Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-01-03


guides, offering to go with fag to the town,
] dispatched him with an interpreter to re
quest conference with the Prophet-in few
moments a message was sent by Capt Dubois
to inform me that in his attemps to advance,
the Indians appeared in both his TANKS, and
altho' he had spoken to them in the most
friendly manner Trey refused to answer but
beckoned to him to GO forward and constantly
endeavored to cut him offfrom the army. Up
on this information | recalled the Captain,
and determined to encamp for the night and
take some other measures for opening con-
ference with the Prophet. Whilst | was en-
gagged in tracing the lines for the encampment,
Major Davess who commanded the dragons.
came to inform me that he had penetrated to
the Indian fields, that the ground was entirely
open and favorable, that the Indians in front
had manifested nothing but hostility and had
answered every attempt to bring them to
parcy with contempt and insoence. | was
Immediately advised By all the officers around
me to move forward. A similar wish indeed
pervaded all the army-it was drawn up Ia
excellent order and every man appeared eager
to decide the contest Immediately. Being in
formed that good encampment might be had
upon the Wabash, yielded to what appeared
the general wish, and directed the troops to
advance, taking care however to place the in
terpreters in front with directions to invite
conference with any Indians they might meet
with We had not advanced above four hum
bred yards, when | was informed that three
Indians had approached the advanced guard
and had expressed wish to speak to me.
found upon their arrival that one of them was
man in great estimation with the Prophet
He informed me that the chiefs were much
surprised at my advancing upon them SO Ia
pidly-that they were given to understand by
the Delawares and mamies whom had sent
to them few days before, that would not
advance to their town. until had received an
answer to my demands made through them
That this answer had been dispatched by the
Pctawatimie chef Wnemac, who had ac-
companied the Miamies and Delawares on
their return; that they had left tie Prophets
Town two days before with design to meet
mac, but Had u4sfsssaaas@ly iait.n tao road on
the south side of the Wabash answered
that had no intention Of attacking them un-
til discovered that they would not comply
with the demands which had made-that |
would go on and enoamp at the Wabash, and
in the morning would have an interview with
tne Prophet and his chiefs and explain to
them the determination of the President-that
mitted He seemed much pleased with this.
anu promised that it should be observed ON
their part. then resumed nav march we
struck the cultivated grounds about FIVE hun
dred yards below the town. but as these ex
tended to the bank of the Wabash there was
no possibility OF getting an encampment which
was provided with both wood and water NV
guards and interpreters being still with the
advanced guard, and taking the direction of
the town, the army followed and had advanc-
ed within about $50 yards, when so or co In
o1ans sailed out and with loud explanations.
called to the cavalry and militia infantry.
which were on our right flank, to halt inn
meMately advanced to the front, caused tie
army to halt, and directed an Interpreter to
request some OF the chiefs TO come to me- In
few moments the man who had been with
me before made his appearance. informed
nm that my obJect for the present was to pso-
cure goou plete OF ground to encamp on
where we could get wood and water--he in
formed Inc that there was creek to the north
west which he thought would suit our purpose
immediately dispatched two officers to ex-
anime 1t, and they reported that the situation
was excellent. then took leave of the chief
and mutual promise was again made for a
suspension of hostilities until we could have
an interview on the following day. | found
the ground destined for the encampment not
altogether such as l could wish tit was in
deed admirably calculated for the encampment
OF regular troops, that were opposed to regu
lars, BUTT afforded great facility to the APP
proach OF savages. 1t was a piece of dry oak
iand, rising about ten feet above the level OF
marshy prairie in front Ito the Indian town.
and nearly twice that height above similar
prairie III the rear, through which and near
to this bank ran a small stream clothed with
willows and other brush wood.--Towards the
LETT flank this bench of high land widened con-
slderably, but became gradually narrower in