Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-02-09

prisoners IN the WOODS by small party
OF Indians, who had landed the night be-
fore; some abandoned the neighborhood
and were not heard of again during the
day, while the greater number were no,
arrested in their flight, until they had
proceeded two or three miles on the roaC
leading to Adams. The men who were
posted under Col. Tuttle, on the Western
side of the clearing ,partook of the panic
and broke in the same disgracciul man
ner, though they had not been at all ex-
posed to the enemy's fire. This last e.
vent completed Gen. Browns vexation;
his Wide pan had failed through the
cowardlce of those to whom the execution
oft was entrusted, and from having been
originally almost sanguine as to the re-
suit, he fora moment, feared that all was
lost. Capt, McNu, however, assstcd d
by 1t. Mayo, had succeeded in rallying
about 100 men, who at the time the Gen
eral first saw them had gained a position,
sheltered by some fallen trees, from
which they were seriously annoying the
right flank of the enemy, who by this
time had landed and was directing his
march towards the town. Col. Backus
also had advanced agreeably to the con-
certed plan, and having met the enemy
almost at the landing place, was gallant
ly disputing with him every inch Of
ground. The sight of,hcse favorable i'll
dications revived Gen. Browns hopes;
he remained short time with Capt Me-
Nitt's company, animating the men with
his countenance and example, and then
proceeded towards Backus' command, to
observe the situation OF things IN that
quarter. He found the ColonePs troops
behaving most nobly in the face Of vet
eran enemy, ofthree times their number,
but in spite of all their efforts, they were
obliged gradually to give ground through
the woods towards Sackett's Harbor. AT
this time, the American General was
greatly surprised at the appearance oI
smoke issuing in volumes from the store
houses, which contained all the spolls o
York. Not knowing how to account to
a conflagration in that quarter at TIN:
particular period, and fearing 1t might be
the work of the enemy, he repaired I'M
mediately to the spot to ascertain the
cause of so disastrous an occurrence
He found that in the universal panic
which was every where spread upon the
landing ofthe British, a report had reach
ed It. Chauncey Of the Navy, that al
was lost, and upon the faith Of this intel,
ligence, he had given orders to fire the
train which had been prepared previous tc
the action, to be used only in the most
desperate issue of our affairs. Greatly
relieved upon learning that the fire had
not been caused by the hand of the enc
my, Gen. Brown went for moment into
Fort Tompkins, to observe how the party
there were behaving. He found It,
Ketcham and his men conducting them
selves bravely, but was informed that the
heat from the burning store-houscs was Sc
great, that they would not much longer
be able to maintain their position. After
directing them to do all that was in then
power, the General returned IN haste to
Backus' command, to explain to them the
cause of the confiagratlon, AID re-assure
their confidence, which he knew would
naturally be shaken by the apprehension
that an enemy was operating III then
rear. Very soon after this, Col Back
us received his mortal wound Gen
Brown was standing near him when he
fell, and spoke to him before he was car
ried from the field. he Colonel was
perfectly composed and calm, and seem
ed only to regret that he could no lon
ger render any service to his country -
His brave troops had now for long
time borne almost the whole brunt oi The
battle. They had suffered drcadiully
from the fire of the enemy, and had beer
at last compelled to retreat from the CO.
yer of the woods into the open space next
the town. Here they had thrown them
selves into some unfinished log barracks,
and continued from thence TO annoy .hC
enemy, who made many desperate and
gallant attempts to dislodge them, but
without avail. Gen. Brown was deter
mined to make one great and final eilor,
in favor oft these devoted men, who would
not, he foresaw, be able much longer to
make head against the great odds oppos.
ed to them, unless they should be assist.
cd by a reinforcement or Il diversion IL
their favor.
In order to arrest the flight of such o.
the fugitive militia as were still within q
short distance of the field of battle, he
sent out by all the roads leading from the
lIarbor, mounted dragoons, with orders
to proclaim pictory, Those who had
not been willing to fight when their scrvIc-
cs were really needed might nevertheless
he ready enough To return TO the scene OF
action, when, as they supposed, all dan
ger was over. Accordingly many came
l. -. Al l.. La nd mt ~ !.