The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-04-16

from the heights, and so far the plan sue
eeedcd. But the enemy failed to improve
the advantage. If he had thrown his chief
force across the ravine above the road and
occupied our camp when relEquished, thus
obstructing my communication TO the rear,
should have been driven upon Delaware
against superior force, since found to be
stationed there, or forced to take the will
derncss for Fort Talbot without forage or
provisions.
Heaven averted this calamity. We soon
res, ined the position at Twenty Mile Greek,
aid though the rangers were greatly dis.
heartened By the retreat. and to a man in
sisted upon not lighting the enemy, we de-
cided to exhibit on that spot the scene of
Death or Victory. was induced to adopt
the order of the holLozv square, 10 prevent
the necessity of evolution which / knew all
the troops were incompetent to perform in
acton. The detachments of the 24.h and
S8th infantry cccrpied the brow of the
heights. 1hf detachment. from the gar
rison of Detroit formed the north front of
tie square. the rasgers the west, and tae
militia the south. Our horses and baggage
stood in TIE centre; the enemy threw his
militia and lndians across the ravine above
the road and commenced the action with
savage yeils and buglcs sounding from the
north, west and south. His regulars at the
same time charged down the road from
the opposite heights, crossed the bridge
and charged up the heights, we OCCUPIED
within twenty steps of the American liils,
and against the most destructive fire. But
his front section was soon shot to pieces
Those who folio &c d were much thinntd and
wounded. HIS cfiicers were soon cut down
and his antagonists continued to evnoe
degree of animation that. bespoke at once
their boldaess and security. He therefore
abandoned the charge and took cover in the
woods at diffused order. between fifteen,
twenty and thirty PAGES of our line, and
placed all hope upon his ammunition.
Our regulars beng uncovered, were order
ed to kneel, that the brow of the heights
might partly screen them from the enemy's
view. The firing INCREASED on beth sides
with great vivacity. But the crisis was o.
yer. / knew the enemy dare not uncover,
and of course that no second charge would
be attempted. On the north, west and
south front the firing had been sustained
with much GOODNESS and with considerable
loss to the foe.
Our troops en- those fronts being protect
ed by logs hastily thrown together, and the
enemy lot charging, both the rifle and the
musket were aimed at leisure, perhaps al
ways told. The enemy at last became per-
suaded that Providence had sealed the for
tupe of the day. His cover on the east front
was insufficient for as he had charged in
column of sections. and therefore, when dis.
persing on either side of the road, was una
BILE to extend his hanks, and as our regu-
lars presented an extended front from the
beginning, it is evident that common sized
tree could not protect even one man much
less the squads that often stood and breath
ed their last together and yet upon his re-
guIars the enemy relied for victory. In con.
cert therefore, and favored by the shades of
twilight, he commenced general retreat
after one hours close and gallant conflict.
J did not pursue for the following reasons.
1. We had triumphed against numbers and
discipline, and were therefore under no OBJ
legation of honor to incur additional ha zard.
2. In these requisites numbers and discip.
line) the enemy we're still superior, and the
night would have ensured success 20 an am
tu'cade. 3. The eDemy's bugle sounded
The close upon the opposite heights. If then
we had pursued, we must have passed over
to him as he did to us, because the creek
could be passed on horse back at no ether
point, and the troops being fatigued & frost
bitten and their shoes cut to pieces by the