[CRUIKSHANK] GENERAL HULL’S INVASION OF CANADA IN 1812 | 215 
Harrison that the Shawnee Prophet had been deserted by all his fol- 
lowers except two lodges of his own tribe, and that Tecumseh had lately 
returned from the south accompanied by only eight warriors. He 
affirmed that the Miami and Hel River Indians would remain faithful 
to the United States, while at the same time the Delawares made pro- 
fessions of inalterable friendship.! Harrison had so little doubt that 
the local militia would be able to protect the inhabitants, that he readily 
assented to the removal of the troops from Vincennes to Detroit, but 
remarked that, “the implicit obedience and respect which Tecumseh’s 
followers pay him is truly wonderful, although he has been in almost 
continual motion for the past four years.” 
Hull reported to the Secretary of War (March 4th, 1812) that the 
Indians had delivered up their arms without hesitation. “I do believe 
they are sincere in their professions of friendship and a desire for 
peace,” he continued, “and that we shall have no further hostilities 
except it be from the Winnebagoes, who are so far removed as to con- 
sider themselves out of reach. ‘Tecumseh has returned and is very much 
exasperated against his brother for his precipitancy, and blames him 
for throwing off the mask before their plans were matured.” 
The people of Ohio and Kentucky in general were eager for war, 
and sanguine of their ability to conquer Upper Canada with their militia 
alone if they were given an opportunity. 
On the 6th day of April, Governor Meigs published a general 
order directing twelve hundred militia to assemble at Dayton on the 
Great Miami River, on the last day of that month, and three additional 
companies of fifty men each to be posted at Cleveland and Upper and 
Lower Sandusky. The force intended for the expedition to Detroit was 
divided into three regiments, one being recruited from Cincinnati and 
the valley of the Great Miami, another from the valley of the Scioto, 
and the third in the valley of the Muskingum. Besides these, the 
enlistment of a troop of dragoons in Cincinnati was also authorized. 
Young men of the best type were everywhere anxious to enlist and all 
these corps were soon completed beyond their established strength. 
Early in May, more than sixteen hundred enthusiastic volunteers assem- 
bled at Dayton. Duncan McArthur, a Major-General commanding 
a division of the Ohio militia, was elected Colonel, and Brigadier- 
General James Denny, and William Trimble, afterwards an United 
States Senator, were elected Majors of the First Regiment.! McArthur, 
who was then about forty years of age, had served as a volunteer under 
Harmar and Wayne, by whom he had been employed as a spy or scout. 


1McDonald, Life of McArthur. 
