The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-12-06
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1918.
FROM THE ALBANY ARGUS EXTRA.

ooh w NuC SC'ICtdIy ~ war.
lead Quarters, French Mills, adioining
me province Of Lozver Canada, Noven,-
Der 10, 1918,
SlR-I beg leave to refer you to the
journal which accompanies this letter for
the particulars of the movements of the
corps under my command down the ST.
Lawrence, and will endeavor to exert nv
enfeebied mind to detail 10 you the more
striking and important incidents which
have ensued my departure from Grenadis
Island, at the foot Of Lake Ontario, oil tic
Sd inst.
The corps OF the enemy from Kingston,
whlcn followed me, hung to my rear, and
IN concert with heavy galley and few
sun-boats, seemed determined TO re,ald
my progress. l WAS tempted TO halt, turn
about and put an end to his teazinp but
alas was corfined to my BIZ d {; mai. & en-.
Lewis was too iii for any active excrticn:
and above all, l did not dare suffer nv
self to be diverted single day from the
prosecution Of the views of government.
had written major general Hampton on
the 9th inst. by his adiuiant general col.
King, and had ordered him to lorm iunc-
,ce viii, me on the ST. Lawrence, which
expected would take place OH the 9th or
10th. II would have been objectionable
had lost sight Of this obicc, moment,
as deemed i, of vital impoi tancc TO tho is
sue of The campaign.
The ensmy deserve credit for their zeal
and Intelligence, which the active univcr-
sal hostility OF the male inhabitants of The
country enabled them to employ to the
greatest advantage. Thus while mesaced
by respectable force in rear, the coast
was lined by musquetfy in front, at every
critical pass Of tho river, which obliged
me 10 march detachment, and this imped-
cd my progress.
On the evening of the 9th inst. the army
halted Few miles from the head of the
Tongue Saul. In the morning of the 10th,
The enclosed order was issued. General
Brown marched agreeable TO order, and a.
boqt ;t2on we were apprized, by the report
of HIS artillery, that he was engaged some
distance below us. At the same time The
eRemy we're observed i'll our rear, and their
galley and gun-boats approached our foil
IA, and opened fire upon us, which o.
biigcd me TO order battery of IS pound
crs 10 be planted, and shot from it com,
PEELED the vessels Of the enemy 10 retire,
together with their troops, after some firing
between The advanced parties. But by this
time, in consequence of disembsrking and
re-emharkiDg the heavy guns, the day was
SO far spent, that our pilots did NOT dare en-
Ter the Saut, (eight miles a continued ra-
rd) ana therefore we fell down about two
miles and came 10 for the night Early the
next morning every thing was liz readiness
for motion; but having received no ~intelli.
gence from general Brown. ! was still dc
layed, as sound caution prescribed should
learn the result OF his affair, before COM
mitted the hotiila TO the Saul.
At hall past ten o'clock, A. NJ. an officer
OF dragons arrived With letter, ia which
the general informed me he had Gol ccd the
cucmy, and would reach the foot cf the
Saut early in the day. Orders were imme-
dia,ely given for the fotila to sail, at which
instant the eDeny's gun boats appeared,
and began to throw shot among US. Infor-
nation was brought me at the same time,
from b,igadier general Boyd, that the enc
my $ troops were advancing IN columns. |
sent orders 10 him To- attack
them; this report was soon contradictcd.
Their gun boats however, continued to
scratch u.s. and variety Of reports of their
movements and counter movements were
brought me in succession; which conyinc-
ed me of their determination to hazard
an attack, when it could be done to the
greatest advantage, and therefore | re-
solved to anticipate them. Directions were
accordingly sent, by that distinguished Off
GER col. Swift, OF the engineers, TO brig.
gen. Boyd, to throw the attachments Of his
command, assigned to him in The order
of the preceding day, and composed Of
men Of his own, Covington's and Swart-
wout's brigades, into three columns to