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for want of water during the action, but more particularly to take care of the wounded, which amounted to eleven; and six killed. From every circumstance, I am certain there were not less than twenty-five Indians killed, and probably double that number wounded. In short, they were totally defeated, with the loss of their provisions, clothing, &c., consisting of the following articles-four muskets, thirty-two brass kettles, and one hundred large packs, containing blankets, match-coats, boots, moccasons, tomahawks, pipes, upwards of one hundred halters and bridles, &c., from all of which I judge their number was fully equal to ours. Col. Freeman and Maj. Clark distinguished themselves, and from the spirit and bravery with which the whole of my little party acted during the action, I do not believe that, had we met them in the open woods, we should have been more than five minutes in destroying them all.

"While I was on this excursion, two skirmishes happened near Greensborough, in one of which one man was wounded, and in the other six stands of arms were lost, being guarded by only two men, while the rest of the party were gathering fodder."

Copy of a letter from an officer in the service of the United States to his friend in New York, dated Buffalo Creek, Sept. 27, 1793.

"I left fort Franklin the 3d inst., and arrived here the 11th in the evening, at the house of Mr. Winney, who informed me that upwards of four thousand hos tile Indians were now assembled at the Miami vil lages, and that their number was daily increasing. Capt. Powell, and several other gentlemen of the British army, dined with me yesterday, and from their conversation I am perfectly convinced that the Indians are supported by the British in the war against us. Indeed, Capt. Powell told me that all the intentions of the Indians were well known to them, and the Indians were their allies, and of course they must support them. He also informed me that ten scouts of the hostile Indians were then out to strike on the fron

tiers, and they would soon attack the Six Nations. Some of the chiefs of the hostile Indians passed here about five days ago, on their way to Canada, but what their business is I cannot learn."

CHAP. XVI.

DECISIVE BATTLE GAINED BY THE AMERICAN ARMY, UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL WAYNE, OVER THE HOSTILE INDIANS ON THE RIVER MIAMIS.

AFTER the defeat of two armies, and the great sufferings of the inhabitants, by the Indians, as related in the preceding chapter, our government came to the determination to adopt more effective measures for the protection of the western frontiers. Gen. Anthony Wayne was appointed to the command of the forces raised for that purpose, and ordered to proceed against the hostile Indians, who had assembled in great force on the river Miamis. He gained a decisive victory over them, which put an end to their depredations for several years. The particulars of the battle are related in the following official despatch from him to the secretary of war.

"It is with infinite pleasure that I announce to you the brilliant success of the federal army under my command, in a general action with the combined force. of the hostile Indians, and a considerable number of the volunteers and militia of Detroit, on the 20th of August, 1794, on the banks of the Miamis, in the vicinity of the British post and garrison at the foot of the rapids.

"The army advanced to Roach de Bout on the 15th, and on the 19th we were employed in making a temporary post for the reception of our stores and baggage,

and in reconnoitering the position of the enemy, who were encamped behind a thick bushy wood and the British fort.

"At eight o'clock on the morning of the 20th, the army again advanced in columns, agreeably to the standing order of the march: the legion on the right, its right flank covered by the Miamis; one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, under Brig. Gen. Todd, and the other in the rear, under Brig. Gen. Barbee. A select battalion of mounted volunteers moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced, and to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for peace or war.

"After advancing about five miles, Major Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy, who were secreted in the woods and high grass, as to compel them to retreat.

"The legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in a close, thick wood, which extended for miles on our left, and for a very considerable distance in front, the ground being covered with old fallen timber, probably occasioned by a tornado, which rendered it impracticable for the cavalry to act with effect, and afforded the enemy, the most favorable covert for their mode of warfare. The savages were formed in three lines, within supporting distance of each other, and extending for near two miles at right angles with the river. I soon discovered, from the weight of the fire and extent of their lines, that the enemy were in full force in front, in possession of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to turn our left flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line to advance to support the first, and directed Major General Scott to gain and turn the right flank of the savages, with the whole of the mounted volunteers, by a circuitous route. At the same time I ordered the front line to advance and charge with trailed arms, and rouse the Indians from their covert at the point of the bayonet, and when up

to deliver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, followed by a brisk charge, so as not to give them time to load again or to form their lines. I also ordered Capt. M. Campbell, who commanded the legionary cavalry, to turn the left flank of the enemy next the river, which afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in. All these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude; but such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that the Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were driven from all their coverts in so short a time, that, although every possible exertion was used by the officers of the second line of the legion, and by Gens. Scott, Wood, and Barbee of the mounted volunteers, to gain their proper positions, but part of each could get up in season to participate in the action, the enemy being driven in the course of one hour more than two miles through the thick woods already mentioned, by less than one half their number.

This

"From every account the enemy amounted to two thousand combatants. The troops actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred. horde of savages, with their allies, abandoned themselves to flight and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving our victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which terminated under the influence of the guns of the British garrison.

"The bravery and conduct of every officer belonging to the army, from the generals down to the ensigns, merit my approbation.

"Lieut. Covington, upon whom the command of the cavalry devolved, Capt. Campbell being killed,) cut down two savages with his own hand, and Lieut. Webb one in turning the enemy's left flank.

"The wounds received by Captains Slough, Prior, Van Renselaer, and Rawlins, and Lieuts. M'Kenny and Smith, bear honorable testimony of their bravery and conduct. In fact, every officer and soldier who had an opportunity to come into action, displayed that true bravery which always ensures success. And

here permit me to declare that I never discovered" more true spirit and anxiety for action than appeared to pervade the whole of the mounted volunteers, and I am well persuaded that had the enemy maintained their favorite ground for one half hour longer they would have felt most severly the prowess of that corps.

"But whilst I pay this just tribute to the living, I must not neglect the gallant dead, among whom we have to lament the early death of those worthy and brave officers, Capt. Campbell and Lieut. Towles, who fell in the first charge.

"The loss of the enemy was more than double to that of the federal army. The woods were strewed for a considerable distance with dead bodies of Indians and their white auxiliaries, the latter armed with British muskets and bayonets. We remained three days and nights on the banks of the Miamis in front of the field of battle, during which time all the houses and cornfields were consumed and destroyed for a considerable distance above and below the garrison, among which were the houses, stores, and property of Col. M'Kee, the British Indian agent, and principal stimulator of the war now existing between the United States and the savages.

"The army returned to head quarters on the 27th, by easy marches, laying waste the villages and cornfields for about fifty miles on each side of the Miamis. It is not improbable that the enemy may make one desperate action against the army, as it is said a reinforcement was hourly expected at fort Miamis from Niagara, as well as numerous tribes of Indians living on the margins and islands of the lakes. This is an event rather to be wished for than dreaded whilst the army remains in force; their numbers will only tend to confuse the savages, and the victory will be the more complete and decisive, and which may eventually ensure a permanent and happy peace. Total killed, thirty-eight; wounded, one hundred and one."

The following circumstances, which took place pre

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