The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-16

ing of's<ne 7th ,at. neal the PROPHETS tow
may not be expected from us at this III,
ment as no doubt the commander in chic.
has long since transmitted to the govern
ment minute and extensive report of the
same. But as soldiers, whose compensation
for the discharge of every service, whethe,
exposed to fatigue or hazard of personal
safety, is the public acknowledgement Of
their good conduct, on noticing the various
paragraphs contained in newspapers pub
lished here and in the neiShboring towns,
we feel constrained by considerations vi dI-
ty to ourselves and to our country, to Cor
rect the many errors contained in those pub
locations. and BY fair narrative cndeavcr
to do away or prevent amy unfair Impress
ions, which have been OF might hereafter &c
induced OH the public sentiment. However
unexpected may have been the attack, al
the particular moment when il took place,
The regular troops formed without the slight
est confusion, with as much promptBess x
order as on a dress parade for nearly a
month previous they had never lain Them
selves down in their tents, but with their
cartridge boxes on, and bayopets hXed, x
their muskets loaded in their hands, MOI.
was there through the ranks a solitary IN
stance Of derelction of duty Witnessed, and
1t is impossible for us to irnagme whence
sprang the concertion, that Iiismay and
oonf1sion " Tor moment prevailed: we as
sert it was not with us, and the GOODNESS s
intrepidity displayed throughout, by the
commander in chief, evinced that such feel
iags never assailed his breast.-The regu-
lar troops who were in the engagement,
consisting of the 4th regiment infantry a
few Of captain PoSey's company and some
Of the late captain Whitney's rifle compa-
ny. Gid not amnnnf to mare rh IN three hun
dred men, many having been left sick II,
hospitals, or in garrisons, on the way from
Pittsburgh to the Prophets town with but
a single com missioned officer to 4 company,
in many instances /; in no one more thantwo.
to the several companies Composing the
III tia, full complement of officers was
attached, hence it will readily appear that
admitting equal eXposnre, the numericat
loss ct militia officers, would be naturally
the greatest we would not Willingly take
from the merited applause Of any brave in
dividuai, but we cannot refrain to express
our belief that the dastard.y Conduct of
some whole militia Companies led 10 expo
sure, and consequent loss of the iiie of some
OF the militia officers whose men, deserving
the lines, were seen behind trees and under
Wagons, where many were actually killed,
for ~ d situation like that of the battle
ground, there was no place of real safety !;
and he who might fancy himself in the
most secure position was as likely to be
disturbed by the balls of the enemy as
Though he were in the active performance
OF his duty.
We hesitate not to assert, that the regu-
lars sustained the principal share In the en-,
gagement-they were, by companies, or
deied to different points, to support where
the attack was most violent, or where the
lines became broken bv the abandonment of
the militia.-Ihey were supported bv the
gallant Kentuckians, the brave Spencer's
company, and some others. But Their own
efficiency in the action, taking into view
the active firing for the time, TO say noting
OF the charges made ON the enemy, Is Justly
considered as two to one-and 1t is but las
tice to the officers and men who were
wounded, to say that we have no conception
of more determined bravery having been
displayed on any occasion. The ciriccrs
bound up their wounds, and remained If
their posts during the action privates re-
fused to be carried of the field whist they
could stand they continued bravery to fight
although in some instances they were NOR
tally wounded.
With much consideration and respect, sir,
We have the honor 10 be, your humble ser
want,
(Signed) JNO p. BOYD,
Col. 4th regt. inFancrc, acting
B. G.. in the action.
tSigned) G. w. PRESS OFT,
Senior Capt Sd regt. infantry
nt