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Owensville
Historical Society P.O. Box 743 Owensville, Ohio 45160 Preserving Our History for Our Future |
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The Battle at Grassy Run The Battle of Grassy Run as it has become known locally, was fought sometime in March, 1792. This fierce battle between approximately 100 Indians and 2 dozen white men took place on the south-east side of the East Fork of the Little Miami River opposite where Grassy Run enters the East Fork. This area was always a favorite camping site of the Indians of that time. The site of the battle was on the lands presently owned by Mr. John Hutchinson. The same land having been in the Hutchinson family for over 150 years. The Indians were supposed to have been raiding the northern Kentucky settlements around Maysville, and were pursued to this area by a group of frontiersmen of the time. Included in the group were famous men such as: Simon Kenton, Timothy Downing., Alexander Whiteman and Cornelius Washburn, whose relatives still live in this county. Statements by Indian prisoners who were released during the peace of 1795 indicated that the Indian party consisted of over 100 warriors including such famous chiefs as: Tecumseh, Batise, Black Snake, and others. What happened that night during that fierce battle can only be surmised. But we can imagine such a fierce battle raised the fear of death for all. In fact, 14 Indians were killed and 17 wounded, while the frontiersmen lost but 2 with the advantage of surprise and darkness. As noted by Evert's History of Clermont County 1880. "The history of no battle with the Indians in pioneer annals shows more valor than this fight on the part of the brave scouts and hunters---- twenty four in all----- who attacked and fought over a hundred Indians, among whom were several of their most celebrated chiefs on the continent, and inflicted such chastisement upon the savages as to deter them from future incursions into this and the county of Brown, and from further predatory raids upon the Kentucky people." Further noted in this account was that of the Indian bravery during this encounter: "The conduct of Tecumseh in this engagement and in the events of the following morning is creditable alike to his courage and humanity. Resolutely brave in battle, his arm was never uplifted against a prisoner nor did he suffer violence to be inflicted upon a captive without promptly rebuking it—the distinguished warrior, Techumseh, commanded the Indians, and that his cautions and fearless intrepidity made him a host wherever he went." It is our responsibility to remember the valiant efforts of those engaged in this battle, Indian and white settlers alike, and to pay respect to them by keeping alive the story of "The Battle at Grassy Run. " |
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