The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-05


ed to be made on our water nos;t;on .n,,
knowing that our rifle corps, from its prear
inferiority to the enemy, was in a verv cri-
ical situation, marched with the ipfantrv
troops under my command to the point Of
attack In order to support il, as we'll as to
annoy the enemy In his approach, and to
prevent his making an attack on our rear
advantageous to his views, and in aid of his
Intention to surround and cut us off from re-.
treat entirely.
we advanced in column of platoons
through a lane and an open corn-feld which
led from our encampment to the enemy
and to the main and Celey's roads and
when IN the field and within two hundred
yards OF the gate which opened into the Co.
icy road and upon thicket of pines, we
were hred upon by the enemy with his
muske'ry, from thick wood at the upper
end OF the held, and Immediately bordering,
on the road-Upon this discharge, orders
were given to wheel on the left into line
ana 10 march upon the enemy-In this DO
sltlon we had marched not more than fftv
YARDS whcn the enemy opened upon us
two SIX pound field pieces, loaded with
grape and canister shot, and his machines
with myrlads OF rockets Of small size.
upon this sudden, and to our whole de.
tachmenttotaiiy unexpected attack, I deem
cd necessary 10 wheel again into column.
and to gain, 1t possible, passage through
the gate dehle, and position in the woods
immediately behind the ground occupied
oy the rihe corps, which kept the enemy
In check IN that quarter by its most DEADLY
discharges under the direction of CAPTAIN
Servant, who, with his brave officers and
soldiers acted iii manner worthy of vete-
rams
AT this time, captain Cooper, a most vi
gllanb valiant and skilful officer, with his
brave troops, although much worn down
with the fatigue of patroling and other du-
ties, was actively and closely engaged in
annoying the left flank of the enemy. and
would have been cut Off, but for his superi-
or skill.
The column was formed with all the ce.
ierity that the nature Of the ground, "a soft
and newly ploughed corn. feld,) the advan-
tageous situation of the enemy, aided bv
his sheltered position and the partially dis
cipllned experience Of our troops could adj
NIT OF. During the whole OF the time oc-
cuPied ny the change of position in our de-
tachment, and Its march through the defile
continual FIRE was kept up by the enemy
upon us. Upon our reaching and passing
over the road into the woods, the crane shot
from third field piece commenced its FIRE
at us, which together with the fire from
the former two, threw the rear platoons of
our columns into confusion and retreat. A
lew OF our leading platoons headed by mai.
Corbln and myself, wheeled with great
promPtltade into the woods and formed up-
on the TANKS Of our riffemen, under very
heavy and continual discharge of the enc
rnys cannon, musketry and rockets. The
action was now for short time, kept I'D
with great warmth and spirit on the part of
the enemy, and on that of our rifiemen and
leading Infantry platoons, commanded bv
captains Shield and Herndon and their sub.
alterns IN the first division of the battalion
captains Ashby, Browne, Miller and Ca
ry and capt. Goodall Of the u. States reei.
ment of artillery who volunteered their
services on the occasion, commanded the
remaining divisions of the detachment, and
acted with great GOODNESS and courage.
In this sharp and very trying contest, mai.
Corbin received in his left arm and les.
two severe wounds, and musket ball in
the neck of his horse. My efforts, aided
by the brave adjutant Robert Anderson, and
lieut.. John p. Armistead, (both of whom
from their exposed situations i'm exertinp
themselves 10 rally the troops escaped be.
yond the most sanguine expectation, and
who Tor their skill and undaunted vaIor dc.
serve much of their country,) were direct.
ed to rally the rear and retreating platoons
OF the detachment, which were flying in ey
ely direction, when large body Of the enc
my made an EFFORT to out fank and cut us
off from retreat entirely.
1t now became iudispcnsably necessary
for all our troops TO retire, which thew did
under the mol