Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-19

N44lCll would nave proved Qt-aelfr.l III
the shallow waters that surrounded the coast. by
some extraordinary policy culpabie neglect was
lett unfinished. The military force was two in
complete regiments, military badly armed and a
battalion OF city volunteers Two or three field
pieces and howitzer formed our park of ARTILLERY
and our arsenal contained no arms; even the
necessary and common artistic Of fints was totally
wanting The magazines alone were well proyid-
ed. This was the state OF our defence imnediate-
lyrpreviouS 10 Ihe month of December. We had
long been cut oil from any intercourse with the
sea by blockading squadron, which il was known
preceded the arrival of formidable fleet BEARING
an invading army OF the most Imposing force from
their number, their discipline, the excellence of
their appointments, and the reputation Of the Gene
rails who commanded them.
10 add to the difficulties OF our situation there
was DIVISION. Let me not be misunderstood; not
disaiecton, but that confusion which naturally arr
seS III umes OF danger, when there is no head, or
one IN winch there is no confidence. Coinmittecs
OF defence were named by the citizens, cxhorta-
rons Were made 10 resist the enemy, and show
mat the insulting confidence he had expressed il,
Ihe want OF attachment of q large portion of the
State to the Union, was false. Funds were cndea-
vored TO be raised; every thing was done to show
thatoe inhabitants were disposed 60 defend them
selves and their country: but every effort demon
strated that, without further aid, the STRUGGLE
would be ineHeciCal That aid At length arrived in
tlc person OF the Commanding General. From
the moment of his arrival, the confidence of The
inhabitants in him begot confidence in themselves
lie visited the forts he organized the scanty force
winch was placed under his command he ad-
uFeSSeI to them the inspiring language which pro-
missed future victory, he addressed their passions
their prcludices-In above all their love of co,ln-
try ana OF glory. he contrasted the fearful co,se-
querce5 Of defeat and the shameful results of sub
iiSsioh' 70 themselves, to their wives, their chill
dren, and their country, with the honors and Safe
" OF the victory which he confidently promised
he spoke to the inhabitants of different origin the
language best calculated to excite national entbu-
sIasin, ana to direct II TO the common defence -
his was the great, the important opcration I'm
organizing this moral and physical force The fo,n
uaiion was laid for the great work that followed
ana nope may be allowed to say there never
were better materials provided for these causes TO
operate upon, than were found in my constitu-
ents. National prcjudices were converted into the
noblest emulation. The scdcntary and luxurious
habits OF city life were, with aIacIity exchanged
Tor the tolls OF service in most inclement season
independence OF action, for strict discipline a life
oil ease and safety, for one Of toll and exposure
post OF honor and Of danger was promised to the CT
y battalion and corps of city Tiilemcn the ranks
oil which were not then half filled: and instantly
'ie names OF the most respectable citizens were in
! scriDed on the muster rolls. Nor was this spirit
Cohhneu 20 particular corps; the body OF the mi
lltla were equally jealous, and never caIcu-
/ lating toe difference of numbers or discipline
all were found at their posts when the hour Of
coniict arrived But although all were ready
| yet the number was comparatively small Some
! were unaTmed, others were necessarily nosted
with view TO interior defence and the nature of
the country called for dispersion of this little force
| 10 guard IFS numerous inlets. In the mean time
| by forced marches, our brave and generous neieh-
eors had run TO assistance. At length the
storm which had been gathering, and of which
Jackson and his little band had calmly waited the
| approach, burst over them. Our little naval force
after most gallant defence, fell into the hands of
our invaders, and facilitated their operatons: an
outpost which guarded one of the PRINCIPAL inIets
was surprised, and advancing through an ilpinhab-
! ited and uuinhabitabe country the enemy was
within seven miles of the city on the banks Of the
!l'er' before he was discovered. This was at two
IL the afternoon, OF one of the shortest davs in tho
year All the diSpOs ale force was COLLECTED from,
distant points. Before the sun had SET fiffeen
hundred men, the greater part Of which were mi
MIA, some Of whom were armed only with mixes
were on their march, with q perfect kuov'Jadge-
that they about to attack in the omen fell
three times their number of the best discontinued
best appointed troops in the world They advan-
ecu as gaily, as cheeriully, If they were qoina
TO feast like this; and before it was Uou nigbt
Ihey were IN tle midst of their cnemy's camp
| nc remains of our gallant little navy, single
schooner, Under the brave Patterson, who himself
TOOK the command Of this small force poured des-
uuclion INTO their ranks And the scene Of slaupt-
ter, the obstinate nature of the conflict has beoo
well described in the memoirs of a british oficsr
VINO does justice TO the bravery, though he mis-
taxes the numbers of our troops. This master
suoAe OF energy and decision, in its consequences
,
result which closed the glorious but short cam
paiSn. None but such leader would have planned
slch an al ack none butsuch troops would have en-
aDied him TO execute it with success Thi, ta,1qht
'he enemy to respect our courage; it led him to o.
VerTate our numbers; and made him wait for his
decisive attack, until the position so iudciousl,
CHOSEN alter the action way placed in a sufficient
state OF defence 10 become the theatre Of future
and signal victory
1t IS not my intention to attempt description of
shi5 event, or TO enlarge on its consequences
ihey are ieit as they ought to be- and have tres
passed too long already on the kindness, if not on
the patience, OF the company. One reflection on
~, they VIII, hope, excuse. That it is a inost
encouraging example, for those who love the in
Sututions OF our country. If three thousand three
hundred men, with no other discipline than few
weeks could produce, in the simplest line of de-
renee That the art of fortificaton knows could
prove themselves an over match for four times
heir number OF the best troops in the world uscd
20 conquest, well appointed, and led by exoorien
ced officers; to what can we attribute IT, but IN
that moral force which is inspired by a love of
country, anu by that alone And it will be found
that from ThermoPylG TO Morad, those ASTONISHING
efforts IN which troops without discipline have sue
cessiuily contended against superior numbers have
Deen made IN defence of liberty. CThis reflection
was received with the enthusiastic marks of
ipplauSa.) On the eighth of January, 1915. ang-
'hcT les5On oil thi5 great truth was given and by
singular favor OF Providence the loss was inf
hteiy less In proportion 10 the numbers The
names Of tue pfivates who fell on that memorable
gay, Witnin our lines, may bc remembered and re-
peated, cor they we're only seyen; while the field
was literally covered with the bodies Of our brave
invaders
On the Consequences of this victory. il would be
useless to enlarge great and popuIous city
saved from pilage; its uhabi: ants from the bor-
FOTs incident 70 capture By storm and the ezec,i
uon OF a threat, implied In the watch-word Of a