Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-03-05

Col. Lewis represented to Col Wells the
necessity of terrifying his camp, but this
he totally neglected, aud on the evening
Of the 21st left the river Raisin and re-
turned to the Rapids, whether with or
without leave of Gen. Winchester is not
known.
A short time before daylight on the
morning of the 22d, the enemy placed
large bodies of Indians 10 the houses on
the opposite side of the river in the rear
of our troops, and as soon as day appear
ed commenced brisk canonade from six
pieces of artillery and howitzer, and
advanced with fixed bayon cts to within
so yards of the stockade, when our men
opened upon them so tremendous and
destructive fire, that compelled them
TO retreat. The enemy then made an at
tack on Col. Wells detachment, which
Immediately gave way, crossed the river,
and were pursued by the Indians who
had been posted in the houses for the
purpose of cutting off the retreat CT our
men should they break and attempt To
escape. Ga the first appe arance of dis
order in this detachment, Col. Lewis
left the lntrenebment, in hopes of rally
ing and bringing them within the pick.
cts, but all his efforts proved aboftive.
and he could not afterwards succeed ia
getting back to his command. General
Winchester had slept 10 house about
half mile from the encampmenr, was
up with the detachment previous TO its
retreat, but could not rally it when il be.
gan 20 break, and was taken Prisoner
or miles from where the retreat COM
menced, together with his aid and Col.
Lewis, and about 20 men. The piinci.
pal loss in killed was of this detachment,
amongs. whom was Col. Allen, who had
remained with it the night before.
In the absence of Colonels Lewis and
Allen, the command Of those within tho
picke,s devolved upon Major Madison
and Major Garrard, who bravely repelled
two other attempts Of the enemy TO
charge. A great number of British re-
gulars and Canadian militia were killed
in these unsuccessful attempts to drive
our men from the Entertainments as our
men reserved their fire until the enemy
approached within so yards. Our loss
within the picke,s was seven men killed
and between 90 and so wounded.
About II o'clock, Gen. Winchester
sud his aid, and Col. Lewis having been
brought to the rear ofthe enemy's camP,
and seeing their superior force (Which
was at the beginning of the action nearly
one thousand regulars aud militia, and
greater number of Indians) thought it
useless for our troops TO continue the
fight any longer. A flag was hoisted by
the British, and an officer accompanied
by Gen. Winchesser's abide camp, came
forward and demanded a surrender, pro-
mising protection TO all who were within
the pickets, and pledged the faith of the
British governments that the wounded
should be carefully removed TO Maiden,
out of reach Of savage barbarity. Under
these promises the troops surrendered.
The result proves that confidence ought
not be placed 10 the promises of Col.
Proctor, as the wounded were left un-
protected, and the savages entered the
houses next morning and inhumanly to-
mahawked between 80 and 40, out OF 80
who were wounded in the two actions
Mr.. Dudley, of Frankfort, (Ken. } who
is now in town, was one Of the wounded;
his life was miraculously saved by an In
dian, who possessed more humanity
than the British Colonel Proctor he
was obliged to march to Detroit, dis
lance of SO miles, barefootcd.
1t is difficult to ascertain with any de.
gree of correctness, the loss of the Bril-
fish and their allies. ltis Acknowledged
by themselves to have been very great.
Our men state that so British regulars
and 80 Canadian militia were killed, and
the Indians must have sustained severe
loss. Iris generally believed that our
loss in killed, including those WHO were
inhumariy massacred at the river Rsisin
does not exceed $50.