ners, and their killed and wounded were estimated at
nearly as many more. The far-famed Tecumseh buried his tomahawk in the
head of a Chippewa chief, whom he found actively engaged in massacring
some of the prisoners. But as the Indians retired, as is their wont
after success, to enjoy their plunder; and as many of the militia were
also returning to their homes, Proctor was compelled to raise the siege
of Fort Meigs. Having re-embarked his small force of regulars, chiefly
of the 41st, and the whole of his ordnance and stores, he proceeded to
Sandwich; while General Harrison abandoned all intention of advancing
against Detroit until the American squadron had gained the command of
Lake Erie.

Major-General Proctor having determined to recommence his attacks
against the American North-Western army, whose head quarters were then
in the neighbourhood of Sandusky Bay, on Lake Erie, he landed on the 1st
of August near the Sandusky river, and soon after invested with 400
regulars and between 3 and 400 Indians, Fort Stephenson, about 20 miles
from its mouth. On the 2d, a fire was opened from two 6-pounders and
two 5-1/2-inch howitzers against the fort, which appears to have
possessed only one masked 6-pounder, and to have been garrisoned by
about 180 men, under Major Croghan, but as the fire produced no
impression, the place was ordered to be stormed. The assailants reached
the ditch which was raked by the masked gun, and sustained in
consequence so severe a loss, that they retreated precipitately, having
their leader, Brevet Lieut-Colonel Short, of the 41st, with 3 officers
and 52 men, killed or missing, besides 3 officers and 38 men wounded;
while the Americans had only 1 killed and 7 slightly wounded. The
Indians did not assist in the assault, withdrawing to a ravine out of
gun shot. Thus foiled, Proctor retired on the 3d, and after abandoning
"considerable baggage and a gun-boat laden with cannon ball," he
returned to Amherstburg. The attack is said to have been "ill digested,"
and the expedition to have ended with "some disgrace."

Towards the end of August, (1813,) the American squadron, under
Commodore Perry, became too powerful for the British, under Captain
Barclay, who now remained at Amherstburg to await the equipment of the
Detroit, recently launched. The British forces in the neighbourhood
falling short of various supplies, for which they depended chiefly upon
the fleet, Captain Barclay had no other alternative tha