25 Facts About Crawford expedition

1.

Crawford expedition, known as the Sandusky expedition and Crawford's Defeat, was a 1782 campaign on the western front of the American Revolutionary War, and one of the final operations of the conflict.

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2.

Crawford expedition's goal was to destroy enemy Native American towns along the Sandusky River in the Ohio Country, with the hope of ending Native attacks on American settlers.

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3.

The Crawford expedition was one in a series of raids against enemy settlements that both sides had conducted throughout the war.

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4.

Crawford expedition's execution was particularly brutal: he was tortured for at least two hours before being burned at the stake.

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5.

Crawford expedition's execution was widely publicized in the United States, worsening the already-strained relationship between Natives and Americans.

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6.

Crawford expedition, a longtime associate and land agent of George Washington, was a veteran of these kinds of operations.

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7.

In Dunmore's War he had led an Crawford expedition that destroyed a Mingo village in the Ohio Country, and in 1778 he had taken part in the failed "squaw campaign".

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8.

Colonel Crawford expedition took command, and Williamson became second-in-command with the rank of major.

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9.

Williamson asked for permission to take 50 men and burn the abandoned village, but Crawford expedition refused because he did not wish to divide his force.

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10.

Crawford expedition ordered the men to dismount and drive the Natives out of the woods.

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11.

Crawford expedition decided to hold his position in the trees and make a surprise attack on the Natives after nightfall.

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12.

Unaware that the Crawford expedition had been watched from the beginning, the Americans were surprised British forces from Detroit had been able to join in the battle on such short notice.

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13.

When Crawford expedition learned that men under Captain John Hardin had already departed, he halted the retreat and rode after Hardin's men, hoping to bring them back in line.

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14.

Crawford expedition was too late: Native sentries opened fire on Hardin's men, creating panic and confusion.

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15.

Crawford expedition became angry when he realized the militia, despite his orders, had left some of the wounded behind.

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16.

The number of American prisoners executed after the Sandusky Crawford expedition is unknown, since their fate was usually recorded only if one of the prisoners survived to tell.

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17.

When Crawford expedition was reunited with the other prisoners, his face was painted black as well.

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18.

Crawford expedition was accused of taking part in the Gnadenhutten massacre.

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19.

Crawford expedition's hands were tied behind his back, and a rope was tied from his hands to a post in the ground.

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20.

Crawford expedition was poked with burning pieces of wood from the fire, and hot coals were thrown at him, which he was compelled to walk on.

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21.

Crawford expedition begged Girty to shoot him, but Girty replied that he could not interfere.

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22.

Crawford expedition was scalped, and a woman poured hot coals over his head, which revived him.

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23.

Crawford expedition began to walk about insensibly as the torture continued.

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24.

Crawford expedition successfully made his way back to Pennsylvania on foot.

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25.

Failure of the Crawford expedition caused alarm along the American frontier, as many Americans feared the Natives would be emboldened by their victory and launch a new series of raids.

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