American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1791.] |
131 |
A Schedule of the expenses of a corps of 760 non-commissioned and privates,
mounted volunteers, calculated on a scale of thirty days from the point of
departure, and allowing three days for repairing to the rendezvous, and three
days for returning home.
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1 Brigadier General, |
$4 00 per day, is, for 36 days, |
$ 144 00 |
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WAR DEPARTMENT, March 9th, 1790.
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Report of Brigadier General Scott.
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LEXINGTON, 28th June, 1791. |
SIR:
I have the honor to inform you that the detachment of mounted volunteers under my command, authorized to be raised by your letter of the 9th of March last, arrived at the mouth of Kentucky on the morning of the 19th of May, from which time to the 23d, I was employed in transporting the troops across the Ohio river, in having them mustered, and in issuing to them provisions and ammunition. The delay at the river was greater than I wished, yet, I trust, justifiable, as it was, in part, occasioned by the request of General St. Clair, which you will find by referring to the extract of his letter, contained in No. 1.
In prosecution of the enterprise, I marched four miles from the banks of the Ohio, on the 23d; and on the 24th, I resumed my march, and pushed forward with the utmost industry, directing my route to Ouiatanon, in the best manner my guides and information enabled me, though I found myself greatly deficient in both.
By the 31st I had marched one hundred and thirty-five miles, over a country cut by four large branches of White river, and many smaller streams, with steep muddy banks; during this march, I traversed a country alternately interspersed with the most luxuriant soil and deep clayey bogs, from one to five miles in width, rendered almost impervious by brush and briars.
Rain fell in torrents every day, with
frequent blasts of wind and thunder storms. These obstacles impeded my
progress, wore down my horses, and destroyed my provisions.
When I gained the summit of the eminence which overlooks the villages on the banks of the Wabash, I discovered the enemy in great confusion, endeavoring to make their escape over the river in canoes; I instantly ordered Lieutenant Colonel-commandant Wilkinson to rush forward with the first battalion; the order was executed with promptitude, and this detachment gained the bank of the river just as the rear of the enemy had embarked, and, regardless of a brisk fire kept up from a Kickapoo town, on the opposite bank, they, in a few minutes, by a well directed fire from their rifles, destroyed all the savages with which five canoes were crowded.
To my great mortification, the Wabash was many feet beyond fording at this place; I therefore detached Colonel Wilkinson to a ford two miles above, which my guides informed me was more practicable; in No. 2, you will find his report on that occasion.
The enemy still kept possession of the Kickapoo town; I determined to dislodge them, and for that purpose ordered Captain King's and Logsdon's companies to march down the river below the town, and cross, under the conduct of Major Barbee; several of the men swam the river, and others passed in a small canoe. This movement was unobserved, and my men had taken post on the bank, before they were discovered by the enemy, who immediately abandoned the village. About this time word was brought me, that Col. Hardin was incumbered with prisoners, and had discovered a stronger village, further to my left than those I had observed, which he was proceeding to attack. I immediately detached Captain Brown, with his company, to support the Colonel; but the distance being six miles, before the Captain arrived, the business was done, and Colonel Hardin joined me a little before sunset, having killed six warriors, and taken fifty-two prisoners. Captain Bull, the warrior who discovered me in the morning, had gained the main town, and given the alarm a short time before me; but the villages to my left were uninformed of my approach, and had no retreat. The next morning, I determined to detach my Lieutenant Colonel-commandant, with five hundred men, to destroy the important town of Kethtipecanunk, at the mouth of Eel river, eighteen miles from my camp, and on the west side of the Wabash; but, on examination, I discovered my men and horses to be crippled, and worn down by a long laborious march, and the active exertions of the preceding day; that three hundred and sixty men only, could be found in a capacity to undertake the enterprise, and they prepared to march on foot. Colonel Wilkinson marched with this detachment at half after five in the evening, and returned to my camp the next day at one o'clock, having marched thirty-six miles in twelve hours, and destroyed the most important settlement of the enemy in that quarter of the federal territory. In No. 3, you will find the Colonel's report respecting the enterprise.
Many of the inhabitants of this village were French, and lived in a state of civilization; by the books, letters, and other documents, found there, it is evident that place was in close connexion with, and dependent on, Detroit: a large quantity of corn, a variety of household goods, peltry, and other articles, were burned with this village, which consisted of about seventy houses, many of them well finished.
Misunderstanding the object of a white flag, which appeared on an eminence opposite to me, in the afternoon of the first, I liberated an aged squaw, and sent with her a message to the savages, that, if they would come in and surrender, their towns should be spared, and they should receive good treatment. It was afterwards found, that this white flag was not intended as a signal of parley, but was placed there to mark the spot where a person of distinction among the Indians, who had died some time before, was interred. On the 4th, I determined to discharge sixteen of the weakest and most infirm of my prisoners, with a talk to the Wabash tribes, a copy of which you will find enclosed in No. 4. My motives to this measure were, to rid the army of a heavy incumbrance, to gratify the
On the same day, after having burned the towns and adjacent villages, and destroyed the growing corn and pulse, I began my march for the rapids of Ohio, where I arrived the 14th inst. without the loss of a single man by the enemy, and five only wounded, having killed thirty-two, chiefly warriors of size and figure, and taken fifty-eight prisoners.
It is with much pride and pleasure I mention, that no act of inhumanity has marked the conduct of the volunteers of Kentucky on this occasion; even the inveterate habit of scalping the dead, ceased to influence.
I have delivered forty-one prisoners to Captain Asheton, of the 1st United States' regiment, at Fort Steuben, for which I have his receipt, as per the enclosed copy in No. 5. >
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
132
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
1791.]
impulsions of humanity, to increase the panic my operations had produced, and, by distracting the councils of the enemy, to favor the views of the Government; and I flatter myself these objects will justify my conduct, and secure the approbation of my country.
I sincerely lament that the weather, and the consequences it produced, rendered it impossible for me to cary terror and desolation to the head of the Wabash. The corps I had the honor to command was equal to the object, but the condition of my horses, and state of my provisions, were insuperable obstacles to my own intentions and the wishes of all.
It would be invidious to make distinctions in a corps which appeared to be animated with one soul, and where a competition for danger and for glory inspired all ranks.
I, however, consider it my duty to mention Colonel John Hardin, who, in the character of a volunteer without commission, had command of my advanced party, and the direction of my guides from the Ohio river, for the discernment, courage, and activity, with which he fulfilled the trust I reposed in him. And I cannot close this letter, in justice to the merits of General Wilkinson, who went out my lieutenant colonel-commandant, without acknowledging my obligations for the faithful discharge of the several duties depending on him, and the able support which he gave me in every exigency.
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I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir,
your most obedient
servant,
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The Honorable HENRY KNOX, Secretary of War.
No. 1.
Extract of a letter from Major General St. Clair to Brigadier General Scott, dated
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FORT WASHINGTON, May 18th 1791. |
I mentioned to you, that I did not wish, at that moment, to press the commencement of your march, but rather that a few days should be whiled away, provided it could be done without its being discovered that the delay was an affected one. I am sensible that it is a delicate point, and that, if it was discovered, the effect would be either to increase, in your troops, an impatience for moving, or to discourage them. The same reasons, however, exist now, as at the time I had the pleasure to communicate them, and as you are sensible of the weight of those reasons, I am sure of your managing it so as to avoid both these consequences. Without detailing them to Colonel Mentges, I have requested him not to press the muster, until a distribution has been made of your provisions and ammunition, and have mentioned that it was my wish your march should not be taken up before the 24th instant.
No. 2.
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OUIATANON, June 2d 1791- 4 o'clock P. M. |
SIR:
Agreeable to your order, I moved the first battalion up to the ford above this place, but unfortunately found it impassable- the low grounds being overflowed three feet, a strong current running among the timber, and the bed of the river not in view. Under these circumstances, I considered the attempt unwarantable, because it would expose both the men and horses to be drowned, without the smallest probability of succeeding. I have, therefore, marched the detachment back to this place, and have the honor to be,
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Sir, your most obedient
servant,
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Brigadier General SCOTT.
No. 3
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CAMP OUITANON, June 3d, 1791- 1 o'clock P.M. |
SIR:
The detachment under my command, destined to attack the village Kethtipecanunk, was put in motion at half after five o'clock last evening. Knowing that an enemy, whose chief dependence is in his dexterity as a marksman, and alertness in covering himself behind trees, stumps, and other impediments to fair fight, would not hazard an action in the light, I determined to push my march until I approached the vicinity of the villages, where I knew the country to be champaigned. I gained my point without a halt, 20 minutes before 11 o'clock; lay upon my arms until 4 o'clock, and half an hour after, assaulted the town at all quarters. The enemy was vigilant; gave way on my approach, and, in canoes, crossed Eel creek, which washed the northeast part of the town; that creek was not fordable; my corps dashed forward with the impetuosity becoming volunteers, and were saluted by the enemy with a brisk fire from the opposite side of the creek. Dauntless, they rushed on to the water's edge, uncovered to the moccason, and finding it impassable, returned a volley, which so galled and disconcerted their antagonists, that they threw away their fire without effect. In five minutes, the savages were driven from the covering, and fled with precipitation. I have three men slightly wounded. At half past five the town was in flames, and at six o'clock I commenced my retreat. I want language to do justice to the courage and good conduct of the gentlemen who composed my detachment. In neither could they be exceeded by veteran troops.
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I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient
servant,
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Brigadier General SCOTT.
No. 4.
To the various tribes of the Piankeshaws,
and all the nations of Red People, lying on the waters of the
Wabash river
The sovereign council of the thirteen United States have long patiently borne your depredations against their settlements on this side of the great mountains, in the hope that you would see your error, and correct it, by entering with them into the bonds of amity and lasting peace. Moved by compassion, and pitying your misguided councils, they have frequently addressed you on this subject, but without effect; at length, their patience is exhausted, and they have stretched forth the arm of power against you; their might sons and chief warriors have at length taken up the hatchet; they have penetrated far into your country, to meet your warriors, and punish them for their transgressions. But you fled before them, and declined the battle, leaving your wives and children to their mercy; they
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1791.] |
133 |
have destroyed your old town Ouiatanon and the neighboring villages, and have
taken many prisoners. Resting here two days, to give you time to collect your
strength, they have proceeded to your town of Kethtipiconunck, but you again
fled before them, and that great town has been destroyed. After giving you this
evidence of their power, they have stopped their hands, because they are
merciful as strong, and they again indulge the hope, that you will come to a
sense of your true interest, and determine to make a lasting peace with them
and all their children, forever. The United States have no desire to destroy
the red people, although they have not power; but, should you decline this
invitation, and pursue your unprovoked hostilities, their strength will again
be exerted against you; your warriors will be slaughtered, your towns and
villages ransacked and destroyed, your wives and children carried into
captivity, and you may be assured that those who escape the fury of our mighty
chiefs, shall find no resting place on this side the great lakes. The warriors
of the United States wish not to distress or destroy women and children, or old
men, and, although policy obliges them to retain some in captivity, yet
compassion and humanity have induced them to set others at liberty, who will
deliver you this talk. Those who are carried off will be left in the care of our
great chief and warrior, General St. Clair, near the mouth of Miami and
opposite the Licking river, where they will be treated with humanity and
tenderness. If you wish to recover them, repair to that place by the first day
of July next, determined, with true hearts, to bury the hatchet, and smoke the
pipe of peace; they will then be restored to you, and you may again set down in
security at your old towns, and live in peace and happiness, unmolested by the
children of the United States, who will become your friends and protectors, and
will be ready to furnish you with all the necessaries you may require. But,
should you foolishly persist in your warfare, the sons of war will be let loose
against you, and the hatchet will never be buried until your country is
desolated, and your people humbled to the dust.
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Given under my hand and seal, at the Ouiatanon town,
this 4th day of June,
1791.
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No. 5.
List of the Indian prisoners taken by the
army under the command of Brigadier General Scott, on the Wabash
river, at the Ouiatanon town and neighboring villages, June 1st, 1791.
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Mass-wockcomwoh, Queen in
English, |
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Thunderstruck. |
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FORT STEUBEN, June 15th, 1791. |
Received of Brigadier General Charles Scott, the above named Indian prisoners, in number forty-one.
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JOS. ASHETON, Captain 1st U. S. Reg't. |
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Lieut. Colonel-commandant Wilkinson's Report.
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FRANKFORT ON KENTUCKY, August 24, 1791. |
SIR:
Having carried into complete effect the enterprise which you were pleased to direct against á l'Anguille, and having done the savages every other damage on the Wabash, to which I conceived my force adequate, I embrace the first moment's recess from active duty, to detail to your Excellency the operations of the expedition entrusted to my conduct.
I left the neighborhood of fort Washington,
on the 1st instant, at one o'clock, and agreeably to my original plan, feinted
boldly at the Miami villages, by the most direct course the nature of the
ground, over which I had to march, would permit; I persevered in this plan,
until the morning of the 4th inst. and thereby avoided the hunting ground of
the enemy, and the paths which lead direct from White river to the Wabash,
leaving the head waters of the first to my left; I then being about 70 miles
advanced of Fort Washington, turned northwest; I made no discovery until the
5th, about nine o'clock A. M. when I crossed three much frequented paths,
within two miles of
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