Battle of Fallen Timbers
August 20, 1794

Not all of President Washington's problems were confined to creating the mechanisms of a new government or establishing a place for the young republic among the world's powers. An immediate threat existed on the western frontier, which at that time was the Ohio country. With independence secured from Britain, many Americans wanted to push into the alluring western lands, but were wary because of a growing confederation among the native tribes of the region.

Two major military setbacks made the American settlers cautious when considering westward expansion:

* Brig. Gen. Josiah Harmar. A veteran of the War for Independence and the first commander of the U.S. army following peace, Harmar was assigned the task of guarding the Ohio frontier against native uprisings and also against the lesser threat of Canadian squatters. He established Fort Harmar at the site of present-day Marietta, Ohio, but later centered his operations at Fort Washington (Cincinnati). In the fall of 1790, Harmar and a combined force of regular army and volunteers moved northward to quell the threat from the Miami and their allies. In October, the American army was ambushed and thoroughly routed by Little Turtle, on the banks of the Maumee River. This defeat was regarded as a great humiliation for the young nation; Harmar retired shortly thereafter.

* Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair. Also a veteran of the War for Independence, St. Clair had served in the Continental Congress prior to being named the first governor of the Northwest Territory. In 1791, he led an ill-disciplined American army from Fort Washington northward and was ambushed and defeated near the Wabash River by Blue Jacket, leader of an inferior native force. St. Clair survived, but went into retirement the following year.

At this point, Washington turned to Gen. Anthony Wayne, a man with a truly distinguished record of service in the Revolutionary War. He had fought with Benedict Arnold in the Quebec campaign, stormed Stony Point in New York (earning the name "Mad Anthony" for his bravery), narrowly averted disaster at the hand of Cornwallis in Virginia and was in the thick of extremely bitter fighting in South Carolina and Georgia in 1782. The President recalled him to active service in 1792.

Wayne devoted months to the thorough training of his troops. This careful preparation was noted by Little Turtle, who recommended to his confederates that a peace agreement be sought. Blue Jacket, a Shawnee, opposed that suggestion and emerged as the war leader of the confederacy. In July 1794, Wayne's army moved out of Greenville (present-day western Ohio near the Indiana border), a force of 2,000 regulars, known as the Legion of the United States, and 1,500 volunteers.

The encounter took place on August 20 in an area where a recent storm had brought down many trees, hence the name "fallen timbers." The native confederacy numbered in excess of 1,000 and was composed of Shawnee, Mingo, Delaware, Wyandot, Miami, Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie warriors. The U.S. forces used their superior numbers and arms to advantage, forcing a disorganized retreat on the Native Americans. The fleeing tribes sought refuge with the British at Fort Miami, but the gates there remained closed.

U.S. losses at Fallen Timbers amounted to 30 killed and at least 100 wounded. Native losses were difficult to determine because of their practice of quickly removing their casualties from the field. Estimates of 200 killed and 400-500 wounded are commonly accepted.

Although some resistance continued into the following year, a large measure of peace was secured in 1795 in the conclusion of the Treaty of Greenville, the direct result of the American victory at Fallen Timbers.

 

Treaty of Greenville
August 1795

The immediate threat of warfare between the white settlers and the native inhabitants of the Ohio Country had been reduced by Anthony Wayne’s victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August 1794. A year later, the former contending forces gathered at Greenville (today in eastern Ohio) to sign a peace agreement.

Wayne represented the federal government and expressed his hope that the treaty would last "as long as the woods grow and the waters run."

The natives were less enthusiastic, regarding the agreement as a forced treaty. They had little choice because of the whites’ advantages in arms and numbers. Tribes represented included the Miami, Chippewa, Wyandot, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Kickapoo, Delaware, Wea, Piankashaw, Kaskaskia and Eel River.

Terms of the Treaty of Greenville included:

* The tribes agreed to surrender their claims to lands in the southeastern portion of the Northwest Territory (mostly present-day southern and eastern Ohio)

* The tribes also gave up additional defined areas that were used by the whites as portages and fort locations. This category included Fort Detroit and the site of the future town of Chicago on Lake Michigan

* The United States government agreed to make an immediate payment of up to $20,000 in goods to the tribes, as well as annual payments of $9,500 in goods to be divided among specified tribes

* The tribes retained the right to hunt throughout the area.

The Native Americans scrupulously abided by the terms of the treaty; American settlers did not. New white settlements outside of the treaty area were established almost immediately. Resistance would emerge in the early years of the next century in lands slightly farther west under the auspices of Tecumseh and his brother, The Prophet.

AUGUST 3, 1795 Chiooewa Matchekewis ceded Bois Blanc as part of the Treaty of Greenville. This also included most of Ohio, part of Indiana, sixteen strategic sites on Michigan waterways and Mackinac Island.

While waiting to attack the British at Fort Mackinac during the War of 1812, U.S. Navy Captain Arthur Sinclair's fleet took shelter at Bois Blanc.

The following is based on the work and research of Chris McAfee, Mike White and Helen Crouch .

Lucius Lyon made the first General Land Office Survey of the Island in 1827. Two years later the first lighthouse was built. Light-keeper Eber Ward was paid $350 a year to man the outpost. The light-tower fell in a great storm that washed away its footings in 1837. A second tower and light were constructed in 1839, and in 1867 a third, sturdy structure was erected. It still stands today as a private home.

In 1884 the U.S. government opened Bois Blanc to settlers. According to the Cheboygan Democrat 71 families settled there that first year. The U.S. Coast Guard opened a life saving station at Walkers Point in 1891. The building is now used as a non-denominational chapel during the summer months of July and August. The Pines Hotel with 41 rooms opened 9 July 1888. The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration was completed in 1905. Today, worshippers continue to attend services in its beautiful sanctuary.

Point aux Pins was the first resort community on the Island. Prices to buy the cottages ranged from $200 to $500, and many are still in use.

Much of Bois Blanc Island remains as the same pristine wilderness seen by early settlers. 50% is State owned forest land containing White and Norway pines that tower 200 feet tall. The Island provides habitat for Dwarf Lake Iris, eagles, osprey, Douglas's hawthorn, herring gulls and extensive and quite old beaver workings.

By the early 1900s several sawmills were operating on the Island. One mill, on the site of Insel Haus, may have been the cause of the beautiful meadow surrounding our house. Workers at the mill were constructing wooden crates for commercial fishermen. We can readily assume they laid claim to the nearest trees. The one time encrouching tree line began to recede leaving in its place the meadow. Today, we are the happy beneficiaries of their labor.