The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-13
Sir, very respectfully.
Your most obt. humble servant,
JACOB BROWN.
Hon. Secretary ofUar.
Cory Of a Letter, from Brig. Gen. Porter, 70
OAajor Gen. B'9gyn.

NH'v |esfes ron org. Ge7f. Porter, 10
Major Gen. B,oqvn.
Fort ERIE, Sept. %, 1914.
SIR-In executing the duty you have i'm
posed ON me, of reporting the conduct OF the
olhctls ana men composing the left column
which you was pleased to place under my
command, in the soytte of the 1Zth inst the
pleasure derive in representing to you the
admirable conduct of the whole, is cleepIv
chastened by sorrow for the loss of MANY
brave and distinguished men.
beng obliged. from the nature Of the
ground to act on foot, it was impossible that
my own personal observation should reach ia
every officer. some part of this report must
therefore rest upon the Information Of others
1t is the business of this communication to
speak Of the conduct of individuals vet Won
viii permit me to premise, although wen
Enown to yourself ALREADY, that the OBJ
iectz'f the left column was to penetrate. bv
circultous route, between the cncmys bate
RIGS, where cne-third Of his fore. was ALWAYS
kept on daty, and his main Camp, and that it
was subdjvided into three divisions-tbe AL
vance ef 200 I'!Nemcn, and few Indians.
commanded by col. Gibson, and two columns
moving parallel to, and so Yards distant from,
each other. The right column was command
ed by IT, col. Wood, headed by 400 inf;ntrv.
under major Brook OF the Esd, and followed
I2TNC (t
col. Dobbin's, M'Burney's and Fleming reei
mcnts, and was intended to alta the. bate
RE. The left column Of 500 militia was COM
manded by brig gen. Davis, and comprised
the commands of 1t. co.'s Hopkins, Church
hill and Crosby, and war intended TO hold in
check any yeintercements from the enemv's
camp OF both columns circumstances re-
curing it, which frequently happcned) to CO.
operate in the same object.
Alter carrying by storm, in the handsomest
style, strong hlock-house, in rear Of the Sd
battery, making its garrison prisoners. tes-
troylng the three % Founders and their carri-
ages IN the Sd battery, and blowing up the
enemy's magazine, and after cooperating
with gen. Miller in taking the second battery.
the gallant leaders of TIE three divisions all
tell nearly at the same time col. Gibson, at
The second battery, and gen. Davis and It. col.
Wood, IN an assault upon the first.
Brig. gen. Davis, although militia officer Of
little experience, Conducted on this occasion
with all the GOODNESS and bravery OF yete-
ran, and fell while advancing upon the enc
nv's entertainments. His loss as a citizen. as
wen as soldier, will be severely felt in the
PatTiotiC county of Genessee. Col. Gibson
fully sustained the high military reputation,
which he had 5cfoTe so justly acquired. You
Know how exalted an opinion have always
entertained Of it. col. Wood of the Engineers.
us CONDUCT on this day, was, what It uniform
iy has been, on every similar occasion, an ex-
hibition Of military skill, acute judgment, and
heroic yalor. Cf the other regular officers.
It. col M'DCnald and major Brook senior in
command, will report to you in relation to
their respective divisions Permit me, how
cver to say of these two officers, that. much
as was !cf, to them by the fall Of their disting-
u'shod leaders, they were able to sustain their
parts IN the most admirable manner, & they
rctly deserve the notice of the government.
Ot the militia, regret that the limits Of
report VIII not permit me even to name all Of
thosc, who ON this occasion established claims
to the gratitude Of their fellow citizens much
.cSs To- particularize their individual merit.
-. Co.'s. Hopkins, VI Burncv, Churchill and
rosby, and Majors Lee, Marcle, Wilson.
Lawrence, BUR-, Durham, Kellogg, and Can
son, are entitled to the highest praise for their,
gallant conduct, their steady and perseverine
f|erliohs. Il. col. Dobbn being prevented
by g yere iudispnsition from taking the reid.
MAJ. ba', asst insp. general volunteered his
Services TO ION maj. Lee in the command Of
the volunteer regiment and MAJ. Lee and
every other cf GER speaks ~ the hiphest
terms %; thc gallant and good conduct OF this
yCuag ficer.
Napt Fleming, who commanded the In