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

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stand Thus encountered BY vastly superior
force, he took position on the flank and contn.
eel the acton warmly, IN the expectation that The
other troops would be broughtup to support him
and terminate the contest. But in the conduct
OF the battle, there was lamentable want of sys.
ten. Each corps seemed TO be allowed TO fiprh,
independently. The fall of the brave general
jOoYinSton, was also great misfortune. The
action continued between two and three hours
| the hostile lines advancing and yielding aitern
atey, until Mt last the conflict terminated DC if by
mutual agreement, without Il decisive victory
IN this battle, rs col. Ripley was standing on Q
| fence, giving the word OF command, the fencs
was shot away from under him by cannon bali
tbs regt winch highly distinguished Itself, suf
ieEed loss of about 80 out of The $50, killed and
wounded.
When our army went into winter quarters al
French Mills, MANY officers, dispirited by the re-
suit OF the rxpedition, and shrinking from
| winter residence in huts, at such northern lati
| nude, returned home; but Col. Ripley resolved
70 endure every hardship with his brave men, and
not desert them at this moment of distress. lie
selected an excellent position, so as completely
| 10 command the road, by which The enemy must
| aporoach our camp. HIS men having, III obed,
ence TO his direct ons, constructed an admirable
range OF huts, were soon in more comfortable
| quarters than were possessed by any other corps
AS the different regiments were now Consolidated,
withstandiug the loss in tie late action, returned
| the strongest force of any regiment present
mus terminated the second of the two cam
palgns, during which he was constantly on the
frontier, exposed to many privations, frequently
Feeble IN health, and waving his clam to a fur
Tough, which unmarried officers could not adj
vance. His affectionate and resolute companion,
however, to whom he was united Just before the
war;, took Through from her friends at the dis
lance OF several hundred miles, and repaired to
her husband IN camp; unmoyed by the rumors Of
mediated attack and approaching enemy.
In the midst OF the winter, orders were receiv-
ed to break up the cantonment andreturn to Sack
etts Harbor from which place, early in March,
1914 the army was put in motion for the Ma
CARA frontier. Col. Ripley, being soon ordered
to Albany, to forward artillery and stores for the
ensuing campaign, rejoIned the army before it
reached Buffalo. The consolidated regiments
were now disunited and restored.
On the 18th April, Col. Ripley was promoted
to the rank of Brigadier General 1t was with
mingled pride and grief that he took leave of his
noble 2lst regiment, which he had created, and
with unceasmg assiduity disciplined, and at
whose head he had repeatedly sustained
American character in the field. The officers
Immediately assembled, and by a committee ten
dered their thanks for his eminent services and
paternal solicitude, and also presented hun with
an elegant sword, as token of their respec and
In the absence of Gen'l Brown, Gen'l Scott,
who had been promoted 4 short time before Gen.
ripley, took the command at Buffalo, and under
ms orders, aIdby his eXertons che army made ra-
pId progress III military discipline. The police
OF camp was never surpassed. Each corps was
enulous to exec, yet the utmost harmony pre-
vailed Gen. Ripley was devoted TO the Instruc-
ton ofhis brigade. As had always Dee,l his prac-
tee, he personally instructed ms officers and
frequently in his tent
on the arrival of Gen. Brown in June, it was
determined to invade he Upper Province, IN or
der to attack Fort George and recover Fort Ma
CARA, and thence to march round the Lake to
Kingston. This project Gen. Ripley opposed
with all his talents, for he was confident that the
army, which consisted of less than 5000 regular
troops, was too feeble to accomplish the propos-
ed object. He had already accompanied three
lhvasiOns ofCanada with an incompetent force
ne Knew that Fort Erie, directly opposite to Buff
falo, must immediately fall but in respect 70 the
ultimate objects, hesaw no prospect of success.
AlLnough the invasion has brought high honour
to our arIns--in gaining which he had a full par
tcipatlon-yet the result has justified his opini-
ons. Not one of the grand objects proposed has
been accomplished.
In making the necessary arrangements, the 9Th,
Ilth, and 18th regiments were assigned to the
brigade OF Cen Scott, while Gen. Ripley had
the 2lst, under Major Grafton, with which were
hICor Pofaleo curing the campaign, one company
OF the 18th under Capt. Chunn, and one do. Of
the 18Th under Lieut.. Mcdonald. lie had also
battalion ofthe 23d regiment Under Major Nc
Farland, consisting principally of recruits lately
received and imperfect i'll discipline. The four
regiments first mentioned, were ofNew-Engiand
and the last one ofNew-YOrk
On the Sd Of July the army cross ell the Ma
CARA river. Gen. Scott with the main body cross
ed from the boats below Fort Erie, while Gen'l.
Ripley with the 21st in two U. s. schrs passed
up the lake and disembarked mile above the
fort, which was Immediately invested. 1t was
surrendered the same day without the necessity
OF i1ring a gin. Thenext day the army marched
to Chippewa, at which place Gen. Brown arrived
with the reserve under Gen. Ripley, at III O'clock
at night The battle ofJulv 5th, covered Gen'l
Scott and his brigade with meritcd honor, for IN
the open field and fair combat he achieved a COM
Plee victory over superior numbers. Gen. RIP
ley had no opportunity 20 encounter The enemy.
Our army was e1camped on the south side Of
otreets ere *, distant two miles and half from
lle enemy's strong works on the north side Of
Chippewa creek. The action was fought on The
intermediate plain. For cOnsd erabic time at
Ter the engagement Commenced, Gen. Riplcy's
brigade remained drawn tap in order Of battle
exposed 10 the fire Of the cnemy's artillery, the
shot from which ranged through h.s line--alho'
nc was very solicitous to advance. At length lac
was ordered, but II too late period, 60 take The
list regiment and pass 20 the left e the camp
skirt the woods so as 10 keep out Of view and
/ IAN upon the rer of the cnemy's right Ganf -
J" This order" says Gen Brown was promptly
oDcyed, and the greatest eXcrtinus were made bv