Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-11

From the Frankfort Ret,osiforv. Mav 81,
FROM ERIE.
EEfract ola letter from one of the Cum
6eriand volunteers, to his friendin this
| place, dated
ERIK, May Goth, 1914
1--WE have received marching orders TO
repair to Niagara river, and will march in
few days.
"On Wednesday the 18th instant, Col.
Campbell and Major Marlin, made de-
mand OF Col. Fenton for 500 volunteers, to
go to Long Point, as they had received in,
formation OF the British having considera-
pie stores and men twenty miles from the
Point. This put the hand to the heart to
determine who did not wish to tread the
Canada shore, and am happy to inform
you, the demand was complied with in.
stantly, with an alacrity that was not dis,
honorable to the Pennsylvania volunteers &
militia-we drew days rations, had them
cooked, and embarked on Friday. Capts.
Alexander, Mitchell, Hendel, Roberts and
Moreiand, went from Cumberland, with
most OF their men, though all of them left
some valiant sons behind to guard Erie hill,
as there was some danger of Sir George
Provost coming from LeYer Canada and
storming the hill in our absence !! Capt
Mitchell and Lieutenant M'Keehan, shout
dermg their knapsaCks, with all the off,
GERS. Franklin ard Adams turned ont well.
Major Wood and Adjutant Poe were along.
Mr.. Poe acted as one Of Colonel Campbell's
aids. Four of Captain Piper's men, only,
went with Capt Alexander. Fell it nor in
Gath, publish it not in the streets of As
xeion, lest The daughters of the uncirsum
cised triumph" 500 volunteers and aear.y
500 regulars, with four pieces of artillery
was cur force. The reports of the enemy's
tree, differed much-some said or 600
militia and regulars, and others only so tlra.
goons. We sailed in six vessels /: the Ohio
Porcupine, Tigress, Somers, Scorpion and
Caledonia {; we hove in sight of the enemy,s
shore at z o'clock on Saturday morning,
but head winds kept us from getting to an
Choir until o'clock in the evening, and we
could not get within 2 2 miles of the shore.
The boats we're instantly filled and made TO
land when they ruck the beach, the men
were instantly formed as they landed, and
IN ten minutes alter. discovered twenty or
thirty dragons along small creek thcse
got shot and we heard nor saw no mere
OF them: few minutes after, when In pur-
suit of them, large canoe and three men
were discovered at a distance-the men ef
fected their escape, as it was then getting
dark, and the woods very close we got the
Hour, twelve barrels. Fires we're tn. n built
in the form of a hollow square, sentinels
placed and we lay with our arms in our
hands until day light; We then formed the
line e wheeled to the left, when the advance
was hired upon by some men we returned
the fire and they fed off and did not appear
again. suppose they were militia.
We were then marched to within SIGHT of
small village called Dover; formed the
~ taaf lo al, -
the place the enemy was expected to make
a stand, but none appeared Captains All.
exander, Hendel, Mitchell and More;and
we're ordered with three companies of reg :.
ulars to proceed and destroy some public
buildings, four miles from that-they we're
commanded by Major Marlin, Col. Camp
bell with the artillery and the rest of the
force, returned and destroyed some build
ings and store houses, the number I do not
know, asI was with the advance.
:" am sorry to add Colonel Campbell de /.
,stroyed some private property but to the
honor OF the volunteers they were silent
spectators, and except a few individuals.
their hands are nnspotted with that stain. =
captain Mitchell and the rest of the yoIun,
teer officers we're too engaged at Camp.
bell for destroying any private pro2erty-it
was To hsnt they went and not to act So
this they told him.---He said remember
Hampton, Havre de-grace and Buffaloe -
There was no force 10 be seen near where
we were--tiie women said their men fed at
our appearance off the harbor, they did not
know where, and the nearest force the Bri.
slsn had was at Burlington heights. All the
valuable stores were removed or secreted.
They had Information we would be there
the day before we came--so much for ives
fern tories. We re- embarked On Sabbath
evening and landed here ON Tuesday morn
ing, al weA"