The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-10-15
gave themselves up for lost, end I had he

the tre--ihc yelling aud bowling of several
hundred Indsns--,bc cries of women and
children Ca part soldiers and part citizens
wives, who had taken shelter in the Fotl)--
and the desponding Of SO macy Of the men,
which was worse than ALL can assure you
that my feelings were very unplessant---and
indeed there were not more than 10 or 5
men able TO do great deal, the others being
either sick or convalescent--and TO add TO ous
other misfortunes, Two OF the sioutest men in
tue Fort, aud that had every confidence i'm,
jumped the picket, aud left us. But ny
presence of mina did not for "A moment for
sake me. | saw, by throwing of part Of the
roof tina, joined the block house that was on
hre, and keeping the end perfectly wet, The
whole row oi buildings might be saved, and
leave only an cntrance oil 8 % 20 fcel tor the
Indians 20 enter after the house wss consumed;
and that temporary breastwotk nigh, be er-
ected to preveni their even entering there
convinced the men that this could be ac-
complshed and it appeared 10 inspire them
with new life, and never did men act with
more irmncss or desperation. Those that
were able (while the ethe's kept up a constant
FIRE from the other block house and the two
bastions) mounted the roofs of the houses,
the greatest frmness and presence Of mind
the wnole time the attack lasted, which was
hours,) under shower If bullets, and in less
than a moment threw off as much Of the roof
as was necessary. This was done only with
the loss of one man and two wounded, and
am in hopes neither of them dangerous-the
man that was Killed was lutle dcranged, and
did not get of the house as soon as directed,
or he would not have been hurt--and although
the barracks were several times i'm blaze,
and SD immense quantity Of fire against them,
the men used such exerlion tha. they kept il
under, and before day raised a temporary
breasi work ss high as mans head, although
the Indians continued TO pour in heavy Gre
Of balls and an inumerablc quantity Of arrows
during the whole time the attack lasted, in
every part OF the parade.--I had bur one man
killed, nor any other wounded inside the fort,
and he lost his life by being 100 anxious--he
got into one OF the gailies in the bastions, and
fired over the picket and called out 10 his COM
rades that he had killed an indian, and neglect
ing TO stoop down in Instant be WAS shot
dead. One of the men that jumped the pick
cts, returned an hour before day light, and
running up towards the gate, beggcdfor Gods
sake for il to be opened. suspected il to be
a stra,agem of the indians to get in, as did
not recoilcct his voice. directed the men in
the bastion, where happened to be, TO shoot
him let him be who he would, aud one of
them fred at him, but fortunately he ran up
to the other bas,ion, where they knew his
voice, and DE- Clark directed him to lie down
close to the pickets behind ar empty barrel
tha; happened to be there, and at day light l
had him let in. His arms was broke in a
mos, shocking manner which he says was
done by the Indians-which suppose was the
cause Of his re,urning-l tbinkit probable that
be will not recover. The other they caughta-
bou, 100 Yards from the garrison, and cut him
all 10 pieces. After keeping up constant fire
until about six o'clock the next morning,
which We began to return with some effect
after day light. they removed out ofthe reach
Of our guns. A parity of them drove up the
horses that belonged 10 the citizens here, and
as they could catch them very readily, shot
the whole oil them in our sight, as we'll as
number Of their hogs. They drove of the
whole of,he ca,tcl which amounted TO 65 head,
as well as the public oxen. had the vacancy
filled before night, (Which was made by the
burning Of the block house) with strong row
of pickets, which got by pulling down the
guard house. We lost the whole OF our pro-
visions, but must make out to live upon green
corn until we can get supply, which am in
hopes will not be long. believe the whole
of The Miamies or Weas we're among the
Prophets party, as one chief gave his orders
in that language which rese mbed Sonc Eaters
voice, and believe Negro Legs was there
likewise--A Frenchman here understands
their different languages, and several OF the
Miamics or Weas, that have been frequently
here were recognized by the Frenchman and
soldiers next morning. The Indians suffered
smartly, but we're so numerous as to take of
all we shot. They continued with us until
the next morning, but made no further at
tempt on the fort, nor have we seen any thing
more of them since. have delayed informing
you of my si,Iation, as did not like to weak