Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-09-05

i
of the enemy. On the 18th he arrived at Roche
Debout, nine miles from Fort Miami and Ave
miles from Prcsque Isle, where the Indians wer,
posted behind wind-fall, and protected in front
| by the fallen timbers, with their right on q
bwamp and their left protected by the Maumee
| river.
At Roche Debout he fortified his camp in
which he left his baggage and stores, and early
In the morning Of the Goth of August, marched
to attack the enemy in the strongest position
they could select on the river, covered by the
woods and protected in front by fallen timbcrs.
without here giving the details of this battle 1t
IL enough to say his victory was complete, and
the Indians driven under the walls OF Fort Miami,
four miles from the field of battle, where they
implored the British commander for protection; !;
but fearing the prowess OF Wayne, he refused to
receive them into the fort.
This battle broke the Indian power, and the
refusal OF the British commander OF Fort Miami
to give them protection taught them the weak
ness OF the reed on which they 'leant" In carry
ing on war at the instigation OF irresponsible
parties. They abandoned the advice OF their
former counsellors and now eagerly sought for
peace with the United States which they had SO
often and so insolently rejected.
In his report OF this battle, Wayne says: 1--WE
remained three days and nights on the banks OF
the Miami in front of the field of battle, during
which time all the houses and corn were con-
sumed or otherwise destroyed for a considerable
distance both above and below Fort Miami, and
we were within pistol shot of the garrison of that
place who were compelled to remain quiet spec.
tators Of this general devastation and connagra-
tion."
Having settled the prellminaries OF peace with
the enemy on the oath OF August, the army be-
gan It's return march to Greenville, whittier the
chiefs OF all the tribes had consented to appear
the following January to definitely settle their
relations with the government of the United
Stutcs by treaty.
The army ON Its return to Grccnville destroyed
all the Indian villages and crops for distance
OF lifty miles on each side of the AuglaiZe. This
was by no means n pleasing duty to Wayne but
II was ordered by the government and could not
be avoided.
On his return to Philadelphia Wayne was re-
ccived by the people with open arms and y
thanks both public aud private. His entry into
the city was triumphal business was suspended
and he wGs met on his approach by the militia
and conducted through the streets amid martial
music, the ringing of BELLS the firing of cannon
aud the nccamntions of grateful people. And
thanks highly complimentary to him and his
victorious army.
The following year Wayne was appointed sole
Commissioner, on the part OF the United States.
to treat with the Indian tribes OF the Northwest,
and to receive from the British the forts they
had now consented to give up. After promptly
and efficiently discharging this last and impor-
tant duty for his country, in whose service his
manhood had been spent, he started to return
by the way Of Lake Erie, but 1t was not grant, d
him to again see his home lie died at Erie.
Pennsylvania, and was buried Oh the shore OF
the lake, December, 1796.
Thus ended tha career of one of our country's
bravest and most successful Genernls-ouc to
whom fortune had assigned difficult and labor
ious tasks, but whom she never abandoned in
the hour of trial. Here a life of peril und glory
was ended. He took up arms in his countrys
defense in the beginning OF her struggle for in
dependence, and bravely fought in nearly every
battle of that long and doubtful contest against
n superior power until the final triumph. II
difficult or hazardous enterprise was conceived,
Wayne was ordered to execute II, or II an oppor-
tunity was afforded he volunteered TO do 1t. OF
this his campaign in Georgin, in which he de-
livered that State from the double aflliction of
British supremacy and Indian cruelty; his
brilliant attack on the army of CORVALLIS ut
James river the holding OF Chad's ford at the
battle OF Brandywine; the success OF the division
under his command at Germantown; and the
nerer to be surpassed assault and capture of
Stony Point, are incontestable evidences But
the last and crowning glory of his illustrious Gu
reer was preparing the way for the settlement of
our own beloved Maumec Valley, and liberuting
the frontier from the murderous tomahawk and
the bloody scalping knife which the savages
were using indiscriminately against men, wo-
men and children, and where the cries oi muir
dered infancy, mingled with the dying shricks
of age, arose with the smoke of thousand
burning houses, called to heaven for protection
and revenge
His public services began in the infancy and
poverty OF his country. He nided to raise her u
an equality with the other nations of the carlh,
and died leaving her happy in the enjoyment oil
peace, rich in the arts and triumphant in arms
His remains were removed by his SOIL from
Erie, where they had been temporarily buried
to his home in Chester county, Pennsylvania
and there inferred in ST. David's church yard, in
| the year 1909 monument was there iaiscd to
| his memory by the society OF the Cincinnati
which was composed OF his comrades OF the Rev
olution. On the south side is the following
| inscription:
'In honor OF the distinguished military ser
| vices of Major Gen. Anthony WAYNE, and as al
afIcctionate tribute OF respcct to his memory
| This stone was erected by his companions i
arms, the Pennsylvania State Society oi the Gin
| cinuati July 4th, A. ID. 1902"
The grave of the hero is indeed crowned by
monument raised by the affection of his com
panions in arms, but the spot on which he woi
| his glory ramoius nr rkpl Ia,
this mute stone OH which struggling barlarisn
fell before the advance Of civilization.
Here advancing science and culture and hu
manity met the savage who threw himself ncros
their pathway and sought to check their advance
Here around this rock was fought the las
great battle between civilization and bnrbarisi
on the North American continent. II Is true W
afterwards met the Indians in hostile array, bu
1t was under The leadership of Great Britain, VIII
used them ms her allies to fight her battles an
for the promotion of her selfish ends, rcgnrdlcs
of the consequences TO the infatuated saynges, o.
whose credulity she practiccd, and whom he
Christian soldiers educated to the horrible us
OF the scalping knife by paying them for scalp
| taken indlscriminately from men, women un
children. There Is every reason to believe thai
uninfucnced by Great Britain, the Indian
would never have violated the treaties or broke
the peace, OF which the battle here Tough
formed the foundation.
This rock which then formed the barrier bt
tween civilization and barbarlsm now. grace /
the victory here won, occupies Il central positio
in land advanced by education and religion +
the highest state OF culture
Here an unbroken wilderness protected tn
game for the savage, who knew no other mean
OF subsistence; now 1t witnesses the ripenin
grain waying i'll the wind, and secs it fall befor
the husbandinans sickle The Wild beasts hay
been destroyed, and schools and churches beau
tify and cnnoblc The laid. Tho music OF III
war dance has yielded to that of the harp AN
the organ, and the naked deformity OF the sa,
age to the grace and loyeincss OF educated me
and women Poetic imagination may cause tn
purely sentimental TO weep over the fall of tn
tribes who lived ON the banks of the beautifu
Maumce, where the dark eyed Indian Made
taught the young warrior to love her but edu
cation and religion, and science, and phioso
ply rejoice to know that now, here. faire