How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Cry-- Part 5: The Second Battle at the River Raisin

Arriving before dawn on January 22, 1813, and unnoticed by the American sentries, a force of 600 British Canadians and 800 Native warriors gathered into battle positions along the Mason Run Creek, about 250-350 yards to the north of the settlement.  

British regulars and artillery were positioned in the center, a dispersed clustering of Native warriors made up mostly of Anishinaabeg (Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi) and Miami, accompanied by some Canadian militia were to the west, and to the east was a large number of Native warriors, mostly Wyandot and Shawnee, in the forward position, supported by Canadian militia and artillery to their rear.

Reveille sounded, and an American sentry spotted the British in the pre-dawn light. He fired a shot into the forward line that killed the lead grenardier, and the report of his musket sent 1,000 just awakened soldiers scrambling for their battle positions.

Almost immediately, the British opened with their artillery and the infantry pushed forward from its center position.  As they drew within range of the settlement, the British infantrymen fired a powerful volley at what, in the still dark distance, had seemed to be a line of soldiers.

Well, It Wasn't a Line of Soldiers.  --Brock-Perry

The Hargrave Family and War of 1812-- Part 2: Ninian Edwards Attacks

Following the massacre at Fort Dearborn (present-day Chicago), Illinois Territory Governor Ninian Edwards Became convinced that  the Potawatami and Kickapoo Indians were going to launch a major attack on settlements in southern Illinois.  In his capacity as commander-in-chief in the Territory, he took it upon himself to launch a campaign against them.

The force of 400 that he assembled included mounted militia volunteers commanded by  Charles Rector and Benjamin Stephenson.  On October 18, 1812,  Edwards and his force marched out of Fort Russell (near present-day Edwardsville).  Near present-day Springfield, he burned  two Kickapoo villages on  the Saline Fork of the Sangamon River.

From there, they turned west and marched to present-day Peoria where they attacked villages associated with the Kickapoo, the Miami and the Potawatomi.  According to Edwards' account to the U.S. Secretary of War, they burned the villages and large amounts of provisions.  They also captured 80 horses, killed more than  two dozen Indians and captured 4 prisoners.

That accomplished, they returned to Fort Russell in November 1, 1812.  There Edwards proclaimed that the Indian problems had been solved and he released the militia.

Two of the men with Benjamin Stephenson were Robert Hargrave (son of John Robert) and Joseph Palmer (son-on-law of John Robert.)

--Brock-Perry

The Treaty of Spring Wells-- Part 2: What Did It Mean and Who Signed It

Then object of the treaty was to absolve the Indians for supporting Britain during the War of 1812 and secure their future allegiance to the United States.  The treaty officially ended all hostilities between the United States  and the Indians and reaffirmed  the 1795 Treaty of Greenville.

The U.S. agreed to restore to the Indians all of their possessions, rights and privileges as of 1811.  In return, the Indians agreed to place themselves under the protection of the U.S. government and repudiate all ties with Britain.

Furthermore, the U.S.  also "agree[d] to pardon such of the chiefs and  and warriors of said tribes as may have continued hostilities against them  until the close of the war with Great Britain."

The negotiations for the United States were conducted by treaty commissioners William Henry Harrison, Duncan McArthur and John Graham.  Native leaders who signed the treaty were Tarhe (Wyandot), Pacanne (Miami) and Black Hoof (Shawnee).

--Brock-Perry

Harrison Takes Charge In Ohio-- Part 2: Building Roads and Forts

Fresh recruits soon began pouring into Franklinton and William Henry Harrison set out to train them.  As the new troops were being trained, he sent the first 700 he had received out to what is today Muncie, Indiana, where they caught a group of Miami Indians by surprise  and soundly defeated them on December 17, 1812.

At this time, most of Ohio was still a wilderness.  There were a few roads built along existing Indian trails, but for the most part, land north and west of Columbus was flat marshy land which made travel extremely difficult.

Making roads to the north of the town caused many deaths from disease in Harrison's army.  To make travel easier, Harrison ordered that an old Indian trail along the Scioto River be expanded.  That road today is State Route 23.

After that he began concentrating on building forts.  He first rebuilt Fort Defiance which had had major use during the Indian Wars of 1793-1794.  It was located at the confluence of  the Auglaiz and Maumee rivers.  During the War of 1812, the major threat to Ohio came from Canadian and British troops and their Indian allies massed along the northwest end of Lake Erie.

Fort Defiance gave Harrison a good point for a staging area, but wasn't as much help as a defensive post.  Another fort was needed.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 8: The American Attack on the Peoria Villages

On October 18, 1812, Gov. Edwards and 400 mounted troops marched out of Fort Russell and burned two Kickapoo villages on the Saline Fork of the Sangamon River, present-day Springfield, Illinois.

They then turned west and marched to Peoria where they attacked Kickapoo, Miami and Potawatomi villages.  They burned the villages down and destroyed all the provisions, making prospects for winter survival much less.  They also captured 80 horses, took four prisoners and killed between 24 and 30 Indians.

They returned to Fort Russell on November 1 and the militia was released.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell-- Part 1: Born in Virginia, Moved to Kentucky

From Wikipidea.

March 13, 1777 to August 28, 1814

Famous for his expedition to destroy the Miami Indian villages along the Mississinewa River in Indiana and his infamous order to destroy private houses and other property in Dover, Canada, including stores of grain and mills.

This led to a Canadian Court of Enquiry and an unprecedented letter to the enemy explaining himself.

Mortally wounded at the Battle of Chippawa in July 1814.

Born in Virginia and his family moved to Kentucky around 1807 and became a lawyer in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

He was the son of Colonel Arthur Campbell who fought in the American Revolution and Indian Wars.  Campbell County, Tennessee, was named for him.  He had a brother named James H. Campbell who also fought in the War of 1812 and died at Mobile, Alabama.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell and the War in Indiana-- Part 8: Frostbite Prevalent

DECEMBER 24, 1812

His troops decimated by freezing weather, Campbell arrived back at Fort Greenville.  More than 300 of his troops suffered from frostbite.

He allowed the Indian women and children to ride captured Indian horses on the return trip.  The captives were escorted to Indian settlements at Piqua.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell-- Part 7: Withdrawal Due to Cold

DECEMBER 18, 1812

Just before dawn, a force of about 300 Indians counter attacked Campbell, killing eight soldiers and wounding 48.  Fifteen Indians were killed.

Faced with bitter cold, mounting casualties and the loss of 109 soldiers killed in battles, Campbell determines to withdraw his forces to Fort Greenville.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell and the War in Indiana-- Part 5: Ordered to Destroy Miami Village of Mississinewa

NOVEMBER 25, 1812--

Harrison orders Campbell to attack and destroy the Miami village of Mississinewa.  Campbell is advised to try to spare chiefs Richardville, Silver Heels, White Loon, Charley and Pecon, and the sons and daughters of Little Turtle if it can be done without risk to his force.

He is also advised to guarantee the safety of the Indian women and children who are to be captured and conducted back to settlements in Ohio -- a condition that will eventually cost Campbell severe losses among his troops.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell and the War in Indiana-- Part 6: A Cold March and a Surprise

DECEMBER 14, 1812

Campbell's force of nearly 600 mounted troops, guided by William Conner departs Fort Greenville, Ohio, on an 80-mile forced march to the Miami towns on the Mississinewa River.

The snow is knee deep and the weather is bitter cold.

DECEMBER 18, 1812

Campbell's force surprises and attacks the first of four Indian villages on the Mississinewa River near present-day Jalapa.  Eight Indians and one African-American were killed and 42 Indians, including 34 women and children are captured.  Two American soldiers are killed.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell and the War in Indiana-- Part 3: To Attack Or Not To Attack

OCTOBER 26, 1812

Harrison seeks approval from U.S. Secretary of War William Eustis, to attack Indiana towns along the Mississinewa River in Indiana.

NOVEMBER 5, 1812

Secretary Eustis advises Harrison that "the Miamis, as well as other Indians, must be dealt with as their merits and demerits may in your judgement require."

In other words, passing the responsibility along.

And, It Is Starting To Get COLD.  --Brock-Perry

John B. Campbell and the War in Indiana-- Part 2: Miamis Stirring Up Trouble

Timeline of 1812 events in Indiana.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1812

William Henry Harrison is given command of the Second Army of the West, replacing General James Winchester.

OCTOBER 11, 1812--

Indiana Agent B.F. Stickney passes along information from fur trader John Conner to Harrison.  he reported that from September 13 to October 2, the Miamis had sent nine messengers to the Delaware Indians inviting them to join forces with them in a war versus the United States.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Dearborn: Battle or Massacre?-- Part 1

From the August 15, 2012, Carolina (NC) Journal "A Battle or a Massacre?" by John Hood.

On August 15, 1812, the garrison surrendered and left Fort Dearborn, on the shore of Lake Michigan (current-day Chicago).  There were 55 soldiers, 12 militiamen, 27 women and children and 30 Miami Indian allies.  They were ordered to Fort Wayne, Indiana territory and had been granted safe passage by the Potawatomi Indians.

A short distance from the fort, they were attacked by 400-500 Potawatomi Indians.  The Miami Indians fled.  What took place next is a matter of debate.

The Potawatomi refer to it as the Battle of Fort Dearborn, a victory in their continuing war against encroachment and treaty violations by the United States.  Americans call it the Fort Dearborn Massacre.  Women and children were bludgeoned to death.  Some American soldiers were tortured, executed and mutilated.  Captain William Wells was killed and had his heart ripped out and eaten.

I Call It a Massacre.  --Brock-Perry

And Then, There Was "Carrot Top": William Wells-- Part 4

In 1812, Wells led a group of Miami Indians to Fort Dearborn.  Among the Americans in the fort was his niece, Rebekah Wells, the wife of the fort's commander, Captain Nathan Heald.  Both Nathan and Rebekkah were wounded in the massacre, but managed to escape and later surrender to the British.

Wells was not so fortunate,  Dressed in Indian fashion with his face also painted black in anticipation of death, he was shot and killed.  The Pottawatomi, considering him a traitor, reportedly ate his heart to gain some of his courage.

Wells Street in Chicago is named for him.  Wells County in Indiana also is named for him as is Wells Street in Fort Wayne.

William Wells played a major role in Indian-American relations in the Old Northwest Territory.  Sadly, his body was lost.

Quite a Person.  --Brock-Perry

And Then There Was "Carrot Top": William Wells-- Part 3

William Wells married a Wea woman (a member of a Miami-Illinois tribe) and had a child.  His wife and child were captured in a raid by US General James Wilkinson.  Enraged, Wells organized a 300-man suicide squad that fought with distinction at St. Clare's defeat, the Battle of the Wabash, Nov. 4, 1791.

His fighting attracted the attention of Miami War Chief Little Turtle and Wells eventually married his daughter and had four children and served as a scout in his father-in-law's wars with the United States.

In 1793, at Vincennes, Indiana Territory, he met his older brother Samuel, and traveled to Fort Nelson and met General Rufus Putnam and warned him that the British were inciting Indians to fight in the Northwest Territory.

Little Turtle gave Wells permission to join the Legion of the United States, a subgroup of the U.S. Army.  he was wounded at the Battle of Fallen Timbers.  After the Treaty of Greenville, Little Turtle asked that Wells be appointed Indian Agent to the Miami and he moved to Fort Wayne where he pressed to government to establish a trading post there.  His wife died in 1805.

In 1809, he married his third wife, and first white woman, Mary Geiger, daughter of Col. Frederick Geiger.

William Wells Certainly Had Important Connections With Both Sides..  --Brock-Perry