The Virginia Gazette

WILLIAMSBURG, August 3.

WEDNESDAY an express arrived here with the following account of a battle fought by a party of the Fincastle militia with a number of Cherokee and Creek Indians, near the Great Island of Holstein, the 20th of July ult.

Our scouts returned and informed that they had discovered a large number of Indians making into the settlement, upon which information the few men stationed at Eaton's Fort, within the boundary line, completed a breast work sufficiently strong with what men were there, to have defended themselves against a considerable number. Expresses were sent to the different stations, and such a number of men were collected that next morning we turned out with 170 in search of the enemy. We marched in two divisions, with flankers on each wing and scouts before, who soon discovered upwards of 20 Indians and fired upon them. They immediately returned the fire, but our men rushing on them with such violence obliged them to make a precipitate retreat. They left ten bodies and a good deal of plunder, which our men secured. We have great reason to believe several of them were wounded in this skirmish. Though it happened on a ground very disadvantageous to pursue, yet it was with the greatest difficulty they could be restrained. A council was held, and it was judged advisable to return, as we had reason to believe a party greatly superior to ours were not far off. We had not marched more than a mile in good order when our rear was attacked by upwards of 100 of the enemy. Our men sustained the attack with great temper, until a line was formed. The enemy endeavoured to surround us, but were prevented by the vigilance of Capt. James Shelby, who, with his division, took possession of an eminence, and bravely defended it, which prevented their design. Our line extended upwards of 600 yards, and after disputing the ground some time, we found 13 of them dead on the field, and have reason to believe that many more might have been found, if we had had time to have searched for them, as there were great quantities of blood found every way they retreated. Though the action was short, it is believed the execution was great. The enemy attacked us with their usual fury, but our militia fought with a calmness and intrepidity that would have done honour to the veterans of any country. The behaviour of our scouts, not only on their duty, but in the action, deserve the greatest applause. Besides a deal of plunder we took a good many guns. We did not lose a man, and had only four slightly wounded. The soldiers are in high spirits, and long for another engagement on equal terms. Though we have every reason to believe that the enemy are pouring in upon us in numbers superior to our forces, yet we hope for a reinforcement from our friends.

JOHN CAMPBELL.

JAMES

THOMPSON.

Signed by Captains

WILLIAM COCKE.

JAMES SHELBY.

THOMAS

MADDISON. WM.

BUCHANAN.