Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-25

AuChIC VI DTOCGtO Ell with
the squadron of dragons to the swamp,
dismounted them. aud placing muskets in
their hands, proceeded under cover of the
night to attack the enemy. Before he
reached the lake, the enemy opened hea l.,
Wy fire OF grape from his barges, and W e
lament to say that one of oLr brave fellows
was killed and to were wounded.
Ffs59 fEe Loaisianna Gazette, ErfrG.
\ ID X e SIS
Directed 6y NZ.dJOR GENERAL mex
SON 10 bo read az The head of each of
fhr rsrfS COMPOSING the line 6elozu .Nczy :
O7lsars, Jan. 81, 1878.
Citizens g Fel,o.y- Soldiers
The enemy has retreat
ed, ard your general has now leisure to
proclaim to the world what he has noticed
with admiration and prids--your undaunted
courage, your patriotism and patience I'M
der hardships and fatigues. Natives of
different states, acting together for the first
time in this camp. Differing in habits and
in language, instead of viewing in these cir Z
cumstances the germ os distrust and divisi-
on, you have made them the source Of an
honorable emulation, and {, ON the seeds OF
= discord Itself, have reaped the fruits OF an
honorable union.-This day completes the
fourth week since fifteen hund ed of you at
tackled treble vour number Of men who had
boosted of their discipline, and their ser
vices under a celebrated leader in long
and eventful war---attacked them in
their camp the moment they had profaned
the soil of freedom with their hostile tread,
and inflicted blow which was a prelude
to the final result Of their attempt to con-
quer, or their poor contrivances to divide Us.
A few hours was sufficient TO unite the gal.
liant baud, tho at the moment they receiy-
ed the welcome order tn march, they we're
separated many leagues in dftereRt dircc
tions from the city The gay rapidly Of
the march. the cheerful corctenances of
the officers and nan, would have induced
belief, that some festive entertainment, net
the strife OF battle, was the object to which
they fastened with so much easerness AID
hilarity. In the conflict that ensued, the
sarne spirit was supported, and my comnus
nicasions to the executive OF the United
States have testified the sense ! entertained
of the merits of the corps and officers that
were engaged Resting oi the field Of bat
tie, they retired in perfect order on these
lines, destined to become the scene Of fu-
ture victories, which they were to share
with the rest OF yen. my brave companions
in arms. Scarcely were your lines PRO
lection against nsusket shot, when on tie
29th, disposition was made To attack
them with ali the pomp and parade of mil
itary tactickP, as improved by those vete-
rams of the Spanish war
Their batteries of heavy cannon kept up
an incessant fire their rockets iliumin ated
the air, and under their cover two strong
columns threatened our TANKS. The foe
insolently thought that thu. spectacle was
too imposing to be resisted, and in the in
toxicstion of his pride ne already saw our
lines abandoned without contest--tlow
were those meuacing appearances metz
BY shouts OF defiance, by a manly coun,
tenance not to be shaken by the roar of his
cannon, by the glare Of his hrework rock.
cts by an artillery served with superior
skill and with deadly effect. Never, my
brave friends, can your general forget the
testimonials Of attachment TO our glorious
cause, of indignant hatred 70 our foe, of ar
fectionate cor fidence in your chief, that re-
sounded from every rank as he passed along
your line.
This animating and unexpected scene
damped the courage ofthe euemy he drop
ped his scaling ladders and fasciBes, and
the threatened attack dwindled into de-
menSfratioD, which served only to shew the
emptiness OF bis parade, and to inspire you
with just Confidence ~ yourselves
The new wear was ushered in with the
most tremendous fire his whole artillery
could produce few hours oAly. however
were necessary for the brave and skiltu
men who drCc cd cur own TO dismount his
cannon, destroy lis batteries and effective.
ly silence his fire. Hitherto, my brave
friends, in the Contests OIL cur lines, your
courage had been passive only you stood
with calmness Ere that would have tried
the iitmness of veteran, and you antici-
pated a nearer contest with an eagerncsy
which was 81 or 20 be gra'i6ed,
On the 9Th Of January the final effort was
made. At tie dawn Of day the batteries .
pened, and the columns advanced. Know
ing that the volunteers from Tennessee and
the militia from Kentucky were stationed
or your left, il was there they directed their
chief attack
Reasoning always from false principles
they expected little opposition from men
whose officers even, were not in uniform,
who were ignorant Of the rules of dress, and
who had never been caned into discipline
fatal mistake bte necessarily kept up,
directed vita caimress and unerring aim,
strewed the field with the bravest officer
and men OF the colunn which slowly ad.
Vahced, according To- he most approved
rules Of European tactics, add was CO..
down by the untutorc1 courage of Ameri-
car militia. Unable to sustain this CALLING
and utteasing fire, some hundreds nearest