The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-08-04
From fhe Bu6aloe Gazetse, Jnly 30.
BATTLE OF BEAVER DAM.

On Wednesday night last, mai. l.. Chap
IN arrived in this village, having, together
with his company, escaped from the enemy
on Monday preceding. The major has ri-
ven US the following narration of the action
at Beaver Dam, Sc. which we now Law be.
fore the public.
On the 23d of June last, a party ofthe re-
gular troops, Consisting OF 500 infantry
and ae light dragoons) under the command
OF lieutenant colonel e. G.. Boerstler TO-
Sether with A. mounted riflcmen, compos-
ed OF militia from the country, under Cha
pin, were detached from the American en-
campment at For, George, for the purpose
OF cutting off TIE supplies of the enemy.
and breaking up the small encampments
they were forming through the country.
On the gath about miles west Of Queens
town, they were attacked by body of above
500 Indians and nearly 100 regulars, who
lay concealed i'm the woods near the road
they were passing. The attack commence
cd on the dragons, who were placed in the
rear. The infantry was soon brought into
position to return the encmy's fire to ad.
vantage and succeeded in driving them
some distance into the woods. In shor,
time the Indians having taken circuitous
route, appeared in front and opened a fire
upon the mounted ritiemen, who were sta.
toned thcre-Iere they met with SO warm
arecepton. that they were compelled a Sc
cond time to retreat in much haste. After
this every exertion was made TO draw the
indians from the woods to the open ground
but without much effect The few who
were bold enough TO venture, were hand
led so roughly, that they soon returned TO
their lurking places. In the meanwhile
the enemy were receiving considerable re-
endorsements, which at length gave them
great superiority. A retreat for short
distance was ordered, s. effected with very
little loss. The Indians soon made their APP
pearance upon our right and left, and the
regulars and some militia i'm front our
troops were formed into close columns for
the purpose of opening themselves way
through the enemy with their bayonets
AT this juncture British officer rode up
and demanded the surrender of The Ameri.
can party. The demand was made, he said,
to prevent the further effusion of blood. He
asserted upon his hon. and declared in the
most solemn manner, that the British reru-
lar force was double that Of the American.
and that the Indians were 700 in number
Lieut. Col. Boerstler under belief Of
these facts, and thinking 1t impracticable
TO get oil the wounded, whom he was un-
willing to abandon to the mcrcics of the
savages, and deeming it extremely uneer.
tain whether retreat could be effected,
thought proper to agree to terms of capitu-
lation, which were at length signed by him
self on the one part, and lieut. Bishop OF
the other. BY these it was stipulated that
the wounded should be taken good care of
1.-The officers permitted to retain their side
arms-private property to be respected,
and the militia permitted TO return home
Immediately. The articles Of capituIation
were no sooner signed than they were vio-
lated The Indians Immediately CON-
menced their aepredations and plundercd
the officers Of their side arms. The SOL
diers too were stripped of every article of
cioathiug to which the savages took fan
cy, such as hats, coats, shoes, SC. 1t is
impossible TO give any correct account of
the killed and wounded, as the enemy did
hot furnish list. The loss Of the enemy
IS suPposedto be much greater than ours.
Between 80 and 40 Indians were counted,
that lay dead on the field. From their
known practice of carrying off their killed
and wounded, it is believed they have suf
fered severely.
The regular troops were in few DAYS
sent to Kingston, from whence it is proba
bic they have proceeded to Quebec.
Major Chaplin and his corps were de-
tanned under guard at the head of Lake
Ontario, and no attention paid to the arti-
clss of capitulation which provided for
their being paroled. On the 18th instant
they were ordered down the Lake to King
ston--for which place they were embark
ed in two boats, accompanied by guard of
fifteen men undera lieutenant. Thirteen of
the men with the lieutenant were stationed