MASSACRE AT CHICAGO[Z]
[Footnote Z: This Narrative is substantially the same as that published
in pamphlet form, in 1836. It was transferred with little variation to
Brown's "History of Illinois," and to a work called "Western Annals."
It was likewise made, by Major Richardson, the basis of his two tales,
"Hardscrabble," and "Wau-nan-gee."]
It was the evening of the 7th April, 1812. The children of Mr. Kinzie
were dancing before the fire to the music of their father's violin.
The tea-table was spread, and they were awaiting the return of their
mother, who had gone to visit a sick neighbor about a quarter of a mile
up the river.
Suddenly their sports were interrupted. The door was thrown open,
and Mrs. Kinzie rushed in, pale with terror and scarcely able to
articulate, "The Indians! the Indians!"
"The Indians? What? Where?" eagerly demanded they all.
"Up at Lee's place, killing and scalping!"
With difficulty Mrs. Kinzie composed herself sufficiently to give the
information, "That while she was up at Burns', a man and a boy were
seen running down with all speed on the opposite side of the river;
that they had called across to give notice to Burns' family to save
themselves, for _the Indians_ were at Lee's Place, from which they had
just made their escape." Having given this terrifying news, they had
made all speed for the fort, which was on the same side of the river
that they then were.
All was now consternation and dismay. The family were hurried into two
old _pirogues_, that were moored near the house, and paddled with all
possible haste across the river to take refuge in the fort.
All that the man and boy who had made their escape were able to tell,
was soon known; but in order to render their story more intelligible,
it is necessary to describe the scene of action.
_Lee's Place_, since known by the name of Hardscrabble, was a farm
intersected by the Chicago River, about four miles from its mouth. The
farm-house stood on the western bank of the south branch of this river.
On the same side of the main stream, but quite near its junction with
Lake Michigan, stood (as has already been described) the dwelling-house
and trading establishment of Mr. Kinzie.
The fort was situated on the southern bank, directly opposite this
mansion--the river, and a few rods of sloping green turf on either
side, being all that intervened between them.
The fort was differently constructed from the one erected on the same
site in 1816. It had two block-houses on the southern side, and on the
northern a sally-port, or subterranean passage from the parade ground
to the river. This was designed either to facilitate escape, in case of
an emergency, or as a means of supplying the garrison with water during
a siege.
The officers in the fort at this period were Capt. Heald, the
commanding officer, Lieut. Helm, the son-in-law of Mr. Kinzie, and
Ensign Ronan--the two last were very young men--and the surgeon. Dr.
Van Voorhees.
The command numbered about seventy-five men; very few of whom were
effective.
[Illustration: OLD FORT DEARBORN, 1803-1812.
From a sketch by Charles H. Ourand, based upon plans drawn by Capt. J.
Whistler, 1808, in possession of Chicago Historical Society.]
A constant and friendly intercourse had been maintained between these
troops and the Indians. It is true that the principal men of the
Pottowattamie nation, like those of most other tribes, went yearly to
Fort Maiden, in Canada, to receive a large amount of presents, with
which the British Government had, for many years, been in the habit
of purchasing their alliance; and it was well known that many of the
Pottowattamies, as well as Winnebagoes, had been engaged with the
Ottawas and Shawnees at the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding autumn;
yet, as the principal chiefs of all the bands in the neighborhood
appeared to be on the most amicable terms with the Americans, no
interruption of their harmony was at any time anticipated.
After the 15th August, however, many circumstances were recollected
that might have opened the eyes of the whites, had they not been lulled
in a fatal security. One instance in particular may be mentioned.
In the spring preceding the destruction of the fort, two Indians of the
Calumet band came to the fort on a visit to the Commanding Officer. As
they passed through the quarters, they saw Mrs. Heald and Mrs. Helm
playing at battledoor.
Turning to the interpreter, one of them, Nau-non-gee, remarked: "The
white chiefs' wives are amusing themselves very much; it will not be
long before they are hoeing in our cornfields!"
This was considered at the time an idle threat, or at most, an
ebullition of jealous feeling at the contrast between the situation
of their own women and that of the "white chiefs' wives." Some months
after, how bitterly was it remembered!
* * * * *
The farm at Lee's Place was occupied by a Mr. White, and three persons
employed by him in the care of the farm.
In the afternoon of the day on which our narrative commences, a
party of ten or twelve Indians, dressed and painted, arrived at the
house, and according to the custom among savages, entered and seated
themselves without ceremony.
Something in their appearance and manner excited the suspicions of one
of the family, a Frenchman, who remarked, "I do not like the appearance
of these Indians--they are none of our folks. I know by their dress and
paint that they are not Pottowattamies."
Another of the family, a discharged soldier, then said to the boy who
was present, "If that is the case, we had better get away from them if
we can. Say nothing; but do as you see me do."
As the afternoon was far advanced, the soldier walked leisurely towards
the canoes, of which there were two tied near the bank. Some of the
Indians inquired where he was going. He pointed to the cattle which
were standing among the haystacks on the opposite bank; and made signs
that they must go and fodder them, and then they should return and get
their supper.
He got into one canoe, and the boy into the other. The stream was
narrow, and they were soon across. When they had gained the opposite
side, they pulled some hay for the cattle--made a show of collecting
them--and when they had gradually made a circuit, so that their
movements were concealed by the haystacks, they took to the woods,
which were close at hand, and made for the fort.
They had run about a quarter of a mile, when they heard the discharge
of two guns successively, which they supposed to have been leveled at
the companions they had left behind.
They stopped not nor stayed until they arrived opposite Burns',[AA]
where, as before related, they called across to advise the family of
their danger, and then hastened on to the fort.
[Footnote AA: Burns' house stood near the spot where the Agency
building, or "Cobweb Castle," was afterwards erected.]
It now occurred to those who had secured their own safety, that the
family of Burns was at this moment exposed to the most imminent peril.
The question was, who would hazard his own life to bring them to a
place of safety? A gallant young officer. Ensign Ronan, volunteered,
with a party of five or six soldiers, to go to their rescue.
They ascended the river in a scow, took the mother, with her infant of
scarcely a day old, upon her bed to the boat, in which they carefully
conveyed her and the other members of the family to the fort.
A party of soldiers, consisting of a corporal and six men, had that
afternoon obtained leave to go up the river to fish.
They had not returned when the fugitives from Lee's Place arrived
at the fort, and fearing that they might encounter the Indians, the
commanding officer ordered a cannon to be fired, to warn them of danger.
They were at the time about two miles above Lee's Place. Hearing the
signal, they took the hint, put out their torches (for it was now
night), and dropped down the river toward the garrison, as silently as
possible. It will be remembered that the unsettled state of the country
since the battle of Tippecanoe, the preceding November, had rendered
every man vigilant, and the slightest alarm was an admonition to beware
of "the Indians."
When the fishing-party reached Lee's Place, it was proposed to stop
and warn the inmates to be upon their guard, as the signal from the
fort indicated danger of some kind. All was still as death around the
house. They groped their way along, and as the corporal jumped over the
small enclosure, he placed his hand upon the dead body of a man. By the
sense of touch he soon ascertained that the head was without a scalp,
and otherwise mutilated. The faithful dog of the murdered man stood
guarding the lifeless remains of his master.
The tale was now told. They retreated to their canoes and reached the
fort unmolested about eleven o'clock at night. The next morning a
party of the citizens and soldiers volunteered to go to Lee's Place,
to learn further the fate of its occupants. The body of Mr. White was
found pierced by two balls, and with eleven stabs in the breast. The
Frenchman, as already described, lay dead, with his dog still beside
Mm. Their bodies were brought to the fort and buried in its immediate
vicinity.
It was subsequently ascertained, from traders out in the Indian
country, that the perpetrators of this bloody deed were a party of
Winnebagoes, who had come into this neighborhood to "take some white
scalps." Their plan had been, to proceed down the river from Lee's
Place, and kill every white man without the walls of the fort. Hearing,
however, the report of the camion, and not knowing what it portended,
they thought it best to remain satisfied with this one exploit, and
forthwith retreated to their homes on Rock River.
The inhabitants outside the fort, consisting of a few discharged
soldiers and some families of half-breeds, now entrenched themselves in
the Agency House. This stood on the esplanade west of the fort, between
the pickets and the river, and distant about twenty rods from the
former.[AB]
[Footnote AB: The present site of the lighthouse.]
It was an old-fashioned log-building, with a hall running through the
centre, and one large room on each side. Piazzas extended the whole
length of the building in front and rear. These were planked up, for
greater security, port-holes were cut, and sentinels posted at night.
As the enemy were believed to be lurking still in the neighborhood, or,
emboldened by former success, likely to return at any moment, an order
was issued prohibiting any soldier or citizen from leaving the vicinity
of the garrison without a guard.
One night a sergeant and private, who were out on a patrol, came
suddenly upon a party of Indians in the pasture adjoining the
esplanade. The sergeant fired his piece, and both retreated toward the
fort. Before they could reach it, an Indian threw his tomahawk, which
missed the sergeant and struck a wagon standing near. The sentinel from
the block-house immediately fired, and with effect, while the men got
safely in. The next morning it was ascertained, from traces of blood to
a considerable distance into the prairie, and from the appearance of
a body having been laid among the long grass, that some execution had
been done.
On another occasion the enemy entered the esplanade to steal horses.
Not finding them in the stable, as they had expected, they made
themselves amends for their disappointment by stabbing all the
sheep in the stable, and then letting them loose. The poor annuals
flocked towards the fort. This gave the alarm--the garrison was
aroused--parties were sent out, but the marauders escaped unmolested.
* * * * *
The inmates of the fort experienced no further alarm for many weeks.
On the afternoon of the 7th August, Winnemeg, or _Catfish_, a
Pottowattamie chief, arrived at the post, bringing despatches from Gen.
Hull. These announced the declaration of war between the United States
and Great Britain, and that Gen. Hull, at the head of the North-Western
army, had arrived at Detroit; also, that the island of Mackinac had
fallen into the hands of the British.
The orders to Captain Heald were, "to evacuate the fort, if
practicable, and in that event, to distribute all the United States'
property contained in the fort, and in the United States' factory or
agency, among the Indians in the neighborhood."
After having delivered his despatches, Winnemeg requested a private
interview with Mr. Kinzie, who had taken up his residence in the
fort. He stated to Mr. K. that he was acquainted with the purport
of the communications he had brought, and begged him to ascertain
if it were the intention of Captain Heald to evacuate the post. He
advised strongly against such a step, inasmuch as the garrison was
well supplied with ammunition, and with provisions for six months.
It would, therefore, be far better, he thought, to remain until a
reinforcement could be sent to their assistance. If, however. Captain
Heald should decide upon leaving the post, it should by all means be
done immediately. The Pottowattamies, through whose country they must
pass, being ignorant of the object of Winnemeg's mission, a forced
march might be made, before those who were hostile in their feelings
were prepared to interrupt them.
Of this advice, so earnestly given, Captain Heald was immediately
informed. He replied that it was his intention to evacuate the post,
but that, inasmuch as he had received orders to distribute the United
States' property, he should not feel justified in leaving it until he
had collected the Indians of the neighborhood, and made an equitable
division among them.
Winnemeg then suggested the expediency of marching out, and leaving
all things standing--possibly while the Indians were engaged in
the partition of the spoils, the troops might effect their retreat
unmolested. This advice was strongly seconded by Mr. Kinzie, but did
not meet the approbation of the Commanding Officer.
The order for evacuating the post was read next morning upon parade.
It is difficult to understand why Captain Heald, in such an emergency,
omitted the usual form of calling a council of war with his officers.
It can only be accounted for by the fact of a want of harmonious
feeling between himself and one of his junior officers--Ensign Ronan,
a high-spirited and somewhat overbearing, but brave and generous young
man.
In the course of the day, finding that no council was called, the
officers waited on Captain Heald to be informed what course he intended
to pursue. When they learned his intentions, they remonstrated with
him, on the following grounds:
First--It was highly improbable that the command would be permitted to
pass through the country in safety to Fort Wayne. For although it had
been said that some of the chiefs had opposed an attack upon the fort,
planned the preceding autumn, yet it was well known that they had been
actuated in that matter by motives of private regard to one family, and
not to any general friendly feeling toward the Americans; and that, at
any rate, it was hardly to be expected that these few individuals would
be able to control the whole tribe, who were thirsting for blood.
In the next place--their march must necessarily be slow, as their
movements must be accommodated to the helplessness of the women and
children, of whom there were a number with the detachment. That
of their small force, some of the soldiers were superannuated,
others invalid; therefore, since the course to be pursued was left
discretional, their unanimous advice was, to remain where they were,
and fortify themselves as strongly as possible. Succors from the other
side of the peninsula might arrive before they could be attacked by the
British from Mackinac, and even should there not, it were far better
to fall into the hands of the latter than to become the victims of the
savages.
Captain Heald argued in reply, "that a special order had been issued
by the war department, that no post should be surrendered without
battle having been given, and his force was totally inadequate to an
engagement with the Indians. That he should unquestionably be censured
for remaining, when there appeared a prospect of a safe march through;
and that, upon the whole, he deemed it expedient to assemble the
Indians, distribute the property among them, and then ask of them an
escort to Fort Wayne, with the promise of a considerable reward upon
their safe arrival--adding, that he had full confidence in the friendly
professions of the Indians, from whom, as well as from the soldiers,
the capture of Mackinac had been kept a profound secret."
From this time the officers held themselves aloof, and spoke but little
upon the subject, though they considered the project of Captain Heald
little short of madness. The dissatisfaction among the soldiers hourly
increased, until it reached a high pitch of insubordination.
Upon one occasion, as Captain Heald was conversing with Mr. Kinzie
upon the parade, he remarked, "I could not remain, even if I thought it
best, for I have but a small store of provisions."
"Why, captain," said a soldier who stood near, forgetting all etiquette
in the excitement of the moment, "you have cattle enough to last the
troops six months."
"But," replied Captain Heald, "I have no salt to preserve it with."
"Then jerk[AC] it," said the man, "as the Indians do their venison."
[Footnote AC: This is done by cutting the meat in thin slices, placing
it upon a scaffold, and making a fire under it, which dries it and
smokes it at the same time.]
The Indians now became daily more unruly. Entering the fort in defiance
of the sentinels, they made their way without ceremony into the
officers' quarters. On one occasion, an Indian took up a rifle and
fired it in the parlor of the Commanding Officer, as an expression
of defiance. Some were of opinion that this was intended among the
young men as a signal for an attack. The old chiefs passed backwards
and forwards among the assembled groups, with the appearance of the
most lively agitation, while the squaws rushed to and fro, in great
excitement, and evidently prepared for some fearful scene.
Any further manifestation of ill-feeling was, however, suppressed for
the present, and Captain Heald, strange as it may seem, continued to
entertain a conviction of having created so amicable a disposition
among the Indians, as would insure the safety of the command on their
march to Fort Wayne.
Thus passed the time until the 12th August. The feelings of the inmates
of the fort during this time may be better imagined than described.
Each morning that dawned seemed to bring them nearer that most
appalling fate--butchery by a savage foe--and at night they scarcely
dared yield to slumber, lest they should be aroused by the war-whoop
and tomahawk. Gloom and mistrust prevailed, and the want of unanimity
among the officers, debarred them the consolation they might have found
in mutual sympathy and encouragement.
The Indians being assembled from the neighboring villages, a council
was held with them on the afternoon of the 12th. Captain Heald only,
attended on the part of the military. He requested his officers to
accompany him, but they declined. They had been secretly informed that
it was the intention of the young chiefs to fall upon the officers and
massacre them while in council, but they could not persuade Captain
Heald of the truth of their information. They waited therefore only
until he had left the garrison, accompanied by Mr. Kinzie, when they
took command of the block-houses which overlooked the esplanade on
which the council was held, opened the port-holes, and pointed the
cannon so as to command the whole assembly. By this means, probably,
the lives of the whites who were present in council were preserved.
In council, the Commanding Officer informed the Indians that it was
his intention to distribute among them the next day, not only the
goods lodged in the United States' Factory, but also the ammunition
and provisions, with which the garrison was well supplied. He then
requested of the Pottowattamies an escort to Fort Wayne, promising them
a liberal reward on arriving there, in addition to the presents they
were now about to receive. With many professions of friendship and
good-will, the savages assented to all he proposed, and promised all he
required.
After the council, Mr. Kinzie, who understood well, not only the
Indian character, but the present tone of feeling among them, had a
long interview with Captain Heald, in hopes of opening his eyes to the
present posture of affairs.
He reminded him that since the troubles with the Indians upon the
Wabash and its vicinity, there had appeared a settled plan of
hostilities toward the whites, in consequence of which it had been the
policy of the Americans to withhold from them whatever would enable
them to carry on their warfare upon the defenceless inhabitants of the
frontier.
Mr. Kinzie recalled to Captain Heald how that he had himself left home
for Detroit the preceding autumn, but, receiving when he had proceeded
as far as De Charme's[AD] the intelligence of the battle of Tippecanoe,
he had immediately returned to Chicago, that he might dispatch orders
to his traders to furnish no ammunition to the Indians; in consequence
of which all they had on hand was secreted, and such of the traders as
had not already started for their wintering-grounds took neither powder
nor shot with them.
[Footnote AD: A trading establishment--now Ypsilanti.]
Captain Heald was struck with the impolicy of furnishing the enemy (for
such they must now consider their old neighbors) with arms against
himself, and determined to destroy all the ammunition except what
should be necessary for the use of his own troops.
On the 13th the goods, consisting of blankets, broadcloths, calicoes,
paints, etc., were distributed, as stipulated. The same evening the
ammunition and liquor were carried, part into the sally-port, and
thrown into a well which had been dug there to supply the garrison with
water in case of emergency; the remainder was transported as secretly
as possible through the northern gate, the heads of the barrels
knocked in, and the contents poured into the river.
The same fate was shared by a large quantity of alcohol belonging to
Mr. Kinzie, which had been deposited in a warehouse near his residence
opposite the fort.
The Indians suspected what was going on, and crept, serpent-like, as
near the scene of action as possible, but a vigilant watch was kept up,
and no one was suffered to approach but those engaged in the affair.
All the muskets not necessary for the command on the march were broken
up and thrown into the well, together with the bags of shot, flints,
gunscrews, and in short, everything relating to weapons of offence.
Some relief to the general feeling of despondency was afforded by the
arrival, on the 14th of August, of Captain Wells[AE] with fifteen
friendly Miamis.
[Footnote AE: Captain Wells when a boy was stolen from his friends, the
family of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, in Kentucky. Although recovered by them,
he preferred to return and live among his new friends. He married a
Miami woman, and became a chief of the nation. He was the father of the
late Mrs. Judge Wolcott, of Maumee, O.]
Of this brave man, who forms so conspicuous a figure in our frontier
annals, it is unnecessary here to say more than that he had been
residing from his boyhood among the Indians, and consequently possessed
a perfect knowledge of their character and habits.
He had heard, at Fort Wayne, of the order for evacuating the fort at
Chicago, and knowing the hostile determination of the Pottowattamies,
he had made a rapid march across the country, to prevent the exposure
of his relative, Captain Heald, and his troops to certain destruction.
But he came "all too late." When he reached the post he found that the
ammunition had been destroyed, and the provisions given to the Indians.
There was, therefore, now no alternative, and every preparation was
made for the march of the troops on the following morning.
On the afternoon of the same day, a second council was held with the
Indians. They expressed great indignation at the destruction of the
ammunition and liquor.
Notwithstanding the precautions that had been taken to preserve
secrecy, the noise of knocking in the heads of the barrels had betrayed
the operations of the preceding night; and, so great was the quantity
of liquor thrown into the river, that the taste of the water the next
morning was, as one expressed it, "strong grog."
Murmurs and threats were everywhere heard among the savages. It was
evident that the first moment of exposure would subject the troops to
some manifestation of their disappointment and resentment.
Among the chiefs were several, who, although they shared the general
hostile feeling of their tribe toward the Americans, yet retained a
personal regard for the troops at this post, and for the few white
citizens of the place. These chiefs exerted their utmost influence to
allay the revengeful feelings of the young men, and to avert their
sanguinary designs, but without effect.
On the evening succeeding the council _Black Partridge_, a conspicuous
chief, entered the quarters of the Commanding Officer.
"Father," said he, "I come to deliver up to you the medal I wear. It
was given me by the Americans, and I have long worn it, in token of our
mutual friendship. But our young men are resolved to imbrue their hands
in the blood of the whites. I cannot restrain them, and I will not wear
a token of peace while I am compelled to act as an enemy."
Had further evidence been wanting, this circumstance would
sufficiently have proved to the devoted band, the justice of their
melancholy anticipations. Nevertheless, they went steadily on with the
necessary preparations; and amid the horrors of their situation, there
were not wanting one or two gallant hearts, who strove to encourage in
their desponding companions, the hopes of escape they were far from
indulging themselves.
Of the ammunition there had been reserved but twenty-five rounds,
beside one box of cartridges, contained in the baggage-wagons. This
must, under any circumstances of danger, have proved an inadequate
supply, but the prospect of a fatiguing march, in their present
ineffective state, forbade the troops embarrassing themselves with a
larger quantity.