Martinsburgh Gazette

FIRST BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.

We have received the following account and plan of attack of the battle of Chippewa, from a valued and obliging correspondent at the west, who was an eye witness to the engagement.

On the 3d of July, General Scott, by orders from Major General Brown, broke up his encampment and advanced upon Chippewa, and with captain Towson's division of artillery, drove the enemy's pickets across the bridge. In the afternoon, gen. Ripley with the field and park artillery under Major Hindman, took the same route and encamped on the ground with General Scott's advance. The subjoined sketch shews the order of encampment, and will illustrate the events which subsequently occurred.

Gen. Scott's Brigade

Enemy's batteries.
The enemy's block-house
Bridges.
At White House.

On the morning of the 4th of July, the British Indians who had filled the woods contiguous to the American encampment commenced firing at our piquets. Reconnoitering parties from Chippewa were frequently observed during the day, along the river road; and information was received that reinforcements had arrived.

On the 5th, the same course was pursued. The Indians were discovered almost in the rear of our camp. At this moment Gen. Porter arrived with his Volunteers and Indians. Brown immediately directed them to enter the woods and effectually scour them. Gens. Brown, Scott and Ripley were at the white house marked, reconnoitering. Gen. Porter's corps seemed sweeping like a torrent every thing before them until they almost debouched from the woods opposite Chippewa. At that moment a volley of musketry, convinced general Brown that the whole British force had crossed the Chippewa bridge, and that the action must become general. He gave immediate orders to Gen. Scott to advance and feel the enemy, and to Gen. Ripley to be in readiness to support. In a few minutes the British line was discovered formed and rapidly advancing—their right (the Royal Scots) upon the woods, and the left (the Prince Regent's) on the river, with the King's own for their reserve. Their object was to gain the bridge across the Creek in front of our encampment, which if done, would have compelled us to retire. Gen. Brown fearing a flank movement of the enemy through the woods on the left of our camp, with a view to seize our reserve of artillery, directed General Ripley not to advance until he gave him orders. At the same time he rode to the first line with his staff and an escort of 30 dragoons, in order to direct the whole movements of the field, and animate the troops by his presence.—Meanwhile Gen. Scott, under a most tremendous fire of the enemy's artillery, crossed the bridge, which the enemy had endeavored to gain, and formed his line.—The enemy's orders were to give one volley at a distance, and immediately charge.—But such was the warmth of our musketry that they could not stand it. At this moment General Brown sent orders to Gen. Ripley to make a movement through the woods upon the enemy's right flank.—With the 21st regiment he passed a ravine in his front where the men had to wade up to their chins, and advance as rapidly as possible. But before he commenced filing from the woods into the open land under the enemy's batteries, they had been completely broken by the cool bravery and discipline of Gen. Scott's brigade, and precipitated themselves across the Chippewa bridge, which they broke down in their retreat

Too much praise cannot be given to Gen. Scott and his brigade. Col. Campbell was wounded in an early part of the action.—Gen. Porter and his volunteers and Indians behaved with great coolness and intrepidity.