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 Cot>LBCTBl> AND EWTBD FOB THK LuNpY'S XjANR HlST^BIckL SoCIRTY 
 
 BY LIEUT. qOL. E. CRFIKSl^ANK, Author of the 
 Stoby or "Butler's Rangers," &fc., (fee. 
 

 «. ^^ 'v'-i 
 
 'H 
 
 
THE DOCUMl VTARY 
 
 HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN 
 
 UPON THE 
 
 Niagara Frontier 
 
 IN THE YEAR 1813. 
 
 PART I (1318.) 
 
 JANUARY TO JUNE, 1813. 
 
 COLLECTED XND EDITED FOR 
 
 THE I/UNDY'S I^AN^ HISTORIC AI^ SOCIETY 
 
 By LIEUT. -COLONEL E. CRUIKSHANK. 
 
 AiMior of the "Story of Butler's Rangers,'' rfc., tie. 
 
 PBINTKD AT THB TBIBUNK OFFICK, WKLtiAND. 
 
 1002. 
 
A uO 73 
 
 Luhis 
 
 210619 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 TTHE docunieuta published in this volume have been collected from 
 many widely scattered sources. The transcripts of papers 
 from the Canadian Archives are unquestionably of the greatest 
 importance These exceed a hundred, and form about a quarter of 
 the book. Very few of these have been published in full before. 
 The despiitches printed in the London Gazette were usually muti- 
 lated by tho omission of important passajjes, which it was consider- 
 ed inexpedient to publish at the time. The editor deeply regrets 
 that he has betn unable to obtain access to the archives of the War 
 and Navy Departments of the United States. The official letters 
 now republished from the American State Papers and the Historical 
 Register of the United States were probably altered and abridged 
 in the same way before publication. Messrs. A. C. Macdonnell and 
 L. H. Irving have loaned militia order books, and considerable infor- 
 mation has been obtained from the Kingston Garrison order book, 
 now in the Canadian Archives. George Murray Jarvis, Esq., of 
 Ottawa, has generously furnished copies of documents of great 
 interest. The Tompkins' Papers in the New York State Library 
 have supplied a few letters of much importance. The Editor's warm- 
 est acknowledgements are due to Miss Catharine Claus and Miss 
 Janet Carnochan of Niagara and Miss Amy Ball of Thorold, Ont., 
 Lieut.-Col. G. Villiers Turner of Reading, Eng., Revd. W. C Plen- 
 derleath of Exeter, Eng., Messrs. P. A. Porter and J. N. Granger of 
 Buffalo, N. Y., J. H. Coyne of St. Thomas, Wm. Kirby of 
 Niagara and Dr. T. Clark of St. Catharines, Ont., for the use of 
 papers in their possession'. 
 
 Among the newspapers of the period which have been laid 
 under contribution, the unique file of the Buffalo Gazette, preserved 
 in the Bcffalo Public Library, occupies the first place, but the Que- 
 bec Mercury, Montreal Gazette, the Statesman, National Advocate 
 and Evening Post of New York, the United States Gazette and 
 Daily American Advertiser of Philadelphia, the Whig and Niles* 
 Register of Baltimore, and the Ontario Repository of Cauandaigua, 
 N. Y., also deserve mention. 
 
 Fort Erie, 4th November, 1901. 
 
•■"■ N 
 
 
 * ::r 
 
 
 ■.'• 
 
 . V 
 
 1 /. ' 
 
 :' >■ ,■ 
 
 -*, '■■* 
 
The Documentary History of the 
 
 Campaign on the Niagara 
 
 Frontier in 1813. 
 
 PART 1. 
 
 January to Junk, 1813. 
 
 An Address from the I/egfislative Assembly of Upper Canada to the 
 Inhabitants of the Province. (August, z8ia.) 
 
 Already we have the joy to remark that the spirit of loyalty 
 ha8 burst forth in all its ancient splendor. 
 
 The Militia in all parts of the Province have volunteered their 
 services with acclamation and displayed a degree of energy worthy 
 of the British name. 
 
 They do not forget the blessings and privileges which they 
 enjoy under the protection and fostering care of the British Empire, 
 whose government is only felt in this country by acts of the purest 
 justice and most pleasing and efficacious benevolence. 
 
 When men are called upon to defend everything they call pre- 
 cious, their wives and children, their friends and possessions, they 
 ought to be inspired with the noblest resolutions, and they will not 
 be easily frightened by menaces or conquered by force. 
 
 And beholding, as we do, the flame of patriotism burning from 
 one end of the Canadas to the other, we cannot but entertain the 
 most pleasing anticipations. 
 
 (3ur enemies have indeed said that they can subdue this country 
 by proclamation, but it is our part to prove to them that they are 
 sadly mistaken, that the population is determinedly hostile and that 
 the few who might be otherwise inclined will find it prudent for 
 their safety to be faithful. 
 
 Innumerable attempts will be made by falsehood to detach you 
 from your allegiance ; for our enemies, in imitation of their Euro- 
 pean master, trust more to treachery than to force, and they will no 
 doubt make use of many of those lies which, unfortunately for the 
 virtuous part of those States and the peace and happiness of the 
 world, had too much success during the American rebellion. They 
 will tell you that they are come to give you freedom. Yes, the base 
 slaves of the most contemptible faction that ever distracted the 
 
6 
 
 afTairH of any nation — the minionH of the very sycophantfl who lick 
 the (lust of the feet of Bonaparte — will tell you that they are como 
 to communicate the bleHsingH of liberty to this Province, but you 
 have only to look at your situation to put such hypocrisy to con- 
 fusion. 
 
 Trusting more to treachery than open hostility, our enouiies 
 have already spread their emissaries through the country to seduce 
 our fellow subjects from their allegiance by promises as false as the 
 principles on which they are founded. A law has therefore been 
 enacted for the speedy detection of such emissaries and for their 
 condign punishment on conviction — a law which it will not be easy 
 to escape. 
 
 Remember when you go forth to the combat that you fight not 
 for youraelves alone but for the whole world. 
 
 You are defeating the most formidable conspiracy against the 
 civilization of man that ever was contrived — a conspiracy threatening 
 greater barbarism and misery than followed the downfall of the 
 Roman Empire — that you have now an opportunity of proving your 
 attachment to the parent State, which contends for the relief of 
 oppressed nations, the last pillar of true liberty and the last refuge 
 of humanity. 
 
 Persevere as you have begun in your strict obedience to the 
 laws and your attention to military discipline; deem no sacrifice too 
 costly which secures the enjoyment of our happy constitution, fol- 
 low with your countrymen in Britain the paths of virtue, and 
 like them you shall triumph over all your unprincipled foes. 
 
 GOD SAVE THE KING. 
 (From a copy in the Memoirs of Colonel John Clark.) 
 
 Prom the Memoirs of Colonel John Clark of Port Dalhousie. 
 
 British forces engaged under the command of Major-General 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheatfe after the death of General Brock, who fell 
 at the onset, Queenston Heights, Oct. 13th, 1812 : — 
 
 1 2 3 4 15 6 
 
 No. 1 — Major Merritt, Militia Cavalry. 
 No. 2 — Capt. Bullock'" 6th Company, 4l8t Grenadiers. 
 No. 3 — Capt. J. Rowe, Militia Flank Co., 2d Lincoln. 
 No. 4 — Capt. R. Hamilton's Militia Flank Co., 2d Lincoln. 
 No. 5 — Capt. S. Hatt's Militia Flank Co., 5th Lincoln. 
 No. 6 — Capt. J. Durand, Militia Flank Co., 5th Lincoln. 
 No. 7— Capt. J. Chisholm, Militia Flank Co., 2d York. 
 No. 8 — Volunteer sedentary Militia. The Mohawk Indians 
 under the command of Norton, their chief. 
 
Right wing, commanded by the Hon. Lieut-Colonel Thomas 
 Clark, 2nd Lincoln Militia. This force may be estimated at not 
 more than 350 men — regulars, militia and Indians. 
 
 Left wing, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson Butler 
 of the 4th Lincoln Militia. Field guns under Colonel Crowther of 
 the 41st, Lieutenant J. C. Ball and Lieutenant Lewis Clement. 
 
 12345678 
 
 Mohawk Indians under Brant, their chief : — 
 
 No. 1 — Major Dennis' Co. of the 49th Regiment. 
 No. 2 — Major Williams' Co. of the 49th Regiment. 
 No. 3 — Capt. J. Crook's flank Co., Ist Lincoln Militia. 
 No. 4 — Capt. J. McEwen's flank Co., Ist Lincoln Militia. 
 No. 5 — Capt. D. Cameron's flank Co., York Militia. 
 No. 6— Capt. 8. Reward's flank Co., York Militia. 
 No. 7 — Lieutenant J. Butler's and Ensign J. Dittrick, 4th 
 Lincoln Militia. 
 
 No. 8 — Volunteer sedentary Militia. 
 
 N. B. — The left wing may be estimated at 350 men — regulars, 
 tnilitia and Indians ; the left wing about the same proportion with 
 the right. 
 
 The British forces charged on the American forces at the 
 double-quick, and after the Americans firing a volley [they] re- 
 treated over the heights to the water's edge and soon after sent up 
 a flag of truce, surrendering unconditionally to General SheatfiB, 
 which flag of surrender was received by General SheafFe stationed 
 in a battery commanding the river about half way up the mountain 
 road, and the writer, John Clark, though too late to be in the fight, 
 was in the battery at the surrender, and with his detachment 
 assisted conveying the prisoners to Fort George— 972 prisoners taken. 
 
 The British force stationed on the heights above Queenston at 
 the line consisted of the grenadier and light companies of the 49th 
 Regiment of the line under the command of Major James Dennis 
 and Captain Williams ; two militia flank companies from York, 
 Captains Reward and Cameron ; two companies of the 5th Lincoln 
 Militia under Captains Samuel Hatt and James Durand, with a 
 few of the Six Nations warriors under Captain Norton and young 
 John Brant. 
 
 The enemy commenced crossing from Lewiston before day- 
 light, screening themselves before the heights. 
 
 After daylight our batteries, three in number, commenced 
 
8 
 
 playing upon the boats crossing with the enemy, but those aiready 
 landed gained the heights. 
 
 Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, accompanied by Major-General 
 Sheaffe and his staff, Lieut.-Colonel Glegg, Aide-de-Camp and Mili- 
 tary Secretary, Brigade Major Evans, Lieut.-Colonel John 
 Macdonnell, Militia Aide-de-Camp, and Attorney-General of Upper 
 Canada, Lieut-Colonel Robert Nichol, Militia Quartermaster General, 
 and Major J. Cummings, Militia Deputy Quartermaster, escorted by 
 Major Merritt and his troop of militia cavalry, proceeded from the 
 headquarters at Fort George, Niagara, after the firing at Queenston 
 had commenced. On his arrival he found some confusion among 
 our forces, when he immediately rallied them and placing himself 
 on the right of the Grenadiers of the 49th, his own regiment, 
 advanced upon the enemy when some of the enemy's skirmishers 
 in front picked off our beloved General Brock. 
 
 Immediately afterward the gallant, amiable and youthful 
 Aide-de-Camp Macdonnell fell mortally wounded, of vhich he died 
 the following day. 
 
 The bodies of these heroes were at once removed to a dwelling 
 near by, when General Sheaffe assumed the command and retired 
 with the forces to Vrooman's battery in the rear, there to await 
 reinforcements from the right, left and centre. In the meantime 
 our aitillery retarded the progress of the enemj'' in crossing the 
 Niagara River. 
 
 Major Dennis placed one of his guns so adroitly as to strike 
 and sink one of their boats with its contents after [which] the 
 American Militia refused to cross the boundary between themselves 
 and Canada. The Six Nations warriors, covered by a copse of wood 
 on the heights directly in front of the enemy, kept them from 
 advancing further. 
 
 About 10 o'clock A. M. reinforcements under the Hon. Lieut.- 
 Colonel Thomas Clark [appeared] to the [right] of the enemy's 
 position, consisting of Capt. Bullock's detachments of the 41st 
 Regulars from Chippawa and the 2nd and 3rd Lincoln Militia flank 
 companies, with other volunteers from the Sedentary Militia. Lieut.- 
 Col. Johnson Butler of the 4th Lincoln, with a detachment of the 
 light company of the 41st under Lieut. Mclntire, together with a 
 portion of the 1st and 4th Lincoln flank companies joined the forces 
 awaiting them at Vrooman's Battery. 
 
 They marched at once in a circuitous route through the fields 
 and ascended the mountain at the lime kiln between Queenston and 
 St. David's and joined their associates in arms under the Hon. 
 Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Clark, when the whole advanced under the 
 command of General Sheaffe upon the enemy's position in front. 
 
9 
 
 When within the proper range a deafening yell was heard, a 
 deadly volley poured in and a charge made at double quick time 
 upon the enemy which drove them over the heights to the water's 
 edge and some of them found a watery grave in attempting to 
 swim the river. 
 
 Soon after appeared Colonel Scott at the head of his regulars, 
 prisoners of war, as also General Wadsworth at the head of the 
 United States [Militia] in like condition. 
 
 (Prom MSS. Memoirs iu possession of Dr. Clark, St. Catharines, Ont.) 
 
 I/ieut. Patrick McDonogh, 2nd U. 8. Artillery, to his sister. 
 
 Camp, Lewiston, October 16th, 1812. 
 
 Half an hour before day the troops crossed (composed princi- 
 pally of militia and about 600 regulars) under a very heavy tire 
 from the enemy's batteries of red hot shell, grape and round shot. 
 In less than two hours the two batteries were taken and their 
 troops retreated in all directions, leaving us in complete possession 
 of the hill and landing A skirmishing ensued, which lasted until 
 two o'clock, the Englishmen dropping in all quarters, but after col- 
 lecting their forces for seven miles around they brought a strong 
 reinforcement of English and Indians, and from that moment the 
 scene began to change, although obstinately contested by our men, 
 who fought like heroes but without regularit}'^ or order, being 
 entirely conducted bv militia officers. Major General Van Reus- 
 
 ■/ft/ «.' 
 
 selaer, who ordered the attack, for certainly there was no plan in 
 ther^ being not even boats provided to take us over, is a general of 
 this State, and I believe wished to have the merit of doing as much 
 mischief as he could without the assistance or advice of an officer 
 or private of the regular army. It was with difficulty that we 
 could procure permission to partake in it. General Smyth and his 
 brigade were on their way to this place — his brigade consisting of 
 twelve hundred fine men — when he (Van R.) sent an express with 
 orders for him to return, when two or three hundred regulars at 
 furthest, more than we had, would have decided in our favor and 
 prevented our brave soldiers from being made prisoners. The 
 militia whilst in action fought bravely, but they would leave it 
 when they thought proper and could not be prevailed on to return. 
 Out of 600 regulars there are not more than 250 that are not killed 
 or wounded and 130 are prisoners. Our colonel is a prisoner. 
 Lieut. Roach is slightly wounded through the arm by a rifle ball, 
 and none of our men dangerously. Major Mullany is a prisoner. 
 When the troops surrendered he hid himself in the rocks for a day, 
 but the English sent two officers and two officers that were prison- 
 
10 
 
 era and a strong guard to prevent the Indians from scalping those 
 that were scattered, which they were busily engaged in doing when 
 the major with six privates gave himself up. He behaved very well 
 during the action. The English have lost most of their officers. 
 General Brock is killed and his aid, McDonald of Detroit, mortally 
 wounded ; the 49th Regiment, half their choicest men that they 
 boasted so much of, cut to pieces ; of two fine companies of grena- 
 diers not a man left and a great many Indians killed. They can 
 say that they defeated us, but they have no more to boast of. You 
 may guess that they were well pinched. The battle ended between 
 four and five P. M.; fifteen minutes later a flag of truce arrived, 
 requesting a cessation of hostilities for three days. It was granted 
 and will terminate to-day. 
 
 General Smyth's brigade arrived here yesterday ; the Major- 
 General has given up the command here to the Brigadier and will, 
 I am in hopes, return to civil life. I think that in a few days we 
 will make them look about them, and I hope to direct my next 
 from Canada. This is a very poor country — miserable roads and 
 nothing to be had for love or money. The land opposite is very 
 inviting, it looks well and I understand they live well. The river 
 
 between us is not wider than the Schuylkill. ♦ ♦ » ♦ 
 
 ♦ «*««« m * * 
 
 I close expecting to be in action shortly. They have received a 
 reinforcement opposite ; we hear a heavy firing from the forts, 7 
 miles distant. Direct to Fort Niagara or near it. 
 
 (From advance sheets of Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of 
 Philadelphia.) 
 
 (From the Kingfston Gazette, Kingston, (Uppei: Canada,) Vol. II, 
 No. 48, Saturday, October 31, 1812.) 
 
 (Printed and published by Stephen Miles, a few doors east of Walker's Hotel.) 
 
 Mr. Editor, if you have room in your Gazette for the enclosed 
 very interesting letter it cannot fail to be highi}^ acceptable to the 
 public. A Subscriber. 
 
 Brown's Point, October 14, 1812. 
 
 My Dear Sir : 
 
 The affair of yesterday terminated so gloriously for this Prov- 
 ince and does so much honor to its spirited defenders that I hasten 
 to give an account of it to you, whom I know to be most warmly 
 interested in the success of the present contest. 
 
 Few things occurred either of general moment or of peculiar 
 interest which I had not an opportunity of observing, and what I 
 
11 
 
 did see, from its novelty, its horror and the anxiety it occasioned 
 made so great an impression on my mind that I have the picture 
 of it all fresh and perfect in my imagination and am anxious to 
 detail the particulars to \'ou, because I know your heart will glow 
 with fervor at our success, while it feelingly and sincerel}' laments 
 the price at which it was purchased. 
 
 About half an hour before daylight yesterday morning (Tues- 
 day, the 13th of October,) being stationed at one of the batteries 
 between Fort George and Queenston, I heard a heavy cannonade 
 from Fort Grey, situated on the height of the mountain on the 
 American side and commanding the town of Queenston. The 
 motions of the ene.ny had for a few days before indicated an 
 intention to attack and the launching of boats and incessant activit}'^ 
 generally on the other side occasioned .suspicions which called for 
 the utmost vigilance and precaution. The lines had been ^vatched 
 with all the care and attention which the extent of our force 
 rendere<l possible, and such was the fatigue our men underwent 
 from want of rest and exposure to the inclement weather which 
 had just precedetl, that they welcomed with joy the prospect of a 
 field, which they thought would be decisive or allow them at least 
 some leisure for the future. Their spirits were high and their con- 
 fidence in the General unbounded. They despaired not of the 
 event. From our battery at Brown's Point, about two miles from 
 Queenston, we had the whole scene most completely in our view. 
 The sight was awful and solemn. Day was just glimmering. The 
 cannon from both sides roared incessantly, shells were Vmrsting in 
 the air and the side of the mountain above Queenston was 
 illumined by the continual discharge of small arm.s. This last cir- 
 cumstance convinced us that some of the enemj'^ hiv\ landed and in 
 a few moments, as day advanced and objects became more visible, 
 we saw a number of Americans in boats attempting to land upon 
 our shore, amidst a tremendous shower of shot of all descriptions, 
 which was skilfully and incessantly levelled at them. No orders 
 had been given to Capt. Cameron, who commanded our detachment 
 of York Militia, what conduct to pursue in case of an attack at 
 Queenston, and as it had been suc^gested to him that in the event of 
 a landing being attempted there the enemy would probably en- 
 deavor by various attacks to distract our force, he hesitated at first 
 as to the propriety of withdrawing his men from the station 
 assigned them to defend. He soon saw, however, that every ex- 
 ertion was required in aid of the troops engaged above us and 
 without farther delay marched us to the scene of action. On our 
 road General Brock passed us. He had galloped from Niagara 
 unaccompaied by his aide-de-camp or a single attendant. He 
 
12 
 
 waved his hand to us, desired us to follow with expedition and 
 proceeded with all speed to the mountain. Lieut -Col. McDonell 
 and Capt. Glegg passed immediately after. 
 
 At the time the enemy bejjan to cross there were but two com- 
 panies of the 49th Regiment, the Grenadiers and Light Company 
 and, I believe, three small companies of militia to oppose them. 
 Their reception was such as did honor to the courage and manage- 
 ment of our troops. The grape shot and musquet balls poured up- 
 on them at close quarters as they approached the shore made 
 incredible havoc. A single discharge of grape from a brass six- 
 pounder, directed by Captain Dennis of the 49th Grenadiers, 
 destroyed 15 in one boat. Three of the batteaux landed at the 
 hollow below Mr. Hamilton's garden at Queenston, and were met by 
 a party of militia and a few regulars, who slaughtered almost the 
 whole of them, taking the rest prisoners. Several other boats were 
 so shattered and disabled that the men in them threw down their 
 arms and came on shore merely to deliver themselves up as 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 Thus far things had proceeded successfully, and the General on 
 his approach to the mountain was greeted with the intelligence that 
 all our villainous aggressors were killed or taken. As we advanced 
 with our company we met troops of Americans on their way to 
 Fort George under guard, and the road was lined with miserable 
 wretches suffering under wounds of all descriptions and crawling 
 to our houses for protection and comfort. The spectacle struck us. 
 who were unused to such scenes, with horror, but we hurried to the 
 mountain impressed with the idea that the enemy's attempt was 
 already frustrated and the business of the day nearly completed. 
 Another brigade of four boats was just then crossing and the 49th 
 light company, who had been stationed on the mountain, were 
 ordered down to assist in preventing their landing. No sooner 
 had they descended than the enem}^ appeared in force above them. 
 They had probably landed before the rest, while it was yet dark, 
 and had remained concealed by the rough crags of the mountain. 
 They possessed themselves of our battery on the height. General 
 Brock rushed up the mountain on foot with some troops to dislodge 
 them, but they were so advantageously posted and kept up so 
 tremendous a fire that the small number ascending were driven 
 back. The General then rallied and was proceeding up the right of 
 the mountain to attack them in flank when he received a ball in 
 his breast. Several of the 49th assembled round him — one poor 
 fellow was severed in the middle by a ball and fell across the 
 General. They succeeded, however, in conveying his body to 
 Queenston. Just at this instant we came up. We were halted a 
 
13 
 
 few moments in Mr. Hamilton's j^arden, where we were exposed to 
 the shot from the American battery at Fort Grey and from several 
 field pieces direct 7 opposite to ua, besides an incessant and dis- 
 orGdrly fire of musquetry from the sides of the mountain. One of 
 our men had his log shot ofi" in the ranks by a cannon ball, which 
 carried away the calf of another poor fellow's leg. In a few minutes 
 we were ordered to advance to the mountain. The nature of the 
 ground and the galling fire prevented any kind of order in as .end- 
 ing. We soon scrambled to the top at the right of the battery 
 winch the Americans had gained and were in some measure covered 
 by the woods. There we stood, and gathering the men as they 
 advanced formed them into line. The tire was too hot to admit of 
 delay. Scarcely more that 50 were collected, about 30 of whom 
 were of our company headed by Capt. Cameron, and the remainder 
 of the 49th light company commanded by Capt. Williams. Lieut.- 
 Colonel McDonell was there, mounted, and animating the men to 
 charge, seconded with great spirit and valor by Capt. Williams, 
 who exclaimed, "Feel firmly to the right, my lads; advance steadily; 
 charge them home and they cannot stand you." But the attempt 
 was unsuccessful, and must have been dictated rather by a fond hope 
 of regaining what had been lost by a desperate effort, than by any 
 conviction of its practicability. The enemy were just in front, covered 
 by bushes and logs, were in no kind of order and were three or four 
 hundred in number. They perceived us forming and at about 30 
 yards distance fired. Lieut.-Colonel McDonell, who was on the left 
 of our party most heroically calling upon us to advance, received a 
 shot in his body and fell — his horse was at the same instant killed. 
 I cannot recall niy feelings at the moment. Capt. Williams, who 
 was at the other extremity of our little band, fell the next nioment, 
 apparently dead. The remainder of our men advanced a few 
 paces, discharged their pieces and retired down the mountain. 
 Lieutenant McLean was wounded in the thigh, and Capt. Cameron 
 in his attempt to save Col. McDonell exposed himself to a shower 
 of musquetry, which he most miraculously escaped. He succeeded 
 in bearing off his friend, and Capt. Williams recovered from the 
 momentary effect of the wound in his head in time to escape down 
 the mountain. This happened, I think, about ten o'clock. 
 
 Our forces rallied about a mile below. Gen. Sheaffe, with the 
 41st from Fort George, nearly 300 in number, came up soon after 
 with the field-pieces of the Car Brigade. All the force that could 
 be collected was now mustered and we marched through the fields 
 back of Queenston, ascended the mountain on the right and re- 
 mained in the woods in rear of the enemy till intelligence was 
 gained of their position. During this time the Americans were 
 
14 
 
 landing fresh troops unmolested and carrying back their dead and 
 wounded in their return boats. About 8 o'clock P. M., General 
 Sheaffe advanced throuirh the woods towards the battery on the 
 mountain with the main body (composed of the 4l8t and the 
 Niagara Militia Flank Companies, with the field pieces,) on the 
 right. The Mohawk Indians and a Niagara company of Blacks 
 
 f)roceeded along the brow of the mountain on the left, and the 
 ight company of the 49th with our company of militia broke 
 through the centre. In this manner we rushed through the woods 
 to the encamping ground on the mountain, which the enemy then 
 occupied, and which had been the scene of their morning's success. 
 The Indians were the first in advance. As soon as they perceived 
 the enemy they uttered their terrible war-whoop, and rushing 
 rapidl}' upon them commenced a most destructive fire. Our troops 
 instantly sprung forward from all quarters, joining in the shout. 
 The Americans gave a volley, then retreated tumultuously and fled 
 by hundreds down the mountain. At that moment Capt. Bullock, 
 with 150 of the 41st and two flank companies of militia, appeared 
 advancing on the road from Chippawa. Tlie consternation of the 
 enemy was complete. Though double in number they stopped not 
 to withstand their pursuers, but fled with the utmost precipitation. 
 Never were men more miserably situated — they had no place to 
 retreat to, and were driven by a furious and avenging enemy, from 
 whom they had little mercy to expect, to the brink of the mountain 
 which overhangs the river. They fell in numbers — the rivei pre- 
 sented a horrid spectacle, filled with poor •< retches who plunged 
 into its stream from the impulse of fear, with scarcely the hope or 
 probability of being saved. Many leaped down the ^'ide of the 
 mountain to avoid the horrors which pressed upon them and were 
 dashed in pieces by the fall. The fire from the American battf^ries 
 ceased. Two officers were now observed coming up the hill w^ith 
 a white flag, and with some difficulty the slaughter was suspended. 
 They were conducted up the mountain to Gen. SheaflTe. A cessation 
 of hostilities for three days was asked for and assented to — Gen. 
 Sheaffe very properly and considerately insisted upon the immediate 
 destruction of their boats, which they permitted. 
 
 Thus about 4 o'clock P. M. ended the business of this day, so 
 important and so interesting in its occurrences to the inhabi- 
 tants of this Province. The invasion of our peaceful shores by its 
 unprincipled and insidious neighbors has terminated in the entire 
 loss of their army with everything brought over, not excepting 
 their standard with the very modest device of the "Eagle Perched 
 upon the Globe." The exact number of Americans landed cannot 
 be ea«ily ascertained by us, but we know that we have taken more 
 
16 
 
 than 900 prisoners with 60 of the?i' officers, probably their Viravest 
 and their beat, and that, except tiia poor wounded men who were 
 carried over in lioats while they retained possession of the moun- 
 tain, Bcarce a man has straggled back to relate to his country the 
 disastrous event of an expedition planned by their unrighteous 
 government to destioy our unoffending, and as they hoped defence- 
 less. Province. Never was an infernal and unprovoked and unjust 
 attempt at plunder and oppression more completely frustrated, and 
 the view of dead bodies which strewed the ground, and the 
 mangled carcasses of poor wounded suffering mortals who filled 
 every room in the village, while it rent the heart and provoked the 
 execration of their measures and those men that led the deluded 
 wretches to their ruin, afforded a proud, a just and an honest exul- 
 tation that the hallowed cause of our country had so gloriously 
 prevailed. 
 
 Still, we have much to sorrow for. Our country has a loss to 
 deplore which the most brilliant success cannot fully atone for, and 
 private feelings will have received wounds which even time tho' it 
 may soothe can never heal. The General, who had led our little 
 army to victory, whose soul was wrapped up in our prosperity, and 
 whose every energy was directed to our defence, is now shrouded 
 in the grave. Brave to admiration and entertaining no idea but of 
 conquering in so sacred a cause, he met the fate which he dis- 
 dained to shun and ended a life which was an honor to his pro- 
 fession by a death which must ever be its glory. Who will not 
 sympathize in another misfortune nearly related to the former, 
 though of a nature more deeply interesting because it affects our 
 nearer and more kindly feelings ? I mean the death of Lieut.-Col. 
 McDonell. This heroic young man, the constant attendant of the 
 General, after his fall strove to support to the last a cause which 
 should never be despaired of, because it involved in its event the 
 very salvation of his country. But he was not reserved to witness 
 its triumph. I have mentioned the manner of his death. His 
 career was short but honorable, his end was premature but full of 
 glory. He will be buried at the same time with the General. The 
 tears of every lover of his country will honor their fate, and never 
 can their memory be too much venerated. Our company of volun- 
 teers suffered considerably. One man was killed and eleven 
 wounded, some of them very badly. But all these, tho' melancholy 
 circumstances, are the inevitable consequences of war, and grateful 
 should this Province be to Heaven if by a sacrifice of some of its 
 gallant defenders it can save itself from unjust aggression and 
 preserve to our Mother Country a possession which has been ever 
 the object of her affection and will soon contribute eminently to her 
 
16 
 
 prosperity. The cause of our enemies has received a deadly shock. 
 They have lost a great number of their regular troops. Their 
 uiiliLia were unwilling to partake in the enterprise, and it cannot be 
 supposed that they will hereafter be nioni forward in a cause 
 which was ever repugnant to their feelings, and which they now 
 find to be as big with danger as it is hostile to every principle of 
 humanity and right. They have besides lost some of their leading 
 officers. Col. V^an Rensselaer, who commanded the expedition, was 
 woundeil in the boats and obliged to return. General Wadsworth, 
 who succeeded him, is taken by us with several others of their 
 field officers. All the arms they brought over have fallen into our 
 hands. We, on the contrary, except in the calamitous instances I 
 have mentioned, are not at all impaired in the means of defence 
 against a similar invasion. The lo.ss on our part was providentially 
 small. Only twenty men have fallen in a contest in which four 
 hundred of the enemy unquestionably perished. Our troops will 
 have received fresh courage from their victory, and the cool tho' 
 determined and vigorous conduct of General Sheatfe and the gallant 
 behaviour and spirited exertions of the officers under his command 
 on that occasion claim from us every confidence in the anticipation 
 of the future. 
 
 (Prom a copy in possession of Lt.-Col. Q. Villiers Turner, Reading, England.) 
 
 I/ient. Patrick McDonosh, ^d U. S. Artillery, to — 
 
 Black Rock, Nov. 13th, 1812. 
 
 Here we are, sometimes in grand spirits at others in the dumps ; 
 when there are any signs of crossing we are cheerful, but the 
 thought of passing a dull winter on the banks of the river brings 
 down the lip. Since my last the infantry were ordered to build 
 huts to quarter in. After they had pitched upon the ground and 
 some companies had struck their tents to march to it, an express 
 arrived from General Dearl»orn or the Secretary of War which 
 caused the order to be countermanded, and General Smyth in an 
 address to the men of the State of New York says that in a few 
 days we shall plant the American standard in Canada, that we will 
 conquer or die, and that no savages shall cross to tarnish our 
 ungathered laurels by ruthless deeds. Before this reaches you it 
 will be in the Philadelphia newspapers. There was an order issued 
 yesterday that the officers should dre-ss as much like the men as 
 possible, so that they could not be distinguished from them at 150 
 paces, and that the soldiers should be drilled in squatting or lying 
 
17 
 
 down and loading their nieces. There are from 1,500 to 2,000 
 drafted militia connnj( on from Pennsylvania, 200 of which they 
 say are riflemen, and that they will all cross. They are within two 
 or three days nmrch of here. After they get a few days drilling 
 we may expect to move. It has been snowing lightly for the past 
 three days, but the bottom not being good the snow has not 
 remained any depth on the ground. 
 
 P. S. — Roach is getting niuch stronger ; he sits up part of the 
 day. Major Mullauy is still here and says he will remain until we 
 get the town-major opposite to exchange for him. 
 
 14th — I open my letter to mention the probable time the 
 armistice will cease. I have just received orders to go to Niagara 
 with twenty men for the purpose of bringing up all the ammuni- 
 tion and camp equipage there and to have them here by the 20th, 
 when you may expect hostile operations will begin. 
 
 (Prom advance sheets of the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of 
 Philadelphia.; 
 
 (Brig. Major l^vans?) to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 Fort George, 4th Dec, 1812. 
 My Dear Sir : — 
 
 I embrace a leisure moment to detail to you a few of the mili- 
 tary occurrences which have taken place on our frontier. Previous 
 to the 19th ulto. nothing worth recital took place. On that day 
 the termination of the armistice was notified to us. A land enter- 
 prise had been contemplated whenever that event should happen, 
 embracing the destruction of the battery opposite our fort, that of 
 the contiguous houses affording shelter for their troops, and if prac- 
 ticable to attempt the capture of the fort, debouching by the Four 
 Mile Creek, destroying the boats and depots established there, and 
 finally returning by the lake by means of the Prince Regent and 
 boats to have been stationed within pistol shot of the shore. This 
 movement was to have been favored by a brisk cannonade on the 
 fort of Niagara. For some reason or other the General abandoned 
 the land enterprise and confined himself to the cannonade in which 
 the enemy are stated to have lost one officer, and 10 killed and be- 
 tween 20 and 30 wounded. Ours was a half- pay officer and a 
 soldier of the 49th killed and sotne trifling wounds. Outbuildings 
 were consumed and the mess-house of the 4l8t. The town has 
 sustained considerable injury. The houses most damaged are those 
 of Mr. Symington, Mr. Forsyth and the one in which I live. The 
 enemy has been particularly uncivil to me, having destroyed almost 
 
18 
 
 everythinjr in tny quarters and my epaulettes stolen from my coat, 
 and my bed was scarcely to be discovered, such was the ruin and 
 destruction of everything around it. From that moutent our toils 
 arul privations have been excessive. The dantjers of the Held have 
 been nothing to what we have suffered. Scarcely an hour's rest 
 an\' ni^ht, without any lonp^er a sinj»;lc establishment for even a 
 breakfast At two in the morninij of the 28tli the enemy landed 
 above Grand Island in 14 Vjoats, each containint^ from Ji4 to 40 of 
 their chosen troops and rowed by their desperate [sailors] ? They 
 were timely opposed by the field artillery which did nnich execu- 
 tion previous to their landin^^ but by some mistake or other 
 unaccountable cause the proportion of the 49th stationed for the 
 defence of the batteries did not do all that was reasonably expected 
 of them. The batteries were in consequence carried, the guns 
 spiked and the field artillery disabled. Poor Kintr will, I fear, lose 
 his leg. Lamont [isj wounded in five places, but expected to 
 recover: some ofticer-s of the militia wounded aiici about 80 killed, 
 wounded or prisoners; 8G of the militia and 49th gave themselves 
 up as pri.souers to the enemy. King is a prisoner. Our estinia- 
 tion of the enemy's loss is from 100 to 120, of whom about 40 are 
 prisoners, including their great character, Captain King, General 
 .Smyth's A. D. C. The latter surrendered on reinforcements arriv- 
 ing ; the others got off after burning many houses. Some hours 
 after a second division of eighteen boats approached our shore, but on 
 Col. Bishopp's appearance he eavSily repulsed them. From that 
 perio(J nothing but indications of crossing by the enemy. Of course 
 you may imagine our anxiety and fatigue. Yesterday we received 
 the most gratifying intelligence corroborated from many quarters. 
 The enemy had 6,000 men and 118 boats. Their failure had excited 
 such disgu.st that General Smyth had been repeatedly fired at, the 
 belt of his A. D. C. shot off. The militia had expended all their 
 ammunition, disembodied themselves and marched home. The 
 regulars were dying upwards of ten a day, and the sickness increas- 
 ing. Had I time I would transcribe Smyth's proclamation. It 
 beats Hull's for falsehood. He openly declares that the British 
 were bringing the savages to butcher their women and children, 
 and offers a reward of 40 dollars for the spoils of every one who 
 shall be killed. It is impudent and infamous throughout. We are 
 still on the alert, prepared for whatever may happen. We have 
 accounts from above. The enemy still at Fort Defiance. Young 
 Elliott, the lawyer, and an Indian chief w^ere killed in recon- 
 noitering. 
 
 Poor old Major Campbell was buried yesterday ; he was fairl}'^ 
 worried and died of cold and anxiety. 
 
19 
 
 We are all in spirits here. Myers and Bisshopp are looked up 
 to from all (|narterH. The former commands the rijjfht of the line. 
 It is ill ^^)0(l hands. Our disposition and arran/j^ements have of 
 course had a complete change and our main strength now lies above 
 Chippavva. Fort Erie has been summoned by General Smyth in 
 presence of G.OOO of his troops embarke«l in their boats. A sure 
 proof this of irresolution. You may imagine the answer returned. 
 
 On the night of the 28th, alter having roile at least 70 miles 
 during the day, and arranging our new line, I ha<l the misfortune 
 to sprain my ancle and wrist by my horse galloping in the darkness 
 of the night against a wood fence. They have not, however, been 
 sufficiently severe to cause a moment's confinement, nor have I 
 since that period had my clothes off' for two hours together. You 
 may imagine I auj now anxious to see my family, and I believe it is 
 expected I should immediately descend, but as I have not yet 
 abandoned this line for a single minute it would grieve me much 
 nt such a crisis to be taken away. Nothing but a positive injunc- 
 tion from headquarters shall compel me thereto. 
 
 (Prom MS. in possession of George Murray Jarvis, Esq.. Ottawa.) 
 
 I/ieut. Patrick McDonogh to his Parents. 
 
 WiLLiAMsviLLE, December 12th, 1812. 
 
 We are now encamped in the woods, building 
 huts which we expect to get into by the middle of next month. It 
 is rather late in the season to be in tents. We have a very hand- 
 some situation on Eleven Mile creek. The place is called after its 
 owner, a Colonel Williams of New York. I hear he contemplated 
 building his house next spring on the very ground on which we are 
 building, and desired that not a piece of timber should be cut. as he 
 wished it entirely shaded, but I can promise him that by that time 
 there will not be a sapling standing within a mile of it. We 
 marched from Black Rock to this place on the 11th inst. You 
 have heard ere this of the duel that took place on the 12th between 
 Generals Smyth and Porter, and the latter's statement of facts. 
 General S. has left here on furlough. Col. Porter of the Light 
 Artillery commands in his absence, and as we are eleven miles from 
 the enemy everything is quiet. 
 
 (Prom advance sheets of the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of 
 Philadelphia.) 
 
20 
 
 Mfljor>General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 FoHT George, 20th Dec., 1812. 
 My Dear Friend : — 
 
 I have acted on your suggestion regarding the alleged combin- 
 ation, having written, or rather directed a letter to be written, to the 
 Acting Attorney General to take the necessary steps, and desired 
 him to show it to you that it may be ascertained tnat all is right 
 and according to law, for I really have so much to do that I cannot 
 do anything well. 
 
 1 have answered the chairman's letter accompanying the plan, 
 which cannot be too highly extolled. 
 
 I have sent a copy to Col. Talbot and an express is going to 
 Amh[erstburg] by which I shall also send one, and more if I can. 
 I presume that it is in print by this time. I put my name down 
 for £200, Lt.-Col. Bisshopp, £100 — further I have not yet had a 
 report. 
 
 The persons of the sect alluded to and who reside near this are 
 not yet or the association, at least so says T. Dickson, whom I have 
 put on enquiry. I have received several letters from Mrs. S., tell 
 Mrs. P., and to one a postscript from Miss S. dated 3rd Dec. 
 
 I send to Mr. McMahon a form of prayer and thanksgiving I 
 have received from the Lord Bishop of Quebec, which I am desirous 
 of disseminating for the use of our churches in this Province. 
 
 Major Clerk goes to New York to act there in the Q. M. G. 
 Dept. He is a worthy man and a pleasant one withal when known, 
 and much esteemed in the Regt. I have cut a finger and can 
 scarce^y write as legibly as yourself. 
 
 Some of the enemy's troops are said to have been moved back 
 to Batavia, and 8 or 10 to be buried daily at Buffalo. B[rigadier] 
 G[oneral] Smyth is reported to have declared that he would be 
 either in Canada or in Hell on Xmas day. He may be fortunate 
 enough to escape both. 
 
 Adieu — with thanks for your friendly hints, the benefit of 
 which I trust will never be withheld. 
 
 (From MS. in poaseHsion of George Murray Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
Cotnmftttdlng Officers of KUltia Reylinenta In Upper Canada in 
 
 Z813. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Glengarry — Lieut-Col. McMillan. 
 
 2tl Regiment, Glengarry — Lieut-Col. Macdonell. 
 
 iHt Regiment, Preecott — Lieut-Col. Fortune. 
 
 lat Regiment, Grenville — Colonel Wm. Fraser. 
 
 2d Regiment, Grenville — Lieut-Col. Burritt 
 
 Ist Regiment, Dundas — Lieut-Col. Thomas Fraser. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Leeds — Lieut-Col. Sherwood. 
 
 2d Regiment, Leeds — Colonel Stone. 
 
 lat Regiment, Frontenjic — Hon. Colonel Cartwright 
 
 Ist Regiment, Addington — Colonel Wm. Johnston. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Prince Edward — Colonel Archibald McDonell. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Lennox — Major Crawford. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Hjistings — Colonel Ferguson. 
 
 1st Regiment, Northumberland — Lieut-Col. Peters. 
 
 1st Regiment, Durham — Lieut.-Col. Baldwin. 
 
 Ist Regiment, York — Lieut-Col. Graham. 
 
 2d Regiment, York — Lieut-Col. Beaseley. 
 
 3d Regiment, York — Lieut-Col. Chewett 
 
 1st Regiment, Lincoln — Hon. Colonel Claus. 
 
 2d Regiment, Lincoln — Lieut-Col. Clark. 
 
 3d Regiment, Lincoln — Lieut.-Col. Warren. 
 
 4th Regiment, Lincoln — Major Tenbrcxik. 
 
 6th Regiment, Lincoln — Lieut-Col. Bradt 
 
 Ist Regiment Norfolk — Lieut.-Col. Ryerson. 
 
 2d Regiment, Norfolk — Lieut-Col. Nichol. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Oxford — Lieut-Col. Bostwick. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Kent — Hon. Colonel Baby. 
 
 Ist Regiment, Essex — Colonel Elliott 
 
 2d Regiment, Elssex — Lieut.-Col. Baptiate Baby. 
 
 1st Regiment, Middlesex — Colonel Talbot 
 
 (Report of Loyal and Patriotic Society, pp. 50-1.) 
 
 Notes on Upper Canada. 
 
 The most beautiful section of Upper Canada is the peninsula 
 south of the river Severn, which empties into the bay of Gloucester 
 in Huron lake, and of the river Trent, which empties into Ontario 
 near Kingston. The province is denominated " Upper," because 
 the Niagara and St. Lawrence runs N. and N. E., and Lake Erie, 
 tho' but 34 miles distant, elevates its surface 250 feet above Lake 
 Ontario. 
 
22 
 
 The rivers of the peninsula are the Thames, Escartic and Grand, 
 the former running southwest into Lake St. Clair, the latter south- 
 east into Lake Erie. The Chippawa Creek empties into the Niagara 
 about three miles above the falls; the Credit empties between the 
 head of Lake Ontario and York, the Don and the Humber into 
 Ontario near York. The Thames is navigable for vessels of seventy 
 tons for nineteen miles fi*om the mouth, and for vessels of any 
 burden ten or twelve miles. Boat navigation is good to the Mills 
 at Delaware. Of these rivers the Than)es is the largest, tho' none 
 of them verj^ considerable. 
 
 Detroit (the strait) is fifty-seven chains wide at the Fort 
 Detroit and is much narrower at Maiden by occasion of an island 
 opposite that fort. The channel here is within effective musket 
 shot of the shore. 
 
 The Niagara at the garrison is wider than at Detroit — it is pro- 
 bably half a mile wide. At Black Rock a flat bottomed boat or 
 scow crosses in seven minutes. 
 
 Mountains of any importance are not seen in the peninsula. 
 An elevation which forms the Genesee Falls, the Ridge Road, 
 Queenston Heights, and terminating a little to the west of the head 
 of Ontario, about sixty-tive miles from Niagara, is emphatically 
 styled " the mountain." It presents from its brow the most exten- 
 sive vitw of the plains at its foot and of Ontario, which approaches 
 and recedes from one to seven miles from its base. From the sum- 
 mit of this mountain to Erie the country is level ; the traveller 
 meets with no hills from Niagara to Detroit, save the ravines here 
 and there formed by streams and rivulets. 
 
 The New Englander travelling west takes leave of hills ir the 
 county of Onondaga in New York State and sees no more until 
 Detroit is in his rear. 
 
 The principal roads are from Erie to Niagara, from Niagara to 
 Detroit, and Dundas Street, w^hich, commencing at the lower Fort 
 St. Lawrence and running along Ontario by its head, joins the old 
 Detroit road at Oxford on the Thames. 
 
 From Erie to the ferry opposite Black Rock is two miles, and 
 from thence to Fort George, or Newark, is thirty-five miles. The 
 road is perfectly level (excepting the easy descent at Queenston) 
 and runs upon the bank of the river (excepting from the falls to 
 Queenston) through a delightful cultivated country. Between 
 Chippawa and Erie is a small creek crossed by a bridge. 
 
 The Chippawa is a small black stream coming from a level, 
 fertile country to empty into the Niagara at the Village of Chip- 
 pawa, three miles above the falls. Ten or twelve rods above the 
 
83 
 
 bridge on the north bank is a blockhouse, manned in time of peace 
 by a sergeant's guard. 
 
 The furs and merchandise which are brought from the North- 
 west drop down to some place within a few miles of Chippawa, 
 whence they are carried to this spot and deposited. The stream of 
 the Niagara below this creek is too rapid for navigating in safety. 
 The Niagara here is two miles wide, yet there is a ferry, but the 
 ferrymen cautiously ascend the stream to the point of Navy Island, 
 half a mile above Chippawa, before they cross to Fort Schlo.sser. 
 The Chippawa, though a considerable stream, cannot effect to 
 mingle its dark waters with the pellucid current of the majestic 
 Niagara for one mile and a half. It is confined to a narrow path 
 along the shore and the line is as definite between the waters as 
 between the land and water. The passage of this creek in a hostile 
 manner, except on the ice, may be disputed. Nature opposes no 
 other obstacle in a march to Fort George by this road. 
 
 Fort George, or Newark, is approached by three roads : one from 
 Queenston ; one b}' the lake from the creek, called the Twelve, (the 
 number given to it by the surveyors;) and another bj'^ the middle 
 road through the swamp from the Ten, (another creek, so called). 
 Between Niagara and the head of Ontario are creeks called the 8, 
 10, 15, 16, 20, 30, 40 and 50. The 15, 16 and 20 form deep ravines. 
 
 No road leads directly from Erie to Detroit. One road turns 
 west from the Falls thro' Beaver Dams and the Beech Woods ; one 
 from Queenston to the mills, and one from Niagara by the lake. 
 The two last unite at the Twelve. The first joins them at the 
 Twenty. At the Forty, 30 miles from Niagara and 20 from Queens- 
 ton and the Falls, is a village, mills, &c. At the Fifty, 40 miles 
 from Niagara, the road to York inclines to the right, and seven 
 miles from thence crosses the beach which divides the head of Lake 
 Ontario from Little Lake or Burlington Bay, then turns to the 
 right for York, which is about 40 miles from the head of the lake 
 and 180 from Kingston. The Detroit road continues on from the 
 Fifty to Ancaster at the head of the lake, from thence it bears 
 south of west to Grand River, crosses the Burford Plains (eleven 
 miles wide,) and joining Dundas street or the Governor's Road, as 
 it is called, touches the Thames at Oxford. Thence it pursues its 
 course, crossing at Delaware and leads to its mouth, and so along 
 the south side of Lake St. Clair to Detroit. The road is on the left 
 bank of the Detroit level to Maiden 13 miles. 
 
 Coot's Paradise, at the head of Lake Ontario is nearly midway 
 between Kingston and the head of the St. Lawrence and Detroit, 
 being 220 miles from Kingston and 203 from Detroit. 
 
24 
 
 The distance from Niagara to this place is only 70 miles. From 
 it Detroit bears S. W., Kingston N. E., and Niagara E. S. E. 
 
 From the falls of Niagara to Detroit is 204 miles. It is the 
 same from Niagara Garrison. From Buffalo to Detroit on the south 
 or American side of Erie, 340 miles is the shortest reputed distance. 
 On the north or BritiMh side of Erie it is 277 miles. ' 
 
 From the capital in Albany to Niagara, by Tonewanta swamp, 
 is 285i miles. The distance is 10 miles leas by the Great Western 
 turnpike to Cherry Valley, and thence by turnpike to Manlius 
 Square, where it unites with the Genesee turnpike. This is the 
 route of the military express from Albany to Niagara, which pro- 
 ceeds at a rate of not less than eight miles and not exceeding ten 
 the hour. From Albany to Queenston by Cherry Valley and Tone- 
 wanta swamp is 292 miles. Of this distance 208 (to Canandaigua) 
 miles are turnpike. The remainder, save ten or twelve miles, is an 
 excellent road. Most of the road from Niagara to Detroit is also 
 excellent. The shortest practicable road from the Capitol at 
 Albany to Detroit ia therefore 530i miles ; vvi BufTalo, Presque Isle, 
 Scioto, Sandusky, Miami, &c., it amounts to 638. If you go to Buf- 
 falo and then through the Province you will add 23 miles to the 
 distance before noted. 
 
 The nulitary I'oad from Maiden to Niagara would be to retrace 
 the steps of General Brock, to wit, by water from Maiden to Long 
 Point, thence across the plains 20 miles to the village of the Six 
 Nations on Grand River, here is a bridge 3 miles above the village 
 or the river is fordable ; thence it is 28 miles to the head of Ontario, 
 6 miles of which are woods and bad travelling, the remainder plains. 
 
 In respect to population the settlements are from Erie to Fort 
 George on the Niagara, and extending up the Chippawa and west 
 of the falls through the Beaver Dama to the head of Lake Ontario. 
 The people are chiefly from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a con- 
 siderable portion from New York and some from Scotland and 
 England. A portion of these inhabitants went from the United 
 States during the revolution, but by far the greater number since 
 that period. These compose the Canadian Militia, who distin- 
 guished themselves at Detroit and Queenston as mentioned in 
 General Prevost's general order. 
 
 From York, on the bay of Toronto, the settlements extend along 
 the waters to Lower Canada, and from two to twenty back. From 
 Kingston to York about two-thirds of the inhabitants are Americans. 
 
 The settlement on Grand River, which empties into Erie, are 
 all by Americans, mostly from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, some 
 from New England and York. 
 
25 
 
 The left bank of Detroit ia settled by French Canadians. 
 
 No census has been taken in Upper Canada. On the authority 
 of Heriot's Travels it has been estimated at 80,000 in 1806. I think 
 that exceeds the real number in 1812. There were on the 20th of 
 July, 1812, on duty in Upper Canada one-third of all the militia 
 between the aj^s of sixteen and sixty, to wit at Oswcgatchie 700, 
 at Kinj^ston 500, York 450, Niagara 750, and at Maiden about 300, 
 making in the whole 2,700. Thus there are in the Province 7,100 
 militiamen or persons fit for militia duty, between the ages of 16 
 and 60. From this the number of inhabitants may be estimated. 
 Sappose one-seventh within those ages be excused from duty, or 
 1,000, this makes 8,100. Then add an ecpial number for the males 
 under sixteen and above sixty, equal to 16,200. Add afterwards an 
 equal number for the females and you will have a grand aggregate 
 of 32,400 for the whole white population. I am confident that the 
 free white inhabitants, exclusive of the army, cannot exceed 50,000. 
 
 On the 20th of July there were at Niagara 500 regulars and 
 no more, and at York 50 invalids, and at Maiden 180. In time of 
 peace there are about 300 men at Fort George, 12 at Chippawa, 20 
 at Erie and 100 at Maiden, or about a battalion in all. 
 
 The militia are all well armed with new muskets and have 
 plenty of the munitions of war. The Indians within the Peninsula 
 cannot muster more than 600 warriors. I have seen the forces of 
 the Six Nations reviewed by Col. Brandt at their annual parade on 
 the 1st da^^ of May, an<l since that period they have not increased. 
 Tlie Mohawks residing at Grand River are the most warlike. They 
 are at present chiefly directed by Norton, a native white man of the 
 lower province, who is a tolerable English scholar and well versed 
 in the English language. After having been patronised by the 
 famous Brandt, he was adopted and made a chief. 
 
 The climate of the Peninsula, particularly in the vicinity of 
 the lakes, is as mild as the vicinity of New York and Philadelphia. 
 There is little snow and the air is salubrious. Though the country 
 is very level there is little stagnant water. The waters of the lake 
 and great river are quite pellucid. The lesser streams are dark, 
 though the waters are healthy, and all abound with a great varietj'^ 
 of tish. Fears, peaches and the delicious melon are tolerated bj'^ the 
 climate somewhat above 100 miles west of Albany, and acquire more 
 and more flavor by soil and climate westward to Detroit. The left 
 bank of the Niagara is pretty well cultivated, and the soil, though 
 less fertile than the interior, yields corn and rye and from 18 to 24 
 bushels of wheat an acre. Beaver Dams, a few miles west from the 
 Falls, is better cultivated by farmers from New Jersey and Pennsyl- 
 vania, and may be known by clover fields, high fences and good 
 
26 
 
 barns of stone when the materials can be had. Here and through- 
 out the Peninsula bees succeed surprisingly. 
 
 The substratum of the plains is limestone, and gypsum, or 
 plaster of paris, is found there. 
 
 Besides fruit and wheat Upper Canada furnishes to the British 
 great stores of provisions for Quebec, Halifax and the West Indies, 
 and the greatest possible encouragement is held out for raising hemp 
 for their navy. Great stress is also laid upon the Canadians as 
 observatore upon the United States. 
 
 (From the Xational IiitelUgencer of Washington, D. C, January, 1813, probably based 
 on a Memoir by a Dr. Tiffany, a former resident of the Province, forwarded to President 
 Madison by Senator Mitchell of New York. ) 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 Fort George, 1st January, 1813. 
 
 It having become necessary that there be more frequent returns 
 made by the several regiments of militia within this Province than 
 are by law required. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe is pleased to direct that 
 during the present exigency there shall be a quarterly return of 
 each regiment, viz.: On the 24th December, 24th March, 24th June 
 and 24th September. 
 
 Officers commanding will accordingly transmit to the Adjutant- 
 General's office, with as little delay as possible, a return of their 
 respective regiments or corps, which shall be taken as for 24th 
 December last. They will be careful to insert the rank and names 
 of all their commissioned officers according to their seniority. 
 
 By order, 
 
 ^neas Shaw, 
 
 Adjutant-General Militia. ; 
 
 I/ieut. -Colonel Myers to Colonel Talbot. 
 
 . Fort George, January 2d, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — It having been determined to build for His Majesty's 
 service on Lake Erie a vessel of war to carry eighteen guns, as also 
 several gunboats, and understanding that in your vicinity there 
 may be procured some artificers who could be usefully employed 
 upon those works, I have to request that you will be pleased to 
 exert your influence to obtain as considerable a portion as may be 
 in your power of the description as in the margin, (ship-carpenters, 
 boat-builders, joiners, blacksmiths,) in order that they may be for- 
 
27 
 
 warded to Amheratburgf. You will |)lease to cause it to be explained 
 to such persona as are willing to bo thus employed, that they will 
 receive the same pay, &c., as was given to the several classes of 
 those who were employed in building the Lady Prevost, or at the 
 rates given to those now employed in similar work at York and 
 Kingston. On this subject I have written for information, and 
 when received I will forward it to tlie Deputy-Assistant Quarter- 
 master-General at Amherstburg. The artificers must carry with 
 them, as far as possible, tools. 
 
 As it is essential that the utmost despatch should be used in 
 forwarding such artificers as can be procured to Amherstburg,. 
 and as they will proceed on the King's service it will be requisite 
 that the magistrates should give the necej-sary authority for the 
 impressment of sleighs for their conveyance, and it would be very 
 material in forwarding this measure if an intelligent militia officer 
 can be directed to take a general charge of the artificers on their 
 way up, for the purpose of assisting in procuring the necessary 
 carriage for them and defraying the expense. For this purpose he 
 will be furnished with a sum of money adequate to the probable 
 amount, and for which he would finally account with the assistant 
 commissary at Amherstburg on his arrival, to whom instructions 
 on the subject will be transmitted. 
 
 (Prom the Talbot Papers.) 
 
 Address to the York Militia. 
 VOLUNTEERS, MEN OF THE FLANK COMPANIES AND EMBODIED MILITIA : 
 
 Dr. Strachan and myself have obtained permission from your 
 officers to address you on a subject of the highest interest to the 
 militia of the Province. 
 
 When we were invaded by an army of banditti, whose sole 
 object was cowardly plunder, the gallant example of the York 
 volunteers enabled General Brock to save the Province and capture 
 General Hull and his whole army. 
 
 The good efiects of that example have been since felt through- 
 out the militia, which have never in any instance met the enemy 
 but to capture or repulse them. 
 
 The enthusiasm produced by this gallant conduct of the militia 
 has warmed every heart. Old and young men and women through- 
 out the Province are all desirous to certify their gratitude. A 
 young lady of this place proposed a subscription to afford relief to 
 the distressed families of the militia on duty. 
 
28 
 
 The happy thought was instantly pursued with eagerness. 
 One worthy minister from the pulpit invited a meeting for that 
 purpose. Among less than twenty persons who attended more than 
 fifteen hundred dollars were subscribed to be yearly. More is daily 
 added. 
 
 The president, as soon as he heard of it, gave eight hundred 
 dollars, and Colonel Bisshopp, inspector of militia, four hundred 
 dollars. It is supposed that every one not under arms will give a 
 10th to a 20th of their income. Your officers here desired to con- 
 tribute one day's pay per month to this fund, from which they will 
 derive no benefit, as it is confined to the relief of families of non- 
 commissioned officers and privates. It has been considered that the 
 desire of the York militia to set the example and take a lead in 
 everything honorable entitles them to be received, as well as their 
 officers, to contribute a day's pay per month to this fund for the 
 relief of their families. We will then form the Loyal and Patriotic 
 Society, to accept of this contribution which, we have no doubt, 
 will be unanimous. It is usual, on such applications to bodies of 
 men to take the assent of the majority as binding upon all, but we 
 are jealous of receiving an unwilling mite. Therefore, if there is a 
 man among you who is unwilling to give this small portion of his 
 pay for the relief of his neighbours we beg that he will give us his 
 name that it may be marked on the pay list. 
 
 (From MS. in Hon. Wm. D. Powell's handwriting, in possession of G. M. Jarvis, Esq., 
 
 Ottawa.) 
 
 Sir Rosier Hale Sheaffe to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 Fort George, 6th January, 1813. 
 My Dear Friend : — 
 
 I hoped to have had some printed copies of the resolutions of 
 the L[oyal] and P[atriotic] Society to distribute. We have no press 
 at work here. There is a demand for them ; they should be sent in 
 all directions. 
 
 After the arrival of the six aliens from York, a fruitless 
 attempt was made to have a communication with the other side to 
 know if they would be permitted to land, and it was afterwards 
 decided that it under the present circumstances would be highly 
 impolitic to allow the aliens to go over. I have therefore ordered 
 the passports to be suspended and for passes to be granted for resid- 
 ing without molestation during good behavior, in places named by 
 themselves, where they have usually lived and distant from the 
 line, to remain until called. A great number came before the board 
 
29 
 
 here. Some of those from York are desirous of returning, which 
 will be permitted. 
 
 Be good enough to communicate the foregoing to the members 
 of the York board. 
 
 Thank the Chief Justice for his letter. I have hardly tinie to 
 add that I am always, with affectionate devotion to you and yours, 
 
 Your faithful friend, 
 
 R. H. Sheaffe. 
 
 (From MS. in possession of George Murray Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Major Thomas ^vans to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 Private. Fort George, 6th January, 1813. 
 
 My Dear Sir : 
 
 I write a line, if only to indulge my inclination of wishing yoii 
 all very many happy returns of the New Year. 
 
 By a flag which crossed on Monday from the opposite side we 
 learn that the redoubtable General Smyth is now defending himself 
 at Washington ; Porter bellowing in Congress. A Col. Porter now 
 commands the force at Black Rock, where it appears Commodore 
 Chauncey is sojourning. A vote in Congress of 25,000 additional 
 regulars. The pay of the American army considerably increased. 
 Each maritime state building a ship of war, now stated to be upon 
 the stocks. Think you that England after all this will believe in 
 the existence of war ? 
 
 The Acasta, said to have been taken, is not, and a faint hope 
 exists that one or more of their vessels have fallen into our hands. 
 No news thro' the States from either Russia or the Peninsula, a 
 circumstance in itself ominous of the most favorable events. 
 
 My letters from below mention that had Dearborn advanced 
 three miles further with his 8,000 men not a soul of them would 
 have escaped captivity, 15,000 of our people being ready to sur- 
 round them. A packet which sailed from England latter end of 
 August anticipated the September mail. The October was expected 
 to arrive daily at Montreal, means having been taken to ensure its 
 speedy arrival overland from Halifax. 
 
 We are going on tolerably, tho' since the return of the militia 
 to their homes the duties have fallen heavily on the line in spite of 
 the arrangements and precautions taken to ease them. I pity nmch 
 the General's situation with regard to the ineflBcient state of the 
 Militia, the Barrack Department, and, I may add, even the Com- 
 missariat. These certainly are not the results of any fault in 
 General S[heaffe], tho' 1 plainly see he will have to bear the blame. 
 
I would feel sorry to attach blame to our late lamented commander, 
 whose hijrh personal merits stood recorded in almost every act of 
 his vjiluahle life, but in justice to the living I own that the two 
 former of these departments have from the commencement of the 
 war been miserably defective, without any system or arrangement 
 whatever, and I hesitate not to declare that the persons holding the 
 ost(!nsilile positions never have been nor are they now possessed of 
 the necessary information or energy to render them competent to a 
 successful and satisfactory discharge of their several duties. These 
 are not new or hasty observations, but such as have been intimated 
 to poor General B[rock] and which, as Myers can vouch, now stands 
 registered by me as not having been attended to. Indeed, my 
 d[ear] Sir, it is a melancholy truth that everything that had for its 
 object arrangement and methotl was obliged to be done by stealth. 
 Poor General Brock's high spirit would never descend to particulars, 
 trifles I may say in the abstract, but ultimately essentials. How 
 much I may with truth say is our success indebted to the foresight, 
 arrangements and decision of poor Myers. He is not a man of 
 words but acting, and too modest to make known his own deserts. 
 Never shall I forget his toils, prompted by his devotion for the ser- 
 vice, in arranging and equipping the force and providing shipping 
 V)oats, &c., for their conveyance to Amherstburg, thereby ensuring 
 the success of our enterprise, which, from the necessity of leaving 
 him here, ccmsidered a more responsible trust, his reputation had 
 nigh suffered in proportion as others of very inferior professional 
 abilities has been enhanced. 
 
 Myers is now enabled to go about, and is already active in his 
 attention to his duties. 
 
 Captain Hall arrived last evening from Amherstburg. Noth- 
 ing new except a report that Tecumseth had cut off one of the 
 enemy's parties, but few escaping. 
 
 P. S. — You would have heard that Myers does not leave this 
 line for the present. 
 
 (MS. in possession of G. M. Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, to — 
 
 Fort George, 7th January, 1813. 
 
 I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 3d yesterday, a 
 few hours after the departure of Captain Hall. Your approbation 
 of the letter gratified me nmch. I hope there will be discretion 
 enough to set the proper value on the communication which called 
 for it. I have consulted Sir G[eorge] about the formation of a new 
 
m 
 
 corps in the Province. I have taken steps for his bein^ furnished 
 witli the best infurniation that can be procured of Sacicett's Har- 
 bour, its approaches, defences, number of troops, seamen, &c., &c., 
 and of Gravelly Point, too, which is perhaps an obstacle to be 
 removed, and 's so placed as to be much in the way of a surprise. 
 I have also reminded H[is] E[xcellencyJ of the necessity of rein- 
 forcements to resist the probably augmented force of the enemy 
 and to aid in protecting our dockyards against the early attempt, 
 which no doubt will be made, to defeat our efforts for securing a 
 naval asc'Jn(ienc3^ I have besides suggested that a system may be 
 necessary for transferring the charges for disbursements on account 
 of the militia, &c., fro'n the Commissariat to tiie Province by its 
 Receiver General, i'l order to simplify and facilitate the settlement 
 of the public accounts. I have given a hint, too, of the probable 
 utility of occupying N[ew] Castle as a military post to secure to 
 ourselves the benefit of its harbour and to protect its vicinity from 
 depredations, of all of which 1 hope you will approve. 
 
 I have to despatch two officers to Amherstburg in a day or 
 two. (I hope the printed resolutions will come first.) 1 shall then 
 probably go to Fort Erie and afterwards set off for York, of which, 
 too, I am glad to find you approve. 
 
 (Prom MS. in possession of George Murray Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Major J. B. Glegg, to 
 
 Confidential. Fort George, 10th January, 1813. 
 
 My Dear Sir : — 
 
 The very inclement state of the weather during the last seven 
 days having nearly suspended all communication between our 
 respective posts must plead my excuse for so tardy an acknowledg- 
 ment of your very obliging communication of the 2d inst. Well 
 awure that my unavoidably enigmatical style in imparting what 
 seemed to me (for obvious reasons) essential for your information, 
 and which cost me so much to impart, I felt anxious to ascertain 
 the effect of my iraperfest communication, and vv^as much relieved 
 on receiving an assurance that my motives were duly appreciated. 
 It is quite impossible, my dear Sir, to give you an adequate idea 
 of my feelings since my return to this post. The experience of 
 each day has forced on my mind comparisons and contrasts which 
 have made me most sincerely regret the necessity for remaining in 
 this Province. 
 
 Had it not been for your ntention of my high-principled and 
 gallant friend, Lieut.-Col. Myers, I should not perhaps have again 
 entered upon a subject that has already occasioned me such sincere 
 
32 
 
 rejjret until the anxiously looked-for intelligence from Quebec had 
 arrived, hut finding that Captain Gray and others have not only 
 basely calumniated the character of M[ajor]-G[eneral] Sheaffe but 
 have more than insinuated an inclination on the part of Lieut.-Col. 
 Myers so prejudiced and so much at variance with the well-known 
 principles of that officer that I should consider myself guilty of the 
 most palpable act of injustice were I to remain silent. So far, my 
 dear Sir. was my very much valued friend, Lieut.-Colonel Myers, 
 from authorising such a thought of insubordination as that alluded 
 to in your letter, that upon being apprised of the discussions and 
 measures which were in contemplation in certain societies subse- 
 quent to the events of the 28th ulto. he immediately warned the 
 parties of the dangerous tendencies of their proceedings, and declared 
 his intention, (which was instantly realize<l,) of communicating the 
 whole business to Major-G[eneral] S[heafFe], and of whose subse- 
 quent decisions on the ^uoject I have reason to believe you are 
 already fully informed. I find thp.t Captain Gray's progress from 
 here to Kingston has been marked with the most persecuting 
 calumny that ever proceeded from the niouth of man. 
 
 Arriving at Kingston he has given full scope to his malignant 
 disposition, and has rendered my friend V'incent the most miserable 
 of beings. I this morning received a long confidential letter by 
 express, truly descriptive of the agonized state of his mind. He 
 relates what has reached his knowledge thro' Captain Gray, and he 
 expresses much disappointment in having been apprised of such 
 interesting information by so accidental a channel. Col. Vincent 
 goes so far as to say that if he finds from my communication, 
 (which he says may be forwarded by express,) that the honour or 
 security of this Province are in danger of being compromised he 
 will risk everything and fiy to our assistance. I mention his own 
 words to give you an idea of the impression that has been pro- 
 duced by a base and dangerous calumniator. I am at the same 
 time well aware that much dissatisfaction has been created in the 
 minds of all ranks of the militia from unavoidable privations and 
 other causes. The lack in efficiency of the majority of the militia offi- 
 cersand the staff belonging to the establishment has operated strongly 
 in paralysing the efforts of that ever willing body. The want of 
 energy and improvidence of the head of our commissariat has been 
 a subject of general complaint and animadversion. Not being in 
 any ostensible situation I cannot venture to give an opinion on the 
 accuracy of the clamor which now exists on the subject ; the whole 
 odium, however, of this complaint has alighted on the head of 
 M[ajor] G[eneral] Sheafl^e, and perhaps it is natural that it should 
 so happen, for it is obvious that unless a state of general respon- 
 
33 
 
 sibility exists somewhere the j^nind machine, either niilittiry or 
 civil, cannot lon^ he kept in succesHful progress, and if the head 
 does not occasionally observe the particular parts the whole cannot 
 be properly conducted. I am force<l to confesH that our prospects 
 are far, very far, from flattering. A general inactivity and crim- 
 inal indifference pervades our military staff', and a parsimonious and 
 ill-timed economy characterizes the self-sufficient head of the com- 
 missariat, apparently only anxious to stand w»dl in the opinion of 
 some stiipling Lord of the Treasury for his saving knowledge, he 
 has completely succeeded in drawing upon himself the odium and 
 indignation of all the gentlemen who were formerly in the habit 
 of furnishing supplies for the use of the King's service. There is 
 at this moment no fuel in the wood yard ; the posts and guards 
 making daily complaints for want of firewood, and the horses of 
 the car brigade are actually perishing, owing to a want of forage. 
 Unless some great and immediate change of system be effected I 
 feel no difficulty in anticipating a crisis which my imagination 
 reluctantly refers to. I am not aware that we are likely to witness 
 the much wished for change, and the aid held out from below is not 
 of a nature to afford any encouragement to the drooping spirits of 
 our once high-spirited militia. 
 
 Viewing all sides of the picture, I am free to confess that there 
 appears no gleam of consolation to an interested mind. The 
 feelings of a soldier are widely different from those of a citizen, and 
 are often merely local or transitory. Yours, my dear Sir, and those 
 of many others in this Province are, I am well aware, of a different 
 composition. It may be presumptuous in me offering an opinion, 
 but the confidence imposed by your flattering friendship tempts me 
 to suggest for 3'our consideration the propriety of immediately 
 ascertaining the real intentions of the Commander of the Forces 
 respecting this Province. Your danger, in my humble opinion, 
 is much too imminent to be much longer trifled with, or be dis- 
 missed by a bare hope of reinforcements being sent up from the 
 Lower Province. So impressed am I at this moment with the 
 urgency of our actual situation, and so much do I consider that your 
 future salvation depends upon your own exertions, ih&t I humbly 
 conceive it will be an act of suicide if you much longer delay asking 
 for, and indeed requiring, some explanatory information on this 
 highly interesting subject. 
 
 I cannot anticipate any security from an increase of our marine, 
 however extended, unless timely reinforcements of experienced 
 troops be sent up. 
 
 I do not find that there is any intention of affording us the 
 necessary relief which must, I should imagine, be owing to a want 
 
84 
 
 of proper application or to a total or wilful ignorance of our situ- 
 ation. Colonel Vincent informs me that he ha8 received orderH to 
 send up one company of the 49th. If the «ubject were not too 
 serious in its consequences one might be justified in laughing at the 
 ignorance and folly of such conduct. 
 
 I have long since tired your sight and patience with my volu- 
 minous and ill-digested sentiments. They are offered with all 
 deference and confidence to your superior discernment, and I feel 
 sensible you will do mo justice in considering them perfectly con- 
 fidential and proceeding from the most disintererested and honor- 
 able motives. 
 
 I would not unwillingly volunteer mj'^ services to proceed 
 immediately to the Lower Province and submit the actual state, 
 either verbally or in ' written statement, to His Excellency's con- 
 sideration, but I am not insensible of the prejudice that might 
 arise from so important a mission being entrusted to feeble hands, 
 and to an officer of such subordinate rank. If, however, such a 
 measure could receive the smallest countenance of the Commander 
 of the Forces, I would risk any consideration and should notdespair, 
 from a knowledge of his opinion already formed in my favor, of 
 rendering some service to this cruelly neglected Province. I was 
 very happy in hearing that the calumny that had been so indus- 
 triously [circulated] against the Lecturers in Yonge street was not 
 sustained. In offering my tribute to your noble efforts to sustain 
 the spirit of the militia and to excite new efforts in the defence of 
 the country, I was not aware of the conditions of your Patriotic 
 Institution. Being now instructed on this head, I most willingly 
 avail myself of your suggestion, and shall be much flattered by 
 being admitted to the room of a sitting in that Society. You will 
 therefore do me the favor of putting down my name on the list of 
 subscribers at the rate of twenty pounds per annum, for which I 
 will give an order on Montreal at a moment's warning. 
 
 I hear that M[ajorj-G[eneral] S[heafFe] intends paying York a 
 visit in the course of a few days, but I should imagine this will 
 very much depend upon the expected communication from below, 
 and the appearances that may be exhibited along the enemy's 
 frontier when the ice afibrds them facility for again treading upon 
 this land of promise. 
 
 I am sorry to conclude by informing you that our friend, 
 M[ajor]-G[eneral] S[heaffe], is much changed of late. There appears 
 at times an irresistible melancholy on his mind, which is very dis- 
 tressing. I have reason for knowing that his expectations from 
 below are by no means flattering. He hinted to me as much yes- 
 terday, when privately alluding to passing events. He is well 
 
36 
 
 ac(|uainted with my zeal and frieiKUhip, which I hope neither time 
 nor circumHtiinccH will ever climiniHli. I am Hometimes vain enough 
 to think that htui he cundeHcended to occuHionally ^ive mo credit 
 for my knowledge of men and mannerH in this Province he might 
 have escaped Home portion of mortification. 
 
 I beg to be most kindly remembered to all under your roof, 
 and, believe me, my dear Sir, yours most faithfully, 
 
 J. B. (iLEOO. 
 (Prom MS. In possession of Qeorge Murray Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Notes on the Conduct of Major-Oeneral R. H. Sheaffe and Major- 
 
 General Vincent. 
 
 In 1812, Major-General Sheaft'e, having succeeded to the mili- 
 tary and civil command in the Province of Upper Canada, and 
 having on the day of the disastrous fall of Majoi-General Brock on 
 the Heights of Queenston rallied the troops and captured the entire 
 invading army of the enemy, became from that moment the object 
 of env}' and jealousy. This gentlemen had the misfortune to be 
 born in New England, and although ho had been in the service 
 from ten years of age in the navy as a midshipman, and had received 
 his military education in England at Lock s Academy, where he 
 was contemporary with Sir George Prevost, then his Commander- 
 in-Chief in Canada, was obnoxious to many around him on account 
 of his birth, as inevitably tending to weaken his exertions against 
 the enemy. 
 
 This jealousy had long prevailed among the vulgar, and had 
 on his accession to the command extended to other characters, and 
 in a short time was fomenting in the minds of all ranks, not ex- 
 cepted the military. 
 
 The occasion which first afforded an opportunity for open dis- 
 play of this spirit was on the occasion of a threatened invasion 
 from Buffalo and Black Rock, when the opposite post of Fort Erie 
 was protected only by a small force of regular troops and militia. 
 
 This force was under the command of a young officer, Lieut- 
 Col. Bisahopp, who upon the approaching crisis pressed for some 
 reinforcement. 
 
 General Sheaffe was then at the Chippawa with all the force 
 he could command, barely adequate to check the invading force, 
 which, he was well aware, was destined to attack him, and would 
 not land higher up unless to destroy the bridges, so as to retard 
 the junction of the two divisions from Fort Erie and Chippawa. 
 
86 
 
 Under such circumstances General Sheaffe addressed the following 
 letter to Colonel Bisshopp : 
 
 Chippawa, Nov. 30th, 1812. 
 
 Sir, — Reinforcements cannot be spared to you ; the force here 
 is scarcely sufficient to defend this post, and the movements of the 
 enemy may be directed against this place. You do not mention 
 number of militia that has left you, but if the display of force on 
 the enemy's side has had the effect of intimidating the militia it 
 adds a strong motive to that which may have before existed for 
 relinquishing your position. Your regular force, however, to be 
 depended upon is too small to resist the force that the enemy 
 appears to be able to direct against you. It ought not to be exposed 
 incessantly ; therefore immediately consult the field officers of the 
 line and the militia on the best measures best adapted for a retreat 
 if your force be inadequate to repulse the enemy, and keeping open 
 the conmiunication, which appears to be the case ; besides, there are 
 some miles of the route between us on which the enemy may estab- 
 lish himself in force. If the motives for a retreat appear to your 
 field-officers of the line and militia sufficiently strong to justify it — 
 which you might have gathered from what I wrote before — if 
 retreat be decided upon, which I suppose will be the case, let it be 
 done with as much rapidity as may be consistent with good order 
 and as quietly as possible, leaving as little as possible to be of use 
 to the enemy that is of any importance, hut avoiding what may 
 apprise him of your design or your movement. 
 
 I have, &c., 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Bisshopp. R. H. S. 
 
 Com'g Fort Erie. Major '^ -neral. 
 
 Fort Erie, Nov. 30th, 1812. 
 
 Sir, — Lieut.-Col. Bisshopp has this evening laid before us your 
 letter of this date. 
 
 It is our unanimous opinion that the disposition of the forces 
 under his command is both able and judicious, and the best that 
 could be made. We do not, under existing circumatancevS, consider 
 retreat at all necessary, nor do we consider it as a measure which 
 ought to be looked forward to. We think that our position may 
 be defended and that a small reinforcenjent would enable us to gain 
 a decided advantage over any force the enemy has in its power to 
 bring against us. We are further of opinion that the probabilities 
 are exceedingly against the enemy's being able to establish him- 
 self between this and Chippawa, and that even in such an event we 
 
»7 
 
 have it in our power to open and preserve a communication with 
 the main body of the army. 
 
 (Sijjned) Ormsby, Chambers, Givins, 
 
 Clark, Nichol, Hatt. 
 
 This document is worthy consideration. General Sheaffe's letter 
 did not call for it, and it would have been as well for Col. Bisshopp 
 to have taken the opinion of his field officers without producing it, 
 but in such case the presumed opening would not have been afforded 
 to these heroes so directly to mark their contempt for the Com- 
 manding General. The letter was addressed to Col. Bisshopp, not 
 to his field officers, and their report should have been to him and 
 not to the General, even if had contained nothing insolent or offen- 
 sive, but then Col. Bisshopp could not have circulated [it] through 
 the country but must have confined his answer to the discretion of 
 the Major-General, whereas this offensive document was circulated 
 amongst the regulars and militia, and when coupled with a report 
 that the General had verbally suggested that it might be proper to 
 give up Fort Erie as a sop to the Americans, who were so tired of 
 the war that they only wanted tlie report of a single success to 
 withdraw. This verbal suggestion he obviously sJd in joke, and 
 [tho' not] correct, coupled with the written sanction to abandon the 
 position was circulated as the sentiments of a traitor, and gave 
 excuse for meetings and combinations against the Commanding 
 General, in which some of the militia officers took part. At one of 
 these meetings an officer of the Quartermaster-General's Depart- 
 ment, supposed to be oh a secret mission from headquarters, was so 
 impressed with what he heard that on his return to headquarters 
 he did not hesitate to declare that General Sheaffe must be removed 
 from the command the instant he (Capt. Gray) arrived at Quebec. 
 
 This declaration was made at the table of an ancient friend of 
 General Sheaffe, to whom it was instantly communicated, and at 
 the same time that friend expressed to an officer of the General's 
 staff his astonishment that himself and another, high on the staff of 
 the army, had suffered their commanding officer to remain ignorant 
 of what was passing around him, and which it was essential to his 
 honour that he should know. 
 
 General Sheaffe, so apprised by his friend at York of the 
 calumnies circulated by Captain Gray of the Q. ]M. General's Dept., 
 who reported him to be the confidential emissary of the Commander 
 of the Forces, lost no time to transmit to headquarters the com- 
 munication he had received, but it does not appear that he asked or 
 received any assistance from those about him to repel or punish the 
 slander, but the atrocious calumny, officially reported to tlie Com- 
 
38 
 
 mander-in-Chief, was shortly afterwards strongly and oflBcially 
 contradicted by the Chief of the Department to which Capt. Gray 
 belonged. This assurance was given by that chief to General 
 Sheaffe's York friend in e cculpation of himself as jointly censured 
 with another officer of the staff for cruel indifference on this 
 occasion. 
 
 When in progress to headquarters Capt. Gray repeate<i his 
 budget of slander to Colonel Vincent of the Major-General's Regi- 
 ment, second in command and his bosom friend, then at Kingston, 
 three hundred miles from the provincial headquarters. That gallant 
 officer was so shocked at the incredible reports intimated from a 
 confidential officer of the staff that he was staggered and awaited 
 only the confirmation by Major Glegg, then personally attached to 
 the Major-General, to fly at any risque to save the Province and the 
 honour of the army. 
 
 Sixteen years after these occurrences, when the subject was 
 before the Major, (now Lieut.) General and his York friend, the 
 latter, upon listening to the complaining of his friend that he was 
 neglected, chanced to say with too much warmth that the General 
 had never known the extent of the calumny that had prevailed 
 against him during his conmiand, and an observation by the General 
 seeming to doubt that extent was replied to by a declaration that 
 the nearest to him in friendship and command had been so staggered 
 as to only await confirmation from Major Glegg to supersede him 
 (the General) in his civil and military commands, and his assertion 
 being treated with contenipt as an invention, the friend offered to 
 convince him of the truth in the handwriting of General Vincent. 
 This was an error — his information was from a transcript from the 
 handwriting of that of Major Glegg. That person had been in the 
 habit of correspondence with the York friend of Major-General 
 Sheaffe, by whose desire whatever passing at headquarters, sup- 
 posed to be interesting, was through this channel communicated. 
 On occasion of the calumnies circulated by Capt. Gray, the friend 
 at York had written to Major Glegg rather reproachfully that such 
 things were not made known at once by himself or Colonel Myers, 
 (second in command,) to the party so deeply interested. The reply 
 of Major Glegg was marked "confidential" and did in fact contain 
 matter of a nature not to be disclosed, according to my construction 
 of it, and was not referred to until 1828, on the occasion stated 
 above. 
 
 I consider it a duty to myself to put General Sheaffe in posses- 
 sion of the whole correspondence, or rather communication from 
 Major Glegg, that he may decide how far I was justified in the fact 
 that Major-General Vincent was so affected by the calumny as to 
 
89 
 
 think the safety of the Province and honour of the army in danger 
 
 and to fly himself from his post to their rescue. 
 
 .'From MS. in handwriting of Hon. Wm. D. Powell in possession of O. M. Jarris, 
 Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Colonel Myers to Brigadier-General Procter. 
 
 Fort George, January 10, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — A long letter which I addressed to you on our marine 
 affairs for Lake Erie will, I hope, have reached you safely. As it 
 becomes a matter of the greatest moment to gain as accurate infor- 
 mation as possible of the preparations of the enemy as to building 
 armed vessels and boats, I request you w^ill be pleased to select 
 some intelligent inhabitant in your vicinity who would undertake 
 to proceed down the border of Lake Erie as far as in his power 
 towards buffalo, for the purpose of obtaining the information so 
 essential to our plans. It would be his object to examine at all the 
 rivers and creeks what is going forward. It would require the 
 greatest caution and circunjspection as well as secrecy in the person 
 chosen for this service. He should be one whose habits or profes- 
 sion would justify his assuming the character of a person travelling 
 on some matters of business, and to insure his attention to the 
 objects on which he is sent it will be advisable to agree with him 
 for a sum to be paid him commensurate with the distance he may 
 travel and the information he may obtain. You will be pleased to 
 communicate to me for the information of Major-General Sheaffe 
 the result of the measures proposed. 
 
 (Xiles's Weekly Register, Baltimore, January 15. 1814. Vol. V., p. 326. Alleged to 
 iiave been eaptured in General Procter's baggage on 5th October, 1813. | 
 
 From the Buffalo Gazette, i2tli January, iSx^. 
 
 PROTECTION. 
 
 Arrangements are, wo understand, in great forwardness for 
 completely guarding the coast since the lake has closed. During 
 the last week several families have removed from the country ; we 
 think their fears are groundless. We have no doubt bu*^ that we 
 shall be effectually guarded. However, it would not be inconsistent 
 with the principles of self preservation that every citizen have his 
 arms in good order,, with a supply of ammunition. 
 
 It is rumored that General Boyd has been assigned to the com- 
 mand on this frontier and may be expected on here very shortly. 
 General Boyd is a skilful warrior and a brave man ; his valor and 
 skill have been tested in battle. We hope the runior may prove 
 true. We believe, even now, he would receive the contidence of the 
 soldiery. 
 
40 
 
 Gold Friday. — On Friday last Fahrenheit's thermometer stood 
 at 12 degrees below cypher — the same degree of cold as on the 
 coldest day of last season. The coldest day of last winter was the 
 second of March. 
 
 The lake between Sturgeon and Abino points is, we believe, 
 completely and effectively closed. Between Buffalo Creek and Fort 
 Erie, owing to the rapidity of the current, there are several place 
 not yet closed. 
 
 (File in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 Prom the New Tork Statesman, February 2nd, 1813. 
 
 Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Buffalo, January 14th, 
 1813 :— 
 
 The report, as I already mentioned, of General Boyd being 
 about to assume the command of the Niagara frontier has given 
 lively hopes to the army. He, it is expected, will correct abuses 
 and relieve them from the odious conduct of a demi-brute or whim- 
 sical savage, who ought to be placed in a museum or sent into the 
 forest with the orang outang. 
 
 The lakes being frozen over, our guards are extended up and 
 down the beach, but I do not expect a visit from the British. They 
 will remain on the defensive. 
 
 Bait. Whig. 
 
 (New York Society Library.) 
 
 Sir George Frevost to J^atl Bathurst. 
 (No. 33.) 
 
 Quebec, 15th January, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 I have the honour to acquaint Your Lordship that I opened 
 the Provincial Parliament on the 29th of December, and delivered 
 to them the speech a copy of which is herewith transmitted. 
 
 I have since received from the Legislative Council and House 
 of Assembly the addresses, copies of which are also transmitted. 
 
 Nothing particular has occurred upon our frontiers since the 
 retreat of the enemy and their going into winter quarters, which 
 I had the honour of communicating to Your Lordship in my dcvS- 
 patch, No. 24, of the 28th of Novetnber last. 
 
 My attention has since that time been principally called to the 
 reinforcing, as far as my limited means would permit, of the Upper 
 Province, and forwarding thither the supplies necessary for the 
 building and equipment of the vessels to be added to the marine in 
 that Province. 
 
 A considerable proportion of the stores, &5C., have already 
 arrived there in safety, and such others as I have it in my power to 
 
41 
 
 afford are on their way and will shortly l>e transported thither. 
 But I cannot too stronfj^ly call Your Lordship's attention to the 
 necessity of complying as speedily as possible with the different 
 requisitions I have made on this subject in my former letters. 
 
 I have been under the neces.sity of providing clothing for the 
 embodied militia both of this and the Upper Province, the whole 
 of which is in a great state of forwardness, and though not alto- 
 gether of the description 1 could wish will answer the purpose of 
 putting the militia in comfortable clothing until I can receive the 
 supplies for which I have already written Your Lordship. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121. p. 2.) 
 
 Captain A. Gray to Colonel John Vincent. 
 
 Point Frederick, 16th J^nuarv, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I beg leave to acquaint you that I have this day inspected 
 the two ships of war laying in this harbor, and have the honor of 
 reporting for your information the state of those ves.sels. 
 
 I commenced my inspection with the Royal George by first 
 ordering tlie crew to be turned up and mustered, which consisted as 
 follows : 
 
 No. 
 
 Ship's company, including officers 80 
 
 Detachment of Newfoundland Regt., acting as marines 22 
 
 •^o 
 
 Total 102 
 
 Of the above number there were 23 of the seamen sick, reduc- 
 ing the total effective strengtli to 79. 
 
 The general appearance of the men bespeak the greatest want 
 of attention to cleanliness and good order. After the inspection of 
 the ship's company I directed them to be ordered to their quarters, 
 and the shots drawn and the cartridges fired off to scale the guns. 
 This operation occupied 50 minutes. Such was the state of the 
 guns. The greater part of them missed fire repeatedly in conse- 
 quence of the vents being choked up, an<] would not go off till they 
 were cleaned out W'th pricking needles and fresh primed. 
 
 I next examined the state of the vessel as to cleanliness and 
 interior economy, and found her everywhere in the most filthy 
 condition. 
 
 I next proceeded to inspect the Moira, and found her 
 
 No. 
 
 Ship's company, including officers 35 
 
 Det^tchment of the Newfoundland, acting as marines 16 
 
 Total 51 
 
42 
 
 Of the above number there were six sick, reducing the total 
 effective strength to 45. 
 
 The men, guns and state of the vessel very much resembled 
 the Royal George, or rather, the state of the Moira was bad and 
 that of the Royal Geonje worse. 
 
 As I have reason to believe that a radical reform in the Pro- 
 vincial Marine will soon take place, I do not conceive it necessary 
 to recommend any partial changes, as I have reason to believe no 
 material benefit would result to the service from such a measure. 
 This statement will, however, show the absolute necessity there is 
 of making suitable provision for the protection of these depots until 
 thev are in a condition to defend themselves. 
 
 (Canadian Archives. C. 729, pp. 28-9.) 
 
 (No. 35.) 
 
 Sir George Frevost to ^arl Bathurst. 
 
 Quebec, 16th January, 1813. 
 
 My Lopd : — 
 
 I do myself the honour to report to Your Lordship that in 
 consequence of the enemy collected on the frontier of the Canadas 
 having shewn a disposition to carry on a winter campaign, I have 
 thought it prudent to afford some additional reinforcements to the 
 Upper Province and to strengthen considerably the line of com- 
 munication between Montreal and Kingston. 
 
 These movements have induced me to furnish Lieut.-General 
 Sir J. Sherbrooke, commanding in Nova Scotia, with conditional 
 instructions to direct the march of the detachments of Royal Artil- 
 lery and the proportion of the 104th Regiment now in New Bruns- 
 wick overland immediatel}' to Quebec, and to replace the men to be 
 withdrawn from that district by a sufficient detachment of troops 
 from Halifax. • : . •; 
 
 Which arrangements, under the present circumstances of the 
 country, I hope will meet the approbation of His Royal Highness 
 the Prince Regent. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 19.) 
 
 Militia General Otder. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 Fort George, 18th January, 1813. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe is pleased to direct that the 
 flank companies which may be on duty on this frontier be, until 
 
43 
 
 further orders, relieved on the 25th day of each month, and not aa 
 directed by the General Order of the 14th Dec'r last. 
 
 By order, 
 
 iENEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General Militia. 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Adjittant General's Office, 
 Fort George, 18th January, 1813. 
 
 Thomas McCormick, Elsq., paymaster of militia, having^ signified 
 a desire to relinquish that situation, the duties of which are now 
 much diminished, John Symington, Esq., will, until further ordera,. 
 muster such of the Militia as may be stationed from Fort George to 
 Chippawa, and Samuel Street, Esq., those from Chippawa, inclusive^ 
 to Point Abino, 
 
 By order, 
 
 iENEAs Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General Militia. 
 
 Captain A. Gray to Sir Georg^e Prevost. 
 
 Kingston, 19th January, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I beg leave to submit to Your Excellency's consideration 
 what appears to me the most practicable means of effecting a 
 junction with our naval force at York, and at the same time to state 
 what may be required from below to enable me to carry into effect 
 this object as soon as the navigation is open. 
 
 I find from Colonel Bruyeres that there is no ordnance at 
 Quebec adapted to these vessels. But he is of opinion that as many 
 long 12-pounders may be collected as would enable us to arm the 
 new ship building here. If we can arm this ship, alter the Moircu 
 so as to render that ship efficient, and complete the crews and new 
 officer the whole of the ships there is every prospect of our being 
 enabled to contest the point with the enemy ; at all events we shall^ 
 by taking advantage of a fair wind, be enabled to force our way to 
 York. There are three or four merchant craft here that may be 
 armed for the occasion and afterwards returned to their owners. 
 These would serve as an auxiliary force, adapted to meet those of 
 the enemy of a similar description. 
 
 I submit these ideas as it may be possible that officers and sea- 
 men may arrive here in time to enable us to act with effect. But 
 if we are to wail till the ordnance demanded from England arrives 
 the enemy will have the uncontrolled range of the lake for the 
 whole summer, and carry into effect the invasion of this Province 
 
with the greatest ease. The 12-pounder8 coming up will make part 
 of the 20 required, as I propose detaining the 12-pounder8 here and 
 sending on the 18s to York, there being shot enough for that calibre 
 there for the present. When our junction is formed at York the 
 Prince Regent and the new ship will give us such a superiority 
 that we may act on the offensive. Till the proper ship onlnance 
 arrives we can put the 18s and such other ordnance as can be pro- 
 cured on board the new vessel building at York, so that we may be 
 enabled to act immediately, which is the main object to be kept in 
 view. 
 
 The ordnance required at Kingston to enable us to carry the 
 measure into efTect are twenty 12-pounders with their carriages and 
 side arms, (including those on their way,) and a proportion of 
 ammunition. 
 
 I have the honor of transmitting requisitions for the hulls and 
 outfit of the new vessels, those for Amherstburg having gone down 
 by Captain Hall. We have received iron sufficient to go on with 
 the hulls at present, but it is essential that the cordage for the rig- 
 ging and sailcloth should be sent up as quick as possible, while the 
 roads are good, and that we ma3' be enabled to get that part of the 
 operation ready as soon as the vessels are finished. This ship shall 
 be launched in April, and there can be no good reason for the other 
 vessel being longer on the stocks, as they have the full proportion 
 of means of every sort, I find some difficulties are raised at 
 York. I shall therefore set out for that port the moment I can get 
 away. 
 
 If the winter roads break up before we can forward all the 
 supplies required at York, which will probably be the case, (as we 
 cannot calculate upon more than a month's good travelling from 
 hence to York from this date,) they can be carried by water in the 
 ships of war when we form the junction. The first object is to get 
 everything wanted for the work sent up. 
 
 If it meets Your Excellency's approbation it would greatly 
 facilitate our operations if some sailmakers were sent along with 
 the sail-cloth, and the sails made here to be ready to bend the 
 moment the vessel is in a state to receive them. It may require 
 about 8 or 10 sail-makers, in addition to what we can pick out of 
 the ships' companies, to make the sails in the time we may require 
 them. It would also be requisite to have a man capable of direct- 
 ing and taking charge of them. A master-rigger would be wanted 
 at Kingston and another at York to superintend the outfitting of 
 the vessels. All these people may be engaged merely for this par- 
 ticular service and then dismissed. 
 
 (Canadian i^rehives, C. 729, pp. 34-40.) 
 
45 
 Sir Roget Hale Sheaffe to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 ■ Fort George, 20th January, 18111 
 
 My Dear Friend : — 
 
 I had hoped to be with you before this time but indispoHitior^ 
 has detained me here. I am to-day much better. I expect Colonel 
 Bruyerea soon and propose returning with him. I am aware my 
 presence is necessary in York on several accounts. I wish to con- 
 sult with the E[xecutive] C[ouncil] on the time for calling the 
 parliament, &c., &c. i 
 
 My last date from h[ea]d q[uarte]r8 is 3rd Jan'y, and from 
 Bruyeres, Montreal, 8th. Our recent cortimunicationa had not 
 arrived. 
 
 Lt.-Col. M[yera] has a letter from Capt. G[ray] in which he 
 asserts that he only argued on the policy, or rather impolicy, of the 
 measure proposed by me, but never uttered anything personal of 
 me as I had never given him any reason for it. Too much pub- 
 licity has been given to this matter. It is a pity that Lt.-Colonel 
 B[isshopp] did not keep my official letter to himself. It appears 
 that copies of it have multiplied. I do not approve of it myself. 
 I laboured too much to free them from responsibility if it were 
 decided to retreat. Knowing the character of those whose opinion 
 was to be taken, I took no risk of a retreat being resolved on indis- 
 creetly. 
 
 I am told that late papers are in town. The Russians are 
 stated to be successful in cutting off Bonaparte's supplies of all 
 kinds. Alexander determined not to treat. P[rince] Regent's speech 
 breathes determined spirit of resistance to the [pretensions ?] of the 
 United States. Indians under Tecumseh have cut off a party of 
 Americans by ambuscade. Evans or Glegg has probably seen the 
 papers and will give you a summary of their contents. 
 
 My letters from home are very satisfactory. I hope all at 
 vours is so. 
 
 Gratify the Chief Justice with the good news from Russia. 
 My best comp'ts to him. I would write to him but I hope to have 
 the pleasure of seeing him so soon. 
 
 (Prom MS. of G. M. Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) .. 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 
 Fort George, 20th Jan'y, 813. 
 
 Lieut. David Morgan and Ensign Peter Weaver of the : Regi- 
 ment of Lincoln, Ensign Biggar and Adjutant Newton of the 5th 
 
46 
 
 Kegiment of Lincoln, are superseded, having absented themselves 
 M'ithout leave. In not authorizing the full rigor of the law to be 
 exerciHed against those officers for the very serious offence which 
 they have committed, His Honor Major-General SheafFe is desirous 
 of its being understood that he is influenced by the high opinion he 
 entertains of the militia officers in general, with respect to whom 
 the chief motive for an example of severity to deter others from the 
 commission of similar crimes does not exist, but to guard against 
 the possibility of this lenity being, in a solitary instance, converted 
 into an encouragement for the repetition of such an offence, Major- 
 General Sheaffe is pleased to declare that if it again occur it shall 
 be proceeded against to the full extent of the penal provisions of 
 the law. 
 
 By onler, 
 
 ^NEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General, Militia. 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Fort George, 20th Jan'y, 1813. 
 
 Officers commanding corps are to send to the Adjutant-General 
 with all practicable expedition, returns of the arms, accoutrements 
 and ammunition in their possession or in store for their use, with 
 their state. Similar returns are to accompany the future quarterly 
 regimental returns. 
 
 By order, 
 
 iENEAs Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General, Militia. 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 
 Fort George, 23d JanV, 1813. 
 The report of a Court of Enquiry, held at Amherstburg on the 
 28th of December last, the assembling of which, though ordered by 
 the late Major-General Brock, was, from various causes delayed to 
 that period, having been laid before His Honor Major-General 
 Sheaffe, and it appearing that Lieutenants Alexis Laporte, Antoine 
 Bonford, Ensign Windle Wagley, Ensign Peter Scratch and Ensign 
 James Stockwell, of the 1st Regiment of Essex, Captain Pierre 
 Labute, Lieutenant Alexis Parent, of the 2d Regiment of Essex 
 Militia, did, in July last, quit their several stations without leave, 
 they are therefore superseded ; and it further appearing that Jacques 
 Parent, Polithe Janisse and William Shaw, who had been recom- 
 
47 
 
 mended by their renpective coinnmnding officers, and had only acted 
 as ensignH, not having received their comminMionH or heen appointed 
 as such, did also ahsent themselves without leave, and, havinj( there- 
 by proved themselves unworthy of the honorable situation to which 
 they had been recomniende<l, they are consecjuently not continued 
 therein but are to return to that class from whicli they will be 
 liable to be drawn to serve in the ranks of the Militia. 
 
 By order, 
 
 iENEAs Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General, Mili tia. 
 
 John Askin to Colonel William Claus, Deputy-Superintendent 
 
 General of Indian A£fair8. 
 
 MiCHlLlMACKiNAC, 24th January, 1813. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 
 On the 9th Nov. last I stated that the time for sending couriers 
 from tliis to Lake Superior would be about the middle of this 
 month, but the season having been unfavourable, so much so as to 
 prevent the crossing from the island to the mainland impossible. 
 We have been surrounded by floating ice for a length of time past, 
 and it's only two days that the crossing has been strong enough, 
 therefore in a few days I will send to that quarter. As to the 
 different tribes about the borders of Lake Michigan and this, I 
 intend to retard sending to them before I hear from you, as well as 
 those of Green Bay, Milwaukee, Prairie du Chien and Sauk's village, 
 for should they be required at Amherstburg it's much nearer to 
 those places than making this circuit. Brisbois is the Waynebago 
 interpreter and De Perrin the Sauk int[erprete]r. They ret[urne]d 
 from Detroit in November last with Langlade. As the former young 
 men are good walkers and born in that country, I intend to send 
 them to collect the tribes they belong to the moment I hear from 
 you. Those Indians along Lake Huron, from Matchedjish to La 
 Cloche, will be desired to repair to such place as you may wish 
 them, thro' Shawgayshe, who goes with the despatches. For that 
 purpose it will be necessary that you order some wampum to be 
 given him that he may make a speech and deliver the same to the 
 different chiefs as he passes on his return to this. 
 
 Per this opportunity I transmit to Ass[istant] Sup[erintendent] 
 Cameron the requisition for stores and stationery for 1814. It is 
 unnecessary. I presume, to state the reason of its being augmented. 
 The supplies required in time of war must be greater than those of 
 the peace establishment. The quantity of guns required (tho' great) 
 appears to me insufficient to meet the demand. It is well known 
 
that the TndlanH inhabitinj;^ the interior of the country always have 
 the ^un.s of thi^ir (ieceased relatioiiH HeposittMl in their graves, which 
 deprives the rlHltig generation from heiieKting Uy them, and Indians 
 do not by any mennH take that (rare of KrearniH which whites do to 
 
 E reserve them. None of the ijuns which were forwarded for this 
 y your order last spring oan»e to hand. They were all retained 
 at Amhersthurtf and jshu^mI tt) the Indians of that district. 'I'he 
 jfuns atid rities sent from tlu; ijenerai ston; at Im CAx'uui hi^t autumn 
 amounts to l>V'i, wliich isn't sutiicient to arm those who are destitute 
 of weapons, and unless a supply is sent in the spring every old 
 shattered fusee that can be found will be put into recpiisition again. 
 At the capture of this place we found V.\ Spanish fusees in the 
 Indian store, which were issued to the Indians, and th«! (piality so 
 bad that I tirndy believe there isn't ten now in their p(wsevSsion, the 
 rest having burst, and numbers of them have been wounded in 
 consequence thereof. 
 
 Previous to Mr. R. Dickson's leaving this for Lower Canada 
 he applied for a supply of go(xls and ammunition to be sent to the 
 Sauk and Ayanway Indians, under some person he wished to name, 
 and that person to make the distribution in the two villages. The 
 amount of the expenses and goods to be sent, estimated by him, 
 were from £800 to £1000 H[alifa]x Curr[enc]y, but the command- 
 ing tjfficer being apprehensive that he wasn't authorized to depart 
 from the established rules, declined to acquiesce in Mr. D's proposal, 
 and for my part I could not interfere as the command[ing] officer 
 was the person who Mr. D. had applied to, and who had martial 
 law proclaimed some time previous to that period. It appears to 
 me that Mr. Dickson was much displeased as his wishes were not 
 complied with. We haven't had any news or intelligence from 
 Green Bay or any place else, and have been shut up from every 
 communication since November last. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, M. G., XI.) 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 Fort George, 25th January, 1813. 
 
 Hia Honor Major-General Sheaffe is pleased to appoint Adju- 
 tant John Clark of the Ist Regiment of Lincoln to be Deputy- 
 Adjutant General to the Militia in this District. 
 
 By order, 
 
 ^Eneas Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General Militia, 
 
 U. C. 
 
49 
 Militia Oeneral Orders. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 FoiiT Oe()K(1E, 25th January, 1813. 
 
 His Honor Major-Oeneral Sheaffo \\ix» Wen pleaHed to make 
 the following proniotionH and appointinonts, viz, : — 
 
 8lll) llEdT., LINCOLN. 
 
 Captain John Warren to be Major, vice Warren 
 
 reHijfned 25tFi Jan'y, 1813 
 
 Lieut. John Baxter to be Captain '* " " 
 
 Lieut. William Powell to be do " 
 
 Lieut. JanieH Cuiinnin^^H to be do " " " 
 
 Lieut. John J. LafTerty to l»e do " 
 
 Adjutant Henry Trout to l)e Lieut " " " 
 
 KnHi(^n Benjamin HardiHon to be do " " " 
 
 Enai^rn William 1). Miller to be do " 
 
 Eimij^n John Putman to be do " " " 
 
 Ensign Augustus Angorto be do " " " 
 
 Hujfh Alexander, gent., to be do " " " 
 
 Osijia Boughner, gent., to be do " " " 
 
 Henry Weiahuhn, gent., to be Ensign " " " 
 
 Jacob Gonder, gent., to be do " " " 
 
 John Miller, gent, to be do " " " 
 
 John Bonner, gent, to be do " " " 
 
 George Whitehead, gent, to be do ** " " 
 
 John Hareourt, gent, to be do., vice Morgan 
 
 superseded " " " 
 
 James Thompson, gent, to be do., vice Weaver 
 
 superseded " " " 
 
 James Robinson, gent, to be Quartermaster " " " 
 
 iENEAS vShaw, 
 
 Adjutant-General Militia. 
 
 John Askin to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 January 25th, 1813. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of 
 6th inst last night, covering papers to which the utmost attention 
 will be given so soon as the present bustle is over, or (illegible) by 
 the victory we obtained at the River Raisin on Frida}'^ last The 
 official account of the number of the killed, wounded and taken 
 prisoners of the enemy, as well as our loss, will be more correct 
 than what I could give ; I therefore refer you to it. It's most 
 
50 
 
 astonishing that so jjood marksmen as the Americans are from 
 behind a stockade or other cover, in the course of an engagement 
 w'liich continued six hours, firing on our people wlio were exposed, 
 killed and wounde<l so few and we so many. Sureh'^ the hand of 
 the Almighty nnist have been lifted up for us. Of our small force 
 there must have been 500 men not in the action. The whole of the 
 Kiver Thames militia got no further than Maiden, and several of 
 the new settlements therefore not in the action. Our Canadians 
 who were could not be restrained by Col. St. George from puahing 
 forward, and Col. Procter with our regular forces began the attack 
 at so little distance that our cannon was of little use, being so near 
 that our men from the first were within musket shot of the enemy. 
 Of the militia there are only four killed, and I dare say not more 
 of the Indians, who behave<l with the utmost bravery. It wa?" 
 them who took the General, and is said to have killed some hun- 
 dred who took to flight; indeed very few escaped. You may rely 
 on it that 'vithout the Indians we never could kee\ ^is country, 
 and that with them the Americans never will take the upper posts, 
 for let them send forward as many men as they will, if we employ 
 the foreign Itidians we can have ecjual numbers, which is more than 
 is wanted, for in the woods where the Americans nmst pass one 
 Indian is equal to three white men, let the nation be what it will. 
 Lieut.-Col. Baby was ordered to take charge of Maiden, and my son 
 James and his flank company Detroit, in which there was not a 
 single regular or artilleryman left, Captain Muir excepted, who was 
 not cured of his sickness. None of our family suffered except Dr. 
 Richardson's second son, Robert, (14 years old) shot through the 
 leg. I have no less than seventeen of my family now in the ser- 
 vice: sons, grandsons, including three sons-in-law. McCormick, 
 Gordon and Garvin were wounded. The latter lost his father a 
 few days ago. 
 
 I'm very sorry indeed Tor the cause of your family grief. Such 
 men were lost on ^-Sth October as cannot be easily replaced. A 
 seeming hard, until 'v fate, yet what Providence permits must be 
 for the best, and I doubt not the brave men who fell on that day 
 are happy. 
 
 Mr. Francis Baby as a volunteer bravely assisted during the 
 action. Mr. James Baby, I understand, waited at Maiden for the 
 arrival of his Kent militia, and therefore was not in the action. 
 My grandson from Mich[ilimackinac], (now in the commissary line,) 
 deserted or went without leave and joined the Indians in the action. 
 
 Your friendship, my good Sir, makes you overrate my forti- 
 tude. Yet, as long as God gives Mrs. Askin, myself and family 
 health, I think her spirits and mine never will fail us, and although 
 
51 
 
 when the lives of our children are at risk we feel anxiety, yet we 
 would suffer much more did any of them shrink from doin^ their 
 dui-y. But, thank God, I never discovered any other fear in them 
 but that of doing wrong. Alexander is only recovered so as to be 
 able to do duty some days ago since he volunteered, (illegible) and 
 several others have died of a disease they caught on that expedi- 
 tion. I doubt if ever Captain McKee will recover; he has not yet 
 been able to get out of his house. 
 
 We fear more that t'le posts may be given up when a peace 
 takes place than anything else ; for if they are you may rely on it 
 we lose the Indians' interest and trade of this quarter, and I'm per- 
 suaded they will become hostile to the British, even should the 
 Americans not join them. The country about this and Mich[ili- 
 mackinac], which we have got possession of, the Indians consider 
 as their hunting ground, acquired by their assistance, therefore that 
 we have no right to part with them without their connivance. 
 
 Did I know of any public employment in the gift of His Hon- 
 our the President, the duties of which I could perform at my own 
 house, I would request your friendly interest to procure it for me. 
 My handwriting is as clear as it has been for twent}' years past. I 
 can read and write without spectacles, even by candlelight. How- 
 ever, though my means of living were small before the war broke 
 out and since has become less for want of hands to repair my mill 
 and others to work my distillery, yet I don't want to be a burthen 
 to our Government or require pay for doing nothing. 
 
 Mrs. Askin joins me in respectful compliments to Mrs. Powell, 
 the young la<lies and your family connections. 
 
 (From MS. in possession of G. M. Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Militia General Order. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 Fort George, 25th January, 181,'i. 
 
 As often as it may become necessary to make an application 
 for the pension authorized by an act of the Legislature of this 
 Province to the widows or children of such of the Militia as may be 
 killed, or to such men as umy be disabled in the service during the 
 present war, the application, when made in behalf of a widow, must 
 be accompanied by an affidavit of the officer who commanded the 
 company to which the husband belonged at the time of his death, 
 and when that cannot be had by that of some other commissioned 
 officer who was present, which affidavit may be in the following 
 
 words : "I, A B , do swear that B C (sergeant or 
 
 private, as the case may be,) in the Regiment of Militia was 
 
killed or died of wounds received in service against the enemy, and 
 
 in the execution of his duty on the day of 181 — , and that 
 
 to the best of my knowledge and belief C D is his widow." 
 
 This affidavit being transmitted to *he office of the Lieutenant- 
 Governor or person administering the Government of this Province 
 will place the widow on the pension list. After which her own 
 
 affidavit that she remains the widow of the said B C , 
 
 being transmitted to the office of the Receiver General on the 24ih 
 of June and 24th of December in each year, will authorize her to 
 draw on him at the expiration of each of those periods for one-half 
 of her pension. When application is made on behalf of the children, 
 there being no widow, the affidavit of the officer must substantiate 
 the death of the father as in the case of the widow, and that to the 
 best of his knowledge and belief the applicants are his children. 
 After which a half-yearly affidavit, either of one of themselves 
 
 being of age or of their guardian, that they are the childrcu of 
 
 and that the youngest has not attained the age of sixteen years, 
 must accompany the draughts on the Receiver General. 
 
 When the application is made in liehalf of a man who has been 
 disabled in the service, the affidavit of the officer substantiating the 
 fact must be accompanied by the certificate of some competent 
 surgeon that the person is actually unable to earn his livelihood. 
 After which a balf-yearly affidavit by himself, that he is the person 
 so disabled, must accompany his draughts on the Receiver General. 
 
 By order, 
 
 iENEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adjt.-General Militia. 
 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gazette, 26th January, 1813.) 
 
 MORE ABSENTEES FROM CANADA. 
 
 On Saturday last two soldiers and three subjects came across 
 Lake Erie on the ice from Canada. They state that sickness and 
 famine continue to ravage Upper Canada ; that the most rigid iron 
 despotism reigns. No person can speak his sentiments with freedom 
 in relation to the Government ; that the 41st Regiment is very 
 much reduced V»y desertion, sickness, &c. That on the memorable 
 28th of November Fort Erie was abandoned, and that Major Henry 
 Warren quitted the battery when our brave tars attacked and did 
 not return under 3 or 4 days afterwards, when he resigned. It is 
 reported he will be tried. John Warren, junior, is said to succeed 
 him. Our readers may estimate the above as they please, we give 
 the source from whence it came. 
 
 (Pile in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
53 
 
 i;ieat.-Colonel Brttyeres, R. B.* to Sir Georgre Prevost. 
 
 Fort George, 28th January, 1813. 
 
 (Bxtnoi.) 
 
 I am grieved to say that Major-General Sheaffe has been so 
 dangerously ill that it is not possible to communicate much with 
 him on public business ; he is rather better but very weak, and will 
 require time to recover. 
 
 (CiuiiMlian Archives, C. 729, p. 71.) 
 
 Irieut.-Colonel Myers to Sir Georsre Prevost. 
 
 Fort George, 30th January, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — A severe attack of illness, under which Major-General 
 Sheaffe at present labors, prevents him from writing to you, and 
 therefoi« he has directed me to transmit to Your Excellency a letter 
 (Nol 1.) received by him last night from Colonel Procter, together 
 with its enclosures marked Nas. 2, 3 and 4. The Major-General 
 has at the same time commanded me to convey to Your Excellency 
 his sincere congratulations upon the success which has attended His 
 Majesty's arms, and to add his tribute of praise to the promptitude 
 and decision of Colonel Procter on this occasion, and to the gallant 
 cooduct of the troops under his command. 
 
 Upon the arrival of the prisonere of war at this place, they 
 will be disposed of agreeably to the treaty entered into by Your 
 Excellency with General Dearborn on the 21st of November. 
 
 The light infantry company of the 41st Regiment will be forth- 
 with pushed on to Amhei*stburg. 
 
 Major-General Sheaffe has directed me to inform Your Excel- 
 lency that as Brigade-Major Evans was to proceed to his regiment 
 on his promotion and which is daily looked for, he has judged it 
 expedient to commit this despatch to his care to be by him delivered 
 to Your Excellency, and as he has had full communication with 
 Lieut^ McLean, A. D. C. to Colonel Procter, he will be able to give 
 Your Excellency every further information relating to the Colonel's 
 command. 
 
 Captain Glegg will be ordered to perform the duty of Major of 
 Brigade vice Evans, as is understood to be Your Excellency's desire. 
 
 (Caniulian Archives, C. 678.) 
 
54 
 (From the Buffalo Gazette, 2d February, 1813.) 
 
 Several deserters have crossed the lake since our last. We 
 understand that they know nothing of the victory obtained over 
 Winchester, but that on the contrary several companies have 
 recently left Fort Erie for Maiden. But little dependence can be 
 placed on the stories of deserters, when, however, they all tell the 
 same in substance, whatever they tell wears the semblance of truth. 
 Care should be taken the gentlemen deserters should not retrace 
 their steps. 
 
 On Wednesday last orders came on this place to march the U. 
 S. Volunteers, under Capt. Moore and Lieuts. Doyle and Marshall, 
 to Utica. Arrantjements were accordingly made to march the 
 Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieut. Marshall : and Albany Greens, 
 Lieut. Doyle, on Sunday last, and the Baltimore V^olunteers on 
 Monday. But in consequence of the flag on Saturday [giving an 
 account of General Winchester's defeat at the River Raisin,] the 
 orders were countermanded. The men arc again ordered to march, 
 to-morrow morning. 
 
 (File in Buflfalo Public Library.) 
 
 Memorandum of a Council held with the Chiefs of the Six Nations 
 at Buffalo, February 2d, 1813, by ^rastus Granger, 
 
 Agent, etc. 
 
 Little Billy, Speaker : 
 
 Brother-s, — Pay attention to what I say. It is the voice of 
 the Six Nations that speaks to you. I am appointed to speak. 
 
 Brother, — I feel inadequate to the task, but shall proceed. 
 We are about to reply to your talk some days since on the subject 
 of going to Washington. We are unanimous in the answer we are 
 about to give. 
 
 Brother, — Perhaps you will not be pleased with the manner 
 in which our minds are made up. We have been told that all com- 
 munications between us and your Governuient must be made 
 through the agent. At the same time we were told that in any 
 business of an important nature we might be permitted to send a 
 deputation to Washington. 
 
 Brother, — What the President meant we know not, but we 
 believe this is one of those cases in which we are permitted to go. 
 What can be more important than our present situation. Since the 
 declaration of war we have received nothing direct from the Presi- 
 dent. We think we ought to be permitted to go and have a full 
 understanding as to the course we shall pu»:sue if the war continues. 
 
 Brother, — It would be more satisfactory to those who remain 
 
55 
 
 if we could see the President. We do not doubt but you will do all 
 you can for us, but if a few chiefs go the warriors will be better 
 satisfied. 
 
 Brother, — Since the declaration of war your exertions have 
 kept us nil united. Your measures have kept us bound to the 
 United States. The enemy are near ; we do not think proper for 
 you to leave here. 
 
 Brother, — Another reason, you are unwell ; it is a long 
 journey ; we fear that you are unable to perform it, and your loss 
 to us would be great. Captain Parrish lives at Canandaigua; 
 there is less danger there. He can be better spared to go with us. 
 
 Brother, — We have selected three from the Seneca Nation, 
 one from the Onondaga, one from the Oneida and one from the 
 Tuscarora Nation. We think we can raise money for the expense 
 of taking us to Washington, which we think the Government will 
 refund. 
 
 Red Jacket in reply to my answer said : We have agreed to 
 postpone going to Washington, under the idea suggested by you 
 that a commissioner will be appointed to meet us and come to a 
 tirm understanding between us and the United States. Let a man 
 be appointed who is acquainted with Indian customs and with us. 
 
 (From Ketchum's History of Buffalo, Vol. II., pp. 426-7.) 
 
 Augustus Porter to Peter B. Porter. 
 
 Buffalo, February 3rd, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Before you receive this you will untloubtedl}'^ have heard 
 of the defeat and capture of General Winchester's division of 
 Harrison's army. As to the truth of the report, it yet remains all 
 uncertainty as to particulars, tho' I have no doubt a battle has been 
 fought and a number of our men have been taken, but so great 
 a part of the army yet remains as very much disturbs the people on 
 the Canada side, as on yesterday and today all the force of the enemy 
 from the river have moved westward, it is supposed with a view to 
 meet the main body of the N. W. army. I |>resume there is not 
 now on the whole riv^er 300 men left, and yet the famous army of 
 the Centre makes not a single movement to produce a diversion in 
 favor of the N. W. A.,* but are snugly hutted at the Eleven Mile 
 Creek, and fearing that the military stores on the lines nay be dis- 
 turbed are moving them to their camp for protection, and leave the 
 defenceless inhabitants to protect themselves. What are the 
 Government about ? Why do they not send some man here to 
 
 •North Western Army. 
 
66 
 
 command who will do something and not let our armies be cut up 
 in detail. 
 
 I see in the last Albany Gazette another abusive piece against 
 you by S. V. Rensselaer. I hope you will not undertake to chal- 
 lenge such a rascal. You ought to horsewhip the scoundrel. I beg 
 of you not to attempt to fight a duel with him, but abuse him back 
 in the papers, and if you come across him personally kick and cuff 
 him. I have not heard from you since you left N. York. I feel 
 very anxious to hear. 
 
 (From MSS. of Hon. Peter A. Porter,) 
 
 Sir Georgfe Prevost to Barl Bathurst. 
 
 (No. 39.) 
 
 Quebec, 6th February, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 The extreme anxiety I experience respecting the naval force 
 to be employed on Lake Ontario in the spring of this year has 
 rendered the proceedings in the dockyards at Kingston and York 
 highly interesting to me. 
 
 I have, therefore, the honour to report to Your Lordship that 
 I propose leaving Quebec the 12th or 13th instant for Montreal, 
 from whence it is my intention to proceed to Prescott, Kingston, 
 York and Fort George, and from thence return to Lower Canada. 
 
 It not being my desire to interfere in the civil administration 
 of Upper Canada while in that Province, I have requested Major- 
 General Sheaffe to consider my visit as solely directed to researches 
 regarding objects of a military nature. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 56.) 
 
 District General Order. 
 
 Fort George, 6th February, 1813. 
 
 Ensign Nathaniel Coffin, on the half-pay of the 15th Foot, is 
 appointed Provincial Aide-de-Camp to His Honor Major-Geiieral 
 Sheaffe, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Militia of Upper 
 Canada, his appointment bearing date 26th October, 1812. 
 
 J. B. Glegg, Captain, 
 
 B. M. 
 
67 
 
 Militia General Order. 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 Fort George. 8th February, 1813. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe is pleased to make the follow- 
 ing appointment, viz. : — 
 
 Ist Regiment, Lincoln — James George, Gent., to be Ensign, 8th 
 February, 1813. 
 
 iENEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adjt. -General, Militia. 
 
 Sir George Preyost to I^arl Bathurst. 
 (No. 41.) 
 
 Quebec, 8th February, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 I have had the honour to receive Your Lordship's despatches, 
 Noa. 10, 11 and 12, the two former of the date of the Ist and the 
 latter of the 10th October last. 
 
 The entire approbation which His Royal Highness the Prince 
 Regent has been pleased to express of Major-General Brock's con- 
 duct, and which it is His Royal Highness's desire that I should 
 convey to him, makes me the more deeply regret that 1 am unable 
 from the fall of that laniented officer to fulfil His Royal Highness's 
 commands, and to afford General Brock the great satisfaction that 
 he could not have failed to receive from so unequivocal a proof of 
 His Royal Highness's favor as his gracious appointujent of him to 
 be an extra knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. 
 
 In obedience to His Royal Highness's commands I have availed 
 myself of the earliest opportunity, after the receipt of Your Lord- 
 ship's despatch in which they were conveyed to me, to signify to 
 the army in the British North American Provinces His Royal 
 Highness's approbation of the able, judicious and decisive conduct 
 of Major-General Brock, of the zeal and spirit manifested by Col. 
 Procter and the other officers, as well as of the intrepidity of the 
 troops under Major-General Brock's command, together with the 
 satisfaction which His Royal Highness has been pleased to express 
 of the steadiiiess and onler olwervetl by the Indian warriors in 
 the co-operation they afforded under Colonel Elliott and Captain 
 McKee, and at the humanity with which they had treated their 
 prisoners. 
 
 This highly gracious and flattering testimony from His Royal 
 Highness the Prince Regent to the good conduct of that part of the 
 army which had so favorable an opportunity of distinguishing 
 itself in Upper Canada cannot fail to have the happiest effects upon 
 the other divisions of the North American army, and to stimulate 
 
58 
 
 them to merit a similiir meed whenever the enemy Hhould venture 
 to put their courage ami conduct to the test. 
 
 I have great satisfaction in reporting to Your Lordship the 
 zeal and alacrity with which the militia, both emboilied and seden- 
 tary, continue to liischarge their several duties. The sedentary 
 militia, who have been called out to do duty for a short period in 
 this garrison, as well Jis with a view to relieve the King's troops as 
 to obtain the instruction so neces.sary for them, have ol»eyed the 
 call with the greatest cheerfulness and are daily improving in 
 discipline. 
 
 As about 900 men of the select embodiod militia will become 
 by law entitled to their di.scharge in June next. 1 have ordered a 
 draft from the .se«lentary militia of 2,200 men to replace them. 
 This draft will take ])lace in March and will carry the five battalions 
 of select militia to 4,000 men, exclusive of the corps of voltigeura 
 and three troops of volunteer cavalry, making altogether 5,000 men. 
 Clothing of inferior (|uality has been procured by the Commissary 
 General for 4,000 militiamen in Lower Canada and for 2,000 in 
 Upper Canada, which will be in readiness to be issued in April, at 
 least four months sooner than I can look for the requisitions I have 
 made to England for this service. 
 
 I had the honour of acquainting Your Lordship in my despatch 
 of the 15th of January last with the measures I was pursuing for 
 the protection of the Upper Province. I have now to acquaint 
 Your Lonlship that notwithstanding the severity of the season at 
 this period of the year, four companies of the King's Regiment have 
 marched from Montreal to Kingston, and that the progress in the 
 construction of the new ships on Lake Ontario has been reported to 
 me as considerable. A large proportion of their stores anrl other 
 essential articles has arrived at Kingston and York, the places 
 where the vessels are building, and the keel of a new sloop of war 
 has been laid down at Amheratburg for ihe service of Lake Erie. 
 
 I look forward to receive from Halifax, as soon as the season 
 will permit, some part of the outfit for the ship that is building at 
 Kingston, and I have fortunately obtained eighteen carronades from 
 a merchant here, which are now on sledges in readiness to send out 
 whenever Lake Ontario becomes again navigable. 
 
 About eighty seamen had entered for the lake service, and 
 have been sent on under petty officers, but a more ample supply, 
 both of experienced officers and able seamen, is indispensably 
 requisite to render our naval force on those waters efficient. 
 
 Eight heavy guns for positions with their stores are in move- 
 ment from Quebec, to strengthen the posts at Prescott, Kingston 
 and York. 
 
59 
 
 An active and intellijjent officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Bruyerea, 
 the coinnmndinj^ enj^ineer, has been despatched in order to visit the 
 principal posts in Upper Canada and to give the necessary directions 
 for plrtcinj; them in that state wiiich will be most efficient for repel- 
 linjj any further attacks of the enemy. But as I deem it of j^reat 
 importance to the future safety of this Province that 1 should be 
 enabled from personal observation to form a just estimate of its 
 resources and of its means of defence, I had proposed availinjj 
 myself of the present opportunity, (bein^ the only period in which 
 I could for a few weeks, without any inconvenience to the public 
 service, quit Lower Canada,) to visit Kingston, York and Fort 
 George. I had therefore intended to leave Quebec for Montreal on 
 my way to those places in the course of next week. The 
 arrival of the despatches last night with the glorious intelligence* 
 which I have had the honour of communicating to Your Lordship 
 in a separate despatch of this date, containing also the information 
 of the serious indispasititon of Major-General Sheafi'e, has confirmed 
 me in the necessity of proceeding as soon as possible to the Upper 
 Province. I shall therefore not delay my departure from hence 
 beyond the 15th inst. By that time I hope to be able to close the 
 present session of the Provincial Legislature, after obtaining from 
 them a liberal supply for the Militia service as well as the laws 
 necessary to carry into effect the measures I had proposed for their 
 consideration. 
 
 In obedience to the commands of His Royal Highness the Prince 
 Regent, signified by the additional instructions received last night, 
 I shall direct Major-General De Rottenburg, the senior military 
 officer under my connnand in Lower Canada, to assume the civil 
 administration, and from his zeal and ability I have every reason 
 to expect a faithful and correct discharge of the duties to be com- 
 mitted to him. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 59.) 
 
 Sir G«org:e Prevost to I/ord Bathurst. 
 
 (No. 43.) Quebec, 8th February, 1813. 
 
 My Lord: — 
 
 A small detachment from the Royal Artillery at Fort George, 
 with the light infantry company of the 4l8t Regiment, have 
 
 *The defeat of General Winchester by Colonel Procter at the River Raisin. 
 
inarched to reinforce Detroit. They are to be rt^placed on the 
 Niagara frontier by troops now in motion from Montreal. 
 
 (CanadUn Arohires, Q. 121, p. 68.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Quebec, 8th February, 1813. 
 
 The Commander of the Forces is pleased tp appoint until 
 further orders or until the pleasure of His Royal Highnesii the 
 Prince Regent is known, — 
 
 Colonel Vincent, 49ch Regiment, and Colonel Procter, 4l8t 
 Regiment, to have the rank of Brigadier-General in Upper Canada. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson, Inspecting Field Officer, to have the 
 rank of Colonel in Kingston and the Eastern district ; Major Mac- 
 donnell. Glengarry Light Infantry, to have the rank of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel in the same. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 Adjt.-General, North America. 
 
 General Orders. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 Quebec, 8th February, 1813. 
 
 His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost, Bart., 
 Governor-in-Chief and Commander of the Forces in British North 
 America, having seen in the Boston Gazette of the 28th January 
 last a publication purporting to be a copy of the general order 
 issued by the American Government in the following terms, namely : 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 Washington City, 18th Jan'y, 1813. 
 
 general orders. 
 
 The following officers of the Army and Militia of the United 
 States made prisoners of war at Detroit, Queenston and elsewhere, 
 have been duly exchanged for the officers, non-commissioned officers, 
 drummers and privates taken on board His Britannic Majesty's 
 transport Samuel and Sarah, on the 11th day of July, 1812, viz.: 
 Brigadier-General William Hull, Colonels Duncan McArthur, James 
 Findley and Lewis Cass ; Lieutenant-Colonels James Miller, John 
 R. Fenwiek, Winfield Scott and John Christie ; Major James Taylor ; 
 Captains Nathan Heald, John Whistler, Henry B. Brevoort, Josiah 
 Tnelling, Robert Lucas, Abraham F. Hull, Peter Ogilvie, Joel Cook 
 and Return B. Brown ; First Lieutenant Charles Larrabee ; Second 
 Lieutenants James Dalliba and Daniel Hugunin, and each and all 
 
01 
 
 the aforesaid ofBcerB are hereby declared exchanged and an free to 
 act a^ainnt the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelan<l and 
 of the dependencies thereof as if they had never been captured. 
 By order of the Secretary of War. 
 
 F. H. Gushing, 
 
 Adjutant-General. 
 
 HiH Excellency considers himself called upon in the most public 
 manner to protest against the pretended release of the alxjve named 
 officers from their parole of honor given under their hands while 
 prisoners of war. His Excellency having expressly refused to 
 accede to the exchange of the officers above nanted, as proposed to 
 him by Major-General Dearborn in his letters of the 26th Dec. and 
 2nd Jan. last under the authority of the American Government, 
 upon the identical terms contained in the order of the 18th January 
 before referred to, His Excellency feels himself compelled hereby 
 to declare that he still considers those officers as prisoners of war on 
 their parole, and should the fate of war again place any of them at 
 the disposal of the British Government before a regular and ratified 
 exchange i ". them takes place, they will be deemed to have broken 
 their parole and to be subject to all the cousecjuences sanctioned by 
 the established usages of war in the like cases. 
 
 The detachment of the 1st Regiment of Royal Scots, captured 
 by the U. S. frigate Essex on board the Samuel and Sarah trans- 
 port, who are stated in the said order of the 18th of January to 
 have been duly exchanged for the officers of the American army 
 therein mentioned, had been previously, as far back as the month 
 of September last, regularly exchanged for the crew of the U. S. 
 sloop Naiitilas and a sufficient number of other seamen belonging 
 to the U. S. Navy, as appears by an official communication to Hia 
 Excellency Lieut.-General Sir J. C. Sherbrooke, K. B., commanding 
 the forces in Nova Scotia, confirmed by a letter from Mr. Mitchell, 
 the American agent of prisoners at Halifax, to the Honorable James 
 Monroe, American Secretary of State, dated the 23rd of November 
 last, transmitted to His Excellency by Major-General Dearborn in 
 his letter of 2d Jan. last. The release of said detachment by such 
 exchange was published in General Orders on the 29th September 
 last at Montreal, and also communicated to Major-General Dearborn 
 in His Excellency's letter of the 11th January last, as the ground 
 of his refusal to accede to the before mentioned proposal of that 
 officer. 
 
 To avoid, however, every possibility of mistake or error upon 
 this subject and to prevent any further misunderstanding respecting 
 it, His Excellency has thought proper to direct Major Murray, agent 
 
61 
 
 for the exchange of prisoners of war, to pr<)cee<l with ii ih^r of truce 
 to the American hea<i(|uarters, and should he be satisfuMl upon 
 eiujuiry that the ofhcers, nun-coniniiMNJoncd otticers and men of the 
 detachuK'nt of tlie Ist Regiment of Royal Scots have not been con- 
 eifler 1 l»y the American (lovernment as regularly exchanged for 
 the crew of the U. S. sloop Nauliiun and other seamen belonging 
 to the U. S. Navy as betore stated, Major Murray is then author- 
 ized to release from parole an e«jual number of officers, non-commis- 
 sioned officers and soldiers of the regular troops of the American 
 army made prisoners of war at Detroit, Niagara or elsewhere, as 
 ma}' be agr('e<l upon betwfcv>n hini and Major-Oeneral Dearborn. 
 
 Hut His Excellency cannot admit the right assumed by the 
 American Government in the order before referred to, to arrange 
 and class the exchange of prisoners of war in such ntanner as may 
 best suit their convenience or advantage. All exchanges of prison- 
 ers of war must be ratified by both parties Ijefore the release of 
 them becomes vali<l, and whenever it is practicable the exchange is 
 to be conducted on the scale of parity of rank and service — officers, 
 gra<le for grade, sergeant for sergeant, soldier for soldier, regular 
 for regular, militia for militia, and the tariff adopted for exchange 
 in the foregoing order can only be admitted in caaes where the 
 regular exchange by parity of rank and service cannot take place, 
 and then only by the mutual concurrence of both parties. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 Adjt.-General North America. 
 
 (Canadian Archivee, Q. 121, p. 130.) 
 
 Sir Oeorgfe Prevost to Brigradier-General Procter. 
 
 Ca'^tle of St. Lewis, Quebec, 
 9th February, 1«13. 
 
 Sir, — I have received your despatch of the 25th ult., addressed 
 to Major-General Sheaffe, reporting the glorious result of an attack 
 you had very judiciously deemed it expedient to make on the 22nd, 
 on a division of General Harrison's army advancing from the River 
 Raisin upon Sandwich, commanded by Brigadier-General Win- 
 chester. 
 
 In congratulating you upon so honorable an event and in ex- 
 pressing my entire approbation of the zeal and spirit which you 
 have evinced on that arduous command committed to you, I cannot 
 fail to notice the intrepidity manifested by Colonel St. George and 
 the other officers and men, regulars and militia, serving under your 
 immediate command. 
 
 Your singular judgment and decisive conduct in the affair of 
 
m 
 
 Jhn/BCh Town h}ihII l>e nortniye'l for tho ifrnciouH oofiHitloriitlon of 
 hlR Royal Hi^hm'HH tin- rrincr Il«'p'iit, ami I will not fail in ivpoat- 
 in^ your warm rcconinicniiatiun of Lieutenant McLean, who in act- 
 ing iiH your Hri«ja<le-Major. 
 
 I oarneHtly r(>coniUK>n<l upon all (K'oaHionN a Htrict adlu'renco to 
 the control an<l r«>Htraint of our allicH the IndianH, that we may l)e 
 enabled to n^pel the charges which hav«» not infnM|uently, though 
 alwayH falstdy, lM«en hrou^ht against our Uovernment for reHorting 
 to the eni)>loyment of them. 
 
 (From Somp Awoiint of the Public Lift' of th« Lleutrinant-OoiHtral, Sir George Pre- 
 ▼ost, Bart., London, lM2:t. A|>|M5Ii<1Ix No. XXIII, pp. 65-0.) 
 
 Note Presented to the Cabinet on the 8th February, 1873, by the 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 The enemy'H force at Montreal ami itH depemlencieH has been 
 stated at Ki.OOO effectives. It more probably does not excee<l 10 or 
 12,000. The militia part of it may amount to one-8ixth of the 
 whole, \h it probable that we .shall be able to open the campaign 
 on Lake (*hamplain with a force competent to meet and dislodge 
 this army before the 15th of May ^ I put the ({Uestion on thisdate 
 becau.se it is not to be doubted but that the enemy will then be 
 reinforce<l, and of course that new relation in point of strength will 
 be established l»etween us. Our present regular force on l)oth sides 
 of Lake Champlain does not exceed 2400 men. The addition made 
 to it must necessarily consist of recruits, who for a time will not be 
 better than militia, and when we consider that the recruiting service 
 is but beginning and that we now approach the middle of February, 
 the conclusion is, I think, safe that wo cannot move in this direction 
 and thus early, (say Ist of May,) with effect. 
 
 It then remains to choose between a courae of entire inaction 
 because incompetent to the main attack and having a secondary, 
 but still an im^iortant, object ; such would be the reduction of that 
 part of Upper Canada lying between the town of Prescott on the 
 St. Lawrence and Lake Erie, including the towns of Kingston and 
 York and the F'orts George and Erie. 
 
 On this line of frontier, the enemy have 
 
 At Prescott 300 
 
 At Kingston 600 
 
 At George and Erie 1200 
 
 Making a total (of regular troops) of 2100 
 
 Kingston and Prescott and the destruction of the British ships 
 
64 
 
 at the former would present the firet object, York and the frigates 
 said to be building there the second, George and Erie the third. 
 
 The force to be employed on this service should not be less 
 than 0,000 effective regular troops, because in this first enterprise 
 of a second campaign nothing must, if possible, be left to chance. 
 
 The time for giving execution to this plan is clearly indicated 
 by the following facta : — 
 
 1st — The river St. Lawrence is not open to the purposes of 
 navigation before the 15th of May, and 
 
 2nd — Lake Ontario is free from all obstruction, arising from 
 ice, by the 1st day of April. 
 
 Under these circumstances we shall have six weeks for the 
 expoflitiou before it is possible for Sir George Prevost to give it any 
 disturbance. 
 
 Should this outline be approved the details for the service can 
 be made and expedited in forty-eight hours. 
 
 Adopted and approved IGth February, 1813. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I., p. 439.) 
 
 Major-General Sheaffe to Colonel Baynes. 
 
 Fort George, 9th February, 1813. 
 My Dear Colonel : — 
 
 I send you extracts from a letter I received last night from 
 Colonel Procter. You will i«ee that he was very anxious for a re- 
 inforcement, which I hope arrived very few days after he wrote. 
 From the information of those who met it on the route I have 
 reason to believe that it reached its destination on the 6th or at the 
 latest on <he 7th. I sent him all his light company, and the addi- 
 tion of artillerymen will no doubt be highly acceptable to him. I 
 feel no doubt of Sir George's approbation of the movement. Some 
 barrack bedding accompanied them, with some supplies for the 
 militia. The Provincial Legislature is summoned to assemble on 
 the 25th inst., before which time I hope to be quite restored to 
 health, though kny recovery does not keep pace either with my 
 wishes or expectations. I am advised to abstain as much as pos- 
 sible from business, but business, especially at such a time, must bt- 
 done. You ma}' discover my weakness in my writing. I cannot 
 yet enter on the task of a long despatch to Sir George. I am estab- 
 lishing the system recommended for the payment of the militia. I 
 hope to learn soon how these things are done below. I propose issu- 
 ing to the General Staff' of the militia, and to officers of the flank 
 companies that were out during the last campaign, 200 days bat and 
 forage, if Sir George Prevost approves of it. I understand that a. 
 
65 
 
 similar issue was made below. I have also to request His Excel- 
 lency's authority for forming a corps of Artillery Drivers on terms 
 like those on which there is now one raising in the Lower Province, 
 and also for the purchase of an additional number of horses. Capt. 
 Glegg has already written, by my direction, on these subjects, and 
 has transmitted a return to serve for further explanation. It 
 would be highly useful, too, that it should be placed in my power 
 to give some additional encouragement to serving in the Provincial 
 Artillery. Neither my head nor my hand is in a state to enter 
 more largely into these subjects. I have ordered clothing from 
 Montreal for these two corps, some of which, at least, I hope to get 
 up this winter. Our session will probably be short, but i trust it 
 will not be unproductive of benefit to our militia system. 
 
 Some of the prisoners have arrived and have been passed over. 
 General Winchester, a colonel and a major remain here for orders 
 from headquarters. 
 
 Colonel Elliott writes to Colonel Claus that there are about a 
 hundred Indians detained by the Americans, whom our allies wish 
 to get exchanged. Major Pienderleath and Captain Bridge arrived 
 to-day. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678, p. 86.) 
 Captain J. B. Gles^g, Acting: Brigfade Major, to Colonel Baynes. 
 
 Fort George, 10th February, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to transmit for your information a 
 return of the troops, regulars, militia, marine and Indian depart- 
 ment, who were engaged at French Town on the River Raisin on 
 the 22d January, 1813, with a statement of the killed and wounded. 
 
 A return of the reinforcement that left this post on the id 
 instant to join Colonel Procter at Amherstburg is herewith enclosed. 
 
 I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that Brigadier- 
 General Winchester, with about twenty officers, arrived here two 
 days since, and with the exception of the General, a few field officers 
 and his personal staff, they have all been allowed to go over to the 
 American side on their parole — those remaining are merely detained 
 until His Excellency's pleasure shall be known. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678, p. 91.) 
 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gaxette, 9th Pebmary, 1813.) 
 
 Well informed men give it as their opinion that there does not 
 remain 300 regulars on the Niagara river from Fort George to Fort 
 Erie, the force having been withdrawn up the lake. 
 
 (File in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
The Secretary of War to General Dearborn. 
 
 (■xtFAOt.) 
 
 War Department, February 10, 1813. 
 
 I have the President's orders to communicate to you, as expe- 
 ditiously as possible, the outline of a campaign which you will 
 immediately institute and pursue against Upper Canada : 
 
 Ist — 4,000 troops will be assembled at Sackett's Haibor. 
 
 2nd — 3,000 will be brought together at Buffalo and its vicinity. 
 
 3rd — The former of these corps will be embarked and trans- 
 
 fjorted under convoy of the fleet to Kingston, where they will be 
 anded. Kingston, its garrison, and the British ships wintering in 
 the harbor, will be the fii-st object. Its second object will be York, 
 (the capital of Upper Canada,) the stores collected and the two 
 vessels building there. Its third object, Forts George and Erie and 
 their dependencies. In the attainment of this last tliere will be a 
 co-operation between the two corps. The composition of these will 
 be as follows : — 
 
 Ist, Bloomtield's brigade 1436 
 
 2nd, Chandler's do 1044 
 
 3rd, Philadelphia detachment 400 
 
 4th. Baltimore do 300 
 
 5th, Carlisle do 200 
 
 6th, Greenbush do 400 
 
 7th, Sackett's Harbor do 250 
 
 4030 
 
 8th, several corps at Buffalo under the command of Colonel 
 
 Porter and the recruits belonging thereto 3000 
 
 Total 7030 
 
 The time for executing the enterprise will be governed by the 
 opening of Lake Ontario, which usually takes place about the first 
 of April. 
 
 The Adjutant-General has orders to put the more southern 
 detachment in march as expeditiously as possible. The two brig- 
 ades on Lake Chainplain you will move so as to give them full time 
 to reach their destination by the 25th of March. The route by 
 Elizabeth will, I think, l>e the shortest and best. They will be re- 
 placed by some new raised regiments from the ea.st. 
 
 You will put into your movement's as much privacy as may be 
 compatible with their execution. They may be masked by reports 
 that Sackett's Harbor is in danger, and that the principal effort will 
 
be made on the Niagara in co-operation with General Harrison. 
 As the route to Sackett's Harbor and to Niagara is for a consider- 
 able distance the same, it may be well to intimate, even in orders, 
 that the latter is the destination of the two brigades now at Lake 
 Champlain. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affaim, Vol. I., pp. 439-40.) 
 
 Mi^or J. B. Glegflr to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 Fort George, 11th February, 1813. 
 Mr Dear Sir : — 
 
 I cannot allow Dr. Forrest to return without sending you a 
 few lines. In the first place let me inform you that our friend, the 
 General, advances rapidly in convalescence. His Provincial A. D. 
 C, Lieat-Col. Coflin, drives him out daily, and he begins to trans- 
 act business with the heads of departments a I'onlinaire. He was 
 thrown into a little flurry yesterday afternoon by a report from 
 Captain Bullock that the enemy were crossing in large numbers 
 opposite Point Abino. I cannot possibly imagine an excuse from 
 an oflicer stating that to be a fact which he knows nothing of but 
 from hearsay. The news reached me at the Twelve Mile creek 
 aUjut 7 o'clock, where I had driven out in the morning hoping to 
 tind ray friend Myers. I never received intelligence with more 
 agonized feelings. The reflection produced by our poor friend's 
 health, the absence of Colonels Myers and Bisshopp from their 
 respective posts, rendered me for some time the most wretched of 
 beings. My suspense was fortunately relieved before I reached 
 Fort Geor^, and I found General S[heaflre] in excellent humor, with 
 a small Hreside party. It appears that a party of militia who had 
 arrived at Home's (Haun's) with loadeii muskets, not choosing to 
 draw the charge, had tire<l them otf and gave ri.se to the rumor, 
 which was immediately converted into a fact. 
 
 A despatch ha.« reached the General this morning from Colonel 
 Procter in 58 hour , stating that General Harrison has reached the 
 River Raisin with nearly two thousand men. Colonel P. asks for 
 more men, which we cannot afford him, having barely suflicient to 
 perform the duties of our extended line. The reinforcement of the 
 4l8t and Royal Artillery, consisting of 101 i^ank] and ffile], had 
 reached him. He will not, I think, be rash enough to march out 
 to meet Harrison. If the Indians perform their part I entertain no 
 kind of apprehension for his safety. Report states that Tecumseth 
 was advancing in Harrison's rear, which, if true, must si:on bring 
 things to a crisis. At all events, if the Indians are active and vigi- 
 lant in his rear he must flght or surrender. 
 
68 
 
 I see nothing but grounds for hope. I hope something will be 
 done to bring out a portion of our militia. Might not an appeal to 
 their feelings have a good effect ? 
 
 We are very weak on this communication, am the enemy must 
 know it 
 
 I beg you will offer my kindest remembrances to all friends. 
 
 [P. S.]— Lieut.-Col. Myers arrived last night. 
 
 (From MS. in possession of G. M. Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Major-General i^neas Shaw, Adjutant General of Militia, to 
 Iriettt.-Colonel Thomas Clark, Commandins: and I/incoln 
 
 Militia. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 Fort George, 11th Februarv, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — ^There being reason to believe that the enemy meditates 
 some attempt on the frontiers, I am directed to desire that you will, 
 with all possible expedition, assemble not only the flank companies 
 of your regiment but as many spirited young men in addition as 
 can be induced to join them, at Chippawa, where quarters will be 
 prepared for their reception. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe trusts that on this occasion 
 both the officers and men will recollect the very honorable and 
 successful manner in which they have hitherto contributed to the 
 defence of the Province, and that for a littie time longer private 
 considerations will give way to public. 
 
 (From the History of Thorold, Appendix I., p. 62.) 
 
 Names of Men Belonging: to my Company who Rec'd Clothing 
 at Carter's Point, Peb'y la, 1813. 
 
 1 Albert Berdan. 
 
 2 Abraham Messecar. 
 
 3 Elijah Williams. 
 
 4 Job Messecar. 
 
 5 Henrv Williams. 
 
 6 Charles Harman. 
 
 7 Pinknev Mabee. 
 
 • 
 
 8 John Winan. 
 
 9 Samuel Berdan. 
 
 10 Alexander Lemon. 
 
 11 Cornelius Slaijht. 
 13 Peter Rogadone. 
 13 George Matthews. 
 
14 James McQueen. 
 
 15 Peter Horton. 
 
 16 David Conrad. 
 
 17 Charlefi Glover. 
 
 18 John Sovereign. 
 
 19 Michael Shoff. 
 
 20 John Slaght. 
 
 21 William DouHl. 
 
 22 Abrahan) Xelles. 
 
 23 Elisha Barljer. 
 
 24 JameH Chambers. 
 
 25 Samuel Troup. 
 
 . 26- Christian Dedrick. 
 
 27 John Conrad. 
 
 28 Peter Woo.! ley. 
 
 (Nothing but the red coats were rec'd at this tiTtie.) 
 
 Expenses Recntitins: in the Incorporated Militia. Bounty. 
 
 Paid Curtis N. Y. £2.16 
 
 Do John Beurs 1.12 
 
 Do Albert Berdan 2. 8 
 
 Do James CanarJa 3. 8 
 
 Do Anthony Anderson 2. 8 
 
 . Do James Jewel 1.16 
 
 Do George Mathew 
 
 (From a memorandum book of Captain A. A. Rapelje in possesnion of Captain J. G. 
 Spain, Port Dover.) 
 
 Memo, of Captain Rapelje. 
 
 COUNTERFEIT TEN DOLLARS ARMY BILL. 
 
 In these bills DIX is of a fuller letters, the I almost touching 
 the X ; the I under the stars is smaller, and in the word exchange 
 the X appears like an R, it not having the back hair stroke — in 
 other respects they are almost an exact imitation. 
 
 Sir Rogrer Hale Sheaffe to Hon. Wm. D. Powell. 
 
 Fort George, 12th Feb'y, 1813. 
 My Dear Friend : — 
 
 Your letter of the 6th inst. was an enigma to me and puzzled 
 my poor hea<i badly, till I received the packet by Capt Derenzy. 
 It is my intention to grant to the embodied militia all the allow- 
 ances given to those below. I have declared it to those about me, 
 
70 
 
 and have desired to be informed of all indulgences, gratuities and 
 allowances whatever, which they may hear of being issued in the 
 L[ower] P[rovince]. I have written to know if the allowance be 3 
 children for each woman or for each hundred. As the order is 
 framed it is to be understood in the latter proportion, which is so 
 very small that I think a mistake has crept in. I have announced 
 my intention to issue a nimilar allowance on the presumption that 
 H[is] E[xcellency] will not disapprove of my following his example. 
 I am teased with a pain in my head and recover but slowly. 
 I hope, however, to set out for York on Monday or Tuesday. 
 
 P. S. — Impart the contents of this to the Chief Justice. I can- 
 not write. 
 
 (From MS. in posHession of O. M. Jarvia, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheafife to Carl Bathurst. 
 
 (No. 2.) 
 
 Fort George, 14th February, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 I have the honor of transmitting the copy of a despatch I have 
 received from Colonel Procter, commanding at Detroit, reporting 
 his having defeated a corps of Americans which have advanced 
 under the command of Brigadier-General Winchester to French 
 Town on the River Raisin. The judgment and promptitude dis- 
 played by Colonel Procter and the gallant conduct of his little 
 corps, entitle them to the highest commendation. 
 
 The enemy in this vicinity is quiet at present and does not 
 appear to be numerous on I's frontier line. 
 
 This being on all t' .ants the season most convenient for 
 assembling the Legislature of the Province, and there being some 
 business of an important nature to be despatched, it is summoned 
 to meet on the twenty-fifth of this month. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 23.) 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Albany, February 18, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Your despatches of the 10th were received last evening. 
 Nothing shall be omitted on my part in endeavoring to carry into 
 effect the expedition proposed. 
 
 I fear the very large magazines of provisions on Lake Cham- 
 plain will be unsafe unless a considerable part is removed at some 
 distance from the store or a considerable force is assembled at 
 
71 
 
 Burlington and vicinity by the time the two brigades shall move. 
 Another motive for having a large force on that lake will be that 
 of preventing the enemy sending almost his whole force from Lower 
 Canada to Kingston as soon as our intentions shall be so far known 
 as to afford satisfactory evidence of our intentions in relation to the 
 conquest of Upper Canada, and unless an imposing force shall 
 menace Lower Canada the enemy's whole force may be concentrated 
 in Upper Canada and require as large a force to operate against 
 them as would be neceasary to operate towards Montreal. It may 
 be advisable to draw out a Ixxly of New Hampshire Militia to serve 
 for a short time in Vermont. You will judge of the expediency of 
 such a me»isure, but 1 do not believe that there will be a sufficient 
 VKxly of new raised troops in season for taking the place of the two 
 brigades. 
 
 I this day received a letter from Colonel Porter. Winchester 
 had arrived at Niagara with such of his troops as had escaped the 
 tomahawk, and they were crossing over on parole. He states 
 that at the close of the action all those who b^ wounds or other 
 causes were unable to march were indiscriminately put to death. 
 
 Such outrageous conduct will require serious attention, espe- 
 cially when British troops are concerned in the action. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I., p. 440.) 
 
 Irietit. -Colonel Bisshopp to Colonel Clans. 
 
 Fort Erie. February 22, 1813. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 
 It becomes my duty to inform you of the melancholy intelli- 
 gence of Lieut. King's death. A flag of truce came from the other 
 side this morning to mention this unpleasant news, which was to be 
 expected, as Dr. Harford says, from the first time he saw the nature 
 of his wound. 
 
 He has, however, had every medical assistance that it has been 
 
 Eossible for him to have had, and I am sure that every officer here 
 as done everything in his power to send over any comfort that he 
 may have been in want of. The attention of the medical gentle- 
 man on the other side. Dr. Roljerts, has been unremitting. I am 
 particularly obliged to him for his exertions to save our poor 
 friend's life. 
 
 Everybody has witnessed your friendly interference and kind 
 exertions, but unfortunately we are deprived of a young man who 
 was beloved by everybody who knew him. The service has lost 
 an officer who, had it pleased Divine Providence to have saved his 
 life, would have been an honor to his country. 
 
72 
 
 • 
 
 I at this moment feel his Ions moAt Heiisibly, and condole with 
 you and those who have felt an interest in Lieut. Kinjj on an 
 occasion where I am sure your goodness of heart will make a strong 
 impression. 
 
 (Prom MS8. in pomemion of Misa Clftus, Niagara, Ont.) 
 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gazette, aard February, 1813.) 
 
 Last Wednesday an express arrived from Lewiston bringing 
 news that 100 sleighs, with troops on board, had passed up the 
 river by Queenston, (as was said), for Fort Erie. This show of 
 force, (if any force was there), may be considered only as a 
 man(t?uvre on the |)art of the enemy, to prevent any military oper- 
 ations in this quarter, that they may present the whole disposable 
 force of Upper Canada to oppose the movements of Harrison. 
 
 (Pile in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 The Secretary of War to General Dearborn. 
 
 War Department, February 24, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Before I left New York and till very recently, since my 
 arrival here, I was informed through various channels that a winter 
 or spring attack upon Kingston was not practicable on account of 
 the snow, which geneially lays to the depth of two and sometimes 
 three feet over all that northern region during those seasons. 
 Hence it is that in the plan recently communicated it was thought 
 safest and best to make the attack by a combination of naval and 
 military means, and to approach our object not by directly crossing 
 the St. Lawrence on the ice but by setting out from Sackett's Har- 
 bour in concert with and under convoy of the fleet. Later infor- 
 mation differs from that on which this plan was foundeti, and the 
 fortunate issue of Major Forsyth's last expedition shows at least 
 that small enterprises may be successfully executed at the present 
 season. The advice given in your letter of the 18th instant has a 
 bearing also on the same point and to the same effect. If the enemy 
 be really weak at Kingston and approachable by land and ice, Pike, 
 (who will be a brigadier in a da}' or two,) may l)e put in motion 
 from Lake Champlain by the Chateauguay route (in sleighs), and 
 with the two brigades cross the St. Lawrence where it may be 
 thought best, destroy the armed ships and seize and hold Kingston 
 until you can join him with the other corps destined for the future 
 objects of the expedition, and, if pressed by Prevost before such 
 juncture can be effected, he may withdraw himself to Sackett's 
 Harbor or other place of security on our side of the line. This 
 would be much the shorter road to the object, and perhaps the 
 
78 
 
 safer one. as the St. Lawrence is now everj'where well bridged and 
 offers no obstruction to either attack or retreat. Such a movement 
 will no doubt be soon known to Prevost, and cannot but disquiet 
 him. The dilemma it presents will beserioua. Either he must give 
 up his western po.sts, or to save them he must carry himself in force 
 and promptly to Upper Canada. In the latter case he will be 
 embarrassed for subsistence. His convoys of provisions will be 
 open to our attacks on a line of nearly one hundred nnles, and his 
 position at Montreal much weakened. Another decided advantage 
 will be to let us into the secret of his real strength. If he be able 
 to make heavy detachments to cover or to recover Kingston, and to 
 protect his supplies, and after all maintain himself at Montreal and 
 Lake Champlain, he is stronger than I imagined or any well 
 authenticateil reports make him to be. 
 
 With regard to our magazines, my belief is that we have 
 nothing to fear, because, as sttited above, Prevost's attention must 
 be given to the western posts and to our movements against them. 
 He will not dare to advance southwardly while a heavy corps is 
 operating on his Hank and menacing his line of communication. 
 But, on the other supposition, they (the magazines) may be easily 
 secured — first by taking them to Willsborough, or, second, to Bur- 
 lington, or, third, by a militia call to protect them where they are. 
 Orders are given for the march of the eastern volunteers, excepting 
 Ulmer's regiment and two companies of axe men, sent to open the 
 route to the Chaudiere. 
 
 The southern detachments will be much stronger than I had 
 
 supposed. That from Philadelphia will mount up to nearly 1,000 
 
 effectives. 
 
 (American State Papera, Military Affairs, Vol. I., p — ) 
 
 The Secretary of War to Colonel Moses Porter. 
 
 War Department, February 20, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — As the enemy's foi-ce and defences on the Canada side 
 of the Niagara nver are under>too<l to be weak ; as your force is 
 respectable and supposed to be competent to a successful attack of 
 these, and as the season has now furnished you with a bridge as 
 well for retreat as for advance, it is thought advisable that you do 
 not permit circumstances so favorable to escape without making a 
 stroke on such points of the enemy's line as may be within your 
 reach. If after feeling the enemy at Fort Erie you should find 
 yourself able to extend your attack to Fort George it will be desir- 
 able ; but of this you can judge l»est after your first experiment. 
 
74 
 
 To an old soldier like vourHelf it is unnecessary to yro more into 
 detail. You know what you ought to do and you will do it. Com- 
 municate this letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler and accept the 
 assurances of my respect and jjood wishes. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. 1., p.—) 
 
 Captain Benjamin Forsyth to Colonel Macomb. 
 
 February 22, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have only time to inform you that the enemy, with a 
 very superior force, succeeded in taking Ogdensburg this morning 
 aljout nine o'clock. They had alx)ut two men to our one, exclusive 
 of Indians. Numbers of the enemy are dead on the field. Not 
 more than twenty of our men killed and wounded. Lieutenant 
 Beard is among the latter. I have made a saving retreat of about 
 eight or nine miles. I could not get all the wounded off. 
 
 We have killed two of the enemy to one of ours killed by 
 them. We want ammunition and some provisions sent on to us, 
 also sleighs for the wounded. 
 
 If you can send me three hundred men all shall he retaken 
 and Pre^cott, too, or I will lose my life in the attempt. I shall 
 write you more particularly to-day. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I., p, — ) 
 
 Prom Major George Macdonnell of the Glengarry I^ight Infantry^ 
 
 I/ieut. -Colonel Commanding in the Eastern District of 
 
 Upper Canada, to Colonel Baynes. 
 
 PiiEscorr, February 22, 18L3. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to acquaint you for the information 
 of His Excellency, the Commander of the Forces, that in conse- 
 quence of His Excellency's commands to retaliate, under favorable 
 circumstances, upon the enemy for his late wanton aggression on 
 this frontier. I, this morning al»out seven o'clock, crossed the river 
 St. Lawrence upon the ice and carried, after a little more than an 
 hour's action, his position in and near the opposite town of Ogdens- 
 burg, taking eleven pieces of cannon and all his ordnance, marine, 
 commissariat and (juartermaster general's stores, 4 officers and 70 
 prisoners, and burning two armed schooners and two large gun- 
 boats and both barracks. My force consisted of about 480 regulars 
 and militia and was divided into two colunms. The right, com- 
 manded by Captain Jenkins of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fen- 
 cibles, was composed of his own flank company and about 70 militia, 
 and, from the state of the ice and the enemy's position in the old 
 
75 
 
 French fort, waH directed to check his left and interrupt hin retreat 
 whilst I moved on with the left column, consisting of 120 uf the 
 King's Regiment, 40 of the Royal Newfoundland corps, and about 
 200 militia, towards his position in the town, where he had noHted 
 his heavy field artillery. The depth of the snow in some degree 
 retarded the advance of both columns and exposed them, particu- 
 larly the right, to a heavy cross fire from the batteries of the enemy 
 for a longer time than I had expected, but pushing on rapidly after 
 the batteries began to open upon us the left column so<^n gained the 
 right bank of the river, under the direct fire of his artillery and line 
 of musketry posted on an eminence near the shore. Moving on 
 rapidly, my advance, consisting of the Royal Newfoundland and 
 some select militia, I turned his right with the detachment of the 
 King's Regiment, and after a few discharges from his artillery took 
 them with the bayonet and drove his infantry through the town» 
 some escaping across the Black River into the fort, but the majority 
 fled to the wornls or sought refuge in the houHes, from whence they 
 kept such a galling fire that it was necessary to dislodge them with 
 our field pieces, which now came up from the bank of the river» 
 where they had stuck on landing in the deep snow. 
 
 Having gained the high ground on the brink of the Black 
 River opposite the fort, I prepare<l to carry it by storm, but the men 
 being (|uite exhausted I procured time for them to recover breath 
 by sending in a summons retjuiring an unconditional surrender. 
 During those transactions Captain Jenkins had gallantly led on hia 
 columns, and had been exposed to a heavy fire of seven guns, which 
 he bravely attempted to take with the bayonet, though covered 
 with 200 of the enemy's Viest troops. Advancing as rapidly as the 
 deep snow and the exhausted state in consequence of hia men would 
 admit, he ordered a charge and had not proceeded many paces 
 when his left arm wes broken in pieces by a grape shot, but still 
 undauntedly running on with his men he almost immediately after- 
 wards was deprived of the use of his right arm by a discharge of 
 case-shot. Still heroically disregarding all personal consideration, 
 he nobly ran on, cheering his men to the as.sault, till, exhausted by 
 pain and loss of blood, he became unable to move. His company 
 gallantly continued the charge under Lieut. Macaulay, but the 
 reserve of militia not being able to keep up with them they were 
 compelled by the great superiority of the enemy to give way, 
 leaving a few on a commandmg position and a few of the most 
 advanced in the enemy's possession, nearly alx)ut the time that I 
 gained the height above mentioned. The enemy hesitating to sur- 
 render I instantly carried his eastern battery, and by it silenced 
 another which now opened again, and ordering on the advance the 
 
7t 
 
 detnchinunt of the Kin^H aiul the Highland company of militia, 
 under Captain KuNtace of the Kinj^H Uei^. inent, he (^nllantly ruHlied 
 into the fort, but the enemy retre.iting by the opjxwite entrance 
 eHcaped into the woo<1h, which I should have etfectuaily prevented 
 if my In«lian warriors had returned sooner frr)m a detached service 
 on which they ha«l that morning been employed. I cannot close 
 this Htatenient without expressing my admiration of the gallantry 
 and Helf-devotion of Captain Jenkins, who has lost one ann and is 
 in danger of losing the other. I must also report the intrepidity of 
 Captain Leliovre of the Newfoundland Kegiment, who had the 
 immediate charge of the militia under Colonel Fraser ; of Captain 
 Eustiice and the other oilicers of the King's Regiment, and particu- 
 larly of Lieutenant Ridge of that corps, who very gallantly led on 
 the advance, and of Lieut. Macaulay and Ensign Macdonnell of the 
 Glengarry Regiment, as also Lieutenant (ianguel)en of the Royal 
 Engineers and of Ensign McKay of the Glengarry Light Infantry, 
 and of Ensign Kerr of the militia, each of whom had charge of a 
 field piece, and of Lieutenant Im{)ey of the militia, who has lost a 
 leg. I was also well supported by Colonel Fraser and the other 
 officers and men of the militia, who emulated the conspicuous 
 bravery of all the troops of the line. I enclose a list of the killed 
 and wounded. The enemy had 500 men under arms and must have 
 sustained a considerable loss. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q, 121, p. 109.) 
 
 Return of Killed and Wounded in the Action of aand February, 
 
 x8z3, at Ogrdensbnrff. 
 
 Royal Artillery — One private killed. 
 
 8th or King's Regt. — One sergeant killed, two privates wounded. 
 
 Glengarry Light Infantry — Two privates kdled ; Lieut.-Colonel 
 
 Macdonnell, Capt. Jenkins, Lieut. McKay, two sergeants 
 
 and seven rank and file wounded. 
 Militia — Two rank and file killed ; Captain J. Macdonnell, Lieuts. 
 
 Empy, McLean and McDermott, one sergeant and fifteen 
 
 rank and file wounded. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q, 121, p. 116.) 
 
77 
 Retum of Stores Captured «t Ogdensburg on aad February, 18x3. 
 
 Ordnance — 
 
 Bram — Two O-poundern, two (l-poun<lerR. 
 Iron — Two 12-poun<lerH, four G-pounders, one 4-pounder. 
 713 fthot of all kinds. 
 672 stand of arms. 
 12 barrelH of powder. 
 14 ke^ biill cartriti^e. 
 I stand of colors. 
 1 garrison flag. 
 
 CaiiMlUn ArrhivfH. Q, 121, p. 117.) 
 
 Extract from a I^etter from Offdensburg, Dated February ayth^ 
 18x3, in Poulson's American Daily Advertiser of Philadelphia. 
 
 Before 7 o'clock I saw a company of aVK)ut 150 men crossing 
 above our village, and another of al)out double tbat number l)elow, 
 directly across from Prescott towards the lower part of the village, 
 which was the most vulnerable point. Some of our cannon were 
 frozen fast. Only two or three shot were fired from the bitteries. 
 We lost two long iron 12-pounders taken at Saratoga, two long 
 brass Q-pounders, two brass 6-noun«ler8, four iron H-pounders, two 
 iron 4-pounder8, four iron 9-pounder carronades, 800 muskets, 400 
 rifles, two tons of ammunition, one ton of IwiU, 1500 barrels of pork 
 and a quantity of blankets. Many of the houses which were 
 deserted were plundered by the rabble from Canada, who flocked 
 over in abundance as soon as the {)lace was taken. We lost 20 
 killed and wounded and about (JO prisoners. The British burnt the 
 barracks and the two arme<l schooners, Niagara and Dolphin. We 
 had more than 400 men, and lost four killed and two others have 
 since died of their wounds. 
 
 (Pile in Pliiladelphia Library.) 
 
 Colonel Macomb, Commanding at Sackett's Harbor, to Major- 
 
 General Dearborn. 
 
 Sacke'it's Harbor, 9 a. m., Feb. 23, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have this moment received an express from Captain For- 
 syth informing me of the enemy's having succeeded in driving him 
 out of Ogdensburg yesterday morning at 9 o'clock. It was not done 
 without a severe contest in which the enemy suffered very consider- 
 ably. The enemy attacked in two columns of about 600 men each, 
 at about eight o'clock in the morning. The Captain reports twenty 
 men killed and wounded, among the latter Lieutenant Baird, and 
 
78 
 
 from the coolness with which his riflemen fired that the enemy 
 muHt have lost three times timt number. The Captain retreated 
 with all his force to Black Lake, about nine miles this side of 
 Ogdensburg. 
 
 N. B. — The enemy had more than double the number under 
 Captain For«yth. There were no stores of any consequence at 
 Ogdensburg. 
 
 I From Niles'a Weekly Register, Baltimore, Md., 6th March, 1813, Vol. IV., p. 9.) 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Headquarters, Albany, February 25, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I this day received by express from Colonel Macomb the 
 enclosed account from Major Forsyth. His known zeal for a small 
 partisan warfare has induced me to jjive him repeated cautions 
 against such measures as would probably produce vsuch retaliating 
 strokes as he would be unable to resist ; but I fear my advice has 
 not been fully attended to as could have been wished. He is an 
 excellent officer, and under suitable circumstances would be of 
 important service. 
 
 I have requested the Governor to order General Brown out, 
 with three or four hundred of such militia as he can soonest >ussemble, 
 to join Forsyth, and I have ordered General Pike, with four hundred 
 of his command, to proceed in sleighs b}' what is considered the 
 shortest and best route to the neighborhood of Ogdensburg or 
 Sackett's Harbor. On his arrival at Potsdam or Canton or Russia 
 he will be able to communicate with Brown or Forsyth, or both, 
 and act with them as circumstances may require. 
 
 The affair at Ogdensburg will be a fair excuse for moving 
 troops in that direction, and by this movement it will be ascertained 
 whether the same route will be best in future ; the distance bv tha* 
 route from Plattsburg to Sackett's Harbor is but little more than 
 one-half of wiiatit would be by the route proposed, and lam assured 
 by a gentleman I can confide in that there will be no difficulty by 
 that route. 
 
 Chaun v has not yet returned from New York. I am satis- 
 fied that if he had arrived as soon as I had expected him we might 
 have unade a stroke at Kingston, on the ice, but his presence wfiS 
 necessary for having the aid of the seamen t. id marines. 
 
 Frcm a letter received this day from Colon ^1 Porter at Niagara, 
 it appears that the enemy were preparing to strike at Black Bock. 
 1 can give him no assistance. 
 
 American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I, 
 
79 
 General Orders. 
 
 Office of the Adjutant General s Department, 
 Montreal, 25th Feb'y, 1813. 
 
 The Major-General commanding has much satiHtaction in an- 
 nouncinjj to the troops in the Lower Province that ho has received 
 a report from Lieut.-Colonel Macdonell of the Glengarry Light 
 Infantry, stating that in consequence of the wanton attack lately 
 made by the enemy on the village of Brockville, it had been deter- 
 mined on to retaliate by an assault on his position at Ogdensburg. 
 This took place in a gallant and spirited manner under command of 
 that officer on the morning of the 22d inst, and was crowned with 
 complete success after an action of an houi* and a half, in which the 
 enemy had about twenty killed and a great number wounded. 
 
 Lieut.-Colonel Macdonell reports his having taken possession of 
 all the enemy's artillery with the exception of one piece, as well as 
 naval, mihtary and commissariat stores, and of his having destroyed 
 the barracks and shipping. A detailed return of the stores has not 
 yet been received, but eleven pieces of artillery and several huiulred 
 8tan<ls of arms had arrived at Prcscott. 
 
 Lieut.-Colonel Macdonell speaks in high terms of the force 
 under his connnand, particularly of the gallantry of Captain Jenkins 
 of tho Glengarry Light Infantry, who was severely wounded. 
 
 The Lieut.-Colonel also mentions the assistance which he 
 received from Colonel Fraser, Lieut.-Colonel Eraser and all the 
 officers of the militia, from Captain Eustace and officers of the 
 King's Regin 'iut, Captain Le Lievre of the Newfounfllan<l Regiment, 
 Lieutenant Macaulay and officers of the Glengarry Light Infantry, 
 and from Lieutenant Gangueben of the Royal Engineers, Ensigns 
 McKay of the fJlengarry Regiment and Kerr of the militia, who 
 directed the service of the field pieces, as well as of the spirited 
 manner in which the advance was led on by Staff Adjutant Ridge. 
 
 List of killed and wounded in the attack on Ogdensburg, 22nd 
 February, 1«13: 
 
 Royal Artillery — One rank and file killed. 
 
 King's Regiment — One sergeant killed, twelve rank and tile 
 wounded. 
 
 Glengarry Light Infantry — Two rank and tile killed; one lieutenant- 
 colonel, one captain, one lieutenant, two sergeants, seven 
 rank and file wounded. 
 
 Militia — Two rank and file killed ; on« captain, three subalterns, 
 one sergeant, 15 rank and file v.uunded. 
 
80 
 
 Total — One servant, six rank and file killed ; one lieutenant- 
 colonel, two captiiinH, four subalterns, three sergeants and 
 38 rank and file wounded. 
 
 Names of officers wounded. — Glengarry Light Infantry — Lieut- 
 Colonel Macdonell, Capt. Jenkins (severely), Lieut. McKay. 
 Militia — Captain J. Macdonell, Lieut. Einpy (severely), 
 Lieut. Mcljean and Lieut. McDerniott. 
 
 J. Rowan, 
 Deputy-AssisUint Adjutant General. 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Headquakters, Kingston, Feb. 23, 1813. 
 
 His Excellency the Connnander of the Forces ha« the satisfac- 
 tion of announcing to the army in British North America the com- 
 plete success of an attack made by Lieut.-Colonel Macdonnell of the 
 Glengarry Light Infantry and the detachment stationed at Pre.scott, 
 yesterday morning, on the enemy's posilicm at Ogdensburg, which 
 terminated in the capture of that place and of eleven pieces of 
 artillery and all the onhiance and marine stores, provisions and 
 camp e(juipage, ami the destruction of two armed schooners and 
 two gunboats. Such of the enemy's garrison as did not fly to the 
 woods were made prisoners. 
 
 The conduct of every individual engaged, and which includes 
 the whole of the troops, regular and militia, stationed at Prescott, 
 appears to have been highly honorable to them. 
 
 The following officers arc particularly noticed by Lieut.-Col. 
 Macdonnell as having distinguished themselves : Captain Jenkins 
 of the Glengarry Light Infantry, who, the Conimanderof the F'orces 
 laments to find, is severely wounded, as also Lieutenant Empy of 
 the militia, who has lost a leg, and Lieutenant Powell of the King's 
 Regiment slightly wounde<l ; Statt* Adjutant Ridge of the King's 
 Regimen< vlio led the advanced guard, and Lieutenant Macaulay 
 of the Glei. ^arry Light Infantry. 
 
 Lieut.-Colonel Mac<lonnell reports that he was well supported 
 by Captain Eustace and the officers of the King's Regiment, by 
 Colonel Fraser and Lieut.-Colonel Fraser and all the officers of the 
 militia, ivs well as Captain Le Lievre of the Royal Newfoundland 
 Regiment attached to the militia. The field artillery was well 
 served by Ensigns McKay of the Glengarry Light Infantry and 
 Kerr of the militia, and the good conduct of the Lieut. Gangueben 
 of the Royal Engineers is likewise particularly noticed. 
 
 The Commander of the Forces was iniluced to authorize this 
 
81 
 
 attack, not by nny means as an act of wanton a^jrreHsion — the trooj/s 
 under his coinniand iuiviii^ been ortlereil at ail tiuie.s to abstain from 
 all acts of that nature — but as one of just and necessary rettiliation 
 for that which was recently made on the British settlement of 
 Brockville by a party from Ogdensburg, and in consequence of 
 fre4|uent depredations from that garrison committed on the persons 
 and property of His Majesty's subjects within it« reach, ami in an- 
 nouncing its result His Excellency feels much pleasure in publicly 
 expressing his entire approluition of the gallantry and judgment 
 with which it appears to have been conducted. 
 
 His Excellency directs the officers and men taken prisoners on 
 thifi occasion to be sent to Montreal, there to remain until further 
 onlera. A salute to be tired innnediiitely. 
 
 John Hahvey, Lieut.-Col., 
 
 Dep. Adj. Gen. 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretai^ of War. 
 
 (BXTRA4T.) 
 
 Alhaxv, February •2fi, 1813. 
 Having received information that Sir George Prevost was 
 moving towanls Upjwr Canada with considerable force, but not such 
 as can be fully relied on, I have, however, onlere<l four hundred 
 more of Pike's command to follow the first det^ichment without 
 delay. 
 
 American State Paperi*, Military Affaint, Vol I. 
 
 From the Buffalo Gaxette, and March, 18x3. 
 
 HKALTH OF THE TIUHU»S. 
 
 To the Editor of the liaff'ulo Gazette : 
 
 Sir, — To correct an erroneous opinion which hjis l<een received 
 by the public of the fatality of the di.sease which has prevailed 
 aiuong the troops, I am induced to give you for publication an 
 abstract of the sick and wounded which have been received into 
 the general hospital at Buffalo during the months of January and 
 February : 
 
 Received from abstract. 
 
 5th U. S. Infantry 52 
 
 !3th do 27* 
 
 llth and 20th do . 48 
 
 2:^t do 12 
 
 2d Regt. Artillery 3 
 
 Ist Light do J) 
 
 Volunteers 8 
 
 *16 of whom were wounded. 159 
 
82 
 
 Discharged 69 
 
 Died 11 
 
 80 total died and diHcharged. 
 Remaining in hospital 79, many of whom are convalescent. 
 
 H. Van Hoevenbero, 
 
 Asst. Hospital Surgeon. 
 
 A Recapture. 
 
 A gentleman from p]rie states that Capt. Daniel Dobbin, naval 
 officer of that place, has recently discovered the Saiina, (the vessel 
 he lost at Detroit when Hull capitulated), ice-bound about 10 miles 
 from Erie. She was loaded with provisions, munitions of war, &c. 
 Another vessel has been discovered in that quarter in a similar con- 
 dition said to be the Clnpixiwa, owned by Mr. Alexander of Fort 
 Erie. Information has come from the Canada side which mentioned 
 the departure of the vessels above mentioned from tlie islands of 
 Sandusky, being driven out by the wind, and being surrounded by 
 cakes of ice they were abandoned. 
 
 (File in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 Sir George Prevost to JSiatl Bathnrst. 
 (No. 46.) 
 
 Niagara, 27th February, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 In my despatch No. 44, which I had the honour of addressing 
 to Your Lordship on the 10th inst., I reported the close of the session 
 of the Provincial Parliament and my intention of proceeding on 
 the following day to visit the military posts in Upper Canada. I 
 was particularly anxious to accomplish this object before the winter 
 roads should become impassable by the thaw, which was daily 
 apprehended, as I was in hopes that my presence at York would 
 serve materially to check a disposition that had manifested itself in 
 that province to cabal against the person administering the govern- 
 ment of it, and might also be the means of restoring order to its 
 militia force. 
 
 I accordingly left Quebec on the 1 7th, and passing through 
 Montreal arrived at Prescott, the first military post in Upper 
 Canada, on the 21st. I found myself within less than a mile of the 
 enemy, posted at Ogdensburg, who had availed themselves of the 
 fi-ozen state of the St. Lawrence in that neighborhood to carry on 
 rejieatcd nocturnal enterprises against posts of communication which 
 were occupied by the militia, and to commit fretiuent depredations 
 
83 
 
 upon the persons and property of His Majesty's subjecta, carefully 
 selecting objects beyond the immediate support of a regular military 
 force. 
 
 Bein^ at that time busily engaged in the transport of ordnance 
 and ordnance stores for the marine establishment on the lakes, and 
 in supplying arms, accoutrements, clothing and ammunition for the 
 militia of the Upper Province, I deemed it absolutely necessary in 
 order to ensure the safe arrival of those essential articles at the 
 places of their destination to dislodge the enemy from his position 
 at Ogdensburg, to secure from interruption my line of communica- 
 tion with Lower Canada. I have now the honour of transmitting 
 to Your Lordship the report which Major l^facdonnel of the Glen- 
 garry Light Infantry Fencibles has made to me of the spirited 
 manner in which he carried into execution my orders on this 
 occasion. 
 
 I heg leave to call Your Lordship's attention to the distin- 
 guished merit of Captain Jenkins of the Glengarry Fencibles, who 
 most gallantly led a part of that new levy into action. This excel- 
 lent young man and very meritorious officer has lost his left arm and 
 has his right severely wounded. Under these circumstances I must 
 humbly recommend him to the favour and protection of His Royal 
 Highness the Prince Regent. 
 
 It is but common ju.stice to the merits of Lieut. Impey of the 
 Dundas Militia who has lost a leg in this affair, which has afforded 
 a fresh proof of the superiority of His Majesty's arms over those of 
 the enemy, to interest Your J^ordship that the same benevolence 
 may be extended to him as he would have experienced had he be- 
 longed to the regular forces, he being a very respectable and worthy 
 man, entirely dependent upon his Inxiily exertions in the cultivation 
 of a farm for the support of himself and a young family. 
 
 Two stand of colors which were taken on this service by the 
 detachment of the King's Regiment will be forwarded to Your 
 Ijonlship by the firat opportunity, to be laid at the feet of His 
 Royal Highness the Prince Regent. 
 
 (Canadian Archive!, Q. 121, p. 106.) 
 
 Sir Georee Prevost to I/ord Bathurst. 
 (No. 47.) 
 
 Niagara, 27th February, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 On my return to Fort George from inspecting the troops on 
 this frontier and viewing the works which have been erected 
 between that place and Fort Erie, and from visiting the advanced 
 pasitions which the solid atate of the ice at the northern extremity 
 
84 
 
 of Lake Erie had rendered indispensiibiy necessary to establish to 
 prevent those incomplete and open batteries from bein^ surprised 
 or taken in reverse, I was met by an officer with despatches from 
 ])etroit. . , . ♦ 
 
 (CantuUan Arehivea, Q. 121, p. 122.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, Niaoara, 
 Ist March, 1813. 
 G. O. 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces is pleased to 
 gfrant the local and temporary rank of Colonel to Lieut.-Colonel 
 Bruyeres, R. E., and to Lieut.-Colonel Myers, Deputy-Quartermaster 
 General in the Province of Upper Canada. 
 
 His Excellency is pleased to approve and confirm the appoint- 
 ment of Lieut. Barnard, 41st Regiment, to act as Staff Adjutant of 
 militia under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Bisshopp, appoint- 
 ment to take place from the 8d November. Captain Lelievre, 
 Royal Newfoundland Rej^iment, is appointed a deputy-assistant 
 quartermaster general, and is directed to relieve Major Clerk, 49th 
 Regiment, on the 24th inst. at York, in the duties of that depart- 
 ment. Lieut. Taylor, 41st Regiment, is appointed Fort Major of 
 Fort George, Niagara, vice Campbell, deceased. 
 
 The headquarters of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment is to 
 be removed to York. Colonel Pearson will give the necessary 
 orders and instructions for Major Heathcote proceeding with such 
 proportion of the regiment now at Kingston as can be spared from 
 the marine service at that port. 
 
 In conse(]uence of the severe wounds of Lieut.-Colonel St. 
 George, incapacitating him from the discharge of his duties as 
 Inspecting Field Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Warburton is directed to 
 proceed immediately to Amherstburg and place himself under the 
 orders of Brig.-General Procter. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 A. G. N. A. 
 
85 
 District General Order. 
 
 Fort George, 8rd March, 1813. 
 (No. 1.) 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces has been pleased 
 to approve of a troop of Provincial Royal Artillery Drivers, to be 
 attached to the Royal Artillery, bein^; immediately raised upon the 
 following establishment, viz.: — 
 
 1 First Lieutenant at 98 per diem 
 
 2 Second Lieutenants at Ss do 
 
 1 Staff sergeant at 8s 2d do 
 
 3 Sergeants at 28 2d each do 
 
 3 Corporals at 2s 0|d do do 
 
 1 Second do at Is lO^d do do 
 
 1 Rough Rider at Is H^d do 
 
 1 Smith and farrier at Ss 2|d do 
 
 3 Shoeing smiths at 28 1 |d do do 
 
 2 Collar makers at Is 10|d do do 
 
 2 Wheelera at Is ll|d do do 
 
 2 Buglers at Is 1 1 ^d do do 
 
 100 Gunner drivers at Is S^d do do 
 
 The men raised for this troop are clearly to understand that 
 their services are to extend if required to either of the Canadas, 
 and to continue for a period of eighteen months, or during the war 
 with the United States. Each man will receive a bounty of eighteen 
 dollars in money and necessaries, and tw^o dollars will be given to 
 the bringer of each recruit. 
 
 The allowance of clothing to the men of the troop to be the 
 same as is given to the corps of Royal Artillery Drivers. 
 
 J. Harvey, Lt.-Col., 
 D. A. G. 
 
 District General Order. 
 
 Fort George, 3rd March, 1813. 
 (No. 2.) 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces has been pleased 
 to approve of a company of Provincial Artificers, to be attached to the 
 Engineer Department, being immediately raised, upon the following 
 establishment, viz.: — 
 
 1 Lieutenant at 10s per diem 
 
 2 Sergeants at 48 6d do 
 
 2 Corporals at 3s 6d do 
 
 60 Artificers at 28 6d do 
 
The men raised for this company are clearly to understand 
 that their services are to extend if re4|uired to either of the Canadas, 
 and to continue for a period of eighteen months, or durinj^ the war 
 with the United States of America. Eacli man will receive a bounty 
 of eifrhteen dollars and the same allowance of clothing; as is j^iven 
 to the Pi-ovincial Drivers. Two dollars will be given to the bringer 
 of each recruit. 
 
 J. Harvey, Lieut.-Col., 
 
 and D. A. O. 
 
 District General Order. 
 
 Fort George, 3rd March, 1813. 
 (No. 3.) 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces has been pleased 
 to approve of a troop of Provincial Light Cavalry being immedi- 
 ately raised for the service of the Canadas for a period of eighteen 
 months, or during the war with the United States of America, upon 
 the following establishment and conditions : — 
 The troop to consist of 
 
 One captain. 
 
 One lieutenant 
 
 One cornet 
 
 One troop sergeant major. 
 
 One farrier. 
 
 Three sergeant^i. 
 
 Fifty privates. 
 
 Officers receiving infantry pay and cavalry allowances. 
 
 Men subsisted at 9d per day and rations 
 
 For horses provided by the owner 6d do do 
 
 For forage for horse Is 9d do 
 
 Total 3s Od per day 
 
 E^ch man will receive a bountv of twelve dollars as an outfit 
 — clothing, arms, accoutrements and horse appointments will be 
 found by the Government 
 
 The men and horses to be approved by inspection, the latter to 
 be valued at inspection, and will be paid for if killed or totally 
 disabled in the actual performance of public service. 
 
 J. Harvey, Lieut-Col. 
 
 and D. A. G. 
 
87 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 HEADgrARTEiis, Sacketi's Hahhor, March ?., 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Having been informed that Sir Georjje Prevoet had ad- 
 journed the Le^JHlatiire at Quebec, assigning as a motive tliat His 
 Majesty's services re<|uired his presence in Upper Canada, and liaving 
 received certain information of his passing Montreal and having 
 arrived at Kingston, I set out inunediately for this place, having 
 onlered the force at Green bush and part of Colonel Pike's command 
 in sleighs for tliis place. I arrived here in fifty-two hours. I am 
 now satisfied, from such information as is entitled to full credit, 
 that a force has been collected from Quebec, Montreal and Upper 
 Canada of from six to eight thousand men at Kingston, and that we 
 may expect an attack within forty-eight hours and perhaps sooner. 
 
 The militia have been called in and every effort will I trust be 
 made to defend the post, but I fear neither the troops from Green- 
 bush or Plattsburg will arrive in season to afford their aid. I have 
 sent expresses to have them hurried on. 
 
 Commotlore Chauncey has not arrived ; he will bo here to- 
 morrow. The armed vessels have not been placed in the positions 
 intended by the Commodore. 
 
 Our total force may be estimated at nearly three thousand of • 
 all descriptions. 
 
 Sir George Prevost is represented to be determined to effect his 
 object at all events, and will undoubtedly make every effort in his 
 power for the purpose. 
 
 We shall, I trust, give him a warm reception, but if his force 
 is such as is expected, and should make an attack before our troops 
 arrive from Greenbu;h and Plattsburg at Sackett's Harbor, the 
 result may at least be doubtful. 
 
 (American Sute Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I.) 
 
 Meadville, March 3.-— We learn from some of the Kentucky 
 prisoners, who left Maiden on the 6th ult., that a number of the 
 inhabitants of Detroit have Xteen seized and sent under guard to 
 Fort George. This measure, it is said, was taken in consequence of 
 a suspicion that the inhabitants of that place intended to revolt 
 with a view of seizing on the fort and delivering it up to General 
 Harrison. 
 
 (Niles's Register, Vol. V., pp. 66-7.) 
 
Militia General Orders. 
 
 Headquarikkh, York, 5th March, 1813. 
 
 It Ix'ing un ohject of the HrHt importance that tlie oi|uipinentof 
 t)ic militia that may he umployec I on nervice on the Niagara frontier 
 sltouM ho aH efficient as possihlo, Hin Honor Maj«)r-(ieneral Sheatt'e 
 is pleoHeil to direct that the arms. accoutrementH, hla!ii<«t8, great 
 eoat8, packH, liavei'HacicN, canteenH, &c., in possesHion of tlioHe not on 
 duty shall he immediately collected and conveyed to the posts on 
 the Niagara line for the inspection of Lieut-Colonel Hisshopp, 
 Inspecting Field Officer of militia. Those in possession of the 
 Lincoln and 2d York Regiment of Militia will be immediately 
 delivered in at those posts which may he most convenient with 
 regard to their relative situations to the respective regiments. 
 Receipts for those articles in triplicate are to be prepared for the 
 signature of the comman<ling officer of the post at which they nmy be 
 delivered, or of the storekeeper or other person who may be 
 appointed by the commanding officer to receive them. One receipt 
 is to be transmitted to the Quartermaster-General, or in his absence 
 to the Assistant Quartermaster-deneral, one to the cojud'g officer of 
 the Regiment, and one to bt? kept by the person eujployed to 
 deliver the articles. 
 
 Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp will extend his inspection to the arms, 
 accoutrements and all artiel«*s of ecpiipment in tlie possession of the 
 militia on duty on the Niagara frontier, and will take the necessary 
 8tei)8 for having all the arms, accoutrements. &c., put immediately 
 into a serviceable state, ft)r which purpose Brigadier-General Vin- 
 cent will give such orders as may be recpiired. None of the articles 
 above described are to Ix^ taken away from the frontier by any one 
 who quits it unless it be for the purpose of going on (lut3\ 
 
 By order, 
 
 i1i)NEAs Shaw, 
 
 Adjt-General Militia. 
 
 Militia General Order. 
 
 Heaik^uahteks, York, 5th March, 1813. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe has been pleased to appoint 
 Francois Baby, Es(juire, Assistant Quartermaster-General of militia 
 for the western district, from the date of his nomination by Lieut- 
 Colonel St George, to act in that department, (and subseijuently 
 ap2>roved by His Honor the Major-General Brock), with the pay 
 
ami allownnces of a Captain and forage for one hurne, and an allow- 
 ance of one Hhilling and Hixponce a day for a clerk. 
 
 By order, 
 
 i^CNEAM Shaw, 
 
 Adjutant-( General Militia. 
 
 General Order. 
 
 HEADgrARTERs, KiNosTON, March 5th, 1813. 
 G. 0. 
 
 HiH Excellency the Commander of the Forces has received the 
 report of a Court of Kn(|uiry ordered to aH.semble on the 18th Octo- 
 ber last, to investigate and report upon the circumstances of an 
 attack made by the enemy on a brigade of l)oats below Prescott, on 
 the l()th Septonil)er, and His Kxcellency fully concurs in the opinion 
 of the Court that there does not appear to have existed any ground 
 whatever to impute any neglect or misconduct on that occasion to 
 Major Heathcote or the officers or men of the detachment un<ler 
 his command. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 Adjt. (General, N. A. 
 
 Irleut. -Colonel Bisshopp to Major-Oeneral Sbeaffe. 
 
 Fort Erie, March 7th, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that yesterda}' evening 
 about three o'clock a deserter crossed from the American side and 
 was ciiased within two miles of our shore by two otticei-s and six 
 privates of the Ignited States army. Lieuts. Bullock and (iardiner 
 and Ensign Martin of the 41st Regiment l)eing on the spot took 
 six uien from the pic(|Uet and succeeded in securing the deserter, 
 and taking prisonera two officers and four privates; the other two 
 offiscted their e.scape to the American shore. 
 
 Much useful information will be collected from the <leserter, 
 who is a Sergeant- Major of the Fifth Regiment, United States 
 Infantry. 
 
 I am very much obliged to Lieuts. Bullock and (lardiner and 
 also to Ensign Martin for their zeal and activity on this occasion. 
 
 I have the honor to enclose the names of the officers taken 
 prisoners, as also a return of their arms. ~ 
 
 names of officer.s taken prisoxehs, march 6th. 
 
 Lieut. G. Clark, 5th Regt., U. States Infantry. 
 Ensign ]). Polk, 12th Regt. do. 
 
90 
 
 N. B. — Those officers are on their route from Fort George to 
 Lower Canada. 
 
 R H. S. 
 
 (Caniidlan Archives, C. 678.) 
 
 Information sfiven by Sergeant-Major Macfarlane of the 5th United 
 States Regiment, who Deserted from Buffalo on the Evening 
 
 of the 7th March, 1813. 
 
 He states the American force to be as follows : — 
 
 Men. Stations. 
 
 5th Regiment 500 Buffalo 
 
 13th do 300 11 Mile Creek 
 
 14th do 800 Black Rock 
 
 12th and 20th do 300 Buffalo 
 
 Total 1900 
 
 ARTILLERY. 
 
 4 6-pounders, Buffalo. 
 
 2 24-pounders \ g, , j. , 
 
 1 long 12-pounder j ^^^^ ^^^' 
 
 A batfc*:ry erecting at Black Rock to mount 19 guns behind 
 piles of w .: 1 to conceal the wor' from the British. 
 
 The ^^mericans expect shells from the British side and are 
 much alarmed. 
 
 Tw^enty-two boats and 8 scows were cut out of the ice on the 
 6th inst. behind Squaw Island. (A true statement.) 
 
 J. B. Glegg. 
 
 (Canadian Arcliives, C. 678.) 
 
 His Honor the President's SP^^CH 
 
 At the opening of the present session of the Legislature — The 
 answer of both Houses thereto — The Address of the House of 
 Assembly to His Honor the President, congratulating him upon 
 hia accession to the Government, &c., with his Answer — The 
 Address of the Inhabitants to His Excellency Sir GEORGE 
 PREVOST, Bart, with his Answer. 
 
 York, 8th March. 1813. 
 
 On Thursday, the 25th February, His Honor ROGER HALE 
 SHEAFFE, Esq., President, administering the Government of Upper 
 Canada, and Major-General commanding His Majesty's Forces 
 therein, accompanied by a numerous suite, proceeded to the Govern- 
 ment buildings and opened the present Session of the Legislature, 
 
91 
 
 when he was pleased to deliver the following Speech to both 
 Houses : — 
 
 Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of 
 the House of Assemhly : — 
 
 It affords me the highest satisfaction that the first time I am 
 called upon to address you in this place I have to offer you my 
 cordial congratulations on the uniform success which has crowned 
 His Majesty's Arms in this Province. The enemy has been foiled 
 in repeated attempts to invade it. Three of his armies have been 
 surrendered or completely defeated, and two important fortresses 
 have been wrested from him. 
 
 In this Glorious Campaign, the Valour and Discipline of Hia 
 Majesty's Regular Forces have been nobly supported by the Zeal 
 and Bravery of our Loyal Militia. 
 
 Succeeding to the administration of the Government of the 
 Province upon the lamented death of Major-General Brock who so 
 nobly fell in its defence, it is grateful to me to announce to you the 
 high sense of the Services of that able and Gallant Officer mani- 
 fested by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, who has been 
 pleased in His Majesty's name to associate him to the most Honour- 
 able Military Order of the Bath. 
 
 I have also the gratification of communicating to you that Hia 
 Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to signify "That the 
 liberal appropriations which have been made by the Legislatures of 
 loth of the Canadas to meet the expenses of the occasion, and the 
 determined spirit of resistance manifested by the Loyal Inhabitants^ 
 leave little apprehension on the result of any trial in which they 
 may be called to prove their courage and perseverance." 
 
 Gentlemen of the House of Assembly : 
 
 I shall direct to be laid before you the ordinary accounts of th& 
 Public Receipt and Expenditure, as also of the fund granted in the 
 last Session to be disposed of in the Defence of the Province against 
 His Maj^^sty's enemies, and I feel confident that you will continue 
 an appropriation for a similar purpose. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen and Gentlemen : 
 
 Doubts have been suggested as to the sufficiency of the late 
 crops to supply the probable wants of the Colony : it may be a. 
 proper object of your consideration to devise some means to control 
 the export of grain and the consumption of it in distillation, should 
 circunistances require it, during the recess of the Legislature. 
 
 The meritorious services of the militia, under privations which 
 they unavoidably suffered, in an arduous and protracted campaign^ 
 
92 
 
 entitle them to the gratitude of the country and to your particular 
 attention. 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces has been pleased 
 to order clothing for a considerable proportion of the Embodied 
 Militia of this Province, but as this does not extend to all the neces- 
 saries requisite to the soldier's comfort, I recommend to you the 
 allowance of a sum to each volunteer, or draft from the militia to 
 provide an outfit. 
 
 I think it proper to draw your attention to the continuation of 
 certain laws of essential importance to this Province now about to 
 expire, and to recommend to your consideration whether a revision 
 of some parts of the Militia Act now in force may not be necessary 
 to render it more efficient. I particularly request to be authorized 
 to pay in advance, half-yearly, the annuity granted to widows and 
 children and to persons disabled in the service. 
 
 You will learn with great satisfaction that the most vigorous 
 measures have been adopted under the direction of the Commander 
 of the Forces, and are now in operation, to strengthen the Provincial 
 Marine and preserve the superiority on the lakes so essential to the 
 safety of the Province. 
 
 It must be unnecessary for me particularly to recommend des- 
 patch in your deliberations. 1 will only add that you may rely on 
 my hearty co-operation in any measure which may conduce to the 
 welfare and security of the Province. 
 
 ADDRESS of the I/egislative Couucil in Answer to His Honor the 
 
 President's SPEECH. 
 
 To His Honor SIR ROGER HALE SHEAFFE, Esquire, Presi- 
 dent, administering the Government of Upper Canada, and 
 Major-General commanding His Majesty's Forces within the 
 same : 
 
 May it please Your Honor : 
 
 We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative 
 Council of the Province of Upper Canada in Provincial Parliament 
 assembled, oifer to you our thanks for your speech at the opening 
 of this Session of the Legislature. 
 
 We participate with Your Honor in the satisfaction which 
 every loyal subject must feel from the uniform success which has 
 crowned His Majesty's Arms in this Province. The armies of the 
 enemy that have been defeated and the fortresses which have been 
 taken are glorious proofs of the valour and discipline of His 
 
93 
 
 Majesty's Regular Forces, nobly supported by the bravery of our 
 loyal militia. 
 
 It is with the deepest regret that with Your Honor we lament 
 the death of your illustrious predecessor, Major-General Brock, who 
 gloriously fell in the defence of this Province, and whose achieve- 
 ments there have left impressions never to be effaced. We rejoice 
 that the services of that able and gallant officer have been highly 
 appreciated V)y His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, who has 
 been pleased in His Majesty's name to associate him to the Most 
 Honorable Military Order of the Bath. 
 
 It affords us additional satisfaction that His Royal Highness 
 has been graciously pleased to signify that the liberal appropriations 
 which have been made by the Legislature of both the Cauadas and 
 the determined spirit of resistance manifested by the loyal inhabi- 
 tants, leave little apprehension of the result of any trial when they 
 may be called upon to prove their courage and perseverance. We 
 hope and trust that the sentiments expressed by His Royal High- 
 ness respecting us will be fully verified by our conduct. 
 
 Our warmest acknowledgments are due to His Excellency the 
 Commander of the Forces for having ordered clothing for a con- 
 siderable proportion of our embodied militia, and we are confident 
 that this work of his humanity and kindness will still further excite 
 that determined spirit of resistance which that body of men have 
 hitherto so nobly manifested. 
 
 Highly sensible of the meritorious services of our militia, labour- 
 ing under privations which they unavoidably have suffered in an 
 arduous and protracted campaign, we will most heartilj' concur 
 with the other branches of the Legislature in such measures as may 
 best contribute to their comfort and administer to their necessities. 
 
 We will pay particular attention to the continuation of such 
 laws aa are of essential importance and are about to expire, and will 
 carefully revise such parts of the Militia Act now in force as may be 
 necessary to render it still more efficient and salutary. 
 
 It is with the greatest satisfaction that we learn that the most 
 vigorous measures have been adopted, under the direction of His 
 Excellency the Commander of the Forces, and are now in operation 
 to strengthen the Provincial Marine and to preserve the superiority 
 of the lakes so essential to our safety and protection. 
 
 A co-operation with Your Honor in such measures as may 
 conduce to the welfare and security of the Province animates us 
 with the hope that we shall be enabled to continue in that glorious 
 career of victory in which we have begun, and by the blessing of 
 
94 
 
 OOD defend our country against our enemies, and transmit our 
 Laws, our Liberty and our Constitution to the latest posterity. 
 
 Tiios. Scott, 
 
 Speaker. 
 Legislative Council Chamber,! 
 March the 2d, 1813. J 
 
 To which His Honor was pleased to make the following reply : 
 Honorable Gentlemen : 
 
 Accept my thanks for your address ; it manifests a spirit of 
 loyalty and patriotism which cannot fail to be highly gratifying. 
 
 I feel confident of your cheerful aid and concurrence in what- 
 soever can promote the public welfare, and that your attention will 
 be particularly directed to those measures which can most effectu- 
 ally contribute towards the security of the Province. 
 
 2d March, 1813. 
 
 ADDR]$SS of the House of Assembly in Answer to His Honor the 
 
 President's SP^ll^CH. 
 
 To His Honor ROGER HALE SHEAFFE, Esquire, President 
 administering the Government of the Province of Upper Can- 
 ada, and Major-General commanding His Majesty's Forces 
 therein : 
 
 May it please Your Honor. 
 
 We, His Majesty's most dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Com- 
 mons of Upper Canada in Provincial Parliament assembled, request 
 Your Honor to accept of our humble thanks for your most gracious 
 Speech. 
 
 We participate in the satisfaction expressed by Your Honor 
 at having it in your power, on the first time you are called upon, to 
 address us, to otter your cordial congratulations on the uniform suc- 
 cess which has crowned His Majesty's Arms in this Province. 
 
 That the enemy has been foiled in his machinations against it ; 
 that three of his araxies have been surrendered or completely 
 defeated, and that two important fortresses have been wrested from 
 him are to us sources of the highest satisfaction. 
 
 It is with pride and exultation we learn that the valour of His 
 Majesty's Regular Forces, (so nobly displayed in the defence of this 
 Province), have been ably svipported by the zeal and bravery of our 
 militia, and we feel confident that while the enemy shall continue 
 his hostile attempts the exertions of our regular and militia forces. 
 
95 
 
 under ..ae direction of Your Honor, will be attended with uniform 
 success. 
 
 The death of our late most gallant and lamented President, 
 Major-General BROCK, who so nobly fell while contending with a 
 superior force of our enemies in defence of this Province, has excited 
 in us feelings of sorrow and regret, and while we lament our inabil- 
 ity to bestow on his great and distinguished merits any other 
 reward than our praise, we learn witli the greatest satisfaction the 
 high sense of the services of that able and gallant officer manifested 
 by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, who has been pleased in 
 His Majesty's name to associate him to the Most Honorable Military 
 Order of the Bath. 
 
 We are happy to perceive the favorable impressions which the 
 liberal appropriations of the Legislature of the two Canadas and 
 the determined resistance manifested bv the loval inhabitants have 
 made on His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and with him we 
 think that little apprehension need be entertained of the result of 
 any trial in which they may be called to prove their courage and 
 perseverance. 
 
 When the Public Accounts are laid before us we will pay that 
 attention to them that the nature of the subject requires, and shall 
 always be happy to afford every means in our power to assist in the 
 defence of the Province. 
 
 We are much concerned tc learn that doubts have been sug- 
 gested as to the sufficiency of the late crop to supply the probable 
 wants of the Colony if the exportation and distillation of grain be 
 uncontrolled. We shall give to such a subject of so much moment 
 our most serious consideration, and shall endeavor to provide such 
 remedy as the emergency niay appear to require. 
 
 We are perfectly sensible of the meritorious services of the 
 militia of this Province, and although they must in a contest like 
 the present unavoidably suffer privations, still, when they consider 
 the great object for which they contend, they will be convinced that 
 their sufferings are inevitable. Their situation demands our most 
 serious attention. 
 
 We feel highly gratified to learn that His Excellency the Com- 
 mander of the Forces has been pleased to order clothing for a con- 
 siderable proportion of the militia, and we will be happy to con- 
 tribute everything in our power towards their comfort. 
 
 We shall direct our attention to the Laws about to expire, and 
 shall endeavor to make such amendments to the Militia Act now in 
 force as may be necessarj'^ to render it more efficient. 
 
 Your Honor's request to be enabled to pay in advance half- 
 yearly the annuity granted to widows and children and persons 
 
96 
 
 disabled in the service is a proof of tlie humanity so conspicuous in 
 your character, and it will be hij^hly pleasing to us to comply with 
 Your Honor's request. 
 
 We learn with the hijifhest satisfaction that the most vigorous 
 measures have been adopted under the direction of the Commander 
 of the Forces, and are now in operation to strengthen the Provincial 
 marine and preserve the superiority on the lakes so essential to ^e 
 safety of this Province. 
 
 We are perfectly sensible that despatch in our deliberations is 
 at this juncture particularly necessary, and we beg leave to assure 
 Your Honor that we have the utmost confidence in Your Honor's 
 administration and in your well known exertions for the defence of 
 the Province and the safety and prosperity of its inhabitants. 
 
 Allan McLean, Speaker. 
 Commons House of Assembly, 
 York, 26th February, 1813. 
 
 To which His Honor was pleased to make the following reply : 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 I thank you for this Address, so cordially responsive to my own 
 sentiments. 
 
 The confidence you express in the successful resistance to any 
 future attempts of the enemy on this Province is a further pledge 
 of the loyalty and bravery of His Majesty's subjects, and which, 
 with the assurance you give of contributing every means in your 
 power to aid them in its defence, cannot but be highly satisfactory. 
 
 27th February, 1813. 
 
 I/ieut. Wm. Hamilton Merritt to Miss Catharine R. Prendergast^ 
 
 at I/ansingburgh, N. Y. 
 
 Niagara, February, 1813. 
 
 Our winter has been gay for them who chuse to enjoy it. We 
 had a splendid assembly last night, given by Col. Myers, Com'g 
 Oflficer here. I never see so many slays in all my life atj this 
 winter. Brigades of 50 and 60 every week from Lower Canada,^ 
 with stores and troops. Every exertion has been made for the 
 defence of this frontier. The coldest weather never stops our work- 
 men. You would be astonished to see the alteration that has taken 
 place on the lines since you left it. Niagara has been battered 
 pretty well. The Amer[icans] endeavored by every means to set 
 
97 
 
 it on fire, but they were disappointed by the activity of its inhabi- 
 tanta. The court house is burned only. I wish the ensuing spring 
 was over. I do not fear the event, as we will always remain victor- 
 ious with the help of God, but to think of losing the lives of so 
 many brave fellows to no purpose only to gratify the ambition of 
 Mr. Madison or Bonaparte. We sent over five hundred prisoners 
 again yesterday. Gen. Winchester and staff remain here for a time. 
 We have been very quiet here for awhile past. I would be pleased 
 to give you an ac[coun]t of the proceedings last year, but I hope 
 you are not highly interested in the war, so will forbear until some 
 future and better opportunity. The country has been the liveliest 
 place, latterly every family moved back. There is two families in 
 your former mansion, and one or two in every house on the 12. All 
 the young men from that place are in a chosen company of picked 
 men. James Dittrick has distinguished himself in a conspicuous 
 manner. John Turney has been down, but would much rather have 
 been home. The most of the young lads in this place think them- 
 selves old veterans ; having been so fortunate in every encounter as 
 yet, they think it is impossible to be beaten. 
 
 It is quite different with the female part of the community. 
 After any alarm the place would be filled with women — everyone 
 coming to see if the object of their affection was safe. I am sorry 
 to say we have lost some very valuable men, more by sickness tho' 
 than bv the sword. — Col. Johnson and Thomas Butler. I mentioned 
 in my last, at Fort Erie, the death of Mrs. Boyd and many more. 
 
 You will be surprised to hear of Joseph Willcocks changing 
 about and becoming a zealous loyalist. He has behaved very well 
 on all occasions and so have all his party, altho' they are trusted 
 with no office whatever. I fear I have troubled you too much, but 
 I must dibble a little in politics. 
 
 (From the Merritt MSS.) 
 
98 
 
 ADDR1SS3 from the House of Assembly to His Honor the 
 
 President, 
 
 Congratulating him upon his Accession to the Government and his 
 success in Repelling the Attempts of the Enemy upon this 
 Province. 
 
 To His Honor ROGER HALE SHEAFFE, President administer- 
 ing the Oovernment of the Province of Upper Canada and 
 Major- General cow.manding His Majesty's Forces therein, 
 (fee, (fee : 
 
 May it please Your Honor : 
 
 We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Com- 
 mons of Upper Canada in Provincial Parliament assembled, deeply 
 impressed with the highest sentiments of respect towards your 
 person, beg leave to approach Your Honor at a juncture so interest- 
 ing and important to the welfare of this part of His Majesty's 
 dominions, and to congratulate Your Honor upon your accession to 
 the supreme executive authority of the Civil as well as the Military 
 administration of the Government of this Province ; at the same 
 time we cannot refrain from deploring the event which deprived 
 this much favored colony of one of its brightest ornaments and our 
 Mother Country of an invaluable officer in the death of your pre- 
 decessor. It affords us, however, a consolation and alleviates the 
 poignancy of our sorrow for the loss of so esteemed a Chief, that in 
 his successor those qualities are found which have been so success- 
 fully exerted by him to repel an inveterate invading enemy, con- 
 ciliate the affections of all and maintain the true spirit and charac- 
 ter of Englishmen. 
 
 We are not insensible to the many arduous and perplexing 
 difficulties which have pressed upon Your Honor in civil as well as 
 military concerns, and it is with the moat lively heartfelt satisfac- 
 tion we express our sincere conviction or the wisdom and policy 
 with which you have performed them since the reins of govern- 
 ment devolved upon you, and in a particular manner we feel it a 
 duty incumbent upon us, as the Representative Body of this Colony, 
 to set forth to the people at large our warmest approbation of the 
 military skill displayed by Your Honor on every occasion, and the 
 great solicitude always manifested on your part to mitigate the 
 hardships to which our loyal and brave militia were inevitably 
 exposed, and further to state to Your Honor that we feel the strong- 
 est and most unlimited confidence in your future exertions of energy 
 and of conduct to preserve to us unimpaired the happy constitution 
 under which we have so long lived and so long been prosperous. 
 
99 
 
 That your efforts will be seconded by every individual in this Pro- 
 vince to the utmost of his ability, we can have no reason to enter- 
 tain a doubt, and that continued and ultimate success may crown 
 them under the peculiar guidance of Divine Providence is our most 
 sincere, most ardent hope, since thus we shall be enabled to trans- 
 mit to our Posterity in their purity those invaluable rights, privi- 
 leges and immunities which our ancestors bled to establish, and so 
 cherished by their descendants who know so well how to appre- 
 ciate aa to enjoy rational and solid freedom. 
 
 Allan Maclean, Speaker. 
 Commons, House of Assembly, 3d March, 1813. 
 
 To which His Honor was pleased to make the following reply : 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 I receive with the most lively sensibility your congratulations 
 on my having succeeded to the Civil and Military administration of 
 the Government of this Province. I condole with you on the event 
 which you so justly deplore, having served too long at the aide of 
 my able and gallant predecessor not to have learnt how to estimate 
 his high worth and to be sensible of the irreparable loss which the 
 Province sustained in being deprived of his services at so important 
 a juncture. 
 
 Accept, Gentlemen, my warmest thanks for the expression of 
 your favorable sentiments towards me, and for the confidence you re- 
 pose in me. By the aid of a kind Providence the designs of the enemy 
 have hitherto been baffled, and I trust that it will still continue to 
 grant its support to us and to smile on the efforts of a brave and 
 loyal people, who are engaged in the noble task of resisting unjust 
 aggression and of struggling to protect their families and their 
 farms and to preserve for themselves and for their posterity not 
 only their property but all those precious and inestimable privi- 
 leges which are enjoyed in this Province as a member of the British 
 Empire. May their exertions in so glorious a cause be crowned 
 with success, and may the blessings of Civil Liberty, Social Order 
 and Happiness flow through successive ages to your descendants, 
 pure and uninterrupted. 
 
 5th March, 1813. 
 
 To Weutenant-General Sir Gl^ORGl^ PROVOST, Batt., Com- 
 mander of the Forces, &c., &c.. &c. 
 
 May it please Your Excellency : 
 
 We, the magistrates and other inhabitants of the town of York, 
 are happy in having an opportunity of paying that respect which 
 
100 
 
 we owe to Your Excellency, and of otferinj? our moat sincere thanks 
 and acknowledgements for the attention you have been pleased to 
 shew to this Province. 
 
 The pride and pleasure which we feel from the behaviour of 
 our gallant militia is greatly heightened when we consider that 
 their conduct is honored with your approbation, and that you are 
 pleased to testify your sense of their services in ordering clothing 
 for a considerable proportion of their number, an act of benevo- 
 lence and humanity which will make a deep and lasting impression 
 on their minds and stimulate them to preserve that high character 
 which they have already acquired. But we should indeed be much 
 wanting to Your Excellency as well as to ourselves if we did not on 
 this occasion with gratitude acknowledge the obligations which this 
 Province lays under to the valor and discipline of His Majesty's 
 regular forces, whose courage and conduct on the most trying emer- 
 gencies have done honor to the name and to the character of » 
 British soldier. 
 
 We are particularly gratified (and offer our most sincere thanks 
 and acknowledgments) for the vigorous exertions which have been 
 made, and are still carrying on towards the strengthening of our 
 Provincial Marine, by order of Your Excellency, fully convinced 
 that to maintain a superiority on the lakes is an object of the first 
 importance to this Province. 
 
 Thankful for that success which has hitherto crowned His 
 Majesty's arms under your command, we earnestly wish for its 
 continuance, entertaining the pleasing hope that by our own con- 
 duct and the exertions of your brave defenders we, in this Colony, 
 by the blessing of God, may long remain, under the protection of 
 our Parent State, a free, brave and loyal people. 
 
 To which His Excellency was pleased to return the following 
 answer : 
 
 To the Magistrates and other Inhabitants of the Town of York: 
 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 I am highly sensible of your sincere thanks and acknowledg- 
 ments for the attention which you consider me to have evinced to 
 the welfare and preservation of this valuable Province. 
 
 Not only my duty but also the express commands of His 
 Royal Highness the Prince Regent govern my conduct in regulating 
 and improving those objects which excite your approbation, and in 
 expressing the high respect I entertain of the gallant and patriotic 
 behaviour of your militia I express the sentiments of your Sovereign 
 and your fellow subjects throughout His Majesty's empire, who 
 
101 
 
 admire and applaud the exertions of a free, brave and loyal people, 
 manfully contendinjj to preserve for themselves and their children 
 the fostering protection of a virtuous, wise and powerful State. 
 
 Government House, York, Upper Canada, March 3d, 1813. 
 
 (From printed copies in the Talbot Papers. ) 
 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gazette, March 9th, 1813.) 
 
 On the 22d ult. the British 8th Repment, having previously 
 come up from Montreal in sleighs, passed over at Ogdensburg, 
 attacked Capt. Forsyth and captured 1 1 pieces of cannon, burnt 2 
 schooners, 2 small armed boats, a quantity of marine stores, pork, 
 flour and whiskey, burnt the fort, barracks and returned. This 
 account was sent by the British from Fort George to Colonel Mc- 
 Feeley at Fort Niagara. They stated that the enterprise was only 
 a retaliatory measure, that private property would be paid for. 
 
 A .salute was fired at Fort George on Sunday on account of 
 this affair, and on Monday following a salute was fired at Black 
 Rock for the victory over the Java. 
 
 On Saturday last while a lieutenant, an ensign and 8 privates, 
 belonging to the regular army, were in pursuit of a deserter who 
 was making for the Canada shore on the ice, five sleighs with troops 
 on board pa8.sed up from Fort Erie, pursued and took the party in 
 pursuit of the deserter, only one making his escape, 
 
 (Pile in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Sackett's Harbor, March 9, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have not yet had a visit from Sir G. Prevost. His 
 whole force is concentrated at Kingston, probably amounting to six 
 or seven thousand, about three thousand of them regular troops. 
 The ice is good and we expect him every day, and every measure 
 for preventing a surprise is in constant activity. The troops from 
 Greenbufih, (upwards of 400,) have arrived. I have heard nothing 
 from Pike ; he should have been here yesterday. I have sent three 
 expresses to meet him ; neither has returned. I have suspicions of 
 the express employed by the Quartermaster-General to convey the 
 orders to Pike ; the earliest measures were taken for conveying a 
 duplicate of his orders ; I hope to hear from him to-day. His 
 arrival with eight hundred good troops would be very important at 
 this time. The enemy are apprised of his movement. 
 
 I begin to entertain some doubts whether Sir George will ven- 
 
102 
 
 ture to attack us, but shall not relax in being prepared to give him 
 a decent reception. 
 
 I should feel easier if Pike should arrive in season. I am in 
 want of officers of experience. My whole force, exclusive of seamen 
 and marines, who will be confined to the vessels and have no share 
 in the action until my force shall be worsted, amounts to nearly 
 3000 exclusive, 450 militia at Brownsville and on the road leading 
 from Kingston by land. Within two or three days I may have 300 
 more militia from Rome and Utica. 
 
 The ice will not probably be passable more than from six to 
 ten days longer ; it is not usually passable after the 15th of March. 
 This unexpected movement of the enemy will effectually oppose the 
 movements contemplated on our part, and I shall not think it 
 advisable to order General Chandler to move at present. As soon 
 as the fall of this place shall be decided we shall be able to deter- 
 mine on other measures. If we hold this place we will command 
 the lake and be ablt ^o act in concert with the troops at Niagara, 
 while Chandler's brigade with such other troops as may assemble 
 in Vermont may induce a return of a considerable part of those 
 troops that have left Lower Canada. 
 
 When I ordered Pike to move I directed General Chandler to 
 have the provisions at Plattsburg moved to Burlington. There was 
 but a small proportion of our magazines at Plattsburg ; they are 
 principally at Burlington and Whitehall. 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) 
 
 ' ' " ; • ' Sackett's Harbor, March 14, 1813. 
 
 From the most recent and probable information I have obtained 
 I am induced to believe that Sir George Prevost has concluded that 
 it is too late to attack this place. He undoubtedly contemplated a 
 coup-de-main against the shipping here. All the apprehension is 
 now at Kingston. Sir George has visited York and Niagara and 
 returned to Montreal. Several bodies of troops have lately passed 
 up from Montreal, but such precautions have been taken to prevent 
 their number being ascertained as to render it inpossible to form 
 any accurate opinion of their forces or to imagine very nearly what 
 they amount to. From various sources, I am satisfied that they are 
 not in sufficient force to venture an attack on this place, knowing, 
 as they do, that we have collected a fine body of troops from Green- 
 bush and Plattsburg, and that the militia have been called in. We 
 are probably just strong enough on each side to defend, but not in 
 sufficient force to hazard an offensive movement. The difference of 
 
103 
 
 attacking and being attacked, as it regards the contiguous posts of 
 Kingston and Sackett's Harbor, cannot be estimated at less than 
 three or four thousand men, arising from the circumstance of militia 
 acting merely on the defensive. I have ordered General Chandler, 
 with the 9th, 21st and 25th regiments, to march for this place ; 
 Clark's regiment and a company of artillery to be left at Burlington 
 for the present, where the regiment will be filled in a few weeks. 
 I have ordered the recruits for the three regiments that will march 
 for this place to be sent to Greenbush, and Colonel Larned is ordered 
 to receive them with Backus's dismounted dragoons and other 
 detachments from Pittslield. 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) ; ■' '■ '<■■'■ ^- ' 
 
 Sackett's Harbor, March 16, 1813. 
 
 It was yesterday unanimously determined in a council of the 
 principal officers, including Commodore Chauncey, that we ought 
 not, under existing circumstances, to make an attempt on Kingston 
 before the naval force can act. The harbors in this lake will prob- 
 ably not be open so as to admit of the vessels being moved until 
 about the 15th of April. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. 1.) , •• 
 
 I/ieut. -Colonel Myers to Colonel Baynes. s 
 
 York, 10th March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I am directed by Major-General Sheaffe to acquaint you 
 that in consequence of a letter which he received from the Military 
 Secretary from Kingston, and of the arrival here of Capt. McDouall 
 from Amherstburg, who states that from your communication by 
 him to Brigadier-General Procter he is in hourly expectation of the 
 portion of the 41st Regiment, which will make up five companies 
 thereof, (72 privates), the grenadier company of that corps with its 
 complement of officers and non-commissioned officers has been 
 ordered to proceed to him in light marching order without delay. 
 The heavy baggage will follow with the headquarters on the open- 
 ing of the navigation. 
 
 From the conversation I had with His Excellency the Com- 
 mander of the Forces and yourself upon this subject, I had under- 
 stood that no part of this arrangement was to take place until the 
 navigation did open, however, under all circumstances, it may 
 prove of advantage to the service to push forward the grenadiers, 
 and I trust it will meet with His Excellency's approbation. 
 
104 
 
 The Major-General, understanding by Mr. Freer's letters that 
 the headquarters and a proportion of the Newfoundland Regiment 
 had been directed to move from Kingston for this post, he has given 
 orders to Colonel Pearson to send them on without loss of time. 
 He will, by their arrival here, be enabled to replace in numbers the 
 41st grenadiers. The line from Fort George to Fort Erie can but 
 ill spare even the temporary loss of them ; in the meantime the best 
 distribution possible of what is left will be made. , ; 
 . I • (Canadian Archives, C. 678.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, Montreal, 10th March, 1813. 
 G. O. 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces has received the 
 commands of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent to convey to 
 Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe His Royal Highness's entire 
 approbation of the distinguished services of that officer, and the 
 zealous exertions and exemplary courage displayed by the troops 
 under his command in the attack made by the enemy at Queenston 
 on the 13th October last. 
 
 As a testimony of His Royal Highness's sense of Major-General 
 SheafFe's services, he has been graciously pleased to confer upon 
 him the title of Baronet of the United Kingdom, and the brevet 
 rank of Major to Captain Holcroft of the Royal Artillery and 
 Captains Dennis and Williams of the 49th Regiment, who were 
 particularly mentioned on that occasion. 
 
 His Royal Highness is fully aware of the severe loss which 
 His Majesty's service has experienced in the death of Major-General 
 Brock. 
 
 His Royal Highness has also been graciously pleased to ex- 
 press his regret at the loss which the Province of Upper Canada 
 must experience by the death of the Attorney-General, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Macdonnell, whose zealous co-operation with Sir Isaac Brock 
 will reflect lasting honor on his memory. 
 
 J. Rowan, ' > 
 ■^/-•v.v--.:-o .,-..■ ^ D. A. A. G. 
 
 Karl Bathurst to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Downing Street, 12th March, 1813. 
 (No. 24.) 
 
 Sir, — I have had the honor of submitting to the consideration 
 of the Prince Regent your several despatches from No. 22 to 31 
 inclusive. 
 
105 
 
 The additional proof which those despatches afford of the 
 gallantry and discipline of that portion of His Majesty's troops 
 under your command is most gratifying to His Royal Highness, nor 
 does His Royal Highness either overlook or undervalue the dis- 
 tinguished co-operation of the militia of the Canadian Provinces, or 
 the general zeal by which the whole population appears to have 
 been animated in repelling the invasion of the enemy. 
 
 The faint attempt made by the American army on the frontiers 
 of Lower Canada, terminating as it has done in a disastrous retreat, 
 appears to me sufficiently to indicate the Upper Province as that 
 against which their principal attempts will be hereafter made. 
 Under this impression I cannot but express a hope that you may 
 have been enabled to make such detachments to the Upper Province 
 as to meet the corresponding efforts of the enemy. 
 
 I have lately had occasion to communicate to you the various 
 measures which have been adopted for affording you a reinforce- 
 ment of troops early in the spring. To those which I mentioned in 
 my despatches of the 12th January and the 11th February, of 
 which copies are herewith enclosed, I have now to add that 550 
 men of the 19th Dragoons have been ordered for service in Canada, 
 and will sail from Cork in company with the infantry as per 
 margin* about the 20th instant, I am not without hopes that you 
 may, previous to their arrival, have collected a supply of horses 
 requisite for this number of men, but I have thought it neverthe 
 less expedient to direct the embarkation of 150 horses from Cork 
 for the service of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the 
 regiment, in order to obviate the difficulties which you may find in 
 mounting those ranks immediately for service in the field. 
 
 I have to state with great regret that the long continuance of 
 "Westerly winds has prevented the transports intended for the con- 
 veyance of the two regiments from Barbadoes to Canada from pro- 
 ceeding to the West Indies, and that you must consequently be 
 prepared to expect a delay in their arrival at Quebec corresponding 
 to that which has so unfortunately taken place in their departure 
 from this country. One of the regiments, from the Mediterranean, 
 which I mentioned in my former despatch, is, however, arrived at 
 Cadiz, and will at the end of this month be on the passage to the 
 St. Lawrence. The other regiment, from Malta, maj'^ also be looked 
 for at an early period ; and as I learn from Sir J. C. Sherbrooke 
 that you have ordered the 8th Regiment and a company of artillery 
 from Halifax, I trust that you will on the breaking up of the frost 
 be as secure from any serious apprehensions for the safety of either 
 Province as you would have been if the reinforcements from the 
 
 •4l8t Foot, 2d Batt. 500 ; detachments, 654. 
 
106 
 
 West Indies had arrived in Canada, as was intended at a more early 
 period of the year. 
 
 As the arrival of all the intended reinforcements will have the 
 effect of placing under your orders a considerable number of empty 
 transports, it will be necessary that you should, with a view to the 
 general convenience of the service, direct them to return to this 
 country by the first convoy unless it should occur to you that their 
 detention could be of any material advantage. 
 
 The necessity of maintaining that naval superiority on the 
 
 lakes which in your despatch No. you described yourself as 
 
 pousessing, has at no time been lost sight of by His Majesty's 
 Government; and I am happy to find that the measures which they 
 have adopted already are so much in unison with those recom- 
 mended by you. The Woolwich troopship is now at the point of 
 sailing for North America with the oificers and seamen specified in 
 the margin.* She has also on board such naval stores as are con- 
 sidered necessary for the equipment of the two new vessels building 
 on Lake Ontario. The carronades required for these vessels, to- 
 gether with the barrack, marine and batteaux stores, for which a 
 requisition had been previously received, are now shipping on board 
 a transport which will proceed with the fii:,c fleet. 1 fear that the 
 want of detailed explanation as to the size or description of those 
 vessels may occasion the omission of some perhaps very necessary 
 articles. But I trust this deficiency will be obviated by the direc- 
 tions which have been given to the dockyard at Halifax to afford 
 you on all occasions such assistance as is consistent with the means 
 placed at their disposal. The inconvenience of giving to the 
 Quartermaster General the superintendence of the Naval Depart- 
 ment has been obviated by the appointment of Sir James Yeo as 
 commanding officer on the lakes, who will be in communication with 
 Sir J. B. Warren and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 
 on all subjects connected with that branch of the service. It will, 
 however, be necessary that the storing and victualling of the vessels 
 employed on the lakes should be conducted as heretofore. In order 
 to remove any doubt which might otherwise exist respecting the 
 nature and limits of the command to be exercised by the naval 
 officer on the lakes, it is my intention to transmit to you by the 
 earliest opportunity a copy of the instructions which will be given 
 on this subject to Sir James L. Yeo, and have only to express my 
 confident expectation that as he is to be placed by these instructions 
 as much under your control as is consistent with the rules of the 
 department under which he is now immediately acting, so you will 
 find him always ready effectually to forward any objects which you 
 
 *1 Commodore, — Captains, — Lieutenants, 10 Midshipmen, 400 seamen. 
 
107 
 
 may have in view for the defence of the provinces under your 
 charge. 
 
 The requisition contained in your despatches No. 23 and 29 
 had already been fulfilled by the order which had been previously 
 given for forwarding the first fleet to Quebec, clothing, accoutre- 
 ments and camp equipage complete for 10,000 men. The directions 
 which you have given as to the description of clothing required will 
 be immediately attended to 
 
 Equal attention has been paid to the demand of the Commis- 
 sary General, as stated in your despatch No. 25. I cannot, however, 
 avoid regretting that the Commissary General should on the eve of 
 a deficient supply of flour in Canada have thought it prudent to 
 export so considerable a ({uantity of that article to the Peninsula at 
 the close of last year, and I must impress upon you the importance 
 of deriving as far as possible from other quarters than Great Britain 
 such further supplies as may be required for the subsistence of the 
 troops or the inhabifcarits. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678, p. 123.) 
 
 Captain A. Gray to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Quartermaster-General's Office, 
 Montreal, 12th March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Agreeable to Your Excellency's instructions I have the 
 honour of submitting my opinion as to the most beneficial mode of 
 employing the naval officers now serving on the lakes, after the 
 arrival of the reinforcement expected from England. 
 
 On Lake Erie little alterations appear to be necessary, as the 
 oflScers in that division of our marine have uniformly done their 
 duty. But as the establishment will have to be augmented in con- 
 sequence of the new ship building at Amherstburg, I should beg 
 leave to recommend Captain Hall for the new ship and Lieutenant 
 Purvis to be appointed 1st Lieutenant into the Queen Charlotte, 
 leaving the other oflBcers to retain their present command, viz.: 
 Lieut. Barivis to the Lady Prevost and Lieut. Rollette to the 
 Hunter. 
 
 I am induced to submit this arrangement from the favorable 
 opinion I entertain of Captain Hall as an officer, as I am fully per- 
 suaded that his being retained at the head of this division of the 
 marine will prove beneficial to the service. 
 
 I am induced from similar motives to submit the name of Lieut. 
 Purvis as the 2d officer on Lake Erie, as local seniority ought to 
 have no weight in the present arrangements. 
 
 On Lake Oatario the good of the service calls for a radical 
 
108 
 
 change in all of the officers, as I do not conceive there is one man 
 of this division fit to command a ship of war. A selection, however, 
 may be made from the naval officers now employed and incorpor- 
 ated with the new establishment, as their local knowledge renders 
 their services as sailing masters and pilots indispensable. I should 
 therefore beg leave to submit that Captain Earle may be appointed 
 sailing master to the Sir Isaac Brock, Lieuts. Fish, Smith and 
 Richardson to the new ship building at Kingston, the Royal George, 
 and the new schooner laid down at Kingston, the junior and petty 
 officers to be classed according to their merits. Lieuts. Simpson and 
 Govereau I do not include in this arrangement, as it is my opinion 
 that they should be dismissed the service as soon as the new 
 establishn.ent of the marine is carried into effect ; sufficient grounds 
 for the opinion now given ma)'^ be found in the transactions of the 
 last campaign, exclusive of what has fallen under my own observa- 
 tion in my repeated inspections of the Provincial Marine. It may 
 be observed that Captain Earle is equally liable to the censure 
 passed on the other commanders of the armed vessels on Lake 
 Ontario, and that lie also should be dismissed. I should therefore 
 state my reasons for recommending that he may be retained in the 
 service. I am ready to admit that his conduct as an officer has 
 been much and justly censured for want of spirit and energy, both 
 in relatior to his conduct before the enemy and in the discipline and 
 interior economy of his ship. But as he is a good private character 
 and is an experienced pilot for i^he lake and perfectly acquainted 
 with all the di ties of a sailing master, I conceive it more conducive 
 to the good of tb3 seivice to reduce him to that situation than to 
 dismiss him at tho preset ♦^ moment. 
 
 There will therefore remain the ships of war on Lake Ontario 
 only to be provided with commanders and a 2d officer if they can 
 be procured, viz, : 
 
 Officers required upon Lake Ontario in addition to the present 
 establishment : 
 
 The^risaac.BrocA:Uf^^9^^P^*^^- : : 
 
 J 1 1st Lieutenant. 
 
 The myai Oe^ge } \ ^^^i^i^^-^- f ' I V ^ 
 
 Moira, 1 First Lieutenant. 
 
 New schooner building) ■• n- . t • i i. 
 at Kingston ^'j 1 First Lieutenant. 
 
 Prince Regent, 1 First Lieutenant. 
 Gloucester, 1 Lieutenant. 
 Ship building at\ 1 Master and Commander. 
 Kingston J 1 First Lieutenant. 
 
109 
 
 Total officers required in addition to the present ostablishment : 
 
 Post Captain 1 
 
 Masters and Commanders 2 
 
 Lieutenants 7 
 
 T)ie second lieutenants and petty officers may be selected from 
 the present establishment, or may be procured in the Canadaa. 
 Estimate of establishment reouired for the lakes : 
 
 No. 
 
 'New ship building^ at Amherstburg. 60 
 
 Queen Charlotte 50 
 
 Lady Prevost 35 
 
 Hunter 25 
 
 0) 
 
 U 
 
 .3 
 
 ^ 
 
 G 
 
 
 Total on Lake Erie 170 
 
 Sir Isaac Brock 130 
 
 New ship at Kingston 90 
 
 Royal George 80 
 
 Moira 45 
 
 New schooner 45 
 
 Prince Regent 35 
 
 Gloucester 20 
 
 Total on Lake Ontario 445 
 
 Total seamen wanted on both lakes 615 
 
 Deduct seamen now on the lakes, about 150 
 
 Total seamen wanted to man the ships of war in Upper Canada 465 
 
 In the above estimate the marines are not included, as it is now 
 proposed to employ the Newfoundland Regiment in this service. 
 
 A. Gray, 
 Acting Dep'y Quartermaster General. 
 
 ComparatiYe Statement of the British and American Forces upon 
 the I/akes, as far as that of the ]$nemy can be Ascertained : 
 
 Quartermaster General's Office, 
 Montreal, 13th March, 1813. 
 
 ON lake ERIE. 
 BRITISH. Guns. 
 
 The Queen Charlotte, carrying 12 24-pounders carronades and 
 4 long 9-pounders, 2 in the bow and 2 in the stern, ship 
 rigged 16 
 
110 
 
 The Lady Prevost, 10 12-pounders carronadeH and 2 lon^ sixes, 
 
 one in the bow and one in the stern, schooner rigged 12 
 
 The General Hunter, six long six-pounders, cutter rigged 6 
 
 '■■■*"■ ■ ', ■■ 34 
 
 The above are fully equipped and rerdy for sea. The following 
 are building and may be ready to launch in June : 
 
 A ship of 18 guns, which it is proposed to arm with 14 12- 
 poundera carronades and 4 long nines, in bridle ports, bow 
 and stern 18 
 
 Two decked gunboats, capable of mounting a long 18-pounder 
 
 each 2 
 
 Total building 20 
 
 Total number of guns expected to be mounted in the vessels by 
 
 the end of June or beginning of July 54 
 
 AMERICAN. 
 
 The naval force of the enemy on this lake was all taken or 
 destroyed last summer, but they have been building, both at Buffalo 
 and Sandusky. 
 
 It is therefore uncertain what their means may be on the open- 
 ing of navigation. 
 
 There is, however, no reason to suppose that they will be en- 
 abled to meet us on the lake, as from all information we have been 
 enabled to procure their efforts have been confined to small craft 
 and gun boats. 
 
 ON LAKE ONTARIO. . 
 
 BRITISH. Guns. 
 
 The Royal George, 20 32-pounders carronades, ship rigged ... 20 
 The Eaii of Moira, carrying 10 IS-pounders carronades and 4 
 
 long sixes, 2 in the bow and 2 in the stern, brig rigged . . 14 
 The Prince Regent, 10 12-pounders carronades and 2 long sixes, 
 
 one in the bow and one in the stern, schooner rigged ... 12 
 The Gloucester, formerly carried 6 6-pounders, now repairing ; 
 
 cutter rigged 6 
 
 Total , 52 
 
 The Royal George and Earl of Moira are at Kingston and the 
 Prince Regent and Gloucester are at York. 
 
 The above are fully equipped and ready for sea. 
 
Ill 
 
 The following are now building : 
 
 The Sir Isaac Brock, building at York to carry 26 32-pounder8 
 carronades and 4 long eighteens, 2 in the bow and 2 in the 
 
 stern ; ship riggod . . , 30 
 
 This vessel should be launched in May. 
 
 Ship building at Kingston of 22 guns, 18 32-pounder8 carron- 
 ades and 4 long twelves, 2 forward, 2 aft, ship rigged ... 22 
 
 Schooner building at Kingston, to carry 10 18- pounders carron- 
 ades and* 4 long nines, 2 forward and 2 aft 14 
 
 66 
 The ship will be launched the 15th of April and the 
 schooner about the middle of May. 
 
 AMERICAN. 
 
 The ship Madison, carrying 26 32-pounder8 carronades .... 26 
 
 The brig Oneida, 16 24-pounders carronades 16 
 
 A new vessel building of the class of the Oneida (it is supposed) 16 
 Six or eight armed craft caiTying either one heavy gun or two 
 or three of a lighter calibre each, say eight vessels, mount- 
 ing 2 32-pounders long guns, 2 24-pounders long guns, 10 
 12-pouuders long guns , 14 
 
 Total 72 
 
 (Enclosed in Sir George Prevost's despatch to Earl Bathurst of 19th March, 1813. 
 Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 147.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 York, 13th March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour of informing Your Excellency that 
 the session of the Legislature of this Province will close this day. 
 There are some amendments to the Militia Act which promise some 
 benefit, and others of rather a doubtful character, but the test of 
 experience may, however, decide in their favour. 
 
 I have directed a copy of the titles of the bills which have been 
 framed to be prepared for Your Excellency to accompany this letter, 
 and I shall as early as possible transmit a copy of the acts them- 
 selves. 
 
 An Incorporated Militia is to be formed of volunteers to serve 
 during the war with the United States, with a bounty of eight 
 dollars. This bounty is granted in compliance with my suggestion 
 of an "outfit." The House was restrained, I believe, from granting 
 a larger sum by a consciousness of its limited means. The Speaker 
 told me that he wished they could have raised the sum for each 
 
112 
 
 >< 
 
 man to twenty dollars. All the unappropriated funds of the Pro- 
 vince are, however, placed at iny dispoflal, but there will be ho many 
 other demands that I shall not be enabled to add to the bounty, 
 which I think too small for the purpose. May I therefore hope for 
 Your Excellency's aid and authority for making an addition of ten 
 or twelve dollars, or of such other sum as you may deem sufficient. 
 P. S. — The Legislature of Upper Canada will bo prorogued this 
 day. 
 
 (Canadian Arohives, Q. 317, p. 95.) 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 18th March. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe is pleased to appoint Ralfe 
 Clinch, Esquire, Assistant Quartermaster General to the militia 
 forces, with the pay and allowances of a Captain. He is to be 
 stationed at Niagara until further orders. He will be allowed for- 
 age of one horse and one shilling and sixpence a day for a clerk. 
 
 By order, 
 
 ^NEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adj't. Gen'l, Militia. 
 
 (Prom the Quebec Mercury, April 13th, 1813.) 
 
 York, March 20, 1813. 
 
 On Saturday last, (March 13th) His Honor the President closed 
 the session of the Legislature and was pleased to make the following 
 speech to both Houses : 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen 
 of the House of Assembly : 
 
 The diligence and unanimity with which the business of the 
 session has been brought to so speedy a conclusion are highly credit- 
 able to you, and in the present crisis peculiarly acceptable to me. 
 
 In declaring His Majesty's assent to the several laws you have 
 enacted, I assure myself that the public good will be promoted. 
 The alterations which have been introduced into the organization of 
 the militia are yet to be submitted to the test of experience, and I 
 hope that they will be productive of the expected benefit. 
 
 Your continued liberality in devoting all the surplus revenue to 
 provide means for the defence of the Province cannot fail to be 
 highly gratifying to Your Sovereign. 
 
 The aid afforded to the credit and circulation of Army Bills is 
 calculated to produce beneficial effects, though their intrinsic value 
 might have appeared not to require any support. 
 
113 
 
 If it should be found necessary to use the power reposed in the 
 Executive Government to restrain the export of provisions it will 
 be exercised with due circumspection. 
 
 I acknowledge my personal satisfaction for the further pro- 
 vision made for the relief of those who may suffer by the casualties 
 of war. 
 
 The character of the nation to which we belong^ is so frank and 
 confiding that she could not contemplate the actual result of the 
 protracted nej^otiation with the United States — her aid therefore 
 luis not yet been fully extended to this insulted Province, but the 
 designs of the enemy being now developed we may be assured that 
 they will be encountered by the energies of a great and powerful 
 people. 
 
 In the meantime the attention of the British Empire must have 
 been attracted to it by the successful resistance to the repeated 
 attacks of a numerous and prepared enemy. It behoves us the more 
 therefore to maintain the high character already acquired, and I 
 feel confident that on your return to your homes your example and 
 influence will be employed to sustain throughout the Province that 
 spirit, zeal and loyalty which has hitherto ilistinguished all classes 
 of His Majesty's subjects, and so nobly supported the regular force 
 employed in its defence. 
 
 (File in Library of Parliament, Ottawa.) 
 
 Second Session of the Sixth Provincial Parliament 
 
 Met at York on the Twenty-fifth day of February and Prorogued on 
 the Third day of March following, in the Fifty-third year of the 
 Reign of George III. 
 
 Roger Hale Sheaffe, Esquire, President. 
 
 ANNO DOMINI, 1813. 
 
 Chapter I. 
 
 An Act to facilitate the circulation within this Province of 
 army bills issued by authority of the Province of Lower Canada. 
 
 Chapter II. 
 An Act to repeal and amend certain parts of the militia law, 
 and also for transporting naval and military stores. 
 
 Chapter III. 
 
 An Act to authorize the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor or 
 person administering the government of this Province, to prohibit 
 the exportation of grain and other provisions, and also to restrain 
 the distillation of spirituous liquors from grain. 
 
114 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 An Act to provide for tl»« iimintenauce of persons diHnhled, and 
 the widows ami children of such persons as may bo killed in His 
 Majesty's service. 
 
 (P.iflsed March 13, 1813.) 
 
 Mont Oracioita Sovereiffn: • 
 
 Whereas it is deemed expedient to provide means for the sup- 
 port of such officers, non-commissioned officers and private militia- 
 men as may he disabled in His Majesty's service, and to provide for 
 the support of the widows and children of such officers, non-com- 
 missioned officers and private militia-men as may be killed on such 
 service ; be it therefore enacted by the Kinj^'s Most Excellent 
 Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lej^islative 
 Council and Assembly of the Province of Upper Canada, constituted 
 and assenibled by virtue of and under authority of an act passed in 
 the parliament of CJreat Britain, entitled : " An act to repeal certain 
 parts of an act passed in the fourteenth year of His Majesty's reign, 
 entitled, 'An act for making more effectual provision for the govern- 
 ment of the Province of Quebec in North America, and to make 
 further provision for the government of the said Province,' " and by 
 authority of the same, that if any officer, non-connnissioned officer 
 or private militia-man shall in any engagement with the enemy, or 
 by any accident or casualty which may occur while performing any 
 duty on actual service, be killed and leave a widow, child or child- 
 ren lawfully begotten, his widow shall be entitled to receive during 
 her widowhood, and in case of the death or marriage of such widow 
 then the eldest child or guardian for the use of such child or child- 
 ren of such officer, non-commissioned officer or private militia-man, 
 until the youngest thereof shall have attained the age of sixteen 
 years, an annuity of twenty pounds lawful money of this Province, 
 
 II. [Repealed by 56th Geo. III., c. 17, s. 1.] 
 
 Pension to officers, non-commissioned officers or militia-men 
 disabled on service and having wife or child, and in case of death 
 before recovering from such incapacity to his widow or children. 
 , III. [Repealed by 55 Geo. III., c. 6, a. 1.] 
 
 Pension to be paid to officer, &c., disabled, not having a wife or 
 child. 
 
 IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 that the thirty-eighth clause of an act passed in the fifty-second 
 year of His Majesty's reign, entitled : "An act to repeal part of the 
 laws now in force for raising and training the militia of this Pro- 
 vince, and to make further provision for the raising and training 
 the said militia," shall be repealed and the same is hereby repealed 
 
115 
 
 •ccordinj^ly, provided alwayH that nothing herein contained shall 
 prevent or l)c conHtrned to prevent the pemonH who have been 
 wounde<l or di8abh;d before tlie panning of this act, or tlie widow or 
 child or chihlnuj of hucIi pcrHon or persons iih have been killed on 
 actual service, from receiving the annuity iieretofore by law allowed 
 to them. 
 
 V. And Ih) it further enacted by the authority aforesai«l, that 
 the said several annuities herein granted shall be paid by the 
 Receiver General of this Province out of any monies that now are 
 or may hereafter come into his hands, subject to the disposition of 
 the parliament of this Province, and in dischars^e of such warrant 
 or warrants as may be issued by the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, 
 or person administeritifr the j:fovernment of this Province, and it 
 shall and may be lawful for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or 
 person administering the ffovernment to order and direct that the 
 said aimuities herein granted and allowed shall be paid either in 
 advance or by quarterly or half-yearly L.iymenta, as to him shall 
 seem proper, and the 8ai<l several sums of money when so paid shall 
 be accounted for to His Majesty, his boil's or successors, through the 
 Loi*ds Commissioners of His Majesty's treasury, in such manner and 
 form as His Majesty, his heirs and successors, may please to direct. 
 
 Chapter V. 
 
 An act to prohibit the sale of spirituous liquors to Indians in 
 this Province. 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 14th March, 1813. 
 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe has been pleased to appoint 
 Stephen Jarvis, Rsquire, to act as Assistant Adjutant General to the 
 militia forces during the absence of Lieutenant Johnston. He will 
 be station^^d at York until further orders. He will receive Captain's 
 pay and forage for one horse and one shilling and sixpence a day 
 for a clerk. 
 
 By order, 
 
 ^Eneas Shaw, 
 
 Adjt. Gen'l., Militia. 
 
 (From the Buffalo Gazette, i6th March, 1813.) 
 
 It has been repeatedly reported that the British have received 
 reinforcements at Newark from Kingston, but we can place little 
 dependence on what we consider as mere deceptive manoeuvres on 
 the part of the enemy, for we have been told by respectable prison- 
 
116 V 
 
 era of war that the British commander at Fort George was in the 
 frequent practice of sending out detachments from that place to 
 Queenston in the night, and on the next morning would march 
 them down again to the fot-t in sight of our garrison at Niagara, 
 and at other times would march the forces from Queenston Heights 
 to Fort George at night and next morning return them in plain 
 view of our troops. 
 
 (File in Buffalo Public Library.) . ' . 
 
 District General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 16th March, 1813. 
 
 Major-General SheafFe is pleased to direct that the five Lincoln 
 and the 2d York Regiments of militia are to furnish with all pos- 
 sible expedition three companies each for duty on the Niagara line. 
 There is to be, agreeable to the new militia law, one captain, 
 one lieutenant and three sergeants to each company, and it is not to 
 exceed fifty rank and file. 
 
 iENEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adjutant General. 
 
 Sir John Johnson to Colonel William Clans. 
 
 Montreal, 16th March, 1813. 
 My Dear Sir: — 
 
 I received your letters of the 2nd and 3d instant and now, by 
 desire of Sir George Prevost, send you herewith an extract of a 
 letter from Earl Bathui-st, which he desires may be fully and clearly 
 explained to all the nations interested, impressing on their minds in 
 the strongest manner possible that now is the time for their united 
 efforts to rid their country of their unjust intruders and invaders, 
 in which they will be strongly aided by all the force that can be 
 spared from this quarter, as well as by a very formidable division 
 on the sea coast, particularly to the southward, where their brethren 
 will be supported in a manner that cannot fail of bringing those 
 deluded people to a just and honorable peace that will secure to 
 them their country, so unfairly possessed by the Americans. I 
 represented what you desired to Sir George Prevost in the strongest 
 manner I could, relative to the allowances hitherto withheld from 
 the Indian Department, as stated in your letter, to which he replied 
 that if they continued to act as they had done their services should 
 be compensated and that you should make the application to Sir 
 Roger H. Sheaffe, which you should lose no time in doing, and I 
 cannot doubt its success. Our stores are nearly emptied of all the 
 most necessary articles, but large supplies, Sir George informs me. 
 
117 
 
 will be out early this spring, and you may be assured no delay in 
 forwarding them will be found here, and if the communication will 
 be secured by our keeping the command of the river and lakes you 
 may get everything that can be spared and provided here earlier. 
 I am happy to learn that the Indians appear to be so unanimous 
 and hearty in the cause ; they have certainly saved your Province 
 and should be treated accordingly. They have acted nobly, and I 
 hope they have ere this given the finishing blow to the invading 
 armies. Never was there a war carried on so miserably as the 
 Americans have this, without knowing how to combine their force 
 or to co-operate with one another, and by all accounts badly supplied 
 with provisions and every ether necessity for carrying on a war. 
 I hope as soon as our navy and perhaps a united English and 
 Spanish force begin to operate to southward you will be a more 
 equal match for them, and that an honorable peace with a more 
 favorable and extended boundary will be the result of the most 
 unjust, unprovoked and unnatural war that was ever waged against 
 any nation, and which Providence hitherto seems to have frowned 
 upon ; for never was there more disgrace attached to any set of men 
 than there has been to them in every attempt they have made to 
 disturb the peace and happiness of an unoffending people. The 
 disgrace and total destruction of the grand united force under that 
 fiend and disturber of the peace of the world, Bonaparte, is a further 
 proof of the just interference of Providence, and I hope will lead to 
 the downfall of the greatest of tyrants. Let me hear from you on 
 every occasion worth communicating, particularly the result of 
 General Harrison's expedition. Our frontiers here are nearly 
 abandoned by the enemy, to strengthen their upper posts, particu- 
 larly Sackett's Harbor, which might have been destroyed with all 
 their shipping, which would have secured to us the command of 
 Ontario, which without the greatest exertions now I fear will be 
 lost. 
 
 Return the enclosed, as I have not taken a copy of it. ' 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Claus Papers.) 
 
 I/ieut. -Colonel Bisshopp to Brigadier-General Vincent. 
 
 Fort Erie, March 18th, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that the enemy com- 
 menced a cannonade on our lines at a quarter past 12 o'clock on the 
 morning of the 17th instant, which lasted till six o'clock the next 
 evening, during which time we succeeded in dismounting three of 
 the enemy's guns. Our fire was extremely well directed and must 
 have done great execution. Our loss is only one killed and seven 
 
 > I 
 
118 
 
 wounded. I am particularly obliged to Captain Bridge, command- 
 
 • ing the Royal Artillery, for his attention and alacrity on this occa- 
 sion. The men stationed at the guns behaved most gallantly. 
 Lieut. Armstrong of the Royal Artillery was detached three miles 
 from Fort Erie at the mortar battery, having in his charge two 
 iield pieces. 
 
 Lieut. Gardiner of the Newfoundland Regiment had the direc- 
 tion of two three-pounders, and was attached to the troops from 
 Fort Erie under the command of Major Ormsby of the 49th Regi- 
 ment, who were all night under arms on the road between Fort Erie 
 and the batteries, ready to oppose any landing from Black Rock 
 and to support the detachment of the 4l8t Regiment and Royal 
 Newfoundland Fencibles on the left. 
 
 I beg leave to recommend particularly to your notice Captain 
 Whelan of the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles, who commanded at 
 the 12-pounder battery, whose conduct upon all occasions and par- 
 ticularly upon this has shown him to be a very valuable officer. 
 To Dr. Harford and the medical staff the greatest credit is due in 
 procuring sleighs to carry off the wounded, and in their attention 
 to them afterwards. 
 
 I am happy to say the men are all doing well. Had the enemy 
 attempted to land al)ove Fort Erie across the ice everything was to 
 
 • be expected from the good conduct of the militia, under the com- 
 mand of Lieut-Colonel Clark, 2d Lincoln Militia, stationed up the 
 lake. Every individual, both regulars and militia, were anxious for 
 the moment which would have given them an opportunity of serv- 
 ing their King and country. Lieut. Barnard, my staff adjutant, 
 will have the honor of delivering to you this report ; he is well 
 acquainted with every circumstance that has occurred and will give 
 you any information that may be required. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678.) 
 
 Return of the Killed and Wounded of the Following Corps During 
 the Cannonade of the 17th Instant. 
 
 Fort Erie, March 19th, 1813. 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 Royal Newfoundland Regiment — 1 rank and file. 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 Royal Artillery — 1 rank and file, slightly. 
 4l8t Regiment — 1 do do. 
 
 Royal Newfoundland Regiment — 1 do. severely, (not danger- 
 ously), 4 rank and file, slightly. 
 
 (Canadian ArcMves, C. 678.) 
 

 119 
 (Prom the Ontario Repository of Canandalgfua, 30th March, 1813.) 
 
 From our corresponr'ent at Buffalo, March 18, 1813 : 
 
 Last week appearances indicated another attempt to invade 
 Canada. Volunteers and militia were called in from the neighbor- 
 hood to the number of about 500. The weather grew colder and 
 the ardor of the [troops] also began to cool. On Saturday night 
 (13th) the troops were drawn up with two days provisions in their 
 knapsacks, expecting every moment to Uiarch. At 10 o'clock they 
 were ordered to their barracks, and in the morning the volunteers, 
 being discharged, went home. On Tuesday night another expedi- 
 tion was fitted out to cross and capture a guard, consisting of Swift's 
 and a company of volunteers under Major C[hapin], but was also 
 abandoned. The troops persisted in marching after being ordered 
 back, so great was their ardor, but on the Major pursuing them and 
 repeating the order they reluctantly returned. The Commander in 
 this case has undoubtedly done his duty ; his force was barely suffi- 
 cient to make a descent, and the result would certainly have been 
 to our disadvantage. 
 
 (File in Wood Library, Canandaigua, N. Y. ) 
 
 (From the Buffalo Gazette, aoth March, 1813.) 
 
 The following is a copy of a handbill which is now being circu- 
 lated in Canada. The author, we understand, resides near Long 
 Point, and is a member of the Provincial Parliament. ^ ' ' 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF UPPER CANADA. 
 
 When intelligence arrived amongst us that the Government of 
 the United States had declared war against Great Britain and was 
 actually making preparation for the invasion of this Province, the 
 country seemed convulsed in the extreme. Every man knew the 
 weak and defenceless state of the Province and dreaded the con- 
 sequences. The}^ almost despaired of any success in resisting, know- 
 ing that the American prints had for some months showed accounts 
 of their raising armies. What made the news more alarming was 
 that although the States had been for some time assuming a hostile 
 attitude towards Great Britain the inhabitants had always fondly 
 believed that all differences between the two governments would be 
 amicably settled, as Great Britain had clearly evinced her inclina- 
 tion to adopt the most conciliatory measures in promoting and 
 confirming a permanent peace with the United States, with the 
 proviso that it should not be politically calculated for France to 
 receive a preponderating participation in particular points which 
 she would relinquish and be thereby enabled by degrees to gain an 
 
* 
 
 120 
 
 ascendancy upon her navy and consequently on her commerce in 
 every (juarter of the globe. 
 
 For awhile many of the people ceased to perform their ordin- 
 ary course of domestic employment, and a stagnant depression of 
 spirits was prominent in the countenance of [aljmost every inhabi- 
 tant. Vigorous preparations were, however, immediately made for 
 the defence of the Province bj' His Honor Major-General Brock, as 
 far as his means would admit, but still everything wore a direful 
 aspect, and as if it were to complete the downfall of the Province 
 General Hull, commanding the Northwestern Army of the United 
 States, landed at Sandwich with his whole army and issued his 
 proclamation to the inhabitants of Canada, which, though it was 
 intended and calculated to depreciate His Majesty's form of govern- 
 ment and to alienate the minds of his liege subjects therefrom, was 
 teeming with such cruel and implacable threats upon them if they 
 united their efforts to repel his force as the most degenerate and 
 savage state of barbarism does not exhibit. General Brock, however, 
 knowing that desperate cases require desperate means, immediately 
 proceeded with a small band of veterans, accompanied by volun- 
 teers from different regiments of militia, to dislodge the enemy from 
 Sandwich, and it was upon this ever memorable occasion that the 
 young men of Upper Canada signalized themselves for their bravery 
 and attachment to their country, who, without any degree of hesi- 
 tation or timidity, embraced the first opportunity of gaining to 
 themselves rank amongst the greatest heroes of the times. So 
 zealously animated were they upon this occasion that several hun- 
 dreds were left behind for want of boats to transport them to the 
 place destined to meet the country's foe. The w^orld must acknowl- 
 edge this was the trying time for their courage and genuine 
 patriotism, when a formidable army was on the confines of our 
 frontiers, we were in daily expectation of an attack between Fort 
 Erie and Fort George, and a pow^erful one landed in the western 
 district, when it was notoriously known throughout the whole 
 country that the enemy were fortifying and that their numbers 
 were four times as great as the force we were sending to oppose them. 
 Without a panegyric, the names of every one of those young men 
 of Upper Canada who volunteered their services upon this import- 
 ant occasion deserve to be immortalized. They ought to be handed 
 down to succeeding generations as a model to futurity upon like 
 occasions. Our gallant General's progress was so rapid and his 
 movements so warlike that General Hull and his forces, justly 
 anticipating the fury of an attack from him, shrunk from the idea 
 of endeavoring to resist the impetuosity of their shock and re- 
 crossed the river to their own shore in the utmost precipitancy a 
 
121 
 
 day or two previous to the arrival of General Brock and his force. 
 
 Upon the arrival our troops, seeing (torn and illegible) 
 could be effected by proclamation or a drunken frolic. 
 
 Such conduct as that of our brave troops clearly evinced to 
 them that men who were the actors in so brave an enterprise would 
 fight, and that they must in reality possess the most sovereign, 
 venerable and respectable opinion of the country, government and 
 constitution in and under which they had the happiness to live, and 
 they, disgracefully to themselves as the subjects of any nation, sur- 
 rendered their whole army to the supreme heroism and bravery of 
 our handful of troops. This allayed all fears throughout the Pro- 
 vince and the inhabitants were perfectly tranquil, pursued their 
 necessary avocations as usual in quietude, and a pleasing gleam of 
 hope and confidence pervaded the countenance of every man that 
 we should always be able to brave the rude assault of our enemies. 
 
 Fired with military enthusiasm and indignation at the base 
 conduct of the enemy in the Western District, the militia were all 
 in perfect readiness to cross the river and reduce all the fortifica- 
 tions from Buffalo to Niagara, but the wise system of policy pur- 
 sued by General Brock, in imitation of that of the mother country, 
 was to assume the posture of reconciliation ; not to be the first 
 aggressor ; to act on the defensive and to flog them terribly when 
 they attempted to invade us. 
 
 The French party in the States have argued that the people of 
 the Provinces would never resist their encroachments, but the cap- 
 ture of Detroit, the battle of Queenston, the battle near French- 
 man's Creek bridge below Fort Erie ferry, the capture of General 
 Winchester and his whole army, the late glorious achievement at 
 Ogdensburg when the militia behaved equally as well as at Detroit, 
 the general conduct of the militia throughout the Province, estab- 
 lishes it as an incontrovertible fact that the inhabitants are invari- 
 ably loyal, with a very few exceptions, and possess all the warmth 
 and respect to good government, which is a happiness in any 
 country. 
 
 History boasts of the brave conduct and heroism of the ancient 
 Greeks and Romans in contending w^ith their enemies as unequaled, 
 but considering the infant state of Upper Canada, the difficulties 
 which it has labored under for several months in contending with a 
 powerful nation, and the success with which it has beaten and 
 repelled their assaults, it m&y vie with any of them for loyalty, 
 patriotism and valor. It is possible for it to be overrun and 
 destroyed, but it is absolutely impossible, while the art of printing 
 exists, for it ever to lose its good name. The venerable reputation 
 its inhabitants have acquired in arms since the commencement of 
 
122 ; 
 
 hostilities against it by the United States can never be forgotten, 
 and while it continues to possess the same spirit, with the reinforce- 
 ments we may reasonably expect early in the spring, we may con- 
 tinue to put our assailants at defiance until their own distracted 
 policy can have its necessary operation and meet with its deserved 
 fate, and we be rid of all our troubles. 
 
 ' It appears almost impossible in the nature and fitness of things 
 for the present government of the United States to exist under a 
 war for a series of years, as their resources for carrying it on must 
 entirely depend upon loans from individuals or a direct taxation 
 upon the people, and as a taxation, although trivial, was the cause 
 of their separation from their mother country, we may reasonably 
 conclude that they are but illy calculated at present to submit to it, 
 particularly when we know by what a small majority war was 
 declared, and what abilities opposed it in the House of Congress. 
 And when we see such productions amongst their own public prints 
 as the New Hampshire Memorial to the President of the United 
 States, remonstrating against the war measures, the proclamation 
 of Governor Griswold of Connecticut, and many more documents 
 which might be adduced if necessary. 
 
 The loss of His Honor Major-General Brock at the battle of 
 Queenston was seriously lamented, as all knew his bravery and 
 experience and were convinced that the defence of the country was 
 uppermost in his breast, but the conduct of His Honor Major- 
 General Sheaffe. who immediatelv succeeded him in the command, 
 in gaining the heights at Queenston and completel}' defeating the 
 enemy on that day, has given the country the most implicit con- 
 fidence in his military abilities. And above all, what seems to war- 
 rant and insure us success is that every man when he takes the 
 field to meet the foe carries in his own breast a self-evident and 
 strictly religious conviction that the GOD of BATTLES is with 
 him. Such men can and will act nobly and gloriously, being 
 entirely devoid of that remorse of conscience which touches, stings 
 and confuses the feelings and actions of all men when they are 
 doing wrong, and which we are sure ever}' one of our invaders 
 carries his due proportion of. 
 
 His Excellency Sir George Prevost from Quebec, the Com- 
 mander of the Forces in British America, is now on a tour to view 
 the different military posts on our frontier, and fron) such a signal 
 mark of his determination to afford us all the assistance in his 
 power, together with the military skill and vigilance of His Honor 
 Major-General Sheaffe, our beloved President, we may anticipate 
 everything salutary and desirable. 
 
123 
 
 The present parliament now in session is about to bo as liberal 
 as possible in providing. . . . ' , 
 
 (From the Buffalo Gazette, 23d March, 1813.) 
 
 On Wednesday morning last, (17th March,) at about one o'clock, 
 in conformity with some previous arranjrements, our batteries at 
 Black Rock opened fire upon those of the enemy, which continued 
 with but little intermission during the day. The Sailors' Battery 
 at the navy yard silenced the enemy's lower battery and probably 
 killed several of the enemy. One man was killed at our battery by 
 a cannon shot from the enemy, one lost his hand in the act of load- 
 ing one of the pieces, and several accidents happened, 2 or 3 balls 
 passed thro' our barracks and several private houses were injured a 
 little. A few shot were exchanged on Thursday morning. 
 
 Three families residing on the Niagara River below Fort Erie 
 made their escape from Canada with most of their household effects. 
 They took the back road in rear of Fort Erie, and piissing up the 
 lake they made the beach near Sugar Loaf. They immediately 
 took the ice between the sentries, and succeeded in getting a fine 
 start on the lake before they were discovered. They passed through 
 this village. They represent the situation of the poor class of the 
 Canadian people as truly distressing. 
 
 (Pile in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 I/ieut. Patrick McDonogh to his Parents. 
 
 Black Rock, March 19th, 1813. 
 
 We had a cannonading here on the 17th inst. It commenced 
 from an alarm given on the lake at one o'clock in the morning and 
 lasted until dark the next evening. There have been several ex- 
 peditions on foot for crossing, but none has been carried into effect. 
 They are very weak on the opposite side and we are not strong, 
 altho' double their number on the Niagara probably. 
 
 We have had correct information from General Harrison ; he 
 has had to entrench his army, being so weakened by the defeat of 
 Winchester, and some, whose term of service had expired, returning, 
 that an issue of an engagement would have been doubtful and per- 
 haps fatal. They were in good spirits, and such was the secrecy 
 observed in camp that the men were ignorant of their own weak- 
 ness ; not a line was permitted to go out of camp. 
 
 (From advance sheets of the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of 
 PhUadelphia.) 
 
124 \ 
 
 (Prom the Quebec Mercury, ayth April, 18x3.) 
 Mr. Gary : 
 
 Sir, — The following is an extract of a letter from a private in 
 the Newfoundland Regiment. If you think it worthy of notice it 
 is at your service. 
 
 Fort Erie. 20th March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — The Yankeys began to cannonade us on the 16th. about 
 10 o'clock at night, and continued their fire until the next night at 
 8 o'clock. We lost one man killed and eight wounded, one of whom 
 lost his hand by a round shot. The Yankeys had their boats all 
 ready to cross, but like cowards they pulled in their horns when 
 they saw we were ready to receive them. We received each half a 
 pint of whiskey, just as the boats made their appearance, and were 
 fully determined to dispute every inch of ground at the point of the 
 bayonet. I am certain that every man of us would have fallen be- 
 fore we had given up to the enemy. We are in the greatest state of 
 preparation to receive the Yankey cowards, and that we may be 
 the more ready to give them that reception which they deserve, we 
 sleep with our clothes on, each man being provided with a blanket 
 for that purpose. 
 
 (File in the Library of Parliament, Ottawa.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Sir George Frevost. 
 
 York, 18th March, 1818. 
 
 Sir, — After despatching the letter which I did myself the 
 honour of addressing Your Excellency on the 13th instant, the 
 importance of forming without delay an efficient force from the 
 militia, and of giving effect on its first publication to the new plan 
 adopted for that purpose struck me so forcibly that I determined to 
 offer in the instructions I had prepared an addition sum of ten 
 dollars to each volunteer for the Incorporated Militia. I hope that 
 the critical situation in which the Province is placed will justify me 
 for having adopted the measure without waiting for an answer from 
 Your Excellency to my application on the subject. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. .317, p. 97.) 
 
 Sir George Prevost to l^atl Bathurst. 
 (No. 50.) Quebec, 19th Mr^rch, 1813. 
 
 My Lord : — 
 
 I have been honored by the receipt of 
 No. 13, 16th Nov., 1812 Your Lordship's despatches, dated as 
 No. 14, 8th Dec, do. per margin. That the measures which 
 No. 15, 9th do., do. I had thought it expedient to adopt for 
 
 the defence of this portion of His 
 
125 
 
 MajeBty's dominions upon the first intimation of hostilities with 
 America, and those which have been since continued, should have 
 met with the approbation of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent 
 is highly gratifying to me, and particularly, as in this instance, my 
 opinion of the propriety of defending with all the means at my 
 disposal the frontier of the Canadas led me to an opposite line of 
 conduct to that pursued by my predecessor, whose sole object 
 appears to have been directed to the concentration of his force at 
 Quebec, the only post which Sir James Craig considered capable of 
 a protracted resistance. 
 
 I have not failed in calling forth every exertion to preserve the 
 superiority of the British naval force upon the lakes, so essentially 
 necessary for the defence of Upper Canada, and I beg leave to 
 enclose for Your Lordship's information the copy of a report I have 
 received upon this subject, accompanied by a comparative statement 
 of the British and American Marine force upon the lakes, as far as 
 that of the enemy can be ascertaine<I. By these documents it will 
 appear that the number of officers and seamen required to n)ake 
 good the deficiency in the ships already employed and to man those 
 now building will far exceed the pr6portion that have been allotted 
 for this service. I cannot therefore omit the opportunity of craving 
 Your Lordship's consideration to this important object, that our 
 wants may be complied with. 
 
 It has afforded me great pleasure in conveying to Major-General 
 Sir Roger H. SheafFe and the officers and troops under his com- 
 mand the entire approbation of His Royal Highness the Prince 
 Regent, of their zealous exertions and exemplary courage displayed 
 in repelling and defeating the enemy in his attack at Queenston on 
 the 13th October last, and of the distinguished marks of favor which 
 His Royal Highness has in consequence been graciously pleased to 
 confer upon the Major-General and the several officers in testimony 
 of the sense entertained of their services. 
 
 I did not fail at the same time to make known that His Royal 
 Highness was fully aware of the serious loss which His Majesty's 
 service has experienced in the death of Major-General Sir Isaac 
 Brock, and that His Royal Highness has been pleased to express 
 his regret at the loss which the Province must experience by the 
 death of the Attorney-General, Mr. Macdonnell, whose zealous co- 
 operation with Sir Isaac Brock will reflect lasting honour on his 
 memory. 
 
 The assurance which Your Lordship has enabled me to make 
 to the Indian tribes, that whenever negotiations for peace may be 
 entered into the security of the Indian possessions shall not be 
 compromised or forgotten, will no doubt have the effect of securing 
 
126 
 
 . 'i 
 
 the cordial co-operation of those nations which upon so many occa- 
 sions have proved of the utmost importance to His Majesty's 
 Government, and by a continuance of the same jj^eneral Hne of con- 
 duct which I have always adopted towards the Indians I have no 
 reason to apprehend that their assistance will during the present 
 contest bo withheld or transferred to the enemy. 
 
 I have received with infinite satisfaction Your Lordship's com- 
 l*^fl F f munication acquainting^ me that it has been found 
 OSfl '• possible to withdraw from other services the three 
 4,1 * « regiments named and that they will proceed immedi- 
 9 1 R ff ' ately to Bermiidii for the purpose of entering the St. 
 Lawrence as soon jus the season will admit. 
 
 I am aware of the great exertion that has been required to 
 collect this force, and of the anxiety His Majesty's Government has 
 shown to place me in a situation conformable to my wishes. 
 
 The expectation of the al»ove reinforcement and the an"ival of 
 six companies of the 104th Regiment from New Brunswick has 
 enabled me to strengthen the several posts in Upper Canada, and 
 for this purpose I have directed the removal of the headquarters of 
 the 1st Battalion of the 8th (or King's) Regiment to Kingston, where 
 six companies of that corps will be stationed, with five companies 
 of the Glengarry levy and the Marine detachment of the Royal 
 Newfoundland Regiment, for the defence of the shipping and dock- 
 yard at that port until the naval means of defending Upper Canada 
 have arrived from England. 
 
 I have also ordered four companies of the Canadian Voltigeurs 
 to be put in motion for Kingston, to be stationed there or advanced 
 to the Niagara frontier as circumstances may require. 
 
 I have been induced to adopt the latter meavsure to afford an 
 early proof of the disposition of the Canadians of the lower Pro- 
 vince to contribute to the defence of Upper Canada, where circum- 
 stances inseparable from the calling forth the militia force of an 
 infant colony are frequently evident in the losses, privations and 
 hardships which are inevitablj' entailed on the peasantry. 
 
 I look forward with some anxiety to the arrival early in the 
 spring of the several articles of arms, camp equipage, clothing and 
 stores which Your Lordship has stated to have been ordered in 
 compliance with ray requisitions, and I am thankful to Your Lord- 
 ship for the assurance that no exertions will be wanting to place 
 such means at my disposal as may lessen the diflSculties of my situ- 
 ation, and ensure the security of His Majesty's Provinces under my 
 command. 
 
 I have much satisfaction in the opportunity which my visit to 
 Upper Canada has afforded me of reporting to Your Lordship that 
 
127 
 
 a propel understanding is restored in that Province by the extinc- 
 tion of the cabal oneratinj^ against the person aihuinistering the 
 government, for whilst I remained at York I received the most 
 une(juivocal assurances from the legislative body then and there 
 assembled, of their decided disposition to discharge their duty to 
 His Majesty and the people with unanimity, promptitude and 
 efficiency. ., 
 
 (C»ni»di»u ArchiveH. (j. 121, p. 140.) 
 
 Major-General Sheaffe to Mr. Noah Freer. 
 
 York, 20th March, 1813. 
 Dear Sir :— 
 
 Thinking that it would be proper to transmit to Earl Hathurst 
 the documents received from R General Procter as explanatory of 
 his motives for establishing martial law in the Territory of Michi- 
 gan, I have looked for them, but in vain. I therefore take it for 
 granted that they accompanied you from hence, and that His Excel- 
 lency will send them home if he thinks it necessary. 
 
 I have been favored with vour communication of the 11th of 
 March, containing much agreeable intelligence ; the promised rein- 
 forcements will not be the less acceptable for having been unex- 
 pected. I wish the Riga heroes were at their destined posts. 
 
 I believe that the sum to be transferred by Sir George's war- 
 rant to the Receiver General cannot be ascertained until I go to Fort 
 George, where I hope to be in a very few days ; the sura first asked 
 is perhaps not sufficient at present. 
 
 Major Heathcote and detachment arrived to-day. I expect 
 two companies of Glengarry in a day or two. 
 
 You will have the goodness to complete the information about 
 all the allowances for the several militia staff departments, clerks 
 and their allowances ; what for, office rent, stationery ; of what rank, 
 the Gn. allowances of the D. Q. Master General, &c. 
 
 The enemy celebrated St. Patrick's day by tiring on us at our 
 right flank. One man was killed and two wounded of the N'fTd 
 Regt. We dismounted, it is said, three of their guns. 
 
 : (Canadian Archives, C. 678 p. 133.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Barl Bathurst. 
 
 York. 20th March, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 The various documents connected '^'ith the business of the late 
 session of the Legislature of this Provi. , which are preparing for 
 
128 
 
 transmiHRion, will no doubt afford high satisfaction as furnishinfi; 
 stronjjf evidence of the spirit of unanimity and of true patriotisra 
 which has governed the procee<lingH of that Ixxly. The ineaiiH at 
 its dis{)OHal being inade({uate to the paying of ho large a bounty to 
 volunteers for the Incorporated Militia as would be necessary to 
 answer every i)urp<)He, there were only eight dollars voted for each 
 man. The Speaker of the House of Assembly told me he wished 
 they could have raised it to twenty each, the same which His Excel- 
 lency Sir (Itiorge Prevost had mentioned to me as that which he 
 thought might he re(|uired for an outfit. It being my own decided 
 opinion that the sum granted was insufficient either to operate as an 
 inducement for engaging in the Incorporated Militia during the 
 war or even to provide the necessary articles for an outfit, I addressed 
 a letter to His Excellency applying for further aid, and soon after 
 its departure I wrote another, of both of which I have the honour 
 to transmit copies (Nos. 1 and 2). I have only to add, in order to 
 lay the whole before Your Lordship, that they were written under 
 the impression which I had received from a communication made to 
 me by Sir (ieorge Prevost that but little if any hope could be enter- 
 tained of !v reinforcement from Europe, and that a most urgent 
 necessity existed for forming without delay a force more efficient 
 than the ordinary militia of the Province. As an additional aid for 
 the purpose, I have announced it to be my intention to recom- 
 mend the services of the Incorporated Militia to the favourable 
 consideration of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent for a grant 
 of land, and I do accordingly solicit Your Lordship's attention to 
 that mode of rewarding faithful services, the most acceptable in an 
 infant colony, and that you will be pleased to lay my humble 
 recommendation of it at the feet of our most gracious Prince. 
 
 (CanAdian Archives, Q. 317, p. 92.) 
 
 Memo, by I/ieut. -Colonel GleRsr. 
 
 Route from Sandwich to Fort George : — 
 
 MUes. 
 
 Sandwich 18 
 
 Belle Riviere 22 
 
 River Thames . 18 
 
 Matthew Dolson's 16 
 
 Mr. Richardson's 20 
 
 Fairfield Village 6 
 
 George Ward's 10 
 
 Delaware 24— Total 134 
 
129 
 
 McMuIlen'ii 7 
 
 McCartney's 29 
 
 CaintioldH 11 
 
 YeiKh'H 18 
 
 Graml River 12 
 
 V^anderlip H 14 
 
 Hotel (AiiciiHter) 4— Totnl 90 
 
 John PetitH 18 
 
 40 Mile Creek 5 
 
 Henry's 10 
 
 Fort George 20 
 
 Grand total 277 
 
 From Fort Georj^e to Ancaster 57 
 
 From Ancaster to Delaware 90 
 
 » 
 
 Total 147 
 
 Niagara, 20th March, 1813. 
 Circular : 
 
 Sir, — You will plejise to have your company paraded at Ship- 
 man's on Tuesday next, the 23rd instant, at 12 o'clock, with such 
 arms and accoutrements as they may have in their possession. You 
 will also have a roll of your company. 
 
 VV. Claus, Colonel, 
 
 1st Regt.. L. M. 
 To Capt. J. A. Ball. 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 Quebec, 20th March, 1813. 
 General Order. 
 
 The Commander of the Forces directs that a detachment of 
 four complete companies of the Canadian Voltigeura, under the 
 command of Major Heriot, should proceed to Kingston, Upper Can- 
 ada. Major-General De Rottenburg will cause this detachment to 
 commence its march from the Montreal District as soon as it may 
 be in readiness after the settlement of their accounts to the 24th 
 instant. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 A. G. N. A. 
 
130 
 Brigadier-General Vincent to Major-General Sheaffe. 
 
 Fort George, 2l8t March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor herewith to forward a letter from 
 Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp, commanding at Fort Erie, containing a 
 report of a cannonade commenced by the enemy on the morning of 
 the I7th inst., with a list of the killed and wounded. 
 
 I have been since at the fort and found all quiet. I have also 
 to report the wounded are doing well. The man reported ' danger- 
 ously' has lost his left arm. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 100.) 
 
 Prom F. I*. Walsh to Thomas "Welch. 
 FIFTH LETTER FROM CARTER'S POINT. 
 
 To Thomas Welch : 
 
 After writing my 4th letter it was my turn to go to the lower 
 picquet on duty for 24 hours — that was from 4 o'clock of the 16th 
 inst. to 4 o'clock of the 17th inst. They had thrown four shots at 
 the ferry within 24 hours, a circumstance I intended to mention in 
 my last letter but sealed it without its immediate occurrence then. 
 
 The picquet I commanded mounted at about 7 p. m. of the 
 16th, when I continued to watch with the centries during the fore 
 part of the night. About one o'clock we heard vollies of musketry 
 at or near Buffalo, at short intervals, for al)out two houi-s. The 
 night was very still. About 3 o'clock the enemy offered a heavy 
 cannonade from their Imtteries upon our people at the ferry, &c. 
 The tire was returned, abou* (.ne shot of ours to eight or ten of 
 theirs. Col. Clark, of the 3v. ".^giment of Lincoln Militia, now rode 
 up to give his regiment, (who were stationed above us, at Haun's,) 
 orders to march for Fort Erie, and at the same time communicated 
 similar orders to Capt. Rapelje, who set forward with his and Capt. 
 Powell's united companies. They soon reached the lower picquet 
 where we joined the party, except one left on centry. We found 
 on our route that the regulars had marched down before us. We 
 could discover some of them, however, at a great distance on the 
 ice as a guard, and was told next morning that one of them deserted 
 from that position in the night and undoubtedly got safe across. 
 The countersign was changed. When we reached Fort Erie we 
 could discover the batteries of the enemy as they fired, and saw 
 one shell sail across the river, but it did not burst. A number was 
 fired on both sides. Still the cannonade increased. However, 
 instead of being ordered to join the army near the ferry we was 
 ordered to return to Rose's Point, two-thirds of the way back, which 
 
131 ^ 
 
 was almost to the lower picquet, where I resumed my station for 
 the night. The cannonading continued till the I7th at evening. 
 An officer of the regulars informed me about noon of the 17th that 
 we had one man killed and eight wounded, and was since told that 
 two of the wounded were dead. Next night (17th) we were 
 all collected at Davis's Point, where we all lodged in a barn all night 
 without blankets. On the 19th we had a general parade at Carter's 
 Point, Col. Nichol arrived just after the parade and said a sleigh 
 was crossing the ice. Several gentlemen rode off in pursuit. One 
 horse fell into the ice at a great distance off. An alarm spread thro' 
 the parade that the gentlemen were captured. General Vincent 
 gave orders that the whole should march to them with all possible 
 expedition. We, however, found our mistake before we reached 
 our destination. After the horse was got out of the ice, the General 
 proceeded and found two dead bodies on the ice, who had froze in 
 attempting to cross. Arrangements have been going forward to 
 bring them ashore since and bury them, but has not yet been 
 effected. 
 
 Nothing new within these few days. Nothing heard but re- 
 cruiting. I am going to the Fort to-day. 
 
 Monday, 22d March, 1813. 
 One p. m. 
 
 I remain, &c., in haste, 
 
 F. L. Walsh. 
 
 (Toronto Public Library.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 « 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 23d March, 1813. 
 General Order. 
 
 The flank companies of the 8th or King's Regiment are to 
 march to Kingston. 
 
 The four companies of the Glengarry Light Infantry to pro- 
 ceed from Kingston to Niagara. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 A. G. N. A. 
 
132 -V ^■:.',..,',^',;- ,::;■"'' ''"'"■/■■•,v 
 
 Memo, by I<ieut. -Colonel Gleg:g:. 
 
 Total strength of corps in the Niagara District, 24th March. 
 1813. 
 
 R[ank] and F[ile.] 
 
 Royal Artillery 66 
 
 41st Regt. . " 392 
 
 49th do 594 
 
 Glengarry Lt. Inf'v 1 ' 
 
 Rl. Newf'd Regt. " / ^2 .. 
 
 1144 
 
 Glengarry Light In£'y.,\ 
 
 12th April j ., ^^ 
 
 ; Total Regulars 1222 . 
 
 12th April, 1813 ! ! ! the second year of the war ! ! ! ' ' 
 18th April. — State of Niagara Lt. Dgrs. 
 
 R. &. F. 
 29 
 Horses, 31. 
 
 Glengarry Lt. Inf'y., strength 12th April . 78 
 
 Detacht. joined at Fort George, 20th April ...... 35 
 
 113 
 
 Detach^., of 8th or King's Regt. ; 79 
 
 Marched into Fort George, 20th April 192 
 
 Lt. E. S. C. Dr. P. R.&F. 
 
 115 5 1 74 79 
 
 (From memorandum book in possession of Lt.-Col. Turner,) v. 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 
 Quebec, 24th March, 1813. 
 G. O. 
 
 Captain Wallace with half a company of the Royal Artillery 
 is to march on the 24th inst. for Montreal, on his route to Kingston. 
 The detachment of Captain Holcroft's company of Royal Artil- 
 lery at Kingston is to proceed to Niagara immediately on the 
 arrival of Captain Wallace at Kingston. 
 
 Edward Baynes 
 
 A. G. N. A 
 
\ ■ ■ 133 ■ „■..■'■.,;;. 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 (BKtraot.) 
 
 Albany, March 25, 1813. 
 
 Colonel Porter informs me that he had commenced the neces- 
 sary preparations for an attack on Fort Erie, but the desertion of a 
 sergeant prevented his carrying his intended attack into operation. 
 Two officers with six men pursued the sergeant so far as to be sur- 
 rounded on the ice, and were made prisoners. Fort Erie was imme- 
 diately reinforced, and he had given over any immediate movement. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. 1.) 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 
 26th March, 1813. 
 
 From the 25th of this month inclusive pay is not to be charged 
 for more than the following proportion for each company called on 
 duty : 
 
 One Captain. 
 
 One Lieutenant. 
 
 One Ensign. 
 
 Three Sergeants. * 
 
 Three Corporals. / 
 
 One Drummer. 
 
 By order 
 
 iENEAS Shaw, ■■■■ '■ "' : ;• 
 
 Adjt. Genl., Militia. i- 
 
 Sent to 
 
 Fort George. 
 Sandwich. 
 Kingston. 
 Fort Erie. 
 Prescott and York. 
 
 New York "State'-.man," March 29tli, 1813. 
 
 On Saturday, the 27th ult., the Adjutant commanding at Fort 
 George sent a flag over to our garrison informing Lieut.-Colonel 
 McFeely that a salute would on the following day be fired in con- 
 sequence of their success at Ogdensburg. The same evening an 
 express arrived at Buffalo with an account of the engagement be- 
 tween the American frigate Constitution and the British frigate 
 Java, which eventuated in the total destruction of the latter, and 
 
134 
 
 on Tuesday morning a flag was sent over to Fort Erie to inform the 
 British commander of the victory, and that a salute would be fired 
 on the occasion. 
 
 Two very handsome buildings were some time since reduced to 
 ashes in the town of Chippawa on the Canadian side of the river, 
 opposite Fort Schlosser, by an exasperated militia, who had then 
 been detained from their homes for a length of time without being 
 permitted to see their families, &c., who were suffering behind them. 
 We are informed that those militia were soon after permitted to 
 retire. 
 
 A gentleman who had been ordered from Detroit in consequence 
 of his refusal to take the oath arrived at Lewiston on the 27th ult., 
 and informed the Editor that the militia of Oxford, a large and 
 well settled township above the head of Lake Ontario, peremptorily 
 refused to march against General Harrison, and that numbers in 
 different places would pay their fines rather than turn out against 
 the United States. 
 
 (New York Society Library.) 
 
 Vit Georg^e Prevost to Major-General Sheaffe. 
 
 Quebec, 27th March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — The period for carrying on actively offensive operations 
 approaching fast and many circumstances uniting to indicate that 
 Upper Canada will become in the first instance the seat of war, I 
 have been induced to reinforce the forces under your command with 
 half a company of artillery : the 8th (or King's) Regiment, six com- 
 panies of the 104th Regiment and four companies of the Canadian 
 Voltigeurs, to enable you to restrain tiie predatory incursions of the 
 enemy and defeat any repetition of the ill-concerted attacks which 
 presumption has hitherto induced him to make. 
 
 But in the event of an attempt at invasion, conducted on the 
 principle of his possessing a sufficiency of means for the object, it 
 will be wise to act with such caution as would enable you to hus- 
 band your resources for future exertion. 
 
 I therefore do not hesitate in recommending activity and per- 
 severance in the measures of defence, for which your present force 
 and recent preparations are so well calculated. 
 
 The fatal effects of dividing and dissipating a force by attempt- 
 ing to support too many points have been so frequently illustrated 
 of late that I am under little apprehension of your not feeling that 
 it is by concentrated means, alone, adequate effects can ever be pro- 
 duced. I am satisfied that the application of this principle may 
 with safety be left to your prudence and judgment, aided bj' the 
 
135 
 
 perfect knowledge of the country which you possess. Convinced 
 that it is impossible I can free you from many embarrassments 
 which will inevitably arise from circumstances inseparable from the 
 war we are carrying on, as they can neither be foreseen nor provided 
 for, it only remains for me to assure you that I have every disposi- 
 tion for putting the most liberal construction on your measures for 
 the promotion of the public service in every difficulty that may 
 occur, and for making the most favorable report of them, founded 
 on those principles, to His Majesty's Government. 
 
 Besides the extraordinary exertions which have been made for 
 regaining our ascendency on Lake Ontario and for maintaining that 
 which we now possess on Lake Erie, by sending you such articles 
 as were required for fitting out and arming the additional vessels 
 now building at Kingston, York and Amherstburg, you have been 
 supplied with clothing for your militia and with arms, accoutre- 
 ments, ammunition and stores of every kind and description. 
 
 LTnacquainted with the changes which your Militia Law exper- 
 ienced, I am obliged to confine myself to recommending in the most 
 earnest manner to your particular regard the formation of your 
 corps of militia, and that when called out they should be regularly 
 paid, properly fed and comfortably clothed. In my late visit to 
 Upper Canada those essentials appeared to me not sufficiently 
 attended to, and to be the cause of serious complaint. 
 
 I am now come to that highly important part of your resources, 
 the employment of the Indians, some in aid of your precautionary 
 measures of '^'efence and others for making offensive demonstrations 
 for the recovery of their usurped territory, the latter of which can- 
 not fail to operate as a powerful diversion in your favor. 
 
 In consideration therefore of the movement of the confederate 
 nations from the Wabash to the River Raisin under Tecumseh, and 
 of the expected arrival from the westward of several warlike tribes 
 with Mr. Dickson, the aggregate number of which will be formid- 
 able, I have decided on entrusting the management of those distinct 
 tribes of Indians to other hands than those that are at present 
 employed in the Indian Department at Amherstburg, and accord- 
 ingly have appointed Mr. R. Dickson Deputy Superintendent of 
 Indians in the Michigan and conquered territory, on account of the 
 high opinion I entertain of his courage, his perseverance, his integ- 
 rity and zeal for the service. 
 
 The late instance of the intrigue resorted to by the Indian Depart- 
 ment in the case of Norton, and the evidence it afforded of the 
 want of proper subordination, have put me on my guard against 
 their endeavors to thwart my designs or impede their progi-ess, 
 because they are not to be executed by them, and induces me to 
 
136 
 
 recommend to you to vest in Colonel Procter sufficient authority to 
 enable him to support Mr. Dickson in his organization of the Indians 
 from the westward, and in his endeavors to check the prodigal 
 expenditure of provisions and to establish strict impartiality in the 
 treatment they experience from us, so that His Majesty's gracious 
 bounty may flow through the channel in which it was intended. 
 
 I cannot too frequently repeat to you that having been unfor- 
 tunately under the necessity of availing ourselves of Indian assist- 
 ance, it is desirable on every principle of humanity and policy that 
 all practicable means should be adopted to soften the ferocity of 
 their usual mode of warfare and to restrain them in it. 
 
 With a view of facilitating the important services which are 
 soon to take place in the marine branch of the Q. Mr. Gen'l's dept. 
 in Upper Canada, I have ordered Captain Gray to proceed to King- 
 ston, as an officer well qualified to afford you assistance in the 
 co-operative measures j'ou have in contemplation for the previous 
 concentration and future preservation of our ships of war until the 
 arrival of the naval officers and seamen who have been promised 
 from England. 
 
 P. S. — Upon the arrival at Fort George of the King's Regt. you 
 will push on to Detroit the companies of the 41st Regt. you have 
 detained on the Niagara Frontier. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Freer Papers, 1812-13, p. 118J ; also series 2, 121, p. 169.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 Quebec, 27th March, 1813. 
 G. O. 
 
 His Excellency the Commander of the Forces is pleased to 
 order the following movements of troops. 
 
 Major Drummond with the flank companies of the 104th Regi- 
 ment to proceed to Montreal and from thence to Kingston, 
 
 Major-General De Rottenburg will direct a complete company 
 of the 1st or Royal Scots to march immediately to Preseott to 
 relieve the two companies of the 8th or King's at that place, giving 
 the officer in command of the companies, by express, previous notice 
 of the day he will arrive at Preseott, The flank companies of the 
 8th (or King's) to continue their march to Niagara. 
 
 The battalion companies of the 104th Regiment to march to 
 Montreal and from thence to Kingston, in two divisions, on Monday 
 or Tuesday next. 
 
 The 8th (or King's) Regiment to march to Niagara, Colonel 
 Young will assume the command of the regiment, to be conducted 
 
137 
 
 by compHnies in succession to ensure the necessary accommodation 
 and means of transport for troops upon tliis route. 
 
 No superfluous stores or heavy baggage to be carried. The 
 officers commanding detachments of the 8th or 104th Regiments 
 are immediately on their arrival at Pi'escott to send forward by 
 express, notice of the time that their respective detachments will 
 arrive at Kingston, and the officer commanding at that post will 
 hold the King's in readiness to forward a detachment of King's on 
 the morning of the day that a detachment is destined to relieve 
 them, so that the last rear detachment of the 104th will arrive at 
 that station. (Sic.) 
 
 The battalion companies of the 1st (or Royal Scots) to be quar- 
 tered at Montreal. 
 
 A battalion company of the 1st (or Royal Scots) to march from 
 Quebec for Montreal on Monday next at 7 o'clock. 
 
 These movements to be made with the least possible delay, and 
 every care to expedite and facilitate the march is to be afforded by 
 the officers commanding districts and posts, and by officers of the 
 commissariat without waiting for further orders. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 A. G. N. A. 
 
 From a Sketch of the Campaign of i8ia, from Notes by W. Ham- 
 ilton Merritt, I^ieut. Mil[itia] DragLoons], Written at the 
 
 Moment. 
 
 During this quiet interval every preparation was making for 
 the next campaign our small means would admit. The Commander 
 in Chief visited the frontier and authorized the raising of one or 
 two Regiments of Militia to be incorporated to serve during the 
 war and a company of artillery or two under Capts. Powell and 
 Cameron, likewise a troop of Prov[incial] L[igh]t Dragoons and 
 Royal Art[illery] Drivers to be enlisted for 18 months or during 
 the war under Martial Law. The former, after some time, was 
 given to me, the latter to Capt. Swayzey, who for his years and 
 services justly deserved it. A few captains got their complements 
 of militia. [The] Drivers and Dragoons were completed by 25th 
 March, Capt. C[ameron]'s artillery some time after. My quota was 
 completed in a fortnight after receiving my recruiting orders, altho' 
 I had to encounter many jealousies and difficulties. [They] were 
 all excellent men but badly mounted and appointed. . 
 
 On the 15th February, 1813, I retired from the service with a 
 
138 
 
 strong desire never to re-enter it. I had some thoughts of making 
 proposals to raise a troop of Provincial Dragoons to serve during 
 the war, as many of the men wished to join me. Major Olegg, 
 formerly Gen. Brock's A. D. C, appeared to be particularly anxious 
 for me to go on with it, promising to get me recruiting orders imme- 
 diately. However, as soon as he found my father and Captain 
 Hamilton had offered he cut me, tho' wishing me to serve as a 
 lieutenant, which I positively refused. My father was the best 
 courtier of the three [and] got the troop. At least [he] was to have 
 it after he raised it, which was under very disadvantageous terms. 
 Neither Capt. Hamilton or myself were anxious to get it when we 
 found the other had an idea of it. I went quietly home, entered 
 into a contract for timber, &c., [and] made more money in a week 
 than I had during the war. [I] was preparing to go down to Mont- 
 real [to] bring up goods, &c. After receiving the letter in Sept. 
 last had more confidence, was quite in high spirits, in fact I had 
 made a peace the ensuing spring in my own warm imagination. 
 However, the pleasing dream was of short duration. My father 
 having undertaken it and not getting on in the recruiting way as 
 fast as he was first led to believe, finding the fatigue and trouble 
 more than he could well bear, he got completely tired of it. Gen. 
 Vincent, then commanding, pitched on me to go on with it, as a 
 corps of that description was very much wanted ; accordingly on 
 the 11th March I was sent for, and finding it would be impossible 
 to remain at home and attend to any business whatever when the 
 country was in danger of an invasion, I accepted of the appoint- 
 ment, my father, which was more proper, going home in my place. 
 I was, as usual, promised every encouragement and assistance from 
 every officer in command. The arrangement was previously agreed 
 to by my father, much against my will. The men had to find their 
 own horses, [received a] very small bounty and pay, only 15d for 
 man and horse. The men [were] to be regularly enlisted to serve 
 during the war, and subject to corporal punishment. At the same 
 time there were a corps of Royal Artillery Drivers raising, a 
 comp[any] of Incorp[orated] Artillery and three regiments of Incor- 
 p[orated] Militia, all on much more favorable terms than the Drag- 
 oons. I was determined, however, to persevere if possible, since I 
 had undertaken it. Mr. Ingersoll had been promised a lieutenantcy 
 by my father ; of course he continued [with me]. I promoted my 
 friend Mr. McKenney to a cornetcy. He was a private in the 
 militia dragoons at the commencement of the war. He was with 
 me during the last campaign, scarcely a day off duty, [and] by his 
 merit was appointed gradually to the rank of quartermaster. I 
 sent him to Fort Erie, Lieut. Ingersoll to York, and serg[ean]ts in 
 
139 
 
 different parts of the country, and remained in Niagara and its 
 vicinity. The first week, to my jp*eat astonishment, I passed 25 
 men. I was under the necessity of purchasing horses and was put 
 to very great expense. When [the] Maj[or]-Gen[era]l and others 
 found I was getting on so well [they] threw every obstacle in my 
 way ; 4 or 5 men [were] taken away and put into other corps, the 
 officers of which all conspired against me. [They] was jealous of 
 so young a man getting the command of a separate corps, by which 
 means I doubled my exertions, likewise my friends. Lt. Barnard, 
 Staff Adjt. to Col. Bisshopp, enlisted two or three men for me him- 
 self, and done everything in his power to assist me, likewise Capt. 
 Hamilton and many others. My men came in so fast that the 
 Gen[eral] thought it was very easy getting them, and made many 
 difficulties in passing them, particularly the horses, which certainly 
 were not of the best. It was very difficult getting young men to 
 enlist as private soldiers who was able to keep a good horse. I con- 
 ceived myself so ill-used by certain ofF[icer8] I was on the |X)int of 
 giving it up after nearly completing the complement. The men 
 hearing it came to me [and] represented the situation they were in 
 so forcibly it was impossible to leave them. On the 24th my dif- 
 ferent parties came in. On the 25th I completed the complement 
 of two subalterns, sergt.-major, three sergta., two corporals, trump- 
 eter and forty men, all fine stout able-bodied men. I was much 
 indebted to the exertions of Comet McKenney in raising them. 
 We were in orders from that date. Most of the other corps fell 
 through. The appointments promised for the troop not arriving 
 they were in a sad conclition. My attention was entirely taken up m 
 directing and getting them in order. I was flattered with an idea 
 of keeping them together and having an opportunity of their dis- 
 tinguishing themselves. They were no sooner mounted than they 
 were dispersed over the country in different directions. I meant 
 to do my duty, but gave up all hopes of doing anything with them. 
 They were made post-boys and orderlies to the very gent[lemen] 
 who hindered their formation. 
 
 (From the Merritt MSB.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Sir Georg:e Prevost. 
 
 York, March 29th, 1813. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) 
 The increased importance of this place and of the communica- 
 tion of this side of the lake rendering it necessary in my opinion 
 to add to the force employed here as far as the means at my dis- 
 posal may make it practicable, i 1 to appoint an officer of suitable 
 
140 
 
 rank and of experience and ability to the command in these dis- 
 tricts, I have directed Colonel Myers to repair to this post to assume 
 the coiiiniand in the Home and Newcastle districts. This nomina- 
 tion is moreover recommended by the benefit that the marine 
 department is likely to derive from his having the dockyard here 
 immediately under his eye, and the communication with that of 
 Kingston so much shortened. 
 
 (Encloned in Sir R. Sheaffe'a letter to Lord Bathurst of 18th May, 1813. Canadian 
 Archives, g. 317, p. 131.) 
 
 The Secretary of War to General Dearborn. 
 
 Wak Department, March 29, 1813. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) 
 
 Your letters of the 11th and 14th instant from Sackett's Har- 
 bor, and one of the 22d from Albany, have been received. The 
 correspondence between you and Major Murray in relation to an 
 exchange of prisoners has been referred to the Department of State. 
 The alteration in the plan of campaign, so as to make Kingston the 
 last object instead of making it the first, would appear to be neces- 
 sary, or at least proper, but the force assigned to the attack of the 
 upper posts is believed to be too small. 
 
 Accident may prevent a co-operation of the corps at Buffalo. 
 That sent from Sackett's Harbor should have in itself the power of 
 reducing Forts George and Erie, and holding in check the militia 
 who may be sent to support them. The ships can give little aid in 
 the business, except merely in covering the landing. Double the 
 number you propose sending would not be too many. Various 
 considerations recommend the employment of a large and decisive 
 force, and none that I can think of dissuade from it. If our first 
 step in the campaign and in the quarter from which most is 
 expected should fail, the disgrace of our arms will be complete. 
 The public will lose all confidence in us, and we will even cease to 
 have any in ourselves. The party who first opens a campaign has 
 many advantages over his antagonist, all of which, however, are the 
 result of his bein;, able to carry his whole force against a part of 
 his enemies. Washington carried his whole force against the 
 Hessians in New Jersey, and beating them recovered that moral 
 strength, that self confidence which he had lost by many preceding 
 disasters. We are now in that state of prostration he was in after 
 he crossed the Deleware, but, like him, we may soon get on our legs 
 again if we can give some hard blows at the opening of the cam- 
 paign. In this we cannot fail provided the force we employ against 
 his western posts be sufficiently heavy. They must stand or fall by 
 their own strength. They are perfectly isolated and out of reach 
 
141 
 
 « 
 
 of reinforcements; send therefore a force thatHhall overwhelm tliem, 
 that shall leave nothinfj to chance. If I had not another motive I 
 would carry my whole strenj^th, merely that their first service 
 should be a successful one. The good effects of this will bo felt 
 throujjhout the; campaign. 
 
 I have hastened to give you these thoughts under the full con- 
 viction of their usefulness, and shall only add that there is no draw- 
 back upon this policy. When the fleet and army are gone we have 
 nothing to guard at Sackett's Harbor, nor will the place present an 
 object to the enemy. 
 
 How then would it read that we had lost our object on the 
 Niagara while we had another brigade at Sackett's Harbor doing 
 nothing ? 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. 1.) 
 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gazette, 30th March, 1813.) 
 
 Last week Capt. Perry of the U. S. Navy arrived in the village 
 on his way to Erie, Pa., to superintend the completing and fitting 
 out a naval force at that place. The Captain, we understand, will 
 command the American force on Lake Erie the ensuing summer. 
 
 General Orders. 
 
 Harrisburg, March 31, 1813. 
 
 To N. B. Boileau, Aid-de-Camp : • 
 
 A requisition having been made by the executive authority of 
 the General Government that I would order on service for the pro- 
 tection of our naval armament at the town of Erie, in the county 
 of Erie, within the State of Pennsylvania, a detachment of militia. 
 Therefore in compliance with the said requisition I order into the 
 military service of the Union, to rendezvous at the said town of Erie 
 on or before the 20th day of April next, a detachment to consist of 
 one thousand men, to be drafted from the Eleventh, Twelfth and 
 Thirteenth Divisions, and of Captain Samuel Thomas's company of 
 artillery of the Ninth Division, who have patriotically volunteered 
 their services to the Governor, which detachment shall be organized 
 ■ and officered agreeably to the rules and regulations that obtain in 
 the Army of the United States, recognized by an act of the Legis- 
 lature of this State, passed the 29th inst., and agreeably also to the 
 several other laws of this State relative to the militia so far set 
 forth as such laws will apply to and come in aid of the orders of 
 the Secretary at War, and the special provisions of the said law of 
 the 29th inst., of which detachment I have constituted Rees Hill, 
 
us 
 
 E8(j., of Oreene County, Colonel by commission under the Great Seal 
 of the State, who is to obey and execute all orders that issue to him 
 from his superior officer ol the United States army. On the officers 
 and privates under his command strict obedience is onjoinetl to all 
 his orders and commands, so lon^ as the detachment shall remain in 
 the service of the United States. The Commander in Chief with 
 pleasure and with pride (juotes from a letter to hin» from General 
 William H. Harrison an encomium hij^hly to the credit of the detach- 
 ment of Pennsylvania militia under his command, as worthy of the 
 imitation of our citizen soldiers: 'I can assure you there is no corps 
 on whom I rely with more confidence, not only for the fidelity of 
 undaunted courage in the field, but for those virtues which are more 
 rarely found amonj^st the militia — patience and fortitude under 
 ^reat deprivations and cheerful obedience to all commands of their 
 officers." 
 
 (Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol, XII., pp, C38-9.) 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 (Without date.) 
 
 (■ztraot.) 
 
 To take or destroy the armed vessels at York will give us the 
 complete command of the lake. Commodore Chauncey can take 
 with him ten or twelve hundred troops to be commanded by Pike; 
 take York, from thence proceed to Niagara and attack Fort George 
 by land and water, while the troops at Buffalo cross over and carry 
 Forts Erie and Chippawa, and join those at Fort George, and then 
 collect our whole force for an attack on Kingston. After the most 
 mature deliberation the above was considered by Commodore 
 Chauncey and myself as the most certain of ultimate success. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I.) 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 3d April, 1813. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General -".ommanding has under consider- 
 ation a system for the regulation and government of the Incorpor- 
 ated Militia of this Province, which when matured will be published. 
 His Honor has thought it proper in the meantime to authorize the 
 officers commanding in the several districts to issue, as occasion may 
 require, such orders as may be necessary for regulating their interior 
 economy and their management in such matters as are not already 
 
143 
 
 provldtnl for l»y the militia act, by Hpecial authority from hiiimolf 
 or by ordern now in force respectinj^ the miiitin generally when on 
 duty. 
 
 By order, 
 
 ^NEAs Shaw, 
 
 Adj't. Gen'l, Militia. 
 
 Militia General Orders. 
 
 HEADguAKTEiis, YoiiK, 3d April, 1813. 
 
 HIh Honor the Major-Oeneral commanding is pleased to direct 
 that a detachment of the militia, conHiHting of one major, one cap- 
 tain, one lieutenant, one enHign, three sergeants and sixty privates 
 lie formed to join a detachment of troojrn of the line to be stationed 
 at Jones's and houses adjacent at the head of the lake. The under- 
 mentioned regiments will furnish the following quota: — 
 
 Mnj'r. Ciipt. Lt. Ens. ^rgts. Prlvaten. 
 
 2nd Regt. York 1 1 20 
 
 4th Lincoln 1 1 20 
 
 5th Lincoln 1 1 1 20 
 
 1111 3 60 
 His Honor approves of Captain Willm. Crooks for this detach- 
 ment and directs active, intelligent subalterns be .selected. The 
 arms and accoutrements collected by Colonel Beasley, (if not sent 
 to Fort George), directed to be transferred to Major Simons will 
 furnish equipments to the detachment from the 2d Regt. of York. 
 
 By order, 
 
 iENEAS Shaw, 
 
 Adjt. Gen'l, Militia. 
 
 District General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 3d April, 1813. 
 
 At a general Court Martial assembled at Kingston from the 
 8th to the 24th of March, 1813, inclusive, were tried the following 
 prisoners, viz. : — 
 
 1. Captain John Howell of the Prince Edward Militia under 
 the following charge : 
 
 For ungentlemanlike conduct unbecoming the character of an 
 officer and a gentleman, in defrauding his company out of a part of 
 their provisions, on or about the 15th January, 1813. 
 
 On which charge the Court came to the following decision : 
 That the prisoner, Captain John Howell of the Prince Ekiward 
 
144 
 
 Militia, is not guilty of the charye preferred against him and there- 
 fore acq ait him. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding confirm." tlie above 
 sentence, but he must at the same time observe, though the evidence 
 on the side of the prosecution in this case may not have been 
 deemed sufficient to substantiate the very serious charge produced 
 against Captain Howell, yet it discloses circumstances which tend 
 to prove that proper attention was not paid by him to the rightful 
 claims of his company, and that he did not >is his duty required of 
 him ascertain that his men received their due proportion of bread. 
 
 In his defence Captain Howell states that those who prosecuted 
 him were governed by malice because he had been the cause of their 
 being sent back ixj their duty after desertion. This is a mere alle- 
 gation, unsupported by any proof, and i^• the less worthy of atten- 
 tion as it appears tliat one of the witnesses on the prosecution is a 
 sergeant and being on his oj*th he tleclared that he received but one 
 loaf of bread from the 15t.. i the 24th of January. 
 
 His Honor, tjiking the whole case into consideration, is pleased 
 to direct that it be signified to him that his services in the militia 
 are dispensed with until further orders. 
 
 Colonel Pearson is directed to report to His Honor the Major- 
 General commanding if the claims of men of Captain Howell's late 
 company for bread from the 15th to the 24th of Jatiuary have been 
 settled and if not how much is due, to whom and by whom, the 
 investigations of the court not having been carried to such a length 
 as to have produced satisfactory information on those points. 
 
 2. Ensign Benjamin C. Spencer of the Lennox Militia, tried on 
 the following charge : For neglect of duty in absenting himself 
 without leave from his piquet at Murray's Point on the evening or 
 night of the 6th March, 1813. On which charge the court came to 
 the following decision : That Ensign Benjamin C. Spencer of the 
 Lennox Militia is gwilty of the crime laid to his charge, and doth 
 therefore sentence him to be publicly reprimanded at such time and 
 place as His Honor Major-General Sheaffe shall direct. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding is pleased to 
 approve of the foregoing opinion and sentence, but he thinks it 
 proper to remark that a severer sentence might have been justifiable 
 for such a neglect of duty, especially at a time when Kingston was 
 menaced with an attack. The importance and necessity of the most 
 unremitting vigilance under such circumstances cannot be too 
 strongly impressed on the mind of every officer and soldier. 
 
 His Honor considering this notice of the conviction of Ensign 
 Spencer and of his approbation of it as equivalent to a public repri- 
 mand, dispenses with any other mode of carrying the sentence into 
 
145 
 
 execution, and with the hope that Ensign Spencer's future conduct 
 \/ill form a proper example for those under his command, 
 
 His Honor directs that he be released from his arrest and 
 return to his dutv. 
 
 3. Theron Gun, private in Captain Hawley's company of 
 Addington Militia, upon the following charge : For attempting to 
 desert to the enemy on or about the 11th March, 1813. On which 
 the court came to the following decision : That the prisoner, Theron 
 Gun, private in the Addington Militia, is guilty of the crime laid to 
 his charge, and doth therefore adjudge him to he transported as a 
 felon, for the term of seven years, to any of His Majesty's domin- 
 ions, at such time and place as His Honor Major-General Sheaffe 
 may be pleased to direct. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding approves of the 
 sentence and is pleased to direct that the prisoner be kept in cus- 
 tody at Kingston until further orders shall be given for his being 
 escorted to Quebec, to be there embarked for the place of hia 
 destination. 
 
 4. Zachariah Shoefelt, private in Captain Hawley's company 
 of Addington Militia, upon the following charge, viz. : — 
 
 For attempting to desert to the enemy on or about 11th March, 
 1813. On which the Court came to the following decision : That 
 the prisoner, Zachariah Shoefelt, private of the Addington Militia, 
 is guilty of desertion but not to the enemy, and doth therefore 
 adjudge him to be imprisoned for six calendar months in the com- 
 mon cells of this county, two months upon bread and water and four 
 months on his usual allowance. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding approves of the 
 sentence and is pleased to direct that it be carried into execution 
 under the direction of the officer commanding the Midland District. 
 
 5. James Hannan, private in Captain Robins' company of the 
 Frontenac Militia, upon the following charges, viz. : — 
 
 Ist — For attempting to desert to the enemy on the night of 
 the 18th of March, 1813. 
 
 2d — For endeavoring to seduce two privates of the Glengarry 
 Light Infantry to desert to the enemy on or about the 18th of 
 March, 1813. On which charges the Court came to the following 
 decision : That the prisoner, James Hannan, private in the Fron- 
 tenac Militia, is guilty of the crimes laid to his charge and doth 
 therefore adjudge him to b*^ shot to death at such time and place as 
 His Honor Major-General Sheaffe may be pleased to direct. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding approves the award 
 of the Court, but is pleased to extend his clemency to the prisoner 
 and to commute his punishment for transportation for life ; he will 
 
146 
 
 be kept in custody at Kingston till further orders shall be issued 
 for his removal to Quebec, preparatory to his being embarked for 
 the place of his destination. 
 
 6, Amos Wright, private in Captain Markland's company of 
 Frontenac Militia, upon the following charges, viz. : — 
 
 1st — Attempting to desert to the enemy on the night of the 
 18th March, 1813. 
 
 2d — Endeavoring to seduce two privates of tlje Glengarry 
 Light Infantry to desert to the enemy on the night of the 18th 
 March, 1813. On which charges the Court came to the following 
 decision : That t.ie prisoner, Amos Wright, private in the Fron- 
 tenac Militia, is yuilty of the crimes laid to his charge and doth 
 therefore sentence him to be transported as a felon for the term of 
 seven years, to any of His Majesty's dominions, at such time and 
 place as His Honor Major-General Sheaffe may be pleased to direct. 
 
 His Honor the Major-Genf "~1 commanding approves the sent- 
 ence of the Court and is pleased to direct that the prisoner be 
 kept in custody at Kingston until orders shall be issued for his 
 embarkation for the place of his destination. 
 
 7. West Wright, private in Captain Robins's company of the 
 Frontenac Militia, on the following charges : 1st — Attempting to 
 desert to the enemy on the night of the 18th March, 1813. 2d — 
 Endeavoring to seduce two privates of the Glengarry Light Infan- 
 try to desert to the enemy on or about the 18th March, 1813. On 
 which charges the Court came to the following decision : That the 
 prisoner, West Wright, private in the Frontenac Militia, is guilty 
 of the first charge, but acquit him of the second charge, and doth 
 therefore sentence him to be transported as a felon for the term of 
 three years, to any of His Majesty's dominions, at such time and 
 place as His Honor Major-General SheafFe may be pleased to direct. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding approves the sent- 
 ence, but in consideration of the very strong terms in which the 
 Court has recommended the prisoner to the mercy of His Honor he 
 is pleased to remit the punishment which he was adjudged to suffer, 
 and to direct that he be released and return to his duty, which His 
 Honor trusts will be performed with a due sense of the lenity which 
 has been shown to him, and of the obligation imposed on him to 
 execute it jus becomes a faithful subject and a good soldier. 
 
 By order, 
 
 N. Coffin, 
 
 P. A. D. Camp. 
 
147 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to ]$arl Bathurst. 
 
 York, 5th April, 1813. 
 My Lord : — 
 
 Many motives both of a civil and military nature combined to 
 detain me here longer than I expected, but I hope to be able to 
 return to Fort George in the course of a few days. I wish particu- 
 larly to see this place put into a more respectable state of defence 
 before my departure, as I think it probable that the enemy may 
 make some attempt on it in the spring. At present his flotilla is 
 locked up in the ice in Sackett's Harbour. It would be an object 
 of no small importance to him to destroy the ship building here, it 
 being larger than any which were ever floated on these lakes. I 
 need not enlarge on the subject of our naval preparation, as Your 
 Lordship will receive ample details on it from Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Mj'^ last intelligence from Brigadier-General Procter was of the 
 21st of March. At that time General Harrison with about 2,000 
 men had entrenched himself near the foot of the rapids of the 
 Miamis. The rivers and the country in general were in such a state 
 from the breaking up of the winter that oft'ensive operations were 
 suspended. The flank companies of the 41st Regiment have been 
 sent to Brigadier-General Procter since his defeat of General Win- 
 chester's corps, and he has a considerable number of Indians near 
 him, which will be much increased in the spring. 
 
 I have accounts from Captain Roberts, commanding at Michili- 
 mackinac, to the 19th of March. He had received information of 
 the movement of 4,000 Americans under General Clarke up the 
 Missi&sippi, with the design of gaining Lake Michigan by the 
 Ouisconsin. The Sioux and other numerous tribes had declared an 
 intention of acting with the utmost vigour against them, in aid of 
 which purpose Captain Roberts had furnished them with some sup- 
 plies. It was supposed by the Americans that they were destitute 
 of gunpowder. Mr. Robert Dickson, whose influence is extensive 
 amongst the Indians in that country and who unites discretion 
 with great courage and ability, will probably have joined them 
 before they commenced their operations. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 114.) 
 
 t ' Major-General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Albany. April 5, 1813. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) 
 I have this day been honored with your letter of the 29th 
 ultimo. As troops cannot with safety be transported from Sackett's 
 Harbor to York or Niagara in batteaux or Jiathottomed boats, I 
 
148 
 
 must depend on Commodore Chauncey's armed vessels, with one or 
 two other sloops, for the transportation of our troops, and it was 
 considered doubtful whether more than twelve hundred men could 
 be so conveyed, which number I considered amply sufficient for the 
 two first objects contemplated, but as man}'^ as can be transported 
 with safety shall be sent. The co-operation of the troops under 
 General Lewis may be relied on. Boyd and Winder are with him, 
 and nothing but outrageous gales of wind can prevent success. 
 
 The troops from Maryland and Pennsylvania arrived last even- 
 ing. They, with other detachments at Greenbush, will proceed 
 towards Lake Ontario within two or three days. As soon as prac- 
 ticable after sending off the troops, I shall move westward. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I.) 
 
 The Secretaty of War to Geneiral Dearborn. 
 
 War Department, April 19, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Taking for granted that General Prevost has not been 
 able or willing to reinforce Maiden, Erie and George, and that he 
 has assembled at Kingston a force of six or eight thousand men, (as 
 stated by you), we must conclude that he means to hazard his west- 
 ern posts, shorten his line of defence and place his right Hank on 
 Lake Ontario. 
 
 This arrangement is no doubt in consequence of our prepara- 
 tions at Sackett's Harbor. These gave him reason to fear that we 
 meant to cut his line of communication at that point, which so long 
 as he has a hope of keeping the command of the lake is one of 
 infinite importance to his views. 
 
 The danger, however, now is that in the event of the success 
 of our present expedition he may lose this hope, abandon Kingston, 
 and concentrate his forces at Montreal. 
 
 This event is in my opinion so probable as to render necessary 
 a communication of the views of the President in relation to the 
 movements on your part, (which shall be subsequent to those now 
 making), on two suppositions : 
 
 1st — That the enemy will keep his ground at Kingston, and 
 
 2nd — That he will abandon that ground and withdraw to 
 Montreal. 
 
 On the first supposition there is no difficulty in either selecting 
 our object or the means of pursuing it. We ought to destroy the 
 communication between Kingston and Montreal by interposing a 
 competent force between the the two, and assailing the former by a 
 joint operation of military and naval means. 
 
 Local circuu.<8tance8 favor this project. A few armed boats on 
 
149 
 
 Lake St. Francis stops all intercourse by water, in which case can- 
 non, military stores and articles of subsistence in bulk cannot be 
 conveyed between Montreal and Kingston. 
 
 From Lake Ontario to Ogdensburg we command the naviga- 
 tion of the St. Lawrence by our armed vessels, and under their 
 protection our army can be passed over and established on the 
 Canada side, at the point deemed most proper for attack. 
 
 On the other supposition, that the British garrison is withdrawn 
 from Kingston to Montreal, the old question of approaching him by 
 Lake Cham plain or the St. Lawrence recurs, and ought now to be 
 settled so that there should be no unnecessary pause in our opera- 
 tions at a later and more momentous period of the campaign. 
 
 The circumstances in favor of the St, Lawrence route are these : 
 
 Ist — Our force is now upon it. 
 
 2nd — It furnishes a conveyance by water the whole distance. 
 
 3d — The enemy is not fortified on the St. Lawrence side, and 
 has on it no strong outposts which must be forced in order to secure 
 our flanks and rear while engaged in the main attack, and 
 
 4th — By approaching his Hank, (as this route enables you to 
 do,) instead of his front we compel him to change his position, in 
 which case he must do one of four things : Either he must occupy 
 the north side of the river and give up the south, or he must occupy 
 the south side and give up the d irth, or he must confine himself to 
 the island and give up ''joth sides, or, lastly, he must occupy both 
 sides, and in this case expose himself to be beaten in detail. 
 
 None of these advantages are to be found in approaching him 
 by the other route. Our troops are not upon it ; we cannot move 
 by water ; his outposts are fortified and must be carried by assault : 
 his front is the only assailable point, and that is covered by the St. 
 Lawrence ; our attack must be made exactly where he wishes it to 
 be made ; all of his arrangements and defences are of course in full 
 operation, nor is he compelled to disturb them in the smallest 
 degree. In a word, we must fight him on his previous disposition 
 and plans and not on any of our own. 
 
 These results are deemed conclusive for preferring the route of 
 the St. Lawrence, and your measures, (subsequent to your present 
 expedition,) will therefore be conformed to this view of the subject. 
 
 (AmerioMi State Papers, Military 4.ffairs, Vol. I.) 
 
 7th Aprils 1813. 
 Siigrsrestioiis (Probably by Col. Wm. Claus.) 
 
 All officers of the militia should be well informed in the militia 
 laws of the land, without a knowledge of which they will not be 
 
150 
 
 carried into effect, and unless carried into effect there had better be 
 no such laws. 
 
 All officers should be able in peraon to perform the manual and 
 platoon manual exercise, with some of the eighteen manamvres, so 
 that they may be able to instruct the men committed to their 
 charge. 
 
 Officers ought to be particularly attentive to all legal orders 
 issued by their superiors on militia duties, and should adhere strictly 
 to form of rolls, returns, &c., &c., &c. Without regularity and uni- 
 formity a regiment cannot be brought into method, and without 
 subordination all will be tumult and confusion. 
 
 Meetings for enrollment should be more attended to than they 
 heretofore have been by captains and officers commanding com- 
 panies. 
 
 Officers commanding companies should never give in their rolls 
 on returning without first signing their names to the same, with the 
 rank they hold. 
 
 Officers should be very particular in having their rolls correct, 
 and should consider that it is highly oppressive to summon them 
 before the Justices of the Peace charged with having been absent 
 from regimental or company meetings when probably many of these 
 men returned absent were either out of the limits of the company 
 or not legally notified to attend the meeting of the regiment or 
 company. 
 
 Officers commanding companies should remember that it is 
 their duty to bring defaulters to justice by applying for summons, 
 &c., &c., &c., to the magistrates, and not the duty of the Colonel or 
 officer connnanding the regiment. 
 
 (From the Roll Book of Captain John D. Servos, Niagara Historical Society.) 
 
 Militia General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 7th April, 1813. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding, deeming it proper 
 there should be a militia force assembled for the protection of the 
 Lake Erie frontier, one field officer, 2 captains, 3 subalterns, 4 ser- 
 geants and 80 rank and file will be stationed at Turkey Point ; one 
 captain, 2 subs., 3 sergeants and 50 rank and file at Dover 
 Mills, and one sub., 1 sergeant, 20 rank and file at Port Talbot. 
 
 The undermentioned regiments will furnish this force in the 
 following proportions, which will be relieved monthly : 
 
 The 1st and 2d Regts. of Norfolk. 
 1 capt., 2 subs., ^ sergts., 50 R. and file each 100 
 
161 
 
 The Ist Regt. of Oxford. 
 
 1 capt, 1 flub., 2 sergts., 30 R, and file 30 
 
 The Ist Regt. of Middlesex. 
 1 sub., 2 sergts., 20 R. and file 20 
 
 150 
 His Honor approves of Major Bowen, 1st Regt. of Norfolk, for 
 this service. . '• 
 
 By order, 
 
 iExEAs Shaw, 
 
 Adjt. Gen'l., Militia. 
 
 Regulations for the Incorporated Militia. 
 
 1st — Quota to be raised for each rank : 
 
 Lieut-Colonel 40 
 
 Major 30 
 
 Captain 20 
 
 Lieutenant 10 
 
 Ensign 5 
 
 2 — The number to form the battalion is not to be confined to 
 that which the officers are required to raise, but may be extended 
 to fifty privates a company. 
 
 3 — Each company to have 
 
 One Captain, three Sergeants, 
 One Lieutenant, three Corporals, 
 One Ensign, one Drummer. 
 
 4 — An adjutant, quartermaster, sergeant-major and quarter- 
 master sergeant may be obtained from the line if practicable, or 
 otherwise a fit person to be selected. 
 
 5 — The officers are to be named for the President's approval, 
 but those recommended are to receive a recruiting order, and if not 
 finally confirmed they will be allowed pay for the time they may 
 be employed on the recruiting service. 
 
 6 — The officers to receive pay for their respective ranks from the 
 date of their recruiting orders if they complete their quota within 
 a month. Those who do not will receive pay from the commence- 
 ment of the month in which they shall have raised their number, 
 the month to be reckoned from the date of the recruiting orders. 
 
 7 — An engagement to be entered into by the volunteer in the 
 form of a declaration (in duplicate) with the signature of two wit- 
 nessea The eight dollars granted as a bounty by the Legislature 
 for each volunteer are to be given to him, besides which His Honor 
 Major-General Sheafte authorizes ten dollars to be laid out for each 
 
152 
 
 man to provide him with all articles of necessariea This money is 
 to be considered as under the direction of the Conunandin|y Officer 
 of the battalion, if not hereafter otherwise directed. 
 
 8 — A suit of clothing will be furnished for each man, with 
 arms, accoutrements and other equipments. 
 
 9 — The officers and men will have the usual pay and allowances 
 of regiments of the line. 
 
 10 — It is His Honor Major-General Sheaffe's intentitm to recom- 
 mend the services of the Incorporated Militia to the favorable con- 
 sideration of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent for a grant of 
 land. 
 
 11 — Men from sixteen to forty-five years of age may be taken 
 if strong and healthy. 
 
 12 — The officers are to continue their exertions to obtain men 
 until the number to be raised by the whole is completed, after 
 which volunteers may be received at the quarters of the battalion 
 until the number exceeds fifty privates a company, when a special 
 report of the surplus is to be made by the commanding officer to 
 the President, and of the probable addition that will be made to it. 
 
 13 — No man to be entered but as a private, tho' it may be 
 intended to raise him to the rank of corporal or sergeant. 
 
 14 — Each volunteer is to be seen by the commanding officer of 
 the district, or by an inspecting field officer of the militia, or by 
 such officer as the commanding officer may find it expedient to 
 appoint, for the purpose of ascertaining that he is, as the 11th article 
 requires, strong and healthy, as none but those who are tit for active 
 service are to be accepted. 
 
 15 — It is positively forbidden to endeavor to influence any man 
 to volunteer for the Incorporated Militia by giving him any hope, 
 promise or assurance whatsoever of his becoming entitled thereby 
 to any more on the part of the government than is authorized by 
 acts of the legislature, or engaged for in the foregoing instructions. 
 Any disregard of this injunction will be noticed with severity. 
 
 By order, ,^ 
 
 iENEAs Shaw. 
 
 Adj. Gen'l, Mila., U. C. 
 
 Form of ISttrollment of the Incorporated Militia. 
 
 We, the subscribers, do acknowledge that we hav^ voluntarily 
 enrolled ourselves to serve in the Incorporated Militia of this Pro- 
 vince according to law : 
 
 Date of Enroll't 
 
 Names of Vols. 
 
 Age. 
 
 Place of Benid'e. 
 
 Names of the 
 
 Witnesses to 
 
 Sign's or Marks. 
 
153 
 
 Speech of the President of the United St&tes to the Six Nations. 
 
 Brothers of the Six Nations : — 
 
 Through our sub-agent and interpreter. Jasper Parrish, you 
 have expressed some uneasiness with regard to the attacks of the 
 British upon your wives and children. Be not disquieted. Should 
 the enemy cross the Niagara river you will be removed to a place 
 of safety. Others of your red brethren have been so removed. 
 They were honest to us and were therefore hated and menaced by 
 the British. They are now eating our bread in the State of Ohio 
 and in places of safety. 
 
 My Brothers, — While on this subject let me offer to you my 
 advice that during the war you should gather yourselves together 
 and move to vour reserved tract on the head waters of the Alle- 
 ghany, where you may work and sleep in safety. 
 
 My Brothers, — You have also expressed some fears lest your 
 annuities and the interest on your bank stock should not be punc- 
 tually paid. Bad men have raised in you these doubts. Listen to 
 such no longer. Have not your claims upon us been punctually 
 paid hitherto ? And can you have a letter assurance of our future 
 conduct towards you than what is furnished by your own experi- 
 ence of that which is past. It is true that the quantity of goods 
 payable as part of your annuity is somewhat less than it was for- 
 merly, but this is the effect of the war forced upon us by the 
 British. They therefore are the true causes of this evil. 
 
 My Brothers, — Continue your good faith to the United States 
 and trust to their justice and kindness. 
 
 War Department, 
 April 8th, 1803. (Sic.) 
 
 By order of the President of the U. States. 
 
 John Armstrong, 
 
 Secretarj^ of War. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 406-7. New York State Library.) 
 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gazette, 13th April, 1813.) 
 
 Lake Erie, from present appearances, will be entirely clear of 
 ice within a few days. 
 
 We learn from a gentleman from Lewiston that a cannonading 
 was heard at 18 Mile Creek in the direction of Little York. 
 
 A number of ship carpentei-s passed thro' this place some time 
 since for the navy yard at Erie (Presqo' Isle.) Last week several 
 sailors also passed this village for the same place. Ship carpenters 
 and sailors recently passed Pittsburg destined for Elrie. 
 
154 
 
 It \H stated that a body of 4 or 500 Hcanien and marines will 
 be collected at Erie in a short time. Several sailors stationed at 
 the Rock have departed for that place. We understand that the 
 remainder are ordered for Sackett's Harlx>r. 
 
 The vessels purchased by government last fall at Black Hock 
 and intended to have been fitted out as an armed force on the lake 
 have, as we understand, been abandoned, it beinjj considered almost 
 impossible to tow them up the rapids while the enemy were in 
 possession of the opposite shore. 
 
 (Pile in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 Extract of a I/etter from Bri^.-General Vincent, Addressed to Sir 
 
 R. H. Sheaffe. 
 
 FonT George, 15th April, 1813. 
 
 I have to report that Lieut. FitzGibbon, 40th Regiment, on the 
 13th inst. discovered some persons on Strawberry Island, manned a 
 boat and made prisoners a Lieut. Dudley, U. S. Navy, three sea- 
 men, Doctor Trowbridge and a Mr. Merrill of Buffalo. As 1 have it 
 not in my power to send them over on parole from the late order 
 thro' the Military Secretary to Colonel Myers, and I do not think 
 it advisable to suffer them to remain here for a day, I shall there- 
 fore send those gentlemen with two other prisoners in the boats for 
 York, to be kept there or sent to Quebec at your pleasure. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678.) . ■* 
 
 Prom the Memoirs of Colonel John Clark of Port Dalhousie. 
 
 Lieut. FitzGibbon of the 49t}i Regiment had a separate com- 
 mand, composed of all the men wliose names figured in the regi- 
 mental records as notoriously troublesome characters, who were ever 
 and anon the subjects of court martial. 
 
 They were all Irishmen, speaking the Irish vernacular, as did 
 their countryman the chief. 
 
 His duty was principally to collect information of the enemy's 
 movements, and do everything in his power to annoy them. 
 
 On the occasion I am about to narrate he was scouting on the 
 banks of the Niagara River opposite Grand Island. 
 
 Observing two officers in a dug out leave the main and proceed 
 to the island he decided to apprehend these gentlemen, and with 
 one of his sergeants proceeded in a boat to the same place. 
 
 He pounced on them as, nose to nose, one was giving to his 
 friend the light from his cigar. This was most unexpected, and the 
 menacing point of a bayonet in close proximity to each of their 
 
165 
 
 persons, and the very intellijjible order of " Drop your pistols to the 
 ijround and surrender or we will bury our bayonets in your l)ody," 
 was a HU^jijestion that these two gentlemen knew not how to j^et 
 over otherwise than by a ready compliance, and they became 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 They now made an appeal to FitzOibbon's honour, stating that 
 they came to the island to settle an affair of honour and that their 
 adversaries would soon join them. On hearing this, to which he 
 turned a deaf ear, he placed the two gentlemen in charge of a ser- 
 geant and proceeded in quest of the adverse parfy. 
 
 Looking towards the American shore he saw a second dug-out 
 leave the main and proceed to the island. Quietly and in rifleman 
 style he trees himself close to the landing. As the dug-out grated 
 on the sands he covered them with his " Brown Bess," called out to 
 them to surrender and land immediately without arms or they were 
 dead men. Surprised at such a reception, bewildered, not knowing 
 how many men were backing the British soldier, they disembarked, 
 leaving tlieir duelling pistols in the canoe, and were then marched 
 off a few paces to the rear of his position and introduced to their 
 adversaries. 
 
 (Coramunioated by Lieut. Driscoll, lOOtb Regt., MSS. of Dr. Clark, St. Catharines.) 
 
 Militia General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 16th April, 1813. 
 
 His Honor the Major-General commanding has been pleased to 
 make the following appointment : 
 
 3rd regt., LINCOLN. 
 
 Major John Warren to be Lieut.-Colonel, vice Warren who 
 resigns— 16th April, 1813. 
 
 Captain Robert R. I/oringf, A. D. C. to Major-General Sheaffe, to 
 
 Mr. Freer. 
 
 Headquarters, York, 19th April, 1813. 
 Sir, — I enclose by direction of Sir Roger H. Sheaffe 3 papers ; 
 
 1. Being a copy of a letter from Brig.-General Procter. 
 
 2. Proposed alteration for paying Indian Department. 
 
 3. Copy of a letter from M. S. to Governor Gore. This last 
 may save you the trouble of searching for it in your office. 
 
 Sir Roger desires me to say that ne is exceedingly anxious for 
 a supply of money, according to his requisition lately transmitted, 
 the balance of the £37,000 lately received not being sufficient to 
 pay the militia. 
 
166 
 
 I am further ordered to inform you that Sir Roger )iaA thouf^ht 
 it advinablo to purchane a Hinall .sloop at this place, called the Mary 
 Ann, for £200 Hal. currency, as she can be employed with much 
 benefit to the service aa a transport. 
 
 (C«niMli»n Archives, G. 2S7, p. 78.) 
 
 Major-Oeneral Sheaffe to Sir Oeorgre Prevott. 
 
 York. 19th April. 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency the 
 copy of a letter which I have received from Mr. Dickson, with 
 extracts of letters from Brigadier-Generals Vincent and Procter, 
 and the copy of one from Captain Johnston of the 49th Regiment 
 respecting Lieut. Dudley of the United States navy, lately taken 
 prisoner. He and his companions have not yet arrived here. They 
 must be detained here a short time, as all the boats I can procure 
 will be employed in bringing up troops, stores and baggage. One 
 company of the King's Regiment has proceeded to Fort George, a 
 half company arrived last night and goes on to-day, and I expect a 
 company, (Capt. Goldrick's) at noon, which will also proceed to-day, 
 and five boats go down the lake to bring up the militia clothing, 
 (which I have just learnt has been left about seventy miles from 
 hence,) and also to furnish aid to the troops on their march. 
 
 I have for some time daily expected the arrival of Colonel 
 Young, having been informed by Lieut. Kerr of the Glengarry corps 
 that he was to come on without delay for Fort George, but I have 
 the mortification of being told to-day that he is to remain at King- 
 ston until his regiment has passed that post. I have, however, con- 
 solation for being so long detained here, in the belief that it has 
 proved in some degree beneficial to the service. I have written to 
 Colonel Young to hasten his progress towards me. 
 
 Captain Norton is here and is so urgent for my assent to his 
 going back to Detroit, pleading that he had engaged his word to 
 the Indians there for his speedy return, that I cannot withhold it; 
 he promises not to stay long away from me, even for a short time 
 with great reluctance. 
 
 (CanfMlian Archives, C. 678, p. 170.) 
 (Prom the Buffalo Gazette, 20th April, 1813.) 
 
 On Saturday last arrived in this village Major-General Lewis, 
 accompanied by Brigadier-General Boyd. Capt. Gibson is one of 
 General Lewis's aids. On their arrival they were very handsomely 
 saluted by the troops stationed in the village, the flying artillery 
 under Captain Leonard, the infantry under Colonel Milton. 
 
167 
 
 Petty Warfare — On the morning of tho 13th, at sunriBc, a 
 sporting party, couHiHting of Lieut. Dudley of the U. S. Navy sta- 
 tione<l at Black liock, Dr. J. Trowbridjje and F. B. Merrill of the 
 villaj;e, attended by 3 Hcainen, proceeded from the navy yanl to 
 Strawberry Island near the head of Grand Lsiand, for the purpoHe 
 of hunting water fowl. Owing to the ice running in large (|uan- 
 tities they supponed their situation was perfectly secure. At 9 
 o'clock a party of the British of 14 men, commanded by Lieut. Fitz- 
 Gibbon of the 49th Kegt.. landed unperceived and made them 
 prisoners. They were sent the same day to Fort George. Dr. 
 Trowbridge and Mr. Merrill were permitted to return on this side 
 on the 15th at Fort Niagara. The}' inform us that they had an 
 opportunity of seeing most of the officers from Fort Erio to Fort 
 (ieorge, and they were all of the 49th except two who Injlonged to 
 the Glengarry Regiment, a Provincial corps, so that calculating 
 from this circumstance it is not probable that the British force in 
 round numbers can amount to more than 1,000 men from Fort Erie 
 to Fort George. The British officers stated that General Procter, 
 (formerly Ck)lonel Procter,) had proceeded against General Harrison 
 with a considerable body of troops, composed of regulars, militia 
 and Indians. 
 
 Contrary to the invariable practice of the officers of the U. S. 
 Navy to British officers in similar situaticms, who have been par- 
 oled or exchanged immediately, Lieut. Dudley, it is l)elieved, will 
 be tortured with a long and fatiguing journey to Boston via Quebec. 
 
 Lieut. FitzGibbon assigned as one reason for capturing the 
 sportsmen that he had suspected them of going to the island to 
 settle an affair of honor. 
 
 (Pile in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 Memo, by Irieut.-Colonel Qlegg. 
 
 State of the troops on tho Niagara Line, 20th April, 1813 : 
 
 Col. M. Capt«. Lts. E. P. M. Q. Mr. Adjts. 
 1 3 27 33 21 2 4 2 
 
 Surg'n. Asst. Surg. Sergts. Drs. R. & F. 
 
 2 2 122 37 1664 
 
 (P^m Memorandum Book in poaseaaion of Lieut -Col. G. Yilliers Turner, Beading, 
 England.) 
 
158 
 
 Militia General Order. 
 
 Heaikjiahters, York, 20th April, 1813. 
 
 His Honor Sir Ro^jer H. Sheaffe has been pleased to make the 
 following appointment : 
 
 IST REOT. NORFOLK. 
 
 A(iuilla H. Walsh, Gent., to be Ensijrn— 20th April, 1813. 
 
 By order, 
 
 /Eneas Shaw, 
 
 Adjt. Oen'l, Mila, 
 
 Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst. 
 
 (No 5(5.) 
 
 Quebec, 2l8t April, 1813. 
 My Lord: 
 
 I have the honour to »vckno\vledtje Your Lordship's despatches, 
 Nos. 18 to 20. 
 
 Tlu; different reports which 1 have made to Your Lordship of 
 the e.xtraordinary exertions of the enemy to obtain the ascendency 
 on l^ake Ontario, since the commencement of tiie war witli the United 
 States, and of the precautionary mejisures which I had been oblijjed 
 to adopt in order to combat tluMu will, I trust, sufficiently 
 account for the feelinj^ which impelled me to the exposition con- 
 tained in ujy despatch of the 5th November last, and when Your 
 Lordship brings together all the circumstances of difficulty I have 
 surmounted since the lieginning of the contest with An»erica, I do 
 most sincerely hope you will be disposed to view my conduct in a 
 favorable light and to represent it to His Royal Highness the Prince 
 Regent. 
 
 I have had the satisfaction of receiving information of the 
 approach by land of several officers of the navy who have been sent 
 from the Halifax Station to serve in the vessels now building on 
 the lakes. 
 
 Not a moment shall be lost after their arrival at Quebec in 
 forwarding them to their destination, as their judgment and experi- 
 ence are essential to the completion of our preparations for ensur- 
 ing our ascendency on Lake Ontario, .he loss of which would 
 immediately expose Upper Canada to dev:««tation and insult. 
 
 To shield that Province from those evils until our little navy 
 is ready to co-operate in its defence, I have marched for its protec- 
 tion a consideraole reinforcement of troops of the line from Lower 
 Canada, which I have replaced by an augmentation of its militia 
 force. 
 
 That His Royal Highness the Prince Regent may be enabled 
 
169 
 
 to ju<l^e of tlie HHHifitance which haH been afforded to His MajeHty 
 by hiH Canadian subjects in the present contest,' I have the honour 
 of transmitting a return of the militia of Lower Canada in actual 
 service. 
 
 In Upper Canada the difficulties of forming an efficient militia 
 inseparable from a scanty pcpulation spread over an extensive sur- 
 face, and from the emigration to the United States of many who 
 were discontented with or disaffected to the government under 
 winch they had placed themselves in time of peace, have rendered 
 it expe<lient to organize a more regular corps to serve during tlie 
 war with America, and subject to such regulations as should ensure 
 the establishment of good order and discipline in them. 
 
 In order to obtain volunteers for this description of service the 
 Legi;slature of Upper (Canada iti its last session made provision for 
 a lx)unty of eight dollars to each person so engaging to serve, as the 
 utmost encouragement within their means, and I have assented to a 
 proposal from Maj<»r-(j}eneral Sir lloger Hale Sheaffe for augment- 
 ing the sun» from the extraordinaries of the arnjy, so as to afford 
 the recruit a reasonable outfit. 
 
 I am highly pleased that Your Ijordshiphad decided on increas- 
 ing the number of hJritish seamen ordere<l to Canada from two to 
 three hundred. 
 
 Although the paper of observations which acconipanied Your 
 Lonlship's despatch No. 20 contains some wi.se suggestions, by which 
 I shall not fail to benefit, still, Jis the country has undergone a con- 
 siderable change by improvement since the writer was acquainted 
 with Upper Canada, many of them are no longer applicable. (See 
 part 4, pp. 832, .S3.S, Letter of Sir Howard Douglas.) 
 
 After the affair of Queenston Sir R. H. Sheaffe lost a glorious 
 opportunity of crossing the Niagara River during the confusion and 
 dismay which then prevailed, for the purpose of destroying Fort Niag- 
 ara, f)y which the connnand of the Niagara River would have been 
 secured to us during the war, and Niagara, like Ogdensburg, would 
 have cease«l to be an object of discjuietude. I^ut the eminent mili- 
 tary talents of Sir Isaac Hrock having ceased to animate the little 
 army, the advantage of that day wjis not sufficiently improved. 
 
 That I might not diminish the internal causes w' "^h it is 
 thought will compel the American Government to seel, /or peace 
 btifore the ensuing winter, I have hitherto carefully avoided any 
 offensive movement upon the territory of the United States which 
 was not considered a just and necessary retaliation, thereby hoping 
 to increase the unpopularity of the war and to add to the depres- 
 sion of their public credit. 
 
 When tiie reinforcementa from the Mediterranean and the 
 
160 
 
 Baltic arrive in Canada I shall be enabled to act against the enemy 
 with vigour, and to convert my defensive into offensive operations, 
 if such should be the desire of His Majesty's Government. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 194.) 
 
 (Prom the United States Gazette, ad May, 1813.) 
 
 Extract from a letter to the Editor : 
 
 On board the Sloop of War Madison, 
 Sackett's Haubor, April 22, 1813. 
 
 About 1,500 troops are now on board the fleet and only wait a 
 fair wind to waft us to the shores of the enemy. Some say our 
 destination is Kingston, others say York, and a few suppose we shall 
 land at Newark and attack Fort George at the mouth of the Niag- 
 ara, whilst in the meantime we shall give the signal that all may 
 cross and attack the chain of batteries the enemy has thrown up, 
 extending from Fort Erie to our place of landing. Fort George. I 
 cannot say exactly our place of .landing, but I think the latter point 
 most probable. General Dearborn will command in person. Brig- 
 adier-General Pike will lead the column into action. The troops 
 consist of the remains of the 6th, 15th and 16th regiments. Captain 
 Jones's and another company from the 3rd artillery. Major Forsyth's 
 riflemen and some companies of volunteers with a few of the undis- 
 ciplined regulars who arrived here the other day from Burlington, 
 Vermont. We shall most probably not sail before to-morrow unless 
 [there is] a very favorable wind. 
 
 (File in Philadelphia Library.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, . 
 Quebec, 22d April, 1813, 
 G. O. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Prince Regent ha . "'Tig been graciously 
 pleased to command that a division of officers and seamen of the 
 Royal Navy should Vie assigned for the service of His Majesty's 
 fleet on the lakes of Upper Canada. Admiral Sir John Warren, in 
 prompt obedience to His Royal Highness's commands and to acceler- 
 ate the beneficial efl'ects that cannot fail to accrue from so wise and 
 judicious a measure, has directed Captain Barclay and other officers 
 of the Royal Navy to proceed by land from Halifax, and it is with 
 the highest satisfaction that the Commander of the Forces has the 
 pleasure of announcing to the army the auspicious arrival of these 
 officers for the purpose of assuming the command of His Majesty's 
 
161 
 
 armed vessels on the lakes, and to make the necessary arrangements 
 for now orf^anizing the marine establishment. The officers of the 
 Provincial marine will, for the present, be suitably provided for 
 without diminution of their salaries. 
 
 His Excellency feels that he is providing to the troops that 
 unanimity and cordial co-operation which smoothes the rugged path 
 of war and strengthens all its success. The brave soldiers of Upper 
 Canada will greet with heartfelt joy the arrival of a gallant band 
 of British seamen and will cease to view the waters of the lakes as 
 the boundaries of their victories, but as a new Held of triumph 
 opening to their arms. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 A. G. N. A. 
 
 Major-General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Sackett's Harbor, April 23, 1813. 
 
 The troops embarked 3esterday. Every vessel is crowded with 
 as many men as possible ; the total number 1,000 of the best men. 
 I trust we shall sail within one or two hours. If the sails for a 
 new vessel arrives within a day or two, and a small sloop from 
 Oswego which ought to have been here five days since, 150 more 
 men will go in them. The ice did not move until the 19th ; I 
 arrived on the 20th. 
 
 Irieut. Patrick McDonogh, 2d U. S. Artillery, to his Parents. 
 
 Black Rock, April 25th, 1813. 
 
 We are fast preparing for the field. I expect that in about 
 four weeks we shall make a move. Our division will consist of 
 about 3,500 or 3,800 regulars, and I don't think any militia will be 
 called on to cross. Our company is attached to the 2d Brigade, 
 commanded by General Winder. It will be about 1,500 strong. 
 General Boyd will have the remainder. Major-General Lewis com- 
 mands the whole. The Generals have all arrived, and the troops to 
 make up the complement are expected daily. Things appear to be 
 in a better train than they ever were. Colonel Scott, I think, has 
 been ordered to Sackett's Harbor or he would have been here before 
 now. 
 
 (Prom Advance Sheets of the Records of American Catholic Historical Society of 
 Philadelphia.) 
 
162 
 Brigrade Order. 
 
 Sackett's Harbok, April 25, 1813. 
 
 When the debarkatk n shall take place un the enemy's shore 
 Major Forsyth 8 light troops, formed in four platoons, shall V)e first 
 landed. They will advance u small distance from the shore and 
 form the chain to cover the landing of the troops. They will not 
 fire unless they discover the approach of a body of the enemy, but 
 will make prisoners of every person who may be passing and send 
 them to the General. They will be followed by the regimental 
 platoons of the first brigade, with two pieces of Brooks's artillery, 
 one on the right and one on the left Hank, covered by their mus- 
 ketry and the small dettu;hment of riflemen of the I5th and 16th 
 Infantry. There will be landed the three platoons of the reserve of 
 the first brigade under Major Swan. Then Major Eustis with his 
 train of artillery, covered by his own musketry. Then Colonel 
 McClure's volunteers in four plaUx)ns, followed by the 2l8t Regi- 
 ment in six platoons. When the troops shall move in column, 
 either to meet the enemy or take a position, it will be in the follow- 
 ing order, viz.: Ist — Forsyth's rifiemen with proper front and fiank 
 guards, the regiments of the first briga<le with their pieces, then 
 three platoons of reserve. Major Eustis's train of artillery. Volunteer 
 Corps, Twenty-firat Regiment, each corps sending out proper flank 
 guards. W^hen the enemy shall be discovered in force, the riflemen 
 will form the chain and maintain their guard until they have the 
 signal, (the preparative,) or receive orders to retire, at which they 
 will retreat with the greatest velocity and form equally on the two 
 flanks of the regiments of the first brigade and then renew their 
 fire. The three reserve platoons of this line will form under the 
 orders of ]\fajor Swan, one hundred yards in rear of the colors, 
 ready to support any part which may show an unsteady counten- 
 ance. Major Eustis and his train will form in the rear of this 
 reserve, ready to act when circumstances may dictate. 
 
 The second line will be composed of the 21st Infantry in six 
 platoons, flanked by Colonel McClure's Volunteers, eriually divided 
 as light troops. The whole, under the orders of Colonel Ripley. 
 
 It is expected that every corps will be mindful of the honor of 
 the American army and the disgraces which hn/e recently tar- 
 nished our arms, and endeavor by a cool and deternUned discharge of 
 their duty to 8up|K>rt the one and wipe oft* the otl\er. The riflemen 
 in front will maintain their ground at all hazards until ordered to 
 retire, as will every corps of the army, with an assurance of being 
 duly supported. Should the Commanding General And it prudent 
 to withdraw the front line he will give orders to retire by heads of 
 
163 
 
 platoons covered by the riflemen, and the second line will advance 
 by the heads of the platoons, pass the intervals and form the line, 
 call in light troops and renew the action. But the General may find 
 it proper to bring up the second line on one or both flankw, to charge 
 in column and perform a variety of manoeuvres which it would be 
 impossible to foresee. But as a general rule, whatever may be the 
 direction of line at the beginning of the action, the corps will form 
 as before directed. If they then advance in line it may be in 
 parallel echelons of platoons, or otherwise as the ground or circum- 
 stances may dictate. . 
 
 No man will load until ordered, except the light troops in front, 
 until within a short distance of the enemy, and then charge bay- 
 onets, thus letting the enemy see we can meet them with their own 
 weapons. Any man tiring or quitting his post without orders must 
 be put to instant death, tia an example may be necessary. Platoon 
 officers will pay the greatest attention to the coolness and aim of 
 their men in the fire, tlieir regularity and dressing in the charge. 
 The field officers will 'i^atch over the conduct of the whole. Courage 
 and bravery in the fifld do not more distinguish the soldier than 
 humanity after victory, and, whatever examples the savage allies of 
 our enemy may hav.f given us, the General confidently hopes that- 
 the blood of an unresisting enemy will never stain the weapons of 
 the soldiers of his column. 
 
 The unoffending citizens of Canada are many of them our own 
 countrymen, and the Provinces have been forced into the war. 
 Their property therefore must be held sacred, and any soldier who 
 shall so far neglect the honor of his profession as to be guilty of 
 plundering the inhabitants, shall, if convicted, be punished with 
 death. But the Commanding General affeures the troops that should 
 they capture a large quantity of public stores he will use his best 
 endeavors to procure them a reward from his government. 
 
 This order shall be read at the head of each corps, and every 
 field officer shall carry a copy in order that he may at any moment 
 refer to it and give explanations to his subordinates. 
 
 All those found in arms in the enemy's country shall be treated 
 as enemies, but those who are peaceably following the pursuits of 
 their various vocations as friends and their property respected. 
 
 By order of the Brigadier-General, 
 
 Charles G. Jones, 
 
 Aid-de-Camp. 
 
164 
 
 Memo, by I^ieat. -Colonel Glegfg. 
 
 27th April, 1813. 
 
 R. & F. 
 
 8th or King'a Regt 338 
 
 41at Re^t 493 
 
 49th do 595 
 
 Line 1436 
 
 41at Regt. S. R. & F. 
 
 33 493 
 
 (Prom ft memorandum book in possession of Lieut. G. Villiers Turner of 14 Castle 
 Crescent, Reading, England, great nephew of Lieut. -Col. John Baskervyle Glegg.) 
 
 Memorandum by Lieut. -Colonel Gleg^g. 
 
 State of troops, Niagara line, 27th April. AH Regulars. 
 Sergts. Drs. R. & F. 
 
 99 45 1640 
 
 R. &F. 
 
 8th or King's Regt 3.38 
 
 49th 621 
 
 (From memorandum book in possession of Lieut. -Colonel G. Villiers Turner, Reading, 
 England.) 
 
 Terms of Capitulation Entered into on the 27th April, 1813, for 
 
 the Surrender of the Town of York in Upper Canada, to 
 
 the Army and Navy of the United States, under 
 
 Major-General Dearborn and Commodore 
 
 Chauncey. 
 
 That the troops, regular and militia, at this post and the naval 
 officers and seamen, shall be surrendered prisoners of war. The 
 troops, regular and militia, to ground their arms immediately on 
 parade, and the naval officers and seamen be immediately sur- 
 rendered. 
 
 That all public stores, naval and military, shall be immediately 
 given up to the commanding officers of the army and navy of the 
 United States ; that all private property shall be guaranteed to the 
 citizens of the town of York. 
 
 That all papers belonging to the civil officers shall be retained 
 by them. 
 
 That such surgeons as may be procured to attend the wounded 
 of the British regulars and Canadian militia shall not be considered 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 That one lieutenant-colonel, one major, thirteen captains, nine 
 
166 
 
 lieutenants, eleven ensigns, one quartermaster, one deputy-adjutant 
 of the militia, namely : 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Chewett. 
 
 Major Allan. 
 Captains. 
 
 John Wilson. 
 
 John Button. 
 
 Peter Robinson. 
 
 Reuben Richardson. 
 
 John Arnold. 
 
 James Fenwick. 
 
 James Mustard. 
 
 Duncan Cameron. 
 
 David Thompson. 
 
 John Robinson. 
 
 Samuel Ridout. 
 
 Thomas Hamilton. 
 
 John Burn. 
 
 William Jarvis. 
 Quartermaster. 
 
 Charles Baynes. 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 John H. Shultz. 
 
 George Mustard. 
 
 Bamet Vanderbarrack. 
 
 Robert Stanton. 
 
 George Ridout. 
 
 Wm. Jarvis. 
 
 Edward McMahon. 
 
 John Wilson. 
 
 Eli Playter. 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 Andrew Thompson. 
 Alfred Senally. 
 Donald McArthur. 
 William Smith. 
 Andrew Mercer. 
 James Chewett. 
 George Kick. 
 Edward Thompson. 
 Charles Denison. 
 George Denison. 
 D'Arcy Boulton, 
 
166 
 
 Nineteen sergeantjs, four corporalH and two hundred and four 
 rank and tile. 
 
 Of the field-train <lepartnient, Win. Dunbar : of the Provincial 
 Navy, Captain FrH. Gauvreau, Lieutenant Green, Midshipmen John 
 Ridout, Louis Beaupre, Clerk, James Lanjjdon, one boatswain, fif- 
 teen naval artificers ; of His Majesty's regular troops. Lieutenant 
 DeKoven and one sergeant-major ; and of the Royal Artillery, one 
 bombardier and three gunners shall be surrendered prisoners of 
 war and accounted for in the exchange of prisoners between the 
 United States and Great Britain. 
 
 G. E. Mitchell, Lieut. Col., 
 
 3d Art.. U. S. 
 
 Samuel S. Connor, Major and A. D. C. to Maj.-Gen. Dearborn. 
 
 William King, Major, 
 
 15th U. S. Infantry. 
 
 Jesse D. Elliott, Lieut., 
 
 U. S. Navy. 
 
 W. Chowett, Lieut. -Col. Comd'g. 
 
 3d Regt York Militia, 
 
 W. Allan, Major 3d Regt. 
 
 York Militia. 
 
 F. Gauvreau, Lieut. M. Dept. 
 
 (Canadian Arohives. Q. 121, p, 219.) 
 
 From Major-Oeneral Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Headquarters, York, Capital of Upper Canada, 
 April 27th, 1813, 8 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Sir, — We are in full possession of this place, after a sharp 
 conflict in which we lost some brave oflfieers and soldiera. 
 
 General Sheaffe commanded the British troops, militia and 
 Indians, in persfDn. We shall be prepared to sail for the next object 
 of the expedition the first favorable wind. 
 
 I have to lament the loss of the brave and active Brigadier- 
 General Pike. 
 
 (From Niles'H Weekly Register, 15th May, 1813, Vol. V., p. 178.) 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Headquarters, York, Upper Canada, 
 April 28, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — After a detention of some days by adverse winds we 
 arrived here yesterday morning, and at eight o'clock commenced 
 
liT 
 
 landing our troops about three miles westward of the two and one 
 and a half from the enemy's works. The wind was hi^h and in an 
 unfavorable direction for our boats, which prevented the troops 
 landing at a cleared field, (the ancient side of the French Fort 
 Taronto.) The unfavorable wintl prevented as many of the armed 
 vessels taking such positions as would as effectually cover the land- 
 ing as they would otherwise have clone, but everythinjj that could 
 be done was effected. Our riflemen, under Major Forsyth, fii*st 
 landed under a heavy fire of Indians and ottier troops. General 
 Sheaffe commanded in pei-son. He had collected his whole force in 
 the woofls near where the wind oblijyed our troops to land, consist- 
 ing of about 700 regulars and militia and 100 Indians. Major For- 
 syth was supported as promptly as possible with other ti*oops, but 
 the contest was sharp and severe for near half an hour. The enemy 
 was repulsed by a far less number than their own, and as soon as 
 General Pike landed with 7 or 800 men and the remainder of the 
 troops were pushing for the shore, the enemy retreated to their 
 works, and as soon as the whole of the troops had landed and 
 formed on the clear ground intended for the first landing, they 
 advanced through a thick wood to the open ground near the 
 enemy's works, and after carrying one battery by assault were 
 moving on in columns towards the main works : when the head of 
 the column was within about sixty yards of the enemy a tremen- 
 dous explosion occurred from a large magazine prepared for the pur- 
 pose, which discharged such immense quantities of stone as to pro- 
 duce a mr)st unfortunate effect on our troops. I have not yet been 
 able to collect the returns of our killed and wounded, but our loss 
 by the explosion must, I fear, exceed one hundred, and among them 
 I have to lament the loss of that brave and excellent officer, Brig- 
 adier-General Pike, who received such a contusion from a large 
 stone as terminated his valuable life within a few hours. His loss 
 will be severely felt. Previous to the explosion the enemy had 
 retired into the town, except a party of regular troops, which did 
 not retire early enough to avoid the shock. It is said that upwards 
 of forty of them were destroyed. General Sheaffe moved off with 
 the regular troops and left directions with the commanding officer 
 of the militia to make the best terms he could. In the meantime 
 all further resistance on the part of the enemy ceased, and the out- 
 lines of a capitulation were agreed on. As soon as I was informed 
 of General Pike's being wounded I went on shore. I had been 
 induced to confide the immediate command of the troops in action 
 to General Pike from a conviction that he fally expected it and 
 would be much mortified at being deprived of the honor which he 
 highly appreciated. Every movement was under my view. Our 
 
lUM 
 
 troopH behave<l with ^reat liriiiiieaH and deHerve much applauHe, 
 eHpucially those wlio were tii'Ht en<;a^ed, uinler circuiiiHtanceH that 
 would have tried the HrmneMs of veteraim. Our Iohh in the action 
 in the morning and in carrying; the Hrnt battery wuh not threat, 
 probably about 50 in killed and wounded, anion^ thent were a full 
 proportion of orticers. and although the enemy had a deci<led advan- 
 tage in point of nuniberH and position at the commencement, their 
 I08H was greater than ourn, particularly in officers. 
 
 It w^as with the greatest exertion that the small vessels of the 
 fleet could work into the harbor against a gale of wind directly 
 ahead ; but as soon as they got into contact with the batteries a 
 tremendous cannonade counnenced from 24 and 82 pounders, and 
 was kept up without intennission under a heavy fire from two 
 batteries until th«^ enemy's batteries were car)'ie«i or blown up by 
 the explosion, which undoubtedly ha<l a powerful effect on the 
 enemy. I am under the greatest obligations to Commtxlore Chaun- 
 cey for his able and indefatigable efforts in every possible manner 
 that could give facility and effect to the expedition. He is e(|Ually 
 estimaV)le for deliberate, sound judgment, bravery and industry. 
 The Government could not have made a more fortunate selection 
 for the important trust he holds. Unfortunately the enemy's armed 
 ship the Prince Regent left this place for Kingston four days liefore 
 we arrivetl. A large ship on the stocks and nearly planked up, 
 with a large store of naval stores, were set on fire by the enemy 
 soon after the explosion of the magazine. There are no vessels fit 
 for use in the harbor. A considerable (piantity of military stores 
 and provisions remained. We shall not possess the means of trans- 
 porting the prisoners froni the place, and must of course leave them 
 on parole. I hope we shall so far complete the necessary measures 
 at this place in the course of this day as to be able to sail to-morrow 
 for Niagara, by which route I send this by a small vessel, with 
 notice to General Lewis of our approach. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I. ) 
 
 Commodore Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 United States Ship Madimn,».i Anchor off York, 
 8 o'clock P. M., 27th April, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the satisfaction to inform you that the American 
 flag is flying upon the fort at York. The town ca]>itu]ated this 
 afternoon at 4 o'clock. Brigadier-General Pike was killed. 
 
 (From the Historical Register of the United States, 1814, Vol. II., p. 215.) 
 
1U9 
 
 Commodore Chattncey to the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 , United 8tate8 Ship J/a(//w>M,at Anchor ott' York 
 
 2Hth April. 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Agreeably to your inNtructioim and lu-ran^iMiientH made 
 witli Major-(Jeneral I)t'arlK)rn, I took on lK)ard of the H((un<lron 
 under my command the General and Huite and alMUit 170() troonn, 
 and left SackettH Harl)or on tlie 25th instant for this place. We 
 arrived here yesterday morning jimj took a |K)Hition about one mile 
 to the Houth and westward of the enemy's principal fort, and as near 
 the shore hh we could with safety to the vessels. The place fixed 
 upon by the Major-General and myself for landing the troops was 
 the site of the ohi French fort Toronto. 
 
 The debarkation commenced at H o'clock a. m. and was com- 
 pleted about 10. The win<l blowing heavy from the eastward the 
 boats fell to the leeward of the position fixed upon, and were in 
 conseijuence exposed to a galling tire from the enemy, who had 
 taken a position in a thick wimxI near which the first troops landed. 
 However, the cool intrepidity of the officers and men overcame 
 every obstacle. Their attack upon the enemy was so vigorous that 
 he He<l in every direction, leaving a great number of his kille<l and 
 wounded upon the field. As s(X)n as the troops were landed I 
 directed the schixiners to Uike up a position near the forts in order 
 that the attack upon them by the army and navy might be sim- 
 ultaneous. The schooners were obliged to beat up to their position, 
 which they did in a very handsome order, under a very heavy tire 
 from the enemy's batteries, and took up a position within about six 
 hundred yards of their principal fort, and opened a heavy cannon- 
 ade upon the enemy, which did great execution and very much 
 contributed to their final d«.'struction. The troops as s(X)n as landed 
 were formed under the immediate command of Brigadier-Cieneral 
 Pike, who led in a most gallant manner the attack upon the forts, 
 and, having carried two redoubts in their approtich to the principal 
 works, the enemy, (having previously laid a train,) blew up his 
 magazine, when its effects upon our troops was dreadful, having 
 killed and wouniled a great many, amongst the former the ever to 
 be lamented Brigadier-General Pike, who fell at the head of his 
 column by a contusion receive*! by a heavy stone from the maga- 
 zine. His death at this time is much to be regretted, as he had the 
 perfect confidence of the Major-General, and his known activity, 
 zeal and experience make his loss a national one. 
 
 In consequence of the fall of General Pike the command of the 
 troops devolved for a time upon Colonel Pierce, who soon after took 
 pos.se.s8ion of the town. At al)out 2 P. M. the American flag was 
 
170 
 
 sul)Htituteil for the HiI'ihIi, hiuI at aljout 4 our troopH wert> in (|uiot 
 pOHHt'HHion of tho town. Ah Hoon hh (inn(3ral Duarborn learnt the 
 situation of Guneral Piko Ik; landud an<i aNNUui(>(l tlio conunand. 1 
 have tlu) lionor «»f onclosin^ a copy of tho capituhition, which was 
 entered into and approve<l by (ieneral Dearborn and uiyHelf. 
 
 The enemy Het tire to Home of hin principal HtoreH, containing 
 larj^e (luantitien of naval and military HtorcH, an well aH a lar^o Hhip 
 upon the Htixikn nearly HniHhed. The only vchhcI foun«l here in the 
 Dalce of (rloaceMter, undi'rj^oin;^ ropairn. The Prince Rpgeni left 
 here on the 24th for Kin^nto!!. We have not yet had a return 
 made of the naval an<l military Htoren, conHe(|uently can form no 
 correct idea of the (piantity, but have made arrangements to have 
 all taken on board that we can receive — the rest will be destroyed. 
 
 I have to regret the death of Midshipmen ThompHon and Hat- 
 field and several seamen killed, the exact number J do not know tui 
 the returns from the different vessels have not yet been received. 
 
 From the judicious arrangements mtvde by Ger.eral Dearltorn I 
 presume that the public stores will be disposed of so that the troops 
 will he reatly to re-embark to-morrow and proceed to execute the 
 other objects of the expedition the first fair wind. 
 
 I cannot speak in too much praise of the cool intrepidity of the 
 officers and men generally under my command, and I feel myself 
 particularly indebted to the officers commanding vessels for their 
 zeal in seconding all my views. 
 
 (Prom the HUtorical RegriHter of the Unlte<l StAtes, Vol. II., pp. 215-7.) 
 
 M^ior-Oeneral Dearborn to Oovernor Tompkins. 
 
 York, Upper Canada, April 28, 1813.. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 
 After having been delayed several days by adverse winds we 
 arrived here yesterday morning at sunrise. We commenced landing 
 our troops at H o'clock a. m. under unfavorable circumstances ; a 
 very high wind which continued to increase all day prevented our 
 armed vessels from gaining proper positions for covering our land- 
 ing as effectually as they otherwise would have done, and the same 
 unfavorable wind prevented our boats reaching the shore at the 
 place intended, and compelled our troops to land where the bank 
 was covered with woods in which General Sheaffe had collected his 
 whole force of regulars, militia and Indians, amounting to 760 or 
 800 total, but our troops with great coolness sustained a heav}'^ fire 
 from the Indians and others from the time they approached within 
 gunshot of the shore until they landed and mounted the banks, 
 when a very sharp contest was kept up for about an hour. In the 
 
171 
 
 itinio other trcKipn were lAiided and the enemy were eoinpt^lleil 
 to give way and rctinKl through the w«)o<1h to their worka As 
 Hoon a8 the whole of the troop.s were Winded iind fonne<], under the 
 immediate commami of (jeneral I'ike, they marched through a thick 
 wood about half a mile to the open ground, annoyed by the Indiana 
 Mi they moved. 
 
 On reaching the open ground they advanced and carried a Imt- 
 tery by iMHault, and were advancing towardH the principal works 
 in open column when a tremendoUN exploHion took place of an 
 immeuHo magazine prepared for the pur[)08e. which threw into the 
 air such a c|uantity of stones as almost covered the buihlings and 
 ground for from sixty to eighty rods in all directions, but it had 
 been so contrive<l as to discharge much the greater portion of stones 
 in the direction our column was advancing. It made a very con- 
 siderable havoc in our column, and what is to be more especially 
 lament<Hi is the death of Brigadier- General Pike, occasioned by a 
 severe contusion by a large stone. He survived the wound but a 
 few hours. His loss will be severelv felt. He was a most excellent 
 officer. General Sheatie had taken measuresfor going off with what 
 regulars he had left, previous to the explosion. He had left the 
 town and militia to make the best terms they could. They are in 
 our possession. A large ship of war nearly planked up and all 
 their naval stores were set on fire before our troops had advanced 
 far enough to prevent it A capitulation was agreed on surrender- 
 ing the militia as prisoners of war, and the whole of the public 
 property not destroyed. 
 
 Commodore Chauncey's armed vessels had an active share in 
 annoying their works. They kept a very heavy cannonade on the 
 batteries until they were taken or blown up. The Commodore is 
 one of the best men in the world and particularly suited for the 
 command that has been conferred on him. 
 
 P. S. — The enemy set fire to their magazine too soon. They 
 destroyed many of their own men. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers, VoL VIII., pp. 381-3, New York State Library.) 
 
 Mew York Statesman, May agtli, 1813. 
 
 Letter to Baltimore Whig, May 7. 
 
 General Dearborn now went ashore from the Madison and 
 undertook some petty regulations, but I am sorry that some irregu- 
 larities were committed by part of our regulars and sailors plunder- 
 ing and injuring private property. I believe Forayth's corps did 
 the principal mischief of this kind, professedly in retaliation of 
 
172 
 
 BritiHl) outrageH at O^ensburir, but lieHides the impolicy of the 
 tneaHure a repuhlicaii army ought to disdain baHe pillage. 
 
 Sevoral hundred of the inhabitantR Higned their par< S as 
 priHoners on the following days. Many entreated us to hold the 
 place and give them protection, promiHing us aid, deprecating 
 further exposure to the fury and persecution of the royalists, yet 
 our trot)ps wore ordered to evacuate the place, and they re-embarked 
 on the evening of May 1st. 
 
 Next morning Gentral Dearborn sailed for Niagara, and, strange 
 to say, he left no orders with Coltmel Pearce, next in command, or 
 have we heani from or seen him since. Our sufferings have been 
 uncommon since the 80th ult. A severe storid then came on from 
 the N. E,, which only abated to-day. The {.oor soldiei-s crammed 
 in little schooners had to endure wind and rain night and day, on 
 <leck or pent Ijolow half suHbcated. There are no better troops than 
 those on board the s«|uadron, but owing to the cause just mentioned 
 they and their arms are in a miserable condition, and I think it 
 would be cruelty and madness to debark them on an enemy's shore 
 until some time l>e allowed to recruit and refit. 
 
 (New York Society library.; 
 
 Address to General Dearborn. 
 
 The citizens of the Town of York, reposing entire confidence 
 in the terms of capitulation, cannot fail to be infinitely alarmed at 
 the conflagratit)n of the buildings of the civil government, the 
 sacreligiouH entry of the church and the threatened demolition of 
 the private buildings leased to the government »is a council office. 
 Under such circumstances the judges ant' magistrates of the Town 
 of York are indis|)ens}ibly calle<l up<jn Ui chiim from General Dear- 
 born the full and efficacious effect of his enga^ aent. They do not 
 conceive that such effect can l)e procured until ihe functions of the 
 Magistrates and Police Magistrates are restored by a general dec- 
 laration, as it is understood General Dearborn had promised to the 
 personal solicitation of the judges. 
 
 (In handwritinir of Hon. Wni. D. Powell.) 
 (ENIM>R.SEI>.) 
 
 Sergeant F'sh is authorized to leave a guard of 2 or 3 men at 
 the house of a citizen if .1 's wished. 
 
 P. Pelham, 
 
 Lieut. 21st Infantry, 
 May Ist. • Conj'g. Guard. 
 
 (From MS. in possesaioti of Q. M. Jarvii, Eisq., Ottawa, Oat.) 
 
173 
 
 Oeneral Order. 
 
 HEADguAUTEUs, YoRK, April 80, . ' . 
 
 It ifl not the intention of the General that the occupancy of the 
 town and garriHon of York by the forces of the United States would 
 have any un<lue effect on the necessary functions of the civil nuif^is- 
 trates, on the contrary it is the wish of theCoiuumndinf^ (leneral to 
 support the civil authority when properly exercised, and any repre 
 sentations of the civil magistrates of improper and irre«(ular con- 
 duct on the part of the soldiery will be met by immediate and 
 strict scrutiny. 
 
 N. PiNKNEY, Major, 
 
 and Acting Dep'y Adj. -Gen. 
 
 (From MS. in poBHossion of U. M. JarviH, Emj., Ottawa.) 
 
 I/ieut.-Col. ^. W. Ripley to Hon. W. D. Powell. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the reception of your 
 note of yesterday and have laid it l)efore the Gene.^l. In reply he 
 has directed me to assure you that so far as it respects your private 
 property or that of any other citizen it will be respected and you 
 will receive it. 
 
 But the baggage of General Sheafle the General considers in a 
 different light. He thinks the General (Sheaff'e) has not acted 
 honourably in relation to the capitulation, and of course his baggage 
 will be detained on public account for future disposition. 
 
 It affords me sincere regret that the troops are guilty of plun- 
 dering. Everything in our power will be done to restrain it and a 
 general search will be made for private property, and what can be 
 found will immediately be restored. I hope the delay in answering 
 your polite note will not be attributed to an indisposition to afford 
 protection. It was in consecpience of other duties which claimed a 
 naramount attention. 
 
 The General has authorized me to send a small detachment 
 from my own regiment (the 21st) to afford protection to the pro- 
 l>eriy of inhabitant's, and I am confident they will give it faithfully. 
 
 With respectful consideration, I have, &c., 
 
 E. W. RiPLEV. Lieut-Col, 
 
 Com'g. 21 Inf. 
 
 Garrison, York, Thursday morning. 
 
 (From MS. in poHseiiHion of ti. M. Je-vis, Esq., Ottawa.) ^ 
 
174 
 
 Hon. Wm. D. Powell to Brigadier-General Vincent, by Captain 
 
 Powell. 
 
 Sir R. H. Sheaffe at the moment of his retreat gave directions 
 to Lieut-Col. Chewett and Major Allan of the York militia to treat 
 with the enemy for terms for this post. The arrangement was not 
 concluded until more than 48 hours after, which may account for 
 no communication to you from this post, as we remained at their 
 discretion here two days. 
 
 I was assured upon the ratification of the capitulation that an 
 express would immediately proceed to you for directions as to the 
 future care and subsistence of the regular force, wounded and 
 others, left amongst us. It was not until from my son's anxiety to 
 know our fate that I learned how little concerning us was known 
 at Niagara. At the strong and urgent representation of the inhabi- 
 tants Gen. Dearborn issued a military order to his troops intimating 
 that his possession of the post was not to be considered as interfer- 
 ing with due aciministration of the laws, and this evidently pro- 
 duced a good effect on the turbulent minds of some wretches of our 
 own population, whose thirst for plunder was more alarming to the 
 inhabitants than the presence of the enemy. 
 
 The temporary absence of the President from the seat of 
 government makes no alteration in the civil administration of the 
 Province. Whilst in the Province his name sanctions all acts of the 
 militia in such cases provided for by 15 Sec. of Stat. 52, Geo. 3. At 
 all events the simple idea of discipline should satisfy : that the 
 soldier must obey and look to future satisfaction if his service is 
 irregularly exacted. In moments like the present the situation of 
 the Province may not admit of technical precision in reading a 
 statute. The first and paramount law is self-defence, and if the 
 means employed, however irregular, are necessarily and not wan- 
 tonly resorted to, the wisdom and justice of the Legislature has ever 
 protected the public servant whose error has been zeal for the ser- 
 vice. The best comment on this position is the Statute 19, Geo. 2d, 
 Ch. 39, which you may borrow from Mr. Dickson. 
 
 The ready access of the enemy to every part of our coast from 
 their actual superiority on the lake must render every private com- 
 munication uncertain, but the natural anxiety which all m\iy\ feel 
 to hear from their friends will doubtless multiply the accidental 
 opportunities to communicate, and I doubt not but it may be done 
 daily by private hands. 
 
 The entire abandonment of the civil government, which in its 
 administration requires three Executive Councilloi-s to be present 
 with the President, induces the Chief Justice to accompany me to 
 Kingston, where Mr. McGill is actually. You may suppose that 
 
175 
 
 such tt journey at this season is not undertaken by men of our age 
 ami character without an object. We expect to return immediately 
 if we tind the President there. 
 
 (From MS. in possession of Q. M. Jar vis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 An Account of the Capture of York. 
 
 Tlie town and garrison of York in Upper Canada are situated 
 on a bay separated from Lake Ontario by a spit of land which 
 extends about seven miles from Gibraltar Point to the Highlands 
 east of the town. The bay is about 2 J miles deep and 1^ miles 
 wide. The village is at the lower or east end of the bay and is 
 commanded by a blockhouse close to the water. The straggling 
 houses extend along the bay to near a mile from the blockhouse. 
 West of the town is an open space between it and the garrison, 
 which is separated from the Government House by a deep ravine 
 almost surrounding it in table ground of about 12 acres. From the 
 Government House along the lake there is an open space nearl}^ to 
 the old fort which formerly commanded the anchorage without the 
 bay of the harbour. The ship yard and naval store house were 
 about J a mile from the eastern blockhouse and 1^ mile from Gov- 
 ernment House. The bay just below the blockhouse was separated 
 from a long, wide and deep marsh by a narrow isthmus, which con- 
 nected the town with the said bank called the point. From the 
 garrison there ran parallel to the lake at the distance of about half 
 to f of a mile from the water a road to the beach or Humber Bay, 
 which came out about a mile below the old fort. A branch parted from 
 that road and descended to the bay about a mile from the garrison, 
 close to the old fort. The ground on each side this road was thick 
 wood. In the garrison was a blockhouse serving as barracks, with- 
 out a gun, but on the bank near to it were two six-pounders behind 
 a sod work. At the corner of the Government House was a bat- 
 teiy of two 12-pounders. About 400 yards from the Governnjent 
 House was a small half-moon work, thrown up without a gun, and 
 about the same distance further on an 18-pounder battery which 
 commanded the anchorage and landing. 
 
 In the evening of the 26th April the telegraph announced 14 
 sail standing in shore about 8 miles below the town. 
 
 There were then in the place two companies of the King's on 
 their way to Fort George, 2 weak companies of the Newfoundland 
 Regt., 40 of the Glengarry Regt., and about 45 Indians, in all 865, 
 to them may be added in numbers 250 militia and 40 art[ificers]. 
 290. 
 
 In the evening there was much discussion as to the probable 
 
176 
 
 point of attack. The major opinion was that it would be alx)ve 
 and below the town. In the morning it was ascertained that the 
 H<|uadron was approtiching the garrison. The demonstration waa 
 that tlu; hmding would bi> att<Mnpted near the oKl fort. The Indians 
 under Major CJivins were directed to that point. The grenathers 
 of the King's were ordered to tile along the wood to the place of 
 lantling. The Glengarry company was ordered to support the 
 Indians. The btittalion company of the King's, the Newfoundland 
 and part of the militia under the command of Major Heatlicote to 
 support the grenadiers in the wood. Part of the militia which were 
 nearest at hand were directed to cover the wood from being flanked, 
 under the lead of Major-General Shaw. During the night Capt. 
 Cameron's company of militia remained in town, and Col. Chewett 
 was ordered to rendezvous the sedentarv militia in the market 
 phice, there to wait for orders. The grena<liers of the King's did 
 their utmost, and were supported by Major Ueathcote's division, 
 but Capt. McNeil being killed and a large pro|)ortion of the com- 
 pany dropped by the riflemen, who had got into the wootl, it broke 
 and disperse<l. The Indians not being supported, after losing H of 
 their number fled. Major Heathcote withdrew with his troops. 
 When this was perceived by Sir R[oger] S[heaft*e] he twice rallied 
 them and was fairly left with none but his A. I). C, Capt. Loring, 
 between the enemy an<l our retreating force. During this period 
 Sir R. Sheaffe, with his usual coolness, gave his orders. As it was 
 not impossible that the H(|uadron might have landed a party lx)low 
 the town, he directed C^l. Chewett to leave 40 men at that end to 
 observe. It is said that the ordera to the militia in town were 
 deferred too long, but it is obvious that Mr. McLean, who marched 
 down with Col. Chewett, was killed at the landing. Col. Chewett 
 received his orders from Sir R. S[heatte] in person to enter the wood 
 and put himself and militia under command of Col. Heathcote, and 
 was particularly directed to leave an officer and 20 men at the open- 
 ing oy which he entered the wood to olmerve. The retreating 
 troops rendezvoused pretty generall}' at the 18 pr. battery, but an 
 explosion of the powder magazine attached to the battery occasioned 
 some loss, great confusion and considerable dispersion of the militia. 
 BVom this battery the troops retreated towards the Government 
 House, the enemy having forme<l on the bank 2000 strong. It is 
 said that the retreat was disorderly ; it may be believed as to the 
 militia but the regular force was kept together. No halt was nmde 
 at the half-n)oon, but General S. gave directions at a proper time 
 to explo<le the magazine. The enemy was then so near that he lost 
 his General and 200 men. This shock disordered the column so 
 much that if a charge could have been made with our small remain- 
 
177 
 
 ing force it mifrht have had effect. But it muRt be recollected that 
 the town was still at the mercy of the shipping. The check from 
 the explosion put such a distance lietween us and the enemy that 
 Sir R. S[heatte] halted at the ravine, about half-way from the 
 garrison to the east blockhouse, took counsel with his own mind and 
 consulted the principal oHicers about him. Major Heathcote alone 
 spoke, and was of opinion to have another fight. 
 
 As the General almo.st immediately declared his intention to 
 retreat to Kingston it may be presumed that he saw no opening to 
 save the regulars but in retreat. He burned the ship and naval 
 storehouse and brought off all the regular force to Kingston. 
 
 (From MS. in handwriting of Hon. Wni. D. Powell in poHsession of G. M. Jarvis, 
 E«iq., OtUwa.1 
 
 At a Meetingr of the Mas^istrates Resident in the Town of York, 
 Attended by the Judges, the Sheriff and the Rev. Dr. 
 
 Strachan. 
 
 The actual situation of the town and district was taken into 
 consideration. 
 
 The enemy's fleet and army lying in the harbour, all our mili- 
 tary defences at the post destroyed, the inhabitants disarmed and 
 on parole, it is obvious that measures, as much of energy as our 
 circumstances admit, should be instantly adopted to preserve order 
 and prevent anarchy, to support and encourage the loyal, to sup- 
 press the disloyal and to inspire the wavering. It is therefore 
 unanimously' declartni that by the irruption of the enemy and tem- 
 porary possession of this post no change was taken m the relation 
 of the subject to His Majesty's Government and laws, except as to 
 such who were parties to the capitulation as prisoners of war and 
 are under parole of honour not to bear arms until exchanged. 
 
 That it is e({ually now, as before this invasion, high treason to 
 aid, assist, counsel or comfort the enemy. 
 
 That all felons and evil-doers are equally amenable to the laws 
 as before, antl that the powers of the magistrates and ministers of 
 the law are unimpaired, and continued to be so during the actual 
 possession of the enemy, as the Commander of their Forces declared 
 by a general military order to his troops. That private property 
 having remain8<l unchanged, not only by the construction of the 
 law but by the express terms of the capitulation, tiie enemy him- 
 self disclaims the right assumed by some individuals to transfer it 
 from the true owner. 
 
178 
 
 That it is the duty of every good citizen to declare to the 
 raagistrate all instancen of such UDJust possession as may come to 
 their knowledge, and of the magistrates to enforce restitution. 
 
 That all persons desirous to testify their abhorrence of anarchy, 
 which must prevail if principles adverse to the above declaration 
 gain ground, are called upon to associate in support of the laws and 
 to aiford their aid to the civil niagistrates and their miniHters. 
 
 That the High Sheriff do publish and enforce this declaration. 
 
 N. B. — The American officers, as well the General's staff as 
 others, had pretended to give away the property of the Crown and 
 individuals to certain pers(ms, sometimes merely gratuitously, at 
 others under pretext of paying or compensating services rendered 
 during their possession of the town. 
 
 (From MS. in the handwriting of Hon. Wm. D. Powell, in poosession of G. M. Jarria, 
 Esq , Ottawa.) 
 
 Major William Allan to Major-Oeneral Sheaffe. 
 
 York, 2d May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — In obedience to your orders at the moment of retreating 
 at 3 o'clock P. M. on the 27th ulto., Lieut.-Colonel Chewett and 
 myself, accompanied by the Reverend Dr. Strachan, entered into 
 terms of capitulation with the commander of the enemy's troops. 
 Various difficulties were thrown in the way of its final adjustment 
 from the destruction of the ship and naval stores, supposed to have 
 been commanded by you subsequent to your orders to capitulate. 
 They were not ratified by General Dearborn until next morning, 
 during which period the Mihabitants were exposed to every sort of 
 insult and depredation. But as matters were very little mended by 
 the ratification it is presumed that these depredations happened 
 more from the insubordination of the men than the wishes of the 
 officers. After carrying off all the public stores and burning all the 
 public buildings, the troops are now re-embarking, but are all ignor- 
 ant of their destination. Few houses in the town escaped a minute 
 search by two or three parties, under the pretext of looking for 
 public property. Many have been pillage<l and some have had 
 everything taken, [and were] threatened with the loss of their lives. 
 We have now nearly forty wounded to take care of, some very 
 badly, and several amputations must take place. We have no medi- 
 cal assistance for them, the surgeons having retreated with the 
 army. - 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 219.) 
 
179 
 
 Bztract from m. I^etter from Irlettt. Praser, A. D. C. to Brigradier- 
 Oeneral Pike, Published in the Aurora, of Philadelphia, 
 
 May, 1813. 
 
 We embarked the 22d and 23d of April last ; the weather bein^ 
 stormy we returned into port and Hailed again on the 25th, and 
 arrived at York in Upper Canada the 27th, about 7 o'cUxik a. ra., 
 and immediately prepared to land opposite the old site of Fort 
 Toronto. A body of British grenadiers were paraded on the shore, 
 and the Glengarry Feneibles, a corps which has been disciplined 
 with great pains for six months past, appeared at another point. 
 Bodies of Indians were perceived in large groups in different direc- 
 tions, and a considerable number in some woods and underwoods 
 on our leeward flank. 
 
 About the site of the old French fort of Toronto, of which 
 scarcely any vestiges at present remain, we could discern a few 
 horsemen, who we perceived afterwards moving into the town, where 
 strong field works had been thrown up to oppose our landing. 
 
 As soon as the horsemen had entered the town we saw the 
 Indians moving in gangs along the skirts of the woods under the 
 direction of British officers, taking post at stations pointed out to 
 them, apparently calculated with some skill as to the point at which 
 the water and the weather must compel us to land. 
 
 After these Indians, acting as tirailleurs, were thus disposed 
 we perceived very distinctly the regulars moving out of their works 
 in open columns of platoons and marching along the bank in that 
 order. When they reached the plain of the old fort Toronto they 
 w^ere wheeled off by heads of platoons into ti. woods and soon 
 appeared in the same order below the plain, just at the position at 
 which our troops were under the necea.sity of landing. 
 
 Major Forsyth and his excellent and gallant rifle corps, who 
 had been placed in two large batteaux, pulled undauntedly towards 
 the cleared ground where he had been ordered to land, but he was 
 forced by the wind a considerable distance below his destined point. 
 
 The fire of musketry and rifles here commenced from the shore, 
 the enemy being within a few feet of the water and in a consider- 
 able degree masked by the wood and copse. 
 
 Here Major Forsyth ordered his men to rest for a few moments 
 on their oare and soon opened a galling fire upon the enemy. In 
 the moment when Forsyth's corps were lying upon their oars and 
 priming, Gea. Pike was standing on the deck, and, impatient at the 
 apparent pause of an instant and seeing that the rifle corps had 
 been driven by the wind beyond the point at which they were to 
 
180 
 
 have disembarked, exclaimed : " By I can't stay here any 
 
 longer," and addreHsing himself to his staff: "Come, jump into the 
 boat," which we immediately did. the Commodore having reserved 
 a boat specially for him and his suite. The little coxswain was 
 immediately ordered to steer for the middle of the fray, and the 
 balls whistled gloriously around, probably their number was owing 
 to seeing so many officers in one boat, but we laughed at their 
 clumsy efforts as we pressed forward with well pulled oars. 
 
 The infantry had, according to orderH, embarked at the same 
 time and formed platoons as soon as they reached the shore. The 
 General took command of the first platoon he reached and formed 
 it below, and ordered the whole to prepare for a charge as soon as 
 we reached the top of the bank. We proceeded in high spirits and 
 mounted the bank under a volley of musketry and rifle shot, but 
 we had not time to force our platoon completely when the British 
 grenadiers showed us their backs. At the very moment of their 
 turning tail the sound of Forsyth's bugles was heard with peculiar 
 delight, as it was the indication of his success ; the effect of the bugle 
 upon the nerves of the British Indians was electric, for they no 
 sooner heard it than they gave a diabolical yell and fled in all 
 directions. 
 
 The Glengarry corps skirmished with Forsyth's while the 
 infantry were landing, and Brigade-Major Hunter formed the troops 
 for action as they landed and reached the plain. 
 
 The volunteer corps, commanded by Colonel Maclure, flanked 
 the reserve, and the light artillery, commanded by Major Eustis, 
 acting as infantry, covered the left. 
 
 It is proper to state in this place the masterly co-operation of 
 Com. Chauncey and the naval scjuadron under his command. He 
 sent his schooners mounting heavy metal to cover the landing, and 
 kept up so well directad and incessant a fire of grape on the woods 
 as to effectually cover our right flank and afforded us great facility 
 in forming our platoons, besides producing the utmost consternation 
 among the Indians. A shot from one of the schooners killed a 
 horse under the aid of the British General, but owing to the shallow- 
 ness of the water neither the ship nor the brig could be brought 
 in to participate in the action, but the Commodore was through the 
 whole of the action in his boat, encouraging and giving orders to 
 the different schooners. The navy lost two gallant midshipmen 
 and about 20 seamen were killed and wounded in the service of 
 landing. 
 
 The troops ordered to land by General Pike when he went on 
 shore were the three companies of Captain Hoppock, (who was 
 mo^ ially wounded in the boat,) Capt. Scott and Capt. Young of the 
 
181 
 
 15th Regiment United States Infantry, all under the command of 
 Major King, (the same who ji^llantly distin^ished hiniHelf at 
 Queenston,) their orders were to reinforce Major Forsyth and effect 
 a landing, and thev were forbidden to loa<l or use powder ; the 
 riflemen of Forsyth, as the enemy came up, opened a heavy and 
 effective fire upon the enemy, and the three companies landed in 
 the most complete style : the enemy gave way before our troops 
 could come to the bayonet's point, and were pursued up the bank by 
 our troops. At the top of the bank a fresh body of British grena- 
 diers, (said to be the 8th or King's grenadiers,) made a formidable 
 charge on this column of ours and compelled us for an instant to 
 retire, but our troops instantly rallied and returned to the charge, 
 and with the most complete success, not a man of the grenadiers 
 escaped our fire or charge, and our troops, just reinforce<l by the 
 remainder of the 15th. remained undispute<I masters of the bank. 
 This reinforcement brought the colors of the 15th, which accom- 
 panied the platoon of Capt. Steele. The enemy presenting a fresh 
 front the troops were instantly formed for the charge by Major 
 King, who gave them Yankee DotMlle. but the enem^' did not like 
 our music nor our pikes any Ijetter than our rifles — they gave way 
 and fled in the utmost disorder. 
 
 As soon as our forces were all landed and collected we were 
 formed into platoons and marched in that order tow^ards the enemy's 
 works, flanked by the rifle corps. 
 
 Our march was bv the lake road in sections, but the route was 
 so much intersected by streams and rivulets, the bridges over which 
 had been destroyed by the enemy as they retreated, that we were 
 considerably retarded in our progress ; we collected logs and by 
 severe efforts at length contrived to pass over one field piece and a 
 howitzer, which were placed at the head of our column in charge of 
 Captain Fanning of the 3d Artillery, and thus we proceeded through 
 a spacious wood, as we emerged from which we were salute<l by a 
 battery of 24-pounder8, but excepting some pikes broken and some 
 bayonets bent these guns gave us no annoyance. 
 
 The General then ordered one of his aids (Fraaer) and a ser- 
 
 geant to proceed to the right of the battery in order to discover 
 ow many men were in the works. We did so and reporte<l to him 
 the number and that they were spiking their own guns towards the 
 shipping. 
 
 The General immediately ordered Captain Walworth of the 
 16th, with his company of grenadiers, to make the assault Wal- 
 worth gallantly ordered his men to trail arms and advance at the 
 accelerated pace, but at the moment when they were ordered to 
 
182 
 
 recover and cliar^e the enemy broke in the utmost confuaion, Ieav« 
 in^ several men wounded on tiie ground, which they abandoned. 
 
 We then proceeded in admirable order on a gradual aHcent, 
 when a tire wan opened upon uh of round and canister from the 
 quarters of the British Governor. The General here ortlered the 
 troops to lie close while the artillery battery under Major Eustis 
 was brought to the front and tjilenced the enemy's battery. The 
 firing very soon ceased altogether, and we were ex|>ecting a Hag of 
 surrender at the very moment when a terrible explosion of the 
 British magazine took place. The explosion was stupendous, and 
 at the instant the common supposition was a subterraneous mine. 
 The General had just aided in removing a woumled man with his 
 own hands and set down on a stump with a British sergeant we 
 had taken prisoner, whom the General with Captain Nicholson and 
 myself were examining when the explosion took place. The Gen- 
 eral, Captain Nicholson and the British sergeant were all mortally 
 wounded, and I was so much bruised in the general crash that it is 
 surprising how I survived ; probably i owe my escape to the corpu- 
 lency of the British sergeant, whose body was thrown upon mine 
 bv the concussion. 
 
 Brigade-Major Hunter, assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell 
 of the 8d Artillery, who acted as a volunteer upon the expedition, 
 formed the troops and we were ready to give or receive a charge 
 in five minutes after the explosion. 
 
 The wounds of General Pike were of such a nature as to dis- 
 able him from all further service, and the command devolved on 
 Colonel Pearce of the 16th Infantry, as the senior officer, who sent 
 a flag demanding an immediate surrender at discretion. They made 
 only one stipulation, which was granted without hesitation, that is, 
 that private property should l»e respected. 
 
 The British General made his escape and a body of regular 
 troops with him, in what direction I have not heard. 
 
 When the surgeons were carrying their wounded General and 
 his aids from the field our troops, which had just formed, gave a 
 tremendous huzza. The General turned his head anxiously to 
 enquire what that was for. A surgeon who accompanied him said : 
 " The British Union Jack is coming down, General, the Stars are 
 going up ;" he heaved a heavy sigh of ectasy and smiled even amidst 
 the anguish which must have been inseparable from the state of his 
 wounds. He was carried on board the Peri schooner, together with 
 his Aid-de-camp Fraser, and from thence on board the Commodore's 
 ship, acconipanied by the Commodore, who came to attend him. On 
 board the Commodore's ship his gallant spirit fled. 
 
 (Pile in PhiUkOelphla Library.) 
 
• 
 
 183 
 
 The Capture of York. 
 
 The following is given hh an accurate list of the killed and 
 wounded at York, Upper Canada, April 27. 
 
 Killed in battle — 1 subaltern, 2 sergeants, 1 corporal, 2 musi- 
 cians, 8 privates 14 
 
 Killed by explosion — 1 captain, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 29 
 privates 38 
 
 • Total killed fi2 
 
 Wounded in battle — 2 capUiins, (one since dead,) 1 subaltern, 3 
 sergeants, 4 corporals, 22 privates 32 
 
 Woumled by the explosion — 1 Brig-Oen., (since dead,) 1 aid-de- 
 camp, I acting aia, 1 volunteer aid, captains, 6 subalterns, 
 11 sergeants, 9 corporals, 1 musician, 185 privates 222 
 
 Total wounded ^ . . 254 
 
 Killed • 62 
 
 Of the navy — 2 midshipmen and 1 seamen killed, 11 seamen 
 wounded '. .... 14 
 
 Totel killed and wounded 320 
 
 (Nllet'i Rcylitor, 12tb Jun*. 1813.) 
 
 Colonel Robert Nichol to Colonel Talbot. 
 
 Niagara, April 29, 1813, A past 3 A. M. 
 My Dear Coix)NKL : 
 
 An express arrived from York about an hour ago with very 
 distressing accounts from York ; in short it appears tliat York was 
 about to surrender to the enemy, after having had both of its maga- 
 zines exploded and suffering very great loss in killed and wounc^d. 
 We do not know what has become of Sir Roger, but suppose he is 
 a prisoner. 
 
 In such a juncture it is necessary that every prompt and 
 decisive measure should be adopted to remedy this disaster and to 
 prevent the enemy from profiting in any great degree b^ this suc- 
 cess. You are so much better acquainted with the localities of the 
 country than the General himself that everything in your district 
 is left to your own discretion, l>ut it is hoped that the enemy may 
 yet be prevented from penetrating into the country on the side of 
 the head of the lake. It will be necessary that you keep up a 
 regular communication with Ancaster and regulate your movements 
 
184 
 
 by the accounts you may receive from there, keeping an eye at the 
 same time upon the lake, from whence, however, it is not supposed 
 the enemy can commence operations for some time yet. Arms and 
 ammunition are on the way for you. 
 
 (From the Talbot Papers.) 
 
 Colonel Myers to Brig^.-General Procter. 
 
 Fort George, April 29, 1813, 9 o'clock A. M. 
 
 My Dear General : 
 
 This morning at one o'clock accounts were received here by 
 Brigadier-General Vincent [from York] with the unpleasant intelli- 
 gence that that town had been carried by a body of the enemy's 
 troops — about 1,500 troops brought up the lake in thirteen vessels, 
 viz.: two square-rigged and the others smaller ; amongst the latter 
 were gun boats. Detailed particulars (from Sir Roger Sheatfe, who 
 was there,) have not yet reached us, but we have ascertained, in 
 addition to York having fallen, that the powder magazines there 
 have been blown up. Whether this has been accidental or been 
 effected by our troops in their retreat wp know not. 
 
 The grenadiers and another co) rany of the King's vere 
 engaged. Two companies of that regi.^ient have reached this post. 
 Two companies of the 41st on their march towards you, the first 
 beyond Ancaster, the other at Henry's, have been recalled. They 
 are extremely much wanted here, and had they pursued their route 
 they would not have reached you in time to act against Harrison. 
 
 The enemy on this frontier opposite to us have received a rein- 
 forcement within these last few days of nearly 3,000 men. They 
 are well furnished with boats. 
 
 You will thus perceive the critical situation in which we are 
 placed on this line. We look with confident hope for the report of 
 your success, and Brigadier-General Vincent, (who is here and by 
 whose directions I am writing to you,) has desired me to impress 
 upon you what essential aid could be rendered to us by the timely 
 arrival here of five hundred Indians should you have secured Harri- 
 son's army. It is the Brigadier-General's desire, and in which I 
 most earnestly join, that you forward to us in the King's vessels to 
 Point Abino that number with as great expedition as possible. In 
 the event of your having captured Harrison's army you will see the 
 impossibility under existing circumstances of our taking charge of 
 them here, and therefore Brigadier-General Vincent requests you 
 will make the best arrangements in your power to dispose of them, 
 either by securing them at one or the other of your own posts or 
 
185 
 
 pasjsing them on parole into the United States by way of Cleveland 
 or other route as you may find expedient ; the latter line of conduct 
 is perhaps the most preferable on account of the state of your sup- 
 plies of provisions. 
 
 Sincerely wishing you every success, and hoping to send you 
 and receive from you good accounts. 
 
 P. S. — Norton had gone towards you as far as the head of the 
 lake, but is called back. 
 
 (From Niles's Weekly Register, Baltimore, Md., 15th January, 1814, Vol. V., p. 327. 
 Said to have been taken in Qeneral Procter's baggage, 5th October, 1813.) 
 
 Jasper Parrish to Major-General I^ewis. 
 
 Canandaigua, May 2, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I received j'^our letter of the 27th ult. At the time of 
 delivering your letter to the Secretary of War, I had some con- 
 versation with him on the subject of the war and employing such 
 of the Indians as have firearms and were offering their services to 
 the United States last fall. He observed that they may be of ser- 
 vice to our army, and he would refer the matter to the President. 
 
 The President has given no permission to employ the Indians, 
 or even to accept of their services. He has sent a speech to the Six 
 Nations by me in writing, giving his advice to them to retire from 
 the lines during the war, to Alleghany, where they maj'^ sleep in 
 safety. 
 
 (From Ketchum's History of Buffalo, Vol. II., pp. 427-8.) 
 
 ;General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Headquarters, Niagara, May 3, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I arrived at this place last evening with Commodore 
 Chauncey, in his fast sailing schooner the Lady of the Lake. We 
 left the fleet with the troops on board in York roads. The wind 
 has been so unfavorable as to render it in) practicable to come to this 
 place with any prospect of effecting a landing. 
 
 I have had a conference with Generals Lewis, Boyd and Winder, 
 at which Commodore Chauncey was present. I did not find the 
 preparations at this place as complete as could have been expected, 
 but as soon as the wind will permit we shall make a descent. Com- 
 modore Chauncey has returned to the fleet and will sail for this 
 f)lace as soon as he shall judge the wind favorable for crossing and 
 anding the troops. In the meantime we shall be preparing to act 
 in concert. General Boyd will take comnand of the brigade lately 
 commanded by General Pike. We find the weather on this lake at 
 
186 
 
 this season of the year extremely tedious and uncertain, especially 
 when we have to debark troops on the shore of the lake where 
 there are no harbors. Westerly winds are necessary, we have none 
 but easterly. I have no doubt of ultimate success, unless harassed 
 and dispersed by the elements. 
 
 I enclose a return of the killed and wounded. You will observe 
 the loss was very small, excepting that produced by the explosion. 
 Aa nearly as I have been able to ascertain, the loss of the enemy 
 amounted to from ninety to one hundred killed, two hundred 
 wounded and upwards of three hundred prisoners. I have not been 
 able to ascertain precisely the number of the militia put on their 
 parole. I presume it could not be less than five hundred. There 
 was an immense depot of military and naval stores. York was the 
 principal depot for Niagara and Detroit, and notwithstanding the 
 immense amount which was destroyed by them we found more 
 than we could bring off. General Sheaflfe's baggage and papers fell 
 into my hands. These papers are a valuable acquisition. I have 
 not had time for a full examination of them. A scalp was found 
 in the executive and legislative chamber, suspended near the Speak- 
 er's chair, in company with the mace and other emblems of royalty. 
 I intend sending it to you, with a correct account of the facts rela- 
 tive to the place and situation in which it was found. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I.) 
 
 Sir Roger H. Sheaffe to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Kingston, 5th May, 1813. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) 
 
 Thinking it highly probable that the enemy would pay an 
 early visit to York, I had remained there long beyond the period I 
 had originally assigned for my departure for Fort George, in order 
 to expedite the preparations which the means in my power enabled 
 me to make for the defence of the place. Your Excellency knows 
 that I had intended to place Colonel Myers, Acting-Quartermaster 
 General, in the command there, at least for a time. I afterwards 
 learned that Colonel Young was in movement towards me with the 
 8th (or King's) Regiment. I then decided to give him the com- 
 mand to avoid the inconvenience of separating the hea<l of a depart- 
 ment from me, and being informed that he was to accompany one 
 of the divisions of his regiment I wrote to him, both by the land 
 and the water route, to come to me without delay. About the 25th 
 of April I received certain intelligence of what had been before 
 rumored, that he was detained at Kingston by a severe illness, and 
 on the 26th T learned that Colonel Myers was to leave Fort George 
 
187 
 
 that day for York. I therefore determined to wait for his arrival, 
 and to leave him in the command until Colonel Young might be in 
 a state to relieve him. It was in the evening of the same day that 
 I heard of the approach of the enemy. I have thought it proper 
 to enter into this explanation as Your Excellency may have expected 
 that I had returned to Fort George before the period at which the 
 attack was made at York. I propose remaining here until I shall 
 have received Your Excellency's commands. 
 
 (Enclosed in Sir Roger Sheaffe's letter to Earl Bathurst of 18th May, 1813. Canadian. 
 Archives, Q. 317, p. 131.) 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Kingston, May 5, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I did myself the honour of writing to Your Excellency 
 on my route from York, to communicate the mortifying intelligence 
 that the enemy had obtained possession of that place on the 27th 
 of April. I shall now give Your Excellency a further detail of that 
 event. 
 
 In the evening of the 26th information was received that many 
 vessels had been seen to the eastward. Very early the next morn- 
 ing they were discovered lying to, not far from the harbour. After 
 some time had elapsed they made sail, and to the number of sixteen 
 of various descriptions anchored off the shore some distance to the 
 westward. Boats full of troops were immediately seen assembling 
 near the Commodore's ship, under cover of whose fire and that of 
 other vessels and aided by the wind, they soon effected a landing in 
 spite of a spirited opposition from Major Givins and about forty 
 Indians. A company of Glengarry Light Infantry which had been 
 ordered to support them had by some mistake, (not in the smallest 
 degree imputable to its commander,) been led in another direction 
 and came late into action. The other troops, consisting of two 
 companies of the 8th (or King's) Regiment and about a company of 
 the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, with some militia, encountered 
 the enemy in a thick wood. Captain McNeal of the King's Regi- 
 ment was killed while gallantly leading his company, which suf- 
 fered severely. The troops at length fell back ; they rallied several 
 times but could not maintain the contest against the greatly supe- 
 rior and increasing numbers of the enemy. They retired under 
 cover of our batteries, which were engaged with some of the enemy's 
 vessels that had moved nigher to the harbour. [They kept up a 
 heavy fire on us, some of their guns being thirty-two pounders. 
 To return it we had two twelve-pounders and two old condemned 
 eighteen-pounders without trunnions, and having part of the time 
 
188 
 
 a twelve-pounder of the same description, which we had stocked 
 and mounted. With these defective means the enemy was kept at 
 bay for some time, when*] by some unfortunate accident the maga- 
 zine at the western battery blew up and killed and wounded a 
 considerable number of men and crippled the battery. It became 
 too evident that our numbers and means of defence were inadequate 
 to the task of maintaining possession of York against the vast 
 superiority of force brought against it. The troops were withdrawn 
 towards the town, and were finally ordered to retreat on the road 
 to Kingston ; the powder magazine was blown up and the new ship 
 and naval stores destroyed. Lieutenant-Colonel Chewett and Major 
 Allan of the militia, residents in the town, were instructed to treat 
 with the American commanders for terms ; a statement of those 
 agreed on with Major-General Dearborn and Commodore Chauncey 
 is transmitted to Your Excellency, with returns of the killed, 
 wounded, &c. The accounts of the number of the enemy vary from 
 eighteen hundred and ninety to three thousand. We had about 
 six hundred, including militia and dockyard men. The quality of 
 these troops was of so superior a description and their general dis- 
 
 {josition so good that under less unfavourable circumstances I should 
 lave felt confident of success in spite of the disparity of numbers. 
 As it was the contest, which commenced between six and seven 
 o'clock, was maintained for nearly eight hours. 
 
 When we had proceeded some miles from York we met the 
 light infantry of the King's Regiment on its route for Fort George. 
 It retired with us and covered the retreat, which was ei^ected with- 
 out molestation from the enemy. 
 
 [Your Excellency is apprised of the causes which conspired to 
 delay so long my departure for Fort George. 
 
 I propose remaining here until I shall receive Your Excellenqr'a 
 commands.*] 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 217. Enclosed in Sir George Prevost's desi>ateh to 
 Earl Bathurst of 18tb May, 1813, No. 60.) 
 
 'These passages were omitted from this despatch when printed in the London Gastttt. 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to Sir George Frevost. 
 
 ' \ Kingston, 5th May, 1813. . 
 
 Sir, — I did myself the honour of writing Your Excellency <mi 
 my route from York to communicate the mortifying intelligence 
 that the enemy had obtained possession of that place on the 27th 
 of April, and I shall now enter into a fuller detail than I was 
 enabled to do at the date of that letter, 
 t In the evening of the 26th of April I received information that 
 
189 
 
 many vessels had been seen from the high lands to the eastward of 
 York, Soon after daylight the next morning the enemy's vessels 
 were discovered lying to not far from the shore of the peninsula in 
 front of the town. They soon afterwards, sixteen in number of 
 various descriptions, made sail with a fresh breeze from the eastward, 
 led by the ship lately built at Sackett's Harbour, and anchored off 
 the point where the French fort formerly stood. Many boats full 
 of troops were soon discovered assembling near the Commodore's 
 ship, apparently with an intention of effecting a landing on the 
 ground off which he was anchored. Our troops were ordered into 
 the ravine in the rear of the Government garden, and Major Givina 
 and the Indians with him were sent forward thro' the wood to 
 oppose the landing of the enemy. 
 
 The company of Glengarry light infantry was directed to sup- 
 port them, and the militia not having arrived at the ravine the 
 grenadiers of the King's and the small portion of the Royal New- 
 foundland Fencibles belonging to the garrison of York, were moved 
 on, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Heathcote of that corps, commanding 
 the garrison. This movement was directed to be made within the 
 wood, parallel to the lake side, and only so far from it as not to be 
 discovered by the enemy's vessels, several of which were at no great 
 distance from the shore. Captain Eustace's company of the King's 
 Regiment and some militia that were quartered at the eatiC end of 
 the town and had been left there during the night lest the enemy 
 might make some attempt on that flank, were ordered, with the 
 exception of a small party of militia, to join these troops, which was 
 soon effected. While these operations were going on Major-General 
 Shaw, Adjutant-General of Militia, led a portion of the militia on a 
 road at the back of the wood to watch our rear and act •::(•' )rding 
 to circumstances. By some mistake he drew away the Uiengrar^ 
 company from the direction assigned to it to accompany thiadc urh- 
 ment, so that it came late into action instead of being near the 
 Indians at its commencement. The movement of the other troops 
 was retarded by the difficulty of the wood, while the enemy, being 
 aided by the wind, rapidly gained the shore, under cover of a fire 
 from the Commodore's ship and other vessels, and landed in spite of 
 a spirited opposition from Major Givins and his small band of 
 Indians. The enemy were shortly after encountered by our hand- 
 ful of troops. Captain McNeal of the King's Regiment was early 
 killed while gallantly leading on his company, which suffered 
 severely. The troops fell back. I succeeded in rallying them 
 several times, and a detachment of the King's, with some militia 
 whom I had placed near the edge of the wood to protect our left 
 flank, repulsed a column of the enemy which was advancing along 
 
190 
 
 the bank of the lake side, but our troops could not continue the 
 contest against the greatly superior and increasing numbers of the 
 enemy. They retired under cover of the batteries, which were 
 engaged with some of their vessels that had begun to beat up 
 towards the harbour when their troops landed, occasionally firing, 
 and had anchored at a short distance to westward of the line from 
 the barracks to Gibraltar Point. From that situation they kept up 
 a heavy fire on our batteries on the blockhouse and barracks and 
 on the communications between them, some of their guns lieing 
 thirty-two pounders. To return their fire we had two complete 
 twelve-pounders and two old condemned guns, (without trunnions, 
 eighteen-pounders,) which after being proved had been stocked and 
 mounted under the direction of Lieutenant Ingouville of the Royal 
 Newfoundland Regiment, whom I had appointed assistant engineer. 
 A twelve-pounder of the same description was added during the 
 engagement. With these defective means the enemy was kept at 
 bay for some time, when by some unfortunate accident the travelling 
 magazine at the western battery blew up and killed and wounded a 
 considerable number of men, many of them belonging to the grena- 
 dier company of the King's Regiment. The battery was crippled, 
 the platform being torn up and one of the eighteen-pounders over- 
 turned. The magazine was replaced and the battery restored to 
 some order, but it was evident that our numbers and means of 
 defence were inadequate to the task of maintaining possession of 
 York against the vast superiority of force brought against it, though 
 providentially little mischief had hitherto been done by the long 
 cannonade of the enemy, except to some of the buildings. The 
 troops were withdrawn towards the town, and the grand magazine 
 was at the same time blown up. The enemy was so near to it that 
 he sustained great loss, and was for a time driven back by the 
 explosion. Some of our troops were not beyond the reach of the 
 fragments of the stone, though they escaped with very little injury. 
 Captain Loring, my aide-de-camp, received a severe contusion, and 
 the horse he rode was killed. The troops were halted at the ravine, 
 not far to the westward of the ship-yard. I there consulted with 
 the superior oflScers, and it being too apparent that a further oppo- 
 sition would but render the result more disastrous, some of the 
 enemy's vessels indicating an intention to move up the harbour in 
 order to co-operate with the land forces, I ordered the troops of the 
 line to retreat on the road to Kingston, which was effected without 
 any annoyance from the enemy. When we had proceeded some 
 miles we met the light company of the King's Regiment on its 
 march to Fort George. I had sent an express the preceding even- 
 
191 
 
 ing to hasten its movements, I^ut it was at too great a distance to 
 be able to join us at York. 
 
 The ship on the stocks and the naval stores were destroyed to 
 prevent the enemy getting possession of them. An attempt to set 
 fire to the Gloucester, that was fitting out for purposes of transport, 
 proved abcioive. She was aground, a mere hulk, her repairs not 
 being half finished. I have been informed that the enemy succeeded 
 in getting her off and putting her into a state to tow her away, a 
 number of shipwrights having arrived from Sackett's Harbour with 
 the expectation of employing them in a similar task on our new 
 ship. 
 
 The accounts of the number of the enemy landed vary from 
 eighteen hundred and ninety to three thousand. Our force con- 
 sisted of a bombardier and twelve gunners of the Royal Artillery, 
 to assist whom men were drawn from the other corps, two com- 
 panies of the 8th (or King's) Regiment, one of them, (the grena- 
 diers,) being on its way for Fort George, about a company of the 
 Royal Newfoundland Regiment and one of the Glengarry Light 
 Infantry, and about three hundred militia and dockyard men. The 
 quality of some of these troops was of so superior a description, 
 and their general disposition so good that under less unfavorable 
 circumstances we might have repulsed the enemy in spite of their 
 numbers, or have made him pay very dearly for success ; as it was, 
 according to reports that have reached me, his loss was much greater 
 than ours, a return of which I have the honour of transmitting, 
 except that of the militia, a return of which has not yet been 
 received, but I believe it to have been inconsiderable. Donald Mc- 
 Lean, Esquire, Clerk of the House of Assembly, gallantly volun- 
 teered his services with a musket, and was killed. Captain Jarvis 
 of the Incorporated Militia, a meritorious officer, who had a share in 
 the successes at Detroit and Kingston, had been sent with a party 
 of militia in three batteaux for the militia clothing which had been 
 left on the road from Kingston. He came to me during the action 
 to report his arrival and soon afterwards he was severely wounded. 
 A few of the Indians, (Missassaugas and Chippewas,) were killed 
 and wounded, among the latter were two chiefs. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 150. Enclosed in Sir B. H. Sheaffe's letter to Earl Bath- 
 urst of 18th May, 1813.) 
 
 From the Quebec Mercttry, Tuesday, 25th May, 1813. 
 
 Extract of a letter from Kingston, Upper Canada, dated 7th 
 Mav. 
 
 No doubt you have heard ere this of the attack upon York. 
 On the 26th ult an alarm was given that there were ten sail of the 
 
192 
 
 enemy below York. I was on piquet that night, and early in the 
 morning we discovered 14 sail of the enemy coming up the river. 
 The whole of the regulars in garrison were assembled, which con- 
 sisted of not more than 300 men. The enemy got up and com- 
 menced landing. They landed from 2,500 to 3,000 men, out of 
 which were killed and wounded about 600. We sunk several of 
 their boats and killed numbers on the beach. Captain McNeal of 
 the 8th Regiment fell early in the engagement. We were forced to 
 retreat from the bush to one of the batteries, where we commenced 
 a heavy fire on their shipping. In the meantime the powder maga- 
 zine which was on the battery unfortunately blew up, whereby we 
 lost about twenty men. We immediately collected the men together 
 and had the bodies removed and comnienced again tiring on the 
 enemy. We had then been hard at it from seven in the morning 
 until three in the afternoon, when we discovered three columns of 
 the enemy advancing. We then turned one of the guns on them 
 and commenced firing. However, our force was so reduced, and the 
 enemy's grape, canister and round shot came so thick amongst us, 
 both from them and their shipping, that we had to spike the guns 
 and retreat to the lower battery. We then gave them a few more 
 shot and were obliged to retreat. When we got 200 yards from 
 the powder magazine it blew up, being set on tire by ourselves, 
 which must have killed several hundreds of the enemy. 
 
 (File in the Library of Parliament, Ottawa.) 
 
 MS. Carefully Preserved by the I^ate Colonel William Allan of 
 Moss Park, Toronto, apparently the Origfinal Draft. 
 
 York, 8th May, 1813. 
 My Dear Sir, — 
 
 Knowing your anxiety for our fate and the interest you have 
 in the safety of this Province, we hasten to give you as accurate an 
 account as we are able of the events which have happened here 
 since the day previous to the attack : 
 
 On Monday, 26th April, about five o'clock P. M., an express 
 arrived from Scarborough informing General Sheaffe that the 
 enemies' flotilla, consisting of at least ten sail, was observed at the 
 distance of eight miles, steering apparently for York. 
 
 The militia were immediately called to arms, and they assem- 
 bled with the greatest cheerfulness, as from the number of regular 
 troops accidentally in the garrison it was supposed that we were 
 strong enough to beat any force that could be brought against us 
 in that number of ships. The troops were stationed in different 
 
198 
 
 places during the night to guard every approach to the town. Ak 
 daylight on the 27th the enemy's ships were seen standing in 
 towards Gibraltar Point, as if they intended to put troops on shore 
 on the neck of land below the town, but soon after, changing their 
 mind, they steered for the mouth of the harbour. The number of 
 vessels now visible amounted to fourteen, and we could see by oar 
 glasses that the decks were crowded with troops. About six they 
 began to land above the old French fort, nearly two miles above 
 the garrison. The first division consisted of the rifle corps, which 
 immediately took the woods on gaining the shore. In the mean- 
 time I was astonished that the troops and field pieces were not 
 ordered to march much sooner to the place of landing, as it was 
 easy to ascertain it after the flotilla had passed the lighthouse. At 
 length the troops were seen marching towards the shore opposite 
 the enemy's ships, bu^ without artillery, as it was supposed to be 
 impracticable to bring the field pieces through the wood. From the 
 most correct accounts that can be procured, our troops did not pro- 
 ceed to attack the enemy for a quarter of an hour after they had 
 actually reached the ground, during which time they were landing 
 in great numbers. At length the grenadier company of the Eighth, 
 joined by a few militia volunteers, advanced to attack the Americans 
 as they mounted the bank, and behaved with the greatest courage 
 and intrepidity, but unaccustomed to fighting in the woodp and con- 
 spicuous by their dress, they fell on all sides without even knowing 
 whence the fire proceeded. The riflemen were hid behind trees and 
 logs and never appeared but when they fired, squatting down to 
 load their pieces, and their cloaths being green they could not be 
 distinguished from the bushes and trees! About the same time 
 Major Givins with the Indians were actively employed on the right, 
 but they were not supported, and after losing some of their best 
 men, one chief killed and another wounded, they retreated through 
 the woods. The division of the Newfoundland Regiment and a 
 battalion company of the regulars were also engaged, but not being 
 so far in advance as the grenadier company their loss was very 
 inconsiderable. The place chosen by the enemy for landing was 
 very advantageous for their troops, being full of shrubs and bushes ; 
 his riflemen were immediately covered and cut oflT our people, 
 with little or no danger to themselves. From the frequent halts 
 made by our troops on their way to the scene of action and coming 
 up in small divisions there appeared an indecision and want of 
 energy which was very injurious to the cause. In a very short 
 time the grenadiers and Newfoundland division, with some militia 
 who had joined, were so much galled by the fire of the enemy 
 and had so many killed that they were obliged to retreat upon the 
 
194 
 
 first battery. This was all the fighting we had, and altho' the 
 advantage was not on our side the day, in our opinion, might have 
 been retrieved. The great error committed in the morning was the 
 not attacking the enemy on landing with our whole force. Instead 
 of doing this half our best troops, the Glengarry company and the 
 garrison militia, were sent to deploy in the woods in order perhaps 
 to support the Indians and take the enemy on his flank, but after 
 wandering till they were fatigued they were forced to return by 
 the same paths through which they had marched, and were hardly 
 in time to witness the retreat of the troops that had felt the enemy. 
 It does not appear that we had above one-third of our people 
 engaged, and these placed in a situation the most disadvantageous 
 that could possibly be imagined for such troops. From the moment 
 of retreat the confusion increased. Few of the officers knew what 
 to do, they had no orders and those who thought that they had 
 orders found them so inconsistent as not to know how to proceed. 
 The consequence was that great numbers crowded into the batteries, 
 and no proper arrangements were made for arresting the further 
 progress of the enemy. 
 
 When the troops were placed under the cover of the first bat- 
 tery, as conveniently as possible, an accident happened, very dis- 
 astrous to many and exceedingly discouraging to the state of our 
 defenders. By the carelessness of the man who carried the port- 
 fire a spark fell into the portable magazine belonging to the bat- 
 tery, which, blowing up, spread death and destruction on every side. 
 From twelve to eighteen were killed and many dreadfully wounded. 
 The terrible appearance of the killed and wounded, being all black 
 and scorched, dispirited the troops, even after they had recovered 
 from the consternation produced by the explosion, which was the 
 more to be deplored, as there is reason to suppose that the accident 
 was occasioned by crowding the battery with troops who should 
 have been in another place, and thus incommoding the men employed 
 in working the guns. By the vigour and courage of Col. Hughes 
 ( Heathcote ?) and Mr. Ingerfield (Ingou ville ?) the battery was quickly 
 cleared and the guns began again to play upon the enemy. During 
 this time the enen.y had landed his cannon, and being more industri- 
 ous than we contrived to drag two halves (howitzers?) and four sixes 
 along with him as he advanced upon the battery, while we conceiv^ed 
 it impracticable in the morning to carry two sixes to the place of 
 debarkation. The militia began now visibly to melt away ; there 
 was no person to animate them nor to tell them when they were to 
 make a stand, their officers knew nothing of what was to be done, 
 each was asking of another, inquiring after the General and running 
 after his aides and messengers in order to ascertain what they should 
 
195 
 
 do. In the meantime the General walked backwards and forwards 
 on the road between the garrison and Mr. Haines's, more than half a 
 mile from the troops. It was upwards of an hour and a half after 
 the troops retreated to the first battery before the column of the 
 enemy appeared, and it was the general opinion that then a desper- 
 ate resistance would be made, but the officers and men, being allowed 
 to remain without orders, they began to retire as soon as the enemy 
 was seen, and the battery was entirely abandoned before it was 
 attacked, on discovering that it was supplied with nothing but 
 round shot. Thus an excellent opportunity of annoying the 
 enemy as he advanced, with grape and cannistc r, was lost, and a 
 good position for a general engagement given up v. ithout resistance. 
 At the next battery, which was very small, few of the troops stopped, 
 but continued their retreat to the Gov't. House. There they halted, 
 expecting to make a stand, but receiving no orders to that effect the 
 retreat was continued to the garrison. 
 
 The retreat was ordered to be still continued toward Elmsley 
 House, and when the troops had passed the garrison, the militia 
 bringing up the rear, the powder magazine was blown up, as had 
 been previously concerted, that it might not fall into the hands of 
 the enemy. The explosion of two hundred barrels of gunpowder, 
 with a great quantity of fixed ammunition, was most tremendous, 
 and killed and wounded a great number of the American troops as 
 they were advancing, among others Brig.-General Pyke was so 
 severely wounded that he died next morning. 
 
 The American army was so stunned by the explosion and suf- 
 fered so much as to be thrown into the utmost confusion, and had 
 they been attacked during their consternation they would have been 
 easily defeated, but as it was merely to deprive them of the maga- 
 zine, and not a stratagem of war, General Sheatfe cannot be blamed 
 for not taking advantage of its effects, which in all probability were 
 unknown to him. 
 
 It is, however, certain that if the explosion had been delayed 
 one-quarter of an hour half the enemy's force would have been 
 blown up and almost the whole wounded. As this was done with- 
 out the knowledge of many of our own officers they, with their men, 
 were likewise exposed to imminent danger. 
 
 The troops halted behind a ravine near by Elmsley House, and 
 many of the militia being fatigued and hungry retired to town to 
 get some refreshment. Indeed it was now generally supposed that 
 General Sheaffe had abandoned all idea of fui-ther resistance, and 
 that he was preparing to treat with the enemy. Yet it would have 
 been still practicable to have collected the stragglers, and the regu- 
 lars were eager to revenge their comrades who had fallen in the 
 
196 
 
 morning^, but after remaining an hour in this position a council of 
 war was called and before an opinion was given by any of its mem- 
 bers the General ordered the regulars to retreat to Kingston. 
 
 The command at York was left with Col. Chewett and Major 
 Allan, who were ordered by Sir Roger to make the best terms they 
 could with the enemy. 
 
 Major Allan immediately proceeded towards the enemy and 
 met a flag of truce, accompanied by two officers, who were on their 
 way to General Sheaffe. The Major agreed with these gentlemen 
 to meet at Mr. Cruikshank's house, opposite which they were then 
 standing, in a quarter of an hour, to enter into terms of capitulation. 
 When this meeting took place a difficulty arose as to the powers of 
 Col. Chewett and Major Allan to treat, on clearing up of which 
 Major King and Col. Mitchell, who had been appointed by the 
 enemy, declared that they thought they were to treat with officers 
 sent by General Sheaffe, and they were angry and mortified to find 
 that he and the regular troops had retreated. 
 
 This difficulty being got over, the conditions of the capitulation 
 came to be considered for the town and militia, and during the time 
 that they were drawing up, an American officer called out Major 
 King and informed him that while we were treating our people 
 were destroying everything that could be of any use to them. Major 
 King came in and informed us that the ship and naval stores had 
 been set on tire after a flag of truce had been accepted and condi- 
 tions begun to be entered into, asserting that we had deceived them 
 and that he would enter into no capitulation. It was in vain that 
 Col. Chewett and Major Allan declared that if these fires had been 
 kindled it was not by their orders nor according to their wishes, 
 but that it must have been done by persons without authority. At 
 length the following articles were agreed upon, after much alterca- 
 tion. They are almost as bad as none, but situated as matters then 
 were better could not be obtained. 
 
 A little before these were signed the enemy advanced in close 
 column, and it was not without difficulty that they were stopped 
 by Major King. When two copies had been signed this gentleman 
 took them l)Oth away and promised to return in a few minutes with 
 the ratification, but instead of so doing an officer of a very inferior 
 rank came up to Major Allan and demanded his sword in the name 
 of Col. Pearce, who had succeeded General Pyke in the command. 
 
 It was to no purpose that we represented to this officer that the 
 Major had come to treat under the protection of a flag. He told us 
 his orders were peremptory, and when he had received the sword 
 he took the Major prisoner, who was conducted to town with much 
 indignity in the middle of the column. 
 
197 
 
 This conduct was so very opposite to the terms of the capitu- 
 lation and to the courtesy which had been agreed upon by its 
 framers, that we inferred that no attention would be paid to any 
 part of it, more especially as we had heard no more of the ratifica- 
 tion. When the enemy arrived in town the riflemen were appointed 
 to protect it — a corps which bears the worst character in the Ameri- 
 can army. This was so contrary to the stipulation of securing 
 private property that we expected to have been given up to indis- 
 criminate pillage. The officers of militia and all the privates and 
 inhabitants of town and country that could be found were marched 
 back to the garrison. The officers were liberated on their parole 
 till next morning, and the privates were confined. All the enemy's 
 troops except the guard were marched back to the garrison. Next 
 morning one of the Commissioners appointed to settle the terms of 
 capitulation meeting Major King taxed him roundly for deceiving 
 us in regard to the ratification of the treaty, and with the indig- 
 nities which had been offered to Major Allan. This gentleman 
 acknowledged that matters had not proceeded according to his 
 desire, but requested that we would go up to the garrison, when he 
 hoped everything would be amicably adjusted. On our arrival we 
 were told that the form of the capitulation did not please General 
 Dearborn, but he had sent Capt. Elliott ard Major O'Connor to treat 
 with us. 
 
 With these gentlemen we had again to discuss all the articles, 
 and in a particular manner to defend ourselves from the suspicion 
 of burning the naval store and ship after commencing a treaty for 
 the surrender of the post. The most severe remarks were made by 
 them upon General Sheaffe for giving such orders after he had 
 retreated and given the command to another. In the impropriety 
 of the order we could not but acquiesce, since it could have no good 
 effect and could only expose us to the resentment of a victorious 
 enemy. Being exceedingly anxious to get the officers and men 
 released who were waiting in the garrison, we proposed to liberate 
 them upon their parole not to serve until exchanged, but the Com- 
 missioners declared that on that point they could say nothing, the 
 General having expressly reserved it for his own decision. As this 
 was the most generally interesting part of the business, one of the 
 persons appointed to treat for the town, who was not a prisoner of 
 war, desired leave to wait on General Dearborn and Commodore 
 Chauncey on board to complete the negotiation at once, that all 
 might know the worst and an end be put to their present anxiety. 
 The officers had been now six hours in the area of the garrison, 
 walking backwards and forwards ; the men were all cooped up in 
 the block house and our wounded had been totally neglected and 
 
198 
 
 we had not yet obtained leave to visit or remove them. It was the 
 General alone who could decide upon these matters. Capt. Elliott 
 and Major O'Connor willingly consented to this gentleman going on 
 board. Col. Pearce, the commander of the troops, ordered an officer 
 to attend him, but before a boat could be obtained the General and 
 Commodore came on shore. The Commissioner, being introduced 
 to the General, submitted to his consideration the terms of the 
 capitulation which had been agreed upon by Capt. Elliott and 
 Major O'Connor, and was proceeding to mention the propriety of 
 liberating the officers and men on parole when he was taxed by the 
 General with having given in a false report of the militia officers — 
 told not to trouble him any further as he had business of much 
 more importance to attend to, and in fine treated him with the 
 greatest disrespect. The Commissioner, turning to Commodore 
 Chauncey, told him that this was a new mode of treating people 
 clothed in a public character ; that he had had the honor of trans- 
 acting business with greater men without meeting with any indig- 
 nity, but that it was easy to see through these miserable subter- 
 fuges for delaying the capitulation that we had been grossly 
 deceived already, that perhaps the General, after allowing his troops 
 to pillage the town, might be induced to ratify it that he might 
 have it in his power on his return home to say that he had respected 
 private property, but he declared that we should not be so duped 
 and insulted, for if the conditions were not complied with imme- 
 diately there should be no capitulation, we would not accept of it, 
 and they might do their worst for they should not have it in their 
 power to say that they had respected our property after it had 
 been robbed. It is but justice to Major King, Capt. Elliott and one 
 or two other gentlemen who were with Commodore Chauncey while 
 our Commissioner made this declaration, to say that they told him 
 the conditions would be acted upon, but that the General was 
 irritated from some information which he had just received from 
 British traitors. The Commissioner told Major King that he was 
 bound in honor to see the articles of the capitulation religiously 
 complied with, to which that gentleman assented, and altho' he was 
 more difficult than Col. Mitchell in settling the articles in the first 
 instance, yet after he had signed them he was anxious to see them 
 strictly complied with, and seemed more dissatisfied at every 
 infringement than the persons aggrieved. Commodore Chauncey 
 behaved in a gentlemanly manner throughout. After this conver- 
 sation the Commissioner returned to the barracks to inform the 
 officers that nothing was to be expected, that difficulties were mul- 
 tiplied and that General Dearborn, instead of acting up to the articles 
 agreed upon, had insulted their negociation. 
 
199 
 
 These things were scarcely communicated to the gentlemen 
 when General Dearborn made his appearance in the garrison, and 
 going into the apartment where his deputation sat, Col. Chewett 
 and Major Allan, accompanied by the insulted Commissioner, entered 
 and finding the General in better humor the articles were again 
 read and ratified ; in a few minutes the officers and men were paroled 
 and liberty given to remove the sick and wounded. The officers 
 were immediately set at liberty, and before sunset all the prisoners 
 had left the garrison on their parole. 
 
 CAPITULATION AS RATIFIED BY GENERAL DEARBORN. 
 
 On the twenty-ninth the sick and wounded were removed from 
 the garrison to a house in town with much difficulty, both on account 
 of the badness of the weather and the scarcity of carriages, most of 
 them being employed by the enemy in carrying government stores 
 to the water side. After getting them to town many difficulties 
 occurred about obtaining people to wait upon them, procuring 
 medical assistance, and indeed here it would be injustice not to 
 praise the exertions of Dr. Aspinwall, who went after the surgeons 
 who had retreated with General Sheaffij more than four miles to 
 get back his instruments which they had inadvertently carried off, 
 and he was indefatigable till the 1st, when, being a native American, 
 tho' settled in York, he accepted of a situation on board one Ci their 
 ships. Dr. Baldwin was then left alone, but to his eternal praise he 
 spent all his time, from morning to night, among the wounded, 
 in which arduous duty he was assisted by Mr. Cathray, an apothe- 
 cary, who has also been very attentive. 
 
 We were alarmed on the morning of the 30th at beholding the 
 buildings of the Civil Government in flames, expressly contrary to 
 the articles of capitulation. And the sacreligious robbing of the 
 church, with many private depredations which had been committed, 
 led us to suppose that the articles of the capitulation were a dead 
 letter, but that nothing might be left untried a deputation, consist- 
 ing of the Judges of the King's Bench and some of the magistrates, 
 waited on the American General and presented him with a firm 
 note, claiming our right to the due fulfilment of the agreement and 
 stating the gross violations which had taken place. The General 
 was much embarrassed ; he promised everything we desired and 
 testified his regret at what had happened. Finding some of our 
 own people troublesome and acting as if there was no law, we asked 
 a general order from the commander of the American forces stat- 
 ing that he did not interfere with the civil authority, and in con- 
 sequence of this application the following order was issued and sent 
 to the Chief Justice. 
 
200 
 
 On Monday, 5th May, the following declaration was issued by 
 the sheriff, at the instance of the magistrates with the advice of the 
 judges, as a great number of traitorous people had come from the 
 country and pillaged nearly as much from the King's stores and 
 from private individuals as the enemy. On the first of May several 
 representations of pillage and insult were made to General Dear- 
 born, who seemed to be very much hurt at their frequent occurrence, 
 declaring that he had issued the strictest orders to the contrary, but 
 it was evident that the great degree of insubordination that pre- 
 vailed among Lis troops rendered such orders of no effect. On this 
 evening they all embarked, and on the 2nd none of them were to be 
 seen in town except a few stragglers, who were picked up bj'^ a 
 guard which came on shore for them in the evening. After this no 
 person came on shore, altho' they were detained in the harbour by 
 contrary [winds] till the njorning of the 9th, when they sailed. 
 
 After the final departure of the enemy and we had time to 
 reflect, we must acknowledge that they behaved much better than 
 we expected, and if it had not been for the misconduct of the troops 
 in pillaging at Ogdensburg many of them told us that there would 
 have been little or no depredations committed here. Having found 
 more provisions than they could well carr}'^ away, General Dearborn 
 ordered some flour and pork to be given to the destitute, and par- 
 ticularly to the soldiers' wives, whose husbands had either retreated 
 or were wounded. And many procured provisions from him under 
 false pretences. Finding applications increasing he requested Dr. 
 
 Strachan to take the flour and he could spare into his custody 
 
 and give it out to the poor as it was wanted. The same offer had 
 been previously made to the Honble, Justice Powell, who proposed 
 to purchase it on account of the Patriotic Society, but the General 
 refused any remuneration. Dr. Strachan, considering himself the 
 agent for the poor, accepted of it, but benefited very little, for before 
 he could get teams to remove it nearly all the fifty barrels were 
 carried off by some of the disaffected inhabitants. 
 
 This country is now in a very critical situation, but not worse 
 than was anticipated last fall. We foresaw that the system adopted 
 by our chiefs would end in defeat and dishonour. A defensive 
 warfare when there is an extensive border never was and never can 
 be successful. History does not present a single example and for 
 obvious reasons; the invader has his choice of the place of attack and 
 the defender, uncertain, scatters his force and before they can be 
 re-united he is defeated. Without a new commander and more 
 troops this Province must soon be overpowered ; the whole force of 
 the enemy is directed towards it, and unless the most strenuous 
 exertions are made he will be successful. Now these exertions can- 
 
201 
 
 not be made by General Sheaffe, for he has lost entirely the con- 
 fidence of the regulars and militia and his very name is odious to 
 all ranks of people. Indeed, considering the miserable defence made 
 . here, it cannot be wondered at, for altho' we have the highest respect 
 for his prixate character we must condemn his conduct on the 27th 
 April in the most unqualified terms. I do not know, a." I was not 
 privy to his arrangements if he had any, or the orders issued, 
 whether I could prove that all the errors of that day originated 
 with him, but we can safely assert that measures were pursued ill 
 calculated to meet and defeat the enemy, for altho' certain informa- 
 tion was obtained that they were approaching no preparations were 
 made efl^ectually to resist their landing on the shore. That after 
 retreating from the place of landing no exertions were made to 
 make a stand at the first battery ; the oflScers were without 
 orders, there was no grape or cannister shot for the guns, and it 
 was abandoned precipitately before the enemy had reached it. That 
 the General kept too far from his troops after retreating from the 
 woods, never cheered or animated them, nor showed by his personal 
 conduct that he was hearty in the cause. That after calling a 
 council of war he waited to hear no opinion, but decided for himself 
 to retreat to Kingston. That he abandoned his two field pieces, 
 which he nnght have easily carried with him, for no enemy pur- 
 sued. That he abandoned the sick and wounded, taking the two 
 surgeons with him and leaving them without any medicine or 
 medical assistance, and that after he had left the command with 
 Lieut.-Col. Chev/ett and Major Allan, and ordered them to enter 
 into a capitulation there is reason to suppose that the ship and 
 naval stores were set on fire by his secret orders, which not only 
 dishonoured those on whom the command devolved but incensed 
 the enemy to such a degree as to expose the town to indiscriminate 
 pillage and conflagration. In fine no serious opposition was made 
 to the enemy after he landed, and the retreat through the country 
 has been the most disorderly and precipitate that ever was witnessed, 
 altho' no enemy was pursuing. The people are indignant rather 
 than dispirited, and while they feel the disgrace of their defeat they 
 console themselves with the conviction that was owing entirely to 
 their commander. 
 
 They are anxious to be exchanged that they may have an 
 opportunity of retrieving their honor under a leader who knows 
 how to conduct them. 
 
 It is not, however, to be concealed that the true cause of our 
 defeat must be attributed to the loss of the command of the lakes, 
 for this Province without a superiority on the water cannot be 
 preserved. But we shall not at present trouble you with our 
 
202 
 
 remarks on the ruinous system of forbearance which has been uni- 
 formly pursued since the commencement of the war. Its effects 
 were anticipated last summer. The pernicious consequences of a 
 policy so destitute of wisdom will not soon be forgotten, and if the 
 Province be lost they to whom its protection has been consigned 
 will not find it an easy matter to defend their conduct. They were 
 sent to defend, not to lose, the Canadas. They might be required 
 not unnecessarily to irritate the Americans, but surely they can 
 never be justified for not anticipating the attacks that the enemy 
 were preparing for our destruction. If it should appear that every 
 measure wearing the appearance of acoive hostility has not only 
 been discouraged but actually been forbidden, that infinitely more 
 pains have been taken to compel the inhabitants of this Province to 
 be quiet till the enemy had prepared everything for their subjuga- 
 tion than would have been necessary to conquer them if it shall 
 appear that vigorous measures have been uniformly rejected 
 and apologies made to the enemy for beating him, surely a 
 day of reckoning must arrive. If it should further appear that the 
 most respectable representations were made early last autumn, that 
 this Province wtis not tenable except by securing the command of 
 the lakes, that Sackett's Harbour m'ojht have been taken with great 
 ease during the winter months, how sh.iU the loss of this fair Pro- 
 vince be justified to His Majesty ? The people of Upper Canada 
 have wept at the infatuation which dictate' the measures pursued 
 since the commencement of the war. They TrresciW their isi»de and 
 they are now reaping the reward. In the capture of York behold 
 the first fruits of that imbecility which prevented a vigorous attack 
 upon Sackett's Harbour, an attack which must have been made 
 with success and which deserved the most determined and vigorous 
 exertions, as the success would have secured this Province luring 
 the whole war. 
 
 W. Chewett, Lt.-Col. Com'dg 3rd Regt,., 
 
 York Militia. 
 W. Allan, Major, 3rd Regt., York Militia. 
 D. Cameron, Capt, 3rd Regt., Y. M. 
 Sam'l Smith. 
 
 John Strachan, D. D. . 
 
 Alexander Woods, J. P. 
 
 W.W.Baldwin. - 
 
 I am told that General Shaw says that General Sheatfe talked 
 of retreating M-ith his staff early in the day without the troops, 
 leaving him in the command. That General Shaw answered that 
 
203 
 
 he had no command, and why not retreat with the troops, a thing 
 ve^-y easy to be done. 
 
 Why waa not the Royal Standard carried off ? 
 
 Narrative of the Capture of York. 
 
 Sir, — On Monday, 16th April, about 6 o'clock p. m., we received 
 intelligence that the enemy's squadron were in sight from the High- 
 lands, standing in shore about 10 miles east of York. The signal 
 guns were fired and the Commanding General, Sir R. H. Sheaffe, 
 appeared to have given the requisite instructions to the officers 
 under his command, as at 8 o'clock he was found at a table smoking 
 his cigar and conversing on indifferent topics with his Adjt.-Genl, 
 of Militia and Surgeon of Marine. 
 
 The morning dawn was somewhat hazy and about 5 o'clock a 
 report from the telegraph stated that a fleet of 5 vessels was to be 
 seen. About half -past 5 a corvette of 28 and a brig of 22, with 13 
 sail of schooners and sloops, carrying guns and troops, passed the 
 telegraph, came along shore and after assembling opposite the town 
 stood round the point and wore to anchor in a position indicating 
 an intended landing near to the old French fort. At this time w e 
 had two companies of the 8th, about 180 men, two weak companies 
 of the Newfoundland, 40 men of Glengarry, a company of artificers 
 and ex-military men, and about 300 militia — in all 600 men. Some 
 difference of opinion existed of opposing or admitting the landing. 
 It was opposed, but effected under cover of the shipping with little 
 loss to the invading force and very great to the grenadiers of the 
 King's, whose gallant Captain, McNeil, was killed at the first land- 
 ing, with about 30 of his men. They were embarrassed by an order 
 to retreat to the woods, where the American rifle corps, now landed, 
 had a great advantage of them and fairly drove them in. As they 
 retreated they were joined by militia and suffered considerably from 
 an accidental explosion of a cartridge box at one of the 18-lb. bat- 
 teries. Being pressed by the enemy the troops retreated through 
 the garrison, and when the American column reached Glegg's bat- 
 tery there was a tremendous explosion by the blowing up of the 
 magazine, which destroyed about sixty men of the enemy, and 
 among them their General Pike. 
 
 Had this moment of confusion been turned to advantage a 
 charge by our rallied force would have routed the enemy, divided 
 and panic-struck by the dreadful catastrophe they witnessed with- 
 out knowing the precise caise. Such, however, was not our fate. 
 Gen. Sir R. H. S[heaffe] took, a stand at the ravine between Elmsley 
 
204 
 
 House and the ba}^ where after a short consultation he decided to 
 abandon the town and retreat to Kingston with the regular troops 
 and his staff. Having adopted this resolution he authorized Lieut.- 
 Col. Chewett and Major Allan of the York militia to trei-t with the 
 enemy, and instantly proceeded on his march. The terms proposed 
 were liberal and satisfactory, but just as they were signed the 
 ambition of Naval Lt. McKenzie became obvious and the arrange- 
 ment was deferred for confirmation by the General Dearborn. A 
 suspicion that the order to burn the ship and store was given sub- 
 sequent to the direction to treat, had nearly cost the inhabitants 
 all their property. It required time and all the resolution of the 
 negotiators, aided by the active and vigorous mind of the Rev'd Dr. 
 Strachan, to obtain a ratification which was short of the original 
 minute, and was at last conceded to the spirited representation of 
 Colonel Mitchell and Major King, who had settled the original 
 articles. During the interval from the retreat of the troops to this 
 ratification the inhabitants were exposed to every species of insult 
 and plunder, chiefly by our own people. Upon a strong representa- 
 tion from the Judges, the criminals having poured forth from the 
 gaol, General Dearborn declared that it had not been his intention 
 that the functions of the civil magistrates should cease, that he was 
 ignorant of the gaol being opened, and that buildings, public as 
 well as private, should be respected. 
 
 The Parliament Houses being burned the next morning, the 
 Judges and Magistrates waited upon Genl. Dearborn with a strong 
 reclamation of the full benefit of the capitulation, and to enforce it 
 by a general order to his army to respect the public ministers of 
 the law. This was also promised, and to a certain extent performed, 
 and the magistrates immediately swore in the principal housekeep- 
 ers as constables. All their officers disowned the plunder of private 
 property, which they could not prevent. (Two exceptions to this 
 should be named for the sake of others.) An officer, lodged in Mr. 
 Crookshank's house plundered his cellars. He is known, and it 
 has been said was in arrest. Another plundered a valuable silver 
 equipage, which he bore about with him in a handkerchief pub- 
 licly. JBe is known to Capt. Chauncey, who was present when he 
 vouched that it was in compensation for his lass at Ogdensburg. 
 A wretch, a British half -pay officer, who had escaped from the fort 
 where he was confined on indictment for a capital felony, was per- 
 mitted to abuse the military insignia of the U. S., and, as if in its 
 service, direct two armed soldiers who followed him, so ... 
 
 of his being at large. Depredations of public 
 and private property being carried on under pretence of gift from 
 the Genl. or his officers, the magistrates continued doubtful how to 
 
205 
 
 act. Parties still coming on shore from the fleet. A declaration to 
 be made public was drawn up and signed by those present. 
 
 The universal reproach of every man and woman, ani execra- 
 tion of the conduct of Genl. Sheaffe, was such that for the first days 
 it was idle to interpose a doubt of his cowardice or disaffection. 
 The impeachment and idle boastings of the ignorant were beneath 
 notice, but when the officers of militia soberly and seriously con- 
 curred in the general abuse, it was thought reasonable to collect 
 from each what knowledge he had of the transactions of the day. 
 
 To begin with 'Major Allan, who is the most clamorous of the 
 impeachers. It appears that he commanded the militia in the garri- 
 son ; that he came down early in the morning when it was reported 
 to the General that of 15 sail seen the day before only 5 could be 
 seen from the telegraph ; that he, (Major Allan,) was sent to the 
 town on some errand, and on his return found the militia in garri- 
 son had vanished, and went to enquire of the General where his 
 men were, but he was referred to Lt.-Col. Heathcote, the 2d in com- 
 mand, but could never join his men until after the retreat. His 
 complaint is that he received no orders. Capt. Cameron commanded 
 the militia at the town blockhouse, and received orders which did 
 not arrive in time for him to join the contest until it was over. 
 
 Col. Chewett commanded the unembodied militia of the town 
 and neighborhood, and mustered only in time to take his station in 
 the line, I presume, from the fact that Mr. McLean, who accompanied 
 him, was killed at the landing, having joined the 8th grenadiers. 
 
 It appears from facts and reports that as soon as the Genl. was 
 satisfied as to the point of landing he ordered the 8th to oppose it 
 and to cover themselves from the enemy's fire in the edge of the 
 wood ; that he sent the Glengarrys to support the Indians, and the 
 militia to prevent the enemy if he effected a landing [from] flanking 
 him ; that Adjt.-General Shaw, now in the neighborhood, and [who] 
 knew every foot of the ground, was commanded to lead the garri- 
 son militia in Major Allan's absence and prevent the enemy harass- 
 ing our flank. 
 
 The position of Col. Heathcote with the Nev» foundlanders, the 
 town militia and the corps of artificers, were in the wood to support 
 the 8th, but Col. Chewett informs me that when he marched in with 
 them, about 50 men, after leaving 40 by order at the rendezvous to 
 wait for the orders, the General in person directed him to take his 
 people into the wood and put himself under Col. Heathcote's com- 
 mand, but ordered him to leave an officer with 20 men at the entrance 
 to the wood to observe. Such seem to have been the first directions 
 of Sir R. Sheafte. In the execution it appears that the two companies 
 
206 
 
 of the 8th took their station, and after some firing on the boats, 
 finding that the advance party of the enemy were riflemen, who as 
 fast as they landed fled into the wood, Capt. McNeil decided upon 
 a charge with bayonets, and was preparing for it when he fell. 
 Tliere seems to have been no order after this incident. Capt. Mc- 
 Pherson of the Glengarrys took charge of the grenadiers, but they 
 were broken and retreated. Lieut. Smith, with a few, fell back on 
 the force, and making a tour carried back to the scene of action a 
 few men. The general rendezvous for retreat was at the 18- 
 pounder battery, but they had no guide, and as soon as the enemy's 
 column appeared formed on the bank this battery was deserted. 
 He did not stop at the second battery, which was constructed to 
 flank the other, but retreated beyond the pickets of the garrison 
 enclosure. 
 
 It was at this time that the match was put to the magazine, 
 evidently too early, as the explosion took place before the garrison 
 were fairly warned of danger, and before the enemy's column had 
 advanced enough to be materiall}' injured by the explosion. They 
 lost 160 men, with Genl. Pike, by the stones of the magazine. Had 
 our force now made bold and recrossed the ravine before the enemy's 
 panic was over, for they thought the whole ground was under- 
 mined, they would not have stood a charge of bayonets but would 
 have all surrendered. This, however, is from subsequent information. 
 The truth is the militia were surprised, the regular force was scat- 
 tered, and the enemy was supposed to have landed 2,000 men. 
 
 The retrograde movement was continued to the ravine in front 
 of Elmsley House, which was just between our people and the 
 enemy. Here the General seemed to contemplate a stand, but after 
 consultation with others and self-deliberation he decided upon 
 retreat to Kingston with his staff" and regular force, and directed 
 Col. Chewett and Allan to make the best terms they could. He 
 marched with two brass 6-pounders, which he abandoned at the east 
 end of the town, having first set tire to the ship and naval store- 
 house. 
 
 Such was this mortifying day. What and whose were the 
 errors who shall say ? Our force was triflingly injured with that 
 of the enemy, tho' the short engagements seemed to have been with 
 nearly equal numbers. Had the Indians been supported it is sup- 
 posed they would have harassed the first landing party so much 
 that the others would not have advanced. 
 
 <From MS. in handwriting of Hon. Wm. D. Powell, in possession of G. M. Jarvis, 
 Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
207 
 
 Prom Journal of a Voyas^e to Quebec in the Vear 1835, with 
 
 Recollections of Canada during: the late American War in 
 
 the Years 1812-13, by P. Pinan, Newry. Printed by 
 
 Alexander Peacock, Telegrraph Office, iSaS. 
 
 On the 25th of April the grenadier contpany of the 8th Regi- 
 ment arrived in batteaiix from Kingston on their way up the countrj'. 
 They were allowed to remain during the 26th to refresh themselves 
 after a long journey, and were to have proceeded on the 27th. 
 During the 26th my father and I were in town, and while return- 
 ing to the garrison in the evening we were overtaken by Captain 
 McNeil of that company, who was also going there. On our way 
 he informed my father of the various arrangements he had made 
 for the remainder of his journey to the place of his destination, and 
 spoke as confidently of being in Fort George, the next town, on a 
 certain day as if no untoward circumstances could intervene ; as if 
 uncertainty and disappointment were not, alas, too constantly the 
 companions of man. When we arrived at the garrison all was 
 bustle and activity ; the American fleet had appeared off the har- 
 bour, and from its manoeuvres it was suppased that York was the 
 place of its destination. 
 
 The troops were under arms, and although the greatest activity 
 prevailed in making the necessary dispositions for the defence of 
 the place very little apprehension was entertained for its safety, 
 which was rather surprising, since the whole amount of the regular 
 forces, including the grenadiers of the 8th Regiment, did not exceed 
 300 ; the militia, &c., composing a few hundreds more. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 27th the enemy's fleet appeared, 
 steering direct for the harbour. The troops were again formed in the 
 barrack square and kept in readiness to march off to oppose the 
 landing of the enemy when it should appear what point they would 
 choose for that purpose. We had a small V»attery at the garrison, 
 another at the governor's house a short distance farther up the 
 lake shore, and a third about half a mile beyond it. 
 
 About seven o'clock the fleet, consisting of a frigate of 24 guns, 
 a brig of 18, and fifteen armed schooners, sailed round Gibraltar 
 Point, steering towards the uppermost battery. The morning was 
 very tine, the lake quite calm, and the fleet gliding slowly upon its 
 surface with a gentle breeze and in regular order, the frigate lead- 
 ing, the others following in a line, and each towing several large 
 boats for the purpose of landing the troops, had an elegant and 
 imposing appearance. 
 
 As soon as it became evident where the enemy intended to 
 attempt a landing our forces were ordered off to oppose them. 
 
208 
 
 The grenadier company of the 8th Regiment consisted of 119 
 as fine men as the British army could produce, commanded hy the 
 brave and elegant Captain McNeil. I saw the generous hero at the 
 head of his valiant company, in the prime of life, and, prompt to 
 obey the call of honour, march off', but, ah ! I saw him and the most 
 of his little band return no more : thirty alone escaped the havoc of 
 that day. 
 
 All the regulars that could be spared from the batteries 
 advanced beyond the uppermost one, and as the enemy attempted 
 to land opened a spirited tire upon them, but as the latter were so 
 numerous that it was impossible to oppose them all, some landed 
 above where our little force was posted, got into the woods and 
 coming down in their rear cut them off" in great numbers. Captain 
 McNeil was the first who fell upon this melancholy occasion ; the 
 Sergeant-Major of the 8th, a remarkably fine looking man, was the 
 next, and the carnage soon became general. 
 
 While this part of our force was contending with the enemy 
 in the woods, an unfortunate accident occurred in the battery 
 opposed to the fleet, which proved a death-blow to the little hope 
 that might have been entertained of a successful issue to the pro- 
 ceedings of the day. A gun was aimed at one of the vessels, and 
 the officers, desirous to see if the ball would take effect, ascended 
 the bastion ; in the meantime the artilleryman, waiting for the word 
 of command to fire, held the match behind him, as is usuo.1 under 
 such circumstances, and the travelling magazine, a large wooden 
 chest, containing cartridges for the great guns, being open just at 
 his back, he unfortunately put the match into it, and the conse- 
 quence, as may be supposed, was dreadful indeed. Every man in 
 the battery was blown into the air, and the dissection of the greater 
 part of their bodies was inconceivably shocking. The officers were 
 thrown from the bastion by the shock, but escaped with a few 
 bruises ; the cannons were dismounted and consequently the battery 
 was rendered completely useless. 
 
 I was standing at the gate of the garrison when the poor 
 soldiers who escaped the explosion with a little life remaining 
 were brought into the hospital, and a more afflicting sight could 
 scarcely be witnessed. Their faces were completely black, resem- 
 bling those of the blackest Africans, their hair frizzled like theirs 
 and their clothes scorched and emitting an effluvia so strong as to 
 be perceived long before they reached one. One man in particular 
 presented an awful spectacle ; he was brought in a wheelbarrow, 
 and from his appearance I should be induced to suppose that every 
 bone in his body was broken ; he was lying in a powerless heap, 
 shaking about with every motion of the barrow, fron) which his 
 
209 
 
 legs hung dangling down as if only connected with his body by the 
 skin, while his cries and groans were of the most heartrending 
 description. 
 
 Although Spartan valour was evinced by our little party it 
 proved unavailing against the numbei's that pressed them upon all 
 sides, and in conse(juence of the loss of the l)attery and the reduc- 
 tion that had been made in the nunibtM- of our troops their ground 
 was no longer tenable; but after nobly and <lesperately withstand- 
 ing their enemies for several hours, a retreat towards the garrison 
 became inevitable, although every inch of the ground was obstin- 
 ately disputed. 
 
 The Governor's house with some smaller buildings formed a 
 square at the centre battery, and under it the grand magazine, con- 
 taining a large quantity of powder, was situated. As there were 
 only two or three guns at this battery, and it but a short distance 
 from the garrison, the troops did not remain in it, but retreated to the 
 latter. When the Americans, commanded by one of their best 
 Generals, Pike, reached this small battery, instead of pressing for- 
 ward they halted, and the General sat down on one of the guns ; a 
 fatal proceeding, for in a few minutes his advance guard, consisting 
 of about 800 men, and himself were blown into the air by the 
 explosion of the grand magazine. 
 
 Some time before this horrible circumstance took place, the 
 vessels had commenced tiring upon the garrison, which obliged the 
 females, children, &c., to leave it. We therefore retired into the 
 country to the house of an officer of militia, where we remained a 
 short time ; but feeling anxious to know the fate of the day, I left 
 the house without the knowledge of my mother and was proceeding 
 towards the garrison when the explosion took place. I heard the 
 report and felt a tremulous motion in the earth resembling the 
 shock of an earthquake, and looking towards the spot I saw an 
 immense cloud ascend into the air. I was not aware at the moment 
 what it had been occasioned hy, but it had an awfully grand effect. 
 At first it was a great confused mass of smoke, timber, men, earth, 
 &c., but as it rose in a most majestic manner it assumed the shape 
 of a vast balloon. When the whole mass had ascended to a con- 
 siderable height, and the force by which timber, &c., were impelled 
 upwards became spent, the latter fell from the cloud and spread on 
 the surrounding plain. I stopped to observe the cloud, which pre- 
 served its round shape while it remained within my view. I then 
 advanced towards the garrison, but had not proceeded much farther 
 until I discovered our little party collected in a close body between 
 the town and that place, which latter they had been obliged to 
 evacuate. After observing their motions for a short time I looked 
 
210 
 
 towardr the garrison, when I became the melancholy spectator of 
 what I had never witnessed upon any former occasion and what I 
 had little anticipated on this. Just as the flag staff caught my eye 
 I saw — and, oh ! how my young feelings were harrowed and my 
 patriotic pride humbled at the sight — I saw the " meteor flag " of 
 England bow by impious traitorous hands* to the then triumphant 
 " star-spangled " banner of America. 
 
 Finding that the garrison, which was very near me, was in 
 the pos.session of the Americans, and consequently that all was over, 
 I returned to the house where I had left my mother, and shortly 
 after I reached it a soldier came to us with directions to proceed to 
 the town as fast as possible. 
 
 We had a 26-gun frigate upon the stocks at York, the capture 
 or destruction of which was probably the principal object the Amer- 
 icans had in view in this expedition ; the yard where it was build- 
 ing was about midway between the town and the garrison, and as 
 the enemy were not sufficiently good soldiers to improve the advan- 
 tage they had obtained by following our troops immediately after 
 they got possession of the garrison, but on the contrary remained 
 in it for some time afterwards — the second error, highly disadvan- 
 tageous to them this day — our people had fortunately an opportunity 
 of consuming the ship and thereby preventing it from falling into 
 other hands. This was a particularly happy circumstance, since 
 the possession of it would have rendered them complete masters of 
 the lake for a long time and most probably during the remainder 
 of the war. 
 
 On reaching the town we found the soldiers evacuating it on 
 their retreat towards Kingston, and there being no alternative we 
 joined them just as we were and left the town. 
 
 As in the morning we had very foolishly entertained no appre- 
 hension of ?3eing defeated, but left our quarters confident of soon 
 returning, and walked out from the breakfast table as if to look at 
 some curiosity, we brought no clothing with us more than we wore 
 at the moment, and consequently left York about 4 o'clock in the 
 afternoon to commence a journey of 200 miles through the woo<ls 
 of America without an outside garment of any description or a 
 second pair of shoes. The snow had just thawed, also, which, with 
 the heavy and copious rains usual at this season, rendered the roads, 
 that are bad at best, almost impassable. 
 
 We met the light company of the 8th Regiment at the end of 
 the town, where they had just arrived after marching from King- 
 ston, and without making the least halt were obliged, to their great 
 
 *The English flag was hauled down and the American substituted by a sergeant who 
 h v\ deserted from the British army. 
 
211 
 
 satisfaction no doubt, to turn and " mark the self-same track 
 again." 
 
 At a short distance from town we met several of the inhabitants 
 of the councry going to it, who made no scruple to express themselves 
 well satisfied with our success and their new masters. We had 
 walked but a few miles when the weather changed and it began to 
 rain heavily, which with the late hour of the evening induced us 
 to take shelter in the first house we came to. This was a small 
 cottage of only one apartment, eight miles from York, where we 
 were obliged to stay for the night, as the next house was two miles 
 farther on. ....... 
 
 ■ >•••••• 
 
 The majority of the inhabitants of this part of the country 
 evinced great disloyalty tis we proceeded, being much gratified 
 with the success of the Americans, and, considering they had noth- 
 ing to fear from us, did not hesitate to avow it. In nuiny instances 
 they concealed their horses, wagons, &c., in the woods to avoid 
 accommodating us with them, and told us they had none. 
 
 (PP. 282-300, Toronto Public Library.) 
 
 From the Quebec Mercury, Tuesday, asth May, 1813. 
 
 Extract of a letter written by a gentleman of high respect- 
 abilit}', dated at Kingston, 12th May, 1813. 
 
 There never was a greater act of bravery than in the following 
 instance : — Sergeant Derby, of the 8th or King's Regiment, after 
 
 the battle at York retreated with but (I suppose) not liking 
 
 his company ho and four others got a batteau and returned to 
 York and recovered a great quantity of soldiers' knapsacks and fire- 
 locks, with many other articles belonging to the company. He then 
 made the best of his way for Kingston, but the batteau being very 
 old he was obliged to beach her. He then determined to return a 
 second time to York, which he did, and cut out a barge from under 
 the lighthouse, which belonged to the late General Brock, amidst 
 the American guard boats ami vessels, and returned to where he 
 left his old boat, loaded the barge and arrived here last night, and 
 was in sight of the vessels, (the enemy's,) two days, whilst they 
 were beating down. You may mention the fact, as I saw the ser- 
 geant himself, and was told of the same by that worthy man, Major 
 
 . I saw also the baggage and the regiment's drum. Wliat 
 
 a pity this gallant fellow had not a commission. 
 
 (Pile in the Library of Parliament, Ottawa.) . ? 
 
212 
 
 From the Montreal Gazette, 9th June, 1813. 
 
 Extract from a letter dated Kingston, 23d May, 1813 : 
 Our whole force consisted of two companies of the King's, two 
 weak companies of the Newfoundland, forty men of the Glengarry 
 sharpshooters, about 320 men and forty Indians ; to this force was 
 opposed 3,000 regular troops of the enemy, covered by the tire of 
 armed vessels carrying 36 pieces of ordnance. 
 
 It was impossible even to condense the little force we had until 
 it was ascertained where they meant to land, and whether they had 
 not landed in the night a part of their force on our left flank, of 
 which towards the evening of the 26th there was a strong den«on- 
 stration. The flotilla came to anchor before our garrison about 6 
 o'clock in the morning, and by 7 the firing commenced upon their 
 landing party. The situation of the ground was unfavorable to 
 regular troops, for the enemy's rifle corps took to the woods near 
 the landing, and under that cover annoyed and half-destroyed the 
 grenadiers of the King's Own ; their captain fell early and the com 
 pany broke. The Newfoundland and militia destined to support 
 the grenadiers were obliged to give way, and, although they were 
 rallied by Sir Roger in person, eventually left him with his aide- 
 de-camp, Captain Loring, between the enemy and our retreating 
 force. After the first repulse we collected in numbers at our bat- 
 tery of two 18-pounders, which whilst filled and surrounded by 
 troops was blown up by an accidental fire set to ' the moveable 
 magazine. The consequent dispersion of the militia was not 
 recovered ; the column of the enemy having gained the bank this 
 battery was abandoned and the retreat continued. Sir Roger direct- 
 ing the magazine to be blown up, v/hich was done with a tremendous 
 explosion, destroying the enemy's General Pike and about 200 men. 
 The match was rather short or the whole column would have been 
 in the air. Captain Loring's horse was killed by the fall of a stone 
 and himself stunned. A halt was made before we got to the ship- 
 yard, the object of the expedition. Sir Roger deciding upon a 
 retreat, between 3 and 4 in the afternoon directed the ship and the 
 naval storehouse to be burnt, which was done, and he effected his 
 retreat, with about 200 regulars, to Kingston. 
 
 (File in Librarf of Parliament, Ottawa.) 
 
 From "The War," Vol. I., No. 49, p. 204. 
 
 Extract of a letter from a field officer in the force which landed 
 at York, to the Department of War : 
 
 The column of attack consisted of the 6th, 15th, 16th and 2l8t 
 Regiments of infantry and a detachment of light and heavy artil- 
 
213 
 
 lery. Major Forsyth's corps of riflemen and Lieu+^.-Colonel Mc- 
 Clure's corps of volunteers acted on the flanks. There was a long 
 piece of woods to go through, which offered many obstacles to our 
 heavy ordnance. As was expected, we were there annoyed on our 
 flanks by a party of the British and Indians, with a 6-pounder and 
 two howitzers. One of the enemy's batteries accidentally blew up, by 
 which they lost fifty men of the 8th Regiment. A part of our force 
 was detached from our column as it came into the open ground, 
 which carried the second battery by storm. The troops were halted 
 a few minutes to bring up the heavy ordnance to play on the block- 
 house. General Sheafl^e, despairing of holding the town, ordered 
 fire to be put to the magazine in which there were 500 barrels of 
 powder, many cartloads of stone, and an immense quantity of iron 
 shells and shot. The explosion was tremendous. The column was 
 raked from front to rear. General Pike and his three aids and 250 
 officers and men were killed and wounded in the column. Not- 
 withstanding this calamity and the discomfiture that might be 
 expected to follow it, the troops gave thfree cheers, instantly formed 
 the column and marched on towards the town. General Sheaflfe 
 fled and left his papers and baggage behind him. About 60 regu- 
 lars accompanied him, leaving their wounded in every farm house. 
 They acknowledge the loss of three hundred killed and wounded. 
 Their force consisted of 1,000 men. We took between four and five 
 hundred prisoners. 
 
 (File in Library of Buffalo Historical Society.) 
 
 (From the United States Gazette of Philadelphia, 24th May, 1813.) 
 
 Letter from an oflScer in the United States army to the Editor 
 of the United States Gazette : 
 
 In the woods, 4 miles from Niagara, May 9, 1813. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 We landed here last night from the fleet which had just arrived 
 from York. Ere this reaches you I presume the official account of 
 the victory we gained over the British will have been published, so 
 that this letter will affbrd you no new intelligence except a few 
 incidents too trivial for an official paper. I will principally extract 
 from my journal. 
 
 On Friday, 23d April, embarked on board the fleet lying at 
 Sackett's Harbor, commanded by Commodore Chauncey. The wind 
 became very tempestuous and we put back. April 24th we collected 
 a few more troops on board. Alx)ut 5 a. m. on the 25th April the 
 fleet set sail, wind fair and weather beautiful. The wind and wea- 
 
214 
 
 ther continued fair. About midnight, within three hours sail of 
 land, saw a light ahead. 27th, at daylight saw York lighthouse. 
 At 6 a. in. the fleet took in sail and bore down about a mile and a 
 half below the enemy's batteries, and moored opposite what is called 
 the old French fort. About 7 we commenced landing the troops 
 from the shipping. At half-past 7 we were landed on the beach 
 and attacked by the British and Indians. At 8 o'clock the enemy 
 gave way. Major Forsyth and his riflemen, followed by the 15th 
 Regiment, supported themselves on the hill. The British fought 
 very gallantly and made an attempt to charge. They were driven 
 back. The Indians shouted and retreated in much disorder. The 
 Canadian militia followed the Indians. 
 
 Our troops were forming line in the plain called the old French 
 fort. Tl^e British troops were in the woods within half gun shot. 
 A brisk fire was commenced. The enemy was compelled finally to 
 retreat, about five minutes after nine. Our troops were formed in 
 open column and advanced with a howitzer and six-pounder in 
 front, commanded by Lieut. Fanning, (Captain Brooks being absent,) 
 who did much execution on the enem3'^'s battery. The grape shot 
 was whistling about us from their battery as we advanced. About 
 10 o'clock we carried two of their batteries. At half past 10 our 
 column halted for six more pieces of artillery, ordered by Major 
 Eustis to advance to the front to support Lieut. Fanning. 
 
 About eleven o'clock the enemy fired their magazine and imme- 
 diately retired. An explosion ensued which scattered terror and 
 death into our ranks. The brave General Pike was mortally 
 wounded. Captain Lyon was killed. Capt. J. W. Fox was also 
 mortally wounded by my side; many more strewed around in every 
 direction. 
 
 Our troops gave three cheers in the midst of this dreadful 
 scene. Not a single company of the first brigade gave way. The 
 scene around seemed to add vigor to their strength. About one 
 o'clock we had possession of all three batteries. At two the column 
 halted and sent a flag of truce by Captain Young, demanding a 
 surrender of all their stores, troops, &c. . The officer who received 
 the flag replied that he was authorized by General Sheafle to capitu- 
 late, during which time the commanding General and all his regu- 
 lar troops retreated, leaving us to take a few hundred scattered 
 militia. The enemy as they retreated set fire to the naval store- 
 house as well as to a large ship building in the ship j'ard. About 
 30 minutes after 3 we marched triumphantly through the town of 
 York. At 4 we returned to the garrison, previously occupied by 
 the British, and took comfortable quarters. About half -past 5 I 
 visited the field of battle and saw a vast number of wounded who 
 
215 
 
 were not assisted by a single surgeon, but left to groan and bleed 
 to death by their wounds. At six returned to the garrison and sent 
 a party of men to bring the wounded from the cold ground. About 
 7 p. m. the surgeon and mate of the 6th Regiment took charge of 
 the wounded, who had been brought up to the garrison. At 8 p. 
 m. 1 returned to my quarters very much fatigued. 
 
 (File in the Philadelphia Library, Philadelphia.) 
 
 Memo, by I^ieut.- Colonel Glegg. 
 
 Casualties in a detach't of the 8th or King's Regt. stationed at 
 York in Upper Canada when that place was captured by the 
 Americans, 27th April : 
 
 Grenadier Comp'y 
 
 Capt. Eustace's Comp'y 
 
 Batt'n Comp'y attached to grenadiers. 
 
 Killed. I Wounded. 
 
 46 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 30 
 6 
 
 59 
 
 36 
 
 Missing. 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 J. B. Glegg, B. M. 
 
 (From a memorandum book in possession of Lieut. -Col. Turner.) 
 
 Retufn of Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing of the Troops 
 
 at York under the Command of Major-General Sir Roger 
 
 Hale Sheaffe, on the ayth ultimo. 
 
 Kingston, May 10th, 1813. 
 
 Royal Artillery — Three gunners killed ; one driver wounded 
 and prisoner, one bombardier, three gunners prisoners ; total 9. 
 
 8th or King's Regiment — One captain, one sergeant-major, four 
 sergeants, 40 rank and tile killed ; two sergeants, two rank and file 
 wounded, 25 rank and file wounded and prisoners, one rank and 
 file missing ; total 77. 
 
 Royal Newfoundland Regiment — One sergeant, one drummer, 
 ten rank and tile killed ; one drummer, six rank and file wounded ; 
 one lieutenant, three sergeants, one drummer, eight rank and file 
 wounded and prisoners ; two rank and file prisoners, two rank and 
 file missing ; total 36. 
 
 Glengarry Light Infantry — Two rank and file killed ; one 
 ensign, three rank and file wounded ; three rank and file missing. 
 
216 
 
 49th Regjiment — Three rank and file wounded and prisoners; 
 two rank and file missing, in hospital ; total 5. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 One captain, one serj/eant-major, four sergeants, one drummer, 
 fifty-two rank and file killed ; one ensign, two sergeants, one dinm- 
 mer, thirty rank and file wounded ; one lieutenant, four sergeants, 
 one drummer, thirty-six rank and file, one driver, wounded and 
 prisoners ; six rank and file, one bombardier, three gunners, prison- 
 ers ; six rank and file, one gunner, missing. 
 
 NAMES OF OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 Killed — 8th or King's Regiment — Captain McNeal, Volunteer 
 Donald McLean, Clerk of the House of Assembly. 
 
 Wounded — Royal Newfoundland Regiment — Lieutenant De 
 Koven, (prisoner.) Glengarry Light Infantry — Ensign Robins, 
 slightly. General staff — Captain Loring, 104th Regiment, slightly. 
 Incorporated Militia — Captain Jarvis, volunteer ; Mr. Hartney, 
 barrack master. No return yet received of the loss of the militia. 
 
 Richard Leonard, 
 Acting-Deputy- Assistant- Adjutant-General. 
 Edward Haynes, 
 Adjutant-General, North America. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, 222 a.) 
 
 Prom "A Statistical Account of Upper Canada" by Robert Goitr- 
 
 lay, 1822. 
 
 The flour and other provisions were, by General Dearborn's 
 order, distributed among the poor people of the town and garrison. 
 A party of American sailors, without the knowledge or orders of 
 their commanders, set fire to the two wings of the Parliament 
 House and consumed them, with the adjoining clerks' offices and 
 the library and papers deposited there, under a pretense of irritation 
 on account of a scalp alleged to have been found suspended as a 
 trophy. This statement, that the burning was by the American 
 sailors, is the result of all my inquiries on the subject, though 
 Captain Grafton, who commanded the American guard, declares 
 that " upon discovering the fire he hastened to the place and found 
 some inhabitants standing near it ; that he asked them who set it 
 on fire ; their reply was that thej^ did not know, that there were no 
 sailors or soldiers to be seen, and he thought it as probable that 
 some disaffected inhabitants had done it as that any American 
 
217 
 
 Boldiers or sailors had been guilty of disobejnngf the orders of their 
 commanders. ' 
 
 Notwithstanding his opinion, it is an unquestionable fact that 
 the fire was set by a number of Americans, supposed from their 
 appearance to be sailors, unattended by any officer. 
 
 But according to a statement of a mem- 
 ber of the House of Representatives, who was acquainted with the 
 circumstances, they were simply these : The scalp was sent as a 
 curiosity enclosed in a letter from an officer in the army to his 
 friend the Clerk of the House. Upon opening the letter he and 
 two or three others who happened to be present were disgusted 
 at the sight and threw the letter into an under drawer of his table 
 among a parcel of old papers. There it was probably found by 
 some of the sailors, who imposed on the officers the fiction of its 
 having been suspended on the walls of the house. 
 
 (Vol. I., pp. 90-1.) 
 
 Return of Garrison and Field Ordnance at the Undermentioned 
 
 Posts. 
 
 Fort George, 31st March, 1813. 
 
 GARRISON ORDNANCE. 
 
 In six batteries on the left of Fort George — One 24-pdr. car- 
 ronade, iron ; one 18-pdr. carronade, iron ; three iron 9-pdrs., five 
 brass 4 2/5 inch mortai-s. 
 
 In Fort George — Two 24-pdr. iron carronades, one iron 12- 
 pdr., one brass 10 inch mortar, one brass 8 inch mortar. 
 
 In three batteries between Fort George and Queenston — One 
 iron 12-pdr., two iron 9-pdrs. 
 
 At Queenston — Two ii*on O-pdrs. 
 
 At Cliippawa — Two iron 9-pdrs., one iron 6-pdr. Gunboats 
 at Chippawa, four iron 12-pdrs. 
 
 At Fort Erie — One iron 18-pdr., two iron 12-pdrs., one iron 
 6-):)dr., one 8 inch brass mortar. 
 
 Total on the line of the Niagara — Three 24-pdrs., two IS-pdrs., 
 four 12-pdrs., nine 9-pdi's., two G-pdrs. ; long guns, four 12- 
 pounder carronades, one ten inch, two eight inch, five 4 2/5 inch 
 mortars. 
 
 At York — Two 18-pounder long guns, two 12-pounders. six 
 6-pounders, eight 18-pounder carronades. 
 
 FIELD ORDNANCE. 
 
 On the left of Fort George — One brass 12-pounder; at Fort 
 
218 
 
 George — one brass 6-poiinder, one brass 5^ inch howitzer, one iron 
 6- pounder. 
 
 At Queenston — Two brass S-pounders. 
 
 At Chippawa — One brass 6-pounder. 
 
 A.t Fort Erie — Three brasw G-pounders, two brass 3-pounders. 
 
 At York — Two brass G-pounders. 
 
 Small arms — At Fort George, 720 English muskets, 240 French 
 muskets. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 387, pp. 48-50.) 
 
 Bxtract from a I/etter from I^ieut.-Col. Brttyeres, R. B., to Sir 
 
 George Prevost. 
 
 Kingston, 13th February, 1813. 
 
 The works at Fort George are in a very ruinous and unfinished 
 condition. Fortunately the line oi" parapet to the curtain opposite 
 the American fort was completed last fall, and protected the troops 
 during the cannonade then. It should be completed as a field 
 work as soon as the season will permit, and the line diminished by 
 cutting off the present work on the south eastern front, to reduce 
 the extent of the fort and splinter proof barracks built to contain 
 400 men. The present blockhouses are so much exposed that it 
 will be necessary to take down the upper story and lower them to 
 the level of the terre pleine. The public buildings at Navy Hall 
 should be removed. There are six detached batteries, containing 
 eleven guns, between the lake and Fort George ; four batteries with 
 five pieces between Fort George and Queenston, two batteries with 
 two guns at Queenston on the Mountain, two batteries with three 
 guns at Chippawa, three batteries with three guns opposite Black 
 Rock, below Fort Erie. Thes" batteries should be protected in rear 
 by palisades to guard against sudden surprise. This would have 
 been done last fall but the force was constantly employed and 
 harassed. I have directed this to be done, and small magazines to 
 contain a few barrels of powder to be constructed. A tower or 
 redoubt should be built on Missassauga Point to command the 
 entrance to the river. The w^ork at Fort Erie should be completed. 
 The battery to protect the fort should be constructed of sod-work 
 with traversing carriages. So many of the houses in this quarter 
 have been destroyed by fire that quartets should be built to lodge 
 the men. Twenty-eight miles of this frontier are accessible and 
 favourable to disembark. The force must be augmented. The ship 
 at York is not far advanced, I have arranged to arm her with 
 eight eighteen-pounder carronades to spare at Fort George and now 
 on their way to York, two long eighteen-pounders, expected from 
 
219 
 
 Lower Canada, and ten 12-pounder8 now on the Prince Regent, 
 the Prince Regent to be armed with six-pounders from the 
 Gloucester. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 378.) 
 
 Extract from a I^etter from Colonel R. H. Brttyeres, R. 19., to 
 
 Major-General R. H. Sheaffe. 
 
 Kingston, 19th Feb'y, 1813. 
 
 I am opinion this may be made a very strong position, capable 
 of resisting every effort of tlie enem}'', and this at a very moderate 
 expense. I wish I could say as much in favor of the position at 
 York, but I do not think it possible to do anything there with 
 advantage at present. It will require immense labor and expense 
 to make it a strong pest, for it does not possess any advantageous 
 feature of ground to work upon. It must be all art, without any 
 assistance of nature. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q., 162, p. 341.) 
 
 I/ieut. -Colonel George Macdonell to Rev'd Alexander Macdonell, 
 
 Glengarry. 
 
 Prescott, Feb'y, 28, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I avail myself of the first moment of leisure I have had 
 since my assault upon Ogdensburg and Fort Oswegatchie to return 
 you my warmest thanks [for the services] rendered by you on that 
 day, both to the Government and myself. 
 
 I have long seen with admiration the zealous measures you 
 have invariably pursued since the commencement of hostilities to 
 stimulate and encourage the valuable Highland population of this 
 district under the many privations they must have unavoidably 
 experienced in being in the immediate vicinity of the seat of war, 
 and I am convinced that your address to that portion of my 
 embodied militia under your pastoral care on the eve of the attack 
 of the 22d instant, contributed much to the decided and persevering 
 gallantry which allowed no obstacle to resist them. 
 
 I must also thank you for the energetic steps which I find you 
 took to enforce the order I had sent back from Ogden8l)urg for the 
 general requisition of the transport of this district after the success- 
 ful termination of the attack, as I have reason to think the fidelity 
 (sic) of some people would have reduced me to the necessity of leav- 
 ing very valuable stores in the enemy's store, which your active 
 assistance gave me the means of lodging safely in His Majesty's 
 magazines. 
 
220 
 
 I embrace this opportunity of expressing also my thanks for 
 the valuable personal activity and professional influence displayed 
 by you in collecting and exciting volunteers from the Highland 
 Militia regiments, who in November last formed the advance guard 
 under my command in the successful little expedition against the 
 enemy's strong position at the French Mills on Salmon River. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 157-1, pp. 645.) 
 
 Prom a Diary kept by Thomas McCrae of the Township of Raleig^h 
 
 near Chatham. 
 
 Raleigh, 4th May, 1813. 
 
 This is a most extraordinary wet season ; the like has not been 
 seen for many years. 
 
 9th May. 
 
 This last week has been a most extraordinary week of wet 
 weather as has been seen for many years. The rain began on 
 Monday morning, (3d May,) and but seldom ceased night or day 
 until Saturday afternoon. 
 
 11th May. 
 
 Most of the militia returned this afternoon. They have not 
 taken the fort at the foot of the rapids. 
 
 (From the original in the possession of A. McCrae, Buffalo, N. T.) 
 
 Memorandum by Captain W. H. Merritt. 
 
 Nothing material transpired until the capture of York, when I 
 was sent to bring the boats down at Burlington. I performed this 
 service so quick that Gen. Vincent and Harvey, who I conceived to 
 be most against me, took me by the hand, thanked me for the ser- 
 vice I had performed, praised my zeal, &c., &c,, &c. Appearances 
 from this changed ; the former ever after proved my best friend ; 
 he was really and truly a good man. I was made a volunteer aid 
 to Ck)l. Harvey after this ; had the pleasure of riding every night 
 up and down the river with him. They found the dragoons now of 
 service ; there was a patrol every night up to Queenston and back. 
 Our horses were getting better and the men received every 
 encouragement, which they needed, as it was impossible for the duty 
 to be more severe. Some men were actually on picket 12 and 14 
 nights following. Many false alarms took place. 
 
 (Prom the Merritt MSS.) 
 
221 
 Memo, by I,ieut. -Colonel Glegy. 
 
 Distribution return of the troops of the line under the com- 
 mand of Lieut-Colonel Biashopp, 3d May, 1813 : 
 
 Corps. Stations. R. & File. Total. 
 
 Royal i ^"'¥« 10) 
 
 ^^«"-y 1 plrv. •.•.•;.. •.•.•.•.•::::;::.■;;: ^j '' 
 
 Do. Drivers { ^^:: ; ^ ^ -^ ^ ; ;:; ^ ;: I } 
 
 8th,Ki„g's Regt.{ S"'-:::::::::::.::::}«*} «* 
 
 {Fort Erie 178 \ 
 Batteries 33 I 295 
 Chippawa 84 J 
 
 49thRe^. ( ^Lfp".''"^':::::::;.:::;)^!}"^ 
 
 Glengarry's — Putnam's 109 109 
 
 659 
 Add Royal Newf'dl'd not included, Fort Erie and Ferry 95 
 
 (Prom memorandum book in possession of Lieut -CoL G. V. Turner.) 
 
 754 
 
 Memo, by I^ieut.-Col. Glefgg. 
 
 Garrison state, Fort George, 5th May, 1813 : 
 
 Present fit for duty. Sick 
 
 Royal Artillery. . . 
 8th, King's Regt. . 
 
 4l8t 
 
 49th 
 
 Total 
 
 Black corps 
 
 Militia 
 
 Grand total 
 Artificers 
 
 26 
 
 4 
 
 205 
 
 9 
 
 165 
 
 
 
 232 
 
 23 
 
 628 
 
 36 
 
 23 
 
 5 
 
 172 
 
 
 923 
 
 41 
 
 88 
 
 
 1011 
 
 (Prom memorandum book in possession.of Lieut-Col. G. Villiers Tamer, BewUng, 
 
 England.) 
 
222 
 
 Sir James Yeo to Hon. John Wilson Croker. 
 
 Quebec, North America, the 5th May, 1813. 
 (ISo. 1.) 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to request you will be pleased to state 
 for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 
 that I arrived here this morninj^ in His Majesty's ship Woolwich. 
 I am sorry to inform their Lordships that the American flotilla 
 with troops made an attack on the town of York on the Lake 
 Ontario on the 28th ultimo., and that they obtained possession of 
 it and tho ship of 30 guns, which was building there. From the 
 inforn)ation I have received during my little stay here it appears 
 the enemy have a great superiority of naval force assembled on the 
 lakes, having armed all their vessels with 32 and 18-pounder guns 
 and 32-pounder carronades, whereas ours have only 18-pounder 
 carronades. 
 
 I therefore truvst their Lordships will give such orders respect- 
 ing the further supply of ordnance as they may deem necessary. 
 
 His Excellency Sir George Prevost left this place yesterday for 
 Upper Canada, where I hope to follow him this evening or early 
 to-morrow morning. 
 
 Also, to assure their Lordships that the utmost exertions shall 
 be used on my part to give a favorable turn to operations in that 
 quarter. 
 
 I cannot close this letter without exprcvssing the high sense I 
 entertain of Captain Sullivan's unremitted attention and persever- 
 ance upon all occasions during our passage, particularly in conduct- 
 ing the Woolwich through the immense quantities of ice which we 
 met on the coast of America and in approaching the River St. 
 Lawrence. 
 
 (Admiralty papers, Canadian Archives, M. 389-6, p. 12.) 
 
 Maitland, Gardner 3c Anldjo, to Thomas Cumxningfs & Co. 
 
 Montreal, 6th May, 1813. 
 Dear Sirs, — 
 
 Yours of the 5th March only reached us 4th inst. The bills 
 are sent to Quebec We trust you have sold your pork and flour. 
 Mr. Crooks, we have no doubt, got the prices at which we ofl^ered 
 yours ; we are therefore astonished it had not been accepted of. 
 Considering the risk from the enemy it must at all times be pru- 
 dent to get as much out of danger as possible. The late event at 
 York strongly verifies this opinion, more especially at a time there 
 was no prospect of your being able to send it down. We strongly 
 
223 
 
 recommend your securing everything; by sale or otherwise while the 
 chance of war is so great. 400 seamen under experienced officers 
 are arrived at Quebec : may be here to-morrow ; Sir John L. Yeo, 
 commandant for the lake service ; they will be pushed up immedi- 
 ately. Sir George goes as far as Kingston. Troops are looked for 
 every hour. 
 
 John C. Spencer to General P. B. Porter. 
 
 May 6, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Your two letters received to-day were very welcome. 
 God is with us. By the eastern mail just received, and from 
 Dominie Wigton, who is not <|uite orthodo.r, we learn the certainty 
 of Tompkins' election by at least 4000 majority — New York gives 
 300 for V. Rensselaer and 150 only for the Fed. Assembly ticket; 
 Rockland, 500 for Tompkins, Dutchess, 450 for V. R.; Columbia, 
 600; Rensselaer. 830; Albany, 1175; Greene, 250; Oneida, 700; 
 Madison, 250; Montgomery, small against us. Orange, 1152 for 
 Tompkins ; Suffolk, 1500 ; Cayuga, 1282 ; Seneca, 600; Genesee, 982. 
 There yet remains some doubt of the House of Assembly. How- 
 ever, we have carried Washington, which gives us a gain of 3, 
 amounting to (J. We shall certainly succeed in Jefferson 2 more, 
 amounting to 4 ; probably in Otsego, 4, so that there is yet great 
 chance of success even there. This is all we know. You have set 
 me such an excellent example of punctuality that you may depend 
 on my steadily following it. Be so good as to let me hear from you 
 whenever anything happens. Your letter was so good and joyful 
 that I could not resist the temptation of publishing it. I assure 
 you I made no corrections. 
 
 P. S. — I have just heard from Steuben — majority for Tomp- 
 kins 60, and Rep. Assembly ticket 84. Allegany is all safe. Onon- 
 daga gives 200 for Tompkins. 
 
 (From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.) 
 
 Memorandum by Mr. Thomas 6. Ridont. 
 
 Kingston, 5th May, 1813. 
 
 I left York on Sunday the 2d instant at noon, at which time 
 the American fleet, consisting of the Madison, Oneida and ten 
 schooners, with the Gloucester, were lying at anchor about ten miles 
 from the garrison, windbound by a south east wind. All their 
 troops were embarked the evening before excepting a small party, 
 who burned the large block house. Government House and officers' 
 quarters. At nine in the morning a naval officer came down to town 
 
224 
 
 and collected ten men out of the taverns, where they had been all 
 night. The commissariat magazines were shipped the preceding 
 days and great quantities of the provisions given to our country 
 people, who brought their waggons down to assist the Americans 
 to transport the public stores found at Mr. Elmsley's house and 
 Boulfcon's barn. The lower block house and government buildings 
 were burned on Saturday. Major Givin's and Dr. Powell's houses 
 were entirely plundered by the enemy and some pei*sons from the 
 Humber. Jackson and his two sons and Sudden the butcher had 
 been riding through the country ordering the militia to come in and 
 be put on their paroles, which caused great numbers to obey volun- 
 tarily and through fear. Duncan Cameron, Esq., delivered all the 
 monies in the Receiver General's hands, to the amount, as I under- 
 stand, of £2,500, over to Capt. Elliott of the American navy, the 
 enemy having threatened to burn the town if it wixs not given up. 
 On Friday, the 30th, the Chief Justice, Judge Powell, my father. 
 Dr. Strachan and D. Cameron called upon General Dearborn request- 
 ing that he would allow the magistrates to retain their authority 
 over our own people. Accordingly he issued a general order say- 
 ing it was not his intention to deprive the magistracy of its civil 
 functions ; that they should be supported, and if an^'^ of the United 
 States troops committed any depredation a strict scrutiny into it • 
 should follow. The gaol was given up to the sheriff, but no prison- 
 ers. The public provincial papers were found but ordered to be 
 protected, so that nothing was destroyed excepting the books, 
 papers, records and furniture of the Upper and Lower TI mses of 
 Assembly. It was said they had destroyed our batteries * :1 taken 
 away the cannon. The barracks were not burnt. The -American 
 officers said their force on the 27th was three thousand land force 
 and one thousand seamen and marines, and their loss was five 
 hundred killed and wounded. 
 
 (Prom "Ten Years of Upper Canada," by Lady Edgar, pp. 185-6.) 
 
 Major-General Sheafife to Sir Georg^e Prevost. 
 
 Kingston, 8th May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor of transmitting some documents which 
 will furnish Your Excellency with some information of transactions 
 which have occurred at York since the retreat from thence. I have 
 not been able yet to collect all the details that I wish to accompany 
 my official report. I therefore withhold it till the return of Captain 
 Milnes, who is himself desirous of remaining here a little longer, 
 and I also wish it with the hope of his conveying a confirmation of 
 a report that General Harrison has been taken by Tecumthseh. 
 
225 
 
 Captain Swazey was despatched to me by B. General Vincent after 
 he had heard of the loss of York, and arrived here a day or two 
 since. On his way to the head of the lake from Fort George he 
 met a person travelling express to that place from Amherstburg, 
 who inforjmed him that Tecumthseh had attacked General Harrison 
 at the head of three hundred men, the advanced corps of a rein- 
 forcement on its way to join his army, which he had left entrenched 
 near the foot of the rapids, and that he was taken and his men "cut 
 to pieces." At the head of the lake he met a Doctor Graham who 
 resides in that vicinity and was on his return from Dolson's on the 
 River Thames, where he saw an Indian who said he had been in the 
 action, and related the same circumstances that Captain Swazey 
 had before heard. It was further related that B. General Procter 
 had taken the field with five hundred troops of the line, two hun- 
 dred militia and fourteen hundred Indians, with an intention of 
 attacking the corps near the foot of the rapids before the junction 
 of their expected reinforcements. 
 
 From our latest accounts from York it appears that the Ameri- 
 cans intended to abandon it. It is said that they confessed they 
 did not expect half the resistance they met wi jh, and that the pos- 
 session of York had cost them dearly. They were very much 
 mortified at my escaping fiom them. There were a few men still 
 on their way down. Mr. Piunket with forty or fifty of the dock- 
 yard [men] have arrived yesterday. Some more are coming. Cor- 
 rect returns of the casualtied have not been received yet. The total 
 loss in killed, wounded and missicg amounts to one hundred and 
 fifty or perhaps more, of which the proportion of the King's Regi- 
 ment may be about one-half. Lieut. De Koven remained at York, 
 wounded in the foot, and Captain Loring and Ensign Robins of the 
 Glengarry corps were injured by the explosion of the magazine. 
 The latter is again quite well, but Captain Loring still feels some 
 inconvenience from his hurt. 
 
 Captains Barclay, Pring and Finnis and four naval lieutenants 
 have arrived. It will no doubt give Your Excellency great satis- 
 faction to learn that they are much pleased with their vessels. 
 Captain Barclay has taken the new ship and Captains Pring and 
 Finnis are appointed to the Royal George and the Moira. 
 
 Captain Gray, at the desire of Captain Barclay, is acting as a 
 kind of commissioner to the dockyard. There is much yet to be 
 done here for the defence of the place and shipping, a report on 
 which will be transmitted by Captain Milnes. 
 
 I have had the honour of receiving Your Excellency's letters of 
 the 2l8t and 22d of April. The three militia men under sentence 
 of a General Court Martial shall be sent down by an early oppor- 
 
226 
 
 tunity. I thank Your Excellency for the suggestion of reporting 
 to the Secretary of Stat'; and to the Treasury the causes of the 
 increased expenditure. Lieut. -Colon el Bruyeres of the Royal 
 Engineers has arrived from York. I have communicated to him 
 Your Excellency's sentiments on his tardy progress to this post, and 
 I have repeated my endeavors to rouse him to a sense of the neces- 
 sity for the utmost diligence and activity in his department, from 
 all of which a beneficial effect seems to have been produced. His 
 wife and family were left at York. 
 
 I have issued an order calling on the several departments con- 
 nected with the marine to contribute their utmost eftbrts towards 
 accelerating the progress of the naval preparations. 
 
 (C. 678, p. 221.) 
 
 J^ieut.-Colonel Harvey to I/ieut. -Colonel Claus. 
 
 Fort George, 8th May, 1813. 
 
 I am directed by Brigadier-General Vincent, commanding the 
 troops on this frontier, to desire that you will hold yourself in 
 readiness to assume the connnand of the garrison of Fort George in 
 the event of the 49th Regiment, under Lieut.-Col. Plenderleath, 
 being required to move out for the purpose of opposing the attack 
 which there is reason to believe the enemy meditates upon this 
 
 post. 
 
 The Brigadier-General feels the most entire confidence in your 
 best exertions for the defence of this important post with the 
 limited means which the Brigadier-General may be enabled to place 
 at your disposal, and which, I am to assure you, shall be as great as 
 circumstances will permit. 
 
 You are to use your discretion in the supply of ammunition 
 and arms to such militiamen as may come in unprovided with them; 
 of the former you are requested to be as sparing as possible. 
 
 (From MSS. in possession of Miss Claus, Niagara, Ont.) 
 
 A. S. Clark to General Peter B. Porter. 
 
 Clarence, May 10, 1813. 
 Dear Sir,— 
 
 Major Hill yesterday rode the whole day in order to see how 
 tnany volunteers he could get, and informs me this morning that 
 scarcely a man was willing at this time to leave his business, and he 
 thinksnotiiing short of a cannonading will start them. The spring 
 has been so wet that most of the farmers are very backward in 
 their business, and as the season is fast approaching when they 
 
227 
 
 ought to be planting I am of opinion none will turn out until plant- 
 ing is over. All say they will then turn out for ten or twelve days. 
 
 (Prom MSS. in Library of Buffalo Historical Society.) 
 
 Major-General il^neas Shaw to I/ieut. -Colonel Graham, Command- 
 
 ing i8t Regt. York Militia. 
 
 May , 1813. 
 
 Sir, — The present situation of affairs requiring that every 
 support should be given to the Magistracy in the due execution of 
 their duty, so that good order and tranquillity may be preserved in 
 this part of the Province, it becomes necessary that a body of militia 
 be assembled, to consist of one captain, two subalterns, 3 sergts. and 
 thirty rank and file, at such place on Younge Street as you may 
 deem most proper to be called on for the above purposes. The 
 detachment will be placed under the command of Captain Selby, 
 and two active and discreet subalterns must be selected to assist 
 him. Mr. Commissary Crookshank will make the necessary arrange- 
 ment for provisions. I have also to desire that measures may be 
 taken to ascertain the number of arms in possession of the men of 
 your regiment, and a return of those transmitted to me. 
 
 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe to l^&rl Bathurst. 
 
 Kingston, Upper Canada, 13th May, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 I regret to have to state to Your Lordship that .e money in 
 the Provincial Treasury fell into the enemy's hands when he obtained 
 possession of York. It had been concealed, but the enemy having 
 threatened to destroy the town unless it were produced it was given 
 up. I do not know the exact amount, but from the best informa- 
 tion I had been able to obtain it was about two thousand pounds. 
 Mr. Selby was at the time in a state of insensibility froni the illness 
 which soon afterwards proved fatal to him. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 122.) 
 
 District General Orders. 
 
 Kingston, 13th May, 1813. 
 D. G. O. 
 
 The Major-General commanding having received the returns 
 from the corps of the line engaged with the enemy the 27th ultimo., 
 laments to find that so many brave men suffered on that day. 
 Though the result of it was not such as has been customary when- 
 
228 
 
 ever the enemy has been encountered in this Province, it is con- 
 solatory to reflect that in gaining this success accidental circum- 
 stances, to which the operations ot" war are always liable, concurred 
 to favor the enemy's vast superiority of numbers and combination 
 of force, to oppose which the means of defence and situation at 
 York could afford but inadequate aid. 
 
 By the explosion of a battery magazine the loss which the 
 forces had in the action sustained was considerably augmented. 
 Our total loss in killed and wounded was about 130, among the 
 former the Major-General deeply regrets that Captain McNeal of 
 the 8th (or King's) Regiment is numbered. He nobly fell at the head 
 of his brave grenadiers. The loss of Donald Maclean, Esquire, 
 Clerk of the House of Assembly, is also to be lamented. He gal- 
 lantly volunteered his services with a musket, as did Mr. Beikie, 
 Mr. Alexander Wood, Mr. Quetton St. George and perhaps others 
 whose names are at present unknown. Captain Jarvie (Jarvis ?) of 
 the Incorporated Militia and Lieut. De Koven of the Royal New- 
 foundland Regiment were wounded. The number of the enemy's 
 troops that lanutju are stated to have amounted to 2,500. It was 
 not disgraceful for 200 to retire from such a force. The powder 
 magazine was blown up and the new ship and naval stores destroyed 
 to prevent them falling into the enemy's hands. 
 
 Richard Leonard, 
 
 A. D. A. A. G. 
 
 Memo, by I/ieut. -Colonel Glegg. 
 
 ' 13th May, 1813. 
 
 Recapitulation of totals fit for duty : 
 
 R. & F. 
 
 Fort Erie 562 
 
 Chippawa 100 
 
 Queenston 145 
 
 Fort George 790 
 
 1597 
 Sub. S[ergts.] R. & F. 
 Memo. 1 3 and 41 of the 8th King's, de- 
 tached at De Puisave's not included 41 
 
 Head of the Lake, 49th Regt 15 
 
 Grand total . . ... 1653 
 
 (From a memorandum book in possession of Lt.-Col. Turner, Reading, England.) 
 
•229 
 
 Memo, by I/ieut.-Colonel Gleggr. 
 
 « 
 
 Return of prisoners belonging to His Majesty's regular forces 
 now on parole at York, all of whom are wounded except five : 
 
 Total 
 
 5 
 26 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 Corps. 
 
 Royal Artillery 
 King's, 8tli Regt. 
 R. N'Land Regt. 
 49th Regt. 
 
 Total 
 
 Lieuts. 
 
 Sergts. 
 
 1 
 
 Corps. 
 
 Drs. 
 
 R. &F. 
 4 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 24 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 41 
 
 51 
 
 (From a memorandum book in possession of Lieut.-Colonel Tnmer, Reading, England.) 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Headquarters, Niagara, May 13, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Commodore Chauncey with the fleet and troops arrived 
 here on the evening of the 8th, and in the course of the night the 
 troops were debarked in a very sickly and depressed state. 
 A large proportion of the officers and men were sickly and debili- 
 tated. It was deemed expedient to give them time to recruit their 
 health and spirits, and in the meantime for the fleet to return to 
 Sackett's Harbor and take on board one thousand additional troops, 
 and orders were despatched to Utica, Rome and Oswego to have the 
 troops at those places forwarded here in boats from Oswego. 
 Backus's corps of light dragoons, about four hundred, principally 
 dismounted, and five hundred of the ll»ih Regiment from Burling- 
 ton have been ordered to Sackett's Harbor. These with three 
 hundred volunteers and a full company of artillery are to form a 
 garrison at that place. Additional cannon will be mounted. Gen- 
 eral Brown of the militia has been requested to hold three or four 
 hundred men of the immediate vicinity in readiness to aid the 
 garrison in the event of any attack. My intention is to collect the 
 main body of the troops at this place, and as soon as Commodore 
 Chauncey returns and the forces from Oswego arrive to commence 
 operations in as spirited and effectual a manner as practicable. 
 This change in ihe prcpuaed system of operations has been rendered 
 necessary by a long series of the most unfortunate winds and wea- 
 ther that could have occurred at this season, and such as could not 
 have been contemplated. 
 
 Colonel Scott reached this yesterday in boats from Oswego. 
 He was seven days windbound in different places and narrowly 
 escaped the loss of his boats and men. I had expected him on the 
 3d. I had almost given him up for lost. 
 
 General Harrison is invested, and presuming on the uncertainty 
 
230 
 
 of events I shall make calculation of a reinforcement to the enemy 
 of British and Indians from Detroit, We shall be prepared for 
 them, and I shall consider a concentration of their force rather as a 
 fortunate circumstance than otbarwise. 
 
 I observed in a former letter that on my arrival here on the 
 evening of the 2d the preparations for an immediate co-operation 
 were not as complete as could have been expected. General Lewis 
 was at 14 miles distance. Winder with his command was at Black 
 Rock. The boats had not been transported from Schlosser ; not one 
 of the scows completed ; the heavy guns and mortars not placed in 
 the batteries ; two 18 and two 12-pounders not mounted, but with 
 all these defects we should have made the attack on the 4th or 5th 
 if the fleet had arrived with the troops in health on the 3d as 
 expected. 
 
 (American State Papers, Military Affairs, Volume I.) 
 
 M ajor-General Dearborn to Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Niagara, May 13, 1813. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 From the accounts that have reached this place I may venture 
 to congratulate you on your re-election as Governor. It is an 
 important triumph. Every honest American in the United States 
 must feel it as a most interesting event at this important crisis. 
 
 I have been compelled by adverse winds and incessant rains to 
 postpone any further operations until the troops recover from the 
 effects of their suffering on board the fleet, and in the meantime I 
 have considered it expedient for Commodore Chauncey to return 
 with his fleet to Sackett's Harbor for an additional force, and I 
 have ordered a considerable force from Oswego and Utica to pro- 
 ceed in boats to this place. Within eight or ten days I hope to be 
 fully prepared for active service. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers, VoL Vm., pp. 389-90, New York State Library.) 
 
 Major-General Sheaffe to I^ord Bathurst. 
 
 Kingston, May 13th, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 I trust there may be no difficulty about the payment for the 
 house in York bought for public offices from the representatives of 
 the late Chief Justice Elmsley, The house in which the person 
 administering the government resided, with the buildings belonging 
 to it, and that in which the Legislature assembled at York were 
 destroyed by the enemy, in addition to two blockhouses and part of 
 the barracks. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 123.) 
 
231 
 
 Sir Georg^e Prevost to l^arl Bathurst. 
 
 (No. 60.) 
 
 Kingston, Upper Canada, 18th May, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 I have the honour of transmitting to Your Lordship a copy of 
 a despatch which I have received from Major-General Sir Roger 
 Sheatfe, containing the particulars of an attack made by the land 
 forces and the flotilla of the enemy upon York in Upper Canada on 
 the 27th ultimo. When Your Lordship adverts to the small pro- 
 portion of regular force yet at my disposal and is informed that 
 the United States have obtained a decided superiority on Lake 
 Ontario in consequence of their exertions during the last six months 
 to increase their marine, most particularly on that lake, whilst I 
 have been unable to obtain from Admiral Sir John Warren a timely 
 reinforcement of seamen with the naval officers, who were sent by 
 him through the forests of New Brunswick to Quebec, where they 
 arrived on the 20th of last month, I hope Your Lordship will feel 
 disposed favourably to represent to His Royal Highness the Prince 
 Regent the gallant efforts made by a handful of British troops for 
 the preservation of the post they had to defend against the numer- 
 ous force brought for its conquest. 
 
 The enemy left York on the 8th instant and proceeded to 
 Niagara, where I understand they landed on the American side of 
 the lake 1200 men under General Dearborn, for the purpose of 
 strengthening their army on that line and probably with a view to 
 make an attempt upon Fort Erie or Fort George. The flotilla 
 afterwards returned to Sackett's Harbour, where I find from a flag 
 of truce which came over the day before yesterday they remained 
 on the 14th. 
 
 From the information I have received from an officer of the 
 lake marine taken at York and sent over wnth the flag of truce, I 
 find the enemv's force at Sackett's Harbour amounts to near five 
 thousand men, and that they were making preparations for another 
 expedition, but to what point the attack was to be directed I have 
 not been able to ascertain. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 209.) 
 
232 
 
 Sir George Frevost to l^arl Bathurst. 
 (No. 61.) 
 
 Headquarters. Kingston, Upper Canada, 
 18th May, 1813. 
 Mv Lord, — 
 
 1 have the satisfaction to report to Your Lordship the arrival 
 of Commodore Sir James Yeo with the officers and seamen under 
 his command at Quebec on the 5th inst. in the Woolwich. 
 
 The first and second divisions of the officers and seamen 
 
 have arrived in batteaux from 
 Ship Wolfe, lately launched, Montreal at this post where they 
 to carry 22 guns. have found the vessels named in the 
 
 Ship Royal George, 20. margin in preparation to receive 
 
 Brig Moira, 16. them. These vessels will not be 
 
 Schooner Beresford, late armed so poM'erfuUy as I could have 
 
 Prince Regent, 12. wished, but as well as the means at 
 
 my disposal will admit, the guns 
 expected from England and Halifax not having yet arrived. 
 
 That the instructions of His ]\Tajesty's Government respecting 
 the naval ascendency on Lake Ontario may be promptly and effect- 
 ually carried into execution, I have accompanied Sir James Yeo to 
 Kingston in order that every facility may be afforded to that officer 
 in the accomplishment of the important object for which he has 
 lieen sent from England. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 223.) 
 
 Sir Roger H. Sheaffe to ^arl Bathurst. 
 
 Kingston, Upper Canada, 18th May, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 I do myself the honour of transmitting herewith for Your 
 Lordship's information the copy of a letter I had the honour of 
 addressing to His Excellency Sir George Prevost on the 5th instant, 
 with its enclosures detailing the circumstances relating to the affair 
 at York on the 27th of last month, together with extracts from 
 letters addressed to His Excellency of the 29th of March and the 
 5th of this month, stating the causes which conspired to detain me 
 at that place so long beyond the period I had previously assigned 
 for my departure to Fort George, in addition to which I beg leave 
 to state that civil business of importance to the colony, which had 
 been accumulating for three months, besides that which was neces- 
 sarily produced by the session of the Legislature, demanded a pro- 
 longation of my stay at York after the Provincial Parliament was 
 prorogued. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 317, p. 131.) 
 
233 
 
 Sir George Prevost to Barl Bathurst. 
 (No. 62.) 
 
 Headquarters, Kingston, Upper Canada, 
 18th May, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 1 have the honour to acknowledge the 
 12th January, 1813. receipt of Your Lordship's despatches of 
 Dup. No. 18. the dates and numbers mentioned in the 
 
 11th Feb'y, 1813. margin, together with the enclosures de- 
 
 Dup. No. 21. livered to me by Major Coore. 
 
 9th March, 1813. I beg leave to assure Your Lordship 
 
 Dup. No. 22. that I am duly vsensible of the exertions 
 
 16th March, 1813. making by His Majesty's Government for 
 
 Orig. No. 23. supplying me with the reinforcements of 
 
 12th March, 1813. troops and with the stores so necessary to 
 
 Orig. No. 24. enable me to meet with any prospect of suc- 
 
 20th March, 1813. cess, the great efforts which the enemy have 
 
 Orig. No. 25. made and are making for the conquest of 
 
 these Provinces, but particularly for that of 
 Upper Canada. My former despatches will have informed Your 
 Lordship of the measures I have adopted for the defence of that 
 Province, 
 
 The expectation of the speedy arrival of the troops from Spain 
 and Ireland, whose embarkation Your Lordship has announced to 
 me, has induced me to detach another body of troops, consisting of 
 one troop of Provincial Dragoons, half a company of artillery, the 
 Royal [Scots] or 1st Kegiment, and four companies of grenadiers 
 from Lower Canada to reinforce the posts in the Upper Province. 
 
 The late systematic movement of the enemy upon York, 
 attended with sufficient means and favoured by their temporary 
 naval superiority on Lake Ontario, indicate a strong disposition to 
 make a still more decisive attempt upon that Province, but I am 
 not without the hope that after the officers and seamen lately 
 arrived have all reached the place of their destinatation, and the 
 reinforcements now on their way to me shall have arrived. I shall 
 be enabled to prevent the enemy from availing themselves of any 
 advantage or footing they may gain in that quarter. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 225.) 
 
 (Prom tlie Bii£falo Gazette, iSth May, 1813.) 
 FROM LAKE ONTARIO. 
 
 After the battle of York the Government buildings, rracks, 
 &c., were destroyed; all the pnblic stores which could not be rought 
 
234 
 
 away shared the same fate, and the town was entirely evacuated on 
 the 1st of May, the militia prisoners paroled and the troops 
 embarked, but owinj^ to contrary winds the fleet, consistinjij of 16 
 or 17 sail, did not leave York until Saturday the 8th. In the after- 
 noon of that day they arrived at Four Mile Creek below Fort Niag- 
 ara and landed the troops and public property. 
 
 On Sunday evening two schooners under command of Lieut. 
 Petigrue, having on board 100 picked men under Captain Willoughby 
 Morgan of the 12th Regt., sailed for the head of Lake Ontario for 
 the purpose of seizing a quantity of public stores. On their arrival 
 they found the public stores guarded by 80 regulars. The guard 
 retreated before our men landed ; the stores were brought away and 
 the public buildings burnt. The expedition returned on Tuesday 
 last without loss. 
 
 The day after Lieut. Petigrue sailed for the head of the lake, 
 Commodore Chauncey with the remainder of the fleet sailed for 
 Sackett's Harbor. 
 
 The return of the fleet from the Harbor is daily looked for 
 with a very respectable reinforcement. 
 
 Several persons, apparently deserters from Canada, last week 
 gave themselves up to the military authority. They have been 
 examined and report that the British force at Fort Erie and the 
 batteries below is rising 600 regulars and a few militia. 
 
 Two persons have lately been arrested on these frontiers, former 
 residents of Canada, charged with being spies. We shall mention 
 their names should what is alleged against them prove true. They 
 are, we understand, in safe custody. 
 
 It is reported that Gen. Sheafi'e with a reinforcement of troops 
 has arrived at Fort George. That position is now considered to be 
 a place of considerable strength. The British have constructed a 
 line of batteries between Fort George and Queenston in such posi- 
 tions as to rake every possible point of crossing the river. 
 
 Lieut. -Col. Preston of the 20th U. S. Infantry arrived in this 
 village on Thursday last with a detachment of tine looking troops 
 lately enlisted. 
 
 (File in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 Colonel Talbot to Brigadier-General Vincent. 
 
 Dover Mills, 18th May, 1813. 
 My Dear General, — 
 
 Your favor of the 11th instant reached me at a late hour last 
 night. I had for two days been anticipating much gratifying com- 
 munication from you in consequence of reports having been current 
 
235 
 
 of that General Procter had obtained a complete and brilliant victory 
 over Harrison, likewise accounts stating that the officers and sea- 
 men had actually arrived at Kingston and that the most active 
 exertions prevailed in the dockyard at that place, and as if good 
 news was not to have an end it was said that Sir George Prevost 
 intended to assume the command in this Province and was on his 
 way up with a powerful reinforcement. From the source I have 
 received the foregoing I am in hourly expectation of having my 
 anxiety relieved by a confirmation of these desirable events from 
 you. As to the York affair, as yet all my accounts of the disastrous 
 and I fear disgraceful proceedings attending the capture have been 
 by fragments. The Governing Heads must have been in a state of 
 torpor not to have made arrangements for securing the office papers. 
 
 I will immediately attend to your instructions regarding the 
 appointment of fit persons to be the bearers of despatches between 
 myself and Major Hatt. Have the goodness to instruct me as to 
 the pay of persons on express service. 
 
 The militia of the larger portion of this district shew great 
 promptness in turning out, but there is a part of the County of 
 Oxford that with a very few exceptions are, I am sorry to say, 
 composed of a more violent and systematic band than those that 
 compose the American army. Should Sir George reach the lines 
 with a strong force I will recommend that all the aliens should be 
 sent out of the Province with as little delay as possible. They are 
 indefatigable in spreading discord amongst the inhabitants, and it 
 would be a most salutary measure did circumstances admit to send 
 100 or even 50 regulars to be stationed at Turkey Point under an 
 active and steady officer, as the presence of such a force would 
 create the necessary confidence in the well disposed, and traitors 
 would be intimidated into subordination. 
 
 I have every difficulty in procuring a correct return of the 
 arms distributed thro' the district, the militiamen have been so 
 careless of their arms. The chief of such as were on duty during 
 the last autumn and winter on the lines and deserted or ran home 
 left their arms behind them, and others had orders from Col. 
 Bisshopp to deliver in their arms on l»eing dismissed from Fort Erie. 
 I am able to account for 350 stand, including the 100 which you 
 ordered up lately. 
 
 (From the Talbot Papers.) 
 
 Brigadier-General Yincent to Sir Georsre Prevost. 
 
 Fort George, 19th May, 1813. 
 Sir, — I was this day honored by Your Excellency's communi- 
 cation (duplicate) dated Montreal, 7th inst., which was brought by 
 
236 
 
 an officer of militia despatched by Major-Qeneral Sheaffe from 
 Kingston. 
 
 In expressing my high sense of obligation for so prompt an 
 /assurance of support in my efforts to maintain the independence of 
 this frontier of His Majesty's dominions from invasion, I should be 
 wanting in duty and justice to the zeal and energy of those officers 
 who participate so largely in my confidence were I not to assure 
 Your Excellency that the Battering assurance held forth in your 
 communication has not only been truly gratifying to our mutual 
 feelings but has created new energies throughout tins command. 
 
 Your Excellency will have been apprized through my letters 
 to Colonel Baynes that the American flotilla, after remaining at 
 anchor off^ this harbor for three days without attempting any enter- 
 prise, proceeded down the lake, and the wind being favorable for 
 Sackett's Harbor it is probable its destination was to that place. 
 
 Some of the smaller vessels remained and continued cruizing 
 for several days between this port and York, and previous to their 
 final departure they landed a party of nearly two hundred men at 
 the head of the lake with the express purpose of destroying the 
 Government House and outbuildings. The small force stationed 
 there for the sole purpose of keeping up our communication with 
 York not being sufficiently strong to oppose the landing of that 
 number, their debarkation being covered by the guns of the vessels, 
 it was deemed prudent to fall back upon the reinforcements which, 
 though quickly brought forward, were too late to chastise the 
 marauding acts of an enemy who have precipitately retreated and 
 avoided a contest. With the exception of an almost constant osten- 
 tatious parade of troops, artillery and boats immediately ia our 
 view on the opposite shore, no event has hitherto occurred deserving 
 of notice on this frontier. Within the last few days the enemy has 
 been busily employed in the construction of batteries opposite to 
 this point with an apparent intention of threatened invasion. 
 
 I am happy to assure Your Excellency that the best spirit, zeal 
 and exertions continue to animate every individual of the army on 
 this frontier, and I feel confident that no effort will be wanting to 
 repel invasion whenever it may be attempted, and no exertion will 
 be omitted to prevent the enemy gaining a foothold in this Province. 
 
 Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp is perfectly aware of my ideas, and a 
 plan of co-operation is mutually arranged in the event of that 
 measure becoming necessary. I have considered it expedient to 
 establish a depot of ammunition and provisions, in a very central 
 and commanding position near a place called the Beaver Dams, in a 
 stone house belonging to a captain of militia who is a loyal and 
 faithful subject. 
 
237 
 
 I have judj^ed it proper to divide the force of this post into 
 three divisions: the right under Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, the left 
 under Colonel Myers, and the centre under my own immediate 
 direction, each being so circumstanced as to give the most prompt 
 support to each other. I propose leaving in the fort a company of 
 the 49th Regiment, the guard and gunners, with a portion of the 
 militia under Colonel Claus ; and Captain Norton, whose anxiety 
 and zeal for the public service is so constantly conspicuous, is 
 encamped on my left towards the lake with about one hundred 
 Indians, where it is probable the enemy might make a descent. 
 
 With respect to the militia, it is with regret that I can neither 
 report favorably of their numbers nor their willing co-operation. 
 Every exertion has been made and every expedient used to bring 
 them forward and unite their efforts to those of His Majesty's forces, 
 with but little effect, and desertion beyond all conception continues 
 to mark their indiff*erence to the important cause in which we are 
 now engaged. In considering it my duty thus to offer a fresh 
 exposition of my sentiments to Your Excellency respecting the 
 militia of this Province, I must at the same time express a belief 
 that when the reinforcenients reach this frontier many of the 
 inhabitants who have been for some time wavering and appalled by 
 the specious force of the enemy's resources will instantly rally round 
 the standard of their King and country. 
 
 Your Excellency's condescension in allowing me to point out 
 my wants, calls for my respectful acknowledgments. Impressed 
 with a conviction of the urgency and importance of sending off 
 immediate aid to Brigadier-General Procter, I only await the arrival 
 of the Queen Charlotte at Fort Erie to move a company and the 
 headquarters of the 41st Regiment to Amherstburg, risking this 
 diminution of my force under a confident persuasion that reinforce- 
 ments are near at hand to replace them. 
 
 I herewith enclose a return of the regulars and militia on this 
 line. 
 
 (C. 678, p. 301.) 
 
 Colonel Myers to Colonel Baynes. 
 
 Fort George, May 20. 1813. 
 My Dear Colonel, — 
 
 Since my letter to you of the 13th, matters have remained 
 in nearly the same state. 
 
 Brigadier-General Vincent yesterday received a letter from Sir 
 
238 
 
 George Prevost, and all the accounts which have reached us from 
 Kingston are of the most cheering nature. What has become of 
 Chauncey, Heaven knows. We had every reason to expect his 
 return to this offing before now. 
 
 Our situation has been so fully detailed to you by General 
 Vincent that it leaves me little to say on the subject. You are 
 acquainted with our means and what are opposed to us. As far as 
 appearances can justify the conclusion, I confess I feel no appre- 
 hension for the safety of this position for some time, and I have no 
 doubt but help is at hand. I wrote Gray my ideas as to pushing 
 on troops as far as the carrying place in batteaux, and we look 
 hourly for the tidings of their approach. By their arrival we shall 
 be enabled to look down the arrogance of the enemy in this quarter. 
 
 I do not think his means have increased since the stateniciit 
 sent you by General Vincent. I trust I will be pardoned in most 
 earnestly recommending that a force be sent forw; ' to this line to 
 enable us to commence offensive operations. It is not wise to hold 
 an enemy too cheap, but I cannot divest mj'self of the idea that the 
 foe opposite us is despicable, and that it would be no hard task to 
 dislodge him from the entire of his lines on the Niagara River, 
 With some subordinate attacks upon his Hanks, I am of opinion it 
 would be an enterprise of little hazard for us to get an establish- 
 ment on the heights above Lewiston. opposite to Queenston. This 
 once effected I cannot but feel the strongest confidence that we 
 would in a very short time complete the object so much to be desired. 
 It would be giving such a new turn to the war that I conceive it 
 would strike a terror into the enemy which would produce the 
 happiest effects, and would inflict a just punishment on the vain- 
 glorious turn which he will give to the disa.strous affair at York. I 
 hope t will be excused for thus writing. I confess I do so under 
 feelings of some irritation and impatience for the chastisement of 
 American arrogance. Should offensive operations be decided on 
 here, may I indulge an humble hope that I may be permitted to 
 partake in them. 
 
 We are anxiously on the lookout for the appearance of our 
 vessels. I must not omit to acquaint you that the enemy are said 
 to be building two twenty-gun vessels at Presqu' Isle on Lake Erie 
 with five gunboats, and some smaller vessels are now rigging behind 
 Squaw Island., I have had no very late accounts from the dock- 
 yard at Amherstburg. The last were favorable. I am in hourly 
 expectation of hearing of the arrival of the Queen Charlotte At Point 
 Abino. 
 
 Nothing further occurs to me to mention at this moment 
 beyond assuring you that the only sentiment pervading all ranks 
 
239 
 
 here is the firm determination to bravely oppose all attempts of the 
 enemy on this frontier. 
 
 (C. 678, p. 314.) 
 
 I/ieut.- Colonel Mahlon Bunvell, ist Middlesex Militia, to Colonel 
 
 Talbot. 
 
 Port Talbot, 21st May, 1813. 
 My Dear Colonel, — 
 
 Yours of the 19th inst. I have just received. Lieut.-Colonel 
 Bostwick had informed me of General Procter's success on his way 
 down. I regret that the victory was not more complete. I did 
 hope that the expedition would have finished the campaign for this 
 year. Then we might have sent the regulars below again. I had 
 not heard before this that Sir Roger retreated to Kingston. I was 
 inclined to believe that he had only retreated to the river Don. 1 
 lament the death of poor Donald McLean, [Clerk of the House of 
 Assembly, killed at York April 27th, 1813.] I think he was a good 
 person. I fear many more of the good people of York are gone 
 also, but I am happy to learn that the Provincial papers are not 
 destroyed, as that excited considerable alai'm in me. Our loss must 
 have been great, but I hope the enemy will not be much benefited 
 by it. We must have had considerable stores of provisions there, 
 but I shall be content if Sir Roger had them all destroyed previous 
 to his retreat. What a wanton, ferocious, savage proceeding that 
 was, to burn the Government House at the Beach [Burlington], a 
 house, they must have known, purely for the accommodation of 
 travellers. I am glad to hear that Sir G[eorge] P[revost] is a little 
 aroused for the security of this Province. If the arrival of rein- 
 forcements should be pretty prompt, and that account of the sea- 
 men arrived and preparations making at Kingston, we may still pre- 
 vent them from destroying our settlements about Lake Ontario. 
 Their thinking they have such a complete mastery of the lake may 
 lull them into such a confidence of their superiority that I should 
 be not at all surprised to hear that our vessels have lessened their 
 flotilla. The inhabitants are now in the midst of their planting and 
 it will be like drawing their eye teeth to call them out until they 
 have done. ....... 
 
 • •*•••*• 
 
 (From the Talbot Papers.) 
 
240 
 
 (Buffalo Gazette, 85th May, 1813.) 
 
 On Friday evening last, (May 21,) Chauncey a fleet arrived at 
 Four Mile Creek, with a respectable reinforcement under Brig.- 
 Gen. Chandler. A strong force was left at Sackett's Harbor, at 
 which place troops were daily arriving. 
 
 Since last paper a considerable number of troops have arrived 
 in the neighborhood of Fort Niagara. 
 
 We understand that several companies of volunteers are about 
 to be raised in this and the neighboring counties for one month's 
 service. If ever there was a time for volunteers to enroll themselves 
 for the purpose of taking part in active military operations THAT 
 TIME IS NOW. 
 
 (PUe in Biiflf«lo Public Library.) 
 
 I/ieut.- Col. John Harvey to Colonel Bajmec. 
 
 Fort George, 25th May, 1813. 
 My Dear Colonel, — 
 
 The whole of the enemy's fleet are here, (the Madison having 
 arrived early this morning) ; we have been cannonaded since day- 
 light. The enemy's fire has been wholly (and most successfully) 
 directed hit'^erto against the fort, which is made a complete example 
 of, every log barrack in it being burnt down. As soon as his pur- 
 pose is effected against the buildings in the fort I have no doubt of 
 his directing his fire against the town, which vou know is com- 
 pletely at his mercy ; that this will be followed by an attack in 
 front and on both flanks either to-night or early to-morrow morn- 
 ing none of us can doubt. What their actual force is immediately 
 opposite to us is of course diflScult accurately to state, but in esti- 
 mating it at 6000 I do not think I overstate it This force with 
 abundant means of transport, aided by a powerful flotilla, is not in 
 our circumstances to be despised. We are accordingly preparing to 
 give them as warm and hearty a reception as may be in our power, 
 (and the men, I can assure you, are infuriated against them,) and, in 
 the second, to concentrate our force, should that distressing alterna- 
 tive be forced upon us. General Vincent and Colonel Myers are 
 writing to you. It might therefore have been unnecessary for me 
 to have troubled you with a repetition of the details which they 
 will give you. As, however, I find some of our letters fail when 
 others reach you. I have scribbled a few lines to guard against a 
 similar accident. After what I have said in the former part of this- 
 letter it is quite unnecessary for me to suggest the necessity of aa 
 immediate reinforcement. 
 
 (C«nmdian Archives, C. 678.) 
 
241 
 Colonel William Claus to Major Glegg. 
 
 (25th May, 1813.) 
 
 The garrison on fire by hot shot. (In pencil in the handwriting 
 of Colonel Claus, but undated and unaddressed.) 
 
 (On the other side, in ink.) 
 
 25th May. 7 o'clock. 
 Dr. Colonel, — 
 
 Whilst drinking a cup of coffee at Mr. Gordon's, James Bunting 
 of Captain Servos's company came in with a message from 3'ou, 
 enquiring for water buckets. Mr. Gordon says there are none in 
 the ordnance department, nor does he know of there being any in 
 the garrison. 
 
 You must make use of those now in use among the troops. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 J. B. Gf-EGG, B. M., 
 
 (From MSS. in possession of Miss Claus, Niagara, Ont.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, Niagara, May 26, 1813. 
 
 After order. Received at 5 p. m. 
 
 The army will embark at three o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 The troops will be up at one and eat their breakfast at two, and be 
 actually on board their respective boats ready to move at half after 
 three. Each man will take his blanket and one day's rations ready 
 cooked. 
 
 By command, 
 
 E. Beere, 
 
 Asst. Adj. Gen. 
 
 (From Documents and Facts relative to Military events during the late war, p. 13. 
 By General John P. Boyd. ) 
 
 Brigade Order. 
 
 Camp, Four Mile Creek, 
 Niagara, May 26, 1813, 6 p. m. 
 
 brigade order. 
 Conformably to the general ordeis of the 25th and 26th inst., 
 the First Brigade will embark in boats at three o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. The several regiments will hold themselves in readiness 
 accordingly. The boats of the brigade will form in three lines, suc- 
 ceeding Lieut-Colonel Scott's advance party. The 6th Regiment, 
 
242 
 
 formed in column of battalion, right in front, will precede ; the 15th 
 and 16th Regiments will successively follow in the same order. 
 Colonel McClure's volunteers will flank the right of the brigade and 
 move accordingly. Four pieces of light artillery to move in the 
 rear of the 15th Regiment and four in the rear of the 16th Regi- 
 ment. The first four to form immediately on landing on the right 
 of the 15th Regiment, and the other four on the right of the 16th 
 Regiment. The troops will land in order and form immediately in 
 order of battle, Colonel Miller of the 6th on the right, Major King 
 of the 15th in the centre and Colonel Pearce of the 16th on the 
 left ; McClure's volunteers to flank the right. 
 
 The boat of the Brigadier-General will be designated by a green 
 bougJi, the commanding oflScers of regiments by the regimental 
 standards. To guard the stores and camp equipage of each regi- 
 ment a commissioned officer and a sufficient number of non-effectives 
 will be detached. The commanding officers of regiments will be 
 responsible that their boats are in perfect readiness to receive the 
 troops. 
 
 The troops which compose the first brigade have already once 
 triumphed over the foe they have now again to encounter. Their 
 country expects much from them and will not be disappointed. 
 With their accustomed bravery they will plant the United States 
 flag in Canada. 
 
 John P. Boyd, 
 
 Brig. Gen., Com'd'g 1st Brigade. 
 
 (From Boyd'a Documents and Facts, p. 13.) 
 
 Sir 6eorg:e Prevost to I/ord Bathurst. 
 
 (No. 63.) 
 
 Headquarters, Kingston, 
 Upper Canada, 26th May, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 I have the honor to report to Your Lordship the arrival at 
 Quebec on the 15th inst. of six troops of the 19th Light Dragoons 
 and the 2nd Battn. of the 41 at Regt. Major-General Glasgow, 
 whom I left in command of that fortress, informs me that, in pur- 
 suance of the instructions I had transmitted to him, he will lose no 
 time in pressing forward that portion of the 41st Regt. considered 
 most fit for active service, consisting of about four hundred men, 
 and that the boys will be retained for garrison duty. 
 
 He also reports having made arrangements for sending on the 
 dragoons. This intelligence of a reinforcement to the forces has 
 not failed to cheer the army employed in maintaining in Upper 
 
243 
 
 Canada a most unequal contest, and although the period of the 
 arrival of this small portion of infantry in this Province must, 
 when measured by our irxipatience, appear remote, still the knowl- 
 edge of their approach v^ill bo attended by highly beneficial conse- 
 quences to His Majesty's interests in the Canadas. 
 
 The growing discontent and undissembled dissatisfaction of the 
 mass of the people of Upper Canada in consequence of the effects of 
 the militia laws upon a population thinly scattered over an exten- 
 sive range of country, whose zeal was exhausted and whose exer- 
 tions had brought want and ruin to the doors of many, and had in 
 various instances produced a considerable emigration of settlers to 
 the United States, from whence most of them originally come, have 
 compelled me to bring forward my best and reserved soldiers to 
 enable me to support the positions we hold on the Niagara and 
 Detroit frontiers. I have been also induced to adopt this measure 
 from the further consirieration that the militia had been consider- 
 ably weakened by the frequent desertion of even the well disposed 
 part of them to their farms for the purpose of getting seed into the 
 ground before the short summer of this country had too far 
 advanced. 
 
 It is an act of justice, and my duty to state to Your Lordship 
 for the gracious consideration of His Royal Highness 'lie Prince 
 Regent, that in the Niagara command Colonel Vincent has dis- 
 played superior talents and abilities and a determination worthy of a 
 British soldier, and that in that of Detroit Colonel Procter has been 
 so fortunate as to have had frequent opportunities of evincing sound 
 military judgment and a happy decision in all the various difficulties 
 attendant on his situation in a remote and occasionally inaccessible 
 district of this Province. Both these officers being old Colonels are 
 acting as Brigadiers-General until His Royal Highness's pleasure is 
 known. The enemy, continuing to avail themselves of their naval 
 ascendency on Lake Ontario, left Sackett's Harbor on the 20th inst. 
 and have appeared off Fort George with sixteen vessels laden with 
 troops, which they disembarked on the following day in the rear 
 of their fort at Niagara. Colonel Vincent being apprehensive of an 
 immediate attack from a force in numbers vastly superior to his 
 own, I have advised Commodore Sir James Yeo to sail with the 
 vessels that are ready for service to reconnoitre the enemy's flotilla, 
 in order that he may form an opinion upon the practicability of 
 conveying on board of them to Fort (Jeorge a reinforcement of about 
 three hundred, being the whole disposable force I can command at 
 present, and which is held in readiness to embark at a moment's 
 notice. I propose accompanying it. As soon as this service is per- 
 formed it is my intention to place the civil administration and 
 
244 
 
 military command of Upper Canada in the hands of Major-General 
 De Rottenburg, and Major-General Sir R. Sheaffe will retam to 
 Lower Canada, where he will remain, (for reasons which shall be 
 hereafter detailed to Your Lordship,) if such should be the pleasure 
 of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 227.) 
 
 Sir James ITeo to Hon. John Wilson Croker. 
 
 His Majesty's Ship Wolfe, Kingston, 
 Upper Canada, 26th May, 1813. 
 (No. 3.) 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to acquaint you, for the informaticoi 
 of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiraltv, that I arrived here 
 on the 16th inst. with one hundred and fifty of the officers and sea- 
 men under my command : the remainder have also arrived here at 
 different periods between that and the 24th. 
 
 The ships and vessels were in a very weak state, the Royal 
 George had 18 32-pounder carronades and two long nine-ponnder 
 guns ; the Moira, 18 18-pounder carronades ; the Beresfard, 10 12- 
 pounder carronades and two long six-pounder guns ; the Wolfe was 
 launched but not decked, or rigged, nor any guns on board. She 
 has since been furnished at different times with 20 guns and carron- 
 ades of various calibres collected from the forts, and which have 
 arrived from Quebec. The enemy have burnt, on their taking 
 possession of York, a ship that was building there, intended to 
 carry 30 guns, as was stated in ray letter, No. 1, at Quebec, on 5th 
 inst. 
 
 From the arrival of the establishment to the present date all 
 hands have been very actively employed in fitting and preparing 
 the squadron in the best possible manner the short time would 
 allow in a state to put to sea or defend themselves in case of a 
 surprise. 
 
 The enemy's squadron are very superior, both in number and 
 the complete way they are equipped, their force, consisting of one 
 ship of 20 32-pounder carronades and 6 long 18-pounder guns, a 
 brig with 18 24-pounder and 16 smaller vessels each carrying a 
 long 32-pounder gun, some four and others six carronades, besides 
 they have also a ship of thirty and a brig of eighteen guns nearly 
 ready for launching at Sackett's Harbour. 
 
 They having the above stated advantage on the lake at present 
 and the certainty of their shortly being reinforced by those build- 
 ing, it will appear evident to theii Lordships that the enemy, (now 
 possessing a force which are e(|ual if not superior,) if not checked 
 
245 
 
 will soon ^et too formidable for an attack to be made on them that 
 might prove advantageous. I am therefore about to proceed to sea 
 to meet them, as the possession of Upper Canada must depend on 
 whoever can maintain the naval superiority on Lake Ontario. 
 
 I beg leave to draw their Lordships' attention to the fact that 
 even in the event of my being successful the superiority cannot 
 long be maintained without an immediate reinforcement of seamen, 
 as the enemy, from their proximity to New York, can obtain any 
 supply of men or stores at a few hours notice. 
 
 I have further to state to their Lordships that I found on my 
 arrival Messrs. Barclay, Pring and Finnis, commanders, and four 
 lieutenants, which had been sent from Halifax by Sir John B. War- 
 ren, Bart. 
 
 (Admiralty Papers, Canadian Archives, M. 389-6, p. 16.) 
 
 Sir John Johnson to Colonel William Clans. 
 
 Montreal, 26th May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have received your letters of the 16th April by Lieut- 
 enant Dudley, and of 14th May by express, and was in hopes to 
 have had another by the last express, with General Procter's account 
 of General Clay's defeat and death and his return to Detroit, which 
 I am sorry for, as it will give the Americans time to receive rein- 
 forcements, strengthen their position, or to retire ; the latter, I rather 
 think, will be the case. I hope you may be able to hold out till the 
 reinforcements on their way and the fleet goes to your aid, which I 
 have no doubt will clear the lake, even, I hope, if their new ship 
 gets out in time. The second battalion of the 41st are here ; I sup- 
 pose on their way up with many others. I am sending off all the 
 Indians I can spare, with six officers, to Sir George, so that I think 
 he will have about three hundred either to attack or defend ; the 
 latter I have no idea of, as I 8upjx)se all their force are bending 
 your way. The goods I sent in twenty-one or two trains for you 
 were stopped [at] Preacott on account of the roads breaking up, and 
 I have not heard that they have been forwarded since, though I 
 gave Sir George an account of them when going up. We have 
 nothing left and none yet arrived from England, though many ships 
 have arrived since the transports. I hone Mr. Rodgers may not fall 
 in with them. I am surprised we have not heard of Dickson's 
 arrival with the Western Indians. I hope he will not fail or be too 
 late to afford you aid, for I think the campaign will not last long 
 after our fleet and forces get in motion ; having failed in all their 
 principal objects and being closely pressed on the seashore, I see 
 
246 
 
 nothing left for them but to sue for the best terms they can get, 
 and if the Indians stick together and do not forsake us they may 
 obtain their end in fixing their own boundaries. You have not 
 said whether you have reconnnended young Anderson to be put on 
 the footing of our lieutenants and interpreters, which I think I 
 wrote you to do. I think Peter John, Captain John's son, who 
 wrif«s and speaks English very well, should, from his father's ser- 
 vices as well as from his own abilities, be appointed an interpreter ; 
 one of Brant's sons also. If not too much given to liquor, their 
 fathers' services merit this attention to them, as well as policy. I 
 therefore wish they could be put on the footing of our lieutenants 
 and interpreters. I have mentioned it to Ferguson and suggested 
 the idea of Peter John's memorializing the President now that the 
 Commander of the Forces is on the spot. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Claus Papers.) 
 
 Major J. B. Glegg to Colonel William Claus. 
 
 12 o'clock. (27th May, 1813 ?) 
 Dr. C«l. — 
 
 The General desires you will immediately evacuate the Fort 
 and join him on the Queenston road. 
 
 J. B. Glegg. 
 To Col Claus, com'd'g Fort George. 
 
 (From MSS. in possession of Miss Claus, Niagara, Ont.) 
 
 Major-General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Headquarters, Fort George, 
 
 Upper Canada, May 27, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — The light troops Under the command of Colonel Scott 
 and Major Forayth lauded this morning at nine o'clock, Major- 
 General Lewis's division, with Colonel Porter's command of light 
 artillery, supported them. General Boyd's brigade landed imme- 
 diately after the light troops, and Generals Winder and Chandler 
 followed in quick succession. The landing was obstinately disputed 
 by the British forces, but the coolness and intrepidity of our troops 
 soon compelled them to give ground. General Chandler with the 
 reserve, (composed of his brigade and Colonel Macomb's artillery,) 
 covered the whole. Commodore Chauncey had made the most 
 judicious arrangements for silencing the enemy's tmtteries near the 
 
247 
 
 point of landing. The army is under the greatcHt obligations to 
 that naval commander for his co-operation in all its important 
 movements, and especially in its operations this day. Our Imtteries 
 succeeded in rendering Fort George untenable, and when the enemy 
 had been beaten from his pasitions and found it necessary to re-enter 
 it, after firing a few guns and setting tire to the magazines which 
 soon exploded, he moved oft' rapidly by dift'erent routes. Our light 
 troops pursued them several miles. The troops having been under 
 arms from one o'clock in the morning were too much exhausted for 
 any further pui*8uit. We were now in possession of Fort George 
 and its immediate dependencies ; to-morrow we shall proceed further 
 on, The behavior of our troops, both officers and men, entitles them 
 to the highest praise, and the difference in our loss with that of the 
 enemy, when we consider the advantages his positions afforded him, 
 is astonishing. We had 17 killed and 45 wounded. The enemy 
 had 60 killed and 160 wounded of the regular troops. We have 
 taken 100 prisoners exclusive of the wounded. Colonel Myers of 
 the 49th was wounded and taken prisoner. Of ours only one com- 
 missioned officer was killed — Lieutenant Hobart of the light artil- 
 lery. Enclosed is the report of Major-General Lewis. 
 
 (From the Historical Register of the United States, 1814, Vol. II., pp. 227-8.) 
 
 Return of the loss of the Army of the United States in the Action 
 
 of the 27th May, 1813. 
 
 The light troops under the con)mand of Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Scott — Captain Roach of 23d Infantry wounded ; Lieutenant 
 Swearingen, do.; 23 non-commissioned officers and privates killed ; 
 64 do., wounded. Total 89. 
 
 General Lewis's division — First or Boyd's brigade. 
 
 Light Artillery — Lieutenant H. A.fl^obart killed ; rank and file, 
 1 wounded. 
 
 Sixth Regiment of Infantry — Capt. Arrowsmith wounded : rank 
 and file, G killed, 16 wounded. 
 
 Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry — Major King wounded : rank 
 and file, 1 killed, 6 wounded. 
 
 Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry — Captain Steel wounded ; 
 rank and file, 8 killed, 9 wounded. 
 
 New York Volunteers — Rank and file, 4 wounded. 
 
 Second or Winder's Brigade — Rank and file, 6 wounded. 
 
 Third or Chandler's Brigade — None. Of the wounded, but 61 
 have been sent to the hospital. The wounds of the others are very 
 slight. 
 
248 
 
 Return of the loss of the Enemy in Killed, Wounded and Taken 
 in the Action of the a7th May, 1813. 
 
 Killed— 108. 
 
 Prisoners — Wounded, 1 colonel, 3 subalterns, 7 serj^eants and 
 152 rank and file — 163. Not wounded, 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 1 
 surgeon, 8 sergeants and 102 rank and file — 115. 
 
 Total loss of the enemy, 386 ; militia ])aroled, 507. 
 
 E. Beebe, Asst. Adj. -General. 
 
 (From the HiHtorical Register of the United SUtes, 1814, Vol. II.. pp. 229-30.) 
 
 New York Bveningr Post, Z3th Augfust, 1813. 
 
 Extract of a letter from an officer in the arni}'^ to the Editors 
 of the United States Gazette : — 
 
 FoKT George, Julv 26, 1813. 
 
 The following is a correct list of the men's names in the 1st 
 Brigade killed at the battles of York and Fort George, on the 27th 
 of April and 27th of May, 1813, as taken from the muster rolls, 
 June 30, 1813: 
 
 In the 6th Regiment at York, (names given,) total 23 
 
 At Fort George, total 9 
 
 Aggregate 32 
 
 In the 15th Regiment at York, (names given,) total 32 
 
 At Fort George, total 2 
 
 Aggregate 34 
 
 In the 16th Regiment at York, (names given,) total 10 
 
 At Fort George, total 8 
 
 Aggregate 18 
 
 In Major Forsyth's rifles at York, (names given,) total 14 
 
 At Fort George, total 2 
 
 Aggregate 16 
 
 In a detachment of the 2d Artillery, acting as light infantry, at 
 Fort George, not being with the brigade at York : 
 
 In Captain Thomas Biddle's company, (names given,) total 7. 
 
 In Captain Hindman's company, total 1. 
 
 In Captain William Nichols company, total 4. Aggregate, 13. 
 
249 
 
 In a detachment of lijifht drajjoons, actinor as light infantry, 
 commanded by Lieut. Roane (?), total 8. 
 
 It appears by the above that there were killed, exclusive of 
 officers : 
 
 At York 79 
 
 At Fort George 42 
 
 Total 121 
 
 The Commodore Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 United States Ship Madison, 
 NuoARA River, 27th May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I am happy to have it in my power to say that the 
 American Hag is flying upon Fort George. We were in quiet pos- 
 session of all the forts at 12 o'clock. 
 
 (From the Historical Register of the United States, 1814, VoL II., p. 224.) 
 
 Major D. Noon to Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Fort George, 27th May. 1813. 
 De.\r Sir, — 
 
 At four o'clock this morning our troops embarked on board the 
 boats and fleet at Four Mile Creek, lielovv Fort Niagara, and at nine 
 the fleet commenced their fire on the enemy's batteries, and about 
 half an hour after our troops commenced their landing on the British 
 shore, a little above the light house, with little loss on our side. 
 Being with the first squad of boats that landed I harl a good oppor- 
 tunity of viewing the bravery of the troops. Never was there men 
 behaved better. The fire from the enemy was very constant at the 
 boats while Innding. The enemy retreated towards Fort Erie: 
 others say to the head of the lake on their way to Kingston. One 
 half of our troops leave here to-morrow in pursuit of them. The 
 fleet lies at present in the river opposite Fort George, and will 
 remain until we have possession of this part of the Upper Province. 
 Our loss of killed is about 18 men ; wounded about 45 and one 
 captain killed. The loss of the enemy is about 102 killed and about 
 150 wounded. Commodore Chauncey has allowed me to go with 
 the party that goes to-morrow in pursuit of the enemy, and bring 
 him back the result. We have been informed that the force of the 
 enemy was about 1200 regulars and about 400 militia and Indians. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 402-3, New York State Library.) 
 
250 
 Major-General Dearborn to Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Niagara, Foht Geouoe, Ui'PEH Canada, 
 May 27th, 1813. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 We took possession of Fort George and its iniinediatc depend- 
 encies this day. Our loss does not exceed thirty killed and forty- 
 tive wounded. We have Jtscertained that the enemy had upwards 
 of seventy killed and abo«'Q 150 wounded. We made upwards of 
 100 prisonei-s. Wo had only one officer killed, Lieut. Hobart, my 
 grandson. We have much more to do. Our troops behaved like 
 brave old .soldiei*s. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 401-2, New York State Library.) 
 
 Brigadier-General Vincent to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Fortv Mile Creek, May 28. 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that yester- 
 day morning about daybreak the enemy again opened his batteries 
 upon Fort George. The tire not being immediately returned, it 
 ceased for some time. About 4 o'clock a. m. a combination of cir- 
 cumstances led to a belief that an invjision was meditated. The 
 morning being exceedingly hazy neither his means nor his intention 
 could be ascertained until the mist, clearing away at intervals, the 
 enemy's fleet, consisting of 14 or 15 vessels, was discovered under 
 way standing towards the lighthouse in an extended line of more 
 than two miles, covering from 90 to 100 large boats and scows, each 
 containing an average of 50 or 6C men. Though at this time no 
 doubt could be entertained of the enemy's intention his points of 
 attack could only be conjectured. Having again commenced a 
 heavy tire from his fort, line of batteries and shipping, it became 
 necessary to withdraw all the guards and piquets stationed along 
 the coast between the fort and the lighthouse, and a landing was 
 effected at the Two Mile Creek, about half a mile below the latter 
 place. The party of troops and Indians stationed at this point, 
 after opposing the enemy and annoying him as long as possible, 
 were obliged to fall back, and the tire from the shipping so com- 
 pletely enfiladed and scoured the plains that it became impossible 
 to approach the beach. As the day dawned the enemy's plan was 
 clearly developed, and every effort to oppose his landing having 
 failed I lost not a moment in concentrating my force and taking up 
 a position between the town. Fort George and the enemy, there 
 awaiting his approach. This movement was admirably covered by 
 the Glengarry Light Infantry, joined by a detachment of the Royal 
 
251 
 
 Newfoundland Regiment and militia, which commenced HkinniHhin|]^ 
 with the enemy's rlHemen, who were advancing; throujjh the bruHh- 
 woo<i. The enemy havinjj perfect command of the beach, 
 (|uickly landed from 3 to 4,000 men with several pieces of artillery, 
 and this force was instantly seen advancing in three solid columns 
 along the lake bank, his right covered by a largo bo«ly of riflemen 
 and his left and front by the tire of the shipping and batteries in 
 their fort. As our light troops fell back upon the main b<xly, 
 which was moved forwards to their support, they were gallantly 
 sustained by the 8th (King's) Regiment, commanded by Major 
 Ogilvie, the whole being under the immediate direction of Colonel 
 Myer."*, Acting Quartermaster-General, who had charge of the right 
 wing. In the execution of this important duty, gallantry, zeal and 
 decision were eminently conspicuous, and, I regret to report, 
 that I was deprived of the services of Colonel Myers, who, having 
 received three wounds, was obliged to quit the field. Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Harvey, the Deputy Adjutant General, whose activity and 
 gallantry had been displayed the whole morning, succeeded Colonel 
 Myers and brought up the right division, consisting of the 49th 
 Regiment and some militia. 
 
 The light artillery under Major Holcroft were already in posi- 
 tion, awaiting the enemy's advance on the plain. At this moment 
 the very inferior force under my command had experienced a severe 
 loss in officers and men, yet nothing could exceed the ardor and 
 gallantry of the troops, who showed the mast marked devotion in 
 the service of their King and country, and appeared regardless of 
 the consequence of the unequal contest. Being on the spot and see- 
 ing that the force under my command was opposed with ten-fold 
 numbers, who were rapidly advancing under cover of their ship- 
 ping and batteries, from which our positions were immediately seen 
 and exposed to a tremendous fire of shot and shells, I decided on 
 retiring my little force to a position which I hope<l would be less 
 assailable by the heavy ordnance of the enemy and from which a 
 retreat would be left open in the event of that mejisure becoming 
 necessary. Here, after awaiting the approach of the enemy for 
 about an hour, I received authentic information that his force, con- 
 sisting of fi"om 4 to 5,000 men, had re-formed its columns and was 
 making an effort to turn my right flank. At this critical juncture 
 not a moment was to be lost, and, sensible that every eflfort had been 
 made by the officera and men under my command to maintain 
 the post of Fort George, I could not consider myself as justified 
 in continuing so unequal a contest, which promised no advantage 
 to the interests of His Majesty's service. Having given orders for 
 the fort to be evacuated, the guns to be spiked and the ammunition 
 
252 
 
 destroyed, the troops under ray command were pot in motion and 
 marche*! across the countrj^ in a line parallel to the Niagara river, 
 towards the position near the Beaver Dams beyond Queenston 
 mountain, at which place I had the honor of reporting to Your 
 Excellency t'lat a depot of provisions and ammunition had been 
 formed some time since. The rear guard of the army reached that 
 position during the night, and we were soon afterwards joined by 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Bisshopp with all the detachments from Chip- 
 pawa to Fort Erie. The light and one battalion company of the 
 8th, (Kings,) joined us about the same time as did Captain Barclay 
 with a detachment of the Royal Navy. 
 
 Having assembled my whole force the following morning, 
 which did not exced 1,600 men, I continued my march towards the 
 heatl of the lake, where it is my intention to take up a position, and 
 shall endeavor to maintain it until I may be honored with Your 
 Excellency's instructions, which I feel most anxious to receive. I 
 beg leave to suggest the great importance that exists for a com- 
 munication being opened with me through the medium of the fleet. 
 The anchorage under Mrs. Brandt's house is perfectly goo<l and very 
 safe. I believe Your Excellency need not be informed that in the 
 event of it becoming necessary that I should fall back upon York, 
 the assistance of shipping would be requisite for the transport of 
 my artillery. I cannot conclude this long communication without 
 expressing a well-merited tribute of approbation to the gallantry 
 and assiduity of every officer of the staff*, and indeed of every 
 individual composing my little army. Every one most zealously 
 discharged the duties of his respective station. The struggle on the 
 27th continued from three to four hours, and, I lament to add. it was 
 attended with very severe loss. 
 
 I have the honor to enclose a list of the killed, wounded and 
 missing, with as much accuracy as the nature of existing circum- 
 stances will admit. Man}'^ of the missing I hope will be found to be 
 only stragglers, and will soon rejoin their corps. I shall reach the 
 head cf the lake to morrow evening. Hitherto the enemy has not 
 attempted to interrupt my movements. Information reached me 
 this morning through an authentic channel that he has pusheJ on 
 3.000 infantry and a considerable body of cavalry towards Queens- 
 ton. His whole force is stated to amount to nearly 10,000 men, 
 [and I cannot conceal from Your Excellency my conviction that 
 unless some disaster attends their progress that force will daily 
 increase. My sentiments respecting the militia are already known, 
 and it will not be supposed that their attachment to our cause can 
 be very steady under the peculiar complexion of the present times.]* 
 
 "Omitted in the London Quette. 
 
253 
 
 P. S. — I send this despatch by Mr. Matheson, who acted as a 
 volunteer on the 27th, and I am happy to inform Your Excellency 
 that his conduct was very honorable to his character and merits my 
 marked approbation. Ammunition will be wanting by the first 
 vessel. Captain Milnes has been kind enough t^ remain with me 
 until my next despatch. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678. 
 
 Return of Killed, Wounded and Missing^ of His Majesty's Troops 
 in Action with the l^nemy at Fort George, May the 27th, 1813. 
 
 General Staff — 1 wounded. 
 
 Royal Artillery — 1 rank and file killed ; 1 rank and file 
 wounded. 
 
 8th or King's Regiment — 1 lieutenant killed ; 1 major, 3 lieu- 
 tenants, 1 ensign wounded ; 11 sergeants, 4 drummers, 181 rank and 
 file missing. 
 
 41st Regiment — 8 rank and file wounded and missing. 
 
 40th Regiment — 2 rank and file killed ; 2 rank and file wound- 
 ed ; 4 drummers, 28 rank and file wounded and missing. 
 
 Left in hospitals and wounded on former occasions — 16 rank 
 and file, not included. 
 
 Glengarry Regiment — 1 captain, 1 ensign, 1 sergeant, 24 rank 
 and file killed ; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 3 sergeants, 20 rank 
 and file wounded ; 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 23 rank and file 
 wounded and missing. 
 
 Royal Newfoundland Regiment — 21 rank and file killed ; 1 
 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeant, 6 rank and file wounded ; 5 rank 
 and file wounded and missing. 
 
 Total — 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 1 sergeant, 48 rank 
 and file killed ; 1 general staff, 1 major, 2 captains, 5 lieutenants, 2 
 ensigns, 4 sergeants, 29 rank and file wounded ; 1 lieutenant, 13 
 sergeants, 8 drummei-s, 240 rank and file wounded and missing. 
 
 Names of officers killed and wounded : 
 
 Killed — 8th or King's Regiment — Lieutenant James Drummie. 
 
 Glengarry Regiment — Captain Liddle, Ensign McLean. 
 
 Wounded — Colonel Myers, Acting Quartermaster-General, 
 severely, not dangerously. 
 
 8th Regiment — Major Edward Cotton, Lieutenant J. W. Lloyd 
 severely and prisoner ; Lieutenants Mortimer, McMahon and Horace 
 Noel ; Ensign Richard Nicholson, severely and prisoner. 
 
254 
 
 Glengarry Regiment — Captain Roxborough, Lieutenant Kerr, 
 Ensign Kerr. 
 
 Royal Newfoundland Regiment — Captain Winter, Lieutenant 
 Stewart. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 Adjutant-General, North America. 
 
 Major-General I^ewis to Major-General Dearborn. 
 
 On the field, 1 o'clock, 27th May, 1813. 
 Dear Sir. — 
 
 Fort George and its dependencies are ours. The enemy, 
 beaten at all points, has blown up his magazines and retired. It is 
 impossible at this moment to say anything of individual gallantry 
 — there was no man who did not perform his duty in a manner 
 which did honor to himself and his country. Scott's and Forsyth's 
 commands, supported by Boyd's and Winder's brigades, sustained 
 the brunt of the action. Our loss is trifling, perhaps not more than 
 20 killed and twice that number wounded. The enemy has left in 
 the hospital 124, and I sent several on board the fleet. We have 
 also made alx)ut 100 prisoners of the regular forces. When it is 
 considered that the enemy had several tires at us while in our boats 
 the difference between our loss and his is very striking. 
 
 (From the Historical Register of the United States, 1814, Vol. II., p. 228.) 
 
 Commodore Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 United States Ship Madison, 
 Niagara River, 28th May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Agreeably to arrangements which I have already had 
 the honor of detailing to you. 1 left Sackett's Harbor with this ship 
 on the 22d instant, with about 350 of Colonel McComb's regiment 
 on board. The wind being light from the westward, I did not 
 arrive in the. vicinity of Niagara before the 25th. The other parts 
 of the squadron had arrived several days before and landed their 
 troops. The Fair American and Pert I had ordered to Sackett's 
 Harbor for the purpose of watching the enemy's movements at 
 Kingston. I immediately had an interview with General Dearborn 
 for the purpose of making arrangements to attack the enemy as 
 soon as possible, and it was agreed between him and myself to make 
 the attack as soon as the weather was such as to allow the vessels 
 and boats to approach the shore with safety. 
 
255 
 
 On the 26th I reconnoitred the position for landing the troops, 
 and at night sounded the shore and placed buoys to mark out the 
 stations for the small vessels. It was agreed between the General 
 and myself to make the attack next morning, (as the weather had 
 moderated and had every appearance of being favorable.) I took 
 on board of the Madison, Oneida and Lady of the Dike all the 
 heavy artillery and as many troops as could be stowed. The 
 remainder were to embark in boats and to follow the fleet — at three 
 yesterday morning the signal was made for the fleet to weigh and 
 the troops were all embarked on board the boats before four, and 
 soon after Generals Dearborn and Lewis can»e on Ixjard this ship 
 with their suites. It being, however, nearly calm the schooners 
 were obliged to«weep into their positions. Mr.Trant in the Julia and 
 Mr. Mix in the Growler I directed to take a position in the mouth of 
 the river, and to silence a battery near the lighthouse, which from its 
 position commanded the shore where our troops were to land. Mr. 
 Stevens in the Ontario was directed to take a position to the north 
 of the lighthouse, so near in shore as to enfilade the battery and 
 cross the fire of the Julia and Groivler. Lieutenant Brown in the 
 Governor Tompkins, I directed to take a position near *he Two 
 Mile Creek, where the enemy had a battery with a heavy gun. 
 Lieutenant Pettigrew in the Conquest was directed to anchor to the 
 S. E. of the same battery, so near in as to open on it in the rear 
 and cross the fire of the Governor Tompkins. Lieutenant Mac- 
 pherson in the Hamilton, Lieutenant Smith in the As}} and Mr. 
 Osgoofl in the Scourge were directed to anchor close to the shore 
 and cover the landing of the troops, and to scour the woods and 
 plain wherever the enemy made his appearance. 
 
 All these orders were most promptly and gallantly executed. 
 All the vesvsels anchored within musket shot of the shore, and in 
 ten minutes after they opened upon the batteries they were com- 
 pletely silenceff '\nd abandoned. Our troops then advanced in three 
 origades, the a 4vance led by Colonel Scott, and landed near the fort, 
 which had been silenced by Lieutenant Brown. The enemy, who 
 had been concealed in a ravine, now advanced in great force to the 
 edge of the bank to charge our troops. The schooners opened so 
 well directed and tremendous a fire of grape and canister that the 
 enemy soon retreated from the bank. Our troops formed as soon 
 as they landed, and immediately ascended the bank and charged 
 and routed the enemy in every direction, the schooners keeping up 
 a constant, well directed fire upon him in his retreat towards the 
 town. Owing to the wind having sprung up very fresh from the 
 eastward, which caused a heavy sea directly on shore, I was not 
 able to get the boats ofif to land the troops from the Madison and 
 
256 
 
 Oneida before the first and second brigades had advanced. Captain 
 Smith with the marines landed with Colonel . 'cComb's regiment, 
 and I had prepared 400 seamen which I intended to land with my- 
 self if the enemy had made a stand, but our troops pursued him so 
 rapidly into the town and Fort Goorge that I found there was no 
 necessity for more force. Moreover the wind had increased so much 
 and hove such a sea on shore that the situation of the fleet had 
 become dangerous and critical. I therefore made the signal for the 
 fleet to weigh and ordered them into the river, where they anchored 
 immediately after the enemy had abandoned Fort George. Tha 
 town and forts were in quiet possession of our troops at 12 o'clock, 
 and the enemy retreated in a direction towards Queenston. 
 
 Where all behaved so well it is diflficult to select any one for 
 commendation, yet in doing justice to Lieutenant Macpherson I do 
 not detract from the merits of others. He was very fortunate in 
 placing himself in a situation where he rendered very important 
 service in covering the troops so completely that their loss was 
 trifling. 
 
 Captain Perry joined me from Erie on the evening of the 25th, 
 and very gallantly volunteered his services, and I have very much 
 pleasure in acknowledging the great assistance w'hich I received 
 irom him in arranging and superintending the debarkation of the 
 troops. He was present at every point where he could be useful, 
 under showers of musketry, but fortunately escaped unhurt. We 
 lost but one killed and two wounded, and no injury done to the 
 vessels. 
 
 (Prom the Historical Register of the United States, 1814, Vol. II., pp. 224-6.) 
 
 Anne Powell to Justice W. D. Powell. 
 
 York. May 29, 1813. 
 (BxtrMt.) 
 
 Captain R. was the bearer of my letter and the dreadful tidings 
 that Fort George and the sacred remains it covered were in the 
 hands of our implacable enemy. This intelligence almost anni- 
 hilated hope, but subsequent details led us to suppose that the Pro- 
 vince was not irrecoverably lost. Our retreating force had made a 
 stand at Queenston and St. Davids. Jacob, (Col. Glegg's servant,) 
 came in yesterday. He left all at ^hose places, John Powell well. 
 Capt. Barclay and the reinforcement within 16 miles of the forces. 
 Col. Bisshopp had joined. An attack was expected in the forenoon 
 of yesterday. Our anxiety respecting the fleet was, as far as related 
 to their advancing to our relief, relieved by the intelligence Coffin 
 
257 
 
 gave us last evening. He had no doubt but they were at Niagara 
 before any endeavor was made by us to drive the enemy from our 
 once peaceful shores. Every hour increases our interest in the 
 event of the contest, and our impatience for information. It is 
 thought what was supposed an explosion earl}' in the morning of 
 yesterday was the report of the 68-pound carronade on board our 
 fleet. It is now calm as possible. The tremendous rain in the 
 night would deluge our poor fellows. 
 
 (From the Powell Papers, Toronto Public Library.) 
 
 Captain Fowler, D. A. Q. M. 6., to Colonel Buynes. 
 
 Forty Mile Creek, 29th May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — In consequence of the grievous and lamentable circum- 
 stances of the gallant Colonel Myers being wounded and a prisoner, 
 it falls on me to be honored by detailing to you the mortifying 
 events of the 27th at Fort George. The various duties of the 
 department under the present circumstances will prevent me from 
 entering very fully into the business. At some future opportunity 
 I shall be more particular. Previous to this disastrous day, Colonel 
 Myers did not, I know, omit reporting our state and the demonstra- 
 tions of the enemy for a serious attack. It was discovered before 
 the break of day on the morning of the 27th that we were not to 
 be disappointed, and on our part every one seemed confident of 
 success and anxious for the moment of trial. The morning was 
 calm and very foggy, but, clearing at intervals, brought to our view 
 the enemy's fleet under way and standing from his Four Mile Creek 
 and from his fort encircling our left. The intervals between his 
 vessels were occupied by boats, a great number of them armed. 
 The scows in general were fastened to their vessels. The boats 
 amounted to 134 at least, with sixteen vessels. A slight breeze 
 from the south-east favored his views, and not only enabled him to 
 continue the line from his fort to our Two Mile Creek but from its 
 moderation he was enabled to add guns to the broadsides of his 
 vessels next our shore from their opposite sides. This was plainly 
 perceived, and thus a great extent of ground was plainly brought 
 under the fire of an amazing (juantity of ordnance, a great part of 
 which was of large calibre. Their arrangement for the attack was 
 gradual and cautious. About six it was evident their grand effort 
 was to be made on our left at the Two Mile Creek, the Maclisoii 
 having occupied a situation near it. On the enemy's fire opening 
 from the river, fort and shipping, the ravines were tlie only places 
 where we could form. Under cover of his vessels at the Two Mile 
 
258 
 
 Creek, the enemy commenced his landing in very great force. 
 Under his galling fire the Glengarry, consisting of 90 men, the 
 Royal Newfoundland 40 men, the Black Corps 27 men, a detach- 
 ment of militia 100 ;nen, and the 8th Regiment 310, advanced to 
 repel the foe, notwithstanding tlie showers of grape and other shot 
 from his vessels brought to this point, and little more than 300 
 yards from the bankside. The contest was severe and it was here 
 in the onset Colonel Myers received his wounds and was obliged to 
 be borne from the field. The officers and men of the above men- 
 tioned corps fast fell and the contest soon Ijecame unequal, more 
 from the destructive fire from his craft than from his troops. Con- 
 fident I am that any number of his troops would have been suc- 
 cessfully repelled unaided by such an enormous aid of ordnance 
 Our bravfi men, compelled to retire, rallied and again charged the 
 enemy at the water's edge, yet, under the destructive fire from his 
 ships, which it was impossible to evade, the enemy was enabled to 
 continue his disemlmrkation although very severely handled in his 
 boats, and our brave troops, after returning in the most zealoos 
 manner twice to the charge was reluctantly necessitated to retire to 
 a ravine a few yards to their rear, where they again formed, but to 
 advance would have been unavailing, and they fell l)ack about 200 
 yards further to their rear. Sheltered as above when this took 
 place, the 49th Regiment from the centre here joined, and, though 
 his numbers were fast augmenting, our troops advanced to charge 
 him, but the tremendous fire from their fort and shipping rendered 
 it impossible. Every one was disinclined to retire, and he was on 
 the point of turning our right, and our brave troops advanced to 
 dispute the ground, but here found themselves still more exposed to 
 the enemy's galling fire eing quite open to his fort. A retreat 
 was most unwillingly -esorted to and effected before a force so 
 infinitely superior in numbers, and he had by this time succeeded 
 in landing a number of his field artillery, which were brought 
 against us under these circumstances, and the picketing of the fort 
 much destroyed it became necessary to preserve our small force by 
 commencing a deliberate retreat about 10 o'clock a. m., forming 
 again in the rear of the Council House in hope he would attack 
 us in front unfriended by anything but his superior numbersw In 
 this we were mistaken, and after waiting for him some time fonnd 
 that he dare not appear on this plain, but that his riflemen were 
 entering the bush by our left Hank to the rear. We now found it 
 necessary to call in our men allotted to the protection of the fort, 
 and commenced our march to Queenston, first blowing up the amma- 
 nition and burning the government stores of provision. Our retreat 
 was conducted with order, and the enemy, with his overwhelming 
 
259 
 
 force, was compelled to respect us. In the course ot* the nifjht we 
 continued our route to the Beaver Dams and arrived at 40 Mile 
 Creek yesterday. 
 
 The force the enemy landed, both from his own account and 
 observation, amounted to about 8,000 men. At this moment I am 
 not able to inform you correctly of our actual loss, but I know you 
 will receive it from General Vincent. 
 
 P. S. — Not having time to address you officially myself I have 
 requested Captain Fowler to allow ine to add a postscript to his 
 report which contains a most perfect account of the operations of 
 the 27th. 
 
 An officer of militia, resident at Fort George and s prisoner on 
 his parole, has just arrived from that place. His informpiion con- 
 firms our calculation of the enemy's strength disembarked on the 
 27th. He says that they did not land less than 5,000 in the first 
 instance and 8,000 more in the course of that dny. Of these 4,000 
 had been detached to occupy Queenston, Chippawa and Fort Erie. 
 They also talk of following us in force. 
 
 J. Harvey. 
 
 Captain William Holcroft, R. A., to Major-General De Rottenburs^. 
 
 St. Davids, 15th August, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Agreeably to your desire I have drawn up a stiitement 
 of the events of the 25th May last, as far as in my recollection. 
 
 Every movement of the enemy indicating an attack on the 
 night of the 24th of May, the troops were all at their usual stations 
 under arms, and boats were heard during the night launching about 
 four miles on our right from the fort opposite a station where 
 Lieut. Armstrong and one 6-pounder were posted, under orders of 
 Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, (Deputy-Adjutant General,) who opened 
 upon them from that gun and an iron 9-pounder at Brown's Point. 
 The enemy partly succeeded and launched ten boats and returned 
 our fire from two 6-pounders, and upon day breaking these \to&ts 
 were scattered with a few men in them on their way down the 
 river, and on passing our fort were fired upon, which brought a 
 return from the enemy's fort and all his adjacent batteries, with 16 
 guns, chiefly of large calibre, and three mortars, and which from 
 their situation so flanked Fort George, and the shot being all heated 
 and the fire so successful that the buildings, being all wooden, were 
 totally consumed. 
 
 In the disposition of our troops in case of invasion, I had sta- 
 tioned Lieut. Charlton in the fort, unless the enemy should actually 
 
260 
 
 land on our right, in which case he was to join that division with a 
 6-pounder, but as Lieut. Armstrong had been sent to the right to 
 fire at the enemy's boats in launching, I presumed Lieut Charlton 
 would have remained in the fort, but orders had been sent for the 
 disposable force from the fort with one 6-pounder and Lieutenant 
 Charlton to take post in the rear to form the reserve. I was 
 stationed on the left with the 5^ inch howitzer and one 6-pdr., 
 under the orders of Colonel Myers, (Deputy-Quartermaster-General,) 
 where the main attack was expected, the enemy's fleet being ready 
 to co-operate in their landing. From the left we could observe one 
 building taking fire. I therefore obtained leave from Colonel Myers 
 and galloped to the fort, where I arrived to witness the destruction 
 of two sheds in which were many valuable stores. The carriage of 
 the 24-pounder at the flag stafl' had been struck in two places by 
 the enemy's enfilade fire from both his flanks, and from the approx- 
 imation of the flames that gun could not be used. The large 12- 
 pounder received an 18-pound shot through both cheeks of the 
 v*arriage, and which broke the right wheel and carried away the 
 tube lx)x which was buckled on the gunner serving as No. 9. The 
 firing then remained with one 24-poundcr in the cavalier bastion 
 and a 12-pounder in the north-west bastion, but from the excessive 
 heavy tiring from the enemy's fort and six batteries, the fort in 
 flames and shells bursting amongst us in every direction, and the 
 very few artillery men then left and no object in such a situation 
 to be obtained I suspended the fire, and the enemy, finding all the 
 buildings in the fort consumed ceased his fire about 2 o'clock P. M.. 
 when I left it, with Colonel Claus, in charge of Major Williams' 49th 
 Regiment. 
 
 The troops remained under arms all night, giving a picquet in 
 the fort and its garrison about half a mile in its rear. The right 
 and left divisions remained as usual upon the flanks. The bolts of 
 the 24-pounder gun carriage at the light house battery were drawn 
 by the recoil of the gun, owing to its traversing platform not being 
 sufliciently long, and that gun could not l)e repaired from the 
 circumstance of all the blocks and tackle, &c., being consumed in 
 the fort, and no means left for dismounting and remounting the 
 
 To all appearance the enemy's designs of landing on our right 
 or of bringing his numerous boats by water from the Five Mile 
 Meadows to his left were frustrated. 
 
 By orders from Colonel Myers the battery in front of the town 
 of Niagara had not been used tor fear of drawing their fire upon it, 
 which would have consumed the town and left no shelter for the 
 
261 
 
 troops, who had several barracks in it, and would have driven the 
 inhabitants and their families to the woods. 
 
 The 24-pounder at the lighthouse was well served until the 
 accident already mentioned took place. The 18-pounder at the 
 Cherry Tree near the fort was also well served, and such only was 
 the means of defence against nearly three times the enemy's artil- 
 lery, which was judiciously posted and flanked every fire brought 
 against it. 
 
 Probably I may have omitted many circumstances, but having 
 lost all my papers I have merely stated what comes to my memory 
 at this moment. 
 
 (Canwlian Archives, C. 679.) 
 
 Notes by Captain W. H. Merritt. 
 
 On the morning of the 27th May Col. Harvey and myself, after 
 finishing a nocturnal ride, was near the lighthouse where General 
 Vincent and staff were assembled. I discovered the enemy's fleet 
 Hearing in under easy sail. Directly after, we discovered their boats 
 advancing in three brigades under cover of the shipping. There 
 was a thick fog all the morning. General Vincent thought they 
 would probably land a part of their force up the river and make a 
 joint attack on the fort, conse(|uently a very small proportion of 
 the right division were brought down. I rode from the lighthouse 
 to brown's Point four times from the appearance of the armament 
 till they landed, to deliver different orders to Major Manners. I 
 fairly knocked up three horses. At 9 o'clock they landed at Crooks- 
 ton. [They] were met by the advance of Col. Myers' division in the 
 most gallant manner. Mr. Adams was dangerously wounded ; 
 report mentioned his being killed. We were all placed in too awk- 
 ward a position to deliberate much, as the fort and shipping kept 
 up a most galling cross-fire on us the whole morning. Still I never 
 was more hurt than in hearing of his death, knowing what a large 
 and attectionate family he had ; I could not have felt more hurt on 
 hearing of the death of my own father. They were obliged to 
 retreat with loss on the main body, who were drawn up on the left 
 of Gordon's House. The Americans advanced. Our troops, after 
 marching, countermarching, taking positions and abandoning them, 
 advancing and retreating without any person knowing the design, 
 at last retreated and took up a position at Butlers Barracks. I 
 was sent from this to order on the l[igh]t company of the King's 
 who, we understood, was at the Eight Mile Creek. I passed through 
 by old Mr. Butler's, Ball's and Servos's. At those places the ladies 
 
262 
 
 and non-combatants of the town had retired, likewise all the 
 wounded that could ^et away. It was really distressing; to hear 
 the cries of the women. I was stopped every few yards to satisfy 
 their en(|uiries as to the safety of some husband, father, brother or 
 son. The women hati collected in jjnjups in every public place 
 through the country. In passing Shipman's I quieted those fears 
 I hail the greatest regard for. I did not meet the boats till I 
 arriveil at the 20 Mile Pond. Altho' I had to answer many (pies- 
 tions to the different people who stopped me I was only U hours 
 from Fort George. We proceeded by land to Shipman's, where I 
 received a messjige to conduct the party to Decoo's, to which place 
 our army had retreated. Directly aft«ir my leaving them the 
 Americans advanced. Gen. Vincent, knowing Fort George not to be 
 tenable and his force too small to risijue an action, retired by way 
 of Queenston. Gordon was in the fort ; had merely time to get out 
 when the Americans entered it. Cornet McKenney set fire to the 
 stores, &c., though [he] did not succeed in burning them. Colonel 
 Bisshopp was ordered to join us at DeCoo's with all the men of the 
 frontier, after rlestroying the stores, &c. Next morning [we] were 
 joined by all the militia of the country, who expecte<l, now our 
 force was concentrated, we would give them battle and prevent 
 their penetrating in the country. However, to our great surprise 
 and annoyance, an order was issued for all the waggons to be 
 impressed and the army to retreat to the Forty. As many of the 
 militia as chase to follow might [do so,] the rest were at liberty to 
 return to their respective families. I strongly suspected from the 
 indifferent manner the militia were treated the upper part of the 
 Province was to be abandoned, as did all the militia, consequently 
 numl^rs went home. A great part went on as far as the Forty, 
 trusting a stand would be made there. I was in a sad dilennna. 
 The thought of abandoning the country and leaving everything 
 that was near and dear to me was distressing, still more so the 
 unhappy situation of my family, who were left totally unprotected. 
 My father, knowing the insults he would be subject to by staying, 
 was determined to follow the army. For me there was no alterna- 
 tive or I certainly would have remained behind. I went home in 
 the afternoon to get the remainder of Fny kit. Most of it had been 
 taken at Fort George. A sad and distressing scene I witnessed on 
 my arrival. Mrs. Adams and family [had] heard the report of his 
 being killed [and] were in despair. Every other family in parting 
 with their relatives gave ihem up for lost. This neighborhood 
 retreated with the army almost to a man. In the evening I followed, 
 overtook the General at the 40 Mile Creek, where I learnt we were 
 to retreat to Burlington. The militia was given no encouragement 
 
263 
 
 to follow the army whatever; veiy few but what went back from 
 this, an they were confident the army would not Htop till we arrived 
 at Kingston. 
 
 (From the Merritt M8$.) 
 
 * Joseph Parrish to Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Caxaxi>ai«ua, May 28, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I held a council liwt week with the chiefs of the Six 
 Nations at Buffalo, where I explained the enclosed copy of a speech 
 from the President of the United States. After a due deliberation 
 they informed me that they were determinwi to adhere to the 
 United States, and remain neutral while the British remain on the 
 other side of the Niagara river. But in cjiae they and the Indians 
 should cross then they would be at liberty to take up the hatchet 
 with our warriors in the defence of our common country. 
 
 The chiefs re(|uest me to inform Your Excellency of the same. 
 
 (Tompkins Papent, Vol. VIII., 405-6, New York Sute Library.) 
 
 Major D. Noon to Governor Tompkins. 
 
 QuEENsTox Heights, 28th May, 1813. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I arrived here this day from on board the ship Madifitn 
 and with a determination to turn in the ranks should the enemy 
 make their appearance at this place, but to our astonishment the 
 enemy evacuated this place and also Fort Erie, taking with them 
 all the stores they could and destroying the remainder. We are 
 informed that they are to l»e joined by Colonel Procter from Maiden 
 and make a stand at the head of the lake and make their way to 
 Kingston and attack Grand Ishmd. I am also informed that our 
 troops or part is to go imuxKliately on boanl the fleet either to the 
 head of the lake or Little York. This I think would Ite advisable 
 in order to cut off their retreat. Our ve.ssels on Lake Erie will be 
 afloat in two days and ready to sail. Should the fleet go to York 
 I mean to go with them and see a few battles and return to Sackett's 
 Harbor. Any commands Your Excellency have for me will find me 
 at the Harbor. 
 
 P. S. — We are informed that the British fleet is out Should 
 we fall in with them I think the contest will be very bloody. I 
 have no doubt of their success. 
 
 I think Commodore Chauncey a valuable ofiicer, and deserving 
 the grateful thanks of his country. 
 
 (TompkiDH PaperH, Vol. VIII., pp. 404-5. New York Sute Library.) 
 
264 
 Major-Oeneral Morgan I^ewis to Governor Tompkina. 
 
 Newark, U. C. 2«th May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — At one yesterday morning our troops were under arms! 
 at tliree we embarked, and between eij^ht an<l nine were landed on 
 this shore under cover of the shippinjr, most judiciously dispased 
 for tliat purpose by Commodore Chauncey. The enemj'- met us at 
 the margin of the lake under cover of a \*&nk covered with thick 
 brush, and was soon put to rout. By one he was beaten at every 
 point ; blew up his magazines and retired to the Heights of Queen- 
 Rt<m, whither our troops were too much fatigued to pursue him. 
 Our loss is one officer and IG privates killed, 42 wounded. That of 
 the enemy about 90 killed and 180 wounded, of whom 124 are in 
 our possession, exclusive of 100 pri8t)ner8, all regular troops. When 
 it is considered that the enemy had several tires at us while in our 
 boats, the ditterence between our loss and his is extraordinary. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers. Vol. VIII.. pp. 403-4, New York State Librar)-.) 
 
 Brigade Order. 
 
 First Brigade Headquarters, 
 Newark, May 2Sth, 1813. 
 
 brigade orders. 
 
 The General commanding the first brigade feels a peculiar 
 satisfaction in congratulating the troops on their glorious achieve- 
 ment of yesterday. Their conduct was such as entitles them to the 
 thanks of their commander and the gratitude of their country. 
 
 Colonel Miller of the (Jth Regiment deserves great applause for 
 the steadiness in action and the rapidity with which he supported 
 the advance under the gallant Scott. The 15th, under Major King, 
 impatient to share the honors of the day, immediately succeeded and 
 formed under a most galling fire. The IGth under Colonel Pearce 
 urged their boats to the sliore and bore an honorable participation 
 in the contest. The light artillery under Colonel Porter merits the 
 highest credit in bringing them up the steep bank, &c. Much was 
 expected from Colonel McClure's volunteers, and the General has 
 not been disappointed. It will be his duty w? well as his inclination 
 to make their claims known to the Comman<ler-in-Chief. As all 
 the troops of the brigade behaved so well it M'ould be a diflicult 
 task to discriminate those who were pre-eminent, but the General 
 cannot suppress his admiration of the fortitude of Major King, who 
 continued to lead his regiment long after having received a painful 
 
205 
 
 and debilitating wound. The exertions of the officers and men who 
 ascended the bank and formed amid such a destructive tire excited 
 his aduiiration and asttjnished the enemy, and will convince their 
 countrymen as well as foes that their valor will overcome every 
 resistance. The General will tind great satisfaction in obeying the 
 order of the Commander-in-Chief, which requires him to make a 
 report of conspicuous merit whether found in the coiumissioned 
 officers or in the ranks, and they may be assured that their disting- 
 uished actions shall not pass without proper encomiums. Altho' 
 the General has not particularized individual merit he may perhaps 
 be excused in recording the intrepid conduct of his aide-de-camp 
 Lieut. Whiting and Brigade-Major Grafton. They have justiHed 
 his expectations and are entitled to his applause. 
 
 If there is any honor to your Brigadier-General it is his having 
 had command of such a valiant band. 
 
 John p. B()YD, 
 Brigadier-General com'd'g 1st Brigade. 
 
 (Prom Boyd*8 Dm'uments and Pacts, p. 14.> 
 
 Major-General Dearborn to Oovemor Tompkins. 
 
 Newark, May 29, 1813. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 We are now in quiet possession of both shores from Lake Erie 
 to Lake Ontario, but the enemy has, I fear, escaped by pursuing 
 the ridge of the mountain from Queenston towards the head of the 
 lake, but if the winds favor us we may yet intercept him at York, 
 though the pro.spect is unfavorable. I trust we shall have command 
 on Lake Erie. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers. Vol. VIII., pp. 407-8. New York State Libraiy.) 
 
 Major D. Noon to Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Fort Georoe, 29th May, 1803, (sic.) 
 
 Sir, — Commodore Chauncey this moment received an express 
 that the British fleet on this lake is out. We sail this night in pur- 
 suit of them, and should we fall in with them I am satisHed that 
 the Conmiodore will give a good account of them. His fleet is well 
 officered and manned. The army in this ({uarter have nothing to 
 fear from the enemy, as they have collected all their men from all 
 their posts and is on the way to Kingston. In fact this country 
 
2«6 
 
 could not afford them proviHioim to maintain an army of 3,000 men, 
 Hhould they Uuh moment regain their lost ground. 
 
 (leneral Vincent commanded the enemy h forces at thin place. 
 We have taken considerable provinions and cannon from the enemy. 
 
 (Tompkins Fiip«rR, Vol. VIII., pp. 40H !), Nuw York Stnte Lilirary.) 
 
 Commodore Chauncey to the Secretaiy of the Navy. 
 
 United States Ship Madinon, 
 NiAUAUA UivKU. May 29, 1818. 
 
 Sir, — IVeming the command of Lake Krie of primary iiiiport- 
 ance I despatched C'aptain Perry y«;8terday, with 55 seamen, to 
 Black Rock to take the five vessels there to Krie as simhi as possible, 
 and to prepare the whole s(|uadron for .service by the 15tli of June. 
 General J)earl>orn has pnjmistMl me 200 .soMiei-s to put on l>oard 
 the vessels at Black Uock to tussist in protecting them to Krie. Mr. 
 Eckfoni has, with uncommon exertions, prepared these ves.sels for 
 service since the capture of York, and I think that Capta ii Perry 
 will Ije rea<ly to proceed for Pn'S(|U»^ Isle alK)Ut the 3d or 4th of 
 June. The two brigs building at Krie have been launched. 
 
 The Queen (%irlofte an<l three othei*s of the enemy's vessels 
 came down to Fort Krie on the 20th instant, but >is mnm as they 
 heard of the capture of Fort (Jeorge and its dependencies they pro- 
 ceeded up the lake, I presume for Maiden. 
 
 (Prum the Hiiitoiieal Kef^hter of the UnltMl SUtex, 1814, Vol. II., pp. 226-7.; 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 HKADyiAHTKas, FoKT (iKoiu;k, May 20. 1818. 
 
 Sir, — (jSeneral Ix'wis was ordered to march yestenlay morning 
 with Chandler's and Winder's brigades, the light artillery, (ImgoouK, 
 light in'"!n try and riHemen in pursuit of the enemy by the way of 
 Queenston. I luul receiveil satisfactory information that the enemy 
 had made a st^md on the mouritaii: at a place called the Beaver 
 Dams, where he had a deposit of provisions and stores, and t'iiat !io 
 ha<l l)een joined bv three hundred regu.irs from Kingston, lande«l 
 from small vessels near the head of the lake. I htul Ji-scertained 
 that he was calling in the militia, and had presume<l that he would 
 conKde in the strength of his position and venture an » tion, by 
 which an op|X)rtunity would Ix) afforded to cut oH* his retreat 
 
 I have been di.sappoiiite^l. Although the Iroops from F'ort Krie 
 and Chippuwa had jo ^ed the main body at Beaver Dams, he broke 
 
267 
 
 up yesterday precipitately, continued his route alonj^ the mountain 
 a*Hl will reach the head of the lake by that route. Lieutenant- 
 Coionel PreHton took poHHCHHion of Fort Erie and its dependencies 
 last evening. The fort has been abandoned and the ni»;^azines 
 blown up. I have ordered (leneral Lewis to return without delay. 
 We may yet cut off the enemy's retreat at York, but unfortunately 
 wo have plenty of rain but no win<l ; it may, however, chanjje for 
 the better in a few hours. I shall afford Commodore Chauncey 
 every facility in my power in his preparations for commanding 
 Ij>ike Erie, fie is very anxious to return to Sackett's Harbor, for, 
 until his other ship is fitted, it is not certain he can continue in the 
 conni)an<l of Lakt? Ontario. I was the last evening; honored with 
 your despatches of the ir)th instant, I have taken measures in 
 relation to the twenty-three prisoners who are to be put in close 
 confinement. 
 
 General Dearborn to the Secretary of War. 
 
 Nkwauk, Uim'kh Canada. June 4, 1 814. 
 
 (Bxtraot.) 
 
 Chandler and Winder are in pursuit of tho enemy, who has 
 halted alnjut forty-five miles from here. I am still very feeble and 
 ji(ain stn^n^th but slowly. 
 
 (Aniurivaii State Pa|>erM, Militury AfTairH, Vol. I.) 
 
 National Advocate, New York, lath June, 18x3. 
 
 (From a po:*t8ci'ipt to the liatavia Repuldican Advertiser.) 
 
 From our correspondent at Buffalo : 
 
 The Americm lla«; is Hyinj^ at Fort Erie. All the public pro- 
 perty belonginij; to the enemy, cons'.stin^ of provisions and clothing, 
 was burnt, also the barracks (jxcepting those at Fort Erie. His 
 cannon were all burnt or spiked, tlu^ carriaj^es destroyed and his 
 magazines blown up. Th(i fort an<l batteries were abandoned on 
 the morning of the 2Hth. On the night following Colonel Preston 
 took possession with about 400 men. Nothing is to be found in or 
 about the batteries or storehouses but a complete* heap of ruins. It 
 is stated by the inhabitants, several of whom I have seen, that an 
 immense tjuantity of provisions an<l clothing wjis destroyed by the 
 enemy, and that he had nwu'e the 5.^st of his way to Kingston. 
 
 In ('.ddition to the above we learn by a gentleman direct from 
 Queenston that our light drag<x>ns daily bring in prisoners, that a 
 
268 
 
 considerable quantity of clothing, provisions and ammunition had 
 been found concealed in the woods a few miles from the lines, and 
 thiit a part of the fleet had sailed with a number of troops on board, 
 destined, it was supposed, to the 40 Mile Creek, to attempt cutting 
 off the British in tneir retreat to Kingston. 
 
 National Advocate, New York, aad June, 1813. 
 
 Extract of a letter dated Fort George, Upper Canada, June 3, 
 1813: 
 
 We have had another battle and our flag waves triumphant 
 over Fort George, the strongest place in tipper Canada. We 
 lost but few orticers and men. The British made but a feeble resist- 
 ance, although they had 1200 regulais. Our success I attribute in 
 a great measure to the good conduct of artillerists on our aitle of 
 the river, who in a short period demolished all the enemy's works. 
 Indeed their accurate firing and good management is beyond all 
 praise. Major Armistead commanded during the cannonade at 
 Fort Niagara. Fort George was completely demolished and burnt. 
 
 New York Statesman, June ai, 18x3. 
 
 LETTEK TO THE BALTIMORE WHIG. 
 
 Camp near Fort George, June 5, 1818. 
 
 ^fany persons have come in from distant parts and been par- 
 oled. Several of them reside on the banks of the Grand River, (of 
 T ttke Lirie.) to the middle and lower parts of which most of the 
 Indians have retired, dreading the reward of their cruelty. About 
 200 warriora were at last accounts 14 miles beyond the English 
 camp, having their herds of cattle behind, and placed their women 
 and children in the wo(a18. 
 
 On the first of June General Winder marched with his brigade 
 in pursuit of the English army, which, instead of retreating so far, 
 as was originally expected, took up a strong (but to them a critical) 
 
 Eosition about 40 miles from hence : their left towards Lake Ontario, 
 little Lake in their rear, and a swamp on their right, holding com- 
 munication in front with the mountainous country between that 
 and the Grand River. General V' incent cannot be outflanked, but 
 his retreat may easily be cut ofl". As General Winder is enraged at 
 
269 
 
 the {generalship displayed here on the 27th, I am confident he will 
 repair the error »ia far as possible. Strong l)odies marched after- 
 wards to support him from Boyd's brigade. The principal part of 
 Chandler's is gone also. I hope to be able to write cheerful intelli- 
 gence ere long. A cannonade was heard this morning, and by a 
 {)arty returned in boats we learn that a skirmish had taken place 
 )etween a part of our advanced corps and a small party of the 
 enemy. 
 
 (New York Society Library.) 
 
 Baltimore Whifir, June 5, 1813. 
 
 A letter we have received from an officer in the army says : 
 " Our adherents and friends in Upper Canada suffer greatly in 
 apprehension or in actual misery. Eighteen or twenty of them who 
 refused to take the oath of allegiance to the King of England lived 
 the last winter in a cave or subterraneous hut near Ltike Simcoe. 
 Twenty-five men, Indians and whites, were sent to ferret them out 
 and kill or take them, but our Yankees, (as all Americans are styled 
 there,) killed eighteen of the party and enjoyed their woods and 
 their liberty till very lately, when some of the feeble.st, worn out 
 with cold and disea.se, were seized and put into York jail, whence 
 we liberated them, and from one of then), an emaciated, greyheaded 
 old man, (who I fear cannot long survive to enjoy his liberoy,) I had 
 this account, with other anecdotes. May our friends be speedily 
 and effectually protected, and our enemies as speedily punished. 
 
 I/ieut. Patrick McDonogh, ad U. S. Artillery, to his Parents. 
 
 Newark, May the 30th, 1813. 
 Dear Parents, — 
 
 It is with pleasure I inform you that we are at last in Canada. 
 Wfl embarked for this place in boats and crossed on the 27th. The 
 ene.ny met us on the shore and ma<le a very obstinate resistance 
 for aoout 15 minutes, when they retreated to Queenston Heights, 
 spiking their guns and destroying their stores and ammunition as 
 they went. Fort George, having been previously burne«l almost to 
 ashes by hot shot from our fort and batteries, was evacuated on our 
 approach. We might have taken them all prisoners were it not 
 that our Generals advanced too cautiou.sly, being apprehensive of 
 explosions. Captain Hoach has been slightly touched again in the 
 
270 
 
 right arm. As he was without a command Col. Scott gave him the 
 command of a three-pounder, with eight men from our company. 
 On the 28th we proceeded on our march towards Fort Erie, thinking 
 they would make a stand, but on our arrival at Queenston found 
 that they had taken a different route, blown up that fort and were 
 drawing their forces towards York. Our brigade was immediately 
 ordered to cross by water to cut off their retreat to Kingston. We 
 were all embarked this morning at daylight, but the wind being 
 very high and against us, the General countermanded the order, 
 considering it too great a risk in open boats, as it is almost impos- 
 sible for a boat to live on the lake when there is any kind of a 
 swell. We are to march around by land to-morrow or next day at 
 farthest. The roads they say are very bad. The distance around 
 the head of the lake to York is from ninety to one hundred miles. 
 
 This is a delightful place. The people had evacuated it but are 
 returning daily. They are generally loyal for a few miles back. 
 
 (From advance sheetn of the Records of the American Historical Society of Phil»- 
 delphia.) 
 
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272 
 
 Proclamation by I/ieutenant-Colonel Preston. 
 
 The Coinnian<)ant at Fort Erie tiiuling the people in its vicinity 
 anxious to obtain special protections deems it necessary to make a 
 public declaration that ail thase who may come forward and volun- 
 tarily enroll their names with him and claim the protection of the 
 United States shall have their property and pei'sonal rights secured 
 to them inviolate. He invites all who mean to pursue this coarse 
 to take it immediately that they may be distinguished from the 
 enemy, ami while he assures them that their interest and happiness 
 will be regarded by the Government of the United States, he 
 solemnly warns those who mav obstinately continue inimical that 
 they are bringing on themselves the most rigorous and disastrous 
 consequences, as they will be pursued and treated with that spirit 
 of retaliation which the treatment of the American prisoners in the 
 hands of the British so justly inspires. 
 
 JA.ME.S P. PrESTOX, Lt.-Col, 
 
 12th Regt. Infantry, commanding ut Fort Erie, 
 
 Black Rock and Bafiklo. 
 30th May, 1H13. 
 
 New York Evening Post, 1813. 
 
 HAND BILL. 
 
 Having heard since I had command at Fort Erie that some 
 unprincipled and lawless persons have crossed into Canada with a 
 view to plunder and maraud, contrary to express orders, I deem 
 it my duty to forewarn them from practices so dishonorable and 
 degrading, and solemnly to assure them that every vigilance will 
 be exerted to detect and bring them to rigorous punishment under 
 martial law for such outrages. 
 
 Ja.s. p. Pre.st(>n. Lt.-Col., 
 12th Regt. Inf., commanding at Fort Erie, 
 
 Black Rock and Buffala 
 May 30, 1813. 
 
 (Pfom the Buffalo Gazettt, ist June, 18x3.) 
 FORT GEORGE EVACUATED. 
 
 This post was evacuated on Thursday last in the evening. On 
 Friday we issued the intelligence in a hand bill, which we now 
 republish with corrections and some additional particulars. 
 
273 
 
 On Thursday morning, in conformity with previous arran^- 
 mentH, 4,000 men, under the immediate command of Gen. Lewis, 
 embarked on board the fleet lyinjj near Fort Niagara, under com- 
 mand of Commodore Chauncey. Duriuj^ the early part of the 
 morning there was a thick fog, which prevented the landing until 
 8 or 9 o'clock, when the vessels formed in a curved line off the 
 point beyond the lighthouse, and in rear of Newark. A vanguard 
 consisting of 800 picketl men, (among whom were Forsyth's rifle- 
 men and a number of the Baltimore and An>any volunteers,) under 
 the command of Colonel Scott, now put for the shore and effected 
 their landing in good order. Part of them ascended the bank and 
 were attacke*! by the enemy, who had drawn his whole force to 
 this point. They gave back iind formed on the beach ; a spirited 
 Are was now exchanged for 15 minutes, which had but little eflect 
 on our troops, they being partly sheltered by the bank, but the 
 van again ascended the bank amidst a shower of musketry, and 
 compelled the enemy to give the ground. Colonel Scott was ably 
 seconded by a powerful and well directed fire from the shipping. 
 A body of rising 2,000 men made a landing and the enemy pru- 
 dently took up their line of retreat in the rear of Fort George ; the 
 flying artillery, (which had also lande<l,) played upon the enemy in 
 his retreat with considerable ettect 
 
 General Lewis now formed a line extending from the light- 
 house to the Niagara river above Fort George to prevent the escape 
 of the enemy, but all had made good their retreat except a dozen 
 who had been left to blow up their magazines. Two small maga- 
 zines were blown up, — a short time after which their principal 
 magazine shared the same fate. The men left in the fort were 
 taken and sent to Fort Niagara. Part of the army entered Fort 
 George ; the British flag was taken down and the American flag 
 substituted in its pltice, amidst the acclamations of thousands. 
 
 From an early hour in the morning until the British retreated, 
 Fort Niagara and the batteries opened a most tremendous cannon- 
 ade upon Fort George and the British batteries and entirely 
 demolished them. The two schooners, Growler and Ontario, 
 anchored in the mouth of the Niagara river and played upon the 
 fort and batteries with much effect. 
 
 The enemy were commanded by General Vincent. Their forces 
 were estimated at 8,000 regulars and militia. We understand they 
 retreated by the Beaver Dams for the Short Hills, (about 20 miles 
 from Queenston,) It is reported that General Lewis with a respect- 
 able force hiiS gone in pursuit of the enemy. 
 
 Our loss in the action at the landing has been variously stated. 
 
274 
 
 We believe, however, that it will not be far from 30 killed and 
 wounded. The enemy *h loss was much greater. 
 
 The village of Newark was entirely deserted by its inhabi- 
 tants. The public stores at Queenston were removed or destroyed. 
 
 Dr. C. Chapin of this village was in the vanguard. General 
 Porter, we understand, went with General Lewis as an aid. General 
 Dearborn was on board the Commodore's ship during the landing. 
 
 Those two tine troops of light dragcwns under Captains Bird 
 and Selden, which encamped in this village last Tuesday night, 
 arrived at Fort Niagara and crossed the river on the day of battle. 
 
 We do not learn that any private buildings were destroyed at 
 Newark. 
 
 The following letter written on the day of action is all the 
 written information we possess. 
 
 " Fort George and the batteries are ours : the former demolished, 
 the magazine being blown up by the enemy. The fort destroyed 
 by our artillery : it is inferior to none in the world. The enemy 
 have retreated a few miles ; more fighting to be expected. Our loss, 
 10 killed, a few wounded. Major King wounded in the arm ; 13 
 prisoners have been sent over." 
 
 EVACUATION OF FORT ERIE. 
 
 About 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the same da}'^ an express 
 arrived at Fort Eric from the British commander below. It is 
 un<lei'Htoo<l timt the express brought orders for all the regulars to 
 march imme«liately <lown to join General Vincent on his retreat, 
 and also. for Major Warren, (of the militia,) to open a tire upon 
 Black Rock and continue the same until the next morning, and 
 then burst his guns, blow up his magazines and dismiss his men. 
 He executed his orders. The batteries below the fort immeiliatel}' 
 opened a fire upon Black Rock, which was returned an<l continued 
 at intervals during the night. Early in the morning the destruc- 
 tion of their military stores commenced. All the magazines, all 
 their barracks, public stores and storehou.ses from Chippawa to 
 Point Abino have been blown up or burnt. 
 
 Not a person was injured at the Rock during the whole can- 
 nonade. The barracks and several private buildings received a few 
 shot. 
 
 In the evening of Friday Liout.-Col. J. P. Preston, commandant 
 at Black Rock, crossed over with his regiment and entered Fort 
 Erie. From the liumane and salutary measures adopted by Colonel 
 Preston on his entrance into the enemy's territory in discriminating 
 between friends and enemies an«l securing those well disposed in 
 
275 
 
 their peraons and property, we anticipate that he will be very favor- 
 ably received by the inhabitants of Canada. 
 
 In the early part of last week two of the enemy's anned Hhipa 
 left the marine and came down and anchored off* Erie a day or two, 
 and on Thiirsda}' last, (27th,) made their appearance off Point 
 Abino, 12 miles above Fort Erie. They remained there until they 
 ascertained the result of the battle at Newark, when they dis- 
 appeared beyond the point and have probably gone to Maiden. 
 
 (File in Buffalo Public Library.) 
 
 Baltimore Whig, June 14th, 18x3. 
 
 Extract of a letter from an officer in the army to the editors, 
 dated 
 
 Newark, Uim'eu Canada, May 30, 1813. 
 
 Before this reaches your hand rniuor will have told you of the 
 fall of Fort George at this town on the 27th inst. The advanced 
 corps under Colonel Scott sustained a very heavy tire on landing 
 for about 25 minutes, when the British gave way. 
 
 When we marched to Queenston on the evening of the 28th 
 we found, (what intelligent men had told us at Newark,) that the 
 enemy was far advanced on his retreat by the back road towards 
 the lower part of the Province with about 3,000 men. The British 
 had evacuated their different posts above and collected their force 
 very actively. 
 
 General Boyd is a tine soldier and a humane man. Colonel 
 Scott also and Major King distinguished themselves on the 27th, as 
 tlid almost every man who ha<l a chance of fighting the enemy. 
 Our friends hereabouts are greatly relieved by our visit. They had 
 been terribly persecuted by the Scottish myrmidons of England. 
 Their present joy is equal to their past mi.sery. 
 
 This is a most charming c«)untry, but its uncertain de.stiny, 
 together with the vexations the farmers endured by being dragged 
 out in the militia, left the fields in a great measure uncultivated. 
 
 What force the enemy may be able to collect at the lower end 
 of the Province I know not, but it is supposed they can rai.se a 
 pretty large army. However, their Indians are not of much use to 
 them. They run as .soon as a battle grows hot. I saw but one of 
 their Indians and one negro, (with the Glengarry uniform,) dead on 
 the field, a proof that neither their black nor red allies are very 
 potent nor brave. Their 8th (or Royal Regiment) fought very 
 resolutely and suffered severely from the fire of the despised 
 Yankees. 
 
276 
 Colonel Baylies to Sir Oeorge Prevost. 
 
 Kingston, May 30, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to report to Your Kxcellency that in 
 conformity to an airanj;e<l ph»n of o[)eriitionH with Commodore Sir 
 JameH Yeo, the fleet of ItoatH ii8mMnble<l AHtern of hiH Hhip at ten 
 o'clock on tlie nij^ht of the 2Hth inntant with the troopH placed 
 under my command, and leil by a /y^unboat under tiie direction of 
 Captain Mulctinter, Royal Navy, proceeded towardH Sockett's 
 Harbour in the oriler preHcriljed to the troopH in cose the detach- 
 ment was obliged to march in column, viz.: The {grenadier com- 
 pany, 100th, with one Hection of the Royal ScotH, two companicH of 
 the 8th (or Kinj^'s,) four of the 104th, two of the Canadian Volti- 
 geurs, two six pounderH with their punnerH and a company of Glen- 
 garry Light Infantry, were embarked (m l)oard a light schooner, 
 which was proposed to be towed under the direction of oflicers of 
 the navy ho as to ensure the guns being landed in time to support 
 the advance of the troops. Although the night was dark with rain, 
 the boats assembled in the vicinity of Hackett's Harl)Our by one 
 o'clock in compact and regular order, and in this position it was 
 intended to remain until the day broke, in the hope of effecting a 
 landing before the enemy could be prepared to line the woods with 
 troops, which surround the cooMt, but unfortunately a strong cur- 
 rent drifted the boats considerably, while the darkness of the night 
 and ignorance of the coiist prevented them from recovering the 
 proper station until the day dawned, when the whole pulled for 
 the point of debarkation. 
 
 It was my intention to have landed in the cove formed by 
 Horse Island, but on approaching it we discovered that the enemy 
 were fully prepared, by u very heavy fire of musketry from the 
 surrounding wcKxis, which were fille<l with infantry Hupporte<l with 
 a field piece. I directed the boats to pull round to the other side 
 of the island, where a landing was effected in gctod order and with 
 little loss, although executed in the face of a corps fonned with a 
 fiehl piece in the wood, and under the enfilade of a heavy gun of 
 the enemy's principal battery. The advance was le<i by the grena- 
 diers of the ICOth Regiment with undaunted gallantry, which no 
 obstacles coulil arrest A narrow causeway, in many places under 
 water, not more than four feet wide and four hundre<l paces in 
 length, which connected the island with the mainland was occupied 
 by the enemy in great force, with a six-pounder. It was forced and 
 carried in the most spirited manner, and the gun taken before & 
 second discharge could be made from it ; a tumbril with a few 
 
277 
 
 rounds of ammunition was found, but unfortunately the artillery^ 
 men were Htill behind, the schooner not having been able to ^et up 
 in time, and the troops were exposed to no heavy and galling a tire 
 from a numerous but almost invisible foe as to render it impossibU 
 to halt for the artillery to come up. At this spot two paths led in 
 opposite directions round the hill. I directed Colonel \oun|; uf the 
 Kind's Regiment, with half of the detachment, to penetrate by the 
 left, and Major Drummond of the 104th to force the path by the 
 right, which proved to be the more open and was less occupied by 
 the enemy. On the left the wood was very thick and was most 
 obstinately maintained by the enemy. 
 
 The gunlM>atH, which hail C(>vere<l our landing, aflfordetl material 
 aid by firing into the woods, but the American soldier, secure behind 
 a tree, was only to be dislodged bv the bayonet. The spirited 
 advance of a section produceil the night of hundre<J8. From this 
 observation all tiring was directed tu cease, and the detachment 
 being formed in as regular order as the nature of the ground would 
 admit pushed forward through the wood upon the enemy, who, 
 although greatly superior in numbers and supported by tiela pieces 
 and a heavy tire from their fort, tied with precipitation to their 
 blockhouse and fort, abandoning one of their guns. The division 
 under Colonel Young was joined in the charge by that under Major 
 Drummond, which was executed with such spirit and promptness 
 that many of the enemy fell in their enclosed barrac|(s, which were 
 set on tire by our tnxips. At this point the further energies of the 
 troops became unavailing. Their blockhouse and sUtckatleil liattery 
 could not be carried by assault, nor re<Juced by tield pieces had we 
 been provided with them. The tire of the gunl)oats proved inetii- 
 cient to attain that end. Light and adverse winds continued and 
 our larger vessels were still far otf*. The enemy turned tlie heavy 
 ordnance of his battery to the interior defence of his post. He had 
 set tire to the storehouses in the vicinity of the fort. 
 
 Seeing no object witHn our i-each t<j attain that could com- 
 pensate for the loss that we were momentarily sustaining from the 
 heavy tire of the enemy's cannon, I directed the troo))s to take up 
 the position on the crest of the hill we had charged from. From 
 this position we were oniered to re-emliark, which was performed 
 at our leisure and in perfect order, the enemy not presuming to 
 show a single soldier without the limits of his fortress. Your 
 Excellenc}' having been a witness of the zeal and ardent courage of 
 every soldier in the tield, it is unnecessary in me to assure Your 
 Excellency that but one sentiment animated every breast, that of 
 discharging to the utmost of their power their fluty to their King and 
 'country ; but one sentiment of regret and mortitication prevailed on 
 
278 
 
 being obliged to quit a beaten enemy, whom a small band of British 
 soldiers had driven before them for three hours through a country 
 abounding in strong positions of defence but not offering a single 
 spot of cleared ground favorable for the operations of disciplined 
 troops, without having fully accomplished the duty we were ordered 
 to perform. 
 
 The two divisions of the detachment were ably commanded by 
 Colonel Young of the King's and Major Drummond of the 104th. 
 The detachment of the King's under Major Evans nobly sustained 
 the high and established character of that distinguished corps, and 
 Captain Burke availed himself of the ample field afforded him in 
 leading the advance to display the intrepidity of British grenadiers. 
 The detachment of the 104th Regiment under Major Moodie, 
 Captain McPherson's company of Glengarry Light Infantry, and 
 two companies of Canadian Voltigeurs commanded by Major Heriot, 
 all of them levies of the British Provinces of North America, evinced 
 most striking proofs of their loyalty, steadiness and courage. The 
 detachment of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment behaved with 
 great gallantry. 
 
 Your Excellency will lament the loss of that active and intelli- 
 gent officer, Captain Gray, Acting Deputy-Quartermaster General, 
 who fell close to the enemy's work while reconnoitering it in the 
 hope to disc er some opening to favor an assault. 
 
 Commodore Sir James Yeo conducted the fleet of boats in the 
 attack, atid, accompanying the advance of the troops, directed the 
 co-operation of the gunboats. 
 
 I feel most grateful for Your Excellency's kind consideration 
 in allowing your aides-de-camp, Majors Coore and Fulton, to accom- 
 pany me in the field, and to these officers for the able assistance 
 they afforded me. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 237.) 
 
 Return of the Killed, Wounded and Missing in an Attack on 
 Sackett's Harbour on the 29th May, 1813. 
 
 Killed — 1 deputy assistant quartermaster-general, three ser- 
 geants, forty-four rank and file. 
 
 Wounded — Three majors, three captains, five lieutenants, one 
 ensign, seven sergeants, two drummers, 172 rank and fiie, two 
 gunners. 
 
 Wounded and Missing — Two captains, one ensign, 13 rank and 
 tile. 
 
 Killed — Captain Alexander Gray, assistant deputy quarter- 
 master general. 
 
279 
 
 • 
 
 Wounded — 8th Refjiment — Major Evaus, Lieuts. Lowry and 
 Metall, (mortally.) 104th Regiment — Majors Drummond and 
 Moodie, Captains Leonard and Shore, Lieuts. Rainsford, DeLancey 
 and Moore. Glengarry Light Infantry — Captain McPherson. 
 
 Wounded and Missing — 8th or King's Regiment — Captains 
 Blackmore and Tyeth, Ensign Greig. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121. 
 
 Mr. T^. B. Brenton to Captain Noah Freer. 
 
 Kingston, 30th May. 1813. 
 My Dear Freer, — 
 
 We received information about one o'clock on Thursday, the 
 27th, by the return of Sir James Yeo, who had been in to recon- 
 noitre Sackett's Harbour, that the whole of the enemy's fleet were 
 out, and knowing that they were employed at Niagara, where an 
 attack had commenced on the 24th, it was determined to proceed 
 with all the force we could collect and endeavor to get possession of 
 and destroy the new ship and stores. By the greatest exertions the 
 troops were all embarked on bateaux and small craft by sunset, and 
 proceeded to join the ships at anchor at the mouth of the harbour. 
 We, (Sir George and staff,) followed in canoes. It was very late 
 before we got on board the Wolfe, and as there was not room on 
 board for the whole, several bateaux loaded [with troops] were 
 dropped astern, where they remained during the night. Our inten- 
 tion was to weigh anchor immediately so as to fetch Sackett's 
 Harbour by daylight, but the wind failed when we most wanted it, 
 and we did not get in sight of the place till broad daylight. We 
 then attempted to beat in, but the wind being most provokingly 
 light and baffling we had not by 2 o'clock p. m. approached nearer 
 than ten miles. During this time alarm guns were constantly tiring 
 from the batteries and from two schooners, which came a short way 
 out of the harbour. We could plainly see them assembling near 
 the barracks, and upwards of twenty bateaux loaded with men 
 rowing down near shore, whom we could not intercept. 
 
 As there appeared no prospect of the wind changing, and the 
 notice we had then afforded the enemy of our approach deprived us 
 of the advantage we expected of making a coup de main, it was 
 thought even by the most sanguine that it would be best to abandon 
 the attempt. The men previously ordered into the boats were 
 ordered out of them, and we began to turn our heads towards King- 
 ston, when the wind suddenly shifted against us and we had as 
 much difficulty in beating out of the harbour as in beating in. A 
 most extraordinary incident at this period occurred, which occa- 
 
280 
 
 • 
 
 aioned a second change in our determination and led to an attack. 
 Three Indian canoea supported by a gunboat had been despatched 
 from the ships to intercept a brigade oi boats passing along the 
 shore with reinforcements, and the^r obliged these boats to put in 
 shore, and the Indians having landed a smart skirmish took place, 
 in which one Indian was killed, another wounded and a prisoner 
 brought off. Shortly after the return of the canoes a flag of truce 
 was seen coming from the shore where the skirmish had happened 
 and where a number of peraons and boats were collected. The boat 
 having reached us an officer in cavalry uniform came down into the 
 cabin where we were at dinner, and, asking for the Commodore, 
 said he had come to surrender his whole party prisoners of war. 
 They amounted to between 200 and 300. The gunboat was imme- 
 diately despatched [to receive them.] and about eight bateaux with 
 about 115 men with their arms, accoutrements and some tents, &c., 
 were brought on board. This very singular event, depriving the 
 enemy of part of the intended reinforcements and marking so 
 clearly the description of people we had to contend with, together 
 with a state of wind so favourable for reaching the harbour, led to 
 fnrther consultation, when Colonel Bavnes, who was in command 
 of the expedition, with Colonel Young, Gray and others were 
 decidedly of the opinion that the attempt should be made. Sir 
 George, who had been not a little surprised that they had pre- 
 viously entertained any doubt of it, consented, and arrangements 
 were made immediately for all the boats to assemble round the 
 Wolfe, whence they were to start at 12 p. m. and put in for shore 
 about two miles from us so as to reach it at dawn and land under 
 cover of the guns of the gunboats and the Beresfoi d if she could 
 reach the place of landing in time. The ships at anchor were to 
 weigh an hour before daylight and to act as circumstances might 
 point out. The whole force, consisting of about 25 Royals, near 
 200 of the 8th, 330 of the 104th, 56 of the 100th, 46 Glengarry and 
 about 120 Voltigeurs, making with the marines in the gunboats 
 700 or 800 men put off at 12, a gunboat leading the way with a 
 light. Sir George, who could not rest satisfied on board and yet 
 who could not consistently command the expedition, embarked in a 
 canoe with Captain McDouall, Dr. Macaulay and mj'self at 2.30 A. 
 M. Fulton and Coore had accompanied Colonel Bavnes. About 
 half an hour before day dawned we were near enough the boats to 
 hear the oars, and as soon as the first glimpse of light appeared the 
 reveille beat in the enemy's post and we discovered the boats just 
 ahead of us making for shore in an oblique line. They approached 
 near enough to be fired upon at 3.30 A. M., and as they skirted the 
 shore to reach an island where they were to land a continual fire 
 
281 
 
 of musketry was kept up. At this time we had joined the stern- 
 most boats, which were lagging, and were pushinjjf them on, when 
 the enemy opened a fire of musketry from the island and grape 
 from two six-pounders on the mainland, and several shot flew over 
 our canoe. The gunboats beginning to fire, the wood was cleared 
 on the island, where a landing was immediately effected, but the 
 men from the first gunboat being most exposed several were killed 
 or wounded in disembarking, amongst them Captain Leonard of 
 the 104th. The troops pushed on through and round the island to 
 a ford, which separated it from the nminland, when the enemy 
 appeared there in considerable force with three field-pieces. Here 
 we lost several men. They were at length driven away and the 
 fieldpieces taken. The column then advanced by a road along the 
 shore in the direction of the battery and blockhouse, the enemy 
 keeping up a galling fire from the woods and bushes. Sir George, 
 McDouall and myself were following and pushing on the rear, and 
 as we advanced the number of dead and wounded officers and men 
 we met or that were lying on the ground clearly showed the resist- 
 ance of the enemy to be determined and their number very far 
 exceeding our information respecting it. The troops had proceeded 
 about half a mile when they came on the main work, when the fire 
 was so much increased and the opposition so great that our men 
 were constantly falling back on the rear where we were, and balls 
 were whizzing about us in all directions, killing several persons 
 near us. At this period Colonel Baynes came up to Sir George and 
 told him that the enemy was so strongly posted and so sheltered 
 by blockhouses and other works that our men could not approach 
 them, weakened as they were by the losses of the morning, with 
 any prospect of success. It was, however, determined to collect all 
 the troops to a point, form the line and make an attack imme- 
 diately upon the batteries and barracks in front. For this purpose 
 the men in front were called in and line formed a little out of reach 
 of the enemy's musketry, and though much fagged, after l>eing 
 supplied with ammunition, they were again led on in line. At this 
 time I do not think the whole force collected in line exceeded 300 
 men. They advanced in two lines on the right and left of the 
 enemy, and although a most destructive fire was commenced the 
 8th, 100th and part of the 104th on the left penetrated to one of 
 the barracks, got possession of a piece of ordnance and sheltered 
 themselves behind the barrack to prepare for a further advance. 
 The other line or part of tlie first, for it was but one line, centering 
 more to the right, was on high ground among stumps and logs, to 
 which Sir George's ardour and indifference to danger carried him. 
 Here the fire was tremendous. I do not exaggerate when I tell you 
 
282 
 
 tliat shot, both grape and musket, flew like hail. Coore came up 
 and gave Sir George his glass. We were trying to fix it on a stump 
 when a shower of grape covered us, a ball falling within 
 a yard or two of him. At this time those who were left of the 
 troops l>ehind the oarracks made a dash out to charge the enemy, 
 but the fire* was so destructive they were instantly turned by it, 
 and the retreat was sounded. Sir George, fearless of danger and 
 disdaining to run or to suffer his men to run, called out repeatedly 
 to them to retire in order. Many, however, made off as fast as they 
 could. We retired with the hindmost, nor was it, I assure you, 
 with a quickstep, though showers of grape were falling about us. 
 Fortunately the enemy di<l not attempt a pursuit, but contented 
 themselves with discharging musketry and ordnance along the road 
 and through the wood, as long as they thought they could reach 
 us. Just as the retreat began, the enemy, no doubt appalled by the 
 firmness and boldness of the last advance, set fire to stores contain- 
 ing naval articles, no doubt preparatory to the destruction of the 
 new ship. Finding as soon as we could Collect our troops 
 that manv of our men were disabled or killed, and that the 
 ships could not approach for want of wind within several miles of 
 the enemy's batteries, and that our artillery was not brought up, 
 we determined to re-embark. 
 
 The enemy made not the smallest attempt to interrupt the 
 embarkation. We brought off" all our men except a few wounded 
 [who fell] near the scene of the last attack, together with a brass 
 field-piece, some arms, tent equipage and about 25 prisoners. We 
 reached the ship about 9 o'clock A. M., the attack having lasted 
 about four hours. Captain Gray fell in the last attack and his body 
 remained in their possession. Our loss in killed and wounded is 
 near 200. The enemy's force cannot have been less than 3,000, as 
 they received a reinforcement of 700 that morning. I think we 
 may lioast of having accomplished much in compelling them to burn 
 their stores and in taking three guns, one of which remains in our 
 possession. Their loss must have been considerable. We hear they 
 lost one Colonel. 
 
 After we embarked, the wind heading us. Sir George and suite 
 left the Wolfe in a canoe about 10 o'clock yesterdaj% and arrived 
 safely at Kingston about 8 o'clock last evening. The ships all 
 anchored here this evening. There cannot be a doubt that they 
 have recalled their fleet from Niagara by express and Sir James 
 Yeo is preparing to start to-morrow to meet it. They have obliged 
 us to abandon our position on the Niagara, and our troops have 
 fallen back into the interior. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Freer Papera, 1813.) 
 
283 
 
 Major-General Brown to Govemor Tompkins. 
 
 Sackett's Harbor, May 29, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — We were attacked at dawn of this day by a British 
 regular force of at least 900 men, (and most probably 1200.) They 
 made good their landing at Horse Island. The enemy's fleet con- 
 sisted of two ships, four schooners and 30 large open boats. We 
 are completely victorious. The enemy lost a considerable number 
 in killed and wounded on the field, among the number several 
 officers of distinction. After having re-embarked they sent me a 
 flag desiring to have their killed and wounded attended to. I made 
 them satisfied on that subject. Americans will be distinguished for 
 humanity and bravery. Our loss is not numerous, but serious from 
 the great worth of those who have fallen. Colonel Mills was shot 
 dead at the commencement of the action, and Colonel Backus of the 
 light dragoons nobly fell at the head of his regiment as victory was 
 declaring for us. I will not presume to praise this regiment — much 
 gallant conduct on this day deserves more than praise. The new 
 ship and Commodore Chauncey's prize, the Duke of Gloucester, are 
 yet safe in Sackett's Harbor. Sir George Prevost landed and com- 
 manded in person. Sir James L. Yeo commanded the enemy's 
 fleet. 
 
 (Tompkins Papers, New York State Library.) 
 
 Major-General Jacob Brown to Governor D. D. Tompkins. 
 
 Sackett's Harbor, June 1st, 1813. 
 
 Sir,— You will have received mine from the field of battle. 
 All that I have stated is so. I have now to add that on the 25th I 
 received a communication from General Dearborn desiring me to 
 take command at this post. I hesitated. Colonel Backus was 
 here, an officer of experience in whom I placed the most implicit 
 confidence, and I could not do an act which I feared would wound 
 his feelings. In the night of the 27th Colonel Backus wrote me, 
 per Major Swan, desiring me to come and take the command. I 
 could no longer hesitate. Early in the morning of the 28th I was 
 here. As the day opened Lieut. Chauncey, the brother of our 
 worthy Commodore, came in from the lake firing alarm guns. The 
 signal guns that had been agreed upon some days previous to rally 
 the militia were fired in answer, and I sent out expresses in every 
 direction to alarm the country. As soon as Lieut. Chauncey came 
 into port he advised me that the fleet approaching was an enemy, 
 and with the glass we could see that they had a very ample supply 
 
284 
 
 of boats. I then no longer doubted but they were resolved to land 
 with a chosen body ot* troops and storm our works. 
 
 The few artillerists we had to man the guns of Forts Tompkins 
 and Volunteer prepared themselves for the worst, and Lieut Chaun- 
 cey did everything possible to suppo- ' i^nd strengthen Navy Point, 
 the guns on which were altogether under his command, and manned 
 by his officers and men. As Colonel Backus and others had recently 
 arrived on this station, I wanted him to accompany me through a 
 thorough examination of the ground around our position, and as 
 soon as this had been done we settled a regular plan of defence. I 
 had ever been of opinion that no military man would risque his 
 men in the mouth of Sackett's Harbor, for reasons which would be 
 superfluous here to explain. I knew there was a place where 
 determined men might land with considerable safety under cover of 
 the fire from their small flat-bottomed gunboats, which I also knew 
 had recently arrived from Montreal, and were in all probability 
 with the fleet. 
 
 At the water's edge near Horse Island, where I believed the 
 enemy would land, I was resolved to meet them, and with this view 
 the plan of defence was settled between myself. Colonel Backus, 
 Colonel Mills, Lieut. Chauncey, Major Swan and Major Brown. 
 
 I was to meet the enemy near the water's edge, where I believed 
 they would land, with all the militia that came in, and the Albany 
 volunteers under Colonel Mills. At the alarm or orders given by 
 me Colonel Backus was to order a body of regulars to advance so 
 as to meet the enemy after they had broken or dispersed the force 
 under me. The force under me being broken I was to rally them 
 and fall upon the enemy's right flank so as to retard their approach 
 toward Fort Tompkins as long as possible, always hoping that the 
 country would send forth all its means to our assistance, and that 
 to gain time was to ensure victory. If, however, the enemy should 
 overcome the assembled regulars and militia, and drive us the whole 
 length of Horse Island to Fort Tompkins and carry that fort, Lieut. 
 Chauncey was then and in that case to see the stores on Navy Point 
 destroyed, the new sloop burnt, and return with his schooners and 
 the men he had left to the south shore of the bay east of Fort 
 Volunteer. The force remaining with me to retire to Fort Volun- 
 teer, the highest ground, as being the last and dernier resort, and if 
 the enemy should prove too hard for Lieut. Chauncey he was to 
 land his men and blow up his vessels and join me in Fort Volunteer, 
 where we should be governed by circumstances. This being our 
 plan and the enemy having first struck us as contemplated, it 
 remains to see how well our plan was executed. The wind being 
 very light during the whole of the 28th, and the enemy having 
 
28-5 
 
 arrangements to make for landing, they moved slowly up the bay, 
 but no doubt would have attacked us in the course of the afternoon 
 had it not been for the approach of boats from Oswego 
 
 with reinforcements. This circumstance diverted them for a time. 
 They attacked the boats, took of them and a number of 
 
 our men, but with what loss to them or to us in other respects I am 
 yet uninformed. In the course of the 28 ch and night of the 28th 
 and 29th a considerable number of militia assembled. They were 
 as they arrived ordered to a small improvement on the main just 
 within Horse Island, and such provisions as could be furnished were 
 carted to the ground, where they all ate in common paying no 
 attention to the ordinary mode of drawing rations. Colonel Mills 
 of the Albany volunteei-s was on the island. I joined the force 
 assembled near Horse Island, and explained to the leading officer 
 my views, as I feared a night attack. It being of the first import- 
 ance to the enemy to be rapid in their movements and to prevent 
 the fatal effects (to them) of jJie force that would be assembled by 
 morning, and of those brave men that I supposed would generously 
 fly to their country's standard, ambitious to have a name in the 
 victory that I firmly believed was certain. As the morning of the 
 29th approached I found myself with part of three regiments of 
 militia and a part of the Albany volunteers, amounting altogether 
 say to five hundred men, all anxious for the fight, were you to 
 believe their professions. 
 
 The moment it was so light as to see an object on the bay the 
 enemy's ships were discovered in nearly a direct line between the 
 head of Horse Island and Stoney Point, and within ten minutes 33 
 boats tilled with men approached us from the largest Indian or 
 Gardiner's Island, when the action in fact began as the enemy imme- 
 diately opened upon us with his gunboats. I directed Colonel 
 Backus to advance and ordered Colonel Mills to join me on the 
 main. The moment Colonel Mills had joined I ordered 
 of the All)any volunteers, who had the command of a travelling 
 6-pounder, to open upon the enemy. The Albany volunteers under 
 Colonel Mills, were then laid down on the right behind a small 
 natural breastwork on the beach, and all the militia under Colonel 
 Sprague behind the same breastwork on the left, and those under 
 Colonel Tuttle to take a position that I pointed out about 30 rods 
 upon my left flank by the edge of the woods near the bay to pre- 
 vent a surprise from savages, which I expected would come in from 
 that quarter. The enemy by this time had landed a body of men 
 at Horse Island, who were advancing in open column upon a line 
 with the enemy's front boats. Every exertion was then made to 
 inspire my little force with confidence, and if they would but lay 
 
286 
 
 firm and restrain their fire I was confident that every man must 
 nearly kill his man. I then took my position in the centre by the 
 left of the men at the 6-pounder, directly in front of the column 
 approaching from the island, and all was silent with me except this 
 6-pounder. the enemy approaching and keeping up as heavy a 
 fire as possible from their gunboats. Not a shot was tired from 
 their column, the front approaching charging bayonets. It appears 
 impossible to restrain raw troops so as to make them in any degree 
 useful. Those with me did fire and would fire before I intended. 
 The enemy were, however, pretty near, and as I was intently watch- 
 ing the happy effects of our fire, to my utter astonishment my men 
 arose from their cover, broke, and before I could realize the disgrace- 
 ful scene there was scarcely a man within several rods of where I 
 stood. Colonel Mills fell gallantly, struggling to stop his men. I 
 was more fortunate. I made all the noise I could for my men, put 
 my handkerchief on the point of my sword and made every sort of 
 signal possible that they might notice me, but in vain. At a little 
 distance, however, I had the good fortune to come up with Captain 
 McNitt, who had succeeded in rallying some men, and they were 
 doing all they could from behind some large logs by the edge of the 
 field. I complimented them, complained of those who had left me, 
 ordered Captain McNitt to stand fast, and would go to call up 
 Colonel Tuttle from the point where I had ordered him. I went, 
 but no Colonel Tuttle could I find nor any other man. By the 
 time I returned Captain Mayo and a few others had joined Captain 
 McNitt. 
 
 I then ordered an advance upon the rear of the enemy's right, 
 and I trust some execution was done, but as my party did not exceed 
 100, and as I deemed it very important for me to know how things 
 stood in front of the enemy, where the regulars were most nobly 
 contending, I ordered a rapid movement forward to pass the enemy, 
 and as we were advancing a tire came at some distance upon our 
 right flank. We halted, faced about, and McNitt was in the act of 
 firing when I ordered a little delay, saying they might be our 
 friends. In a moment we saw the red coats approaching from the 
 right of the path along which we had passed. McNitt gave them 
 his last fire and we made a rapid retreat upon the extreme left of 
 the few brave men who had sustained the conflict in front. As I 
 Jast turned from the enemy and came out of the woods upon the 
 left of our friends, I saw an alarming flame arising from Navy 
 Point, the position which contained the spoils of York and some 
 few of Commodore Chauncey's effects. With all possible expedition 
 I made my way into Fort Tompkins, and found Lieut. Ketch um, 
 the otiBcer I had left there, in the ^t of firing the long 32 at the 
 
287 
 
 enemy's shipping. I desired him to keep up as heavy a fire as 
 possible, and assured him that victory was ours. He replied : 
 " General, I cannot fire this piece again, the flame from the marine 
 barracks is so hot my men cannot remain here." I felt the force of 
 this answer and replied : " Do the best you can," and left him, 
 being alarmed for the ship, the object of the contest. 
 
 I hurried towards her and found Major Brown, who assured 
 me that the ship was safe and that what had happened was due to 
 the infamous conduct of those in whom Lieut. Chauncey had placed 
 confidence, that it was without his knowledge they had gone from 
 Navy Point and informed Chauncey all was lost upon the right of 
 our line of battle. I ordered Major Brown to send forthwitli and 
 assure him all was safe upon our right and that victory was ours. 
 On passing up the Brownsville, Middle and Adams roads I per- 
 ceived some hundreds of idle men were assembled at a very respect- 
 ful distance from danger. Major Swan rode up and informed me 
 that their fixed ammunition was expended. Iieplied: " It may 
 be so, but I do not believe it. If so, tell no man." I then rode 
 among these people and they tried to impose upon me as they had 
 done upon the Major, but I knew them better and could admit of 
 no such excuse. Manv of them had drawn their boxes full the dav 
 before and never fired a gun at the enemy. With much ado I got 
 them to move towards the right flank of the enemy in hopes of 
 throwing them into the woods behind Sir George Prevost, sliould 
 he presume to advance further. I then ordered Major Sackett, who 
 I knew would not hesitate, to advance with his mounted light 
 dragoons into the open space west of Judge Sackett's old house, 
 and nearly in a line between the enemy and the ship. It was done. 
 Hurrying to where the British and American regulars fought, I very 
 soon felt that victory was really ours, and if Sir George had not 
 been oflf with almost the rapidity of thought he would not have 
 returned that day. 
 
 N. B. — About 400 of the regular troops sustained the heat of 
 the action. These consisted chiefly of the 1st Light Dragoons, some 
 of the 9th and 25th and a few of the 23d Infantry and 3d Light 
 Artillery. 
 
 (Tompkins P». ers, Vol. VIII., New York State Library.) 
 
 District General Order. 
 
 Forty Mile Creek, 29th May. 1813. • 
 
 The direction and arrangement of baggage and waggons is 
 vested in the Quartermaster-General of Militia, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 
288 
 
 Nichol, and all officers and soldiers are required to conform to such 
 requisitions as may be made by him to enable him to fultil this 
 important branch of the service. 
 
 J. Harvey, Lt.-Col., 
 D. A. G. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 144, p, 116.) 
 
 Brigadier-General Vincent to Colonel Baynes. 
 
 Bazeley's, Head of the Lake, Slst May, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have to inform you for the information of the Com- 
 mander of the Forces, that I have arrived here this eveninof and 
 have taken up a strong position that I propose keeping until I 
 receive your orders or reinforcements arrive. 
 
 I have just heard from Major Allan that some companies of 
 the 8th v^'ere expected into York this evening. I have sent off an 
 express to hasten their march to join me without delay, and not to 
 remain one night at York, as Chauncey and his whole fleet got 
 under way this day at one o'clock, as I suppose for York, I hope 
 our fleet will be on the lake to-morrow to meet them, and give me 
 an opportunity of retaking Fort George. 
 
 .1 shall write you more full^'^ by Dr. Strachan to-morrow. 
 
 We want everything — shoes, stockings, blankets, tents and 
 shirts. I have wrote to York to forward me all they may have at 
 that post. 
 
 I wrote to General Dearborn to send all the officers' families 
 either to York or Kingston, which you will find by the enclosed 
 letter he has consented to provided we send a vessel for them, which 
 I hope will be done immediately. 
 
 I am happy to inform you that Colonel Myers is much better. 
 He is wounded in five places, but not dangerously. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 678.) 
 
 Major-General Dearborn to Sir George Preyost. 
 
 Headquarters, Fort George, May 3l8t, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — R. G. Beasly, Esqr., our Commissary of Prisoners in Lon- 
 don, has made it known to my government that twenty-three soldiers 
 oi the 1st, 6th and 13th Regiments of United States Infantry, made 
 prisoners, have been sent to England and held in close confinement 
 as British subjects, and I am instructed by my government to put 
 into close confinement twenty-three British soldiers to be kept as 
 
289 
 
 hostages for the safe keeping and restoration on e^.change of the 
 soldiers of the United States who have been sent as above stated 
 to Enghind. 
 
 I now, therefore, have the honor to apprize Your Excellency 
 that in obedience to the instructions from my government I have 
 put twenty-three British soldiers in close confinement to bo kept as 
 hostages in the manner alx)ve related. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 269.) 
 
 Anne Powell to Justice W. D. Powell. 
 
 York, May 31st, 1813. 
 
 (BxtPaot.) 
 
 John P[owell] is safe, but not with the army. It is said the 
 fracture of a bolt, very material to the use of the most important 
 gun, (24-pounder,) committed to his charge, obliged him to spike it, 
 but it is supposed he was first abandoned by his men. I hope for 
 all our sakes he can justify his conduct. Col. Claus and his family 
 are with the army. The weather has been dreadful. We are not 
 hovering over the fire as if it was March. 
 
 (Prom the Powell Papers, Toronto Public Library. ) 
 
 Sir James Yeo to Hon. John Wilson Croker. 
 
 His Majesty's Ship Wolfe at Kingston 
 
 on Lake Ontario, the 31st May, 1813. 
 (No. 4.) 
 
 Sir, — I have the honour to inform you for the information of 
 the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that in consequence of 
 the enemy's attack at Fort George it was deemed advisable by His 
 Excellency Sir George Prevost and myself to cause a diversion in 
 favor of our troops in that quarter. It being determined that Sack- 
 ett's Harbour should be the point of attack, the squadron was with 
 much exertion and difficulty got ready on the evening of the 27th 
 inst., and sailed with part of the troops of the garrison on board. 
 On the morning of the 28th we were in sight of Sackett's Harbour, 
 but from light winds and calms the attack could not be made that 
 day. It was therefore resolved to land at daylight the next morning, 
 which was accordingly done under cover of the gunboats com- 
 manded by Captain Mulcaster, to whom, with the officers and men 
 under his orders, every praise is due, tho' the gunboats were totally 
 inadequate with small carronades to make any impression o/i their 
 forts and blockhouses. Then the troops, after gaining decided 
 advantages, were reluctantly ordered to re-embark and leave a 
 
290 
 
 beaten enemy, having obliged them to set fire to their stores and 
 retire within their enclosed forts and blockhouses. 
 
 (Admiralty Papers, Canadian Archives, M. 389-6, p. 22, ) 
 
 A I/ist of Petty Officers and Seamen Killed and Wounded, belong- 
 ing to the Naval l^stablishment in Canada, the 29th May, 
 1813, in an Attack on Sackett's Harbour. 
 
 Alexander West, A. B., killed. 
 
 Mr. Fred Johnston, midshipman, a musket ball through the 
 small of the right leg. 
 
 Thos. Smith, A. B., wounded slightlj'. 
 
 Roger Owen, A.. B.. do. severely. 
 
 Timothy Collins, Ord'y do. do. 
 
 George Bennett, coxswain, do. slightly. 
 
 James L. Yeo, 
 
 Commodore. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, M. 389-6, p. 21.) 
 
 Notes by Capt. Wm. H. Merritt. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 15th (29th ?) I was sent down to 
 reconnoitre and find how far the enemy had advanced. I sent my 
 horses in the rear and pressed others to go on. [I] had a party of 
 eight or ten men. On my arrival at the 12 [I] found a party had 
 proceeded to DeCoo's of 40 or 50 horsemen. At Shipman's met a 
 few rifles whose commander mistook me for one [of his own people] ; 
 found the enemy had not advanced with any force ; returned to the 
 20; sent a few men on in advance ; went home by the lake road 
 and found Mr. Adams was only wounded and in a fair way of 
 recovering. [I] persuaded my father to return and remain with the 
 family. [I] remained at home till midnight when I took leave [and] 
 returned to the Fortj'. The army had proceeded on to Burlington. 
 [I] received an order to remain at the Forty with a few n)ilitiamen 
 and 7 or 8 dragoons, till driven in by the Americans. On the 16th 
 (JjOth ?) a flag of truce came up. Major Pinckney and Captain Arm- 
 strong. [I] detained them at the Forty till the 17th (31st May ?). 
 As soon as they left us I received intelligence of the enemy 
 approaching. My videttes were driven in from the 20 early in the 
 morning ; in the afternoon their advance were within three miles 
 of me. A party of 20 or 30 horsemen came on to the Forty, which 
 obliged me to retire on our advance at Stony Creek. By this time 
 I was completely knocked up, so were both my men and horses, 
 having been deprived of sleep and rest for 6 or 8 days. On my 
 joining the [main] body a relief was sent in my place. I quartered 
 
291 
 
 at Barton. Mrs. Gordon came up and joined the army, with her 
 husband, and I was j^enerally provided with good quarters when 
 she was present. 
 
 (Prom the Merritt MSS.) 
 
 To I/t.-Col. Thomas Clark, and I^incoln Militia. 
 
 Stamford, June 1st, 1813. 
 
 Last night we left at Mr. Cavers's 23 barrels of salt, 3 barrels 
 of flour, 1 barrel of tar and all the rigging belonging to the ship. 
 
 Next morning Los and Jacob Stinehoff and Peter and Daniel 
 Severes (Servos ?) and thin John Silverthorn and John Young took 
 7 barrels of salt and 1 barrel of tar and some ropes. 
 
 John Howell took 1 barrel of salt and some ropes. 
 
 John Ostrander took 2 barrels of salt and some ropes. 
 
 Nathan Caho took 2 barrels of salt. 
 
 Joseph Burger, John Pettet and Andrew Willson took 5 barrels 
 of salt and some ropes and sails. 
 
 We sent to John Misener 37 barrels of flour, and the 3d of June 
 [when] he came home he found that 10 barrels were missing, of 
 which he found in Kelce's possession 3 barrels, and the remaining 7 
 can't be found. 
 
 John Norton to Sir George Prevost. 
 
 Burlington Bay, June 1st, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I am highly impressed with the honour you have done 
 my friends and myself in noticing our humble exertions against our 
 enemies. At the same time I regret with an aching heart their 
 having been less efficient in the late affair. 
 
 This misfortune does not> however, in any manner diminish 
 the confidence I have in God and the justice of our cause, and when 
 our force shall be so augmented as to put us in a condition to try 
 again the fortune of war, I hope that the blood of our enemies shall 
 obliterate the remembrance of our misfortune. 
 
 I am equally desirous with yourself to increase the number of 
 the warriors who follow me to the field, but to eft'ect this I am 
 deficient in the means except such as nature may have given, con- 
 sequently I am only supported by those who are induced by per- 
 sonal affection or a love of glory to risk with me. 
 
 To enable me to preserve that good order necessary in war 
 among our people, and to induce the warriors of other tribes to join 
 them, it appears to me necessary that I should have the power of 
 rewarding thent according to their merits, and that the Indian 
 
292 
 
 Department should not step in between them and me, for I have 
 had too much reason to suspect that the influence which the King's 
 liberality gives has operated to weaken my authority. I have been 
 candid in laying before Your Excellency these remarks because I 
 am determined to exert myself to the utmost to annoy the enemy, 
 and should I be thwarted in this country in prevailing on a suffi- 
 cient number of warriors to second my endeavours I shall be obliged 
 to make trial to the westward, where, from the nature of the 
 country and disposition of the people, such influence has less weight. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 271.) 
 
 Sir Geotge Prevost to ^arl Bathurst. 
 (No, 64.) 
 
 Headquarters, Kingston, 1st June, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 The despatch I had the honour of addressing to Your Lordship 
 on the 26th ult. was scarcely closed when information arrived of 
 the enemy's flotilla being off Niagara, having on board a second 
 reinforcement of troops calculated to carry the force acting against 
 Colonel Vincent to at least eight thousand regulars besides volun- 
 teers and militia, the Colonel having only on that frontier two 
 thousand men to oppose this formidable preparation. When the 
 last accounts left Fort George it had sustained an incessant cannon- 
 ade of twenty-four hours duration, which deprived our troops of 
 every building in and near the worK except the powder magazine 
 and the splinter proof barracks. No reinforcement being as yet 
 within many days march of this post, and the situation of Upper 
 Canada becoming extremely critical, I determined in attempting a 
 diversion inr Colonel Vincent's favour by embarking the principal 
 part of the small garrison of this place and proceeding with them 
 to Sackett's Harbour. Accordingly the troops, being placed under 
 the command of Colonel Baynes, were embarked on board His 
 Majesty's vessels, the Moira, Beresford, Sir Sidney Smith, Wolfe 
 and Royal George and arrived in sight of the enemv's port at Sack- 
 ett's Harbour at break of day on the 27th ulto., but light and 
 adverse winds prevented their nearing the fort until the evening. 
 Arrangements were made for the attack at the dawn of the follow- 
 ing morning. 
 
 Altho', as Your Lordship will perceive by the report of Colonel 
 Baynes which I have the honour herewith to transmit, the expedi- 
 tion has not been attended with the complete success which was 
 expected from it, I have great satisfaction in informing Your Lord- 
 ship that the courage and patience of the small band of troops 
 employed on this occasion, under circumstances of peculiar hardship 
 
293 
 
 and privation, have been exceeded only by their intrepid conduct 
 in the field, forcing a passage at the point of the bayonet through a 
 thickly wooded country, affording constant shelter and strong posi- 
 tions to the enemy but not a single spot of ground favourable to 
 the operations of disciplined soldiers. 
 
 The enemy filled the woods with infantry supported by field- 
 pieces, and kept up a heavy and destructive fire which could not, 
 however, stop the determined advance of His Majesty's troops, who 
 after taking three of their field-pieces drove far superior numbers 
 by a spirited charge to seek shelter within their blockhouses and 
 enclosed works. At this moment the enemy were induci to burn 
 their storehouses, but a heavier fire than that of musketry having 
 become necessary in order to force their last position, I had the 
 mortification to learn that the continuation of light and adverse 
 winds had prevented the co-operation of the ships, and that the 
 gunboats were unequal to silence the enemy's elevated battery 
 or to produce any effect on their blockhouses. Considering it there- 
 fore impracticable without such assistance to carry the strong works 
 by which the post was defended, I reluctantly ordered the troops 
 to leave a beaten enemy whom they had driven before them for 
 upwards of three hours, and who did not venture to offer the 
 slightest opposition to the re-embarkation, which was effected with 
 proper deliberation and in perfect order. 
 
 Apprehensive that if I continued ~iy longer in the enemy's 
 port their flotilla might return and meet our vessels encumbered 
 with troops and inferior in numbers, I returned with the fleet on 
 the 30th and landed the troops, together with the brass field-pieces, 
 six-pounders taken from the enemy and four officers and one hun- 
 dred and fifty of their soldiers prisoners. 
 
 Having placed the force employed on this occasion under the 
 immediate command of Colonel Baynes, I beg leave to refer Your 
 Lordship to his report for the further particulars of the affair. 
 
 I have now to acquaint Your Lordship that while the num- 
 bers of the enemy are rapidly increasing those with which I have 
 to defend an extensive frontier have as yet experienced no material 
 augmentation, as the reinforcements of troops announced to me by 
 Your Lordship in your despatch No. 24 of the 12th of March as 
 coming from the Mediterranean, Cadiz and the West Indies have 
 not yet arrived. The inevitable consequence will, I fear, be the loss 
 of a part of Upper Canada from my total inability to support the 
 extraordinary exertions making by His Majesty's forces in this 
 unequal contest, in the conducting of which the enemy now evince 
 both a system and a sufficiency of means. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 232.) 
 
294 
 
 General Orders. 
 
 Kingston, June 2d, 1813. 
 
 No. 1. — Major Drumrnond, 104th Regiment, is appointed to act 
 as Deputy-Quartermaster General to the troops serving in the 
 Canadas. 
 
 No. 2. — Captain O'Conor of the Royal Navy having been 
 appointed to act a.s commissioner of the navy department in Upper 
 Canada, and that officer being ready to assume the duties of that 
 office at Kingston, the Quartermaster General's department will 
 deliver over to him such stores as are in its charge belonging to the 
 marine department and transfer all persons from the 24th of June 
 as are a,ttached to it (or that service. 
 
 No. 3. — Lieut. iJaillie, 1st or Royal Scots, is appointed to act 
 as Fort Adjutant at Kingston and will assume the duties of that 
 department. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 
 Adjutant-General. 
 
 I^ieut. -Colonel P^arvey to Major Titus G. Simons, Incorporated 
 
 Militia. 
 
 3d June, 1813, Beasley's. 
 My Dear Sir, — 
 
 General Vincent desires me to say that you must come to 
 Head Quarters. Your local knowledge and other qualities not neces- 
 sary to enumerate render you particularly valuable to him at the 
 present moment. Some other officer must take charge of the militia 
 going to Stoney Creek and you must give us the benefit of your 
 advice and assistance here. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 341, p. 206.) 
 
 Sir George Prevost to ^arl Bathurst. 
 (No. 65.) 
 
 Kingston, Upper Canada, 3d June, 1813. 
 My Lord, — 
 
 I had the honour of informing you in my despatch No. 64 of 
 the Ist instant of the appearance of the enemy's fleet oflf Niagara 
 and of the effects of the cannonade from their ships and batteries* 
 on Fort George on the 24th and 25th ulto. I have now the honour 
 of acquainting Your Lordship that on the 27th the enemy succeeded 
 in effecting a landing about two miles from that fort under the 
 cover of the fire of their flotilla and batteries with a force so very 
 far superior to any which we could bring against them that, not- 
 
295 
 
 withstanding the most determined and gallant opposition on the 
 part of His Majesty's troops under the command of Colonel Vincent, 
 he was unable to maintain his position on that frontier, and obliged, 
 after falling back upon Queenston, to retire with tne whole of his 
 army, which he had collected from Chippawa and Fort Erie, to the 
 head of the lake. 
 
 By the report oi Colonel Vincent, which I have the honour 
 herewith to transmit, Your Lordship will find that this part of the 
 frontier was not abandoned until every possible exertio i had been 
 made to retain it and until the forts and batteries h& J been ren- 
 dered, at least for a time, a useless acquisition to the enemy by their 
 destruction and that of the ammunition which could not be carried 
 away. 
 
 I have great satisfaction in stating to Your Lordship that not- 
 withstanding the unequal contest which was so long and so gallantly 
 supported by a handful of His Majesty's troops against an over- 
 whelming force, the army has not been very considerably weakened 
 by the loss they have sustained, and that they were enabled to 
 retire without molestation from the enemy to a position at the 
 head of Lake Ontario, where Colonel Vincent will endeavour to 
 make a stand until I shall have it in my power to reinforce him 
 or until circumstances shall oblige him still further to fall back. 
 Conceiving that the appearance of the fleet under Commodore Sir 
 James Yeo oflf the position occupied by Colonel Vincent might give 
 additional consequence to his troops, I have embarked the remain- 
 der of the 8th Regiment, consisting of about two hundred men, with 
 which and a supply of clothing, ammunition and provisions, the 
 fleet sailed this morning. 
 
 The enemy's flotilla were seen yesterday returning to Sackett's 
 Harbour, to which place they had without doubt been recalled by 
 the attack upon it. 
 
 I last night received a confirmation of this fact from a flag o^I 
 truce which had been sent over with one of our wounded officer?), 
 from whom I learn that their fleet is in port and that the whole of 
 the naval stores collected at Sackett's Harbour were consumed by 
 fire on the day of the attack. 
 
 I sincerely regret that I cannot add to this despatch a report 
 of the arrival of any portion of the troops announced to be on their 
 way to Quebec from Cadiz, Malta and the West Indies. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 121, p. 248.) 
 
296 
 
 General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, Kingston, 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 3d June, 1813. 
 G. O. 
 
 The Commander of the Forces has received from Brigadier- 
 General Vincent a report that the enemy having cannonaded from 
 his batteries and ships the whole of the 24th and 25th of May the 
 fortress and works of Fort George, and very materially destroyed 
 and injured the defences of that post, on the 27th at daybreak made 
 a general attack upon that position and under cover of their fleet, 
 which kept up a tremendous and most destructive tire, effected the 
 landing of a body of troops ten-fold as numerous as the detachment 
 allotted for the defence of that portion of the Niagara frontier. 
 Regardless of the immense superiority of the enemy his advance 
 was gallantly and obstinately disputed. A judicious position was 
 occupied by Lieut.-Colonel Myers, and when that zealous and 
 meritorious officer was obliged to quit the field, having received 
 three wounds, he was ably replaced by Lieut. -Colonel Harvey, and 
 the unequal contest continued with unshaken gallantry and deter- 
 mination. 
 
 Brigadier-General Vincent, considering further pei^severance 
 against an overwhelming force a fruitless sacrifice of valuable lives, 
 having gained by their intrepid resistance the means of dismantling 
 tiie fort and destroying the stores, he directed the troops to fall 
 back on Queenston, which was done with perfect order. 
 
 Brigadier-General Vincent reports that this movement was 
 ably covered by the companies of the Glengany Light Infantry, 
 strengthened by a detachment of the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles 
 and militia, and these troops were gallantly sustained by a division 
 of the 8th or King's Regiment, commanded by Major Ogilvie. 
 
 Brigadier-General Vincent has concentrated his force in a 
 strong position at the head of the lake. 
 
 Edward Baynes, 
 A. G. 
 
 John Askin to Mr. D. Cameron at York. 
 
 Mich[ilimackinac], June 3, 1813. 
 My Dear Sir, — 
 
 Your letter of the 4th ult. reached this the 28th ulto. and 
 should have been answered long ere this had it not been for the 
 constant arrival and departure of Indians for Detroit, which I had 
 to send off with the utmost despatch in order to afford every aid to 
 that quarter, from whence they would be sent to Fort George or 
 
297 
 
 else where'w hen required ; also in procuring canoes for those Indians 
 I now send to your quarter. The Missisaugay and LaCloche Indians 
 mup.t have reached you long ere now for they left LaCloche early 
 in the spring. I expect the Lake Superior Indians every day and 
 shall send them to you, also with an interpreter, Mr. Joseph Cadotte, 
 to prevent their injuring our subjects, for they cannot know the 
 disaffected settlers from the others. The account of the transactions 
 which have taken place with you is distressing, but I trust in God 
 that a change has taken place ere this. Those scoundrels and cut- 
 throats should be pointed out to the Indians and they will soon 
 make an example of them. As York was not a place of defence I 
 was rather astonished that a vessel was building there which could 
 not be protected. I am extremely sorry to hear that poor Mrs. 
 Givins and her family have suffered so much, but as my friend 
 Givins is unhurt he will soon be able to take ample satisfaction for 
 the injury done his family. 
 
 No doubt long ere this you have received official accounts of 
 General Procter's having attacked Gen. Harrison at Fort Meigs on 
 the Miamis River with a force of 500 regulars, 240 militia and 1200 
 Indians, and while his batteries were cannonading the enemy's fort 
 a reinforcement of 1400 Kentuckians arrived. Our batteries were 
 carried by them and retaken again, and the whole cut to pieces 
 except 488 prisoners which survived, prisoners of war. At the time 
 the reinforcement attacked our right wing General Harrison made 
 a sortie from his fort, but was drove back into his fort with slaugh- 
 ter. We lost only two or three men of the regulars, Capt. Bondy 
 of the Essex Militia and 19 Indians killed and wounded. Two 
 hundred Ottawa warriors have already left this for the aid of 
 Amherstburg, and every day parties are going off. There are sixty 
 more Chippewas and Ottawas here, which will set off in a day or two 
 at farthest; exclusive of the 20 odd Chippewas who accompany the 
 bearer hereof. Col. Boucherville, Prov. A. D. C, brought us the infor- 
 mation respecting the surrender of your place to General Dearborn. 
 R. D[ickson], Esq., isn't arrived as yet, nor any answer whatever. 
 The boats which left this on the 3d ulto. haven't returned. When 
 he arrives he will find canoes, &c., &c., ready. Every Indian that 
 can bear arms along L[akes] Michigan and Huron from Saginaw 
 Bay to Matchedash are going to exert themselves in driving away 
 if possible these scoundrels that have harassed them so long. Lt. 
 H. McLean, A. D. C. to General Procter, and Staff Adjt. Reiffenstein 
 left this for Montreal via the Grand River this day. Have the 
 goodness to let me know by the first opportunity how my friend 
 Mr. Selby is. I am anxious to hear of him, it having been reported 
 to me that he was very ill some time past. Our mutual friend 
 
298 
 
 Crawford arrived here with Alexr. McKenzie on the 28th Yilto. from 
 Montreal ; the latter gentleman went oft' to Fort William two days 
 after his arrival. Have the goodness to inform Major Givins, (if 
 returned from Kingston,) that it will be necessary to have some one 
 along this route near Matchedash or Bearman's to supply the Indians 
 with prov[ision8] or else to give them the necessary instructions as 
 to the rou*e they are to pursue. I will write you again in a few 
 days by Mr. Cadotte. 
 
 P. S. — I enclose you a sketch of Fort Meigs, &c., and the situ- 
 ation of our forces when attacking and attacked by the reinforce- 
 ment, and my son's letters having an explanation of the same. The 
 hurry of business prevents my writing to the D'y S[uperintendent] 
 G[eneral], and have to request that you will give the earliest infor- 
 mation and send him the enclosed sketch if it has not been already 
 sent you or him. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, M. G. 11.) 
 
 General Order. 
 
 KiNGSTOX, June 3d, 1813. 
 
 Brigadier-General Darroch being arrived is appointed to the 
 station at Kingston and will place himself under the orders of 
 Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, Bart. Lieut. Cotton, 69th 
 Foot, is appointed Aid-de-Camp to Brigadier-General Darroch. 
 
 Brigadier-General Darroch is appointed to command in the 
 Midland District. All reports, applications, requisitions, &c., from 
 the posts of Kingston, and Points Frederick and Henry are there- 
 fore to be addressed to him. 
 
 E. Baynes, 
 
 Adjutant General. 
 
 Colonel John Vincent to Colonel ^. Ba3me8. 
 
 Bozeley's, 4th June, 1813. 
 Dear Colonel, — 
 
 I have made no change in my intentions since I wrote last. 
 The enemy are advancing, but not so rapid or in such force as I 
 expected. They have taken post at the 40 Mile Creek, and I just 
 understand that their strength at that post consists of one hundred 
 dragoons and two thousand men. I have likewise reason to suppose 
 that men will be embarked at the fort of Niagara to attack me in 
 front on the lake side, but still if they do not come on in an over- 
 whelming force I do not think they will find it an easy matter again 
 to make me quit my post. If I am reduced to the necessity of 
 
299 
 
 retreating to Kingston I am afraid it will be adding to Brigadier- 
 General Procter's misery, in sending him the remaining companies 
 of the 41st, the Newfoundland and a part of the Glengarry accord- 
 ing to the instructions I received this day by Captain McDouall, as 
 I aia too much afraid he is at this present moment in great distress 
 for provisions, and unfortunately the Qtueen Charlotte was unable 
 to take thirty barrels of pork from Point Abino. I am doing every- 
 thing I properly can to assist him. Six militia officers, all active 
 and picked men, are sent forward to purchase and drive all the 
 cattle they can find from this to Sandwich. I have been able to 
 procure, to assist this service, from Colonel Clark five hundred 
 guineas, which I hope will remove all difficulties with those farmers 
 who will not take paper money. 
 
 Captain Milnes will, I suspect, be the bearer of this. I am 
 sorry to part with him, as I found him not only of the greatest 
 service to myself but as active an officer in the field as any under 
 my command. He is perfectly able to explain our situation and 
 what can be expected from [us ?] 
 
 I am so hurried with other matters that I have requested 
 Colonel Harvey would write you on all the particulars of this post 
 at the present moment. 
 
 By a report I have just received from my outposts an attack 
 cannot be far distant. As circumstances are at present I am deter- 
 mined if possible to be beforehand with them. I shall therefore 
 detain Captain Milnes until to-morrow. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, C. 679, p. 19.) 
 
 Commodore Chauncey to tlie Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 United States Ship Madison, 
 Sackett's Harbor, 4th June, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to present to you, by the hands of 
 Lieutenant Dudley, the British Standard taken at York on the 27th 
 of April last, accompanied by the mace over which w^as hung a 
 human scalp. These articles were taken from the Parliament House 
 by one of my officers and presented to me. The scalp I caused to 
 be presented to General Dearborn, who I believe still has it in his 
 possession. I also send by the same gentleman one of the flags 
 taken at Fort George on the 27th of May. 
 
 (From the Historical Register of the United States, 1814, Vol. II., p. 221.) 
 
300 
 
 I/ieut.-Col. J. B. Olegg to Wm. Jarvis, Secretary, York. 
 
 Headquarters, Heights of Burlington, 
 4th June, 1813. 
 Dr. Sir, — 
 
 We all feel much obligation for the daily attentions which are 
 hourly shewn us by our York friends, and I hope a future moment 
 may arrive when our mutual gratitude may be evinced in a manner 
 more commensurate to your kindness. Two of your sons are here 
 with us and nothing can exceed their willing disposition to render 
 themselves useful. I have just given your son-in-law, (Mr. Hamil- 
 ton,) a pass for Samuel to fetch Mrs. H. and family from the 20. I 
 hope his object will not be defeated by any unlooked for event. 
 
 I take the liberty of sending to your care a few packages con- 
 taining official and private papers belonging to my valuable friend, 
 Colonel Myers, the Quartermaster General, who, poor fellow, received 
 five wounds on the 27th, of which I am happy to say he is doing 
 well. You will confer much obligation by allowing the packages 
 to remain in a dry, secure place until fortune smiles on our efforts. 
 
 (From MS. in possession of G. M. Jarvis, Esq.. Ottawa.) 
 
 Captain Robert McDouall to Brig. -General Procter. 
 
 Head of Lake Ontario, 4th June, 1813. 
 My Dear General, — 
 
 A series of misfortunes have suddenly befallen us. Perhaps 
 before you receive this you will have learned that the army under 
 General Dearborn crossed the Niagara line on the 27th ult., and 
 after being most gallantly opposed by the King's, Newfoundland 
 and Glengarry Regiments got possession of Fort George, and com- 
 pelled the whole of our troops to retire upon this position. Here 
 General Vincent means to make a stand, but in the event of his 
 being beat and forced altogether to retire to Kingston he is directed 
 by the orders which I yesterday brought him to detach to your 
 assistance the remainder of the 4l8t Regiment, two companies of 
 the Newfoundland and the remainder of the three companies of the 
 Glengarry Regiment. The companies of the two latter corps are 
 much weakened by the action of the 27th. 
 
 I learn with infinite regret your distressed situation for want of 
 provisions, and it is certainly unfortunate that a considerable quan- 
 tity of pork intended for your use was destroyed at Point Abino 
 for fear of falling into the enemy's hands, I hear you have flour 
 enough and I hope you will have plenty of fresh beef. It is said 
 that the enemy have detached troops against you. Your situation, 
 
301 
 
 it must be owned, is sufficiently embarrassing, but Sir George on 
 my leaving him, knowing but imperfectly the events here and still 
 more so those of your neighborhood, relies with confidence on your 
 zeal and ability, certain that the most indefatigable exertions will 
 be made on your part in defence of your post, and of the squadron 
 which, (whatever may happen,) must not fall into the hands of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Our fleet under Sir James Yeo is now on the lake determined 
 to fight, and at present fully able to beat the enemy's. All are 
 anxious for the meeting, for a naval victory on our part would soon 
 restore matters to their usual flourishing state. Colonel Baynea 
 with a force of only 800 men attacked Sackett's Harbor on the 
 29th ult. It was supposed the garrison was small in consecjuence 
 of their having detached so many men to Niagara — we found, how- 
 ever, upwards of 8,000. Our gallant little band drove them at the 
 point of the bayonet into their works, (though with a good deal of 
 loss,) which were found much too strong to carry with our small 
 force without artillery and unassisted by our large ships, a calm 
 having prevented their co-operation. Thus separated we re-embarked 
 without any oppositioii, having taken from them three field pieces 
 and one hundred and fifty men. 
 
 When I left Kingston 2,000 men were on the march for that 
 place, including the 2d Battalion of the 41st, DeWatteville's and 
 Meuron's. The 13th and 98th were hourly expected to arrive at 
 Quebec. We may look for other reinforcements from Spain, which 
 will I hope enable us to recover our lost ground. 
 
 (From Niles' Weekly Register, Baltimore, Md., 15th January, 1814, Vol. V., pp. 327-8. 
 Said to have been taken in General Procter's baggage on 5th October, 1813.) 
 
 Militia District General Order. 
 
 Headquarters, Burlington Bay, 
 4th June, 1813. 
 
 Having witnessed with admiration the gallant conduct of that 
 part of the militia which happened to be in the neighborhood of 
 Fort George, and which at the moment of attack instead of diminish- 
 ing actually increased to nearly double its numbers by the influx of 
 its brave members who were within reach of the scene of action, 
 and whom the sound of cannon brought to aid us in repelling the 
 common enemy. Deeply impressed with the noble conduct of the 
 militia on that occasion, and firmly convinced of the unshaken 
 loyalty and attachment to the British Government of by far the 
 greatest portion of the population of this Province, Brigadier- 
 General Vincent feels that it is only necessary for him to point out 
 
302 
 
 to the militia officers and soldiers how they can best under the cir- 
 cumstances promote the cause in which we are engaged to ensure 
 on their part the warmest support and the most cordial co-operation. 
 It Ih not bj' joining us as a nnlitary body that our cause can at 
 this moment be best advanced. When our reinforcements have all 
 arrived and all other arrangements matured for repossessing our- 
 selves of the country we have for the moment yielded, and for 
 driving the invader far back into his own settlemc^nts, then will the 
 gallant militia of Upper Canada be called upon to join and add 
 inestimable strength in our ranks. 
 
 J. Harvey, Lt.-Col., 
 
 D. A. Gen'l of the Forces. • 
 Major Titus G. Simons, 
 
 Com'dg the Incorporated Militia, Burlington. 
 
 (Canadian Archives, Q. 341, pp. 209-210.) 
 
 At a Council Held at Kingston on Friday, the Fourth Day of 
 June, One Thousand l^ight Hundred and Thirteen : 
 
 PRESENT. 
 
 His Honour Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, Bart, President. 
 
 The Hon'ble Thomas Scott. 
 
 The Hon'ble John McGill. 
 
 The Hon'ble William Dummer Powell. 
 
 His Honor the President submitted to the consideration of the 
 Board the propriety of issuing a proclamation calling the attention 
 of the public to the laws respecting the property of the Crown. 
 
 In addition to the former representation that much of the pub- 
 lic stores at York had been plundered by individuals, or was in their 
 possession by pretended gift from the enemy. His Excellency the 
 Governor-in-Chief has submitted that the army of Genl. Vincent 
 was in want of many of the articles of public property so possessed, 
 and expressed very strongly his sense of the necessity of some act 
 of government to explain publicly the law upon this subject, to 
 apprise the ignorant of their contravention. 
 
 The Council hereupon resumed their deliberation, and conceiv- 
 ing the expediency to be established by so high authority on suffi- 
 cient grounds, and that its sanction only is wanted to the form of 
 the act, unanimously concur with His Honour and advise that a 
 proclamation do issue calling upon all His Majesty's subjects who 
 by any means may be in possession of public stores or the property 
 of the Crown to restore the same to the sheriffs of the respective 
 
303 
 
 districts in which they may reside, or to such persons as may be 
 appointed by His Honour to receive it. 
 
 W. D. P. for CI. 
 Approved, R. H. Sheaffe, 
 
 President, &c. 
 
 (From MS. in poflwaHion of Q. M. Jkrvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Hon. Wm. D. Powell to Edward Brenton. 
 
 York, 4th June, 1813. 
 
 Sir, — Conformably to the pleasure of His Excellency the 
 Governor General I have the honour to enclose to you copies of the 
 proceedings of the magistrates, &c., at York during the possession 
 of the town and the harbour by the enemy. I beg leave to sub- 
 mit for Hi » Excellency's information that under the existing circum- 
 stances it was thought inexpedient especially to advert on the 
 plunder or receipt of public property, which in such case would have 
 been concealed from search or defended by force, which the police 
 had no means to control. But in aid of that object the sheriif was 
 directed by the meeting to consider himself the King's bailiff as 
 usual, and when property was found by himself or pointed out by 
 others to take it into his hands, leaving the claimant to establish 
 his claim to the possession by the ordinary cause of law, until a 
 change of circumstances enabled the ministers of the law to act with 
 decided power to overcome opposition ; this measure was deemed 
 merely prudence. 
 
 (Prom MS. in possession of G. M. Jarvis, Esq., Ottawa.) 
 
 Prom a Diary kept by Thomas McCrae. 
 
 Raleigh, 5th June, 1813. 
 
 Billy arrived from Sandwich with the news that Fort George 
 was taken by the Yankey's on the 26th MaJ^ 
 
 7th June. 
 
 The express passed with the news of General Vincent's retreat 
 to Beasley's. 
 
 (From the original in possession of A. McCrae, Buffalo, N. Y. ) 
 
 A Diary by Colonel Claus. 
 
 Fort George, 24th May, 1813. 
 
 10 o'clock P. M. — The 6-pounder at Brown's Point opened upon 
 boats that the enemy were putting into the water and continued 
 firing all night 2 o'clock A. M., 25th — Lieut, Charleton, R. A., 
 
304 
 
 opened the 6-pouncler at Navy Hall on boats passing on the oppo- 
 site side of Niagara River. Lieut. Ball, militia artillery, fired from 
 the 24-pounder shrapnel at the boats — ordered to discontinue firing. 
 3 o'clock — The 9-pounder at the Mortar battery in town fired, the 
 18-[pounder] at the Cherry Trees also, upon which I ordered the 
 24-pounders at the Flagstaff and Brock's battery to open their fire. 
 After two or three shot stopped tiring. 
 
 27th, 7 o'clock — Received orders to open the mortars on the 
 American garrison, and the tire was shameful bad. The enemy 
 appeared in three divisions, covered by their fleet ; the second was 
 attended by the ship Madison, the 3d by the Oneyda, the first by 
 schooners. About daylight a rocket was thrown up by the Salt 
 Battery, upon which their fire commenced and was kept up very 
 warm, and burnt the remainder of the buildings in the fort ; the 
 landing was effected between Mr. Crook's and the lighthouse ; 
 between 4 and 5000 men. About 500 of ours opposed them and 
 drove the first division. 10 o'clock — Our troops retreated and 
 formed in front of Mr. Wm. Dickson's house. I wrote to General 
 Vincent for orders and received a letter from Colonel Glegg to 
 evacuate the garrison and follow the General on the Queenston 
 road. 
 
 I immediately ordered the company of the 49th Regiment and 
 the militia to move out — remained with Lieut. Charleton, R, A., 
 Mr. Gordon, Commissary of Stores and Mr. Mathewscm to set fire 
 to the magazine ; the above gentlemen left the garrison and I 
 returned to see if the flagstaff was near down ; the axes were so bad 
 that it was not half cut ; the downhaul was cut by a shot early in 
 the morning. I found it useless to remain unless I wished to be 
 made prisoner, and therefore left the Garrison. Soon one of the 
 magazines blew up. At the time I went out of the breach by the 
 octagon blockhouse a flag came in at the gate. Overtook General 
 Vincent at Swayzy's farm at 2 o'clock ; halted on the mountain with 
 the field artillery, which was all brought off. Sent by Lieut.- 
 Colonel Harvey with a letter to Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp ; delivered 
 the same to Lieut. Barnard at Chippawa and returned to Lieut.- 
 Colonel Clark's ; got dinner there and layd down to rest ; took tea 
 and returned expecting to find the centre division at Mrs, Tice's, 
 but found the whole force in motion towards Decow's at the Beaver 
 Dams ; arrived there about 10 at night. 
 
 28th, 11 A. M. — The troops moved on and got to Henry's this 
 night. Some went on to the 40. 
 
 29th May — I arrived at the 40 about 12 M. Mrs. Claus and 
 family overtook me at the 40 about 2 o'clock and went on to Mr. 
 A. Nelles's. 
 
305 
 
 30fch — Remained at the 40. 
 
 Slst — Moved on and the troops got in cantonments in Barton. 
 
 I went on with my family to Mrs. St. John's. 
 
 Slst — Remained in the same position. 
 
 Ist June ditto ditto. 
 
 2d " ditto ditto. 
 
 3d " ditto ditto. 
 
 4th " ditto ditto. 
 
 5th — Sent my family to York in a boat. In the evening an 
 express arrived saying that the enemy had advanced to Stoney 
 Creek; that their advance was engaged with Lieut.-Colonel Willians, 
 49th light infantry. The light infantry of the King's was sent 
 out to support them. Their main force, 3,500, halted at Gage's. Ai!i 
 
 II this night the King's and 49th advanced with one 6-pounder. 
 
 6th — ^ past 2 a. m. Our troops (as above) attacked the enemy 
 in their camp and after half an hour's engagement were retired, 
 taking 4 pieces of «artillery, 3 of them 6-pounders, one a howitzer 
 that had been taken at Saratoga. They retook 2 six-pounders. The 
 wounded, killed, prisoners and missing was great, upwards of 200. 
 We took Generals Winder and Chandler and several officers and 97 
 sergeants and privates. Wounded of ours, Lieut-Colonels Plender- 
 leath and Clark, 49th ; Lieut.-Col. Ogilvie, King's ; several officers 
 killed ; Ensign Drury, 49th, severely wounded in the head ; the 
 American surgeon who attended him took his watch and money 
 from him. • 
 
 7th — The wounded and prisoners brought up to headquarters. 
 
 8th — Busily employed in sending the wounded and prisoners 
 to York. 
 
 9th — Remained in same position. 
 10th — General Vincent with the staff, the King's and 49th 
 marched in the evening to the 40 Mile Creek, the 41st followed. 
 
 (From MSS. in possession of Miss Glaus, Niagara, Ont.) 
 
EIiR_A.Tj^ 
 
 P. 107, for Lieut. Barivis reoA Lieut. Barevis. 
 P. 279, second line, for Metall read Nutall. 
 P. 298, for Bozeley's read Bazeley's. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A. Page. 
 
 Acasta, frigate 29 
 
 Adams, Mr. G 261, 290 
 
 Adams road 287 
 
 Addington Militia 21, 145 
 
 Albany, N. Y 70, 78, 81, 132, 140, 147 
 
 Albany Gazette 58 
 
 Albany Greens 54 
 
 Albany Volunteers 284, 285 
 
 Alexander, Lieut. Hugh 49, 82 
 
 Allan, Major Wm 165, 166, 174, 178, 188, 192, 196, 197, 199, 201, 202, 
 
 204, 205, 206, 288. 
 
 Alleghany 185 
 
 American State Papers 64, 67, 71, 73, 74, 78, 81, 87, 103, 133, 141, 
 
 142, 148, 149, 168, 186, 230, 267. 
 
 Amherstburg 28, 30, 31, 44, 46, 47, 48, 58, 65, 84, 103, 107, 109, 135, 
 
 225, 237, 238, 297. 
 
 Ancaster 23, 129, 183, 184 
 
 Anderson, Anthony 69 
 
 Anderson, Thos 246 
 
 Angor, Lieut. Augustus 49 
 
 Armistead, Major 268 
 
 Armstrong Capt 290 
 
 Armstrong, Major-General John 153 
 
 Armstrong, Lieut. R. S 118, 259, 260 
 
 Arnold, Capt. John 165 
 
 Arrowsmith, Capt , 247 
 
 Artillery Drivers, Corps of. 65 
 
 Askin, James 50 
 
 Askin,John 49, 296 
 
 Askin, John, Jr 247 
 
 Asp, schooner 255 
 
 Aspinwall, Dr 199 
 
 Aurora newspaper 179 
 
 Ayanway Indians 48 
 
 B. 
 
 Baby, Francis 50,88 
 
 Baby, James 50 
 
 Baby, Colonel J 21 
 
 Baby, Lieut.-Col. Baptiste 21,50 
 
 Backus, Col t03, 229, 283, 284, 285 
 
 Baillie, Lieut 294 
 
 Baird, Lieut 74, 77 
 
 Baldwin, Dr 199 
 
 Baldwin, Lieut.-Col 21 
 
 Baldwin, W.W 202 
 
 Ball, Capt. Jacob A 129 
 
 Ball, Lieut. J. C 7, 304 
 
 Ball's House 261 
 
 Baltimore Volunteers 54 
 
 Baltimore Whig 40, 171, 268, 269, 275 
 
 Barber, Elisha 69 
 
 Barclay, Capt. Robert H 160, 225, 245, 252, 256 
 
 Barnard, Lieut. J 84, 118, 139, 304 
 
 Barton, Township of. 305 
 
11. 
 
 Barevis, Lieut 107 
 
 Batavia, N. Y 20 
 
 Batavia Republican Advertiser 267 
 
 Bathurst, Earl 40, 42, 56, 57, 70, 82, 83, 104, 116, 124, 127, 140, 187, 
 
 188, 191, 226, 230, 231, 232, 233, 242, 292, 293, 294. 
 
 Baxter, Capt. John 49 
 
 Baynes, Colonel Edward 60, 62, 65, 74, 84, 89, 103, 129, 131, 137, 161, 
 
 216, 236, 237, 240, 257, 276, 280, 281, 282, 
 288, 292, 293, 294, 296, 298, 301. 
 
 Baynes, Quartermaster Charles 165 
 
 Bazeley's (Beasley's) 288, 294, 298, 303 
 
 Bearman's 298 
 
 Beasley, Lieut.-Col 21, 143 
 
 Beaseley, R. G ^ 288 
 
 Beaupre, Midshipman Louis 166 
 
 Beaver Dams 23, 24, 25, 236, 259, 265, 273, 304 
 
 Beebe, E., Asst. Adj.-Gen 241, 248 
 
 Beech Woods 23 
 
 Beikie, Mr 228 
 
 Belle Riviere 128 
 
 Bennett, George 290 
 
 Berdan, Albert 68, 69 
 
 Berdan, Samuel 68 
 
 Beresford, schooner 232, 244, 280, 292 
 
 Biddle, Capt. Thos 248 
 
 Biggar, Ensign 45 
 
 Bird, Capt 274 
 
 Bisshopp, Lieut.-Col. Cecil 18, 19, 20, 28, 35, 36, 37, 45, 71, 84,88, 89, 117 
 
 130, 139, 221, 235, 236, 252, 256,262,304. 
 
 Blackmore, Capt 279 
 
 Black Lake 78 
 
 Black River 75 
 
 Black Rock 16, 19, 22, 29, 35, 78, 90, 101, 118, 123, 154, 157, 161, 
 
 230, 265, 272, 274. 
 
 Boerstler, Lt.-Col. Charles G , 74 
 
 Boileau, N. B 141 
 
 Bondy, Capt 297 
 
 Bonford, Antoine 46 
 
 Bonner, Ensign John 49 
 
 Bostwick, Lieut.-Col. Henry 239 
 
 Boucherville, Col 297 
 
 Boughner, Lieut. Osias 49 
 
 Boulton, Ensign D'Arcv. 165 
 
 Boulton'sbam T. 224 
 
 Boyd, Brig.-General John P 39, 40, 148, 156, 161, 185, 241, 242, 246, 
 
 254, 264, 269, 275. 
 
 Bowen, Major Wm. R 151 
 
 Bk-adt, Lt.-Col 21 
 
 Brandt, Col 25 
 
 Brandt, Mrs 252 
 
 Brant, John 7 
 
 Brant, Joseph 246 
 
 Brenton, E. B 279, 303 
 
 Brevoort, Capt. Henry B 60 
 
 Bridge, Capt 65, 118 
 
 Brisbois Interpreter 47 
 
 Brock, Major General Isaac 6, 8, 10, 11, 1 », 27, 30, 85, 46, 57, 88, 91, 
 
 93, 95, 104, 120, 121, 122, 125, 159, 211. 
 
m. 
 
 Brockville 79, 81 
 
 Brooks, Captain 162, 246 
 
 Brown, General Jacob 78, 229, 283 
 
 Brown, Captain Return B 60 
 
 Brown, Lieut 255 
 
 Brown, Major 284, 287 
 
 Brown's Point 10, 11, 259, 303 
 
 Brownsville, N. Y 102, 287 
 
 Rruyeres, Col 43, 45, 53, 59, 84, 218, 219, 226 
 
 Buffalo 20, 24, 35, 40, 54, 55, 66, 81, 90, 119, 121, 130. 140, 
 
 142, 154, 263, 267, 303. 
 
 Buffalo Creek 40 
 
 Buffalo Gazette 39,52,54,65,72, 81, 101, 115, 119, 123, 140, 153, 156, 
 
 233, 240, 272. 
 
 Buffalo Historical Society 213 
 
 Buffalo Public Library 40, 54, 65, 72, 82, 101, 116, 157, 234, 240, 275 
 
 Bullock, Capt. K 6, 8, 14, 67 
 
 Bullock, Lieut. R 89 
 
 Bunting, James 241 
 
 Burford Plains 23 
 
 Burger, Joseph 291 
 
 Burke, Captain 278 
 
 Burlington, Ont 220, 239, 262, 290, 302 
 
 Burlington, Vt 71, 73, 102, 103, 160, 229 
 
 Burlington Bav 23, 291, 301 
 
 Burlington Heights 300 
 
 Burn, Captain John 165 
 
 Burns, John 69 
 
 Burritt, Lieut.-Col 23 
 
 Burwell, Lieut.-Col. Mahlon 239 
 
 Butler, Lieut. J 7 
 
 Butler, Lieut.-Col. Johnson 7, 8, 97 
 
 Butler, Thomas 97 
 
 Butler's Barracks 261 
 
 Butler's House 261 
 
 Button, Capt. John 165 
 
 c. 
 
 Cadotte, Mr 297, 298 
 
 Cainfields; 129 
 
 Caho, Nathan 291 
 
 Cameron, Asst. Supt. of Indians 47, 296 
 
 Cameron, Capt. Duncan 7, 11, 13, 165, 176, 202, 205, 224 
 
 Cameron, Capt. Wm 137 
 
 Campbell, Fort Major 18, 84 
 
 Canada, James 69 
 
 Canadian Archives 41, 42, 44, 56, 59, 60, 62, 65, 70, 76, 77, 83, 84, 90, 
 
 104, 107, 111, 112, 117, 118, 127, 128, 130, 140, 147, 
 154, 156, 160. 166, 178, 187, 188, 191, 216, 219, 220, 
 226, 227, 230, 231, 232, 233, 237, 239. 240, 244, 245, 
 246, 253, 261, 271, 278, 279, 282, 288, 289, 290, 292, 
 293. 294, 295, 298, 299, 302. 
 
 Canadian Voltigeurs 126, 129, 134, 276, 278, 280 
 
 Canandaigua, N. Y 24, 55, 119, 185, 263 
 
 Canton, N. Y 78 
 
 Carter's Point 68, 130, 131 
 
 Cartwright, Col. Richard 21 
 
 Cass, Col. Lewis 60 
 
IV. 
 
 Cathray, Mr 199 
 
 Cavers, Mr 291 
 
 Chamliers, Capt. P. L 37 
 
 Chambers, James 69 
 
 Champlain Lake 63, 66, 67, 70, 72 
 
 Chapin, Major Cvrenius 119, 274 
 
 Chandler, Brig. -Gen. John 102, 103, 240, 246, 247, 266, 267, 269, 305 
 
 Charlton, Lieut 283, 284, 287 
 
 Chaudiere River 73 
 
 Chauncey, Commodore Isaac 29, 78, 87, 103, 142, 148, 165, 168, 169, 171, 
 
 180, 185, 188, 197, 198, 204, 213, 229, 230, 
 234, 238, 240, 246, 249, 254, 263, 264, 265, 
 266, 267, 273, 274, 283, 286, 288, 299. 
 
 Chauncey, Lieut 283, 284, 287 
 
 Cherrvfree Battery 261, 304 
 
 Cherry Valley .'. 24 
 
 Chewett, Ensign James 165 
 
 Chewett, Lt.-Col. Wm 21, 165, 166, 174, 176, 178, 188, 196, 199, 201, 
 
 202, 205, 206. 
 
 Chippawa 8, 14, 19, 22, 23, 25, 35, 36, 43, 68, 82, 134, 142, 217, 218, 
 
 221, 228, 252, 259, 266, 274, 295, 304. 
 
 Chippawa Creek 22,23, 24 
 
 Chippewa Indians 191, 297 
 
 Chisholm, Capt. James 6 
 
 Chrystie, Lieut.-CoL John 60 
 
 Clarence, N. Y.....' 226 
 
 Clark, A. S 225 
 
 Clark, Adjutant John 7,48 
 
 Clark, Colonel Isaac 103 
 
 Clark, Colonel John, Memoirs of. 6, 9, 154 
 
 Clark, Lieut. G 89 
 
 Clark, Lieut.-Col. Thomas 7, 8, 21, 37, 68, 118, 130, 291, 299, 304 
 
 Clarke, Gen. Wm 147 
 
 Claus, Col. Wm 21, 47, 65, 71, 116, 129, 149. 226, 237, 241, 245, 246, 260, 
 
 289, 303. 
 
 Claus, Mrs 304 
 
 Claus, MSS. of Miss Catherine 72, 305 
 
 Clay, Gen. Green 245 
 
 Clement, Lieut. Lewis 7 
 
 Clench, Ralfe 112 
 
 Clerk, Major Alex 20, 84, 305 
 
 Cleveland, Ohio 185 
 
 Coffin, Lieut.-Col. Nathaniel 56, 67, 146, 256 
 
 Collins, Timothy 290 
 
 Connor, Major Samuel S 166 
 
 Conquest, schooner 255 
 
 Conrad, David 69 
 
 Conrad, John 69 
 
 Constitution, frigate 133 
 
 Cook, Captain Joel 60 
 
 Coore, Major 233, 278, 280, 282 
 
 Coots Paradise 23 
 
 Cotton, Major Edward — 253 
 
 Cotton, Lieut 298 
 
 Craig, Sir James H 125 
 
 Crawford, Major 21 
 
 Crawford, Mr 298 
 
 Credit River 22 
 
Croker, Hon. John Wilson 222, 244, 289 
 
 Crooks, Captain James 7 
 
 Crooks, Mr 222 
 
 Crookshank, Mr 204, 227 
 
 Crookston 261, 304 
 
 Crowther, Lieut 7 
 
 Cruikshank, Mr 197 
 
 Cunimings, Major James 8, 49 
 
 Cummings, Thomas 222 
 
 Curtis,— 69 
 
 Cushing, Adjt.-Gen. F. H 61 
 
 D. 
 
 Dalliba, Lieut. James 60 
 
 Darroch, Brig.-Gen. Duncan 298 
 
 Davis's Point 131 
 
 Dearborn, Major Gen. Henry 16, 29, 53, 61, 62, 66, 70, 72, 77, 78, 81, 87, 
 
 101, 102, 103, 133, 140. 142, 147, 148, 160, 
 161, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174, 178, 185, 
 188, 197, 198, 199, 200, 204, 216, 224, 229, 
 230, 231, 246, 250, 254, 264, 265, 266, 267, 
 274, 283, 288, 297, 299, 300. 
 
 De Coo's House 262, 290, 304 
 
 Dedrick, Christian 69 
 
 De Koven, Lieut 166, 216, 225, 228 
 
 De Lancey, Lieut 279 
 
 Delaware 128, 129 
 
 De Meuron's Regiment 301 
 
 Denison, Ensign Charles 165 
 
 Denison, Ensign George 165 
 
 Dennis, Major James 7, 8, 12, 104 
 
 De Puisaye's house 228 
 
 Derby, Sergeant 211 
 
 Derenzy, Capt 69 
 
 De Rottenburg, Major Gen. Francis 244, 259 
 
 Detroit 22, 23, 50, 84, 134, 136, 156, 180, 230, 243, 245, 296 
 
 Detroit River 22, 24, 25, 47, 60, 82, 87, 121, 191 
 
 Dickson, Robert 48, 135, 136, 147, 156, 245, 297 
 
 Dickson, Thomas 20 
 
 Dickson, Wm 174, 304 
 
 Dittrick, Ensign James 7, 97 
 
 Dobbin, Capt. Daniel 82 
 
 Dolphin, schooner 77 
 
 Dolson, Matthew 128, 225 
 
 Don River 22 
 
 Dougall, Wm 69 
 
 Douglas, Sir Howard 159 
 
 Dover 150 
 
 Dover Mills 234 
 
 Doj'le, Lieut „ 54 
 
 Dragoons, 19th 105 
 
 Dragoons, Provincial : 129, 137, 138 
 
 DriscoU, Lieut 155 
 
 Drummie, Lieut. James 253 
 
 Drummond, Major and Lieut.-Col. Wm 136, 277, 278, 279, 294 
 
 Drury, Ensign 305 
 
 Dudley, Lieut 154, 156, 157, 245, 299 
 
 Dunbar, Wm 166 
 
Dundas Militia 21, 83 
 
 Dundas Street 22, 23 
 
 Durand, Capt. James 6, 7 
 
 Durham Militia 21 
 
 Earle, Capt 108 
 
 Eckford, Henry 266 
 
 Edgar's Ten Years of Upper Canada 224 
 
 Eight Mile Creek 261 
 
 Eighteen Mile Creek 153 
 
 Eleven Mile Creek 19, 55, 90 
 
 Elizabeth, N. Y 66 
 
 Elliott, Capt. Jesse D ,.166, 197, 198, 224 
 
 Elliott, Col. Matthew 21, 57, 65 
 
 Elliott, Mr 18 
 
 Elmsley House 195, 206, 224, 230 
 
 Erie. Pa S2, 140, 153, 154, 256, 266 
 
 Erie, Lake 21, 22, 24, 26, 39, 52, 57, 63, 84, 107, 109, 153, 256, 263, 265, 
 
 266, 267, 268. 
 
 Escartie River 22 
 
 Essex, frigate 61 
 
 Essex Militia 21,46,297 
 
 Eustace, Capt. James Hardy 76, 79, 80, 189, 215 
 
 Eustis, Major ". 162, 180, 182, 214 
 
 Evans, Major Thomas 8, 17, 29, 45, 53, 278, 279 
 
 F. 
 
 Fair American, schooner 254 
 
 Fairfield Village 128 
 
 Fanning, Capt 181,214 
 
 Fen wick, Capt. James 165 
 
 Fenwick, Lieut.-Col. John R 60 
 
 Ferguson, Col 21 
 
 Ferguson, Mr 246 
 
 Finan, P 207 
 
 Findley, Col. James 60 
 
 Finnis, Capt 225,245 
 
 Fish, Lieut 108 
 
 Fish, Sergeant 172 
 
 FitzGibbon, Lieut. James 154, 155, 157 
 
 Five Mile Meadows 260 
 
 Forrest, Dr 67 
 
 Forsyth, Major Benjamin 72, 74, 77, 78, 101, 160, 162, 167, 171, 179, 180, 
 
 181, 212, 214, 246, 248, 254, 273. 
 
 Forsvth, Mr 17 
 
 Fort' Defiance 18 
 
 Fort Erie 19, 22, 24, 25, 31, 35, 36, 37, 40, 52, 54, 63, 64, 65, 66, 71, 72, 
 
 73, 82, 83, 89, 91, 101, 104, 117, 118, 120, 121, 123, 124, 130, 
 132, 133, 134, 138, 140, J42, 148, 157, 160, 217, 218, 221, 
 228, 231, 235, 237, 249, 252, 259, 263, 266, 267, 270, 271, 
 272 274 275 295. 
 
 Fort George !.8, 11, 12, 13! 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28. 29, 30, 31, 39, 42, 
 
 43, 45, 46, 48, 51, 53, 56, 57, 59, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 
 70, 73, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 90, 101, 104, 116, 120, 127, 129, 
 130, 132, 133, 136, 140, 142, 147, 148, 154, 156, 157, 160, 
 175, 184, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 207, 217, 218, 221, 225, 
 226, 228, 231, 232, 234, 235, 237, 240, 243, 246, 247, 248, 
 
VM. 
 
 Fort George (continued) — 
 
 249. 250, 251, 253, 254, 257, 259, 262, 265, 266, 268, 269, 
 272, 273. 274, 275, 288, 289, 292, 294, 296, 299, 300, 301, 
 303. 
 
 FortGrcv 13 
 
 Fort Meigs 297,298 
 
 Fort Tompkins 284, 286 
 
 Fort Volunteer 284 
 
 Fort William 298 
 
 Fortune, Lieut.-Col 21 
 
 Forty Mile Creek 23, 129, 250, 257, 259, 262, 268, 271, 287, 290, 298, 305 
 
 Four Mile Creek 17, 234 240, 241, 249, 257 
 
 Fowler, Capt 297, 298 
 
 Fox, Capt.J. W 214 
 
 Fraser, Col. Wm 21, 76, 79, 80 
 
 Fraser, Lieut 179,181, 182 
 
 Fraser, Lieut.-Col. Thomas 21, 79, 80 
 
 Freer, Noah 104, 127, 155, 279 
 
 Freer Papers 282 
 
 Frenchman's Creek 121,221 
 
 Frenchtown 63, 65, 70 
 
 Frontenac Militia 21, 145, 146 
 
 Fulton, Major James P 278, 280 
 
 Gage's House 305 
 
 Gangueben, Lieut 76, 79, 80 
 
 Gardner, Lieut 89, 118 
 
 Gardiner's Island 285 
 
 Garvin, Claud 50 
 
 Gauvreau, Lieut. F 108, 166 
 
 Genesee Falls 22 
 
 George, Ensign James 57 
 
 Gibson, Capt 156 
 
 Gibraltar Point 175, 190, 193, 207 
 
 Givins. Major James 37, 176, 187, 189, 193, 224. 297, 298 
 
 Givins, Mrs 297 
 
 Glasgow. Major-Gen. George 242 
 
 Glegg, Major J. B 8. 12, 31. 35. 38, 45. 53, 56. 65, 67, 90, 128, 132, 138, 
 
 157, 164, 215, 221. 228, 229, 241, 246, 256, 271, 300, 
 304. 
 
 Glegg's Battery 203 
 
 Glengarrv Light Infantry 74. 76. 79. 80, 83, 126. 127, 131, 132, 145, 146, 
 
 157. 175, 176. 179. 180, 187, 189, 191, 194, 203, 
 205, 206, 212, 215, 216, 221, 250, 253, 254, 258, 
 271, 275, 276, 278, 279. 286, 296, 299, 300. 
 
 Glengarry Militia 21 
 
 Gloucester, Bay of. 21 
 
 Gloucester, Duke of. brig 108, 110, 170. 191, 219, 223, 283 
 
 Glover, Charles 69 
 
 Goldrick, Capt 156 
 
 Gonder, Ensign Jacob 49 
 
 Gordon, Asst. Commissary, James 241, 262, 304 
 
 Gordon's House 261 
 
 Gore, Lieut. -Governor, Francis ." 155 
 
 Gourlay, Robert 216 
 
 Governor Tompkins, schooner 255 
 
viii. 
 
 Grafton, Capt 216, 265 
 
 Graham, Lieut.-Col. Wm 21, 227 
 
 Graham, Dr 225 
 
 Grand Island 17, 154, 157, 263 
 
 Grand River 22, 23, 24, 25, 129, 268, 297 
 
 Granger, Erastus 54 
 
 Gravelly Point 31 
 
 Gray, Capt. Alex 32, 37, 38, 41, 43, 107, 109, 136, 225, 238, 278, 280, 282 
 
 Green, Lieut 166 
 
 Green Bay, Wis 47,48 
 
 Greenbush, N. Y 87, 101, 102, 148 
 
 Greig, Ensign 279 
 
 Grcnville Militia 21 
 
 Griswold, Governor 122 
 
 Growler, schooner 255, 273 
 
 Gunn, Theron 145 
 
 H. 
 
 Haines. Mr 195 
 
 Halifax, N. S 29,245 
 
 Hall, Capt. G. B 30, 44, 107 
 
 Hamilton, Capt. Alex 138, 139 
 
 Hamilton, Capt. Robt 6 
 
 Hamilton, Capt. Thos 165 
 
 Hamilton, Mr 12, 13, 300 
 
 Hamilton, schooner 255 
 
 Hannan, James 145 
 
 Harcourt, Ensign John 49 
 
 Hardison, Lieut. Benj 49 
 
 Harford, Dr 71,118 
 
 Harman, Charles 68 
 
 Harrisburg, Pa 141 
 
 Harrison, Major-Gen. Wm. H 55, 62, 67, 72, 87, 117, 123, 134, 142, 147, 
 
 157, 184, 224, 225, 229, 235, 297. 
 
 Hartney, Barrackmaster 216 
 
 Harvey, Lieut.-Col. John 81, 85, 86, 220, 226, 237, 240, 251, 259, 261, 294, 
 
 296, 299, 302, 304. 
 
 Hastings Militia 21 
 
 Hatfield, Midshipman 170 
 
 Hatt, Capt. Samuel 6, 37 
 
 Hatt, Major Richard 235 
 
 Haun's House 67, 130 
 
 Hawley, Capt 145 
 
 Heald, Capt. Nathan 60 
 
 Heathcote, Major and Lieut.-Col 84, 89, 127, 176, 177, 189, 194, 205 
 
 Henry's House 129, 184,304 
 
 Heriot, Major G. F 129, 278 
 
 Heward, Capt. Stephen 7 
 
 Hill, Col. Rees 141 
 
 Hill, Major 226 
 
 Hindman, Capt 248 
 
 Historical Register of the United States 247, 248, 249, 254, 256, 266. 299 
 
 Hobart, Capt. Henry 247, 250 
 
 Hogodone, Peter 69 
 
 Holcroft, Capt. and Major Wm 104, 132, 251, 259 
 
 Home District 140 
 
 Hoppock, Capt 180 
 
Horse Island -. 276, 283, 284, 285 
 
 Horton, Peter 69 
 
 Howell, Capt. John 143, 144 
 
 Howell, John 291 
 
 Hughes, Col 194 
 
 Hugunin, Lieut. Daniel 60 
 
 Hufl, Capt. Abraham F 60 
 
 Hull, Gen. Wm 27, 60, 82, 120 
 
 Humber Bay 175 
 
 Humber River 22, 224 
 
 Hunter, Brigade Major 180, 182 
 
 Hunter, cutter 107, 110 
 
 Huron, Lake 21,47,297 
 
 I. 
 
 Impey, Lieut 76, 80, 83 
 
 Incorporated Militia 69, 111, 124, 128, 138, 151, 152, 191, 216, 228, 294 
 
 Ingerneld, Lieut 194 
 
 Ingersoll, Lieut. Charles 138 
 
 Ingouville, Lieut 190, 194 
 
 J. 
 
 Jackson, Mr 224 
 
 Janisse, Polithe 46 
 
 Jarvis, Capt 191,216, 228 
 
 Jarvis, G. M., MSS. of. 19, 20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 45, 51, 68, 70, 172, 173, 
 
 175, 177, 178, 206, 300, 303. 
 
 Jarvis, Stephen 115 
 
 Jarvis, Wm 300 
 
 Jarvis, Capt. Wm 165 
 
 Jarvis, Lieut. Wm 165 
 
 Java, frigate 101, 133 
 
 Jenkins, Capt 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 83 
 
 Jewel, James 69 
 
 John, Peter 246 
 
 Johnson, Sir John 116, 245 
 
 Johnston, Capt 156 
 
 Johnston, Col. Wm 21 
 
 Johnston, Liettt 115 
 
 Johnston, Midshipman Fred 290 
 
 Jones, Capt 160 
 
 Jones, Capt. Charles G 163 
 
 Julia, schooner 255 
 
 K. 
 
 Kelce, (George?) 291 
 
 Kent Militia. 21 
 
 Kerr, Ensign 76, 79, 80, 254 
 
 Kerr, Lieut 156,254 
 
 Ketchum, Lieut 286 
 
 Kick, Ensign George 165 
 
 King, Capt. and Major Wm....l8, 166, 181, 196, 197, 198, 204, 242, 247, 264, 
 
 274, 275. 
 King, cut. 18,71,72 
 
z. 
 
 King's Regiment 58, 75, 76, 79, 80, 101, 105, 131, 132, 134, 136, 137, 156, 
 
 164, 175, 176, 181, 184, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 
 193, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 213, 215, 225, 
 228, 229, 251, 253, 258, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 
 291, 295, 296, 300, 305. 
 
 Kingston 10, 23, 24, 25, 32, 38, 42, 43, 44, 55, 57, 58, 63, 66, 71, 72, 78, 
 
 80,84, 87, 89, 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 110, 111, 115, 126, 
 129, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136, 137, 140, 142, 143, 148, 149, 
 150, 160, 168, 170, 174, 177, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 201, 
 204, 206, 207, 210, 211, 212, 215, 218, 219, 223, 224, 227, 
 230, 231, 232, 233, 235, 236, 238, 239, 242, 244, 249, 254, 
 263, 265, 266, 267, 268, 276, 279, 282, 288, 289, 292, 294, 
 296, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302. 
 Kingston Gazette 10 
 
 Ir. 
 
 Labute, Capt. Pierre 46 
 
 Lachine 48 
 
 La Cloche 47,297 
 
 La Cloche Indians 297 
 
 Lady of the Lake, schooner 185, 255 
 
 Lady Prevost, schooner 27, 107, 110 
 
 Lafierty, Capt. John J 49 
 
 Lake St. Francis 149 
 
 Lamont, Lieut 17 
 
 Langdon, James 166 
 
 Langlade, Interpreter 47 
 
 Laporte, Lieut. Alexis 46 
 
 Lamed, Col 103 
 
 Larrabee, Lieut. Charles 60 
 
 Leeds Militia 21 
 
 Lelievre, Capt 76, 79, 86, 94 
 
 Lemon, Alexander 68 
 
 Lennox Militia 21, 144 
 
 Leonard, Capt. N 156 
 
 Leonard, Capt. Richard 216, 228, 279, 281 
 
 Lewis, Major General Morgan 156, 161, 168, 185, 230, 246, 249, 254, 255, 
 
 264, 266, 267, 273, 274. 
 
 Lewiston, N. Y 7, 9, 72, 134, 238 
 
 Library of Parliament, Ottawa 113, 124, 192, 211, 212 
 
 Liddle, Capt 253 
 
 Lincoln Militia, 1st Regt 21, 48, 88, 116, 129 
 
 Lincoln Militia, 2d Regt 6, 8, 21, 48, 68, 116, 118, 291 
 
 Lincoln Militia, 3d Regt 8, 21, 116, 130, 155 
 
 Lincoln Militia, 4th Regt 7, 8, 21, 116, 143 
 
 Lincoln Militia, 5th Regt 6, 7, 21, 45, 46, 116, 143 
 
 Little Billy Indian Chief. 54 
 
 Little Lake 268 
 
 Llovd, Lieut. J. W 253 
 
 Long Point 119 
 
 Loring, Capt. R. R 155, 176, 190, 212, 216, 225 
 
 Lowry, Lieut 279 
 
 Loyal and Patriotic Society 28, 200 
 
 Lucas, Capt. Robert 60 
 
 Lyon, Capt 214 
 
Mabee, Pinkwv 68 
 
 Madison, ship of war. Ill, 160, 108, 171, 223, 240, 249, 254, 255, 257, 
 
 263, 299, 304. 
 
 Maitland, Gardner and Auldjo 222 
 
 Maiden 22, 23, 24, 25, 50, r4, 87, 148, 263, 266, 275 
 
 Manners, Major 261 
 
 Markland, Capt 146 
 
 Marshall, Lieut 64 
 
 Martin, Bnsi^ 89 
 
 Mary Ann, sloop , 156 
 
 Matchedash 47, 297, 298 
 
 Matthews, George 68, 69 
 
 Matheson, Mr 253, 304 
 
 Mayo, Capt 286 
 
 Meadville, Pa 87 
 
 Mercer, Ensign Andrew 165 
 
 Merrill, F. B 154, 157 
 
 Merritt, Major Thomas 6, 8 
 
 Merritt, Lieut. W. H 96, 137, 220, 263, 290 
 
 Merritt MSS 97, 139, 220, 263, 291 
 
 Messecar, Abraham 68 
 
 Messecar, Job 68 
 
 Mianiis Rapids 147 
 
 Miami River 297 
 
 Michigan, Lake 47, 147. 229 
 
 Michilimackinac 47, 50, 51, 147, 296 
 
 Middlesex Militia 21, 151, 239 
 
 Midland District 145, 298 
 
 Miles, Stephen 10 
 
 Militia Cavalry 6 
 
 Miller, Ensign John 49 
 
 Miller, Lieut. Wm. D 49 
 
 Miller, Lieut.-CoL James 60, 242, 264 
 
 Mills, Col 283, 284, 285, 286 
 
 Milnes, Captain H. B. 224, 225, 253, 299 
 
 Milton, Col 156 
 
 Milwaukee 47 
 
 Misener, John 291 
 
 Missassauga Indians 191, 297 
 
 Missassauga Point 218 
 
 Mitchell, Lieut.-Colonel G. E 166, 182, 196, 198, 204 
 
 Mitchell, Mr 61 
 
 Mitchell, Senator. 26 
 
 Mix, Mr 255 
 
 Mohawk Indians 6, 7, 14 
 
 Moira, Earl of, ship of war Ill, 160, 168, 171, 223, 240, 249, 254, 255, 
 
 257, 263, 266, 299, 304. 
 
 Monroe, Hon. James 61 
 
 Montreal 29, 42, 45, 57, 65, 71, 73, 79, 82, 87, 104, 107, 108, 116, 129, 
 
 136, 137, 148, 149, 222, 235, 245, 297, 298. 
 
 Montreal Gazette 212 
 
 Moodie, Major Robert- 278, 279 
 
 Moore, Capt 54 
 
 Moore, Lieut 279 
 
 Morgan, Lieut. David 45 
 
 Mortimer, Lieut 253 
 
xu. 
 
 Muir, Capt. Adam SO 
 
 Mullany, Major 9, 17 
 
 Murray, Major 61, 62, 140 
 
 Murray's Point 154 
 
 Mustard, Capt. Janies 165 
 
 Mustard, Lieut. George 165 
 
 Myers, Lieut.-Col. Christopher 19, 26, 30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 45, 53, 67, 68, 84, 
 
 96, 103, 140, 154, 184, 186, 237, 240, 247. 
 251, 253, 257, 258, 260, 261, 288, 296, 300. 
 
 Mc. 
 
 McArthur, Col. Duncan ; 60 
 
 McArthur, Ensign Donald 165 
 
 Macaalay, Dr 280 
 
 Macaulay, Lieut. J. B 75, 76, 79 
 
 McCartney's 129 
 
 McClure, Col. Francis 162, 180, 213, 242, 264 
 
 Macomb, Col. Alex 74, 78, 246, 254, 256 
 
 McCormick 43, 50 
 
 McCrae, A : 220,303 
 
 McCrae, Thomas 220,303 
 
 McDermot, Lieut 76, 80 
 
 McDonnell, Capt. J 76, 80 
 
 McDonnell, Col. Archibald 21 
 
 Macdonnell, Lieut 76 
 
 McDonnell, Lieut. Col 21 
 
 Macdonnell, Lieut.-Col. George 60, 74, 76, 79, 80, 83, 219 
 
 Macdonnell, Lieut.-Col. John 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 104, 125 
 
 Macdonnell, Rev'd Alexander 219 
 
 McDonogh, Lieut. Patrick 9, 16, 19, 123, 161, 269 
 
 McDouafl, Capt. Robert 103, 280, 281, 299, 300 
 
 McEwen, Capt. John 7 
 
 Macfarlane, Sergt.-Major 90 
 
 McFeely, Col 101, 133 
 
 McGilL Hon. John 174,302 
 
 Mclntire, Lieut 8 
 
 McKay, Ensign 76, 77 80 
 
 McKay, Lieut 76, 80 
 
 McKee, Capt. Thomas 51, 57 
 
 McKenney, Cornet Amos 138, 139, 262 
 
 McKenzie, Alexander 298 
 
 McKenzie, Lieut 204 
 
 Maclean, Allan 96,99 
 
 McLean, Donald 176, 191, 205, 216, 228, 239 
 
 McLean, Lieut. (York Militia) 13 
 
 McLean, Lieut. (41st Regt.) 53, 63, 297 
 
 Mcl^ean, Lieut. (Dundas MiHtia) 76, 80 
 
 Mclean, Lieut. (Glengarry Light Infantry) 253 
 
 McMahon, Lieut. Edward 20, 165 
 
 McMahon, Lieut. (8th Regt.) 253 
 
 McMillan, Lieut.-Col 21 
 
 McMullen's 129 
 
 McNeal, Capt. Neal 187, 189, 192, 203, 206, 207, 208, 216, 228 
 
 McNitt, Capt 286 
 
 McQueen, James 69 
 
 MacPherson, Capt , 206,278,279 
 
 MacPherson, Lieut 255,256 
 
xni. 
 
 N. 
 
 Navy Hall 218,304 
 
 Navv Island 23 
 
 Navy Point 284, 286, 287 
 
 National Advocate, newspaper 268 
 
 National Intelligencer 25 
 
 Nautilus, U. S. sloop 61, 62 
 
 Nelles, Capt. Abraham 69, 304 
 
 Newark 22, 115, 160, 265, 267, 269, 273, 274, 275 
 
 Newcastle 31 
 
 Newcastle District 140 
 
 Newton, Adjutant 45 
 
 New York Evening Post 248, 272 
 
 New York Societv Library 40, 269 
 
 New York State Library 249, 250, 263, 265, 266, 283, 287 
 
 New York Statesman newspaper 133, 171, 268 
 
 Niagara 8, 11, 25, 78, 82, 83, 84, 88, 96, 102, 116, 121, 131, 132, 136, 139, 
 
 142, 147, 168, 172, 183, 185, 186, 213, 229, 241, 243, 246, 249, 
 250, 254, 257, 260, 279, 282, 292, 294, 301, 305. 
 
 Niagara, Fort 10, 17, 24, 101, 157, 234, 240, 268, 273, 274, 298 
 
 Niagara River 8, 21, 22, 23, 24, 65, 73, 123, 154, 157, 159, 160, 217, 238, 
 
 249, 252, 254, 266, 273, 274, 296, 300, 304. 
 
 Niagara, schooner 77 
 
 Nichol, Capt. Wm 248 
 
 Nichol, Lieut.-Col. Robert 8, 21, 37, 131, 183 
 
 Nicholson, Capt 182 
 
 Nicholson, Ensign Richard 253 
 
 Niles's Weekly Register 78, 87, 185, 301 
 
 Noel, Lieut. Horace 253 
 
 Noon, Major Darby 263, 264 
 
 Norfolk Militia 21, 150, 151 
 
 Northumberland Militia ; 21 
 
 Norton, Capt. John 6, 7, 25, 135, 156, 185, 237, 291 
 
 Nutall, Lieut, (see list of errata) 279 
 
 O. 
 
 O'Conor, Capt 294 
 
 O'Connor, Major 197, 198 
 
 Ogdensburg....74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 121, 133, 149, 159, 200, 204, 219 
 
 Ogilvie, Capt. Peter 60 
 
 Ogilvie, Major and Lieut.-Col. James 251, 296, 305 
 
 Oneida, brig of war Ill, 223, 255, 256, 304 
 
 Oneida Indians , 55 
 
 Onondaga County, N. Y 22 
 
 Onondaga Indians 55 
 
 Ontario, Lake 21, 22, 23, 24, 56, 57, 64, 66, 106, 108, 109, 134, 148, 149, 
 
 158, 175, 231, 232, 233, 234, 239, 243, 265, 267, 268, 289, 
 
 295, 300. 
 
 Ontario, schooner 255, 273 
 
 Ormsbv, Major 37, 118 
 
 Osgood, Mr 255 
 
 Ostrander, John 291 
 
 Oswegatchie 25 
 
 Oswegatchie Fort 219 
 
 Oswego 161,229, 230,285 
 
 Ottawa Indians 297 
 
XJY. 
 
 Ouisconsin River. 147 
 
 Oxford, Ont 22,23, 134 
 
 Oxford, County of. 235 
 
 Oxford Militia 21, 151 
 
 P. 
 
 Parent, Jacques 46 
 
 Parent, Lieut. Alexis 46 
 
 Parrish, Capt. Jasper 55, 153, 263 
 
 Pearce, Col. Cromwell 169, 172, 182, 196, 198, 242, 264 
 
 Pearson, Lieut.-Col. Thomas 60, 84, 144 
 
 Pelham, Lieut. P.... 172 
 
 Penns3'lvania Archives 142 
 
 Perry, Capt. O. H 256, 266 
 
 Pert, schooner 182, 254 
 
 Pettit,John 291 
 
 Pettigrew, Lieut , 234, 255 
 
 Philadelphia Library 77, 215 
 
 Pike, Bng.-Gen. Z. M 72, 78, 81, 87, 101, 142, 160, 166, 167, 168, 169, 171, 
 
 179, 182, 195, 203, 206, 209, 212, 213, 214. 
 
 Pinckney, Major N 173,290 
 
 Pittsburg, Pa 153 
 
 Pittsfield, Mass 103 
 
 Plattsburg, N. Y 78, 87, 102 
 
 Playter, Ensign Eli 165 
 
 Plenderleath, Lieut.-Col. Charles 65, 226, 305 
 
 Plunkct, Mr 225 
 
 Point Abino 40, 43, 67. 184, 238, 274, 299, 300 
 
 Point Frederick 41, 298 
 
 Point Heniy 298 
 
 Polk, Ensign D 89 
 
 Porter, Augustus 55 
 
 Porter, Col. Moses : 19, 29, 71, 73, 78, 264 
 
 Porter, General Peter B 19, 29, 55, 223, 226, 274 
 
 Porter, MSS. of Hon. P. A 56, 223 
 
 Port Talbot 150, 239 
 
 Potsdam, N.Y 78 
 
 Poulson's American Daily Advertiser of Philadelphia 77 
 
 Powell, Anne 256,289 
 
 Powell, Capt 130 
 
 PoweU, Capt. John 137, 174, 256, 289 
 
 Powell, Capt. Wm 49 
 
 Powell, Dr. Grant 224 
 
 Powell, Lieut. (8th Regt.) 80 
 
 Powell, Hon. Wm. Dummer 17, 20, 28, 29, 49, 67, 69, 172, 173, 174, 177, 
 
 178, 200, 206, 224, 256, 289, 302, 303. 
 
 Powell Papers (Toronto Public Library) 257, 289 
 
 Prendergast, Miss C. R 96 
 
 Prescott 56, 58, 63, 74, 77, 79, 80, 82, 89, 133, 136, 219, 245 
 
 Prescott Militia 21 
 
 Presqu' Isle (Erie, Pa.) 238, 266 
 
 Preston, Col. James P 234, 267, 272, 274 
 
 Prevost, Sir George 30, 35, 40, 53, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62, 64, 72, 73, 81, 82, 
 
 83, 87, 90, 104, 111, 116, 122, 124, 128, 134, 139, 
 147, 148, 186, 187, 188 218, 222, 223, 224, 231, 
 232, 233, 235, 238, 239, 242, 245, 250, 276, 279, 
 280, 281, 282, 283, 287, 288, 289, 291, 292, 294, 
 301. 
 
XV. 
 
 Prince Edward Militia 21 
 
 Prince Regent, ship of war 17, 108, 109, 110, 168, 170, 219, 232 
 
 Pring, Capt. Daniel 225, 245 
 
 Procter, Colonel and Major General Henry 39, 53, 59, 60, 62, 64. 65, 70, 
 
 84, 103, 127, 136, 147, 155, 156, 
 157, 184, 185. 225, 237, 239. 243, 
 245, 263, 297, 299, 300, 301. 
 
 Provincial Artificers '.". 85 
 
 Provincial Artillery Drivers 86 
 
 Provincial Dragoons .,. 234 
 
 Provincial Light Cavalry 86 
 
 Purvis, Lieut 107 
 
 Putnian, Lieut. John .'. 49 
 
 Putman's House 221 
 
 Q. 
 
 Queljec City 32, 52, 58, 82, 87, 105, 124, 158, 222, 232, 242, 244, 295, 301 
 
 Queljec Mercury 112, 124, 191, 211 
 
 Queen Charlotte, ship of war 107, 109, 237, 238, 266, 299 
 
 Queenston 11, 12, 22, 23, 24, 60, 72, 104, 116, 121, 125, 159, 217, 218, 
 
 228, 234, 246, 252, 256, 258, 259, 264, 265, 267, 270, 273, 
 
 274 275 295 296 304. 
 Queenston Heights ! .' .' .' ...6, 22, 35, 116, 263, 265. 266, 299 
 
 R. 
 
 Rainsford, Lieut 279 
 
 Raisin River 49, 54, 59, 62, 65, 67, 70, 135 
 
 Raleigh, Township of. 220, 303 
 
 Rapelje, Capt. A. A 69, 130 
 
 Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia 10, 17, 
 
 19, 123, 161 
 
 Red Jacket, Indian Chief. 55 
 
 Regiment 1st or Royal Scots 61, 62, 136, 137, 233, 276, 280, 294 
 
 Regiment 8th or Kings.. .58, 75, 76, 79, 80, 101, 105, 126, 131, 132, 134, 136, 
 
 151, 156, 164 175, 176, 181, 184, 186, 187, 188, 189, 
 190, 191, 193, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 
 213, 215, 216, 221, 225, 228, 229, 251, 253, 258, 276, 
 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 291, 295. 
 
 Regiment, 13th 126 
 
 Regiment, 41st 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 52, 53, 59, 67, 84, 89, 103, 105, 118, 126, 
 
 132, 136, 147, 164, 184, 221, 237, 242, 245, 253, 271, 
 299 300 301 305 
 
 Regiment. 49th 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 84', 118, 132, 154, 156, 157, 164, 216, 221, 
 
 226, 237, 253, 258, 260, 271. 
 
 Regiment, 98th 126 
 
 Regiment, 100th 155, 276, 280, 281 
 
 Regiment, 104th..,. ..42, 126, 134, 136, 137, 216, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 
 
 294. 
 
 Regiment, 19th Light Dragoons 242 
 
 Regiment, Royal Newfoundland 41, 75, 76, 79, 80, 84, 104, 118, 124, 126, 
 
 132, 175, 176, 187, 189, 190, 191, 193, 203, 
 205, 212, 215, 216, 221, 228, 229, 251, 253, 
 255, 278. 291, 296, 299, 300, 305. 
 
 Regiment, 1st United States Light Artillerv 16, 81, 161, 269 
 
 Regiment, 2d United States Artillery ' 81 
 
 Regiment, 3d United States Artillery 160, 181, 182, 287 
 
 Regiment, 1st United States Light Dragoons 287 
 
 Regiment, 1st United States Infantry .*. 288 
 
XVI. 
 
 Regiment, 5th United States Infantry 81,89, 90 
 
 Regiment, 6th United States Infantry 160, 212, 215, 241, 242, 247, 248, 
 
 264, 288. - 
 
 Regiment, 9th United States Infantry 287 
 
 Regiment, 11th United States Infantry 229 
 
 Regiment, 12th United States Infantry 81, 89, 90, 272"" 
 
 Regiment, 13th United States Infantry 81, 90, 288 
 
 Regiment, 14th United States Infantry 90 
 
 Regiment, 15th United States Infantry 160, 162, 181, 212, 214, 241, 247', 
 
 248,264. 
 Regiment, 16th United States Infantry 160, 162, 181, 182, 212, 241, 247, 
 
 248, 264. 
 
 Regiment, 20th United States Infantry 81, 90 
 
 Regiment, 21st United States Infantry 162, 172, 173, 212 
 
 Regiment, 23d United States Infantry ? 247. 287 
 
 Regiment, 25th United States Infantry § 287 
 
 Reiffenstein, Staff-Adjt 297 
 
 Report of the Loyal and Patriotic Society 21 
 
 Richardson, Lieut 108 
 
 Richardson, Robert 50 
 
 Richardson, Capt. Reuben 165 
 
 Richardson's House 128 
 
 Ridge, Lieut 76, 79, 80 
 
 Ridge Road 22 
 
 Ridout, Capt. Samuel 165 
 
 Ridout, Lieut. George 165 
 
 Ridout, Midshipman 166 
 
 Ridout, Thomas G 223 
 
 Ripley, Col. E. W 162, 173 
 
 Roach, Lieut. Isaac 9, 17, 247, 269 
 
 Roane, Lieut 249 
 
 Rolierts, Capt. Charles 147 
 
 Roberts, Dr 71 
 
 Robins, Capt 145, 146 
 
 Robins, Ensign 216,225 
 
 , Robinson, Capt. John 165 
 
 Robinson, Capt. Peter 165 
 
 Robinson, Quartermaster James 49 
 
 Rodgers, Capt. John 245 
 
 Rollette, Lieut. Frederick..... 107 
 
 Rome, N. Y 102,229 
 
 Rose's Point 130 
 
 Rottenburg, Major-Gen. Francis de 59, 129, 130 
 
 Rowan, J 80, 104 
 
 Royal Artillery 42, 59, 67, 76, 79, 85, 118, 132, 137, 138, 166, 191, 215, 
 
 221, 229, 253, 271. 
 
 Royal Engineers 76, 79 
 
 Royal George, ship of war 41, 42, 108, 109, 225, 232, 244, 292 
 
 Roxborough, Capt 254 
 
 Russia, N. Y 78 
 
 Ryerson, Lieut.-Col. Joseph 21 
 
 s. 
 
 Sackett, Judge 287 
 
 Sackett, Major 287 
 
 Sackett's Harbor 31, 66, 67, 72, 77, 78, 87, 101, 102, 103, 117. 140, 141, 
 
 147,148,160,161,162,189,202,213,229,230,231, 
 \ 234, 236, 240, 243, 244, 254, 263, 267, 276, 278, 279, 
 
 283, 284, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299, 301. 
 
xvu. 
 
 Saginaw Bay 297 
 
 Sailor's Battery 123 
 
 Salina, schooner 82 
 
 Salt Battery 304 
 
 Samuel and Sarah, transport 60, 61 
 
 Sandusky, Ohio 24, 82 
 
 Sandwicb 62, 120 
 
 Sauk Indians 47, 48 
 
 Sauk Village 47 
 
 Scarborough, Ont 192 
 
 Schlosser, Fort 134,230 
 
 Schuylkill River 10 
 
 Scioto, Ohio 24 
 
 Scott, Capt 180 
 
 Scott, Chief Justice Thomas 45, 94, 302 
 
 Scott, Colonel Winfield 9, 60, 161, 229, 241, 247, 254, 255, 273, 275, 276 
 
 Scourge, schooner 255 
 
 Scratch, Ensign Peter 46 
 
 Selby, Prideaux, Receiver-General 227, 297 
 
 Selden, Capt 274 
 
 Senally, Ensign Alfred 165 
 
 Seneca Indians 55 
 
 Servos, Capt. John D 150, 241 
 
 Servos, Daniel 291 
 
 Servos, Peter 291 
 
 Servos's House 261 
 
 Severn River 21 
 
 Shaw, Major-General ^neas 26, 42, 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, 57, 68, 88, 89, 112, 
 
 115, 116, 133, 143, 151, 152, 158, 176, 189, 
 202, 205, 227. 
 
 Shaw, Wm 46 
 
 Shawgaj'she, an Indian 47 
 
 vSheaflFe, Sir Roger Hale 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 18, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 
 
 37, 38, 39, 42, 45, 46, 48, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62, 64, 67, 
 68, 69, 70, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 98, 103, 111, 112, 
 116, 122, 124, 125, 127, 130, 134, 139, 140, 144, 
 145, 146, 147, 151, 152, 154, 155, 156, 158, 159, 
 166, 167, 169, 170, 171, 175, 176, 177, 178, 183, 
 186, 187, 188, 191, 192, 195, 196, 197, 199, 201, 
 202, 203, 205, 212, 213, 214, 215, 219, 224, 227, 
 230, 231, 234, 236, 239, 244, 298, 302, 303. 
 
 Sherbrooke, SirJ. C 61,105 
 
 Sherwood, Lieut.-Col. L 21 
 
 Shipman's Tavern 129, 262, 290 
 
 Shoefelt, Zachariah 145 
 
 Shoflf, Michael 69 
 
 Shore, Capt 279 
 
 Short Hills 273 
 
 Shultz, Lieut. John H 165 
 
 Silverthorn, John 291 
 
 SimcoeLake 269 
 
 Simons, Major Titus G 143, 294, 302 
 
 Simpson, Lieut 108 
 
 Sioux Indians .• 147 
 
 Sir Isaac Brock, ship of war 108, 109, 111 
 
 Sir Sidney Smith, schooner 292 
 
 Six Nations 8,24, 25, 153, 185, 263 
 
 Slaght, Cornelius 68 
 
xvin. 
 
 Slaght.John 69 
 
 Smith, Capt 256 
 
 Smith, Ensign Wm 165 
 
 Smith. Lieut. (8th Regt.) 206 
 
 Smith, Lieut. (Provincial Navy) 108 
 
 Smith, Lieut. (United States Navy) 255 
 
 Smith, vSamuel 202 
 
 Smith, Thomas 290 
 
 Smyth, Brig. -Gen. Alexander 9, 10, 16, 18, 19, 20, 29 
 
 Sovereign, John 69 
 
 Snelling, Capt. Josiah 60 
 
 Spain, Capt. J. G 69 
 
 Spencer, Ensign Benj. C 144-, 145 
 
 Spencer, John C 223 
 
 Sprague, Col 285 
 
 Squaw Island 90, 238 
 
 Stamford 291 
 
 Stanton, Lieut. Robert 165 
 
 Steele, Capt 181,247 
 
 Stevens, Mr 255 
 
 Stewart, Lieut 254 
 
 Stinehofi, Jacob 291 
 
 Stinehofl, Los 291 
 
 Stockwell, Ensign James 46 
 
 Stone, Col. Joel 21 
 
 Stoney Creek 290,294,305 
 
 Stoney Point 285 
 
 Strachan, Rev'd Dr. John 27, 177, 178, 200, 202, 204, 224, 288 
 
 Strawberry' Island 154, 157 
 
 Street, Samuel 43 
 
 Sudden, a butcher 224 
 
 Sugar Loaf. 123 
 
 Sullivan, Capt 222 
 
 Superior, Lake 297 
 
 Swan, Major 162, 283. 284, 287 
 
 Swayzy, Capt. IsaAc 137, 225 
 
 Swayzy's Farm 304 
 
 Swearingen, Lieut 247 
 
 Swift, Col 119 
 
 Symington, John 17, 43 
 
 St. 
 
 St. Clair, Lake 22, 23 
 
 St. Davids 8, 256, 259 
 
 St. George, Colonel Thomas B 50, 62, 84, 88 
 
 St. George, Quetton 228 
 
 St. John, Mrs 305 
 
 St. Lawrence River 21, 63, 64, 72, 73, 74, 82, 149 
 
 T. 
 
 Talbot, Col. Thomas 20, 21, 26, 183, 234, 239 
 
 Talbot Papers 27, 101, 235, 239 
 
 Taylor, Lieut 84 
 
 Tecumseth 30, 45, 67, 135, 224, 225 
 
 Tenbrook, Major 21 
 
 Thames River 22, 23, 50, 128, 225 
 
 Thomas, Capt. Samuel 141 
 
 Thompson, Capt. David 165 
 
Thompson, Ensign Andrew 105 
 
 Thompson, Ensign Edward 165 
 
 Thompson, Ensign James 4-9 
 
 Tice's House 3()4 
 
 Tiffany, Dr 26 
 
 Tompkins, Governor D. D 170, 223, 249, 250, 263, 265, 283 
 
 Tompkins Papers 153, 171, 249, 250, 263, 265, 266, 283, 287 
 
 Tonewanta 24 
 
 Toronto 157, 169, 179 
 
 Toronto Public Library 131, 211, 257 
 
 Trant, Mr 255 
 
 Trent River 21 
 
 Troup, Samuel 69 
 
 Trout, Lieut. Henry 49 
 
 Trowbridge, Dr. J. T 157 
 
 Turkey Point 150,255 
 
 Turner, Lieut.-Col. G. Villiers Turner 16, 132, 157, 164, 215, 221, 228, 229, 
 
 271. .- 
 
 Tuscarora Indians 55 
 
 Tuttle, Col. Gershorn 285,286 
 
 Twelve Mile Creek 67,97 
 
 Twenty Mile Pond 262 
 
 Two Mile Creek 250, 255, 257 
 
 Tyeth, Capt 279 
 
 U. 
 
 Ulmer, Col 73 
 
 United States Gazette 213,248 
 
 Utica, N. Y 54, 102, 229, 230 
 
 V. 
 
 Vanderbarrack, Lieut. Barnet 165 
 
 Vanderlip's House 129 
 
 Van Hoevenburg, Dr. R 82 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Col. Solomon 16, 56 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Maj.-Gen. Stephen 9 
 
 Vincent, Colonel and Major-Gen. John 32, 39. 41, 60, 117, 130, 131, 138, 
 
 139, 154, 158, 184, 220, 225, 226, 
 235, 237, 238, 240, 243, 250, 259, 
 261, 262, 266, 268, 273, 274, 292, 
 294, 295, 296, 298, 300, 301, 302, 
 303, 304, 305. 
 
 Voltigeurs, Canadian ,126, 129, 134 
 
 Vrooman's Battery 8 
 
 w. 
 
 Wabash River 135 
 
 Wadsworth, Brig.-Gen. Wm 9, 16 
 
 Wagley, Ensign Windle 46 
 
 Wallace, Capt 132 
 
 Walsh, Ensign Aquila 158 
 
 Walsh, Francis L 130, 131 
 
 Walworth, Capt 181 
 
 War, The, a periodical 212 
 
 Warburton, Lieut.-Col 84 
 
 Warren, Lieut.-Col. Henry , 21,52 
 
XX, 
 
 Warren, Lieut.-Col. John 49, 52, 155, 274 
 
 Warren, Sir John Borlase 106, 160, 231, 245 
 
 Washinp^on, D. C .'. 29. 54, 55 
 
 Waynebago Indians 47 
 
 Weaver, Ensign Peter 45 
 
 Weishuhn, Ensign Henry 49 
 
 Welsh, Thomas 130 
 
 West, Alexander 290 
 
 Whelan, Capt 118 
 
 Whistler, Capt. John 60 
 
 Whitehead, Ensign George 49 
 
 Whitehall, N. Y 102 
 
 Whiting, Lieut 265 
 
 WillcocKs, Joseph 97 
 
 Williams, Captain and Major 7, 13. 104. 260, 305 
 
 Williams, Col 19 
 
 Williams, Elijah 68 
 
 Williams, Henrv 68 
 
 Williamsville, N. Y 19 
 
 Willsborough 73 
 
 Willson, Andrew 290 
 
 Wilson, Capt. John 165 
 
 Wilson, Lieut. John 165 
 
 Winan,John 68 
 
 Winchester, Brig.-Gen. James 54, 55, 59, 62, 65, 70, 71. 97. 121, 123, 147 
 
 Winder, Brig.-Gen. Wm...l48, 161, 185, 230, 246, 247, 254, 266, 267, 268, 305 
 
 Wintermute's house 221 
 
 Wolfe, ship of war 232, 244, 279, 282, 289, 292 
 
 Wood, Alexander 202,228 
 
 Woodley, Peter 69 
 
 Woolwich, troopship 106. 222,232 
 
 Wright, Amos 146 
 
 Wright, West 146 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yeigh's House 129 
 
 Yeo, Sir James Lucas 106, 222, 223, 232, 243, 244, 276, 278, 279, 280, 282, 
 
 283, 289, 290, 295, 301. 
 
 Yonge Street 34, 227 
 
 York (Toronto) 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 37, 38, 40, 44, 45, 56, 58, 59, 63, 
 
 82, 84, 88, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 
 116, 124, 127, 133, 135, 138, 139, 142, 143, 147, 150, 153, 
 154, 155, 158, 160, 164, 166, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 177, 
 178, 179, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 
 203, 207, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 217, 218, 219, 220, 
 222, 223, 224, 225, 226. 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 235, 
 236, 238, 239, 243, 248, 256, 258, 263, 265, 266, 267, 269, 
 270, 286, 288, 296, 297, 299, 300, 302, 303, 305. 
 
 York Militia 6, 7, 11, 21, 27, 28, 88, 116, 143, 166, 204, 227 
 
 Young, Capt 181,214 
 
 Young, Col. R 136, 156, 186, 187, 277, 278, 280 
 
 Young, John ., 291 
 
PUBLICATIONS 
 
 ISSUED BY 
 
 Lundy's Lane Historical Society 
 
 BY I^reUT. COI*. E. CRUIKSHANK, Port Brie, Ont. 
 
 The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814, pp. 50 (3rd Edition, 1895, greatly 
 
 improved, with map) $0 25 
 
 The Battle of Queenston Heights, pp. 46 (2nd Edition, 1891) 25 
 
 The Fight in the Beechwoods, pp. 32 (2nd Edition, w-ith map and photo, 
 
 1895) 25 
 
 The Story of Butler's Rangers, pp. 114., 1893 40 
 
 Drummond's Winter Campaign, pp. 30, 1900, (2nd Edition, with maps) 15 
 The Documentar\- Historvof the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 
 
 1812-14, Part L, pp. 216. 1896 50 
 
 The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 
 
 1812-14, Part U., pp. 300. 1897, (with maps.) Paper 75 
 
 The Documentary-History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 
 
 1812-14, Parts L and H. Cloth bound 1 50 
 
 The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 
 
 1812-14, Part IH. 328 pages, with index, 1899. Paper, 75c; Cloth 1 00 
 The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 
 
 1812-14. Part IV.. 344 pages, with index, 1900. Paper, 75c ; Cloth 1 00 
 The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 
 
 1812-14. Part v.. 326 pages, July. 1902. Price— Paper, 75c ; Cloth... 100 
 
 BY MRS. S. A. CURZON, Toronto. 
 The Storj' of Laura Secord (1813), pp. 16, 1898, 2nd Edition 10 
 
 BY WM. KIRBY, P. R. S. C, Niagara. 
 Memento of the Unyeiling of the Monument at Lundy's Lane, July 25th, 
 
 1895. A Dedicatory Ode : 14 lines 5 
 
 The Annals of Niagara, or the History of the Peninsula for nearly 300 
 
 .years, pp. 270, 1897. Paper, 75c; Cloth 1 00 
 
 BY MISS CARNOCHAN, Niagara. 
 Niagara, 100 Years Ago, pp. 38, 1892 25 
 
 BY I,ATB RBV. n. J. PBSSBNDBN. 
 
 A Century Study, pp. 26, 1892 25 
 
 — ALSO — 
 
 Brief Account of the Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814, by Sir R. H. Bonnycastle, 
 
 Knight. 
 Accounts of Re-interments of Remains of Soldiers of 1812, found in 1891 and 
 
 1893, respectively, with Addresses on each occasion. 
 
 For copies of any of the above Publications apply (with remittance) to 
 James Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer L. L. H. S., Niagara Falls South, Ont. 
 
 K^The payment of S J. 00 per year entitles to membership in the Society 
 and to the publications as issued.