National Gazette

RICHMOND. Dec. 9.

Copy of a letter from Capt. John Rogers, to his Excellency Henry Lee, Esq. dated Road 12 miles east of New London, Campbell county, Nov. 26.

On my way from Spanish America across by land, I passed the Kentucky country, where a few days after my arrival, and three days previous to my departure from thence (which was on the 15th instant) we received certain intelligence of the defeat of our army under the command of general St. Clair. It does not appear that the army were taken by surprise, as the centinels fired above sixty shots at the enemy before the action came on; during which time I suppose the veterans of the forest were taking their position, as it appears they had completely surrounded the army, and attacked it on all sides at day break. tomahawk in hand against bayonets. They twice surrounded St. Clair's tent, being, (as he generally is) so ill with the gout, that he could not get out until he was set on horseback, and then conducted the retreat. The Indians fought the army five miles on their retreat; and were prevented from tomahawking the General in his tent by the vigilance of the troops who defended it. The battle was fought thirty miles from fort Jefferson, and fifteen miles from the ground on which Harmar was defeated. The remains of the army are in the above named fort, and have only twelve days provisions, the flesh of pack Horses. The Indians appeared in force around the fort the next day. St. Clair passed on himself to the next fort about sixty miles from fort Jefferson, where it is said he is waiting assistance to relieve the fort. All the leading characters in Kentucky are turning out, and it was thought that a body of 1500 or 2000 horsemen would go to the relief of the army. The Mountain Leader, a Chickasaw, with a part of his nation, and a part of the 1st regiment, were out on command, said to have been ordered to some small town. There is no word of them; it is generally feared they will be cut off, as they could know nothing of the defeat of the army. There was a second party of the Chickasaw nation under the great leader Colbert, on their way to join our army, but had not reached it; they will go on with the relief. There was only one Indian of that nation in this action, who it is said killed and scalped eleven of the enemy with his own hands, and engaging with the 12th, he fell greatly lamented by the Americans. General Butler was wounded, and carried to his tent to have his wounds dressed; an Indian watched where he was carried to, then broke through our men, and tomahawked the general and the doctor who was dressing his wounds, before he was killed by our men. It is thought the whole of the loss, including the army and its followers, amounts to 800 persons. The above appears to be the general account as received in Kentucky by sundry persons from the army, generally corresponding, and I believe may be relied on.