Successful resistance to so great a force being obviously impracticable, a parley took place, at which the assailants, after requiring that the inspector[26] and all his papers should be delivered up, demanded that the party in the house should march out and ground their arms.

This being refused, the parley terminated, and the assault commenced.

The action lasted until the assailants set fire to several adjacent buildings, the heat from which was so intense that the house could no longer be occupied.

From this cause, and from the apprehension that the fire would soon be communicated to the main building, Major Kirkpatrick and his party surrendered themselves.
[Footnote 26: The inspector had left the house and secreted himself.

The demand of the papers was acceded to.] The marshal and Colonel Pressly Nevil were seized on their way to General Nevil's house, and detained until two the next morning.