he Commander-in-chief had been afflicted with a
severe disease, under which he still laboured, and which must have
greatly affected him; but, though unable to display that activity
which would have been useful in this severe conflict, neither the
feebleness of his body, nor the peril of his situation, could prevent
his delivering his orders with judgment and with self possession.[57]

[Footnote 57: The following extract from the official letter
of the Commander-in-chief is inserted, as showing both his
own situation and his opinion of the behaviour of his
troops. "I have nothing, sir, to lay to the charge of the
troops but their want of discipline, which, from the short
time they had been in service, it was impossible they should
have acquired; and which rendered it very difficult when
they were thrown into confusion, to reduce them again to
order; and is one reason why the loss has fallen so heavily
upon the officers who did every thing in their power to
effect it. Neither were my own exertions wanting; but worn
down with illness, and suffering under a painful disease,
unable either to mount, or dismount a horse without
assistance, they were not so great as they otherwise would,
or perhaps ought to have been."]

It was soon perceived that the American fire could produce, on a
concealed enemy, no considerable effect; and that the only hope of
victory was placed in the bayonet. At the head of the second regiment,
which formed the left of the left wing, Lieutenant Colonel Darke made
an impetuous charge upon the enemy, forced them from their ground with
some loss, and drove them about four hundred yards. He was followed by
that whole wing; but the want of a sufficient number of riflemen to
press this advantage, deprived him of the benefit which ought to have
been derived from this effort; and, as soon as he gave over the
pursuit, the Indians renewed their attack. In the mean time General
Butler was mortally wounded, the left of the right wing was broken,
the artillerists almost to a man killed, the guns seized, and the camp
penetrated by the enemy. With his own regiment, and with the
battalions commanded by Majors Butler[58] and Clarke, Darke was
ordered again to charge with the bayonet. These orders were executed
with intrepidity and momentary success. The Indians were driven out of
the camp, and the artillery recovered. But while they were press