Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-25
GOV. HARRISON's LETTER
To she Secretary at Dar, dated pINcsNNRs,
18Th My. lSll--coNcLUDED.

naming to you the corps and individuals who
particularly distinguished themseives) IS YET
to DE performed. There is, however, consi-
derablc difficulty IN it--where merit was so
common it is almost impossible to discriminate.
The whole OF the infantry formed small
brigade under the immediate orders OF Col.
BOYD. The Colonel throusho t the action
manifested equal zeal and bravery IN CARRYING
into execution my orders, in keeping the men
to their posts and exhorting them to fight with
yalor. His brigade-ma; Clark, and his abide
camp George Crogh&n, esq. were also very
seryiceably employed. Col Joseph bartho!o-
mey, very valuable officer, commanded I'M
der col Boyd the militia infantrY he was
wounded early in the action, and his services
lost to me. Maj G.. r c. FLOYD, the senior
of the 4th L. S. regiment, commanded lmmc-
diately the battalion Of that regiment, which
was in the front line; his conduct during the
action was entirely 10 my satisfaction. Lieut..
col Decker, who commanded the battalion OF
militia, on the right OF the rear line, preserv-
ed his command in good order; he Was, how
ever, bat partially attacked. | have before
mentioned 10 YOU that MAJOR gen. Wells, OF
the An division of Aentucky militia, acted UNI
der NV command Us maior at the head OF
two companies of mounted volunteers the
General maintained the fame which he had al
ready acquired in almost every campaign &
In almost every battle which has been fought
with the Indians since the settlement OF Ken
tuckv. Of the several corps, the 4th United
States regiment and two small companies at
tachcd to it, were certainly the most conspl-
cuous for uAd4unted valor. The companies
commanded by capts. Cook, Smelling and Bar
ton, lieuts I.arebee, Peters and Hawkins,
were placed in situations where they could
render most service and encounter most dan
ger, and those officers eminentiy distin-
guished themselves. Captains Prescott and
Brown performed their duty also entire
" to nv satisfaction, as did Posey's CON
pany of the eth regiment headed by lieu
tenant Albright. In short, sir, they sup
ported the fame of American regulars, and /
have never heard that single individual, was
foual out of the line of his duty. Several OF
the militia companies were in no wise inferior
TO the regulars. Spencer's, Greiger's and
Warwick's maintained their posts amidst a
monstrous carnage, as indeed did Robb's al
ter i, was posted on the lett flank It's loss OF
men ~ killed a0d wounded) and Keeping Its
ground is sufficient evidence OF its trEneSs.
Wilson'S and Scott ) companies charged with
the regular troops and proved themselves
worthy of doing so. Norris's company also
behaved well HaFgrove's and Wilkins Conn
pany were placed in 4 situation where they
had no opportunity OF distinguishing them
selye. or am satisfied they would have done
II. This was the case with the squadron ut
dragons also. After major Daviess Ind re-
ceiyed his wound knowing it 10 be mortal, l
promoted captain Parke to the majority, than
whom there is no better officer.
NV two aids-de-camp, majors Hurat and
TAYLOR, with lieutenant Adams of the 4th re-
ginent, the adjutant of the troops, afforded
me the most essential aid, as we'll IN the ac-
ton as throughout the campaign.
The arrangements of captain Pratt IN the
ouorter-,naster's department. were highly Ju-
Gicions, and is exertions on all occasions, par.
t;cularly in bringing off the wounded, deserve
my warinest thanks. But in giving msrited
praise to the living, let me not forget the gal,
liant dead. Colonel Abraham Owen, command
ant oe the 18th Ken. regiment, joined me .
few DAYS before the action as private in cap
tain Geiger's company he accepted the APP
poin;ment of volunteer aid-de-camp 10 me; he
fell early in the action. The Representatives
PSSSNSS
ed not a better citizen nor Drawer man. Ma
Tor J. H. Daveiss was known as an able law
yer and a great orator; he joined me as q
private volunteera and on the recommendation
ofthe officers of that corps, was appointed to
command the Sd troop of dragons His
conduct in that capacity justified their choices
never was there an officer possessed OF more
rrdor aad zeal to discharge his duties with
propriesy, and never one who would have en-
eountesed greater danger to purchase military
fame. Captain Baen OF the 4tn United States
regiment, was killed early in the action he
WIS anoucssionably good officer and valiant
colder. Capts. Spencer and SVarrick and
lieutenants SIcMahan and Berry, were all my
particular friends / have ever had the ut
most confidence in their vaior, and | was not
deceived. Spencer was wounded IN the head
---he exharted his men to fight yaliantiy-he
was shot through both thighs, and fell, still