Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-16

ORN. A41AC bC was lOAlCQ DN
Gen. C%ovinaton. Ihe enemy had judicious
ly chosen his ground among the deep IN
vines which every where intersected the ex-
tensive plain and discharged a heavy anc
CALLING FIRE upon our advanced columns
No opposition or obstacle, however, check
ed their ardor. The enemy retired fer more
than a mile before their ~resolute and repeat
ed charges. During this time, the de,ach
ment OF the LIST brigade under col. Coles,
whose greater distance from the scene of ac-
ton REGARDED its arrival, rapidly entered
the held. Being directed to attack the enc
my's left Hank, this'movement was prompt
" and bravely executed amid a shower of
musketry and s~hrapnell shells. The fight
no' became more stationary, until the bri
gade ~hrstengaged, having expended all their
ammunition, were directed to retire to a
more deiensiblc position to wait for a re
supply. This movement so disconnected the
line, as to render 1t expedient for the FIRST
brigade likewise to retire. II should be re
marked, that the artillery, excepting two
pieces under captain Irvine attached to the
rear division, which from the nature of the
ground, and the circuitous route they had to
take, were likewise much retai ded in their
ARRIVAL did not reach the ground until the
line. for the want ofammunition, had alrea-
dy begun to fall back. When they were ar
ranged, in doing which l was assisted by the
skill ct col. Swift, of the engineers, their fire
was sure aud destructive. When the al il.
cry was finally directed to retire, having to.
cross a deep, and excepting in one place,
Ito artillery impossible ravine, one piece
was unfortunately lost. The fall of its gai
liant comm aDder lieut. Smith, and most of
his men, may account for this accident. In
the deathso this young man, the army has
lost enc of its most promising officers.
The squadron of the I'd regiment of dra
gooDs, under major Woodford, was early on
the keld, and much exposed to the enemy's
hre, but the nature of the grou;sd, aud the
position OF his line, did not admit of those
successful charges, which their discipline
and ardor, under more favorable circum
stances, are calculated to make. The re.
serve, under col. Upham and major Nal
colin, did not arrive from the boats i'm time
to participate in but = small part of the
action-but the activity and zeal they dis,
played while engaged, evinced the benefit
that might have been derived from their ear
lisr assistance.
| Inc whole line was now re formed on the
bnrders of those woods from which The enemy
had first been d~riven-when, night Coming
on and the storm returning, and conceiving
euaN NhS POJSNh lOu idl III view, WHICH was
t. beat back the enemy that would retard
our junction with the main body below. to
to have been accomplished, TIE troops we're
directed to return 10 the ground near The
hoti!la which movement was executed in.
good order, aud without any mnlesta.ion
from the enemy.
Cannot close my representation OF this
battle, without indu,ging in a few remarks
upon those officers, whose conduct will give
q character to the conflict of this day. Gen.
Covington, whose readiness to enter the
field was an earnest of his subsequent acti,
witty, received q mortal wound, while lead
ing his men on to 2 successful charge. His
troops, still seeing the effect of fls gallant exs
ample, continued to advance long after their
brave commanOer had falien.-His fate will
perpetuate the memory of the PLAIN which
has been crimsop;d by his blood. Colonel
Preston was severely wounded, willis nob!y
lighting at the heard of his regiment. Tie
universal sympathy which is excited BY the
honorable misfortune OF this amiabIe c%fficer.
~sttests the estimation which is entertained Of
his talents as a soldier, and his virtues as q
man. Major Cummings, with whose militia
ny merits and exeltions. l have long been
acquainted, met with a similar fate while
leading to a charge, and -undiscouraged by
tbe wound, continued to advance, until loss
or blood obliged him to retire. Many plaS
toon officers received disabling or Slight
wounds III the honorable discharge of their
duty a report of whose names and merits |
have directed the several chiefs OF brigades
to make to me, inorder ,hat l may transmit
it to YOU. 1t is with gteat satisfaction / &C.
knowledge my warUest appreciation OF the
! gallantry and zeal which was constantly dis
played throughout this even ul day, by brig.
gen. Startwout and col. Coles who COM
manded the detachment CT the 1st brigad .
After the fall of gen. C%oyinGton, col. Pierce,
on whom the Command of the Sd brigade
devolved, conducted with his characteristic tic
Goodness and valor. In speaking OF the o.
Their numerous field officers who participat-
ed in this battie-Cols. Gaines and Ripley,
lieut.. col. Aspinwall, and Majors Morgan,
Grafton aud Gardner, their equal claim to
! applause forbids the invidious task of dis
elimination. / find a pleasure likewise in
acknowledging tie eminent service l derived
from the experience and activity of adj. gen.
| col. Walback from the assistance Of in
spector general, col. Johnson, and assistant
adj. gems. nais.. Beebe and Chambers the
latter was wounded in the honorable dis
charge of his duty. In addition to these &C"
acknowledgements, a sense Of jutice, as well
as personal friendship, induces me to express
my entire appreciation ofthe conduct OF lieut..
Henry Whiting, my aid-de~camp, who was
in this instance, as he has been during the
whole campaign, my jealous and brave as
s%istant, 1t. Worth, aid -de.camp to mai. gen.
Lewis, led by a. laudable ambition, lett the
notilia, and volunteered his acceptable SER
vices to me OH the field.
Permit me now to add, sir, that though the
result Of this action was not SO brilliant ard
decisive as l Could have wished, and the
| hrst STAGES OF N seemrd in nrnmise- vet when