Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-10-13
tYASHYNG TON, October I.
October 6, 1874.
Copy ofa letter Tram Bygat'er Genera. Maeons6 to
TIE Secretary Of War, dated

Head Quarters P9atsbuygh, Sep Is, 1914.
SIR have the honor to communicate, Tor me
Informal ION OF the War Department, the particulars
of the advance Of the enemy into the territory OF!
the United States, the circumstances attending the
siege OF Pittsburgh, and the defence OF the posts
entrusted to my charge.
The Governor General Of the Canadas, Sir Geo.
Provost, having collected al the disposable force
in Lower Canada, with view OF con1uerng the
country as far as Grown point and Iiconderog@s en-
tered the territory OF the u States on the first OF
the month, and occupied the silsge OF Champlaln,
there avowed his intentions, and issued orders
and proclamalious tend;ng to- dissuade the people
from their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish
his army with provisions. He immediately began
20 impress the wagons and teams in the vicinity.
and loaded them with his heavy baggage and
stores From this was persuaded that he intend
ed to attack this place. had but just returned
from the lires, where had eommanded fine
brigade which was broken up to form the division
under Mai. General lizard, ordered to the west.
ward. Being senior officer, he lett me in COM
mainland, except the four companies of the 9th
fcgt. had not an organized battalion among those
remaining The garrison was composed OF con-
yaeseents and recruits of the new regiment-ali in
the greatest confusion as well the ordnance and
stores, and the works i'll no state OF defence.
To create an emulation and zeal among the Off
GERS and men in completing the works. | divided
them into attachments, and placed them near the
several forts declaring in orders, that each de-
tachment the garrison OF Its own work, ana
bound to detehd it to the last extremity.
The enemy advanced cautiously and by short
marches, and ur soldiers worked day and night
so that by the time he made his appearance before
the place, we were prepared to receive HIM.
General lizard named the principal work Fort
MoREAU, and to remind the troops OF the actions
of their brave countrymen, called the redoubt on
the right Fort BRowN, and that on the lett Fort
naa,
block houses strongly fortified.
Finding, on examining, the returns OF the garri-
son, that our force did not exceed fifteen hundred
effective men for duty. and well informed that
the enemy had as many thousands, called on
General Mooers, ofthe New-York militia, and ar
ranged with him plans tor bringing lorth the mii,
tia en- masse The inhabitants Of the village fed
with their families and effects, except few wor-
thy citizens, and some boys, who formed them
selves into party, received rifles, and were ex-
ceedingly useful. BY the fourth ofthe month, Ce-
neral Mooers collected about seven hundred m'li-
tia, and advanced seven miles on the Beckman-
town road, to watch the motions OF the enemy,
and to skirmish with him as he advanced-also to
obstruct the roads with fallen trees, aad to break
up the bridges.
On the Lake Road at Dead Creek Bridge. I
posted two hundred men under capt Sproui of
the 18th regt. with orders to ABBATIs the woois'
TO place distractions in the road, ana 10 io'thy
HitnseH; 10 UliS party duASo WV
In advance of that position was Lieut.. Colonei
Applng, with ITO riffemen, watching the move-
men,s Of the enemy, and procuring intelligence
1t was ascertaned, that before day light on the
sixth. the enemy would advance in two columns on
the two roads before mentioned, dlvicing al
SIMPSONS, a little below Chazy village me
column on the Beckmsntown road proceeded mos,
rapidly the militia skirmished with his advanced
parties, and except q few brave men feh oack
most precipitateiy IN the greatest disorder not
withstanding the British troops did not deign 10
fire on them, except by their aankers and adVanc-
ed patroles. The night previous ordered mag.
Wool to advance with detachment OF ESQ men 10
support the militia, and set them an example OF
irmness Also, capt. Leonard OF the hight ar
tillery was directed to proceed with two pieces
to be on the ground before day: yer ne did not
make his appearance until 8o'clock, when the enc
nv had approached within two miles OF me WI,
Iage. With his conduct,t therefore,, j am not wen
pleased. Major Wool, with his party, disputea
the road with great obstnacy, but the militia eouio
not be prevailed onto stand, notwthsI andng tne
exerton of their general and stan oincers
although the fields were divided by strong stone
walls, and they were told that the enemy could
not uossbly cut them off. The state dragons o.
New. Yosk wear red coats, and they beng On inc