Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-12-02

of Col. Cannon, with whom marched my
SELF Col Asicorn was ordered to mach up
on the rlght and encircle one haE OF the
town, and al the same time the lett would
form half circle on the lett and unite
the head of the columns 10 front OF the
town; all Of which was performed as
could wish. When | arrived in half
mile of the towns, the drums Of the enc
my began to beat, mingled with their saw
age yeils, preparing for action. 1t was al
ter sun rise an hour, when the action was
brought on by Capt. Hammond and Lieut..
Pattersons companies, who had gone on
within the circle Of alignment for the pur-
porse of drawing out the enemy from their
buildings, which had the most happy effects
AS soon as Capt Hammond exhibited his
front in view of the town, (Which stood in
open woodlsnd) and gave few scatter
ing shot, the enemy formed and made a
violent charge on him, he gave way as they
advanced, until they met our right CO.
lumn; which gave them general fire and
then charged this changed the direction
of charge completely; the enemy retreat
ed firing, until they got around and in
their buildings, where they made all the
resistance that an oyerpowered soldier
could do they fought as long as one ez-
listed. bat their destruction was very soon
completed our men rushed up 10 the doors
Of the houses, and in few minutes Kill
led the last warrior of them the enemy
fought with savage fury, and met death
with all it's horrors, without shrinking or
complaining, not one asked to be spared, but
fought so long as they could stand or sit
In consequence of their flying to their hou-
ses and mixing with the families, our men
in killing the males without intention kill
ed and wounded few of the squaws and
children. which was regretted by every of
ficer and soldier of the detachment, but
which could not be avoided.
The number of the enemy killed was
one hundred and eighty six that were count
cd. and number OF others that were killed
in the woods not found. | think the calcu-
lation a reasonable one, to say two hun.
dred Of them were killed, and eighty, four
prisoners of women and children, were ia
ken: not one of the warriors escaped, to
carry the news, a circumstance unknown
heretofore
lost i've men killed, and forty one
wounded, none MORALLY, the greater part
slightly. a number with arrows two of the
men killed was with arrows; this appears
to form very principal part of the enc
my's arms for warfare every man having
a bow with a bundle of arrows, which is |
used after the first fire with the gun, until |
leisure tine for leading offers.
1t is with pleasure | say that our men
acted with deliberation and firmuess-not-
withstanding our numbers were far supe-
rior to that of the enemy, it was a circun
stance to US unknown, and from the parade
of the enemy we had every reason to sup
pose them our equals in number, but there
appeared no visible traces of alarm in any, |
but on the contrary all appeared cool and |
determined and no doubt when they face a |
foe of their own or Of superior number they |
will shew the same courage as on this oc-
casion.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, Sir,
Your obedient servant.
JOHNCOFFEE.
Brioadier General Of cavalry and Rifle |