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HARRISON TO EUSTIS Head Quarters Piqua 27th September 1812 No. 13. Sir Impt The final arrangement for the march of the army towards Detroit is as follows, the right column composed of the Pennsylvania & Virginia Troops are directed to rendezvous at Wooster a Town upon the head Waters of Mohecan Johns creek; 35 miles North of Mount Vernon and 45 West of Canton; and proceed from thence by the Upper Sandusky to the rapids of Miami The middle column consisting of twelve hundred Ohio Militia will march from Urbanna where they now are taking General Hulls trace to the rapids. And the left Column composed of the Detachment of regulars under Colo Wells and four Kentucky Regiments will proceed from Fort Defiance down the Miami to the Rapids -- The mounted force under an Officer whom I shall select for the pur- pose will take the rout mentioned in my former letter from Fort Wayne up the St Josephs & across to the waters of the river Reisen -- Upon reflect- ion I am induced to abandon the scheme of attacking Detroit - for should it be successfull, as the Infantry will not be [in] readiness to support them it must necessarily be abandoned, and the Inhabitants be more exposed to the depredations of the Indians than they now are - a more useful employment will be to sweep the Western side of the Straight and lake of the Indians who are scattered from Browns Town to the rapids -- rioting upon the plunder of the farms which have been abandoned -- I expect to have more than three Thousand rations purchased by the Commissary at Fort Defiance in the course of the present week and Two hundred Thousand at Urbanna to be taken upon pack Horses - - both these deposits will be taken at two trips to the rapids - I have directed the Contractor White to deposit 200,000 rations at the second block House 42 Miles beyond Urbanna, 200,000 at a block house which [is] now building between St. Marys and Defiance -- and the like quantity at Wooster. At the latter place also Mr. John H Piatt is about to deposit 300,000 rations and to procure the means of transportation to Detroit -- I have also directed Major Denny to send to the same place the 300,000 which he has been dir- ected to purchase at Pittsburg. I am confirmed in the opinion which I before gave that supplys of provision can be obtained in this State, I shall take means to ascertain it and write to Major Denny of them should [it] be a necessity for purchasing in the purchase of 198,000[?] rations - I have dispatched an Express this day to Pittsburgh to direct that the Artillery and all the supplies destined for the N W Army should be sent to George Town upon the Ohio and from thence by New Lisbon & Canton to Wooster - In consequence of my application to the Govr. of Kentucky I have understood that 1600 mounted men have gone from that State to Vincennes. I have directed them to be employed against Tippecanoe and Peoria on the Illinois river, with the addition of the rangers and some other Companies in the Territories they will form a force of 2400 men. Agreeably to the authority given me by your letter of the 17th. I have appointed Mr. John H Piatt Deputy Commissary he is the same person. employed by General Hull and will I think make a most excellent officer -- There is nothing that gives me more apprehension than the destitute condition of many of my men is the article of clothing and Blankets. It appears to me that it is impossible that they can act in such a climate as that of Canada without warm clothing. I have applied to the Governor of Kentucky and have addressed the Citizens of that State on the Subject myself - Great exertion will I am persuaded be made to releive them but I must beg leave to recommend that some assistance if possible be afford- ed by the Government. I have put in requisition all the Woollens that have been sent out for the Indians and will leave them distributed and accounts kept against the men who receive them that the price may be deducted from their Pay. I Have the Honor to be &c (signed) Will Henry Harrison Honble P.S. I fear that the western Country cannot supply Stores and Blankets for the Troops - permit me to recommend that a supply of those articles and of possible woollen Jackets and overalls be sent on from Pittsburgh to Wooster by land to be disposed off to the Militia in the same manner that the surplus Clothing is to the regular Troops. It appears to me also proper that the Government should furnish Watch Coats for the Militia Centinels, from the Short period of their Service they cannot purchase those things out of their own pay -- I have therefore taken upon myself the responsibility of directing them to be procured - I fear however that materials cannot be found below Pittsburgh. Lieut Johnson has orders to furnish 150 from thence. It is fortunate that there are many members of Congress who will be enabled to give Testimony that will not be quest- ioned upon the floor of that body, as to the propriety and necessity of many alterations in the Military arrangements. I have no less than seven members elect of the next Congress under my Command and two of them Messrs Johnson and McKee belong to the present house of Representatives W.H.H. 35, 36 |
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