An historical account of the expedition against Sandusky under Col. William Crawford in 1782; with biographical sketches, personal reminiscences, and descriptions of interesting localities; including, also, details of the disastrous retreat, the barbariti

411 Pages·1871·24.844 MB·English

by  Consul Willshire Butterfield

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BHI6-. GELT. WILLIAM IRVINE
AN
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
Expedition against Sandusky
UNDER
COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD
IN I782
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PERSONALREMINISCENCES, AND
DESCRIPTIONS OF INTERESTING LOCALITIES
INCLUDING, ALSO, DETAILS OF THE DISASTROUS RETREAT, THE
BARBARITIES OF THE SAVAGES, AND THE AWFUL
DEATH OF CRAWFORD BY TORTURE
C.'W. BUTTERFIELD
CINCINNATI
OBERT CLARKE & CO
1873
Entered, accordingto actof Congress, in the year 1873,
By C. W. BUTTERFIELD,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Prefatory.
Crawford's campaign was one of the most notable of
the distinct military enterprises of the Western Border
War of the Revolution. Nevertheless, it has heretofore
•found but little space upon the page of American History.
This, however, is not surprising, when we consider that
its most striking incidents occurred within a brief space of
time, and beyond the bounds of western civilization.
On account of the paucity of authoritative published
statements relating to the expedition, I have been com-
pelled, from the commencement, to depend, to a consider-
able extent, upon authorities in manuscript. Nor can this
be regretted, as it has caused the pushingofinvestigations,
whenever practicable, to fountain sources. I have relied
upon traditions, only when better testimony was wanting;
and not even then, without careful consideration and the
closest scrutiny. It is believed, therefore, as much relia-
bility has been attained as could well be, concerningevents
transpiring mostly beyond the extreme western frontier of
our country during the turbulent period of its struggle for
independence.
The melancholy fate of Crawford caused a profound
sensation throughout the United States. Washington was
greatly affected by it. He made it the subject of a special
iv Prefatory.
communication to Congress. So prominent a soldier and
citizen had not, during the Revolution, met such a cruel
death. Ittook a strong andlastinghold upon the sympathies
—
of the people. Pennsylvania and Ohio each, in naming
—
a county in honor of him have done signal justice to his
memory. "The fate of this unfortunate officer has ex-
cited, and will continue to excite, so long as the history of
the West shall be read, the most painful interest and the
liveliest sympathy." I have attempted faithfully to record
the leading incidents of his life, and to narrate, with par-
ticularity, the circumstances attending its close.
To James Veech, Esq., of Allegheny, Pennsylvania;
Hon. William Walker, of Wyandotte City, Kansas Dr.
;
William A. Irvine, of Irvine, Warren county, Pennsyl-
vania John D. Sears, Esq., of Upper Sandusky, Ohio;
;
and Robert A. Sherrard, Esq., of Steubenville, Ohio, I
beg to express my sincere acknowledgments for their un-
remitting endeavors to aid me. To the many friends who
have in various ways kindly assisted me, I take pleasure
in tendering my warmest thanks. The custodians of the
public archives at Washington and Harrisburg have fur-
nished valuable materials as also have the officers of the
;
Western Reserve Historical Society at Cleveland, and the
Librarian of the State Library at Columbus.
In the preparation of this work I have sought to give
the real motives which actuated the patriotic borderers in
marching into the wilderness and have endeavored, by
;
Prefatory.
untiring effort, to bring before the public such particulars
ofthe campaign as seemed worthy ofperpetuation. It will
—
be seen that it was not an unauthorized expedition a sud-
den and wild maraud but was set on foot by the proper
;
authority, and carefully and considerately planned ; that,
instead of unfurling the black flag and marching with an
intention to massacre inoffensive Indians, as has been
so frequently charged, it moved under the banner of the
United States, and for the sole purpose of destroying en-
emies, not only ofthe western frontier, but of our common
country, thereby to give ease and security to the border.
C. W. B.
Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, May, 1S73.

PORTRAIT OF IRVINE AND THE IRVINE PAPERS.
The portrait ofBrigadier-General William Irvine, facing
the title-page of this work, is from an oil painting by B.
Otis, a celebrated portrait painter of Philadelphia, after
one by Robert Edge Pine, an eminent English artist, who
came to America in 1784. The original was taken in New
—
York, when Irvine was a member of Congress, aged
forty-eight.
Extracts from letters of Irvine, in the following pages,
are from originals, or from copies in his own handwriting
—
or that of Lieut. John Rose, his aid-de-camp with few
exceptions, which are noted. Quotations from letters to
Irvine are from originals, unless otherwise stated. Most
of these letters are in the collection of Dr. William A.
Irvine, grandson of the General.

—
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.—War upon the Western Border of Pennsylvania and
—
Virginia. 1777 1781, I
CHAPTER II.—Brigadier-General William Irvine in Command at
—
Fort Pitt Affairs in the Western Department. October, 1781
April, 1782, 16
CHAPTER III.—An Expedition Projected in Western Pennsylvania
against Sandusky. April 4—May7, 17S2, . . . . 49
CHAPTER IV.—Rendezvousing and Organization of the Sandusky
Expedition. 15-24^1 May, 1782, 62
CHAPTER V.—Biographical Sketch of William Crawford. 1732—
1782, 81
CHAPTER VI.—Sketches of the Officers under Crawford, . . 121
CHAPTER VII.—March of the Army from Mingo Bottom to San-
dusky. 25th May—4th June, 1782, 136
CHAPTER VIII.—Preparations by the Enemy to Repel the Ameri-
cans, 157
CHAPTER IX.—Sketch of Simon Girty, the White Savage, . . 182
CHAPTER X.—Battle of Sandusky—June 4, 1782, . . . .202
CHAPTER XL—Retreat of the American Army. June 5-6, 1782, 214
CHAPTER XII.—Battle of Olentangy—Return of the Americans.
June6-14, 1782, 233
...........
CHAPTER XIII.—Alarm of the Border—Determined Spirit of the
Bordermen, 258