The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-02-26

seryices,mghi be called into the 6ed,as carly
as the season would admit, and placed under
strict discipline TO which for their own hon
our they would readily submi;-nsy, reouire,
II lct TO their own choice for the first object
they would nave in view would be TO acquire
military skill, and they would not only be very
soon prepared 70 perform field duty, 5ut
might entirely be depended upon for any other
service. Witness the prowess OF the vol
unteers at the battle oil the Wabash, and these
bad not been disciplined at all. MI A. said,
he expected the hon. member would admit,
that the materials Of which the volunteers
woul! be composed, would be a, least equal
to those Of which the regular troops would
be formed and the officers Of the volunteer
corps being appointed by the President,
would, he had no doubt, faithfully perform
their duty. Those, said Mr.. A. are com
p!c,ely III our power and he considered it
our best policy, as well as, our duty, TO bring
them into action. Nj. A said in addition 10
the eGicienry of the means which he propos.
ed &c bring into the ieid il would have one
very considerable advantage over The regular
army OF the hOnOurabls member. !; would
be more conformabe TO the true principles oi
the constitution, and would consequently Dc
more acceptable 20 the nation TIE conf.
dence with which he had spoken Of yo.un-
teers, was not founded upon visionary theory,
but practical experience he bad often ia
the revolution had opportunity 10 witness
their military ardour and persevcrina hrm-
ness on two occasions IN particular, the one
at Connecticut Farms, the other at Spring
field, III the spring OF 1890. The enemy
had advanced, III force about two thousand, TO
A III 81 f,,t,r
miles from Eiizabethtown, in New-Jerscy.
The only troops that were within striking
distance TO oppose this force, was the brigade
OF Jersey Regulars, containing then about
thousand men many vouuleers however
Hooked TO their standard---the enemy were
met by this force--a battle ensued-lhe A
merican army had the advantage of the
ground but the right wing OF the enemy
extended so far, that if not suddenly checked,
it would have enabled them to have flanked
our left. 1t was necessary to prevent it
services Of this kind must be promptly rem
dcred four hundred regulars and two hum
dred volunteer, we're ordered to execute it ;
40 more could be spared trom the line. A
good position alone could have justified the
attempt, with the disparity of the numbers
1t was first made by manGuvrc, but 1t was
soon found, II could only be done with the
bayonet. a determined change was made,
and 1t was successful the enemy we're re-
pulsed the volunteers were upon the left
not q man broke his ranks. Some brave fc'-
lows fell, but their places were Immediately
filed all behaved with the hrmoess of vet
craDs. The next day, those troops had the
thanks of General Washington in general or
dess. The volunteers had only Joined the
regulars few davs before the action. In d
bout two weeks alter. INC eneGiy advanced III
greater force----about FIVE thous And---thc
troups who bad been in the former action
had kept their position where the battle had
been tougit ii was advantageous for in
lc,iour force it was teGie, covered for
some distance or tue right by mOrlss /; On
the left II was not we'll projected, Against
this position, the enemy agan advanced and
by their increased numbers, they were enc
bled to extend their right wing SO far as COM
petcly TO tuln our ieit. We were Obliged
- retreat but not without having KEEP, the
enemy a considerable time in check. You
know, Mr. President, there is no situation so
trying to the bravery and firmness of troops,
as retreat Tor epen you, sir, believe, had
to retreat somctimes) The volunteers upon
this OCCASION, behaved like themselves /; =
suIlcn, indignant step, marked their move
mcnts and from the mouths of their guns
they spoke to the enemy the language o. de-
hancc the enemy did not advance one mile,
tcsorc fortunate position, supported BY de- |
tcrmined bravery, enabled the united forces |
of the regulars ard volunteers to arrest their |
progress for the remainder Of the day This |
days action began with The dawn of the |
morning, and continued until the setting of |
the sun, when the enemy fell back to take |
secure position against the expected attacks |
Of the night Daring the whole OF this days |
action, the volunteers kept the station as
signed them, which they sustained with as |
much tiImness as the regular troops. Many !
of them were killed and wounded. Among |
the number, were said 10 be seven OF one |