[CRUIKSHANK] GENERAL HULL’S INVASION OF CANADA IN 1812 239 
for service, and others totally incompetent. Including boys and old 
men, he supposed that he could muster at this date about three hundred 
Indians capable of bearing arms, but as they were continually coming 
and going, it was scarcely possible to ascertain their exact number. He 
wished to restrain them from assuming the offensive until he was in 
a position to support them effectively, but found them so anxious to act 
at once, that he was forced to consent that a party should join Captain 
Muir at the Canard River, where he intended to establish his outpost 
line. Meanwhile, the fortifications were strengthened and the schooner 
Lady Prevost, which had been launched on July 13th, was being 
equipped for service.f 
Hull’s troops appeared so eager to advance without further delay, 
that he assembled his principal officers to consider whether it was advis- 
able to attempt to carry the British works by assault.  Lieut.-Colonel 
Miller, of the 4th United States Infantry, was willing to answer for 
his own regiment, but the volunteer officers seemed doubtful whether 
their men could be relied upon, and it was finally decided to postpone 
the movement until a train of siege artillery could be made ready. 
Learning from deserters that a British outpost was stationed at 
the Long Bridge over the Canard River, Lieut.-Colonel Miller and 
Colonel Cass were instructed to reconnoitre its position with about 
three hundred men, consisting of some dragoons and rangers, one com- 
pany of the 4th United States Infantry, one company of Ohio volun- 
teers, and four companies of Ohio riflemen. When within a couple 
of miles of the bridge, their mounted scouts reported that it was 
occupied by a party of British regulars with two guns, who had sentries 
posted on the road in advance. Contrary to his instructions, Colonel 
Cass, who seems to have assumed command, determined on an attack. 
Sending forward along the road the dragoons and rangers and one 
company of riflemen to engage the attention of the outpost, he under- 
took a wide turning movement with the remainder, having ascertained 
from two of the inhabitants whom he compelled to act as guides, that 
there was ford some miles up stream. Crossing the Canard at this 
point he moved through the woods on the farther side until he came 
to the open ground, where a small party of Indians were lying in the 
long grass. These were so utterly taken by surprise that they. ran 
away without firing a shot, exposing the line of retreat of the outpost 
about a mile away. The Americans were prevented from pursuing by 
a creek flowing nearly at right angles into the Canard, which they were 
obliged to ascend some distance before crossing, and the Indians escaped; 

1St. George to Brock, 15th July; Elliott to Claus, 15th July, Can. Arch. 
C 676. 
