Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-28

troit, and transmitted to the Department
of War by Gen Harrison.
Fort CoUington, March To-
SIR,
have the honor to submit in writing
that the expedition sent under my command
against the enemy's posts by your special
orders of the 2lst ultimo, had the good for
tune on the 18th inst. to meet and sabdue
force double its own, fresh from the bar
racks, and led by distinguished officer
had been compelled to leave the artille-
nv By lIc invineible difficulties of the route
from Point au Plat to the Round O. No
wheel carriage Of any kind had ever at
tempted it before, and none will ever pass
it until the brush and fallen timber are cut
away, and the swamp causewayed or drain
ed. After joining Capt. Gill, | began the
march for Fort Talbot, but was soon con-
vinced of its being impossible to reach the
post, in time to secure any force which
might be there or adjacent This convc-
ton, united with the information that the
enemy had force at Delaware upon the
Thames, that should be expected at Fort
Talbot. and consequently, that a previous
descent upon Delaware might deceive the
foe, and lead him to expose me some point
in defending others he might think menac-
ed, and coupled with the possibility that
hearing of Captaia ellis march to the
Round by NJ Gregor's militia, whom he
had pursued, detachment had descended
the Thames to intercept him, determined
me to exercise the discretion allowed by the
order and to strike at once upon the river
On the 3rd inst. when only fifteen miles
from Delaware, we received intelligence
that the enemy had left Delaware with the
intention of descending the river, and that
we should probably meet him in one hour;
that his force consisted of a light company
from the Royal SCOTS, mastering for duty
one hundred and twenty men light com
pany from the S9th regiment of foot Jeff
ciency not known) Caldwelfs Indians and
MGregor's militia, amounting in all to a
bout 500 men. My command originally
had not exceeded one hundred and eighty
rank and file. Hunger, cold and fatigue
had brought on disease, and tho none died
all were exceedingly depressed, and sixteen
had been ordered home as unable to con
tinue the march Iresolved therefore to a.
void the conflict on equal grounds, and i'm.
medlately retreated five miles for the sake
Oh good position, on the western bank of
the Twenty Mile Creek, leaving Capt Gill
with twenty rangers to cover the rear, and
to watch the enemy's motions We had
eneamped but few minutes, when Capt
Olll joined, after exchanging shots with
The eneny's advance, in vainly attempting
to reconnoitre his force. The Twenty Mile
creek runs from north to south, through
deep and wide ravine, and of course is
tlanked east and west by lofty heights Nv
camp was formed upon the western heights.
The enemys upen the opposite. During
the night of the Sd all was quiet At sun
rise on the 4th, the enemy appeared thinly
upon the opposite heights, fred upon us
without effect and vanished After waiting
some time for their temperance, Lieut..
knox OF the Rangers was sent to reconnoitre.
Oh MS return he reported that the enemy
had retreated with the utmost precipitation.
leaving his baggage scattered upon the
road, and that his trail and fire made him
out not more than seventy men. Mortified
at the supPosition ofhaving retrogaded from
this dlminitive force, | instantly commenc-
ed the pursuit, with the design of attacking
Deia"are before the opening of another
day we had not however proceeded five
miles when Capt. Lee, COMMANDING the
advance, discovered the enemy in conside
aaoie force, arranging himself in battle -
Inc symptoms OF fear and flight were now
easily Traced to the purpose of seducng me
from the heights, and SO far the plan sue
eeeded' But the enemy failed to improve
ehe advantage. 1.-The had thrown his chief
force across the ravine above the road and
occupied our camp when relinquished, thus
oDstructing my communication to the rear.
should have been driven upon Delaware
against superior force since found to be
stationed there, or forced to take the viii
derness Tor Fort Talbot without forage or
provisions, Heaven averted this calamity.
we soon regained the position at Twenty
Mile Creek, and though the rangers were
greatly disheartened by the retreat, and to
man insisted upon not fighting the enemy,
DO. L.