[CRUIKSHANK] HARRISON AND PROCTER 137 
sent to the rapids to subsist themselves as the stock of provisions was 
very low.! 
The arrival of an express with news of the victory at Queenston 
raised the spirits of the Indians and they readily consented to occupy 
this advanced position and send out parties to annoy the enemy. All 
of them except the Wyandots had lost their entire crop of corn by 
American raiding parties and were quite dependent on the commissarat. 
The corn and cattle at the rapids would be sufficient to maintain them 
for several weeks during which some portion of these necessary supplies 
might be secured and brought away. The Indians would have employ- 
ment, the Americans would be prevented from advancing, the con- 
sumption of provisions would be lessened and time gained for the removal 
of the surplus produce of the Michigan Territory. Little inducement 
for the enemy to continue his movement would then remain. Ten 
days elapsed before this plan could be carried into effect. By that 
time only two days’ provisions were left in store. A scouting party 
returned from the River Huron below Sandusky with a prisoner who 
stated that the blockhouses there were occupied by five hundred men 
while as many more were employed in cutting a road forward. This 
information clearly pointed to a converging movement upon the Miami 
Rapids. The opportune arrival of a speech from the Six Nations 
accompanied by a scalp taken at Queenston greatly animated the 
Indians and on October 30th, Elliott left Amherstburg with 250 Pottow- 
atomies and Delawares embarked in two gun-boats, a small schooner 
and a number of batteaux, while Roundhead and the Wyandots agreed 
to ride on from Brownstown and join them at the rapids.? Procter 
complained that the Indian Department, upon which so much depended, 
lacked an efficient head. Although still capable at times of great 
exertions, Elliott was more than seventy years of age and in poor health. 
McKee, next in rank, was brave and influential but had ruined his con- 
stitution by habitual intemperance. His regular force was too weak to 
command respect and repress order among the Indians. Including two 
companies of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment detailed for marine 
duty it had never exceeded four hundred effectives. Captain Muir 
was disabled by illness and there were but six company officers serving 
with the detachment of the 41st. Firmly convinced that the fate of 
Upper Canada depended upon the maintenance of his position, Procter 
earnestly asked for a strong reinforcement. A single regiment, he said, 
would make him perfectly secure and inspire the Indians with confidence. 


1 Atherton, p. 10. 
? Dewar to Colonel Macdonnell, Oct. 19, 1812. 
3 Elliott to Claus, October 28, 1812; Procter to Sheaffe, Oct. 30, 1812. 
