56 The Winning of the West 



therefore, certain that the savages knew every move- 

 ment of the army, which, as it slowly neared the 

 Miami towns, was putting itself within easy strik- 

 ing range of the most formidable Indian confed- 

 eracy in the Northwest. The density of the forest 

 was such that only the utmost watchfulness could 

 prevent the foe from approaching within arm's 

 length unperceived. It behooved St. Clair to be on 

 his guard, and he had been warned by Washington, 

 who had never forgotten the scenes of Braddock's 

 defeat, of the danger of a surprise. But St. Clair 

 was broken down by the worry and by continued 

 sickness; time and again it was doubtful whether 

 he could so much as stay with the army. The sec- 

 ond in command, Major-General Richard Butler, 

 was also sick most of the time; and, like St. Clair, 

 he possessed none of the qualities of leadership save 

 courage. The whole burden fell on the Adjutant- 

 General, Colonel Winthrop Sargent, an old Revo- 

 lutionary officer; without him the expedition would 

 probably have failed in ignominy even before the 

 Indians were reached, and he showed not only cool 

 courage but ability of a good order ; yet in the actual 

 arrangements for battle he was, of course, unable to 

 remedy the blunders of his superiors. 



St. Clair should have covered his front and flanks 

 for miles around with scouting parties ; but he rarely 

 sent any out, and, thanks to letting the management 

 of those that did go devolve on his subordinates, 

 and to not having their reports made to him in per- 

 son, he derived no benefit from what they saw. He 



