10. The Bird Invasion of Kentucky in 1780
In 1780, with France and Spain both at war with Great Britain, the British planned an invasion of the west. Spanish New Orleans was to be attacked, followed by a thrust upriver to St. Louis. An American militia force under George Rogers Clark was to be neutralized at the Falls of Ohio (present day Louisville). To keep Clark from intervening to the west, an Indian force of about 1,000 warriors was assembled, supported by Loyalist militia and a few British regulars. Among the forces was Simon Girty, the Shawnee leader Blue Jacket, and the force commander, Captain Henry Bird of His Majesty’s 8th Regiment of Foot. The force marched through Ohio without incident, arriving at the Ohio River near present day Cincinnati.
The plan called for Bird’s Invasion to follow Ohio downriver to the falls, and engage Clark’s army of militia. Once they reached Ohio the Indians rebelled at the plan, announcing their intention to attack the scattered stations and settlements in Kentucky. Bird had little choice but to remain with his force. On June 21, advance parties reached Ruddle’s Station on the Licking River, destroyed it, and massacred several of the settlers, including women and children. Martin’s Station and Grant’s Station were also destroyed, though Bird and the British Regulars under his command protected the settlers from massacres and took charge of the prisoners. The expedition then returned to Detroit, carrying 300 Kentucky settlers as prisoners, leaving behind at least two dozen dead.