|
DEATH OF PETER NAVARRE THE FAMOUS SCOUT OF THE WAR OF 1812
On the 1st of June, 1812, General Hull started from Dayton with his little army of 2, 000 men, which the War Department fondly hoped would be sufficient to conquer Canada, and on the 24th he reached the Rapids of the Maumee, where he was joined by the Navarres, and several other frontiersmen. Navarre participated in the futile advance which Hull made into Canada, and the inglorious retreat to Detroit. After the still more inglorious surrender of that place, Navarre escaped, and made his way back to the American lines, in company with Major William Oliver and the Shawnee chief, Logan. The two latter made their way from. General Harrison's headquarters at Cincinnati, and reached the beleaguered Fort Wayne in season to save that garrison from falling into the hands of Tecumseh.
Navarre, who seemed to have an especial luck at this time in getting into trouble, attached himself to General Winchester's command, and was with him when he made his ill-fated advance to the River Raisin; he participated in the victorious engagement of the first day, and joined his advice to that of other experienced scouts in warning General Winchester of the injudicious conduct which rendered the army an easy prey to the enemy, and made the
famous "massacre of the River Raisin" possible. Navarre managed to escape, his knowledge of woodcraft giving him advantages which he turned to good account.
After this, he rejoined General Harrison, and performed distinguished service in passing through the lines of the hostile Indians and bearing dispatches to Governor Meigs, and the commanders at Upper and Lower Sandusky, giving information of the investment of Fort Meigs. The letter to Governor Meigs was delivered to that gentleman at Urbana, the fifth day after Navarre received it at Fort Meigs.
Michigan
Page 2
|
|
Please consider making a donation to help offset expenses to keep this site online.
Thank you
|
