[CRUIKSHANK] HARRISON AND PROCTER 161 
getting into the bed of the river and sheltering themselves beneath 
the bank, began a fire from the rear, which struck down several men. 
Preparations were in progress to set some of the houses on fire and 
thus drive out the defenders. Winchester was not unnaturally dis- 
pirited and appalled by the slaughter of so many of his men which he 
had already witnessed, and saw little hope for the remainder, who 
were completely surrounded. If their position was carried by assault, 
few could expect to escape death, as the Indians, and indeed the 
British regular troops and militia, were greatly exasperated. - He 
asked Procter if they would be given an opportunity to surrender, and 
received the reply that they must decide quickly, as he intended to set 
the place on fire at once and could then take no responsibility for the 
conduct of the Indians. But he assured him that if they surrendered 
at discretion, without further delay, he would make every effort to 
protect them and the officers would be permitted to retain their swords 
and private property. Winchester then directed Captain Overton, 
his aide-de-camp, to go with a flag of truce to the commanding officer 
of the troops in the village and deliver an order to surrender. Procter 
himself, with some other officers, accompanied Overton to make sure 
that no time was lost and there could be no misunderstanding. Major 
George Madison, afterwards Governor of Kentucky, who was the senior 
officer, came forward to meet them attended by Brigade Major Garrard. 
They expressed surprise to learn that General Winchester was a prisoner 
and seemed reluctant to obey the order to surrender without conditions. 
Procter insisted that they must consent to this, as all he could promise 
was protection for their lives and property as far as his power extended. 
He seems to have given them clearly to understand that the Indians 
were greatly infuriated and that he was doubtful whether he could 
restrain them in any event. Madison returned to the village to consult 
his officers. He found that he had lost about forty in killed and 
wounded, reducing his effective force to 384 of all ranks. Major Graves, 
his second in command, Captain Hart and several other officers were 
among the wounded. The men had but two or three cartridges apiece. 
They were surrounded by much superior numbers. The buildings 
they occupied were inflammable. A retreat was impossible, and there 
was no hope of a reinforcement in time to save them. A decision to 
surrender was soon arrived at. When this was announced to the men 
there were the usual disorderly scenes. Cries of rage were uttered and 
rifles dashed furiously to the ground.! 
When Madison signified his intention of obeying Winchester’s 
order Procter was unquestionably relieved of much anxiety. More 

1 Procter to Sheaffe, 25th January, 1813; Winchester to Secretary of War, 
January 26 and February 11, 1813; Atherton, 50-2; McAfee, 213, 216. 
Sec. II., 1910. 11. 
