Support for St. Clair - Robert Kirkwood Suffers the Greatest Defeat
Robert Kirkwood was an officer of the Revolutionary War who would be killed a few years later during the Northwest Indian War.
Robert Kirkwood
Robert Kirkwood joined the Continental Army just before he turned 20.
His father had already participated in the local Committee of Correspondence and was therefore able to get Robert a commission as a First Lieutenant in John Haslet’s Regiment.
Representing Delaware, they travelled north to join George Washington.
Revolutionary War
During his time, Kirkwood participated in some of the harshest fighting through the New York Campaign.
Robert distinguished himself in battle to the point that he was soon promoted to Captain.
He participated in most of the major battles of the war and dozens of skirmishes. Notably, Kirkwood attacked Loyalists in New Jersey where he even tricked a spy into admitting guilt before arresting the man.
Several of his contemporaries believed the only reason Robert was not promoted further was because tiny Delaware was only allotted so many officers and (though his performance on the field was superior) he did not have the political connections within the Continental Congress.
Getting Help From Henry
After the war, when his wife died, Kirkwood moved to Wheeling in modern West Virginia where he built a house/small fort.
As the Northwest Indian War grew in intensity, Wheeling was attacked on several occasions.
Kirkwood was sent back east to convince Secretary of War Henry Knox to send more supplies.
Fortunately, Robert was able to persuade Knox and help was sent.
Defeated with St. Clair
Returning to the frontier, Kirkwood was again made Captain and led men into the catastrophic battle known as St. Clair’s Defeat.
Despite suffering ill health, Robert led his men into the fight.
Sadly, Kirkwood was mortally wounded with a shot into his stomach. His friend, William Seymour, alleged that Kirkwood asked to be shot so as not to let the Native Americans capture him alive, though this request was not granted.
Kirkwood was left with hundreds of other wounded soldiers on the field to be finished off by the approaching enemy.
Want to learn about other DELAWARE FOUNDERS?
OK, here you go:
John Vining - Delaware’s Lonely Representative
Joshua Clayton Transforms Delaware’s Executive Branch
Jacob Broom Doesn’t Realize His Property’s Potential
I came across this week’s Reading of the Week while researching this article. It talks about the curious case of the ‘Delaware Blue Hen’ and why a certain segment of the Continental Army recieve this nickname.
As the First State, Delaware has a unique place in the American Founding.
To learn more about this State, check out ‘Revolutionary Delaware.’
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