Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-07-12

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Idislodging the enemy from the works they
HAD erected on the opposite ade, eight
hundred yards distant, and which CEN
lpletely enfiladed our left, while, at the
| same time. it should serve ss-a diversion;
the boats with guns (intended to have
lbeen twenty were then to have passed
the batteries, and opened fire on the rear.
while the batteries were to have opened
on the flank 1.-The attack was then to have
taken place-the 44th to have carried the
ladders and fascines, while the 2lst, 4th,
land esd. on the signal rocket being fred,
were to advance. On the other SIDE, we
! were lucky in having The s5th. with their
famous Colonel (Thornfon,) and who had
volunteered, concerning that the post OF
greatest difficulty and consequence. So
far every thing appeared in most pro-
missing way. and not doubt vas enter
ltained Of favorable result but human
foresight, as constantly, happened to err.
The engineers. or, more properly speak
ling. the staff corps had declared the canal
sufficiently deep for tie boats tc pass, and
ito appearance it was so ;bnt We calcglat-
ed rather more on the gush ct water iron
The river than was quite right--we bad
dragged the boats up as far as the village;
with guns. stores, every thing which could
ibe necessary, and remained within about
two hundred yards of the river anti dark
lbut on our advancing about iiity yards.
the boats strnck, the lahour then became
extreme, and after night of most severe
hardship for the men, we succeeded IN
getting through the whole of the boats,
hut only four with guns, among which |
was fortunate enough to be.-We still
threaded the approach of day light; there
fore, fearing b. waiting for all, we might
not GET over sufficiently early, we started
with nine boats. car four, and FIVE others,
which contained the 85tb, and few
marines and seamen, the whole not, ! am
lsgre, exceeding four hundred /; but unior-
itunate.v thew seemed altogether to Lave
forgot US en- the left side, and before we
could be of sufficient use to create d.
version, every thing had failed in that
quarter while every thing had quite tie
contrary result on cur side. lie s5th
advanced, and we at first rather beaded
them. The Americans were rot aware
of their advance, but when they were, en-
ldeavored to form, & believe intended to
make stand. The advance did not dis
cover them quite as soon as tie boats, o"-
Inc to use a sea phrase. ''their beng un-
der the lee ola house )" but we gave them
a shot or two which apprized the ad'ance
| q really think not exceeding 20) OF the
enemy,s situation: but jonathan, the !
moment he received their fire and
lcoyers, with shot or two from the boats,
started for his works, and vas driven
from them almost as soon as lie entered,
leaving the redoubt with Is pieces Of can
mon and staHd of coloss. thus fell ar
easy prey, conquest Which was consl-
|dered by mary as most difficult
] do not mean to give an opinion as
to military affairs, because from ITS Ho'
bein~ my profession, ] am not, probably,
uuaIiFe, to form a just idea OF the baai-
ness altogether but as far as commoH
lsense. backed by the opinion OF sene ez-
ner;enced military officers, gees, 'nh
The attack on both sides was eScelieHtiy
planned. but on che side more than badl}
Iayecuted. | will endeavor to re'ate tie
circumstances as trey occurred Oh That
lside also -
& A short time previous to daylight,
General pakenfam rode down to see II
all was prepared as he wished, aud meet
nc-----of the--asked where
Ibe had left Tie tascines ard Ladders, he
was answered, :: In tie battery" Now
this battery was SO far i'll tie rear as to
REQUIRE some time before tie iascines
could be got up from it.-Eut belore tbs
could be done the rocket was hred, ac-
cording to previous arrangement, Tor the
attack. The regiments advanced there
were NO fasc!nes-no adders-the ditch
was too deepto wade-and our uniortn-
Fate men were cut to pieces; the req
neat in advance gave way, aha btohe
through tie lines Of tie SD AID 9Th.
Some Officers Of the 95d declared IN my
hearing publicly that Gen. heane, before
receiving his wounds, called to tie resl-
nent in advance, on their refining. = re
member Esypt;" but finding 1"at use
less, called to the SD to = Lnyonet liz
lrasceis.'' rap away; the scalls lad
ders we've dropped the regiments we've
in confusion poor Sir Edward PaNeii-
ham rode np tc endeaNour to restore solae
o,Ia. use u.c,,rfed in the knee his