The Madisonian., 1840-02-13

iantrY, near It's junction with Desha's dlVl-
sion, and for moment made an impression
uponit. His Excelency Gov. Shelby how
ever, brought up regiment TO its support
and the enemy receiving severe fire IN
front, and part of Johnsons ret timent having
gained their rear, retreated with precipitation.
Their loss was very considerable in the ac-
tion, and many were killed in their retreat
can give no satisfactory information Of
the number of Indians that were in the action,
but they must have been considerably up
wards of 1000. From the documents in my
possession, (Gen. Proctor's official letters, all
OF which were laken,) and from the informa-
ton OF respectable inhabitants of this Terri
tory, the Indians kept in pay by the British
were much more numerous than has been ge-
nerally supposed. In letter TO General de
Rottenburgh, of the 9th ut., Gen. Proctor
speaks of having prevailed upon 5000 of the
Indians to accompany him. OF these it is GER
tain that so or 90 Wyandot warriors aban-
doned him.
The nomber Of our troops were certainly
greater ,ifan that Of the enemy but, when i,
is recollected that they had taken position
that efectually secured their flank, which il
was impossible for us to turn, and that we
could not present to them line more cx-
tended than their own, il will not be consider
ed arrogant TO claim for my troops the palm
OF superior bravery.
In communicating to the President through
you sir, my opinion OF the conduct of the
officers who served under me, | am at a loss
how to mention that Of Gov. Shelby, being
convinced that no eulogium Of mine can
reach his merits. The Governor Of an nde-
pendent State, greatly my superior in years,
experience, and in military characterize placed
himself under my command, and was no:
more remarkable for his zeal and activity, than
for the promptltude and cheerfulness with
which Id obeyed my orders.
The Majors Generals Henry and Desha,
and the brigadiers Allen, Caldwell, King,
Chies and Trotter, all Of the Kentucky volun
teers, manifested great zeal and activity. OF
Governor Shelby's staff, his Adjutant. Gene
raj, Col. Mcdowell, and his Quartermaster-
General, Colonel Walker, rendered great SER
vice, as did his Ads-de Camp, Gen. Adair
and Majors Barry and Crittenden. The mi
litary skill OF the former was of great service
TO us, and the activity of the two latter gen
temen could not be surpassed. Illness de-
prived Inc of the talents of my Adjutant- Ge-
neral, Col. Gaines, who was left at Sandwich.
His duties were, however, ably performed by
the acting assistant Adjutant- General, Capt.
Butler. My Aids de- Camp, Lieut.. O'Fallon
and Capt. Todd, Of the line, and my volunteer
Aids, John Speed Smith and John Chambers
Esqrs., have rendered me the most important
service from the opening of the campaign.
have already stated that Gen. Cass and Com
Perry assisted me in forming the troops for
action. The former is an Off Ger Of The high
est merit, and the appearance Of the brave
Commodore cheered and animated every
breast.
II would be useless, sir, after stating the
circumstances of the action, to pass enco.
miums upon Colonel Johnson and his regi-
ment. Veterans could not have manifested
more frmness. The Colonel's numerous
wounds prove that he was in the post of dan
ger Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson and
the Majors Payne and Thompson were equal
ly active, though more fortunate. Major
Wood of the engineers, already distinguished
by his conduct at Fort Moigs, attended the
army with two six-pounders. Having no use
for them in the action, he joined in the pur-
suit of the enemy, and, with Major Paine OF
the mounted regiment, two Of my Aids-de-
Camp, Todd and Chambers. and three pri-
Yates. continued it for several miles after the
rest of the troops had halted, and made many
prisoners.
left the army before an official return of
the prisoners, or that of the killed and wound
ed, was made out. Ii was, however, ascer-
tanned that the former amounts 10 six hundred
and one regulars, Including twenty-five off
GERS Our loss is seven killed and twenty
two wounded, five Of which have since died
OF the British troops twelve were killed and
twenty-five wounded. The Indians suffered
most--thirty.thre Of them having been found
upon the ground, besides those killed on the
retreat.
On the day of action, 6 pieces Of brass ar
tillcry were taken, and two iron "a Founders
the day before. Several others were discover
ed in the river and can be easily procured
or the brass pieces, three are the trophies of
our revolutionary war, that were taken at Sar-
atoea and York, and surrendered by General
Hull.
The number Of small arms taken by us und
destroyed by the enemy must amount to up
wards OF five thousand most of them had
been ours and taken by the enemy at the sur
render of Detroit, at the river Raisin and Col
Dudey's defeat believe that the enemy
retain no other military trophy of their Wcto-
ries than the standard of the 4th regiment
They were not magnanlmous enough to bring
that of the lst regiment into the field, or 1t
would have been taken
You have been informed, sir of the con-
duct Of the troops under my command IN ac-
ton it gives me great pleasure to INFORM you
that they merit also the appreciation OF their
country for their conduct in submitting to the
greatest privaaons with the utmost cheerful
ness.
The infantry were entirely without tents,