To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Surprise on the Wabash

page01

The Surprise on the Wabash[BY MANSFIELD TRACY WALWORTH.] In 1791, before Kentucky was admitted into the Union as a State, an expedition was planned against the hostile Indians north of the Ohio River. Brigadier-general Charles Scott commanded the force. TWO Kentuchy [Kentucky] officers, who won distinction on this well-planned and admirably executed raid upon the redskins, were no tyros in the arts of war. Colonel Wilkinson of Lexington, but a Marylander by birth, had rendered efficient service in the war of the Revolution, having made the campaign of 1777, as Adjutant-general on the staff of General Gates. Colonel John Hardin, who, in the character of a volunteer, without commission, had command of the advance party and the direction of the guides from the Ohio River to the dangerous ground, was born in 1753, in Fauquier County, Virginia, and had been a captain in Morgan's famous rifle corps at the capture of Burgoyne.He was a man of character and influence in Kentucky, an acknowledged leader in military and civil affairs, and to him many leading families of that State to day trace their ancestry with pride. He transmitted a dash of his heroic blood to his descendants. His grandson, the gallant soldier and jurist, Colonel John J. Hardin, whose name is curved among Kentucky's heroes on the exquisite monument at Frankfort, fell, at the head of his regiment, at Buena Vista. His great grandson, at present a lawyer of Louisville, was dangerous y [dangerously] wounded near Wytheville, Virginia, in the cavalry of General John Morgan, of the Confederate army.

Officered by men of such experience and merit, the expedition marched four miles from the banks of the Ohio on the 23d of May, 1791. On the following day the march was resumed, and all pushed forward with the utmost alacrityand industry, directing their route to Ouiattananin the best manner the guides and information regarding the country would permit. Theguides were by no means accurate in their acquaintance with the country, and the utmost vigilance was required at every step. By the30th of the month they had penetrated thewilderness one hundred and thirty-five miles, over a region cut by four large branches of White River, and many smaller streams with deep muddy banks. During this arduous advance a country was traversed which alternatelyexhibited the most luxuriant soil and deep clayey bogs, from one to five miles wide, andrendered almost impervious by brush and briers. Rain fell in torrents every day, with frequent blasts of wind and thunder-storms. These obstacles impeded their progress, exhausted and wore down their horses, and destroyed the provisions.

On the morning of the first of June, as the troops entered an extensive prairie, an Indian on horseback was discovered a few miles to the right. A detachment was instantly sent off to intercept him, but he escaped. As their advent was probably revealed to the foe, it was immediately decided to advance with all possible rapidity, rather with the hope than expectation of reaching the object sought that day, as the guides were strangers to the grounds then occupied. At one o'clock, (having marched, by computation, one hundred and fifty miles, in all from the Ohio,) as they penetrated a grove which bordered on an extensive prairie, they discovered two small villages on the left, about two and four miles distant, respectively.

The guides now recognized the grounds, and informed the General that the principal town was four or five miles in his front, concealed by a point of woods which jutted into the prairie. He immediately detachod [detached] Col. John Hardin, with sixty mounted infantry, and a troop of light horse, under Captain McCoy, to attack the villages to the left, and then moved off briskly,with his main body in order of battle, toward the town, the smoke from which was discernible. The result proved that the guides were at fault with respect to the situation of the town; for, instead of finding it at the edge of theplain through which the troops marched, they discovered, in the low ground bordering on the Wabash, on turning the point of woods, but asingle house presented in their front. Captain .Price was ordered to, assault that dwelling with forty men. He executed the command promptlyand killed two warriors.

Upon gaining the summit of an eminence which overlooked the villages on the banks of the Wabash, General Scott discovered theenemy, in great confusion, endeavoring to make their escape over the river in canoes.He ordered Colonel Wilkinson to rush forward with the first battalion. The order was executed promptly, and the detachment gained the bank of the river just as the rear of theenemy had embarked, and, regardless of a brisk ,fire kept up from a Kickapoo town on the opposite bank, they in a few minutes, by a well-directed fire from their rifles, destroyed all the savages with which fifteen canoes were crowded. Unfortunately, the Wabash at this place was several feet beyond fording. Colonel Wilkinson, ascertaining from the guides that the river was fordable two miles above, pushed.

Images in the George Winter Collection should not be used without written permission from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. To obtain reproduction rights and prices, contact the Tippecanoe County Historical Association, http://www.tcha.mus.in.us

The Surprise on the Wabash[BY MANSFIELD TRACY WALWORTH.] In 1791, before Kentucky was admitted into the Union as a State, an expedition was planned against the hostile Indians north of the Ohio River. Brigadier-general Charles Scott commanded the force. TWO Kentuchy [Kentucky] officers, who won distinction on this well-planned and admirably executed raid upon the redskins, were no tyros in the arts of war. Colonel Wilkinson of Lexington, but a Marylander by birth, had rendered efficient service in the war of the Revolution, having made the campaign of 1777, as Adjutant-general on the staff of General Gates. Colonel John Hardin, who, in the character of a volunteer, without commission, had command of the advance party and the direction of the guides from the Ohio River to the dangerous ground, was born in 1753, in Fauquier County, Virginia, and had been a captain in Morgan's famous rifle corps at the capture of Burgoyne.He was a man of character and influence in Kentucky, an acknowledged leader in military and civil affairs, and to him many leading families of that State to day trace their ancestry with pride. He transmitted a dash of his heroic blood to his descendants. His grandson, the gallant soldier and jurist, Colonel John J. Hardin, whose name is curved among Kentucky's heroes on the exquisite monument at Frankfort, fell, at the head of his regiment, at Buena Vista. His great grandson, at present a lawyer of Louisville, was dangerous y [dangerously] wounded near Wytheville, Virginia, in the cavalry of General John Morgan, of the Confederate army.

Officered by men of such experience and merit, the expedition marched four miles from the banks of the Ohio on the 23d of May, 1791. On the following day the march was resumed, and all pushed forward with the utmost alacrityand industry, directing their route to Ouiattananin the best manner the guides and information regarding the country would permit. Theguides were by no means accurate in their acquaintance with the country, and the utmost vigilance was required at every step. By the30th of the month they had penetrated thewilderness one hundred and thirty-five miles, over a region cut by four large branches of White River, and many smaller streams with deep muddy banks. During this arduous advance a country was traversed which alternatelyexhibited the most luxuriant soil and deep clayey bogs, from one to five miles wide, andrendered almost impervious by brush and briers. Rain fell in torrents every day, with frequent blasts of wind and thunder-storms. These obstacles impeded their progress, exhausted and wore down their horses, and destroyed the provisions.

On the morning of the first of June, as the troops entered an extensive prairie, an Indian on horseback was discovered a few miles to the right. A detachment was instantly sent off to intercept him, but he escaped. As their advent was probably revealed to the foe, it was immediately decided to advance with all possible rapidity, rather with the hope than expectation of reaching the object sought that day, as the guides were strangers to the grounds then occupied. At one o'clock, (having marched, by computation, one hundred and fifty miles, in all from the Ohio,) as they penetrated a grove which bordered on an extensive prairie, they discovered two small villages on the left, about two and four miles distant, respectively.

The guides now recognized the grounds, and informed the General that the principal town was four or five miles in his front, concealed by a point of woods which jutted into the prairie. He immediately detachod [detached] Col. John Hardin, with sixty mounted infantry, and a troop of light horse, under Captain McCoy, to attack the villages to the left, and then moved off briskly,with his main body in order of battle, toward the town, the smoke from which was discernible. The result proved that the guides were at fault with respect to the situation of the town; for, instead of finding it at the edge of theplain through which the troops marched, they discovered, in the low ground bordering on the Wabash, on turning the point of woods, but asingle house presented in their front. Captain .Price was ordered to, assault that dwelling with forty men. He executed the command promptlyand killed two warriors.

Upon gaining the summit of an eminence which overlooked the villages on the banks of the Wabash, General Scott discovered theenemy, in great confusion, endeavoring to make their escape over the river in canoes.He ordered Colonel Wilkinson to rush forward with the first battalion. The order was executed promptly, and the detachment gained the bank of the river just as the rear of theenemy had embarked, and, regardless of a brisk ,fire kept up from a Kickapoo town on the opposite bank, they in a few minutes, by a well-directed fire from their rifles, destroyed all the savages with which fifteen canoes were crowded. Unfortunately, the Wabash at this place was several feet beyond fording. Colonel Wilkinson, ascertaining from the guides that the river was fordable two miles above, pushed.