Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-04

Contest than our men A. length our am mu-
milton became exhausted. Il was now alb sut
sunrise. BY this time the enemy had en-
closed our troops on three sides, which for
ced the regulars from the right, and part of
our men crossed the river by order of gene
raj Winchester.
After crossing. they attempted 10; form &
give battle; but, owing to the houses being
in the way, they were frustrated in sthe at.
tempt. They then persued their retreat
through u lane for 100 yards, on the side of
which misplaced a number of Indians, who
injured themvery much. Captain Matson
though wounded, joined in the retreat, and
says the Indians pursued on each side for
about mile, they then fell back in IL rear
he then saw colonel Lewis and insisted on
him to form the men and make ktand,
as some of them were wounded and very
much exhausted. The attempt was made
without success, owing to the mems not ha
wing arms. He afterwards saw gen. Win
chester, and called on him for Gods sake
to make stand as the Indians were in. close
pursuit---he was himself much fatigued,
ard was convinced great many were in
the same situation. The general informed
ham the men could not be formed. After
rctreating about three miles from Raisin,
they came to field. through which those on
foot passed, and those on horseback were
obliged to ride round. At this time q ,tain
Matson saw general Winchester, col. Lew
IS, DIR. Irvine, and DR.. Patrick, going on !;
their horses were much fatgued, and num-
Der OF Indians IN close pursuit of them with
fresh horses, who must have uvertaken
them.
Captain Matson seeing the Indians with
IN lOOylrds OF him, slipped through fence
that as near at hand, pulled off his shoes,
and ran along the fence in a STOPPING positi.
on for about 60 yards to bunch of grass,
and. hid. The Indians still continued their
pursuit after those that were before him,
he saw several tomahawked as they passed :
he thinks tlfat there were nct more than
SO men ahead Of him.
After the Indians had passed by the capt.
he moved to a. prairaie where he concealed
himself till dark, and then pushed on to the
Rapids. keeping a road distance to the
right. When he came there, the place
was evacuated and the houses and provisi-
ons on TIRE. He then came on to Defiance.
Alter being there some days, Mr.. Nuvel.
one ut his company, came in. He informed
captain Matson that he lay concealed in a
barn, near where the Indians returned, and
says they had a number of scalps tied to their
saddles, and a number ofSour meh tied, ia
king them back, Sea quantity of red clothes
He says he left the barn on the 23rd, at night
lost his way, and went back to Raisln in
the night and was there informed by an A
merican woman, that those who stood their
ground were all taken prisoners, and but
few killed. Capt. Matson believes this in
formation to be correct, as the cannon had
ceased firing before he left the hospital.
Our informant states that at the COM
mencement of the action, he took Edward
M'ConnelPs gun, who ypas wounded with
him, and moved towards his company but
was prevented by Dir. Davis, who took the
gun. and went into the battle, telling him
his situation would nov admit of hisexposing
himself He says he1stpodip thesdoos un-
til the bullets strucEe the house So rapidly
he thought it best to move and seeing the
men retreat across>the river, he fellin with
them and proceeded through TIE fire of the
enemy as stated Nabove.. Jumping over a
number of brave men who had fallen vic
tins to the cruel savages. iIefis confiden,
the engagement lasted onehour before there
was any retreat, and he thinks it was as
warmly contested action as ever was Tough,
during that time.
II has been said the centre Of the line gave
way first, but captain Matson AYERS this tc
be false: he says the retreat commenced
on the right.