Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-28

TIA the south Our horses and baggage
stood IN the centre the enemy threw his
militia and Indians across the ravine above
the road and commenced the action with
savage yells and bugles sounding from the
north, west and south. His regulars at
The sane 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 line
aud against the most destructive fire. Bot
his trontsection was soon shot to pieces
Tnose VINO followed were much thinned and
wsunded. His officers were soon cut down
and hls antagonists continued TO evince a
akgree of animation that bespoke at once
their boldness and security. He therefore
abandoned the charge and took cover in the
woods at diifused order, between fifteen,
twenty and thirty PAGES of our line, and
placed all hope upon his ammunition.
Our regulars beng uncovered, were or
dered to kneel, thatt brow of the heights
might partly screen them from the enemys
view. The firing encveased on both sides
with great vivacity. But the crisis was over
knew the enemy dare not uncover, and of
course that no second charge would be at
tempted. On the north, west and south
front the firing had been sustained with
much GOODNESS and with considerable loss
to the foe. Our troops ON those fronts be-
ing protected by logs hastily thrown togeth-
er, and the enemy not charging, both the
rifle and the musket were aimed at leisure.
prehaps 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 as he
| had charged in column of sections, and
therefore, when dispensing on either side
OF the road, was unable to extend his TANKS.
and as our regulars 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 breathed their last together; and
yet upon his regulars the enemy relied for
victory. In concert therefore, and favored
by the shades of twilight, he commenced
a general retreat after one hours close and
! gallant conflict.
did not pursue for the following reasons
!. We had triumphed against numbers and
discipline, and were therefore under no
obligation of honor to incur additional haz-
ard, g. In these requisites numbers and
discipline) the enemy were still superior
and the night would have ensured success
TO ambuscade. g. The enemy's bugle sound
ed the close upon the 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 other
point, and the troops being fatigued and
frost bitten and their shoes cut to pieces by
| q II
sue on foot--It follows that the attempt to
pursue would have given the enemy the
same advantage that produced the defeat.
Our loss in killed and wounded amounted
to non commissioned officer and six pri
Yates but the blood of between so and 90
brave Englishmen, and among them four
officers avenged their fall-The comman-
der, Capt Barden of the 89th, is supposed
to have been killed at an early stage of the
contest--The whole American force in &C
ton consisted of one hundred and fifty
rank and file, of whom seventy were mill
tia, including the rangers. The enemy's
regulars alone were from $50 to $50 rtrong,
and his militia and Indians fought upon
three fronts of our square.
am much indebted to all my regular
officers, and trust their names will be men
toned to the army & to the War Department
| Without intending discrimination it must
be acknowledged that the exertions of Its.
kouns and Henry of the 2Sth and Jackson
and Portor of the cath were most conspicu-
Gus, because fortune had opposed them to
the main strength of the foe. Captain Lee
of the Michigan dragons was of great as
sistance before the action at the head of the
advance and spies, and my warmest thanks
are due to Sailing Master Darling of the
u, S. schooner Somers, who had volunteer
ed to command the artillery Ensign Hear d
of the 2Sth acting as volunteer Adjutant,
merits my Acknowledgements, and especial
ly for his zeal in defending my opinion a
gainst final retreat when others permitted
their hopes to sink beneath the pressure OF
the moment.
The enemy's wounded and prisoners were
treated with the utmost humanity Thouoh