Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-19

TIE VICTORIES AT pLATTsBURc. |
The following is an extract Of a letter from
a respectable gentleman Of Massachusetts.
IN the camp at rlattsburg. to his friend
In Boston, and gives some particulars of
the victories of Macomh. and Macdn.
nough, which have not yet been publish>
ed.
PLArrsBURGH. Oct. s.. 1914,
At this late period. you will not expect |
a history Of the invasion OF this frontier by
tie british army, uader the immediate com>
mand of the Governor General OF Canada. as |
it has been amply announced to you, thro'
the medium ofthe Public Gazettes-
y a few circumstances which have not
as yet been made public, may not be unin-
Iteresting. When Govener Provost was ad
vancing. and after he had issued his proc;a,
nation 90 the citizens, in order to induce
them to remain peaceable at their own
homes he invited all indiseriminately to
| visit hisepcampment. and seemed SOLICITORS.
20 make known 20 our citizens the number
at his troops and strength. particularly those
who belonged to plattsburg. cling them.
at thesame time. they wereat liberty to re-
turn, and inform Gen Maccomb all they
Il
his officers frequently boasted Of their
strength and ha,tered taemselves that our
4 defences would be Immediately evacuated
upon the approcn of his over whelmiug le
| gioAs.--The Gov. had been heard To say
to his officers that he had seen General Ma
comb, and had become acquainted with his
character; that Macomb would nat risk an
assault. - ! Z "a.
Confident Of success IN his narauding
enteRprfse, the Governor seemed to speak
contemptuousiy of the force which might be.
| opposed to him. We are nov persuaded
that had success attended the enemy he
would have made his Head Quarters this
winter atWhite.Ha'l, perhaps farther south
| and nothing would have commanded the
principal resources of eighty miles square.
!" The precipitate retreat Of the enemy
was as dastardly as his advance was prescm.
ing he bebeld forests walking. and trees
| in marital array on both flank and rear.
However singular, it may seem, It Is .
we'll known fact, that those very men who
have rnn the risk of conveying supplies to
the enemy while within his own limits, were
among the first that opposed his invasion !;
and became formidable on his TANKS.
You have read General Macomb's or.
dcrs OF defence; in those. you see the man.
aud the General. Every officer imnedi-
| ately became acquainted with his particu-
\ lar duty, and lett his own responsibility.
Such was the general enthusiasm of the
troops. that the British, had they assaulted
the works At the point of the bayonet, and
had carried them, would have found in them.
not only victory dearly bought, but their
| graves for there was an understanding a.
mong the officers, that in the event Of the
Notifications being carried by che enemy,
| they we're to have been blown up by the sur
vivors,--With this intention barrels of pow
der were opened in the several magazines.
Fortunately fer the enemy, perhaps more
fortunate for our army. the expected assault
was not made. ~
"a few days previous 70 the action the
barracks and hospitals without the lines of
defence, as in the vicinity Of the forts, were
all burnt by order Of the g.usral. This
Showed that obstinate resistance would be
made.
"The sick verc ordered 60 an Island a.
bout two miles from the fort; where they
we're covered from the weathe. in tents.
The Island containing about fifty acres. 1t
was from this place, had full view of
the action on the lake the right of Mscdu-
nough,s line extended to within half mile
of the shore Of this Island, now known by
the name Hospital Island. OF the thunder
OF the consending fleets, as soon as the &C.
ton became general. no description can be
given you on psper. Nearly two hours we
were in anxiours suspence. 1t Was an hug
"a of our gallant tars, which drst annouac
ed the victory Of the Saratoga over it, an
tagonists the Confance. the Gags of both ber
ing constantly covered from our sight by
cloud, ofsmoke.
]" The wounded OF both fleets and our ar
my, the same evening were landed at our
cantonment on The Island
= The enemy was mot neglected; prompt
assistance was indiscriminately rendered.
Those who had but one hour previous. been
deadly foes, now lodged by each other side
by side. like brothers aud friends, giving and
receiving the tenderest words Of consolation.
tits as true that Macdonough is religi-
Gus. as that he is a brave man He made
most appropriate prayer over the dead, pre-
vious to their interment. The following a.
necdote will interest you. AT the moment
the British were bearing down an officer ask.
ed permission OF the commodore to issue an
extra ration of gros. to the men. ..No."
was his reply" My men shall go cool inr
70 action. excited by no stimulus, except
their native yaloa"
N. z. Palladium.
ACTION At I.Vnhr,c CpgEY