The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-05

ders thrown into the current soon found that II
would not be possible to the whoic force be-
fore daylight aud some, when over, would not be
IN condition TO contend with force oil twotlr,ls
OF their numbers, was very reluctantly compelled
to stop the passing o. the men, and seud back
such had crossed this Occupied US tall oclueS
IN the morning. Immediately ordered the wet
to be dried, and caused cartridges to be taken
from the men who had not been ia the river, and
distributed to those whose cartridges had been wet
La the morning, convinced were unable to get at
the eaeny, ordered the spies To endeavur ID decoy
them over they proceeded down anft discovered
themselves; about 10 came over, but they were SO
cautious rs not to be drassn eithn our iues. The
spies, however, wounded two OF tbe,u. After fiud-
ms they were not coming over with any coasi'lcra-
BILE force, l marched down aaI Showed the hea,!s
OF our columns opposite their cneampmen. Al Boug-
rona. They appeared in eonsid cradle disorder, AS
the advanced guard orencsl iron the woods. The
british which were in the vessels and boats mme,li-
atciy cut loose and procee.i.d down the river The
waIaen were saen running o. on the road ieatlin.
TO Detroit the men oIaniehced fire towards us,
but the distance great that but few of their
bullets reached us The Indians Showed force oil
between and hundred, every one discharged his
piece. They had one piece of artillery, which, they
discharged from its report considered it poun-
der. After number OF challenges for. them to
cross over by our men, ordered the march back to
our encanrment, having previously observed num-
ber OF Indians mounting their horses and taking the
direction OF the road. When within shout Que mile
OF eur encampmsnt, some Of the soldiers without
permission and contrary to orders, fired upon gang
OF hogs from the Of the right column aud pur-
sued them near half mile at the same time s or
~ men, without my nowledee, left the raaks and
entered q field to gather corn-at this moment. a
soay OF mounted lndisns eama upon them, and kill
led tour men then rode violently UP to the rear of
the right flank and coinmenced an attack 1 order
ca the right column thrown back &c commenced a
nrisk hre. at the same time advancing upon them
they gave the ground but in afewsninutes, rallied s.
passing along our 2n-guard. made violent charge
spon the rear OF the Left column. This was thrown
briskly back, u resisted every attempt they AIDE tn
break the lines In 20 minutes they wero driven
from the field.
Conoeivng that the attack by this force of mount.
ed men was but to get our troops into disorder, to
make room for an attack OF their foot ordered the
.,ght column to move up into marching order, lest
that atack should be made ON right faux This
column had scarcely regained their no,tion ,vh.n
H'aJor beastey, who commanded battalion ON that
hsnk. sent and Informed me that the Indians were
crossing the river IN considerable numbers at the
head OF that column. Immediately ordered the left
column to resume their marching order. AMI nro.
ceeded to the head of the right column. which was
nearly up to the ford. found number Of Indians
hao crossed on horseback; in the middle of
Tue river crossing, and about two hundred still n.
the opposite bank. l ordered major BentIy 10 adj
vance with his battalion and disodpe them In fb;s
he succeeded in a few minutes; several AZ tbay,
were shot from their horses while crossing the river
- observed them floating down the Rapids at dis
lance below their horses The sun at th;s fine se
setting. The Indians which had made the att,ek
upon our rear crossed at ford below the rear Of
ours, our oo:umns' We had but one msn touched by
ouiet III our lines, and he but slightly; one of ou
spies was also wounded. A number of the indians
we're SHOT from their horses-they with great deY
tsr'ty threw them oe again and carried them of the
hsu from the information OF number of men on
whom can rely, well as from what wa. ,y;f,..s
70, from Is to 90 Indians were carried off either
kliied or wouaded. Spit Log, mounted on an active
White horse, led on the several attacks at the com
mencement-his horse was well trained he 60.
M nth
MN oennd tree. At some of the last attacks ano
ther rider YVES mountedt on that norse, when the
horse was wounded and taken from the field. Col.
sno was aong our rear and right sou,nn, about
oooy ards distance; he was well known by several
persons IN our lines. The Indians horses were We
ry different from such as have been aecustonea
TO bee them riding; they were high and active they
were also supplied with pistols and holsters 7 49,,
reason to believe the whole force of the er.,y
very ttle If any, Inferior to our owa of this was
well convinced from the information Of capts ink
ton ana WOOD, who examined the number Of their
hes before we attempted to cross but from the adj
vantage we had gained by our approach and the
determined spirit of the soldiers felt not the least
hesitation IN attacking them and we'll am con.
unced mat nothing but the situation of the river
prevented our making complete slaughter of their
whole force, and securing the gun-boats and hat
teaux leading With corn.
The troops under my command had consumed
their provisions. some on the evening of the 18TH
and all on the 1ith) and had then distance of 40
miles TO travel back before there was possibiity Of
supply. was, therefore, compelled to abandon
spesiton l felt myself fully able TO maintain.
1t sa iuty, sir, owe both to the officers and SOL
diers, to say that they have performed this march
through roads almost impossible, wet and deep
they hays marched late and early; have endured
wet, cold and hunger without mnrmur or COM.
plant They have at all times oheerlully sought the
enemy, and when engaged and com nanded to charge
them, have rushed upon them at full speed.
The enemy had gathered very little of the corn
from the fields on this side of the Rapids and have
reason to believe they they took but little off in their
boats; what quantity remains on the other shore
am not able to determine.
Inc troops encamp this evening 10 miles from
tins place. l left them this morning at 10 o'clock
they will arrive in the of the day after to-or-
row. when they will have performed march of one
hundred and sixty miles in days, one of which vas
spent IN maneuvrins and eontending with the eze.
my.
am, very respectfully, Sc.
(Signcd)
EDW: w. TUPPER.
Brig, Gen H1RRrsoN