898

PLAN FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN.

1813.

Dr. Eustis. Armstrong's views were those of an able soldier; in October, 1812, he had again addressed the government through Mr. Gallatin, on the necessity of obtaining command of the lakes,* and when raised to power, determined to make naval operations the basis of the military movements of the North-West.

His views in relation to the coming campaign in the West, were based upon two points, viz: the use of regular troops alone, and the command of the lakes, which he was led to think could be obtained by the 20th of June.

Although the views of the secretary, in relation to the non-employment of militia, were not, and could not be, adhered to, the general plan of merely standing upon the defensive until the command of the-lake was secured, was persisted in, although it was the 4th of August, instead of the first of June, before the vessels at Erie could leave the harbor in which they had been built.

Among these defensive operations of the spring and summer of 1813, that at Fort or Camp Meigs, the new post taken by Harrison at the Rapids, and that at Lower Sandusky, deserve to be especially noticed. It had been anticipated that, with the opening of spring, the British would attempt the conquest of the position on the Maumee, and measures had been taken by the general to forward reinforcements, which were detained, however, as usual, by the spring freshets and the bottomless roads.

As had been expected, on the 28th of April, the English forces began the investment of Harrison's camp, and by the 1st of May had completed their batteries; meantime, the Americans behind their tents had thrown up a bank of earth twelve feet high, and upon a basis of twenty feet, behind which the whole garrison withdrew the moment that the gunners of the enemy were prepared to commence operations. Upon this bank, the ammunition of his Majesty was wasted in vain, and down to the 5th, nothing was effected by either party.

On that day, General Clay, with twelve hundred additional troops, came down the Maumee in flatboats, and, in accordance with orders received from Harrison, detached eight hundred men under Colonel Dudley, to attack the batteries upon the left bank of the river, while, with the remainder of his forces, he landed upon the southern shore, and after some loss and delay, fought his way into camp.   Dudley, on his part, succeeded perfectly in capturing

   Armstrong's Notices, i. 177, Note.