Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-03-26

siA picccs OF aFtiileFy, ulfeS
at our lines, and the houses
breast-work, from behind VIZ
OF our troops were engaged VIC
my. Early in the action a cR!1
made by the assailants but the fiiS
our lines was SO intense that they n
quickly compelled to retire.
In this charge the 4lst regiment Of Bril-
fish regulars principally suffered, their loss
during the charge, and in the subsequent
engagement, being very considerable Out
OF three hundred of these troops about thir-
ty fell dead upon the field, and ninety or an
hundred wounded were removed from the
ground.
tits impossible to state with any degree
of accuracy, the number of Canadian mi
litia and Indians, which was either killed
or wounded during the engagement; it
could, however, not have been small, hay.
ing received for 3 or q hours the constant
fire OF our musquetry and riflemen, from
the breast-work under which they were
formed. The action had endured about ~.
quarter of an hour, when the right diyisioR
OF our troops, who were less secured by
breast-work and exposed to a heavy fir
from body of Indians and militia, who
had possessed themselves of some out
houses within their reach, were obliged to
retreat from their lines in the eneampment.
for the purpose of occupying ground less
exposed, This retreat being discovered by.
the enemy, the whole Indian force, toce-
tiser with portion Of s!.o militia, bore down
upon them with redoubled violence and
prevented by their superiority of numbers
and the severity of their fire the practica.
bility Of ever again forming this portion of
our troops in order of battle. II was from
this division that our principal loss was sus.
tanned, few indeed having escaped. Every
effort was in vain employed to form them
into some order of action, as affordinp the
only mean of either repelIng the pursuers.
or regaining the temporary breast work
from behind which the remaining part Of
our troops still CALAMITY defended them
selves; but every exertion was in vain EN-.
ployed, and the very few who survived Of
the party surrendered as prisoners to the
enemy.
Our loss in this action win be ascertain
ed by the list herewith enclosed Among
the killed have to lament several brave
and valuable officers, some of whom had
themselves in the action Of
the evening of the 18th, and fell ON the
ED while unavailingly engaged in rallying
the troops, who retreated in disorder from
the lines. Among those, the loss of Col.
John Allen and Major Elijah M'Clanahan,
is to be particularly regretted, as also Cap
ain John I'll Voolfolk, one of my Aids
lie camp their exertions were unsuceess-
'ul, notwithstanding every possible exer-
ion was employed they brav4ly fell in
he discharge of their respective duties
4 a. r. - IL x-.I
,pon this occasion, ! should do injustice to
BASS over, without notice, the few partak~
,rs in their danger, who were fortunate To
survive them. To Lieut. Col William
Lewis, who commanded on the 18th, and
o Capt James Overton, my Aid -de-canp,
Who attended my person on the field, my
hanks are particularly due, for their
prompt and willing exertion during every
period of the conflict To the officers and
oldiers who brayely maintained their
ground in the temporary fertilization, too
much pvaise cannot be bestowed Assailed
~ numbers greatly superior, supported by
TX pieces Of artillery constantly employed,
hey CALAMITY defended with small arms a.
one, for near four hours of constant battle.
70 troops ever behaved with more cool
nd determined bravery; from the com
handing officer down to the private soldier,
here was scarce single abandonment of
uty; and at the last, when their ammuni-
ion was nearly exhausted, and surrounded
" the enemy, greatly superior in number
nd in the means of war, surrendered with
reluctance rarely to be found upon SINH
ar occasions. The officers commanding
n the breast-work and who deserve parti-
ular notice, if distinction could easily be
lrawn, were Majors Benjamin Graves and