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OSL TUPPER TO MEIGS

Urbana 30 Aug. 1812

Gov. Meigs

Sir)

I have scarcely received your Letter by the express, when Mr Hunt (the Contractor here) received a Letter from Mr Cumpton his partner at Dayton advising him, that the Kentuckey Army would arrive at Dayton this day; that Hunt would have little use for a large supply of provisions at this place as that Army would proceed up the Miami by Loramis --

Your letter leads me to conclude that in case the Kentuckey army goes by Piqua, we should return on this route -- Whether you wished the Troops hurried on or not I am at a loss to determine -- with all the erections we could make we are not in a situation to make a campaign in the wilder- ness -- When I issued My orders for immediate preparation for a March (the day you left us) I cause an examination of the public arms issued to soldiers under my command, as well as the private Arms -- Though two Artificers ha ve been employed ever since we arrived, there were still 30 Rifles & 20 Muskets wanting repair, I cause every workman in the neigh- bourhood to be employed - we have still much repairing to do, tho' not half the number; yet half the labour -- If the Kentuckey Troops march by Piqua, they will arrive with their Advanced Regiment the same day we shall arrive, We have no Tents, you recollect, few camp Kettles; many Blankets wanting no pay for the soldiers, They will see the Kentucky army compleat- ly equip'd after having received $13.66 pr. Man, with every requisite to comfort on the March, while Many of My soldiers are without shoes, socks, Blankets, Tents or Camp Kettles - Can Order be preserved when this distinction is made between the Armies whose object is the same, whose claims are equal; These things have great weight on My Mind -- It is with the greatest difficulty I can keep the s oldiers in any subordination since the Cincinnati Troops have arrived; You know they are Much better provided than the other Troops -- If we are to remain in the Wilderness after we leave Piqua ought we not to make the soldiers as comfortable as possible before they leave their present Barracks We have here artificers to repair our arms, & fit us for defence -- We have Sheds for covering us in a situation to make some purchases when the soldiers receive there pay can we be shattered at Piqua? can the soldiers find some articles of cloathing so necessary to their comfort there -- If the question was the relief of Fort Wayne, those things ought not to be named, but as I understand we are now to be considered as a relief to a relief, it changes the view of the subject -- I pray your Excellency to try to prevail on the commissioners to reserve for us some Blankets -- I fear even if we draw our money before we March, Many of the soldiers cannot find Blankets for sale -- The soldiers are ready to hazard their lives in any perilous situation, let us then labour to furnish them with every requisite the law and justice designs for their comfort -- I have concluded to wait your Answer to this letter before I move the Soldiers -- I hold them in readiness -- an express can reach us tomorrow at 6 OClock in the morning if you are still desirous we shall March to Piqua after receiving con- firmation of the Keny Troops Marching that route -- A Company arrived last evening from the high Banks -- You will also see by the enclosed letters that the Zanesville Troops will soon join us --

I would have written the Adj. Genl, on the subject of his suffering