University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER IX.

COLONEL BRODHEAD'S CAMPAIGN.

Colonel Daniel Brodhead having succeeded General
McIntosh, commanding the western division, determined to
strike an effective blow against the Indian towns on the
Muskingum. An expedition was accordingly fitted out in the
spring of 1781,[67] which rendezvoused at Wheeling, and proceeded
thence to the scene of their intended operations. It
embraced about eight hundred men, composed of some of the
most experienced Indian hunters on the frontiers of Virginia
and Pennsylvania. Colonel David Shepherd, of Wheeling
creek, was one of the party.

With the least practicable delay, the expedition crossed the
Ohio and moved rapidly towards the Indian towns, that they
might strike a decisive blow before the enemy should discover
their approach.

When the army had reached the river, a little below Salem,
the lowest Moravian town, Col. Brodhead sent an express to
the missionary of the place, the Rev. John Heckewelder, informing
him of his arrival in the neighborhood with his army,
requesting a small supply of provisions, and a visit from him
in his camp. The Christian Indians sent the supply of provisions,
and Mr. Heckewelder repaired to Col. Brodhead's camp.
Col. Brodhead then said, "that being on an expedition against
the hostile Indians, at or near the forks of the river, he was
anxious to know before he proceeded any further, whether
any of the Christian Indians were out hunting, or on business

in the direction he was going." Being answered in the negative,
he declared, that "nothing would give him greater pain,
than to hear that any one of the Moravian Indians had been
molested by his troops: as these Indians had conducted themselves
from the commencement of the war, in a manner that
did them honor."[68]

While, however, he was assuring Mr. Heckewelder that the
Christian Indians had nothing to fear, an officer came with
great speed from one quarter of the camp, and reported that
a particular division of the militia "were preparing to break
off for the purpose of destroying the Moravian settlements up
the river, and he feared they could not be restrained from
so doing. Col. Brodhead and Col. Shepherd of Wheeling,
immediately took such measures as prevented it.[69]

The army then proceeded until within a few miles of Coshocton,
when an Indian prisoner was taken. Soon after,
two more Indians were discovered and fired upon, but notwithstanding
one of them was wounded, both made their
escape.

Col. Brodhead, knowing that these two Indians would endeavor
to give immediate notice of the approach of the army,
ordered a rapid march, in order to reach the town before
them, and take it by surprise. This was done in the midst of a
heavy fall of rain, and the plan succeeded. The army reached
the place in three divisions,—the right and left wings approached
the river a little above and below the town, while
the centre marched directly upon it. The whole number
of the Indians in the village, on the east side of the river,
together with ten or twelve from a little village some distance
above, were made prisoners, without firing a single shot. The
river having risen to a great height, owing to the recent fall
of rain, the army could not cross it. Thus, the villages on the
west side of the river escaped destruction.

Among the prisoners, sixteen warriors were pointed out by
Pekillon, a friendly Delaware chief, who was with the army
of Col. Brodhead. A little after dark a council of war was
held, to determine on the fate of the warriors. They were
doomed to death. They were then bound, taken a little distance
below the town, dispatched with tomahawks and spears,
and scalped.

Early the next morning an Indian presented himself on the

opposite bank of the river, and asked for the "Big Captain."
Col. Brodhead presented himself, and asked the Indian what
he wanted? The Indian replied, "I want peace." "Send
over some of your chiefs," said Brodhead. "May be you kill?"
He was answered, "They shall not be killed." One of the
chiefs, a well looking man, came over the river and entered
into conversation with Col. Brodhead in the street; but while
engaged in conversation, a man belonging to the army, by
the name of John Wetzel, came up behind him, with a tomahawk
concealed in the bosom of his hunting shirt, and struck
him a blow on the back of his head. He fell, and instantly
expired.

About mid-day the army commenced its retreat from Coshocton.
Col. Brodhead committed the care of the prisoners
to the militia. They were about twenty in number. After
marching about a mile, the men commenced killing them, and
did not cease until the whole were murdered and scalped,
except a few women and children who were spared and taken
to Fort Pitt."[70]

THE SCOUT.