Read Ebook: A journal containing an accurate and interesting account of the hardships sufferings battles defeat and captivity of those heroic Kentucky volunteers and regulars commanded by General Winchester in the year 1812-13 Also two narratives by men that were wou by Darnell Elias

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During my stay with them I saw them take a number of scalps to Malden, for which they said they received from four to six dollars each, either in whiskey or store goods. They said they got thirty-seven scalps at the battle of the 18th, and upwards of four hundred at that of the 22d January. I replied, that there were only ten scalped on the 18th. They said "Yankee d--d lie;" and they further stated, that they had only two killed on the 18th. I replied, Indian d--d lie, for I saw myself twelve dead on the field. I asked them how many British and Indians were at the River Raisin, on the 22d January; they replied, that there were two thousand five hundred Indians, and one thousand British.

They would frequently make motions imitating the Americans when they were scalping them, by turning, twisting, mourning, &c.; this was done to aggravate me.

They once gave me a jug of whiskey, requesting me to drink. I drank what satisfied me, and offered them the jug again--they insisted on me to drink more; I put the jug to my head, but did not drink; they discovered the cheat, and cried out "Yankee no good man, d--d lie;" they then made me drink until they could hear it gurgle in my throat.

About three weeks before the battle at the Rapids, the squaws and boys were employed in dressing deer-skins, which were to equip the warriors for their march thither. During this time, the warriors were collecting and dancing the war-dance. They informed me that they were going to Quo-by-ghaw, which I learned from the French, was the Rapids. I further learned that the British had promised them the possession of Fort Meigs, as well as the disposal of Gen. Harrison. They then calculated on Fort Meigs as their chief place of deposit, from which they could make incursions into the State of Ohio, kill a vast number of the inhabitants, and satisfy themselves with plunder. They calculated on having a three days' frolic in the burning of Gen. Harrison.

Two weeks before their march for Fort Meigs, Tecumseh was with them. He was busily employed rallying those who were indifferent about going to the battle, and encouraging those who had volunteered; amongst other persuasive arguments to volunteer, he made use of these, viz.: that Fort Meigs was badly constructed and illy defended; asserting that they could take it without the loss of a man. But, if this could not be effected, he would then lead them on to Fort Wayne, which would certainly fall an easy prey to them. He then left them, and went to the Wabash to brings his warriors, who were stationed at that place.

Previous to the march of the Indians, they took bark of swamp willow, and tobacco, mixed them together, and pulverized them. They then formed a circle round a fire which had been prepared for that purpose, and one rose and delivered a speech, I understood, relative to the war. At the conclusion of the speech, they passed this powder around the circle, each individual taking a pinch as it passed; each then snuffed a part of this portion, and threw the remaining part in the fire. After this had been performed with the greatest solemnity, one took the snuff which yet remained in the vessel, and threw it in the fire. They then took up their packs, raised the scalp halloo, waved their tomahawks over their heads, and marched for battle.

There were three thousand who drew four days' rations at Detroit. When they left us, they told us to be good boys, and stay there till they came back, and they would bring some more Yankees, who should cook, and do all the hard work, and we might go with them hunting.

They left us in care of the squaws and a few old men.

We had no other way by which to get free from this unpleasant situation, but deserting them; for they had been offered one hundred dollars each, for four of us, by the citizens of Detroit, but refused it. These four were Major Graves, Samuel Ganoe, John Davenport, and myself.

Thinking this as favorable an opportunity as we could get, I requested Samuel Ganoe to set off with me; he readily consented, and we set off just at dark, and ran to Detroit, which was eight miles, and got to the house of Mr. H., who concealed us in his cellar. He had a hole dug in the bottom of his cellar six or eight feet deep, for the purpose of keeping potatoes; and in this we were put, and he laid planks over it, and threw dirt on the planks, which caused it to bear so nice a semblance to the other part of the cellar, that the Indians could not distinguish it from the common bottom. This dismal dungeon was our abode for half a day, during which time the Indians came, and searched carefully for us, but in vain. After they were gone, Mr. H. asked a British officer if he would take the care of us. He replied in the affirmative, and then sent us immediately to the fort at Detroit, where we were kept two days, the Indians still searching for us. On the second night about midnight, we were sent to Sandwich, and kept there two days with but little to eat, and then sent to Malden. We found the force at Malden to consist of sixty Canadian French, besides eighty who had received wounds at the River Raisin, and who would no doubt remain invalids for life. We also found stationed at Malden, James Girty, who, I was informed, was brother to the infamous Simon Girty; his business was to receive scalps from the Indians; his pay for this service was three dollars per week. I saw here about half a bushel of scalps in a kettle! the number I cannot guess at.

After every exertion to take Fort Meigs had failed, the British returned to Malden, cursing Harrison for a rabbit, which they swore had burrowed, and which they could not take in that situation.

From Malden we were taken across to Cleveland, on the 16th day of May, 1813.

I heard of three other prisoners, but do not remember their names; two of whom were about twenty miles from Detroit, and the other near Malden.

From Cleveland nothing worth relating occurred until I arrived at home, in Bourbon county, Kentucky; where I found my friends all in good health, my father excepted, who had gone to face the same enemy from whom I had just made my escape.

NARRATIVE

MR. JOHN DAVENPORT.

They frequently solicited me to wear a breech-clout, which I always refused. One time my mother discovered me mending my pantaloons; thinking this a good opportunity to get me to wear one, she immediately brought one, which I took hold of and said "no good," then threw it down and stamped it. At the sight of this she was very much enraged, and scolded desperately to herself in her own Indian dialect. I have often wondered since that they did not kill me for disobeying their orders, for I was extremely obstinate, and scarcely ever complied with their injunctions.

Notwithstanding my disobedience, the Indians treated me as well as was in their power, especially my mother, who was very kind to me. Some considerable time I had to eat my victuals without salt. I knew they had none, yet I would always ask for some. My old mother, after some time, procured some for me, which she kept hid to prevent the others from making use of it, and never failed to give me a small portion when I was eating.

Intoxication is practised by the squaws as well as the men; they frequently have drunken frolics, at which times it is dangerous for prisoners to be amongst them. During these frantic revels the prisoners are kept hid by the squaws to keep them from being murdered. One night, after the rest had gone to bed, my mother, who had stayed out later than usual, came in, sat down, and began to sing; she did not appear to be in her senses; I soon discovered that this old priestess of Bacchus had got very drunk. In this mood she seized hold of the fire and threw it on those who were sleeping round the fire, which soon caused them to rise; she then jumped into the fire and danced until she had burned the soles of her moccasons off.

Just before the Indians marched they prepared a number of hoops, both ends of which they stuck in the ground and spread their blankets over them. In this place they put hot stones, threw water on them, and then went in themselves and remained until they were wet with sweat. This I conjectured was done in the way of devotion, or in imploring the assistance of the Great Spirit in their intended expedition.

When the Indians marched I was committed to the care of the squaws and a few old invalids. Thinking this the most favorable opportunity I could get, I was determined to put my plan in execution. At night I lay down with the intention of starting when the moon arose, but overslept my time and did not awake till daylight. I arose and started, notwithstanding I was apprehensive of being discovered, and ran directly to Detroit, a distance of about nine miles, probably in as short a time as any Indian in the nation could have performed the same journey.

As soon as I had arrived at Detroit I went to Mr. T. S's, who had persuaded me to run away, and he and his friends would conceal me, which they did accordingly. It was but a short time before a Frenchman, of the name of Shover, and some squaws, came in search of me, but could not find me.

From the most correct information I could obtain, their forces at the siege of Fort Meigs, consisting of British regulars, Canadian militia, and Indians, amounted to 5,000!

From Malden I was taken across to Cleveland, and from there I pursued my journey towards the delightful regions of Kentucky, where I arrived in Montgomery county, in June, 1813.

THE BATTLE OF RAISIN,

ON THE 22D OF JANUARY, 1813.

On Raisin darkness reigned around, And silent was the tented ground, Where weary soldiers slept profound, Far in the wintery wilderness.

No danger did the sentry fear, No wakeful watch at midnight drear; But ah! the foe approaches near, Through forests frowning awfully.

And ere the sun had risen bright, Fast flashing 'mid the stormy fight, The thundering cannon's livid light Glared on the eye most frightfully.

Then deadly flew the balls of lead! Then many of the foemen bled, And thrice their banded legion fled, Before Kentucky's bravery.

And long our heroes' swords prevail: But hist! that deep and doleful wail-- Ah! freedom's sons begin to fail, Oppressed by numbers battling.

Rise! rise! ye volunteers, arise! Behold! your right hand column flies! And hark! yon shout which rends the skies! Where Indians yell tumultuously.

Rush o'er the bloody field of fame, Drive back the savage whence he came! For glory 'waits the victor's name, Returning home exultingly.

'Tis done. The dreadful fight is o'er; Thick clouds of smoke are seen no more-- The snowy plain is red with gore, Where fell the friends of liberty.

CAMPBELL.

FOOTNOTES:

To prove that this surrender was not in consequence of the want of ammunition and provisions, it is sufficient to state, upon the authority of official information, that there were thirty-three pieces of cannon, twenty-five of which were brass and eight iron, which were well manned and supplied with ammunition.

For the muskets, seventy-five thousand cartridges were made up, besides twenty-four rounds in the cartouch-box of each man.

In the magazine were sixty barrels of powder, and one hundred and fifty tons of lead.

In the contractor's store were at least twenty-five days' provision; and in the adjacent country considerable supplies could have been had, besides three hundred head of cattle, under an escort commanded by Captain Brush, at the River Raisin.

AN OHIO VOLUNTEER.

Colonel Allen stopped at St. Mary's for the remaining part of the army.

He died in a few days.

Pronounced Rushdeboo.

We learned since, the British officer was Col. Elliott's son, and was probably a Captain.

The French, who were looking at us when we started, were heard to say, we were not men enough.

It would have been better for us if we had been contented with the possession of the village, without pursuing them to the woods.

This want of precaution was a great cause of our mournful defeat!

When the right wing began to retreat, it is said orders were given by some of the officers to the men in the eastern end of the picketing to march out to their assistance. Capt. Price and a number of men sallied out. Capt. Price was killed, and most of the men.

Col. Proctor had informed Gen. Winchester he would afford him an opportunity of surrendering his troops, and if not accepted he would let loose the Indians on us, who would burn the town, and he would not be accountable for their conduct. Gen. Winchester, not knowing how we had resisted their efforts, thought probably it would be the case.

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