in the bank, which is thrown up against the walls of the fort, and which is so high, that at some distance from the fort, the interior buildings cannot be seen. The ground gradually declines from the fort in every direction. It is badly situated to command the river; but it is a place of great strength, and could not be injured by any battery on the same side of the river. The inhabitants about Detroit are mostly descendents of the old French settlers, professing the Catholic religion. The Territory can raise between six and seven hundred militia. "Preparations are now made for the invasion of Canada; arms were repaired and carriages made for the cannon; and the officers endeavored to inspire their men with ardor, a willingness to obey, and a determination to avenge the wrongs of their country, by invading the territories of her enemy. The night of the 10th was appointed for crossing into Canada; but it was prevented by the disorderly conduct of some individuals who kept firing their guns, by one of whom Major Munson was severely wounded. But few of the enemy were to be seen on the opposite shore; it was deemed necessary, however, to use some precaution in landing. On the evening of the 11th, the regiment of Colonel M'Arthur, accompanied by some boats, was marched down to the Springwells to decoy the enemy. The British were thus induced to believe that a descent would be made from that point, and that an attack would immediately be made upon Malden; which ought to have been done before this time. They accordingly drew all their forces to that place. Next morning the army marched about a mile above Detroit, where boats had been taken in the night. The regiments of Colonels Miller and Cass embarked at once and in fifteen minutes landed on the Canada shore without opposition. General Hull was among the last to embark, and as his boat reached the shore, he was heard to exclaim, 'The critical moment draws near!' The American flag was unfurled, and the Huzzas of the front were answered by the rear and the citizens of Detroit. An encampment was formed in the farm of Colonel Baubee (Baby), a British officer; the quarters of the general being fixed in a brick house near the centre of the camp, and not far from the bank of the river." On the same day, July 12th, at Sandwich, General Hull issued his famous proclamation to the inhabitants of Canada TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 483 guaranteeing protection by the army as friends and not enemies, and declaring the power of the United States sufficient for the security of right and justice. The landing on the Canada shore was near the present site of Walkerville. The camp and farm of Francois Baby was where is now Windsor. Officers and men were all eager to attack the enemy. Unable to resist the insistence of the officers, General Hull sent a scouting party of forty men under Captain Ulery down the river towards Malden. At a bridge over Turkey Creek about nine miles from camp, Ulery discovered a party of 200 Indians laying in ambush near Fighting Island, to cut off any detachment that might cross the bridge which had been partly destroyed. Upon his report to the commander, Hull immediately caused his camp to be protected with earthworks, except the side next to the river which was defended by cannon. Receiving information that a band of Indians had gone in the direction of the River Thames by a land route, Colonel McArthur with a detachment was sent in pursuit. Reaching the river they encamped about half a mile from the mouth, opposite the house of Isaac Hull, a nephew of the general, and near .Moraviantown. A corporal and six militiamen of the enemy stationed as guard to the family were captured and disarmed and sent home on parole. McArthur's force found several large boats at the Thames and returned with 200 barrels of flour, 400 blankets and other military stores gathered in the vicinity. At Baldoon opposite Walpole Island, they came upon 400 sheep, the property of a Scotch settlement, and drove the flock to camp. On the 16th Colonel Cass and Lieutenant-Colonel Miller were sent towards Malden with a detachment of 280 men to reconnoitre the enemy's advanced posts. At this point Captain McAfee in his writings says : "Next morning Captain Brown of the 4th United States regiment went down to Malden without the knowledge of Colonel Cass; but there is no doubt of his mission being known to General Hull; the object of it has never yet been developed. Presently a reinforcement of our troops arrived, consisting of the balance of the 4th regiment, and a piece of artillery under the command of Lieutenant Eastman. A council of officers was now convened, a majority of whom insisted on leaving the bridge. Colonel Cass and Captain Snelling, insisted on holding it, as it would be of the utmost importance in marching the army to Malden. Their opinion being overruled, and no order to hold the bridge being 484 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY received from the general, the whole detachment marched back to camp. The abandonment of this bridge, which had been gained so easily, and which in the possession of the enemy would be the chief obstruction to the advance of the army, was a most fatal error. It was sufficient itself to develop the character of the general; and I can scarcely restrain my indignation sufficiently while writing, to mention the event in deliberate terms. The officers from this occurrence began to distrust the views of the general, and their opinion of his abilities began to dwindle into contempt. It was evident to every person that the possession of the bridge was important to the success of the enterprise; and had the army marched immediately to Malden, that fortress must have fallen an easy conquest. The command of the river, and security to the upper country, would have been the consequences. Colonel Cass' orders were, to reconnoitre the advance posts of the enemy, but not to hold any position he might conquer. "In the evening a report prevailed that the Queen Charlotte was sailing up the straits and committing depredations on the American side; and that the British had again occupied the bridge. Colonel Findley in consequence went down to the bridge with a small party to reconnoitre. He found it torn up and a breastwork of timber erected on the south side to defend the pass. The Queen Charlotte also occupied a station convenient to aid in its defense. Colonel Findley having returned next day, another small party under Captain Snelling went down in the evening as a corps of observation. General Hull for his part staid close in his quarters at Sandwich ; but to induce his officers to believe that he really intended to attack Malden, he issued the following general order, by way of retaliation for the capture of his baggage ; the execution of it would have placed our army on a level with the disgraceful conduct of the British. " 'Whereas the private property, consisting principally of the necessary clothing of the officers and soldiers of this army, has been seized by the British force, and is detained at Malden or its dependencies, nothwithstanding application has been made for the restitution of it. In order to remunerate those officers and soldiers who have suffered, the general directs that all personal property of officers now serving in the British army, at the aforesaid post, shall be taken under special orders from the general, and delivered to the quartermaster general for safe keeping, until the orders of the government are known on the subject. TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 485 One hundred and fifty men properly officered, will be detached for command tomorrow morning at 5 o'clock from Colonel M'Arthur's regiment. Colonel M'Arthur will command and will call at Headquarters for instructions.' "In pursuance of this order, Colonel M'Arthur was sent down to relieve Captain Snelling, who was found at the. Petit Cote settlement about a mile above the bridge. From this place to the bridge, the country is a dry, level prairie. About 300 yards from the Kanards, there is a small ridge across the road about eight feet high, which is covered towards the west with small oak and hazel bushes. From the ridge to the river the prairie is somewhat marshy and covered with long grass. The river is about twenty-five yards wide and very deep, and on the south side a thick wood commences at a short distance from the bridge. Colonel M'Arthur was instructed to ascertain the situation of the bridge and the position of the Queen Charlotte; but not to go within the reach of her guns, nor attempt to pass the bridge. This information the general had already received from the other parties repeatedly, and of course was merely amusing his men and spending time by this conduct. "Colonel M'Arthur left his men at the Petit Cote settlement, and went with Adjutant Puthuff and a few riflemen to the top of the ridge to reconnoitre. He found the plank had been torn off the bridge, and that a battery had been erected at the south end of it, near which there were about 60 regulars, 450 Canadian militia, 25 dragoons, and 50 Indians. Some firing occurred between the riflemen and the Indians, some of whom came over the bridge, and as the the colonel rode down to view the Queen Charlotte, he was fired on by a gunboat which accompanied her, and which had approached him unperceived, under the bank of the river. They now all retreated uninjured to the main detachment, but the colonel not being satisfied, returned to the ridge again with a few others, to make further observations. They were there fired on again by some Indians who in the meantime had concealed themselves in the brushwood. The whole detachment immediately came up to their relief and drove the Indians back over the bridge; but as they retired Tecumseh followed them with a considerable force, when a halt was called and another skirmish ensued. Ammunition becoming scarce, the colonel sent an express to camp to inform the general of all the circumstances; and at the same time concluded to return to camp with the detachment. When the express arrived, Colonel Cass 486 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY pushed down with 150 men and a six pounder to reinforce M'Arthur. About sunset they met at Turkey Creek bridge, nine miles from camp, and immediately returned to the Petit Cote settlement where they encamped for the night. Next morning on reconnoitering the enemy, he was found to be considerably reinforced both in men and artillery. At the desire of Colonel Cass, the whole detachment marched down near the bridge, and with the six pounder, exchanged a few shot with the battery. The whole detachment then marched back to camp, hungry and fatigued, without having effected anything valuable. "Tecumseh, who was very conspicuous among the Indians for his influence, and for his bravery and skill in Indian warfare, was about this time said to be appointed a brigadier-general by the British. The whole army now began to lose all confidence in General Hull. His sending detachments to contend for the bridge, and when it was taken, his failing to hold it, or to march immediately to Malden, and afterwards sending party after party to reconnoitre and skirmish, were strong, irresistible proofs of incapacity or of treachery, which must have convinced even the British themselves, that he either did not intend to attack their fort, or that he had neither courage nor skill to execute such an enterprise. The distrust of the army was still more confirmed by his leaving them and going over to Detroit on the 21st of July, where he remained till the 26th under a variety of frivolous pretexts. While he was thus wasting his time and resources, the government entertained the most favorable opinion of his firmness and ability. His proclamation was read throughout the union and highly applauded as the production of superior talents; and great expectations were formed by an admiring and sanguine people. Living nearly thirty years under a popular, deliberative form of government, had accustomed the people to judge the abilities of public men by the fine things they were able to say; and hence men the best qualified to act were overlooked and neglected for those who were only qualified to speak and write. "The British forces at Malden were in the meantime daily augmented ; and the greatest exertions were made night and day to strengthen that post by entrenchments and picketing. By the absence of General Hull at Detroit, the command devolved on Colonel M'Arthur, who immediately dispatched Captain M'Cullough with the rangers and spies, to examine whether a road could not be made to cross the Kanards above the bridge, so as TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 487 to avoid the battery and the guns of the Queen Charlotte. The captain reported that a road for the artillery was impracticable, on account of swamps and morasses." While this procrastination was evidently being deliberately practiced by General Hull at Detroit, the fort at Mackinac, unwarned of the fact that war had been declared, was surprised and captured by a British force sent over from St. Joseph's Island. Within a short time Hull ordered most of his men back to Detroit, leaving near Sandwich only a small detachment. One of General Hull's greatest worries seems to have been from the fear that communication with the Ohio settlements might be severed, thus cutting off his army from their base of supplies and exposing them to the attack and butchery of the savages. About the 18th of July Governor Meigs received at Chillicothe from General Hull over the long trail the following dispatch: "Detroit, 11th July, 1812. "Dear Sir : The army arrived here on the 5th inst. I have now only time to state to you, that we are very deficient in provisions and I have authorized Mr. Piatt to furnish a supply for two months. "The communication must be preserved by your militia, or this army will perish for the want of provisions. We have the fullest confidence that you will do all in your power to prevent so distressing a calamity to this patriotic army. "I am, very respectfully, "Your most ob't. serv't., "W. HULL." With this dispatch from General Hull, Governor Meigs received notice from Coloniel Piatt, contractor at Urbana, stating that fourteen thousand pounds of flour and three hundred beef cattle would be ready to leave that place so soon as the Governor would furnish a military escort to guard the supplies through the wilderness. A company of volunteers was immediately raised at Chillicothe which selected as their commander, Capt. Henry Brush, a distinguished lawyer of that place. The detailed story of the arrival of the company at Urbana where they were joined by a detachment of Regulars, and seventy pack horses secured, and of the march with the supplies to the River Raisin (Monroe) and their failure to reach Detroit, will be told later. A little beyond Frenchtown, the supply train and escort was 488 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY opposed in its further advance by a band of Indians under Tecumseh, and help from Detroit was asked. When General Hull received the news Of the arrival thus far of Captain Brush, he sent Maj. Thomas Van. Horn of Colonel Findley's regiment with two hundred men to their relief. When Van Horn's men were near the site of Trenton, two of their scouts were ambushed and scalped. Proceeding to near Brownstown, the whole relief command was ambushed and at the first volley of the unseen enemy, seventeen Americans were killed and many more wounded. Keeping up a rear guard fight as he retreated, Van Horn dispatched a runner to Detroit for a reinforcement of five hundred men. Among Van Horn's losses were Captains Ulery, Gilchrist and Boersler, Lieutenant Pento and Ensign Rubey. General Hull was evidently in great fear that the surrender of Mackinac would let loose a horde of savages upon Detroit from that direction and in his greatly perturbed condition he at first refused to spare any more men for the aid of Van Horn from the fort; consequently the latter returned with his men to headquarters. Knowing the weakness of the British at Fort Malden, the American army from the officers to the men in the ranks were expecting at any moment an order to make an attack. But Hull kept to himself, and his officers knew nothing of his plans or what to expect. On August 7, the detachment of Americans which had remained at Sandwich was ordered to break camp. The whole force was elated at this move because they believed it was the preliminary to an advance on Malden. Consequently, there was great astonishment when another order came for them to return to Detroit; all the more so from the fact that the Sandwich contingent had just been reinforced by 650 French-Canadians, who were anxious to join in the British attack. There were now 2,300 Americans at the fort, the 650 Canadians who were American sympathizers were across the river, and the 230 men under Captain Brush were at the River Raisin. Opposed to this force were about 400 British at Malden and about 1,000 Indians, including 700 savages who had come in from Mackinac. Concerning the move of Hull ordering his army to recross the river to the American side again, McAfee has this: "With what deep contempt was this order heard; with what sullen murmurings was it executed! A few weeks before, the army had landed triumphantly in the enemy's country; and now, without any ostensible cause, was ordered to return in the most disgraceful manner. What feelings of indignation filled every TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 489 true American bosom; and what anguish was felt by a number of the poor inhabitants, who confiding in General Hull's promises of protection, had made themselves liable to the vengeance of their own government! The whole army now recrossed the river in sullen procession and indignant contempt, and encamped once more behind Fort Detroit." At this stage a large part of the British force at Malden also crossed to the American side and took up their station opposite Grosse Isle, in order to cut the American communication between Detroit and Ohio. In this deplorable situation the American troops were on the verge of mutiny. To allay the feeling that Hull knew existed against his tactics, on the same day that the army had recrossed to the American side, he sent Colonel Miller, with Majors Van Horn and Morrison of the Ohio volunteers, with a detachment to make another attempt to open communication with Captain Brush at the River Raisin. Near the home of Chief Walk-in-theWater, about the site of Trenton, they ran into one hundred British regulars, one hundred Canadian militia and some three hundred Indians under Tecumseh, all under the command of Major Muir. The account of what is known as the battle of Brownstown was reported as follows: "The main body of the army having recrossed the River Detroit, on the night and morning of the 8th of August, six hundred men were immediately detached under the command of Lieut.Col. Miller, to open the communication with the River Raisin and protect the provisions. This detachment consisted of the 4th G. S. regiment and two small detachments under the command of Lieutenant Stansbury and Ensign M'Abe, of the 1st regiment; detachments from the Ohio and Michigan volunteers; a corps of artillerists with one six pounder, and a howitzer under the command of Lieutenant Eastman ; a part of Captains Smith's and Sloan's cavalry, commanded by Captain Sloan, of the Ohio volunteers. Lieut.-Col. Miller marched from Detroit on the afternoon of the 8th of August, and on the 9th in the afternoon about 4 o'clock, the front guard commanded by Captain Snelling of the 4th U. S. regiment, was fired on by an extensive line of British and Indians, about two miles below Maguaga village, where there had been a small opening on the bank of Detroit River, surrounded with thick brush and white oak timber, and about fourteen miles from Detroit. At this time the main body was marching in two lines, and Captain Snelling maintained his position in 490 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY a most gallant manner, under a very heavy fire, until the line was formed and advanced to the ground he occupied, when the whole, except the rear guard was brought into action. The enemy were formed behind a temporary breastwork of logs, with the Indians extending in a thick woods on their left. Lieut.-Col. Miller ordered his whole line to advance, and when within a small distance of the enemy made a general fire upon them, and immediately followed it up with charged bayonets, when the whole British line and Indians commenced a retreat. They were pursued in a most vigorous manner about two miles, and the pursuit discontinued only on account of the fatigue of the men, the approach of evening, and the necessity of returning to take care of the wounded. "The judicious arrangements made by Lieut.-Col. Miller, and the gallant manner in which they were executed, justly entitles him to the highest honor. From the moment the line commenced the fire, it continually moved on, and the enemy maintained their position until forced at the point of the bayonet. The Indians on the left under the command of Tecumseh fought with great obstinacy, but were continually forced and compelled to retreat. The victory was complete in every part of the line; but the success would have been more brilliant, had the cavalry charged the enemy on their retreat, when a most favorable opportunity presented. Although orders were given for that purpose, unfortunately they were not executed. Majors Van Horn and Morrison were associated with Colonel Miller as field officers in this command, and were highly distinguished by their exertions in forming the line, and the firm, intrepid manner in which they led their respective commands to action." Colonel Miller sent an express to General Hull with information of his success and a request for a supply of provisions. Colonel McArthur was ordered sent forward with one hundred men and six hundred rations and to proceed down the river in boats. McArthur immediately applied to the contractor David Baird to fill the order, who being strongly suspected of being a British agent, brought up many excuses for delay. As soon as McArthur received the supplies, he embarked in nine boats and arrived safely at Colonel Miller's camp two miles above Brownstown. Leaving some of his men with Miller, it was with much difficulty that he succeeded in again reaching the fort. On account of the injury to Colonel Miller, Colonel Cass asked to be placed in charge of the troops under the former commander TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 491 but he received no reply. Cass also sent a message to Governor Meigs of Ohio, asking the governor to hasten to the relief of Detroit as General Hull would take no action against the enemy himself, nor allow his subordinates to accomplish anything aggressive. Even the relief of Captain Brush was allowed to fail after its near accomplishment. Upon these points McAfee again wrote as follows : "From the manner in which the American flags had been treated by the enemy, it was expected, that no more would be sent; but to the surprise of the whole army, on the 12th a boat was seen descending with a white flag from Detroit to Sandwich, where it was known that General Brock had arrived with the Forty-first regiment. Colonels McArthur, Cass, and Findley, with some warmth and indignation, immediately repaired to headquarters, and inquired of the general why a flag of truce had been sent to Sandwich. The general denied having any knowledge of it; and the colonels then expressed their determination to inquire into the affair, and have the offender punished. The general seemed to be somewhat disconcerted, and observed that he would inquire of Captain Hickman, his volunteer aide, whether he had authorized any person to take a flag to the enemy's camp. He went to the captain, and after a few minutes returned and said, that Captain Hickman had conversed with Captain Rough on the subject, but did not wish him (Rough) to consider himself permitted to take a flag, but that the captain had probably considered himself authorized. The colonels then left their general in disgust, and extended their inquiries no further on the subject, but strongly suspected his fidelity to the country. He had for several days been an object of general contempt, having frequently been intoxicated, and apparently lost to all sense of honor, and even decency. He was sullen in his deportment and wavering in his orders." A conversation now took place between the colonels of the Ohio Volunteers and Gen. J. Taylor, of Kentucky, continues McAfee, respecting the abilities and fidelity of the general. They were unanimously of the opinion that if he continued in the command of the army, it would be surrendered to the enemy. They came, therefore, to a determination to deprive him of the command, and solicited Colonel Miller to assume it. He refused, but declared he would unite with them in giving it to McArthur. They drew up a round-robin and signed their names in a circle, around a statement of their views. A faint hope remaining that they might yet receive relief from the State of Ohio, the project was abandoned, 492 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY and Colonel Cass immediately addressed the following letter to the governor of Ohio : "Detroit, August 12, 1812. "Dear Sir—From causes not fit to be put on paper, but which I trust I shall live to communicate to you, this army has been reduced to a critical and alarming situation. We have wholly left the Canadian shore, and have abandoned the miserable inhabitants who depended on our will and our power to protect them, to their fate. Unfortunately the general and our principal officers could not view our situation and our prospects in the same light. That Malden might easily have been reduced, I have no doubt. That the army were in force and in spirits enough to have done it, no one doubts. But the precious opportunity has fled; and instead of looking back, we must now look forward. The letter from the secretary of war to you, a copy of which I have seen, authorizes you to preserve and keep open the communication from the State of Ohio to Detroit. It is all important that it should be kept open; our very existence depends upon it. Our supplies must come from our state. This country does not furnish them. In the existing state of things, nothing but a large force of 2,000 men at least, will effect the object. It is the unanimous wish of the army, that you should accompany them. Every exertion that can, must be made. If this reaches you safely by Murray, he will tell you more than I can or ought here to insert. I am, etc., LEWIS CASS." This letter having been written and shown to the other officers, they were induced from the appearance of the British in the meantime at Sandwich, to add the following endorsement: "Since the other side of this letter was written, new circumstances have arisen. The British force is opposite, and our situation has nearly reached its crisis. Believe all the bearer will tell you. Believe it, however it may astonish you; as much as if told by one of us. Even a c . . . is talked of by the . . . ! The bearer will supply the vacancy. On you we depend. Signed by "Cass, Findley, M'Arthur, Taylor and E. Brush." The intention was, if Governor Meigs could arrive in time to relieve them, to divest General Hull of the command and confer it on the governor, who had the confidence of the army. Major Denny now evacuated the fortification at Gowies, having previously set fire to the works, which unfortunately communi- TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 493 cated to the house and burned it down. On the 13th the British were seen marching up from Sandwich to a place opposite Fort Detroit, within pointblank shot of our batteries; yet the general would not suffer Lieutenants Dalaby and Anderson to fire on them with our 24 pounders, and they were permitted unmolested to erect their batteries opposite Detroit. On the evening of the 14th, a detachment of three hundred men, was sent to the two colonels, M'Arthur and Cass, to endeavor again by a circuitous route to open the communication with the River Raisin. Colonel M'Arthur remonstrated against sending them without provisions; upon which the general promised to send provisions after them on pack horses, but he failed in the end to do it. This detachment after marching about twenty-four miles, having passed the rivers Rouge and DeCorce some distance, got into a marsh and could go no farther without provisions. Being still a great distance from the River Raisin, on account of their circuitous route, a council of officers as held, which judged it expedient to return. But in the meantime affairs at Detroit had been brought to a crisis. On the morning of the 15th General Hull pitched his marquee in the centre of the camp with red and blue stripes painted on its top. This was the first time he had erected a tent in camp since the 4th of July. It was remarked with astonishment by every person; and about one o'clock two British officers arrived from Sandwich with a flag of truce, and a letter from General Brock demanding the surrender of Fort Detroit to His Britannic Majesty's forces. The following is a copy : "H. Q. Sandwich, August 15th, 1812. "Sir—The force at my disposal authorizes me to require of you the surrender of Fort Detroit. It is far from my inclination to join in a war of extermination; but you must be aware, that the numerous body of Indians, who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond my control the moment the contest commences. You will find me disposed to enter into such conditions as will satisfy the most scrupulous sense of honor. Lieut.-Col. M'Donnell, and Major Glegg are fully authorized to conclude any arrangement that may prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. "I have the honor to be your most obedient servant, "Isaac Brock, Maj.-Gen. "His excellency, Brig.-Gen. Hull, "Commanding at Detroit." The British were at this time engaged in pulling down a 494 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY house opposite Detroit, behind which they had erected a battery; and Lieutenants Dalaby and Anderson were busily engaged in completing a battery on our side. When the troops were informed that the British had demanded a surrender of the fort, they laughed at the idea and seemed to be inspired with new vigor. The general, himself, seemed to be actuated by contending passions. At one moment he seemed to be determined to make an obstinate defense, and save his army from disgrace and his Territory from invasion; then again he would discover symptoms of the greatest fear and pusillanimity. His conversation with his officers was of the most dispiriting nature, exaggerating the force of the enemy, etc. The absence of Colonels M'Arthur and Cass was deeply deplored by the army, and was a cause of increasing the suspicions against the general. The threat of the British commander, to let loose the Indians to massacre and exterminate the people, excited the most indignant contempt towards a nation which, pretending to be civilized, could associate with savages in a war of the most horrible nature. General Hull, after a considerable struggle in his own mind, which was observed in the countenance by the British officer, at last returned the following reply to the demand they had brought: "H. Q. Detroit, August 15, 1812. "Sir—I have received your letter of this date. I have no other reply to make, than to inform you that I am ready to meet any force which may be at your disposal, and any consequences which may result from its execution in any way you may think proper to use it. "I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that the flag of truce under the direction of Captain Brown, proceeded contrary to the orders and without the consent of Colonel Cass, who commanded the troops who attacked your picket near the River Kanard bridge. I likewise take the occasion to inform you that Gowies house was set on fire contrary to my orders, and it did not take place till after the evacuation of the fort. From the best information I have been able to obtain on the subject, it was set on fire by some of the inhabitants on the other side of the river. "I am very respectfully your excellency's most obedient servant, "Wm. Hull, Brig.-Gen. "Commanding N. W. Army of the United States. "His excellency, Major-General Brock, "Commanding His Britannic Majesty's forces in Upper Canada." TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 495 This letter being written and delivered to the British officers, General Hull immediately retired into the fort with every appearance of alarm ; and no sooner had they landed in Sandwich, than the British armed vessels appeared in sight, and the battery on the opposite shore began to play upon the fort. The fire was returned from our batteries and the fort, and one of the enemy's guns was silenced in a few minutes. As soon as the firing commenced, all the troops, except Colonel Findley's regiment, were crowded into the fort and posts assigned to as many as could be employed. Colonel Findley was stationed three hundred yards from the fort on the northwest. Previous to the opening of the batteries, Brigade Major Jessup and Quartermaster Dugan, rode down the river to Springwells to view the enemy at Sandwich ; and from the position of the Queen Charlotte, they concluded that the enemy intended to effect a landing at that place. Having ascertained a position for a battery, which would be secure from the fire of her guns, the major returned to headquarters, and requested that a 24-pounder might be sent down to sink that vessel. The general told him that he had consulted his artillery officers and they were of opinion that a bridge over which it must pass, was not strong enough to bear the weight of a 24-pounder. The major informed him that there was plenty of timber near it to make it stronger; to which remark the general made no reply. Major Jessup then returned to the Springwells, where he found Captain Snelling with a few men and a brass 6-pounder. Observing that the principal part of the British forces were at Sandwich, he returned again to General Hull and requested permission to cross the river with 150 men, and spike the enemy's cannon on the battery opposite Detroit. The general said he could not spare that number. He then asked for one hundred, in which he was joined by Captain Snelling. The general replied "I will think of it." The enemy still kept up a constant fire from the battery; from which they did not desist until 10 o'clock at night; and at daylight next morning, the 16th, they commenced again, but their fire had very little effect. Our batteries returned it with promptitude till near 11 o'clock, having in the meantime silenced two of their guns. The British had by this time effected a landing at Spring-wells with their whole force, consisting of about thirty royal artillerists, 300 regulars, 400 militia, and about 600 Indians, with three 6, and two 3-pounders. They advanced towards the 496 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY fort without any opposition, the militia and regulars being on the margin of the river, and the Indians next the woods on the west of the town. When they had arrived within three-quarters of a mile from the fort, two 24-pounders loaded with grape shot, were levelled at them under the direction of Captain Forsythe and Lieutenant Anderson ; but just as the artillerists were applying the matches, Captain Dyson, the senior officer of the artillery, came up and drew his sword, and swore that the first man who attempted to fire on the enemy should be cut to pieces. General Hull had taken refuge on the east side of the fort under the wall, where he was sure the balls of the enemy could not hit him—yet he seemed to be stupefied and nearly torpid with fear. A ball from the British battery, which now kept up a constant fire, struck in the fort and killed Captain Hanks, Lieutenant Sibley, and Doctor Reynolds, and wounded Doctor Blood. Another passed through the gate and killed two soldiers in the barracks. Two men were also killed on the outside. The general had crowded so many men into the fort, together with the women and children, who had come there for protection, that it was almost impossible for a ball to strike in the fort without killing some person. Very little injury, however, was experienced from the shells of the enemy ; though well directed, they generally burst too soon. Under these circumstances, which excited in the general the most terrible apprehensions, an officer of the Michigan militia came into the fort and inquired whether General Hull expected Colonel Brush to defend the city with two or three hundred men? He stated that the British forces were at the tanyard below the town, upon which information General Hull stepped into a room in the barracks, and returning in a few minutes handed a note to his son, who immediately hoisted a white flag on a pike staff, and inquired whether he could say anything in addition to the note. Being answered in the negative he went out and proceeded to meet General Brock. When he returned from the enemy, he was accompanied by Colonel M'Donnell and Major Glegg. It was now evident to every person that the general had tendered a capitulation; and white flags in the meantime being hoisted on the walls in different places, the firing from the British batteries was discontinued. General Hull now called upon General Taylor of Kentucky, Major Jessup, and several others, to assist in drawing up the articles of capitulation ; but they all indignantly refused their assistance. However, the business was soon arranged TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 497 between the general and the British officers; who then immediately returned to the tanyard, where the British forces had halted. Our troops in the meantime were ordered to stack their arms; Colonel Findley with his regiment being ordered into the fort for the same purpose. It is impossible to describe, the indignation which was felt and expressed by the officers on this occasion. The men very generally shed tears, and the common expression as they indignantly dashed down their arms, often breaking them to pieces, was "Damn such a general !" The Indians soon began their devastations by killing the cattle and sheep in the commons. About 12 o'clock the British forces with General Brock at their head marched into the fort; the Americans were marched out and put into an adjoining garden; the American flag was pulled down, and the British hoisted in its place. The firing of their cannon, with the yelling of the savages and the discharging of their guns in the air, closed the scene and proclaimed their joy at their success. The following are the articles of capitulation : "Camp at Detroit, August 16, 1812. "Capitulation for the surrender of Fort Detroit, entered into between Major-General Brock, commanding His Britannic Majesty's forces on the one part, and Brigadier-General Hull, commanding the northwestern army of the United States, on the other part : "1. Fort Detroit with all the troops, regulars as well as militia, will be immediately surrendered to the British forces under the command of Major-General Brock, and will be considered prisoners of war, with the exception of such of the militia of the Michigan Territory as have not joined the army. "2. All public stores, arms, and all public documents, including everything else of a public nature, will be immediately given up. "3. Private persons and property of every description will be respected. "4. His excellency, Brigadier-General Hull, having expressed a desire that a detachment from the State of Ohio, on its way to join the army, as well as one sent from Detroit under the command of Colonel M'Arthur shall be included in the above capitulation, it is accordingly agreed to; it is, however, to be understood, that such part of the Ohio militia as have not joined the army will be permitted to return to their homes, on condition that they 498 - STORY OF THE MAUMEE VALLEY will not serve during the war. Their arms, however, will be delivered up, if belonging to the public. "5. The garrison will march out at the hour of 12 o'clock this day, and the British forces will take immediate possession of the fort. "J. M'Donnell, Lt. Col. Mil. P. A. D. C. "J. B. Glegg, Maj. A. D. C. "J. Miller, Lt. Col. 4th Regt. U. S. Inft. "E. Brush, Col. 1st Regt. Mich. Mil." "Approved : "Wm. Hull, Brig. Gen. Com. N. W. Army. "Isaac Brock, Maj. Gen." To these articles, two additional ones were added, to which General Brock says, "certain considerations induced him to agree." They were not known to the troops at the time. "Detroit, August 16th, 1812. "It is agreed, that the officers and soldiers of the Ohio militia shall be permitted to proceed to their respective homes, on this condition, that they are not to serve during the present war, unless they are exchanged. "Wm. Hull, Brig. Gen. "Isaac Brock, Maj. Gen." "The other additional article places the Michigan militia and volunteers under Major Wetherell on the same principles with the Ohio militia. Colonel M'Arthur, with his detachment, being ignorant of these transactions, was hastening back with all possible dispatch; having had no provisions except a few green pumpkins and potatoes from Friday morning till Sunday evening. When he arrived within a mile of the fort he was informed of its surrender, and immediately ordered his men back to the River Rouge. There he found an ox, which being killed and divided among his men was eaten half raw. After some consultation with his officers, he sent Captain Mansfield with a flag of truce to the fort. On his way he was robbed of his horse and his arms by the Indians, and in the evening returned to the detachment in company with Majors Dixon and Givens of the British army. Captain Elliott arrived about the same time and handed Colonel M'Arthur the articles of capitulation. The colonel struck his sword in the ground and broke it to pieces, while tears of indignation stood in his eyes. The detachment then marched to the fort TOLEDO AND THE SANDUSKY REGION - 499 and stacked their arms in the citadel. Colonels M'Arthur and Cass both remonstrated against surrendering rifles, which were private property, but without success. They then observed that they had already surrendered the muskets or they would contend for the rifles. "While the troops were stationed in the ordnance yard, the British guard pulled off their knapsacks and took their knives from their scabbards; the Indians at the same time being employed in robbing the citizens of their property and taking the horses from the dragoons. "Several pieces of brass cannon, which had been surrendered on the 16th of August, '76, by Colonel Baum to the American General Stark, were viewed with the greatest pleasure by the British officers, some of whom saluted them with kisses. "The troops who had surrendered in the fort, were escorted by the British guards to their vessels, which were lying in the river, and being stowed aboard, they were floated down to Springwells. The Michigan militia were liberated. Colonel M'Arthur's detachment was embarked next morning and they all descended the river, the 4th regiment being destined for Quebec and the militia for the State of Ohio, where they were landed at different places on the shores of Lake Erie. They returned home dejected and spiritless, the issue of the campaign having proved so very different from the anticipations with which they commenced it. General Hull being landed from Lake Erie, made the best of his way to Massachusetts, his former place of residence, consigned to eternal infamy, with the curses of his country lowering over his head." It is not necessary to follow General Hull through his later life —his court-martial and sentence of death, which was remitted in consideration of his earlier Revolutionary gallantry. The investigation closed with the following general order : "Washington City, April 25th, 1814. "The rolls of the army are to be no longer disgraced by having upon them the name of Brigadier-General Wm. Hull. The general court-martial, of which General Dearborn is president, is hereby dissolved. "By order of "J. B. Walbach, Adjt. Gen." Of course the writings of McAfee reliably reflected the situation as viewed by Hull's officers and the public at the time of the