Bird's invasion of Kentucky facts for kids

The Bird's Invasion of Kentucky was an important event during the American Revolutionary War. In 1780, British forces and their Native American allies launched an attack into Kentucky. This was part of a bigger plan by the British to take control of the western lands. They wanted to remove both Spanish and American settlers from the area.

While this invasion had some success, capturing two small forts, it didn't achieve its main goal. Other British attacks that were part of the same big plan also failed.

Why the British Attacked the West in 1780

In the spring of 1780, the British had a large plan. They wanted to take back control of the Illinois Country. They also aimed to attack places like St. Louis and New Orleans. These were Spanish settlements along the Mississippi River. Spain had joined the war against Great Britain in 1779. They had quickly taken over British forts along the Mississippi.

The British planned four main attacks at the same time.

• Captain Henry Bird was to lead a force from Detroit. His job was to keep American leader George Rogers Clark busy at the Falls of the Ohio.
• General John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll was to come from Pensacola. After capturing New Orleans, he would move up the Mississippi River.
• A third force would travel down the Illinois River. They would capture St. Louis.
• Captain Charles Michel de Langlade was to lead this third force. He would also watch over Vincennes.

None of these British plans worked out. General Campbell was busy fighting Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish governor. Gálvez captured Mobile in March 1780. He also captured Pensacola in 1781. The attack against St. Louis was stopped. Langlade's forces also pulled back when American soldiers approached.

Bird's Campaign in Kentucky

Captain Henry Bird led his force from Fort Detroit. He had about 1,000 Native American warriors. He also had 150 white soldiers and militia. They marched towards the settlers in Kentucky in June 1780.

When they reached the meeting point of the Miami and Ohio Rivers, the Native American warriors had a concern. They worried that George Rogers Clark was at the Falls of the Ohio. Clark was a strong leader. So, they insisted on attacking smaller forts instead. Bird could not convince them to stick to the original plan.

Bird's force moved along the Licking River without any problems. The first part of his army reached Ruddle's Station. They surrounded it on the night of June 21. Captain Bird arrived the next day with the rest of his troops. They used cannons to break through the wooden walls of the fort.

Isaac Ruddle, the leader of the station, wanted his people to be treated as British prisoners. This would protect them. But the Native American warriors ignored this. They rushed into the fort to take things and prisoners. After they had divided the prisoners and loot, they wanted to attack the next fort. Bird got them to agree that any future prisoners would be given to the British soldiers.

Martin's Station was close to Ruddle's. It was also surprised and surrendered. The settlers there had heard the gunfire from Ruddle's. So, they were not surprised when the British appeared. They stayed inside their fort for protection. But they were forced to give up. This time, the Native Americans kept their promise to Bird. The prisoners were given to the British soldiers.

A smaller group of about sixty warriors left the main force. They went to attack Grant’s Station. This fort was about 5 miles from Bryan’s Station. Forty men from Bryan’s Station went to help. But Grant’s Station was burned. Two men and one woman were killed there.

The Native Americans then wanted to attack Lexington. This was the biggest settlement in the area. But Captain Bird ordered the expedition to stop. He said they were running out of food. Also, the Licking River was too low for their cannons.

The expedition then went back the way it came. After crossing the Ohio River, many Native Americans left the group. They were from the Delaware, Shawnee, and Miami tribes. They took their stolen goods and prisoners with them. When Bird reached Fort Detroit on August 4, his force still had 300 prisoners. These included many enslaved people. They were taken from their owners and kept by the raid's leaders.

What Happened After the Invasion

Bird's campaign made many settlers very scared. Because of this fear, many people left their lands. They fled to the east. George Rogers Clark wanted to recruit settlers for attacks. He wanted to go against the Native American villages north of the Ohio River. These villages were home to some of the warriors who took part in the invasion. To get more recruits and weapons, Clark closed the only road leading out of Kentucky to the east.