Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-09-21

TO be taking p!ace-the militia, from Am
herstburg were daily deserving, and the
whole country, then under the control
of the army, was asking for protection.
The Indians generally, IN the tirst In
stance, appeared to be neutrallzed, and
determined to take no part IN the con-
test. The fort of Amherstburg was
eighteen miles below my encampment,
Not single cannon or mortar was on
wheels suitable to carry before that
place. consulted my officers, whether
it was expedient to make an attempt.on
it with the bayonet alone, without can
non, TO make break in the first m
stance. The council called was OF the
opinion it was not. The greatest IN
dustry was exerted in making prepare
ton, and it was not until the TIN OF Az
gust that two "a Founders, and three
howitzers were prepared. 1t was then
my intention to have proceeded On the
enterprise. While the operations OF INC
army were delayed by these prepara-
liOHSs llS SiUuuS vi nav
for some time and seemed still thick'y
to be gathering around me. The sur
render Of MichllIimackihac opened the
northern hive of indians, and they were
swarming down il every direction. ke-
Inducements from Niagara had arrived
at Armhers,hurg under the command o.
culone! Proctor. The desertlon#Otsthe
militia ceased. Besides the reinforce
menls that came by water, received III
formation OF very considerable torce
under the command of maJ Chambers
on the river lie French, with tour hcio
pieces, and collecting the militia On n'>
route, evidently destined for Amherst
burg and in addition to this comolna-
ton, and increase Of force, contrary t..
all ny expectations, the Wyandots, ChIp-
peways, Ottawas, Pottawa;amies, -Inn-
sees, Driawarcs, sc. with whom had the
most friendly intercourse, at once pass
ed over to Amherstburg, and accepted
the tomahak and scalping knits. There
being TOW vast number OF Indians at
the British post, they were sent to the
river Huron, BrowDstowD, and Naguano
to intercept my communications 10
open this communication, ! detached
major Vanhorne of the Ohio volunteers
with two hundred men to proceed as tar
as the river Raisin, under an expecta-
ton he would meet captain Brush with
one hundred and fifty men, volunteers
from the state Of Ohio, and sqnantity OF
provision for the army, An ambu8ca,.2
was formed at Brownstown, and ma or
Vanhorn's detachment defeated anu re-
turned to camp without eAectiug the OBJ
iect of the expedition.
In my letter of the 9TH inst. you have
the particulars of that transaction with
return of the killed and wounded. I'm
der this sudden and unexpected change
of things, and having received an ex-
press from general Hall, commanders
opposite the British shore On the Nigga
"a river, by which it Appeared that there
Was no prospect OF any Corporation from
that quarter, and the two senior officers
of the artillery having stated to az an
opinion that it would be extremely diff
ficut, fnot impossible, to pass the Tue
key river and river Aux Cannard, with
the 24-pounders, and that they could hot
be transported By water, as the Queen
Charlotte, which carried 8 24-pounders
lay in the river Detroit above the mouta
of the river Aux Cannard ; and as it APP
peared indjspcnsably necessary To open
the communication to the river RAlsln
and the Miami, / found myself compel
led to suspend the operation against
A mnerstburg, and concentrate the main
force of the army at Detroit. Fully in.
teuding, at that time, after the commu-
niCaIion was opened, to re-crOss the r.
yer, and pursue the object at Amherst-
burg, ana strongly DESTROYS Of Contlnu-
ing protection to very large number Of
the inhabitants Of Upper Canada, who
had voluntarily accepted 1t under NY
proclamation, established a fortress On
The banks of the river, little below De-
troit, calculated for a garrison of three
>IIi NiIS SNNtil's, VI liiS
7th, and morning of the 9Th inst. the ar
my, excepting the garrison of $50 in
fantry, and corps Of arul!erists, all un-
der the command Of Major Denny of
the Ohio volunteers, re-crossed the ri
yer, and encamped at Detroit. In pur-
suance of the object of opening the COM
muniCation, on which ] considered the
existence of the army depending, de-
tachment Of six hundred men, under the
command of aforementioned Miller
was immediately ordered. For porti-
cular account of the proceedings Of this
detachment, and the memorable battle
which was fought at Maguago, which
reflects the highest honor on the Ame-
rican arms, l refer you to my letter Of
the 18th Aug. inst. duplicate of which
is enclosed, marked G.. Nothing how
ever, but honor was acquired by this
victory and It's painful consideration,
that the hloCd of seventy. FIVE ooliart