The consequences were that these defects neutralized each other, and no very decisive strokes were made by either side.  But the English Governor Hamilton, who had hitherto contented himself with stimulating the Indians to hostilities, now aroused by the daring and success of Clark, prepared to send a powerful expedition by way of retaliation, against the settlements.  Colonel Byrd was selected to command the forces which amounted to six hundred men, Canadians and Indians.  To render them irresistible, they were supplied with two pieces of artillery.  The posts on the Licking were the first objects of the expedition.

In June they made their appearance before Ruddle’s station; and this, it is said, was the first intimation that the garrison had received of their danger, though Butler states that the enemy were twelve days on their march from the Ohio.  The incidents of the invasion are few.  The fort at Ruddle’s Station was in no condition to resist so powerful an enemy backed by artillery, the defenses being nowise superior to those we have before described.

They were summoned to surrender in the name of his Britannic Majesty, with the promise of protection for their lives only.  What could they do?  The idea of resisting such a force was vain.  The question presented itself to them thus.  Whether they should surrender at once and give up their property, or enrage the Indians by a fruitless resistance, and lose their property and lives also.  The decision was quickly made, the post was surrendered and the enemy thronged in, eager for plunder.  The inmates of the fort were instantly seized, families were separated; for each Indian caught the first person whom he met, and claimed him or her as his prisoner.  Three who made some resistance, were killed upon the spot.  It was in vain that the settlers remonstrated with the British commander.  He said it was impossible to restrain them.  This doubtless was true enough, but he should have thought of it before he assumed the command of such a horde, and consented to lead them against weak settlements.

The Indians demanded to be led at once against Martin’s Fort, a post about five miles distant.  Some say that the same scene was enacted over here; but another account states that so strongly was Colonel Byrd affected by the barbarities of the Indians, that he refused to advance further, unless they would consent to allow him to take charge of all the prisoners who should be taken.  The same account goes on to say that the demand was complied with, and that on the surrender of Martin’s Fort, this arrangement was actually made; the Indians taking possession of the property and the British of the prisoners.  However this may be, the capture of this last-mentioned place, which was surrendered under the same circumstances as Ruddle’s, was the last operation of that campaign.  Some quote this as an instance of weakness; Butler, in particular, contrasts it with the energy of Clark.