Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1813-12-04

DOWN ABOUT q mueS anu cdute 10 loT tnS
night. Early the next morning, every
thing was in readiness for motion; but
having received no intelligence from
Gen. Brown, was still delayed as
sound caution prescribed should learn
the result OF his affair, before com
mitted the fotilla TO the Saul. At
half past ten O'Clock, A. nj. an officer
Of Dragons arrived with letter, in
which the Gen. informed me he had
forced the enemy, and would reach the
foot of the Saul early in tho day. Or
ders were immediately given for the
tlot;ila TO sail, 1T which instant the e.
nemy's gan-hoats appeared, and began
to throw shot among US. Information
was brought at the same time, from
Brig. Gen. Boyd, that the enemy's
troops were advancing in column. i'm
mediaiely sent orders 70 him 10 attack
them; this report was soon contradicted
Their Sun-boats, continued to scratch
us. and q variety Of reports Of their
movements and counter movements.
were brought ia, me in succession
which convinced me OF iheirdetermina-
ton TO hazard an attack, when il could
be done 10 the greatest advantage, and
therefore i resolved TO anticipate them.
Directions were accordingly sent hv@
that distinguished officer, Col Swift Of
the engineers, to Brig. Gen. Boydjta
threw the detachmsnts Of his com
Inand, assigned TO him IN the order Of
the preceding day, and composed OF
men OF his own. Covington's & Swart-
wout's briSades, into columns. TO
| march upon the enemy, out-aank then,
II possible. and take their artillery
The action soon after commenced With
the advanced body Of the enemy, and
became extremely sharp and Calling.
and, with occasional pauses, not sus-
tanned with great vivacity, in omen
and fair combat, for upwards OF two Ss
| and half hours-thc adverse lines al
iernateiy yielding and advancing. 1t
is smpessible to say with accuracy
Hirat Eas our number on the fiel,l-be-
cause it consisted of indefinite detaeh-
nients taken from the boats to render
safe the passage of the Saul. Gems.
Csvinston AID Swartwout Voluntarily
teON part in The action, at the head of
detaehments from their respective hr;-
gades. and exhibited the same coursee
that was displayed by Brig. Gen. BOYD
"ho happane& 10 be the senior officer ON
the ground. Our force engaged might
have reached sixteen or seventeen hum
dred, but actually did mt exceed eish-
teen hundred that of the enemy was
estimated from twelve hundred to two
thousand, but did not probably amount
10 more than Fifteen or sixteen hundred
consisting rs I aEa informed Of de-
taehments frnm the 18th, 30tll aad 10th
regiments CT the line /; with three com.
panies OF goitiseur asaGlenSary corps
''ua Inc militia OF ti's country, who are
not included in the estimate.
1t would be presumptuaus in me to
attempt to give yos detailed account
OF TINS affair, which certainly reflects
nigh honor on the yaIor Of the Amer;-
can soldiers. as w examples cnn be
produced Of undiscipIinea men, with
inexperienced officers, Drawing a fra
Of two hours and a half. witbont
quitting the feid or yielding TO their
antagonists. But, sir. the Information
4 now give yee, is derived fror, eM-
GERS OF my confidence, who took
P"''o III tH<s conillct for
though was enabled to order the at
taeH, 1T was my hard fortune not 10
ne able to, lead the troops command
ed.-iii he disease with which / was
assailedon the Cd Of September. OH nv
Journey to fert George having with =
Re" snort Intervals OF cehyaIescenee.
Preyea en- me ever since, and at tic
moment at this action, was confined
To my bed and emacistcd almost to
skeleton, unable TO set GA my horse or
tn move ten PAGES without assistance.
must, however, be pardoncd fur
fresspassiDg on your time, few re-
marSs IN relation 10 the affair. The
objects OF the British and American
commanders were precisely opposed
the last being bosnd by the Instructions
OF his government aud the most
solemn obligations of duty, to preeipi-
tate jsis descent Of the st. Lawrence Ly
every practicable means because, this
beng effected, one of the greatest
aithculties opposed TO the American
arms would ne surmounted and the
hrst, by dnttes equally iwperioss, to
retard and If possible, prevent sneh
descent. Heis to be accounted v,ctori-
Gus who eseeted his purpose TIL.
British commander, hayiag failed to
gain either Of his objects, can Law ma
claim to the honors of ihe day. The
battle Euetuated aud tT:umpi, scanned