Letter from Anthony Wayne to Henry Knox, Grand Glaize, [in present day Ohio]. August 28, 1794. From the Wayne Family Papers.

Sir,

It’s with infinite pleasure that I now announce to you the brilliant success of the Federal Army under my command in a general action with the combined force of the hostile Indians & a considerable number of

The Army advanced from this place on the 15. instant, and arrived at Roche de bout on the 18th.; the 19th. we were employed in making a temporary post for the reception of our stores & baggage & in reconnoitring the position of the enemy, who were encamped behind a thick brushy – wood and the British Fort.

At 8 o’clock on the morning of the 20. the Army again advanced in columns agreeably to the standing order of march: the Legion on the right Flank covered by the Miamis, one Brigade of mounted Voluntiers on the left under Brigadier General Todd, and the other in the rear under Brigadr General Barbee: a select battalion of mounted voluntiers moved in front of the Legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced – so as to give timely notice for the troops in case of action.; – It being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for peace or war.

The Legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in a close thick wood which extended for miles on our left; and for a very considerable distance in front, the ground being covered with old fallen timber probably occasioned by a tornado, which rendered it impracticable for the Cavalry to act with effect; & afforded the enemy the most favorable covert for their savage mode of warfare: they were formed in three lines within supporting distance of each other, & extending near two miles at right angles with the river.

I soon discovered from the weight of the fire, & extent of their lines, that the enemy were in full force in front in possession of their favorite ground & endeavoring to turn our left flank – I therefore gave orders, for the second line to advance to support the first, & directed Major General Scott to gain & turn the right flank of the savages, with the whole of the mounted Voluntiers

All those early orders were obeyed with spirit & promptitude – but such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of Infantry, that the Indians & Canadian militia & voluntiers were drove from all their coverts in so short a time, that although every exertion was used by the Officers of the second line of the Legion, & by Generals Scott, Todd & Barbee of the mounted voluntiers to gain their proper positions, but part of each could get up in season to participate in the action; the enemy being drove in the course of one hour more than two miles thro’ the thick woods already mentioned, by less that one half their numbers. –

The bravery & conduct of every Officer belonging to the Army from the Generals down to the Ensigns merit my highest approbation.- there were however some, whose rank & situation placed their conduct in a very conspicuous point of view, and which I observed with pleasure & the most lively gratitude: among whom I must beg leave to mention Brigr. Genl. Wilkinson and Colo. Hamtramck, the commandants of the right & left wings of the Legion, whose brave example inspired the troops; to these, I must add the names of my faithful & gallant Aids de Camp Captain’s De Butts & T. Lewis & Lieut. Harrison who, with the Adjt General Major Mills rendered

The wounds received by Capts. Slough & Prior & Lieut. Campbell Smith (an extra aid de camp to Genl Wilkinson) of the Legionary Infantry, & Capt. Van Ranssellaer of the Dragoons, & Capt. Rawlins, Lieut McKenney & Ensign Duncan of the mounted voluntiers bear honorable testimony of their bravery & conduct.-

Captains H. Lewis & Brock with their companies of light Infantry had to sustain an unequal fire for some time, which they supported with fortitude.- In fact every officer & soldier who had an opportunity to come into Action displayed that true bravery which will always insure success.-

And here permit me to declare, that I never discovered more true spirit

but, whilst I pay this just tribute to the living, I must not forget the gallant dead: among whom we have to lament the early death of those worthy & brave Officers Capt. Miss Campbell of the Dragoons and Lieut. Towles of the light Infantry of the Legion who fell in the first charge.-

Enclosed is a particular return of the killed & wounded- the loss of the Enemy was more than double, that of the Federal Army- the woods were strewed for a considerable distance with the dead bodies of Indians & their white auxiliaries, the latter, armed with British muskets and bayonets.-

We remained three days & nights on the banks of the Miamis in front of the field of battle, during which time all the houses & corn fields were consumed & destroyed for a considerable distance both above and below Fort Miamis, as well as within pistol shot of that Garrison, who were compelled

The Army returned to this place on the 27. by easy marches, laying waste the villages & cornfields for about fifty miles on each side of the Miamis: there remains yet a number of villages & a great quantity of corn to be consumed or destroyed upon Au Glaize & the Miamis above this place, which will be effected in the course of a few days.- in the interim we shall improve Fort Defiance, & as soon as the escort returns with the necessary supplies from Greeneville & Fort Recovery, the Army will proceed to the Miami villages in order to accomplish the object of the Campaign.-

It is however not improbable that the enemy may make one more desperate effort against the Army; as it is said that a reenforcement was hourly expected at Fort Miamis from Niagara, as well as numerous tribes of Indians living on the margins

Under these impressions, I have the honor to be

your most obedt. & very huml. Servt.
Anty. Wayne