University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER III.

BRITISH INFLUENCE THE WEST.

In succeeding to the power, it was unhappily discovered,
at an early day, that the English had not succeeded to the
influence of the French over the Indians. Many of the
northern tribes, embracing the Ottaways, Wyandotts, Chippeways,
etc., were strongly attached to the French, and
greatly deplored their downfall. A celebrated Chippeway
chief once said in council, in speaking of the French, "They
came and kissed us,—they called us children and we found
them fathers; we lived like children in the same lodge."
With feelings like these, it may readily be imagined, how the
Red men received the success of the English.

One month precisely, after the surrender of Canada, a
British officer (Major Rodgers) reached Erie on his way to take
possession of Detroit. Near the latter place, lived a distinguished
Ottoway chief, Pontiac, who had resolved to resist
the English, and when Rodgers demanded a surrender of that
post, the native warrior came forward and demanded how he
dared to enter the Indian country.

Rodgers evasively answered, that he had not come to take
the country, but only to take the place of the French, and
open up the channels of trade.

This reply, with some manifestations of friendship, conciliated
the chieftain, and the officer was permitted to pass on.

Causes, whether real or imaginary, and not now necessary to
particularize, soon disturbed the good feeling between the Ottoway
chief and his English neighbors. He questioned their motives,

doubted their friendship, and openly declared that they
had "treated him with neglect." These, always sufficient to excite
the ire of an Indian, were not long in showing their effect
upon Pontiac.[29] With him to resolve was to do; and in his
heart he determined to exterminate the new incumbents.
Having perfected his plans he broke it to his people, by declaring
that the Great Spirit had appeared to him and said,
"Why do you suffer these dogs in red coats to enter your
country and take the lands I gave you? drive them from it,
and when you are in distress I will help you." His hosts
were accordingly marshaled, his plans of operation laid open
to them, and at a concerted signal every English post save
three, in the great valley of the west,—the gain of many
years hard fighting, and at a sacrifice of blood and treasure
scarcely to be comprehended, fell before the skill and cunning
of this distinguished warrior.

In the brief period of fifteen days from the time the first
blow was struck, Pontiac was in full possession of nine out of
the twelve posts so recently belonging the English.[30] His

fearful threat, too, of extermination, was almost literally carried
out. Over two hundred traders with their servants fell
beneath his remorseless power, and goods estimated at over
half a million of dollars became the spoils of the confederated
tribes.

The attack on Detroit was led by Pontiac in person, but
failed through the treachery of a squaw. Forts Pitt and
Niagara were the other two that escaped.

Although unsuccessful against Fort Pitt, many depredations
were committed in its vicinity. Families were murdered,
houses burned, crops destroyed, and many similar outrages
perpetrated.

Gen. Amherst, hearing that the fort held out, despatched
Col. Bouquet, at the head of a sufficient force, to its relief.
At Fort Ligonier, he determined to leave the wagons, and
proceed on pack-horses. But his progress had been closely
watched and faithfully reported to the Indian army that lay
in ambush waiting his approach. Bouquet, however, was a
prudent and brave man, and with the terrible lesson of Braddock
before him, moved with great caution, and only in the
track of experienced scouts. His vigilant spies soon reported
the presence of Indians, but the gallant colonel kept his men
ready for any emergency. His position, however, was becoming
critical; before him lay a long and dangerous defile,
surrounded by high hills and covered with dense wood. Fearing
an ambuscade at this point, the colonel moved slowly, and
ordered every man to be ready for an attack. The army
had nearly approached this defile, when, quick as thought, a
most violent descent was made upon his advanced guard by a
large body of Indians. The enemy were met by a steady
and well-directed fire, and the main army, hurrying up to the
support of the guard, the savages were beaten back, and even
pursued into their retreats along the hill-sides. But they

soon rallied, and again and again fell upon the little army,
so as to prevent its progress, and of course greatly annoy it.
Finally, the savages completely surrounded their intended
victims, cutting them off from all supplies of water, &c., and
causing their chances to look hopeless in the extreme. Now
it was that Bouquet's fine military genius suggested a movement
which saved them all, perhaps, from utter defeat, if not
extermination.

He posted his troops on an eminence, forming a circle
around their convoy. This arrangement had been effected
during the night, and early on the following morning he
ordered the two companies occupying the most advanced situations
to fall within the circle. The troops on the right and
left immediately opened their files and filled up the vacancy
as though they were endeavoring to cover the retreat of the
others. Another company of infantry and one of grenadiers
were ordered to lie in ambuscade to support the two first
mentioned companies, who moved on the feigned retreat, and
who were directed to commence the attack. The stratagem
was admirably arranged, and most successfully executed.

The Indians, thinking the whites were retreating, rushed
from the woods in great numbers, making a most furious onslaught
against their enemy. At the very moment they believed
themselves victorious, the two companies made a sudden
turn from the rear of a hill which had concealed them from
the savages, and rushing fiercely upon the enemy's right flank,
completely routed them, and drove them from the field with
great slaughter. The Indians lost about sixty men, including
many of their best warriors, besides many wounded. The
English loss, in killed and wounded, was over one hundred.

Thwarted in their attempts to cut off this reinforcement,
the savages retreated toward their own country, wholly abandoning
their designs against Fort Pitt. Without further
interruption the gallant colonel made his way to the forks.

Unable to pursue the enemy into their own country, and
take advantage of the victory obtained over them, Colonel

Bouquet had to content himself with supplying Fort Pitt and
other points with provisions, ammunition, &c. &c.

Such was the campaign of 1763, and its happy termination.