The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-09-09
For Editor OF the Battery.
POPLAR RIDGE, NEAR LATTAs,
Ross Co. O., july 18th, 1918.

Grn. J. l.. TAYLOR:
DEAR SIR:-Your letter some time since was
duly received, making some inquiry of me re-
speeding McArthur and Cass having broken
their swords at Detroit, when Gen. Hull sur
rendered the American army, on the 10th OF
August, 1912. The truth is, that neither Nc
Arthur nor Cass were present when the surren-
der took place. The reason of their absence
is as follows: Capt Brush and MIR. Creighton
with detachment of about $50 volunteers
from Chilicothe and vicinity, were escortng
"a large supply OF provisions 10 Hull's army.
and having arrived at the river Ra;sin, which
is 36 miles south of Detroit, they were infor-
med that a large body of Indians were lying in
wait for them at Browns,own. Capt. Brush
sent an express rider through the woods to
General Hull informing him of his critical sit
uation. General Hull Immediately sent Maj
or VanlIorn, with his battalion of volunteers
to escort Captain Brush, with his stores, TO
Detroit. The Indians met Major Vanhorn at
Brownstown, and defeated him. Nanhorn,
with his broken battalion, retuIned the same
night after his defeat The next day Colonel
Miller. with his regiment, and the remains OF
Vanhorn's battalion, were sent 10 escort Capt.
Brush and his stores 10 Detroit. Miller NOV
ed on hi force, and was met by the British
and Indians at place called Maguagaw. A
severe battle was fought. Miller drove The
enemy but lie was much crippled in the battle
having lost, in killed and wounded, nearly one
fourth of his men; and he then returned TO De-
troit, without effecting the objec; Of his expe-
dition The next morning after Col. Millers
return 10 headquarters. Macarthur, who was
the near neighbor of Capt. Brush's detachment.
urged Gen. Hull 10 permit himself and Colo
nj Cass to 60 10 the river Raisin, on different
route than had been pursued by Mai. Vanhorn
and COL Miller. o.. Friday morning, the
18th of August, Colonies Macarthur and Cass
with between 500 and 600 men, left headqua r
tiers 10 60 10 the Raisin. / accompanied the
expedition. They went on until Saturday a,
noon, when they were overtaken by an express
from General Hull, informing them that the
British General had arrived at Sandwich with
large force. aud had sent flag demanding
the surrender of Detroit. Gen. Hull directed
Macarthur and Cass to hurry back to Detroit
without the least possibl. delay. Macarthur
aud Cass now retraced their steps toward De-
troit, with forced marches, until nearly mid
night. The men were then permitted 10 rest
their weary limbs until day break, when they
resumed their toilsome march. When they
arrived within or miles of Detroit few
men were sent out 10 reconnotre. When this
party returned, they reported that the British
flag was floating over the fort II Detroit This
was unex pecied news. Macarthur and Cass
then retreated toa branch of the river, over
which was bridge. Here the detachmen.
was halted for consultation. We were with
out provisions Our situation was now peri
lous. We were 8 or 6 miles from Del, -
Whilst the officers were called together for
consultation white flag was seen approach
ing, carried by Major Chambers of the British
army. With him was Captain Elliott and two
| Indians. As these men came TO us they pre-
santed TO Macarthur the articles OF capiula-
| ton agreed 10 by General Hull and the Brit
ish commander. In the treaty OF surrender.
the officers side arms, and all private property
was secured to the owners. No search was
made for private property-no swords were
demanded or broken. The articles of the trea
~ were strictl; complied with by The enemy.
The sword which Gen. Macarthur carried on
| The occasion is now in possession of his son,
living ia ChilicothP; and have no doubt Gen.
Clss's sword is snugly slowed away in his own
house. If any dodbt the truth of the state
ment here made. by reference 10 the files of the
| War Department, the original articles of cap
itulstiol will be found which prove that all
officers side arms and private property were
secured to their owners. How the false, alb
surd, and ridiculous story of Macarthur and
Cass having Indignantly broken their swords
rather than surrender them TO the enemy, gol
wing is now difficult to imagine. You may
rely on the foregoing statement 10 be stTictly
true, though told in clumsy manner.
| remain, sir, your humble servant,
| JOHN MCDONALD.
| P.S. has Quartermaster of McArthur's
regiment, and accompanied him on every ex-
petition.