The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-05-13

- w AShlNCTON, May Q.
The following extracts from letters adj
dressed to the Secretary of War, and which
we have obtained permission to pubTsb.
depict in lively colours traits of individu
al hcroism, which shed a lustre' on the ma
tiopal military character. Mar. Int.
Extract of letter from Col. WIN. N'Rr1
to Maj. Gen. WINFIELD Scort. dated
New-York, 9Th April, 1915.
SIR,
If any apology could be thought neces
sary for this letter, you. have no doubt, will
find ore in the subject of it.
am anxious to interest YOU i'm behalf Of
brevet Lieutenant O'Fling, of the 18th infant
~, who wishes to procure Cadets war
rant for his Brother Edmund OFline, a lad
ia years old, and now a private of the 23d
regiment.
Lieut.. O'Fling was wounded bv cannon
hall in the battle of the Falls of Niagara, and
joined the army during the siege of Fort F.
RE, Immediately on his recovery In the
sortie on the 18th ofSeptember, he solicited
and obtained the command Of the forlorn of
the first brigade under Cen. Miller of %
men, of which it consisted, 90 were killed
and wounded. After receiving the enemv's
fire and passing the centre of their entrench-
ments, he advanced with his little party a
gainst block house containing SO men Of De
Wattvilje's regiment, and captured il. Near
" at the same time. his brother. Ensign I.
F.. O'Fling, of the 23dinfantry, with Ensign
6rant, Of the same regiment, stormed and
carried large block-house on the right Jof
the trenches, defended by so men. ENSIGN
O'Flirg received wound while standing on
the top Of the building, of which he died the
next day.
That these block-houses were taken at the
sortie, has been publicly made known--but
the manner Of the achievement and by 4ohot4
does not appear.-The youth, Edmund o.
Fling, for whom the appointment of Cadet
is requested, has already proved that he
shares with his brothers that gallantness of
spirit which seems family inheritance. On
the night Of the 25.h Of July, ne was so for
tunate, as to rescue, without assistance, 1t
Tappan, of the 29d. reSt from the hands of a
British officer.
a plain recital Of such conduct, CONVEYS
the best eulogum [within my knowledge of
those who perform it. have done nothing
more.
Extract IF letter from Mai. Gen. WIN
FIELD SCOTT, to the Secretary of War, da-
ted Washington, April 10th, 1915.
SIR,
have the honor to enclose letter
from Col. M'Ree, of the Engineers, on a
SuiacCI rs itiRlllY as any lIl1I OC-
CURED during the late war. Let me request
that You will oblige me by looking over It at
moment of leisure. Most of the facts nara
ted by the colonel, are known to me personal
ly, and could add many others of the same
character.
Lieutenant Patrick O'Fling, his three bro
theirs and father, entered the army on the
same day, IN 1912, all for FIVE years III 1915,
Maj. Gen. Dearborn, recognized in the father
(a centinel before his door) a soldier who
had served under him with credit during the
revolutionary war.-About the same time,
Mrs O1ling, a most respectable matron,
came to Fort George on visit to her hus-
hand and -four sons Patrick, the son, then
about eig lteen, was SIX in the hospital
prevailed Oh General Dearborn to discharge
him from the service, that he might return
with his mother. In April, 1914, Patrick,
(now 1T. or iiug,) raised q company Of vol
untcers, marched to Buffalo, ard requested to
be attached to my brigade. The h4ndsolne
department OF the young Captain ard his
little band. induced to consent and soon
after, procured him commission in the 9th
regt. belonging 20 my brigade.
Col. Mckee has already narrated some of
the enterprises in which this young hero was
engaged little volume might be filed with
his deeds Of chivalry, for such they appear
70 the whole army, who took an active inter
est in his career.
Ibeg leave 70 make Won several little re-
quests IN behalf Of the survivors Of shis fami-
".
Cadets warrant f1r Edmund OFlng,
mentioned BY Gil. Nc Rec IN honorable dis
ch.rge for Patrick O'Flng, (the fatier) and
a ike discharge for Charles w, House (the
halfbrother) both Of the 23d regt.
TThe OT1ings are from Batavia, N York
L &c unnecessary 10 sd1, that every thing
which has been asksN for this family, that
has deserved 50 wei Ut its country, was
promptly granted by the acting Secretary OF
War-B]
The Library recently purchased by the
government from ! homas Jefferson, arrived
IL this. ely yesterday. Much qualification