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OSL TUPPER TO MEIGS

Urbana Novr. 28th. 1812

Dear Sir,

I am sorry that you did not think my communication to you, respecting the Manner the Companies of Militia at McPhersons & at Zanes, are doing duty was of sufficient importance to merit your interference -- or perhaps the letter did not reach you --

In my letter to you on that subject the day previous to My March to the Rapids, I informed that a Capt Stephenson, commanding a company of 30 day Militia at McPhersons has been requested by me to guard the public stores at Manary Blk house and had refused -- I now learn it was by order of Gen Whiteman that he did refuse to Guard them -- The forage & stores there during my absence to the Rapids, & to this time, where verry consider- able deposits are daily Making, are exposed to be plundered or even destroyed while a company of Militia in the pay of the U. States lies within 1/2 of a Mile doing no kind of duty whatever -- Capt Thomas Stretch is now in this place with 42 men to releive Stephenson -- I asked him whether he would guard those stores, he answer was that he should not, he was under the orders of Gen Whiteman only, who had ordered him not to Guard them -- At the same time called on me for an Order for arms and ammunition -- I informed him that if they were not subject to my command, that I had no orders for them if Gen Whiteman was solely to regular their duty, he also was the proper person for him to apply to for Arms &c

I cannot believe sir, that you can require of me to weaken my force at McArthurs Block house, by sending back a detachment to guard those stores; while that company are at McPhersons perfectly idle -- Besides the great fatigue those men underwent on their late march, we have store houses to build, roads to cut, sleds to make, & heavy camp duty to perform owing to the number of sentinels actually required to guard our camp -- This subject to me has been considered of such much importance as to induce me to send you this by express -- If that company was not at that place I would still detach a Guard, but situated as it is, I cannot think of it, & feel indignant at Gen Whiteman & the commanding Officer who can see 40 men paid by the U. States, so near this large deposits of stores, & those stores thus exposed. --

General Harrison has given me unlimited instructions or powers to regulate the contractor Indian supplies &c on this route; but, the situa- tion of the subject of this letter does not come wit in my contract un- less you give me the power to directing it -

You w ill have heard that Capt Lewis has returned from the Rapids, they crossed over the River about 10 Miles above Bougions in the morning proceeded back in rear of this Indian encampment & moved up within 300 yards of Bougons house -- they saw one Indian above the hill, & attempted to speak to him the Indian gave the War yell, when as they say at least One thousand Indians ran towards them armed; -- They fortunately made their escape. They say all the houses at Bougons are burnt - I think there are no other Indians there than those we saw & those they have over rated --

I have heard nothing from Mrs. Tupper since she left me -- will you be so good as to enquire & forward any letters that may have, or shall be directed to me, & Lodged at Chillicothe -- I am with much respect & esteem yr Most obt H sr

Edw W Tupper