Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-01-24

msnt, as no doubt the commander ia CHE
has long since transmitted TO the govcfn
ment minute aud extensive report OF til
same. Bot as soldiers, whose compensa
ton for the discharge of every service
whether exposed to fatigue or hazard o
personal safety, is the public acknowledge
ment of their good conduct, on noticing
the various paragraphs contained 10 news
papers published here and in the neighbour
ing tswns, we feel constrained by considc
rstlons of duty to ourselves and to ou
country, to correct the many errors con
tanned in those publications, and by fai
narrative endeayor to do away or proven
any unfair impressions, which have bee
or might hereafter be induced on the pub
lie sentiment. However unexpected ma
have been the attack, at the particular mo-
ment when it took place, the regular troop
formed without the slightest confusion
with as much promptness and order as on
dress parade for nearly month previou
they had never lain themselves down in thei
tents but with their cartridge boxes on, An
bayonets fixed, and their muskets loade,
in their hands, nor was there through tn
ranks a solitary instance of dereliction o
duty Witnessed, and it is impossible to ina
gine whence sprapg the conception, tina
+" dismay and confusion" for moment pre-
vailed, we assert it was not with US, and th
GOODNESS and intrepidity displayed through
out, by the commander in chief, evince,
that such feelings never assailed his breas,
The regular troops who were in the engage
ment, consisting of the 4th regiment, a few
of captain Posey's company and some of tn
late captain Whitney's rifle company, dix
not amount to more than three hundred
men, many having been left sick in hospi
tails, or in garrisons, on the way from Pitts
burgh to the Prophets town, with but sin
gle commissioned officer to q company, il
many instances in no one more than two
to the several companies composing the mi
litia, full complement of officers was at
tached, hence it will readily appear, tina
admitting equal exposure, the numerical
loss OF militia officers, would be NATURAL,
the greatest we would net willingly taxi
from the merited applause of any brave in
dlvidual, but We cannot refrain to express
our belief that the dassardly conduct Of som,
whole militia companies led to exposure
and consequent loss OF the life of some o
the militia officers, whose men, desertin,
the lines were seen behind trees and unde
Wagons, where many were actually killed
for in situation like that of the bat,l,
ground, there was no place of real safety
and he who might fancy himself in the mos
secure position was as likely to be disturbe.
by the balls of the enemy as though he wer
In the active performance of his duty.
We hesitate not to assert, that the regu
lars sustained the principal share in the en-
gagement-shey were, by companies, or
dered to different points, to support wher
the attack was most violent, or where tn
line became broken by the abandonment O
the militia.-They were supported by tn
gallant Kentuckians, the brave Spencer
company, and some others. But their owl
efficiency in the action, taking into viev
the actual firing for the time, to say nothing
of the charges made on the enemy, is ius,l
considered as two to one-and it is but Jus
tice to the officers and men who were wound
ed, to say, that we have no conception @
more determined bravery having been dis
played on any occasion. The officers boun,
up their wounds, and remained at thei
posts during the action privates refuse,
to be carried off the field whilst they coul
stand they continued bravely to fight, al
though in some instances they were NOR
tally wounded.
With much consideration and respec,
sir, We have the honor to be, your humbl
servants,
(Signed) JNO. P. BOYD.
Col. 4th regt. Infantry, actin
Is. G.. in the action.
(SignsdD G.. w. PRESCOTT.
Senior Capt. Sd regs. infantry