The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-01-08


forward, and constantly eDdcavourcd to tu;
Rim off from the MY. Cpon this inicrrna-
ton recalled the Capsin, and determined
10 cncamp Tor the night, and tekc some other
measures for opening conference with the
Prophet.
Whilst was engaged in tracing the lines
lor the enca mpmcrt, Msjor Da,iess, WHO
commanded the Dragons, came 10 inform
NE thst lie bad penetrated TO the Indian
fields that the ground was entirely open and
iavourabe-ihat ihc Indians in flont had
manifested nothing but hostility, and had an
swercd every attempt 10 bring them 10 par
Icy with contempt aud insolence. ] was i'm
medatey advised by all the officers around
me 10 move forward. A similar wish indeed
pervaded the whole army-lt was drawn up
IN excellent order and every man appeared
eager 10 decide The contest Immediately. Be
ing informed that good encampmeni might
be had upon the Wabash, yielded To what
appeared the general wish, and directed the
troops TO adyapcc, taking care however TO
place the interpreters IN front with directions
10 invite conference with any Indians they
might tneet With We had not advanced d.
boyc ioor hundred yards, when was inform
cd that three indians had approached the ad-
Vanccd guard, and had expressed wish TO
speak 10 ine. found upon my arrival that
one OF them was man in g:cat estimation
with The Prophcl.- .e Informed me that the
chiefs were much SUI prised ~ my advancing
upon the,p so repidg that they we're given
80 understand by the Dcluwarcs AND Mlamies
whom had sent 10 thcm lew days before,
that would not advance 10 ther town, until
had received ah answer 20 my demands made
through them lhgt ibis answer had been
despatched by the fo,awatimic chic. Vine
mack, who mad accom- panied the Miamies
and DciaWares on tEcir etutn that they had
leiL the Prophets town two days before with
a design to meet ua, bni had unfortunately
taken tie road on. The south side OF the Wa
bash. | answered that haG no intention Of
attacking them uuul discovered that ,hey
would uQt comply with the demands vbich
bad made--thai | would 20 OH and cncau.p
Il, the Wabash, and in Ihc mo, ming would
have al interview with the Prophet ond his
Chiefs and eXpItin TO them the Ge,clin.na.
ZION Of the PresIdent--that in the mean time
no hoslillies should be committed. Hc SEEM
ed much pleased with this, aEd promised thai
il should DC observed on ihcir pait.
lthcn resumed nv march VIC struck the
cultivated ground. a out five hundred yarda
below the town, but rs these extended to ;bc
bank OF the Wabash there was no possibility
OF getting an cncampmeni which was proviG-
ed with both wood and water My guides
and interpreters icing still with the advanced
guard. and taking the direction OF the town,
the army iolowcd, and had advanced withiE
about so yards, when SO or 90 lndiens sal
lied out, aud with loud\ exclamations, called
to the cavalry and 10 The, miii'ia infantry, who
were on cur right fapk, 70 halt: l irmedi-
a,ely advanced to the flon,, caused the army
to halt, and directed an interpreter TO request
some Of the chiefs to come TO me. In few
momens the man VINO mad been with me Be.
fcro niade disappearance. l informed HIT,
that my object for the present vas 10 prCCu,c
good piece OF ground 10 oncamp on, where
We could get wood and wa,or--hc informed
me tha; there was u Gre elk 10 lhe northwest
which he thought would ,oit our purpcsc.--I
immediately despatched two officers TO exam
ine il, and they reported that lhe situation
was excellent. l then took a,ave of The
chief, and mutual promise was again nadc
for suspension Of hos,iilies until we ootld
have an interview on the io,iUwil.g day. !
found the ground destined for the encamp.
ment not a.oee,he: such as | could wish it
ii was indeed admirably calculated Cor the en-
camament o! regular troops, that were op.
posed 10 regulars, but il attorde great iaCit-
y.,o the approach ot sayages. K was piece
OF dry oak land, rising about ten Ieet above
the level of a msrshy prai,ie in front, TO-
wards the Indian town. and nearly twice that
height, above similar prairie in the rear,
through which and near TO this bank ran
small stream clothed with willows and other
brush wood. Towards the leli flank this
bench OF high land widened considerably, bul
became giadually narrower in the opposite
direction, and ut the distance of $50 yards
from the right flank terminated in an abrnr:
point. The two columns of infantry occuri-
cd the lrost aud rear. Of this ground at th,
distance of about so yards from each other
ON the lett, and something more than halt
that distance on the right hank--thcse tanks