54 Intosh with a statement of their condition, requesting reinforcements and provisions immediately. In the same despatch, Gibson stated to Gen. McIntosh, that he would defend the fort to the very last. The inhabitants south of the Ohio volunteered their aid. It was for their protection that Ft. Laurens had been built, for by establishing an armed post in the heart of the hostile Indian’s country, their attention would bo diverted from the localities of their former raids,, and their energy directed to the taking of the'fort'. It served also as a check upon the British and Indians of the northwest. Gen. Me Intosh headed the escort of provisions.- which reached the fort in safety-, but it was near being all lost from the dispersion of the pack-horses in the woods near the fort, from fright caused by a salute of joy tired by the garrison, at the arrival of relief. On arriv ing at the fort, Gen. McIntosh found that for nearly two weeks before his coming, -the garrison had been put on the short allowance of half a pound of sour flour and an equal weight of stinking meat for every two days. The greater part of the last week they had little to subsist on except such roots as they
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