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

^ :.

973.524

K41cl

1606771

REYNOLDS HISTORFCAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION

fL'-^N.CO'J''''''' PUBLIC LIBRARY

II II I nil II ll|l I ll||l|l| ll|l I III

3 1833 01082 1087

A
KENTUCKY

FOR

ST

!iii

A

JOURNAL,

COXTAINIXG

Sin ^[ccurate anti Entrrcsting Slccoimt ,

OF THE

HARDSHIPS, SUFFERINGS, BATTLES, DEFEAT
AND CAPTIVITY,

OF THOSE HEROIC

KENTUCKY
VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS,

COMMANDED BY

GENERAL WINCHESTER,

In the Years 18I-J-13.

TWO NARRATIVES,

By Men that were "Wounded in the Battles on the River
Raisin, and taken Captive by the Indians.

BY ELIAS DARNALL.

—■«»«©*•«<• —

PARIS. KENTL'CKY

PRINTED BY JOEL R. LYLE

1813

160S771
PREFACE.

The Author of this Journal wrote it for his own satis-
faction. When he returned home he was induced to
show it to a number of his acquaintances for their infor-
mation. Several on whose judgment he could rely, re-
quested 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 con-
scious that he sought the most correct information, and
that he endeavoured to communicate it in a plain, perspi-
cuous style. If he has made any important mistakes,
should those interested convince him of them, in a friend-
ly way, he will use the best means in his power to cor-
rect 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 ap-
plied 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 responsiblr. for the truth of them.

The whole is, with diffidence, submitted to the candour
of a generous public, by

ELIAS DARNELL,

The Autlior and Editor.

Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive

in 2010 witli funding from

Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

http://www.archive.org/details/journalcontaininOOindarn

JOURNAL OF THE CAMPAIGN,

<SfC. <^c.

For a few years past, differences existed be-
tween the United States of America and the
Kingdom of Great Britain. Every possible
means had been used on the part of the execu-
tive and legislative departments of the general
government of the United Slates, to adjust
those differences upon honourable and equita-
ble terms. But Great Biitain 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 impress-
ing the citizens of the United Slates into the
service of his Majesty, and employing the sa-
vages 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 prosecuiion of the war,
in order to hasten a speedy and honourable
peace.

A 2

6 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

General Hull, having been appointed by tne
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 volun-
teer 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, Au-
gust 15th, 1812, to wit:

The first regiment was commanded by Colo-
nel John M. Scott, the fifth regiment was com-
manded 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 briga-
dier general Payne,

16th. The troops paraded early in the morn-
ing, 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 honourable 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;

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 7

these, to fix an odlUm upon them, were drum-
med 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 send en-
camping. These hardships tended a little to
quench the excessive patriotic flame that had
blazed so conspicuously at the different mus-
ters and barbecues.

Here we received information of General
Hull's having surrendered Detroit and Michi-
gan territory to General Brock, on the 15th of
this inst., while in possession of the necessary
means to have held that post against the forces
of Upper Canada.* This we could not believe

* To prove that this surrender was not in consequence
of the want of ammunition and provisions, it is sufficient
to state upon tiie authority of official information, that
there were thirty-three pieces of cannon, twenty-five of
which were brass and eight iron, which were well man-
ned, and supplied with ammunition.

For the muskets, seventy-five thousand cartridges were
made up, besides twenty-four rounds in the cartouch box
of each man.

In the magazine were sixty barrels of powder, and one
hundred and fifty tons of lead.

In the contractor's store, were at least twenty-five
days provision; and in the adjacent country, considerable
supplies could have been had, besides three hundred head
of cattle, under an escort commanded by Captain Brush,
at the river Raisin.

AN OHIO VOLUNTEER.

8 WINCHESTEK S CAMPAIGN.

until confirmed by hand-billis and jjood autho-
rity; when thus confirmed, it appeared to make
serious impressions on the minds of officers
and privates. Those high expectations ot" par-
ticipating with General Hull in the laurels to
be acquired by the conquest of Maiden 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.

" Head- Quarters, Cincinnati, August 28, 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 baggagp 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 contem-
plated by the commander-in-chief, for the or-
der of march and battle. The principal fea-
ture in all these evolutions, is that of a batta-
lion 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

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 9

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 posi-
tion 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 mancEuvre may be per-
formed 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 re-
ceived joyfully by all the troops as commander-
in-chief, with three cheers.

Sept. 1st. 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 woundec^. We arrived at
Piqua, Sept. 3d, thirty miles from Dayton, on
the Big Miami.

4th. Received information of the critical si-
tuation of Fort Wayne. Col. Allen's* regi-

• Colonel Allen stopped at St. Mary's, for the remain-
ing part of the army.

10 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

ment, and two companies from Col. 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 neces-
sity of such regulations and restrictions in an
army, and if there v/ere 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 Col. Scott's regiment,
made a choice of returning home, rather than
submit to those terms. Some of his acquaint-
ances 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'Gow-
en's company was accidentally shot through
the body by one of the sentinels; the surgeon
thought it mortal.* We marched four miles

* He died in a few days.

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. I I

and encamped near the river St. Mary's, one
mile from the fort. General Harrison called
the army together and stated, through emer-
gency, 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 1 1
o'clock and at 3, we were alarmed by the sen-
tinels 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.

" Head- Quarters, Second Crossing of St. Mary's,
" September 10th, 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 di-
rected. When a sentinel discharges his gun

12 Winchester's CAMPAIGN.

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 sen-
tinel appear to have proceeded from a cause
not sufficient to give an alarm, the officer of
the guard will immediately call out, "a// is
well," which will be repeated through the army.
The same thing will take place upon an acci-
dental 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 Col. Lewis's regiment and
Col. 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 bring-
ing up that battalion to form on the flank of
the front line. The second battalion of Col.
Lewis's and Col. Allen's regiments, will in all
cases close up as the leading battalions shall
advance, and make room for them. Capt.
Garrard's troop, forming the rear guard, will
also close up and act as circumstances may
require.

" William H. Harrison,

" Maj. Gen. Commanding."

10th. The order of march for the infantry
was as follows: the first and fifth regiments

Winchester's campaign. 13

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 Col. Adams's battalions of Ohio vo-
lunteers, 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 vo-
lunteers formed the right flank guard of the
army, at the distance of three hundi'cd 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 in-
fantry for the left flank guard; Capt. 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 wateV. We fortified this
place very strongly with timber. At I 1 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

B

14 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

made. We sloocl in order of battle for some
time. The watch-word was ^^Jight on," after
which this place was called " fort fight on."

12th. We continued our march towards
Fort Wayne, with as much caution as the na-
ture of our hurrying would adinit; we ex-
pected to meet witli the enemy before we
reached the fort. In a certain well known
swamp through which we had to pass, we
thought probal)ly the enemy would harbour.
We passed the swamp unmolested for a mile,
we were then alarmed. The rear battalions
formed in order of battle, hut saw no enemy to
fight; we immediately resumed our march.
This alarm and the one the night preceding,
seemed to shake the boasted valour 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 fa-
milies. 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 Capt. Ray, the commanding officer of the
garrison, who would have surrendered to the

Winchester's CAMPAIGN. 15

savages, had it not been for his lieutenant, who
defended the fort with great bravery. Three
Indians were killed, and a few wounded. Capt.
Ray was arrested, and would have been broken
had he not resigned. The fort was well pro-
vided 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: situa-
tions I ever saw, and must be an important
place to the United States. Three weeks ago
the neighbourhood 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 hun-
dred 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 considera-
ble. 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° 40';
N. long. 1 1° 5', west from the meridian of
Philadelphia.

We were alarmed bv the report of some
guns which were fired by the sentinels; we
formed in order of battle for half an hour, dur-
ing which time it rained very hard, and ren-

16 Winchester's campaign.

dered many of our guns unfit to do execution,
except the bayonets. The alarm must have
proceeded from the timidity of the sentinels.

I4th. The whole force was divided and
placed under the command of Gen. Payne and
Col. Wells. Gen. Payne's command was com-
posed of Col. Lewis's regiment, Col. Allen's,
and Captain Garrard's iroop. Col. Wells's
command was composed of Col. Scott's regi-
ment, the regulars, and the mounted riflemen.
Gen. Payne was instructed to destroy the
Miami towns at the forks of the Wabash.
Col. Wells was directed against the Poltowa-
tomies' village at Elkheart. Gen. Harrison
thought proper to go with Gen. 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 corn-field, two miles from our encamp-
ment; here all the wagons and baggage were
left, and Capt. Langhorne's company as a
guard; from this place we maiched 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,
iu which there were fresh signs of Indians.

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 17

We cut up tiieir corn and jnil it in piles, sixty
or eighty acres, so tliat it might rot. A va-
riety 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
Gen. Hai-rison. 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 W;\s laid on his blanket,
his head towards sunrise, his rifle by his side,
his tin pan on his breast, wdth a spoon in it.
He was ornamented in their style, with ear-
rings, brooches. Sec. 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 for-
tified against the enemy with rails, so that he
would have been able to have held his place
against a considerable force. We took some
refi-eshments and pursued our journey, and en-
camped 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 di-
vision returned this evening from their route,
which was fifty miles from Fort Wayne, on the
B 2

18 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

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 wound-
ed a man as he was feeding his horse, believ-
ing 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 autiiorized by the general govern-
ment, as commander of this army, tiie com-
mand, 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. Win-
chester. 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. Winches-
ter being a stranger, and having the appear-
ance of a supercilious officei-, he was generally
disliked. His assuming the command almost
occasioned a mutiny in campj this was pre-
vented by the solicitation of some of the officers
to go on.

20th. The Kentucky mounted riflemen start-
ed 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.

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 15

The following general order, will show Gen.
Winchester's order of inarch.

" General Orders.— Fort Wayne, Sept.22d, J812.

"The army vvill march in the following order,
to wii: the guard in front in three lines, two
deep in the road, and in Indian file on the
flanks, at the distance of fii'ty 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 re-
mainder of the infantry to march on the flanks
in the following order: Col. Wells's and Al-
len's regiments on the right, and Scott's and
Lewis's on the left.

" The general and brigade baggage, commis-
saries' 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 ac-
cording to the rank of the commanding officers
of the respective regiments. The officers com-
manding corps, previous to their marching,
will cause the arms and ammunition to be
carefully examined, and will see that they are

20 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

in good order. They will also be particularly
carel'ul that the men do not waste their car-
tridges. 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 wagonmaster will attend to the
loading of the wagons, and see that the differ-
ent articles are put in, in good order, and that
each wagon and team cairy a reasonable load.
The hour of niarch 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 Winciiester.

" Brigadier General."

26lh. 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 tomahawk-
ed 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

WINXHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 21

in the ancle by an Indian. They fired on the
Indians, and with the assistance of Capt. Gar-
rard, 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 Indiansj
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 exe-
cute 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.

29lh. We continued on the same encamp-
ment, five miles from Defiance, and forty-five
from Fort Wayne. The spies and horse troop
Avere 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 re-
treated; and fortunately for them they did so.
Our industry in fortifying the camp with
breastworks, and the caution and vigilance
with which it was guarded, would have render-
ed us able to have maintained our ground

22 WINCHKSTEK S CAMPAIGN.

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.

30lh. 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 con-
venient 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. 1st. Col. Lewis, with a detachment of
three hundred and eighty men, started early
this morning to pursue the Indians and Bri-
tish: they crossed the Auglaze river, and pro-
ceeded down the Maumee seven or eight miles,
but could see nothing more than the appear-
ance of the enemy retreating.

2d. Gen. Harrison arrived here with about
one hundred mounted troops, and two days' ra-
tions ol Hour. We have been without bread
four days. We were informed Gen. Har-
rison was appointed commander-in-chief of the
North-Western Army; this was pleasing news
to the ti-oops, as he was their choice in pre-
ference to any other.

"^d. The troops that were with Gen. Harri-

Winchester's campaign. 23

son, consisting of mounted riflemen and cavalry,
three regiments, came to camp this morning
from St. Mary's, which is 63 miles from Defi-
ance. 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 theii" 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, ad-
dressed 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 consequences of such muti-
nous complaints, and if this army would dis
perse, 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 De-
fiance. 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 o£

24 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

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 hurwlred yards from the encamp-
ment 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 con-
templated expedition failed, and they returned
home, as their thirty days were nearly expired

9th. A few days ago, Frederick Jacoby, be-
longing to the 17th regiment of United States
infantry, was tried by a court-martial for sleep-
ing 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. Shan-
non delivered a short discourse on the occasion.
The square was then displayed, so that the
army might witness the awful example of ex-
ecution. 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! Thi?

Winchester's campaign. 25

was a solemn scenej 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 a 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 hun-
dred men in pursuit of the Indians, he pursued
their trails twelve or thirteen miles, but could
not see an Indian.

11 ih. The general ordered we should move
and encamp near where the fort was buildingj
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 honours of war; he was escorted to the
grave in solemn order, and after a short dis-
course 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
perogues.

iSth. (Sunday.) The troops marched to the

26 Winchester's campaign.

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 perogue party, who had just
arrived with a perogue, for a supply of pro-
visions.

19th. The fort was finished, and christened,
"/or/ IVinchester." It is composed of four
block-houses, a hospital and store-house, 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 ofBcers might deem con-
venient, and cause the rolls to be called, and
mark all delinquents; and there, until twelve
o'clock, practise the manual exercise, and ma-
noeuvre according to Snath's insiruciions for
infantry.

27th. In consequence of Gen. ^Vinchester'9
receiving information, he issued an oider re-
specting clothing, which will show a flattering
prospectof being supplied — an extract of which
is as follows: —

^^ General Orders. — Fort Winchester,
''October 21th, 1812.

" With great pleasure, the general announces
to the army, the prospect of an early supply of
winter clothing; amongst which are the fol-

Winchester's campaign. 27

lowing articles exported from Philadelphia, on
the 9th of Septemljer -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 Colonel Wells's
regiment, some days before; 1000 watch-coats,
ordered from Philadelphia, the 7th of October,
1812. September 24th, 5000 blankets, and
1000 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 honour to command, clad in warm
woollen, capable of resisting the northern blasts
of Canada.

" J. WiNCHESTEH, Brigadier- General,

"Commanding Left Wing, K. W. Army."
29th. A fatigue party, consisting of three
captains, three subalteins, three sergeants,
three corporals, and one hundred and fifty pri-
vates, was detached this morning, superintend-
ed by Gen. Payne, to clear the way on the op-
posite 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 conse-
quence (jf his not taking the oaih to be true
to them.

Fort Winchester is situated near the point

28 Winchester's campaign.

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 considera-
ble distance.

November 2d. 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 fire-wood.

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 ar-
rived, at the place of destination. This last
place appears to be very marshy, hut 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 forti-
fying 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

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 29

from the climate and season. Four of this
army have gone to the silent tomb to-day,
never moie 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 Ken-
tucky by passengers, of a quantity of clothing
coming out for the volunteers. By every ac-
count from that quarter, the roads me almost
impassable. Major Gai'rard, and six of the
spies, started to th^e 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 perogues. This encampment is the dry-
est 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 harbour for those rapa-
cious 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 fiee and independent people,
under an auspicious lepublic.

15th. A detachment of six captains, six su-
c 2

30 Winchester's campaign.

balterns, six sergeanta, 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.

1 7th. Col. Lewis, with his detachment, re-
turned about twelve o'clock, after a laborious
march of sixty miles. About eighteen miles
below this place, he was overtaken by an ex-
press 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, effect-
ed 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,* six miles above the Indian encamp-
ment, and unite their forces, and surprise the
enemy.

The express returned at three oclock in
the morning, and reported, he had been at

* Pronounced Rushdeboo.

Winchester's campaign. 31

■Gen. Tupper's encampment; at the entrance
of which, he saw a man, dead, scalped and
stripped. He concluded Gen. Tupper was
defeated. This news changed the course of
Col. Lewis, not knowing their force. The
general has thouglit 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 pur-
suit 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 Tup-
per'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 lit-
tle 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 snap-
ping twice, he fired and wounded an Indian.
Several guns were fired by the Indians after-
wards, but no injury was sustained. In return-
ing to camp the wounded man was sent on

32 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN'.

some distance before, while part of them re-
mained 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 tliey 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 con-
siderable distance, they were determined to li-
berate themselves or fall a sacrifice. They
succeeded in killing at tlie same time, the Bri-
tish officer* 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 the scalps.

23d. Capt. John came in camj) this morning
with a scalp, he said it was the scalp of a Pot-
towatamie chief (VVynemack); he broke his
knife in scalping him, which pjrevented 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 1st. The troops are engaged in
building huts, which are far preferable to tents.

2d. The general has issued an order for the

* We learned since, the British officer was Col. Elliott'*
son, and was probably a Captain.

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 33

camp to be picketted, 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 re-
maining 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.

lOih. The general has given orders to the
commanding officers of regiments to cause
each of their companies to be provided with a
good perogue sufficient to carry its own bag-
gage, and cause all those who are without
shoes, to make themselves moccasins out of
green hides.

There are many who have not shoes and
clothes sufficient to keep thom from freezing,
should we move from here while they are
in this condition. The clothes that the gene-
ral 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 icr, and travelled by land.
Some of them were dangerously frost-bitten.

14th. An express arrived in camp, certifying
that the boats which started from St. Mary's
on the 4th, laden with flour ai;d clothing, were
frozen up in St. Mary's river, and the escort
was building a house to store the loading in.

04 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

15th. Capt. Hickman started this morning
10 forward flour and clothing immediately on
pack-horses.

16th. We have drawn no flour since the
10th, in consequence of which there was a let-
ter handed to the general last night, secretly,
which slated that the volunteers in two days,
except flour came hefore that time, would start
and go to it; caui ihey would carry their camp
equipage to the fori, if ihe general required it.
This nev.-s was soon circulated through camp.
The officers used every argument to suppress
llie appearance of a mutiny. A coii;-t-martial
was held at Capt. Williams's marquee to try
John Hoggard, a pi-ivaie in Capt. Price's com-
pany, for some misdemeanour: he was con-
demned to be drummed out of camp. Coi.
Lewis paraded his regiment and had him es-
corted with ihe fife and di-um from one end of
his line to the other. So he was legally dis-
charged 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 rationa. All the beef and pork
was issued to the troops this evening; our de-
pendence 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 lo the Rapids, by water,
is entirely frustiated. We had prepared about
sixty perogues for the voyage; which will be
left here for our successors.

160S771

winchestkr's campaign. 35

21st. The genei-al has ordered the com-
mandants of regiments to cause each company
to be provided with a sufficient number of
sleds, to convey their bagg-age to the Rapids.
It is said these sleds are to be pulled by the
men, as we have not a horse iu 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 tiiroughout
camp.

24th. Captain Hickman returned with joyful
news — that we should in a short time be sup-
plied with flour. The deficiency of this arti-
cle had produced serious consequences in the
army. We have here been exposed to num-
berless difficulties, as well as deprived of the
common necessaries of life. And what made
these things operate more severely was, ail
hopes of obtaining any conquest was entirely
abandoned. Obstacles had emerged in the
path to victory, which must have appeared in-
surmountable 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 Maiden cannot be taken in the re-
maining part of our time. And would it not
have been better, if this army had been dis-
banded? 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

36 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

a time, who are exposed to the cold ground,
and deprived of every nourishment, are suffi-
cient proofs of our wretched condition! The
camp has become a loathsome place. The
hope of being one day relieved from these un-
necessary suflerings, 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 num-
ber of p:uns were fired in quick succession;
the whole arm.y 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 Ken-
tucky.

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 es-
sential articles necessary for the existence and
preservation of the human species, in this
world, and more particularly in this cold cli-
mate. Three sleds are prepared for each com-
pany, each to be pulled l)y a pack-horse, which
has been without food for two weeks, except
brush, and will not be better fed while in our
service. Pi-obably 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' prepara-

Winchester's campaign. 37

tion for this expedition, we commenced our
march in great splendour. Our elegant equip-
ag'e 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 niaixhed six miles
and encamped near Col. Wells's regiment,
which marched yesterday. The sick were left
at No. Third, with a company from each regi-
ment as a guard.

January 10th. We arrived at Hull's road at
the Rapids, fifty miles from Fort Defiance, and
er.camped on a very high and suitable piece of
ground. The second day after we left No.
Third, the snow melted and the ground thaw-
ed, which operated much against our march.
We marched two miles, which tried the
strength and activity of our noble steeds. The
general, who remained behind at No. Third,
more properly styled '''•Fort Starvation" think-
ing probably to take the advantage of the
weather, (this moderate thaw had opened the
river in a ripple opposite to No. Third,) had
several perogues loaded with his baggage,
and manned immediately. After travelling
three or four hundred yards, they found that
they were blockaded with ice; they landed and
guarded the plunder, until arrangements could
be made for its transportation by land. The
weather took a change the second of .January.

38 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

It commenced snowing, and continued two days
and nights; after it ceased, it was from twenty
to twenty-four inches deep. During this time
we remained stationary. On the third the
army resumed its march, wading through a
deep snow. We had to stop early in the after-
noon to prepare our encampment; to rake the
snow away, make fires, and pitch our tents,
was no trifling task; and after this we had to
get bark or bushes to lie on; the linn, in this
case, was of great service to us. Many of the
horses gave out, and sleds broke down; conse-
quently, the plunder had to be pulled or carried
by the men. I have seen six Kentuckians sub-
stituted instead of a horse, pulling their plun-
der, drudging along through the snow, and
keeping pace with the foremost. In marching
to this place we came through some good land,
particularly the river bottoms, which are very
rich. Wolftown, which is about half way be-
tween Fort Defiance and the Rapids, is a hand-
some situation. This has formerly been an
Indian tov/n. We reached Roche De Baut
the 9th, four miles above Hull's road, a place
where some French had formerly lived. Early
next morning, (as cold a morning as the Ken-
tuckians ever experienced,) a detached party
of six hundred and seventy-six men, marched
in front of the baggage, and went on four miles
below the foot of the Rapids, in order to exa-
mine, if it were true, as said by some passengers
Irom the right wing of the army, that there
were six hundred Indians encamped and pick-
etted in, six miles below the Rapids. The de-

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN, 39

tachment marched witliin two milesof the place,
and sent spies, but they discovered no signs of
Indians. The party rennained all night and
partook of an elegant supper of parched corn,
and returned to camp in the morning.

1 Ith. Some fresh signs of Indians were seen
near this encampment, a detachment of twenty-
four men was sent immediately, under the
command of Capt. Williams. They had not
got far before they discovered the Indians; the
firing commenced on both sides nearly at the
same time. The Indians stood but a little
time before they ran, but not until they lost
some of their savage blood. Capt. Williams
pursued them some miles, but could not over-
take them. By the signs of blood, some of
them must have been badly wounded. They
left behind them two of their horses, a brass
kettle, and some other plunder. One of Capt.
Williams's men received a wound in the arm,
and another got shot through his hat. Capt.
Edmiston, who was one of the party, got his
gun shot through the breech.

lolh. Two Frenchmen came in camp last
night from the river Raisin, who received in-
formation of the army being here by those
Indians that Capt. Williams pursued, who got
there the night after the skirmish, and stopped
only a few minutes, and then went on to Mai-
den. Those Frenchmen solicited protection
and assistance, stating the abuse they had re-
ceived from the Indians, and the danger they
were in of losing their lives and property.

25th. Arrived in camp this morning, cloth-

40 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

ing from Kentucky. The ladies who sent this
clothing, deserve the highest encomiums. If
it had nut been for their unexampled exertions,
we must have suffered beyond conception.

May they long live under the auspicious
protection of a free govei-nment, and may kind
heaven reward their unparalleled benevolence!
Another Frenchman came to camp, confirming
what was stated by the others. We now began
to reci-uit after our laborious march, and after
being deprived of a sufficiency of provisions.
Although we have been without flour ever
since we came here, yet we have been better
supplied with provisions than we have been
since we embarked in the service. We have
here in possession many large fields of corn,
probably three hundred acres. We have erect-
ed a great many pounding machines, to pre-
pare it for our use. This place has a solemn
appearance. The inhabitants have fled, and
the Indians or British have burned their houses,
leaving some of the chimneys standing. By
every appearance, this has been a respectable
settlement. Four miles below our encamp-
ment, are the remains of the old British gar-
rison.

17th. A Frenchman came yesterday from
the river Raisin; he said two companies of
British had just arrived from Canada, and the
Indians were collecting, and intended to burn
Frenchtown in a few days. By the repeated
solicitations of the French, and being counselled
by some of the field officers, the general has
been induced to order out a detachment of five

Winchester's CAMPAIGN. 41

hundred and seventy men, destined to the river
Raisinj it was said, contrary to the instruc-
tions of Gen. Harrison. The detachment
started* early with three days' provisions, and
proceeded on twenty miles near to Presqu'
Isle, a French village on the south side of the
Maumee river. The sight of this village filled
each heart with emotions of cheerfulness and
joyi for we had been nearly five months in the
wilderness, exposed to every inconvenience,
and excluded from every thing that had the ap-
pearance of a civilized country. When the in-
habitants of the village discovered us, they met
us with a white flag, and expressed particular
friendship for us. They informed us the Bri-
tish and Indians had left Frenchtown a few
days ago, and had gone to Brownstown. About
three hours after dark, a reinforcement of one
hundred and ten men overtook us, commanded
by Col. Allen. Some time in the latter part of
the night, an express came from the river
Raisin, informing Col. Lewis there were four
hundred Indians and two companies of British
there, and that Col. Elliott was to start the next
morning from Maiden, with a reinforcement.
18th. We started early, in order to get there
before Col. Elliott. After travelling fifteen
miles, mostly on the ice, we received informa-
tion of the enemy being there, waiting for us.
We were then within three miles of French-
town. We proceeded on with no other view

* The French, who were looking at us when we start-
ed, were hearth to say, we were not men •nough.
D 2

42 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

than to conquer or die. When we advanced in
sight of the town and were about a quarter of
a mile from it, the British saluted us by the
firing of a piece of cannon. They fired it three
times, but no injury was sustained. During
this time we formed the line of battle, and rais-
ing a shout* advanced on them briskly; they
soon commenced the firing of their small arms,
but this did not deter us from a charge; we
advanced close and let loose on them; they
gave way and we soon had possession of the
village, without the loss of a man! Three
were slightly wounded. Twelve of their war-
riors were slain and scalped, and one prisoner
taken before they got to the woods. In re-
treating they kept up some firing. We pur-
sued them half a mile to the woods, which
were very brushy and suited to their mode of
fighting. As we advanced they were fixing
themselves behind logs, trees. Sec, to the best
advantage; our troops rushed on them reso-
lutely and gave them Indian play, took the ad-
vantage of trees. Sec. and kept them retreating
a mile and a half in the woods; during this

* A Frenchman who lived in this village, said, when
the word came the Americans were in sight, there was an
old Indian smoking at his fireside ; the Indian exclaimed,
" Ho 'de Mcricans covie, I suppose Ohio men come, we
give them another chase;'' (alluding to the time they
chased General Tupper from the Rapids.) He walked
to the door smoking, apparently very unconcerned, and
looked at us till we formed the line of battle, and rushed
on them with a mighty shout ! he then called out, " Ken-
tuck, by God!" and picked up his gun and ran to the
woods like a wild beast.

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 43

time a heavy fire was kept up on both sides.
At length, after a battle of three hours and five
minutes, we were obliged to stop the pursuit
on account of the approach of night, and retire
to the village. We collected our wounded and
carried them to the village, leaving our dead
on the ground. In this action the Kentuckians
displayed great bravery, after being much fa-
tigued with marching on the ice. Cowardice
was entirely discountenanced. Each was anx-
ious to excel his fellow soldiers in avenging his
injured country; those only fell in the rear who
were most fatigued. Our loss in this action
was eleven killed and fifty wounded.* Al-
though the enemy had the advantage of the
village in the first attack, and of the woods in
the second, their loss, by the best information,
far exceeded ours. A Frenchman stated they
had fifty-four killed and a hundred and forty
wounded; part of whom were carried to his
house, on Sand creek, a few miles from the
village. An express and the Indian prisoner,
were sent immediately to the Rapids. Some
dispute arose between the Indians and some of
the French, on Sand creek; the Indians killed
an old man and his wife; in consecjuence of
this the French were enraged, and resolved to
get revenge. They applied to us for assist-
ance, but it was thought improper to leave the
village, though some of them had assisted us,
and fought in the front of the battle.

* It would have been belter for us if we had been con-
tented with the possession of the village, withcJut pursuing
them to the woods.

44 Winchester's campaign.

19th. A party was sent out to the battle
ground to bring in the dead, which were found
scalped and stripped, except one. In going
over the battle ground great signs were seen,
(by the blood, and where they had been drag-
ged through the snow) of a considerable loss
on the part of the enemy. Two of the wound-
ed died. The British left a considerable quan-
tity of provisions, and some store goods, which
answered us a valuable purpose. The wound-
ed could have been as well accommodated here
with every necessary, as in any part of Ken-
tucky. Apples, cider, sugar, butter, and whis-
key, appeared to be plenty. The river Raisin
runs an east course through a level country, in-
terspersed with well improved farms, and is
seventy or eighty yards wide; the banks are
low. Frenchtown is situated on the north side
of this river, not more than three miles from
the place it empties into Lake Erie. There is
a row of dwelling houses, about twenty in
number, principally frame, near the bank, sur-
rounded with a fence made in the form of
picketting, with split timber, from four to five
feet high. This was not designed as a fortifi-
cation, but to secure their yards and gardens.

21st. A reinforcement of two hundred and
thirty men arrived in the afternoon; also Gen.
Winchester, Col. Wells, Major M'Clanahan,
Capt. Hart, surgeons Irvin and Montgomery,
and some other gentlemen, who came to eat
apples and drink cider, having been deprived
of every kind of spirits nearly two months.
The officers having viewed and laid off a piece

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 45

of ground for a camp and breastworks, resolved
that it was too late to remove and erect fortifi-
cations that evening. Further, as they resolved
to remove early next day, it was not thought
worth while, though materials were at hand,
to fortify the right wing, which therefore en-
camped in the open field,* and Col. Wells, their
commander, set out for the Rapids late in the
evening. A Frenchman arrived here late in
the evening from Maiden, and stated that a
large number of Indians and British were
coming on the ice with artillery to attack usj
he judged their number to be three thousand^
this was not believed by some of our leading
men, who were regaling themselves with
whiskey and loaf sugar; but the generality of
the troops put great confidence in the French-
man's report, and expected some fatal disaster
to befall us; principally because Gen. Winches-
ter had taken up his head-quarters nearly half
a mile from any part of the encampment, and
because the right wing was exposed. Ensign
Harrow, who was sent with a party of men
some time after night, by the orders of Col.
Lewis, to bring in all the men, either officers
or privates, that he might find out of their
quarters; after finding some and giving them
their orders, he went to a brick house about a
mile up the river, and entered a room; finding
it not occupied, he immediately went above
stairs, and saw two men whom he took to be

* This want of precaution, was a gieat cause of our
mournful defeat!

46 Winchester's campaign.

British officers, talking with the landlord,* the
landlord asked him to walk down into a stove
room, and handing his bottle, asked him to
drink, and informed him " there was no danger,
for the British had not a force sufficient to
whip us." So Harrow returned about 1 o'clock,
and reported to Col. Lewis what he had seen.
Col. Lewis treated the report with coolness,
thinking the persons seen were only some gen-
tlemen from town. Just at day-break the re-
veille began to beat as usual; this gave joy to
the troops who had passed the night under the
apprehensions of being attacked before day.
The reveille had not been beating more than
two minutes, before the sentinels fired three
guns in quick succession. This alarmed our
troops, who quickly formed, and were ready
for the enemy before they were near enough to
do execution. The British immediately dis-
charged their artillery loaded with balls, bombs,
and grape-shot, which did little injury.. They
then attempted to make a charge on those in
the pickets, but were repulsed with great loss.
Those on the right being less secure for the
want of fortification, were overpowered by a
superior force, and were ordered to retreat to
a more advantageous piece of ground. They
got in disorder, and could not be formed.*
The Indians pursued them from all quarters,

* When the right wing began to retreat, it is said or-
ders were given by some of the officers to the men in the
eastern end of the picketting, to march out to their as-
sistance. Captain Prioe, and a number of men sallied
out. Captain Price was killed, and most of the men.

Winchester's campaign. 47

and surrounded, killed, and took the most of
them. The enemy again charged on the left
with redoubled vigour, but were again forced
to retire. Our men lay close behind the pick-
etting, through which they had port holes, and
every one having a rest, took sight, that his
ammunition might not be spent in vain. x-Vfter
a long and bloody contest, the enemy finding
they could not either by stratagem or force
drive us from our fortification, retired to the
woods, leaving their dead on the ground, (ex-
cept a party that kept two pieces of cannon in
play on our right.) A sleigh was seen three
or four hundred yards from our lines going to-
wards the right, supposed to be laden with am-
munition to supply the cannon; four or five
men rose up and fired at once, and killed the
man and wounded the horse. Some Indians
who were hid behind houses, continued to an-
noy us with scattering balls. At this time
bread from the commissary's house was handed
round among our troops, who sat composedly
eating and watching the enemy at the same
time. Being thus refreshed, we discovered a
white flag advancing towards us; it was gene-
rally supposed to be for a cessation of arms,
that our enemies might carry ofF their dead,
which were numerous, although they had been
bearing away both dead and wounded during
the action. But how were we surprised and
mortified, when we heard that Gen. Winches-
ter, with Col. Lewis, had been taken prisoners
by the Indians in attempting to rally the right
wing, and that Gen. Winchester had surreri-

48 Winchester's campaign.

dered us prisoners of war to Col. Proctor!
Major Madison, then the highest in command,
did not agree to this until Col. Proctor had
promised,* that the prisoners should be pro-
tected from the Indians, the wounded taken
care of, the dead collected and buried, and pri-
vate property respected. It was then, with ex-
treme reluctance, our troops accepted this pro-
position. There was scarcely a person that
could refrain from shedding tears! some plead
with the officers not to surrender, saying they
would rather die on the field! We had only
five killed, and twenty-five or thirty wounded,
inside of the pickets. The British asked, when
they came in, what we had done with our dead,
as they saw but few on the ground. A barn
being set on fire to drive the Indians from be-

* Col. Proctor had informed Gen. Winchester he would
afford him an opportunity of surrendering his troops, and
if not accepted he would let loose the Indians on us, who
would burn the town, and he would not be accountable
for their conduct. Gen. Winchester not knowing how
we had resisted their efforts, thought probably it would
be the case.

But why did not Col. Proctor make this proposition be-
fore he had exerted all his skill in trying to burn the town,
and to set the Indians on us.' Proctor knew very well
he had dono all that was in his power with the force he
had then, and he was then less able to rout us from the
town, than he was at first.

The British informed us afterwards, that Col. Proctor
had ordered a general retreat to Maiden, and that they
had spiked four pieces of their cannon! but he thought he
would demand a surrender, according to custom.

Our officers, knowing that we had but little ammuni-
tion, and the troops being still exposed to the fire of the
cannon, thought proper to surrender.

Winchester's campaign. 49

hind it, they concluded, that to conceal our
dead, we had thrown them into these flames.

One of the houses thai the wounded were in,
was much shattered by the cannon balls, though
only a few struck as low as a man's head. The
bombs flew over. Some bursted fifty feet above
the ice, some fell on the ice, and some over the
river. Notwithstanding all their exertions,
their six cannon, (which w-ere all said to be
six -pounders,) did but little damage.

In this battle, officers and privates exhibited
the utmost firmness and bravery. Whilst the
iiien were at their posts firing on the enemy,
the officers were passing along the lines sup-
plying them with cartridges. Major Graves,
in passing round the line, was wounded in the
knee. He sat down in a tent, bound up his
wound, and cried, " Boys I am wounded, never

MIND ME, BUT FIGHT ON I"

The British collected their troops, and
marched in front of the village. We marched
out and grounded our arms, in heat and bitter-
ness of spirit. The British and Indians took
possession of them. But all the swords, dirks,
tomahawks, and knives, were given up, with
promise that they should be restored again.
[This promise was broken.]

All the prisoners, except those that were
badly wounded. Dr. Todd, Dr. Bowers, and a
few attendants, were marched towards Maiden.
The British said, as they hud a great many of
their wounded to take to Maiden that evening,
it would be out of their power to take ours be-
fore morning, but they would leave a sullicient

E

50 WINCH ESTEU S CAMPAIGN.

guard so that they should not be interrupted
by the Indians. — [You will presently bee with
wliat ag.q;ravating circumstances the breach of
this promise was attended.]

Bi'other Allen Darnall having been badly
wounded in the right shoulder on the 18th,
and I being appointed to attend on the wound-
ed, I continued with them.

Before the British and prisoners marched,
the Indians ransacked the cam]), and got all
the plunder that was remaining — namely, tents,
kettles, buckets, pans, 8cc.; then coming amongst
the wounded, greatly insulted them, and took
some of their plunder; after they went out I
bolted the door; they came again and broke it
open with their tomahawks. I immediately
applied to a British officer, and told him the
Indians were interrupting the wounded; he
turned round, and called to another officer to
send the guard. The Indians at that time had
plundered the commissary's house (which was
near the house in which the wounded were) of
every thing they wanted, and piled rails against
it and set them on fire: I with the assistance of
two British officers put it out. One of the
British officers (Maj. Rundels) inquired where
the ammunition was; I told him, if there was
any, it was above stairs. We went up, but
could find none. — Theie was a large quantity
of wheat on the loft; he said it was a pity it
was there, for the Indians would burn the
house. I apprehended by that, the town was
to be burned, and began to lament our wretch-
ed condition. — -After we went down stairs, Run-

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 51

dels asked me how many we had killed and
wounded on the 18th; I told him, but he very
haughtily disputed it: I had the return in my
pocket, he read it, but made no reply.

Those that remained of us being hungry, I
applied to one of the British in the evening for
some flour, as there were a good many barrels
in the commissary's house, which I considered
to belong to them; he told me to take as much
as I wanted. I asked him if there was a guard
left; he said there was no necessity for any, for
the Indians were going to their camp, and
there were interpreters left, who would walk
from house to house, and see that we should
not be interrupted. He kept walking about
and looking towards the road. — He told me I
had better keep in the house, for the Indians
would as soon shoot me as not, although he
had just told me we should not be interrupted!
I suspected he was looking for Gen. Harrison.
Oh! if we had seen Gen. Harrison coming
with his troops, the wounded would have leap-
ed for joy! but I did not expect him.

As they did not leave the promised guard, I
lost all confidence in them, and expected we
would be all massacred before morning. I
being the only person in this house not wound-
ed, with the assistance of some of the wounded,
I prepared something for about thirty to eat. —
The Indians kept searching about town till
after dark. One came in the house who could
talk English, and said he commanded a com-
pany after the retreating party, and that most

52 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGX.

of that party were slain. He said, the men
ij^ave up their guns, plead for quarters, and of-
fered them money if they would not kill them;
but his boys, as he called them, would toma-
hawk them without distinction. He said the
plan that was fixed on by the Indians and Bri-
tish, before the battle commenced, was, that
the British were to attack in front, to induce
us to charge on them — 500 Indians were placed
on the right hand, and 500 on the left, to flank
round and take possession of the town; but he
said we were too cunning for them; we would
not move out of the pickets.

We passed this night under the most serious
apprehensions of being massacred by the toma-
hawk, or consumed in the flames: — 1 frequently
went out during the night to see if the house
was set on fire. At length the long wished for
morn arrived, and filled each heart with a
cheerful hope of being delivered from the
cruelty of those merciless savages. — We were
making every preparation to be ready for the
promised sleighs. But, alas I instead of the
sleighs, about an hour by sun, a great number
of savages, painted with various colours, came
yelling in the most hideous manner! These
blood-thirsty, terrific savages, (sent here by
their more cruel and perfidious allies, the Bri-
tish,) rushed into the houses where the des-
ponding wounded lay, and insolently stripped
them of their blankets, and all their best
clothes, and ordered them out of the houses!
— I ran out of the house to inform the inter-

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 53

preters* what the Indians were doing; at the
door, an Indian took my hai and put it on his
own head; I then discovered the Indians had
been at the other house first, and had used the
wounded in like manner. As I turned to go
bade into the house, an Indian taking hold of
me, made signs for me to stand by the corner
of the house. I made signs to him I ^^'anted to
go in and get my hat; for I desired to see what
they had done with the wounded. The Indians
sent in a boy who brought out a hat and threw
it down to me, and I could not get in the house.
Three Indians came up to me and pulled oft'
my coat. My feeble powers cannot describe
the dismal scenes here exhibited. I saw my
fellow soldiers naked and wounded, crawling
out of the houses lo avoid being consumed in
tha flames. Some that had not been able to
turn themselves on their beds for four days,
through fear of being burned to death, arose
and walked out and about through the yard.
Some cried for help, but there was none to
help them. "Ah!" exclaimed numbers, in the
anguish of their spirit, " what shall we do?"
A number, unable to get out, miserably perish-
ed in the unrelenting flames of the houses,
kindled by the more unrelenting savages.
Now the scenes of cruelty and murder we had
been anticipating with dread, during last night,
fully commenced. The savages rushed on the

* I was since informed that Col. Elliott instructed the
interpreters to leave the wounded, after dark, to the
mercy of the savages. They all went oft' except one
half-Indian.

E 2

54 WINCHF.STF.U S CAMPAIGN.

wounded, and, in their barbarous manner, shot
and tomahawked, and scalped them; and cru-
elly mangled their naked bodies while they lay
agonizing and weltering in their blood. A
number were taken towards Maiden, but being
unable to march with speed, were inhumanly
massacred. The road was, for miles, strewed
with the mangled bodies, and all of them were
left like those slain in battle, on the 22d, for
birds and beasts to tear in pieces and devour.
The Indians plundered the town of every thing
valuable, and set the best houses on fire. The
Indian, who claimed me, gave me a coat, and
when he had got as much plunder as he could
carry, he ordered me, by signs, to march,
which I did, with extreme reluctance, in com-
pany with three of the wounded and six or se-
ven Indians. In travelling about a quarter of
a mile, two of the wounded lagged behind
about twenty yards. The Indians, turning
round, shot one and scalped him. They shot
at the other and missed him; he, running up
to them, begged that they would not shoot
him. He said he would keep up, and give
them money. But these murderers were not
moved with his doleful cries. They shot him
down; and rushing on him in a crowd, scalped
him. In like manner, my brother Allen pe-
rished. He marched with difficulty after the
wounded, about two or three hundred yards,
and was there barbarously murdered. My feel-
ings at the sight and recollection of these in-
human butcheries cannot be described. In
addition to these deep sorrows for the mourn-

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 55

ful fate of my compunions, and the cruel death
of a dear brother, I expected every moment,
for a considerable time, that the same kind of
cruelty and death would be my portion. The
Indians that guarded me and one of the wound-
ed, obierving our consternation, one that could
talk English, said " we will not shoot you."
This a little revived our liopes, that were al-
most gone;* and he, having cut a piece, hide
and all, of a dead cow, started. It is their
common practice to kill a cow or hog and
take a piece, and leave the rest. In travelling
two miles, we came to a house where there
were two British officers; the Indian made a
halt, and I asked one of the officers what the
Indian v/as going to do with me; he said he
was going to take me to Amherstburgh (or
Maiden.) I judged these villains had instruct-
ed the Indians to do vrhat they had done. A
few miles further, we came to the Indian en-
campment, where there were a great many hal-

* Upon taking a view of these scenes of wo, who can
avoid some such exclamation as the followinir? Why has
the all-seeing, beneficent Ruler of the universe deliver-
ed so many of our choice officers and brave soldiers into
the hands of our enemies, to be slain in battle; and to lie
unburied, to be dragged away in the galling chains of
captivity, and to be put to torturing deaths by monsters'
of cruelty ? Not, I presume, because of infidelity and
injustice towards our enemies; but owing to our ingra-
titude towards the God of armies"; and to our want of
confidence in Jehovah — our pride, our too great confi-
dence in our own wisdom, valour and strength; our un-
belief— and a catalogue of vices too tedious to enume-
rate. Aggravated national crimes have involved us in
heavy and complicated judgments!

56 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

looing and yelling in a hideous manner, I
thought this my place of destiny. The Indian
took off my pack, broiled a piece of meat and
gave me parlj this I ate merely in obedience
to him. Then we started and arrived at Am-
herstburgh, eighteen miles from French-
town. The other pi-isoners had just arrived.
The British were firing their salute. The In-
dian took me into a house not far from the
fort; it was probably their council house; it
would have held 500. It was inhabited by a
large number of squaws, children, and dogs.
They welcomed me by giving me some bread,
meat and homony to eat. After this an Indian
asked ine if I had a scjuaw; I told him not; he
immediately turned round and talked to the
squaws in Indian, wliile I sat in a pensive mood
observing their motions. I discovered the
squaws were pleased by their tittering and
grinning; one, I obseiwed, had a great desire to
express hei- joy by showing her teeth; but the
length of lime she had lived in this world, had
put it out of her power. I suspected from their
manoeuvres I would have to undergo a disa-
greeable adoption, (as other prisoners had
done,) — and what was a task, still more un-
pleasant, to be united in the conjugal band, to
one of these swarthy, disgustful animals. The
Indian asked me a few questions — where we
had come from — how far it was — when we
started, — and if there were any more coming.
In reply to these questions, I gave him but
little satisfaction. After this they spread blan-
kets down, and made signs for me to go to

WINCHESTER 3 CAMPAIGN. 5<

bed; I did, and soon fell asleep, as I was much
fatigued and had not slept much for four nights
past. Early next morning, the Indian collect-
ed his family and all his property, and started:
I knew not where he was going; he gave me
a knapsack and gun to carry. Now I despair-
ed of getting with the other prisoners, unless
I could desert from the Indians! I expected I
would be taken to an Indian town, there to un-
dergo a disagreeable adoption, or to be burned
to death with fire-brands. As he took me near
Fort Maiden, I took as good a view of it as I
could while I passed it. It stands about thirty
yards from the river bank. I judged it to be
seventy or eighty yards square; the wall ap-
peared to be built of timber and clay. The
side, from the river, was not walled, but had
double pickets, and entrenched round, about
four feet deep; and in the entrenchment was
the second row of pickets. As we went on
through the edge of town, (Amherstburgh,) I
asked an Englishman where the other prison-
ers were.'' He said they were in town, in a
wood-yard; the Indian hurried me along and
would not let me talk to the Englishman. The
Indian had a little horse, packed with his
plunder, which I resolved to take, if possible,
and ride into town that night.

He took me to his place of residence, about
three miles from Maiden. I was anxious for
the approach of night, so that I might make
my escape. While I was consoling with the
anticipation of seeing my fellow sufferers at
Maiden, night made its approach. Some time

58 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

after dark, the Indian spread blankets down,
and made signs for me to lie down; and put
my coat, shoes and socks und'vir his own head.
I wanted him to leave my socks on, for my feet
would get cold: he made signs to warm them
by the fire. Thus I was sadly disappointed.

Next day he examined all his plunder. He
had a very good suit of clothes, besides seve-
ral other coats, socks, shoes. Sec; among these
were Wesley's Sermons and a great many
papers, which he gave me to read. I found
several old letters, but nothing of value. He
discovered I wanted to shave, and got his ra-
zor, shaving box, and a piece of glass, and
made signs for me to shave. After this, I lay
down on some blankets and fell asleep. He
came and awoke me, and gave me a twist of
tobacco, which I received as a token of friend-
ship. In a short time after he started to Mai-
den, and made signs for me to stay there till
he would come back. He returned in the even-
ing, with a blanket, tied full of loaves of bread,
just out of the oven, besides some meat. The
Indians always gave me a plenty to eat; and
served me before any of the family, with more
politeness than I expected to find amongst
them. He had drawn some money. I asked
him to let me look at it. I found it to be
pieces of cards with the number of livres
written on them.

The third night at length arrived; and he
made my bed as usual; and took my coat and
shoes, but accidentally loft my socks on. I lay
down with the determination to leave him be-

•WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 59

fore moining. I slept very well a while.
When I awoke, the house was dark; I thought
this as good an opportunity of deserting as I
could get, l)iit with considerable timidity I
made the attempt. I crawled to tiie door very
easily, and raised the blanket that hung up at
the door; just as I was goiiig out lie coughed,
and I stopped until I thought he was asleep,
and then started, without shoes or coat, to
Amherstburgh. When I got there, I examined
several yards and cardens to see if there was
any fii'e. After going through many streets, I
turned my course towards the river, and acci-
dentally came to the house where the prisoners
were. The sentinel, who was standing at the
door, let me in without much ceremony. Pro-
vidence smiled on this attempt to extricate
myself from the Indians. Thus through mercy
I escaped from the savages, and was delivered
from the doleful apprehensions of being sacri-
ficed in some barbarous and cruel manner, to
gratify their blood-thirsty souls, I got in be-
tween two of my comrades who were lying
next to the door. My leet were almost frozen
before morning.

During my captivity with the Indians, the
other prisoners were treated very inhumanly.
The first night they were put in a wood-yard|
the rain commenced early in the night and put
out all their fires; in this manner they passed
a tedious night, wet and benumbed with cold.
From this place they were taken to a cold
warehouse, still deprived of fire, with their
clothes and blankets frozen, and nothing to eat

60 WINCHKSTER S CAMPAIGN.

but a little bread. In this wretched condition
they continued two days and three nights!

26th. The Indians came early in the morn-
ing- to search for me, but they were not admit-
ted into the house. The guard said it would
be well for me to keep as much concealed as
possible, for if the Indian I had left could get
me he would kill me. He came to the door
and made motions, to show how he would scalp
me. I disguised myself by changing my
clothes and tying up my head, so that he did
not know me.

The pjisoners being destined to Fort George,
were divided in two divisions, the first to keep
a day's march before the second, in order, pro-
bably, to be better supplied with provisions on
the way.

I being attached to the first division, the In-
dians examined the lines very closely for me,
but not possessing discernment sufficient to
know me, I fortunately escaped.

j>lalden, or Amherstburgh, is situated on the
east side of Detroit river, near its junction
with Lake Erie, and contains about one hun-
dred houses, mostly frame; in lat. 42° 22', N.
long. 8° 3' W. from Philadelphia.

We set out from this town and marched
seventeen miles to Sandwich, a small town on
the east side of Detroit river, and one mile be-
low Detroit; it contains pei'haps about three
hundred inhal:)iiants. Vv'e were divided in
small companies, and put into different houses,
where we had the happiness once more to see
fire.

■WIiNCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 61

27th. We drew a ration of bread and fresh
beef, but no salt, and had no way of cooking
the beef. We commenced our march at 1
o'clock, and marched ten miles (part of the
way on Lake St. Clair). In the evening we
were conducted to cold barns, and there shut
up till morning, deprived of fire.

28th. We recommenced our march early, as
cold a morning as ever I experienced, and con-
tinued twenty-four miles on Lake St. Clair.
At night we were conducted to a cold barn on
the beach: we lay without fire, except a few
who could not get in, who had the happiness
of encamping in the woods.

29th. We again resumed our march, and
continued on the lake fifteen miles to the mouth
of La Tranche river (called by some the river
Thames). During this time, we had to run to
keep ourselves from freezing. We continued
up the river five miles, and stopped while the
guard went into warm and to get their dinner.
Having drawn no provisions since we left Sand-
wich, some of the prisoners were driven to the
necessity of picking up frozen potatoes and
apple peelings that had been thrown out in the
yard. One of the prisoners being unable to
keep pace with the rest, was left on the lake,
but was accidentally overtaken by a sleigh and
brought on. After being in a stove-room
some time, he was led out to march, trembling
with cold. One of the guard observed, "he
was a man of no spirit to freeze such a day as
this." So barbarous were their dispositions
and treatment; that I concluded we should die

F

62 Winchester's campaign.

of cold and hunger. We marched ten miles
further to Captain Dolson's, where we were
conducted into a large still-house. A number
lodged below among the still-tubs, by the fire;
the rest on the loft, where they were annoyed
with the smoke. Some time in the night, lliey
brought us a little bread and meat.

30th. We drew two days' provisions, and
cooked it.

31st. It snowed all day; notwithstanding, we
marched twenty-four miles, and were shut up
in a barn wet and cold. Going to a barn to
lodge so cold an evening, was like approaching
a formidable enemy, for we expected to perish
with cold in the dreary dwelling. Many got
their feet frostbitten. We tried in vain to keep
our shoes from freezing, by putting them under
our heads.

Feb. Isl. We continued our march twenty-
two miles in a thinly settled country, and pass-
ed through the Moravian nation of Indians.
In the evening we encamped in the woods.

2d. We marched twenty-two miles, suflering
greatly both with hunger and cold. In the
evening we arrived at Delaware township, a
small settlement on the river La Tranche.
We were divided into small companies, and
were permitted to lodge in houses by fires.

3d. We had been two days without provi-
sions. Here we drew rations for three days;
Capt. Dolson left us to-day. The prisoners
must forever detest his baseness and cruelty.
We resumed our march in the evening and con-
tinued five miles, notwithstanding the snow was

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 63

two feet deep, and it was then snowing. We
were better treated by our new guard.

4th. We marched twenty-six miles to the
head waters of the river Thames, to Oxford
township, a settlement of ten or twelve miles in
length.

5th. We marched two miles, and were de-
tained for a supply of provisions.* After be-
ing supplied, we continued our march in the
evening three miles further, and where we
lodged, were treated very civilly by the in-
habitants.

6th. After marching twenty-four miles, prin-

* Here we met a number of the 4lst regiment of Bri-
tish regulars, just from Fort George, going to Maiden,
to supply the places of those who were killed on the 22d
of January, at Frenchtown. They appeared to be very
sociable, generally of the Irish descent. One of their of-
ficers said, " in a few weeks, they would drive Gen. Har-
rison and all his army along there." " Yes," replied
James Allen, t (who was one of my messmates,) " before
that time your Irish hides will be riddled, so that they
would not hold hickory nuts."

Another of that party said, " what nonsensical things
those leather stocks were which we wore, with the sign
of the eagle pecking out the eyes of the lion." Said Al-
len, " this is only the shadow, the substance will soon
follow."

t This Allen, is the same who fought the duel with
Fuller, near Fort Massac, who was supposed to be a Bri-
tish spy, before the commencement of the war. Fuller,
after iiaving been twice knocked down by Allen's balls,
was found to have a Dutch blanket folded, and a quire of
paper over his cowardly breast, as a shield. Allen was
not injured.

64 Winchester's campaign.

cipally through a wilderness, we arrived at
Burford township.*

* Six of us, who formed a mess, stopped at a Major
Boon's, and asked him " if we might slay all night," he
said we could. His father, who lived with him, let us
know he had been a Tory Major in the American revolu-
tion. He said "he had lived in the Jerseys, and had one
of Lord Howe's commissions in the house then, and was
a half-pay officer." He said " the Americans would have
no possible chance to take Canada, for the British, next
spring, would bring seventy thousand Indians from, the
north-west, and as many negroes from St. Domingo, be-
sides three hundred thousand Turks! !" Said James Al-
len, " I suppose you will set dogs on us next!" The old
fellow said, "it was very evident the Lord was on their
side!" — then said Allen, "if the Lord has joined with the
British, savages, and negroes, to massacre his own peo-
ple, it is surprising ! But I rather think it is only your
Canadian Lord that acts in this manner." The old fel-
low then ordered him out of the house. He told him,
"he was very well suited in a room, and would, stay till
morning." They still continued arguing. The old fel-
low said "we had no business on their soil;" (alluding to
Frenchtown,) Allen told him "we were on our own
soil ;" — he said " it was a lie, for Michigan Territory was
given up to them by General Hull." Said Allen, " Hull

was such a fellow as the d 1 ; who offered Christ all

the kingdoms of the world, if he would fall down and
worship him ; when, poor old sneaking whelp, he did not
own a foot on earth." Said Boon, "you had better staid
away, for all you have done ; the Major who commanded
the Indians on the 18th, was here a few ni*ghts ago, and
said there was not one killed, and but three wounded."
Said Allen, " I would not believe my father if he were to
tell me so, for I saw a number that was killed and scalped,
and lay on tlie snow for days; and if there were but three
wounded, there must have been an abundance of blood in
them, to have stained the snow for miles square." Said
he, " did you scalp them.' you are bloody dogs." "Yes,"
said Allen, "you might say so, if we had hired the sa-

Winchester's campaign. 65

7lh. In mat'ching thirty miles to a little vil-
lage near the head of Lake Ontario, we passed

vages to kill your women and children, and massacre and
burn your wounded, when we had promised to take care
of thetii." He said, "the British had never hired the In-
dians to kill women and children; they were too humane
a people to do so." "Yes," said Allen, " they showed
humanity in the time of the American revolution, when
they paid the Indians for infants' scalps that were taken
out of their mothers' wombs; — they call themselves
Christians — and when the Indians sent home to them
scalps, from the unborn infant to the grey hairs, in bales,
like goods, they had days of feasting, rejoicing, and
thanksgiving to the Lord, for the victory they had gained

— the d i would be ashamed to acknowledge sucli a

people as any part of his offspring." The old fellow
again ordered him out of the house; but Allen told him
"he would go in the morning." Allen said "we had
more friends in Canada than they had." " Yes," said he,
"there are men mean enough to join against their own
country." Allen replied, " none but a mean low-lived
wretch would fight against his own country." The old
fellow took the hint, as he had been a Tory, and got in a
violent passion. He asked Allen "if he was not a Con-
gressman .'"' Allen said " No." " Are you an Assembly
man.-"' "No." "Are you a Yankee lawyer ?" "No."
" Well, you are a Yankee liar then." Allen said, " if we
were of an age, and on an equal footing, you would not
give me the lie so often.'" The old fellow told Allen " he
must be an antediluvian, for he appeared to know all
things that had passed, and all the crimes that England
evQj- committed seemed to be fresh on his mind, he sup-
posed he was one of the greatest enemies the British
had." Allen said "he had done his best; and if he was
exchanged he would shoot at them as long as he could
crook his finger to draw the trigger." A young woman
who was in the house, said " we were only coming to
drive them off of their lands." Allen said " we were only
coming to set them free, so that those lands might be
their own, and not King George's." She said, "the
F 2

66 WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN.

through the Mohawk nation of Indians, on
Grand river, who are much whiter than any
Me have seen; their mode of dress is not dif-
ferent from other Indian nations, and they have
the same savage appearance. We were in-
formed that there are six nations on this river,
who hold a large body of the best land.

8th. We drew our rations, and proceeded on
sixteen miles. In going down towards Lake
Ontario, we descended a precipice upwards of
two hundred feet, into a level country; this
precipice extends across Niagara river, and oc-
casions those remarkable falls.

9th. We marched eighteen miles through a
well settled country.

10th. We marched sixteen miles to Newark,
lately called Niagara West. It contains about
five hundred inhabitants. Many of the build-
ings are handsome, composed of brick and
stone. It has several churches, an academy,
six taverns, and about twenty stores. It is si-
tuated on the west side of Niagara river, in
lat. 43° 15' N.; long. 4° west. Fort George
stands at the upper end of the town.

We continued here no longer than was ne-
cessary to make arrangements to cross the
river. A British officer took dovi'n our names,
and the regiment and company we belonged

Americans that wero killed at Queenstown, had deeds in
their pockets for all their best plantations." Said Allen,
"I must believe it because you say so, but if I had seen
it myself I would not."

I'he old fellow's passion subsided, and Allen and he
were friendly.

WINCHESTER S CAMPAIGN. 67

to, and said " we must not take up aims
ag-ainst Great Bi-itain and her allies, until le-
i^ally exchang-ed." Thus we were parolled.
They hoisted a Hag and took us across Niag-ara
river,* which is about one-quarter of a mile
wide, to Fort Niagara, which is situated at tiie
junction of Niagara river and Lake Ontario,
in New York state. It is strongly fortified,
and well supplied with artillery.

A FEW REMARKS RESPECTING UPPER CA-
NADA AND ITS INHABITANTS.

From Maiden to Sandwich, and a consider-
able distance up St. Clair, resembles a level
plain thickly interspersed with farms and
houses; many places look like little villages.
The houses are princi])ally frame, and have
an ancient appearance. Besides being well

* The second division, who had been used far better
than the first, arrived the day following, and were parolled
in like manner, amounting in all to five hundred and
twelve.

Particular inquiries were made respecting tiio British
loss in the battle of the 22d, while passing through Ca-
nada. Tlie loyalists stated their loss to be ver}' trif^uig ;
some would say fifteen killed, and others twenty-five.
But different persons, in whom we had reason to place
confidence, staled their loss to be very consideraMc —
about six hundred killed and wounded, and amontrst ttiese
Col. St. George. This account will not be considered
exaggerated, when reflecting on the len<rth of time liiey
were exposed to a deliberate and well directed fire from
our troops — the niunber thnt was seen lying on the ground
after they retreated — and tiio number ol' sleighs loaded
with their bloody iruns.

68 Winchester's campaign.

suppVied with g;rain from their farms, they re-
ceive considerable benefit from their orchards.
The river La Tranche is a considerable na-
\igable stream, and runs a westerly course into
Lake St. Clair; the land near it is rich and fer-
tile; the timber is oak, ash, hickory, walnut,
sugar-tree, Sec. It is thickly settled as far as
Moraviantown; but from the river on the north
side, is an extensive wilderness of poor swampy
land. From Moraviantown to Grand river, is
a wilderness of poor piney land, except Dela-
ware, Oxford, and Burford townships, which
are tolerable settlements. From Grand river
to Fort George, is a rich, well settled country,
particularly along Lake Ontario. The inha-
bitants are composed of English, French,
Dutch, and a great many emigrants from the
United States. The whole has been estimated
at eighty thousand; besides these, there are
unknown numbers of Indians. The Canadians
are generally a well looking people, remarkably
fair, but not well informed. They do not set a
great value on education, and it is not encou-
raged by the government. Although their
laws appear to be moderate, yet neither the
freedom of speech nor the freedom of the press
is encouraged. The officers are haughty and
tyrannical in the execution of their orders. I
learned that a majority* of the inhabitants

* An inhabitant near the head of Lake Ontario heard
of the prisoners, and went to see them. He began to talk
to one, judging him to be an American officer, and telling
him he had more friends in Canada than the British had,
and if he wanted money, or any assistance, he should be

AVINCHRSTEU S CAMPAIGN. 69

were in favour of ihe United Slates govern-
ment, and many had concealed themselves to
avoid taking u]) arras.

The British forces consist of regulars, flank-
ers, militia, Negroes^ and Ijidians. Agreeably
to an act of their assembly in 1812, their flank-
ers are riflemen, volunteered or drafted for the
term of six months, and longer if not then re-
lieved. The militia cannot be called into ser-
vice for more than twenty days, unless their
country is invt.ded. I heard of two companies
of Negroes, runaways from Kentucky, and other
states, who are commandetJ by white men. A
great many of the Indians are stationed near
i\\z lines, who can be called to arms at a mi-
nute's warning. The taking an oath, which is
called the oath o{ adjuration, is a true specimen
of the ignorance and baseness of the Canadians.
They have to swear the Queen is a virtuous
and honest woman. No doubt but whoever
takes this oath is guilty of perjury!

11th. After regaling ourselves on the plenty
of food and drink afforded us in the land of
liberty, we set our faces homewards. One
mile from Niagara Fort, we came to Salt bat-
tery; it was composed of barrels of salt and
dirt. From this they could play upon Fort
George. We proceeded up the river eight
miles to Lewistown, which is on the east bank
of Niagara river, opposite Queenstown, and

accommodated. The poor fellow soon found liis mistake,
that he was talking to a British officer, just from Fort
George.

70 Winchester's campaign.

contains only a few houses; eight miles fur-
ther we came to Grand Niai^ara, a small vil-
lage on the east bank of Niagara river just
above the falls, and nearly opposite Chippeway.
Above the falls, in the middle of the river, is
an island about three hundred yards long, the
lower end of which is just at the perpendicu-
lar edge of the fall. On both sides of this
island, all the waters of the rivers and lakes to
the north-west, fall down a precipice of one
hundred and thiity-seven feet perpendicular,
and fall near as much more in a rapid of nine
miles below. Before the water comes to the
fall, as it passes the island, it seems in swift-
ness to outfly an arrow.

12th. We arrived at Black Rock, nineteen
miles above the falls. Here is a considerable
village, a navy yard, and three batteries well
furnished with cannon. It took its name from
its rocky situation. From this we continued
on two miles and a half to BuflFalo, the capital
of Buffalo county. New York state. It is situ-
ated at the foot of Lake Erie, opposite to Fort
Erie.

We continued at Buffalo one day, on account
of the badness of the weather, and then conti-
nued our march thirty-two miles on the lake,
and then marched through a well settled coun-
try to Erie, the county town of Erie county, in
Pennsylvania. It is ninety miles from Buffalo,
and is situated on the south-east shore of Lake
Erie. We proceeded on by the wayof Waterford
and Meadville, one hundred and twenty miles,

Winchester's campaign. 71

to Pittsburgh, and from Pittsburgh to Ken-
tucky, by water.

Language fails to express the emotions I felt
on arriving safely at home to enjoy the caresses
and society of dear friends, after having en-
dured so much fatigue, and having been so
often exposed to imminent danger; and having
so frequently expected death, attended with all
the horrors of Indian cruelty.

NARRATIVE

MR. TIMOTHY MALLARY.

Dai in;:; the hutile on the '22d January, 181S,
at Fienchtou'n, on the river Raisin, between the
combined forces of British, Canadians, and In-
dians, and the American forces, I received a
wound from a piece of planlc, whicli had been
split off by a cannon bail. It struck me on the
sidi.', and unfortunately broke three of my ribs.
The battle having terminated in favour of the
combined forces, and I not being able to travel
with those American prisoners who were to
march immediately for Maiden, I remained on
the ground until the next morning, with the
rest of my wounded countrymen, who had re-
ceived a solemn promise from the British com-
mander, thai they should be taken to Maiden
in sleighs.

This sacred promise was not regarded! It
was sacrificed on the altar of savage barbarity!
to the god of murder and cruelty! Instead of
sleighs, Indians were sent prepared to murder
these unfortunate victims! who, after they had
executed in part their purpose on the ground
where we lay, ordered several other prisoners
and myself, to march for Maiden. We had

mallary's narrative. 73

not proceeded far before they tomahawked four
of this number, amongst whom was Captain
Hart, of Lexington. He had hired an Indian
to take him to Maiden. I saw part of this hire
paid to the Indian.

After having taken him some distance, ano-
ther Indian demanded him, saying that he was
his prisoner^ the hireling would not give him
up; the claimant, finding that he could not get
him alive, shot him in the left side with a pis-
tol. Capt. Hart still remained on his horse;
the claimant then ran up, struck him with a
tomahawk, pulled him off his horse, scalped
him, and left him lying there.

We proceeded on until we came within three
miles of Brownstown, where we encamped for
the night. The next day we proceeded on to
their encampment, seven or eight miles from
Detroit, on the river Rouge, which appeared to
be head-quarters. They were furnished at this
place with bark wigwams; here was a large
number of squaws and children, I suppose two
thousand.

They here stripped off my clothes, and dress-
ed me after the Indian manner. They shaved
off my hair, except a small quantity on the top
of my head, which they left for the purpose of
rendering the task of scalping more easy.
They bored my ears, which they supplied plen-
tifully with ear-rings, frequently by hanging
one in another, like the links of a chain. They
wanted to bore my nose, but I objected, and
they did not insist. They frcc^uently painted
o

74 MALI.ARY S NAKKATIVE.

my face one-half black and the other red, and
frequently with red and black streaks.

Shortly after our arrival at these encamp-
ments, I was adopted into a Pottowatomie fa-
mily that had lost a son in the b,atlle at the
river Raisin.

I was presented to this family by an Indian
whose name was Ke-wi-ex-Mm. He introduced
me to my father and mother, brothers and sis-
ters, and ins-tructcd me to call them by these
respective appellations. My father's name was
Asa Chipsaw, after whom they called me; they
asked me if I had a squaw; I answered in the
negative, at which they appeared well pleased,
and brought me a squaw, urging me to marry
her. I refused, and told them when I got well
I would accede to the proposal; this they took
as a great offence. After having made them-
selves acquainted with the situation of my
wound, they made a tea of sassafras and cherry
tree barks, which was the only drink I was
permitted to take for fifteen days.

They frequently took me to Detroit, for the
purpose of helping them to pack provisions
from thence to their encampment. But they
would not suffer me to talk to the inhabitants
of that place. Fifteen loaves of bread, weigh-
ing three pounds each, ten pounds of pork or
beef, and a peck of corn, was what they drew
for six days. This would not last more than
half that time; the remaining part they lived
upon fragments of dog or horse meat. They
appeared indifferent whether they had killed
the animal that day themselves, or whether it

mallary's nahkativk. 75

had died by some accidentiil cause seven or
eight days prior to their eating- it.

They appointed me cook. 1 then had to un-
dergo much fatigue in getting wood, &c., for
they lent no assistance. Their customary way
of cooking is to boil the meat and make soup,
which they immediately devour without salt.

They have drunken frolics, whenever they
can get any kind of spirits to drink. When
these frolics took place the squaws hid me,
to prevent them from murdering me. Once I
was hid in some brush and deprived of food for
four days, during which time there was a con-
tinual uproar in the camp, as though they had
been killing each other.

The squaws, who frequently visited me, and
to whom I as often applied for something to
eat, informed me that there could be nothing
had until the men got sober, who would then
either kill provisions, or draw from Detroit.
On the fourth day, when I had given up to
perish, they brought me a piece of a dog cook-
ed without salt, and although you may feel
squeamish when I mention it, yet it was to me
the sweetest morsel tliat I ever recollect to
have eaten.

During my stav with them I sav/ them take
a number of scalps to Maiden, for which they
said they leceived from four to six dollars
each, either in whiskey or store goods. They
said they got thirty-seven scalps at the battle
of the 18th, and upwards of four hundred at
that of the 22d January. I replied, that there
were only teti scalped on the 18th. They said

76 mallary's narrative.

" Yankee d d lie;" and they further stated,

that they had only two killed on the 18th. I

replied, Indian d d lie, for I saw myself

twelve dead on the field. I asked them how
many British and Indians were at the river
Raisin, on the 22d January; they replied, that
there Avere two thousand five hundred Indians,
and one thousand British.

They would frequently make motions imi-
tating the Americans when they were scalping
I hem, by turning, twisting, mourning, &c.; this
was done to aggravate me.

They once gave me a jug of whiskey, re-
questing me to drink. I drank what satisfied
me, and offered them the jug again — they in-
sisted on me to drink more; I put the jug to
my head, but did not drink; they discovered
the cheat, and cried out " Yankee no good

man, d d lie;" they then made me drink

until they could hear it gurgle in my throat.

About three weeks before the battle at the
Rapids, the squaws and boys were employed
in dressing deer skins, which were to equip the
warriors for their march thither. During this
time, the warriors were collecting and dancing
the war dance. They informed me that they
were going to Quo-by-ghaw, which I learned
from the French, was the Rapids. I further
learned that the British had promised them
the possession of Fort Meigs, as well as the
disposal of Gen. Harrison. They then calcu-
lated on Fort Meigs as their chief place of de-
posit, from which they could make incuisions
into the state of Ohio, kill a vast number of the

MALLARY S NARRATIVK. 77

inhal)itanls, and satisfy themselves with plun-
der. They calculated on having- a three days'
IVolick in the burning of Gen. Harrison.

Two weeks before their march for Fort
Meigs, Tecumseh was with them. He was
busily employed rallying those who were indif-
ferent about going to the battle, and encourag-
ing those who had volunteered; amongst other
persuasive arguments to volunteer, he made
use of these, viz. that Fort Meigs was badly
constructed and illy defended; asserting that
Ihey could take it without the loss of a man.
But, if this could not be effected, he would
then lead them on to Fort Wayne, which would
certainly fall an easy piey to them. He then
left them, and went to the Wabash to bring
his warriors, who were stationed at that place.

Previous to the march of the Indians, they
took bark of swamp willow and tobacco, mixed
them together, and pulverized them. They
then formed a circle round a fire which had
been prepared for that purpose, and one rose
and delivered a speech, I understood, relative
to the war. At the conclusion of the speech
they passed this powder around the circle, each
individual taking a pinch as it passed; each
then snuffed a part of his portion, and threw
the remaining part in the fire. Afier this had
been performed with the greatest solemnity,
one took the snuff which yet remained in the
vessel, and threw it in the fire. They then
took up their packs, raised the scalp lialloo,
waved their tomahawks over their heads, and
marched for battle.

G 2

78 MALLAHV'S NAKRATIVR.

There were three ihousand who drew four
days' radons at Detroit. When they left us,
they told us to be good boys and stay there till
Ihey came back, and they would bring some
more Yankees, who should cook, and do all
the hard work, and we might go with them
hunting.

They left us in care of the squaws and a few
old men.

We had no other way by which to get freed
from this unpleasant situation, but by deserting
themj for they had been offered one hundred
dollars each, for four of us, by the citizens of
Detroit, but refused it. These four were Major
Graves, Samuel Ganoe, John Davenport, and
myself.

Thinking this as favourable an opportunity
as we could get, I requested Samuel Ganoe to
set off with me; he readily consented, and we
set off just at dark, and ran to Detroit, which
was eight miles, and got to the house of Mr.
H., who concealed us in his cellar. He had a
hole dug in the bottom of his cellar six or
eight feet deep, for the purpose of keeping po-
tatoes; in this we were put, and he laid planks
over it, and lhrev>' dirt on the planks, which
caused it to bear so nice a semblance to the
other part of the cellar, that the Indians could
not distinguish it from the common bottom.
This dismal dungeon was our abode for half a
day, during which time the Indians came and
searched carefully for us, but in vain. After
they were gone, Mr. H. asked a British officer
if he would take the care of us. He replied in

mallary's narrative. 79

the affirmative, and then sent us immediately
to the fort at Detroit, where we were kept two
days, the Indians still searching for us. On
the second night about midnight, we were sent
to Sandwich, and kept there two days with but
little to eat, and then sent to Maiden. We
found the force at Maiden to consist of sixty
Canadian French, besides eighty who had re-
ceived wounds at the river Raisin, and who
would no doubt remain invalids for life. We
also found stationed at Maiden, James Girty,
who, I was informed, was brother to the infa-
mous Simon Girty; his business was to re-
ceive scalps from the Indiansj his pay for this
service was three dollars per week. I saw here
about half a bushel of scalps in a kettle! the
number I cannot guess at.

After every exertion to take Fort Meigs had
failed, the British returned to Maiden, cursing
Harrison for a rabbit, which they swore had
burrowed, and which they could not take in
that situation.

From Maiden, we were taken across to Cleve-
land, on the 16th day of May, 1813.

The following prisoners were with the In-
dians, at the time I was a prisoner, viz. Major
Graves, Jarret Dougherty, Thomas Jones, Jo-
seph Foddre, and John Fightmaster^ the latter
of whom had deserted from us, was brought
back, and made to ride the wooden-horse. He
then deserted to the Indians, swearing — he had
rather stay with them, than ride Winchester's
English mare again.

I heard of three other prisoners, but do not

80 mallary's narrative.

remember their names; two di' whom were
about twenty miles from Detroit, and the other
near Maiden.

From Cleveland, nothing worth relating oc-
curred, until I arrived at home, in Bourbon
county, Kentucky; where I found my friends
all in good health, my father excepted, who
had gone to face the same enemy from whom
I had just made my escape.

IVARRATIVE

OF

MR. JOHN DAVENPORT.

During the battle which was fought on the
18th of January, IS 13, between the American
forces, under the command of Colonel Lewis,
and the combined British and Indians, I re-
ceived a wound in my right leg, by a ball
which fractured the bone, but did not entirely
break it. After the battle was over, I, with
many others who were also wounded, was car-
ried off the field and put in a house, where we
remained until after the battle of the 22d, when
we were surrendered prisoners of war to the
British. I remained here during the night of
the 22d, v. ith the expectation of being carried
to Maiden the next dayj but in this I was dis-
appointed. On the morning of the 23d, I wit-
nessed the most horrid scenes of cruelty ima-
ginable^ for the British, instead of sending
sleighs, as was most solemnly promised, to
convey the wounded prisoners to Maiden, sent
the Indians; who, after selecting a few from
amongst the wounded, tomahawked and scalp-
ed the rest, in the most savage and cruel man-
ner that malice could invent, or devils incar-

G 4

82 DAVENPORT S NARRATIVE.

nale execute; and set fire to the houses in
which they had been, and burned them to
ashes! — Then instead of going to Maiden, they
took me to Brownstown, where I had nothing
to eat except a little paiched corn. While I
was at Brownstown, an Indian asked me whe-
ther I had a squaw, to which I answered in the
negative. He then replied, " Tf^e make an In-
dian of you, and by'n by you have a squaw, by'n
by you have a gun and horse, and go a hunting."
The next day we proceeded on our march until
we came near the river Rouge, where the In-
dians procured some provisions, consisting of
fresh meat, but no salt. From here we set off
again, and travelled slowly, (I rather think to
favour the wounded) until we arrived at their
encampment, three or four miles from Detroit,
at which place there were a number of squaws
and children, who had taken up winter quar-
ters.

As soon as we had arrived at this place, I
was presented to an old squaw whom the In-
dians instructed me to call by the appellation
of mother. This old witch, as I took her to
be, had lost two sons at the river Raisin; I had
therefore to supply the place of one of them,
and thus had to become the adopted son of the
most hideous of all animals that ever roamed
over the forests of North America. After this,
they dressed my wound for the first time, which
now appeared to be getting well fast. In the
next place they trimmed my hair off, except a
small quantity on the top of my head, and
painted me: then adorned me with ear-rings,

DAVENPORT S NARRATIVE. 83

bracelets, &c., and put a band of silver round
my head. By this time I began to look very
stylish, or rather made as uncouth and gro-
tesque a figure as any of my copper-coloured
brethren.

While we remained at this place, Mr. Ga-
briel Godfrey, a citizen of Detroit, offered the
Indians glOO for my ransom, which they re-
fused. I nov/ began to conclude that there
were no other means of extricating myself
from bondage, unless it were by flight, and
therefore determined to embrace the first op-
portunity that presented. In a few days after,
the Indians presented a squaw to me, who ap-
peared to have little more of humanity than the
form, but equally as detestable as my mother^
although she was younger. This ugly looking
creature the Indians told me I should marry!
I confess I never was so shocked at the
thoughts of matrimony in my life! I told
them ^^no good squaw." They then brought
several more of those unhuraan looking crea-
tures, whom I understood were also candidates
for conjugal felicity. I told them "6j/'n by I
have a squaw." This appeared to satisfy them
at the present timej in this manner I frequent-
ly had to put them off.

They frequently solicited me to wear a
breech-clout, which I always refused. One
time my mother discovered me mending my
pantaloons; thinking this a good opportunity
to get me to wear one, she immediately brought
one, which I took hold of, and said "no good,"
then threw it down and stamped it; at the sight

84 DAVENPORT S NARRATIVE.

of this she was very much enraged, and scold-
ed desperatel)^ to herself in her own Indian dia-
lect. I have often wondered since, that they
did not kill me for disobeying their orders, for
I was extremely obstinate, and scarcely ever
complied with their injunctions.

Notwithstanding my disobedience, the In-
dians treated me as well as was in their power,
especially my mother, who was very kind to
me. Some considerable time I had to eat my
victuals without salt — I knew they had none,
yet I would always ask for some. My old mo-
ther after some time procured some for me>
which she kept hid to prevent the others from
making use of it, and never failed to give me a
small portion when I was eating.

Intoxication is practised by the squaws as
well as the men. They frequently have drunk-
en frolics, at which times it is dangerous for
prisoners to be amongst them. During these
frantic revels, the prisoners are kept hid by the
squaws, (a part of whom keep sober) to keep
them from being murdered. One night after
the rest had gone to bed, my mother, who had
staid out later than usual, came in, sat down,
and began to sing; she did not appear to be in
her senses. I soon discovered that this old
priestess of Bacchus had got very drunk. In
this mood she seized hold of the fire, and threw
it on those who were sleeping round the fire,
which soon caused them to rise ; she then
jumped into the fire, and danced until she had
burned the soles of her moccasins off.

They continued here about a month, and

Davenport's narrative. 85

then recioved about eight miles, on the river
Rouge, in order to prepare for making sugar.
While we were employed at this business, a
Frenchman persuaded me to marry a squaw,
if they insisted, for I would then be treated
with more respect, and consequently would
have greater liberties. After mature conside-
ration, I thought probably this would be the
best plan I could adopt, in order to make my
escape, and therefore resolved to marry the
next one that was presented to me. It was not
long before they brought me a squaw, (the
most decent looking one I had seen) whom I
i-esolved to marry without hesitation. I how-
ever, when just on the po^nt of forming a con-
nubial alliance with her, was prevented by aii
Indian, who claimed her as his squaw.

Several weeks before the battle of Fort
Meigs, the Indians began to collect, and dance
the war dance.

Just before the Indians marched, they ])re-
pared a number of hoops, both ends of which
they stuck in the ground, and spread their
blankets over them. In this place they put
hot stones, threw water on them, and then
went in themselves, and remained until they
were wet with sweat. This I conjectured was
done in the way of devotion, or in imploring
the assistance of the Great Spirit, in their in-
tended expedition.

When the Indians marched, I was commit-
ted to the care of the squaws, and a few old in-
valids. Thinking this the most favourable op-
portunity 1 could get, I was determined to put

86 DAVENPORT S NARRATIVE.

my plan in execution. At night I lay down,
■svilh the intention of starting when the moon
arose, but overslept my time, and did pot awake
till daylight. 1 arose and started, notwith-
standing I was apprehensive of being disco-
vered, and ran directly to Detroit, a distance
of about nine miles, probably in as short a time
as any Indian in the nation could have per-
formed the same journey.

As soon as I had arrived at Detroit, I went
to Mr. T. S.'s, who had persuaded me to run
away, and he and his friends would conceal
me, v.'hich they did accordingly. It was but a
short time before a Frenchman, of the name of
Shover, and some squaws, came in search of
me, but could not find me.

From here I was sent to Sandwich, and con-
cealed there two days, and suffered extremely
for provisions. From Sandwich, I was sent to
Maiden, where I found six of my fellow prison-
ers, who, together with myself, were kept under
close confinement in the fort for three weeks.
While we remained here, we frequently heard
from the Rapids, but the news was always fa-
vourable on the British side. One morning an
old man, who looked as if he had just emerged
from the lower regions, came into the fort, and
exclaimed, " good news, gentlemen ! good news !
—We have killed fifteen hundred yankees, and
have taken Harrison, and all the rest that were
at the fort, prisoners!!" I was informed after-
wards, that this old man was the notorious Si-
mon Girty, so much renowned for cruelty and

Davenport's narrative. 87

slaughter, and who has delighted in the shrieks
of dying women and expiring infants.

From the most correct information I could
obtain, their forces at the siege of Fort Meigs,
consisting of British regulars, Canadian mi-
litia, and Indians, amounted to 5000 !

From Maiden I was taken across to Cleve-
land, and from there I pursued my journey
towards the delightful regions of Kentucky,
where I arrived in Montgomery county, in
June, 1813.

THE BATTLE OF RAISIN,

On the 22d of January, 1813.

On Raisin darkness reign'd around,
And silent was the tented ground,
Where weary soldiers slept profound,

Far in the wint'ry wilderness.
No danger did the sentry fear.
No wakeful watch at midnight drear;
But ah ! the foe approaches near.

Through forests frowning awfully.
And ere the sun had risen bright,
Fast flashing 'mid the stormy fight,
The thund ring cannon's livid light

Glar'd on the eye most frightfully.
Then deadly flew the balls of lead !
Then many of the foemen bled,
And thrice their banded legion fled.

Before Kentucky's bravery.

And long our heroes' swords prevail:
But hist ! that deep and doleful wail:
Ah! freedom's sons begin to fail,

Oppress'd by numbers battleing.
Rise! rise I ye volunteers, arise !
Behold! ynur right hand column flies!
And hark! yon shout which rends the skies!

Where Indians yell tumultuously.

Rush o'er the bloody field of fame,
Drive back the savage whence he came !
For glory 'waits the victor's name,
Returning home exultingly.

Tis done. The dreadful fight is o'er ;
Thick clouds of smoke are seen no more :
The snowy plain i.s red with gore,

Where fell the friends of liberty.

Campbell.

VVAI

ii>iif-- V