American patriot. (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1814-1817, August 06, 1814, Image 2

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    wishing with the enemy, he selected this
plan with the eye of a soldier, his right res-
ting on the river, and a ravine being in front.
At 11 at night] joined him with the re-
serve under general Ripley, our field and
battering train, and corps of sgrtillery un-
der major Hindman. General Porter arri-
ved the next morning with a part of the
New-York and Pennsylvania volunteers,
and some of the warriors of the six Na-
tions. .
Early in the morning of the fifth, the en-
emy commenced a petty war upon our pick-
ets, and, as he was indulged, his presump-
tion increased : by noon he showed him.
self onthe left of our exterior line and at-
tacked one of our pickets as it was return-
Ing to the camp. :
Captain Treat, wno commanded it retired
disgracefully, leaving a wounded man on
the ground. Captain Biddle of the artille-
ry, who was near the scene, impelled by
feclugs highly honorable to him as a sol-
dier aud officer, promptly assumed the com”
mand of this picket, led it back to the woun
ded man, and brought him off the field I
ordered capt. Treat on the spot to retire from
the army, and as I am anxious that no officer
shall remain under my command who can
be suspected of cowardice, I advise that
captain Treat and lieutenant
also with the the
rolis of the army.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, agreea-
bly to a plan I had given general Porter,
he advanced from the rear of our camp, with
the volunteers and Indians, (taking the
woods in order to keep out of view of the ens
emy) with the hope of bringing his pickets
and scouting parties between Porter’s line
of march and our camp.—A3s Porter moved
I ordered the parties advanced in front of
our camp to fall back gradually, under the
enemies fire, in order to draw him if possi
ble, up to our line.—About half past 4, the
advance of genera [Porters command met
the light parties of the enemy in the woods,
upon our extreme left. The enemy were
driven. and Porter advancing near to Chip-
‘pewa, met their whole column in order of
battle. From the cloud of dust rising, and
the heavy firing, I was led to conclude that
the entire force of the enemy was in
march and prepared for action. I immedi-
ately ordered general Scott to advance with
his brigade, and Towson’s artillery, and
meet them upon the plain in front of our
camp. The general did not expect to be
_ gratified so soon with afield engagement.---
He advanced in a most prompt and offic er
dike style, and in a few minutes was in close
\action upon the plain, with a superior force
of British regular troops. By this time
.general Porter’s command had given way,
and fled in every direction, notwithstand ing
his personal gallantry, and great exertions
to stay their flight, The retreat of the vol-
unteers and Indians caused the left flank of
Gen: Scott’s brigade to be greatly exposed.
‘Capt. Harris, with his dragoons, was di-
rected to stop the fugitives, behind the
ravine fronting our camp; and I sent Colo-
nel Gardner to order Gen. Ripley to ad-
vance with the 21st regiment, which form-
ed part of the reserve, pass to the left of
our camp, skirt the woods so as to keep out
of view, and fall on the enemy’s right flank.
This order was promptly obeyed, and the
greatest exertion were made by the 21s¢
regiment to gain their position, and close
with the enemy ; but in vain—for such was
the zeal and gallantry of the line command-
ed by general Scott, that its advance upon
the enemy was not to be checked. Maj, les.
sup commanding the left flank battalion,
finding himself pressed in front, and in flank
and his men falling fast around him-——or-
dered his battallion to « support arms and
advance ;”—the order was promptly obey-
ed, amidst the most deadly and destructive
fire. He gained a more secure position,
ahd returned upon the enemy so galing a
discharge, as caused them to retire. By
this time their whole line was falling back,
and our gallant soldiess pressiug upon them
3s fast as possible. As soon as the enemy
st who was
pickey, be struck from the
YVame omiited in the letter,
«abled to fiind the means of crossing ‘Cap-
had gained the sloping ground decending
towards Chippewa, distant 2a quarter of
a mile, he broke and ran to gain his works.
In this effort he was too successful, and the
guns from his batteries opening immediate-
ly upon our line, checked in some degree the
pursuit. At this moment, I rcselved to
bring up allmy ordnance and force the place
by a direct attack, and gave the order ac-
cordingly. Major Wood ofthe corps of en-
gineers, and my aid captain Austin rode to
the bank of the creek towards the right
of their line of works, and examin-
edtvem. I was induced by their report,
the lateness of the hour, and the auvice of
general Scott and major Wood, to order the
forces to retire to camp.
My most dificult duty remains to be per-
formed—I am depressed with the fear of not
being able to do justice to my brave com-
panions in aims, apprehensive, that some
who had an opportunity of distinguishing
themselves, and promptly embraced it, will
escape my notice. its
Brigadier general Scott is entiled to the
highest praises our country can bestow-~-to
him more than any other man I an indebt-
ed for the victory of the 5th of Juy. His
brigade has covered itselt with giay. Ev-
ery officer and every man of the 9th and
22d, 11th 25th regiments, did his daty, with
a zeal and energy, worthy the American
character. When every officer qunds so
pre-eminently high inthe path of tuty and
honor it is impossible to discriminate. But
I cannot deprive myself of the plewsure of
saying that major Lavenworth commanded
the 9th and 22d; major Jessup the 25th, and
M:Neil the 11th. Colonel Campbell was
wounded early in the action, gallantly lead-
Ing on his regiment.
The family of general Scott were con-
spicious in the ficid; lieutenant Smith of
the 5th infantry, major of brigade, and lieu-
tenants Worth and Waits his aids.
From general Ripley and his brigade 1.
received every assistance that I gaye them
an opportunity of rendering. I did not or-
der any part of the rescrve into action, until
general Porter’s cominana had given way,
then general Scotl’s moveincotes were 80
rapid and decisive, that Gen, Ripley could
not get up in time with the 2ist, to the po-
sition as directed. The corps of artillery
under major Hindman, were not generally
in action—this was not their fauit. ~--captain
Towson’s company was the only one that
had a full opportunity of distinguishing ite
self, and it 1s believed, that no company
ever embraced an opportunity with more
zeal, or more success. :
A detachment from the second brigade
under the command of lieutenant M+Donald,
penetrated the woods with Indians and vol-
unteers, and for their support. The conduct
of M¢Donald and his command reflects high
honor upon the brigade to which they b e-
long . : j
Thecon duct of generat Porter has been con
spicously gallant.
Every assistance in his
power to afford, with the description of
force under his command, has been render-
ed. We could not expect him to contend
“with the British colum of regulars which
appeared upon the plains of Chippewa. |
was no cause of surprise to me, to see hig
command retire before this coiumin.
Justice forbids that I should omit tp name
my own family. They yield to none in hon-
orable zeal, inteiligence and attention to
duty. Colonel Gardner, major Jones, and
my aids captains Austin and Spencer, have
been as active and as much devoted to the
cause as any officers of the army Their
conduct merits my warmest acknowledge-
ments ; of Gardner and Jones I shall have
again occasion to speak to you.
Major Camp, deputy quartermaster gen-
eral deserves my particular notice and ap
probation. By his great exertion I was en-
tain Daliba of the ordnance department has
rendered every service in his power,
The enclosed return will show our loss and
furnish you with. the names of the dead and
and wounded officers. = These gallant men
—
must not be forgotten. . Our country will
remember them and do them justice.
Respectfully and truly yours,
J. BROWN.
Hon. John Armstrong, Sec’y at war.
LOSS OF THE BRITISH.
The enemy lostin killed 3 Capt.’ 3 subal-
terns and 192 rank and file. .
. Wounded and prisoners 3 captains, 1
subaltern, and 106 rank and file.———To-
- tal ‘killed wounded and taken prisoners
308.
The enemy carried a number of their
wounded off the field.
dt
"UNITED STATES LOSS.
Qur loss in killed was 2 sergeants, 4
corporals, 2 musicians, and 52 privates.
Severely wounded, 1 colonel (Campbell)
3 captains, 5 subalterns, 8 sergeants, 12 cor-
porals and 105 privates.
Slightly wounded, 9 sergeants, 2 corpo-
rals, 1 musician and 103 privates
‘Missing. 8 officers and 16 non-commis-
sioned officers and privares ~—Total in kil-
led wounded and missing 328.
EA ST
a —— TEN
" "THE AMERICAN PATRIOT.
. x an ta
we
BELLEFONTE, AUGUST 6, 1814.
“To speak his thoughts—
~ Isevery Freeman’s right.”
EEEECEEEEREES ===EE
LATEST FROM FRANCE AND EN-
aes GLAND. 88
any 8 Bosron, July 26.
‘FRENCH PAPERS, &c.
By the passew: ers, in the schr. Commo-
dore Decatur, at Castine from France, we
have been favored with Paris papers to
June 14. 3 4 RUS i
The passengers inform that they left
Franceon the 20th of June; that all was
tranquil there ;and that the Bourbon fami-
ly was becoming more and more popular.
The Americaa property, which had been
seized in Bordeaux, by the British had been
restored.
The papers are full of congratulatory ad-
dresses to Louis 18tn, from all parts of
France. :
It is said Bonaparte’s first wife, the em-
press Josephine, died on the 1st of June.
Despatches for government were brought
by the Commodore Decatur.
The French House of Peers consists of
154 members—11 of them were Marshals
of Bonaparte.
AMERICAN AFFAIRS,
Loxpox, May 25.
The following commanders are now fi-
nally appointed to conduct the armament
destined for America :-—Lieut. Generals
Lord/ Bill, and Sir Henry Clinton, Maj.
Generals Kempt, Sir EM, Pakenham, Ro-
binson, and Barnes emse—The army will
amount to 12000 men.
June 4.
The expedition destined for America
- will, we understand, be increased to 18,000
men.
Mi 2 June 7.
On Saturday morning the Clinker arrived
at Portsmout 1, from Bordeaux, whence she
sailed on Saturday se’night. By her we
learn, that the first division of the British ar-
my, intended for America, had embarked
on board tive ships of war in the Garonne,
and was to'sail on Tuesday last. The re-
giments were the 5th, 27th, 28: h, 40th,
44th (2d bat.) 57th light anfantry. 57th, 60th
(Sth bat rifle ) 87th, (2d batt.) Sth, 88th,
and artillery; amounting in the whole, to
to about 8,000 men, under the command of
Generals Kenipt, Ross and Robinson. The
ships they embarked in (which bave no
doubt since sailed) were— -They Royal
Oak, rear admiral Malcolm ; Ajax, Were-
spite, Rippon, Vengeur, York (of the line
with the lower deck guns out,) Dictator,
' Diadem, Traave Weser and Thames, arm-
ed enflute ; Menelaus, Pactoius, Thais,
and Lightning frigates; Rover, Dispatch
and Royalist sloops of war; the Devasta-
tion and Meteor bombs,
- The troops embarked in the highest spi-
rits ; their superior state of discipline and
- courage in toe field had loug been the ad-
miration of their own officers.
The 2d division of the army, which would
comprise 600 cavalry, was to commence
debarking on the first of June.— This diyi-
* sion also, it was é€xpected, would consist of
8000 men. They were at Bordeaux, all in
readiness to embark.
About 800 recruits, volunteers and conva-
lescents, of regiments, which go for Ame-
rica, will be embarked in a few days at
Portsmouth, will proceed directly for Long
yf
7" Oa /lle
Island or Rode Island, which ought to be
taken for depots ot the expedition against
the American merchant vessels,
# + May 28.
There is a rumor that Chales IV. has
appealed to the, Allied Monarchs, asserting
that the throne of Spain belongs to him, and
that as Louis XVIIL bas been restored in
France, so ought he to be in Spain.
: 5. May 28.
Government has decided that lord Gamn-
bier be sent to the Hague to treat of a peace
with the American envoys, =
The count Lieven, Russian embassador,
has recently had several interviews with
the munistérs, and has often proposed the
mediation of his sovereign in the differences
which exist between England and the Uni-
ted States. ;
Zt. Gen. Hill is to be Commander in
Chief of all the forces destined for America.
GLORIOUS VICTORY.
Lrom the Buffuloe Gazette Extra,
BATTLE AT BribcewATER, NEAR NI.
AGARA Faris.
On the 25th inst. the army under the
command of Major Gen. Brown, en-
camped abuve Chippewa, near the battle
ground of the 5th. At 4, P M. informati-
on was received that the enemy had thrown
a body of troops across the Niagara, at the
5 Mile Meadows; but our commanding
general was not diverted by this movement
the lst brigade gen. Scott, moved past Chip
pewa, and halted at Bridgewater, a mile be.
low Chippewa, and in plain view of N iaga.
ra Falls: Gen Scott learnt that the Brie
tish force, under Major General Riall, was
approaching him : battle was immediately
given the enemy, near Mrs. Wilson's, ag
half past 5, P. M. their cannon were plant-
“ed about 200 rods from this position, on an
eminence. The enemy’s numerical force
was much superior to gen. Scotts ; his line
was far extended, and he showed an mten,
tion to flank : in order to counteract these
views of gen Rial, he was fought in detach-
ments—he was charged in column ; Gen.
Scott being at the head of his troops in al-
most every charge. Capt. Towson with
his company of artillery, attached to Scott’s
brigades keptup his fire with great vigor
and effect. The action was®continued and
the ground maintained, by gen. Scott,
for more ‘than an hour, belore the re-
serve under gen, Ripley, and the volun-
teers under gen. Porter, were successfully
brought into action.
The ground was obstinately contested
until past 9 o'clock in the evening ; when
gen. Brown perceiving that the enemy’s ar-
tillery was most destructive, he decided to
storm the battery : Col. Miller the hero of
Magauga, was ordered on this enterprize :
heapproached the enemy’s cannon with a
quick step, and delivered his fire within a
few paces of the enemy’s line ; who after re-
ceiving two or three rounds, and a vigor-
ous charge, retreated to the bottom of the
Hill, and abandoned his cannon. Only one
piece was brought of the field for want of
horses. The enemy now gave way and re-
treated ; they were followed some distance.
Our army was now employed in securing
their prisoners and bringing off the wound
ed
The cessation, however was short. Lt.
general Drummond, 1s supposed to hage
arrived at this interval with a reinforce-
ment. The enemy renewed the action,
while our troops were busily employed in
clearing the ground of the wounded : but
the gallant Americans formed with alacri-
ty, and alter a close engagement of twenty
minutes the enemy were repulsed. The
army now effected the removal of nearly, if
_ hot wholly all, of the wounded, and retired
from the ground, it being nearly 12 o’clock
at night ; they returned to their encamp®
ment ingood order. On the morning of
the 26th, our forces under generals Ripley
& Porter, reconnoitred the enemy near the
battle ground, retured and burnt the
Bridgewater mills, and all the enemy’s bar-
ricks and the Bridge at Chippewa, and
passed up the riverto Fort Erie, where they
made a stand.
The enemy’s force engaged must have been
nearly 5000 men---quis short of that num-
ber. Major General Riail was wounded
and taken inthe rear of bis army, by capt,