General William Henry Harrison letter to Brigadier General John Armstrong, Secretary of War, February 24, 1813

In this letter, General William Henry Harrison writes to Brigadier General John Armstrong about war plans.[page 1] Head Quarters (Camp Meigs) Miami Rapids 24m Feby 1813 Sir l had not the honor to receive the letter of Col°. Monroe of the 2lst Ult"" untill this Evening.I am still occupied in Fortifying the camp at this place, a few days will place it in a situation with Twelve or Fifteen hundred men to bid defiance to all the forces in Upper Canada. The distruction of the enemys naval force in Lake Erie has never ceased to occupy my attention and after having examined in my mind every project which occured to myself or those whom I consulted. There appears to me to be no other practicable but that of crossing over Lake Erie from the mouth of the Sandusky Bay along the chain of Islands which extend at small entervals from that bay to within eighteen miles of Malden. The intention is to put from one hundred & fifty to two hundred men in slides to pass to the Northernmost island in one night and on the [page 2] succeeding one to reach the vessells some hours before day. The Detachment is selected and combustible matter preparing. The command will set out from hence the day after tomorrow for Lower Sandusky. Last year sleds frequently passed over the Lake in this direction. l have procured a pilot who is or who says he is well acquainted with the Islands. A respectable man whom I some time since selected for the purpose & who resided many years on one ofthe Islands unfortunately died ten days ago and it is only within a few days that l have been able to find another. I have no Field officer who possesses all the qualities which I could wish for such an enterprize a very young man Capt. Langharn of the l7th Reg. will have the command ofit. The season is a little too far advanced, but I have strong hopes that it may succeed. ln my last l informed you that the British had commenced building an other vessel ofwar of larger size that the Queen Char [page 3] lotte. Expedition in the building & equipment of our vessels may prevent this vessel from being useful to them.The whole of the Troops are now actively engaged in fortifying the camp here in such a manner as bid defiance to any effort of the enemy. A few days will complete it. As soon as it is done I shall leave the command here to Genl. Leftwitch of the Virginia Brigade & proceed to Franklinton & Chillicothe for the purpose of receiving your instructions & facilitating the organization & equipment of the force destined for the operations in the spring. I cannot at present tell what may he done in the Western Country under the late law of the U. States for raising 12 months men. nor of course what auxiliary force will be wanted from the militia. From the letters I have received from Kentucky I believe the ardour for the service has not abated & I am persuaded that volunteers for the campaign can be procured to any amount if they are allowed to serve on Horseback; The body ofthe army must however be Infantry & if [page 4] a sufficient force cannot be procured in Kentucky & Ohio, I would recommend detachments from the Virga. & Pennsylvania Militia. The Kentucky Troops that were with this army have all been discharged excepting a few companies that are in Garrisons. The last of those from Ohio will be dismissed to day. Those from Virginia Pennsylvania & a few regulars are all that will remain. They however will be sufficient to protect the posts. But I fear that the Kentucky troops may not be here time enough to relieve them by the first of April when the term of service of the Pennsylvanians & Virginians will expire. I have not received the return of the quantity of provisions on hand at the several posts, the supplies however are immense & quite sufficient for the operations of the coming summer. I am Sir with great Respect & Esteem yl. ob'. ser"" i Willm Henry Harrison" Honbl. John Armstrong Eq' Secretary of Wa