Battle of Little Mountain facts for kids

The Battle of Little Mountain, also known as Estill's Defeat, was a fierce fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on March 22, 1782, near Mount Sterling in what is now Montgomery County, Kentucky. This battle was one of the bloodiest on the Kentucky frontier. It has been talked about for a long time because of what one of Captain James Estill's officers, William Miller, did. He ordered his men to retreat, which left the rest of Estill's group to be defeated by the attacking Wyandots.

Why the Battle Happened

On March 19, 1782, Captain James Estill got a message from Colonel Benjamin Logan. It asked for help because signs of a Wyandot war party had been seen near Boonesborough. Also, empty canoes were floating down the Kentucky River. Captain Estill gathered about 40 men from nearby settlements and started searching the area.

While Estill was away, the Wyandots attacked several nearby settlements. One of these was Estill's Station, which was a small fort. They killed 14-year-old Jennie Glass and captured Munk Estill. Munk Estill was an enslaved person who belonged to James Estill. During questioning, Munk was very brave. He convinced the Wyandots to delay their attack. He told them that Estill's Station was full of soldiers. In truth, only women and children were there, except for one sick man. After killing some cattle, the Wyandots left and crossed the river.

As soon as the Wyandots retreated, two young men, Samuel South and Peter Hackett, were sent to find Captain Estill. They needed to tell him about the attacks. They found Estill early on March 21 near Drowning Creek and Red River. About half of Estill's 40 men had families at the fort. They went back to Estill's Station that same day. Estill soon returned with the rest of his men. He told five men to stay at Estill's Station. He then led the others to chase the Wyandot raiding party. They set up camp at Little Mountain, near today's Mt. Sterling.

The next morning, they continued the chase. Estill had to leave 10 more men behind because their horses were too tired. Soon, Estill and his remaining 25 men found fresh tracks. They quickly caught up with the Wyandots at Little Mountain Creek.

The Fight at Little Mountain

Location of battle (center, near bottom)

On the night of March 22, 1782, Estill and his militiamen found the Wyandot raiding party. A mile and a half north of Little Mountain, they were separated by Little Mountain Creek. The two groups fought a very intense battle for almost two hours. The Wyandot leader, Sourehoowah, was reportedly shot by the first volley of gunfire. He urged his men to keep fighting even as he was dying.

Both sides had many injured soldiers after shooting at each other across the creek for some time. When the Wyandots started crossing Little Mountain Creek, Estill changed his plan. He divided his men into three groups. Estill took the right side, Lieutenant William Miller took the left, and Ensign David Cook held the middle.

Miller was told to go around the back of the Wyandots from the left. As he got ready to lead his men, a musket ball hit his rifle. It knocked the flint out of the gun. Miller supposedly yelled that "it was foolish to stay and be shot down." So, he ran away, and his men followed him.

With Estill's left side now open, only four men were defending the creek. The Wyandots easily rushed in. They killed Estill and six other men as the militiamen retreated. Estill had already been shot three times. As he tried to escape with his men, a Wyandot warrior killed him in hand-to-hand combat. Militiaman Joseph Proctor saw Estill die. He then shot the attacking warrior dead with his rifle.

Only a few men were left on each side. The battle ended with the Kentuckians leaving the field. Kentuckians who had been captured later said that the Wyandots had about 20 injured or killed. Monk Estill, who escaped during the battle, reported that 17 Wyandots were killed and two more were wounded. Another prisoner who later escaped confirmed this. Among the 18 Kentuckians who survived the battle were frontiersmen James Anderson, David Lynch, and William Irving. Adam Caperton, whose son became a United States Congressman, was killed.

What Happened Next

William Miller was blamed for the Kentuckians' defeat and Captain Estill's death. One of the survivors, David Cook, reportedly threatened Miller's life 20 years after the battle. Miller never went back to Estill's Station to defend himself.

Munk Estill was especially honored for his bravery during the battle. He carried a wounded militiaman, James Berry, almost 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) back to Estill's Station. He was granted his freedom soon after by Wallace Estill. This made him the first enslaved person to be freed in Kentucky.

The place where Estill is believed to have died is marked by a millstone. It points to an old sycamore tree on Hinkston Creek.

In 1808, Estill County, Kentucky, was named after Captain James Estill.