Wau-nan-gee or the Massacre at Chicago Part 1

Wau-nan-gee or the Ma.s.sacre at Chicago.

by Major John Richardson.

PREFATORY INSCRIPTION.

My Publishers ask of me a couple of pages of matter to precede this Tale. It is scarcely necessary to state, that the whole of the text approaches so nearly to Historical fact, that any other preface than that which admits the introduction of but one strictly fict.i.tious character--Maria Heywood--in the book, must be, in a great degree, supererogatory. Yet I gladly avail myself of this pleasing opportunity of manifesting the deep interest and sympathy with which I have ever regarded those brave spirits--heroes not less than heroines--who partic.i.p.ated in the trials of that brief but horrid epoch.

How can I better exemplify this than by inscribing to the descendants of the venerable founder of the City of Chicago--a prominent actor in the scene--as well as to the gallant military survivors of the Ma.s.sacre, if any yet exist, the fruits of that interest and that sympathy.

Dedications and Inscriptions have almost grown out of fashion--at least they are not so general in the present century as in the days of Dryden; but where, through them, an opportunity for the expression of esteem and sympathy is presented, an Author may gladly avail himself of the occasion to show that no common interest influenced the tracings of his pen--not the mere desire to make a book, but to establish on a high pedestal, and to circulate through the most attractive and popular medium, the merits of those whose deeds and sufferings have inspired him with the generous spirit of eulogistic comment.

To Her Majesty's 41st Regiment, in garrison at Detroit shortly after the occurrences herein detailed, my first Indian Tale, "Wacousta," was inscribed, and this in memory of the long, and by no means feather-bed service I had seen with that gallant Corps, in the then Western wilds of America; it was a tribute of the soldier to his companions in arms. In the same spirit I inscribe "Wau-nan-gee" to those who were then our enemies, but whose courage and whose sufferings were well known to all, and claimed our deep sympathy, our respect, and our admiration,--none more than the n.o.ble Mrs. Heald, and Mrs. Helme, the former the wife of the Commanding Officer, the latter the daughter of the patriarch of Illinois, Mr. Kenzie, some years since gathered to his forefathers.

THE AUTHOR.

New York, March 30th, 1852.

WAU-NAN-GEE; OR, THE Ma.s.sACRE AT CHICAGO.

CHAPTER I.

"He has come to ope the purple testament of war."

--_Richard II_

It was the 7th of August, 1812, when Winnebeg, the confidential Indian messenger of Captain Headley, commanding Fort Dearborn, suddenly made his appearance within the stockade. With a countenance on which was depicted more of the seriousness and concern than usually attach to his race, he requested the officer of the guard, Lieutenant Elmsley, to allow him to pa.s.s to the apartment of the Chief. The subaltern shook him cordially by the hand as an old and familiar acquaintance; and, half laughingly taunting him with the great solemnity of his aspect, asked him where he had been so long, and what news he brought.

"Berry bad news," replied the Indian gravely; "must see him Gubbernor directly--dis give him;" and thrusting his hand into the bosom of his deerskin shirt, he drew forth a large sealed packet, evidently an official despatch.

"From Detroit, Winnebeg?"

"Yes, come in two days--great news--bad news!"

"Indeed? You shall see the commanding officer directly."

"Corporal Collins, conduct Winnebeg to Captain Headley's quarters."

The non--commissioned officer hastened to acquit himself of the duty, and, on the announcement of his name, the chief was admitted to the presence of the commandant.

The latter saw at a glance, from the countenance of the Indian, that there was something wrong. He shook him warmly by the hand, bade him be seated, and then hastily breaking the seal of the despatch, with an air of preoccupation perused its contents.

The doc.u.ment was from General Hull, and ran nearly as follows:--

"From the difficulty of access to your post, cut off as is the communication by the numerous bands of hostile Indians whom Tec.u.mseh has raised up in arms against us, I take it for granted that you are yet ignorant that war has been declared between Great Britain and the United States. Such, however, is the fact, and in a few days I expect myself to be surrounded by a horde of savages, when my position will indeed be a trying one, not as regards myself, but the hundreds of defenceless women and children, whom nothing can preserve from the tomahawk and the scalping knife. I, moreover, fear much for Colonel Ca.s.s, who, with a body of five hundred men, is at a short distance from this, and will be cut to pieces the moment an attack is made upon myself. To add to the untowardness of events, I have just received intelligence that the Fort of Mackinaw has been taken by the British and their allies, so that, almost simultaneously with the receipt of this, you in all probability will hear of their advance upon yourself. The result must not be tested, and forthwith you will, _if it be yet practicable_, evacuate your post and retire upon Fort Wayne, after having first distributed all the public property contained in the fort and factory among the friendly Indians around you. This is most important, for it is necessary that these people should be conciliated, not only with a view to the safe escort of your detachment to Fort Wayne, but in order to their subsequent a.s.sistance here. There are, I believe, nearly five hundred Pottowatomies encamped around you, and such a numerous body of Indians would, if left free to act against Tec.u.mseh's warriors, materially lessen the difficulty of my position here.

Treat them as if you had the utmost reliance on their fidelity, for any appearance of distrust might only increase the evil we wish to avoid. I rely upon your judgment and discretion, which Colonel Miller a.s.sures me are great. I have preferred writing this confidential dispatch with my own hand, in order that, by keeping your exposed condition as secret as possible, no unnecessary alarm may be excited in the inhabitants of this town by a knowledge of the danger that threatens their friends."

All this was indeed news, and most painful and perplexing news, to Captain Headley. He read the dispatch twice, and when he had completed the second perusal, he raised his eyes to the chief, who was regarding him at the moment fixedly as with a view to read his intentions, and asked if General Hull had at all communicated to him the contents of the dispatch.

"Yes, Gubbernor," replied the Indian. "Tell him Winnebeg take soger--den come back to Detroit--what say him, Gubbernor--go to Fort Wayne?" and he looked earnestly at the commanding officer while he waited his answer.

"I do not know, Winnebeg; I have not made up my mind. We must consider what is best to be done."

All this was evasive. The order was conclusive with Captain Headley.

Had his road led over a battery bristling with cannon, once ordered, he would have made the attempt; but, from a motive of prudence, the cause for which he could not explain to himself, he was unwilling to communicate his final determination to the chief.

"Leave me now, Winnebeg; I have much to do that must be done directly; come early to-morrow, and we will talk the matter over.

Meanwhile, not a word to your young men of the beginning of the war, or the fall of Mackinaw. Do you promise me? To-morrow I will hold a council."

"Yes, Winnebeg promise," he said, taking the proffered hand of Captain Headley; "not speak till to-morrow? How him fine squaw, eh?"

"Mrs. Headley is quite well, Winnebeg," returned the Captain, faintly smiling, "and I am sure she will be very glad to hear that you have returned. Come and breakfast with us at eight o'clock, and she will tell you so herself; so, for the present, good bye."

Winnebeg departed, but, far from satisfied with the answer he had received, he repeated the question to the commanding officer--"Go to Fort Wayne?"

"Maybe--perhaps--I will tell you to-morrow in council," returned Captain Headley. "What do you think, Winnebeg?"

The chief looked at him steadily for some moments, shook his head in disapproval of the scheme, and then slowly and silently withdrew.

"What can this mean?" mused Captain Headley, when left alone.

"Whence his opposition to the will of the General? Surely he cannot meditate treachery. He does not wish to see us taken by the British here. But--nonsense! I will at once summon my officers, make known the state of affairs, and for form's sake, consult with them as to our mode of proceeding--my own determination of retreat is not the less formed. Corporal Collins!" he called to the orderly, who was pacing up and down in front of the door opening on the parade ground, "summon the several officers to attend me here within the hour."

"Please your honor, sir," said the man, hesitatingly, as he raised his hand to his cap.

"Well, sir, please what?"

"There is only Mr. Elmsley in the fort. He is the officer of the guard."

"And where is Mr. Ronayne?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Ronayne and the Doctor rode out soon after dinner, sir, in the direction of Hardscrabble."

"The direction of the devil," muttered the commanding officer.

"This is the result of my loosening the reins of discipline; besides, there is some risk. Hostile Indians may be in the neighborhood; and what should I do without officers, pressed as we are now? Let me know, orderly, when they return. The next time they leave the fort, it will be for ever."

"Sir!" said the Corporal, hearing the words, but not comprehending their meaning.

"When next they leave the fort, they will never enter it again,"

rejoined Captain Headley, abstractedly. "Meanwhile, as soon as Mr.

Ronayne and the Doctor return, let them know that I wish to see them, with Mr. Elmsley, immediately."

"Certainly, sir," said Corporal Collins, again touching his cap; "but hang me," he muttered as he departed, "if I don't report to Mr. Ronayne all that he has said. Never enter the fort again! Well, here's a bobbery!" and thus soliloquizing, he resumed his accustomed walk.

It was with deep concern at his heart that Captain Headley, on returning to the apartment of his wife, communicated to her the substance of General Hull's dispatch. A feeling of misgiving arose to her mind from the first, and she saw in the early future scenes and sufferings from which, only an hour before, all had believed themselves to be utterly exempt. For some moments they continued silently gazing on each other, as if to read the thoughts that were pa.s.sing through the minds of each, when, taking the hand of the n.o.ble woman in his own, he pressed it affectionately as he remarked--