Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-07-30
OFFICIAL.

4
:" The enclosed reports were made by or
der. desired that the distinguished gal.
lan.ry Of the corps, and the individuals en-
gagged in the battle of the 5th, should be
well understood by you aad the nation.
have ascertained that the enemy had m ore
regular troope engaged in this action than
we had, and his loss exceeds FIVE hundred
men. a.. f+
Ifeel myself under great Obligations to
Capt. Kennedy, of the Navy, for his prompt
attention TO my Communications. He has
afforded, and is disposed to afford me, all
the assistance that is Ia his power to rem
der"
QUEENSTOWN, U. C. July 18th. 1914.
SIR.
BY the general order of the 18th instant,
4 methodicai and detailed report is called
for, designating the names Of such persons,
whether Commissioned officers or others,
who. in the action of the 5th, contributed
in particular manner, to the successful
result af that day.
am not asked for an account of the dis
positions made Of the troops under my com,
mand. during the action: will, therefore,
con6ne myself strictly to the general or
der.
A severe action has been fought, and sig~
nal victory gained: The general order of
the 9Th instant, attributes that victory TO
the LIST. brigade of infantry, and Capt Tow
sons company of artillery under my Conf
mand. II was believed at the time, and has
since been clearly ascertained, that of the
forces engaged, the enemy were greatly SUI
perior in numbers. Under such circurn.
stances, victory could not have been obtain
ed, without very general participation OF
all ranks and grades IN the event.
have the satisfaction of being assured
by every commanding officer, (Which is con-
frmedby my own personal observatory
that every mar, and of every grade in the
action, eyinced an ability to meet even a
grea err shock than that encountered, with
like success.
The truth Of this observation was most
conspicuous in the very crisis of the action.
Conduct universally good. leaves but little
room for Discrimination. Accordingly, but
few names are reported to me by the sever
al Commandments of Battalion, as entitled
to select mention, lin respect to their gal
liant comrades) and those cases are noticed
principally from accidental circumstances
of good or bad fortune. As in the instance
ofCaptain Ketchum, of the 2sth infantry,
whose good fortuneit was to be detached
with his company, by order of major Jessup,
to attack much superior force. whilst the
battalion was engaged with another body of
the enemy. Captain ketchum gallantly
sustained himself in the execution OF his or
dery, ill The battalion had cleared its own
fron., in order TO march to his support.
The good conduct of Captain Harrison,
! commanded by Major Leavenwor,h, and
observed by myself. was of another kind
A Cannon ball shattered and carried away
; part his ieg. fhe Captain preserved Q
,l,,,, .l,o =,
wound, and terly refused any assistance
from the ranks. until the enemy should be
beaten. So glorious display Of fortitude
had the happiesr Eject.
Ofthe three battalions of infantry com.
posing the first brigade, the first Consisted OF
the 9th and detachment of the 22d regi
ment, under thecommand o. M jor Leavcn>
worth. The Cd battalion, (of the Iith re :,
4 giment) was eal!anty conducted towards
its place, in the order OF battle. by Colonel
Campbell, who being early wounded, was
succeeded bv NJ jor M'Neil. Major Jessup
commanded the 25th regiment, or the re.
mairing battalion of the brigade. OF these
three excellent officers, it would be difficult
to say which was the most meritoriuus, or
most conspicu nslv engaged. The 18th re
I gimeut having been detached TO my left, to
turn the enemy's right wing, which rested
in wood, Major Jessup was less under my
personal observation than the other corn.
manders; but had every evidence of the
able dispositions he made of his corps, as
well by the report of my aids. as by the ef-
fec. he produced on that part of the enc
my's line and which contributed very
mitch TO the general success of the day
Major Jessup had his horse shot under
him.
The other two battalions, with an eniar-
ged interval between them, received The en-
cmy in open plain--tbat under Major Lea
wentworth parallel to the attack that IN
der Major M'Nei, with its left wing thrown
forward take the enemy in front, and
flank a, the; ne time. Captain Towson,
who con.s enced TIE fire before the troops
were in the order of b. tie, Immediately af-
forwards advanced to the front OF the ,ex,
IRENE right, with three pieces of artillery,
and took post on the river. Majors Leaveu>
worth and M'Neii made prompt disposi'
tons to receive the charge. The Ere OF
those corps. (including the Artillery pro
/ duced a.prodigious effect in the enemy's
ranks. That of Major Neil was the most
effective, from the obliqne position which his
corps judcionsl xnGvpied. The enemy's
batteiies were knirably served; 10
the fire of corps were ex-
PARTICULAR sic, however,
din o. preserving
rider. at ali