Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-28

Il uSsx proBtcSSs udt.ereQ my3eN Win TIM
hepe that the riflemen would soon procia. n
by calling FIRE their still nearer approach
Imagine my chagrin shenI perceived the
main position, having 100 credulously listen
ed 10 groundless informatioa that the enemy
were landing on Black river to cut ths.n of.
MY hopes Of carly annoyance 20 the enemy
being Tins frustrated, ] threw the riRemen
| on the right flank of my front line. thereby
with the addition df few cavalry very we'll
securing that flank. My videtts soon bro't
information that the enemy IN small force
was enjoyins himself at G6rsnch's farm
insuited at the idea Of small marauding
party thus provoking chastissmsnt. several
OF my officers volunteered their corps 20 die
lodge 1t. Captains Leyering's and 4oward's
companies from the Sth about $50 n nuns
oer. under Majsr Heath Of that regiment !;
captain Aisquith's and few other riaemen
in all about 70; one four poundt- With 10 mon
under Il. Stiles. and the cavalsy. were isn.
mediately pushed forward 70 punish the in
science OF the enemy,s advance. or, If his
main body appeared. to give evidence of
my wish for = general engagement. The
latter purpose was soon answered /; this ANAL
volunteer corps had proceeded scarcely
half mile before the main body Of the ene-
my showed itself, which was immediately at.
tackled. The infantry and rifiemen MAIN
tanned a FIRE Of SONS minutes, and retired with
some loss in killed and wounded the caval-
~ and artillery owing to the disadvantage
Gus grounds not being able to support
them. In this skirmish Major Heath's horse
vas killed under him, At half past two
o'clock the enemy commenced throwing
rockets across my left flank. which seemed
harmless and had no other effect than to
prepare my line for the sound Of the artil.
lery. which soon commented by US on the
enemy's right column then pushing across
towards my left, and returned by their nix
Founders and q howitzer upon my left and
centre. The canonading was brisk for sew
erai minutes, when ordered my fire to
Cease until the enemy should get within
close range Of canister Seeing that my
left flank was the main object OF the enemy,
brought up the seth into line on the lief
of the 27th, and detached two pieces of arr
tillery tothe left of the 3oth, still more secure
~ to protect my left flank, Col. Amey Of the
5fst was ordered to form his regiment At
right angles with my line. resting his right
near theleft Of the 3osh. ] his order being
badly executed created for moment some
confusion In that quarter. but was soon rec
tilted by the efferts Of my aid descamp and
brigade majors. who corrected the error OF
Col. Amey, and posted the Sist in its order
ed position. The euemy':s right column dis
played Il advanced upoa the 32th and 9th.
The 5ist. unmiudful G: nay object to Sc its FIRE
in protection Of nay Left Asak ia case an at.
tempt should be made I'd turn it, totaiIy for.
getfsl of the honor of the brigade. and re-
gardiess its own reputation, delivered one
random Are and retreated precipitateiy, and
in such Confusion, as to render every effort
of mine to rally them ineffective: Some dis
order was occasioned in the second battalion
of the seth, by the fight of the 5lst, and few
gave way. The FIRE now became general
from left to right; my artillery in the ceatre
poured forth an incessant volley of canister
upon the enemy's left column. who were en-
deayoriDg to gain the cover of small log
house, about so yards in front of the 5th |;
which however precaution had been taken
| TO fire so soon as Captain Sadtler's Yagers
from the 5th (who were originally posted
therein) should be- compelled to leave it,
The enemy's line advanced about ten mi.
nntes before three O'Clock. with severe
| FIRE which was well returned by the artilIe-
| ny. the whole 27th, the s,h except the three
companies of Captains lowering. Howard
| and Sadtlers, which were too much exhaust
ed by the advanced skirmish Of the two for
| mer--and the ordered retreat Of the latter
n I'D ISSuiUc huCiI pOsfkiOUo w iitiS ,-dnQ lkOiU
| the first battalion Of the 59th, who main.
tanned its ground in despite of the Disgrace
| fal example set by the intended support on
the left. The fire was iucessant till about
/ fifteen minutes before four o'clock, when,
finding that my line now fourteen hundred
strong, was insufficient TO Withstand the su.
perjor numbers of the enemy, and my left
fi2Dk being exposed by the-desertion of the
3fst, was constrained to order a movement
tback TO the reserve regiment, under Col
FMDonald, which was web pnsted to receive
the retired line which mostly rallied we'll
On forming with the 9Th, the fAtigged state o.
the regiments and corps which had retired, and
the probability that my right flank might b
that direction, induced me, after proper deibe.
ration, tn fall back to worthington's mill
1 which was the more persuaded to, by nay de.
sire to have the 9Th regiment Whose Officers
and men were eager to share the dangers o.
their brother soldiers) perfect and in coed or
der TO receive the enemy on his nearer approach
to the city. All retired ~ could wish, ant
were ready to act As circumstances might re
quise. In this situation you found the Brigade
on the morning OF the 18th, somewhat fatigu-
ed, but with increased confidence in ourselves
and renewing our preparation for the annoy
anos Of the enemy alone, II deemed proper. OF
in conjunction with any other force.
4 ihaye thought It due to the merits Of M
Brigade, TO detail thus fully their whole move
msnt, asd feel pride in the belief that til,
stand made on Mondsy 10 no small deSref ten
ded TO check the temerity Of foe ;darlng Il
invade country like ours, ard designing tn,
destruction of our city, in whose defence SOM
Of the best blood Of the country has already beei
split, and for whose safety ard protection TN
citizen soldiers Of the Cd Brigade are ready 4
: suffer every privssion, and meet every danger
Should report be true, Csnd doubt rot tn
| fact) that the eneuy's commanding officer, Ma