Defence of Gen. Henry Dearborn, against the attack of Gen. William Hull
1*' V 0 \^^*v 0 \^s&1 Sp * •* ,o- »• >* * 5 A . . s \ > * 5 !nl/< 'V - 0* <> 'o . * * ,GV .* ^V ^^ ^vt y>. TrV .o SS V A •£ <, tftntt AUHKDlE THE ATTACK GEN. WILLIAM HULL BY H. A. S. DEARBORN. BOSTON C& PRINTED BY EDGAR W. DAV1E.S. 1824. w SHBSNBRGHB OP $&$U$tM General "William Hull, late of the army, having made an appeal " to the People of the United States," in which he has attempt- ed to exonerate himself from blame, by at- tributing his unfortunate surrender of the ar- my at Detroit to my father, it becomes my duty, in his absence, to present a statement of (acts, which will show, that the causes of the disasters of the North Western Army were those, which induced a court martial to sentence the commander "to be shot to death,'1'' and that there is not the shadow of a reason to warrant him in attributing his unconditional SURRENDER of an entire army and territory, to the conduct of Gene- ral Dearborn. He first accuses General Dearborn of a dis- obedience of orders, in not co-operating with him, on the Niagara, which he alleges, was one great cause of his misfortunes ; and that the temporary suspension of arms, entered into with Sir George Prevost, the Governor General of Canada, enabled the enemy to send reinforcements to Fort Maiden, at the time he was investing it, which completed his disasters. A plan of the anticipated campaign against the Canadas was submitted to the Secretary of War, hy General Dearborn, previously to his departure from Washington, in 1G12; in which he recommended, that the main army should advance upon Montreal, by the way of lake Champlain, while three corps, com- posed chiefly of militia, should enter upon Canada, from Detroit, Niagara, and Saeket's Harbour. In accordance with this system of operations, he was directed to proceed to Albany, and make the necessary arrange- ments for concentrating an army on the Hudson and lake Champlain, which was to invade Lower Canada ; then proceed to Boston — nd, after putting the sea coast of New England in as perfect a state of defence as possible, return to Albany. — This was done, and he reached the encampment at Green Bush, on the 2Gth of July, 1812, where his chief efforts were to be directed to the organization of the troops, and the es- tablishment of depots of provisions and mu- nitions of war, for the descent upon Mon- treal and Quebec ; to which operations alone he considered his command to extend, as ha had distinctly expressed in the plan of the campaign above named ; and had no idea that Niagara, or the posts on the lakes, west of it, were included therein, than that it embraced the whole of the United States. The army under General Hull, and the forces assembled on the Niagara, were under the immediate orders of the Government ; and General Dearborn neither gave orders to, or received reports from, the command- ing officers of either position, until after he arrived at Albany, on the 26th of July ; and General Hull had no right to anticipate any co-operation on the Niagara, or other u posts below'''' him, when he invaded Upper Cana- da, as will appear by the instructions from the Secretary of War, under which he acted, dated June 24, 1812, which he has publish- ed in his twelfth number, except the last and very important paragraph, which is here in- serted, in conjunction with the one directing ' him to take Fort Maiden. " Should the force under your command i be equal to the enterprise, consistent with DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. the safety of your own posts, you will take possession of Maiden, and extend your con- quests as circumstances may justify. " It is also proper to inform you that an a- dequale forte cannot soon be relied on, for the reduction of the enemy's posts below yoiC In support of the assertion, that General Dearborn did not consider any part of Low- er Canada under his command, until after he reached Albany, on the 26th July, 1812, and that the moment he received orders to make a diversion at Niagara, in favor of General Hull, he promptly took measures to execute them, the following official letters, and ex- tracts therefrom, are introduced. Extract of a letter from General Dear- born to the Secretary of War, dated Head Quarters, Gieenbush, July 28, 1312. " Who is to have the command of the ope- rations in Upper Canada? I take it for grant- ed, that my command dots not extend to that distant quarter.'*'' On the 26th of July, the Secretary wrote General Hull as follows : " A force is collect- ing at Niagara. General Dearborn's head- quarters are at Albany. He will be apprised of your situation, and directed to keep up a correspondence with you, and the immedi- ate command at Niagara ; and to take mea- sures to afford the necessary support.1' In the above letter, the Secretary says, General Dearborn "u'i7Z be, apprised of your situation," and on the first of August, he wrote General Hull, that "On the~26th of July, your letters of the 7th and 10th were enclosed to General Dearborn, with a copy of mine to you of the 26/A." which renders it evident, that General Dearborn had not been before ordered to co-operate on the Niagara. The following is an extract of the letter of the 26th of July to General Dear- born. " War Department, July 26, 1812. " Sir-- Your letter of the 17th inst. is re- ceived. A letter from Brigadier General Hull, of the 7th, announces his arrival at Detroit, on the 5th inst. with a force of more than 2000, consisting of the 4th Infan- try, recruits of the 1st infantry, and volun- teers from Ohio. His troops are in flue health and good spirits, and he was providing the means to cross the river. Arrangements should be immediately made by you to co- operate with him at Niagara." It is now fully proved, that the above were the first instructions which were sent to Ge- neral Dearborn to make a diversion on the Niagara, and which were not received at Albany until the 31st of July, only sixteen days before the surrender of Detroit. Put in the=e instructions the Secretary had antici- pated the request of Gen. Hull ; for his first intimation that a co-operation was expected, or would be necessary to aid him at Detroit, was in a letter to the Secretary, as late as the \9lh of July, which did not reach Wash- ington until the first of August, and was not received by General Dearborn until the 6lh of Aug. — but 10 days before Gen. HulPs capture. By the following letters and orders, it will not only be seen, that Gen. Dtarborn had not considered any -part of the borders of Up- per Canada as within the command intended for him, until the 3i*/ of July ; and that, so far from neg'ecting to obey the orders of the Secretary of War, when apprised thereof, he made every possible effort to concentrate a force on the Niagara. Letter to the Secretary of War. "Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 7, 1812. "Sir — I have been honoured with your letters of the 26th, 27th, and 29th ult. and of the 1st and 5th inst. I have been making arrangements with Governor Tompkins, for having reinforcements sent to Niagara, Og- denburg, and Flattsburg. I trust they will move soon, but too late, I fear, to make the diversion in favour of General Hull, which is so desirable. "I have ordered Lieut. Col. Fenwick, with two companies of Simonds' regiment, two eighteen, and two twelve pounders, to move up the Mohawk, to Utica, where the roads part, which lead to Niagara and Sack- ett's Harbour. " I shall order a detachment of light artil- lery, and the infantry, with the heavy piec- es, a quantity of ammunition, intrenching tools, and other articles, to proceed to Nia- gara. The whole, except the light artillery, will go by water, from Fort Schuyler. I wrote to the commanding officers at Niagara and Sacket's Harbour, confidentially, to let it be known, that they had received intelli- gence, that large reinforcements of regulars and militia were on their march to join them; I enclosed a letter to each of them to that effect. It is said, that a detachment has been sent from Niagara, by land to Detroit ; if so, I should presume, before they can march 250 miles, General Hull will receive notice of their approach, and in season to cut them off, before they reach Fort Mai- den. " It is reported that no ordnance orammu* nition have reached Niagara this season, and that there is a great deficiency of those arti- cles. Not having considered any part of the borders of Upper Canada as within the com- mand intended for me, I have received no re- ports or returns from that quarter ; and did not, until since my last arrival at this place, give any ordtrs to the commanding officers of the respective posts on that frontier. " I have considered it necessary to rein- force the troops at Plattsburg and its viciiii- DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. 6 ty, from the presumption, that if we send any considerable additional force towards Upper Canada, the British forces near Mon- treal, would attack our posts in their imme- diate neighbourhood, and might take the magazines at Plattsburg. Governor Tomp- kins, coinciding with me in this opinion, has agreed to order out eight hundred of the de- tached militia, to reinforce that place. Ma- jor General Moore, an intelligent revolution- ary officer, commands at Plattsburg. kt We should be prepared to act offensive- ly at Niagara, but no orders have been giv- en to that effect. 1 presume it was not in- tended at present. General Van Rensselaer should receive orders to cross Niagara river as soon as the reinforcements arrive, which will give him a total force of 2400 men, es- pecially if the enemy has made any conside- rable detachments for Detroit ; we might take a strong position and maintain it ; ob- tain possession of the minor posts, and hold the main garrison in check, until we receive further aid. " Governor Tompkins has agreed to order out, in addition to those now in the service of the United States, and those intended for Plattsburg, eighteen hundred men ; one thousand of which are to be marched to Ni- agara, and eight hundred to Sacketfs Har- bour and Ogdensburg. " Will the militia consent to go into Cana- da i This is a serious question. 1 have no other means of ascertaining their feelings, than the information derived from Governor Tompkins, who is of opinion that they would cheerfully consent to cross the line. 11 The number of the detachments, march- ed from Niagara, cannot exceed two hun- dred ; as the whole force of the enemy in that quarter has amounted to only about 450 regulars, from three to five hundred militia, and about three hundred Indians. " I hope the vessels on lake Champlain will be purchased on account of the United States, and part of them armed. I am, sir, your ob't servant, H. DEARBORN." Orders to Gen. Van Rensselaer. "Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 3, 1812, " Sir — You will please to take measures for keeping up a correspondence with Geu. Hull, and ascertain his movements by ex- presses, or otherwise; and as he has crossed over into Upper Canada, and taken posses- sion of Maiden, it will be expedient to make every exertion in your power to co-operate with him ; and if your force will not admit of any strong offensive operations, it may be well to make such diversions in his favour as circumstances will permit, so as to prevent the enemy from detaching any force from the vicinity of Niagara, to oppose the movements of General Hull. I trust yoa will soon be able to act in a more decisive manner. I am, &c. H. DEARBORN. " Head Quarters. Green Bush, Aug. 6, 1812. " To His Excellency Gov. Tompkins. " Sir — Agreeable to the result of our con- ference this morning, I take the liberty of requesting your Excellency to order into the service of the United States two thousand six hundred of the detached militia of the state, duly officered ; one thousand of them to join the troops at Niagara, eight hundred to join those at Sackett's Harbour, and on the upper St. Lawrence, and eight hundred to join the troops at Plattsburg. The Quar- ter Master General will be ordered to fur- nish tjnts, and the means of transportation for the necessary baggage. I am, &c. H. DEARBORN." Orders to Major Mulcany. " Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 8, 1812. "Sir, — You will proceed without delay, with the recruits, under your command to Niagara, and report yourself to the com- manding General at that place, and receive his orders. You will apply to the contract- or's agent for furnishing the necessary rations on your march. I am, &c. H. DEARBORN'. Orders to Col. Fenwick. " Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 8, 1812. " Sir — AtUtica you will detach an intel- ligent subaltern, with 34 noncommissioned officers, and privates, and two pieces of ar- tillery with ammunition, and with the two companies of infantry under your command, proceed to Niagara, you will take under your charge the 18, and 12 pounders, and the ammunition and other military stores destin- ed for Niagara. The heavy pieces, with the military stores, will probably be most conve- niently conveyed by water to Niagara, or within about twelve miles of the Old Fort, and there be landed. The infantry should accompany the cannon and stores by water, to the head of the Mohawk river and I will suggest the expediency of your taking that route yourself. On your arrival at Niagara you will report yourself to the commanding general, and you will take command of the artillery generally, including Capt. Leonard's company, and also of the infantry of the 6th regiment, — and of the new raised troops of this State at Niagara. You will suggest to the commanding general the expediency of removing the troop* from the Old Fort, and concentrating his main force, at some place with a view of crossing the river into Cana- da, or for the better defence of the river. If ] it should he considered expedient to wilb- jdraw the troops from the Old Fort it may be J necessary to have it occupied by some niili- 6 DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. tin, and perhaps as a Hospital. You will please to give me such information by mail, as may be worth communicating. 1 should presume that as soon as the reinforcements now ordered out bv the Governor arrives, that there will be no risk, in acting offen- sively. The whole of the artillery should be under your command and direction, but to be under the orders of the commanditig General. I am, &c. H. DEARBORN. Orders to Colonel Tvlacombe. "Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 6, 1812. " Sir, — You will please to have two me- dium eighteen pounders, and two twelve pounders, with one hundred rounds of pow- der and ball for each piece, and the necessa- ry apparatus complete, prepared, for being sent to Niagara, without delay ; — they should accompany Lieut. Col. Fenwick1s detach- ment on Saturday morning next. You will apply to the Quarter Master Gen. or his De- puty for the Horses necessary for the con- veyance of the pieces, and ammunition. Yours &c. H. DEARBORN. Extract of a letter from General Dear- born, to the Governor of Pennsylva- nia, dated " Green Bush, Aug. 13, 1812. " I am authorized by the President of the LJnited States, to call to your Excellency, for such numbers of the militia of Pennsyl- vania, as the service on the frontiers may require ; I therefore take the liberty of re- questing your Excellency, to have two thou- sand of the militia of the north-westerly frontier of Pennsylvania ordered out, and inarched to Niagara, *-. ith as little delay as possible, with a suitable number of officers of the different grades, and commanded by a Brigadier General. On their arrival at Niagara, the commanding officer will report himself to the commanding General of the troops at that post." Letter from Gen. Dearborn to Gen. Van Rensselear. " Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 20, 1312. " Sir— Your letter of the 12th inst. has been duly received. As it is believed that a detachment has been made from the British force at Niagara, to reinforce the garrison at Maiden, it will be necessary to be as well prepared as possible to take advantage of the reduced force in your front, as soon as there shall be orders to act offensively. Con- siderable reinforcements from the detached militia and volunteers, are ordered to Niaga- ra, Sackett's Harbour, Ogdenburg and PhUtsburg; — and with the detachment of re- gular troops, under Lieut. Colonel Fenwick, there is some heavy ordnance, ammunition and intrenching tools, which will immediate- ly be followed with additional orduauce, and military stores for Niagara, Sackett's Har- bour and Ogdenburg. — I have also ordered a considerable number of Batteaux from Sche- nactady, to Niagara and Sackett's Harbour, and the construction of suitable scows at the respective places, including Ogdenburg, for the transportation of ordnance, &c. 1 hope Col. Porter will proceed in the con- struction of boats, and scows with all possi- ble industry." " It will be highly gratifying to me to re- ceive intelligence from you by every mail, anil in case of emergency, by express.1' Yours, &c. H. DEARBORN. Ample testimony having been exhibited to prove that Gen. Hull made a rash and un- founded declaration, when he asserted that Gen. Dearborn " neglected to obey the po- sitive orders of his government to co-operate with the forces under his command.1' I shall now show that, no troop or military supplies icere sent to the relief of Fort Maiden from any '•'•post belowf during the temporary arm- istices, and that Gen. Brock did not even knoiv that one had been agreed upon, until he returned to Fort Erie, on the Niagara, af- ter the capture of Gen. Hull and his army, and that so far from neglecting the situation of Gen. Hull, every precaution was taken by Gen Dearborn, to render the arrangement, not only, not injurious, but advantageous to him. Letter from Gen. Dearborn to the Se- cretary of War, informing him of the temporary armistice. "Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug. 9. 1812. " Sir. — Col. Baynes, Adjutant General of the British Army in Canada, has this day ar- rived at this place, in the character of a flag of truce, with dispatches from the British Government, through Mr. Foster*, which I have enclosed to the Secretary of State. Col. Baynes was likewise the bearer of dis- patches from Sir George Prevost, which is herewith enclosed. Although I do not con- sider myself authorized, to agree to a cessa- tion of arms, I concluded that 1 might with perfect safety agree that our troop should act merely on the defensive, until I could re- ceive directions from my government ; but as I could not undertake to include General Hull in such an arrangement, he having re- ceived his orders directly from the department of War, 1 agreed to write to him, and state the proposition made to me, and have pro- posed, his confining himself to defensive measures, if his orders, and the circumstan- ces of affairs with him, would justify it. Col, Baynes has written similar orders to the Bri- tish officers, in Upper Canada, and I have forwarded them, to our commanders of posts, *Late Minister of G. B. then at Halifax. , DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. o be by them transmitted to the British commanders." " I consider the agreement as favorable at this period, for we could not act offensively, except at Detroit, for some time, and there it will not probably have any effect on Gen- eral Hull or his movements, and we shall not be prepared to act offensively in this quar- ter, before you will have time to give me or- ders, for continuing on the defensive or act Otherwise. We shall lose no time, or advan- tage, by the agreement, but rather gain time, without any risk. It is mutually understood, that all preparatory measures may proceed, and that no obstructions are to be attempted, on either side, to the passage of stores, to the frontier posts ; but if General Hull, should not think it advisable to confine himself to mere defensive operations, the passage of military stores to Detroit, will not be con- sidered as embraced in the agreement last noticed." Col. Baynes informs me, that a party of British troops, and Indians, had taken pos- session of Michillimackinack, and that our garrison were prisoners. I made no particu- lar inquiry as to the circumstances, as I en- tertain some doubts as to the fact. "1 hare no expectation that the govern- ment will consent to a cessation of hostili- ties, on the strength of the communication forwarded by Mr. Foster ; but all circum- stances considered, it may be well to avail ourselves of the occasion, until, we are belter prepared for acting with effect ; at all events, we can lose nothing by the arrangement I have consented to, it being explicitly understood, that my government will not be under any obligation to agree to it, unless the dispatches from the British Go- vernment should be such, as to induce the President to propose an armistice, as prepar- atory for negociations for peace. 1 informed Col. Baynes, that our government would readily meet any such overture from Great Britain, as clearly indicated a sincere dispo- sition for making peace on satisfactory terms; but after what had occurred, in relation to the adjustment with Mr. Erskine, it could "Head Quarters, Green Bush, Aug, 9, 1812. "Sir. — Having received from Sir George Prevost, Governor General and Commander of the British forces in Upper and Lower Canada, dispatches from the British Govern- ment, said to be of a conciliatory nature, which I have forwarded to Washington, and a letter from Sir George Prevost to me, by his Adjutant General Col. Baynes, proposing a cessation of hostilities on the frontiers : I have so far agreed to his proposals, as to con- sent that no offensive operations, shall he at- tempted on our part, until I shall have re- ceived further instructions from our govern- ment ; but as you received your orders direct- ly from the Department of JVar, I could not agree to extend the principle to yjur com- mand, but I agreed to write to you, and state the general facts ; and propose to you a con- currence in the measures, if your orders and situation would admit of it ; of course yon will act in conformity with what has been agreed upon in respect to the other posts on the frontiers, if not incompatible with your orders, or the arrangements made under them, or the circumstances under which this letter reaches you. Any preparation for of- fensive operations may be continued, and where it is agreed to suspend any offensive operations, no obstacles are to be opposed to the transportation of military stores. " In all cases where offensive operations cease, by virtue of the aforementioned agree- ment, four entire days are to be allowed, af- ter either party shall revoke their orders, be- fore any offensive operations shall commence. "A letter from Col Baynes, to the com- manding officer at Amherstburgh, has been forwarded by me to the commanding officer at Niagara, to be by him transmitted to De- troit. "The removal of any troops from Niagara to Detroit, while the present agreement con- tinues, would be improper, and incompati- ble with the true intent of the agreement. I have made no arrangement, that should have any effect upon your command contrary to your own judgment. I am, &c. H. DEARBORN. not be expected, that any other than the most explicit and authentic directions to [ Letter frQm General Van Rensselaer their agent in this country, would produce any change in our measures. " It is evident that a war with the United States, is very unpopular in Canada. "Col. Baynes arrived at our frontier post, at Plattsburg, and was conducted to this place, by Major Clark, an officer in the de- tached miiitia, of thus state, he returned this day with the same officer. I am Sir, Sec. If. DEARBORN. Letter from General Dearborn to Gen- eral Hull, announcing the tempora- ry armistice, acknowledging the receipt of a let- ter from General Dearborn relative to the armistice. "Head Quarters, Lewistown, Aug. 19, 1312, "■Sir. — In the night of the 17th, I received your letter of the fith inst. The enclosures have been delivered to Lieut. Col. Mjers, commanding at Fort George, who has since acknowledged the receipt of the letters, and pledged himself strictly to observe the terms of the armistice. I am, &c S, VAN RENSSELAER. s DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. It is notorious, that not any troops, passed ■up to Detroit, except those which left Nia- gara, before the temporary armistice was agreed to at Green Bush. But Gen. Hull says, that Gen. Brock informed him of it at Detroit, after the surrender ; that this was impossible, the letter from General Van Rensselaer sufficiently shows, for he says he did not receive the dispatches, until the night of the 17th of August, which was after the, capture of Detroit ; but the following ex- tract of a letter from General Brock to Ge- neral Van Rensselaer, proves that he did not know it, until the twenty-third of August, when he returned to Fort Erie, on the Nia- gara, seven days after the surrender of Gen. Hull. "Head Quarters, Fort George, Aug. 25, 1812. " II was not until my arrival at Fort Erie, " late in the evening of the 23rf inst. that I " learn that a cessation of hoslillies, had been " agreed upon, between General Dearborn " and Sir George Prevost ; and I in conse- " quence, despatched early yesterday, an *' express to Amherstburgh, ordering a cessa- " lion of all offensive operations against the " United States, in that quarter, and like- " wise to exert my influence in restraining " the Indians, from committing any acts of " hostility, all of which I have again repea!- " ed this day by a second express. " The fortune of war having put me in " possession of Detroit and its dependencies " a small garrison has been ordered to occu- " py the Fort, the chief object of which was 11 to afford protection to the inhabitants of " the territory. I have the honor to enclose " a copy of the proclamation which I issued " on the occasion.1' 1 have the honor to be Your most obedient Servt. ISAAC BROCK, Major General. I shall now introduce testimony to prove, mcontestibly, that it was neither to the ne- gligence of the government, or of General Dearborn, that the surrender of the North Western Army is to be attributed, but that it was the result of the lamentable imbecility, of the commander, who could have taken Fort Maiden when he first arrived; which he was urged to do, by his officers,and shoud have done, as he knew General Brock had been there on the 14th of June, " and he ex- u pected the Queen Charlotte to return with a " reinforcement immediately,'''' as will appear by his letter to the Secretary, of the 24th of June, which will be hereafter introduced. It ■will appear that he could have taken Mai- den at any time previous to his evacuation of Canada, and that the enemy with an inferior force was suffered to cross the river, and inarch into the Fort at Detroit, without any resistance being made, during the whole of which time General Hull, so far from dis- playing the first quality of a soldier, exhibit- ed a most melancholy spectacle to his army^ of a general, on the eve of anticipated battle, incapable of action, from a total prostration of all his moral and physical energies, a chief without firmness to meet the tempest of tear. He has dwelt much on the Navai com- mand of Lake Erie, and endeavoured to show, that he expected the government would have taken measures to secure it to aid his movements. The fact is, he knew when he left Wash- ington, that such would not be the case. In his letter to the Secretary of War of the 6th of March, 1812, he observes that, " In the event of peace with England, I am of opinion that the northern frontier ought to be better protected than it is at present. — In the event of war and the object being the reduction of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, I think it must be evident, that the establish- ment of an army at Detroit, sufficient to de fend that part of the country, control the In- dians,and commence operations on the weak- i est points of defence of the enemy, would be an incipient measure indispensibly necessary. With respect to the other points of attack I shall make no observations, as I probably shall have no agency in them. In consider- ing this subject, I have endeavored to divest myself of all local feelings, and grounded my observations and opinions on public con- siderations alone. Two things appear to me to be certain, one is that, in the event of war, the enemy will attempt to take possession of that country, with a view to obtain the assistance of the Indians residing in our territory ; and the other is, that under its present circumstances of defence, it will be in their power to do it. A part of your army now recruiting, may as well be recruited and disciplined at Detroit as at any other place. A force adequate to the defence of that vulnerable point would prevent a war with the savages and probably induce the enemy to abandon the Province of Upper Canada without opposition The na- val FORCE ON THE LAKES, WOULD IN THAT EVENT FALL INTO OUR POSSESSION AND WE SHOULD OBTAIN THE COMMAND OE THE WATERS, WITHOUT THE EXPENSE OE BUILDING SUCH A FORCE. tw The British cannot hold Upper Canada without the assistance of the Indians, and that assistance they cannot obtain, if we j have an adequate force in the situation I have pointed out. " There is another consideration very im- portant. It will do more to prevent a gene- ral Indian war, as far west, and beyond the Mississippi, than any other measure. The Indians cannot conduct a war, without the assistance of some civilized nafion. " The British establishment at Amherst- I burg is the great emporium, from which e- DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. 8 wn fhe most distant Indians receive their supplies. A force at the point I mentioned would prevent all communication of the In- dians with that post ; indeed, Sir, in every point of view in which the subject can be considered, it appears to me of the first im- portance to adopt the measure." From the above it is manifest, that Gen. Hull considered a naval force on Lake Erie unnecessary, provided, "there was estab- " lished an army at Detroit, sufficient to de- " fend that part of the country, control the " Indians, and commence operations on the •; weakest points of defence of the enemy;1' that li the British naval force on the Lakes, would in that event fall into our possession, and ive should obtain the command of the waters, without the expense of building such a firce.'1'1 If he found, such a force, as he had con- templated in his report, was not furnished, it w.is his duty to have demanded it before he marched : — this he did not do ; it is therefore conclusive, that he had such an army en- trusted to his command, as he required, and considered it " sufficient ,-" — this he cannot vow gainsay, for he declined taking addition- al troops* when offered, before he marched from Ohio, declaring, he had " men enough.'''' The following testimony of Gen. P. B. Tarker is plenary, that the President had concluded it better, to send an army with Gen. Hull, than to equip a fleet. " I was twice at the President's with Gen. " Hull when the subject of a navy was talk- "edover; at first, it was agreed to have " one, but afterwards it ivas agreed to aban- '* don it, doubtless as inexpedient.'1'' But a short time previous to the departure of Gen. Hull to Detroit, he was asked by some one whether the naval force of the enemy might not annoy him, when he re- plied, " I will take the land, and the water and ships will go with it." That this was the tl expectation''' of the President, the following extract from his message to Congress, after the fall of De- troit, clearly proves, and that Gen. Hull, in making the above declaration, not only pro- claimed his own anticipations, but those of the national executive. " That the force sent to Detroit was wilh a general view to the security of the Michi- gan Territory, and in the event of a war, to such operations in the Uppermost Canada, a« would interrupt the hostile influence of Great Britain over the savages, obtain the COMMAND OF THE LAKES, 0/1 which that part of Canada borders, maintain co-opera- ting relations with such forces as might be most conveniently employed against other posts." " Our expectation of gaining' the com- mand of the Lakes by the invasion of Cana- da from Detroit, having been disappointed, measures were instantly taken to provide on them, a naval force,suptrior to that of the en- emy.''1 General Hull has taken great pains to re- present the force he marched from Ohio, at only " 1200 militia,1'— the 4th United States regiment, which he states, consisted " of about 300," and " a few straggling volun- teers,"— making an aggregate of, apparent- ly, a little over 1500 men, which force he endeavoured to reduce 300 by sickness, de- tachments left at the block houses, on his route, and by capture. And these patriotic citizens of Ohio, he has the effrontery to tra- duce, and brand one of its most valiant, en- terprising and intelligent officers, with the odious name of Cataline. At this immense distance, from these hardy and gallant sol- diers, and after a lapse of a dozen years, he has acquired the nerve to abuse them, when in their presence he would be as silent, as when " seated on a tent with his back against the parrapet," in the fort at Detroit. But by the following official letters and returns it appears his aggregate force, on the 27th of June, when he had reached Fort Findlay, Was TWO THOUSAND AND SEVENTY FIVE, and that he not only had ample means, for achieving the objects of the expedition, but was full of hope, for a successful result, which was prevented by his own pusilanimity. Extracts of Letters from Gen. Hull to the Secretary of War. "Camp Necessity, near Blanchard's Creek, } June 24, 1812. $ " Sir, — The army is now preparing to march, and will arrive at the foot of the ra- pids by the first day of July, unless prevent- ed by a continuation of the rains. There is now established on this road five strong block houses, garrisoned principally by the invalids of the army. I have stated to von in my former letters, the importance of this communication. "Considering the fatigue to which fhe ar- my has been subjected, both officers and sol- diers are in good health, and continue to be animated by a laudable spirit. " General Brock, the Governor of Upper Canada, arrived at JUalden on the ]4th i7ist. with one hundred British troops. On the lllh, he sailed for Fort Erie, in the Queen. Charlotte, and it is said she will return with. a reinforcement immediately. Large num- bers of Indians from all the northern nations are collecting at Amherstburg and at Browns- town, opposite the British Fort, and like- wise on the river Huron of lake Erie, three a 10 DEFENCE OF GENERAL DEARBORN. H miles below Brownstown. They now have a constant communication with the British Garrison, and are supplied with provisions and every thing necessary for them. " In the event of hostilities, I feel a confi- dence that the force tender my command, will be superior to any which can bt opposed to it. It now exceeds two thousand rank and file. I cannot by this conveyance send an accu- rate return. " It is unnecessary for me to detail the dif- ficulties I have to encounter in marching the army through this wilderness, it is only for me to surmount them. I am very respectfully Yourobt. Servt. W. HULL.1' " Camp at Fort Fiudlay, on Blanchard Fork, 35 miles from the foot of the Rapids of the Mi ama, Jane 26, 1812. " Sir, — I have with me a considerable number of friendly Chiefs, and head men of the different Nations. The Indians as we progress appear to be friendly. I hope in three days to be at the foot of the rapids. " The army are in high spirits, and anima- ted by a laudable zeal, there exists a perfect harmony. " McArthurs Block house stands on the Sciola and the river is navigable for boats to that station. From that station to Fort Findlay, the distance is about twenty seven miles, and from this place there is a boat na- vigation, by the Miama to Detroit. It is my intention to build another block house on the carrying river, about half the distance between this and the foot of the rapids. " The friendly Indians are now making Ca- noes, and will carry a part of the baggage of the army, from this to the foot of the rapids. " Inclosed is the most correct return, that can be made of the army under present cir- cumstances. I am Sir, respectfully Your Most Obt. Servt. W. HULL." " Extract from the Return of the Brigade, " composed of Ohio Volunteers and Militia, a and United States Infantry, commanded " by Brig. General Hull of the United States " army. "4th Rcgt. of Infantry - - - 483 Col. Find lay's Regiment of Volunteers and Militia 509 Col. Cass' Regiment of Volunteers and Militia 483 Col. McArthurs Regiment of Volun- teers and Militia ... 552 Capt. Sloan's troop of Cincinnati Lt. Dragoons ..... 40 Total - ,. - 2075 W. HULL, Brig. Gen. "Fort Findlay, June 17, 1812. J. Jessup, Dy. Insp. anu Brig. Maj." Extracts of Letters from Gen. Hull to the Secretary of War. " Head-Quaiters, Detroit, July 7, 1812. " Sir, — The patience and perseverance, with which this army has sustained a march attended with difficulties, uncommon in their nature, dots honor to themselves and their country. " The British have established a post at Sandwich, opposite Detroit. The militia at Detroit have manifested a laudable and pa- triotic spirit. " In your letter of the 18th of June, you direct me to adopt measures for the security of the country, and wait for further orders,. I regret that I have not a larger latitude. I am, very respectfully, Your most ob'dt servant, W. HULL. " Sandwich, July 12, 1812. "Sin, — The Canadian militia are desert- ing from Maiden in large parties, — about six- ty came in yesterday. I send them to their homes and give them protection. The pro- bability is that the greatest part of them will desert in a few days. 