The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-01-08
Vinccnncs, 5, 18th Nov. 1911.
SIR,

SIR,
In my letter of the 9Th inst. | did my
self The honour To communicate the result CT
AN action between the troops under MY
command and the confederation of indians
under the control Of the Shaw1ooc Prophet.
I had previously Informed you ina lette, OF
the 81 inst. of my proceedings previously 10
my arrival al the Vermillion river, where |
had erected block.housc for ,hc protection
Of the boats which l was Obliged 10 leave,
and as a epositary Tor our heavy baggage and
such part of our provisions as we were una
bic to transport in Wagons. On the morn
inv of the 81 inst | commenced my march
from the block-housc. The Wabash above
;as turning considerably TO Tic Eastwarti---I
was obliged, In order 10 avoid the broken ard
woody country which borders upon it, To
change MY course 10 ,hc westward Of north
10 gain the prairies which lie on the back Of
those woods. Al the end Of one days march,
WAS enabled to- taae the proper direction IN.
l. which brought me on the evening OF tho
sth toa small creek at about eleven miles
from tbc 0phct's town. | had on the pre-
cceding day avoided the dangerous pass o!
Pine creek by inclining few miles to the
left, where the troops and Wagons were
crossed ~ith expedition and safety. Cur
rout on the 9th for about six miles lay thro'
prairics seperIled by small points of woods.
My order of march hitherto had been SIM
liar Il that used by General Wayne that is,
the Infantry were in two co.ums of files on
either side OF the road, and the mounted r-
femtn nd cavalry in trout, IN the rear anu
or tie Aanks. Where the ground WAS unil-
youtabie for the action Of Cavalry they we'e
placed in the rear,but where it was otherwise
thyy were made to exchange positions with
one of the mounted rlnc corps. Unlors,0nd-
standing that the last four miles were open
woods, and the probability being greater ,ha
we should be attacked in troN than on either
flank, | hated at that distance from the town
and formed the army IN order OF battlc.' he
United States Infantry placed IN the ceulre,
TWO companies of militia infantry ard one oi
mounted rifle men on each flank formed the
trout line. In the rear Of this line was placed
the baggage drawn up AZ compactly as possi-
bic, and Immediately behind it u reserve Of
three companies of militia infsntsy
cavalry formed a second line at the distance
Of three hundred yards in the rear OF tho
front line, and company of mounted rifle
men the advanced guard at that distance in
front. " To facilitate tho march the whole
were then broken of in short columns ol
companies, a situation the most favourable for
forming in order Of battle with facility and
precision. Our match WIS SLOW and cautious
and much delayed by the examination Of cv-
cry place which seemed calculated for an am
buscade. Indeed the ground was Tor scne
time SO untavouraoe tina, | was obliged to
change the position OF the several corps,threc
times in the distance Of mile. At half past
2 o'clock we passed small creek al the dis
tance of one mile aad a nalf from the town,
aud entered an open wood, when the ar
my was halted and again drawn up in order
oil battle. Daring The whole of the lasi day,
march, parties OF Indians were constantly a.
boat IL, and every effort was made by The in
terprcicrs to speak to them, but in vain---new /
attempts of the kind were now made, but
proving equally Intellectual, a Capt Dubois
of the spies and guides Offering to so with
lag TO the town, despatched him with an
in,es pscter 10 request Il conference with the
Prophci-in few moments message was