Upon the approach of spring affairs assumed a most interesting aspect. The British had estab lished a fortified position within the limits of the territory of the United States. This, together with Lord Doncaster's speech to the Indians, the refusal of the British government-to deliver up the posts, and the spoliations upon American commerce, all gave indications of a disposition on the part of that power to renew the war. Surrounded as the Ame rican general was with difficulties, it was a source of high gratification to him to receive the full approbation, as he did, of his own government, of all his measures. Confiding fully in his caution and valour, they entrusted him with the delicate task of taking, if he thought it necessary, the British post above referred to, and thus of involv ing the country, perhaps, in a war with England.
In the month of June, a small escort, under the walls of Fort Recovery, was attacked by a powerful body of Indians, assisted by British auxiliaries. They were repulsed with great loss; and thus, on the very ground of their former victory, the Indians were taught, under different auspices, to know and feel the superiority of the American arms. This successful skirmish inspired thearmy generally with the greatest confidence.
Towards the latter end of July, the mounted volunteers from Kentucky, whose assistance had been required by the general, arrived; and every preparation having been made, which a prudent foresight could suggest, on the Eith of August Wayne made a rapid advance into the very heart of the Indian settlements. So quick was the move ment, and so judicious the direction which the general had selected (being towards that part of the country where the Indians fancied themselves secure, under the protection of the British fort), that had it not been for the treachery of a soldier, the enemy would have been taken completely by surprise. Thus the grand emporium of the hostile Indians in the west was taken possession of with out loss of blood. Being himself a practical engineer, Wayne erected a fortress, which he named Fort Defiance, at the confluence of the An Maize and the Miami. Before striking the decisive blow, however, impelled by his natural humanity, the general determined to make one more and last effort to avert the effusion of blood. Should that effort he as the rest had,heen, fruitless, he said, in a letter to General Knox, " their blood must be upon their own heads. America shall no longer
be insulted with impunity. To an all•powerful and just God I therefore commit myself and gallant army." Confidently relying on their own strength, the savages resolved to try the chances of battle. It almost immediately followed. The engagement occurred on the 20th of August 1794, on the banks of the Miami, at the foot of the rapids.
At eight o'clock in the morning, the army ad vanced in columns, the legion on the right flank, co vered by the river, a brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, under the orders of General Todd, and another in the rear under General Barbee; and a select batallion of the same volunteers moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major Price, and advanced sufficiently far to give timely notice to the main body of the attack of the enemy. After marching about five miles, this corps re ceived so severe a tire from the enemy, secreted in the wood, that it was forced to retreat.
The legion was immediately formed, partly in two, and partly in three lines, in a close thick wood, which extended for miles. It was soon evident that the enemy were in full force in front, and were endeavouring to turn the left flank of Wayne's army. The mounted volunteers were, therefore, ordered to gain and turn the enemy's right flank, by.a circuitous rout; and the second line was ordered to advance and support the first. The front line itself was directed to push on, with trailed arms, and expel the Indians from their coverts, at the point of the bayonet, at the same time that an attempt was made upon their left flank, next the river, with the legionary cavalry. All these different orders were obeyed with the greatest alacrity and spirit; but such was the im petuosity of the charge by the front line, that though the others made all the expedition pos sible, they hardly came in time to participate in the battle. The front line actually drove the enemy, though double their numbers, through the woods, for a distance of two miles. Full two thousand of the Indians and their auxiliaries were in the en gagement; while on the American side, those actually engaged did not exceed nine hundred. The savages and their allies abandoned the field, and dispersed themselves with the utmost terror and dismay; all this occurred in sight of the very British garrison, under the protection of whose guns they vainly thought they could insult the American eagle with impunity.