Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-01

II
originally one of the two Lieutenant Colonies OF
4 the 9th infantry but when the regiments were
| reduced in nominal strength from 5000 to 1000
J men, the 9th was divided, and he was appointed
IN July to the command of that part oft which
| constituted the Dist. AS this regiment was un-
provided with colonel, it was entirely under
| his control
| In September, he marched from Portland with
part of his regiment to P.ttsfield, and thence in
Oct to Plattsburg, distance of more than 400
mics, Joining the northern army, under the COM
mand of Brgadier general BLoo,rIELp. After
the brief but fatiguing expedition to the borders
OF canada, being ordered into winter quarters at
Burlington, he renewed his exertions to fill his
regiment which, however, although consisting Of
only or 400 men, was the largest of any raised
| IN New England Every officer that could be
| spared, was put upon the recruiting service BY
| great exertions 700 able-bodied men, before the
SPRING opened, were added to the number alrea-
dy obtained. Thus the Dist became distinguish
ed by superiority ofnumbers. 1t was distinguish
ed also by the perfection of its discipline; for
1t. Col. RIPLEr was unwearied, during the WIN
ter, in instructing his officers and men Not on
y was the drill taught necessarily, but also the
! habits, which in camp are necessary to comfort
| and health.
March II, 1913, she was promoted to the
rank of Colonel, as were also, on the same day,
Coils. GAINES and ScoTT. In this month he
marched his regiment from Plattsburg to Sack
etts Harbor, being ten days on the road, through
| a country but little settled. The encampment
one n ght was N the woods, where the snow was
four feet deep. While waiting for the opening
/ OF the campa gn, he continued his attention to
| discipline. At the head of large ree-iment
which by his exertons had been recruited, and
which, through his care, IN state of discip-
line unequaied, except perhaps by the 18th, late
under the command of Colonel PIKE, he was ca
| gar Tor action.
The first hattie in which he ,yas .,o.,,.a5 49,.
| the battle of York, April 9th Gen. DEAnBonx,
embarked at SacketJ's Harbor with 100 select
| troops; and having arrived before the town. con-
| fided the mmed ate command IN the attack to
General PIKE. The army, when debarked was
! formed into two lines. The ID line was conpo-
sed OF the 2lst regt IN six platoons, flank ed by
Col MCLURE's volunteers, the whole under the
orders ofCol. RIPLEY. As the troops were mo.
wing IN columns to the assault of the main work
OF the enemy, n tremendous explosion of the
magazine, throwing out vast quantity of stones,
dealt destruction through the ranks Col RIP
LEY was Knocked down by stone, but with lit
tLelmJury. As the brave Gen. PIKE was in the
same manner mortally wounded, the command Of
the army, until Gen. DEAaBoRNE landed, devol.
we'd on Col. PEARcE, of the 10th regt At this
moment the British General, SHEAFFE was dis
tnctly seen at the distance of mile, and Colonel
RIPLEY pressed the commander to pursue him
without moments delay, in the persuasion,
But another explosion was aPprehended, and the
deliberation of an hour gave the enemy an oppor-
t&1ty to escape.
The town, however, was captured, with pub
lie stores oFmmense value. Some excuses were
at first committed by few ofthe soldiers; but
"hen TINS was represented to Gen. DEAnBoaE,
ne ordered Col. RIPLEY with his rep.t to puard
the town ndProtect the property the citizens.
The order was Immediately executed Colonel
RIPLEY posted his men as eifectuallv to pre.
vent others from plrindering and he threatened
with deathany soldier ofhis regiment, who should
be guilty OF the same offence. Although some
valuable property came into his possession. of a
kind and under circumstances which might have
rendered 1t not improper 10 appropriate it to him.
self, yet not cents value did he apply to his
own use--An example of dsinteredness, which
ought to excite blush in many officers of the
enemy. BY some mistake he was kept on CON
slant duty seventy-two hours, or three DAYS and
nights without sleep. This fatigue, together
with subsequent hardships on the Lake during
long storm, essentially impaired his health,
which remained feeble for several months. In
deed, the whole army, when it again disembark-
ed at Niagara, having been exposed to constant
rains for Week on board the fleet, was sickly.
AT one time only twoo!hcers ofthe 21st regt were
fit for duty.
Col. ripley was present, attached, il is belle.
we'd, to the brigade Of Gen. CHANDLER, in the bat.
tie OF Fort George, which was captured on the
Sun OF May but he was not present in the ac-
ton at Stoney Creek, when two of our Generals
were taken prisoners by surprise His health
continuing feeble, Gen. DDARBoHN had prev;
ousiy ordered him with his regiment, reduced in
numbers, TO escort the prisoners TO Oswego, and
then repair to Sackett's Harbor to concentrate
his regiment, the recruits for which had never
been all united. Some of these which had ar
rNed after the expedition proceeded against
York, participated with honor IN the acton AZ
Sacketts Harbor, May 29th, when the enemy un-
der Genera! PaEVosT was repulsed in his attack
Col RIPLEY embarked in boats and arrived safe
with has convoy at Oswego, where he was de-
tanned some days by severe Illness After pro
ceedng 70 the HarDor, rerard Cor his health nm
perously required him 70 Withdraw from the
frontier but hrs zeal for the service and the
prospect of another rid more splendid expedi-
ton, made hiRres'gt every consideration of pru.
dence Hedcyoted himself as far as possible To
the improvement ofhis regt preparatory 20 the
decent towards Montreal With the British
method Of drill, which he preferred and had
adopted, he made his officers and men perfectly
acquainted
When the grand expedition Of G en-. WrrR1y-
soS embarked in Oct. and proc ceded To the rem,
devious at Grenad,er Island, Col RrgLEv. WHOSE
regiment was attached 70 the brigade OF Cen
| var won't often Commanded this brigade. ne
Geo. S's. duties IN the staff occupied much ofbs
attention After the troops had passed Prescott
| a few miles, IN The night ofNoy 9th, he vas or.
dercd back with his regiment to Ogdcnsbura. for
the security Of an ammunition vessel which was