University of South Carolina Libraries
J BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. One Battle in Which Americans Defeated Larger British Force. Most historical writers put a sugar coating on their accounts of land battles during the War of 1S12. Facts v are twisted or turned or skimmed over to make their reading palatable to the American schoolboy. As a result a wholly distorted idea of that war is generally held. Actually American troops won few victories, generally retreated before or surrendered to inferio. forces, and ~~~ ?ov r.w ov frrvm flip liUl d lixiico ; a ? ?? w,? a* vuj v..v battle field as socn as the British soldiers appeared. The Battle of Chippewa, fought a century ago Monday, July 6. was one of the few exceptions to that rule. A force of eighteen hundred Americans gave 2,250 British and Canadians a severe trouncing that day and followed it up a few weeks later with another, which.butfortheserious wounds ol the two ranking and energetic gen erals might have caused a slice of southern Canada to be a part of the United States today. The invasions of Canada had ended as fiascos when General Brown led his coasting on their accounts of land battle, 1814. Stopping one day to capture Fort ?rie, the American troops pushed on toward the main British force under Gen. Riall. The American army was divided into three brigades, two of" regular troops under Gen. Scott and Gen. Porter, and one of militia under General Ripley. General Riall's force was mostly seasoned British veterans, some regiments from Wellington's armS'. The remainder was Canadian militia, fairly trained. The American van and British rear kept up a continuous fight along the west si<^ of the Niagara river. Brown sent Porter's brigade ahead to locate toe enemy ana onus uu a battle, Porter found his search the morning of July 5. and pushed rapidly by Scott's brigade to the attack. He presumed he had the British right flank in his front. Brown hoped he could roll it back on the main force when Scott's brigade could attack. Noon saw little change in the lines. Then Brown, from the rear, saw dust clouds rising between Chippewa river and Street's creek,the British position. Soon a fierce fire showed Porter was heavily engaged again. Riall had moved his en\ire force against Porter, who was driven back. Ripv lev's brigade was ordered to Porter's support; but for some reason both brigades got out of the line of fire and acted only as reserves the remainder of the battle. Their success had flushed the British troops. They advanced through the woods towards where Scott was resting. General Brown hurriedly galloped to that brigadier's headquarters and told him of his danger. Scott, ever enforcements, but immediately arranged his force for battle. The American army this day was uniformed in gray. There had been a scarcity of blue cloth and the quartermaster at Buffalo offered to provided gray, a quantity of which was on hand. Brown and Scott accepted his offer and as a result the familiar blue "of the American troops was missing. In honor of this campaign the uniform of the West Point cadets has been gray ever since. Also Scott, who was known as "Old Fuss and Feathers," because of his strictness, had all his officers in full rig?cocked hat, rosettes, sashes, epaulets, etc." Riall, riding with his advance, saw this strange and somewhat gaudy appearing force assembled to oppose him. "Nothing but Buffalq militia on parade," he said laughingly to his officers. He ordered his nine guns to open fire. Instead of retreating, however, the Americans broke into quick time, crossed a little creek between the two forces and scattered in line of battle. Their coolness soon showed Riall his error. "Why, they're regulars;;" he exclaimed, almost incredulously. The British had hardly realized that their enemy advancing instead of retreating when the Twentyfifth regiment, led by Major Jessup clashed with the British right flank t "Sco.tt had detached that regiment as soon as the British had been sighted. They had struggled through a dense wood and arrived in positior just when expected to be swatting a fly. To add to his discomfort, th? Ninth regiment, under Colone Leavenworth, aided by Scott's artillery train of three guns, under Cap-tain Towson, began a furious assault on the British left. Jessup now halted his charging men and reinforced his troops undei a sever? nre. Me oraerea uieru u fix bayonets and then charged again Such courage was too much for the British opponents. Riall's righl flank crumpled and a gap appeared between it and his center. Scott saw his opportunity. Turning to his only remaining regiment, the Ninth he shouted above the roar of battle: "The enetnv say we are good ai FARMERS MEET AT ANDERSON. State Farmers Union Pays Visit to Agricultural College. Anderson, July 23.?After a lengthy business session tonight the convention of the State Farmers' Union came to a close. Officers were elected as follows: E. W. Dabbs, Sumter county, president: J. B. Whetsell. Dorchester county, vice president, and J. Whitner Reid. Richland county, secretary and treasurer. J. W. Shealey, of Lexington county, was elected member of the executive committee for a term of three years. E. W. Dabbs was chosen delegate to the national union, J. W. Shealey and C. P. Mocrer being alternates. Bids for the next State convention were received from six places: Columbia, Sumter, Lexington, Isle of Palms, Rock Hill and Clemson college. Selection was left- to the executive committee. Resolutions were adopted asking congress and the State legislature to build and maintain better public highways, thereby relieving .the far mers from the economic burden now being borne by them. Another resolution authorized the president and executive committee to effect arrangements by which various unions of the State may purchase their fertilizers direct from the manufacturers at first cost. Congress is asked in another resolution to speedily enact legislation looking toward the early reclamation of the lowlands of the nation in order that some of the best land can be tilled and in order that the menace to public health may be removed. The practice of retail and wholesale dealers in meats of watering salt meats should stop, according to a resolution asking congress and the legislature to enact the necessary legislation. The farmers declare they object to paying for water at the rate per pound paid for salt meats. The members or the Union unanimously adopted a resolution extending sincere appreciation to Congressman Lever for "his successful efforts in behalf of the Lever bill, the provisions of which so profoundly affect the agricultural development of the State and nation." One hundred and sixty delegates and visiting members of the Union went in autos to Clemsou college today to be the guests of President Riggs. They were royally entertained at dinner and were given an opportunity of inspecting the college nlnnt and pvervthine connected with the institution. The farmers declared that the day was most pleasantly and profitably spent. J HOW TO HAVE VEGETABLES. , Clemson Horticulturist Tells How Ev> ery Farm Can Have Cowl Garden. Clemson College, July 29.?Get ready to plant that fall garden now. There is no feature of the farm that is as much neglected at this season of the year and later as is the garden, says C. F. Xiven, assistant horticulturist of Clemson college. Practically every farmer has an early garden, but from now on, in the majority of cases, the garden is turned into a calf pasture. Fresh vegetables can be had on the farm at this season just as easily, and all through the fall, as at any other season, provided p little more attention is given to th$ garden. Prepare the soil, advises Prof. Xiv en, and plant any of the common vegetables, such as beans, peas, beets mustard, turnips, cucumbers, etc, Good tomatoes can be produced this fall by sowing seed now and pushing the plants along. It is necessary to exercise a little more care in sowing small seed now than in the spring in order to get a good stand. This is due to the fact that the soil does not contain sufficient moisture at times to enable the seed to germinate. To overcome this the soil should be pulverized as finelj as possible, and when the seed are 1 sown the dirt must be pressed firmlj around them. This helps to hold the moisture in direct contact with the ! seed. A good method is to sow seed in hollow drills, and. before covering, tc run a wheelbarrow along the drill twice. This presses the soil firml> about the seed. After this is done cover lightly with a little fine earth If this method is followed, unless the soil is very dry, there will be nc trouble about the seed not germinating. Start the fall garden now and a little later, put in the winter garden. long shot but cannot stand cold iron! I call upon the, Eleventh instantly tc give the lie to that slander! Charge!' Lead by Scott and Colonel McNeill the Eleventh went forward into the gap. It charged to the right and mei Jessup's men. Then it turned sharj to the left and aided Leavenworth's nortv tn cwppn flip rpmainripr of the 1>C*4 ? [ field of British. By ^ightfall the : fight was over. Riall retreated to a > fortified position which Scott dared , rot attack. The British baggage wounded and some ammunitions fell : into the Americans' hands. toHEL I You want to make a * good impression you put . i -l.i 1 on your best clothes and make as good an ap- ? pearance as possible. | You should use the same 1 V ?i tactics wnen you go aner new business by using Up-to-Date Stationery. When you want something neat and nice at a "live and let live price" come to The Herald Of** * _ ?1 lice. W e print anything. You are going to want legal blanks before long. Let us have your order > / ) ' / s NTftW. ^==111/TT 1 I