Resurrecting the First American West

Pages That Mention McArthur

William Henry Harrison battle orders, ca. October 1813

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n. d. [1813] [on. Oct.]

Head Quarters

As it is the intention of the General to land the army upon the enemy's Coast - the following will be the order of debar-cation, of march and of Battle - The right wing of the army will be composed of the Kentucky Volunteers under the command of his Excellency Govr Shelby acting as Major General - the left wing of the light corps of Leuitenat Colo. Ball & the Brigades of Genl. McArthur & Genl Cap - This arrangement is made with a view to the localities of the ground upon which the troops are to act & the composition of the enemy's force & is calculated in marching up the lake or straight to place our regular troops in the open ground on the Lake where they will probably be opposed by the British Regulars [torn crease] Volunteers in the woods which it is presumed will be occupied by the enemys militia & Indians.

When the signal is given for putting to the shore, the Corps of Lieut. Colo Ball will precede the left wing - the Battallion of Volunteer Riflemen the right Wing - These Corps will land with the utmost celerity consisttenly with the preservation of order & as soon as landed will [???] the most favourable position for annoying the enemy & covering the disembarcation of the troops of the line - Genl. Cap's Brigade will follow Colo. Ball's Corps & Genl. Calmes [gap] the Volunteer Riflemen - The Regiments will land & form in succession upon those which precede them - the Right Wing with its left in front displaying to the right & left wing with its right in front displaying to the left - The Brigades of Genls. Rings Allery & Caldwell will form successively to the right of Genl. Childs Calmes Calmes [insertion- Genl McArthur & Childs Brigades will form the Reserve under the immediate command of Brig. Genl. McArthur - The Genl. will command in person the Brigade of Genls. Cap & Calmes assisted by Major Genl. [???]. His Excellency Gov. Shelby will have the immediate command of the three Brigades on the right assisted by Major Genl

Last edit 9 months ago by MKMcCabe
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second line. Should the Genl. think it safe to order the whole of Cap's Brigade to the right without replacing it with another Genl. Cap will march it to the right formed in oblique echelons of Companies. It will be the business of Genl. McArthur in the event of his wing being [refused?], to watch the motions of the enemy (and with the assistance of the Artillery) prevent his front line at least from interrupting the progress of our right. Should the Enemys militia be defeated, the Brigade of ours in advance, will im-mediately wheel upon the flank of the British Regulars and Gen.l McArthur will advace to attack them in front. In the meantime his Excellency Gov. Shelby can [use?] the Brigade in reserve of the second line to protect the flank line from its left or to reinforce any weak part of that line. In all cases where troop in advance are obliged to retire through those which are advancing to support them, it will be done by companies in files which will retire through the intervals of the advancing lines & will immediately form in the rear. The lighter troops will be be particularly governed by this direction. the disposition of the troops on the left flank is such as the commanding General thinks best calculated to resist an attack from the In -dians which is only to be expected from that quarter His Excellency Gov. Shelby will however use his discretion in making any alteration his which his experience & judgment may dictate.

Last edit 9 months ago by willirl
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