The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1818-05-06


one in front, a0d the hay, mown in the ,icin-
ity, suspended upon the N, from the bottom
TO the top, which had the appearance Of y
breast work, bu. was in fact, no real cover
20 the men /; il however, served as a decc piioo
on tbs enemy. Tnis was done by the direc-
tion OF the g committee Of Safefy," of whic h
James Winthrop, ESQ who then, aud now
lives in Cambridge, was ono, as he has with
10 few years informed me. Nj. Winthrop
himself acted as vclunteer on ina, dsy, and
was wounded in the battle.
Al the moment our regiment was formed
in the rear Of the rail fence, win one the,
email regiment from New Hampshire, undor
the command Of Colonel Reed, the FIRE com
mcnced between the ief, wing Of the British
army, cor mandcd by General Howc, and the
troops 10 the redoubl under Coonei Prescofs.
while column Of tho enemy was advancing
on our left, on tho shorc Of Mystic river, with
an evident intention OF turning our left wing,
and that veteran and most excellent regimen.
OF Welsh fusileers, SO distinguished for its
gallant conduct in.th battle Of Minden, ad
vanced in column directly on rho rail fence
when withio 80, or an 100 yard. displayed in.
10 line, with the precision and frmness q
troops on parade, and opened brisk but regu.
lat Ere by plattoons, which was returned by
wei directed, rapid, and fatal discharge from
our whole limo.
The action soon becape general, and vety
heavy from right to left. In the course Of
ten or fifteen minutes the enemy gave way
ut all points, and re,rea,ed in great disordef,
Ieav,ng large numbsr OF dead aud wound
ed opl,be field. t,fs -ia94 ~
p The ff'iag ceased for short time, uni,
l.o 4
menced a spirited fee from the whole linc
Several attempts were again mado to turn
uus left, bat tho troops having thrown up a
slight stone wall on the bank OF tho river aud
layi ,g down behind il gave such deadly FIRE,
as cut down almost every man Of the party op-
posed to them while The Are from the re-
doubt and the rail fence was 90 we'll directed
and so fatal, especially to the Bri,ish officers,
that the whole army was compelled a second
time to retreat with precipitation and gtest
confusion. At this time the ground occupied
BY tho enemy was covered witb his dead and
wounded. Only fow small detached parties
ngsin advanced, which kept up a Jissant inef-
fectual scattering fire, uo,ils strong rein
forcoment arrived from Boaop which sdvanc-
cd on the southrn dcclivify OF ,hetnsI! in the
rear Of CharIcstown. When Tits column ar
rived opposite that angle of the redoubt
which faced Chasicstowu, 1, Wheeled Syspla.
toous to tho rio M and sdvsnced Directly upon
,hc redoub, withou, Hr,og a euo. BY This
simc our-sn muni,ion was exhsustsd. sAsfsw
men only had a charge lett. ir i - tat
y The advancing column made an attempt 20
carry ,ife redoubt, by assann bat at the 6 81
onset every man thst mountcdiho parape'
was cut down, by the troops within, who had
formed on the opposite side, not being pro-
pared with bSyo0ess TO meot o charge.
The column waved for a momen', but 5000
formed sgain when fosward movemeh +
was made wilhssucb spirit and intreP'di,y a,
to endef tho fecclc efforts OF handful OF
men, wihouf the means Of defence unsva,l 4
ing, aud they Ned ,hroughsn open space In |
the rear Of tilcsrcdoubt, which had been LEFT 1
for gate way TAtahis mosnen, tho rearot 4
the B'nish co'ushn advanced round the angle 4
of me etoust snd4 4fss'Swf ina CALLING Hank
6ss Hpan our Eoopsfas 'iscy rushed i'om u,
which killed and wounded greater numoe'
elx.r A "A (xl lrsso