ere they took a negro belonging to Captain James Neal, and
continued on towards the settlements on West Fork, until they came
upon the trail made by Carpenter's cattle. Supposing that they
belonged to families moving, they followed on until they came upon the
drovers; and tying the negro to a sapling made an attack on them. The
negro availed himself of their employment elsewhere, and loosing the
bands which fastened him, returned to his master.

After the defeat of General Harmer, the terrors and the annoyance
proceeding from Indian hostilities, still continued to harrass
Kentucky, and to spread destruction over its unprotected portions.
Seeing that the expeditions of the savages were yet conducted on a
small scale, the better to effect their purposes, the inhabitants had
recourse to other measures [297] of defence; and established many
posts on the frontier, garrisoned by a few men, to watch the motions
of the enemy, and intercept them in their progress, or spread the
alarm of their approach. It was productive of but little benefit, and
all were convinced, that successful offensive war could alone give
security from Indian aggression. Convinced of this, preparations were
made by the General Government for another campaign to be carried on
against them; the objects of which were the destruction of the Indian
villages between the Miamies; the expulsion of their inhabitants from
the country, and the establishment of a chain of forts to prevent
their return, until a general peace should give promise of a cessation
of hostilities on their part. Means, deemed adequate to the
accomplishment of those objects, were placed by Congress at the
disposal of the executive, and of the army destined to effect them, he
directed General Arthur St. Clair to take the command.[19]

It was some time before the troops detailed for this campaign, could
be assembled at Fort Washington; but as soon as they rendezvoused
there, the line of march was taken up.[20] Proceeding immediately for
the principal establishments of the Indians on the Miami, General St.
Clair had erected the Forts Hamilton and Jefferson,[21] and placing
sufficient garrisons in each, continued his march. The opening of a
road for the passage of the troops and artillery, necessarily consumed
much time; and while it was in progress, small parties of the enemy
were often seen hovering near, and some unimportant skirmishes took
place; and as the army approached the Indian village