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OSL TUPPER TO MEIGS

Near McArthurs Block House
Decr. 24th 1812

Dear Sir

I thank you for having sent Mr Beard with the pleasing information contained in the Letters & News papers received by him -- the (he) had uhderstood you had it in contemplation to visit us. Nothing could have given us so much pleasure -- But you would have derived little satis- faction in the visit; our numbers are so diminished by sickness that our camp bears no proportion to a Brigade: -- I send you a report of yester- day, from which at one view you will see the situation of the Troops you placed under My command -- As often as I found means of conveyance, I have sent back one Sick -- the most of them to Urbana & its vicinity. Many that have been long sick & with great appearance of having their lungs so affected as in the end, to terminate their existance (which in many instances the surgeons represent as the case) I have permitted to be taken home -- such as asked it I have discharged. Those who did not, I furlowed

There is an uncommon despondency sieres every soldier with the first attack of the disease of the camp -- You cannot convince them they will survive the disease -- The Motion of the sleds & waggons, is less danger- ous than the effects on their minds in camp --still I do not expect to see 10 soldiers sent back sick this campaign. You may therefore calculate the force fit for duty of the Brigade, by yesterdays report, less than will be in a condition to go forward when we receive Marching orders; since scarsely a day passes without some new cases -- a few however on the sick list May be added to our duty reports which may nearly keep that number up -- We have received the Blankets shoes & Socks ordered by Gen Harison. I lament the legislature did not view the subject of other clothing different from what it appears they did by the Bill -- My object was to have the state advance the Money for the Pantellons & hunting shirts & I would have taken Measures to have it stopped from the Mens clothing account for which they as yet have made no return in the pay Rolls -- Or had the articles been sent out before the Men are paid off, so that they could be had on purchase, it would have releived them -- but here they are to be had at no price or if an Inhabitant from the country arrives with an article of that kind to sell, it is at two or three prices, so that a soldiers pay for a month will not purchase a pr of Pantellons -- My first object was at all events to have them provided; My second was that the soldier should pay for them what they were reasonably worth, & no more -- I do not think that one of those Blankets need be sent to camp -- They will be purchased at the Chillicothe retail price, & by the time they reach us will so far exceed the soldiers means of purchasing that I conclude they had better be kept for Reinforcements or relief.

Three hundred pr, Pantellons & two hundred warm hunting shirts or Capes is the least number that will serve the second & third Regiment to which may be added for Col Suttons Battalion (say) 75 pr. Pantellons & 50 hunting shirts or Capes -- Those are the least possible number to enable us to do duty with safety to the mens lives --The Pantelons ought if possible to be procured of low priced materials, as well as the Capes -- otherwise they cannot be delivered to the soldiers without a loss some where, & as I see by the Bill the state does not contemplate taking any