204 HISTORY OF OHIO. 



where Tupper lay, and finally, reached Harrison, at the rapids, 

 from whence it had been forwarded, several weeks before its 

 reception. Winchester erected a large store house, in his en- 

 campment, and, filled it with corn, from the fields aroimd him. 

 He also contrived the means of shelling and pounding it, 

 whereby he supplied his troops with good wholesome bread, 

 such as they were used to, and were fond of eating at home. 

 On the 13th of January, Winchester received information, 

 through two Frenchman, that the Indians, threatened to burn 

 Frenchtown,on the river Raisin, twenty-six miles from Detroit. 

 These people claimed the protection of the Americans. On 

 the 14th the citizens of Frenchtown, repeated their urgent 

 request. On the 16th the two messengers, repeated the pit- 

 eous request, urging the necessity of protecting them, other- 

 wise, as our army advanced towards them, their town would 

 be burnt, and themselves all massacred. These messengers 

 stated the enemy's force to be, two companies of Canadians, and 

 two hundred Indians, but they feared more would soon be there. 

 These different messengers created a great ferment in the 

 minds of our troops. They could without a murmur, bear 

 great sufferings for their country, but such appeals from these 

 Canadians, who pyossessed so much friendship for us, these Ken- 

 tuckians could not longer bear. So a council of war was call- 

 ed, to deliberate on the matter. This council of war decided 

 by an overwhelming majority, that a strong detachment should 

 forthwith, be sent forward to protect these Canadians. In ac- 

 cordance with this decision, Winchester, ordered Colonel Lew- 

 is, with five hundred and fifty men, to march to the river 

 Raisin. This march was commenced on the morning of the 

 17th of January 1813. 



Within a few hours after Lewis had marched out of the 

 camp, he was followed by Colonel Allen, with one hundred 

 and ten more troops. The latter came up with Lewis, late 

 that evening, at Presque Isle, where he had encamped for the 

 night, twenty miles from Winchester's head quarters. Here 

 Lewis was informed, by an express from the river Raisin, that 

 four hundred Indians were there, and that Elliot was moment- 



