The loss to the Fourth Infantry was 58 killed and wounded.This unit is part of Gilder Lehrman’s series of Common Core State Standards–based teaching resources. Colonel Miller determined to march at once on Malden, but at sundown he was met with a peremptory order from General Hull to return to Detroit. The Indians, thus deserted by their white allies, soon broke and fled in their turn, disappearing in the forest. Before they had time to reload, the first work was carried and the white men broke and fled, closely pursued by the American troops the enemy was unable to form behind his second line of breastworks, and, completely routed, made the best of his way to the river and crossed to the other side. The line moved forward with fixed bayonets and, although receiving a terrific fire from behind breastworks of fallen trees, charged the British and Canadians. Snelling held his ground with what remained of his little force until the main body formed for the attack. The advance guard, under the command of Captain Snelling, suddenly received from ambush a fierce volley from a mixed force of British, Canadians and Indians, under command of Major Muir of the English army and Tecumseh, the Indian chief. M., August 9th, the command reached the vicinity of Maguago, fourteen miles below Detroit. Colonel Miller, before starting, briefly harangued his troops, saying: "And now, if there is any man in the ranks of this detachment who fears to meet the enemy, let him fall out and stay behind." None fell out. General Hull was prevailed upon later to send an additional force to bring the supplies into camp, and the Fourth Infantry, under the command of the youthful and gallant Lieutenant-Colonel James Miller, was reluctantly ordered upon the duty. Governor Meigs had forwarded a considerable supply of provisions and clothing for the use of the army, and a small detachment of volunteers, sent to escort the supplies to Sandwich, was surprised and routed by a considerable force of Canadians and Indians. A mutinous spirit began to manifest itself on account of this inactivity. On the 12th it crossed the river for "an invasion and conquest of Upper Canada." Camp was established at Sandwich, on the Canadian side of the river, and the troops remained there for nearly a month without making hostile demonstration, although the Canadians and Indians were known to be concentrating at Malden, but thirteen miles down the river. General Hull's command arrived at Detroit on July 6th, after a most arduous and trying march through the forests of Ohio. In obedience to these orders the regiment walked from Vincennes to Cincinnati and thence to Urbana, arriving at the latter place on July 3rd, the day before the receipt of the declaration of war against England. General Hull, on account of his knowledge of the Indians and his former good record, had been given command of all the forces in the Northwest, and the regiment was accordingly ordered to join other troops under his immediate command. In the spring of 1812 the Indians to the north were causing much trouble and there were strong probabilities of a war with Great Britain, whose agents were identified with the Indian difficulties.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |