The loss of the enemy was more than double that of the federal army. The woods were strewed to a considerable distance with the dead bodies of the Indians and their white auxiliaries, who were armed with British muskets and bayonets. The army remained in its position three days and nights, destroying the houses and cornfields, within pistol-shot of the English fortress, the garrison of which was forced to remain quiet spectators of the conflagration, though among the houses burnt, was one with the stores and proper ty of Col. M'Kee the British Indian Agent, who had been the principal instigator of tho war be tween the United States and the savages.
The loss that General Wayne sustained, in both killed and wounded, was but one hundred and seven men. A spirited correspondence ensued be tween him and the commander of the British fort, and the general was exceedingly anxious that the result should be such as would justify to the whole world the capture of the fort, which he was ready, in a moment, to undertake; but the English colonel, from the specimen he bad witnessed of the prow ess of the American arms, was particularly cau tious how he conducted himself at that time, both in word and deed; and IVaytie was therefore forced to content himself with the destruction we have referred to of the savage property, under their very guns, and in a way to show that the savages could derive no protection from them. After effectually strengthening Fort Defiance, the army took up its line of march, and on the 17th of September, having arrived at the Miami villages, shortly after went into winter-quarters at Green ville.
The most decisive and happy effects were speed ily produced by this victory. The proud and un compromising spirit we before alluded to, and which rejected every offer of accommodation, was completely humbled. The superiority of the American arms was made manifest, and the savage warriors came forward and sued submissively for peace. On the 1st of January 1795, preliminary articles were entered into, and hostages were left with the general, for the purpose of procuring the safe return of such as were prisoners with the In dians. But the good effects of this important vic tory were not confined to the immediate benefits which it imparted to the inhabitants of the western frontiers. It is known that the voice of faction reached such a height as to embitter even the ad ministration of the father of his country; the dis astrous defeats of the generals before mentioned, had given some handle to his enemies for the op position which they were waging against him.
The impunity which had attended the ravages of the Indians on the Ohio, had almost kindled into a flame the sparks of hostility among the tribes of the Six Nations, and also the southern tribes bor dering on Georgia. By the glorious result of Wayne's campaigns, all were happily settled; the voice of faction was stilled; the gathering hostility of the Indian tribes referred to was crushed in the bud. Mr. Jay was, at that time, in the act of negotiation with the British government; the news passed the Atlantic, and contributed materially to the termination of his treaty.
The president immediately issued a commission appointing the general sole commissioner, with full power to negotiate treaties with all the Indians north and west of the Ohio. In the negotiations entered into in pursuance of this authority, General Wayne was called upon to exhibit new qualifications. The characteristics of the statesman were now demand ed, and Wayne displayed all the highest requisites of the negotiator. Cairn and determined, ingenuous, frank and open, he explained, enforced and main tained the views of his own government, and while he fully impressed the Indians with the fact that the United States were perfectly prepared for war, yet• he assured them that they earnestly de sired peace on equitable terms. He fully succeed ed; and it is said that at the close of the negotia tion, those and fierce sons of the forest che rished a respect for the American commissioner in council, as sincere as the dread they entertained of the general in the field." The definitive treaty of peace was signed on the 3d of August 1795, and the parties separated mutually satisfied and pleased. A restoration of prisoners took place, which was the source of great gratification.
This treaty met the entire concurrence and ap probation of the general's own government. It and the previous victory were hailed with univer sal joy by the whole country. The name of Wayne was in every mouth, and coupled with expressions of the most heart-felt gratitude. Congress adopt ed, unanimously, resolutions in the highest degree complimentary to the commander and his gallant army; and President Washington personally con veyed to him the sentiments of his warmest esteem and approbation.