The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-03-02

fIcsiiagfor. Ee5. 26.
The Senate oe the United States have
rejected the bill, sent up By the House Of
to prohibit the employ
ment OF foreign seamen IN vessels of the u
"ited States, oy majority OF one vote ; q
very member OF the federal party in that
body, aswell as the other oppcsitirn mem
ocrs, having voted agaiustit. The rcjecti-
dn of the bal. it will be Observed. is ascri-
babie to the accidental absence of several
members from the Senate chamber, at the
moment the question was taken. IL is now
demonstrated, that the federal party, con-
trarv to their repeated and almost voc,fc-
rous professions, are rot the resi- friends OF
peace, but are anxious fer Continuance
OF war; because they have rejected a
measure, the Only effect of which, if it had
any, must have been 20 ;,roduce Peace
with our enemy, by Sivii,s her 4 prcSence
Tor abandoning her uSu,pa;i,ns. With this
light Tor their Guide, ;hc People will surtl,
hereafter c'"rcctly appreciate the value of
federal professions and oil federal ciamor.
MAJ. Int.
Feb q.
The Senate Yesterday re- considered their
vote OF the preceding day for postponing
till May the bill regulating the employ
ment OF foreign scamen in the armed YES
sells and merchant service of the United
States, and ordered the bill to be read a
third time; every federal member voting
against it.
The bill for an Extra Session in Nav
wants only the signature of the President
OF the u. y to become Il law.
The House of Representatives have re-
fused. after long debate. TO postpone indie
fniteiy the bill prohibiting the use OF for
e'gn licences on board vessels of the Uni
ted States. 1t will probably pass the House.
OH OF like import passed the House a
day or two ago, but was rejected in the Sen
ate.
Cory Of a letter iron, Brig. Gen. Bluche,
ter, noSo a prisoner Of 7uar, TO The Secre-
tary of War.
MAIDEN. Jan. 2s, 1918.
SRA detachment from the left wing
of the North Western Army. under INV
command, at French Town, on the River
Raisn, was attacked on the 22d inst. by a
force greatly superior in number aided BY
several pieces of artillery. The action COM
menced at the dawn OF day the piouet
guards were driven in and a heavy fire
opened on the whole line, by which a part
thereof was thrown into disorder; and be-
ing ordered to retire small distance, in or
der to form OH more advantageous ground.
l found the enemy doubling our left flank
with force and rapidity.
destructive lire was sustained for some
time; at length borne down by numbers.
the few of us that remained with the party
that retired from the lines submitted. Tie
remainder of our force, in number about
tour hundred, continued to defend them
selves with great gallantry, in an unequal
contest against small arms and artillery
until was brought i'll as prisoner 20 that
part of the field occupied by the enemy.
At this latter place. understood that
our troops were defending themselves in a
state of desperation, and was informed bv
the commanding officer of the enemy,
that he would afford them an opportunity
OF surrendering themselves prisoners of
war; to which 1 acceded. was the more
ready to make the surrender from being
assured, that unless done quickly, the build
ings adjacent would be immc diately set on
hre, and that no responsibility would be ia :
| ken Tor the conduct of the savapes. who
were then assembled in great numbers.
In this critical situation, being de sirous
TO preserve the lives of number of onr
brave fellows, who still held out, I sent a
flag to them, and agreed with the conman
ding ofhcer OF the enemy, that they should
~ iSOncTS Oh war, On CCDGi-
ton OF being protected from the sayaees.
| allowed to retain their private property. &
having their side arms returned to them
1t is impossible for me to ascertain with
certainty the loss we have sustained in this
action from the mpracticablity of knowing
the number who have made their escaf;e
Thirty five officers and about four hun.
drei and eighty-seven on-commissioned
Ulcers and privates are prisoners Of war
list or the names of the officers is here
with enclosed to you. Our loss in killed is
considerable.
However unfortunate may seem the af-
fair otyestcrday, am hattered by belief.
that no material errcr is chargeable unon
myself, and that still less censure is deserv
cd BY the troops had the honor of com
manding.
With the exception of that portion of our
force which was thrown into disorder No
troops have ever behaved with more deter
mined intrepidity.
have thehonor to be, with high resrect
your obedient servant,
JAMES WINCHESTER.
Brig. Gen. u. S. .H,Biy.
Hen. Secretary at War.
-9Hst e'eers take" at Ftsnsh tom, Aanna,y ead.
is winchester, y. C.