During the continuance of the Indian wars, from 1790 to 1795, it was
customary for the inmates of all the garrisons to cultivate considerable
fields of Indian corn and other vegetables near the walls of their
defences. Although hazardous in the extreme, it was preferable to
starvation. For a part of that time no provisions could be obtained from
the older settlements above, on the Monongahela and Ohio; sometimes from a
scarcity amongst themselves, and always at great hazard from Indians, who
watched the river for the capture of boats. Another reason was the want of
money; many of the settlers having expended a large share of their funds
in the journey on, and for the purchase of lands, while others had not a
single dollar; so that necessity compelled them to plant their fields. The
war having commenced so soon after their arrival, and at a time when not
expected, as a formal treaty was made with them at Marietta, in January,
1789, which by the way was only a piece of Indian diplomacy, they never
intended to abide by it longer than suited their convenience, and no
stores being laid up for a siege, they were taken entirely unprepared. So
desperate were their circumstances at one period, that serious thoughts of
abandoning the country were entertained by many of the leading men. Under
these circumstances R. J. Meigs, then a young lawyer, was forced to lay
aside the gown, and assume the use of both the sword and plough. It is
true that but little ploughing was done, as much of the corn was then
raised by planting the virgin soil with a hoe, amongst the stumps and logs
of the clearing, after burning off the brush and light stuff. In this way
large crops were invariably produced; so that nearly all the implements
needed were the axe and the hoe. It so happened that Mr. Meigs, whose
residence was in Campus Martius, the garrison on the east side of the
Muskingum river, had planted a field of corn on the west side of that
stream in the vicinity of Fort Harmar. To reach this field the river was
to be crossed near his residence in a canoe, and the space between the
landing and his crop, a distance of about half a mile, to be passed by an
obscure path through a thick wood.
[Illustration: AN INDIAN WARRIOR.]
Early in June, 1792, Mr. Meigs, having completed the labor of the day a
little before night, set out on his return home in company with Joseph
Symonds and a colored boy, which he had brought with him as a servant from
Connecticut. Immediately on leaving the field they entered the forest
through which they had to pass before reaching the canoe. Symonds and the
boy were unarmed; Mr. Meigs carried a small shot-gun, which he had taken
with him for the purpose of shooting a turkey, which at that day abounded
to an extent that would hardly be credited at this time. Flocks of several
hundred were not uncommon, and of a size and fatness that would excite the
admiration of an epicure of any period of the world, even of Apicius
himself. Meeting, however, with no turkies, he had discharged his gun at a
large snake which crossed his path. They had now arrived within a few rods
of the landing, when two Indians, who had been for some time watching
their movements and heard the discharge of the gun, sprang into the path
behind them, fired and shot Symonds through the shoulder. He being an
excellent swimmer, rushed down the bank and into the Muskingum river;
where, turning on his back, he was enabled to support himself on the
surface until he floated down near Fort Harmar, where he was taken up by a
canoe. His wound, although a dangerous one, was healed, and he was alive
twenty years afterwards. The black boy followed Symonds into the river as
far as he could wade, but being no swimmer, was unable to get out of reach
of the Indian who pursued them, and was seized and dragged on shore. The
Indian who had captured him was desirous of making him a prisoner, which
he so obstinately refused, and made so much resistance that he finally
tomahawked and scalped him near the edge of the water. To this alternative
he was in a manner compelled, rather than lose both prisoner and scalp, as
the rangers and men at Campus Martius had commenced firing at him from the
opposite shore. The first shot was fired by a spirited black man in the
service of Commodore Abraham Whipple, who was employed near the river at
the time.
From some accident, it appears that only one of the Indians was armed with
a rifle, while the other had a tomahawk and knife. After Symonds was shot,
Mr. Meigs immediately faced about in order to retreat to Fort Harmar. The
savage armed with the rifle, had placed himself in the path, intending to
cut off his escape, but had no time to reload before his intended victim
clubbed his gun and rushed upon his antagonist. As he passed, Mr. Meigs
aimed a blow at his head, which the Indian returned with his rifle. From
the rapidity of the movement, neither of them were seriously injured,
although it staggered both considerably, yet neither fell to the ground.
Instantly recovering from the shock, he pursued his course to the fort
with the Indian close at his heels. Mr. Meigs was in the vigor of early
manhood, and had, by frequent practice in the race, become a very swift
runner. His foeman was also very fleet, and amongst the most active of
their warriors, as none but such were sent into the settlements on
marauding excursions. The race continued for sixty or eighty rods with
little advantage on either side, when Mr. Meigs gradually increased his
distance ahead, and leaping across a deep run that traversed the path, the
Indian stopped on the brink, threw his tomahawk, and gave up the pursuit
with one of those fierce yells which rage and disappointment both served
to sharpen. It was distinctly heard at both the forts. About sixteen years
since, an Indian tomahawk was ploughed up near this spot, and was most
probably the one thrown at Mr. Meigs; as the rescue and pursuit from Fort
Harmar was so immediate upon hearing the alarm, that he had no time to
recover it. With the scalp of the poor black boy, the Indians ascended the
abrupt side of the hill which overlooked the garrison, and shouting
defiance to their foes, escaped in the forest.
The excitement was very great at the garrison, and taught the inmates a
useful lesson; that of being better armed and more on their guard when
they went out on agricultural pursuits. Had Mr. Meigs tried any other
expedient than that of facing his enemy and rushing instantly upon him, he
must have lost his life, as the Indian was well aware of his gun being
unloaded. On his right was the river, on his left a very high hill; beyond
him the pathless forest, and between him and the fort his Indian foe. To
his sudden and unexpected attack, to his dauntless and intrepid manner,
and to his activity, he undoubtedly owed his life.