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HARRISON TO EUSTIS

(No. 17)

Head Quarters Franklinton

22nd Octr 1812

Sir

Every exertion has been made since I last wrote to you to procure and forward the supplies for the Army to the advanced posts. Very little has however been purchased for the Commissarys Department as Major Denny had engaged every Manufactoring Mill from the Sciota to Pittsburg having dispatched an order for that purpose as soon as he received your first order for the 1098000 Rations Under these circumstances I thought it ad- visable to suffer him to go on to procure the w hole quantity which you had ordered and have instructed him accordingly. I have not heard from the Virginia Troops since they left the Ohio but have heard from pretty good authority that they were to march on Sunday last. I set out this morning for Mansfield when I expect to meet the Brigade from Pennsylvania and the greater part of the artillery Gov. Meiggs informs me that there are no Artillerists in Genl. Wadsworths Division who have any practical knowledge of their duty. One or two Companies have been formed but they never had a field Piece until a few Weeks ago. I regret exceedingly that a Detachment from one of the Regular Regiments cannot be spared for this army.

A report has prevailed in this Country that a number of Indians and British Troops had been landed at Sandusky eight or ten days ago. I learn that it has been the cause of General Wadsworths advancing from the Port- age to the Huron River with all his force. I am persuaded however that the report is entirely unfounded.

I am not able to fix any period for the advance of the Troops to Detroit. It is pretty evident that it cannot be done upon proper princi- ples until the Frost shall become so severe as to enable us to use the Rivers and the margin of the lake for the transportation of the Baggage and artillery upon the ice. To get them forward through a swampy Wilder- ness of near two hundred miles in Waggons or on Pack Horses which are to carry their own provisions is absolutely impossible. The Enclosed extract of a letter just received from the Commissary Piatt will give you some Idea of the State of the road and the difficulty of getting provisions even to Defiance but that route of reaching Detroit can be accomplished by using the Margins of the Lake as above mentioned. If the Troops are provided with warm Clothing and the Winter such as commonly are in this Climate. It is certain however that no species of supplies are calculated upon being found in the Michigan Territory. The farms upon the river Reisin which might have afforded a quantity of forage are nearly all broken up and distroyed. This article then as well as the provisions for the Men is to be taken from this stated circumstance which must at once put to rest every Idea for a land Conveyance at this season since it would at least require two Waggons with Forage for each one that is loaded with provisions and other articles. I am informed that from eight to ten thousand Bushels of Corn may be obtained at Cleveland and a few thousand between that place and Sandusky. My present plan is to occupy Sandusky accumulate at that place as much provision and forage as possible to be taken from thence upon Sleds to the River Reisin. At Defiance, Fort Jennings and St Marys Boats and Sleds are preparing to take advantage of a rise of Water or a fall of Snow. Genl. Tupper with one thousand Ohio Militia is advancing to McArthurs Block House 44 miles from Urbanna upon Hulls Trace to cover the provisions which the Commissary is deposit- ing there and which by the Middle of November will amount to 200,000 rations, he has also directions to prepare Sleds for taking it forward. It has been my object to Keep as many of the Troops as possible within the 41st degree to save the provisions purchased by the Commissaries which are intended for the army the Troops when they shall advance. But Not withstanding my urgent demands the Contractors have done little or nothing towards the Deposits which I have required to be made at McArthurs and Jennings's Block House (upon the Auglaize) and at the latter place the two Regiments there are subsisting upon the Commissaries Stores. Major White has let out his contract for the North Western part of the state at so low a rate that the sub Contractors are unable to furnish the supplies, and one at least of them is as great a Scoundrel as the world can produce, indeed I am very far from being satisfied with Major White himself He will it is said make $100,000 by the Contract from this state and I am very well persuaded that he had rather see the Army starve than that his profits should be lessened five hundred dollars. He merits no indulgence from the Government and he has certainly forfeited the penalty of his bond.

The Troops at Fort Defiance to the Miami Rapids in a few days, I do not believe however that any great advantage would arise from it until the other Columns are ready to support them & it would be productive of the certain disadvantages of consuming provisions forwarded with immense labour and expense without essentially contributing to the Main design. I Know of no arrangements which could be better calculated to protect the Frontiers and support each other than that where the several corps of the army at present form Depredations by small parties of Indians may and will be made but it is impossible that any considerable body can advance against the settlements without being in danger of being inter- cepted in their retreat. I am persuaded that the Indians have done less Mischief upon the Frontier since the Declaration of war than they did in the same length of time preceding it. It was suggested to me a few days ago by a member of Congress that the possession of Detroit by the Enemy would probably be the most effectual bar to the attainment of peace, if this was really the case I would undertake to recover it with a Detach- ment of the Army at any time. A few hundred Pack Horses with a drove of Beeves (without artillery and heavy Baggage) would subsist the 1500 or 2000 Men which I would select for the purpose until the residue of the army could arrive. But having in View offensive operations from Detroit, an advance of this sort would be premature and ultimately disadvantageous. I have the Honor to enclose you Genl. Tuppers report to me which himself or his Friends have very improperly caused to be printed in a hand Bill. Since I began to write this letter I have received information that the Troops from Pittsburg had not set out from thence on Sunday last and of course they cannot be expected at Mansfield for four or five days yet. I shall therefore remain here which is much more convenient for superintending the Tuppers than any place further in advance until Monday of Tuesday next. I have not received certain information of the Virginia Troops crossing the Ohio. Capt Adams is not at Cincinnati, as soon as he arrives a return of all the Troops shall be forwarded

I have the Honor to be &c Willm Henry Harrison

Honble
Wm Eustis Esqr
Secy of War

43, 44, 45