Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-10-27

." "SDs ossOs0 usy, ogOero
we're given for every man to be ready
to march. On sxsminstion, il was
iosnd that three fires, or camps, con.
sistipg Of fifty Pottowattamies, had
deserted. We marched till we rot
within sight Of the fires Of ST. Clair
Then Gen. Blue Jacket began to talk
aud sing . hymn, ~ Indians sing
hymns. (Here the nsrratsr mentioned
some ceremony that did not well un-
dcrstand.) The fight commenced, aud
continued for an hour or more, when
the Indians retreated. As they were
leaving the ground, u Chief, by the
name VI Black Fish, ran in among
them, and in . voice Of thunder, asked
them chat they were doing, where they
were going, and who had given them
orders 10 retreat? This caused halt,
and he proceeded in a strain Of the
most imPassiencd eloquence 10 exhort
them 20 courage and 10 deeds Of dar-
insi and concluded by saying, what
the determinations Of others might be,
he knew not, but for himself, his deter.
m,nation Was to conquer or die. You
who arc like-minded, follow me- and
they raised the war whoop, which Is,
Ne conquer or die. The attack was
most impctuous, and the carnage, for
. few moments, shocking. Many Of
the Indians threw away their guns
leaping in among the Americans, and
did the butchery with the tomahawk.
In tcw moments the Americans gave
way the Indians took possession Of
tie camp and artillery, spiked the
guns, and parties Of Indians followed
the retreating army many miles. Elc
ven hundred Americans were left dead
on the field. The number Of Indians
killed, together with those who after.
wards died Of their wounds, amounted
to only thirty-five. In this battle, a
ball passed through the back Of Ash's
neck, and left asear, which he showed
me. He fell, and says his recollec tion
returned while an Indian was carryin.
him away on his back. Many wears
after, he ascertained that he had bro
Their IN ST Glars army, who was kill
ed in this battle Who can say that
he did not direct the ball that did the
fatal work: for all who have seen Ash,
will allow that he was not man to be
idle in battle.
After this battle, I started with eight
others, on ar embassy to the Creek
nation. Our object was to renew the
friendly relations between that nation
and our own tribe, and two Of our
number were regularly accredited am.
bassadors for that purpose. We made
a visit OF year, and were successful
IN the objects of our mission. The
nations north Of the Ohio were DESTROYS
OF strengthening themselves against
the whites, by foreign alliances.
While We were absent, our tribe had
battle with the whites near Fort
Hamilton. The American army Was
commanded, | think, by Gen. Brad
ley. After our return. Wayne came
out against US with 500 men. We
sent runners TO all nations 10 collect
together warriors, and soon an army al
1900 men were on the field. We
marched TO meet Wayne who then lay
at Fort Recovery. We took one III
Wayne's spies in our march, Chick
asaw. lie was taken to the Indian
army. that be might give Us some ac-
count OF Wayne's movements, but the
Indians were 70 enraged at him for his
treacbery, that they fell upon him IN
the midst Of his narrative and killed
him. Our army was then in great
want OF provisions. The Chippewsy
Indians cut him up, roasted, and ate
him. Near For, Recovery, we met
part Of the American army, and fought
them without much success, and lie.
turned home. Wayne marched ON the
towns, and only three hundred war
riors could be mustered TO meet him.
We went out, however, and fought him
ia two battles, within three DAYS Of
each other. The Indians were IN el.
feet conquered, and the war ended
Gen. Blue Jacket. that winter, boistcd
the flag Of truce, aud marched into
GreensIllc. to treat with Wayne
! We are all familiarity acquainted
with the history u these Indian wars,
Of the gallant and unfortunate 81.
Clair. and Of the ehiyalrous an,l SOC
cesslul Wayne. This, for aught I
know, j. the first Indian account of
these transactions that has appeared !;
and IL IL is correct, snd have album
dant reason o.tI'ak IL -, IL must 20 at
least TO diminish our eensure u st.
Clair, IL IL does not detract from the
credit Of Wayne. 81. Clair suffered
himself TO be surprised by the lndlsss
~ their own territory. a fault which
Washington thought admitted Of no
excuse besides, his army exceeded
the encmy's ia numbers. But when
we take into consideration his igno
rance OF Indian warfare. aud that be
bad 20 fight them in their own wilds,
tso o,uat arkootsl~ds-e tko dtsDarttV