President Washington's Indian War: The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790-1795

by Wiley Sword

The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790-1795

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War

400 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1985

About the author

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Wiley Sword worked as a manufacturer’s representative to the automobile industry until his retirement. He was also a prolific collector of Civil War memorabilia, and wrote several works of military history.

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Indian War of 1790 to 1795 was an important postscript to the Revolution. Though mostly forgotten today, this war contained the worst single defeat of an American army in the 100 years of war between the United States and the Native tribes, and it represented the best chance the tribes ever had to defeat the expansion of their enemies. Never again would the tribes be so united, or the United States weaker. The war was central to the eventual development of a professional, standing army in the United States, and the American settlement of the Northwest Territory; modern Ohio, Indiana, Illinios, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This war created the heartland of America.

In the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the British not only gave up their claims to the thirteen colonies, but ceded the vast track of land beyond them (the eventual Northwest Territory). This was homeland of many of the tribes that had been British allies during the war. The treaty made no provisions for or any acknowledgement of their former allies, leaving the tribes as undefeated belligerents. As Americans prepared to expand their nation westward, and settlers began pouring into the Ohio country, the undefeated tribes were determined to protect their homeland from the encroachments of an alien civilization, and began to resist with all possible force. The British, seeing in this an opportunity to maintain their influence and their profitable fur trade, as well as a possibility of regaining some of their lost territory, broke their treaty agreements, and continued to maintain several frontier forts on American territory from which they provisioned the tribes and encouraged their resistance to the Americans. For the next seven years, intrepid American settlers floated down the Ohio River to make a life in Indian country, and determined Natives resisted them ferociously and effectively, until the Washington administration decided that they must move decisively against the tribes to make continued westward expansion of the nation possible.

Sword's book effectively captures all the elements of the war, the drama leading to it, and its aftermath. He examines the conflict from multiple perspectives — the Americans, the Native Tribes, and the British — without injecting value judgments. He chronicles not only the military action, but the flawed and deceitful diplomacy, and the goals and strategies of all three of the players involved. His battle descriptions are riveting. Sword is an excellent storyteller. His book on this crucial, forgotten chapter of American history should not be missed.

[Nick Roser · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars. Born in raised in Fort Wayne, I was particularly looking forward to reading this. There was a large gap in my knowledge and comprehension of the Northwest Indian War, and this book definitely filled that void nicely. Sword’s analysis and emphasis on the long lasting effects of the conflict are very good. The Miami and Shawnee, largely forgotten to history, were much more prominent regionally than I knew. The early chapters describing interactions of the Kentuckian settlers and Natives along the Ohio River are particularly eye opening. These first chapters are some very interesting reading, even if it was difficult to track the various personalities and locations. My biggest gripe against this work is that it drags along and certain chapters become a monotonous repeat of various Indian councils and their inconclusive outcomes. It’s hard to follow what seem like a hundred different tribes and individuals and recall their agendas from one chapter to the next. I think condensing some of these areas and eliminating the constant use of first hand accounts would make this an easier and quicker read. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone unless they have an interest in learning about this time period or focusing on the actions of the Army’s three expeditions into Indian land.

[Christopher Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and thought provoking discussion of one of the most pivotal eras in the history of the North American continent. A shame that it’s mostly forgotten in the American consciousness today. Unsurprising though given the fact that the US is the clear villain of the story, unrelenting the the seizure of Native lands with no true regard for their way of life.

History that certainly deserves to be remembered.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't start taking notes until half thru, so here are some random thoughts:
"beeves" = beef. Why wasn't that explained?
HUGE misspelling- how do you misspell States? The author, at one point, referred to the United Stattes. How was that not caught? It made me doubt a lot of other things- poor copy-editing.
When in doubt, blame Kentucky. The one positive description was that Major John Adair was "likable". KY militia doesn't look good. (Don't google KY militia. You get a lot of things about the KKK)
It wasn't really explained why moving west was necessary- more farmland?
The British were HORRIBLE. They encouraged the Indians to fight the Americans, even giving the Indians weapons and food. When the Americans started winning, the British closed the gates of the forts against the Indians, saying couldn't risk another war. Native Americans should be just as angry with the British as the Americans.

[Justinian · Rating 4 out of 5]

2013 – 03 - President Washington's Indian War: The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790-1795. Wiley Sword. 1985. 400 pages.

The struggles on the ground of the early Republic tend to be overlooked in the greater struggle of ideas. To bad because there are many great lessons and stories in the actions behind those ideas.

[Anne Gregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sword's greatest gift to amateur or professional historians in this selection is the addition of several primary sources. Only 4-stars because of the author's overuse of theatrical embellishments. The link for the full review is below.

https://whiskeywitbook-reviews.com/bo...

Kris
Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains the skeletons in George Washington's closet and, by extension, some of the original sins of the United States. The author describes the main political and military events between the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 that occurred in the Midwest (the old "Northwest"). Nobody looks good here: not the British-Canadians, nor the Indians, but especially not the Americans, who act like the only reason that they fought for their independence was so they could wipe out the Indians and exploit their land in ways that the British would never have allowed. A sad story, recommended for people interested in America's expansion into the Midwest.

[Devin Monnens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent research and attention to detail, plus profound observations on the unfolding and outcomes of the conflict. Swords's neutral view and ample Indian narratives are refreshing. However, the book requires existing understanding of the background and history that lead up to the conflict, as numerous names and battles are mentioned without extrapolation. Thankfully, this can be supplemented by quick Wikipedia searches.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. Less a military history and more of a discussion of the endless issues which resulted, preordained if you will, of the loss of Indian land to westward expansion & growth. Washington? Rarely mentioned.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few books about the Northwest Indian War. A good overview.