The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-10-06

CSnuhctS Couio not see every part OF the
garrison, to walk around on the inside du-
ring the whole night, to prevent tho
Indians taking any advantage of us, provide
ed they had any intention of attacking US
About IL O'Clock l was awakened by the
firing Of one of the centnels; l sprung up.
raa out, and ordered the men to their posts
wnen my orderly sergeant (who had charge
OF the upper block -housc) called out that the
Indians had fired the lower block house
(Which contained the property of the con-
tractor, which was deposited in the lower
part, the upper having been assigned to 4
corps, and ten privates,aS an alarm post. y
he guns had began to fire pretty smartly
from both sides. l directed the buckets to
be got ready and water brought from the
well, and the fire extinguished Immediately,
as it was hardly perceivable at that time
but from debility or some other cause, the
men were very slow in executing my orders
the word fire appeared to throw the whole
ct them into confusion and by the time
they rad got the water and broken open
the door, the fire had unfortunately commu
nica,ed TO q quantity of whiskey (the stock
having licked several holes through the low
or part of the building, after the salt that
was stored there, through which they had
introduced the fire without being discovered
rs the night was very dark } and in spite
less than moment it assembled TO the roof
ant. batIied every effort we could make to
eXtinguIsh 1t. AS that block house adioineti
the barracks that make part of the fortif-
cations, most OF the men Immediately gave
themselves mp for lost, and | had the great
est difficulty III getting any a M orders ex-
ecute d--and, Sir, what from the raging of
the fire--the yelling and howiing Of several
hundred lndians-the cries Of women and
children Ga part soldiers 6 part citizens
wives, who had taken shelter in the FORTH
and the responding # so many of the men,
which was worse than ALL can assure
you that my feelings were very unpleasant
and indeed there were not more than 10
or Is men able TO do a grea. deal, the others
being either sick or convalescent-and to
add to our other misfnrtunes, two Of the
stouteSt nen in the Fort, and that had C.
very confidence in, jumped the picket, and
lett us. bnt my presence Of mind did not
tor moment iorsake me. saw, by throw
ing Oft part OF the roofthat joined the block
house tiiat was IN fire, and keeping the end
perfectly wet, the whole. row of buildings
might be saved, and leave only an entrance
OF is ~ 20 feet for the Indians 20 enter af-
ter the house was consumed and that
temporary breast work might be erected to
prevent their even entering ,heie--I con-
vinced the men that this could be accom-
pIished and 1t appeared to inspire them
with new life, and never did men act with
more hrmness or desperation. Those that
were able (while the others kept up q con
slant hIe from the other block house * the
two basticns) mounted the roofs of the nous
es, with DIR. Clark at their head (who act
ed with the greatest firmness and presence
of mind the whole time the attack lasted,
which was hours, )under a shower of bull
% tha. 81, -.CY
as much of the roof as was necessary.
This was done with the loss of one
man and TWO wounded, and am in hopes
neither OF them dangcrous-the nan that
was killed was little deranged, and did
uot get off the house as soon as directed
OF he would not have been hurt~-and al
though the barracks were several times in
d blaze, and an immense quantity of fire
against them, the men used such exertions
that they kept it under, and before day raj |
SGD temporary breast work as high as |
mans head, although the Indians continued |
to pour in heavy iire of ball and an innn-
merabie quantity of arrows during the
whole time the attack lasted, in every part |
OF the parade. | had but one other man |
Killed, nor any other wounded inside the |
Fort, and he lost his life by being too anx
Ious--he got into one Of the enkieS in the !
bastions, and fired over the pickets, and |
called out to his comrades that he had kill
led an Indian, and neglectibg to stoop down
in all instant he was shot dead. One of
the men that jumped the pickets, return
ed ap hour before day, and running up to
wards the safe, logged for Gods sake for it !
TO be opened. suspected it to be stra
tagem OF the Indians to get in, as | did not
reCullect the voce-I directed the men in
she bastion, where happened to be-, to |
shoot Min let him be who he would, and
one of them fred at him, but fortunately
he ran Zip to the other bastion, where they |
knew his voice, and Dir. Clark directed him |
to lie down close to the pickets behind an |
empty barrel that happened to be there, & |
at day light / had him let In. His arm
was broke in most shocking manner |
which he says was done by the Indians
which suppose was the Cause Of his re |
think It probable that he will |
not recover. The other, they Caught about |
100 yards from the garrison, and cut him
all to pieces. After keeping up constanl |
fire until about six O'clock the next morn |
ing, which we began to return with some !
effect after day hight, they removed out of
the reach Of our guns. 4 party of them
drove up tic horses that belonged to the |
citizens here, and as they could not catch |
them very readily, shot the whole Of them |
in our Sight, as well as a number OF their
hogs. They drove oEthe whole OF the cat
tie which amounted 20 65 head, as we'll as
the public oxen. had the vacancy filed |
up before night, (Which was made by the |
burning Of the Block house) with strong
row oil Pickcts which | got by pulling down
the guard house. We lost the whole OF