Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-14

dered two guns and hewilzer TO the from, anu
nusbinp them forward within point-banH dis |
lance Of the Americans, soon paid them back,
with interest, in their own coin. DO not kho"
,hapl ever saw shots more accurately thrown.
AT the first discharge, FIVE American gunners
were killed; at the next, one OF the pieces was
disabled; upon which, turning their attention
to the infantry, our artilerymen moved them
down by whole sections. On this occasion, the
missile principally used was the Shrapnei II
may perhaps be necessary 10 inform the anmi'
litary reader, that the Shrapnel is hollow globe
of iron, the cavity in which is hied up, not
with powder only, but with quantity OF mus
ket balls. 1t is discharged from cannon, ex-
actly as round shotis discharged; and being
supplied with fuse, more or less short, accord
ing to the distance to be- traversed, 1t burts just
in front Of its object, and throws the whole OF
its murderous contents forward Today it
did fearful havoc. The Americans burst not
stand before it, but shrunk away from each spot
where a shell had fallen, as if there had been
something deadly in the very oil
Blu, it was not upon the road alone that
smart cannonading was kept up. The three
guns, of which have already spoken as being
stationed within the fields towards the Arhe-
rio ans left, opened upon the s5th regiment as
soon as they had taken their ground. The SOL
diers, however, paid little heed to the saiuta.
ton. Being commanded TO lie down, they ola
so, and rested for twenty minutes very compos.
edly in defiance Of the showers OF balls that Tell
thick and fast about them.
| AT the expiration ofthat period, every neces-
sarv preparation appearing TO be complete, 20,
lionel Brooke on whom the chief command had
devolved, was seen to ride along the rear OF the
line. followed by his staff. Hating about the
centre of the field, the little group turned their
glasses, for few moments, in the direction oil
the enemy's position, and then, as II satlSnea
that all things were in order, they began 10 dis
perse. An aid-de-camp galloped off 10 the
right, MIR Evans flew towards the left, and the
orderly buger sounding the charge, the wno'e
army sprung into its ranks. The spirit SURFING
notes were echoed back from all quarters, anu
the line moved forward.
! have said that our position all this while
was among a number of houses and corn stalks,
situated about midway between the hostile ar
mics. Nothing can be conceived more animal
| ed, or more imposing, than the spectacle whlch
now met our gaze. The light troops, IN ex-
tended order, stretching from one thicket to a.
mother, covered the entire open space, and ad'
vanced, with the same GOODNESS, and in the same
| admirable style, as If they had been marching
upon parade. In their rear, though lar enough
removed TO be, in great measure, secure
gainst the fire Of musketry, came compact
| line, whose business il was, rather 20 give sup
port wherever it should be needed, than 10 take
any active part in the battle. On the road a.
gain, dense column of blue jackets pressed
| forward, with the alacrity and contempt oil dam
ger, which so eminently distinguish the British
sailor; whilst battalion, likewise in Column,
marched after il, ready to follow up with ad-
1 ,hatax ~ Siicr
dTscIp1lned valor Of the seamen might obtain.
! On the side Of the Americans, again, all was
stiffness and expectation. The corps, which
up to this moment had been continually chang
ing their, ground, now stood fast. The whole
were in line, and, with shoaldered arms, ap
peared to watch the progress Of their enemies,
like men who were determined not to be beaten
thought indeed, that could perceive a little
wavering at one particular point. twas spot
| towards their extreme left, which, in the course
Of the cannonade, had received more than its
due proportion Of saulations; but whether was
corrcc, or not, it is impossible for me to say,
inasmuch as the vision became almost instantly
obscured by columns Of smoke. The Ameri
cans had in their line several pieces OF cannon,
| from which no discharges had as yet taken
place. What their object was in keeping them
SO long idle, know not; perhaps they imagin-
Ell, that their FIRE, when opened unexpectedly,
would produce double effect,-and, OF that
account, reserved il for the attack. Be this as
it may, our infantry had not advanced ten pa
ces, when a volley of grape was poured upon
them from every gun in the field; and the plung
ing Of balls all along the grass, the crashing
of rails, trees, and other objects struck, as well
as not few prostrations among the soldiers
themselves, gave proof that the salutation was
not less serious than noisy.
As yet It may be said, that and my immcdi-
ate followers ranked nothing more than speeta-
tors of the dispositions and movements of our
comrades. Occasionally, indeed, cannon shot
passing through the window of the house, or
lodging in one Of the stacks, bore testimony
that the enemy were not wholly unmindful Of
us; but we were already so far in advance, that
to push on till the others overlook US, would
have been the height Of absurdi,y. Now, how
ever, we began to feel, that state Of quiescence
was not exactly that which became Hav-
ing waited till few Of the most forward Of the
skirmiskers began to seek shelter behind our
farm yard, we likewise assumed the offensive,
r. Ill Il aI