Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-04-16

Many were posted in stone building, the
wallis OF which are said to be ne.,r,y fodr..st
IN thickness, and nnpregnaole 20 every thing
bur the heaviest artillery; others in "a block
house and surrounding buildings. which ser.y
we'd to protect them for time from the i'm
preston OF our musquetry.-We arrived a,
the river about p. NJ. with Col. Clark aud
Major Forsyth. asthe advance guard, who
had been considerably exposed 10 a Are on
their Hanks in passing through the woods ,,.
the river. Capt M'Pherson succeeded th,.
advance with pieces OF artillery ;tn,> gal
iant officer was military secretary tn Major
Gen Wilkinson. bat his proud. aspiring spi-
rit. Could not be appeased until the Genetsi
permitted him to take command &c rhe bat.
tery.-l, was then that Mr.. NJ 'Pherson was
himseif-cooi, collected and sim he stood
by his pieces under the mos. ga,,,ur and ex-
posed fire of the enemy. until a second sho,
laid him low the first shot passed through
the heshy part cf his neck-rvilh the intre
pidity OF veteran, he tore OF his handker-
Chief. bound round his wound. and went on
with his work OF duty. But alas! the nsxx
was the unkindest cut Of all: the ball pass
ed through the upper part Of his thigh bone
fractured 1t, and he was borne from the field
exhor,iHg his remaining officer and men 10
support the honor uf the Co y n,and. & per-
severe. This battery was paced in a strung
and commanding position, w.thin about $50
yards OF the stone building of the euemy. a
gainst which IT'S strongest fire WAS leveied
Lieut.. Larritee, an officer of real merit AT
eached to this. battery. had received bali
through his breast. and was taken from th..
field before the wounded Nf'Pherson.-rhe
command fthis battery, about hgif past fur
devolved solely upon Lieut. Sheldon, who.
in the early part of the action, nanifested
the greatest hrmness and courage. bur now,
being reduced To but one or two men to aid
him, his saior aud activity we're strikingly
conspicuous he was compelled 10 assist in
loading and discharg,ng his pieces with his
own hands.
The infantry were formed OFT the right and
left OF the artillery, consisting of Briras!ier
Generals Smith and B,sssns brieatfrs. the
former on the right, the latter on the lett
Too much canno, be said of the firmness &
unabsuEg valor of these in sustaining the hea.
Wy and destructive FIRE of the enemy and
mere let me mentioB once more our beloved
ndinTepid com,6anderin chief-untlisma,-
ed, unappailed, he stood in the very shickest
of battle
sstke mount Atlas
Whenstorms aud teUpcsts thunder at It's brow,
= And oceans break their pillows at its feet,
Frequently was Ii exhorted by his staff, TO
repair beyond the reach Of danger, but his N.
inform reply to the anxious cntreaties of his
officers, was, viii, never turn my back ubon
the enemy" expressing At several different,
times, a determination, in case the enemy
should give US an opportunity to make a sue.
cessful attack In line of battle, to lead them 10
the charge in person. His uniform conduct ON
tue held, the collected and deliberate manner
IN which his orders were communicated to his
aids, and the zeal he eyinced for the succ IS OF
the entcrprize, gave the most universal salts.
faction to the troops, and inspired love and
confidence which nothing in the world can ~
bate. -
In the course Of the action. several desperate
charges we're made by the enemy upon our ar
h'ery and the right hank of Genera: Bisseiis
command, but they soon felt the destructive
'ury OF our FIRE, and were compelled 10 retire
WIN .he loss ~, one Charge inariicuisaly) CT a
captain, and esving l5de.d upon the field.
The advantageous position Of the enemy j..
taeIr strung holds, the inefficacy Of we've and
SIX Pounucrs on a stone bui.d..g OF four feet
thickness, and the utter impossib;i;tvof brine.
ing up an eighteen through obstructed roads
swamPs ami forests, Induced the commander in
cntsfio order the return ofthe troops to this
pace, winch order was executed in The most
oehoerate and satisfactory manner, in the very
,ace OF the enemy who dared not venture
from their fortress TO pursue or modest Us. Tie
army arrived here just about dark, by gradu-
Al and easy march, in fine spirits, and were
PROVIDED with comfortable quarters for the
nght. thus ends the narrative oil the events
Of the day. Our loss may be computed at about
10 men killed and wounded that of the enc
my, Il general opirion is I, ST. OF truth, mi
nave been more.--The action continued from 3
+. IL until hall past s..