“The troops were put in motion as quickly as possible. By sunrise they arrived at the ford of the Maumee River. As soon as our men entered the river, the Indians opened a brisk fire upon them. Major Fontaine succeeded in gaining the bank and discovered the main body of Indians concealed in ambush. He gave orders to halt until the main body of his men got across the river; at that moment he was shot dead. By this time the right and left flanks, composed of Kentucky mounted men, had gained the bank. A small party of Indians on each wing fled as if defeated, and the horsemen pursued. As soon as the horsemen were separated from the footmen, the savages fell upon our people with the utmost fury. Major Willis was killed charging the enemy. Captain McMullen discovered the stratagem of the enemy, wheeled about, approached the back of the Indians, and made dreadful havoc in their ranks. Captain Ashton was of the opinion that forty of the enemy fell at the first fire. The Indians gave way and were driven across the St. Joseph River with great slaughter. Two soldiers, Captain Ashton says, signalized themselves on this occasion by using their bayonets to gig the foe like fish.
DAVID WILLIAMS CAME INTO THE CAMP
“Richardville, a Miami chief now dead, who was in the engagement, related that the river ran red with blood, and that he could cross the river on dead bodies. During the battle an incident occurred that deserves to be noticed. An old Indian had two boys who rushed into the river by his side. One son was shot down near him; the old man dropped his gun and seized his son to save the boy’s scalp from his enemies. The other son was killed also. The father drew them to shore and sat down between them, where he was killed.
“Some blame has been attached to General Harmar for not returning to aid Colonel Hardin; it is certainly without foundation. A young Kentuckian, who was wounded through the wrist while in the river, reported that the enemy was completely routed and flying. In this sanguinary engagement, eighty-three regulars were killed; only Captain Ashton and six privates survived. In both engagements one hundred militiamen were killed.
“I cannot, in justice to my feelings, close this communication without saying a word in commendation of General Harmar. I knew him intimately, for I was favored with his personal friendship and was in service under his immediate command for four years, eight months, and twenty-one days. Throughout the whole of the campaign of which I have been writing, I was quartered within twenty feet of the General’s marquee.
“The reader will perceive from this fact that I had the best opportunity of observing everything that happened. My recollection is greatly assisted by my orderly book, in which I recorded every order given by the General and every circumstance I thought worthy of being remembered. But to conclude, I regard General Harmar as a veteran soldier, an accomplished gentleman, and especially as a sincere friend of the poor soldier.
DAVID H. MORRIS”
FORT WAYNE SENTINEL, March 4, 1843
