Insert before the second line from the last on page 256 the following, which by mistake was omitted: And immediately over it was a close wood, with much underbrush and fallen timber. Upon the Left also were many old logs, and an unfortunate ravine. From various other parts of our Encampment was excellent cover for Indian fighting; and from the Rear and Flanks of the position the whole grounds were descending, in some places very irregularly and upon the Right and in advance of the Left of the 2d U. S. Regiment, to small swamps. This deprived us of proper distance in length and between the lines: which inconvenience we felt as a very great misfortune in Action, as it compelled the Troops to too close order, and gave effect to the Enemy's fire quite across our Encampment. A camp-guard of a Captain, Subaltern, and fifty-four men ; one Piquet of a Captain and thirty men; and four Flank Guards of one Subaltern officer and fifteen privates each posted from about one hundred to a hundred and fifty yards from our Camp, according to the nature of the ground-formed a chain of Sentinels around the Camp, at the distance of fifty paces apart, and constituted the principal security against a surprise. A Piquet of one Captain and thirty men was also posted immediately on the road the Army had marched in front of and two hundred and fifty yards from Beddinger's Battalion -- the whole as delineated in the annexed plan. The Militia were advanced across a piece of Bottom Land, and possessed a fine high Flat, and open Wood, three hundred yards from the stream before mentioned, and mounting two small Piquets from their Right and Left one hundred and fifty yards. in front, for the security of their camp. At their arrival upon this ground very recent tracks of fifteen horse and footmen were discovered, and Lieutenant Colonel Oldham, their commanding officer, seemed to be convinced that this was a party of observation. |