Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-10-02

opposition TO the wishes and opinions on all
the officers, was adopted by the general
The plan Of attacking Maiden was abandoned,
and instead of acting extensively, we broke
up our camp, evacuated Canada, and re-cross-
ed the river in the night, without even the
shadow of an enemy to injuge us. We lett
to the tender mercy Of the enemy the misera-
BILE Canadians who had joined Us, aud the
protection we afforded them was but a pass
port to vengeance. This fatal and unaccount-
able step dispirited the troops, and destroyed
the little confidence which a series OF tInid
irresolute and indecisive measures had left in
the commanding officer.
About the tenth of August, the enemy re-
ceived a reinforcement of four hundred men.
On the leth, the commanding officers OF the
three regiments (the fourth was absent) were
informed through a medium which admitted
of no doubt, that the general had stated, that
a eapitulation would be necessary. They on
the same day addressed to gov. Meigs of Ohio,
a letter, of which tie following is an extract
g Believe all the bearer will tell you. Be
lieve it, however it may astonish you, as much
as if told you by one of us. Even a @
is talked Of by the The bearer
will fill the vacancy"
The doubtful fate Of this letter rendered it
necessary to use circumspection in its details,
and therefore these blanks were left. The
word 'capitulation' will fill the first, and com
manding general the other. As no enemy
was near US, and as the superiority of our
force was manifest, we could see no necessity
for captivating, nor any propriety, in allud-
ing to it. We therefore determined in the
last resort to incur the responsibility of di-
vesting the general of his command. This
plan was eventually prevented by two of the
commanding officers of regiments being or
dered upon attachments.
On the 18th, the British took a position op-
posite to Detroit, and began to throw up works.
During that and the two following DAYS, they
pursued their object without interruption, and
established a battery for two Is Founders and
an 8 inch howitzer. About sunset on the
evening of the 18th, a detachment of $50
men from the regiments commanded by col.
hArthur and myself, was ordered to march
to the river Raisin, to escort the provisions,
which had some time remained there protect
ed by a party under the command of capt.
Brush.
On Saturday the 18th, about one o'clock. a
flag of truce arrived from Sandwich, bearing
a summon from gen. Brock. for the slrren.
der Of the town and fort of Detroit, stating.
he could no longer restrain the fury of the sa-
wages. To this an immediate and spirited re-
fusal was returned. About 4 o'clock their
batteries began to play upon the town. The
fire was returned and continued without in
terruption and with little effect till dark
Their shells were thrown till eleven o'clock.
Al day light, the firing on both sides re-
commenced about the same time the enemy
began ia land troops at the ~Springwells, three
miles below Detroit, protected by two of their
armed vessels. Between 6 and z O'Clock, thew
had effected their landing, and Immediately
took up their line of march. They moved in
a close column of p~latoons, twelve in front,
upon the bank of the river.
Nne fourth regiment was stationed in the
fort the Ohio volunteers and a part of the
Michigan militia, behind some pickets, in a
situation in which the whole flank of the enc
my would have been exposed. The residue
of the Michigan militia were in the upper
part of the town to resist the incursions of the
savsges. Two "a Founders loaded with grape
shot, were posted upon a commanding emf
hence, ready to sweep the advancing column.
In this situation, the superiority of our posi-
ton was apparent, and our troops, in the ca
ger expectation of victory, awaited the ap-
proach of the enemy. Not a sigh of discon-
tent broke upon the ear not a look of cow
ardics met the eye. Every man expected a
proud day for his country, and each was
anxious that his individual e~xertion should
contribute to the general result.
When the head of their column arrived
within about five hundred yards of our line,
orders were received from general Hull for
the whole to retreat to the fort. and for the
Q. Founders not to open upon the enemy
One universal burst of indignation was appa-
rent upon the receipt of this order. Those,
whose conviction was the deliberate result of
q dispassionate examination Of passing events,
saw the Jolly ana Improperly OF crowdlng
100 men into a little work, which 800 could
fully man, and into which the shot and shells