History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

45

upon either side. Gladwyn sent embassadors to arrange for peace,
but Pontiac, although professing to be willing in a general way to
conclude peace, would not agree to any particular proposition. A
number of Canadians visited the fort and warned the commandant
to evacuate, as 1,500 or more Indians would storm the place in an
hour; and soon afterward a Canadian came with a summons from
Pontiac, demanding Gladwyn to surrender the post at once, and
promising that, in case of compliance, lie and his men would be
allowed to go on board their vessels unmolested, leaving their arms
and effects behind. To both these advices Major Gladwyn gave a
flat refusal.
Only three weeks' provisions were within the fort, and the garrison was in a deplorable condition. A few Canadians, however,
from across the river, sent some provisions occasionally, by night.
Had it not been for this timely assistance, the garrison would
doubtless have had to abandon the fort. The Indians themselves
soon began to suffer from hunger, as they had not prepared for a
long siege; but Pontiac, after some maraudings upon the French
settlers had been made, issued "promises to pay" on birch bark,
with which he pacified the residents. He subsequently redeemed
all these notes. About the end of July Capt. Dalzell arrived from
Niagara with re-enforcements and provisions, and persuaded Gladwyn to undertake an aggressive movement against Pontiac. Dalzell
was detailed for the purpose of attacking the camp at Parent's
creek, a mile and a half away, but being delayed a day, Pontiac
learned of his movements and prepared his men to contest his
march. On the next morning, July 31, before day-break, Dalzell
went out with 250 men, but was repulsed with a loss of 59 killed
and wounded, while the Indians lost less than half that number.
Parent's creek was afterward known as " Bloody run."
Shortly afterward, the schooner " Gladwvn," on its return from
Niagara with ammunition and provisions,anclored about nine miles
below Detroit for the night, when in the darkness about 300 Indians
in canoes came quietly upon the vessel and very nearly succeeded
in taking it. Slaughter proceeded vigorously until the mate gave
orders to his men to blow up the schooner, when the Indians, understanding the design, fled precipitately, plunging into the water and
swimming ashore. This desperate command saved the crew, and
the schooner succeeded in reaching the post with the much needed
supply of provisions.
By this time, September, most of the tribes around Detroit were
disposed to sue for peace. A truce being obtained, Gladwyn laid in
provisions for the winter, while Pontiac retired with his chiefs to
the Maumee country, only to prepare for a resumption of war the
next spring. He or his allies the next season carried on a petty
warfare until in August, when the garrison, now worn out and
reduced, were relieved by fresh troops, Major Bradstreet commanding. Pontiac retired to the Maumee again, still to stir up
hate against the British. Meanwhile the Indians near Detroit,