The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-03-08

ent uitecions tfom the City. Ihc gay rap-
Idly OF the march, the cheerful countersnccs
of the officers and men, would have induced
belief that some festive entertainment, no, the
Strife of Battle, was the object 10 which they
hassencd wIih So much eagerness and hiisri,y-
In thc coDilct that ensued the same spirit
was supported and my communications 10 the
executive Of the Uniled States have testified
the sense cntefiain of the merits OF the
corps and officers that were engaged. Res:-
ing on the field Of battle, they retired III pet
feet order on The next morning to these lines
destined 20 become the scene Of future victor
les, which they were 10 share with the rest of
you, my brave companions in arms. Scarcely
were YOU, lines a protection against musket
sho', when on the 2S,h disposition was made
10 attack them with nil the poup and parade
OF military tactics, as improved by those vet
eraus Of The Spanish war.
Their ba,,riics oi heavy cannon kept up an
inces-an, ti1e; their rockets illuminated the
air, and unde' ,her cove, .wo strong column
Threatened our Ranks. The ioc insolenlly
though, that tins spectacle was 100 imposing
10 be reslstsd, and in the intoxics,ion OF his
pride he already saw our lines abandoned
Without con,es --how were those u,enacing
appearances inst
BY shouts OF defiance, Ly manly courage
not TO be shaken by The roar Of his cannon, BY
the glare of his fscwork rockets; by an ar
tilIery served with superior skill and with
deadly effect, Never, my brave friends, can
youi general FOR ~ the testimonials Of attach
mrn. to on, glorious Cause, Of indignant hu-
tied TO our Toe, Of affec,onate confidence 10
your chief, that rcsounded from every rank
ss he passed along your line. This animat-
ed and unexpected scene damped the cour-
age OF the enemy he dropped his scaling lad
ders and facines, aud the threatened attack
dwinded into DEMONSTRATION, which served
only o shsw the cmpuncss OF his parade, and
10 inspire you with jus. confidence In your.
selves t
The new year was ushercd in with the most
tremendous ERE his whole artillery could pro
doce.; st,w hours only. however were me-
cessa,y Tor the brave and skilful men who dir
rcted OH own 10 dsmount his cannon, destroy
his batteries and sffcctus,ly siiencs his FIRE.
III, hef,o NY brave friends, in the coutests on
our Iibes, your courage had been passive only
you stood with camness fire tha, would
nave tried ,ae Fl mocss OF veteran, and you
anticipated peater contest with AN eagetnsss
wbich was soon To be grasiticd.
On the s h OF January The 6nal effort was
made A, The dawn of day the batteries OPP
cned, and the columns advanced. Knowing
that the VOLUNTEERS ffom Tennesse and The
militia from Kentucky were stationed OH your
left, il was here they directed their chici
attack.
!. Reasoning always from false pri nciples,
they expected no opposiiion from men whose
officers even wese no, 10 uniform, who were
ignorau, Of The rules of dress, and who had
never been csned into discipiinc--ia'al mis-
take % EIe necessarily kept up, directed
with calmncss, and wllh unerrIng aim, strcw-
ed The field with the brsvey officers and men
Of the c0iunn. which slowly advanced accor.
ding to the most approved rules OF Europe.
an tactics, and was cot down by the untutoied
courage of AWe,icrn militia. Unable TO
sustain this calling fre, son.e hundreds hear-
est the eD;renchments called tor quarters
wIiicn was gran'ed---lhe rest rctiealing,
wesc rsliied st some distance, but only To
make then. surer mark Tor the grape and
canister shot oi our atiiIle.y, which, with
out exsgg ration, moved down whole ranks
at every discharge and o, length they pre-
cipita,e y retired ON ,he field.
Ouc rghi had only short contest TO
sustain with aiew rash men who fatally ior.
themselves forced their entrance into the
unfinished ,edoubt on the river They were
qu,eAly disposssssed, and this glorious day
tesmina,cd with the loss 10 the enemy of
their commander IN chief and one msjo'
general killed, anoiber major general woun-
ded, tho most experienced and brsyest OF
their ofie ers, md more thpn three thousand
men killed, woend.d d and missing, while our
ranks, my friends were thinDed only by tho
loss Of six OF our brave companions killed
and seven disabled by wounds. Wonderful
in,erposi,ion Of heaven! vneaampIed event
in the history Of war!
Let u, be grateful TO the God OF Battles,
who has directed the arrows of Indignation
against our invaders, while he coveted With
his protecting sbieId the brase defenders Of
their country.
After this unsuccessful and disastrous al
fsonnt shxir ss,irsts vefe ofokcg. their fofcc