The Ruddlesforter Is a Publication by and for Individuals Interested in the Preservation of the History of These Significant Revolutionary War Forts
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Summer 1999 Publication of the Ruddell and Martin Stations Historical Association Vol. 1 No.1 Contents The Ruddlesforter is a publication by and for individuals interested in the preservation of the history of these significant Revolutionary War forts. For further information contact: British Attacks Against Ruddle’s and 2 Ruddell and Martin Stations Martin’s Stations in 1780 Historical Association PO Box 297 By Don Lee and Martha Pelfrey Alexandria, KY 41001 606 635-4362 News and Letters 4 Board of Directors Don Lee Draper Manuscript Collection President [email protected] · The Scalping of Joseph Conway 5 · Draper’s Interview with James Chambers 6 Martha Pelfrey Vice President · Captain John Hinkson’s Narrative 6 · Draper’s Interview with John M. Ruddell 7 Peggy Warth Secretary/Treasurer · Maryland Journal, October 17, 1780 7 [email protected] · Early American Correspondence 8 Bob Francis · Draper’s Interview with Mrs. Ledwell, Archives [email protected] Miss Ferris and Joseph Munger Jr. 8 · The Ruddell Captivity 9 Jim Sellars Editor [email protected] The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 13, 1783 10 Jon Hagee Website Coordinator [email protected] Johann Leonhard Kratz 11 By Johannes Helmut Merz Membership application: http://www.webpub.com/~jhagee/ rudd-app.html Captain John Dunkin of Elk Garden 14 Ruddle’s and Martin’s Stations By Emory L. Hamilton Web Site: http://www.shawhan.com/ruddlesfort.hml Join the Ruddlesfort discussion group at: [email protected] (send an e-mail with the word “subscribe” REUNION 2000 in the message and you’ll be on the Don’t forget to plan a summer vacation to attend the 220th mailing list – its free!) anniversary reunion to be held in June 2000. British Attacks Against Ruddle's & Martin’s Stations In June 1780 by Don Lee and Martha Pelfrey n the summer of 1780 a large force of his ability to recruit the Lake Indians. In hundred and fifty Indians and a total force British and Indians swooped down on the fall of 1779, he went among the tribal of about twelve hundred fifty men. With Ithe American frontier forts in councils winning them over to his plan. It the Shawnee came four white men: the Kentucky, killing more than 24 men, was easy since the Indians were already Girtys-Simon, James and George and the women and children. In just two days, the furious over American Colonel Bowman's Indian agent Alexander McKee. The four tiny forts of Ruddle’s and Martin’s burning of Indian villages and crops near kept the Indians keyed up in furious anger stations were destroyed and more than 400 Piqua and Chillicothe (old town) in July. by reminding them of the murder of their prisoners were taken on a death march to They were eager to retaliate against Chiefs Cornstalk, Pucksinwah and Black Detroit. Many of the old, the young and American intrusions upon their lands. Fish. the weak died during that grueling march There would be much plunder to be Captain Bird was confronted with a of 600 miles. gained by such an attack. May of 1780 problem. His plans called for him to go During the Revolutionary, war there was a very wet season in the Ohio Valley. south and attack the Fort at Louisville, were three invasions by the British and The streams were full to overflowing and however, the Indians wanted to go south Indians against the American Forts in navigation on the small rivers was good. and attack the small weaker forts in Kentucky. The most significant of these Captain Bird left Detroit in the middle of central Kentucky where there would be was the attack on Ruddle’s and Martin’s May with 200 Canadian Regulars, Tories more plunder. His intelligence sources forts by British Captain Henry Bird. This and about 300 Lake Indians, mostly told him that he would be more successful second invasion was a well-planned Ottawas, Hurons, Taways, and Mingoes. if he attacked Ruddles, Martins, Bryan's counter attack by the British Command He had with him several cannon. Some Stations and Lexington. From the mouth at Detroit in retaliation for General Clark's accounts say he had six, others accounts of the Great Miami, the army turned up victory at Vincennes and the capture of say he had three. stream to a point where Cincinnati now Lt. Governor Hamilton of Detroit. The Allan W. Eckert in his book The stands, across from the mouth of the plan was to destroy the Kentucky forts Frontiersmen says he had six. Five French Licking River. They went up the Licking and drive the settlers back over the swivels mounted on horseback and one about forty Miles to the forks of the mountains to the East Coast. large brass cannon on wheels. He went Licking where the City of Falmouth is Captain Bird was chosen because of south by boat on Lake Erie and entered now Located. Here huts were built to the mouth of the Maumee River where store most of their supplies. Here they left present-day Toledo is located and went up the River and traveled over land east of stream or south into central Ohio. At the and parallel to the South Fork of the mouth of the Auglaize River a force of Licking. As they went they carved a wide about 300 warriors of the Delawares, wagon road through the woods along a Hurons, Wyandots, Ottawas, Chippawaa, Buffalo Trace, now known as the Tawas, Miamis and Potawatomies met Broadford Road. Bird's War Road took him. From there, they paddled their boats them down the dry bed of Snake Lick south on the Auglaize to a portage point Creek past the abandoned Boyd's Station. called Wapakoneta by the Indians. Boats, They crossed the South Licking at a broad supplies and cannons were carried south ford in a great bend of the River. The over a portage trail to the Great Miami. place is still known as Bird's Crossing. The portage was difficult and took him They encountered much difficulty in the two weeks to travel the twenty miles. By crossing and built a temporary log the time he reached the mouth of the roadway to cross. The road paralleled the Great Miami at the Ohio River the South Licking and numerous Streams Shawnee had joined him giving him eight were crossed including Raven Creek and The Ruddlesforter V1-1 : 2 Mill Creek. Gray's Run was forded near Indians rode the horses taken from the the present City of Cynthiana. At Lair fort. station they again crossed the South Captain Bird and his men were so Licking and went south to Ruddles outnumbered by the Indians that he had Station. no control over the outrages that were In the dim light of morning in a committed. He was so disgusted with the heavy downpour of rain, they crept up to turn of events he wanted to return to the field in front of the fort. A guard Detroit right away, however, the Indians sounded the alarm and in a few minutes, were pleased with their success at the faces of 100 men peered over the wall. Ruddles and wanted to attack Martin's Some accounts say they exchanged rifle Station some five miles south on Stoner fire until Bird had his cannon in place. A Creek. Martin's were a new station with a shot was fired from a smaller cannon and large population. The American Captain the ball only imbedded into the wall of the Gatliff had been called up in March to stockade with little damage. Immediately defend Martin’s fort, but was away from Bird ordered the big wheeled cannon the fort with Simon Kenton hunting when loaded and aimed. Panic swept the fort at Capt. Bird and his men arrived. Martins dispatched the weak that fell behind. A the sight of the huge gun. The ground had heard of the Ruddles surrender and bounty of $5 was paid for each scalp or shook and the sound thundered up the decided to do the same with the prisoner. The Prisoners were forced to valley from the roar of the great gun. The assurances there would be no more cross the Licking River a number of north wall of the stockade was shattered killing. Again, the Indians broke their Times. At one of the crossings a Mrs. as the cannon ball torn it's way through promise. Bird was able to convince the Christian Spears was drowned. Later at the logs. It was the first time a cannon had Indians that he would take charge of the Detroit Mr. Spears married one of the been used against a Kentucky fort. prisoners from Martins and they could other prisoners. As Captain Bird ordered the Cannon have the prisoners from Ruddles. Many prisoners died along the way reloaded a white flag began to wave over By this time, Bird had seen enough of from exhaustion, illnesses, wounds and the stockade. The gate opened slightly and the barbarous conduct and feeling he starvation. Some prisoners stayed at several men emerged. They met outside could no longer trust his allies that he Detroit while others were taken to live the fort and talked in the rain. Capt. Bird gave orders for the whole force to return among the Indians and others were sent ordered in the name of King George III to Detroit. He wanted to take advantage of on to Montreal. Many families were that the fort be immediately and the high waters for his return trip. Word divided. At Detroit prisoners worked as unconditionally surrendered.