The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-16

to order. There was then left to repulse
ths enemy, the few who remained of the
rear-guard the artillery company and cap
ain Russell's company of spies. They how
ever realized and exceeded my highest ex
pectations. Lieutenant Armstrong, who
commanded the artillery company in the
absence of capt. Deadrick, [c-nined by
sickness] ordered them to form and advance
to the top of the hill, whilst he and few
others dragged up the six FOUNDER. New
err was more bravery displayed than on
this occasion. Amids. the most CALLING fire
from the enemy, more than ten times their
number. they assembled the hill and MAIN
tanned their position Until their piece was
hauled up, when having levelled it. they
poured upon the enemy FIRE If grape, re
loaded and fired again. charged and repul
sed them.
he most deliberate bravery was display
ed by Const antne Perkins and Cravin Jack
son OF the artillery, acting as gnnners- In
the hurry OF the moment, in separating the
gun from the lim5ers, the rammer x pick
er of the cannon was left tied to the timber
No sooner was this discovered. than Jack
s'n. amidst the calling FIRE of the enemy,
pulled out the ramrod of his musket and
used it as picker prime,i with car
t'idge and fred the cannon. Perkins ha-
as aram er. drove down the cartridge s.
Jackson using his former plaa, again dis
charged hcr. The brave lieutenant Arm
ST ropg, just after the first fire of the cannon,
with Captain Hamilton. of T.. Tennessee,
Bradford and M'Gavock all fell, the lieu
tenant exclaiming as he lay, "n,y 6rauefei
to7os, some ofyon may .5aH, ouf you must
sape the cannon." About this tme num-
Der crossed the creek and entered into the
chace. The brave capt. Gordon of the
spies, who had rushed from he front, en-
deavored to turn the left flank Ct the enc
my, in which he partially succeeded, ami
col. Carroll, col. Higgins, and captains En-
liot and Pipkins pursued the enemy for
more than two miles, who fed IN conster
nation, throwing away their packs and lea
wing 26 of their warriors dead on the field.
L his last defeat was decisive, and we were
no more disturbed by their yels should do
Injustice to myfeelings if omitted o mention,
that the venerable Judge Cooke. at the age
OF IS, entered into the engagem ent. and con.
timed the pursuit of the enemy with youth
tul ardor. and saved the life Of fellow SOL
der, by; killing his savage antasoni't.
Our loss in this affair was-kl.ed and
wounded among the former was the brave
capt. Hamilton from East Tennessee, who
had with his aged father and two others of
his company, after the period of mis- ENGAGE
ment had expired, volunteered his service
tor this excursion, and attached himself to
the artillery company. No man ever fought
more bravely or fell, more :gioriously and
by his side fell with equal bravery and Clio
~. Bird Evans of the same company. Cap
tam QnarleS who commanded the centre
Column OF the rear guard. preferring death
to the Abandonment of his post. havingata
ken firm stand in which he was followed
nv tWRntv-fiya Of htc noo
in his head Of which he has since died
In these several engagements or loss
was 20 XII led and IS wornded.4 Of whom
have since died. The loss of the enc ny
cannot be accurately ascertained: I89 %
their warriors were found dead ; but this
must fall considerably short of the number
really killed: Their wounded can only be
guessed at.
Had it not been for the unfortunate retreat
OF the rear guard in the affair of the Oath
inst. think could safely have said that no
army of militia ever acted with more cool
& deliberate bravery undisciplned & inex-
perenced as they were, their conduct in
he several engagements of the 22d could nut
have been surpassed by regulars. No men
ever met the approach of an enemy with
more intrepidity or repulsed them With more
energy. On the Oath, after the retreat of
the rear-guard, they seemed to have lost
all their collectedness, and were more diff
cult To be restored to order than any troops
| had ever seen. But this was no doubt ow-
ing IN great measure or altogether TO tn at
very retreat, and ought rather TO be ascri-
bed to the want of conduct in MANY Of their
officers than to any cowardics in the men
who on every occasion have manifested a
Willingness to perform their duty so far as
they knew it.
| All the effects which were designed to be
produced by this excursion, it is b lieved
have been produ ed. If any attack was
meditated against Fort Armstrong, that has
been prevented. IF Gen. Floyd is opera
ting on the east side of the 'rAiapoosee, as
suppose him tc be, most fortunate diver.
sion has been made in his favor. The mum.
Der of the enemy has been diminished, and
the confidence they may have derived from
the delaysI have been made to experience
| has been destroyed:
| Discomfort has been kept out of nv
! army, while the troops who would have beer
exposed to il, have been benefcially en-
pleyed. The enemy's country has been ex.
| plored, and road cut to the point where
their force will probably be concentrated
! when they shall be driven from the countr,
| below. But in report OF tbis kind, ard &c
you who will Immediately perceive them, i,
is not necessary to state the happy conse
lguences which may be expected 70 resu't
from this excursion. Unless am great,
mistaken, it viii be found to have hastenet
| the termination of the Creek War. more