The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-09-10

! fort, if practicable, ana, In tnat event, u
distribute all the United States property
contained in the fort, and in the United
| States factory or agency, among the In
dians in the neighborhood. In pri-
yate interview with Mr.. Kinzie, Winnie
meg strongly advised against the evacu-
alton OF the fort, as the garrison was well
supplied with ammunition, and had pro-
visions for six months, by which time re-
Inducements wouldarrive. If, however,
Capt. Heald should decide to leave the
post, he should leave Immediately.
Capt. Heald was at once informed OF the
chiefs advice, and said he had concluded
to abandon the post, but not until he
had collected the Indians and made a
distribution of the property. Winnemeg
then urged that he march out at once
and leave the property standing, think
ing that while the Indians were busy di-
viding the spoils the command could re-
treat unmolested. This advice was
strongly seconded by Mr.. Kinzie, but
the Captain adhered 10 his first and fatal
resolution, and did not even call coun-
Gil of war with his officers. When they
learned of his decision they waited on
and demonstrated with him, on the fol-
lowing grounds: First. 1t was highly
improbable that the command would be
permitted to pass through the country
safely to Fort Wayne. For although it
had been said that some of the chiefs
had opposed an attack
planned the preceding autumn, yet it
was well known that they had been actu-
ated in that matter by motives ofprivate
regard for one family, that of Mr.. Kin
zie, and not by any general friendly feel
ing toward the Americans; and that, at
any rate, il was hardly to be expected
that these..few individuals would be able
to control the whole tribe, who were
thirsting for blood.
In the next place, their march would
necessarily be slow, as their movements
must be accommodated to the helpless
ness of the women and children, Of
whom there were a number with the de-
tachment. That of their small force a
were superannuated, others in
valid; therefore, since the course to be
pursued was left discretional, their
unanimous advice was to remain where
they were, and fortify themselves as
as possible. Succor from the
other side of the peninsula might arrive
before they could be attacked by the
British at Mackinac; and even should it
not, it were fay better to fall into the
hands of the latter than to become the
victims of the savages.
Capt. Head argued in reply that his
force was inadequate TO withstand an at
tack from the Indians, that there was
prospect of q safe march through and
that he deemed it expedient to assemble
the Indians, distribute the property, and
then ask for an escort, promising a re-
ward upon their safe arrival at Fort
Wayne. He had full confidence in the
professions of the red devils.
The indians now became daily more
unruly, entering the fort in defiance of
the sentinels, and making their way,
without ceremony, to the officers quar-
ters. Meanwhile the inmates of the fort
day by day more clearly foresaw the i'm
pending doom, and scarce slept at night
lest they should be awakened by the saw
age war-cry and the crash of the murder
ous tomahawk.
On the afternoon of Aug. u a council
was held with the Indians from the
villages, Capt. Heald and
Mr.. Kinzie alone participating on the
part of the whites, the other officers in
the fort refusing to go out. At the coun
Gil Capt. Heald promised TO distribute
the next day not only all the goods but
the ammunition and provisions, and
asked for an escort, to which the savaees
Mr. Kinzie afterward advised
Capt. Heald to destroy the ammunition
and he consented. On the 18th the
goods were distributed, but the Indians
had detected the destruction of the am
munition and whisky, and were evident
ly dissatisfied. On the 14th a ray of
hope arrived in the person of Capt.
Wells with - friendly Miami's. This
man was n relative of Capt Heald, and
had hurried from Fort Wayne to render
him assistance in defending the post.
He came too late, as the ammunition had
been destroyed and the provisions given
to the Indians, and there was no alterna-
tive but TO march ON the following day.
Signs of the approaching outbreak were
everywhere visible. Many friendly
chiefs vainly endeavored to appease and
quiet the young bloods. At length
Black Partridge, a conspicuous chief,
came to the quarters of the commanding
officer and said: "Father, come to de-
liver up to you the medal L wear. 1t
was given me by the Americans, and l
have long worn ii in token of mutual
friendship. But our young men are re-
solved to imbrue their hands in the
blood of the whites. L cannot restrain
them, and / will not wear token of
peace while / am compelled to act as an
enemy. This settled the fate of the I'M
happy garrison, but nevertheless the
preparation for the march proceeded,
and there was not wanting gallant souls
who strove to encourage their desponding
companions.
The fatal morning OF Aug. 18th ar
rived, and mt 8 o'clock the troops left the
fort, the band playing the dead march.
Capt Wells, with his face blackened in
token of his impending fate, took his
place at the head of the column with his
little band of Miamis. This dead march
and black paint part Of the affair will
strike the reader of to-day as being an
invitation to the savages, or at least o
confession in advance that the massacre
was expected, but may have had other
significance with the doomed men who