29th. A fatigue party, consisting of three captains, three subalterns, three sergeants, three corporals, and one hundred and fifty privates was detached this morning, superintended by Gen. Payne, to clear the way on the opposite side of the river, so as to make the view more extensive from the fort. The spies caught a prisoner fifteen or twenty miles below this place; he said he was just from Detroit; he was suspected as a spy, but he denied it; he said he deserted from the British, who had had him in confinement some time in consequence of his not taking the oath to be true to them.
Fort Winchester is situated near the point between the Maumee and Auglaze rivers, and is a handsome place; it is predicted by some to become in a few years a populous city. The greater part of the land in the adjacent country is rich, and when improved will be equal, if not superior, to any in the western country. The Auglaze River empties into Great Miami, which runs a north course to Fort Winchester, and is navigable a considerable distance.
November 2. We moved across the River Maumee, opposite the point; it is a high piece of ground and very level, but in some degree wet and marshy: this movement was in order to get convenient to firewood.
3d. This late place of encampment is found not to answer a good purpose; therefore the General thought it expedient to move from this to a piece of ground one-half mile lower down the river. As there were only a few wagons, one regiment moved at a time—from 12 o’clock till after sunset before the last arrived at the place of destination. This last place appears to be very marshy, but not so much so as the former. It is very difficult to get a good place for an encampment at this time, as we have had several rainy days.
4th. The troops have been engaged in fortifying this late place of encampment with breastworks, so that we may be prepared for our enemies, should they think proper to pay us a visit; the weather is very rainy, which makes our situation extremely unpleasant, though not more so than we could expect from the climate and season. Four of this army have gone to the silent tomb to-day, never more to visit their friends in Kentucky; the fever is very prevalent in camp; nearly every day there is one or more buried.
7th. We received information from Kentucky by passengers, of a quantity of clothing coming out for the volunteers. By every account from that quarter, the roads are almost impassable. Major Garrard, and six of the spies, started to the Rapids this morning. This river abounds greatly with fish; large quantities have been caught with traps, and also with hooks and lines.
9th. Major Garrard, and those men with him, returned from the Rapids. They made discoveries of a large quantity of corn, and some hogs, and cattle, and a few Indians.
10th. The army moved six miles down the river, in order to be better accommodated with suitable ground for camping, and to build more pirogues. This encampment is the dryest we have been at for some time; the land and timber are not inferior to any. I trust this country was designed for a more noble purpose than to be a harbor for those rapacious savages, whose manners and deportment are not more elevated than the ravenous beasts of the forest. I view the time not far distant, when this country will be interspersed with elegant farms and flourishing towns, and be inhabited by a free and independent people, under an auspicious republic.
15th. A detachment of six captains, six subalterns, six sergeants, six corporals, and three hundred and eighty-six privates, started with six days’ provision, this morning, at reveille beating, to the Rapids, under the command of Col. Lewis.
17th. Col. Lewis, with his detachment, returned about twelve o’clock, after a laborious march of sixty miles. About eighteen miles below this place, he was overtaken by an express from Gen. Winchester, who had received intelligence of Gen. Tupper, with five hundred men, being at the Rapids, who had discovered a body of Indians, six or seven hundred in number, drinking and dancing. Gen. Tupper, thinking this a good opportunity to attack them, attempted to cross the river, two miles above; he and two hundred of his men effected this, through great difficulty; in wading across some fell in the water and lost their guns, which discouraged the rest, so that Gen. Tupper could not execute his design. This intelligence animated the troops commanded by Col. Lewis, so that they wanted to continue on that night, without stopping, and attack the enemy before day. Col. Lewis thought proper to halt, and send an express to Gen. Tupper, for both parties to meet at Roche de Baut,[D] six miles above the Indian encampment, and unite their forces, and surprise the enemy.