Ludowa amerykańska - Crawford's Defeat by the Indians

Come all you good people wherever you be
Pray draw near a while and listen to me
A story I’ll tell you which happened of late
Concerning brave Crawford’s most cruel defeat

A bold hearted company, as we do hear
Equipped themselves, being all volunteer
Their number four hundred and eighty and nine
To take the Sandusky town was their design

In seventeen hundred eighty and two
The twenty-sixth of May, I tell unto you
They crossed the Ohio, as I understand
Where brave Colonel Crawford, he gave the command

With courage undaunted, away they did steer
Through the Indian country without dread or fear
Where Nicholson, Slover, and Jonathan Zane
Conducted them to the Sandusky plain

Now brave Colonel Crawford, an officer bold
On the fifth day of June, did the Indians behold
On the plains of Sandusky, at three the same day
Both armies did meet in a battle array

The Indians on horseback, Girty gave the command
On the side of the plains, they boldly did stand
Our men, like brave heroes, upon them did fire
Until backward the Indians were forced to retire

Our rifles did rattle and bullets did fly
And some of our men, on the ground there did lie
And some being wounded, to comrades they said
"Fight on, brother soldiers, and be not dismayed!"

Then brave Colonel Williamson, as I understand
He wanted two hundred men at his command
If the same had been granted, I make no great doubt
That he soon would have put the proud Indians to rout

For this brave commander, like a hero so bold
Behaved with courage, like David of old
Who with the Philistines, he used to war
And returned safe home without receiving a scar

There was brave Major Brinton, the first in command
In the front of the battle he boldly did stand
With courage and conduct, his part did maintain
Though, bullets like hail, in great showers they came

And as this brave here was giving command
The rifle balls rattled on every hand
He received a ball, but his life did not yield
He remained with the wounded men, out on the field

Brave Biggs and brave Ogle received each a ball
On the plains of Sandusky, it was their lot to fall
And not these alone, but several men
Had the honor to die on the Sandusky plain

There was brave Captain Munn, like a hero of old
Likewise, Captain Ross, who was another as bold
Received each a ball but did not expire
Though into the camp, they were forced to retire

There was brave Captain Hoagland, I must not go past
He fought out and bravely while the battle did last
And on the retreat, to a fire did he go
What became of him after, we never could know

There was Major McClelland, another as brave
He fought many battles, his country to save
On the plains of Sandusky, he received a wound
Not being able to go, he was left on the ground

There were Sherrard and Rogers, with Paull of renown
They marched with Crawford, to the Sandusky town
Where they bravely did fight, till the battle was done
And without a scar they returned safe home

Our officers all so bravely did fight
And likewise, our men, two days and a night
Until a reinforcement of Indians there came
Which caused us to leave the Sandusky plain

Then said our commander, since we have lost ground
By superior numbers they do us surround
We’ll gather the wounded men, and let us save
All that’s able to go, and the rest we must leave

There was brave Colonel Crawford upon the retreat
Likewise Major Harrison and brave Doctor Knight
With Slover, McClelland, and several men
Were unfortunately taken on the Sandusky plain

Well, now they have taken these men of renown
And dragged them away to the Sandusky town
And there in their council condemned for to be
Burnt at the stake by most cruel Girty

Like young Diabolians, this act they pursued
And Girty, the head of the infernal crew
This renegade white man was a stander-by
While there in the fire, their bodies did fry

The scalps from their heads, while alive they did tear
Their bodies with red hot irons, they did sear
They bravely expired without ever a groan
Which might melt a heart that was harder than stone

After our heroes were burnt at the stake
Brave Knight and brave Slover, they made their escape
And with Heaven’s assistance, they brought us the news
So none, need the truth of these tidings refuse

Now, from East unto West, let it be understood
Let everyone arise to revenge Crawford’s blood
And likewise, the blood of these men of renown
That were taken and burnt at the Sandusky town