Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-24
From THE BALqIMoRR american.
- FURTHER PARTICULARS
MESSRS. EDIToRS,-


lsend you statement
that think can be relied on, of the unfortu-
nate affair which took place at Federicktown
on the morning of the 9th inst between a
small party of militia, of about 80 men. un-
der the command of Col. T.W. Veazey, and
British force, under the command of Ad-
miral Cockburn, of Is large barges, and
smaller boats, which, at a low estimate
must have amounted to at least 500 men,
The alarm had been given on the 5th by the
enemy concentrating their squadron off the
mouth OF Sassafras, after the depredstions
they had committed on the peaceable inha-
bitants OF Havre-de-Gra Busi, &c. 1t
was presumed their intention was also TO
destroy Federicktown. Exertions were
made to collect the militia, but in spite of
every effort. not more than the above small
number could be collected, and not more
than one third of them properly armed with
muskets, or ammunition; the residue hav-
ing only their common fowling pieces. a
smaiiDreastwork was thrownup upon which
was mounted one FOUNDER, with only two
rounds of cartridges. The men were under
arms by a o'clock in the morning. At about
20 minutes after S, the signal was made four
miles down the river, that the enemy was
approaching; by they could be seen, but
did not get within reach of the FOUNDER
until near z. 1t was then fred but without
effect, and was not made use of afterwards.
lhe enemy still approaching gave three
cheers, which was returned by the militia,
and directly after, a volley from their small
! arms. The fire was Immediately retured
by the enemy, by general discharge of
grape, canister, slugs, rockets, and musket.
| ry, which made such terrible noise, that
| one half OF the men shamefully ran, and
Gould not be rallied again whether it was
| from their political aversion to the present
| war, their dislike of shedding blood, or actu-
| ally Through fear, / cannot determine but
SO 1t was, that no more than one halfo of the
original numberremained, to contend against
the whole force of the enemy. This gal
| liant little band resisted for near three quar-
tiers OF an hour, in spite of the incessant fire
OF the enemy, until they were in danger of
being surrounded, when they reiterated in
safety with the loss of but one man wound
ed. The enemy threw several rockets in
the town, Tor rather village) and reduced
| the whole place 60 ashes, except two or three
houses, saved by the entreaties of the wo-
men. Not satisfied with this destruction,
they extended their ravages to the neighbour
| ing farmhouses, several of which were burn
ed quite down. Mr.. Joseph Wards house
was consumed, with all his furniture and
wearing apparel, belonging to himself and
large family. They went to Mr.. p.
| Wards, treated him and his family with
the most indecent rudeness, threatened
to burn his house down and actually did
burn one Of his out houses, broke open his
smoke house, and were carrying of his hams
and best bacon, when some persons gave the
alarm that the militia were coming, which in
duced them TO reiinquish nearly all the meat,
and escape to their boats. Col. Veazey de-
serves much praise, for the brave exertions
he made, to encourage and support his little
band, and Admiral Cockburn acknowledged
1t was the only opposition he had met with
and said they behaved more like regulars
than militia men. The loss ofthe enemy can
not be exactly known. They acknowledged
to have bad wounded, one Of them a princi-
pal officer, badly. BY the reports of seve-
raj persons who were detained for some time
on board Of their barges, they must have