Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-07-23


/. At four o'clock in the afternoos, agreeably
toa plan had given General Porter, he al.
Yanced from the rear OF our camp, with the va.
lunteers and Indians, taking the woods in or
der to keep out ofyiew OF the enemy,) with the
hope OF bringing his pinSets and scouting par
ties between his Porter's line of march, and
our camp. As Porter moved, ordered the par
lies advanced in front of our camp to fall bac.S
gradualiy, undsr the enerny's fire, in order to
draw him, tpossible, UP to our line. About
EAR past four, the advance of General Porter's
command met the light parties of the enemy in
the woods, upon our extreme left. The enemy
were driven, and Porter advancing near to Chip.
pewa, met their Whole column in order of bat.
sle. From the cloud of dust rising. and the
heavy firing, Twas led to conclude that the en-.
tire force OF the enemy was in march, and pre. .
pared tor action. Immediately ordered Gen:
Scott to advance with his brigade, and Tow.
sons artillery, and meet them upon the plain in
front OF our camp. The general siil nor expect
to be grati6ed SO soon with field engagement.
he advanced In the most prompt aud officer.
like style, and ia i few minutes was in close
acton upon the plain, Win 4 superior force Of
British regulartroops. BY this time. General
rorter.s command iiads;siven way. and 1ei in
every direction, Notwithstanding his personal
gai!antry, and great exertions to stay their
hight The retreat of the volunteers and Indie.
ans caused the left flank of Gen. Scotts bril-
side to be greatly exposed. Capt. Harris, with
his dragons, was directed to stop the fugitives
behind the ravine fronting our camp; and
sent Col. Gardner to order Gen. Ripley to adj
vance with the twenty first regt which formed
part OF the reserve, pass To the left of our camp
sklrt the woods 50 as to keep out of view, and
tall upon the rear OF the enemy's right flank
ms order was promptly obeyed, & the great
est exertions were made by the 2lst regiment
TO gain their position, ana close with the enc.
my but III valn---ior such was the zeal and
galisntry OF the line commanded by gen. Scott.
that IT'S advance upon the enemy was not TO be
checked. Major Jcssup commanding the left
fink battalion, finding himself pressed IN front.
and IN fank, and his men falling fast around
bim--ordered his battalion to sssupooyt arms
ana ddOdacc the order was promptly obev.
ed, amidst the most deadly and destructive fire.
lie gained a more secure position and returned
upon the enemy so CALLING discharge, as caus.
ed them to retire by this time, their whole
Inc was falling back, ald cur gallant soldiers
pressing upon them as last possible. AS soon
as the enemy had gained tue siyping ground
descending towards Chippeway, and distant a
quarter OF a mile, he broke and ran to gain mis-
works. In this effort he was too successful.
and the guns from his batteries opening imme.
diately upon our line, checked III some degree
the pursuit. At this moment, resolved to
bring up all my ordnance and force the place
oya direct attack, and gave the order accoro-
mgiy. Major Wood of The corps of engineers
and my aid captain Austin, rode 10 the bank of
the creek towards the right OF their line OF
WORKS, anu examined them. l was induced by
saeir report, the iatehess OF the hour, and The.
ADVICE OF Gen. Scott and Major Wood, to order
the forces TO retire to camp.
My most difficult duty remains TO be perform
ed am depressed With the fear of not being
able to do justice TO my brave companions IN
lDnlenelSIV.- I'm - Goa. 4 i
opportunity OF Distinguishing themselves, and
promptly embraced ii, vii escape my notice.
Brig. GIN Scott is entitled to the highest
praises our couatry can bestow-to him more
than TO any other NAH am Indebted for The.
victory OF the 5th July. dis brigade has co.
vered .rse;f with glory. Every officer and eve
ry man OF the 9th ana ga, 18th and 25lh regi-
nents did his dsy, with :. Zeal and energy wor.
thy OF the American charscter--When every
officer stands'sD pre- em.nently high in the path
OF duty and honour II is iir possible to discrimi
nate, but canaat deprive myself OF the plea
sure q saying tina MAJOR Laneworth command.
ed the 9Th and 22d, major Jessup the 25th and
tnajor Nc Nell ta~ llth Col. Campbell was
wounded eaify IN ti,e action, gailantiy leading
on his regimeni.
The fanny OF General Scott were consplcu-.
GUS in the field lieutenant Smith OF tie 9th
Infantry, major Of brigade, ami lieutenants
Worth and Watts hiS aids.
From general Ripley and his brigade, re-
ceiyed every assistancc that Igave them an Cd.
portunity OF rendering did not order any part
OF the reserve into action, until General
Porter's command had given way, and then
general SCOTS movements were SO rapid and
dccisv, that gaueral Ripley could not get I'm
IN time with The 2tst IL the position as direct
ed. The corps of Artillery under major hiad-
man, were not generaiiy in action-this was
not their fault-captain Towson's Company was
the only one that had full Opportunity Of dis.
itse.s, and it is believed, that no
company ever embraced an opportunity with
more zeal, or more success.
detachment from the 81 brigade under the
command ofiicutenant' Mcdonald, penetrated
The woods with tho Indians and volunteers and
for their support. The conduct OF Mcdonald
AMI his command reflects high honor upon the
Brigade 10 which they belong.
The conduct Of General Porter has been con.
gallant. Every assistance in his pow
&c to afford, with the description OF force un
der ms command, h,s been rendered. we could
MOI expect him TO Contend with the British CT
uTan OF Regulars which appeared upon q
plans OF cluppeway.-ft was no cause Of J
Prize TO me, 10 See his command retire b
ibis column.
Justice forbids chat should omit I'd
my own family. they yield to none in
bic zeal, intelligence and attcntisr.r
Colonel Gardner, Major Jones
aims Austin and Spencer LAVE
and as much devoted
GERS OF the army. L,
warnest acknowlcds
Jones shall have ~
you.