Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-01-22
Whole No. 7t2.

Ueeh kilteu. and oA taken prisoners, OF
which last was Lieut. King, Of the royal ar
tillery. Our loss in killed and prisoners, I
am told, was SO, besides a great number
wounded. Among the prisoners is Capt.
King. This officer might have escaped
After the wished for success had been gain
ed, he went with a body of troops who had
acted under his immediate command. to-
gether with a considerable number of pri-
soners that he had taken down to the place
where they had debarked- Here he found
that so many of the boats had been taken
back that there were not sufficient left to
bring over his W men, and the prisoners
he had made. lie resolved at all events
! that the last should DO brought over, and
determined to remain with as many OF his
own party as could not got into the boats,
and meet the fate that might await him
and before a boat could return to his relief.
he and his men were taken.
1t was expected that at the dawn Of day.
the main army would nave gone over and
| secured the advantages which had thus
been gained. Had that been done, Upper
Canada might possibly have now been in
our possession ; at least a disgrace, little
inferior to that connected with the surren-
der of Hull, would not have been entailed
upon our country.
About s o'clock the volunteer corps to
which was attached, was ordered TO march
to the place of embarkation. On arriving
we found the light artillery, and most Of
the infantry of the regular army, in their
boats, and the volunteer corps of various
denominations preparing to embark. The
forces hat could at that time, have landed
on the Canadian shore were about 1000 re-
gulars /; Col. Swift.s regiment consisting Of
$50 men Col. M'Ciure's of $40; the pro-
clamation volunteers, as they are called
near 400 strong, and about GOO of the Penn
s~ylvania brigade under the command of
Gen. Tannehill. This brigade contained
1000 men but no more than the above
mentioned number could be prevailed upon
to cross. This force was thought sufficient
for our purpose. Every thing wore a favo-
rable aspect. The weather wal mild and
pleasant. The troops were in excellent spi-
rits, and appeared to anticipate a glorious
triumph. Nothing appeared to oppose our
landing-not a single cannon to annoy US
from the batteries. All expected in a few
minutes to see the American standard,
waving on the hostile shore-But our move
ments seemed to be paralized by some invi-
sible hand. The boats lay in the river up
on their oars. The troops began to grow
impatient and confusion or rather, want
of order, prevailed among them. by noon
the enemy had mounted other cannon in
their batteries; and opened a fire upon the
boats, but without effect. Our time was
wasted in doing nothing and at length, a.
bout 4 o'clock r. M. orders were given to
retreat.
Thus a fine opportunity for striking an
effectual blow was irreparably lost either
thro' the pusillanimity and cowardice Of
Gen. Smyth, or of some of his principal
officers who are said to have advised him to
this extraordinary step. At this time eve
ry dark spot of disgrace might have been
wiped away. We should have met an in
ferior force, and that force apparently pa
mic struck, which is evident from the fact.
that about 10 o'clock A. M. three sailors
crossed over in a boat, remained on the OPP
posite shore near two hours, plundered AZ
much property as they could bring away,
set fire to three dwelling houses, which
were entirely consumed, and then returned
without the slightest molestation. The ef-
fects of this disgraceful circumstance, will,
] fear, be yet severely felt by their country.
The enemy will derive as much benefit from
1t as from a host of armed men. Before it
took place, no doubt, many Of the inhabi-
tants of that province would willingly have
sworn allegiance to the government of the
U. >. But after such q wanton violation
OF the principles Of right and justice, what
could be expected but that every man would
fly to arms, and, with holy indignation
prepare for vengeance The friends Of
Gen. Smyth endeavor to screen him from
the ignominy of this act, by saying that il
was never authorised by him. Be this as
it may he was near the shore at the time
the boat pushed off and did not attempt to
stop the aggressors, and has moi since Ia
ken any measures to punish them.
While the boats were lying in the river
and after Gen, Smyth had determined not