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HARRISON TO EUSTIS

(No 27) Head Quarters N W Army

Upper Sandusky 21st Decr 1812

Sir

I have the honor to enclose you a Copy of a letter received last Evening from Jajor Bodly the acting Quarter Master to the left Wing of this Army by which you will perceive that all our hopes of getting on a large supply of provisions and stores by the means of the Auglaize and St Marys have been disappointed by a sudden and uncommon freezing of these rivers when in the finist state for navigation. By a letter received from Gen Winchester of the 10th I learn also that his last barrel of Flour had been issued to his Troops. They cannot however suffer much as the large supply sent down the Auglaize from Fort Amanda (Tawa Town) if they have not reached him could not be at any great distance from Defiance. The unfortunate freezing of those rivers has however obliged me to abandon all Idea of fetting any assistance in accomplishing the final object from the Troops of that Wing or the very large supplies which have been collected at Piqua and St Marys. I shall determine in the course of the day upon the propriety of dismissing the greater part of the Kentucky Troops and by redoubling my exertions in this direction prepare for the occupying the Miami Rapids and advancing to Malden with a force less than half of what was first intended. They will how- ever be chosen Spirits and the Government may rely that whatever success may attend us, the Honor of the American Army will at least be supported. Capt. Gratiott has not yet goton nor have I heard any thing from him since he left Canton. Blankets and shoes are beginning to arrive and the Clothing for the regular Troops is coming up the Scioto. It will however be a considerable time before it can reach them. I have not heard of the Woolen overalls and Jackets (so long ago ordered by you in Philad- elphia) have reached Pittsburg. The Militia are many of them are naked and some Corps from that cause remarkably sickly. Gen Tupper reports two hundred and sixty of our seven hundred to be unfit for duty in his Brigade.

I had neglected to inform you that on the 18th of November I accepted of the resignation of Ensign Daniel D Armstrong and in the 4th Inst that of Ensign John E Morgan both of the 19th Regt. The former was charged with crimes for which he would have been cashiered. His youth and inexperience and the intercession of Gov Meigs induced me to suffer him to resign.

I have the Honor &c

[Ed. Then this part of a letter is thrown in:) Campbell had learnt from one of the Prisoners that Tecumseh was on the Wabash not more than eighteen Miles below our Troops with Six hundred Warriors. If this should be the case I entertain some apprehension for the safety of our detach- ment on its return encumbered as it is with wounded and Prisoners. Eighty or ninety Ohio Militia however marched from Greenville on the 20th Inst to reinforce Col. Campbell and his original command mwrits the approbat- ion he bestows upon it. The Capt Pierce who was killed commanded a Troop of Dragoons from this State, Lieut Walby belonged to the Troop of Twelve Months Dragoons from Pennsylvania, and Capt Trotter of the Kentucky Dragoons who distinguished himself in my aid de Camp whom I permitted at his desire to head his Troop upon this command. End of 1812

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