Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-06


Dor. Cen Armstrong passenger in the Steam
Boat as far as Red Hook.
Com Chauncey. with his feet. having brought over
gen. Harrisons army, WILL is said lay up his vessels
tor the winter, at Sackett's Harbor
albany .frgus, Ext,a.
Scturday Morning November o.
OFFICIAL CORRESP q VDENlE
FROM GENERAL WILKINSON TO THE SECRETARY
OF WAR.
Head Quarters, French Mills adjoining the provnce
SIR, ~ -''''
beg leave to refer you to the journal which accom-
panes this letter for the particulars of the
the corps under my command, down the ST. Lawrence ;,
and will endeavor my enfeebed mind to detail
toyou the more striking and important incidents which
nave ensued my departure from Grenader Island mr.
the foot OF Lake Ontario, on the Sd inst -.
The corps OF the enemy from Kingston which follow
Gu me- hunS TO my rear, and in with heavy
Sahey ana rev gun boats, seemed determined to re-
ward my progress. was tempted to halt turn abon,
and put an end to his teazng, but alas was coined
70 my oed major gen. Lewis too i'll for any active
exeruon and above all, did dare to suffer nvsejf
to be diverted single day from the prosecution of the
views OF governments. had written mai general Hamn
ton on the 9th inst by his ajutant general colonel King
ana mad ordered him to form junction with me on the
ot Lawrence, which expected would take nlace m
the 9Th or 10TH 1t would have been unpardonable had
ost sght OF TINS object deemed it of vi,
Tai Importance to the issue of the campaign.
The enemy deserves great credit for their zeal and
intelligence which the active universal hostility of the
male inhabitants othe country enabled them to EMPLOY
n hv
respectable force in rear, the coast was lined nv m.
quetry in front, every critical pass of the river which
oohged me to march detachment and this imneded
my progress. >N
On the evening of the 9th inst the army hailed f
miles from the head of the Tongue Saut In the morn
ing OF the 10th the inclosed order Issued General
brown marched agreeable to order and ahon. noon
we were apprsed by the report of his ARTILLERY that he
was engaged some distance below u.s. At the same
une 'he enemy were observed in our FEAR, and their
galley and gun boats approached our hotila and omen,
cd hre upon us, which obliged me to order batterv
OF 10 Founders to be planted, and shot from il comoe
lea the vessels OF the enemy retire together with their
troops aiter some hiring between the advanced parties
But by this time IN consequence of dsembarkinp and
emoarans the heavy guns, the day so far spent
ma. our PnolS aa not dare enter the Sau (eght miles
continued road and therefore we fell down about
miles and came too for the night. Early tn ne xt MORN
Ing every thing was in readiness for motion bur having
received no nellsence from gen Brown. was still de-
iayed as sound caution prescribed shouJ learn ,he
result OF this affair." before committed the o,lIa to the
Saul. va ~ o''e
AT half past 10 o'clock, A. NJ. an officer of dragon,
arrived with letter, in which the gen. informed me he
ad forced me enemy and wesld reach the foot of the
pau. carry IN Tie day Orders Immediately given
"r te notia 10 SAN az which instant the enemy gun
oalS appeared ana began to throw sst among u.s. In.
formation was brought at the same time from Brig
HSo. poyo mat the enemy's troops advancing in
COLUMNS, l Immediately sent orders to him to attack
tieIh tiis report was soon contradicted Their on
boats however continued to scratch us and varie1 f
ePo,s 'heir movements and counter movements were
oIouSt 10 me IN succession; which convinced me of
their determination to hazard attack when II conld
DC done to the greatest advantage--ahd
solved to anticipate them. Directions were according
sent oy mat distinguished officer col Swift of the en-
gineers 10 Brig Gen. Boyd, throw the detacbmens
OF MS command, assigned him in the order of the
preceding DAY, and composed of men of his own Gov
ihe.ons ana owa'twouts brgades, into three columns
marCh upon the enemy, out flank them if possible and
take their artillery. The action soon commenced with
the advanced body of the enemy and became
saa anu gaming ana with occasional pauses was sus
.aea WIN great vvaciy, in open space and fair COM
bat, for upwards of and half hours the adverse
ilnes alternately yielding and advancing Ii is imnoss
Ga Say WIN accuracy what was our number the
neio because consisted Of indefinite detachments
ken from the boats render safe the passaee Of th
Saul. F"6S VI TIC
Generals Covington and Swartwout voluntarily took
part IN the action at the head Entertainments from their
respective brigades, and exhibited the same COURAGE
that was displayed by brig gen. Boyd who happened r.
S le oenoi oeer on the ground Our force engaged
msht nave reached sixteen seventeen hundred men
OUT actually aio not exceed eighteen hundred-that of
the enemy was estimated from twelve hundred IN o
.ouoau oue uiq not probably amount to than IF
yen OF sixteen Notwithstanding, as am informed
OF attachments from the DOTH 84h and IO4th
tthe hne with three companies of the voltipeur and
Glengary corps and the militia of the country ,uhn a
not included in the estimate.
IL woud be presumptuous in me 70 attempt to give
uetaeu account OF this affair, which certainly re-
neClS hsh honor on the vaor of the American soldier
mo example can be produced of undscipIined men
with inexperienced officers Drawing fire OF two hours
ana nall without quitting the field or welding TO their
ah,ason'sts but, Sir. the information now give YOU
ueiVeu rom officers OF my confidence, who took ac
i've parish the conflict; for though was enabled to
order the attack, it my hard fortune not to be able
20 lead the troops commanded. The disease with |
was assaiied on the 2nd of Sept my journey
20 Fort George, having, with few short intervals Of
convaescence preyed on SINCE and at the mo-
ent OF ms action was confined to my bed and erna2
oa.eo almost TO skeleton, unable sit On my horse
or 70 move ten PAGES without assistance
must, however, be pardoned for trespassng on your
time iew remarks in relation the affair The sheets
of the British and American commanders vsr ;;
opposed the last being bound by instructions Of his
sOverhent and the most solemn obligations of DUTY to
ms uscent OF the st Lawrence by every practicable
because, this being effected, the greatest diff.
ncues opposed TO the American would be sufmoun.
sea ana the hrst by duties equally imperious to retar