Posted on Mar 30, 2015
Simon Girty, an American Hero or a British Loyalist?
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There seems to be a lot on contention about Simon Girty during his life time. He is recorded in history from various angles. Some of those are American and some are British. There seem to be some facts that can't be disputed. But was he an American or was he really a British Loyalist?
1. He was raised by an Indian Tribe after his father was killed by an Indian only to be returned to the colonies as part of a treaty in 1759.
2. During the American Revolution he joined the the Continental Army. Where he discharged from Fort Pitt and struck out for Indian country, determined to help the British and Indians fight the Americans. Due to the treatment of Indians by the US Army.
3. From 1778 until the American Revolution's conclusion in 1783, Girty served with the British Army.
4. In 1782, COL Crawford, US Army, with 470 men were attacked by hostile Indians to include, Simon Girty, where COL was taken prisoner, tortured for two hours and put to death by bury at the stake.
5. After the American victory Simon fled to Canada to live out his days.
Place read some of the links provide or feel free to conduct your own research.
http://www.essaysinhistory.com/articles/2012/114
https://franceshunter.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/william-clark-and-the-notorious-simon-girty/
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Simon_Girty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_expedition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col._Crawford_Burn_Site_Monument
1. He was raised by an Indian Tribe after his father was killed by an Indian only to be returned to the colonies as part of a treaty in 1759.
2. During the American Revolution he joined the the Continental Army. Where he discharged from Fort Pitt and struck out for Indian country, determined to help the British and Indians fight the Americans. Due to the treatment of Indians by the US Army.
3. From 1778 until the American Revolution's conclusion in 1783, Girty served with the British Army.
4. In 1782, COL Crawford, US Army, with 470 men were attacked by hostile Indians to include, Simon Girty, where COL was taken prisoner, tortured for two hours and put to death by bury at the stake.
5. After the American victory Simon fled to Canada to live out his days.
Place read some of the links provide or feel free to conduct your own research.
http://www.essaysinhistory.com/articles/2012/114
https://franceshunter.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/william-clark-and-the-notorious-simon-girty/
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Simon_Girty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_expedition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col._Crawford_Burn_Site_Monument
Posted in these groups: 
Military History
War of Independence
Military History War of Independence
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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He was somewhat of an opportunitst. He fought and was loyal to what made the most sense for him at the time. There could have been things that pushed him one way or the other that are not captured in the historical accounts but he clearly played both sides at different times (perhaps even at the same time). There is no doubt that by today's standards he was brutal but the battlefields between Indians and Whites could be brutal and unforgiving.
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From my studies he left the American Army due to the treatment of the Indians at the hands of soldiers. The British pretty much gave him the chance to attack and kill Americans. He was more or less on the side of the Indians. How ever had the Indian interests in mind he would have fought with them. But in the French and Indian War the British were killing hundreds, if not thousands, of Indians. I am sure if the British would have won they would have attacked and killed him over time.
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Simon Girty is one of those figures in History that is a point of view. To the Colonists, he was a traitor and a murderer, to the Indians he was fighting the good fight. I don't think there really is a way to Glorify him or condemn him. He was just a part of History. We know the colonial treatment of Native Americans was wrong. But we also can not look past the Treatment of Native Americans to each other. Nor can we look past the British at the time playing the Indians against the Colonials for profit.
I think Simon Girty was a man who honestly felt a huge injustice in his heart and swore to do something about it. Some men retaliate with intellectual reason, others attack problems with the Law, I think Girty just manifested his disgust with his hands.
But as Obi wan Kenobi said. "Many of the Truths we cling to depend on our point of View."
I think Simon Girty was a man who honestly felt a huge injustice in his heart and swore to do something about it. Some men retaliate with intellectual reason, others attack problems with the Law, I think Girty just manifested his disgust with his hands.
But as Obi wan Kenobi said. "Many of the Truths we cling to depend on our point of View."
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I do agree that there is a noticeable different take of him in Canada than in the US. The issue raises that he was with the British and fought for them. They were our enemies. So will pretty much cast a negative light on him.
This is reminiscent of Crazy Horse and Chief Sitting Bull when they attacked the 7th CAV and killed GEN Custer.
This is reminiscent of Crazy Horse and Chief Sitting Bull when they attacked the 7th CAV and killed GEN Custer.
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MSgt Robert Pellam
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I agree with you on that point. The only thing missing from Custers last stand was the British to make it full circle.
I agree with you on that point. The only thing missing from Custers last stand was the British to make it full circle.
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1LT L S Let us please discuss the merits of Simon Girty here. This thread would be much more appropriate.
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CSM (Join to see) I am just tired of this topic getting brought up in another thread. It has nothing to do with it. The worst I heard so far was someone saying he is a RANGER. That is madness. I take it as an insult to the Rangers.
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