Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-09-17
JNO. RODGERS.
Ertract IF n letter To The Editor, dated
.Natchcz, Auru8t IL, 1912.


"You no doubt, before this reaches YOU.
will have heard of the expedition now form
ing on the river Sabine, being motley col
lection of individuals from the state of Loui-
siana, this Territory aud other parts of tine
United States; Il people only fit for some
desperate enterprise. Their numbers are
said to exceed five hundred, and daily in
creas!ng; 1t is not vet ascertained what their
views and intentions are--but it is supposed
as soon as they are concentrated, to pos
sess themselves of the Spanish frontier town.
which is held by the friends of Ferdinand !;
from thence tn endeavor to form junction
with the Spanish revolutionary generals, from
whom it is said great advances are held ont
to those who will join his standard, should ne
be successful in establishing the independence
of that part of the country."
70 me Editor ofthc National IntelLigencer.
Having seen many misrepresentation in
circulation in the public prints in relation to
circumstances attending the late surrender
of the fort of Detroit, have thought proper
to state facts in relation to it as far as they
have come to my knowledge, as follows
Having been heretofore engaged in the lax e
navigation, came to Detroit about the LIST
day OF August, and remained there and in
the neighborhood thereabout until the sur
render of the fort to the British forces. The
surrender of the fort when It took place was
like that of thunderbolt to every one in the
place, being most unexpected by all. Far
the greater part of tine men shed tears bitter
ly, and i'll the heat of their Indignation many
of them broke their guns and swords to pie
ces, manifesting by every action the distress
OF mind which they experienced at learning
the news. They would not at first believe
it and verify believe there was not man
who expected the fort would be surrendered,
and not one could be found to Justify it. As
all believe there was sufficient force to
have taken Maiden and overcome any force
that could be brought against the army, no.
thing could exceed the modification and sur
prise or all ranks at the retreat from Sand
wich and afterwards at the surrender
There was, as believe, no want of forces
of provision or ammunition.
The force was at least double the number
of the besieging army. | had q good oppor-
tunity of seeing the British as they marched
into the fort, and made an attempt to count
them. i made out twenty-nne sections of
twelve men each, of the regulars, which,
with the detachments might have made up
four hundred. Having been heretofore ac-
quainted with several of the militia officers
III Canada, was informed by some of them.
that nearly half of these men were militia
in the clothing of regulars there were, per-
haps, two hundred and fifty Of the militia.
and three hundred and fifty Indians making
force of not more than a thousand men.
As to provisions, they were in plenty.
There were at LEASE two or three hundred
head OF cattle grazing about, and MANY hun
dreds OF Lord Seikirk's sheep which had
been driven in from Canada. Ny knowledge
is not so accurate of the quantity of flour
but though associated with both officers and
men, heard no complaint whatever of a
scarcity of provisions. There was no more
appearance of want than in any other place
l nave never seen, and plenty of provisions
were within reach OF the army.
As to ammunition, / had heard it said that
general Hull had alledgcd it to be scarce as
reason for surrendering. ] tnuured of o.
ther officers the fact, and learnt there was
abundance, and that besides the cartridges
and ammunition made up, there were forty
barrels of powder not touched.
There was not a gun fired from the fort
before the surrender. 1t was the opinion of
the officers that the first fire from guns pre-
pared for the purpose would have moved
down the enemy's ranks, fthey had persist
ed in advancing, and thrown his whole force
into confusion. Nodoubt was entertained by
any man tina / heard, that the British force
would not only have been repulsed, but eve
ry man taken or DESTROYED, if the General
would have permitted his officers and men to
fight.
DANIEL DOBBIN.
WASHINGToN County,
y4scg j. f y j..