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HARRISON TO Head Quarters Portage River

15 Miles from Miami Rapids

24th Jany 1813

Sir

It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you Sir that the Detachmt. under Genl. Winchester has been entirely distroyed by an Indian & British force on the morng. of the 22nd. Inst at the River Reasin. About 12 oclock of that day I was informed at the Rapids by a Messenger from the officer who was marching a detachmt. to reinforce Genl Winchester that the Genl had been attacked that Morng. and that the Frenchman who brought the intelligence had supposed that our troops were reterating [retreating] I had there with me a Regt. of Ohio Militia about 350 strong two Detachments had been[?] on the way to join Genl. Winchester but had taken different roads -- one of 200 Ohio Troops were marching on the edge of the lake & the other 300 strong were pursuing Hulls road Leaving directions for the Regt to come to follow me I proceeded on & overtook the Detachment of Keny Troops in about five miles additional information was now received the french citizens were flying in Consider- ably numbers in [illeg.] Upon the [illeg.] & about 3 oClock some of the fugitives began to arrive. All agreed that the defeat was total & com- plete that the troops were nearly all surrounded & cut off or taken by 7 oClock in that Genl Winchester was seen retiring below [illeg.] the River Resin [illeg.] with a few men & two or three officers all of whom entirely [illeg.] that they were pursued by Indians on horse back who were con- stantly thining their numbers by fireing upon them & that our men were unable to resist as almost all of them had thrown away their arms. I could not hesitate as to the propriety of hovering to their assistance as long as there was a possibility of being able to afford any, but I was much embarrassed in the choice of the roads which it was proper to take -- that upon the ice would afford the most easy & expedient march & that could Major Cotgrove with the battalion above mentioned had taken -- On the Contrary all the accounts agreed that Genl. Winchester have taken the land road -- In a short time however from the fugitives who began to drop in I learnt that Genl W and the 40 or 50 Men who were with him were all cut off a few excepted who had broken off to the margin of the lake & from those who were last seen the scene of action I learnt that all resistance upon the part of the troops that had remained there had ceased before 8 oClock -- the question then to be determined was whether to would be proper to advance to the scene of action or not -- the force with me when joined by Cotgroves Battalion would amount to nearly 900 men -- this Battalion had made a forced march of 12 Miles the morng. of the action & had arrived within about 15 miles of the River Resin when the major received such certain information of the total de- feat of the troops that he had thought proper to return & was then with- in a few Miles of us -- Genl Payne Genl. Perkins & the field officers were Consulted and it was unanimously determined that as they could be no doubt of the total defeat of Genl. Winchester there be or[?] no notice [motive?] that Could authorise an immediate advance but that of attacking the enemy who were reported to be greatly superior in numbers & were certainly well provided with artillery that after (a forced march of 12 miles the distance from our then position) from the River Resin the troops would be too much exhausted to [illeg. ] the enemy that Cotgroves Battalion from having already marched twenty five Miles that day would be unable to accompany us -- it was therefore determined to return to camp with the troops -- but large Detachments of the most active & vigorous men was sent along the different routes to assist & Bring in the fugitives -- I had dispatched Colo Wells early in the Evg. in a light [illeg.] to procure intelligence He progressed within twelve miles of the scene of action & returned about 9 oclock. A Council of war was then called Con- sisting of the Genl field officers and two questions submitted to them -- Whether it was probably that the enemy would attack us in our then situation & if they did could we resist them with effect At this Council Major McClanahan of the Kenty Volunteers who escaped from to action[?] assisted. He was of opinion that there were from 1600 to 2000 British & Indians opposed to our troops & that they had six peices of artillery principally howitzers. It was the unanimous opinion of the Council that under all circumstances it would be proper to retire a short distance on this road upon which the Artillery & reinforcements were approaching -- Nor should we be able to maintain our camp by getting in our rear the enemy would defeat our troops in detail and inspite of all the efforts we could make would take the all important Convoy of Artillery & stores Coming from Upper Sandusky -- The March to this place was accordingly made yesterday -- where I shall wait for the Artillery & a detachment under Genl Leftwitch I hope in four days again to be at the rapids

With respect to the disaster that has happened & the cause which has produced it is proper that I should say that the Movement which led to it was not only without my knowledge or Consent but entirely at Varience with the instructions that I had given to Genl. Winchester -- As soon as I was informed that it had been made every effort in my power was had to encrease their strength -- three Hundred men more than the Genl. had asked for were on their march to join him as his situation enabled him to obtain the most Correct information of the strength & position of the enemy I could not doubt his having obtained it -- In justice of Genl. Winchester however it is my duty to observe that I have understood through the Detachmt under Colo. Lewis was made at the earnest solicitations of his officers & perhaps Contrary to his judment.

However deeply to be lamented sir the destruction of the Detachmt. under Genl. Winchester may be as a national Calamity & as it regards the families of the valuable Individuals who have fallen it has by no means distroyed my hopes of success with Regard to the accomplishment of the principal objects of the Campain -- Unless the weather should be un- commonly unfavorable I shall return to the rapids in a few days with a force considerably superior to any that the enemy can collect with[?] in the Upper district of Canada -- I can discover no dispondence amongst the troops that are with me -- And I trust that something may yet be done to compensate us for the hardships & difficulties which we every moment encounter

The account given by Major McClanahan & Captn. Glows of the action of the 22nd. is that the enemy Commenced just after Revelle to throw shells amongst our Troops before the officers & men had risen from their beds -- they were however found -- but very inconveniently posted being entirely surrounded they were broken & in 20 Minutes -- the Genl indea- voured to rally them after they had passed the river but without effect -- 40 or 50 with the Ge 1. Broke through in that direction but from the depth of the snow those on foot were soon exhausted & were in a short distance over taken by the Indians -- The Genl. frequently attempted to form them to oppose the Indians, but his efforts were ineffectual -- I am unable to say what are the number[L] of the killed & prisoners -- some of the french men whom I have seen [say] that 500 were killed others 600 -- I am still however in hopes that the greater part are prisoners -- I have seen one man who asserts that he saw Genl. Winchester killed scalped his bowels taken out -- Such are the allies of a power which boosts its attainments in every act & science & such the [illeg.] associates of British officers who claim distinction for their nice feelings & delicate sense of Honour --

I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect sir yr Hu Svt But 2 officers & 25 or 30 privates reached my camp from the battle of the River Resin

77, 78, 79