Gazette Of The United States

PITTSBURGH, October 8.

Extract of a letter from an officer in the federal army dated Fort Washington, Sept. 18, 1791, to his brother in this place.

"We arrived here the 5th instant, after a long, though very pleasant passage. We were dogged by Indians, but never got sight of more than two of them. We rescued a boat of a Mr. McMaken from the clutches of a party of 12, who, but for our interposition would undoubtedly have taken her.

My regiment is, together with the whole of the troops, except one company which is doing garrison duty here, encamped 20 miles from hence, where they are erecting fortifications: we wait for a body of 1000 militia from Kentucky. I presume our force will be sufficient to confront any body of savages that can possibly exist together.

I am a member of a court of enquiry on our friend Brig. Gen. Harmar; we have been sitting five days, and have not got through half the testimony; every thing that has yet transpired places Harmar's conduct in the most respectable point of view, and entitles him to the thanks of his country; his line of March, his encampment, and order of battle, may be equalled but not surpassed by any general, either ancient or modern. His exertions were great, and the loss he sustained could not have been avoided, situated as he was, I mention these things to you because I know you will rejoice to hear the malice of his calumniators defeated, and that this much injured man will have his character placed in its true light."