Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-23

enemy was ascertained to be conside-
rably greater. A house near the
bridge containing a very considera-
HE number Of mnskets had sneen set
on tire-but It was extinguised by our
troops and the arms saved. AT the
frst farm above the bridge, we found
one ofenelny's vessels on fire, loaded
with arms and ordnance stores, and
learned that they were a few miles a
head ofus. still on the right bank Of
the river with the great body Of the
Indians. At Bowles's farm, four
miles from the bridge, we halted Tor
the night. found. two othcrvessels and
a large distillery filled with ordnance
and other valuable stores to an i'm
mense amount in flames--it was inn
possible to put out the fre--tWo
twenty four ,poun,lsrs with their ear
Piages were taken and large guam
tity ofbsil and shells Of various sizes.
The army was put in motion early
on the morning Of the 9Th. ! pushed
on. in advance with the Mounted Re-
giment aud requested Governor Smell
by Ia follow rs ex,,etlitiOusly as pos
sible with the infantry. the Cover
nor's zeal aud that Of bis men ena-
bled them TO keep up with the ca
valry. and BY 9 o'clock. we were at
AruolRs Miil's having taken IN the
course Of the morning two Gun
boats and two batteaux loaded with
provisions and ammunition.
A rapid at the river at Arnold's
Mills affords the only fording to BE-
,aet with for very considerable dis
taaee. but. upon examination, it vas
found tive deep for the infantry. Hav-
ing however, fortunately taken two
or three boats and some Indian ca
noes on the spot. and obliging the
h6rsemen to take foot man be-
hind each. the whole were safely eros-
sed by IL o'clock. Eight miles from
the crossing we passed \ farm. where
a part of tue British troops had en-
camped the night before. under the
command Of col. WarbartOn. Eie
detachment with Gen. Proctor had
arrived the dav before at the Mora
Wan towns, four miles higher up. Be
Ing now certainly near ihe ens'ny. |
directed the advance Of John,oa's re-
gimeut to accelerate their march
for the purpose Of procuring in
telligeuce. The officer comnanding
it, ia a short time. sent to inform ,ae,
that his progress was stopped by the
enemy. who were formed across our
line Of march. Ole Of the enemy's
waggoners being also taken prisoner
from the inforaation received from
him. and my OWu observation, assist
cd by some Of my officers, I soon as
certaine.l enough Of their position II
order of battle, to determine that.
which it was proper for me to adopt.
nave the honor herewith to en-
close yon my general order. OF the
erin ult. prescribing the order OF
march and Of battle when the whole
army shonll act together. But as
the number and description of the
troops had been essentially changed,
since the issuiag Of the order, 1t ne
,eame necessary to make cores
bonding alteration in their DISPOSE
tian. From the place where our
ar.ny was last halted, to the dora
Wan towns, distance OF about
three and a half miles, the road
passes through beech forest with
out any clearing. md for the iirst
two miles near to the bank OF the
river. At from two to three hun
dred yards from the river. a swamp
extends parallel to it. throughout the
whole distance. The Intermediate
ground is dry, and although the trees
are tolerahly thick. it is in many
plaees clear of uaderbrusa. Across
this stripe of land, its left appayed
npon the river. Supported by artiiie-
ryp!aced in the wood. their right in
the swamp covered by the whole of
their Indian force, the Britain troops
were drawn up.
The troops at my disposal consist.
ed of about one hundred and tweaty
regulars Of tue eth regt. five bri
gales Of Kentucky volunteer militia
infantry under his Excellency Gov.
Shelby. averaging less than five hun
,lred Men. and col. Johnsons Resl-
meut of Mounted Infantry. making
in the whole al aggregat something
ho,o sonO M disDositiOn OF an