The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-28

5th, about $50 in number, under Major Heath
OF that regiment; Capt. Aisquith's and few
other rifiemen in all about 20 ono four poun-
der with 10 men under 1t. Stiles, the cavalry,
were immediately pushed forward to punish
the insolence of the enemy's advance, or, if
hrs main body appeared, to give evidence of
my wish for general engagement The
latter purpose was soon answered {: this
small volunteer corps had proceeded
scarcely half mile before the main body of
the enemy Showed itself, which was immetli-
ately attacked. The infantry and rfemen
maintained FIRE of some minutes, and retir-
Cd wish some loss in killed and wounded the
savaliy and artillery owing to the disatlvan-
tagcous grounds not being able to support
them. In this skirmish Mai. Hcath's horse
was killed under him. Ut half past two o.
clock the enemy commeucedthrowingr rockets
across my left flank, which seemed harmless
and had no other effect than to prepare my
liilc for the sound of the artillery, which soon
commenced By us on the enemy's right CO.
lhnn then pushing across towards my lett, and
returned by their six Founders and a liowit-
ger upon my left and centre. The cannona-
ding was brisk for some minutes, when
dered my fire to cease until the enemy
should set within close range of canister.
Seeing that my left flank was the main OBJ
ieot of the enemy, brought up the 39th into
line on the left of the 9th. and detached two
pieces of artillery to the left ofthe S9th still
more securely to protect my left flank, Col.
Amey of the 51st was ordered to form his re-
giIaent at right angles with my line, resting
his right near the left Of the goth This Or
der being badly executed created for mo-
ment some confusion IN that quarter, but was
yooa rectifed by the efforts of my aid-de-camp
and brigade ma ors, who corrected the error
OF Colonel Aney, and posted the '51st III its
ordered position. The enemys right column
.lsp @I,,-<, Al,
9th. The 51st, unmialful of my object to use
is FIRE in protection of my left flank in case
an attempt should be made to turn it, totally
iorgettul OF the honor of the brigade, and re-
SaIdless or Its own reputation, delivered one
random fire and retrcated precipitatelv, and
N such Confusion as To render every effort of
mine to rally them ineffective. Some disorder
was occasioned In the second battalion of the
seth, by the flight of the 5lst, and few gave
way. The fire now became general from
left to right my artillery in the centre pour
ed forth an incessant voi.ey of canister upon
the encmy'S lett column, who were endea-
vorinS to gain the cover Of a small Lighthouse,
about SO yards III front of the 5th; which,
however, precaution had been taken to fire,
SO soon as Capt. Sadtler's Yagers from the 5th
(who were originally posted therein) should
be compelled to leave il. The enemy's line
advanced about ten minutes before 8 o'clock,
with severe fire which was well returned
by the artillery, the whole 27th, the 5th ex-
cept the three companies of Captains Lever
ing, Howard and Sadtlers, which were too
mach exhausted by the advanced skirmish of
the two former-Sl the ordered retreat of the
latter, TO resume their positions in line and
from the first battalion of the seth, who
maintained its ground in despite of the dis
graceful example setby the intended support
on the left. The fire was mcessant till about
Is minutes before o'clock, when, finding that
lay line now 400 strong, was insufficient to
withstand the superior numbers of the enemy,
and my left flank being exposed by the de-
sertion of the 5Ist, was constrained to order
a,rnovement back to the reserve regiment, I'M
der Col. M'Donald, which was well posted to
receive the retired line which mostly rallied
well.
On forming with the 9th, the fatigued state
OF the regiments and corps which had retired,
and the probability that my right flank might
be turned by quick movement of the enemy
In that direction, induced me, after proper
deberation. to fall back to Worthington's
mill which was the more persuaded to,
by my desire to have the 9th regt (whose of
fcers aud men were eager to share the dam
gers of their brother soldiers) perfect and in
good order to receive the enemy on his near
er approach to the city. All retired as /
could wish, and were ready to act as circum-
stances might require. In this situation YOU
found the Brigade on the morning of the 9Th,
somewhat fatigued, but with increased conf
dence in ourselves, and renewing our prepara-
ton for the annoyance of the enemy alone, if
deemed proper, or in conjunction with any O.
Their force.
have thought it due to the merits of my
Brigade, to detail thus fully their whole move
ment, and feel a pride in the belief that the
stand made on Monday III no small degree,
tended to check the temerity of foe, daring
to invade country Ike ours, and designing
the destruction of our city, in whose defence
some of the best blood of the country has been
already split, and for whose safety and protec-
ton the citizen-soldiers fthe Sd brigade are
ready to suffer every privation, and meet cv-
cry danger Should report be true, (and I
doubt not the fact) that the enemy's comrnand-
ng officer, D1ajor General Ross, was Killed in
this action, and that the enemy suffered in pro-
portion to his superior numbers, shall still
more feel the valuable consequences of our
ight.
The conduct of MANY company officers and
priyates, was such as | calculated on that of
most of my field officers also merits my parti-
ca ar notice. Maj R'd. X. Heath of the 5th,
who led on the advanced party to bring on the
action, behaved as became AN officer; the
facts of his first horse being killed under him
in the first skirmish, his second being badly
wounded, and himself receiving a Confusion
on the head by a musket ball, in the general
action, are ample proofs of his bravery and
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