The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-07-26

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On their way they fell in Davenport, John
Davenport and Judge Abbott (lately dccoase
going to the Still House, and made them pris
oners. Seeing the strength flhe British, and
knowing the weakness of the garrison, they
proposed to advise Lieut.. Hawks to surrenl
der. A flag of truce was sent, the advice ac-
ceptcd, and the Fort surrendered to the Brit
isf, July IL. 1912.
A few days after this, oil American citizens
were ordered to appear before the British Com
mander. Davenport, Lashley. Abbott and
John Davenport appeared, while others claimed
to be British subjects The British officer,
with much parade, informed them that by ac-
knowledging themselves TO be British subjects
they would be protected and wen Jared for,
@sSrws9 they %suld h ffn dss. on wa.a "s
mandod. Davenport, as was agreed boldly
answered-"I was born in America and am
determined, at all hazards to live and die an
American citizen" Abbott and John Dous-
man made the same response. but Lashley
proffered British allegiance. The three no
BILE Americans were haughtily dismissed and
ten days after sont of to Detroit as prisoners
of war. Mackinac remained in the undistur-
bed possession of tho British till july, 1914.
Davenport; left his wife and six children on
the island. and being on his parole, he visited
his friends in Virginia, and then returned to
Sandusky with letters to Gen. Harrison from
his mother. He was placed in the Commissa-
ry Department, and was with Harrisons army
at the battle Of tho Thames. After this glo-
rious baitl :, an expedition was designed by
Gen Harrison sgainst Mackinac, in tho fall of
1918. but the vessels sent for provisions not
returning. the expedition was prevented.
In 1914. the only portion of our territory
remaining in the possession OF the British was
this Island of MI ckinac 1t was then mostly
covered with dense forest, with an occasion
al clearing, and intersected with crooked trails
and bride paths. In July, 1914 an expedi-
ton under Col Crogham and Commodore
Sincluir proceeded from Detroit to reduce the
Island. Davenport was along, dealing out
stores. and to &C: as guide. At Drummonds
Island they destroyed some fortlficatons, and
Major Holmes was sent mp to the Saut Ste.
Marie. Before his return, Colonel Crogham
proceeded 10 Mackinac and there remained
with the feet, opposite 'Dousmans farm"
fifteen days, waiting Major Holmes return
from the $500" During this fatal delay, the
British Commander increased his forces, and
threw up F.rt George. 1t is said Col. Crog-
ham and Commodore Sinclair disagreed as to
the time and mode of attack. On the arrival of
Holmes, il was resolved to land the American
forces (about 2,00O) at the British Landing,
Fort. The landing was easily made, and the
army proceeded towards the Fort. The Brit
| ish were ready for them, having their cannon
and men upon the uper side ofD"usman's farm.
and the Indian allies posted in ambush. The
| Americans entered the clearing on the lower
| side, and The British opened upon them doad-
| ly fire. Col Crpgham. standing upon an ele-
vated mound, directed his troops, who stood
their ground with desperate valor The gal
liant Holmes in attempting to flank the British.
was shot down. For half an hour the Ameri-
cans nobly essayed to break through the Brit
sh lines, while bloody havoc and savage
slaughter were making fearful inronds among
them. The Indians fought with desperation,
and scalped promiscously the dead and dying.
A retreat was ordered. and the Americans fled
to their boats with the loss of many soldiers
and an unusual number of officers In this
most disastrous conflict only single Indian
was killed on the British side. Davenport
and John Dousman were in the battle, and left
their names on the ceiling of the farm house,
written in bold letters.
During these bloody times, Mrs. Davenport
and her six ch dren renamed on the Island
constantly annoyed and insuted by being call
ed the wife of Yankee rebel. Aftcr The Brit
ish and Indians returned to the Fort-the In
dams broiled over the Goals, the hands. flesh
and hearts of the slain, and the ralings lead
ing to the British Commander (Col. McDowelD
were covered with bleeding scaIps. The Brit
ish held possession of the Island until the re-
turn of peace. when Davenport again joined
his wife and children. The exceeding beauty
and loveliness of this Island and its surround J.
ings, are enhanced an hundred fold by the In
dian tr ditions, tho adventures Of the early
Missionaries and fur traders, and the bloody
conflicts with which they are identified
As place Of resort during the summer
months, there can be none more desirable
none possessing more attractive feature and
health restoring Influences, than this Island of
Mackinac. The cold. transparent waers-the
pure, bracing air-ihe delicious white fish and
trout, possess a strengthening. life-renewing
efficacy, and give to tho enervated system OF
the invalid, new strength, and healthful action.
/ Il town presents rugged appearance, but
the white washed walls of the Fort upon the
elevated cliff. the cleanly boarding houses, the
graveled walks and paths ofcement-Old Fort
Holmes, uplifted 800 feet above the Lake, tho
bold scenery and curious natural moauments.
furnish objects pleasant to the eye, and OF
plessurable interest to the inquisitive stranger.
In different directions are to be seen tho
Skull Rock, Giants Arch, Whispering Well,
Natural Pyramid and Lovers Leap; the
Giants Arch being l40 feet above the Lake;
the Pyramid 80 feet in diameter at its base and
80 feet high. ard each and all of them asso-
ciated with romantic, tragical and heroic Incl
dents. @
Although l7s years ago, the Jealous Catho-
lie Missionary erected here the cross, emblem
attic of mans edcmption-although this re-
gion has been thoroughly explored for moro
than century, and during that period has
been the centre Of the business Operations OF
the French aud British Fur Companies; and
although emigration and civilization have
cansed the forest and prairies to blossom as
, the rose for hundreds of miles west Of this
notwithstanding all this, Macknac still pre-
serves its original, wild and untamed features
and characteristics. Here, daily and hourly
, can bc seen the birch bark canoes ofthe "rsd
men" swiftly skimming DER the pellscid wa