The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-03-05
BATTLE OF MIAMI.
PARIS, (kcn.) Fl

Arrived in this place on Thursday last,
captain II. Matson, who left the river Raj
sin on the 22d January. He has politely
favored us with the following Information
relative 10 the battle and defeat Of our ar
my en- that day.
Capt. Matson was in the engagement OF
the 18th January, and received a wound by
bail through the thick III the right thigh,
after which he was placed in hospital
home distance from the encaWpment OF the
troops. He states that about day break our
army was attacked. he thinks, by about
2oOo British and lndians. The action COM
mcnccd by q heavy IRE OF Cannen, with
grape shot and bombs. Our troops were
taken on surprise they were encamped
on gardens and lots about 80 steps distant
from each o;her. They were, however,
formed as quickly as possible, and the &C
ton became very warm and continued so
for some time. Our Kentuckians fought
bravely, and he thinks the enemy must have
suffered more during the contest than our
men. Nt length our ammunition became
exhausted. Ii was now about sunrise. BY
this time the enemy had enclosed our troops
on three sides, which forced the regulars
from the right, and part OF our men crossed
the river by order of general Winchester.
After crossing, they attempted to form &
give battle but owing to the houses being
in the way, they were frustrated in the at
tempt. They then pursued their retreat
through Z lane for one hundred yards, on
the side of which was placed 4 number of
Indians, who injured them very much
Captain Mntson, though wounded, joined
in the retreat, and says the Indians pursued
on each side abont mile, they then fell
back in the rear. He then saw col. Lewis
and Insisted on him to form the men and
make "A stand as some Of them were woun-
ded apd ve.y much exhausted. he at
tempt was made without success, owing to
the mems not having arms,-He afterwards
saw general Winchester, and called on him
for Gods sake 70 make stand, as the In
dians were iii close pursuit-he was himself
much fatigued, and was convinced great
many were in the same situation. The
general Informed him the men could not be
formed. After retreating about 5 miles
from RaisiT, they came to 4 field through
which those Oh foot passed, and those On
horseback were obliged to ride round. At
this time captain Matson saw general Win
chester, col. Lewis. DR.. Irvine, and DR..
Patrick, going on theirhorses were much
fatigued, and a number of Indians in close
pursuit of them with fresh horses, who must
have overtaken them.
Captain Matson seeing the Indians with
il one hundred yards ofhim, slipped through
fence that was near at hand, pulled off his
shoes ard run along the fence in stopping
position for about 60 yards to a bunch of
grass aud hid.-The Indians still continued
their pursuit after those that were before
HIN !; he saw several tomahawked as they
passed he thinks thatthere were not more
than fifty men ahead OF him.
After the Indians had passed by, the cap
tain moved to the prairie, where he Con-
cealed himself until dark and then pnshed
on to the Rapids, keeping road q distance
TO the right. When he came there, the
place was evacuated and the house and
provisions on FIRE. He then came on to
Defiance. After being there some days
Mr.. Nu.el, one of his company, came IN -
He informed captain Matson that he lay
concealed IN a barn, near where the lndi
ans returned, and says they had number
of scalps tied to their saddles aud a
number of our men tied, taking them back
AMI q quantity of red clothes. He says he
left the barn on the Esd at ngnt--lost his
wav and went back to Raisin in the night
and was there informed by an American
woman, that those VINO stood their ground
" ere all taken prisoners. and but lew Kill
led Captain Matson believes this intor-
nation to be correct, as the cannon had
ceased firing before he left the hospital
Our informant states that at the cam
mencemcnt of the action he took Edward !
M'Connell's gun, who was wounded with |
him. and moved towards his company but
was prevented by doctor Davis, who took |
the gun and went into the battle telling |
him his SITUATION would not admit OF his |
exDosiur himself. lie says lie stood in the
door rnt,l tn DULLES struck the house so ra-
p.diy he tho. it best to move 6 seeing The
men etreat across the river, he fel! in with |
them and proceed d through the fire OF the
enemy us stated abo-c, jnmPing over a
number of brave men who had fallen vic |
tins to the cruel sls ages. lie is confident
the engsK gene nent lasted hour before
there was any retreat, and he thinks it
was az warmly contested action as ever
was fought, during that time
1t his been said the ccntre Of the army
gave way first, but captain Matson AYERS
this to be faise--ho says the retreat COM
mcnced on the right.
BRITISH ACCOUNT.
From the l{ontrrat HerGM Of Frb. 6.
DEFEAT OF CEN WINCHESI ER