From Governors messages and letters, Volume 2
By Indiana Governor
________________________
Harrison To Secretary Of War
Head Quarters Delaware 14th Dec. 1812
Sir:
I neglected in my last to mention a circumstance which reflects
much Honor on the bravery of the Shawanoe Chief Logan who has fallen a
victim to his zeal for our cause. I had sent him with a reconnoitring
party to the Rapids of Miami. They were pursued so closely by the
hostile Indians that they were obliged to separate. Logan with two of
his men reached General Winchester's Camp from which he again proceeded
towards the Rapids. They soon fell in with a reconnoitring party of the
Enemy consisting of a British Officer, the celebrated Potawatimie Chief
Winemack and another Chief and three men of the same tribe. Logan had
the address to persuade them they were Friends until he got an
opportunity to attack them to advantage when he succeeded in killing
the officer, Winimac the other Chief and one of the Warriors. Logan
himself was shot through the body and one of his men through the thigh.
They succeeded however in seizing the Horses of their enemies with
which in four Hours they rode 20 miles to General Winchester's Camp
where Logan expired on the following day with as much heroism according
to the General's account as ever was exhibited. He has left a wife and
several children under the guardianship of Major Hardin of the Kentucky
Troops who has sent them to that State. I have promised the Chiefs of
the Tribe to recommend them to the protection of the government.1
I have received information that four or five hundred Indians have been
placed by the British with considerable supplies in an old stockade
work which was erected by a Detachment of our Troops some years ago on
Swan Creek below the Miami Rapids. I think it no difficult matter to
cut off their retreat with a part of General Winchesters command unless
the latter has advanced to the Rapids and they have abandoned their
position. I have not heard from the general for eighteen or twenty
days. I shall go forward and send an express through the woods
directing him if he has not reached the rapids to make a detachment to
his left towards the head of Swan creek whilst his main body shall
advance to the Rapids. The position occupied by the Indians is a
complete cul de sac unless Swan Creek (which is fifteen feet deep for
many miles) is frozen over. I calculate upon Col. Campbell's arrival at
Mississiniway about this day. Never was there a finer time for such an
enterprize, dry weather, snow on the ground (which will make it
impossible for the enemy to secret themselves) and the moon in such a
state as to permit night marches.
New contracts have been made for filling all the deficiencies of White
and some others made for delivering flour at the Rapids. I have so many
engines in operation for forwarding provisions that I can scarcely
believe in a possibility of our not having a sufficiency.
I am very Respectfully D. Sir Your Huml. Servt.
Willm. Henry Harrison
The Honble. William Eustis Esqr. Secy of War
___________________
1. For a more detailed account of this exploit see
McAfee. The
Late War 172. Captain Jonny and Brighthorn were with Logan. The British
officer was the eldest Bon of Colonel Elliott of the British army.
Captain John scalped the dead Indians and came leisurely into camp. The
Hardin here mentioned was the son of Col. John Hardin who had captured
Logan in 1789. Logan's family was not taken to Ky.
