|
BOWMAN'S JOURNAL, MARCH, 1779 |
163 |
With 3 boats with a Swivle in each to meet 10 Boats that was sent in decr
last1 for Provisions and stores to Omi and to take the same in
custody.
27. The Willing our Batteau arriv'd to the great Mortification of all on board, that they had not the honor to assist us in the same, Came Wm Mires express from Williamsburgh With very good news-Capt. Bowman receives a Majors commisn inclosed from the Govr.
28th Nothing extraordinary.
March lst The officers discharged on Parole, nothing extraord'y
2nd 3rd & 4th Wet Weather.
5th About 10 o Clock Capt. Helm arriv'd with his party took Seven boats laden with Provision Bale Goods &c taken from the Enemy-with the following Prisoners-Mr Dejean Grand Judge of Detroit Mr Adimar Com'y with 38 Privates-Letters that was taken from the com'y dated at Detroit the 6th Feb'y says they are much afraid of our people in the Spring prays Govr Hamilton to come back again War was not as yet declar'd Between France and England this sent of a party of Volunteers to Kiskaskias.
6th A Very Rainy day nothing extraordinary.
7th Capt. Williams Lt Rogers with 25 Men set for the falls of the ohio to conduct the following Prisoners-Viz-Lieut. Govr Hamilton, Majr Hay, Capt Lamothee, Mons. Dejean Grand Judge of Detroit Lieut. Shifflin, Doct McBeth, Froincois Masonville Mr Bellfeiull2 with Eighteen Privates-8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th & 14th- Cloudy weather and Rain all the foregoing Week this morning Wm. Mires Set out for Williamsburgh with two Men.
15th
A Party of Piankishaws, Peaurians and Miami Indians wait on Col. Clark and
Assure him of fidelity &c. to the Americans and beg their Protection. In
the Mean time an express arriv'd from Kiskaskias by which
____________
1"October last."
2"Francis Maisonville, Mr. Bell Fenilb." The correct names
are François Maisonville and Bellefeuille.
|
CLARK'S MEMOIR, l773-1779 |
221 |
sent an Express of[f] to give the allarm that if I thought it prudent he was
sensible that the forces I had with the addition of part of the Garison could
in all probability overtake them before they got to the settlement and give
them a total Rout the prospect was flattering but the uncertainty of geting the
advantage of the Enimy the loss of time and perhaps a number of men which end
in the destruction of the Enterprise that I was on and the almost certainty of
fronteers geting the allarm by the Express in time and might repell them (which
they did) those Ideas induced me to decline it I proceeded on (being Joined by
Captn James O'hara on his way to the Arkansa on publick business)1
I landed at the mouth of Kentucky whare I intended to have Fortified as the
growth of Kentucky greatly depended on a post being fixed on the Ohio River as
a place of securety for the Emigrants that wished to come down the River but
taking in View my designs to the westward I found that Kentucky was not the
spot (except we could afford to keep two posts) in case of sucksess it would be
absolutely nessesary to have a post of Communication on the River betwen the Illinois
and Kentucky and of course the Falls was the more Elligible spot as it would
answer all those desireable purposes and in a great measure Protect the
Navigation of the River as every Vessel would be obliged to stop some time at
that place they would be always exposed to the Indians I had learned that but
one company Captn Dillard of Majr Smith Troops had yet
arrived in Kentucky which allarmed me as I was affraid the disappointment would
prove fatal to our scheme I wrote to Col Bowman informed him of my
Intention of fixing a Garison at the Falls and that I had an object in view of
the greatest Importance to the Cuntrey desired him to meet me their with what
Troops their was of Majr Smiths and what Militia could be spared
with safety from the different Posts I moved on to the Fall and Viewed the
diferent cituation but reflecting that my secret Instruction ware yet [unknown]
eaven to the party with me, and not knowing what would be the consequence when
they should be divulged I wished to have every thing as much as possible on our
being Joined by the
____________
1James O'Hara wrote Oliver Pollock, June 24, 1718 as follows: "On my passage from Fort Pitt with two Bateaus loaded with provisions sent by General Hand for the use of Capn Willing's party," copy in Clark MSS., in Va. State Archives. For Willing, see Gayarré, History of Louisiana, III., 109, 113, 114.
222 |
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
whole I observed the little Island of about seven acres oposite to whare the
Town of Lewisville now stands seldom or never was intirly covered by the water,
I resolved to take possession and fortify which I did on [blank in MS.
|
CLARK'S MEMOIR, 1773-1779 |
299 |
they amediately applyed for reconsileation but was informed that I had ordered
the War for reasons was explained to them and that they dare not lay down the
Tomahawk without permittion from me but that if the Indians was agreed no more
Blood should be spilt untill an Express should go to Kaskaskias which was
imediately sent I refused to make piece with the Delawares and let them know
that we never trusted those that had once Violated their faith but that if they
had a mind to be quiet they might and if they could geat any of the
Neighbouring Indians to be security for their god behaviour I would let them
alone but that I cared very little about it &c privately directing Captn
Helms how to manage a Counsell was called of all the Indians in the
Neighbourhood my answer was made Publick the Piankeshaws took on themselve to
answer for the future good Conduct of the Delawares and the Tobaccoes Son in a
long speach inform of the baseness of their conduct and how richly they had deserved
the sevear blow they had met with that he had given them permition to settle in
that Cuntrey but not kill his friends that they now saw the B K had refused to
make piece with them but he had become Surety for their good conduct and that
they might go and mind their Hunting and that if they ever did any more
mischeif to this pointing to the Sacred Bow1 that held in his left
hand which was as much as to say that he himself would for the future chastise
them thus ended the war betwen us and the Delawares in this quarter much to our
advantage as the Nation about said that we ware as brave as the Indians and not
affraid to put our enemy to Death June being the time for the Rendesvouse at
this Post every exertion was made in procuring provition of every speties and
making other preparations I received and express from Kentucky wharin Col
Bowman informed me that he could furnish 300 good men2 we war now
going on in high spirits and Dayley expecting the Troops down the Tennessee
when on the [blank in MS.] we ware
___________
1Marginal note by Clark: "This bow is decorated With beautiful feathers an Eagle's tail, and all the gaudy trinkets that can be put about it and at one end is a spear about six inches long dipt in blood which he touched when he shewed to the Delawares except the Pipe of Piece this is the most sacred Instrument known to the Inds and only handled by those of the greatest dignity. G. R. C." See letter of Helm to Clark, May 9, 1779, post, 316.
2See Mason Letter. ante, l5O.
|
DEPOSITION OF JAMES BALLINGER |
581 |
JOHN BAILEY TO GEORGE SLAUGHTER, August 6, 1781.
[Executive Papers, August, 1781, Va. State Archives.-Copy.]
|
POST ST VINCENCE Augt 6th 1781 |
DEAR SIR
I am sorry to inform you of the following News the Boat Commanded by Captain Coulson Started from this the 11th July was defeated within 75 Miles of the Falls of Ohio the Captain was killd and three of his men several others wounded the remainder of the Company came back and gave me the unhappy News, the retreated to the mouth of Warbache left the boat & came by Land the Enemy being close in the rear of them-four days ago I receiv'd news from Detroit that they were much annoyd of the Americans comeing against them also that they were weak, about 100 men provisions scarce and dear and goods plenty, the Indians. greatly exasperated against them not meeting with the treatment as they had formerly done Sir I must inform you once more that I cannot keep Garrison any longer without some speedy relief from you my Men have been 15 days upon half allowance, there is plenty of provisions here but no credit, I cannot press being the weakest party some of the Gentlemen would help us but their Credit is as bad as ours therefore if you have not provisions send whisky which will answer as good an end, I hope if my Express gets in you will not detain him, pray use the Indian Well having no other to send I expect his return in twelve days from the date and for some one Man to come with him to this post it appears that the communication is Stopt between Cannady and Detroit from the commencement of this year by account from thence
|
(Signed) JNo BAILEY Capt. |
COMMANDENT AT THE FALLS OF OHIO.
DEPOSITION OF JAMES BALLINGER, August 6, 1781.1
[Draper MSS., 51J79.ÑD. S.]
James Ballinger Soldier in Colo Slaughters Corps taken Prisoner on
the 9th march Last 1781 by the Tawa Indians
Deposeth and saith that on the day above
Mentioned he was Taken prisoner by Tawa Indians at the Falls of Ohio and Carryd
to
_____________
1This has been printed in Cal. of Va. State Papers, II., 14.
582 |
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
Detroit & examined by the Comandant Major De Pastor [Peyster] respecting
this place, to which he the deponent Replyed that there were at the Falls of
the Ohio about one hundred Regulars and plenty of Provisions & Volunteers
enough might be had in the Country in case of an Invasion. The Deponant Saith
he was frequently within the Stockades that include the principal part of the
Town, but was not suffered to go within the Fort, but was often around it &
saw the out Side; & saith it appeared to be very Strong, that all the Men
Prisoners, or Captives taken from us were Obliged to work hard to Stockade a
greater part of the Town and that the Commandant interrogated him concerning an
Expedition expected against Detroit, and who was to Command it, & when Colo
Clark went to Government to which the Deponant replied, that he Expected an
Expedition & that Colo Clark should have the Command & that
he went to Government last fall
He further saith that sundry of the Prisoners informed him that an Expedition would have been Carryd on by the Brittish, against Kentucky had it not been that the Enemy expected Colo Clark in their own Country-and further saith that all the Indians Warriors are liberally Rewarded for every Trip they make against us; & that all the Squaws & Children receive plenty of Cloathing from them, & Rations when at Detroit, & that almost every on whome he conversd with, while at Detroit, and with the Indians: Expected that if Colo Clark did not appear in their Country Soon; that a very formidable army of English and Indians would come Quickly into ours, & that every Preparation was making for that purpose & further Saith Not
The sd Ballinger made his Escape from the Tawa's after being at Detroit and made Oath as above, this 6th August 1781. before me.
|
JNo MONTGOMERY, |
|
Lt Colol of the Ill.1 |
____________
1"Of the III." is crossed through with the pen.
606 |
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
as leading to others of equal importance, have totally neglected it, &
shall display to you my general ideas of our situation and future apprehensions
in the Western Department. My former letters will greatly shorten this, as many
of them touch almost on every subject. If my ideas are right, I should be more
happy if I knew my country had a just one of what they may apprehend-of course
they would again endeavor to take those measures necessary.
However foreign it may be to most people in power, it is beyond all doubt, that our possessions in the Illinois and Kentucky have been the salvation of all our interior frontiers since the commencement of the war, and have enabled them to give that assistance against the British armies they have done. I know a number of gentlemen dispute this assertion; but if the war should continue two years, and no army should march from some part of the States into the enemies country, they will be convinced of their error, which would have been the case by this day had it not been for the preparations and appearance that have been kept up by us the present year.
You have been already advertised of the evacuation of Fort Jefferson for the want of supplies, and our few troops drawn from the Illinois, except St. Vincennes, where we still support a garrison of about sixty men to remain, if possible, until I receive answers from your Excellency. If no army moves early in the spring from this place or Pittsburg, those troops must be withdrawn, or totally lost, with all the Illinois, and the Indians to a man, except the Kaskaskias, will set on us with inveteracy. Two thirds of those formerly in our interest, have already taken the hatchet this fall-the others wishing to suspend the time as long as possible, anxious for us to march an army through their country, as they have been led to believe would be the case, the English reduced, & peace restored. The principal Chiefs and warriors from Wabash came to me on their hearing of my arrival at this post, in hopes of our marching against the English, offering nine hundred men. Their disappointment was great when they found the speeches given them to be vague, and not informed of our real dezign. They concluded we were making preparations for what they wished, and apparently returned well satisfied, with plenty of
|
CLARK TO NELSON, OCTOBER l, 1781 |
607 |
powder, resolved to wait with patience. But necessity will oblige the whole of
them to take up the hatchet in a short time to clothe themselves.
The Kentuckey, without succours, with the addition of two or three thousand warriors let loose on them, with all the assistance that can be given by the English, must inevitably fall a sacrifice, except strongly fortified, and the distance and inconveniency of travelling from those nations to any part of the frontiers of Virginia or Pittsburg, altho' difficult in the ideas of people in general, are in fact but trifling, and easy to be accomplished. If the mischief was to center here, the consequences might not be so alarming, but the other part of our country will feel the effects. The English having full sway in those countries would vigorously prosecute the war.
In protecting the back countries for the preservation of the more interior parts, an army in the enemy's is doubtless the most effectual means (as supplies of goods are out of the question.) Immaterial from whence it moves, or who commands it, if sufficiently strong and conducted with propriety, and their object such as promises advantage. Such a one as was proposed last Spring may do the business, although we find that half that number with such reinforcements as might have been had, would have completed it this fall.
If I were to recommend the rout of another expedition, it would be through the same channel as the last, as it would be immediately passing through the greatest body of Indians, either friends or foes, where the English emissaries have now their greatest dependence in Indian services in the execution of any design they may have on our frontiers. Add to this, their regaining the Illinois, both Spanish & American, which is perhaps of more importance to them in the Indian department than we generally conceiveÑMany other reasons might be offered besides the allusion to the terms of peace.
I suppose if an expedition is undertaken the next season, it will be by Congress. If by your Excellency, or co-operation with Congress, to enable you better to lay your plans, I have sent Major
|
BOWMAN TO MITE, JULY 30, 1778 |
613 |
we erected a small garrison upon an Island, where I left ten or twelve
families, with a quanitity of provisions, and a few men to guard them. From
thence we continued down the Ohio, moving day and night, with about 170 or 180
men in number, till within sixty miles of the mouth; we ran our boats up a
small creek to hide them, not having men enough to leave a sufficient guard.
From thence we started for the Illinois, taking four days provisions with us,
and in six days arrived at the place in the night, on the fourth inst. having
marched two days without any sustenance, in which hungry condition we
unanimously determined to take the town, or die in the attempt. About midnight
we marched into the town, without being discovered; our object was the fort,
which we soon got possession of; the commanding officer (Philip Rocheblave) we
made prisoner, and is now on his way to Williamsburg, under a strong guard,
with all his instructions, from time to time, from the several Governors at
Detroit, Quebec, and Michillimackinack, to set the Indians upon us, with great
rewards for our scalps; for which he has a salary of 2001. sterling per year.
This town consists of about 250 families, sufficiently fortified to have
resisted a thousand men; but coming upon them by surprize, they were obliged to
surrender themselves. The next day evening I was ordered by our commanding
officer (Colonel Clark) with thirty men mounted on horseback, to attack three
other French towns up the Missisippi. The first is called Parraderuski, about fifteen
miles from Kaskaskias; the town we had in possession; and before they had any
knowledge of my arrival, I was in possession of this place, which was no small
surprize to them; in consequence of which they were willing to comply with any
terms I should propose.
"From thence I proceeded to St. Philip's, about nine miles higher up the river, which I likewise took possession of: and as it was impossible for them to know my strength, the whole being transacted in the night, they also came to my own terms. From thence I proceeded to Cauhow, about forty or fifty miles above St. Philip's, which contained about one hundred families; we rode immediately to the commander's house, and demanded a surrender of him and the whole town, which was immediately complied
|
BOWMAN TO BRINKER, JULY 30, 1778 |
615 |
about two hundred in number. They killed one man of the fort and wounded one or
two more, but finding themselves not able to succeed in their attack, they
killed all the cattle that they could find, and then made towards Greenbrier,
where I expect they intended to make a fatal blow. What has been done I have
never heard.
From thence we continued down the river, landing the salt kettles at the mouth of the Kentucky, and proceeded down to the falls of the Ohio, where we built a small garrison on a small island, and stored up a large quantity of flour and some bacon. Left eight or ten families there, with a few men to guard them.
Went thence down the river with about 175 men, until within about fifty miles of the mouth of the Ohio, seeing a great deal of signs of Indians all along the Ohio. We ran our boats, in the night, up a small creek, to hide them, as we had not men enough to leave a guard with the boats. The next morning we started, with about four days, provisions, and steered a northwest course for the Illinois, and in six days' time we arrived there in the night. We traveled two days without any provisions, being very hungry. Our men were all determined to take the town or die in the attempt.
About midnight we marched into the town without ever being discovered. We pitched for the fort and took possession. The commanding officer we caught in bed, and immediately confined him. His name is Philip Rochblave, a Frenchman, who is to be conducted to Williamsburg, with all his instructions which he has had, from time to time, from the governors at Detroit and Quebec, to set the Indians against us and give large rewards for our scalps.
This town consists of about 250 families, and was fortified strong enough to have fought a thousand men; but coming on them by surprise, they were obliged to surrender to us on the 5th day of July.
The same day I was ordered off by Colonel Clark with a detachment of thirty men, mounted on horseback, to proceed up the river Mississippi to three more towns, and lay siege to them. The first I came to was about fifteen miles from KaskaskiaÑthe town we had possession ofÑwhich was called Parraderushi. Before they had any idea of our arrival, we had possession of the
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