Captain Logan
Encyclopedia
Captain Logan was a scout during the War of 1812
, serving under General William Henry Harrison
. There exist two apparently conflicting theories regarding Captain Logan's identity:
The James theory is relayed via 19th-century descendants of Robert Renick Senior, who would be Captain Logan's grandfather under one theory, or via first-hand acquaintances of Captain Logan. Hence, the James theory might be from more-direct knowledge from sources that have less levels of indirection to Captain Logan.
The Johnny theory derives from 20th-century sources who are not biologically related to Captain Logan and who had not met Captain Logan in person. Hence, the Johnny theory might be from more-indirect knowledge. The novelist Allan W. Eckert
's (partially fictionalized) novelization of Captain Logan further popularized the Johnny theory by referring to Captain Logan as Captain Johnny. Both of these theories are presented below, because of the conflicting evidence that has become institutionalized by various historians.
Once Captain Logan became famous as a scout under General Harrison, the two identities converge without conflict from that point onward.
The Prophet Joshua Renick later became chief of the Miami indian
s and took an Indian wife. Chief Joshua Renick and his Indian wife gave birth to two sons:
James Renick was captured by General Benjamin Logan
, who defeated the Shawnee along the banks of the Maumee River
during Logan's Raid
in 1786. The reason that General Benjamin Logan chose James Renick from among all of the Shawnee's European captives is likely because General Benjamin Logan would likely have been a childhood acquaintance of James Renick's father, Joshua Renick, as both were baptized by the same minister three years apart in Augusta County, Virginia (i.e., 1743 for Benjamin Logan and 1746 for Joshua Renick). General Benjamin Logan, after becoming endeared with young James after returning at first to Kentucky
and then to Ohio
, taught James to read and write English. James Renick took Logan as his name. James Logan then inscribed his initials “J.L.” into the bark of many trees in Ohio.
During James Logan's service in the cavalry, Major James William Mathews wrote about a Captain Logan Renick in a letter dated 9 November 1812 to Dr. John Mathews, an attorney at law in Greenbrier County (now West) Virginia, “I this morning got acquainted with Capt. Logan Renick. He is a very genteel man and speaks the English very well. I am told he is very rich. He lives in the Shawnee Nation, and is very much respected by the white people of this State. It is said he is a man of honor and may be depended upon. He asked very friendly for his relations in Greenbrier. He is very polite. He is very fond of horses and cattle. It is said he carries on a large farm. He desires to be remembered to his uncles in the county.” Later that month, this Captain Logan Renick lost his life on the banks of the Maumee River
in a fight with Indians that were allied with the British
.
As part of the general goodwill that Hoosiers felt at the time toward their native son General William Henry Harrison
who won the near-by Battle of Tippecanoe
and because Harrison held Captain Logan in high regard, the then-late Captain James Renick-Logan was commemorated when a settlement along the newly constructed Wabash and Erie Canal
renamed itself “Logan's port”, which is Logansport, Indiana
.
who was raised by Benjamin Logan
and fought for the United States in the War of 1812
Captain Logan was born in 1774, the son of Shawnee Chief Moluntha
, and named Spenica Lawbe. His father was killed, and he was captured during Logan's Raid
in 1786. Benjamin Logan raised him and gave him his name, Logan. As an adult, he became known as Captain Logan.
In 1812, Captain Logan was sent by John Johnston
to evacuate women and children from the Siege of Fort Wayne
. Later that year, Captain Logan was sent on a scouting mission to the Maumee River
, where he was captured by Chief Winamac
. Captain Logan and his two companions made it back to the U.S. camp, but he was shot during their escape. He died a few days later. General James Winchester
reported his death to General William Henry Harrison
, and said "More firmness and consummate bravery has seldom appeared in the military theatre."
Captain Logan asked that his children be raised by John Hardin
, but his wife took the children West
. He was buried in his village in Wapakoneta, Ohio
. In Spring 2008, a new grave marker and an Ohio Historical Marker were dedicated to Captain Johnny Logan in Defiance, Ohio
.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, serving under General William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
. There exist two apparently conflicting theories regarding Captain Logan's identity:
- Was Captain Logan's first name James or John?
- Was Captain Logan half native AmericanIndigenous peoples of the AmericasThe indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
plus half European ancestry (in the James theory) or was Captain Logan a full-blooded ShawneeShawneeThe Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
(in the Johnny theory)?
The James theory is relayed via 19th-century descendants of Robert Renick Senior, who would be Captain Logan's grandfather under one theory, or via first-hand acquaintances of Captain Logan. Hence, the James theory might be from more-direct knowledge from sources that have less levels of indirection to Captain Logan.
The Johnny theory derives from 20th-century sources who are not biologically related to Captain Logan and who had not met Captain Logan in person. Hence, the Johnny theory might be from more-indirect knowledge. The novelist Allan W. Eckert
Allan W. Eckert
Allan W. Eckert was an American historian, historical novelist, and naturalist.-Biography:Eckert was born in Buffalo, New York and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area, but had been a long-time resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, near where he attended university...
's (partially fictionalized) novelization of Captain Logan further popularized the Johnny theory by referring to Captain Logan as Captain Johnny. Both of these theories are presented below, because of the conflicting evidence that has become institutionalized by various historians.
Once Captain Logan became famous as a scout under General Harrison, the two identities converge without conflict from that point onward.
Theory 1: James Renick-Logan
After murdering Robert Renick on 25 July 1757, Shawnee warriors shortly thereafter captured Robert Renick's home and its occupants: the wife of Robert Renick and her five children—, William, Robert, Thomas, Joshua and, Betsy. This son Robert was approximately 18 months old at the time of the capture. Due to his excessive crying, this son Robert was murdered by the Shawnee. During captivity Mrs. Renick gave birth to her husband's son, whom she named again Robert in honor of his slain father and elder brother of the same name. Mrs. Renick with sons William and Robert the younger returned to their home in 1767, ending their 6 years as hostages. Daughter Betsy in 1767 prior to the return home. Son Joshua instead chose to remain in residence with the Shawnee. Joshua Renick was raised as an adopted step brother of Tecumseh and his brother TenskwatawaTenskwatawa
Tenskwatawa, was a Native American religious and political leader of the Shawnee tribe, known as The Prophet or the Shawnee Prophet. He was the brother of Tecumseh, leader of the Shawnee...
The Prophet Joshua Renick later became chief of the Miami indian
Miami tribe
The Miami are a Native American nation originally found in what is now Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is the only federally recognized tribe of Miami Indians in the United States...
s and took an Indian wife. Chief Joshua Renick and his Indian wife gave birth to two sons:
- John Renick, who was 12 at the time of the then-wealthy Chief Joshua's death in 1783 (or variously 1784) in DetroitDetroit, MichiganDetroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. No further history has yet been discovered regarding this John Renick. - James Renick whose Indian name was Spemica Lawba which translates to English as “High Horn” and who was born in 1774 at the Wapaghkonetta Indian settlement in Allen County, Ohio (which is Wapakoneta, OhioWapakoneta, OhioWapakoneta is a city in and the county seat of Auglaize County, Ohio, United States with a population of 9,474 as of the 2000 U.S. census. It is the principal city of and is included in the Wapakoneta, Ohio Micropolitan S A, which is included in the Lima-Van Wert-Wapakoneta, Ohio CSA...
today).
James Renick was captured by General Benjamin Logan
Benjamin Logan
Benjamin Logan was an American pioneer, soldier, and politician from Shelby County, Kentucky. As colonel of the Kentucky County militia of Virginia during the American Revolutionary War, he was second-in-command of militia in Kentucky. Logan was a leader in Kentucky's efforts to become a state...
, who defeated the Shawnee along the banks of the Maumee River
Maumee River
The Maumee River is a river in northwestern Ohio and northeastern Indiana in the United States. It is formed at Fort Wayne, Indiana by the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers, and meanders northeastwardly for through an agricultural region of glacial moraines before flowing into the...
during Logan's Raid
Logan's Raid
Logan's Raid was a military expedition early in the Northwest Indian War. In the fall of 1786, under orders from George Rogers Clark, General Benjamin Logan led a force of Federal soldiers and mounted Kentucky militia against several Shawnee towns in the Ohio Country along the Mad River, protected...
in 1786. The reason that General Benjamin Logan chose James Renick from among all of the Shawnee's European captives is likely because General Benjamin Logan would likely have been a childhood acquaintance of James Renick's father, Joshua Renick, as both were baptized by the same minister three years apart in Augusta County, Virginia (i.e., 1743 for Benjamin Logan and 1746 for Joshua Renick). General Benjamin Logan, after becoming endeared with young James after returning at first to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and then to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, taught James to read and write English. James Renick took Logan as his name. James Logan then inscribed his initials “J.L.” into the bark of many trees in Ohio.
During James Logan's service in the cavalry, Major James William Mathews wrote about a Captain Logan Renick in a letter dated 9 November 1812 to Dr. John Mathews, an attorney at law in Greenbrier County (now West) Virginia, “I this morning got acquainted with Capt. Logan Renick. He is a very genteel man and speaks the English very well. I am told he is very rich. He lives in the Shawnee Nation, and is very much respected by the white people of this State. It is said he is a man of honor and may be depended upon. He asked very friendly for his relations in Greenbrier. He is very polite. He is very fond of horses and cattle. It is said he carries on a large farm. He desires to be remembered to his uncles in the county.” Later that month, this Captain Logan Renick lost his life on the banks of the Maumee River
Maumee River
The Maumee River is a river in northwestern Ohio and northeastern Indiana in the United States. It is formed at Fort Wayne, Indiana by the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers, and meanders northeastwardly for through an agricultural region of glacial moraines before flowing into the...
in a fight with Indians that were allied with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
As part of the general goodwill that Hoosiers felt at the time toward their native son General William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
who won the near-by Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
and because Harrison held Captain Logan in high regard, the then-late Captain James Renick-Logan was commemorated when a settlement along the newly constructed Wabash and Erie Canal
Wabash and Erie Canal
The Wabash and Erie Canal was a shipping canal that linked the Great Lakes to the Ohio River via an artificial waterway. The canal provided traders with access from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico...
renamed itself “Logan's port”, which is Logansport, Indiana
Logansport, Indiana
Logansport is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Indiana, United States. The population was 18,396 at the 2010 census. Logansport is located in northern Indiana, at the junction of the Wabash and Eel rivers, northeast of Lafayette.-History:...
.
Theory 2: Johnny Logan
Captain Logan was a ShawneeShawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
who was raised by Benjamin Logan
Benjamin Logan
Benjamin Logan was an American pioneer, soldier, and politician from Shelby County, Kentucky. As colonel of the Kentucky County militia of Virginia during the American Revolutionary War, he was second-in-command of militia in Kentucky. Logan was a leader in Kentucky's efforts to become a state...
and fought for the United States in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
Captain Logan was born in 1774, the son of Shawnee Chief Moluntha
Moluntha
Moluntha or Malunthy was a chief of the Shawnee people following the death of Cornstalk.-Struggle for the Old Northwest:Moluntha fought at the Siege of Boonesborough on the side of the British in 1778...
, and named Spenica Lawbe. His father was killed, and he was captured during Logan's Raid
Logan's Raid
Logan's Raid was a military expedition early in the Northwest Indian War. In the fall of 1786, under orders from George Rogers Clark, General Benjamin Logan led a force of Federal soldiers and mounted Kentucky militia against several Shawnee towns in the Ohio Country along the Mad River, protected...
in 1786. Benjamin Logan raised him and gave him his name, Logan. As an adult, he became known as Captain Logan.
In 1812, Captain Logan was sent by John Johnston
John Johnston (Indian Agent)
John Johnston was an Indian agent in the United States Northwest Territory. He was born on 25 March 1775 near Ballyshannon in the North of Ireland. His father was Scottish and his mother was a Huguenot. He left Ireland when he was eleven years old, travelling to America with a priest and a...
to evacuate women and children from the Siege of Fort Wayne
Siege of Fort Wayne
The Siege of Fort Wayne took place during the War of 1812, between United States and American Indian forces in the wake of the successful British campaigns of 1812.-Background:...
. Later that year, Captain Logan was sent on a scouting mission to the Maumee River
Maumee River
The Maumee River is a river in northwestern Ohio and northeastern Indiana in the United States. It is formed at Fort Wayne, Indiana by the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers, and meanders northeastwardly for through an agricultural region of glacial moraines before flowing into the...
, where he was captured by Chief Winamac
Winamac
Winamac was the name of a number of Potawatomi leaders and warriors beginning in the late 17th century. The name derives from a man named Wilamet, a Native American from an eastern tribe who in 1681 was appointed to serve as a laison between New France and the natives of the Lake Michigan region...
. Captain Logan and his two companions made it back to the U.S. camp, but he was shot during their escape. He died a few days later. General James Winchester
James Winchester
James Winchester was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a brigadier general during the War of 1812. He commanded the American forces at the Battle of Frenchtown, which led to the Massacre of the River Raisin....
reported his death to General William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
, and said "More firmness and consummate bravery has seldom appeared in the military theatre."
Captain Logan asked that his children be raised by John Hardin
John Hardin
John J. Hardin was a soldier, farmer, rancher, noted marksman and hunter. He was wounded fighting in Lord Dunmore's War; served as a Continental Army officer in the American Revolutionary War and as a Kentucky Co., Virginia militia commander in the Northwest Indian War...
, but his wife took the children West
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
. He was buried in his village in Wapakoneta, Ohio
Wapakoneta, Ohio
Wapakoneta is a city in and the county seat of Auglaize County, Ohio, United States with a population of 9,474 as of the 2000 U.S. census. It is the principal city of and is included in the Wapakoneta, Ohio Micropolitan S A, which is included in the Lima-Van Wert-Wapakoneta, Ohio CSA...
. In Spring 2008, a new grave marker and an Ohio Historical Marker were dedicated to Captain Johnny Logan in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,465 people, 6,572 households, and 4,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,562.4 people per square mile . There were 7,061 housing units at an average density of 670.0 per square mile...
.
External links
- Logan Township, located near Wapakoneta, takes name from Captain Logan by David Lodge
- The Ohio Channel, Includes historical marker text and an image of a new grave marker.
- A genealogical account from descendents of Captain Logan's siblings