The Ohio country between the years 1783 and 1815, including military operations that twice saved to the United States the country west of the Alleghany Mountains after the revolutionary war online

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES



V ,



The Ohio Country

Between the Years 1783 and 1815

Including

Military Operations that Twice Saved to the

United States the Country West of the

Alleghany Mountains after the

Revolutionary War

By

Charles Elihu Slocum

M.D., Ph.D., LL.D.

Member of Local, Ohio State, and American Historical
Associations



The War of 1775-1783 between the United Colo-
nies and Great Britain, was Revolutionary; The
War of 1812-1814 between the United States
and Great Britain, was the War of Independence



G. P. Putnam's Sons

New York and London

Sbe fmicftetbocfter ptess

1910



COPYRIGHT, 1910

BY
CHARLES ELIHU SLOCUM



Ube ftnicherbocher frees, Hew Korfe



(To Cbc
MEMORY OF THE PIONEERS

OF

THE OHIO COUNTRY

THE OLD NORTHWESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN TERRITORIES
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THIS BOOK
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED



746771



PREFACE

HPHE early and most trying times in the history
A of the Old Northwestern Territory, and of
its great neighbor, the Southwestern Territory,
divided only in a physical sense by the Ohio River,
is a subject that should ever be of interest, and of
value to everyone, of every land, especially as a
study in patriotic endurance.

The story presents people strong in brain and
in brawn, descendants of Anglo-Saxon and of
Celtic stocks, the ancestors of most of whom had
been several generations in America, having origi-
nally settled here one hundred and fifty years be-
fore; a people who loved their new homes in the
forest country as well as the homes of their nativ-
ity in the Colonies along the Atlantic shore, now
separated from their early habitat by several hun-
dred miles, and by mountains hard to traverse.

This isolated people were often made to feel
that they and their new country were forgotten
by the legislators and others in authority in the



vi Preface

regions whence they came ; and during many years
their struggles were not alone for subsistence, but
for the protection of themselves and their chil-
dren from prowling Savages, who were seeking
their scalps and lives, or to drive them from their
adopted country.

In preparing this book the writer has had in
mind the general reader who wants a direct ac-
count of the subject about which he desires to
read, with enough of detail for supplementation,
when such detail is obtainable.

Such readers have generally noticed that his-
tories of the United States, even the largest ones,
when mentioning this extensive and invaluable
region at all, give a very scant account of the
dangers which would have attended its loss to the
American Union, or of the military operations
that twice, at least, saved it to, and maintained
it in, the Union.

In writing it is easier, for several reasons, to
generalize than to focus one's attention on the
detail that shows the animating principle, or want
of principle, that influenced the lives, thoughts,
acts, and accomplishments of the people. This
statement may explain how it is that many write
so much and yet impart so little of practical
information.



Preface vii

The character of the sufferings of Americans,
before the Revolutionary War and for thirty years
after, in this trans-Allegheny region particu-
larly, exacts strong language even in its mildest
portrayal.

The tragic story here written has, however, a
very pleasant conclusion for Americans. At its
beginning, naught but dark clouds of selfishness
and savagery hung low in the horizon, frequently
bursting out into storms that caused great suf-
fering and disaster, and that would have over-
fatigued and driven from the country, never to
return, the survivors, had they possessed less
strong and self-reliant characters.

Disagreements among the Eastern Colonies, and
later among the States into which these Colonies
were transformed, occasionally foreboded evil to
the union of the Ohio Country with the East and,
at times, even foreboded disruption of the Union
among the States themselves.

However, the War of 1812-1814 came, and
ended, as a blessing to both the East and the
West, in that it consolidated, and cemented,
the States and Territories into a nation with not
only valuable experiences, but with heightened
and reciprocated regard for one another in-
stilled into the component parts, and with



viii Preface

greater forbearance, improved ideals and powers
among all.

True civilization receives impetus from the les-
sons of the past. History should be truthfully
and fully written, even though its pages record
horrible deeds.

The habitual use of intoxicating beverages was
a strong factor in much of the savagery recorded
in the following pages, as well as being the cause
of the inefficiency of several Americans in author-
ity during this time, of the older military com-
manders particularly.

By reading, and keeping in mind, an authentic
account of the trials and sufferings of the early
settlers in gaining and maintaining liberty from
oppression and savagery, people are more likely
to appreciate liberty gained in this way, and to
remain more intent upon its preservation.

CHARLES E. SLOCUM.
TOLEDO, OHIO.



CONTENTS



CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION ...... i

The Settling of the British and French in America
Their Inebriation of the Aborigines Made
them Savages Indeed Habitual Contention for
Ascendancy Success of the British with the
Savages, and against the French Use of Sav-
ages against Colonists during Revolutionary
War by the British the same as against the
French in Previous Years.

CHAPTER II

BRITISH DIRECT NON-OBSERVANCE OP TREATY

OF PARIS, AND THEN SlGN THE TREATY . 1 8

The First Years Following the Revolutionary War

The First Northwestern Boundary Line The

Aborigines Willing to be Friends of the United

States Causes of their Alliance with the

British The British Continue to Hold Military

Posts in Opposition to Treaty Large Amount

of American Property Purloined by the British.

CHAPTER III

DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEST CHECKED BY
BRITISH INFLUENCES. 33
Aborigine Claims to Land Based on Conquest,
which Claims the Savages and the British were



x Contents

PAGE

Not Willing to Accede to the United States,
their Conqueror Treaties with Aborigines
Reservations Cession to United States of
Western Claims by States Civil Organizations
Surveys for Settlements Ohio Land Com-
panies Fort Finney Built Continued Control
of Aborigines by British Expeditions against
Savage Marauders Desire in the West for
Independence from the United States Unau-
thorized Retaliations on Spaniards Allayed.

CHAPTER IV

CONTINUED NEFARIOUS WORK WITH THE
SAVAGES ....... 42

Activities of the British against the United
States Their Main Fort in American Territory
Strengthened Benedict Arnold with them
Organization of the Territory Northwest of the
Ohio River Increase in Population Other
Civil Organizations More Systematic Efforts
to Check British Influence with American
Aborigines Forts Built Reports of the exten-
sive Savage Work Done by the Aborigines
Cannibalism.

CHAPTER V

FURTHER CULMINATION OP THE INEFFICIENT
MANAGEMENT OF AFFAIRS .... 52

Statement of the Conditions by Jurist from Per-
sonal Observations Necessity for Relieving
the Long-continued and Severe Sufferings
Kentucky Territory Organized Other Civil
Organizations General Harmar's Expedition
against Hostile Savages at Head of Maumee
River His Army Twice Defeated by them
Their Celebration of Victory at Detroit with



Contents xi



their British Allies Panic along Frontier The
Weak, Inefficient American Conduct of Affairs
Reviewed.




62

More Troops Gathered for Defence Messenger
Sent to the Senecas for Peace Agents British
Opposition Expedition against Hostile Sav-
ages Successful Army Gathered for Decisive
Blow to the Marauding Savages Commanded
by General, and Governor, St. Clair, it Meets
Overwhelming Defeat Women with the Army.

CHAPTER VII

FURTHER NEFARIOUS WORK CULMINATING . 78
Great Efforts of British Allies Distress of Frontier
Settlements British Fear Loss of Fur Trade
Advance of Civil Jurisdiction General Wayne
Chosen to Lead Another Army against the
Hostiles Further Treaties with the Aborigines
Secret Efforts to Learn Status of the British
Largest Council of Savages for British Confed-
eration Kentucky Admitted as a State Forts
Built by Americans Commissioners Appointed
to Attend the Great Council Their Object
Defeated by the British Specific Charges of
Fraud and Force by British Presented to the
British Minister.

CHAPTER VIII

RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE MARCHES ON AGAINST
GREAT OPPOSITION . . . -95

Advance of General Wayne's Army Opposed
by the Enemy Builds Forts Greenville and



xii Contents



Recovery Cause of British Aggressiveness yet
More Apparent Other Enemies of the United
States Separation of the Ohio Country from
the United States again Suggested British
Build Two Additional Forts within United
States Territory Protests of the United States
of No Avail British and their Savage Allies
Attack Fort Recovery and Are Repulsed
Further Account of Great Britain's Guiding
Hand.

CHAPTER IX

WAYNE'S ARMY DEFEATS A HYDRA OP CON-
SPIRACIES ...... 108

Further Advance of Wayne's Army A Most
Momentous Campaign Builds Forts Adams
and Defiance The Enemy Flees Wayne's Last
Overture for Peace The Army Nears the
Enemy Builds Fort Deposit, and Advances
to Complete Victory Buildings and Crops of
British and their Allies Destroyed Wayne's
Emphatic Letters to the Commandant of Fort
Miami The Casualties Army Returns and
Strengthens Fort Defiance The Red Savages
British Strengthen their Forts in United
States Territory.

CHAPTER X

THE TAMING OP THE BROKEN SAVAGE SPIRIT . 121

Wayne Marches his Army to the Site of the Miami
Villages There Builds Fort Wayne Receives
and Makes Valuable Friends of Deserters from
the British Disaffection of Kentucky Volun-
teers They are Sent Home Savage Scouts
Active at Fort Defiance Wayne's Suggestion
of General Council with Aborigines Meets Favor.



Contents xiii



CHAPTER XI

THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL TREATIES WITH
THE SAVAGES . . . . . .131

Discipline in the Army Wayne's Diplomacy in
Winning the Savages to Peace His Agents in
the Work Exchange of Prisoners The Treaty
of Greenville, August 3, 1795 Number of
Tribes in the Agreement.

CHAPTER XII

THE WEST GAINS POSSESSION OF PART OF ITS
RIGHTS ........ 144

Treaty with Spain Favorable to the West Aban-
donment of Forts British again Endeavor to
Seduce the Aborigines of the United States
The Jay Treaty Favorable to the West British
Surrender American Forts Death of Gene-
ral Wayne Wayne County Organized More
French and Spanish Plots Separation of the
West from the East again Suggested British
Threaten Spanish Possessions in the South.

CHAPTER XIII

ADVANCEMENT OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT, AND EX-
TENSION OF THE WEST . . . .156
Mississippi Territory Organized General Wash-
ington again at the Head of the Federal Army
Spanish Surrender their Forts in United
States Territory First Legislature of North-
western Territory Convenes Indiana Territory
Organized Public Lands Connecticut Cedes
her Claims to the United States Religious
Missionaries Population Continued British
Usurpations Evidences of the Rising Power
of the United States Treaty with France



xiv Contents



Louisiana Territory Purchased Development
of Communication Military Posts Ohio Ad-
mitted as a State The Aborigines Additional
Treaties with them Fort Industry Built
Michigan Territory Organized Aaron Burr's
Last Scheme.

CHAPTER XIV

CONSPIRACY OF THE BRITISH, TECUMSEH, AND
THE PROPHET ...... 167

Further Treaties with, and Payments to, the
Aborigines The British Continue Meddlesome
Reservations United States Settlers by the
Lower Maumee River Land for Highways
Treated for Illinois Territory Organized
Another British-Savage Trouble Gathering
Trading Posts for the Aborigines Established
Reports of Gathering Trouble from United
States Military Posts The British Continue to
Trade Intoxicating Liquors to American Abo-
rigines in Opposition to Law.

CHAPTER XV

RESULTS OP FURTHER REMISSNESS OP THE
GOVERNMENT ...... 180

Regarding Trading Posts or Agencies Conspir-
acy of the British and Tecumseh Deepens
Reports from Military Posts Battle of Tippe-
canoe Continued Organization and Depreda-
tions by the Allied Enemies of the United
States Missouri Territory Organized More
Cannibalism by the Savages.

CHAPTER XVI

SAD BEGINNING OF THE WAR POR INDEPEN-
DENCE ....... 194

Tardy Action of Congress Declaration of War
against Great Britain This War of 1812 the



Contents xv



Real War for Independence The Army of the
Northwest the First in the Field Forts Mc-
Arthur, Necessity, Findlay, and Miami Built
Sad Inefficiency of General Hull He Orders
the Abandonment of Fort Dearborn Massacre
and Cannibalism by British Allies Hull Surren-
ders Fort at Detroit without Effort for Defence
Brave and Patriotic Work by Captain Brush.

CHAPTER XVII

SLOW PROGRESS IN PREPARING TO MEET THE
ENEMY ....... 204

Efforts to Repair Hull's Loss General Harrison
Appointed Commander-in-Chief Siege of Fort
Wayne Relieved General Winchester Ap-
pointed to Succeed Harrison without Cause.

CHAPTER XVIII

EXTREME SUFFERINGS OF KENTUCKY SOLDIERS 212

General Winchester Assumes Command of the
Army Harrison Directs Clearing of Roads and
Building of Forts Barbee, Jennings, and Amanda
Winchester Marches Army from Fort Wayne
to Defiance British Force Checked on their
Way to Fort Wayne Harrison Reappointed
Chief in Command of Northwestern Army
Visits Winchester at Defiance and Settles Dis-
cord Plans Fort Winchester, which Was Built
at Defiance Extreme Sufferings of Winches-
ter's Left Wing of the Army Battle of Mis-
sissinewa River.

CHAPTER XIX

THE SECOND GREAT DISASTER OF THE WAR OF
1812 ....... 222

Advance of General Winchester's Army from De-
fiance Safe Arrival at Presque Isle below



xvi Contents



Roche de Bout There Builds Fort Deposit
Unwise Advance of Army to the Raisin Defeat
and Massacre Harrison Gathers a New Army
and Takes Command Fort Deposit Aban-
doned Fort Winchester again the Frontier
Post Fort Meigs Built Efforts to Strike the
Enemy Unavailing.

CHAPTER XX

A THIRD GREAT DISASTER IN THE FIRST YEAR
OF THE WAR ...... 233

The Northwestern Army Neglected by the General
Government General Harrison not Distracted
by Unwise Advisers Investment and Siege of
Fort Meigs Reinforcements for the Fort Diso-
bey Orders They Are Surrounded and Captured
Further Massacre and Cannibalism by British
Allies The Enemy Raises Siege and Retreats.

CHAPTER XXI

SECOND GREAT EFFORT OF THE ENEMY UNA-
VAILING ....... 244

The British Gather More Savage Allies More
Preparations by Americans for Advancing
upon the Enemy Celebration of Fourth of July
by Soldiers in the Forest The Enemy Becom-
ing More Active Fort Seneca Built to Retain
Friendship of Aged Aborigines Second Invest-
ment of Fort Meigs by Increased Force Scheme
for its Capture Unavailing Second Retreat of
Enemy from Fort Meigs.

CHAPTER XXII

ANOTHER SIGNAL REPULSE OF THE ALLIED
ENEMY ....... 256

British Surround and Attack Fort Stephenson
They are Brilliantly Repulsed by Captain Cro-
ghan They again Retreat to Fort Maiden.



Contents xvii



CHAPTER XXIII

THE ENTIRE FORCE OF THE BRITISH ON LAKE
ERIE CAPTURED ..... 262

Renewed Efforts for Squadron of Armed Vessels
Successful Oliver H. Perry Builder and Com-
mander His Difficulties He Sails for the Ene-
my Communicates with Harrison Meets and
Captures All of the British Squadron Perry's
Despatches after the Battle The Killed and
Wounded Description of Squadrons.



CHAPTER XXIV

THE AMERICANS SEEK THE BRITISH AT FORT
MALDEN ....... 275

Definite Preparations for the Invasion of Canada
Observance of the Day of Fasting and Prayer
A Sham Battle Enthusiastic Enlisting in Ken-
tucky for the Invasion Aged Aborigine War-
riors Join the Ranks The Crossing of Lake
Erie Arrival at Fort Maiden Found De-
serted and Fired by the Enemy.



CHAPTER XXV

THE BRITISH PURSUED AND CAPTURED AT THE

THAMES ....... 284

Pursuit of the British through Canada Detroit
Recovered by Americans, who Hasten to Com-
plete Victory at the Thames Aborigines Desert
their Allies and Flock to the Americans Gen-
eral Cass Appointed Military and Civil Governor
of Michigan Territory Name of Detroit's Fort
Changed to that of Shelby Kentucky Troops
Return Home by Way of the Raisin.



xviii Contents

PAGE

CHAPTER XXVI

THE OHIO COUNTRY FREE FROM THE SAVAGE
ALLIANCE ...... 292

Proctor's Request and Harrison's Reply Harrison
Goes to Reinforce Army of the Centre Period
of Quiet in the Ohio Country General Harrison
Resigns Renewed Efforts for Defence and Ad-
vance Scarcity of Food and Money Further
Neglect by Eastern Authorities Expeditions
through Canada Unfortunate Expedition to
the North.

CHAPTER XXVII

SUCCESS OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
ASSURED ....... 303

The Treaty of Ghent Closing the War of 1812-14
Further Confirmation of American Claim of
Notorious Methods by the British.

INDEX ........ 311



The Ohio Country

Between the Years 1783 and 1815



The Ohio Country



CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The Settling of the British and French in America Their
Inebriation of the Aborigines Made them Savages In-
deed Habitual Contention for Ascendancy Success of
the British with the Savages, and against the French
Use of Savages against Colonists during Revolutionary
War by the British the Same as against the French in
Previous Years.

FRENCHMEN, early in the seventeenth cen-
tury, were the first Europeans to explore the
American country about the Great Lakes and the
upper Mississippi River. The course of their
travel at first, and for many years after, was up
the St. Lawrence River to Montreal, thence up the
Ottawa River to Mattawa, thence along the out-
let and through the Lakes Talon and Trout,
thence by portage to Lake Nipissing, through it



2 The Ohio Country

and down its outlet the French River into Georg-
ian Bay, and thence southward and westward.

The British 1 ranged along the Atlantic coast
south of the St. Lawrence Gulf. They did not
abandon their quarrels with the French on leaving
England; in fact they added to the old, a new
grievance against the French because of the lat-
ter' s settlement in the new country which the
British claimed by "the right of discovery,"
though this discovery was only a part of the
Atlantic shore line.

During the one hundred and fifty years following
the coming of the French, quarrels and wars raged
in America and elsewhere between these two peo-
ples. Here the French had the advantage for sev-
eral generations, owing to their early explorations,
their maps, and their early free association with
and amiable treatment of the Aborigines. Their
first, and principal, association was with the Al-
gonquins and the Huron (Wyandot) tribe, both
of whom were often at war with the Iroquois of
New York. The latter controlled the country
south of the course of the French, and southward
from Lake Erie and thence westward even to the

1 The term British is here used to designate the combined
force of English, Irish, Scotch, and other Europeans who, at
different times, acted with them.



Introduction 3

Mississippi River. For a long time this condition
had much to do with keeping the French to the
northward.

The skins of fur-bearing animals were the prin-
cipal gain derived by the French, first the coureurs
des bois particularly; and they gratified in addi-
tion their love of adventure and of free life among
the Aborigines, which life the roaming French
sought later to make free also from the taxes of
the Church and the government. Instead of en-
deavoring to elevate the Aborigines to their degree
of civilization, many of them descended to the
level of the Aborigines.

As for the Aborigines, the Frenchmen's brandy
was to them a revelation. At first merely a pleas-
ing and exhilarating beverage, this soon became a
necessity in increasing quantity; a drink which,
with them as with countless multitudes before
and since, civilized according to their times and
associations, was in their more sober moments
considered the bane of their lives. It was a drink
which held them in abject slavery and was ob-
tained at any cost; for its use had developed in
them a thirst for it that outvalued and overbal-
anced every other consideration. The French-
men in trading had also given them knives of
steel to replace the clumsy, flint knives of native



4 The Ohio Country

workmanship; also metal tomahawks, and, later,
flint-lock muskets; with which weapons, when
elated with the brandy, they felt more than equal
to the French themselves. These weapons, with
the brandy, made them Savages indeed; the fierc-
est and most dangerous known to history.

The British, also, became strong competitors
of the French; the government for the taxes and
the traders for their profits in the fur trade among
the Aborigines. At first they dealt with the Al-
gonquins of New England and the Iroquois of
New York. Then the Algonquins and the Huron
(Wyandot) tribe of the West were invited, by
agents, who distributed among them strong drink
and gaudy presents, to visit the chief executive
in New York. Nothing pleased the Aborigine
chiefs more, while resting from war, than to jour-
ney hundreds of miles for such a visit, as they were
sure of being fed to satiety, and fully loaded with
presents for the return; and the new bidder, there-
fore, was given the preference in their estimation,
for there was always a prospect of better terms
with him than those received from the former
dealer.

The impassive manners and "heavier drinks"
of the Englishmen did not, in the estimation of
the Aborigines, displace the more affable French-



Introduction 5

men with their brandy until, by degrees, the
British general government showed its power
and its attractions, by its armies, by the new pro-
ducts of its looms, and by the larger number and
the improved versatility of its traders among
the larger tribes. Not until the year 1760 did
the British succeed the French government in
America.

During all these many generations of intrigue
and war between the British and French, the
Aborigines and their descendants (all of whom will
continue to be here designated Aborigines or
Savages, the term ' ' Indian " being an ancient mis-
nomer that should not be perpetuated) were tu-
tored in intrigue and savagery; and they were
apt pupils in everything seen among their tutors
that was worse than that to which they had been
addicted.

For an untold number of generations the Sav-
ages had been reared to war with other tribes, and
it was inculcated in them that their highest am-
bition should be to inflict the greatest injury pos-
sible upon every individual and tribe they might
think worth exploiting for any cause, or for no
cause. The intoxicating beverages and modern
weapons received from their new tutors made
them good allies in the eyes of these tutors. The



6 The Ohio Country

British and the French vied with each other in
bidding intoxicating beverages, weapons, and other
things desired by them, each for the purpose of
winning the trade and the warrior support of the
Savages against the other.

The French sent missionaries and traders among
the Iroquois; but with great effort the British
succeeded in retaining most of the trade of these
"Six Nations" and their good will. Had the
French succeeded in their efforts with this strong
confederacy, the final result of their contention
with the British would have been delayed, if
not altogether different.

In the year 1747, the British succeeded in caus-
ing a conspiracy of Chief Nicholas and the Hurons
(Wyandots) against the French; but the latter
soon regained the friendship of this strong tribe.

Scalps of both British and French, taken by the
Savages, were purchased by both respectively;
a most inhuman bidding for the lives of each other
that reacted disastrously upon both. For a time
the Savages could get scalps either way they
roamed; and at times neither purchaser could feel
sure he was not buying scalps taken from his own
countrymen.

The Savages, themselves as low in the scale of
humanity as it seemed possible to descend, were



Introduction 7

often cloyed, wearied to satiety, by the unceasing
intrigue and bloodshed between the Europeans,
which had been going on in America for fully five
generations.

But the British have ever been noted for their
persistency as well as for their aggressiveness, and