The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-04-20


tant lfom this place. After our troops had
halted here a few minutes to refresh them.
selves, VIC proceeded up the road, when our
adyaoce, under Col. Clarke and Maj. FORSYTH,
was attacked by strong force of the enemy
Gen. Blssei was ordered to support that point
of the action, which he did with spirit, and
the enemy were compelled 10 retire with loss.
Maj. Gen. Wilkinson was at this time on the
field ofaStion, exposed to the fire of the ene-
my,and displayed Iha, CHARACTERISTIC fortitude
which are SO peculiar 10 himself in days OF
peril and triouIetion--We had also the plea
sure of witnessing the insfficaey OF the Con-
greve Rockets, several OF which were thrown
by the enemy in and about oar column
exploded and proved as harmless as
the smoke which issued from them. But
permi, me, sit, to suggest, thai this was a
mere skirmish when compared wi.h the con-
fiict which succeedcd it, iu our attack upon
the eoemy's strong position in the aG ernoon,
a, the River La Cole. Their force at that
place consisted Of about 500 regulars, which
was increased during the action by reinforce
ments from Isle au Nox.-Many were post
ed in stone building, the walls OF which are
said TO b. nearly four feet IN thickness, aud
impregnai,le TO every thing but tho heaviest
artillery others In 4 block-house and sur
rounding buildings, which served To project
them for time from the impression Of our
musquetry.-Wc arrived at the river about 3
PM. with Col. Clark and Major Forsyth, as
the advanced guard, who had been considera-
bly, exposed 10 FIRE on their Hanks in passing
through the woods to the river. Capt. M'Pher-
d. son succeeded the advance with pieces of
artillery this gallant officer was military Sc
cretary to Mai. Gen. Wilkinson,but his proud,
aspiring spirit, could not be appeased until
the General permitted him TO take command
d, of the battery 1t was then that Captain M
Pherson was himself cool, collected and firm,
he stood by his pieces under the most CALLING
and exposed fire of the enemy, until second
shot laid him low the first part passed thro'
the fieshy part OF his neck-with the intrepid
ity Of q veteran, he tore of bis handkerchief, /,
bound il round his wound, and went on with
hi. work of duty. But, alas the next was
the unkindest cut OF all the ball passed thro'
the upper part Of his thigh bone, fractured it
and he was borne from the field exhorring his
remaining officers and men to support .he
honor of their command, and pcrscvcre.
This battery was placed in a strong sDc COM
manding position within abont $50 yards OF
the strong building of the enemy, against
which the stron res, FIRE was levclled.-Licu,.
Larribee, an officer of real merit, attached TO
this battery, had received bail through his
breast and WAS taken from the field before the
wounded M'Pherson. rne command OF this
battery, about half past 4, devolvcd solely up
on 1t. Sheldon, who, In the early part of the
action, manifested the greatest firmness and
courage, but now, being reduced to but one
or two men TO aie him, tis valor and activity
were strikingly conspicuous he was compel
led 10 assist in loading and dischsrging his
pieces with his own hands. The infantry
were formed on the right and left Of the ar
tillery, consisting of Brig. Gems. Smith and
Bisseil's brigsdes, the former on the right,
the latter on the left. Too much cannot be
said of the krmness and unabating valor OF
these in sustaining the heavy and destructive
fire of the enemy and here let me mention
once more our beloved and intrepid comman-
der in ehief--undismaye and unappaled, he
stood in the very thick OF battle
"Like mount Atlas
"When storms and tempests thunder at its brow,
IS And oceans break their pillows at its feet"
Frequently was he exhor,ed by his staff 20
repair beyond the reach OF danger, but MS
uniform reply to the anxious entceaties of his
Objects, was. ~ VIII uc'Cr tu'n NY uaSh Ny
ON the enemy" expressing at several differ
cnt times, determination, in case the enemy
should give us an opportunity to make sue
cessful attack in line OF battle, to lead them
to the charge in person. His uniform con-
duct on the field, the collected aud deliberate
manner in which his orders were communities
ted to his aids, and the zeal he cvnced for the
success of the enterpnze, gave the nost uni
versal satisfaction TO the troops, and inspired
love and confidence which nothing in the
world can abate. In the cosrse OF the action,
several desperate charges were made by the
enemy upon our artillery and the right flank
of Gen. BisselI's command, but they soon
fel, the destructive fury of our FIRE, and were
compelled to retire with the loss in one
charge particularly OF captain, and leaving
Is dead upon the field