The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-12-09

gc dy feom The prosecution of the views of govern
rhei,t | hsd written Maior-Gcnera Hampton on
,h- 6.h distant by his Adjutant-General Colonel
King, and hsd ordered him 10 form junction with
me ON the ST. Lawrence, which expected would
take place ON the 9Th or l0th. II would have been
unpar,onable ha,. lost sight Of this object
mcnt. as deemed 1t OF vital Importance to the issue
of the campaign
The enemy deserve credit Cor their zeal and IN
tegencc, which tc active universal hostility OF the
male inhabitants Oft. country enable them To en-
poy 10 the greatest advantage. Thus, while men,
aced by respectable force in rear, the coast was
lined bynusquery in 'front.' every critical pass Of
the river, which obliged me TO march detachment
aud this impeded my progress.
On the evening OF the 9Th inst, the army halted
few miles from The head of the Tongue Saut In
thu morning of the 10th the incIosed order was
issued--Gencral Brown marched a6reeabiy to order,
ald about noon VIC were apprizcd, by the report OF
his artillery, that he was engaged some distance
below u.s. At the same time the enemy were obscrv-
ed in our rear. and their galley and gun boats APP
proa' he'd our ilolilla, anil opened a fire upon us,
which obliged me to order battery of 10 Founders
to be planted, and shot from it compelled the
sells of the enemy to retire, together with their
trsops after some firing between the advanced
parties. B,H by this tine in consequence OF dIsem
barking and re-embarking the heavy guns, the day
was SO far spent, that pilots did not dare enter
the Saal (eight mics continued rapid) and there
fore we fell down about miles and came 20 for the
night. Eariy the next morning every thing was in
readiness for motion but having received no intelli-
gcncc from General Brown, was still delayed, as
sound caition prescribed should learn the result of
this Affair." before committed the hotilla to the Saut
AT half past ten O'Clock, a. M. officer of dra-
gopns arrived with letter, in which the General in
fJSlned me he had forced the enemy, and would
reach III: foot OF the saut early in the day. Orders
were immediately given for the totla to sail, at
which instant the enemys gun boats appeared, and
began TO throw shot among US. Information was
brought me at the same time, from Brig. Gen. Boyd,
that the enemy's troops were advancing in column.
report was soon coNradicted. Their gun boats bow
continued TO scratch MS, and variety OF reports
of their movements and counter movements were
brought 10 me in succession which convinced me OF
their determination TO hazard am attack, when it
could be done TO the greatest advaDage-and there
fore resolved TO anticipate them. Drect0ns were
accordingly sent, by that distinguished officer Col.
Swift. of the engineers, to Brgadier General Boyd,
70 throw the dc,achments of his command, assigned
90 him IN the order OF the proceeding day, and COM
posed ofmen ofhis own, Covington's and Swartwouts
Srigsdcs, into three columns march upon the
emy, oufank them If possible, and take their art.
lcry The action soon after commcnced with the adj
vanced body OF the enemy, and became extremely
sharp and CALLING, and, with occasional pauscs,
tanned with great vivacity, in open space and fair
compat, for upwards Of two and haH hours--the
adverse lines alternately yielding and advancing. Il
IS impossible to say with accuracy what was
number tho field, because it consisted Of indefin
lite dcachments taken from the boats 10 render safe
the passage ofthe Saut. Gen's Covington and Swar-
wout voluntarily took part in the action at the head
OF attachments from their respective brigades, and
exhibited the same courage that was displayed by
Brgadier Gen. Boyd. who happened to be the senior
officer on the ground. Our force engaged might
have reached sixteen seventeen hundred men,
s,.s ~stus'iy ti exceed eighteen hundred, that
oi the enemy was estimated from twelve hundred TO
two thousand, bot did not probably amount to more
than fifteen or sixteen rhundred--consstinGA as am
informed, Of dctachmeets from the 49th, 84th and
l04tl regiments of the line, with three companies Of
o~T
the country. who included in the estimate.
IL would be prcsumptuous in me to attempt to
give you detailed account Of this affair, which
certainly reflects high honor the vaa0r OF the A.
incrican soldier, examplea can be produced of
nndiscipiined meh. with inexperienced officers,
brag'ny frc OF two hours and halt, without quit
ting the field or yielding to their antagonstst But,
Sir, tie Information now give you is derived from
officers Of my confidence, who took active parts in
this conflict tor though was enabled to order the
attack il my hard fortune not 70 be able to lead
the lroops commandcd--the disease whh which 4
was assailcd on the Cd Of Scptcmbcg, on my journey
10 Fost George. having with few Short intervals OF
convAesccnce, preyed on me ever since, and at the
moment Of this action was confined to my bed and
emacated almost to skeleton, unable to set on my
horse or move ten PAGES without assistance
must, however, be pardoned for trespassing
youi time few remarks in relation to the affair
Ihc objects Of the Drtsh'and American command
were precisely oppcsed--thc last being bound by
the Instructions OF his government and the most So
Scmn obligations of duty, precpi.ate his descent
cf the st. Lawrence byevcry practicable means, be-
cause this being effected, OF the greatest diff
cuties opposed to the American arms would be sur
mounted, and the first, by duties equally imrerious,
rctard, aud il possible, prevent such descent He
is to be accounted victorious who effected his pur-
pose The british commander, having failed to gain
either Of his OBJECTS can lay claim TO the honors
of the day. The battle huct uatcd. and triumph
seemed at different times inclined the contending
corps The front Of the enemy were at FIRST forced
back more than me, and, though they never
gained the ground they lost. their stand was perma-
nent and their charges rcsou,e. Amidst those char
ges and the close of the contest, we lost Geld
piece by the fall ofthe officer who serving il with
the same GOODNESS as If he had been at parade
review. This was Lit. Smith of the light artillery,
who in point merit stood at the head OF his grade.
The enemy having halted. and our troops having a.