Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-06-12

have been disposed to have joined iu
the war against us. For some time
every appearance justified this ex'
pectation. Large numbers. who have
been called into Maiden for its de-
fence, returned to our camp, and re-
ceived the protection of our govern
ment. Numbers came from every
part of the province, and gave as
surances Of their friendship. and
their determination, not to take arms
against us.-Under these circomsian-
ces, ! considered delay favourable to
my operations. as the force OF the q
nemy was every day diminisied.--
Strong detachments were made to
the river Trench. to collect provl-
sions, and to Maiden, to reconm1itre
the situation of the enemy. All the
artificers Of the army were employed
in making carriages for "a Founders
FIR the attack on tie fort at Maiden,
and floating batteries were c"mRen.
ced to transport them down the river
if possible, to operate against the enc
my's naval force.
These preparations for an attack
on the fort of Maiden, were made
under the expectation, or at least the
hope. that the desertiun of the mill
tia would continue. and other events
would take place, which would rem
der that measure expedient.
During this delay a clamor was
excited in the camp, by the officers
of the militia, because the army was
not Immediately marched to the at
tack of Maiden. In consequence OF
this Impotence two days after the in
yasion Of the enemy's territory, I
called council of war, and propos.
ed the question, whether it was ex-
pedient to attempt, with the bayonet,
to storm the fort at Maiden. The
council determined that no attempt
ought to be made on Maiden, until
heavy artillery was prepared.
Although from the time Of the first
council, to the 5th August, many cir
cumstauces had taken place, which
will hereafter be related, to render an
attack on Maiden still more inexpe
dent, and the heavy artillery had
been completed; yet, on account OF
the great impotence of the officers. l
stated the heavy artillery was not in
readiness. but would he in two or
three days. The question was then
submitted to the council, whether il
was expedient to wait for the heavy
artillery, in order to make breach
in the works, Grim mediately to make
the attempt with the bayonet alone |!
Before the question was taken, l
observed to them, that if ii should be
their opinion that it was expedicnt to
make the attack Immediately, and
they would answer for their men,
would lead them to the enterprise -
Col. Miller, who commanded the re.
gulars, answered, he would be an.
swerabIe for the men he comma add.
Coils. McArthur, Cass, and Finley,
who commanded the militia, said,
they would not be answerabie, but
hoped they would behave we'll. The
council then determined that il was
expedient to wait two days longer for
the heavy artillery.
Thus il appears, that Dotwiths,snd.
Jog tho impotence and desire which
was manifested to attack the Fort with
the bsyonet. when it came to the test
and | declared to them that I would lead
them, if in their opinion in couocil
they thought it exPedisns. their imps.
| tience and desire subsidsd, snd they
thou ght it best to DO aided in the enter
| prize by the beavy artillery. These
facts arc proved by the testimony Of
Col. Miller, end others, and more
particular detail, will be found in my
defence before tn. court martial.
Although, at this time, | entertained
doubts whether the forces, under my
command were adequate to this enter
prise, s. whether it could be undertaken
consistent with the safety Of my oths'
posts. and indeed whether success would
have been attended with any advants.
ges, equal to the sacrifice, yet under
the circumstances, it was my determi.
nation to MAKE the attempt on the 9Th
of August, and arrangements were
made accordingly. 10 sincerity and
truth, l now repeat, the declarations
made 10 my defence. that there 10 nc
par, of my condact since I have been a
soldier that I reflect upon with go much