Re: Rifles, Tomahawks & Tactics

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: : Victoria,

: : The major reason behind the defeats of Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair was already answered by yourself in that these "armies" were made up of untrained militia with maybe a small core of regulars.  The militia would remain a bane of the American army throughout the 18th and 19th century.

: : Contrast the mobs of St. Clair and Harmar with the army of General Anthony Wayne.  When Wayne finally did engage his army the result was the desicive victory of Fallen Timbers which broke the tribes of the Old Northwest forever. 

: Tom,

: Besides being ready to defend your country you've also studied your military history.  The Indians were unable to sustain their defense of the Indian Territory and the Stanwix line.  Also in Wayne's favor was the reluctance of the British to live up to their promises to their Indian allies, and the late arrival of Brant and his Mohawks.  Little Turtle had counseled for negotiation and against engagement but was overruled by his cohorts.  A good book on the subject is "President Washington's Indian War:  The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790-1795" by Wiley Sword (what a name).  I didn't think Eckert did that good of a job in his "Frontiersman" but I still need to read his "That Dark and Bloody River."  He tends to try and cover too much ground in a book.

: Victoria  


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