58 The Winning of the West 



nels frequently fired at them; yet neither St. Clair 

 nor Butler took any adequate measures to ward off 

 the impending blow. It is improbable that, as things 

 actually were at this time, they could have won a 

 victory over their terrible foes ; but they might have 

 avoided overwhelming disaster. 



On November" 4th the men were under arms, as 

 usual, by dawn, St. Clair intending to throw up 

 intrenchments and then make a forced march in 

 light order against the Indian towns. But he was 

 forestalled. Soon after sunrise, just as the men 

 were dismissed from parade, a sudden assault was 

 made upon the militia, who lay unprotected beyond 

 the creek. The unexpectedness and fury of the 

 onset and heavy firing, and the appalling whoops 

 and yells of the throngs of painted savages threw 

 the militia into disorder. After a few minutes' re- 

 sistance they broke and fled in wild panic to the 

 camp of the regulars, among whom they drove in a 

 frightened herd, spreading dismay and confusion. 



The drums beat, and the troops sprang to arms, 

 as soon as they heard the heavy firing at the front ; 

 and their volleys for a moment checked the onrush 

 of the plumed woodland warriors. But the check 

 availed nothing. The braves filed off to one side 

 and the other, completely surrounded the camp, 

 killed or drove in the guards and pickets, and then 

 advanced close to the main lines. 31 



A furious battle followed. After the first onset 

 the Indians fought in silence, no sound coming from 



31 Denny, November 4th; also p. 221. 



