The Enquirer

OFFICIAL DESPATCH.
(Copy.)

Camp on Mississinewa, two miles above Silver Heels, Dec. 12th, 1812.

Dear General,

After a fatiguing march of three days and one night from Greenville, I arrived with the detachment under my command at a town on the Mississinewa, thought by the spies to be Silver Heels town; but proved to be a town settled by a mixture of Delaware and Miami Indians.

About 8 o'clock on the morning of the 17th, undiscovered, a charge was made upon the town, when many fled over the river, others surrendered—those who fled made resistance after crossing, by firing across the river. Thirty seven prisoners were taken, whom I shall bring in with me, including men, women and children— seven warriors were killed. After disposing of the prisoners I marched a part of the detachment down the river, and burned three villages without resistance; I then returned and encamped on the ground where stood the first village attacked.

This morning about day light, or a little before, my camp was attacked by a party of Indians (the number unknown, but supposed to be between two and three hundred) on my right line occupied by major Ball's squadron, who gallantly resisted them for about three quarters of an hour, when the Indians retreated, after being most gallantly charged by capt. Trotter at the head of his troop of cavalry. We lost in the first action one killed and one wounded, (by accident the last) in the action of this morning. we have eight killed, and about twenty five or thirty wounded; not having yet gotten a report, I am unable to state the number exactly. The Indians have lost about forty killed, from the discoveries now made; the spies are out at present ascertaining the number. I have sent to Greenville for a reinforcement, and send you this hasty sketch. A detailed report shall hereafter be made known to you, noticing particularly those companies and individuals, who have distinguished themselves signally.

I anticipate another attack before I reach Greenville, but rest assured, my dear general, they shall be warmly received: I have a detachment composed of the bravest fellows, both officers & soldiers, in the world. Our return will be commenced this morning. Among our killed I have to deplore the loss of the brave capt. Pierce; lieutenant Waltz of captain Markle's troop of cavalry is also mortally wounded, Their gallant conduct shall be noticed hereafter

Yours with the greatest respect
And esteem,

(Signed)
JOHN B. CAMPBELL.
Lt. col. 19th reg. U.S. Infantry
Gen. W. H. Harrison, com: N. W. army.
CHILLICOTHE, Jan. 5.
ARMY NEWS.

On Wednesday last Capt. M'Rae's company of volunteers from Petersburg, took up their line of march for General Harrison's Head-Quarters at Upper Sandusky. The military appearance and gentlemanly conduct of that band of brothers, are above all praise.

General Harrison arrived in town in the early part of last week in order, we understand, to consult with Governor Meigs on some important subjects relative to the future operations of the army. The General left this place on Thursday evening last for Upper Sandusky, the present Head-Quarters. where one regiment and one battalion of Virginia troops, and one of the Pennsylvania regiments are now encamped. The remainder of the Virginia troops are still at Delaware; and the residue of the Pennsylvania troops are on their march from Mansfield to Upper Sandusky. We understand that the Virginia troops rival the regulars in good order and discipline; and that the Pennsylvania troops are also in excellent order

General Winchester's camp was six miles above Fort Defiance at the last dates. It appears that the troops under his command have experienced serious difficulties with respect to provisions, owing to the badness of the roads and the severity of the weather which prevented their supplies from reaching them. A company of our men who had been recently dispatched to the rapids of the Miami to reconnoitre, have returned to General Perkins's camp at Lower Sandusky. They have brought the intelligence that upwards of ten thousand bushels of corn remain ungathered at the Rapids, and that the enemy have totally evacuated that place since Gen. Tupper's expedition.

The General Assembly of this state have passed a resolution directing the Governor to tender thanks on behalf of the state to the officers and men composing the three regiments of volunteers who served in the first campaign under Gen. Hull.

Fredonian.

Petersburg, Jan. 16:

Yesterday we were favored with a letter received, from one of our Volunteers, dated at H. Q. Franklinton, Ohio, Jan. 14th in which was enclosed the subjoined eloquent address from Gen. Harrison, to the army, announcing col. Campbell's gallant and successful exploits against the Indians on the 17th and 18th Dec.

The letter also affords us the following additional information. The Volunteers arrived here two days ago, the company generally well, and in high spirits. We shall get our ammunition today. and will be ordered to take up the line of march tomorrow. I believe for the Rapids of the Miami -but this is only my opinion--we know nothing positive as to our destination A fine troop of cavalry left here this morning. Col Campbell has taken prisoner a British officer, who is at present here, and 39 Indians. The snow is 2 feet deep, and is excessively cold.

Republican.

Franklinton, (Ohio) Jan. 4.

It is with unusual pleasure that we hasten to present to the public the following interesting particulars relative to the brilliant exploits at Mississiniway. To dilate upon those splendid transactions would be futile and superfluous ; the eloquent and manly address of Gen. Harrison supercedes any thing that can hereafter be said upon the subject.

Head-Quarters N. W. Army, Franklinton,
Jan. 2. 1813.

GENERAL ORDERS.

The commanding General has received from Lieut. col. Campbell the official report of his late expedition against Mississiniway Villages. The conduct of the Col. and his gallant detachment has been in every respect such as the general had anticipated. They have deserved well of their country, and have shed a lustre on the N. W. Army. In no part of their duty have they failed. The officers vied with each other in setting a proper example to their men, and the conduct of the men was marked throughout by cheerfulness, alacrity and obedience upon the march, and invincible bravery in the presence of the enemy.

The detachment appears to have been worthy of their commander, and their commander worthy of them. Nothing can convince more clearly the merits of Lieut. col. Campbell, than the confidence and attachment manifested for him by his command; an attachment, not produced by any improper indulgence or weak compliances, but established upon the solid basis of a zealous and punctual discharge of his own duty, & a mild, humane but determined exaction of obedience from his subordinates

Troops thus disposed, and thus commanded, will be always invincible. Lieut. col. Campbell's official account will be transmitted to the Secretary of war ; it will be published to the world, and the simple narrative of their actions will form the best eulogium upon the conduct of the troops.

The General requests Lieut. Col. Campbell, Lieutenant Colonel Simerall, Major Ball, and all the other officers non-commissioned officers and privates, to accept his warmest thanks for their good conduct. The officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, who were fortunate enough to have an opportunity of distinguishing themselves by their valor or good conduct are as follows :

Kentucky Dragoons.
Lieut. Col. Simerall,
Maj. M'Dowell,
Capt. Trotter (slightly wounded)
Smith.
Johnson.
1st Lt. Hobson.
Payne.
2d Trotter.
Comb. Dishman:
Serg't Maj. Montgomery.
Corporal Riddle.
Trumpeter Willman.

Maj. Ball's squadron, consisting of
2d Regt. U.S. Light Dragoons.
12 months U. S. V. Dragoons.
Maj Ball.
Captain Hopkins.
Garrard.
Markle.
M'Clelland (acting as 2d Lieut to Capt. Hopkins)
Basey
& adj't Fullerton,
Warrens.
2d Lt. Hickman,
Cornet & Qr. Master McClannahan
Lee,
Grear, [wounded]
Herod,
Serjt. maj. Edwards,
Qr. mr. serjt. Hawkins,

Pittsburg Blues.
(12 mo. U.S. Infantry.)
Capt. Butler,
19th Regt. U. S. Infantry.
1st Lieut. Gwynne,
Ensign Harrison,
Qr. mr. serjt. Levitt,

Spies and Guides,
Capt Patterson Bain,
James Audrain,
William Conner,
Sias McCulloch,
James Thompson,
James Nuggs,
Joseph G. M'Clelland,
John Ruland.
Capt. Hie, extra adjt.
Luce, [volunteer]
Doctor Moore,
Thomas Moore, P. Secretary,
Mr. Taylor.
Robert Mitchell (waggoner.)

The Character of this gallant detachment, exhibiting, as it did, perseverance, patience, fortitude and bravery. would however have been incomplete, if, in the midst of victory, they had forgotten the feelings of humanity. It is with the sincerest pleasure, that the Gen. has heard, that the most punctual obedience was paid to his orders ; not only in saving the women and children, but in sparing all the warriors who ceased to resist; and that even, when vigorously attacked by the enemy, the claims of mercy prevailed over every sense of their own danger ; and this Heroic Band respected the lives of their prisoners. The General believes that humanity and true bravery are inseparable. The rigid rules of war may sometimes, indeed, make a severe retaliation necessary ; but the advantages which attend a frequent recurrence to it, are very uncertain, and are not to be compared to the blessings which providence Cannot fail to shed upon the efforts of the soldier, who is " in Battle a Lion, but, the battle once ended, in mercy a Lamb." Let in account of murder'd innocence be opened led in the records of Heaven against our enemies alone : the American soldier will follow the example of his government and

neither the sword of the one will be raised against the helpless or the fallen, nor the gold of the other paid for the scalp of a massacred enemy.

The General cannot pass by the opportunity that is afforded him, by bestowing deserved commendation upon a detachment of his army, without recurring to the merits of the other corps. They have not had, as yet, their wishes gratified, in meeting the enemy ; but they have nevertheless performed hard service under great privations. The Ohio Brigades are exerting themselves with vigor and effect in perfecting their discipline and performing some works requiring great labor. Those from Virginia and Pennsylvania are vying with each other in the path of duty and discipline, to a degree rarely equalled and never excelled. Since their arrival at Sandusky, a proper sense of subordination every where prevails, and the infamous principle that the claims of patriotism would be satisfied by marching to the lines and looking at the enemy, is so completely exploded that the gen. believes his authority would be scarcely sufficient to protect from the vengeance of the soldiery the wretch who should have the temerity to insult them by suggesting it. The Gen. is happy in believing that his own Kentuckians are not behind the other corps of the army in the practice of patriotism and duty. He has heard with a satisfaction that he cannot find words to express, that the Brigade with which he first took the field and whose discipline has been confirmed and extended under the immediate direction of his worthy second Gen. Winchester, have borne with fortitude and cheerfulness. the unexampled privation of a principal article of the ration.

The Gen. records the circumstance for the edification and example of the rest of the army.--Calculating upon the arrival of Flour by the Auglaize and St. Marys river, upon which a large quantity had been embarked under appearances indicating a most favorable termination of the voyage, no means were used to forward any by land, but by a very sudden & unexpected freezing of the Rivers, the boats were arrested in progress,& the troops at Ft. Winchester, consisting of a detachment of Regulars under Col. Wells, Scott's, Lewis' and Allen's Regts. of Kentucky Infantry, subsisted for 10 days upon indifferent salt beef, without an ounce of Flour. In this time, not a murmur was heard, and the sentiments which every where prevailed was that of continuing to serve as long as their services were wanted.

What may not be expected from such troops, when the only difficulties of the campaign are once overcome, and they were brought in the presence of the enemy ?

(Copy)
L. HUKILL.
Ass. Dpy. Adj. General.

Here follows a statement of the killed and wounded in the battle of Mississinniway, on the morning of the 18th December, and in the skirmish on the 17th, of which the following is the

RECAPITULATION.

KILLED--Captains 1, 2d Lieutenants 1, Sergeants 1, Privates 5-total killed in action 8-
died of the wounded since the action 2-Total loss 10.

WOUNDED-Captains 1, 1st Lieutenants 2, Lieutenants 1, Cornets 1, Sergeants 3, Quarter Master Sergeants 1, Corporals 5, Saddlers 1, Farriers 1, Privates 52--Total wounded in action 68.

A report of the number rendered unfit for duty by being frost-bitten, as appears from the reports on the morning of the 21st inst viz:

Total 303

JOHN PAYNE, 1st Lieut.
Kentucky V. L.D. &
Adjutant to Detachment.

In major Ball's squadron	107
Col. Simerall's regiment.	133
Infantry and Riflemen	58