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savages observing us； gave way； and we； being ignorant of their
numbers； passed the river。 When the enemy saw our proceedings；
having greatly the advantage of us in situation； they formed the
line of battle； represented in the map； from one bend of Licking to
the other； about a mile from the Blue Licks。 An exceeding fierce
battle immediately began； for about fifteen minutes； when we； being
over…powered by numbers； were obliged to retreat； with the loss of
sixty…seven men； seven of whom were taken prisoners。 The brave and
much lamented Colonels Todd and Trigg； Major Harland and my second
son； were among the dead。 We were informed that the Indians；
numbering their dead； found they had four killed more than we； and
therefore； four of the prisoners they had taken； were； by general
consent； ordered to be killed； in a most barbarous manner； by the
young warriors； in order to train them up to cruelty； and then they
proceeded to their towns。
On our retreat we were met by Col。 Logan； hastening to join us；
with a number of well armed men： This powerful assistance we
unfortunately wanted in the battle； for； notwithstanding the
enemy's superiority of numbers； they acknowledged that； if they had
received one more fire from us； they should undoubtedly have given
way。 So valiantly did our small party fight； that； to the memory of
those who unfortunately fell in the battle； enough of honour cannot
be paid。 Had Col。 Logan and his party been with us； it is highly
probable we should have given the savages a total defeat。
I cannot reflect upon this dreadful scene； but sorrow fills my
heart。 A zeal for the defence of their country led these heroes to
the scene of action； though with a few men to attack a powerful
army of experienced warriors。 When we gave way； they pursued us
with the utmost eagerness； and in every quarter spread destruction。
The river was difficult to cross； and many were killed in the
flight； some just entering the river； some in the water； others
after crossing in ascending the cliffs。 Some escaped on horse…back；
a few on foot； and； being dispersed every where； in a few hours；
brought the melancholy news of this unfortunate battle to
Lexington。 Many widows were now made。 The reader may guess what
sorrow filled the hearts of the inhabitants； exceeding any thing
that I am able to describe。 Being reinforced； we returned to bury
the dead； and found their bodies strewed every where； cut and
mangled in a dreadful manner。 This mournful scene exhibited a
horror almost unparalleled： Some torn and eaten by wild beasts；
those in the river eaten by fishes； all in such a putrified
condition； that no one could be distinguished from another。
As soon as General Clark； then at the Falls of the Ohio； who was
ever our ready friend； and merits the love and gratitude of all his
country…men； understood the circumstances of this unfortunate
action； he ordered an expedition； with all possible haste； to
pursue the savages； which was so expeditiously effected； that we
overtook them within two miles of their towns； and probably might
have obtained a great victory； had not two of their number met us
about two hundred poles before we come up。 These returned quick as
lightening to their camp with the alarming news of a mighty army in
view。 The savages fled in the utmost disorder； evacuated their
towns； and reluctantly left their territory to our mercy。 We
immediately took possession of Old Chelicothe without opposition；
being deserted by its inhabitants。 We continued our pursuit through
five towns on the Miami rivers； Old Chelicothe； Pecaway； New
Chelicothe； Will's Towns； and Chelicothe； burnt them all to ashes；
entirely destroyed their corn； and other fruits； and every where
spread a scene of desolation in the country。 In this expedition we
took seven prisoners and five scalps； with the loss of only four
men； two of whom were accidentally killed by our own army。
This campaign in some measure damped the spirits of the Indians；
and made them sensible of our superiority。 Their connections were
dissolved； their armies scattered； and a future invasion put
entirely out of their power； yet they continued to practise
mischief secretly upon the inhabitants； in the exposed parts of the
country。
In October following； a party made an excursion into that
district called the Crab Orchard； and one of them； being advanced
some distance before the others； boldly entered the house of a poor
defenceless family； in which was only a Negro man； a woman and her
children； terrified with the apprehensions of immediate death。 The
savage； perceiving their defenceless situation； without offering
violence to the family attempted to captivate the Negro； who；
happily proved an over…match for him； threw him on the ground； and；
in the struggle； the mother of the children drew an ax from a
corner of the cottage； and cut his head off； while her little
daughter shut the door。 The savages instantly appeared； and applied
their tomahawks to the door。 An old rusty gun…barrel； without a
lock； lay in a corner； which the mother put through a small
crevice； and the savages； perceiving it； fled。 In the mean time；
the alarm spread through the neighbourhood； the armed men collected
immediately； and pursued the ravagers into the wilderness。 Thus
Providence； by the means of this Negro； saved the whole of the poor
family from destruction。 From that time； until the happy return of
peace between the United States and Great…Britain； the Indians did
us no mischief。 Finding the great king beyond the water
disappointed in his expectations； and conscious of the importance
of the Long Knife； and their own wretchedness； some of the nations
immediately desired peace； to which； at present； they seem
universally disposed； and are sending ambassadors to General Clark；
at the Falls of the Ohio； with the minutes of their Councils； a
specimen of which； in the minutes of the Piankashaw Council； is
subjoined。
To conclude； I can now say that I have verified the saying of an
old Indian who signed Col。 Henderson's deed。 Taking me by the hand；
at the delivery thereof； Brother； says he； we have given you a fine
land； but I believe you will have much trouble in settling it。My
footsteps have often been marked with blood； and therefore I can
truly subscribe to its original name。 Two darling sons； and a
brother； have I lost by savage hands； which have also taken from me
forty valuable horses； and abundance of cattle。 Many dark and
sleepless nights have I been a companion for owls； separated from
the chearful society of men； scorched by the Summer's sun； and
pinched by the Winter's cold； an instrument ordained to settle the
wilderness。 But now the scene is changed： Peace crowns the sylvan
shade。
What thanks； what ardent and ceaseless thanks are due to that
all…superintending Providence which has turned a cruel war into
peace； brought order out of confusion； made the fierce savages