, 1877-08-05

west Of the fort near the present site or lhs
lighthouse. It was a log building, having .
hall through the middle, and room on each
side: Piazzas in front and rear extended TUG
whole length OF the house. These were plankcd
up aor protection, port holes cut through, and
watch Kept nightly. They supposed the IN
dians were still lurking about. On one occa-
| sion two soldiers On patrol
SURPRISED 4 PARTY or INDIANS
in the pasture adjoining the Esplanadc. One
Of the soldiers fired upon the Indians, who
! threw 4 tornahawk which struck wagon near
| by. The sentinel from the block-housc fred,
and with effect, as appeared from marks OF
! blood upon the trail.
Soon after tile Indians broke into the inclo-
sure to steal horses, but finding none,
they commenced slaughtering the sheep,
| which, being frightened, fed toward the furt.
This alarmed the garrison, who pursued the In
! cape. Tins was the way prepared for the great
calamity which came speedily upon them.
! On tho 7th OF August, lSl2, - Win-nc-lneg,' ~
or Catfish. as ht was called, distinguished Pot
| tawatomie Chief, arrived at this port from De-
| troit, bringing dispatches from Gen. Hull for
| Capt. Hcaid. These dispatches contained the
I first announcement they had received Of war be-
/ ing declared between the United States and
at Detroit; anu the capture Of the post at Mack.
| inaw BY the British. This dispatch contained
unconditional orders to Capt. Hcall to evacuatc
the fort; and in that event to distribute all the
United States property in the fort and factory
among the Indians in the neighborhood. 1lav-
i:.:. delivered these dispatches, Win-nc-.ncg -
! sought I'LL interview with Mr. John knzic, who
was rcs,iin@ ut the fort. He informed Mr.. Kim
| ztc that he waS acquainted with the contents OF
the dispatches, and wished to KNOW if it WAS tic
| intention Of tic commander to cyacuate the
! fort 1 1Win-nc-1ne@ also counselcd against
such step, believing that as the garrison was
| well supplied with provisions and ammunition.
i: would bc better to remain until they cuuld re-
t,afra lf3rf nFIfE Ptsr It,
tcr.nined to leave, he hoped they would DO So
| Immediately before the Indians, whose hostile
! feelings were apparent, aud through whose ter
! rtory they must pass, Should be aware
them Capt. HcaId was immediately in
formed OF the old Indians advice. He
replied that hc intended to eyacuate the fort,
( according to the orders received; and did not
feel justified IN leaving until he had collected
tue Indians anl distributed the property direct
I'd. " Wil-nc-,ney" suggested that they should
/ march out and leave the property to be taken
possession OF by the Indians, and thus taey
would b. able to make their retreat white tlo
Indians were engaged in dividing the spoils.
Mr. kinzie seconded this advice, but, unhanp-
ly, 1t met with no favor from the commanding
officer. Thus through the soldier1y pride OF
the commander, and his rciigIously adhering to
the military rifle to obey orders, were the garri~
son. aud unprotected inhabitants doomed to le-
struc:ion.
Without holding council Of war, as was ex-
pected, the ortler for evacuation was read the
next morning on parade: There had been some
ill-ieeug between the Captain ansl one OF his
Junior officers, Ensign R"nan This other was
4 Young ilAan, but higl-splrtcd anu overbear-
ing, though brave anti generous. AS no council
OF Tar WAS called, the j;1nlor officers Taitcd
upon the CAPTAIN aud demonstrated WIN nun;
They told him it was not probable the communal
would be- permitted to pass Fort Wayne With
out ,nolcsiation, that the Indians were known
to be hostile, menifesting their friendly feelings
to one family only that OF Mr.. hluze, who had
gained their friendship in intercourse with them
US Il trader. That as the detachment was i'll
culubcred BIZ women and children, their prog
rcss would necessarily be SLOW That among
the troops were many who were sn?erannuatcd
and invalids' and therefore J., incapable gHtM M
Therefore advised that the garrison remains
ami [ortify themselves as strongly us possible.
Capt. Hc:ld urged in response his special Or
ders, general instructions, want Of provisions,
Of .he Indians. The officers sullenly aeQuiesced
i'll the decision of their commander, viewing the
removal as
ALMOST CERTAIN DESTRUCTION.
Dissatisfaction was also manifested by the SOL
Iicrs, amounting to little less than insubordi
nation; some Of them even Venturiug to remon-
strate with the Captain.
Among the Indians were increasing indica-
tio:ls Of hostility. Sometimes they. entered the
fort in defiance of the sentinels and made their
'>-+ 1890 -.
an expression OF uenanee. y IS supposco ~ th1s
thai an attempt upon tne 1ort hao oceu
contcmplated' Tor outslae the great
cst agitation preva1iea. Cro%ds OF III,
d1ans were raplalS ASCENDING, anu
Old Chiefs moved around WITH the Utmost con
Germ, rs II STRIVING 10 stay INC 1mpetuostty OF
the Young men. ihe squaws and cn1ldrcn
rushed lnad'r ABOUT, screaming ana }enns, as
Il conscious OF some en-: lnpena'ng ev1l. . But as.
tufoanfe lof the tln,e was suppressed: 1es
Capt: lead continued 10 nave ialtn IN Tue
frl1ndlness Of tue natives; ana stIil believed hc
hau eained tnel gooa VIII SO rs 20 insure Tue
sa:cty OF n1s command on tnelr marea 10 foft
wayne; WIN Lnc 1nnaottants tiere we're sao
1o:cpoalhes Gloon was spreaa oser eveTy
conntcnance' Eacn nlsAt theV sought resi- WIN
gtoud upon the1f spirlts darker than TIC st1adcs
o. night,-the saado" OF the coming events.
E4ch morn they rose 10 nnu that oaylagnt only
iefeaicd more !isidly the realty OF their |
dreadful condition,-a eondition from |
which they could not be shielded /
BY the darkness ot night, nor be |
relieved ny the cheerful light Of gay, nor balmy |
Influence OF summer morn. we WHO know |
now blcssea II IS, Ill cam AuGusG morning. 10
SIT by tue shore Of our beautiful lake aud gaze
uton its waters, grand and sublime in repose. as I
well IS when rolling IN conflict With tue storms,
can oniv imagine nos terribly SAD was the con
dis'on and the hearts OF our predecessors when
In those caffn mornings OF August, lol3,
ftrnf{