Autograph Draft

Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to Secretary of War Henry Knox on reaction of Western Confederacy following General St. Clair's defeat and a report on Captain Brant

Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to Secretary of War Henry Knox describes his journey through western Massachusetts and New York. Kirkland, responding to a request from Knox, provides intelligence on the Indian reaction to the defeat of General Arthur St. Clair in November 1791, known as Battle of Wabash River. According to a Captain Engersoll who was at Niagara when he heard of St. Clair's defeat, word came from Detroit within 10 days of the defeat that 1200 American Army soldiers were killed, with Indian losses at 58.
Reports that Captain Brant had been seriously ill at Grand River. Colonel Gordon, Commandant of Niagara was severely affected by the loss. Captain Brant tried to dissuade Indians from prosecuting war; the western confederacy was offended by Brant's refusal to join them in war. Brant was threatened. Brant evidently had thoughts of seeking protection of congress. Buffaloe Indians uneasy at their situation since they did not comply with demands of western confederacy and join them.

Ltr, dis news of St. Clair's defeat.

1791

10

28

Stockbridge

Henry Knox

Samuel Kirkland

Col. Gordon

Capt. Engersoll

Capt. Brant

General Arthur St. Clair

Commandant of Niagara

War Office

Secretary of War

Congress

Western Confederacy

Buffaloe Indians

Stockbridge Massachusetts

Grand River

Detroit

Miami [River]

Niagara

Buffaloe

Great Barrington

White Plains

Albany

New York

Massachusetts

Philadelphia

Canada

Ontario

Upper Canada

Buffaloe indians expressed great uneasiness at their situation

last demand from the Western confederacy to join them & send forward some of their young men to take an active part

Commandant of Niagara appeared to be much affected with the severe loss of our army

dissuade the indians from prosecuting the war

Western confederacy were much offended with Brant

serious thoughts of putting himself under the protection of Congress

hopes of his recovery

dangerously sick at Grand River

accounts given in by the Indians they had killed & taken 1200 of the Americans and their own loss was only 56

rec'd this information at that garrison by a letter

vicinity of the Miami

news arrived of the defeat of our army

returned from a tour to the westward

left my own horse on my way down

riding nearly the whole of Monday night

no conveyance offered directly to Albany sooner than the Monday stage

expressed my intention of proceeding to a place of distinction with the utmost dispatch

honor of addressing you by a short letter from New York

St. Clair's defeat

Battle of Wabash River

1791122840001

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