The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1852-09-15
From the Baltimore Patriot, Of 1914.
Battle of the FallS.

Battle of the Falls.
The detractors Of the American character
the calumniators Of the administration of
its government-the friends of the public enc.
my-the men who, in order to be permitted to
cassv on their peclniary traffic in safety,
wonld conssent To live under any government,
or submit to any tyranny-have, in their zeal
to degrade the United States, and TO detract
and viIfy its republican institutions, fire.
quently asserted that the people had degenerat-
ed-that they waated that courage which was
so often displayed during, and which OF course
must have been acquired previous to, the
American revolution.
The brilliant achievements of our gallant
soldiers, OH the Niagara frontier have silenced
those base slanderers. No action fought dur
ing the American revolution, can be put in
comparison with the battle of the 23th OF
July, at the falls of Niagara, The history Of
the revolution will be searched in vain for a
parallel.
The first brigade, under Gen. Scott, never
contained 1900 effective men. That brigade
was much reduced by the battle of Chippewa.
On the evening of the 25th, it was ordered to
march at moments warning; the details Tor
guard, the men on extra and daily duty, were
left in camp; with less than 800 infant
nv, a few dragons, and company OF artille-
nv. After a march of three miles it met Cen
eral Rail, strongly posted; his LETT flank Sc
cured by the Niagara, and battery OF nine
pieces of artillery; his right covered by
wood, and having under his command the
British light brigade, consisting by ofilcial ac-
acknowledgement, of 1900 men. General Scott
formed in solid column, and immediately
charged the enemy. The artillery OF the
enemy, however, was too powerful-and the
General, with promptitu:ie, displayed, and at
tackled him in line; after a most severe and
bloody contest, of nearly two hours, he COM
PEELED twice his number OF the enemy To give
ground The tremendous fire of this conflict
echoed through the camp; aud the remaining
troops, consisting of General Ripley's brig
ade, were hastily assembled, and marched
with less than 600 men to the field OF action;
they pressed forward with ardor-trom the
rapidity of their march leaving many stray
glers. General Porter's militia, OF less force,
also marched at the same period. These
troops rushed to the support OF their gallant
comrades with the most enthusiastic ardor.-
1t was glorious to see it; new life was Infused
into every soul; all appeared to forget dan
ger, and resolved to die or survive with glory.
A battery of nine brass pieces OF the enemy
was carried at the point of the bayonet.
A reinforcement of 2000 soldiers now
reached the enemy, and new conflict more
terrible ensued. The roar of the cataract
was lost in that of artillery and musketry;
nothing could shake the firmness of our s1l-
dery. Superior numbers pressed upon them
with the hayonet; volleys were discharged,
and returned at the distance of twenty PAGES.
| II ri, al nv nf
the enemy, to fall back, from and renew the
charge; for the fourth time the enemy return
ed no more; they felt and fled from our tife,
and LEFT US in possession Of the field and the
victory.
Two hours after the firing had ceased, our
troops returned quietly to camp, bringing with
them one of the captured pieces OF artillery,
General and 200 prisoners.
IL is now asked, in what epoch, or in what
place, during the revolution. did force of
400 regulars, and 600 militia, beat in pitched
battle, aud drive from their artillery, and from
the field of battle, 1900 British regulars, post
ed with both fanks secured and protected by
a powerful and well served train of artillery.
The enemy themselves give the army the
applause which wretches OF our own country
have WITHHELD; they admit the battle of the
Falls was, by far, the most obstinately con-
tested engagement they have ever been in;
that the soldiers OF no nation ,couid haze stood
as ours did, But the highest compliment they
| pay the army is, in insisting that we had 6OOO
men in the field! But it admits of proof
strong as holy writ, that they were beaten
by less than 1000, and that they officially ac-
knowledged having 1900 more men than that
number on their side.