heretofore consider themselves as liable to the old Militia Ordinance. You of course will arrange those matters as seems expedient. Pray could you not by means of the Merchants establish a discreet person at the Delaware Village or furthest trading house on the Thames, for the purpose of forwarding expresses? He might send them on to Brant's Village, where proper person might be found to take charge of them to Jones's, and from thence to this place. I should think it might be done more expeditiously by these means than that one person should go throughout. The stages might be Dolson's, Delaware Village, or its vicinity, Grand River, Jones's, Niagara, and would be the beginning of our winter post. A Canadian who had been employed to work at Fort Miamis, is this instant arrived here, and says that early on last Wednesday morning the Indians and the Army under General Wayne had an engagement on the meadows near McCormick's plantation, a mile higher up the river than Colonel McKee's House, and that the Indians were defeated with considerable loss, and had retired to Nagg's plantation, leaving the Fort totally unprotected. He adds that before he came away the Army of the United States had advanced close to the Fort. I am in strong hopes and expectation that your Excellency is on your way here, either by water or by land, with some kind of reinforcement which this Garrison requires very much, as from the sickness hitherto totally unusual, the Miamis Post has been reinforced considerably, and this place left perfectly naked; I need not add the very great satisfaction I should feel in your being here at this very critical time and indeed the necessity of orders in this unparalleled situation. I hourly expect to hear from you or to see you, having sent you several expresses by vessels and by the river La Tranche. I was cruelly disappointed on the arrival of the Ottawa two days ago to find you were not on board her, and would have sent her immediately back, but judged you would take the Merchant Vessel now at Fort Erie, which would accomodate your Excellency and whatever Troops you would bring with you equally as well. I have the honor to be, &c., His Excellency Governor Simcoe, &c. No. 2. Sir: DETROIT, August 22nd, 1794. 11⁄2 past 10 O'clock in the morning. I had just closed my letter to your Excellency containing the information brought me by a runaway Canadian, when I received by express a letter from Major Campbell and Colonel McKee, both of which I now enclose for Your Excellency's information; I must confess that I have not much reliance on any further assistance from the Indians, when they once retire after a defeat, it is not in my opinion usual for them to return again to action, from Colonel McKee's letter, I perceive he is much lower down the river than the Indians are, with what views I don't know except to endeavour to prevent them going lower. I have the honor to be, &c., His Excellency, Governor Simcoe, &c., &c., &c. R. G. ENGLAND. FROM THOMAS DUGGAN TO JOSEPH CHEW. Extract of a letter dated DETROIT, 22d August, 1794. I am sorry to inform you that an express is this moment arrived from the foot of the Rapids with an account of the Indians being defeated by Wayne's Army in the plains on this side Colonel McKee's Place of residence, we are informed that great numbers were killed on both sides and Wayne was advancing with his Army close to Fort Miamis and were surrounding it. Colonel McKee is come to Point du Chene at the Mouth of the River, and the Indians retreated about six miles on this side Fort Miamis, the Militia do duty here at present. Sir: FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE TO R. G. ENGLAND. NEAR DRUILLIARD'S, MIAMIS, Aug. 22nd, 1794. The Express which is just going off to you has brought a letter from Major Campbell, informing me of his having opened a communication with General Wayne. I am much afraid this step will not be very agreeable to the Indians who have all along been rather jealous of our having a friendly intercourse with America, and especially as the commencement of the correspondence has originated with the King's Garrison. Some scouting parties were seen within four miles of our present camp last evening where the Indians have followed their families to place them in some secure place. I have the honor to be, &c., A. MCKEE. Colonel England, &c., &c., &c. STATEMENT OF JAMES DAVIS. FORT MIAMIS, 23 Aug., 1794, 2 o'clock. James Davis, a soldier in the 1st State Regiment, deserted from the Army this morning about twelve o'clock, after they had marched near two miles from their ground. He says his motive for deserting was hard usage and want of provisions, he also says that a runner arrived in the American Camp last night from Philadelphia, (his name James Reynolds). Davis says his Captain, Jacob Kingsbury, told him this morning that the dispatches, the runner brought, were to order the Army back to Fort Washington. He further says that he understood General Wayne was very anxious to attack this Garrison, but his Officers and men persuaded him not to attempt it, for if they did half of them would certainly be killed. WM. CAMPBELL, Major 24th Regiment. A further part of Davis's examination goes to say that there were one hundred and fourteen killed, and one hundred and thirty wounded in the action with the Indians, and the Contractor told him yesterday that they had but four days' provisions for their Army. FROM WILLIAM CAMPBELL TO R. G. ENGLAND. My Dear Colonel: FORT MIAMIS, 22d August, 1794. I hope my express by Lt. Selbie last night has reached you ere now. It contained an account of the events that had happened here, from the date of the former together with the commencement of General Wayne's correspondence and mine. Duplicates of which, I now send you, in case of accidents. I now enclose you copys of two letters, I have had occasion to write to him this day-with his answer to my first (the original) I would fain hope my conduct upon this occasion has been such as it ought— I have perhaps been more forbearing than an officer of higher Rank placed in my situation would have been, but I considered my situation a very delicate one, and if I have erred, It has been on the safe side. The consequences attending a too hasty conduct, might be very serious. I must leave you to your own comments on General Wayne's letters. My time at present will not permit me to give you mine. Our Garrison for the first time, are loaded, and sleep on their Alarm Posts. Three Deserters have come in to us to day-they all agree, in his being very short of Provisions and until this morning, have had scarce anything to eat, they got a small supply from Roche De bout, where they have a Little, but even there, not much. By his Summoning the Post we are to expect an attack-yet still I think he will not be so rash. I have taken every precaution in my power to prevent a surprise, and I think nothing else short of bringing heavy Guns against it, and of which he has none, can possibly endanger the Post. Captain Mounsey and a Reinforcement would have afforded great pleasure here, and I still look for them-at the same time I trust we shall be able to do without them-But pray do not let us dispair of them-An Army of between 3 and 4000 men against a small Post, unsupported by any other is a serious consideration-Our work of late has been but triffling on account of constant Alarms. I have not heard a word about the Indians since the Battle, therefore have not an idea where they are, or what are their plans-I still think the Communication up this River is safe-but whoever comes should conduct themselves with caution. What Mr. Wayne's people mean by burning all the Indian hutts in the neighbourhood, and all the Hay on Colonel McKee's Island today, I cannot say. He reconnoiter'd the Fort today in all points, quite in sight-covered by his Light Infantry and Rifle Men. It was extremely insolent-but he will never do it again with impunity-I will not detain the Express longer than to say, that I hope soon to hear from you-And I will please myself in the hopes that its not impossible but the Governor and a large Reinforcement may soon find their way to usWith best wishes to you and yours, I am Sir, Yours, &c., Endorsed:-In Lt. Govr. Simcoe's No. 34, 30 Augt., 1794. WM. CAMPBELL. COPY OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR CAMPBELL TO MAJOR GENERAL WAYNE. No. 1. Sir: An Army of the United States of America said to be under your Command, having taken Post on the banks of the Miamis, for upwards of the last twenty four hours, almost within the reach of the Guns of this Fort, being a Post belonging to His Majesty, the King of Great Britain, occupied by His Majesty's Troops, and which I have the honor to Command, it becomes my duty to inform myself as speedily as possible in what light I am to view your making such near approachs to this Garrison I have no hesitation on my part to say, that I know of no War existing between Great Britain and America I have the honor to be, Sir, With great Respect, Your most obedient and very humble Servant, WM. CAMPBELL, Major 24th Regiment Commanding a British Post on the Banks of the Miamis. Endorsed:-Copy of a Letter from Major Wm. Campbell to Major Genl. Wayne, August 21st, 1794. In Lt.-Govr. Simcoe's No. 34, 30th Augt. 1794. COPY OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR GENERAL WAYNE TO MAJOR Sir: CAMPBELL. I have received your letter of this date requiring of me the Motives which have moved the Army, under my Command to the position, they now occupy, far within the acknowledged Jurisdiction of the United States of America. Without questioning the Authority or the propriety Sir, of your interrogatory, I think I may without breach of decorum observe to you, that were you intitled to an Answer, the most full and satisfactory one was announced to you, from the Muzzels of my small Arms yesterday morning 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 have the honor to be, Sir, With great Respect, Your most Obedient and very humble Servant ANTY WAYNE, Major General and Commander in Chief of the Federal Army Camp on the Banks of the Miamis, 21st August, 1794. (A true copy) R. ENGLAND. Literatim, J.G.S. To Major Wm. Campbell, &c., &c., &c. Endorsed:-2 In Lt. Govr. Simcoe's No. 34, 30th Augt. 1794. COPY OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR CAMPBELL TO GENERAL WAYNE. No. 3. Sir: Although your letter of yesterday's date fully authorizes me to any Act of hostility, against the Army of the United States of America, in the Neighbourhood under your Command Yet still anxious to prevent that dreadful decision, which perhaps is not intended to be appealed to, by either of Our Countries. I have forborne for these two days past to resent those Insults you have offered to the British Flag flying at this Fort, by approaching it within pistol shot of my Works, not only singly, but in numbers with Arms in their hands. Neither is it my wish to wage War with Individuals, but should you after this continue to approach my post, in the threatening manner you are at this moment doing, my indispensable Duty to my King and Country, and the honor of my pro |