The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-10-15
LATEST FRONTIER NEWS.
Letter from Cant. II. Taylor, commanding
Fort Harrison, (indiGna 7errif0ry,) 10
General Harrison.
Foar HARnisoN, Sept. 10.


DEAR Sr1~-On Thursday evening the Sd
inst. after retreat beating, four guns were heard
20 FIRE in the direction where two young men
(citizens who resided here) were making hay,
about 400 yards distance from the Fort. l
was Immediately Impressed with an idea tnat
they were killed by the Indians, as the Mia
mics or Weas had that day informed me that
the Prophets party would soon be here Tor the
purpose of commencing hoslilities (; and that
they had been directed to leave this place,
which thew were about to do. did not think
it prudent TO send out at that late hour OF the
NIGHT to see what had become OF them ane
their not coming in convinced me that was
right in NV conjecture, waited until O'Clock
next morning, when sent out corporal with
O email party to find them, il Ii could be done
without running too much risk ofbciGg drawn
into an ambusc ade.-He soon sent back to III.
form me, that he had found them both killed,
and wished to know my further orders sent
the cart and oxen, had them brought in and
buried they had been each shot with two
balls, scaIped and cut in the most shocking
manner. Late in the evening OF the 4th inst.
old Joseph Lenar and between 30 and 40 In
dians arrived from the Prophets Town with
white flag among whom were about ten
women, and the men were composed of chiefs
of the different tribes that compose the Pfoph.
etc party. A Shawanoe man that spoke good
English, informed me that old Leoar intended
TO speak 10 me next morning, and try to get
something to eat. AT retreat beating ex-
amined the mems arms, and found them all in
good order, and completed their cartridges TO
Is rounds per man. As had not been able
to mount guard of more than privates and
commissioned officers, for some time past,
and sometimes part Of them every other day,
from the unbeaLhiness OF the company had
not conceived my force adequate tot the defence
of this post, should it be vigorously attacked,
for some time past. AS had just recovered
from severe attack Of the fever, was not
able to be up much through the night. Alter
tattoo, l cautioned the guard 10 be vigilant, and
ordered one ofthe non commissioned offcers,
as the ceniinels could not See every part OF the
garrison, to walk around on the inside during
the whole night, to prevent the Indians taking
any advantage OF Us, provided they had any
intention OF attacking us. About II O'Clock
1 was awakened by the firing OF one OF the
centiucls l sprung up, ran out, and ordered
the men to their posts when my orderly
sergeant (who had charge Of the upper block
house) called out that the Indians had hred the
lower block house (Which contained the pro-
perty of the contractor, which was deposited
in the lower part, the upper having been as
signed to corps and ten privates, as an alarm
poste) The guns had began to fire pretty
smartly from both sides. / directed the buck
cts to be got fcady and water brought from tho
we'll, and ERE exlinguishcd Immediately, as it
was hardly perceiyabic at that time but from
debility or some other cause, the men were
very slow in executing ny srders-the word
6re appeared 10 throw the whole Of them into
confusion and by The time they had got the
water and broken open the door, the hre had
unfortunately communicated to quantity OF
whiskey (the srocK having LICKED several
holes through the lower part OF the buildings
after the salt TIA, was stored there. through
which they had introduced the FIRE without be-
ing discovered, as the night was very dark {;
and in spite ofevery cxerlion we could make
use Of, ia less than a momcn, II asccnded TO
the roof and baffcd every effort We could
make to ex,ingpish it. As that block house
adioinsd the barracks that make part OF the
for,i6ca,ions, mosi Of the men Immediately