[cRUIKSHANK] GENERAL HULL’S INVASION OF CANADA IN 1812 261 
retiring from tree to tree at full speed. In effecting their retreat 
some of them were mistaken for the enemy by men of the 41st, who 
opened fire upon them which was as quickly returned, thereby causing 
momentary confusion. When the American line actually came into the 
open ground it was, however, instantly checked by a succession of heavy 
volleys, the 41st being protected by their extemporized breastworks and 
the Indians and militia springing from their cover to deliver their fire 
and instantly disappearing again. After the contest had continued in 
this manner for about half an hour, Miller directed Major Morrison 
commanding the Michigan Legion and a company of Ohio militia on 
his left to turn the right of the British position, while Major Van Horne 
was to attempt a similar movement on the other flank. Guided by 
Captain Dequindre of the former corps, who was familiar with the 
ground, Morrison succeeded in gradually working his way into the woods 
between the cornfield and the river, having his horse killed and losing 
some men in the operation. By this time the regular infantry had 
advanced across the cleared ground in front under cover of the smoke 
until they were within twenty-five or thirty paces of the British position, 
where they prepared. for a charge! At this moment Captain Muir, 
who was standing immediately behind Lieut. Sutherland of the 41st, 
saw an American soldier in the act of taking deliberate aim at them, 
and hastily placing his musket upon his companion’s shoulder, he fired 
at this man, who instantly fell dead, while the bullet from his rifle 
wounded Sutherland in the cheek and neck and passed through the 
brass ornament on Muir’s shoulder. Another shot soon after wounded 
the latter officer in the leg, and, finding that his position was being 
turned in such a manner as to endanger his retreat to his boats, he 
gave the order to retire by sound of the bugle. This was done at the 
double in considerable disorder and with some loss until they gained 
the crest of another ridge commanding a bridge over a small stream, 
where the men were rallied and again formed in line. Tecumseh on 
the left had made a wide extension in the woods in the hope of out- 
flanking the Americans in that direction, but then discovered that his 
own right was being turned and was accordingly forced to retire in a 
westerly direction, warmly pursued by Major Van Horne with his detach- 
ment of Ohio riflemen. He skilfully withdrew from one position after 
another in the expectation of eventually leading them into an ambush, 
but warned by his recent disaster, Van Horne succeeded in keeping his 
men well in hand and restraining them from following far into the woods. 
The sound of firing in this quarter led Muir to believe that his left 

1Lucas; Walker. 
