Daniel Brodhead letter to George Washington, 21 July 1780

Fort Pitt, 21 July, 1780.

Dear General,

A few days ago I received intelligence, that a party, consisting of thirty odd Wyandot Indians, had crossed the Ohio River, five miles below Fort Mcintosh, and had hid thirteen small bark canoes upon our shore. I immediately ordered out two parties of militia, to go in search of them, and cover the harvesters. At the same time I detached Captain McIntyre, to form an ambuscade opposite to the enemy's craft. Five men, who were reaping in a field, discovered the Indians, and, presuming their party was small, went out to attack them; but four of them were immediately killed, and the other taken, before the militia could be collected. But Captain McIntyre attacked them in their craft, and many of them were doubtless killed and wounded. Two canoes were sunk, and the prisoner retaken; but the water was too deep for our party to ascertain the number of killed. The Indians left all their craft, and in them two guns, six blankets, eleven tomahawks, eleven paint-bags, eight ear-wheels, a large brass kettle, and many other articles. The Indians informed the prisoner that fifteen Wyandots had marched towards Hannah's Town.

Upon receiving this information, I immediately detached another party up the Alleghany River, with two Delaware Indians, to take their tracks, and make pursuit ; but, as this party is not yet returned, I cannot inform you of its success. It is with great concern I inform your Excellency, that there does not remain, in our magazines, provision to subsist the troops more than eight days, at full rations ; nor can I conceive how supplies can be procured in time to prevent their experiencing great want. I have proposed a fair plan to encourage the inhabitants to sell us provision, upon the credit of the United States, but have no great certainty of success. I have submitted the plan to the Honorable Board of War, and hope it will meet with approbation.

Should I be fortunate enough to obtain supplies in time, I intend to penetrate the Wyandot country, this fall, and distress them and their allies by every possible exertion; and I expect Colonel Clark, as he is reenforced, will pay the Shawanese a visit about the same time. I should be exceeding happy to wait upon your Excellency, at the close of the campaign, but I am grown so poor that I cannot bear the expense of so long a journey, at the present extravagant rates. I have the honor to be, with the most exalted respect and esteem, your Excellency's Most obedient and most humble servant,

Daniel Brodhead.

July Tld. The party of fifteen Indians, mentioned above, crossed the Ohio River at Crow's Island, four miles above Fort Mcintosh, killed and scalped one man, and returned. A party from hence, and another from Fort Mcintosh, are in pursuit of them. A party of men, just arrived from Wheeling, found two of the Wyandot Indians, who were killed by Captain McIntyre's party, floating upon the water, and have brought in their scalps.