When the River Ran Red: Murders and Massacres of the Ohio River Valley, 1770-1795

by Aaron B Futrell

The late 1700s were a dangerous time to live on the frontier. White Settlers came looking for a brighter future while the Indians sought to protect their way of life. The clash of cultures was unavoidable; violence ruled the day. It did not matter if you were a white man or a Native American; you lived in a time where any day could be your last. Your enemy could cross the foreboding river and strike you down in your home. These are the true stories of the murders and massacres of the Ohio River Valley. They are the stories of a now peaceful river that not too long ago ran red.

Genres: American History

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Christopher Lutz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot factually wrong here. The author admits to a degree of creative license and makes note of when he does this in the notes section, but multiple locations and events are incorrectly presented when the historical facts are clearly known. For example, Arthur St Clair’s 1791 campaign was headed towards the native communities in modern Fort Wayne Indiana not towards the Sandusky river in Ohio. Several fort sites are misnamed as well. The fort at the mouth of Wheeling Creek was Fort Henry not Harrison, and Anthony Wayne’s legion never trained at that location, the site of Legionville being closer to Pittsburgh. The British built Fort Miamis (not Meigs) in an attempt to assert control in the area of the Maumee river, Fort Meigs was instead an American fort built 19 years later in the same area.

Unfortunately this book only serves to make a little known period in American history more difficult to understand.

[Tim Schiraldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an outstanding account of the atrocities committed by both white (British & American) and
Indian peoples in the Ohio River Valley. I use the word "Indian" because that is the term used in the book. The author gives an unbiased account of the violence and evils wrought by both sides during the period, and their reasons for justifying such violence. The reader will go back and forth rooting for one side or the other depending on the specific situation. No "good guys" or "bad guys" here, yet a plethora of both!

Well done!

[Robert B Balder · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author admits the limited written material being available for researchers. Even so he is very good storyteller and the book for me was an enjoyable read. If was not always clear where history and storytelling separate. I think the author would be a great guest at a Boy Scout campfire anywhere in the Ohio Valley.