Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-04-20

with great vivacity. But the crisis was o.
YER. 4 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
Toe. Our troops on those fronts being pro-
tected by logs hastily thrown together. and
the enemy not charging, both the rife and
the musket were aimed at leisure, & perhaps
always told. The enemy at last became
persuaded that Providence had sealed the
fortune of the day. His cover on the. east
front was insufficient for az he had charged
in column of sections, and therefore, when
dispensing on either side of the road, was UNI
able to extend his TANKS, and as oar 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 /; aud yet upon his re-
gulr.s the enemy relied Cor victory. In con
cert therefore, and favored by the shades of
twilight, he commenced general retreat af
ter one hours close and gallant conflict.
did not pursue, for the following reasons.
l. We had triumphed against numbers and
discipline, and were therefore under no obli-
cation of honor to incur additional hazard.
z. In these requisites (numbers and disci>
phne) the enemy were still superior, aud the
night would have ensured success to an am
ouscade. 5. The enemy's bugie sounded the
close upon the opposite heights. Ifthen we
had pursued, we must have passed over to
him as he did to us, because the creek could
be passed on horseback at no other point,
and the troops being fatigued and frost bit
ten and their shoes cat to pieces by the fro
zen ground. 1t was not possible to pursue on
foot-lt follows that the attempt to pursue
would have given the enemy the same adj
vantage that produced tae defeat.
Our loss in killed and wounded amonnt-
ed to non-commissioned officer and six
priyatcs, but the blood of between so and 90
brave Englshmen, and among them four
officers, avenged their fall The comman-
der, Capt. Barden of the seth, is supposed 10
have been killed at an early stage of the
contest-Thc whole American force in &C.
| lion consisted OF one hundred and fifty rank
| and hle, or whom seventy were militia, In
Guiding tue rangers The enelny's regulars,
alone were from one hundred and fifty to one
hundred and eighty strong, and his militia
and Indians fought upon three fronts of our
| square.
| l am much Indebted to al my regular of
| Rcers, and trust their names will be men
| toned TO the Army and to the War De-
partment. Without intending discrimina.
! ton 1t must be acknowledged thar the cxer,
tons OF Lieuts. Kouns and Henry of the 28tt
! and jackson and Potter Of the 24th were
| tihJst coiis.5;c.ouS, cescssS fJrlu-. lad nt
posed them u the main strength of the zoe
Captain Lee of the Michigan dragons wa.
OF great assistance before the action at the
head OF the advance and spies, and my warm.
est thanks are due to acting Sailing Master
Darling Of the U. S. schoorr Somers, who
bad volunteered to command the artillery
nusign Heard OF the 2sth acting as volun,
teer adju.ant, merits my Acknowledgements
and especially for his zeal in defending N,
opinion against a final retreat when other.
! permitted their hopes TO sink beneath the
! pressure OF the moment.
The enemy's wounded and prisoners wer,
treated with the utmost humanity. Though
some OF our men were marching in then
stocking feet they were not permitted Il
take a shoe even from the dead.
! l have the honor to be with perfect re-
spcct, sir. your most obedient servant.
| lSignedl
A. II, HOLMES.