The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-02-12

Il,
in Handful. TO gentleman. who received
it from Washington:
CHILLIcorHE, Feb. 1.
HORR!D DISASTER.
Late last evening an express arrived in
town, bearing letters from Gen, Harrison to
Governor Meigs. A number of letters have
also been received from Officers in the ar
my, which contain the melancholy account
OF the total defeat of the advanced detach-
ment under the command Of Gen Winches-
ter. or the engagement at the river Raj
sin, on the afternoon of the 18th Jan. and
the taking possession of that place, by the
force under col. Lewis, the public are al
ready informed. Gen. Winchester rein
forced col. Lewis with about $50 men Oh
the 2Ojh. On the morning of the Odd, at day
break, the American force was attacked b,
the British and Indians. The line was
formed as eXpeditiously as was practicable,
from the irregular manner in which our
troops were encamped. To the centre
were opposed the British. with from three
to six pieces of Cannon---the Indians on the
hanks. The Americans are said to have
fought bravely until they had exhausted
their ammunition, of which. gen. Winches
ter had not taken the precaution of supply
ing the troops and they were scarcely able
to hre tve rounds. Those who surrendered
on the field OF battle, are said to have been
made prisoners by the British, while those
who attempted to make their escape were
pursued by the Indians on horseback, toma-
hawked and scalped. The slaughter was
great, and kentucky has lost many valua-
Bile Citizens and brave soldiers Abou, for.
ty only have arrived at the head quarters
of gen. Harrison: The opinions are vari-
GUS as to the force of the enemy-they are
generally supposed. however, to have been
1000 strong. Gen. Winchester is said to
have lodged three-fourths of a mile from
camp, the night preceding the engagement,
and his officers were principally at private
houses. The reinforcements sent forward
| by gen. Harrison, had not arrived at the
! river Raisin. at the time of the defeat and
were ordered back to the Rapids of the Mi
ami, where they arrived on the evening of
the 22d. On the morning of the 23d' at
two O'Clock. retreat was ordered by Gen.
Harrison. The troops have retired back
as tar as the Portage river, at the crossing
OF Hu!fs road, where they are well summit
ed with provisions, The movement of gen.
Winchester to the river Rasin was to Sc
cure considerable quantity of provisions
| and to protect the inhabitants-it was with
out orders from Gen. Harrison. Although
this defeat may, for short time, retard
the progress of the army, the country NAV,
Notwithstanding, safely confide i'm the exer.
ranged system been partially frustrated by
| the precipitate movement of General Win
chester, it would, to all human probability
nave insured success. [Suhhorter.
| The following Hand Bill came to the Executive
on "Wednesday night, enclosed by an officer in the
n w. Army-lt bears post-mark, ChiIlicothe,
- CHRONICLE EXTRA
Franklin.On, Saturday Evening, Jan 3Otb
IMPORTANT e DISTRESSING.
On the morning of the 22d, the detachm ent under
Gen. Winchester was entirely defeated at the river
Raisn by an Indian and British force amounting 70
about 1000. Wnchester's force was about 900. com.
posed of parts of SCOTS, Lewisa, and Aliens Reyi
ments. The enemy commenced the attack in the
| morning Immediately after Reyei,lee by tbrowing
shells amongst troops, before the officers and
| men had risen from their beds. They we're howe.
yer, formed, but very inconveniently posted, and
| being entirely surrounded, they were oxen in
twenty minutes. The General endeavoured to rally
| them after they had passed the river but withon,
| effect Forty or fifty, with the General, broke
through in that direction, but from the depth of the
snow, those on foot were oyertaken 10y the In.
diam. nv.
The general lrenuentfv at,arsntra IN farm, si..o
to oppose the Indians, but his efforts were inefectu
| al. He was killed and horribly butchercd Our
loss IS great, but the precise number Of killed NOT
known. Ii IS hoped that the greater part of ORR
troops were taken prisoners-Gen. Harrison has re.
| turned from the Miami Rapids Is miles, and in.
tends making staud there. Hi; troops are still in
| high spirits, and he hopes to be able to accomplish
the principal object of the campaign. Il is well
known that this detachment was sent to the river
| Raisin by General Winchester, without the knovl.
edge, and contrary to the opinion Of Gen. Harrison
lie (Winchestor) vSs, however, urged by his of.
GERS and agreed, perhaps contrary - his own iudg.
ment. He reinforced the detachment, took Che
| command, and fought aud died bravely.
JOHN 70 CSMPBELL.
! Lieut. Col. 10Th Regt. ". 5. InIsutrr
| NORFOLK.
Troops are hourly moving for Norfolk -
The u s. Troops an this city ander Cant.
Pollard has gone on.--A mong the citizens
OF this place, who have flown to the post of
action is Gen. Wood, Of the Executive. to
offer his valuable military aid TO orr sister