Jan 29 1812 Captain Gray to Prevost

On January 29, 1812, Captain A. Gray wrote to Sir George Prevost Brock, commander of the British forces in North America. In his letter he relays some intelligence with respect to the actions of the Americans concerning Detroit.

The letter also had information about  the Battle of Tippecanoe. This battle had been fought in November 7, 1811 between American forces, led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory, and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, also known as the Prophet, were leaders of a confederacy of Native Americans tribes. The British view was that the Battle of Tippecanoe had not been a victory for Harrison. See my earlier post here for more information. 

Excerpts from Captain Gray's letter follows:

York 29th Jan 1812

Dear Sir

I  have communicated to General Brock an Extract from the Letter I had the honor to write your Excellency from Montreal relative to the protection of the Trade of the N. West and S. West Companies. The General most perfectly concurs in the ideas submitted in that Letter, and has directed me to communicate to you his anxious wish that the Post of St. Joseph might be removed to the falls of St. Mary. In short the General's general Policy, and plan of Defences, agrees so exactly with the ideas I had formed, previously to my communicating with him, that I can be at no loss in giving your Excellency every information on that head on my return, it may not therefore be necessary to enter more into details at present.

I propose remaining here till after the House of Assembly has met which will be abut a week from this day...

 ...There is likewise some interesting information received respecting Detroit which he and Col. Elliot(t) (who is also expected) will be enabled to confirm. It seems the Americans are collecting a vast quantity of Ordnance at that Post, which with other indications, pretty clearly manifests their intentions in that quarter. 

….We have got a Detailed account form the Prophet's Camp. He had gained a glorious Victory. His loss is 25 men, and his No. actually engaged did not exceed 100.