Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-01-03
Tincenrss, 18th Nou. 1911
SIR,

i y my Letter OF the 9Th inst. l did rnyseif
the honor to communicate the result of an ac-
ton between the troops under my command
ana the .contedera ton OF Indians under the
control OF tine Slawanoc Prophet. had pre-
viously informed you in letter of the cd inst
of my proceedings previously to M arrival at
the Vermillion River, where erected block
house for the projection OF the boats which |
was obliged TO leave, and asa depository for
our heavy baggage and such part of our provi-
slons we Were unable to transport in wac-
gons. On the morning of the Sd inst. com
menced my march from the block house. The
Wabash above this turning considerably to the
Eastward was obliged in order to avoid the
broken and woody country which borders up
on it to change my course to the westward of
north to gain the prairies which lie to the
back of those woods. At TIE end of one da VS.
march, was enabled to take the proper di-
rcction IN, E) which brought me on the
evening of the 5th to small creek at about
eleven miles from the Prophets Town had
on the preceding day avoided the dangerous
pass of Pine creek by nclining few miles to
the left where the troops and wagons were
crossed with expedition and safety. Our
route on the 9th for about six miles lay thro'
prairies separated by small points of woods
My order of march hitherto had been SINH
lar to that used by General Wayne; that is
the infantry were in two columns of files on
either side of the road, and the mounted rife
men and cavalry in front, in the rear and on
the TANKS. Where the ground was unfavora
Bile for the action of cavalry they were placed
In the rear but where it was otherwise they
were made to exchange positions with one of
The mounted rifle corps. Understanding that
the last four miles were open woods and the
probability being greater that we should be
attacked in front than either flank halted
at that distance from the town and formed the
army in order of battle. The United States
infantry placed in the centre, two companies
OF militia infantry and one of mounted rifle
men on each flank formed the front line. In
the rear of this line was placed the baggage
drawn up as compactly as possible, and i'm
mediately behind it reserve of three com pa
MES of militia infantry The cavalry formed
asecond line at the distance of three hundred
yards in the rear of the front line and com
pany of mounted rifemcn the advanced guard
at that distance in front To facilitate the
march the whole we're then broken off in short
columns of companies, a situation the most ia
vorable for forming in order of battle with ia
cllity and precision Our march was slow and
cautious and much delayed by the examina-
ton of every place which seemed calculated
for an ambuscade. Indeed the ground was for
some time so unfavorable that was obliged
to change the position of the several corps.
three times in the distance of mile. At half
past o'clock we passed a small creek at the
distance of one mile and a half from the town,
aud entered an open wood when the army was
halted and again drawn up in order of battle
During the whole Of the last days march par