Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-09-16
were wounded in the fort. all slightly

except one or two.
ssth, "Wednesday. disappearance OF
the enemy until about IL o'ciock' wnen
we discovered their feet putting out OF
il. barbor, which was large bend on
,h;s side of the river that completely
kept them from view OF this Tort
Never until this moment could we form
anv opinion of their probable strength
having never shown their main body De-
FIRE About one hundred and thirty or
FORTY water crafts of different kinds to-
rether with two double masted vessels
were seen; the small vessels were sup
posed to average 20 men each-what
number were in the large vessels we
could form no idea oi-lhe river was
COMPLETELY covered with their sail they
had fine homeward breeze and were
quickly out OF sight.
The horsemen had kept their encamp-
ment. about 2 miles above the fort /; they
were likewise in motion directing their
course down the river, supposed to be
Tecumseh's squadron, and it so, about
900 strong, the same no doubt the de-
serters spoke OF some time ago, az being
enca.nped on the River Raisin.
What number of Indians there were
on foot is entirely conjecture; but !! is
reasonable to suppose that they were as
numerous as at the former siege and
what the aggregate forces of the enemy
were is matter of much speculation here.
Various are the conjectures; but 1t is
the settled opinion Of the better part OF
the garrison, that they were at least 5000
strong.
Tie truth is, theirs has been ore OF
the most novel and extraordinary move
ments that could have been expected
from an enemy-That they should ad-
vance openly in day ligbt-phch small
number of tents in full view OF Us, strike
them suddenly, and change their en-
campment, make display oftheir horse
men, have elegant music, give us sham
battle, infest the Fort for eight days, and
then retire without having any further
communication with Us either by way OF
truce or contest, is so mysterious and
ambiguous display of tactics as to rem
der all conjecture who the command
er was. If he was man OF military to.
Tents, VIVA, could have been his object !!
Had they intended a storm, surpr.ze aid
secret movements should have beentheif
ruling priAciple, but they seemed to
lave abandoned that policy, by making
their approach notorious. Had they ao-
icipated reduction of This place by Ar
tillcry, they had advantageous ground,
and the most ample opportunity of erect
ing Batteries, which they failed to do.
Had their object been to cut off the
communication and destroy reinforce
ments from other posts to this--they
most shamefully neglected their duty,
for all our expresses returned safe, and
the circumstance of MouDtjoy's arrival
in open Daylight, was so remarkable, as
to De called miracle by all-and should
sheil whole movement have been ground
ed on the false hopes Of success, on the
stratagem which they intended to prac-
| tise on us, the result has shown how far
they have been mistaken, and has attach
Cd to ITS protector the merited disgrace
Ut so bad "a resort, and has likewise re-
t1ected the highest honor Oh the con-
maDder OF this garrison, for his quick
penetration Of the deception. VIA,
heir real Intentions were, remain vet
With themselves, for they have dore
nothing to disclose any of their views
which might be thought important by
us. For my own part will hazard my
| opinion as to this, that they bad no par,i
cu!ar motive, but have made all this pa.
rade to crafty the Indians who are con,
'inually pressing them to battle, and who
! am told are growing very hungry
This letter might easily have been COM
priced in the old saying of the king Of
Frances troops The British marched
heir troehs ut to Fort Mrigs, and then
marched them do7rn again" Upon the
hole consider their retreat as dis.
| graceful one, and the maintenance ofthis
cost Oh our part equal to victory
This is the second defeat the combined
army has suffered before the picketing
of Fort Meigs, and Ing may it and as
protection 10 the N. w. Army,--and
as an eye sore-and subject of disgrace
o the enemy, who in the former siege,
With the heaviest train of Artillery they
ould produce, were not able to effect
solitary breach on this stubborn wall
of oak. ~
P 5 The Post al Carrying River was
deserted few dais sinCe BY all Ohio
Company, and before NC could send re-
Inducements to supply the vacancy, the
Indians consumed it with fire. 1t was
no, place Of much importance. and the
greatest loss We suffered was the Arms,