Rufus Tilden was at this time commandant of the post at Salmon River, French Mills. Zebulon Pike, who as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army led 22 men in several months of exploring along the eastern edge of the Rockies in 1806-1807, was mortally wounded while leading the American forces that captured Fort York (now Toronto), Canada in April 1813.
For more information on Rufus Tilden and French Mills, see Frederick J. Seaver's History of Franklin County (Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company, 1918), p. 590-595, 612-613. Also, read Franklin B. Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties (Albany, N. Y.: Little & Company, 1853), p. 501, 508.
From the description of Letter to Zebulon M. Pike 1812 July 10 - Aug. 7. (Boulder Public Library). WorldCat record id: 427269761
