, which should for ever keep
them out of the country. All having rallied at Fort Washington, he
started off in the direction of the Miami towns. It was a hard march, for
he was forced to cut his roads as he passed along. Upon arriving near the
Indian country, he built forts Hamilton and Jefferson and garrisoned
them. This left him nearly two thousand men to proceed with. In a little
time some of the worthless militia deserted. This was a bad example to
the rest, and St. Clair instantly sent Major Hamtranck, with a regiment,
in pursuit of them, while he continued his march. When he arrived within
fifteen miles of the Miami villages he halted and encamped; he was soon
after joined by Major Hamtranck, and St. Clair proposed now immediately
to march against the enemy.

But the enemy had already got news of them, and had made ready. They were
determined to have the first blow themselves. At daybreak the next
morning, the savages attacked the militia and drove them back in
confusion. These broke through the regulars, forcing their way into the
camp, the Indians pressing hard on their heels. The officers tried to
restore order, but to no purpose: the fight now became general. This,
however, was only a small part of the Indian force--there were four
thousand of the party; they had nearly surrounded the camp, and sheltered
by the trees and grass as usual, were pouring in a deadly fire upon the
whites. St. Clair and all his officers behaved with great courage.
Finding his men falling fast around him, he ordered a charge to be made
with the bayonet. The men swept through the long grass driving the
Indians before them. The charge had no sooner ceased than the Indians
returned. Some forced their way into the camp, killed the artillerists,
wounded Colonel Butler, and seized the cannon. Wounded as he was, Butler
drove them back and recovered the guns. Fired with new ardor, they
returned again, once more entered the camp--once more had possession of
the cannon. All was now confusion among the whites--it was impossible to
restore order--the Indians brought them down in masses--a retreat was all
that remained. But they were so hemmed in, that this seemed impossible.
Colonel Darke was ordered to charge the savages behind them, while Major
Clarke with his battalion was commanded to cover the rear of the army.
These orders were instantly obeyed, and the disorderly retreat commenced.
The Indians pursued them four miles, keeping up a running f