Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-10-08

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=, house with twelve men. furnished zap Il
tain TAYLOR With guide and sent him in par.
suit Of them with IL men and fit is possible he
will catch them, for more brave and active |
man never saw. Just after the firing ceased |
S; barces from about st. Mary's Church on the |
.pposite side and three from the mouth OF st
Inigoes she we'd themselves, but they dared not
venture near us. We waited till they had all
gone down almost out of sight. when we moved
off, after completely burning up the barge.
"or the officers and men OF Captain Taylor's
corps it is impossible to say who behaved best
they all acted the part of brave men,"
2o'clock, at night Captain Taylor has return.
ed, not being able to find any Of them"
Prisoner, Captured.
seamen; 9 artillery men 1 sergeant;
Z regulars 1 steward, all of the Diadem. Totsl
IS prisoners.
THREE killed or wounded.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 4.
Copy Of letter from Brigadier Gen. Hun.
gerford, to the Secretary Of War, dated
Fl. O. Camp at the White House,
September 9th, 1914.
SIR
Yesterday evening about two O'Clock,
the enemy's squadron discontinued the bonn
bardment which had been kept up, with lit.
tie intermission, for three days-weighed
anchor and stood down the river, commen.
cling heavy fire on the battery. and across
the neck of land through which the militia
were compelled to march to its assistance.
The rife companies under Captains Hum
phries, Tebbs. and Fields, we're immediate
ly ordered down to the battery, which orders
were promptly obeycd. followed with
Col. Parker's regiment, and two detach~
ments under Coils. Green and Renno, leav-
ing instructions with General Young to take
position between US and creek, which
made up some distan nee behind, so as topre-
vent the enemy from falling on our rear, *
to CO. operate with us, if necessary, at the
battery. When had proceeded with the
advance to point within three or four hun
dred yards of the river, the troops were
hated until could obtain accurate informa-
tion of the precise situation of the enemy,
about this time, Commodore Porter as uns
derstood. finding our little battery inefficient
60 impede the progress of the vessels, after
having long gallant!y defended it. and consi'
dering a longer contention with such su"
perioriiy of metal a wanton sacrifice OF blood,
ordered the battery to be evacuated, and
his men to retire, which they did. The two
largest of che enemy's vessels then anchor
ed one just above and the other below the
battery, and commenced most CALLING cross
fire ofround shot, grape, canister. &c. The
troops which had been previously ordered
to shelter themselves from the fire of the
enemy, it having become extremely severe,
were Immediately formed and marched back
to pace of comparative security. We
had scarcely retired, when information was
brought that the enemy discovered dispo-
sition to- Ind, and aid was necessary to pre-,
vent tfei- striking our cannon. ] again mo-
we'd down with the troops uuder my com>
maid Col. Dangerield with his regiment
being sent m before. aud had proceeded to
a vale" within abou, 6rty Yards Of the bat
ter, VIXEN General Young and myself, who
were Glowing with the residue of the troops
wera mt By Com Porter within three or
four hundred yards of the river.
lie hcught T. atit was unnecessary to
expose the whole army, and advised thar
eco men, which be thought sufficient for the
purpose, should be sent down to protect the
battery. All the troops we're then ordered
back, the detail made and sent down under
the command of Colonel Green, Major
Banks following with 200 men to aid them
il necessary.
Permit me to say that it was impossible
for men tohaye conducted themselves with
more intrepidity than the militia on this &C.
casion. Notwithstanding the dreadful cross
enemy. to which they were exposed, with.
out possibility Of returning the fire Che
most trying cf all situations) not a man un-
der my command offered to move until an
order 70 that effect was given and then il
was done slowly and in order.
beg leave also to mention the promptitude
and alacrity with which the second order to
march through tremendous discharge oflarge
Ehot and grape for the distance Of about mile,
was Immediately obeyed. Captain George w.
HuHphries, with his rife company, was stati-
sned yust above the battery, and is entitled to
tn highest communication for the cous,ge and
activity with which he fought Captain Crit
fifth, Of Alexandria, was undsr the immediate
direction OF Commodore Porter, who spoke of
him IN the highest terms Of approbston. Cspt.
Jsney of Essex, was near the battery at the
time Of the sction with fatigue party o. Fl ~
or sixty men, and deserves to be particularly
m ntioned Our whole loss vas eleven killed
and seventeen or eighteen woundad.
Ortober