Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-07-28


of the n. York and Pennsylvania volunteers,
and some of the warriors of the Six Ma
tons.
Early in the morning of the 5th, the
enemy commenced a petty war upon our
pickets, and, as he was indulged, his pre-
sumption increased; by noon he showed
himself on the left of our exterior line, and
attacked one of our pickets as it was re-
turning to camp.
Captain Treat, who commanded Il, re-
tired disgracefully, leaving a wounded man
on the ground. Capt. Biddle of the ar
t~illery, who was near the scene, impelled
by feelings highly honorable to him as n
soldier and officer, promptly assumed the
command Of this picket, led it back to the
wounded man, and brot him off the field.
/ ordered captain Treat, on the spot, to re-
tire from the army, and as am anxious
that no officer shall remain under my COM
mand who can be suspected Of cowardice.
/ advise that captain Treat and Lieuten-
ant f--, who was also with the pick
ct, be struck from the rolls of the army.
AT four o'clock in the afternoon, agree
ably to a plan / had given General Porter,
he advanced from the rear of our camp,
with the volunteers and Indians, taking
the woods in order to keep out of view Of
the enemy with the hope of bringing his
piekets and scouting parties between his
Porter'sI line Of march, ard our camp
AS Porter moved l ordered the parties ad-
vanced in front of our camp to fall back
gradually, under the enemy's fire, in order
20 draw him, If possible, up to our line
About half past four, the advance of Gen.
Porter's command met the light parties of
the enemy in the woods, upon our extreme
left. The enemy were driven, and Porter
advancing near to Chippewa, met their
whole column in order of battle. From the
cloud ofdust rising, and the heavy firing,
| was led to conclude that the entire force
Of the enemy was in march, and prepared
for action. I Immediately ordered Gen.
Scott to advance with his brigade, and
Towson's artillery, and meet them upon
the plain in front of our camp. The Gen.
did not expect to be g~ratifed SO soon with a
field engagement. lie advanced in the
most prompt and officer like style, and in q
few minutes was in close action upon tho
plain, with = superior force Of British regu-
lar troops. BY this time, as1- Portes's
command had given way, and fed in every
direction, Notwithstanding his personal
gallantry, and great exertions to stay their
fight. The retreat of the volunteers and
Indians caused the left flank of Gen. Scotts
brigade to be greatly exposed. Captain
Harris with his dragons, was directed to
stop the fugitives, behind the ravine 'front.'
ing our camp, and | sent Col. Gardner TO
order Gen. Ripley to advance with the 2lst
regt. which formed part Of the reserve, pass
to the left of our camp, skirt the woods so
as to keep out of view, and fall upon the
rear of the enemy's right flank. This order
was promptly obeyed and the greatest ex-
ertions were made by the 2lst regiment to
gain their position, and close with the O.
nemy but in vain-for such was the zeal
and gallantry of the line commanded by
Gen. Scott, that its advance upon the ene-
my was not to be checked. Major Jessup
commanding the left flank battalion, find
ing himself pressed in front, and in flank.
and his men falling fast around him-order-
ed his battalion to support arms and adj
vGncs n--the order was promptly obeyed,
amidst the most deadly and destructive
fire. He gained a more secure position,
and returned upon the enemy SO calling a
discharge, as caused them to retire. By
This time, their whole line wa falling back.
and our gallant soldiers pressing upon them
as fast as possible. As soon as the enemy
had gained the sloping ground descending
towards Chippewa, and distant a quarter of
a mile, he broke and ran to gain his works.
In this effort he was too successful, and tho
guns from his batteries opening immediate
ly upon our line checked in some degree
the pursuit. At this moment | resolved to-
bring up all my ordnance and force the
place by a direct attack, and gave the order
accordingly. Major Wood of the corps of
engineers and my aid captain Austin, rode
to the bank of the creek towards the right
of their line of works, and examined them.
was induced by their report, the l~ateness
Of the hour, and the advice Of Gen. Scott
and Major Wood, to order the forces to rel
tire to camp.
My most difficult duty remains to be per-
formed. am depressed with the fear OF