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HARRISON TO EUSTIS

Piqua 5th September 1812.

No. 9

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that I received information last night that a British party consisting of one hundred and forty men, under a field Officer, and four hundred Indians under Tecumseh left Malden on the 18th Ultimo for the purpose of attacking Fort Wayne, and if Successful Fort Harrison and Vincennes. I had yesterday detached Nine hundred choice men to join the mounted men of this State which are in advance and proceed to relieve Fort Wayne from the attacks of the neighbouring Indians. I am now engaged in preparing Cartridges and boring the toucholes of the Muskets, all of which are too small and to some guns there are none. I shall set out tomorrow and by forced marches overtake the Detachment. I had intended to have given up this Command to General Winchester and had written to him to that effect. The situation of Fort Wayne however admits of no alternative. I have invited him to join me or to bring up the Troops in the rear. From the information received since I wrote you there is little doubt but all the Indians Miamis included will participate in the attack upon Fort Wayne. Having decided [?] in retrieveing it I shall be governed by Circumstances. I have conveyed the above intelligence by Express to Vincennes and requested the Governor of Kentucky to send Mounted Volunteers to reinforce the two Regts now there -

I have also requested a reinforcement to be sent to Kaskaskia.

I have the Honor to be &c

(signed) Willm. Henry Harrison
Honble
Secretary of War

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