The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-17


the firing lasted all day without intermission,
i had no other effect than 70 accustom the
militia to the danger. In the afternoon took
an eighteen FOUNDER to a more advanced
point, about mile distant and commenced
a ire on the Bomb Snip, which did so much
execution as to draw on me the fire Of all
their vessels, including schooner and an
eighteen gun brig which, had dropped down
that day. On the Sd, the enemy was rein
forced from above by another bomb ship and
sloop OF war fitted up as q rookie. ship. The
latter anchorne, within reach OF our battery,
we were enabled 90 play on her with great eff
feet, and compelled her to change her posi-
ton. All this day and the succeeding night
the enemy kept up !, brisk fire on us OF shot,
shells and rockets. In the course of che diiy
sher prizes from Alexandria anchored above
them, and ont OF the reach of our Cannon
The work of our battery went on FIVE light
held pieces from four to six Founders arrived
and were planted, and we had every hope of
soon receiving some long thhty-two Founders
from Washington; we buiit furnace for hot
shot, and time only appeared necessary to
make ourselves formidable. The whole of the
9Th and 5th, ali incessant fire was keptup by
the enemy night and day he had once at
tempted landing at night, it IS Supposed with
"a intention of spiking the guns ofo battery,
hut was repulsed by the picket guard. My
former plan of annoying him by advancing
guns was adopted to better effect than before
The Rocket ship laying close in shore was
much cutup by twelve pcuntler and two
sizes carried toa point ; scarcely shot miss
ed his hull, and for one hour we drew to this
point the tlre of all tie enemy's force The
cool Indifference Of my sailors to the danger to
which they were exposed was very rcmarka-
bic, and the intrepitIity OF Capt Griffith of
the Alexandria Artillery, his officers and men,
merit the highest culcgiunls; they fought their
SIX Founders until their ammunition was cx-
pended, and coolly retired with their guns,
when ordered TO do so, under shower OF the
enemv's shot.
Welow, as ifby mutual consent, ceased all
hostilities. Some thisty-tvo Founders arrived.
Carpenters we're employed to make carriages.
lwoInortars, a large quantity of ammunition
and an abundance of Shot and shells reached
us two barges were equipping and every
thing promised that We should si}eedily.te put
In proper state fer annoying tie enemy. In
the evening, two frigates anchored alone a.
bove us, making his whole force
Two rrigatc.. esrr,ins. GUYS %
Three Bomb Ships, so
One Sioop OF War, fitted rs a Rcck-2
One Brig, 1s
One Schooner,
Two Barges, 9
Total, l73
The guns mounted in the battery were
three 10 Founders, two IL Founders. six 6
Founders and two fours My two mortars
were without carriages, as were ali my thirty
two,s, for notwithstanding every effort was
made by the government at Washington to
b.lxr 10 81
spot, they could not be Completed in time.
Onthe morning cfthe 9Th, the enemy shew
ed disposition TO move. | advised Sen. Hun
gertord OF the same, and prepared to meet
them with hot shot About twelve O'Clock
the two triSates got under way with fair
wind and tide, and stood down for u.s. The
rocket sloop, bomb vessels, brig, schooner and
prizes following in succession, the gun boats
endeavolmg to flank us on our right. / i'm
mediately dispatched an officer TO Gen Hun
geriord, to request him to take the position a.
greed upon in the woods On the heights, but
from the distance OF bis camp and quick ap-
proach OF the enemy, he was unable TO march
before the hiring commenced, and after that
period, almost impossible, as have under
stc"- from the vast quantities of shot, shells
q rockets which were Showered over tie hills
& fell among his troops.
AS the enemy approached, well-d;rected
hre was kept up from the battery with hot &
cold shot, and my brave officers & men stood
the broadsides OF the ships with unparallel
ed tirmness ! anXiously expected tic militia
world open their fire Of musquctry, but was
disappointed-the cause was not explained
until alter the firing ceased. Finding that
the whole OF the enemy's fire was directed at
my force, and that in few minutes all his force
would be brought to bear Oh me, and Center
tanning no hopes OF preventing his passing) as
some OF my men had already been Killed and
wounded, determinednot to make an useless
sacrifice and when the enemy was on tie
point OF anchoring abreast the battery, after
SUSTAINING his fire one hour and Quarter,
directed the officers and men to retire behind
hill on our left, and be i'll readiness 70 charge
the enemy it ne should land to spike our guns.
The two trigates anchored abreast, the bombs.
sloops and smaller vessels passed outside
them, all pouring into the battery and neigh
boring woods tremendous fire of every des-
cripton OF missiye. In the woods on the left,
company of rinemen from Jefferson county
virginia, under Capt. Geo. w. Humphreys,
greatly distinguished themselvcs by well di-
rected ire on the enemy decks, as did a com
pany OF militia under the comm ard of Cant.
Gena, who was posted by me on the right
The first lost one man killed. and one sergeant
and four privates wounded the latter two
privates killed. The company of artillery
which SO much distinguished itself on a former.
occasion, behaved with no less gallantry to-
day and it affords me much pleasure to OBJ
serve, that the militia who came under nv
immediate notice, and were attached TO nv
command voluntarily or otherwise, Conducted