The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-10-26

that the Indians would attack and de-
stroy this place upon the advance CT the ar
my as he neglected to commence the brea
sing up the bridges until the night of the
second inst. On that night or army reach
r d the river, which is twenty five miles from
Sandwich and is che Of four streams cross
ing our route. over all of which are brdg-
IS, and being deep and muddy, are unfsrda
bic for a considerable distance into the
countryside bridge here was found entire,
and i'll the morning ! proceeded with I'M
sons Regiment to save if possible the others.
At the second bridge over branch Of the
river Thames, we were fortunate enough TO
capture Lieut.. of Dragons aud eleven
pTivates, who had been sent by Gen. i roc :
tor TO destroy them. From the prisoners
learned thar the third bridge was broken
up and hat the enemy had 40 certain ufor-
NJ alton Of our advance. The bsi6ge ha' ing
been imperfecly destroyed, was soon re-
paired and the army encamped at brakes
farm, fcur mi % below Dalson's.
The liver Thames, atong The banks of
rvh!ch our route lay, is fine deep stream,
nay.gaoie for vessels of considerable bur
then, af'er the passage of the bar at its
mouth. over which there is six and half
feet water
The baggage of the army was brought
ON Detroit in boats projected by three
Gdnboats. which Commodore Perry had
furnished for the purpose, as we'll as TO Co
yer the passage ct the arpy over the Thames
itself, or the mouths of its tributary streams
the banks being low and the country
generally open (Prairies)as high as Dial
sons, these vessels were well calculated
tor that purpose. Above Dalson's, however.
the character of the river and adjacent
country is considerably changed. The fer
oil 4
its banks high and wosdy. The Commo-
dore and myself therefore agreed upon the
prepriety ofleaving the boats under guard
OF one hundred and fifty infantry, ard de-
'erminsd to trust 20 fortune and ,he bravery
OF my troops TO effect the passage of the ri
YER. Below place called Cha, ham and four
miles above Daison's is the third unforda
bic branch OF the Thames The bridge over
its mouth had been taken up By the indians,
as well as that at McGreeor's MiYs, one
mile above-several hundred of the Indians
remained TO dispute cur passage and. upon
| the arrival of the advanced guard, com
menced heavy fire from the oppe.ite bank
! Of the creek as well as that of the river.
! believing that the whole force of he enemy
was there, halted the army, formed in or
Ger or battle, ard brought up cur two SIX
! Founders to cover the party that were or
oeTed to repair he bridge-a few shot from
those piercs. soon drove off the Indians and
enabled us, IN two hours, to rerair The bridge
and cross the troops. Col. Jnhnson's Mcun
lied Regiment being upon the right of the
arUy, had seized the remains of the bridge
az the Mills undera heavy fire from the
Indians Our loss upon this occasion, was
| two Killed ard three or four woundec,-that
IT the enemy was ascertained 70 be cCnsid
ersbiy greater. a house near the bridge
r mi mi =.
muskets had been set ON fite-but it was
exringuished by our troops and the arms
saved. At the first farm above the bridge
we found ore # the enemy s vessels on fire,
l AIDED viii arms & ordnance siorss. & learn. d
that they wee few miles AHEAD of ms. still
on the right bank Of the river = i;h the Great
body If he Indians. At BowIes's farm. f. u,
miles from the bridge, we halted for the
night, found wo other vessels an5 a Iarse
distillecy fill, with ortina ~ and other va
iusble stores to an INN -nse amonnt in
II mes-it was impossible 10 put GU, the
hre--two twenty four Founders with them
carriages we've taken and Iatge q anti =
OF balls and shells otvarioas sizes. The ar,
my was put n morton early On the morning
Of the 5th, pushed rn in advance with the
Mounted Regiment and requested G ".
oheibY 10 follow as expedit;ouslv as pos jbIe
with the infantry--the Governors yea! and
that OF his men enabled them to keen m
with the cavalry. ant, by o'clock, we were
az Arno'd's Mills having taken in the couTse
ot the morning two Gunboats and Sc versl
batteaux loaded with provisions and arnnu
milton.
A rapid at the river at Arnold's Mills af
lords the ONLY fordiug to be met with for a
very considerable distance, but, upon exam
nation, It was found too deep for the infan
try Having, however. fortunately taken
Two or three boats and some Indian canoes
on the spot. and obliging the hursemen 70
take foot man behind each, the whole
were safely crossed by 10 O'Clock. Eight
miles from the crossing We passed farm.
"hefe part OF the British troops had en-
camped the night before, under the com
mand OF cal. Warburton. The deta CHI
ment with Gen. Proctor had arrived thee
before at the MoraYian Gowns, 4 miles high
er up. Being nov Certainly near tie csc
my,I directed the advance Of J hnson's -
giment to accelerate their march FIR tse
purpose Of procuring in, diligence. The Off
Ger Commanding it, in a short tine, sen, to
INFORM ne, that his progress was stoned
oy the enemy, who were formed across cnr
iIhe OF march One o. the cnemy's wAegon-
ers being also taken prisoner. from the in
formation received from him. and my own
observation, assisted by some of nv officers
soon ascertained enpugh Of their positina
ana order of battle, To determ ne thai, which
II was proper for me to adopt.
have the honor herewith to enclose vop
my general order, Of the 9th ult. prescri
o'ag the order Of march and Of battle when
0 J. .. 4.