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EXTRACT OF A GENERAL ORDER DATED HEAD QUARTERS, CAMP IN FRONT OF THE FIELD OF BATTLE, 21ST AUGUST, 1794.

A Court of Enquiry to consist of five members will sit immediately to enquire and determine whether Antoine Lassell comes under the character of a spy, having been discovered secreted and painted within the lines two hours after the defeat of the Savages in the action of yesterday.

Colonel Hamtramck, President, Lt. Wade, Judge Advocate, pro tem.

This is to certify that it was proved before the Court of Enquiry of the 21st of August of which I was President "to enquire and determine whether Antoine Lassell came under the character of a spy," that the said Lassell was actually taken in arms and made resistance when he was taken.

Camp Miamis Villages, Oct. 15th, 1794.
Copied as a true statement of facts by me.

J. F. HAMTRAMCK,
Lt. Col. Com. Sublegion.

JOHN WADE.

Judge Advocate, P.T.

STATEMENT OF JAMES JOHNSON.

Evidence of James Johnson, a Deserter from the American Army, aged 38 years, deserted on the night of the 20th inst., says he was formerly a soldier in the Queen's Rangers during the American War, and that General Wayne's Army at present consists of about 1600 or 1700 Militia, whose time of service will be out the 10th Oct. next, and about the same number of State Troops, that it was a conversation among the men that they were coming against this Fort, but it was merely a matter of conversation without any certainty, as they were of different opinions.

The Army for the last six days has been upon half allowance of provisions, but with plenty of Indian corn, that they have a great quantity of cattle, and he understood that they had sixty days' flour when they left Fort Greenville. They have built four blockhouses at the Glaize, where they have left a hundred men, but they built nothing between that and this place, except a breastwork which they threw up every night for their defence. In the action of yesterday the left column only was engaged, it was begun by the Militia, but part of the State Troops were also brought into it, that he himself was with the left column, he cannot say what their loss was but he supposes a hundred must have fallen.

He had heard much talk about Newman's desertion, and that one Cooper was in confinement at the Glaize on supposition that he was privy to it, and that Newman was in the Quartermaster's employ.

The Militia were beginning to be sickly, the Army in general were pretty healthy, and they had tents for all the Regulars, but none for the Militia.

He describes a Canadian that was taken prisoner yesterday so particularly that it must be Antoine Lasselle, as he is missing, and further says that the same Canadian had given information that there were only nine hundred Indians and

forty white men in the engagement yesterday, and about two hundred soldiers in this Fort, said Johnson says that the Americans have exactly twenty Howitzers with the Army.

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I sent last night a dispatch to you, to be forwarded by Colonel McKee wherever he should be found, somewhere lower down this River.-In it I detailed the transactions of the day-the chief purport of which was to inform you, that the Americans and Indians had had an engagement, and the latter were beat, and had retired below this Post, how far I do not know

From the circumstance of an American Army having taken Post on the heights opposite to Colonel McKee's, Almost within reach of the Guns of this Fort, and remained there upwards of twenty-four hours, without any explanation on their part, I conceived it a duty I owed to my station, and indispensibly necessary in support of the honor of the British Colours to desire to be informed upon what terms they Approached so near to this Post. I refer you to my letter to Him, now enclosed, (and which I hope you will not think unguarded) together with his Answer. I sent my Flag by Captain Spears at Eleven o'Clock this Morning. Captain Spears was stopped at their out Post, and was desired to return immediately, as the Woods were full of Riffle Men, and they were Affraid of his Safety, from Accident. But that an Answer should be sent presently. It arrived at Four O'Clock. It appears to me, a vain production and still leaves me a cautious part to Act-At the same time, if Any of his Troops wantonly Insults this Post, it shall not be with impunity.

I sincerely hope the Governor himself may soon arrive, and take all responsibility upon him.

I trust a Reinforcement from you is not far off at present, I conceive there is no danger in coming up the River, how long it may be so, is impossible for me to say. At the particular request of Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Adye, I keep Captain Harrow and his Sailors-I had determined otherwise just now, knowing that you may have great occasion for him, but their entreaties have prevailed.

We have not seen or heard a word about a Savage all day-It has been a matter of great comfort to me, that the Battle of Yesterday terminated without bringing me into a scrape, but surely my situation is a very extraordinary one, hundreds of the American Cavalry are constantly skirting the Wood all around us, and at this Moment, A number of their Officers are looking at us from the Point of Colonel McKee's Island. You have also enclosed the Information of a Deserter who came in last Night. You will observe he mentions Lascell as being taken Prisoner, but here, we all think he Deserted.

Drumer Bevan deserted from us this morning about Eight O'Clock, He went

down to the River to wash his shirts and crept through the Abatis by the Water
Side.
I have the Honor to be, Sir, &c., &c.,
WM. CAMPBELL.

Lieut. Col. England, &c., &c., &c.

A Copy.

Rd. England.

J. G. S.

Endorsed:-Copy of a Letter from Major Wm. Campbell to Lieut.-Colonel

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Since you left us yesterday, we have been here all peace and quietness. Having witnessed from this Fort, an American Army posting themselves on the heights opposite your house, for upwards of twenty four hours without any explanation on their part, I considered it a duty incumbent on me to address myself to Genl. Wayne on the subject, and this morning about 11 o'Clock, I sent out an officer with a Flag of Truce, and a short letter to say, that from so near an approach to this Post of an American Army, it became my duty to inform myself as soon as possible, in what light I was to view their making such near approaches to this garrison.

In

The answer did not arrive until near 4 o'Clock and I think was more of the gasconade than the gentleman, and leaving me still embarrass'd how to act. I mention'd that I knew no war to exist between Great Britain and America. answer to which he says:-"The most full and satisfactory one, was announced to you, from the muzzles of my small arms, yesterday noon. In the action against the hoard of Savages in the vicinity of your Post, which terminated gloriously to the American Arms. But had it continued until the Indians, &c., were drove under the influence of the Post and guns you mention, they would not have much impeded the progress of the Victorious Army under my Command. As no such Post was established at the commencement of the present war between the Indians and the United States."

I would have sent you copies of both letters but you have the substance, and I will only communicate the contents of course, as far as you see prudent. I have nothing to add but my best wishes, and

I have the honor to be, Dear Sir,

Your very obedient Servant,

Wm. CampbELL.

Fort Miamis, 21st Aug. 1794. Colonel McKee, &c.

Sir:

FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO LOUVIGNY DE MONTIGNY.

DETROIT, August 21st, 1794.

Your Express has this moment delivered me your letter. I think it was very necessary for you to have returned from the Miamis Fort to the River Raisin where it may be advisable for you to remain till General Wayne's intentions are known, and if you find that he proposes to march his Army towards that Settlement, drive all the cattle immediately here. In the mean time it may be necessary to have them collected in some place of security, and ready to move at the shortest notice.

I strongly recommend to you to send immediately here all the corn that you can find, and the proprietors shall receive for it the customary and fair price. If you should not be able to send it all, have what you cannot possibly send valued and ready to be destroyed at a short notice.

In executing these instructions you will pay every attention to the interest of Government, and not destroy anything that is to be chargeable to Government but when absolutely necessary.

I consider the corn belonging to Mr. McDougall not to be included in what may be destroyed and paid for, as I have already purchased it from him on his delivering it either here, at Turtle Island or to Colonel McKee at the Foot of the Rapids all which was left to his choice.

I am clearly of opinion that General Wayne will not detach any of his Militia or Cavalry to drive the Country, while the Indians continue in force, all which no doubt you will be well informed of, and should he make any movement you will be pleased to give me the earliest intelligence of it, and the particulars as well as every information that reaches you.

Louvigny Montigny, Esq.'

I am, Sir, &c.
RICHARD ENGLAND,

Senior Col. of Militia.

Sir:

FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO JAMES BABY.

DETROIT, August 21st, 1794.

As it is found expedient to reinforce immediately the crews serving on board His Majesty's different armed Vessels and Gun Boats on Lake Erie, I am to request that you will be pleased to order this evening thirty men from the Militia of the Counties of Essex and Kent, to be draughted as the Militia Act requires. They will be entitled to rations and pay as directed in the Act.

You will have the goodness in the absence of the Lieutenant of the County of Essex, and the Lieutenant-Colonels of that Militia, to arrange with the Senior Officer present the number of men that that County is to furnish for this duty, which should be in proportion to the strength of the Militia of each County, as will appear by the Returns.

1 A member of the Land Board for the District of Hesse, 1791-2; a member of the Land Board for the Counties of Essex and Kent, 1792-3; captain in the First Battalion of Royal Canadian Volunteers, 1796-1802; served as a staff officer with the rank of captain, 1812-3.

In making this draught it may not be improper to accept of volunteers, or of such men as are already accustomed to this Service, and explain to them that they are to be dispersed among the different Vessels, as may be considered necessary.

When this service is performed you will be pleased to thank the Militia that assembled this day for their very alert appearance. Order them to be in readiness to march whenever the exigencies of His Majesty's Service may require, and dismiss them for the present. When you have collected the Returns by Companies of the number of arms required, you will be pleased to make me a general one, and I will order the arms to be issued, which you will desire the Captains to be accountable for. I have the honor to be, &c.,

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I am to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch by the Beaver. I think it advisable that you should order two of the King's vessels at least to Fort Erie for your Troops and Artillery. This embarkation I propose to sail in company.

I shall be under some difficulty where to encamp. I hesitate between your entrance of the Detroit River and the Heights at the mouth of the River Au Raisins, where as I cursorily passed by, it appeared to me that a central position might be safely occupied. The Militia of the River au Raisin it is my purpose immediately on my arrival to embody, to draw also from that Settlement all the supplies it can afford. As the Troops will not have Tents, I beg of you to consider by what means they can be hutted. It strikes me that boards may possibly be procured and easily forwarded to the mouth of the River.

By your augmenting the Garrison of the Miamis far beyond my intention that place has become of great consideration. I am by no means prepared to question the propriety of that measure but merely to say that such being the case, I shall turn my mind to the lessening the Garrison of Detroit, .perhaps to improving the work of Fort Lernoult, and leaving a good Officer and fifty men in the Garrison, these supported with the Militia.

I shall wish to look at Maisonville's Island, and to see whether the Shipping under a Blockhouse, &c., to be erected there, might not remain in security. I shall be disposed to winter them principally at Burnt Creek, on this side of the Lake. My object is to increase our moving force and diminish that of our Garrisons.

I beg of you to consider these subjects. Can we hire Canadian horses for our Artillery? I would give a liberal price and encourage those people to the utmost. I think Caldwell and his volunteers also must be rewarded as their spirit and loyalty deserves. I am surprised I have not received a Commission for that gentleman.

I have sent down some of the Militia Acts, but I once understood in conversation with Mr. Baby that it might be as well that the Canadians should as

S.C.-27

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