Southern Argus., 1841-12-07

COuu FeSinenlS HrSL leaving the WO0Q,
deployed upon the open ground with
the GOODNESS and regularity of review,
and were soon engaged furiously in
action; the fire from the enemy's line
and from the batteries, (which complete
ly commanded the position, opening
upon them with tremendous effect.
Towson, having hurried up with his
guns on the left, in vain endeavored to
attain sufficient elevation to return the
fire Of their battery. The destruction
on our side was very great. The two
regiments fought with the greatest bra
very. They were severely cut up;
their ammunition became exhausted;
and their officers, nearly all of them
having been killed and wounded, were
Withdrawn from action-the few officers
remaining unhurt throwing themselves
into the ninth. which now came into ac-
ton led by the gallant Colonel Leav-
enworth.
The brunt Of the battle now came
upon them, and they alone sustained
it for some time, fighting with unfinch-
ing bravery, until their numbers were
reduced 10 one-half by the fire of the
enemy. At this juncture General
Scott golloped up with the intention
OF charging up the bill; but, finding
them so much weakened, altered his
intention, entreating them to hold their
ground until the reinforcements, which
were fastening up, should come to
their assistance. A momentary cessa-
ton of the action ensued, with addi-
tional forces hurried up to the aid of
each army; Ripley's brigade, Hind
mans artillery and Porter's volunteers,
on the part of the Americans, and a
strong reinforcement, under General
Drummond, on that of the British
Hindman's artillery were attached to
that of Towson, and soon made them
selves heard. Porer's brigade display
ed on the left, while Ripley formed on
the skirts of the wood to the right OF
Scotfs brigade. The engagement
was soon renewed with augmented Wig
or, General Drummond taking COM
mand in person, with his fresh troops,
in the front line of the enemy. Colo
mel Jesup, who had at the commence
ment Of the action been posted on the
right, succeeded, after a gallant con-
test, in turning the left flank of the en-.
emy, and came in upon his reserve
"burdened with prisoners, making him
self visible to his own army, amid the
darkness, in blaze of fire." com
pletely destroyed all before him. The
fight ragged for some time with great fu
ry; but, it became apparent, uselessly
to the Americans, if the enemy retain
ed possession of the battery, manifest
, ly the key of their position. wa
standing at the side of Colonel Miller
when General RipIv rode up and il.
I quired whether he could storm the bat
terry with his regiment, while he sup
: ported him with the younger regiment
the twenty third. Miller, amid the up
roar and confusion, deliberately survey
ed the position, then quietly turning
with infinite GOODNESS, replied, "I'l
try, sir." l think l see him now, as
drawing up his gigantic figure to It's fu
height he turned TO his regiment, drill
= ed 10 the precision of a piece of me
chanism,I hear his deep tones: Twen
ty first, attention! Form into column
You will advance up the hill to tn
e storm of the battery. At the wor
/ "HaI," you will deliver your fire
IF the portlights of the artiIlerymen, an
IT Immediately carry the guns at th
o point of the bayonet. Support arm,
n forward march! Machinery coul
e not have moved with more compac
: ness than the gallant regiment follow
% ed the fearless stride Of its leader
IS Supported by the ttOenty-third, ii
dark mass moved up the hill like or
j. body; the lurid light glittering an
\. Pickering on their bayonets, as the con
le bined fire ofthe enemy's artillery an
E. infantry opened murderously upc
ID them. They hinched not, they falte
n, ed not. The stern deep voices Of tt
Is officers, as the deadly cannon-shot CT
n yawning chasms through them, alor
Is was heard. "Close up; steady, me-
of steady" Within hundred yards
ze the summit. the loud "Halt'' was fo
h! lowed by vollY, sharp, insiantaneol
as as clap of thunder. Another m,
e. ment, rushing under the white smok
IN a short furious struggle with the bay
in net, and the artillerymen were swe
ID like chaff from their guns. Anoth
Id fierce struggle-the enemy's line W
e. forced down the side of the hill, al
is the victory was ours; the position e
r, tirely in our hands, their own piec
% tuned and playing upon them in the
e retreat. 1t was bought at cruel pric
at few of the officers remained that we
If not killed or wounded. The who
r. tide Of the battle now turned TO IL
e: point The result of. the conflict d
n pended entirely upon the ability of /
eff victorious party to retain it. Maj
ny Hindman was ordered up, and post