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Home , George Rogers Clark, Joseph Brant, Simon Girty

THE BRITISH VERSION OF LOCHRY'S DEFEAT by C. J. MAURER In the closing months of the Revolutionary War and seven years before John Filson and his party were looking over the ground of what was soon to become the infant town site of Cin- cinnati, a tragedy was enacted on the banks of the near the point where Aurora, , is now located. The story of Colonel Lochry's defeat and massacre, , 1781, has been told, and is pretty well known in its slightly different Ameri- can versions, but the British accounts as revealed in letters and documents in the Canadian archives and the Library of Congress, present some features of the story that are not so familiar and hence have interest for us today.* The Ohio has rightly been called a river of destiny. No history or set of histories has ever been able to capture all the stories of war and intrigue that have occurred on or near this great river. Destiny has reserved this important valley for its eventual place in the sun as one of the greatest industrial regions of America. Many prospective settlers and early travelers just disappeared, and history can only guess at the total number of people who lost their lives in this now populous region because of their eager desire to see and acquire property in the promised land. But to get on with our story. Just to keep the record straight, it should be kept in mind that General , during the summer of 1781, made another effort to raise troops to defend the settlements. His efforts in the east were not very successful but he did enlist the aid of Colonel and Captain Robert Orr, of Westmoreland County, , these gentlemen raising, at their own expense, a company of 107 mounted volunteers. They marched to Fort Henry (Wheeling) to join General Clark's army but missed Clark there by one day. This was to prove their undoing for they were unable in subsequent days to catch up with the main army. General Clark in the following letter explains his haste: *Colonel Lochry's name has been spelled in different ways. The above spelling is correct. 216 The Quarterly Bulletin "On Publick Service "Archibl Lochry, County Lt. "Westmoreland, Esq., "1 per Mr. Wallace "Middle Island, 9th Aug 1781 "Sir, "I this moment received yours of the 8th ins. I am heartily sorry that after waiting so long for you I should set out but a day before your arrival. I also learn that you were so kind as to send an express but it did not arrive, and I, of course, supposed that you had shared my fate in meeting with every disappointment from the populace. I am exceedingly unhappy in our not joining at Wheeling, but don't know that either of us is to blame. The with us continue to desert, and consequently I can not remain long in one place. Otherwise I should be happy in forming a junction here. The following plans are proposed. I have augmented the command of Mr. Wallace to eight alert men furnished with fifteen days provisions from the whole of your troops, and there will be left at the lower point of the third island below middle Island for your expedition one large boat and sufficiency of small ditto with what [illegible] you will be able to collect on your voyage Camp Kettles [illegible]. Under the protection of a few men I shall move on slowly for the reasons before stated, and you will use the greatest industry, as you can not possibly pass us without our knowledge. I have suffered much lately, but you again encourage me. I have the honour to be with mightiest esteem "Your Obet. Servt. "NB Capt Wallace will give you) "every intelligence you wish ) G. R. Clark" In a few days Colonel Lochry replied as follows: "August 141781 "My Dear Gr. "This evening we arrived at Camp Three Island. We are every man in great spirits and determined to go where ordered. There is no desertion in our troops. We had the pleasure to apprehend an Officer and fifteen deserters on our march, which I hope we will safely deliver to their duty. "We will proceed after you as quickly as possible, and am "Dear Gr. "Your Most Obedt. "humble servt. A. Lochry." "(Gr. George Ror. Clark)" Courtesy of American Heritage , the Nearest Thing to a Statesman His Race Ever Produced. From the Painting by Gilbert Stewart. 218 The Quarterly Bulletin Lochry should have known that the Indians were watching his every move poised for an attack, but apparently lulled by the fact he had at length passed the mouth of the Great Miami with- out incident, he gave the order to land the horses on the north shore, when about ten miles below the Miami River, because of the lush grass. No sooner had the party landed than the Indian attack commenced with great fury. Led by that famous Indian Mohawk chieftain, Joseph Brant, together with the renegade George Girty* one-third of Lochry's little force were soon killed, the balance surrendering. Only one American account by a participant has come down, namely, the diary of Captain Isaac Anderson. He states that when the attack began the soldiers took to the boats and tried to cross the river. But the Indians in canoes prevented this and forced the surrender. Later Colonel Lochry was murdered as he sat on a log, several of his men being killed in cold blood. General Clark had passed this point the night before with a force too large to tempt an Indian attack. The prisoners, to the number of 64 by British report, were marched up the Ohio about eight miles where they encamped for the night. The next day the march continued up the Great Miami about eight miles where a camp site was chosen. Today this is a quiet, beautiful spot (see illustration), about one hundred and fifty yards west of the junction of the East Miami River and Jor- dan Roads, some three miles north of Cleves. The Miami has changed its course some since 1781 but the old course can still be traced. This spot became the internment camp for a short period, while soon one hundred British soldiers (Butler's Rangers), and more than three hundred additional Indians, under the command of Captain Thompson and Alex McKee, joined Brant's force. The plan now was to move against General Clark and despoil the Kentucky settlements before returning to , in much the same manner as Bird had succeeded in doing the previous year. More than four hundred Indians in their full war paint and regalia, plus one hundred uniformed British rangers, the force commanded by renowned Indian chieftains, must have presented a colorful sight in what was to become later populous Hamilton County. Let us see what happened next! To follow the move- *Some accounts say . But Simon came with McKee's Indians a day or two after Lochry's defeat. Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 219 ments of this army we will turn to the British accounts. A letter written by Thompson and McKee to their superior officer at carried the first official news of Lochry's defeat: "Camp near the Ohio Aug. 29th 1781 "Sir: "The 26th you had enclosed an account that Capt Brant and George Girty with the Indians, advanced upon the Ohio, had taken one of Clark's boats, after having passed down the river in the night. Not thinking themselves in number suffi- cient to attack him, and having found by his orders to Major Cracraft that more troops were to follow under the command of a Colonel Lochry, lay in wait for them, attacked and took the whole, not allowing one to escape. "Agriable to a return it appears there has been thirty-seven killed, amongst whom is Lochry, their commandant, with some other officers. This stroke, with desertions, will reduce Clark's army much, and if the Indians had followed advice and arrived here in time, it is more than probable he would have been now in our possession with his cannon. The prisoners seem to be ignorant of what his intentions are [Clark's]. Perhaps loss may oblige him to change his measures. However, we shall endeavour to keep the Indians together and watch his motions. His first intention was to penetrate to Sandusky through the Indian country, from whence the troops from were to return home and he to Kentucky. The enclosed papers will furnish you with further particulars. "We are with great Respect "Your Most Obedient and Humble Servants "Andw Thompson "Alex McKee "N. B. The Indians have not determined what to do with the prisoners, but seem inclined to adopt a good many. "To Major De Peyster at Detroit." [Here followed list of Lochry's dead and prisoners taken.] Major De Peyster was pleased to receive this report and hastened to inform his superior officer, General Frederick Haldi- mand, Governor General of Canada, at , as follows: "DETROIT "September 11,1781 "Sir: "Having got in several accounts from the Indian Country, I have ordered M. Macombily to make up the general account 220 The Quarterly Bulletin of Expenditures at this post, which they now transmit to their Correspondent with my letter of advice. "I, however, think it necessary to acquaint your Excellency that Mr. Alex McKee has not sent his finalaccoun t in. He may have some small demand on his return from the Indian Country. The enclosed letter and intelligence received from him I take this opportunity to forward; since the receipt of which, a Delaware runner is just arrived in nine days from the Ohio, who reports that Clark's Second Division has fallen into our hands; that he was present at the action and saw a Colonel and seven other officers taken prisoners, with a number of men and thirteen large boats. "I expect to hear from McKee in a few days and shall detain a small [illegible] in order to give your Excellency more certain accounts of this affair, which if confirmed, though Clark has escaped, will put a stop to his future progress this Campaign. "I have the honor to be, "Sir "Your Excellency "Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant "Arent S. De Peyster "(To General Haldimand)" Meanwhile Thompson and McKee proceeded down the Ohio River with the Falls (Louisville) their objective, but as they proceeded, the Indians became reluctant to attack General Clark and the "Long Knives" in their stronghold, so within twenty-five miles of the Falls they stopped for a parley. Captain Thompson's provisions were running so low he decided to abandon the expedi- tion and return to the Indian towns in the upper Ohio territory and await McKee's return. Thompson was supposed to have received ample supplies before reaching this point, but the Indians reported that due to extra heavy rains the detachment could not get through the , the Indians claiming it was the heaviest rainfall known by them, all rivers and creeks being out of their banks. The detachment had to return to Detroit. McKee was having his troubles with the Indians though he continued to prod them to make some kind of an attack on Clark or the settlers. In the skirmishes which followed, the Indians lost one of their high ranking Huron War Chiefs besides other men, which so discouraged them that in spite of McKee's threats and Letter of Thompson and McKee — Canadian Archives 222 The Quarterly Bulletin promises the whole party returned to the internment camp on the Great Miami September 15. After dividing all the prisoners among the different war parties for adoption into Indian tribes the camp broke up and the Indians returned to their various towns and villages. McKee returned to " Town," his base of operation among the Indians. This would now be placed in Allen County, Ohio. Here he wrote out a full report for Major De Peyster which he forwarded September 26, as follows:

"UPPER SHAWNEE VILLAGE, SEPTEMBER 26, 1781 "Dear Sir, "I returned to these villages yesterday and take the earliest opportunity to inform you thereof. "My letter of the 26th August, dated on the Miami near the Ohio with the various papers accompanying it, would inform you of everything material to that time. Here, the Indians seemed to think that their success, two days before, against the Second Division of Clark's army, would insure them peace for some time in their villages, imagining that this would disable him from any further attempts this year. "I endeavored to convince them that, as there was so large a body of them collected, that it would be prudent to watch his [Clark's] motions some time longer and to send scouts toward the Falls and endeavor to gain some certain accounts of his future intentions; in consequence of this, we fell down the river some miles when I found again that it would be difficult to keep them together long, therefore, advised our proceeding toward the Falls, keeping out scouts continually before us, and, that if the enemy did not advance, that we should at- tempt drawing them into an action in the neighborhood of the Falls, where their main body lay, and by a further success, totally destroy their designs of carrying an expedition into the Indian Country — they were reluctantly brought into this measure till we arrived at the mouth of the Kentucky, where we waited the return of our scouts who joined us the next day, with two Officers' scalps, taken the day before at the Falls. As nothing material was learned of this of the enemy's inten- tions, we prevailed upon them still to keep on toward this place and to keep out their scouts who could meet us on our way; but to my surprise, they stopped within 25 miles of it. The scouts returned the third day in the evening with two prisoners, whose account was that Clark had called a general council of the Field Officers of the several counties; that the Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 223 result thereof was not then made public, but that it was the general opinion of the Country that they would not assist him in carrying on an expedition this season. "This intelligence increased the indifference of the Indians about attacking the enemy and many of them began to turn back, others departing into small parties to plunder horses. "The Rangers, also finding their provisions exhausted, re- turned from this — however, a number of Indians still [illeg- ible] to go forward, determined me to follow them as far as there was a possibility of getting them to do anything. The same evening, we arrived within 15 miles of the Falls, and not finding ourselves in number sufficient to put in execution our first plan, it was here agreed to cross the Country and attack some of their small Forts or infest the roads. The second day, we arrived near the wagon road leading from the Falls to the upper Forts. Here we met a party of Miamis, who had been separated from us two days and who had a few hours before upon this road, fallen in with the party of the Enemy's Light Horse, escorting a number of families who were flying from the Upper Forts.* Upon being apprised of our coming out, they killed a number and dispersed the rest. This intelligence induced us to take possession of the ground they had drove the Enemy from and to wait their coming to bury their dead. Accordingly, they came next morning, but before the Indians were posted to receive them, owing to their being busied in collecting the plunder found upon the field, they exchanged a few shots with the Indians in front and fled; however, the greatest part of them were killed and taken with some officers of rank. We lost three Hurons, amongst them were their principal warriors and one of the best Indians with us and a great loss to our party. After this, we returned to our baggage in order to consult what could be further done. The Lake Indians would listen to no proposals and thinking they had prisoners and scalps sufficient, did not even halt upon this ground. "Here again, we proposed to them taking Boon's Fort in our way and endeavor to draw them out, destroy their cattle, and anything to distress them as much as was in our power,* but the Hurons, discouraged by the loss of their Chief and likewise being left by their younger brethren, that the whole might return home, which was agreed to by the other nations. We were never able to ascertain our number, being constantly left by small parties whose view was only to plunder; many of those are not yet returned. Upon the whole, since our first setting out, from the best information I am able to make, "This skirmish is known in Kentucky history as Battle of Long Run. 224 The Quarterly Bulletin there has been near to two hundred of the Enemy killed and taken, amongst whom are near thirty officers, some of con- siderable rank, but how far it may affect their future opera- tions, it is hard to say; however, should they still attempt anything, we are certain their number will not be so great, particularly as we understand the general clamor of the country is against Clark for his ill treatment of the militia. "It would be good policy, however, to watch him till the season is farther advanced, if the Indians could be possibly prevailed upon; perhaps if they were informed that the supplies intended for them would be sent out, it would prevent their going to Detroit. ***** "... Messengers are arriving from the Southern Indians by whom we learn that they are all still heartily engaged against the Enemy and prosecuting the War with vigour. They have not yet delivered their speeches; so soon as they do, shall inform you of them, should there be anything material in the meantime; am with respectful compliments to Mrs. De Peyster and Gentlemen, and with great respect, Dear Sir, "Your Most Obedient and Very Humble Servant, "A. McKee. "To: Major De Peyster at Detroit" The above letter gives the main happenings of the Indian campaign against Clark, which did not have any important results. It is likely McKee colored his report somewhat to make better reading for his superior, but it is a well known fact that Indians were very difficult to handle in large groups, especially when several different tribes were represented as was true of this campaign. Captain Thompson also wrote Major De Peyster from old Chillicothe (Old Town, near present Xenia, Ohio), reporting on the part the British Rangers had taken in the Campaign, which was not a very effective one. He did state in closing that "I have waited here 5 days by desire of the Indians and intend to stay no more as an Indian reported the Enemy were advancing. We do not believe this news, as the prisoners confirm that Clark is not able to raise a sufficient number of men to make another effort this Fall. The day after tomorrow, I move with my people for Detroit, as they are much in need of clothing and nothing here to eat but green corn, unless I am receiving from you further orders on the march." Site of Indian Encampment on the Great Miami, August, 1781 226 The Quarterly Bulletin Getting back to the prisoners who were taken at Lochry's defeat, it is certain they were carefully guarded in the internment camp on the Great Miami awaiting the return of the Indian army from Kentucky. The further adventures of some of these men might prove interesting. Captain Robert Orr, next in command to Colonel Lochry, had the misfortune to break his arm in the battle and he was sent to Sandusky, where he remained several months. His arm would not mend and he suffered greatly. His Indian captors finally took him to Detroit where a British surgeon set the arm properly, after which he was taken to Montreal where he remained until the close of the Revolutionary War when he was exchanged. He became a Judge of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, which position he held until his death in 1833. Captain (listed as Lieut.) Isaac Anderson kept a diary of Lochry's expedition from the start at Carnahan's Blockhouse, including the fight of August 24, his captivity, and his wonderful escape from Montreal. He traced his flight through the wilds of Maine and through the eastern states to his home in Pennsylvania. In 1812 he returned to the scenes of his capture, settling near the mouth of Indian Creek in Butler County, Ohio, where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying at the age of 80, and being buried in that county. James Kean, whose name was also spelled Jonas Cain and Joe Cain on different lists, remained a prisoner until exchanged after the Revolutionary War, when he returned to his home county of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. In 1843 he was called to testify before the Committee of Public Lands, in regard to the claims of Mrs. Jane Thompson and Mrs. Elizabeth McBrier, daughters of Colonel Lochry, who were seeking reparation for services of their father. Here he retold the story of the ill-fated expedition. He was a private in Captain Campbell's company. James McPherson was attached to Captain Isaac Anderson's company and held the rank of Sergeant. After Lochry's defeat he, with other prisoners, was turned over to the British at Detroit, where he entered the British service in the Indian Department under Elliott and McKee. He became very popular with the Indians who called him the "red faced man." He married a fellow prisoner and after Wayne's treaty in 1795, came into the service Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 227 of the , continuing in charge of the and Senecas of Lewistown, Ohio, until his removal from office in 1830. Private Denis McCarty, also of Anderson's company, was brutally murdered by the Indians enroute to Detroit. Con- siderable bad feeling between the Canadian soldiers and Indians arose over it. Major De Peyster made an issue of it at the Indian Council of February, 1782, expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, while the Indian chiefs expressed their regrets and apologized for the acts of their young men. Christian Fast, a young man 16 years of age, a private, adopted into a family of Delawares, to take the place of a son who had been killed, was not happy with Indian life. Simon Girty, noticing his sadness, bought him from his new parents in what is now Ashland County, Ohio, soon returning him to his rightful father and mother. Girty is said to have done this kind act a number of times in the case of children towards whom he seems to have often felt sympathy. So much for some of the captives. Joseph Brant, whose like- ness is reproduced with this article, seems to have been a strange mixture of good and evil. Certainly he was one of the most gifted of all the Indian leaders. He was a Mohawk of the Wolf . His sister Molly married Sir William Johnson, so early in life he became closely allied to the British interests in New State. Educated at Lebanon, Connecticut, he proved an apt pupil. Many years later he translated the Gospel of St. John and the Book of Common Prayer into the . Copies of this may be seen today at Harvard University. Said to be the villain at the massacre in the and the depredations in Cherry Valley during the Revolutionary War, his name struck terror to the Border. But after his defeat in 1779 and the death of Butler the next year, the Indian menace greatly lessened. After the War the British gave him a fine tract of land in Canada where he built a comfortable home, living in the style of a gentleman. Two trips to England made him popular with the British and he was the toast of English society. The King made him a Colonel in the , he receiving the usual officer's half pay until his death. Famous painters asked him to sit for his portrait. But his last years were saddened by the fact that the Mohawks as well as the other tribes were scattered and represented a lost cause. He had joined the 228 The Quarterly Bulletin Church of England and became greatly interested in the welfare of his people. His life became dedicated to public service. He was probably the nearest thing to a statesman the Indian race pro- duced. Married three times after twice becoming a widower, his third wife was the half-breed daughter of the Irish Captain Croghan. Brant had many children. While historians disagree over various episodes of his colorful life, it is certain he had some commendable qualities, which is attested to by the fact he was received in the highest British and American circles as an equal. He dealt with kings, royalty, intellectuals and highly placed Americans and was always at ease in any company. Brant died in 1807 at the age of 64 and was buried beside the Church he had helped to build at , one of the earliest churches of his faith in . A monument over his grave carries this inscription: "This tomb is erected to the memory of Thay-en-da-ne-gea or Captain Joseph Brant, principal chief and warrior of the Six Nation Indians, by his fellow subjects and admirers of his fidelity and attachment to the British Crown." It may not be amiss to tell something of McKee and Elliott, the other leaders in this campaign against General Clark. These men were born in Pennsylvania and grew up in the same neighbor- hood. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War they became leaders of the Tories in their region, but soon found the climate too warm and they thereupon fled to the British, but finally joining the Shawnees. Both married Indian girls and raised families. Their influence became so great that the British Govern- ment appointed them agents for Indian Affairs, positions both continued to fill during their life time. Matthew Elliott was an uncle on his father's side to Commodore Jesse Elliott, the Ameri- can Naval hero of the . The son of Alex McKee distinguished himself in the British cause during the War of 1812 and is mentioned many times by General William Henry Harrison in his dispatches (1812-1814) to the Secretary of War. Young McKee, a handsome half-breed, married a lady of high society. The marriage was not a happy one, for he had too much of the Indian nature. The descendants of Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 229 this marriage finally settled in Noble County near Caldwell, Ohio, where they became prominent citizens. NOTE: Cincinnatians will remember that in late years politicians and sportsmen maintained a club house called the Laughery Club in the neighbor- hood of the point where Colonel Lochry was defeated.

Map of Encampment Area, Hamilton County, Ohio AUTHORITIES CONSULTED

Canadian Archives and Library of Congress. Haldimand Papers at , Canada. Captain Isaac Anderson's Journal. Indiana Historical Collections. Letters of George Rogers Clark. Recollections of Colonel John Johnston. Butterfield, C. W. History of the Girtys. Boyd, Thomas. Simon Girty, the White Savage. Henry Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio. Other Miscellaneous Sources.