Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-10-01

from which killed his second lieuteaant, and
wounded several OF his men the hustle me-
cessariiy produced in removing the woun>
ded and remounting the gun probably
induced the enemy to suspect that we were
in state of confusion, as he brought in three
Of his bomb ships to what l believed to be
good striking distance. immediately or
dered fire to be opened, which was obey
ed with alacrity through the whole garri.
son. and in half an hour those intruiers a.
gain sheltered them elves by Withdrawing
beyond our reach. We gave three cheers,
and again ceased firing. The enemy contin
tinued throwing shells, with one or two
slight intermissions, till one o'clock in the
morning of Wednesday, when it was dis
covered that he had availed himself OF the
darkness of the night, and had thrown
considerable force above to our right they
had approached very near to Fort Coving
ton, where they began to throw rockets !; in
tended, / presume, to give them an .oppor'
tunity of examining the shores-as nave
since understood, they had detached 1850
picked men, with scaling ladders, for the
purpose of storming this fort. We once more
had an opportunity of opening our batteries,
& kept up continual blaze Tor nearly two
hours, which had the effect again to drive
them of.
In justice to 1t. Newcomo. OF the United
States navy, who commanded at Fort Cow
ingtoD with detachment of sailors, and 1t.
Webster, OF the flotilla. who commanded
the Six gun Battery nearthat Fort. I'ught
to state, that during this time they kept up
an animated, and believe very destruc.
tive FIRE, to which am persuaded we are
much indebted in repulsirg the enemy One
OF his sunken barges has since been found
with dead men in it-others have been
seen floating in the river. The only means
we had OF directing our guns, was by the
blaze os their rockets, and the flashes OF
their guns. Had they ventured to the same
situation in the day time, not man would
have escaped.
The bombardment continued on the part
Of the enemy until o'clock on "Wednesday
morning, when It ceased; and abent nine,
their ships got under weigh. and stood down
the river During the bombardment, which
lasted IS hours with two slight iDtermis-
sions) from the best calculation L can make,
from fifteen to eighteen hundred shells were
thrown by the enemy. few of these fell
short. A large proportion burst over US,
throwing their fragments among us, and
threatening destruction. Many passed over,
and about hundred fell within the works,
Two of the public buildings are materially
iniured-the others but slightly. l lam hap
py to inform you (wonderful az it may ap
pearl that our loss amounts only to men
killed, and "a wounded. The latter will
all recover. Among the killed. l have to
lament the loss of Lit. Ciagget, < Sergeant
CiSmn, both of Captain Nicholson's volun>
teers;2 men whose fae is to be- depiored, not
only for their personal bravery, but FOR their
high standing, aniable demea amor, and spot
less integrity imp rjvate life. Lieutenant
Russell, of the company under 1t. Penning
ton, received. early in the attack, severe
CONFUSION in the heel; notwithstanding which
he remained at his post during the whole
bon bardment.
Were TO name any individual who sig.
nalized themselves, it would be doing injus-
tce tn others. Suffice it to say, that every
of Ger and soldier under my CON-.
mand did their duty to my entire salts
fac ion.
have the honor to remain, respectfully,
your obadient servant.
G. ARMISTEAD,
1t. Col. u S. A.