The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-07-02

have Suffered considerably. From some INTO
ward circumstances, had it not in nv powe,
to observe the effect of each shot we fired o.
therwise,l think his destruction would have
been complete.
Commodore Barney furnished me with 90
excellent n;cn from his Eotilla to work the
guns. Ey some msinG na;cerncnt in loading.
with hot shot, one poor fellow had his arms
blown OH. which is the only material accident
we sustained. Ore of the encmv's rockets
passed through an ammunition box, which had
ocen n!u;lic!ouSly placed, and exploded i
which did some damage. An ammunition
cart near 1t WAS covered with the FIRE. but for
tunatcjy did not explode. Some other tiifin.r
accidents were sustained.
We commenced in the night an epaulment
to cover our guns: but the work progressed
So little from the shortncss Of time, | did not
think itbest TO occupy it. We retreated ,,ur
guns 50 as barely to allow the muzzles to peep
over the hill. This brought us on descending
ground, III ploughed Cornfcid. The recoil
ot the gun downward every time it was fired,
gave us excessive labor to bring j ND to it's no.
sltlon. mother respects II answered atiulira-
bly,. The enemy found it impossible to hit Ell
ther the guns or men. Every shot aimed by
them either fell short and struck the bank, or
flew clear over Towards the close of thc f.
rnlg, the enemy adopted the method of ,isino-
his shot Over the mill, probably firing from his
carrcnades--but tie effect was not more deci-
sive.
To prevcnt the enemy taking alarm in ths
night from cur movements, we were necessita-
ted TO ir,it our ammunition Wagons and
carts, above quarter OF a mle from the
battery, ard pass all the stores, even the
bricks or which our furnace was constructed
that distance by hand. This fatieucd the men
iuei.r 4.-;-
sn0r!d open upon US even a random fire, it
would he impossible to get any thing done for
the confusion it would create
] ought 20 mcnt!on, that the situation in
which the infantry and light artillery were
Placcd,was trying one Cor new raised troops.
Most O. the shot which missed the battery.
fell among them. had anticipated that dis
advantage, bat il was unavoidable. Il was in-
dlspens'ble to have them covered by son.e II
sing grouud from the waters of the Patuxer,t,
ana the position chosen was the only one COM
patibic with that view, and the design had
III posting them toprotcct the rear Of our bat
tcrv
The battalion of the 3Sth regt. joined us but
last evening, after a hard DAYS march. and
were Immediately marched to the ground.
Some OF their men were completely exhaust
ed, and the whole excessively fatigued and
half famishcd
NoillhloQorc barney fotllla was 1T hand,
ready 70 open upon the enemy the moment a
favorable opportunity should cffer lie COM
menccd firing soon after us, and Grew off that
Of the enemy for while. have not seen
him since the action, but understand he lost
several men Killed and wounded,
hope, on the whole, taking into considera-
ton our not being fully prepared, the exces
sive fatigue the men had undergone, and that
we have attained the object in view, which
was the release of Com. Barncy's fotilla, the
affair will not reflect disaonor on our troops.
have the honor to be, &c.
DECIUS WADSWORTH.
General JOIN ARMSTRONG,
Secretary ofNTar.