The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-01-08

Ourordcr OF encampmcnt yariec i,uic from
that above described, excepting when some
peculiarly OF the ground made II necessary.
For Right attack, the order Of cncampiment
was the order OF battle---and each man slept
immediately opposite TO 81. post in The liue.
In the formation Of my troops used single
rank, OF what 10 called Indian 6le--because
In Indian warfare, where there is 10 shock 10
resist, one RINK Is nearly as good as two, and
in .hat kind Of warfare The extension Of line is
matter Of the fist importance. Raw troops
also manGuyre with much more facility in
single than in double ranks. Ii was nv con-
slant custom To ASSEMBLE. all The hed-oihcers
at my tent every evening by signal, 10 give
them the watch word aud their Instructions
for the night-those given Tor the night OF
the 9Th were, that each corps which formed
part ci the eXteriour line OF tie encarDp-
mcnt, should hold It's own ground until re-
licyed. The dragons were directed 10 par
Gdc dismounted in case Of a'Dight attack with
their pistols in their belts, and 10 &C, aa q
corps &C reserve. The camp was defended
by two captains guards, consisting each oi
four non-comnissoned officers and ~ pr
yates--and two subalte efns' guards of twenty
non-cO III Gissioned officers and pI!,atcs.---
The whole under the command OF field Of
hcer OF the day. The troops were regularly
called up IN hou: before day, and made TO
continue under arms unit! il was quite light.
On the MOI ming oi the 7th bad risen AT a
quarter after tour o'clock, and the signal for
Calling out the men would have been given
IA Two minutes, whtn The attack commence
cd. it began on cur left flank--but a single
gun WAS hged by tie ccn.ihels or by the guard
Ia that direction, which made not the least
resistance, but abandoned their officer and
fed into camp and the first notice which
tie ttoops VI that flank had Of the dauger.
was from the yels Of the savagcs within a
snort distance OF the line--but even under
thcsc circumstances the men were not wapt-
Ius 10 themselves or 10 the occasion. Such
ui ,hem as we're awake, or were easily a.
Weakened, seized their arms and took their
stations Others, which were more tardy,had
70 Contend with tho enemy in the doors of
their tents..ihe storm first feel upon Capt.
banor.'S company of the 4;h L. s. rcgi-
ment, and Capt. Geiger's company of mount
ed rIAemen, which formed the lett angle of
the rear tlIe. The hrc upon these was ex-
cessiycly severe, and they suffered oonsider-
ably before relief could be brought 10 them,
oomc Jew Indians passed into the cncsrnp-
tratcd 10 some distance before they were Mid
ed. l believe all the other companies were
undvr arms and to,crab;y formed before they
were tired on. The morning was dark and
cloudy--our fires afforded a partial light,
which IT 1t gave us some opportunity of tax
ing our position, was still more advanisg eous
10 the enemy, aiiording them the means of
taxing su'er aim--,hey were therefore ex-
t'nguished as soon us possible. Under all
,bosc discouragiag circumstances, tho troops,
(n.no,een tweulieths of whom had never bctp
in action bciore) behaved in manner tha,
can never be too much applauded. They
took their places Without noise und with less
couiusinn :han could have been expected
irou veterans placed IN siu.ilar silualion.
rs soop as could mount my horse, | rode
10 the augc that was attacked--l found that
Bac,on's company had suffered severely and
he lsf, of Gciger's entirely broken, | i,n-
mctio'ciy ordered Cooks company and the
iAtc Capt. w entwor,hs, under Lieut.. Peters,
To be brought up from the ccprc OF the reai
iinc, whore the ground was much more dc.
lcasib.e, and formed across Bar.on's and
Gcigers. My attention. was there engaged
10y "a heavy hring upon the left of the front
line, where were stationed the small company
of u. S. r!ilemcn, Chen however armed win
muskcts) and the companies OF Baep, Sncl-
ling, and Prescott, o! the 4,h regiment. |
found Major Dav;ess forming the dragons in
the rear OF those companies, and understand
ing that the heaviest part OF the enemy's hre
proceeded from, some trees about fifteen or
tweniy PAGES In front OF those companies,
directed .hc Major 10 dislodge them with
part OF the dragons. Unfortunately, the
Majors gallantry determined him TO execute
the order with smaller force than was suh-
eicne which enabled The enemy TO avoid him
in front, and attack hts TANKS. The Major
was morta,ly wounded and his party driven
back. The Indians were bcwever immedi-
aley and gallantry disodged from their ad-
vantageous position, by capt. Smelling at the
head OF bis company.--In tho course OF
few rninuips after the pyOpenr ement of th.,