The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-02-21

King the enemy's artillery. Our loss wa.
trifiing compared with that of the enemy
winch may be estimated at five hundred
men, and Brigadier-G General Albert is dan
gerously wounded
/ Although we had hitherto succeed ed be-
yohd our most sanguine expectation, our far
ther progress became now more difficult and
consequently somewhat d ubtful.
The enemy, who were very superior in
number, was strongly entrenched in posi-
tion between the two great rivers of Jaea-
ira and Slohen and an artificial canal, none
OF which was fordable. L his position was
deiended in trent by a deep trench, with
strong palisades. Seven redoubts and ma
ny batteries OF heavy artillery supported the
most important parts of their line. Fort
Cornelis was in the centre, and all the work
were defended by a very numerous & well
served artillery. The season was far adj
vanced, the heat intense, and had not suf-
hcient troops to proceed by regular ap-
proaches: my alternative therefore was to
throw up some works and to proceed to the
assault. To carry this into effect, l erect
ed batteries against some of the PRINCIPAL
redoubts, and for two days very heavy
hre was kept up from 90 eight Founders &
Smortars and howitzcrs. They did great
execution, and l had the pleasure to see,
that although in the beginning of each day,
my hre was answered BY much more nu-
merous artillery, still we would, in the lat
terpart of the day, silence their nearest
batteries, and cause considerable annoyance
TO every part of their line, and we were evil
IDENTITY superior in our fire.
AT break OF day of the 26th, the assault
began. The principal attack was entrusted
to the gallant and experienced officer Col
Gillespie. He had under his orders the in
lahtry ana advance guard, and the grena-
diers OF the line, and was supported by Col.
Gibbs, with the 59tth regiment and the 4th
battalion OF the volunteers of Bengal They
were ordered to surprize, if possible, the
redoubt No. 3, constructed by the enemy ON
the other side of the Slohen, to endeavor to
cross the bridge over that river along with
the fugitives, and afterwards to assault the
redoubts within the lines; Col. Gillespie
those on the left, and Col. Gibbs those on
the right. Lieutenant Colonel McLead. with
SIX companies of the Goth, received orders
to march along the banks of the Great Ri
yer, and when the attack OH the Slohen
should have commenced, to attempt to take
possession of the left retloubt of the enemy.
NO. 2, Major Tule with body of fankefs
OF the reserve, reinforced by two squadrons
OF Cavalry, four pieces of horse artillery, two
companies OF the 69th and grenadicrs of the
reserve, had commenced an attack on the.
body OF the enemy in Comporg Malayo, to
the westward of said river with view to
cross the bridge at that place.
he rest OF the army under the command
OF Major General Wetheral were in the
batteries, whence column under the COM
mand Of Colonel Wood, composed of the
18Th regiment and of the 5th battalion
OF volunteers, was ordered TO advance
against the enemy in front, and in the IA
Vorable moment, when they would be aid
ed by other attacks to force their way. if
possible, and open passage to the lines.
lie enemy was under arms prepared for
the attack, and Gen. Jansen, Commander in
Shief, was in the redoubt where it begun
Coi. Gliiesple alter long circuitous march
through iutricate and narrow passes. at
tackled the enemy in front, routing them in
an instant, and with rapidity never ex-
ceeded, III spite OF a very brisk fire of artil-
iery and muskctry took possession of the re
doubt In advance No. 3, crossed the bridge
along with the fugitives, under a tremen-
dous fire, assaulted and took at the point of
the bayonet redoubt No. 4, after very OBJ
stinate resistance
AT this point the two divisions Of the CO.
iumn separated. Col. Gibbs turned to the
right and with the 59th, & part of the 18th,
which had by this time found the road in
front, took the redoubt No l. The mara
Zlne oil this rcdoubt blew up with terrible
explosion lit is not known whether by acct
dent or Intentionally at the moment that il
was taken, and destroyed many brave off,
Gers and soldiers who had collected in the
trenches as soon as the enemy abandoned
them. The redoubt No. 9, which was at
tackled by Lieut.. Colonel Mcleod was taken
with equal gallantry; and am sorry to saw,
that this brave and experienced officer was
killed at the moment of gaining his victory.
The front of the enemy's position lay now
open, and our troops rushed forward in eve
ry direction.
During the operations on the right, Col.
Gillespie pursued his advantages on the left,
taking the redoubts Of the enemy in the rear.
& after Lieut. Col. Gibbs joined with part OF
his corps, he ordered him to attack the park
OF the artillery, which the latter took in a
mastery manner, putting to fight a corps of
cavalry, that attempted to defend it /; at this
time strong body Of the enemy which had
taken post in fort Cornelis, kept up brisk
tre OF musketry upon our troops but they
were soon driven from thence, the fort ia
ken, and the enemy completely dispersed
They were pursued by Col. Gillespie, with
the 18th regiment, detachment Of Sepoys
and the seamen of the batteries, command
ed by Captain Sayer Of II. Ms Navy. At
this time the cavalry and horse artillery had
opened the way through the lines of the enc.
my, the former commanded by Major Ira
vers, the latter by Capt. Noble and with
their brave Colonel at their head, they pur-
sued the enemy, until the whole of their ar
my was either killed, taken or DESTROYED.