vices of seven thousand volunteers to the government, fifteen hundred of whom were on their march to Detroit, when the tidings reached them that the city and fort were in possession of the British officers.

Ardently desirous of being actively engaged, two thousand volunteers responded to the call of the governor, and marched against the Indian villages of Illinois. Becoming uneasy at the scarcity of their provisions, and broken down by the hardships they encountered on their march, they at length grew restless and insubordinate. After wandering across the prairies for several days to no purpose, they refused to proceed any farther, and turning a deaf ear to the remonstrances of their officers, they broke up their and array, proceeded to their homes.

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CHAPTER XXI.

Plan of the fall campaign of 1812-Harrison appointed commander of the northwestern army-Winchester marches from Fort Wayne-Difficulties of the route-Deplorable condition of the troops-Winchester halts at the RapidsThe enemy approach Frenchtown-A detachment of Kentuckians under Colonel Lewis sent against them-Proctor advances from Malden-Battle of the River Raisin-Surrender of the Americans-Inhuman massacre-Reception of the news in Kentucky-Four regiments of volunteers raisedHarrison builds Fort Meigs-Is reinforced from KentuckySiege of Fort Meigs by Proctor-Advance of General ClayColonel Dudley destroys a part of the British batteries-His detachment surrounded by British and Indians-Terrible slaughter of the prisoners-Inhuman conduct of ProctorTecumseh-His indignant reply to the British general.

THE plan of the fall campaign of 1812, as it emanated from the war office at Washington, was to unite as many regulars as could be enrolled in time, or detached from other service, to the large force of militia from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia, already assembled at Fort Wayne, under their respective generals, and after raising General Harrison to the chief command, to direct his march at once upon Detroit. When the capture of that town and fort was effected, and the British expelled from the territory of Michigan, another attempt was to be made to penetrate into Canada, for the purpose of reducing Fort Malden, the possession of the latter

post by the Americans being of the utmost importance, both from its proximity to Detroit, and from the protection and encouragement it afforded to the Indian tribes of the northwest.

General Harrison proceeded at once to assume command of the army. He reached Fort Wayne on the 23d of September. Finding that General Winchester had already marched with a detachment of troops for Fort Defiance, with the intention of proceeding to the Rapids, he rode. forward until he overtook the latter officer, and after a brief conference returned to the settlements for the purpose of putting in motion the centre and right wing of the army.

Obstacles, however, of the most serious character soon occurred to try the patience of the general, and test but too severely the spirits of the men. The difficulties in transporting supplies and munitions of war over a route which in the rainy season was but little better than a succession of swamps and marshes, the deplorable condition of the troops under the combined effects of hunger, disease, and hardship, joined to the ill success of two expeditions sent out against the British and Indians encamped at the Rapids, infused a melancholy presentiment into the minds of many, and dampened the ardour of all.

The 1st of January, 1813, found the right wing of the army under Harrison at Upper Sandusky; while the left wing, under Winchester,

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still remained at Fort Defiance. The force of the latter, amounting to nearly eight hundred men, consisted principally of volunteers from Kentucky, among whom were Colonels Allen and Hardin, eminent lawyers; Major Madison, auditor of the state; Colonels Scott and Lewis, and many other gentlemen of equal wealth and respectability.

Leaving Fort Defiance, the left wing, under Winchester, reached the Rapids on the 10th of January, and were there halted until the forces under Harrison should form a junction with them.

On the 13th, however, a messenger brought intelligence of the advance of two companies of Canadian militia and two hundred Indians upon Frenchtown on the river Raisin. Fearful of the consequences to be apprehended from the approach of the enemy, the inhabitants anxiously besought General Winchester to protect them.

Regardless of the fact that, notwithstanding the comparatively small force at that time concentrating at Frenchtown, it was a position which could receive in a few hours immense reinforcements from Malden, only eighteen miles distant, with the lake firmly frozen between, the Kentuckians, impelled by a spirit of humanity, instantly requested permission to advance against the enemy. With much reluctance General Winchester consented. The command of the detach

ment, numbering about five hundred men, was given to Colonel Lewis. The officers immediately subordinate to him were Colonel Allen, and Majors Madison and Graves. The distance from the rapids to Frenchtown was forty-eight miles, which was accomplished by forced marches in less than two days.

When the Kentuckians reached the vicinity of the town, they were informed that the British were already in possession of it. An immediate attack was resolved upon, and after a spirited conflict, ending in the complete rout of the enemy, the victors encamped within the line of pickets from which the British had been driven.

This was on the evening of the 18th. Two days after they were joined by General Winchester, with a reinforcement of two hundred and fifty regulars under Colonel Wells.

Finding the volunteers had taken up a position on the right of the enclosure, Wilkinson refused to occupy the vacant space on the left of the line, and from a too fastidious desire to preserve that military etiquette which assigns to regulars the post of honour, encamped his men on open ground outside the pickets.

On the evening of the 21st, Winchester was informed that General Proctor was making preparations to march from Fort Malden with a large force; but not anticipating the celerity with which the British movements would be made, he