the whole power of the Kentucky settlements and invade the Indian country in force. On reaching Harrodsburg he had seen the people evidently more intent on securing land from the land court then in session there than in protecting themselves. He summarily ordered the court to close and not to reopen until he returned. He ordered a draft and stationed men at Crab Orchard with instructions to turn back any persons attempting to leave for the East. Ordering most of his garrison at Louisville to repair to the mouth of the Licking, which was made the place of rendezvous, he had soon gathered almost a thousand troops ready to march on the Indian country. Logan, Kenton, Harrod, Floyd, and other noted fighters accompanied him. Carrying a three pounder, they set out in July (1780) for Chillicothe, where they arrived after a difficult march, only to find the town deserted. Clark ordered the town burned, and marched on to Piqua, where a brisk engagement took place with the Indians there, under the command of the renegade, Simon Girty. Although Clark's forces lost seventeen men killed to about six on the Indians' side, they destroyed much property, and so completely subdued the spirit of the Indians that Kentucky was freed from invasion for the remainder of the year.

Clark had not yet given up his hope of leading an expedition against Detroit; and now in order to secure aid and support for this venture he went to Richmond to plead his cause. He was able to impress the Virginia authorities with the importance of the undertaking and the ease with which it might be carried out, if he were given sufficient support. Now for the first time was the West regarded as a unit in the handling of the military situation. Clark was made brigadier general of the forces "westward of the Ohio" and was given permission to raise 2000 troops with which to take Detroit. He enlisted the sympathy and aid of Washington, who promised him contributions from the continental supplies and agreed with him that the capture of Detroit "would be the only means of giving peace and security to the whole western frontier." But the country was so disorganized and used up for war purposes that Clark soon found it impossible to raise even a half of the troops necessary. By the first of October (1781) he had despaired of raising his force. He said, "I have lost the object that was one of the principal inducements to my fatigues and transactions for several years past-my chain appears to have run out. I find myself enclosed with few troops, in a trifling fort and shortly expect to bear the insults of those who have for several years been in continued dread of me." 25 From plans of aggression Clark now turned to measures of defense. He was ordered by Governor Harrison (of Virginia) to garrison the Falls of the Ohio, where Fort Nelson had just been completed, the mouth of Licking River, and the mouth of Limestone Creek. A gunboat patrol of two units for each garrison was to be established, which it was hoped would secure the Kentuckians from further molestation from the Indians north of the Ohio.26 But this defense was not set up in time to prevent numerous Indian forays that marked the next few months. Among the most important and spectacular was the defense of McAfee's Station near Harrodsburg and the defeat of Estill near Mount Sterling. In the former engagement the Indians were finally beat off with considerable losses, while in the latter instance Captain James Estill and eight of his men were killed in a desperate hand-to-hand engagement with a band of twenty-five marauding Wyandots.27

25 Quoted in James, "George Rogers Clark and Detroit" in Proceedings of Mississippi Valley Historical Association, III, 291-317.

26 J. D. Monette, History of the Discovery and Settlement of the Valley of the Mississippi (New York, 1848), II, 123; James, "George Rogers Clark and the Northwest" in Annual Report of the American Historical Association, 1917, 321, 323. 27 Roosevelt, Winning of the West, II, 119-124; Butler, History Kentucky, 515

CHAPTER XIII

AFTER THE REVOLUTION-INDIAN TROUBLES-BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS

In the midst of this warfare in the West, which gave no signs of a speedy termination, news was received of the surrender of Cornwallis in October (1781) at Yorktown. It was only natural for many to feel that as the war was fast approaching an end in the East, hostilities should soon cease in the West and the people be given a chance to develop in the pursuits of peace. But such hopes were vain and delusive; for some of the most bitter strife was yet to come, and, in fact, the greatest battle of the Revolution in Kentucky was yet to be fought. That peace that came to the East was to be long deferred in the West.1 Before news of Cornwallis' surrender had reached the British at Detroit, plans for a strong attack on Wheeling had been worked out and different commands were being concentrated, including eleven hundred Indians, the greatest number of redskins ever mustered throughout the Revolution. Word soon reached this force that Clark was preparing to attack the Indian villages, whereupon most of the Indians turned back and refused to go farther at this time on any expedition. However about 300 Indians and some rangers from Detroit, led by Captains Caldwell and McKee, decided to carry out an attack against the posts in Kentucky. They crossed the Ohio in August (1782) and directed their march toward Bryant's Station the most northern of the Kentucky outposts. They attempted to take the station by surprise, but failing in this, they began preparations for a systematic siege. On the appearance of the attackers, a few swift runners had escaped to carry the alarm to the other stations and to arouse an army of deliverance. After a determined night attack in which the Indians used unsuccessfully every method available to burn or storm the fort, they withdrew the next morning. They left a plainly marked trail, with every indication to the untrained eye of hurried retreat and confusion but to one trained in Indian ways plainly a ruse to lure the pursuers into a trap.2

Without waiting for the arrival of reinforcements who were gathering under Colonel Logan the garrison set out in pursuit. As they approached the Licking River at the Blue Licks a few of the retreating Indians were sighted, and contrary to the advice of Boone the more impetuous hot-heads resolved to attack at once rather than await the coming of Logan's forces. Impelled by the reckless bravery of Major McGary, who leaped into the river in pursuit, a general attack was made. The Indians retreated until they had lured the Kentuckians into an ambush where they soon had them surrounded. Amidst a terrific onslaught by the red skins, the whites broke away and made a dash for life. Soon everything was confusion and turmoil as they attempted to re-cross the river. Many were killed at this point. The Indians pursued some of the whites for twenty miles, before giving up the chase. The battle of Blue Licks

1 See James A. James, "Significant Events during the Last Year of the Revolution in the West" in Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association,

1912-1913, pp. 239-257.

2 Reuben T. Durrett, Bryant's Station (Louisville, 1897), Filson Club Publication, No. 12, 227 pp.

was a most disastrous defeat for the Kentuckians, a melancholy blow which they were long in forgetting. Colonel Todd and Lieutenant-Colonel Trigg, the first and third in command, were killed, in addition to sixtyeight others. Seven were captured, four of whom were afterwards tortured to death, and twelve were seriously wounded. Some time later Logan came up with reinforcements, but the Indians had disappeared, and his forces now busied themselves in burying the dead.3

Genuine despair spread over the Kentucky settlements. It was feared that this success of the British and Indians would lead to renewed attacks which might destroy the people completely. Boone wrote Governor Harrison that he had encouraged the people as much as possible but the late turn of affairs left him little argument. He feared greatly for the future. In September another pioneer wrote the Virginia governor, "A few of the primitive adventurers yet survive, who supplicate your Excellencies Immediate Interposition in their behalf, in granting them such strength,_as may enable them to carry on an offensive war, or at least Act in the Defensive with safety, for if some mode of preservation is not speedily adopted the wealthy will forthwith Emigrate to the Interior parts of the Settlements & the Poor to the Spaniards. Dreadful alternative!!!" 4 Clark was bitterly blamed by many for the desperate situation. Boone wrote Governor Harrison on August 30, "I trust about five hundred men may be sent to our assistance immediately. If these shall be stationed as our county lieutenants shall deem necessary, it may be the means of serving our part of the country; but if they are placed under the direction of General Clark, they will be of little or no service to our settlement." The main charge against Clark was partiality to the settlements around the Falls of the Ohio. Boone and others from Fayette County after informing Governor Harrison that "We can scarcely behold a spot of Earth, but what reminds us of the fall of some fellow adventurer massacred by Savage hands," declared that the frontier was left exposed in favor of "Louisville, a Town without Inhabitants, a Fort situated in such a manner, that the Enemy coming with a design to Lay waste our Country, would scarcely come within one Hundred miles of it, & our own Frontiers open & unguarded." Governor Harrison rebuked Clark for not fortifying other posts in addition to Fort Nelson (at Louisville). Clark laid the blame for the defeat at Blue Licks to the foolhardy course the settlers had taken in a reckless pursuit and to their failure to send out scouting parties.

Although blamed, as Clark believed unjustly, he immediately set about with his accustomed energy to put Kentucky in a state of defense and to carry the war into the Indian country. To satisfy the clamor for other forts, he attempted to fortify the mouth of the Licking River, but due to the lack of support of the county officials and of the people generally he was forced to abandon the plan. More to his liking as well as to the pleasure of the settlers was an expedition to the north of the Ohio. In conjunction with a plan for a general attack against the Indian towns around Sandusky and southward in which General Irvine was to march against the former with 1,200 men from the regions of Wheeling and Fort Pitt, Clark began hasty preparations during September and October (1782). He found the spirit of the people running high, with many clamoring to join his forces; but he found it difficult to gather together the proper provisions and equipment due to the low state of Virginia's credit. In response to the clamors of those whom the state owed, he said, "If I was 8 Collins, History of Kentucky, II, 657-663; Roosevelt, Winning of the West, II, 197-207.

Virginia State Papers, III, 303. Andrew Steele to Governor Harrison, September 12, 1782.

5

worth the money, I would most cheerfully pay it myself and trust the State, But can assure you with truth that I am entirely Reduced myself by advancing Everything I could Raise, and except what the State owes me am not worth a Spanish dollar. I wish it was in my power to follow your proposition to step forth and save my country from the disgrace that is like to fall on her."7 He provided flour for his expedition by the exchange of 3,200 acres of his own land. By the early part of November he had collected two divisions of troops at the mouth of the Licking River, one composed of regulars from Fort Nelson commanded by Colonel Floyd the other from the eastern settlements in charge of Colonel Logan. In all there were 1,050, all mounted, and eager to avenge the disaster at Blue Licks. After a march of six days Chillicothe was reached, but due to the discovery of an advanced detachment of 300 sent forward under Colonel Floyd, the Indians made their escape before the whole army could give battle. Chillicothe and other villages of the Shawnees nearby were burned and much corn and other provisions destroyed. Logan with 150 horsemen marched on northward to the head of the Miami where he destroyed a British trading post with a large amount of supplies. According to Clark, "The property destroyed was of great amount, and the quantity of provisions burned surpassed all idea we had of Indian stores." Ten enemy scalps were taken and also seven prisoners, two whites being retaken. Clark lost one killed and one wounded.8

This was the final important engagement before peace was declared with Great Britain. It had a wholesome effect on the Indians which was not lost for many months; it taught them that the British were unable to protect them, and did much to wean them away from the British alliance for a time. However, Clark did not slacken his preparations for any eventuality. Finally when peace with Great Britain came he said. to the county lieutenants of Jefferson and Lincoln counties: "All the brittish posts on the lakes are to be given up to us & garrisoned by Continental Troops, and hope that a spirited exertion of the Frontier this summer will put an end to their sufferings, that peace and tranquility will take place in your little Country when the long and spirited Exertions of the people so much entitle them to it. I don't think that any thing on the part of Government will be wanting, as they appear Axceedingly dispos'd to use the most salutary measures to answer the purpose of Reducing the Indians to Obedience. And the circumstances must be so widely different to what they formerly were that they will be able to execute what they please." But that peace and tranquillity which Clark hoped for did not come. A treaty of peace between Great Britain and the American States meant nothing to the Indians, and with the subsequent machinations of the British in the Northwest least of all did it mean peace with the western settlers. In the words of a contemporary, the Indians "could not comprehend how they were subdued abroad by proxy, at the same time they were conquerors at home in fact." 10 Many campaigns were yet to be carried on against the Indians, and, in fact, their power was not broken completely until the end of the War of 1812, when Tecumseh and his Northwest Confederation were destroyed.11

7 Quoted in James, "George Rogers Clark and the Northwest" in Annual Report of the American Historical Association, 1917, 326, 327.

27,

8 Butler, History of Kentucky, 536, 537. Clark to Governor Harrison, November 1782.

• Virginia State Papers, III, 478.

10 Words of William Littell in 1806. See Proceedings of the American Historical Association, V, 355.

11 In 1786 Clark made a strong attack on the Indians up the Wabash, in which he led a thousand volunteers against the Shawnees. Due to numerous causes including the insubordination of some of his troops the expedition was largely a failure, and brought down much harsh criticism on him. See McMaster, History of the People of the United States, I, 385-388.

In the Battle of Blue Licks the Kentuckians suffered the most severe defeat sustained by them in all the warfare made by the British and the Indians. In concluding this chapter on the pioneer period a number of accounts of that battle are given. This first description is quoted from Western Sketches, by John A. McClung, who was a prominent lawyer at Maysville:

Col. Daniel Boone, accompanied by his youngest son, headed a strong party from Boonesborough, Trigg brought up the force from the neighborhood of Harrodsburg, John Todd commanded the militia around Lexington. Nearly a third of the whole number assembled was composed of commissioned officers, who hurried from a distance to the scene of hostilities, and for the time took their station in the ranks. Of those under the rank of colonel, the most conspicuous were Majors Harlan, McBride, McGary, and Levi Todd, and Captains Bulger and Gordon. Of the six last named officers, all fell in the subsequent battle, except Todd and McGary. Todd and Trigg, as senior colonels, took the command, although their authority seems to have been in a great measure nominal. That, however, was of less consequence, as a sense of common danger is often more binding than the strictest discipline.

A tumultuous consultation, in which every one seems to have had a voice, terminated in an unanimous resolution to pursue the enemy without delay. It was well known that General Logan had collected a strong force in Lincoln, and would join them at farthest in twenty-four hours. It was distinctly understood that the enemy was at least double, and, according to Girty's account, more than treble their own numbers. It was seen that their trail was broad and obvious, and that even some indications of a tardiness and willingness to be pursued, had been observed by their scouts, who had been sent out to reconnoiter, and from which it might reasonably be inferred that they would halt on the way, at least march so leisurely, as to permit them to wait for the aid of Logan! Yet so keen was the ardor of officer and soldier, that all these obvious reasons were overlooked, and in the afternoon of the 18th of August, the line of march was taken up, and the pursuit urged with that precipitate courage which has so often been fatal to Kentuckians. Most of the officers and many of the privates were mounted.

The Indians had followed the buffalo trace, and as if to render their trail still more evident, they had chopped many of the trees on each side of the road with their hatchets. These strong indications of tardiness, made some impression upon the cool and calculating mind of Boone; but it was too late to advise retreat. They encamped that night in the woods, and on the following day reached the fatal boundary of their pursuit. At the Lower Blue Licks, for the first time since the pursuit commenced, they came within view of an enemy. As the miscellaneous crowd of horse and foot reached the southern bank of Licking, they saw a number of Indians ascending the rocky ridge on the other side.

They halted upon the appearance of the Kentuckians, gazed at them for a few moments in silence, and then leisurely disappeared over the top of the hill. A halt immediately ensued. A dozen or twenty officers met in front of the ranks, and entered into consultation. The wild and lonely aspect of the country around them, their distance from any point of support, with the certainty of their being in the presence of a superior enemy, seems to have inspired a portion of seriousness, bordering upon awe. All eyes were now turned upon Boone, and Colonel Todd asked his opinion as to what should be done. The veteran woodsman, with his usual unmoved gravity, replied:

"That their situation was critical and delicate; that the force opposed to them was undoubtedly numerous and ready for battle, as might readily be seen from the leisurely retreat of the few Indians who had appeared