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HARRISON TO EUSTIS

Head Quarters Piqua 24th September 1812

No. 12,

Sir

I arrived here late this Evening for the purpose of expediting the supplies for the Army when I had the Honor to receive your favour of the 17th Inst. The important command of the 8th Military District which the President has been pleased to confer upon me will call forth every faculty of my mind for the service of my Country as it has every feeling of Gratitude towards himself.

The situation of the Troops in advance of this are three Kentucky Regiments of Infantry, Garrards Troop of 12 Months Dragoons and Colonel Wells's Detachment of Regulars making something about 2000 are marching from Fort Wayne to the site of old Fort Defiance under General Winchester. Another Regiment of Kentucky Troops are employed in cutting a road from St Marys designated on the Maps "Girty's Town" to Defiance and erecting an intermediate Block House, one Regiment completing the Fort at St Marys and another will march from this place To Morrow Morning. Four Troops of Dragoons armed with Muskets and Major Richard M Johnsons Battalion of Mounted Riflemen were at Fort Wayne a few days ago. I authorized their return to St. Marys after they had consumed the Corn at the Turtle's Town. Before I set out this morning from St Marys I directed Colo Finley (an old Revolutionary Virginia Colonel of Merit) to march with his Regi- ment of Mounted Men 350 Strong to distroy an Ottawa Town on the Waters of the Au Glaize about 40 Miles distant. These tribes are at War with us, they furnished a large proportion of the Indian force which assisted in capturing Genl Hull and some of the same Indians[?] are now Known to be at Malden. There are besides at St Mary's about 200 Kentucky Mounted Riflemen & a troop 48 strong of Dragoons. I accepted of them for six Months because they were the only Corps in the whole army that were armed with Sword and Pistols. I expect an additional force of several hundred Mounted Volunteers in a few days and should I not be able to take Command of them myself I will select an officer to execute with them (if not the surrender of Detroit) some atchievement to give eclat to our arms. I have with me a Servant of General Taylors who made his escape from Malden two Weeks ago this day. He informs me that the Indians at and near Malden have arrived to a prodigious number and that they daily arrive in birch Bark Canoes from the North. A considerable number of them are encamped at Browns Town a situation very favourable for surprising them which shall certainly be attempted.

Being fully persuaded that provisions for the army may be obtained here much cheaper than at Pittsburg I have written to Major Denny not to purchase more than four hundred thousand Rations until he should obtain further instructions from you. There is an abundance of Beef Flour and Whiskey to be obtained here and unless it is expected to controle the navigation of Lake Erie and send the provisions which Majr. Denny may purchase by that route to Detroit I am persuaded that it would be better and safer to procure them here. I recollect that the army was several times during General Waynes Command upon this point of starving from this difficulty of getting Provisions down the Ohio in the fall Season after that had been procured at Pittsburg. I have put in requisition about 550,000 Rations to be deposited at St Marys and Urbanna, three hundred thousand will be at the former place by tomorrow Evening and I shall forthwith direct a purchase of 400,000 and then wait your decision as to the Pittsburg order. The road from Urbanna to the Rapids will not do for Wheel Carriages it will do however for Pack Horses -- I shall consult with some intelligent persons from that Quarter and determine upon the propriety of extending my base further Eastwardly and having a Deposit toward Sandusky. I have had no report of the Ohio Troops but believe them to be about 900. They will take the Urbanna Route. I have provided for vigorous operations on the Wabash and hope to be able to extend them to the Illinois River.

Upon my arrival at Fort Wayne charges of so serious a nature were exhibited against Capt. Rhea that I arrested him. He agreed to resign and I have given him until the 30th of December to return Home at which time his pay & Emoluments will cease. Upon examining the Valuation of the Horses which were hired for mounting the Infantry for the Expedition they were valued so low and the delay in returning them likely to be so great that it was thought best to purchase them at the Valuation, for this purpose I drew on you in favour of Mr. Jesse Hunt whom I employed in this business for six thousand dollars on the 21st on the 22nd for 4600 dollars in favour of Mr. John Piatt Deputy to Colo Buford to purchase and equip Pack Horses $4000 on the 23rd in favour of Major T. Bodly Qr. Master Genl. of the Kentucky Quota, a set of Bills for $1000 another set for 2000, another for 3000 being for the general expences of the Quarter Mas- ter Department. A Detachment of Artillerists will be much wanted from the old Corps. I cannot Suppose that the officers of the newly raised Regiments of which there is a Capt in this state understand much.

I have the Honor to be &c Willm Henry Harrison

The Honble
W Eustis Esqr
Secy of War

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