Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-22

rlenced only oL the 4ih; these three pieces |
were the only cannon on the lines, all the 9TH |
ers being mounted on the bank of the river, |
With view TO aid the right cf Gen. Jackson's
lines on the opposite shore, and 10 aank the e.
nemy should they attempt to march up the
road leading along the Lcyee, or erect bate rics
on the same, of course coul,l render no aid in
defence CT General Morgans lines. My bate
ry WAS manned in part from the crew of the
ship, and IN part by militia detailed for that
service by Gens",l Morgan, as had not sea-
men enough e . lily man them.
During grcaler part of the 9TH, reconitered
the enemy at Where's Piantat,on, whose Canal,
l was informed, they were deepening and open
ing TO tie river. Tor the purpose of getting their
Launches IN, which upon examination with my
glass found to be true, aud informed General
jackson OF my observations by letters, copies
OF which enclose herewith \ reinforcement
to General Morgail's militia, was made in con-
sequence, consisting of about 400 militia from
Kentucky, very badly armed or equipped, the
Ienerai not having arms Ia furnish them, who
arrived on this side on the morning Of the BIB.
much fitigued At A. M finding that the
enemy had succeeded in launching their bsrges
INTO the river, dispatched my Aid dc Camp,
air. K. d. Shepherd, to inform General Jackson
OF The circumstances, and that very uncommon
STIR was Observed in the enemy's camp and bat
'eries on the banks ofthe river, and stating a.
gam The extreme weakness OF this side the ri
YER and urging reinforcement. would have
Immediately dropped down with the Louisiana
upon their barges, but to do so I mr.t h y,
| Withdrawn all the men from the battery ON
shore, which deemed of the greatest inpor.
tancc' ana exposed to fire by hot shot from the
eReihy batteries, mounting long 18 pound
ers' which protected their barges and at this
time she had OH board large quantity of pow
der, ior The supply of her guns, and those en-
shore, most OF which was above the surface of
me wafer, consequently exposed to their hot
| General Morgan dispatched the Kentccki-
ans immediately on thsir arrival, about S A. VI.
10 rein'oece party which had been sent ont
carly IN the night OF the 9Th, to watch and
oppose the landing of the enemy, but who re.
treated alter few shot from the enemy within
.he INES where they were Immediately posted,
In their station on the extreme right, At iay
ilsn., tue enemy opened heavy cannonade up
on General Jackson's lilies anil nv battery lead,
ing their troops under cover of their cannon
10 tue assault OF the lines, which they attempt
eu on the right and left but, principally OH the
| iat'er wing they were met by most tremen
oous and incessant FIRE Of artillery and miskct-
| ry' winch compelled them TO retreat with pre-.
ciPtation, leaving the ditch filled, and the field
strewea with their dead and wounded. My
oattery was opened upon them Simultaneous
Il
my both IN his advance and retreat with round.
grape and canister, which must have proved
eAueheiy destructive, as in their haste and
CONFUSION to retreat they crowd ID the top of
tho LeVee, atfording us most advantageous
opportunity for the use Of grape and canister,
when used to the e. eaest advantage While
mus aged with the enemy on the opposite
shore, Was informed that they had effected
their landing oil this side, and were advancing
I 10 General Morgan's breastwork. I inmed;s
| a'eiy ordered the officers in command of mv
guns 10 turn them TO their embrazures, & point
.neh !" protect General Msrgan's right wing.
whose lines not extending to the swamp, and
'hssc weakly manned, apprehended the enc
my's out Ranking him on that wing, which or
| aer was promptly executed by Captain Hen
| ley and the officers stationed at the battery
under heavy and we'll directed fire of ali ~
ana shells from the enemy ON the opposite bank
OF 'he river at this time the enemy's force h sd
| approached General Morgan's lines under The
cover oil shower Of rockets, and charged in
despite OF the fire from the IL FOUNDER and field
pieces mounted on the lines as before stated :.
wnen IN few minutes had the extreme NOR
t'ncation and chagrin to observe General Nor.
Hah riHht wing, composed ss herein menti,
oheu OF the kentucky militis, commanded bv
| MAYOR Davis, abandon their breast work and
| WIhg IN most shameful and dastardly man
ner' almost without shot which dispracef,I
example, alter hiring few roands, was soon
followed by the whole of Gen. Moreans com
mand' Notwithstanding every exeriioa was
mace BY him, his staff and several o-s1cers of
.he city militia, to keep them to their posts /;
oy tne great excrtions of those officers a short
| s.ahd was ei'ected on the field, when dis
charge o. roketts from the enemy caused them
again 70 retreat i'll such manner thai no efT,r,
Gouid stop them. Finding myself thus sban-
aoned oy the force relied on TO protect nv
battery; was most reluctantly and with mex
Pressihie pain, after destroying ny nowdar
ana sPising my cannon, compelled TO abandon
them, having only thirty office-s and se.men-
WIN me. a part the militia were rallied at
S'aw mill canal, about two miles above tbe
lines rom which they had Aed add there en-
cen'peo ordered the L ouisianna TO be war
pea ups Tor the purpose of procuring SIMPLY
OF ammunition and mounting o,her cannon.
remaining myself to aid General Morgan.
large reinforcement oil militia hayino, beon i'm
Hedlately dispaD he'd by General Jackson 20
'hls side' every arrangement was made BY Gen.
eral Morgan to dislodge the enemy from ~
position when ne precipitately retrea,ed, car.
fyihg with him the two field pieces, aud a bra.
6o~itz' alter having first set fire 10 the Mat
forms ana gun carriages on my battery, two
| saw mills and ell the bridges between him
and General Morgan's troops, and reerosssJ
the river, and secured his boats, by bau; inc
mem INTO his canal. On the 9th, we re-occun;
ed our former ground, and recovered all tin
cannon IN my battery, which I immodiateIv
commenced Ir,nfnor .-,1 -.