Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-10-13

the enemys coluaers had penetrated within mile
OF Piattsburgh, dispatched my aid de camp,
Lieut.. Root, to bring otfthe detachment at Dead
Creek, and to inform lieut. colonel Apping that
wshei him % III ON the enemy's right flank
The colonel fortunately arrived Just IN time to save
hisresreat and to fall in with the head of column
DrsoucsINc from the woods Here he roured
IN destructive fire from his rifenren at rest, and
continued to annoy the column uni he formed
Jurctlon VIII major Wool The field eieces did
considerable execution among the enemy's columns.
So undaunted, however was the enemy that he
never deployed IN his whole march, always press
ing on m column. Finding that every road was
fuilot troops crowding on all sides, ordered
the held pieces to retire across the bridge and
rorma battery for its protection, and to the
Retreat OF the infantry, which accordingly
done, and he parties Of 4episg and Wool, as wei
as that OF Suosi. retired aiternateys keeping up
brisk IRE until they got Under cover of the works.
The ensny's Eght troops occupied the houses near
the bridge, andkept up constant firing from the
windows and balconies, and annoyed US much
| ordered them to be driven out with hot shot,
winch soon put the houses in fumes, and obliged
these sharp shooters to retire. The whole day,
until 1t was TOO late to see, the enemy's light
troops endeavored to drive our guards from the
bridge but they Suffered dearly for their per.ever
anee An attempt was also made to cross the
upper bridge. where the militia handsomely drove
them back.
The column which marched by the Lake road
was much lmpeded by the distractions, and the
removal OF the bridge at Dead Creek, and, AS it
passed the creek and beach, the gallies kept up
lively ard CALLING fire.
Our troops beng now all on the south side OF the
SNanac, objected the planks to be taken off the
bridges and pied up III Tx. form Of breastworks to
cover our pafties intended for dsput!ng the pas
sage, which afterwards enabled US to hold the
bridges against very superior numbers
From The 9Th to me lith, the emery was en-
poyed IN getting on his baterng tram, and erect
ing his batteries and approaches, and constantly
skirmlshhng at the bridges and fords. BY this
time the militia Of NewYork, and the volunteers
OF Vermont were pouring in from all quarters
advised Gen. Mooers to keep his force along the
Saranac to prevent the enemys crossing the river,
and to send strong body in his rear to harrass him
day and night, and keep him in continual alarm.
The militia behaved with great spirit after the
FIRST day, and the volunteers of Vermont were ex-
ceedingy servlccable. Our regular troops, not
outstanding the constant skirmishng, and repeat
ed endeavors OF the enemy cross the river. kept
at their work day and night strengthening the de-
fences, and evinced determination to hold out to
the last extremity.
4 .xas reported that the enemy only waited the
arrival OF his Hotlia to make general attack
About 8 in the morning of the 11th, as expect
ed, the toua appeared in sight round Cumber-
land Head, and al nine bore down and engaged
our flotlla at anchor IN the bay off the town. At
the same instant the batteries we're opened on us,
and continued throwing bomb Shells shrapnells,
balls and congreve rockets until sunset, when the
boBbardment ceased. every battery of the enemy
being sllenced by the superiority of our fire. The
naval engagement lasted but two hours in full view
of both armies. Three efforts were made BY the
enemy PISS the river at the commencement Of
the cannonade and commandment, with a view of
assaulting the works, and had prepared for that |
purpose an immense number of SCALING ladders
One attempt to cross was made at the village
bridge, another at the upper bridge, and third at
a ford about three miles from the works-At the |
two first he repulsed by the reguIars--at the
ford BY The brave volunteers and militia, where |
he suffered severely 1T killed, wounded and prison.
crs considerable bod, having crossed The stream, |
but either killed. taken or driven back |
The woods at this place were very favorable to the |
operations OF the militia A whole company of the |
10th regt. here destroyed, the three keu,en- I
arts and twsnty-seyen men prisoners, the captain |
and the rest killed.
Cannot foIego the pleasure of here stating the |
gallant conduct of capt, McClassn Of the 18Th |
regt. WHO waso dered to lord the river, and at |
tack party constructing battery on tie right Of
the enemy's line, within 500 yards 0: Fort Brown.
which he handsomely executed at midnight with (
so men dfove off the working party, consisting |
of $50, and defeated covering pasty of the same /
Misunderstanding one officer and six men IN the /
charge and wounding many.
AT dusk the enemv Withdrew his artillery from |
the batteries, and raised the seige; and At nine,
under of the nit ht, sent off in great hur-
~ I'll the baggage lie could find transport for, and
also his artillery At two the next morning the |
whole army precpitately retreated, leaving the |
sick anG wounded to our generos:ty--and the Co.
vernon left note with surgeon requesting the /
humane attention OF the Commanding General
Vast quantities of provision were left behind |
and destroyed, also an immense quantity of bomb |
shells, cannon-oalls, grape shot, ammunition, hints,
&c SC. &c ntrenching tools OF ali sorts, also tents
and marques. A great deal has been found con-
cealed in the ponds and creeks, and buried in the
ground. and vast quantity carried of by the in
habltants Such was the precipitancy of his re-
treat, that he arrived at Chazy, distance of 8 /
mics, before we discovered he had gone. The |
light troops, volunteers and militia pursued i'm |
mediately on learning of ms flight, and some Of
the mounted men made prisoners five dragons of I
the 18th regt and several others of the rear guard
A continual fall of rain and violent storm pre- |
vented further pursuit. Upwards of three hun.
dred deserters have come IN, and many are hour |