The Virginia Gazette

RICHMOND, September 20.

A narrative of the progress of the enemy to the westward taken from Captain John Hinkson's deposition, and other authentick accounts.

IN the month of May two prisoners made their escape from the Indians situate near lake Erie, and gave information that a large body of Indians and Whites had advanced from Detroit as far as the Portage, on the Miamis river, with an intention to proceed down the Stoney river into the Ohio, and attack the garrison at Louisville and other posts in the new country.

The Commandant at fort Pitt had received similar information about the same time from friendly Indians.

Notice of all which was dispatched to government, in a letter from Col. Bowman, dated the 28th of May, and orders issued in consequence thereof on the 19th of June. The enemy advanced slowly, building stockades and block-houses at proper places as receptacles for provisions, and in order to favour a retreat. Dispatches for Col. Clarke sent by way of fort Pitt were taken on the Ohio, which give the enemy information of what had been determined respecting an expedition.

On the 24th of June, early in the morning, the enemy after proceeding up Licking undiscovered, attacked Riddle's fort, where a heavy fire of small arms was kept up until about noon; it was then observed that the Whites were erecting a battery for cannon on an advantageous spot, which upon the first discharge, convinced the besieged of their inability to hold out: A flag was sent, and the following terms agreed upon That the garrison next morning should be given up the men, women and children be considered as prisoners, and march under the care of the English troops to Detroit; and each of them to retain one suit of clothes and a blanket. But no sooner did the men give up their arms, than the savages rushed into the fort and fell to plundering and stripping the unhappy captives, taking under their own care such as they fancied, and murdering others, together with the wounded. Thus were wives soon parted from their husbands, children from their mothers, and a scene of the most doleful lamentations took place, so affecting that it drew tears from the Commandant himself.

On the 26th. the Whites with a few Indians appeared before Martin's fort, which surrendered without resistance; on the same terms as the former. The number of persons in both forts is said to be about 500, only 100 of whom were fighting men. From Riddle's station several parties of Indians were dispatched towards Elk-horn to collect horses and destroy stock, which they have been very successful in accomplishing.

On the 27th, the party that took Martin's fort, joined the others at Riddle's, which they burnt, with the prisoners remaining in it sick; and on the 28th, the whole body decamped, some going off by land, others with the heavy baggage, cannon, and plunder, by water.

Captain John Hingston, one of the prisoners taken at Riddle's fort, made his escape from the enemy the night of the 28th. He says that they consisted of one company of regulars; one of impressed Canadians, and about 30 Tory volunteers, with 700 Indians of various tribes, viz Shawanese Delawares, Mingoes, Chippewas, Ottawas, Wappatagoes, Hurons, or Wyandots; the whole commanded by a Capt. Byrd.

He informed Captain Hingston that he intended to carry such of the families as he could keep from the Indians to Detroit, and settle them adjacent to that place, that he should return by way of the Shawanese towns and leave some of his men there with a part of his artillery, which consisted of two brass 6 pounders, two ditto 2 pounders, and four howitzers.

Colonel Clarke happening to return from the mouth of the Ohio about that time, and the inhabitants being roused at this misfortune; an expedition was set on foot to rescue the captives, and make reprisals.

On the Mississippi the enemy were less fortunate; for although an expedition was formed at Detroit to proceed by way of lake Michigan and the Illinois river, against the Spanish settlements and our posts on the Mississippi; yet they suffered loss; and had to return without taking any one of them; doing no other damage besides killing about 60 persons at the village of Pancour.

*Supposed to be Captain Henry Byrd of the eighth British regiment.