Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-01-03
Whole No. 657.

cute the order with smaller force lnan was
sufficient, which enabled the enemy to avoid
him in 'front.' and attack his TANKS. Tie Ma
jor was MORALLY wounded and his party driv-
en- back. The Indians were however imme-
diately and calamity dislodged from their
advantageous position, by captain Smelling at
the head of his company. In the course of
few minutes after the commencement Of the
attack, the fire extended along the left flank,
the whole of the front, the right flank, and
part of the rear line. Upon Spencer's mount
ed ritiemen, and the right of Warwick's COM
pany, which was posted on the right of the
rear line, it was excessively severe captain
Spencer aud his first and second licutenants
were killed and captain Warwick was NOR
tally wounded--those companies however still
bravely maintained their posts, but Spencer
had suffered so severely and having original
ly too much ground to occupy | reinforced
| them with Robb's company OF riicmen, which
had been driven, or by mistake ordered from
their position on the left flank towards the
centre OF the camp, and filed the vacancy
that had been occupied by Robb with Pres
colts company of the Eth u. s. re.inent--~
My great object was to keep the lines entire.
| to prevent the enemy from breaking into the
camp until day light, which should enable mo
| to'make general and cifectual charge. With
| this view mad reinforced every part of the
| line that had suffered much and soon rs
the approach Of morning discovered itself.
| withdrew from the front line Snellings, Po-
sey's under lieut. Albrght) and SCOTS, and
from the rear line, Wilson's companies, and
drew them up upon the left TANKS, and at the
same time ordered Cooks and Baen's com,
panies, the former from the rear and the lat
! ter from the front line, to reinforce the right
/ 40 nh f,ra ;r.n that on 1,
enemy would make their last efforts Major
Wells, who commanded on the left flank,
not knowing my intentions precisely, had ta-
| ken the command of these companies, had
| charged the enemy before | had formed the
body of Dragons with which meant to sup
port the Infantry; small detachment ofthese
were however ready and proved amply suffi-
cient for the purpose. The Indians were
driven by the infantry at the point Of the
bayonet, and the dragons pursued and forced
them into a marsh, where they could not be
followed. Captain Cook and lieut.. Larebes
had, agreeably to my order, marched their
companies to the right flank, had formed
them under the fire Of the enemy and being
then joined by the riflemcn of that flank, had
charged the Indians, killed number, and
put the rest to a preciptate flight. A favora-
bic opportunity was here offered to pursue
the enemy with Dragons, but being engag-
ed at that time on the other flank, did not
observe it until it was too late.
have thus sir, given you the particulars
of an action which was certainly maintained
with the greatest obstinacy and perseverance
| by both parties The Indians manifested
| ferocIty uncommon even with them-to their
| savage fury our troops opposed that cool and
| deliberate valor which is characteristic OF the
christian soldier.
TIE most pleasing part Of my duty, (that
of naming to you the corps and individuals
who particularly distinguished themselves) is
yet to be performed There is, however, con-
siderable difficulty in it-wherc merit was SO
common it is almost impossible to discrimi-
nate.
The whole Of the infantry formed small
brigade under the immediate orders of Col.
Boyd. The Colonel throughout the action
manifested equal zeal and bravery in carrying
into execution my orders, in keeping the men
to their posts and exhorting them to fight with
valor. His brigade, maj Clark, and his aid
de camp George Croghan, esq were also We
ry servieeably employed. Col Joseph Bar
tholomew, very valuable officer, command
ed under col Boyd the militia infantry; no
was wounded early in the action, and his SER
vices lost to me. Maj G. II. G. Floyd. the
senior OF the Fth ". o regiment, commanded
Immediately the battalion of that regiment,
which was in the front line; his conduct dur
ing the action was entirely to my satisfaction.
Lieut. col Decker, who commanded the bat
talon Of militia on the right of the line pre-
served his command in good order; he was
however but partially attacked. Ihave before
mentioned to you that maj gen. Wells, Of
the 4th division of Kentucky militia, acted
under my command as major at the head Of
two companies Of mounted volunteers; the
General maintained the fame which he had
already acquired in almost every campaign
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