University of Virginia Library

29. CHAPTER XXIX.
OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.

The march of the army having been much retarded
by the sick; and the greatest expedition
being necessary to reach Detroit before the news
of war should have subjected it to a siege, the
general determined to embark all the invalids,
baggage, and other incumbrances, and dispatch
them by water, while he hastened on the army by
land, a distance of about seventy miles. He accordingly

chartered a boat and a schooner, which
were brought up the river from the lake, and received
their destined passengers and freight.
These were ordered to sail in company, and departed
from the Miami Rapids on Wednesday,
the first day of July. In the night, however,
they parted company, and at about ten o'clock
the next day, as the schooner was passing Fort
Malden, she was captured by the enemy, who
had received a copy of the declaration of war,
by express from Washington, a few days before.
The boat was more fortunate; she passed the
fort on Thursday evening by a different channel,
and the next day arrived in safety at Detroit. By
this unfortunate event, the army were deprived of
all their hospital stores and much valuable public
property, clothing, and baggage; while the commander
in chief lost his instructions from the War
Department, a plan of the projected campaign,
and his commission; all of which fell into the
hands of the captors, besides thirty prisoners,
among whom were three ladies. The next day,
however, two of the ladies were politely sent
across to Detroit in a flag-boat, the other preferring
to share the captivity of her husband.

In the mean time, the army continued its march,
and on Sunday evening encamped within three
miles of Detroit. The citizens were very anxious
for its arrival, the news of war having reached
them several days before, and excited the
greatest alarm for the safety of the place, there
being only about one hundred regular troops to
defend it in case of an attack. The hostile Indians
were assembled in great numbers at Malden,
where the sanguinary Tecumseh was impatiently
waiting the signal to embrue his hatchet in American

blood. Every moment increased the anxiety
and alarm at Detroit, and every man capable
of bearing arms was kept constantly on duty from
Thursday until Sunday evening, (when the advancing
army encamped in their vicinity) during
which period no man slept except on his arms.
The entrance of the army into Detroit was hailed
as the harbinger of safety, and the watch-worn
citizens once more reposed in peace and security.

Preparations were immediately commenced for
invading the enemy's territory, and with so much
ardor were they prosecuted, that on the eleventh
day of July the American standard was planted
on British soil. The army crossed from Detroit
to Sandwich, about two miles below, where they
landed without much opposition.

The general here issued a proclamation, calling
on the inhabitants to remain neutral and quiet,
and promising protection to their persons, property,
and rights; at the same time warning them
against taking part in the approaching contest,
on the pain of being considered and treated as
enemies.

The effect of this address on the inhabitants of
Sandwich, was a very friendly reception of the
American army, which was the same day joined
by above fifty of the Canadian militia, who voluntarily
deserted the English standard.

On Thursday, the sixteenth, the general ordered
colonel Cass to take a detachment of two hundred
and eighty men, and reconnoitre the advanced
post of the enemy, whom he found occupying
a bridge over the river Canas, about four
miles from Malden. After examining their position,
Cass left one company of riflemen concealed
near the bridge, with orders to open their fire

as soon as the remainder of the detachment should
appear on the opposite side of the river, in order
to throw the enemy into confusion. The colonel
then proceeded with the remainder of his force
to a ford, five miles further up the river, where
they crossed with some difficulty, and then commenced
their march down the southern bank.
About sunset they arrived within sight of the
enemy, who were already formed, and prepared
to meet their assailants. After the first discharge,
however, the British retreated, and were driven
about half a mile, when it became so dark, that
the victors were obliged to relinquish the pursuit.
In this little skirmish, ten of the enemy were
wounded, three killed, and two taken prisoners.

Our young ensign, who was attached to the
fourth regiment of United States Infantry, had
now, for the first time, seen hostile weapons opposed,
and human blood flow. The consequence
was, a perfect confidence in his own firmness and
courage; a confidence which no one can fully
possess until the extent of those qualities has
been tested by a similar trial.

All the operations of the invading army were,
for a time, successful; and all opposition seemed
to fall before it. The inhabitants seemed satisfied
with the change of situation which appeared
to be taking place; the Canadian militia were
daily deserting to the American standard; and
the whole country under the control of the army
was claiming its protection. Had an immediate
and vigorous attack been then made on Malden,
it must have fallen an easy victory. But not a
single cannon or mortar was on wheels, to carry
before that place; and without such instruments
of assault, an attack would be impracticable, and

the attempt worse than fruitless. All furtheroperations
of a hostile nature were therefore suspended,
until gun-carriages could be constructed, and
other preparations effected, for which purpose the
greatest industry was exerted.

In the mean time, an event occurred in the
western territory, which materially affected the
prospects of this little army. The important
post of Fort Michilimackinac, commanded by lieutenant
Hanks, was attacked by the combined
British and Indians, and the garrison was compelled
to surrender to above seven times their
number.

By this unfortunate event, the whole territory
of Michigan became suddenly opened to the
Northern Indians, who descended on that devoted
country like swarms of locusts, and joined the
British standard, in open hostility to the invading
army—contrary to their most solemn assurances
of remaining neutral.

This numerous assemblage of savages, under
the entire influence and immediate direction of
the British commander, soon enabled him, not
only to make a successful stand against the advance
of the Americans, but also to surround them
in such a manner, as to cut off all communication
between Detroit and the United States, obstructing
the only avenue by which the Northwestern
army could expect succors and supplies from the
country they were serving.

To re-open this communication, the commander
detached two hundred men, under major Van
Horne, of the Ohio volunteers, with orders to
cross Detroit river, and proceed as far towards
Fort Meigs as the river Raisin, under the expectation
that he would there meet captain Brush,

with an hundred and fifty citizens of Ohio, who
had volunteered to join the army, and were escorting
a quantity of provisions for its use.

In obeying these orders, Van Horne's detachment
regained the American bank of Detroit river,
and had proceeded southward as far as
Brownstown, when a terrible discharge of musketry
was suddenly opened upon them from an
ambush, within fifty yards of the line. Four captains,
one lieutenant, two ensigns, and ten privates,
fell to rise no more; and a great number
of others were dangerously wounded. Willoughby
was slightly wounded in the arm, and his
plume was shot from his hat. Notwithstanding
all the exertions of the officers, the whole detachment
retreated in disorder, and finally returned
to camp without effecting their object.

Under this sudden and unexpected change in
his prospects, and despairing of an expected cooperation
from the army on the Niagara river,
the general determined to suspend his operations
against Malden, and concentrate the main force
of his army at Detroit.

In pursuance of this resolution, and in opposition
to the opinion and wishes of all the brave
spirits who had embarked in this enterprise, the
encampment was broken up in the night, and the
army returned to Detroit, leaving to the mercy of
the enemy many of the miserable Canadians who
had openly advocated the cause of their invaders.

Never had George heard an order which so
much displeased him; and he burned with an inclination
to dispute it. “Spirit of Washington!”
he mentally exclaimed, as he witnessed the striking
of the tents by torch-light; “why am I doomed
to participate in this shameful flight from an

inferior foe, and assist in this needless degradation
of my country? Is it thus my golden
dreams of glory are to evaporate in air? Were
I but at the head of a regiment, or had the command
of the brave Ohio volunteers, I would never
obey an order that loads us with infamy!”

“Remember my counsel!” uttered a voice familiar
to his ear. He started, and beheld the
Mysterious Chief at his side, who repeated—

“Remember my counsel; whatever be the result
of this expedition, do your duty, and leave
the rest to Heaven. A soldier's duty, remember,
is obedience. The day is approaching, when
the stains of defeat will be wiped off by the hand
of Victory. Let your conduct entitle you to participate
in the glory of that day; for such participation
depends on yourself alone. Continue
to deserve my friendship, by cherishing my counsels
in your heart, and your single arm shall yet
defeat a host!”

“Officers! to your posts—march!” was the
order which interrupted this interview; George
was about to reply to the singular address of the
chief, but the darkness of the evening had
shrouded him from his view; and he took his position
in the line, which soon after began to file off
towards the river; and before morning the whole
army was encamped at Detroit, except a garrison
of two hundred and fifty infantry, and a corps of
artillerists, all under the command of major Denny,
of the Ohio volunteers, who remained to protect
a fortress which had been established on the
bank of the river.

Another attempt was then made to re-open the
communication to the river Raisin, and protect
the supplies which were expected under the escort

of captain Brush; for which purpose a detachment
of six hundred men was placed under
the command of lieutenant-colonel Miller, and
marched on this hazardous enterprise the same
evening. At about four o'clock the next afternoon,
the van-guard, commanded by captain
Snelling, of the fourth United States' regiment,
was fired on by an extensive line of British
troops and Indians, at the lower part of the Maguago,
about fourteen miles from Detroit. At
this time the main body was marching in two columns,
and captain Snelling maintained his position
in a most gallant manner, under a very heavy
fire, until the line was formed and advanced to
the ground he occupied, when the whole, excepting
the rear guard, was brought into action. The
enemy were formed behind a temporary breast-work
of logs, the Indians extending in a thick
wood on their left. The gallant Miller immediately
ordered the whole line to advance, and
when within pistol shot of the enemy, to make a
general discharge, and perform the rest with the
bayonet.

A scene now commenced, impossible to describe.
The Americans contended with a force
one third superior to their own. Five hundred
Indians, almost entirely naked, horribly painted,
hideously yelling and whooping, were fighting on
almost every side, led on and encouraged by British
regular troops. But the American troops did
not disgrace themselves nor their country. They
dealt out a full measure of death to the sanguinary
wretches—they drove them, inch by inch, to
the village of Brownstown, about two miles, when
the enemy took to their boats, and the battle ended.
The duration of the action was about two
hours, without a moment's cessation.

The Indians were commanded by Tecumseh,
and, animated by his bravery, fought with great
obstinacy during their retreat. The British were
commanded by major Muir and both these commanders
were wounded, besides several subordinates.
The enemy had been on the ground
several days, fortifying the place, by feeling large
trees and sprang from their hiding places so
suddenly upon the unsuspecting Americans, that
eighteen of the latter were killed, and forty-five
wounded. The actual loss of the enemy could
not be ascertained by the victors, but was, undoubtedly,
much greater than their own, as above
forty Indians were left dead on the field, and many
British prisoners were taken.

Several young officers, among whom was ensign
Willoughby, had requested permission to
join this detachment as volunteers, and conducted
themselves during the contest in a manner the
most gallant and honorable, and were afterwards
recommended to the general by colonel Miller,
in terms of the most flattering approbation.

Nothing, however, but honor, was acquired by
this victory the communication being opened
only so far as American beyonets could extend.
The necessary care of the sick and the wounded,
and a very severe storm of rain, rendered their
return to camp indispensably necessary; and after
remaining on the ground the following night,
and part of the next day, they retraced their
steps to Detroit.