The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1840-04-25

place called O1otham, and four miles above
Dalsonss, is the third unfordabIe branch Of
the Thames; the bridge over It's mouth had
been taken up by the Indians, as well as
that at McGregor's Mills, one mile above
several hundred Of the Indians reclaimed to
dispute our passage, and upon the arrival Of
the advanced guard commenced Deavy /
fire from the opposite bank Of the creek as
well as that Of the river. Believing tina. the
whole force Of the enemy was there, halt
ed the army, formed IN order of battle, and
brought up our two six-pounders to cover
the party that we're ordered to repair the
bridges-a few shot from those pieces, soon
drove off the Indians, and enabled Us in two
hours to repair tho bridge and cross the
troops. Col Johnson's mounted regiment
being upon the right Of the army, had seized
upon the remains Of the bridge at the mills
under heavy fire from the Indians. Our
loss on this occasion, was two killed and
tlnesaOr four wounded, and that of the enc
my was ascertained to be considerably great
er. A house neer the bridge: containing a
considerable number of muskefs, had been
set on fre-but it was extinguished by our
troops and the arms saved At the first farm
above the bridge, we found one of the enc
my's vessels on fire, loaded with arms and
ordnance stores, and learned that they we're
a few miles ahead Of us, still on the right
bank of the river with the great body of the
Indians. At Bowle's farm four miles from
the bridge, we halted for the night, found
two other vessels and large distillery fill
ed with ordnance and other valuable stores,
to an immense amount, in fames--it was
impossible to put out the fire-.wo twenty
foar-pounders with their carriages were ia
ken and large quantity of ball and shells
of various sizes. The army was put in mo-
ton early on the morning of the 9Th; push
ed on in advance with the mounted regiment
and requested Governor Shelby to follow as
expediiiously as possible with the infantry;
the Governors zeal and that Of his men en-
abled them to keep up with the cavalry, and
by 8 O'Clock we were at Arnold's Mills, hav-
ing taken in the course Of The morning two
gun-boats and several batteaux loaded with
provisions and ammunition.
A rapid at the river at Arnold,s mills af-
fords the only fording to be met with for a
considerable distance, but upon examination,
it was found too deep for the infantry. Hav-
ing, however, fortunately taken two or three
boats and some Indian canoes on the spot,
and obliging the horsemen to take a footman
behind each, the whole we're safely crossed
by - o'clock Eight miles from the cross.
ing we passed farm, where part Of the
British troops had encamped the night be
fore, under the command Of Colonel War.
I hs.rton. Tho detachment with Gen. Proc.
tor had arrived the day before at the Mora.
Wan town, 4 miles higher up. Being now
certainly, near tile enemy, directed the ad.
vance of Johnson's regiment to accelerate
their march fot the purpose Of procuring in.
|telligence. The officer commanding it, in
a short time, sent to inform me, that his pro
gress was stopped by the enemy, who were
formed across our line Of march. One Of the
enemies wagoners being also taken prison.
er, from the information received from him
and by own observation, assisted by some o
my officers, soon ascertained enough O
their position and order Of battle, to deter
mine that, which it was proper for me t
adopt.
i have the honor herewith to enclose 20,
| my general order, Of the 9th ult., prescrib
4 ing the order Of march and Of battle whel
the whole army should act together. Blu
j, as the number and description Of the troop
!, had been essentially changed, since the is
suing of the order, it became necessary Z
make corresponding alteration in their dis
) position. From the place where our arm.
/ was last halted, to the Moravian towns,
5 distance of about three and half miles, tn
} road passes through beach forest withou
f any clearing, and for the first two mile
: lnear to the bank of the river. At from tw
!, TO three hundred yards from the river
], swamp extends parallel to it, throughout tn
!, whole distance. The intermediate groun
D is dry, and although the trees are tolerabl
: thick, it is in many places clear Of under
8 BRUSH. Across this strip Of land, its left q
peared upon the river, supported by artiller
9 placed in the wood, their right in the swen1
Q covered by the whole Of their Indian fo1cs
9 1.-THE British troops were drawn up.
I'll The troops at my disposal consisted {
4 about 100 regulars Of the 9Th regiments
: eve brigades Of Kentucky volunteer militl
d infantry under bis Excellency, Gov. Shelbl
y averaging less than ive hundred men, an
J. Col. Johnson,s regiment of mounted inial
= try, making in the wholeenaggfeeate, eolnl
j thing about 1000. Ne disposilion a a
l. army opposed 70 - Indish 1orce -
unless It 10 secured q III IN - q .. r =
ofIrear. had tbero(15e - 1iilE a.
D, ranging the infan1f - 81 a.
i, eral order of bp)lIe s1< Ioll y III ~
b, Iof 500 man, 6rnnod ~ fesns + =. hiss M
81 upon the rosd ~ hiil - pp66 he s3al
Gen. Kings brigads - : s6eond linz y
81 yards u the rsaF s. (sh sna 1hlLs