War 1812 (5 page)

Tonight, and perhaps over the next day or so, Jonah wanted to get to know Johnson’s thoughts and feelings, as well as other men in leadership positions, as to how the war was coming along. Jonah didn’t want to be underhanded, but he’d been given an assignment by the President. He now had to do the best job he could, the best way he could find.

The next morning after breakfast Jonah was talking with Gesslin and Colonel Johnson when a messenger arrived. General Clay’s scouts had spotted the British army under General Proctor. The army also had a large number of Shawnee braves under Tecumseh with them. Hearing this, Colonel Johnson gave orders to break camp and move out. Johnson had approximately one thousand men under his command at this point. Being mounted men, they would move quickly but not near as fast as Jonah felt he and Moses could move being unhampered by wagons, cannons, supplies and such.

As the army under Johnson prepared to mobilize, Jonah decided he and Moses would push on ahead. Shaking hands with Gesslin, Jonah bid him farewell with the hopes that they’d meet again up north. He had come to like the lanky Kentuckian very much. With soldiers like him, the Americans would be hard to beat.

The horses were worn out after being pushed hard. Jonah and Moses rode into Camp Seneca as the sun was setting in the western sky. Even that late in the day the camp was a bustle of activity. At the edge of the camp, Jonah and Moses were challenged by a sentry, who, after being told who they were, called for the sergeant of the guard. Waiting on the sergeant, the man became very talkative.

“Orders, you know. Everybody has to be escorted into the camp… been a heap-o-killin’ lately. Red devils sneaking up on people all up and down the river; butchering folks and taking their scalps. Man, woman, youngun… makes no difference to them savages. You can’t be sure what’s going to happen next,” the man said as he spit a stream of tobacco juice. He started to speak again but was interrupted by the sergeant.

Jonah introduced himself and said he was here to see General Harrison.

“Lots of folks want to see the general,” the sergeant responded sarcastically. “Not many of them do, however.”

“I’m here on assignment,” Jonah replied.

“You don’t look like no soldier to me,” the sergeant said.

“I’m not.”

“I thought you just said you’d been assigned.”

Not wanting to lose his temper with the man, Jonah asked, “Is there an officer about?”

“Shore they is. That don’t mean you gonna see him either. He’s eating his supper bout now, I reckon.”

That did it. Dropping the reins to his horse, Jonah stepped forward so fast the sergeant stumbled backing up. “Sergeant, if you want to keep those stripes you better have me in front of the duty officer fast.”

Realizing he’d likely made a blunder but trying to save face in front of the sentry, the sergeant said, “Have your man wait here and you follow me.”

Jonah realized why the sergeant had said what he did but cared little for the man’s bruised authority at this moment. “I tell my man where to go, Sergeant, not you. Now move out.”

Without being told, Moses took the reins to Jonah’s horse and followed. As he passed the sentry, he was not surprised to see a big smile on the man’s tobacco stained face.
Probably had more than his share of bullying from the sergeant,
Moses thought.

The duty officer was more cordial than the sergeant. He shook hands with Jonah and offered him and Moses a cup of coffee and stated he’d inquire when the general might see them.

Fearing he was about to be put off again, Jonah said, “Tell the general we are here from Washington.” He’d not used the President’s name, but the captain was sure to understand the implication.

Jonah was not sure how General Harrison would receive them but doubted they’d have long before they found out. He was right. The captain was back before the cup of coffee had been finished. The coffee was good and helped ease the weariness from the hard ride. Draining the cup, Jonah would like to have had another cup of the strong black liquid. Maybe the general would offer him one.

Moses made to rise, but Jonah said, “Stay and rest, old friend, I’m sure the captain has more coffee and will find something for you to eat while you wait. That won’t be any problem, will it, Captain?” Jonah addressed the officer, letting him know this was more than a mere request. He expected Moses to be taken care of in his absence.

General Harrison was going over a set of maps when Jonah was ushered into his tent. Turning to see who entered, Harrison rose, a smile on his face. “By all that’s holy, if it’s not Jonah Lee. Are you the man from Washington?”

Jonah also had a smile on his face as he responded, “Guilty.”

“Well… sit down, sit down. Would you prefer a glass of wine, a cup of coffee… or something stronger,” Harrison asked.

“Coffee will do, sir,” Jonah replied.

He noticed a slight nod from the captain, who’d been going over the maps with the general. Obviously, he’d passed a test.

Harrison turned to the captain and spoke, “Hammond, the man you see before you saved the life of General Wayne at Fallen Timbers. He was a young man then… we both were. I was Wayne’s aide-de-camp, and Jonah was Wayne’s most trusted scout. Neither of us had reached our twentieth year, as I recall. I was nineteen,” Harrison said then looked at Jonah.

“I was eighteen,” Jonah added.

Harrison made his way to a handmade chair behind the rough table the map was spread across. “You’ve been sent by Madison to spy on me, haven’t you?”

Taken aback by Harrison’s remark, Jonah took a sip of coffee, thereby giving him time to frame his response. “More like to add assistance and support,” he said.

Harrison nodded then replied, “You’re a damn good liar, Jonah, never-the-less I’m glad to see you and have you with us.”

“Thank you, General,” Jonah answered and realized that he meant it.

Chapter Five

R
eports came in daily
of minor excursions along the upper and lower Sandusky. It appeared the British had given up any attempt to gain possession of the Maumee Valley and Fort Meigs for the time being. However, the Indians struck at every chance, attacking small patrols and supply convoys. Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, continued with these sudden raids, spreading alarm throughout the extreme northwest section of Ohio. Jonah and Moses rode with Captain Clay Gesslin as he took out a patrol along the Sandusky. Moses was starting to get grumpy hanging around the camp all day, drinking kill devil and playing cards at night. Truth be told Jonah had gotten restless himself and was afraid he was making a nuisance of himself around headquarters. The opportunity to ride out on patrol was a welcome change.

“They tell me,” Gesslin said, “that Colonel Johnson and his regiment is starting to get impatient doing nothing but riding patrols.”

“I hear,” Gesslin continued after shifting in his saddle so he’d be facing Jonah as they talked, “that we are soon to make a sweep of Indian country then rendezvous at Fort Winchester. The rumor is a fleet is being assembled to battle the British on Lake Erie. If they are successful, we are to move against Malden and hopefully retake Detroit. There is even talk we may try to take York.”

Jonah was not sure if his friend’s words were being informative or if he was asking about the truth of the rumor. After a pause, Jonah finally said, “That’s my understanding, as well.”

Any further comments on the subject were halted when a point rider galloped his horse toward the group. The horse came to a sudden halt, blowing to catch a breath; its chest heaved as the animal pawed the ground and blew hard from its efforts.

The scout was excited and had to take deep breaths before he could speak. “It’s the… whole… army, the whole British army, Captain.”

“You’re sure?” Gesslin asked.

“Yes… sir. They’s between two and three thousand redcoats and just as many of the red devils. I saw Tecumseh with my own eyes…seen that British general, too. Least I think he was a general. He had on enough gold to feed all of Kaintuck for a year or more.”

“Could you tell where they were heading?” Gesslin asked.

“Toward Fort Meigs I’d say, Captain.”

“We’ve got to find a way to warn the fort,” Jonah said breaking his silence.

“I don’t reckon that would be possible, Mr. Lee,” the scout advised. “They’s so spread out by the time you worked your way clear, they’d already be at the fort.”

Jonah had no doubt the man’s words were true. Besides, Fort Meigs was commanded by General Clay. He was a most capable man. There would be little doubt he didn’t have pickets posted to warn him of any attack.

“What other fort is near?” Jonah asked.

Gesslin opened his leather map case and pulled a worn paper from it. “I’d say Fort Stephenson,” he responded after looking at his map.

“Then that’s where Moses and I will head, Clay. They need to know the British are out in force.”

Jonah could see his friend was torn between going back to General Harrison’s camp, and riding on to Fort Stephenson. Suddenly, the decision was made for him. A shot rang out and a man fell from his saddle as another man shouted, “Injuns.”

“Into the trees,” Gesslin ordered.

Once off the trail, Gesslin dismounted his horse. Grabbing the reins of Jonah’s horse, he shouted to be heard above the gunfire and war cries. “Ride, Jonah, we’ll hold them off, and if possible, we’ll follow.”

Knowing what the odds were, Jonah said, “I’ll buy the first round at Fort Stephenson, Clay.”

Turning their nervous horses and riding low in the saddle, Moses and Jonah galloped away amid the din of the growing battle. Jonah was tempted to send Moses on and return but knew one more man would mean little in the fight. Besides, Fort Stephenson’s commander would heed his warnings far quicker than he would Moses.

“May God be with you, Clay,” Jonah prayed as they rode on.

“Riders coming,” a sentry called out.

Lieutenant Shipp approached the gate to see two galloping riders coming toward the fort. Seeing the riders, he ordered the gate opened. He recognized Jonah from Harrison’s main camp a month or so back. They had dined together at the officer’s mess. Once inside the fort, Shipp greeted the two. He could tell by Jonah’s look something was amiss.