Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-18

and safe return: and never did the ex
Ipanding heart of the plumed patriot, on
ibis approach to the battle ground, glow
with more exalted feelings Of valorous en-
Il thusasm and love of country.
Having after long and fatiguing jour
Iney, Joined the army under General Har-
rlson, at Carrying river, they advanced
to the rapids of Miami, where hastily con-
structing fortress, which was denomina-
ted Fort Meigs, in honor of their excel
lent governor they awaited the arrival Of
Proctor, who not sufficiently stated with
The inhum,n carnage of small detach-
ment OF American troops at Frenchtown,
on the river Raisin, directed his forces a.
Igalnst them in formidable array, and
flushed with the pride of an inglorious
victory the blood stained laurels
of depravity yet reeking on his brow
was preparing to repeat that iniquitous
tragedy, for which the annals of civilized
warfare afford scarcely single parallel.
The British lost no time in erecting
batteries at various points around the fort,
which were no sooner completed than a
brisk cannonade was commenced; but
finding them incompetent, an officer was
despatched with flag to summon the
Americans to surrender.
General Harrison having expressed his
surprise that they had not been summon
ed before the attack, directed him to tell
his general that 'while he had the honor to
command an American fort, it should new
er surrender to combined force Of ty.
rants and savages.'
The firing was now resumed on both
sides, when intelligence being received
from General Clay, that his brigade were
advancing in boats few miles above,
General Harrison ordered him to send a
detachment Of eight hundred men to de-
stroy the enemy's works on the opposite
side, while he projected sortie under
the command of Col. Miller, against those
on the side of the fort. This was mme-
diately complied with, and the British.
driven from their batteries, were com
PEELED to fly in all directions. But the
Americans, unhappily pursuing the fugi.
tlves too far, were surrounded by a body
OF Indians, three times their number, IN
der the celebrated Tecumseh, who being
on their march to the British camp, form.
ed an ambush for their reception. Death
or victory! was now the word, and sum.
moning up a courage worthy of ID better
fate they determined to cut their way
through the savage horde, or perish in the
Iattempt. But alas! out of the eight hun
dred, only about ore hundred and fifty
lever returned
Colonel Miller's division of three hun
|dred men, whose plans had been nearly
Frustrated ty the impetuousity of the
party on the opposite side, now advanc-
ling on the enemy, charged the whole line
of their WORKS, manned by three hundred
and fifty regulars and five hundred Indi-
ans; but beng overPowered by superior
lty of numbsrs, were about retreating in
confusion, when Captain Croghan, seeing
that such anevent was calculated to rem
der their destruction inevitable, cried out
to his men, il a steDtoraD voice, sAmeri-
cans, remember the deeds of your fathers.
and prove tleir offspring not degenerate
and boldly darging with his single com
pany, was soon followed by the rest, who,
stimulated BY such noble example, and
seeing their companions exposed to- immi,
nent peril, Immediately rallied to their
assistance, ard in few minutes drove
the enemy fran Their batteries, then spi
king the cannon, they returned to the fort
with forty-two prisoners.
| (Ianora1 p.octor f,pJ;,,s fiat 70 u,,h
due the tenants of the log house, he was
likely to sacrifice more than he anticipa-
ted; and-as the cruel are ever coward
ly-not wishing 10 risk another battle
with men who were capable of any thing
like a.serlous resistance, he made hasty
retreat under cover OF the night, leaving
behind many valuable articles which his
hurry would not permit him to carry off.
Croghan received the thanks of his gen.
eral, and being promoted to the rank of
major, was sent TO take charge of theFortI
Iof Upper Sandusky, but while command
ing at this station, he received private in
telligence that the British had planned AM
attack on that of Lower Sandusky, and
immediately set off with small number
OF men, to strengthen the latter, and put
ut in the best posture Of defence.
He was not little pleased to find there
before him the brother of his betrothed,
now Captain Hunter, who having express
sed the most lively satisfaction at receiv-
ling the assistance of man, upon whom
he could safely rely IN the hour of trial
cheerfully resigned to him the command
of the garrison. Croghan now found that
his whole force amounted to only one!
hundred and sixty men, with one sixPoun-