Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-09-16
SECOND SIEGE oFFoRT MEIGs.
From tbs. Western Cifiz en-.

in Interesting Journal Of the End Siege
OF Fort beigs, by an officer Of resfec''
a6iify at that flace.
July 20. Tuesday night general or
ders we're given for every officer q SOL
der to be vigilant, to lay on their arms
and be ready TO receive the enemy
which order proceeded fron' the disco
very of sail near the old British garri-
son.,
elst. Wednesday morning at day
light the picquet guard posted at the
cast enc Of the fort, were attacked and
driven in by the Indians. with the loss OF
killed, wounded and 8 missing. The
indians Immediately surrounded the Tort
and could be seen behind trees firing
plumber seemed to be their principal OBJ
iect at this moment, and they turned
their attention to the horses and cattle
in the vicinity of the fort, running up
whiting gun shot Of us, they succeeded
10 Catching 80 OF 40 horses and Is yoke
Of oxen The ar:illerists gave them Sc
eersl shot which made them very eau
,ious in approaching the fort.
The British about this time were dis
covered landing their force at the old.
ert from 2 two masted vessels, and
numerous quantity of water craft. They
pitched their tents on flat, convenient
to the river and in full view of this place
but they quickly changed that plan. had
them struck aud appeared to be forliiy
ing the old garrison; in the evening they
fired an extreme heavy discharge OF
musketry by platoons.
22d, THURSDAY. They beat rereillee
and fred morning gun, which was an
swered by one at the mouth OF the river,
which gun was also answered by another
supposed to be at Maiden. The Indians
were firing into the fort alternately
throughout the day, but with very little
effect. This day, lieutenant Mountjoy
penetrated 10 the fort with twelve or Is
men. having been fired on by Indians
several times.
2sd. Friday morning, Their reveil-
lee and gun, which was again answered
At the lake, together with delightful mu-
sic on the bugle horn. A large number
OF h,rs> men were discovered; they came
up the aver and were passing and re-
passing continually. Indians firing as
usual Into the fort, great number from
the opp site shore.
In the evening they abandoned their
encampment AID landed Ill thei: forces
on this side the river, Immediately op
posite the old garrison, where they es-
tablished ,bci' head quarters tattoo &
music at night.
24th. Saturday, morning. Reveillee,
music ard gun, which was answered ut
the lake. Horse en- in motion again up
and down the river This day sortle
was made from, the fort of about 2 hun
dred gulars, under command of capt
Armstrong; they penetrated the edge
ofthe woods, & at that distance march
cd around the fort found of our men
who were killed on the morning of the
2lst brought them in f; they were hr-
ed op by two Indians in ambush no o.
Their dicovery the Indians kept up q
very brisk fire into The font this evening;
no drum or music heard a. night.
S5,h, Sunday morning. No gun, drum
or music ; instead of which we had the
ye!pings OF wer dance from the lndl
ans. This day nn discovery could be
made Ct Them bot the smoke Of their
encampmcnt Indians fred tcw shot:
no tattoo or noise ofany kind at night
Goth, Monday morning. All silence
again express returned from General
Harrison, pressed closely by the lndl-
ans.
About o'clock tremendous heavy
firing ot small arms commenced lDne
dat, ly on the Sandusky rod, about OF
400 wards in the woods, accompanied
with the war whoop Of the Indians, ano
all the confused noises Of severe ard
obstinate engagement the firing was
incessant and grew aearer; that OF mus.
kerry appeared to predominant t. e
Indians ralying yell never ceased, they
seemed to be pressed & beat in towards
the fort, as though they were giving
ground, until the hes, Ut the battle APP
peared TO be Immediately in the edge
of The woods, which is not farther thes,
200 Yards distant from the garrison. 1t
was an alarming and mementous Crisis;
every mind was dignant yet distrus;ful
whether was it our friends, who nigh,
possibly be coming t. our relief, and IN
gagged with the enemy ? Or WAS 1t a
stratagem on their part to induce the
garrison to make e snr,Ie? II was qnes-
tion which required The most decisive
and prompt sciu,ios, AID devolved up
on the commander If the fort an I'M
mense degree Of responsibility. He
Immediately d:claltd it sham fight
and as they commence he lei them con-
clude their own battle We threw two