The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-12-26

| sItions with one OF the mounted rifle corps.-
Understanding that the last four miles were
open woods, and the probability being great
| err that We should be attacked in front thar
kon,either flank, halted at that distance from,
the town and formed the army in order Of
battle. The United States infantry placed
IN the centre, two companies of militia In
fantry and one OF mounted rihemen on each
Hank formed the front line. In the rear of
this line was placed the baggage drawn up
as compactly as possible, and Immediately
behind it q reserve of three companies OF
militia infantry. The cavalry formed a Sc
cond line at the distance of three hundred
yards in the rear of the front line, and
company of mounted riflemen the advanced
guard at that distance III front. TO facili-
tate The march, thcwhole were then brok en-
off IN short Columns of companies, "a SITUATE
ON the most favorable for forming in order Of
oattic with facility and precision. Our
march was slow and cautious, and much de-
iayed by the examination of very place
which seemed calculated for an ambuscade
Indeed the ground was for some time SO IN
favorable, that Was obliged to change the
position OF the several corps, three times in
the distance of mile. At half past 9 O'Clock
wepassed small creek at the distance of
one mile and a half fsom the town, and en-
tered an open wood when the army was
halted and again drawn,up in order of bat
tie. During the whole of the last davis
march, parties OF Indians were constantly
about US, and every effort was made by the
Interpreters to speak to them, but in vain
new attempts of the kind We're now made,
but proving equally Intellectual, a Captain
Dubois ofthe spies & guides. offering TO go
With a nag to the ,own, dispatched him
with an interpreter to request conference
with the Prophet--in few moments a mes
sage was sent by Capt. Dubois to inform me,
that IN ms attem tsfto advance, the Indians
appeared in both his tanks, and although he
had spoken to them in the most friendly
manner, they refused to answer, but beck
oned to him TO 80 forward and constantly en-
deavored to est ann off from the army.-
Upon this lnforma icn, | ~ allied the Cap
tam, and determined to encamp for the night
and take some other measures for opening
conference with the Prophet. Whilst was
engaged in tracing the lines for the encamp-
ment, Major Daveiss who commanded the
dragons, came toinform me that he had pc
ne.rated 70 the Indian fields, that the ground
was entirely open and favorable-that the
Indians in front had maintained nothing but
hostility, and had answered every attempt
to bring them to parIey with contempt and
insolence. / was Immediately advised by
all the officers around me to move forward
a similar wish indeed pervaded ali the ar
my-lt was drawn up IN excellent order, &
every man appeared eager to decide the
contest immediately. Being informed thar
good cncampment might be had upon the
Wabash yielded to what appeared the ge-
neral wish, and directed tine troops to adj
vance, taking Care however to pace the is
terpreters in front with directions to invite q
conference with amy Indians they might meet
with. We had not advanced alb we four
4 ,n+ +b,E
three Indians had approached the advanced
guard, andhaa expressed a wish to speak
TO me. found upon their arrival, that one
OF them was man III great estimation with
the Prophet. lie informed me that the
chiefs were much surprised at my advancing
upon them so rapidly--tiIat they were given
to understand by the Delawarcs and Mia
mics whom had sent to them few days
before, that | would not advance to thei,
town, until had received an answer to my
demands made through them. That this
answer had been dispatched by the Pota-
watImie chief Winemac who had accompa-
MED the Miamies and Delawares On their
return; that they had left the Prophets
Town two days before, with a design to
meet me, but had unfortunately taken the
road on the south side of the Wabash. | an
swered that had no intention of attacking
them, until discovered that they would not
comply with the demands which ] had
made-thatI would go on and encamp at the
Wabash, and in the morning would have an
interview with the Prophet and his chiefs,
and explain to them the determination of
the President-that in the mean time no hos
tiiities should be committed. He seemed
much pleased with this, and promised that
it should be observed on their part. | then
resumed my march, we struck the cultiva-
ted grounds about five hundred yards below
the town, but as these extended to the bank
of the Wabash, there was no possibility of
getting an encampment which was provided
with both wood and water. My guards and
Interpreters beng still with the advanced
guard, and taking the direction of the town,
the army followed and had advanced within
about $50 yards, when SO or 60 Indians SAL
lied out and with loud EXPLANATIONS, called
to the cavalry and to the militia infantry,
which were on our right flank to halt. /
immediately advanced to the front, caused
the army to halt, and directed an intelpre-
ter to- request some of the chiefs to come to
me. In few moments, the man who had
been with me before made his appearance
| / informed him that my object for the pre-
sent was to procure Il good piece of ground to
encamp on, where we could get wood and
water--he informed me that there was a
creek to the north west which he thought
would suit our purpose. ] Immediately dis
| patched two officers to examine it, and they
reported thatthe situation was excellent.
then took leave Of the chief, and a mutual
promise Was again made for a suspension o