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CONTAINING A FULL AND DETAILED NARRATIVE 07 THE OPERATIONg OF THE o OV THE ° o . ♦ BY MAJOR RICHARDSON. K. 8. F* 1842. 'k'ic/^/-) fi.\)<^oAJ 2 7 38 21 \ © o .t .* K ', ■i-;t ^ i o o ni9t In preparing this first of a series of Historical Narrative for ihe us« of Schools in Canada, the Author has been influenced by considera- tions, wliich he conceives will, more or less, govern the mind? of those to whom the Education of the youth of the country is entrusted. It is a humiliating, yet undeniable fact, that there are few young men of the present generation who are at all aware, except by vague and inaccurate report, of the brilliant feats of arms, and sterling loy- alty displayed by their immediate progenitors, during the stern but brief struggle with the neighboring Republic, wherein numbers were fearlully against them, but in which, supported by true courage, and the consciousness of a good cause, they rode triumphant over every obstacle, and came forth un conquered from the strife. Or, if they have read of these matters, their information has been derived through the corrupt channel of American party publications bearing on the subjsct, all which have a tendency to pervert facts, and to instil into the youthful mind that diifidence and mistrust which operate as a check upon the generous aspirings, and weaken the energies of the natioral character. "^ Recovering as this country ip, at this moment, from the severe shock which, although but of temporary duration, has deeply tested its general attachment and fealty to the British throne, and lapsing into that state of tranquillity from which it never should have departed, it will without Lilficulty be conceded that no compilation could, with greater propriety or consistency, be placed in the hands of Cana- dian students, than that which records the gallant deeds performed by their Fathers, fighting side by side with the troops of England in do- fence of their invaded fircHid*'?: when uctiiuled by a devoted spirit of loyalty, nnd n gemiroHity of einulalion never excecilcd, tliey won golden o)}inionH from their Sovtreign, and stood holiljy forth in the hour of the country's greatest need — nor, althoiiiih the youth ol' Wes- tern Canada litive the greatest reason to feel pride in this faet, bhouid it fail to be a source of satisfar.tion to the Freneh Canadian puj)il, whose Sire was, at the epoch treated of in the following; narrative, ever forward in the; demonstration of his attachment to British Insti- tutions, a!id unwaverinsT in his resolution to dcfiMid them with his lifo. These were, indeed, happy and well remembereil days, when but one •entiment actuated the French nnd Ktiglish racet^, who were knit to- gether in one common bond of good fcllovvshij), and knew rivalry on- ly in their desire to tender to the jiarent, who had cherished and nursed them, the grateful evidence of their love. This is no over- charged picture of the feelinji; which ihen existed in the Cana- das, and on the direction given to the minds of its youth of the present day, French and English, must depend its utter extinction or revival. In adopting the familiar style of ihe narrative, the Author has had two distinct inducements in view — firstly., because that species of composi- tion relieves history of the dryness which is so great a barrier to inte- rest with the student; and secondly because, in identifying himself with his subject, the reader is necessarily led to do the same. There are few Canadian youths who will fail to be inspired by a generous spirit of emulation, us they bear vividly befoix) them the fact that the Author whom they are perusing, and who has written for their instruc- tion and information, was even himself a student when summoned by the trumpet of War, from a perusal of the milit:uy exploits of the most renowned warriors of by-gone days, to range himself in the next hour under the victorious banner of a modern Chief not less daring, and scarcely less celebrated than any of those, and to delend, with his feeble yet willing arm, the soil which gave him Mrlh, and the Stand- ard to which he owed allegiance. That the lot which was the Author's may be that of the Reader, is a reflection which can never be lost sight of by the generous of character whose rallying cry, whenever domestic rebellion or foreign invasion stalk throughout the land their Sires have consecrated to En- j^land with their blood, will assuredly ever be "Aut vincere aut mori." The past has pledged, the future will redeem the bond. o Ipproac'io )i' llu-'ir nn |o giw a f l)ur .stru22 iK-rpciraic © o olcd Bpiiit ilicy won jitli in the li ol" We»- ict. Hhoiild lian pupil, narrative, i ilish Insli- ith his lilo. en hut one jro knit to- rivalry on- rishetl and is no over- ihe Cana- )ulh of ih© extinction lashadtwo )('composi- ior to intc- ing himself le. Ther« generous let that the eir instruc- summoned nits of the n the next ess daring, , with his the Stand- le Reader, :enerous of or foreign ited to En- aut mori." o OPERATIOSi} O F T n E (?) R I c; II T I) I V I S I o ly n f t li e A n 31 Y OP U P P K R C A -"V A I> A. , n '■ ri I N T ti E A M li 11 I C A N W A n OF I S 1 2. &.C, (to, itc. I Miioh ha^ hern said and writiPti in respect to the Red-men of the jori' t ; Init I do not rccolk-rt liriving ever met with a detail suffici- I'litly a(MMir;He to convry a jint idea of the (;!iarat;lt'r of these peo- j'c. A-! ilii-'V will (.('pupy a tok'ralile pni'iioa of my al'eniion, and |"rrqu;'iilly appvar under eirciimstaiicf^s winch iiiay im. line the read- ii tij iiicrcdLiliiy, I \vill uicrely observe, tjiai no one incident will \)'> found couiniittctl in ilir^c pa^e^, which may not be attested by |v(.'ry olhcfr wbo x rvi'd with the rJLdit tiivision ol the Canadian ar- '|ny. In fact, to that division alunc were the more savage of the In- ,ilian race attached ; and when it is considered, that among the war- %\ox<, ofat Ica-i twenty d ifl'ircit tiihe^. tlieieweie those who had k'arcely ever any previous intercourse wii!) white-, and had seldom Ipproached a I'o.lili hI ])lace but in open ho.>tiliiy, tlu: indomitableneis ii'tlirMr nature-: v/ill cea^e to excite 'jurpri^c. As ii is my inlcntior, o ^Ive a faithful accuLint of the various cruelties conrnitled during )ur .stru:jfj;le in Cinada — crueliics we ha;! not power to prevent, since )"rpetrated l)y auoally ov.t whom we lia I no control — it may not be mpror.cr to at rt to t!ie motiv or tlx'ir e:np!oyment. The Ame- [icans have iiivaria!)ly bjen loud in tlu^ir condemnation of a m*as- »re which alone secured to us the po3:«cssion of UpperCanac'a: with /anac. »ow little reason, however, will appear fronj the well-known fact. fhit eTfry possible cxeriion wns uscJ, by tlidngcntsof ihcif Govern- men!, to dclach ihf Indians from oiircnu^c. Ivuhrnrmsr the svsttm adopted and followod by r'nylaivJ tor ycar<. prl•sonl^■ of ;ill dc.cr'p- lions were issiird 10 till' w.irrior; ; while, in ihi.' coihumI, iIk' ir:oht llatlcring promises were mn''c ili.' itjo^I scdiiriri: (.{]'» rs iuM (orih, to inducL' them to njake common cau>e with l!ie invaler. The ua« ry chieftains, however, were not lo ho ti-rnpK d by profcsvlons of friendship from tho-^e whose pel fuly hnd lont^ hccn i)r()verhi;il with the Indian race. Thf bouniic of F.'\:;;lantl had been h< fipMJ on them with tio sparing hand — the tniih of the Guv rnnirnt had never been vi ihited — no '-piril of inlcn-it or dcminaiicn liad chased ihctn fro!Tj the homes i;f ihoir {jrofathfrs—thc caliimtt of pi ace hnd ni-v- •r once bet-Tj tiashc'd from th'.' lipi of ihore thiy were called on to abandon; and thi'V rrmained trui- to ilie faith liny had pledged, staunch to the cau">e in which thvy had ciijl)arkcd. Tlu' natives must have been our fiieuds or our foes : had we net cn'iploved thim the Amrricans would ; and although liumaniiy may deplore ihe ne- cessity imposed by the very invader hiuT^clf, of counting them among our allies, aud combaiin:f at tln'ir sidi-, — the law of self-preservation was our guide, and scrupulous indeed must bo the power that would have hesitated at such a moment in its choice. The act of aggres- sion was not ours — we declared no war against America — we levi- ed no armies to invade her soil, and carry desolation wherever they came : — but we availed ourselves of that right, common to every weak power — the ri^htof repelling acts of aggression by every means within our reach. Yet though it is adiiiitled that the Indians, while our allies, were in some instances guilty of those atrocities peculiar to every savage people ; let it not be supposed that these atrocities weie sanctioned either by the Government or by individuals. On the contrary, every possible means were tried by the ollicercommand- ingat Amherstburg, and Colonel Elliott, supciaitendanl of I. ^n affairs for that po?t, to soften down the warlike habits of the nativei, The inoit likely method of preventing the unnecessary effusion o! blood was that of offering rewards foi prisoners. This, however, except in a very few instances, was fuund to be ineffectual ; for lh3 charactei and disposition of the savage were not lo be tamed by re- ward-i, nor the impression of ages to be removed by such temptation;;. To have en)ployed force, would have been to have turned iheir wea' pons against ourselves ; and a body of five hundred troops, compo- sing the utmogt strength of the garrison, could have effectod litth krio'\l( .'elv( s --but tion ( . ducted l>i' den id tii; COIIII!!.; them t as host On t Great ! J Coiifrre " it wa-, , and in , the foil ij that peii Thi^ riot in I ■I coinplot tj lioridr a l at t!i;' |); and our the p;iir the fury ] '-The effect 5 (. • '"Fet'orii pir. liar frienils i lo the ni tols, da; 3 The UK o'clock i and attpi of the c ; had no fj ■[ firing wi . were de= I to F.'ll's Ihout 2 o' i fore the ^ the aiin ; way kepi litv of b« Iheif Govern- \\r ilip svsltm f ;ill ilc.-cr"'p- (.•il, ili<' r o^.i rs hiM foi'h, er. The ^^a• profcs'-ions of ovrrhiiil with ■n li' ffpt (I on ( nt had never I cliiiscd Uiein iiacc Imil ntv- ; ciillc'tl on lo li-.id plpclytd, The rmtives ■rnpluvt'cl thtm oploro ihe ne- ng tlicrn among t tlial pi-riod. ilf-prcsorvaiion ,ver that \Yould lact r sgamot (lirce thoi> ' fttry wurriori, unused t« re^iraiot, kcU fee knowled^^insf no poivot On: llicir own will. Tiie Americans ihein. f,oIv(^ had Indini'. ('inployt-d in '.heir servire — a few only it is irut — but il'ih'y had unt mow, it v.'a«. not owins to any want of exer- tion on tinir p.irts; nr.i! if it itudniittcd on the ope hand, that ihry con- ducted ih(.ins,>lvcH wiilt more hiniiiiniiy, it «ai:niit at tiie same time hi' diiiii'd (1.1 the otI:oi', t!ial th'.' f(.*ch!i'tK*39 ol tI;oir r.u'nhers render- ed liicvn niuri' t'nrnc.Ii.itely snbj 'ct tj the au:hurity of the American coiiiinaiider.i, neither can it he di-pnt 'd, tliat compulsion alone bound tlieiTi lojho adverse ran:", ilitir f.nni'.irs having heen ofien detained ii> hostaj:es to an.-.w^r lor their f;.h'Iity. On the ISth <^^ June ISIJ. a formal declaration of War against Great Britain and Ikt dependcncie* was paatCJ hy both Houses of I Con^rress, and approved by Mr. I\T;)(!i>;on the Pre.?ident — onihi?20tli j it wa-ionioially noiilicil by General Dloomfiehl to the American army, j and in what spirit rrcoived by tin; war — parly may be inferred from the following account which appeared in tiie American papers of J| Gazette Ollice, Eoston, August 2d, IS 12. ^ I Thi^ in''irnini:;'s mail givo; uss a lew [lartifulars ol" a most barbarous i.uv ..w-.^^^.^^^ .^^ I;;ii[itnor'. insti:^f;»t '(! by the fru luLs cif the Administration, and 01 3ggres' ^ pj^jj,ip](,^; ,1 I,,, li'ri'neh Dt'i.ioi'raey. Otir l)lot)d stagnates with eold ica — we levi- j jjonor at llr- en )rmiiy of the scene>; wjiilc our indiirnation is roused wherever thcv^^' ''*'' P"^"'""'^'': ''"^' therefore encoura;;ing (lepartmeni of the Police; "ami our i,ni?ri-! de-p and iiio>i painful iVom the lo-sof the eminent. mon to every ^^^^. p;mit,ijc and the uorihv eliarat' rs wiio have lallen a sacrifice to )y every means the fury of the friends of \\'ar, and npnoldeis of the admini'^tration. Indians, while icities peculiar lose atrocities dividuals. On licercommand- dant of I. -.n ; of the natives, iry effusion o! 'his, however, ctual ; for tha tamed by re- h temptations., [ned their weav' oops, compo- effectod littU Daltimore, July SOth, iSI2. "The peace of our city !ia> been ac;ain di-lurbed by the mob, tha effects of v/hicii have been dreadfi'.!. On Monday morning, the : '"Fet'eral Repniilican" was a.^ain i;sued from the press in this city. , Mr. Hanson one of the E Iitur>. expect in:,' an ntlark, had collected his friends in the New ollice (v/hicli is a brien liuu;-e in Cliaric"* SSireet) lo the number of from 50 to To completely armed with muskets, pis- tols, da:jrjers &c., determined lo defend :he house at all hazard?. The mob collect'-d and commenced the attack betwcn 9 and 10 o'cK'Ck in the evening, by breakinir all the window■~^ with brick-hats; aiul attemplini,' to force the door. The Garrison, after warning them of the co;i-c(jMences, fired a few^ rounds of blank cartridges, which had no other effici tiian to exasperate ihem. They then commenced firing with ball and s1u'j:s Two or three wi re killed, and numbeis were dosperatrlv woimdcd. The m(jb then retreated, and marched lo Fell's Point, and procured a cannon, with which they returned a- bout 2 o'clock in the mornin.?. The piece was loaded, and placed be fore the house ; but through nome defect in the manasrement of the crnn ihey could i^oi irct her to go off. Partial attacks were in this way kept up until morning, when the garrison, seeing no practicabi- lity of b«ing rescued bv the civil authority, found means to escape wvvatcly : all except about 25 who were determineu to nold out. A- Dout 7 in the morning the Mayor of the City, and General Stiic'ttr, havinci colli-'cted a tbrcc of horse ai.d inl.'uiiry, amonniinG; in all lo a- boji one hundfcl men. m.irchv?.! ilioin lo ihe scent' ol'aciion. nnd pa- raded iheuj in front ufUie hon^e. but look no pain> lo disperse tht: ino!) by which they we;o sr.; rou idcl. Thi- sMini! In.-d o! liero-'s •who still i;arrisoned the liou^e. now olleretl to i,nve ihi'ai;.( Ivt s up to the M.iyor and Gi\. Slriclirr, if thev would promise tu proteel llieni from the mob. 'I'liis was accceded to by the Mayor am! the Genera', who ijave them tir'ir word of honor that tlicy should iiavc ample pro- tection from all harm. They wore accordin:jlv taken from the hou and paving-itorics) and swearing that the pr son should not protect the damned ToriGs, but th;it thev should all be killed in 24 hours. At noon verbal orders were issued for the 5lh Regiment of Infantry to turn out at 3 o'clock, P. M. and after the ut- most exertions of some spirited officers, at i uxdoek but about CO or 40 men were collecied; they coniinued under arn-is about an hour, when orders came from the Mayor, us the mob had dispersed, to dis- miss them. About 8 o'clock in the i-veninr the mob ag.iin coliected, attacked the pri>-on, and forced the outer door, when the S'lcnff it is said delivered them the keys of the innei apartment', which they opened, and brought the unforiunatc men out two at a tine, and beat them with clubs until they thought them dead-one thev curried away, tarred and fealiiered him, beat him until he was almcpt di-ad, priclc- ed him with sharp irons, and carded liim with a wool-card. At 10 o'clock I saw live lying in front of the piison apparently lifeless, while these horrid savages were prowling over thctn, and (\\ulting in their worse than savage barbarity ; it was indeed a horrid sight, and it rnakes my blood boil when 1 think of ir. I am informed this niorninsf, that there is but one actuallv dead, that some can live but \ tew hours, and the lives oi the greatest part flh( arc despaired of. They were secured,! am told bv meriioiious excr- tinn.:< of the doctor who jiersnaded ih' butchers thai they were dead, and had them covive ed awav in carriages, as fast as they could net them out of then hands. The one who i> ;i-cenained to have been killed was General Tjingau, an old Revolutionary Ofiicer. General S. Lee of Virginia was also among them; the nsi were chiefly young men whose cornexi-.ns were the most respcctabde in the Citv- The uled: inhahitapfs are in the utmost consternation: all husines-s is sn«pen people collect in sma'l groups in the streets, with a s( ttled gloom up- on their countenances, and evcrv man UjoIcs with suspicion on his neighbor, for no man thinks hi;nself safe whose pnlidcal rr-^ed does not agree with that of the mob; lest that an umjnarded expression may subject him to their furv. The number staled to have been massacred in the gaol exceeds twentv. and amon:: these are Cap- tains Murray and Linirau of the United Stnte>-. army." Such is the picture drawn of American fecIinL on ihe occasion, by an American himself. Let me place in relief to it kindlier relations which existed at that period along the border,as exhibited in a letter dated hold out. A- neral Stiic'ct-T, insj in al! lo a- ciion, nnil pa- ) di-pOISl' tlU; i;v.!il ol iiero.'S ■rasclvcs up to u prott'fl ilicai il ilu- GtuKia', ivc aaii)le pro- -urn ihe liou six vt. With this view, the division under General Hull, consisting of two thousand three hundn d men, had been urged forward with all possible despatch to Detroit, at a dis- tanceof eighteen miles beyond Amherstburg, an attack on which latter place was immediately contemplated. Having collected his boats, ani' made every other necessary preparation, the American General.on the 7th of July, landed three miles above Sandwich, a small town nearly opposJe to Detroit, and within view of a corps of obser- vation, which, in conformity with its instructions, retired on his approach. Colonel St. George, Inspecting Field-;)fllcer, and then commanding at Amhcrstburg, with that spirit and activity by which he was distinguished throughout the war, made every judicious dis- position for his reception. The milili.i -.vere called out, and, through the exertions of the various agent'; of their department, a bodj ot GOO [ nuians was so:n e.)iiected. At a distance of » ight miles fro m AmherMburg. and tr.-.vus'ng the Jiicfh road, is the Canard River' uhich empties itself into that of the Detroit, and is impassable even by cavalry. Over this, and near its mouth, a bridge composed entire- iy of timber, iisd been constructed. Seizing at once the adraotago of this position, and (Ictennining to profit by the delay the enemy i.iiist consequently experience, Colonel St. George instantly caused the bridge to be destroyed, and a body of marki-aen to be posted among the long grass and weeds with which the banks of the river arc covered, for the purpose of annoying such of the enemy as ap peared for its reconstiuciion. Th2 Q,iieen Charlotte, a vessel of twenty guns, was at the same lime anchored at the nioulh of the river, for the purpose of keeping them more effectually in check. Meanwhile, General Hull, amused himself and his enemy, by the following piece of rhodomonrade, in the shape of a paocLAMATioN. Inhabitants of Canada. After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The injuries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of Great Britain, have once more left them no alternative but manly resistance or unconditional submission. The Army under my com:nand has invaded your country, and the standard of Union now waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable, unoffend- ing Inhabil-int, it brings neither danger nor diflficuliy. I come to find enemies, not to make them. I come lo protect, not to injure you. {Separated by an immense ocean, and an extensive wilderness from Great Britain, you have no particip;ition in her councils, no interest in her conduci — you have felt her tyranny, yo'-. have seen her injus- tice ; but I do not ask yon to avenge the one, or redress the other. The United Stales are sufTicicntly [owerful to allbrd you every se- curity consistent with their rights and your expectations. I lender you tiie invaluable blessings ol' civil, poliiical, and reliijious liberty, and their necessary result, individual and general prosperity — that liberty which gave decision to our councils and enerjiy to our con- duct, in a strugj^lc (or independence. anJ which conducted us safely and triumphantly througii the stormy period of the revolution — that libartv which ha^ raised us to an elevated rank among the nations of the world, and which has afforded us a greater measure of peac(;and sccuritv, of wealth and improvement, than ever fell lo the lot ol any country. Tn the name of my country, and by the authority of Government 1 prcmi-e von pnjtection to your persons, property and rights. Re- main at your homi^^ ; pursue your peaceful and custo nary avocations, raise not your hands aL'ainst youi brethren. Many cf your fathers fou'jht for thi' fie.'dnni and iufb-pf ndence we now enjoy. Being children, therefori\ of i!h; 'same family with us, and heirs to the same heritage, the arrival of an army of friends must be hailed by you with a cordial welco'ii'-. You will !ie < niancipat-'d from tyranny and oppression, and restore;! lo the dignified station of fretMTien. Had I any doubt of eventual success, 1 might ask your assistance, but I do not. I come prep'.r jd for every coniinu^'^ncy — I have « Ibrce which will look dowQ all opposition, and that foree is bat the vangtiard o( As e dying sued b; *■ being [ a duced : I of man I prcced: f le adraatage r the enemy antly caused to be posted of the river leniy as ap a vessel of jouih of the n check. nemy, by the :lamation. d States have e insults and ' 10 alternative ! Army under ard of Union ble, unoffend- ! come to find njure you. derness from no interest n her injus- s the oiher. ou every se- is. I tender ou.s liberty, pority — that to our con- ed us safely ution — that e nations of f peace; and e lot ot any Tovernment ights. Re- avocations, 'Our fathers oy. Being to the same Hed by you jyrannv and len. Had I pe, but I do jrce which ^angoard oi a much icfrfater. If contrary to your own interests and the ju«l ex- pectations of my country, you should take part in the approaching contest, you w ill be coii->idiVed and trentrd as enemies, and the lior- ruis and ciilainitiej. of v. ar will st;jlk bt. fui-' you. If thebailarous and '-av.uTi' polioy of Gical Biitain be jur^i;'. J, and the Kivams let loo-^e to ;.,niJvr iuv cili/iMis. a;iJ biitciicr ( ur woriMi; and cliildren liii-i war will ii- a w ar f)t' exter rii; ;iti(.:n. 'i'lu' first struk-' of the tcm- aliawk. till' iir-t aittiiipl with ib" ^e.ilpiii!,' knife, will be the si^M.al of on: nidi -''iiiiiiiiatr s-eenc of de-oliiin ii ' A'o vfiitc man jouud fn^lilins hy Ihc ftir/e of an Inih'an, viil Or tikr.i jiiMmcr ; iiuslavt deatrnclioii wi I bt his Int. If the dictr.te- ol rtascn, diily, justice and hu;n;i;nUy, cannot pievent lii!.' (.'niployMn-iit ol a force which res- pect- no riibt, and know.-; no wroiiir, it will i)i' preventtd by a severe anu rek'nti ess sysleiu of retaliation 1 d oiil)t not vour conraiie am firmnesj — I will (not) doub'. your attachment to iiberiy. It you len- der vour services voluntarilv, ihev will bt' accepted rcadilv. The U li nited Stales oiler you peace, liberty and security— your clioice lies bsiween thf^e, and war, slavery and (le:>tructi(jn. Choose then, but choose wisely ; and may He, v.'lio knows the justice of our cause.and v;ho holds in hi, ba.id, liie fite of nation'-, ?uide you to a result the most cunipaiible with your ri iue-timable iuivaiitage; and what IS offeri'd you in exchange? to become a territory ul'thc United States, and share with them tnat exclusion from the ocean which the policy of their present government enforces — you are not even flattered with a participation of their boasieil indcjiendence. and it is but too obvious, that once exchanged from the powerl'ul prot'.;ciion of the United Kingdom, you must be re-annexed to the dominion of France, from wliich the I'rovinccs of (.'anada were wrested by the arms ot Great Britain, at a vast expense ot blood and treasure, from no other motive but to relieve her ungrateful chiMren i'rom the oppres- sion of a cruel neighbour; this restitution t)( Canada to the Enjpirc of France, was the stipulated rewaiJ foi" the aid alforded to the re- volted colonies, now the United States ; the debt is still due, and there can be no doubt but the pledge has been renewed as a consider- ation for commercial advantages, or rather ior an ex[)ecte(l relaxation in the tyranny of France over the commercial world. Ari' vou pre- pared, Inhabitants of Uppi-r Canada, to b.-coiue willing suljjects. or rather slaves, to the Despot who rule.; the Nations of EuropL' with a rod ot iron ? — If not, arise in a body, exert your energies, co operate cordially with the King's regular forces, to repel the invader, and do not give cause lo your childien, when groaning under the opprer^sion of a foreign master to reproach you with having too easily parted with the richest inheritance of this Earth — a parti(;i[.ation in the name, character, and freedom'of Britons. The same spirit of justice, which will rnake every reasonable al lowance for the unsuccesstul eflVrts of zeal and loyalty, will not fail to punish the defalcation of principle ; every Canadian freidioliler. is by dtdiberate choice, bound by thn p.iosi solemn oaths to delVnd tin; monarchy as v.'cll as his own property; to shrink '; and ufllK' United LM:can wliicli are nut even Mice, ami it is protect i(.in of .' dominion of M-Cbled by the tsure, from no n the C)|)pre3- ) the Empire (led 10 the re- still due, and s a consiilcr- (I relaxation Arc vuii prc- -ulijrcts. or iurop;' uiih s, CO operate adcr, ami do e oppression ■asily parted lion in the ■asonahle al will not fail recholdcr. is ) defend tao hat en?aj;e- •e that if in e CDinpelU'd ~e eveniLially he intrinsic ll rival to re- estahlisheil d. ot which It pronjinent hmaiuler of lipear ID the rank?. The brave bauds of natives which inhabit this colony, were like his Majesty 'o subject?, pimisihed for their zealaDd tidelity, by the lu s (f their posr^cri-^ions iu the late colonies, and rewarded by his i\Taji ty wiih lanJs of superior value in this Province; the faith of t!;e Bfiii.-h Luvi'rnmeii' has never yet been violated, they feel that the '^ li ihey iniierit is to iliem and their po.-lerity piotected I'rorn the base rai.^ so frequeully dt-vi.-ed to overreach iheir ^implicity. By whaf lU'v; iiinciide ai\' ihey to be prevented Irui.i defending their proper- ty .'' li.' their warf.ire, from beiiig dilfc rent iVom that of the white peo- ple, IS more tcrrillc to the enemy, let him retrace iiis stejjs — they seek jiim nut — and cannot expect to lind women and children in an inva- din;; army; hut they o.re men, and have equal rights with all other men to dei'end theniselves and their property when invaded, more es- j)ecially when they find in the enemy's camp a I'erocious and mortal I'oe, Ubiiig the AVfarl'are which the American commander aflects to rejirubale. Thi.- inconsistent and unjustifiable threat of refusing quarter for such a cause a^ being i'ound in arms v^-'ith a brother sulferer in defence of invadeil rights, mubt be exercised with the certain assurance of re- taliation, not only in the limited operations of war in this part of the King's Dominions, but in every quaiter of the globe, for the nation- al ciiaracter of Lrilam is not less distinguished for humanity than strict retributive ju.-tice, A\hich will consider the execution of this inhuman threat as deliberative murder, for v.hicU every subject of the oilendincr pov;er must nake ex[)iatiou. ISAAC BROCK, • ° Maj. Gen, and President. Head (Quarters, Fort George, 22nd July, 1S12. Ev order of His Honor the I'resideut, ° ''^ "J. B. Cilegg, Capt. A. U. C. The activity with which General Hull commenced his offensive operations, gave indication thai they Avouid be followed up with vig- or, and that, having once effected his landing, he would afford not lime for his enemies to collect the few resources they could command, or place themselves in an attitude of defence. The fort of Amherst- 'burg could not have sustained a siege of any duration. Quad" rangular in its form, four bastions alone Hanked a dry ditch, offeringp little obstacle to a determined enemy. This passed, a single line of picketing, perforated with loopholes for musketry.and supported by a slight breast-v.'oik, remained to be carried. A prudent command- er would, hov/ever. have clioson a less uncertain mode of dislodging thegairison. A few shells prop^'rly directed would haveanswered the purpose, since, witli the exception of the magazine, all the buildings Tvithin were of wood, and covered with pine shingles of such ex- treme thinne-s, as would have been found incapable of resisting missiles of fur less weigiit. Tii' disadvantage of awaiting the en- ^■ny in this pn^ition. Colonel St. George v.-ell knew. He consequent ly preferr.v"; giving him battle with the trif.mg force he had at bis di posiuon. Av'ith this view, the garrison received orders to be un- v..^ 3 10 der armi at a motneol's Tvarning^, and the approach of the iuradef was anxiously awaited. Satisfied, however, with having effected his landing, and deriving no other advantage than that of having his troops quartered on his enemy, the American General appeared | to have forgotten altogether the object of his mission. Instead of ■ descending the river Detroit in boats, or attempting to throw a bridge across the Canard, at a point where we had no outpost, he con- tented himself with despatching workmen, supported by bodies of cavalry and infantry, to repair that already partially destroyed. Re- pulsed in every attempt, the daily skirmishes which ensued led to no action of a decisive nature. Here was poured forth the first British blood shed in the Ameri- can War, and that in a manner so honorable to the fallen, that it would be, in the highest degree unjust to omit insertion here, of the most flattering of!icial attestation that ever was penned and publish- ed, in approval of the heroic conduct of a private soldier of the Bri • ttish Army. Enduring honor to the41si. Regiment to which corps these gallant and devoted fellows belonged. Their names, which from some unaccountable cause, have not been given in the General Or. der, were Hancock and Dean, the former killed, the latter taken prisoner, as shown in the following extract from that order dated Quebec August 6th, 1812. '• The Commander of the Forces takes great pleasure in also an- nouncing to the troops, that the enemy under Brigadier General Hull have been repulsed in three attacks mode on the 18ih 19th and 20th of last month, upon part of the Garrison of Amherstburg, on the Rirer Canard, in the neighborhood of that place ; in which attacks His Majesiy's 41st Regiment have p>irticularly distinguished them- selves. In justice to that corps His Excellency wishes particularly to call the attention of rhe Troops to the heroism, and self devotioa displayed by two privates, who being left as sentinels when the par- ty to which they belonged had retired, contrived to maintain their station against the whole of the enemy's force, until they both fell, when one of them, whose arm had been broken a^^ain raising him- •elf, opposed with his bayonet those advancing against him, until overwhelmed by numbers. An instance of such firmness and in- trepidity deserves to be thus publicly recorded, and His Excellency thinks that it will not fail to animate the Troops under his command wi.h aa ardent desire to follow so noble an example, whenever an opportunity shall hereafter be offered them." Nor, among the very many daring exploits performed at the Can- ard river, during the brief period of General Hull's occupation of the Western District of Canada, must omission be made of the gallant conduct of 22 Warriors of the Minoumini tribe of Indians, who defeated and drove in a detachment of 200 Americans, under |he command of Major Denny, who had advanced as far as the mu- r the inradfff Lving effected lat of having eral appeared I. Instead of hrow a bridge post, he con- by bodies of stroyed. Re- ensucd led to n the Amcri- lailen, that it in here, of the i and publish- er of the Bri. ich corps these s, which from '■ General Or. le latter taken It order dated e in also an- |adier General jlSih 19th and [rstburg, on the vhich attacks uished them- s particularly I self devotion [vhen the par- aintain their ey both fell, raising him- |st him, until ness and in- [s Excellency Ihis command Iwhenever an at the Can- Iccupation of Imade of the of Indians, licans, under ir 89 the mu- ll o tilated bridge, with a view of forcing a passage. The river, at it is called is not more than three or four rods ia width. While these unimportant events were passing in the neighborhood of Amherstbi^r^, the small Garrison of St. Josephs, the most remote of our North Westfrn defences, was not idle. Information having ' been conve;-ed to Captain Roberts of the JOih. Royal Veteran Bat- talion, commanding tlial postjlhat war had been declared by the Ameri- can Government, that officer lost no lime in availing himself of the advantage afforded by the ignorance of the fact, and consequent ab- sence of preparation on the part of the adjacent American Post of Micliilimakinac, and marciicd his disposable force to compel a sur-* render of that fortress. Captain Roberts' official despatch on the subject has, we believe, never been published, but the following let- ter from a gentleman connected with the Indian Department, to Colonel Claus, the Superinlendent-in-Chief of Indian affairs, suffi- ciently details the nature of the operations of the little detachment; Makinac 18 July, 1812. Dear Sir. I am happy to have it in my power to announce to you that Fort Alackinac capitulated to us on the 18th inst. at 11 o'clock A' M. Captain Roberts at our head with part if 10th R. V. Battalion. Mr. Crav;ford had the command of the Ca ladians which consisted of about 200 men. Mr. Dickson 113 Scioux, Fallsowines, & Winne- bagoes ; myself about 130 men, Otlawas and Chippewas: part of Ot- , tawas of L'Arbre Croche had not arrived. It was a fortunate cir- cumstance that the Fort capitulated without firing a single gun, for had they done so,- 1 firmly believe not a soul of them would hare been saved. My Son, Charles Lanlade, Augustin Nolin, and Michel Cadotte Junr. have rendered me great service in keeping the Indi- ans in order, and executing from time to time such commands as were delivered to me by the Commanding Officer. I never saw so determined a set of people as the Chippawas and Oltawas were. Since the Capitulation, they have not tasted a single drop of liquor, nor even killed a fowl belonging to any person, a thing never known be- fore, for they generally destroy every thing they meet with. The Hon. Col. W. Claus, I am Dear Sir, &c* &c. &c. Your most ob'l. Servant Fort George. (Signed) JOHN ASKIN, Junr. Store Kr. Dept. On the 6th of August. information having been conveyed to Col- onel Procter,thai abody of ths enemy were then on their march to con- voy a quantity, of provisions for the use of the garrison of Detroit, Brevet-Major Muir, with a detachment of about a hundred men of the forty first regiment, and a few militia, received orders to cross vlhe river and occupy Brownstoun, a small village on the American tlhore, through which they were expected to pass; and thither we re-* )aired accordingly. 13 It was on this occasion, that one of the:n sent from Detroit to escort t'je Mail, and to opja a com.uunicaiion with Captain Brush who, on liii way whli a supply of ])ruvi:>io;i3 for the army of Gt^ncral IJull, had he n cumiielic;! to h.ilr at ih? River Raisin, thirty six miles hi low Detroit, his n r,l>^ lirivui;^ been intercepted by the Indian?. The s[.i 's or scjiit-i of ihe.-e l.riltr. hav- ing given intimation to TecunKseh, ^\ ho was iheu al i]rown-,to\vn at the head of a small force, of the approach of .Major Van Home, lu; took with him a party of 21 warrior.-, and v/iih tJK'-e i'oiuuil an am- buscade about three miles from the vilia:;e,and liniii::5*.he tiuck wduiIs on either side of the road which passed ihrouyli tiit'Pa, as f.ir as his little band would permit, there awaited the ailvanci' of the enemy. Major Van Ilorne, havini^ neglected to throw out skirmisherr, ov an advanced guard of any kind, came suJdealy, u-ita the laiin lj;.)dy of his riflemen chielly mounted, within reach ot" the Indians, v.ho open- ed upon them a most destructive fire, kiliiiii,' many men and horsos, and compelling the remainder to wheel about and seek tluii' safety inflight. The Indians rose from their ambu.-^h and, uttering fierce yells, pursued them for a considerable distance, but without much subsequent loss to the enemy, the fleetness of whose horses enabled them soon to distance their pursuers. The only loss sustained by Tecumsch was one man killed, and that by almost the last shot fired, in their confusion, by the enemy. This individual was a young Chief named Logan, who often acted as an interpreter, and who, from partially understanding the English language, and being in irequent communication with thctn, was near- ly as great a favorite with the Oflicersand men ol the Right Division, as he was with his own people. At the close of the action, Logan's dead body was brought in, and placed in along,low,log builditiir which the Indians chiefly used as a council room. Here the recently enga- ged warri^ors now assemnled^ taking their seats in a circle, with an ail' of great solemnity, and in profound silence. Up to that moment one prisoner only of the American detachment had fallen into their hands. This poor fellow had been Avounded, alihough not in such a way as to disable him from walking, and he was made to take his seat in the circle. Added to the 24 Warriors selected by Tccumseh, was the eldest son of Colonel Elliott, the Superintendant of Indian aOairs, a very fine yonng man who was afterwards killed, (and scalped I believe) and who, dressed as an Indian throughout the day, now took his sta- tion as one of the war-party,among his late companions in arms. It chanced that the prisoner was placed next to him. After having v|tlien ros Iliad no! |1 ecum; i'i Nor V 4of the Id 'If Icr this literally hvhich li ^opened ;|thc enei feed that 'and adv we be he Avhoni tl |er whicl %nan, an ftWay to i 18 irns peculiar Brownstown li'iiiLMi of the rill', li;i^! l):''n iin.uu:uL*:uiun 'A' ])ruvisio;i3 ■} h.ilr f.i tlio ' linviiLj; bcou -c iaitt'i-. luiv- Brownstown au Ilornc, he nuvd an twn- e lluck ^Vl)^Hl3 :\ri l'.\i' as his [ the cnomy. iiishiT:-; ov an main body of n?, \viio opt-Mi- n and horsos, c Ihiir safety iitcring fierce A'ithout mucli nrses enabled [1 killed, and the enemy, often acted tlie English ■in, wasnear- Ighl Division, lion, Logan's ildinsr which [cently enga- Icle, wit'.i an nnonient one their hands. ;h ;i way as seat in the las the eldest liirs, a v*'!-^ I believe) look his sta- in arms. It Iter having hcen seated some little time ill ihi:^ manm r, Mr, Elliott, ohscrvinij the blood to flow Ironi «ome part of his neighbor'.^ body, involuntari- ly e.\i;laiined — ''OoodGcul you are wciir.cicd." The sctiiid of an Kn4li-h voice opeiatcd li!:>' magic upon tlu i!i.!-a;py man, and his l(jok oj' despair was in an in-':!nt (.'!'an:ed Id:' one oi' hoj e. "Oh biiy' he eagerly r.N(.-huwii.'.l •• ii' you have the povar to !-;iVe nie d(j so.'' Mr. Elliott, 'vho relat; d t!;e '« hi !e of ihc ;:Love circi:m?tanco to us haer, stated that he hail never i. .\p»ri( i,* i d ii^eh incn:ciit.s of UKiital agony a=; he f. It durinj; thi i : hcrt ap| ral.* Ilitterly rejicnting th.- indircretion ^vhi^•h had bren the ujean > I'l' L'.xeiiinL;- an expecta- tion, which h- well knew he liad not i-ie >li-hlt'::,t jov.ii to realize, be was coaipelled to reply somew hat har.dily ihat he ii;ul no more voice there than tlie pri.-ioncr him:! II', w hich indeed wa; the fact. The American <^aiil no more ; he b.:nt his head upon his chest, and re- Imaincd silent. i:-oon afterwards a bowl v:U\\ food was placed before liim, evidently with a view (as the le ult proved) of diverting his ■ attention. Of this he slightly parlcc!,- or seemed lo partake. I'W'hile occupied in this manner, a young v.arrier, obeying a jsignalfrom one of the elJer-^, rose from hi-s seat, and coming Tound r.rd behind the prisoner, struck him one iilow with his |toraahawkon the uncovered head, anil he ceased to Kve. Nota yell '.not a sound beside that of the crashing tomahawk was iieard, not a ■ muscle of an Tn lian face was moved. The young warrior replacing his weapon, walked delii)erately back, and resumed his scat in the ^circle. The v/hole parly remained a few minutes longer seated, and Sthen rose to their feet, and silently withdrew — leaving lo those who Jliad not been of the -war-party, to dispose ol the body of the victim. .fTecumseh was not present at this scene. Nor was this the only melancholy sacrifice cflercd to the wanes Df the lamented and unconscious Logan. On the very n.'rning af- ter this oceurrence,as the Olli'ers sat grouped together on 'he grass, literally imbedded in letters, the contents of the mail from Detroit, which had been captured by the Indians, and which Avere now l;eing J[opened for the purpose of ascertaining the intended movements cf the enemy, the wild and peculiar yell of several Warriors announ- |ced that another captive was being brought in. Wc immediately rose md advanced toward the low-, log building already described, when ^•\ve beheld several Indians approaching it, preceded by a prisoner ■whom they had secured by a long leathern thong, made fast to anoth- er which confined his hands. He was a finely proportioned voung (nan, and the air of dejection which clouded his brow, gradually gave ,ray to a more cheeriul expression, whenjon approaching the encamp- 11 ment, he perceivod ihose from whom he expected protection. Ser- cral of the men advanced to meet aod converse with him, and the poor fellow had apparently banished all feeling of apprehension for his future late, when an n^fcd aunt of the deceased issued from her tent, and stole cautiously bjhiiul him. Even at the m- ment when the inind of the prisoner was lulled into confidence, and without any pre- vious admonition, the heartless woman drew a tomahawk from be- neath her mantle, and buried its point in the skull of her victim. Stunned but not felled by the wound, the unhappy man— his whole countenance expressing horror and despair — grasped at the lirst sol- dier near him for support ; but the blows were repeated so sudden- ly, and with such violence, that he soon fell panting and convulsive to the earth. Fortunately he was not sulTered to linger in his agony. The Indians around instantly despatched and scalped him, stripping the body of its clothes, and committing violations on his person in which the cruel aunt of Logan bore a principal share. The indig- nation of the men was excessive ; but any attempt to interfere, could they even have foreseen the occurrence in time to render interference effectual, would not only have cost them several lives, but produced the most alarming consequences to our cause. Their displeasure was, however, expressed by their murmurs, and the atrocity of the act became the theme of conversation throughout the camp. At the moment of its perpetration, I had myself approached within a few paces of the group, and became an unwilling spectator of the whole transaction. The wild expression of the sufferer's eye : the sup, plicating look which spoke through the very distortion of his fea- tures, and the agony Avhich seemed to creep throughout his every limb, were altogether indescribable. .^ In these two several sacrifices of human lite, the motives for ac- tion, it will be seen, were wholly different. In the first case the In- dians simply followed up a custom which had prevailed among them for ages, and indeed, if proof were required of this fact, it is at once to be found in the absence of all ferocity, or excitement, or disposition to insult the prisoner who had already been doomed to death. The very fact of their having placed food before him, with the manifest object of absorbing his attention, and quieting his mind at the very moment of infliction of the death blow, was an evidence of mercy— not mercy,it is true, as understood by the Christian— but still mercy — the mercy of the child of nature, whom the stern habits of his forefathers have taught the lesson of sanguinary retribution, yet who, in the midst of its accomplishment, seeks to spare all unnecessary pang to his victim. V J ThI whici roolatl could propitl -^ perpet I ■ '} triumjl V of the! I been si f which I I day — r I pose. ' and ge tone fr( ; ed the The which out em( > The be; 1^ riated p ii sight of aroused In jus I ing evid I backwoc i singular _: famous. Great B to be a ] very firs and that in his E day— th Home V CuUoch lion. SeT- n, and the lension for 1 from her ,u when the out any pre- rk from be- hcr victim, —his whole ihe lirst sol- so sudden- 1 convulsive in his agony, im, stripping iis person in The indig- lerierc, could r interference but produced displeasure rocity of the mp. At the ithin a few f the whole e : the sup, of his fea- t his every lives for ac- ;ase the In- imong them It is at once disposition leath. The [e manifest It the very |of mercy— itill mercy )its of his [n, yet who* inecessary The features of ihe second tragedy bore no resomblauce to those which characterized the lirst. riiere, it was literally a religious im- molation to the ashes of the deceased, whose spirit, it was presumed could not rest in quietnes?,unless an enemy had been olleicd up as a propitiatory sacrifice. Ihre, il was a jtiece ot'waulon revenge, and 1; perpetrated under circumstances of p culiar atrocity. Not a sound of ! triumph escaped from the band of Warriors met to avenge the death I of their recently fallen friend and comiadc. nltlioegh they might have ^ been supposed to have been inllamod and excited by the action in I which each had borne so prominent a part, in the early part of the I day— not a look of levity derogated from the solemnity of their pur- I pose. On the contrary, loud shouts and yells, and menacing looks •' fcnd gestures, accompanied the actions of those, who, taking their ■ tone from the cruel relative of Loga i, scalped and otherwise inutilu- ; ed the boJy of the second prisoner. The demeanour of the iitf,t parly .vas that of a Chribtaiu tribunal, which sits in solemn judgement upon a criminal, and beholds, with- out emotion, the carrying; into efl'ectot its sentence by the executioner 'ii- The bearing of the second was that of a Christain mob, lo whose iufu- • ^ riated passions a loose has been given, and who, once excited by the i sight of blood know not where to set a bound to the innate and I', aroused cruelty of their nature. "% In justice however, to the Indians, it must bo admitted these seera- 1 ing evidences ot cruelty were not confined to them. The American ■| backwoodsmen were in the habit of scalping also; and indeed it is "j singular enough that, although General Hull's famous, or rather in- '; famous, proclamation awarded death to any one of the subjects of Great Britain, found combating at the side of, and therefore assumed to be a participator in the barbarities attributed to, the Indians, the very first scalp should have been taken by an officer of his own army, and that within a few day? after the proclamation was issued. — Jamesj in his History of the War, relates — founded on a vague rumor of the day — that at the action fought at Brownstown, v/here Major Van Home was defeated, a letter was found in the pocket of Captain Mc- CuUoch (who was among the slain on that occasion) addressed to his wife, and staling that he had shot an Indian near the Canard bridge, on the 15th of July, and had the pleasure of tearing off his scalp with his teeth. Now of the fact itself there can be very little doubt, for we had one Indian (and one only) killed and scalped at the Ca- nard. But, although Captain McCuUoch is entitled to all the credit of thii feat, there is reason to infer that James is mcorrect in statinn^ IC this infoniatloa was obfairifil from a lottcr found in lii-t pocket. lu ^m numc the (irsi in'sturii'« it ij ixtrt-'mdy luilikt'Iy ihal lh«i Indiana, in riflinj.': niui sttifipiijy llic bo'.ly, woiilil have hioiiyhi oii'any lliiii;f so valueless to llieni ;i;i a h Iter, aiu! r-ccoiully, it is i.mcli mere jUi;laMo ihiitaueli coi;i;iiur.'.c'.\ii(j!i I'ro.u Me^'iiUocii lohis \vile, hud been placed in the mail, vvliieli t!iu paily, lo wliicli he b:loii:.jeJ, were escoilin;,' fioui Detroit u'iih llie eorrespon.Iencc oi' Cenerui UuU'd urniy, aiui which, it will h;,' reeuUecled, \..i-j e.ipiured hy itn' Iiuiians. The wliole ot" the leltei'd pa.-iSed lhrouL;Ij oiu-"hands, aiiu ii i^ highly piubahle the- discloiure was u.ade in i\Ai iiiaiiUtr. I rather tju.il; it was, allliuugh I have nodi.-tiiict reeullecli;ja ui" the iaet. Tiiere i.j another grave ^r- ror into Vvhielj Jaine-. has lalleii, in rer^'urd to the defeat ot" Major Van Home's detachnui.t. lie atalei i!i..' I. ee under Tecuni.ivli to huvo amounted to TO Warriorj. As has already been shown here, there were hat 'i'j iuchulin^ Tecuaiseh, and, added to these, young lilliott. 1 call it a grave error, nut only because it dimini-iiiL-o t!\e extraor- dinary merit of the action, hut because it detracts from the glory and the inlluenee of 'I'eeumseh, ihe prestige of whojeuanie and presence asnmcli as any tiling else, by inspiring liu.' utmost confidence in his little hand of fu" )wer3, contributed to the signal del'eai suslamed by the eneitiy on tiiat memorable occasion. James has. moreover, fallen into anotlit I" ( i rur. in staling the (irsl Dritish blood shed, to have been spilt at Maguaga. It has already been shown tlmt Ilaucock, one of the two gallant •sentinels forgotten at the Canard by Lieut. Clemow, on withdrawiiu;- lii> piok'.t, wa-, the first British soldier killed in the war. James ineidenlally ulhuks to the matter, but writes of both sen- tinels as having i^impIy been wounded; whereas Hancock was cut down, while desperati ly wounded in two places, and on his knees, (on which he had sunk I'rom inability to support himself otherwise.) opposing a fruitless resistance to the advance of a body of men, who had not magnanimity euongh to spare the life ot so valiant and reso- lute vet so helpless a ibc. Diit these are not the only objections to James, on tiie ground o( inaccuracy. T!ure is not one action, Ibught by file Right Division, which he has described with that fidelity that alone can render history of in![)C}rtance to "posterity ; and, moreover, he betray^^too much of the spirit of partizanship — Instead of adopting the calm and di'jniJiod style befitting the Historian, half his pa^es are filled with bitter, though perhaps merited enough, sneers against the one-sided American accounts of the war, and, in his eagerness to lefute these, he is often led into the very error he attributes to them — namely mis-statement of force and circumstance. Of this in (h( •a ihc unimp t'd the On ladiaa In the wood, hat pec . cavalry diificult .roach oi .eight mi jHient wa Indian v vanced close bra halation; •killed of unburied ^f the trc .posing b] cd and p; by us wii XJhief; so Jblack, hal jemblc tl than a cli tomahaw NUttcring *d, they r less dem( pression < Having juaga, 01 [)f the lea j)ur line. Ihe groun pucket. lu 1113, in riiliiii.<; ; so valuoles!* \)\q lluit sucU placed ill tlu' scui'liiig tVoui •, uiiil which, rhc uliule ut". piubahle the- .is, althuuuii I her ijravc ^r- t' M.ij'jr Van rn.ivli lu have a ht'ic, there ■oung Elliott. l,'\e extraor- tiie gloiy ami aiul presence iLieuce in his sustained by reover, fallen to have been icoelv, one of ul. Cleniow, illed in the of both scn- onk wa.-5 cut his knees, otherwise.) of men, who vA and reso- jjections to ction, fought tidelily that , moreover, of adopting If his pages icers against 3 eagerness ittributes to ;e. Of this numeruus instances might be uddured, but ix^ it docA not come with- in the object uf this narrative to notice these, I shall no» enter up- on llic enumeration. After these incidental remarks, it may not be unimpoitant to add. that I never read James' History of the War un- til the first number of this compilation was completed.. On the morning of Sunday the 9th, the wild and distant cry of our Indian scouts gave us to understand that the enemy were advancing. In the couise of ten minutes afterwards they appeared issuing Irom the wood, bounding like wild deer chaseil by th< huntsman, and uttering hat pccniiar shout which is known among themselves as the news- cry. From them we ascertained that a strong column, of the enemy, cavalry and infantry, were on their march to attack ms, buB that the diflficulty of transporting their guns rendered it improbable th^ey couli .reach our position before night, although then only at a distance of .eight miles. It being instantly decided on to meet Jhem, the detach- ^ment was speedily under arms, and on its march for Maguaga, a small Indian village disiant about a league. The road along which we ad- vanced was ankle-deep with mud, and the dark, forest waving its close branches over our heads, left no egress to> the pestilential ex- halations arising from the naked and putiid bodies of horses and meoi •killed of Major Home's detachment, which had been suffered to lie unburied beneath our feet. No other sound thaa the measured step |Cf the troops interrupted the solitude of the scene, rendeiedraore im- posing by the wild appearance of the warriors, whose bodiea, stain- ed and painted in the most frightful maaner fo& the occasion, glided Jby us with almost noiseless velocity, v/ithout order, and without a XJhief; some painted white, some black, others lialf black, half red; half ilack, half wliite; all with their hair plastered is such a way as to re- semble the bristling quills of the porcupine, with no other covering than a cloth around their loins, yet armed to the teelli with rifles, tomahawks, war-clubs, spears, bows, arrows, and scalping-knives^ iiUttering no sound, and mtent only on reaching tUe enemy unperceiv- #d, they might have passed for the- spectres of tliosc wilds, the ruth- less demons which War had unchained for the punishment and op- pression of man. Having taken up a position about a quarter of a mile beyond! Ma- juaga, our dispositions of defence were speedily made, the lustling )f the leaves alone breaking on the silence which reigned throughout )ur line. Following the example of the Indians, we lay reclined on jhe ground, in order to avoid being perceived, until within a few yard* 18 of ihe enemy. While awaiting, in liiis manner, the approach of the column, which we knew to be at no great distance advancing upon U3, our little force was increased by the arrival of Lieut. Bullock ot the 41st. Grenadiers who, with a small detachmcni ol iw cnty men of his own company, twenty Lia^ht Infantry, and twenty Battalion men had been urged forward by Gen. Brock, from the Head Quarters of the Regiment, then stationed at Fort George, for the purpose of rein- forcing the little Garrison of Amherstburg, and who having reached their destination the preceding day, had been despatched by Col. Proc- ter, (lately arrived to assume the command) to strengthen us. Shortly the report of a single shot echoed throughout the wood; and the in- stant afterwards the loud and teirific yells of the Indians,lollowed by a heavy and desultory fire, apprised us that they were engaged. The action then became general along our line, and continued for half an hour, without producing any material advantage; when unluckily, a body of Indiiins that had been detached to a small wood about five hundred yards distant fiom our right, were taken by the troops for a corps of the enemy endeavouring to turn their flank. In vain we cal- ed out to ihem that they were our Indians. The fire which should have been reserved lor their foes, was turned upon their friends, who, falling into the same error, returned it wiih equal spirit. The fact was, they had been compelled to retire before a superior force, and the movement made by then*^ had given rise to the error of the troops. That order and discipline which would have marked their conduct as a body in a plain, was lost sight of, in a great measure, while fighting independently and singly in a wood, where every man, lol- lowing the example of the enemy, was compelled to shelter his per- son behind the trees as he could. Closely pressed in front by an al- most invisible foe, and on the point of being taken in the reai, as was falsely imagined, the troops were at length compelled to yield to cir- cumstance ana numbers. Although our retreat, in consequences of this unfortunate misap- prehension, commenced in some disorder, this was soon restored) ■when Major Muir, who had been wounded early in the engagement, succeeded in rallying his men, and foraiiiig them on the brow of a hill which commanded a short and narrow bridge intersecting the high road, and crossing a morass over which the enemy's guns must ne cessarily pass. This was about a quarter of a mile in rear of the posi- tion v/e had previously occupied. Here wo remained at least fifteeu minutes, when finding that the Americans did not make their appear- , ,, ance as expected, Major Muir, whose communication with Tecura- seh had been cut off, and who now heard some smart firing in lh«j »proach of the vancing upon ;ul. Bullock ol twenty men of Battalion men 1 id Q,uarters of urpose of rein- aving reached I by Col. Proc- nus. Shortly (1 ; and the in- Sjlollowe^ by a ingaged. The ued for half an en unluckily, a ■00 d about five the troops for a In vainwecal- ; which should ir friends, who, )irit. The fact 'rior force, and )r of the troops, their conduct leasure, while [very man, lol- shelter his per- front by an al- \e real, as was I to yield to cir- Itunate misap- soon restored) le engagement) he brow of a |tersecting tho guns must ne !ar of the posi- It least fifteeu le their appear- Iwith Tecum- firing in the .*; 19 woods beyond his left, naturally inferred that the enemy were push- ing the Indians in ihat quarter, with a view of turning hisflank,gain- ing the high road in our rear, and thuo cutting off our retreat. The order was then given to retire, which we certainly did at the double quick, yet without being followed by the enemy, who suffered us to gain our boats without further molt'station. In this affair, which we never then regarded as any thing more than a sharp skirmish, yet to which the Americans have since at- tached an undue importance, their los? was IS killed and 63 wound- ed: ours; 1 rank and file killed, two Ofiicers, two Sergeants, nine- teen rank and file wounded, and two rank and file missing, but after- wards recaptured by the Indians. The wounded officers were Ma- jor Muir, and Lieutenant Sutherland. They were near each other when the attack commenced, and Major Muir having observed an American taking a deliberate aim at them, hastily placed a short ri- fle, which he usually carried with him on these occasions, on the shoulder of his companion, and levelled itat his enemy. Both fired at the same instant. The ball of the American, entering Lient Sutherland's cheek, came out at the back of his neck, and passed through one of Major Muir's wings (he commanded the Light Com- pany of the 41st,) while the rifleman himself ffll dead on the spot, from his adversary's bullet. Major Muir soon afterwards received an- other ball in the leg, yet without being disabled. Severe as proved the wound of Lieut. Sutherland, (who was borne oil the field when the retreat commenced, on the back, if I do not greatly mistake, of one of the Messrs. Caldwell of Amherstburg) he Avould have recovered had he not imprudently, some ten days afterwaids, made premature use of his tooth-brush. This opened the wound, brought on hcemorrage, and before medical assistance could be procured, (the main body of the force being then in occupation of Detroit) he bled to death. Te- cumseh was also slightly wounded, by a buck-shot, on this occasion. Here it was that we had first an opportunity of perceiving the ex- treme disa'ivantage of opposing regular troops to the enemy in the woods. Accustomed to the use of the rifle from his infancy— dwell ing in a measure amid forests with the intricacies of which he is wholly acquainted, and possessing the advantage of a dress which renders him almost undistinguishable to the eye of an European, the American marksman enters with comparative security into a contest with the English soldier, whose glaring habiliment and accoutre- ments are objects too conspicious to be missed, while his utter igno- J^rance of a mode of warfare, in which courage and discipline are of fno avail, renders the struggle for mastery even more unequal. The 20 drincipal armies to which the Right Division was opposed during the war, consisted not of regular and Avell-disciplined troops, but levies of men taken from the forests of Ohio and Kentucky, scarcely infe- rior as riflemen to the Indians. Dressed in woollen frocks of a gray color, and trained to cover their bodies behind the irees from which they fired, without exposing more of their persons than was absolute- ly necessary for their aim, they afforded us, on more than one occa- sion, the most convincing proofs that without the assistance of th« Indian Warriors, the defence of so great a portion of Western Cana- da, as was entrusted ro the charge of the numerically feeble Right Di.. vision, would have proved a duty of great difficulty and doubt. X have stated that the Americans subsequently attached an undue importance to the affair of Maguaga. The following is an extract from a most voluminous account, written by Major James Dalliba^ and published under the immediate inspection of Gen. (then Colonel), Miller, who on this occasion commanded the American forces which, by their own admission, consisted of the whole of the 4th Regiment of United States Infantry, except one company left at Sandwich to Garrison a small fort, bnilt by order of General Hull: a small detach- ment of the 1st Infantry, and a small number (enough to man two pieces of cannon) of Artillerists from Captain Dyson's company sta- tioned in Fort Detroit. This composed the regular force, in all 300 men. Then there were, according to the same authority, ''60 men of the Michigan Militia, 40 Dragoons and Mounted Spies, and 300 Riflemen of the Ohio Volunteers, making iii all 600 men/' But now for Major Dalliba's extract. "The position which the enemy had chosen, lay in an open oak wood, just at the declivity of a rising ground over which the Ameri- cans had to pass. He had thrown up breastworks of trees, logs, &c, behind which he lay concealed in force, and in order of battle. His works were thrown up in form of a courtine with two flanks. The line of the cowrftwe lay across the road and perpendicularly to it. The banks formed an angle with the courtine of about 120. The eourftne was lined with British regular troops, two deep, of the 41st regiment of foot, under the command of Major Muir, of that regi- ment, who had long been in command at Maiden. The flank of the courtine^ on the enemy's right, and American left, was lined with Canadian militia and Indians, commanded by Waikin-the-water and Marpot. This line was flanked by the river Detroit. Most of the militia were dressed and painted like their "brethern in arms," the savages. The left flank of the courtine was lined entirely by sava- m ed during the IS, but levies scarcely infe- cks of a gray from which was absolute- an one occa- stance of the estern Cana- ble Right Di. :l doubt, bed an undue is an extract ames DallibSj^ then Colonel) forces which, 4th Regiment Sandwich to small detach- h to man two company sta- ce, in all 300 [ity, ''60 men ies, and 300 " But now an open oak [h the Ameri- |ees, logs, &c. battle. His Iflanks. The ;ularly to it. It 120. The ), of the 41st ►t that regi- flank of the lined with lie-water and !ost of the arms," the sly by sava- ges, under the command of the celebrated warrior Tecumseh, of the SSiawanee nation. The number of the British regulars and militia amounted to about 300 ; about 200 regulars. The Indians amount- ed to 450 ; making the enemy's force about 750 men. The position and strength of the enemy were entirely unknown to 'Colonel Miller and to the army, at this time. At 12 o'clock, meridian, the detachment arrived at a large opening which contained 4 or 5 Indian houses, gardens and orchards. The army halted to take some refreshment, and bury the man who had been killed ; where they lay about one hour. The village was de- serted, and nothing left in the houses of consequence. The march was again resumed at 1 o'clock P. M. and continued without interruption. The troops marched over the ground on which Major Van Home had been defeated four days before ; and pas;sed the dead bodies of several of the slain, and some dead horses. The body of captain M'CuUock lay under an Indian bark. The columns having arrived at the oak woods near Brownsto'^vn, at half past three, some guns were heard a-head by them. In a few seconds a volley- was heard from Captain Snelling's advance guard, and another in- stantly returned from a great number of pieces. The troops, by this time completely awake, were ordered to halt. Colonel Miller rode towards the centre at full speed, halted, and with a firm voice, order- ed the columns to '' form the line of battle," which was executed with that order, promptness, and zeal, which he had expected : after the first voUies, the firing became incessant in front. Captain Snell- ing stood his ground till the lines were formed, and moved to his re- lief. He stood within pistol shot of the enemy's breastworks, in a shower of balls from the regular troops in his front, who shewed themselves after the first fire, and set up the Indian yell. When the first line appeared before the breastwork, they received the fire of the whole front and a part of the flanks : at this instant Colonel Mille'^ discovered that the enemy outflanked him, when the second line and flank guards were brought upon the flanks of the front line, and ex- tended to meet the whole line of the enemy. The savages, in uni- son with the British troops, set up a horrid yell, and a severe con- flict ensued. The incessant firing in the centre ran diverging to the flanks; from the cracking of iudividual pieces, it changed to alternative vollies ; and at length to one continued sound : and while every thing seemed hushed amidst the wavering roll, the discharge of the six pounder burst upon the ear. The Americans stood ! — At 'his instant Colonel Miller was thrown from his horse which took 22 fright at the discharge of iho artillery ; he was supposed to be shot, those near him (lev/ to hh aid. The savages v/ho saw him fall sprang over the l)reastwork to take hi.j scalp, but were driven back Colonel Miller instantly remounted and returned to continue his or, ders. The fire from the Indians who were screened by their breast- works, V as deadly. The soldiers saw the advantage it gave them. ;j and Colonel Miller, throwing his eye along the line, discovered one or two edging to place themselves behind a tree. He saw the in- stant must be improved, and ordered '' charge T^ which instantly ran through the line : the men whom he saw edging, with every oth- er, brought down their pieces, struck up a huzza ! and marched di- rectly into the breas. works. The effect of the grape from the six- pounder, and the approach of the bayonet, caused the British line to yield, and then to break, and iho troops fled in disorder ! at nearly the same instant the Indians and militia on their right flank, being charged in their work, by the Michigan legion, under Captain De Cant, and a part of the Ohio riflemen turning this flank by the river, fled in confusion. Tecumseh, on the enemy's lett flank, stood long- er; some of the Indians under his command, near the extremity of. the line, had jumped over the breas £-v;orks, in the full assurance of victory: they were driven b;ick, by the point of the bayonet. Te- cumseh endeavoured to outflank the American line, and turn their right ; but from the skill and gallantry of the officers, and firmness of the men on that flank, he was foiled in every attempt, and was finaUy lorcod to fall back, and take new positions, and fight on the retreat. The British and Indians on their right flank, fled directly down the river, and were pursued by Colonel Miller, with that p in of his troops which had opposed them ; and Tecumseh, with his In- dians, fled directly from the river, westwardly, into the Avilderness and were pursued by that part of the troops which had opposed them overtaking those who were (severely) Vvounded, and otherwise un- able to esca[)e. After the British had retreated about one mile, they came into an opening, of about half a mile in diameter; here they endeavoured to form again, but on the precipitate approach of the Americans, they again broke and fled into the woods, down the river. They were pursued to the edge of these woods, when Colonel Miller received information from Major Van Home, whom he had lelt in command of the right flank, th it Tecumseh had retreated westwardly, that he successively took new positions with 1.;.; Indians, that they were still fighting, and that it was still doubtful how the conflict would finally ■# m 83 ed to be shot, saw him fall e driven back ntinue his or, )y their breast- it gave them. Iiscovered one e saw the in- hich instantly with every oth- d marched di- froni the six- le British line der ! at nearly t flank, being or Captain De nk by the river, nk, stood long- e extremity of 1 assurance of bayonet. Te- md turn their and firmness mpt, and was fight on the fled directly vith that pirt with his In- le wilderness opposed them otherwise un- came into an ideavoured to leiicans, they They were illcr received in command ardly, that he hey were still would fiuallv terminate in that quarter. On the receipt of this inforniatiun Col- onel Miller ordered the troops under his immediate command, lolialt, and form the line. He informed the officerrj, that it would not do \ to pursue the enemy any farther, until he had licard ar^ain Irom the right ilank. That as Tccumsch had reticated in another direction, the army Avas now divided, aud tlie two divisions, already out of hearing of each other's musquetry. Tliat if Tccumj^eh was likely to overpower that division, he uiu- 1 •* nd back a reinforcement to their relief, or the Indians would otiu-rwisc immediately advance upon the field of battle, and massacre the wounded, destroy the rear guard, and take the ammunition and stores; and finally fall upon his rear. Information was at length brought that Tecumseh had finally fled, and that the troops were returning to join that division as soon as possible. Colonel IMiller immediately ordered t'le troojjs to march in further pursuitof the British. TJKy entered the woods, and the cavalry mo- ved a-hcad at full speed. When they arrived through these woods, which was about half a mile, they came upon the bt'ach of Lake Erie, and discovered the enemy all in boats, steering tov/ards Maid- en, and out of reach of their shot. They had concealed their boats at this point, when they came over, for this purpose, if they should be defeated- This circumstance however could not have been known to Colonel Miller before. He now ordered the troops to return up- on the field from whence they had last marched, which was done and on their arrival, they were joined by the other division which had returned from the pursuit cf Tecumseh and his Indians. i The cause is now shewn, which has not been generally under, stood heretofore, why the British were not all captured, when they '; had been so totally defeated. The troops were then formed in line, fronting the field of battle; when Colonel Miller rode in front of tlie centre, and addressed them in the following words: •'My brave fellows! you have done well! every man has done his duty. I give you my hearty thanks for your conduct on this day ; you have gained my highest esteem ; you have gained fresh honor to yourselves, and to the American arms: your ft^llow soldiers in arms will love you, and your country will reward you. You will re- turn to the field of battle, to collect those who have gloriously falU n ; your friendly attention to your wounded companions is required." At sun rise the march was rcsuuied, and at 12 o'clock on the 12th i of August, the detachment re-entered the town of Detroit, covered h vvith mud, from foot t> head, their clothes not having been dried in 1 two and^a half days. The sun now cheered them with its influence : 24 they marched ihroujjh the street to the encampment. They were met by their brother soldiers and citizens, with all that sympathy antl heart felt joy, which constitutes the soldier's reward, for his hard earned victory.'" ' ' NoWjthe C0M;7me,alluded toby Major Dallibajcould have had no ex- istence except ir. the heated imagination of a warrior flushed with vic- tory, and magnifying the difficulties which his intrepidity and daring have surmounted. We had no breastwork of any description, and for this simple reason — that when we left Brownstown in the morn- ing to meet the enemy, we knew not at what point we should halt. When the ground we did occupy was reached, the Americans were not more than a mile, or a mile and a half, in our front, and Major Muir, finding it to be not an unfavorable position for defence, inas- much as we were covered by ihe brow of a slightly rising ground, ordered the men to lie down, and otherwise cover themselves with what logs happened to be in the way. There had been no previous selection of ground, and therefore no preparation — no precaution be- yond that which has just been stated. Here we had been only a very short time, bcfoie the American advance was engaged with the Indians on our ]eft,thrown forward, and soon the affair, during which the enemy's grape was very liberally dispensed, became general. — Great however as was the disproportion of arm and numbers (for it will be recollected that, even with the reinforcement brought by Lieut. Bullock, ours did not exceed 150 men of the 41st Regiment, to which might be added some 40 or 50 militia) there is no reason to in- fer that the men would not longer have maintained their ground, had it not been for the certainty which existed that the enemy we re out- flanking us. I perfectly recollect the position, even at this hour, al- though I have never passed over the ground since, and I can under- stand the alarm which prevailed. Immediately on our right-and J was on the extreme of thaf flank-was a plain of wild high 8rass,extending a- bout 600 yards, and at its termination, an open Avood, running parallel with the road, thro' which,during the heat of the affair, a largc^body of men, whom it was impossible to distinguish, were discovered hastening their movements, with the evident intention of gaining our rear. Such indeed proved to be their object, but the men, who un- luckily had not been apprized of the fact of a party of Indians having been despatched to the extremity of the wood in question, mistook these (now driven back by the American left) for the enemy, an«i commenced firing upon them : thus relieving the actual enemy from rauchof the obstacle which had hitherto been opposed to their advance. Th» Indians, probably lab<)ring under the same rrroneou^ impression, or indignant at being assailed in this manner by their friends, par- tially returned the fire, and ll is of course tended still more to confirm the belief entertained by the men that they were American endea- voring to turn their flank — nor could the earnest asrjuranccs of their officers remove this conviction. The discouraging elTect of a panic of this kind is well known. The men hastily ictired, carrying ofi* their wounded however, but the Americans did not pursue farther jhan the point we had abandoned. As ha< already hccn seen, the troo ; were speedily i allied and reformed, but without further invi- tion from the enemy to renew the contest. There is another error in Major Dalliba's very lengthy detp.il of this affair, a notice of which is only important, because it lends to show, that the courtine, which he has so emphatically described, may have originated in the same want of recollection (and he states that he writes from recollection) of the actual condition of the ground where the skirmish commenced. He states, as v/iil be seen in the extract I iiave given, that before the action commenced, ihey (the American detachment) passed the spot where Major Van Home had been de- feated a few days before; and that they, among many dead bodies of men and horses, discovered that of Captain McCulloch placed under an Indian bark. Now ihis was impossible, for we had passed these dead bodies in the moriiing, and they lay nearly midway between Brownstown and the scene of action. I can well recollect this fact, for such was the stench and effluvia arising from the disgusting and, bloated objects, which had b'icn sulfered to fester beneath a scorch- ing sun, during several consecutive days, that, both in the advance, and the retreat, I experienced any thing but regret when I had quitted the atmosphere thev poisoned with their presence. Major Dalliba must have passed these at a subsequent period of the day, when, as he observes, ihe Americans came out of the wood near Brownstown, and found that the handful of British had been suffer, ed to effect their retreat without interruption. It must not b2 omitted to remark that, on the return of Colonel Miller to Detroit, he was closely followed by a band of aboiu 250 In dians, chiefly Pottowattamies, who hung on the American rear and captured several boats laden with ammunition, and containing their wounded — Among the latter were two privates of the 41st who had been too badly hit to be brought o.T and being close to the Americans had fallen into their hands, at ine first and feeble attempt made at pursuit. 2G Ab I have unconsciously been led into a much more explanatory account of the Maguagu alTair than I hail originally intended, I can- not tako my leave of it, Avithout transcribing an anecdote related by the same writer which is so characle/iatic of the detestation enter- tained by the the Indians for the Americans, and resembles so near- ly the conduct of the noble Hancock, who icll at the Canard, thatil cannot fail to be read with interest. "Sometime in the evening of the 9th,( writes MajorDalliba) Cap- tain Maxwell returned with his spies, having been sent forward to the village of Brownstown, and reported that the village v. o aban- doned, and that no enemy could be discovered. Early ne> morning August lOth, detachments were sent out by Colonel Miller, to scour the woods in search of one man who was ascertained to be still mis- sing: he was however i'ound dead. While the men were ranging over the woods, one of them was shot dead. A smoke of a piece was discovered at a distance, rising from the <^round, by the party — they approached the spot, and beheld an Indian lying on the ground wounded, and unable to stand. One arm and one leg were broken, — he had lam there, during the night, by his piece which was load- ed when he fell. The cool deliberation with which he died (of course from this we infer the Americans killed the wounded man) proved the native fortitude of the savage to meet death when resist- ance is useless. Unwilling to endure his pains longer, and die by degrees, he determined to die by the hand of his enemies, and to sell his life as dear to them as possible. He summoned together ihe lit- tle strength which remained, and so steadily levelled his rifle at the approaching American, as to put the ball through his heart." Meanwhile General Brock, then at York, (Toron'.o) fully sensi- ble of the danger of Amherstburg, threatened as he knew it to be by an overwhelming, and professedly exterminating foe, lost no time in repairing to its assistance. The first detachment of the 41st push- ed forward to its relief was, as has been seen, that which joined us at Maguaga — and consisting of sixty men* Forty more were sent to Long Point, for the purpose of collecting the Militia in that neigh- hood, and fifty, under Captain Chambers, were despatched into the interior with a view of encouraging and being joined by th« Indians. The General himself embarked on the 5th of August, for Fort George and Long Point, doubtless having inwardly matured the da- ring object which he subsequently accomplished, so much to his own honor, and that of the troops who participated in his glory. Leaving Long Point on the 8th, with no other force than the 40 men of the 41stj who had been previously despatched thither, and about 260 militia, principally volunteers from Toronto, General Brock ir » explanatory ended, I can- dle related by station enter- ibles so near- Janard, that it Dalliba) Cap- t forward to ;e V. o aban- ne> morning Her, to scour be still mis- ivere ranging :e of a piece y the party — •n the ground were broken, ioh was load- he died (of )unded man) when resist- and die by s, and to sell ether the lit- rifle at the art." fully sensi- Iv it to be by t no time in 41st push- |ch joined us were sent that neigh- bed into the he Indians, for Fort ed the da- luch to Lis his glory. Ithe 40 meh and about ral Broek 'm coasted the ehore of Lake Erie, on his route to Amherslburg, which pott he reached on the morning of the 13th. The two subjoined, orders issued on thij occasion, are not unwor- thy of record, not because they are important in themselves, but be- cause they arecmiucMitly charactoiistic of him, who was prudent on- ly where recklessness were a fault,and hazardous only where hesita- tion were disaster. Head Quarters, Baniis of Lake Eric 15 Miifs S. W. of Fort Talbot, August nth, 1812 6 o'clock P. M. General Ordeis, The Troops will hold ihemstlves in readiness, and will em- bark m the boats at twelve o'clock this night precisely. It is Major General Brock's positive order that none of the boats go ahead of that in which is the Head Quarters, where a light will be carried during the night. The Officers commanding the different boats will immediately in- spect the arms and ammunition ot the men, and see that, they are constantly kept in a state for immediate service, as the troops are now to pass through a part of the country which is known to have been visited by the enemys palroles. A Captain, with a subaltern and thirty men, will mount as picquet upon the landing ol the boats, and a sentry will be furnished from each boat, who must be regularly relieved to take charge ot the boats and baggage &c. A Patrole from the picquet will be sent out on landing to the dis- tance ot a mile from the Encampment. By order of the Major Gen. J. B. Glegg, Capt. A. D. a J. McDonell, P. A. D. C. Point Aux Pins, Lake Erie, August 12th, 1812, General Orders, It is Major General Brock's intention, should the wind conti- nue fair, to proceed during the night. Officers commanding boats will therefore pay attention to the order of sailing as directed yesterday. Thj greatest care and attention will be requested to prevent the boats from scattering or falling behind. ■ A great part of the Bank of the Lake when the boats Avill this day » pass is much more dangerous and difficult of access than I any we have passed. The boat therefore will not land, excepting in i the most extreme necessity, and then great care must be taken to choose the best places for landing. The troops being now in the neighborhood of the enemy, every precaution ranst be taken to guard against surprise. By order of the Major General, J. B. Glegg, i , A. D. C. I The arriral of Gen. Brock at Araherstburg, was the signal for an offensive demonstration in our turn. The bridge at the Canard, — so often the scene and object of contentioHj—had been repaired, imme- diattly afler ihe ubaiuIoameQt of the Western District ol Cauada, by General Hull, who had rcxrosseil ihu river, Avith tue whole of his ar- my, tluriiiij llic 7ih. and t; tii., anil preparations had alreadybeen made for boinbardiny Detroit. L/ndcr the superintendance of Captain Dix- on of the Enyiucers, and Captain ilali oi' the Provincial Navy, batte- ries were already in a train of euuilrucliun. The Uueen Charlotte, of twenty grin?, and the briij (tliiltuI Hunter of twelve, had moreo- ver been sent up the rivyr, for the [)urp;)se oi covering their operati- ons, and conveying buch warlike ii.uuiiions as were re(juired for the siege. Tiie poiilion chosen for the Ijaiterics, was an elevated part of the bank of the Detroit, immediately opposite to the fort of ihat name, and on the ontskirt of, what has since become, the village of Wind- sor. The distance across, at this point is not quite a mile. During the morning of the loth., the batteries being ready to open their fire. General Brock, v/ho had lost no time in repairini; to Sand- wich, and had ordered all the disposable force in Aniherslburgto fol- low forthwith, despatched a flag, v/ith a summons to the American Commander. Head (Quarters, Sandwich August loth, 1812. Sir. — The force at iTiy disposal authorizes mo to require of you^ the immediate surrender of Fort Detroit. — It is uir from my inclina- tion to join in a war of cxiermination, but you must be aware that the numerous body oi' Indians, Avlio have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond my control the moment the contest commences. You ./ill liud me disposed to enter into such conditions as will satis- fy the most scrupulous st^nse of honor. Lieut. Colonel McDonnell, and Major Glegg, are fully authorised to conclude any arrangement that may lead to prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. I have the honor io be. His Excellency, Sir, your most e'jdt. Servant, Brigadier Gen. Hull, (Signed) ISAAC BROCK Major Gen. Coumianding at Fort Detroit, To which the subjoined answer was returned. Sir. — I have received your letter of this date. I have no other re- ply to make, than to inform you that I am prej)ared to meet any force which may be at your disposal, a:ul any consequences, which may result, from any exertion of it you may think proper to make. I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that the flag of truce, under the direction of Captam Brown, proceeded contrary to the orders, and without the knowledge of Col. Cass, who command- ded the troops which attacked your picket, near the river Canaid bridge. I likewise take this occasion to iuforni yon that Gowie's house was set on fire contrary to my orders, and it did not take place un- til after the evacuation of the Fort. From the best information I have been able to obtain on the subject, it was set on fire by some of the Inhabitants on the other side of the river, I am, very respectfully, His Excy. Major Gen. Brock, Y our Excellency's most obt. Servant, Comrag. His Britannic Majesty's (Signed) W. Hull, Brig. Gen. Forces, Sandwich, Up. Canada, Commg. the N. W. Army. On moui coupl threw bruug my in scribe lire w elfcet with Th. [paratic ing in 'break jirregul 'ed spii [was all i| Chario i above j^ed the i'ly very jtj-and sc' ,., cus can (lor the :^nd enc Jjand bet ;«:>vhich, ;my, w )reezel( )f the r )osom. The P>uildin2 'irack,an(. ,far inde> r-jCienoral "^.^he roai ^^ftround, ,^Jhe side Qy ^cveii jjfmost ol ;Jiaving 1 ^^|)oats, o lere we rxtremel 29 of CaDado, hj ole of his Qt- idybeen made "Captain Dix- INavy, balte- '.ev Cliarloite, 3, had moreo- their operuti- luircd lur the levated part of t of I hat name, igc of Wind, mile. ready to open mng to Sand- .•rslburg to fol- the American St 15th, 1812. quire of you^ n my inclina- )e aware that iselvcs to my commences. as will satis- McDonnell, arrangement Dod. Servant, Major Gen. no other re- iipet any force which may ;iake. t the tiag of contrary to o command- iver Canaid )wie's house ke place un- iformation I by some of Ibt. Servant, iBripf. Gen. f. W. Armv. On this relusal beliig made known, (he bullerics, on which were mounted one lung eighteen, and two ion': twtlve pounders with a couple ot mortars, ojjciicd a v.'ell dirt'cti'd In;- uptiii the fort, which threw tae eiiomy into evident cunfusion. kjuine heavy guns were bruuglit furwuul by ihciu to tl.c h;uil; to bear upon liie batteries, but n>y iiiiprussiun is, iiUbou:,'h 1 may be wrong, as General Brock d«- 4 scribc:i it in lu-, ()tlii:i;il Despatch as having been spirited, that their J lire wab very languidly returned. Certainly it ])roduced no other f eilcct upon tlie batteries, than to cause them to throw in their shot ,'ji witb jncreaacd rapidity and p.ecision. The rel'iisal to surrender had of course been anticipated, and pre- . parations for crossing, and aitein[)ting to carry Detroit by storm, har- . ing in the mean time, been made — every thing was in readiness by day I break on the following morning. The batteries, which had kept up an >j. irregular hre during the night, renewed it at the hrst dawn with unabat- / ed spirit, and the reciuisit^i boats having been provided, the crossing ^ was aii'ected without opjjosiiion, under cover of the guns ot the Queen , Charlotte and General Hunter, which lay anchored about half a rnile i;. above Sandwich. A solt August sun was just rising, as we gain- ^ed the centre of the river, and the view, at the moment, was certain- : ly very animated and exciting, for, amid the little squadron of boats ^,and scows, conveying tiie troops and artillery, were mixed numer ,_ous canoes lilled with Indian warriors. decorated in their half nakedness ilor the occasion, and uttering yells of mingled defiance of their foes, y^^and encouragement of the soldiery. — Above us again were to be seen .and heard the Hashes and thunder of the artillery from our batteries, ^.which, as on the jjreceding day, was but feebly replied to by the en- !my, while the gay flags of the Queen Charlotte, drooping in the )reezeless, yet not oppressive air, and playing on the calm surface )f the river, seemed to give earnest of success, and inspirited every )osom. The point of embarkation was nearly opposite to the low, stone )uilding at Sandwich, which (then a school) is now used as a bar- ^&ack,and the place of landing was a litilc above tlie Spring Wells — not ^far indeed from the spot where now stand the house and grounds of General Schwartz. From this to the ibrt is about three miles, and y|he road, occasionally winding, was commanded from the rising ;round, which then crowned the immediate^ entrance to the town on [he side by which wc approached, but which has since been partial- . Jy levelled. The whole of the force, including Militia and Indians Jfmost of these latter had preceded us during the night of the 15th) Jbaving landed, GencnJ Brock, w^ho had crossed in one of the leading _^|)oats, ordered the reports to be collected, when it was found that lere were but 550 men of all arms present. This return appearing btremely weak, Major Glegg. assisted by Lieutenant MacLeaa- Brigade Major to Genernl Procter, wns again desired to see if a great, er number could not he mustered. These officers finally made out 750 men, includintj the militia who were emiijoycd in rowing the ™ boats, but Avho were not present upon the prouiid. I am particular i in detailing this fart, because thric have been so many versions of our strength, that it is iriii)Ortafit the correct one should be known. The column having been formed, we moved forward by sections, at nearly double distance, in order to giv«i to our little force a more im- posing appearance. Lieut. Dullock commanded the advanced guard, and inuiiediatcly in rear of this, and precedin?? the column, were tUe light artillery (three six, and t«vo three pounders) with which only we advanced against the enemy's fortress. Nothing but the boldness of the enterprize could have ensured its success. When within a mile and a half from the rising ground to which I have just alluded, as commfinding the approach to the town, we distinctly saw two long, heavy guns, (afterwards proved to be twenty-four pounf^ers) planted in the road, and around them the gunners with their fuses burning — At each moment we expected that they Avould be fired, yd although it was evident the discharge must literally have swept our small, but dense column, there was neither halt nor indecision per- ceptible. This was fortunate. Had there been the slightest waver- ing, or appearance of confusion in the men, the enemy, who were closC' ly watching us, and who seemed intimidated by the confidence ot our advance, would not have failed to profit by the discovery ; and fearful, in such case, must have been the havoc ; for, moving as we were by the main road, with the river c!ose upon our right flank, and a chain of alternate houses and close . ~*"^es upon our left, there was not the slightest possibility of deploying. In this manner, and with, our eyes riveted on the guns, which became at each moment more visible, we silently advanced until within about three quarters of a mile of the forn)idable batterv ; when General Brock, having found this point a position favorable for the formation of the columns of as- f aultjCaused the whole to be wheeled to the left, through an open field and orchard, leading to a house about three hundred yards off the road which he selected as his Head Quarters. In this position we were covered. While this was passing on the right bank of the river, our batte- ries had been performing good service on the left. The Officers ia charge had succeeded in getting the true range of their gains, which threw their shot with admirable precision, and in the early part of the morning an eighteen pound ball had found its way into rhe fort through an embrasure, and passing into the mess-roora, killed four Offi- cer* (one of whom was Lieut. Hanks, the commandant at Michili- macinac, on its recent surrender to Captain Roberts) scattering their trains the Am serious ral Hul he desp commai Genera person returnee time, sonable in the ac not open column, ted that such san terior coi to congra I confess road, whi sition nee At the point at V turned fr had advar from theii soon appr aBairs, an to meet it. returned b who, in th the flag w mstructio: to the pari town for t Ai the I who loiter is were Ic led with i )f the Aid "ull speed, ion had b »eeif agreat, ly innde out 1 rowinsf the im partirular y versions of | be kuown. 1 by sections, Temnoreim 'anced guard, iin, were tke h which only t the boldness | hen within a ? just alluded, ctly saw two )ur pounf^ers) ith their fuses Id be fired, yd ave swept our lulecision pcr- ijjhtest waver- ho were closC' fidence ol our' ; and fearful,! g as we were t flank, and a eft, there was| |ncr, and with,! oinent more quarters of aj having found j olumns of as- an open field j ds off the road I ition we were] our batte- lie Officers in guns, which [early part of! into the fort| tilled four Offi- It at Michili- Icattering their] 81 trainn and blood against the walU of the apartmont, and filling the Americans, wiihiu the fort, us we aft».'rwards understood, with serious dismay. As soon as this circumstance was re|)urtcd to Gene- ral Hull, and about the time when tho tioops were crossing below, he despiitched a white Ha? to the halteriey, but Cajilain Hall who commanded there, having stated, lo the Officer who bore it, that General Drocli was by that time oti his own shore, and was the only person by whom the tlai.^ coulil be received, the bearer immediately returned — the batteries discontinuing their (ire however m the mean- lime. This ofcour.se was during our advance, and it might be rea- sonable to infer, that it was in consequence of this Hag being then in the act of passing from one shore to the other, that the enemy had not opened his fire from the long twenty-four pounders pointed at our column, were it not that G(;neral Cass and others have distinctly sta- ted that they requested the sanction of General Hull to fire, but that such sanction was peremptorily refused, from an apprehension of ul- terior consequences. Whatever the cause, we certainly had reason to congratulate ourselves that we had escaped the threatened dangfer. I confess that I breathed much moro freely \/iien we had left the road, which was quite as i)ad as any cul-de-sac, and taken up our po- sition near the farm-house. At the moment when the white flag was seen advancing from the point at which the threatening twenty four pounders — their muzzles |turned from the batteries upon us — were yet planted, General Brock had advanced up the brow of the rising ground which concealed us from their view, for the purpose of reconnoitring the fort. He was soon apprized of this new and unexpected feature in the aspect ol laffairs, and promptly despatched Colonel McDouell and Major Glegg |to meet it. It was the latter Officer, if I mistake not, who speedily returned by the main road at full gallop to communicate to the General rho, in the mean lime had returned to the column, that the object of ihe flag was to propose a surrender of the fort. Furnished with che instructions of his Chief, Major Glegg rode back at the same speed to the party who were awaiting his return, and all then en:ered the town for the purpose of arranging the terms of capitulation. Ai the termination of an hour, during which the arms of the m«n 'ho loitered indifterently about, were piled, while such of the Officers is were fortunate enough to be early in their application, were provi- led with an excellent breakfast by the people of the farm house, one )f the Aids-de-Camp was again descried hurrying from the town at Full spe^d. T'^e brought the gratifying intelligence that the capitula- [ion had been completed; and the order was then given for the troops 3*} 10 advance and form upon the glacis of the fort. The "fall in" was immediately sounded, and wc moved as directed, not by the main road, but by tuP orchards and fields which int'Tvcncd bctAveen our position and thr- fortres.-. As v/e approached, and beheld the nu- merous cannon frowning from their embrasure?, it w;is impossible to avoid feeling mingled surprise and congratulation that ?o formidable a post should have been the fruit, apparently, more of aparty of plea- sure than ot war. The glacis gained, the column was hahcd, and on our arrival we found that the greatest portion of the regular troops had marched out of the garrison upon the esplanade, wiiere tiiey were now loitering about as we had a few minutes before, v/iili piled arms. A guard of honor, consisting of an officer and forty men, was immediately formed to take possession of the fort. The command of this devolved upon the of- ficerwhohad ledlheadvanced guards — LieutenantBu'lookjandamong those of the Militia who were attached to his party, and had first the honor of entering the fortress, were the present Chief Justice Robin- son, Samuel Jarvis, Esquire, Superintondant of Indian affairs, and Colonel William Chishohn, of Oakvillc. An error, which, in many similar circumstances, might have pro-] ved a fatal one, occurred on this occasion. The order for the ad-j vance of the guard of honor was given prematurely, by some offi- cer of the Staff— whom however I do not now rerollect — for no soon- er had the head of the guard passed over the drawbridge into the fort,, wheu it found itself almost hemmed in by a host of the Ohio Militiaj — many of them looking very fierce and very ".ndignant at the sur- render — who had not yet been marched out. As the entrance of thel guard under these circumstances was a violation of an article of the capitulation, which expressly stipulated that the American Garri-j son were to march out before the British troops took possession,.wej were promptly faced to the rear, and marched back again to the gla- cis—where we waited patiently until the angry looking riflemenj found it convenient to move. We then entered in form, and lower- ing the American flag, hoisted, in default of the regular British ensign,! an Union Jack which a stray blue-jacket had brought with him, tied] round his body, and which he very cheerfully gave up for the pur- pose. The sentinels were then planted around the ramparts, and 11 (atthattime a young volunteer armed with a muskettaller than myself)! had the honor of mounting my first guard at the Flag Staff— not a liltlel elated I confess at the very enviable position in which, as a youngl Warrior, I conceived myself to be placed on the oceasior. Nor waij jj "fall in" was by the main between our elielcl the nu- s impossible to so formidable I party of plca- our arrival we ,d marched out loitering about ;uard of honor, formed to take id upon the of- j(:k;andamong nd had first the Justice Robin- au affairs, and lij^ht have pro- cr for the ad- by some offi- t — for no soon- '.e into the fort, Ohio Militia lit at the sur- ntrance of the article of the erican Garri- ossession, 'Wej in to the gla- king rifiemenj 1, and lower-] ritish ensign,! [vith him, tied) for the pur- nparts, and ll than myself)! Iff— not a littlel h, as a young r. Nor -wMI the feeling at all diminished, as struitiug most martially to and fro on my post, and, casting my eyes downward upon the esplanade, I saw, or fancied I saw, the American troops looking up v.'ith any thing but satisfaction at the rod-ccats wlio had thus usurped their place. The articles of capitulation having bcou filially settled, and the troops — the main body of v.liich had soon followed the guard of honor — in possession of the fort, the first act of General Erock was to en- ter and liberate, in person, the gallant Dean v/lio had been taken pris- sonef at the Canard, and who then lay confined in the guard-room. Shaking him by the hand in presence of his comrades — while his voice betrayed strong emotion, he warmly approved his conduct, and declared that he was indeed an honor to the profession of a soldier. Such commendation, from such a man, was in all pro- bability the happiest day of poor Dean's existence, and must have amp\y repaid him for all his sufferings iu confinement. • Soon alter our occupation of the fort, Lieut. Bullock the officer com- manding the guard, discovered the colors of the 4th Regiment of In- fantry, which had been leh in a room contiguous to that in wiiich the four American officers were killed by the fire from our batteries. When it became known to General Brock that the colors had not been delivered over with the usual formalities, an order was sent to the officer of the guard to take them down to the esplanade where the Amer- ican prisoners were assembled, and hand them over to the officer in command of the 4th Regt, with a view lo their proper delivery. The order was promptly obeyed. Lieut. Bullock, taking with him a few files of his guard, conveyed the colors to the ground occupied by the 4th, when, on enquiring for the officer commanding that Regiment, he was met by a (Japtain Cook, v/ho stated that in the absence of Colonel Miller— lying ill with ague at the time — the command had devolved on him. To this officer Lieut. Bullock communicated his errand. Captain Cook took from him the colors, laid again pre- sented them saying — "Sir the fortune of war has placed these in your bands — they are yours." Lieut Bullock simply bowed, and withdrew. —It was evident that Captain Cook, and those around him felt much chagrin on the occasion. On the afternoon of the surrender cf Detroit the following order was published. General order, Head (Quarters, Detroit, 16ih August, 1812. Major General Brock has every reason to be satisfied with the eon duet uf the Troops he had the honor to lead this morning against th enemy. The state of discipline which they so eminenily displayed, and the determiaation they evinced to undertake the most hazardous enterprize, decided the enemy, infinitely more numerous in men and artillery to propose a capitulation,the terms of which are herewith in- serted for the information of the Troops. The Major-General requests Colonel Procter will accept his best thanks for the assistance he derived from his experience and in- telligence. The steadiness and discipline of the 41st Regiment, and the readi- ness of the Militia to follow so good an example were highly con- spicuous. The ability manifested by Captain Dixon of the Royal Engirreers in the choice and construction of the batteries and the high state of the Royal Artillery under Lieut. Troughton, afforded the Major-Gen- €ral much gratification, and reflect great credit on those officers. The willing assistance given by Captain Hall and the Marine De- partment during the whole course of the service has been very con- spicuous, and the manner the batteries were served this morning evinced a degree of steadiness highly commendable. Lieut. Dewar, Dpt. Ass. Q,r. Master General, afforded strong proof by the local knowledge he had acquired of the country, of an unre- mitting attention to his duty; and the care and regularity with which the troops were transported across the river, must in a like degree, be ascribed to his zeal for the service. To Lieut. Col. St. George, Majors Tallon and Chambers,who com- manded brigades, every degree of praise is due for their unremitting zeal and attention to their respective commands. The detachment of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, under the command of Ma- jor Mockler, is deserving every praise for their steadiness in the field, as well as when embarked in the King's vessels. The Major General cannot forego this opportunity of expressing his admiration at the conduct of the several companies of Militia who so handsomely volunteered to undergo the fatigues of a journey of several hundred miles to go to the rescue of an invaded district; and he requests Major Salmon, Captain Hatt, Heward, Bostwick and Robinson, will assure the officers and men under their respective command, that their services have been duly appreciated and will never be forgotten. The Major General is happy to acknowledge the able assistance he has derived from the zeal and local information of Lieut. Col. Nichol, acting Quarter Master General to fhe militia. To his personal Staff the Major General feels himself under much obligation; and he requests Lieut. Colonel McDonell, Majors Glegg and Givens, will be assured that their zealous exertions have made too deep an impression on his mind ever to be forgotten. The conduct of the Indians under Col. Elliot, Capt. McKee, and other officers of that department, joined to that of the gallant and brave Chiefs of their respective tribes, has since the commencement of the war been marked with acCs of true heroism, and in nothing can they testify more strongly their love to the King, their Great Fa- ther, than in following the dictates of honor and humanity, by which they have been hitherto actuated. Two fortifications have already been captured from the enemy 3 The force at ray disposal being collected in the course of the 15ih in the neighborhood of Sainlvvich, the embarkation tookplace a little after day-light on the following morning, and under the able arrange- ments of Lieutenant Dewar, of the quarier-master general's depart- mentjthc whole was,in a short time, landed without the smallest confu; sion at Spring-Well; a good position, three miles west of Detroit. The Indians, who had in the nican time effected their landing two miles below^ moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a halt on our left. The force which 1 instantly directed to march agaiust the enemy consisted of 30 royal artillery, 250 41st regiment, 50 royal Newfound- land regiment, 400 muitia, and about 600 Indians, to which were at- tached three 6 pounders and two 3 pounders The services of Lieu- tenant Troughton, commanding the royal artillery, an active and in- telligent officer, being required in the field, the direction of the bat- teries was intrusted to Captain Hall, and the Marine department, and I cannot withhold my entire approbation of their conduct on this oc- casion. 1 crossed the river, with an intention of waiting in a strong posi- tion the effect of our force upon the enemy's Camp, and in hopes of compelling him to meet us in the field; but receiving information upon landing, that Colonel M' Arthur, an officer of high reputation hnd left the garrison three days before with a detachment of 500 men, and hearing, soon afterwards, that his cavalry had been seen that morning three miles in our rear, I decided on an immediate at- tack. Accordingly, the troops advanced to within one mile ot the fort, and having ascertained that the enemy had taken little or no precaution towards the land side, I resolved on vn assault, whilst the Indians penetrated his Camp. Brigadier gen. Hull, however, prevented this movement, by proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of preparing terms of capitulation. Lieutenant Col. John M'Donell and Captain Glegg were accordingly deputed by me on this mission, and returned within an hour with the conditions, which 1 have the honor herewith to transmit. Ceriam considerations after- wards induced me to agree to the two supplementary articles. The force thus fiurrendered to His Majesty's arms, cannot be esti- mated at less than 2500 men. In this estimate, Colonel M'Arthur's detachment is included, as he surrendered, agreeably to the terms of capitulation, in the course of the evening, with the exception of 200 men, whom he left escorting a valuable convoy at some little distance in his rear; but there can be no doubt the officer commanding Avill consider himself equally bound by the capiiulation. The enemy's aggregate force was divided into two troops of caval- ry ; one company of Artillery engineers; the 4th United States regi- ment; detachments of the Ist and 3rd United States regiments, volunteers ; three regiments of the Ohio Militia; one regiment of the Michigan territory. Thirty throe pieces of brass and iron ordnance have already been secured. When this contest commenced, many of the Indian nations were engaged in active warfare with the United States, notwithstanding the constant endeavors of this government to dissunde them from it. Some of the principal chiefs happened to be at Amherstburg, tryiup ro procure a supply of arms and ammunitiotj, which for years had bsen withheld, agreeably to ihe iastructiorn rocf iveil from Sii Jarne* Craiif, and since repeated by your Excelloucy. From that moment they took a most active part, and appeared fore- most on every occasion ; they were led yesterday by Colonel FiUiot and Ctiptain M'Kee and nothiiv^ could exceed their order and steadi- ness. A few prisoners wi-rj lak.'ii by them, (lurinjr the advance, whom ihcy treat'jd with every liuinamty; and it alibrds nie much pleasure in assuring your Excellency, tliat such was their lorbcar- ance and attention to what was required of them, that the enemy susta'ned no other loss in men than what was occasioned by the fire oi our batteries. , The high sense I entertain of the abilities and judgment of Lieut Col. Myers, induced me to appoint him to the important command at Niagara; it was with reluctanx - I deprived myself of his assistance, but I had no other expedient ; his duties, as head of the Q,uartcr- Master-General's department, were performed to my satisfaction by Lieut. Col. Nichol, Q,uarter-Mastcr- General of the Militia. Captain Glegg, my Aide-de-camp will have the honor of delivering this despatch to your Excellency ; he is charged with the colors taken at the capture of Fort Detroit, and those of the 4lh United States regiment. Captain Glegg is capable of giving your Excellency every infor- mation respecting the state of this province, and 1 shall esteem my- self highly indebted to your Excellency to aUord him that protection, to which his merit and length of service give him a powerful claim. I have the honor to be, &c. ISAAC BROCK, Maj. Gen. P. S. I have the honor to enclose a copy of a proclamation, which I have issued immediately on taking possession of this country. 1 should have mentioned, in the body of my despatch, the capture of the Adams ; she is a fine vessel, and recently repaired, but without arms. Camp at Detroit, Aug. 16, 1812. Capitulation for the surrender of Fort Detroit, entered into between Maj. Gen. Brock, commanding his Britannic Majesty's forces, on the one part, and Brigadier Gen. Hull, commanding the Horth-wes- tern army of the United States, on the other part. Article I. Fort Detroit, with all the troops, regulars as well as militia, will be imiiiedialely surrendered to the British forces under the command of Maj. Gen. Brock, and will be considered as prison- ^.3 of war, with the exception of such of the militia of the Michigan territory, who ha^'e not joined the arniy. Art, II. All public stores arms,and all public documents,including every thing else of a public nature, will be immediately given up. Art. Ill- Private persons, and property of every description will be respected. Art. IV. His Excellency, Brigadier-General Hull, having expres- sed a desire that a detachment from the state of Ohio, on its way to join his a'-my, as well as one sent from Fort Detroi'., under the com- mand of Colonel M'Arthur, should be included in the capitulation, it IS accordingly agreed to. It is, however, to be understood, that such part of the Ohio militia as have not joined the army, will be per- nvitted to return to their homes, on condition that ihey will not serve 38 during lbs war, their arms will be delivered up if belonging to the public. An. V' The garrison will niarcL out at the hour of 12 this day, und the British will take immediate possession of the fort. J. MACDONELL, Lieut. Col. militia, P. A. D. C, J. B. GLEGG, Major, A. D. C. JAMES MIETER, Lieut. Col. 5lh U. S. Infantry, E. BRUSH, Col. com'g. 1st regt. of Michigan Militia, - , S W. HULL, Brig. Gen. commanding N. W. Aimv. Approved, J jg^^^ BROClv, Maj.r General. ^' An articl? supplementary to the articles of capitulation, concluded at Detroit, the Kith of August, 1812. It is agreed that the Officers and soldiers of Ohio militia and vol- unteers shall be permitted to proceed to their respective homes, on this ccnditon, that they do not serve during the present war, unless they are exchanged. W. HULL, Brig. Gen. Commanding U. S. N. W. Army, ISAAC BROCK. Maj. Gen. An article in addition to the supplementary article of capitulation, concluded at Detroit, the 16th of August, 1812. It is further agreed that the officers and soldiers of the Michigan Militia and volunteers, under tiiy command of Major Wetherall, shall be placed on the same principles as the Ohio militia and volun- teers are placed by the supplementary article of the lOih instant. W. HULL, Brig. Gen. Commanding N. W. Armv U. S. ISAAC BROCK, Maj. Gen. Return of the Oidnance taken in the fort and batteries at Detroit August. 16th 1812. Iron Ordnance — nine 24 pounders, eight Impounders, five 9 pound- ers. Brass Ordnance — three 6 pounders, two 4 pounderSjOne 3 pounder, one 8 inch howitzer, one 3^ inch ditto. Total of Ordnance taken— 33. FELIX TROUGHTON Lieut- Com. royal artillery, Proclamation by Isaac Brock, Esq, Major General commanding his Majesty's forces in the Province cf Uj per Canada, &c. Whereas the territory of Michigan was this day, by capitulation, ceded to the arms of his Britanic Majesty, without any other condi- tion than the protection of private property, and wishing lo give an early proof of the moderation and justice of his Majesty's govern- ment, I do hereby announce lo all the inhabitants of the said terri- tory^, that the laws heretofore in existence shall continue in force until his Majesty's pleasure be known, or so long as the peace and safety of the said territory will admit thereof; and I do hereby also declare and make known to the said inhabitants, that they shall be protected in the full exercise and employment oi their religion, of which all persons both civil and military will take notice, and govern themselves accordingly. All persons having in their possession, or having any knowledge of, any public property, shall forthwith deliver in th'? same, or give notice thereof to the officer commanding, or to Lieut. Col. Nichol^ who Qdm? U. S. St are duly authorised to receive and gire proper receipts for the same. Officers of Militia will be held responsible, that all arms in the pos- session of militia-men be immediately given up, and all individuals whatever who have in their possession arms of any kind, will give them up without delay. Given under my hand at Detroit, this 16lh day of August, 1812, and in the 52d year of his Majesty's reign. ISAAC BROCK. Maj. Gen. Explanatory as are the above documents, in relation to the im- portant capitulation of Detroit; and indicative as they are of the high aspirings of him to whose firmness and decision its fall is alone attributable, the account Avould be incomplete, were mention not here made of the causes stated.to have led to the surrender of so strong a position, by the American Commander. Every particular relating:, not merely to the conquest of Detroit — the first and leading feat per- formed during the war — but to the Hero, its conqueror, cannot be viewed as being given in any spirit of prolixity. I shall therefore proceed to give, first General Hulls letter of exculpation, addressed to the American Secretary at War; and secondly a somewhat lengthy document from Colonel Cass, (now the United Stales Minister at Paris,) highly condemnatory of the conduct of his Chief. From BrigadierGeneral Hull to the American Secretary at War. Fort George August 26th, 1812. Sir, — Enclosed are the articles of capitulation, by which the fort of Detroit has been surrendered to Major-general Brock commandmj his Britannic Majesty's forces in Upper Canada, and by which the tioops have become prisoners ot War. My situation, at present, for- bids me from detailing the full and particular causes which nave led to this unfortunate event. I will, however, generally observe that after the surrender of Michilimackinac, almost every tribe and nation of Indians, rxc^pting a part of the Miamis and Delawares, north from beyond Lake Superior, west from beyond the Mississippi, south from the Ohio and Wabash, and east from every part of Upper Canada, and from all the intermediate country, joined in open hostil- ity, under the British standaru, against the army I commanded, con- f iry to the most solemn assurances of a large portion of them to re- main neutral: even the Ottawa chiefs from Arbecrotch, who formed the delegation to Washington the last summer, in whose friendship I know you had great confidence, are among the hostile tribes, and se- veral of them distinguished leaders. Among the vast number of chiefs who led the hostile bands. Tecumseh, Marpot, Logan, Walk- in-the-water, Split-log, &c, are consideied the principals. This nu- merous assemblage of savages, under the entire influence and direc- tion of the British commander, enabled him totally to cbst;'uct the only communication which I had with my country. This communi- cation had been opened from the settlements in the stale of Ohiv>, 200 miles through a wilderness, by the fatigues of the army, which I had marched to the frontier on the River Detroit. The body of the lake being commanded by the British armed ships, and the sheet and lirers by guu-boals, the army was totally do|.rived of all com- municHiioii by water. U'l this extensive road it depended for trans- portation of provisions, military stores, nicdictne, cloathing, and every other supply, on pack-lioiscs — all it^i operations were success- ful until its univiil at Dclroit, and in a low days it passed into the enemy's country, and all opposition seemed to lall before it. Cne month it remained in possesiiou of this country, and v.-as led from its resources. In dilferent direciions, de«nehin;.uts penetrated CO miles in the settled part of the Province and the inhabitants seemed satis- fied with the change of situation which aj)pcared to be tal{inj» place. The militia from Amher.iibur;:,^ were daily dese:tingr, and (he whole country, then under the control of the army, asked i'or jirotection. — The Indians i;cneraily, in the first instance, had certainly appeared to be neutralized, and dcicrfnined to take no part in the contest. The fortof Amherstbur:]f was .13 mile below njy encampment. Not a single ( annon or mortar Avas on wheels suitable to carry before that place. I consulted my oiTicers whether it was expedient to make an attempt on it with the bayonet alone, Aviihout cannon to make a break in the first instance. The council I called was of the opinion it was not. The greatest industry was exerted in making preparation, and it was not until the 7ihof August that two 24 pounders, and three howitzers, were prepared. It was then my intention to have pro- ceeded on the enterprise. While the operations of the army were de- layed by these preparations, the clouds of adversity had been for some lime, and semed still thickly to be gathcnng aiound me. The sur- render of Michilimacinac opened the northern hive of Indians, and they were swarming down in every direction. Reinforcements from Ni- agara had arrived at Amherslburg, under the command of Col. Proctor. The desertion of the militia ceased. Besides the reinforcements that came by water, I received information of a very consider- able force under the command of Major Chanibers, on the river Le Trench, with four field pieces; and collecting the militia on his route, evidently destined for Amherstburg. And, in addition to this combina- tion and increase of force, contrary to all my expectations, the Wy- andotes,Chippeways, Ottawas, Potlawatamees, .Munsees, Delawares, &c, with whom I had the most friendly intercourse, at once passed over to Amherstburg, and accepted the tomahawk and scalping knife. There being now a vast number of Indians at the British post, they were sent to the river Huron, Brownstown. and Maguaga to intercept ray commuication. To op^'n this communication, I detached Major Vanhorn of the Ohio volunteers, with 200 men, to proceed as far as the river llaisin, under an expectation he would meet Captiin Brush, with 150 men, volunteers from the State of Ohio, and a quantity of provision for the army. An ambuscade was formed at Brownslown, and Major Vanhorn's detachment was defeated, and returned to camp, without effecting the object of the expedition. In my letter of tne 7th instant, you have the particulars of that transaction with a return of the killed and wounded. Under this sud- den and unexpected changeof things, and having received an express from General Hall, commanding opposite the British shore on the Niagara river, by which it appeared that there was no prospect of any co-operation from that quarter, and the two Senior Officers of the artillery having stated to me an opinion that it would be extreme ly difficult.'if not imponsible, to pass Turkey-river, and river Aux Ca 41 d of all com- ded for trans oathing, and wore success- asscd mlo the 'fore it. One is led from its aU'd 60 miles seemed satis- tal(inf» place. nd llie whole jirotcciion. — iiiJy appeared I the contest. ipnient. Not I carry before dient to make on to make a if the opinion ^ preparation, iers, and three to have pro- rmy were de- leen for some e. The sur- Indians, and ntsfromNi- Col. Proctor. forcements ry consider- le river Le on his route, iscombina- s, the Wy- Delawares, )nce passed Iping knife. 1 post, they to intercept :hed Major ed as far as tTin Brush, quantity of ownstown, eturned to ars of that er this Sud- an express )re on the jrospect of lOfficers of }e extreme |r Aux Ca nards, with 24 pomidiTdj and that they eouM nut be tnuisportei^ by water as tlic Uueou (Jhnrloite, which curicd 18 2i pounders lay it'i the river Detroit above the mouth oi' the river Aux Canards; and tliiU it appeared iiidi^p;''.! ii!)ly ii(;ce--ary tni p;:!) ii;e eonmiii'iii ation to the Iviver liaisin and ihi; Aliauii, I I'ouuil my.self eoinpejlevl to sus- pend the Operation aijain^t A:i;her«lburjT, and coneentratc the main lorceofthc Army at Detroit. Fiiily intendiiii;- at that time, after the commmiii-aliun was opened, to re-cro-s the river, and pursue the objeel at Aniliersll.iurg, and strongly de-irous of continuing,'' protection to a very hiri^e lunnber ctf ln!jal)itants of U|ip;.n' Canada, V;ho had voluntarily occupieil it undiT my ]iioc'aination, I estaiilMicd a fort- ress on the Jjanlc.-. of the river a iliile belov/ Detroit, ealculated for a gatriion of 3U() men. On the evening of the 7lh, and mornin;vof the 8ih instant, the i\rniy, exce[)tin;; ilie ganisun oi ','(U) iiilantry, and a ' ;rns of artillerists, all under the command of M;i' Denny' , iliu iiiiiiiljcr ui iliuir nnliti.i v. i»o weru nnhudicd hail decreas- ed hy (K-^eriiuii Iriwii m\ hundred to (luu hundn il men, and in (he CDur^jO of ihieo weeks, the cannon were inounkd, ihc aniniunitioa, and everv inejjaiation made I'ur an innmiliate investuieiU of ihe fort. At a ( laincil, al u iiich were pre.ent all ihe lield ollicers, and wliich "was hi'Ul two days hefore our preparatiuns were conipleied, it was uuauniKni^lv a:4rei'il to niali"' an iu.Micdiate aiteiipl to acciauplish the object ol tiiis e.xpeditiuii. 11 hy ',. itini;' two days, we coulu have the service of our heavy artilh ry, u was agreed tt) nail; if not it was deieruiincd to go without it, anil to allenipi the place hy storm. This opinion appeared to corie,->punil with the views ol' the General, and the day was appointed for (•onuncncini,' our march, lie declared to me, that he con^ideied hiuj^ell pledged to lead the army to Maiden. The annnunilion wa>. placi'd in the wagons; the cannon were emharked on hoard the lloalmg haileries, and every article was prepared. The si)irit and zeal, the order and animation ilisplayed by the otficers and men, on Karnin.,^ tiie near accomplishment of their wishes, was a se- vere and sacrc'J |)!ed.;e, thai in the hour ol ui.il, they would not be found wanting in their duty to their country and themselvc5. But a change of m.'. inures, in opposiliuu to the wishes and opinions of all the ollicers, was ailopied hy the (General. The plan of attacking Maiden was abandoned, and instead of acting oH'onsively, wc broke up our camp, evacuated (Janada, and crossed liie river in the night, without even the shadow of an enemy to injure us. A\'e lelt to the tender mercy of the enemy, the n.iserahle Canadians who had joined us, and the protection we allbrded them was but a i)assport to ven- geance. This fatal and unaceountabl;.' step diojvrited the troops, and destroyed the little comideuee which a series, ol' timid, irresolute, and indecisive measures had lelt in the commanding ollicer. About the lOih of August, the anemy received a reinforcement of 400 men. On the J2th, ihe commanding oilicers 'd' three of the regi- nic.its (the fourth was al)5ent) were informed mrougli a medium which adniitteil of no douljt, that llie general had said, that a capitu- lation would be necessary. They on the same day addressed to Gov. Meigs, of Ohio, a letter ol which the following is an extract. ''Believe all the bearer will tell you. IJflieve it, however it may astonish you, as much as if told by one of us. Even a c is talked of by the Tiie hearer will lill the vacancy. The doubtful fate of this letter rendered it necessary to use circum- spectum in its details, and therefore these blanks were left. The word ''capilulalion'" will iill.lhe first and "commanding general" ihe other. As no enemy was near us, and as the superiority of our force was manifest, wc could see no necessity ibr capitulating, nor any propriety in alluding to it. We therefore determined in the last re- sort to incur the responsihility of divesting the general of his command» This plan was eventually prevented by two commanding officers of regiments being ordered upoi, detachments. On the 13lh, the Eritish took a position opposite Detroit, and began to throw up works. During tliat and the two following days, they pursued their object v.'ithout interruption and established a battery of two 18 pounders, and an S inch howitzer. About sun set on the evening of the Mlb, a detachment of 350 men from the regiments u uiuuiuuitiou, cut ol ilu' I'urt. IS, iiiul which coiuinauded hy Col. M' Arthur and rnyscU', wag ordor«d to march to the river llaiiiu, to oscurt the pruvi-ioiis, wliich had soino time re- mained there, protecUd hy a jiaity ui;..'i'r the coniinand of Capt. Driish. On Saturihiy the I5lh, about one o'cloclc, a liii:r of truce arrived from Sandwicli, he.uiii:;" a '>uiiiinuii'» iVum Cjieneral I'rocl,, lur (he surren- der of iht; town and fori ol' J)(.'iruit, sialiii;; lie cuuUI no lonijer re- strain the fury ol' tht.' s;»vu,'es. To thia an immediate and spirited refusal was rt lurned. Ahuui 1 o'elor.'c their batteries hti;an to play upon the town, 'i'hc hr»' wa^ returned and c^utinned without inter- ruption and with little ell'eet uniil dark. Their shells were thrown until 10 o'elnck. At d.iy li^Mii the (iiinij on huth sides rcecnnnienced ; about the same time the enemy bo^an to lanil troops at the yprini,^ Wells, three miles below LU'troit, proieeled by two of th< ir armed vessels. Between G and 7 o'clock, they had ellected their landing and im- mediately took up their line of march. They moved in a close column of platoons, twelve in front, upon the bank ot the river. The Iburth regiment was ,siati(MK'd m the fort; the Ohio volunteers and a part of the INlichigau militia, behind some pickets, in a situa- tion in which the whole Ihuik of the enemy woiiUl have been expos- ed. The residue of the INlichigan mili'.:;i were ii. the upper part of the town to resist the incursions o!" tin.' savages. Two 2t pounders loaded with i^rape shut, were poste ! upon a (lonimamlini; eminence, ready to swei-p the advancin:^ coluiiui. In this situation, the supe- riority of our |posiiion was apparent, and our troo|)s in the eager ex- pectation of (jut victory, awaiied the ai)[)roach of the enemy. Not a sighof discontent broke upon the ear; not a look of cowardice rret the eye. Every man expected a proiul day for his country, and each was anxious that his individual exertion should contribute to the general result. When the head ot the column arrived witiiin about 500 yards of our line, orders were received from Gen. Hull for the whole to re- treat to the fort, and for the ril-poiinders not lo open upon the enemy. One universal burst of indii^niation was apparent upon the receipt of this order. Those whose conviction was the deliberate result of a dispassionate examination of passing events, saw the iblly and im- propriety of crowding 1100 nun into a little work, which 300 men could fully man, and into which the shot and ihells of the enemy were falling. Tli^ '"<':[ va- iii this manner hlled; the men were di- rected to stack tlua ;iriii~, and scarcely was an opportunity afforded of moving. Shortly ulicr, a white (lag was hung out upon the walls. A British officer rode up to iiKjuire the cause. A communication passed between the commanding Generals, which ended in the capit- ulation submitted to you. In entering upon this capitulation, the General took counsel from his own feelings only. Not an officer was consulted. Not one anticipated a surrender, till he saw a Avhite flag displayed. Even the women v/ere indignant at so shameful a degra- dation of the American character, and all felt as they should have felt, but he held in his hands the reins of authority. Our morninsr report had that morning made out effective men pre- sent fit for duty lOGO, without including the detachment before allud- ed to, and without including 300 of the Michigan militia on duty. About dark on Saturday evening, the detachment sent to escort the #: ' , k pro? Utoni, reffcired orders from General Hull, to return wltli as much expedition as possible. About 4 o'clock the next day, they arrived in sight of Detroit. Had a firing been heard, or any assistance visi- ble, they would have immediattiy advanced and attacked the rear of the enemy. The situation in which this detachment was placed, al- though the result ot" the acciJent, was the best tor annoying the ene- my ar.d cutting off his reiroat, that could have been selected. With his raw troops enclosed between two lire^, and no hopes of succour, it is hazarding little to say, that very lew would have escaped. I have been inlurmed by Co!. Findley, who saw the return of their Cluarter-Master-General,the day after the surrender, that their whole force of every description white, red and black was 1030. They had 29 platoons, 12 in a platoon, of men dressed in uniform. Many ol these were evidently Canadian Militia. The rest of their militia in- creased their white force to about 700 men. The number of their Indians could not be ascertained with any degree of precision ; not many were visible. And in the event of an attack upon ^he town and fort, it was a species of force which could have afforded no material advantage to the enemy. In endeavoring to appreciate the motives, and to investigate ^he causes which led to an event so unexpected and dishonorable, it is impossible to find any solution in the relative strength ot the con- tending parties, or in the nxasures of resistance in cur power. That we were far superior to the enemy ; that upon any ordinary princi- ples of calculation, we could have defeated them, ihe wounded and indignant feelings of every man there will testify. A few days before the surrender, 1 was informed by Gen Hull, we had 400 rounds of 24 pound shot fixed and about 100,900 cartridges made. We surrendered with the fort, 40 barrels of powder and 2500 stand of aims. The state of our provisions has not been generally understood. On the day of the surrender we had 15 days provisions of every kind on hand. Of meat there v/as plenty in the country, and ar- rangements had been made for purchasing and grinding the flour. It was calculated we could readily procuie three months provisionSjln- dependent of 150 barrels ot (li nr, 1800 head of cattle which had b^ien forwarded from the State of Ohio, and which remained at the river Raisin under Captain Brush, within reach of the army. But had we been totally d stitute of provisions, our duty and our interest undoubtedly was lo fight. The enemy invited us to meet him in the field. By defeating him, tho whole country would have been open to us, and the object of our expedition gloriously and successfully obtained. If not we had nothing to do but to retreat to the fort, and make the best defence which cireumstances and our situation rendered prac- ticable. But basely to surrender without firing a gun — tamely to submit without raisins: a bayonet — disgracefully to pass in revievv be- fore an enemy as inferior in the quality as in the number of his force, were circumstances, which excited feelings of indignation more casil" felt than described. To see the whole of our men flushed with the hope of victory, eagerly awaiting the approaching contest, to see them afterwards dispuited, hopt I^ps, and desponding, at least 500 shedding tears because they were not allowed to fight their coun- try's battleS} excited sensations which no American has ever had cause to feel, and which, I trust in Gcd, will nerrr again be fbtt while one man remains to defend the standard of the union. lam expressly aulhorizrd to state, thr.t Ccl. M'ArtiiUr (^'ol. Find- ley and Li(.i:f, Col. Milic. \ icwcc! ilii.> t:;iiij^acii(jn in the liglit wliich 1 clo. TIk'V k::o\v iinu liei, llust r,o cMrcuiiis'.ar;cc in cur situation — nt>ne in liiut (it'ilie cnimy, ci.\\ cxcusf a Cr.[:i;u!aii( n so dishon- orable and uiijUfitili.'.bU'. 'i lii- too is the univcif ;ll seniimont among the troo|)> : and 1 sl.ali be surprisul to l(ain, thai there is one man, who ihinks it was necessary tu blierah ins swuril, or lay down his musket. 1 was informed by General Hull, ihe morning after the Capitula- tion, that the British forces consisted of ISCO icgutars and that he surrendered to prevent tlie efiusion cf huiian blood. Tbat he mag- nified their regular Ibrce nearly five-i'old, tbeie can b.' no doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned by him is a sufficient justification for surrendering a i'ortihed town, an Army and a terri- tory, is for the Government to determine. Confident 1 am, that had the courage and conduct of the General been equal to the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event v;ould hare been brilliant and successful, as it now is dishonorable. Very respectfully, Sir, 1 iiave ilif honor to be, your most cbedient Servant. Lewis Cass, Col. 3rd Regt. Ohio volunteers The Hon. Wm. Eustis, Secretary of War. Although it does not come strictly wiihin the object of this narra- tive to comment upon the statements of the enemy, it should not be concealed that the apprehension, entertained by Generr.l Hull, of the increased danger to his troops, and to the comparative y def .nceleis town of Detroit, arising from the expected arrival of reinforcements of Indians from the West, was in a great degree well founded, and it was well known at the time, (although a sentiment of shame at he yielding up of a post of such strength as Detroit, has since repudiat- ed the measure,") that this was a sentiment by no means confined to General Hull. Mr. Robert Dickson, a gentleman to whom long in- tercourse with the Indians had imparted a knowledge of their ch-ir- acter, and influence over their minds, which proved highly benefici- al to the British cause, was then actively engaged in collecting some of the most warlike tribes ; while the present Colonel Askin of Lon- don, at that time in the Indian Department, was already within a few days journey of Detroit, with a body of 270 Indian Warriors, un- der their Chief Big-gun. This little detachment had set out ex- pressly tor the relief of Amherstburg, and, on its passage down in birch canoes, encountered much peril and difficulty, having had to OTOss Saginaw Bay, nearly fifty miles in extent, and for many hours, itt tbcir frail barks,even out of sight of the land. Such was tke c«lent| 4S of their movement9,lhat they reached Amherstburg mlhe remarkably short period ot six days from ihcir departure from Michilirnacinac, and about the same lapse of limo from the surrender of Detroit. Thus it will appear, that General Hull was only wrong in as far as related to the actual position of the Indian reinforcements, on their way from the far West. WJiether, however, this was an excuse for the abandonment of his strong post, without an effort in its de- fence, is a point of discussion which this narrative docs not profess to entertain. Notwithstanding, there are two strong features of dissimi lanty between the letters of General Hull and Colonel Cass, to which it is impossible not to refer — namely the eagerness of the one to diminish his own force, and increase that of his adversary — and the not less evident desire of the other to show that, not only m the | quantity, but the quality of his troops — in resources, and in means of defence of alllcinds, the American General had decidedly the ad- vantage. In truth, without absolutely ado[)ting the opinion of Col. Cass, as expressed in regard to the inferiority of the British troops engaged on this occasion, the question which suggests itself on reading General Hull's Official declaration, that he had not moie than SOO jnen on the day when General Brock appeared beibre Detroir natu- rally is — where were the 2,300 men who had been marched, little more than a month previously, through the state of Michigan, and the sound of whose drums, heard from Brovvnstown, as they passed through that village, was the first intimation the little Garrison of Amherstburg had had of the proximity of «o formidable a force ? True, 400. men had been detached under Coioii';i Cass, (those, as it has been seen, were included in the capitulation) but where were the remainder ? Not one hundred suffered at Maguaga. Certainly not fifty duiing the whole of the skirmishing at the Canard; nor had the defeat of Major Van Home cost the Americans more than five and twenty men — in all, at the very utmost, 200, Here then were was a decrease of GOO men, leaving under the immediate orders of the American General, 1700 men, exclusive of the troops composing the garrison of Detroit on his arrival, and the IMichigan militia. Gen- eral Hull alludes to his crowded hospitals. Did these contain, or had he on his sick list, 900 men ? Impossible. These strictures are necessary, because the gallant 41 si. and the equally gallant and ^patriotic volunteers who followed General Brock to the theatre of action, cannot submit to be deprived of the glory which was theirs, under their distinguished leader, on the occasion of the capture of Detroit. They believed, and with every reason (for they kntw not '4f he remarkably [ichilirnacinac, er of Detroit, •ong in as far orcemenls, on of the departure of Col* Cass, for the River Raisin) that they were inarching to the conquest of a post wliich was clrfendcd by at least two thousand men — and they have an undpniable right to impugn a statement wliich, incorrectly and for a sinister purpose, reduces that force, on paper, by two thirds of the amount. Honor, to whom hon- or is due. In the capture of Detroit, Gfti-cral Brock has been tcimcd the saviour of Canada, and most deservedly so. Had he not struck the blow he did, and at the time he did, at the American power in the West, Upper Canada — nay both tlie Canadas must have been yield- ed to the triumphant arms of the United Stales. At this period the whole force of the Province consisted of lour Uogiraents of the line namely the 8lh, 41st, 49th, and 100th and, added to these, the Ca- nadian and Glengary I'encibles, and a few compa-^ies of Veterans, and, of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. So insignificant aforcc could have availed little against the hordes of American irregular troops which would have been poured in frotn the west, along the Dflaware and BurlingtO!i routes, and which moving in rear of the centre and left Divisions, must necessarily have cut off iheir commu- nication with the interior of the country, and so straits ned their sup- plies as to have rendered them an eventual conquest. That Gener- al Hull would have recovered from the temporary panic, which seems to have induced his relin quishmenl of his position at Saudwicti there can be no mannerof doubt ; but even if he had not done so, and reduced Amherstburg, which was of vital importance to the Ameri- can interests, there were other leaders, and other armies, already on their way to reinforce him, and the subjugation of the Western Dis- tiicl must, on their arrival, have been assured. What then would have been the result? Half of the Iudian'-enird, aid the shot was fired, "oon al'terwards ihe answering signal amis run up to the mast head of the Queen Charlotte, and that vessel, seeing the dtuLtl'ul situation ol the schooner, on board which liowever they wire not a- ware the General had embarked, immediately weighed her anchor, and standing over to the American shore, under a sliglit breeze which was '.hen beginning to rise hastened to cover the little bark with her baitery. Taking her in tow slie brou^'ht het safely into the harbour of .Erie, greatly to the joy of those who, aware of the invaluable freight with which the schooner was charged, had, on the weighing of the ducen Charlotte's anchor, entertained the utmost apprehension for the safety of the becalmed \essel, and watched With deep interest the vain attempts of her crew to bring her off. The full of Detroit having secured the tranquillity of Amhers'burg aad its c&niiguous districts, an expedition was projected into the in- terior of the enemy-s country, the object of which was the destruction of Fort Wayne, a post distant several hundred miles, and serving, as a depot lor stores, from which the various truops of the enemy, pushed forward to the frontier, v/ere supplied. The garrison, accord- ing to the intelligence received was closely invested, by the Indians, and consisted merely of a few hundred men, and a few pieces oi cannon indifferently mounted. Towards the close of September, a small detachment of troops, a howitzer, and two field pieces, under the commaad of Brevet Major Muir, were embarked in bout*, and fnr««eeAe4 icrost the Itkcto the Miami village, aituaicd about flAetm miles beyond the entrance of the rirer of the same name. Being there joined by the hudy of Inc'inns dejtined to form a part of the expedition, the detachment continued its rouie by iand^ and along a tract of country bearing no niarli of civilization whate^'^r. Our only covering was the canopy of Heaven, or rather the arches formed by the intermingling; boughs of the forest through which we moved, and not even the wigwam of the savage arose to diversity the monotony of the scene. The difficulty of conveying the guns by land, caused their transportation to be a work of much time; and the river, (rom the point where we had disembarked, was so extremely l( w as to render the progress of the boats, following the tinuosiiies of its course, tedious to the last degree. Having at langih, after much toil, gain- ed that part of the Miami, where it was intended to disembark the stores, every obstacle appeared to be lemoved, and the capture of Fort Wayne, then at no great distance, an event looked forwcrJ to with confidence. Fate, howevd, had ordained otherwi-ie. About nine o'clock on the evening of our arrivni. the shrill cty of our scouts was heard echoing throughcui the fciest, ai.d stcn oiurvards seven Indians issued from the wood on the opposite shore, andt leaping through the river, reached our encampment with the scalps of several Americans. The account thiy gave of their adventure was to the following elfict. At a distance of a few leagues, while advancing cautiously along the road, they observed a party, five la number, in a glen, and sealed round a larye fire, where they were busily occupieu in preparing th»'ir tood. After a slight consultation* they proceeded towards the group, and had approached within a f « W paces before they were perct 'ved by the American?, who instantly flew tothei* arms, and a sumed a posture of d. fence. The Indians however, hald out their hands in tok'n ola nity, and were sufft red to enter the circle. H« re. pittending ti be in the American inter- eftt, and describing ihemsdves as hunters on their way to one of tht if villages, they succeeded in lulling the su picions of the officer, who in return, communicated to them that the party he commanded were scouts preceding the advai;c: fl guard ol an army of 2,5(0 men, then on their march for the Minmi viUniie, and only distant a few miles. This disclosure ohtamed, the Indians, satisfied that they had no lime to lose, and throwing off the mask, desired them to deliver up their arms. The astonished party thus entrapped, and unwilling to risk a contest with a superior force, consented to accompany them ts tbetr yrisoDeri,b«t positirely reivted to relisqaisb thtir rifles. Tkef til thcrcfbre proeeedrd ib silence (oiFtard* oar CQcampme&l, fkr«9 Indians on each flank of their prisoners, and one in the rear. Oa the approach of evening, the Amcrici^ns wtre again desired to deli?- er up their rifles, and on rtfusinn; to do so, at a signal given by oue ot the Indians, the whole of hia party dropped, one by one, and appa- rently ^vllhollt premeditation, behind. Each then selected his vic- titii, and four of these uiiliappy men fell to rise no more. The oflicer alone, slightly wounded, made an ineiTeciua! attempt to escape, but closely pursued throu;;h the intricacies of the lurest by two of his foes, he was at length overtaken, and felled to the earth by a blow from a tomahawk. This cruel scene must have taken ^lace at no great distance from our encampment, the shots having been distinct^ ly heard about half an hour before the appearance of the Indians, who, on being questioned, excused their conduct. under the plea of the Americans being, nearly equal in numbers to themselves^ and obstinately refusing to deliver up their arms — circumstances which rendered their destruetion, at the approach of evening, a measure ot self-security — especially so, as having bt en sent in advance four or five days before, they were not !i\'. orf ( f < ur bui;g encamped at so »hort a distance. In consequence of the fongoing intelligence, all idea of continu- ing the expedition against Fort Wayne uas abandoned, ai;d the boats were ordered the same cvming to descend the river. Major Muir having, however, resolved to await the api roach of the ene- my, a position was taken up early on the following morning on the heights overlooking the lord at wjiieh the A nericans were expected to cross. Having passed the whole of the day in the vain expectation of his appearance, it was at length decided on, that the enemy apprised of our vicinity by the view of the bodies of their scouts slain the evening before, had taken a different direction, and in.*tead of traversing the river at the u;^fc!al for&I, had forced their march by a less frequented route on the opposite shoro. Such a manoeuvre on tht part of the American general would necessarily have cut off our re- treat, and we must have combated an • ncmy infinitely superior in numbers, under every disadvantage, in the heart of his own country and, in the event of our beats falling into his hands, destitute ox every resource. The detachment was consequently ordered to re, tire on the old fort of Defiar.cf", situated about halfway between th» Miami village and the poirit from whence we conuDenced our re- treat, formerly garrisoned by the British troops, during the celebra- 4«d PoBttte war, bo fatally waged against us by tka coBf«dera(t4 tribes of Indians, but then in a state of utter ruin and dilapidation. Having crossed tlie river at this place, a position was again talcen up at a point beyond which tne onciuv could not cflVct his passngo un- perceived. Here, however, we did not loug remain. Early on iho morning after our arrival, a party (.if Indians appeared nlong our line, conduciing a prisoner the v had found stnn itig in thv' woods, ar a short distance from the enemy's enmp. Kicm his account it appear- ed thai the "niormalion given by the American cllicir v. as perfectly correct. The force of the enemy consisted of 2. oCO mei , liniler the command of General W^iuvjliester ; and were destined forthe Miami, irhere it was intended to construct a fortification. On arriving at the spot where their slaughtered scouts lay nnburied along the road, an alarm was spread throughout their columns, and deeming a nu- merous enemy to be in their front, it was thought prudent to en- trtich themselves where they Avere. For this purpose trees were | immediatoly felled, and in the course of a few hours, with that ex- pedition for which the W' ein Americans, with whom the axe is almost as indispensable a weapon as the lifle, are lemarkablc, an enclosure with interstices for musquetry, and sufficiently large to | contain their whole force, together with their batgagc and waggonS) | was completed. It being evident from this intelligence, that the ob- ject of our enterprise was entirely ftuslrateil, and that an attack on I the enemy's entrcni'hment with our leeble force, if unsuccessful, must necessarily compromise the safety of our own posts. Major Muir decided on returning to Amherstburg, which fortress the dclacli- ment at length readied after a fruitless absence o( three weeks. ■ Although little or no mention has ever been made of our retrea from Fort Wayne, before so overwhelming a force as that which we so unexpectedly encountered, and by which we ought to have been an. nihilaled, the utmost praise is due to Major Muir tor having accom- plished it, not only without the loss of a man o[ his detachment, but even without the abandonment of any of his guns or stores, which, as has already been slated, were being transported with great toil and difficulty. Every thing was brought off and, at no one moment, was Our march precipiiate. Indeed of the bold front assumed by the detach- 1 ment. some idea may be formed from the tollowing brief accounts which appeared in the American papers, even during the time we were retiring upon Amherstburg Chilicothe, October 6th, 1812. Col. James Dunlop, who returned last evening from St. Mary's, re- ports that an express arrired from that place to Geoeral HarrtiOD I 1 dilapidation, again taken up s passage ud- Early on the jilong our lino, iv woods, at a ount it appear- v.as prrlcctly ler, under thu I forilie Miami, )n arriving at along tlu' road, eetuing a nu- prudent to en- »sc trees were witli tliat ex- onri the axe is einarkablo, an enily large to and waggonS) e, tiiat ttie cb- | an attack on i| unsuccessful, ts, Major Muir s the dftacli- I e weeks, of cur retrca hat which we have bten an. aving accom- tachment, but stores, which, ith great toil moment, was |by the detach- ! rie( accounts time we were 6th, J812. !t. Mary's, re* il Harrrflwl from QtDeral Wiuche«ter, urging him to repair iDimtidialely to Kort Defiance. That Harrison iiiP.ched with all txpcdition ai the head of 2.500 or 3,000 mounted rillcmen. The express slated that Gcne- lal Winche^toi was at or near Fort Dtdancc, witii about 3,000 Oiiio and Kentucky Volunicers, and that a body of Irdians and Eiiiish amounting to 2,000 or 3,000 with six pieces of Ar'.illery, lay encamp- ed about thieo inilesi from him. AN'inche.sicr was hourly expecting an attack. Chilicoihc, October 7(h. The vanguard of ihc North V/c'tcrn niiiiy, iindir GimkiuI Win- chester, arrived some days ago at lsidoni:i iVoni Fort Di fiance. It was composed of Payne's ilrigade of Kentucky Volunteers. Gerrnrd's troop of Dragoons, and about 400 of rlic ITili Kogitneni of regulars. They advanced to wiii)in ilirie miles ol Fort Defiance (on which we had retired) and there found 3,000 British and Indians with six pie- ces of artillery who had fortified ihen'iselves in the l^'ort. Winches- ter also fortified his camp, and waited for reinforcements. Now as I was on this, as well as every other expedition underta* ken by the Right Division, during its military existence, I can, from my own personal knowledge, aver that there were not more than 150 regular troops of every description, (principally the 41st.) and the lame number of militia, composing the detachment under Major Muir, on this occasion. My impression — and it is a very strong one — is that It did not exceed two thirds of that number, but as, unfortunately all ofhcial papers connected with the Regiment, were lost at the Mora- vian town, it has been utterly impossible to ascertain the correct em- barkation return of the troops employed on this, as weW as on various other similar occasions. If I admit 300 men, I do so, not fiom a be- lief that there was so many, but from an apprehension of underrating our actual strength. Our Indian force did not exceed 500 men, and our artillery, as has been stated, consisted of one small howitzer — (the calibre I forgct)-and two threc'pounders. We did not fortify our- selves in Fort Defiance, but occupied it one day, during the greater part of which we continued on the skirt of the surrounding wood, provoking, the enemy to attack us, oy the occasional advance and re- treat of the Indians. Three days, at diflerent periods, during the time it took us to retire, covering our guns and stores, wo halted and formed, in order to give the enemy time to come up, and of the po- sition we had assumed on the very last day, after crossing the Miami at the ford near the Rapids, some idea may be formed, from the fol- lowing extracts from a report from General Tupper, who comiuanded the Kentucky riflemen of General Winchester's Division. General Tupper to General Harrison. Urbana, Oct. I2ih, 1812. Sir, — On receiving your order of the 4th inst. to proceed to the Rapids, with the whole force of mounted men under my command, M whoit hur»ei were in n conditiou tu perform the fierrire; \ eauaed an ex.iiiiinnliuu to be itin(i(.'i]imeiy iind, und tuuiul ilini there still rc- •naincd 900 men. including ul«o Captain Bacon's>, und and one other company which Icf'f us the rnominij Ibliowinjar," I ordered returns to be made so that each man should he furnished with 12 rounds ; this return aniounled to 4,500 cartridges lor the mus- ket men, exclusive of Major Roper's battalion ; the ammunition of the riflemen havincj received very little damage ; Q,uarter-Master lias- lay called on the Q,uarter-Master in General Winchester's camp,and returned without a supply. About one o'clock this day, a man be- lnn,'Ting to Captain Manary's company of Hangers, was killed and scalped across the Miami, Avithin two hundred yards ol our camp. I gave immediate orders to ami, and in five minutes, to horse, but owing to our being compelled to confine our horses during the night, and gra;5e them by day, for want of forage, the greater part, at this moment, were under keepers, nearly one mile from camp up the Agglaise. In the mean time I permitted Major Brush to cross over with about 50 foot, to examine the bank, and see in what direction .the Indians had retired, but before he rea»:hed the opposite shore, every horseman whose horse was in camp, was mounted to follow over. It was in vain that 1 made an attempt to keep them back, till they were formed — ihey broke ofl' in numbers from 20 to 30, mostly without their officers and crossed the woods in every diieciion ; aparty of 15 fell upon the trail of the Indians, and 7 or 8 miles distance, overtook them, but ilnding them halted and formed, our men, with- out waiting Cor a discharge from the enemy, returned to camp." When it was found that General Winchester had suspended me in the command, the whole force from Ohio broke ofT, crossed the Auglaize, and refused to march as directed by General Winchester. With the then remaining force I proceeded to this place, vvheie I directed Col. Findlay and Major Roper to discharge such men as had continued to iheir duty. Thus, Sir, has terminated an expedition, at one time capable of tearing the British flag from the walls ol Detroit, wherein our troops might have returned, with the pleasing refieclion of havinj; done their country an essential service. It is a duty, Sir, I owe to the officers of the Kentucky force, to Col- onel Findlay and the officeis of (he first Battalion, to say that they were zealous in pressing forward the expedition; while the officers of the second Battalion, commanded by Major Taylor, with a few exceptions, were fchrinking from their duty, and shamefully deserting the cause of the country. The detachment of Colonel Simiral's Regiment from our force, stands prominent among the causes of our failure; aheady was there panic in some parts of our camp; the enemy that had retired at Gen- eral Winchester's approach, had been greatly magnified. The day Buccecuing the alarm, he drew in one wmg of his lines,and strength- ened his camp with a breastwork — even this circumstance was nD- ticed and urged as an evidence that he apprehended a force superior to his own. Thus, when imaginary obstacles unite with those thi t are real, to oppose the movements of a force so insubordinate, as ths^t every man's will is his law, little can be expected by the officere^but a plirntiful harvest of mortificntioii and disgrace,*' A litar wortj year! couni judic| fair, in;,' t| oppoi] retrei super sever a crc force, to Col- At iht period of ttili expeJiliuti, tu my yuung Htid uiipractiaed mi- litary eye, the niovciiienta of uur little force had appeared scnrcfly worlliy of remark, brcausp we had had no actual fighting, but, of later years, und particularly after having' had access to the American ac- counts of our retreat, my inipress^ion of its t-xtrenie military tact and judiciuusneis has been ;;rcally increase*!. In truth it is the only af- fair, during t'le whole of the war of 181i3, in which any tiling api)roach- inij to maniEuvre was displayed, for the simple reason that no other opportunity had ever been allbrded. Here how(;ver was q ten day's retreat, conducted by the leader of a handful of men, before a vastly superior force of ihe enemy, to whom batilo had been offered on three several occasions during that period, and that in a manner to reflect a credit upon the gallant Major Muir, which should not be lost sight of by the future historian of this country. James, in his History of the War, despatches the subject of Fort Wayne in a very summary manner. He stales that it was contem-' plated to send an expedition against it, but that the idea was aban- doned in consequence of General Brock having communicated lo Colonel Procter at Amherstburg, information ot the armistice which had been concluded with General Dearborn, by Sir George Prevost, expressing at the same time a desire, that although the armistice did not extend to General Hull's recent command, the Indians should be restrained as much as possible, from the comiriissionof any act of hostility. Now, not only, as it is seen, was the idea not abandoned,^ but the expedition had penetrated a greater distance (nearly two hun- dred miles) into the enemy's country, and were longer absent from the Garrison, than any other that subsequently left the harbor of Amherstburg. A day or two before our return from this long and tedious expedi* lion, we saw the prisoner who had been taken by the Indians, soon af- ter we commenced our retrograde movement. He had been with the person alluded to in General Tupper's report to General Harrison, as having been killed and scalped within two hundred yards of their en- campment, and to avenge whose death the Kentucky mounted rifle- men had evinced so much fruitless alacrity. The captive was al- ready adopted in that tribe of Indians, to which his captors belonged, and was habited after their manner. His head was partly shaved, and covered with a handkerchief, rolled in the form of a turban. His face was painted several colors, and so c jmplete was the metamor- phosis, that but for the whiteness of skin visible through several parts of bis dress, it would have been difficult to distinguish him from thoM by whom he was sarrouided. At the moment we saw him, he was seat- OP «d in a tent, sharln; Iho e? colng-roeal of his aevr eounttymeo, witk much appetite and unconcern. He expressed liimself as being quit* reconciled to his new condition, and spoke with warmth of the kind treatment he had received; nor did he seem to attach much conse- quence to the assurance given him that every exertion would be made on our return to obtain his liberrtion. We saw liim some weeks later at Arnherstburg; and strange as it may appear, he assured us that he preferred the idle life he had led among the Indians, to a repetition of active service in the American army. About this period Mr. Robert Dickson arrived at Arnherstburg with a number of canoes, filled Avith warriors of the fiercest character and appearance. Among the most remarkable of these tribes were the Sawkies, a race of men whose towering height, athletic forms, and nobleness of feature, might recal the idea of the Romans in the earlier stages of their barbarity ; and another tribe, whose Indian name I do not recollect, but who were known among ourselves by their assumed appellation of devoted men. The costume of the lat- ter was a dress of white leather, extremely pliant, and curiously em- broidered with the siained quills of the porcupine, in the preparation of which the natives evince much taste and ingenuity. They were few in number, and, professing to hold death in derision, were looked upon by the other warriors much in the same light that we regard our forlorn hope, ihe post of danger being reserved for them. One of their chiefs having been invited to breakfast with several officers of the garrison, was at much pains, in the course of the meal, to im- press upon the minds of his hosts the particular virtues of his tribe; and in order to demonstrate more fully the extent to which they car- ried their disregard of pain or death, drew a sharp knife from its sheath, and, having cut a piece of flesh out of one of his thighs, threw It contemptuously away, exclaiming that 'he gave it to the dogs.* The arrival of this reinforcement increased our Indian force to n- bout three thousand Warriors. The small detachment of the 4lst Regiment not 300 strong, and a company of the Newfoundland Fen- cibles, composed the whole of our regular force. The latter were, however, employed as Marines on board the different vessels of war, so that the defence of tne two fortresses of Detroit and Arnherstburg was entrusted to the 41st alone. The month of Ootcber was marked by an event of the most me- lancholy and disastrous nature — the denth of the noble Brock, who fell a victim to the daring and intrepidity of his character, and m the performance of a duty which should bava been executed by ■ Mpt«ia of A Mnpany. ■:f ei On hisarriral at Fort George, which he reached in eight daja fron the surreuucr of Detroit, the General loum), to his great dismay, that an armistice had been entered into and cuncludecl, during his absence, between Sir George Prevost nnd General Dearborn, com- mander in Chief of the American Atniy, so that the whole of his plans of operation wete deranged, and instead of carrying the Ame- rican fort of Niagara by an instant coup de main, as he had propo- sed, and which was to have been a proliminaiy to more extended offensive demonstrations, he found himselt compelled to sit quietly down in presence of his enemy, and watch, without being enabled to interrupt them, his unremitting preparations for defence. From this state of supmeness and moriificaiion he was only first actively aroused on the early morning of the 13th of October, by an alarm gi- ven by the sentinel stationed at the point above Fort George, that he had seen and heard firing in the direction of Q,ueenstown. In a few minutes the General was on his horse, and, unattended even by an Aid-de-Camp, galloping onward to Q,ucenstown to ascertain the cause of the alarm. On arriving about half way to Brown's-point, he was met by Lieut. Jarvis, of Captain Caiiieron's Flank Company of Yorli* Militia, which, with Captain Reward's, was stationed there. This officer had b(!en on guard at what was called the half moon battery, about mid-way between Ciueenstown and Niagara,and obser- ving on the water, opposite to ihe former place, numerous and rapid flashes of fire-arr;is, had alarmed the Officer Coraanding the detach- ment, who immediately ordered the two companies under arms. An Ofllccr was at the same time despatched toQ,ueenstown, to obtain in- formation* Scarcely had the men been turned out, when an Otficer, who had passed their own messenger on the road, arrived from Q,ueenstown with intelligence that the Americans were crossing in force,and an order for the detachment'at Brown's point to march up im- mediately, and assist in opposing their landing. He was moreover directed to desire that the Officer commanding should instantly des- patch a messenger to Fort George, to apprize General Brock of the movement of the enemy. Liei/t. Jarvis, who happened to be the only person mounted, was ordered on this service, and he had galloped about half way to Fort George, when he met General Brock wholly unattended, cantering his charger up the Q,ueenstovvn road. As the day had begun to dawn, Lieut. Jarvis had no difficulty in re- cognizing the General, but such was the spirit of his horse that he could not rein him in, but was borne past, shouting out to his Chief to stop, as h« had most important new, to communicate, But th« General wasi too impatient to reach the scene of daoger to delay a moruentj and beckoning the officer to follow him, he still continued his course. After the lapse of a few minutes Lieut. Jarvis suc- ceeded in reining in. and wheeling his restive horse, and soou gain- ing the General's side, communicated his information. Without in the slightest dcgroo abaiini:^ his speed even for an instant, the Ge- neral listened, and then gave his orders. These were that Lieute- nant Jarvis should go with all speed to Fort George, and order up Ge- neral Sheaffe with ihe whole|of the reserve. Heinoreover particularly di- rected ihat the Indians, a small party of whom were encamped near Fort George, should be thrown out upon th,e right, to occupy the woods, during the advance of the reserve to his support. Scarcely had Lieut. Jarvis lost sight of the General, on his way to execute the order he had received, when he,was met by Col. Mc- Donell. who was following after his Chief, and who, in his hurry to overtake him, had left Fort George without even recollecting that he was unprovided with his sword. Having satisfied himself that the General was not far in advance, he begged Lieut. Jarvis tO' sup- ply the deficiency, slating at the same time where he would find his own sabre, in his quarters at Fort George, and desiring him to appropriate it to his use for the day. The young officer com- plied with his request, and hurriedly parted with the gallant Colo- nel, as he had wiih the General, for ever. Having given these brief yet interesting particulars, in regard to the two brave men whose ashes now repose under the same monu- mental stone, on the heights near which they fell, only a few hours later, it is time to pass to the scene of action to which|they were hastening. The Americans, availing themselves ot the armistice entered in- to by Sir George Prevost, had contrived to push forward a large force to their camp at Lewiston, under General Van Ransellaer, with the view ol an invasion of Canada, similar to that of General Hull. Their force was a powerful one,and their plan of operation highly judi- cious, but fortunately it failed, from want of unanimity and ardor in the irregular portion of their troops. General Van Ransellaer having concerted his mode oi attack, caused thirlepn boats to be col- lected in the course of the 12th of October, for the purpose of cross" ing over his army long before the dawn of the following day. James, who seems to be good authority in this matter, states — •' The embarkation was to have taken place as follows. Col. VtB Ransellaer, who commanded, with 800 Militia and Lieut. Co). carroi is sc{ 93 Christie with 300 regulars; Lieut. Col. Fenwick and Major Mullanj to follow with about 550 regular troops; and some pieces of Hying Artillery; and then the militia. It was intended that the embarka- tion of the regulars ai,d militia should be simultaneous, as far as ihe boats would suflice to receive lliem; but having to descend the batik by a narrow path which had been cut out of it, the regular troops frot possession of the boats to the exclusion of the niililia ; and the latter were ordered to follow in the return boats. The only British batteries, from which the troops could be annoy- ed in the passage, were one, mounting an 18 pounder, upon Queen- slown Heights, (^about half w;iy up) and another mounting a 24 pound carronade, situate a little below the town. The river at Q,ueenstown is scaicely a quarter of a mile in width, and the part chosen for cros- ing was not fully exposed to either of tlie British batteries; while the American batteries of two 18, and two 6 pounders, and the two 6-pounder field pieces, brought up by Lieutenant Colonel Scott, com- pletely commanded every part of the opposite shore, from which mus- ketry could be elfeclual in opposing a landing. With these import- ant advantages the troops embarked ; but a grape-shot striking the boat in which Lieutenant Colonel Christie was, and wounding him in the hand, the pilot and the boatmen became so alarmed, that they suffered the boat to fall below the point of landing, and were obliged in consequence to pu* back. Two other boats did the same. The remaining ten with the 225 regulars, besides officers, including the commander of the detachment. Colonel Van Ransellaer, struck the shore ; and, after disembarking the men, returned for more troops. The only force at Q,ueenstown(at the landing of the enemy) con- sisted of the two flank companies of the 49th Regt. and a small de tachment of militia ; amounting in all to about 300 rank and file. Of these about 60, taken from the 49lh Grenadiers, and Captain Hatt's company of militia, having in charge a 3 pounder, advanced at lour o'clock in the morning, with Captain Dennis of the 49lh at their head, towards the river, near to which Colonel Van Ransaeller had forrneJ his men, to await the arrival ot the next boats. A well directed and warmlv continued fire killed and wounded several American officers and privates, including, among the wounded Colonel Van Ransellaer and three Captains, .ind drove the Americans close to the water'e edge. In the mean time a tresh supply of troops had effected a land- ing; and remained with the others sheltered behind the bank ; whence they returned the fire of the British, killing one man, and wounding lour. The remaining subdivisions of the 49th Grenadiers and of the niilitia company had now joined Captain Dennis; and the 49ih Light Infantry under CaplainWilliams, with Captain Chisholm's company of militia, stationed on the brow of the hill, were firing down upon the invaders. Of five or six 'ooats that attempted to land a body of American regulars under Major Mullany, one was destroyed by a shot from the hill-battery commanded by Lieutenant Crowiher of the 41st Regi- ment; two others were captured, and the remainder, foiled in their object, returned to the American side. Day light appeared, and at the same instant General Brock arrived at the hill battery from Fort George. Observing the strong reinforcements that were crossing oyer, the General instantly ordered Captain Williams to descend the hill and support Captain Dennis. No sooner weie Cajitain Wil- Jiftms And his men s«eD to depart, than the Americuns formed the ti resolution of ^iniug the heights. A«uordiagly 00 Aaienean regur lars, headed by Captain Wool, and accompanied by Major Lush, a rolunteer, also by a Captain, six Liouienants and an Ensign of the I3lh llegimiMit, ascended a liihi.'rman's path up the rocks, which had been reportt-d to General Biocic as impassable, and therefore was not guarded. Tiie Aiiiericans were ihiis enabk., Museen by our troops, to arrive at a bruw, about 30 yards in rear of the hill-battery. Rein- forcements kept rapidly arriving by ihe concealed path; and the whole formed on the brow, with their fioni towards the Village of Q,ueensto\vn. The moment General Brock discovered the unexpected advance of the American troops, he, with the lii men stationed at the battery, retired; and Captain VVool, advancing from the rear with his more than tenfold force, took possession of it. Captain Wilijams and his detachment of regulars and militia were nov/ recalled; and General Brock putting himself at the head of this ibrce, amounting in ail fo about 90 men, advanced to meet a detachment of 150 picked Ameri- can regulars, which Captain Wool had sent forward to attack him. While animating his little band of regulars and militia to a charge up the heights, General Brock received a mortal wound in the breast, and immediately fell. At this moment the two flank companies of the York militia, with Lieutenant Colonel McDonnell, tin Generals' Provincial Aide de- camp at their head, ai rived from Brown's point, three miles distant. By this time alr>o Captain Wool had sent additional reinforcements to Captain Ogi'ivie; making the latter's force "320 regulars, support- ed by a few miliiia and volunteers," or, on the whole, full 500 men. Colonel McDonnell and his 90 men — more than two thirds Cana- nian militia — rushed boldly up the hill, in defiance of the continued stream of musketry pouring down upon them; compelled the Ameri- cans to spike the IS pounder; and would have again driven them to the rocks, had not the Colonel and Captain Williams been woun''ed almost at the same instant; the former mortally. The loss of their commanders created confusion among the men, and they again re- treated. Hearing of the fall of General Brock, Captain Dennis pro- ceeded from the valley, towards the foot of the heights, and mount- ing the General's horse, rode up, and tried to rally the troops. He succeeded in forming a few ; but the number was so inconsiderable that to persist in a contest, would have been madness. A retreat was accordingly ordered, by the ground in the rear of the town; and the men ol the 49th, accompanied by many of ihe militia. formed in front at Vromonts battery, there to await the expected reinforcement trom Fort George. While we had at this period not above 200 unwoundcd men at Q,ueenstown, the Americans, by their own account, had upwards of 800, and General Van llansaeller tells us that "a number of boats now crossed over, unannoyed except by one unsilenced gun," or thai at Vromont's battery; consequently more troops were hourly arriving. Brigadier General Wadsworth was left as commanding officer of the Americans on the Qucenstown hill; and General Van Ransaeller, considering the victory as complete, had himself crossed over, in or- der to give directions about fortifying the camp, which he intended to occnpy in the British territory." Thus far thfn is, lucidly and accurately enough, explained th« na- len^an regw- iijor Lush, a isign of the 5, which had fore was not y our troops, tory. Uein- h ; and the e Village of led advance . the battery, iih his more ams and his and General ling in ail to :ked Anieri- attack him. to a charge 11 the breast, iiilitia, with ial Aide de- liles distant, nforcemenls irs, support- ill 500 men. iirds Cana- e continued the Ameri- en them to woun''ed s of their again re- )ennis pro- lind mount- roops. He Insiderable A retreat (town; and Vd in front luent Irom \d men at jpwards of of boats ," or thai arriving. leer of the msaeller, ^er, in or- intended id the nt- tare ot the contest, and the relative positions of the t\vo forces, up t« the moment of the arrival of the reserve from Fort George. It may not however be unimportant to add, that among the officers wounded in the repulse, and of whom no mention is made by James, were Cap- tain Dennis of the 4asing smile, and good leeth. In manner he was exceedingly aflable and gentlemanly, of a cheerful and social habit, partial to dancing, and although never married, extremely de- voted to fema' socif' Of the chivalry of hia nature, and the sound- ness of his ju(fnv;r;> evidence enough has been given in the fore- going pages torv;;a<=r M; <.omment thereon a matter of supereiogation. 4 The following is the Official account of the Action From Major Genciul Sheafle to Sir George Prevost. Fort George Oct. 13th 1812. Sir, — I have the honor of informing your Excellency, that the en- emy made an attack, with considerable force, this mornmg. before day-light, on the position of Queenstown. On receiving intelligence of it, Major General Brock immediately proceeded to that post ; and 1 am excessively grieved in having to add, that he fell whilst gal- lantly cheering his troops to an exeiiion for maintaining it. With him the position was lost: but the enemy was not allowed to retain it long, reinforcements having been sent up from this post, compos- ed of regulars troops, r^iilitia, and Indians, a movement was made to turn his left, wiiilst some artillery, under the able direction of Captain Holcroft, supported by a body of infantry, engaged his at- tention in front. This rpt ration was aided too by the judicious po- sition which Norton and the Indiana with him, had taken on the woody brow, of the high ground above Q,uecnstown. A communi- cation being thus opened with Chippeway, a junction was formed with succours that had been ordered from that post, The enemy was then attacked, and after a short but spirited conflict, v>as com- pletely defeated. I had the satisfaction of receiving the sword of their commander Brigadier General Wadsworth, on the field of bat- tle, and many Officers, with 900 men, were made prisoners, and moie may yet be expected. A siand of colours and one G-pounder, were also taken. The action did not terminate till nearly three o'ciock in the afternoon, and their loss, in killed and wounded, must have been considerable. Ours, I believe to have been comparatively small in numbers : no officer was killed besides Major-General Brock, one of the most gallant and zealous officers in his Majesty's service whose loss cannot be too much deplored, and Lieutenant Colonel Macdonnell, provincial aide-de-camp, whose gallantry and merit render hmi wo.thv of his chief. Captains Dennis and Williams, commanding the flank compa- nies of the 49th regiment, who were stationed at Queenstown, were wounded, bravely contending at the head of their men against supe- rior Dumberjj ; but I am glad to hare it in my power to add, that 69 teems to bart Drtant here to ivas tall, stout I complexion, iturcs, rather rie of them — lii manner he j1 and social ;xtreme}y de- nd the sound- in the fore- pereiogation. 1 'revost. 13th 1812. that the en- 'ning. before f intelligence at post ; and whilst gal- g it. With ed to retain •St, compos- vvas made direction of ?ed his at- dicious po- ken on the . communi- /as formed he enemy v>as coni- sword of Id of bat- ,nndmoie der, were ee o'clock ust have araiively r-Gcneral [Majesty's ieutenant lantry and compa- jwn, were ist supe- idd, that s Captain Dennis fortunately was able to keep the field, though it was with pain and difficulty ; and Captain Williams's wound is not like' ly long to deprive me of his services. 1 am particulaily indebted to Captain Holcroftof the royal artille- ry, for his judicious and s^killiul co-operation with the guns and liowitzers under his immediate supcrintciidancc ; their well direct- ed lire contributed materially to the forlunate result ol the day. Captain Derenzy of the 4ist regiment, brought up the leinforce- nient of that corps from Fort George, and Captain Bullock led that of the same regiment from Chippeway ; and under their commands those detachments acquitted themselves in such a manner, as to sustain the repuialion which the 41st regiment had already acquired in the vicinity of Detroit. Major General Brock, soon after his arrival at Q,ueenstown, had sent down orders for haltering the American Fort Niagara. Brigade Major Evans, who was left in charge of Fort George, directed the operations against it Avith so much ellect, as te silence its fires, av ' to force the troops to abandon it, and by his prudent precautions, h nrevented mischief of a most serious nature, which othervvis* "ig'i.« have been effecH'd, the enemy having used heated shot in '■ in:' at Fort George. In these services he was most cfTectually upU''' by Colonel CIl'Us (who remained in the fort at my desire,; an. by Captain Vigoreaux, of the royal engineers. Brigade Maj E^'ans also mentions the conduct of (/aptains Powell and Camero.^ if the Militia artillery, in terms of commendation. Lieut. Crowther, of the 41st regiment, had charge of two 3-pound- ers that had accompanied the movement of our little corps, and they were employed with good eflfect. Captain Glegg, of the 49th regiment, aide-de-camp to our lament- ed friend and general, afforded me the most essential assistance ; and I found the services of Lieutenant Fowler of the 41st regiment, as- sistant-dopuiy-quarter-n)aster-general, very ustful. I derived much aid, too, from the activity and intelligence of Lieutenant Kerr, of the Glengary Fencibles, whom I employed in communicaiing with the Indians and other flanking parties. I was unfortunately deprived of the aid and experience of lieu- tenant colonel Myers, deputy quarter-master-general, who had been sent up to Fort Erie a few days before on duty, which detain- ed him there. Lieutenant-colonels Butler and Clark of the militia ; and Cap- tains Hatt, Durand, Rowe, Applcgarlh, James, Crooks, Cooper. Ro- bert Hamilton, M'Ewin, and Duncan Cameron ; and Lieutenants Richaidson and Thomas Butler, commanding flank companies of the Lincoln and York Militia, led their men into action with great spirit. Major Merritt, commanding the Niagara dragoons accom- panied me, and gave much assistance, with jiart of his corps. Cap- tain A. Hamilton belonging to it was disabled from riding, and at- tached himself to the guns under Captain Holcrofl, who speaks highly of his activity and usefulness. I beg leave to add that vol- unteers Shaw, Thomson, and .Tarvis attached to the flank companies of the 49th regiment, conducted themselves with great spirit; the first having been wounded, and the last having been taken prisoner. 1 beg leave to recommend these young men to your Excellency's no- tice. Norton is wounded, but not badly ; he and the Indians parti- >*.■ 70 culnrly distinguished themselves, and I hare very preat satisfaction in assuring your Excellency, that the spirit and good conduct of his Majesty's troops, of the militia, and of the other provincial corps, •were eniinenllv conspicuous on this occasion. 1 liave not been able to ascertain yet the number of troops, or of those of the enemy engaged ; ours, I believe, did not exceed the number o( the prisoners we have taken: and their advance, which effected a landing, probably amounted to 13 or 1400 men. I shall do myseli the honor of transmitting to your Excellency further details, wiien I shall have received the several reports of the occurrences which did not pass under my own observation, with ihe return of the casualties, and tlioscof the killed and wounded, and of the ordnance taken. I have the honor to be &c. (Signed) R. H. ShealTe, Maj. Gen. To His Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart &c. The American accoimts of the action have been so much altered from General Van Ransellaer's original despatch, that it is difficult to know which is the correct one. At this moment I have two be- fore me, one by Captain Fay, of the United States Artillery, the olhei by James. There is evidently so much ol the siipprestio veri, if not of the assertiojalsi, in the former, evidently to cloak the nation* al humiliation, that there can be no hesitation in adopting that given by the latter, who seems to have been at some pains to obtain the correct despatch. From General Vau Rensellaer, to the American Secretary of War. Head duarters, Lev/istown, Oct. 14th, 1812. Sia, — As the movements of this Army under my command, since I had last the honor to address you on the 8th, have been of a very- important character, producing consequences serious to many indi- viduals; establishing facts actually connected Aviih the interest of the service and the safety of the army; and as I stand prominently res- ponsible for some of these consequences, I beg leave to explain to you, sir, and 'hrough you to my country, the situation and circum- stances in which I have had to act, and the reasons and motives •which governed me, and if the result is not all that might have been wished, it is such that, when the whole ground shall be viewed, I shall cheerfully submit myself to the judgement of ray country. In my letter of the 8th instant, I apprised you that the crisis in this campaign was rapidly advancing; and that (to repeal the same) "the blow must be soon str^ek, or all the toil and expense of the campaign will go for nothing, lur the whole atIU be tinged w;th dishonor." Under such im[)ressions, 1 had, on the 5th instant, written to Brig. General Smvih, of the United States iorces, requesting an interview ■with him, Major General Hall, and the commandants of regiments, for the purpose of conferring upon the subject of future operations, I wrote Major General Hall to the same purport. On the 11th had received no answer from General il /th; but in a note to me of the 10th, General Hall mentioned that General Smyth had not yet then agreed upon any day for the consultalioD. satisfaetioQ nduct of his ncinl corps, troops, or of exceed ihc nee, which Excellency jports of the nation, with oundcd, and |. Gen, inch altered it is difficult ave two be- ry, the oihei ?sf JO veri, if : the nation' ? that given s to obtain ry of War. ih, 1812. and, since of a very jmany indi> rest of the Inently res- explain to d circum- Id motives |have been viewed, I ntry. |sis in this me) "the [campaign Jonor." |n to Brig, interview .'giments, |)erationSr lllthhad >e of the I yet then f 71 In the mean time, the partial success of Lieutenant Elliott at Black Rock (of which however, I have received no ollicial informa- tion) began to excite a strong disposition in the troop? to act. '1 his was exprc'ssi'd to me through various clmnuols, in the shii^.o ot' an alternative; that they must have orders to act, or at all haZHrds they would go home. 1 Ibrbear here coiiirneiitina: upon the obvious con- sequences, to ine personally, of longer withholding ray orders under such circumstances. I had a conference with , a;j to the possibilfy of getting some person to pass over into Canada, and obtain correct inrormation. On the morning of th» 4lh, he wrote to me that he had procured the man, who bore his letter to go over. Instructions were given him: he pas^ied over, and ol)taine(l such information as warranted an immediate attack. This was conlidcntiy communicated to several of my lirst officers, and produced great zeal to act; more especially as it might have a controlling cfl'ccl upon the movement at Detroit, where it was supposed that (acneral Brock had gone with all the force he dared to spare fi-on tlm Niagara frontier. The best preparations \n my power, wi ■ 'ii. icforo made to dislodge the enemy from the heights of Q,ueenstoun, and possess ourselves of the village; where the troops might be sheltered from the distressing inclemency of the weather. Lieutenant Colonel Fleming's flying artillery, and a detachment of regular troops under his command, were ordered to be up in sea- son from Fori Niagnra. Orders were also sent General Smyth, to send down from BuH'alo, such detachments of his brigade as existing circumstances in that vicinity might warrant. The attack was to be made at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 11th, by crossing over in boats from the old lerry opposite Ihe heights. To avoid any em- barrassment in crossing llie river, (which is here a sheet of violent eddies,) experienced boatmen were procured, to take the boats, from the landing below to the place of embarkation. Lieutenant Sim was considered the man of the greatest skill for this service; he \\ent ahead, and, in the extreme darl»ness, passed the intended place far up llic river; and there, in a most extraordinary manner, fastened his boat to the shore, and abandoned the detachment. In this front boat he had carried nearly all the oars, which were prepared for the boats. In this agonizing dilemma stood officers and men, whose ardor had not cooled by exposure through the night, to on-? of the most tremendous north-east storms, which continued unabated for 23 hours, and deluged the whole camp. Colonel Van Rensellaer was to have commanded the detachment. After this result, I had hoped that the patience of the troops, would have continued, until I could submit the plan sugcested in my letter of the 8th, that I might act under, and in conformity to, the opinion which might bo then expressed. But my hope was idle; the pre- viously excited ardor seemed to have gained new heat from the late miscarriage ; the brave men were mortified to stop short of their ob- ject, and the timid thought laurels half won by the attempt. On the morning ot the 12th, such was the pressure upon me from all quarters, thai I became satisfied ihat my refusal to act might in- volve me in suspicion, and the service in disgrace. Lieutenant Colonel Christie, who had just arrived at the four mile Creek, and had, late in the night of the 1st, contemplated an attack, gallaolly offered nie hU owu uud his men's services: but he cot my permissiuii loo latf. He now uj;ain came forward 'had a conference with Colonel Van Rcnsfllacr nnci begged that ho might hove the honJrof a coiiiiiiand in the expiuliiion. The arrangcuieiif was made, Colonel Van Ucusellaer was to command one column of 300 mihtia; and Lieutenant Colonel Christie, a column of the same number of reg- ulai troo|)3. Every |)rccaution was now adopted a^ to boats, and the most con- fidential and experienced men to manage them. At an early iiour in the night, Lieutenant Colonel Christie marched his detachment by the rear road from Niagara to the camp. At 7 in the evenmg Lieu- tenant Colonel Stranahan's regiuienl moved from Niagara FalU; at 8 o'clock Mead'!>,and at 1) o'clock Lieutenant Colonel Bland's regiment marched from the same place. All were in camp in good season, Agreeably to my orders issued upon this occasion, the two coluiims were to pass over together; as soon as the heights should be carried. Lieutervant Colonel F«.n wick's living artillery was to pass over; then Major Mullany's detachment of regnlars ; and the other troops to fol- low in order. Colonel Van Rensellaer, with great presence of mind, ordered his officers to proceed with rapidity, and storm tiie fort. This service Avas gallantly performed, and the enemy driven down the hill in every direction. Soon after this, both parties were considerably reinforced, and the conflict was renewed in various places. Many of the enemy took shelter behind a stone guard-house, where a piece of ordnance was now briskly served. I ordered the fire of our battery to be direct- ed upon the guard-house; and it was so eff^ec'-ually done, that with eight or ten shot the fire was silenced. The enemy then retreated behind a large stone house; but m a short time the route became general, and the enemy's fire was silenced, except from a one gun battery, so far down the river as to be out of the reach of our heavy ordnance ; and our light pieces could not silence it. A number of boats now parsed over unannoyed, except by the one unsilenced gun. For some timi after I had passed over, the victory appeared complete ; but in expectation ot further attacks, I was taking measures for for- tifying my camp immediately ; the direction of this service 1 commit- ted tft Lieutenant Tottcn, of the engineers. But very soon the ene- my were reinforced, by a detachment of several hundred Indians from Chippeway ; they commenced a furious attack ; but were promptly met and routed by the rifle and bayonet. By this time I perceived my troops were embarking very slowly. I passed immediately over to accelerate their movements ; but, to my utter astonishment, I found that, at the very moment when complete victory was in our hands, the ardor of the unengaged troops had entirely subsided. I rode in all directions; urged the men by every consideration to pass over, but in vain Lieut. Col. Bloom, who had been wounded in action, returned, mounted his horse and rode through the camp; as did also Judge Peck, who happened to be here, exhorting the companies to proceed, but all in vain. At this lime a large reinforcement from Fort George was discover- ed coming up the river. As the battery on the hill was considered an important check against their ascending the heights, measures were immediately taken to send them a fresh supply of ammunition •i I Ipnrnt there were only left 90 shot foi the l8-poundera. The le- lofd (orn to tJ soeip ing mg ing ut he ffot mf a coniereDce ?lil have the 11 f \\i\i made, f 300 militia; jmber of reg- ie most con- ?arlv hour in tarhment by veiling Lieu- ra Falla; at d's regiment food season, wo coluiims J be cairied. s over; then iroops to fol- ordereJ his Fhis service iiitl ill every r reinforced, f the enemy )f ordnance to he direct- ?, that with u retreated ute became 1 a one gun our heavy number of enced gun. i complete; ires for for- '■ I commit- 5n the ene- idiansfrom ! promptly perceivei iatelv over ishmcnt, I was in our bsided. I on to pass in action, as did also ipanies to > disoover- onsidered measurei imunitioa Theif- loforcemeDtt, however, obliqued to tha right ftom tht road, aod formed a junctiuo with the Indians in rear ut the heights. Finding, to my infinite nu)rti(ication, thai no reinforcement would puss over ; seeing that another severe conflict mii«^t soon commence; and know- ing t!iat the brave mt'ii at the iieights were quite exhausted, and ne;irly out of aimnmiilion ; all I coiilil do, was lo send thiiii a fresh supply of cartridges. At liiis critical nioiiunt 1 despatched a note to General VVadsworth acquaintinp: him with our situation : leaving the course to be pursued much lo liis own judiijement ; \\illi a.ssui- anee that if he tliougl-t best to rctnat, i would endeavour to send as many boats as 1 could command, and cover his ri'treat by every fire I could safely maUc. But the boats were (lispeis»'d ; many of the boatmen had lied, panic struck; and but few got off. .My note, however, could but liiile more than have reached General W. about 4 o'clock when a most severe and c^ tinate conllict coinmeiiced, and continued for about half an hour,with a tremendous lire of cannon, fly- ing ari'llery and musketry. The enemy succeeded in re-possess- ing their battery, and gaining advantage on every side; the brave men who had gained tlie victory being exhausted of strength and, ammunition, and grieved at the unpardonable neglect of their fellow soldiers, gave up the conflict. I can only add, that the victory was really won ; but lost for the want of a small reinforcement; one third part of the idle men might have saved all. I have the honor to be &c. Stephen Van Henssellaer. Hon William Eustis, Secretary of War. The following is the report of the Officer commanding the de- tachment (the present Colonel Wool) which obtained possession of the battery, by ascending the concealed fisherman's path, in the early part of the day. From Captain Wool to Colonel Van Renssellaer. BufTaloe Oct. 23, 1812. Dear Sir, I have the honor to communicate to you the circumstances at- tending the stormi ig of Q,ueenstown battery on the 13ih inst; with those which happened previously you are already well acquainted. In pursuance of your order, we proceeded round the point and as- cended the rocks, which brought us partly in rear of the batiery. We took it without much resistance. I immediately formed behind it and fronting the village, when 1 observed General brock with his troop;; formed, consisting of four companies of tlic 4yth regiment, and a few militia, marching for out lel't flank. I immediately detached a party of l50 men. lo take possession of the heights above Quei-ns' town battery and to hold General Brock in check ; but in conse- quence of his superior force they retreated. I sent a reinforcemeDl; noiwithstanding which, the enemy drove us to the edge of the bank: when with the greatest exertions, we brought the troops to a stand, and I ordered the Officers to bring their men to a charge as soon as tbe ammunition was vxpeudecl, which was executed with Bome con- fusion, and in a lew momenis the enemy retreated. We pursued ihem to the edge of the heights, when Colonel M'Donald had his horse shot from under him, and was mortally wounded. In the in- terim, General Brock, in attempting to rally his forces, was killed, when the enemy dispersed in every direction. As soon as it was practicable, I formed the troops in a line on the heights iVcniing the village, and immediately detached Hanking parii'.s, which consisted of Captain Machesney of the 6th reginiCiit, Lieutenant Smith, and Ensign Grosvenor with a small detachment of riftemen, who had that moment arrived j at the same time, I ordered Lieutenant Ganesvoort and Lieutenant Randolph, with a detachment of artille- ry, to drill out an 18-pounder Avhich had been previously spiked, and if possible to bring it to bear upon the village. The wounded and prisoners I ordcrecl to be collected, and sent to the guard-house. About this time, which was about three or four o'clock in the after- noon, Lieutenant Col. Christie arrived, and took the command. He ordered me across the river to get my wounds dressed. I remained a short time. Our flanking parties had been driven in by the Indians but General Wadsworth and other Officers arriving, we had a short skirmish with them, and they retreated, and I crossed the river. The Officers engaged in storming the battery, were Captains Wool and Ogilvie; Lieuienants Kearney, Hugouin, Carr, and Sim- mons, of the 43rd regiment ; Lieutenant Ganesvoort and Randolph of the light artillery, and Major Lush of the rnilitia. I recommend to your particular notice Lieutj. Randolph, Carr, and Kearney, lor their brave conduct exhibited during the whole of tht action. I have the honor to be, Your most obedient humble Servant, John E. Wool, Capt. 13th regt. inft. Colonel Van Renssellaer. Towards the close of the autumn. General Winchester, having established himself at that pomt of the Miami, whither General Tupper had, on the occasion of Major Muir's retreat from Fort Wayne, been ordered to dislodge us; and thrown up on the right bank of the river, a strong fortification to which, in compliment to the Governor of the State of Ohio, the name of Fort INIeigs had been given, a detachment, consisting of about 50 men under the command of Major Reynolds of the Essex Militia, Avith a three pounder, and 200 Indians were sent to Frenchtown on the River Raisin, distant eighteen miles from Amherstburg, to wr.tch his movements. Here this little party continued unmolested until the afternoon of the I8th of January 1813, when Colonel Lewis, who had been detached from General Winchester's division, with an advanced guard of nearly 800 men suddenly lell upon them, and notwithstanding a very gal- lant resistance, in the course of which, efficient service was render- ed by the three-pounder under Bombardier Kitson of the Royal Ar- fS th some con- We pursued laid had his . In the ia- was killed, 111 as it was iron ting the ch consisted Smith, and n, who had Lieutenant nt of artille- usly spiked, le wounded guard- house, n the after- fimand. He [ remained a the Indians had a short le river, re Captains r, and Sim- 1 Randolph 1, Carr, and liole of the . inft. ler, having lr General >om Fort the right •liment to had been (command nder, and |n, distant Is. Here the I8th |hed from >f nearly ery gal- render- joyal Ar- tillery, aided simply by a few militia acting as gunners, compelled thera to retire across some intermediate open ground to a wood, dis' tant nearly a mile from their original position. Here the enemy were kept in check not only by the fire from the threc-pounder, but by a running fusillade from the militia, and Indians, chiefly of the Potta- wattamie tribe. After the conflict had continued at this point up- wards of half an hour, Major Reynolds, finding himselt closely pres- sed by very superior numbers, gave up the content, the Americans suffering him to effect his retreat without farther interruption. In this little affair the British loss was 1 Militia man and 3 Indians killed. That of the enemy was much more severe, they themselves admit- ting 12 killed and 55 wounded. Colonel Lewis Jiaving established himself in the position, sent immediate notice of his success to Ge- neral Winchester, who quitting Fort Meigs with the main body of his army, pushed forward with all expedition, and effected a junction with Colonel Lewis on the 20th. The account of the repulse of Major Reynolds having reached Amherslburg in the course of the night of the ISth, Colonel Procter, with a promptness and decision which it is to be regretted, had not marked hi? subsequent operations, resolved on an instant advance upon the captured position, before tiie enemy could have time to for- tify it. Accordingly the whole disposable force of the garrison was ordered upon this service, and early on the 19th, leaving a handful of men to occupy the fort, he crossed the Detroit river opposite Am- herstburg, with a body of 500 troops and militia, 800 Indians under the Chief Roundhead, (Tecumseh being absent, collecting reinforce- ments) and 3 ihree-pounders. The different vessels being laid up for the season, parts of their crews were ordered to serve with the artillery, and the two companies of the Newfoundland Fencibles at- tached to the brigade. No sight could be more beautiful than the de- parture of this little army from Aniherstburg. It was the depth of win- ter; and the river at the point we crossed being four miles in breadth, the deep rumbling noise of the guns prolonging their reverberations like the roar of distant thunder, as they moved along the ice, mingled with the wild cries of the Indians, seemed to threaten some convulsion of nature; while the appearance of , the troops winding along the road, nov/ lost behind some cliff of rugged ice, now emerging into view, their polishod aims glittering in the sunbeams, gave an air of ro- mantic grandeur to the scene. On the night of the 21st, we halted and bivouacked in the open aifj about five milps from the enemy's position, with no other protection 76 from the cold than our great coats, and the fires which were kindled at our fett. Two hours before dawn, and we were again upon the advance to the River Raisin, and on the 22d, before day break, came within sifrht of the enemy, occupyin:^ the position lately held by Ma- jor Reynolds. Such was their security and negligence that they had not thrown out a single picket, and out line was actually half formed within musket shot of their defences, before they were aware even of our presence. The conduct of Colonel Procter on this occasion, has ever been a matter of astonishment to me, and on no one principle that I am am aware of, can it be satisfactorily accounted for. The Americans were lying in their beds undressed and unarmed, and a prompt and forward movement of the line, cither would have enabled us to have taken them with the bayonet at advantage, or to have seized the in- termediate close fence, forming a parapet from which they shortly afterwards so severely annoyed us. Instead of this, he commenced firing his three-pounders in answer to the alarm of the sentinels who, at length perceiving us, ftad rapidly discharged their muskets — thus affording them tnie and facility for arming and occupying the only position from which they could seriously check our advance. Rest • ing their riHes on the breastwork by which they were covered, the Americans fought under every advantage, the dark line of troops be- fore them serving as a point of direction, which could not fail to be perceived along the field of snow by which they were surrounded. Much execution was done among the artillery and seamen. Placed in front of ihe line, and singled out by their marksmen, the officers and men of those departments were particularly exposed, and many of the guns were abandoned from want of hands to work them. The fire of the enemy was not less galling to the troops, yet although falling at every step, they continued to advance with the utmost re- solution and gallantry. The action had continued about an hour, when the Ameiican right, being entirely broken by the Militia and Indians, a movement was made to occupy the ground they had aban- doned, and to take them in flank. This manoeuvre sucoeding, a corps of Americans, to the number of four hundred, threw themselves into the strong block-houses they had atready constructed since their ar- rival, where tliey continued to make an obstinate defence. Mean- while their right, and part of the centre, closely followed across the ice by the Indians, fell almost unresisting victims to the wrath of ihcif pursuers: and for nearly two mileti along th« road by which I 'W were kindled lin upon the break, came held by Ma- hat they had half formed aware even IS ever been le that I am ! Americans prompt and i us to have lized the in- they shortly commenced itinels who, skets — thus ng the only ice. Rest • jvered, the troops be- )i fail to be urrounded. 1. Placed he officers and many em. The although imost re- an hour, ilitia and lad aban- a:, a corps Ives into their ar- Mean- ;ross the wrath of which % I i !" 1 they passed, the snow was covered with the blood and bodies of iht slain. Among the fugitives was General "Winchester himself, who falling into the hands of tlie Wyandot Chief Roundhead, was con- ducipd together with his son — a liandsome youth of sixteen — to our rear. Here, being informed of the slate of the action, he immediately wrote an order in pencil to the officer commanding the block-houses desiring him to surrender what troops were under hirn as prisoners of war. This being conveyed to Colonel Procter who was then in advance with the left wing, which was fast establishing itself on the flank of the enemy's position, the fire from our Ime was discontinued, and an officer despatched with a flag and the document in ques- tion. The result of this was the suirenderof a considerable body of men, who dreading to fall into the hands of the Indians had resolved to sell their lives at the dearest possible rate, and who could not, with- out gr at difficulty, have been expelled fiom their formidable position. In this manner was the whole of the American force annihilated — 150 men only of those who had been routed early in the day, con- triving to effect tneir escape into Fort Meigs, the post so recently es- tablished on the banks of the Miami. So complete was the surprise of the enemy, that General Winchester, when brought in, had no other covering than the dress in which he slept. In this affair which, if properly conducted, would have been attended by little loss to the assailants, we had 24 rank and file killed and ]1 officers and loS rank and file wounded, exclusive of sergeants whose number is not recorded. Colonel St. George, particularly distinguish- ed by his valor and exertions, received five wounds (the despatch states lour) several of them severe — and had a horse shot under him. No officer was killed ; but among the wounded were Ensign Carrof the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, who was shot through the lungs, and died a few days afterwards, Captain Tallon and Lieut. Clemow of the 41st, Lieut. Troughtonof the Artillery, and Lieuts. Rolette and Irvine of the Navy. The conduct of this latter officer, whose gallant- ry at the capture of the Caledonia has already been described, was marked on this occasion by the same coolness and resolution. In a forward movement made upon the enemy in the heat of the action, but in which we had been checKed by the desperate fire of their rifle- men, one of the ihrce-pounders had been abandoned not twenty yards from the fence. The American? eagerly sought to obtain possession of this, and leaped the breastwork for the purpose of dragging it im- mediately under cover tf their own fire. Their object however, was leen and frustrated by the Biiiish line, which had not retired tnanf yards before it again halted and renewed the contest, compelling the Americans to retire behind their breastwork. Lieutenant Irvine saw the peril of the gun and, under cover of a heavy fire which was thrown into the enemy at that moment, he advanced, seized the drag rope, and bore it off. This daring feat, peiformed in presence of, and be- tween, the two armies, was not without its penalty. Mr. Irvine re- ceived a wound immediately in the centre of his heel, the ball en- tering and saturating his boot, which was with some difficulty removed, with blood; and from the effect of this he suffered for some time. The ball was never found. Another individual who deserves honorable mention here was a young midshipman, a brother of the writer of this narrative, aij' the son of a medical oflicer who had long served in the country. This youth, then only fourteen years of age, had ever been anxious to find himself engaged in an affair Avilh the enemy, but no opportunity hav- ing presented itself on the lake, he had resolved to seize the ?.■ 5t fa- vorable occasion on land. Disobeying the positive order given him to remain behind, ho joined the division during the bivouack of the ni^ht preceding the action, and attaching himself to his department, was among the number of those singled out by the enemy'?, ir.arks- raen. While in the act of applying a match to one of tht ., ViS, hit: was struck by a ball, which shattered his right leg ai I fellen him to the earth. Doctor Richardson had been called on, in his medical ca- pacity to attend the expedition, ard ivai; then with the staff .in the rear. The first care of t'ws gallair, aud ' -cellent boy was to conceal his wound from his father ; and he begged those who bore him from the field, to convey him to a position remote from that occupied by the staff, and to request the surgeon of the 41st to attend him, which was accordingly done. After having suffered intensely, but with manly and enduring courage, for six months, he was at length ena- bled to remove io Gluebec, Avherc his conduct being generally known, he was taken into favor by the Commander in Chief, who gave him the commission of a lieutenant in one of ihe provincial corps. Sir John Harvey, and Sir George Murray, then Colonels in the service, aid filli H"! the important offices of Adjutant General, and Q,uarter- Master-General to the rrmy in Canada, were also forward in afford- ing thr mos*^ f.attering testimony of their esteem; and this spirited yourh had the cheering consolation to know, that although afflicted ^vilU a wound which eventually cost him his life, the noble ardor de- velopcu '\t so early a stage of his existence, was not without its rc- n :red many ompelling antlrvme vhich was d the drag of, and be- Irvine re- he ball en- jr rcrnored, iome time« ward, io the approval of men whose high military rank and character invested their individual regard with a ten-fold value. The following extract from a letter from the first-named gallant Officer, dated November 183'J, contains so flattering a reminiscence of the devoted boy that it would be an injustice to his memory to withhold it. "I am favored witii your very interesting coumiunica- tion of the 22nd inst. by which I loam that you are the brother of two youths, whose gallantry and merits — and with regard to one of them, his sufferings — during the late war, excited my warmest ad- miration and sympathies; and (continues Sir John, under an erroneous impression that his young protege had been subsequently married) I will add, that the desire I felt to serve the father will be **ound to extend itself to the son, if your nephew should ever find himseli under circumstances to require from mc any service which it may be within my limited power to render him." In the same engagement Mr. William Caldwell of Amherstburg, who was attached to the Indians, had a very narrow escape. Among the number of those ot the enemy who first broke and fled across the ice, was an oflRcer who, overtaken by an Indian, and in the act of being tomahawked, was saved by the interposition of this gentleman. As he was conducting him toward the principal scene of act'un, the American officer drew his knife, at a moment when Mr. Caldwell Avas off his guard, and springing upon his deliverer, mad' an incision along his throat, nearly from ear to ear. The wound fortunately was not deep, and Mr. Caldwell, who was an extremely powerful an ac- tive person, with great presence of mind, caught the arm whi* nad attempted his destruction, and drawing forth a dagger, with which he was provided, thrust it repeatedly into the body ot his a'^ lilant until death had freed him from all fuither apprehension— M Cald- well's wound was soon healed. The appearance of the American prisoners captured at French- town was miserable to the last degree. They had the air of men to whom cleanliness was a virtue unknown, and their squalid bo- dies were covered by habiliments that had evidently undergone every change of season, and were arrived at the last stage of repair. It has already been remarked that it was the depth of winte but scarcely an individual was m possession of a great coat or cloak, and lew of them wore garments ot wool of any description. They still retained their summer dress, consisting of cotton stuff of various colors, shaped into frocks, and descendirg to the knee: their trow- 90 •ert wer« of th« $amt material They were corered with •louehed hats, worn bare by constant use, beneath which their long hair fell matted and uncombed over tlicir checks; and these togetlier with the dirty blankets wiapped around their loins fo protect tliem a- gainst the inclemency of ihc season, and fastened by broad leathern belts, into which were thrust axes and knives of an enormous length, gave them an air of wildness and savageness, which in Italy would have caused them to pass for brigands of the Apennines. The on- ly distinction between the garb of the olhcer and that of the soldier was, that the one, in addition to his sword, carried a short rifle in- stead of a long one, while a dagger, often curiously worked and of some Value, suppl':;d the place of the knife. This description may be considered as applicable to the various hordes of irregular troops sent forth throughout the war from the States of Ohio and Kentucky. The equipment was ever the same, nnd difleiing only inasmuch as their opportunities of preserving or renewing it were more or less frequent. During the short period the American prisoners remained in Am- herstburg, I had an opportunity of rendering, a slight service to Ge- neral Winchester, for which he appeared particularly grateful. This was replied, to moreover, by a request that I would accept a very handsomely mounted pair of pistols which were with his baggage. The Indians however had forestalled me in the possession, and I be- lieve the General never recovered a single article even of wearing apparel. ■. The following is the British Official Report of the battle of the River Raisin. Those of General Winchester and of General Harrisoa will be found succeeding it. From Colonel Procter to Major General Shcaflfe, Sandwich, January 26ih 1813. Sir, — In my last despatch I acquainted you, that the enemy was m the Michigan territory, marching upon Detroit, and that I therefore deemed it necessary that he should be attacked without delay, with all and every description of force within my reach. Early in the morning, on the 19lh, I was informed of his being in possession of Frenchtovvn, on the Rriver Raisin, 20 miles trom Detroit, after ex- periencing every resistance that Major Reynold, of the Essex mili- tia, had it in his power to make, with a 3-pounder, well served and directed by bomb;:rdier Kitson of the royal artillery, and the militia, three of whom he had well trained to the use of it. The relreat of the gun was covered by a Irave band of Indians, who made the enemy pay dear for what he obtained. This party, composed of militia and Indians, with the gun. fell back, 18 miles to Brown's tow fore Sw him nun '-,y- . >!/ <>-'^ Si th ilouehed ng hair fell Tethor with ect them a- )ad Icatliern nous length, Italy would 1. The on- the soldier lort rifle in- ked and of ription may jular troops d Kentucky, aasmuch as lore or lesa ined in Am- rvice to Ge- leful. This cept a very is baggage, n, and I be- of wearing ittle of the l-al Harrison l6th 1813. Imy was m \l therefore lelay, with irly in the isession of after ex- Issex mili- ;erv'ed and [he militia, retreat of made the Imposed of lo Brown'i town the settlement of the brare Wyandots, where I directed my force to assemble. On the 2]st instant, 1 advanced 12 miles to Swan Creek, from whence we marched to the enemy, and attacked him at break of day, on the S2 2nd instant, and after suffering, for our numbers, a considerahlL' loss, the eiuiuy's I'orrc, postd in houses and enclosures, and whieli, from dread oi" falling into the hands ot the Indians, they most obstinaioly del'eiided, at length surrendered at discretion ; the other part of their force, in attempting to retreat by the way they canu, were, 1 believe, all, or with very few excep- tions, killed by the Indians. Brigadier-General Winchester was taken in the pursuit by the Wyandot Chief Roundhead, who after wards surrendered him to me. You will perceive that 1 have lost no time; indeed, it was neces- sary to be prompt in my movements, as tiic enemy would have been joined by major-General Harrison in a few days. The troops, the marine, and the militia, displayed great bravery, and behaved un- commonly well. Where so much zeal and spirit were manifested, it would be unjust to attempt to particularize any: I cannot, how- ever, refrain from mentioning Lieutenant Colonel St. George, who received four wounds in a j-allant attempt to occupy a building which was favorably situated for annoying the enemy ; together with Ensign Carr, of the Newfoundland regiment, who, I fear, is very dangerously wounded. The zeal and cou/age of the Indian Department were never more conspicuous than on this occasion, and the Indian warriors fought with their usual bravery. I am muck indebted to the different departn)ents, the troops having been well and timely supplied with every icquisite the district could afford. I have fortunately not been deprived of the services of Lieutenant Troughton,ot the royal artillery, and acting in the Quarter-master- generals department, although he was woui.ded, to whose zealous and unwearied exertions 1 am greatly indebted, as well as lo the whole of the royal artillery for their conduct in this affair. I enclose a list of the killed and wounded, and cannot but lament that there are so many of both ; but of the latter I am happy to say, a large proportion of them will return to their duty, and most of them in a shoit time : I also enclose a return of the arms and am- munition which have been taken, as well as of the prisoners, whom you will perceive to be equal to my utmost force, exclusive of the Indians. Ii is reported that a party, consisting of 100 men, bringing 500 hogs to general Winchester's force, has bren completely cut off by tne Indians, and the convoy taken. Lieutenant M'Lean, my acting brigade-Major, whose gallantry and exertions wcie conspicuous on the 22nd instant, is the bearer of this ilespatcl), and will be able to afford you every information respecting our situation. I have the honor to be &c. "~ '^•^^''^ Henrv Procter, Colonel. - i To Major General Sheaffe, &c. &c. dec. Fort Geoige. Return of prisoners taken after the action at Riviere au Raisin, on the 22nd day of January, 1813. 1 Brigadier-general; 1 colonel; 1 major; 9 captain« ; 6 liew- trnantt ; 10 ensigns ; I bcigadc-inajor ; I ridjiUant ; 1 quarter- master; 2 surgeons; 27 sergeants; 435 rank aiid tile.— total. 495. N. B. The Indians have brought in and delivered up several prisoners since ihe above return was (aicen ; ihcy ccniinut to do so this morning, so that this return is not perlVctly correct, r.or can a correct one be procured until they arrive at Sandwich. Felix Trou^j'hton, R. A. Act. Dcp. Assist. Gliiarler-Master-Gcn. Return of the liilied and wounded in the action at Uivie.e au Ilai- sin, 22nd January, 1S13. lloyal artillery ;—l sergeant,! jjunnrr, killed; 1 lieutenant, 1 •orporal, 1 bombardier; 6 gunners , wounded. lOih Royal Veteran battalion ]—2 privates, wounded. ilst Foot ; — 15 privates, killed ; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 corpo- ral 01 privates, wounded. Royal Newfoundland regiment;—! private killed; 1 ensign, I •ergeanl, 3 corporals, 13 private?, wounded. Marine department ;—l seaman, killed ; 2 lieutenants, ! niidship- man. 1 gunner, 12 seamen, v/ounded, Isl Essex militia;— 2 privates, killed; 1 captain, 2 lieutenant?, 2 iera[eants, 7 privates, wounded. 2nd Essex militia j— 3 privates, killed ; ] ensign, 3' privates, wounded. Staff;—! lieutenant-colonel, wounded. Total;— I sergeant, 1 gunner, 21 privates, 1 seaman, killed ; 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 captains, li lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 1 mid- shipman, 6 sergeants 5 corporals, 1 bombardier, 6 gunners, 116 pri- vttes, 12 seamen, wounded. General total ;—:24 killed; 153 wounded. Namei of the Officers wounded. Royal Artillery; — Lieutenant Troighton. 41st foot; — Captain Tallon and Lieutenant Cleraow. Royal iowfoundland regiment; — Ensign Carr. Marine department ; — Lieutenants Rokite, and Irvine, and Mid- •hipinan Richardson. Jst Essex Militia ;— Captain Mills, and Lieutenants M'Corniic and Gordon. 2nd ditlo ;— Claude Garvin, ' , Staff ;— Colonel St. George. Felix Troughton Lt. R. A. Act dep. Asst Q.uarter-raaster gen. From Brigadier-general Winchester to the American Secretary of War. Miilden, January 2Sth 18J3. Sir, — A detachment of the left wing ol" the Norih-Wesiern Army under my command, at Frenchtown, on the river Kaisin, was attack- ed on the 23rd instant, by a force greatly supt-viur in luuiibers, aid- ed by several pieces of artillery. The action commenced iit the dawn ot day : the picquet guards were driven in, and a heavy hre opened upon the whole line, by which part theieof was thrown into disorder ; and being ordered to form on more advantageous ground, I found the taviny doubling our left flank with force and rapidity. i I qunrter- -total. 495. up several E to do so r.or can a .T-Gcn. c.c au II ai- utcnant, 1 t, 1 corpo- . ensign, 1 1 midship- jtenant?, 2 3 privates, in, killed ; 13, 1 mid- ra, 116 pri- and Mid* 'ormic and iter gen. Secretary |h 18J3. jcrn Army las nitack- Ibcrs, nid- 'd at the kavy fire lowD into rround, liditv. n A destructive flru wax sustained fur som« time ', at length bornt down by numbers, the few of us that remained with the parly reti- red from the lines, and submitted. Tlie remainder of our force, in number about 400, conliiiucd to defend themselves with preat gal* iuiitiv, in an ui.cqnal cor.ti-st a;;.iin3t snjall arms and artillery, un- til 1 WHS bioughl ia us a piisoucr to that part of tiie field occupied I: ■ liie tMiciiu . At thii hitter pla;e, I npder^Lood tlir.t our troops were defending them iolvi.'s ill !i stuie of di'i^poratioii ; and I was informed by the coinmamlin^ oaicer of the (nomy, tliat I.e wouhl afibrd them an opporliiuiiy ot !uivi'S prisoners of war ; to which I acceded. 1 was the more n-avly to mr.lce the surrender Irom being assured, that unless done qiii.I.iv, the buildiii^^s adjacer.t would be iinm-.'diately set oti firo, and tii.'U no responsibility would be taken tor ihi-' conduct of the savag'.-s, who were then assembled in great numbers. In this critical siiuniior, beinsj drsirouj to preserve tiiC lives of a nu!iiber of our lirave fellows who still held out, I sent a flag to them, and aijreed with the coiiimandinjr officer of the enemy, that they should be '^urrendeiccl prisoners of war, on condition of their being protected from the savages, and being allowed to retain their private property, and having thiir side-arms returned to them. It is inipos- siUle forme to ascertain ; with certainty, th(- loss we have sustain- ed in this action, from the impractability of knowing the number wlio have made their escape. Thirty five officers, and about 487 non-commissioned officers, and f)rivates, are prisoners of war. A list of the names of officers ii lerewith enclosed to you. Our loss in killed is considerable. However unfortunate may seesn the affair of yesterday, I am flat'ered by the belief, that no material error is chargeable upon my- self,and that stiil less censure is deserved by the troops I had the hon* or of comiiiandingr. With the exception of that portion of our force which was thrown into disorder, no troops have ever behaved with more determined intrepidity. I have the honor to be, with high respect, Your obedient Servant, ', James Winchester, Brig.-gen. U. K. Aimy. Hon. Secretary at War. N. B. The Indians have still a few prisoners in their possessioc« which I have reason to hope will be given up to Colonel Procter, at Sandwich. James Winchester, brig-gen. « » From Major-General Harrison, to Governor Shelbv. Camp on Carrvinff Rock, 15 miie^ from the Rapids, January 24th, 1813. My dear Sir, I send Colonel Wells to yon, tocommunicale the particulars (at far as we are acquainted with th«-m) of an event that will over whelm your mind with grief, and fill vour whole sfat* with mourning. 84 The greater part of Colonel Wells's regiment, United States In- fantry, and the Isl and 5ili rcgimenis Kentucky Infantry, and Allen'* rifle regiment, under the irntncdiate orders of General Winchester ha'e been cui to pieces hy the enemy, or taken prisoners. Great as the calamity is, I still hope that, as far as it rehiies to the objects ot the camf).ii^'n, it is not irreparable. As soun as 1 was informed of the attack upon General Winchester, about 12 o'clock on the 22nd instant, I set out, to overtake the (ietachiiicnt of Kt-ntucky's troops, that I had sent that morning to reinforce him, ami 1 directed the only regiment that I had with me to follow. I overtook Major Rubb's de- tachment at the distance of 6 miles; but b fore the troops in the rear could get up, certain information was received of General Winches- ter's total defeat. A council ol war was called, and it was the unanimous opinion of the Generals Payne and Perkins, and all the field officers, that there was no motive that could authorize an advance but that of attacking the enemy and that success was not to be expected after a forced march of 40 miles against an enemy superior in number, and well pro- rided with artillery. Strong detachments of the most active men were, however, sent forward on all the roads, to assist ai... bring m such of our men as had escaped. The whole number that reached our camp docs not exceed 30, amongst whom were Major M'Clan- nahan and Captain Claves. Having a large train of heavy artillery, and stores coming on this road from W. Sandusky under an escort of four companies, it was thought advisable to fall back to this place, for the purpose of securing them. A part of it arrived last evening, and the re>t is within 30 miles. As soon as it arrives, and a remforcement of three regiments from the Virginia and Pennsylvania brigades, I shall again advance, and give the enemy an opportunity of measuring their strength with U8 once more. Colonel Wells will communicate some circumstances, which while they afflict and surprise, will convince you that Kentucky has lost none of her reputation for valor, for which she is famed. The de- tachment to the River Raisin was made without my knowledge or consent, and in direct opposition to my plans. Having been made, however, I did every thing in my power to reinforce them, and a force exceeding by iSOO nvin that which General Winchester deem- ed necessary, was on its way to join him, and a fine battalion with- in 14 miles of its destination. After the success of Colonel Lewis, I was in great hopes that the post could be maintained. Colonel Wells will communicate rajr future views to you, much better than I can do in writing at this time. I am, dear Sir, &c. W. H. Harrison, His Excellency Governor Shelby. Far from being discouraged by the discomfiture of their armies un* der Generals Hull and Winchester,the Americans despatched a third and more formidable, under one of their most e-iperieoced command- ers, GoReral Harrison, who, reaching Fori Meigs shortly subsequent 85 d States In- und Allen'» Winchester 5. Great as »e objects ot inlbrmed of in the 22nd :ky's troops. ted the only Robb's de- } in the rear I Winchet- s opinion of I, that there )f attacking ,'r a forced id well pro- active men i.- bring in lat reached or xM'Clan- ing on this es, it was of securing within 30 regiments n advance, ngth with ich while has lost The de- ledge or en made, and a deem- on with- er pes that nunicate riting at TlieS UD* il a third mmand- sequent I s i to (he affair at Fienchtown, directed his attention to the constructioa of works which rendered his position in some measure impregnable* Determint'd if pospible to thwart the views of the enemy, and give a finishing siiuke lo his niovcments in that quarter, General Procter (lately promoted) ordtred an expedition to be in readiness to move for the Miami. Accordingly, towards the close of April, a detach- ment of the 41st, some militia, and 1500 Indians, accompanied by a train of battering artillery, and attended by two gun-boats, proceed- ed up that river, and establi>:hed themselves on the left bank, at the distance of a mile from the site selected for our batteries* The sea- son was unusually vv^et, yet, in defiance of every obstacle, they were erected the samr a front of the American fortress, and the guns transported i.long a road in which the aAlc-trees of the carriages were frequently buried in mud. Among otlur battering pieces, were two 24-pounders— splendid guns which we had captured at Detroit — ID the transportation of which 200 men, with several oxen, were em- ployed from nine o'clock at night until daybreak in the morning. At length every prey^iaraiion having been made, a shot from one of the gun-boats was the signal for their opening.and early on the morning of the 1st of May, a heavy fire was commenced, and continued for four days without intermission, during which period every one of the enemy's batteries, within our range, was silenced and dismantled. The fire of the 24-pounder battery was principally directed against the powder magazine, which the besieged /fere busily occupied in covering and protecting from our hot shot. It was impossible to hare artillery better served; every ball that was fired sank into the roof of the magazine, scattering the earth to a considerable distance, and burying many of the workmen in its bed, from whence we could dis- tinctly perceive the survivors dragging forth the bodies of their slaugh- tered comrades. The officers, whom duty or curiosity drew to the groun^ 1^ I.I 1.25 ■ 2.2 1^ - 1^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. I4SS0 (716) 872-4503 80 ttentflgoftht 4th, with an order for that officer to land immediate' ly,and possess himself of our batteries on the left bank, while he General Harrison) sallied forth to carry ihosc on the right. Ac- cordingly, at eight o'clock on the morning ol the Sth, General Clay pushed forward fhc avHoIp of his force, and meeting wiih no oppoii>i('('i!i))lc di Uiii'-t.' lu a viiy ^bwrl line; consisting ol" two corps, i uiilc\'s C!^ U()s^^^v(M^s, aiTniuiiiiiii'; to 13(10 men, under the cunmuuul of i'rici'iHer Gtncrat C<'rcen Clay. The aiiack was vrry ?uii ot tl;e livcr. 'Ibe cm my were for a few miiiutes in possiss^iuii ol' i ur BiUi' rii';-, iihtl t( <. !c bume pri- soners. AlttT a fcevire cotiies-t, iliou^b liot oi Iohlj conimuunce, ibe enemy gave wiiy, and except tb-' I'ody of ibose \vho sallied fittn the fort, must have been mo^tly liilletl or taktn. In this decisive cttair, the ( Iliecr. ami men of the 41*^1 Uogt., who chaiged and routed the enemy near ifit br.iuiics, vt il mamtaincd the Ton{j established reputation ot the cotps. A\ here all deserve praise, it is difficult to ilistinyuisrli. Captain ^luir, an old officer, who has seen much service, had the gcod fortune to be in the imme- diate command ol these brave men. 1J( -idos my obligations to Cap- tain Chambers, for his unwearied eNntiens jireparatory to, and on the expedition, as Dtpuly Assistant (iuartrr Master General, 1 have to notice his i^ailant conduct in attaokin;^ ibe enemy near the batte- ries at the point of the bayonet; a service in which be was W( II sup- ported by Lieuts. 1 ullock and Clements of the 4 1st. Regt., and Lieut. Le Breton of the Royal IN'ewioundiand Uegt. 'fbe courage and ac- tivity dii-played through ibc whole scene of action by the li.dian Chiefs and Warriors contributed largely lo our success. I have not been able to ascertain the amount of ibe prisoners in possession of the Indians. I have sent off agreeable lo agreement, near 500 pri- soners to the river Huron, near Sandusky. I have pioposed an exchange, which is referred to the American Government. I could not ascertain the amount ot the enemy's loss in killed, from the extent of the scene of action, and mostly in the woods. I con- ceive his loss in killed and wounded to have been between 1,000 and 1,2C0 men. These unfortunate people were not volunteers and complete Ken- tucky's quota, if the enemy had been permitted to receive his rein- forcements and supplies undisturbed, 1 should have had at this critical juncture to contend with him for Letroit, or perhaps on this shore. ! had not the option of retaining my position on ihe Miami. Half of the militia had left us. I received a deputation from the Cl'iefs, counselling me to return, as they coulJ not prevent iheir people, as was their custom alter any battle of consequence, reluming to iheir villages with ihcir wounded, ibeir prisoners, and plunder, of nhich they had taken a considerable quantity in the boats of the enemy. Before the ordnance could be wiihdiawn from the batteries, 1 was left with Teeumseh, and less than iwenly chiefs and warriors, (?) a circumstance which strongly proves that, under present circumstan- ces at least, our Indian force is not a disposable oric, or permanent, though occasionally a mo>>t powerful aid. 1 have, however, brought off all the ordnan«:e; and indeed, liave not left any thing behind j part of the ordnance was embarked under the fire cf the enemy. The service on which we were employed has been, though short, a very severe one ; and too much praise cannot be given to both offi- cers and men, for the cheerfulness with which, on every occasion, they met the lervict. To Lieui. Colonel WarburtuD I fc«l many oblifa* tioQs,for the nid he ziv' V nflbrded me on eveiy occasion. From my Bri2[ndp Mnjnr, Liri.i. > afjtnn, I received the sjime zealouf as- sistance as en lortner occasions. To Caphiin Mockler, Ruynl New- foundland Hesrt., who acted as my Aide de Cuuip, 1 urn much indebt- ed lor the assistance nfTorded me. Lieui. Le nreioUjOl" the Newroundland Re^i., Assistant Enjrineer, by his unwearied (xertioiis, ren«lered es-u-ntial serviee, as did Lieut. Gardiner, of the 4lsi. lleirt. from his science in Artillery. The Roy- al Artillery, in the labcriouH duties they perlbrnied, displayed their usual unwearied zeal, and were well assisted hy the Royal New- foundland, (unde- Lieut. Garden) as additional cunners. The la- borious duties which the marine, under Comiitodure Hall, have per- iormed, have been most cheerfully met, and the most essential ser- rice rendered. I have the honor to send an embarkation return of the force that aerved under my command at the Miami, exclusive ot the Indians, who may be stated at l,5iOO. 1 also enclose a return of our killed, wounded, and prisoners, who have, however, been exchanged. I had taken npon me to give the rank of Major to the six Captains tof the line, as militia were employed on the same service with them; some of them are old officers; all of them deservjr'r ; any mark of your Excellency's approbation of them would be extremely grate- ful to me. I beg leove to mention the four volunteers of the 4l8t. Refft., Wilkinson, Richardson, Laing, and Procter, as worthy of promotion. I have the honor to be, dec, (Signed) Henry Procter, Brigadier General, Comg. I beg to acknowledge the indefatigable exertions of the Commis- sariat. (Signed) Henry Procter. To His Excellency Lieut. General > Sir G. Prevo&i, Bart. &c. ^ Embarkation Return of the Western Army commanded by Brig- adier General Procter, on an expedition to the Miami. Amherstburg, April 23d, 1813. General Staff, — 1 general. 1 lieut. colonel, 1 dep. asst. (qr. mr. general, 1 brigade major, 1 staff adjutant. loyal Artillery, — 1 licut, 1 serjeant, 1 surgeon, 27 rank &, file. jloyal Engineers, — I captain. 10th Veteran Battalion ;— 5. 4 1st. Regiment,— 3 captains, 7 lieutenants, 1 assistant surged^, 22 Serjeants, 6 drummers &, buglars, 374 rank &, file, Royal Newfoundland Regt. — 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 3 Serjeants, 2 drummers, 55 rank &, file. Commissariat, — 1 dep. asst. commissary general, 1 assistant to do., I issuer. Field Train, — 1 clerk of stores, 1 conductor. Militia,—! major, 12 captains, 11 lieutenants, 8 ensigns, 1 adjt. 33 Serjeants, 406 rank & file. (Signed) Peter L. Chambers, Major. ' Capt. 41st Regt., Dep. Asst. Qr. Mr. Gtneral. fiany obliffa> lion. From zcalouf as* Royal New- luch indebt* It En{;ineL*r, s dill Lieut. The Uoy- plnycd thfir lloyal New- 9. The la- II, have per* asential ser- le force that ihe Indians, toners, who ix Captains with them; any mark of im'eiy grate* 41 St. Refft., I promotion. rocter, ral, Comg. e Commis- rocter. !d by IBrig- Id, 1813. St. (qr. mr. nk &. file. |t surgeoik, I Serjeants, ssistant to k 1 adjt. iMa jor. iGeDeral. Return of kill" ' wounded, niJHting, ±. pri«oner«, of tht Armf la* der the command uf Brii;. Gon. Piocier, at (he Bulile fuught at the Miami, May .5ih, 1913. Royul Artillery,— I serjcant, 1 rank & file wnundcd, 2 rank & file priponer?. 4lst Ri'jjirnont,— 1 1 rank & file killed, 1 lit-utpnant, 3 serjpants, 35 rank & file wounded, 2 litulciiant-;, 1 kciJl-uiii, 1 druuwner, 33 r..nk & file prisoners. Roynl Newfoundland Reqt. — 1 drummer, 2 rank &. file killed, 1 rank <& file wounded, 1 rank &. (lie prisoner. Militia, — 1 captain, 4 rank & file wounded, 1 rank &> file prisoner. Total, — 1 drummer, 13 rank & file killed, 1 capt. 1 lieut, 4 Serjeants, 41 rank & file wounded, 2 liuuts. 1 serjcant, 37 raak <& file piisoners. Names of oflTicers wounded & prisoners. 41st Regiment. — Lieut. Bullock wounded on the 3d. inst. Lieuta. Mclntyre & Hailes prisoners. Militia, — Captain Bondy, since dead. (Signed) Peter L. Chambers, &c, &c, dbe. Return of OfReers, Non-Commissioned OfScers and privates taken prisoners from the enemy on the 5th May, 1813, at the battle fought at the Miami. United States Regulars, — 1 captain. 21 rank & file. 10th and 13th detached Kentucky Militia,— 2 majors, 1 brigade inspector, 8 captains, 9 li utcnants, 6 ensisjns, 1 adjutant, 1 pay- master, 1 surgeon, 26 Serjeants, 3 drummers, 373 rank & file. up> 1 ensign, 1 asst. surgeon, 12 rank& file. Prisoners since delivered by the Indians. Grand Total 467. N. B. There are a number of prisoners not yet come in, who are in the possession of the Indians, but they arc brin:;in<; them in daily. (Signed) Peier L. Chambers, dec, &c, de.c. May 17th, — Since the above return, 28 prisoners have been given up by the Indians. (Signad) A. H. McLean, Brigade Major. In reference to the closing paragraph of the dospaich, in which, as it will be perceived, the Volunteer* of tlie 'IJst are for the first, and only, lime named, I cannot forbta'- " passing cotnmeni. I had the honor of being particularly named, in Major Chambers' report to General Procter of the action of the 5ih of May, as having been the only one of the volunteers who chanced to have been engaged in the storming of the batteries. Yet the Official despatch include* the names of all, without any regard to their particular service. Messrs. Lang and Wilkinson were on the right bank of the river with th* d«f#ated party, w*«o of course did their duly, but of whom >!■ '' ^ particular rtj«niIon is made, while ibe General's son nercr dnce quimd the encampment, during the <1ay, or was at any period, either Ihen or heretofore, suffered to bt^ exposed to the enemy's lire. This remark would not have bctn rocordcd but fur ihc very glaring in- justice, which, in bestowing commendulion in so scncral and un- dislinguishahle a manner, would aim at depriving a soldier of that distinct claim t;) approbation, admitted by his iiimiediato command- ing oliicer to have been won from him on the field. In the course of this narrative of military events, in which, it must be borne in mind by the reader, I was a constant participator, I liave endeavored, as much as possible, to avoid any personal allusion to myself; butthiii is a case where the injustice is too marked lobe pisseu siieully by. I had neverseen General Procter's despatch, uniillhis narrative was com- menced, but had always understood it to have embraced the particu- lar report made by Major Chambers, which however seems to have been suppressed. Copy of a despatch from Gen. Harrison^ {f^O'l) to the Secretary t>f War dated Ilead-^uarters, Camp Meigs, 9th May. 1813. SiR,-^-I have the honor to inform you. that the tnemy, having been several days making preparations for raising the siege of this post, accomplished this day ihe renioval of their artillery, from the opposite bank, and about 12 o'clock left (heir encampment bflovv, were soon embaf'ked, and out of sight. — I have the honor to enclose you an agreement between Gen. Procter and myself, for the dis- charge ot the pi isoners of the Kentucky luiiitia, in his possession, and Tor the exchange of the Officers and men of the regular troops, which were respectively possessed by ujt. My anxieiy to get the Kentucky troops released, as early a?. po3sibl«\ induced ii e to agree to the dismission of all the prisoners i had. although there was not as many of ours, in Gen. Procter's possession ; the surplussage is to be accounted for, and an equal number of ours rehased from their parole, whenever the government may think prop-r to <'irecl it. The two actions on this side the river, on the 5th, were infinitely more honorable to our arm*, ihap I had at first conceived. In the sortie made upon the left (lank, Capi. VVaring's company of ihe lyth regiment, a detachment of 12 months volunteers, under M;ijor Ahx- ander, and three companies of Kentucky iniliiia, under Col, Boswell, defeated, at least, double the number ot Indians and British militia. The sortie on the right was still more glorious. Ti e British batte- ries, in ihat direction, were defended by the grenadier and light in- fantry companies, ol the 41 st regiment, amounting to 200 efll'ectives, find two companies of militia, iianked by a host of Indians. The de- iachment sent to attack these, consisted of all the men off duly, he- longing to the companies of Croghan and Bradford, of ihe 17ih regi- ment, towed on Captain Wood, would be highly gratifying lo the whole of the troops, who witnessed Ins ar- duous exertions. From Major Hukil', my aid de-ea!7ip Major Graham, Lieutenant CFallon, and my volunteer aid de-camp John Johnson, E&q. I re- ceived the mon useful assistance. I havt* the honor to encio:f a Despatch^ jrom MaJ. (ienernl tVilliam ff. ffarrigon {No 2) to ihe Secr&inry nf War, dated Head quarters. Lower Sandusky, May 13, 1813. Sir,— -Having ascertained thai the enemy (Indians as well 8i British,) had entirely abandoned the neighborhood of the Rapids, I left the coramanti of camp Meigs with General Clay, and came here last night. It is with the greatest satisfaction I inform you, 8tk that I bftve enery reason to believe that the Iom of tha Kfttum tyoopsj in killed, oo the iwrth sidfe «f !h»r!r«; do« ttor e r e g ef t f-ffily. 100 On tht 10th and liUi tost. I caused tL^ ground, which wa^ th« •cene of action, and its environs, to be carefully exaniiaed ; and, after the roost diligent search, 45 bodies only, of our men, were dis- covered ; amongst them was the leader of the detachment, Col. Dud- ley. No other officer uf note fell in the action. I have stronjr rea- son to believe, that a coasidtrablc number of Kenlucliians eifecled their reinat up t»e river, to fort Winchester. Gcneial Procter did not furnish me with a return of the prisoners in his possession, al- though repeatedly ,;iomi3ed. His retreat was as precipitate as it could possibly be, leaving a number of cannon bails, a nev; elegant slingcariinge, for cannon, and other valuable articles. The ni rear lo tall in a line, and follow nie. High u ind?, anJ the rapidit\' of ihi.' cmicni, drove fuurnt ilu- rcir ijDais ashore, iri the attempt to follow on licconlin;^' lo oiiiir, w lu ri' Jlity remained a short time; suiRcieni, liowivrr, to detain tlu'in one halt, or thne fourths of a mile in the rear. — 'Vo land, 'accordin-j: to order, I kept clo«=e along the right hank, until opposite C^ol. Uudlfy'-* laridiiiir: ilu-re 1 found no guide left, to eonduct me lo ihc fort, ;is Captain Hatnilion pronjised. 1 then rnadi- an attempt to eross the river, and join Col. Dudley ; but, from the rapid eurrent on the lalKs, i was unahie to land on the point with him. Being nearly halt way across the river, and the waves running too hi:;!) to risk tlu- boat, ihen driven down the current side- wis", Vfered about, and rowed the best way we could, to >ave the boats- My attempt lo cross the liver, to Col. Dudley, occasioned all the boats, (I presume in the rear of me.) and which were then out o{ hailing disiatict^, to cross over, and h.nd with Col. Dudley. Having been defeated in a landiuii on the left, we then endeavored to «flect one on the right, even without a guide; hut before a landing could be elfected, we received a bri^k fire from the enemy on shore, which was returned, and kepi up on both sides; and 1 was in this unavoid- able situation, compilled to make to fort Meigs, with no other force than about 50 men on hoard, (the other ho.ii-; being still in the rear) and lo receive the enemy's lire, until we arrived ui der the prolcclion of the fort. Col. I'oswell's comiiuMul (except the men in my boat,) having landed, to join Col. Dudley, were, as 1 have been informeuani to Captain Hamilton's order, and was forming his men in order of battle, when he was met by Captain JShaw, and ordered lo march into ihe garrison, at open order, the safest route. When my own boat landed, we were met by two men, who took charge of the boat, as we understood, to bring her under the protec- iion of the fort batteries ; believing our Lagqage lo be thus made safe, we foibid our servants to carry any portion of it; hut loaded them with cannon balls, which they bore to ihe fort. Our baggage was, however, taken by t!ie Indians, in a very short time after we left the boat. In receiving the orders ot Capt. Hamilton, I asked if he had brought spikes, to spike the enemy's cannon? to which he replied, that he had plenty, (.'aptain Hamilton, on delivering the or- ders ot General Hairison, observed, that the object of landing, and niarching a portion of the troops on the right bank, was to draw th^ attention of the Indians ; and, by thus engaging them, afford an opfor* lunity lo the garrison to make a sally ; and, by a circuitous route, sur- Jjrize and carry the battericii, and cannon oi the enemy, below t))e brt, on the right bank. I am, respectfully, &c. GSEEiM CLAY, Srig, in2lf in contrail with thorppirt m.vio h/ him of l;Ii (ii'Tat, that, although suppressetl by iho American lliitoiiaii* of liie war. it would he an unpardonahle omiision not to rfc:)r'.l it Ii'tc. Ii will be remarked thit lhiiCorp> m?l \vii!i pr'jcisi'ly t\\-j s.viv-'latc with their butchered brethren of the ilivcr rvaisin, '.hey worv liJUttMiin? to aver.sje. The words emphasized arc such as tlii-y appt-ar in the original document. Cincinnati, April 7, 1813. General Order;;. SOLDIKRS, You are nov/ about to leave the shore- of Kentuckr —Many of you can boast that she gave you birth — She is indeed dear to us all. KEN TUCSIANS stand Jiig-h in the estimation of our common country. Our brot'iers in arms, who havi; gone hei'oic us to the scene of action, have acquired a fiime, which should never be forgot- ten by you — a lame worthy your emulation. I leel conscious you would rather see your country no. more, than return to it, iir.der the impression, liiai by an act of yours, the high character of Kentucky had fallen. To support this reputation, purchased by valor and by blood, yoa must with fortitude meet the hardships and discharge the duties of soldiers. Discipline and subordination ii-ark the real soldier— and are indeed the soul ot an army. In every siiua'ion, therefoie. the most perfect subordination — the most rigid di'Char::;^ of duty will be expected from all. ParfiaKty or injustice shall be b^hown to none i have the mo^i perfect conti.lence in your attachment and support through every ditTiculty we may cMcoiintiT, It i-i upon you— it is upon your subordinaiion and discipline T rely, for a s;icces«f'jl issue of tiie present ca itp;ii^n. Without this confi- dence and support, we siiall achieve nothins; honorable or useful. Tne sa ne destiny awaits us b:)lh. That which exalts or sinks you in the estimation of your country, will produce to me her appro- bation or condemnation. Feeling this same co:nm')n interest, the first wishes of my heart are, that the present campaign should prove honorable to all, and useful to the counli-y. Should we encounter the ene-nv — REMEMBRa thf: nnt^ADFUL fati OF 017R iiUTCHEllEf:) BIlOTMKllS at the river raisin-Mc/ British, trench fry produced their slanghli'r. The justice of our cause — witli the lid of an appioving Providence, will be sure guarantees to our success. GREEN CLAY, BRIGADIC ( GENERAL. The Right Division were not long suffered to remain inactive — Like Sir Thomas Picton's famous division in Spain, they might, on m Boch more modest and limited scale, have been termed the fighting 104 -.; fll liiriifon of Canada No other corps was to inc«tsantly in tht ^eld *— DO other corps achieved such important and beneficial results to the country, and when it is considered that this force comprised scarcely more than a single regiment of the line, the repeated claims made upon it? energies and excriions, becomes even more remarkable. Late in July, at the earnest instance of Tecumsch, who had formed a plan for the reduction of Fort Meigs, which he conceived would be crowned with the fulle^it success, a second expedition, consisting of the main body ot the 41st, (Captain Derenzy having recently join- ed with those detachments of the regiment which had borne so con- picuous a part in the battle of Queenstovvn) a few militia, and near* ly a thousand Indians,accompnnied by a few pieces of light artillery, was undertaken against this fortress. On our arrival in the Miami the whole of the regular force and guns were disembarked on the right bank of the river, out of view of the fort, yet not far from th« point where our light batteries had been carried during the late siege. Tecumseh's plan was as follows. Immediately in rear of Fort Meigs, and at right angles Avith the river, ran the road to Sandusky, (distant about thirty miles) upon, or near, which the Chief had been apprized by his scouts that General Harrison, who with a large por^ tion of his force had left the fort soon after its relief from General Procter's presence, was at that moment encamped. Having landed some miles lower down the river, the whole of the Indian force was to march through the woods, and gain, unperceived by the troops in the fort, the Sandusky road where a sham engagement was to take, place, leading the garrison to believe a corps hastening to their relief had been encountered and attacked by ihe Indians,and inducingthemto make a sortie for their rescue. The moment they had crossed the open ground, intervening between their position and the skirt of the wood, we were to rise from our ambuscade, and take them in the rear, ma- kingatthe same time a rush for the fort, before the enemy could have lime eiiectually to close his gates. . All the preliminary features in this plan (which certainly was one that gave every fair promise of success) had been completed, and we were awaiting with some interest and impatience the result, when the heavy firing of two distinct parties suddenly commenced on the IFandusky road. We were all instantly, although noiselessly, upon tlie alert, bit in vain did we look for any movement in the fort. Many ef the garrison lined the ramparts in the rear, and seemed to look 105 )r in th« lieid :ial results to ce comprised peatcd claims e remarkable. had formed :eived would tn, consisting ecently join- borne so con- tia, and near* ight artiUerjr, n the Miami tarked on the far from th« ring the late rear of Fort to Sandusky, ief had been 1 a large por» rom General iving landed \n force was e troops in was to lake, their relief cingthemto sed the open )f the wood, e rear, ma- could have ly was one ted, and we suit, when iced on the ssly, upon fort. Many ned to look Mt anxiousW in the direction of the Cring, but 'hey g«fe net (Iri «light«st indicntionof a design to leave the furt, eren when the mus- ketry had become so animated and heavy, that we were half in doubt ourselves whether the baitlo was a sham one or a real. Either they had obtained information of our presmcc, or they suspected the na- ture and object of the ruse, and we had the mortification to find our- sclvejj utterly loiled in the grand design of the expedition. Annoy* ed at the lailure of his cheri&hi'd scheme, Tccumseh urged upon Gen- eral Procter, the necessity of doing soiDtthing btfore our return, and it being found out of all question to atterDpt the tcduction of Fort Meigs with the light guns {C> pounders) which accompanied uS) it was determined to change the theatre of operation to Sandusky. Thiihcr the main body of the Indians proceeded by land, while Wt r«-embarked in our boats, and descending again the Miami, gained Lake Erie, and thence the Sandusky river, on Avhich the fort of that name is built. The expedition having reached the Sandusky river early on the 1st of August, a landing was effected on tl c same day, and within range of the enemy's guns, several ineffectual discharges from which passed over us, as we traversed a plain several hundred yards lu ex- tent in order to gain the wood, on the skirt ot which ii was intended to plant the batteries. These being immediaiely erected,at day-break on the following morning our (ire was opened, and continued until three o'clock in the afternoon of the 2nd, when, it being evident that no breach could be effected on the stockade work, General Procter resolved to attempt it by assault. Accordingly at four o'clock the troops divided into three columns of about ViO men each, were put in motion, and advancing through the plain, ic double quick time, were suffered to approach within fifty yards, before they'were met bj|r_ the destructive fire ot the enemy. The strong line of picketing, con- stituting their defence, was surrounded by a ditch flanked by batte- ries, and beyond «he ditch was a deep ravine covered with brushwood, and more or less approximate to the place, according to its winding**,* Far from being checked by the severe fire of the Amer cans, the di- visions redoubled their exertions, and vying with each other to take . the lead, dashed down the ravine, and clambering up the opposite steep, were soon beneath the walls of the fort. Not a fascine, how** ever, had been provided; and although axes had been distributed among a body of men selected for the purpose, they were so bluatedi , by constant use, that it would have been the work ot hours to cat 100 Ibroufh th« double hae of pickfis, cvea if aD eafiny had ttol beet there to interrupt in progress. In defiance oi'thii difficulty, theaxe* men leaped without hojiintion into tli« ditcli, and attempted to ao- qviit themselves of ihrir duty; but they ucrc speeilily swept away by the guns from the batierii's, cltan^ed with musket bnlis anil slugs and directed with fatal precisiun. The trcopi had fsiablished lliem- •elves on the edge of the ditch, but it was iiupossibie to scale with- out the aid of ladders or fa?cinca ; and wiiliin a few paces of the en- emy only, they saw their comrades fall on every hand with no hope of avenging their deaths. The second division had only two ofhcers attached to it. Brevet Lieutenant-colonel Short, of the 4l3f, was killed while descending the ravine at tiic ''cad of his column, when, the command devolving on Lieutenant Gordon of the same regiment, that officer encouraging his men, and calling on them to follow his ex- ample, was one of the first i):i the ditch, and was in the act of cutting the pickrting with his sabre, when a ball, fired from a wall-piece, atruck him in the breast. Although dangerously wounded, he refus- ed to abandon his post, and continued to animate his men by his ex* annple, until a second ball, fired from the same piece, and lodging in his brain, left the division without an ofTicer. The action had con- tinued nearly two hours without produ>'*ing the slightest impression on the enemy, when the bugles sounded the "cease firing," and the men were ordered to lie flat on the ground on the edge of the ravine. The first division were so near the enemy, that they could distinct- ly hear the various orders given in the fort, and the faint voices ol the wounded and dying in the ditch, calling rut for water, which the en- emy had the humanity to lower to them on the instant. After con- tinuing in this position until nine o'clccki the columns received an order to efTect their retreat in s^ilence, which was done accordingly, the enemy merely firing a few voUies of musketry, proiri;cing h'wever no material eflect. The troops having been re-embarked the same night, the expedition descended the river, and returned to Amherst- burg. Our loss in this affair was severe — 3 officers, 1 serjeant, S3 rank and file killed; 3 officers, 2 serjeanls, 3(5 rank and file woun- ded; and 1 Serjeant, 2S tank and file missing. Of this number, the proportion of the 1st, division alone, consisting principally of the light company of tke 41:t. which had attacked the strongest point of the position, was five and thirty men. During the assault, no assistance whatever was aflbrded by th« fjuSiaas, who, unaccustomed to this mode of warfare, contented theoj^- i m had not brtu :ulty, theaxis mpted to ao- swept auajr ills anil sliitfs blishcd them- to scale wiih- cc's of the en- with no hope y two officers je 41st, was >lunin, when, me regiment, ollovv his ei- act of cutting 1 wall-piece, led, he refus- sn by his ex* id lodging in ion had con- I impression S" and the f the ravine, jld distinct- ^^ices ol the hich the eo- AfttT con- received an iccordingly, ig h'wever thp same Arnherst- 1 Serjeant, file woun- mber, the y of the t point of d by th« ited thftia- verves with remaining quiet sjicotators of the scene. The " Serot9% men" alone, to whorn I liavo before alluded, followed close in the rear of one o( ilic column", but ihcy had not long witnessed the ef- fect of fhi* enciiiy's fire on tlio divi-^ions, v/Iion tbcy retreated to the wood with n precipitation, liiiit wiih any oilu-r pi'oitlo, would be attributed to cowardic.bui Vv'illi the nalivc?; could it only be consider- ed as the cflocl tf habit. They cxprcsrcd much astonishment at the coolness and intrepidity with which tljc men supported tke fire of ihe enfniy, without rcturnitig it until arrived at the edge of the ditch ; and concluded by saying that they had ever hitherto deemed themselves the bravcil nation in the woild, but were now willing to concede that distinction to the warriors of their Great Father. The garrison of Sandusky, Avhen atfaclced, consisted ol a foree inferior in number to that of the assailing columns, and was com* mauded by Major Croghan cf the line, a promising otiicer, only nineteen years of ajre. The gallant defence made by him on thie occasion met with the highest encomia from his countrymen, and he was immcdiatfly promoted to the rank of Iteutennnt-coloneli neither wa:i his conduct witlicut its rtwatd in the approbation of a sex, whose favor and encouragement seldom fail to act as incentives to the acquisition of military gloty. The ladies of Ohio (the State in which Colonel Croghan was born) subscribed a censiderable sum, with whi.^h u handson.e sword was purchased and presented bf themselves. It is but just to record an act of great courtesy on the part of this gentleman. An officer having been despatched to San- dusky with a flag, some days subsequent to theassault, inorder to ob- tain an exchange of the prisoners, who were chiefly wounded, was re- ceived with much politeness by the ccmmandant, w ho at the moment of departure drew from his secretary a pair of pistols, which had been lost in the brushwood ol the ravine during our retreat at night, j^re- suming from the workmanship and style, that they might be, what in fact they actually were, old Aimily arms, and naturally imagining that their loss must be regretted by their possessor, he begged the otf iier in question to take charge of, and present them to the indiri- dual to whom they belonged. It is unnecessary to add that they were gratefully received. They were nay owl, and had been leat to the gallant Lieutenant'Gordon. It 18 somewhat singular that General Procter's repoit of the e^* eond BXfti^itioa to ib« Miami, is no whene to be fbtaod. It conM e jart of ih' Indian Warriors, un used to thai nic(!e of Wiirfare, the assault ivas not attend- ed with thai brilliunt success which bus so tniforiiiiy signalized the gallant exertions of the lliirht Division. The Major General extols the intrepid bravery displayed by the detachment ui.der Brevet Lieu- tenant Colonel Short, in endeavouring 10 force a passage into the enemy's fori, and laments the loss of the brave soldiers who have fai.en in this gallant although unsuccessful assault. Return of killed and wounded. 1 captain, 1 lieutenant. 1 sergeant, 1 drummer, 21 rank & file kil- led. 1 sergeant and 28 rank & file missing. 2 captains, 1 lieulen- ADt. 2 sergeant?, 1 drummer, 35 rank & file wounded. Killed, Brevet Lieut. Col. Short, Lt. Gordon, 41si Regt., Lt. Lous- SRUssiege Indian Department. Wounded, Captain Dixon, Royal Engineers, Capt. Muirand Lieut* Mclntyre, 4ist Regt. all slightly. By His Excellency's command, Edwaid Bayncs, Adjutant General. Copy f*f o, letter from Major Croglian, to Gen. Harrison, dated Lower Soncluskij^ August 5, 1813. Dear Sir — 1 have the honor to infoim you, that the combined force of the enemy, amounting to, at least 500 regulars, and as many In- dians, under the immediate command of Gen. Proctor, made its ap- pearance before this place, early on Sunuay evening last; and, as •oon as ihe General had made such disposition of his troops, as would eui otr my retreat, (should I be disposed to make one,) he sent Col. Elliot, accompanied by Major Chanibei?, with a flag, to demand the surrender of the foil, as he was anxious to S\)are the effusion of blood; which he should probably not have in his power to do, should he he reduced to the necessity xif taking the place by storm. My au- \9 the sumnrons was, that I was deteraiined to defeod iJm ■',1 109 lie, dtsiroot npardonnble sfiil issue of undertnkrn I, is the ioU t; ovidcnilf ?ral Prooler, StOD, ■|iJ., 1813. eived a dps- lances of an body of In- ort of Low- ny's works, ainst it-<-80 rn the waDl uriors, un not aitend- nalizi'd the leral oxiols revet Lieu- je into the who have & me kil- lieulen- at, Laus- ind Lieut. reneral. dated 5, 1813. tied force riany In- e its ap- and, as 13 would ent Col. land the f blood; Id he he My an- !nd tkm place to the last extremity ; and that do force, hoircTer larfe^ should induce me to surrender it. So soon ns the flag had rt turned, a brisk fire wa^ opened upon us, from tfic ::un-boats in the river, and from a five and »i half inch howitzer, on shore, which whs kept up with lit'.le iiiterinidaion, throughout the night. At an early hour, the next morninf;, tlircc sixes, (wiiich had been placed, during the night, within 250 yards of ilic pickets,) bs.'can to play upon us — but with liitle efll'ct. About 4 o'clock, V. M. discoveiinsf that the fire, Irom all his guns, was conceiitrnttd against the N. W. angle of tlu fort, 1 became confident ihat his otiject was to ntnkc a breach, and attempt to storm the works nt that point: I. therefore, ordered out as many men, as could be employed, for the purpose of strengthening that part —which was so cnVctually secured, by means of bags of flour, sand, &c. that the picketing suffered little or no injury ; notwithstanding which, the enemy, about 500, having formed in close column, ad- Tanc*^d to assault our works, at the expected point; at the same time making two feints on the front of Capiaia Hunter's lines. The column, which advanced against the north-western angle, consisting^ of aliout 350 men, was so completely enveloped m smoke, as not lo be discovered, until it had approached within 18 or 20 paces of the lines; but, the men bein?; all at their posts, and ready to receive it, commenced so heavy and galling a fire, as to throw the column a lit- tle intu confusion ; neins quickly rallied, it advanced to the outworks, and began lo leap into the ditch ; just at ih^.t moment, a fire of grape was opened, from our 6 pounder, (which had been previously arrang- ranged, so as to rake in that direction,) which, together with the musKeiry, threw them into such confusion, thpt they were compel- led to retire, precipitately, to the woods.— During the assault, which lasted about half an hour, an incessant fire was kept up by the en«>- my's arlillf-ry, (which consisted of five sixes, and a howitzer,) but without effect. My \vhole loss, during the siegt, was one killed, and •even slightly wounded. The loss of the enemy, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, must exceed 150. One Lieut. Colonel, a Lieutenant, and 50 rank and file, were found in and about the ditch, dead or wounded; those of the remainder, who were notable to escape, were taken off, during the night, by the Indians. Seventy stand of arms, and several brace of pistoU, have been collected near the works. About 3, in the morning, the enemy sailed down the river, leaving behind them ai boat, containing clothing, and considerable military itores. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the officers, non-commis- •ioned officers, and privates, under my command, for their gallantry « and good conduct, during the siege. Yours, with respect, G. CROGHAN, Maj. 17th U. S. Inf. comg. The period was now fast approaching when the fruits of ro much toil and privation were to be wrested from our grasp, and the extensive line of territory, both original and acquired, so gallantly defended by a single regiment iigainst the repeated invasions of tht enemy during a period of fifteen inonths, was to fall beneath the ef- forts of numerical strength. Since the captare of Detroit, the Ame*- 110 ifctnf bad been io^ffhtignble iD their czertioni to eitnblish « aup** riority of naval force, on u'liich, ihey \vt 11 knc\v, depended the uUi- niaif .succe?»s of tluir nrm'?. rudalo was tin* harbour prlected for th? conrtruciinn o( Ihcir flotill.i. which, ur.'Icr tho hands ol numerou* workmen, scon prccMrd a furniidjihlc at pcajjinco, and was deemed more than suHicit-nt tocn>iirc ilu-ir uscciulancv on Uic lake. Manned by experienced seamen litken from sovornl frigates then blockaded in their seaports, nnd commanded by able and inttlli^enf orticers, these vesscl'j put Ibrih lowardi the clusy^ of Aujjusi, and continued cruising ofTilie harbour of AnjluTsihiir;:, in v.iiich our dee' lay, a- wailinjj the completion of tiu' Detroit, a vessel of twenty guns then on the stocks, and ihc arrival of seamen long promised and vainly .'Xpccted from Lake Oniario. Cnptain Barclay had arrived some tinjc previous to take the command, and with him several otficers nnd fuity men: hut notwithstanding every remonstrance onihe subject madt by the commanding oflicer of ihe division, no farther assistance wai afforded. The remaining part ol the crews were provincial sailors, willing and anxious, it is irue, to do their duty, but without that per- fection and experience in their profession, which are so indispensably necessary to the insurance of success ill a combat at sea. In defi- ance of this disadvantage, tlie enemy had no sooner made his appear* ance, than the Detroit was launched in her rough and unfinished state, and armed, in default of other guns, with long battering pieces taken from the ramparts. Every calibre was employed — sixes, niaes^ twelves, eightcens, and even the two twenty-four pounders which bad been so successfully used at the Miami. The early part of September was employed in getting in her masts and rigging, and in a few days the fleet was ready to sail. Our position at this peri- od had become exceedingly critical. The want of provisions began to be seriously felt, and the ultimate possession of the garrison de- pended wholly on the result of the naval conflict, for which both par- ties were preparing. In the event of the enemy being successful, not only must we be open to the incursions of the large forces, then col- lected in several quarters, and ready to overwhelm us at the moment that the command of the lake would afford them facility of movement, but the means of obtaining supplies from Fort Erie must be entirely cutoff. The quantity of provisions already consuHied had been en- ormous; for independently of the wanton destrnction ol cattle bv the Indians, who often shot or stabbed tbera merely to possess theto^ selves of the horns, in which thf y ;«ecnryd iheir fowder, leevhif th% to in in ish a lup^ ?(1 ihe ulii- selected for f numcrouu vas iloemed io. Manned I lilockaded tnf o(hc'cr», I conlinu<:(l dec' lay, a- guns then and vainly rived some otfjcors and ubjeetmada stonce was L'lal sailori, tut that pvr- dispensably a. In defi- his appear* uheii statf| eces taken xps, nines^ ]ers which riy pari of ging, and this peri- lons began irrison de<> both par- essful, not then col- e moment [norement, e entirely been en- tie bv the ess ihem* mvhjif the tercANCt lo potiify in (he (iun,ien thousaiirl rations were daily Issued to the warriors and their fai»ilii>s: (he latter apparently increasing in numbers, ns our tiienns of >iip|)lyini7 them becntnc mure contracted. Such wan the situation of the goniNon, rcJueetl in its regular force to a handful of men. by the ly-^Ci susl.iine-' in the various cngaijc- roent:i herein (letaiied, when Captain l.'arelay, who luul hoiited his flajf on board the Detroit, niado the signal, cnriy on the niorniiig of the 9th, lo weigh anchor and bear aero ■ < the lake. The little tlect, consisting of six sail, were, at da^ light on the 10th, p«r. ceived by the enemy, .hen lying among a cluster cl l?Iand9 at some leagues distance, who immediately bore up under a light side-wind, favorablo at that moment to the approach of the two squadrons. At one o'clock the engagement commenced. The Detroit leading into action, was opposed to the Si. Lav.rencc, mounting eighteen thirty- two pounders, and commanded by the American Comniudorc; and such was the eflVct of the lung guns, that the latter vessel was soon com- pelled to strike her fla?, having 'only twenty s(r\ iceable men lelt. The Detroit and Q,ueen Ciiarlolte liad, however, suflercti severely in their sails and rigging from the fire of the enemy's gun-beats ; and net only every one of their boats had been so severely wounded as to ren- der it impossible to take possession of the prize; but the united and unceasing exertions of their crews could not prevent them from run- ning foul of each other. Availing himself of ihia unfortunate accidenti Commodore Perry, who had shifted his flag to the Niagara, a vessel of equal force with the St, Lawrence, bote up and discharged his broadside with murderous efi'ect. Waring immediatelv, a second and equally destructive followed, nnd in this manner was the action continued, rendering resiatancc almost hopeless. The other smaller Tessels, already warmly engaged, could aftord no aid, and the guns of the unJortunale wrecks were at Icnrjth ne;uiy all unserviceable, — those, at least, of the only batteries which could be brought to bear upon the enemy. Almost every oflicer had been compelled to leave the deck, and tue helplessness of the crew«; could only be exceeded by their despair, when after two hours and a half of incessant cannon- ading, the British flag was replaced by the Ragle of America. The anxiety with which the issue of the combat was awaited at Anihersthurg, wheie the firing was disti»^cily heard, may easily be conceived. From the heights overhanging the lake, and nearly op- posite lo the islands, thf.< first encounter of the fleets was clearly ob- aerrcd, but the thick columns of smoko in which they wore spcedi- lit If enveloprd, precluded all possibility of following che ptt>gni% tff the contest ; nor was it until tho thun^r of the artillery had been some time discontinued, that the clouds of vapour gradually dispel- ling, presented the melancholy picture of our vessels, several of ihem crippled and dismasted, following in the track of the American fleeti then directing its course towards the bay of Sandusky. In this affair, so unfavorable in its result to our already precarious cause, the enemy had the most decided advantage, not only in re- spect to superiority of seamen, but in num)jer of ships, and in weight of metal. Their fleet consisted of nine sail, of which the two prin* eipal, the St. Lawrence and Niagara, mounted eighteen thirty-two pounder*. Four others were armed with a lung gun of the jarne calibre, and keeping aloof during the action, were enabled by the calm state of the lake to do much execution among our principal ves* lels. which were completely raked by their destructive fire. The Ycssels composing Captain Barclay's force were — the Detroit, twen- ty guns; Q,ueen Charlotte, twenty guns; Laily Prevosi, twelve guns ; General Hunter, six guns ; and iwo small craft, one of which mounted a mortar, the other a long eighteen-pounder ; and the whole weight of metal did not amount to 1100 pounds: while that of the enemy, exclusive of the three remaining vessels of their flotilla each mounting several guns, was 12S0 : and when it is taken into consider ■(ion that the accident which occurred early in the engagement to the two principal ships, prevented all possibility of bringing a second broadside to bear, while the enemy, on the contrary, were enabled to avail themselves of their whole metal, the disproportion will ap- pear even more enormous. Notwithstanding the disparity of force, however, a different lesult might have been expected, had the trican flecti precarious aniy in re« (1 in weight ; two prin- thirty-iwo f the same lied by the incipal ves* fire. The Iroit, twen- )si, twelve e of which d the whole that of the lotilla each to consider gement to g a second re enabled will ap- of forcPi the rady lost 113 one limb while fighting the battles of hia country, was so severely wounded in his only remaining arm, as to be compelled to leave the deck early in the action. Captain Finnic, commanding the Q,ueen Charlotte, was killed by a round shot soon aliorwarti?, and the same ball carried nfl' Lieutenant Gardcii, a promising young officer of the Newfoundland Regiment, mingling the blood of the one and the brains of the other, on the bulwark, in one melancholy and un- distinguishable mass. 1 had subsequently an opportunity of witnes- sing the devastation of tliis sanguinary day. The decks were lite- rally filled with the \voundcd; and such -was the crippled state of the Detroit, that not a mast was left standing: almost all the guns were dismounted, and it was impossible to place a hand on that •ide which had been exposed to the enemy's fire, without covering part of a wound, either from grape, cannisler, or round shot. Subjoined is Captain Barclay's account of the acticn. Head Quarters, Montreal, Nov. 25th, My Lord, I have the honor to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a let- ter from Commodore Sir James Yeo, together with Capt. Barclay's official account of the action on Lake Erie, referred lo in my despatch to your Lordship of the 22nd September and 8th of October last. I am happy to be able to add, that Captain Barclay is recovering of his wounds, and that there is a prospect of his valuable life and ser- vices being preserved for the benefit of his country. 1 have the honor to be, &c. George Prevost. The Right Hon. Earl Balhurst, &c, &c, dice. His Majesty's Ship Noble, at Kingston, Nov. 15th. Sir X yesterday received Captain Barclay's official statement of the ill-fated action on Lake Erie, an'l as yout' Exntilency must wish to be informed of every particular, 1 have the honor to enclose a copy of the same. It appears to me that though his Majysly's Squadron were very deficient in s amen, weight ot tnetai, and particularly long guns yet the greatest misfortune was the loss ol every officer, par- ticularly Captain Finnis, whose life, had it been spared, would, in my opinion, have saved the squadron. I have honov to be, 6cc. James Lucas Yeo, Commodore. His Excellency "ir George Prevost, Bart. Governur and General in Chief. IH His Majesty's late Ship Detroit. Put-ill Bay, Lalce Erie, 3ept.22d. Sir, — The la*t letter I had the honor of writing; to you, dated th« Cth instant, I informed yc u, that unless certain iiitiniation was re- ceived of more seamen bein? on their way to Atnherstburg, I should be obliged to sail with the squadron depluiably manned as it was, to fiffht the enemy (who blockaded the port,) to enable us to get sup- plies of provisions and stores of every description ; so perfectly des- titute of provisions was the port, that tiiere was not a day's Hour in the store, and the squadron under my command were on half allow- ance of many things, and when that was done there was no more. Such were the motives which induced Major General Procter (whom by your instructions I was directed to consult, and whose wishes i was enjoined to execute, as far as related tj the good of tiie country,) to concur in the iiecessity of a battle being risked under the many disadvantages which I labored, and it now remains ibr me, the most melancholy task to relate to you the unfortunate issue of tliai battle, as well as the many untoward circumstances that led to that event. No intelligence of seamen having arrived, 1 sailed on the 9th inst. fully expecting to meet the enemy next morning, as they had been seen among the islands ; nor was I mistaken; soon after daylight they were seen in motion in Put-in- bay, the wind then at S. "W. and liglit, giving us the weaiher-gage. 1 bore up with them, in hopes of biingins them to action among the islands, but that intention was soon frustrated, by the wind suddenly shifting to the south-east, which brought the enemy directly to windward. The line was form- ed according to a given plan, so that each ship might be supported against the superior force of the two brigs opposed to them. About ten the enemy had cleared the islands, and immediately bore up, un- der easy sail, in a line abreast, each brig being also siijiported by the small vessels. At a quarter before twelve I commenced the aciion, by giving a few long guns; about a quarter past. the American Com- modore, also supported by two schooners, one carrying four long twelve pounders, the other a long 32 and '^4-pounder, cume to close aciion with the Detroit; the other brig of the enemy, apparently des- tined to engage the Q,ueen Chailotte, supported in like manner by two,sohooners, kept so far to windward as to render ihe Queen Char- lotte's 20-pounder carrunades useless, while she was with the Lady Prevost, exposed to the heavy and destructive fire of ih • Caledonia, and four other schooners, ariiud with long and heavy guns, like those I have already described. Too soun, alas ! was 1 deprived ol the services of ihe noble and intrepid Captain Finnis, who soon after the commencement of the action fell, and wiih him fell my greatest sup- port; soon after, Lieutenant Stokoeof the Q,ueen Charlotte, was struck senseless by a splinter, which deprived the country of his services at I lis very critical prriod. Provincial Lieutenant Irvine, who then had officer than I arge of the Q,uee« Charlotte, behaved wiih great courage. cxp'rience was much too limited to supply the |jlace ol buch an o as Captain Finnis, hence she proved of far kss assistance ti expected. The action continued with great fury until half pa»t two, when I perceived my opponent drop astern, and a boat passing from him to tlia Niagara (which vessel was at this time perfectly fresh,) the )etroit. Jept.22d. , dated tb« on was re- rg, I should s It was, to to gt't sup- itVcily des- ly's Hour in halt' allow- IS no more, eter (whom se wishes I le country,) r the many le, the most that battle, that evi-nt. be 9th inst. V had been er daylight S. W.aud in hopes ot' iention was south-east, t; was forra- L' supported ■m. About )ore up, un- )rled by the the action, rican Corn- four long e to close rently des- anner by een Char- the Lady Caledonia, like those ed ol the n after the fitest sup- ^vas struck ervice.-j at o (hen had ', but his an officer ice than I when I )m him to esh,) th« 115 American Commodore seeing, that as yet the day ivas iigainst him, (his vessel having struck soon after ht* left her,) and also the very defenceless state of the Detroit, which ship was now a perfect wreck, principally from the rakii»g fire of the gun bouts, and also that the Queen Clinrloite was in such a siiuaiiori, that 1 could receive very little assistance from lu't, ami the Lady Prevost ueing at this lime too far to leevvard, from ht-r rudder being injured, made a noble, and alas! too succ't'S:«lul an ••llbrt to regain it, for he bore up, and suppc ed by his small vessels, passed within pisiol shot, and took a rakiuji position on our bow, nor could I prevent it, as the unfortunate situa- tion of the Queen Charlotte prevented us fiom waring; in attempt- ing it we fell on board her; my gallant tirst Lieutt-nant Garland was now mortally wounded, and myself so severely, that I was obliged tO leave the deck. Manned as the squadron was, with not more than fifty British seamen, the rest a mixed Crew of Canadians and soldiers, and who were totally unacquainted with such service, rendered the loss of officers more seujibiy felt, and never in any action was the loss more levere ; every officer commanding vessels, and their se- conds, was either killed or wounded so severely, as to be unable to keep the deck, Lieut. Buchan, in the Lady Frevost, behaved most nobly, and did every thing that a brave and experienced officer could do in a vessel armed with V2-pound/Carronades, against vessels car- rying long guns. I regiet to state that ho was severely wounded, liieut. Bignall of the Dover, commanding the Hunter, displayed the greatest intrepidity ; but his guns being small, (two, four, and six pounders) he could be of much less service than he wished. Every olRcer i i the Detroit, behaved in the mo>texemplaty manner Lieut. Inglis showed sueh cal.n intrepidity, that I was tully convinced that, on leaving the deck, I left the ship in excellent hands; and for an ac- count of the battle, alUr that. I refer you to his letter which he wrote me, for your information. Mr. Hoffmeister purser of the Detroit, nobly volunteered his services on deck, and behaved in n manner that reflects the highest honor on him. 1 regret to add, that he is very severely wounded in the knee. Provincial Lieut. Purvis, and the military officers, Lieuts. Garden of the itoyal Newfoundland Han- gers, and O'Keefeof the 4 1st liegt., behaved in a manner which ex cited my warmest admiration; the few British seamen I had behaved ■with their u>ual intrepidity, and as long as I was on deck, the troops behaved with a calmness and courage, worthy of a more fortunate issue to their exertions. The weather-ga9:e gave the enpmy a prodigious advantage, as it enabled them not only to choose their position, but their distance al- so, which they did in such a manner as to prevent the carro^ades of the Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost, from having much effect; while their long guns did great execution, particularly against the Queen Charlotte. Capt. Perry has behaved in a most hunjane and attentive manner, noi only to myself and officers, hut to all the wounJ- ed. 1 trust that although unsuccessful, you will approve ol the mo- tives that induced me to sail under so many disadvantages, and that it may he hereafter proved that, under such circumstances, the hon^r of his Majesty's flag has not been tarnished. 1 enclose the list of kil- led and wounded. t hate the honor to be &c. (8ign«d) R. H. Barclay, Commander, and lat« Benivr effletr. 116 His Majesty's late ship Detroit, • Sept. lOih. Sii, — I liave the honor to transmit to you an account of the termi- nation of the late unfortunate lialtle with the enemy's squadron. On coniiiig on the qLiiiricr-dcck alter vour bcinf^ wounded, the ene- my's second brig, at that time on our wcaiher beam, shortly after- Avards look a position on our wtalher-bow to rake us; to prevent ■which, in attempting to waio, to get our starboard broadside to hear U])on her, a number o( the guns on (he larboaid broadside being at this time disabled, fell on board the Queen Charlotte, at this time, running up to leeward of us. In this situation the two ships remain- ed for some time. As soon as we got cleai from her, 1 ordered the Queen Charlotte to shoot ahead of us if possible; and attempted to back our fore-topsoil to get astern, but the ship laying completely unmanageable, every brace cut away, the mizen top-mast and gaft* down, all the other masts badly wounded, not a stay lel't forward, hull shattered very much, a number of guns disabled, and the enemy's squadron raking both ships ahead and astern, none of our own in a situation to sujiport us, 1 was under the painful necessity of answer- ing the enemy, to say we had struck, the Queen Charlotte having previously done so. I have the honor to be &c, (Signed) George Inglis. To Capt. Barclay, &c, &c, &o. A list of killed and Avounded in His Majesty's ships and vessels in an action with the American squadron on Lake Eiie, the 10th September, 1813. 3 officers and 38 men, killed; 9 officers, 85 men, viTOUuded. Total — 41 killed; 94 Avounded. Nan)es of oflicers killed and wounded, — Lieut. Jnmes Garden, Roy- al Newfoundland Reciment, killed; Detroit, killed ; First Lieut. John Garland ; wounded, Captain R. H. Bairlay, dangerously; J. R. Hofl- raeister, purser, dangerous-ly ; Queen Charlotte, killed ; Captain Ro- bert Finnis; wounded, First Lieut. James Siokoe, severely; James Foster, midshipman, slightly; Lady Prevopt, wounded; Lieut. Ed- •ward Buchan, commanding, dangerously ; First Lieut. F. Rolette, severely; Hunter, wounded; Lieut. George Bignall, commanainjj, severely; Henry Gateshill, master's mate, slightly; Chippew&y, wounded ; master's mate, J. Campbell, commanding, slightly. (Signed) R. II. Barclay, Commander, and late Senior officer. The annexed is Commodore Perry's Official account ofthe action. U. S. Schr. Ariel, Pui-in-Bay, I3th Sept. 1813. SIR — In my last, I inlormed you that we had captured the ene- my',-, fleet, on this lake. I have now the honor to give you the most important particulars of the action : — On the morning of the 10th instant, at sun-rise, they were discovered fioin Put-in-Bay^ where I lay at anchor, Avilh the squadron under my command. We got un- der weigh, the wind light at S. E. and brought us to Avindward ; formed the line, and bore up. At 15 mirutes before 12, the enemy comineneed firing; at 5 minutes before 12, the action commenced on our part. Finding their file very destructive, oAving to their long hip Detroit, lOih. )f the termi- juadron. led, iht' ene- hortly after- lo prevent Iside to bear ide being at It ibis time, lips remain- ordered the Utempted to completely fist and gaff left forward, the enemy's lur own in a yr of answer- iutle having ,c, ge Irighs. and vessels ie, the 10th ersj 85 men, arden, Roy- Lieut. John l; J. R. Hotf- laptain Ro- |ely; James Lieut. Ed- F. Rolette, mmanainji, ' hippeway, hlly. ander, and cer. fthe action. U. 1813. the enc- lu the most If the lOth where I 'e got un- Ivindward ; Ihe enemy lenced on [their long^ 117 guns, and its bein^ mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to iollow, for the purpose of cloiiing with the enemy — every brace and bow liro being soon f^hot away, she became unmanageable, not\vithstan:lin:r the great exertions of the sailing-nriaster. In iliis situation, sIk' sustained the action up- wards of two hours, wiihiii cani,-< iiin to be hoisted- At 15 minutes past 2, the sig- nal was made :^r "close action ;'' the Niagara being very little in- jured, I determed to pass tlirough the enemy's line — bore up, and passed ahead of their two ships, and a brig, giving a raking fire to them, from the starboard guns and to a large schooner, and sloop, frotn the larboard side, at half pistol-shot distance. The smaller ves- sels, at this time, having got within grape and canister distance, un- der the direction of Capt. Elliot, and keeping up a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig, and a schooner and sloop mailing a vain at- tempt to escape. Those ollicers and men, who were immediately under my obser- vation, evinced the greatest gallantry ; and, 1 have no doubt hut all others conducted themselves as became American officers and sea- men. Lieut. Yarnell, 1st of the Lawrence, although several times wounded, refused to quit the deck. Midshipman Forest, (doing du- ty as Lieutenant,) and sailinsr master Taylor, were of great assist- ance to me. I have great pain, in staling to you the death of Lieut. Brook, of the marines, and Midshipman Laub, both of the Lawrence, and Midshi!)man John Clark, of the Scorpion; they were valuable and promising officers. iMr. Hamilton, Purser, who volunteered his services on deck, was severely wounded, late in the action. Mid- shipman Claxton, and Swartwout, of the Lawrence, were severely wounded. On board of the Niagara, Lieutenants Smith and Ed- wards, and Midshipman Webster, (doing duty as sailing master,) behaved in a very handsome manner. Captain Brevoort, of the ar- my, who acted as a vo unteer, in the capacity of a marine officer, on board that vessel, is an excellent and brave officer; and, with Ins musketry, did great execution. Lieut. Turner, commanding the Caledonia, brouahtiliat vessel into action in the mo^t able manner, and is nn officer, in all situations, that may be relied on. The Ariel, Lieut* Packet, and Scorpion, sailing master Champlia were enabled to get early into action, and Avere of great service. Captain Elliot speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Mag.ath, purser. 118 who had been dispatched in a boat, on service, previous, to my get« ting on hoard the Niagara ; and, being a seaman, since (he action has rendered essential serv!'«' in taking charge of one of the prizes. Of Capt.iin Elliot, alrt'iidy :i » ^\■ell Inunvn to the governmcni, it vould be almost siipcrliuoui to sptiilv : — i;i Uh-j nciioii, lie ivinced hij cl»aracteri->tic biiiveiy aiul judirtriicnt ; and, since the »:loi5e of the action, has given me the ii!u-l whle and e-^^tutial assistance. I have the lioiu^r ta oiiclo-c you a reiuri. of the kdled and wound- ed, lo'^ether with a staienu-nt id' I he relative I'oice of the squadrons. The Captain and 1st Lieutenant uf the (iue^n Charlotte, and Jst Lieut, of the Detroit, wen killed. Captain IJarclay, senior officer, and the commander of the Lady Prevo.t, severely wounded. The commander ol the Hunto- and Chippewii, sjighiiy wcjunded. Their loss, in killed and won.uled, I hiive not been able to ascertain ; it must, however have been very .-rreat. I l»ave caused the prisoners, taken (jn the lOlh inst. to be landed nt Sandu*»ky and have requested Gen. Harrison to have them march- ed to Chiliicoihe, and there wait, until your pleasure shall be known uspectin^ them. The Lawrence has been so cntir<'ly cut up. it is absolutely neces- sary she should go into a safe harbor ; I have, therefore, directed Lieut. Yarnell to proceed to Erie, in her, with the wounded of the fleet ; and dismantle, and get her over the bar, as soon as possible. The two ships, in a heavy sea, this day at anchor, lost their masts, being much injured in the action. I shall haul them into the inner bay, at this place, and moor them for the present. The Detroit is a remarkably fine ship; and is very strongly built; the Queen Char- lotte is a much superior vessel to what nas been represented j — the Lady Prevost is a large, fine schooner. 1 also beg your instructions, respecting the wounded; I am satis- fied, sir, that whatever steps I niiaht lake, governed by humanity, would meet your approbation ; — nnd, and ist I'll lor officer, Muled. The idod. Their JsctTiain ; it be landed nt hem rnarcb- kll be known utely neces- )ro, directed nded of the s possible, their masts, to the inner le Detroit it ineen Char- ented j — the I am satis- humanritjr, have taken Jaii^'erously as possible; he is under :ountry wiil Dng the pri- Perry. admits the total 123j Itaining our |the neigh- ten thou- )n their fu- [ted for the theirsqua- iTH of that opposition. A council was accordingly assembled, and the various chieftains sum* moned to attend. After a brief exposition ol the defenceless state ol the garrison, the almost utter iiiipossibiliiy of preventing the landing of the enemy, and the alnrmin;: dt'stituiion into whirh the magnzmes of provision had fallen, G ncral Procti-r piopo'ed that the forts of Detroit and Aoiher^iburg, together with the various |)ublic buildings, should be destroyed, and that ilie troops aiu^ Indiaus ih.ould retiie on the centre division at Niagara. This proposal wa? met by the chieftains with divided sentiments ; but Tccunisch, whose gallant and injpetuous spirit could ill brook the idea of retiring before his ene mies, had no soon heard the conclusion, than he arose, and, in a speech of much length, and accompanied by powerful energy and gesticulation, protested against the infamy of abandoning the posi- tion without first using every exertion foj its delence. He addres- sed the commanding officer in the severest terms ; accused him of cowardice ; and after havini: compared his conduct with that of Cap- tain Barclay, whose noble defence had inspired him with an enthusi- asm surpassed only by the regret he entertained at his failure, con- cluded by declaring it to be his fixed determination to remain with his warriors and defcn.l the place himself. "Father,— (he thundered, )lisic'n toyourchildren,You see them now all before you. The war beibre this.our British father, gave the hatch- et to his red children when our old duels were alive. They are now all dead. In that war our faiher was thrown on his back by the Americans, and our lather look them by the hand without our know- ledge, and we ari^ afraid our father will do so ngain at this time. Summer f)efore last, when 1 came forward with my red brethren and was ready to take up the hatchet in Aivor of our British father, we were told not to be in a hurry — that he had not yet determined IJ fight the Americans. Listen ! When war was declared, our father stood up and gave us the tomahawk, and told us he \r;is now ready to strike the Americans — that he wanted our assistance; and he certainly would get us our lands back, which the Americans had taken from us. Listen ! You told us at thf same time to bring foiward our fami- lies to this place — we did so, and you p^omi^cd to take care of them, and tltat they should want for nothing, while the men would go to fight the enemy — ihal we were not lo iroiible ourselves wiiti the en- emy's garrisons — that we knew nothing about them, and that our fa- ther would attend to that fiart of the business. You also told your red children that you would take good care of your garrison here,which nra 'e our he.irts glad. Listen ! When we last went to the Rapid«, it is true we gave you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like ground-hogs. Father— Listen ! Our fleet has gjne out; we know they^ have fought ; we have heard the great guas; but know nothing of what ISO has happened to our faihtT with one arm. Our ships have gone one way and we are much astonished to see our father tying up every thing and preparing to run away the other, without letting his red children know Avhat his intentions are. You always told us to re- main hero and ial «hawk, and with such precision and force, that it immediately opf»» ed the skull, and extended him motionless on the earth. Layiof down his rifie, he drew forth his knife, and after having removed the hatchet from the brain, proceeded to make a circular incision through* out the sculp. This dune, he grasped the bloody instrument between Lis teeth, and placing his knees on the back of his victim, while at the same time he fastened his fingers in the hair, the scalp was torn off without muchapparent difficulty and thrust, still bleeding, into his bosom. The warrior then arose, and after having wiped his knife on the clothes of the unhappy man, returned it to its sheath, grasp- ing at the same time the arms he had abandoned, and hastening to rejoin his comrades. All this was the work ot a few minutes. While this brief scene was enacting, the main body of the enemy, who had by this time succeeded in breaking throus^h our centre, a^d had wheeled up, in order to take the Indians in fla. ':, moved rapidly upon us in every direction; so that the resistance the light compa- ny had hitherto opposed, was now utterly hopeless of any successful result. Persuaded moreover, from the sudden cessation of the firing in that direction, that our centre and left, (for the wood intercepted them from our view) had been overcome, we, at the suggestion and command of Lieutenant Hailes, the only ofitcer with us, prepared to „make good our retreat, but, instead of going deeper into the wood as we purposed, we mistook our way, and found ourselves unexpectedly in the road; when on glancing to the right, we beheld, at a distance of about five hundred yards, the main body ot our men disarmed— grouped together, and surrounded by American troops. On turning to the left, as we instinctively did, wc saw a strong body ot cavalry coming towards us, evidently returning trora some short pursuit, and slowly walking their horses' At the head of these, and dressed like his men in Kentucky hunting trocks, was a stout elderly officer whom we subsequently knew to be Governor Shelby, and who, the moment he beheld us emerging from the wood, gallopped forward and bran- dishing his sword over his head,cried out with stentorian lungs "surren- der, surrender, it's no use resisting, all your people are taken, and yoa had better surrender." There was no alternative. The channel to -escape had been closed by the horsemen in the wood, as well ae those la the road, and a surrender was unavoidable. We accordingly moved down to join our captured comrades, as directed by Qoveroor Melby, yet I well recollect burying my musket in the mud, whieii 114 -Wtlt«tywn that the atchct in fa- compulsion taps, affords je strong at- "WQs that of nutes before through the had p&ssed |ft was 8up« ssed in his yet sinewy brow, was |en gir^n to n wLith he |of Council he ptnsed, ion, 'which mpanying wardis the to Colonel nd hr.vittg Iwas in the advcrsaff t. It his )ndi«<(ifff 0^ ihft Actios, nor was it ever contradicted at that period. Thtrt H CTcry reason to infer then that the merit, (if any merit could aitaeb to the destruction of all that ^'ns nob!o and p:cnrrons in sarago liie) of having killed Tecumseh, rests with CulonclJohnson. The merit of having Hayed the body of the fallen hr •", and made razor vtropt of his skin, rests with his immcdiutc fui *<'s. This too has been denied, but denial is vain. On the nigin . 'he engagement, when seated around a fire kindled in the forest, partaking, on the very bat- tle grouiv^ of the meat which General Harrison's aids de camp were considerately and hospitably toasting for us on long pointed slicks, or skewers, and which, holf-famishcd ns we wore, we greedily at* -without the accompaniment of cither salt or bread, the painful sub- ject was discussed, and it is not less an eulogy to the memory of tHe high-minded Tecumseh, than a justice to that of General Harrison to add, that that officer was the first to deplore his death; while the sentiments he expressed, when the circumstance and manner of hh fall were made known, were such as to reflect credit on himself, both as a man, a christian, and a soldier. Doubts as to the fiict of Tecumseh having fallen at all at the Mo- ravian town, h&ve, in the same spirit of party whioh has denied to Colonel Johnson th.at Chieftam. Of the pain with which the sight was viewed, and the deep regret which his death was re- garded, no stronger evidence can be given than in the fact that there was scarcely an officer of the captured Division who, as he reposed his head upon the rude log, affording him the only pillow that ni;ght, did not wholly lose sight of his own unfortunafe position in the more lively emotion produced by the untimely fate of the lamented and noble Indian. It has ever been a source of profound regret to me that I was not present at this inspection, for although the sight of llae mutilated hero could not have failed to inflict upon my heart pais tif the most poignant kind, it would have been at least a consohtion to hfenrt seen the hst of his remains on earth: and this not more frovfi th« rererence and honor in which I had,and haTe,eTeF held the War- rior, than from the opportunity I should now possess of bearing at- testation to the fact and manner of his fall, from my own positive and persbnal observaiion. I was not, however, aware of the pur- posed visit until the party had returned, and made it the subject of conversation, in presence of General Harrison, as already stated. Nor wa.s there time afibrdedfor remedying the unintentional omission. But the battle of the Moravian town( if indeed battle ii can be called,) embracing as it does an important portion ot Canadian History, and involving the honor of the British arms, is not thus briefly to be dis- missed. The Righi Division has been grossly vilified for its con* duct on the occasion, and that vilification stands on public record* The proud — the honorable — the gratifying task of refuting the un- merited aspersion has devolved on the young, and humble, and com- paratively unnoticed volunteer, who bad the advantage of tracking it throughout its whole course of unceasing service, and whose lot it seems to have been nursed in the regiment, chiefly to become, at this distant day, the impartial chronicler of its deeds, and the vindi- cator ofy its unjustly sullied name. , First on the list of calumny stands the general order issued by Sir George Prevosl — a commander whose marked imbecility and want ot resolution, on more than on? occasion, (reflecting the deepest dis- grace on the British arms) had doubtless been ordained as a fitting punishment for his arwgant censure of the conduct of a corps, whose general excellence he was incompetent to appreciate, and whose on- ly positive crime was that of its weakness, its physical disorganiza- tion, and its utter destitution. Here is the insulting and most uncal- led for document, and who, on perusing it, after having traced tlve regiment through its previous course of glory, will fail to en^rtst^i^ j^ sentiment of deep indignation at its injustice. ;„ .^j< General Order, Head auarlers, Montreal— Nov. 24th 1813. His Excellency the Commander of the Forces has received an Official report from Major General Procter of the affair which took place on the 5th of October, near the Moriviat? village, and he has in vain sought in it, for ground* to palliate the veport made to His Excellency by Staff Adjutant Reiffenstein, upon which the General Order of the 18th October wns founded— on the contrary, that state- ment remains confirmed in all the principal events which marked that disgraceful day ; the precipitancy with which the Staff Adjutant retreated from the field of action, prevenivd his ascertaining the loss sustained by the division on that occas'ion; it also led him most grossly td exaggerate the enemy's force, and to misrepresent the Id the War- bearing at* wn positive of the pur- le subject of eady stated, al omissioD. lu be called,) history, and iy to be dis- for its eon' ubliu record* ing the un- le, and cora- of tracking whose lot it become, at id the vindi- ^sued by Sir r and want deepest dis- as a fitting orps, whose whose on- isorganiza' most uncal- traced tlve entertain -"•?''i!? ith 1813. fonduct of the Indian Warriors who instead of retreating towardt Machedash, as he had stated, gallantly maintained the conflict, un- der their brave Chief Tecunisch, and m turn harrassed the American Army on its lelreai to Detroit. •!' The subjoined return stales the loss the right division has sus- tained in the action of ihe fleet un Lake Erie on the lOth Sept. and in the affair of the 5th of October near the Moravian village, in the latter but very few appear to have been rescued by an honorable death, from the ignominy of passing under the American yoke, nor aie there many whose wounds plead in mitigation of this reproach. The right division appears to have been eucumbe red with an un- manageable load of unnecessary, and forbidden private baggage — while the requisite arrangements for the expedition, and certain con- veyance of the ammunition, and provisions, sole objects worthy ol consideration, appear to have been totally neglected, as well as all those ordinary measures resorted to, by otiicers of intelligence, to retard and impede the advance of a pursuing enemy. The result affords but too fatal a proof of this unjustiSable neglect. The right division had quitted Sandwich on its retreat, on the26lh September, having had ample time, for every previous arrangement, to faciliate and secure that movement: on the 2nd October following, the eu»- my pursued by the same route, and on the 4th succeeded in capturing all the stores of the division, and on the following day, attacked and defeated it almost without a struggle. With heart-felt pride and satisfaction the Commander of the For- ces had lavished on the Right Division of this Army, that tribute of praise which was so justly due to its former gallantry, and steady discipline. It is with poignant grief and mortificauon that he now beholds its well earned laurels tarnished, and its conduct calling loudly for reproach and censure. The Commander of the Forces appeals to the genuine feelings of the British soldier from whom he neither conceals tlio extent of the loss the Army has suffered, nor the far more to be lamented injury it has sustained, in its wounded honor, confident that but one senti- ment will animate every breast, and that z«i]ous to wash out the 5taiu, which by a most extraordinary infatuation, has fallen on a formerly deserving portion of the Army, all will vie to emulate the glorious achievements recently performed, by a small but highly spirited and well disciplined division, led by Officers possessed of enterprize, intelligence, and gallantry, nobly evincing, what British soldiers, can perform, *vhen susceptible of no fear, but that of failing in the discharge of their duty. His Excellency considers it an act of justice, to exonerate most honorably from tliis censure the brave soldiers of the right division who were serving as marines on boaid the squadron on Lake Erie, The Commander of the Forces having received the Ofhcial Repoit of Cant. Barclay of the action which took place on lake Erie on the lOih September, when that gallant Officer, from circumstances of imperious necessity, was compelled to seek the superior force of the enemy, and to maintain an arduous and long contested action under circumstances of accumulating ill fortune. Captain Barclay represents, that the wind, which was favorable early m the day,9uddenlychanged,giving the enemy the weather-gage, and that this important advantage was, shortly after the eommffnee- IW ment of the engagement, heightened by the fall ot Captain Finnilp;^ the commauder of the Q,ueen Charlotte. In the death of that intre- pid and intelligent officer, Captain Barclay laments the loss of hi? main support. The fall of Captain Finnis was soon followed by that of Lieut. Stokoe, whose country Avas deprived of his services at this very critical period of the action, leaving the command of the Queen Charlotte to Provincial Lieutenant Irvine, who conducted himself wiiU great courage, but was too limited in experiencif, to supply the place of such an officer as Capt. Finnis, and in conse- quence this vessel proved of far less assistance than might be ex- pected. The action commenced about a quarter before 12 o'clock, and con- tinued with great iury until half past 2, when the American Com-' modore quitted his ship, which struck shortly after, to that com- manded by Capt. Barclay (the Detroit.) Hitherto the determined va- lor displayed by the British Squadron, had surmounted every dis- julvBDtage, and the day was in our favor ; but the contest had ar- rived at that period when valor alone was unvailing — the Detroit and QtUeen Charlotte were perfect wrecks, and required the utmost skill of seamanship, while the Commanders and second officers, of every vessel were either killed or wounded : not more than fi.'ty British seamen were dispersed in the crews of the squadron, and ot these a grejit proportion had fallen in the conflict. The American Commodore made a gallant, and but too success- ful an effort to regain the day. His second largest vessel, the Nia- gara, had suffered little, and his numerous gun boats which had proved the greatest source of annoyance during the action, were all uniojured. 'f I Lieutenant Garland, First Lieutenant of the Detroit, being nibr- tally wounded, previous to the wounds of Captain Barclay obliging bim to quit the deck, it fell to the lot of Lieutenant Inglis, tb whose intrepidity and conduct the highest praise is given, to surrender His Majesty's Ship, when all further resistance had become \ia* availing. The enemy, by having the weather gage, were enabled to choose their distance and thereby avail themselves of the great advantage they derived in a superiority of heavy long guns, but Captain Bar- clay attributes the result of the day, to the unprecedented fall of every Commander, and second in Command, and the very small nunther of able seamen left in the squadron, at a moment when the judgement of the officer, and skilful exertions of the sailors, weie most imminently called for. ^ To the British seamen, Captain Barclay bestows the highest praise — that they beliav2d like British seamed. From the officers and soldiers of the regular forces serving as marines, Captain Bar- clay experienced every support within their power, and states that their conduct has excited his warmest thanks and admiration. Deprived of the palm of victory, when almost within his grasp, by an overwhelming force which the enemy possess(.'d in reserve, ajd- ed by an accumulation of unfortunate circumstances, Captain Bw- and his brave crew have, by their gallant daring, and self devotion to jheir country's cause, rescued its honor and their own, eren in 4efeat* Qn\ i an| the •it tain Finni«;' • that intre- loss of hi? foHowed by 5 services at land of the 3 conducted periencie, to d in conse- light be e^- ck, and con- irican Com-* 3 »bat com- termined va- d every dis- test had ar- the Detroit 1 the utmost ond officers, e than fi.'ty [uadroD, and too succesi- iel, the Nia- which had on, were all , ! ;-»<•, . . being rribr* lay obliging s, t6 whose surrender become v>nr • :i J d to choose t advantage aptain Bar- nted fall of very small Imenx when ailors, weie the highest 1 the officers iptain B^r- states that ttion. fis grasp, by jservcj ajd- ptain "Bii- If devotion rn, erejk in 139 Return of the Right Division of the Army ot Upper Canada i '-^ Detachment serving as marines on board che squadron in action> on 1 0th September 1813. .;;.v:.v« Killed 1 lieutenant, 1 serireant, 21 rank and file ; ' *' i Wounded — 3 sergeants, 4') rank and file; Prisoners — 2 lieutenants, 1 asst. surgeon, 4 drummers 167 rank and file. 'Killed, wounded, and missing i;i the retreat and in the action of the 5th October 1813. 1 Inspecting field officer, 1 dep. asst. qr. master general, 1 fort; adjutant, 1 hospital mate I lieutenant col. 6 captains, 12 lieutenantjj, 3 ensigns, 1 paymaster 1 asst. surgeon, 54 sergeants, 13 drummer's' 559 rank and file, 46 horses. Assembled at Aucaster on the 17th Oct., 1813. , Ir.'-Yi'^ 1 Major general, 1 major of brigade, 1 aid-de-camp, 1 staff adju- tianr, 3 captains, 5 lieutenants, ii ensigns, 1 adjutant, 1 quarter master, 2 asst. surgeon, 15 sergeants. 9 drummers, 204 rank and file, 53 horses. ; » Total strength of the Right Division on the 10th September 1813. " 1 Major general, 1 inspectin, field ofhcer, 1 major of brigade,! dep. asst. q. m. gen, 1 aid-de-camp, i staff adjutant, 1 tort adjutant, 1 hos- pital matej I lieutenant colonel, 9 captains, W lieutenants 5 ensigns, 1 paymaster, 1 adjutant, 1 quarter master, 4 assistant surgeons, 57 sergeants, 26 drummers, 994 rank and file, 99 horses, ■"Killed — Lieutenant Garden, Royal Newfoundland Regt. - '.^a.^- i.j i.i.it..u> u^.i .. ......; Edward Baynes, :,iiid?.jid«r^' Adjutant General. ■ ■•1. ' • . ~ ■ ■; "" Well timed indeed, and with a befitting grace does the iDsi^lting c^nsure,contained in the opening of the above order^emanate from the man who had previously made a descent upon Sackett's Harbor, with a view of destroying the enemy's naval and military works, and who at the very rnoment of accomplishment of the object of the expedi- tion, and when the Americans were retreating, turned and fled with precipitation to his boats, presenting to the troops who were un\jiril- linpr sharers in his disgrace, the monstrous yet ludicrous anomaljT of t wo.hoslile armies fleeing from each other at the same time. Well does it become the leader who, at Plattsburg, covered the British army with shame, and himself with enduring, infamy, by retiring at the head of 15,000 men — chiefly the flower of tluj Duke of Welling-? ton's army — befoie a force of Americans not exceeding as many hun- dreds; and this even at the moment v;hen the commander of these latter was preparing to surrender his trust without a struggle. Well does it proceed from him, who througU timidity and vacillation alone, at an earlier period of the war, entered into a disgrace^ful armist^qe with the enemy at the very moment when General Brock was pre- paring to follow up his successes on the Western frontier, by sweep- ing tha whole '■oiuhern border of th<; Si. Lawrence. Happily wa« it 130 devised by the authority to whose culpable inattention and negltiet alone was owing the loss of the gallant Barclay's fleet, and the con- sequent helplessness of that very Right Division he has hesitated not to condemn for a disaster attributable to himself alone. Nay, well .aitd most consistently does (he sting issue frora the Commander of the Forces, who, on the occasion of the capture of Detroit, and the ^victory obtained at the River Raisin, ordered Royal salutes to be fired in honor of conquests which had been achieved principally by the 4,1st Regicnant, and whose remarks, even on the occasion of their unavoidable repulse at Sandusky, convey jather a compliment than dispraise. That .Sir George Prevost had been indueed to issue this order, on .tibie gross mis-representation of Gene^. \\ Procter, who, in ord«r to shield Jiimself from the consequences of his incapacity, scrupled not ,io sacrifice the reputation of the regiment, which had so often re- !paired,by their valor, what his marked iuefficiency had endangered, jtrhifre can be no question. It is only necessary to reler to an earlier meinorandum on the subject to be fully satisfied of the fact. But this 4oes not the more exonerate Sir George, whose duty ii Avas, before 2)ublishing a document, the tendency of which was to cast odium on .a corps which he himself admits to have previously won his warm- .est admiration, to possess himself of the true facts of the action; nor, >i)y any exercise of undue severity, to have provoked commentaries on i^is Own conduct of a far more humiliating character. But posterity t(rilt judge of the Right Division, not by the sweeping and unfound- ed denunciations of an angry and misjudging Governor, but by its ffOiversally admitted gallantry on all former occasions. •i*Who on looking over the state of the 41st Regiment, which osten- ittttiously appears at the close of the General Order, would not infer 4hat, in the action of the Moravian town, they mustered at least 1,000 men, including non-commissioned officers? Even General Harrison, In his most vduminous despatch, enumerates the prisoners taken by him in such a way as to create the impression that his (admitted) /orce of ',000 men had been opposed by 600 British regulars, present in action. This is not worthy of General Harrison, who must have known that our actual force in the field, was, according to the state of the Adjutant of the Regiment — the original of which is before me itithis moment — 1 Lieut. Colonel, 6 Captains, 9 Lieuts., 3 Ensigns, 9 SiafT, 26 Serjeants, 81 Corporals, 4 Drummers, and 297 Rank and flle^and thest divided into two open, and irregular I'nes. The re- 131 and negket nd the cod- is hesitated '. Nay-j-wrell nmander of oit, and the lutes to be ncipally by lioD of their liment than is order, on in order to crupled not often re- indangered, an earlier t. But this rvas, before 3t odium on his warm- iction ; nor, entaries on It posterity unfound- but by its lich osten- d not infer east 1,000 Harrison, s taken by admitted) , present must have the state before me Ensigns, ank and The re- mainder ot the 600, captured by General Harrison, many of then -s'jck and wounded men, had been taken, without a possibility of op. position, in the boats conveying stores, during the early morning o| blieve the the ene- |k, where |n was of 3ry firing [hooting,' pad been ^ent ;\\,as to mali«flhe senii- ly be formed \ie regiment. I within two inced guard. , or Dover. i the bank of arched a lew I did not ap- y directions, ans. ble to pro- :hed: at dusk L-eeded about n town, and arched back appeared to me in of the lat they had d the whole uches. Af- r ordered to nut any pre* adiers were towards the 1 company e men were re strong in prevent the IS, and suc" ;ommaaded nil the very quence was le raw beef incilof war Iwhether or before the be hanged )r notassu- [Captain D. Itand where 135 we were—Colonel Elliott told me that the day the Q. went to the M 'ian town, the Prophet (Tecumseh's brother) asked him Col. Elliott where the G. was going, and on being informed remarked that be had a great mind to take the epaulettes off his shoulders, for h6 was not worthy to wear them." General Procter furthermore asserts in his defence, that his origi- nal intention was to fortify a position on the Thames, for the two- fold purpose of protecting the centre Divisiotj, and conciliating the Indians. I am not prepared, at this distant day, to state with exact- ness what was the original proposal made to the Indians in the cele- brated council, but my strong impression has ever been (and I was present during the whole of the debate) that it was only in consequence of ^he deep and unconcealed indigr dtion, manifested by Tecumscii and many of the inferior Chiefs, on his intimating the necessity which existed fo.r a retreat upon the centre Division, that he was compelled to yield to the will ol the Indians, and to name the I^oravian town as the understood termination of his proposed march. Even this proposal was received by Tecumseh with mingled regret and disdain, for he was desirous of meeting the Americans at the moment of their landing, and trying the chances of battle before in- eurring the odium of a retreat; but on the inexpediency of defending a fortress which had been wholly deprived of its heavy guns for the purpose of arming the fleet, being faither discussed and pointed out to him, he finally assented, and in a second short speech, which does not appear to have been placed on record, consented to retire as far as the Moravian town, declaring however, at the same time, that at that place he was fully determined to conquer or lay down his life* Had the retreat been commenced from that moment, and the Mora>- vian town fortified, as it ought lo have been, no matter how imper- fectly, none of the subsequent disasters would have occurred. It is insincere in General Procter to slate that his march was delayed im order to afford the Indians time to remove their effects, and cross the Detroit liver. Those who understand the manners and active habits of the red-men of the forest must be av/are that twenty four hours were quite sufficient with them for any purpose of the sort; neither IS there less absuiJity in the assertion that it was necessary to linger on the road, in order to enable them to overtake us. The Indians could maich, in a single day, more than we did in five, and even if they had not overtaken us, it was our object to be in position to cover them, if pursued by the enemy, and to be enabled to oppose to these latter something like a respectable attitude of defence. All this mifl^ht, and should^ have been done, and on whom can the onus of neglect fall, if not on General Procter ? 13C h I There arc yet two points in the defeoce to which it is essential to advert. General Procter very gravely complains that the gun placed in the road, on the left ot the line, in the affair of the Moravian towni and on which he so much depended, had heen deserted ''without an effort." What will he thought of the general conduct of the retreat, when it is known that there was not a single round of ammunition for the gun, it having by some unfortunate accident been left behind, on resuming our marcn in the morning! It is true General Procter cannot be held individually r"sponsiblc fortius omission, but had the only officer of artillery, attached to the Division, been where he ought to have been— in the action — instead of posting himself, by the direc- tion of his Chief, with the reserve guns at the Moravian town, his sagacity and foretliought would have prevented this difficulty. That there was fault wiih those who had immediate charge of the field- piece there can be no question, but it is unjust to the last degree that such fault should be visitcJ by a general condemnation of the conduct of the troops engaged. Yet even had the gun been supphed with ammunition, the result must have been nearly the same. One dis- charge might have temporarily checked the adv.ince of the enemy upon the road, but as this was open only a few hundred yards in front> the range commanded was necessarily so limited, that the American cavalry might have dashed in upon it, before the Artilleiy men could have time to load and fire again ; moreover, there was the certaimy of its'being turned through the wood. General Procter alludes to t\venty Provincial Pragoons of Lieut. Holmes' command (that officer theh, it has been seen, a prisoner with the enemy) as having been posted by him in support ot the gun, and confesses disappointment that they had not maintained their trust. What could be expected frotii so mere a handful of men against the masses that were opposed to them ? And how absurd to suppose that they could have offerect the slightest resistance, Again, General Procter adverts to an attempt made by him to ral- ly the broken line, and in a manner to show that his prosecutors had admitted such attampt, although they denied its t Bcacy. How this adniission (if made) was wrung from them, it is difficult to understand, unless that it had been made inadvertently. General Procter had stationed himself in rear of the second line, and he made no attempt, of any one period of the brief action, to pass it. When the first line retreated upon the second, and the latter opened its fire upon the ad- vancing cavalry, he fled precipitately, accompanied by the whole of his personal staff, leaving the Division to mainlainthe unequal coii- in the best manner they could. This has been asserted by an offt- eer who was near him during the whole ot the affair. .1 ..!).. essential to e gun placed •avian towni '•wiihoui an ' ihe retroat, ammunition left bcliind, oral Procter but had the ere he ought )y the direc- in town, his ulty. That )f the field- degree that the conduct pplied with :. One dis- the enenoy rds in front, e American ^ men could le certainty alludes to [that officer aving been pointment e expected re opposed ave offered lim to ral- cutors had How this nderstand, Oder had o attempt, : first line on the ad- whole of qual Coh- an ofH- 187 Of the impression created by the cruel and ungenerous order, ii- tued by Sir CJeorge Prcvost on this occasion, a lolorable estimate may be formed from the following communication, addressed to Lieut. Bullock by iM.ijor Friend, tlitn in command of ihe 2d Battalion of the regiment. In the reply will be found «o full an explanation that beyond it, it will not be necessary to pursue the subject. Barton Iloiijhis, 30th Nov., 1S13. Sir, — I request you will, with as liitie deliiy as the nature of the report will admit, furnisii me Avitli every circumstance within your knowledge, and tliat you may have luard from undoubted authority- relative to the late uiiioitunatc allair that took place between Geneiai Harrison's army and the 1st Caitalion list lligimenf, at Moravian town on the 5th of October last, lor the purpose of transmitting it to Lieut. Gen. Chanipagne. As you are the senior and only officer of the regiment who has escaped from the held, that was in the ranks, it is highly incumbent on you to stale iiio-t minutely the nature of the ground on which the regiment were formed for action, the manner in which it was formed, the number then ol the regiment actually in the field, the number of tlie enemy opposed to you, and of what ihty consisted, and what resistance was made by the regiment previous to its defeat — if it l)ad received provisions regularly, was complete in ammunition, and could have got supplies when required, and in short every circumstance that happened from the commencement of the retre.t from Amlierstburg relative to the r»^giii)ent. You cannot he too particular in your statenn nt, as I am sorry to ^ay there arc re- ports afloat disgracelul in the extreme to the regiment, ar J every in- dividual with it that day. 1 think it but proper to inform you that I saw Major General Procter's official report winch highly censures the conduct of the regiment, and in which he says, that he never went into action more confident of success. I have the honor to be, &c, Your very obed't. humble serv't. liichard Friend, Major Commg. 41st Regt. Lieut. Bullock, 41st Regiment. to Cross Roads, Barton Heights, 6th Dec., 1813. Sir, — The following repon is made, in compliance with your orders ^v. me in a letter dated 30th Nov. last, in which you request I would furnish you with every circunjsiance within my knowledge, and what I may have heard from undoubted authority, relative to the late un- fortunate" affair which took place between the American army under Gen. Harrison, and the 1st Bat. 41st Regt. near Moravian town, en the 5th October lar-t, the nature of the ground on which it was form- ed, the number of me.i of the Regt. actually in the field, the number of the enemy in the field opposed to it, of what they consisted, and what resistance was made hy the regiment, previous to its defeat!; if it had received provisions regularly was complete in ammunition, and could have yot supplies when required, and in short every cir- 138 timktance thai hnppf ned Crom the cornmenccmf nt of the retreat from Amherstbur^ relative to the rtaiincnt. Asa platuuii oHicer I cannot positively say wheihei the whole rcj^finienl was eoniplete with am- munition or not, but this I r;in say, that a number i)f the men who escaped from ihe enemy that ilav, were not complete b( Hjre the action eommenc 'd; and this I am inclmed to hi lieve was the case with many of those kilitd or taken, and in the event of ex[)en'lin5 the amn;uni- tion in their pouches, they coiiKI not have received a fre^h supply, the whoU of the spare uminuniiion beina; Jal:cn by the enemy some bouis before the action, which cmimsuince was known to many of the regiment. I now proceed top:ivc every other information requir- ed in your lettei, as correctly as my rank, and situation on various occasions, enabled me to observe. The force under Major Gen. Procter consisting of the 1st Bat. 4lsi Regiment, a few of the 10th Veterans, (about 18 or 20) some Artillery, and a body of Indians retreated from Amherstburg on — Sept. last to Sandwif.'h, from whence we retired on the 27th of the •inie month to the River Thames, the banks of which, at a place calle:! Chatham (54 miles Irom Sandwich, and 70 from Amherstbu.gf) Gen. Procter had promised thu Indians to fortify, with a view lo await the enemy. On this retreat 1 commanded the grenadier compa- pany. We arrived within three miles of Chatham, at a place called Polron's, on the 1st Oct. On the 3d Gt-n. Procter was at Moraviaa town, 26 miles from us, on the road leadio':^ to the headof L4ake Ontario; when information was received that th enemy were within 4 or 5 miles of us, and we retired 1^ a mile by order of Lieut. Col. War- burton, second in command, and formed on the bank of the river in expectation of an attack At the expiration of half an hour we retir- ed to Chatham. The Indians were encamped on the opposite bank of the river, and on our arrival, sent to say to me, that we should not proceed beyond the ground we then occupied — that Gen. Procter had promised tnem to await the eneiny on that ground and fight them; and had also promised to erect fortifications there. After endeavoring *to reason with them, Lieut. Col. Warburton was compelled to remain there for the night, and informed the Indian's, through Col. Elliot of the Indian Department, that whatever had been promised by Gen. Procter should be fu'filled, as far as he (Lieut. Col. Warburton) had it in his power. I was then ordered on picquet with the Grenadier company, and at the same tune received such particular instructions from Lieut. Col's. Warburton & Evans, that I have no doubt they expected the enemy that night. Capt. Chambers of the Clr. Mr. Gen. Department, accompanied me and pointed out the ground my picquct was to occupy, which was, one mile and a half in advance, towards the enemy. Early next morning the picquet was called in. On ar- riving at Chatham, where the rest of the regiment had passed the Bight, provisions were issued; the meat was raw, and before it could be divided, we were ordered to march, in consequence of the approach of the enemy. We retired about 6 miles, when ye were joined bv Gen. Procter, on his return from Moravian town. We marched afi day, the roads were excessively bad, about eight o'clock in the even- ing Capt. Muir's Company was haltec^ at Richardson's, 6 miles from Moravian town, and the Grenadier company was left with it, to sup- port in th» event of an attack; the remainaer proceeded on, the ad- i retreat from icer I cannot cte with am- lie mull who )re I he action >(' with many the amriiuni* fresh supply, cncnny some n lo tnaiiy of ation requir- n on various tlie 1st Bat. or 20) some sthurgf on — 27th of the 1, at a place tnherstbu.gf) 1 a view to n!icr com pa- place called at Moraviaa ake Ontario; /iihin 4 or 5 . Col. War- the river in ur we retir- posite bank ! should not 'rocter had ght them; deavoring 10 remain . Elliot of by Gen. rton) had Grenadier structions oubt they Mr. Gen. y picquct e, towards On ar- assed the 'e It could approach joined bv rched afl the even- iles from It, to sup< , the ad- n ▼aoct being at n house calieJ Shearinan'^; one uilc from where the rear guard had halted. At day break next morning (the 6th) the rear guard and grenadier company moved to Shearman's, where the whole regiment collected. At this place, after having halted some time, a few head of cattle were shot, but before the meat could be divided, the enemy were reported to be cIo.hc at hand, and we were ordered lo march. We proceeded to Moravian town, and when within 1^ mile of it, were ordered lo halt. Alter halting about 5 minutes, we \ver face to the light about^ and advanced towards the encmc in flies, at which the men were in great spit its. IJavi'ig advanced about 50 or 60 paces we were halted a second time, at which the men appeared disaatistied, and overhearing some of those nearest lo me express theniaelves to the following eftect "that they were ready and willing to fight for their knapsack>: wished to meet the enemy, but did not like to be knocked about in that manner, doing neither on« thing nor the other," I immediately checked them, and they were silent — About this lime several of ihe regimentcunic up without aims or accoutrements, who had escaped from bouts cut oif by the cne* my's cavalry- From these men we learnt that the enemy was wiih- in a mile of us, and had a large force of cavalry. We had halted about half an hour, when the Indian alarm was given that the eiie- my was advancing: rHost of our men were sitting on the logs and fallen trees by the side of the r'^ad. On the alarm bein^ given wc were suddenly ordered lo form across ihc road. From the sudden- ness of the order, apparently without smy previous arrangement, the manner in which we were situated whi n it was given, the wav ia which it was given, which wa? "form up across the road," and from the nature of the ground, the formation was made in the greatest con- fusion; so much so, that the Grenadier company was nearly in the centre of the line and the Light company on the right. A second order, aed state sign- dians we had not positively iduals of the ards escaped, hich 1.200 or Tof our dra- 3 sergeants, nemy I5kil- particular in d Avhich has dm the well mating from ection upon Tv*t. &e. Bulloclf, Grenadiers. account of 'ecretary th, 1813. did myself he enemy unable to ; and then mounted bra rapid :d. M'Ar- . and tht 141 sicX, was committed Gen. Cass's brigade, and the corps of Lieut Col. Ball, were left at Sandwich, with orders to follow me as soon as the men had received their knapsackb and blankets, which had been left on an Island, in Lake Erie. The unavoidable delay at Sandwich was attended with no disad- vanlajje to us; Gineral Procier had posted liitns.elf at DoUon's, on the right bank of the Thames, (or Trench) 56 miles Irom this place, where, I was informed, he intended to fortify, and wait to receive me. He mjsl have believed, however, that I had no disposition to follow him, or that he had secured my continuance here by the re- ports that weie circulated, that the Indians would attack and destroy this place, upon the advance of the army— as he neglected to com- mence the breaking up the bridges, until the night of the 2d instant ; On that n:ght, our army reached the .iver, which is 25 miles from Sandwich, and is one of four streams, crossing our route, over all of which are bridges; and, being deep and muddy, are not fordable for a considerable distance into the country: the bridge, here, was found entire ; and, in the morning, 1 proceeded with Johnson's regiment, to save, if possible, the others. At the second bridge, over a branch of the river Thames, we were fortunate enous^h to capture a Lieutenant 6f Dragoons and 1 1 privates, who had leen sent by General Procter to destroy them. From the prisoners, I learned that the third bridge was broken up, and thai the enemy had no certain information of our advance; — the bridge, havinf; been imperfectly destroyed, was soon repaired, and the army encamped at Drake's farm, 4 miles be- low Dolson's. — The river Thames, along the bank of which our route lay, is a fine deep stream, navigable lor vessels of considerable burthen; after the passage of the bar, at its mouth, there is six and a half feet water. The baggage of the army was brought from Detroit in boats, pro- tected by three gun-boats which Commodore Perry had lurnished for the purpose, as well as to cover the passage of the army over the Thames itself, cr the mouths of its tributary streams ; the banks being low,and the country generally open, (prairies,) as high as Dol- son's, these vessels were well calculated for that purpose. Above Dolson's, however, the character of the river and adjacent country is considerably changed; the former, (hough still deep, is very nar- 10 w, and its banks high and woody. The Commodore and myself, therefore, agreed upon the propriety of leavmg the boats urider a guard of 150 infantry ; and i determined to trust to fortune, and the bravery of my troops, to effect the passage of the river. Below a place called Chatham, and 4 miles above Dol- son's, is the third unfordable branch of the Thames; the bridge over its mouth had been taken up by the Indians, as well as that at M'Gr gor's mills, one tnile above. SeVvral hundred of the Indians remained to dispute our passage, and upon the arrival of the advanced guard, commenced a heavy fiie from the opposiie bank of the creek, as well as that of the river. Believing that the whole force of the enemy was there, I halted the army, and formed in order of battle; and brc"^ht up our two six pounders, to cover the party tliat were lit the right of the army, had seized the remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire from the Indians. Our loss upon this oo" casion, was 2 killed, and 3 or 4 wounded— that of the enemy was as- certained to be considerably greater. A house, near the bridge, con- taining a considerable number of musquets, had been set on fire; but it was extingui-hfd by our troops, and the arms saved. At the first farm, above the bridge we found o le of tiie enemy's vessels on fire, loaded with arm and ordnance stores; and learned that they were a lew miles ahead of us, still on the right bank of the river, with a great body of Indians* At Bowles' larm, 4 miles from the bridge, we halt- ed for the night ; found two other vessels, and a large distillery, filled with ordnance and other valuable stores, to nn immense amount, ia flames ; it was impossible tc put out the fire — two 24 prs. with their carriages, were taken, with a large quantity of ball and shell, of va- rious sizes. The army was put in motion, early on the morning of the 5lh. I pushed on, in advanco, with the mounted regiment, and n quested Gov. Shelby to follow, as expeditiouslyr as possible, with the infaut- rv ; the Governor's zeal, and that of his men, enabled them t » keep up with the cavalry ; and, by 9 o'clock, we were at Arnold's mills, having taken, in the course of the morning, two gun boats, and seve- ral balteaux, loaded with provisions and ammunition. A ra- pid, at the river at Arnold's mills, affords the only fording to be met with, for a very considerable distance; but, upon examination, it was found too deep for the infantry. Having, fortunately, taken two or three boats, and some Indian canoes, on the spot, and obliging the horsemen to lake a footman behind each, the whole were safely cros- sed by 12 o'clock. Ei'5ht miles from the crossing, we passed a farm where a part of the British troops had encamped the n'ght before, under the command of Col. Warburion ; the detachment, under Gene- ral Procter, had arrived, the day before, at the Moravian town, four miles higher up. Being now ceriainly near the enemy, I directed the advance of Johnson's regiment to accelerate their march, for the purpose of procuring intelligence; the officer commanding it, in a short time, sent to inform me, that his progress was stopped by the enemy, who were formed across our line of march : one of the ene- my's waggoners also being taken prisoner, from the information re- ceived from hitn, and my own observation, assisted by some of ray officers, I soon ascertained enough of their disposition, and order of battle, to determine that, w^hich it was proper for me to adopt. I have the honor, herewith to enclose you my general order, of the 27th ult. prescribing the order ot march, and of battle, when the whole army should act together; but, as the number and description of the troops had been essentially changed, it became necessary to make a corresponding alteration in their disposition. From the pl.ce where our army was halted, to the Moravian town, a distance of about throe and a half miles, the road passes through a beach forest, without any clearing; and, for the first two miles, near to the bank of the river ; at IVoiu 2 to 300 hundred yards from ihe river, a swamp extends parallel to it, throughout the whole distance; the intermediate ground is dry, and, although the trees are tolerably thick, it is in many places clear of underbrush; across this strip of land, its left appuyed upon the river, supported by artillery, placed xn the wood; their right in the swamp, covered by the v. hole of their Indian force — the British troops were drawn up. dge at the pon this 00' sruy was as- briflge, con- on fire ; but At the first isels on fire, they were a with a great Ige, we halt- lillery, filled 2 amount, in 3. with their shell, of va- i the 5th. I nd ft quested h the infant- them I » keep mold's mills, lis, and seve- on. A ra- ng to be met lalion, )t was taken two or obliging the e safely cros- lassed a farm night before, under Gene- town, four I directed arch, for the ding it, in a pped by the of the ene- ormation rc- some of my and order of |adopt. order, of the n the whole |iption of the y to make a [avian town, • s through a miles, near )m vhe river, [stance; the jrably thick, of land, its [aced m the Itheir Indian US The troops, at my disposal consisted of about 120 regulars of the JB7th regiment, five brigades of Kentucky volunteer militia inlantry, under his excellency Governor Shelby, averaging less than 500 men; and Col, Johnson's regiment of mounted infantry, making, in the whole, an aggregate of something above 3,000. No disposition of an army, oppostd to an Indian force, can he safe, unless ii is secured on the tianlis, and in the rt-ar; 1 had, therelbre no difiiculty in arranging the infantry, conformably to my general order of battle. Gen. Trot- ter's brigade, of 500 men, iornied the Ircnt line; his right upon the road — his left upon the sAvamp; Gen. King's brigade, as a s>econd line. 150 yards in the rear of TroUtr's ;and Chile's brigade, as a corps ot reserve, in the rear of it — these three brigades forriied the command of Major-General Henry; the whole of Gen. Desna's division con- sisting ot two brigades, were formed, en potence, upon the left of Troiter. Whilst I was engaged in forming the infantry, I had directed Col. Johnson's regiment, which wa? still in front, to be formed ir ;wo lines, opposite to the enemy ; and, upon the advance of the infantry to take the ground upon the lelt; and, forming upon the flank, to en* deavor to turn the right of the Indians. A moment's reflection, however, convinced me, that, from the thickness of the woods, and swampiness ot the ground, they would be unable to do any thing on horseback' — and there was no time to dismount them, and place their horses in security; I, therefore de« terrnined, to refuse my lelt to the Indians, and to break the British lines, at once, Ly a charge of the mounled ini'antry. The measure was n( t sanctioned by any thing that I had seen or heard of but I was fully convinced that it would succeed. The American back- woodsn en ride better in the woods than any other people; a musquet or rifle, is no impediment to them, being accustomed to carry them' on hcr?eback, from their earliest youth. I was persuaded, too that the enemy would be quite unprepared for the shock, and that they could not resist it. Conformably to this idea, I directed the reo-iment to be drawn up in close coiumn, with its right at the distance of 50 yards upon the road, (that might be, in some measure, protected by ♦he trees, fiom the artillery,) its left upon .he swamp, and to charge at full speed, as soon as tlie enemy delivered their fire. The few regular troops, of the 27tli, under their Colonel, (Paul) occupied in columns of four, the small space between the road and the river for the purpose (if seizing the enemy's artillery; and some. 10 or 12 friendly Indians were directed to move under the bank. The crotch- tt, formed by the front line, and Desha's division, was an important point; at this place the venerable governor of Kentucky was posted who, at the age of 66, preserves all the vigor of youth — the ardent zeal, which distinguished him in the revolutionary war — and the un- daunted biavery, which he manifested at King's Mountain. With my aids-de camp, the acting assistant Adjutant Gen. Capt. Butler* my gallant friend, Com. Perry, who did me the honor to serve as my Tolunleer aid-de camp, and Brig. Gen. Cass, who, having no com- n7and. tendered me his assistance — I placed myself at the head of the front line of infantry, to diiect the movements of the cavalry, and give them the necessary support. The army had moved on, in this order but a short distance, when the mounted men received the fire of the 144 SI British liDe, aod were ordered to charge: the horses, in front of th« column, recoiled from the fire; another was given by the enemy, and our column, at length geltmg in motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible force. In one minute the contest, in front, was over. The British officers, seeing no hopes of reducing their disordered ranks to order, and onr mounted men wheeling upon them, and pour- ing in a destructive lire, immedi.iteiy surrendered. It is certain that three only, of our troops, were wounded m this charge. Upon the left, howe' er, the contest was more severe, with the Indians: Col. Johnson, who conmianded on that flank ol his regiment, received a a most galling fire from them, which was, returned with great effect. The Indians, still further to the riirht, advanced, and fell in with our front Ime of Infantry, near its junction wiih Desha's division, and, for a moment, made an impression upon it. His excellency, Gov. Shelby, however, brought up a regiment to its support; and the ene- my, receiving a severe tire in front, and a part of Johnson's regiment having gained their rear, retreated with precipitation. Their loss was considerable in the action, and many were killed in their retreat. I can give no satisfactory information of the number of Indians that were in the action ; but they must have been considerably up- wards of one thousand. From the docunjents in m/ possession, (Gen. Procter's official letters, all of which were taken) and from the informationof respectable inhabitantsof this territory, the Indians, kept in pay by the British, were much more nume>rous than has been gener- ally supposed. In a letttr to Gen. De Rottenburg, of the 27th ulto. Gen. Procter speaks of having prevailed upon most of the Indians to ac- company hitn ; oi these, it is certain that 50 or 60 Wyandot warriors abandoned him. The number of our troops was certainly greater thjin that of the enemy ; but, when it is recollected that they bed chosen a position, which efTectually secured their flank, which it was impossible for us to turn; and that we could not present to them a line more extended than their own, it will not be considered arrogant to claim, for my troops, the palm of supeiior bravery. In communicating to the President, through you, sir, my opinion of the conduct of the officers, who served under my command, I am at a loss how to mention that of Gov. Shelby, being convinced that no eulogium of mine can reach his merits; the governor of an inde- pendent state — greatly my superior in years, in experience, and in military character — he placed himself under my command; and was not more remarkable for his zeal and activity, than for the prompti- tude and cheerfulness with which he obeyed my order?. The Major-Geneials. Henry and Desha, and the Brigadiers, Allen, Caldwell, Chiles, and Trotter, all of the Kentucky volunteers, mani- fested great zeal and activity. It would be useless, sir, after slating the circumstances of the ac- tion, to pass encomiums upon Col. .lohnson, and his legiment — vete- rans could not have manif^ested more firmness; the Colonel's numer- ous wounds prove that he was in the post of danger. Lieut. Col. James Johnson, and the Majors Payne and Thompson, were equally active, though more fortunate. Maj. Wood, of the engineers, already distinguished, by his conduct at fort Meigs, attended the army with two 6 pounders; having no use for them in the action, he joined in ront of th« enemy, and the enemy t, was over, disordered 1, and pour- certain that Upon the idians : Col. , received a (Treat effect, in with our vision, and, llencv, Gov. and the ene- n's reaitnenl Their loss their retreat, r of Indians siderably up- * possession, and from the Indians, kept sbeengener- !'ih ulto. Gen. ndians to ac- idot warriors that of the !n a position, issible for us »re extended [aim, for my my opiniotj imand, I am ivinced that of an inde- [nce, and in id ; and was fhe prompti- liers, Allen, keers, mani- |s of the ac- jent— vete- lel's numer- Lieut. Col. ^ere equally |ers, already army with le joined in U5 the pursuit of the enemy; and, with Maj. Payne of the mounted regi- ment, two of my aids-de-camp, Todd and Chambers, and three pri- vates, continued it for several miles aftei the troops had halted, and made many prisoners. I left the army before an official return of the prisoners, or that of the killed and wounded, was made out; it was, however, ascertained, that the former auiounfed to 601 regulars, including 25 ofhcers. Our loss is seven killed, and 22 wounded, five of which have since died. Of the British troops, 12 killed, and 22 wounded; tiie Indians suffer- ed most — 33 of them having been found upon the ground, besides those killed on the retreat. On the day of the action, six pieces of brass artillery were taken — and 2 iron 24 puunt'ers, the day before; — several others were dis- covered in the river, and can be easily procured. Of tlie br.ifjs pieces, 3 are the trophies of our revolutionary war, that were taken at Sara- toga and York, and surren-^'ered by Gen. Hull. The number of small arms, taken by us, and destroyed by the enemy, must amount to up-* wards of 5000 most of them had been ours, and taken by the enemy at the surrender of l>etroit, at the river li.iibin, and at Col. Dudley's defeat. I believe that the enemy retain no other trophy of their vic- tories, than the standard of the 4th regiment; they were not magna- nimous enough to bring that ot the 4lst into die {ield,or it would have been taken. You have been informed, sir, ot the conduct ot the troops, under my command, in action; it gives me great pleasure to inform you, that they merit, also, the approbation of their country. lor their conduct, in subraiiting to the greatest privations, with the utmost cheerfulness. The infantry were entirely without tents; and, for several days, the whole army subsisted upon fresh beef, without bread or salt. — Gen. Procter escaped by the fleetness of his horse, escoried by 40 dragoons, and a number of I'ldiaiis. I have the honor, &c. Hon. J. Armstrong^ Sec, War. William II. Harrison. Although, with the capture of the Right Division, ceases all mili- tary operations of any consequence in the West, as its imprisonment and detention as hostages form no inconsiderable feature in the his- torical occurrences ot that period, I have, under the impression that the narrative would be imperfect williout it, decided on detailing the several vicissitudes to which, principally in tlulr cVaiactcr of hos- tages, the captured troops we*"e subjectec'. From this it will be seen, that the feeling of dislike and jealousy entrrt lined by the Americans Ibr every thing English, was precisely in ISIJ wliut it is at the present day. On reaching Detroit, after having traversed fo; the last time, as prisoners, that soil which, almost unaided, a single Regiment had for fifteen months defended against the efforts of siuccessive powerful ar- mies sent to wrest it from their grasp, we found that Fort Meigs was the route thiouL'h which the Division was to be marched into the 146 State of Ohio. Tb« majority ot the officers, liaTing pledged ihcir parole to General Harrison, were suffered to take the advance, mount- ed on pack horses provided by the American Government. A fev. only, desirous of taking the Sandusky route across tlie lake, were embarked in the Arirl gun-boat, and cc.veyed to Put-in-bay island, where the shattered fleets were then 'ying. Here indeed was lo be seen evidence of a most sanguinary conflict, especially in Captain Barclay's ship. Every mast of ihis latter had been carried away — more than half her long guns had been dismounted— and the bul- warks were in fragments, while it was impossible to place a hand upon that broadside which had been exposed to the enemy's fire, without covering some portion of a wound, either from grape, round, canister, or chain-shot. The decks of all were moreover filled with wounded, and, on being introduced into Captain Barclay's cabin, we found that gallant oflicer in bed, presenting a most helpless picture ot mutilation. Pain and disappointment were upon his brow, and the ruddy hue of health, lor which he had ever been remarkable, had deserted him. In short ot his former self, there then seemed to be lit- tle left besides his untainted honor. The scene altogether \ as one of a most melancholy and impressive character. On the second morning of our arrival at this island, after having taken on board such of the naval ctflcers as were not prevented by the severity of their wounds irom performing the journey, we con- tinued our course for Sandusky Bay. We had nearly made the spot intended for our disembarkation, when one of those dangerous and sudden hurricanes, peculiar to the lakes of Canada during the autum- nal months, drove us back under bare poles, and along the sheet of foam with which the broad expanse of water was literally covered, to the port we had just quitted. At length we finally separated from our companions in misfortune, and after a few hours' sail were ena- bled to cast anchor in the bay, where being immediately landed, we were conducted to the fort of Sandusky. During our stny at this place we had full leisure for examining not only the defences of the fortress, but the various positions occupied by our troops during the assault; and the result ot our observation was, that an attack on a stockade work of this description, without the aid of ladders, must inevitably entail discomfiture. The nature of the fortification, and the manner in which the enemy were protect- ed from our fire, may be judged of from the fact of their having had onlv one man killed in the affair. pledged ihtit 'ance, mount- nent. A fevv le lake, were in-bay island, •ed was 10 be ly m Captain jrried avay — -and the bul- place a hand enemy's fire, grape, round, ver filled with ay's cabin, we 'Ipltfss picture his brow, and ^markable, had emed to be lii- ether i as one after having prevented by rney, we con- made the spot angerous and ng the autum« g the sheet of rally covered, [eparated from ail were ena- ly landed, we Examining not lions occupied Ir observation |tion, without The nature I were proiect- ir having had 147 That which most excited my own immediate atttntion wai the ground occupied by the left column of attack, consisting chiefly of tha light company of the 41st, to which I was then attached, and which having forced ibcir way lo the very battel ies of the fort, had conse- quently sustained the greatest loss. My escape from the ravine, where we had continued so many hours, was truly providential— When the order lor retiring was, in order to deceive the enemy, given in the Indian lunguage,ii was immediately explained by one or two in* terpreters present wiih the gienadier column on the right, and con- veyed by ihem in a low voice to the remaining divisions. Covered by the brow of the opposite eminence, they followed the course ct the ravine in safety, until they emerged from the defile, at a distance sufiicient to admit of their forming unperceived by the enemy. Near- ly all the men of the light column, having received the order, had re- tired with the main body ; but those en the extreme left, having been !«eparated frcm the line by the brushwood and other obstacles they had encountered in the ascent, remained in utter ignorance of what was passing on the right ; and such was the caution observed in re* tiring, that neither the enemy m the fort nor ourselves could distin- guish the slightest sound to justify the supposition. It was now half- past nine o'clock. We had continued since half-past five lying ex- tended on the wet ground, where the mud was ankle-deep, and most of the men were chilled with cold. At this moment we heard, though indistinctly, various orders given in the direction of our encampmrnt| and then only did we surmise the fact ol the troops havmg been withdrawn. In this belief we were speedily confirmed, by hearing a command issued in a suppressed tone of voice in the fort, to open the sallyports. Perceiving that no lime was to be lost, 1 proposed in a whisper, which the rising g'round prevented beinsf overheard by tl'« enemy, that we should brave every risk, and attempt our immediate retreat. The men, however, refused to move, until the moon, which was then in the first quarter, and reflecting its beams every where but in the bed of the ravine, was set, or should be obscured by some passing cloud. Leaving them to their fate, I therefore prepared to effect my escape alone, and immediately in front of the fortress ; but notwithstanding all my caution, I had not advanced many paces, when I stumbled over the dead body of a soldier, wno, after having received a mortal wound, had evidently crawled on bis hands and knees to rest his bleeding form against a clump of busheit, and had died in that singular position. The noise occasioned by my fall put 148 ihe enemy once more on the alert ; and as the moonbeams rcDecled on my arms and roofimcntals, I had no sooner ascended tbe opposite side of the ravine, than the whole front of the fori vvos lighted up with their fire. Not an individual, save myself, svas exposed ^o their aim, and the distance did not exceed fifty paces; yet, although the balls whistled round my ears in every direction, and hissed through the long grass with which the plain was cuvered, I did not sustain the slightest injury, even though a second volley was iired after the •interval of half a minute. On reaching the spot where the columns had been originally formed for the assault, 1 found that my retreat had been well-timed, for the troops were a'ready in motion ♦owards the boats, the guns having been previously embarked. In .hat which coniaincd my provision-basket,! discovered a few bottles of port wine, which had arrived that very morning from Amherstburg; This wa» indeed a luxury that I would aot at the moment have exchanged for a thione; and so thoroughly exhausted w?s \ with hunger, thirst and fatigue, that placing a bottle to my parched lips, I did not aoandon it until the whole of its contents had been emptied at a draught. Tbe effect was instantaneous, and I lay in the bottom of the boat aU night enjoying the most delicious momenis of repose I recollect ever having experienced. When I awoke at a late hour on the following morning, a mild September sun was glancing its golden ray? a^ong the tran- quil bosom of Lake Erie, in the centre of which our boats were all .assembled, and gliding along its surface with a speed piopoiiioned to the vigorous efforts of the rowers — the* men alternate'y singing and indulging in rude jests, reckless of the comrades who-.e dying groang had assailed their ears a few hours before, and evidently without ca-'C or thought for the future. Every individual of those who had refus- ed to accompany me on that occasion, was taken prisoner by the American party despatched through the sallyport. Some difficulty was experienced at Sandusky in procuring the means of conveyance : at length, however, on the morning of tbe third day, mounted on miserable pack horses, scarcely able to sustain their own weight, and tottering i. every step beneath their additional bur- den, we commenced our loute from Chilicothe, tlie place selected for .our detention. A single officer of infantry composed our escort, and he had been appointed to the service chiefly with a view to protect us from insult, and to procure lodgings and other accommodations on the road. To describe the fatigue and privation which we en« tlured during this tedious journey, would require more time and space 140 ams rePecled i ibe opposite fuS 'ighted up posed -.0 iheir although the issed through id not sustain [ired atter the > the columns lat my retreat rjtion towards In .hat which 5 of port wine, This was 3' xchanged for fer, thirst and ot auandon it raught. The boat aU night i ever having iog morning, nng the tran- oats were all piopoii.ioned singing and yingg.oans [without ca-'c had xefus- coer by the Jcuring the [qC the third iustain their litional bur- selected for 1 escort, and to protect tmodations |ch We en- and space than it con be necessary to bestow upon thi« part of I'lC narrative. The rainy season h?d already set in, iindt cm tilvi'&i'i'i'ci'ay vufy d hy u ith- out our bring literally wet to the sKiii. Our rcu'e lav thioi'gli vu in- hospitab'o tract of country, consisutl':^ ol einawclv o^ gbcm; fdest and extensive savannah, the lailer ofan in erbccitc by stierms fed from the distant mountains, and svt'o'len by the u-iccj's"ng rain*. — Sometimes a solitary hut, vying in fil.thir.er;S \\ ii'nve bei.igs by whom it was tonanled,aflorded us shtllcr for the night, bui more ''rtqucnt- ly we found that repose which absolute raiigL^e and cxhausiion en- sure i')3 tvaveller, nea' the lires we wee conTpeFec- io 1 'nclle 'n 'he foicst. Al lengih our jaded pnim?'s, slinoii?.; at o"pi/ seep, and threatening to sink beneath thelf e-Toi-is, b.ou^^ht us to Fort vV'pyie. Here we were provided with other ho ses. but oftne tome mi:;erable description: their bfcks cruelly ga'lro b\ tite ill-Sii'deo saddles, and their rib.i almost protruding from beiicalli their iia i -divested hides, the appearance of these unfortunate animals was pitiable "n the ex- treme; and fewof us, on leaving Fort Wayre, enteiijined thi; slight- est doubtof their sinking successively beneath us, before oi'i oestlna- tion could be gained. The rain still coniinvcd .o f'n'', and ciuilag ti'e lattei part of October and the conirnenceiiient of November we never once beheld the sun. Many oftheoHicers were witho.jt great v.'opis,hav- ingbcen plundered of every thing, as well by the fi/'ovvers of .be divi- sion as by the enemy themselves; and. aUhoiioJi we fdch [ossessed a change of linen, during the «vhole journey we had ro opjjocinnify of having any thing washed, so that in a short lime v^e wete jnfested by vermin, which gave the finishing stroke io our caloniiiies. St'll we proceeded on our journey, and through a country of t! e .ame clia- racter with that we had previously traversed. On o.^e occai'on we found ourselves stopped by a stream of considerub^e iVpth. the bridge over which had been broken down by the torrent. No otbei ?Uernaiive remained than to swim our horses across, or run the risk of their breaking their legs in the interstices of the bridgp, wh'ch had partly sunk beneath the surface ol the wafer. The former course wasaftirduj deliberation, adopted; and lots having been drawn, the first attempt de- volved on Lieutenant Stokoe of the Ivpyal Navy. Spurring his horse into the curient, this officer with much difnculty reached the opposite bank; but, unable to effect a landing, was thrown from his seat in consequence of the violent struggles made by the animal, and, with one foot fastened in the stirrup, lay lor seme moments in imminent danger of perishing. At length, after much exertion, he succci dcd 150 in diieogi^giag hiraiielt, when clambermg up the Hteep, he loon drew his horse afler him. This CTperiment being considered too dangerous for repetition, we decided on effecting our passage across the bridge; and owing to the caution we -observed, no accident occurred to the hoiscs — a circumstance peculiarly fortunaic, since we could have found no means of supplying our loss. Alter several weeks of tedious travelling through this dreary region, some few traces of civilization and cultivation were perceptible, and we finally beheld the banks of the Scioto. On the opposite shore of this small river stands the town of Chilicothe ; and alter having for the last time committed our steeds and persons to the water, in default of a bridge, we found ourselves at the termination of our journey, overcome with lassitude, and in a state which might have caused us to pass for any thing rather than British officers. The party which had taken the route of Fort Meigs was already arrived, and with it the troops of the division. At Chilicothe, I was singularly fortunate in meeting with a gentle- man who exercised the rites of hospitality in my favor to the fullest extent. An apartment in his house was appropriated to my service, a cover daily laid at his table, and his horses declared at piy command. In short, no individual in the character of a prisoner of war had ever less reason to inveigh against his destiny. This ray of sunshine was, however, of short duration. Soon after the arrival of the San- dusky party at Chilicothe, the officers captured at the Moravian vil- lage were, in consequence of an order from the American government, despatched to Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky — those of the naval service alone being suffered to remain, and, through the influence used by my kind host, my name was included in the list of the latter. At the moment when we began to reconcile outselves to our situation, and to appreciate the attention paid us by the more respectable in- habitants, an order suddenly arrived for our close imprisonment. This unexpected measure owed its origin to the following circum- stance. Among the prisoners taken at the affair in which the la- mented General Brock lost his life, twenty-three men, recognized as deserters from the various regiments in Canada, had been sent to England, and 'subsequently tried and convicted. The execution of the sentence had, however, been deferred. The American govcrn- ment was ne sooner apprised of their impending fate, than, acting on that system of naturalization which, in defiance of every principle Of equity, would preclude the hitherto undisputed ri^ht of nations to panisli t jeir criminal subjects, they caused an equal number of Bri- hi fl 151 , be aoondrectable in- •risonment. g circuni- ich the la. ognized as en sent to ;ecution of Q gorern- actingon inciple Of latioDs to r of Bri- q ir ti»h soldit.r* to be kept cloiely coufiued, to answer at hostages tor the safety of the convicted deserters. This unjustifiable proceeding was followed by the seclusion o( twenty-three commissioned, and an equal number of non-commissiopcd Amcrcan officers, antl reialiptfd by ihein in a similar manner; so thai iiuixW)' nciirlv all ihe ofliccis of both parlies we.e dcprivtd of liieir liberty, and liable at iny moment to answer v/ith their lives for lie apostacy ofth.ee and twenty indi- viduals America should have blushed to clai.n as subjects of iier republic. With a view to the thorough comprehension of the subject by ibe reader, and to exhibit in its true light the extraordinary course pur- sued by the United States, it will be important here lo annex, not only the remonstrance ot the British Government, as conveyed through two distinct general orders issued by Sir George Prevost, under the direction of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, but the particular instructions, for the close confinement of the ofiTicers of the Right Division in the Penitentiary o' rt, Secretary of State, to lose no lime in communicating to Major Gen. Dearborn, that he has trans* mitted a copy of his loiter, and that he is m consequence instructed, distinctly lo state to Maj. Gen. Dearborn, that His Excellency r.as received the commands of His Royal Highness the Prince Re<'ent forthwith to put in close confinement, forty-six American officers and non-coinmissioned officers, to be held as hostages for the safe keep- ing of the twenty-three British soldiers stated to have been put in tlose eonfinement by order of the American Government. 152 And he is al ilio cjimo lime to apprize hiin that it any of the said DriiiMh soldiers bliall sitllrr dc-nili, by reasuti thai the soldit-rs nuw un- der coiiflni iiu'iit ill Kii'^hiirl have hoeii iouiid guilty, and that the known liivv, not (nily of t^roai IJiii.iin, l»iii ot' every indfju'iuii'nt state under similar circumstamit's, has been in consequence executed, he has been in-itrui'led lo select out of the Auiencan oHieers and non- eonitnissioiK d olficers put into conlineuient an many as double the nunjberof Hriti->h soMiers wlio shall have been so unwarrantably put to death, and cause such olhcers and non-coininissioned oHicers to snirer deatli irumediauiy. And His Excellency is furtlier instructed to notify to Major Gen. Dearborn that tbe coiiunantlers of llii Majesty's armies, and Heels on the coast of Auu^rica have received instructions to piosecute the war with unmitigated severity ai,Minstill Cities, Towns, and Vil- lages bcfongin;; to the United iStates, an' against the inhabitants thereof, if after this communication shall Lnvc !:.-Cii duly made to Major Gen. Dearborn, and a reasonable time jTjven for its being trans- miiled to the American G vertiment, that Government shall unhap* pily not be deterred from putiiiiif to death any of the soldiers who now are, or who may hereafter be, kept as hostages foi th«; purposes stated in the letter from Major Gen. Dearborn. IJis Excellency the Coinmander of the Forces, in announcing io the Troops the commaiids of His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, is conhdent that they will feel sensible, of the paternal solicitude ■which His Hoyal Hi:,'hness has evinced for the protection of the per- son and honor of the Urilish s'Jdier, thus grossly (Jiitraged in contempt of justice, humanity, and the liaw of Nations, in the persons of twen- ty-three soldiers placed in close coiilinement, as hostages tor an equal number of traitors who had been guilty of the base and unnatural crime of raising their parricidal arms against that country vhich gave them birth, and who have been delivered over for legal trial lo the just laws of their offended country. The British soldier will feel this unpriocipled outrage, added to the galling insults and cruel barbarities that are daily wantonly in- flicted on many of his unfortunate comrades, who have fallen into the enemy's hands, as additional moiives to excite his determined resolution never to resign his liberty but with his life, to a foe so le- gardless of all sense of honor, justice and the rights cf war. (Signed) Edward Baynes, Adj't. Gen. Extract from a letter from the Secretary of State to the Governor of Kentucky. Nov. 27, 1813. Sir, — The British Government seems to have given to this war every deqr(»i> of savage barbarity and cruelty which it may he able to inQict. In the close of the late campaign, the British commanders at Quebec seized and sent to England, twenty-three of our soldiers who had been prisoners, to be tried for treason, on the pretence that ihey were British subjects. l<'or so unjust and outrageous an act, the Presi- dent was bound to confine a like number of British prisoner? in the United Stales, which he did in the expectation that the British Go- vernment, seeing the inevitable consequence of the first measure, 'vould relax from it, or at least leave the aflair in l\e state in which el el vl ol tc 8( «: ot exi ci(l to I (( of the snij t-rs now un- lul that the 'iiili-iit state [I'cutfd, he s and ooif double the nntiibly put J uUiccrs to VTajor Gen. , und (leet!« Odi'ciJtf the s, and Vil- inhabitants ly made to aeing trnns- hall unhap- rs who now poses stated louncinjy lO iicc Regent, I solicitude I of the per- in contempt fnsof twen- or an equal unnatural i"hich gave trial 10 the , addrd to nionly in- fullon into ttermined foe so ve- h- Gen. 1 Governor r, 1813. this war |l)e able to landers at Hers who Ithat they Ihe Presi- jrp in the Itish Go- iieasure, in which 293 it had thus been placed for nccor:\modatlon by treaty. Mora raeent- I7. however, a measure of still greater injustice has been adopted, Tne Prince Ilegent has ordered into close confinement fcrty-nix okh- cers of the TJnited Stntes upon il»c principle, as he says, of 'etnliation, expecting, by the violence of the procoedin?, to iitimidate this go- verntnent i;un a su!) nis^ion to the f xfravajaiit ;md unftiunded claimt of the British Gjvenitninif. 'i'h*i Prcsit-lcnt has mi't this measure with equal decisi'jn, by orileriiig into like coaliuement forty six Bri- ti ih oifioi'r-1, ns a plcd^o for tin? sal'otv of those on v.'hoii) the British Gjvcrnnient seejn^ di-ipiSLul to wixMlr its veniToancf. The>e olfif^ers are order-'d to be conveyed to Frankfort in Kentuc';/, to be confined tliere in the pL»nitentiary of tlial State, whicij is lep i-- 8e(-ether with that issued on the 27ih of October, be read to the troops, that the British soldier may be sensible of the terms on which America has deterrainr ed to wage this war; confiileni that he will meet vhem with proper spirit and indignation ; for should he become the prisonpr of a foe so regardless of those laws, which for ages have governed civilized na- tions in war, he would be doomed to a rigorous confinement, and that only preparatory to a more savage scene. (Signed) Edward Baynes. Adjt. Gen. North America. But more than either of the foregoing documents, does the follow- ing statement, copied from the Salem Gazette, prove the nature and consequences of this cruel system of retaliation, as carried on be- tween the two countries. "Treatment of British Prisoners op War in the United States. — It is time that the public should be correctly informed on 4he subject of the unfortunate prisoners at Ipswich. Seventeen of our fellow beings have been immured in dungeons in our own neigh- borhood, three months, and the public attention has not been called lo their sufferings. The following we believe to be a correct state- ment of this flfifdir. On the seventh day of October 1813, James Prince Esq., Marshal jof this District issued his mandate directed. " To the keeper of the gaol of the United Stales at Ipswich, with- in the District aforesaid — Greeting" — requiring him "to receive iii- jto his custody, and safely keep in dungeons in the gaol aforesaid, the bodies of i homas Cooper, .John Clark, Adam Kirby, Samuel Thorp, Thomas Hewes, John iicndow, James Onion, Rirnard How, Daniel Dowland, and James Humphries, in retaliation for cruelties '^said lo be" "exercised" on certain persons ,U Halifax, "and also as hostages to respond for any acts of violence which may be iidiicted on them." By similar orders dated Oct. llili, 13th. 13th, and Nov. 2d, he al- so directs the under Icfeper to confine in dungeons the bodies of Wm. Nickerson, Elkanah Clements, R. Kirklan'/ Black, Wm. Owen, Benj. Johnson, and James Ross in retalialioafor "cruellies" said to m 9ommitted on other Aiuerican prisoners of War in Halifax. , who, wheft ed to expiate ers. These ;igned to the ,i\v3 of their 1 Stales does I outra^L' the n, by placing OS, in the dis- luw-sohliers, , without ex- tifineiiient as /the express il the number confinement, her with that ; the British das deterrnio'- I with proper ipr of a foe so civilized na- nement, and Adjt. Gen. America. es the follow- le nature and rried on be- THE United informed on Seventeen of r own neigh- >t been called oriect state- sq., Marshal Iswicli, wilh- \n receive iii- Itoresaid, the imuei Thorp, jlow, Daniel lies '^said to as hostages Id on them." |v. 2d, he al- lies of Wm. >wen, Benj. y said to b« 165 By another ordci dated Oct. ]2tb, tht; Marshal directs the gaoler to ieceive and deia.n in his custody the body of Peter H. Diedule, a maritime prisoner of war, without alledging any other cause, and he has been confined in a dungeon with the rest. These men have ever siiiCf been lu pt in dungeons as dreary rts Mr. MaJisoii coalJ desire. Th j gaol is a gloomy stone building. 'JMic diinTcuns are seven feet by ten on the ground door, of rough stone at lop, bottom, and on ail sides. There are loop holes or nar- ro'.v openinj;s of two or throe inches wide througii; the upper part of the ston-; walU, to admit ilif little light and air which these unfortu- nate victims are allowed to enjoy. In damp weather, the water runs down the w..lls, and \!rops fro si tiie stone celling over the lloors. These dungt'ous were iiever intended lor any other purpose, than to punish the worst of *Mvicts by a fiw days solitary imprisonment, and if. is believed have never bet'u used even for thai purpose. Yet in these pldce.^ have innocent men been languishing foi three months, sixteen of them, four in a dungeon, and the other (Captain Ross) in a dungeon by himself. A few days since ten of them were removed to the ce Is in the second story, appropriated to criminals. These cells are larger tiian the dungeons l)ut extremely cold and uncorwfort- abl*'. So far have these uiifuriui:ate [)riscners been "released" (as had been asserted in another American paper,) and no farther. Se- ven viz. Capt. Clements, Lieuts. Owen, Black, and Nickerson, a!^.d two seamen, it is understood, are still confined in two dungeons, and on some of the late cold nights several were past recovery, notwith- standing they had received a supply of warm cloathing from some charitable individuals; and medical aid was necessarily called in to restore the perishing; and it is only hy this charitable relief and the attention of the gaoler's fiimily, unwarranted by thi orders of Govern- ment, that u\v:<; poor prisoners are not dead ! They must have perish- ed, it left to the care of Government ' Such is the situation of these prisoners, and this is the ''retaliation" that is called "christian!" That the threat ol retaliation would have been carried into effect by the American government, it is scarcely possible to believe, since, exclusively of the blot such a proceeding must have imprint- ed on their character, the disproportion ot prisoners was greatly in our favor, as well in regard to rank as numbers ; but we had too much reason to apprehend, from the unqualified hatred manifested towards us by the populace in the States of Ohio and Kentucky, that the will of their rulers would have had little effect in restraining the ebullition of their rage, had the original sentence been carried into execution. Let it not be imagined that this idea arose simply from surmise, or had its being m the vague apprehension of men who, more immediately interested in the result, might be deemed ready to admit the agency of fancy in their impressions of impending evil. Several gentlemen, estimable for their rank and character in these States, warned us during their occasional visits of the fact, and with er^y opportnnity of ascertaining the public feeling, commaRic«te4 ISO '■2£ •ireumttanees which left us no reason to infer that their fears for th« le- iult should be disregarded. Our sensations in consequence were not, it will be imagined, of the most pleasing or enviable description. The common gaol of the town had been fixed on for our abode, and we were distributed into two small rooms in an upper story, commu- nicaiing with each other, and containing each ten persons. During the day they were left, open, but cartfully locked and bolted at night, and sentinels were posted in the conidor into which they opened. The height was upwards of sixty leet from the ground ; and through the strong bars with which the windows were furnish- ed, we beheld others pacing to and fro, aW exercising their vigi- lance so far as to direct their attention repeatedly to our rooms. Thus guarded, and unprovided with instruments of any description whatever, we had no hope of effecting an escape; while, to crown our misery. Fortune had thrown us into the hands of a gaoler of the most ruffianlike character. On one occasion, in consequence of some trifling misunderstanding with an interpteter who had been confined in the adjoining room — a man remarkable for the mildness and forbearance of his nafro, — the wretch inflicted so severe a \70und on his head with a ponderous key, as to cause the blood to gush forth with extreme violence. When visited hy the officer of the guard, a complaint was preferred by the injured man ; but the liberal republican, with true patriotic feeling, justified the act of his countryman, and concluded by threatening a repetition of the pu- nishment. We had now been some time in this disagreeable situation, when a project was formed which promised to throw a more favorable coloring over our destiny. The whole of the captive division, in- cluding the seamen, were confined in a fortified camp, erected for the purpose on the skirt of a wood adjoining one of the suburbs of the town, and were guarded by a considerable detachment of re- gular infantry. These noble fellows were no sooner apprised of the ignominious fate with which their officers were threatened, than ■with the generous devotedness characteristic of their respective professions, they deputed two serjeants who had been suflered to communicate with us on subjects relative to the cloathing of the men, to express their determination to effect our liberation, oi perish in the attempt. Accordingly, the following plan was adopted, and fixed on for execution at a certain day. At midnight, the men wera tQ rise and OTcrpower the guard, and having secured them, and pot* eart forth* le- quence were e descriptioD. r abode, and tory, conimu- ons. During nd bolted at which they the ground ; vere fuinish- 5 their vigi- > our rooms, y description le, to crown gaoler of the isequence of 10 had been the mildness so severe a ithe blood to le officer of an ; but the e act of his of the pu- iation, when fe favorable livision, in- ip, erected |be suburbs ient of re- liised of the |ened, than respective suffered to |ing of the f,oi perish )pted, and men were I, and pet* m ■etted tbemtelres ot their arms, to vepaiate into three distinct par- ties. The first of these, headed by one of the deputies, were to ad- Tunce on the prison, and having effected oui^ liberation, to hasten to the boats on the river, which the second division were to have se- cured; while the third, patrolling the streets in silence, were to pre- vent the itihabitanis from assembling and impeding the operations of the first. The plan, hastily adopted, from the circumstances in which we found ourselves placed, was at best a wild one, since, had it succeeded in all its primary stages, we must have been eventually destroyed in descending the nairow river of the Scioto, by the fire from the numerous riflemen the enemy would have collected, on the first intimation of our departure. We were then, however, san- guine of success, and none paused to consider the difficulties that awaited us after our liberation, in the heart of an enemy's country, where ammunition and provisions were alike beyond our reach. We spoke of our descent of the Mississippi from the Scioto, and the Ohio, and our final reception on board the English fleet we knew to be cruising off New Orleans, as a matter of course, and discussed our meditated movements with all the confidence of the soldier, but certainly with little of the prudence or foresight of the general. Such was the plan decided or. for our escape; but, while awaiting the completion of the necessary preparations, a circumstance ludi- crous in itself, yet alarming in our actual position, threatened to blight every hope by which we had lately been sustaine'^. One morning about daybreak, the noise of workmen was distinctly heard beneath the windows of the room in which, covered with a solitary blanket, and huddled together without order or ceremony, we con- trived to enjoy a few moments of repose. One of the party imme- diately jumped up, and running to the window, behfld a number of men engaged in the erection of a scaffold. The exclamation wrung from him by the sight, drew us all to the spot, and then, indeed, we might be said to have experienced the sensations of men who be^ hold for the first time, and without a hope of reprieve, the gloomy preparations for an ignominious end. The predominant sentimen*; with us was, however, less regret for the existence we considered ourselves about to forfeit, than rage at the idea of having surrender- ed ourselves prisoners of war to an enemy capable of violating CTery principle of justiee. for the sake of shielding a few peijured and despicable criminals from the laws of their ofiended country. In this state of crnel suspense, we continued until nine o'clock, the 158 %:^ hour at which the bolts of our prison were withdrawn for the day, when the explanation given by the gaoler dissipated our alarm. The KcafTulding was erecting for the purpose of sinking a pump for the use of the prison ; and the indisiincl view we had obtained of the con- struction through our bars, liati given risse to ilie error. At length the much wished-ior day fixed on fur the execution of our enterprise arrived, and we arose, as we fully hoped, from our couch of misery, lor the last lime. To persons in our situ, lion, it may easily be imagined, the hours appeared to move on leaden wings, yet we doubted not an instant of a favoural)Ie result. Fate had, how- ever, ordained otherwise. At four in the afternoon, while yet par- taking of our wretched meal, the trampling of horses' feet, and a con- fused sound of drums and voices, drew us suddenly lo the window, and in a few minutes we btheld Governor Shelby literally armed to the teeth, a rifle on his shoulder, and accompanied by a numerous staff, riding up at foil speed. We were for some lime lost in astonishment and unable to account for this singular appearance; but a clue to the mystery was soon afforded by the entrance of an American officer, who, leaving his guard in the corridor, advanced into the outer room accompanied by a formidable cyclop, bearing certain insignia ot h'n trade, with which we could very willingly have dispensed. For the better insurance ot success in our enterprise, it had beea found necessary to admit two individuals in the town into or confi- dence—certain essential and preliminary arrangements rem !ning to be effected. These gentlemen were of the federal party, and entered into our views with a willingness which gave every fair promise of a favorable issue. We had been rather iniimatdy known to them priorto our confinement,and with their sentiments, both political and private, we were well acquainted. The measures necessary i for- ward our undertaking were faithfully executed by them, and on the morning of the night which was to give us to liberty, as we fondly imagined, nothing of a preparatory nature remained to be done. Seiz- ed however by a sudden panic, and anticipating the consequences of a discovery of co-operation with the enemies of their country, they re- solved to elude the danger they feared, by a voluntary and unreserv- ed disclosure of our intentions to the Governor of the Slate, who re- sided in Chilicothe. This was accordingly done, and the active and precautionary measures consequent on this alarming intelligi nee, had given rise to the bustle and tumult which assailed our ears from wiiJi' out, and earned disappointment and despair to our iiecirta. for the day, a!arm. The nip for the use 1 oi" the con- exccuiion of ed, from our ir situ, tion, it l(adea pins « cartfullf 161 drawn over, the deception could only be discovered on a miaut« ex- amination. Thus were the officeis enabled not only to enjoy somt little cessation Irora suffering, but to attend to the comfort and clean- lines!» or their persons, an advantage for which they certainly were npt much indebted to the humanity of the public authorities of Chi^ licothe. Nearly ten days had succeeded to the detection of our plan of es- cape, when, one evening at a late hour, we received intimation to prepare for . ur removal to the penitentiary of Frankfort in Kentucky; and accordingly the next day, about two o'clock in the afternoon, we were concluoied to the from of the prison, where a detachment of regular infantry was drawn up with their ranks facing inwards, and at extended order. Between these ranks we were placed two abreast and the detachment being ordered to face to the right and left, we moved on, thus escorted or rather enfiladed, from the gloomy walls of our prison. As if to humiliate us to the last degree, and add insult to mistortune, we were paraded through the principal streets of the town, though such a route was at once circuitous and unnecessary. The taunts and hisses of the populace who had assembled at an ear- ly hour 10 witness our departure » ^d were now with j.ffic^lty kept back by the guaid, followed us throughout ; but the clamorous ebul- lition of their hate gave us far less concern than the sombre counte- nances of the more respectable inhabitants, collected to view the pas- ing scene. Those with whom we had lately associated, and who had exercised the courtesies of hospitality in our favor, now gazed upon us with various expression — some in a triumphant disdain ori- ginating in a false rumor, which had been industriously circulated of a design to fire the town — others with evident interest and con- cern, arising from a conviction of the injustice of such a charge. Friends and foes were, however, alike lo us at that moment, and the proud indifference of our looks rested on all with the same cold ex- pression; for we felt that the ignominious treatment to which we were then being subjected, reflected, not on us, who had attempted the lulfilment of aduty weowed both to our country and to ourselves, but on those who thus abused their power over us as defencelesi captives. At length when it was presumed that the good inhahi- tanrs ot ClrHioolhe had sated themselves with a view of the "in- cendiary English," we were conducted to a large boat on the river, already manned with soldiers, and awaiting our arrival. It was with a feeling of real pleasure that we found Lieutenant Harrison to be the office': in command of the detachment to whose charge we were here given over; and as we took our places, the boat irai pushed off (rom the shore, and quickly glided down th« 0eioto, amid the continued hootings of the rabble, collected at th* point of embarkation on its banks. Impressed with various leflec- Mons arising from the preceding scene, few of the party were disposed fbr conversation, and an almost uninterrupted silence had prevail- «d some hours, when, towards the close of the day, the boat struck against a "sawyer," or trunk of a tree carried off Irom the land during the floods, 9nd frequently stationary ii the beds of rivers, from whence when acted on by the tide and current, it lises suddenly to the surface in a perpendicular direction, prese-ving a state of reaction, and threateuing destruction even to the largest boats used in the navi- gation of the Ohio and Misissippi. The concussion we experien- ced gave rise to serious apprehensions for our safety j and in an in- stant the leaden pins of the handcuffs were removed, but yet with sufficient precaution to escape the attention of the guard. Lieuteii. untHarrisofl, however, caused the boat to be directed towards t.:v chore, and having expressed his intention to pass the night in > jold deserted building, which stood at the distance of some few hun- dred paces, we were accordingly disembarked. When arrive^ iit Ihe spot indicated for our temporary sojourn, the American olii t evidently impressed with a full sense of our recent danger, declared it to be his determination to remove the fetters from our hands, pro- vided we would pledge our words to him, as British officers, that no attempt at escape should be made. This step, he observed, had kiot in any way the sanction of his superiors, but he was willing to lake the responsibility upon himself, satisfied that our parole once en- gaged, no ultimate risk could be incurred. This circumstance, how- jever grateful in fact, placed the manacled officers in a rather awkward ililemraa, since it was evident that in removing ihe irons, which had been replaced the instant the danger was passed, the deception must be discovered. We had, however, formed too just an estimate of the character of Lieutenant Harrison to hesitate long in the avowal of H isubterfuge to which we had been driven by suffering and necessity. Our promise was then given, and the whole party once more enjoy- ed the unrestrained use of their limbs. At an early hour on the fol- io'wing morning we again embarked, and a few hours brought us to ilie point of confluence with the majestic waters of the Ohio. The strong current of this expansive river carried us rapidly forward, and we soon found ourselves at Cincinnati, the capital of the State. After leaving Cincinnati, and passing the boundary line which se- |>arates the States of Ohio and Kentucky, the direction of our course was changed, and we ascended a small river intersecting the latter «tate, and leading in the line of the capital. Our progress here was a 163 ed down th« lected at th« 'arious leHec^ ;vere disposed ; had prevail- ! boat struck e land during from whence to the surface reaction, and in the navi- we experien- nd in an in- but yet with rd. Lieuteru towards fije night ip . /? Dme few fcun- n arrive ^t irican otii r, iger, declared hands, pro- jofficers, that served, had s willing to |role once en- [stance, bow- er awkward I, which had eption must imateof the avowal of t |d necessity, ore enjoy- on the fol- ougbt us to hio. The rward, and State, which sc- our course the latter Is here was •low and difficult. A thick and apparently impervious woou skirled itH banks, and, occasionally interweaving its protruding tops, threw a chilling gloom over the scene, while the close underwood, reciehiog to the veiy margin of the waters, seemed to preclude all possibility of a landing. At length a more 0()en space was perceptible, and at this point o. •• ^ourney by water, owing to the increas^ing difficulty of movement, was discontinued. Horses were procur . - in the adjacent country ; and, escorted by Lieutenant Harriso.i, who left his dt^tach- ment in the boat, we continued our route towards Frankfort then at no great distance. After travelling through a wild and thinly in- habited country, and along paths which no other thr.D American J^orses could have trod with safety, a range ot loftv and gloomy hills, by which that capital is nearly surrounded, announced the proxim'tjr Sfl what we were to consider as our future home. The morning wa» cold and rainy, and as we wound round the base o( a hill which inr tercepted our view, the towering walls of the penitentiary, situated Ha that extremity of the town by which we approached, fell suddenly on ourgaze. ^ few minutes brought us m a line with its principal en« trance j and as we glanced upwards at the low and narrow windows, we beheld our companions thrusting their handkerchiefs through (he bars, and saluting us as they could. They were the party that had preceded us from Chilicothe, and consisted chiefly ot the officers taken ,at the Moiavian town. It was a tr.elancholy moment tor recognition, .iind our feelings had imbibed much of the sombre character of the Jieason, as we moved on to the spot appointed for our delivery into the hands of the Marshal of Kentucky. This duty performed, Lieu* tenant Harrison bade us adieu, with a friendly warmth which every individual in our party fully appreciated and returned' He was in truth a noble fellow. On entering the prison of the penitentiary, we found our friend* distributed into two small rooms litjle larger than common cells, anA jcrowded togpther in a distressing manner; but many had reeonciWd themselves to their situations, and enjoyed a temporary distraction in studying the trades carried on by the convicts in the court, who -cheerfully initiated them into the rudiments of their respective ajta* 'The following is a correct list, taken from an American paper, of th« names and rank ot the several officers assembled within its walls. - Lieu*. Col. Warburton— Major Chambers, D. A. Q.. M. G.— Ma- jwf Muir, 4l8t^Captain Derenzy, do-^-Capt. McQoy, dQr-Capt. Hill, 4omCBpU Tallon, do<^^apt^ Dtxon, Royal f^ngineer^-r^LJi^at. HriIm, 164 4t«t— Lieut. Watson, do — Lieut. Linn, do — Lieut. Jeboult, do — Lieut. O'Keefe, do— Lieut. Gale, do— Lieut. Purvis, Roya) Navy — Lieut. Stokoe, do— Lieut. Bremner, Provincial do — Lieut. Rolette do. do— Lieut. Irvine, do. do— Lieut. Holmes, Light Dragoons— En- sign Moinpesson, 41st — Ensign Cochran, do — Ensign Jones, do — A. B. Garden Gent. Volunteer, Royal Newloundland Regr. — J. Richardson, do. 41st— James Laing, do— J. Campbell, Master's mate, R. P. N— G. Collins, do— J. Fortier, do— R. Nelson, Midship- man. The whole number of prisoners were about 900, including ihos® taken on the lake. Our residence in the penitentiary was, however too limited to ad- mit of perfection in our new occupations. At this period a strong sensation was produced in America by the intelligence of Napo- leon's unexpected ieverses in Russia. A termination of the war between Great Britain and France might now be anticipated as an event of no very remote occurrence, and the abilif :hus afforded to the former power of sending a more formidable army to oppose that of the United States, would place the struggle between the two countries on a very different fooling. Under this view of the case, and as one of the measures consequent on the altered aspect of the war, the affair of the hostages was gradually suffered to die away. The first step, however, was only an amelioration of our condition, which was effected by our removal from the penitentiary to the towir. The principal hotel in Frankfort, lo which was attached an exten- sive garden, surrounded by a low wall, was the place selected for our residence, with the express prohibition, however, of outstepping its limits. Here on the score of personal comfort we had no reason to complain. Three shillings a day was the allowance granted by the American government to each officer, and the sick were eniltled to twice that amount. One room was occupied by two prisoners, and our table was abundantly supplied with excellent food. Tea, coffee, eggs, cold meat, and the various " sweet sauces" to which the Americans are so partial, composed our breakfast ; while at din- ner we generally found ourselves seated before meats of every de- scription, and succeeded by a plentiful dessert. Tea, coffee, and hot cakes, composed our evening repast. A number of black slaves were also at our orders, and the preparation of our linen was inclu- ded in the raoderate.charge. Such was the revolution effected m our position, and but for the restraint imposed on our liberty, our chains would have been light. 165 ^eboult, do — oyal Navy — eut. Rolette agoons— -En- Jones, do— id Regt.—J. ell, Master's on, Midship- uding ihoso mited to ad- od a strong ce of Napo- of the war pated as an s afforded to oppose that en the two of the case, ipect of the die awajr. ir condition, to the town- an exten- elected for outstepping i no reason granted by ere entitled ) prisoners, bod. Tea, to which ile at din- every de- loffee, and ack slaves wasinclu- Icted m our >ur chains ' At length; in consequence of an order from the scat of Qovein- ment, we were once more placed on paiole, and permission was ac- corded to such of the prisoners as chose to pay their own cxpenseit, and provide their own horses, to repair to the Canadian frontier. This offer was eagerly embraced by the field olBccrs and such others as the stale of their finances would permit. The remainder were compelled to await the issue of the arranijcmenis then in agitation for an exchange of prisoners, hoping that the shackles of captivity, which had at the outset promised to be of long continuance, would speedily oe removed; and we availed ourselves of the liberty once more accorded. Several gentleman of the highest respectability in the place were forward in oflering attention; and among the first of these was Major Madison. This officer had been himself k prison- ei in Lower Canada, from whence he was only recently returned, and, impressed with a grateful sense of the treatment he had receiv- ed, hastened to evince it by various acts of hospitality and courtesy towards oui selves. We became welcome visitors in his family, and frequently accompanied him in excursions to several delightful country seats at some distance from the town. Permission was frequently obtained for us to visit places at the distance of twenty miles wilhoui any escort whatever ; and as our purses had been replenished by the kindness of Mr. Sproulc, a Frankfort banker, without any other guarantee lor future payment than our simple bills, these excursions were no' few. A good understanding was, however, only maintained with a very small portion of the inhabi- tants. By the rest we were regarded with an eye of jealousy and detestation, and whenever opportunities did present themselvcj, these feelings were undisguisedly manifested. One instance must suffice. As a slight return for the attentions of Major Madison, Lieute- nant Irvine of the Navy, the person so honorably alluded to in the first part of this narrative, had, with an ingenuity for which he was re- markable, constructed a vessel in miniature for the daughter of tljat gentleman. To many of the inhabitants of Kentucky, the model even of a frigate complete in all her parts, was a novel sight, and the present was thankfully received. Anxious to tender a similar offer- ing, though m a different quarter, a young midshipman named Camp- bell, occupying one of the upper rooms, had undertaken a similar task, and devotmg himself with all the anxiety and ardor of his years to the completion of his vessel, soon had the satisfaction of seeing 100 it in a state of great forwardness. Most unfortunately for biaj, how" ever, he had forgotten that an English flag even on a bark of those Lilliputian dimensions is ever an oflensive image to an Americao eye ; and decked in this fatal ornampnt, it now lay exposed in one of the windows of his apartment, and was distmclly visible from the fttreer. On the morning ot its exhibition, a crowd of persons, delight- ed at having what they conceived a pretext for insult, rushed in a body up the stairs, uttering imprecations and ihrcats. Having reach- ed the spot where the object of their fury was lying, they seized the luckles:^ ship, and dashed it on the pavement of the street, where it was shattered in a thousand fragments, the leader of the party ex- claiming, *' You British rascals, if you show your tarnation colors here again, we'll throw you after them." This noble feat being ac- complished, they retired, swearing at us all in true Kentucky style, «nd leavir.g poor Campbell to brood at leisure over bis misfortune. Shortly after this event, arrived the agreeable intelligence that the whole of the prisoners were to be marched to the frontier for the pur- pose of an immt'diate exchange. Those alone who have experienced the miseries and restraints attendant on a state of captivity, especial' ly under such circumstances as those by Avhich that of the offictrsof the Right Division was marked, can enter into the feelings by which we were all, more or less actuated. By many the news, although long expected, of our exchange being actually eflected, had been re- ceived as a pleasing dream or illusion, from which the mind dreaded* to be awakened ; and until the moment of actual departure, that rest- lessness of impatience which is the offspring of uncertainty seemed to predominate in every breast. A thousand things unlikely to occur, but still within the pale of possibility, presented themselves to imagi- nations more disposed to the expectation of gloomy than of agreeable events. The order for our departure mighi be repealed — the negotia-' tion for the exchange broken off altogether — and to crown all, the cruel subject of the hostages renewed. Pleasurable anticipations belong only to those who 1 ve basked in the unbroken sunshine of For- tune — those who have been tutored in the school of Adversity are less sanguine in their hopes, and temper the glow of generous confi- dence with the steady calm of warning experience. That we were not wrong, indeed, in apprehending interraption to' the neg.ociations, then pending between the two Governments, will be seen from the following important General Orders issued by Sir George Prevost, embracing the correspondence betAveen Adjt. Genc- tal Baynes, and General Winder, to whom had been confided the deli^ cate task of entering on the subject of the exchange of Hostage*. biui, how- rk of thos« Americaa •d in one of [e from the ins, deJight- ushed in a iviug reach- f seized the jt, where it he party ex- lation colors ai being ac- ilucky style, lisfortune* nee that the ■ for the pur- experienced ity, esperial- he offictrsof »s by which s, although had been re- ind dreaded re, that rest- mty seemed ;eiy to occur, Ives to imagi- of agreeable the negotia- all, the cruel tions belong Ihine of For- dversity are erous confi- |terraption ttf 1 men IS, will jsued by Sir Adjt. Gene- led the d«li>- [ostages. 167 General Order, Head Quarters, Montreal, Uitii April, 1814. His Excellency the Governor in Chief, and Commander of the Forces, announces lo tiie troops ufuKr his command, that he was pleased lo sanction and cuntinii, on the loth inst. Articles of a Con* venlijn enltrcd into by Colunel Oayncs, Atljutani CicntTal of the Forces, and Bri^raJicr Geiitral Winiier of the army of the United States of Anurica, for the mutual release of all prisoners of war, Hostages or others, with Hie ex('e|)iioii of the forty-six American officers and non-commissioned olFicers placed in close confinement as Hostages, in conformity to the General Order of the 27lh. of Oc- teber lasi, in retaliation lor twenty three Driiish Soldiers, confined by the Government ol the United Stales, as Hoslasres for twenty- three British born subjects, taken from the ranks of the enemy, and sent to England for legal trial. By this agreement it is stipulated that all prisoners of war (the above mentioned alone excepted) shall be mutually exchanged, and delivered at such places as shall be agreed on, with all convenient expedition, and shall be declared, rtspectivtly and severally, lo be released, and free lo carry arms, and serve on the I5ih day of May next, the same as if ihey had never been prisoners of war: and it has been further piovided, that whatever balance shall appear on the returns of prisoners of war, resptciivt'ly exchanged or given up on parole, by either party since the conuncncement of Hostilities, the number of Prisoners for which an equivalent has not been re- turned, shall be withheld from all militair service, until exchanged. It is with proud satisfaction thai the Commander of the Forces " eni, that this provisional clause can n( feel ever apply to Army in Canada, from the immense disparity in the number and rank of the prisoners, it has restored to the enemy. All officers, non-courfnissioned officers, and soldiers, being prisoners of war, who are not prevented in con&equence of their wounds, are commanded to join their respective corps and stations on the 15th resut day of May next, and to resume theirniilitary duties (Signed) Edward Baynes, Atljt. Gen. General Order. Head duarters, Camp at Chambly' July ?d, 1814. Several officers of this army having returned from the United States, where they had been held in close confinement as hostages, and hav- ing on 'Jieir release signed a conditional parole containing a pledge on their part, to return to their captivity at the expiration of a limited perioii, unless previously exchanged: His Excellency the Governor in Cbirf, and Commander of the Forces, considering such parole to be inco.isistent with the provisions of a convention for the exchange of piif aulhonzed to trmtavd ratify^ with' out fuiiher reservation, on the pai t <>J his Government, a negocia- tion on tlio principles staled in Colonel Bauies note ol ihe llih and l2th,and in Gemrtnl Winder's note of the llih instant — in which case liis exchange will be declared full and complete. Brigadier General Winder will excuse this demand which has become necessary from the doubts which he has himself created, as to the nature and extent of the restriction recently [)laced upon him by his Government. (Signed) Edward Baynes, Adjt. Genl'. N. A. No. G. Montreal, April 13th, 1814. Brigadier General Winder very much regrets that he should have foiled in communicating to Col. Baynes in the last interview, the ex- tent of the poweis communicated to him with requisite precision. It was the intention of Brigadier General Winder to have stated, that his powers extended without restriction, to propose and agree to an exchange of all British Prisoners of War taken from the com- mand of Sir George Prevosl, except the twenty- three men put into confinement in retaliation torlhe tweniy-tluee men sent lo England, to which extent he now assures Col. Buynes his powers extend em- bracing all the subjects contained in Colonel Eaynes' notes of the llih and I2th, and Brigadier General Winder's of the 11th. As it was not the inieniion ol Brigadier General Winder that his Excellency should have the least question as to the extent of his powers, he cannot but feel mortified, that an idea should have been entertained for a moment that he intended to render them in the least degree doubtful, and he tru:its this avowal will remove all such im- pressions, and enable Colonel Baynes and himself, upon the adjust- ment of Brig. Gen. Winder's exchange, to proceed without delay to the arrangement. (Signed) Wm, Winder, Brig. Gen. U. S. Army. General Order. Adjutant General's Office, Head Q,uarters, Montreal, July ISth, 1814. His Excellency the Commander of the Forces announces to the troops under his command, that having at the invitation ol the Ame- 170 I Tican Govetnment, dcpu^ d Colonel Baynes, Adjutant General, atid Lieutenant Colonel Brenton, Provincial Aide-de-camp, to meet on Thursday last at Cliamplain, Colonel Lear, late Consul General of the United States at Algiers -lor the purpose of reconsidering the convention for the exchange ot prisoners which had been entered in- to on the 15th of April last, beiwren Colonel jinynes and Brigadier General Winder ; and ot removing whaiever oljjectiuns might be made to the due execution of it : — and the said meeting having taken pla' 5 accordingly, all objections to the said convention were then, and there, completely removed ; and the same was, on the 16th in- stant, fully and definitively ratified by Colonel Lear, on the part ot the United Slates; (he having full power for that purjiose) with a supplementary clause, by which the twenty-three British Soldiers, and the forty six American officers, the Hosiiiges mentioned in the first article of the said convention, are declared to be included in that convention, and are to be released and exchanged, in the same man- ner as other prisoners of War, mentioned in the same articles, nut- withstanding the exception to them therein contain) j — and His Ex- cellency is pleased hereby to direct that this General Order be con- sidered in explanation and confirmation of the said General Orders issued on the 16th and 2d July, 1S14. Edward Baynes, Adjt. Gen. N. A. The morning of our actual departure from Frankfort was, as will be believed, one of joy and exultation to us all ; and at an early hour moat of the officers were already up, and with light hearts and chear- ful countenances preparing for their journey. Our horses were at length brought lo the entrance of the hotel before which nearly half the town of Frankfort had collected to wit- ness our departure. Habited in our light and neatly fringed Ken- tucky frocks, fastened by silver buckles attached to broad red-moroc- co belts, we soon vaulted into ihe saddle; and escorted by Lieu- tenant Mitchell of the rifle service, and Colonel Crocket, the mar- shal of the stale, a consequeriiial gentleman, who had often vainly sought to subdue our refractory spirits into something like submis- sion to his authority, we commenced our journey. The hand of kindness and the voice of gentlemanly consideration were extend- ed to us by a few, among whom stood principally conspicuous Ma- jor Madison, and the banker Mr. Sproule ; but on the countenances of the many might be traced very different feelings. Even while detesting our presence, they seemed to regret the approaching re- moval of their victims, and the insolence ot their looks and observa- tions bore sufficient testimony of their hostility. Pursuing a route diilerent from that by which we had reached Frankfort, we soon ^-rrived at Newport, a small town situated at the confluence of the Kanaway and Ohio rivers, and immediately oppo- 11 P b d cneral, atid o meet on General oi' idcring the entered in- () Brigadier s might be iving taken were then, the I6lh in- tlie part ot 3se) with a sh Soldiers, )ned in the uded in that ' same man- rtieles, rut- in d His Ex- rder be con- leral Orders Jen. N. A. was, as will n early hour ;s and chear- the hotel, Icted to wit- inged Ken- red-moroc- |d by Liea- , the mar- ften vainly ike submis- e hand of re exlend- licuous Ala- luntenances ven while inching re- id observa- [d reached lated at the itely oppo- 177 •il« 10 CiuciDDQU, in the aeighborhood uf which latter piao« tii« prisoners Irom Chilicothe were awaiting the arrival of their ofRcerf, Larg« boat* were procured fur the passage of our horses, and. hav' ing crossLd the il/i-r the same evening, we were conducted to our old quarters, the principal hoiel in Cincinnati. On joining ihi' nun, we tuuiid, that independently of those whom the Americvuis had successfully employ cd every aiHOEeducc frcm cur service, two individuals were mi-ising, in whose fate we had become previously interested. At the moment of departure fiom the har- bour of Atnhersiburg, Captain Barclay had received two young In- dian warriors, anxious to witness a nuval con, bat, on board of the Detroit ; and on engaging the American fleet, they were stationed in the tops with their rifles. This position, however, they found less secure than the trees of their native foresl^^, and were soon as- sailed by showers of grape and canister, which filled them with dis- may. They instantly relinquished their rifles, and hastened to de- camp. Too much frightened to adopt the safer and more usual mode of decent by the ladder of the rigging, they each grasped a loost rope pendmg from the yards, and in this manner glided with fearful rapidity to th ■ deck, lacerating their hands in a cruel manner, and CO doubt secretly regretiing their spirit of adventure. Nor did they stop until they reached the bottom ef the hold, where they were sub% sequently lound by the Americans, lying within a large coil of rope, and in company with a pet hear, bt'longingto cne oft le crew, who had conveyed him there, as a place of perfect security from the enemy's shot. In o.ir occasional visits to the encanipment at Chilicothe, ws always saw and conversed with them, and at the last which preced- ed our close imprisonment, we i'ound them busily engaged in ma- king bows and arro'vs— a work in which ihcy were not interupted by their guard, who probably saw nothing more in tiie occupation t.-ian amusement, or an agreeable employment of their time, but they told us in their own tongue, a little of which was understood by one of two of the P'irty, that they were meditating llieir escape, and that the bows and arrows were to provide them wiili^ food in the woods. The intelligence now received was, that they had succeeded in eflfecting their design shortly after our departure, having ini'.nngcd to scale the picketing on a dark nighr, which they had selected lor the purpose. What the final result of their enter[»rise was, we had no future oppor- tonity of ascertaining; but with the knowledge we possessed of tlie f^yfrpmr facility with which the Indians find their wr>v through the m Jfecpcst and mosi extensive ♦'. rasls, we dlJ not entertain a doubt if their having rejoinfd their tribo in safely. The morninhal of Ohio, a man ns gcnilc, con- siderate, and unnssuminrr, a? the other was harsh, exacting:, and overbearing. From tliis gcntlcnKiii we received an account of tl.i death of our old pcrbccutir, Colont'l Campbell. This officer had been despcintely wounded on the Niagara 'rentier, whilher he hsd been ordered with his regiment, poon after our departure from Chili- tothe. The cap of his knee had been carried away by a cannbb shot, and ho died i' .ic agony. If we had humanity enough not to rejoice at thi.. intelligence, we certainly did not indulge itx any very immoderate grief; for the unfeeling conduct of that indi- vidual was still fresh in the recollection c^f many, and, above all, the insult of exposing us to public curiosity in the principal ^^reets of a town in which he held the tirat niililary command — an insult we had tvery reason to belie've originated wiih himself. Our route from Cincinnati lay ihrotigh the sarre dull region we had traversed the preceding autumn; but with feelmgs far different from those we then experienced, did we now measure back our steps The season too was changed, and instead of chill damps and pene- trating rains, over the face of nature was spread the genial waimth of summer. It was the middle cf July ; and though the ardent rays of a burning sun threw their oppressive lustre on our heads, while traversing the more open parts ol the country, we much more fre- quently found shelter in thick and extensive woods where a solita- ry, winding, and imperfect waggon-road aloiic marked the progress of civilization. Each moment of our journey brought us nearer to the more fortunate companions of our toils, and the final termination bf our anxieties ; and with this heart-cheering perspective we re- conciled ourselves to the privations incident to our more immediate position. Towaids the close of August we again arrived at Sandusky, and dnrinir nearly the whole of the succeeding month, were compelled to remain encamped on the small marshy plain extending from the base of the hill on which that fort is situated, to the edge of the river Irom which it derives its name. Owing to the unjustifiable neglect of those to whom that office was entrusted, not a boat was in readiness for our transportation across the lake, and we beheld this new and Ci n) ai 9 on bh D a doubt df the kftt of over to Qh Tcnilo, coh*- acting, and Dunt of tl.4 officer hod her he hcd from Chili- / a cannon :iity enough indulge iu f that indi- bove all, \h6 streets of a nsult we had region \vc far different ck our steps 5 and pene- lial waimth ardent rays eads, while more fre- re a solita- e progress nearer to termination ive we re- immediate Idusl^y, and |ompelled to )m the base river Irom neglect of In readiness h new nnd 170 «|i)looked-for cril with diiamuy. The fi:iishiiig stroke was put to uur calamitiv!) by tiic introduction of iutcrmittcnt lever into the cuinp, 4 malady which necesa.irily aroiC hoiu cuntilant exposure lo Iieavy logs and noxious exhalations from the staiTiiant waters around us. Few pf the oirijcr? escaptd this cruel and dislressing scourijc, and nearly one liair if tiio men were aitickcul by il. Wiih tiic view of having the lonner nure iin.aetliati'ly at hsuul. the lueihcal officLTs in the ibrt caused them to bj conducted lo a smuU building contiguous to one ot the gate's, which had boen jireviuusiy used as a stable, and admitted the air and rain on ev^'ry side. A handl'ul of iiav, covered wiilj a blanket, comi)o.>ed our couch; and here, in a state uf inexpressible jniaery, did we languish beneath the eflbcis ol accumulating privation and disease. Nourishing ur refiu'ihing aliment we were utterly un- oble to obtain, and the absence of necessary medicaments was severe- ly fell. Either from ignorance or indolence, — but we were given 10 presume the former, — the medical ollicers, while they pre3cril)ed bleed- ing, would not perform that oliice themselves, but entrusted it lo a drummer of (he garrison, who ceitainly, lo his credit be it said, open- ed our veins with admirable dexterity. Tins operation being per- formed on the arm of each |)atient, half a pint of r,iw whisky was given us to drink, If this poiatiou was administered with an idea of burning the disease out, ihe effect did not answer tue intention, for our stomach > were long inllamed in conserjuence of this draught, and the fever raged with unceasing violence. Heartily sick of our pre- sent abode, we begged to be removed to the tents we had lately oc- cupied. This request was accorded; but hero we were visited by another severe inconvenience. The neighbourhood of Sandusky abounded in wolves, and our ears were nightly assailed with their di^iflal bowlings. The noise generally commenced from one pack at no great distance from the fort, and was repeated by several others in succession, and from opposite dirpctions, until the whole extent of surrounding woods appeared to be alive with them. There was HOmeihing fearfully gloomy in this association of wild sounds particularly when the night was tar advanced, and the encampment hushed into silence and repose, yef, but for the danger actually ap- prehended, we should have been disposed to find amusement in their <}iscordant yellings; for these bold animals came frequently down /r9fl[i'ihe adjaoent hills, and by the pale light of the dying embers, we could distinctly see and hear them craunching the bones and Irag- mfnts remaining from our meals. At our repeated solicitations, how A^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) iilll.O ^1^1 I.I 2.5 m m IL25 nil u 1.6 V f /2 ^>. ..''V a^ :■ "^^Z W % '^' '/ Hiotographic .Sciences Corporation 23 WBT MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 ,.v -<^ ;>^^ % •Tcr, tire-arm's weve accorded us; ond thou<;h we made no aetufit ugf' of them, they inspired us tviih a f'eling of greater confidence and se- curity. Yet wt^re we not oven then entirely free from alnrm, espe- cially as our tents were drtnched at some distance from each other; and more than one sU'eple^s night did we pas^s with our firgers on the triggers of our tnu'^kets, and mdmcmaiily expcciing to be attack- ed by these ravenous provilris, ngnin>t whose fury we invariablr took me precaution to secure the entrance to our tents in evtry pos- sible manner. Our situation was now become truly pitiable, and some of the of- ficers were compelled to part wich their scanty wardrobe, in order to procure the common nece35arie3 of life, from the few mi>erable set- tlers \\ho had taken up their abode in the neighborhood of the for*, wliii'h they pnrtially supplied with milk and vegetables. The former article was that most in reqni>ition witli the invalids, and, in ad- dition to the wild fruits which we ate with avidity, contributed not a little to the increise of our malady. At length when nearly worn down by vain expectation and undermining fever, a solitary boat was see'x &!o\^■ly emerging from one of the angles formed by the windings of the narrow and unhealthy river, and in this we were embarked lor Cleveland, a small harbour on tLe American shore, op- posite to Long Point, in Canada, where we were to be finally deliv- ered up. During this coasting voyage we were assailed by a tem- pest which up^et our boat; bu t as we had fortunately kept close to the land, the accident occurred in water not bevond our depth, and we easily succeeded in lii^hiing and dragging the vessel to the shore. Every article of clothing was, howevir, completely wet through, and no habitation being ncaf, " e were compelled to throw ourselves Jcr the night on the damp beach, covered with blankets still drippinj? with recent wet, and suffering the extremes of cold and heat, as the various stages of our diseafse were developed. It required more than ordinary constitutions to resist these attacks, and one officer (Lun- tenant Jones, of the 41st) subsequently perished. Our provisions had been utterly destroyed by the water, and our only dependence was on the scanty pittance obtained from the impoverished inhabi- tants along the coast. A few potatoes and a snail quantity of rancid butter were all that could be procured by the Anicrican ofhcer escort- ing us, and these we devoured with all the keenness and rapacity of famished wolves; yet was our hunger never wholly r.ppeased. At length the height* of Cleveland, where were at that time two solitary Ill t no Bctunl u«t fidence and :e- n alarm, espe- )m t'nch other; our firgrrs on g to be attack^ we invariablr s in evtry pes- ome of the of- be, in order to mi>erable set- od of the for*, . The former >, and. in ad- )ntributed not n nearly worn solitary boal )rmcd by the I his we were can shore, op- finally delir- d by a tem- kept close to jr dt'pih, and 1 to the shore, I through, and ourselves Icr still drippmjjf J heat, as the red more than Dificer (Lieu- ir provisions dependence ished inhabi- lity of rancid officer eacort- d rapacity of peased. At two solitairf ttnd miseraUt heuict, appeared in si^bt, end w« wert oew la«d«6 on the beach, where several of the ofiicersi imprudently ate largv quantities of peaches which grew uninrlosed and in abundanct around. The accession of fever produced in consequence was great, and the night wa^ passed in the ravings of a delirium little short of madness. On the following morning Ave were re-embarked in a aniall vessel lying in the harbour; and leaving an ofBcer behind to await ihe arrival, and supeiinltnd the transportation of the men who were advancing by land, we again set sail. Long Point, the place of our destination, was soon gained; but with what altered feelings did we now behold that soil which, one short month before, tvould have been hailed with rapturous exultation! Disease had worn away our persons, and our minds were deeply tinged with that morbid melancholy which is a characteristic feature in thecom- plamt. Existence iist If had nearly lost its value with its ehaimv, and , in our then tune of feeling, liberty or captivity were situations of indifference. It had rained without intermission during the pas> sage, and on the vessel being brought to anchor, we were sum- moned from the small filthy cabin, into which we had been thrown, to the boats waiting lor our reception. In a few minutes we were landed, exhibiting to those by whom wc were received on the beach the most distressing images of poverty, disease, exhaustion, and dis- content. We arrived in Canada on the 4th of October, 1814, ma- king just one year from the d.ite of our captivity. On my arrival in Canada 1 lost no tin^e, dispirited and emacia- ted as I was from the effects of an ague which continued upon mt for five consecutive months, without a single day of intermission, in parting from those with whom 1 had shared so many toils and ri- cissitudes, and hastening to join the King's Regiment (then station- ed at Montreal and Laprairic,) to which I had been gazetted some months previous to my capture at the Moravian town. Nor is it uninteresting to add that ii y passage from Toronto to Kingston, was made in the St. Lawrence, Sir James Yeo's flasr-shipj during the very last trip performed by that magnificani vessel, the vast di- mensions of which will be understood, when it is known that she mounted not less than 112 guns, of various heavy calibre, and was nanned by a crew, including all branches ot the service, of one thousand souls. There were, ako if I do not greatly err, a seventy- four and two fifty gun ships, w^ith numerous smaller craft, followinf in the wake of tbie Lerialhan ; hm war had nou bcrn so long carri- M •« Itt the fpa»trf M ft oiailerof OQMriv, »nd on no f«teo»iTf f « tctU of prcp«ratioD, that these latter were 9carcely regarded ^^ nuj ihing cslraordiqary, ktcd on the small and iulapd fresh water ^ca pf .Lake Oniario. At \enfth sprisg >vith her cheerful and invigorating attributes onue more appeared, bringing with it a cessati'^n of hostilities be- ■tween Great Britain and the United States; and intelligence havirg •oon atierwards reached this country of Bonaparte's escape from El- ba, and the consequent renewal of the war in Europe, we \Yere hMr^ Tiedly ordered for embarkation, to join the British Army in Flan- ders. The Head Qparters of my regiment left Montreal for 1^|i9- ibee in the first steamer (the John Molspn,) that ever navigated theiH* waters, and we were speedily embarked in a transport waiting to rf- eeive us, and forming one of si^ty sail, under the iponvoy of 9ir Gkorge Collier in the Newcastle. Our route was to Ostend, but we were too late-ras the battle of Waterloo, to have participated in which was worth the sacfifice of all our previous service, was •foughl before we were half way across the Atlantic. Since that peiiod, I had never revisited Canada, until theaftoynd- iog and and unexpected events of 1837 and 1838 again brought me to my native land, to aid if iieces:«Bry in vindication of her vypijndfid honor. T HK END. TBI' ■ ...lo; . . >o Mteoilrv f egard«d t^ nuy h water lea pf ting attributes liostiliiies b«- ligencebavitg cape from E\' we were hxit' rmy in Flau- reai for QuQ. avigated the^ waiting to rf- onvoy of Sjr >5teod, but we i participated service, was ■if? 1 the aftoMsd- I brought me her wppadfid ADVERTISEMENT. Notwithstanding all the care we have personally bestowed upon the correction of the press, so many glaring typographical errors hart crept into the present edition of this Narrative, that were it net for the lime necessary to prepare a second, we should unhesitatinglr commit ihe impression to the flames, raiher than suffer it to go forth to tl.e public. This difficulty will be obviated should the work be stereotyped, ia which case all, to whom the publication is now gratuitously sent. shall be furnished with new copies.