A
JOURNAL
CONTAINING
AN ACCURATE AND INTERESTING ACCOUNT
OF THE
HARDSHIPS, SUFFERINGS, BATTLES, DEFEAT,
AND CAPTIVITY
OF THOSE HEROIC
KENTUCKY
VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS,
COMMANDED BY
GENERAL WINCHESTER,
In the Years 1812-13.
ALSO,
TWO NARRATIVES,
BY MEN THAT WERE WOUNDED IN THE BATTLES ON THE RIVER
RAISIN, AND TAKEN CAPTIVE BY THE INDIANS.
BY ELIAS DARNELL.
PHILADELPHIA:
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO, AND CO.
1854.
PHILADELPHIA:
T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, PRINTERS.
PREFACE.
The author of this Journal wrote it for his own satisfaction. When
he returned home, he was induced to show it to a number of his
acquaintances for their information. Several, on whose judgment he
could rely, requested him to publish it to the world. He begs leave
simply to remark that he was an eye and ear witness to many things he
has narrated. He has represented things as he understood and remembered
them. Other facts he obtained from testimony in which he could fully
confide. It is worthy of remark that witnesses of probity, in giving
their testimony in courts respecting the same things, often differ
from one another as to many circumstances, owing to their different
capacities, positions, and the like. It may be expected, therefore,
that some who were in the army, may not exactly agree with the author
in all things stated in this Journal. Let that be as it may, he is
conscious that he sought the most correct information, and that he
endeavored to communicate it in a plain, perspicuous style. If he has
made any important mistakes, should those interested convince him of
them, in a friendly way, he will use the best means in his power to
correct them.
As to the narratives subjoined to this Journal, they are short, and he
thinks, interesting. He is acquainted with Mr. Davenport, and believes
him to be a man of veracity. He had no acquaintance with Mr. Mallary
before he applied to him for his narrative. His acquaintances will best
know what credit ought to be given to him.
The gentlemen who gave the narratives, it is obvious, are the _only
persons responsible for the truth of them_.
The whole is, with diffidence, submitted to the candor of a generous
public, by
ELIAS DARNELL.
JOURNAL OF THE CAMPAIGN,
_&c. &c._
For a few years past differences existed between the United States of
America and the Kingdom of Great Britain. Every possible means had been
used on the part of the executive and legislative departments of the
general government of the United States, to adjust those differences
upon honorable and equitable terms. But Great Britain treated every
reasonable proposition with haughtiness and contempt, and still
persisted in violating the just rights of the Americans, by committing
depredations on the high seas, and by impressing the citizens of the
United States into the service of his Majesty, and employing the
savages to murder the defenceless inhabitants of the frontiers. The
United States having long borne these outrages with great patience, at
length wearied with insults, resorted to the last and most painful
alternative of declaring war (which was done on the 18th of June,
1812); and the government having called for volunteers, more than the
quota of this State rallied round their country’s standard, ready to
assist in a vigorous prosecution of the war, in order to hasten a
speedy and honorable peace.
General Hull having been appointed by the general government to take
possession of part of Upper Canada, his forces, amounting to about
3,000, not being considered sufficient to execute that design, three
regiments of volunteer infantry and one regiment of United States
infantry, amounting in all to about 2,300, were called and destined to
his assistance.
Agreeably to a general order, the following regiments rendezvoused at
Georgetown, August 15, 1812, to wit:--
The first regiment was commanded by Colonel John M. Scott, the fifth
regiment was commanded by Colonel William Lewis, the first rifle
regiment by Colonel John Allen, the 17th United States regiment by
Colonel Samuel Wells; the whole under the command of Brigadier-General
Payne.
_16th._ The troops paraded early in the morning, and were received
by Governor Scott. We paraded again at 10 o’clock, and marched to a
convenient place in close order, where the Rev. Mr. Blythe preached
a short sermon, and the Honorable Henry Clay delivered an appropriate
discourse.
_17th._ The troops were inspected by Major Garrard.
_18th._ We drew two months’ pay in advance. There being a general
complaint amongst the volunteers respecting sixteen dollars, which
were expected to be drawn in lieu of clothing, Major Graves paraded
his battalion, and gave them their choice to go on without the sixteen
dollars, or return home. _Six_ chose to return; these, to fix an odium
upon them, were drummed out of camp and through town.
_19th._ We commenced our march in high spirits to join General Hull
at Detroit, or in Canada. Each regiment, for convenience and speed,
marched separately to Newport. We arrived at Newport the 24th; it
is 80 miles from Georgetown. It rained most of the time, which made
it disagreeable travelling and encamping. These hardships tended a
little to quench the excessive patriotic flame that had blazed so
conspicuously at the different musters and barbecues.
Here we received information of General Hull having surrendered Detroit
and Michigan Territory to General Brock, on the 15th of this instant,
while in possession of the necessary means to have held that post
against the forces of Upper Canada.[A] This we could not believe
until confirmed by handbills and good authority; when thus confirmed,
it appeared to make serious impressions on the minds of officers and
privates. Those high expectations of participating with General Hull in
the laurels to be acquired by the conquest of Malden and Upper Canada,
were entirely abandoned.
We drew our arms and accoutrements, and crossed the Ohio on the 27th.
Our destiny was thought to be Fort Wayne.
The following general order will show some of the evolutions which were
performed by this army while on its march.
“HEADQUARTERS, _Cincinnati, August 23, 1812_.
“The troops will commence their march in the direction to Dayton,
by Lebanon, at an early hour to-morrow morning. The generale will
be beat instead of the reveille; the tents will then be struck, the
baggage loaded, and the line of march taken up as soon as possible.
“The commandants of the several corps will immediately commence
drilling their men to the performance of the evolutions contemplated
by the commander-in-chief, for the order of march and battle. The
principal feature in all these evolutions is that of a battalion
changing its direction by swinging on its centre. This, however, is
not to be done by wheeling, which, by a large body in the woods, is
impracticable. It is to be formed thus: the battalion being on its
march in a single rank, and its centre being ascertained, the front
division comes to the right about, excepting the man in the rear of
that division who steps two paces to the right, at the same time
the front man of the second division takes a position about four
feet to the left of the man in the rear of the front division, and
dresses with him in a line at right angles to the line of march.
These two men acting as marks or guides for the formation of the new
alignment at the word--Form the new alignment, March! the men of the
front division file round their guide, and form in succession on
his right. At the same time the men of the rear division file up in
succession to the left of the guide, and dress in a line with him and
the guide of the front division. This manœuvre may be performed by
any number of men, by company and platoon as well as battalion.
“WM. H. HARRISON,
“_Major-General Commanding_.”
_31st._ General Harrison overtook the army between Lebanon and Dayton.
He was received joyfully by all the troops as commander-in-chief, with
three cheers.
_September 1._ The army arrived at Dayton, fifty miles from Cincinnati,
and was saluted by the firing of cannon. One of the men who were firing
the cannon got one of his hands shot off, and the other badly wounded.
We arrived at Piqua, September 3, thirty miles from Dayton, on the Big
Miami.
_4th._ Received information of the critical situation of Fort Wayne.
Colonel Allen’s[B] regiment and two companies from Colonel Lewis’s,
drew twenty-four rounds of ammunition, and started with all possible
speed to the relief of that fort.
_5th._ General Harrison having paraded the remaining part of the army
in a circle in close order, delivered a speech to them, stating that he
had just received intelligence from Fort Wayne; that it was in great
danger of being taken by the Indians and British; he said that we were
under the necessity of making a forced march to their relief. He read
some of the articles of war, and stated the absolute necessity of such
regulations and restrictions in an army, and if there were any who
could not feel willing to submit to those articles and go on with him
they might then return home. _One man_ belonging to Colonel Scott’s
regiment made a choice of returning home, rather than submit to those
terms. Some of his acquaintances got a permit to escort him part of the
way home. Two of them got him upon a rail and carried him to the river;
a crowd followed after; they ducked him several times in the water, and
washed away all his patriotism.
_6th._ We marched at 12 o’clock--we left all our sick and part of
our clothing and baggage at Piqua, in order to make as much speed as
possible. On the morning of the 8th, three miles from St. Mary’s, one
of Captain M‘Gowen’s company was accidentally shot through the body by
one of the sentinels; the surgeon thought it mortal.[C] We marched
four miles and encamped near the River St. Mary’s, one mile from the
fort. General Harrison called the army together and stated, through
emergency, we must be on half rations of flour for a few days, but
should draw a ration and a half of beef, as he wished to go as light
and as quick as possible. He said, “any who do not feel willing to go
on these terms may remain at the fort and have plenty.” I know of none
that stayed. St. Mary’s block-house is thirty miles from Piqua, on the
River St. Mary’s.
_9th._ We marched through some first-rate woodland, and through a
large prairie of the best quality. It is badly watered; the water in
the wagon-ruts was the only drink we could get to cool our scorching
thirst, and but very little of that. We encamped near the River St.
Mary’s, eighteen miles from the fort. At 11 o’clock and at 3 we were
alarmed by the sentinels firing several guns; we formed in order of
battle, and stood so fifteen minutes.
The following extract of a general order is designed to show the order
of battle for night and day attack.
“HEADQUARTERS,
“_Second Crossing of St. Mary’s, Sept. 10, 1812_.
“The signal for a general charge will be beating the _long-roll_.
Officers and men will be upon their arms and in their clothes.
“Two or more guns firing in succession will constitute an alarm, at
which the whole army will parade in the order of encampment (that
is, in a hollow square), unless otherwise directed. When a sentinel
discharges his gun in the night the officer of the guard to whom he
belongs will immediately ascertain the cause, and should he have
sufficient reason to believe, on an examination, that an enemy
is near, he will cause two guns to be fired in quick succession.
Should the firing of a sentinel appear to have proceeded from a
cause not sufficient to give an alarm, the officer of the guard will
immediately call out ‘_all is well_,’ which will be repeated through
the army. The same thing will take place upon an accidental fire made
in the day.
“The order of battle for rear attack will be so far attended with
regard to the rear line; the rear battalions of Colonel Lewis’s
regiment and Colonel Allen’s only are to turn upon their centre,
while the heads of the front battalions are to close up the
front lines, then, facing from the centre, march out until they
respectively gain the flanks of the front line. Should the attack
be in front, the senior officer nearest the flank battalion will
judge of the propriety of bringing up that battalion to form on the
flank of the front line. The second battalion of Colonel Lewis’s
and Colonel Allen’s regiments will, in all cases, close up as the
leading battalions shall advance, and make room for them. Captain
Garrard’s troop, forming the rear guard, will also close up and act
as circumstances may require.
“WM. H. HARRISON,
“_Major-General Commanding_.”
_10th._ The order of march for the infantry was as follows: the first
and fifth regiments formed one line in single file on the left, two
hundred yards from the road, the 17th United States and the rifle
regiments on the right in the same manner. The baggage in the road. The
order of march for the horse troops: One of Colonel Adams’s battalions
of Ohio volunteers was placed at the distance of half a mile in front
of the columns of infantry, and marched in columns of companies in
files, and in such open order as to cover the whole front of the army.
The other battalion of Ohio volunteers formed the right flank guard
of the army, at the distance of three hundred yards from the column
of infantry, and parallel to it. The Kentucky mounted riflemen on the
left, the same distance from the left column of infantry for the left
flank guard; Captain Garrard’s troop formed the rear guard. We marched
twelve miles.
_11th._ The spies wounded an Indian and got his gun and blanket; our
day’s march was eleven miles; we stopped earlier than usual in order to
make breastworks, and because it was a convenient place for water. We
fortified this place very strongly with timber. At 11 o’clock the camp
was alarmed by the firing of many guns by the sentinels. The whole army
was formed in quick time, the horse troops being in the centre ready to
assist any line or to obey any order which might be given. One half of
the men were dismissed and retired to their tents for one hour, then
they relieved the first half. At 3 o’clock another alarm took place
from the sentinels, a general parade was again made. We stood in order
of battle for some time. The watchword was “_fight on_,” after which
this place was called “Fort Fight On.”
_12th._ We continued our march towards Fort Wayne with as much caution
as the nature of our hurrying would admit; we expected to meet with
the enemy before we reached the fort. In a certain well-known swamp,
through which we had to pass, we thought probably the enemy would
harbor. We passed the swamp unmolested for a mile, we were then
alarmed. The rear battalions formed in order of battle, but saw no
enemy to fight; we immediately resumed our march. This alarm and the
one the night preceding seemed to shake the boasted valor of some of
our bravest heroes.
This day’s march was twenty miles to Fort Wayne, through a great
deal of first-rate land, rich, level, and well timbered, but badly
watered near the road; we suffered extremely for water these three
days. Our arrival at this fort gave great joy to the inhabitants, who
were one company of regular troops and a few families. The Indians
had closely invested the fort for several days, and burned the United
States factory and all the other valuable houses which were not inside
of the stockading. Three of our men who were caught out of the fort
were killed by the Indians. The Indians encamped about the fort two
weeks before they made the attack on it, and were admitted in by
Captain Ray, the commanding officer of the garrison, who would have
surrendered to the savages, had it not been for his lieutenant, who
defended the fort with great bravery. Three Indians were killed and a
few wounded. Captain Ray was arrested and would have been broken had
he not resigned. The fort was well provided for a siege, having in it
one hundred men, plenty of provisions, ammunition, four small pieces of
cannon, and a good well of water.
Fort Wayne is one of the most elegant situations I ever saw, and must
be an important place to the United States. Three weeks ago the
neighborhood around the fort would have exhibited a pleasing prospect
to those who had seen nothing for several days but a dreary wilderness
of one hundred miles. A number of well-cultivated farms, with neat
houses, in view of the fort, would have excited emotions of pleasure. I
suppose there were four hundred acres of land in cultivation. All the
houses were reduced to ashes, together with a large quantity of small
grain and hay, by the savages; they were principally Pottowatomies;
they also destroyed all the stock of every kind about these farms,
which was very considerable. Fort Wayne is situated on the south side
of the River Maumee, opposite the junction of the River St. Mary’s and
St. Joseph, which are considerable navigable streams in lat. 41° 4′, N.
long. 11° 5′ west from the meridian of Philadelphia.
We were alarmed by the report of some guns which were fired by the
sentinels; we formed in order of battle for half an hour, during which
time it rained very hard, and rendered many of our guns unfit to do
execution, except the bayonets. The alarm must have proceeded from the
timidity of the sentinels.
_14th._ The whole force was divided and placed under the command of
General Payne and Colonel Wells. General Payne’s command was composed
of Colonel Lewis’s regiment, Colonel Allen’s and Captain Garrard’s
troop. Colonel Wells’s command was composed of Colonel Scott’s
regiment, the regulars and the mounted riflemen. General Payne was
instructed to destroy the Miami towns at the forks of the Wabash.
Colonel Wells was directed against the Pottowatomies’s village at
Elkheart. General Harrison thought proper to go with General Payne;
so we proceeded on to the waters of the Wabash; five miles from Fort
Wayne we encamped. Next morning we came to an Indian hut and a small
cornfield, two miles from our encampment; here all the wagons and
baggage were left, and Captain Langhorne’s company as a guard; from
this place we marched twenty-three miles to an Indian town at the forks
of the Wabash; we found the town evacuated; we pulled down some of
their houses and built up fires and encamped; we had plenty of roasting
ears of the best kind. It is a small kind of corn, shallow grain, and
very suitable for roasting ears, which answered us a very good purpose,
as we had only a little provision with us.
_16th._ We marched through their towns, four in number, in the bounds
of three or four miles, in which there were fresh signs of Indians. We
cut up their corn and put it in piles, sixty or eighty acres, so that
it might rot. A variety of beans were found growing with their corn;
potatoes, pumpkins, water-melons, and cucumbers were also cultivated by
them. Their houses were all burnt by the orders of General Harrison;
some of them were built of bark and some of logs. The tomb of a chief
was discovered; it was built on the ground with timber and clay, so
that no rain or air could enter; the chief was laid on his blanket, his
head towards sunrise, his rifle by his side, his tin pan on his breast,
with a spoon in it; he was ornamented in their style, with ear-rings,
brooches, &c. This is one of the most beautiful places in the western
country; the land is level, well timbered, well watered, and the soil
equal to any part of Kentucky. Near the town, where the timber has been
cut, it is covered with an elegant coat of blue grass.
_17th._ We got back to the baggage, and found all was well. Capt.
Langhorne had fortified against the enemy with rails, so that he would
have been able to have held his place against a considerable force. We
took some refreshments and pursued our journey, and encamped near our
former encampment.
_18th._ We arrived at Fort Wayne, and met with a reinforcement of
five hundred mounted riflemen and cavalry, from Kentucky. A man was
accidentally shot through the head by one of the mounted riflemen.
Colonel Wells’s division returned this evening from their route, which
was fifty miles from Fort Wayne, on the waters of St. Joseph’s River,
very much fatigued. They found nothing but deserted houses and corn to
destroy, which was about the same amount as was found at the Wabash.
Capt. Morris’s 1st sergeant (David Irwin) died on the road. One of the
light-horsemen wounded a man as he was feeding his horse, believing him
to be an Indian.
_19th._ We encamped in the forks of the river half a mile from the
fort. Gen. Harrison not being legally authorized by the general
government, as commander of this army, the command, of course, devolved
on Winchester. This resignation of Gen. Harrison’s was done with much
reluctance, as he had placed great confidence in the Kentuckians,
and found he was their choice, in preference to Gen. Winchester. The
conduct of Gen. Harrison at Tippecanoe, and his familiarity with the
troops while on their march to this place, had gained to him a peculiar
attachment. Gen. Winchester being a stranger, and having the appearance
of a supercilious officer, he was generally disliked. His assuming the
command almost occasioned a mutiny in camp; this was prevented by the
solicitations of some of the officers to go on.
_20th._ The Kentucky mounted riflemen started to St. Mary’s under the
command of Gen. Harrison, in order to pursue the Indians in some other
quarter; their number was about fifteen hundred.
_21st._ We received marching orders to march to-morrow morning at 7
o’clock.
The following general order, will show Gen. Winchester’s order of march.
“GENERAL ORDERS.--_Fort Wayne Sept. 22, 1812._
“The army will march in the following order, to wit: the guard in
front in three lines, two deep in the road, and in Indian file on the
flanks, at the distance of fifty to one hundred yards from the centre
line, when not prevented by obstructions.
“A fatigue party, to consist of one captain, one ensign, two
sergeants, two corporals, and fifty privates, will follow the front
guard for the purpose of opening the road. The remainder of the
infantry to march on the flanks in the following order; Col. Wells’s
and Allen’s regiments on the right, and Scott’s and Lewis’s on the
left.
“The general and brigade baggage, commissaries’ and quartermasters’
stores immediately in the rear of the fatigue party. The cavalry in
the following order: Capt. Garrard and twenty of his men to precede
the guard in front, and equally divide at the head of each line. A
lieutenant and eighteen men in rear of the whole army and baggage.
The balance of the cavalry equally divided on the flanks of the flank
lines.
“The regimental baggage wagons fall in according to the rank of
the commanding officers of the respective regiments. The officers
commanding corps, previous to their marching, will cause the arms
and ammunition to be carefully examined, and will see that they are
in _good order_. They will also be particularly careful that the men
do not waste their cartridges. No muskets are to be carried in the
wagons. One half of the fatigue party are to work at the same time;
the other half are to carry the arms and accoutrements while on
fatigue. The wagon-master will attend to the loading of the wagons,
and see that the different articles are put in in good order, and
that each wagon and team carry a reasonable load. The hour of march
is deferred until 9 o’clock, instead of 7. The officer of the day is
charged with the execution of these orders.
“The line of battle shall be formed agreeably to Gen. Harrison’s
order on his late march to Fort Wayne.
“JAMES WINCHESTER,
“_Brigadier-General_.”
_26th._ Two white men, and Capt. John (an Indian who was with us),
lost their horses. They continued about the camping ground in search
of them; they saw two or three Indians exploring our encampment. They
took this method, no doubt, to calculate our number. The spies returned
to camp this evening, who had discovered many Indian signs in front.
Five of the spies who had yesterday started with the view to go to Fort
Defiance, were found on the road shot, scalped, and tomahawked by the
Indians or British.
_27th._ The spies and Capt. Garrard’s troop started this morning to
bury the dead. They were attacked by a party of Indians who were
watching the dead. One of the spies got shot in the ankle by an Indian.
They fired on the Indians, and with the assistance of Capt. Garrard,
they made them run, but not without the loss of some of their savage
blood. It was supposed some of them were badly wounded.
Capts. Hickman and Ruddell returned, who had started this morning to
reconnoitre Fort Defiance. They reported, that they saw many fresh
signs of Indians. As they returned to camp they spied an encampment of
Indians; the Indians were talking and laughing merrily. A detachment
was sent after dark in order to surprise them. Ruddell, their pilot,
got lost before he got far, so that they could not execute their design.
_28th._ The army was alarmed about a mile from camp; we quickly paraded
in order of battle, and were anxious to meet the enemy. The alarm
proceeded from the spies, who fired at some Indians in front. The spies
returned to camp this evening; they saw where a large number of Indians
and British had encamped the night before.
_29th._ We continued on the same encampment, five miles from Defiance,
and forty-five from Fort Wayne. The spies and horse troop were sent
out in order to make discoveries. A party took the back track; they
saw where the enemy had wheeled to the right about, and retreated; and
fortunately for them they did so. Our industry in fortifying the camp
with breastworks, and caution and vigilance with which it was guarded,
would have rendered us able to have maintained our ground against a
superior force. Wagon tracks were plainly to be seen--it was thought
they were going to Fort Wayne with cannon, to take that place.
_30th._ We marched within one mile of Fort Defiance, and searched for
a suitable place to encamp on: after every examination it was thought
best to continue here, as it was a convenient place for timber. We
pitched our tents and built very strong breastworks round the camp,
which we had done for five or six nights past; we also slept with our
guns in our arms, and paraded an hour before day, and stood under arms
till nearly sunrise. From Fort Wayne to Defiance, we travelled on the
north-west side of the Maumee River. The country is extremely level and
well timbered, but badly watered.
_Oct. 1._ Col. Lewis, with a detachment of three hundred and eighty
men, started early this morning to pursue the Indians and British; they
crossed the Auglaze River, and proceeded down the Maumee seven or eight
miles, but could see nothing more than the appearance of the enemy
retreating.
_2d._ Gen. Harrison arrived here with about one hundred mounted troops,
and two days’ rations of flour. We have been without bread four days.
We were informed Gen. Harrison was appointed commander-in-chief of the
North-Western Army; this was pleasing news to their troops, as he was
the choice in preference to any other.
_3d._ The troops that were with Gen. Harrison, consisting of mounted
riflemen and cavalry, three regiments, came to camp this morning from
St. Mary’s, which is 63 miles from Defiance. They came with speed,
to assist the troops commanded by Gen. Winchester. Gen. Harrison had
received information that all the British and Indian forces of Upper
Canada were on their way to meet Gen. Winchester at Defiance.
_4th._ There has been great murmuring in camp, on account of the
scarcity of provisions, which threatened a dissolution of this army.
Gen. Harrison having paraded the army, addressed them and said, there
were twenty-five thousand rations provided for this army at St.
Mary’s; this should be conveyed here as soon as possible, part of
which would be here to-day; he stated the consequence of such mutinous
complaints, and if this army would disperse, where could he get men who
would stand? He said every exertion for the supply of this army with
provisions and clothing, should be used. He informed us there would be
a number of troops from Pennsylvania and Virginia to join us, amounting
in all to ten thousand.
_5th._ A fatigue party of two hundred and forty men were employed to
rebuild Fort Defiance. There were a few men on the other side of the
river opposite to the fort. They discovered a party of Indians, twenty
or thirty in number; they took them to be those friendly Indians who
were with us; being not on their guard, they got close to them. Four or
five of the Indians fired at the same time; they killed and scalped one
of the men, and made their escape. The murder was committed not more
than three hundred yards from the encampment of the mounted riflemen
and cavalry, with Gen. Tupper at the head of them. Those murderers
were pursued immediately by two hundred horsemen; they pursued them in
scattered order. A small party overtook them five or six miles from
camp, and finding the enemy’s force superior they had to retreat.
_7th._ The principal part of the clothing which was left at Piqua,
came to camp; it has been greatly needed. A majority of the mounted
men who were ordered to the rapids, and drew ten days’ provisions for
_that expedition_, refused to march under Gen. Tupper; of course the
contemplated expedition failed, and they returned home, as their thirty
days were nearly expired.
_9th._ A few days ago, Frederick Jacoby, belonging to the 17th regiment
of United States infantry, was tried by a court-martial for sleeping on
his post--he was condemned to be shot. The troops paraded and formed in
a hollow square in close order, where the Rev. Mr. Shannon delivered a
short discourse on the occasion. The square was then displayed, so that
the army might witness the awful example of execution. The criminal
was marched from the provost guard with solemn music, under a guard of
a subaltern, sergeant, corporal, and twenty privates, to the place of
execution; there he was blindfolded; the guard stood a few steps from
him waiting the hour of execution! This was a solemn scene; a profound
silence was kept by all the troops. But fortunately for the criminal,
a reprieve arrived for him, just before the time of execution! The
General judged him not a man of sound mind.
The spies reported they had killed an Indian, but could not get his
scalp on account of other Indians; they stated there must be a large
body of Indians near, by their trails.
_10th._ In consequence of the above report of the spies, Colonel Wells
started with five hundred men in pursuit of the Indians; he pursued
their trails twelve or thirteen miles, but could not see an Indian.
_11th._ The General ordered we should move and encamp near where the
fort was building; this was, however, prevented by the inclemency
of the weather; it rained and the wind blew all day, which made our
situation very unpleasant. A man died in camp last night; he was buried
with the honors of war; he was escorted to the grave in solemn order,
and, after a short discourse by the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, six men fired
three rounds over the grave; this was the first scene of the kind
witnessed in our camp.
_14th._ We moved to the fort, and received a supply of provisions
(salt, flour, and whiskey); we had been without salt ever since the
7th, and without flour two days.
_16th._ A detachment of one hundred men was sent this morning six miles
below the fort, to a suitable place of timber to build pirogues.
_18th._ (_Sunday._) The troops marched to the centre, agreeably to a
general order, to hear the Rev. Mr. Shannon preach a sermon suited
to the times. While he was zealously engaged there were six or seven
guns fired down the river in quick succession; this alarmed the whole
congregation--every one flew to his arms and left the speaker alone.
The alarm originated from a pirogue party, who had just arrived with a
pirogue for a supply of provisions.
_19th._ The fort was finished and christened “_Fort Winchester_.” It is
composed of four block-houses, a hospital and storehouse, and picketed
between each block-house, containing about a quarter of an acre.
_20th._ The General issued an order for the troops to be assembled
every morning at 9 o’clock, at such places near the encampment, as the
commanding officers might deem convenient, and cause the rolls to be
called, and mark all delinquents; and there, until 12 o’clock, practice
the manual exercise, and manœuvre according to Smith’s instructions for
infantry.
_27th._ In consequence of Gen. Winchester’s receiving information,
he issued an order respecting clothing, which will show a flattering
prospect of being supplied, an extract of which is as follows:--
“GENERAL ORDERS.--_Fort Winchester, Oct. 27, 1812._
“With great pleasure the General announces to the army the prospect
of an early supply of winter clothing, amongst which are the
following articles exported from Philadelphia on the 9th of September
last, viz. 10,000 pairs of shoes, 5,000 blankets, 5,000 round
jackets, 5,000 pairs of pantaloons, woollen cloth, to be made and
forwarded to the westward immediately; besides the winter clothing
for Col. Wells’s regiment some days before; 1,000 watch-coats,
ordered from Philadelphia the 7th of October, 1812. September 24th,
5,000 blankets and 1,000 yards of flannel. 25th, 10,000 pairs of
shoes. 29th, 10,000 pairs of woollen hose, 10,000 do. socks.
“Yet a few days and the General consoles himself with the idea of
seeing those whom he has the honor to command clad in warm woollen,
capable of resisting the _northern blasts of Canada_.
“J. WINCHESTER,
“_Brigadier-Gen. Commanding Left Wing N. W. Army_.”
_29th._ A fatigue party, consisting of three captains, three
subalterns, three sergeants, three corporals, and one hundred and
fifty privates was detached this morning, superintended by Gen. Payne,
to clear the way on the opposite side of the river, so as to make the
view more extensive from the fort. The spies caught a prisoner fifteen
or twenty miles below this place; he said he was just from Detroit; he
was suspected as a spy, but he denied it; he said he deserted from the
British, who had had him in confinement some time in consequence of his
not taking the oath to be true to them.
Fort Winchester is situated near the point between the Maumee and
Auglaze rivers, and is a handsome place; it is predicted by some to
become in a few years a populous city. The greater part of the land
in the adjacent country is rich, and when improved will be equal, if
not superior, to any in the western country. The Auglaze River empties
into Great Miami, which runs a north course to Fort Winchester, and is
navigable a considerable distance.
_November 2._ We moved across the River Maumee, opposite the point; it
is a high piece of ground and very level, but in some degree wet and
marshy: this movement was in order to get convenient to firewood.
_3d._ This late place of encampment is found not to answer a good
purpose; therefore the General thought it expedient to move from this
to a piece of ground one-half mile lower down the river. As there were
only a few wagons, one regiment moved at a time--from 12 o’clock till
after sunset before the last arrived at the place of destination. This
last place appears to be very marshy, but not so much so as the former.
It is very difficult to get a good place for an encampment at this
time, as we have had several rainy days.
_4th._ The troops have been engaged in fortifying this late place
of encampment with breastworks, so that we may be prepared for our
enemies, should they think proper to pay us a visit; the weather is
very rainy, which makes our situation extremely unpleasant, though not
more so than we could expect from the climate and season. Four of this
army have gone to the silent tomb to-day, never more to visit their
friends in Kentucky; the fever is very prevalent in camp; nearly every
day there is one or more buried.
_7th._ We received information from Kentucky by passengers, of a
quantity of clothing coming out for the volunteers. By every account
from that quarter, the roads are almost impassable. Major Garrard,
and six of the spies, started to the Rapids this morning. This river
abounds greatly with fish; large quantities have been caught with
traps, and also with hooks and lines.
_9th._ Major Garrard, and those men with him, returned from the
Rapids. They made discoveries of a large quantity of corn, and some
hogs, and cattle, and a few Indians.
_10th._ The army moved six miles down the river, in order to be better
accommodated with suitable ground for camping, and to build more
pirogues. This encampment is the dryest we have been at for some time;
the land and timber are not inferior to any. I trust this country
was designed for a more noble purpose than to be a harbor for those
rapacious savages, whose manners and deportment are not more elevated
than the ravenous beasts of the forest. I view the time not far
distant, when this country will be interspersed with elegant farms and
flourishing towns, and be inhabited by a free and independent people,
under an auspicious republic.
_15th._ A detachment of six captains, six subalterns, six sergeants,
six corporals, and three hundred and eighty-six privates, started with
six days’ provision, this morning, at reveille beating, to the Rapids,
under the command of Col. Lewis.
_17th._ Col. Lewis, with his detachment, returned about twelve o’clock,
after a laborious march of sixty miles. About eighteen miles below this
place, he was overtaken by an express from Gen. Winchester, who had
received intelligence of Gen. Tupper, with five hundred men, being
at the Rapids, who had discovered a body of Indians, six or seven
hundred in number, drinking and dancing. Gen. Tupper, thinking this
a good opportunity to attack them, attempted to cross the river, two
miles above; he and two hundred of his men effected this, through great
difficulty; in wading across some fell in the water and lost their
guns, which discouraged the rest, so that Gen. Tupper could not execute
his design. This intelligence animated the troops commanded by Col.
Lewis, so that they wanted to continue on that night, without stopping,
and attack the enemy before day. Col. Lewis thought proper to halt, and
send an express to Gen. Tupper, for both parties to meet at Roche de
Baut,[D] six miles above the Indian encampment, and unite their forces,
and surprise the enemy.
The express returned at three o’clock in the morning, and reported,
he had been at Gen. Tupper’s encampment; at the entrance of which, he
saw a man, dead, scalped, and stripped. He concluded that Gen. Tupper
was defeated. This news changed the course of Col. Lewis, not knowing
their force. The General has thought proper to have this place strongly
fortified with breastworks, four and a half feet high.
_18th._ One of the sentinels of the bullock guard discharged the
contents of his gun at an Indian, as he thought, a few miles below
camp, where the bullocks were grazing; the guard deserted the bullocks,
and retreated to camp. A party was immediately sent in pursuit of the
Indians, and behold! they found Michael Paul cutting a bee-tree.
_20th._ Ruddell returned, who was sent on the _17th_ to reconnoitre
the Rapids, and Tupper’s encampment. He discovered a large body of
Indians at the Rapids. He was through Tupper’s encampment, where it was
supposed he was defeated He saw the man that was scalped and stripped,
and he thought Tupper had retreated, instead of being defeated.
_22d._ Smith and his party of spies had a little skirmish near
Wolftown. Early in the morning they were eating their breakfasts; one
of them started to get a drink of water; he had only got a few steps
when an Indian fired and wounded him, but not mortally. After snapping
twice, he fired and wounded an Indian. Several guns were fired by the
Indians afterwards, but no injury was sustained. In returning to camp
the wounded man was sent on some distance before, while part of them
remained in the rear as a guard.
Capt. Logan, Capt. John, and another Indian, started to the Rapids
with the determination to establish their characters (for they were
suspected by some to be traitors). Between this and the Rapids, as they
were rising a bank, they met seven Indians and a British officer, who
took them prisoners, but let them carry their own guns. After taking
them some considerable distance, they were determined to liberate
themselves or fall a sacrifice. They succeeded in killing at the same
time, the British officer[E] and two of the Indians; they stated Logan
killed the second, but he got badly wounded through the body; one of
the other Indians that were with him got wounded, but not mortally. The
two wounded got on two horses that belonged to the dead and rode to
camp, leaving Capt. John to take scalps.
_23d._ Capt. John came in camp this morning with a scalp; he said it
was the scalp of a Pottowatomie chief (Wynemack); he broke his knife in
scalping him, which prevented him from scalping the others.
_24th._ Logan died, and was much lamented by the men generally,
believing him to be true to the United States, and a brave soldier.
_December 1._ The troops are engaged in building huts, which are far
preferable to tents.
_2d._ The General has issued an order for the camp to be picketed,
which is three-quarters of a mile round. It is on the north side of
the river, and is composed of three lines. Col. Wells’s regiment on
the right, Col. Scott’s, Lewis’s, and part of Allen’s in front, the
remaining part of Allen’s on the left, the river in the rear. The
pickets were nearly completed in one day, two feet in the ground and
eight feet above.
_10th._ The General has given orders to the commanding officers of
regiments to cause each of their companies to be provided with a good
pirogue sufficient to carry its own baggage, and cause all those who
are without shoes to make themselves moccasons out of green hides.
There are many who have not shoes and clothes sufficient to keep
them from freezing, should we move from here while they are in
this condition; the clothes that the General flattered us with the
expectation, and the clothes subscribed by the Kentuckians being not
yet received, except a small part of the latter.
_13th._ Smith and his party returned from the Rapids, who started
two days ago in a canoe; they did not go far before they left the
canoe, on account of the ice, and travelled by land; some of them were
dangerously frostbitten.
_14th._ An express arrived in camp, certifying that the boats which
started from St. Mary’s on the 4th, laden with flour and clothing, were
frozen up in St. Mary’s River, and the escort was building a house to
store the loading in.
_15th._ Capt. Hickman started this morning to forward flour and
clothing immediately on packhorses.
_16th._ We have drawn no flour since the 10th, in consequence of which
there was a letter handed to the General last night secretly, which
stated that the volunteers in two days, except flour came before
that time, would start and go to it; and they would carry their
camp equipage to the fort if the General required it. This news was
soon circulated through camp. The officers used every argument to
suppress the appearance of a mutiny. A court-martial was held at Capt.
Williams’s marquee to try John Hoggard, a private in Capt. Price’s
company, for some misdemeanor. He was condemned to be drummed out of
camp. Col. Lewis paraded his regiment, and had him escorted with the
fife and drum from one end of his line to the other. So he was legally
discharged from the army. The most common punishment in camp for
criminals is that of _riding the wooden horse_, or being put _under
guard on half rations_. All the beef and pork was issued to the troops
this evening; our dependence for the next ration is on a drove of hogs
that has been expected several days!
_17th._ Three hundred head of hogs arrived to our relief.
_20th._ The weather is excessively cold; the ice has stopped the
navigation of the river, so that the plan of going to the Rapids by
water is entirely frustrated; we had prepared about sixty pirogues for
the voyage, which will be left here for our successors.
_21st._ The General has ordered the commandants of regiments to cause
each company to be provided with a sufficient number of sleds to convey
their baggage to the Rapids. It is said these sleds are to be pulled by
the men, as we have not a horse in camp able to pull an empty sled.
_22d._ A little flour came to camp once more; quarter-rations of that
article were issued, which was welcomed by rejoicing throughout camp:
_24th._ Capt. Hickman returned with joyful news--that we should in a
short time be supplied with flour. The deficiency of this article had
produced serious consequences in the army. We have here been exposed to
numberless difficulties, as well as deprived of the common necessaries
of life; and what made these things operate more severely was, all
hopes of obtaining any conquest was entirely abandoned. Obstacles had
emerged in the path to victory, which must have appeared insurmountable
to every person endowed with common sense. The distance to Canada, the
unpreparedness of the army, the scarcity of provisions, and the badness
of the weather, show that Malden cannot be taken in the remaining
part of our time. And would it not have been better if this army had
been disbanded? Our sufferings at this place have been greater than
if we had been in a severe battle. More than one hundred lives have
been lost, owing to our bad accommodations! The sufferings of about
three hundred sick at a time, who are exposed to the cold ground and
deprived of every nourishment, are sufficient proofs of our wretched
condition! The camp has become a loathsome place. The hope of being one
day relieved from these unnecessary sufferings affords some relief. We
received this evening a supply of flour, and have been delivered from a
state of starvation. It being Christmas eve, just after dark, a number
of guns were fired in quick succession; the whole army was ordered to
parade in order of battle; strict orders were given to suppress the
firing. About an hour before day the firing commenced again; the army
was again paraded and strict orders given, threatening to punish the
offenders.
_27th._ Part of the clothing arrived from Kentucky.
_29th._ We are now about commencing one of the most serious marches
ever performed by the Americans. Destitute, in a measure, of clothes,
shoes, and provisions, the most essential articles necessary for the
existence and preservation of the human species in this world, and more
particularly in this cold climate. Three sleds are prepared for each
company, each to be pulled by a packhorse, which has been without food
for two weeks, except brush, and will not be better fed while in our
service; probably the most of these horses never had harness on, but
the presumption is they will be too tame; we have prepared harness out
of green hides.
_30th._ After nearly three months’ preparation for this expedition,
we commenced our march in great splendor; our elegant equipage cast a
brilliant lustre on the surrounding objects as it passed! our clothes
and blankets looked as if they had never been acquainted with water,
but intimately with dirt, smoke, and soot; in fact, we have become
acquainted with one much despised in Kentucky, under whose government
we are obliged to live, whose name is “_Poverty_.” We marched six miles
and encamped near Col. Wells’s regiment, which marched yesterday; the
sick were left at No. Third, with a company from each regiment as a
guard.