The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-10
Vol. 9----No SIS.

siderable quantity of provisions which we
Gould not take away with US. The surplus
arms and ammunition l thought proper to
| destroy, fearing they would make bad use
or 1t in their possession. also DESTROYED
all the liquor on hand soon after they began
20 collect. The collection was unusually
large for that place, but they conducted
with the strictest propriety till after l
lett the tort. On the 18th, at in the
morning, we commenced our march part
OF the Niiamies were detached in front &
the remainder in our rear, as guards. un
der the direction Of capt. Wells. The 81
tuanon OF the country rendered it necessary
iorus to take the beach, with the lake OH
our lett, and high sand bank on our right,
at about 100 yards distance. We had pro-
ceeded about mile and half, when it was
discovered that the Indians were prepared
to attack rs from behind the bank / i'm
medIately marched up with the COMPANY to
me top c. the bank, when the action COM
nenced: after firing one round, we charg-
ed, and the Indians gave way in front and
joined those on our tanks. In about Is mi
nutes they got possession of all cur horses,
provisions and baggage of every tleScripti-
N, and finding that the Miamies did not
assist us, drew off the few men | had q.
md took posss ssion of small elevation in
the open prairie out of shot of the bank or
any other cover. The Indians did not fol-
, low me, but assembled in bncly On the
| top OF the bank, and after some consultation
among themselves, made signs for me to
approach tfems i advanced towards them
| alone and was met by one IT the Potawsta-
mic chiefs, called the Black bird. with an
interpreter. After shaking hands, he re-
lueSted me to SUR ender, promising to snare
the lives Of all the prisoners. On few
moments consideration, concluded it would
be most prudent to comply with his request.
although did not put entire Confidence in
his promise. After delivering uD orr arms
We were taken back to their encampment
near the fort. and distributed among the
different tribes. The next morning they set
hre to the fort and LETT the place, taking the
prscrers with them. Their number of
warriors was between and 5 hundred
nostl! of the Putawatamie nation. and their
loss, from The best inform atiou | could get
10. Our strength was 81 regulars and 10
militia, out of which 20 regulars and all the
militia were killed in the action, with
wemen and IL children. Ensign G.. Roman
and Doctor Isaac V. V, ornis of my compa-
ny, y i h captain Wells # Fort Wayne. avg
numbered among the dead. Lieut.. Lima T:
| II I'm, with 25 non commissioned off ers S-'
pmrates, and IL women and children were
prisoners when we were separated. Ms
Head and myself were taken to the month
o! the river st. Joseph, and both being bad
y won ded, were permitted To reside with
Mr.. Burnett, an indian trader IN n few
days after our arrival there, the Indians ALI
| went off to take Fort WAYNE, and i'm their
! 'bsence engaged man to take us to MI
chHimdckiaac by water, where I gave nv
eff up a prisoner of war, with one of NV
SerSeants. The mmanding officer, CAPT.
Roberts. offered me every assistance in his
| power to render our situation conf ~ bic
while we remained here, and to enable ne
t" proceed on our journey. To hin, gave
and reported myself to col Pre- ctor, who
gave us passage to Bnff;,loe; from that
place came by the way of Preque Isle and