Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-28

cuouS ui I'uS occasion as IN the affair OF the
ZNh uitmo. n view OF general Chambers
encampmsnt VIII be sufficient to shew th;.t
MS disaster was owing to its arrangement.
us centre being It's weakest point, and that
being discovered by til. enemy i'm the even.
ing, received the combined attack of his
whole force, and his line was completely
cut. The gallantry of the 5th, 2sth, and
part OF the 23d, and light troops, saved the
arny-Of the 5th it is said, when the dav
broke not man was missing that a
part OF the Esd under major Armstrong
was found sustaining its left flank. Their
hre was irresistible-and the enemy was
compelled To give way. Could he have
oeen pressed the next morning, his destruc-A
ton was inevitable. He was dispersed in e.
very direction, and even his commanding
general was missing. without his hat or
horse. understand lie was found the next
morning almost famishcd, at n distance oS
. miles from the scene of action.
Lieutenant M'Chesney's gallantrv reco-
Vered piece OF artillery aud prevented the
capture OF others. lie merits promotion for
il.
On the evening of the 9th of June, Ere
ccived the order No. 4, and Joined the arr
my at 5 in the afternoon of the 9TH. found
1t at the 40 mile creek, 10 miles in the rear
| oil the ground OH which it had been attacked
| encampcd ON plain of about mile in
width, with It's right flank on the lake. and
| Its lett on the creek which skirts the base of
a perpendicular mountain OF a considerable
height On my route received Nos. AND
6 enclosed.
AT six in the evening hehostile fleet hove
III sight-though its character could not be
aScer.ained with precision. We lay on our
arms all night At dawn of day struck qanv
tents, and deserted the hostile squadron
breast OF us, about mile from the shore.
our boats which transported the principal
part OF our baggage and camp equipaee law
on the beach-it was n dead calm and ~
bout g the enemy towed in a large schooner
which opened her fire on our boats. AS soon
| as she stood tor the shore, her object be-
ing evident, ordered down Archer's anr
iowsons companies, with four pieces of
artiliery, to resist her attempts. \ at the
| same time Sent Captain Totten of the en-
g'neersla most valuable oiiicer1 to copstruc,
4 temporary furnacefor heating shot. which
was prepared and in operation in less than
tnifty minutes. ierfire was returned with
vivaotty and effect (excelled by no artiIe-
| ry III the uniserse) which soon compelei
her TO retire. A parry of savages now made
their appearance on the brow of the moun-s
tam lwhIch being perfectly bald, eMbaed
/ a
upon our camp. l ordered colonel Cnristie-
to disiodgc them, who entered ON the se,,-
vice with alacrity, but found himself ant;ci-
pated by Lieutenant Eidrdge, the adiutant
OF ms regiment, who with promptness and
| gaiiahtry hlShiy honorable to that youpe
oiHCef' had already gained the summit of
| t"e mountain, with party of volunteers. &c
routed the Barbarian Allies of the defender
OF the Christian faith. This young man me.
rits the notice ofgovernment.
These little affairs cost u. not a nam
Sir James l.. Yeo being disappointed of q
tragedy, next determined, in trne dramatic:
syie' 10 anuse us with farce. An officer
with a nag was sent to me from his shin.
ADVISING me- that as was invested with sa~
wages III my rear, heet in my front, and a
poweriui army OH my flank, he, and the of
hcers commanding his Britannia Maiestv's
land forces, thoughtir their duty to demand
surrender of my army. answered tnar
! the message was too ridiculous TO merit a
reply.
NO. was delivered to me at about six
| tiiiS morning; between seven and eight a.
| CLOCK the four wagons we had, being load
ell hrst with the sick and next with ammu.
nition, &c. the residue of camp eouinape Be
baggage was putin the boats and a detach,
rnent of 200 men ofthe 5th regiment detail.
ed to proceed in them. Orders were nre.
pared 10 be given themto defend the boats
andlt assailed by any of the enemy's small
vessels, to carry them by boarding, By some
| rregularity, which Ihave not been able n
discover, the boats put off without the de-
| 'acnments, induced probably BY the stiffness
OF the morning When they had progress,
ed about three miles breeze sprung nm.
and an armed schooner overhauled them
those who were enterprizing kept on ard
escaped, others ran to the shore and desert
ed their boats; we lost twelve of the num-
Der principally containing the baggage of the
officers and men.
At ten put the army in motion On mr.
retnrn to this place. The savages and ~.
corporated militia hung on our tanks and
rear throughout the march, and picked nm a
few stragglers. On our retiring the Rr;t;sb
ARM advanced and now occupies the ground.
we left. o O""N
The enemy's feet is constantly hoveripy
on on our coast, and interrupting our supplies.
The night before last, being advised Of their
having chased into 10 mile creek two ves.
sells laden with hospital stores. &c. / detach.
ga at midnight rs men for their protection
he report of the dayis (though not Officially
mat they arrived too late for their purpose
and that the stores are lost.
have the honor to be, Scc.
MORGAN LEWIS.
Honorable John Armstrong,
Secretary at War.
NOS, referred to in the Report OF Gen. ~.