Report from Major General Anthony Wayne to Secretary of War Henry Knox from Camp Southwest Branch of Miami, six miles advanced of Fort Jefferson: Page #1

Transcription

Extract of a Letter from General Wayne to the Secretary of War, dated, Camp S. W. Branch of Miami six miles advanced of Fort Jefferson. 23[sup]d[/sup] October 1793.

"I have the honor to inform you that the Legion took at its line of March from Hobson's Choice on the 7 [sup]th[/sup]instant, and arrived at this place in perfect order without a single accident, at 10 OClock in the morning of the 19 [sup]th[/sup] where I found myself arrested for want of provision.

Notwithstanding this defect I do not despair of supporting the troops in our present position; or rather at a place called Still Water at and intermediate distance between the field of battle and Fort Jefferson, and for which I shall make the necessary arrangements, in obedience to the instructions contained in your orders of the 25 [sup]th[/sup] of May 1793.

The safety of the Western frontiers, the reputation of the Legion, the dignity and interests of the nation all forbid a retrograde maneuvre, or giving up one inch of ground we now possess, until the Enemy are compelled to sue for peace.

The great difficulty which at present presents is that of furnishing a sufficient Escort to secure our convoys of provisions and other supplies from insult and disaster -- at a the same time to retain a sufficient force in Camp to sustain and repel the attacks of the Enemy who