Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-10-05

"The troops at my disposal Consisted Of about
l28 regulars of the 9th Regimen five brigades OF
Kestacky volunteer militia, infantry under his Ex-
ceiency Gov Shelby, averaging less than 800 men
and Col Johason's regiment Of nouafed intInfIy,
making in the aggregate something above three
Thousand men. No disposition OF an army opposed
10 Indan ferce can be safe unless II Is secured on
the A,nlss in the had, therefore, no difficulty
in arranging the Infantry conformably 10 my general
order of hattie. Gen, Grottcrs bri gade Of 500 men
formed the front linc his right upon the road, and
his left upon the swamp. Gen. Kings brigade, as
secon line 100 yards ia the rear OF Trotters and
Chids srigaie, as corps vt reserve in the rear Of
il. These three brigadcs from the lst Division of
SaeIby's command, under Major General Henry
The whole Of Desha's Division, consisting of two
brigades formed en- prctence upon the left Of Gen
Tro;;sr
had directed Cal Johnson's regiment, which vas
still ia 'front.' be formed in two lines, opposite to
the enemy and upon the advance OF the Infantry,
q take ground 10 the left, and forming before that
dAsk to endeavour TO turn the right of the Indians.
A -ionients reelection, however, convinced me that
fro the thickness OF the woods snJ swampiness OF
the groand, they would be unable TO do anything on
horseback T; aud there was no time to dismoun; them
and place their horses IN security therefore de-
ferm,aed 20 refuse my left Go the Indians and 20
hreak the British lines at once by charge OF the
a,unted infantry. The measure wss not sanctioned
by any thing that had been seen or heard 81, bat
was fully convinced that il would succeed. The
American backwoodsmen ride BITTER in the woods
than arv other people. A muskc; or rifle is no Inn
pcdiment Co. thsm, being accustomed 10 carry them
o. horseback from their earliest youth. was per
saaded too hat the enemy would be quite unprepar-
ed for the shock and that they could not 81 it,
C,~for oaby TO this idea, directed the mounted
xinent to be drawn up in close colsmn with its right
the distance ~ fifty yards from the road Chat II
might he in some measure protected by the trees
Iro~ the artillery its left upon the swamp, and to
eharge at fall speed as sosn as the enemy delivered
sA<ir Ere The few regular troops Of the 9th regt,
ssAsr Lent Col Paul, occupied IN column OF see,
tcas Of four the small space between the road and
the river for the purpc,c Of sszrg the onemys ar
iii'ery and some ten or twelve friendly Indians
were directed to move under the bank
"The crotcaet formed by the front line OF Gen.
uesry's division and Gen. Deshas division, was an
impcrtant point. At that place the Venerable Gov
e<ser Of Kentucky was posted, who at the age ~
g. preserves all the vigor o youth, the ardent zeal
Which distng uis shed him ia the Revolutionary War,
s~d the usdsunted bravery which be manifested at
Kia8's Mountain. With my Aides-de-Camp, the
Aetins Assistant Ahlutsat General, Csp,s,n Robert
0~tler, my gallant friend Com Perry, who did me
the honor to serve as my volunteer Aide de Camp,
asd Brigadier Gen. Cas-, who having no command,
rendered me his assistance, I placed myself at the
heed ri tbs front line NJ infantry to direct the move
rncnts OF the cavalry AID give them the Necessary
support. The army had moved on in this order but
. shsrt distance when the mounted men ICol John
vcas1 received the fire Of the British line sad was
c~dered 10 charge. The horse in front Of the column
recccd from the fire another was given by the
e.e~y, and our column at length getting in motion
broke through the enemy with irresistible force -
In osc minute tho contest IN front was over. The
british officers seeing NO hopes cf reducing their
di~srdeved rans tn order, aid our mounted men
wheeling upon them and pouring in a de,truetive
6se. Immediately surrendered. II is eertsin that
three only IT troops were wounded in this charge
"Uron the left, however, the contest was more
severe with the Indians. Col. Johnscs, who ecw,-
saAsded On the flank ri his regimcpt received most
su,linx gre from them, which was returned with
gusAt eject, from tse dossaenfs in my possession,
10 neral Proctor ,ca letters, all of which we're
saen) and frop h Information Of respectable inhs-
hisnats."
Presidest Madison, in communicating an account
s'this battle to Congress, says" The suee,ss on