Scott’s Wabash Expedition, 1791
Prepared by the staff of the
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
1953
One of a historical series, this pamphlet is publishedunder the direction of the governing Boards of the PublicLibrary of Fort Wayne and Allen County.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL CITY OF FORT WAYNE
- B.F. Geyer, President
- Joseph E. Kramer, Secretary
- W. Page Yarnelle, Treasurer
- Willard Shambaugh
- Mrs. Sadie Fulk Roehrs
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD FOR ALLEN COUNTY
The members of this Board include the members of the Board of Trustees of theSchool City of Fort Wayne (with the same officers) together with the followingcitizens chosen from Allen County outside the corporate City of Fort Wayne:
- James E. Graham
- Arthur Nieneier
- Mrs. Glenn Henderson
- Mrs. Charles Reynolds
FOREWORD
General Charles Scott played an active role in the establishment ofthe United States foothold in the Northwest Territory. He participated inGeneral Josiah Harmar’s ill-fated expedition in 1790, in the campaign ofGeneral Arthur St. Clair in 1791, and also in General Anthony Wayne’striumph at Fallen Timbers in 1794.
While St. Clair was preparing his army in 1791, he sent Scott, withabout eight hundred Kentucky volunteers, into the Wabash region around theIndian town of Ouiatenon to distract the attention of the Indians. That Scottwas more successful than his commander was destined to be is shown inhis report to the Secretary of War, printed later as a letter in the INDIANAPOLISGAZETTE. It is reprinted here with changes in grammar, spelling,and punctuation.
Sir:
In prosecution of the enterprise, I marched (with eight hundred andfifty troops under my command) four miles from the banks of the Ohio onMay 23. On the twenty-fourth, I resumed my march and pushed forwardwith the utmost industry. I directed my route to Ouiatenon in the bestmanner my guides and information enabled me, though both were greatlydeficient.
By May 31, I had marched one hundred and fifty miles over a countrycut by four large branches of the White River and by many smaller streamswith steep, muddy banks. During this march, I crossed country alternatelyinterspersed with the most luxurious soil and with deep clay bogs from oneto five miles wide, which were rendered almost impassable by brush andbriers. Rain fell in torrents every day, with frequent blasts of wind andthunderstorms. These obstacles impeded my progress, wore down myhorses, and destroyed my provisions.
On the morning of June 1, as the army entered an extensive prairie,I saw an Indian on horseback a few miles to the right. I immediately senta detachment to intercept him, but he escaped. Finding myself discovered,I determined to advance with all the rapidity my circumstances would permit,rather with the hope than with the expectation of reaching the objectsought that day, for my guides were strangers to the country which I occupied.At one o’cloc