August 1st--Sunday--After breakfast I went to preaching at N. Providence Mr. T. Clelland preached two very able sermons upon the duties of parents and children. I returned home in the evening the chief conversation turned upon Governor Shelby's proclomation for raising mounted men - he invites all officers & men of influence to step forward in defense of their country--
August 2nd--Mr. Hamilton Crockett (1) at Meus domus and we went to Harrodsburgh to the Election which was a very cool one. The contest was not warm - Gen'l Ray, Geo C. Cowen & myself and Horine for the lower house & Capt. Chaplain, Col. Joshua Barbee, Gen'l Adair & Hall Speed for the Senate. Capt. Chaplain took the lead & myself for the lower house - considerable talk about raising men, several men of influence has embarked in the cause - at home at night.
August 3rd--At Harrodsburgh again things went on deliberately and the election closed about 3 o'clock Chapline was elected to the Senate and Robt. B. McAfee & Geo. C. Cown to the house of Representatives. A Report is circulated that Gen'l Harrison had retired 7 or 8 miles on this side of Lower Sandusky. I fear the fate of Fort Meigs or Cleveland where we have some boats, perhaps Erie may be their object. I turned home soon in the evening.
August 4th--At Harrodsburgh again - the election over - County Court met I done some business in it and a number of people come to town, disappointed - din'd at Capt. Daviess, Lieut. Cardwell Home with me and I went to Col. Johnson for some money for my company - time glides smoothly along - ego bene gd -
August 5th--At home in the morning, and then went to Mr. Moore's to see Simeon one of my men who lies very sick and then to Mr. Harrison to get my gun fixed which I got done and then home.
August 6th--At home &
August 7th--My company mustered at Harrodsburgh - I paid the whole of them 10 dollars each and we made a great parade - I had thirty-two men added to my company - I find that I can recruit much easier than when I first went out it was a fine day - I addressed my company on the necessity of discipline and attention to duty.
August 8th--At Preaching on Salt River at Bishop's Meeting House Mr. Rankin preached a sermon in which he remonstrated against the war with England - he displeased many persons - The present call for Volunteers by the Governor produces the most matter for conversation - I returned home in the evening.
August 9th--In Harrodsburgh the Regiment was called together for the purpose of raising volunteers it rained, and attempts to raise more men proved ineffectual owing to the terms not being understood I got nearly twenty more men added to my company. I returned home in the evening and Capt. McCoun with me.
August 10--At home in mane and then rode down Salt River past Buchanans Mill & up again to a Mr. Parrishes & exchanged horses with hiim giving him my bald horse then home - gave 6$ extra.
August 11--I went to Harrodsburgh & settled some business in the Clerk's office and got some necessaries for my campaign trip and returned home in the evening. gd
August 12--At home greater part of the day arranging my domestic concerns - several persons at my home every day - time glides swift along.
August 13th--Completed my arrangements to again march with my company to join the N. Western Army.
August 14th--1813--bought a horse from Robt. McGee at 30 1/2 dollars for J. Young who took him to ride and his mother gave me assignment of his ______ and then started with 8 or 10 of my men and crossed the Kentucky River with the greater part of the company in the evening and arrived at Versailles at 4 o'clock and campt near the cross roads from Frankfort to Lexington - where we were well accommodated - I have 150 men.
August 15th--Marched early (Sunday) got to Col. Rob't Johnsons - the Great Crossings at 9 o'clock and had such of my horses valued as had not been beofre, and had them well fed and staid till 2 o'clock. I conversed with the Public printer, a Draft for foot men is ordered on the south side of the Kentucky river.
We left Col. Johnson's at 2 and came on the road to Newport 14 miles to a Mr. Threlkeld's and staid all night in peace and harmony.
(It rained in the evening and a Rainbow overshadowed my company for a mile) At the Great Crossings I got the following orders, viz--
Great Crossings, Aug. 15th, 1813 --The Mounted Regiment is again under marching orders, the deepest regret is felt that the occasion ever existed for the Regiment to leave the North Western Army. I have received the order of Genl. Harrison to join the N. W. Army without the delay of a moment. The vital interest of the country demands dispatch. Already distinguished for its promptitude, the regiment will imitate its former example. It will march to Urbana by companies. I shall be there on the 20th and on the road either by Dayton or Lebanon exertions will be made to supply the companies with rations and forage. The regiment should be at Urbana also on the 20th or as soon after as practicable without materially injuring the horses. The greatest care must be taken of the pack horses in possession of the Regiment and not one must be left behind that can be carried on with the Regiment. Should any such horse be left in Kentucky from necessity, notice must be given of it to the Quartermaster that a memorandum may be made of it - wherever a pack horse is left a receipt must be taken from the proper officer. If left without an opportunity of such receipt the Quarter master to be advised of it. In no Instance is a public horse to be taken without obtaining it from the Proper officer of the government in charge of it, except when such horse shall be taken as a stray, which shall be receipted for at the first place where a proper officer can be found. In no instance is the horse of a private Individual to be taken, and while the Respectability, the Integrity & high reputation of the Moutned Regiment is recollected with satisfaction it is with equal regret that it was understood that some few evil disposed individuals were in the habit of taking horses either public or private in a clandestine manner, by which the Regiment has been the subject of foul imputations and individuals to much trouble and loss. Such practices must be suppressed and when detected shall be most severely punished and the person given over to a civil prosecution.
The greatest care of every species of public property is enjoined such as arms and camp equippage &c. The efficiency of a mounted Regiment depends much upon the condition of the horses. The farrier of each company shall be particularly in his duty and report the state of the horses and any neglect in Individuals be reported to the commanding officer. Gallopping or any unnecessary fatigue of horses is prohibited except in the execution of some order. Any failure in these particulars will meet with marked disapprobation.
Our Regiment has been truly favored by Providence, particularly in health during an active service of two months, not one man was lost by sickness. This was greatly owing to the skill and attention of the Physicians who administered to the sickness of the men stimulated by the success which has crowned their efforts, and the applause which their conduct merits. The Surgeon and his mates will continue their unremitted exertions in preventing sickness and disease which bring them so many calamities.
As it is probable that arms may be scarce the companies will begin at Newport to arm themselves and procure such accommodations as they may need. The officers and men of the mounted Regiment will accept my sincere thanks for their exemplary good conduct. The spirit of subordination which they have manifested, the spirit of enterprise which they have displayed - the firmness with which they have encountered difficulties and dangers, and the patience and fortitude with which they meet with losses. I have reason to congratulate myself in the selection and command of such a corps and from the experience of the officers I make great calculation of aid and support.
The mounted Regiment has aided the protection of a vast and extensive frontier altho they have never avoided danger, the Regiment was never permitted to meet a foe in the field - that opportunity will no doubt be afforded in the splendid campaign now opening against the enemy about Malden and Detroit, the campaign will be interesting - the mounted Regiment will have its part to act - what ever it may be let every movement be distinguished for it smerit, an din case of an engagement let us unanimously resolve to finish the worked assigned us.(Signed) RH. M. JOHNSON, Col. R. M. V.
August 16th--Started very early and went on to Nelsons to Breakfast, one mile from the foot of Dry Ridge, warm and dry also fine roads. We got to Theobalds to dinner, and to Brumbacks to stay all night, the greatest part of the company got there, there a severe storm of wind and rain, and we were piled over one another in houses and barns.
August 17th--Cloudy and wet we got an early start & got to Gaines to Breakfast and on Bank Lick to Dinner. I sent Capt. Lillard on in front to New Port to draw arms we followed on as soon as we could and got to N. Port two house by sun, drew our arms and ammunition forage & some Money for our rations to Dayton and the greater part of my company crossed the Ohio river after dark and in the suburbs' of the town campt. I staid at the Union Inn in Cincinnati, which is dispatch equal to any ever practiced by any company.
August 18th, 1813--Arranged our business in the morning and got off from town at 9 o'clock and came on to Mr. Smiths 17 miles from town where we got forage for our horses and campt all night. Peace and harmony prevailed in the company - O Deus direct us --
Our march was changed to St.Mary's instead of Urbanna.
August 19th--Made an early start and came within 7 miles of Franklin to Breakfast and passed thru Franklin at 12 o'clock and two miles up the Miami to dinner, then on part of my company within four miles of Dayton Lt. Lillard and part of them came on within 3 miles at Mrs. Davis and campt all night fine clear pleasant weather and good roads --
August 20th--Arrived at Dayton early, passed on thru town and campt on the bank of Mad river on the road to Piqua and I drew one tent and some ammunition and some little camp equipage tho the little public stores at this place are very scarce. We staid here this day and I paid all my men five dollars each as a part of their pay and 50 cents for their rations to that place. General satisfaction prevails in the Regt. at this place.
August 21st--About 12 o'clock left our encampment near Dayton and crossed Mad river where had previously crossed it the last of May, and to the left hand road and in about one mile drew forage and within one half a mile crossed the Miami to the west side and in three miles recrossed and again four miles crossed again to the west side and came 14 miles and campt at an old South Carolinian and was well treated and had fine pasture for our horse clear and pleasant.
August 22nd--Came on early to Troy a small village of about ten or twelve log and frame houses on the west bank of the Miami, a handsome level plain and some fine rich land around it and within three miles of this place on the east Bank of the Miami three days since (viz the 19th Inst.) the Indians killed two men and one woman. The horrid cruelty of the savages will certainly call down the vengeance of heaven.
We got to Piqua at eleven o'clock and campt on a ridge of ground on the south of the remains of an old fort with the dirt thrown up in a circular form - we campt and drew rations of forage of corn. We staid all night from present appearance not much can be done until Gov. Shelby comes up who is collecting a large force in Kentucky for the purpose of assisting the Invasions of Canada.
August 23rd--After arranging some business with Col. Johnson I left Piqua and went up the Miami on the road to St. Marys three miles to upper Piqua below the Mouth of Lorimers river and campt in the upper end of a large Field a handsome level plain near a small branch, fine land all round, this is a part of the world I prefer to any other I ever saw, fine water and rich land equal to any in the world.
August 24th--I returned to Piqua (or Washington) village and settled my pay roll with Capt. James Johnson and squared our accounts up to the present day, a part of my company was requested to join a Spy company but none would volunteer. Capt. Stucker was Detached to Greenville, Capt. Church, Berry and Redding were ordered to Waperchinata a Shawanoe village 28 miles North of Piqua to start tomorrow. Capt. Combs was to go on to St. Marys fine pleasant weather, we have been highly favored by Providence he has smiled upon us in all our movements this time, great events lie before us.
August 25th--In camp drew rations and forage and continued in our encampment without any material event happening except the inhabitants appear much alarmed for fear of Indian Depredations - Until Sunday, August 29th--
I was nearly every day in Piqua and on the 28th dined with John Johnson the Indian Agent from whom I obtained considerable information with respect to the origen and nature of Indians, their enmity and hatred of the greater part of the Indians to the Americans is inveterate and deep rooted, they consider our encroaching upon them as an injury of the deepest dye.
Sunday, August 29th--Clear and pleasant - about 8 o'clock we struck our tents and commenced our march on the road to St. Marys first, halted for dinner at the crossing of Lorimers river, thence on to Lorimers Blockhouse where we arrived about two hours by sun in the evening and campt all night - our arms will surely be successful, our movements indicate determination - gd.
August 30th--Started early got to St. Marys to Breakfast campt on the bank of the river opposite the fort, & drew some forage provision, & camp equipage and then by the direction of the Col. moved on to Fort Amanda on the Auglaise twelve miles, where we arrived late in the evening & crossed the river at the fort and campt in an open field on a hill half a mile from the fort called the Ottowa village destroyed by Genl. Wayne in the year 1794, & in the night our horses were alarmed & we lost several that ran off this day it rained upon us our business at present will be to guard Military stores on to Ft. Meigs where we will join the main N. W. Army.
August 31, Tuesday--We moved our camp about half a mile down the Auglaise in an open Blue Grass bottom a fine pleasant day - we obtained information that our fleet on Lake Eri had saild for Malden with 1000 sailors aboard and that a cannonading had been heard - every pulse beats in high anticipation of success . . .
Updated December 25, 2000. This transcription is copyrighted by . It may be freely used for non-commercial purposes and family research, but must not be used for any other purpose without written permission from the transcriber.