Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-08-14

Head. Quarters, Senaca Town
Aug 4, 1918
SIR.-In my letter of the fst IN
slant did myself the honor to IN
form you that one of my scouting
parties had just returned from the
Lake shore. and had dicovered the
day before, the enemy in force near
the mouth Of the Sandusky Bay.
The party had not passed Lower
Sandusky two hours before the ad'
vance. consisting Of Indians. appear
ed before the Fort. and in half an
honr after a largo detachment Of
British troops; and in the course OF
the night they commenced a cannon
aiding against the Fort with s six
Founders and two howitzers the
latter from gun boats. The firing
was partially answered by Maj or
Croghan. having a six FOUNDER the
only piece ofaptillery.
The fire of the enemy was CONT
nued AT intervals, during the second
instant, until about half after five,
p. III. when finding that there can
non made little impression upon the
works. and having discovered my
position here. and experimenting an
attack, an attempt was made to car
ny the place by STERN. Their troops
were formed in two columns, lieut..
col. Short headed the principal enc
composed Of the light and battalion
companies of, the 4tst regiment.
This gallant officer conducted his
men to The brink of the ditch, under
the most calling and destructive fire
from the garrison. and leaping into
it was followed by considerable part
of his own and the light company;
at this moment masked port hole
was suddenly opened and six pound
or with an half load of powder aud
double charge ofleaden slugs, at the
distance Of so feet poured destruc-
ton upon them and killed OF, wound
ed nearly every man who had enter.
Ell the ditch. In vain did the British
officers exert themselves to lead on
The balance Of the column; it retired
in disorder under a shower Of shot
from the Fort, and sought safety in
the adjoining woods. The ether co
inmn headed by the grenadiers had
also retired. after having suffered
from the muskets of our men. to an
adjacent ravine. In ,he course Of
the night. the enemy, with the aid Of
their indians. drew Off the greater
part of the wounded and dead, and
embarking them in boats descended
the river with the utm0t precipita-
ton. In the course Of the ed inst.
having heard the cannonading. |
made several attempts TO ascertain
the force and situation OF the enemy;
our scouts we're unable to get near
the Fort. from the Indians which
surrounded it. Finding however.
that the enemy had only light artil-
Iery. and being well convinced it could
make little impression upon the
works, and that any attempt to storm
it wosld be resisted with effect. !
waited for the arrival Of $50 mount
cd volunteers, which on the evening
before had left Upper Sandusky.
But as soon as l was Informed That
the enemy were retreating. ! set out
with the dragons to eDdeayor TO o.
vertake them, leaving Gems. N'Ar-
thur and Cass to follow with all the
infantry (about 7Oo) that could be
spared from the protection of the
stores and sick at this place. found
il impossible to come up with them.
Upon MY arrival at Sandusky. was
informed by the prisoners that the
enemy's forces consisted of 400 re.
gular troops, and 500 Of Dixen's In
dams. commanded by general Proc.
tor in person, and that Tecumseh,
with about 1000 warriors, was some
where in the swamps, between this
and Fort Meiss. expecting my adj
vancing, or that Of a convoy of pro-
visions. As there was no prospect
OF doing any thing in front. and being
apprehensive that Tecumseh might
destroy the stores and small detach-
ments in my rear, sent orders TO
general Cass, who commanded the
reserve, to fall back to this place,
and TO General M.Arthur with the
front line to follow and support him.
/ remained at Sandusky until the
parties that were sent out in every
direction returned-not an enemy
was to be seen.
! am sorry that ! cannot transmit
you Major Croghan's official report.
l. 81 - % IL