Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 4).djvu/107

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A SEAMAN'S JOURNAL
103

Attack'd they instantly advanced to secure them but found them retreating Upon which, the General Orderd the Artillery to draw up, & the Battalion to form, by this time the Enemy had Attack'd the Main Body, which faced to the Right & left and engaged them, but could not see whom they Fired at, it was in an open Road, that the Main Body were drawn up, but the Trees were exceſsive thick round them, And the Enemy had poſseſsion of a Hill to the Right, which consequently was a great advantage to them, Many Officers declare, that they never saw above 5 of the Enemy at one time during the whole Action Our Soldiers were Encouraged to make many Attempts by the Officers (who behaved Gloriously) to take the Hill, but they had been so intimidated before by seeing their Comrades Scalp'd in their sight and such Numbers falling, that as they advanced up towards the Hill and there Officer's being pict off which was generally the Case; they turn'd to their Rt. About & retired down the Hill. When the General perceived & was convinced that the Soldiers would not fight in a regular Manner with-