In this way I found I marched with more ease. I then dispensed with the taps of the drum and sound of the trumpet, which in my first order of march was necessary. I further ordered that if an attack was made on the march and in front, the troops would im mediately form in order of battle by filing up on the left and dressing by the front of columns; if on either flank, the flank column would face outwards and make resistance until reinforced; if in the rear, the rear guard would face to the right-about and make resistance, whilst the other columns would file up, and wheeling to the right-about, form in succession on the left in line, the officers leading columns taking especial care to march at sufficient distances from each other, to form in line in open order, dressing by the centre. If the attack was made in camp, the troops would immediately form in the rear of their fires, which would be extinguished as soon as possible, by throwing it out in front. I ordered the guards, if attacked, to stand their ground as long as possible, and then retreat through the angle of the camp nearest them, then form, defend the angle if attacked, if not, to wait for orders. These formed my disposable force. The weather, though cold, and the snow deep, was however well calculated to favor our enterprize, and I determined to make forced marches to avoid if possible a discovery. On the march I occasionally formed in order of battle to accustom the troops to it. They formed with the utmost celerity and in good order. The first two days I marched forty miles the third day I pushed the troops as much as they could bear, marched the whole night, although excessively cold, stopping twice to refresh and warm. This day and night we marched forty miles. Early in the morning of the 17th, I reached, undiscovered, an Indian town on the Mississineway, inhabited by a mixture of Delawares and Miamies. The troops rushed into the town-killed eight warriors and took forty-two prisoners, eight of whom are warriors, the residue women and children. I ordered the town to be immediately burnt, a house or two excepted, in which I confined the prisoners; and I ordered the cattle and other stock to be shot. I then left the infantry to guard the prisoners, and with Simral's and Ball's dragoons, advanced to some Mianri villages, a few miles lower down the Mississineway, but found them evacuated by all but a sick squaw, whom we left in her house. I burnt on this excursion three considerable villages, took several horses, and killed a great many cattle, and returned to the town I first burnt, where I had left the prisoners and encamped. My camp was in the usual form, but covered more ground than common. The infantry and riflemen were on the front line, captain Elliott's company on the right, Buttler's in the centre, and Alexander's on the left. Major Ball's squadron occupied the right and one half of the rear line, colonel Simral's regiment the left and other half of the rear line. Between Ball's right and Simral's left, there was an interval which had not been filled up, owing to the unusual extent of ground the camp embraced it having been

laid off in my absence to the lower towns. I now began to deliberate on our future movements, whether to go on further encumbered with prisoners, the men much fatigued, and a great many severely frost bitten, horses suffering from the want of forage, which was very partially relieved by the scanty supplies of corn obtained in the towns, or return. I determined to convene the field officers and captains of the detachment to consult, and then to take such a course as my own judgment might approve. At four in the morn ing of the 8th, I ordered to be beaten the revellie, and the officers convened at my fire a short time afterwards. Whilst we were in council, and about half an hour before day, my camp was most furiously attacked by a large party of Indians, preceded by, and accompanied with, a most hideous yell. This immediately broke up the council, and every man ran to his post. The attack commenced upon that angle of the camp formed by the left of captain Hopkin's troop and the right of captain Garrard, but in a few seconds became general from the extremes of the right to the left of Ball's squadron. The enemy boldly advanced to within a few yards of the lines and seemed determined to rush in. The guards posted at the different redoubts returned into camp and dispersed among their several companies, this leaving me without a disposable force. Captain Smith, of the Kentucky light dragroons, who commanded at one of the redoubts, in a handsome and military manner, kept his position until ordered in to fill up the interval in the rear line between the regiment and squadron. The redoubt at which captain Pierce. commanded, was first attacked. The captain maintained his position until it was too late to get within the lines. He received two balls through his body and was tomahawked. He died bravely, and much lamented. The enemy then took possession of captain Pierce's redoubt, and poured in a tremendous fire upon the angle, to the right and left of which were posted, Hopkins' and Garrard's troops. But the fire was as warmly returned; not an inch of ground was yielded. Every man, officer, and soldier, stood firm, and animated and encouraged each other. The enemy's fire became warm on the left of the squadron at which captain Markle's troop was posted, and the right of Elliott's company, which, with Markle's, formed an angle of the camp, was severely annoyed by the enemy's fire. I had assisted in forming the infantry, composed of Elliott's company of the 19th United States' regiment, Buttler's Pittsburgh blues, and Alexander's Pennsylvania riflemen, and ordered them to advance to the brink of a declivity from which they could effectually defend themselves and harrass the enemy, if they should attempt an attack on that line. This however they thought proper to omit. Whilst I was thus engaged, Major Ball rode up to me and observed, he was hard pushed and must be relieved. I galloped immediately to the left wing with an intention of ordering captain Trotter's troop to reinforce the squadron, but was there informed that the enemy were seen approaching in that direction, and believing it improper on second thoughts to

detach so large a troop from the line, which also covered an angle of the camp. I determined to give the relief from the infantry. I wheeled my horse and met major M'Dowell, who observed that the spies and guides under the command of captain Paterson Bain, consisting of ten men, were unemployed. We rode there together, and ordered captain Bain to the support of the squadron. Seven of them, to wit: James Audrain, William Conner, Silas McCullough, James Thompson, James Naggs, John Ruland, and Joseph G. McClelland, followed their brave leader and rendered most effectual assistance. I then ordered captain Buttler with. the Pittsburgh blues to repair immediately to reinforce the squadron, and directed captains Elliott and Alexander to extend to the right and left, and fill the interval occasioned by the withdrawal of the blues. Captain Buttler, in a most gallant manner and highly worthy of the name he bears, formed his men immediately in excellent order, and marched them to the point to which he was ordered. The alacrity with which they formed and moved was never excelled by any troops on earth. Hopkins made room for them by extending his troop to the right. The blues were scarcely at the post assigned them, before I discovered the effects they produced. A well directed fire from them and Hopkins's dragoons nearly silenced the enemy in that quarter. They moved in force to the left of the squadron, and right of the infantry at which captains Markles and Elliott's companies were posted. Here again they were warmly received. Lieutenant Guynne and ensign Batteal Harrison boldly stood their ground, and fired obliquely on the enemy. Those two young officers in a particular manner signalized themselves and shed a lustre on the 19th. Captain Elliott and lieutenant Campbell were on the left of the company and were not engaged. Serjeant Levitt, quarter master serjeant to the 19th United States' regiment, deserves particular notice for his bravery. At this time day-light began to dawn. I then ordered captain Trotter, whose troop had been ordered by colonel Simral to mount for the purpose, to make a charge. The captain cried out to his men to follow him, and they tilted off at full gallop. Captain Trotter's first lieutenant with eighteen of the men were on guard. Lieutenant Trotter, cornet Dishman, and the residue of the troop, together with lieutenant Hobson and four men of Elmore's troop, doctor Moore and a few other gentlemen, including Mr. Thomas Moore, my private secretary, advanced gallantly, and charged a numerous body of the enemy. Major M'Dowell, with a small party, rushed into the midst of the enemy and exposed himself very much. I cannot say too much for this gallant veteran. Captain Markle, with about fifteen of his troop, and lieutenant Warrens, also made a daring charge upon the enemy. Captain Markle avenged the death of his relation, lieutenant Waltz, upon an Indian with his own sword. Captain Trotter and his troop, captain Markle and his little band, performed a most dangerous duty in the bravest manner. Captain

Trotter mentions to me as worthy of particular notice, Robert Mitchell, a wagoner who had volunteered for the expedition. Christian Willman, trumpeter to colonel Simral's regiment, who blew two charges and hewed down an Indian with his sword. William Montgomery, serjeant major to the regiment of Kentucky light dragoons, was in the charge and distinguished himself, as well as in the skirmish the day before. In this charge, captain Trotter was wounded slightly, corporal Riddle shot through the body, David Stule wounded in the thigh slightly, and the brave Piatt received his mortal wound, being shot through the body and hand. Fearing that captain Trotter might be too hard pressed, I ordered captain Johnson, of the Kentucky light dragoons, to advance with his troop to support him. I found Johnson ready; and colonel Simral reports to me that all his other captains, to wit: Elmore, Young and Smith, were anxious to join in the charge. But I called for only one troop. The colonel had the whole in excellent order. Captain Johnson did not join Trotter until the enemy was out of reach. He however picked up a straggler or two that Trotter had passed over. The cavalry returned and informed me the enemy had fled precipitately. I have on this occasion to lament the loss of several brave men, and a great many wounded; among the former, are captain Pierce of the Ohio volunteers, and lieutenant Waltz, of Markle's troop. From the enclosed list you will see the names and numbers of the killed and wounded. Eight being killed and forty-eight wounded, two of whom are since dead. The enemy paid dearly for their temerity. From the trails through the snow, and those found dead, we could not have killed less than thirty, which with those killed the day before, amounts to thirty-eight. The enemy did not take a scalp. The Indian who killed captain Pierce, attempted to scalp him, but was killed. Major Ball informs me that he can say with confidence, that there never were officers and soldiers who displayed more cool, firm, and soldierly conduct, than those of his squadron

The zeal, activity and courage displayed by captain Hopkins and his officers, (captain M'Clelland and cornet Herod, of the Pennsylvania volunteers, having been attached to him) did not fail to arrest his attention, and met his fullest approbation. Lieutenant Hedges received a slight wound on the nose. Captain Garrard's troop sustained the action at that point where it raged with greater violence for some time after its commencement, than at any other (except upon the left) with the firmness of veterans; while the officers were unceasingly employed in stimulating and encouraging their men. Lieutenant Basey and Hickman were both wounded early, but performed their duty in the line to the close of the action. Cornet M'Clanahan, quarter master to the detachment, was equally active in the line with the other officers of the troop. Quarter master serjeant Strother J. Hawkins, who had no other fire arms, loaded and fired his pistol several times at

the enemy, and many others, similarly situated, used their pistols as fast as they could load them.

Young Mr. Baylor placed himself a little in front of the line and fought bravely during the action. Lieutenant Warren's and cornet Lee's detachments behaved with great firmness and used their pistols and carabines to the best advantage. Cornet Grear (of Warren's) was wounded in the arm, but remained some time afterwards in the line. Captain Markle's troop, as I have before stated, was situated upon the left of the squadron and most sorely galled. Lieutenant Waltz fell most gallantly. There never were men who sustained so heavy an action with more firmness; but one sentiment pervaded the whole, and victory or death was most obstinately determined upon. Colonel Simral's regiment, although not engaged, with the exception of Trotter's troop, were all ready and panting to engage. The colonel deserves the highest applause for his excellent disposition during the action, and for his cool, firm, and deliberate conduct. To major Ball the greatest praise is due for his bravery and activity during the action. No man could have done more. He informs he was greatly aided throughout the progress of the action by the exertions of lieutenant and adjutant Fullerton, and serjeant major Edwards. I must now mention in the highest terms of approbation, lieutenant Payne, of the Kentucky light dragoons, who acted as my adjutant on the expedition, for his great activity, attention to duty, and gallantry during the action. He rendered the most essential services. My extra adjutant, captain Hite, was very active and as brave as a lion. I always found him ready for any service I had for him to perform. Captain of the Ohio volunteers, marched with me from this place as a private in the ranks, and in the action killed an Indian. He deserves my particular notice. Captain Alexander, with his riflemen, were on the left of the front line, and not engaged, but were all ready if an opportunity had offered. Beverly Brown and Thomas Bedford, of captain Garrard's troop, and Francis Lousong, of the blues, were killed fighting bravely in exposed situations. I have now, my dear sir, detailed to you the particulars of an engagement bravely fought, and victory gloriously won, after contending most warmly for at least an hour. From the length of our line simultaneously attacked by them, I am persuaded there could not have been less than 300 of the enemy. They fought most bravely. My strength on the morning of the action was about 590 rank and file, a considerable proportion of whom, amounting to at least forty or fifty, were almost rendered unfit for duty by the severity of the weather. Some were so badly frost-bitten as to be scarcely able to walk. There never was severer service performed by any troops, and yet there is not a murmur. Reports made to me yesterday morning informs of 303, who are so severely frost-bitten as to be entirely unfit for duty. On my march back I was compelled to move slowly on account of the wounded, 17 of whom we had to