colonel Upham and major Malcolm, did not arrive from the boats in time to participate in but a small part of the actionbut the activity and zeal they displayed while engaged, evinced the benefit that might have been derived from their earlier assistance.

The whole line was now reformed on the borders of those woods from which the enemy had first been driven-when, night coming on and the storm returning, and conceiving that the object you had in view, which was to beat back the enemy that would retard our junction with the main body below, to have been accomplished, the troops were directed to return to the ground near the flotilla; which movement was executed in good order, and without any molestation from the enemy.

I cannot close my representation of this battle, without indulging in a few remarks upon those officers, whose conduct will give a character to the conflict of this day. General Covington, whose readiness to enter the field was an earnest of his subsequent activity, received a mortal wound, while leading his men on to a successful charge. His troops, still seeing the effect of his gallant example, continued to advance long after their brave commander had fallen. His fate will perpetuate the memory of the plain which has been crimsoned by his blood. Colonel Preston was severely wounded, while nobly fighting at the head of his regiment. The universal sympathy which is excited by the honourable misfortune of this amiable officer, attests the estimation which is entertained of his talents as a soldier, and his virtues as a Major Cummings, with whose military merits and exertions I have long been acquainted, met with a similar fate while leading to a charge, and, undiscouraged by the wound, continued to advance, until loss of blood obliged him to retire. Many platoon officers received disabling or slight wounds in the honourable discharge of their duty, a report of whose names and merits I have directed the several chiefs of brigades to make to me, in order that I may transmit it to you. It is with great satisfaction I acknowledge my warmest approbation of the gallantry and zeal which was constantly displayed throughout this eventful day, by brigadier-general Swartwout and colonel Coles, who commanded the detachment of the 1st brigade.

man.

After the fall of general Covington, colonel Pierce, on whom the command of the third brigade devolved, conducted with his characteristic coolness and valour. In speaking of the other numerous field-officers who participated in this bat

tle-colonels Gaines and Ripley, lieutenant-colonel Aspinwall, and majors Morgan, Grafton, and Gardner, their equal claim to applause forbids the invidious task of discrimination. I find a pleasure likewise in acknowledging the eminent service I derived from the experience and activity of adjutantgeneral Walback; from the assistance of inspector-general colonel Johnston, and assistant adjutant-generals majors Beebe and Chambers; the latter was wounded in the honourable discharge of his duty. In addition to these acknowledgments, a sense of justice, as well as personal friendship, induces me to express my entire approbation of the conduct of lieutenant Henry Whiting, my aid-de-camp, who was in this instance, as he has been during the whole campaign, my zealous and brave assistant; lieutenant Worth, aid-de-camp to major-general Lewis, led by a laudable ambition, left the flotilla and volunteered his acceptable services to me on the field.

Permit me now to add, sir, that though the result of this action was not so brilliant and decisive as I could have wished, and the first stages of it seemed to promise, yet when it is recollected that the troops had been long exposed to hard privations and fatigues, to inclement storms from which they could have no shelter-that the enemy were superior to us in numbers, and greatly superior in position, and supported by seven or eight heavy gun-boats-that the action, being unexpected, was necessarily commenced without much concert; that we were, by unavoidable circumstances, long deprived of our artillery; and that the action was warmly and obstinately contested for more than three hours, during which there were but a few short cessations of musketry and cannon; when all these circumstances are recollected, perhaps this day may be thought to have added some reputation to the American arms. And if, on this occasion, you shall believe me to have done my duty, and accomplished any one of your purposes, I shall be satisfied.

Allow me to adjoin my regret, which is felt in common with the army, that the severity of your indisposition deprived us of your presence on this occasion. The adjutant-general has been directed to furnish a report of the killed, wounded, and the casualties:-and

I have the honour to be, sir, with great consideration and respect, your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed)

JOHN P. BOYD, Brigadier-General Commanding.

VOL. II.

3 P

Sir,

British Account.

Christler's, Williamsburg, 12th Nov. 1813. I have the heartfelt gratification to report the brilliant and gallant conduct of the detachment from the centre division of the army, as yesterday displayed in repulsing and defeating a division of the enemy's force, consisting of two brigades of infantry, and a regiment of cavalry, amounting to between 3 and 4000 men, who moved forward about 2 o'clock in the afternoon from Christler's point, and attacked our advance, which gradually fell back to the position selected for the detachment to occupy, the right resting on the river, and the left on a pine wood, exhibiting a front of about 700 yards. The ground being open, the troops were thus disposed:

The flank companies 49th regiment, the detachment Canadian regiment, with one field-piece, under lieutenant-colonel Pearson, on the right, a little advanced on the road. Three companies 89th regiment under captain Barnes, with a gun, formed in echellon with the advance, in its left, supporting it. The 49th and 89th thrown more to the rear, with a gun, formed the main body and reserve, extending to the woods on the left, which were occupied by the voltigeurs under major Harriott, and the Indians under lieutenant Anderson. At about half past two, the action became general, when the enemy endeavoured, by moving forward a brigade from his right, to turn our left, but was repulsed by the 89th forming en potence with the 49th, and both corps moving forward, occasionally firing by platoons; his efforts were next directed against our right, and to repulse this movement the 49th took ground in that direction, in echellon, followed by the 89th. When within half musket shot, the line was formed under a heavy but irregular fire from the enemy. The 49th was then directed to charge their guns, posted opposite to ours, but it became necessary, when within a short distance of them, to check this forward movement, in consequence of a charge from their cavalry on the right, lest they should wheel about, and fall upon our rear; but they were received in so gallant a manner by the companies of the 89th under captain Barnes, and the well-directed fire of the artillery, that they quickly retreated, and by a charge from those companies one gun was gained. The enemy immediately concentrated their force to check our advance, but such was the steady countenance and well-directed fire of the troops and artillery, that about half past four they gave way at all points from an exceeding strong position, endeavouring by their

light infantry to cover their retreat, who were soon driven away by a judicious movement made by lieutenant-colonel Pearson. The detachment for the night occupied the ground from which the enemy had been driven, and are now moving forward in pursuit. I regret to find our loss in killed and wounded has been considerable; but trust a most essential service has been rendered to the country, as the whole of the enemy's infantry after the action precipitately retreated to their own shores.

It it now my grateful duty to point out to your honour, the benefit the service has received from the ability, judgment, and active exertions of lieutenant-colonel Harvey, the deputy adjutant-general, for sparing whom to accompany the detachment, I must again publicly express my acknowledgments. To the cordial co-operation and exertions of lieutenant-colonel Pearson, commanding the detachment from Prescott, lieutenant-colonel Plenderleath, 49th regiment, major Clifford, 89th regiment, major Harriott, of the Voltigeurs, and captain Jackson, of the royal artillery, combined with the gallantry of the troops, our great success may be attributed; every man did his duty, and I believe I cannot more strongly speak their merits than in mentioning that our small force did not exceed 800 rank and file.

To captains Davis and Skinner of the quarter-master-general's department, I am under the greatest obligations for the assistance I have received from them; their zeal and activity have been unremitting. Lieutenant Hagernum of the militia, and lieutenant Anderson of the department, have also for their service derived my public acknowledgments.

As the prisoners are hourly being brought in, I am unable to furnish your honour with a correct return of them, but upwards of 100 are now in our possession; neither of the ordnance stores taken, as the whole has not yet been collected.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

J. W. MORRISON, Lieutenant-colonel, 89th Regt. com'g. His honour Major-General De Rottenburg, &c. &c. &c.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing of the Detachment under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, in an Action with the Enemy, at Williamsburg, on the 11th Nov. 1813. Killed, 22; wounded, 147; missing, 9 and 3 Indians.

WAR WITH THE CREEK INDIANS.

Copy of a Letter from George S. Gaines, Esq. to Governor Blount, dated

Sir,

Fort St. Stephens (Miss. Ter.), July 30. About a week ago the colonel of this county (having been satisfactorily informed that the party of Indians, who had gone to Pensacola for ammunition, and threatened these settlements with an attack, had actually been supplied by the Spanish governor with a quantity of powder) collected about 180 militia, pushed out to the Creek trading road, about seventy miles east of this place, and on the 27th instant met with the party, had a battle with them, and succeeded in taking away a considerable quantity of powder, but the Indians had so much the advantage of the battle-ground (being on the edge of a cane-break), our militia after fighting them two hours were compelled to retreat with the loss of three men killed and eight or ten wounded. It was believed that upwards of twenty Indians were killed.

It is said that our settlements will be attacked by great numbers in a few days, and I trust that some assistance may be afforded us from your state immediately. Our communication with Georgia is entirely cut off; the last mail attempted to be sent through the Creek nation was taken from the post rider by the party of Creek Indians who went to Pensacola for ammunition, and I am told has been delivered to the governor at that place.

Sir,

Yours, affectionately,

GEORGE S. GAINES.

Extract of a Letter from General Ferdinand L. Claiborne, to General Flournoy, commanding the 7th Military District. Cantonment, Mount Vernon, Sept. 3, 1813. On the 31st ultimo I had the honour to receive your lettter of the 24th, with its enclosure, forwarded by express to me, then at Easley's station, near the Creek line, and about 85 miles above this, on the Tombigbee.

Col. Hawkins's communications for some time past have unfortunately had a tendency to lessen our apprehensions, and to beget a belief of our almost perfect security. My little, but inestimable corps, have felt the effects begotten by the doubts which existed as to the real intention of the Creeks. It probably prevented you yourself, and certainly governor Holmes, from sending troops to this exposed part of the