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OSL HENRY BRUSH TO MEIGS

Head Quarters Ohio Militia

Grand Camp Ohio Malitia Augt 16th. 1813

Dr sir

His Excellency directs me to Inform you of the Organization of the Troops here, that it may be made known to the commanding Genl. It would have been Impracticable to form them into two Regiments, as contemplated by the Generals Letter. lst. because such a mode is unknown to the Law of Ohio; and 2d There is no Law of the United States under which they could be thus organized 3d. the temper and Disposition of the Troops could not be made to Yield to such an arrangement. The Best practicable mode then must be resorted to, and in this instance has been addopted and carried into effect not without Some difficulty, from the embarrassments which usually attend such arrangements, but with as much harmony and general Satifaction in the result as could have been expected. Their Time of Service has been limited to forty days from the llth instant for the following reasons 1st. They were called out to repel the Invasion which had taken place destitute of cloathing &:c. and altogether unprepared for a lengthy campaign. 2d The Laws of Ohio (which by the bye they Know too well) declares they shall remain in service no longer than untill they can be releived by a regular draft: 3d In case the time limited will not ensure the purposes of the campaign in the opinion of His Excellency the commanding General the Governor contemplates issuing orders in time to have the Malitia regularly detailed or drafted to take the field before their time (the 40 days) shall expire to be hold in readiness to march at a moments warning and who will be better provided for a lengthened Campaign. Besides in this corps his Excellency expects a considerable portion of Volenteers who will make no question of marching any Where required. Indeed he is Informed by Capt. Pratt direct from Cincinnatti yesterday that there will be about 250 from that Quarter who wish orders to be marched here -- 4th. His Excellency believed it Necessary to retain the number of Troops required; more for the purpose of repelling any Invasion which might take place before the ultimate objects of the Campaign could, in the opinion of the commanding Genl. with propriety be attempted or by such a force in the side of Knovm to the Enemy prevent such Invasion; and the consequent Embarrassments and interuptions in the Opperations of the Army, in forwarding the Provisions & Munitions of War, and Keeping open the Communication, for this purpose. He has already seen the Necessity and utility of this Measure The day before yesterday the Indians Killed & scalped one man and wounded two others between this place and Norton about 12 miles from here. We are correctly informed they have killed two or three in champaign county near Urbanna also one near Mans- field. The Q. Master Genl. at Franklinton has given Information that provisions and munitions of war are advancing from that place and from Manary's Block-house, and requested escorts to meet them which have been sent off. Our Cavelry and and Voltiquers find full employ in this way and in scouting. His Excellency hopes the commanding Genl. will be satis- fied with this arrangement, indispensible from the nature and circumstances of the case, coming nearer to a compliance with his Excellency's re- quisition, than any other mode practicable; and adopted from a conviction of its utility and propriety. The two thousand Infantry are formed into