Freeman's Chronicle

CHRONICLE:

FRANKLINTON, Nov. 12, 1812.

An Express arrived here this morning with a dispatch from Brigadier General TUPPER, containing his report to General HARRISON, of his late Expedition to the Rapids of the Miami, for the purpose of driving off a body of Indians and British, who had assembled there to take off a quantity of corn which remains in the fields at that place. Gen. Tupper arrived with his command at the Rapids, undiscovered by the enemy, in the night of the 13th inst. He immediately made a disposition for passing the river, & some few of our men got over, but the greater part of them missed the ford and many of them were in great danger of drowning—they were however rescued by the few horse which Gen. T. had with him, but lost a part of their arms. As soon as the day appeared, and they were discovered by the enemy, the gun and other boats that were in the river, slipped their cables and escaped down the Lake. The Indians, however, more brave than their allies, crossed over on horses and made several violent attacks upon our troops. They were received with firmness, driven back, and forced to recross the river with considerable loss. Gen. Tupper finding it impossible to cross the river, and being entirely out of provisions, as the men took nothing with them except what they carried on their backs, was obliged to return—four were killed on our side, and one wounded—the enemy were seen to carry off many of their dead and wounded in the action on the land, and many more were knocked off their horses in re-crossing the river. The Indians were commanded by the Wyandot chief Splitlog, who was very conspicuous, being mounted upon a fine white charger. This chief was supposed to have been killed or wounded, as another Indian was upon his horse at the close of the action.

The following is the Order issued by Gen. Harrison on the subject of this Expedition.

N. W. ARMY.
Head Quarters, Franklinton,
Nov. 12, 1812.

GENERAL ORDERS.

The commanding General returns his thanks to Brigadier General Tupper and the corps which lately advanced to the Miami Rapids, for the perseverance, zeal, activity, and bravery with which they conducted themselves on that enterprise. A casual circumstance only, and one which neither the general or his men could controul, prevented them from surprising and cutting to pieces a detachment of the enemy, equal in numbers to their own. The measures of Gen. Tupper, appear to have been highly judicious, both in his advance to the enemy, and in resisting their attacks. The General is sorry that any circumstance in an affair which reflects honor on almost the whole of the troops engaged in it, should deserve his censure: Such, however, is merited, by the small detachment, which, in the face of a positive order from their commander, left their ranks to gather corn, and pursue a drove of hogs. But for this disorderly conduct, Gen. Tupper would have brought back in safety his whole command. The commanding General feels, however, so much more to praise than blame, in the conduct of Gen. Tupper's detachment, that he derives no small satisfaction in exhibiting it as a worthy example of military spirit and enterprise to the rest of his army.

[Copy.]

NATHL. F. ADAMS.
Depy. Adj. General.