IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) /. ^" S. 4 % fi #^. % fA 1.0 I.! 1.25 2.5 2.2 lis llilio V /] r> ^J "^14 .•» " (meaning CONTINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles sulvants apparaftra sur la der- nidre image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le sym'jole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". The original copy was borrowed from, and filmed with, the kind consent of the following; institution: Library of the Public Archives of Canada Maps or plates too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grdce d la g6n6rosit6 de l'6tablissement prdteur suivant : La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul ciichd sont filmdes d partir de Tangle supdrieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la mdthode : nks. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 55j ^_,^ \ i THE mar of i$i2'iM4 BETWEEN 6reat Britain and m mim States ij^fi •^ ^ % A LECTURE DELIVERED k attlie mmm\ muitai'v Tn$tltute and before tlie numismatic and Jimiquarian $ociei;f of mmm\ in TcMiuiry it$9 BY FRANGS WAYLAND CAMPBELL M. A^ M. D^ L. R. C. p. London, D. C L. Deputy Sufffeon General, late Royal Regiment Canadian Infantry MONTREAL Bm, Pelktier, Printer, 36 $t, £awrenc« Street J899 ^ ...' n _a-' /-> i I THE WAR OF I8I2-I3-J4 CARCELYa generation had passed away, since the prolonged struggle of the Ame- rican revolution had ended, when there arose complications, as a result of the struggle which Great Britain had been carrying on for the liberties of Europe. The sources of the war of J 812 are clearly traceable to the events of the preceeding century. Sparks of hostility had remained smouldering between Britain and her revolted G)Io- nies ; and the mother country had possibly not yet entirely forgiven them, or got over the accrimony of the separation. Among a numerous class in the Unit- ed States there existed a latent and easily excited hatred of everything British. In Canada, the English settlers, consisted chiefly of old British soldiers or United Empire Loyalists, who had left comfortable homesteads in the United States— to make in Canada new homes under the folds of the Union Jack they 4 THE WAR OF J8J2-I3-J4 loved SO well. An animosity — ^the more bitter be- cause the countries were so close — ^also sprang up between the two countries. This asperity was of course much aggravated by the means which Great Britain took for her protection while fighting Napo- leon almost single handed. The paper blocades of J 806 and J 807 by which she and France respectively placed the whole coast of the other, under a ** con- structive blocade ** bore especially hard on the United States, whose marine at this period had almost monopolised the carrying trade of the world. Britain had not only exercised its right of search, but it as- serted the right to seize English seamen found on American vessels, so that American sailors were often impressed into the British fleet. The irritation which this caused was kindled into a flame by the arbitrary action of a British Commander. Acting under orders of Vice Admiral Berkeley, Captain Humphries of H. M. S. Leopard overhauled the Unit- ed States frigate Chesapeake, and demanded the sur- render of alleged deserters. The demand being re- fused, a broad side compelled the Chesapeake to strike her colors and surrender the deserters. This act was at once disavowed by the British Government, before a word of remonstrance from the United States could reach it. The Captain was recalled, the Admiral superseeded and an official note handed the United States declairing right of search when applied to ves- sels of war extended only to requisition, and was not to be carried by force. Without waiting to see what action Britain would take, the United States, ex- THE TAR OF 1812-l5-)4 | eluded British ships from all American ports* This had a most injurious effect on American trade> es- pecially in New England. A year later this embargo was exchanged for an act of non-intercourse with France and England only* They had no means of enforcing this, so it was withdrawn but they main- tained a standing offer that if either power would repeal its edicts, it would suspend commerce with the other* Napoleon seeing his opportunity to check- mate Britain accepted the offer. In February J8U the United States declared all intercourse with Great Britain and her dependencies at an end. In May \S\\ thcU.S.frigate President provoked an encounter with the British sloop Little ^elt, and shot her to pieces* The American Captain was tried by Court Martial c^nd acquitted amid national exultation, Great Britain accepting the official declaration disavowing hostile intention. In November JSU the President ap- pealed to the nation for the ** sinews of war.'* A large class of the American people, were full of sanguine hope of an easy conquest of Canada. It was pre- sumed that political troubles and grievances, connect- ed with the Imperial executive, had so far under- mined Canadian loyalty, that the Colonists would interpose, slight resistance to an American invasion. It was known that Bonaparte was desirous of wresting from Britain the New France of the early French Colo- nists. It was at this time believed that Napoleon would become sole master of Europe, and that the United States by joining hands with him, would divide with him — the empire of the world. Britain, then almost THE WAR OF 1812-11-14 alone contending against the usurper^ it vas felt would neither have the leisure or the power to defend Ginada. Great Britain felt that a junction between the United States and Napoleon, meant ruin to English industry — so that after some delay caused by a ministerial crisis — the obnoxious orders were repealed ou the 23rd of June. The news did not reach the United States for some weeks, and it came too late, for on the 18th of June 1812, the American G)ngress declared war with Great Britain. Even if the news had been received in time it is doubted if it would have averted war, so stong was the feeling of the majority of the people for it. The step however was not unopposed. Virginia strongly denounced the invasion of Canada, and the proposal to seduce Canadians from their loyalty, and as a prominent American statcman expressed it ** converting them into traitors, as a preperation for making them good American citizens.*' The New England states also strongly opposed the war, and Boston displayed her flags at half mast, as a token of mourning, while a mass meeting passed resolutions, protesting against the war. Let us for a moment see how the two coun- tries stood as regards population, from which to draw the required men. The population of the United States was 8,000,000, while Canada numbered but 300,000. From the Detroit river to Halifax, there were scattered British regulars, numbering all told 4,500. Upper Canada, now Ontario, where the bulk of the fighting occurred, had only a population of little more than 30,000. In the brief time offered by THE VAR OF I8J2-I&-J4 a lecture it is of course impossible to follow all the events what took place, in a war which covered nearly three years. I am therefore compelled to notice only the principal events. In Canada the inpending storm had long been dreaded. General Brock who besides being commander, was administrator of the Govern- ment in Upper Canada, had not been slow in reading the signs of the times, and so far as he could, taking measures for defence. Great Britain, harassed as she was with her European war had treated the representa- tions of the exposed condition of Canada with an un- fortunate lack of efficient response. Canada with its magnificent distances and scattered population could scarcely have been less prepared for war or worse equipped for defence. It is not strange that at first there was some despondency, when she found herself launched into a war with her powerful neighbor. But the true British spirit still existed in the Cana- dian people, many of whom had already sacrificed much for their love for the old flag. Troops of vol- unteers poured into all the garrison towns, many being obliged to retire for lack of arms to equip them* The news of the declaration of war first reached Canada, at Montreal through a private channel, the British Minister at Washington not having taken efficient means to have it reach the authorities in Canada. The moment it was known. General Brock took prompt measures. He established his head quarters at Fort George on the Niagara river, asked for reinforcements from Lower Canada (which could not be granted till reinforcement arrived from Great THE VAR OF UUWS-U Britain) appointed a day of prayer and fasting in recognition of the impending crisis, loolced to the frontier forts and outposts and paid special attention to securing the cooperation of the Indians, and the equipment and drilling of the militia* As I have al- ready said, there was a great scarcity of arms, also clothing and shoes which could not be provided for in the country. As to weapons it is said some of the Militia, temporarily supplied themselves from their implements of husbandry. On the Uth of July, Gen- eral Hull with J 500 men, crossed into Canada from Detroit. At Sandwich he issued a proclamation, of- fering the anadian people in exchange for the tyr- anny under which they were suffering " the invalu- able blessings of civil, political and religious liberty. " From Fort George, Brock issued a counter procla- mation, reminding them of their prosperity under British rule, and assuring them that the mother coun- try would defend Canada to the utmost. He pointed out the injustice of the threat of the Americans to refuse quarter if the Indians were allowed to fight side by side with their British allies. On the 27th of July he opened an extra session of the Legislature at York (Toronto). In his address he said ** by una- nimity and despatch, we may teach the enemy that a country defended by freemen can never be con- quered.'' The action of the Legislature somewhat disappointed him — for the invasion naturally pro- duced some dispondency — the Indians in the West were known to be wavering ; a portion of the pop- ulation about Sandwich of French and American THE VAR OF I8I2-J3-I4 extraction, and lying exposed to the first onset of the enemy were disaffected. General Brock's strong and hopeful attitude rallied the waverers. Inspired by his example the country braced itself to a defence against great odds, with a courage which may not only excite our admiration, but gives us an example which we at any time might be proud to follow. Meanwhile hostilities had actually given the first honors to Canada. General Brock had early strength- ened Amherstburg on the Detroit River. He had also seen the importance of taking possession of strategic points of Detroit and Michilimackinac, not only to secure the active co-operatfon of the Indians but also because without them the whole of Western Canada, perhaps even as far as Kingston would have to be evacuated. Immediately on hearing of the declaration of war he assumed the offensive by ordering an attack on Michilimackinac, which was gallantly carried out by Captain Roberts. He advanced to the attack with 45 regulars and 600 Canadians and Indians, when the garrison capitulated. In the Amherstburg DLlrlct a little later came the success of a small British force at Tarantee. About the same time the famous Indian Chief Tccumseh, captured a provision convoy of General Hull's, along with important correspondence. Mean- while Hull became so discouraged that he recrossed the river to Detroit, on the 7th and 8th of August ; on the J 5th of August General Brock, after a toilsome march from Burlington heights to Long Point on Lake Erie and after four days and nights of hard Bsm t ; to THE WAR OF I8I2-I3-I4 rowing he reached Amherstburg, with a force of 300 regulars and 400 Militia, " disguised in red coats/' Here he met Tecumseh, who offered his " braves ** as allies. Brock at once summoned General Hull who was in Fort Detroit to surrender, and followed this summons by the crossing of the British force. Before the assault could be carried out the garrison startled by the effects of the first fire from the bat- teries, surrendered to the British. By this capitula- tion the whole State of Michigan, a ship of war, 33 canon, stores to correspound, 2500 troops, and one stand of colors were surrendered to the British. The surrender of Detroit el-'.ctrified all Canada. No more was there doubting or wavering, disaffec- tion slunk out of sight, and Brock became the idol of Upper Canada. Leaving Procter in charge of De- troit, with as many men has he could spare. Brock hastened back to York (Toronto) on the schooner *' Chippewa*' hopeing now to sweep the Niagara fron- tier clear of every vestage of invasion, and securing Sacketts Harbor remove all danger of an attack from Li\ke Ontario. But on Lake Erie he was met with the news of the untimely armistice which Sir George Prevost had made with the American Gen. Dearborn. Against this armistice Brock rebelled for his hands were tied. The effect of it was to give the Americans time to repair their reverses. Meanwhile the Ameri- can President did not approve of the armistice, and operations were resumed. A cordon was formed along the frontier of Lower Canada from Yamaska to St. Regis where the line of separation between the Unit- T THE VAR OF J8I2-I3-I4 t$ ed States and Canada touches the St. Lawrence, con- sisting of Canadian Voltigeurs and part of the embodied Militia. A light Brigade was formed at Blainfindie, under Lt. Col. Young of the 8th Reg., and consisted of the Canadian Fencibles and the flank companies of the 8th, J 00th, J 03th and 1st Batt. embodied Militia. On the Montreal frontier the road to the United States from the Camp at TAcadie, through Odeltown was rendered impracticable by abattis. This work was done in a short time bv the Voltigeurs, under Major de Salaberry. On the other hand the Ameri- cans under General Dearborn, threatened Montreal via Odeltown and St. Johns. Meanwhile the Ameri- can General Van Rensellaer burning to retrieve the surrender of Detroit had concentrated on the Niagara frontier, a force of over 8,000 men. Early in October, Brock was convinced that an attack was impending, and accordingly had issued particular directions to all the posts, where a landing might be effected. A large lorce had collected on the American side at Lewiston, about 7 miles below the Falls. At this point the riv* is very narrow, and on the Canadian side was the beautiful wooded Plateau of Queens- town heights. Early on the morning of October U, J8I2 a crossing was attempted but failed owing to tempestuous weather and lack of boats. But on the 1 3th before day break a crossing was effected by an advance Guard of General Van Rensellaer army- protected by a Battery at every point at which they could be opposed by musketry. The landing was gallantly resisted by a small out post force of regu- !l 12 THE WAR OF I8J2-I3-J4 i I lars and Militia^ backed by an 18 poundes on the Heights, and another gun a mile below. Both assault and resistance was resolute and brave but fresh de- tachments of troops followed till about UOO men were in line confronting the British out posts. Both Captains of the two companies of the 49th Reg. had fallen wounded and the J 8 pounder was of no a^^ail over a large part of the field. The engagement was growing hot, with serious loss on both sides ; Van Rensellaer himself being wounded. Meanwhile Brock who was at Fort George heard the connonade, mount- ed his horse and galloped to the scene of action. Before he had time to reconoiter the field, a fire was opened in the rear from a height above a path which had been left unguarded because reported inaccessa- ble. This path had been gallantly scaled by a detach- ment of American troops. The volley was promptly followed by a rush. Brock and his aide had no time to remount, and were swept back with the men who manned the Battery. A detachment of the 49th one hundred strong, charged up the hill, and were re- pulsed, but re-inforced charged again, and in the struggle the whole were driven to the edge of the bank. With a storming foe in front of them, a preci- pice of 180 feet behind them, and the roaring river beneath, the white flag was raised by the Americans — but quickly torn down. Thus re-inspired by their G>mmander, they opened a scathing fire. Brock who, in front, roused beyond himself, had forgotten the General, in the soldier, conspicious by his great height, dress, gesture and undaunted bearing, was 4 THE WAR OF J8J2-JS.H t$ pointing to the hill and had just shouted ** Push on the brave York Volunteers ** when he was struck by a ball in the right breast^ which passed through his left side. He only lived long enough to ask that his death should be concealed from his men, and to send a message to his sister. Shortly after, McDonell his aide-de-camp, a Lieut.-Colonel of Militia and Attorney General for Upper Canada, while leading on the York Volunteers and breasting the hill on horseback was struck from the saddle. He was removed from the field and died next day. The great loss on both sides, now caused a lull in the fighting, the Ameri- can retaining the perilous foothold they had gained at great loss, while the British retired under cover of the village awaiting reinforcements. These were already on their way. General Sheaffe, who had followed Brocks directions to collect all available troops, speed- ily came up with about 380 regulars, two companies of Militia, and a few Indians, re-inforced at Queens- town by more Militia and Indians, making up his total to 800 men. With this force he outflanked the enemy, and surrounded them in their dang^ous posi- tion between the heights and the river. A determined onset forced them to a headlong and fearful retreat, many being dashed to pieces in descending the pre- cipitous rocks or drowned in attempting to cross the river. The surviving remnants of the invaders, who had numbered 1,(00 mustered on the brink of the river and surrendered unconditionally with their General Wadsworth, as prisoners of war. The loss on the American side was about 400 killed and mmm ■pm ■•,■» H THE WAR OF J8J2-I3-H wounded. The British loss was 80 killed and wounded. Sheaffe having thus bravely won the day was un- fortunately led to throw away most of the advantages of his victory by signing an armistice. For this he is bi imed by many who think he ought to have crossed the river, and taken possession of Fort Nia- gara, which was fired at from Fort George and completely dismantled and abandoned. As autumn passed into winter, some ineffectual skirmishes oc- curred along the St. Lawrence. In the meantime General Dearborn on the New York frontier of Lower Canada had assembled an army of (0,000 men. But the French Canadian Militia sprang to arms, the land bristled with bayonets. Major De Salaberry, in the infancy of his fame, had command of the outposts, and under his inspiration these undisciplined levies speedily showed that they were too much in emest to be trifled with. On the 20th of November, Gen- eral Dearborn made a demonstration on a picket at Lacolle, which consisted of Militia and a few Indians. These were under command of Colonel Mackay, father of the late Judge Mackay, who handled his force so well that Dearborns force retreated to Cham- plain, where it took up winter quarters. The inland American marine made in effectual attempts to capture two British schooners, both of which escaped into Kingston; later a small British bark became their prize. On November 20th, Kingston was bombarded, sustaining little damage and returned the attention with interest. At the same time. General Smyth suc- ceeded Van Rensaeller on the Niagara Frontier, and THE VAR OF J8I2-I3-I4 )8 made an ineffectual attempt at Fort Erie, after which he went into winter quarters. The Legislatures of Upper and Lower Canada met at the close of the year and voted large sums for the equipment of the Militia. Recruiting went on briskly during the winter, and by spring the Canadian forces, amounted to 8,000 men, including regulars. The opposing Amer- ican army, including regulars and Militia was about 27,000 strong. The campaign of J8I3 opened at an early date, while the frozen rivers afforded easy passage for troops. During January, February and March skirmishes took place along the frontier at Amherstburg, Gananoque and Brockville. The most important operation at the opening of the year took place in January. An American force under General Harrison made demonstration on Detroit which was held by a weak garrison, under Colonel Proctor. The season though favorable to an advance from the American side precluded all possibility of the British being re-inforced. On January J Jth, Proctor learned that a division under General Winchester, had been send forward by General Harrison, and had reached an advanced position. Proctor saw that the Ameri- can force had advanced beyond the shelter of support, so he flung his whole strength on Winchester before Harrison could reach him. At break of day on the 22nd Proctor attacked the enemys division, about 1,000 strong, and met with a desparate resistance. The fight continued some time, but eventually fearing destruction of his entire force Winchester surrendered it and himself as prisoners of war, 522 men and offi- t6 THE WAR OF J8I2-I3.H I ' cers, with arms, stores and amunition, became the prize of the British — about 400 were killed and wounded. Pmctor had 500 regulars and Militia and 600 Indians, and lost J 80 men. For a time Detroit was secure. At Prescott, opposite Ogdensburg, . small force of some 400, principally Glengary Militia, under Gjlonel McDonell eagerly watching an opportumly to repay the forays which in the late autumn the Americans had made on the neighborhood of Brock- ville. It had been the practice since the ice had formed to drill daily on the river. Half the river belonged to them, so that they were allowed to drill and ma- noeuvre unmolested. On the morning of February 22nd McDonell descended on to the ice at the head of 480 men and 2 Field pieces. He played and purred for sometime with valvety touch preparing for a spring. Having divided his force into two portions, assuming himself command of one and Jenkens, a gallant New Brunswick the other, a sudden dash was made. They took the enemy completely by sur- prise, drove them from every position, stormed and carried the Battery, burned the barracks and 4 armed vessels frozen into the harbor, and captured eleven cannon, and a large amount of Military stores and many prisoners were taken. The American loss is placed at 75 men killed and wounded. The British loss was 8 killed and 52 wounded. For a mo- ment or two allow one to digree from actual ware- fare, to explain who and what were the Glengarians, who played so important a part in this war. After the American revolution, the Counties of Stormont, T THE WAR OF J8I2-I3-J4 tf Dunday and Glengarry were appropriated by the British Government as a place of settlement for Unit- ed Empire Loyalists. It so happened that among those early settlers, a majority consisted of Scotch Highlanders, the descendants of men who after Cut- loden, had been transported to the plantations. To them was added a gallant band of Scottish soldiers who had fought against France from 1792 to (803. The brief peace of 1802, led to the unfortunate dis- bandment of many fine British Regiments, and among them a regiment of Roman Gttholic High- landers, raised only a few years before by Alexander McDonnell of Glen Urquhart, a Catholic clergyman of great energy of character. He had been appointed their chaplain. On their disbandment he obtained from the British Government the means to trensport the men of the Glengarry Regiment to Canada. He led them into the wilderness, and engrafted on the waste, their faith to God and fidelity to the throne. The emest priest, and tried friends through life never deserted them. Partaking of the charactert of the Mediacai churchman, half Bishop, half Baron he fought and prayed, with equal zeal by the side of men whom he had come to regard as his hereditary followers* He rose to the Episcopate and died, uni- versally belowed. Bishop of Kingston. In raising the Glengarry Regiment, he was must active in rousing the enthusiasm of his parishioners. The firy cross had passed through the land, and every clansman obeyed the summons. This is the stock which nearly one hundred years ago, and more, was placed in ;8 THE VAR OF mi-tUi I !i Hi I '■ these counties, and which has all but retained its same exclusive character, as it has its well tried loy- alty. In Mavch J8 J3, the J04th *' Regt/' left Fredrick- ton to reinforce the troops in Ca.n.ida. Coffin in his litUe work on these three years of war, says : **Thesc men actually marched on snow shoes the entire dis- tance between Fredrickton and the St. Lawrence, confronting hardships, to which the march of the Guards in January, 1862, was but a holiday freak. During the winter months the Americans had been exceedingly active not only in preparing troops but in preparing to obtain the supremacy of Lake On- tario. England had not even yet realised the full gravity of the situation, though the Canadians did. Indications were that Toronto, then know as York, was to be attacked. It contained a little less than 1,000 souls, and a garrison of about 600, 200 or 300 reg- ulars, and the rest Militia. On the 25th of April Commodore Chauney and General Dearborn left Sacketts Harbor with sixteen sail and conveying a land force of 2500 men. Videttes had for some time before been on constant watch, with order to fire alarm guns, and then ride into town, on sight of a hos- tile fleet. It was late in the evening of April 26, when the first report hushed every voice, and for a moment startled the whole populatbn. But the men of York paused not long, old and young rushed to arms. On the first alarm General Sheaffe got his men in hand, and awaited what the morning would bring forth. But York was incapable of defence, in fact all the troops then in Western Canada would have been in- T THE WAR OF I8J2.J3-I4 *♦ sufficient. He therefore made the necessary prepara- tion for meeting the enemy, and if hard pressed, to save his force, destroy all public property, and retire either on Burlington Heights or Kingston, according to the developemcnts of the enemy. At early dawn the American Squadron was seen bearing down on the western flank of the town. While they engaged a small mtttilated 3 gun Battery at what is known as the old fort, a large force landed and cut of all retreat westward* Sheaffe sent the best portion of his force to keep the enemy at bay. For a time the enemy were held in check, but being re-inforced in over whelming numbers, the British were outflanked and compelled to retire with a loss of nearly 100 in killed, wounded and prisoners. An accidental explosion of one of the batteries, silenced the fort guns and as thf5! left no hope of successful resistance Sheaffe de- stroyed such stores as he could, and took with him such as he was able, and retreated on Kingston. Mean- time the American advanced column having taken possession of the fort, were nearly destroyed by the believed accidental explosioii of the magazine. Al- though Sheaffe left an officer to arrange terms of capitulation the Public Buildings were burned, the Qiurch and Library pillaged and acts of vandalism perpetrated contrary to the articles of the capitulation. General Dearborn made no attempt to pursue the retreating British force. Newark now Niagara de- fended by General Vincent with 1,340 troops, sta- tioned at Fort George, was the next point of attack. Gsntrary winds, bothered the flotilla greatly, but it 30 THE VAR OF >eiM3-;4 reached the American shore about the 8th of May, where it lay for about two weeks, receiving re- inforcements from Sacketts Harbor. On the 27th of May, the American force now aug- mented to between 7 and 8,000 men, effected a landing about a mile from the fort, in spite of a very vigorous resistance from 250 Militia men, and 40 Indians. They were, however forced back upon the main body. Vincent and his men did all that brave soldiers could do to oppose the advance ; but after a desperate struggle of three hours against odds, in which both officers and men suffered severely, he determined to retreat to save the remainder of his men. He left 350 regular troops and 85 Militia, killed or wounded on the ground. Fort George with guns spiked fell into the hands of the enemy. Vincent retreated upon the strong position of ** Beaver Dam,'' Here he was re- inforced from Fort Erie and Chippewa, and sup- ported by a small force of the Royal Navy, he reached Burlington heights in safety, and established himself in a strong position, on what is now part of the Gty of Hamilton, to await orders from Quebec. Mean- time a demonstration was made from Kingston upon Sacketts Harbor. On the same day that York fell, a half dozen large and a few smaller vessels sailed from Kingston, with 750 troops. Sacketts Harbor was reached about noon, but though no sign of resistance was visible, and the men were actually in the boats, the landing was without apparent reason abandoned, and the vessels left to hang about till two days later, when it was gallantly effected, and the ;i! THE WAR OF I8I2-13-t4 SI American regular troops routed and driven into their stockaded barracks and fort. Everything promised that tliis important stronghold would fall into the hands of the British, when Prevost, who is by near- ly all writers, styled the evil genius of the Gunpaign, ordered a retreat, against the earnest protest of G)lo- nel Drummond of the 10th Regt. Even the wounded, three of whom were officers, were deserted, and this thoftgh the re-embarkation took place in good order. This expedition was a shock to his reputation from which he never recovered. Though Dearborn had not showed any particular energy in following up his successes at York and Niagara, yet he felt the necessity of disloging Vincent from his position on Burlington heights. On the 5th of June, Vincent was apprised of the advance of an American force of 3,500 men, under Brigadiers Chandler and Winters. G)lonel Harvey, who had just arrived, to assume the position of Deputy Adjutant General, offered to lead a night attack against the approaching force, in pur- suance of his policy of ** bold offensive operations.*' It was most successfully carried out at Stoney Creek. The enemy were taken unwares. The engagement lasted about an hour and a half, when the American army was completely demoralised. It destroyed its baggage and retreated to where the town of Grimsby now stands. The British retired at day light, in good order, with a hundred prisoners, which included Gen- erals Chandler and Winters. Several guns were also captured. This successful attack on a force numbering five times its assailants, rallie«t the dis- 22 THE WAR OF J8IM3-I4 couraged defenders of Canada and for the time turned the fortunes of war, saving Kingston and the Niagara district. The American troops now thrown bacic on to the edge of the frontier at Fort George, determined to surprise the British depot at " Beaver Dam/' This attempt was frustrated by ^ gallant exploit, of a brave woman, Laura Sec >- ife of a Militia officer, wounded at the battle ^ ^ueenstown Heights. Hearing of the intended attack, she undertook a peril- ous journey of twenty miles through the woods, in order to warn Fitzgibbon, the officer in command. The timely warning which he received, enabled him to concentrate his forces, so that with about three score regulars and 250 Indians, he was able not only to repulsethe attack, but also to capture the entire at- tacking force of 542 men, 2 field pieces two ammuni- tion wagons, and the colors of the 14th U. S* Infant- ry. This brillant exploit was followed early in July by dashing and successful sallies on Fort Schlosser and Black Rock. In the latter, where G)loneI Bishopp the British G>mmander lost his life, the British burned the Barracks, Naval Arsenal., and a fine schooner. In the meantime things were going badly with the British, both on Lake Erie and the Western Canada peninsula. On the Lakes, Sir James Yeo was in command of the Navy, but the means placed at his disposal were utterly inadequate to enable him to maintain that supremacy which was so essential to the defence of Canada. On the Uth of September, an engagement took plan between the two navies, the preponderance being very largely in favor of the THE WAR OF I8IM3.H 23 Americans. The engagement lasted five hours, when the British surrendered, every vessel had become unmanageable, every officer killed or wounded and one third of the men wounded. On the America side, the loss was 123 killed or wounded, out of a force of 600 men. This defeat was a fatal one for General Proctor. It destroyed his last hope, and ruin or re- treat seemed his only alternative. He was without supplies or necessary clothing and disease was ripe among his men. Amherstburg was practically de- fenceless, as it had been stripped of guns and ammuni- tion to equip the fleet. He therefore decided upon destroying the forts at Detroit and Amherstburg and retreating on Burlington Heigts. Tecumseh and his Indians protested but finally yielded, and adhered to the falling fortunes of their Brittsh allies with noble and unwavering constancy. The retreat began on the 27th of September, and from the careless way in which it w?»s conducted it was evident that Proctor did not expect the American force to follow him. The bridges were left standing, the men were badly and irregular lyfed, orders were absent or conflicting. The soldiers were utterly dispirited by the alsencc of any plan or energy at Head Quarters and were in no condition to fight even equal'numbers certainly not a vastly numerically superior force. The American troops unencumbered, rapidly gained on Proctor's force and came up to it, two miles from a village of christian Indians, called Moravian- town. The relative strength of the forces was Ameri- cans 3,500 of whom 1,500 were mounted riflemen. 24 THE WAR OF J8I2-JS-I4 British about 500 and 890 Indians under Tecumseh. The charge of the Americans soon dispersed the small band of regulars, and though Tecumseh and his men thus left unsupported fought gallantly, they were eventually forced to give way with the loss of their noble chieftain. Only about 50 escaped, the re- mainder were taken prisoners. Proctor with about 250 men remaining, managed to effect his retreat to Burlington Heights. His military career was by tiiis, the saddest reverse of the war. closed forever. It however awoke in the Canadian people a spirit of more intense and dogged resolution to defend their country to the last. On the appearance of Proctor at Burlington Heights, Vincent whose Head Quarters was some 7 miles from Fort Gec^e, broke up his camp, and joined him, determined to make a last stand in defence of th^ Western Peninsula, should the American force, make its appearance. Fortunately it was recalled to Detroit. Meanwhile on the Atlantic, British and American men of war had been engaged with alternate success and defeat on either side. Aboutfthe same time the Americans tried to capture Isle aux Noix on the Richelieu River, 12 miles above St. Johns, but failed. This was followed by reprisals on Plattsburgh and Burlington by the British. In September a body of 8,000 men was collected at Sacketts Harbor, having in view th descent of the St. Lawrence? and the capture of Montreal. The em- barkation took place on the 17th of October, and con- sisted of four Brigades. This was known at Kings- ton in a few hours, whence 8 gun boats, and a Mili- •■«■. THE WAR OF mJ^l^H U tary force of 900 men and 3 field pieces, followed the American flotilla. The American force landed near Prescott, and continued their march along the shore, their boats cruising close to American side. The Ge- neral commanding the American troops was named Wilkinson, whose character and sobriety is bitterly attacked. Lt. Colonel Morrison of the 89th was in command of the troops sent from Kingston in pur- suit. He debarked his troops at Iroquois, and continued the pursuit by land. On the Uth November he came up to Boyd division of 2,500 men and sb? field guns at a point half way between Morrisbur^ and Aultsville, known a Qiryslers farm, and considering the site advantageous, offerred battle. Wilkinson seems to have supposed that Boyds division would alone, be sufficient to meet the British. The engage- ment began shortly after two o'clock, and was exceed- ingly sharp. By 5 o'clock, the Americans were in full retreat, in fact were fast becoming a disorderly rout when a re-inforcement of 600 men arrived, too late to do more than give confidence and safety to the flying troops, who took to their boats and hid their flight in the darkness of that November night. The looses were British 22 killed, 157 wounded, 12 mis- sing; Americans killed 102, wounded 237. About 100 prisoners were taken but there was no attempt at pur- suit, the British being worn out with fatigue, and having neither cavalery or reserv^^. The day previous to this battle, Wilkinson had sent forward to Cornwall to sieze the government stores, a division of over 3,000 men under General Brown. In the meantime 26 THE WAR OF J8IM3-J4 m IP ;il Lt. Colonel Morrison continued his advance. On the J 2th November, the main American army formed a junction with Brown's division, and about sunset on this day he heard of the defeat ot Hamptons force at Chateauguay. He at once determined to relinquish the proposed attack on Montreal, and began his re- treat* He sailed with his flotilla up the Salmon river and went into winter quarters at French Mills, now Fort Covington. Here sickness and famine preyed upon his men until February, when boats and barracks were burned and the place abandoned, part of the force going back to Sacketts Harbor, while Wilkin- son led the remainder to Platsburgh. The importance and effect of this engagement cannot be over estimated. It was "the battle of Montreal ** says one writer. By diverting the expedi- tion from this city it completely frustrated every object for which it was formed. For a mere handful of men to defeat the largest hostile army that has ever set foot on Canadian soil, added greatly to the prestige of British and Canadian arms. We now turn to Eastern Canada, now the Province of Que- bec, and for a few moments I desire to allude to the part the Roman Catholic Clergy played in this war. The head of the church was th*» Rev. Father Plessis, Bishop of Quebec, and bom In Montreal in J 763. He was intensly loyal the British Crown. In an address, which the made at the opening of the war he said : ** In considering the vexatious tricks organised against the church and people of Canada, by chiefs who were sent from the Court of THE WAR OF J8J2-J3.t4 27 Louis the 14 ''he frankly admitted that under the English Government, the Githolic Clergy and rural population enjoyed more liberty than was acceded to them before the conquest. After having praised the English Nation which he said had generously wel- comed the French ecclesiastics, hunted out of France by the Republicans of 1792, he added "that the ca- pitulation as well as the treaty of 1763 were so many tew ties of attachment to Great Britain and that re- ligion itself would gain by the change of domination/' Holding such sentiment he issued an episcopal mandement, which was read in every church. In it he said ** it is to you belongs the task of opposing yourselves like a wall to the approach of the enemy. They will cease to be formidable, when the God of battles fights on your side, under his holy protection, march to combat, as to victory. Sustain your repu- tation for obedience, for discipline, for valour, for intrepidity. Your confidence will not be vain, if in exposing your lives for the defence of your country and your hearths, you take care before all things to make your peace with God." These sentiments of the Bishop were enforced with eametness by the clergy every where, and the result was that recruiting was most successful. On the 22nd of September 1813, Hampton, who was in command on Lake Giamplain entered Canada at Odelltown, with 5,000 men. Finding his avance opposed by the outposts of DeSalaberry, he retraced his steps and made a fresh advance by the roads leading northerly to Chateau- guay. DeSalaberry with a force of 300 Canadian THE WAR OF iti2■l^^li troops advanced to oppose him at Qiateaugfuay^ where he fortified his position with a block house and an abdttis* Here he was unexpectedly re-inforced by McDonnell of the Ogdensburgh force. On the 28th of October two columns of the enemy 7000 strongs advanced from opposite points with the intention of surrounding and crushing the Canadians* It is need- less, in fact impossible for me to enter into details of the fight. I would say however that when the first line of the Voltlgeurs was driven back, De Salaberry re- mained with a small drummer boy, who continued sounding the advance. McDonnell also by an adroit disposition of the buglers in the woods, sounding the advance at great distances apart, induced the foe to believe that a numerous force was advancing in different directions, while a few Indians, who were in the Gtnadian force, added to their dismay, by hideous yells. The result was that the American column broke and fled leaving, the field and the honors of the day to the little force which with two or three exceptions, was entirely French Canadian. Among the French Canadian officers severely wounded, was Capt. de Bartach, whose daughter married the late judge Monk, and is the mother of the present mem- ber in the Dominion Parliament for Jacques-Cartier. This brilliant exploit completely frustrated the pro- jected attack on Montreal by the combined forces of Hampton and Wilkinson. Meanwhile Harrison's troops had been pillaging the settlers in the neighborhood of Fort George. He was succeeded by McClure who continued his policy THE WAR OF JSIMS-U 29 of driving the peaceful inhabitants from their homes* Colonel Murray with 378 of the 100th Regt. and a few Indians and Volunteers, advanced against him with a view of checking his operations. McCIure retreated and was followed by Murray to the imme- diate vicinity of Fort George. He then determined to retire to the American side. Before doing so he burned the village of Niagara, only giving an hour's notice, thus leaving 400 women and children house- less on a cold December evening. Murray at once seized Fort George. The Americans left behind them a number of heavy guns which they had mounted, magazines of shot and ammunition, andcamp equipage for 4,500 men. Murray then determined to cross the river, and by a night attack capture the American Fort Niagara. The expedition landed on the American shore, 3 miles above the fort at 4 o'clock, on a very dark December morning. The advance was quickly mrHt, and when the fort was reached it was sur- prised by a bayonet charge and captured. With a loss of only 6 killed and 5 wounded the British captured a iortf mounting 17 guns, took 318 prisoners cap- tured 3,000 stand of arms and large quantities of com- missariat stores. The Royal Scots and the 4Jst Regt. under Drummond and Riall, pushed on and took Black Rock after a sharp contest. They pursued the American militia to Buffalo, which was captured and burned. The British retired and on their way burned the village of Black Rock, as a retribution for the burning of Niagara by McCIure. As the result of this foray the British left the whole Ameri- , 30 THE VAR OF mZ-l^H can frontier from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie a desolate scene of ruin. Thus the campaign of 1813 closed with the preponderance of success largely on the side of the British and Canadian forces. The invaders had not yet secured a position on Canadian soil, with the exception of Amherstburg, for the loss of which, more than an equivalant had been gained by the possession of Fort Niagara. On the other hand the Americans with their seaboard blockaded by British men of war, their commerce paralysed, their taxation increased, felt that the war they had forced upon Can- ada was pressing severely on themselves. The cam- paign of 1814 was opened by the American army un- der Wilkinson, advancing, on the 17th March, from Plattsburg, on the village of Champlain with a force of 4,000 men. A brigade, under General Macomb, was thrown into Swanton and then took possession of the village of Phillipsburg, a mile within Canadian terri- tory, but soon rejoined the main body which advanced on March 30th, against Lacolle Mill. This was a small stone building on the LacoUe River, with a shingle roof, and defended by extemporised wooden windows barred by beams and loopholed for mus- ketry. It was garrisoned by about 180 men, and its capture was considered so certain that a detachment was sent to the rear to cut off the escape of the defenders. Just as the engagement commenced a re- inforcement of two companies of the 13th arrived from Isle aux Noix, after a terrible march through slush, often wading through water up to their knees. This brought the total British force up to THE WAR OF mi l^H 31 340 men. A bridge that crossed the LacoIIe river, below the Mill, led to a small house, which by means of logs, made into a breast work, was converted into a block-house. With the exception of a small clear- ance, these buildings were surrounded by woods. There was a foot of snow on the ground. The LacoIIe River was still frozen to within a short dis- tance of its junction with the Richelieu. The attack began at half past one, by an' attempt to flank several pieces of artillery, but after repeated trials was aban- doned. Later it was renewed and a 12 pounder, a 5 pounder and a five and a half pound howitzer got into position, when a cannonade of the mill began, which was briskly replied to by musketry. This was continu- ed for several hours, during which the two companies of the 13th stationed in the woods, several times charged the guns, but eventually were compelled to retire into the block-house. During one of these char- ges, the American artillerymen were forced from their guns, but the odds were too great for anything of this kind being more than a temporary success. Though the mill was struck several times and somewhat damaged, though the ammunition was scarce there was no sign of surrender. Dark coming on the fight ceased, and the American force retired. The British commander could not understand this movement* Although he felt the strength of the force which attacked him, he could scarcely have conceived that it was 4,000 strong. He therefore remained on guard all night, as he thought the movement was a feint to draw him from his position. Expecting an attack in 32 THE WAR OF 1812.fS.14 the mornings he, during the night, brought up from the gun-boats, frozen in the river, two (8 lb. carron- ades which he posted at the block-house. With the coming morning there was no enemy in sight. The truth is the United States forces were exhausted by the cold and fatigue. Morever they thought that without heavy artillery the place was impregnable. In the condition of the roads, such guns could not be brought forward. The entire American force retired to Champlain, and later the major part was ordered to Plattsburg. The British loss was 1 1 rank and file killed, 2 officers \ sergeant and 43 rank and file wounded, and 4 missing, one Indian killed and one wounded. The loss on the part of the United States forces was 13 killed 128 wounded ^3 missing. In the meantime the British force on this frontier, at St. John and Isle aux Noix, had been raised to about J, 000 regular troops and 450 Militia. They were however kept entirely on the defensive and the Amer- icans were allowed to proceed in the work at Ver^ gennes, on two vessels. So satisfied were they that an attack was intended by the British, that 500 men were brought thither from Plattsburg for their protect- ion. When they had been launched however, Capt. Pring with two small gun-boats made a demonstra- tion against them, which being unsupported by a land force turned out a failure. Prevost, is held res- ponsible for this. He likewise refused to allow Sir George Drummond to attack Sackett's Harbor which was considered necessary, to break the power, of the Americans on Lake Ontario. He was however, in- THE WAR OF J8J2-l3-t4 » duced by him to agree to an attack on Oswego, which had a well defended fort. It was from this place in 1760 that Amherst sailed down the St. Law- rence, landed at Lachine, marched into Montreal, camped c»i the site of the priests farm on Sherbrooke street and took possession of Montreal. The British fleet, consisting of 2 frigates, six others vessels and eleven gun-boats, and carrying 1,080 soldiers sailed from Kingston on the 4th of May and on the morn- ing of the 6th the troops were successfully landed under a hot fire from the batteries, and the discharge of 500 muskets. Advancing steadily up the hill under this destructive fire, the British gained the summit to find the defence abandoned, and the defenders in flight. Within 10 minutes from their entry the Union Tack was raised on the flag staff amid the enthusiastic cheers of the soldiers. The British lost 19 killed and 62 wounded, among the former were 2 officers and among the latter 6 officers. The Americans lost 6 killed, 38 wounded and 23 missing. Sixty prisoners were taken. Nine guns and several craft, with large stores of provisions were captured of and a large quan- tity of ammunition destroyed and the barracks burned. Giaancey, in command of the American fleet on Lake Ontario, was next blockaded at Sacket's Har- bor, and part of his expected supplies intercepted by gun-boats, though an attempt to pursue a convoy, retreating into a creek in that neighborhood, ended in defeat, with heavy loss and the surrender of 120 men. The chief interest in the campaign now again m m 1% m 34 THE VAR OF I8IM3-J4 1.1 ■'-1 shifts to the West. In May an American force of (,500 men made a descent on Port Dover, defended by a troop of dragoons and a few militia, who were driven away. The town was then burned to the ground. Meanwhile large bodies of American troops were being, during May and June, massed at Buffalo, under G)I. Winfield Scott. The force con- sisted of two brigades of 2,200 men each, also 500 artillery, while between Buffalo and Lewiston was a regiment of infantry and some rifles, making a total force of a little more than 5,000 men. To oppose this force the British had about 4,500 men, consisting of 1st Batt. Royal Scots, 8th, 41st, 100th, 103rd and a squadron of the 19th dragoons. From this limited strength, garrisons had to be supplied to Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo, Fort Niagara on the United States side, captured the previous November, also Fort George and the newly-constructed Fort Mis- sisaga, at the mouth of the Niagara River. More- over, the American navy held supremacy on Lake Erie, and it was within the possibilities that a force might be landed on its shores and marched across the country. A force was therefore stationed at Port Dover, and at another post established in the vicinity of the present city of London. The post at Burlington Heights had also to be defended. Sir Geo. Drummond watched the preparations at Buffalo with great anxiety. He saw the magnitude of the attempt that would be made, and the necessity of Canada meeting it as strongly as possible. He asked Prevost that reinforcements be sent him from East- THE WAR OF 1812-I3-U M em Canada, as he thought the gathering of a force at Plattsburg was only a feint, but he was refused. Drummond felt that the blow might fall at any mo- ment, and being uncertain as to where the landing would be made, had distributed his force at various points. On the 3rd of July, at day brealc, the Amer- ican army crossed the river — one division a mile and a haK above Fort Erie, the other division a short distance below. A heavy fog concealed their move- ments. Fort Erie was poorly fortified and held by 100 men, who surrendered and were made prisoners. They then pushed on to Chippewa, where Pearson was in command with 700 regulars, 300 militia and 300 Indians. Pearson at first advanced, but finding the Americans in force, retreated, destroying the bridges behind him. He was followed, however, the bridges being rapidly repaired. Riall, who was entrenched about two miles in the rear, near Street's Creek, heard about 8 a.m. of the American advance. He at once ordered five companies of the Royal Scots to join his forces. He had previously sent word to York to have the 8th regiment join him. On the morning of the 4th of July Scott's brigade of the American army advanced toward Chippewa, Riall being in his entrenchments. On the morning of the 5th he received reinforcements, bringing his force up to 1,500 regulars, some militia and Indians. At 4 p.m. he advanced against the Americans. Kingsford in his magnificent ''History of Canada'' calls this action the ''Balaclava" of the campaign. Again and again the British charged against the 36 THE WAR OF I8JM3-I4 .T\ solid American line, and were as often forced back by a terrific shower of grape, cannon and musketry. As fast as men fell the line closed up. When the British were within 80 yards the line got into confu- sion, and Riall seeing the terrible slaughter, and that success was impossible, withrew his men, the 8th Regiment covering the retreat. This was carried out most orderly, not a gun or a prisoner falling into the enemy's hands. The loss of the American troops is put at 308 killed, wounded and missing, but it is believed to have been much heavier. The British lost one-third of the men taken into action, viz., J 49 killed, 3J6 wounded, 46 missing — a total of 5U* Of this number the Royal Scots lost 63 killed and J35 wounded, and the JOOth 70 killed and 134 wounded. Among the officers of the 100th severely wounded was the Marquis of Tweedale. No immediate attempt was made by the United States troops to follow up their success. Riall des- troyed his entrenchments and retreated along the Niagara River to Fort George, within which he took refu*". The American army advanced leis- urely, with much caution, and took possession of Queenstown heights. Here it remained nearly in- active for some time. It however made marauding excursions in various directions, some of which were attacked by the British, many prisoners being taken. General Brown, of the American army, had been expecting the assistance of Chauncy's fleet to enable him to take Fort George, but owing partly to the illness of Chauncy and partly to the fact that he was THE VAR OF I8I2 13-14 9 now effectually held in check by the British fleet of Yeo. Brown, gave up his design on the fort, and re- treated towards Chippewa, closely followed by RIall, who took up an advantageous position on a rising ground in a country road called Lundy's Lane, while a waiting reinforcements. Meanwhile Drum- mond at Kingston, on hearing of the action at Street's Oeek, had ordered a new levy of the militia of the province, and a number of them, who had returned temporarily to their farms, loyally responded to the call. Drummond hastened on to York (Toronto), and with 400 men of the 89th and other companies, he pushed on to Niagara. Finding that Riall had already advanced, he sent a detachment under CoL Tucker, against an American force at Lewiston, while he himself pushed on to Queenstown. The enemy having disappeared from Lewiston, Tucker re-crossed the river with his detachment and Drum- mond's re-united colun>n of 800 men, advanced to join RialFs of about the same number. Meanwhile Winfield Scott, believing that the British force op- posed to him at Lundy's Lane, was greater than he at first thought, sent for reinforcements, and Gen. Brown, with Ripley's and Foster's brigades, hast- ened to his support. Riall finding that he was about to be attacked by an overwhelming force, had com- menced a retreat, when Drummond arrived and countermanded it. He found himself in command of 1,600 men, and confronted by an American force of at least 5,000 men, part of which had advanced to within 600 yards by the time he had reached the 38 THE WAR OF WIMS-M top of the hill at Lundy's Lane. The engagement began with an attack from Scott's brig^ide before Riall had completed his formation* thougb he lost no time in establishing a battery of two guns on a small eminence. Today from thence, on a summer day, the eye can take in a large expanse of stnny, peace- ful country, rich woodlands, peach orchards and vineyards, tranquil homesteads and fields of living green. But on that July evening, from six o'clock till midnight, the peaceful landscape was clouded with heavy sulphurous smoke, the sweet summer air was filled with the dull boom of artillery and the rattle of musketry, the shout of the charge, the groans of the wounded, all blending strangely with the solemn, unceasing roar of the great cataract close by. The battle, the most fiercely contested of the whole war, raged with fierce obstinacy and severe carnage, and an obstinate determination on both sides. About 9 o'clock a brief lull in the fighting occurred, while the rear guard of the American force under Gen. Bix)wn took the place of Scott's brigade, which had suffered severely. At this critical moment Sir Hercules Scott, with J, 200 men, arrived on the spot after a march of twenty-one miles, and between the two unequal forces thus re-inforced the British resumed the con- test. The chief struggle was for the possession of the guns on the height. By a successful dash at one time of the Americans they were for a time taken, but were soon retaken. The darkness was so great that in a retreat two guns were exchanged. Nothing, says an on-looker, could have been more THE VAR OF I8J2-I3-J4 39 terrible, nor yet more solemn, than this midnight contest* The desperate charges of the Americans was succeded by a death-like silence, interrupted only by the groans of the dying and the dull roar of the falls of Niagara. About midnight Brown, having unsuccessfully, for six hours, with his force of 5,000 men, against little more than half that number, tried to force the British from their position, retreated to Chippewa with a loss of 930, that on the British side amounting to 870* Riall had been wounded and taken prisoner early in the action, and both Scott and Brown were wounded, Scott having had two horses shot under him* Drummond was badly wounded in the neck, but retained his command un- till the end of the battle, cheerily urging on his men to fight to the last. On the next morning, the 26th, the American commander, having destroyed the bridge over the Chippewa, burned Street's Mill and thrown much of his equipage and provisions into the river, retired to Fort Erie, which had been greatly strengthened since it surrendered to the Americans. Drummond having received reinforcements was now in command of 3,150 men — ^the garrison at Fort Erie numbering 3,000* On the 1st of August he moved his headquarters to midway between Chippewa and Fort Erie* On the following day he moved to opposite Black Rock, from which point he sent a detachment of some seven hundred men across the river, with the intention of taking Buffalo and thus cutting off the supplies from Fort Erie* The expedition found itself strongly opposed, and was, 40 ThE WAR OF J8IM3-I4 after a severe engagement, forced to retire with con- siderable loss. He then made a gallant attempt to capture Fort Erie, which was partially successful, but, just as the first column had entered the embra- sures, an accidental explosion killed many of the storming party. This caused a panic which com- pelled Drummond to retire with a loss of more than 500 men. Being reinforced by the 32nd and 61st Regiments, Drummond entrenched himself and waited developments. On the )7th of September Brown, with a large force, attack<»d the British en- trenchments. The fighting began at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and was continued till 5 o'clock. In the early part of the battle the British were forced from their entrenchments, but soon recaptured them and drove the Americans back. They then retired upon Fort Eric. The defeat of this attack was so severely fck that no attempt was made to renew it. The severity of the fighting will be understood from the losses, viz: British, US killed, 178 wounded; United States, 80 killed, 214 wounded. Meanwhile rcenforcement of 16,000 men from England had ar- rived, and Prevost, assisted by a fleet on Lake Cham- plain and an army of some 10,000 or 12,000 men, made an attack on Plattsburgh, and met with an in- glorious defeat, which, it is admitted, was a surprise to themselves. Kingsford says that the Americans had made every arrangement to evacuate the place, so satisfied were they that the British would be suc- cessful. A large body of the troops at Plattsburgh had been sent to reinforce the blockading troops on THE TAR OF J81M3-14 41 Lake Eriet leaving General Macomb with only ),500 militia, newly called out. Prevost mig;ht easily have overpowered his weak enemy, but he was obsti- nately determined to await the attack of the newly collected fleet commanded by Downie, who was almost a stranger to his command, and who was prematurely hurried into action by Prevpst. Downie was killed 15 minutes after the firing began, and the British vessels were overpowered. Instead of attacking simultaneously with his artillery, he waited till the fleet had been defeated by the greatly supe- rior squadron opposed to him, when he counter- manded the advance of the troops he had so irreso- lutelv pui; in motion, and ordered a retreat without even an attempt at an assauk. The indignation of the disappointed troops was almost uncontrollable, and Macomb could hardly believe his good fortune. For the lamentable incompetency manifested in his conduct of this affair Prevost was to have been tried by court martial, but died before this could take place. The end of this long and exhausting war was happily near at hand. The close of the general war in Europe early in 1814 had left Great Britain free to begin a retaliatory naval war on the United States, the effects of which were soon felt. The American seaboard, from Maine to Mexico, suffered from the inroads of British squadrons, whose attacks forced the recall of a portion of the American land forces then in Canada. Sir John Sherbrooke, Lieu- tenant Governor of Nova Scotia, made successful attacks on the coast of Maine, carrying one point 42 THE VAR OF J8^>J3-I4 1 I after another, till the whole border, from Penobscot to New Brunswick, was under British rule, and so continued till the ratification of peace* About the middle of August, Admiral Cockbum, with 50 ves- sels, arrived at Chesapeake Bay with troops destined for the attack on Washington, Tangier Island was seized and fortified, and L500 negroes belonging to neighboring plantations were armed and drilled. There were two rivers by which Washington might be approached : the Potomac, on which it is situ- ated, and the Patuxen, which flows in its rear. The British commander chose the latter, both on ac- count of the facility of access and for the purpose of destroying the powerful fleet of gunboats which had taken refuge in its creeks. This object was success- fully accomplished on the 20th of August, 15 of the gunboats being destroyed and one captured, together with J4 merchant vessels. The army was under the command of General Ross, and the following day disembarked at Benedict. It numbered, including some Royal marines, 3,500 men, with two hundred sailors to drag the guns — two small three-pounders. For the defence of Washington, General Winder had been assigned 16,600 regulars, and a levy of 93,000 militia had been ordered. Of the latter not one put in an appearance, and of the former only about half had reached the Capital. The Americans had, how- ever, 26 guns to oppose the two which the British had with them. General Winter took up a position at Bladensburg, a few miles from Washington. His batteries commanded the only bridge across the East Potomac. General Ross determined to storm the THE VAR OF I8J2-I3-I4 43 bridge in two columns. Not a moment did the veterans of the Peninsular war hesitate* Amid a storm of shot and shell they dashed across the bridge^ carried a fortified house, and charged on the batteries before the second column could come to their aid. Ten guns were captured. The American army was utterly routed, and fled through and beyond the city it was to defend. The lack of cavalry and the intense heat prevented pursuit by the British, who lost sixteen men killed and 185 wounded. Towards evening the British occupied Washington. The des- truction of the public buildings had been decreed, in retaliation for the pillage of York (Toronto) and the wanton burning of Niagara. Writing of this episode of the war, Kingsford says : ** For over two years the United States had conducted war on Canada with the spirit of ferocity. They had commenced, without provocation, by burning the Houses of Legis- ture at York. A more wanton act than the destruc- tion by fire of Niagara is not to be found in the an- nals of war. It was therefore but just that the people of the United States should themselves experience the calamities they had inflicted. An offer was nude by the United States of a large money ramson, but it was refused. The next day the tordi was applied to the Gipitol, with its valuable library, the Presi- dent's house, the Treasury building, the War Office arsenal, dock yard and the long bridge across the Potomac. A fine frigate, a 20-gun sloop, 20,000 stand of arms and immense magazines of powder, had already been destroyed* In the meantime Alex- andria, on the right of the Potomac, seven miles 44 THE WAR OF 1812 J3.J4 south of Washington, had been captured by Sir James Gordon. It was saved from destruction by the surrender of 2) vessels, 16,000 barrels of flour and a thousand hogsheads of tobacco. A few days later General Ross evacuated Washington, and re- tired unmolested to his ships. Baltimore was next visited. On the Uth of September the fleet arrived at the mouth of the Patapsco. On the )2th General Ross landed with 3,270 troops. An advance was made ; in going alone to bring forward some troops, he was shot at and killed. Col. Brooke, of the 44th regiment, assumed command. Five miles from Bal- timore the British came upon the United States troops, and an engagement ensued. They — the Americans — were routed and retreated toward the city, the British bivouacking on the ground which had been held by the American troops. On the 15th the British advanced to within two mile sof Balti- more, from whence the entrenchments prepared for its ddfence were visible. There he remained to ob- tain intelligence from the fleet, and to arrange for its co-operation in storming the place. It was however found that, owing to the entrance to the harbor being obstructed by sunken ships, cooperation was im- possible. Both commanders were of opinion, keep* ing in view their instructions, that the advantages to be gained, would not be a sufficient equivalent for the loss which might probably be experienced in storming the place. The British therefore with- drew, and like at Washington, were allowed to re- embark without molestation. In Florida the British established themselves for some time, but were de- THE WAR OF t812-t3>}4 41 feated before New Orleans* Later in the year, some hostilities of minor importance took place on Lake Ontario, the Niag;ara frontier and the Western Peninsula. In December, 1814, the British and American envoys, who had been in session in Ghent for some months, ratified a treaty of peace. Thus dosed this most unjustifiable war. The Rev» Dr. Withrow summarises the situation at this time as follows: ^The calm verdict of history found much g;round for extenuation in the revok of 1776, but for the American declaration of war in 1812, little or none. A reckless Democratic majority wantonly invaded the country of an unoffending; neighbor, to seduce them from lawful allegiance and annex their territory. The long and costly conflict was alike bloody and barren. The Americans did not annex a single foot of territory. They did not gain a single permanent advantage. Their exposed seaboai*d was attacked at every point, their capital city destroyed, their annual exports reduced from £22,000,000 to£l,500,000,threethousandof their ves- sels captured, two thirds of their commercial men be- came insolvent. A vast war tax was incurred, and the very existence of the United States imperilled by the menaced secession of the New England States. The right of search and the right of neutrals, the ostensible, but not the real cause of the war, were not even mentioned in the treaty of peace. Many of the leading American statesmen believed then, as some believe even now, that the conquest of Gmada would be an easy matter.^' Thomas Jefferson, in 1^12, just previous to the war, wrote as fdlows : 46 THE WAR OF 1812 I3-J4 ** The acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching, and will give us ej(perience for the attack on Halifax and the final expulsion of England from the American continent/' At the same time Dr. Eustis, Secretary of State for War, said in G)ngress : ''We can take Ginada without soldiers; we have only to send officers into the provinces, and the peo- ple will rally round our standard/' The celebrated Henry Clay, at the same time, expressed himself as follows: ''It is absurd to suppose we shall not succeed in our enterprise against the enemy's pro- vinces. We have the Canadas as much under our command as Great Britain has the ocean. I would take the whole continent from them, and ask them no favors. I wish never to see a peace till we do/' Miss Machar, in the Canadian Encyclopedia, says : " To Canada the war was, from a material stand point of view, an almost unqualified misfortune; devastated territory, neglected farms, sacrificed lives and desolated homes, were long evident marks of the invasion. Forced into hostilities simply in vir- tue of her being an integral part of the British Em- pire, Canada never wavered in her loyalty, though often contending at a disadvantage against over- whelming odds. During nearly the whole duration of the war, inadequate military forces, insufficient supplies of provisions and materials of war, increased the inequality of the contest, while the incapacity of the Governor General, and at times the inst^iciency of leaders, repeatedly betrayed the British cause. Yet the loyal Canadian yeomen, willingly threw them- es THE WAR OF 1812-13-14 47 selves into the breach and fought gallantly for their homes and their flag. In moral benefit to Canada, the war was most fruitful It gave unity and esprit de corps to its diverse elements. French Canadians and British Canadians fought side by side and vied with each other in devotion to their common coun- try. Increased self respect and self reliance, fitted and educated the colony, for the responsible govern- ment it was before many years to enjoy. Many settlers were attracted to Canada, among them many military veterans, who, by the traditions they car- ried with them, rivetted still stronger the links to the mother land. The opening national life of the coun- try was ennobled by its suffering for the cause it deemed the right, and strengthened, elevated and purified by its sacrifices in resisting an unrighteous invasion, it emerged from its 'baptism of fire' all the more fitted to become a noble and vigorous na- tion. The lot into which its struggling infancy refused to be forced, is not likely ever to become the choice of its vigorous prime.*' WORKS CONSULTED. Kingsford History of Canada, Cofftn'i War of I8J2-H, Canadian Encyclopedia, Varioua Pamphlets of Historical Societies.