The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves

BOOK REVIEW: The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves: The Battle of the Wabash, The United States’ Greatest Defeat in the Wars Against Indigenous Peoples by Rick M. Schoenfield. (Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing, 2024. $32.50 Hardcover)

In The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves, author and historian Rick M. Schoenfield presents a unique perspective on an often-forgotten part of American history: the Battle of the Wabash, November 4, 1791. He illustrates how this battle was the culmination of so many seemingly unrelated events as well as the catalyst for so much history since this event. Placed in the broader Northwest Indian War campaign, the first military expedition this side of the newly established Constitutional rule of the United States, the Battle of the Wabash was, simply put, a disaster. Schoenfield does not shy away from this fact, nor does he fail to involve a variety of sources, hostile or friendly, contemporary or recent.[1]

Though Schoenfield primarily refers to it as the Battle of the Wabash throughout the book, he does mention its other names, which provide far more context. The Indian name, The Battle of a Thousand Slain, is very apt as, of the 1,000 soldiers led into battle by Gen. Arthur St. Clair, only 24 escaped unscathed. This brings the third most common name for the battle, St. Clair’s Defeat, and leads into one of Schoenfield’s assertions—that, despite the United States Congress exonerating St. Clair, ultimately, as commander-in-chief, he was the primary reason for this military disaster.[2]

Schoenfield is a masterful storyteller. When reading, it is easy to get lost in the world he describes—a world of untamed land and raw adventure. Of course, the more sophisticated world of America’s Atlantic coast is described, but only as supplementary information. This story takes place west of the Allegheny Mountains, west of the Ohio River—in other words, west of any real civilization the Americans of the day would recognize. Every detail of this world and era is enumerated for the reader. Everything from the movements of troops and political machinations of the generals to the construction of soldier’s tents and contents of their bellies to the operations of their muskets.[3] For a non-military historian reader, the battle scenes were excellent: they were engaging, quick, and transporting. As a reader, you understand the perspective of the average soldier. No stone is left unturned.

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What makes this book unique is its attempts to place the Battle of the Wabash in its historical place. Without a memorial or a visitable site, it is easy this event to become lost to history—indeed, to most Americans, it likely already has been lost. Schoenfield works to bring it back to the forefront. This battle ultimately led to the strengthening of the American army, the Battle of Fallen Timbers two years later, and the ultimate opening of the Northwest Territory.[4] The Wabash was the most successful battle the Native Americans fought against the nascent United States. It would be another hundred years, with the Battle of Little Big Horn, before Native forces would rout the American army in such an effective way. As such, this victory is remembered and highly valued in Native cultures.

To further this point, Schoenfield provides the astute analysis that American history classrooms gloss over the battle’s importance, if they mention it at all. It makes one question whether the only reason the Battle of Little Big Horn is remembered is because of Custer’s Last Stand. If the Battle of the Wabash had a Custer-like figure, conducting himself in a Custer-like manner, would it be remembered, and, if so, would it only be remembered for the savagery of the Indians? That is a tough question and, unfortunately, unlikely to ever have a satisfactory answer. However, in the introduction, Schoenfield points to the Battle of the Wabash and the Northwest Confederacy’s importance in stemming American expansion for nearly two years, whereas the Battle of Little Big Horn only paused American movements for a few months.

While Schoenfield’s effort to understand the historical importance of the Battle of the Wabash is admirable and needed, it is not without its faults. Though the most closely relatable event to this is probably indeed the Battle of Little Big Horn, Schoenfield makes numerous, random references to it.[5] This illustrates a lack of trust in the reader and ultimately removes the reader from a state of immersion in the history. These forced but somewhat understandable references to Custer and Little Big Horn are followed by other references which serve no purpose, like when Schoenfield mentions William Henry Harrison’s service as Gen. Anthony Wayne’s aide during the Battle of Fallen Timbers, or the United States failing to aid the Kurds in their conflict against ISIS. These mentions of important events in world history are simply thrown out into the narrative, with little context. Personally, I am all for bringing history to the present day, but there must also be some sort of connective tissue to make the story part of history sing.

The Battle of the Wabash is not the only item of importance considered in The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves. Brief biographies of the associated players, people like Arthur St. Clair, William Darke, Jean Francois Hamtramck, Henry Knox, Tecumseh, Little Turtle, and Blue Jacket are delineated (though a bit of editing would probably benefit these sections; at one point, Schoenfield writes “[Blue Jacket] was a child, then a teenager, then a young man.”[6] To most readers, the natural progression of life stages is probably not in need of explanation). Relations between the Native tribes are explored, as are those between the US government. Schoenfield describes the more cultural-based animosity between the Native Americans and settlers, rather than merely discussing the race-based struggles. This gives the relationship far more depth and complexity, which is often forgotten today. What is also forgotten is that there were men in power who wanted peace with the Native populations and held a desire to honor and respect the treaties made.[7]

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In all, The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves is an important work and should have a place on any shelf dedicated to understanding our past, especially if there is an interest in the Midwest or Native American affairs. Schoenfield proves himself to be a capable writer and a historian dedicated to the highest levels of thoughtfulness and consideration of the historical narrative. Its short chapters and engaging writing will undoubtedly provide readers with reason to return to it.

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[1] Rick M. Schoenfield, The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves: The Battle of the Wabash (Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing, 2024), 164-165.

[2] Ibid., 195-200.

[3] Ibid., 74; 89-90.

[4] Al Dickenson, “A Visit to the Battle of Fallen Timbers Monument,” Journal of the American Revolution, July 13, 2024, allthingsliberty.com/2023/07/a-visit-to-the-battle-of-fallen-timbers-monument/.

[5] Schoenfield, The Soldiers Fell Like Autumn Leaves, 71.

[6] Ibid., 46.

[7] Ibid., 167.