Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-06-30

nv iaSL CUtots
,.ncv. Pungpteague and Onoheock
creeks run about three miles apart
nearly parallel, seven miles in the coun'
,rv. A large road runs down this neck
q land nearly an equal distance ron
i. ,,h creeks, with thick wood on eaen
side, at many places. A guard Of 80
,nen we. placed on the south s'cs OF
pungoteague creek; but they could rem
Ter no assistance, the enemy Always
v;,hont the reach of their musketry'
49, o'clock the enemy crossed the bar
+ Puncoteague in eleven large bargss
and I.,oches. in two divisions; the cen
ire barge wore large broad Tag. Two
tenders, sloop add a schooner lay on
in the bay. close in. Upon their hrss
Ere Ian 1918 canpon) the Albion ~ ;,
ear.Admiral Cockbur.'. ship IN fuii
view, wa, decorated with a great num-
Der Of eleean, Colors. Lieut. homas
Underwood Of the artillery, who hsd
cha ee ola cannon at his house. taoou'
ono mile from the station before men
tioned) with it and five men repaired 70
that place He was soon Afterwards
Joined BY Major John FiDney, who livsc
on Ononcock Creek, and with ten men,
had been watching the enemy from MS
lr.t appearance. AT half past Z, the G.
nemy commenced his attack upon Ma
ior Finney, with 10 ID. shot and Con.
grove Rockets, which was returned
with rapid firing by Lieut.. Underhiil.
Soon afterwards, Captain Isaac Smith,
Who had been stationed Oh Ononcock
Creek, about four miles from that place,
made his appearance with 20 men, and
occupied pine wood OF his right ne
enemy then opened his fire upon Capt
Saith, and at the same tisne upon the
detachment stationed On the south side
of Pungoteague creek. The attack was
then general-the enemy used his iSiD.
l2lb. Alb canister and grape shot, and
Congreve Rockets with great proiuslon
but without effect. He soon landed
from eight barges and launches, che
quarter Of mile fom Major Finney
and lieut. Underhil, and gave three
cheers-put about 30 negroes In full u
inform in front, and rushed upon tho
Major, receiving and giving continual
FIRE Major Finney ordered lieut. on'
derhiIl to retreat with his cannon, but
The Lieutenant not having men to take
IF his cannon. charged with canister
slot and when tie enemy had reached
him in column, about 100 yards distance
he gave him a well directed FIRE, splk.
ed his cannon. and effected his retreat
The enemy then adyanccdswith 80 ne.
sroey, 400 or 8 sailors and marines,
as nearly as | can ascertain, and took
possessi Of large open field. (and
with small party) the house OF Jshn
Smith, aged rs, near to il, and formed
Ba; ta.ion about one mile from his land
ing place
!" Maj. Finney with fifteen men, now
occupied thick skirt Of woods on his
right and Capt Smith with his twenty
men occupied thick woods TO his left (;
during the whole OF this time an inces.
SAINT fire of musketry was kept up on
both sides with cannon and Congreve
Rockets from the barges then in the
creek, three If which had never landed
and had moved up the creek, In 4
short tiEle the enemy rushed TO the
woods occupied by capt Smith, drove
him from it, and took possession; this
woods was nearly united BY the one oc-
cupied by major Finney. Between
them was an open FIELD, nea ly In the form
of triangle with fence on each side ;;
The enemy had the advantage Of Major
Finney in having ditch and bank, on
which his fence was placed, the ditch
mex, the woods. In this situation each
advanced along their fence towards the
angle of the field, k, epins up an inces
SAINT fire; when about one hundred Yards
apart The bugle horn sounded from the
barges retreat which wa. instantly and
cheerfully obeyed. At this place ne.
gro in full uniform was left dead, he was
in advance. They were one mile from
their ba ges, half of the distance was
marsh. his retreat was rapid aud without
order, except corps Of 80 marines who
covered their retreat-they entered their
bsrges and made all sail to their Fort
and Camp on Tangier Island Six
wounded msn or dead bodies we're seen
to be carried in blankets to their barses
and blood was found at three places.
Our loss one private badly wounded but
not dangerously. In this action, major
Finney has proved himself to be an off,
Ger brave and judicious-Csptain Smith
honorably discharged his duty-Lieut.
Underhill lost his cannon, but hope the
daring courage he displayed will ex.
cuse him with your excellsncy, and that
yeu will confide to him another.-The
other officers, non.commis,ioned officers
and privates behaved as they ought to
L. q