The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-12-18
DOMESTfC.
OFFICIAL ACcOU Mt OF THE BAT
TIE OF WILL kMSBURG.

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE BAT
TIE OF WILLIAMSBURG.
Gen. BOYD and suit arrived IN Boston on
Tuesday last, ftom the encampment at
Frebeh Mills. The following is the official
dispatch of gen. BOYD, detailing the parti-
cu'ars Of the ba' tie of the 18th -Chronicie.
Copy of a letter from brig. gen. John P.
How'd who commanded in the battle of
Williamsburg, to major general James
Wilkinson, commanderin chief.
Can't, near CorDsveX, .N0U 10, 1918.
SIR-I have the honor to report to YOU
that Yesterday, while the rear division of
the army, consisting of detachments from
che LIST Sd, and 4th brigades, and placed
under my command to protect the Rctlla
from the enemy that hung on our rear, was
under arms in order to move, agreeably to
your orders. down the bank of the St. Law
renee, report was brought to me from the
rear guard, that body of about 200 British
& Indians had advanced into the W Gods that
skirted our rear. Gen. Swartwout, with the
Ath brigade, was Immediately ordered TO
dis,odge them; gen. Covipston, with the
Cd brigade at the same time directed to
be within supporting distance. General
Suart won't dashed into the woods and with
the 2ist inf "a part of his b~igade) after a
short skirmish, drove them back to the po-
sition of their main body. Here he was
iuliciously chosen his ground among the
deep ravines which every where intersect-
ed the extensive plain and discharged a
heavy and CALLING FIRE upon our advanced
columns. No opposition or obstacle, howe
yer. checked their ardor. The enemy re-
eired for more than mile before their re-
soiute and repeated charges. During this
time, the detachment of the list brigade un-
Ger col. Coles, whose greater distance from
sAe scene OF action retarded its arrival, ra-
pidly entered the field. Being directed to
ment was promptly and bravely executed
amid a shower of musketry and shrapnell
s.,i>A----- I---.--- IItsv.,
onary, until the brigade first engaged having
expended ali their ammunition, were d.
rected to retire to more defensible positi-
on to wait for re-supp'y. This movement
so disconnected the line, as to. render il ex
pedient for the 6rst brigade likewise tore.
tire. 1t should be remarked, that the ar
vllery exIeDting two pieces under capital,
irvine attached to he rear division, which
from the nature Of me ground, and the cir
cuitous route they had TO take, were like
wise much retarded in their arrival, did not
reach he ground until the line, for want Of
ammunition had already begun to fall back.
When they were arranged, in doing which
Twas assisted by the skill of col. Swift, of
the engineers, their hre was sure and des-
trucrive. When the artillery ~as finally
directed to retire, having to cross deep,
and excepting in one place, Ito Artillery
impossible ravine, one piece was unfortu-
nately lost. The fall of its Gallant com
mander, lieut.. Smith and most of his men,
may account for this accident. IN the death
of this young man, the army has lost one of
ITS most promising officers.
The squadron Of the 9 regiment of 6fa-
go ms, under major Woodford, was early
on the field, and much exposed to the enc
1ny's FIRE, but the nature of the ground, and
she position Of his line. did not admit of
those successful charges, which their sci
pine and ardor, under more favorable cir
cumstanees. are calculated to make. The
reserve, snder col. Uphan1 and mai Ut NAL
colin, did not arrive from the boats in time
TO participate in bat small part of the ac-
tion--but the activity and zeal they dis
played while engaged, evinceS the benefit
that might have been derived from their
eatlier assistance.
The whole line was now re-forfTled on
the BORDERS Of those woods from which the
enemy had first been triveH--when, night
coming on and the storm returning, and
conceiving that the object you had in view.
which was to, beat back the enemy that
would retard our junction with the m ain bc.
dy below, to have been accomplished the
tro ps were directed to return to the ground
near the fotilla /; which movement was ex.
ecuted in good order, and with ut any mo
ie tation from the enemy.
l cannot close my representation of this
battle, without INDUCING in few remarks
6pcn those officers, whose conduct will give
a character to the conflict of this day. Ge
neral Covington, whose readiness 20 enter
the field vas IN earnest oe his SUBSEQUENT
activity, received mortal wound, while
leading his Ioen or to successful charge. -
His troops, still seeing the effect IF his cal
mt example, continued tn advance lons
afes heir brave commander had fallen -
Ifs fate will perpetuate the n emory of the
ri IN whirh has been crimsoned by his
IL oil. Col, Preston was severely wounded
while nobly fighting at the head of his regi
neft The uniyersal sympathy which is
EXCEED by The honorable misfortune If thi.
amisble officer, attests the estimation
v hich IL entertained Of his talents as sol
der. and his virtues as q man. Major
Gun mngs, with WHO'S military mer IS ard
excrtions. have long been acquainted
net with similar fate while leading to a
charge. and undiscouraged by the wound,