The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-31

MS intention, entreatlng tnefn to hold
their ground until the reinforcements,
which were fastening on, should come to
their assistance. A momentary cessation
of the action ensued, while additional
forces hurried up to the aid of each army
Ripley's brigade, Hindman's artillery,
and Porter's volunteers, on the part of
the Americans, under Major General
Brown; and strong reinforcement In
der General Drummond, to that of the
British. Hindman's artillery was attach
ed to that of Towson's, and soon made
itself heard. Porter's brigade deployed
on the left, while Ripley formed on the
skirts of the wood TO the right of SCOTS
brigade. The engagement was soon re-
newed with augmented vigor; Gen.
Drummond taking command in person,
with his fresh troops in the front line of
the enemy. Col. Jessup, who had at the
commencement of the action been posted
ON the right, succeeded, after gallant
contest, in turning the left flank of the
enemy, and came in upon his reserve,
g burdened with prisoners, making him.
self visible to his own army, amid the
darkness, in blaze of fire. completely
destroying all before him. The fight
ragged for some time with great fury, but
it became apparent, uselessly to the
Americans, if the enemy retained posses
sion of the battery, manifestly the key of
the position.
was standing at the side of Colonel
Miller, said the Major, when General
Brown rode up and inquired whether he
could storm that battery with his regi-
ment, while General Ripley supported
him with the younger regiment, the Tuen-
ty- Third. Miller, amid the uproar and
confusion, deliberately surveyed the po-
sition, then quietly turning, with infinite
coolness, replied, "TN try, SIR" l
think l see him now, as drawing up his
gigantic figure to its full height, he turn
ed to his regiment, drilled to the
precision Of piece of mechanism, l
hear his deep tones Twenty-Frst--at-
tention form INTO column, Advance mp
the hill to storm the battery; delirer your
fire at the port lights of the artilleryn'en,
and carry the guns at the point of the
6ayonet.-Support arms-double quick-
march ~ Machinery could not have
moved with more compactness than that
gallant regiment followed the fearless
strides of its leader. Supported by the
Iaenty- Third, the dark mass moved up
the hill like one body, the lurid light gilt
tering and Pickering on their bayonets, as
the combined fire Of the enemy's artillery
and infantry opened muderously upon
them. They flinched not-they faltered
not-the stern voices Of the officers, as
the deadly cannon shot out yawning
chasms through them, alone was heard
" Close up-steady mcn-steady." With
in hundred yards Of the summit, VOL
ley, sharp, instantaneous, as clap Of
thunder another moment, rushing under
the smoke, short, furious struggle with
the bayonet, and the artillerymen were
swept like chaff from their guns. Anoth-
er fierce struggle, the cncmy's line was
forced down the side Of the hill, and the
victory was ours, the position entirely in
our hands, their own pieces turned and
playing upon them in their retreat. 1t
was bought at cruel price, most Of the
officers being either killed or wounded
The whole tide of the battle was now
turned TO this point: The ability of the
victorious party to retain it. Major
Hindman was ordered up, and posted his
forces at the side of the captured cannon,
while the American lines correspondingly
advanced.
Stung with modification, Gen. Drum
mond Concentrated his forces, to retake
by desperate charge the position. The
interval amid the darkness was alone fill
led by the roar Of the cataract, and the
groans of the wounded. He advanced
with strong reinforccments, outflanking
each side of the American line. We were
only able, in the murky darkness, to as
certain their approach by the heavy tread.
They halted within twenty PAGES, pour
ed in rapid fire and prepared for the
rush." Directed by the blaze, our men
returned it with deadly effect, and, after
desperate struggle, the dense column
recoiled. Another interval of darkness
and silence, and again most furious and
desperate charge was made by the Brit
ish, throwing the whole weight of their
SlluCk upOL tIlC CClltIc. Lie
gallant Twenty-First, which composed it,
received them with undaunted firmness,
while the fire from our lines was dread
fully effective; Hindman's artillery being
served with the most perfect coolness and
effect. Staggering, they again recoiled.
During this second attack, Gen. Scott in
person, his shattered brigade now con-
solidated into single battalion, made two
determined charges upon the right and
left flank of the enemy, and in these he
received the scars which his countrymen
now see upon his manly front. Our
men were now almost worn down with
fatigue, dying with thirst, for which they
could gain no relief. The British, with
fresh reinforcements, their men recruited
and rested, after the interval of another
hour, made their third and final effort to
regain the position. They advanced, de-