THE BRITISH VERSION OF LOCHRY'S DEFEAT by C. J. MAURER In the closing months of the Revolutionary War and seven years before John Filson and his party were looking over the ground of what was soon to become the infant town site of Cin- cinnati, a tragedy was enacted on the banks of the Ohio River near the point where Aurora, Indiana, is now located. The story of Colonel Lochry's defeat and massacre, August 24, 1781, has been told, and is pretty well known in its slightly different Ameri- can versions, but the British accounts as revealed in letters and documents in the Canadian archives and the Library of Congress, present some features of the story that are not so familiar and hence have interest for us today.* The Ohio has rightly been called a river of destiny. No history or set of histories has ever been able to capture all the stories of war and intrigue that have occurred on or near this great river. Destiny has reserved this important valley for its eventual place in the sun as one of the greatest industrial regions of America. Many prospective settlers and early travelers just disappeared, and history can only guess at the total number of people who lost their lives in this now populous region because of their eager desire to see and acquire property in the promised land. But to get on with our story. Just to keep the record straight, it should be kept in mind that General George Rogers Clark, during the summer of 1781, made another effort to raise troops to defend the Kentucky settlements. His efforts in the east were not very successful but he did enlist the aid of Colonel Archibald Lochry and Captain Robert Orr, of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, these gentlemen raising, at their own expense, a company of 107 mounted volunteers. They marched to Fort Henry (Wheeling) to join General Clark's army but missed Clark there by one day. This was to prove their undoing for they were unable in subsequent days to catch up with the main army. General Clark in the following letter explains his haste: *Colonel Lochry's name has been spelled in different ways. The above spelling is correct.
Transcript
THE BRITISH VERSION OF LOCHRY'S DEFEAT
by C. J. MAURER
In the closing months of the Revolutionary War and sevenyears before John Filson and his party were looking over theground of what was soon to become the infant town site of Cin-cinnati, a tragedy was enacted on the banks of the Ohio Rivernear the point where Aurora, Indiana, is now located. The storyof Colonel Lochry's defeat and massacre, August 24, 1781, hasbeen told, and is pretty well known in its slightly different Ameri-can versions, but the British accounts as revealed in letters anddocuments in the Canadian archives and the Library of Congress,present some features of the story that are not so familiar andhence have interest for us today.*
The Ohio has rightly been called a river of destiny. No historyor set of histories has ever been able to capture all the stories ofwar and intrigue that have occurred on or near this great river.Destiny has reserved this important valley for its eventual placein the sun as one of the greatest industrial regions of America.Many prospective settlers and early travelers just disappeared,and history can only guess at the total number of people who losttheir lives in this now populous region because of their eager desireto see and acquire property in the promised land.
But to get on with our story. Just to keep the record straight,it should be kept in mind that General George Rogers Clark,during the summer of 1781, made another effort to raise troops todefend the Kentucky settlements. His efforts in the east were notvery successful but he did enlist the aid of Colonel ArchibaldLochry and Captain Robert Orr, of Westmoreland County,Pennsylvania, these gentlemen raising, at their own expense, acompany of 107 mounted volunteers. They marched to FortHenry (Wheeling) to join General Clark's army but missed Clarkthere by one day. This was to prove their undoing for they wereunable in subsequent days to catch up with the main army.General Clark in the following letter explains his haste:
*Colonel Lochry's name has been spelled in different ways. The abovespelling is correct.
216 The Quarterly Bulletin
"On Publick Service"Archibl Lochry, County Lt.
"Westmoreland, Esq.,"1 per Mr. Wallace
"Middle Island, 9th Aug 1781"Sir,
"I this moment received yours of the 8th ins. I am heartilysorry that after waiting so long for you I should set out but aday before your arrival. I also learn that you were so kind asto send an express but it did not arrive, and I, of course,supposed that you had shared my fate in meeting with everydisappointment from the populace. I am exceedingly unhappyin our not joining at Wheeling, but don't know that eitherof us is to blame. The militia with us continue to desert, andconsequently I can not remain long in one place. OtherwiseI should be happy in forming a junction here. The followingplans are proposed. I have augmented the command ofMr. Wallace to eight alert men furnished with fifteen daysprovisions from the whole of your troops, and there will beleft at the lower point of the third island below middle Islandfor your expedition one large boat and sufficiency of smallditto with what [illegible] you will be able to collect on yourvoyage Camp Kettles [illegible]. Under the protection of afew men I shall move on slowly for the reasons before stated,and you will use the greatest industry, as you can not possiblypass us without our knowledge. I have suffered much lately,but you again encourage me. I have the honour to be withmightiest esteem
"Your Obet. Servt."NB Capt Wallace will give you)"every intelligence you wish ) G. R. Clark"
In a few days Colonel Lochry replied as follows:"August 141781
"My Dear Gr."This evening we arrived at Camp Three Island. We are
every man in great spirits and determined to go where ordered.There is no desertion in our troops. We had the pleasure toapprehend an Officer and fifteen deserters on our march,which I hope we will safely deliver to their duty.
"We will proceed after you as quickly as possible, and am"Dear Gr.
"Your Most Obedt."humble servt.A. Lochry."
"(Gr. George Ror. Clark)"
Courtesy of American Heritage
JOSEPH BRANT, the Nearest Thing to a Statesman His Race Ever Produced.From the Painting by Gilbert Stewart.
218 The Quarterly Bulletin
Lochry should have known that the Indians were watchinghis every move poised for an attack, but apparently lulled by thefact he had at length passed the mouth of the Great Miami with-out incident, he gave the order to land the horses on the northshore, when about ten miles below the Miami River, because of thelush grass. No sooner had the party landed than the Indianattack commenced with great fury. Led by that famous IndianMohawk chieftain, Joseph Brant, together with the renegadeGeorge Girty* one-third of Lochry's little force were soon killed,the balance surrendering.
Only one American account by a participant has come down,namely, the diary of Captain Isaac Anderson. He states thatwhen the attack began the soldiers took to the boats and tried tocross the river. But the Indians in canoes prevented this andforced the surrender. Later Colonel Lochry was murdered as hesat on a log, several of his men being killed in cold blood. GeneralClark had passed this point the night before with a force too largeto tempt an Indian attack.
The prisoners, to the number of 64 by British report, weremarched up the Ohio about eight miles where they encamped forthe night. The next day the march continued up the Great Miamiabout eight miles where a camp site was chosen. Today this is aquiet, beautiful spot (see illustration), about one hundred andfifty yards west of the junction of the East Miami River and Jor-dan Roads, some three miles north of Cleves. The Miami haschanged its course some since 1781 but the old course can still betraced. This spot became the internment camp for a short period,while soon one hundred British soldiers (Butler's Rangers), andmore than three hundred additional Indians, under the commandof Captain Thompson and Alex McKee, joined Brant's force. Theplan now was to move against General Clark and despoil theKentucky settlements before returning to Canada, in much thesame manner as Bird had succeeded in doing the previous year.
More than four hundred Indians in their full war paint andregalia, plus one hundred uniformed British rangers, the forcecommanded by renowned Indian chieftains, must have presenteda colorful sight in what was to become later populous HamiltonCounty. Let us see what happened next! To follow the move-
*Some accounts say Simon Girty. But Simon came with McKee's Indiansa day or two after Lochry's defeat.
Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 219
ments of this army we will turn to the British accounts. A letterwritten by Thompson and McKee to their superior officer atDetroit carried the first official news of Lochry's defeat:
"Camp near the Ohio Aug. 29th 1781"Sir:
"The 26th you had enclosed an account that Capt Brantand George Girty with the Indians, advanced upon the Ohio,had taken one of Clark's boats, after having passed down theriver in the night. Not thinking themselves in number suffi-cient to attack him, and having found by his orders to MajorCracraft that more troops were to follow under the commandof a Colonel Lochry, lay in wait for them, attacked and tookthe whole, not allowing one to escape.
"Agriable to a return it appears there has been thirty-sevenkilled, amongst whom is Lochry, their commandant, with someother officers. This stroke, with desertions, will reduce Clark'sarmy much, and if the Indians had followed advice and arrivedhere in time, it is more than probable he would have been nowin our possession with his cannon. The prisoners seem to beignorant of what his intentions are [Clark's]. Perhaps lossmay oblige him to change his measures. However, we shallendeavour to keep the Indians together and watch his motions.His first intention was to penetrate to Sandusky through theIndian country, from whence the troops from Fort Pitt wereto return home and he to Kentucky. The enclosed papers willfurnish you with further particulars.
"We are with great Respect"Your Most Obedient and Humble Servants"Andw Thompson"Alex McKee
"N. B. The Indians have not determined what to do with theprisoners, but seem inclined to adopt a good many.
"To Major De Peyster at Detroit."[Here followed list of Lochry's dead and prisoners taken.]Major De Peyster was pleased to receive this report and
hastened to inform his superior officer, General Frederick Haldi-mand, Governor General of Canada, at Montreal, as follows:
"DETROIT"September 11,1781
"Sir:"Having got in several accounts from the Indian Country,
I have ordered M. Macombily to make up the general account
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of Expenditures at this post, which they now transmit to theirCorrespondent with my letter of advice.
"I, however, think it necessary to acquaint your Excellencythat Mr. Alex McKee has not sent his final account in. He mayhave some small demand on his return from the IndianCountry. The enclosed letter and intelligence received fromhim I take this opportunity to forward; since the receipt ofwhich, a Delaware runner is just arrived in nine days from theOhio, who reports that Clark's Second Division has fallen intoour hands; that he was present at the action and saw a Coloneland seven other officers taken prisoners, with a number of menand thirteen large boats.
"I expect to hear from McKee in a few days and shalldetain a small [illegible] in order to give your Excellency morecertain accounts of this affair, which if confirmed, thoughClark has escaped, will put a stop to his future progress thisCampaign.
"I have the honor to be,"Sir
"Your Excellency"Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant
"Arent S. De Peyster"(To General Haldimand)"
Meanwhile Thompson and McKee proceeded down the OhioRiver with the Falls (Louisville) their objective, but as theyproceeded, the Indians became reluctant to attack General Clarkand the "Long Knives" in their stronghold, so within twenty-fivemiles of the Falls they stopped for a parley. Captain Thompson'sprovisions were running so low he decided to abandon the expedi-tion and return to the Indian towns in the upper Ohio territoryand await McKee's return. Thompson was supposed to havereceived ample supplies before reaching this point, but the Indiansreported that due to extra heavy rains the detachment could notget through the Ohio country, the Indians claiming it was theheaviest rainfall known by them, all rivers and creeks being outof their banks. The detachment had to return to Detroit.
McKee was having his troubles with the Indians though hecontinued to prod them to make some kind of an attack on Clarkor the settlers. In the skirmishes which followed, the Indians lostone of their high ranking Huron War Chiefs besides other men,which so discouraged them that in spite of McKee's threats and
Letter of Thompson and McKee — Canadian Archives
222 The Quarterly Bulletin
promises the whole party returned to the internment camp on theGreat Miami September 15. After dividing all the prisonersamong the different war parties for adoption into Indian tribesthe camp broke up and the Indians returned to their varioustowns and villages.
McKee returned to "Shawnee Town," his base of operationamong the Indians. This would now be placed in Allen County,Ohio. Here he wrote out a full report for Major De Peyster whichhe forwarded September 26, as follows:
"UPPER SHAWNEE VILLAGE, SEPTEMBER 26, 1781"Dear Sir,
"I returned to these villages yesterday and take theearliest opportunity to inform you thereof.
"My letter of the 26th August, dated on the Miami nearthe Ohio with the various papers accompanying it, wouldinform you of everything material to that time. Here, theIndians seemed to think that their success, two days before,against the Second Division of Clark's army, would insurethem peace for some time in their villages, imagining that thiswould disable him from any further attempts this year.
"I endeavored to convince them that, as there was so largea body of them collected, that it would be prudent to watchhis [Clark's] motions some time longer and to send scoutstoward the Falls and endeavor to gain some certain accountsof his future intentions; in consequence of this, we fell down theriver some miles when I found again that it would be difficultto keep them together long, therefore, advised our proceedingtoward the Falls, keeping out scouts continually before us,and, that if the enemy did not advance, that we should at-tempt drawing them into an action in the neighborhood of theFalls, where their main body lay, and by a further success,totally destroy their designs of carrying an expedition into theIndian Country — they were reluctantly brought into thismeasure till we arrived at the mouth of the Kentucky, wherewe waited the return of our scouts who joined us the next day,with two Officers' scalps, taken the day before at the Falls.As nothing material was learned of this of the enemy's inten-tions, we prevailed upon them still to keep on toward thisplace and to keep out their scouts who could meet us on ourway; but to my surprise, they stopped within 25 miles of it.The scouts returned the third day in the evening with twoprisoners, whose account was that Clark had called a generalcouncil of the Field Officers of the several counties; that the
Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 223
result thereof was not then made public, but that it was thegeneral opinion of the Country that they would not assisthim in carrying on an expedition this season.
"This intelligence increased the indifference of the Indiansabout attacking the enemy and many of them began to turnback, others departing into small parties to plunder horses.
"The Rangers, also finding their provisions exhausted, re-turned from this — however, a number of Indians still [illeg-ible] to go forward, determined me to follow them as far asthere was a possibility of getting them to do anything. Thesame evening, we arrived within 15 miles of the Falls, and notfinding ourselves in number sufficient to put in execution ourfirst plan, it was here agreed to cross the Country and attacksome of their small Forts or infest the roads. The second day,we arrived near the wagon road leading from the Falls to theupper Forts. Here we met a party of Miamis, who had beenseparated from us two days and who had a few hours beforeupon this road, fallen in with the party of the Enemy's LightHorse, escorting a number of families who were flying from theUpper Forts.* Upon being apprised of our coming out, theykilled a number and dispersed the rest. This intelligenceinduced us to take possession of the ground they had drove theEnemy from and to wait their coming to bury their dead.Accordingly, they came next morning, but before the Indianswere posted to receive them, owing to their being busied incollecting the plunder found upon the field, they exchanged afew shots with the Indians in front and fled; however, thegreatest part of them were killed and taken with some officersof rank. We lost three Hurons, amongst them were theirprincipal warriors and one of the best Indians with us and agreat loss to our party. After this, we returned to our baggagein order to consult what could be further done. The LakeIndians would listen to no proposals and thinking they hadprisoners and scalps sufficient, did not even halt upon thisground.
"Here again, we proposed to them taking Boon's Fort inour way and endeavor to draw them out, destroy their cattle,and anything to distress them as much as was in our power,*but the Hurons, discouraged by the loss of their Chief andlikewise being left by their younger brethren, that the wholemight return home, which was agreed to by the other nations.We were never able to ascertain our number, being constantlyleft by small parties whose view was only to plunder; many ofthose are not yet returned. Upon the whole, since our firstsetting out, from the best information I am able to make,
"This skirmish is known in Kentucky history as Battle of Long Run.
224 The Quarterly Bulletin
there has been near to two hundred of the Enemy killed andtaken, amongst whom are near thirty officers, some of con-siderable rank, but how far it may affect their future opera-tions, it is hard to say; however, should they still attemptanything, we are certain their number will not be so great,particularly as we understand the general clamor of thecountry is against Clark for his ill treatment of the militia.
"It would be good policy, however, to watch him till theseason is farther advanced, if the Indians could be possiblyprevailed upon; perhaps if they were informed that thesupplies intended for them would be sent out, it would preventtheir going to Detroit.
* * * * *" . . . Messengers are arriving from the Southern Indians by
whom we learn that they are all still heartily engaged againstthe Enemy and prosecuting the War with vigour. They havenot yet delivered their speeches; so soon as they do, shallinform you of them, should there be anything material inthe meantime; am with respectful compliments to Mrs. DePeyster and Gentlemen, and with great respect, Dear Sir,
"Your Most Obedient and Very Humble Servant,"A. McKee.
"To: Major De Peyster at Detroit"
The above letter gives the main happenings of the Indiancampaign against Clark, which did not have any importantresults. It is likely McKee colored his report somewhat to makebetter reading for his superior, but it is a well known fact thatIndians were very difficult to handle in large groups, especiallywhen several different tribes were represented as was true of thiscampaign. Captain Thompson also wrote Major De Peyster fromold Chillicothe (Old Town, near present Xenia, Ohio), reportingon the part the British Rangers had taken in the Campaign, whichwas not a very effective one. He did state in closing that "I havewaited here 5 days by desire of the Indians and intend to stay nomore as an Indian reported the Enemy were advancing. We donot believe this news, as the prisoners confirm that Clark is notable to raise a sufficient number of men to make another effortthis Fall. The day after tomorrow, I move with my people forDetroit, as they are much in need of clothing and nothing here toeat but green corn, unless I am receiving from you further orderson the march."
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226 The Quarterly Bulletin
Getting back to the prisoners who were taken at Lochry'sdefeat, it is certain they were carefully guarded in the internmentcamp on the Great Miami awaiting the return of the Indian armyfrom Kentucky. The further adventures of some of these menmight prove interesting.
Captain Robert Orr, next in command to Colonel Lochry, hadthe misfortune to break his arm in the battle and he was sent toSandusky, where he remained several months. His arm wouldnot mend and he suffered greatly. His Indian captors finally tookhim to Detroit where a British surgeon set the arm properly, afterwhich he was taken to Montreal where he remained until the closeof the Revolutionary War when he was exchanged. He became aJudge of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, which position he helduntil his death in 1833.
Captain (listed as Lieut.) Isaac Anderson kept a diary ofLochry's expedition from the start at Carnahan's Blockhouse,including the fight of August 24, his captivity, and his wonderfulescape from Montreal. He traced his flight through the wilds ofMaine and through the eastern states to his home in Pennsylvania.In 1812 he returned to the scenes of his capture, settling near themouth of Indian Creek in Butler County, Ohio, where he spent theremaining years of his life, dying at the age of 80, and being buriedin that county.
James Kean, whose name was also spelled Jonas Cain and JoeCain on different lists, remained a prisoner until exchanged afterthe Revolutionary War, when he returned to his home county ofWestmoreland, Pennsylvania. In 1843 he was called to testifybefore the Committee of Public Lands, in regard to the claims ofMrs. Jane Thompson and Mrs. Elizabeth McBrier, daughters ofColonel Lochry, who were seeking reparation for services of theirfather. Here he retold the story of the ill-fated expedition. Hewas a private in Captain Campbell's company.
James McPherson was attached to Captain Isaac Anderson'scompany and held the rank of Sergeant. After Lochry's defeathe, with other prisoners, was turned over to the British at Detroit,where he entered the British service in the Indian Departmentunder Elliott and McKee. He became very popular with theIndians who called him the "red faced man." He married a fellowprisoner and after Wayne's treaty in 1795, came into the service
Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 227
of the United States, continuing in charge of the Shawnees andSenecas of Lewistown, Ohio, until his removal from office in 1830.
Private Denis McCarty, also of Anderson's company, wasbrutally murdered by the Indians enroute to Detroit. Con-siderable bad feeling between the Canadian soldiers and Indiansarose over it. Major De Peyster made an issue of it at the IndianCouncil of February, 1782, expressing deep sorrow over thetragedy, while the Indian chiefs expressed their regrets andapologized for the acts of their young men.
Christian Fast, a young man 16 years of age, a private, adoptedinto a family of Delawares, to take the place of a son who had beenkilled, was not happy with Indian life. Simon Girty, noticing hissadness, bought him from his new parents in what is now AshlandCounty, Ohio, soon returning him to his rightful father andmother. Girty is said to have done this kind act a number oftimes in the case of children towards whom he seems to have oftenfelt sympathy.
So much for some of the captives. Joseph Brant, whose like-ness is reproduced with this article, seems to have been a strangemixture of good and evil. Certainly he was one of the mostgifted of all the Indian leaders. He was a Mohawk of the Wolfclan. His sister Molly married Sir William Johnson, so early inlife he became closely allied to the British interests in New YorkState. Educated at Lebanon, Connecticut, he proved an aptpupil. Many years later he translated the Gospel of St. John andthe Book of Common Prayer into the Mohawk language. Copiesof this may be seen today at Harvard University.
Said to be the villain at the massacre in the Wyoming Valleyand the depredations in Cherry Valley during the RevolutionaryWar, his name struck terror to the Border. But after his defeatin 1779 and the death of Butler the next year, the Indian menacegreatly lessened. After the War the British gave him a fine tractof land in Canada where he built a comfortable home, living in thestyle of a gentleman. Two trips to England made him popularwith the British and he was the toast of English society. TheKing made him a Colonel in the British army, he receiving theusual officer's half pay until his death. Famous painters askedhim to sit for his portrait. But his last years were saddened bythe fact that the Mohawks as well as the other New York tribeswere scattered and represented a lost cause. He had joined the
228 The Quarterly Bulletin
Church of England and became greatly interested in the welfareof his people. His life became dedicated to public service. He wasprobably the nearest thing to a statesman the Indian race pro-duced.
Married three times after twice becoming a widower, his thirdwife was the half-breed daughter of the Irish Captain Croghan.Brant had many children. While historians disagree over variousepisodes of his colorful life, it is certain he had some commendablequalities, which is attested to by the fact he was received in thehighest British and American circles as an equal. He dealt withkings, royalty, intellectuals and highly placed Americans andwas always at ease in any company.
Brant died in 1807 at the age of 64 and was buried beside theChurch he had helped to build at Grand River, one of the earliestchurches of his faith in Upper Canada. A monument over hisgrave carries this inscription:
"This tomb is erected to the memory of Thay-en-da-ne-geaor Captain Joseph Brant, principal chief and warrior of theSix Nation Indians, by his fellow subjects and admirers of hisfidelity and attachment to the British Crown."
It may not be amiss to tell something of McKee and Elliott,the other leaders in this campaign against General Clark. Thesemen were born in Pennsylvania and grew up in the same neighbor-hood. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War they becameleaders of the Tories in their region, but soon found the climatetoo warm and they thereupon fled to the British, but finallyjoining the Shawnees. Both married Indian girls and raisedfamilies. Their influence became so great that the British Govern-ment appointed them agents for Indian Affairs, positions bothcontinued to fill during their life time. Matthew Elliott was anuncle on his father's side to Commodore Jesse Elliott, the Ameri-can Naval hero of the War of 1812.
The son of Alex McKee distinguished himself in the Britishcause during the War of 1812 and is mentioned many times byGeneral William Henry Harrison in his dispatches (1812-1814)to the Secretary of War. Young McKee, a handsome half-breed,married a lady of high society. The marriage was not a happy one,for he had too much of the Indian nature. The descendants of
Indian Warfare Along the Ohio 229
this marriage finally settled in Noble County near Caldwell, Ohio,where they became prominent citizens.
NOTE: Cincinnatians will remember that in late years politicians andsportsmen maintained a club house called the Laughery Club in the neighbor-hood of the point where Colonel Lochry was defeated.
