CHAPTER XXI.

HARMAR'S EXPEDITION.

DURING the spring and summer of the year 1790, numerous small parties of Indians continued to wage an irregular war against emigrating families and settlers, along the borders of the river Ohio, from its mouth to the neighborhood of Pittsburg. Many emigrants, while they were descending the river in boats, were attacked and killed, or taken and carried into captivity. In a letter, dated "Lexington, [Ky.,] 7th April, 1790," Brigadier-general James Wilkinson wrote to General Harmar, as follows:-"I write to you, at the public request, on a subject deeply interesting to Kentucky, our national honor, and to humanity. For more than one month past, a party of savages has occupied the northwestern bank of the Ohio, a few miles above the mouth of the Scioto, whence they make attacks * upon every boat which passes, to the destruction of much property, the loss of many lives, and the great annoyance of all intercourse from the northward. By very recent accounts, we are apprised that they still continue in force at that point, and that their last attack was made against five boats, one of which they captured. It is the general, and I conceive a wellfounded opinion, that if this party is not dislodged and dispersed, the navigation of the Ohio must cease. In a case so very critical, the people of this district conceive themselves justified in appealing to arms, because their dearest interests, and the lives of their brethren, are at hazard; but being extremely unwilling to proceed, except in a legal, regular, and authorized way, they call upon you for your advice, succor, and assistance, in the hope and the expectation, that you will be able to coöperate, with a detachment of the troops under your command, and carry an immediate expedition against the before-mentioned party of savages, from Limestone,* where it is proposed to rendezvous a body of militia volunteers."

*Maysville, Kentucky.

On the 18th of April, 1790, General Harmar, (at the head of one hundred regular troops and about two hundred and thirty volunteers from Kentucky, under the command of General Charles Scott,) marched from Limestone, for the purpose of making a circuitous route, by striking the Scioto at a point several miles up that river, and marching thence to its mouth, in order, if possible, to intercept some of the hostile Indians. On this expedition, four Indians were discovered, and killed, and scalped, by a small detachment of the militia under General Scott. In a letter, dated "June 9th, 1790,” and addressed to the Secretary of War, General Harmar said:-"At the solicitation of the inhabitants of Kentucky, I was induced to endeavor to break up a nest of vagabond Indians, who had infested the river, and seemed to make it an object to establish themselves near the mouth of the Scioto, in order to interrupt the navigation of the Ohio, and to plunder and murder the emigrants. I am sorry that my endeavors were unsuccessful, as the villains had retreated. Wolves might as well have been pursued. Every exertion in my power was made without effect. * * * On the first day's march, four moccasin tracks were discovered. General Scott detached a small party of horsemen, who fell in with the savages, killed them, and brought the four scalps into Limestone."

When Governor St. Clair arrived at Fort Washington, from Kaskaskia, he determined, after consulting with General Harmar, to send a strong expedition against the Indian towns about the headwaters of the river Wabash. Being vested with authority, by the President of the United States, to call for one thousand militia from Virginia, and five hundred from Pennsylvania, he addressed circular letters, on the 15th of July, 1790, to several of the county lieutenants of the western counties of those States. Virginia, of which Kentucky then formed a part, was called upon to furnish the following numbers of men: