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could not have taken place-and that may be true. But had General Butler, given him the information, received from Captain Slough? had he roused his vigilance? had he apprized him of the approaching danger? It seems, that he had not. These circumstances, may indeed, find a solution in the native courage, and official confidence, of General Butler; which in the first place induced him to neglect the information of Captain Slough-and in the second place, to omit sending out scouts in the morning, or keeping the army on parade until he heard from the advanced camp. And if the officer who met Colonel Oldham, and turned him back, to order out scouts, reported the fact to General Butler, his conduct on the occasion, is the less excusable: because, he must have known, that the scouts, had not been ordered in proper time, and that the adjacent woods had not been explored. The enemy were there; and the camp was surprised. From the effects of which the troops were never recovered: but the army defeated with great loss, if not with equal disgrace. And may these reflections produce caution; which is the object of their insertion in this history.

To bring this discussion to a close-which some may think misplaced in history-while others imagine that utility consists in illustration, as well as in narrative-let it be asked, why, as soon as the troops were reduced to order, after the camp was assailed-why were not the lines extended? the militia put upon the flanks? the squadrons of horse, set into activity?--It was daylight. The whole scene was exposed to view. The enemy were brave, it is true; but they were disorderly savages. They could not stand before the bayonet. Why were they not charged in every direction? Why were they not killed, at, or driven, from, their covers? They fought in irregular, and detached parts. Why were they not attacked in flank, and rear? Whenever they were charged, they fled. How astonishing, that this indication, was not productive of a general order! How did it happen, that such an order was not given, the moment the enemy were seen to hide? Why were the troops. permitted to stand, exposed to the fire of the hidden Indians,

always aimed, and shockingly fatal, while they spent their own fire in vain? When they had bayonets in their hands, that were perfectly irresistible, and if encountered, equally fatal, why not use them? Nothing could exceed the individual exertions, or self devotion, of the officers; but they were certainly deficient in general direction. They wanted concert, and progression, in their movements.

The number of the Indians was not known-some accounts have swelled it to two thousand; others have reduced it to one thousand. At the time it had gained the ascendency, it seemed a myriad: and however inferior at first, numbers were equalised; as the slaughter became disproportioned, and mortifyingly great on the side of General St. Clair.

Yet, allowing all this, it is not believed, that mounted volunteers, although the best kind of undisciplined troops, in comparative numbers, would have done better-except, that by running sooner, fewer would have been killed.

But it was said, that the men were sullen, dispirited, and inert; and Colonel Darke, who was next in command to General Butler, and of course the acting commandant, after his death; suggested in a public despatch, "that such troops were fit for nothing but death;" that they could not be inspired with the desire of victory-much less moved to make the exertions necessary to win it. Those who charged under his direction, doubtless, should have been exempted, from these observations. But suppose they were just-as there is no effect without a cause--so this strange disposition, has been accounted for by shewing, that these men had been enlisted for a limited time, which, as to the most of them, had expired. That they had suffered much on the march, with both cold and hunger; being in want of clothes, and often, of provisions. Some attempts had been made to re-enlist them, under circumstances of irritation: and they were detained, in fact, against their will, and what they thought right; to effect the object of the campaign. In short, it was said, that they lost the victory, because they did not try to gain it. And for this folly, they paid their lives, or their honour. Be this as it may,

Another army was to be raised; but this was the business of the president, and congress: who found new motives for exertion, and for caution; but none for yielding the defence of the frontiers, to those who aspired to direct and use the mounted volunteers; and still less, were they disposed to abandon them, to the ravages of the Indians: as will hereafter appear.

In December, the elections took place, for members to a convention, which was to assemble on the first Monday of the ensuing April, at the usual place, (Danville) in order to frame a constitution of government for Kentucky; now to become a

state.

The Gazette, the only newspaper then in the district, was much occupied on the subjects of elections, a bill of rights, and the constitution. The democratic character, was seen to predominate in every thing: Such was the name assumed, by those who used it for purposes of getting into popular favour.

A considerable effort was made, to get the whole district. into county committees--whose first ostensible business was to form tickets, or to recommend to the people, fit persons, to be elected by them, as representatives. The next thing, was to furnish the representatives, when chosen, with instructions how to act. A contrivance, by which, certain demagogues may hold and exercise the government, in these self created, or primary assemblies, without the responsibility which ought to be attached to its functionaries. The project, did not, however, succeed to any great extent: as most of the electors, thought themselves qualified to choose their representatives without the assistance of the committees; of which they perceived, they were not to be members. Nor were they, at that time, generally infected with the folly of attempting to govern those, whom they were to elect, officially, to govern them. The application of this absurdity, is of later date, as a principle of practice, in Kentucky.

CHAP. XVI.

General Wilkinson appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army-that to be enlarged and recruited-Indian depredation-Spain disposed to treat about the Mississippi-Paper Mill erected at Georgetown Station attacked, and defended by Mrs. White-Convention assemble to form the Constitution, which was done--and the first of June appointed for it to take effect--The Constitution.

[1792.] IN January, 1792, General Wilkinson, who it has been mentioned, had turned his attention from the civil, towards the military line of employment, having succeeded in getting the commission of lieutenant colonel, in the second regiment of United States troops, and from a series of circumstances-finding himself in command, at fort Washington; an-, nounced the arrival of pay and clothing for the remnant of General St. Clair's army: which, had they arrived before the late battle, would not only have discharged the demands of justice; but in all probability, would have purchased a victory; and were yet anxiously wanted by the survivers of the defeat. The militia, on the expedition, were also to be paid; and received the news, with great pleasure. For if they had rendered no public service, they had sustained considerable private loss; and thought themselves entitled to compensation; at least, to the extent of their arrearages of pay.

This new situation, in which Wilkinson was placed, attracted pretty general attention in Kentucky; and while it highly gratified his former coadjutors in politics; it gave some uneasiness to others, who greatly doubted the fidelity of the lieutenant colonel, to the United States. And it coming to be known that he had been recommended to the president, by Colonel Marshall, he incurred a degree of censure--which drew from him, the following explanation: "He considered, Wilkinson,. well qualified for the commission, he had solicited, and obtained; that while he remained unemployed by government, he con

sidered him dangerous to the public quiet of Kentucky, perhaps to her safety--that if his commission did not secure his fidelity, it would at least place him under control, in the midst of faithful officers; whose vigilance would render him harmless, if it did not make him honest." He had no idea, that Wilkinson, would ever be permitted, to command the army, while there could be a doubt of his integrity, and General Washington, remained president of the United States. A circumstance, which, with Colonel Marshall, had no limit. "At all events," he said, "he could see no good reason, for not putting the lion, in the toils, which he solicited for himself."

The 15th of February, the Indians killed a man at the iron works, recently erected on Slate creek. About the 20th of the same month, Major Estill, with another man, fell in with six Indians near Danville; got the first fire, killed two, and scared the other four. The 25th, the Indians killed a man and woman, near Grant's mill, on Elkhorn. In the early part of March, they burned some houses in the neighbourhood, and stole horses, which they made off with. The middle of the month, a man was killed a few miles below Louisville.

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To counterbalance these unpleasant circumstances, news arrived that congress had passed an act for the defence of the western frontiers; and that Spain, had signified, by her minister, that she was not averse to treat, on the subject of a port, "or place of deposite for American produce, at New Orleans-and also, about the navigation of the Mississippi. Whether this was a mere diplomatic overture, for turning the attention of the country, on the president; and increasing expectation, preparatory to disappointment; which was intended should follow-it is not material to inquire. It had a good effect on present feeling, which wanted something soothing to mitigate its anguish, and smooth its temper.

A paper mill, the first which had been attempted in Kentucky, was in progress, and near completion. For this establishment, which promised to be useful, the country was indebted to the exertions of Craig and Parkers: it was near Georgetown; and soon after rendered productive.

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