Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-02-23

Northwestern territory. an affair which
has its parallel somewhat in Braddocks
disaster thirtysix years before, In which
engagement Colonel George Washington.
AZ Braddock's chief aid. saved the com
mand from annihilation after the rep,iss
and death OF his chief.
President Washington In taking leave
OF St. Clair, ny the latter was about to start
out on that Ill starred expedition, addressed
his old military associate with solemn
earnestness.
"You have your instructions from the
secretary OF war. ! had a strict eye on
them, and will add but one word Bcwars
OF a surprised You know how the Indians
fight. repeat it, Beware OF Hsurprisei''
No wonder that when the news reached
him--through AN officer who had been dis
patched to the president from the frontier.
and who arrived on horseback at the ex
ecutive mansion in Philadelphia toward
the close OF wintry December day--n0
wonder say that the father OF his coun
try became terribly excited, and striking
his clenched fists against his forehead In a
paroxysm OF anguish, exclaimed
Its all over S.. Clair defeated--ront
| ed. the officers nearly all killed-the men
by whoesale--that brave army CIT TO
pieces--the rout completed too shocking to
~
In view Of tine reverses which had I've
fallen the American arms the year before
In their encounter with these same fierce
tribes on the Miami and Wabash, especial
Iy the command OF General Harmer, one
pf the last measures adopted by Con
Eress In 1901 wns To increase the national
| forces to n suitable degree OF power, and
| to place In the hands of President Wash
| ington more ample means for the protec
| tion or the frontier ms the Indians on the
| northwest side OF the Ohio river continued
| their hostilities. A new expedition. in
| consequence. was projected. and General
| st. Clair, then governor Of the territory
! west OF the Ohio, WIS appointed com
| niander OF the forces TO be employed
| Washington had been deeply chagrined
and panied by the notifying disasters to
General flarmer's expedition to the Wa
| bash, resulting from Indian ambuscades
hence bis earnest warning TO ST. Clair to
| guard against surprises.
St. Clair WAS an officer possessing the
| prestige OF veteran service and great
bravery and skill in previous wars A
native OF Edinburgh. In Scotland, he served
under Wolfe In Canada, was colonel
brigadier general and major general sue
cessively In the Revolutionary war, and
| took part in the battles of Trenton, Prince
| ton and Yorktown and other engage
ments, and was in command at Ticonde
roga when that famous fortress was neces
/ sarily surrendered TO Burgoynes over
| whemingly superior force. He WAS q
| member OF the executive council Of Penn
sylvania in 1883. was elected to congress
three years afterward, was its president
in 1881 and upon the erection OF the
| Northwestern territory into government,
In 1888, was appointed its governor, which
Office he held till 1902. when Ohio was nd
mitted as state into the Union,
Under such n tried leader the troops be
gan active operations in the enemy's coun
try. and the entire nation, not less than it's
! illustrious head, awaited the outcome with
| deep anxiety, not unmingled with bright
hopes ofa speedy suppression Of the frontier
/ troubles
The battle was fought Nov. 4, while the
main body of st. Clair's army was en-
| camped In two lines on rising ground, some
! fifteen miles south of the Miami village
| on one of the tributaries OF the Wabash
aud the militia upon high Hat on the
other side OF the stream. The Indians
| were led by Mchikiniqua, or Little Tur
tie" "A noted able chief The fight lasted
nearly three hours, and was one OF the
hercest known in military annals. The
| history Of this notable affair is rs follows