Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-08-09


iomahawk, the scalping knie, and by trca
cheroas murder, SO many of the brave, ea-
lightened and patriotic Kentuc k,ans.
The capture of detachment VI militia
at the siege of Fort Meigs. was. from ali
the statements have seen on the subject.
attributable solely to the rashness aud insub-
ordination of the brave, but unfca tunate, of
icers & men Composing the detachment
Had they obeyed the orders OF Their gal
liant General, thev would have been secure
The surrender of Colonts Boerstier's re
giment near Fort George must, from the
number of our forces at that place evidenti,
have been the result of some misconduct.
To what officer the blame is imputable. re-
mains tn be enquited into. 49,
These are all the reverscs, of any mo-
ment, which our armies have experienced 4;
and from n view Of them. / think it must
appear perfectly manifest to every impartial
& unprejudced mind, that they have been
accustomed by circumstances which it was
morally and physically impossible for the go
vernment to controul. That they, perhaps
with one or two exceptions, have resulted.
from that want of familiarity with the mi
litary art, which was to have been expected
from thirty years of peace; and that. when
they are contrasted with our numerous and
splendid victories. they should afford no
cause Of encouragement For. If the enemy
has occasionally gained advantages from the
imperfect discipline of some o; our corps ;
we too have an ample source of pride and
exultation, in the long list of our achieve
mcnts.
Our naval triumphs have astonished
an admiring world-vic,hry, with a
single accidental exception, has never
deserted our Rag-we have seen again and
again the British Lion covering beneath the
American Eagle and the names of HULL,
DECATUR, JoNEs, BA1NBRrBGE, and
LAWRENCE will live forever! They have
established for themselves and their coun>
try, imperishable renown fame more du
rable than brass -.
On land also we can recount our success
ses. The decisive victories we have gain
ed in the battles at Fort George, at Sacket's
Harbour, at York, memorable for the hero
ism of the immortal Pike-at Fort Meigs,
& at Crany Island, furnish indisputable testi
mony of the superiority OF our troops. Il
several Of these battles, as well as i'm some
not mentioned, particularly in the glorious
opposition TO superior numbers at Hampton,
the undaun.ed and unSonquerable bravery
displayed by our forces, both militia and re-
gnlars, and their incredible slaughter OF the
enemy, would almost challenge history for
Notwithstanding has ever occurred that
surpassed the intrepid conduct of our sea-
men and militia at Crahy Island; and the
conduct of the militia was not less brave
and meritorious at HAMPTON A name At
which pygiaian feels more than is with
IN the power of utterancs, and which alone
should be sufficient TO nerve the arm cf the
irresolute, against the brutal assassins of fe-
male innocence anG honor But will
turn away from subject which fills the
mind with so much adherence
Under just providence, doubt not. fell
low citizens, but the issue OF the war in
which we are engaged, is in our own hands.
If vo arc faithful 10 ourselves and the
republic, our efforts will conduct US to the re-
clama tien Of our rights, and thrust 20 stee-
dy, but certainly to AN honorable peaoe.
With the highest respect. am your
friend and servant,
TH0'S GHoLSON.
Washington, .fpg. I'd, 1918.