to settle matters peaceably. The general
government had tried that and the plan had failed. The war was now to be
carried on to a close, come what might. An expedition was accordingly
planned, against all the tribes northwest of the Ohio. The Indians were
to be brought out, if possible to a general fight; or, if that could not
be done, all their towns and cabins on the Scioto and Wabash, were to be
destroyed. General Harmar was appointed commander of the main expedition,
and Major Hamtranck was to aid him with a smaller party.

In the fall of 1791, Harmar started from Fort Washington with three
hundred and twenty men. In a little time he was joined by the Kentucky
and Pennsylvania militia, so that his whole force now amounted to
fourteen hundred and fifty-three men. Colonel Hardin, who commanded the
Kentucky militia, was now sent ahead with six hundred men, principally
militia, to reconnoitre the country. Upon reaching the Indian
settlements, the savages set fire to their houses and fled; to overtake
them, he pushed on with two hundred of his men. A party of Indians met
and attacked them. The cowardly militia ran off, leaving their brave
companions to be slaughtered. It was a brave struggle, but almost all
were cut down; only seven managed to escape and join the main army.

Harmar felt deeply mortified. He commenced forthwith his return to Fort
Washington, but determined that, on the way, he would wipe off this
disgrace from his army. Upon coming near Chilicothe he accordingly
halted, and in the night despatched Colonel Hardin once more ahead, with
orders to find the enemy and draw them into an engagement. About
daybreak, Hardin came upon them, and the battle commenced. It was a
desperate fight on both sides. Some of the militia acted badly again, but
the officers behaved nobly. The victory was claimed on both sides, but I
think the Indians had the best of it. Three gallant officers, Fontaine,
Willys, and Frothingham, were slain, together with fifty regulars and one
hundred militia.

Harmar now moved on to Fort Washington. So much was said about his
miserable campaign, that he requested that he might be tried by a
court-martial. Accordingly he was tried and honorably acquitted.

A new army was soon raised, and the command was now given to
Major-General Arthur St. Clair. His plan was to destroy the Indian
settlements between the Miamies, drive the savages from that region, and
establish a chain of military posts there