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OSL MILLS STEPHENSON TO MEIGS

Eaglecreek August 12th 1812

Sir)

Some time since I Received orders from my Superior Officer to have two hundred and Eighty one men detached and duly organized from the Brigade which I have the honor to command; On Executing my Orders some difficulties presented themselves in a strict compliance with my orders and the Requisitions of the law for Organizing and dicipling the Militia

I shall take the liberty of sugesting the points to which I have alluded and if it would not be thought Improper I should be highly gratified to have the Opinion of the Commander in Chief on the subject

The Orders which I have Received are to the following Effect VIZ "You will have two hundred and Eighty one men Including Officers detached and duly Organized from your Brigade to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moments warning you will Endeavour to have one twentieth part of your quota Artilery one twentieth part Cavelry and the Residue Infantry however the Commander in Chief will have no Objection to Receive a proportion of Rifle men Organize in destinct corps. By Refering to the 30th section of the law there is a provision That all Companies of Artilery and troop of horse shall be called into service by Company under their own proper Offi- cers the first or oldest Company in the state should serve on the first tower &c. I cannot discover any provision in law for the Brigadier Genl to be furnished with any document to Enable him to know the Existance of any such Companies in the state Except those within his proper Brigade

There is a similar provision contained in the same section Respecting the Light Infantry Granediers and Riflemen Except the district being Re- duced to a Division

There are various Opinions also Respecting the services of those In- dependant Companies as they stand Independant of the Infantrey and serve in a particular way and on particular tours whether they can be considered as Included within the number called for from any Division Brigade or Regi- ment or whether they are to serve their particular touers Independant of the number Required from such Division Brigade or Regiment -- I have given Orders to have my quota detached and duly Brigadized from the Infantry and shall order some of those Independant Companies to hold themselves in Readeness to serve a touer Independent of the Number called for from my Brigadw with an Expectation That your Excellency will accept thier servis- ces and them creditted with the same as a touer of duty an answer to which you will please to give as soon as convenient and the hurry of business will admit

I have the honor your very humble Servent

Mills Stephenson

Comt of the 9th B 2d. D. Ohio Militia.

his Excellency Genel. Meigs.