The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-29

ner. The rise u the waters, from the hea
Wy fall ot rain preceding our march, and
some large creeks, l1n US no doubt Of consi-
derabie difficulty and embarrassment, inso-
much that not until the l4th did we pass
Sugar Greek, three miles above the road.
From every Information had no hesitate
on in moving on the east side uf the Wa
bash. The Vcrmillions, Pine creek, and O.
Their impetliments ON the west side, super
added to the presumption that we were ex-
pected and might more easily be annoyed
and ambuscaded on that route, determined
me in this measure. The boats too, with
our provisions of rations, forage and military
stores, could be more easily covered and
protected, as the line of march could he in
variably nearer the river Lieut.. Col. Bar
bour, with one battalion ofhis regiment, had
command Of the 7 boats, and encamped with
us on the bank of the river almost every
night. This so protracted our march that
we did not reach the PROPHETS town until
the 10Th. On the morning ce this day de-
tached 500 men to surpriIe the Winebago
town lying on Ponce Passu creek. one mile
from the Wabash and four below the Pro-
phets. Ibis party, commanded by Gen.
Butler, surrounded the place about break of
day, but found it evacuated. There were
in the main towE about 10 houses, many of
them from 90 to so feet in length, Besides
many temporary huts in the SURROUNDING
prairie. in which they had cultivated z good
deal of corn.
On the Goth, 21st and 22d we were en-
pioyed in the complete destruction of the
Prophets town which had about 20 cabins
and huts, and the large kickapoo village
adjoining below it on the west side of the
river. consisting o. about 100 cabins * huts;
finding and destroying their corn, reconno-
tring the crcumj accent country, and con-
| structing works for the defence Of our boats
and the army. Seven miles east of us, on
the Ponce Passu creek, party of Indians
were discovered they had fired on small
party of ours on the Dist and killed man
by the name of Dunn, a gallant soldier in
captain Duvaps company. On tie 22d up
wards OF 90 horsemen, under the command
oil Lieutenant Colonies Miller and Wilcox,
anxious To bury their comrade as we'll a.
gam more complete knowledge of the
ground, went to point near the Indian en-
campment, fell into an ambuscade, and Is
ct our party killed, wounded and missing.
Among these are three hopeful young Off
GERS and one private from the 9th (WilcoX's)
regiment, viz. Mars, Edwards, Murray.
and the private Webb, presumed to be Kill
led the other IA were OF the rangers. On
the return OF this party, and the Informal
ton OF large assembage of the enemy,
who, encouraged by the strength of their
camp, appeared to be waiting for us, every
preparation was made to march early and
engage the enemy at every risque; when,
from the most violent storm and fall of
snow, attended with the coolest weather
ever saw or felt at this season of year, and
| which did not subside until the evening of
the Esd, we were delayed until the 24th
Upon arriving on the ground. we found the
enemy had deserted their camp before the
iall OF the snow and passed on the Ponce
fassu. have no doubt but their ground
vas the strongest / ever have seen-the
deep rapid creek spoken OF was in their
rear, running in a semicrcle, and fronted
by BLUM 100 feet high, almost perpendiCu-
lar and only to be penetrated by three steep
ravihes. If the enemy would not defend
themselves here, it was evident they did not
intend lighting at all. After reconnoitrini.
sufficiently, we returned to camp, and found
the ice so accumulated as to alarm us for
the return OF the boats. had fully intend
ed to have spent one more week in endea-
voring to find the Indian camps but the
shoelcss, shirtless state of the troops, now
clad IN the remnants of their summer dress !;
river full of ice; the hills covered with
snow rigid climate, and no certain point
to which we could further direct our opera
tons under the influence Of the advice of
every staff and field officer. orders were gi-
ven and measures pursued for our return
on the 25th. We are now progressing to
Fort Harrison through ice and snow, where
we expect to arrive on the last day of this
month. From Vincennes I shall have the
honor of addressing your excellency again !;
but before close this, cannot forbear e1-
pressing the merits of the officers and SOL
dlers OF this command. After leaving at
Fort Harrison all unfit for duty. we had in
prvates OF every corps about 10OO--in the
total 1850 or thereabout. At the Prophets
town upwards of 100 of these were on the
sick report. Yet, sir. have we progressed in
such order as to menace our enemy from
any annoyance seven large keel-boats
nave been covered and protected to a point
heretofore unknown in Indian expeditions !;
three large Indian establishments have
been burnt and destroyed, with near three
miles OF fence, (and all the corn, &c. we
could indy besides many smaller ones the
enemy have been sought in their strong
holds, and every opportunity afforded them
to attack or alarm us march on the east
side of the Wabash, without road or cogni-
Zance OF the country, fully 90 miles, per-
fected; and this has been done with a ma
kcd army OF infantry, aided by only about
! so rangers and epiea. All This will &c :n:.a
in 20 days-Fo sigh, no nurmur, no com :
plant.
certainly feel particular obligations tn
my friends Gen. Butler and Col. Taylor,
for their efectual & ready aid in their ill.,. !;
as also to Capt. Il. Taylor, of the 9TH u. >.
regiment ; Messrs. Gist and Richeson, nv
ds-dc-camp, and Major J. G. Brecken
/ ridge, nv secretary for n TromDt and Of