The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-02-14

ries. Of the ninety-four poor, inoffensive
Indians thus seized by the most internal.
lying treachery, only two--two poor little
boys-escaped from the horrid scene of
the massacre, and these not by any favor
of the white fends, but solely by Gods
Providence.
We may find the parallel of this afro
city in savage life, but rarely in civilized.
And if we condemn savoges for such acts,
what language should express our abhor-
renee of our own enlightened citizens? A
palliation of the enormous crime has been
attempted, on the ground that savages
had committed fearful depredations on
their white neighbors in Pennsylvania
and Virginia. Then why not retaliate on
the aggressors? Why seek out and wan
tonly murder these poor, innocent Nora
vians, who were known to be both reli-
gious and friendly Oh, shame, where
is this blush oh, infamy, where is thy
sting?
But was this massacre sufficient to gllt
the vengeance of these human fends ?
No the devils work was not yet finished.
They next robbed and plundered all they
could, and then set fire to the houses, en-
tirely consuming the little village and all
the CORY dead. And then what did they
do? Why, set off for another station to
repeat the hellish act. But from this the
inhabitants had fled, and they were foiled.
Then these brave cut-throat scoundrels
went home to boast of their exploits, and
organize larger expedition, to venture
further, and, if possible, do worse.
This new expedition, consisting of four
hundred and eighty men, was organized
in the latter part of May, 1882, little
over two months from the date of the
massacre, and Colonel William Crawford
was elected commander-in-chie of the
forces, and the infamous Williamson lieu
tenant colonel. It is said that Colonel
Crawford accepted his post of honor with
reluctance. And no wonder, for he was
a man of reputation, principle and hu-
manity, and an intimate friend Of General
Washington, who had passed more than
one night beneath his humble roof in the
western wilderness. The wonder is that
he accepted the Office at all, considering
how many worse than savages he must
have in his command. But perhaps he
considered it post where his humanity
might be displayed, and that if he de-
clined monster might be put in his
place. Alas poor man, it was woful
hour for him, for from that moment his
doom was sealed-a horrible doom of ex-
piation for the sins of others!
And yet shall we hold him guiltless :?
Whittier was he going, and for what !?
That little army had sworn to exterminate
the Indians root and branch-to give no
quarter to any of the race, whether friend
or foe, old or young, man, woman or
child, and he was the commander of the
expedition.
That expedition, too, marched over
'Williamson's trail,' direct to the plum
dered Moravian towns on the Tuscarawas,
and thence to other Moravian towns on
the upper branches of the Sandusky,
hoping thus to find more innocent and
harmless victims to plunder and murder.
But they were greatly disappointed, for
the harmless Indians had fled, and left
desolation behind them. Then, for the
first time, it would seem, the thought
occurred to this bold army that, the
peaceable Indians having departed, they
might possibly meet with hostile warriors
prepared to give them warm reception
an idea that they appeared to relish as
little as any soldiers that ever went into
battle. Not that we would deny there
may have been brave and generous spirits
among them, but We think there must
have been many selfish towards, since no
others would have been concerned in
the wanton massacre we have mentioned,
or been anxious Or willing to be foremost
in another.
A council of war having been held, it
was decided to make one days further
march in quest of Indian towns to de-
stroy, and, if unsuccessful, to beat a
hasty retreat. Fatal resolve The cum
ming hostile savages had from the very
start been secretly watching them, and
now, having got them where they wanted
them, they were prepared to take terri
bic revenge for the foul murders of their
innocent brethren, whose cause they had
espoused, though still despising their
principles of peace and non-resistance.
On this their last days forward march,
about two O'Clock in the afternoon, the
advance guard was attacked on the plains
of Sandusky, and driven in upon the
main body, when a general battle took
place, lasting till night, both parties fight
ing desperately. AT dark the firing ceased
on both sides, and both lay on their arms