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

were OOlSeu 10 remain COhCedieu uUui l"eJ "oo
passed, when we lifted our dead captain, conceal
ed the mnskets from the moonlight. advancing to
the hurdles, keeping them on our left hand lhe
cavalry. having skirtpd the field, returned to our
side; we were obliged to leap the hurdles, and
point the bayonets through the apertures. On
they came valiantly enough as soon as they per. |
ceiv ed their prey, and our sixteen marines stood
as quietly as il the chances were equal: they al
lowed the troops to advance within SIX yards,
when they poured in well.directed voliey shout
ing at the same moment. The Independent Light
Horse Volunteers of Virginia did not relish this
salute: their horses, unaccustomed to such un-
couth sounds. stopped short, and turned rouna;
some were thrown, some killed, and all Tor the
present perfectly routed We had not moment
TO loose: we again placed our dead captain On
the shoulders Of the marines, and. under the d.
rection Of Pearce, who was clever, intelligent
brave and determined man, recrossed the hurdies'
and leaving them close on our LETT hand. com
menced quick retreat. His reason for keeping
in the high grass vas to be as much as possible
obscured from the cavalry and rltlemen. Every
FIVE minutes we had to relieve the men who car.
ricd SIR Peter: not murmur was heard; anu
confidence was kept alive from the Known brave
ry of each man, and most OF whom had been IN
twenty eight different engagements together. In
this manner we stood eight charges OF the caval'
ry, without the loss Of man on our side. In
mediately they were beaten of, we resumed our
retreat. Banyan. the marine officer. was shot
through both thighs, and was obliged to have two
men to assist him: his indomitable courage sup.
ported him.
In spite of the stiffness occasoned from the
wounds, the poignant pain, and the hazardous
situation in which we were placed, he gave his
orders coolIy and distinctly; he leaned against the
hurdles at each charge, and cheered his men to
stand bravcly. In short had merit been rewarded,
as it scarcely ever is where the valiant want in
terest, Banyan ought to have had as memorial OF
that night affixed to his breast the star Of the
brave, and the object of every soldiers ambition
| cannot do him justice, excepting in writing
the truth, which is not always convenient to
place in a despatch. We arrived at the village
through which we had passed in our ADVANCE
The women fearful We might wreak our revenge,
stood crying at their doors. No one thought OF
them: the we'll was our object; and no dogs after
a long run ever approached the cooling stream
with half our eagerness. In vain it was whispered
that the spring was poisoned, circumstance we
knew to be far from improbable ;nature was above
all apprehension, and was the first to place my
mouth to the bucket. Talk Of nectar!-no man
knows the sweetness Of water who has not tast-
ed it under severe suffering. We placed Sir
Peter on the stone Of the we'll, and after we had
chafed his temples and refreshed ourselves we
again proceeded on our retreat. II was now two
O'Clock in the morning; from eleven we had been
engaged in such ssvere contest, that out OF
our eighty men we only mustered sixteen, and
two Of those wounded must confess that, as we
departed from the village. proposed to leave
the captain behind. conceived 1t perfect folly
to risk our lives for no possible goods he was
dead beyond all douhs auh we stood chance OF
following his fate if we carried him. A shout OF
dispeasure arose among the men, who swore he
never should be left to be buried by strangers.
They az ain resumed their labors, and, after
a painful march Of an hour, we arrived at the
beach, and nstinctvely walked into the water.
To our extreme modification the boats were not
where we left them. Pearce questioned me as
to their position: this was the only time the Cap.
tain had omitted to make me acquainted with
any change, and was consequently unable to
give any satisfacto tory reply, we therefore resumed
our march along the beach towards the frigate.
On the right was high bank, from the summit
of which we perceived numerous heads: we were
hailed, and gave the answer " Brook Street!"-l
the counter sign was " Forty four" 1t was an
swered, and we found our long strayed COM
rades equally gratfed to find we were friends.
We now laid Sir Peter Parker on large log Of
wood: the assistant Surgeon, Mr.. Miller. de.
clared him to be perfectly dead, which could
have sworn to about three hours previous to the
declaration. We embarked, and the sorrow OF
the crew, when they heard the loss they had sus-
tanned, battles my power to paint.
No sooner had we all embarked, and were on
the point oil committing ourselves to our ham
Knocks, when the drum beat to quarters. We
were instantly at our posts, and found that the
gun. boats, hearing the firing, had come from Bal,
timore to amuse US. A single shot dispersed
them, and we retired. Twas so fatlgued that
could not undress myself, but turned in all stand
ing, as the sailors say.
| promised to mention the death of the Anne
rican colonel, which shall do as shortly as posi-
Bile. When the first charge took place. the gun
ner's mate led his prisoner away from the firing,
and stood by with pistol in his hand; he had
not been long in that position before troop OF
horse came in full trot in their direction. The
gunner's mate, turning to his prisoner said, "Fm
l. Il o. In ~ o.