Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-23

80 GYMNASIUM. nc OOastSu gym Could not ~
and the American bayonet. The British 9,
oops We're routed; and major general "
'rock, IN gailantiy eXerting himself to rally Il
mem, was struck by 3 balls, and killed. i,
lis aid, Col M'Donald, fell mortally wound :
ed at the same time
Inc British being completely driven frorl
the heights about 10 O'clock, the line was
reformed and Ranking parties sent out.
Alter this brilliant success, reinforce |
ments continued to arrive, under captain |
Gibson oflight artillery, captain Mackesnev
OF the 9th, captain awrcnce of the 18th in
tanlry and # coionels Allen, Mead, Stra-
hahau, and other militia officers.
About 3 O'Clock. ia the afternoon. brig
gen. Wadsworth Of militia, lieut.. col Scott
oil artillery, lieut.. col. Christie and major
Muilany, crossed the river, and took the
command OF the American troops.-Lieut.
col Christie ordered captain Wool to leave
the held, and have his wounds dressed. He
oDeyed, crossed the river, had MS wounds
dressed, and re-crossed to the Canadian
side, but acted no more during the day.
About o'clock party Of Indians APP
peared in the direction ofthe village of Chip
Peway, and commenced an attack. As they
approached through wood and orchard,
the American troops not knowing their
numbers, at first gave way Lieut.. col.
Scott made great exertions. He -as in full
dress; and his tall stature rendered him
Coz spicuous mark. Several Indians say they
shot n him bu, he remained unhurt Lieut.
Col Chi'stie was remarked fer his perfect
compoSure and Goodness. The Indians were
soon defeated and fled to the woods, leav-
lug sevral dead and one of their chiefs
prisoner.
As soon as this engagement was over, a
body OF British troops, with some liyht ar
tl'ery, approached from Fort George. Ex-
ertions were made by gen. Van Renssc-
lear~ 70 send over the militia Two thou
gard OF them remained On the American
bank OF tbc river, to which they had not
been marched IN any order, but had run as
mob Not one of them would cross. The
number Of boats were at first insufficient
some OF those had been lost or DESTROYED.
aud only three or four were left. And a
great error had been committed in leaving
undistnrbed battery below Queenstown.
Winch enhladed the ferry. The militia had
seen the wounded; they had seen the Ind;
ass; and were panic struck. There were
wretches who at his critical moment could
tax or the constitution, and the right of
the militia - refuse to cross the line
The American troops had teen scattered
IN pursn.t OF he Indians, and were some
what surprised. They lost this precious
time and opportunity OF attacking the Bri
tish as they assembled the heights. So soon
as The British force. estimated at 500 men.
was formed in line, Hanked bv so,ne pieces
OF light artillery and Indians, the event was
10 longer doubtful
he American troops formed in line to
the n"".ber of l25 regulars, aud i17 militia,
WIN one piece Of light artillery. The lit
ue cand would have made Il gallant rcsis-
tance but ut that moment an order was re-
celVed trcm general Van Resse!aer to re
treat with an assurance that boats wouId he
ready to receive she troops. They rctreated
IN disorder down the hill TO the bank, but
there were no boats there. The Americans
then surrendered. $50 regulars and SIS
militia were reported prisoners, 90 Of the
regulars ana ~ OF the militia being wound
ed.
The Number of eitLer killed or wounded
has not been ascertaiDed. The highest es-
innate OF the killed is 90. The lSss of the
British IN killed was probably considerably
less.
he whole loss in the battle NAV be est
mated at 1000 men. And the desertion and
discharges cfthe militia corps much rcdu. cd
may have diminished that description of force
one thosuand more.
II IS not agreed whether the regulars or
militia dli theil dutp hesrf The following
facts viii enable the reader. 90 decide. And
it Is # scme Importance the government
sh"nd suG.. on what description of troo,,s
they may most rely.
There were present 1900 militia and n.
bout 500 regulars. About one haT he
whole number of regulars were taken pri-
soners, and about one seventh the whole
number OF militia. or the regulars taken.
there were thrice as many wounded az oftbe
militia, although the lumber of prisoners Of
each was nearly equal
Captain Wool, the hero If the heights nj
Queenstown. is IS years of age. It is nre-
suued he viii be brevested or prom ted.
List / officers taken prisoners in the bat |
tie Of Queenstown:
Lieut.. col. j Reagvick. Scott and CHRISTIE j. |
captains Cgii7ie, Mqckesncv and Gibson !. |
heutenants Turner, Clarke, RavLrp. Rear, |
neg, Pan5olth, MCarycy, Pheits. Totfou |
Carr. SommonS, Eiack and Hugiunin, and |
ensign Rea6t
IbH general at one time crossed the NJ
pr. ri prr a crnded ~ me heights.
SoD1e volunteer r5G4 le,' rrc said 10 bn7,e
bshaUcd Ue7V 7o"H; harticukqriv a comhonv
commanded ny Heut. Smith, 7pio look ne In !
dim chieE
tCaflfs Gibson and Hackesnev, Lfeuten.
ants Tofon and RandoLhA haze sinee been
srchanged.
aN6AAT comm