Detroit to Vincennes
The British Regime in Michigan and the Old Northwest
-Russell
All during September 1778, everybody in Detroit worked unceasingly, mending boats, baking biscuits, and preparing ammunition and other stores. Provisions of all kinds, and plenty of presents for the Indians, were forwarded in fifteen large bateaux and pirogues, each holding eighteen hundred to three thousand pounds.
(page 195)
On October 7th the expedition left Detroit under Hamilton's leadership after having sung the war song and received the blessing of Father Potier upon condition that they continue "strictly adhering to their oath".
The force consisted of thirty-six English Regulars, under two lieutenants, forty-five Detroit volunteers (mostly French) under Captain Guillaume La Mothe, seventy-nine Detroit Militia under a Major and two captains, seventeen members of the Indian Department, and sixty Indians, making a grand total of two hundred and forty-three men
(page 197)
Martin & Ruddle's Stations
Letter: Col DePeyster (King's 8th) to Lieut Gov Sinclair
Detroit-March 1780
(excerpts)
...... about fifty Indians, consisting of the principal Cheifs of teh Mingoes, Shawnese & Delewares are also arrived, who reports that the Rebels failed in their attempt to establish a Fort at Cooshocking, but that they had quite surrounded the Indian Hunting ground of Kintuck, by having built small Forts at two days journey from each other as will apear by the Indian Map of that country.
The principal Cheifs of the Hurons, Pottawatamies, Chippawas, Ottawas, Ouiattons, Miamis, Ouiats and the Pirorias, with the Keekapoos being present in Council declared, that if I would send a few Soldiers 'till a larger body could be spared, they would all rise & assist their elder brothers and act in conjunction in future for the good of the King's Service. I see the necessity of sending some Soldiers & I therefore propose to send one Capt. one Lieut. & about fifty men with two small pieces of ordinance to help them to knock down the Pickets fo the first Fort.
To this party I shall add all the Indian Officers and as many volunteers as may offer from the Settlement-this may for a while keep up the spirits of the Indians 'till your Excellency's pleasure is further known.
And express is arrived from Michilimackinack, which I have the honour to forward.
