VAN WERT COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY: County history, Chapter 1 - ST. CLAIR'S 
DEFEAT (part 6)  
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from History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens
Edited and compiled by   Thaddeus S. Gilliland Van Wert, Ohio


  ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT

     In 1791 Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed major general and placed in
chief command of the frontier forces, after many delays, on the 17th of
September with an army of 2,300men.  On the 12th of October he established a
fort six miles south of Greenville.  From there he marched through the
wilderness, harassed by sickness, short rations and desertions, until
November 3rd. when he reached a branch of the Wabash, where he remained
until the 4th , when he was attacked by the Indians.  The militia were
encamped a quarter of a mile in advance of the rest of the command.  At
about half an hour before sunrise, just as the men were dismissed from
parade the Indians made an attack and the militia soon gave way, rushing
into camp and through Major Butler's battalion and part of Clark's , which
they threw into disorder, which those officers were not able to remedy.  the
Indians wee checked by the heavy firing of the first line.  But a heavy
attack was commenced all along the line, the heaviest part of  it being
directed on the center, where the artillery was placed.
The men were driven from their pieces frequently with great slaughter.  A
bayonet charge was ordered.  The Indians immediately gave way, but attacked
in another quarter.  Charge after charge was made,but in every one of them
many men were lost.  Major Butler was dangerously wounded and every officer
in the second regiment fell, except three.  The artillery was silenced and
all the officers killed, except Captain Ford, who was badly wounded.  More
than half the army had fallen .
    A retreat was ordered which was a disgraceful one, the men throwing away
their guns, even after the Indians had ceased to pursue, and the rout
continued to Fort Jefferson, 29 miles , which was reached a little after
sunset.  The march was again resumed at 10 o'clock and continued all night.
So ended another disastrous campaign.



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