Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-21
THE PATRIOTS ON rHE MAINE.

THE PATRIOTS ON THE MAINE.
The following correspondence is CO.
pied from the Baltimore Patriot Of the
10th inst. 1t forms confederation of
many facts relating to the war of indie
pendence, that have been pres iuusly
Published in our papers, furnished
from different quarters.
In consequence of the multiplicity of
concerns on my hands, | have not been
able to write you particularly, since
Immediately after our arrival with the
feet at Rio de la Hache, | shall now
give you an abstract of our operations
both by sea and land. In my last, /
informed you of CoIonels Montilla,
Garcin and Padilla marching into the
interior with the intention of forming
junction with Gen. Urdaneta, which
very fortunately proved abortive in con-
sequence of the rainy season, and the
multitude of enemies they had to con-
tend with. Consequently they retreat
cd in toerable order to head quarters,
continually skirmishing with the ad-
vanced guard Of the enemy, in which
we were always successful and beat
them in every instance, Our loss has
been about 70 killed and wounded, that
of the enemy 900 killed and wounded
and prisoners. | must certainly give
the royal commanders, coils. Sanchez
Lima, and Migue. Gomez, the credit
of being brave, for they pursued our
troops 10 the very suburb of Rio de Ia
Hache, where they regularly beseiged
us cut of our water, and all supplies
of every kind from the country; tortu.
nately the army brought in with them
S OF 600 head Of cattle. On the goth
OF May, Lima and Gomez made a bold
attack at sun rise, when very smart
fight took place | assure you. At 10,
A. M. the royalits were completely
routed and drove into the bush, with
the loss Of about 80 Indians and Gre
oles, killed their wounded they car
ried Off with them. We had IL killed
and II wounded-in this action the
Creole troops, and sailors of the feet
fought desperately, also part of the
Lancers and Irish Legion.
On the 22d OF May, the royalists as
sumed their former encampmeut within
mile Of the town. At this time all the
Irish troops were in a state of mutiny,
or open rebellion, demanding Of go
vernment 100000 for services rem
dered the Republic, threatening, if their
demand was not complied with, they
would either get possession Of the fleet,
and go to Jamaica, or join the enemy,
who were then continually showing
themselves, getting every night the news
of the town; and even fresh bread that
was baked for the republican, navy and
army in Rio de la aache, was convey
ed to the royal camp for their USE
Sanchez Lima being tally assured, that
from the information daily received of
our mutinous state that thu greater part
of the Irish troops would join him and
Rio de la Hache become an easy con.
guest, set down at ease before us. On
the cath May, col. MontiIla being de-
termined to give them battle and try
their spunk, as well as the strength of
his men, took them, at unaware, COM
pIetely surprised them, drove in their
advanced pickets to their camp, where
they were all employed cooking their
breakfast, some on watering party,
others at the river washing, and others
foraging, and before they could collect
and form, our brave sailors and Creole
troops, with the British artillery, had
possession of their camp ; The slaughter
on their side was terrible, not less than
500 men killed and wounded. The ar.
tilIery did great execution; one piece, a
FOUNDER, knocked down at shot "a
horses and the riders. | was Oh the
field Of battle two days afterwards, and