Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-25

into the interior OF country we knew nOtnlhS
about, led by black guide, who might have
been paid to lead US into snare; surrounded TOO
BY woods, through which we had the option TO
pass in preference to walking through an open
field or two, where, owing to the bright moon
shine on our polished barrel muskets. we might
be discerned at any distance. In short we had
host Of mischiefs to counteract, ana only one
wise mode Of proceeding, which we failed to
avail ourselves of; namely, a retreat in time
Fate hurried US on to destruction; and after
council of war which path to takewe took the worst,
of course, and advanced along the open ground.
perceptible to our enemies for the above named
reasons. whilst they remained entirely obscured,
by the woods, from cur sight. We continued
our Inflated march, but suddenly halted at the
approach of single hOrseman, who having arriv.
ed close to our men called out, "Well now,
that's odd enough! calculate have made
mistake and got amongst the Britishers." Who
are youi'' asked Sir Peter. Why. I expect
Fam no body on the face Of the EARTH" He was
man about eighteen stone and colonel OF the mi
litia He was instantly dismounted, placed un-
der the guardianship of one of the gunner's crew.
and ultimately met very cruel death which Will
be related hereafter. Sir Peter Parker mounted
the steed, and turning round to his army gave
the word, " Battalion advanced" Having some
orders to deliver to different officers passed in
the rear, and on my return saw poor Sands: he
expressed himself more and more satisfied that
his end was approaching. and seemed only vex-
ed at the idea of his marching measured step
TO his inevitable destruction. lett him watch
full as to his men, but irrecoverably lost to his
moral courage
After passing through small village, we came
to some hurdles where Sir Peter dismOunted, and
the guide asked fhe preferred, being led through
the woods in the rear Of the enemy, Or to advance
by the open ground in front of their camp. Even
now had we been blessed with one single ray OF
common reason Z, we should have retreated; but
no, relentless fate still nterfered. Here we
had the certainty that our enemies we're prepar-
ed. and were five times more numerous than our
selves, had the advantage OF local knowledge,
field pieces, cavalry, and rheman: whilst we
had not more than eighty men armed with mus
kets, the rest being provided with boarding
pixies, and cutlasses. We had four men who
formed rocket brigade; but the man who CARR
ed the rocket stats, was the first killed, and
therefore that brigade was Of no possible use -
1t was determined to advance in the face of the
eDemy and once more the word to march was
h card along the line. Had the cavalry attacked
US as we crossed the hurdles, our defeat would
have been easy and our fate inevitable. We had
to pass along a road in the wood, broad enough
for about five men to march abreast; and we
were in the centre Of this pass when the enemy's
riflemen opened fire within about four PAGES of
our men. The FIRE was rapid and well directed
aud consequently destructive. Sir Peter sound
ed the charged, and we suddenly emerged into an
open field divided by road, and perfectly sur.
rounded bv thick wood. 1t was a gentle ascent,
on the summit of which the enemy had planted
five eld-pieces, which formed their seqtEe; Tthe
five hundred men were equally divided on the
TANKS. AS the fire was too hot and too well d.
rected to allow US to continue IN the road, the ma
rines under Sir Peter Parker, Lieutenant Pearce
(who afterwards died in Africa,) the veteran Ban.
van, and the econd-lieutenant, Poe, struck otto
the right: whilst the blue jackets under Lieute-
nant Crease advanced on the left side Of the field.
As the marines fired rapidly, the whole force
Of the enemv was drawn to oppose US; and we
advanced in double quick time in the hopes Of
closing with our foes; but they retreated slowly
as we advanced towards the wood in the rear; at
last they made halt, and we heard the officers
cheering their men to stand firm. POcOck. a
midshipman who never felt any indication of fear
since he was born, rushed in the front of our rank
and challenged the officer, not certainly in the
most courtly manner, for he called him chat.
tering monkey who would be FIRST to run away.
To this moment Sir Peter Parker cheered on
the marines with his usual determined courage;
his Turkish Sabre sparkled in the moonlight as
he waved it over his head; and his continual cry
of Forward forward!' resouuded amidst the
firing; but now his voice failed, and he fell in
my arms The whole animation of the party
died when he dropped, the firing on our side
ceased. aud we surrounded our Captain. His
only words were these: - | fear they have done
for M. P.arce you had better retreat; for the
boats are far distant"
In vain we asked where he was wounded, for
he was unable to speak, and had tainted. On
lifting him on the mariners shoulders. six Of
whom carried him off the field, Pocock. who had
assisted. and had placed his hand under the
knees of the captain, remarked that the dew
was very heavy, for the Captain was wet
through; and holding his hands to the moen-
light, he discovered the dampness to proceed
from blood. 1t was Instantly proposed to strip
Sir Peter on the spot; and had this been done he
might have been saved; buck shot had cut the