Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-08

the parapet without ladders Was impossible. Some
few, indeed, by mounting one upon anothcrs shout
dcr, succeeded in entering the works, but these,
we're instantly oyerpowered, most of them Killed,
and the res; taken while mauy rs stood without
were exposed TO a sweeping FIRE, which cut them
down by whole companies. TWAS in vain that the
most obstinate courage was displayed. They fell
by the hands of mel whom they absolutely did not
see for the Americans, without so much rs lifting
their faces above the rampant, swung their fire.
locks 10y arm over the wall, and discharged them
directly upon their heads. The whole of the guns,
likewise, from the opposite bank, kept up well d-
icctcd and deadly cannonatc upon their flank and
thus were they destroyed without an opportunity
being given of displaying their yalour, obtaining
so much as revenge.
Poor Packcnham saw how things were going
and did all that general could do rally his bro
en- troops Riding towards the 9Th, which had re-
turned TO the ground, but in great disorder, he
called out for Colonel Mullens to advance ) but
that officer had disappeared, and not To be
found. He therefore prepared TO lead them
hmselt and had put himself at their head for that
purpose, when he received slight wound in the
knee from musket ball, which killed his horse.
Mounting another, he again headed the filth, when
4 second ball took effect more fatally, and he
dropped lifclcss into the of his aid dc camp.
Nor were Generals Gibbs and Keane inactive
riding through the ranks they by all
encourage the ASSISTANTS and recall the fugitives
tall at length both were wounded, and borne OFF the
field. All was now confusion and dismay. With
out leaders, ignorant of what To be done, the
troops first halted and then began retire; till e.
naily the retreat was changed into a flight, and
they quilted the ground in the utmost disorder.
But the retreat was covered in gallant STYLE by the
reserve Making forward motion, the 7th and
.i3d presented the appearance ola renewed attack
by which the enemy were so much awcd that they
did not venture beyond their lines in pursuit of the
iugtivcs.
While affairs were thus tisastrously conducted in
this quarter, the party under Col. Thornton had
gained the landing place. On stepping ashore, the
first thing they beheld was rocket thrown up as n
signal that the battle was begun.-This unwclcomc
sight added wings To thci speed. Forming in one
little column, and pushing forward single compa-
ny as an advanced guard, they FASTENED on, and in
half an hour reached canal, along the opposite
brink of which detachment of Americans was
drawn up. To disloigc them was the work of
moment: a boat with carronadc in her bow got
upon their flank, gave them single discharge of
grape, while the advanced guard extended its ranks
and approached ut double quick time. But they
scarcely waited till the latter were within range,
when firing voley, they fled in confusion. This
however was only an outpost. The main body was
some way in rear aud amounted TO no fewer than
fifteen hundred men.
1t was not long, however, before they likewise
presented themselves. Like their countrymen on
the Other side, they were strongly entrenched. n
thick parapet with ditch covering their front
whiie battery on their left swept the whole posi-
ton, and two field pieces commanded the road.-
vi artillery the asSailants possessed not Il single
piece, nor any means, beyond what nature gave, of
scaling the rampant. Yet nothing daunted by the
obstacles before them, or by the immense odds TO
winch they were opposed, dispositions for an imme-
diate attack were made The 35th extending its
hies, stretched across the entire line OF the enemy
the sailors in column prepared to storm the bate
ry, while the marines remained some little way in
rear OF the centre as reserve.
these arrangements being completed. the bunle
sounded, and our troops advanced Tho Soilors
raising shout, rushed forward but were met bv so
heavy discharge of grape and canister that for
an instant they paused. Recovering themselves
however, they again pushed on and, the 85th dash
ing forward 10 their aid, they received a heavy fire
oil muskery, and endeavored to charge. smart
brc was now, Tor a few minutes, kept ND on both
sides, but our people had no Time waste in dis
tant hghting, andaccording1y hurried on TO storm
the works upon which, panic seized the Ameri.
cans they lost their order and fed leaving ms in
possession Of their tents and of IL pieces OF can
non.
La this affair our loss amounted to only three men
Killed, and about forty wounded. Among the latter
OF whom col. Thorntou Nor could the loss ON
the part OF the enemy, greatly exceed our own
Had they stood firm, indeed it is hardly conceivable
that so small force could have taken an entrench-
ed position from numbers so superior at least il
could not have been done without much bloodshed.
But the fact is, that they completely surprised
An attack on this side circumstance of which
they had not dreamed ; and when men are assault
cd IN point which they deem beyond the reach of
danger, II is we'll known that they defend themselves
with less vgor than where such an event was anti
cipatcd.
When in the act Of storming these lines, the word
was passed through ranks, that ali-had gone on
well on the opposite bank --Ths naturally added
vIgor TO the assault; but we had not followed our
flying enemy above two miles, when we were COM
manded to halt. The real state of the case had now
reached ms, and the same messenger who brought
the melancholy news, brought likewise an order TO
return.
The place where we halted was i'm rear of n ca
nal, across which was thrown wooden bridge
furnishing, apparently, the only means of passi1o
AT the opposite end ofiis bridge stood a collection
oil wooden cottages and one chateau of some size
Here company was stationed to serve the double
purpose oil piquet, and rear guard while the res,
OF the troops, having rested for half an hour beran
their march towards the point where they hadlan
ed. ~
As soon the main body had got sufficiently nm
their way, the piquct likewise prepared to follow.
But IN doing so, IT was evident that some risk must
be run. The enemy having rallied, began once
more TO show front that is say, parties of sixty
or hundred men now approached to reconnoifrc
these; however, must be deceived, otherwise n
pursuit might be commenced and the re-enbarka-
tlnn OF the whole corps hindered or prevented
he officer commanding the picuct accordingly
formed his mon, and msde show of advancing.
Upon which the Americans hed-when wheeling
about he set fire to the chateau and under cover
OF the smoke, destroyed the bridge, and reireated
hlaking all haste towards the rear he overlook his
comrades just as they had begun to embark when
the little corps'beiag once more united, entered
their boats and reached the opposite bank without
nolcstation.
QUARTERLY REVIEW
We have read with much satisfaction the Quar-
tcTly Review for April, which received from our
correspondent in London by the Importer Several
of the articles partakc of more than ordinary nc-
rest, but few OF them arc of character that will |