Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park

Battle of Blue Licks

Captain Caldwell and Alexander McKee of the British, who had begun an attempt to lay siege to Wheeling with 150 British rangers and 1,100 American Indians in July 1782, had backed off upon hearing that George Rogers Clark was trying to advance into Ohio from Kentucky.(2) Caldwell’s army departed from their original mission of overtaking Wheeling and veered towards the Mad River at the confluence of the Ohio. But upon approach, Clark’s advance was nowhere to be found; instead, Clark was resting in a boat across the Ohio along the banks of Kentucky, and was not preparing for an expedition. Upon the realization of this, many Indians dispersed, frustrated with a lack of organization in the British military.(2)

Soon after, Caldwell and McKee crossed into Kentucky, hoping to surprise the settlement of Bryan’s Station. But the settlers had been forewarned of the advance and had fortified their camp. On August 15, the British and Indian forces began their assault but retreated only two days later when they learned that a band of Kentucky militia was on their way.(2) The militia arrived on August 18, and consisted of 182 men from Fayette and Lincoln counties. The highest ranking officer was Colonel John Todd, and under him were two lieutenant colonels, Stephen Trigg and Daniel Boone. Benjamin Logan was also a colonel but was gathering men and was not present. At Bryan’s Station, the officers discussed whether or not to pursue the enemies further north before they escaped across the Ohio River, or wait for Colonel Logan’s reinforcements. Major Hugh McGary recommended waiting for Logan, but was overruled by Colonel Todd, who chastised McGary for being too ambivalent. The pursuit was on for the British and the Indians, and the militia proceeded north along a historic buffalo trail.(2)(3)

On August 19, the Kentuckians reached a ford along Licking River, where the water was only waist deep. Across the river was a spring and salt lick, and nestled amongst the hillsides, a few Indian scouts could be seen. Colonel Todd called for a council and asked Daniel Boone, the most experienced woodsman of the state, for his opinion. Boone, who had grown increasingly nervous about the apparent trails the Indians were creating, advised that the Indians were attempting to lead them into an ambush. Major McGary, however, was eager to prove that he was not a coward as Todd had earlier suggested, and pushed for an immediate attack. He mounted upon his horse and forded the river, and his men began to follow, hoping to make an organized advance.

Once across the river, most of the men dismounted and formed a battle line consisting of four divisions. Unknown to them, Captain Caldwell of the British had concealed 50 British rangers and 300 American Indians army along the ravines leading from the hilltop.(2) As they began to advance up, the Indians began to open fire upon the Kentuckians, taking down the center and right of the division in a scant five minutes. Boone, who was trudging along on the left, managed to keep advancing, but it was soon apparent that the battle was lost. Todd’s troops began to flee for their lives down the hill; Boone was searching for any remaining men for a withdraw. He gathered a horse for his son Israel to take, but he refused the offer, refusing to leave his father behind. As Daniel was searching for another horse for himself, Israel was shot in the back of the neck with an arrow and died.(2)(3)

In what was called the last battle of the American Revolution, was a crushing blow to the Pioneers against the British forces and the American Indians.(1) Out of the 182 Kentucky militiaman that started up the hill, approximately 70 perished.(1)(2)