coats were
noticed in the battle, next day.
General Saint Clair was a good soldier, and planned well. He had
planted a string of supply depots behind him. He had made a practice
of sounding the reveille two hours before day-break, every morning in
camp, and keeping the men at parade until almost sunrise, to guard
against a surprise. He tried to be thorough.
This afternoon of November 3 he had selected an excellent camp ground,
from which a few Indians had fled at his approach. It was high,
compact, and protected by a creek. He stationed his main body in two
lines about seventy yards apart, facing in opposite directions.
His scouts had reported that the Indians were collecting in force about
twelve miles distant. His intention was, to fortify the camp, so that
the knapsacks and other baggage might be left there; and as soon as the
delayed First Regiment came in, to push right on and attack.
Little Turtle's scouts also had been active. They had surveyed the
marches and the camps, had measured the infantry, artillery and
cavalry--and had been alarmed by the showing. Here was an old general
and some big captains, wise in the art of war.
Now what to do?
Little Turtle called a grand council of all the chiefs, red and white.
They debated whether to attack the camp, or to try an ambush in the
field. Little Turtle favored attacking the camp. An ambush would be
expected by the old general, but an attack upon a strongly guarded camp
would not be expected. A maxim of war says: "Never do what the enemy
expects you to do."
The Missisauga chief sided with Little Turtle. He was a tall, stout,
fierce fellow, very swarthy and severe looking. He wore hide leggins
and moccasins; a long blue shirt, a brocade vest, an overcoat instead
of a blanket, and a turban studded with two hundred silver brooches.
In either ear were two bangles, twelve inches long, formed of silver
medals and quarter-dollars; in his nose were three nose-jewels of
painted silver.
He was respectfully listened to as a wise captain, and he and Little
Turtle carried the day.
"But the gray-haired general is always ready for a surprise attack."
"All right. Wait until the hour when he is not ready. Then strike."
Under the direction of Commander-in-Chief Little Turtle, in the
darkness this night the Indian army stole forward and was posted with
as much skill as any white army.
The Miamis held the center; the Wyandots, the Delawares and t
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