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Draper Manuscript Collection 8CC22 - This is from F. Parkman Jr.'s letter to Lyman C. Draper dated March 14, 1846. It mentioned that the information was from Gov. Cass' discourse.
Capt. Bird's Expedition - Capture of Ruddell's and Martin's Stations - June 1780. Gov. Cass' Account

"Two expeditions were undertaken more unfortunate then the marauding enterprises to which we have alluded. One of these was led by Capt. Byrd whose force was composed of a detachment of regulars, some militia, and a large body of Indians. They left here (Detroit) in boats, well provided with provisions, and munitions of war. They ascended the Maumee and descended the Miami to the Ohio. The first object of the expedition was an attack on Louisville but the unusually wet season, and consequent high state of the water, induced him to ascend the Licking, and strike at the forts in the interior of Kentucky. With this view, he appeared suddenly before Ruddle's Station, and as he was supplied with cannon, and led a well appointed force, all hope of resistance was desperate, and the garrison surrendered upon a promise of safety and protection from the Indians. It is needless to add that the promise was utterly disregarded. Byrd proceeded a few miles father, and captured another small stockade, called Martin's Station. His progress spread [consternation?] through the country, and efforts were made to collect a force to oppose him. Before this could be organized, he suddenly abandoned his enterprise, and precipitably withdrew. His motives for this procedure are unknown. Whatever they may have been, Kentucky was relieved from the most imminant danger to which she has ever been exposed."

Draper Manuscipt Collection 8CC23
From Gov. Jere. Morrow: July 22d 43 Taking of Riddles Station 1780 Col. Bird and his Indian Allies appeared before the station - demanded a surrender saying they had cannon. Riddle and those with him disbelieving it - Would not listen to any such proposition. The fire opened upon the little fortress - "the pickets were cut down like corn stalks" said Governor Morrow. Seeing the folly of attempting to maintain so unequal a contest, when convinced so effectually of the presence of cannon - raised the white flag, and entered into written terms of capitulation with Bird. The women and children were to be protected and taken to the nearest station and there safely delivered. The men were to be prisoners, with the privilege of taking each his gun, and a pack of such articles as they pleased, and this unexamined - and the fort then delivered up to Bird and the Indians. These were the terms: The Indians entered the fort and comenced a terrible slaughter - Governor Morrow thinks some 20 were tomahawked in cold blood - the women and children, instead of being taken to the neighboring station agreed upon, were marched off as prisoners. Riddle escaped the slaughter - went and remonstrated with Bird, who expressed and seemed to feel regret that he had no control over the Indians. Hurried down Licking, crossed the Ohio, and then feeling safe, camped up Mill Creek a short distance, hunted and rested themselves, and returned to their towns at leisure. While camped on Mill Creek, Mrs. Riddle received in some way a severe cut across her forehead from an Indian's knife - sent her little son with her, then about 8 years old, to get some ginson root for her - and had not proceed far when some Indian, finding out his errand whipped him for it. He was then out of sight of his mother - and very soon hearing the report of a rifle near where he left her, and seeing no more, he painfully suspected that his dear mother was killed - for they had already tomahawked such of the prisoners as lagged by the way before crossing the Ohio. Young as he was, the little lad knew something of the Indians reared as had been chiefly among them, and in constant fear and dread of them. He was taken to Piqua on the Big Miami - and there had his ears stilled around the run, washed from head to foot, and formerly adopted into the nation. The last of the ceremony was pass through a double row of Indians, squaws and children - not to run the gaunlet - when a squaw took him by the arm and led him out of the line. It was soon explained to him, that she was a widow and had a boy about his own age, and proposed becoming his mother. Young Riddle said he wanted to go and live with his own mother if she were living. The squaw then suggested to him, how he would like to live with her if his natural mother were not alive. Still he held off giving consent. Then she changed the mode of inquiry, and asked if he wouldn't like to live with her as well as with any of the squaws he saw there. Yes, was the reply, she took him home, treated him kindly, grew up and hunted - the then boy, her own son, dying in the mean time -with the meat he furnished, and the little field of corn they made, supplied their wants. He grew to manhood, and became contented; and when the armies of the white subsequently invaded the Indian country he felt, conscientiously felt the wrong and inquiry - sided very naturally with the Indians in opposing the whites. Was interpreter for the Shawnees at Waynes Treaty - there for the first time learned that his mother was living - proposed to his Indian mother to go to Kentucky and live with his own mother - his Indian mother didn't like the idea - then, having an affection for her, he proposed taking her along with him and living with him among the whites. This she declined - consented that she should go and see his mother - knowing how much more his natural mother must feel for him, when his adopted one could scarcely hear to part with him sufficiently long for even that. He went, spent several weeks there, began to think after all the white lived best - and moreover, he had always made up his mind not to mary among the Indians, and now thought pleasant it would be to get himself a white wife and settle down. Returned to the Shawnees country - told his Indian mother of his determination - assisted in removing her to the westward to some friends, she died on the way. Riddle returned to Kentucky somewhere on Licking, was frequently engaged as interpreter by government during the war of 1812, in councils with the Shawnee Indians, all of whom save, 30 under Tecumseh's influence, sided with the United Sates. Was selected to a head a party of them taken into service. Subsequently became a "new light" preacher - and is probably yet living in Kentucky - His father was taken to Detroit - there complained of the breaking of the capitulation - Bird was tried, but acquitted on the ground that he could not control the Indians. What a evement is that to engage such allies! -N.B. These facts were communicated to Governor Morrow by Riddle himself, when Gov. Morrow with governors Meigs and Wirthinton held a council to disuade the Indians from taking part in the war.

From: Judy Sabin <sabinfj@pacbell.net>
Organization: Pacific Bell Internet Services
To: RUDDLESFORT-L@rootsweb.com
Ruddles researchers,
While researching my early-Kentucky McCormick ancestors, I encountered two references that may be of interest to the Ruddles Fort Crowd. Any information on the McCormick line would be sincerely appreciated.
Judy Sabin
[Shane, John D.] Interview with Mrs. Jane Stevenson, Woodford County, Ky. Wife of Samuel Stevenson; born Nov. 15, 1750 in Augusta County, Va.; recollections of her life in the Calf Pasture; Providence Meeting-house; Carr's Creek massacre; removal to Greenbrier; her father from Ireland; John McKinney came with them to Kentucky; Blackmore's Station; arrival at Lexington; had known the McConnells in Pennsylvania; location of McConnell's Station; Presbyterians at McConnell's Station; John Nutt, Matthew Harper, and John Stevenson killed at Blue Licks; John Brookey shot in 1781; John Haggin and David Hunter mentioned; Mitchell killed near Powell's Valley in 1776; Ben Blackburn, William Elliott, and Samuel Stevenson visit Kentucky; Moses McIlvaine's captivity; McCormick, the Indian trader, at attack on Ruddell's Station; Daniel Barton captured; Samuel Hodge, White, and Robert or Charles Knox killed; capture of Alexander McConnell; Capt. William McConnell's removal to St. Louis; Samuel Kelly and Hugh Campbell mentioned. A.N. 9 pp.
Source: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Calendar Series, Volume II. Calendar of The Kentucky Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts. Published by the Society, Madison, 1925, p. 514.

Draper Manuscript Collection 20S:200, Draper's interview with Sarah (Girty) Munger. [She was the daughter of Simon Girty. js]

Bird's Expedition, 1780. Girty was on Bird's expedition in summer, 1780, against Kentucky got to a fort, [Martin's or Ruddell's Stations], and Girty was the flag bearer, white flag and when he went in, he said hundreds of rifles were pointed at him; He told them if they did not surrender, they would be all killed, as the Indians were so angry, he could not save them. They surrendered, Girty said he had hard work afterwards to save them from the Indians. Heard him speak of Hinkson [whom, very likely, from old acquaintance in Pittsburgh country, he help to escape] and also how he frequently managed to get prisoners away. [Narrative continues with information mainly about Simon Girty.]

Draper Manuscript Collection 20S:218, Draper's interview with John Tofflemire Sr.

John Tofflemire Sr., a half brother of Philip Bruner resides near Brown's Mill a couple of miles from Roscoe, Winebago Co., Ills born in Western Canada, Nov 20th 1794. His grandfather was Martin Tofflemire, who with his wife and six children, were captured at Ruddell's Station, Kentucky, in 1780, by Col. Bird. Henry Tofflemire, my informant's father was one of the children, who subsequently married a Miss Fox, and died at about the age of 34, when his widow married Mr. Bruner. There were quite a number of families taken at Ruddell's Station making several hundred prisoners. The British officers and Indians placed their cannon, and threatened to open on the fort, when it surrendered. The Ledwell connection were among those then and there captured; and once reaching Detroit, they were unable to return to the State for want of means, thence accepted British grant of lands to settlers, and settled in Canada. Martin Tofflemire and wife both settled there, and lived to be over 80 years old.

Among the Indians who went on Bird's expedition was a white man named Sam Sanders, who lived with the Wyandotts who as much of an Indian practically as any of them. Sanders ordered Mrs. Tofflemire to take off her clothing, so as to have it remodeled into Indian style, and directed her to put on a match-coat, which he produced; she protesting against, and sorrowing over the exaction. Sanders said muttering, "D__n you, if you were my prisoner, I'd make you wear a match-coat;" and they finally made her comply.

A young Dutch woman [Mary Lail? js] was solicited to marry a very ugly looking Indian, and she at first stoutly refused, and as a punishment for her unfeeling obstinacy, the Indians forced her to swallow a pint of bear's oil, which she was afraid might kill her; and she was finally compelled to accept of the chosen Indian husband, and had a son by him. She finally got away from the Indians, leaving her boy behind, and married a German named Jacob Markle, probably a captive from Ruddell's Station, and settled in Canada, and both lived to be very aged, and died in Colchester.

Sam Sanders was greatly feared and hated by all. He was a bad charactergreatly dislikedhad a Wyandott wife, and died at Amherstburg not long after the war.

Draper Manuscript Collection 17S:200, Draper's interview with Mrs. Ledwell, Miss Ferris, and Joseph Munger Jr., August 5, 1863.

Mrs. Honn and daughter latter 18 were taken prisoners at the capture of Ruddell's and Martin's Stations, Kentucky, 1780 Indians chased Miss Catherine Honn half a mile in running gauntlet she was fleet, the Indian finally knocking her down with a club. She married first Charles Munger (father of Joseph Munger Sr., now deceased) who was killed in Wayne's battle; and then she married Joseph Ferris, and died ten years ago some 85 years old.

The mother, Mrs. Honn, was placed in Blue Jacket's family and kept the cows and made butter; she esteemed it a blessing that she was thus placed there instead of in some other Indian family.

On the return of Bird's army from capturing Martin and Ruddell's Stations, some of the weak children were taken aside and tomahawked, and scalps produced. Some of the captives remained and settled in the country around Detroit and Western Canada/ descendants left.

Draper Manuscript Collection 18S:113-115, Interview with ?, August 27, 1863.

Ruddell's Station Ruddell's or Hinkston's Station was located about three miles below where Ruddell's Mills now are and about half a mile in a straight course below the mouth of Townsend on the North bank of Licking which here runs nearly East and West course on something of a bluff; but higher bluff, on same side of the river, above or East of the fort, about 150 yards, covered with thick timber in which the Indians took position and commenced firing into the fort, and the whites returning the fire, made it too hot for the Indians.

One Indian managed to get under the puncheon floor, perhaps in the night and Mrs. McFall poured hot water between the cracks and the Indian rolled out in a lively manner, and jumping up, he ran in a zig-zag manner, when several shots were ineffectually discharged at him* The Indians retired, and went off vowing vengeance got cannon and the British to aid them there was some fighting But Capt. Ruddell soon surrendered and all blamed him for not maintaining his position longer.

*See notes of Rev. Asal Owens.

Thinks there were at least 18 or 20 families there block-houses, and pickets the Ruddells, Kyles, McFall, Robert McDaniel and others. Christian Spears, was there a young man taken to Detroit, there married a fellow prisoner and after peace he removed to and settled in Kentucky.

John McFall was a prisoner with the Indians got away by Clark's army invading the Indian country his wife was retained by the Indians some years, and finally got back. They settled on Mill Creek, in now Harrison
County.

Capt. Isaac Ruddell died at Ruddell's Mills some years before the War of 1812.

Draper Manuscript Collection 29J:21

Maj. Ben Sharp, of Pickney, Ind, wrote me Feb. 25, 1845: "I never understood that any were killed at Riddle's Station. The British planted their artillery against the fort, and summoned them to surrender. The men at once saw that they could not defend the fort against the British Cannon; they therefore stipulated for protection against the Indians, and surrendered to the British officer. The number taken, I never knew. My brothers-in-law who were taken, with their wives and families, were Capt. John Dunkin and Francis Berry."

See American Pioneer, I, 359, which mentions particularly that the Mingo Chief, Logan, was with Bird's army.

Draper Manuscript Collection 14U:110, Letter of W. Sudduth to Lyman C. Draper, May 22, 1845.

Maj. John Hinkston descended the river from near Pittsburgh in the year 1775 and settled in what is now Harrison County. He was a brave enterprising man of good character. I became acquainted with him in 1786 while in Logan's campaign. I cannot tell whether he died in Harrison County or immigrated to some of the Western States, but he has been dead for many years and I can give no account of his family. I would refer you to Maj Thomas Curry of Cynthiana, Harrison County for his particular history. He located lands, built a station in Harrison near Cynthiana and was among the first improving companies in that quarter.

Draper Manuscript Collection, 12CC:253, Draper's interview with Jacob Lawson, Fleming Co., KY.

At the taking of Riddles Station were taken Michael Goodnight, Peter Goodnight and perhaps John Goodnight and their brothers and sisters.

Draper Manuscript Collection, 24S:169-171, Draper's interview with Samuel Conway, St. Louis Co., MO.

From Samuel Conway, St. Louis Co., MO born in St. Louis Co. in 1799.

Ruddell's Station Taken, 1780. Joseph Conway (informant's father) was born in Greenbriar Co., Va, in 1763 Early moved to Kentucky with his father's, Samuel Conway's family, and settled in Ruddell's Station. Henry Groff, one Purseley and others also resided there. About 200 Indians came and attacked the fort found one side of the fort unfinished; and the whites hastened and finished it, putting up pickets; and that evening the Indians made a violent attack, and whites returned the fire; none were injured in the fort, and not certain that they killed any Indians. Next morning the Indians had retired, and the whites found many articles which they had dropped. The Indians continued to hover around for a couple of weeks altogether, and then retired.

Joseph Conway and two others went out about a mile and a half reconnoitering, when Conway was shot by a party of their Indians, and wounded in the left side, and was caught and tomahawked, breaking his skull, and scalped, and left for dead. The others escaped unharmed. The reports of the guns were heard at the fort, and a party went out and met the two fugitives returning, who reported that Conway was killed; they went on, and brought in Conway, who was gradually recovering, when the Indians sent to Detroit for reinforcements and cannon.

Two weeks after Conway was wounded, Colonel Bird and party appeared, with cannon. They first fired a cannon shot and missed; then a second shot, which knocked out one of the corners of a block-house, and then the inmates concluded the British and Indians could take the place, and listened to terms.

The British pledged protection to the prisoners and their property, and were not to be surrendered to the Indians; but no effort was made by the British to fulfill their pledge.

Conway with his head bandaged was taken by an old Indian and his son, who were really kind to him; they also took an unmarried sister of Conway's, older than he was, who dressed his head. Before leaving Ruddell's, one Indian tore off the bandage from Conway's head, but he was repelled by the old Indian and his son as interfering with their prisoner. They were taken direct to Detroit, and turned over to the British there, and remained there four years. Conway was placed in the hospital, and when recovered, was placed on the limits, and permitted to work as he could get employment. The rest of the Conway family, father, mother and two daughters, with their son and daughter already there, all got together at Detroit.

Joseph Conway returned to Licking River and went out on Harmar's and Wayne's campaigns. [The rest of the narrative deals with Joseph Conway's life in Missouri.]

Draper Manuscript Collection, 29J:19-20

Bird's Expedition British Account From Vol. X, Al-'s rememberance 1780

New York, Oct. 11, 1780. The following particulars are come to hand from the Eastward: "Colonel Bird, with detachments from the Regulars, Loyalists, and Indians, came down in June last from Niagara, on the frontiers of Virginia, and proceeded to the new settlement of Cantuck (lands purchased by Congress and their adherents, allowed to settle free from taxes, accounted the finest land in America,) destroyed a number of small forts, and made a number of prisoners. The Colonel intended to proceed to the Falls of Ohio; but a Colonel Clarke being sent there with a force superior to his, he withdrew to the Shawnese towns, fortifying himself, and waiting for reinforcements. From the extraordinary mild treatment of the colonel, most of the inhabitants of these new settlements accompanied him, preferring to settle in the counties under the King, to those of the Congress; several of them are gone to Niagara, Detroit, &c." P.347-8.

Bird's Expedition Ruddell's and Martin's Station 1780.

Philadelphia, Oct 10, 1780. Extract of a letter from Pittsburgh, Sept. 1. "Since my last, the savages have killed and scalped ten men, about 60 miles up the Monongahela; and Capt. Bird, with a few regulars and Canadians, and, they report, 700 savages, hath entirely broke up one of the Kentucky settlements, having made prisoners 400 men, women and children. But this stroke may prove serviceable to us, as it will, I hope, if not finally stopped, give a check to the immigrations to the Ohio, which is prodigious, and which must weaken the country below. The grasping hand of the covetous and avaricious, neomonopolizer, not only of the American money but of American lands, has in a manner put anus into the hands of our enemies. The former practice is now. I hope, Effectually abolished, and tarish the latter war." Maryland Journal, Oct. 17, 1780.

Extract of a letter from Fort Pitt, Aug. 18, 1780. "The Enemy have lately killed and taken near 400 men, women and children from Licking Creek, near Kentucky; and it is probable their next attempt will be against this part of the country." &c. Maryland Journal, Sept. 19, 1780.

Draper Manuscript Collection, 11CC:28-39, Draper's interview with James Breckenridge and his wife Jane.

The old man is infirm, information mostly from his wife, Jane Brackenridge.

Old Mrs. Wilson, near Mr. Graddy's and Mrs. Jane Brackenridge, sisters. Father, Mr. Mahan. They came by Bryant's Station, on their way to Martin's; and think their father built the first house or cabin there. At least he was there at its commencement. He died while they were at Detroit; about 4 weeks after we went in Detroit. The rest all came in together as far as Pittsburgh.

My father lived at Fog's Manner, when he first moved to this country. Afterwards moved to Hartford County, in the upper part of Maryland.

My father was a member at Fog's Manner and came as such from Scotland.

Hugh [Barckenridge] was in the Army as preacher. Washington used to send for the young preachers, to come and preach to the army. I heard him laugh hearty, and say Brackenridge was one of their greatest preachers for the army. He would teste the soldiers if they died in battle, they would be sure to go to heaven. To be valiant in the cause, & died in battle. That was when he was first licensed. Washington was there at New Windsor, and we were passing, and he made a service, and invited us all to dine, and he was telling my brother, who had commanded at Martin's Station, and was along, of this. This as we were returning from Montreal, via Lake Champlain, Albany, Philadelphia, New Windsor, &c. Was in Montreal 2 years. Didn't stay long in Detroit.

Mann carried the flag that brought us home. Had won a hundred guineas. His head, on the left, & hair, were that half (of his head) white. He gave up gambling after that. Lived in Montreal. The people of Montreal treated us very kind while we were there. My mother died up by Paris. For 6 weeks & 4 days, Byrd gave us but a pint of flour, nu-sty, and sometimes greens, and all the while he had a plenty of rations. Was an inhuman wretch. The British officer at Detroit was exceedingly displeased. Talked some of breaking his commission. He hadn't been sent to take the forts. He had been sent to take the garrison at Louisville. I believe a dozen men could have taken us back again. If they had come with a sufficient number of men just to make a report, they could have taken us all back. For their guard were just as wet as they could be sometimes. Had to draw their loads. Were 6 weeks and 4 days going in, and kept upon a pint of ration flour a day and he had plenty of flour and meat along.

Whenever anyone ran away, they would put my brothers up, and there my mother would petition the commanding officer at Quebec, and have us all taken out again. 2 brothers single, and one married at the time.

Patrick Mahan, my father.

They buried the cannon on the Big Miami, or as the Indians called it, the Maumee, where they were afterwards found by a man ploughing. 3 days journey to the Aux Glaize, from there. There was 900 Indians. Our father came in the winter, and it was taken in the spring.

Took Riddle's the day before. The Indians broke in there. Treated them worse there, though what prisoners the Indians kept. They treated better, and took better care of them, than the English did their prisoners.

My brother-in-law, James Morrow, was taken by the Indians. Had been out of the station, and was just coming in, knowing nothing of the events, where the Indians caught him. They took him off. He run the gauntlet very safe, and they treated him very kindly, till one day they tied him with a rope, and about 10 o'clock was going to burn him, when a hard rain set in, that lasted all day. A white woman there said he had proposed to her to take guns and run away and they were going to burn him for it. Next day an old Indian from some other tribe came along, and gave 20 buckskins for him, and took him on to Detroit. Took him to the house where they gave the Indians £5 for him. What they gave for a scalp, or prisoner either.

George Girty and another hunter went out and killed some deer, and brought them in to Byrd. Byrd bought some for himself, and his officers, but would buy none for the prisoners. Girty cursed him as being a [illegible] is than any Indians, having plenty of rations carrying its prisoners back to starve without them.

Simon Girty remained at the camp with the Indians. George went on to Detroit with the army.

When he, James Morrow, was taken into the house, there were all the scalps of prisoners that had been taken, hanging up; a great many of little children. An old Indian cried and said, the Great Spirit from above was angry for their killing of them little infants.


Draper 5YY:53 A Pioneer Story Major Riddle’s Sons Captured and Brought Up by Indians The question is often disputed as to whether Tecumseh commanded at the battle of Fort Harrison. Mr. Boord says that he did, and tells the following story to prove it: Stephen and Abraham Riddle, sons of Maj. Riddle, of Kentucky, were stolen in the early days of Kentucky by the Indians, and carried North. The youths were raised among the Indians and became warriors. Stephen married a squaw and became a chief on account of his bravery. But Abraham was never nothing more than a common, dirty Indian. At last Stephen tired of his Indian life, and longed to see the face of white people. He could remember his home in Kentucky, his father and mother and sister. He was a powerful chief and commanded many warriors. One day he called a council and told his warriors that he thought of going to see Gen. Wayne, then at Fort Wayne. The warriors all declared their determination to go with him, and they set off on their journey. They traveled from the Northwestern part of Indiana to near Fort Wayne. Chief Stephen did not wish to present himself suddenly before the fort with his warriors for fear it would create alarm. He waited in the timber till one of the soldiers came out to hunt, and captured him. He told the soldier that he meant him no harm, and that he wanted to see Gen. Wayne. The soldier conducted him and his band to within a few hundred yards of the fort, when, fearing treachery to the fort, he ran away from the Indians and alarmed the garrison. But Chief Steve succeeded in making the soldiers understand that he was friendly, and Gen. Wayne, accompanied by a guard, came out to treat with him. Wayne expressed astonishment that the Chief should talk such good English, and asked him why it was. Then the Chief told him his story and how he longed to see his pale-faced father and mother. Gen. Wayne was astonished. He knew Maj. Riddle, and knew that he had two stolen boys. “Where is your brother?” asked Gen. Wayne. “Here he is,” said Chief Steve, leading Abraham forward. But Abraham was an orney looking Indian, and Gen. Wayne did not “take shine to him.” “You return here when the moon has twice filled, and I will show you your father,” said the General. The Indians went their way, and Gen. Wayne sent a message to Maj. Riddle, in Kentucky, telling him that he had found his long lost sons. The Major came to the fort. His two sons had been there several days waiting for him. Chief Steve met his father with a dignified and chiefly air, and offered him the pipe of peace. The father recognized him. “Where is my other son?” asked the father. “My brother will not be here before to-morrow, as he is with the soldiers,” said Chief Steve. Abraham, in true Indian style, had picked up with the soldiers and got drunk on firewater. He had trashed every soldier in the fort, and it had been found necessary to “buck and gag” him to make him quiet. Maj. Riddle raged, and demanded that his other son be brought forthwith before him, and Gen. Wayne ordered him to be brought. When the father gazed upon him he declared him no son of his, and wanted to brain him. But Gen. Wayne reasoned with him, and at last the father recognized him. The two sons returned to Kentucky with their father, Steve taking his squaw. Steve was one of soldiers in Fort Harrison during the fight, and he declares that Tecumseh commanded, and that he could have killed him if he had so desired. Stephen afterwards became a Baptist preacher, and preached in Terre Haute in early days. His squaw did not take to civilized life, and he gave her ponies and sent her back to the tribe. Mr. Boord says that the northwest corner block house of the fort was burned during the fight. When the battle raged the hardest a soldier stood exposed to the view of the Indians, and for hours threw water on the flames to keep them from spreading. A woman handed him the water. Another soldier went up to help him and was instantly picked off. One Indian attempted to get into the fort by running through the flames, but he was overcome by the smoke and roasted to death. Soldiers in the fort say that many Indians were killed. The Indians threw their dead into the river, and when they were driven away the soldiers found a perfect road leading down the river where the Indians had dragged their dead. – Terre Haute Express – Aug 1883 Drape manuscript Collection, 5YY:54. Tecumseh The Old Indian Napoleon was Undoubtedly at Ft. Harrison – A Historical Society Searching for the truth. About six weeks ago, the Express published an interview with Mr. Boord, a gentleman well known in this city, and who has been here since the early days. Mr. Boord can be see on Wall street almost any day, and is quite spry for a man of 82 years old. His memory is remarkably clear, and he can talk for hours in a very interesting manner of the early times. In the interview alluded to, Mr. Boord stated that Tecumseh was at the battle of Ft. Harrison. This has always been a disputed question, but Mr. Boord’s statements of the affair are so forcible and so clear that it should set that mooted question at rest. Mr. Boord was raised in Bourbon county, Ky. IN that county a Baptist minister named Stephen Ruddle resided, who was once an Indian chief. Mr. Boord gives this minister as his authority for the statement that Tecumseh was at Ft. Harrison. A few days ago the Express received the following letter.

ROOMS OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON, WIS. September 19, 1883. To the Editor of the Express/ Sir – I have just met with an article taken from your paper, stating, on the authority of a Mr. Boord, that Tecumseh shared in the attack on Fort Harrison in 1812. I have long been collecting material for a work on Tecumseh. If Mr. Boord is a resident of your place, please send him this note and the return envelope, with my request that he write me stating if what he relates came from Stephen Ruddle himself; and if so, whether Mr. Boord heard him narrate it. If not derived from Ruddle then from whom did Mr. Boord learn it.

I send you a copy of our Wisconsin Historical Society Collections, and one to your care for Mr. Boord. Very truly yours, Lyman C. Draper. An Express reporter met Mr. Boord, yesterday, gave him the book, and showed him the letter/

“Did Mr. Ruddle tell you himself, Mr. Boord?” asked the reporter.

“Yes; I have heard him tell it a hundred times. There was a little mistake in your interview with me. Ruddle was not in the fort during the fight, but it was another man whom I had reference to as being in the fort.” “What were Mr. Ruddle’s grounds for saying that Tecumseh was at the battle of Fort Harrison.?” “I will tell you,” said he, “Stephen Ruddle and his brother were stolen by the Indians when very young, and carried into captivity. Stephen married an Indian woman, and became very popular with the Indians. They made him chief. During that time he became acquainted with all the noted Indian chiefs. He knew Tecumseh and the Prophet as well as I know you or any other person in Terre Haute. When Chief Stephen went to see General Wayne, as I told you in the first interview, and told Wayne who he was, and was found by his father Colonel Ruddle, he was taken home to Kentucky. He was educated and became a minister. His father was very rich. He lived within a quarter of a mile of my father, in Bourbon county, Kentucky. During the war of 1812 Stephen was hired by the United States government to go among the Indians and talk peace to them. He was with them during all that time. He knew every movement they made. He has told me, and I have heard him tell others that he knew that Tecumseh was at the battle of Fort Harrison, but was not at the battle of Tippecanoe. He said that Tecumseh told him so, and told him that if he had been at Tippecanoe the battle would never have taken place. The Prophet was a bad Indian, and taught the Indians to believe that the Great Spirit would protect them, and that the white man’s bullets would not touch them.”

“What kind of man was Ruddle when you knew him, Mr. Boord?”

“He was a very pious man; a straight forward and truthful man. He was looked upon by all who knew him as a truthful man, and reliance could be placed in everything he said.”

The above account, as given by Mr. Boord, is as authentic as any ever related. Mr. Boord is known by nearly every man, woman and child in Terre Haute, and he is known as a straight forward, honest gentleman. If Ruddle was the kind of a man Mr. Boord describes him, there is no reason to doubt his story. The Historical society can put great reliance in the statements. Draper 5YY:56-56(3) Terre Haute, Ind. Oct. 31, 1883 Mr. Lyman Draper, Madison Wis. Dear Sir, Yours of the 27 of Sept was duly received. I take pleasure in answering it. I see their has been some mistake – Ruddell was not at Fort Harrison at the time of the battle – I heard Ruddell say that Tecumseh was at the battle of Fort Harrison. Ruddell was sent by government to preach to the Indians in the north of Indiana & Ohio. Ruddell was taken prisoner at Nine years of age and lived with the Indians until he was married and had two children. He was made a chief of, and was acquainted with Tecumseh. Stephen Ruddell was not at Fort Harrison at the time of the battle. Stephen knew Tecumseh and I heard him say Tecumseh was at Fort Harrison at the time of the battle. I believed it for Stephen Ruddell was raised from the time he was nine years old with the Indians, became a chief had a squaw and two papooses and when he got home his father gave him some education and he became a Baptist minister and the Government sent him to preach in the north of Ohio and Indiana to the Indians. His father was rich and Stephen had a good farm and several slaves to work it. He was considered a religious, a trustful, and trustworthy man. I have spent some time in tring to find a survivor of the battle of Fort Harrison but have been unable to do so. But my best information is that there is now no person alive who took part in that engagement. Abraham Ruddell a brother of Stephen was a soldier in the war of 1812 and served under Gen. Harrison and acted as a spy, and was at Winchester’s defeat and when our forces surrendered, the Indians by an robbury and mal treat any the prisoners. Abram Ruddell told me that the officers applied to Gen. Proctor who was then in command for protection, but he saw that he could not help them, they then sent for Tecumseh and he stopped the Indians at once. Tecumseh said to proctor “it is a shame you allow your prisoners so badly treated” and appears to be very angry – I heard about the same statements from one Kenater, who served with Ruddell and was a prisoner with him. Abraham Ruddell was a man of affluence and shuned any in that community and was regarded as a man of truth. If there is any further information that I can give you in this regard I will gladly do so. With Kindest regards. I am Very Truly Yours. Geo. G. Boord. 1W:271 Capt Ferguson to Col. Harmar, Fort McIntosh, Sept 16th 1786. “I went to Pittsburgh after a deserter last Monday, where I met with the person who gives the enclosed information. Capt. Ashton & myself thought it prudent to have Girty & Brickell sworn, fearing the news might be only an Indian trader’s finesse. The other person who wishes his name concealed is one [George] Loveless, whose father lives down the Ohio in Virginia; he was examined separately, a day after the others, & I am led to believe his information may be depended on, as he had a better opportunity of obtaining it than the others, from connections with the Indians, for he has a sister married to one Williams, a half Indian; & from this sister he got a great part of what was in agitation among the Indians, & the rest from his own personal knowledge.” [this sister was Sarah “Soharass” Loveless who married a half Indian named Isaac Williams.] “Fort Pitt, Sept 14th, 1786 – A person [George Loveless] who for many reasons wishes his name not to be known, makes the following report: that he was made prisoner six years ago by the British & Indians, & has since generally resided in the Indian country….”

Draper Manuscript References:
Subject: Draper Manuscript Collection

Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 22:06:36 PDT
From: "James Sellars" <sellars - j@hotmai1.com>
To: RUDDLESFORT-L@rootsweb.com

Ruddells and Martins Station researchers,

Here is a list of resources from the Draper papers that mentions the capture of the two stations the people taken prisoners. The ones marked with a (*) are in the possession of myself or Bob Frances. If anyone comes across any of the other listings please send them to the list. I'm sure there are many other references to these stations in other parts of the Draper papers.

For those not familiar with the numbering system, the first number is the volume, the next letter is the series (ie. CC - Kentucky papers) and the last numbers are the microfilm page numbers.

Drapers Life of Boone (B)

4B:90(i) Mentions John Martin.

George Rogers Clark Papers (J)

16J:82-83* John Hinkson's narrative of the capture of Ruddell's Station.

20J:24* Letter of George W. Ruddell, mentions Isaac, Stephen and Abraham Ruddell.

29J:18* Interview with Rhoda (Long) Ground, mentions Goodnight, Ruddell, Long, Denton, and Sellers families.

29J:23* Interview with Jeremiah Morrow.

29J:23-25 Interview with Jane Morrow, mentions Morrow, Dunkin families, and Francis Berry.

29J:25* Capt. John Dunkin's memorandum of route taken to Detroit.

57J:51-63* Daniel Trabue's Narrative of James Trabue's capture at Ruddell's Station.

60J:375* Mentions James Trabue.

Drapers Notes (S)

2S:334-338* Interview with John Hinkson.

4S:98-99* Interview with James Chambers, mentions Capt. Ruddell, John Hinkson, and John Sellers.

I0S:81-83 Letter of Gov. Benjamin Harrison to George Washington regarding the release of Kentucky prisoners, Oct. 25, 1782.

10S:93 Statement of Gov. Benjamin Harrison regarding release of prisoners.

10S:178 Mentions McFall family.

17S:200 Interview with Mrs. Ledwell, mentions Honn and Munger families.

18S:114 Mentions Kyle or Kelso family.

18S434-435 Mentions Smith family

20S:218-220 Mentions Tuffleman (or Tufflemire) family and John Markle.

22S: Interview with Ruddell.

24S:169-176 Mentions Conway family.

Kentucky Papers (CC)

11CC:17-18* Interview with Patrick Scott, mentions Capt. Ruddell, William McCune.

11CC:28-35 Interview with James Breckenridge and wife,(Jane Mahan).

11CC:246* Interview with Stephen Shelton, mentions Capt. Isaac and Mrs. Ruddell, Stephen and Abraham Ruddell.

12CC:253 Mentions Goodnight family.

11CC:257-263* Interview with William McBride, mentions John Hinkson.

11CC:276-280* Interview with Mrs. Wilson, mentions Mahan family.

11CC:578 Mentions LaPost

12CC:207* Interview with David Strahan, mentions Mrs. Ruddell, Stephen and Abraham Ruddell.

13CC:2-3 Mentions Isaac and Stephen Ruddell.

13CC:207* Mentions Mrs. Carroll, Stephen and Abraham Ruddell.

33CC:11 Mentions Ruddell captives