Virginia Argus

Petersburg, Sept. 28.
FROM HARRISON'S ARMY,
AND LAKE ERIE.

Extract of a letter from one of our volunteers, at Lower Sandusky, dated September 3, 1813

"Having more leisure time to day, than I expect to have for a month to come, I shall make use of it in giving all the news of this place, as far as I have learned, as I do not expect to have it in my power to write again, until we are firmly settled at Malden.

Lieut Wm. Tisdale, with a detachment of about twenty of us that were left at Fort Meigs, arrived here on the 11th inst. leaving our old residence on the 7th. We had a very agreeable time of it on the Lake, and was within a short distance of the two fleets during the whole of the action, which lasted two hours and an half and terminated in a glorious victory on our part over the whole British fleet. We sent the news of the action to General Harrison, and on the 12th an express arrived here from Com Perry, with the particulars. This Glorious news produced great rejoicing, and the army is rushing to the Lake from every direction. There is no doubt but we shall have possession of Malden in a short time and I am proud that our company will have the honor of sharing in the conquest at that place. I was present when the express was giving information of Perry's victory to the commandant of this fort-he stated that the two fleets were within musket shot during the whole action—and that the Lawrence (the commodore's ship) was a long time between the Queen Charlotte and the Detroit. which caused him to leave her after two thirds of his men were killed and wounded, and his vessel much cut to pieces-The commodore, however, having got on board another vessel (the Niagara ) Continued the action, and in a short time settled the business.* Henderson, one of our corps, was posted in the tops, and is alive-and I hope Smith and Harrison (two more of our company, who were in the action) are also safe, though I have not heard of their fate.

"It is supposed we have taken 900 prisoners. The British officers say it was with reluctance the fleet came out. but the Indians forced them to it-for they were determined to know which of the big canoes had command of the Lake, or they would commence a general massacre.-Two regiments of regulars left this place last night to guard the prisoners.

"Immense quantities of ammunition and provisions are now moving on to Bullock Island, on the Lake, from which place the army will make a general movement.—All the troops from Seneca will be here in two hours; and Governor Shelby, with the Kentuckians, is expected daily.

"We are all in high spirits, confident of planting, shortly, the American standard in Upper Canada, there to remain eternally.

Since I wrote to you last, we have lost four of our boys. viz Samuel Williams, William Lanier. S. Miles. and William P. Rawlings, which make 17 that have gone to another and a better world.

"P. S.-The troops have all just arrived from Seneca

If we mistake not Admiral Nelson, at the battle of the Nile, finding his ship entirely disabled, left her-continued the fight in another vessel, and finally gained a glorious victory over the French.

We have received another letter from one of our volunteers, dated Sept. 18th, containing, however, very little of importance. A few extracts follow:

" Our regiment [col Ball's] will undoubtedly embark tomorrow. We are now nearly or quite 10,000 strong, and apprehend no danger. We are sending the prisoners taken by Perry into the interior.

"Before we enter Canada, our troops will land on an island about half way across the Lake, where the whole army will concentrate. As soon as all the troops arrive, we shall make a bold push for the Canada shore, which is only about two hours sail from the island. Our regiment will form the advanced guard.

All three of our boys, Henderson, Harrison and Smith, who volunteered on board the fleet, are well, having received no injury in the engagement."