CHAPTER XI

Kiyasuta and Pontiac War-Early attack on Fort Pitt-Reason whyForts fallen into the hands of the savages-Account of the attack on Michilimacinac-Siege of Detroit-Massacre of it meditated-March of troops to its relief-Defeat of Captain Dalyell near DetroitSchooner attacked by Pontiac.

For boldness of attempt, and depth of design, the "Kiyasuta and Pontiac war, "* as the Indian outbreak of 1763 was called, was perhaps unsurpassed in the annals of border warfare.

Schemed by chiefs renowned for their cunning and stratagem,as well as for their success in the execution of their designs, the numerous tribes lying within the reach of their influence, were easily commanded for the prosecution of any new project. Not only in possession of these grand facilities to engage numerous warriors for the present purpose, they availed themselves still of additional means to secure a powerful confederacy; which was by calling in aid their eloquence to represent the necessity there was for defence of their own rights, in making a deadly repulse against the encroachments of the English colonies; which they represented as having finally in view, the hostile displacement, or extermination of every western tribe from the region they now occupied. With such means to stimulate them to action, while the recompense of their services, by the acquisition of spoil and the more inviting reward-the renown of the warrior, were rela

*This was the name this war bore among the frontier inhabitants, and continued to bear among the settlers.

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ted to them in the most seductive colors, it may not be wondered that the scheme of Kiyasuta and Pontiac was immediately approved of, and a zealous interest manifested.

Kiyasuta, who was chief of the Senecas, and friend and adviser of the Delawares and Shawnees, and most the tribes on the banks of the Ohio, had, in consequence, all these bodies of Indians in readiness at any time for his purpose. While his coadjutor, Pontiac, chief of the Ottowas, no less extensively and favorably known, held complete control over all the tribes living along the lakes, in consequence of his residence in that region.

The grand scheme projected by these Napoleons of the western wilderness, seems to have been to rouse the tribes severally of the country, and all those they could reach by their eloquence, to join in striking a decisive blow on the frontiers, and as it were, throw terror into the very heart of the colonies, and thereby effectually and forever repulse them from encroachments into the valley of the west. A certain day was set apart it seems, for making the general assault, while the scheme was to be kept in profound silence, that they might come upon their victims in an unguarded hour. All the forts were to be simultaneously attacked as well as the settlements, and all individuals whom they could come upon, and with one bold sweep, as it were, raze to the earth every thing bearing the mark of their doomed enemies. The season of harvest was chosen, that the attention of the people might at the time be drawn to their crops, as well as the work of havoc then be greater by their destruction of them. When the attack was made it was found not to be simultaneous. That on Fort Pitt and vicinity, was made about two or three days before the time agreed upon

pleased at it, and threatened to send the next person who should bring a story of the same kind, a prisoner to Detroit.'

"The garrison, at this time, consisted of ninety men, besides subalterns and the commander-in-chief. There were also at the fort four English merchants. Little regard was paid to the assembling of sundry bands of Indians, as they appeared friendly; but when nearly four hundred of them were scattered up and down throughout the place, I took the liberty,' says Mr. Henry,' of observing to Major Etherington, that, in my judgment, no confidence ought to be placed in them; in return, the major only rallied me on my timidity.'

"On the fourth of June, the king's birth day, the Indians began, as if to amuse themselves, to play at a favorite game of ball, which they called baggatiway, which is thus described by Mr. Henry: It is played

with a bat and ball, the bat being about four feet in length, curved, and terminated in a sort of racket. Two posts are placed in the grouud, at a considerable distance from each other, as a mile or more. Each party has its post, and the game consists in throwing the ball up to the post of the adversary. The ball, at the beginning, is placed in the middle of the course, and each party endeavors as well to throw the ball out of the direction of its own post, as into that of his adversary's. This farce drew many off their guard, and some of the garrison went out to witness the sport.

"The game of baggatiway, (he continues,) as from the description above will have been perceived, is necessarily attended with much noise and violence. In the ardor of contest, the ball, as has been suggested, if it cannot be thrown to the goal desired, is struck in any direction by which it can be diverted from that designed

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by the adversary. At such a moment, therefore, nothing could be less liable to excite premature alarm, than that the ball should be tossed over the pickets of the fort, nor that, having fallen there, it should be followed on the instant, by all engaged in the game, as well the one party as the other, all eager, all striving, all shouting, all in the unrestrained pursuit of an athletic exercise. And this was their plan, while in the height of their game, to throw their balls within the pickets of the fort, and then all to rush in, and, in the midst of their hubbub, to murder the garrison; and it succeeded to their wishes. They struck the ball over the stockade, as if by accident, and repeated it several times, running in and out of the fort with all freedom,' to make the deception more complete;' and then rushing in, in ev ery direction, took possession of the place without the least resistance.

"They murdered the soldiers, until their numbers were so diminished, that they apprehended nothing from their resistance; many of whom were ransomed at Montreal afterwards, at a great price. Seventy were put to death, and the other twenty reserved for slaves. A few days after, a boat from Montreal, without knowing what had happened, came ashore with English passengers, who all fell into the hands of the Indians. Pontiac was not personally concerned in this affair, but it was a part of his design, and, therefore, is very properly here related. A chief named Menehwehna was the commander in that affair. "*

But against Detroit was arrayed the united force of all the tribes residing along the lakes, under the celebrated Pontiac in person.

"Carver's Travels, 19, 20. edit. 8vo. Lond. 1784." the Indians.

Drake's Book of

"It was garrisoned by about three hundred men, and when Pontiac came with his warriors, although in great numbers, they were so intermixed with women and children, and brought so many commodities for trade, that no suspicion was excited, either in the mind of Major Gladwin, or the inhabitants. He encamped a little distance from the fort, and sent to the major to inform him that he was come to trade, and, preparatory thereto, wished to hold a talk with him for the purpose of "brightening the chain of peace" between the English and his people. No suspicion was yet entertained, and the major readily consented, and the next morning was fixed upon for the council.

"The same evening, a circumstance transpired which saved the garrison from a dreadful massacre. An Indian woman, who had made a pair of moccasins for Major Gladwin, out of a curious elk skin, brought them to him, and returned the remainder of the skin. Being much pleased with them, the major wished her to take the skin and make another pair, as he had concluded to give the others to a friend, and what was left to make into shoes for herself. She was then paid for her work, and dismissed. But when those whose duty it was to see that the fort was clear of strangers, and to close the gate for the night, went upon their duty, this woman was found loitering in the area, and, being asked what she wanted, made no reply. The major, being informed of her singular demeanor, directed her to be conducted into his presence, which being done, he asked her why she did not depart before the gates were shut. She replied, with some hesitation, that she did not wish to take away the skin, as he set so great a value upon it. This answer was delivered in such a manner, that the major was rather dissatisfied with it, and asked her