Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-21

force at that place consisted Of about loo
regulars, which was increased during the
action by reinforcements from the Isle au-
Noix. Many were posted in stone build
ing, the walls of which are said to be near
sly four feet in thickness, and impregnable
to every thing but the heaviest artillery !;
others in a blockbouse and surrounding
buildings, which served to protect them
for a. time from the impression of our mus
quetry. We arrived at the river about 3
p. NJ. with colonel Clark and Ma or
Forsyth, as the advance guard who had
been considerably exposed to fire on their
TANKS in passing through the woods to the
river. Captain MPherson succeeded the
advance with A pieces of artillery; this gal
liant officer was military secretary to Major
General Wilkinson, but his proud, aspir-
ing spirit, could not be appsssed until the
General permitted him to take command
ofthe battery---It was then that Mr. MPher-
son was hmself--cool, collected and firm
he stood by his pieces under the most gall
ing and exposed fire of the enemy, until
second shot laid him low: the first shot
passed through the fleshy part Of his neck !;
with the intrepdity Of veteran, he tore
off his handkerchief, bound it round his
wound, and went on with his work of duty
But alas the next was the unkindest cut of
ALL the ball passed through the upper part
OF his thigh bone, fractured it, and he was
borne fromthe field exhorting his remain
ing officer and men to support the honor of
the command, and persevere This bat
terry was placed in a strong and command
ing position, within about $50 yards of the
hal oft x.l -
its strongest fire was levelled Lieutenant
Laribee, an officer of real merit, attached
TO this battery, had received ball through
his breast, and was taken from the field
before the wounded MPherson. The com.
naDd OF this battery, about half past four,
devolyed solely upon Lieutenant Sheldon,
who, in the early part of the action, mani
tested the greatest firmness and courage,
but now being reduced to but one or two
K men 10 aid him, his valour and activity
were strikingly ccnspicuous-he was com
PEELED to assist in loading and discharging
his pieces with his own hands
The infantry were formed on the right
and left of the artillery, consisting of Brig
adler Generals Smith and Bissell's brigades,
the former on the right, the latter on the
left. Too much cannot be said of the firm
ness and unabating valour of these in sus-
raining the heavy and destructive fire Of
the enemy and here let me mention once
more our beloved and intrepid commander
in chief, Wilkinson, -undismayed and I'M
appalled,, he stood in the very thick of bat
tie
g" Like mount Atlas
When storms and tempests thunder at its
brow
And oceans break their pillows at its feet. !"
Frequently was he exhorted by his staff,
to repair beyond the reach of danger, but
his uniform reply to the anxious entreates
OF his officers, was, 6 will never turn nv
back upon the enemy" expressing at seve
rsI different times, a determination, in case
The enemy should give US an opportunity to
make a successful attack in line of battle.
to lead them to the charge in person His
uniform conduct on the field, the collected
and deliberate manner in which his orders
were communicated to his aids, and the zeal
he evinced for the success ofthe enterprise.
gave the most universal satisfaction % the
troops, and inspired love and confidence
which nothing in the world can abate.
In the course of The action, several des-
Pe'@te chu' g6S were mace by the enemy
upon or artillery, and the right flank of gen
Blssetis command, but they soon felt the
deStr@ctlUeJtry Of oar fire, and were com
peeled to retire with the loss lin one charge
partieularlyl of capt and leaving Is dead
upon the field,
The advantageous position of the enemy
in their strong holds, the iuefiicacy of z
ana Founders, on a stone building of 4
feet thickness, and the utter impossibility
OF bringing up an Is through INSTRUCTED
roads, swamps and forests, induced the com.
mander in GHETTO order the return of the
troops to this place, which order was ex.
eented in the most deliberate and satisfac-
tory manner, in the very face of the enc.
my, who dared not venture from their for
treSs to pursue or modest US The army
arrived here just about dark, By grad
uai and easy march, in fine spirits, and were
provided with comfortable ana rtars for he