The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-07-24
that nIght falI in their hands. whether

ance of the Indian war had debased
a considerable portion of our popula-
ton to the savage state, and they be-
came subjects of that indiscriminat-
ing thirst for revenge, and having a
taste of blood and plunder without
risk Or loss on. their part, they re-
solved to go on and kill every Indian
they could find, whether friend or
foe."
Preparation for this campaign COM
menced soon after the return of the
Moravian campaign in the month OF
March. On the 25th of May, 1882, 4SO
men mustered at the Old Mingo town
near Steubenville. Here an election
was held for the Office of commander
in-chief for the expedition. The can
didates were Colonel Williamson and
Colonel Crawford; the last named per-
son was the successful candidate.
The army marched along William
sons trair' until they arrived at
Shoenbrun. the upper Morayian town.
Notwithstanding the secrecy of this
enterprise, the Indians saw the rem
devious on the Mingo bottom, and
knew their number and destination.
They visited every encampment i'm
mcdiately on their leaving and saw
on scraps of paper that no quarter
was to be given to any Indian, whetn-
er man. woman or child.
From Shoenbrun the army proceed
ed as expeditiously as was practicable
to the site of the Moravian village,
near the Upper Sandusky. Here tneJ
were disappointed in finding only a
few desolate and deserted huts, the
people whom it was their intention to
destroy having some time before NOV
ed to the Scioto.
In this posture of affairs a council
of war, consisting of the field officers
and captains, was held, and it was
resolved to move forward, and if no
enemy appeared that day to retrace
their steps. Just after this determine
alton was made known an express ar =
men, which had been sent forward to
reconnoiter, with information that
about three miles in advance a large
body of Indians had been discovered
Fastening rapidly to meet them.
Immediately upon receipt of this in
telligence the army moved forward
and had proceeded but short distance
further when they came in view of the
Indians fastening to occupy a small
body of woods in the midst on an ex-
tensiye plain. The battle was then
begun, and soon became general and
severe, and was warmly contested un-
till dark, when it ceased for atime with
out having been productive of much
advantage to either side. During the
night both armies lay upon their arms.
Early in the morning few shots
were fired, but at too great distance
for execution. The Indians were hour
ly receiving reinforcements, and
seemed busily engaged in active prepa-
raticns for decisive conflict. The
whites became uneasy at their increas-
ing strength, and a council of Off
GERS deemed it expedient to retreat
AS this would be difficult to effect in
open day in the presence of an enemy
of superior force, it was resolved to
postpone it until night making in
the meantime every arrangement to
insure its success. The day passed
without an attack being made by the
Indians. They were busily engaged in
closing up every pass in order to cut
off the chance for escape of the whites,
and this they had almost succeeded in
accomplishing, as only one avenue re-
mained through which the guides were
successful in conducting the army in
It's retreat.
After getting out of the inclosure
made by the Indians, about one-third
of the army then separated from the
main body and fed in detached parties
and in different directions, supposing
that the Indians would follow the army
and thus their chance for escape would
be greater In this they were mis-
taken; instead of following the main
oi my pui IliooO sinai
parties with such activity that not
many of them effected their escape.
Colonel Crawford himself proceed
ed at the head of the army fer short
distance, when, missing his son, his
son-in-law and two nephews, he stop
ped to inquire for them. He was in
duced through his anxiety for them to
remain behind with DR.. Knight, sur
geon to the army, and the day follow
ing party of Delawares suddenly
sprang from their hiding places into
The road and made prisoners of both
They were then led in company with
n!ne other pris 1ners to the old Wyan-
dotte town, where after the usual de-
liberations in their council he was
doomed to be burned to death at the
stake.
TIE precise spot of his execution