222 HISTORY OP OHIO 



was drawn up, in highly complimentary terms to their zeal 



and patriotism, as follows : 



" Head Quarters, 



Franklinton, May 16th, 1813 

 " The commanding general has observed with the warmest 

 gratitude, the astonishing exertions which have been made by 

 his excellency, governor Meigs, and the generals and other 

 militia officers of this state, in collecting and equiping a body 

 of troops for the relief of camp Meigs. But the efforts of these 

 men would have been unavailing, had they not been seconded 

 by the patriotic ardor of every description of citizens, which 

 has induced them to leave their homes, at a most critical sea- 

 son of the year, regardless of every consideration, but that of 

 renderinor service to their country. The General found the 

 road from Lower Sandusky to this place, literally covered with 

 men, and amongst them many who had shared in the toils and 

 dangers of the revolutionary war, and on whom, of course, 

 there existed no legal claims for military services. The Gen- 

 eral has every reason to believe, that similar efforts have been 

 made in Kentucky. He offers to all those brave men from 

 both states, his sincere acknowledgments; and is happy to in- 

 form them, that there is at present no necessity for their lon- 

 ger continuance in the field. The enemy has fled with pre- 

 cipitation from camp Meigs, and that fort is in a much better 

 situation to resist an attack, than when the last siege was 



commenced. 



" By order of the general, 



" R. Graham, Aid." 



Against this order, loud complaints were made, by those 

 who had come forward to see some fighting. But, the secre- 

 tary of war, by a confidential order to the General, had for- 

 bidden his calling out any more militia, until we had full and 

 free possession of lake Erie. The same order commanded 

 him to employ and rely on regular troops. It also forbid any 

 further attempts to retake Detroit, until Perry's fleet com- 

 manded the lake. These injunctions were to be obeyed by 

 Harrison, not divulged j so he bore all the complaints of the 



