Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-12

stating many circumstances which are false
to the character Of small detac hment of E>-n
tuckians who were unfortunate in the choice
OF commander on the memorable 9Th of JAM
dary last. The following opinion of the court
of enquiry, called for the purpose of investi-
eating the conduct of the officers concerne d
in that affair will, L hope, be satisfactory evil
dence of the conduct ofLt. Gel. Davis, Of the
18th regt. detached Kentucky militia, who
commanded the Kentuckians and cast the cen
sure on the person who deserves it. 1t is a
well known fact that not more than 500 siand of
| of arms was furnished tile whole Kentucky de-
tachment, until after they arrived within the
thunder OF gen. Jackson's cannon on the 4th
January. And Governor Claiborn's letter to
Gov. Shelby. written the day of our arrival,
states that arms were very scarce, but he ex-
pccted supply from Pittsburg; which sup
ply did not arrive until after the battle was
fought. On the evening of the 9TH January,
Col. Slaughter's regt. and Major Harrison's bat
talon were ordered to march down from our
landing and form in.behind Gen. Carroll's di.
vision, to support the centre of the works.
And the annexed order from General Adair,
Will shew that all the arms and ammunition
were ordered to be tax N from Col. Davis's
command, and given to those who went to rein.
force the breast work, And was witness to
the deficiency ofthe arms provided the troops
re
ing was stillvery warm. After the enemy was
repuIsed at the works a number OF Kentucki
ans whose guns would not fire, leaped over the
works and picked up the encmy's guns, and
hired several rounds. Col. Davis after our de-
parture, was furnished with all tue refuse guns
that could be mustered, and Immediately
marched over the river tn reinforce Gen. Nor
gan who commanded there. On the morning
OF the 9th nearly simultaneous attack was
made on both sides OF the river when the de.
tachnent under Gen Morgan was forced to re-
tire. The Gen. appeared to cast the principal
blame on the few Kentuckians who were SO
unfortunate as to share the defeat The prin.
cipal part of the troops were mixture of
Creoles and French, who appear TO have no
confidence Ia themselves or their commander
Let Justice deal its portion, anil nsrepresen-
tation fall before its power. and those who
were 20 willing to exculnate themselves, stand
before the bar Ut generous public. until
full investigation of their conduct takes pi ace.
d frien6t TO 7taih.
Camp 6e!0.v Ne.e' 0rieaas, CANARY IN, 1915.
All the men in col DAVIS regiment who have
been furnished with arms and ammunition,
VIII immediately deliver them to Adj't Mac
coun, OF col. Slaughter's +, g,nent Major
Crenshaw's battalion will deliver the arms an d
ammunition to MAR. Harrison, for the use of
his battalion. Tents will likewise be given up
ia the same order.
JOHN ADAIR, Adj. Gen.
Head Quarters TN MI Disyict,
.idj. Generals Office. Neuo-
Orleans, 18Th February, 1915.
GENERAL ORDERS.
at a court of enquiry, convened at this place
on the 9th inst. of which the K ntucsy Militia
and co.'s DIXON and Cavalier, of the louisiana
Militia, IN the engagement of the 9th January
last, on the west bank OF the river Mississippi,
were investigated. The court after mature de-
liberation, is OF opinion that the conduct of
those gentlemen in the action aforesaid, and
retreat on the 9th January on the. West bank
OF the Mississippi, is not reprefensib le-tle
cause OF the retreat, the court attributed to
the shameful hight-of the command OF msjor
Arno, sent to oppose the landing The enemy
The retreat of the Kentucky militia which cons
sidering their position, the defniency Of Their
arms, and other causes may be excusable, and
the panic and ccnfusion introduced into every
part OF the line thereby occasioning the retreat
aHd confusion Of the Orleans and Louisiana
militia; whilst the court find much to applaud in
the zeal < gaIlantry of the officers imme diately
commanding, they believe that further reason
OF the retreat, may be found in the manner
in which the forces were posted on the line;
which they consider exceptiopable The
command of Coils. Dion, Cavalier, Desfiett
commanding FIVE hundred men supported by
three pieces of artillery, having in front a
strong breastwoTk, occapyng only space of
two hundred. yards-whilst the kentucky mill
tia composing col. Davis's command, only ITO
strong, without artillery, occupied more than
500 yards, covered by small ditch only The
major General approves the proceedings of the
court O.: enquiry, whIchis dis solved.
BY command,
p. CHoTARD, ASS. Adj. Gen.