Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-07

fortified the height overlooking the old For,
of Mack,nac, at once despaired of being a
bic, with my small force. to carry the place
e. Storm, and determined. Gas the only
course remaining) on landing and establish.
ing myself ON some favorable position,
whenceI could be enabled to annoy the enc,
my by gradual and slow approached, under
cover of my artillery, in which should have
the superiority in point of metal. i was
urged to adopt this step by another reason.
not little cogent /; could position be ia.
ken and fortified on the Island, was well
aware thatit would either induce the enemy
to attack me in my strong holds. or force
his Indians and Canadians (his most etkci
snt. aud only disposable torce} off the Is
lahd. as they would be very unwilling to re-
main i'm my neigi,bor hood-after Appointment
footing had been taken. On enquiry, /
learned from individuals who had lived ma !.
ny years or, The Island, that position as
desirable cssI might wish, could be found on
the west end, and therefores immedialely
made arrangements for disembarking. A
landing was effected on the 4th instant, un.
der Gov er OF the guns Of the shipping. and
the line being quickly formed, had advan-
ced to the edge of the field spoken OF tor
camp, when intelligence was conveyed to
me, that the enemy was ahead, and few
seconds more brought Us fire from his 6at-
terry. OF four pieces. firing shot and shells
Ate accommodating his position, which was
well selected; his Iiue reaching along the
edge Of the woods. ut sse ferrher extremity
of the field and covered by temporary
breast work; determined on changing my
position, (Which was now two lines. the mi
ttia forming the front) by advancing Ma.
jor Holmes battalion of regulars ON the
right ofthe militia, thus to outfiank him, and
by a vigorous effort to gain his rear. This
movement was Immediately ordered, but
before it could be executed. a FIRE was opens
ed by some Indians posted IN thick wood
near our right, which proved fatal to MaJo'
Holmes and severely wounded Captain De.
sha, (ihe officer next in rank.) This un.
lucky Gre, by deprii ing us OF the services OF
our most valuable officers, threw that part
of the line INTO confusion, from which the
best exertiors efthe officers were not able
to recover it. Finding it impossible to gain
the enemy's left. owing to the impenetrable
thickness of the woods, charge was or
dered to be made by the regulars imnedi
diately agains, the front. This chargs
altho' made in some confusion, served L
drive the enemy back into the woods, from
whence an annoying FIRE Was kept up o!
the Indians.
Lieut. Morgan was ordered up with ;
light piece to assist the left, now particu
larry CALLED the excellent pracnce OF thl
piece BROUGHT the enemy to FIRE at longe
d;stapce. Di.coveripu that this disposition
- - :. - 49,, a., 7i,ter dr;
Noh whence inc ehsuy hau 1us. - -
ven, tanc which mad oeeh Iepresep.eu ~ ~
as SO high and commandinS) was oy ~
means teuable, from being interspersed vii
thickets ,nd and intcrsectefJ in every way b
,-,,,;,,es r ds,.r,,;rad mr., longer TO exbos
- -. .n.,,v feriy;n
my iorce@ 20 .ne nts ., an ~ $50
every advantage which cnula ue oo.ai'iS
from numbers and knowledge OF the pc
sition. and therefore ordered an immediat
retreat to,yords the shinn;np
Th;s ay ~ ~ b,s cos, .,s wany valuable live
leaves ms IN lament the fail Of thai o. IIant Office
Ma;or JaIr,es ,shos~ ys~se, =, i 20 : x. -. ~.
a, ~ w., r,,..,., =, chi, C.,,tain Vanlorn of III
Io,i !, sntrv sna I;eut. Jackson OF the Oath ia
toh &c ;I,rc,,;, xo,,, fell n,ortaiIy wou.
Ssd ., The Mad of ',beir respective commadds-
,Tbe condnct or IN INV officers ON this occasion M
-; M, aonrobat;on 'Cs,,t,in Desha of the Gath il
sntry although severeiy wounded, continued wi,
n. commapI nutiI force, 10 retire from faintne
Ith.oosh iass os h,ooj Cans saunders. Hawkin
snd s,ureus. with every subaltern oftlat baltslio
an "a rifle reg acting adi,itant to the battalio
activeix forwarded the wishes OF the commands
officer. Le.ts. Hickman, 2sth infantry, and Hy,