Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-24
JAMES MADISON.
WashiigfOn, Dec. Is, 1911.
NINCENNEs, 18th Nov. ISL

NINCENNEs, 18th Nov. 1911.
SIR-ln my letter of the Sth instant, did
myself the honor to communicate the result
OF an action between the troops under nv COM
mahd and the confederation of Indians under
the control OF the Shawanoe Prophet. had
previously informed you in a letter of the Cd
Instant OF my proceedings previously to my
arrival at ermlliion River, where had e.
rected block-house for the protection of the
boats which was obliged to leave, and as
depository Tor cur heavy baggage and such
part of our proriSloaS as we were unable to
transport IN Wagons. On the morning ofth.
81 Instant commenced nv march from the
biock-house. The Wabash above this turning
considerably to the Eastward-I was obliged
III order TO avoid the broken and woody coun-
Try which borders upon il TO change my course
TO the westward Of north to gain the prailies
which lie TO the back OF those woods. At the
end "a one days march, was enabled to take
the proper direction n. f. which brought
me ON the evening of the stA to small creek
at about eleven miles from The Prophets town.
l F.I on the preceding day avoided the dam
gero9s pass of Pine creek by inclining few
mile 10 the left where the troops and Wagons
were crossed with expedition and safety. Our
r,n,e on the 9th for about SIX miles lay
.Srouoh prairies separated by small points Of
Myfarder Of march hitherto had been similar
90 ,bat n.,d by General Wayne that is, the
;ne,ntrv were In two columns OF hies on either
ode nj the road, and the mounted ridemen
,.,v,lrv in front, IN the rear and on the TANKS.
Ivhare the ground was untavorable Tor the
.,c,;an or cavalry they were placed In the rear,
I'M, here il was otherwise they were made
,navcbanse positions with one oft mounted
u;a...corns Understanding that the last four
49,, we've omen woods and the probability
-, Greater that we should be attacked In
$50 +S,n. on either flank halted at that dis
rance from the town and formed the army LII
order of battle. The United States infantry
nlaced in the centre, two companies OF militia
inf,utry and one OF mounted rlhemen on eacn
pan, formed the front line. In the rear OF
This line was placed the baggage drawn up as
con,n,c,lv as possible, * Immediately behind
:. res.rve of three companies OF militia IN
e,n,ry The cavalry formed a second hne
- .hs distance of three hundred yards In the
80 of the front line, and company OF
,,,a,,..d riasmen the advanced guard at that
,:s.ar.e IN front. To facilitate the march
80 ,,.,,o,e were then broken off in short CO.
Iamns of companies, situation the most Ia
vor,blc for forming in order OF battle with ia
c;;;tv and precision. Our march was SLOW
Ia co,,;dus. and much DELAYED by the exa-
,o;na,;on Of every place which seemed calcu-
i in. sor a., ambuscaee Indeed the ground
49, Gu se,e time so unfavorable that | was
o IS - change the position of the several
o oorps tLree times in the distance OF mile
e =, FsIf p,st > o'clock we passed small creek
q re ' d;s.snse of one mile and half from the
: 49,, ~ and entered an open wood when the
ny Inv was ha,Sct and again drawn up IN order
ofhsttle. During the whole OF the last Gay $