Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-09-29

10 pursue, ne, IN cOmp1ance WIN previous
arrangements, fell back and took post on
the left of my intrenchmerts, and half
mile in advance of them. In this affair the
citizen soldiers of Baltimore, with the ex
ception of the 5lst regiment, have maintain.
ed the reputation they so deservedly ex-
CURED at Bladensburg, and their brave and
skilfdl leader has confirmed the confidence
which we had all so justly placed in him.
take the liberty of referring you to his let
ter for the more particular mention of the
individuals who, new to warfare, have
shewn the GOODNESS and valor of veterans I;
and who, by their conduct on this occasion,
have given their country and this city an
assurance of what may be expected from
them when their services are again requir-
ed cannot dismiss the subject without
expressing the heartfelt satisfaction | ex-
perience in thus bearing testimony to the
courage and good conduct of my fellow
townsmen.N About the time General Strick-
er had taken the ground just mentioned,
he was joined by Brig. Gen. Winder, VINO
had been stationed on the west side OF the
city, but was now ordered to march with
General Douglass brigade of Virginia mi
litia, and the United States dragons under
Captain Bird, and take post on the left of
Gen. Stricken. During these movements,
the brigades Of Generals Stansbury and
Foreman, the seamen and marines under
Com Rodgers, the Pennsylvania volunteers
under Coils Cohcan and Findly, the Bal
timore artillery under Colonel Harris, and
the marine artillery under Captain Stiles,
manned the trenches and the batteries
all prepared to receive the enemy. We
remained in this situation during the night
On Tuesday the enemy appeared in front
of my entrenchments at the distance OF 9
miles, on the Philadelphia road from
whence he had full view of our position
He manoeuvred during the morning to-
wards our left as if with the intention of
making circuitous march and coming
down on the Hartford and York roads
Generals Winder and Stricken were order
ed to adapt their move ments to those OF the
enemy so as to battle this supposed inten-
ton They executed this order with great
skill and judgment by taking an advan
across the country, when the enemy was
likely to approach the quarter he seemed
to threaten This movement induced the
enemy TO concentrate his forces between
one and two o'elock) in my front, passing
his advance to within mile of US, driving
in our vioettes and showing an intention of
attacking US that evening.
Immediately drew Generals Winder
and Stricken nearer to the left of my en-
trenchments and to the right of the enemy,
with the intention of their falling on his
right or rear should he attack me /; or, If
he declined it, of attacking him in the
morning TIC this movement and to the
strength of my defences, which the enemy
had the fairest opportunity of observing,
am induced to attribute his retreat, which
was commenced at half past one O'Clock on
Wednesday morning In this he was so
favored by the extreme darkness and a
continued rain, that we did not discover it
until day light. consented to General
Winder's pursuing with the Virginia bri-
gade and the U 8. Dragons at the same
time Major Randall was dispatched with
his light corps in pursuit of the enemy's
right, whilst the whole of the militia caval-
ry was put in motion for the same object
Ali the troops were, however, so worn out
with continued watching, and with being
under arms during three days and nights,
exposed the greater part of the time to We
ry inclement weather, that it was found i'm
practicable to do any thing more than pick
up a few stragglers. The enemy commenc-
ed his embarkation that evening, and com
pleted it the next day at o'clock. 1t would
have been impossible, even had our troops
been in condition to act Extensively, to
have cut of any part of the enemy's rear
guard during the embarkation, as the point
where it was effected was defended from
our approach by line of defences extend
ing from Back River to Hum phrey's creek
on the Patapsco, thrown up by ourselves
previous TO their arrival
have now the pleasure of calling your
attention to the brave commander of Fort
M'Henry, Major Armistead, and to the
operations confined to that quarter. The
! enemy made his approach by water at the
same time that his army was advancing on
the land and commenced a discharoa of