Western Reserve Historical Society. 'Biographical Notices and Correspondence -- War of 1812. Selection No. 7.' in 'Western Reserve and Northern Ohio Historical Society Tracts (19) 1873: 1-4.' . Cleveland: Western Reserve and Northern Ohio Historical Society, 1873. [format: book], [genre: history]. Permission: Public domain
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=bionotes1812.html

FORT MEIGS, June 29, 1813.
Major George Tod. 19th Regiment, U S Infantry, Warren, Ohio —
Dear Sir — Yours of the 23d instant I have before me, and hasten to give you the earliest information of the situation of the garrison, and from conjectures the movements contemplated by Genl Harrison, who arrived here on the 26th instant.

On the 20th instant, in company with Several officers, visited the Old British Fort in a boat; just as we were pushing off I discovered two armed men approaching in from the bushes, whom upon investigation proved to be one of the prisoners taken by the Indians on the 5th of May, belonging to Col.Dudley's Regt; the other a Canadian who came in company with him from near Detroit, giving us information that Dickinson had arrived at Malden from the North with about four thousand Indians — that the Regulars at Malden were fifteen hundred; that an immediate attack was intended to be made on Fort Meigs. Expresses were immediately dispatched to Genl Harrison also to Col. Johnson, who was lying at Fort Defiance, with about eight hundred mounted Kentuckians. They arrived here on the 23d inst. The 24th Regt commanded by Col. Anderson, on the 28th. Yesterday Col. Johnson with a detachment of 150 of his Regt left this for the River Raisin; he is expected back this evening. I am apprehensive he may meet with Indians before he returns. The Genl will leave as Immediately on his return for Cleaveland, will take with him Col. Johnsons Regt.

From every information I can obtain, our stay at Fort Meigs will be but short. I presume a co-operation of part of the forces of the Middle and Northwestern army will take place previous to the fall of Malden — much however will depend on the capture of Kingston, having been effected.

The new appointments which have taken place has caused a general resignation of the lieutenants of the 24th regiment and I am well convinced, the example (though premature) will be followed by the officers of the 17th and 19th regiments, should the Senate confirm many of the appointments which have been lately made.

Our camp is becoming much more healthy. Mitchell is recovering his health. Captain Azaring continues low. Colonel Miller has had a touch of the jaundice, which has reduced him considerably. Captain Langham returned on the 27th to Fort Meigs.

I applied this morning to General Harrison for permission to proceed to Warren for the space of three weeks; he refused granting my request, observing that no officer could obtain furlough at present.
Respectfully yours,
WILSON ELLIOTT.

CLEAVELAND, CAMP HARRISON
July 5th, 1813, 7 o'clock, A. M.
SIR — Your letter of the 4th inst is rec'd. Our alarm has entirely subsided. I expect the Gen'l here in the course of two or three hours; Major Ball's Squadron is expected this evening, and part of Col. Johnson's Regiment, with some of the twelve months regulars will join us in two or three days. Several persons have lately arrived from Detroit — from the information given by them, l am induced to believe the enemy will not act offensively; but will wait our attack at Maiden.

Yrs.with much respect,
T S.JESSUP
Major GEO. TOD.19th Infantry warren, Ohio

HEAD QUARTERS, CLEVELAND.
July 6th, 1813.
Dear Sir: It is the General's direction that you forthwith on receipt hereof return to your command at Fort Meigs.

I am respectfully,
Your humble servant,
JOHN O'FALLON,
Aid de Camp
Major GEO. TOD, U. S. Infantry.

CAMP MEIGS, August 25th, 1813.
Dear Sir: I received yours of the 8th instant and cannot conceive the reason why you should be detained at Camp Senica. I have no field officer to the 19th Regiment, and but four company officers fit for duty, and i have myself been in a very bad state of health, for upwards of two months past, with the jaundice; and I am confident we have as much duty and labor to perform here, to say the least of it, as they have at Camp Senica. You will, therefore, please on receipt of this, to repair to this place as soon as possible, unless forbidden by the express order of Genl Harrison. I wish you before you leave Camp Senica, to collect all the scattering soldiers near that place, belonging to the 19th Regt, and place them under the command of one of it's own officers so that they may join this Regt in a body when necessary.

There is a Lieut. Atchison recruiting at Cleveland; you will please to order on his recruits to Senica, to join what are there by the first opportunity. No news. I trust we shall soon be off. I am with great respect your obt servt,

JOHN MILLER,
Col. 19th Regt lnft.
MAJ.G.TOD, 19Th Regt; Inft.

DELAWARE, Sept. 3d, 1813.
My D'r Major —
I regret not to have seen you. I cannot go with you to Canada. The moment I go without the State I cease to have power or authority. I am deeply impressed with the necessity of confidence — and know it to be the duty of every one to support that confidence in a Comm't. This I have unfortunately done, as regards Genl H. — it was Duty, it was inclination. The uninformed portion of the Public are soonest apt to condemn (what they least understand) military operations.

It was impossible to take the M'a with me to Canada. They threw down their Implements of Husbandry, and without a change of clothes marched, their corn crops to gather, their small Grain to sow, a long detention would have ruined them.

While I shall continue to give every aid to yr com'r, I must respect myself and the station I occupy — although for the public benefit I would bear more than I could for my own. I hope soon to hear of your embarkation, and victory I hope will await you.

Again and again I regret I could not have seen you — how much could I say — but shall not write.

Your daughter grows lovely, indeed she is a most amiable child, R. J. MEIGS.

CAMP MEIGS, Sept 12th, 1813.
Dear Sir: — If there is nothing at Camp Seneca or Sandusky for the 19th Regt, I wish you to have all the men belonging to the Regt at Seneca clothed, and all that will be able for the campaign, kept under the command of Ensign Mitchell until they join me. I am informed that there are a number of scattering soldiers of the 19th Regt about Seneca & Sandusky, exclusive of those now with Ensign Mitchell; some driving waggons and some In other Regiments, &c. If you can find any such, you will please to claim them, and attach them to the rest. The brave Capt. Nevung died on the 9th inst., and was buried on the day following. I believe the cause of his death was owing to his over fatiguing himself on his return to this place. He vomited nearly all the way from Camp Seneca, and was taken very bad the same night he arrived here.

Some of our Indians who went in the direction of Brownstown a few days ago, returned this evening, and informs us, that yesterday about 12 o'clock, they saw our fleet, and that of the British engage, and that the engagement continued until midnight. We are in great anxiety here to know the result.

I am with respect & esteem,
Your Obt Servt,
JOHN MILLER,
Col. 19th Infantry.
Major G Tod, 19th Regt Infantry, Camp Seneca.