The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-11-04

"a heavy FIRE from the opposite bank of the
creek as well as that Of the river. Believing
that the whole force of the enemy was there,
J halted the army, formed in order of battle,
and brought up our two six poundcrs to cover
the party that were ordered 10 repair the
bridgo--a few shot from those pieces, soon
drove of the Indians and enabled us, in two
hours, 10 repair tho bridge and cross the
troops. Colonel Johnson's mounted regi-
'nent being upon the right of the army, had
seized the remains of the bridge at the Mills
under heavy fire from the Indians. Our
Ioss upon this occasion was two killed and
three or four wounded--lhat OF the enemy
was asccrtained 10 be considerably greater.
a house near the bridge containing very
considerable number of muskets had been
get on hrc---but II was exiinguishcd by our
troops and the arms saved. At the first
farm above the bridge We found one of the
cnemy's vessels or fire, loaded with arms
aud ordnance stores, and Icasned that they
were few miles ahead of us, still on the
right bank oil the river with the great body
of the Indians. At Bowlc's farm, four miles
from tho bridge, we halted for the night,
found two other vessels and large dstllery
filled with ordnance and other valuable stores
to an immense amount in tlames--it was i'm
possible to put out the 6rc---iwo twenty four
FOUNDERS with their carriages were taken,
aud large quantity Of balls and shells Of va
rious sizes. The army was put in motion
carly on the morning of the fifth, | pushed
Qn in advance with the mounted egiment and
requested Gov. Shelby to follow as cxpcditi-
ously as possible with the infantry, tho Gov
ernor's zeal and that Of his men enabled
them 10 keep up with the cavalry, and by 9
o'clock, we we're &C Arnoh's Mills, having
taken in the course Of the morning two Gun
Boats and several Battcaux loaded with pro-
visions and ammunition.
A rapid at the river at .Arnold's Mills af-
fnrds the only fording to be met with for a
very considerable distance, but, upon exam
jnation, it was found 100 deap for the infantry.
Having, however, fortunately taken two or
thrce boats and some Indian canoes on the
spot, and obIging the horscncn tn take a
foot man behind each, the whole were safely
crossed by IL O'Clock. Eight miles from the
crossing we passed a farm, were a part Of the
British troops had cncamped the night before
under the command OF Col. Warburton The
detachment with General Proctor had arrived
tho day before at tho Moravian towns, four
miles higher UP. Being now certainly near
the enemy, directed the ADVANCE of John
sons regiment to accelerate their march for
tho purpose OF procuring intelligence. The
otlicei commanding 1t, in short time, sent
10 INFORM me, that his progress was stopped
by the enemy, who were formed across orr
line of march. One Of the cncmy's wasgon-
crs being also taken prisoner, from the iufor-
NATION received from him, and my own OBJ
servation, assisted by some Of my officers, l
soon asccrtained enough Of their position and
order Of battle, 10 dctermthe that which il
was proper for me 10 adopt.
have the honor herewith 10 enclose you
my general order Of the 9Th ult. prescribing
the order Of march and of battle when the
whole army should act together. But as the
number and description Of the troops had
been essentially changed, since the issuing of
the order, i, became necessary TO make q
corresponding alteration in their disposition.
From the place were our army was last halt
ed to the Moravian towns, a distance OF a.
bout three and half miles, the road passes
through beech forest without anv clearing,
and for the first two miles near 10 the bank
OF tho river. AT from Two to three hundred
yards from the river, swamp extends pa
rallcl TO il, throughout tho whole distance.
The intermediate ground is dry, and although
'thc trees are tolerabc thick, it Is in many
places clear Of undcrbrush. Across this
strip Of land, it lef ahhayed opon the river,
supported by artillery placed in the wood
their righ, in the swamp covered by the whole
of their Indian force, the British troops were
drawn up.
The troops at my disposal consisted of a
bout one hundred and twenty regulars OF the
9th regiment FIVE brigades OF Kentucky
volunteer militia infantry undcr His Excel
lcncy Governor Shelby, averaging less than
iivc hundred men, and Col. Johnson's regi- 4
ment Of moantcd infautry, making in the
whole an aggregate something above three
thousand. No disposition OF an army oppos-
ed 10 an Indian force can he safe unless it is
secured on the tanks and in the rear, II had
therefore no difficulty in arranging the infan-