Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-05-13

We shall be prepared to sail tor the
next object of the expedition the hrst
favorable wind.
have to lament the loss of the brave
and aetHe brigadier general Pike.
l am with the highest respect. &c.
II. DEARBORN.
The hon. Gen. JsHN lRas7RoFc,
Secretary Of War, Washington.
HEADQUARTERS, York, eatitat Of Uhher
Canada, .Ahr1l 2sth, 1918.
S1R-Alter detention Of some days
by adverse winds, we arrived at this
place Yesterday morning, and at eight O
clock commenced landing the troops c.
bout three miles westward from the
town, and one and half from the enc
my's works. The wind was high and
in an anfa, orable direction fer the boats,
which prevented the lending of the
troop. at clear field, the scite OF the
ancient French fort Tarente. 1t pre-
vented also many of the armed vessels
frcm taking positions, which would have
;rest effc c,ually covered our landing;
but every thing tina, could be done was
effected.
The riHemen under major Forsyth
first landed, under heavy ire from In
dians and other troops Gen. Sheahe
commanded in person. He had collect
ed his whole force in tho woods near the
point where the wind compelled our
troops to land. His force consisted Of
700 regulars and militia, and 100 In
dams. Major Forsyth w.s Supported as
promptly as possible bat thu contest
was sharp and severe fer nearly half an
hour, and the euemy were rePulsea by
number far inferior to theirs. AS soon
as Gen Pike landed with seven or eight
hundred men, and the remainder ct the
troops we're pushing Ter the shore, the
enemy retreated to their works. Our
troops were now formed on the ground
originally intended for ,heir landing ad-
vanced through thick wood, and after
carving one battery by assault, were
moving in columns towards the main
work: when within sixty rods OF this, =
tremendous explosion took place from
magazine previously prepared, * which
threw out SUCH immense quantities ct
stone as most seriously 10 injure our
troops. have not yet been able to col
iest the retntn, of the Killed and wound
ed but our loss will, l fear, exceed one
haDd,ed; and among these have to Ia
ment the loss Of that brave and excel
lea, officer Brigadier &eneral Pike, who
resolved confusion irom a large stone,
hich termioated his valuable lite with.
in "a few hours. His loss will be severe
iy lett.
Previously to this explosion the enc
my had retired into the town, excepting
patty of regulars, TO TIE number OF 40,
who did not escape the effects OF the
shock, and were destroyed.
Gen. Sheaffs moved off with the regu-
lar troops and left directions with the
commanding officer of the militia 10
make the best terms he could. Ia the
mean time ali further resistance on the
part OF the enemy ceased, and the out
lines of capitalization were agreed on.
AS soon as learned that gen. Pike
had been wounded, went On shore. To
the general had been induced to con-
fde the immediate attack. from know
ledge that it was his wish, and that he
would have felt mortified had it not been
given TO him.
Every movement was under my view
The troops behaved with great firmness
and deserves much applause. particu-
lar.y those FIRST engaged, and under Cir
cumstanses which would have tried the
stesdiness of veterans.
Oar loss tn the morning and in carry.
ing the first battery was not great, per-
haps forty or fifty killed and wounded,
and OF them full proportion ct officers.
Notwithstanding the eneny's adsan-
tasc in position and numbers in the COM
mencement of the action, their loss was
greater than ours. especially in officers.
Ii WAS with great exertien that the small
vessels of the feet could work into the
barbor against gale of wind, but as
soon as they go, into proper position,
a tremen ious canncnade opened spon
the enemy's batteries and Was kept up
against them, until they were Carried or
blown up, and had, no doubt, powerful
effect upon the enemy.
am under the greatest obligations
20 com. Chsunccy for his able and indie
fatigabIe exertions In every possible