The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-27

laimoss unanimously to return. itaea &c
|quested that might dictate the course u
loe pursued that day only, which pledged
m.seif should not put them more than Nix
miles out OF the way !; my objeci being to
cover the accommodating parties. wished
10 SEND out Tor the discovery Of the indian
towns. About this time the troops being
paraded, put myself in front, took nv
course and directed. them TO follow me the:
columns moving off q"ite contrary way.
sent captain Taylor and major Lee to APP
lpiy to the officers leading the columns, to
'urn them. They were told it was not in
their power. The army had taken hsir
course, and would pursue it. Discovering
great Confusion aud disorder in the march.
threw myself in tho rear, fearing an at
tack on those who were there from necessl-
~ and continued in that position the whole
day. Inc exhausted state of the horses,
nor tAe hunger of the men, retarded this
day march /; so swiftly was it prosecuted
that 1t was not long before the rear arr wed
AT the encampment. The generals Ray.
Ramsey and Allen. lent all their aid and
authority IN restoring onr II arch to order, tc
SO far succeeded. as to bring ON che whole
win much less loss than had feared; in
DECD, nave no reason to think we were ei-S
Their followed or menaced by an enemy. L
think we marched at least so or 90 miles in
the heart ot the enemy's country had he
possessed design TO fight us, oppor,uni-
ties in abundance presented. So formidab,,
was our appearance in the prair C, &c in
country GAS am told) never trod before by
hostile feet, must impress the bordering
tribes with a sense of their danger. If it ope-
rates benehcially in this way, our labor viii
not be aitogether in vain.
hope the cXpenccattendting this exIe-
dltion Will be found less than usual on such !
occasions. have consulted economy in eve : !,
ny instance; subject only to real necessity
has been the expenditure the forage las
been the heaviest article.
10 the officers commanding brigadcs. ma
ny OF the field officers, captains, &c. nv
thanks are due : many Of the old Ken.ueky
veterans. whose heads are frosted by tine.
are cntitledto every onfitle nee and praise
their country can bestow. L the adiut.nt.
quarter-masterg general, and the members
of my own family feel indebt ed for ready. /
aole and manly support, in every insta,ce. /
Let me here include cur friend Geo ee I
w alker, our judge advocate general who 1
nVed with me, took more than a Common
share of fatigue and toll and who did
ali IN his power to further the serrite in
the corps OF spies and guides under the di-
rectIon or Maj. Dubois, and the two compa-
Mes or kentucky C Gwatkin who encamp-
ed near me, and were under my immediate
orders. L experienced an alertness and at
tChlioh hiShly memorable to them. These l.
corps were ready to have gone on to execute
any service /; the whele amounted to about
100, and deserve honorable mention
MIR Barron and Messrs Lacelly and lie
Plant, interpreters and guides. deserve well
OF me am certain we were not twenty 4
miles from the Indian villige when we we're
forced to retire, and have many reasons
to prove we We're IN the right way.
have myself (superadded to the mortifi-
Cation felt at thus returning) been in a bad
state OF health from first to last; and am
now SO weak as not to be able to keep N.Y.
self or my horse.
A violent Diarrhea has pursued me ten
days past, and reduced me extremely low
had resolved to continue with the line of
marcia Little Is n.biS' rice 'Thers r
are yet many things OF which | wish I'd
write, they relate substantially to prospect
tive operations. Soon again shall have the
honor to address your excellency, in the
mean time be assured of the perfect consid-
Grafton AID high regards of your obedient
friend and servant, 4
SAMUEL HOPKINS.
Coz. Shelby.