Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts Volume 10; Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 Excerpt: ... distant, he gave him a well directed fire, spiked his cannon and effected his retreat. The enemy then advanced with 30 negroes, 400 or 450 sailors and marines, as nearly as 1 can ascertain, and took possession of a large open field, and with a small party the house of John Smith, aged 70, near to it, and formed a Battalion about one mile from his landing place. Major Finney with 15 men now occupied a thick skirt of woods on his right, and Captain Smith with his 20 men occupied a thick woods on his left. During the whole of this time an incessant fire of musketry was kept up on both sides, with cannon and congreve Rocketts from the barges then in the ereek, three of which had never landed and had moved up the creels. In a short time the enemy rushed to the woods occupied by Captain Smith, drove him from it and took possession. This woods was nearly united with the woods occupied by Major Finney; between them was an open field nearly in the form of a triangle, with a fence on each side. The enemy had the advantage of Major Finney in having a ditch and hank on which his fence was placed, the ditch next the woods. In this situation each advanced along their fence towards the angle of the field, keeping up an incessant fire, when about one hundred yards apart, the bugle horn sounded from the barges a retreat which was instantly and 1S14. cheerfully obeyed. At this place a negro in full uniform was loft dead; May 31, he was in advance. They were one mile from their barges; half of the Accomack h' distance was marsh. His retreat was rapid and without order except a corps of 80 marines who covered their retreat. They entered their barges and made all sail to their Fort and Camp on Tangier Island. Six wounded men or dead bodies were seen to be carried in blankets t...