Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-04


Dor. Gen. Armstrong was a PASSENGER in the Steam
Boat as far as Red Hook.
CON Chau,cey,. with his feet, having brought over
gen Harrsons army, will, it is said lay up his vessels
sor the the winter, at Sackett's Harbor.
Albany drgus. Ezra.
Saturday Morning, No1enAber 81.
/ OFFICIAL CoRRESPOSDEWCE
5nom oENERAL WILKINSON 70 THE sEcRErARY
;. OF WAR.
dead Quarters, French Mills adjoining the Province
OF Lower Canada, Nov. 10. 1913.
beg leave to refer youto the journal which accom-
anes this letter tor the particulars the movements of
the corps under nJ command, down the ST. La rence
and will endeavor to exert my enfeebed mind to detail
oyou the more striking and important incidents which
nave ensued my departure from Grenader Island al
tfs toot OF Lake Ontario. on The 81 inst. :
ne corps OF the enemy from Kingston which follow
ca me- hung to my rear, and in soncert with heavy
Sauey and few gun boats seemed determined to re-
tard my progress, tempted to halt, turn about
and put end to his teazing but alas! was continued
10 my ped major gen. Lewis too i'll for any active
exertion and above all, did dare to suffer myself
70 be diverted single day from the prosecution of the
views OF government. had written mai general Hamp.
ron on the 9th inst by his adutant general colonel King
and had ordered him to form junction with me on the
st. Lawrence, which expected would take place ON
the 9Th or 10TH 1t would have heen objectionable had
lost sight OF this object moment as deemed of
tai Importance to the issue of the campaign.
The enemy deserves great credit for their zeal and
intelligence which the active universal hostility of the
male inhabitants ofthe country them to employ
respectable force in rear, the was lined by mus
query in 'front.' at every critical pass of the river which
obliged me to march detachment, and this impeded
my progress
On the evening of the 9th inst the army halted few
miles from the head of the Tongue Saul In the morn
ing of the 10th the ncosed order was Issued General
Brown marched agreeable to or der. and abou: noon
we apprised by the report of his artillery that he
was engaged some distance below u.s. At the same
time the enemy were observed in our rear and their
galley and gun boats approached loa, and OPEN
ed flre upon US, which obliged me To order battery
OF l8 Founders to be planted and sho it con2e-
I'D the vessels Of the enemy retire together with their
troops after some firing between the advanced parties
But by this time, in consequence of disembarking and
embarking the heavy guns the day so far spent
that our pilots did not dare enter the Saut eght miles
continued road and therefore fell down about two
miles and came too for the sight Early the morn
log every thing in readiness for motion but having
received no intelligence from gen. Brown was still de
layed, sound caution prescribed shoull learn the
result of this affair, before committed the otila to the
Saul.
At half past 10 o'clock, A. M an officer of DRAGONS
arrived with letter. in which the gen. informed me he
had forced the enemy and wead reach the foot of the
Saul carly in the day. Orders Immediately given
for the hola SAIL which instant the enemy's eun
boats appeared and began to throw shot among us In
formation was brought at the time from Brig
Gen Boyd that the eftemys troops were advancing in
columns j Immediately orders TO him to attack
them: this report was ronsradicted. Their gun
boats however continued to Scratch and VARIETY of
reports of their movements and counter were
brought to me succession which convinced me of
their determination hazard an attack; when it cond
be done to the greatest acknowledgement therefore re
solved TO anticipate them. Directions we're according
ly by that distinguished officer Swift of the en-
gineers Brig. Gen. Boyd, throw the detachments
Of his command, assigned him in the order of the
preceding day, and composed of men OF his own Cow
ipgton's and SwaItwouts brigades into tps, columns
fomarch upon the enemy, aHk them if possible and
take their artillery The action soon commenced with
the advanced body of the enemy and became extremely
sharp and calling, and with occasional pauses was s,s.
tanned with great vvaciy, in open space and fair COM
bat, for upwards of 2 and half hours; the adverse
lines alternately yielding and advancing 1t is imposs
bic to say with accuracy what our number on the
field, because it consisted of indefinite detachments ia
ken from the boats to render safe the passage of the
Saul.
part IN the action the head detachmens from their
respective brgades, and exhibited the same COURAGE
that was displayed by brig Boyd who happened to
be the senior officer the ground. Orr force engaged
might have reached sixteen or seventeen hundred men
but actually did not exceed eighteen hundredthat Of
the enemy was estimated from twelve hundred to two
thousand but did not probably amount to more than ff
teen sixteen Notwithstanding as 1 am informed
of detachments from the 4oh 84t and 1O4th
of the ne with three companies of the voteeur aud
Glengary corps and the militia of the country WHO are
not included in the estimate!
1t would be presumptuous in me 10 attempt to give
yot detailed account OF this affair." which certainly re-.
fleets high honor the vaor Of the American soldier
ssno example can be produced Of undisciplned men,
with inexperienced officers, braving FIRE of two hour
and halt without quitting the field OF Welding to their
antagonists But, Sir, the information now give Won
isderived from officers of my confidence who took ac
tive parish the conflict; for Though was enabled, 70
order the attack, my hard fortune not to be able
to lead the troops commanded. The disease with
which was assaled the 2nd Of SEPT on INV journey
20 Fort George, having, win few SIN, r. in eivaIs Q,
eonvalescenee Preyed since and at the mo-
ment OF this action, vas confined my bed and ena-
ciated almost to skeleton unable 10 set on nv borse
or to move ten PAGES wlthout assistance.
must, howevrj be pardoifed for respassing on your
time ew remarks in relation the affair The objects
OF the British and American commanders were nccscv
opposed the last being b0hd by the instructions of his
government and the solemn obligations of duty "a
PecPS MS dscent OF tie st Lawrence BY every prac cabe
means! because, this being effected one of the reaes f
heuities opposed TO the American would Be suoun
TED ana the hrst by duties equally mperou to retard