OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: The War of 1812 in Ohio [10] 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Darlene E. Kelley
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374
September 05, 1999
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Historical Collections of Ohio
The Kelley Family Collections
Newspaper article, Plains Dealer
compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925
And Then They Went West
by Darlene E. Kelley  1998
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Ohio in War of 1812 -- Part 10

Letter from Harrison To Head Quarters
Portage River, January 24th, 1813
15 Miles from Miami Rapids.

Sir;

It is with deepest regret that I have to inform you, sir, that the
detachment, under Genl. Winchester has been entirely destroyed by an
Indian & British force on the morning of the 22nd. Inst at the River
Raisin. About 12 o'clock of that day I was informed at the Rapids by a
Messenger from the Officer who was marching a detachment to reinforce
Genl. Winchester that the Genl had been attacked that morning and that
the Frenchman who brought me the intelligence had supposed hat our
troops were retreating. I had there with me a Regt of Ohio Militia about
350 strong. Two detachments had been on the way to join Genl Winchester
but had taken different roads.  One of 200 Ohio troops were marching on
the edge of the Lake & the other 300 strong, were pursuing Hulls road,
leaving directions for the Regt to come to follow me, I proceeded on &
overtook the detachment of Kentucky Troops in about five miles.
Additional information was now received the French citizens were flying
in considerable numbers in [illeg]. Upon the [illeg] & about 3 o'clock
some of the fugitives began to arrive. All agreed that the defeat was
total & complete, that the troops were nearly all surrounded & cut off
or taken by 7 o,clock in that Genl Winchester was seen retiring below
[illeg] the River Raisin [illeg] with a few men & two or three officers,
all of whom entirely [illeg] that they were pursued by Indians on horse
back, who were constantly thining their numbers by firing upon them &
that our men were unable to resist as almost all of them had thrown away
their arms. I could not hesitate as of the propriety of hovering to
their assistance as long as there was a possibility of being able to
afford any, but I was much embarrassed in the most easy & expedient
march & that could Major Cotgrove with the battalion above mentioned had
taken--- On the contrary all accounts agreed that Genl Winchester had
taken the land road -- In a short time however, from the fugitives , who
had began to drop in, I learnt that Genl Winchester and the 40 or 50
men, who were with him, were all cut off with a few who excepted broke
off to the margin of the lake & from those who last saw the scene of
action, I learnt that all resistance upon the part of the troops that
had remained there, ceased before 8 o'clcck.--the question then to be
determined, was whether it would be proper to advance to the scene of
action or not-- the force with me when joined by Cotgroves Battalion
would amount to nearly 900 men-- this battalion had made a forced march
of 12 miles that morning of the action & arrived wihin about 15 miles of
the River Raisin, when the Major received such certain information of
the total defeat of the troops that he had thought proper to return &
was then within a few miles of us. Genl Payne & Genl Perkins & the field
officers were consulted and it was unanimously determined that as they
could be of no doubt of the total defeat of Genl Winchester, there be or
[illeg] no notice [motive?] that could authorize an immediate advance,
but that of attacking the enemy, who were reported to be greatly
superior in numbers & were certainly well provided with artillery, that
after a forced march of 12 miles, the distance from our then position,
from the River Raisin, the troops would be too much exhausted to [ illeg
] the enemy that Cotgroves Battalion from having already marched twenty
five miles that day, would not have been able to accompany us--It was
therefore determined to return to camp with the troops-- but large
detachments of the most active & vigorous men was sent along the
different routes to assist & bring in the fugitives-- I had dispatched
Col Wells early in the evening, in a light [illeg] to procure
intelligence. He progressed within twelve miles of the scene of action &
returned about 9 o'clock. A Council of War was then called consisting of
the Genl field officers and two questions submitted to them-- Whether it
was probably that the enemy would attack us in our situation & if they
did, could we resist them with effect. At this council Major McClanahan
of the Kenucky Vounteers who escaped from the action, assisted. He was
of the opinion that there were from 1600 to 2000 British & Indians
opposed to our troops & that they had six pieces of artillery,
principally Howitzers. It was the unanimous opinion of the council that
under all circumstances it would be proper to retire a short distance on
this road upon which te Artillery & reinforcements were approaching--
Nor should we be able to maintain our camp by getting in our rear the
enemy would defeat our troops in detail and inspite of all efforts we
could make would take the all important Convoy of Artillery & stores
coming from Upper Sandusky-- The march to this place was accordingly
made yesterday-- where I shall wait for the Artillery & a detachment
under Genl Leftwitch, I hope within four days again to be at te Rapids.
With respect to the disaster that has happened & the cause which has
produced, it is proper that I should say that the movement which led to
it, was not only without my knowledge or consent, but entirely at
Varience with the insructions that I had given to Genl Winchester-- As
soon as I was informed that it had been made, every effort in my power,
was had to increase their strength-- Three hundred men more than the
Genl had asked for, were on their march to join him as his situation
enabled him to obtain the most correct information of the strength &
position of the enemy, I could not doubt his having obtained it-- In
justice of Genl Winchester, howver, it is my duty to observe, that I
have understood through the detachment under Col Lewis, was made at the
earnest solicitations of his officers & perhaps contrary to his
judgement.
However deeply to be lamented, sir, the destruction of the detachment,
under Genl Winchester, may be as a National Calamity & as it, regards
the families of the valuable Individuals who have fallen, it is by no
means destroyed my hopes of success with regard to the accomplishments
of the princpal objects of the Campaign-- Unless the weather should be
uncommanly superior to any that the enemy can collect with [?] in the
Upper district of Canada-- I can discover no dispondence amongst the
troops that are with me-- And I trust that something may yet be done to
compensate us for the hardships & difficulties which we every moment
encounter
The account given by Maj McClanahan & Capt Glows of the action of the
22nd is that the enemy commenced just after Revelie to thow shells
amongst our troops, before the Officers and men had risen from their
beds-- They were however found--but very inconveniently posted being
entirely surrounded, they were broken & in 20 minutes--the Genl
indeavored to rally them after they had passed the river, but without
effect--40 or 50 with the Genl, broke through in that direction, but
from the depth of the snow, tose on foot were soon exhausted & were a
short distance over taken by the Indians. The Genl frequently attempted
to form them to oppose the Indians, but his efforts were ineffectual-- I
am unable to say what are the numbers of the killed & prisoners--some of
the Frenchmen whom I have seen say that 500 were killed, others 600-- I
am still however in hopes that the greater part are prisoners-- I have
seen one man who asserts that he saw Genl Winchester killed, scalped,
his bowels taken out-- Such are the allies of a power which boosts its
attainments in every act & science & such the [illeg] associates of
British Officers who claim distinction for their nice feelings &
delicate sense of Honour--
I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Sir, your humble
servent, but 2 Officers & 25 or 30 privates reached my camp from the
River Raisin---
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More letters to follow later--