CRAWFORD'S CAMPAIGN.*

This, in one point of view, at least, is to be considered as a second Moravian campaign, as one of its objects was that of finishing the work of murder and plunder of the remnant of the christian Indians, at their new village on the Sandusky, to which place they had been forced, from their once flourishing homes on the Muskingum, by both the hostile Indians and the American whites. The next object was that of destroying the Wyandott towns. It was the resolution of all those concerned in this expedition, not to spare the life of any Indians that might fall into their hands, whether friends or foes! But the disastrous result was a terrible example of retribution,-where the white man forgetting mercy, became himself the victim of savage vengeance.

It would seem that the long continuance of the Indian war, had debased a considerable portion of the white population on the frontiers, to a nearly savage state. Having lost their relations and friends, by the Indian tomahawk and scalping-knife, and witnessed the savage murders that desolated their homes, the same spirit of revenge grew up in their bosoms, which forms a prominent feature in the savage character; and having a taste of blood and plunder, without risk or loss, they resolved to go and kill every Indian they could find, whether friend or foe.

Preparations for this campaign, commenced soon after the return of the party that murdered the Moravian Indians in the month of March; and as the enterprise was to be conducted with secrecy and dispatch, the men were all mounted on the best horses they could procure, for the purpose of taking the Indians by surprise.

On the twenty-fifth day of May, 1782, four hundred and eighty men, finding their own horses, equipments and clothing, mustered at the old Mingo towns, on the western side of the Ohio river. They were all from the immediate neighborhood of the river, except one company from Ten-mile creek, in Washington county, Here an election took place for the office of Commander-in-chief of the expedition. The candidates were Colonel Williamson, who commanded the Moravian expedition, and Colonel Crawford. The latter was the successful candidate. When notified of it, it is said, that he accepted it with apparent reluctance. (1) Colonel Williamson was one of the officers of the expedition. (2)

*The main particulars of this campaign, are from Dodridge's Notes, pages 268-281. (2) Heckewelder's Narrative, p. 337.

(1) Dodridge's Notes, p. 269.

The army marched along "Williamson's trail," as it was then called, until they arrived at the ruins of the upper Moravian towns, on the fourth day of their march, in the fields belonging to which, there was still an abundance of corn on the stalks, with which their horses were plentifully fed, during the night of their encampment there.

Shortly after the army halted at this place, two Indians were discovered, by three men who had walked some distance out of the camp.-. Three shots were fired at one of them, but without hurting him. As soon as the news of the discovery of Indians reached the camp, more than one half of the men rushed out, without command, and in the most tumultous manner, to see what happened. (1) From that time Colonel Crawford felt a presentiment of the defeat which followed. (2)

cans.

The Indians were observing the motions of the troops. "From the time the christian Indians were murdered on the Muskingum, the savages had kept spies out, to guard against being surprised by the AmeriThere was not a public place on the Ohio, from Pittsburg to Grave creek, below Wheeling, left unobserved. Thus, when in May, two months after the destruction of the Moravian towns, the white settlers were seen in agitation, as if preparing for some enterprise, the news was brought to the Indians, and so from day to day, until Crawford's men had crossed the Ohio river, and even then their first encampment was 'reconnoitred. (3) They knew the number of troops and their destination, visited every encampment immediately on their leaving it, when on their march, and saw from their writings on the trees, and scraps of paper, that "no quarter was to be given to any Indian, whether man, woman or child.” (4)

Nothing of consequence happened during their march, until the sixth of June, when their guides conducted them to the site of the Moravian villages, on one of the upper branches of the Sandusky river. From this retreat, the Christian Indians had lately been driven away by the Wyandotts, to the Scioto. Instead, therefore, of meeting with Indians and plunder, they met with nothing but vestiges of desolation. The place was covered with high grass; and the remains of a few huts alone, announced that the place had been the residence of the people whom they intended to destroy, as their friends had been in the preceding March, upon the banks of the Muskingum.

In this dilemma, what was to be done? The officers held a council,

(1) M'Clurg says, that a few of the volunteers at this time returned home.

(2) Dodridge's Notes, p. 270.

4) Heckewelper's Narrative, p. 337.

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in which it was determined to march one day longer in the direction of Upper Sandusky,and if they should not reach the town in the course of the day, to make a retreat with all speed.

The march was commenced the next morning through the plains of Sandusky, and continued until about two o'clock, when the advance guard was attacked and driven in by the Indians, who were discovered in large numbers in the high grass with which the place was covered. The Indian army was at that moment about entering a piece of woods, almost entirely surrounded by plains; but in this they were partially prevented by a rapid movement of the whites. The battle then commenced by a heavy, fire from both sides. From a partial possession of the woods which they had gained at the outset of the battle, the Indians were soon dislodged. They then attempted to gain a small skirt of wood on the right flank of Col. Crawford, but were prevented from so doing by the vigilance and bravery of Maj. Leet, who commanded the right wing at the time. The firing was heavy and incessant until dark, when it ceased, and both armies lay on their arms during the night. Both adopted the policy of kindling large fires along the line of battle, and then retiring some distance in the rear of them, to prevent being surprised by a night attack. During the conflict of the afternoon, three of Col. Crawford's men were killed and several wounded.

"On the next morning, the army occupied the battle ground of the preceding day. The Indians made no attack during the day, until late in the evening, but were seen in large bodies traversing the plains in various directions. Some of them appeared to be carrying off their dead and wounded."

"In the morning of this day a council of officers was held, and a retreat was resolved on, as the only means of saving the army. The Indians appearing to increase every hour."

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During this day, preparations were made for a retreat by burying the dead, burning fires over their graves to prevent discovery, and preparing means for carrying off the wounded. The retreat was to commence in the course of the night. The Indians, however, became apprized of this intended retreat, and about sundown attacked the army with great force and fury, in every direction, excepting that of Sandusky." “When the line of march was formed by the commander-in-chief, and the retreat commenced, the guides prudently took the direction of Sandusky, which afforded the only opening in the Indian lines, and the only chance of concealment. After marching about a mile in this direction, the army wheeled about to the left, and by a circuitous route gained,

before day, the trail by which they came. They continued their march the whole of the next day, without annoyance, except the firing of a few distant shots, by the Indians at the rear guard, which slightly wounded two or three men. At night they built fires, took their suppers, secured the horses, and resigned themselves to repose, without placing a single sentinel or vidette for safety. In this careless situation they might have been surprised and cut off by the Indians, who, however, did not disturb them during the night, nor afterwards, during the whole of their retreat. The number that retreated in the main body is supposed to be about three hundred.”

"Most unfortunately when a retreat was resolved on, a difference of opinion prevailed concerning the best mode of effecting it. The greater number thought best to keep in a body, and retreat as fast as possible, while a considerable number thought it the safest to break off in small parties, and make their way home in different directions, avoiding the route by which they came. Accordingly many attempted to do so, calculating that the whole body of the Indians would follow the main army. In this they were entirely mistaken. The Indians relinquished the pursuit of the main army, and followed the small parties with such activity, that very few escaped."

The only successful detachment, was that of about forty men under the command of Capt. Williamson, who late in the night of the retreat broke through the Indian lines, under a severe fire, and with some loss, overtook the main army, on the morning of the second day of the retreat.

For several days after the retreat of the army, the Indians were spread over the whole country from the Sandusky to the Muskingum, in pursuit of the detached parties, most of whom were overtaken and killed on the spot. Some were pursued almost to the Ohio, one man by the name of Mills being killed between where St. Clairsville now stands and Wheeling.

"At the commencement of the retreat, Col. Crawford placed himself at the head of the army, and continued there until they had gone about a quarter of a mile, when missing his son John Crawford, his son-in-law Major Harrison, ard his nephews Major Rose and William Crawford, he halted and called for them, as the line passed, but without finding them.(1) After the army had passed him, he was unable to overtake it, owing to the weariness of his horse. Falling in company with Dr. Knight, and two others, they travelled all night, first north, and then to

(1) They were captured and murdered by the Indians by burning.—Incidents

the east to avoid the pursuit of the Indians. They directed their courses by the north star."

On the next day, they fell in with Capt. John Biggs and Lieut. Ashley, the latter of whom was wounded. Two others were in company with Biggs and Ashley. They encamped together the succeeding night. On the next day, about noon, they reached the path by which the army had advanced, upon the Indian towns a few days before, and some discussion took place as to the propriety of taking that course homeward. Capt. Biggs and Dr. Knight, insisted upon continuing their course through the woods, and avoiding all paths, but Crawford overruled them, assuring them that the Indians would not urge the pursuit beyond the plains, which were already far behind. Unfortunately the Colonel prevailed; and abandoning their due eastern course, the party pursued the beaten tract. Crawford and Knight moved one hundred and fifty yards in front, Capt. Biggs and his wounded friend, Lieut. Ashley, were in the centre, both on horseback, and the two men on foot brought up the rear.(1)

Scarcely had they proceeded a mile, when several Indians sprung up within twenty yards of Crawford and Knight, presented their guns and in good English ordered them to stop. Knight sprung behind a tree and leveled his gun at the one in front. Crawford ordered him several times not to fire, Knight reluctantly obeyed, and the Indians ran up to Col. Crawford in a friendly manner, shook him by the hand cordially, and asked him how he did. Biggs and Ashley halted, while the two men in the rear prudently took to their heels and escaped. Col. Crawford ordered Capt. Biggs, to come up and surrender, but the Captain took aim at one of the Indians, fired, and then with Ashley put spurs to their horses and for the time escaped. They were both overtaken and killed the next day.

On the morning of the tenth of June, Colonel Crawford and Dr. Knight, together with nine more prisoners, were conducted by seventeen Indians to the old Sandusky town, about thirty-three miles distant. The nine prisoners were marched ahead of Crawford and Knight, who were conducted by Pipe and Wingemund, two Delaware Chiefs. All the prisoners, including Colonel Crawford and Dr. Knight, had been previously painted black by Pipe. Four of the prisoners were tomahawked and scalped on the way at different places; and when the other five arrived at the town, the boys and squaws fell upon them and tomahawked them in a moment.