Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-12-09
WAR IN THE NORTH.
PLArTsBURGH, November IS.

respect to Gen. Hamptons late expedition,
we have thought proper to communicate
the following statement which is from a
source which cannot but be correct and for
the truth of which we can freely vouch.
COMMUNICATED.
Our army under General Hampton NOV
ed from Chateaugay on the 2lst October,
and arrived at its position at Sears on the
aed TINS having with incredible labor,
surmounted "a miles Of the most difficult
part of the route, through the extensive and
almost impossible forest, which bounds the
Canada line After 4 or 5 miles of open
country, another forest of or miles is
opposed to their march, (which was on the
north west side 1.-THE river) This the enc
my had made almost an entire fertilization
by crossing it with felled trees, interspersed
with breast works and bitches through
these distractions the enemy was to be as
sailed part of their forces consisting of
light troops and Indians, were posted in
these defences, while the main body, com
manded by Sir George Provost in person,
was lodged in the rear, fortified with bate
ries and cannon. The hardships our army
had endured, the continual rains that were
falling, and the distractions in front would
have damped the ardor of troops less dispo-
sed to disregard all sufierings and perils in
pursuit of glory and in the service of their
country; but on the contrary partaking
largely of the spirit which inspired their
commander in chief every individual seem
ed uncommonly emulous of the enterprise
1t was believed that the distractions could
not be forced by our main body, without
great loss. To avoid this, the light compa-
MES and regiment of infantry were detach
ed at dark, on the evening of the 25th to
proceed on the opposite IS E) side of the
river to fording place below the enemys
advance which they were to cross and at
tack the enemy in flank and rear, while
the main body should attack in front: and
TINS destroy the eneuY's aefene. Sat d blow.
Owing to the darkness of the night. inces
SAINT rain, and the difficulties of the wood.
the guide who conducted this detachment
having lost his way, the party did not arrive
at the proposed point. The battalion of tho
10th regt consisting of about 200 men. were
at the appointed time, 6 o'clock p nj. on
the 26th) at the entrance of the obstructed
wood, waiting the attack of our troops on
the eneny's flank, which was to be the sig
nal for them to advance. AT this moment
the enemy commenced fire on this batta
lion, who promptly returned ii. then he
charged and drove the enemy from their
lurking places, dispensing them ana entirely
silencing their fire ; in this we had onlv one
man killed and three or four wounded. At
this moment the firing commenced on the
opposite Size of the river with some of the
light companies and it was here and not
IN of ~, n
that any serious loss, or the least confusion
occurred ; the enemy was, however, soon
dispersed In this quarter also After wait
ing some time for the renewal of the enc
mys attack, the main body of our army
fell back slowly and in good order; the enc
my not daring to show themselves or in the
least TO interrupt their march to a position
miles from the place of action. Here
they were shortly joined by the detached
party who had some further skirmishine
with the enemy of no great account. At
this place they remained several DAYS with
out receiving the least molestation. The
only failure of the expedition Is attributed
to the miscarriage of the guide, which dis
concerted a plan, which otherwise must
have LED TO the capture of considerable
portion OF the enemy's force and the COM
piete destruction OF his plan of defence
The Major General deserves the highest
encomlums for skill and sagacity exhibited
In his excellent arrangement
Our actual total loss in killed, wounded,
and missing, does not exceed 35 men. The
whole OF our force engaged did not exceed
20 men on the side where the greater force
OF the enemy was opposed-the other regi-
M n Il or - IL
when the enemy We're retiring, and were
only formed in line, uttool. no part in the
engagement The reason why the enemy
were not pushed further in this point is
we'll known to be solely that the crisis of
the campaign had not yet Sufficiently ad-
vaneed for more serious operations in that
quarter.