[Footnote: Denny, October 29, 1791, etc.] Owing to the long delays, and to the fact that they had been enlisted at various times, their terms of service were expiring day by day; and they wished to go home, and tried to, while the militia deserted in squads and bands.

Those that remained were very disorderly.

Two who attempted to desert were hung; and another, who shot a comrade, was hung also; but even this severity in punishment failed to stop the demoralization.
St.Clair a Broken-down Man and His Subordinates With such soldiers there would have been grave risk of disaster under any commander; but St.Clair's leadership made the risk a certainty.
There was Indian sign, old and new, all through woods; and the scouts and stragglers occasionally interchanged shots with small parties of braves, and now and then lost a man, killed or captured.

It was, therefore, certain that the savages knew every movement of the army, which, as it slowly neared the Miami towns, was putting itself within easy striking range of the most formidable Indian confederacy in the Northwest.

The density of the forest was such that only the utmost watchfulness could prevent the foe from approaching within arm's length unperceived.