Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Chillicothe, May 12.

FROM THE RAPIDS.

The following letters were received on Monday last by express. They were immediately published in handbills, but they are republished for the information of distant subscribers.

IMPORTANT.

Extract of a letter from a member of the Chillicothe Guards, dated head-quarters, Saturday, May 8th, 1813.

An express has just arrived from camp Meigs and brings the commanding general letters to the governor and secretary of war they contain in substance the following account of their proceedings up to the 5th instant. They, the enemy, invested the fort on the 26th ult. but did nothing except a little shooting with small arms until the 1st May, when the cannonade commenced from our side, while the enemy were erecting and preparing their batteries, two on the opposite side--and one on this side. the Miami river. Gen. Clay sent an express to the commanding general, informing him of his approach and requesting orders. The general immediately sent him orders to land his force (coming down in boats) on the opposite shore, and attack the British batteries at a given hour, when the general designed a sortie on the battery on this side, which was commanded by col. Miller, of the 10th United States infantry. Both were completely successful. Gen. Clay drove the enemy and spiked seven pieces of artillery, but unfortunately when the militia are successful they have too much confidence. They remained on the ground unused by the manoeuvring of the British, until they attacked by their force united with the savages, and out of 500 but 50 escaped --the rest were killed or taken prisoners, mostly prisoners.--They had been repeatedly called to from the fort to leave the position, embark and come in. Kentucky seems to suffer on all occasions. Col. Miller took two pieces of artillery and about 50 prisoners, among whom were two British officers. lieutenants, and brought them into the fort with very little loss: It is believed some of Gen. Clay's men escaped and returned to reinforce. Only about 20 men have been killed (in the fort. and the general has the fullest confidence of holding out until the reinforcements arrive to compel the enemy to raise the siege, Capt. McCulloch was killed in the fort a brother of him who fell at Brownstown. It is believed that Tecumseh is among the slain. He was seen riding (for an Indian chief who the British prisoners upon being asked said was Tecumseh) was immediately fired upon by a private of our men and fell. The gen. writes that the Indians were retiring. On the whole I consider the result equal to a victory. If reinforcements arrive as we expect, Maiden may be conquered at the rapids. We have about 500 men here, and expect more: we shall probably move on to-morrow. More will join us at Lower Sandusky--we may probably make a force of near 1000. If the enemy remain five days they will probably be accounted for in a way they little expect.

Copy of a letter from William Creighton, jun. esq. dated Upper Sandusky, May 8th, 1813.

Dear Sir--I wrote to you a few days since from this place. Troops are coming in daily---we can now muster about 500 strong, we expect by to-morrow night to be about 1000 strong--the governor is here and all in high spirits, and anxious to march for fort Meigs. An express has this moment arrived from gen. Harrison, with despatches for this post, dated on the 5th instant. On the 26th ultimo, the enemy's columns shewed themselves opposite fort Meigs. On the 27th a party of Indians crossed the river in rear of the fort. On the 1st, 2d and 3d of May, the enemy opened their batteries and kept up an incessant and tremendous fire, from 5 24 and 8 3 inch howitzers, one 24 pounder and several lighter pieces--the shells and ball during that period showered in the fort, but little execution was done, only 3 or 4 men killed, during that period in the fort. Silas McCulloch a brave and gallant man was among the slain. On the night of the 3d, the enemy erected a gun and mortar battery on this side of the river, within one hundred and fifty yards of our lines but were soon forced to take a more respectful distance. About 12 o'clock on the night of the 5th, an officer arrived in a boat from gen. Clay to inform the general of his approach, and that he would reach Fort Meigs in about two hours. Gen. Harrison determined on a general sally, and sent an officer to gen. Clay desiring him to land 500 men some short distance above, to attack and carry the enemy's batteries, spike their cannon and destroy the artillery. Gen. Clay was unfortunately delayed longer than he expected in passing the Rapids, and the detachment destined to make the attack did not reach the landing until near 9 o'clock, this, however, did not prevent them from making the attempt, and never was any thing more completely successful, the four batteries were immediately taken possession of and their defenders driven off, and their cannon spiked. The work was done, but that confidence which always attends militia when successful, proved their ruin--although there was time sufficient to return to the boats, before a reinforcement arrived to the enemy, they remained upon the ground, in spite of the repeated calls which were made from the fort, to bring them back to their boats, and suffered themselves to be amused and drawn into the woods by some faint skirmishing while some British troops and a immense body of Indians were brought up--a severe action then took place. The British immediately intercepted the retreat of our men to the plain and the river where they would have been under cover of our cannon--but about 250 only out of nearly 500 effected their escape to the boats. When the balance of Gen. Clay's force made its appearance and attempted to land above the garrison, their flank was attacked by a large body of Indians. Gen. Harrison immediately ordered out a detachment consisting of part of the 19th United States regiment, about 100 twelve months volunteers and some militia, they however succeeded in driving the enemy entirely off, pursuant to the plan gen. Harrison had formed.

An attack was then made upon the batteries on this side of the river, conducted by col. Miller of the 10th regiment, with part of his regiment, the aforesaid volunteers, and the few militia ; this attack was also completely successful. The enemy were driven from their works; a number killed, and 2 British officers and 41 privates brought into camp.

This attack was simultaneous with the one on the other side and it was nearly so. Notwithstanding the severe loss we have sustained in the Kentucky militia, the events of the day have been honorable to the American arms. The detachment under Col. Miller suffered very little ; and had the militia been contented with executing what they were ordered to do, every object which had been contemplated by Gen. Harrison would have been accomplished.

Gen. Harrison writes confidently of his ability to maintain his position. I hope in a very short time we shall be able to relieve him. Poor Kentucky, my heart bleeds for the loss of her gallant sons--she has bled freely --yes, profusely, during this war.