: A journal containing an accurate and interesting account of the hardships sufferings battles defeat and captivity of those heroic Kentucky volunteers and regulars commanded by General Winchester in the year 1812-13 Also two narratives by men that were wou

@FreeBooksThu 08 Jun, 2023

Posted in: #FreeBooks #FreeBooksIndia #FreeBooksApp #gg

Vote Up Vote Down

"The order of battle for rear attack will be so far attended with regard to the rear line; the rear battalions of Colonel Lewis's regiment and Colonel Allen's only are to turn upon their centre, while the heads of the front battalions are to close up the front lines, then, facing from the centre, march out until they respectively gain the flanks of the front line. Should the attack be in front, the senior officer nearest the flank battalion will judge of the propriety of bringing up that battalion to form on the flank of the front line. The second battalion of Colonel Lewis's and Colonel Allen's regiments will, in all cases, close up as the leading battalions shall advance, and make room for them. Captain Garrard's troop, forming the rear guard, will also close up and act as circumstances may require.

This day's march was twenty miles to Fort Wayne, through a great deal of first-rate land, rich, level, and well timbered, but badly watered near the road; we suffered extremely for water these three days. Our arrival at this fort gave great joy to the inhabitants, who were one company of regular troops and a few families. The Indians had closely invested the fort for several days, and burned the United States factory and all the other valuable houses which were not inside of the stockading. Three of our men who were caught out of the fort were killed by the Indians. The Indians encamped about the fort two weeks before they made the attack on it, and were admitted in by Captain Ray, the commanding officer of the garrison, who would have surrendered to the savages, had it not been for his lieutenant, who defended the fort with great bravery. Three Indians were killed and a few wounded. Captain Ray was arrested and would have been broken had he not resigned. The fort was well provided for a siege, having in it one hundred men, plenty of provisions, ammunition, four small pieces of cannon, and a good well of water.

Fort Wayne is one of the most elegant situations I ever saw, and must be an important place to the United States. Three weeks ago the neighborhood around the fort would have exhibited a pleasing prospect to those who had seen nothing for several days but a dreary wilderness of one hundred miles. A number of well-cultivated farms, with neat houses, in view of the fort, would have excited emotions of pleasure. I suppose there were four hundred acres of land in cultivation. All the houses were reduced to ashes, together with a large quantity of small grain and hay, by the savages; they were principally Pottowatomies; they also destroyed all the stock of every kind about these farms, which was very considerable. Fort Wayne is situated on the south side of the River Maumee, opposite the junction of the River St. Mary's and St. Joseph, which are considerable navigable streams in lat. 41? 4?, N. long. 11? 5? west from the meridian of Philadelphia.

We were alarmed by the report of some guns which were fired by the sentinels; we formed in order of battle for half an hour, during which time it rained very hard, and rendered many of our guns unfit to do execution, except the bayonets. The alarm must have proceeded from the timidity of the sentinels.

The following general order, will show Gen. Winchester's order of march.

"The army will march in the following order, to wit: the guard in front in three lines, two deep in the road, and in Indian file on the flanks, at the distance of fifty to one hundred yards from the centre line, when not prevented by obstructions.

"A fatigue party, to consist of one captain, one ensign, two sergeants, two corporals, and fifty privates, will follow the front guard for the purpose of opening the road. The remainder of the infantry to march on the flanks in the following order; Col. Wells's and Allen's regiments on the right, and Scott's and Lewis's on the left.

"The general and brigade baggage, commissaries' and quartermasters' stores immediately in the rear of the fatigue party. The cavalry in the following order: Capt. Garrard and twenty of his men to precede the guard in front, and equally divide at the head of each line. A lieutenant and eighteen men in rear of the whole army and baggage. The balance of the cavalry equally divided on the flanks of the flank lines.

"The line of battle shall be formed agreeably to Gen. Harrison's order on his late march to Fort Wayne.

Capts. Hickman and Ruddell returned, who had started this morning to reconnoitre Fort Defiance. They reported, that they saw many fresh signs of Indians. As they returned to camp they spied an encampment of Indians; the Indians were talking and laughing merrily. A detachment was sent after dark in order to surprise them. Ruddell, their pilot, got lost before he got far, so that they could not execute their design.

The spies reported they had killed an Indian, but could not get his scalp on account of other Indians; they stated there must be a large body of Indians near, by their trails.

"With great pleasure the General announces to the army the prospect of an early supply of winter clothing, amongst which are the following articles exported from Philadelphia on the 9th of September last, viz. 10,000 pairs of shoes, 5,000 blankets, 5,000 round jackets, 5,000 pairs of pantaloons, woollen cloth, to be made and forwarded to the westward immediately; besides the winter clothing for Col. Wells's regiment some days before; 1,000 watch-coats, ordered from Philadelphia the 7th of October, 1812. September 24th, 5,000 blankets and 1,000 yards of flannel. 25th, 10,000 pairs of shoes. 29th, 10,000 pairs of woollen hose, 10,000 do. socks.

Free books android app tbrJar TBR JAR Read Free books online gutenberg

Login to post a comment!