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immediate safety of the frontier was steadily kept in view, by moving detachments in such directions as would enable them to discover and dislodge any parties which might be upon our borders. The 1st regiment commanded by colonel M'Nair, was marched on the west side of the Mississippi, and crossed just below the rendezvous; the 2d, commanded by colonel Stephenson, was marched on the east side of the river, crossing the Illinois a few miles above its mouth; a detachment of about 200 regulars under the command of colonel Nicholas, of the 1st regiment of United States infantry, at the same time ascended the Illinois in armed boats. It was soon ascertained, upon the arrival of those several detachments at points a little beyond the settlements, that the enemy had descended the Illinois to invade the frontier. A skirmish took place between some of colonel Stephenson's command and a party of Indians; the latter were driven. From appearances in the route of the 1st regiment some parties had crossed in the west side of the Mississippi, upon the approach of the troops. I have no doubt of the Indians hav ing returned to their canoes in the Illinois, when they found lieutenant-colonel Nicholas rapidly ascending the river, and fled before him without injuring a single citizen-believing that the frontier would be safe for the moment, I marched the mounted troops up the Mississippi bottom to Christy's creek, passing opposite the encampment of the Sac nation, who have professed themselves friendly, but many of whom I believe have taken part in the war against us, while others were undecided. At this time, Mr. Boilvain, Indian agent, was in the neighbourhood, sent by governor Clark to conduct them to the Missouri, where they had agreed to winter.However unsettled their neutrality might have been before, the display of troops in their vicinity soon confirmed it; they immediately descended the Mississippi to the Portage de Sioux, from whence they were sent up the Missouri from Christy's creek. The army was marched across the country towards Peoria, and on the evening of the 28th arrived within a few miles of the old village. That night three men were sent to discover whether the command of lieutenant-colonel Nicholson had arrived, and bearing a letter to that officer, stating my position, and calling for such information in regard to the enemy as he might possess. During the night he descended the Illinois to my encampment, and reported to me, that the day before, an attack was made upon his command at Peoria, where he had commenced building a fort agreeably to my orders; however the enemy were soon dis

persed by a well-directed discharge of musketry, with the aid of a six-pounder from two unfinished block-houses. It was evident that the assailants suffered in this attack; but to what extent could not be ascertained. None of our men were killed, and only one wounded. On the 29th the mounted troops arrived at Peoria; and so soon as provisions could be drawn, were marched up the Illinois to the villages at the head of the lake, which was the direction in which the enemy appeared to have retired from Peoria.-Upon my arrival at those villages, I found them deserted. From my examination made by reconnoitring parties, I had no doubt of the Indians having ascended the Illinois in canoes, which is so situated, from swamps on both banks, that it was impossible to pursue them by land. The villages were destroyed, and some property of inconsiderable amount taken. The army then returned to Peoria, and remained until the garrison was put in a state of defence. Shortly after my return, I sent a detachment in two armed boats, under the command of major Christy, in pursuit of the enemy. This detachment ascended the Illinois above the mouth of the Vermillion to the Rapids, and within 75 miles of Chicago; but it was impossible to come up with the Indians, notwithstanding the great efforts of the commanding officer and his command. Soon after the departure of major Christy, major Boone was sent with about 100 men in the direction of Rock river, to examine whether there were any parties in that quarter.

He penetrated the country northwardly from Peoria, in my opinion within 45 miles of Rock river, and reported that there were several encampments on the Maquoine which appeared to have been deserted about the time the army arrived at Peoria. The mounted troops remained near Peoria from the 2d until the 15th of October, during which time they were actively engaged, together with the United States infantry, in erecting Fort Clarke, which stands at the lower end of the lake, completely commanding the river. This important fort was erected under many disadvantages-the weather being unusually cold for the season, and without the aid of a single team the timbers were hauled by the troops a considerable distance to the lake (nearly a mile in width), and rafted over. This fort is unquestionably one of the strongest I have ever seen in the western country, and certainly highly important to the safety of the three territories with the defence of which I have been entrusted.

On the 15th the mounted troops moved from Peoria for the settlements, pursuing generally a south course until they

arrived at Camp Russell on the 21st instant, when the mounted militia were discharged. The Indiana rangers on the march were sent across from the old Kickapoos towns to Vincennes under the command of captain Andre. The safety to the frontièr which was anticipated from this movement has been fully realized, and the same enemy that has kept our exposed settlements under continual apprehensions of danger was compelled to fly before a force in their own country less than that assigned by the government for the immediate defence of the frontier. It is with pleasure I acknowledge the energetic and intelligent execution of my orders by those officers to whom I confided the command of detachments, and laudable conduct of the officers and men generally during the campaign, but more particularly on those occasions (not unfrequent), when it was hoped and believed by all that the enemy had determined to give us battle.

I am, sir, with high consideration, your humble servant, BENJ. HOWARD.

The Hon. John Armstrong.

P. S. I have delayed the transmission of this communication, until I heard of captain Andre, who was sent across direct from the Kickapoos towns to Vincennes--he has reported to me his safe arrival.

B. H.

BRITISH ACCOUNT OF A SKIRMISH WITH THE ADVANCED GUARD OF THE ARMY UNDER GENERAL HAMPTON.

Head-Quarters, A Fourche, on Chateauguay River,
October 27th, 1813.

General Orders.

His excellency the governor in chief and commander of the forces has received from major-general De Watteville, the report of the affair which took place at the advanced position of his post at 11 o'clock on Tuesday morning, between the American army under the command of major-general Hampton, and the advanced pickets of the British, thrown out for the purpose of covering working parties, under the direction of lieutenant-colonel De Salisberry. The judicious position chosen by that officer, and the excellent disposition of his little band, composed of the light company of Canadian fencibles and two companies of Canadian voltigeurs, repulsed with loss the advance of the enemy's principal column, commanded by general Hampton in person, and the American

light brigade, under colonel M'Carty, was in a like manner checked in its progress on the south side of the river, by the gallant and spirited advance of the flank company second battalion embodied militia, under captain Daly, supported by captain Bruyer's company of sedentary militia. Captains Daly and Bruyers being both wounded, and their having sustained some loss, their position was immediately taken up by a flank company of the first battalion embodied militia. The enemy rallied and repeatedly returned to the attack, which terminated only with the day, in his complete disgrace and defeat, being foiled by a handful of men, not amounting to a twentieth part of the force opposed to them, but which, nevertheless, by their determined bravery maintained their position, and effectually protected the working parties, who continued their labours unmolested. Lieutenant-colonel De Salisberry reports having experienced the most able support from captain Ferguson in command of the light company Canadian fencibles, and also from captain Jean Baptiste Duchesnay, and captain Juchereau Duchesnay of the two companies of voltigeurs; from captain Lamotte, and adjutants Hebden and O'Sullivan, and from every officer and soldier engaged, whose gallantry and steadiness were conspicuous and praiseworthy in the highest degree.

His excellency the governor in chief and commander of the forces having had the satisfaction of himself witnessing the conduct of the troops on this brilliant occasion, feels it a gratifying duty to render them that praise which is so justly their due; to major-general De Watteville, for the admirable arrangement established by him for the defence of his post; to lieutenant-colonel De Salisberry, for his judicious and officerlike conduct displayed in the choice of position and arrangement of his force; to the officers and men engaged with the enemy, the warmest acknowledgments of his excellency are due for their gallantry and steadiness, and to all the troops at the station the highest praise belongs, for their zeal, steadiness, and discipline, and for the patient endurance of hardship and privation which they have evinced. A determined perseverance in this honourable conduct cannot fail crowning the brave and loyal Canadians with victory, and hurling disgrace and confusion on the head of the enemy that would pollute their happy soil.

By the report of prisoners, the enemy's force is stated at 7,500 infantry, 400 cavalry, and 10 field-pieces. The British advanced force actually engaged did not exceed 300. The enemy suffered severely from our fire, as well as from their

own; some detached corps having fired upon each other by mistake in the woods.

List of the killed, wounded, and missing. Killed, 5; wounded, 16; missing 4.

(Signed)

EDWARD BAYNES, Adj.-Gen.

OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY UNDER GENERAL WILKINSON.

From General Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, Head-Quarters, French Mills, adjoining the Province of Lower Canada, November 16, 1813.

Sir, I beg leave to refer you to the journal which accompanies this letter, for the particulars of the movement of the corps under my command, down the St. Lawrence, and will endeavour to exert my enfeebled mind to detail to you the more striking and important incidents which have ensued since my departure from Grenadier island, at the foot of Lake Ontario, on the 3d instant.

The corps of the enemy from Kingston, which followed me, hung on my rear, and in concert with a heavy galley and a few gun-boats, seemed determined to retard my progress. I was strongly tempted to halt, turn about, and put an end to his teazing; but alas! I was confined to my bed; major-general Lewis was too ill for any active exertion; and above all, I did not dare to suffer myself to be diverted a single day from the prosecution of the views of government. I had written major-general Hampton on the 6th instant, by his adjutant-general, colonel King, and had ordered him to form a junction with me on the St. Lawrence, which I expected would take place on the 9th or 10th. It would have been unpardonable had I lost sight of this object a moment, as I deemed it of vital importance to the issue of the campaign.

The enemy deserve credit for their zeal and intelligence, which the active universal hostility of the male inhabitants of the country enabled them to employ to the greatest advantage. Thus, while menaced by a respectable force in rear, the coast was lined by musketry in front, at every critical pass of the river, which obliged me to march a detachment, and this impeded my progress.

On the evening of the 9th instant the army halted a few miles from the head of the Long Bar. In the morning of the 10th the enclosed order was issued. General Brown marched agreeably to order, and about noon we were appri

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