Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-09-21

| serve, thdt after the surrender OF Michilll
| mackinac, almost every tribe and nation %
Indians, excepting part OF the Mamie
| and pe!awares, north from beyond LAKE
| Superior, west from beyond the MissSsip I
south from the Ohio and Wabash, and cas-,
from every part of Upper Canada, and
from MI the Intermediate country, joined in
open hostility, under the British standard,
against the army | commanded. contrary To
The most solemn assurances Of large por-
ton OF them to remain ncu.ral; even the OF
Java Ch ieis from Arbecrotch, who formed
the delegation to Washington the last sum
mer, in whose friendship | know you had
great confidence, are among the hostile
tribes, and several of them distinguished lea
ders. Among the vast number of Chiefs whn
led the II ,stile bands, recamseh, Mirpnt,
Logan, Walk -in-the- water, Split-Log, &c.
are considered the principals. This nume
| rous assembage of savages, under the en-
tire influence and direction Of the British
commander, enabled him totally to obs.ruct
the only communication which l had with
| my country. This communication had been
opened from the settlements III the state of
OHIO, two hundred miles through wilder
ness, by the fatigues of the army, which I
| marched to the frontier on the river Detroit
The body of the Lake being commanded BY
the British armed shps, and the shores and
rivers by gun-boats, the army was totally
deprived OF all communication by water. On
this extensive road it depended for trans
purtation OF provisions, military stores, me
dicine, clothing, and every other supply, on
pack horses-all its operations were success
| tul until its arrival at Detroit, and in 4 few
days it passed INTO the encmy's country,
and all opposition seemed to fall before it.
One month it remained in possession OF this
Country, and was fed from its resources. In
different directions, attachments penetrated
sixty miles In the settled part OF the pro-
vince, and the inhabitants seemed satisfied
with the change OF si.Iation, which appear
ed to be taking plaCe-the militia from Am-
herstburg were daily deserving, and the
whole country, then under control of the ar
| my, was asking for protection. The Indians
generally, i'll the first instance, appeared To
be neutralized, and determined to take 40
part IN the contest. rhe fort OF Amherst
burg was eighteen mics below my encamp-
nent. Not 4 single Cannon on mortar was
on wheels suitable 10 carry before that place.
consulted my officers, whether it was
| expedient to make an attempt ON it with the
| bayonet alone, without cannon, to make "a
break in the first instance. The council l
! called, was OF the opinion it was not. The
greatest industry was exerted in making
| preparation, and it was not until the 9TH OF
| Aug. that two "a pourders and three how;t-
| zers were prepared. 1t was then my inten-
| tIon To have proceeded on the enterprise
| While the operations of the army were de-
layed by these preparations, the clouds OF
| adversely had been for some time, and seem
ed still, thlckly 10 be gathering around me.
| The surrender of Michillmachinac opened
| the northern hive of Indian, and they were
| swarminS down in every direction. Rein
| forcements from Niagara had arrived at
Amherstburg under the Command OF Colonel
| Proctor. The deSertion of the militia Ceas-
| ed. Besides the renforcements that came
/ by water, l received information OF a very
| considerable force under the command OF
Maj. Chambers, on the river LIE French,
with tOur field pieces, and collecting the mi
lita on his route, evidently destined for Am
! hers,burg; and in addition 20 this combina-
| ton, and increase of force, contrary to all
my expectations, the Wyandots, Chippewas,
| OHawaS, Pottawatames, Munsees, Deia-
| wares, &c. with whom had the most friend
| " intercourse, at once passed over to Am
hers'burg, and accepted the tonlthawk and
scalping knife. There being now vast
number OF Indians at the British post, they
were sent to the river Hurn, Brownstown
| on. To open this communication, detach-
ed Major Van Horne, of the Ono Volun-
teers, with two hundred men, to proceed as
far as the river Rlisir, under an expectation
he would meet Captain Brush with one hun
dred and fifty men, volunteers from the state
OF Ohio, and a quantity of provisions for the
F., army. An Ambuscade was formed al
| Brownstown, and Major Van Horns de-
tachment defeated and returned to CAM
without efectiag the object of the expedite
on.
In my letter OF the 7th instant you have
the particulars OF that transaction, with :
return of ;he killed and wounded Under
this sadden and unexpected change of things
and having received an express from Gen
Hall, commanding opposite the British shore
on the Niagara river, Oy which 1t appeared
that there was no prospect of any co-cpera.
ton from that iarter, and the two senior
officers of the archery having stated to me
an opinion, that it would be extremely diff
| hcult, 1t not impossible, tn pass the Turkey
river and river Aux-Canard, with the "A
Founders, and thlt they could not be trans
ported by water, as the QIeen-Charlotte
which carried eighteen u Founders, lay in
the river Detroit, above the mouth of the
river Aux-Cannard (; and as il appeared
| Indispensaby necessary u open the Conmu-
niCatinn to the river Ralsn and the Miami,
| found myself compelled to suspend the o.
perasion against Amner,tDurs, and concen-
tratc the main force of the army at Detroit
Fully intending, atthat time, after the COM
munication was opened. to re-cross the river
aud pursue the object at Amherstburg
and strongly DESTROYS of continuing protecti-
on to a very large number of the inhabitants
of Upper Canida, VINO had voluntarily &C
cepted it under my proclamation, esta5-
lished a fortress on the banks uf the river, Il