The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-08-16


formed by the prisoners that the enemy's
forces consisted of 400 regular troops, and
500 of Dxon's Indians, Commanded by gen
Proctor in person. and that Tecumseh,
with about 1000 warriors. was some where
in the swalnps, between this * Fort Meigs,
expecting my advancing, or that of a con-
voy of provisions.
As there was no prospect of doing any
thing in front, being apprehensive that Te-
cHu Ell might destroy the stores and small
Diet chments in nv rear, l sent orders to
Gen: Cass, WIZ commanded the reserve,
to fall back to this place, and to gen. M
Arthur with the front line to follow and
support him. remained at Sandusky until
the parties that were sent out in every di
rection returned--not any enemy was to be
seen.
l am sorry that I cannot transmit you
NJ j. Croghan's official report. He was to
have sent 1t to me this morning. but l have
Just heard that he was SO much exhausted
by thirty SIX hours OF continual exertion as
to be unable to make il. II will not be a
mongst the least ofgen. Proc OF s mortiGca-
tons to find that he has been bafTled by a
youth who has just passed his twenty first
year. He is, however, hero worthy of his
gallant uncle (Gen. Geo. r. Clark
Captain Hunter, of the 18th regiment, the
second in command, conducted him self with
great proprietY and never were a set of
inner roung fellows than the subalterns viz
Lieuts. Johnson and Baylor, of the l7tb.
Anthony OF the Gath, Meeks of the 7th, and
Ensigns onipp and Duncan of the l7th.
The following account of the unworthy
artlhce and conduct of the enemy will ex
cite your ndignation--M aior Chambers was
| sent by General Proctor. accompanied b.,
Col. Elliot, to demand the surrender Of the
tort. They were met by Ensign Shipp.-
| The Major observed. that Gen. Pructor
| had a number of Cannon, a large body of Re
guiar Troops, and so MANY Indians, whom
1t was impossible to control and if the tort
was taken, as it must be. the whole of the
| garrison would be massacred Mr.. Shpp
answered, that it was the determination OF
Major Croghan, his officers and men, tc
defend the garrison. or be buried ip il and
that they might do their best Col. Elliot
then addressed MIR. Ship & said, you are
hne young man l pity your situation :
Tor God,s sake surrender, and prevent the
dreadful slaughter that must follow resis-
lance. Ship turned from him with indig
nation, and was Immediately taken hold OF
by an Indian, who attempted to wrest his
sword from him. Elliott pretended to ex
ert himself to release hin, and expressed
great anxiety 70 get him safe in the fort.
nave the honor to enclose Won coDy Of
| the first note received from Major Creehan
1t was written before day-and it has since
been ascertained, that of the enemy there
remained IN the ditch one Lieutenant Co
lionel, one Lieutenant and twenty five pri
vates--the number of prisoners, one serge.
ant and twenty FIVE privates ID of them
badly wounded-every care has been taken
ofthe latter, and he officers buried with the
honors due Co their rank ana their bravery.
| All the dead that were not in the ditch.
were taken off in the night by the Indians
1t is impossible, from the circumstances of
the attack, that they should have lost less
than one hundred. Some of the prisoners
think that it amounted to two hundred.
A young gentleman. private in the Peters
burg Volunteers, of the name of Brown. as
sisted by FIVE or six of that Company and of
the Pittsburgh Blues. who were accidental
ly in the fort, managed the six pounder
which produced such destruction in rhe
ranks of he enemy.
have the honor TO be, &c
WIN. HENRY HARRISON.
N. B. OF our few wounded men there is
but one that will not be well in less than six
days.