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A. L. LANGHAM TO WORTHINGTON

Camp at Carrying River 15 Miles from Maumee

Rapids Jany 30th 1813

Dr Sir,

Next to our country I consider myself responsible to you for the company committed to my care. With those sentiments I intended to communicate to you whatever of news &c relative to the army, which I thought would be worthy your curiosity or attention: But the Commmunications with the settlements being uncertain & unsafe the impropriety of narating the transactions or probable movements of the army suggested itself to me; in this I fortunately anticipated the orders from the War department: Nothing then remaned of an interesting subject for a letter, from One in the army -- having ino pleasing inteligence, I held the maxim of politeness in moral estimation never troubled your friends with your misfortunes" -- We have suffered much, but thanks to my hardy education & to the rough picture of War which has always been prosecuted to me, I have felt no more than I anticipated as an individual. Our fact will present our sufferings to your immagination in the most tremendous forms, that in addition to the general want of provisions, the regular soldiers have received no winter clothing as yet and no pay since the 1st August -- I mention this because you ought to lmow so as our Senator -- .nc that you may lessen your demands of service, which you had a right to expect from the ardent, high spirited band which you one saw -- But do no immagine that we beg much -- Though the snow rests on our naked bosoms, the heart is not cold -- and if we march barefoot against an enemy, we will move the faster -- Genl Harrison is with us, his eye sees at once all, and every part of his army -- he promises specdy relief & it is already felt.

Before this reaches you, you will hear a better statement of the Victory & defeat at Rasine, than I cart give you -- The last was so decisive that none have escaped to give tile particulars and result of the engagement -- the best general one that I can collect is thus

     Whole force 1,020
     prisoners     600
     Killed        400
     Escaped        20

It was presumed that all were murdered -- the last inteligence states the above number of prisoners -- The Troops fought with the utmost galantry while their amunition lasted, and even after that was exausted charged with their bayonets -- The first intimation of the enemys approach, was a discharge of cannon & shells [illcg. ] the taps: My company was marching with about a regt. of Ohio troops to reinforce them when the news met us -- Genl. Harrison immed- iately ordered a retreat thus far - here he is concentrating his forces -- A few days will give birth to the most interesting events which this army can produce - We have our honour to retrieve, our Country to defend & our friends, to revenge --

We must be Victorious.

Your friend & Yours of the Obt. Recd.

A. L. Langham

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