Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-01

haryes, filled with men, were approaching
the mouth of Hampton creek, by the inner
channel. from the direction of Newport
Mousse. Oar troops were Immediately form
ed on their encanpment on Little England
plantation, south west Of, and divided from
Hampton by a narrow creek. over which
slight foot bridge had been erected. In a
very short time alter, cur Celcy's patrole
reported the landing and approach o. a num-
her oft enemy's troops in our rear. a
little after five O'Clock. several barges we're
seen approaching Biackbeard's po,nt, the
headmost of which commenced Il firing of
round shot, which was immediately return
cd from our battery OF four long 10 poun-
ders. The enemy intmidatedby the qpick
and direct fire of our cannon, drew back sc
sheltered himself behind the point aud
from thence continued to throw his round
IL and Is pound shots, accompanied by a
great lumber of rockets charged with com
bustiole matter, which, with very few ex-
captions, and those without injurious effect
upon our detachment or encampment, eli
ther,fell short of. or over reached their oh
Ject. For the space of three quarters Of m
hour or more, during which time an ex-
change OF discharges took place, without
the cnemy's doing any damage our infantry
troops were posted under cover Of a high
ditch, Immediately in front of our camp
During this period, many rockets and large
shots fell within our cncampmcnt. At this
time our Rifle company, which, upon the
earliest Information of the enemy's approach
by land, had been dispatched to conceal
themselves in the woods, near the road. by
which it was supposed the enemy was APP
preaching, commenced a well directed and
destructive FIRE on the head of the invading
On ..xc p4s,- &c.
the point OF attack on us from the land side,
and discovering, from the timidity of the
enemy in his bargcs, that no landing was ma
tended to be made ON our water position,
and knowing that our Rife corps, from its
great infcriority TO the enemy, was in very
critical situation, marched with the iiifan~
try under my command, to the point of at
tack, ia order TO support it, as well as TO
annoy the enemy in his approach, and pre-
vent his making an attack on our rear, adj
vantageous To his views, aud in aid of his in
tention, to surround and cut us off from re.
treat.
We advanced in columns of platoons thro'
a lane and AN open c,rnfield which led from
our encampment to the enemy, and to the
Main and Celey's roads-and when i'm the
field within 200 yards of the gate opening
into the Celey road and thicket of piues,
we were fired upon by the enemy's musketry
from q tn OK wood at the upper -end of q
field Immediately bordering on the road
Upon this discharge. orders were given to
wheel to the left in the line and march up
on the enemy. In this position we had not
marched more than fifty yards when the
enemy opened upon Us two 6pound field pie
ces loaded with grape and canister shot,
and his machines filed with rockets of a
small size. Upon this sudden, and to our
whole detachment, totally unexpected at
tack with ordnance, l deemed it necessary
to wheel again into column, and gain, if pos
sible, a passage through the gate deiie with
a position in the woods Immediately behind
the ground occupied by our Rife Corps
which kept the enemy in check in that
quarter by its deadly discharges under the
direction of Capt. Servant, who with his
brave officers and soldiers, acted in a man
ner worthy of veterans. At this time Capt.
Cooper "a most vigilant, brave, and skill
full oificer) with his brave troop, although
much worn down with the fatigue of patro-
ling and other duties. we're actively and
closely engaged in annoying the enemy's left
flank, and would have been cut off but for
his superior judgment. The column was
formed with all the celebrity which the ma
ture of the ground, "a soft and newly plough
cd fcld) the advantageous situation of
the enemy aided by his sheltered position
and the partly disciplined experience of
our troops, would admit.--DuriDg the
time occupied by the change of position of
our detachment, and its march through the
dehle, continued fire on us was kept up by
the Enemy. On our reaching and passing
the road, into the wood, the grape shot from
third field piece commenced its fire on us,
which together with that from the two for.
mer, threw the platoons of our column into
confusion and retreat. A few nf our Lead
ing platoons headed by Maj. Corbin and
myself, wheeled promptly into the wood &
formed on the tanks Of our Rihemen under
heavy and continued discharge of the enc
my's cannon, musketry and rockets. The
action was now for a short time kept up
with warmth and spirit. both on the part of
the enemy, and of our Rifemen and leading
Infantry platoons commanded by Captain
Shield and Captain Herndon with their
subalterns in the first division of the battalI
on. Captains Ashby, Brown, Miller, and
Cary, with capt. Goodall Of the Y. S. regi-
ment Of artillery, who volunteered on this
oc cason, commanded the remaining divisi
ons of the detachment, and acted with great
Courage and GOODNESS.
In this sharp and trying contest, Major
Corbin received in his left arm and leg two
severe wounds, with musket bali in the
neck of his horse. My efforts aided by the
brave Atjuiant Robert Anderson and Lieut.
JOHN p. Armistead, (Doth of whom, notwith.
sranding their exposed situation in eXerting
themseles to rally the troops escaped beyond
expectation; and who in their skill and I'M
daunted irmness, deserve much Of their
country,) were directed TO rally the rear
and retrea;ing platoOns Of the detachRent,
which were dispensing in every direction,