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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 6 w^^'^T^^iS^'P''^ wwp^ :fe i I '^1 " ''yiPW-W- '»'"■" HISTORY OF THK War o^ 1812, FROM THE COMMENCEMENT, UNTII, THE tiNAL TERMINATION THBRBOI', ON THE MEMORABLE EIGHTH OF JANUARY, 181Si NEW QEtBAKS; a i| AVB Sim QfHMR BUe^AfriNGSi 4] thir1> BBitioir. ^•«i^ I ^«^ ', \^- 'is. PHILADELPpA: -~ PUBLISHED BY Wlf#^i*bARTY. POINTED BY M*OARTY fc DAVIS, S; W.^ffQ-aSEa 0»topil AND OHERRY STREETS. •J ••• ^1 1817. ^„ ■mAi „f^x M: I : ^? t % • 'l.Oli^O'h' :L.S.; t^. United Stalen of Jmenca, J. D. 's'e. »»^^" in thi, office,the HHe of a book, tHe rig/>t thereof ke cla,n., a> ,ro,r/or,in "i'^^^'^jf^'^XTTJeigkU^. Hundred and « andoix otter ««?«""»f •". , connre,, of the United States entituled " Jifi cc^^or tne ^"'^"" /. . ^ ^^^ authors cndproA in^ tke ->»i" ?{^;>^:;^S^^ therein mentionedA ins the copes of map^^^^^^^ ^^^^^.„ ^.ntioncd^, Tdr:t:{z^^^^^^^^^ ,ravin,,and etching /^i^-^-^'^^J^SrEtL, •. ;.\' ::; .--^ CUrk of the District of I ••; V' . •• ••• — — f of Pennsylvania ...» • •• ■9e • • •• ' •••• ••• m wan CONTENTS. Pennsylvania PACE. 9 Introdii«tien, - - - - " / V ^, , Expedition of general Hull, and march through the In- dian Country, - - - - ' A.. " Invasion of Canada, and reconnoitenng on the 1 haraes, Attack on the British advanced posts and Fall of Miehil- Jimackinack, - - : ",.",." Policy of Britain and America tovrards the Indians, Skirmishing, and American supplies intercepted, Battle of Maguago, - - - - " , ' „ Canada evacuated, Detroit summoned, and surrender ot the army, - . - - - - " Massacre at Chicago, - - - .- - ^* f Character of the American navy, - Cruize of the squadron under commodore Rodgers, and pursuit of the Belvidera, - - - - -^l Escape of the Constitution, - - - " " «k <)apture of the Guerriere, - - - " - ^ Cruize of the Essex, - * - - Rodgers' second cruize, and the Argus, " - Capture of the Macedonian, - Capture of the Frolic and Wasp, - - Ai&irs on the lakes, capture of the Caledonia and Detroit, _ Battle of Queenstown, - [.s*- ^-^^ ■ ' U Smyth's abortive expedition, - - - - - Military ardour of the Western States, and fort Wayne relieved, ..--,--- Indian expeditions, - - Mpifch through the wilderness to Fort Defiance, Failure of Tupper*s projected expedition. Expedition to the rapids of Miami, - - - Second expedition thither, and seige of Fort H^^rrison, Relief of that post, and expedition against the Peoria towns, - • - - ' " I * ' Destruction of the Indian towns on the Wabash, * Destruction ^ the Indian towns on the Missiasiv^iva^ BxpeditiMiTOgaingi the Fioriutt iiidinrMB, It \^ 13 ■#^N 4fe 46 ^7 w i' ■■* OONTENTSi I The Bonne Citoyenue challenged, - - -.51 Capture and destruction of the Java, - - - 61 Capture and destruction of the Peacock, - - 59 Cruize of the Chesapeake, and her capture by the Shannon, 00 Capture of the Argus, - - - - *'" Capture of the Boxer, ... Cruize of the President and Congress, - - Cruize of the Essex, - - " - American Privateers — The Rolla and the Comet, Tjhe General Armstrong and the Becatur, ^i^ttle near the rirerllaisin, - - * - Battle of Frenchtown, - - Massacre of the prisoners, - - - ' - *• Construction of and siege of Fort Meigs, - -- Skirmishing on the St Lawrence, - - Capture of Oedensburg and of York, Capture of f^rt George, - - - Generals Chandler and Winder made prisoners, Capture of Boerstler's detachment, - - - Attack on Sackett's Harbour, - - « Sodus burnt, and second attempt on Sackett's Harbour, Attack on Black Rock, - - ^eige of Lower Sandusky, - - Norfolk threatened by the British squadron aod bombard- ment of Lewistown, - - -- - Capture of the Dolphin, &c. and action between thePoM ' and Adeline, Annapolis and Baltimore threatened. Burning of the villnges of Havre de Grace, &c. Atlack on Craney Island, - * :^f; Outrages al Hampton, - .\ i- " - Decatur's squadron driven into Nevi' London, Attempt to blow up the Ramilics, - - * Explosion of a torpedo, - • - - - Capture. of the British squadron on lake Eric, Evacuation of Maiden and Detroit, - - - CapHire of the British army, - - - Moderation of the conquerers, - ^ - — Expedition to the Peoria lake, V .V - • Inactivity of ihe army at Fort George, - Chauncey's cruises on lake Ontario, - - -* Engagement with the Royal-George under Kingston bat- teries. .:iK V«^> vv Ik %/** Yeo cnased round the lake, a-m ^ M m mm mM ^M 9%J^ ft^ 62 03 64 67 69 71 73 74 7<^ 77 7# ¥ 81 9i SS 8» ao 8# «l 94 94 94 95 loa 101 led i03 <06 100 107 10^ iia ^.« CONTENTS. ■• 51 . 61 . 08 hannon, 00 m- 62 m 63 m 64 .. 67 ' . 69 • 7* * 73 - 74 A 75 m ' 7ft «» 77 . 7fiJ' - ¥ . 81 ^ 83f * ' 83 hour, sa . 8ir . . 86 nbard- <■ 8# 16F0« • ' MT *r »1 U 91 ^ 94 i^rti. t^' - »0 - , * 94 - 94 - 95 . loa . 101 •• ie3 ■ ^■ lod * iO« ^ ioe on bat< » . 107 ••- i€it^ %.^. . 114 Chauncey's second engagement with Yeo, Capture of the British transports, • - - Movements on lake Champlain, - -* - General Hampton invades Canada^ Wilkinson moves down the 8t. Lawrence, Battle of Williamsbui%h, - - - - Hampton declines a junction^ - - ' The army moves into winter quarters, * Evacuation of Fort George, Fort Niagara taken, and the Niagara frontier laid waste, Events on t6e Southern frontier, and seizure of Mobile, War with the Creek Indians, - - - Capture of Fort Minis, - - -^ Battle of Tallusbatehes, - - . . Battle of Tailedega, - - - - Destruction of the Hillibee towns, - - Battle of Autossee, Kipedition to the Tallapoosie river, - - Retaliation, - . - CorrcMJondence on the employment of the Indians,*' - Remarks o& the army and navy, - - - Breaking up of the cantonments at French mills, and affair at La Cole mill, .... General Wilkinson suspended, •* • March of 'Brown's army to the Niagara^ • - Htflmei*' ^xpeditMii on the Thames, .^ . ' {^tnation of affaiFs on lake Ontario, Attack on the towns on the American margin of the lake, Captupe of a British detachment at Sandy bay, LBtiifning of Long Point, * - - ^ .## ' iCaptuFe of Fort Erie, and Battle of Chippewa pla^, iBattie of Bridge water^ % - * - - [Attack upon Buffalo, - - [Siege of Fort Erie, - . fGeneral assault of the works, Capture of two schooners on lake Erie, • - [Critical situation of the garrison in Fort Erie, [Brilliant sortie, - ^ - The British raise the siege, ^- . - - Expedition under general Bisseil, - - • M'Arthur's expedition towards Burlingtdn Heights, [Evacuation of Canada^ .... [British depredations in the Chesapeake, - - [Movements of Barnev's flotillas - - ' - I Pleasures for the defence of Baltimore and Washington^ 111 113 114 110 116 iir isa ti^ 131 19i t2i 134 ±2S 120 127 128 ±29 181 131 133 137 13t 14<» 140 14ia 143? 14f( 147 148 101 106 157 108 160 160 161 163 163 163 160 160 ItH 167 ..isra*-" ▼I CONTENTS. 168 169 170 Arrival of the expedition under general Ro§9, - Landing and movements of the British army, - Battle of Bladensburg, ' ,' ' ' "« .t, '^nkiL Capture of Washington, and destruction of the public buildings, - - Retreat of the British, - • - " Fort Warburton blown up, - - ' ' I Alexandria plundered, - - '„.',"j '^Ll ^parations^or cutting off the retreat of the plunderers, 178 Bombardment of the batteries under commodores Fqrter * and Perry, " " " ' ' ' ". Commodore Rodgers*^ fire ships, , " " " Defeat and death of sir Peter Parker, - - - Dismissal of the secretary of war, - ^ - - " Conduct of the British at Washington and Alexandria, Burning of Newark and the Moravian towns, - - Effects resulting from the burning of Washington, in Eu- rope, and in the United States, . - - - Attack upon Baltimore, . . - - - Bombardment of Fort M'Hcnry, - - - Retreat of the British, ------ Proclamation of sir George Prevost, Repulse of the British at Otter Creek, Expedition against Plattsburg, - - -. " Capture of the British squadron on lake Champlain, - Attack on the American works near Plattsburg, '^ Retreat of Prevost, . . . * - Operations in New England, " " " * Bombardment of Stonington, \ ' ,\ ' Proclamation of neutrality towards Eastport, - Capture of that place, - - „". ' ]? • ♦« oaa Capture of Castine, and destruction of the Adams frigate, 206 Surrender of the country between the Penobscot and Pas- ; samaquoddy bay, - *. - " " 'one Expedition against Michilhmackmac, - - -^"» Destruction of the establishment at St. Mary s, - ^09 Attack on Michillimackinac, - - - - o\\ Destruction of the establishment at Nautauwasaga, - an Capture of the American blockading force on lake Huron, 2 3 State affairs in the Creek Territory, - - Ai BatUeof Ecconachaca,, -. ;;^- -- - ' ' ^ t\l Expedition of geueralJactenhr^^*' - - ' - ' l!! AttAP.k on ffeneral Floyd's camp, - - - ' ' tvt Battle of t£e Horse Shoe, - - - - ■ J^o Treaty of Peace with the Creeks, . , - - sf^^ 174 176 177 177 179 179 182 183 183 184 189 192 104 195 196 197 197 200 201 202 203 20d 204 200 16S 168 170 public 174 176 m •• 177 • 177 iderers, 178 Pqrter 1 m " 179 m ' • »7» ., 189 . 18» indria, 183 m • 18« , in Ett- ** ' . 189 M • 192 _ ig4« * 191» a m 196 . 197 m •■ 197 laioi !f 200 7?rl?r*'»^*?'gOl « • 202 m • 208 « • 20d « . ' • 204 m • ^OS B frigatf ;, 206 and Pas ,w a • 208 *■ «i 208 . 209 ■i # 210 ^ga, - 211 keHuron,212 m ■ . 212 CONTEXTS. Repulse of the British at Mobile, Proclamatioc of colonel Nichols, - . - Destruction of the settlement at Barrataria, Capture of Pensacola, Capture of the American gun-boats on lake Borgne, Military preparations at New Orleans, - . - Landing of the British below the town, - - - Battle of the 23d of December, - - - - Description of the country around New Orleans, Operations of the British previous to the 8th of January, Battle of New Orleans/ - - - - - Bombardment of Fort St. Philip, - - - , - Operations on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia, Cruize of the Essex, Captain Porter's reception at Valparaiso, Destruction of the British commerce in the Pacific, - The Happah war, . . - ^ - - Typee war, ■ , ' " ' ' . " Madison's Island, -------- Capture of the Essex, - - - - Seqjuel of the cruize, - - - - Result of the campaign on the Ocean, - -' - Destruction of the General Armstrong, - - - iPeaee between America and Great Britain, Its reception in the two countries, - - - Lessons taught by the war, - - - - Vll 228 224 220 226 227 228 228 229 280 280 231 284 284 2Z5 237 237 238 239 240 240 246 247 248 250 250 252 . 213 . 214 V 218 . 222 -JU r DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. Plate I. liikeness of general Pike to face the title page, II. Congtit«tion and Guerriere, to face page . in. United States and Macedonian, to faee page IV. Wasp and Frolic, to face page - » ^ V. Pcrry'» victory, to faee page VI. Battle of North Point, to ftiee page VII. Battle of New OrteaiWj to fece page - - 24 37 28 95 192 Mi I. HISTORY OP THE AMERICAN WAR. DURING the last thirty years the United States has been increasing in population and wealth in a ratio unparalleled in history. Within that period, its numbers have been more than doubled, while its forests have been rapidly changing into cul- tivated fields, and flourishing towns and villages rising, as if by magic, in the midst of the wilderness. These blessings, however, have not been entirely unalloyed. The rapid increase of wealth had introduced luxury, with its accompanying evils, and had, especially in the larger cities, considerably sullied our I'epublican simplicity of manners. Our extensive commerce, too, had embroiled us with several of the European powers, and finally involved us in war; while the thirst for speculation which it had excited in almost every class, has undoubtedly had a demoralizing tendency, thougH not perhaps in the degree I attributed to it by some politicians, who have placed solely to [that account the want of public spirit and nationality, which [has been charged to this country. The late war, whatever bther evils it may have introduced, has certainly checked this jvil. It has raised the character of the nation in Uie eyes-cf breign powers, and erected an altar of national glory on which lall local prejudices have been sacrifice, and politicians of [every party have joined hand in hand to celebrate the triumphs [of our country. $ A formal declaration of 'war against Great Britain, was pass% [ed by congress on the 18th of June, 1812, which was proclaim- ed by the president on the following day. At this time thr whole naval force of.the Uniled States amounted only to seven [frigates, and a few sloops of war ^and other smaller vessels. The land forces were next* m nothing. An army of 35,000 men, it is true, were authorized by congress, and the president |was empowered to call out 100,000 militia; but the latter spe- jcies of force, though strong in defensive operation, in offensive [is perhaps worse than nothing, and in a free country like this, [where a comfortable subsistence is so readily procured, the' ^^ HreTOHY OF THE WAR. „,„hn*inu. of a larec regular force U far from being the w.tk r^a d^ ^esS'me^ime is necessary to change the h^- fs o In from ciW. to miUtaiy; "» ''""f ' VP^'^^^he pe^ ndolence cannot at once execute the duties and meet the pe- ri^rf^a.^ Considerable difficulties we.e experienced hke- wse in finding officers fitted for command. Many of the re- " utionavv S-actcrs were dead, and those who ^"-jVived were almost too old for active service. In.this state of thuigs, can h l,e 1 "biect of wonder that the raw forces of the United Statrs l.cXd by officers who had never seen service, and ac- c™td by rLh militia, without subordination, should ex- nSce some disasters in the commencement ot their career? ?*lete dirasters, however, have th.-own no disgrace on the AVnericnn .«mc. On the.contrary, the conduct of *!>« Ame- l^^an an^clhas veOected honour on their country, and all their r« ersThave been occasioned either by the rashness of un- disci^^d bravery, or by the misconduct er inexperience «f ''l^nTtlSisadvantage, under which the army W»u^ed, 'he little navy of America was entirely free. The previous em ba-rassmLtsof corar^-rce rendered it easy for our naval offi- cerAoTupply themselves with a sufficienniumber of seamen, ™d lilh mJ. too V. '.o ha, this bridgei he American iment returi*- ortar was on s rheels suitable for the attack of Maiden; nor was it until the thof Aucust that two 24 pounders and three iwwiizcra were repared. Previous to that day, however, a great change had iken place in the prospects of the Americana, i ^i<= Jfws of le surprise and capture of the island and fort of Michilh- lackinac* by a combined force of British and Indi-^.ns, w-hich )ok place Oft the irth of July, and reached the army on the 28th. ^he surrender of this post is stated by general Hull to have opened the northern hive of Indians," and to have induced lose who had hithertobeen friendly to pass over to the British. The policy observed by the British and American govern^ lents towards the Indians was of a diametrically opposite coin, jlexion. The American government did every thing mils i)ower to civilize those unfortunate tribes who live within ttieir limits, and to introduce among them the practice of agri- culture and the mechanic arts, with a view to wean them trom iie hunter state, a state which is becoming daily more pre. larious and unprofitable from the increase of the population If the country, and which renders them extremely dangerous leighLours. The policy of the British, on the contrary, is to ieep them in their hunter state, by which they not only sup- fly a lucrative branch of trade, but furnish a powerful weapon 1 war. It is not to b^ wondered at, then, that the Indians, fho delight in warfare, and all of whose habits are averse rom the pursuits of civilized life, should cling to the British, jid should view the Americans, from thf ir rapid increase of lopulation and strength, with jealousy and dislike. From ais cause Canada has ever been a thorn in the side of the Jnited States. While in possession of the French, by whom was originally settled, the most powerful effoits were made f the British and provincial troofp. tS gain possession of the lountry. In the French war of 1756, aftw three wholly disastrous tampaigns, and one of mingled disaster «nd success, the Amc- icans, assisted by powerful British aid, at last succeeded in * Michillimackinac, or Makincy is a smnll island situat$d in \ke entrance of the strait between lakes Huron and ARchigan. 'he fart is the most northern military fiottt in the United State^^,^] 'ere a great fair iffjif^ annually held<, previous to the ivar^^tvhich as firincifially frequented by the Indian traders anet tkc •mer- hav-Hof MoniTfiaL for the fittrMese of e-xclt^ginff the fitltrics he uncivilized regions/or the manufactures of Great liri" Jam, B 2 14 HISTORY OF THE WAR. ifi i il uniting Cattada to the British dominions, and thereby restorini peace to their harras^e^ frontiers. The same complainu against the possessors of Cunada for exciting the Indians n hostility were urged in those days, that have been repeatei agalrist their successors tl^e British, and by none was the ust^ of this weapon more reprobated than by those who lately em- ployed it. Such is the different lights in which a subject apj pears when it operates for or against us! b By the fall of Michillimackinac, the junction of the Iirdiansl and the reinforcements, both of militia and regulars, which thef inactivity of the Americans enabled the British to collectfoif the defence of Maiden, it soon became evident that no effective^ measures towards the reduction of Canada could be undertak| en by this army. Several skirmishes happened bptween reconnoitering partief of the Americans and the Indians and British advanced posts towards the end of July and in the beginning of August, h which both sides claimed the victory. Most of these skirmislij es took place near the river Aux Canards. By these parties i| was discovered that the bridge over that river had been takeil up by thfc British, except the sleepers; that a battery wa| erected at one end of it; and that the Queen Charlotte, whichi carried eighteen 24 pounders, lay in the Detroit river, ai the| mouth of the Aux Canards, about a mile from the bridge,' with a gun-boat cruizing round her. ^ ""V .> j In the mean time the Indians had crossed the Detroit, and^ cut off the communication of the American army with thc;^ state of Ohio, on which they depended for supplies. As a | small reinforcement of volunteers, with a quaintlty of provi*^^ sions for the army, was daily expected by this route, a corjJSfJ of 200 men was detachecbon the 4th of A'lgust to open thd^ communication. This detatchment fell into an ambuscadef which was formed by the Indians at Brownstown, where thej were totally defeated; and returned to camp without effecting th^ object of their expedition. About the same time an ex* press arrived from general Hall, the American commandtf ob| the Niagara frontier, stating that there was no prospect of a| feo-operation from that quarter. . ^ ^^. 'f I It being indispensably necessary to c^n the cdmmdmcmf io«" with Ohio, general Hull i'esolved to sijspend the operations, against Maiden, and to concentrate the^lMflbFC^ «i tihe armyj at Detroit. Uuwilling, however, to nhSS^^ *h« ii»ftl|^tant5 oint6 of their^bSJyonets extendW; and the nccessary^are of the i^ck and wounded, and a severe storm of rain, rendWed^heir return to camp indispensably necessary. Boats had been sent from De- troit to transport the wounded thither by water, but the attempt HISTORY OP THE WAR. to .• ui. Th, boats beine descried from Mal- was found imP™*^"?^'"- Trh«totte were despatched in pur- den, the Hunter and Queen Charlottes 1^^^^ ^^^ ^^t''?S^:o"dsra:d1he'^?--''--'^'-««^^ "-^T>lSwtrrett^^^^^^^^ wrdingly the fort »* ^andw.ch was ^_^ ^ ^^ Suspicions f /■*'|5!'f '^^",^tara of the army to Detroit had arise immediately atwr the return ^^^ ^ ^^^^ . now become very Pi^tf !*"* ^ohi| b, five of the principal of- wnttento governor M"£'°f^^X every effort to open the ficers, begging himmsUmU^om^^^^^^ ^^^^ JP^^^^._ communication, and mtorramg n.m cions. .t or.»rflii>r atterttJt was made to pene- On the l«h of Aiig;ust another attemp j^e detach- trate to the river «»«'"• ^^^^'^-.t" the previsions. Colonels „ent from O''"' hj'd amved^Uh^^^ ^^^^^.^^ ^^^^ M' Arthur and Cass seleciea *"" ^ ^ ^he same tad set off by an upper route threugbt>.e^^^ day the British began t° «>„"' ^"hed ?^o officers with a fla^"oftuc? -rs^SwWc^^^^^^^^ been ta.en flag of wuce. "r"™ " British, requiring the surrender of Fort ??V"!rttams of hU Britannic tSajesty, and threatening Detroit to the arms oi "" , , . 't,oul the moment the that the Indians would ^« bjjdi.^ cont. ^ ^ contest commenced. _Y!"*rforce which might be at his dis- that he was ready to ™«"»"yr^''Xht result from his exer- posal, and ="j;»:X"n ofThrSag ot^^^ce, the British com- firdlrfira"d^rwtelt'?mTro^j: Uthat night, and at^ l^ho^'ay the firing was re^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^^^ °r"^tlas^De»oit^a^d tU BrlLh and IndLs landed nearly as high »» U="°"' *"" ' advancing towards the CXr'get^alHu^r^Sere'd T.^iA^ot. hoisted, and the fiT^nr fbe d scontinued. The firing from the opposite "/immediately stopt, and a P-^^l^yj^'^f j.^'^S^r.^i; ^•raU^'tSr:^3UC»mi^^^^^^ With all the troops^ic^uia ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ nnMic natuw. were iurrt"e^ero^KS."'Tle-mili«a"a^d7olunteerswere tobe perr^itt^to go home, on condition of not servmg again m eSged. The detachment with the provisions at the HISTORY OF THlE WAR. 17 \e to pene- the detach- \. Colonels ective men, The same Detroit, icers with a been taken ider of Fort threatening moment the wep, replied, be at his dis- oTO his exer- British com- vhich wa« vi- ; British con- nighty and a£ . up the river adians landed ; towards the e hoisted, and 1 the opposite W, when arti- h fort Detroit, th all the pub- c nature, were >lunteers were serving again ovisiona at the rivet Raisin, and that under colonel M* Arthur, which had been lent to meet it, were included in the surrender. It was ttipu- jited that private persons and property of every desciiption Should be respected. .**.* i. _, I Shortly after this capitulation took place colon of M Arthurs letachment returned to Detroit, their attempt to penetrate to [he river Raisin having proved equally unsuccessful with the former ones. When the y arrived within a mile'of that place, they learnt its surrender, on which a council was held, when it VaS determined to send an officer to the fort with a flag of truce, [n the evening he retured with two Bristish officers, who in- >rmed them that they were prisoners of war. The detachment len marched to Detroit, where they stacked their arms on the titadeJ. .■...^.%....- ... / ?v;-w- ^ ^ The day following the surrender of the arniy, a British ofti- ^er arrived at the river Raisin and delivered to capt^n Brush; the commander of the detachment from Ohio, copies of the ca- pitulation, and of a letter from colonel M* Arthur, stating that lis force was included ii« the surrender. At first these papers irere considered forgeries, and the officer and his party were ^ut into confinement; but theiri*uth being confirmed by several )ldies who had made their escape froin the garrison at De- >oit> a council of the officers was held to consider what was popcr to be done. This council decided that general Hull had right to capitulate for them and that they were not bound his acts; and they accordingly concluded instantly to return Ohio, and to carry with them all the public property that was >ssible. It was determined, however, that it would be impro- sr to destroy those public stores that could not be carried off, i there were a number of American families who had taken |fuge in the fort, and some soldiers who were too sick to be loved, had to be left behind. It was likewise conceived, that le destruction of the stoi^es might induce the enemy to deal [ore rigidly with the garrison at Detroit. These resolutions I the council were immediately carried into effect, f\nd the de- Ichment retui'ned to the settlements. Twenty^ve pieces of iron and 8 of brass ordnance fell into' ^e hands of tlie British at Detroit, several of the latter being ^ces which had been surrendered by Burgoyne on tbe same ly, 35 years before, via. the 16th of August 1777. Twenty* ^e hundred muskets and rifles, and a considerable quantity ' ammunition likewise fell into their han4|i* The reasons stated by general Hall for 0is unfortuiuite sur- j^ « _ ^» __^ . i^ . ._i_ _n *_• __ £^^^^ ^ J , «,. « ^'* :r. f -i.ls.,=. euucr, were viic |^ic;j»l iiitci iuiit-jr \t». aita aw«v«' emy, joined to the numerous band of Indians, ^v!lo we^ daily vh( 18 HISTORY OP THE WAR. increasing in number; the hazardous situation in ^^ich the dcJ tachment under colonels M' Arthur and Cass was placed; and L^e inUTuty of furnishing hisarmy wUh the necessary sup-j bUes ifprovisions, military stores, clothing; and comforts fo»^ the lickf rpack horses through a wilderness of 200 mil^s, HuedwHh Ztile savages. The cbntest, heobserves, couldnot; Sa^ Sen sustained nS,re than a day for the wunt of powder,^ ^dbut a very few days for the want of provisions. « A large ^tion," continues he, « of the brave and gallant officers and SSh I commanded, would cheerfully have contested until he utt cartridge had been expended, and the bayonets worn to tM ^kets. I could not consent te the usekss sacrifice of sucb brave men, when I knew it was impossible for me to su8tain| my situation." ,. • ,. . j., *^«ju^«* The disasters accompanying this expedition did not end here. 4)n the change of prospects in general Hull's army in Canad^ a messenger was despatched to Chicago, or fort Dearborn, si- mated near the south-west corner of lake Michigan, with or- ders to captam Heald to evacuate that post,and proceed with. his command, which consisted of 66 men, to Detroit, leaving to his discretion to dispose of the public property as he «»<^gW| pitmer. The neighbouring Indians, hearing that the good* m| the Victory were to be given to them, crowded into thej«rt^ from all quarters. On the 13th of August, captain Wells ar , rived from fort Wayne with 30 Miamies, whom he had brougftlji by request of general Hull, for the purpose of escorting th^l ffardson to Detroit. The following day all the goods m th«| factory store were delivered to the Indians. The surplus arrm | and ammunition, however, and the spirituous liquors were^ dc J stroyed, lest the Indians should make a bad use of them if pv*^^ into their possession. , ^ . "^ .r r» f :♦ On the 1 5th the garrison commenced their march tor Detroi\ a pan of the Miamies being detached in front, and the re!maui| der in the rear, as guards, under the direction of captain WeU9| Their course lay along the beach of lake Michigan, the lak^ on their left, and a high sand bank on their ri^ht, distant aboul lOOyards* They had not proceeded two miles before thef were fired on by the Indians fi:om behind the bank, and an ad tion immediately commenced; but the Miamies giving the gaij rison no assistance, in fifteen imnutes thirty-eight soWlers, tif^ women^ and twelve children were killed^ and the. Indians hi toiined possession ff all their horses, provisions and baggag were then carried back to the fort, wid^ distributed among different tribes. Next morning the Indians burnt the fort, m lilbTORY OF THK WAR. 19 which the deJ IS placed; and! necessary sup^l i comforts for| of 200 milies,j^t rveS) could not' itit of powder,^ ns. " A large! It oiEcers and! ;sted untU the! ets worn t6 the| :rifice of sucb ine to sustain^ id not end here, pmy in Canads^, : Dearborn, si- ligan, with or- i proceed With' „ ;roit, leaving it "' Y as he thought Lt the goods in Jd into the. fisrt )tain Wells ar he hadbrougfit escorting the le goods in the le surplus arms quors were de- * J of them if put irch for Detroit md the remain F captain Wells; higan, the lake| ht, distant about les before the bank) and an ac giving ti^ gar ;ht soldiers, tw the Indians hai\' ts and baggage risi^^fie^ Xhe< [arried oft* their prisoners, 'the number of Indian warriors in e action was between four and five hundred; their loss about fteen. Captain Heald and his lady were carried to the mouth the river St. Joseph, and being both badly woundod, were iermitted to reside there with an Indian trader, whence they (ok an opportunity of going to Michillimackinac, where the Faptam surrendered himself to the British as a pnsonerof ar. A lieutenant, tM'enty-five non-commissioned officers and [pldiers, and eleven women and children, were prisoners when le captain separated from them. . By the disastrous issue of this unfortunate expedition of ge- icral Hull, besides the loss of men and arms at Detroit, a eak frontier of vast extent was exposed to the brutality of idian warfare, which continued for twelve months to harass [le western settlements, and the territory of Michigan was oc- pied as a British province. From the disastrous scenes which followed the first efforts our arms in the north-west, we turn with pleasure to record e glorious events that have taken place on the ocean. There air gallant tars, strong in spirit, though weak in number, in [espite of the thousand ships of the self-styled mistress of the an, have triumphantly borne the flag of America through ery sea, from the rude and inclement shores of Greenland, the rich and temperate regions of Chili and Peru. The lemy, with his immense disparity of force, has to boast of t few triumphs over us, whilst we can claim more thao w© ,ve ships. But the courage of our tars, though it has achieved victories hich have thrown a halo of glory around our little navy, forms no means the most conspicuous or lovely trait in their cha- icter. Their modesty and disinterestedness, their humanity liberality to the conquered, have been such as uniformly to tort the grateful acknowledgments of the enemy that they ive thus doubly vanquished, and have convinced the world, at the character of bravery which they have acquired, does jpt rest merely on the exertion of physical strength and tech- xa^ skill. I . has the naval glory of America suffered by the few re- uses that have taken place. On no occasion has its honour en in the ^lighte^i^gree tarnishetJ, it has been equally sus- ined in defeat as in victory; and the clouds of adversity have rved but to display its character in a nej light, and to shew at it is adequate to every emergency. These remarks do not solely apply to national vessels. The ►iXMUanders aud crews of our privateers have not been out- 2Q HISTORY OF TlfE WAR. priae* * We are favoured nvith the following anecdote by- a gentle- rnanZr^Zlrt^resentwhen the circumstance related tookp-^\ ThZZJ^been cafttured by the British squadron in a merchahtl '"'/; Julu 1812, thefirivateer Dolfihin, cafitain Endicot, ofSa.^ tem'Z. cafttured by a British sguadron ^f^^/^J^^XZ BrokT and he cahtain and crenv nvere fiut on board the Eolus, fold James ToLsend. E.i4icot. during the short sfiace ^ time tZ had elafised from the declaration of nvar to his cafi-^i ures had take^ fifteen vessels, and by his enterfirize, act^UyS and courage, hfd excited a considerable degree ofasfieHtM again rZ in the minds of the officers of the ^^.^royM had almost daily heard of his exploits. On the ^rrivrivateers. HISIORY OF TUB WAlt. 23 The Copstitution frigate, under the commaiul of captain Hull, had received orders to join the squadron, and for that pur- pose sailed from Annapolis on the 5th of July. On the »7lli, off Ekr Harbour, four ^hips, apparently of war, were disco- vered from the mast-head to t lie northward, and m shore of the Constitution, and, in the belief that it was the American squad- ron waiting her arrival, all sail was made in chase of them. At four in the afternoon another ship was seen from the mast head, to the north-east, standing for the Constitution with all sail set, the wind at this time being very light, which course she continued till sun-set, but was still too far off lo distmgmsh signals. At ten in the evening, being then withm six or eight miles of the strange sail, the private signal was made by the Constitution, and kept up nearly an hour; it not bcmg answer- ed, it was concluded that she and the ships in shore were ene- my's vessels. Captain Hull immediately laid his vessel in the same course with the others, having determined to lie off till day-light to see what they were. ^ Next morning, about day-light, two frigates were seen from the Constitution, under her lee, one frigate fouror five miles, and a line of battle ship, a frigate, a brig, and a schooner ten or twelve miles directly astern, all in chase, and coming up fast, they having a fine breeze, and it being nearly calm where the Constitution was. After sunrise, finding there was but little chance for escape, being then within five miles of three heavy frigates, the Constitution was cleared for action, and two guns were run out at the cabin windows, and two at the ports on the quarter deck. At eight, four of the ships were i e^rly within gun-shot, some of them having six or eight boats ahead tow- ing, with all their oars and sweeps out. In this perilous situation, a new expedient was determined on, which was the happy means of saving the vessel. Being in only twenty-four fathoms water, boats were sent out ahead with anchors, and the ship warped up to them, by which they soon began to get ahead of the enemy. They, however, adopt- ed the same plan, and all the boats from the furthermost shi{)s were sent to assist those nearest. For two days and nights were they chased by the squadron, sometimes with hght winds, at others warping, and towing in a calm, seldom much beyond gun-shot distan e. On the morning of the 20th only three of the squadron could be seen from the mast-head, the nearest about 12 miles distant directly astern. Having nbw alight breeze, ail hands were ciiipioycu in wettiug the saila from the royals down, and the enemy were soon left far behind. The Constitution, not being able to find the Uflited States 24 HISiOUY OF THE VVAH. squadron, now bore away for Boston, where she Shortly aftei' arrived. >^ * On *he 2d of September the Coiistittition again put to sea, and on the »9ih avei^sel was diseovered and cliased, which at half-past 3 P. M. was made out to be a frigate. The ship was immediately cleartftl for action, and the chase,. whichpi-oved to be the GueiTiere, backvd her main top-sail, waiting tor her to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready she bore 4&ifn with the intention of immediately coming tr. close actidh} but on approaching within gun-shot, the Guerriere gave a broadside, atid filled away and wore, giving a broadside on the otber tack, but without effect, her shot falling short. Both vessels continued to manoeuvre for three quarters of an hour, tbe Guerriere for the purpose of gaining a raking position, the Constitution for the purpose of closing and avoiding being raked. At last they closed and kept up a heavy fire for six- teen minutes, when the mizen-mast of the Guerriei-e fell over- board, and brought the ship up in the wind, which enabled the Constitution to take a raking position, and to sweep her ene- my's deck by her grape-shot and musquetry. The fire was kept up with equal warmth for fifteen minutes longer, wher\, by the falling of the Guffriere's main and fore-mast, she ^€^i»e an unmanageable wreck. On seeing this the Gon&t;^uti.on ceased firing, but shortly after, prceivin^ the colours still fly- ing, she took a raking position within pistol shot, w^ep. they we're immediately hauled down. Early next morning a sail was discovered and all was got ready for action, but she shortly after stood off again. At day- light the lieutenant on board the prize hailed the Constitution, and informed that she was in a sinking condition, and had four feet water in her hold. Accordingly the prisoners were removed, an4at 3 £. M. she was set on pre, and shortly after blew up. /V ,^ ^-^ V V fv. -.V ^ , .-^^■i. Captain Hull in his official letter states, that all his crew fought with the utmost bravery: from the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest seamen, net a look of fear was seen. They all went intoac >n giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid close along side of the enemy. Their humanity was equal to their bravery. Captain Dacres in his official letter, confesses their conduct to have been « that of a brave enemy; the greatest care being taken to prevent the men losing the slightest article, and the greatest attention being paid to the >*o\jnded.'* , .,, ^ . ^^ xl On boaru uievuiiRiii*'^*'*^" •■*'*' '*^ »»viv. ov»«' 1^^ wouoded} onboard the Guerriere fifteen w«ro killed; and siK- lortly aftes' put to sea, d, which at le ship was hiich pit>ved iting ior her i ready she ing tf» close 5rriere gave roadside on short. Both of an hour, position, the tiding being- fire for six- 1*6 fell over- enabled the sp her ene- 'he fire wa*s nger, wher\i ,she^€£^me GGnst.ituti.on mrs still fly- j w%^|| they all was got ain. At dfficial letter, irave enemy; en losing the 5 paid to the t^^^m^A a^kkfon lied; and six- i I HISTORY OF THE WAR. 2.) ty three wounded, and twenty-four missing; the latter were stated by one of the officers to be away in prizes. The Constitution rated 44 guns and carried 56; her complex ment of taen is 450. The Guerriere rated 38 gu»s and car- ried 49, the odd gun shifting, wluch makes it equal to two; she had on board about 300 men. - Meantime the othei* vessels of our little navy were not idle. The Essex sailed from New York on the 3d of July, and shoit- ly after fell in with a fleet of transports, imder convoy of a fri- gate and two bomb ketches, from Jamaica for Halifax, wilii troops. The Essex kept at a distance until night, when she cut off a brig with 150 soldiers on board, which was ransomed for a bill of exchange on London tor 14,000 dollars. The men weire disarmed, an exchange receipt taken for then, and they severally took an oath not to serve till exchanged. Cap- tain Porter, in his letter to the secretary of the navy, lamented that he had not with him a sloop of war, that the chips of the convoy might have been kept in play while he engaged the frigate. " Had this been the case," says he, « instead of tak- ing only 200 prisoners, I have not a doubt that we should have made prisoners of the whole of the troops, as well as the fri- gates* and transports* crews, which would have exceeded 2000 men." The following day the Essex captured the brig Lamprey, from Jamaica. Intelligence was received from her that the Thetis frigate, with specie and a large convoy for England, was to have sailed about the 26th of June, and that several running ships were on the departure. Every exertion was therefore made to get off St. Augustine in time to fall in with them, but without effect, as fresh gales prevailed from the south-west, which increased until the 19th of July, when, by the violence of the tempest, they were compelled to run before the wind. On the loth of August, the Essex jcaptured the Alert sloop of war, after an action of eight minutes. The Alert, which was said to have been sent out for the purpose of taking the Hornet, ran down on the weather quarter of the Essex, and gave three cheers at the commencement of the action, ^'^'^hen she struck her colours she had only three men wounded, but she had seven feet water in her hold, and was much cut to pieces. The Essex received not the slightest injury. Being much embarrassed with his prisoners, who amounted, including those of the Alert, to 500^ captain Porter concluded an arrangcmen* with the captain of the Alert, for despatching that vessel as a cartel to carry the prisoners to a British port. Her guns were accordingly thrown overboard, and she waa en- 26 HlStOHY OP THE WAE. f trusted to the ctrnimand of a lieutenant of the Essex, with- orders tO proceed to St. John's, Newfoundland. The com- mander of the British nava! forces at that place, in a. le^T to the American secretary of the navy, strongly protests ai^ainst this practice of immediately despatching captured vessels as cartels; « nevertheless, as a proof of respect for the liberality with which the captain of the Essex has acted, in more than once instance, towards the British subjects who have fallen into his hwids," and through a desir© 1 3 fulfil the engagements en- tered into by a British officer, he consented to the proposed exchange. The Alert is now in the American service. On the afternoon oC the 30th of August, a British frigate ^i(wi« perceived standing for the Essex under a press of sail. — Porter was instantly prepared for action, and stood towards the frigate, and at the approach of night a light was hoisted for the purpose of 'preventing a separation. At nine a signal was madej by the enemy consisting of two flashes and one blue light, ap- parently about four miles distant. The Essex continued to stand for the point where^the signal was seen until midnight, when, not getting sight of the onemy, she hove too until day- light, on the presumption that the other had done the same, or at least woOld keep in the neighbourhood; but to the surprise and mortification of all on board, in the morning the coast was clear. On the 4tb 6t September, off the tail of St. George's bank, two ships of war were discovered to the southward, and a brig TO the northward, the latter in chase of an American merchant- man. The Essex gave chase to the brig, which attempted to pats her and join the other two, but was pi«cvented, and com- pelled to stand to the north. She, however, escaped, the wind being light, by means of her fe weeps, On the Essex showing her Colours to the American vessel, the vesseU to the south- ward fired signal guns, and made all sail in chase of her, and by 4 P. M. had gained her wake, and were coming up very fast. Calculating on escaping by some manoeuvre in the night, cap- tain Porter hoisted American colours and fired a gun to wind- ward. The ships still continued to gain on him, and the largest being considerably to windward of the other, and only five niiles astern, captain Porter determined to heave about as soon as it grew dark, and, in the event of not being able to pass himi to fire a broadside and lay him onboartl, a resolution that was received with three cheers when proposed tQ the crew. — At 30 minutei pact seven she was accordingly hove about, but saw no more of the enemy; a circumstance which seems the more extraordinary, as a pistol was fired by accident on boj^rd ssex, with- The com- a letter to sts against ; vessels as e liberaUty more than i fallen into ements en- 3 proposed irice. ish frigate i of sail. — owards the it!Bd for the I was mad€j 3 light, ap- >Qtinued to I midnight, » until day- le same, or le surprise 3 co^&t was rge's bank, , and a brig merchant- tempted to , and com- lI, the wind IX showing the south- »f her, and p very fast. night, cap- un to wind- n, and the r, and only ve about as ible to pass olution that he crew. — ; about, but seems the nt on board .f'^?■ I * i in J/ ^ HI^IORY 09 THB WAR. SJr the "fe^ex, at the moment when she must have been at the shortest distance from tbem. On the 7th of September the . Essex arrived in the Delaware. ■ On the 8th of October, the President frjgate, iit «i»npatiy with the United States^ Congress, and Argus, sailed from Bos- ton on a cruize. On the 1 3th the United States iod Argus parted company with the squadron in a gale of wind. On the 1 5th the President and Congress captured the British packet Swallow, having on board specie to the amount flf nearlf 200,000 dollars. On the 81st they captured a south sea abip, loaded wkh oil, one of two ships under convoy of the CjSilalea frigate, to which they gave chase, but lost her in a fog. l>«^g the remainder of this cruize they saw no other British v^tl except the frigate Nyrtiph, which escaped in the night-. Oft the 31st of December they arrived at Boston, having been as far to the east as longitude 22 degrees, and to the south as lati- tude 17 degrees N.,\vhence whey ran down the trade wind to .>0 degrees W., and on theFr return to the north passed within 120 miles of Bermuda. The Argus after parting from the squadron, proceeded to the coast of Brazil, sailed along the north coast from cape St. Roque to Surinam, thence to the windward of the West In- dies, and thence in every direction between the Bermudas, Halifax, and the continent. After being out 96 days she arri?-!^ ed at New York, having made five prizes, valued at 200,000 dollars. During her cruize, she fell in with a British squadron, consisting of six sail, two of which were of the line, one of them a remarkable fast sailer. The favour of the moon enabling them to chase b^ night as well as by day, the chase was con- tinued for three days, without intermission, and under varipus circumstances, hot by unremitted exertions, the Argus w|| enabled to elude the pursuit. Pressed on all sides by the num- ber of the enemy, and the baffling and unsettled state of the weather, .she was at one time within musket shot of a 74, and at another nearly surrounded. While in this pet ilous situation she actually captured and manned one of her prizes. The United States was still more fortunate. On the 25th of October, off the Western Islands, about two weeks after b#ig separated from the squadron, she fell in with and ca^uNd) after an action of an hour and a half, the British frigate Mace- donian, of the same class and strength with the Guerricw.--*' The Macedonian, beine to windward, had the advantage of hoosing her distance, which was so great, that for the first half hour the United States could not use her carronades, and at no 'ime were they within musket or grape shot. To this circum- 2g HiSTOIlY Of THE WAR.» lu.uin^d byte ship was not so much as to render her return *°-fSl!''^nUed'Sates arrived off New London with herprizc Jm 4th of December, and thepce proceeaed through the 1^ ^l^^^M^ -s displayed by cc^dore n*.ri»tiir as on a former occasion by captain Hull. AH ttie pio- JeTof the off, "crs and men o/ board tl« Macedonian was given upi that claimed by captain Garden "W=l"d«d » band of music and several casks of wine, which were valued at gSOO, nnrt naid for by the commodore. . . WMte on this subject, we cannot forbear to mention an in- stil of «enerosity hat occurred on this occasion among the fnhZan seamen In the action with the Macedonian one of th™enS "reJ was killed, and Jeft three children at the m rcy of the world and of a worthless 7*er, «ho h^d aban- doned them. On the amval of the two frigates at New York, fKrandfirther went on board the United States to claim the nropefty and wages of his son, when an enquiry • to the cir- cumstances of thi family took place and a plan l^-^S^^f'^V- on by the seamen for the relief of the orphans, by which 8800 were instantly collected for their maintenance and education, to be nlaced in the hands of suitable trustees for the purpose. But of aU he victories which have been achieved by single vessels, perhaps the most brilliant is that which it has now be- ::mro«r mo^t pleasing task to record At th« '«»« f/^^ declaration of war, the Wasp sloop of ''^V"'" J"Xl,er captain Jacob Jones, was on her passage from E"™P'' *h'tl.ei she had carried despatches to our ministers m England and France. She arrived in the Delaware a few weeks after that e^„t,*nd sailed againon a cruise on the 'f«h o^/^f °^f '• ;9" the 1 6th she experienced a heavy gale, m which she lost hei ib- boom and two men. On the evening of the following day, .hm. , eleven o'clock, in a clear moon-light evening, being then in the track of vessels passing trom Bermuaa to rvaiu»x, ».... found herself near five strange sail, steermg eastward. 'As some of them seemed to be ships of war. It was thought better to get farther from them. The Wasp, therefore, hauled her I icribcd the periority of n board the ,he also lost n yard, and lited States the damage p her return :h her prize through the commodore All the pro- edonian was ed a band of led at S800, Bntion an in- n among the Ionian one of ildren at the ho had aban- X New York, ft to claim the into the cir- is agreed up- f which gSOO education, to j 3 purpose, ired by single t has now be- e time of the mmanded by rope, whither England and eks after that October. On le lost her iib- ollowing day, ig, being then 3 HaUriiX, au«i stward. " As thought beUer re, hauled her vv: HlSiOHJf.Of IHJS WAU. 29 wind, and having reached a fewmileatp windward, so asto es- raoe or fight as the occasion might require followed the strange sail through the night. At day-brealt on Sunday morning, captain Jopes foi^d that they were six large merchant smps, under convoy ofa lloop of war, which proved to be the Frolic, captain Whinyates, from Honduras to England with a convoy, stronely armed and manned, having allforty or fifty f»en, and two of them mounting sixteen guns each. He determttied, however to attack them, and, as there was a heavy swell ot the sea, and the weather boisterous, got down his top-gallant yards, close reefed the top-sails, and prepared for action. About 11 o'clock the Frolic showed Spanish coloura; and th^ Wa*p m- mediately displayed the American ensign and pendant. At S2 minutes past 11, the Wasp came down to wmA^ard on hei^ar- board side, within about sixty yards, and hailed. Th^ enemy hauled 4own the Spanish Qolours, hoisted the British ensign, and opeped a fire of cannon and musquetry^-this the Wasp^n- : stantly returned:, and coming near to the enf my, the action be- came close and without intermission, in four or five -minutes the maia-top-mast of the Wasp wft» shot away, apd feUmg down with the raain-top-swl yard across tb^ larhoai'd fore an4 fore- top-saJUbi^c^^ rendered her headyfpda H»»»W>»ge.able ^^unng the r^§t of m action. In t wp op tbrf# ffm^m mpre, hf r gaft apfj iiiizipn-top"g*)lAnt-mast wwe ^t a.way. ^mm m^tu^^ a close a^^constam fire. Th^ sea wa^ so rougW that th^ rau»- zies of the Wasp,sfguns were frequcpUy IP the water. J^e Wricap% therefore, fired as the ship's side .vya* going dpwn, so th?it their shot w^nt either on the enemy's de^J^ pr^elpv it, while the ^ngUsh fired as the vessel ro>e, apd thus her balls chiefly touched the rigging, or were thrown away. The Wasp now shot ahea^l^f the Frolic, raking her, and then resumfc^ her positloaww her l^rbpardbow. Her fire was now obviously at- tended^th sach success, and that of the FroUc sP slackened, that captain Jones did not wish to board h^r, lest the Koughr ness of ^e sea might endanger both vessels; byt, in the cou^e of a few -minutes more, every brace of the Wasp was shot away, and Mr rigging so much torp to pieces, that he was afraid that feis masts, being unsupported, would go bjR the board, and th^ frolic be aMe to escape- He thought, therje- fore, the best chance of securing her w. s to board, and decide ! the contest at once. With this view he wore ship, and pun- ninjr down apoo the enemy, the vesseiU struck eac^ other; the o - - •__„•-• • • -J.-^ "ks. T^t-f-.l-^^q Vtr-ur "US *}^^* nt*v iih- boomcsim^ in between the main Mid. mi^op Wggffigol^thp Wasp, directly over the hMs oC q^ptain l.one% JIW .^«« "J^*^^ 30 HISTOUY OF T»fc WAR. I ' lieutenant, Mr Biddle, who were, at that moment, standing together near the capstan. The Frolic lay so fair for rakmj that they decided not to board until they had given a closingl broadside. Whilst they were loading for this, so near weril the two vessels, that the rammers of the Wasp were pushed! against the Frolic** sides^ and two of her guns went througli 'the bow ports of the Frolic, and swept the whole length of hei| deck. At this moment Jack Lang,* a seaman of the Wasp, gallant fellow, who had been once impressed by a British mj of war, jumped on a gun with his cutlass, and was springing on board the Frolic; captain Jones wishing to fire again beforel boarding, called him down; but his impetuosity could not bej restrained, and he was already on the bowsprit of the FrolicJ when, seeing the ardour and enthusiasm of the Wasp's crew,! lieutenant Biddle mounted on the hammock cloth to board.l At this signal the crew followed, but lieutenant Biddle*s feetj got entangled in the rigginj^ of the enemy's bowsprit, and mid. shipman Baker, in his ardour to get on board, laying hold ofl his coat, he fell back on the Wasp's deck. He sprang up,| and as the next swell of the sea brought the Frolic nearer, he got on the bowsprit, where Lang and another seaman werel already. He passed them on the forecastle, and was surpris-l ed at seeing not a single man alive on the Frolic's deck, cx-j cept the seamen at the wheel and three oiKcers. . The deck! was slippery with blood, and strewed with the bodies of the dead. As he went forward, the captain of the Frolic, with twol t)ther officers, who were standing on tht quarter-deck, threw] down their swords, and made an inclination of their bodies, de- noting that they had surrendered. At this moment the co- lours were still flying, as probably none of the seamen of the] Frolic would dare to go into the rigging for fear of the mus- quetry of the Wasp. Lieutenant Biddle, therefore^ jumped| into the rigging himself, and hauled down the British ensign, and possession was taken of the Frolic, in forty -three minutes | after the firist fire. She was in a shocking condition; the birth- deck particularly was crowded with dead and wounded, and I dying; there being but a small proportion of the Frolic's crew who had escaped. Captain Jones instantly sent on board his surgeon's mate, and all the blankets of the Frolic were brought * " John Lane i/> a native of J^ew JBrunswick in Mew-JeT' W. » *^y' fVe mention^ with great /ileafiure, the name 0/ this brave\ I American seaman, as a firoof^ that contt/ircuoua valour is con- j , Jined to no rankin the naval serv ice. HISTORY OF THE WAE. 31 rtrom hcT slop-room for the comfort of the wounded. To in- Icrease this confusion both the Frolic's masts soon fell, cover- ling the dead and every thing on deck, and she lay a complete " It now appeared that the Frolic mounted sixteen thirty-two pound carronades, four twelve pounders on the main-deck, and two twelve pound carronades. She was therefore, superior to the Wasp, by exactly four twelve pounders. The number of men on board as stated by the officers of the Frolic, was one hundred and ten— the number of seamen on board the Wasp was one hundred and two; but it could not be ascertain- ed whether in this one hundred and ten were included marines and officers, for the Wasp had, beside her one hundred and two men, officers and marines, making the whole crew about one hundred and thirty-five. What is however descisive, as to their comparative force, is, that the officers of the Frolic ac- I knowledged that they had as many men as they knew what to do with, and in fact the Wasp could have spared fifteen men. There was, therefore, on the most favourable view, at leatit an equality of men; and an inequality of four guns. The disparity of loss was much greater. The exact number of killed a nd wounded on board the Frolic could not be precisely determin- ed; but from the observations of our officers, and the declara- tions of those of the Frolic, the number could not have been less than about thirty killed, including two officers, and of the wounded between forty and fifty; the captain and second lieu- tenant being of the number. The Wasp had five men killed and five slightly wounded. v' " All hand« were now employed in clearing the deck, bury- ing the dead, and taking care of the wounded, when captain Jones sent orders to lieutenant Biddle to proceed to Charles- ton, or any southern port of the United States; and as there was a suspicious sail to wincTward, the Wasp would continue her cruize. The ships then parted. The suspicious sail M»s now coming down very fast. At first it was supposed that she was one of the convoy, who had all iled during the engage- ment, and the ship cleared for action; but the enemy as she advanced, proved to be a seventy-four — the Poictiers, captain Beresford. She fired a shot over the Frolic; passed her; over- took the Wasp, the disabled state of whose rigging prevented her from escaping; and then returned to the Frolic, who could, _f .,«;^f. u« «^ nx>utc»ar)o<> Thft WasD Olid Froltc^ wgrc carried into Bermuda. " It is not the least praise due to captain Jones, that his ac- count of this gallant action is perfectly modest and unostente- 32 MtSTOftY OF 'I'hE WAH. tious. On his own share in the capture it is unuecessavy lo add any thing * The courage and exertions of i^e officers and crew, he observes, »fuUy answered my expectations and wish- es. Lieutenant Biddie's active conduct contributed much to our success, by the exact attention paid to every department during the engagement, and the animating example he afford- ed the erew by his intrepidity. Lieutenants Rodgers and Bo6th and Mr. Rapp, showed, by the incessant fire from their divi- sions, that they we ^e not to be surpassed in resolution Or skill. Mr. Knight, and every other oflScer, acted With a courage and promtitltude highly honourable. Lieutenant Claxton, who was confined by sickness, left hi» bed a little previous to the en- gagement; and though too weak to be at his division reniained upon deck, aiid showed by his composed manner of noting its incidents, that we had lost by his illr.ess the service of a brave offic6r.' *'• , » ' -, Meanwhile the utmost exertk>nswfefe used on the lakes, in order to retrieve the disasters occasioned by the surrenoer of the force under general Hull When that event took place, there was only one vessel of war owned by government on these waters, the brig Oneida, of 16 guns, on lake Ontario, commanded by lieutenant Woolsey. In the beginning of Oc- tober, commodore Chauncey arrived at Sackett** Harbour with a body of seamen, for the purpose of taking the command, and several schooners which had been employed as traders on the lake were instantly purchased and fitted out as vessels of war, . and lieutenant ElHot was despatched to lake Erie to make ar- rangements there for building a naval force superior to that of the enemy. Elliot had no! been many day^ at Black Rock, be- lore an opportunity offered for a display of the most determin- ed courage. «««.., On the morning of the 8th of October, two armed British vessels the brig Detroit, late the United States brig Adams, and the brig Caledonia, came down the lake from Maiden, and anchored under the guns of fort Erie, which is situated nearly opposite, and within a few miles of Black Rock, on the Nia- gara, near where it leaves the lake. Elliot instantly deterndn- ed to make an attack, and if possible get possession of them; and accordingly despatched an express to hasten the arnval of some sailors who were hourly expected. The sailors arrived about 12 o'clock, 50 ' t number. Though wearied with a march of 500 miles, they were only allowed till midnight to re- l »l l . >ll ♦ Port Folio. HISTOHY Ut i'HE WAR. iJ3 I iresh themselves, when, being reinforced by 50 of the regulai and forces, they put off from the mouth of Buffaloe creek in mo boats, with lieutenant Elliot at their head. Haying rowed into the lake above the vessels, they drifted down with the cur- rent till they were hailed by a centinel on board one of them, when they instantly sprang to their oars, and closing m upon The vessels, they jumped on board, drove the British below, and in ten minutes from their getting along Side, the prisoners were all secured, the topsa.is sheeted home, and the vessels under way. Unfortunate? y the wind was not sufficiently strong to carry them up against a strong current into the lake, and both ran aground. The Caledonia, however, was beached pn^ der the protection of one of the batteries at Black Rock, but the Detroit lay near the head of an island m the middle of Nia- eara river, exposed to the batteries ar»d flymg artillery of the enemy. The Americans returned their fire from the Detroiij but finding they could not bring the guns to bear with advan- tage, the prisoners were all got on shore, and the brig was de- serted In the course of the day several unsuccessful at- tempts were made by the British to board and destroy the mi- litary stores in the Detroit; but a considerable portion ot ihem was secured by the Americans, after which she was set on hrc und abandoned. The Caledonia belonged to the N. W. Company, and was loaded with peltry, which was estimated at 150,000 dollars. The Detroit was a government vessel, which was captured ai Detroit. She was laden with military stores, and had on board sixty men and thirty American prisoners. rShe mounted six Q-uns. The Caledonia mounted two guns, and shi^ had 1 2 men, and 10 prisoners on board. The loss of the Americians in tluf, ffallant exploit w^s only two killed and four wounded. -^;v The force stationed on tfie Niagara fontier consisted of aboiu 5000 men, of whom the majority were miiitia, under the com- mand of general Van Rensselaer. The ardour of the troop; having been very much excited by the successful issue ol tiif. enterprize of lieutenant Elliot, an invasion of Canada was dc- termined on, tfnd accordingly, on the morning of the 13th ot October, the troops at Fort Niagara and Graiwl Niagara, hav- ing been marched to Lewistown the preceding evening, the soldiers began to embark at the dawn of day, under cover of a^ battery mounting two 18 pounders and two sixes. . * > To accomplish their landing on the opposite shore, thcy had onlv 12 boats, each capable of conveying 20 men. The move- ' . . .. _ 1 .__, ^t- - ----- - u_:_i. c.^^ j»f .«»..,„ nieut being SOUfl u»&*/OVei«;w wy i»«v v^iviuy, a anxin a;- vi iis«;i ' "' ' ^bole line of the C^ada shore. Muetry was poui rom '■r ;-i4 HISTORY OF THE WAK. iiided by three batteries. In the face of this tremendous fipe the first landing was eftected by only 100 men, who were form* cd in a masterly manner by colonel Van Ransselaer, and soon succeeded in gaining the heights, and reinforcements arriv- ing, the forts were stormed, and the enemy driven down the liiil in every direction. Having received a reinforcement of severul hundred Indians, however, the British shortly alter re- commenced a furious attack upon our troops, but they were (juickly repulsed, and driven at the point of the bayonet. Av this interesting crisis, when the victory was already achieved by a handful of troops, the ardour of the militia, most of M-honi were still on the American side, suddenly abated. Either dismayed by the yells of the Indians, or by the appear- ance sw«= thereby of an extensive frontier to e -Svaees of Wdian warfare, exc ed the roost lively sensibi ity rtroSghout the western country. The army destmed for the S and reinforcement of general Hull, had been ordered to K ideivous. under general Harriion, at Louisville and Red Banks early "n August, and on the receipt of the intelligence rf "he capUulationfvolunteers poured in so fast from all parts Vi Kentucky and Ohio, that it became more necessary to re- press So excite th^ ardour of the citizens, »«« vast'mim. bers were discharge , and with difficulty prevailed on to re- "^he 6r"uo«s of Harrison were dii^cted to the relief «f the-frontie? posts. He arrived at Piqua on the 2d of Sep- UmhtT with about 2500 then, whence, after completing his «- lanKements and receiving his military stores, he marched on Ihe 5th for Fort Wayne; a pes. situated at the conflyence of the rt cr St Mar^and St. JoBcph, which after their junction assume the name of the Miami of the Lake. This post hail Seen for some tiroe invested by hostile Indians, but, on hear- iBK of the approach of Harrison they precipitate y ret.-eated Lnd the army arrived at the fort, without opposition, on the "Nofb!rng"abU Immediately to move on towards Detroit, on acfount of the want of proper supplies, Harrison determined Jo S^ the intermeLte time in breaking up the towns of IheSe Indian tribes. For this purpose two c'cped.tions were organized, one of which was destined against the Miam. WwXsit'S upon the Wabash, a little below its confluenc wUh the Tippacanoe river, the other against the Potawatam «1 aees, which stand on a river caUed St. Joseph, which fall! inio lake MichiKan. Both of these detachments were success- fa Ntae vuE were burnt, and all the corn cut up and de- stLTin ord!r that the want of provisions might force the Indians to leave irmv u«*» »• **» «•••- ~~ ~="-= j- ,. j A few days after the return of the troops from those expcd Mo^s,g<-««"» Winchester arrived at Fort Wayne with addJ HISIOKY OF THE WAR. '^f lional reinforcements. Wincliesler had been originally desti- ned to the command of this army by the president; Harrison,, who was governor of the Indiana territory, had merely been ap- pointed a major general by brevet by the governor of Ken- tucky and by him placed in the command pto tempore, on ac- count of Ihe urgency of the occasion. On Uie arri^^ai of Wm- Chester, Harrison accordingly relinquished the command, and set out for his own territory with a body of mounted men, foi^ the purpose of breaking up the Indian settlements m that quarter. He had not proceeded far, however, before he receiv- ed, by express, a commission from the president, constituting him commander in chief of the north-western army, general Winchester to act as second in command. These counteriict- ing measures are said to have been owing to the ignorance of the president, at the time of Winchester's appointment, of the brevet appointment.of Harrison, and to the general expression of confidence in the latter by the Kentuckians having reached the seat of government shortly after. Fortunately the measure created neither jealousy nor dislike on either side. General Harrison arrived at Fort Wayne, and resumed the command on the 23d of September. The day previous to his arrivai, general Winchester had marched for Fort Defiance with 2000 men consisting of four hundred regulars, a brigade of Kentucky militia, and a troop of horse. In this part of the country one of the greatest difficulties which an army has to surmount, is that which arises from the difficulty of transporting provisions and stores. At all seasons the rout is wet and miry. The country, though somewhat level, is broken by innumerable little runs, which are generally dry, except during or immediately after a heavy rain, when they are frequently impassible until tht^jubsiding of the water, which is generally from twelve to ,<^venty-ibur hours. Another of the difficuhiea of transportation arises from the nature of the soil, \yhich, being generally a rich loam, free from stones and gravel, in many places 51 horse will mire for miles full leg deep every step. To avoid the inconvei.iences and dangers of delay m tra- versing this wilderness, each soldier wlyk^urnished with pro- visions for six days, -and general Harris% proceeded to Fort St. Mary's, in order to forward a detacht the Au Glaise river, which affi)rds a wa considerable part of the way. This del under the command of colonel Jennings, -f- / - The army being now in the centre of a coflntry which pre- sented every facility for the Indian modeofiKtefare,the utmost D 2 1m ,t^ with supi^Ues by onveyance for a eiit was placed 58 "^ HISTOUY OF THE WAR. I vigilance was necessary to prevent a surprise. The troops Nvere formed into three divisions, viz. right and left wings and cenU'c. Near the centre was the baggage, with a strong guard | in front and rear. The wings marched about 60 or 100 yards i distant .he centre. The front guard, which was ge.| iierallf ai> ^00 strong, marched far enough in advance fori their rear to be even with the front baggage guard, and were preceded by a company of spies, 40 in number, who were ge- nerally one or two miles in advance. The rear of the spies] was coverd by the horse? So great were the obstructions occasioned by the under- brushy 8cc. on this march, that the army never advanced more than from six to ten miles a-day. They generally halted about three o'clock to lay out and fortify their encampment, which! was done by forming around it a breastwork of logs and brush, of four or five feet in height: As soon a? it was dark, small fires were kindled at the mouth of each tent, and large fires on the outside, about twenty paces from th© breastwork. On the 24th of September, being the third day of the march, the first trail was discovered; th^ number of Indians was sup- posed, however, to be only twelve or fifteen. They were pur- sued by the horse for six or eight miles, when, being pressed, they scattf ' d, which rendered further pursuit impracticable. The following day, ensign Legett, of the regulars, and four volunteers, solicited and obtained permission to push on to Fort Defiance, then 25 miles distant, to discover the strength and situation of the enemy. These gallant youths, however, had too little experience of the Indian mode of warfare to conduct with success an enterprize so hazardous. They fell thr same evening, being shot, tomahawked and scalped in the most bar- barous manner, and in that condition were found by the spies on the 26th, about six miles in advance of the encampment for the night. Early on the 27th the spies were sent out to bury the dead, supported by about 40 of the troop of horse. They had not advanced far before the flankers discovered a body of Indians in ambuscade on each sid# of a small Indian trail, on which they supposed the spies would march. Jl xlard, the comman- der, however, aware of the Indian stratagems, had placed his men in two divisions and marched one on each side of the trail. Finding their plan frustrated, the Indians left the ambuscade, and made for an elevaiion a short distance ahead. While form- e 1 u • I^s^hW .Wd instantly returned, accompanied by a loud and terrific yell. The tavalry w^fre then ordcrwl to advance to the charge; but the In- HISTORY OF THE WAR. 39 dians on their approach raised the t-etreat yell, ami precipitately fled to the swamps and thickets. The pursuit was continued for two or three miles; the nature of the country, however, ren- dered it impossible to act with effect. In this skirmish only one American was slightly wounded in the ankle. The Indians were supposed to have suffered more severely, as several trails of blood were discernible. After interring the remains of their unfortunate brethren, the detachment returned and took the ir usual station in front of the army. On the 28th, shortly after forming the line of march, four Indians were discovered and fired on by the spies, but without effect. A general engagement being now expected to take place, the order of battle was formed; but no enemy appearing, the line of march was recommenced, and the advanced part of the horse was ordered to push forward to ascertain whether or not a strong force of the enemy was at hand. In a short time a fresh trail of Indians was discovered. These indications of the near approach to the enemy determined the general to cross the river as soon as possible, and accordingly a tolerable ford being discovered by the troopers, the army passed over and en- camped on the opposite shore. Here a fresh trail was per- ceived nearly equal to the one made by the army, which was supposed to be the trail made by Jennings' detachment, a sup- position which was hailed With joy by the soldiers, whose pro- visions were now exhausted. Their joy, however, was but of short duration. A party of horse, who had been despatched down the trail, reported on their return that it had been madg by a large force ot the enemy, whose encampment they had discovered about three mile? below, two miles alxive Fort Defi- ance, with fires burning, war poles erected, aiud^e bloody flag displayed. . ^ - t Late on the night of the 29th an express arrived from Jen- nings' regiment, stating that they were encamped oft the Au Glaize, 40 miles above Fort Defiance, where Jenningtf had been ordered to erect a block-house. While engaged on this duty he had ascertained by his spies that fort Defiance was in posses- sion of the Briush and Indians, and he had therefore thought it imprudent to proceed further without reinforcements. Early on the morning of the 30th, captain Garrard and 30 of his troopers were ordered to proceed with all possible despatch to Jennings' block-house to escort a brigade of pack horses with provisions for the relief of the starving army. The de- ^__i,-^.„y,i. ^<>sr'Hf^H ♦•h#» hlfirk^hoiise in the course of the foll6w- ing day, and, after resting a few hours, again set off as an escort to the provisions. They rejoined the army on the evening of ^^ HISTORY OF THfiW Aft- ♦he 2d of October, drenched with 36 hours incessant rain. This was a ioyful evening to the soldiers. Provisions were now plenty,ffihe escort Was accompanied by their beloved gene- ?al Harrison, who resumed the command. Durmg the ab- sence of the detachment, the army had talcen possession of Fort Defiance, the British and Indians havmg retreated down '^ofthe 4th of October, general Harrison, having left a^^^^^^^^ Defiance the force which constituted the left wing of the army lYnder general Winchester, returned to the ?^ttlements to or- t^anize and bring up the centre and right wmg. On the day Kdeparturefhe ordered general Tupper, with the mounted troops under his command, consisting of nearly 1000 men, to proceed on an expedition to the Rapids. This expedition was never carried intJ effect. Its failure arose i^rtly from the un- disciplined state of the troops which had been s^iec ed for the enterpriz^, and partly from a disagreement which took place between their commander and general Wmchester, who com. manded at Fort Defiance. The inefficiency of raw militia was perhaps never more strikingly displayed than on this occasion. General Tupper, after returning with his mounted volunteers to Urbanna, was despatched with the centre of the north-west- ern army, consisting of a regiment of regulars, and the Ohio vlntee^A and militia, to Fort M» Arthur. The "ght >ving, consisting of a brigade of Pennsylvania, and a brigade of Vir- cinia militia, were stationed at Sandusky. Shortly after his arrival at Fort M' Arthur, general Tupper organized another expedition for the purpose of proceedmg to ?hf rapids of the Miami. He left the fort on the lOtb, with a forc^ consisting of upwards of 600 men, the soldiers carry- ine provisions in their knapsacks for five days. On the eve- W of the 13th, being then about 13 miles from the rapids, an Seer was despatched to examine the situation of the enemy, bv whom it was ascertained that the British and Indiana still occupied the settlements and fort at the rapids; and that the boats and yessels lay a little below. , u^i^L In consequence of this information the detachment haltlJd until sunset* when they proceeded to a ford about two and an half miles above the rapids, whence scouts were again detached to observe mdre particularly the situation and force of the ene- my. The necessary information being soon received, the :^i^r.. xxere ordpred to cross t+ie river, in order to attack the enVmy at the dawn of day. Unfortunately, however, it was impracticable for the troops to cross. Every expedient that could be devised was unavailing, and a nUmber of men Who HISTORY or I'HE W All- 41 «e« swept down the rapids, were with diRcully save^, witU the loss of their muskets and ammunition. „ ., ,i,„ In the morning, convinced that he ww unable to get at the ,ntmv eS Tipper ordered the spies to endeavour to decoy S o«r, aTd they accordingly proceeded down and discover- /Lmtel^s Tl3 stratagem, however, proved unsucccss- Ll foTthoTgh a few Mians crossed the river, they were too «utious to bl drawn within the lines. The mam body was Sen marched down the Miami, opposite to the encampment 'of the e-^my. They appeared in '^onii.\^rM.^^^^^-»^ ,,t„»r.<-ed irnard opened from the woods. 1 he Bntisti, wno werT'n theTes Js and boats, immediately slipped their ca^ uts and proceeded down the river. The Indian women were seen "vmS^e off on the road leading to Detroitj the men com- XedTere at tke detachment from their muskets and a four •"g^^I Topper having observed a number of counted In^ dians proceeding up the river, and fearful of t*'*^?"? '"f'^l siirDtised, ordered the detachment to return. When witbin aSfmile of the encampment, some of the soldiers, pressed ZhMX, hunger, the provisions being now entirely exhaust- ?d7fired upon allrove of hogs, contrary to orders. »^d pursued thm nearly half a mile; ot^.ers left tk "'"j"' »°f ™^^? * field to eather corn. At this moment a body of mounMa m- dfans came uiK)n them, killed four men, and then commenced an a ttck on the'^ear of 'the right fl^nk, The column bein? 'n. stanllv thrown back, commenced a brisk fire, which caused the Indians t™ give ground; but they quickly ralUed, and passing aloie the van-gulrd, made a violent charge upon the rear ot th^ llfrcoluml This column was also thrown briskly back. and eve.^ at^n-Pt ■"»'»'= to break the ««",^/^6/«''"^^2ri" 20 minutes the Indians were driven from the fie^d. Concm- inKThowever, that the charge of the mounted men was merely "fended to throw the troops into disorder «» ■'«l'«.T"otmn attack of the foot, general Tupper ordered the "pt column to move up into marching order, lest that "tuck should be Ide on the right flai.k. This column had scarcdy reS^ned their position, when information was received that the Indians were crossing the river in considerable numbers. Tupper immediately ordered the left column to «"''"^'he'r march- ing order, and proceeded to the head of the right column, where he found that a number of Indians had crossed on horse- V,...!, ,!,,. ^„.~.. were still in the middle of the river, and about 20o"on tiie opposite bank. A batulion was immediately order- ed to advance and. dislodge them- This attack was success- 42 HISTORY OF THE WAR. ful. The Indians were forced to retire, and several of them were shot from their horses while crossing the river. The horses rode by the Indians in this attack are stated to liave been much superior to those thsy had been accustomed to use. They were high and active; they were also supplied with pistols and holsters. A nuriiber of Indians were shot from their horses; but they were with great dexterity thrown on again, and carried off the field. Split. I^eg led on several of the charges at the commencement of the attack, mounted on a well trained white horse, from which he sotAetimes fired, and at other times leaped from him behind a tree. It was suppos- ed that he was wounded in the action, as another warrior rode the same horse in some of the last charges. After the retreat of the Indians the detachiricnt were com- pelled to return with all speed to Fort M'Arlihur, as their ^- visions were consumed, and they had to marqji 40 milqs before there was a possibility of a supply. Brr 1 On the 13th of December, general Tupper conducted ano- ther detachment to the rapids, consisting of beiwe«n I50p and 2000 men. On theeast side of the Miami, a few miles above the rapids, a body of the enemy was discovered, consisting of 300 British regulars, and 600 or 700 Indians. Having ascer- tained the position of the enemy, Tupper ordered a small de- taclonent to advance and commence an attack, and then to re- treat. This stratagem succeeded. The enemy pursued with impetuosity until they were nearly surrovnded, and on being charged, were repulsed on all quarters with considerable slaugh- ter, and put to fught. Fonrteen or fifteen of the. British, and seventy or eighty Indians were left on the field. Many were likewise killed in swimming across the river, into which they precipitately plunged, that being their only means of escape. While these opei»*tions were carried on, on the borders of lake Erie, several expeditions were set on foot against the In- dian settlements in the Indiana and Illinois territbries. A por- tion of th6 Kentucky volunteers, under general Hopkins, and 'a corps of Kentucky rangers, commanded by colonel Russel, were particularly 'destined for this service. This force having met at Vincennes, it was agreed that Hopkins should first pro- ceed to thfi relief of fort Harrison, a post higher up the Wa- bash, which was at that time invested by the Indians, and should then proceed to the Peoria Indian towns on the river Illinois^ where he was to be met by the rangers under Russel. Another detachment, under captain Craig, was to join them at the same place. This last detachmenj; was to marc^ u^lhe IHinois river^ HISTORY ©F THE WAR. 43 Ciptain Taylor, the commander at Fort Harrison, having re- ceived inforjnation of the approach of the hostile Indians a short time before they made their appearance, had used every precaution that the smallness of his garrison would admit of. The first hostile symptoms appeared on the evening of the 3d of September, when two young men, who had been employed a short distance from the fort, were shot and sca4ped, and were found in that condition the next morning by a small party that * had been sent out to seek them. This circumstance caused them to redouble their vigilance, and the oflRcers of the guard were directed to walk the round all night, in order if possible to prevent any surprize. About 1 1 o'clock on the evening Qf the 4th, the garrison be- ing alarmed by the firing of one of the centinels, every man in- stuntly flew to his post. In a few minutes the cry of fire add- ed to the alarm, when it was discovered that the lower block- house, in which had been deposited the property of the con- tractor, had been fired by the Indians. Such was the darkness of the night, that although the upper part of the building was occupied by a corporal's guard as an alarm post, yet the In- dians succeeded in firing it undiscovered, ^nd unfortunately, a few minutes after the discovery of the fire, it communicated I to a quantity of whisky that had been deposited there, and im- I mediately assended to the roof, baffling every effort that was I made to extinguish it. As the block-house adjoined the bar- i racks, which constituted part of the fortifications, most of the I men gav€f themselves up for lost; and indeed the raging of the fife, the yells of the Indians, and the cries of the women and I children (who had taken refuge in the fort,) were sufficient to appal the stoutest heart. Happily the presence of mhid of the commander never forsook him. He instantly stationed a part of his men on the roof of the barracks, with orders to tear off [that part adjoining the block-house, while the remainder kept up a constant fire on the Indians from another block-house and [two bastion?. The roof was torn off under a shower of bullets Ifrom without, by which, however, only one man was killed and Itwo wounded. By this success the soldiers were inspired with firmness, and [now used such exertions, that before day they had not only ex- [Unguished tae fire, but raised a breast-work five or six fset ligh in the gap occasioned by the burning of the block-house, llthnug"h the In*^''an« r.nntiniiftfl fo DQU*^ '^i a heavv firi* nf bail's md showers of arrows during the whole time the attack lasted [[which was seven hours), in every part of the parade. On the first appearance of the fire, two of the soldiers had, 4i HISTORY OV 1;HE WAK. * in despair, jumped the pickets. One of them returned about an hour before day, and, running up towards the gate, begged for God's sake that it might be opened. On suspicion that this was aa Indian stratagem, he was fired at. He then ran to the other bastion, where, his voice being known, he vvas direct. ed to lie down till day-light behind an empty barrel that hap. pened to be outside of the pickets. This poor fellow was shockingly wounded, and his companion cut to pieces by tn« "Af^e^r keeping up a constant fire tUl six in the coming, Tvhich after day light was returned with considerable effect by the garrison, the Indians retreated out of reach of the guns. They then drove together all che horses and hogs in the neigh- bourhood, and shot them in sight of their owners. The whole] of the horned cattle they succeeded in carrying off. ^ In this attack the Americans had but three kil ed, and three bounded, including the two that jumped the pickets. 1 he in* dian loss was supposed to be considerable, but as they always cari-y off both their dead and wounded, the amount could not be ascertained. At the moment of the attack there were only fif- teen effective men in the garrison; the others bemg cither sick or convalescent. , r ,„^uA The Indians disheartened by this failure, made no further attempt on the fort^ but the garrison still remained in a peri- lous situation, as the greater part of their provisions had beer destroyed by the fire, and the loss of their stock prevented tu- ture supplies. Captain Taylor therefore attempted to send, b night, two men in a canoe do^n the river to Vincennes, to mak known his situation, but they were forced to return, the rive ^eing found too well guarded. The Indians had made a hre or the bank of the river, a short distance below ^he S*^.^^^^^^ which gave them an opportunity of seemg any craft that migm attempt to pass, with a canoe ready below to ^n^^f^^P^^K J more ^fortuhate' attempt was made by land, and the garrisc. was immediately after relieved by thfe force under general Hopkins, consisting of nearly 4000 men. f . After the relief of Fort Harrison, Hopkms began his prepaH ■rations for his expedition against the Peoria tow"^^ J^J commenced their march on the mornmg of the 15th oi ucio ber, and continued it for four days ma direction n^^rty no^^^^^^ R»there aeainthe snirit of insubordinaUon began to show itj ;S " Th^^i^l siktes in his official despatch, ^ J^^ ordered a halt on the afternoon of the 4th day, m a fine piece o grass, for the purpose of refreshing the ^o^^^^» ^^ J.^.^g dressed by one of his majors, in the most r«de and dictatona hlb'lUKY Oi; TilK WAU. 45 manner, requiring liim instantly to resume his march, or his battalion would break from the army and return. Of the re- ply of the general to this modest request we are not informed. Next evenint^, however, s^n event took place which seems to have spread the spirit of disconttjnt through the whole detach- ment. A violent gust of wind having arisen about - -set, just as the troops had encamped, the Indians set ^ i »: i,j he prairie all around them, which drove furiously on v^ ^.mp. They succeeded, however, in protecting themselves by firing the grass around the encampment. Next morning, in consequence of the discontent that pre- vailed, the general called a council of his officers, to whom he stated his apprehensions, the expectations of the country, and the disgrace attending the failure of the expedition; and, on the other hand, the exhausted state of the horses, and the want of provisions. He then requested the commandants of each re- giment to convene the whole of the officers belonging to it, and to take the sense of the army on the measures to be pursued; adding, that if 500 volunteers turned out he would put himself at their head, and proceed in quest of the Indian towns, and the rest of the army might return to fort Harrison. In less tlian an hour the report was made almost unanimously to return. — ^ In vain did the general request that he might dictate the course for that day only. His authority was now at an end; and all the efforts of the officers were necessary to restore order in the ranks, and to conduct the retreat without danger from tlie sur-^ rounding though unseen foe. Though this expedition returned almost without obtaining the sight of an enemy, yet it was not altogether unproductive of benefit. The Indians of the neighbouring towns, hearing of Its approach, had marched the greater part of their warriors to meet it, leaving their villages in a defenceless condition. In this state they were found by colonel Russell, who had marched upon them in the expectation of meeting with Hopkins* army, nnd his detachment attacked and defeated those who had been left behind. Having driven them hito a swamp, through which the rangers pursued them for three miles, up to their waists in mud and water, he returned and burnt their towns, and de- stroyed their corn. T'he number of warriors who advanced to meet Hopkins from those towns is stated to have amounted to 700; Russell's force consisted of not more than 400 men. A considerable number of Indians were killed in this attack. On the part of the Americans there were only four wou^ijedt^SiQne of them mortally. Craig's force wa's still smaller than that undex' Russell; It h E 4/1 ■SP HISTORY OF THE \VAU 4ti stated to l.ave consisted of not ^nore than 80 men. Wiih this small body he marched up to the Illinois river, twenty miles a'ove t^e lo'n. destroyed by Russell Here he attacked an In- dian settlement, which he totally deStroyed with all the m- nrovements, and took 42 prisoners, one of them an English- Jllan, Td 1 large collection of furs. He returned with his pn- vnnpr^ and hootv Without the loss ot a man. Xth'^Sof November ^noth- Indian expediU^^^^^^ nndert-ken by general Hopkins, with about ,1250 men. Ihis x^^^^^^^^ the Wabash, where the bat- eof Tipnac^ had been fought about twelve months before. HavU left fort Harrison on the lUh, accompanied with boats ^rihe^ transportation of provisions, forage, and military stores, HopkL a'^^^^ Prophet's town on the 19th, without in- teSon Early in the morning of that day, 300 men were fetached io suri^'ise the Winebago town on P-- Passu creek, a short distance below the Prophet's. Hav ng sur- rounded it about the break of day, they were surprised to find it evacuated. The party, accordingly, after destroymg it, re- ioined the mpin body at the Prophet s town. ^ For three days Hopkins' detachment was employed in achiev- ing 1 e compete destruction of the Prophet's town, and the lanre Kicapoo village adjoining, the former consistmg of 40 She later of i 6o\abins and huts. They likewise destroy- ^d all their cultivated fields, fences, Sec. and constructed works for the defence of the boats and of the encampment. On the 21st a reconnoitering party were attacked by a body of Indians, and one of their number killed. The following day ^ horsemen were despatched to bury their comrade, and gain Tbetter knowledge of the ground, but they unfortunately fell Tnto an ambuscade, in which 18 ot the party ^^re killed, wounded or n.i.sing. This party, on their return, brought m- Trmation of a large assemblage of the enemy, who, encouraged by the strength of their camp, ay^peared to be waitmg an^at- m-k. Every preparation was accordingly made to march early n'cxt morni.^,1 tcl engage the enemy. A violent fall o^^^ snow, however prevented the movement on the 23d; ««« the camp vLs fonr.d ubaudoned on the following day. The position which the lndi?ins had thus abandoned is spoken oi as having been reniarkably slron-. The Ponce Passu, a deep rapid r.reek, was in their rear, running in a semicircle; in f J^ont was u Wuff, H;0 ii'ct high, almost perfjendicular, and only to bcj pe- L^MMtfd bv tln-ee steep ravines. » _ . „ "~0n the return of the troops to can»p, the river wa» iuuna so , ,.-;>.{' i^,. -c .^,,-'..r>-» then! kr -l.c T^urnof the bot^tr- 7't?^- t HISTORY OF THE WAU. m 47 kins had intended to have spent one week more in endcavouv- inop to and the Indian camps; but the shoeless, shuiless state of the troops, now clad in the remnants of their su.Sniier dress; " river full of ice; the hills covered with snow; and, above all, the uncertainty of finding an enemy; all these circumstances determinfed him t-o return. They accordingly set out on the 25th, and in a few days arrived at Fort Harrison, havmg com- Dieted a march of upwards of 100 miles into the H^dian coun- trv which is totally devoid of roads, and destroyed thrfec ot their principal towns, in the space of less than twenty days. The last Indian expedition of which mention is made, m this Quarter, is one which was commanded by colonel Campbell, coji- sistinff of 600 men, which marched from Greenville, (Ohio) against the towns on the Mississinewa, a branch of the Wabash. On the irth of December, after marching all night, Camp- bell arrived at one of the towns about day-break, wliu h hc^m- stantly attacked, and the Indians were driven across the Mis- Swa river; with the loss of 7 killed and 37 pnsor.ers. Only one American was killed and one wounded in this sku - mish— After securing the prisoners a part of the detachment was despatched down the river, who returned the same day, liavinc burned three villages without resistance. 1 hey then encamped on the ground where the first village stood. The following morning a little before day light, the camp was attacked by a body of Indians, supposed to be about 300. They commenced their attack on the right, with a horrid yell. After a desperate conflict of about three quarters of an hour a charge was made by the cavalry, which forced the Indiaiib to retreat, leaving 40 killed on the field. In this affair the Ame- ricans had eight killed, and twenty-five or thirty wounded. Another attack was anticipated, as information was received that Tecumseh, with four or five hundred warriors was oi^y fifteen miles from the scene of action; but reintorcenicnis shortly after arriving from Greenville, they effected their re- treat without molestation. ,, . J 1 A small body of Georgia voUmtetjrs had been collected early in \ugust, for an expedition against the Indians on our bouth- ern border, where considerable depaedations had bcvjn com- mitted. Several unforeseen circumstances, however, prevent- ed its beinK carried into effect, until the 24th of September, when the detachment, consisting of only 1 17 men, wjih twelve horses, marched from St. Johns under the command of colonel Newnan, against the Lotchaway towns in East Honda. Ihis small torce oanicu v»itn lucui i-iisj &"•«* ----j - i -; The ddtaohment left St. Johns in the t^vcmng, m^rchiti^lfi -iS mSTOUY OF THE WAii. ;»l in file, vvith a small party in front and in rear, the openness of the coiUitry rendering it unnecessary to employ men on the right and left. The encampment at night, there being three companies, was in the form of a triangle, with the baggage in the centre; the men lying with their clothes on, their feet point- ing outwards, and their firelocks in their arms. In case of an attack, the officers were instructed to bring up their companies upon the right and left of the company fronting the enemy, and to follow the Indian mode of fighting until ordered to charge. In case of meeting tho enemy on the march, the first compa- ny, which consisted of riflemen, was instructed to file ofF to the right, the centre company to advance and form to the front in single rank, and the company in the rear to file off to the left; the whole then to advance in the form of a crescent, and en- deavour to encircle the enemy. On the morning of the fourth day, when wiihin ^ few miles of the Indian towns, the party in advance discovered a body ot" Indians marching along the path meeting them. The compa- nies were immediately ordered to advance according to the pre- vious instructions, which appeared exactly suited to the situa- tion in which the enemy was found, and Newnan placed him- self at the head of the centre company. The Indians were now seen falling back and making preparations for battle, by mi- slinging their packs, trimming their rifles, and forming; and the Americans ciontinued to advance, taking advantage of the trees their progress, until within musket shot of the enemy, when 'U inany of the Indians began to fire. The charge being now ordered, the enemy were forced precipitately to retire, and take refuge in a swamp. Unfortunately the riflemen in filing to the right, inadvertently took too great a circuit, by which metms a small swamp was interposed between them and the Indians, which rendered the victory leas decisive than it would have been had the whole charged together before the Indians dispersed. The action, including the skirmishing on the flanks, lasted two hours and a half, the Indians having fre- quently attempted to outflank and get in rear of the detach- ment, but were always repulsed, by the companies extending TO the right and left. The detachment had one killed and nine wounded in this affair. The loss of the Indians was more con- siderable. Among the killed was their king Payne. The Americans remained on the ground to watch the mo- tions of the Indians, who were now seen near the swamp, paint- inc themselves^ and in consultation* which indicated an inten tion of renewing the coii%it. Accordingly half an hour before sun- act, having obtained a considerable reinforcement of ne- HISTORY OF THR WAH. ^ *- eties and Indians from their towns, they commenced the most horrid yells, imitating the cries and noise of almost every animal of the forest, their chiefs advancing in front m a stoop inc serpentine manner, and making the most wild and Irantic eestures, until they approached within two hundred yards, when they commenced firing. The soldiers remamed perfectly still and steady behind logs and trees, until the enemy had ap- proached somewhat nearer, when a brisk and well directed hve soon drove them back to their original ground. 1 he action lasted until eight o'clock, when the enemy were completely repulsed. Two men were killed and one wounded; the enemy carried off several of their men before it was dark, after which all firing was at the spot from whence the flash arose. Alter thus fighting all day, the detachment had to work throughout the whole of the night, and by day light had completed a tole- rable breast-work of logs and earth with port-holes. As soon as it was dark, one of the officers was dcpatched to St. John's for reinforcements and provisions, and six of the men took the liberty to accompany him, taking with them some ot the best horses. For two days succeeding the battle, nothing was seen nor heard of the enemy; but on the eveningrof the third day they commenced firing at their works at longdistance, and renewed it every day for five or six days, but witMut effect. Seven or eight days having elapsed since the express had left them, hunger was staring them in the face, and they were now reduced to the necessity of eating one of the horses, tMy had no surgeon to dress the wounded, and apprehensions were entertwned that the enemy would receive reinforcements from Augustine, or the Makasukie Indians. Expecting relief, how- ever, every hour, Newnan was unwillihg to leave the breast- work while a horse was left to eat; but one of the captains de- clared that he was determined to set off with his company; and many of the men, giving up all hopes of relief, talked of desert- ing in the night rather than perish or fall a sacrifice to the mer- ciless negroes and Indians, whom they were taught to believe would surround them in great numbers in a few days. In this trying situation, the few remaining horses being shoi down, and the number of sick daily increasing, Newnan reluc- tantly consented to leave the works, and.dii'ected the litters to be prepared to carry the wounded. About nine in the cvenin;; they commenced their distressing march, carrying five wound- »-» -_-.- iri it»*i»s«a. and Runnfsrfi'no- twQ or three more: and liad not proceeded rnore than*eight'^milea, #hen the men became K 2 (ft .«4;.^-J._ **- HISTORY OF THK WAU- pericctly exhausted from hunger and fatigue, and were unable \ *.o carry the wounded any farther. ' This hasty retreat was peculiarly unfortunate; for they had not lef the breast work more than two hours when twqpty-five horsemen with provisions, arrived to their relief, on a different road from the one they had taken, but finding the place desert- ed they retunxd to St. John's, two men that had been despatch- ed on the path the horsemen came, by some means or other missing them. They again constructed a plan of defence, and a Serjeant major with one private was despatched to Picalataj to learn what had occasioned the delay of the supplies. Here once more the spirit of insubordination began to display itself, and at three o'clock in the afternoon Newnan was com- pelled again to order the march. T" ey had scarcely marched five miles, however, before the front of the detachment disco- vered the heads of several Indians on both sides of the path« from among son»e trees that had been laid prostrate by s. hur- ricane; at the same instant the enemy fired upon the advanced ixmy, and shot down four of them, one of whom died on the spot, and two survived but a few days. The moment the firing was heard, the detachment was ordered to charge, and the In- dians were completely defeated in 15 minutes, many dropping their gims, and all running pff without attempting to rally.— Four of them were left dead on the field. The detachment lay on the battle ground all night, and next day marched five miles, when they again threw m^ breast-works between two ponds, iivilik "PO" gophers, alligators, and palmetto stocks, until the a#lval of the provisions and Uorses, when they were enabled to proceed to St. John's. The number of Indians in the first engagement was from 75 to 100. In the second enga emcnt their number, (including negroes, who are their best soldiers) was double that of the Americans; and in the third engage- ment there appeared Ui.be 50, which was nearly equai to then- force, after deducting the >ick and wounded. The number oi killed and wounded jimong the Indians must have been aUeast fifty. ' '. ' , Ai^ther expedition of volunteers was sent agamst those . Indians from the state of Tennessee in the month of February, 1813, by whom they were defeated in three engagements, and 38 killed, a number wounded, and seven taken prisoners. The detachment then burnt their settlements to the number of 386 houses, destroyed several thousand bushels of corn^, and took 400 horses, and aljout the same number of cattle. The indiaub tniircly disappeared before the detachment left the settlement/ In the three engagements the Americans last only one killed and seven wounded. »»I» illSTOHY OF THE WAR. SI r they had Lwqiity-five a different ice desert- 1 despatch- IS or other efence, and to Picalataj lies. n to display n was coni- ly marched tnent disco - jfthe path, e by A hui - le advanced Ued on the nt the firing and the In- ny dropping J to rally. — achment lay d five miles, two ponds, 18, until the ere enabled in the first 5nga emcnt est soldiers) lird engage- quai to their e number oi been a^ least gainst those of February, jements, and soners. The imber of 386 m, and took The indiaub e setllement/ ly one killed We have never seen the real value of the militia, tind at the same time their total inadequacy in their present state, more strikingly exemplified than in the official narratives oT those Indian expeditions. The materiel, the stamina of the militia, ( annot be surpassed; but as to all other military requisi,tes they are totally worthless. When we see them encountering; fatigue, cold and hunger, without a murmur, and dispkying in battle the most undaunted bravery and resolution, we cannot but lament that all those valuable qualities should be rendered of none effect by the total want of subordination and discipline, without which, zeal, numbers, and courage avail nothing. It rests with the national legislature to apply the remedy to this evil. The constitution has clothed them with the power, and it is to be hoped they will no longer refuse to make use of It. The system ought either to be abolished altogether, as a most extravagant waste of time or money, or it ought to be made>(and it is surely capable of being made so) a powerful und certain means of national defence, by a proper system of national instruction. On the arrival of the Constitution frigate at Boston after the pture of the Guerriere, captain Hull received permission to ra remain on shore for the settlement of his affairs, and commo- dore Bainbridge was appointed to command in his room. Af- ter undergoing the necessary repairs, she sailed on a cruize to the East Indies, towards the end of October, accompanied by the Hornet sloop of war, commanded by captain Lawrence; but in running down the coast of the Brazils, they found the Bonne Citoyenne, a British ship of war, loaded with specie, lying in the port of St. Salvador. The Bonr e Citoyenne was a larger vessel, and had a greater force both in guns and men than the Hornet; but so eager was captain Lawrence to engage her, that he sent, through the American consul at St, Salvador, a challenge to her commander, captain Greene, pledging his honour that neither the Constitution, nor any other American vessel should interfere. This pledge was confirmed by com- modore Bainbridge, who, to show his sincerity, left the Hornet before St. Salvador, and sailed on another cruize. The com- mander of the Bonne Citoyenne, however, did not see fit to ac- cept of the challenge, but suffered himself to be blockaded by the Hornet. On the 29th of December, a few days after leaving St. Sal- vador, about ten leagues from the coast of Brazil, at nme in the morning, Bainbridge discovered IWoakliaTige Sail, one oi ivhich stood in for the land, the other off shore towards the Consti- 'ution. At half past eleven, the private signal for the day be- ll rf^ -n S3 HISTORY OF THT-, WAR. :t!Jv inc made,ananot answered, it was concluded she "M an en«.( my. The American ensign was hoisted at twelve, and short!, I after the enemy hoisted her colours. About half past mie, the vessel being perceived to be a British fr gate, Bainbridg. tSsh p, and stood towards her, when she immediately bore downwhUhe intention of raking, which was avoided by wear, ing. At two, the enemy being then within half a mile of the Constitution, and t. windward, and having hauled down her co- tours except the union, Bainbridge ordered a gun to be fired ahead of her to make her show her colours, which was follow- edby abroldside; on which the enemy hoisted her colours and immediately -eturned the fire. ^ „j ,„j „«to- A eeneral action now comn^ need with round »nd grape- shot, the British frigate keeping at a much greater distance than the commodorl wished, but he cou.d notbnng her .0 closer action without exposing his ship to beyig raked A number of manoeuvres were now made by both vessels to obJ tain a raking position, during which the wheel of the Constf- uUon was shot entirely away. Bainbridge now dptenni..«d to close with the enemy notwithstanding the dang" ^^""1 ™k- ed, and accordingly set the fore and mamsail, and luffed upj close to her. , . i^*«i.. „: About 4 o'clock, the fire of the enemy being completely, si- lenced,and her colours in the main rigging being down, it w^s supposed she had struck, and the Constitution shot ahead to rep Jr the rigging, leaving the «^«^y ^ ^°Ji;f f^^J^^^^^^^^ was shortly after, however, discovered the colours wmj still fly in J?; and accordingly, after repairing some of the damage, the Constitution took a position across the enemy's bows in order to rake her, but this she prudently avoided by striking | ^^^B^nbridKe now sent his first lieutenant on board the prize,! which proved to be the Java, a frigate of the same «;tc> as the Guerriere and Macedonian, but with a much larger compk- 1 mcnt of men, having had upwards of 400 on board at the com- mencement ^f the action, 100 of them being supernumerarie intended for the British ships of war in the East Indies. Ther was also on board lieutenant-general Hislo^), aPP^^J^^^^. ^^/.^ 1 command of Bombay, major Walker and captain Wood of h^ staff, and captain Marshall, master, and commander m the British navy,Vng tojhe E-t Indie s^ot.ke-^^^^^^^^^ a] sloop of war iherc. iac i,uui..iaiiuwi ,.«3 -^r^i-.^^r- ^ --- - _■ very distinguished ofllcer, who was mortally wounded m the **^ The action lasted an hour and fifty-five minutes, in which HISTORY OF THE WAH. 53 was an cue- and shortly If past one, , Bainbridge idiately bore led by wear* I mile of the lown her co- i to be fired I was follow- p colours and | i ?nd grape- Iter distance' bring her to g raked. A essels to obj f the Const l0termi»*«dto| of being rak- ing luffed up I ompletely, si- sing down, it on shot ahead I ete wreck. It! colours were >f the damage,] my's bows in d by striking I ard the prize, fie rp.tij as the irger comple- •d at the com- [)ernumeraries Indies. There pointed to the » Wood of his nander in the :ommand of a sin L?a*nbertt ^ ounded in the utes, m whicli ■ ime the Java was completely dismasted, not having a spar of any kind standing. She had been fitted out in the most com- I pl'te manner, and had copper on board for a 74 and two brigs building at Bombay; but the great distance from our coast, and he disabled slate of the vessel, forbidding every id.ea of at- tempting to take her to the United States, after removing the prisoners and their baggage, she was set on fire, and soon af- ter blew up. ,.,,1 J n The loss on board the Constitution was 9 killed and 25 wounded. The loss on board the Java could not be exactly ascertained, as the officers were extremely cautious in speak- inc hi the number of her crew. Commodore Bainbridge states it at 60 killed and 101 wounded certainly; by a letter written on board the Constitution by one of tne ofiicers of the Java, and accidentally found, the number was -stated to be 60 killed and iro wounded. , o e i • After blowing up the Java, Bainbridge returned to bt. Salva- dor, where he landed all the prisoners on their parole, to the number of 361, exclusive of nine Portuguese seamen who were liberated and given up to the governor of St. Salvador, and three passengers, private characters, whom the commodore did not consider prisoners of war On account of the destruction of the boats of both vessels m tl\e action, nothing was taken from on board the Java except Ike prisoners and their baggage, the whole of which was giv^n up to them. Among other valuable articles given up was a chest of plate, which had been presented to general Hislop by the colonel of Demerara. Commodore Bainbridge received the public acknowledgements of the governor of St. Salvador, as well as of his prisoners, for the kind treatment and benefi- cence which he displayed on this occasion. The Constitution again left St. Salvador on the 6th of Janua- ry, and arrived at Boston about the middle of February. ' Meanwhile the Hornet blockaded the Bonne Citoyenne, un- til the 24th of January, when the Montague, a 74 gun ship, hove in sight and chased her into the harbour; but night com- ing o- she wore and stood out to the southward. Knowing ihgit she had left Rio Jancii-o for the express purpose of reliev- ing the Bonne Citoyenne and the packet which Lawrence had also blockaded for 14 days, and obliged her to send her mail to Rio Janeiro in a Portuguese smack, he judged it most prudent to shift his cruising ground, and accordmgly shaped his course :nglish brig Resolution, of 10 guns, laden with provisions and bout 823,000 in specie; but as she sailed dull, and he could ^ ■«.i 54 HISTORY OF THE WAR. nui ,!i: not spare hands to roan her, he took out the money and crew, and set her on fire. He then ran down the coast for Moran. ham, and cruised there a short time, and thence ran oif bun- nam! After cruising ofT that coast from the 15th to the 22d of February, without meeting a vessel he stood for Demarm Next miming he discovered a b^g to leeward, which he cha^^ ed so near the shore that he was obliged to haul off for want of a pilot. Previous to giving up the chase, however, he discoT- Jed a vessel at anchor without the bar of Demarara river, with tke English colours flying, apparently a brig of war. ^J^}^m ine around Carabona bank, in order to get at her, at half past three in the afternoon, he discovered another sail On his^wea. ther quarter, edging down for him. At 20 mmutes past 4 sk hoisted English cqlours, when she was discovered to be a large man of war brig. The Hornet was immediately cleared for action, and kept close to the wind, in order, if possible, to get the weather guage. At 5 minutes past 10, finding he could weather the enemy, Lawrence hoisted American colours, tack- ed, and shortly after exchanged broadsides with the British ship, within half pistol shot. Observing the enemy ^^^^^m of wearing, Lawrence now bore up, received his starboard broadside; ran him close on board on the starboard q<»arterd and kept up such a heavy and well directed fire, thatlin less than 1 5 minutes the British struck their colours, and hoisted an ensign, union down, from their fore rigging, as a signal et lieutenant Shubrick* was immediately sent on board thj nrize, which proved to be the British brig Peacock, commandl ed by captain William Peake, who fell in the latter part of the action. Shubrick, on getting on board, found that a numbei of her crew were killed and wounded, and that she was smKl iuK fast, being literally cut to pieces, aud having six feet water in her hold. Both vessels were immediately brought to as. chor, and the Hornet's boats dispatched to bring off the wound- ed; but although her guns were thrown overboard, the shot! holes that could be got at plugged and every exertion martJI by pumping and bailing to keep her afloat until the prisonenl could be removed, all proved ineffectual, and she si»ik m five| and a half fathoms water, carrying down 13 of her crew, awl three sailors belonging to the Hornet, who were nobly riskingl their lives for the safety of the vanquished foe. A lieutenanti « Lieutenant Shubrick hat had the good fortune ib Uin \-XciVTi"t cot •li-^ ■'i' ineWB^thM^^^'^^ T\ he morninff a ft(^r tbf action, Lawrence found that he had 5* IllSTOHY OF THR WAH. «' 277 souls on board, and therefore, as his own crew had bee« on two-thirds allowance of provisions for some time, and hisi supply of water was but scant, he determined to make the besil of his way to the United States. He arrived at Holmes' Hole on the 19th of March, and a few days after proceeded dom\ the sound to New York. I The kindness and hospitality shown by captam Lawrence and "his officers to his unfortunate prisoners, was such as to penef trate them with the most lively gratitude, which the officers ex- pressed shortly after their arrival by a public letter of thanks. *« So much," say they, « was done to alleviate the distressing and uncomfortable situation in which we v^re placed when received on board the sloop you command, tlAt we cannot bet- ter express our feelings than by saying * We ceased to con- sider ourselves prisoners;' and every thing that friendship could dictate was adopted by you and the officers of the Hor-I net, to remedy the inconvenience we would otherwise have ex- perienced from the unavoidable loss oi the whole of oui pro- perty and clothes, by the sudden sinking of the Peacock." Nor was the crew of the Hornet a whirbehind their superi. ors in. that noble generosity which ever accompanies true brav- cry. As the sailors of the Pe-^cock had lost every thing ex- ccpt what they had on their backs when she went down, our American tars united to relieve them, and made every English] sailor a present of two shirts, a l?4ue jacket, ar i a pair ot trow- sers. The frigate Chesapeake, commanded by captain EvanU sailed from Boston abort the middle of November on a cruize! From Boston she ran down by Madeira, the Canary, and Cape de Verd Islands; thence to the equator, between longitude 25° and 15® W., where she cruized six weeks. She then sailed along the coast of South America, and passed within fifteen | leagues of Surinp^n. Thence she. passed through the wind-i ward islands to the coast of the United States; near the capes of Virginia, and thence along the coast to Boston, where she arrived on the 10th of April, after a cruize of 115 days. Dur- ing this crr*'ze she took an American brig, sailing under an English license, and three British vessels, one of which she burnt after ta&ing out the crew and cargo. On the first of January, off the Western Islands, she discovered two large sail bearing down on her, apparently ships of war, and lay tool UiVlii liCdF CiiviU^ii t.w ttOwCiuaiSJ iiiii;, ^::vj ..t-rr ^-. - gate, when she made all sail and escaped. Off the capes ot Virginia, about ten days before her arrival, she gave chase to " a sloop of war, and continued chasing for two day*, when it escaped in the night. ^KiSraHY OF THE WAR. 57 >rhe CheSSficake continued in Boston harbour untirOie first . f tune the X of her unioriunato rencontre with the Shaiinon. f.itahi Lawrlnce. of tl.e Hornet bad a short time previous be^n appo^Ted to command the Chesapeake, and hardly had hearrSat Boston, when the Shannon, commanded by cap- lairBiX, appeared off the harbour, with the avowed purpose thUoS resolved to make an effort^^ri^ve them; .and 'vhen he deemed his ship perfectly pi^pa«^ for that purpote, H^nt a formal challenge to captain Lawrence. « * As the Chesapeake,' his letter began,* appears now ready fnn «Pa I reauest vou will do me the favour to meet the shan- non wUh hetship to ship, to try the fortune of our respective Cs To an kcer of your character, it requires r ome apology ^ Proceeding to further particulars. Be assured, sir, that it U not fr^ an| doubtl entertain of your wkhing to close with «^^ but merely to provide an answer to any obiection thlt mi«hl be made, and very reasonably, upon the chance of our rTcTving unfair support/ After observing that commodore to^^cvrhld^^^ accepted several verbal challenges which he h^ liven, captain Broke then proceeds to state very minutely the force of the Shannon,and offers to send al^ British ships out of reach, so that they might have a fair combaV at any place w tWn a cer ain range along the coast of New England which he specified; if more agreeable, he offers to sail together, and I ito warn the Chesapeake, by means of private signals, of the ap- '* proaehof British ships of war, till they reach some solitary snot-^rto sail with a fliig of truce to any place out of t lie reach of British aid, so tkt the flag should b^liauled down when it was deemed fair to begin hosiilitK^^i. ^4 entreat you, sir/ he- concludes, *n(?t to imagin-, that LaA urged by mere personal vanity to the wish of meeang the.phesapeak6,or that I depend only upon youf personal atnbition for your acceding to this invitation. W^vc both nobler motives. You will feel it as a compli^ldHPl ^^K^^*^*^ ^^^ ^^"^^ °^ °"'' ™^*'^'"^' nwy be the most gi^M servicf.l can render to my country; and I doubt not that #«, (equally confident of success, will Icel convinced that it is only by ri^peated triumphs in even combats, that your little navy can now hope to console your country tor the loss of that trade it can no longer protect.' ^ « The style of this letter, with the exception ol t^e puerile j| bravado about, cotiuuociun- i^^vigi^i", i-i^-i... -:"- j" "'""'', rv" 1 ifthe force of the Shannon were correctly stated; would be - ^ ^ucb a^cliallenge as might well be sent from abrave scamarvto F ■.:'*■ aS HISTORY OlK^»K WAR* ;4 m a gallant advers thut captain Bre' gun$aml crewji ceived additions I Kan the number .Ai We, however, are but twoHI^ satisfied, dioasly underrated tlie number of his ^.at, after his challenge, he must have re- i|)Qth. That the Shannon had more guns iMed by hci commander, we learn from the testimony of the surviving officers of the Chesapeake; who also assert, that she had three hundred and seventy-six men; that she had. an officer and sixteen men from the Belle Poule; and that the hats ^f s^mc of her seamen were marked * Tene- dos.* Such as it was, however, this letter, most unfortunately, never reached captain Lawrence. If he had received it; if he had been thus warned to prepare his ship; if he had had an opportunity of selecting his officers, and disciplining his crew; if, in short, he had been able to place the Chesapeake on any t hitig like equal terms with the Shannon, the combat might have been more bloody — there might have been such an en- gagement as has not yet been seen between single ships on the ocean; though we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt the result of it. But he knew nothing of this challenge— he saw only the Shannon riding before him in defiance; he remembeied the spirit with which he himself overawed a superior; and he could not brook for a moment, that an enemy, which seemed to be his equal should insult his flag. Although, therefore, the Chesapeake was comparatively an inferior ship — although^ his first lieutenant was sick on shore — although three of his lieu- tenants had recently left her; and of the four who remained, two .. were only midshipmen, acting as lieutenants— although p^t of his crew were new hands, and all of them bad lost lott^e ot their discipline by staying in port-TP|fit,ashe would have gone to sea in thai situation had no ene^uy appeared, he felt himself bound not to dels^y Bailing on that acccn^t, and throwing him- self, therefore, on his courage and hi8%tune, he determined at once to attack the enemy. It \vas*on tiie morning of the 1 st ot June, 1813, that theChesapeak^^d»utof the harbour ot Boston to ntlet die Shaimon. As al M pihe got under weigh, cautain Lawrence called the crew t^HMjif^ having hoisted the while flag, wit^ the mottoof ' f^MK^d sailors' rights,' made a short address. His speech hi^PR was received with no enthusiasm— on the contrary signs of dissatisfaction were evidem> particularly from a boatswain's' mate, a Portuguese, who seem€«l to be at the head of the malecontents; and '_Uvi --r.-.;. -s,i.*^£j.*»jj_ ♦•Kat tKfi» Kad luit vcl received ~ their prize-money. SuclT expressions, at the eve of an action, Aveto but ill-bodings of the result of it; but captain Lawrence, pnorant as he was of the characters of his sailors, and unwilling H19TQRY Of THK WAR. S9 t ,nrh a m'ortent to damp their spirits by hMr»hnc*j|^servca hi the Durser to those who had not receivea uicm. ^vhi.st J» cr^ne was passinK, the Shannon, observing the Chesapeake this ?^«"«,J** P^L'T^' The Chesapeake followed her till W^ciockin^ear^^^^^^^^ --^ ^-^^ lun on which the Shannon hove too. They tnanceuvered for Lme t"me, till, at about a quarter before six, they approached Sin pistol shot and exchanged broadsides. "Thest-broadsideswere both bloody; but the fire of the Shannon was most fortunate in the destruction of oihcers. The fouX lieutenant, Mr. Ballard, was mortally wounded-^he laUing-masterwas killed, and captain Lawrence rece^d am^- keSlHn his leg, which caused great ^^^^-^-fj^^^^t in? but he leaned on the companion way, and continued to o der and to animate his crew. A second, and a third broadside was exchanged, with evident advantage on the pait of the Chesapeake; but unfortunately, among those now wounded on carried below— three men were successively shot *io"» the helm, in about twelve minutes from the commencement ol the actio; and, as the hands were shifting, a shot f -^:^^;^:^^^^^^ sail, 80 that she would no longer ^"f^^^.^?^' ^^^#^ *^;^ J ; chor OftUght in on« of the after ports of the S%nan, whfca en^ed tL latter to rake her upp^r deck. As socu.^ L: w^ rence perceived that she was falling to leeWard,and that by the Shannon's filling she would fall on board, he called \m boaid- ers^d was givhig orders about the foresail when he received a musLTbalTin his body. The bugleman, who should have called the boarders, did not do his duty; and at this motnent commodore Broke, whose ship had suftered so much that he was preparing to repel boarding, perceiving trom tins acci- dent how the deck of the Chesapeake was swept, jumped on board with about twenty men. They would have been mstant- Iv repelled; but the captain, the first lieuteB^n|,i the stining master, the boatswain, the lieutenant of marinff, th^ oi, ly aeung lieutenant on the spar-deck, were all killed or di.ab ed. At the call of the boarders, lieutenant (^o% ran ondeck, but just in time to receive his falling commander, and bear him below.— Lieutenant Budd, the second lieutenant, led up the boarders, but only fifteen or twenty would foUow him, and with these he xlefended the ship till he was wounded anoarding, warrant completely the opinion, that, but tor the accidental loss of officers, the vigtory would have been with I the Chesapeake."* -i^j r..^tY» The brig Argus, commanded by^lieutenant Allen, sailed from New York about the middle of May, having on boara Mr. Crawford, our minister for France. She arrived ul L Orient on the 12th of June, and shortly after sailed on a cnuze. On the 14th of August, being then in St. George s channel where she had made a number of captures, she was discovered by the Pelican sloop of war, which had been despatched m • Fort Folio. HlSTOftY OF IHE WAR 65 --" or he.; As soon -„-^;f,^,f ^ll^^^^^^^ '''"Tv:^^t^ mtiu^, when ^ -ti™ confmenced, which ^"' Lnt UD wUWprU on both sides for three quarters of an was kept"P*" .*P", .„,„ heino- mortally wounded, and •^""'i- trTv' Sr" led a^d wTuld^d on bUd the Argus, ritruc? ht Tag On board th. Pelican there were only two killed and five wounded. action has not been re - As the American account of thtsactm^^ ^^ ceived, owing probably '" **',*,,f *'" °„ '^e are not able to state *'"= !f"fhe Sir" Th:" '^thrPdic:: was much superior X^Xr^r: therejs m;^ ..om to .;U>ub. Jhe is^axed ,, two g«ns "n^re than ^^ A g"s ^d }t .s^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^._ paper, that in the year 17» , sic circumstance 'gate,, after an action of two hou'». The e i ^^^ ^^ mentioned in a Cork paper, 'oo, yvm^ i H "iew in the official account, and which, ^""^;*»^,"^;*"X ^, [he honour of the v-t-y^rCorrp pe^'htm^^^^^^ ship the acuon closea, 'says the "fO "i Pape>. Jj g^,^,^ \S:^^S^^^^>^^Z^k^ foTct wh-e^a '"A'C'drvs^aft^te'aciion, lieutenant Allen died of lii* ^ \„,H^ls buried at Plymouth with the honours of war. Tre'^ous trLr"cire: the Argus had taken 19 vessels, most of them in St. George's Chan»eh ^^ In recording the ^ "f ''^^^'^^^^^^^^^^ command- •■^ '\IT h^U »w tirrcord a^event, atfhe remembrance 7JI, tea" Tour loss mingle with exultations for our success. t 4u^ TTmtM States' briK Enter- on the fi^^t °« t^ ^";^::;,,*',^imamBur™^^^^ sailed from c^:uT:ntt«nirm.^^^^^ rlt^LrcU^w^lsii^di^elj^.^^^^^^ S^'Sr"^e:=:;e^nglnd'reconnoitering (or i |1 .ISf"*''^^ I 64 HISTORY OF THE WAR. some time, for the purpose of discovering the force of the ene- my, Bun-ovs, about three m the afternoon, shortened sail, tack- ed and ran down, with the intention of bringing her to close action. At 30 minutes after three the Bring commenced from both vessels, within half pistol shot. The action continued for about a fjuarter of an hour, when the Enterprize ranged ahead of the enemy, rounded too, and raked her. Shortly after the main-top-mast and top-sail yard of the enemy cairie down. The foresail of the Enterprize was then set, and she took a position on the starboard bow of the enemy, and continued to rake her, until, about 40 minutes after the commencement of the action, the enemy ceased firing, and cried for quarters; their colii^s being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down, ^p^' The ^ze proved to be the British brig Boxer, of 14 guns. The number of her crew could not be ascertained, but 64 pri- soners were taken, including 17 wounded. Captain Hull, in a letter to cdtaimodcre Bainbridge, describing the state of the Boxer when brought into port, says that there was every rea- son to believe that there were 100 men on board. On board the Enteiprize there was only one killed and thirteen wound- ed, two of whom died of their wounds. Lieutenant Burrows f 11 in the commencement of the action; he, h^j^ver, refused to be carried below, but, raising his head, requested that the flag might never be struck. When the sword of the vanquished enemy was presented to the dying conqueror, be clasped his hands and said, " I am satisfied; 1 die contented;" and then, and not till then, would he consent to be carried below, where every attention was paid to save his life, but in vain. A few hours after the victory he breathed his last.: — Captain Blythe, the commander of the Boxer, also fell in the commencement of the action, liaving received a cannon shot through the body. His remains, in company with those of Burrows, were brought to Portland, where the two commanders were interred, side by side, with military honours. The Boxer was so much damaged in her sails, rigging, spat's, hull, &c. as to render it difficult to carry her into port. The Enterprize received but trifling inj.ury. On an examina- tion of the prize, she was adjudged wholly to be the captors, agreeably to law, as a vessel of superior force. On the 23d of April, the President frigate, commanded by commodore Rodgeis sailed from Boston. On the 30th he took his departure from Fresidem roads, in company wiiii the v;oh- gress commanded by captain Smith. On the 3d of May, while in cUjfttte of a British brig of \^ ar» near the shoal of George's Bank, tl I from thei ed, whe^ gate, an< Bank the of the so when th [latter be rican m< his cour enemy's Grand 1 cept Ar sued a West Ii iRg any of 38 d< off whi( June, \ falling informi convoy crowd* ing in tween Beii Rodgc with \ nel, b] pass r ment, vessel nothii licenc bving previ ingly June bein| at th inhal ter, then ing \ wov^ HISTORY OF THE WA^. 65 «rt gaU, and a merchant brig. ^H" gew S direction ! lank they continued along «»^{f»°™ the 8th of May, ofthe southern e<^S^°f \''' 'f "1!„ *"*" ,h the CongreM, the i «hen the President Pf«^^^°™P;"i,Uh proved to be an Ame- Mter being in chase «« ^J^^^'^^^^^^^^a^y, Rodgers shaped ' rican merchantman. ^Rer parting y ? ^^ intercept the his course, as near »';;^*r".Voa"sing to the southward ofthe enemy's West India <=°™™*Xttu anv ?hinK in this direction ex- Grand Bank. Not ™««"JS «>th any thing 1 ^^ ^^^^ cept American vessels ^""'J^'"'"^ »^°„,s the traek* of the sued a route to the northward, ^o as to cro ^^^_ Vest India, H^H^?^'' «"!\"' eTer rftefi^achSig the latitude ing any thing in this route, ho«e'"> »'" "to^^ard! the Azores, of^8 degrees N., he 'W*'*^ *° *\\^<^u*°ed until the 6th of off which, in different '^'^.^X ;^em,Trssel. At th«. time, June, without meetmg a »'ng'f'S5 '„ Cadiz, and receiving falling in «i* an American ship bou^^^^^^ a„ enemy's information that »l>e had, four days betore^^ InglMid, Rodger* convoy from 'he West Ind.*s, ^,J^^ 'i^drsa?poi»wd '» T' crowded sail to the N. E-' »"°'. *w"^^^^^ four captui'es be- ing in with the convoy, f .^"^eless maae r j,. tweentheSthandjathor June '^ J H„ae 28» W., Being now in the I'tlt^^f^V^ded a prospect.of falling i? Rodgers shaped a course that ««°™f"'-/st. George's Chan- , witlTvessels bound to Newf^ndlandjrem^f ;t\;J,?hat nel, by the way of Cape Clear, a»« . ^^ Ms astoniahe pass north about to ''«.»°'''^,r'i did^ot meel with a single ment, however, in all h.s route, ^e did not ^^ vessel, until he "^de the Sheetland Wands, ^^^^^ ^^^ .H>thing but Dan sh vessels, rading to Mg^^^^^^^ and water licences. A considerable P"'-^"" «» '^*^„' to repl-msji these, b«ing now expended, ,t became °ec*ssar,Jo^^ ^ext- .ccord- prevtous to determming what course to pu_ ^^^,i, ingly, for this purpose, ihey put "to Noitn ^ y ^ ^ June but were not abe to obtain any thing j j,„,„ ^na being at. unusual scarcity of bread in evej pa ^^^ ^^ .t the time not more in Bergen than a baies.^^..^ inhabitants for four or five w«ks. AUer r^p^ .^j^- ^^^ ^^^ ter, Rodgers stretched over ^°^"°^ ^^ ^^r^od of intercei*- thence towards the -North tape, foir the pur-^.^^^ .^ ^^ ^^.^ ing a convoy of tw«nty-hy»^^;'"^\^.,;yj„,„ under the^pro- wottld leave Archangel about the middle ouu y, ^, ,1 J^ ' 66 wii ^ AISTORT OF THE "irAJi. tection of two brigs or two sloops of war. In this object, how «ver, he was disappointed by a line of battle ship and frigafe making their appearance off the North Cape on iHe i 9th of ju ly, just as he was in momentary expectation of meeting th( convoy. On discovering the ships of war, Rodgers stood t»l wards them to ascertain their character, when he hauled by t* wind on the opposite tack to avoid them; but, owing to fai variable winds, calms, and entire day-light, the sun in that la tude, at that season, appearing at midnight several degrees above the horizon, they were enabled to continue the chase ap. # wards of eighty hours; during which time, owing to the differ- ent changes of the wind, they were brought quite as near as ^as desirable. Disappointed in meting with the convoy, Rodgers noW steer- ed to gain the direction of the trade passing out of and into the! Irish channel. In this position, between the 25th of July and 2d of August, he made three captures, when finding that tht enemy ^d a superior force in that vicinity, he made a circuil round Ireland, and then steered for the banks of Newfoundland, near which he made two more captm^es, and by the latter one learned that a 74 and a frigate were on the ©astern part of the bank only a few miles to the we^ward;, he, however, did not fall in with them. * x On the 23d of September, to the southward of Nantucfc«t Shealsi Rodgers fell in with and captured in a very singular manner, the British schooner Highflyer, tender to admiral Warren. On approaching the schooner she hoisted a private signal, which was answered by the President, by a signal which fortunately proved to be the British one for that day, on seeing wi»eh the Higliflyer immediately bore up, and was boarded by one of the officers of the President in a British uniform. By this stratagem con modore Rodgers gained possession of the British private signals, and adr: iral Warren's instructions by which was discovered the number of British squadrons on the Ameri* can eoast, with their force and relative positions. He was thus enat>J||d to avoid Ui jiay and on the 26th of September arrived *«afe]|^ at Newport, 7^ hode-Island. During the crul i the President captured twelve British vessels, three of whiCi ^vare ransomed and dispatched to Eng- land as cartels, with V ' prisoners on parole. The British go- vernment,, however, retused to sanction the terms of exchange entered into and signed by their officers, assigning as *he rea- son, uijjt " such transactions arc luCOuaistcnt wi»,n>nv csiuuiinj:^ ed understanding between the two countries.*' The President,' on her arrival, had fifty-five prisoners oji boaxd. ii l i itt gi-i i ik Ba HISTORY OF THE WAU'. 67 he President, The Congress, after parting with the President, continued r cruise until the 1 2th of December, when she arrived at Portsmouth, N. H. She captured two British brigs often guns ach, one of which was destroyed, and the other after being lismantled, was given up to the prisoners, who were discharg- d on parole, and furnished with provisions, 8cc. sufficient to ^arry them to the West Indies. She likewise captured a fin- ish ship laden with wine and potatoes, which was destroyed fter the greater part of her cargo was taken out. Af er parting with the President, the Congress ran to the ^ iOuChward; and crossing the equator, put into Seara, on the Jrazil coast. After watering, she beat against a strong wind ind current, up to Fernando de Noronha, where she agam wa- ered; and then proceeded to the eastward, in hopes to HU m ithsome Indiamen. She cruised as far as 18° W. fi-om 6° ,. to <>°'N. under easy sail, made the island of St. Paul^but ^ntil her return to Fernando de Noronha, which "vmm^mvly 'hree months, never saw a vessel. She then returne(«||^ra^ ^vhere she took in a quantity of cassada, jerked oeef, m. ant •an under two reefed topsails to latitude 44° N., passmg near Halifax, where she captured a brig, who informed them of Bos^ Ion being blockaded by a superior force. She accordingly maae lor Portsmouth, where she arrived, with her crew, 410 men,iii perfect health, having lost but four on the cruise. When the Ln commenced on the jerked beef and cassada, it did not ligree with them, and about fifty were sick— but they soon re- bovered. The Congress was in perfect order and wanted no f epairs. She had on board about thirty prisoners on her arrival. The Essex frigate sailed from the capes of the Delaware #n Ihe 25th of October, 1812, on a cruise to the Pacific ocea*. Letters, however, dated July 2, 1813, were received at the liavy department about the middle of December followmg, Irom her commander, captain Porter, at which time he Ivas cruizing off the western coast of South America, w:th I Heet of nine armed vessels under his command, eight of khich were British letters of marque, which he had cap- ^ If red and fitted out. The first of these vessels which was ship of two guns and twenty-one men, was captured on Ihe 29th of April. Two others were then in sight close logether, about seven miles distant from the Essex; the one fnoui>ting ten guns, six and nine pounders; the other sijd, Jighteen pounders, four ^ivels, and six long blunderbusses, ■iisuG^-do" ?«?ivfils. Th«i wind being lieht and variable, and "oiifidYng greatly in the bravery and eaterpriae of his officers m\ men, and apprehensive of their escape, from the prevalence in 68 HISTORY Ot THE WAR. of fogs in that climate, Porter directed the boats of the Essex , to be armed and manned, and divided into two divisions. Suit-I alile signals were established, and each boat had her particula? station pointed out for the attack, and every other previous ar' rangement was made to pi^jvent confusion. The boats, seven in number, rowed off in '\dmirable order. Guns were fired from the enemy to terrify them; they rowed up, however, undismayed, under the muzzles of their guns, and took their stations for attacking the first ship, and no sooner was the American flag displayed, as the signal for boarduig, and the intention discovered by the enemy, than, their colours were struck without a shot being fired. They then left a crew oft board the prize, and took their stations for attacking the othe/vessel, when her flag was also struck, ^on the first call tol surrender. Thus were two fine British ships, each piercedl for twenty guns, worth near half a million of dollars, mounting bet#«en them sixteen guns, and manned with 55 men, welll suppSi with ammunition and small arms, surrendered withouti tlie slightest resistance, to seven small open boats, with fifty men, armed only with muskets, pistols, boarding axes, and cut- lasses, r I On the 26th of March, previous to the capture of any of the letters of marque. Porter Tell in with the Peruvian corsair ship Nereyda, mounting fifteen guns, which had, a few days bef fore captured two American whale ships, the crews of which, amounting in number to 34 men, were then detained prison- ers on hoard. As they could assign no other motive for thcl capture than that they were the allies of Grdat Britain, and, as such, should capture all American vessels they could fall io with. Porter, to prevent in future such vexatious proceeding,! threw all her armament into the sea, liberated the Amencans,| and dismissed the Nereyda. He then proceeded with all pos- sible despatch for Lima, to intercept one of the detained ves- selsj which had parted company with the Nereyda only threel days before, and was so fortunate as to arrive there, and ice-f capture her on the 5th of April, at the moment she was enter- ing the port. , Captain Porter described his crew as enjoying rem^kablf good health and spirits, no symptoms of scurvy having ap- peared, although they had been at sea for eight months, with the exception of 23 days. The Essex was in prime order, with abundant supplies, and two of her consorts were fitted oirt| with 20 guns each, and well manned, tie mentioned tiiai British letters of marque were numerous in those seas, and thati the American whalers had derived much benefit from his crui^M HISTORY OF THE WAR. 69 The bravery and enterprize of American seamen have not been less conspicuous on board of our privateers than in our national vessels. We shall here present an account of a few of the most conspicuous actions that have taken place. In no one action fought during the present war, has there been more courage and gallantry displayed than in the atiack made by the privateer Rolla on the British ship Rio Neuva.— The Rolla originally carried four twelve pound carronades in her waist, and one double fortified twelve mounted on a pivot. In a gale of wind off Madeira, the 4 twelve pounders were obliged to be thrown overboard, and only one gun remained; with this, however, on the 14th of December, 1812, the Rolla attacked the Rio Neuva, mounting 18 guns and 30 men, and took her after an action of twenty-five minutes. During the action, the men on board the Rolla, animated by the courage and conduct of captain Dooley and his officers, evinced a fixed determination to take the enemy or perish. When the ship struck, the Rolla had ranged up within pistol shot, and wan preparing to board. . n., « i The privateer schooner Comet, captain Thomas boyle, sailed from Cape Henry, on the 25th of November, 1812, on a cruize to the coast of South America. On the 12th of Decem- ber, at one in the afternoon, she discovered four sail standm- out of Pernambuco, and lay by to give them an opportunity ol netting off shore, in order to cut them off. At three, they be- inff then about six leagues from the land, she bore up and made all sail in chase^of them; and at six having discovered one of them to be a verv large man of war brig, all hands were called to quarters, the' guns loaded with round and grape shot, the deck cleared, and all got ready for action. At seven, beiiii- then close to the chase, the Comet hoisted her colours, and sheered i»p to the man of war, which had hoisted Portuguese colours. The Portuguese then sent his boat on board the Co- met, the officer of which informed captain Boyle, that the brio- was a Portuguese national vessel, mounting twenty thirty-two pounders, and 165 men, and that the three others were English vessels under his protection, which he would not suffer to be molested; he also mentioned that the English vessel'^ were armed and very strong. Boyle having shown him his com- niission, answered, that the brig had no right to protect r.nghsh vessels on the high seas, and that he was determined to^cap- ture those vessels if he could; that he should be sorry n any thing disagreeable took place, but if it did he would no\ ■ c the aggressor! but that he should certainly resist any aitejnpt to prevent his capturhig the vessels. The officer havuiti now re- G " .;^'- :!.:.:.U^ tllll.lljl ' I m in 1 "i !<. UlSTOUY OF THE WAR. turned on board the brig, Boyle hailed her, and distinctly stated his intention of immediately attacking the convoy, wluch con- sisted of a ship of 14 guns, and two brigs of 10 guns each, the whole force, including the Port uguese, being 54 guns Boyle iccv-iwih^ly made all sail for the English vessels, which were close together, and about half past eight, the moon shining clear, he hailed the ship, ordering them to back the main-top-sails. Little or no answer being given, Boyle, having quick way at the time, shot a little ahead, saying that he should be along side again in a few minutes, when, if his orders were not obeyed, a broadside would be poured into him. After a few minutes he tacked, the man of war close after him. He then ran alongside the ship, one of the brigs being cHose to her, and opened his broadside upon them both, all the vessels at this time carrying a croM'd of canvass. From his superior sailinp- Boyle was frequently obliged to tack, by which he would have received considerable advantage, had he not beon closely fol- lowed by the man of war, which now opentd a heavy fire upon him; which was returned by the Comet. Having now the whole force to contend with, Boyle kept as close as possible to the English vessels, which frequently separated to give the man of war aii opportunity of giving a broadside. The Comet continued the action, sometimes pouri.ig her broadsides into the merchantmen, at others into the man of war, until eleven o*clock, when the ship surrendered, being all cut to pieces, and rendered unmanageable, and directly after one of the brigs, which was also very much disabled. A boat was now despatch - ed to take possession of the brig, but it was forced to retu i, being prevented from passing by the fire of the man of war; one of whose broadsides almost succeeded in sinking it. The Comet now directed the whole of her fire at the ^Portuguese, who soon sheered off, and was followed for a short distance by the Comet, which then returned, and made the third merchant- man surrender, she also being cut to pieces. Boyle now took possession of the Bowes, the brig that had first surrendered. He also spoko the ship, and ordered the captain to follow him, who answered that his ship was in a sinking condition, having many shot holes between wind and water, and not a rope but what was cut away; but that he would, if possible, follow his orders for his own safety. As soon as the B» wes was taken possession of, she received a pass- ing broadside from the Portuguese. The moon having now set, it became very dark and squally, and the Comet was sepa- rated from all the vessels except the man of war, with whom iur half an hour longer she continued occasionally to exchange HISTORY OK THE^WAR. TV broadsides. At day-light, however, the vessels beir.g found to be stil in the neighbourhood, the Comt wore ck se to her nrize The man of war then stood down for them; on per- re vine which, Boyle immediately hove abom, and stood for him when he also tacked, and made signals for the convoy to make the first port. The two merchantmen accordmgly put SLfore the wind, accompanied by the Portuguese, by whose as- sistance and their own exertions, they succeeded with the ut- most difficulty in regaining the harbour of Pernambuco, leav- inc the Bowes in possession of the Comet. On the nth of March 1813, the General Armstrong, a pri- vateer schooner, while cruizing off the mouth of Surinam river, disco /ered a sail, which was supposed to be a British eltei' of marque, and immediately bore down on her, with the ntention of giving her two brordsides and then boarding. Al- ter giving her one broadside, and wearing and giving another, their iurprise they found they were alongside ot a frigate, nierced for 14 guns on the main deck, 6 on the quarter-deck, ^id 4 on the forecastle. The wind being light, the privateer lay for about ten minutes like a log in the water. During that ime however, they shot away the frigate's tore-top-sail tie, his mizen eaff haulyards, which brought his colours down, and his mizen and main stay, when thinking si e had struck, they ceased firing; but b Ing soon undeceived they recommenced the action. The fri ate lay for a few mu.ates apparently un- manageable, but soo. g. cting way, opened such a heavy fire is would soon have sunk the schooner, had she not succeeded in making her escape by tlie assistance ot her sweeps. In this actbn, which continued for 45 minutes, the privateer had six men killed and 16 wounded. All the haulyards of her head sails were shot away, the foremast and bowsprit one quarter cut throuRh, all the fore and main srrouds but one cut away, both mainstays and running rigging cut to pieces, a great num- ber oi shot through the sails, and several between wind and water, which caused the vessel to leak, and a number m the hull. While they were getting away from the fn gate, she 4cept up a well directed fire for the foremast and gaff ot the schooner, bu^ without effect. On the 5th of August 1813, the privateer Decatur, being on a cruize, discovered a ship and a schooner, the first of which proved to be tl e British packet Prmcess Charlotte, the othei JhP British vessel of war, the Dominica, bhe immediately stood towards them, and soon found herseli abreu:*t oi uio schooner. Both vessels continued to manouuvre ft ' two or ee hours, the Dominica endeavoursng to escape, and the 72 HISTORY OF THE WAR. ! i ■ i= Decatur lo board, during which time several broadsides were fired by the former, and a number of shot from the large gun of the latter. The Decatur at last succeeded in boarding the Dominica, a number of men passing into her stern from the bowsprit. The fire from the artillery and musquetry was now terrible, being well supported on both sides. The Dominica, however, not being able to disengage herself, dropped along side of the Decatur, and in this position was boarded by her yhole crew. Fire arms now became useless, the crews fight- ing hand to hand with cutlasses, and throwing cold shot; when, the captain and principal officers of the Dominica being kill- ed, and her deck covered with dead and wounded, the British colours were hauled down by the conquerors. During the combat, which lasted an hour, the Princess Charlotte remained a silent spectator of the scene, and as soon as it was over, she tacked about and stood to the southward. She had sailed from St. Thomas, bound to England, under convoy, to a certain latitude, of the Dominica. The Decatur was armed with. 6 twelve pound carronades, and one eighteen pounder on a pivot, Avith 103 men. Her loss in the action was three killed and sixteen wounded, one of whom afterwards died. The Dominica had 12 twelve pound carron- ades, two long sixes, one brass four pounder, and one thirty- two pound carronade on a pivot, with 83 men. She had 13 killed, and 47 wounded, five of whom afterwards died of their wounds. Perhaps this engagement has been the most bloody, and the loss in killed and wounded on the part of the enemy, in proportion to the number engaged, perhaps the greatest, of any action to be found in the records of naval warfare. The surviving officers of the Dominica attribute the loss of their vessel to the superior skill of the Decatur's crew in the use of musquetry, and the masterly manoeuvering of that vessel,, by which their carriage guns were rendered nearly useless. — The captain was a young man of not more than 25 years of age; he had been wounded early in the action by two musket balls in the left arm, but he fought till the last moment, refus- ing to surrender his vessel, although he was urged by the few survivors of his crew to do so; declaring his determination not to survive her loss. The Decatur arrived at Charleston on the 20th of August with her prize. The svirviving officers of the Dominica spoke in the highest terms of approbation of tb.e hiimanitv and atten- tion displayed towards them by the officers and crew of the Decfttur. 7'owards the beginning of January general Tupper having" HISTORY OF THE WAR. t i> crew of the in a manner paved the way by his expeditions, general Win- fhes^? proceeded down the Miami from Fort Defiance to the Rapids, with the force under his command. On his arrival there, 1 e was strongly urged by the inhabitant* o 1 renchtown, on he viver Raisin,^o protect them from the violence and out- race of the horde of savages by whom they were surrounded, !,nd to whose brutalities they were daily exposed YiekUng to the call of humanity, Winchester, on the 17th of January, by t e unammous advice of his officers, but, it appears, without consuhing general Harrison, detached a body of about 750 men, under eeneral Lewis to their relief. On the following day, when within three nu es of trench- town, information was received that a body o.t British and In- Tns were encamped at that place, and that they had received notice of their approach. The troops were accordmgly arraiig. ed and directed to prepare for action, and then proceeded with- in a quarter of a mile of the enemy, who immediately com- nicnced a fire with a howitzer, from which, Ijowever, no inju- ry was received. The line of battle being instantly forined, the whole detachment was ordered to advance across the river on the ice: in which they succeeded, though it was m many pLes extl-emely slippery. The left wing and centre we i-e hen ordered to possess themselves of the houses and incket- ing about which the enemy had collected, and where tliey had placed their cannon. This order was executed m a few min- utes. Both battalions advanced amidst-an incessant shower ot bullets and succeeded in dislodging the enemy, neither the picketing nor the fencing over which they had to pass check- ing: their progress. . i 1 1^ j-.. The right wing fell in with the enemy at a considerable dis- tance to the right, and pursued them a mile to the woods, where they made a s^and with their howitzer and small arms, covered by a chain of enclosed lots and a group of houses, with - a thick brushy wood full of fallen timber in their rear. Xewis now ordered the left and centre to possess themselves of the wood on the left, and to move up towards the main body ol the enemy as fast as practicable, in order to divert their attention from the right. At the moment that the left and centre com- menced their fire, the right advanced, and the enemy being soon driven from the fejices and houses, both parties entered the wood together. The fight now bccuuie CiOse ana ex^ tremoly hot on the right wing, the enemy concentratmg their forces on that side, in order to force the line. 1 hey were, however, still obUged to retreat, although siov.ly, the Ameri- cans being much fatigued, and were driven m the whole, not 74 HISTORY OF THB WAR. 'J'" I *i less than two miles, every foot of the way under a continual charge. The battle lasted from three in the aftemo m till dark, when the detachment was drawn off in good order, and encamped at the place which the enemy had first occupied. The force of the enemy hi this affair has never been exactly ascertained; but from the best information, there were 80 to 100 British and 400 Indians. The number of their killed and ivounded is likewise unknown, as they were enabled to carry off all but those left on the field where the battle rommenced, which was about fifteen; but fro, ^^ the Llood- the trails of bodies dragged off, and the reports of the people who lived near the place, the slaughter must have been great. One Indian and two of the Canadian militia were taken prisoners. A quantity of public stores was also taken. The loss of thfc Americans was twelve killed and fifty-five wounded. On the 20th, general Winchester joined ^the detachment;, with a reinforcement of 250 men. Meanwhile colonel Proctor, who commanded at D«troit, hearing of the approach of the Americans, advanced, to meet them with a body of 1 500 Indians and Briti'sh, 300 of whora were regulars. On the night of the 21st he discovered the American detachment, and early next morning commenced an attack on their lines. The attack commenced at 6 in the morn- ing, by a heavy fire of musquetry, assisted by six field pieces. The main body of the Americans were stationed within pick- ets on the left; a smaller force unprotected occupied the right, who gallantly sustained the shock for a quarter of an hour, when they began to give ground for the purpose of forming in a situation mftre favourable for their fire, and less exposed to that of th« enemy. At this moment Winchester arrived at the place oljp^nflict, his quarters having been at the distance of three or four hundred yards from the camp, and his attention was immediately directed to rally the retreating party. This retreat, however, being discovered by the enemy, the whole Indian force, together with a portion of the militia, bore down upon them with redoubled violence, and by the superiority of their numbers, and the severity of their fire, prevented their forming. After a short conflict, in which they suffered severe- ly, all that survived, were made prisoners. The left who were stationed within the pickets, maintained their ground for several hours, and repulsed the British regu- lars, in three successive charges, with great slaughter. About 1 1 o'clock, however, Winchester was broui^ht in as a prisoner to this part of the field, and perceiving that resistance was in mSTOllY OF THE WAR. 75 a continual dark, when ncamped at een exactly re 80 to 100 killed and ed to carry ommenced, lis of bodies ed near the Indian and A quantity Americans Ictachment;, at D«troit, :ed,to meet ►0 of whom covered the nmenced an n the morn- ieid pieces, rithin pick- d the right, )f an hour, forming in exposed to rived at the distance of is attention arty. This , the whole bore down periority of ented their red severe- maintained •itish regu- er. About i a prisoner nee was in yain, and influenced by the threat of their being abandoned to savage fury unless they instantly surrendered, he acceded to a capitulation, and sent a flag to the pickets to inform them they vere prisoners. General Harrison was at Lower Sandusky, when he received the intelligence of Lewis having advanced to the river Raisin, and fearing that he might be overpowered, he immediately set out for the Rapids, which he found that Winchester had just left with the reinforcement. When the news of Winchester's disaster reached Harrison, he was about three miles above the Rapids, with 360^men. He immediately ©rdered them to pre- pare to march, and set out with his staff to overtake a detach- ment of 300 men that had set out that morning for the river Raisin. He soon overtook them; but before the troops that he had left came up, it was ascertained that the defeat was com- plete, and it was the unanimous opinion of the officers that the detachment should return. A hundred and seventy of the most active men, however, were sent forward with directions to proceed as far as possible to assist those who were fortunate enough to escape. These, however, were but few; the snow was so deep that the fugitives were entirely exhausted in run- ning a few miles, those that did get off effected it by turning down to the lake, and secreting themselves. There were not more than 40 or 50 that got a mile from the scene of action, and the greater part of these were overtaken. Though the resistance on the part of the Americans was put an end to^by the capitulation concluded by Winchester, we regret to say, that the most tragical events of this disastrous day are still to be recorded, events which affix an irdelible stain on the arms of the British. Aftefr the battle the British returned to Maiden with their prisoners, except about 50 or 60 wounded, who were not able to march. A few of the Indians remained behind, who, being joined next morning by about 50 more from Maiden, immediately commenced a massacre of the wounded Americans, and afterwards set fire to the houses in which they had been left, and consumed their remains. The same day the Indians massacred a number of their prisoi)ers, who had not been wounded, whose remains they would not suf- fer to be interred, but left them above ground, where they were torn to pieces and devoured by hogs. These horrid outrages are but too well substantiated, not only by the inhabitants of Frenchtown, but by some of the oflicers who had the good for- tune to escape, by being purchased from the savages. Great indignities were likewise inflicted on a surgeon and his two companions, who, but a few days after th€ battle, had been des- 76 HISTORY OF THE WAR. patched by Harrison with a flag of truce, to attend to the wounded. One of them was killed by the Indians, and the others robbed of the money with which they had been entrust- ed by the general, for the relief of the most pressing wants of the wounded. After suffering many indignities, not only from the Indians but from the British, under the flimsy pretext of their using the flag only as a cover,* they were at length set at liberty at Montreal, whither they had been carried and im- prisoned. On the 23d of January, the day after the surrender of Win- chester, Harrison retreated to Carrying river, about midway between Sandusky and the Miami. In the following month he again advanced to the Rapids, where he constructed a fort, which in honour of the governor of Ohio, was named Fort Meigs. This fort contains about nine acres of ground, nearly in an octagon form. At each corner is a strong block-house, ] with cannon planted so as to rake each line, and command every I elevated point near the fort. Between the block-houses are strong picketings fifteen feet in height, against which a breast- work of clay was thrown up on both sides, and in addition to this, several long batteries were erected, which were well sup- plied with cannon. The term of service of a large portion of the militia in Har- rison's army having expired, 1200 men were called out by the governor of Kentucky, and despatched under general Green Clay to supply their place. They left Cincinnati, their place of rendezvous, in the beginning of April, and arrived near Fort Meigs on the 4th of May, which they learnt was beseig- ed by a large forc^ of British and Indians, under general Proc- . tor. ■ - ■ . >,-:::■':; Proctor had set out for Fort Meigs with 1000 British and 1 200 Indians, about the middle of April, with the expectation of capturing it before the arrival of Harrison's reinforcements and supplies; but owing to incessant and heavy rains, he was not able to open his batteries before the first of May. A brisk firing was kept up on both sides until the fifth, when a small party of general Clay's detachment arrived, with information * General Harrison in his official dis/iatch^ states, that the surgeon was furnished with a letter addressed to any British officer he might meet, describing the character in which he went, and the object for %vhich he was sent, an open letter to general 11Ti„^t,^t,tjav nvkil tinrltfoti inof*'i/rtinnj» tn himkrlf^ all. fif iiihirh he rr srst rrt 35 I. r J ti-r-.r •.-.---'■ — i," -" "i." — was directed to shoiv to the first officer he met with. HISTORY OF THE W^R. 77 ut the rest being close at hand. Orders were inimediately dispatched to Clay, to proceed down the river in his boats, to land 800 men on the left bank of the river, who should imme- diately attack the enemy's batteries j and spike their cannotj, and the remaliider on the right bank, who would be aided by a sortie of the garrison. The plan w^aa successfully executed, the cannon were spiked, but unfortunately, instead of returning across the river to the fort, they pursued the flying enemy to the woods where they were surrounded, and the greatest por- tion taken prisoners. A great part of the baggage was also taken in the boats by the Indians. Notwithstanding the unfortunate issue of this affair, how- ever. Fort Meigs was relieved. Proctor, being deserted by the Indians, whom their chiefs could not prevent returning to their villages, as is their custom after any battle of consequence, with tUeir prisoners and plunder, made a precipitate retreat or* the 9th of May, having previously secured their ordnance on board a sloop. No event of consequence took place on the New York fron- tier during the winter. The opposing armies being divided by a barrier of ice, not sufficiently strong to allow of the trans- portation of artillery, peace was only disturbed by a few petty incursions, which each party justified by the plea of retaliation. On the 6th of February, captain Forsythe, the commanding officer at Ogdensburg, on the St. Lawrence, received info -na- tion that several men who had deserted from the oppe- :tv shore, on the ice, had been taken on the American side b^ „ party of British, and carried off and confined in the jail at Brockville. In consequence of this instrusion, as it was deemed, Forsythe the same evening crossed over with about 200 militia and rifle- men, for the purpose of retaking the prisoners, and capturing the military stores at Brockville. On approaching the Canada shore, a flanking company was detached above, and another below the town, to secure all the passes, to prevent informa- tion being communicated to the country. Before the main force reached the shore they were fired at by the centinels, but, instead of returning it, they rushed through the main street to the jail, which was instantly carried, the prisoners liberat- ed, and then the magazine was secured. The troops in the town were completely surprised. One major, three captains, throe lieutenants, one surgeon's mate, and forty-two privates, together with their arms, besides 130 rifles and muskets cap- tured by the British at Detroit, and several casks of powder and fixed ammunition, were secured and brought off. Perfect 78 HXSTOHY OF THB WAR. 'iE J? order was observed by the officers and men, scrupulous respect piuid to private property, and no injury was done to any indivi. dual. Although a severe fire was kept up from the houses as the Americans advanced to the jail, there were none killed and but one wounded. The following evening ii party of 46 Indians, headed by a British officer, crossed over from Prescott, a village in Canada, a mile and a half above Ogdensburg, for the purpose of captur- ing a picket guard of nine men, belonging to Forsythe's com- pany. They succeeded in taking the centinel on post, and then attacked the guard, but were repulsed by their steady bravery, aided by their advantageous position. The succeeding evening 15 or 20 American volunteers again crossed, and took a lieute- nant and two men, together with 15 or 20 stand of arms. On the morninf^ of the 22d of Februai y, the British crossed over in considerable force, and succeeded in capturing Og- densburg. Forsythe, wiia a force of less than half that of the British, effected his retreat to Black Lake in a masterly man- ner. Considerable alarm for the safety of Sackett's Harbour was excited by this event, and immediate measures were taken for reinforcing it. No attempts were made, however, at fur- ther conquest. The British shortly after retired across the St. "Xawrcnce. The ice having disappeared on Lake Ontario about the mid- dle of April, the look-out boat Growler sailed from Sackett's Harbour on the 19th to reconnoitre the lake and immediate preparations were made for an embarkation of troops for the invasion of Canada. The troops, to the number of 1700, un- der the command of gene-ral Dearborn, were embarked by the 23d, but the weather proving stormy, the ifileet did not sail till the 25th. On the morning of the 27th they arrived off York, the capi- tal of Upper Canada, and left the fleet, having taken a positior to the south and westward of the principal fort, and as near ♦he shore as possible; the debarkation of the troops commenced about 8, and was completed about 10 in the forenoon. The place fixed on for landing was a clear field, the scite of the old French fort Tarvinto, but the wind blowing heavy from the east- ward the boats fell to leeward, by which they were exposed to & galling fire from the enemy, who had taken a position in a thick wood, near where the troops were obhged to land. This circumstance likewise prevented the fleet from covering the landing. T^e cool intrepidity of theofikers and n^en, however, overcame every obstacle. tha r'ifl«>mp!n imHpr Fnrsvfhp first landed, under ahcavv fire from the consistir I Hianded and seve Americj Itheremj Iretreatei ledonth t li . iC \ expl The] count Is prisones This only inc the tow The i ihe dea iroyed, brought cvacuat ba.'kcd; HISTORY OF THE WAR. 79 ilou 3 respect to any indivi. he houses as I ne killed and headed by a ;e in Canada, ' ise of captur- rsythe*s com- ost, and then eady bravery,, ding evening] took a lieute- )f arms, ritish crossed I ipturing Og' ilf that of the! easterly man- ett's Harbour] S8 were taken ^ever, at fur* icross the St. bout the mid- om Sackett's id immediate roops for the rof iroo, un- barked by the id not sail till ork, the capi« ken a positior , and a» neai >s commenced renoon. The cite of the old from the east- ire exposed to i position in a to land. This covering the ^en, howevei'j Kr aheavvfire from the enemy, who had collected all their force at this point, consisting of 700 regulars and militia, and 100 Indians com- manded by general Sheaffe in person. The contest was sharp and severe for about half an hour, when about 700 or 800 of the Americans having landed, commanded by general Pike, and the remainder of the troops pushing for the shore, the enemy retreated to their works, leaving a number of killed and wound- ed on the field. As soon as the troops were landed, the schoo- ners were directed to take a position near the forts, in ^rder that the attack upon them by the army and navy might be si- multaneous. Pike, having formed the troops on the ground originally in- tended for their landin;;:^, advanced to the batteries, which now opened their fire; which was returned from the schooners, that had beat up to a position within 600 yards of the principal fort. The troops were led in the rr.ost gallant manner by general Pike, who carried two redoubts, and was approaching the prini cipal work, when the enemy having previously laid a train, blew up his magazine, by which a great number of the troops were killed and wounded, and, among the former, the ever to be lamented gene.-al Pike. When the fall of Pike was made known to general Dearborn, he landed and took the command of the troops. As soon as the magazine was blown up, the British set fire to their naval stores and a ship on the stocks; and then the regu- lars with Sheaffe at their head, made a precipitate retreat from the town. By two in the afternoon the American flag was substituted for the British, and by four the troops were in peaceable possession of York, a capitulation having been agreed en with the militia commanding officer, by which the town, stores, and nearly 300 militia were surrendered. .he total loss in killed on this occasion was, in battle 14 and J5'> explosion 38; wounded in battle 32, by explosion 2S2j The loss acknowledged by the British in their official ac- count is: killed 62, wounded 34, wounded and prisoners 43, prisoners 10, and missing 7. This loss of killed, wounded, and prisoners, however, must only include the regulars, as 300 militia were surrendered in the town. The day after the capture of York was employed in burying the dead. The public buildings, bprracks, &c. were then des- '.royed, togelt with th^ military stores that could not be brought away, and by the f^rst of May the town was entirely evacuated, the militia pri»on*»r8 parolled, and the troops em- ba.-kcdi but owing to contrary winds, the licet did not sail till 80 HISTORY OF THE WAR* 1,1 ,A1 w ' i I the 8th, On the afternoon of the same day they arrived at Four Mile Creek, below Fort Niagara, where the traops and public T>roperty were landed, and, on the 10th Chauncey again sailed for Sackett's Harbour for reinforcements. The day previous ♦ohis departure, two schooners, with 100 picked men, sailed for the head of the lake to seize a quantity of public stores.- The stores were found to be guarded by about 80 regulars, who were repulsed, the stores brought away, the public build- ings burnt, and the expedition returned to Fort Niagara with- out loss. - 1 . «.i r iv/r I Chauncey arrived at Sackett's Harbour on the 13th ot May, and having received 350 troops on board, again sailed on the 22d, and arrived near Fort Niagara on the 25th, where the troops were landed. A council was immediately held by gen-' eral Dearborn, for the purpose of making arrangements for im. mediately passing to the opposite shore. Next day Chauncey reconnoitered the position for landing the troops, and at night sounded the shore, and placed b«oys to point out the stations for the small vessels. He then took on board of the Madison, Oneida, andi^ady of the Lake all the heavy artillery, and as many troops as could be stowed. ^ On the 27th, at three in the morning, the signal was ma^e for the fleet to weigh, and before four the remainder of the troops were embarked on board of boats, which were directed to follow the fleet. The schooners were judiciously placed in positions to silence the enemy's batteries, and cover the land- ing of the troops, within mu'-het shot of the shore. In ten mi- nutes after they opened on the batteries, they were complete- ly silenced and abandoned. , i j j The troops then advanced in three brigades, and landed near a fort which had been silenced, at Two Mile cre^k. Immedi"| ately on their landing, the enemy, who had been concealed in a ravine, advanced in great force to the edge of the bank, m order to charge them; but the schooners opened so well directed and tremendous a fire of grape and cannister, that they were soon oblieed to retreat. The troops formed as soon as they landed and immediately ascended the bank, and charged and routed the enemy in every direction, the schooners still keeping up a constant and well-directed fire. The British now re-entered Fort George, and set fire to their magazines, after which they moved off rapidly towards Queenstown, and were pursued! by the light troops for several miles. The mam body, how- ever, having been under arms from one in the morning^ were too much exhausted for further pursuit. They rcturiiea to Fort George, of which they had quiet possession by twelve o'clock. HISTORY OF THE WAR. 81 ived at Four >s and public again sailed day previous , men, sailed jlic stores.— I 80 regulars,! public build- Niagara vith-l 13th of May, sailed on the I, where the| held by gen- ments for im- lay Chaunceyl , and at nightl t the stations I the Madison,! illcry, and as| nal was made ainder of the were directed usly placed in Dver the land- re. In ten mi- j ere complete- id landed near j^k. Immedi" concealed in a bank, in order [I directed and icy were soon is they landed ed and routed I keeping up a aw re-entered ;er which they were pursued lin body, how- norning, were ;y rciUiTjcu -- iion by twelve On this occasion we find the first mention made of captain pERiiY, the hero of lake Erie. He volunteered his services to commodore Chauucey, and rendered great assistance in arrang- \m and superintending the debarkation of the troops. He was nresant at every point where he could be useful, under showers of musquetry, but fortunately escaped unhurt. The next day he was despatched to Black Rock, with fiftpfive seamen, to pre- pare and take the command of the squadron fitting out there. The loss of the Americans in capturi^.Fort George, was 39 killed and 1 1 1 wounded. The Britishiost 108 killed and 278 prisoners, of whom !&:> were wounded. The number of militia parollcd by general Dearborn was 507. i The day after the capture of the fort, general Lewis marched with Chandler's and Winder's brigades, and the light artillery, dragoons, and riflemen, in pursuit of the Bntish, by the way of Queenstown. Information had been received that they had made a stand on the mountain, at a place called the Beaver Dam, Avhere they had a de-pot of provisions and stores, and that they had been joined by 300 regulars from Kingston and were calling in the militia. Dearborn therefore was in hopes that, confiding in the strength of his position, the enemy would await an action, by which an opportunity would be afforded to cut off his retreat. In this expectation, h.owever, he was disap- pointed. The troops at Fort Erie blew up their magazine, and joined the main body at Beaver Dam, who then broke up and irctreated along the mountains towards the head of Lake On- tario. The same evening Fort Erie was taken possession of jy a party from the opposite shore, and Lewis,, finding that the enemy had made their escape, returned to Fort George. Dearborn, still in hopes of being able to cut oft" the retreat of the enemy, on the 1st of June detached general Winder witii jhis brigade, and one regiment from Boyd's brigade, along the lake shore. On the 3d general Chandler followed with the re- tmainder of Boyd's brigade. The British general, however, lanticipated the blow, by attacking the American army before day on the morning of the 6th. Unfortunately, although tiic American loss was but small, and the enemy, whose force was very inferior, driven from the field, yet both the generals, 'chandler and Winder, were taken prisoners. In this attack jthe Ainericans lost two generals and several other ofiicers, but a greater number of prisoners were lost by the eneniy. Dearborn received the intelligence of this affair lute in the same evening, and immediately despatched general Lewis to* |take the command of the troops. He arrived and took the icommand in the afternoon of the 7ih. The Bl iiiiih likewise H s . -y- «J HISTORY or THE WAtt. despatched a messenger to sir James Yeo, who was off York with the British fleet, with orders to co-operate in the attack I on the Americans. Lewis found the army encamped at the Forty Mile Creek, on a plain of about a mile in width, ten miles in the rear of the ground where it had been attacked, its right flank resting on the lake, and its left on a creek which skirtgl the base of a perpendicular mountain of a considerable height. Lewis had scarcely arrived at the camp before the hostile I fleet hove in sight. It did not approach near enough before! dark, however, to enable them to ascertain with certainty whe- ther it was Yeo's or Chauncey's squadron. In this state of un- certainty, the army lay on their arms all night, and at break of day struck their tents, when the hostile fleet was discovered abreast of them, about a mile from the shore. About 6, it be- ing a dead calm, the enemy towed in shore a large schooner, which on her approach, opened her fire on the boats which the army had employed for the transportation of their baggage and camp equipage, which then lay on the beach. As soon as her object was perceived, four pieces of artillery were sent down to the shore, and captain Toitcn of the engineers was ordered to construct a furnace for heating shot, which was prepared] and in operation in less than 30 minutes, and the schooner was soon compelled to retire. A party of Indians now made their appearance on the brow of the mountain, (which being perfectly bald, exhibited them to view), and commenced a fire on the camp. They were! quickly dislodged, however, by a small party under the com- mand of lieutenant Eldridge. The Americans lost not a man by the attacks of the fleet and Indians. Sir James L. Yeo now sent on shore an officer with a flag, demanding a surrender of the army, it being invested with sa- vages in its rear, a fleet in its front, and a powerful army on its j flank. To this demand general Lewis only answered, that " the message was too ridiculous to merit a reply.*' Between 7 and 8 o'clock the four waggons that were with the army were loaded with the sick, and with ammunition; the camp equipage and baggage were put in the boats, and 700 men were detached to proceed in them for their protection. By some irregularity, however, the boats, induced probably by the stillness o\' the movning, put off" before the detachment reached the shore, and they had not proceeded above three miles, when u breeze sprung up, which enabled an armed schooner to over- haul thenu Some of the boats, however, kept on and escaped; .1,^ ^»i-,iM.c wpvp' run tn the shore and deserted, twelve of which were lost, principally loaded with baggage. At 10 o'clock m HISTORY OF THE WAR. 8; l'"n°„^t%S?ofTe 23d of June, Dearborn despatched On the «^'^"'"f °' ' ... „ijh 570 men, to Beaver Dam, a ^"Ss b^lond Queen'own? to attack U disperse a body few miles "ey""" *<",, ^ .,.. 'a .here for the purpose of pro- ren^mTr irsfir?: rfao re^uUr. , 50 or .00 ™i;J:«tneTmonUng: ^enithm about two ™ues of B veXm, B^rstkr was^itacked from an ambuscade but soon h- ^'\Xr^XScrheTmtrtt -^es^at^dTn rpteTfor ate nfo cJent^tating that he would maintain h.s KZl till it arrived. Three hundred men were mstantly ''°" Ch n Is relief They were, however, too late; for on marched to his rehe^ » " V ^ , ^^jhentic intelligence of ™LndWtrwholJ detachment, and accordingly re- "Xhe BritXccount of this affair states that the detachment . Ktr-Rr^, ,t^.er surrendered was but small, the Indians be- "^.hfo^rforceactaaUy engaged; but that his position was l^CtmdeXwoot wh'ich1.e^vas led to believe was occu- ^ Wh'ir Kricr-y - thus employed at^>rt George cpvprfll enterDrises were undertaken by the British. Un tiie ^h^of th^ ^'""of May, a force c f upwards oiOOO me., «n. der sir Georee Prevost, were emoarked at Kingston on Doau t: Brit?sh°:|u\dron, and in open boats, -^ --^^''-^t -'^;^ for Sackett's Harbour. Next morning they v. ere obsci veu uy Ueutenant Chauncey, who commanded the small naval lorce emaUing there, the'principal part of the A»ev,can squadron beine eneaRed at Fort George; he immediately sailed nto the haiS firing alarm guns. The alarm being immediately communUated, gins werl likewise fired fron. the alarm posts, iHoX to brilg in the militia, and instant^easmes were '*n"o irmtt. howefer'-was made to land on the 28th, the at- tenaono?Th^e 'enemy being draw., off, at the m^oment whe^n^all Vfas prepared fm- iandlnp, by me appcaraii-c u. » .--. — i^^^^u^^MMji^r ■ III. 84 HISTORY OF 1 HE Vf AH. Ill /I I rican barges passing from Oswego for Sackett's Haiuour. The barges of the enemy were immediately dcspat< led to cut ihemj oflf, and succeeded ia taking 12; the troops, ho ever had pre- viftusly succeeded in land'ng and gaining the woods, and camc| into Sacke'L.'s Harboui the same evening. The remaining seven beats outsailed the enemy's barges, and got safe into port, It is presumed that the landing was now put off till nextn\orn. ing, under the ex')ectation of cutting off more barges, as the] fleet hauled their v ind and stood into South Bay, and the arm. ed barges were despatched, apparently in order to waylay them. During the night a considerable militia force came in, audi were stationed oh the water side, near Horse Island, on which was placed a small body of Albany volunteers. The moniem it was light, the enemy's squadron was perceived in line be- tween Stony Point and Horse Island, and shortly after troops were landed on the latter, from thirty-three large boats, under cover of their gun-boats. General Brown, who commanded the post, had directed that the volunteers should retreat across the neck which joins Horse Island to the main land, in case of the enemy landing there, ■which they accordingly did, and joined the militia under his command, amounting to between four and five hundred meD. The enemy having landed and passed to the main land, were inarching to the town, when they received the fire of the volun- teers and militia, which somewhat checked their progress.— Unfortunately, however, the mimia, totally unacquainted with military discipline, after giving the first fire, rose from their cover and fled to the woods. The handful of volunteers, thus losing their support, were likewise forcecLlo retreat, bv. being joined by a few regulars from the town, succeeded in rallying a portion of the militia, and, by the aid of the fire from the fort, soon forced the enemy to withdraw to their ships. Un- fortunately, the oflicer who was entrusted with the care of the navy barracks and storC'-houses, who had been instructed to fire them in case of the enemy proving victorious, mistaking the flight of the militia for a complete repulse, set them on , fire, and they were totally consumed. The American loss in this attack was twenty-one killed and eighty-four wounded, of the'volunteers and regulars, and twen- ty-six missing. Of the militia there were twenty-five killed, wounded, and missing. Of the enemy, twenty -nine were found dead in the field, and twenty-two wounded, and thirty-five were made prisoners; in addition, many were killed in the boats ....,,.- -^-t*-;-, \-IIci •wiSX-'iS 5^115*^* iiJtij T.t S.riii. .**.-. ---^s*- .--» — ---_ — - — off the field by the enemy, pixvious to the commencement of p* -f Hbour. The 1 to cut iheml ver had pre- Js, and came e remaining afe into port, [1 next morn- irges, as Hie and the aim. waylay them. :ame in, and nd, on which rhe moment d in line be- after troops boats, under directed that 1 joins Horse inding there, tia under his undrcd Tnen. n land, were of the volun- ' progress.— uainted with >e from their anteers, thus at, bv. being d in rallying fire from the ships. Un- e care of the instructed to s, mistaking set them on ne killed and rs, and twen- ty-five killed, e were found id thirty- five d in the boats iwise carried lencement of HISTOftY OF THE SVAU. 85 i.s retre . In the British official account, their In- s is stated 1 followf., viz: Killed forty-eight, wouuded . -^Q h. .dred and _:net' c inded and missing, sixteen. Couiiuodore Chauncey returned to Sackett s Harbour on the 1st of June, from Fort George, whei- he was compelled to rc- llin for near two months, until the new vessel, the General Hke ^as ready for sea, as the enemy's fleet was now const- ^^5i::iS^^ B^'lorded it over the lake." Oti the , 6th^ of June their fleet appeared off the village of bodus, whcie ex ou ntUv of provisions was deposited. The militiao the neigh- bourhc vere in.tamly called to arms, and the following day a^ved in considerabte force. In the mean while, the enemy having disappeared, tu« provisions were removed trom he tar ifousesTn the Wter's edge to a small distance in the ec^c If the woods, and on the 19th the militia were discharged ex- cepting a smal! number as a guard. Before evening of the ame day, however, the fleet again appeared. T he alarm was Lantly^given, and expresses sent after the aischarged miU- a who immediately returned, but not in time to save the phce -The enemy having landed, and finding that the grc^at- er part of the provisions had been removed, set fire to all the valuable buildings in the place, which were consumed with ^'' The nJxUay the fleet appeared off Fort Oswego, and made several attempts to land troops, but each time returned on see - in^ the American troops ready to meet them on the shore. Another attempt was made on Sackett's Harbour on the nieht of the 2d of July, by a considerable force in open boats, helled by sir Jam^ Yeo. This scheme bemg d}f->vered b^y a deserter, commSTore Chauncey as soon as possible got un- der way to intercept their retreat. The British, however dis- covered the desertion and decamped some time befoie the commodore could reach their place ot landing. On the morning of the 1 1th of July, 250 British regulai-s crossed the Niagara river, and landed a little below Black Rock. On moving towards that place, tliey were disco ed by about 200 militia who instantly fled. 1 he enemy then s t fire to the barracks, block-houses Sec. spiked s^'^.^f^^ P^«^^^,^ of cannon, and took a quantity of flour and salt, ^nd four small field pieces. While engaged in getting off the property , they wei?attackedbyaforce%f 1 00 regulars, ^30 nuhtia and vo - unteers and 20 or 30 Indians, who had come f ^» >»«"?. f^^^^" faloe, who poured in upon them a successful fire, by which a considerable number were killed,mneof whom were left deac H ii '^^ m IMAGE EVALUAT!ON TEST TARGET (MT-3) // '«.'■ ^ /y,. '^iJ Q, Si. t/i ^/, 1.0 I.I 1.25 |:o .If 1^ M 2.0 1.8 U ill 1,6 1 A" % ^//^ >> 'c-1 <^y^ ■^^ F Photographic Sciences CorDoration 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ 86 HISTORY OF THE WAR. on the shore, besides a captain mortally wounded. Fifteen prisoners also were taken. They succeeded, however, in car- rying off the property. The loss of the Americans was one killed and three wounded, two of whom afterwards died. Nor were the British inactive upon Lake Erie. Afcer their retreat from Fort Meigs in the beginning of May, several threatening movemeots were made from the lake at Fort Meigs, Lower Sandusky, Cleveland and Erie. No serious attempt was made, however, on any of these pests, until the first of August, wi*€n a combined force of the enemy, amounting to at least 50a regulars and seven or eight hundred Indians, under the immediate command of general Proctor, made its appear- ance before Lower Sandusky. As soon as the general had made such a disposition of his troops as would cut off the re- treat of the garrison, he sent colonel Elliot, accompanied by major Chambers, with a flag, to demand the surrender of the fort, stating that he was anxious to spare the effusion of blood, which he should probably not have in his power to do, should he be reduced to the necessity of taking the place by storm. The commander of the fort was major Croghan, a youth of 21 years of age. His answer was that he was determined to defend the place to the last extremity, and that no force, how- ever large, should induce him to surrender it. So soon as the flag returned, a brisk fire was opened upon the fort, from the gun-boats in the river, and from a five and a half inch howitzer on shore, which was kept up with little intermission through- out the night. At an early hour the "next morning, three sixes, which had been placed during the night within 250 yards of the pickets, began to play, but with little effect. About 4 in the afternoon, discovering that the fire from all the guhs was concentrated against the north western angle of the fort, Croghan became confident that the object was to make a breach, and attempt to storm the works at that point. He therefce ordered out as many men as could be employd for the purpose of strength- ening that part, which was so effectually secured by means of bags of flour, sand, Sec. that the picketing suffered little or ro injury; notwithstanding which, about 500 of the enemy, having formed in close column, advanced to Assault the works at the expected point, at tlie same tins?, making two feints on other parts of the fort. The column which advanced against the north-western angle, consisting of about 350 men, was so com- pletely enveloped in smoke, as not 'to be discovered until it had approached within 18 or 20 paces of the lines; but the meij, being all at their posts and ready to receive it, com- HISTORY OF THE WAR. 87 idcd. Fifteen rnenced so heavy and galling a fire as to throw the column a little into confusion; being quickly rallied, however, it advanc- ed to the outer works, and began to leap into the ditch. At that moment a fire of grape was opened from a six-pounder, which had been previously arranged so as to rake in that di- rection, which, together with the musquetry, threw them into such confusion, that they were compelled to retire precipi- tately to the woods. Duiing the assault, which lasted about half an ho«r, an m- cessant fire was kept up by the enemy's artillery, which con- sisted of five sixes and a howitzer, but without effect.?^ Before the attack was ended, the soldiers in the garrison supplied the wounded enemy in the ditch with water, by throw- ing over full canteens. The whole number of men in the garrison was not more than 160. Their loss during the siege was one killed and se- ven wounded slightly. The loss of the enemy in killed, wound- ed, and nrisoners, must have exceeded 150; one lieutenant- colonel, a lieutenant, and 50 rank and file were found in and about the ditch, dead or wounded. Those of the remainder who were not able to cape were taken off during the night by the Indians. About 3 in the morning the enemy sailed down the river, leaving behind them a boat containing clothing and consider- able military stores. Seventy stand of arms, and several brace of pistols, were afterwards collected near the works. A few days after the assault, Proctor despatched a surg'^on with a flag of truce, to assist in the caie of the wounded, and with a request that such of the prisoners as were jn a condi- tion to be removed might be permitted to return to Maiden, on his parole of honour that they should not serve until ex- changed. Harrison, in his reply, stated, that oi? his arrival at Fort San- dusky on the morning of the 3d, he found that major Croghan, conformably to those principles which are held sacred in the American army, had caused all the care to be taken of the wounded prisoners that his situation would permit; that his hospital surgeon was particularly charged to attend to them, and he was warranted in the belief that every thing which sur- gical skill could give was afforded. They have been liberally furnished ( o, he added, with every article necessary in their situation which the hospital stores could supply. Having re- ferred to his government for orders respecting the disposition of the prisoners, he could not with propriety comply with the request oI" un immediate exchange. But he assured him, that 88 HISTORY OF THE WAR. as far as it depended upon him, the course of treatment which had been commenced towards them while in his possesbion would be continued. It is impossible here to avoid contrasting the conduct of Proctor and Harrison, in two exactly parallel cases, the care of thp wounded, and trfeatment of the surgeon sent for their relief, after the battles of^renchtown and Sandusky. In the one case the surgeon is treated with politeness, and only sent back because his aid is unnecessary, and the wounded are sup- plied with water by the garrison, even while ♦he attack is car- ried c> The opposite conduct need not be repeated here. It has made too deep an impression to be so soon effaced. On the 26th of December 1812, an order in council was is- sued" by the British government, declaring the Chesapeake and Delaware bays in a state of blockade, and on the 20th of March, all the ports south of Rhode Island were included During the winter, intelligence had been repeatedly received by American prisoners from Bermuda, of the arrival of a British squadron at that place, well stored with bombs and Congreve rockets, and with a considerable body of ^oops on board,'' for the purpose of destroying some of our southern cities. The alarm, then, that was excited at Norfolk may be easily conceived, when intelli- gence was received of the approach of this squadron, which on the 4th of February was perceived in the Chesapeake, standing towards Hampton Roads, to the number of two 74's three fri- gates, a brig and a schooner. The frigate Constellation had come down the bay, and anchored in Hampton Roads the day before, and on the arrival of the first news of the near approach of the hostile squadron, it being then ebb-tide, was fast aground at Willoughby spit. Fortunately, hc.veyer, the flood made, and the ship was afloat before the enemy hove in sight. She was immediately brought up Elizabeth river to Norfolk, and anchored between the two forts. Every exertion was now made for the defence of the place, by calling out the militia, &c.; the recruits at the barracks were brought dov/n to the fort, and the gun-boats stationed in the most favourable position to resist the expected attack. No at- tempt, however, was made upon the town. The squadron con- fined its operation to the capturing and destroying the bay craft, and forming an effectual blockade of the waters of the Chesapeake. About the same time a British squadron entered the Dela- ware bay, which consistetl of the Poictiers, 74, the frigate Bel* ' videra, and several small yessels, and for some weeks were em- ployed in fixing buoys, intercepting and capturing: the outward HISTORY OF THE "WAU. 89 jjnd inward bound vessels, and burning the bay craft. On the 1 "th of March, sir J. P. Beresford, the commander of the squadron, transmitted a letter to Lewistown, a small fishing town near the mouth of the bay, addressed to the first magis- trate, i'equesting him to send twenty live bullocks, with a pro- portionate quantity of vegetables and hay, on board the "oic- tiers, for the use of the squadron, which should be imme* late- ly paid for at the Philadelphia prices. The request was accom- panied with a threat, that in case of a refusal, he should burn the town. ^ This demanu was positively, though politely refused, as" a compliance would be an immediate violation of the laws, and an eternal spgma on the nation." To which Beresford answered, " that the demand he ha'l made was, in his opinion, neither un- generous, nor wanting m that magnanimity which one nation ought to observe to another with which it is at war. It is in my power," continues he, " to destroy your town, and the request 1 have mrde upon it, as the price of its security, is neither dis- tressing nor unusual. I must, therefore, persist, and whatever sufferings may fall upon the inhabitants of Lewis, must be at- tributed to yourselves, by not complying v^ith a request ao ea- sily acquiesced in.*' Nothing further passed on the subject, till the 6th of April, when they renewed the demand, and fired several 32 pound shot into the town, previoas to sending the flag on shore, to show that they were serious in their threats. In Bevesford's letter on this occasion, he urges that no dishcMiour can bo attach- ed to complying with his demand, in consideration of his supe- rior force. " I must, therefore," continues he, « consider your refusal to supply the squadron as most cruel on your part to the inhabitants. I grieve for the distress the women and chil- dren are reduced to by your conduct; and cariiestly desire they may be instantly removed." To this letter merely a ^ierbai re- ply was returned, that the commander, colonel Davis, was a gallant man, and had already taken care of the ladies. On the return of the flag, a cannonade was commenced from four launches with 24 and 18 pounders; two sloops, with 32 pounders and a mortar; a pilot boat, with sijc pounders; and a schooner with 12 twelve pounders, covered by the frigate BeWidera. The town being seated on a considerable eminence, sustained little or no injury; the rockets passing over, and the bombs fall- ing short. The fire from an eighteen pounder on shore, wjjich wfts supplied by shot thrown by the enemy^ silenced one of *u^:. m% rt ^•■^■'•^'^ k4'fl A Vk»**A ilnf\ nK^4 : ;.S35-tJVfil^3* X*5;-*-?V'w Vv s j«^t ^- 31 the place, a great part of wiiich was after^va^ds dug, by the boys, A 90 HISTOnV OF THE WAR. li I ^ i\ out of the sand, viz. 40 of 321b. 96 of 18lb. 156 of 12's and;9*s, with a large quantity of 6*s and grape, besides shells and' re- mains of rockets. Not a man was killed on the side of the Americans during this attack. On the forenoon of the following day, a number of small boats approached the shore, apparently with the intention of landing; but, being gallantly met by the militia on the beach, they were recalled by a signal from the squadron. In the Chesapeake the principal part of the squadron began to move up the bay about the beginning of April. On the 3d they anchored oft' the mouth of the Rappahannock, for the pur- pose of attacking the Dolphin, a privateer schooner of 10 guhsj and three letters of marque bound for Fra ice, which had taken shelter in the river on the approach of the squadron. Their tenders and launches, to the number of 1 7, being mann- ed and sent up the river, a furious attack was made on the ves- sels, which unfortunately lay becalmed. Two of the letters of marque were speedily taken, they making but a slight resis- tance; the third was run ashore, and most of her crew escaped. The Dolphin bore the brunt of the action. The whole force of the enemy was soon directed to her, and she gallantly sustained the contest for two hours, when, at last, they succeeded in boarding her. Even then, however, she did not strike. The fight continued for some time on dr ., until, overpowered by numbers, the Americans were forced to submit, the enemy hav- ing previously pulled down the colours. A few days previous to this affair, a most unfortunate action took place here between the American privateer Fox and the United States' schooner Adeline and two gun-boats. The schooner and gun-^boats were proceeding down the bay, under the command of lieutenant Sinclair, and at midnight made a harbour under Gwinn's island, near the mouth of the Rappa- hannock. After having anchored in a line across the channel, Sinelajir was hailed by the Fox, and each taking the other to be an enemy, and consequently refusing to send a boat on boiard, Sinclair fired a musket ahead of the privateer, which she in- stantly returned with a broadside. The schooner and gun-boats then opened their fire, and in fifteen minutes silenced the privateer. Being hailed, however, to know if she had struck, she renewed the action without an- swering, and in fifteen minutes more was again silenced. On being a second time hailed, she once more opened her fire, which she continued for half an hour and then cut hep cable and escaped up the bay. On board the Fox the captain and five men were badly wounded, she had one shot in her hull, and her sails lliiTOUY OF THE WAH. 91 8cc. were very much cut. The damage on board the schooner, Wiiich bore the brunt of the action, was but small, only one man severely wounded, and the rigging a little cut. The hostile squadron continuing to stand up the bay, on the 9th of April they reached Annapolis, and on the 16th appeared- off the mouth of the Patapsco, twelve or fourteen miles from Baltimore. Both Annapolis and Baltimore were threatened with an attack, but nothing was attempted, the enemy careful- ly keeping their vessels at a safe distance from the guns of the forts. But though the fortified towns escaped the vengeance which had so long been threatened, it was not the. case with the un- protected villages, which skirt the rivers that fall into the head of the bay, Four of these were laid in ashes by admiral C6ck- burn, who gallantly led the barges which ascended the rivers for this purpose. These plundering and burning expeditions will long render his name famous in the neighbourhood of the Chesapeake bay. Having sufficiently signalized their prowess by the burning of Frenchtown, Havre-de-Grace,* Georgetown, and Frederick- town, and the farm-houses, mills. Sec. adjoining, the squadron returned down the bay, destroying the oyster-boats, wood-shal- lops, and other river craft in their progress, and show ng them- selves, but at a convenient distance, at every fortification near the bay. The squadron after returning down the bay, resumed their station in Hampton Roads, with the view of attacking Norfolk. Early on the morning of the 22d of June^ they landed a large body of troops, from the accounts of deserters about 2500, on the west side of Elizabeth river, and marched them up towards Craney Island, the passage to which from the main land, is fordable at low water. Forty or fifty boats full of men, were then sent to effect a landing on the north side of the island, with whom the force on the main land was directed to co-operate.— The whole force on the island at the time of the attack was 487, riflemen, infantry, and artillery, and 150 seamen and marines, forty-three of whom were on the sick list, — With this handful /? * The burning and filundering of Havrt^-de-Grace is fierhafia '' the moat signal (>f Cockburn*s ex/iloiCs. The houses being aparty had to be aefiarately set onjire; and the labour bestowed in in- juring the church must have been very considerable^ every pane ^ of glass in the uuiiuing having been broken by siuncs and brick- bats. # 92 HISTORY OF I HE WAR. n>i 1^ Ml of men was the lattding of the eneiViy successfully opposed, and they wei'e forced to retreat to their ships, with the loss of sev- eral boats by the fire of the artillery. Foiled in their meditated attack on Norfolk by this repulse at the mouth of the harbour, the British again turned their at- tention to the easier task of laying waste unprotected villages, and that of Hampton, which lay nearly opposite, naturally pre- sented itself. Here they landed a body of 2500 men, with but little opposition; there being only a small detachment of mili- tia encamped near the town, who were soon Ibrced to retreat under a heavy fire of artillery, musquetry and congreve rockets. The British now took possession of the village; and here a hdr- rid scene of barbarity ensued, which was characterised by plun- der, devastation, murder, and rape. The British troops short- ly after retreated to their ships, when a correspondence took place by means of flags between- general Taylor, the comman- dant at Norfolk, and sir Sidney Beckwith, quarter-master-gen- eral of the British forces, on the subject of these excesses. Sir Sidney attempted to justify them on the ground of inhumanity in some of the American troops on Craney Island, whom he charged with having waded into the river, and shot at their un- resisting and yielding foe, who clung to the wreck of a boat which had been sunk by the fire of their guns. This imputa- tion was promptly repelled, and a board of officers was imme- diately appointed to inveistigate the charge. From the evi- dence adduced it appeared, that in the action at Craney Island, two of the enemy's boats in front of their line were sunk by the fire of the batteries; the soldiers and sailors who were in those bbats were consequently afloat, and in danger of drown- ing, and being in front of the boats that were uninjured, guns were necessarily fired in the direction of the men in the water, but with no intention whatever to do them further harm; but, on the contrary, orders were given to prevent this, by ceasing to fire grape, and only to fire round shot; it also was substan- tiated, that one of the enemy, who had apparently surrendered, advanced towards the shore, about one hundred yards, when he suddenly turned to his right and endeavoured to make his escape to a body of the enemy who had landed above the island, and who were then in view; then, and not till then, was he fired upon to bring him back, which had the desired effect, and he was taken unhurt to the island. It further appeared, that the American troops exerted themselves in acts of hospi- But even if this charge had been founded on feet, it could not have justified the measures adopted by the British. The '*% HISTORY OF THE WAR. 9f r.tts should surely have been first clearly ascertained and re- dress demanded, before any retaliation was resortea to; espc- riallv a retaliation so extravagant in its measure, applying not Z the perpetrators of the alleged offence, nor to their com- rades but to the unresisting, innocent, and helpless. Durinff the remainder of the summer, hostile demonstration., were made by the British squadron in various points on the waters of the Chesapeake, particularly at Washington, Anna- ; polls, and Baltimore, in which, if the aim of the enemy was merely to harrass, they were certainly eminently successful. A nart of the Chesapeake squadron, under admira Cockburn, likewise appeared off Ocracock bar. North Carohna, where their barces destroyed two privateers, and landed a number ot men at Portsmouth and Ocracock, who committed a number of wanton depredations. ^ , , ^ \ The British squadron off New York confined themselves to keeping up a strict blockade. The American frigates United States Ind Macedonian, and the sloop of war Hornet, sailed from New York on a cruize in the beginning of May. tmd- inff, however, that a much superior force lay off the Hook, th?y put back, and on the 25th passed through Hell-gate, witu the intention of putting to sea through tne sound. 1 his inten- tion was frustrated by the superior force of the enemy m hat Quarter, by which they were several times driven back, and on the first of June they were chased into New London by two 74's and a frigate, which immediately anchored off that place, and in a few days were joined by the force that had been Block- ading off the Hook. As the movements of the Biitish indicat- ed an intention of attacking New London, prompt measures were taken for its defence. Six. hundred militia were cuUcd out, and to insure the safety of his squadron, commodore De- catur landed a number of his guns; which were mounted m a battery, and the vessels, thus lightened, proceeded up the riv- er; where they were secure from any attempt of the larger ves- sels of the enemy. . rr.^ 1 *^ M^o New London is situated on the river Thames, about 7 miles from Long Island sound, and can be approached by ships o any draught of water. The channel, however, is narrow, and completely commanded by the surrounding heights, which were so strongly fortified, as to deter the squadron from any hostile attempt. They contented themselves, therefore, with keepiuK up a blockade, and making a few predatory excur- sions on Long ibiana ana mc iicr5|iouu,.„^ ,..^„, An act was passed by congress in the wmter of 1812^ Ki, to encourage the destruction of the enemy's blockading vessels, I y**^ 94 inSTOUy OF THE WAR. ifi-'. 4h i::r by a bounty of half the value of the vessel destroyed, if effect ' od by any other means than by the armed or commissioned vessels ( the United States, in consequence of which several abortive attempts M'ere made. The two most remarkable were those against the Ramilies, off New London, and against the Plantagenet, off cape Henry, at the nvouth of the Chesapeake The attempt on the Ramilies was made on the 25th of June 1 he schooner Eagle was loaded at New York with a number ot flour barrels filled with gun-powder, in one of which was fixed a gun-lock, with a string to the trigger made fast to the bottom of the vessel. Over these were placed a few barrels ol damaged Hour. Thus prepared, she threw herself in the way of the boats of the blockading squadron off New London, and on their coming up to take possession of her, the crew took to their boats, and made their escape. It was expected that the schooner would be taken along side of the families to unload; but the wind and tide being against them, and night coming on, it was determined to unload as much of the flour m the boats as could conveniently be done. When they came to the barrel of powder in which the gun-lock was placed, and Jiooked the tackle to hoist it on deck, it sprung the trigger, and blew up the schooner and all on board and around her, and in a few seconds not a vestige of them was to be seen. The attempt on the Plantagenet was made in the month of July, by means of a torpedo. On the night of the 18th, Mr. Mix, of the United States navy, accompanied by two persons who volunteered for the purpose, proceeded from Norfolk down to the Plantagenet, in a large open boat, and from pre- vious observations found no difficulty in ascertaining her posi- tion. When Mix hacVgot to within 40 fathom of her, he drop- ped the torpedo oveiV in the very instant of doing which he was hailed by one of the enemy's guard boats. The machine was speedily taken into the boat again, and he made his way off m safety. On the night of the 19th he made another at- tempt, and was again discovered ere he could accomplish his purpose. On the night of the 20th he succeeded in getting ^v^thin 1 5 yards of the ship's bow, and directly under her jib- boom. There he continued making his preparations for 15 minutes, when a centinel from the forecastle hailed * boat ahoyl' and he had once more to decamp. The centinel not being an- swered, fired his musket, which was followed hv a rapid dis- rharge of small arms. Blue lights were made to find out the boat, hut failed; they then threw rockets in different directions, ♦vlii. a iilumiiiated the water for a considerable width as far as r ^ed, if effect ommissioned k'hich several arkable were d against the Chesapeake 25th of June, ith a number f which was le fast to tlie few barrels erself in the ^ew London, r, the crew ms expected I ilamilies to 1, and night of the flour 1 they came I placed, and the trigger, imd her, and seen. he month of e 18th, Mr. two persons om Norfolk id from pre- ng her posi- jr, he drop- g which he 'he machine ade his way another at- :omplish his I in getting der her jib- tions for 15 * boat ahoy I' ot being an- n rnniH r1i«. _ -_j — find out the t directions, Jth as far as /^ ■ n ^ HI3TO.RY OF THE WAU. VS *> ihey were thrown, and succeeded in discovering t^\e posiiion of the nocturnal visitor; when the ship commenced a rapid fiie of heaw guns, slipped her cables, and made some sail, while her boats were despatched in pursuit. The daring intruder.,, however, escaped unhurt. The visit was repeated on the nights of the 2lst, 22d, and 23d, without success, as the ship, having taken the alarm, changed her position every night. On the night of the 24th, however, Mr. Mix succeeded m findni<; herout, and having taken his ^ osition within 100 yards distance in a direction with her larboard bow, he dropped the tatal ma- chhie into the water just as the centinel was crying all's well. It was wept along with the tide, and would hr ^ completely effected its errand, it is said, had it not exploded a few seconds too soon. The scene was awfully sublinie. It was like the concussion of an earthquake, attended with a sound louder ami more terri^c then the heaviest peal of thunder. A pyramid of water 50 feet in circumference was thrown up to the height of 30 or 40 feet; its appearance was a vivid red, tinged at ilsc sides with a beautiful purple. On ascending to its greatest height, it burst at the top with a tremendous explosion, and fell in torrents on the deck of the sliip, which rolled into the yawning chasm below, and had nearly upset. Impervious darkness again prevailed. The light occasioned by the ex- plosion, though fleeting, enabled Mr. Mix and his compuaioi.s to discover that the forechannel of the ship wasblov n off", aiM a boat which lay alongside with several men in her, wafi throw n up in the dreadful convulsion of the waters. Terrible, indeed, mu^t have been the panic of the ship's crew, from the noise and confusion which appeared to our adventurers to prevail on board; and they are certain that nearly the whole ships's crew hastily betook themselves to the boats. The following minute and interesting account of the naval conflict on lake Erie, was written by an eye-witness. — " Com- modore Perry arrived at Erie in June, with five small vessels, from Black Rock. The Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevosl, were cruising ofTLong Point to intercept him— he passed them in the night unperceived. The Lawrence and Niagara were then on the stocks — every exertion was made to expedite their building and equipment, and early in August they were ready to sail. But it was necessary, to pass the bar at the entrance of the harbour, over which there was but six feet water, and' the brigs drew nine. The British fleet appeared of!" the har- bour, for the purpose of preventing ours from going to lake' — 'The laeans employed by our omccrs to take the brigs over the bar, were ingenious and deserve mention. Two large sco»ws. V ■ • A 1 t ' ' if? \ , ■ ■' ' w 'W in •'%■ 13 -^i^u. P6 HISTORY OF THE WAR. ! I >^ > fifty feet long, ten feet wide, and eight feet deep, were prepar- ed they were first filled with water and then floated along side one ©f the vessels in a parallel direction; they were then secured by means of large pieces of hewn timber placed athwart ship, with both ends projecting from the port holes across the scows; the space between the timbers and the beat, being secured by other pieces property arranged; the water was then bailed from the scows, thereby giving them an aston- ishiog lifting power. It was thus that .the bar was passed, be- fore the enemy had taken the proper steps to oppose it. One obstacle was surmounteu, but the- fleet was not in a condition to seek the enemy A Maiden. There was not at this time more than half sailors enough to man the fleet. However, a number of Pennsylvania militia having volunteered their ser- vices, the commodore made a short cruize off Long Point, more perhaps, for the purpose of f xercising his men than seeking an enemy. \ r r^ - . « About the last of August commodore Perry lett tMiie, to i^o-cperate with general Harrison in the reduction of Maiden. He anchored off the mouth of Sandusky river, and had an in- t^rview wit! general Harrison, who furnished him with about seventy volunteers, principally Kentuckians, to serve as ma- 1 ines on board the fleet. Captain Dobbin, in ihe Ohio, was cr- lU red to return to Efc for provisionsc The Amelia had been h'h there for want of men to man her. Exclusive of these he \vm\ nine sail, mounting in all fifty-four guns. The British fleet iH Maiden, consisted of six sail, and mounted sixty-six guns. " Commodore Perry appeared before Maiden, offeied battle, reconnoitered the enemy and retired to Put-in-Bay, thirty^five miles distant from his antagonist. Both parties remained a lew days inactive; but their repose was that of the lion. • " Oi) the morning of the 10th of September at sunrise, the rut-m-oay. i>i«». « inumcuL »t»o w^, ^^ . — j i *« • • u immediately got under way, and stood out to meet the British fleet, which at this time had the weather gage. At 10 A. M. the wind shifted from S. W. to S. E. which brought our squad- ron to windward. The wind was lignt-— the day beautiful— not a cloud obscured the . horizon. The line was formed at II, and commodore Perry caused an elegant flag, which he had privately prepared, to be hoisted at the mast-head ot the Law- rence; on this flag was painted, in characters legible to the whole fleet, the dyinff words of the immortal Lawuenoe:-- ^> Don't give up the'ship.*' its eflect is not tc be uescriu^ HISTORY or THE WAR. 97 ..l-cvery Iteart was electriHed. The crews ^^^^^^-^^-^^j; ^J^; opened »P°" ^''^Jir^ .^"^^edl^^^^^^^ fire from the enemy's ed to sustain a well °'""r . V|» to return it with carron- nart 6f her crew left unhurt upon deck. ^ « A half past two the wind increased -";lj^"^f ^'^^^^^Jl^^^^ eara to come into close action-the S""'^^?*^ ^ ^l/nf l' Yar- tZn, Commodore Perry left his ship m charge of L. Yar ne land went on ^oard the Niagara. Just as he reached that Tesserthe flag of the LawrencI came dowp; the cm^^ Jvf \^; rived. ' CaptaL Elliot at this -?-- ^^l^f tX^^^^ of the commodore, by voluntecnng his sei vices to ormg i schooners into close action. . • i ,„«„ ^«Hf» for close Srthe?omSor^''da:rLne7.o pass W the cnemy^ line; he accordingly bore up and passed ahead »» «?«"/"?"' Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost, pounng a '"/*'« ^"^^"S . L into them from the starboard guns, ""^ °" t'^^«.^,''^PP^'SiY. ,„jrT ittle Helt from the larboard side, at halt pistol snoi uk ?»c^ The smaU vessels at this time having got withm grape Td cani].t dtonce, kept up a well directed and d- U-ucUve TZ. The action now raged with the greatest fury— the Queen CharlTu:, S Tost he^r commander and several of her prine^ n»l officers, in a moment of confusion got foul of the Uetroit, W ?ht ttua'r^e Tnemy in their turn had to sustain a^remen- dnns fire without the powerof returning it with iVmch eftect, tne camaee wrhorribl^the flags of the Detroit, Queen Charlot- terd^LaTy Pr vost, were struck in rapid succession The bng HuMe^Md schooner Chippewa, were ^on/""'?""*/ '"-J" " low the ™ample. The Little Belt attemptedto escape to Mal- dTn, but sirwas pursued by two of the gun-boats and sarren- der^d about three miles distant from the scene of ««»"• . «,. . ^--^^- ^e ^v.:- o^^/Mjnt. in comoanv with hve otners,. arriveLrSehe";dorP;Un:"Bay island; on the evenU.R of t)ie l3 93 HISTORY OF THE WAK. ''Ml h ) 9th, and had a view of the action, at the distance of only ten miles. The spectacle was truly grand and awful. The firing was incessant, for the space of three hours, and continued at short intervals forty-five minutes longer. In less than one hour after the battle began, most of the veesels of both fleets were enveloped in a cloud of smoke, which rendered the issue of the action uncertain, till the next morning, when we visited the fleet in the harbour on the opposite side of the island. The reader will easily judge of our solicitude to learn the result. There is no sentiment more painful than suspense, when it is excited by the uncertain issue of an event like this. « If the wind had continued at S. W. it was the intention of admiral Barclay to have boarded our squadron; for this pur- pose he had taken on board of his fleet about 200 of the famous 4 1 St regiment; they acted as marines and fought bravely, but nearly two thirds of them were either killed or wounded. " The carnage on board the prizes was prodigious— they must have lost 200 in killed besides wounded. The sides ot the Detroit and Queen Charlotte were shattered from bow to stern; there was scarcely room to place one's hand on their larboard sides without touching the impression of a shot— a great many balls, canister and grape, were found lodged in their bulwarks, which were too thick to be penetrated by our carronades unless within pistol sh^ distance. Their masts were so much shat- tered that they fell overboard soon after they got into the bay. « The loss of the Americans was severe, particularly on board the Lawrence. When her flag was struck she had but nine men fit for duty remaining on deck. Her sides were com ^.letejy riddled by the shot from the long guns of the British ships. Her deckj the morning after the conflict, when I fftst went on board, exhibited a scene that defies description — for it was literally covered with blood, which still adhered to the plank in clots — brains, hair and fragments of bones were still sticking to the rigging and sides. The surgeons were still busy with the wounded — enoughl horror appalled my senses. " Among the wounded were several brave fellows, each of U'hom had lost a leg or an arm — they appeared cheerful and expressed a hope that they had done their duty. Tlome and Sparta would have been proud of these heroes. " It would be invidious to particularize instances of indivi- dual merit, where every one so nobly performed his part. Of the nine seamen remaining unhurt at the time the Lawrence struck her flag, five were immediately promoted for their un- shaken firmness in such a trying situ^ipn. The mo&t of the»e had been in the actions \>ith the Guerrier? and Java. jmm^m»mm 1 ioTORY 0¥ THE WAR. 99 « Every officer of the Lawrence, except the commodore and his little brother, a promising youth, 13 years old, were either killed or wounded. i . « The efficacy of the gun-boats was fully proved m this ac tion, and the sterns of all the prizes bear ample tesUmony of he fact. They took raking positions and galled the enemy severely. The Lady Prevost lost twelve men before either of he bri^s fired on her. Their fire was quick and precise. Let us hea? the enemy. The general oMer of Adjutant General Baynes, contains the following words: « His [Perry's] numer- ous gun boats, [four] which had proved the greatest annoyance durine the action, were all uninjured." . , . . • . « The undaunted bravery of admiral Barclay entitled him to a better fate; to the loss of the day was superadded grievous and daneerous wounds: he had before lost an arm, it was now his hard^fortune to lose the use of the other, by a shot which carried away the blade of the right shoulder; a canister shot made a violent contusion in his hip: his wounds were for some day. considered mortal. Every possible attention was paid to his situation. When commodore Perry sailed for B^ff^loe, he was so far recovered that he took passage on board our fleet. The fleet touched at Erie. The citizens saw the affecting spectacle of Harrison and Perry leading the wounded British Hero, still unable to walk without help, from the beach to their '""t^ofboard the Detroit, twenty-four hours after her surren- der, were found snugly stowed away in the hold, tjo Indian Chiefs, who had the courage to go on board at M^den, for the purpose of acting as sharp shooters to kill our officers. One had^he courage to ascend into the round top and discharge his piece, but the whizzing of shot, splinters, and bits of rigg- ing,^soon made the place too warm fo^^im-he descended faster than he went up; at the moment he reached tne deck, the fragments of a seaman's head struck ^is comrade s face, and covered it with blood and brains. He vociferates the sav- age interjection « guohr and both sought safety below. « The British officers had domesticated a dear at Maiden. Bruin accorvpanied his comrades to battle-was on the deck of the Deti* :ll during the engagement, and escaped unhuit.^ " The killed of both fleets were thrown overboard as tast as they fell. Several were washed ashore upon the island and the main durinc the gales that succeeded the action. rcom3ore Perry treated the prisoners with humamty Jind indulgence; aeverai v^anauians, uavxij^i ..iT-.-- . were permitted to visit their families on parole. .• "ifi 100 HISTORY OJ THE WAR. II f « The British were superior in the length and number of their guns, as well as in the number of men. The American fleet was manned with a motly set of beings, Europeans, Afri- cans, Americans from every part of the United States. Full one fourth were Slacks. I saw one Ruasiarty who could not speak a word of English. They were brave — and who could be otherwise under the command of Perry? « The day after the battle, the funeral obsequies of the Ame. rican and British officers, who had fallen in the action, were performed, in an appropriate and affecting manner. An open, ing on the margin of the bay, was selected for the interment of the bodies. The crews of both fleets attended. The weather was fine — the elements seemed to participate in the solemni- ties of the day, for every breeze was hushed, and not a wave ruffled the surface of the water. The procession of boats— the ne^t appearance of the officers and men — the music— -the slow and regular motion of the oars, striking in exact time with the notes of the solemn dirge— the mournful waving of the flags — the sound of the minute guns from the different ships in the harbour — the wild and solitary aspect of the place — the stillness of nature, g^ve to the scene an air of melancho- ly grandeur, better felt than described — all acknowledged its influence— all were sensibly affected. What a contrast did it exhibit to the terrible conflict of the preceding dayl Then the people of the two squadrons were engaged in the deadly strife of arms. Now they associated like brothers, to pay the last sad tribute of respect to the dead of both nations. « Five ofiicers were interred, two American and three British. Lt. Brooks and midshipman Laub of the Lawrence; captain Finnis and lieutenant Stokoe of the Queen Charlotte, and lieu- tenant Garland of the Detroit. The graves are but a few paces from the^beach, and the future traveller of either nation, will find no memento whereBy he may distinguish the American from the British hero. « The marines of our fleet were highly complimented by the commodore, for their good conduct; although it was the first time most of them had seen a squai-e rigged vessel.** The greater part of them were volunteers from the militia regi- ment, commanded by colonel Reese Hill, then stationed at Erie, which was raised in the counties of Centre, Huntingdon, and Mifflin, Pennsylvania; a few were Kentuckians, all of whom "proved, on this occasion, as has the commodore since, ihaltiiey can fight Ou both elements." As soon as the prisoners and wounded were landed, the fleet was employed in concentrating general Harrison's army, by "i^k HISTORY OF THE WAR- 101 .',ncr them from Portaee River and Fort Meigs to Put- !Tr Thi^duty wTs comi^eted about the 20th of Septem.- "^•^^^* A nn the 22d about 1200 of the troops were landed by ber, and on the 22d aoout i ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ilUertar VrP/Tr", ZT.^^^y n.Ues from De- ?roitrieav"ng tSe Michigan lerritory in the possession of the Americans. , ^^^j Harrison left Sandwich in "" ,ff pilf^th about 40 regulars, colonel Johnson's pui-smt of Pioctor, wun auou 8 , ^ ^ndcr the St. Clair, twemy uy^ "" u^,i_. which Proctor had ne- and next morning crossed by a ^J^fSf'^Xat the head of the ran between him and the P"^»»^^^^J"y ' , ^Vivates, who had been Kpeictly destroyed, ^ --^6": ^^Sd 1/ Oc": passed over and encamped, on the evening oi '"The baeKa-, had thus lar been brought in boats accompa- 1 ne Ddgijao > "" J .p „p/.peQarv to cover the nied '>y B«--''-\^;°J™ rtVe%Wer bu^^^^^^^^^^^^^ above be- hundred of the Indians attempted to dispute we passage o. i t™t b^t the Hre from two »!-PO»nde«_soon^drove t^^^^^^^ and in about two hours the oriuftc was i^i^^x*-- -- - - . . wn ■jr 102 HISTORY OF THE WAR. H crossed, just in time to extinguish a houf.e that had been set on fire containing a considerable number of muskets; which wert fortunately saved. At the first farm above the bridge was found one of the enemy's vessels on fire, and here intelligence was received that they were but a few miles ahead. The army halted for the night about four miles above the bridge, where they found two other vessels and a large distil- levy, filled with ordnance and other valuable stores to an im- mcnse amount, in flames. It was impossible to extinguish the fire, but two mounted twenty-four pounders were taken, and a large quantity of ball and shells of various sizes. Early on the ^noming of the 5th the troops were again put in motion, and in the afternoon the officer commanding the advance sent to in- form general Harrison that his progress was stopped by the enemy, who were formed across the line of march. Between the two armies^ the road passed through an un. cleared beech forest, pretty clear of underwood, near the banks of the river, parallel to which, at the distance of two or three hundred yards, extended a swamp several miles in length.-* Across this strip of land the British were drawn up; their left resting on the river supported by artillery, their right on the swampf covered by the Indians. The American troops were now formed in order of battle. General Trotter's brigade formed the front line, his right upon the road, and his left upon the swamp, with general Desha's division, consisting of two brigade, formed en fiotence*, upon his left. General King's brigade formed a second line, 1 50 ys(rds in the rear of Trotter's; and Chiles' brigade, a corps of reserve in the rear. Trotter's, King's, and Chiles' brigades formed the command of major-general Henry. Each brigade averaged nearly 500 men. The crotchet formed by Desha's division was occupied by Shelby, the governor of Kentucky, a veteran of sixty-six years of age, who had distinguished him- self in the revolutionary war at King's Mountain. The regu- lar troops, who now amounted only to 120 men, occupied in columns of sections of four, the small space between the road and the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery, and ten or twelve friendly Indians were directed to move under the bank. Harrison had directed Johnson's mounted infantry w> ♦" Troofii are ranged en potence by breaking a straight lincy and throwing a certain fir o/iortion of it either /oriwird or back- xi/ut UyjrOifl lite ii^iiiut ^Kf^j QCCUs ulTlg' lu c*# tr**##*5ti**'*cr^jy V7 tnz: purpose of securing thtit «wre8 to an im* sxtinguish the I taken, and a Early on the [notion, and in ice ser.t to in- topped by the :h. trough an un. lear the banks ■ two or three s in length.-* I up; their left r right on the rder of battle. his right upon nerai Desha's lotence*, upon :ond line, 150 ide, a corps of iiles* brigades Each brigade ed by Desha's ►f Kentucky, a iguished him- 1. The regu- n, occupied in ween the road imy's artillery, to move under unted infantry 2 straight line^ 'itfard or back- * T^^ St.. y Dictionary. HlSTOaY 0» THK WAR. 103 to fonn in 1*70 lines opposite to the enemy, and, when the in- fantry advanced to take ground to the left, and, forming upon that flank, to endeavour to turn the right of the Indians, it was perceived, however, that it would be impracticable fov them to do any thing on horseback in that quarter, owing tath^ thickness of the woods and swampiness of the ground. A m^ sure altogether novel was therefore determined on, which yra» crowned with the most signal success.— The American back- woodsmen ride better in the woods than any other people. A musket or rifle is no impediment to them, being accustomed to carry them on horseback from their earliest youth. A charge was determined on, and accordingly the regiment was drawn up in close column, with its right at the distance ol fifty yards from the noad, that it might in some measure be protected by the trees from the artillery, and the left upon the swamp. . The army moved on in this order but a short distance, when the mounted men received the fire of the British line, and were instantly ordered to charge. The horses in the front of the, co- lumn recoiled from the fire; but on receiving a second fire, the column got into motion, and immediately, at full speed, broke through the enemy with irresistible force. In one minute the contest was over in front. The British officers seeing no hope of reducing their disordered ranks to order, the mounted in- fantry wheeling upon them, and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately surrendered. Only three of the Americans were wounded in this charge. . , . t Upon the American left, however, the contest with the In- dians was more severe. Colonel Johnson, who commanded on that flank of his regiment, received a most galling fire from them, which was returned with great effect. The Indiana still further to the left advanced, and fell in with the frontline of in- fantry near its junction with the division en potencej and for a moment made an impression upon it. Governor Shelby, how- ever, who, as already stated, \fas stationed near this point, brdught up a regiment to its support. The enemy no# receiv- ed a severe fire in front, and a part of the mounted men having gained their rear, they immediately retreated with precipitation. The moment had now arrived which was to prove whether the stigma which had been tlirown on our Kentucky brethren was founded o^^uth or falsehood; when it was to be seen whether they wejpp " a ferocious and mortal foe, using, the name mode oi wi^re*'* with the allies of Britain. The troops "J^- im^ * Geficral Brock's Prodamatior., 104 HISTORY OF THE WAK. i'l, m 'ill. who had now completely in their power the army under whoM Tye, had been acted the tragedy of the "ver Ra.sin, and th. which was acted on the Miami after the defeat of colonel Dudlev, were almost exclusively composed of Kentuckians, of men who had lost their brothers or friends .n those shock- ?ne. scenes Nor were even the instruments of vengeance wfating They were accompanied by the savages, that had ne?oetrated those deeds, who had just been suing for mercy, and wwld gladly have shown their claims to U, by re-actuig upon the Thames the bloody scenes of the river Raisin But how did they avail themselves of the opportunity which now nrLnted' Did they turn the tide of horrible warfare which hid deluded their borders in the blood of wounded prisoners, and of S.8 age and infancy, upon the heads of its abettors Ko- to their honour, and to the honour of their country be tt snoken, they did not! The moment they were m their power a« ii^fur es were magnanimously forgotten, and the prisoner, re-eTv^d the most honourable and delicate treatment from he haids of those whon» they had stigmatised « savages, the elolovment of whom justified the use .f the Indians. Of?h^ British troopi 12 were killed and 22 wounded m this action and six hundred and one regulars were taken prisoners. General Proctor escaped by the fleetness of nis Jo"^'' "'^«; eA bv 40 dragoons and a number of mounted Indians, ine Indians sufferld the greatest loss. Thirty-three were found ie=d on the Eround, besides numbers who were killed in the repeat On the day of the action six pieces of brass artillery we^e taken? and two twenty-four po-Miders the day before- Several others were discovered in the river, which were ex- belted to bl saved. Of the brass pieces, three were trophies Sf the ref bTutlonary war, that were taken at Saratoga and York, Md surrendered by general Hull. The number of small arms camurrd Sy the ALfricans, or destroyed by the «"«<»/."•» have exceeded 5000, most of them had been taken by th British ^t Detroit, the river Raisin, and the Miami. The loss of the Am^icans were seven killed and twenty-two wounded, fivp nf whom have since died. * • r.„ The American troops certainly deserved great praise for theTr con^ct 'n this action; fot, although they consideraWy outnumbered the British, it must be recolkpd that they were !"i!!Tuu;,. .nd that the British had cjpn a position that v-;»j -"■;-'_-_, ^.. fl^,^v«. nnd ««■■» was imposbiDic eff^Sylecured ^^i^ flanks, and WM» was impos.iDiC Tor the Americans to turn, or to present a ime ttended li^j^xtc than that of the enemy. A«,w!lhertr ami As soon as Harrison took possession of Amhe|stbeig anu IP IMlMA^'^i^^^''' ^ f H18T0UY OF THE WAR. 105 Sandwich, and re-oc.cuincd the territory fo Michigan, several of the Indian tribes submitted and brought in hostages for their good behaviour, and while. he was in pur^iit of the British, five more tribes followed their example, and brought hostages to Detroit. Thev were received by general* M' Ar- thur,"^vhom Harrison had 'left in the command of that place, and it was agreed that hostilities should cease for the present, on condition that they shoulu " take hold of the same toma- hawk with the Americans, and strike all who are, or mayn^Cj enemies to the United States, whether British or Indians." The army returned to Detroit shortly after the battle, where they embarked on board the fleet for Buffaloe, in order to join the armyamder general Wilkinson. About the mid(ile of Scpteml)er an expedition was /ent from St. Louis, on the Mississippi, against the Indian settle- ments on the Peoria lake, on the river Illinois. It consisted of about 200 regulars of the 1st regiment of United States infantry, with a considerable body of rangers and mounted militia, under the command of brigadier^ j^onerul Howard. The regulars ascended the Illinois in boats; the mountyd troops proceeded up the Mississippi in two divisions, one on each side of the river, for a considerable distance, and then crossed the country to the Peoria lake. Tiic ditferent detach- ments had not proceeded far before it was discovered that the enemy were descending the Illinois to ravage the frontier; and a skirmish took place between a party of Indians and the detachment on the east side of the Mississippi, who, however, soon drove them before them. On the eveijng of the 28tl) of September, the two detachments that had marched up the Mississippi, and thence across to the Illinois, arrived within a few miles of the old village, and three men were sent forward to discover whether the regulars had arrived. During the night lieutenant-colonel Nicholson, who commanded the regu- lars, descended the Illinois to the encampment, and reported their arrival at Pioria, where they had commenced building a fort. He had been attacked by the Indians the day previous, but the' enemy were soon dispersed by a well-directed dis- charge of musque' with the aid of a six pounder from two unfinished block-houses. In this attack none of the men were killed, and only one Wounded, — It was evident that the assail- ants suffered coimderably, but to what extent ccuid.not be ascertained. ^^ Wfc On the 29th tM[MHiuted troops arrived at Peoria, and as soon as pravisi^Bli^ould be drawn, were marci^"'^ •"" *^^" Illino ^mheistberg and head of the lake, which was the K 106 HISTORY OF THE WAU. Ik M direction in which the enemy appeared to have retired ffoiti Peoria. -The villages, bein| found deserted, were destroyed a^r he troops rctu,-ned to^Peoria, where they rer«a.ned till U e garria'on w^ put in a state of defence. Two detachment, "xrl then sent in putsuit of the enemy, one of which ascended the Illinois above the mouth- of the Vermillion river to the KaDidrand within 17 miles of Chicago, on lake Michigan. The other penetrated the country northwardly to withm about 45 Wles of Rock river. The latter discovered several encamp- itiens'wl^ich appeared to have been deserted about the time of the army's arrival at Peoria, but neither of them were able ^"■J-r m^unTell t'r'o:pT«.^"ained at Peoria from the 2d to the Mth of October, during which time Ifcey were actively engaefdtogcther'with tbf United States Infantry, in erecting l"ort Clarke, which stands at the lower end of the Peona lake, con Dletely commanding the Illinois river. This fort is one of the It ong" St in the western country, and highly important to the sM. "''of the Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri territories. The ntmited troops moved from Peoria for the settlements on the 15th, leaving the regulars to garrison the fort. 1 hey mirsueU generally a south course till the 21st, when they ar- Sat Camp Russell, where the mounted militia were dis- charged, an??he rangers sent across the -"ntry to Vincennes on the Wabash, where they safely arrived shortly after. Ifter the capture of Bained inactive, with the exception of a fe» rifl ng skh-mishe, and attacks on out-posts, for the remainde of the summer. Two circumstances are supposed to have :Ls^ ^inactivity. The first was the constant rndispos.- tton of general Dearborn, which P;f.^f"^«/,^'™ /jX whe^ un« active Dart, and which continued till the 15th oljuly, wneii he rSd orders to retire from the command of th« a™?' unt.7 his health should be re-established, and unti f"«»>"^^; dcrs the command devolving on brigadier-genera Boyd. But he ; incipaT^use of the inactivity of this army is presumed tK be^en, the danger and indeed impi-acticabdUy of under- takine Ereat military movements before Chauncey bad on tained the complete command of Lake Ontario. B«fo« '^.s irachieved the army would always be liable to be sui.-ouhd- XSZ\L its sup'plies cut ofi\r'M.1L"erio?Kt of :.,L.«ful Rven with a force considerably^erior to that oi the'enem"y." The disaster at Detroit ha««||ht a salutary .=.- .•"ry txe'iin'was accordingly made by ctmm.dore Chaun- retired horn re destroyed, remained till detachnvents lich ascended , river to the ke Michigan. I within about eral encamp- bout the time em were able the. 2d to the vere actively y, in erecting e Peoria lake, lis fort is one ;hly important iiri territories. le settlements, e fort. They when they ar- litia were dis- f to Vincennes tly after. ;, the army at ption of a few the remainder posed to have tant indisposi- m from taking 1 of July, when d of the army, ntil further or- eral Boyd. But ny is presumed ibility of under- luncey had ob- 0. Before this to be sui»ouftd- lot expect to be lerior to that of jt a saiutary ie5- HISTORY OF THE WAR. J07 im< haun- cey for the attainment o^this important object. After the L ,rP of Fort Geortre, however, commodore sir James Yco, ^^rcomm^nded th^British squadron, having f^J^ lerablv to his force both of vessels and sailors, obliged Chaun- ; to remain in port until the new vessel the General Pike nirl he trot rcadv, which was not completed until the middle r uly 'bc ore I'e^cnter upofi the tri^i of skill which now ensued between Chauncey and Yeo, it may not be improper to t«ke a view of his previous operations. 'Commodore Chauncey arrived at SacWs I arbour o^^ the 6th of October, 1812, as commander of the United Stales force on the lakes, at which time the only American vessel on these waters wa* the brig Oneida of 18 guns, lie imme- diatelv purchased ^x merchant vessels, schooners, which were fi ted oSt as gun boats. His whole squadron mounted 40 guns of different calibres, with 450 men, including marines. I he British force on Lake Ontario consisted at this time of he Thip Royal George, of 26 guns and 260 men, ship Eajl Moi a, 18 guns and 200 men, and the schooners Prince Regent, 18 Kuns and 250 men, Duke of Gloucester, 14 guns and 80 m^n, Torento, 14 guns and 80 men, Go/ernor Simcoe, 12 g^uns and ro men, and Seneca, 4 guns and 40 men, making a grand total of 108 guns and 890 men. Chaunccy's squadron, especially lie 8choon!rs, were poor vessels and dull sailers, but In. men were much superior, a great part ot the enemy s sailors at this time being Canadians. ., , . , r^ -i On the 8th of November Chauncey sailed m the Oneida with his six schooners, in pursuit of the enemy, and on the same day fell in with the Royal George, which he chased into the bay of Quanti, where he lost sight of her m the mght^^ Next morning he again discovered her m Kingston channel, and immediately gave chase, and followed her into the harbour of Kingston, where he engaged her and the batteries for an hour and three quarters. Chauncey had made up l^^^ mind to board her, notwithstanding she was protected by the batteries; but the wind blowing directly in, the pilots refused to take charge of the vessels, and it was therefore deemed ^'^P^'^f "^ to mike the attempt at this time. He accordmgly hauled off and beat up under-a heavy fire from the enemy to Four-nule point, where the squadron anchored. During the night it blew hea%, with squalls from the westward, and there being every «nnZranr.e of a Q^ale of wind, the pilot became alarmed, and oTaunceV thought it most prudent to get into a place ol i.i.,re safety, and therefore reluctantly deferred renewing the attack* Vntil a more favourable opportunity. gUjIBfWfTW J08 STOHY OF TH .VAU. Pi it. The signal was made to weigh at 7 next morning, and the squadron' beat out of a very narrow channel, under a heavy press of sail, to the open lake. At 10 they fell in with the Ciovernor Simcoe, which escaped into Kingston harbour by running over a reef of rocks, under a heavy fire from uirec o{ ihe schooners, during which all her peo^e ran below. It mo\v coming on to blow very heavy, Chaunceyborc up ! r Sackctt's )Iarbour, and on his way thither captured two schooners one of which was burnt, after taking out her sails and rigging. The Oneida, in this aflTair, had one man killed, and three slightly wounded, and a few shot through her sails. The schooners lost no men by the enemy's fire and received but little injury in their hulls and sails. One of their guns, how- ever, burst early in the action, which wounded her commander iiadly, and a midshipman and three men slightly. The Royal (George received considerable injury in her hull and m men, as the gun vessels, with their long thirty-two pounders, were seen to strike her almost every shot, and it was observed that she was reinforced with men three different times durmg the action. ^ , ■«, • s On the 12th, Chaunccy learnt that the Earl Moira was off tlie False Ducks, aad immediately put off in a snow storm, m the hope of cutting her off from Kingston. In this he was disappointed, as she escaped into the harbour. A vessel un- der jjer convoy, however, was c purod, in which was captain litock, brother to the general. Thanncey row blockaded Kingston until the 7th of DecenV'>ei, when he returned to S^ckett^i Harbour, being no longer able to keep the lake on account of the ice. During the winter the ship Madison, of 24 guns, was launched and fitted out. The capture of York and Fort George have already been 7-.V;ced in pages 78 and 80 of this volume. After these events nothing of importance occurred until the end of July, Chaun- cey being unable to keep the lake, owing to several new ves- sels being fitted out by the British, and the arrival of sir James Yeo, with a large body of 'seamen, to take command ol the British squadron on Lake Ontario. It may be proper to men- lioi., however, that the brig P-ike of Gloucester was captured Pt York; and on the 18th of June lieutenant Chauncey,an the ivew schooner Lady of the Lake, captured the schooner Lady Murray, laden with provisions and ammunition, and jameen ofl'icers and privates,' besides the seamen. About the middle of Julv, the General Pike being ready to r sail, which brought the two squadrons nearly to a state ot equality, Chaunccv sailed from Sackctt's Harbour, and stretcU- HISTORY OF THft WATI. 109 inrr over for the enemy's shore, thence siood up the lake. He Arrived off Niagara on the 27th. Here he was intovn.ed by general Boyd, that the enemy had a considerable deposit o ^ ovisions and stores at Burlington Bay, which he "^f.V°Vta;,actioror suffer his two yIo, finding ho "^"^' ^^'^'■J^fd h,\'^rdron in succession, r- ;ir'rthe%"n '^hoised'ht colours, and commenced a beginning at the ^a"' "" . ^^^ purpose of covering his well-dir.cted fire at t e P^ke fo'-^he P P ^„^ ^, ^e passed to rear, ana ^ "^''^'^"S/';:, :f^^^^^^ in^tention, and therefore, leeward. <;hauncey P^J"' j^^^j ^^ip, passed the cen- as soon as the Wolte, ''^f^"^"' ■ sqtiadron, he bore up in tre, and got abeam of tl^Arn"'^^"!''^ centre of the British succession, P^^^/, e'^f ctunc^yTnot only covered r .Tbu^ rew threnemy into confusion, and caused him his rear, but thi cw ine c ,/, ^ |,ad now, however, clos- immediately to bear avvay. •;^auncey ^a ^ ^^^^_ ed so near as to make his S""» '° J^^^J'^^^/^,-,; ^d of the ,y minutes the mam »"* mnlmmeTatelv putTefore the wind, Wolfe were shot away. 7^«° ^^"^"'Al7je„ made the signal rM^'fltt to mTe'aU "a u' bm 'he eremfby keeping lead for the fleet o make alis^ all the sail upon one mast, and before the winfl, wn'^n di > h ^ • topn>ast, prevented his feehng the loss ot "'»■"»'", u,dron The 'was enabled *? °«^^\\ "^'le^o'S during the whole cha'se was corAinuedtm near three ocock^ of which the Pike, with l^^/|^P '" '""^h^ie of his Le. Cap- .hot of the enemy, ^d^sustamedthe^w^^^^ ^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^^J._ daru^'sed'everrcVeJu^n to dose with th« enemy; but the Ma- I 12 HISTORY OF THE WAR. ^H. u dison having a heavy schooner in tow, and the Oneida sailing very dull before the wind, prevented those officers from clos- ing near enough to do any execution with their carronades.— The Governor Tompkins kept in her station, until her fore- mast was sc badly wounded as to oblige her to shorten sail. Commodore Chauncey now reluctantly relinquished the pur- suit. The reasons which induced this determination are thus stated in his letter to the secretary of the navy: " At the time I gave up the chase, the ship was making so much water, that it required all our pumps to keep her free (owing to our re- ceiving several shot so much below the water edge, that we could not plug the holes from the outside); the Governor Tompkins with her fore-mast gone; and the squadron within about six miles of the head of the lake, it blowing a gale of wind from east, and increasing, with a heavy sea on, and every appearance of the equinox. I considered that if I chased the enemy to his anchorage at the head of the lake, I should be obliged to anchoi also; and although we might succeed in driv- ing him on shore, the probability was, that we should go on shore also — he amongst his friends, we amongst our enemies; and after th« gale abated, if he could succeed in getting oft' one or two vessels out of the two fleets, it would gi\ e him as completely the command of the lake as if he had twenty ves- sels. Moreover he was covered at his anchorage by a part of his army, and several small batteries thrown up for the pur- pose. Therefore, if we could have rode out the gale, we should have been cut up by their shot from the shore; under all these circumstances, and taking into view the consequences resulting from the loss of our superiority on the lakes at this time, I without hesitation relinquished the opportunity then presenting itself of acquiring individual reputation at the ex- pense of my country." The loss sustained by the Pike, the commodore's ship, was considerable, owing to her being so long exposed to the fire of the whole of the enemy's fleet; but her most serious loss was occasioned by the bursting of one of her guns, which kill- ed and wound«d twenty-two men, and tore up the top-gallant fore-castle, which rendered the gun upon that deck useless. — Four other guns were cracked in the muzzle, which rendered their use extremely doubtful. Her main-top-gallant mast was shot away in the 'early part of the action, and the bow-sprit, fore and main-mast wounded, rigging and sails much cut up, \f which were be- killed and Vk ^ i« anu a nuitiucr tween wind and water, and twenty-seven men wounded, including those by the bursting of the gun The HISTORY OF THE WAU. 113 s ship, was I to the fire ierious loss which kill- top-gallant : viseless. — :h rendered It mast was i bow-sprit, uch cut up, '.h were be- killed and gun The I board. Oneida Madison received a few shot, but no person was hurt on^ ■Ihe Governor Tompkins lost her fore-mast, and the (. i.jfl her main-top-mast badly wounded. Durin? the cbase, one or two of the enemy's small vessels „ ere completely within Chauncey's power, but m the eager- "^ss of fc P«""i» "f 'he larger, he passed them unnouced, by which means they finally escaped. , F„,.t Oenrcre Meanwhile general Wilkinson had arrived a Fort George, in mder to taki the con;mand of the army. About the same „e the secretarv of war arrived at Sackelfs Harbour, m or- r to be more conveniently situated for supermtendmg mihta- '-'iCwinrLlill continuing unfavourable for an attack on the Rvitish sauadron at the head of the lakej Chauncey ran off Nia- « a ft. C purpose of cor. municating with Wilkinson to a- certain when he meant to move with the army to Sackett s Hal - tour U was the general's opinion, that the public service would be best proiLted by hi^ watching the. enemy's squad- mn or if Dossible, preventing its return to Kmgston, while he ZUi'iuh the aVmy down^he '^^e- Chauncey, therefore Lvinir taken part of the troops on board his squadron, tire re- Ser pioceeding in boats to Sackett's Harbour, imraeoiate- r, roceerd in qulst of the enemy. The following morning, Oc ober 2d, he discovered the British squadron standmg to- wa ds him, and made all sail in chase ; but as soon as the flee s ;;;oach"d so near as plainly to discern each other, Yeo P^ about, and stood towards the head of '^e lake. The chase c„„ tinned until the 4th, little progress bemg m*^*. ^g» "^* Z, .urrent, from the lightness or variableness f 'he wind, the B itislr however, evidently gaining ground of the American "madron The morning of the 4th proving hazy, "fhing could ;rseenof the enemy, afd about noon it fell -ta, when ^h«un- ,ev ordered the Lady of the Lake to sweep up to BuiUngton bay, which was not fir distant, to ascertain whether or not the Son was there. In the evening she returned with info. - mation that the fleet was gone, the.r bemg noUiing m the bay "It'^l'n'w^evident tWt Yeo, availing himself of the dark- Tf ,i» nieredine nicht, had either run lor Kingston, or rrtieVe forSrlo^e of intercepting the flotilla with ,Ue army. Chauncey, therefore, immediately -"^f »" J^'J' ^™ shaped his course for the Ducks, with a view ol '"'« eepti ^ hinlor his prizes, if heshould lZ^^,^:^\7\J":n^X ru^draT'»t^Tn;:.Ki auhree in theaftcrnoonof the 5th, M: 114 HISTOKY OF THE WAR. discovered seven sail near the False Ducks, to which, presum- ing they were the enemy's fleet, they instantly gave chase. In about an hour, however, they were discovered to be sloops and schooners, and were perceived to be separating on different tacks, on which the Sylph and the Lady of the Lake were dis- patched after one part, and Chauncey in the Pike pursued the others. About five o'clock the enemy, finding that the Pike was fast gaining on him, took the people out of one of his gun vessels which sailed worse than the rest, and :.et her on fire. This, however, availed them but little, for, at sun-down, three of their vessels were forced to strike to the Pike, and soon af- ter the Sylph captured another. A fifth ran into the Ducks, but the Sylyh, which was left to watch her, took possession of her early next morning. A small schooner was the only -ves- sel that escaped, owing to the darkness of the night. The captured vessels were found to be gun-vessels, with troops from the head of the lake, but last from York, bound to Kingston. Two of them were the Julia and Growler, which Chauncey had lost in the action of the 9th of August. The prisoners taken amounted to nearly 300, principally belonging to the De Wattenlle, a German regiment. From them it was learnt that the British fleet, in the action of the 28th of Sep- tember, at the head of the lake, was very much cut up in their hulls and spars, and had a great many killed and wounded, particularly on board of the Wolfe, and Royal George. In addition to the army in Ohio, and that on the Niagara frontier, a considerable body of troops was collected in the sum- mer of 1812, upon lake Champlain, a number of vessels also were built to gain the command of those waters. In the cam- paign of that year, however, no important movement was made in this quarter. Towards the end of May, 1813, several of the British gun-boats having crossed the lines, for the purpose of capturing the craft upon the lake, two of the American armed sloops, the Eagle and Growler, sailed from Plattsburg on the 2d of June for their protection. They arrived within about a mile of the lines about dark, where they cast anchor for the night. Next morning, about day-break, they discovered three British gun-boats, to which they gave chase, but the wind be- ing south, they unfortunately ran so far into the naitow chan- nel that they found it difiicult to return, and the Eagle, not be- ing sufliciently strong for her weight of metal, became unman- ageable, and at last went down; the watc, however, being shoal, the crew were saveu. i ne vjirowtci", uuirviinug^ ii* ausiiu»«s ii~s companion, continued to fight until after the Eagle sunk, when iihe was compelled to strike to superior force, The enemy til A HISTORY OF THE WAR. 115 h.d five cun-boats in the action, besides a considerable force in musquetry on both sides of the channel, which was so Bar- Im place the sloops within their reach from b>oth shores. T official account of this affair has not been published, but it is stated, on the authority of the enemy, that they had two kiM- ed the Americans only one, but a considerable number of^e [alter were wounded. The British afterwards succeeded m ''Thfl'os^sorfhe* sloops giving the British the superiority on the lake, on the 30th of July a considerable force crossed the •mes in forty-four barges, protected by the Growler and Eagle, three row-gallies, and a gun-boat, under the command of colo- nel M^'ray^ The following day they appeared off Plattsburg, and Vflae of truce was sent into the town to demand its surren- der, with the assurance, that if no resistance was made, private nrooerty should be respected. There bemg no troops m the p ace, of course there was no resistance, and the enemy lande^d ami burnt the public bmldings, consisting of a blockhouse, barracks, arsenal, Sec. when they again ^"^barked. On the 2d of August the enemy appeared off Bur.ington, on the other side of the lake, where the American army was sta- tioned under general Hampton, and opened their fire from two Zps and a galley, which was returned from a battery m front of ^he town, The fire from which soon compelled them to make off Several gun-boats and sloops lay under the battery, but were unable to pursue the enemy, having suffered severely m a eale a few days previous. j .. i i „ In the month of October, Hampton's army crossed the lake, and proceed, d towards the Canada lines, which they crossed about the 20th or 21st. The army moved m two divisions, one on each side of the Chateaugay river, and on two differer ^ dap drove in the British pickets, one of which they succeeued n capturing. Every precaution had been taken by the enemy to ntercept the progress of the army. The roads were filled with esrwhich the/had previously felled in every direction; the bridges were destroyed, and the houses burnt or pulled down. Notwithstanding these impediments, however, they contmued 1^^; to advance till the 26th, when the advanced guard was attacked on both sides of the river by a body of regulars, vol- tigeurs and Indians, posted in strong positions m a wood, flank- ed by the river and impassible swamps. The attack was seve- altfmes renewed and\he enemy always driven behind their wmis. On the 27th one of the divisions forded the river, and .»,« «,u^ie arrr^v returned within the American hnes to tour Corners. The British claimed great merit from the splcnam 116 HlSTOllY OF THE WAH. ik-ii . ^1. •' ■ victory, as they c all it, which they assert was achieved by a force of only 300 men, against Hampton's whole army, which consisted of 3000 or 3500. From their own statement, how. ever, it would appear that their force was much larger than they represent it. They state it to have consisted ot— « Captains Levesque and Debartzch, with their flank com. panics of the 5th battalion incorporated militia, together with about 200 of the Beauharnois division." « Lieutenant-colonel De Salaberry, with his yoltigeurs, and captam Fereruson's light company of the Canadian regiment. Besides these, are mentioned, in the course of the action- « A lar^e body of Indians under captain Lamothe. « Lieutenant-colonel M'Donnell, of the Glengary light in- fantry, with a part of his light brigade." These forces do not include the reinforcements which are stated to have arrived the following day. And yet we are c-ravcly told, that, " though it may appear mcredible,^the whole force en^at^ed on our side did not exceed 300 men. » But even allowing their forces to be as small as here repre- Nsented, it by no means follows, cither that a victory was gamed, or that Hampton's measures were baffled. It does not appear that it was the intention of the American general to push on by this route to Montreal, for the reduction ot which his small force was utterly incompetent, independent of the natural im- pediments which this part of the country presented to an in- vading army. There is no reason to doubt, uideed, that this movement was merely intended as a demonstration, to divert and distract the attention of the enemy from the movenients on the St. Lawrence, and this end being completely attamecl, it was nut the general's intention to risk the loss ot any part, however small, of his army, by an attempt to force a position so stroma as the British represent this to have been. General Wilkuison having transported his army m satety from Fort George to Sackett's Harbour, in the beginnmg ot October, in a lew days they were again moved to Grenadier Island, with the intention of immediately proceedmg down the St. Lawrence against Montreal. Considerable delay, hbwever, took place; owing to the uncommon severity of the weather, and it was not until the 3d of November that he was enabled to niove. On the evening of the 6th he reached Ogdensburg, * Th- -. ..^^ *^j»t* di^^-f Jt/*^fi alluded to is not the official account. It is a de'tlued account, afifiarcntty written by an officer who was fire sent at the affair. HtblOUY Of TH*: WAU. 117 lere repre- vas gained, not appear push on by 1 his small natural im- jd to an in- 1, that this n, to divert movements ly attained, i any part, 3 a position n. ly in safety e ginning of 3 Grenadier ig down the y, hbwever, he weather, s enabled to )gdensburg, I account. It cer tvho ivas , hence he wrote to general Hampton at Four comers (^urc e had established his head-quarters a ter his return trom Ca- nadaO ordering him to form a unction with, him on the St. Lawrence, ai/ rex oi^jm ending St. Regis as the most suitable nlacerwhere he expc.:ted to be on the 9th. -On the subject •rprovTsions," continues Wilkinson, « I ^vish could give a favourable inlormation; our whole stock of bread may be com- puted at about fifteen days, and our meat at twenty. On speak- hiL on this subject to the secretary of war, he informed me am- 2 magazines were laid up on lake Champlain, and therefore I must request of you to order forward two or three month s upply by the safest route, in a direction to the proposed scene of action. I have submitted the state of provisions to my gene- ral officers, who unanimously agree that it should not prevent the progress of the expeditior; and they also agree m opmion, if you arc not in force to face the enemy, you should meet us at St.' Ree-is or its vicinity.'' •. • i r A short distance above Ogdensburg, on the opposite si.le of the St. Lawrence, stands Prescot, a fortified post commandint,^ the river. The lateness of the season not admitting of delay, Wilkinson determined to pass it in the night, m place ot stop- pine to reduce it. This was eficctcd on the mght of the 6th, without other loss thau two privates killed and three wounded. In the course of the 8th the cavalry was crossed rom the American to the Canada shore, and a detachment ot the intan. try was landed, to prevent the enemy, who had previously lin- ed the shore with musquetry, from harrasshig the boats m their passage down the river. A considerable body of the enemy trom Kingston also, in concert with a heavy galley and a few gun-boats, hung on the rear of the Americans, aitd consider- ubly retarded their progress. On the morning of the 10th, general Brown advanced down the river, for the purpose of clearing its b^ks, as a rapid, eight miles long, was expected to be passed in the course ot the dav , in the passage pf which, without this precaution, the army would be much exposed. About noon, the army was apprized by the report of artillery, that Brown was engaged some dis- tance below, and about the same time the enemy were obsei v- cd in their rear. Their galley and gun-boats having approach- cd the flotilla, and openci their fire, Wilkmson ordered a bat- tery of eighteen pounders to be planted, the shot from which soon compelled the vessels of the enemy to retire, together with ^^\^ *,v^.-^r..o. after fiome firiuir between the advanced parlies. The day was now so far sp^ent, that the pilotstUd not dare td enter the rapid, and therefore the flotilla fell down about l^^o 113 HloTOUY OF THK WAR. l^ *• :!| uikk and came to for the night. Early next morning every thinrwas ready to move, but it was still deemed imprudent to . commit tlie flotiUa to the rapid until the result of gen. Brown s * affair should be ascertained. At half pa^ 10, an officer arrived with information that Brown had forceS the enemy to retire, and that he would reach the foot of the rapid early m the day. Orders were now given for the flotilla to sail; bot at this mo- ment the enemy's gun-boats appeared and b^gan to fire, and in- formation was received from general Boyd, that the enemy a troops were advancing in column, on which Wilkinson sent him orders to attack them. This report was soon contradicted; but their Kun-boats conUnued to annoy the flotilla, and such a va- riety of reports of the movements and counter-movements ot the troops on shore was brought to Wilkinson, as convinced him of their determination to hazard an attack, when it could be done to advantage. He therefore resolved to anticipate them; and directions were accordingly sent to general Boyd to. throw the detachments under his command into three columns, to march upon the enemy, outflank them if possible, and take their artillery! Tlie force under Bpyd consisted of detachments from the first, third, and fourth brigades, which were formed agreeably to orders; and placed respectively under colonel Coles, general Covington, and general Swartwout. A report wj^s nevv brought to Boyd from the rear guard, that a body o about 200 British and Indians had advanced mto the woods that skirted his rear. General Swartwout, with the fourth brigade, was immediately ordered to dislodge them; general Covington, with t:i» -^lird brigade, being at the same time directed to be withi,. supporting distance. General Swartwout^ashed into the woods, and with the 2 st infantry (a part of his brigade,) after a shovt skirmish, drove them back to the position of their main body. Here he was joined by General Covmgton. The enemy had iudiciouiiy chosen his ground among the deep ra- vines which every where intersected the extensive plain, and dischargtd a heavy and galling fire upon the advanced columns of the Americans. No opposition or obstaole, however, check- ed their ardour. The enemy retired for more than a mile be- fore their rcsoime and repeated charges. D"""^^^^^i« ^.^'^J' The cUtachmem of the first brigade under colonel Coles, whose ir^catcr distance from the scene of action retarded its arrival, nujidly entered the field. Being directed to attack the ene- ^S /.r, a:...i, ►Mo ^,.T.».mf^nt was nromDtlv and bravely exe- •^td, amicf a.f]Ro^^er of miisquetry ^md sharpnel shells. 1 he i,cht now b\came moi-e stationary, until the brigade first en- imaged, having txpciulcd all their amiuumtion, were directed HISTORY OF THE "WAR. 119 route they had to taKe, were im ^^j ^^. rival), did not read, the S™""^ """' ^ 'I^^^^n they were ar- munition, had already ^eg"" t°f '™^^ When the artil- rSoaUaf\vhkh'movon,ent *'as executed in good order, and ^'rrlm^tantTc^TnThrJction, which too. place >u ^he^Sbt^ood of WiUia.^^^^^^^^ detachments taken from the "°»'»' «'*"??.. ^ ^ ^ ^^s sup- accurac, what was the nmnber on the^teld bu^ polled to be ''bout 1600 or 1700 men^ine ^.^ ^ SsmUent the -U«a and Ind^ns -^^^^^^^ rUided The Americans had 102 kiiieq, anu n^uuh \^on^* the latter general Covington mortally. The British among the latter S*^?t ^ wounded, and 12 missing.— state their ^<^«^,^5^\J^;Vt.U^^^^^^^^^^^ the British, be . Both parties claim ^I'J^V^^^^ because the Ame- cause they ^^^P^^^'^^^.^Ct^e eround ?S Amei^ because [JSrobtea w "f%^ a^^^^^^^^^^^ b-^-S ^-^ i^^ ^"^"^^' their object was i""y ' . ^^rotrress down the river— r„'"Fo^'''GTor.':: tvin^g with a few short intervals of conva- !ThrASrhar.^::-S-their position on the banKs ifi ! J' 120 HISTORY or THE WAR. !(: of the St. Lawrence, the infantry, being much fatigued, were re-embarked, and proceeded down the river, without further annoyance from the enemy v their gun-boats, while the dra- .goons with five pieces of light artillery, marched down the Canada shore without molestation. The next morning the flotilla passed safely down the rapitU, and joined general Brown at Barnhart's netir Cornwall, where he had been instructed lo take post and wait their arrival. At Barnhart*s, Wilkinson confidently expected to have heai'd of Hampton's arrival on the opposite shore, but immediately on his halting, colonel Atkinson waited on him with a letter from that officer, in which, to the surprise and mortification of WilkinsoR, Hampton declined the junction, and informed him that he was marching towards lake Champkin, by way of co- operating in the proposed attack on Monti-eal. The reason as- signed by Hampton for this measure,, was the smallness of Wilkinson's stock of provisions, and the impossibility, from 4he difficulty of trans^-ortatipn at this season, of his brmging more tlian each man could have carried on his back. " When I reflected," says Hampton, ' that in throwing myself upon your scanty means, I should be weakening you in your most vulnerable point, I did not hesitate to adopt the opinion, after consulting the general and principal oflicers, that by throwing myself back on my main depot, when all the means of trans- portation had gone, and falling upon the enemy's flank, and straining every effort to open a communication from Platts- l>urg to Coghnawaga, or any other point you may indicate on the St. Lawrence, I should more effectually contribute U? your ,8uccess, than by the junction at St. R^gis. The way is in ma- uy places blockaded and abated, i»nd the road impracticable for wheel carriages during winter— but by the employmenfof pack horses, if I am not overpoweiflf, I hope to be able to jprcvent your starving. I have as^eiftained and witnessed that fhe plan of the eneS^is to burn and consume every thing in •:ur advance. My troops and other moans will be described to you by colonel Atkinson. Besides the rawness and sickness, they ha e endured fatigues equal to a winter campaign, in the late snows and bad weather, and are sadly dispirited and fallen ofi"; but upon this subject I must refer you to colonel Atkinson. AVith these means— what can be accomplished by human ex; ertion, I will attempt— with a mind devoted to the general ob- jects of the campaign." \ _ _ •. r Hampton*s letter was immediately subniitied to a coUucn ci war, composed of the general officers and the colonel comr manding the elite, the chief engnieer, and the adjutant-gtne. HISTORY OF THR WAK. i%i unian ex- ral who unanimously gave it as their opinion, that "the attack on Montreal should be abandoned for the present season, and the armp near Cornwall should be immediately crossed to the Amer cfn »hore for taking up winter quarters, and thPt this nUce afforded an eligible position for such quarters." I his &n was acquiesled in by Wilkinson, not, he states, from Swant of provisions, because they could, Vi ca.e o extrem,. V have lived on the enemy, but because the loss ot the dui- linUT^er general Hampton weakened his force too sensibly ^**ihl^lrmy^remSon the Canada shora until the next day ; without seeing the enemy, and then crossed over and went in- to winter quarters at French Mills, near St. Regis, on tlie bor- ders oH-.ower Canada. l\\„r.'^ Meanwhile general Harrison, having embarked at Detroit, with those of his troops whf)se term of service had not expir- Td or who were not ionsidered necessary for the defence of the country he had overrun, arrived at Buffaloc towards the end of October, and immediately proceeded to Fort C^^orge.-- General Wilkinson having previously gone down the lake, and the fleet having not arrived f<>->he transportaUon of H^^^^^^^^ troops, arrangements wei-e nwde by him and general M Clure, whom he found in the command of Fort George, for an expe- dition against Burlington Heights, at the head of lake Ontario. Before the completion of these arrangetncnts, ^^f ^^ ^,^.';"- modore Chauncey arrived with orders immediately to bring Twn Harrison^s tW ^r the defence of ^^^l^^^'^^^'^ Commodore Chauncey was extremely pressing for the ti-oops immediately to embark, stating that the ^^^^S^^^'f/^;; J ,^^^^^^ vessels was very dangerous at this season, and that should the tpoops not get down before the lake was frozen, the safety ot the fleet «t the harbourlRight be seriously endangei;ed. Ihe general therefore reluctantly relinquishedthe expedition, tur- ther delay in proceeding down the lake ""S; considered im ^ practicable. The troop* were embarked about the middle ot November, and shoirtly after arrived m safety at Sackett s AfreTthe departure of general Harrison, the force at Fort Georffe, under General M'Clure, consisted almost exclusively of mUitia and volunteers, whose t^rmof service w^^ on tho Doint of expiring. The contemplated expedition against Kui ^ lincton Heights, was once more undertaken, but the roads were f^,!!,j -,,,* i^. In niich a manner and so obstructed by timber,, that it^was'&und impi-acticable to. transport the artilkL-y, ami accordingly it was abandoned. L * m ^m-. 132 lIlSTO'llY OF THE WAR. The abandonment of Ihis expedition excited much disaaiis. faction at Fort George, especially among the vo untcers, many of «hom had made considerable sacrifice, to jo.n th^rmy,,n the 1 ope of being usefully and actively employed. 1 heir tt.m o serJ^ce now expiring, M'Clnre used every effort to engaRc ^h< m to remain foV one^r two n.onths longer, but m yam. He "as left on the 10th of December with not more than sixty ef- 'ctivereKulars to garrison Fori (Jeorge. A council of officer, was then heW,who^were unanimously of opinion that the fori ^^ouM be immediately evacuated, the advance of the enemy, -Itoby some means had obtained information of the , taw of the • nlace beinc within eight miles. Orders were accordmgly given o tra'nspon all the ar^s, ammunition and public stores o eve- rv descriirtion across the river, which was pnnnpally effec ed, thoueh he enemy approached so rapidly that ten of the soldiers 'vere made prisone/s!^ The fort was blown up, and the town of Newark, a vLdsome little place of about f.»h°u-s, situate ■A mile below the fort, was laid in ashes. » I his act, general MXlure dTclares, "as distressing to the inhabitant, as to my iVeUnprs, was by an order of the secretary at ^^i-- ' "The in- htbSts had twelve hours notice to remove their effects, and such as chose to come across fhe river were provided with all fhe necessaries of life." The only reason that we have seen fssicned for this outrage is by no means satisfactory: " }^^)<-^ c'^emy might not havlit in their power to quarter with the r ?ud an Sues in the village, and maraud and murder our cm- " and we are much pleased to see that the act is almost ^'"j^nThi'Lth :?C:mber about 4 in the morning, the British crossed the riv^r a few miles above Fort Niagara, and^succeed. 'f ^^ ,,1, L the olace by storm about an hour before daybreak. " The f5^am,ear«t have been complexly surprised. The men wire 3 all asleep in theii tents, when the enemy rushed ,n we c neart> aiiasi ^ .lauchter. Such as escaped the .l"ry o!r liTs on^'seTretfredto a mess-house, where they Went D a fire on the enemy, until a want of ammunition coni- n^Fled^hem to surrender. The disaster is attributed and with oo much appeal of probability, to gross neglect or trea- too ™"<;" °Pf ; the part of the commanding ofiicer of the Tt whoT tatTd to havereen absent at the time it took place Stw hstandtg the attack was expected,^as appears from the '•"1 jl, : "",..'';.a,.,d h« M'Clure a few days previous. '''''After rte'captureof'ihe "fort, the British with a large bociy „f Indians oroceeded op the river as far as Lewistown, and, hS driVe^ff a det^'^'^ment of militia stationed- at Lewis- •% ■»v. H4STOUY OF THE WAR. 4 19^ town Heiehts, burnt that village and those of Youngstown and M^nchest^r and the Indian Tuscarora village. A number ot the iSs ve inhabitant* ^ said to have been butcbeml b. Te TSeTon the 30th aiiuther detachn^ent of the British and ndian??ro83ed the Niagara, near the Black Rock. They were Kv the militia under general Halli but overpowered by rumbL'anTth^^^^^^^ enemy, the militia scK>n gave way and fled on every side, and every attempt to rally them ^ •V.^frrrtnnl The enemy then set fire to Black Rock, when thus completinK the desolation of the wJ«o^^ f *« ^lagais frontier, as a relaliation for the burning °f NeY"*- _ Sprious aoorehensions were entertained for the sateiy oiine fleet at Eric- the eneV ., ho^yever, did not attempt to pene rate funhfr ft the L.nent/;nd a sufficient force was sck,„ collect- ed for its defence, »hich r«n'a•n«<^'•"'^'"S.'^'''' *r;he north While active onerations were thus carried ''';'' t surrender in this quarter, in the month of April; namely, the surrender of Mobile to the arms ot the United States _ _f Qcto- Bv the treaty of St. Udefonso, concluded on the 1"0'^"° ber,^800 between France and ??»'"' ^'j.^'f"r'"f Pa'- dpr^tion of certain stipulations in favour "^ *«/»^^ "^ ^'; 1, ceded to the French republic " the ,<=° ""V °;^P"^?„"'^^t of Louisiana; with tht same extent that 't*°" ^^f '"^ \^\ hands of Spain, and that it had when France, P°^^"f " and such as it should be after the "ef'^.r^^ntreity con- ed into between Spain and other states.- By » W**^'' =°^^ eluded at Paris, on' the 30tb of ApriM1803, Fra"\« "^*^ ,0 the United Stales the territory she had acquired by the treaty of St. Udefonso, « as fully and m the same manner a, they have been acquired by the F'-«"^h lepoblic. in . virtue of the -above-mentioned treaties, th« United SUtes claimed as the southern portion of Louisiana, all the coun ry IvinK between the Sabine and Perdido river^ ..l,3Tat Jovfrnmem, however, resisted this c aim, =;"^ithin about halfa mie of the towns, the enemy began to prepare for ac Uon, wmS was announce'd by the beating of their drums, nun- Bled with lavage yells. About an hour after sunuse^thc fctionVas brought on by two companies, who had gone wtthiti U^circle of aU^^^^^ for the puri^se of drawing the enen.; out from their ifuildings. As soon as the two co-pame^^^^^^^^^^^ bited their front in view of the town, and gave a ^^^ s^utten^^ shot the enemy formed and made a violent charge upon them, on which they gave way, and were followed by the Indians, untUthey reached t^ immediately opened genei^ fire, and then charged. The Indians now, in th^n turn, retreat ng and firing, until they got around m their build, ng vhen they made a most determined resistance, fighting to^t e very last moment, as long as they could stand or sit, .^^ rLn qhrinkino- or complaining; not one asking for quartei. EveiT wl^^^^^^^ in the Town waf killed, and aU the women and ^hUdTen were'taken prisoners, except a few whowei^ unin n tionallv slain, in consequence of the men flying lo the houies "^xiigwith their\milies,and at the same time refusing '^Thrnumber found killed of the enemy was 186, and a num- ber ofoti The nun Of the /. the great with arrc arms of t with a b with his Coffee tion and K were fi to us ui every re appeare all appe face a f the sam Thei ment to Late the can rived it the can Creeks efforts with tV that, u the for diately hundrc men, 1< with a that T»; the ri^ few h( within and tv army Th 'i0''-'^f ■ HISTORY Ur THE WAR, 127 »e destruc- mtnediate- miUtia, and lad already in two divi- and Cocke, dispatched ilands, with men, on an onsiderable Ived within 3 3d, wher« ted them to was effect- vithin about ipare for ac- drums, min- sunrise the gone whhift g the enemy panies exhi- vf scuttering >.upon them, the Indians, ely opened a low, in their 1 their build- nee, fighting indor sit, ii< for quarter, e women and ,vere uninten- the houses time refusing 5, and a num- u,t of others were killed in the woods, who were not found. The number of women and children taken was eighty-fodr. Of the Americans, five were killed, and forty-one wounded, ?he ereateTpart slightly, none mortally; two oi the killed were with Irrows; which appeared to form a prmcipal part of the rrms of^ie Indians on this occasion, every man having a bow, Th a bundle of arrows, which he used after the first fire w th his Kun, until a leisure time for loading ofTered, Coffee bestows much praise on his men,for their dehbera- fmn and firmness. "Notwithstanding our numbers, says he, we?e far superior to that of the enemy, it was a circumstance to Tsunknown, and from the parade of the ene»«y^^7^ ^ad eve y reason to suppose them our equals in number; but there rpeared^o visible traces of alarm in any; on the contrary all appeared cool and determined; and, no doubt, when they ^ce a foe of their own, or superior number, they will show 'V^^.^:^^'^^^^^^^^ -th his detach. ''ti:^:^^:'e^eni-, of the 7th a friendly Indian arrived at the camp, who brought intelligence that the enemy had ar- rived h^ great numbers at Talledega, about thirty m^les below he camp, where one hundred and sixty men of the friendly CreekXd erected a fort, the more effectually to resist the efforts of the hostile party, and where they were now stationed with their wbres and children. The messenger represented That inTess ieedy i-elief could be obtained froni the army, Kwould cerLinly be taken. General Jackson imnrie- Ltely eave orders for takng up the line of march, with twelve hmdred infantry and eight hundred cavalry and mounted rifle- SleavTng behind the%ick, the wounded, and the baggage, with a sufficient force for their protection. By twelve o'clock Tha «iKhf Se army was in motion, and commenced crossmg the rfver opposite the encampm.ent, which was effected m a few hlu^'s^and on the night of the 8th the army encampea luhinflU miles of the enemy. At eleven that night a soldier rnd?vo Indians, who had been sent forward to reconnoitre, returned w^^^^ the intelligence that the enemy were encamped LXi a quarter of a mil^ of the fort; but they liad not been rble To approach near enough to ascertain either their number or pre.-se situation. At midnight the f J^V S vwi The ordered to prepare the line of march; and by four o clock the army was in motion. - n««si1pv nn^ The iniamry marcncu i» u;.^^ "'-•^"'V-;;''^:", ^,.« "' irh mounted riflemen were in the rear, with flankers on e.cn H- • ♦ 128 HISTOHV er THE WAK. , w The advance consisted of a company of artillery «ul, nNik«t», and two companies of riflemen. A company of spies nTclied four-hundred yards in front of the whole, to brmg o» the enn-aeement. Having arrived within a mile of the enemy at sevfn^ovtock, two hundred and fifty of, the cavalry ano mounted riflemen were placed in the rear ol the centre, as a ZTdVrZrve, and the remainder vvere ordered to advance on the rightandleft of the infantry, and, after havmg encircled the enemy, by uniting the fronts of their columns, and keeping their reTr connected with the infantry, to ^ce and press in- wards towards the centre, so as to leave th. enemy no poss,. SlUvof escape. The infantry were ordered to advance by heads of companies, general Hall's brigade occupying tfce right ^"ib^Te1g?t1"lock 'he- advance, having arrived within eightryardi of the enemy, who were jo-^'^d >" ^^^J.ck shrubberv which covered the margin of a rivulet, received from them! heavy fire, which the immediately -eturned, a V.™ rhareed and dislodged them from their position. The advance now feU back, as they had been previou^y ordered to u"e centre. On the approach of the enemy, three of the j^iUda companies, having'g'iven one fire, -"r-"^^^;^' ^.J .,„.«,;th.'^^^:, -"■■-■■■ M *•,«. |,Q UISTOllY OF lUE ^VAB. enemy, by resting the right wing of his force on tanlebee ■ Sat the mouth of which he was .nformed the;r to«„ stMd ami resting his left on the river bank be ow the town; A hisUrm'isI, as the day dawned, he perceived a second town about 500 yaru : ;.w thut which he was prepanngto Xck The plan, tt,. -'e, was instantly changed; three companies of infanJry oa the left were wheeled to the left en ST* and advanced to the lower town, accotnpanied by . rifle company and two troops of light dragoons. The remam. der o™.e force approached the upper town, and the battl soL became general. The Indians presented themselves a evt V point, and fought with desperate bravery; but the well dhtcfd fire-of the artillery and the bayonets of the infanhy soon forced them to take refuge in the out-houses, thickets and ^^«,.. hrthe rear of the town. Many, it was supposed, se- P 1 ,1 ^n^^lves in caves, previously formed for this purpose in'ihe high bluTof .he rive^, which 'was thickly covered w th 1 r »nd brush-wood. It was intended that the friendly In- dil sVould have crossed the river above the town, and been tTed on the opposite shore during the action, to fire on such ^f the enemy ai should attempt to escape, or to keep in check anv reinfo^Iments which might be attempted to be thrown. n ?,L the neighbouring - wns. Owing to the difficulty of the fl7 however, and the coldness of the weather and lateness ol .?l hm,r Ihis arrangement failed, and their leaders were di- rectecUo'crt^s CaTbee creek, and occupy that flank, to pre- rccieu lu v-iw Tallisee town. Some time after the :ZrcZ:.e:Z. te is; Indians ^o.,^^^^^ tn the rear of the militia, when the hostile tribes fell on the flanks of the detachment, and fought with great mtrepidity.- ftv nine D^ciock, however, the enemy was completely driven ?rL the ptns, and the houses of both towns were wrapped '"" U was" impossible to determine the strength of the enemy, V ! f ^nm the information of some of the chiefs, which it is sai^tuld b^reUed^^^^ there were assembled at Aut.ssee, Iwk from eicht towns for its defence, it being their be- Z:TiroZ, - >ihich they ^oclain.ed no white . m could - * A fiosition in tvhkh each divnion follotv. the Pre^cdir^S^^ Ike theZcfis of a ladder (echelle), /rom nt,htch he i.ordn, %Z.tA tJsition en enchelon is convenient mrernov^ns^ from a direct to an obiKjue or d,arronai Unc.-^uu-^u^ . .tx»x.».; Dictionary. approach sible to a lying scE in the to respectal water's < viving fi least 20C The nui of them aiid fille killed a Floyd. The I provisio as the d was abj to the c sary as in a fe^ hosts of marche On t gia mil of gene towns c UlSTOKY OF THE WAU. 13 .1, without inevitable dcstruclioA. Neither was it pos- ^.ppioach *'^V .„ .h^V^ lo«- but from the number which wert ^'^'^ ^:S otr the fieldTtogether with those destroyed lying S'^»"*'^''J7J„," .!,:„ on tlTe bank of the river, whom '»*'S"offi"ersaffirmTd they saw lying in heaps at the respectable officers amrm y ecipitated by their sur- water's edge, wneie iney im i i ^^^^^ ^^ viving friends, the.r ^ss, m ">«> »^°';«; ^^ Tallisee lyings, least 200, among whom were the Auoss^e ^_^^^ The number of b";^"^?^ l^"^"'/; =^ PP°,,,,,,i „( ,,vages, of them were of » ^" '5''°'^°™" -rhe Americans had elc>r:n rtd^^V^y-forwVS-am'^^^^^ lauer was genera. '"'« ''"td^hlitSnT^^^^^^^^ rrhi:!L%p;7sTd;toprevent^^^^^^^^^^^^ iro«ir"irO>t^';: ^L'-detXenJ^etuLd to Twenty-threeoftheAm^^^^^^^^^^^^ soners at the battle ot Q'^."^^";'''^^^ detained in rigorous were sent to Lngland, " 'V'^ f "'>'(7\,,i, being made known ^^::^^^'::t^r& ^p^y *>'ded t=ri ssr„?oTc:7n''^.^rl"rt« ^h loWUrs, to be kept as hostages for the safely and exchange isn soiaicis, lu u^ IV J;' 'pu:» nrrlrr was earned into exc- tt {,"=;?=-. i; «-:r-iT;= captured at fort Ueorgc, m ^^^^ V'^" '■',".■■"',„. '.g^ Dearborn apprised the governor of Canada in a letter ciatcu the 3lst of that month. .:j;iSE^&3*»-i.«i^™w- 132 HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. (.1! General Dearborn's letter was transmitted to the Bijiisli government, who immediately instructed governor Prcvost ,o ftale to the commander of the American forces, fo^.'^e nlor- mation of his government, that he was commanded '-forthwith w pu" in close confinement forty-six American officers and non?commissioned officers, to be held as hostages for the safe keep^neTthe twenty-three British soldiers stated to have been put °n close confinement by order of the American gov ""Thave been directed at the same time to apprise you," ,„n,Lt, PiCTost in a letter to general Wilkinson, « that if Ty of t* e -Id Br t"sh soldiers Lall suffer death by reason tZ anv of the said soldiers of the United States now under ctfi^Lent in England have been found guilty, and that the knownTaw, not only of Great Britain, but of every independent stauunde'r similar circumstances, has been m consequence eLeculed, Uia I have been furllier instructed to select out o he American officers and non-commissioned officers, whom shall have put into confinement, .as many as may double the number If the British soldiers who shall have Deen so unwm- Xblnnit to death, and to cause such officers and non co. missioned officers to suftcr death immediatcl). I ]>»« been hirther instructed by his majesty's govermneiU^o nol.f^^you for the information of the S°r'^'T*="' °? '\';Vfl''«fs orthe that the commanders of his majesty's armies and Aeets on the Toasts of America, have received '".«"»<= """J '° P ;„=^^,td the wir with unmitigated severity against a'l cities, towns, ana villaMs belonging to the United Slates, and.aga.nst the mha- S thereof if, after this communication 'hall have b made to you, and a reasonable time given for its bemg trans " tted to'^ th'e American government, that government shaU unhapnily not be deterred from putting to death any ol the s Ss who now are, or who may hereafter be kept as hos- llljrfor The purposes'stated in the letter from major-general °GeS Wilkinson, in his answer to general Prevost's let- ter? st:Ls, that he should immediately "--'l^^^T,: « ! to the executive of the United States. " ^ *?'^^»'' ;°^'" - -lies Wilkinson, » to animadvert on the acts ol oui superiors w "teVei may be their tendency;, but you ■""«' P-'>- ^t^^ taking exception to an expression m your leUer._^The^go_j^ <»rr>ment of the United States cannoi uc - u^wn ----., -j --■ roSmLns of life or death, -^ /^Pt^!^- .^^aSh tion, from the failbful discharge of us duty to the Ameucan HlSTOnr O? THE WAR. I,a subsequent comn.unvc.uon.^^ su^-': that » the govemment of t"^; " >f/,<^^J^" ,ut commuuic.- rably to the Pn-'^PlV"'^ P^'P?'* flject of the twenty-tUrce tionof genera Dearborn, °» ''^^J^int to England :o be tric.t American soldiers, prisoners "^ ""'/'"i"" ^^ber of British a, criminals, and the ^°"fi"«J^^«^';V^^^^^^^^ ^fate of the for soldiers, prisoners "j "^-'esteD taken bv the British govern- mer; in consequence of t^« ^'^P '^^^^^V-six British officers ment, as n<>'^«'=°"™""f„fi; fttv tiU . ot 1 e discharged from to close confin«"«°»V*^fXn^fkWn that the forty-six Ame- jSlteTrdrn^cr^ss^o^'eT^fficers in question are no 'X-Z-^fprfvCst, on the vefcipt of this le.te^. -.e^^^ ■"T^ery interesting correspondence, »1»" .» -';?,^i:J:^Vne"?li ,ar subject, between genera, Harr.son and the B u.h general If ^eBku^h aC,t the ba tie o?th" Thames, general Proc- of the Bntish army, '" ^ , Harrison, requesting tice'anS iSity n hisXcisions. In making this statemtnt V»UhV. however tt. be distinctly understood, that my conduct thi-'Ameriean nrisoners who have iaiien ii-to "i- »"■■-= ^^ Sj"- *?ProcMr The unhappy description of persons who have es.- M 2 fili 134 HISTOUV OB THE WAB. raped the tomahawk of the savages in the employmcht ol the Bri"sh Kovemment, who fought under the .mmed.ate o,^eis oft at officer, have suflered all .he indignit.es a,>d depnva. Uons «hich himan nature is capable »/ ?"PP«rt.ng- 1 here no sinele instance that I have heard of, in which the pioperty o?the^officers has been respected. But I ar. f^y^^XanS that the conduct of general Proctor has b««» '^""g^VusrX^ pie worthy of imitation by the greater part of ']>« ^ntish oft. cers- and in the character of general Vincent, I have a pledge thit he wiH unite his exertions with nnine to soften as much a. possible the fate of those whom the fo.tune of war may rec "'utui; Srth'e"r:"iran:ther subject upon which I wish an cxpi?c^ 'dec aration. Will the Indians who still adhere to the cause of Ws Britannic Majesty, be suffered l^o continue that hnvrihle s, ecSs of warfare which they have heretofore prac cedigainst our troops, and those still more horrible depreda- bns S™n the peaceable inhabitants of our frontiers ! I have lumcienrevidcnce to show that even the latter have »ot al- wavs been Trpe.,-atcd by small parties of vagrant nd.ans, . t ng ata distance f.-om'the British army. Some of the mo« M,-ocious uistarces occurred under the eyes of the British cr.riancler and the head of the Indian department. I shall pass trre «-aRedy of the river Raisin, and that equally we 1 known w^iich was^acted on the Miami river after the defeat ot colonel Oudlev-and select three other instances of savage barbarity imimUted under the auspices of general P'-of <>y— ^"'hebe. commuie 1 Indians, conducted by an Ot- ?owa;!mef, w"hoM"uev^^;sLw wit. the British army un^r V our command, left Maiden in bark canoes, m «h.ch the) coast cd Lake Erie to the mouth of Portage river; the canoes were ^len across the Portage to the Sandusky bay, over which the ,artv proceeded tothe^moulh of Cold Creek, and from thence Kv taid to the settlements upon that river, where they captured IhCe families, consisting of one man and twelve «omen am V,?^r^n After takine the prisoners some distance, one ot t^w^mcn wa" dUcovLd to^e unable to keep up wiU, them in conscQUence of her advanced state of pregnancy, bhe was mmedTawIv tomahawked, stripped naked, her womb ripped oZ!l^d«^e child taken'out. '^ Three or four of the children ^ere successively butchered as they discovered their iHabi- :*.!.'!„ I". ".mwUh the nartv. Upon the arrival of the In- dianraVMalden, iwo or three of the prisoners were ra..sou.- ed by cornel Elliot and the others by the citizens of Detroi^ whe« they remained until they were taken off by their friends 1 ,«< "J IllS'lOUY OF lUK WAH. >» ^f .h«t nlace bv our army. I have been in- r%rin,and f°/„ >;i^„f„"''7^f ^,,e same month, a large party of « On the 29th or 30th ot U.e sam ^. i„„ j^ Lower '"''■r\T"Ara &OU e ncTr th";: pla?e, they murdered r Sfa,^.>^ co.Lth.g of a man, his w.fe. son, and daugh- -;0„.„gthe,astattacUupoFn^^^^^ tor a party headed by a Seneca, an. n^ from our interest the seh's, was sent lo endea%our lu ^^^^ ^^y^.. rd^Ter:[lT~^vlnrwho':vasworUng in her ^"^-^ ji:s:K:'-ef r ,!jr y ir fhf ^^( tj;:^ instances of,"'"'"'*"''! J; ,,^,.,,,5. thev were perpetrated, if months could not f""" ^^^''(f ^"„\;Sr, by parties who came The tide of fortune l.as ^^anged in --■ favour, j^_ sive and fl°"t.> '"IS officers ^U determine the correct- tmc conduct of the Bril sh officers « "' ^ ^^ j.^ ;„ „css of mine in withho ding it. If the W* ^^^b^^^ let loose upon «";;:;« ^"f^fe^ltf^^^^^^^ of my country, of having sacrificed the ">l"'^»^; » feelines of false and and the lives of our fellow c.t.zen.o^i^^^^^^ mistaken humamty. yoYonourablc sentiments which ought believe, possess » '.^'l*^°X folio «r the profession of ams. always to be found in "'"' "^;^';;° "^.^j inHuence to stop the Use then, I pray you, youi a^no "J • j ^ proceeds from the dreadful effus on o 'nnocent Wood -^1^^ p ^^ ^.^ ^^^ employment of those savage n ' ^ j „|,e„ jt ,s „„w be 'I'^oovered ,.s so latle to be . ep ^^ p^^^^ ^^^ ,nost wan ed, and »n,ch can have s f^^^^^^^^ ^y, „ot be '""fi V:: r/presentteneraVion.- Ages yet to come will ^f':^t ".n'roo'ted'halre'd and enmity which they must pro- 'T 136 HISTORY OF THK WAR. will be offered to me should ihey be continued, but I solemnly declare, that if the Indians that remain under the infllience of the British government are suffered to commit any depreda- tions upon the citizens within the district that is conrimitted to my protection, I will remove the restrictions which have hith. mo been imposed upon those who have offered their services to^the United States; and direct them to carry on the war m their own way. I have never heard a single excuse for the employment if the savages by yoiir government, unless we can credit the story of some British officer havmg dared to assert, that, * as we emploved the Kentuckians, you had a right to make use of the Indians/ If such injurious senUments have Really prevailed, to the prejudice of a brave, well mformed,and virtuous people it will be removed by the representations of your officers who were lately taken on the river Thames.- They will inform you, sir, that so far from offermg any violence to the persons of their prisoners, these savages would not per- mit a word to escape them which was calculated to wound or C^sult Their feelings, and this too with the sufferings of their friends and relatives at the river Rasiu and Miami, fresh upon their^re^coUecUo^^^ myself for the trutli of the abo^re statement in relation to the murders committed by the Indians. GeneS Vincent, in reply, stated, that "the account given of the British officers, whom the fortunetf war has lately pi a- ed at the disposal of the United States, is such, as cannot fail -affording very condoling reJlections to this army and their ^"r;ThVuS'you must be sensible," continues^be " that there are several points in your letter respecting which it is wholly beyond my power to 'afford you the satisfaction of an * exp^ici^ dedaration,' y et be assured, sir, 1 shall never feel ^^^^^^^^^ decree of hesitation in joining you m any pledge, that it will evfr be my anxious wish and endeavour to alleviate as much alpossib^e the fate of those who may. fall into my power by ^'^bS meT'r, I d^eprecate as strongly as yourself the T>ernetratIon^facts of cruelty committed under atiy pretext; Tn^shall la?Tient equally with yourself that any state of thmgs should prorce^^^^ No efforts of mine will be ever want- irto diminish the evils of a state of warfare as far as may ing iu "/»»^'_' .^ ^^^ ,!„♦;«. x«i,;rh are d«e to tnv kinff and be coubislciJt "v»i«.*i i"- ««-.iw3 tt ,.^- -- 'TtL Indians ,vhen acting in conjunction with the tr«.ps „nder my command, have been invariably exhorted to mercy, m^\ HISTORV OF THE WAR. ii?7 solemnly iVience of depreda- mitted to lave hith- p services he war in se for the sss we can to assert, 1 right to lents have irraed, and stations of 'hames.— y violence d not per- wound or ;s of their fresh upon statement » unt given lately pla- cannot fail and theii- ' that there it is wholly m * explicit he smallest that it will Le as much power by yourself the Ltiy pretext; te of things ever want- far as may ly king and L the troops d'to mercy, ,„d have never been deaf to my anxious entreaties on this in- 1 eresting subject. o/nnnal of vour letter to the ,:e\.tSt r^rriS^'o? his^ excenency the ,vas productive of no events wh^hn,WlyaUe^_.^^ ^^^ ^^^ alien ol the two counlnes. With >'^^<'^^ ' „„^e strain- Loops io the ^^-".r^e l%:^ve-u^^^^ for the support cd n bringing forth hei peE,""'* > „ Britain was unable of her allies in Russia, -!^^^^l^^'^„%TvLieA States, and 10 make any effectual impr«sion o ^;<.an provinces, could not even have P''^?"^^'' ' ''"^^^ <)f the American forces, but for the raw and "ndiscipUnecl ^'a^°°' ;„ their comroan- „„d the want "f..^''^;;: ';^f ..""e.sesCrattended the first ef- dcrs. But, amidst all ">« J" "?"„' -.^^e bravery of her sons lortsof the army of A^'^r'^f'^'^'^t^.ticn of theist two cam- was s.ufficiently apparent. 1 !^« "*";? ^ t" j habits of discipline paigns sufficiently P™""''^^^^",""^, this rude mass into a Ini-able leaders were «« «oXf^ ll^rsoil of freedom, ll^^fZryTel'.^X':^^'^^ -St powerful aggressors upon the rights of their country. ^;,^i Vine in the fields While the army w^s thus aequ»'"b «' !> q, j i,^ „- „r Upper C»"»f»' -"/ '^'^eX im m: e"d fficuH task to per- publican navy hadanapparentl,. t mm ^^ ^,^^ ^^^^^^ Ibrm. Having annihilated the na«e« o^^ P^j^^ ^^ ^^^^^ of a twenty years war, Bi itam y?* eoiu / our coastsVith 1'-;^'-"-^:^^''^ rBriTish nSn, and it rica was an object of '"^.'?"'^™,"" illative assembly, that m a was cbnfidcnlly P'ed'e\ed m Vier 'egis a^^^^^^^ r ^ few short months the " l'^>"°^t" Sr^^y a be swept from the of striped bunting at the n-ast^ead^ouW^^^^^^^ ^P ^^ ^^^ oce«p. Nay, even the ^"^""^"Sj ^ f^„ f„gates and sloops ot tie more favourable. W™* ^?" ^ad succeeded in breakms war effect agamst a fleet, yhi'^^ "^" ^ ^^o could exclaim down every naval power in the world, ana w almost without an hyperbole: « Jnd not a mil but by fiermis'ton ^iread. ♦ BrUUh Mval Register ■^ 138 HISTORY OF THE WAU. But this arduous task was undertaken with undaunted firm- ness, and the result was as brilliant as unexpected. Frigate met with frigate, and fleet with fleet, and the flag of the con- Tuerors of the world was repeatedly struck to the infant navy of the rude republicans. To hide the disgrace, the enemy was fain to claim kindred with those they had affected to call a de- generate atid outcast race, or to^resort to the more unfair and mean subterfui;e of designating as " seventy-fours m disguise, the"friga?es which they had had numerous opportumties of examininlboth in our ports and their <>-n,and whichbuta few months before they had laughed to scorn The f iti.h vessels were also made to undergo a metamorphoss, but in an inverse ratio to that of the Americans. 1 heir ships, brigs, schooners, and sloops were converted into gun-boats, ui the tu- tUe hope of tearing the wreath from the brows of the noble lirrl,^ whose modest demeanour and humane conduct was such ^s to extort the reluctant applause even of those who sub- •mitted to his prowess. _, . Instead, therefore, of being confined to our ports, or swept f,x>m the ocean, the little navy of America visited evei7 sea, and every where unfurled her stripes and stars. Nor did the coasts of the mistress of the ocean escape. Vessels were even captured in her own narrow seas. j . .u •« «* Meanwhile the British navy was employed m the yam at- tempt of « hermetricaily scaling the American ports, or m harrassing the coasts ot the Chesapeake by petty niaraudmg excursions, whose prime object seems to have been the burn- ino. of farm-houses and oyster-boats, or the plundenng stock and tabacco, on this extensive and defenceless frontier. But by the occurrence of one of the most wonderful events in this rnost wonderful era, the war was now to assume a very different aspect. Our republican institutions were destined o undergo a fiery trial, and the hitherto problematical question to be resolved, whether a free government, which derived its chief strength from public opinion, was capable of sustainmg itself singll-handed during a conflict with a PO>ver possessed of apparently boundless resources, and whose armies had just retur5ied from « conquering the conquerors o Europe, and di-tating an ignominious peace m their capital. Nor were other unfavourable circumstances wanting to darken the cloud which hung over America at this eventful period, fhe treasu- rv^one of the principal sitiews of war, was nearly beggared by the temporising policy and ruinous expedients whicu rmaoeen resorted to, and the policy of the enemy had succeeded m drain- ing the country of its circulating medium to such an extent, as HISTORY OF THE WAR. 139 ^estg P"i°^'^f Americun history nevev occurred than this " Th/Sody of the American army on the Canadian fron- ,1 J remained inactive through the winter jn their cantonments 'f French Mills. Preparations, however, were early madefor t opening o the ensSing campaign; and towards the middle if Februarf, after having destroyed their temporary barracks, i^fhrmSor oart of their boats, the army marched m two and the major paito.t^^ ^^^ Sacketl's Harbour, '^htrheVtwrdsTatcha^plain, under general Macomb - reneral Wilkinson remained one day behind for the protecnon ofthe rear, and then followed Macomb to Vlattsburg. The march of both columns was unmolested by the enemy. No further movements were made until the end of March, «hen general Wilkinson, learning that general Brown had marched from Sacketl's Harbour against Fort Niagara deter- Tned upon attempting a diversion in his favour. He accord, S oThis army in motion on the Odelltown road, and en er- nl C&a on the 30th of March, advanced agamst a position occuoied by the enemy on the river La Cole, where the British harfortified a lai-ge stone mill, and erected a block-house and "' An eilween pounder had been ordered forward to effect the denruetionofthemill, but it broke down, and after being re- fa ed/the only road of approach, thi-ough a deep forest, was Corted to be impracticable to a gun of such weight. An oXu^n prevailed with the chief engineer, and several ol the be Unformed officers, thai an iron twelve would suffice to make a breach- but after a fair and tedious experiment, at a distance of onty three hundred yards, it was discovered that the battery ^t uiCg this" ^X^atrwhich was returned by a sloop and some Eun-boats from Isle aux Noix, several sorties and despe- ratTcharKes were made from the mill upon the Atnevican bat- erV thestweie repulsed with great coolness by the covermg corns and the whole'^body engaged displayed the utmost gal lan- trv and bravery, during the affair. The conduct of captain Spherson, who commanded the battery, is parucularly no- Uced bv Eeneral Wilkinson, who also states that he was admi- rably seconded by lieutenants Larrabee and Sheldon. M'Pher- ■ son and Larrabee were both severely wounded. I Finding all attempts to make a breach unsuccessful, genera I ...... .'"o _..V j_-.i .1... i,n»i»,.». railed in l.is detachments, and .; > 140 HISTORY «V llIE »AK. after reniovim' tlic dead and wounded, ar.d every thing else, fell back, unmolested, the same evenu.g, about three miles, to Odelttown, a small town just within the Canada lines. T e torce of the British at the position of La Cole, was re norted, from a source on which reliance might be placed, at ?5?0 men That of the Americans is unofficially stated at be. tween three and four thousand. A small part of this force however was actually engaged. The loss of the Americans inkUledand wounded on this occasion was between 80 an< 90. That of the British was 10 killed, 46 wounded, and 4 "" 'Sinauspicious opening of the campaign, joined to the fail- ure of the expedition against Montreal th« prececlmg au- t^n, threw a great deal of odium on general Wi kmson, and he was shortly Ifter superceded in the command by general ^^IMeantime general Brown after remaining for a short pcrioi at sSt^s tiarbour, put his troops in motion towards the KiagTra fron"er. Expectations were entertained that he wiuW immediately drive the enemy from lus position in the American territory, but these expectations were! disappointed. Duringthe spring'^months, tranquility reigned uninterrupted Moigfhe whole line of the Upper Canada frontier, save by a few lartll encounters, which shall be noticed m the order m " A smK^^contisting of about' ,80 rangeVr^nd mounted infVnti^, under captain Holmes, was dispatched by lieutenant- colonef Butler, thl commander at Detroit, agamst Delaware, a ^it"sh nos ton the river Thames. This detachment had set ^t wKiUery,but the state of the --'^ P^-^'^X cible obstacles to its transportation, it was ^tt »f hind. By these means, and by sending back the sick to Detroit, Holmes little force was diminished to about 160 men. On the 3d of Marc 1 intelligence was received, that a body of tSe enemy, nearly double his force was descendm^ ^he Thames, one half of whom were regulars, and "-"e remainuer militia and Indians. Holmes immediatly retreated a few m^ t and took an excellem position on the west*™ bank ol creek, which ran through a deep and wide ravine. Captain • General mtkinson ■aae Med by ^ourt martial held at Troy,i"Z .,a,e o/M,. York, on va7^» """""I'Znf Ne vd against him of misvunauci au.inj^ i---^"- * • -7 ,T/j ..-^,-„cf lfhomurablyac<,umedofaU the charge, eMed agtnmt him.' :ik-^m^ ttlSTOUY OF TI^E WAR. Ul else, fell miles, lo !, was re- ilaced, at Lted at ])e. this force Lmericaiis en 80 and ;d',' and 4 Lo the fail- d mounted lieutenant- )elaware, a ;nt had set ning Jnvin- ehind. By itji^Holmes' that a body ending the remainder ated a few n bank of a e. Captain tial held at ions exhibit' ited agaimt Gill was left with a few rangers to cover the rear, and watch the motions of the enemy; but hardly had the main body en- camped, before they were joined by the rangers, who had been driven in, after exchanging a few shots with thtf British ad- vanced corps, in a vain attempt to reconnoitre their force. During the night of the 3d, the British encamped upon the eastern heights, and next morning succeeded in drawing cap- tain Holmes from his position by a well contrived stratagem, Tihich, had it been skilfully followed up, could hardly have fail- ed to eventuate in the destruction of the American detachment. Fortunately, however, this was not the case. At sun-nse the enemy exhibited a small and scattered force on the opposite heights, who retreated, after ineffectually firing at the Ameri- can camp, and the reconnoitering party reported that the retreat was conducted with precipitation, the baggage left scattered on the road, and, that judging from their trail and fires, they could not exceed seventy men. Mortified at the idea of having retrogaded from this diminutive force, Holmes instantly com- menced the pursuit, and resumed the idea of attacking the ene- my's post. He had not, however, pi-oceeded beyond five miles, when his advance discovered the enemy, in considerable force, arranging themselves for battle. , The stratagem of the enemy being now apparent, captain Holmes instantly took advantage of the blunder, which they had committed, in not throwing themselves in hife rear, and thus placing his detachment between a fortified position and a superior force; and happily he soon regained hit former posi- tion. Here, placing his horses and baggage in thd centre, he formed his troops a-foot in a hollow square, to prevent the ne- cessity of evolution, which such raw troops were incompetent to perform in action. Holmes thus calmly waited the approach of the ehcmy, in defiance of the murmurs of his men, wiwi were unanimously in favour of a retreat, thinking it madnes*; to engage with so superior a force. The attack was commenced simultaneously on every fronts the militia and Indians attacking from the north, west and south? with ss^vage yells and bugles sounding, and the regulars charge ing up the heights from the ravine on the east* The latter bravely approached to withing 20 paces of the American llnCi against the most destructive firei But the front section Wm^ shot to pieces, those who followed much thinned and wounded) and many of the officers cut down, they were forced to abandon the chatge, and take cover in the woods in diffused order, with- BMsh regulars thus repulsed, they had recourse 16 then^- /'" "^" t 14^ HISTORY OF THE WAR.- B'A i'- n,«„ition, and the firing increased on ^»h »'des wUh g«^ v- vacitv The American regulars, being uncovered, weie or dered'to l)^eeT, that the b^t>w of the heights nught «s.st .„ Scir^iur^e^rtStj^^^^^^^^^^^^ "tn'the otCt^ree sides the firing was -tained -jJh^-» "cU fll American backwoodsman. Unable to sustain «> un- :;ual a c'^ome:., theretre, and favoured by the «h.d« rf^tw.- rrgh t, the British commenced a general retreat, after an hour » '' cLufnft 'eHecU^ed a pursuit, a. the enemy wer« »^ superCboth in numbers and discipline, and «the mgh^^^W have insured success to an ambuscade. Besides, as the crM"^ »„uld have to be passed, and the heights ascended, the at- temnt to pursue would have given the enemy Ihejiame advan- la^e*^ which produced their defeat, as '• could be passed on hofseCk at no other poiot; and the troops bemg fatigued and frost bS^en and their sLes cut to pieces by the "-^^n ^»»^: it was not possible to pursue on foot. Captam Holmes ac •=°«mStol° ?n"Xd and woundeO, on this occasion a JcuntfdT.!?y to a non-commissioned officer and six^nvat*/ U,e British official account states their loss at »* k>»»*'!j, »^ mounded. I missing, and 1 officer wounded and taken, iwo r^he officers were^knied, and ^e same """"er wounde^- Th s sutement do^s not include «he>os;o^^^the Indians^ The whole American foi>ce in action consisted of ISO ranfj"™."';,' 7whom, including the rangers, ^0 were milttia. The Bri sh ««.lars alone were from 150 to 180 strong, and the mUitia »na Indians fouebt upon thrKe sides of the square. _ * On lake Ontario, t^ve British still P'««Ji«*P'^„P^; ercs*^ V Sackett'. llarbwr, towards placing t^e hostile fl««l^ !„ a more equal footing. A handsome ship, rated 4*8un^ m S_- - ." «.-. u.>nched on the first of May. While tnis S'^MonThe stocksran unsuccessful attempt wa, mau» l^m^mio^^y herup. The boats wnployedmthjs*- HISTORY OF THE WAB. 143 LernriM were discovered by the American g"?^ ^oals i«the toy and were forced to fly, after throwing their kegs of pow. ''"commodot Yeo pursued a similar policy to that which gov- erned Wm the preceding summer. As long as ho vvas mam- Ltlv soTerior in force to Cbauncey, his fleet ruled the lake; I: LbTg could induce him to hazard an -pS-^J^'- ^ -"J the force of his rival was nearly equal to his. Uunng tiiat ™rt of The summer, when thb was the case, he lay snug m CI, on harboT This is by no means said in disparasenjent of the BritUh commander; for every circumstance shows that this was the wise.t policy; and perhaps the only one -which rould have saved Upper Canada. , «• t On the Sth of MaV the British naval forcejinder Sir James Luc^s Yeo, consisting ot four large «hips, three brit:8, and a niXr of gun and other boats, appeared off the yjUage ^Os- wego, having on board seven cottipames of infantry, a detach- mem irfaitillery, and a battalion of marines, under the com- S df lieutenant-general Drummond. This post being but Tc^ti^Uy, and nofrecently ocoipied by reg^Ha^-P^^^^^^^^ in * bad state of defence. It was garrisoned by about 300 re- KukrsVunder lieutenant-colonel Mitchell, who had only arriv- ed a few ^ays before. Lieutenant Woolsey of the navy, with a small body «f seamen, was also at the village, and as soon as the fleet. appeared, the neighbouring militia were called in.-- AboutTo'dock the fleet approached, and 15 boats, large and Crowded with troops, at a given signal movM slowly to uc shore. These were preceded by gun-lwats, sent to rake tlv. woods and cover the landing, while the larger vessel* opened a fire uoon the fdit. As soon as the debarking boats got withiu ranee^sf the «»hot from the shore batteries, a very successful fire opened upon them, which twice compelled them to retire. They at length returned to the ship*, and the whole stood off from the shore for better an^hoi^ge. Several boats which had been deaerted by the enemy wei-e taken up in the evening, one of which was 60 feet long, carried thirty-si^ oars and three sails, and could accommodate 150 men. She had received ^ ball through her bow, and was nearly filled with water. At day-break next merning the fieet appeared bearin^fpl. under easy sail, and about noon the frigates took a position di- rectly against the fort and batteries, and opened a heavy fire, which was kept up for three hours, while the brigs, schooners,- and cmi-bGats covered by their fire the debarkation of the ^ ,J^ Tivs^ Asrt^riran." were now forced 4:o retreat into the ^ ■w«^*orthViortrwhftce'^f Q corapa|ics met the advaucing co- ^ U4 HiSTdRY OF THTB WAR*. t) \M lumns of the enemy, while the others engaged their flank.— Lieutenant Pearce of the navy, and some seamen, joined in the attack, and fought with their characteristic bravery. After n short action, Mitchell again commenced a retreat, which was effected in good order, destroying the bridges in his rear. Indeed a retreat had become necessary for the protection of the stores at the falls, 13 miles in the rear of the foit,, which were supposed to form the principal object of the expedition. Early in the morning of the 7th, the British evacuated the place, and retired to their shipping, after destroying the fort and those public stores which they could not carry away.— These stores were not important, the most valuable having been deposited at the falls. ^ , .„ j The American official account states their loss at 6 killed, 38 wounded, aiKl 25 missing; that of the British states theirs at 19 killed and 75 wounded. Among them were several offi- cers. Mitchell states the force landed at 1550 men, while t.he \mericans engaged did not exceed 300, being 4 companies of the 3d artillery \inder captains Boyle, Romayne, M*lntyre, and Pierce, a company of light artillery under captain Melvm, i.nd a small detachment of sailors under lieutenant Pearce ot 4 he navv A short time after this event, the British fleet appeared near the mouth of the Gennessee river, where about 160 volunteers were stationed, with one piece of artillery. Captain Stone, the comitianding officer, dispatched expresses for assistance to O^fferent quarters. The following day the commode « new ship came ta anchor off the mouth of the river, ana .ont an officer on shore with a flag, demanding the surrender of the place, and promising to respect private property f .^a?e ?o re- lisiance should be made, and all public property fa"hfo ly dis- closed and given up. General Porter arrived while the flag was on shore, and returned for answer that the place would be defended to the last extremity. On the return of the flag, two cun-boats, with from 200 to 300 men on board, advanced o the liver, which is about a mile from the town and battery, and commenced a heavy cannonade, directed partly to the town, and partly to bodies of troops who had been placed in ravines near the mouth of the river, to intercept the reti-ewof the Kun-boat6, in case they should enter. ....-" At he expiration of an hour and a half, during which time thcv threw a great number of rockets, shells, md shot of difi- nicy iiiic^Y «6. _ ^ _«„^« fr« ARihs^ a second flac was lent from the commodore's ship, requinng, m the nanie of the oommander of the forces, an immediate surrender, and threat- %^ ;ase no re- HISTORY of THE WAR- u^ ■ Vi,.t if the demand was not coinplved with, he would r„7l200 rellr trc»ps amt 400 InOians; that if he should »sf a staJle^man, he would i-aze the town and destroy every vestiBe ofprorert;; and that it was his request that the womc. Ind childrS. might be immediately remove 1, as he could not Se accounteb" ir the conduc- of the Indians. He was to d ?h„ the answer to his demand had been already explicitly that "'* ^"J?*?;'""' reparedtomeethim.the women and Sen havtagreS. dis^posed of, and that if another flag ^hild be senion thrsubiict of a surr^uder, it would no^ bo nrotecter The Hag returned with the gun-boats to the fleet, ?te whole t which c?ame to anchor about a mile from tlie shore, where they lay unUI 8 o'clock on Saturday mormng, and then •^ On ufi'e^mng of the following day, the British squadron was discovered making towards Pultneyv.lle. another small linage on the magin of lake Ontario, and information was s n?to general Swift, who repaired thither in the course of the nieh^ vfith 130 volunteers and militia. Next morning a flag was *ent on shore, demanding a peaceable surrender pt all nublicnr^perty, a^d threatenSig an immediate destrucuonot Sie viCI in case of refusal General Swift returned for mXt^at he should oppose any attempt to land, by all the means in his power. Soon after the return, of the fla^, how- Tve^ e^ne7a?Swift was induced, by the pressing soUcitat^ons and eltreaUes of the inbabitans ?f '"- tow^ to permU one o its citizens to go to the enemy with a flag, and offer the surren- der of U^e property contained in a store-house at the water^s edUconsFsting^ of about 100 barrels of flour c I '^J*'f # i-_"'* 140 HISTORY or tHR WAR. ' the command of major Appling, of the first United States' rifle ^llTror Appling had been detached to protect the cannon and naval stores at Oswego, destined for commodore Chauncey s ftect They were embarked on board a flotilla oi boats, in charge of captain Woolsey of the nav}-, and had arrived safety in Sandy creek. Here they were pursued by the enemy, wlio tvas Kallantly met by the riflemen, and after an action of a few minutes, beaten and taken, without the loss of a tnan; an In- dian and one rifleman only being wounded. ,. ^ k i. The riflemen were most judiciously posted along the bank, a short distance below caiHain Woolsev*s boats^ where the creek is narrow and shoal. Most of the men having wUh- drawn from the boats, the enemy gave! three cheers ftt the Srospect of the rich prize before him. His joy, ^^owever, was of short duration, for at this moment the riflemen poured forth their deadly fire, which in about ten ^»»«^^!^?f,*"n'^"t'^^Xe« total defeat, leaving an oflicer and 13 men killed; two cheers and 28 men wounded (the officers and maiiy of the men dan- germisly); the residue, consisting of 10 officers and 153 men, '"ISl^ASg speaks hi the ^^st term* ;jf the j:ourage .nfgW induct of his officers and n^n Car^Jjih^Harns with Ws tmop of dragoons, and captain Melvln^ with his two field-pieces, hid made a rapid march, and would m a ^^w m^ nutcs ha^e bcien teady to participate in the action, had the er )- inv been able to make a stand. • -j ^ ... » i„ ■rhe captured officers and met, spoM ta l^e highe« Wrt«s of commLdation 2.«^. ^^ Anglo-Indian example at the river »"»«' ^-'^f °'?' J,"'™ rori &c. of murdering their prisoners, when lh« n>»jor«^ Ms 4en happily arrived, and iueceedtd, hy ft pwwopt and ^ tenSned eonJse, though not without violence, in ter»«.«me the tragic «cene.* mtUh com-ettt'Bi^aiot, tney Kill ^"«'r"'iJ^Ji^Z^tZ^ ,Hey mi ^omt.n, Upturn all *»'''»-^'^,*^^* , w/^' ynuno ui Indian Wt Mm—yt>ugti>cpedition was undertaken by me without orders, and uDon my own responsibility.' ^ n , a The court, in delivering the above opimon unfavourable to colonel Campbell, are fully aware of the strong incentives to a iust indignation which must have been present to his mind at the time of this visit to Dover— the massacres of the Raiain and the Miami were not yet forgotten and the more recent devastation of the entire Niagara frontier, ^ accompanied by many acts of savage barbarity,, was fresh in remembrance. That these recollections should have aroused his fepUngs and have swayed his judgment, does not excite wonder but regret,^ SereYs still left for admiration, his kind and amiable treat- ment of the women and children of Dover, abandoned by their "^Me^^nw^^hiTe'^ge^^^ was occupied _ in collecting and esc; plining his forces, and preparing for the invasion of Canada. O^ he evening of the 2d of July, general orders were issued for the embarkation of the troops by day-hght »«^t momng, when the army, consisting of two brigades- and a body of New- Yo^ and Pennsylvania volunteers and Indians, under general P B. Porter, were landed on the opposite shore, without op. msition. The first brigade, under general Scott, and the ar- [meri corps under major Hindman, landed nearly a miie be o; ?ort Erie, while g'eneral Ripley, with the second brigade made the shore about t'ne same distance above. The fort was Toon completely mvested, and a battery of long eighteens being planted in a position which commanded. |^, the gamso^, con. sS of 137 men, including officers, surrendered prisonei^ of war Several pieces of ordnance were found m the tort, *trnV5-^a -ati garrison in Fort Erie to secure his rear, Brown moved forward the following day to Chippem plains, where he encamped for the night, after some skirmish. ^^fhe AmXar^^^^ several times attacked on the mornhig^of the 5th, by small parties of the British. Abo^ four m the' afternoon, general Porter, with the volunteers an4 :1ns. was ordered\| advance from the ^^^. -f^^^^^^T^^^ can camp, a^d take a circuit.through the woods to 1i>e Mft>^iB hopes of getting beyond JiJe skirmisiiiug H«V*^^''>«*^ ;;;^:^' and cuttinK off iheir retreat, and to favour this purpose the ad- vance ^rl ordered to fell back gradually undev^^J^my « Hre. In i the light r column ol clouds of that the e ly gave o and Tows the Amei tion with By this the left 1 eral Rip of the re! keep out right flan jjosition the 'jrigs was not ' taljon or and in flj battalior destruct gained a so gallit The 1 can troc gained ihey br a mile, J derably to be br on theii the hou retire t The 248 wo at 133 1 Disp gencc on the The to fore HI - -^^^! J their 1 actual ,.^,t^- MJLSTOHY OF THE WAR. 140 lecting and II of Canada, ive re issued xt morning, ody of New- ider genertd without op- , apd the ar- y a mile be* ond brigade, rhe fort was bteens being siiTisoB) con* «d prisonefs ■/0 the fort) LO secure his o Chippevfa nae skirmisl^* acke^ on the itish. About slunteers an4 f the iViweri- to U>e ieft> in irpose the ad- ,^ In about half an hour, however, Porter's a?v»T»ce met ^^ r wr parties in the woods, and drove them unul the whole ^l':fn oftl^^ B H Uh Tvas m'et in order of battle. From the 'Ss of dust and the heavy firing, general Brown conclude^ ,ttthe endrc force of the British was in motion, jpd "^st^nt; ,!/ orders for general Scott to advance with his brigade ^ ^If xUon's artmfry, and meet them on the plain in front of t Imerkan camp, 'in a few minutes Scott was m close ac •n„ with a superior force of British regulars. ""bv hb t-'mf^^^^^^^ volunteers having given vrayjmd fled, ^ J iv Lnk r,f Scott's bricade became much exposed. Gen- tl tipl y V« ac° or» ordered to advance ,ith . p.n hhe reserve, and skirting the woods on the left, m order to J.,n out of view, endeavour to gain the rear of the enemy s ^^, all^k The greatest exertions were made to gam this T flo«ir arid his men fallioff f&st around him, ordered ftis and m flank, ana nis men laiiiwo ^ Amidst the most »S«^ng-grn7d-sSn^^^^^^^^^^^^ " rStSi^srgt resist Tni I'b'ecl^ t": p^u^t. B?own now ordered the ordnance i be Lught „p, with the inte^mon of fore 0^ w-k. But i:^:^.^^''Jt:^^''^oL. ... forces to "The' Ame7can official acconnt states their loss at 60 killed, ,48 woundeT^d 19 missing. The British officially sute theirs '^i^^S^^^rwaTtTer^hli-c^n^^^^^^^^^ E^s:=r:hi.f:-rB^Ch^^^^^^^ l".!!u.r-„..,:„„ „f Inrd Wellineton'e army, flashed wUh SlarrsaWes^Ssin Spain, had arrWed in Canl^^ ^uially opposed to Brown at Chipi-ewa, while all our maritime ill I i50 H&ftTORY OF THE WAR. H\ ^t lh towns were threatened by Britain's victorioHS armtes, whose arrival was momentarily expected on the coast. When the in, telligence of the stupendous events in Europe was firat receiv. .ed, many consoled themselves with the idea, that the magnw. irahy of Great Britain would freely grant in her prosperity, what they had insisted we never could force from her in her adversity. Sincerely taking for realities the preteacts on whick jmr weutral rights had been infringed, they thought the qim. tion of imp essment, now the almost single subject of dispute, /cttuld easily be amicably arranged, when the affairs of the worW were so altered as to render it neariy impossible that Great Britain could ever again be reduced to the necessity of " fight. ing for her existence; or, at aU events, as the peace in Eurqx had efFectuaily removed the cause, and as the American go^ ernmeni declined insisting on a forn*al relinquishment of the practice, Jio diffic«4ty would be thrown 4li the way of a geneal and complete pav ■J^SirJasefih Yovkc, one ^f the lords of the admiralttf, noH inparUament,^^ we have Mr, Madison 4o dep(^Wjort vte ew lay down our arms ." : .'; ~ t At M dinner given to lord HiU^ who was on the eve oj «oH- itfig B^ the hmd ^an rs:pedition against ^ew- Orleans, Ae statH me'Jieriod when he should emburJc for America,Mnd added, that «.*!• itadno doubt, wUk the weans already there, together num *thr.si- nn ih* mmi. and wh&$ wfre promised by his i^fince, m 'should Immble the Yankees, md bring the contest io « sfteed^ and successful terminaUon." Mafifiy for Ms lordship, he wai moon after superseded in the command 'by -general Packenha-m* troops of i in numbei spot chose dency, by ish troops the mindj what the ihe confid founded, by superi cidental c one of th( cscitemfii irregular After s hazard ar Chippewi and fort pected t€ Sackett*s by exprc in». bloc doreChj i^ppointe fo^s at e&cumbc jlirigton Schiossc |pewa. Aboai I express aind wei heights; I force mc I a numb I ly after, I ing at I ser, an( * Th \ hve bi may be Jtneric \fied bej Rifiley \ ttr beh HISTORY 0» THR >YAR. .151 advices fron ince upon tte e Biitish ett* ofiBonapaiiti, toht cticUted Paris. Eyco ought not to I punishment, e their iorm A tkp|>ressor.f se, which bad ed, and strea* iommandingpa i Jby the nw btjort we eon the eve of saH eaa3,Ae stated nd addedi that f together nvUh hia i&ince, ht jrdshifi^ he wm / Packenhtm' .cooDS of America over the veterans of Wellington, supenpi n numberTto the victors,* upon an open plain, and upon a. Jcho^n 1- the British general, had a most beneficial ten- Scv, by di;^irmg the dre\d which the prowess ot the Bra- Sods in Spain could not have failed to have produced m ;t 3s of tSe ir opponents. This battle was to the army, It the vtctory of captain Hull had been to the navy; atjd flonfidei^e ^^ Uthus inspired wa. surely mosfc justly SSndeTfo^evcny man felt that the victory had been gamed w Sior skill and discipline; it was not the fruit of any ac-^ LS mistake or confu^on in the army of the enemj, orof rof those movements, of temporary pamc oriomsif^.ov xcitement on the other, which someUmes give a victory to SeS courage over veteran and disciplined valour. 'Ter sHgn^al a defeat, the British could not bemduced to toM anothfr engagement. They abandoned th^ir works at Spewa, and burni^. their barracks, retired to fort Niagara XrOeorge, closely followed by Brown. Here he^ex- Scted to receive some heavy guns and reinforcements from Sett's Harbour, but on the 23d of July he received^a letter Stxpr^f fJom general Gaines, advising him that that port i^ b^Zded by a superior British force, and thai commo. Z ChauiTey was coined to his bed with a fever. Thus dis- ^^in^n his expectations of being enabled to reduce the ^ Tthe mouth of the Niagara, Brown deiermmed to dis- t^umber the army of. baggaic and march direfy for Bur- toon Hrights. To mask this intention, and to draw from Kser a Imall supply of provisions, he fell back upon Chip- ^Xbout noon on the 2&th, general Brown was advised by an express from Lewistown, that the British were following him, and were in considerable force in Queenstown and on its heights; that four of the enemy's fleet had arrived with rein- _ forc^ements at Niagara during the preceding night, and that, a number of boats were in view, movmg up the "ver. Short- ly after, intelligence was brought that the enemy were land- ing at Lewistown, and that the baggage and stores at Schlos- 2, and on their way thither, were in danger of immediate * The BntiBh official accounts state th^ AmeHcan forces to hveb<:en ^ufierior in number. This ap/iarent contradtctton my be reconciled by observing, that a f;«£'^'^,^^'"»fi^^ ^^^J*^ i American troofis achieved the vUio, y ; ihc vxfiUnteer^ ^^ \fled befare the action commenced, while the hrtgadeof geveral ' Ritileyhad arrived on the ground, when the British took vhel^ ter behind their works. 152 UIBTOHY OF I'HB WAR. n capture, 'in order to recall the British from this object Brown dete mined to put the army in motion toward Queens- town, and ccordingly general Scott was directed to^advaiKc wUh the first brigade, Towson's artillery, and all the dragoon and mounted men, with orders to report if the enemy appear- ed, and if necessary to call for assistance. On his arrival near the falls, Scott learned that the enemy was m force directly in his front, a narrow piece of woods alone mtercepting his view of them. He immediately advanced upon them, after dispatching a messenger to genei^l Brown with this mteiri- ^*The reoort of the cannon and small arms reached genewl Brown before the messenger, and orders were mstantly issue* for eeneral Riply to march to the support of general Scott, wUh the second brigade and all the artillery, and Brown hm- self repaired with all speed to the scene of action, whence he sent o^ers for general Porter to advance with his volOnteer, On reaching the field cf battle, general Brown found th« Scott had passed the wood, and engaged the enemy on th Queenstown road and on the ground to the left of it, with he 9ih. 11th, and 22d regiments, and Towson's artillery, the 25th having been thrown on the right to be governed by_c.r. cumst^^f. The contest was close and desperate, and the AmerUan troops, far inferior in ""•""ers sufiered sev«^^. Meanwhile major Jessup, who commanded {»>« 2f"> «^- ment. taking advlntage of a fault committed b|r the Bru^h commander, by leaving a road unguarded on his lett, threi» himself promptly intoThe rear of the enemy, where he^was en- aS to'^opeLi with the happiest effect. The slaugto was dreadful; the enemy's line fell down the road at the third or-fburth fire. The capiure of general Riall, with a large es- cort of officers of rank, was part of the trophies of Jessup', in'ip dUy and skill; and, but for the impression of an un- founded renort, under which he unfortunately remained for . frmimae'sTueutenant general Drummond, *« commander of the British forces, would inevitably have fallen into his hands, an event which would, in all probability, have comple- tlrl the disaster of the British army. Drummond was com- n'etrfy in Je sup's power; but being confidently inarmed th. The fiTstbrrg^e was cut in pieces, .nd finding h'mself w.h less than 200 men, and without any prospect of support, in the midst of an overwhelming hostile force, he thought of no^ thine for the moment but to make good h,s ^ etjeat^on^ s»^« his command. Of this ^'^'"V°''^;yJ'"'^""\t,^»^A'^hi\^wU a the American column, general Drummond availed himseu HISIOHY OF THE WAR. 15S this object [^8 Queens. to advance he dragoons ;my appear- arrival near rce directly •cepting his them, after this inteWi- ibed gertewl tantly issued neral Scott, Brown him- I, whence he s voUlnteers. i found th^t nemy on the 'it, with the millery, the ;rned by cir- rate, and the •ed severely, e 25th regi- 'the British s left, threyl :e he was en- he slaughter d at the thini Lh a large es- > of Jessup's )n of an un- jmained for a e commander alien into his have comple- nd was com- informed that himself with of support, in thought of no- reat) and save vailed himself 10 make his escape. Amoti^ the officers captured, was one of general Drummond's aids-de-camp, who had been dispatch- ed from tlie frottt line to order up the reserve, with a view to fall on Soott with the concentrated force of the whole army, and overwhelm him at a single effort. Nor would it have been possible to prevent this catastrophe, had the reserve ar- rived in time; the force with which general Scott would then have been obiiged to contend being nearly quadruple that of his own. By the fortunate captm'e. however, of the British aid-de-camp, before the completion of the service on which he had been ordered, the enemy's reserve was not brought into action until the arrival of general Ripley's brigade, which prevented the disaster which i ist otherwise have ensued.* Though the second brigade pressed forward with the great- est ardour, the battle had raged for an hour before it could ar- rive on the field, by which time it was nearly dark. The en- emy fellbackonits approach. In order to disengage the ex- hausted troops of the first brigade, the fresh troops were or- dered to pass Scott's line, and display in front, a movemert which was immediately executed by Ripley. Meanwhile the enemy, being reconnoitered, was found to have taken a new position, and occupied a height with ;his artillery, 3Upporteu by a line of infantry., which gave him great advantages, it bejing * « .// trait in his conduct highly honourable to colonel Je/»su/i t«, that his humanity as a man triumfUied over his technical duty as an officer* Suck nvas^for a time^ hia situation in the field, that every firiB&ner he took, by ivifieding his o/ieratiom against the ene?ny, not only injured the cause in which he was engaged, but endangered the safely of his own corfis. Ac* cording to the canons of war, therefore, his duty, as we believe, • was, to make no Prisoners, hut to put to death every man who might ofifiose hitn in arms. Regardless, however, of these san- quinary statutes, and listening only to the voice of mercy, he ^ave quarter to all that surrendered to him, although conscious they would diminish his effective force, and that he must necessa- rily suffer them again to escafie. This conduct was noUcedby tiome of the British officers, and commended as highly honourable to the young American, JHtadJessufi been less humane as a man, and more technically rigid as an officer, he might have acted, as the aid'de'camfi of general Drummond acknowledged, with more deadly effect against the enemy. But he knew the road to glory bettfiT. . TVke faifpst vfTeath in the hero's chatilet is that whicJi is entwined by the hand ofmer^y.'* — Port Folio. I. .1 . "history OF THE WAB. the key to the whole position. To secure the victoiy, It was :.';ce»i;\o carry his^nerya^^^^^^^^^^ puriiose the second brigade ^''^/P"" "P°" ^ieh had Arrived Ld, and the first >^«gt:S\o ne&fTh^ brigties^^^^^ „el MiJler «as orderedtoadvance v^ith the S.s^^^reg.^^ cam the artillery on the height by the bayone. regiment gave way under the 6^^°^ *\j3 galknti; un^daunted by this """'f ,"«' ^fj^^^'^nd ca^^^^^^^ to his object, »"'\,^"";^ '^„"„';7j^'rt^ri^^^^ with the 2Jd re- "^ient'^uTad^^ 'dlt-tefighVm^^ ""-"^ '* '" fXtbuUt^aspromptl^raUied andb^^^^^^^ The enemy being now ^"!f " f °Xnteers and artillery", ground, the whole brigade, with the volume j. ^^ ;„ Lu the first regiment, «b.ch had been nulled, were ^^^^ line with the <=^f»"^^J^'^"^:,XJZT^i^ ** 25th, the re- they were soon joined ^V J^^J"; ^'^^^f /^^ rear of the ene- gii^nt that had acted with »"fJ/Xmerican troops withstood Siy's left. In this »'^uat'on the America ^^^.^ three distinct desperate '^"?''* "^ *^Xrcem^^^^ l„ each of his bK.ken ">^V»'^^2uZ\,'l^MTr>^»r being his them h« ''^'^Pt'tuttoL^rf the men w^re distinctly seen approach, that the buttons oitne muskets, and many ri^rough the darkness by the flash of the ^«»^ > .„^. „ pri«,ners 7«- »«^e» »t the po^^nt of;"'^ ^»n„;Pk general by Porter's volunteers. """"S ' Lw mreserve with three . Scott was ordered up, who had b"" b«>° 'nres*rire wit of his battalions, from the ^^^^^^f^l VJXction of field. During the third ^^o" °* *'.'"'^'^ ]" minutes, to Scott's column would have ^"'bled him, m a few min^^ ^,^^ have formed line in the >•«« »* »f'" X7a flank fire from a have brought him between t«°fi«»- J^^i^ " „„, of Scott's HISTOKY 0» THE WA«. 155 ' . . miich exhausted, the command was giren to general ^r ?n^ he was instructed to return to camp, bringing with rg»Te°hrr^? tUmrfem at that Ute hour "''oh"e mvtStrtprto camp, gcner.:. Brown sent ,„easure, ordered h™WP«the traces '" ^^^„ *;„ j^te 'Serl Ripley has been much blamed for the non-execu. enemy appeared mfo^V't^b^^^^^ At day- Stances.' ilis oraers, i»^**\ » , march commenced, break the army was ^-TfJ-B^^^' »nd^i^^„X«w^™^^ when circumstances of the ^"^^If %^ ;^"?™ ,,e discretionary parent, such as must have been mvi part of »»>« °'f/;^liV*e " w^^^^ afterward, led him ' commenced a"^;^«=«°,^^^Xc^ .oless th». 1600 men, were to Tort Erie. ,/ ''J "^P'' "Tneral RipIey towards the field of marched on the 26th by general "'P''', ^ ^ut difficulues noitre the enemy's P5>*^^^?"»^^^^J^"S^^» «« ^ position, examination, he was found ",^^^^"f^^^°*!^^^ asserted by prisoners taken the Preceding eve g. ^^^^^ ^^.^^ a wood on one ^"^t> ^"jf^.^^^^^^^^ so as to sweep turned or dmen ^"' ^»* J^^^^^^^^^ he extended a line nearly the road; besides these ^^y^^^s*^/*' jc^niaved by our troops, double in lengj^>> to that which^^^^^^^^ ^^J^^ To attack with two-thiras tne loi^ ^ ,^.«anft£« that the first an enemy thus increased, was an »et 156 HISTORY OF THE WAR. i thought rejected. The army was kept in the field and in mo- tion long enaugh to be assured of the strength and position of the enemy; that information being confirmed, there remained but one course to prevent that enemy from impeding a retreat, which, had he been vigi^nt, he would previously have pre- vented. The army» therefore, immediately retrograded, and the retreat received the sanction of general Browl>, previous to his crossing the Niagara.* The American official account states their loss in this battle at 171 kitted, 572 wounded, and 117 missing; the return of British prisoners presents an aggregate of 179, including ma- ior-general Riall, and a number of other officers.— The British «tate their loss to be 84 killed, 559 wourtded, 193 missing; their loss in prisoners they stated only at 4L Major-general 3Town and brigadier-general Scott were among the wounded of the Aipericans, and lieutenant-general Drunlmond and ma- jor-general Riall amowg those of the British. _ . In consequence of the wounds of generals Brown and Scott, the command devolved on general Ripley, who pursued his retreat across the Chippewa,. destroying the bridges in his rear, and throwing every poswble impediment in the way of th« ene- my; in order to obstruct his advance. On the 27th of "July, the army reached Fort Erie. Here l was determined fo make a standi and accordingly the lines of defence and fortification were immediately marked out, and by the unremitted exertions of the army, were completed on the Sd of August^ the very day of the arrival of the enemy before them. Early igfil^ morning, of the 3d an attcrtjpt was made tc surprise Bul^ioe, with the intention, it is supposed, of re-cap- turing genci^l Riall, and other British prisoners there, and de- stroying the public stores. About two in the morning, nine boat-loads of troops were landed on the American side, half a mile below Gonjocta creek, on the upper bank of which, sus- pecting their intention, major Morgan had taken a position with a battalion of the first rifle regiment, consisting qf 24© men. "Here, during the preceding night, he had thrown up a battery of a few logs, and torn away the bridge. About four o'clock the British costwienced the attack, sending a party be- fore to repair the bridge, under cover of tbeir fire. So heavy aiwl deadly, however, was the fire opened by the riflemen, that tiiey were compelled to retire. They then formed in the skirt ©t" the wood, and kept up the fight at long shot, continually re- m-fr » Fwt J^oiio. Memoir of major-general Ri/iley, V?kt *K HISTORY OF THE WAU# 157 lus battle return of iding ma- le British is^nfiacU tc of re-cap- re, andde- •niiig, nine ide, half a idiicb, sus- a position Ling ^f 24© irown up a About four a party be- So heavy emen, that in the skirt tiinually re- ley: inforcinc frotn the Canada shore, until they had 23 boat-loads, len they auempted to outflank, by semling a large body up he Lefto forS^ it. But a detachment of about 60 .nen being the crecK w lui , repulsed with consider- ^M l^sf'xt otfea nfw appLdng un^ttainab.c, the enem, aole loss. 1 «^ " J ^^ previously thrown some — ont^w UXwhich elaV the creeW t, u - vVntinK the r retreat from bcmg hairassed. 1 heu s«pei « rSs enabled them to take their _woundeda„d™osU^^^^^^^^^^^ killed off the field: though some of the latter were attcrwains fnnd A number of muskets and accoutrements .were also Xctedt anT'or clothing that ^^^^^^^^^^ fr^fttieDurDOse of binding their wounds. Six British pi isoners were takem who stated their force to have consisted of from '2 to 00 men Although the action continued for two horns .„,!, half the loss of the Americans was but triBing— two kilM and eight wounded. The loss of the British was never LcertaTned, lul it must have been quite disproporUoned to '"on'tLe^rrWafoTS^e British before Fort Erie, they per- ceived thatTh" opportunity was lost of carrying the Amencan "orks by a touMe-mam- Driving in the pickets, therefore, rev made a regular investment of the place. The fol ow ng ay'^g^neral Gafnes arrived from Sackett's Harbour and bring senior in rank assumed the command. On the 6th, the rjBe corns was sent to endeavour to draw out the enemy, m order to try hfs sliength. Their orders, were to pass through the ntlrvenhiK woods, to amuse the British Ught troops until their St one co"umns should get in motion, when they should reure owl? to the plain, where a strong line was posted inreadiness tb receive the enemy. The rWemen accordmgly met and drove the light troops^nto their lines, but although they kept hT^,^ nel two hours, they ^ere not able to draw a^y part of the enemy's force after them. The Biitlsh lek. tleyen deaa nd'tiireeTi-ners in the hands of the riaemen^Uutthe.r^.oss was supposed to be much more considerable. Thelos. ot the riflemen were five killed and throe or four wounded. The ml camp of the British was Pl?»ted «to«t t^ mile* distant. In.fi-ont of it they threw «p a ''«« of part^> c"^vm- vaUation, extending around the American fortifications, rhis consUted of two fines of entrenchment, supported by bioek- taserm front of these, at favourable points, batteries were erected, one of which enfiladed the American works. _ The American position was on the margm of l»ke Erie, at the entrance of the Niagaia ciVcr, a., .tcany a iiaviaui"== ^-'^ o 2 ■ ^^fi ia» !*KilOHV Of THE WAR. !!■■ twelve or fiftcMi feet above the surface of the water, possess- iiiK few natural advantages, it had been strengthened infrom by temporary parapet breast-works, e'«'«"^''«'*'?°t2^??L': with two batterie. and six fold pieces. The smaU unlfisnislhefl fort, Erie, with a 24, 18, and 12 pounder, formed the north- east, and the Douglass battery, with an 16 and 6 pounder ne« the edge of the lake, the south-east angle t,n the "^;- m left was defended by a redoubt battery with six field^*"'- ustZown up on a small ridge. The ,ear w.sleft open to tb^ Jake, bordered by a rocky shore of easv ascent. The bat. terv on the left was defended by captain Towsodj Tort Ene bv captain Williams, with major Trimble's command^of the 19th1^mtry; the batteries on the front by captains Biddlc and Fann ngi the whole of the artillery <=o«''"»««^„^y mapr Hindman. Parts of the 1 1th, 9ih, and 82d infantry, weie S Oh the right under the command of lieutenam-j^olone Wnwall. OeiSral Ripley's brigade, consisting of the 21« anT23dt .!»-fended the left. 'General Porter'sJ^ngade of Nevr York and Pennsylvwiia yplunteers, with the liHemen, occupied ""l^r^ngthe 13th and 14th, the enemy kept up a brisk can- tvonade, which was sharply returned fiwm the American batie- X! * Urout^ny considinible loss. One of the r shelis lodged iivsmafl magime, in Fort Erie, which *vas almost empty.- It blew UP™ ifh an explosion more awful in appearmce thai, ,iurir«sy i s effect.,^as it did not disable »«•'«» »';f!™»f aiun A momentary cessation of the ibundere of the anil- tew took pTac? on both sides. This was followed by a loud '^Kus shout by the «rhish army, which "a. in^^^'y «; tunredisn the part of the Americans, who, amidst the smoke S™e ^ptesim., reiiewed^lbe so^estby an animated roar^rf *J?*FS^'s"^'p"sed loss of amr,.v.dtion and the consequent depres^^on^--^^'*^'^**"**"^ ">'•■' ^° ?r^"r.',S':^^^v C felt persuaded that this e*ptesion «<'«'<> '.**t"«^"^\*^. ™nlt. and made his arrangci -aiU^ccordingly. There susg^ dons were fully verified, by an «^ck that was made m the niffht between the 1 4th and H'vk OS »uga»t. ,.„^ *¥heS^ht *a« dark, and fl,e^«»-5),^artof .training, bin nc- veiSf one third^f the troc; .fere kept at their pflifta- ^Kartwo o'clock, tberfef't^Coltimn of the ene«y ay- .m/ md thoneh enveloped in darkness, was distinctly ?':°!?!?'. J*. aISv^X and promptly warke^bythe m«»- ^i;«rv"nnder maior' Wood ani captMii ToWson. SJeiBg motnii- the Hvuw column !< of the in 0t^ly irft< round tl ibrea^t d 1^ m HfStetiV 0¥ IH-lii vrA-*.«r 4'^9 biisk can* 'icaii batte- ells lodged ft empty.— ir«nce than or derange >f the arlil* d by a loud nstaritly re- ; the smoke ated roar Off cotisequent leral Games jnettiy to aii- 'bese susj)!- made in the ting, bittw- fieir pw^ls.'— « enewty aj)- «isdisthictly I'bythcttiiiS' jeing inotiiit- rtt m attarU, „l^fe the sheets fire rolling from Towsbn's battery, and Tul Lsq^try of the left ^v>^g, enabled him t<. see t^^^my^s oirnTeb^«t 1500 men alproaching o»^^at:potnl; 'hU ad. vice was itet clYecfced until it bud approached wtthm ten fe^t nftheSS. A4ineof loose biusfe, repfesentlBg^nabattis, IvUerv^d; a column dF the eneiuy awempied to pajs ^ ^ ir!I twtu thmuch the water, ^Kere it was tieariy S^B^^^iered a det&chment df rifleWfen ^«f *»f«»»jry ^to^i^ tuppon; but at tbis momem tA>e^enemy^re lieptdsed rhey Sntlv renewed the charge, and were again dnv€«i >back.^ On the rTeht, the fire of cannon and niusqUe^y ani«>imced ihf annr^a^h of the cemre and left columns of tihe enemy, un- t To& SrLmond and Soott. ^»- ^f ^Tair^^^^^^ S Pepu4«ed% the 9th, tinder tbecontiiiand of capt^n.^c^ten uS captains Biuglrton and Harding's companies of New York aBd pLnsyWania volunteers, aided by a siK-pounder, judi- ciously posted by major M'Kee, chief engmeev. _^ Tut & cemve, lid by colonel O^^^'-^^t^b^e ^2^^^ kCDt in check; it approuohed at once every assailable fomtot S4t a^r^itlsciiin^.laddevs ascended the parapet where, r.I twTceJ^^^^^ andas often <.hecked; btit the .nemy hav- Wi^^dXhdii thedii^^^ b^r^avrcloud of smoke which 4.ad «^ii-^^ f»^«\ ^^ Td" laHd^nu/ouetry, repeated ^^^ -^»-^g^| ^"^^^^e^^^^^^^ (lers, and with their pikes, bayonets and spears teU "P0» we Ameiranarti^leiiste,««cl succeeded in c^pt«ri«g the bustion. bSant M.Do^ough bei.^ se^ei^ly weunded, demanded Sen It was refused 4,y colohel Dm^mond. ^^^ Sm then Z\^ a handspike, and nobly defended InmseU u^rhlVas sbot down with a pistol by ^h« monster who had Sed him -qu^ner, who often reiterated tbe order--" %wc hi dlnerYarees no quarter » ^hisofficer, whose bravery, it haTbeen seasoned with virtue, wo»^ld h^ve entitled hmi to I ^atoirXbf every ^oWlej^this hardened tmi^^^^^^ met-tusf^e. He >vas ^hot through ifee bi^«»st while repeat u>g the order <* to give no qaartcr." ^^^^rv^eiv the tilrht l>e^efal gallant atte^P^* ^«t^ ^^^^«. ^^r?,^?^^^^ hastion but all proved unsuccessful. At this moment every deposits* W tfce«..^tif 'tl«> «lo ''*»'*''«^^)°f:"?rei^" .i.ai^^.i^j. ,„!»». ,e>i«>»*vered « pn>v^on boats," a manoeuvre which deceived the American officers, as boats from the fort had been m the habit of passing Td repassing through the night. The force being overwhelm. Ca«5 the surprise complete, but little effectnal resistance was made, ^nd the enterprise was completelv successful. Th^^ Americans had one killed and nme wounded. The loss 9t the assailants was more considerable. ^„^^i rUn^^ A short time after the assault on Fort Erie, general Games received a serious wound from the bursting of a sheH,J>y which means the co^imand o»<^^ "^^^^ ,<^^\°\^*^^^^^ Ripley, till the 2d of September, wh^n the state of bis health allowed general Browiv again to place himself j^| ^m^^vi ^iC^poo^s-in Fort Erie began now to be.generaUr^"^- dered as in i critical situation, and 'n^J^^,^^^^*^^^^/^,^. ^,rv _ i.^j f-_ .u« f-*- ^f ♦he arnvv that had thi-owa SO much glory of superbr force, whose numbers were coima^jly leceivinj, HISTORY or THE WAR. Ul Lent glacis. 5 shoulder, promptly ivacity and upon them I a few mo- ving on lie tcluding U pgc portion presumed, of the bom- e American , in the sur- of boats full ey ans>vered e American it of passing overw'helro- il resistance essful. Th& lelosf 9^ t;he neral Gaines ' a shell, by d on general of his health icraUy consi- i«Ie to be ex- ) much glory by an enemy tly receiving eickUtions, and whose batteries were every day becoming more formidable, while a river of difficult passage lay on their rear. Heinforcements were ordered on from Champlain, but they were yet far distant. But ihe genius of Brown ^y as fully equal To the' contingency, and the difficulties with which he was en- vironed served only to add to the number of his laui^els. Thou eh frequent skirmishes occun-ed about this^period, m which individual gallantry was amply displayed, yet no event If material consequence took place till the mh of September, when having suffered much from the fire of the enemy s bat- teiies, and aware that a new one was about to be opened, gene- ral Browa resolved on a sortie in arder to effect their destpuc tion The British infantry at this time consisted ot three brigades, of 12 or 1500 men each, one of which was stationed at the works in front of Fort Erie, the other two occupied their camp behind. Brown's intention therefore was, to storni the batteries, destroy the cannon, and roughly ^handle the brigade upon duty, before those in reserve could be brought into ''on the morning of the irth, the infantry and riflemen, regu- lars and militia, were ordered to be paraded and put m readi- ness to march precisely at 12 o^elock. General Porter with the volunteers, colonel Gibson with the riijemen, and fliaj^^ Brooks with the 23d and 1st infauUy, and a few dragoons act- ing as infantry, were ordered to mave from the extreme left upon the enemy's right, by a passage opened Uirough the woods teV the occasion. General Miller ^was ^^^^^'^^^^^'^^^ command in the ravine between Fort Erie and the, enemy s batteries, by passing them by detachment through the kkirts ofthe wL^id the 31st infantry under general , Ripley was posted as, a corps of reserve between the new bastions of Fort Erie-all under cover, and out of the view of the eaemy. , The left column, undt^r the command of general Porter, which was destined to turn the enemy's right, havmg awived near the British entrenchments, were ordered to advance «id com^uerxe the action. , Passing down theravme, Brow» }i^ ed from the report of the musquetry t*>^V mu f L SL^ menced. Hastening, therefore, to general Miller, he directed himtosei^e the moment, and pierce the enemy's entrench- nlens between the batterie. No 2 and 3. ^ These orders were promptly and ably executed. Withm 30 ramutes after the first gC was fired, batteries No. 3 and 3, the enemy's line ot -trlchmemts, and his two block-houses, were m possession ° sron\fter!*b^^^^^^ wasa*bandoned bythelJritish.^Xhe 1 ' M ,g2 msTOKY OF TBI WAR. Kum •■., each were then spiked or otherwise dest-oyed, andtke n-aaaune of No. 3 was blown up. _ A few minutes before the explosion, the reserve had teen ordereluTunder general Ripley, and as . -on as he arrived ™ the «ot^d, he w .5.dc.cd ,o strengthen the front Une, which was^herengaged with the enemy, in order to protect the d.. Ichments et^Ployed in demolishinfe the captured woiU WWrforming arrangenicnts for acting on the enemy's camp durine ihe moment o? panic, Ripley received a severe wound. Ev tSisttJ^, however, the objec-. of the sortie being accom- oUshed Cond the tliost sanguine expectauons, generji Mller had o^ered the troops on the right to fal back, and, observing thTs movement. Brown se..t his staff along the line to c^ ill the other corps. Within a few mmutes they retired from the ravine, and thence to the camp. , TV..,. »av« treneral Brown, m his diL.^atch, looo rei uais „Jan equafp^rtion of milida, in one hour of cl^e aC.on, blastJd the hones of the enemy, destroyed the fruits of % d!^s> isbour. S^d diminished his effective fo«=e 1000 men « '*^n"their ofF.cUl account of this sortie, the British published nn returns" fuTeir lo. . but from their vigorous resistance* ™u« no doubrhave been very great.. Their lo. in r,nsonen was 385 On the part of the Americans the killed a.-.-nntec ^83 the wounded to 316, and the missing to a like number A few dwt after this battle the British raised th •- siege, and vettated behfnd the Chippewa. Meanwhile the reinforce. mentt from Platisb, vg__arri'ved at Sackerf, H*lhour^^^»*^^ a few davs rest proceeded to the Niagara. They eiossed tna riveTonW ninth of October, when general! za^d, being die ^"nlor officer, superceded fn-al Brown m the comma i On the Uth the army laoved from Fort Eri^ , \'^ .th ttve aesign d?br Ling the enemy to action. An attempt waft made t diVoute thlpassaee of a creek at Chippewa plains, but the SLn :rK^oon compelleu the enemy to retire to th.r fortified camp, when attempts weu- repc i^djy made to draw them out the following day, but ^^^thout^f ^t* .^P^J^l-' gagement took plac© on tbei mb, which closed the campaign GeneS Bissell m-rched from Black Creek on the n^rnmj „f tiu. 18th with a dv of about 900 men, for the purpose ^J^^.i'r'Lmrt^ovisfon, intei. led for the British troops. Mi^i^ms before them a picket, of «h.ch they maae tr» Vomm.adin|officer prisoner, they «?""?«■*/»' ^^°!e'i''„" the coui e of which the advanced picket was atta. i«d by two cotnpanie ith loss. about 12< The ligh fifteen m troops wi The 51 skirt the I4th, un< the supp were ore well-dii€ soon con that his utmost < ersbelsU from the the groi soon aft< that the^ ty of gr few soU the groi wounde 12 wert Befoi to men Hci.^ht eral Dr be mad The ky volw ofOctc ment r Thisc tie ar the lal someti swam] secrec waser emy's was a On HISTORY ©r THE WAR. 163 companies of the Glengar, light infantry, who were repulsed •S loss. Next morning Bissell was attacked by a >rpsof fit 1200 men, commanded by the marquis of Tweedale. The liKht corps and riflemen susuined the whole fire for '>out Jfteen minutes, with the greatest gallantry, until the other trooDS were formed, and brought to heir support, ^he 5th regiment, under colonel Pinckney, was ordered to Jrt?he woods and turn the right flank of the enemy; the 14 h under major Bernard, to form in front, and advance to h support of the light troops; the 15th and 16th regiments were ordered to act as circumstances might require. The wel-daected fire of the light corps, and the charge of the Utft, Toon compelled the enemy to give ground; and on discovenng haUis richt flank was turned by the 5th, he retreated in the 'utmost confusion, leaving some killed, mounded, and prison- erTbe nd. Bissell pursued them to a ravmc, some distance ^m the scene where^he action commenced Not know»„, tlTeround, he did not think proper to push them further, but KeMhe country being reconnoit^red, it was d^^^^^^^^^^ that ther had retreated to their strong holds. A large quanti tv of erain was found and destroyed; and, after burying the Lv sLtrrwho fell, and the enemy's dead who were Ic^t on the ground, the detachment returned to camp. 1 1 " «;J"«°^ wounded%;d missing m this a air amounted to 67, fwhom ^^BXetalng the affairs on tnis frontier, it wiU be W to mention the^xpedition of mounted men ^^^^^^^^^^ M' ^ thur, which proceeded from Detroit towaids Burlington He.,hts, for the purpose of destroying '^^^^^'^^^^JT, eral Drunimond's arn.y, and parahsmg any eff^orts which might be made against Detroit during the winter. venlac- The detachment, consisting of about 720 Ohi. and J^enUc kv volunteers, and a few Indians, left Detroit about the end 6fOc^^^^^^^^ the object of the expedition, a mave- ^Sf^d iZ St Clair wai rendered a^e^-^- This circ.it caused the troops to be exposed to J^^y^J/^^^^ tie and hardships i" ^^"5 ^^^^^ ^ n 3 r^^^^^^^^^ thr lake- in the passat of several deep and rapm nvers, LeamUwithou?boats,andon all occasions encountenng TwTmpsjyet notwithstanding these obstades, such J^^^^ secrecy and apicUty of the expedition, that ^^^ «^*^^^^^^ was enabled .o enter the town of Oxfb d, 140 miles in tne en was cnaoict- ^*^ „__ .» . •.u-i.:*-^*^ «,««e ar»T>i*ise4thataforce emy's country, ui>ivk e tiit iuiiauivaij--= .. - = r* — ™ OnTheTu,x"fding day, the detachment proceeded to Bur- pit *5 i I U4 UtSTOUY OF THt WAR. ford, where the militia had been embodied in ex pecialionot this expedition; but it was found that they had retreated, a few hours before, to Malcolm's mills, where they were joined by the militia from Long Point. i «. ^ It was M* Arthur's intention to cross Grand River, as soon as possible, without regarding the militia collected at Malcolm's mills, and attack Burlington. But to his great mortification, the river was found high and rapid from the late excessm rains. Here also the news reached him that the American troops had re-crossed the Niagara, leaving only a strong garn- son in Fort Erie. These and other considerations presented serious objections to any attempt to pass the nver; it was therefore determined to attack and defeat, or disperse ^e mih- tia at Malcolm's mills move down the Long Pomt road through the Grand River settlement, destroy the valuable mills m that quarter, and then teturn to the American territory, either by a movement across Grand River at the mouth, to Fort Erie, or alonff Talbot-street to the Thames. . To that effect, a detachment was directed to remain and en- Raee the attention of the enemy, whilst the principle force Ihmild be withdrawn and marched to Malcolm s mills. 1 he enemy, consisting of four or five hundred militia and a few In- dians, was found fortified on commandmg ground beyond a creek, deep and difficult of passage, except at a bridge imme. diately in front of their works, which had been destroyed. Ar- rangements were made for a joint attacked on the fort and rear. The Ohio troops, with the advance guard and Indians, wereac- cordinely thrown across the creek under cover of a thick wood, to app«)rch the enemy in rear, whilst the Kentucky troops were to attack in front, as soon as the attention of the enemy was engaged by the attack in the rear. The enemy would have been completely surprised and captured, nad not an un- fortunate yell by the Indians announced the approach ot the detachment destined to attack their rear, they .yere,^ how ever, defeated and dUpersed, with the loss, m the skirmishes on that day, of one captain and seventeen privates killed, nine privates wounded, and three captains, fiv^ subalterns, and one hundred and three privates made prisonevs; whilst the loss of the Ame- ricans was only one killed and s.ix wounded. Early next morn- ins the enemy were pursued on the road to Dover, many made pi!soners, and five valuable nuUsdestroj^ed.^^ .„_,,.,.„ ,He Appi'ehensivc limt i"t; itv»up- •-'^-«"- ""- --- - rr-; - " route to Fort Erie, and that difficulties would occur m the pas- sage of Grand River, together with the uncertainty which ex- isted as to the position of general Izard's army, M'Arthur was MlsraRY OF THE WAR- 165 IS, wercac- thick wood, iicky troops ' the enemy lemy would i not an un- aach of the e, however, ishes on that line privates me hundred of the Ame- ^ next morn* , naany made the ir in tlje pas- ty which ex- I'Arthur was induced to return to Detroit by the way of Talbot. street and the Thames, which was happily effected on the irth of No- ""^Thus this active body of men penetrated two hundred miles into the enemy's territory, destroyed two hundred stand of ams, together with five of their most valuable mills; paro ed or dispersed the greater portion of the efficient militia of that nart of Upper Canada west of Grand River; and then return- ed in safety to Detroit, with the loss of only one man. Meanwhile, the approach of winter rendermg it necessary for the army to retire to comfortable quarters, general Izard crossed the major part of his troops into the American tern- tory, leaving a garrison in Eric, which also was soon after ""Xhu^^^^^^ a third campaign in Upper Canada without a single important conquest being secured. The operations of he army under Brown, however, are not to be considered as worS and inefficient. They have, in the most coniple e manner, effaced the stain thrown on the army by the imbecile Xrts of its infancy, and have cast a lustre on the American name, by a series of the most brilliant vietones, over troops he^etifore considered matchless. Nor ought we to lose sight of the effect produced by these events on the country at large, act vely engaged as was almost every citizen, m repeHmg, or L preparini to repel, the invaders of their homes. This ef- iec^wC"^fthout doubt extensively beneficial; and pe^aps it may not be improper to ascribe to Brown and his gallant com^ nanions in arms a part of that renown which the arms of the • United Spates have acquired by the defeat, in almost every instance, of the powerful forces with which it has been as^ "^Th; British squadron in the Chesapeake, under admiral Cockburn, still contined their system of plunder and devasta- ^on alonff the coasts of the bay, and the niimerous rivers ot wh"ch it^forms the estuary. The principal, if not the on y mal protection to this exposed coast, consisted of the flotilla under commodore Barney, but this presented but a very im- nerfect orotection to this extensive line ot trontier. ^ On he Tst of June, the flotilla, making sail from the mouth of the Patuxent, with the wind from the northward, discovered two of the enemy's schooners down the bay. The schooners made signals and fired guns; when a large shig was seen get- ting under way, which dispatched a iiumD€i «. uarg.. vu ir.c Stance of the schooners. Unfortunately at his ime the wind shifted, which brought the ship to windward, and barney % >■ i'JG HISTORY OF THE WAR. Avas tlus forced to put back into the Patuxent, whither he uas followed by a seventy-four, three schooners, and seven barccs, with a fresh wind. But the gun-boats being i-, the rear, particularly one which was laden with provisions, I i.rney soon found it necessary to hazard an engagement to pvevent iheir capture. Accordingly, bringing his sloop and one of ihe p'un-boals to an anchor, he sent men on board of the provision boat to assist in bringing her in, and made signals for his bari>-es to return and join him. At this moment his sloop and vrun*boat opened a fire on a schooner of the enemy, which waa leading in with a lumber of barges. She immediately bore up, and got her boats ahead to tow her oft seeing which, the American barges rowed down upon her anu the other schoon- ers, and gave them a number of shot at long distance. But tlie chase was soon given up, and the flotilla returned to port. During the firing, a British barge threw a number of rockets, which did no execution. On the 8th, the enemy being reinforced with a razee and a sloop of war brig, the floiilla moved up the Patuxent to the mouth of St. Leonard's creek, and on being followed by the British squadron, they moved up the creek about two miles, and moored in line, abreast, across the channel, where they prepared for action. The creek not being accessable to ships, the barges of the enemy, fifteen in number, were dispatched atrainst the flotilla. As they approached, they advanced a rock- ct-barge, at which several shot were fired by the flotilla, but ihey tell short, as rockets can be thrown a greater distance than shot. Barney therefore got his barges, thirteen in num- bcr, under weigh, and leaving the sloop and gun-boats at an- chor, they rowed down upon the enemy, who precipitately fled from their position. The pursuit was continued till the flotilla came near the enemy's shipping, when, after firing a few shot the American barges returned to their moorings. In the at- tf rnoon^ the British barges again came up, again threw rock- ets, and were again pursued out of the creek. During these encounters, the British are said to have sut- fercd considerably. The large schooner was i.carly destroyed, having several shot through her at the water's edge; her deck 'orn up, gun dismounted, and mainmast nearly cut oft about haif wuy up, and otlierwise much cut. They ran her ashore 10 prevent her sinking. The commodore's boat was cut in wvo; a shot went through the rocket-boat; one oJ the sma I -^ch^yoners, cairying two thirty-two pounders, had a shot which idked iier from aft forward. The btuLs geherally suffered, but afLir iot-b Wiib noi abceriaintd. • _ HISTORY OF THE WAR. 16: On the 15th, the enemy having received further reinforce^. attack being made on any important point by the enemy s forces in thf Chesapeake/ But towards the end of June, cer- Tintel ieence was received of the complete success of the ames"n hlsubjugation of France, and government were led frhPl eve as well from communicaaons received from out ™i,'t teisV^ad, "s from the tone of the British pn«Mhat^ Mwerful force was about to be sent to the United States. A S of ^nsiderations pointed to Washmgton City and Bal- X;:di^U mra"urt':f1.elncrhad therefore become ne- Immediate "i^«^^"[^; military district was created, to detacn a"" ""'" ' ^ . ...nuisUion, 2000 effectives from the S7f Cg nia; 5000 f omTat of Pennsylvania; 6000, the whole auota of Maryland; and 2000, the estimated number ol The miStU of thrOiltrict of Columbia, were P"t »* the dispo- sltion of eeneral Winder, making an aggregate of '?'000'J' sition oi S"""'" " ,„',,,., But this force, which had it elusive o? about 1000 regu a. s. H ^^^ ^^^,^^ ^^^.^^^_ been ^''""'^eam^^'ave been amply sufficient for defence, to- "\?'*f''Thr^hP hour of need. From the tanUness incident ;:^C present ^mpe fee mtufia system of the United States he' Vii^ginU and Pennsylvania troops could not be o^g.mzcd lrJtat.TwUl;rngJ:n'TdtriVp^a^^^^^^^^^^ ) ,v'*^.«-.r< 168 HISTORY OF THE WAfl. m they vere called out. And even of the Maryland militia, nearly one half joined the arnriy but half an hour before the action.— A considerable part of this delay was occasioned by general Winder's not receiving the authority to call out the state troops for some time after it was issued, owing to his being constantly in motion at this period, in order to acquire a com- plete knowledge of the topography of the district. During the month of July, the enemy's fleet ascended both the Fotomstck and Patuxent, and committed great depreda- tions, particularly on the former river. Admiral Cochrane ar^ rived in the Chesapeake in the beginning of August, and on the 1 7th, the fleet, then in great force, was joined by admiral Malcolm, with the expedition from Bermuda, destined against Baltimore and Washington. The circumstance of Barney's flotilla having taken shelter at the head of the Patuxent proved extremely favourable to an attack on Washington, as it masked the intention of the'snemy. This attack, therefore, being determined on, Cochrane moved his squadron up the river. Previously to his entering the Patuxent, however, he detached captain Gordon, with a num- ber of ships^and bombs to the Potomack, to bombard fort VVarburton, wuth a view of destroying that fort, and opetiing a free communication above, as well as to cover the retreat of the army, should its return by the Bladensburg road be found too hazardous. Sir Peter Parker with the Menelaus and some small vessels, was sent up the Chesapeake to make a diversion in that quarter. The remainder of the naval force, und the troops, moved up the Patuxent to Benedict, where the army was landed on the 19th and 20th. So soon as the necessary provisions and stores could be as- sembled and arranged, major-general Ross, with his army, moved towards Nottingham, while the British flotilla, consist- ing of the armed launches, pinnaces, barges, and other boats of the fleet, under admiral Cockburn, passed up the river, keeping on the right flank of the army, for the double purpose gf supplying it with provisions, and, if necessary, of passing it 4)ver to the left bank of the river, which secured a safe retreat to the ships, should it be judged necessary. The army reach- ed Nottingham on the 21st, and the following day arrived at "Marlborough. The flotilla, keeping pace with the army, ar- rived within sight of Barney's flotilla on the 22d. It was in- stantly set on fire by a small party of sailors who had been left lor that purpose, the commodore having previously joined ireneral Winder with the greater part of his force. The flo- '~~ ' * . A^*^At»^«^ «v.^^k -..tfkc^o^^l ««.rk.^.ri roll m#r¥ tfllA Up, Cji( troops, and his officers, whom he immediately consulted, were unanimous in ODinion that his situation on the hill could nc> " p 3 J^'^ v^ 170 HISTORY OF THE WAU, be defencTed with the force then under his command, worn down with hunger and fatigue as they were, it was considered indispensably necessary that the trocps should immediately re- tire across they bridge at Bladensburg, and take a position which they could defend on the road between that place and I lie city. Orders were therefore instantly given to strike tents and prepare to march. In about thirty minutes, without noise or confusion, the whole were in motion, and about half past diree in the morning passed the bridge at Bladensburg, which leads to the city of Washington. Securing the rear irom sur- nrise, the troops halted i- the road till the approach of day with a view of finding some place where water could be hac'^, that the men might partake of some refreshment. , Early in the morning of the 24th, the troops were again put •n motion towards the city, with a view of taking a stand on .some more favourable ground 'for defence, when orders were received from general Winder to give the enemy battle at Bladensburg, should he move that way, and that he would loin, if necessary. Stansl ary immediately ordered his troops lo retrace their steps to Bladensburg, and took a position to the west of that place, in an orchard on the left of the \\ ash- ineton road. Here his artillery, consisting of six six-pound- crs posted themselves behind a small breastwork of earth, which had ^en lately thrown up, aid the riflemen and infan- try were posted in the rear and to the left, so as to protect the "^>osition. This battery commanded the pass into Bladensburg, and the bridge leading to Washington. Meanwhile general Winder's troops, including commodore Larney*s command, made a rapid march from Washington, and arrived upon the ground just as the enemy made their ap- pearance behind Bladensburg. Colonel Beal, with about 800 raiiitia from Annapolis, had crossed the bridge about halt an hour before, and posted himself on the right ot the Washing- ton road. The force which had arrived from the city was form- ed in a second line on the right f^nd left cf the road in the rear of Stansbury*? and Beail's commai d, the heavy artillery under commodore Bari.cy being posted on or near the road. About half after 12, while the second line was forming, the enemy approached, and the battle commenced. The Balti- more artillery opened their fire, and dispersed the enemy s light troops now advancing along the street of the village, who took a temporary co-" r beliind the houses and trees, in loose order, and presented objects only occasionally for the fire ol the cannon. The enemy then commenced throwing his rock- ets, and ni3 iignt iiuops ucg bcjdran lu cuuCciiiidiv; liwur t..*^ un^^^- ilISroa\ OK THE WAR. in nd, worn ;onside''ed [Uately re- a position place and Lrike tents hout noise : half past urg, which from sur- ch of day ild be hac'^, ; again put a stand on 'ders were (T battle at ; he would [ his troops position tc the Wash- six-pound- k of earth, and infan- protect the ladensburg, :ommodore k^ashington, de their ap- I about 800 )out half an 5 Washing- .y was foim- i in the rear illery under ad. Drming, the The Balti- the enemy's dllagej who es, ii^ loose r the fire of II g his rock- and to press across it and the river, which was fordable above. The Baltimore riflemen now united with the fire of the batte- rv and for some time with considerable effect. 1 he eneniy s column was not only dispersed while in the street, but while aonroaching the bridge they were thrown into some contusnn, and the British officers were seen exerting themelves to press Ue soldiers on. Having now gained the bridge, the enemy assed it rapidly, and immediately flanked, formed the hne, and advanced steadily on, which compelled the artillery and r flemen to give way. But they were soon ralhed, and united with the other Baltimore troops at a small distance m the rear of their first position. One of the pieces cf artxllery was aban- ''Xto'^at o'f'volunteer artillery from the city, under the command of captain Burch, and a small detachment near it, now opened a cross fire on the enemy, who were partially shel. tered by the trees of an orchard, and kept up a galhug fire on part of the American line. Colonel Sterret, with one of the Baltimore re-^iments, was ordered to advance, and made a prompt movement umil ordered to halt: for at this moment the other two Baltimore -egiments were thrown into contusion by the rockets of the enemy, and began to give way. In a few minute* they took to flight, i» ^^/^f « ^^/^^^ "^^^^^^^^ of generals Winder and Scansbury and other officers. B«^fj»»^ artillery and Sterret's regiment remained firm until, bemg out-flanked, they were ordered to retreat, with a view ot re- iorming at a small distance in the rear. But instead of ret r- inK in order, the miliitia regiment retreated m disorder «nd confusion. Thus was the first line, which consisted almosc i exclusively of Baltimore militia, totally routed ana put to ^On\^ - rlP-ht, colonels Beall and Hood, commanding the An- num -is .ailida, had thrown forward a small detachment, under colon- ' Kramer. After maintaining their ground for some lime with considerable injury to the enemy, this advance vvas driven back on the main body. Their re real exposed the enemy's column in the road to the city artillery, undf r majoi Peter, which continued an animated discharge on them ti 1 they came in contact with commodtire Barney s commai.d. Here the enemy met the greatest resistance, and sustained the i^reatest loss, while advancing upon the retreating line. When The British came i- : H view, .nd in a heavy column ni the main road, Bar.iey ordered an eiglueen pounder to be ope »e upon them, which completely reared the road, ^nd r^P"»«^^! th.nu In several attempts to rally and advance, the enemy ^Mm. 172 HISTORY OF THE WAR. ti f- -m were again repulsed, which induced them to flank to the right of the American line in an open field. Here three twelve, pounders opened upon them, and the flotilla men acted as in- fantry with considerable effect. The enemy continued flank- ing to the light, and pressed upon the Annapolis militia, which gave way after three'or four rounds of ineffectual fire, while colonel Beall and other officers attempted to rally the men up. on their high position. Commodore Barney's command now had the whoiQ force of the enemy to contend with. The Brit- ish never again, however, attempted to appear in force in from but continuing to outflank, pushed forward a few scattering sharp-shooters, by whom Barney was wounded, and several of his officers killed or wounded. Being now completely out- flanked m both sides, the ammunition-waggons haying gone off in disorder, and that which the marines and flotilla men had, baing exhausted, Barney ordered a retreat; in consequence of his wound, he himself was made prisoner. His pieces fell mlo the hands of the enemy. The Georgetown and city militia, and the few regulars which were on the field, still remained firmjbut being now also out- flanked, they were ordered by general Winder to retreat, which was effected with as much order as the nature of the ground would permit. After retiring five or six hundred paces, they were halted and formed, but were again ordered to retreat, and to collect and form on the height near the capitol. Here they were joined by a regiment of Virginia militia; who had arrived in the city the preceding evening, but had been detained there by some difficulties which had arisen in furnishing them with arms and ammunition. General Winder had endeavoured to direct the retreat of the Baltimore troops towards the city, but from the confusion in which they fled, was not able to effect it, and they directed their course northwardly towards Montgomery court-house. — This wrong direction to their course was principally caused by their ignorance of there being a second line of troops be- hhid them, general Winder's forces having arrived just as the action commenced. , .„ j The British estimated their loss in this battle at 64 killed, and 185 wounded. The loss of the Americans was estimated by the superintending surgeon at 10 or 12 killed, and about 30 wounded, some of whom afterwards died. The most probable estimate of the British force made it about 4500; of the Ameri- can 6000; but it must be recollected that the enemy's troops were all reeulars, who had seen service, and were led by able oftrcers of great experience, while the American troops were BM#«fc«f» *• HISTORY D¥ TUB WAR. ira the right 5 twelve* ted as in- led flank- tia, which re, while men up. Hand now The Brit- ;e in front scattering several of etely out- g gone off men had, iquence of Ds fell into lars which also out- eat, which le ground aces, they s treat, and Here they lad arrived ined there them with retreat of confusion ly directed t-house.— Ily caused troops be- just as the t 64 killed, 5 estimated id about 30 it probable the Ameri- ny's troops led by able oops were all militia^ with the exception of a few hundred seamen and re- culars; that one half of them were not collected together till the day before the engagement, and about 800 did not arrive tai a few minutes before its commencement; that from the un- certainty whether Baltimore, the city of Washington, or Fort Washington, would be selected as the point of attack, it was necessary that the troops should frequently change their posi- tions, owing to which, and to alarms caurlessly excited on the niffht of the 23d, they were all much fatigued, and many ot them nearly exhausted, at the time when the hostile army was crossing the bridge; and finally, that the officers commanding the troops wer6 generally unknown to general Winder, and but a very small number of them had enjoyed the benefit of milita- ry instruction or experience. When these circumstances are taken into consideration, we think we shall not hazard much in asserting, now that the violent feelings of the moment have subsided, that the American militia rather gained than lost honour on the field of Bladensburg. The Baltimore troops foujrht eallantly, until forced to retreat by their fianks being turned.~.Whil6 retreating, by order of their commander, they were thrown into confusion by a new motle of warfare, of whuh the effects were to them totally unknown.* The bravery ot Barney's command needs no comment, and the orderly retreat of the Annapolis and Dir.trct of Columbia militia, m the face of a regular army of superior numbers, (now that the Balti- more troops had dispersed) is above all praise. A remarkable circumstance attendant on this battle was the presence of the American president and heads of departments. They retreated with the second line of troops to Washmgtoiv, where a consultation was held with the commandmg general as to the,i)ropriety of making a stand on the heights near the capilol, or in the capitol itself. General Winder stated, that the diminution of his force was such as to render it impossible to place his troops in a position which would prevent the ene- my from taking him on the flanks as well as m front; and that no reasonable hope could be entertamed, that any of the troops could be relied on to make a resistance as desperate as neces- sary, in an isolated building, which could not ^e supported by a sufficiency of troops without: indeed it would have taken nearly the whole of the troops, he said, to have sufficiently filled * Some of the finest troo/ia of France were thrown into con- fusion by the rocket brigade at the battle ef LeifisK. i i 1T4 HiSTORY OF THE WAH. the two wings,* which would have left the enemy masters of every other part of the city, and given h;m the opportunity, with- out risk, in 24 hours to have starved them into a surrender. The objection equally applied to the occupation of any particular part of the city. It was accordingly determined to retire through Georgetown, and take post on the heights in the rear of that place, with a view of collecting together the wholfe of the forces* It is impossible, says the commander of the militia of the district, in his dispatch, to do justice to the anguish evinced by the troops of Wasliington and Georgetown, on the receipt of this order. The idea of leaving their families, their houses, and their homes, at the mercy of an enraged enemy, was insup- portable. To preserve that order which was maintained dur- ing the retreat, was now no longer practicable. As they re- tired through Washington and Georgetown, numbers were ob- taining and taking leave to visit their homes, and again rejoin- ing; aud with ranks thus broken and scattered, they halted at night on the heights near Tcnly Town, and on the ensuing day assembled at Montgomery court-house. Meanwhile general Ross, after halting his army a short tune for refreshment, pushed on towards Washington, where he ar- rived unmolested about eight in the evening. Having stationed his main body on the heights about a mile and a half east of the capitol, he led his advance, consisting of about 700 men, into the deserted city. j . u ♦!, Washington, though denominated a city, and though tlie seat of the federal government, possesses but an inconsidera- ble population, which is sparely scattered over an extensive scite: The capitol stands near the centre of the city; the pre- sident's palace and navy yard are each distant ab(*ut a mile from that building, in opposite directions. Around each of these situations, stands what would elsewhere be denominated a vil- lage, and a few scattering rows of buildings have been erected on the avenue leading fyom the capitol to the president's house, and thence to Georgetown, each about a mile in length. 1 he number of houses in the city does not exceed nine hundred; its inhabitants amount to about eight thousand. The capitol and the president's house are built of a beautiful white tree- * The tivo wings constituted the whole of the capitol^ the cen- tral part of the building never having been erected. The wings were cvnnrctcd bV a Siljiili HISTORY OF THE WAR. I7fi masters of unity, with, •ender. The particular ire through rear of that holfe of the litia of the evinced by e receipt of leir houses, , was insup- itained dur- As they re- ;rs were o6- .gain rejoin- ey halted at ensuing day a short time vhere he ar- ng stationed half east of ut 700 men, though the inconsidera- m extensive lyj the pre- ab^ut a mile sacii of these ninatedavil- been erected ient's house, length. The ine hundred; The capitol [ white tree- hiioly the cen- d. The wings iione, and have been deservedly esteemed the finest specimens of architecture in the United States, if not upon the continent. The capitol was in an unfinished state, the two wings only hav- ing been erected; the upper part of the north wing contained the senate chamber, with the committee rooms and office con- taining their archives, and the congressional library, a valua- ble collection of books; in the lower part was the hall of the Supreme Court of the United States. The southern wing was exclusively devoted to the hall of the house of representatives and their necessary offices, the whole of the upper part being occupied by the hall and its galleries. Washington, thus abandoned to the Br^dsh arms, presented now a most deplorable scene. Though surrendered without the slightest opposition, and though totally without fortifica^ lions, the British naval and military commanders (admiral Cockburn and general Ross) immediately issued orders for, and personally superintended the conflagration of the public buildings, with all the testimonials of taste and literature which they contained. The capitol and the president's house, to- gether with the costly and extensive buildings erected for the accommodation of the principal officers of government in the transaction of public business, were, on the memorable night of the 24th of August, consigned to the flames. The large ho- tel on the capitol hill, the great bridge across the Potomac, and the private rope-walks, shared the same fate. A consultation had been held by the president and the heads of departments on the subject of the navy yard, on the morn- ing preceding the battle of Bladensburg. The secretary of the navy described the situation of the pi^blic vessels, and the nature of the public property, at the establishment, the vast importance of the supplies, and of the shipping, to the enemy, particularly as there appeared to be no doubt of his squadron forming a jiinciton with his army, should it succeed in the con- quest of the capitol (genlral Winder having distinctly stated on the same morning, that Fort Washington could not be de- fended); and as, in this event nothing could be more clear than that he would first plunder, and then destroy the building and improvements; or, if unable to carry oft" the plunder and the shipping, he would destroy the whole. And if the junction should be formed, it would be a strong inducement to the enemy to remain, in order to launch the new frigate, which the force at his command would accomplish in four or five days. He would then carry off" the whole of the public stores and shippinR, and destroy the establishment; and, in the mean Utrtc, greatly e>iTena lue ncia oi ins piuiuici auu w^vas.aa-.'.M ste. 176 HISTOHY OF THE WAR. H Thus, in either case, whether the junction was formed, or Whether the army alone entered the city, tl.e loss or destr, t,on of the whole of the public property at the navy yard wa cer- tain It was, therefore, determined, as the result of this con- sultktion, that the public shipping, and naval and military tores and provisions at the navy yard, should be destroyed, in the tvent^Ihe enemy's obtaining possession of the c„y. Agree- aWy to this determination, tl e trains, which had been previous. ?y laid, were fired on the api- "oach of the enemy, and the P«b- ic buildings, stores, and vessels were soon wrapped m flames, ^d were all destroyed, excepting the new schooner Lynx, which escaped in an extraordinary manner. The issumg store of the yard, and its contents, which had escaped the original conflagration, were soon after totally destroyed by the enemy Thionly loss which the enemy sustained in the cUy was a Greenleaf's point. A detachment was sent down to destroy h, and in the midst of their devastations, a firebrand having leen thrown into a dry well in which a quantity of powder h.d been previously hidden, it exploded with great violence, by which a number of lives were lost. • •„.j .i. Nearly the whole of the male population havmg joined the artnv, a great number of houses were broken open and plun. Sbfthe blacks and a few disorderly inhabitants. Ihe conduct of the British in general was orderly.* The utmost efforts of glneral Winder were now devoted o collect his troops, and to prepare them t* remove down toward thS and hTg upon and strike at the enemy whene^eran opponunity occLed. The next morning, however, intelli- Mnce wus received that the enemy had moved /or Washing- fon th^preceding night, and was in full march for Baltimore Winder accordinlly advanced as rapidly as was practicable to t^a1^city;Tur3 arrival at SnelPs bridge, on the Patuxent, Winder learned that the enemy was proceeding to Marlbo. Toiiti-h. and not toward Baltimore. . mj* Havi^ completed the destruction of the public bui dings inthecolrseofthe25th, the British left the city at n-.ne H \Ui night, and bv a course of the reached Benedict, a Meanwhile captai his sqi iron, cons two rocH.et-ships, s contrary winds, the; about fifteen miles 27th, two days aft their retreat. T' bard the fort; but risen was observed surprise of the Bri When the Britii nation could not b Fort Washington, i ened. Fort Washi considered almost i too weak to be d Captain Dyson, th case the British z the fort, and proc But nothinji; was h than that this impc tucked by a naval Nothing was n( ish squadron, and .\lexandria, with ,ance. On the day prec tee of vigilance, v [Q watch over the despairing, they a generui governmc proach of the ener squadron was ap] * The famous (or rather infamoua) Cotkburu must be ex- cepted /on. this remark. He so far laid aside the d^gm^f BH ish admiral as meanly to revenge himself on theprferty of a firmer, .oho, he said, had been giving him ^-'^^-J^^^^^^^^^ j/e of soldiers ..ere err^filoycd to --^l^^lf /^^ f J//, troy his tyfies and iiresacs, i^-aut u ,v,„5»«,= --..•- -,---- what a chivalrous spirit was here displayed. * Captain Dyso, that the enemy h and that they iver in addition to thi should not have Ithif! must have I \naftial') and dismi HISTORY OF THE VTAtt. 177 ildings I It ninei \Ui night, and b" a ra-^id march reached Marlborougl in ^' c course of the ty On the evening of the 2^j\ they reached Benedict, and re-embarked the following day. Meanwhile captain Gordon proceeded up the Potomac with his sqi iron, consisting of two frigates^ two bomb-vessels, two roctvet-ships, and a schooner. Owing to the shoals, and contrary winds, they were not able to reach Fort Washington, about fifteen miles below the city, until the evening of the 27th, two days after the army under Ross had commenced their retreat. T' bomb-ships immediately began to bom- bard the fort; but on the bursting of the first shell the gar- rison was observed to retreat, an-^ in a short time, to the great surprise of the British commandei , the fort was blown up. When the British army first left the Patuxent, their desti- nation could not be foretold by general Winder. Baltimore, Fort Washington, and the Federal city seemed equally threat- ened. Fort Washington, which commands the Potomac, was considered almost impregnable to any attack by water, though 100 weak to be defended against any large force by land.--- Captain Dyson, the cemmander, therefore, was instructed, in case the British army should approach his rear, to blow up the fort, and proceed with his command across the Potomac. But nothin.^ was ft«rther from the intention of general Winder than that this important post should be deserted, on being at- tacked by a naval force.* Nothing was now left to oppose the progress of the Brit- ish squadron, and they proceeded slowly up the river to Alexandria, with their barges employed in sounding in ad- ,ance. On the day preceding the battle of Bladensburg, a commit- tee of vigilance, which had been appointed by the inhabitahts I to watch over the safety of Alexandria, in this time of peril, despairing, they allege, of receiving any assistance from the generui government, and having information of the rapid ap- I proach of the enemy towards the capital by land, and that their squadron was approaching Alexandria by water, deemed it be eX' ity of a rofierty 'd rubs- nd des* rtncle I * Captain Dyson alleged, in justfjication, that he had learnt that the enemy had been reinforced at Benedict, 2000 strongs .and that they were on their march to co-ofierate with thejleet^ \in addition to the force which left the city. But surely he \ should not have deserted his Jiost on a vague rumour, which \(hi9. must have been. He was shortly after tried by a court Iniaftialj and dismissed the service. Q w IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // y ■^i fe ^ /.^^ ■v ^ ^ :/- 1.0 I.I 11.25 ■-lis |50 1""=^ 1^ IM 18 1.4 6" %^ e. e, V^^ !-•- rnoiopapmc Sciences Corporation m « 4^ -^-u '^<\ A % u- -^v 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 87^4S0^ « °"*'^^ ^' *„ know what treatment 5ent to the British commandei hereto fcno -"■'^llfflrit -ds^Xsu"tedin obtLng posset rZorttf t^r'The deputation ^^^^^^^^^^^^t Cockbum, that>vate P™?"''' °f.^^,3t provUions and some ^r mS be l^df irrwhatt^r Siey did taUe should '^\teVrh;blowingupofFortM^^^^^^^^ tion was -J^P^^S-tra^'oteTbrSoclbu^^^^^ He would other intentions than '''"/.^'Xed his shipping iii such a posi- give no reply until he h»^ P'^^^°^^ f-^nt W the hard terms Son before the town, as ^<>""^"=^';,\\'f?he surrender of all he had decided to «»f°;"- Jj^.^^Jlriiate, and all the ship- naval and o''d°r'=,.''«''/:uP"town Gordon having arranged ping and merchandise of the town, uor 5 ^^,, Sis vessels along ^Vrr^lunderes took po session of three forced to submit; and »''« P>"n^^Jf'™,Pft^ 16,000 barrels oE ships, three brigs, ^f;,'''^ ^^^^^ *^ Vso bales^^^^ and wine, flour, 1000 l>og*'»«»4',°* '°X°J 'lue of about 5000 dollars, sugar, and °ther aruc es o th ya^^^^^^^^^^ ^,,^^^_ , ,,„, feut "^°"S''.„^°'n'lexanaria, without a single gun being taken PO^''^ V>" °^ ta,.«t destined .0 carry off his booty en- fired agamst him, "^l!.^*"", HunEcrford arrived near Alexan- tirely unmolested. P^,"^.™ ""J^o^modores Hodgers, Por- dria with the Vi'-S!"" ''?'"»' »^'^„j'=7f,i,o™ from Baltimore, ter, and Perry, *!"'; *Jf ^^'S b he enettif at Alexandria, Jt ,v ai not deemed P'°P" *° ?^^^^^^^^ place. Com- as that would probably *^»"*^^^,'^^^ J.T ?" n the rWer, and threw «,odore Porter, t'>«f l";^' rc'=::?tfrora the ruiS.'of the fort, Wan ««■•««<;>>'"«."' "y.rri^lfa^c^ Perry threw 'J .the 0PP°«\^^.'''t,l;'^'TheSl of a small despatch ves- , ,j,i. a"othera.Uttle below. ^ J^^ ^^^^ p^^^^_,,^ ^^^^^^^^ ^„„,.„,^a GoVtorhc'ivrd nolme'to losej and he tUeretore precUHU.c, left Alexanc had not the To endea A bomb-shi] pounder, th< operations c in front, oui right. When th Porter had two eighte< sisted princ private riti militia, whc woods on ei eftcctually ing. These to cleiii' the measure s( thick wood The firir fell near, a feet than tc noon Porte point, abou ship, whicl of all the hns^ which the foil his prizes, reach of th by another ship. Th< ler was en licr to chi night, the < Within dore Rode small fire ters mann immediate which lay as they w( cial efffict the enemj iiistohy of the war. 17^ left Alexandria, without waiting to destroy the stores which he had not the means of carrying off. ^ , ^ . , * To endeavour to clear the passage, Gordon first sent down ^ bomb-ship and two barges, one carrying a long thirty-two pounder, the other a mortar. These vessels commenced then- operations on Porter's battery, the bomb-ship throwmg shells in front, out of the reach of shot, the barges flankmg on the ^*^When the small vessel passed upwards, the preceding day, Porter had only two small four-pounders, but the same evenmg two eighteen pounders read «d his position. His force con- sisted principally of sailors; some navy and miiitia officers and private rilixcns acted as volunteers. General Hungerford s militia, who were ordered to co-operate, were stationed m the woods on each side of the battery, in such positions as would effectually protect its rear, in the event of the enemy s land- inir. These positions, it was supposed, would have enabled them to cleii. the enemy's decks with their musquetry, and ma great measure serve to divert his fire from the battery, while the thick woods on the hii-h bank would conceal them frona view. The firing? lasted a. lay without intermission; several shells fell near, and burst over the battery, but this had no other et- feet than to accustom the militia to the danger. In the alter- noon Porter, took an eighteen pounder to a more advanced point, about a mile distant, and commenced a fire on the bomb- ship, which did so much execution as to draw on him the hre of all the vessels, including a schooner and an eighteen gun brio: which had dropped down that day. ' , . The following day (August 3) Gordon left Alexandria with his prizes, which he anchored above the battery, out of the reach of the cannon. The bombarding vessels were reinforced, by another bomb-ship, and a sloop of war fitted up as a rocket -^hip The latter anchoring within reach of the battery^FoP- ler was enabled to play on her with great effect, and comi>elled l.cr to chanire ber position. All this day and the succeedmg liiffht, the enemy kept up abrisk fire of shot, shells, and rockets. Within a few hours of the departure of the enemy, commo- dore Rodcrers arrived at Alexandria from above, with three small fire Vessels, un,ot ^shot, .-^^. "'-^-'^,,^T r'h «h"l[ Xan incessant tcry formidable, i ne wnu»c vi _ l-,rJwas kept up by the -^^^f^J.^^.^.f^i/an intention of tempted landing at "K^^^^^' b';\PPr,eP">«'='> *•? '"e picket spiking the guns of the o^^'^y' °"' , jvancine Kuns was now g^iardr Thcplan of »"n°y'"e h»™ by^'»)^^^^^ adopted with better effect ''^f" ^^'f *" m" '.pounder and two >,os'e in shore, was much ^-^«V^y^'^^^':^Zi Us hull, and J^^J'^o™ hoTr V: areT.ll ll^Jr^f. force was drawn to this novnt. . . _ _,i ~ <,<,iar\ei^&ion of firinff ;rbX;irrs^=^---^-'^'^-~^ HISTOBY or THE WAR. rsi doreKodgcrs was approaching with m \s' fi^r^.^'R- J.^' enemy being thus enaWed to direct the whole of their attra- tlon"oward,^ him, Rodgers was fov'^-^ "^ ^Z^'^' ^^'\^: maturely; and order his boats to -f"'™' *° P'*''™' *"' v Sk n possession of by the numerous bjrges o. the ene^. Some thirty-two pounders now arrived at t^e butten^.na r^rnpnters were emoloved to make carnages. Twc mortars, firge quamU^of a^mrJlunition, and an abundance of shot and shelfs were also received, two barges ^r* «2" W, /- »n^ every thine promised that the battery would speedily be put in !3Le!. ,?• te for annovine the enemy. In the evenmg two ffifs a ored aboveTrnaking the Uole force of the enemy odIS to the batter^, threeW^s. three bomb-ships, » Zp oUar, a brig, a sihooner, and two b^'^VaSwere loi^ether 173 cuns. The guns mounted m the battery were S .8 po«nle«, • vo 12 jSunders, six 9 po-n-J-"' »^^»^° fours The two mortars were without carriages, as were all the thirtyl^wo's, for notwithstanding every effort was made, bc^h at w;shingtoH and on the spot, they could not be com, •"on^l" mining of the 6th, the enemy showing a diaposi^ tion to m"t^ imclligence to tlmt effect was sept 'o general Hungerfo?drand preparations made to meet them a. the batte- ry with hotshot. About 12 o'clock the t™o /"g^'^f '"™V wa^with a fair wind and tide, and stood down; the rocket- Tloon bomb-vessels, brig, schooner, and prizes followed m suc- cesTon, t"e gun-boits J^deavouring to Bank the battery on the right. Portir immediately dispatched an officer to^general Huneerford, to request him to take the position agreed upon "tSI woods' on the heights; but from the «>»tance of his camp, and the quick approach of the enemy; he 7«""tSLi u was before the firing commenced, and alter that penoi, it was renXred impos5ble, from the vast ^"f "'««« of sho , she^^s, and rockets which were showered over the hUls and fell among ''Vs'^e enemy approached, a well directed fire was kept up from the bTtt^^ with hot and cold shot. The officers and men 3 the broadsides of the ships with '^npa™""''*! fi''™"?^ But from the militia not making their appearance, the whole of the enemy's fire was directed at thebattery. Porter, there- C finding'ihat in a few minutes all the.enemy'sTorce^would be brought to bear on him, and entertaining no hopes of pre- venting his passing, as some of his men had already been killed Ind wounded, he determined not to make a useless sacrifice. W°.VZ .n«mv. was on the point of anchoring abreast the ' I 182 HISTORY OF THE WAR. battery, therefore, after sustaining his fire an hour and a quar- ter, the commodore directed th€ officers and men to retire be- hind a hill on the left, and be in readiness to charge the enemy if he should land to spike the guns. The two frigates anchor- ed abreast, the bombs, sloops, and smaUer vessels passed out- side them, all pouring into the battery and neighbouring woods a tremendous fire of every descripUon of missile. In the ivoods on the left, a company of riflemen from Jefferson coun- ty? Virginia, under captain George W. Humphreys, greatly d^iLtinguished themselves by a well-directed fire on the ene- my's decks, as did a company ofmiliUa under the cornmandof Captain Gena, who was pasted on the right. Th^ first lost one mli killed, and one sergeant and four privates wrundedj Ji^ Sr, two privates killed. After thebombs, gunvess.els. and S had all passed, the frigates proceded doW.n and anchor- ed abreast of commodore Perry's battery, where a constant firine was kept up until after sun-set. „ lu « ♦ Z the guns ofPerry's battery were of too -^f^^^^^ make much impression on the enemy. A »'"g'^ "S'i'tn^ pounder, which arrived only thirty minutes before the finng began, ill supplied with ammunition, was the only gun that could be of much service . The amraumtion of this g^, and that of several of the six-pounders, bemg «fPf°^^f' ?^^,^''i^ fire of the enemy being very heaw, it was thought advisable (o retire a short distance in the c r. This w?.s done »n good ^r-Aer after sustaining their fire for more than an hour. Th;advanCeous situation of this battery Prevented rf.e enemy from doilg much injury. Only one man wus wound^^. ThTnumber of killed and wounded at commodore Porter sbat- , ery Sw not exceed thirty. The loss of the enemy was seven 'ft"tt; PaXt'-rittent up the Chesapeake to make . liveS^in &of this expedition, was the least fortunate :fte commandos. He met hi^ death i»/X"fl!!',^'[,''X'"tb body of militia on the eastern shore of Maryland, under the command of colonel Reid. . , . ■ • A fnrrc nf about 1 50 men was landed at night trom nis vca .1 «t Se headrf whichhe placed himself, with the mtenUon lt^..n «?s msLds *o Eive them a warm reception. The camp ground, flanked on^bothjmes J^'t;;,*°°«^^^„„ ,^„ «ppe„ed, ^a ~cei;;d iTfi^'rf the Am"erican advance at 70 paces dis- HISTORY OF THE WAH. 183 tance. Being pressed by superior numbers, the advance were ordered to retire, and form on the right of the line. The fire now became general, and was sustained by the militia with the niost determined valour. The enemy pressed in front: but be- ing foiled, he threw himself on th6 left flank; where his efforts were equally unavailing. « -j i. The fire of the enemy had nearly ceased, when Reid, the commander of the militia, was informed that the cartridges were entirely expended in some parts of the line, and that none of the men had more than a few rounds, although each had brought twenty into the field. The artillery cartridges were entirely expended. Under these circumstances, the troops were ordered to fall back lo a convenient spot where a part of the line was fortified, for the purpose of distributing the re- maining cartridges. But the enemy havinc; sustained a severe loss lound it more prudent to retreat than to pursue. They retired to the beach, carryinp- with them all the wounded they could find, ammig whom was sir Peter Parker, who expired a few minutes after beintr carried from the field. The loss of the British on this occasion was U killed and 27 wounded. The Americans had only three wounded. Nothing but the want of arrmiUmUon could have saved the whole party of the British from capture. With the multitude, success in war is generally supposed to indicate wisdom in our rulers, while defeat is umf .rmly attn- buted either to their folly and weakness, or to treasonable pur- poses. The clamour which arose out of the disaster of our arms, which led to the capture of Washington, 7» Pf ^^^^^^^ directed against general Winder, who commanded the Amen- cinforces,^ndgfneral Armstrong, the secretary of war, but chiefly against the latter. So violent was the ferment of the public rind in the District of Columbia, ^^^^^^^'I'^^^Jv: forced tc yield to the clamour, and request th^ secretary to re- sign. His place was filled firo tern, by colonel Monroe, the se- 'Th7 conduct of the British while in possession of Washing- ton and Alexandria, is withouta parallel m the ^istmj of ci^^^^^^ ized nations. In the wars of modern Europe, no ^^^^PJ^^^J the kind, even among nations the most hostile to each o^her, can betraced. In the course of the last ten or tweUeyea^^^^^ U.'ti m IP 184 HISTORY OF THE WAR. the British have affected to consider as outraging ali the iaws of civilized war. , But it has been attempted to justify this wanton destruction, under the pleaof retaliation. Admiral Cochrane, m a letterto the secretary of state, dated the day previous to the debarka- lion of Ross' army, though not delivered till after the destruc- tion at Waf^hington, stated, that having been called upon by the govemor-eeneral of the Canadas to aid him in carrying in- to effect measures of retaliation against the inhabitants of the United States, for the wanton destruction committed by their army in Upper Canada, it had become imperiously his duty, conformably with the nature of the governor-general s applica- tion, to issue to the naval force under his command an order to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon the coast as might be found assailable. ,, „ ^^ . ,. This ceneral accusation was rebutted by Mr. Monroe, m his answer to this leuer. The secretary declared it to have been the resolution of government, from the very commencement of the war, to wage it in a manner most consonant to the prin- ciples of humanity, and to those friendly relations which it was desirable to preserve between the two nations, after the res- toration of peace. This resolution had never been deviated from, although it was perceived, with the deepest regret, that a spirit so just and humane was neither chenshed nor acted upon by the British government. Without dwelling on the deplorable cruelties committed by the savages m the British ranks, and in British ^Miy, on American prisoners at the river Raisin, which to this day have never been disavowed or atoned, I refer, continued the secretary, as more immediately connect- ed with the subject of your letter, to the wanton desolation that was committed at Havre-de-Grace, and at Georgetown, early in the spring of 1813. These villages were burnt and ravaged by the naval forces of Great Britain, to the ruin of their un- armed Inhabitants, who saw with astonishment that they de- rived no protection to their property from the laws ol war.— Durinff the same season, scenes of invasion and pillage, car- Pied on under the same authority, were witnessed all along the waters of the Chesapeake, to an extent inflicting the post se- rious private distress, and under circumstances that justitica ;; the suspicion, that revenge and cupidity, rather tMn the man- ly motives that should dictate the hostility of a high-minded foe, led to their perpetration. . . . -r .u tm «m Although these acts of desolation invited^ if they did not " impose on the goverunicni, uie uecvpsiij wiiVv»i+.-vi-i-v j - - no instance lage of Ne^ outrages ab Fort Georg who ordere military op by the gov Point was ' of the offic nal. For tl the officer out trial, f I am CO tinued the which hav of the Uni humanity appears >^< to the prii justly cha ble warfa: been com acting on disavow, But tb this gene ('anada, secretary the provi sorted, " ington, V America * JVe highly r, measure vernmei The out dy an it by an a cannot i been tai titiliCU • the war HISTORY 01 fllE WAR. 185 ;n..tance has it been authorised.* The burning of tlie vil- r Tof Newark in U^ Canada, was posterior to th^ early „r Ihe officer subiected to the inve-tigation of a milita.7 tnbu- ^ll FSburning at St. David's, committed by stragglers, the officer who commanded in that quarter was dismissed with- al lt';ommtdK"tt';r;sident distinctly to state, con- tUil general charge against tl^ Ammcan t.roops n Uppe. Canada, to '^e dest^cuon of h v.U ges^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ secretary's letter. Ihe governoi u |„„uarv, 1815, as- the provincial P»rii»me"t °n th^ ^^ri. o^ Jan^^^l at Wash- scrted, » that, as a just ^f '^""""^ '?! P^^^hat inflicted by an Si;:rfo:rrtret:tTS:;er^r^t inUpper C^^^^^^^ mcawrea, at U2>tto inaKe o . / deua>tati-m„. v^rnmait and to the ,vorld, on the ^""J"' f . ^ ,noment, or The outrage, X^r" *r»T7«r, "s t aIc* Jere generally led By an '"f'^'"'' °^":\ZnrZli^ ,„ „ „,tematic manner. We iy an admiral, ""f '■^^^""J^^'.yjr if a deHded >tand had cannot bring ourselves '<> ^/'*""l „f oMrase would have con- tinucii *v Mt,3.-f -- the war. HISTORY or THE \VAR< ■if , i if 1'*' i and the chancellor of the exchequer, in a debate in the Britisli parliament; on ai) address to the prince regent, in November, 1814, was still more explicit. The Americans at York, he as9er>.<5d, " not only burnt, the house of the governor, but also every house belonging to the meanest individual, even to a shell, and left the populace in the most wretched condition." Thus, in the great as in the little world, one wrong inevita- bly treads on the heels of another. The same cowardly spirit which dictated the orders for devasti.ting the American coast, was apparent on this occasion, when, cowering under the re- proaches of their compatriots for the stain they had cast on the British arms, the ministry were forced^o shelter themselves und^r the most base and malignant untruths. But the reign of fals^ood is always short. These official assertions produced an investigation of the subject by congress, which must cover with shani^ the authors of this slander. From this investigation it appears, that nothing was destroy- ed by the American comncander, excepting the barracks and public storehouses. That several of the most valuable public buildings were destroyed by the explosion of a magazine, trhich the British set fire to as the Americans entered tbe place, and which proved fatal to general Pike, and to a vaiit httraber of his brave followers. That, notwithstanding this great provocation for burning the town, nothing of the kind took place; a strong guard was set, with positif e orders to pre- vent any plunder or depredation on the inhabitants; and when leaving theplaee, the commander of the American troops re- ceived a letter from judge Scott, chief justice of the superior co«Pt, in which he expressed his thanks for the humane treat- ment the inhabitants had experienced from his troops, and for the commander's particular attention to the safety of their per- sons and property. The destruction of public edifices for civil uses was not only unauthorised, but positively forbidden by the American commanders. It has recently however appeared, that a public building, of little value, called the parliament- house (not the government house), had been burnt, in which at) American scalp was found, (as appears by the official letter of commodore Chauncey, to the secretary of the navy), as a part of the decoi'^tion of the speaker's chair; whether it was an accidental consequenc*of the confusion in which the ex- plosion of the magazine involved the town, or the unauthorised act of some exasperated individual, has not been ascert^ned. The silence of the militarv and civil offi^rs of the nrovinciai government of Canada, seem to indicate that the transaction^ was not deemed, when it occurred, a cause, either for retalia- tion or reproach. The burn Thames, c verted to ii burning of can general soon as thi dated the 6 of \var, to J of the offici Prevost a ( had actedJ and on the " that it hs assurance, Newark, v and abhori had ensue* ark, passu tributed t the unfort active wai and that it jcsty's go United St had for itJ But the only expi officer; fo the wron] tish and ] they surp iages of Black Re dispersin George the veng of the 12 the burn occurred and that warfare, nial to 1 the ener his ansv ready n( HISTORY OF THE WAU. 187 Trial I'he burning of Newark and of the Indian towns on the nvcr Thames, commonlv called the Moravian tcwns, are aho ad- verted to in the report arising out of this investigation. The burning of Newark, it is stated, was vindicated by the Ajnen- can ceSeral, as necessary to his military o.perations; but as soon as the American government heard of it, instructions, dated the 6th of January, 1814, were given by the department of war, to maior-g^neral Wilkinson, " to disavow the qonduct of the officer who committed it, >nd to transmit to governor Prevost a copy of the order, under colour of which that pttjcer had acted." This disavowal was accordingly communicated, and on the 10th February, 1814, governor Prevost answered, " that it had been with great satisfaction he had received the assurance, that the perpetraUon of the burning of the town ot Newark, was both unauthorised by the American government, and abhorrent to every American feeling; that if any oiltrages had ensued the wanton and unjustiaable destruction of New- ark, passing the bounds of just retaliation, they were to be^at- tributed to the influence of irritated pa^ions, ^qn the part ot the unfortunate sufferers by that event, which, m a state Oi active warfare, it had not been possible altogether to restram, and that it was as little congenial to the disposition of hris,!^- icsty's government, as it was to that of the government ofjhc United States, deliberately to adopt any plan of policy, wMph had for its object the devastation of private property. But the disavowal of the American governnvent was^not the only expiation of the unauthorised offence comiPAtted by its officer; for thb British government undertPf^Atself to ^e.d^^s the wrong. A few days after the bummg pf Newark, the ^i- tish and Indian troops crossed the Niagam^for this puijpo^e.; they surprized and seized Fort Niagara; th^y buwt th© v^u iages of Lcwistown, Manchester, Tuscarpra, B^iffa^P, W4 Black Rock, desolating the whole of the Nia^^m from^r, -^ dispersing the inhabitants in ^he extremity of t^>e ^^i^^J-Jf^ George Prevost himself appears to bave.beso satl^.ft^d^^h the vengeance that had been inflicted; *J^^^»">J^s^^,^^^"^^J?! of the 12th of January, 1814, he expressly ^e^K*"!^*^^^*^^^^^ the burning of Newark, « the opportunity of pupishment^^ occurred; that a full measure of retaliation ^i*d t^kenplt^e, and that it was not his intention to pursue f^f^ier a system ot warfare, so revolting to his own feelmgs, and so little conge- nial to the British chavacter, unless the future ^ff^^^.^ the enemy should compel him again to resort to it. J^^^^ his answer 10 major-gcncitti vt iir.i2:=^"Y ..-----, . ^' .. ready noticed, he transmitted a copy of the proclamation, « w 188 IlISTOUY OF THE WAU. ■^ expressive of the determination as to his future line of coij. duct," and added, " that he was happy to learn, that there was no probability, that any measures, on the part of the American government, would oblige him to depart from it." The places usually called the Moravian towns, were mere collections of IndiaA huts and cabins, on the river Le Trench or Thames, not probably worth, in the whole, one thousand dollars. The Indians who inhabited them, among whom were some notoriously hostile to the United States, had made incur- sions the most cruel into their territory. When, therefore, the American army under general Harrison invaded Canada in 1813, the huts and cabins of the hostile In'ilans were de- stroyed. But this species of warfare has been invariably pur- sued by every nation engaged in war with the Indians of the American continent. However it may be regretted on the score of humanity, it appears to be the necessary means of averting the still greater calamities of savage hostility; and it is believed, that the occurrence would never have been made the subject of a charge against the American troops, if the fact had not been misrepresented or misunderstood. Many people at home, and most people abroad, have been led to sup- pose, that the Moravian towns were the peaceable settlements of a religious sect of Christians, and not the abode of a hostile tribe of savages. But while excuses are thus framed with a view of palliating the devastation committed by the British army, not one at- tempt is made to palliate or excuse the navy for its plunder ot the wealthy town of Alexandria, or for the system of pitiful pilfering which was carried* on for two summers in the Chesa- peake. Is the plunder and devastation of the property of pii. vate individuals, then less henious than the destruction of pub- lic edifices? or is the world so accustomed to the system ot wholesale privateering, unauthorised by the laws of naval war- fare, as to pass over without comment, when com knitted by naval officers, not only the sack of a large town, but the .deso- lation of whole districts? The general orders of Brown, on crossing tliss Niagara, form a pleasing contrast to the devastating threat of Cochrane. « Upon entering Canada," says he, « the laws of war* will • u ifTar is at beat a savage thing, and wades through a sea of violence and injusCwti yci coen nvai nscij nun no iuiua, ttrhich men of hvnour will not ^/e/iarr /rom."— Plutarch^ life of CaMillus. will govern; .service of tl ing peaceab treated as fi sacred; pub disposed of be punishei] der." An intelli lin by the F tary princip the nossess; or even of men are of general she all his stroi his constani plication tc they apply ' lago, of abc iuted! Inde< any other li tence of re^ and induct effect in E enemy, it v brilliant ex the means i he was xini v.'ds comm retreat woi organized ciency in t remained : ping wouli I'lom a cir Ross certa tion of Foi But the diffei^cnt < barity disj ings rouse produced rausft its i thepubfiq %i histork; of thb wae. 189 will ( a aea life of will govern; men found in arms, or otherwise engaged in the service of the enemy, will be treated as enemies; those behav- ing peaceable, and following their private occupations, will be treated as friends. Private property will in all cases be held sacred; public property, wherever found, will be seized and disposed of by the commanding general. Any plunderer shall be punished with death, who shall be found violating this or- der." An intelligent French writer, in noticing the capttire of Ber- lin by the Russians in 1760, remarks, that two important mili- tary principles may be deduced from that event. 1st. That the nossession of a capital does not decide th^ fate of a state, or even of a campaign. 2d. That in the modern art of war, men are of more importance then fortified places, and that a general should never acknowledge himself vanquished, though all his strong holds be subdued, if he retain his soldiers and his constancy. If these observations be correct in their ap- plication to European capitals, how"'muoh more forcibly do they apply to that of the federal government, a mere open vil- lage, of about 8000 inhabitants, and in a coiintry thinly popii- iuted! Indeed the capture of Washington cannot be viewed in any other light than as a predatory incursion, under the pre- tence of retaliation, but really with the view of striking terror and inducing submission, ainl at the same time producing an effect in Europe, where the occupation of the capital of their enemy, it was doubtless conceived, would be viewed as a most brilliant exploit. General Ross had neither the intention nor the means of holding Washington. Without artillery or stores, he was finable to remain longer than 24 hours, when a retreat \vjts commenced under favour of the night, and even then this retreat would have been extVemely hazardous, but for the dis- organized state of his opponents, and their blameable defi- ciency in the ; rticle of intelligence, It is true, that had they remained a few da^onger, a communication with their ship- ping would have been opened by the Potomac, but this arose from a circumstance that could not have been foresef n, and Ross certainly acted wisely in not calculating on the destruc- tion of Fort Washington by its commander. **'• . But the capture of Washington produced in Europe a very diffei^cnt effect from what' was expected. The Gothic bah- barity displayed in the wanton destruction of the j^ubllc build- ings roused the indignation of the whole continent, and even , produced such a sensation in the British p-arUament, as to cause itft liistigators to resort to falsehood to shield them from ihe^Ubfiq odium. The agitation of the question also drew 190 HISTORY OF '?^HE WAtt. ; 'Al > from the ministry a statement, that instructions had been sent to the coast of America to desist from further inflictions of vengeance. The threats of devastation and their piratical operations in the district of Columbia, prodaced an electric effect through- out the union. A spirit of patriotism was kindled by the flames of the capitol, before which all party considerations and honest differences of opinion vanished. The war, at its commencement, was considered an inexpedient measure, by a large and respectable portion of the community. . The mode of conducting it al^>/, by the invasion of Canada, was con- demned as inefficacious; as resembling more a war for foreign conquest, than a resolute assertion^ of our naval rights, which ought, it was said, to be conquered on the ocean. All aid, either in men or mon'^y, was consequently as much as possi- I le withheld bv those who embraced these sentiments. Party -considerations had no doubt theii effect in producing this re- suit. It was not to be expected, that the opposition wouH fail to make use of the same popular topics which had been so successfully wielded against thern^ when in power, and which iiad finally driven them from their seats. But at this interesting ci isis a new spirit pei-vaded the nation, wrhicl. aroused it almost instantan-^^usly to arms. Party ran- cour, for a moment, seemed utterly extinct; « this is not the time for speaking, but for acting,' became the universal cry. All classes seemed inspired wi* h military ardour; the young and the old, the rich and the poor, ruched into the ranks, came lorward with their contributions, and assisted ik> the labour of raising works of defence. Nor were even the females idle at this trying moment. Their labours were ijnited in accoutring the volunteers, and in providing for their necessities. These movements were little If at all regulated by the go- Ycmments either of the states or of the union. It appeared as if the people, perceiving that the po#€rs with which they had entrusted their rulers were either incompetent to the crisis, or liad not been sufficiently acted on, had determined sponta- neously to aiise ito their might, and take the defence of their respective neighbSurhoods upon themselves. Committees of vitnliince or defence were every where appointed by the peo- ple h the ,io\ih meetings, who collected money, arms, and ammunrtlon, regulated the mjlitary movements of the citizens, Uxid superintended their voluntary labour at the iortifications. Nor was t^c public enthusiiAsm unavailing. From this mo- ment, ahnost every encounter with the enemy shed new lus- tre on th? Ainencan aims, till the war finally closed in a bla/e ,o€ glory at New-Orleans. The unan be ex^mplif governor CI magistracy a proclamat Pittsburgh their homes the militia j disposal of i diction or c to the defer poses of sel this requisii or, stating 5 not of that c tizens or sc of the town a paramour confederacy tinue. " to shall not ol continue in honourably standard oi i proceeds fi Adding, « lency couh the army, and to inch lo which tl At this ] the same t :-18l4, hedi cnt characi aknost exc with a spi peace, whi united det the invade not a party ing party < differed re secuting t be stimula common ^ I ji niSTOUY OF THE WAR. 191 The unanimity which prevailed at this period cannot perhaps * be exemplified more strikingly than by the proclamations of » governor Chittenden.—Shortly after his election to the chief magistracy of Vermont, in the fall of 1813, Chittenden issued a proclamation, ordering a brigade of Vermont militia, then at Plattsburgh, in the service of the United States, to return to their homes, on the pretence that it was highly im|^per that the militia should be placed under the command of, &«d at thf* disposal of an officer of the United States, and out of the juris- diction or controul of the executive of Vermont, and marched to the defence of a sister state, fully competent to all the pur- poses of selfrdefence. The militia refused compliance with this requisition, and the officers publicly addressed the govern- or, stating at large their reasons for this refusal. "We are not of that class," say they, « who believe that our duties as ci- tizens or soldiers are circumscribed within the narrow limits of the town or state in which we reside; but that we are under a paramount obligation to our common country, to the great confederacy of States." « We conceive it our duty," they con- tinue. « to declare unequivocally to your excellency, that we shall not obey your excellency's order for returning; but shall continue in the service of our country, until we are legally and honourably discharged. An invitation or order to desert the standard of our country will never be obeyed by us, although it proceeds from the governor and captain-general of Vermont.'* Adding, « We cannot perceive what other oljject your ixcel- lency could have in view than to embarrass the operations of the army, to excite mutiny and sedition among the soldiers, and to induce them to desert, that they might forfeit the wages 10 which they are entitled foj: their patriotic services." At this important crisis a very different stand was taken by the same governor. In.his proclamation, dated September 19, • 1814, he declares, that the war has assumed an entirely differ- ent character, since its first commencement, and has become ahnost exclusively defensive, and is prosecuted by the eneniy with a spirit, unexampled during pending negociations for peace, which leaves no prospect of safety biit in a manly and united determination to meet invasion at every point, and^^c 1 the invader. That, as the 'conflict has become a comm^^nd not a party cor .ern, the time has now arrived when all degrad* ing party distinctions and animosities, however we may have differed respecting the policy of declaring, or the mode of pw- secuting the war, ought to be laid aside; that every heart may I be stimulated, and every arm nerved, for the protection of our common country, our liberty, our altars, and our nrcsldesi J^ 1.92 HISTORY OF THE WAI • li 111!'' the defence of which we may, with an humb*c confidence^ look to heaven for assistance and protection. He therefore earnest- ly exhorts all the good people of Vermont, by that love of country, which so signally distinguished their fathers, m their fflorious and succes'sful 'struggle for independence, to unite both heart ^ hand, in defence of their common interest, and every thifiii dear to fr#emen. n - The B^sh army having re -embarked on board the fleet m the Patu«€ht, admiral Cochrane moved down that river, and proceeded up the Chesapeake^ and on the evening of the 10th of S^l^mber appeared at the mouth of the Patapsto, about 14 #iles from the city of Baltimore. Anticipating the debark- atitjn of the troops, general Smith, who commanded at Balti- moife, had ordered general Strieker to march, with a portion of Ms militia, towards North Point, near the mouth of the river, where it was expected the British would make a landing. His force consisted of 55u of the 5th regiment, under lieutenant- colonel Sterret; 620 of the 6th, under licutenant-colonel Don- aid- 500 of the 27th under lieutenant-colonel Long; 450 of the 39th, under lieutenant-Kolonel Fowler: 700 of the 5 1st, under lieutenant-colonel Amey; 1 50 riflemen, under captain Dyer; 140 cavalry, under lieutenant-colonel Biays; and the Union Ar- cillery of 75 men, with six four pounders^ under captain Mont- Komery: making an aggregate of 3, 1 8 5 effective men, Md^or Randal, with a light corps of riflemen and musqvctty, taken from general Stansbury's brigade and the Pennsylvania volun- teers, was detached to the mouth of Bear Creek, with orders to co-operate with general Strieker, and to check any landmg which the enemy might atter^pt in that quarter. The troops moved towards North Point, by tlie main road, on the lUh,and at 3 o'clock,?. M. reached the meeting-house, near the head of Bear Creek, seven miles from the city. Here the brigade halted, with the exception of the cavalry, who were Dushed forward to Gorsuch's farm three miles in advance, and the riflemen, who took post near the blacksmith's shop, two miles in advance of the encMpment- At 7 o clock, on tfte morning of the 12th, information was received from the advan- ced videttes, that the enemy were debarking troops from and under co>.r of their gun-vessels, which lay <>ff^the bluff d North Point, within the mouth of Patapsco river. The baggage was immediately ordered back under a strong r'«^^»/"^ S^^^^' eral Strieker took a good gosition at the junction of the two roads leading from Baltimoi'c to North Pomt, haying hiMight flmnked by Bear Creek, and his left by a mash, lie nei v ^auvu ile approach of the enoiny, having sent on an advanced corps, <.:P m under t1 advance mishinj being a this »)« througl his vva; of the tween comm< were s the ac gaUani niimbt the re the n< had St briga* in coi postt whiel Abou ;inem! static marc thet niSTOaV or THE IIVAB. 19; un&r the comn,a„d of major He"h "fthe 5th regUnem.^ Thi. advance was met by that of the f"'*;^'. *"bodv\>f the enemy j^,hing it mu^ed^to^be lim^^^^^ D^^.- through his arm into his breas^ 1^1^ the Command his way to the water side for fe-embarkation. i w^ "f the'enemy's forces then d-'>'«'^?';^"'^*ll'^% ^d (ween 2 and So'clock, the enemy s whole torce came v . ommenced the battU by »on'''toSes "^d ^*tt were succeeded by the ^"'f'?^™^. ^"^"^ '"''IjeTerSoker nC4 ^-ing the ^^^'^^^^^^^^^^i::^^^^^ ^e =u; 0^ '^J^^^^^t:^^ bad stationed one regiment »l^'!'^"^l\^l\t^m^<>, he, brigade; b»t the enemy not t^mUmg it advisable to pur , in cmnpUance with previous ?"^^S^'^^''"'.lf^l^,^„,tut,, post t,n the left, a half mile '» »f ^"'f "/^^^dfuTB^tL^^^^ which had been thrown "P,"". ** '''" '/Xn U e^eround just About the time general Smoker ''f^^|" "\;hS""d been mentioned, he was oined by general W'»^"' J,;°„Xed to stationed on the west side of the cty, \"V^^'inh militia, and march With general Dougla^ '''!'^'""liyB?rd "nTXpost the United States" ''f «»?"»' f''5i-^?P^X^;*^^^^^^^^ on the left of general Strieker. "»''"S '"*;" *?" ..-men and brigades of generals Stansbury and lorem»nj^thc s^^^^ ■marines, under commodore RodgeWfthe ^^^J^^'I"^.V'^ , teers. under colonels Cobean and F.ndley, the Ba't'^o'* *' tS, under colonel Harris, and the m?r>ne artiUery, "nde. c& SlUes, manned the trenches and>^«enes=i«d^^^^^^^^ situation s-,ent the night, all P'^P*"^.'^!'"'?!" entrench- l^rte-m^i'leVlirthl-^^^^^^ coraing down o°Th« Hf^^T ° T-^.^^r movements to those a-d Su-i-^ker were ordered to adapt their moyemeui » » .„ .^„,n*aff«QUs nosition, strctclung acroa» the Goumiy^nen S;5i *A, 1^4 HISTORY OF THE WAR. k-i.]t their forces in front, pushing his advance to within a mile of ♦ he entrenchments, driving in the videttes, and showing an intention of attacking the position that evening. Smith, there- fore, immediately drew generals Winder and Strieker ncarei* to the right of the enemy, with the intention K^M^ing on his right or rear should he attack the entrenchments, or, if he de- clined it, of attacking him in the morning. As soon as the British troops had debarked at North Point, the fleet proceeded up the Patapsco, to bombard Fort M'Henry, which coftimands the entrance to the harbour of Baltimore — On the tSth, about sunrise, the British commenced the attack from their bomb-vessels, at the distance of about two miles, TV hCD, finding that the shells reached the fort, they anchored, andikcpt up an incessant and well-directed bombardment. ' ^ort M'Henry was commanded by lieutenant-colonel Arm- ist€ad. . The garrison consisted of one company of United States' artillery, under captain Evans, and two companies of sca-fencibles, under captains Bunbury and Addison. Of these ilnee companies, 35 men were unfortunately on the sick list and unfit for duty. In contemplation of the attack, Armistead i.ad been fumislied with two companies of volunteer artillery from the city of Baltimore, under captain Berry and licuten- unt-comraandant Pennington^ a company of volunteer artille- rists, under judge Nicholson, who had proffered their services, a detachment from commodore Barney's flotilla, under lieu- tenant Redn)anf apd about six hundred infantry, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Stewart and major Lane, con- sisting of detacjiments from the 12th, 14th, 36th, and S8th re- l^iments of United States* troops — the total amounting to ubout a thousand efi'ective men. Two batteries to the right of Fort M*Henry, upon the Patapsco, were manned, the one by Jieutenant Newcombe, with a detachment of sailors, the other by lieutenant Webster, of the flotilla. The former was villcd Fort Covington, the latter the City Battery. As soon as the British commenced the bombardment, the butteries at the fort were opened in return; but the firing sooa" • eased on the part of the Americans, as it was found that all 1 he shot and shells fell considerably short of the British ves- :;cls. This was a most distressing circumstance to the troops in the fort, as it eompt d them to remain inactive, though oxpd&ed to a constant and tremendous shower of shells. But though thus inactive, and without that security, which, in more rcsular fortifications* is Drovided for such occasionss not a man shrunk from his post. ^ About 2 o'clock, P. M. one of the twenty-four-poundcrs ori il^e gouth-west bastion, under the immediate command of cap- tain Nichol which kille his men; t wounded, a ish to sus| bomb-ships now open€< ter, bv aga; the garriso The Bri slight inte of the 13t: During th vere, two passing Fc were soor These fort It is supp picket mei In the municatioi enterprise agreed to still contii cans, the darkness, light, wh Virginia 1 time majc suit of th valry was were, hoM being uil greater p found iir sti^ggler The n bombardi North Pc that level wottld hi been in ! of tli« e pdht wl Ifne of d HISTORY OF THE WAH. K?5 lain Nicholson, was dismounted by a shell, the explosion froin which killed his second lieutenant, and wounded several ot his men; the bustle necessarily produced m removing the wounded, and remounting the gun, probably mduced the Rrit- ish to suspect that the garrison was in confusion, as tnree bomb-ships were immediately advanced. But the Bre, whioh ^ now opened from the fort, soon compelled them to seek shel- • ter, bv again withdrawing out of the reach of the guns, when the garrison gave three cheers, and again ceased firing. The British continued throwing shells, with one or two slight intermissions, for twentvjve hours, yiz. from ^sunrise of the 13th, till 7 o'clock, A.^g^the 14th of September. Durine the night, whilst the bombardment was the most se- vere, two or three rocket vessels and, barges succeeded m passing Fort M^Henry, and getting up the Patapsco, but they were loon compelled to retire by the forts m that quarter. These forts also destroyed one of the barges, with all on ^oard. It is supposed that the vessels that passed the fort contained picket inen, with scaling ladders, for the purpose of stormmg. ^ In the course of the night, admiral Cochrane held a com- munication with the commander of the land forces, aud the Enterprise being considered impracticable, it was mutually agreed to withdraw. Accordingly, while the botnbardment still continued, in order to distract the attention of the^Am^^^^^ cans, the retreat was commenced. Owing to the extreme darkness, and a continued rain, it was not discovered till day- . lieht, when general Winder commenced a pursuit, with the v!rff nia brigade and the United States* dragoons; at the same timf major Randal was dispatched with his l^ght <^o»*P?^?". P"^' uTt of tie enemy's right, wJjilst the whole of tlie m^li a ca- valry was put in motion for the same object. All the troops were however, so worn oiit with continued watchmg, and with S uiTder arms during three days and nights, exposed the Ser part of the time to very inclement weather, that it was found impracticable to do any thing more than pick up a few ''Th?mval forces, as was before observed, continued tl.e bombardment till seven o'clock. About nine they retired to N^h Point, where the embarkation of the troops commenced ihafeven "k, and was completed next day at one o^clock. It would have^ been impossible, even had the American troops been in a condition to act offensively, to have cut off any pari oj ," B enemv'i, rear guard during the embarkation, as the Doint where it was effected was deiended ironi ai>i..i.ac.. oy a Frnf Of defences extending from. Back river to Humphreys 196. HISTORY OF THE WAR, HI i ■ ^H f '' WB n ; I^^^Bi ! 1 ■i : ( creek, on tlic Patapsco, which had beei» thrown up prcvioub to the arrival of the British. vt . v, • The loss of the Americans, at the battle near North Point, was 24 killed, 139 wounded, and 50 prisoners. The loss oi" the British in this action was 39 killed, and 251 wounded. The loss in the fort was only 4 killed and 24 wounded; no list of killed and wounded on board the squadron has been pub- lished. From the best calculations that could be made, from fifteen to eighteen hundred shells were thrown by the enemy. A few of these fell short. A large proportion burst over the fort, throwing their fragraenta|iround, and threatening destruc- tion. Many passed over, and about foilr hundred fell within the works. Two of the public buildings were materially in- jured, the others but slightly. The effect produced by the joyful intelligence of the failure of the attempt upon Baltimore, may be more easily conceived than expressed, when it is considered that almost every large town being equally threatened with devastation, the case of Baltimore came home to every individual bosom. But one mo- ment before, the public dismay seemed to have reached its acme; and the most gloomy anticipations seemed about to be While admiral Cochrane was threatening the country along the Chesapeake, by order of sir George Prevost, the latter was leading an army and navy into the United States, but holding very different language. Though he could direct the British forces in the south to lay waste and desolate, he was too fear- ful of the re-action of such barbarous orders to dare to utter th6m at the head of his own troops. Here his language was of the softest and inost conciliatory nature. On entering the state of New-York, he "makes known to its peaceable and un- offending inhabitants, that they have no cause for alarm from this invasion of their country, for the safety of themselves and families, or for the security of their property. He explicitly assures them, that as long as they continue to demean them- selves peaceably, they shall be protected in the- quiet posses- sion of their homes, and permitted freely to pursue their usual occupations. It is against the government of the United States, by whom this unjust and unprovoked war has been declared, and against those who support it, either openly or secretly, that the arms of his majesty are directed. The wise not aiding in hostilities, shall m.eet with kind usage and generous treatment; and all just complaints against any of his majesty's subjects, offering violence to them, to their families, or to th< these fa Plattsbu proceed poraneo Previ in this < Americ May, b; British But ( the Gai genera] the tro< sisting vost, aj pose oi There been s' anothe the lin states. The Lower Septei ter hac cd tov comb, ing fo zed Us * and n live n ordna Fin press tack < made cmul vided comt sono Aj and \ mas; HISTORY X)FTHB WAR. 197 CVlOUb to th Point, le loss oi' ivoundej. d; no list leen pub- ide, from e enemy. , over the ; dcstruc- ell within irially in- he failure :onceived cry large le case of It one mo- iached its )0Ut to be ^try along latter was It holding lie British s too fear- e to utter linage was tering the fie and un- larm from selves and explicitly can them- ,et posses- :fceir usual :)e United r has been lec openly ted. The usage and any of his ir families, or to their possessions, shall be immediately redressed. With these fair words, sir George Prcvost led his army against Plattsburg, about the beginning of September, while the flfcet proceeded on his left up the lake, in order to make a contem- poraneous attack on the Americans by land and water. Previous to this invasion, no military movements took place in this quarter, excepting an attack which was made on an American battery at the .nouth of Otter Creek, on the 1 4th of May, by the British naval forces on Uie lake. In this affair the British were repulsed with loss. But during the months of July and August, the army from ihe Garonne, which had so greatly distinguished itseK under ireneral Wellington, arrived in the St, Lawrence; and part ot the troops being sent up to the Niagara, the remamder, con- sisting of about 1 4,006 men, were organized by sir George Pre- vost, agreeably to the orders of the prince regent, for the puy- pose of undertaking an expedition into the state of New-York. There is good reason to suppose, that if thiS ^?Pf^'^^Tf!!fm been successful, a powerful attempt wou.d have followed from another quarter on the city of New-York, m order, by seizing tiie line of*the Hudson, completely to cut off the New England ''^ tTc British troops were concentrated on the frontiers of Lower Canada, and took possession of Champlam on the 3d ol September. The best part of the American troops in this quar- ter had previously beenformcd into a division, which had march- ed towards the Niagara, under general Izard. General Ma- comb, as senior officer, had been left m command. But except- ing four companies of the 6th regiment, he had not an organi- zed battalion. The garrison was composed of co^a^escents ^ and recruits of the new regiments, i^t exceeding 1 500 effec- llve men for duty; all in the greatest confusion, as well as the ordnance and stores, and the works in no state of defence. Finding, from the proclamations of the enemy, and his im- pressment of the waggons and teams m his vicmity, that an at- tack on -Plattsburg was determined on, eve.y ^exertion ^as made to place the works in a state of defence; and, to create an emulation an'^ 'eal among the officers and men, th^yj^f^^^" vided rnto det.cnments, and placed near the several Forts; Ma- comb declaring in order*, that each detachment was the garri- ;rof its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremi y As soon as the force of the enemy was ascertained, general i.*i:.*«.u .oiie^i en general Mooers, of the New-York militia, anlarranged with him plans for bringing forth the mihtia en masse The inhabitants of Plattsburg fled with their families tmitu 198 f HISTORY OF THE WAR. and effects, except a few men and some boys, who formed themselveB into a party, received rifles; and were exceedingly useful. By the 4th of the month general Mooers collected about se- ven hundred militia, and advanced seven miles on the Beck- man Town road, to watch the motions of the enemy, and to skirmish^with him as he advanced; also to obstruct the roads with fallen trees, and to break up the bridges. On the lake road, at Dead Creek bridge, two hundred men had been. posted under captain Sproul of the 13th regiment, with orders to ab- batis the woods, to place obstructions in the road, and to forti- fy himself; to this party were added two field-pieces. In ad- vance of this position, was lieutenant-colonel Appling, with 1 10 riflemen, watching the movements of the enemy, and procuring intelligence. < It was ascertained, that before day-light on the 6th, the ene- my would advance in two columns, on the two roads before mentioned,' dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy village. The column oii the Beckman Town road proceeded with great rapidity; the militia skirmished with his advanced parties, and, except a few brave men, fell back precipitately, in the greatest disorder, although the British troops did not deign to fire on themj except by their flankers and advanced patroles. The night' previous major Wool had been ordered to advance with a detachment cf 250 men to support the militia, and set them an example of firmness. Captain Leonard, of the light artille- ry, was also directed to proceed with two pieces, to be on the ground before day^ but he did not make his appearance until^ 8 o'clock, when the enemy had approached within two miles of the village. Major Wool, with his party, disputed the road •with great obstinacy, but the militia could not be prevailed on to stand, notwithstanding the exertions of their gcperal and staff officers; although the fields were divided' with strc^g stone walls, and they were told that the enemy could not possibly cut them off. The state dragoons of New-York wear red coats, and they being on the heights to watch the enemy, gave con- stant alarm to the militia, who mistook them for the enemy, and feared his getting in their rear. Finding the enemy's columns had penetrated within a mile of Plattsburg, general Macomb dispatched his aid-de-camp to bring off the detachment at Dead Creek, and to order lieuten- ant-colonel Appling to fall on the enemy's right flank. T^^ colonel fortunately arrived just in time to save m^ icircal, aiiu to fall in with the head pf a column debouching from the woods. Here he poured in a destruv ive fire from his riflemen, and continued t Major Wc among the enemy, th; pressing oi peded by o of the bridj the galleys The villi of'the sma plain. The of the rive Every re upon Piatt retire aero and to cov done, and Sproul, re got under took posse constant fi shot from soon oblig until it wa ed to dri\ for their f upper bri( The troop planks we breastwor sage, wh against v< From t ting on hi proaches, By this til Vermont p^ed ale river, exc clay and n behaved of Vermc notwitlKit vourb vi i and nighl nation to HISTORY OF THE WAR. 19^ continued to annoy the column until he formed a junction with Major Wool. The field-pieces did considerable execution among the enemy's columns. So undaunted, however, was the enemy, that he never deployed in his whole march, always pressing on in column. This column, however, was much im- peded by obstructions thrown in the way, and by the removal of the bridge at Dead Creek; as it passed the creek and beach, the galleys kept up on it a lively and galling fire. The village of Plattsburg is situated on the north-west side of 'the small river Saranac, near where it falls into lake Cham- plain. The American works were situated on the opposite side of the river. Every road was now full of troops crowding on all si^es in upon Plattsburg. The field-pieces were therefore ordered to retire across the bridge, and form a battery for its protection, and to cover the retreat of the infantry, which was accordingly done, and the parties of Appling and Wool, as well as that of Sproul, retired alternately, keeping up a brisk fire until they got under cover of the works. The enemy's light troops then took possession of the houses near the bridge, and kept up a constant firing from the windows and balconies, but a few hot shot from the American works, which put the houses in flames, soon obliged these sharp-shooters to retire. The whole day, until it was to late to see, the enemy's light troops endeavour- ed to drive the guards from the bridge, but they paid dearly for their perseverance. An attempt was also made to cross ^he upper bridge, where the militia resolutely drove them back. — The troops being now all on the south side of the Saranac, the planks were taken off the bridges, and piled up in the form of breastworks to cover the parties intended to dispute the pas- sage, which afterwards enabled them to hold the bridges against very superior numbers. - r From the 7th to the llth, the enemy was employed fe get- ting on his battering train, and erecting his batteries and ap- proaches, and constantly skirmishing at the bridges and fords. By this time the militia of New -York and the volunteers of Vermont were pouring itil^Dm all quarters. They were all pteced along the Saranac, to prevent the enemy's crossing the river, excepting a strong body sent in his rear to harrass him day and night, and keep ^Hm in continual alarm. The militia behaved with great spirit affer the first day, and the volunteers of Vermont were exceedingly Serviceable: The regular troops,^ notwitli^tandinff the constant skii^lshlng, and repeated endea- and night strengthening the defences, and evinced a determi- nation 'to hold out to the last extremity. m m JOO HISTOHY OF TUB WAH. Meanwhile the British were strenuously enf 6^^ "> P^P*'- inethe fleet, which was destined to co-operate w"h the land forees It appeared i»^ew at Pittsburgh early in the mom- ZTm\u^ no. This fleet consisted of the frigate Confiance, c«rl^^ 39 guns, 27 of which were twenty-four-pounders, .« S"glA?nelfarr,\ng 15 guns; the »'•»?» Chub„?»wW;h'c;r"ed cawvine H guns; and thirteen galleys, fi*? »' ^'"'t^M:"', w7aifd the reminder one gun each. The ^"f"<=f J° " corniced of the Saratoga, carrying 26 g""'' >-'B';\"t were lone twentv-four-poundcrsj the Eagte, 20 gjns, tne ^ i ^o^e^g^a ir th';^ Preble 7; and ten ^1%^'' XiUsh were su'- ried two, the remainder one gun each. The British were su n<-ruir both in size and number of guns. ^MS^the morning, the American look-out-boat announced to commodore MacdSAough, the commander of the squadron. SeTp^ach of the enemy. He at this time lay at anchor in ftttteburK bay, calmly awaiting the approach of the Brmsh squ^^nfthe'fleet being moored in line, abreast of *« wori^^> with a division of five gun-boats on each flank. At 9, the llii Shieet anchored inline abreast the American Bquadron at !.Kr!n, qoo vards distance, the Confiance opposed to the Sara- tS^ftheLWt to uTe Eagle, the British galleys and one o| Ihl slOTPS to "be TiconderSga, Preble, and the left division o Z Sc«i galleys; the other sloops to the right division ol *In^hS:^oI.-the whole force on both sides became en- gaged"™toga suffering nn.cb from ^^e heavy fire of U^ rv,nfiMce. But the fire of tb . 3:"...u ja was .!'.(> very destiuc- Sve to he; The Ticonderoga likewise gallantly sustained he, fSuhartof the action. At half past 10 o'clock the Eagle, „«t hein^ able to brine her guns to bear, cut her cable and an- choJS^tmo^e7rg!bleplsition, between, the Saratoga and 'he TicSideroga, where she very much annoyed the enemy.bu i^fortunafeirieft the Saratoga exposed to a g^ pnemv's brie. The guns on the starboard side of fte baraloga Sne«Sf all dismounted, or not manageable, a^n anchor , wa?kt Ko^ the bower-cble cut, and the ship winded with afresh Wsiir on%e enemy's ship, which ^oorifter surrendered A broadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which sui ""Ttlopftrat tSi-rtolt^agle hadstruc^^^^^^ tJebete''Ld drifted d^^n the line; the s'oop which wa» V . .J. . ^11^ 1 :«£- .4^»ti/ Sieyr4e?;'S:' th-e-StheVrpuTed off. The American flo- tilla wire about obeying with alacrity the signal to follow them, :cpar- t land morn- [iance, rs; .he I' each rrried I force which heTi- :h car- 3re su- 3unc€d ladron, chor in British works, he Bri- Iron, at e Sara- i one 01 ision ot" Vision ol iick some hich was i enemy's rican fto- [ow them. UlSTOUY OF THE WAft. when all the vessels were reported to the commodore as in a sinking state; it then became necessary to annul the signal to the galleys, and order their men to the pumps. The enemy's ealleys thus got off in a shattered condition, for there was not a moet in either squadron that could stand to make sail on; the low er ringing, being nearly all shot away, hung down as though it had been just placed over the mast heads. ,. , , ^ The Saratoga had fifty-five round shot m her hull; the Con- fiance one hundred and five. The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot from the Confiance. The enemy s shot must have principally passed just over the heads of the sailors, as there were not twenty whole hammocks in the nettings at the close of the action, which lasted without intermission two hours and twenty minutes.* . „ . r t i. This naval engagement was in full view of both armies at PlattsburK. The killed on board the American squadron amounted to 52, the wounded to 58. The killed on boatd the captured vessels amounted to 84, including eaptam Downie, the commander of the squadron; the wounded amounted to ) 10; the loss on board the British galleys has never been as- certained. The number of men in the American squadron was 820. the British were supposed to exceed 1000. The batteries on shore were opened on the American works at the same instant that the engagement commenced on the lake, and continued throwing bomb-shells, sharpnells, balls, and Congreve rockets, until sun-set, when Uie bombardment ceased, every battery of the British being silenced, fhi^ee efforts were made to pass the river at the commencement cf the cannonade and bombardmem, with a view ot assaulting the works, and an immense number of scahng ladders had been prepared for that purpose. One of these attempts was made at the village bridge, another at the upper bridge, and a third at a ford about three miles from the works. The two first were repulsed by the regulars; at the ford by the volun. teers and militia. Here the enemy suffered severely m killed, wounded, and prisoners; a considerable body havmg crossed the stream, all of whom were either killed, taken, or driven back. A whole company of the 76th regiment was here des« troyed, the three lieutenants and twenty -seven men prisoners, * J cock, the « bird ofivar,'* ivns in the Saratoga, and re- -» r. *x.- „/.^^anlfested a aisDOsitiou toaroid hostilities with the subjects of Gi cat Uri SuU made known to them and all concerned, that hom a »Uh to discourage, as far as possible, every species of depi e- daorywS which can only have a tendency to distress pn- vateTndW duals; they have respectively '^'"^^ orders to the ^val a»d land forces, to respect the persons fnf P^P^'^J^^^ ttliott departed fro^ without due and timely notice squadron, and formally taken possession of m the name ot ^ p'"rnlStuated on Moose Island, in Passamaquoddy bay. AlfboTh b s iUnd ha" Teen held by the A.nericans since the Although tnis isiauu iia» cnvereie-ntv has never been revolutionary war, the 'nglu oH s s^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ settled, It ,'?""S^°"^d',^^^^^^^^ as it was taken posses, as W'thin their ^o^nd^i V>n«- ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ Bed, that »" Persons noim of seven days, required to depart f.™!" ''"^ 'f ^™ ^j ,, ihem to reimin f-H;_ .^r^l'^^Tt ne, that the obiect of ihePL-i- .r miir^. Cl limvlib »2t J',. |; 306 HISTORY OP THE WAR. M- ash government was to obtain possession of the islands ol Passamaquoddy bay, in consequence of their being considered within their boundary line; that they had no intention of carry- ing on offensive operations against the people residing on the cootinent, unless their conduct should oblige^h^M to resort to 4he measure; and in the event of their I'ettiMiiing quiet, they should not be disturbed either in their proj^lrty or persons, This resolution, however, of av6iding hostile operations ag^nst the inhabitslnts ,of^the cofetiTrent, was adhered to for a much shorter period than the " system of perfect heutrality," promised to be. observed towards the inhabitants of Eastport. For the British ministry, elevated by the success of their arms in Europe, had come to the resolution to demand large and important cessions of territory from the United States. One of those cessions included that part of the District of Maine which lies eastward of Penobscot river, which they considered desirable on account of its securing to them a direct commu- nication between Halifax and Quebec. Instructions were ac- cordingly sent out to lieutenant general Sherbroke, governor of Nova Scotia, &c. to effect the conquest of that part of Maine, of which it was intended to demand the cession. Towards the end of August an expedition sailed from Halifax to accomplish the object in view. The troops were commanded by governor Sherbroke, the naval forces by rear admiral Griffith. It was governor Sherbroke's original intention first to have taken possession of Machias, and then proceed to Castine, on the Penobscot, but on the 30th of August the fleet fell in with the Rifleman sloop of war, from which information was obtain- ed that the United States' frigate Adams had arrived in the Penobscot; and that, from the apprehensions of being attacked by British cruizers, if she remained at the entrance of the ri- ver, she had run up as high as Hampden, where her guns had been landed, and mounted on shore for her protection. This information determined governor Sherbroke to proceed first to the Penobscot, in order to arrive there before the Ame- ricans had time to strengthen themselves. The fleet arrived *)ff Castine on the 1st of September. The small garrison in the fort not being able to resist the overwhelming force of the Bri- tish, discharged their guns, blew up the fort, and retired. The enemy then took possession without opposition. The following day a considerable force was despatched up the river to Hampden, in order to capture or destroy the Adams. Captain Morris, the commander, had received intel- i! -. .tl-- J l,„r„..-i ^C-Ua n«M'..>a1 rC tVttx Av norii t-i/^n jnfPC.aQ^ tl8i-ci:uiw against the fort on t^.M.9iLXuly5,18l4j the troops under the lllsrORK 0» THE W*B. 209 command of colonel Cfbgto, the naval force, under capt^B Sl> The difficulties encountered on the flats of lake St. Cbiir where there was only eight feet water, and the rapid current of the river, prevented the squadron from reaching ake Huron till the ?2th. Thence the «q»=»l"." ^''^rt' o rnursffor Matchadash bay, and used every possible effort to tainU, but without effect.' Not being able to find a pilot for 1,, .mfrenuented nartof the lake, and finding it filled with idTLTs unkenWt, which mist inevitably have pmved he des'Wtion of the fleet had they persisted, it being impos- sHtleto'^void them on account of the impenetrable fog with wrh the lake is almost continually covered; and findmg the rr^already grow ing short of provisions, it was »gre«d be. :in'coTo7el'crogh'an and t'«,-'y'7f°r,,^rt I" h'e • I J f c» Trtcpnh'si near the head of the laKC, wnerc mc Brit 'si. had a smS ^strbUshment, and here they arrived on .V," ,™v. The fort beinei found deserted was destroyed, ''whils't the squad'ron Remained wind-bound at St. toeph s a detachment of infantry and artillery, under ™»J°'' Hol""^ a ut,i-d of the rapi ., -h- ,^^ ,„ rel?„netA'i:s:^liuttledhe..J_«,^^^^^^^^^ 210 HISTORY 01? THE WAR. effort failed to get her through the falls in safety. She bilged oD her passage, and being immediately run on shore, was burnt. A part of the public property was brought away, and the remainder destroyed. All private property was res. pect^d. On the return of the launches to St. Joseph's, the squadron proceeded to Michillimackinac, where they arrived on the 26ih. This place is, by nature, a second Gibraltar, being a high rock, inaccessible on every side, except the west: from the landing to the heights is nearly two miles, through a very thick wood. Finding that the British had strongly fortified the height overlooking the old fort^ Croghan at once despaired of being able, with his small force, to carry the place by storm. He therefore determined to land and establish himself on some favourable position* whence he would be enabled to an- noy the enemy by gradual and slow approaches, under cover of his artillery, of which he was superior to the enemy In point of metal. He was also induced to adopt this step by the sup- position, that it would either induce the enemy to attack him in his strong holds, or force the Indians and Canadians, the enemy's most efficient, and only disposable force, off the island, as they would be very unwilling to remain after a permanent footing should be taken. Unfavourable weather prevented the landing of the troops till the 4th of August, when the whole force was disembarked on the west end of the island, under cover of the guns of the shipping. The line being quickly formed, advanced toward? a field, which had been recommended as a suitable place foi a camp, by persons who had lived several years on the island. Hardly had the troops arrived at the edge of the field, before intelligence was conveyed to colonel Croghan that the enemy was a short distance ahead, and in a few seconds a fire of shot and shells opened on the Americans, from a battery of four pieces. The enemy's position was well selected; his line reached along the edge of the woods, at the farther extremity of the field, and was covered by a temporary breastwork. On re- connoitering the enemy, Croghan determined to change his position, which was now two lines, the militia forming the front. He accordingly ordered the battalion of regulars un- der major Holmes, to advance to the right of the militia, thus to outflank the enemy, and by a vigorous effort gain his rear. ISUi Dciuic Zulu lUuYciuCtiL cOUiU QC vXCiJUlViU, U iiio »VU3 opened by some Indians posted in a thick wood near the American right, which proved fatal to major Holmes, and severely */c unlucky fir most valua sion, from i to recover Finding impenetrab be made bj charge, th enemy bac by the Ind a light pie larly gallec or distance The pos was found with thick determine* of an ener from numi ordered a effected. The lo wounded, ascert?\ne Michill measures ting off h companiei to join g squadron order to that quar with the ] lake Eric which is with lake ron by m Simcoe a cations w son, on J squadron \ ■"■&■'' " " were imi river and HiSTOllY OF THE WAR. 2H I severely ^'ounded captain Desha, the next officer in rank. This unlucky fire, by depriving the battalion of the services of its most valuable officers, threw that part of the line into confu- sion, from which the best exertions of the officers were not able to recover it. r • Finding it impossible to gain the enemy's left, owing to the impenetrable thickness of the woods, a charge was ordered to be made by the regulars immediately against the front. This charge, though made in some confusion, served to drive the enemy back in the woods, whence an annoying fire was kept up by the Indians. Lieutenant Morgan was now ordered up with a iieht piece to assist the left, which, at this tinfc, was particu- larly galled; its fire soon forced the enemy to retire to a great- er distance. . , The position contemplated for the camp being now occupied, was found to be by no means tenable, from being interspersed with thickets, and every way intersected by ravines. Croghan determined, therefore, no longer to expose his force to the fire of an enemy deriving every advantage which could be obtained from numbers and a knowledge of the position, and theretore ordered a retreat towards the shipping, which was immediately effected. The loss of the Americans in this affair was 13 killed, 51 wounded, and 2 missing. The loss of the British has not been ascertained. , Michillimackinac being thus found impregnable by assault, measures were adopted for starving it into submission, by cut- tinff off its supplies. The whole of the troops, except three companies, were therefore dispatched in two of the vessels, to join general Brown on the Niagara, and the rest of the squadron directed their course to the east side of the lake, in order to break up any of the establishments of the enemy m that quarter. The only practicable lines of commumcation with the lower country, while the Americans were masters ot lake Erie, was with Montreal by Outawas, or Grand river, which is connected by means of a portage or carrying-place, with lake Nipissing, which latter empties itself mto lake Hu- ron by means of French river; or with York, by means of lake Simcoe and Nautauwasaga river. The first of these commum- cations was learnt to be impracticable during the present sea- son, on account of the marshy state of the portages. The squadron therefore proceeded to the mouth of the Nautauwa- J„o «,h.re \i arrived on the l3th of August, and the troops we're immediately disembarked on the peninsula tormed Dy the liver and lake;, for the purpose of fixing a camp. If 212 UISTORY OP T»R WAH. On reconnoiteritig this position, a schooner, Oic only one possessed by the British in this quarter, was discovered m the river a f^w hundre^^ yards above, under cover t)f a block- house ejected on a commanding situation on the opposite shore. On the following morning, a nre was opened by the shipping on the block-house for a few minutes, but with little effect owing to a thin wood intervening to obscure the view. Two 'howitzers, however, being landed, they commenced throwing shells; and in a few minutes one of the shells burst in the block-house, which shortly after blew up his magazine, allowing the enemy barely time to make his escape The ex- plosion set fire to a train which had been laid for the destruc, tion of the vessel, and in an instant she was m flames. Ihe necessary preparations had been made by commodore Smclair for getting on board of her; but frequent and heavy explosions below deck made it too great a risk to attempt saving her.— She was, therefore, with her cargo, entirely consumed. - Colonel Croghan not thinking ii advisable to fortify and gar- rison Nautauwasaga, the communication from York being so short and convenient, that any force left there might easily be cut off in the winter, the Scorpion and Tigress were left to blockade it closely, until the season should become too boister- ous for boat transportation, and the remainder of the squadron returned to Detroit* But this blockade, which had it been properly enforced, would probably soon have made a bloodless conquest of MichilUmackinac, was soort put an end to by the capture of both the schooners. The Tigress was carried by boarding from the enemy's boats on the mght of the ^d ot Sep- tember, and the Scorpion was surprised and taken by the 1 1- ^ress, on tlie 6th, at the dawn of day. And ihus, by the negli- gence of the officers, was the capture of Michilimackmac completely frustrated for this season. ^ , t ^- «. o The forces employed in the war with the Creek Indians, a part of whose operations has already been detailed in the tor- mer part of this volume, were the Tennessee militia, under ma. ior-p^neral Jackson, whose head-quarters were at Fort Stroth- er, upon the Coosee river; the Georgia militia, under brigadier- eeneral Floyd, whose operations were directed from the Cha- fahouchie; and u body of volunteers, in the southern part of the countrv of the Creeka, under the command ol biigadier-gene. ral Claiborne. The settlements of the hostile Creeks were «,.w;,^aiir on and between the Tallapoosee and Coosee rivers. Here stood tlie towns of Tallushatches, I'alledega, ana mai- bee, which eave their names to the battles so called, whicb have already been noticed. The town of Autossee stood on the left bank of the Tallapoosee. Notwitl tained by dians, am people w marched Decembe their tow at no grej bigbee, i town, cal This pla body of t1 bfed chi war by t! When for the s morning Their c guide tl the atta< a small right CO vigorou their a] the cen my wei casting Thirl ing fi'o^ part of V, A pi the GOV rounde preach the Ini «ions, my, fl; were ( 200 h( men a the tc menci curivy Int letter HISXOnY OF THE WAU. 210 Notwithstanding the decisive victoneB that have been ob- tained by the American troops, and the heavy losses of the In- dTans, and the destruction of their principal towns, this brave MOP le were still unsubdued. General Claiborne, therefore Schema detachment from Fort Claiborne, on the 3th o December, 1813, with a view to the further destruction ot Uieir towns. Fort Claiborne is situated on the Alibama nver, at no great distance above where, by its junction with the Tom- wZf, it forms the Mobile river. The object in view was a town, called by the Creeks, Eccanachaca, or Holy Ground— TOs place, Claiborne was informed, was occupied by a large bocW of the enemy, under the command of Wealherford, a ha 1- bred chief, who commanded the Indians that commenced the war by the dc struction of the garrison at Fort Mims. When about 30 miles from the town, a stockade was erec ed for the security of the sick and the heavy baggage, and on the morning of the 22d the troops resumed their line of march. Th™ course lay chieHy through woods, without a ract to iufdc them On the morning of the 23d, the disposition for ?he attack was made. The troops advanced in three.columns, a smaU body awing as a corps de resene About noon the riX column came in view of the town, and was immediately IXorousIv attacked by the enemy, who had been appr^ed of S Iproach, and had chosen their field of action. Before the cen?^e o' 1 e left could come generally nto action, the ene- my were repulsed, and flying in all directions, many of them "SvTJieCreekrwere killed in this rencontre, and, judg- ing from appearances, many were wounded. The loss on the a« of the Americans was one killed and six wounded. 'a pufsuifwas immediately orderedi but, from the na ure of the CO n uy, nothing was effected. The town was nearly sur- -ounded V swamps and deep ravines, which rendered the ap- ;,^"cho the troops difftcuU, while it facilitated the escape of Zt^L. m th'e town was found a '-?-,f ^;;! X of P-- sions and immense property ol various kinds, which the ene ?v«e desfroyed, together with the village, consisting of about 200 house? The Indians had barely time to remove their wo- men and children across the Alibama, which runs near where ^f mwn s ood The town had been built since the com- mLcerent o?tsaUties, and was established as a place of se- _!.._ r-„ *i,^ :r.UoK;tants of several viliaees. '"in rt'e^i^useof Weatherford, the commander, was found a letter from the Spanish governor cf Pensacola to the leader ot A\ 214, HISTORY OF TIIK WAR. the Creeks, stating, that he had presented theii- request ot arms and munitions to the captain-general in Havanna, but had as yet received no answer. He was in hopes, however, he btated, of receiving them; and as soon as that took place, they should be informed. The following day was occupied by the troops in destroying a town consisting of 60 houses, eight miles higher up the river, and in taking and destroying the boats of the enemy. — At this place three Indians of some distinction were killed. The term of service of the volunteers having now generally expired, they marched to Fort Stoddart, in order to be paid ok Soon after the battle of Talledega, genei-al Jackson's army had been almost entirely broken up by the expiration of the time of the militia, but on the 14th of January, he was joined at Fort Strother by about 800 new-raised volunteers from Ten- nessee, making his whole force, exclusive of Indians, 930. The term of service cf the volunteers being short, and the men full of ardour to meet the enemy, he determined immedi- ately to employ them in active service; and to this he was par- ticularly induced by the information, that the Indians were con- centrating with the view of attacking Fort Armstrong, a posi- tion about 50 miles above Fort Strother, on the sanne river, and also by his desire to make a diversion in favour of general Floyd, who was about making a movement to the Tallapoosee river, near its junction with the Coosee. The volunteers therefore were marched across the river the day after their arrival, and on the next day, Jackson followed with the remainder of his force, consisting of the artillery comr pany with one six-pounder, one company of infantry of 48 men, two companies of spies, of about 30 men each, and a company of volunteer officers, headed by general Coffee, who had been abandoned by his men, under some misapprehension as to their term of service, and who still remained in the field waiting the order-? of the government. On the 17th, the troops took up the line of march, and on the night of the I8th encamped at Talledega Fort, where they were joined by between 200 and 300 friendly Indians; 65 of whom were Cherokees, the remainder Creeks. On the 20th, they encamped at Enotachopco,' a small Hillibee village, about 12 miles from Emuckfau. Here Jackson began to perceive vf^.v nlainlv how little knowledge the spies had of the coun- try, of the 'sit»iation of the enemy, or of the distance the army \vas from them. The insubordination of the new troops, and the want of skill in most of their officers, also becume more and more not dimir guards, s the spies, On the tachopco, and aboui the enem evening much bei arrived v in^ late i noitre th best scit square, made th tack. A three of the next that the af about seemed these sp assured dren, ai or attae thing re meditati and att£ Whil about 6 on the 1 tinned about b pursue, a!Kl bel of infan eral C< privatei ix>uted pursuit sittUgni The -^^0 m< but wi HISTORY Oy THE WAR. 215 930. and more apparent. But their ardour to meet the enemy was not rminishedi and Jackson had a sure reliance upon the guards, and the company of old volunteer officers, and, upon the spies, in all about 125. On the morning of the 2 1st, the troops marched from Eno- tachopco, as direct as possible for the head of the Tallapoosec Ind Xui 2 o'clock, P M. the spies h.ving discovered two of the enemy, endeavoured to overtake them, but failed. In the evening a large trail was perceived, which led to a new road, much beaten Ind lately travelled. Knowing that he must have arrived within the neighbourhood of a strong force, and it be- ins late in the day, Jackson determined to encamp, and recou- no!tr^ the country in the night. He accordingly chose the best scite the country would admit, cccamped in a hollovi square? sent out spies'and pickets, doubled the centmels, and made the necessary arrangements before dark or a mght at- tack. About 10 o'clock at night one of the pickets fired at three of the enemy, and killed one, but he was not found untu Ihe next day At 1 , the spies returned with the information , Sat there was a large encampment of Indians at the distance of aliout three miles, who, from their whooping and dancng, seemed to be appn.ed of the approach o the troops. One-<,f these spies, an Indian in whom Jackson had great confidence, assured him that they were carrying off their women and chil- dren, and that their warriors would euher make their escape Ta tack hSm before day. Being prepared at all !«'"''."«- thins remained to be done but to await their approach, if thej medlltcTan attack, or to be ready, if they did not, to pursue nnd attack them at day-light. mUe the troops were in this state of readiness, the enemy, about 6 o'clock in the morning, commenced a v'gor whc ground a then left rear-guat pany of s expectati artillery < '>vsiB couri to the to] HISTOWY Of THE WAB. 217 deemine: it prudent to proceed farther, on account of the scar- city of supplies, the number of his wounded, and the probabiU- tv of the Indians receiving reinforcements from below. 1 he retreat commenced at 10 o'clock on the 23d, and the troops were fortunate enough to reach Enotachopco before night, havine passed a dangerous defile without interruption, i be camp w^s again fortified. Having another defile to pass in the morning, across a deep creek, and between two hills, which Jackson had viewed with attention, as 'le passed on, and where he expected he might be attacked, he determined to pass it at anotlier point, and gave directions lo the guide and latigue- men accordingly. The general's expectation of an attack in the morning was increased by the signs of the mght, and with it his caution. Before the wounded were removed from the interior of the camp, the front and rear-guards were filmed, as well as the right and left columns, and the centre moved off in regular order, leading down a ridge to Enotachopco creek, at a point where it was clear of reeds, except immedi- ately on its margin. A general order had been previously issued, pointing out the nfanner in which the men should be formed in the event of an attack on the front, or rear, or on the flanks, and the officers had been particularly cautioned to halt and form accordingly, the instant the word should be ^^ The front guard had crossed with part of the flank columns, the wounded were over, and the artillery in the act of entering the creek when an alarm-gun was heard in the rear. Having chosen the ground, Jackson expected there to have entirely cutoff the enemy, by wheeling the right and lett columns on their pivot, re-crossing the creek £.bove and below, and tailing in upon their flanks and rear. But, to his astonishment and mortification, when the wora was given to halt and torm, and a few guns had been fired, the right and left columns of. the rear-guard precipitately gave way. This shamefu reti^at was disastrous in the extreme: it drew along with it the sreaterpart of the centre column, leavmg not more than2j men» who being formed by colonel CanoU, maintained then- ground as long as it was possible to maintain it. There wa^ then left to repulse the enemy, the few who remained of the rear-guard, the artiUery company, ani;^ captam ^^J^sf^^.^"^' pany of spies. Their conduct, however, exceeded, thejii^est expectations. Lieutenant Armstrong, who commanded th^ artillery company, in the absence of captam Oeadrick, who '-_.". ♦_. ^^^- 1^..^^ ♦i,^»« «« frti'fY4_ and advanced to the top of th« hiU, whilst he and a few others dragged, up 318 HISTORY OF THE WAR. the six-pounder. Never was more bravery displayed than on this occasion. Amidst the most galling fire from the enemy, more than ten times their number, they ascended the hill and maintained their position, until their piece was hauled up, when, having levelled it, they poured upon the enemy a fire of grape, re-loaded and fired again, charged and repulsed trhem.'^ ■•*•- A number of the troops now crossed the creek, and entered into the chase. Captain Gordon of the spies, who had rushed from the front, endeavoured to turn the left fiank of the ene- my, in which he partially succeeded, and colonel Cafroll; colonel Higgins, and captains Elliot and Pipkins, pursued the enemy for more than two miles, who fled in consternation, throwing away their packs, nd leaving 26 of their warriors dead on the field. This last defeat was decisive, the troops being ho more disturbed in their retreat. The loss sustained in these several engagements was 20 killed 4ipd 75 wounded, 4 of whom afterwards died. The loss of the enemy could not be accurately ascertained: 189 of their warriors were found dead; but this must fall considera- bly short of the number really killed. Their wounded can only be guessed at. , ; ;• Meanwhile general Floyd was advancmg towards the Indian territory from ^hatahouchie river. On the 27th of January his camp was attacked by a large body of Indians, at the horn- usually chosen for their operations, viz. about an hour before day. They stole upon the centinels, fired upon them, and then with great impetuosity rushed upon the line. In 20 •^p^-m^ • GeneralJackaoriy in his oj^ciat reflortyStatta some ifiatancea qf/ierhafia the moat deliberate bravery that have ever been re- corded: The individuals mentioned were lieutenant JrmHtrong^ Constantine Perkins, and Craven Jackson, all of the artillery, ^ihe two latter acting- as gunnera. In the hurry of the mOnent, in actiarating the gun from the limbers, the rammer and flicker, -^ the the cannon were left tied to the limber; no sooner waa this ^incovered, than Jackson, amidst the galling fire of the enem.), fiulled out the ramrod of his musket and used it as a ptcker; primed with a cartridge, and f red the cannam Perkins having fiulied off his bayonet^ used Ma muaket aa a rammer, and drove Sown the cartridges and Jackaon, using 5»* /f^'^^5^^|f';»^f5^*'J discharged her, L,ieiiitnuni ^/irmstrGngjcti, ju^f i^ttr t.-^jir-^ kre of the cannon^ excMming, aa he lay, « my brave feliovfa, iorne ofyoumayfalli but you must wte tht cannoit.*' mimites tl were clos< and the fii soon as i strengthe and the cs circumstc promptly the bayor cavalry, \ Thirty the effusi dresses fi considers The C last enco necessar forcemei a consid set out o put his : of the 2 a half m two rive beyond place, a morning This and is tt furnishc never r Creeks, north-, tl ness an with dc figure ( it, than out bei who laj sula, tl acres. Intl Youca, ed of J exact ] HISTORY OF THE WAR. 219 i«imues the action became general, and the front of both flanks were closely pressed, but the gallant conduci of the ofticers, and the fimmes* of the men, repelled them at every pomt. As soon as it became light enough to distinguish objects, Floyd strengthened his right wing to prepare them for a charge, and the cavalry was ordered to form in their rear, to act as circumstances should dictate. The order for the charge was promptly obeyed, and the enemy fled in every direction before the biymcu The order was then given for the charge of the cavalry, who pui'^JI^d and sabred fifteen of the enemy . j^ Thirty-seven Indians were left dead on the field. From the effusion of blood, and number of the war-clubs and head- dresses found in various directions, their loss must havej.een considerable. Floyd's loss was 17 killed, and 132 mounded. The Creeks being rather inspirited than cast down by their last encounters with the whites, more vigorous efforts became necessary. General Jackson, therefore, having received i^in- forcemeats of militia from Tennessee, and being jmned by a considerable body of Cherokee and friendly Creek Indians, set out on another expedition to the Tallapoosee nver. He put his army in motion from the Coosee river on th« mo^^ of the 24th 'of .March, and hn.ving a passage of fifty-two a^^d a half miles over the ridges which J^^ide the waters of the two rivers, reached the bend of the Tallapoosee, three niiles beyond where the engagement of the 22d of January took place, and at the southern extremity of New Youca, on the morning of the 27th. -i,- - ^ u««a cVi«p This bend resembles in its curvature that of a horse-shoe and is thence called by that name among the whites, j^aturc furnishes few situations as eligible for defence; and barbarians never rendered one more secure by art, than was this by the Creeks. Across the neck of land which leads into Jt from the north, they had erected a breastwork, of the greates compact- ness ;nd strength, from five to eight feet high, and pr^Pared with double rows of port-holes very artfully ar^-a^Sff*;. /^^c figure of this wall manifested no less skill m the IHo^ectors of it, than its construction; an army could not approac^ ^\^^^; out being exposed to a double and cross fire ^'om^he enemy, who lay ia perfect security behind it. The area of this penm- sula, thus bounded by breastworks, included about 80 oi 100 Tn''thU bend U.e warriors from Oakfoskce, 0»kch»ya, Np Youc. Hillabeesahe Fish Ponds, and Eufauia^owns, appu^s- ed of Jackson's approach, had coilected thcu su »»g"'- . ■^' exact number was not ascertained! but it was believed to u»jro III mi HISTORY OF THE WAHi. 221 and landing in the peninsula, advanced into the village, aad soon drove the enemy from the huts up to the fortification^ where .hey pursued and continued to annoy them durmg the whole action. ,.,..,•. This movement of the friendly Indians leaving the nyer bank unguarded, made it necessary that a part of Coffee's hnc should take their place. A company of rangers were accord- ingly posted on the bank of tl\e upper part, and a lieutenMit with 40 men took possession of an island in the lower part ol the bend. . . ,. . j *. * Finding that the friendly Indians, notwithstanding the deter* mined bravery they displayed, were wholly insufficient to dis- lodge the enemy, and that general Coffee had secured the op- posite banks of the river, Jackson determined upon taking pos- session of the works by storm. Never were men better dis- pensed for such an undertaking, than those by whom it w^sto be effected. They had entreated to be led to the charge with the most pressing importunity; and received the order wlncli was now given, with the strongest demonstration ol loy . ht^ effect was such as this temper of mind foretold. Ihe regu- lar troops, led by colonel Williams and major MoDtgoiaeiy^i were presently in possession of the nearer side of the bres^v^ wor.., and the militia accompanied them m the charge wiUi a vivacity and firmness which could not have been exceeded, and have seldom been equalled by troops of any description. Having TtiMntained for a few minutes a very obstinate con- test, muzzle to muzzle, through the port-holes, ^ which ma* ny of the enemy's balls were welded to the American bayo* nets, they succeeded in gaining possession of the opposite side of the works. The event could then no longer be doubt- ful; the enemy, although many of them fought to t^^e ^^^^^^^^ that kind of bravery which desperation inspires, were routed and cut to pieces. The whole margin of the "ver which^sur. rounded the peninsula, was strewed with the slain: 557 were found, besides a great number who were thrown in the rwer by their surviving friends, and »^\»^^^ ^r""""^ rAlnk^NS by general Coffees men, stationed on the opposite banks. Not l?e than 20 could have escaped, ^^^^ng the dead v^S found their famous prophet Manahoce, snot m the mouth by a grTpe-shot. and two other prophets. Ijvo or th^e^women and dBldren were killed by accident. The number ef prisonei^ tZn exrleied 300, all women and^hildmi exceptmg three '"' file "battle may be said to have continued with scvei iiy £of about fiThours[ but the firing and the slaughter contmued 222 HISTORY OF THE WAR. until it was suspended by the darkness of the night. The next morning it was resumed, and J 6 of the enemy slain, who had concealed themselves under the banks. - Jackson's losswap'?? white jr.en killed, and 107 wounded, 18 Cherokees killed. .,. 5 wounded^ 5 friendly Creeks kill- ed, and n wounded. . . ,, This most decisive battle completely broke the spirit as well as power of the hostile Creeks, who were never alter able to make head against the troops of the United States. Jackson shortly after completely scoured the Coosee and Tallapoosee rivers, and the intervening country. A part of the enemy on th€ latter livcr, just before his arrival, made their escape across it, and fled in consternation towards Pensacola. Most of the inhabitants on tlie Coosee and the neighbouring country came in, and surrendered unconditionally. Many of the negroes taken at Fort Mims were delivered up, and one while woman, with her two children. , ^ , r. v A detachment of militia from North aud South Carolina, under the command of colonel Pearson, scoured the country below, upon the Alibama, took a number of prisoners, and re- c^vedthe submission of a great number of Creek warriors and prophets. On the return of Pearson's expedition, he had with him upwards of o of the late hostile Creeks, and near- ly all the remaining pegroes that had been captured at Fort On the 1st of August, the principal chiefs of the hostile Creeks met g-encral Jackson at the fort called by his name, lor the purpose of concluding articles of agreement and capitu- lation, which were agreed upon the 9th of the same month. By this treaty a large and valtiahle portion of their territory was ceded to the United States, as an equivalent for the ex- penses incurred in prosecuting the war, and the right of the United States to establish militaiy posts and trading-houses, and to open roads within their territory, was acknowledged, as also the right to the free navigation of all their waters. The Creeks also engaged to make an immediate surrender of all the persons and property taken from the citizens of *he Unit- ed States, the friendly part of the Creek nation, the s^herokec, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations, to the respective owners;^ and to surrender all the prophets and instigators of the war, whether foreigners or natives, who had not submitted to the arms of the United States, and become parties to these arti- cles, if ever they should be found within the territory ol the Creeks. It was also stipulated, that the Creeks should aban- don all communication, and cease to hold any intercourse with any British should not not derive with them, of the Unit tee the ren soners; an extreme w sistence, tli ity, to cont saries, of li petent to y houses, to cure clothi Thus en( those brav sion of the Florida. I stroyed. But har( bles spranc to encount( ing the tre tors to Mo! formation t sels had an had diseml munitions < ish fort bet wise inforr ber of trans On the r patched an requesting state shou field, with( see, was i immediate quarters. The thr another, sc 15th of Se Mobile, wi ated on th< the bay oft HISTORY OF THE WAR. 22a any British or Spanish post, garrison or town; and that they The I should not admit among them any agent or trader, who should who I not derive authority to hold commercial or other intercourse with them, by license from the president or authorised agent of the United States. The United States engaged to guaran- tee the reminder of their territory, and to restore all their pri- soners; and, in consideration of the nation being reduced to extreme want, and not having at present the means of sub- sistence, the United States engaged, from motives of human- ity, to continue to furnish them gratuitously with the neces- saries, of life, until the crops of corn could be considered com- petent to yield the nation a supply; and to establish tradin^^ houses, to enable the nation by industry and economy to pro- cure clothing. Thus ended the Creek war, after a prodigious slaughter of those brave, misguided men, and the unconditional submis- sion of the remainder, excepting a few who took refuge in Florida. Nearly the whole of the Creek towns were de- stroyed. But hardly was the Indian war at an end, before new trou* bles sprang up in this quarter, and general Jackson was forced to encounter a much more formidable enemy. After conclud- ing the treaty with the Creeks, Jackson moved his head quar- ters to Mobile, where, on the 27th of August, he received in- formation by express, from Pensacola, that three British ves- sels had arrived there on the 25th, which, on the following day had disembarked an immense quantity of arms, ammunition, munitions of war, and provisions, and marched into the Span- ish fort between two and three hundred troops. He was like- wise informed that thirteen sail of the line, with a large num7 ber of transports, bringing 10,000 troops, we r^ daily expected^ On the receipt of this information, Jackson im.mediately dis- patched an express to the governor of Tennessee, at Nashville^ requesting that the whole of the quota of the militia of that state should be organized, equipped, and brought into the field, without delay, and his adjutant-general, then in Tennes- see, was instructed to make the necessary arrangements for? immediately provisioning and bringing the troops to head- quarters. The three vessels which had arrived at Pensacola, joined by another, soon after sailed from that port for Mobile, and on the I5th of September appeared off Fort Bowyer. The town of Mobile, where general Jackson had his head-quarters, is situ- ated on the west side of the iViobile river, at its entrance into the bay of the same name. Mobile bay is about 30 miles long, 224, '^ History op the war. ^drf considerable breadth; but Us enu^^^^^^^^^ Thffort was oc:^^:d by a sniall garrison, commanded by raajor Lawrence, of the ^^ '^«^;;«y- j ^„„ .^j ,„d two brigs, '^''^aTslTatournorof thi 1 5th, standing directly for tKrt A 4%t"af«r„oon, the battetj was opened "P-. tem-^he firing was i"'-«rce of HO '"^'^^^''TX^ Woodbk>e! of the British navy, and »''°"t ^° '','^*",„;d a fire upon it from a twelve- the -T^'^Vt^how^t'z^ butthey didnoe^ and were pounder ^^^/^°^f''^'l^^' Thl action continued without m- soon silenced by »«"«'' J^^ „early three hours, when three of terroission on either siae "o^ i'" / ~. , oj„modore'» ship, Off 170 men, iiic ^"» killed and wounded; one ol r'briL^alsfwaVv^; cSX'amaged; but her lo. •r-""tUt[te«"p:"ofl'^aai^^^ after having «-'="'''»''''''*,*f^[ Pi'"l' a procfemation was is- dressed »» ^"Xts the natives of Lonisiana are calle nesaee. Iti this adaiess ^berating their paternal so 1 upon to assist the British torces^ totbolishthc Amcvi- froro a fruitless '^becUe govenimen^ .^ can «B"rpation,_^;;d^p«t_the kwM ow ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ | ^j;: S,raud t rimS^^' o„r^-e. but either to range HI3T0UY OK THE WAft. 225 which jay. — ,ed by brigs, tly for J upoTi essels. Is, 200 British \ded in welve- d were kout in- ,hree of i's ship, ing an« 3ind was yards of , such a t on fire f a crew ed. On ,; one of her loss as about inded.— * iing shot vy fire of lamed on ensacola, n was is- majesty's acola, ad- and Ten- aire called ternal soil »e Amtvi- oil in pos- se are toid lions; il»a^ , and they r to range themselves under the standard of their forefathers, or observe a strict neutrality. If they complied with either of these of- fers, the address assured them, that whatever provisions they sent down should be paid for in dollars, and the safety of the persons bringing it.. as well as the free navigation of the Mis- sissippi, guaranteed. 1 The proclamation then calls to the view of the " men of Ken- tucky the conduct of those factions ^ich hurried them into this cruel, unjust, and unnatural war, at a time when Great Britain was straining every nerve in defence of her own and the liberties of the world; when she was expending millions of her treasure in endeavouring to pull down one of the most formidable and dangerous tyrants that ever disgraced the form of man. When groaning Europe was in her last gasp, when Britons alone showed an undaunted front, basely did these assassins endeavour to stab her from the rear; she has turned on them, renovated from the bloody but successful strug* glCi -Europe is happy and free, and she now hastens justly to avenge the unprovoked insult. Shew them,'* coniinued Nicholls, " that you are not collectively unjust — leave that contemptible few to shift for themselves; let those slaves of the tyrant send an embassy to Elba, and implore his aid; but let every honest, upright American npurn them with merited contempt. After the experience of 2 1 years, can you any longer support those brawlers of liberty, who call it freedom, when themselves are no more free than their impostors? Be no longer their dupes, accept my offers, and all that is pro- mised you in the proclamation, I guarantee to you on the sa- cred word of a-British officer." A greater degree of ignorance of the nature of the people addressed, was perhaps never displayed, than was manifested in this proclamation. Nicholls himself was enabled to take a pretty favourable view of its reception a few days after it was issued, as he headed the land forces employed against B'ort Bowyer. Previous to the attack upon Mobile, Nicholls had held out the most seducing offers to induce a band of lawless men, who had formed an establishment on the island of Barrataria, to enter into the British service in the operations planned against Lower Louisiana. But although these men were acting in the most lawless manner, and though they were actually pro- scribed by t|ie American government, they would not consent lu aiyV i.i>w ^^ v#.«i«ela in the harbour, some of which toTdtarXtr CO "ut As toon as the squadron w.s showed ^"PfB™!" ^ ^ i vessels, ten m num- pcrceived, the ""^^If"^'',™ entrance of the harbour, and ber, into a »"%" his vessel- inwa line of battle, consist- !:t™x'' rnS:,'atnrrrind a launch; the so^cjoner Ca ™H''?r«srdrn'='horv;r^rBam^^^^^^ p,^ach of tlve s^»»^'^'t„''C;«^^ all directions in theiV small ,he.r vessels, ^"^ J?^^ J° ^'8 ^^^ „{ their best schooners— b.«ts, h»"."e P'«^ °7J„^!^° ^^^ and the small boats, were "^'^ateTv's^t in purfult, »nd^«" the vessels in the harbour '^i™ S'lTle^irof, and tfc estabUshment on shore com- '''TJr?n';;:r:?«ited.conduct£^gove^^^^^^^^^^^^ •" V ''' ZwiLThem w ft '^Ut eli^'dUio-m against" th"e United *jfZ 'f^m^haf^" had been forcibly remonswated against brgeneT-lack -rut hitherto without effect. Having been HISYOKY or THE WAR. 227 on reinforced by abont 2000 Tennessee militia, which had marched to Mobile through the Indian country, Jackson, therefore, ad- vanced towards P^nsacola to demand redress. He reached the neighbourhood of that post on the afternoon of the 6th o> November, and immediately sent a flag to communicate the object of his visit to the governor; but it was forced to return, being fired on from the batteries. Jackson then reconnoitered the fort, and finding it defended by both English and Spanish troops, determined to storm the town, and accordingly made the necessary arrangements for carrying his determination into effect the next day. „ , , . .^ The troops were put in motion for the attack early on the 7th. Being encamped to the west of the town, Jackson calcu- lated that the attack would be expected from that quarter. 1 o cherish this idea, part of the mounted men vjere sent to show themselves on the west, while the remainder of the troops passed in the rear of the fort, undiscovered, to the east ot the town. When at the distance of a mile, the town appeared m full view. The troops, principally militia, with a few regu- lars, and some Choctaw Indians, advanced with the most un- daunted courage, although a strong fort appeared ready to as- sail them on the right, seven British armed vessels on the lett, and strone block-houses and batteries of cannon m front. On entering the town, a battery of two cannon was opened on the centre column, composed of the regulars, with ball and grape, and a shower of musquetry from the houses and gardens. 1 He battery was immediately stormed, and the musquetry was soon silenced by the steady and well-dii-ected fire ot the regu- The governor now made his appearance with a flag, and beeged for mercy, offering to surrender the town and fori un- conditionally. Mercy was granted, and protection given to the cUixens and their property, although the officer command- ing the fort refused to ,ive it ap, and held it ti" near rmd- nilht, when he evacuated it with his troops. The British moved down to the Barrancas, a strong fort commanding the harbour, and, finding that Jackson had gamed possession of the town, n^xt morning ^nikcd and dismounted the cannon, and bl^w up the fort, justis the American troops were pre- Darinc to marcl and storm the place. The British then withdrew to their shippmg, and general Jackson, having accomplished his object, evacuated the town, and returned to the Americrii doranuou*. . ., ^ The diggers impending over x^ew Orieans from the threat- «ned expedition of the B.ilAsh, now rendered the presence ol 228 HISTORY OF THi: WAR. general Jack»on higWy necessary at that city. He arrived there with his troops on the 2d of December, and immediate measures of defence were adopted, by embodying the militia, repairing the forts on the river, &c. A few days after Jackson's arrival, the British fleet made their appearance in the bay of St. Louis, and on the 12th, the fleet appeared in such strength off Ship island, as to induce lieutenant Jones, who commanded the American flotilla of gun-boats, to retire higher up the lake, to take a position to defend the passes to New Orleans. On the 13th, the Ameri- can schooner Seahorse, which had been sent by the commo- dore that morning to the Bay of St. Louis, to assist in the re- moval of some public stores, was attacked by three of the enemy's barges. These were driven off, but being reinforced by four others, the schooner was blown up by her crew, and the store-house set on fire. On the following day, the Ame- rican flotilla, while becalmed, was attacked by 42 heavy laimches and gun-barges, manned with 1000 men and officers, and after a vigorous resistance, for upwards of. an hdur, against this overwhelming force, the whole flotilla was cap- tured by the enemy. . The news of the arrival of the British squadrdn m these waters, reached New Orleans on the 1 2th of December, and in a day or twd alter, martial law was proclaimed in the city, and the militia called out en masse. Large appropriations Mere made bv'the legislature of Louisiana for the erection ot bntteries, and' granting bounties to seamen to enlist in the ser- \icG; an embargo was laid for three days m order to stop the dtparture of those individuals; and a requisition was made by L-cneral Jackson of negroes to work on the fortifications, and all those found in the streets were impressed for that purpose, as well as all kinds of drays and carts. Four thousand len- nessee militia arrived by water on the 21st, and Jackson wa.^ further reinforced by the "Barratarians, to whom an amnesty was granted by the general and the governor of Louisiana, on condition of their joining in the defence of the country. The loss of the gun-boats having given the enemy commantl of lake Borgne, he was enabled to choose his point of attack. It became, therefore, an object %f importance to obstruct thQ numerous bayous and canals leading from that lake to the highlands on the Mississippi. This important service ^as committed to major-general Viiiere, commanding the uisirici between the river and the lakes, who, being a native of the rountry, >vas presumed to be best acquamted with all these passes. Unfortunately, however, a picket which the general had eftta' which, r left unob penetrati leagues 1 pany of municat at this ti not exce Coffee's tia from mand of »tatione< attack b and the and at 5 whom h major i\ 7th and under t chiefly £ der the dcr the 1500 mi Jacks immedi forces, half a n Genera the resi tion on droppc( ©d to o] half aft men, w right ai with ec Unfc caused the con secutk for tfee field tl positio MISTOUY OF IHR WAR. 229 Uiid ©fctablbhed at the mouth of the bayou Bieiwenu, and which, notwithstanding general Jackson's orders, had been left unobstructedj was completely sur prised, and the enemy penetrated thiough a canal leading to his farm, about two leagues below the city, and succeeded in cutting off a com- pany of militia stationed there. This intelligence was com- municated to Jackson about 12 o'clock on the 23d. His for? at this time consisted of parts of the 7th and 44th regimct not exceeding 600 together, the city militia, a part of genet*. Coffee's brigade of mounted gun-men, and the detached mili- tia from the western division of Tennessee, under the^ com- mand of major-general Carroll. These two last corps were stationed four miles above the city. Apprehending a doubl« attack by the way of Chef Menteur, general Carroll's force, and the militia of the city, were left posted on the Gentilly road^ aod at 5 o'clock, P. M. Jackson marched to meet the enemy, whom he was resolved to attack in his first position, #ith major Hind's dragoons, general Coffee's brigade, parts of tht nh and 44th regiments, the uniformed companies of militia, under the command of major Planche, 200 men of colour, chiefly from St. Domingo; and a detachment of artillery, un- der the direction of colonel M' Re a, with 2 six-pounders, un- der the command of lieutenant Spots, not exceeding in all 1500 men. *..*.. »^^ Jackson arrived near the enemy's encampment aboat 7, and immediately made his dispositions fortlie attack. The enemy's forces, amounting at that time on land to about 3000, extended halfamileon the river, and in the rear nearly to the wood. General Coffee was ordered to turn their right, -while, with the residue of the force, Jackson attacked his strongest posi- tion on the left near the river. Commodore Patterson, having dropped down the river in the schooner Caroline, was direct- ed to open a fire upon their camp, which he executed about half after 7. This being the signal of attack, general Coffee'^s men, with their usual impetuosity, rushed on the enemy's right and entered their camp, while Jackson's troops advanced with equal ardour. * ^ i^ Unfortunately, a thick fog, which arose about eight i^tloclll eaused some cdnfusion among the different corps. Fearing the conaeqviences, under this circumstance, ©f the further pro- secutioo €rf a night attack with troops theri acting to^tb«f for ttie first time, Jaekson contented himself wkb lying on the field that night; a»d at four m the morning assumed aaironger position about two miles nearer to the city. Itt t^i|.|^i§n Ibe Am^Fican lost w^s 34 killed^ I U w<»inA* V 2 %30 HISTORY OF Tilil WAR. ed^and 74 missing; the BriAth loss^ amounted to 46 killed, 167 wouaded, and 64 missing. s ,*>»r,i - The country between New-Orleans and the sea_is one ex- tens le swamVexcepting the immediate banks of the xMissis- ^ippi: Thes4 banks are generally about a quanerof a mile wX and being Mgber than the country behind, are dry, ex- Tept in time of inundation, when the who^e country would fo?inone««t flood, were it not for the artiEcial banks of^le- v^" Thilh have been erected for the ff»«rv«"°°^«^,f « farms on tbU narrow, but fertile strip of land. The cty of New-Orleans itself is protected from the tiver in the same i^er At intervals there are «ayo«. or outlets wh»chp.e«,e Jhise banks; the water which Hows through them, however, ^ever ^Tu^s to the bed of the river, but 6nds its way to the Gulf of Mexico by other channels through the swamps. __ - Fromrtlfdescripaon of the country, t will be perceived that, New-Orleans is extremely soscepuble of defeuce.^nd th^tover a certain proportion, numbers are nearly unavailing. -»e poritfontaken up by g^"'™" ^^^^T '"'^^'^^^^^''^1 of the river. On. the left it was simply a straight line of a f^t^ about 1000 yards, with a parapet, the right resting n^l e liveTandThe left on a wood, which communicated_w.^ 1^ stamp ^d the passage of which had beeu rendered i.^ acSle for troops. This line was strengthened by flank works tS had aZch with about four feet o! water. On the aghtba^^'^'h^vy battery of 15 guns, which enfiladed the whole front of the position on the left bank., r _ _ _^ TiL RiitUh havinc erected a battery m the night of the 26tfc, .U-^S on ttJfXri,.g day, in bUiag up tN.,s^^^^^ ('^Sne which lay becalmed a short distanee above ii* the mS^pT Her crew, however, had previously made the*. ™ Emboldened b^ this event, the , wemy marcherlto wlS^ibrM on he 28th up the levee^ in the hope, of dnvins .^Am^ri^ans fr^ their position, and with this view opened ,S>^Sat the disunce of about halPamle, his bonAs and XiLtr He was repulsed, however, with the loss of 1 6 kMl- X»d'3» wornded.*^ The" American loss was 7. h*«ed,and *ZStoSf attempt w.* made ^vTpiS'the American Unes on Ite , n .rf^ry. Tl« enemy ^Z'''^^:t^^TCn . tl a bMterir- 0©ar ih« works, m the itKH^Mig opeoea * n»*J^ fi*e fi^m t, aS made two bold attempts, to foioe a,>d t urn he ?eltSiSCth«f which they wei-e repttteedr i«»ck in ih^ lelt wmg, m; »»Vi«, ,,_^ «^«4edto iMi »ioe8» leaving all course ^i ^- ;^;^^-j,ieh thn mw^mmiff^l^^^ tiji# &*«» ■*" and a c:.'^':v;- 'i*. -i-va ^v- Early in the morning of the 8th, the enemy, after throvnng a heavy shower of bombs and Congreve rockets, advanced their colamnson the right and left, to storm the entrenchnaents on the left bank of tfie Mississippi; throwing over a ponwderable foi'cc in his boats at the same timfe to the right bank,. The entrenchments on the right bank, were occupied by general Morgan, with the New-Orleans contingent, the Louisiana mi- litia, and a strong detachment of the Kentucky troops: general Jackson, with the Tennessee and the remainder of the Ken- tiM:ky militia, occupied the works on the left batik.. : .1 The columns of the enemy advanced in good order towards Jackeon^s entrenchments, the men shouldering their muskets, and all aawfying facines, and some with ladders. Ihe batte- des now opened an incessant fire on the Bmish colunins, which continued to advance in pretty g^^.^^^^^f -T! wlk few minutes, the musquetry of the militia jommg their h^e with ihat of the artiUei^y, began to make atv impression €«j them, whieh soon threw them into confusion. At thisume the noise ^the continued rolling fire r^»mbled theco^uwion^^^re- mfcudou»:|p#Iii thunder; >or aotitc «».« «.v ^.i-— --^= ^2 HiSTOEY OF Ta» tVAfc. I s% Veers succeeded in animating the courage of their troops, al- though every discharge from the batteries opened the columns, mowing down whole files, Nvhich were almost mstantaneously replaced by new troops coming up close after the first: but these also shared .he same fate, until at last, after 25 minutes continued firing, through which a few platoons advanced to the edge of the ditch, the columns broke and retreated m con- fusion. . \ . , rru A second attack was received m the same manner. 1 he British wer« forced to retreat, with an immense loss. But vain was the attempt of the officers to bring them up a third time. The soldiers were insensible to every thing bufe danger, and saw nothing but death, which had struck so many of their comrades. , « i u Near the commencement of the attack, gene al Packenham, the British commander-in-chief, lost his life at the head of his ttoopi, ?ind toon after, generals Keane and Gibbs were carried ©ff the field dangerously wounded. A great many other ofii- ^ers of rank fell, and the plain between the front line of the British and the American works, a distance of 400 yards, was ii^tcrally covered with the enemy's dead and wounded. At this time general Jackson*^ loss was only seven killed and six wounded. , ■•■%.':}»'''-'■'' L-'' ' - The entii« destruction of the British avmy had ndW wen in- evitable, had not an unfortunate occurrance at this moment taken place on the right bank of the river. The troops which had landed there were hardy enough to advance against the works, and at the very moment when their entire discomfiture was looked for with confidence, the Kentucky militia inglori- ously fled, drawing after them, by their example, the remain- der of the forces. Commodore Patterson, who commanded the batteries, was o£c9jarse forced to abandon them, after spik- ing his guns. .'^^''.••>*^--r-^"''^ /. fl. . This unfortunate rout totally changed the aspect of attairs. The enemy now occunkd a position from which he could an- noy Jackson without hazard, and by means of which he might have been enabled to defeat, in a great measure, the effects of the success of the Americans on the other side of tfc*?river. It became, therefore, an object of the first consequence to dis- lodge him as soon as possible. For this object all the means grhich Jackson could with any safety use, were immediately m»t In i^eparfttion. But so great had been the loss of the BrU- ok on the left bank, that they were not ai>le to ipar© a suffi- cient nuiji&er of troops to hoUl iiic puoiiion which tHCTiisu gi^ed dnth« right bank, without jeopardising the safety of the wliole. Th immediatel The spi] conduct of even in this After their rican trooj went, of th wounded I they did se While the^ on, and se^ ger, persei baseness n common cj fire by thei ly asserted day was th \yould seei tnanders. The tot£ of the rive British acl 484 missin tions were The Br to occupy noyed by 1 midnight ' boats, leav including 1 a quantity powder, w was the si and of thai doubts, en on his left which tru( lempt to s prisoners. Commo a gig, mar Mr. Thon annoy the boat lying HISTORY OF THK WAR.- 233 wTiole. The troops were, therefore, withdrawn, and Jackson immediately regained the lost position. 'The. spirit of atrocity and vengeance, which marked the conduct of the British during the campaign, was manifested even in this battle, although they suifered so signal a defeat.— After their final repulse on the left bank, numbers of the Ame- rican troops, prompted merely by sentiments of humanit;^!^, went, of their own accord, in front of their lines, to assist thfc wounded British, to give them drink, and to carry them (as they did several of them on their backs) within the lines.-— While they were thus employed, they were aptually fired up- on, and several killed. Yet the others, regardless of the dan- ger, persevered in their laudable purpose. This instance of baseness may have proceeded from individuals; nor would it in common cases be presumed, that the men were ordered ta fire by their officers: but if thQ fact be, as has been repeated- ly asserted without contradiction, that the watchword of the day was the significant words " beauty and hoaty^* no charge Avould seem too atrocious for belief against the British com- manders. The total loss of the Americans in this action, on both sides of the river, was 13 killed, 39 wounded, and 19 missing. The British acknowledge a loss of 293 killed, 1267 wounded, and 484 missing. About 100 stand of arms of different descrLpitun I .wrence was summoned to surrender. Resistance oein^ uii aS^^tthc overwhelming fo'"- ^^ »*>« «°f"2'f "'^ b Sf3i>n were agreed to, «'^'^«"'»«»"S'*f.>jXers BriS., the garrison, consisting of 3«6 men, including officer^ .tu-'ino- considered prisoners of war. On the lOtn, ana iiui, b=- SXchester, who commanded at Mobile, threw a detach- ZZZZ. the bay for the relief of Fort Bo^Ile British ba" iffect anv thinfr, except tiie capture of one of the Briush oai ^'Wil'^heroperations were carried on in the Oulph et Mexico, a considerable force was stationed off the coast o> South Carol nah. They tary station, main, exce] under admii island, aftei the forts in i Having tl shall now tu continued to querulous I Ihey are sui It will be tion and He memortible that of the sailed trom to join com Porter left (he Cape < crossing th and the ou any enc.my' Praya for s de Verds i packet was ing taken c the United The isla dezvous, y received a him under that he w< pprt, there de Janeiro the prisor their capti vessels un All sail, tl effort to r telligence blockade ( net, and af Montague the Hornt pursuit of aiSTORY 9F THE WAR. 255 soners d, and ursuit, } about hedoff al, but vas not J given 3yed.— id little Missis- ys; but ;d their rked iti ng ves- \ of the )st only cts em- cuhtion 000 vis. »o confi- customs iveral of 1 the re- ard their npletely 'ge force rular ap- b, when, I , colonel leing un- , articles pt to the r officers, nth, g6- a detach- :oo late to itish bar- 1 Gulph of e coast ot South Carolina and Georgia, menacing Charleston and Savan- nah. They took possession of Cumberland Island, as a mili- tary station, but nothing of consequence was eflPected on the main, excepting the capture of St. Mary's by a detachnrient under admiral Cockbum, who again returned to Cumberland island, after they effected their purpose by the destruction of the forts in the' neighbourhood. Having thus reviewed every important military event, we shall now turn our attention to the ocean, where our cruizers continued to range with unabated vigour, and where, to use the querulous language of the British journalists, *' if they flght^ they are sure to conquer; if they fly, they are sure to escape." It will be recollected, that in October, 1812, the Constitu- tion and Hornet sailed from Boston on a cruize, which proved memorable by the destruction of the Java by the former, and that of the Peacock by the latter. The Essex, captain Porter, sailed trom the Delaware about the «ame time, under orders to join commodore Bainbridge, who commanded the squadron Porter left the capes on the 28th of October, and steered for the Cape de Verd islands, the first appointed rendezvous, crossing the track of the homeward-bound British Indiamen, and the outward-bound West Indiamen. Without meeting any enemy's vessels, he reached St. Jago, and put into port Praya for supplies. On the 29th of November he left the Cape de Verds for the Brazil coast. A few days after, a British packet was captured, with about g55,000 in specie, which be- ing taken out, the vessel was dispatched with a prize-master to the United States. , , r The island of Fernando de Noronha, the second place ot ren- dezvous, was reached on the I4th of December. Here Porter received a communication from the commodore, addressed to him under the fictitious title of sir James Lucas Yeo, stating that he would find him off Cape Frio, without entering the port, therefore, the Essex stood to the southward. Near Rio de Janeiro a British schooner was captured, and after taking the prisoners out, it was discovered, that about an hour before their capture^ ^hey had parted with a small convoy of BriUsh vessels under charge of the Juniper, a three-masted schooner. All sail, therefore, w^ immediately made in pursuit, but every effort to reach them proved abortive. During the pursuit in- telligence was received, from different vessels, first of the blockade of the Bonne Citoycnne by the Constitution andHOT- net, and afterwards of the capture of an American ^^ssd by the Montague 74, whicll captain forter strongly susircct^u w uw the Hornet, with the addition that the Montague had gone m pursuit of the frigate. 336 HISTORY OF THE WAR. This intelligence removed all expectations of the Essex b%- inc enabled to join commodore Bainbridge; and it became absolutely necessary, therefore, for Porter to depart from the letter of his instructions. He accordingly determmed to pur- sue that course which seemed best calculated to mjure the enemy, and to enable the cruize to be prolonged. 1 his could only be done by going into a friendly port where sup- plies could be obtained, without the danger of blockad*^.; and the" most suitable place for that purpose seemed to be the port of Conception, on the toast of Chili. The season, it being now the end of January, was, to be sure, far advanced for doubling Gape Horn; the stock of provisions also was short, and the ship in other respects not well supplied with stores tor so long a cruiee. But there appeared to Porter no other choice left; except capture, starvation, or blockade. This course seemed to him the more justifiable, also, as it accorded with the views of the secretary of the navy, as well as those ot the commodore. Before the declaration of war. Porter had laid before the secretary a plan of annoying the enemy's commerce in the Pacific, which had been approved of; and prior to this cruize, commodore Bainbridge having requested his opmion as to the best mode of annoying the enemy. Porter had laid the ^ame plan before him. This had also been approved ot by the commodore, who signified his intention to pursue it^ provided supplies of pro visions, could be procured. Although there was considerable responsibility attached to this proce-,d- inff, and the undertaking was greater than had yet been en- (raged in by any single ship in similar pursuits, yet the season admitting of no delay, Porter, immediately on getting to sea, stood to the southward; and the crew were put on short allow- ance of provisions, in order to husband them for the long voy- affc on which they were now embarked. Cape Horn was doubled about the middle of Feoruary, amidst tremendous storms; and the Essex surmounted all the dangers of hurricanes, fogs, and 4)reakers, by the intrepidity of her commander, and the distinguished coolness and activity of her crew, to which the uncommon degree of liealth they enioyed, from the judicious arrangements of captain Porter, not a little contributed. In the latitu# of about 40 south, pleasant moderate weather succeeded to the incessant storms ^ and severe cold experienced in the passage around the stormy cape, and on the 6th of March the Essex came to an anchor ott an uninhabited isiauu caucu i»iocir«, m luw la.i.^-:-- -^ "i,"'..: S8° 15' S. about eight leagues distant froiH the coast ol i^hili. At Mocha, a considerable supply of fresh provisions was pro- cured by that islanc able food, Porter of Chili, ( where, co utmost at which hac the gover selves inc frigate wi ed in thei of bells. brought I sistance ij tion he tt views of] The E time two his speed municate was Port( counts, t islands, 1 ers. Po ru, and tl track he and amoc The E during w coast of I role. E the valua tured, e: the want ment of ' in favour value of Uons an( the Ame and prot return to in numb( Two of 1 seijt to \ HISTORY OP t^HE VfKk, 2S^ >K/Mlt cured by shooting the wild hogs and horses vchich abound in that island. The flesh of the latter was found to be the prefer- able food, that of the hogs being tough. , Porter again steering his course along the iron-bound coast of Chili, on the 1 5th of March put into the port of Valparaiso, where, contrary to his expectations, he was received with the utmost attention and hospitality. This arose from the change •which had lately taken place here, the Chilians having assumed the government, though, without absolutely declaring them- selves independent of old Spain. The arrival of an American frigate was considered a most happy event, and was celebrat- ed in their capital, St. Jago, by illumination and the ringing of bells. It was generally believed in Chili, that Porter had brought proposals for a friendly alliance, and assurances of as- sistance in their struggle for independence; and this construc- tion he thought it politic rather to encourage, as it suited his views of readily obtaining supplies. The Essex remained a week at Valparaiso. During that time two Spanish vessels had sailed for Lima, which rendered his speedy departure necessary, as they would certainly com- municate the intelligence of his arrival to the enemy, and as it was Porter's intention to visit that coast next, for, from all ^.t- counts, the coast of Peru, and from there to the Gailapagos islands, was the favourite fishing-ground of the British whaV- ers. Porter accordingly run down the coast of Chili and Pe- ru, and thence proceeded to the Gailapagos island. In this track he fell in with the Peruvian coi*sair, which he disarmed, and among the Gailapagos captured three British whalers. The Essex remained six months at the Gailapagos islands, during which, however, one trip was fhade toTumbez, on the coast of Peru, where a number of prisoners were landed on pa- role. During the cruize among those islands, the whole of the valuable British-whale vessels in the Pacific were cap- tured, excepting one which had been laid up at Coquimbo for the want of guns, she having been disarmed by the govern- ment of Chili, in consequence Oi the active part she had takeii in favour of the Peruvians, who adhered to Ferdinand. The value of these prizes to the enemy was estimated at two mil- lions and a half of dollars. By this cruize, too, the whole of the American whale-ships were rescued from certain capture, and protected in those seas until the proper season for their return to the United States. The captured vessels were twelve in number, carrying, in the whole, 107 guns, and 302 men.—* Two of the prizes «vere given up to the prisoners, three were seijtto Vafpftraiso, where they were laid up, and three were. X w >\ ,.« HISTORY OF THE WAR. sent to the United States. Lieutenant Downes conveyed tlk Drives sent to Valparaiso, in another prize, which had been m ed UD a s a cruizer, under the name of the Essex Junior. Hlreioined captain 'porter at the Gallapagos on the 30th ot SenteXr, and brought letters from Valparaiso, containing ^fformXn that a squadron under the command of commo- o^Tamcs HiUyar, consisting of the frigate Phoebe, of 36 eunsthT Raccoon and Cherub^loops of war, and a store-ship !f 20 euns, had sailed from England in pursuit of the Essex. That tlieRaccoon and Cherub htd been seekmg her for some rime on the coast of Brazil, and had then proceeded in quest of "'tIVess^x ivad now been nearly a year at sea, almost wkh- .,„ intermTssion, and, as may be supposed, required cons.der- Xerep"oPUth;rin a proper state to meet the enemy. <-^,ltn Porter, therefore, adetennined to steer for the Wasji- ?nnUhnds for that purpose, and, on the 2d of October, the 'S n company with^hr Es'sex Junior, Greenwich, Serm- rfaA New Zealandervand the Sir Andrew Hammond, final- P? r;;. filCasds, or the Enchanted Isles, as some have " led them frim trdifficulty of clearing them, owing to the called them, "°^." , /j.^ ■ i^^^^ are described by '"'SV'lr a, blir^ 'of volcanic origin, and totally de- "P,n?rmn be streams. There are some few springs, bu thfwlerrquicky absorbed the loose and thirsty lava and 136= and 142 W- / °"'.*j'3 ej,iied Nooaheevah by the na- ^•''"''^r^hkrPort- bel .wed the name of Madison's Island, l^^irur^^t^eri-^^^^^^^^^ covered, f '"^^ Jl^P^^l-fi^: "^^rse "1 ston opined with the ''^twis'tlUng 1 ear tU beach; but their operations on shore ""l!Mi*'!.n"H lo be disturbed by the natives of a neighbour- :'"•'- V,"" ■ ',.;i,„ were at war with those among wiioii. rorwi ing valley, >vho ^^J^^^,^ f ^„^ „f their»trong holds, how- ^JerrS apSt!. or sX, who accompanied th« frWndly na^ lives, the by Portei with hin receptior her repai America plentiful fish-hoot But th and warl dy stop t They co cowards edthe ir Porter s and to r friendly seek his fruit? I come an of his w< in a use] necessit in order made no in war a fore app mean wl peaceab eifects o bers, an mountai listen to confirm* country. landed i was fou] this sm£ thickets grass of 5feet hig The! zardous ans, wh had lane HISTORY OF THE WAR. 239L lives, the hostile Indians gladly accepted of the peace offered by Porter, on the condition of establishing a friendly commerce with him. The Indians now erected a little village for the reception of the articles taken out of the Essex, in order to her repairs, and the greatest harmony prevailed between the Americans and most of the tribes of the island, who brought plentiful -supplies of provisions in exchange for pieces of iron, fish-hooks, and whale's teeth. But the conduct of the Typees, one of the most numerous and warlike tribes in the island, again threatened to put a spee- dy stop to the useful intercourse established with the natives. They continually insulted the friendly Indians, calling them cowards for submitting to the white men, to whom they appli- ed the most degrading epithets. In reply to a messenger whom Porter sent to their valley, to induce them to remain at peace, and to require an exchange of presents as a proof of their friendly disposition, they desired to know why they should seek his friendship, and why they should bring him hogs and fruit? If he was strong enough, they said, they knew he would come and take them: his not d<^ng so was an acknowledgment of his weakns'ob. Porter was extremely averse from engaging in a useless warfare with these people; but he conceived that necessity compelled him to take some steps to punish them, in order to secure the friendship of the other Indians, who made no secret of their belief that his backwardness to engage in war arose solely from cowardice. A distant day was there- fore appointed for an expedition against the Typees, and in the mean while Porter practised every means to inspire them with peaceable views, by making them acquainted with the deadly effects of fire arms. But they felt too conscious of their num- bers, and of the natural strength of their valley, surrounded by mountains impenetrable, as they believed to white men, to listen to peaceable overtures; and in this disposhion they were confirmed by the event of the first attempt made to enter their country. Thirty-five men, with captain Porter at their head, landed in their valley, but from the nature of the country, it was found impossible to make any impression on them with this small force; and after penetrating through marshes and thickets, through which they had to fight their way, the pro- grass of the party was finally stopped by a strong wall, sevea feet high, flanked by impenetrable thickets. The situation of the party was at this moment peculiarly ha- zardous. The surrounding hills were covcrcu vy tiioss iimi- ans, who at present professed friendship. Great numbers also had landed with them, but ihey had taken little or no I>art !H 240 H15T0»Y OF THE WAU. of a defeat, it was rfiippoa- m the conteat, and the appearance ed, viOuXd bring on an f^f ^ ^^^^^^^ JthTisland. A re. iore defeated, if not by the vholeloce the Indians from treat ^as theiefore ^^^Sf ^^; ^^^^^'^[^hed upon the party ^^'ith their fort, and -^-^-^-^^^r^^ advaLed were h deous yells. 1 he nrsi an off were wound- killed, and those .-^° «'^Xndo„ed Se^ <1-<1' »nd P-"?'" ed; on seeing wlach, ^h^^y f *""°" , ,,^5 ^ow suffered to re- tately retreated to the fort. P^ "'^^^ ^„, ^each a tnessen, treat nearly V^^t! hid W oft" pe^ce, but they only^nswcr- eer was again dispatcnco lo "»» y Id by a challenge to ''.^"7, ''1^':°;;;^ '^, the InJUns had all de- pirter now deiernuned ^ojr^^^r^'^l ^hite men by the Ty- scended the h,lls, and the deleat °y" ^o„. The pun- pees formed the ""'ve'^'al '°f .^ ."' Xmed, ^„ever,mwe Lmentofthe h°f ^ ",^";^'body was ""« day marched ta important than ever, a 'ai^g® ?°"' . notwithstanding the ex- their valley across th\"°""'f;"!' ^"trawd into their\ountTy, treme difficulties of the •■""'^'PS"^ 'alley. We regret to and-completely drove them ot^^ of the va^J^^^ ,^^ say, that the «h°>« f '"l^e "s Lual in Indian warfare, we waste, as, lho"gh the pracUce 1 existed lh« can be cannot perceive that the same > ^^^^^ inottr«»n urged for this measure in contests wiv territory. „io^ m accent of the sametenosiof ''''' '"j^rtheT'h^drefot sco^et' nd every tribe, on the S -r^^tdsMp of the^^^^^^^ ^,,,,, ., ^. Previous to the 1 ypee war, a «»" ha 1 ^^ ^^^ valley, where Porter fff^'^^^^tY^^^ was hoisted, and Uie tarns, and the flag of the Unitea am ^^^^^ island fot^ally J*!'-" Pf^^f^fadison's Uland, unde.. a sa- can government, by the tirteotM ceremony being explained lute of 1 7 guns. The °"^i"\°;^''„ueh pleasures at the idea ot 10 the inhabitants, they expiessed n>»<^ I' Americans. being adopted Mellickees, »« ^^l^.Xrepaired, and provision^ The Essex being.now completely ^ep, ^^^^^^ ^^th for four months laid m, she .=,ff.V°^,,ex Junior. The three ef December, in ^omf "V »f ''f^.^^f ^^ the fort, and left in prizes were secured undei '^^ f^*^i„, ^nd 21 men, with !-l>,r^e of lieutenant Gamble ot the iviar ^^_^^.^ ^^^.^^ expressly equipment motto " G offend bot « Free tra gested, d< American In reply t country, i harbour, t to lay her neutrality her expo knowledt honour t< They cor the mutu charactei generous mingled from on€ On ge went off blockadi 81 guns the crev of the E six long in clos( the mar Juriibr pound only 60 This vented unless Porter lengci him in tried f this c ships s Findir fearini was c HISTORY OF TUB WAR. 241 equipment, witn picKea cicwn, .. , , . Htrhts: traitora Xmerican crews were duefly "mposec oM^ S „ ^ „„, ^" "P'^ rd' Ub"m- 'ml S th^:- 0« Entering the country, and libeity. tyian« j^ ^ manner as harbour, the Phoebe fell f»"' f .'•!'^p^""!'out of respect to the to lay her at the ^ercy of captain Porter out o ^^ ^^ neutrality of the port, howeve , he d d ^^^ ^f,,,,„„ds ac- her exposed situation. J^'^ '°™^"^d he passed his word of knowledged by ''''","?°;'°:„^„?ji'/,^\;urihcV remained in port, honour to observe like <=°"''"";\'" harbour and on shore, in They continued, *«'•« °'-«' ^''^^ 'J^d^'v^roffices, that should the mutual ^^hange of cou e.ies and kinci tn ^^ ^^^ characterize the P"^^^ "^ fJ^^^J^the espective ships often Sd\:g" rd'paVsXutica. joicL and pleasantries from one to the Other. . j the Phoebe and Cherub On getting then-provisions 0^^^^^^^^^ ,^ xventoff the PO^J\^hp^^"^,^fy Their united force amounted to blockading captam P°l^^^V,.r^\'o which they took on board ai o-uns and 500 men, m addition to wnion '-^'^J' thp force 81 guns anu ^ ' letter of marque lying in port. 1 he torce the crew of an l^ng^sn leuc u i ^ excepting of the Essex consisted of but 46 gm^^^^^^^^^ only 'serviceable six long twelves, ^^^re f pounrt oi >^^^{^ ^^^^^^^ ^^, JS c'-roUel^ rdtrlh^n s^:i«^'h a complement of only 60 men. , ^^.^ ^f jj,e enemy pre- This vast supefiority "f f»;" °" '^^ J^,; ,ike equal terms, vented all chance of '"-^^^t'eenSe commanders. Captain unless by express '=»«"''"' "^"'r^peatedly to provoke a chal. Porter, therefore, .f ^eavou^^,^ f C^'hl Pl-oebe not justifying lenge (the in'«™"\°f ^'V/himtelf-), but without effect. He him^ in making the challenge h^^^^^^be into sh.gle action; but tried frequently also to bung tne rn^ f ^. ^is this commodore HiUyar .^l^.^'^.^-^'^-tVmPorter's attempts, ships so close WS«>her as to ft ustrate capta ^^^ Finding ititnpopible to br ngthe m q ^^ .^derstood. ^r o^n Z :;rPortefdrr"4ed to'p.^ « -^ *« «- o-?^ X 2 M^2 HlSTOny OF THE WAR. nnrtunitv that p^ould present. A rendezvous was accordingl>' portunity tnat _ f ^^^. ascertained by re- opened f^^.^^^^^^^^'^^^'^^^ was a superior sailer to either of energy chase her off/thereby giving the Essex Junior aivop- P'on"'4VLxT&^e 28th of March, 1814, the wind came ♦n Wmv f?esh from the southward, and the Essex parted Tertt" dSe 7n" dragged her starboard ancho^^^^^^^ out o sea. Not a moment was lost m getting sail on the sh^, hut nerce ving that the enemy was close in with the pomt.form- ^ FkI west fide of the bay, and that ther-e was a possibility ofCssing to w^^^^^^ ani'escaping to seaby superiorsail- ?n/caDtlin Porter resolved to hazard the attempt. He ac- ing, captain rori ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^p f^^ the cordingly took in h^^ ^P S^ \ ^^ ^^ Jading the point, a heavy ?Zu suucrthrstrand carried away her main top.mast, ^••..t^n^ the men who were aloft into the sea, who were precipitating the men wno ^^^ ^^^ ^^.^^^^^ **rjriin kft PortTr noTltlrnative but to endeatour to regam of his ship lett Forter "» ^»^ . ^ ^ ^^ ^^ the common ,ng approach of the f °f 'f^.^P* ^^^^ soon r*° /hf™' tSe reardanVer of h . ItuaTon. With all possi- 5^f,wed him the. real ^^angci ^ actionf and ''•h ''r:SC"t rspring rhUc:bJrb«thadnotsu^eed. :f Xe" at 54'mi*u?es'plst 3 P. M. the enemy commenced ^l?*h the Phoebe placed herself under his stem, and the succeeded three difl^ent tim S » jj j„ tear on the hies, for the purpose "^Xn shot away by the excessive fire enemy, but they *"«"/%V«»owfged, therefore, to rely Z "."fenc: rainrthls' trfmend^uV aftack merely on three rone- twelve-pounders, which iie naa run ""^-^* --=;-;- r^:;i l^^vS wL wotHttl. with^)ich br^veiy and .kill, as h^lt" an hour tc duce then the intent daring coi cheap a ri and wary; prepared the mean voking ir klHed an( enemy, t( escape oi being dis ing ensig the ship, to the las self with sex, out could no structivc the latte ting und< gled Stat jib; this on both For a si and the the Esse woUndei a peliisc be savec haul off tion aga The dis to take was un! edging and kej among dered u were i particu it in the with 0- •-^'yi4'^*tefc*M»- HISTORY OF THE ^AR 543 an hour to do great injury to both the enemy's ships, and in- duce them to haul off and repair damages. It was evidently the intention of commodore HiUyar to risk nothing from the daring courage of his antagonist, but to take the Essex at as cheap a rate as possible. All his manoeuvres were deliberate and wary; he saw his antagonist completely at his mercy, and prepared to cut him up in the safest and surest manner, in the mean time the situation of the Essex was galhng and pro- voking in the extreme; crippled and shattered, with many kitted and wounded, she lay awaiting the convenience ot the enemy, to renew the scene of slaughter, with scarce a hope ot escape or revenge. Her b.uve crew, however, in plaxe ot being aisheartened, were aroused to desperation, and by hoist- ing ensigns in their rigging, and jacks in different parts of the ship, evinced their defiance and determination to. hold out to the last. , , , . Tbfe enemy having repaired his damages, now placed nim- self with both his ships, on the starboard quarter ot the tiS- sex, out of reach of her carronades, and where her stern-guns could not be brought to bear. Here he kept up a most de- structive fire, which it was not in Porter*s power to return; the latter, therefore, saw no hope of injuring him without get- ting under way and becoming the assailant. From the man- gled state of his rigging, he could set no other than the flymg lib; this he caused to be hoisted, cut his cable, and run down on both ships, with an intention of laying the Phoebe on board. For a short time he was enabled to close with the enemy, and the firing on both sides was tremendous. The decks ot the Essex were strewed with dead, and her cockpit filled with wounded; she had been several times on fire, and was intact a pellet wreck; still a feeble hope sprung up that she might be saved, in consequence of the CheruB being compelled to haul off by her crippled state; she did not return to close ac- tion again, but ke^t up a distant firing with her lon^ guns. The disabled state of the Essex, however, did not permit hei to take advantage of this circumstance; for want of sail she was unable to keep at close quarters with the Phoebe, who, cdp-inK off chose the distance which best suitcdher long guns, and kept up a tremendous fire, which made dreadful havoc among the crew of the Essex. Many of her guns were ren- dered useless, and many had their whole crews destroyed: they were manned from those that were disabled, and one gun in particular was three times manned; fifteen men were slam at it in the course of the action, though the captain ot it escapea with oniy a slight wound. Captain rorter ii&w g»vw up «" m ,,^ HISTORY OF THE WAil. Hopes of closing .UK ^^^^^^^;':^ ^^^ Z^^X^ able, determined to run lusshpon^^h^^^ , ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ destroy her. He had »PP™*f ^?,"eceeding, when, in an in- shoi-e, and had every prospect oUucc^ B.^ ^^^ ^^^^ ,tant, the wind «M««'' ^^^"'"J-^i^ i^^d "eadful raking fire. The the Phoebe, exposing her »§»'» ^° * j ^^ her head was to- ship was now totally «"»^.^j:,td;cap ain Porter again per- wa^ the enemy, »"'Jf'?= *X!,"*7i this moment lieutenant ceived a faint hope of b"" d'"S|„e o board to receive orders, Downes of the Essex J"»'°' f ^^^^i^ goon be a prisoner. His expecting that captain P°".f.*°"' deplorable s ate of the Es- services could be of no avail in the dei^^^^^^^^ ^.^ ^^^^^ ^p_ ^^^^ sex, and finding f"-?;' ^^^tv^^jd C succeed, Downes was the last attempt at boarding wouiu ^ ^ for defend- dirVcted to returnto hi. own ship.to be^^ ^.^^ ^ ins and destroymg her in case oi ai ,^ ^^.^^ „„ r/veral of the ^vounded, leaving three ot ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^, board to make room for them. in= fire on him during his je'"™; ^ ^^^ became horrible. The slaughter on ^"'^'^l^'^H she was unable to the enemy continuing to rake hei, w ^^^^er, with an brine a gun to bear m return. J>" "^ persisted in the une- obslLcy that bordered <>''J^^'''^ZT^^V^'^^'^''^'^'.^^T mial and almost hopeless "=77,^,*; „^^j Va, resorted to, in the ?Ue and inventive mind could »"ggf J^^ied by some lucky flrloi-n hope that they "J f * ;" °^f Z foe. A h-alser was chance- to escape, from "'« S'J'P°',' cut from the bows, to benrto the sheet-anchor, aiid the aochor cut tr ^^^ ^^^ bring the ship's head round Thssucce ^^ . ^^ ^^^ of the Essex was again uo"g"'-), ..'porter tlWught was much crippled, and ""''hU « '^oU ^^^ -^j^'^^^ered that he she might drift out of Bj-^o befo e i^ p„ted, bad anchored. The ha ser, now , , ^^^ j,^^^^_ The and with it failed the >»* .>'"gl""|urinl the action, but at this .ship had taken fire several times cU. ing ^^ ^__^ ^^^^ ^ .^ moment her situation "^J* ^y'" „„ „p each hatchway, a large Zi aft; the flames were hurs "K "P « ^^^ j^en that Quantity of powder ^'"^'^^'""Ji^^^rsurrounded by horrors, the fire was near the magazine, i nu ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^Uhout any chance of suving ^he sh p, ^°' ;„„, ,, ssi- ttntion to rescuing as many ol h » t)r.w v ^^^^ ^j^^^e If," Finding his distance Jrom the shore di^"^ tosavethem- <,uartersofamle,hehopea ma.., — •-- had been cut to ^ Ctt'etVy-s^hurhe ^^^ -h ascould swim^ ip jump ov< were taken but most o fate of thei Those \ guish the guns, and by this tiu was in vai officers of tenant St< some had carried be every par presentin imminent ed> that t were kil^ while the ter and h i^te and firing at titteiiy d pellcd, i to strik' pe.ixeivc several ship, ai quarter. Bunk, » the sun . The ver^ British Thoi of the fought among had v( sitnati flaggii crew, their i battle their WHSTs shot, and scree <>' '^^^^f^^^f "tier, ™hich were immedi- Uh stoops of war arrive » '^_" "^ j^e wounded to England. rn^enrtne'goc^tion^--°rnT^^^^^^^^ niissioners bringing forwara^^ ^„^ ^„„q„eredpeo^^^^^^^ »ii withdrawn, and a ireaiy "h nations on tne sainc ?^,\ra rishts and territories of «Ya^°-ned at Ghe.it on the f fl^lv of February, 1815. ^ , ,.„feetory to the American peo- Th^s treaty was generally ^^f^^^^^^^^^^^ of impressment and nl/for though it left t^^S^^.f X bel'^^ved, that the respect ^u' IT blockades unsettled, it 7^^^ ^^''^..^^lov.'^^^^ , Uiat it consummated tne n . — ,^ii. »*- — ^^ ' , L.i^PYable defiression on On an addi tulating th amendmei in a striki tion. Th substitute 41 Xo as great sati between 1 but wc si of our di to exprei sure so r ty's dom ing the t graciou; Ak'hat w< that, in the int< peace c Paris, c most ei gociatu Ameri< in Eur( causes tween^ comm: amonc festati ot^pea jesty'i peopl rosity sire t ty wh the r vants mane are t unne upoi pepi wasi here fltSTOBV OF THE VrAftv 251 •ession on t nothing ave occa- called by on an address being -'''::^^^\^:^:^L^T:iv^T^n lulaling the prince ^<=8/" °" ^though U wasnot carried, shows amendment was moved, «h;^h, thougn ^^ ^^^^ iU ^t^:iS^^tVr=-th\t\h^^^^^^^^ ^^-o-^O "« great satisfaction the -"^f °^f ^"."f a g^^ of ?Ior.h America; between his majesty and the U' "Wd Stat discharge but wc should deemov.vse Ives htgWy ^"^ ^ ,,„e we not of our <>"^y t^art Ij- n-J^^^^^^^ re^gret, that a mea- to express to his royaimgnn ^f,, „aje8- sure so necessary to the *f"f/ *"" ^puthed: that in review- ty's doroinions, was not f""" .f.'f^'^P" » highness has been ■L the terms of tl« t^'*)' ">'^''. '"' ITe at a loss to discover g.?aciously pleased « ':'e,f ^^"^LgVetarld its conclusion; . S-hat were the causes which so long ,^ „„„„, ^d that, in our opunon, *!'« ''°"°"'^°' i,.ed that as soon as the the interest of his people, b°th requi^ ,; ed at peace of Europe had been <=*f'jfXst year, the speediest and ?aris, on the 8th day of May, \Vh ,ve heln a*.pted for the ne- most effectual measures should have be^na^P ^^^^^^^^ gociationofatreaty °f Pf^.f J"'^„Se ce" »»**->" of hostilities America; that the comp ete a>'f «^"'*/the operauon of the in Europe had removed or s"*?*""^'^ '"i^a the late war be- J^tSvhich had occasioned or accompan^^^^ t^een his «>ajesty and Oie United States that ^^^ ^^^^ ^^,^ commanding station ,7'"™ *^* ""/d have rendered the mani- amongst the nations °f *« *° i™fto^^^^^^ of the blessings Testation of a sincere ^"'f.''^" '''^i^iv ho"""''*'''" '° "'* ""% of peace with the U'"^^,^^?' * . '|„'Ld the government and Py's counsels; and woiUd have affm-d^^^^^ ^^^^^ 'people of America the ^1 British nation; of a sincere de- rosity and magnanimity of the Biitisnn ^^^^^^ ^ sire to bury in laffng oblivion the re^j'^f ^„^io„, ^ish for ty which then unhappily ^^f/'^'*^' ''[erm, honourable and ad- the re-establishment of peace "PO" «"" i^^ure Us own per- vantageoustoboth """^"f ■ 'f/j^;'^^^ conditions; that we manency by the J"f^^^.^"'',X the long »"<' (" "" ^"^VX are the more deeply atilictea oy uic & ^^en we reflect unn esT^ry delaf in. the concu-on °f ?-«, w ^^^^ upon the great and ".comi^-b e "J^ J^ ^„d uni.rofitable peoiile have sustained, by the um r ^j^^j^gu^^hcd ano i52 HISTOKY OF THE WAR. lire of the latest ™"''''7 .«"^*^Xd \hat pea«Ts at length afford, us, however, conso at on to find, that p^^^^^ ^^^^^ .^ .^ g^^ re-estabhshed; and to a» . r^ ^^^yal ^^^.^^^^^„^ ^,,^^ r;r" ardTnt^n-e union with the govern„.ent and '-^^Hib'i:^^'^ thfgo^eZ^ trust, that '; '•°""P°^^7|t»tes, will enable his royal highness -l'„«rd°;n\?:sno'';::;n«^^^ mutual ?o»fid«nce and lastmg pe«e. „,efulles- son,,wuch It .s tobe^opedou ^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^.^^^ pass without P^'i'l^yyf!^^^^^ is essential to its success- jrorduot Lttr'a d^ende ,ce in loans for the extra ex- penses of war is fatal f^ ruinous. cheapest, We have I"™' '^^f . XL aglinsUe invasion of a coast but the only ^^'f 7' A^Jf unitf d States; that a navy is pe- M, extensive as that of the *^""«°J'"' ' ^nd, that, as it S.culiarly ^'^ff^^^^^ll^t^XlS^^'titutiJns, i?s size ^•' '''';Vtrere?eL%1haT X s^fi more clearly deter- :Sthf pre-r^f^ii .--x^rredX :?;!«" ;tt:iTurr;r^-ny ;:i.r A su^ered ^o pas. iminiprovcd.* ^ . i^lux^i '•WTPr^'W' I