Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-10-02

control more than two thousand white men.
Before ! close this despatch it is a duty l owe
my respectable associates IN command, Coils. N
MArthnr. Findley. Cass, and Lieutenant
Colonel Miller, 70 express my obligations to
them for the prompt and judicious manner
they have performed their respective duties
Ii aught has taken place during the campaigns,
which is honorable to the army. these officers
are entitled to a large share of il Ii the last
act should be disapproved, no part of the cen.
sure belongs to them, l have likewise To ex-
| press my obligation TO General TAYLOR. who
has performed the duty Of quarter-master1g e-
neral, for his great e~xertions in procuring O.
very thing in his department which ii was
possible to furnish for the conveniency OF the
army likewise to brigade major Jessup for
J the correct and punctual manner in which he
has discharged his duty and to the army &C.
neraily for their e~xestion, and the zeal tiev
have manifested for the public interest. The
death of DIR. Foster soon after he arrived at
Detroit was a severe misfortune to the army
it was increased by the capture of the Chacaga
packet, by which the medicine and hospital
stores were lost. He was commencing tho
best arrangements in the department of which
he was the principal, with the very small
means he possessed. was likewise deprived
of the necessary services of Capt. partridge
by sickness, the only officer of the corps of
engineers attached to the army. All tho Off
GERS and men have gone to their respective
homes, excepting the 4th United States regi-
ment. and a small part of the First, and Capt.
Dyson's company Of artillery. Capt. Dyson's
company was left at Amherstburgh, and the
others are with me prisoners-they amount to
about three hundred and forty. | have only
to solicit an investigation of my conduct. as
early as my situation, and the state of things
will admit and to add the further request.
that the government will not be unmindful or
my associates in captivity, and of Il families
of those brave men who have fallen in the con-
test.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
w. HULL, Brigadier General,
commanding the North Western
Army of the United States.
Hon ". Eustis, Secretary
of the Department Of War.
LETTER
Of Col Cas-, Of the army late under the
command Of Brigadier General William
Hull, to the Secretary Of Var.
WAsmNoToN, Sept. 10th, 1912.
SIR,
OCt VA " ~hA0 - ~
col. MArthur, for the purpose of communicate
ing to the government such particulars res
pecting the expedition lately commanded by
brig. gen. Hull. and its disastrous result, as
might enable them correctly to appreciate the
conduct of the officers and men, and to devel-
one the causes which produced so foul a stain
uponthe national character, / have the honor
to submit to your consideration the following
statement:
When the forces landed in Canada, they
landed with an ardent zeal and stimulated
with the hope of conquest. No enemy APP
peared within view Of US, and had an imme-
date and vigorous attack been made upon
Maiden. it would doubtless have fallen an ca
sy victory. know gen. Hull afterwards de-
clared he regretted this attack had not been
made, and he had every reason to believe
success would have crowned his efforts. The
reason given for delaying our operations, was
to mount our heavy cannon, and to afford to
the Canadian militia time and opportunity
to quit an obnoxious service. In the course
of two weeks, the number oftheir militia who
were embodied had decreased by desertion
from six hundred to one hundred men and,
in the curse of three weeks, the cannon
were mounted, the ammunition fixed, and e
very preparation made for an immediate in
yestment of the fort. At a council, at which
were present all the field officers, and which
was held two days before our preparations
were completed, it was unanimously agreed
to make an immediate attempt to accom-
plish the object of the expedition. If by
waiting two days we could have the service
of our heavy artillery, it was agreed to
wait if not, it was determined to go with
out Ii and to attempt the place by storm
This opinion appeared to correspond with the
views Of the general, and the day was APP
ao;n,ad for commanding our march. He de-