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Meps, piatea, charta, etc., mey be filmed at different reduction ratios. Thoae too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many framea as required. The following diagrams illuatrate the method: Les cartea, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmfo A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul cliche, 11 est f limA A partir de I'angle aupArleur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en baa, en prenant le nombre d'imegea nAceaaaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. rrata :o 9elure, Id D 32X |-''^t. '..' 'i. " ,# 1 2 3 . .4. i 6 ' r, ;)i 1^ (^1 iA iMPiJiTrAL AND connscr MSTORY OF THi WAR BETWEEN TUE' tTNITBD STATES OF AMERICA, <■' 'coMr|li0tife -' " A I^AirtlCITLAB DETAIL OT T^B AND A VJktTWmaiB BEC0BD 0« THE BVEllTB ni<|* DVOED DUBINQ THE CONTEST. J^, ■fFn^ of Piace, ratrfle^lat the 0j of W(k$li»g^ni WelTuarif m 1B1## <» h4»< '•U»l! W^ CDidmit rebtM iim cm^tttii CABBWLLT €OMPI|iED FBOM OJPFICIAL DOCUMBNln^ ; 'gggagBBg LI III .. BgiHggBgg=BBga t 4 '1 .VEIHTBD AN1I< PUBLISH BD BT JOUN lowji At aHAK«8PIAR*8 HI AD, « m 17 C HATUAM'STAEET. A8ld, . i . » , -' ■ * ^^^■-^---■,.., ' ... ^ ■ . ^v^:--:« J i^ ^.'.»r XtHfi^ of 3^ew-Tork, 86k 8E IT REMEMBE9ED» TKkton Uie tw«iit^4hMdaj ofFeltra^ ary, in ^be fortieth year of the fndependenee of the United ]j« S« States of Amerioa, John Low, of the mid district, hath depoB< Ited to titir office the-title of a B«ok, the right whereof he •clafnM as Prt^rietor, in the words follo\«ing, to nit: ** An Imtmi^ and Ckxreot History of the V#r between the United States of Ainerieaj «|td Great Britain , compridng a partieolar detail of theiia^nil and Miutary operations, and a futtifuirecord of tlie events prodoMd ^ling the contest Frmn its Comiheneement* June I8, I8t2, to the TtiftA$ «r f^aee, ratified at the City of H'ashingtou, Fehruarv 17, l^ik -<, 1^tn«ii edition, reviied and corrected. Carefully compiled fronoi vfllcua doicnments.'* In coatormity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, **An net for ibe encoonigenieot of Learning, byaeruring the copies of lIsBpl, Chartf. atid Boolqi. to the autfaunrs and prdprietors of ra^h cooies dmffiigflM llflMtlilepeinmMdoHllBd And also to sm act, entitled « An aet, 9ttii>(dei99nt>ury to an aet, ei»tiftled an Act for the /eseunrageioent of learni* gi.1^ seeuring the copies of M^ps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and nraprjp^arsof snoli capie,>i during the tiniiS;thei;riii mention- cd,«|id extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designiog/engniTing illBdctalijuig Ustorieal and other prints.** TllEKON VUDDy ,,^ Clerk cf the Southern Dittriet qfJVewTorks ^5#j.i .* h^^P <\ "■f-'.i PREFACE. KO oni» in tbe moral world, liat excited itkt public curiosity, or effected the general Interest of mankind, more than the discovery^of a west- ern continent, in the year 149^. Attracted as the public mind was by that event, yet its resulting importanoe was not then folly, anticipated by the most extravagant hopes,, or the most acute prog* nosties. To ^convert the natural riches of th# new world to the advantage of the old, was tho only object which the kings of Europe wished i0 accomplish, or intended to essay. NcUher king nor subject expected that the western world would beoome the seat of empires, independent of l!^uH>pean rulers ; much less did Ihey expect, that the future roonarchs of the east would meet in-the new world, rivals capable of tppoting and defeating attempts at continuing in poHINil «illi^ jection, the .descendants of emigrants, led to tlie new continent by cupidity, driven to it b^ persecution, or banished as an expiation of their crimes. ^ It was not until long after the first settlement of America by Europeans, that it was sagacious^ ]y observed, that « the new world seemed destin- ed to give laws to the old." The observation drew forth but the derision or contempt of the hearers and readers. A prophecy so improbable, and which ooaldnot, it was supposed^ be accmri!-? '« 1:1 :. ■,v ■ .-A mi ,Y^ P' ■•mm IS m '■: WW"- it V' V FRETACE* plished, if at alt, in a hundred centurfeif tra» deemed too peorile to«be erediCed^and too diitanl to be dreaded. « I'lie Revolutionary war gave the first snbstan- tial proof that materials for all the [uirpotes of self government existed in Amerioa. In proper* tion as the genius and resources of tlie kiliabitantt vere devetoped^ in the same degree did thej ilnci advueates in different parts of the worlds wba either saw with pleasure the sueoessful protpeet vhich opened itself to the people oi the United States, (late British colonies,) secretly eneour* aged and relieved them, or openly supported and assisted them. The happy termination of thia contest, led to the belief, that the theories of po- litical prophets w«re not only probable, but their consummation less distant than had been hither* to supposed. The United States; having by the treaty of peace of 17$3» become a nation by the consent of all other nattehs^ had as if to begin the worlds without any other capital than the virtue of the citizens, and withoat security against foreign aggression, except what could be drawn fittm their ov^n courage and patriotism. As yet their population was Httle more than three millions of inhabitants ; the want of a well , consolidated confederation, remlcred the govern- ment weak ; and the many incidents and^iffieul- ties attending the attempt to reconcile various interests with a gerieral principle, increased thia difficulty. The speeulations^aa to the fature desx "V \r FBETACl. I ' tinies'of the people were various. EogYand had eoDcluded peace pro forma, but she continued hostile in fact. Great Britain was but a small inland) yet her sovereign was a king over exten- sive regions) and many islands in various parts of the globe: the example of several of her colonies rejecting her authority* and uniting in support of eaeh other, was dangerous to the parent coun- try ^ it was found Impossible to subdue them by force* it was determined to do sa by intrigue*- corruption* and robbery. The colonies remedied one great inconvenience^ by forming a general constitution in 1789* which' stands an unrivalled instance of patriotism* wis- dom* and justice; a rapid grawth of population* and extension of commerce* acultivation of liter- ature* arts and sciences, were fast advancing to a point that would outrival England in every respect* As this state of things advanced in America* Bngland proceeded to measures of increased vi^ ' olenee and injustice. Seeking for pretexts* in principles novel* unknown to other nations* and - even contravening her own f^stabiished practice* she left to America the aliernatire of submission to her will* or resistance by war; the latter was^ resorted to.. ^ ^ ThC' history of the Revolutionary war is al- ready before the public. . It is a valuable record^ of what men determined to be free, can do. This ^ uar brought into a phalanx that mass of mUi- iary patriotisui* whi that tlie present generation will not pass away, until ]ibartv will smile over every part of America^ and all its inhabitants he happy. I'he inordinate ambition of hereditary gor- ernments* and their Just Jealousneit» of eaoh oth- er, have given an unbounded spring to the desire of exteniKd dominion and foreign conquests.— This spirit, however injurious, has, in some re- spects, contributed towards the increased know- ledge of geography, the diffusion of general in- formation, and the facilitating of a social inter- ouurse between the inhabitants of distant re- gions. England, ihmed for the adventurous spirit of its inhabitants, and the unequalled ambition of its sovereigns, could not remain an indifferent spectator of ah European rival taking posses- sion of a new world. Expeditions were soon formed for the more perfect discovery of the new continent. John Cabot, having, obtained a commission A*om Henry the 7th of England^ to discover unknown lands, Imd annex .them to the orown, discovered the eastern coast of North America ^ Sir Francis Drake, subsequentlyv sailed along it ; and England, by right pf prior discovery, claimed its sovereignty. Gold mines are generally confined to tropical climates ; th# soil of. North- America, contiguous to the sea^ appeared to be light, sandy, or unfit for profita* ble cultivation; the climate was variable and unhealthy; the aborigines were more savago and inhospitable than those of the south. No • adequate inducement presented itself to new set* |lw%i,an(]».ba4 the inhabUauts of England iip« #-'-^ ,1 . A mUTOWT OV TBF ITAl. ■eeeiiity for quitting their native eountrjy thf j never ivould diteuver a wiiih to Imhftfer tlieir renidence to tlie then inhospituble climate of North America. A itimulut wai not long wanting. The granting of immenBc traets of uncultiva- ted wilds to individual or comiianiesy was not WMy to induce any rapid setilement. Individ- uhIi mighty for the purpose of enhancing the *>alue pf their perionnl fortunes* inHuenee euiigranti to lettle on their new estates ; and these' settlers, having changed their residence* might be compelled to abide by a choiee froia which it would bo diflloult or impossible to re- cede. But tlirir reports and their fate would reach their friends ; emigration would ceane or be too slow for any efficient purpose : decrease of population* by insalnbriiy ol climate* and the inruaas of Indians, would be little* if at all. Over« balanced by births* and the accession of trans* ported felons. Man* In all stages* is a loyer of liberty* rea- son dictates that he has rights ; but this reason obscured by artificial ignorance and enervated by habitual bondage* becomes incapable of ac- tion* and insensible to the true extent of his misen* ry. The slave feels pa^n* without knowing whence it originates, or how it siiould be reme- died. This observation is strictly applieable only to corporeal slavery. The slavery, exer- cised over the conscience* is that, in support of which no sophistry can prevail ; and* to whieh» no term, no Jength of endurance, can reconcile the suiTei'er.'^ No prescription can justify the practice of enslavement in any case ; and tia slave* however abject will admit it in cases af- fecting his ^nsoiouce. God has instilkd^ iol^. # m io mSTOKT OV THE IVAR* '! .:•'»! the beart of inan> certain Feligious duties ; and^ 'whenever the fuliiiment of these is forbidden by human edicts, the injured person fears not to revolt or seek an asylum against persecution. With God on his side, he fears no other power^ and can be happy in a wilderness or In a cave. It is not now necessary to enter into a detailed view of the persecutions against Christians in Europe. Who that has not heard of them ? It is sufficient to observe, that no difficulties, real or imaginary, could deter the persecuted Chris- tians from seeking an asylum, where, free from interruption, they- might adore their God, as eonscience dictated. America offi;red that asy- lum ; and to this circumstance it is due, that the wilderness is so fast giving way to cultiva- tion, the internal resources of thf country have been explored and rendered operative, the seem- ing insurmountable objects of the new coun- try have disapiieared, and a state of comfort equal to that of any part of Europe has been produced. ' This comfort was wickedly marred by the British government, while it ruled the North American colonies. A desire to proceed to the ehief object of this work, ami its llniifs preclud- ing any particular recital of these evils, leaves only room to remark, that they were such as to ereate much unhappiness in the colonies, to pro- duce complaints, remonstrances, and petitions to the mother country; and finally, were car- ried to such excess, as to be ne longer sufier- able. * On the ever to be remembered 4th July, if 76, the people of these colo ies, by their represen- taf ivf*s in eonf*ress assembled, having puhliish^d ft modierate^ but firm, a grievous^ but true state- RISTOBT Hit TKE WAS. ii ment of iho multiplied injuries; infliijted ontheniy by the British king and government, declared that the united colonies •* arc, and of right ought to be» free and independent states. *' These United colonies consisted of the states of New- Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode- Island, Con- necticut, New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South- Carolina, and Georgia; leaving England in possession of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, New- Brunswick, and Nova-Scotia. The contest, which succeeded, was looked on by the world, with astonishment : its novelty and its importance excited general intct^est. A few people, without an army, without arms, without discipline, or munitions of war, without money, without allies, opposing their unorgan- ized force against a nation rich and powerful, with numerous ships, armies, and navies, hav- ing discipline, money, credit, and all the means of warfare, and being in possession of the colo- nies, the inhabitants of which declared them- selves absolved from all allegiance to the crown of Great Britain, was a crisis of uncommon mo- ment. The contest was long and severe ; a blood- thirsty vengeance on one side, led the British to the most shameful excesses^ a determination to live free or die, guided the people of America, under the direction of the great Washington., and the other sages and patriots in the field and the cabinet, to a completion of all they wanted, all they wished. Tyranny looked down, liberty rejoiced, on the completion of the happy triumph. The woun4 inflicted on the pride and interest of England, by this disruption of her empire, was trulj great^ but still greater than was then m ^^ I 13 K1ST0VT «T THIS Vfktm «y n eontemplated. Under the dominion ofEngland* the increase of population would be slow, the increase of eonimerce and manufaetures still slower: the cotintrv would be a warehouse for British manufaclures, the inhabitants, a nursery fur British armies Rnd navies. It was necessary that a people should be free ; that genius should be uneheeked, industry unrestrained, in order to prove, how far free men were superior to trhatever theory could conceive of them. The «X|Mn*iiMent has been suecessfuily tried in the United States. -^ . . i, , The country^ of a monarch would nbt InA cen- tury recover from injury, such as had been suf- iert^d by the United 8tates. But the pipople of America felt alt their toils and losses compen- sated by the acquisition of freedom ; they stood .«rect, and, as if by ma^e, ap|ieared in all the mi^ht of a nation. In less than thirty yearsy their country shook off the appearanee of a howl- ing; wilderness, their population increased three- fold, their manufactures increased so as te sup- , ply nearly all their wants, and every sea wit- nessed their immensely increased external trade; in short, they became the rivals of England. A long course «r wars, and the revolutionary trar of Amei ica, more than any others increasra the national debt of Great Britain to a great and burthensoine amount. To meet this exigency^ as well as to gratify the national wish, anil to provide for the further and growing charges In support of foreign colonies, an increased trade i»as necessary. The industry of Englishmen showed itself in the successful and unpanilleled extension of her manufactures, and the policy of her rulers aimed at an undivided fbreiga comiuercei in support «f the home system* ''' vr •■■*>r^- HrSTOBT OT THE VA1U fS The naval successes of Britain, during the French war, had nearly aeoooiplished her vast design. The ships of Holland, France, Portu- gal, Spain, and Italy, had nearly disappeared from the ocean ; those ef Russia, and the other naval powers of the north of Europe, had been gained over to the British interest, or destroyed by the supeiiority of her fleets. The United States, although in a state of infancy was yet t4ie only nation that had virtue or courage sufli-* cient to move in a just course, uninflueaoed by intrigue, and unintimidated by menace. To- wards this nation, Britain for years manifested the most ungenerous, injurioas and cowardly eonduct; amounting, in its effects, t-o war, while the United States pursuing an honorable and paciiic course, was debarred from making repri- sal. This ene sided war, had it been perniitied to continue, would have -sunk the States in the esteem of foreign nations, dried up the sources of their growing greatness, reduced them to a state ef contemptible imbecility, and, not improbably, to a merited state ef dependahce— they might again became colonies— British colonies. Hitherto the Americans looked but little to home manufactures, the capital of the merchant was employed on the ocean, and the people of the interior found sufficient employment in til- ling the soil. There was a great and profita- ble demand for every kind of produce, and the citizens were in the habit of receiving manufac- tures of all kinds from foreign nations, and par- ticularly from England. Had England been satisfied to contend for commercial superiority by fair means, she would long, very long, continue to supply the United States with almost ev«ry kind ofaianitr f "^m^^ A.:' .f'^v. m^ JlE_ I •H I !-t 11 HISTOBT OF THE VAlt. faoture ; but she calculnted that the p&cifie pol- icy of the States would cuntinue, and that the political disputes among her own citizens would render her a weak enemy even in war; and it is even probable, that the resubjugation of the €olunic8 were in a eertain expected event con- templated. That event wasT to be the overthrow of France. Had the United States unresisting- ly subiHitted until the restoration of the Bour- bonsy she would then have hud war with a ven- geance. M The history of the present king of Great Britain* , says the declaration of independence) is a history of repeated injuries and unsurpations.'* I'his would, at this day be a just representation Af the condutrt of Great Britain, from the ter- mination of the revolutionary* to the commence* xnent of the present war. Instead of dwelling m^re minutely on it, it is sufficient to say* that it was so continued, so multiplied and multifa- rious, that the United Slates had no alternative, but submission to wrongs by which they would be degradt>d as a nation, or an appeal to arms, ^he latter was resorted to. ' On Monday, the f st of June, a confidential message was received, in both chambers of Con- gress, from the Pi-esident of the United States, ^hicli was read with closed doors, and referred, in each house, to committees to report thereon. The British aggressions, to which the Presi- dent, in a particular manner, called the atten- tion of Congress, were, f \ 1. Impressments of American citizens wbilo sail* ing on the highwr^y of nations, dragging them on boiird their ships of war, and forcing them to serve against nations in amity with the United States, and even to assist in aggressions on their fellow citizemi vhen met on the high se&Si BISTORT OF THE VfAU. 15 . 3. Violating the rights and peace of our coasts and hurbours) harradsing our departing commerce, and wantonly spilling American blood within our territorial jurisdiction. ., » 3. Under pretended blockades) plundering our commerce in every sea) no adequate force being ap- plied to render such blockades legal) and their being enfot'ced from the date of the notification) by which they had a retrospective effect. 4. Illegal blocluideS) under the name of Orders in Council. 5. The employment of a secret agent) within the United States, with a view to subvert our govern- ment) and dismember the Union. 6. Encouraging the savage Indians to make war en the people of the United States. The blockade, under the name cf Ortlers la Council, ^as the only charge which the British minister pretended to juhtify ; and this not oa any law of nations^ but as an act of necessary re*- taliation on France* for equally illegal blockades^ under the names of Berlin and Milan Decrees. It should be here remarked, that one of the Bri- tish illegal acts was dated in May» 1806, and eould not be a retaliation, because it was anter cedent to (he French decrees. It should also be observed, that the Brilishy after the publica- tion of the Frencli decrees, declared that the blockade of May, 1806, was comprehended in the Orders in Council, dated subsequent to the French decrees ; thus endeavouring to prove that a blockade, actually instituted. before the French decrees, must be considered as property com-> menced after the promulgation of the French decrees. x=' ■■.-■: .■■- i-''Slu^ :-'■■: I. 'i^H The object of this manoeuvre, was to declare^ that should the Fi*encli decrees be repealed, the- repeal of the British Orders in Couneii shoiilil -• J.,- r - • " ' r ■ .■><,. ■■v-\ i to « ■• A 16 SXSTORT OF THE WAi; follow, and thus each belligerent proceed to Pe» peal their respective edicts, part 'passu, accord'- ing to their respective dates, until all the ofieir- sive decrees should be annulled. >Vhen, however, (he French decrees had been annulled, the British, under (he most equivocat- ing, flimsy, and false pretexts, continued to act on their Orders in Council ; until after the decla- ration ul'war by America. It is true that (he British government could not be acquainted witk the declaration of war at the time of the repeal of the Orders in Council, it must, however, be Qonccded, (hat they were af^quaintcd widi the American embargo, which was generally under- stood to bo pi'eparatory to war ; nor could they doubt that war would be deelared, unless they htlieved that America had lost all political vir- tue. A state of war superceded all use which the British could make of (he Orders in Councik Their repeal was marked by the greatest cou^ tempt for, and insult (o the United States. Mr. Calhoun, from the commiKee of foreign relations, to whom the President's message wa» referred, by the house of Representatives, made a long and luminous report of the Sd June, ISI29 which concluded by reeommending an appeal TO ARMS. ^t^i-jfi^r. ?->a .r,'^- ' . The report was, after two ineffectual motions ie have the doors opened, ordered to lie on the «able. Air. Calhoun, from the same committee, on leave given, presented a bill, declaring war be- tween Great Britain and her dependencies, ami the United States, and their territories. This bill was warmly opposed and debated for two days; when (he quesdon being taken, shall the said bill pass ? It was resolved in the afSrmst- tiye. ::.-s»- ■• ., mSTORY OF TAB WAR. % The Yeas and Nayo were as follows : > YEAS. J^exv-Hampahire. Dinamoor, Hall, and Hipper.— Si Masaachuaetta. Seaver, Carr, Greeny RichardaoDi Turner, and Widgery. — 6. Jihode-Ialand, .None. \ 'f • '^ , Vermont, Fiak, Shaw, and Strong. — 3. - . Connecticut, None. J\/ew York. Pond, Avery, and Sage.— 3. ^^ JVew-Jeraey. Condit, and Morgan.— 2. Pennaylvania. Seybcrt, Anderson, Brown, Ro» berts, Findiey, Smilie, Lyle, Whitehill, Bard, Davia, Lefevcr, Hyneman, Piper, Lacock, Crawford, and Smith — 16. ^ * *^ Deiaxvare, None. Maryland. Kent, Little, M'Kim, Ringgold, Brown, and .\rcher.— 6. Virginia, Nelson, Gholaon, Goodwyn, Newtony Taliaferro, Dawson, Basset, Smith, Hawea, Roane> M^Koy, Pleasants, Clopton, and Burwell— >14. --• JVorth-Carotina. Alston, Biackiedge, Macon, Klng» Cochran, and Pickens.— 6. South'Carolina. Williams, Cheves, Lowndes, But* ler, Calhoun, Earle, Winn, and Moore.—- S^ Georgia. Troup, Bibb, and Hall.— 3. Kentucky. JohnsoD,^ Desha, New, ' M^Kee, an4 . Ormsby.— 5. <% Tenneaaee, Rtiea, Grundy,^ and Sevier.— 3» ^^,.|* Ohio, Morrow.— •!. . . ./ l^vI/ • NAYS. * ,{'::t M'evf-Hamfiahire, Bartktt, and Sullivaii.— df« Maaaachuaetta. Quincy, Reed, Taggart, E]y> ;. Brigham, White, Tullman, and Wheaton — •^, *^ ; Rhodc'Ialand. Potter and Jackson.-^3. Vermont. Chittenden. — 1 . -. '^ii - jj., Connecticut, Sturges, Davenport, Mosely, Champ* • ton, Tallmadge, Pitkin, and Law— 7. Actif- York* Bleecker, Emot, Cooke, FMcht fjiold* --V; f. 'i J I ia BISTORT OF THE WAV. Satnmons, StoW) Tracy, Van Cortlancltt MitchilU and Matcalf.— 11. JVewJeraey, Boyd, Hufty, Maxwell, and New- Wld.— 4. Pennaylvania. Milnor, and Rodman.— -a. ' Delaware. Ridgely — I. Maryland,, Key, GoldBborough, and Stewart.— 3^ Virginia. Randolph, Lewis, Baker, Brcckenridgc, and Wilson — 5. JVorth'Carolina, Pearson, M'Bryde, and Stanf- ftffd — 3. South' Carolina, TToner Georgia. None.. Kentucky. None, \ Tennessee. None. Ohio. JXone. Yeas 79 ;jf %I^ays 49 .1 *.-rt lyiajority for War 30 On the 5tli of June, a confidential message iKas received b^ the Senate, from the House of Bepresentfitives, by Mr. Macon, and Mr. Find- ]e>, two of their menibcrs— ^Mr. Macon> ehair- Bian: " Mr. President— The House of Representatlreit lluve puBsed a bill, entitled, * An act declaring war between Great-Britain and her dependencies and the tJnited States and their territories ; in which they tsk the concurrence of the Si^nate ; and request that the bill be considered confidentially." And they Withdrew* The bill, from the House of RepreientAtiveSy wvs before the Senate, from day to day* until ihe I7th June. It underwent a very enlarged iisQiissiont met with much and violent oppo* wtMOxbut finally passed that bodjf. on th« lattec ''-:-A > Vi, *;^^: ■': „,„ :j!',,^.-?tcl». \ ■» fllSTOBT OT THB WAI« f» day ; there appearing for its passage, 19 ; against it, 13. The act was passed into a law on the 18th, in the following words : '-' AN ACT ^ Declaring War betvieen the United Kingdom o/* Great Britain and Ireland^ and the dependencies thereof t and the United Statea qf America^ and their territories* BE it enacted by the Senate and House of^efire* sentativea qf the United Statea qf America, in Con» greaa aaaentbled, That WAR he, and the same it hereby declared to exist between the United King* doiu of Great Britain and Ireland^ and the dependent cies thereof, and the United States of America) and their territories ; and that the President of the Unit* ed States be, and he is hereby authorised to use tlie whole land and naval force of the United States, to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States, commissions or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as he shall thmk proper, and under the seal of the United States, against the vessels, goods, and effects of the government of the same United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelapd» and the subjects thereo£> June 18, 1813, ' ' APVRovsD, JAMES MADISON. On the following day (I9th June) war was declared, by proclamation, the injunction of se-^ ereey being previously removed in both houses •f Congress^ A peace of nearly SO years, during which the Americans attended. but little to improvements in the arts of war, rendered them apparently f>: Tery unequal match fur a nation, whose armies and navies were more oumecous than they had iKsn at any forsier peiisd. Xhs bsslif isntls of* r^ I i:. I II '■^ w to BIITORT OF THE WAS^ America feared much for the fate of the little Amerioan navy. It was also supposed that our undisciplined armies must experience several defeats from the well trained regulars of Eng* land I hut those, who knew any thing of the re- volutionary war, felt no deuht as to what would be the event of the present. The wonderful exploits, and happy issue, that remains to be re- oonled, will show, that even the warmest en- thusiasts did not probably anticipate renown and glory, such as was in store for Amerieans. The public prints, on both sides, were warm in their denunciations of their respective oppo- nents, and threats of what would and could be performed. The following are given as speci- mens. From the London Courier, *( America knows not that the vigour of the British empire increases with the necessity of exerting it— that our elasticity rises with the pressure upon ns— that difficulties only make us more firm and un* taunt* ed— that dringers only give us the additional meanb of overcoming them. It is in such a state of affairs, in such a great crisis, that a nation like Great Britaia becomes greater. We are now the only bulwark of liberty in the world— |>laced, a little spot, a speck al- most on the ocean, between the old and the . new world, we are contending with both ; with one arm we are beating the armies of the master of the Con- tinent of Europe, and with the other we shall amite Aia Pi e/ect on the Continent qf America." . ?J Ji Fpom the JVew- York Morning Poat, ' « With a stone and a aling only, America com* meiiced the war of I'ldependence. W^ithout arms^ without clothing without monc) , and without credit^ we took the field } relying upon stout hearts, and the as8i»tancg of Uod for the success of a rigMcous^ y^ ^ « ■ HISTOBT OT TBE WAS. tl cause. The event has prayed) that with such reli- ances, a nation has nothing to fear. Our country has again thrown itself upon the protection of the Lord of Hosts ; we need but prove faithful to him and to ourselves. Victory will again crown our eflfortS) and peace and plenty reward us for our toils. Who, that is truly an American, will despair of the success of his country ; who will dare to believe we can be otherwise than CONQUERORS ? We had imagin* ed this impossible, except with the agents of the ene* my ; yet in a crisis so important, not only to us, but to posterity, we have found that the spirit of treason has dared to stalk abroad, even at noonday, amongst us. Is the enemy so strong in the camp-— so confi« dent of support, as to hazard a fearless defiance i We are, it is true, proud to exist in a land of free- dom— but when men threaten us with giving the as- sistance of their pens to the Cause of our adversaries^ who will hesitate to say that such freedom becomes traitorous V The stato of the regular army wap^ at thit time, such as scarcely to deserve the name.— The militiaf with the exception of a few uni- form companies in the ciliesy eonsisted of a veo- manry and 'others aeeustomed to parade lor a few hours each year, some with bad armtf» oth- ers without any. The preparations for war on the land, was confined to an expedition under the command of General Hull» of which notice 11^11 be taken in the proper place. The navy consisted of the foUowing vessels. Liat qf American FeaaeU, and their force* President, 44 Com. Rodgers. '^ Constitution, .' 44 Captain Hull. '-^ United States, 44 Decatur.. Chesapeake, 36 Ordinary. New-York, 3S Do. u •,* ^ ■I y BIITOBT OV THB WAR. 11 Constellation} 36 Coiigreti} se Bottoni S3 Essex, ss AdainSf 39 II •J J Ordinary. Cupt. Smith: Ordinary. Capt. Porter. Ordinary. CORVBTTI. Jobn^ AdamS) 36 Capt. Ludlow. •HIPS Of WAR. 16 Capt. Jonei* Id Lawrence. r>^ iRIOi. 16 Com. Woolsey. 16 Lieut. Caroll. 16 Crane. 8CH00WBRS. 12 Lieut. Gasden. 13 Sinclair; 13 \ Blakely. 1 3 Bainbndge 170 Gun Boats, Capt. Shaw. BOMBS Vcn S|>it •fitna, V '■'"*'■ y htm xmmti: Cdinmodore Rtodgers, being at New-Tork« on receiving the President's proclamationy announo- ine waPf addressed his men on the oecusionf offering their wages and a discharge to such as were unwilling to risk their lives with him. A general huzza preceded the declaration of every individual to « stand or fall with the Commo* dore." The anchor was heaved, and) before night, the Commodore passed the light-hQijse of Sandy-Kook, and |iroceeded to sea, having un- der his commund, the fri||ate8 President^ Uoited Wasp, Hornet, Oneida, Siren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprise, Viper, mgeance, ). itfire, r tna, C isuvius, J Ordinary^ HirrOBT OV THE W4B. ss 19'tenths of our countrymen, and that our silence would be treason to them." The citizens, in a state of high irritation, pro- ceeded in the evening of the 22d June, to Mr« m BIST6BT OF THE WAS. t Wagner's printing office, whicli was destrejed. This procedure was followed by some rioting; And the paper was removed to Georgetown^ (Col.) where it continued to be printed. ; On the 7th July, an order was issued from the departmentof state of the United States, re- quiring all British subjects to register their names, ages, places of residence, persons com- posing their families, &c. at the office of the marshal of the United States, for the district in which such subjects resided. This order was followed by others directing alien enemies, who were engaged in foreign commerce, to remove, from the vicinity of the sea or tide water. The InformattDn constantly conveyed to the enemy^ from the ports nud harbours ef the United ^States, was supposed to render such a measure ' necessary. It would be much to the honour of the eitizens, if tliis treasonable intercourse with the enemy were confined ho aliens ; subsequent inforuiation, obtained at the navy department -of the United States, has sufficiently proved that several profligate citizens have also held coni- ' municatlons with> and supplied the wants of the enemy. A cartel ship arrived in July, at Boston, from Halifax, and delivered on board the U. States* frigate Chesapeake, three seamen, formerly ta- . ken. out of that frigate, by the British frigate licopard. It will be recollecte^I that the Leopard attack- ' ed the Chesapeake in time of pdace, while the latter was unsuspicious of an attack, and unpre- pared for defence. The Chesapeake was fired Into, boarded, and these men taken by force from her. ^ Hemonstrance du the part of the United ,f - HiSTOBT OF THE IRTAlt. States, was made to the British goTernndenty anif redress demanded for this wanton breach of the laws of nations. The British government dis- avowed any agency in the act ; but yet promote ed the commander of the Leopard, not to thd yaif] arm of a ship, but to the command of a 7^. The restoration of these men had been, for some time,, promised by the British government t *t was pleasing to see it effected so soon after the declaration of war. Whether the war had any influence in this transaction, must be matter of eoryeoture, in which tlie reader will exercise his own opinion. This is not the only instance in which Vfvt produced a change to those Americans who were Impressed and confined on board British men of war. Several of them, having jd^llned serving against their country, were sent to prison as- prisoners of war, andJbecame entitled to be lih* crated by exchange. This mode of treating: them, after their character aa An^erican citi< zens, was acknowledged, was certainly unjust ; they should have been fully released, not hav- ing been taken in tune of war, or in arms, they were entitled to rank as non-combatants. On the 12th July, Mr. Foster, the late British minister, and Mr. Barclay late consul, departed^ from the United States, at New- York, on board the British flag of truce Colibri. These gen-^ tlemen were much esteemed for their private amiable qualities. The first British victory over the American fleet, happened on the 20th of July. On this day the United States' schooner Nautilus, Lieutenant Crane, fell in with a fleet of the enemy, and was captured, after a chase of eight hours. No honour was lost by the Americans on this octr \i^ ■. ■( ! 1 i t:.| I I J' \ 1! i 5 ni- t ii i 99 BUTOST OV THK WAR; tasioti ^ tbe tast disparity of force, rendered re> •istanee as imprudent, rs it ¥rouId be unavailinr. The brave commander's sword was returneo> b> the Bi'itish officer^ Com. Brooke^ as an ac- knowledgment of the skill and bravery iiritb which he endeavoured to save his ship. Lient« Crane, and his crew, were afterwards honourably acquitted, by a court of enquiry, of all censure In the loss of the Nautilus. On the 17th of this same month, the frigate . Constitution, Captain Hull, chased a British fri- gate into a British fleet, and was chased in turn, on the following morning, by the enemy, consist- ing of a ship of the line, four frigates, a brig, and a seht oner. The chase continued 60 hours; *]'he Constitution arrived safe in Boston. The great address, by which Captain Hull saved his ship, drew forth the admiration of the enemyy and the applause of his countrymen. It wa» the wish of the Americans, as they also endeavoured in a former war, to induce the Indians to be neutral. Humanity and eiviliza- tfon plead In favour of a principle which would not add savage barbarity to the other evilsof war ; but unfortunately, the policy of a <* mag- nanimous" enemy was different. The Ameri- eans soon learned that the enemy had leagued himself with the ruthless savage of the wilder- Bess; the known warfare of the tomahawk and scalping knife was to act in concert with the modern invention of rtckets ; in short, all means within the power of the enemy were to be com- bined against the people of the United States. The flrst act in which the allied Indians and British si^na/i^ed themselves, was in the taking •f the fort of Miehilimaekinac, on the 17th of July, 1812. The garrison consisting of 57 cf- uistout of the utar. 20 fectivc men, including officers, was commandeil by Lieutenant Hanks, of the artillery. The first notice he received of the declaration of war, was in the form of a summons, to surrender the fort and island to his Britannic majesty's forces. The enemy, contemplating a state of war, had been for some time preparing an expedition for the attack of Michilimackinac. The place of rendezvous -was St. Joseph's, a Bi-kish garrison, distant from Michilimackinac, about 45 mjles. So prepared were the British, that they were enabled to Embark the next day, after being ap- prised of the declaration of war. Lieutenant Hanks having received information on the 16th> of the hostile attitude of the Indians, sent Cap- tain Daurman, of the militia, to watch the mo- tion of the Indians ; he embarked about sun-set, and met the British forces within ten or fifteen miles of the island, by whom he was made, pri- soner. Every possible preparation was made, by the garrison to resist an attack, if su^h should be attempted ; but the appearance of a powerful enemy, with artillery, scaling-ladders, &c. induc- ed Lieutenant Hanks to^submit to terms of capi- tulation, by which the fort was surrendered to the British forces, commanded by Captain Rob- erts. The American garrison was made prison- ers, and sent to the United States, not to serve until regularly exchanged: The British force consisted' of regular troops, 4&; Canadian militia, 260; Indians,* 715.— To-- tal, 1021. Tho probability of an approaching war 'had determined the United States' government to a- dopt some measures \iecessarily preparatory to that event. Oil the idth March> 1812. Major James B.Miil^ 0^2- . t'H iM A, M \ : '.^ 'V. 30 BISTORT 07 THE WAH. iany, of the infantry, was directed liy the secret tary of wKr, Dr. Eustis, to proceed to Philadcl< phia, and ascertain the state of forwardness in which the clothing for the new troops was. This was executed, and report in&de accordingly. On or about the 12tb April, orders were received at New- York, to commence the recruithig ser- Tice. By tliis time the U. S. was divided into military distilets, and Major Mullany appointed to the command of the western district, (New- York.) With his noted zeal and activity, he arrived at Geneva, on the 20th April, 18l!2, and located there, with necessary instpuctions, a val- uable officer, (Captain Mydert M. Dox.) In a few days, the officers assigned to titis district, were supplied with funds and instructions, and martiiat music gave awful earning of what was^ likely to follow. The difficulties that ignorance and treacherous opposition excited, is so way in- teresting at present. Manly exertion, good judg- ment, and a righte&ns cause, surmounted every scheme of faetioir, and seared snccessfuily over every siieciies of prejudice. Citizens most noted for acrimonious sarcasms towards the measures net^^essarily adopted at that period, soon buried their mistaken apprehensions in the nalional good, and Were amongst- the most active in lading the ♦ ffoMs of tlie officers of the army. On the .26th of May, a circular order wa» iransmitfed to the following officers, having for its object the coneent ration. of the recruits of the western district, at Canandaigua, to organizf^- them for the field, ^iz^ ' Captaiti Dox. Infeintry, Geneva. * ^ Captain M'Keon, 3d Rep^t. Artillery, Canandaigua^: Ci 2d Lieutenant, Henry Whiting, Infantry, Buffalo* By O/der, — J. R. MuUany, Maj. Comdg. Signed,r-J. H. Rees, Lt. 3d Artillery, Adjt. The official news of the declaration of war* reached Major MuUany, on the 27th June, 18129^ one day later than the express with it to the British, passed Canandaigua, (the head-quarters^ of the district.) The man employed on this oc» «asion, hy the fbiends of England, was a citizen of Albany, well known by several real patriotic men, residing in the western country, on whom he imposed. He stated that he was eonveying»> express, the news of the declaration of war, to Fort Xiagarat in consequence of which strata- gem, he sueoeeded in obtaining every facilityy that money and horses could give him; and thus did the British receive the news one day before it was known at Canandaigna, from whence may be dated the fall of Miehilimaekinae, and' a train of other disasters on the frontiers. Having delivered the despalehes at Queenstown, he re- turned immediately. He met General Peter B# Porter at Batavia, who q^uestioned him on the re- port then general, of such av express having^! passed, but he very adroitly escaped, and vras a- gain interrogated on his arrival at Ganandaigua» by Major Mullany,^ who was closely watching his? return. He soon discovered him, and placed hiia. under guard, after reading to htm the 57th ar- ticle of the articles of war. His deposition wa9^ takan before a master in chancery, and forward- ed to Governor Tompkins* the same night, wiioiQa $t BIETOBT OF THE VfMM. It readied in thirty houra, distance 208 inileii. Tlie gentlemen Vfho employed the despatch were taken prisoners^ and held to bail» and evidence given the governor, that, although the despatches did communicate the vote of Congress, declaring war.stil] the communication was simply mercanttU, At this time the settlers on the Niagara fron- tier became much alarmed; they were daily threatened with a visit from the Indians, and their houses no longer offered them safety or protection. Several settlements had been aban- doned, and nothing was heard along the frontier, in imagination at least, but the hostile yell of the relentless savage. The following letter f not hitherto published,) was, on this occasion, directed to Major Mul- lany: '* Blac* Rock, June 28i 1812. v'^^ Sir, .« There is every reason to believe that the British meditate an attack on fort Niagara, and that it may be attempted within twenty-four hours from this time* If they once pass the river, it is impossible to * say how far they may {Proceed. — Under these very urgent circumstances I dispatch an express, to re- quest that you will immediately march the men un- der your command to our assistance. Although you may not have received orders authorizing you to comply with this request, I am persuaded the occa- sion will justify you, as your men can be of no possi* ble use at Canandaigua, or any other place along the south shore of the Lake, and are undoubtedly intend- ed, ultimately, for this place. Bring with you all the arms and ammunition in the Canandaigu^i arsenal. ' In great haste, yours respectfully, * PETER B. PORTER, Q. M. G. Of the State C«mm*g at Canandais^ua'X:, "^-T' mSTOBT OF THV WAS. 33 . Major Mullany* in conscquf nee of the receipt of this letter, marrhed with his oommand for the protection of tlie Niagara frontier. Another evidentlj^ material precaution^ was the stationing a competent force in the Michigan ter- ritoryy for the protection of the inhabitants* against the incursion of the enemyy as well as for the purpose of acting offensively, if such should be deemed- prudent. General Hull had been at the seat of government in the spring previous to -the declaration of war, where he made arrangements- for conducting a force to Detroit. He accordingly proceeded to Dayton* on the Mad river, one of the waters of the great Miami, 60 miles by land, and about 75 miles by water, from its mouth. Here Governor Meigs, of the state of Ohio, surrendered to the general the command of 1500 volunteers, who had been raised for this purpose, and were commanded by Colonels M' Arthur* Cass* and Findlay* by tho election of the volunteers. On the 2'rth May, General Hull pitched his tent in camp Meigs, when, the troops being form- ed in a h'^Ilow square, the flag of fhe United States was unfurled, on which occasion, a short* but animated and impressive address* was de- livered by Colonel Cass. On the 1st June, the 4th United States' regi- ment, commanded by Colonel Miller, joined General flull, when he resumed his march* and reached the rapids of the Miami about the last of June, having then under his command about £500 men. From Dayton to Detroit, a distance of more than 150 miles, the army had to cut a road through the wilderness ; the land was soft or swampy* and the labour of bringing on carriages. and ac' Sit BTITRBT Of tI» WAK; tillei^f exoetiive. The Indians showed little dis- position to obstraot tlie imssaffe of the troops. Governor Meigs proceeded witn the army as fur AS tlie Urbanna* wliere he held a eouneil with some Indian ohiefs* when it was agreed, that peace should be maintained between them and the United States. The General put en board a ves- •el» the baggage and hospital stores of the army, with an offloer and 30 men** with directions to Bail for Detroit. The British having been Ap- prized of the declaration of war, captured the ▼essel at Fort Maiden* mouth of Detroit tivcvf and thus the army suffered a serious loss. On the evening of the i2th July» General Hull crossed the river Detroit* which divides tho United States' territory of Michigan from the British pt*ovince of Upper Canada, and fixed his bead quarters at the town of Sandwich, about two miles within the British province. From tills place lie published a proclamatijj, of which the following is a copy : V BY WILLIAM HULL, Brigadier • General and Compiander of the JVorth Western army of the United States : A PROCLAMATION. « ♦ Inhabitants of Canada, After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The inju» ries and aggressions, the instilts and indignities of Great-Britain, have once more left them no alterna- tive but manly resistance, or unconditional submis" sion. .^he army under my command has invaded your country ; the standard of the union now \raves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable unoffend-^ in;; inhabitants, it, brings neither danger nor difficulty. 1 come to find enemies., not to make them. I come to protect) not to injure you*^ HHTOttT OV THE WAB« Si Separated by an immense ocean* and an extftnaive vvildefneaa, from Greut Britain) you have no partici- ptttion in her councils, no interest in her conduct. You have felt her tynmny ; you haVe seen her in- justice ; but I do not ask you to avenge the one, or to redi-ess the other. The Unitod States are suffici- ently powerful to afford every security, consistent ivith their rig^hts, and your expectations. 1 lendfur you the invaluable blessing of civil, political* and re- ligious liberty, and their necessary resulti individual and gf^^neral prosperity; that liberty which gave de- cision to our councils, and energy to cnir conduct, in a struggle for independence, wlitch coitdu«ted us safely and triumphantly through the stormy period of the revolution— -the liberty which has raised us to an elevated rank among the nations of ihe world ; and which afforded us a greater measure of peace and security, of wealth and improvement than ever fell to the lot of any people. In the name of my country* and the authority of government* I promise you protection to your persoHS* property* and rights; remain at yoiyr homea; pumue your peacefai and customary avocations ; raise not your hands against your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Be- ing children* therefore, of the same family with usf, ,^nd heirs of the same heritage* the arrival of lyi army of friends must be hailed by you with a cordiaS wel- come. You will be emancipated from tyranny and oppression) and restored to the dignified station of freedom. Had I any doubt of eventual success, I might ask your asfii«tance ; but 1 do not I come prepared for every contingency— I have a force which will break down all opposition* and that force is but the van-guard of a much greater. If, contrary to your own interests, and the just expectations of my country < you should take part in the approaching con- test, you will be considered and treated as enemies; and the horrors and calamities of war will stalk be^ lore you. If the barbarous and savage policy (k M m ♦■>• t. > ■ 'p M -?- \,SS., 1 1 l! ' ' 36 HISTOUY OF THE WAE. ^"' Great Britain be pursued, and the savagei are let Joo»e to murder our citiaens, and butcher our women and children thiti wur will be a war of extermination. The first stroke of the tomahawk-- the first attempt with the scalping-knife* will be the signal of one in- discriminate scene of desolation. Nt> whKe man, fou.id fighting by the side of an Indian* will be taken prisoner— instai it death will be fais lot. li the dic- tates of reason, duty justice, and humanity cannot prevent the employment oi a force which respects no rights, and knows no wrong, it will be prevented by a severe and relentless system of retaliation. I doubt not your courage and firmness— I will not doubt your attachment to liberty. If you tender your services voluntarily, they will be accepted rea- dily. The United States offer you peace* liberty, aiid security— Your choice lies between these and war, slavery and destruction. Chootie then ; but choose wisely ; and may he who knows the justice of our cause, and who holds in his hand the fate of nations, guide you to a result the most compatible with your rights and interests, your peace and hap- piness. By the General, • ^* A. P. HULL, Cafitain qfthe 13/A United Statea* regiment qflnfan* , try^ and Aid-de Camp, Head-guarUra,, Sandwich, . J^ly 13, 1813, . WILLIAM HULL. Tills proolamatJoti was well cahsulated to in- spire eonfideiic>, and secure the friendship of f he Canadians. The ^merivan troops were in high spirits, anxious to be l^d jgainst the enemy's post at Fort Maiden, sisting of regulars, mil ferior to the Amerioai oiaI«oinmunicatioB of the' ritish force, con- Indians, was in- ared by the ofli- ^_.._h general Bi'ock, to Ills government. The moment seemed ia- HISTORY OP TnB W41U U Yourable to strike an important* perhaps a deol- iivu blow. Tiie Indian)4« except a few of whoin bad Joined the British, remained neutral, watoh- ing with their usual Aa;;aoi(y, until tbe^ could discover on- what side victory was likely to |ieroh | nearly all tlifl Canadian militia had desertedy Colonel M* Arthur was detached with 150 meuy to the river 'riiames, whore ho captured a oon> HidtTable quantity of ammunition, arms, and blankets. Homo hundreds of Merino sheep were oaptured by another detaohmeat. On the 15th July, Colonel Cass, with about 300 men, reconnoitered the enemy's posts. The Colonel ascended the river Aux Canards, to a foi'd, where he crossed, and descending on the south side, attacked and repeatedly drove a par- ty of the enemy's regulars, which was stationed at a bridge, five miles above Amherst burg, the enemy having fornied and returned three times: night put an end to' the pursuit. The Americans returned the following day to camp without in- terruption. Frequent skirmishing was kept up between other detaehments of tlio American army, and tho enemy, in the neighbourhood of Fort Maiden. Tho time of attacking Fort Maiden was determined on at a council of field officers, and preparations made for advancing to the attack, when, by an unexpected order, the plan of attack was abandoned, and Canada eya* cuated on the 8th August, shamefully leaving to their fate, the Canadians who had joined the American standard. This gave time to the enemy to be reinforcr ed, and it soon was rumoured in the American camp, that the commanding officer intended to surrender his army, in the eveat of an attack by the enemy. This seemed so onaccounCsdilef ' I'-i it kfi Ir^i.,^, m i'. ;( ^8 HISTORY 07 THE WAR. at a time when superiority of force was on the American side, tliat the ofiicers had rcHolved, in tiie event of the rumour bein); well founded, to divest the general of his eoiiimand. 'I'he exe- oution of this plan was prevented by (he ab- sence of two commanding officers of regiments, who Mere ordered on detHchments. The Brit- ish being reinforced by about 400 nien* and the Indians becoming more decidedf General Brock advanced, and took a position opposite to Detroit, where, witliout interruption, ho established a small battery. On the 15th August, the town of Detroit was summoned to surrender, which being refused, a firing began from the British batteries, which was retarned by the Anierloans, and continued, with little efiTect, until night. At dii^-light, on the 16th, the firing re-eommenced on both sides, the enemy commeRced the landing of troops be- low Detroit, whieli being soon effected, they inarched in close column of platoons, twelve in front, toward the fort of Detroit. Against this body of troops not a shot was fir- ed, although it advanced in a sifuatinn within the range of the \mevh an cannon. When the British reached within 100 yarih of the Ameri- can line, orders were given by Gen. Hull for the troops to retreat to the fort ; and soon after, the fort was surrendered, and the American army became prisoners of war. By a proclamation immediately issued by the British commander, (Gen. Brot k.) it appears th^t General Hull had also surrendered the ter- ritory of Michigan. ^■ ' This was a severe and unexpected W.ovf against the Americans. It gave rise (o a court martial on the conduct of General Hull, which will be ■TAji. a BISTOKT OF THE WAR. sd notiocd in its proper place ; it, in a great degree, destroyed the eo:iii(ten<^e the Caniidians had in thi' government and arms of the United States ; it determined the Indians to take part with tlie enemy ; and led not only to a prolongation of the -war, hut to many, or perhaps all dP those savage aets of murder* in whiih the Indians were sub* sequently engaged, against the citizens of the Uiiltfd States. ' (jrencral Hull, in his ofBcial account, states, that at the time the enemy advanced against De- troit, he could not hring into the field more than 600 men, that the regular force of the enemy, then advancing, was much more than that num- ber, and twice that pumbcr of Indians. An official letter from Colonel Cass, who had a command under Genv'ral Hull, put the business in quite a different light, concluding with the fol- lowing paragraph. « 1 was informed by Gen Hulh the morninj* after the capitulation, that the British forces consisted of 1800 reguhirs, and that he suitendered to prevent ' the efTusion of human blood That he magnified their regular force nearly five fold, there can be no doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned by him is a sufficient justification for surrendering a fortified town, an army, and a territory is for the go- vernment to determine. Confident I am, that had the courage and conduct of the General been equal to the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event would have been as brilliant and successful, as it now is dis- astrous and dishonourable." The Drltish official account is positive as to the?ihferiority of the enemy's force. The following extract from the official report of Sir George Prevost, will show how weak the garrison of Amherstburg, or Maiden was, at iii ! ' W HISTOKT OF THE II' All, -|b« time ^ben General Hull passf d into Cana(1&> having men. then under his. command nearly 2506 <* The garrison of Amherstburg consisted (at the lime >viien Gcnei'al Hi^l passed into Canada,) of a subaltern's detachment of the royal artillery, com- -nianded by Lieutenant Troughton ; of a detachment of SOO men, of the 41st regiment, under the ccm^ xnand of Captain Muir ; and of about as many of the. snilitia ; the whole under the command of Lieuten- ant-Colonel St. George, inspecting field officer o*f militia in the district." A few days before the surrender of Detroit* Major Tan Horn, of Colonel Findle/s regiment of Ohio volunte(^r8> was detached with about 2d0 men, to proceed to (he river Kaisiny to rein- force Captain Brush, who, with a company of Ohio volunteers, were escorting provisions for the army. At Brownstown, a large party of Indians formed an ambuscade, and the major's detachment received a lieavy fire at a few yards iVom the enemy. The whole detachment re- treated in great disorder, and could not, by any exertion of Major Van Horn, be rallied.— On this occasion, there were 7 ofRcers and 10 privates killed, besides a considerable number wounded. Before the return of Major Van Horn, an- other detachment consisting of 600 men^ under the command of Lieut. Col. Miller, was ordered to proceed to the river Raisin, to open the com- munication to the river, and protect the provi- sions, which were under the escort of Captain Brush. Lieut. Col. Miller marched f^om* De- troit on the 8th August ; and on the 9th, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the van guard, ^om- manded by Capt. Snelling, of the 4bth U. S. regi- ':'Mf. . .- , ■ - --K , ■ HISTORY OB TUB WAR. 41 went, was fired upon by an extensive line of In- dians and British, at the lower part of Maguago» about li> miles from Detroit. Capt. bnelling maintained his ground in a most gallant man- ner, under a very heavy fire, until the arrival of ttie main body, under Lieut. Col. Mnier, when a general attack was made on the enemy, who was compelled to retreat before the Americans. The route continued until fatigue, and the ap- proach of night, rendered it necessary ta desist ii'oni further pursuit, r- - -^ . v . A short time previous to the surrender of De- troit, a provisional agreement was entered into by General Dearborn, and Colonel Baynes, the British adjutant-general, that neither party should act ufi'ensively before the dieision of the American government should be taken on the subject. I'his sus])ension of hostilities* wa» grounded on a letter from Sir Beorge Pi-evost, Governor of Lower Canada, to General Dear- jborn, suggesting the probability 0f a general suspension of hostilities, in consequence of a pro- I posed suspension or repeal of the British orders in council, of which Mr. F^oster, late minister to the United States, had received advices on his arrival at flalifax. Whether Governor Prevost seriously believed all which he represented, or that the suspension of hostilities, which did'not include the operations of Detroit, was intended to favour the British army in that quarter, can- not now be determined ; it, however, enabled the British to reinforce General Brock, and pro- bably contributed to the fall of Detroit. The American government, viewing the British pro- position as coming in an indirect manner, ofier- [ing no satisfactory security for its observance^ [and adhering with. little variation to their for-, 42 HISTOEY OT TUS WAB. I li .,/ ,^' iner pretences^ did not hesitate to disagree t» the proposal. The armistiee terminated on the 8th September. r Tlie disgraceful surrender of Detroit was, in some degree, to be compensated for, hy the bravery of American seamen. On the 19tU Aug. 1812, the American frigate Constitution, Captain Isaae Hull, fell in with his Britannic majesty's frigate Guerriere, Captain J. B. Da- ores, in lat. 4)0, 20, N. Ion. bd, W. and after a severe action of 30 minutes, during which the Americans displayed great superiority in tactics and courage, the British ship surrendered. The Guerriere sufiered so much in her rin- ging and hull, and was so entirely disabled, that it was found impossible to tow her into port ; she was of course burnt, by order of Captain Hull, as soon as the prisoners were Femov«d. ' The Guerriere had been formerly a French 44, but was rated only at 38 ; she carried 4i9 guns. ^ ^ The following official account of her capture from the French, by the British naval captain) Lavic, places this point in an indisputable view, a» the advocates of Britain, sorely hurt by this proof of the superiority of American naval tac- ties, endeavoured to misrepresent the relative size and force of the Ameriean and British fri- gates. ^ ^ From Capt. Lavib to Lord Keitr. Blanche, Yarmouth, July 26, 1806. ^< My Lord-^ — I have the honour to acquaint you of { my return to Yarmouth to-day, having in company the Guerriere frigate, commanded by Monsieur Hu* bert, of the Legion of Honour, whom I captured on I the 19th inst. in long 63, off the Faro IsLandS) aftepj a aliarp contest of 45 roinmesi." . !• *.^ HISTORY OF THE WAK. i9 » Le Guerriere is of the largest class of frigates^ mounting fifty gunS) with a complement of 317 meiir but they were very soon sadly reduced by our de- structive fire, and the ship has also suffered very se- verely, while the damages of the Blanche were con-^ fined to the topmastSy rigging, and sails. • ; ^ "THOMAS LWIE.'^ The followiog is a return of tbe killed and wounded. :- / On board the Constitution, one lieutenant of ma- rines, and six seamen-~Total killed, 7. Two officers, four seamen, and one marine— Total wounded, 7. Total killed and wounded, 14. On board the Guerriere, killed 15) wounded 63,- missing 27— Total^ 105. Tlie most enthusiastie joy was manifested throughout every part of the United States, on the arrival of advices of this engagement. Cap* tain Hull and his men reeeivecK wherever they appeared, the most unbounded applauses. Thanks were voted by Congress, and by several publio bodies; and Congress appropriated 50,000 dol- lars, to be given to tbe officers and erew of the Constitution, as an indemnifieation for tbe loss sustained by tbe destruction of tbe Guerriere. Her navy was tbe chief boast of England, and on it was her ehief reliance; yet she was des- tined to. meet her greatest wounds and disasters on the watery element. On tbe 17th July, the British appeared before Sacket^^ Harbour, with the Royal George, of 2^ guns, the Prince Regent, of 22, Elmira, of 20^ Seneca, of 18, and another armed vessel, A message was sent ashore, demanding the sur^ render of the American vessel of war, the One« idaj and also, the Itite British schoooer> NelsoD» i .1 i 46 HISTORY OT THE VAR« \l seized for si breach ot the revenue laws. A Goiiipliance with this demand being perempto- rily refused) the enemy advanced within gun shot. A firing began from a S2 pounder ashore, and was returned by the squadron, which stood off and on. A brisk cannonadling was continued for more than two hours, when a shot from the 32 pounder having raked the flag ship of the enemy, as she was wearing to give another broadside, the squadron firt^d a few guns, and bore away for Kingston, the citizens greeting them with the good old tune of ** Yankee Doo- dle," from all the music at the post. The Bri- tish shipping api>eared to be much injured, ^iot . a man lost on the American side. The steadiness of the American troops, and the alacrity with which the neighbouring detach- ments and volunteers, to the amount of nearly SOOO, assembled for the protection of this im- portant post, was, at this early stage of the war, a pleasing presage of wbat might be hereafter expected, when men would bf eome more inured to danger. Col. Bellinger comma :ded the A- merican troops. Capt. Woolsey, who command- ed, the Oneida, having sailed from the 'rarbour, and reconnoitcred the enemy, returned and moored his vessel, with a spring on her cable, near the battery; and giving the command of her to his lieutenant, he went ashore and took command of the 32 pounder, which, under his direotiony did very considerable damage to the enemy. The Frigate Essex, Captain Porter, sailed on » cruise, from New York, on the 3d July, and mrrived in the Delaware, the 7th Sept*-ntbcr» On the 13th August, the Essex fell in with the firilish sloop of WAV Alert. Xbe Alert bore M' ■'' f niSTORT OT THS yfJLR. ^6 down, and commenced an action, which lasted eight minutes ; she was much cut to pieeeSf had seven feet water in her hold when she struck* and three men wounded. The Essex received no injury. • . /. Captain Porter having thrown the guns of the Alert overboard, despatched her as a cartel t« St. John's, m Newfoundland, with about 600 prisoners whieh he had taken in the Alert, and from other captured vessels. This measure was adbpted in consequence of a written agreement between Captain Pointer of the £ssex, and Captain Laugharne of the Alert* It was calculated to convenience both parties^ and to lessen the evils of warfare. A proposi- tion originating in the humanity of the American commander ought to have been met by the most nrompt aird faithful acquiescence by the prisouf rs, and the British commanders. Lieutenant i*. ^Vilmer was sent in command of the Alert* whieh was to be sailed by her own erew, so great was the confidence placed in their honour ; yet it appears that the crew took the command of the vessel from Lieutenant Wilmer, and went on shore without submitting in any manner to his controul. Admiral Sir T. Duckworth, who commanded at St. John's, countenanced this con- duct in tlie first instance, but afterwards submit- ted to the arrangement, which, he nevertbeless* contended, was « utterly inconsistent with the laws of war." Governor Prevost, of Lower Canada, issued a proclamation on the 19th September, by which all citizens of the United Slates are ordered to quit Canada by the 15th of October; till whieh time, they may depart with their moveable prde perty, by permission of three of the eounciL 40 HISTOHY or THE W4S» After that time, every citizen of the United States* found in Canada. Mrill be treated aH a pri- soner of war, unless he has taken the oath of al- legiance. ■.■,:-. •: :r .:'^^ / \ '\ ' *'\ A considerable force having been assembled in the neighbourhood of Niagiiia river, under the command of M ij Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, with the view, as was generally understood, of efftv-ting a descent upon the British province of Upper Canada; a strong and impatient desire Vf-AS discovered ainong the troops to try their strength against the enemy. This gradually rose to such a height, that resistance to it seemed scarcely, if at all possible ; patriotism was pass- ing the limits of subordination. ** This (says the general in his offieiHl communication to Gen. Dearborn) was expressed to me through various channels, in the shape of an allemaiive ; that they must have orders to apt; or, at all hazards, they would go home,** Impelled by this consideration, the general made dispositions for the intended attack on the British post at the heights of Queenstown. Some information gained from a person who was en- gaged to pass over to Canada, and who returned safe, seemed to warrant an attack, which, be- sides the immediate object i^ight h^ve a con- trolling effect upon the nriovements at Detroit, where it was- understood the British General BrocK had gone, with all the force he could spare from the Niagara frontier. ^ An intention to transport troops across the river, on the morning of the 11th October, was frustrated through means of a boatman, selected for his skill and steadiness ; but who, going a- head in the extreme darkness, passed the intend- jed place far up the river, and there fastened his % HISTORY OF TUB VAB. vr boat to the shore, and abandoned the detachment* In this front boat nearly every oar belong.. ^ to all the b(»ats vieve deposited. The expedition was given up, and the detachment returned to camp. This circumstance, so far from damping the ardour of the troops, seemed to give additional force to the desire of encountering the enemy .— A second attempt was determined on. A detachment from the 13th regiment con- sisting of about 300 men under the command of Col. Chrystie^ and about .SOO militia, command- e and likewise Capt. Armstrong, Capt. Lawrence, Capt Wool, and Lieut, l^ent; killed, Lieut. Val-f Icau and Knsig't Moriis, ail of ihe 13tb. I'^iJ (jol. Yan Reusselaer's wounds were severe, a ij iK ' ' <^t r- I'll •IS BirrOBT^ 0¥ THE WAS. ball paiiwd'ilirough hisrighttbighy entering just below the hip bene ; another shot passed through the sumo thigh a little below ; a third through ihe oalf of bis leg, and a fourth oartoused his beel. Lieut. Col. Christie did not arrive until some time after this, and was wounded in his band, in passing the river. Col. Van Rensselaer iivas still able to stand ; and, with great presence of niindy ordered bis men to proceed and storm the fort. Sixty determiined men, led by Capt. Ogilvie, seconded by Capt. Wt>ol, (though wounded) and liieut. Kearney, Lieut. Carr, Lieut. Hugginan, and Lieut. Sammons, Ensign Reeve, of the I3ih, Lieut. Randolph^ and Lieut. Gansevoort, cireu- kously moqnted the heights, gave three cheers, and immediately charged ; and, after the third charge, gained complete possession, which they kept about ten hours. Among those sixty were ten of the militia. During the time they had possession of the heights, they received some re- inforcement. Lieut. Col. Chrystie effected his landing, and a body of militia, amounting, in the ivhole, to about 500. Col* Scott superseded Capt. Ogilvie in the command ; soon after which the British received a reinforcement from Forts George and Chippawa, amounting to about 1100, including Indians. The Indians were soon re- pulsed and driven to the wood. Capt. Ogijvie, ■ i HISTORY OF THE WAB. 51 The Rriti»li Generars liorso was killed hy a pri- vate of the name of* Wilkluw, who wus enlisted 1,1 Orange county ; t»hor(iy after which th** gen- eral hiiuseineily within pistol shot ot* the Amc* rican troops. The enem)' consisted of a part of the 49th re- giment, who with Gen. Rrock, had signalized theinsislves in Kgyut» and from their valour were called i\ie invineibles. Before this they had ne- ver been known to give an inch of ground, and acknowledged; after the surrender, they had ne- ver fought with such brave men. They treated their prisoners with tenderness and respect, and allowed them as much merit as brave men could desire. The number of American troops killed amounted to not more than 60, and about 100 were wounded. The number of prisoners, inclu- ding the wounded, amounted to about 700. But the victorious enemy, though generous and tender to those who, by the fortune of war* bad fallen into their power, imposed no restraint upon their Indian allies from stripping and scalp- ing the dying and the slain that remained upon the field of battle. Capt. Ogilvio himself saw the lifeless body of Ensign Morris stripped cveu of its shirt, and the skull uf one who had been wounded, was seen cloven by a tomahawk. The general, in his official despatches, bears evidence to the bravery and good conduct of alt engaged ; noticing* in particular, Gen. Wads- worth ; Cols. Van Rensselaer and Scott ; Lieut. Cols. Chrystie, Fen wick, Bloom, Allen, Stran- ahan, and Mead ; Majors Spencer, Moseley, and Lush ; C>aptain Gibson, Lieut. Smith, and En- sign Grosvener, Major General Van Rensselaer resigned the command of the army, on the Niagara frontier^ ^l ■ It m 52 HISTORY 07 TUB %VAI(. to Brigadier General Smyih^ on the |4th Oc- tober. On the 10th November, General Smyth pub- lished a proclauiation from his camp near Buf- I'aloe. As this doeument beeame the subject of' much comineut, it is given here in fall. It >vas in the following words : TO THE MEN 09 MEW-YORK. For many years you have seen your country op^ pressed with numerous wrongSt Your government, although above all others^ devoted to peace, have been forced to draw the sword, and rely for redress of injuries on the valour of the American people. That valour has been conspicuous. But the na- tion has been unfortunate in the selection of some of those who directed it. One army has been dis- gracefully surrendered and lost. Another has been sacrificed by a precipitate attempt to pass it over at the strongest point of the enemy's lines, with most incompetent means. The cause of these miscar- riages is apparent. The commanders were popular men, « destitute alike of theory and experience" in the art of war. In a few days, the troops under my command, will plant the American standard in Canada. They are men accustomed to obedience, silence, and steadi- ness. They will conquer, or they will die. Will you stand with your arms folded, and look on this interesting struggle ? are you not related to the men who fought at Benningtou and Saratoga ? Has the race degenerated ? Or have you, under the baneful influence of contending factions, forgot your country ? Must I turn from you, and ask men of the six nations to support the government of the United States ? Shall I imitate the officers of the British king, and suffer our ungathered laurels to be tarnished by ruthless deeds i Shame, where is tliy blush ? No. Where I commend, the vanquish- ed and the peaceful man* the child, the maid, and HISTOBT OT TIIE WAB. ii the matron, shall be secure from wrong. If we con- quer, we will " conquer but to sare." Men of M'evf' York ! The present is the hour of renown. Have you not a wish lor fame ? Would you not choose in future times to be named as one ofthoaey who, imitatinf^ the heroes whom Montgomery led, have, in spite of the seasons, visited the tomb of the chief, and conquered the country where he lies ? Yes. You desire your share of fame. Then seize the present moment. If you do not, you will regret it ; and say, « the valiant have bled in vain ; the friends of my country fell— and I was not there." Advance then to our aid. I will wait for you n few days. I cannot give you the day of my de- parture. But come on. Come in companies, half companies, pairs, or singly. I will organize you for a short tour. Ride to this place, if the distance is far, and send back your horses. But remember, that every man who accompanies us, places himself un- ddr my command, and shall submit to the salutary restraints of discipline. ALEX. SMYTH, Brig. General. Cam/iyTiear Bujfaloe, JVov, 10, Jai2. This proclamation had the effect of bringing to the frontier a very considerable number of volunteers, men who lived the hardy life of farm« ers, were accustomed to the woods, knew well the use of the rifle, and feared Indians as little as they did Englishmen. On the 17th November, Gen. Smyth issued a public address to his soldiers, preparatory to aa immediately intended entrance into the enemy's territory. The sentiments contained in this ad- dress are noble, humane, and soldierly. From such a general and such an army, the public ex- pected a very successful campaign* ^ M 54 BISTORT OF THE WAB. I ^ " On the morning of the 2ist November, 1S12, a heavy cannonade was opened upon the garrison of Fort Niagara, from all the batteries in the neighbourhood of Fort George, consisting of five dietached batteries, two mounting 24 pounders, one mounting a 9, and two mortar batteries. The firing continued thirteen hours; some buildings ivere set on fire by the hot shot from the envmy, but extinguished without doing material injury. The garrison at Niagara, in return, opened a tremendous and well directed fire with hot shot. The town of Newark was several times in flames, as also the centre building in Fort George. Capt. M'!l^eon commanded a ±2 pounder in the S. £» block-house, and distinguished himself by his u- sual gallantry and skill. Gapt. Jacks, of the 7lh regiment militia-artillery, commanded a 6 pound- CT on the N. block-house, and together with a part of his oWn company, though placed in a ^t- uation most exposed to the fire of the enemy, maintained their position like veterans. Lieut. Rees of the artiAery, had command of an IS pounder on the S«. E.. battery ; until 10 o'clock, vi^hen. he received a wound, which compelled him to resign the command t& Capt. Leonard, of' the artillery. Lieut.Wendell, of the 3d artillery, cod»- manded an 18 and a 4 pounder en the W. battery. Dr^Hooper, of the mi]itia,commanded a 6 pound- er on the mess-house ; Lieuts. Ganesvoort and IJarris had the command of the salt-battery ait Youngstewn, mounting one 1 8 and a 4 pounder. These several posts were maintained with reso- lution, judgment, and great effect. Lieut. Col. Gray commanded the artillery, and gave the anotost satisfactonr proof of his zeal and seienoew Major Armstead of the corps of engineers, was ind«jGiiUgable in eiUeiidiDg his ^s^eruous io^ «|l HI9T0ET OF THE WAR. BB ^arts of the garrison. Lieut. Col. George Mc« Feel^ commanded the fort. The American loss eonsistedof 4 killed, and 7 wounded. '^ The hopes which General Smyth had raised by )iis proclamation weij^ not to be realized. Twice the troops embarked, and as often disembarked. Public opinion, hitherto on the side of General Smyth, now began to veer. His courage as well as his patriotism was questioned ; censure was followed by insult and menace. The project of invasion was finally abandoned. The volunteers were dismissed, and the army ordered into win- ter quarters. Thus ended the operationsy for this seas<}n, ;f ihe army of the centre. ^^i^-» Gen. Sn . justified himself on the grounds that he ha^i: Jwcctions not to pass over with less than 3000 men; that he could not prevail on more than 1500 men to embark ; and that an at- tack on the enemy under such circumstances, was contrary to the opinion of a council of his ofiieers. « My orders (says the general, in reply to a committee from the patriotic citizens of the west- ern counties of New- York) were to pass into Ca- nada with 3000 men at once. On the first day of embarkation not more than 1400 men were embarked, of whom -^CO, that is, half of the re- gular infantry, were exhaustetl with fUtigue «n4 want of rest. On the second embarkation, only 1600 men were embarked, and these were to have put off immediately, and to have descended the river to a point where reinforcements were not to be expected. On both days, many of tbe re- gular troops were men in bad health wrlio could not have stood one day's march ; wlio, although they were on the sick report, were turned out by their ardent officers.'* This reply was dated 3d December* On the' mM\ «M BISTORT OF THE WAB* ii? I! 8th of the same month, General Peter B. Porter gave notice in the Ruffaloe Gazette* that lie would soon publish a ** true account of some of the most prominent transactions of those days." In this notice General Porter ascribes the failure of the expedition to the cowardice of General Smyth. General Smyth must remain convicted* in the eyes of the world* of falsehood and cowardice* if he continued passive under such charges. Mo- dern chivalry pointed out the course which must be pursued. General Smyth sent a challenge to General Porter^ which the latter accepted. The parties passed over to Grand Island* on the 13th Oeoember ; a shot was exchanged* in a^ intrepid mp' .ner* but without effect, when* on the suggestion of General Smyth's second* a mutual explanalion and reconciliation took place; and the parties separated. General Porter* on the following day* deliver- ed the promised statement of transactions to the editor of the Buffaloe Gazette, in which pap^r it accordingly appeared. The statement is plain and satisfactory ; and divested of that asperity, which was probably in- tended to accompany it. In this statement* it is represented, that, on the 27th November, there were collected in the neighbourhood of Niagara, 4500 effective men ; that the vessels collected for the purpose* were sufficient for the transportation of 3550 men; that the numlier of men actually embarked were estimated to consist of Between 2000 and 2600 ; that about 2000 more men were paraded on shore* seemingly ready to cross; that several boats of sufficient capacity to carry about 1000 men were still lying uJ>oc<5upied ; and that the -^my* estimated at about 500 men* were drawn V in a liooi at about half a mile frexa the men ih HISTORY OV THE WAB. 67 As a proof of ^hat could be effected^ had the men been permitted to pass over. General Por- ter states the bravery and success with which a detachment which crossed over by direction of General Smyth» accomplished its mission; having completely routed the enemy> spiked his •annon> and taken several prisoners. « Out of 12 naval officers* who embarked in this enter- prize, nine of them, (says General Porter«) with more than half their men* were killed or wounded.'' General Smyth, in a letter to the editors of the National Intelligencer, dated 23th January, isiay refutes the statement of General Porter. «,. a « I affirm, (says General Smyth,^ that on the 27th November, there were collected m the neighbour* hood of Black Rock, not more than 3500 effective men, non-commissioned officers, and privates, of every corps under my command; not more than 1500 of those were liable to be ordered to cross the Niagara, according to opinions generally received. On the 2 1st, there were 1050 good troops embarked, and also as many irregular volunteers as occupied five boats, estimated at 1 50. On the morning of the 1st December, the number of men armed with mus- kets, who were at the navy-yard, embarked or not embarked, did not exceed 2000 men.** In this refutation, General Smyth insinuates that General Porter, acting as. contractor to the army, was not prepared to supply the necessary rations, having on the 30th November only 3^ barrels of flour on hand, « not two pounds of flour to each man."—" The hostility of General Porter to myself, (says General Smyth,) grew out of the coniraeU While the expeditions thus progressed from ill-design^ to its unavoidable consequence^ un^ ^ fi I- jl !tl III i j 1 ! j ■ t: ! 1 ■a ;l P '1 1 ,1 r,. n 1 I r \: * ,'. i, ^ J!.| 1 .1 ■ 1 1 '■ 1 u 58 BISTORT OF THE ^ITAR, «Hocesaful terinination» the minor expeditions did honour to the officers who commaudedy and the few men who were engaged in them. Among these the following must not be omitted. The Brigs Adams and Caledonia, which were surrendered to the enemy by General Hull, at Detroit) having arrived and anchored under the British Fort Erie, on the 8th i>ctober, 1812, Captain Elliot, of the navy, who had arrived at Black Rock the same day, with a body ol* sailors from New- York, determined on an attempt to regain them. Having made the necessary dis- positions, he advanced at 1 o'clock in the morn- ing of the 9th October, having under his com- mand, 100 men in two boats, including 30 volun- teers from the army, with Captain Townson, and Lieutenant Boaohe, of the artillery; at 8 o*clock lie was along side the vessels ; in ten mi- nutes they Were under way, and the prison- ers secured. An unfavourable wind obliged them to run down the river, by the forts, under a heavy fire of round, grape, and oannister shot, from a number of pieces of heavy ordnance and flying artillery ; and he was compelled to anchor about 40 yards from one of their batteries; the Caledonia being got into a safe position, a fire was returned from the guns of the Adams, as long as ammunition lasted. It being found im- possible longer to withstand the lire of the ene- my, which would probably sink the vessel in a short time, he was compelled to cut the cable, and drift down the river, out of reach of the bat- teries, but remained still exposed to the flying artillery ; having thus dropped astern for about 10 minutes, and being deserted by the pilot, he was brought up on the shore of Squaw Island. From this place he sent the prisoners on shore BISTORT 07 THE WAR. I# with much difficulty ; and, having himself pass- ed from the brig to the shore^ he soon discovered that about forty soldiers had crossed in a boat, from the British side, and boarded the biig; but they were soon compelled to abandon her, with the loss of nearly all their men. During the whole of the morning, both sides of the river kept up alternately a cont>*^ w ^ on the brig, and so much injured her, tk.ut it as impossible to have floated her — she was of course destroy- ed. A patrole was stationed on the shore, to co- operate in case of emergency ; it was command- ed by Lieut. Col. Scott, of the artillery^ having under him Major Mullaiiy, of the infantry, as a volunteer. Major Cuyler, Aid to General Hall, and J. Bankbead, Brigade Major to General Smyth*s brigade. As Majors Mullany and Cuy- ler were riding close together, the former re- ceived an order from Col. Scott to proceed to the navy-yard, to direct two boats to be manned^ and sent to the assistanceof the captured vessels; he had but just sprang ahead, in execution of this order, when a round shot from the enemy, which passed through the fore-snil of the Adams, struck, and instantly killed Major Cuyler, and thus deprived the service of a brave and useful officer. Major Young, of the Troy Militia, command- ant of a detachment stationed at French Mills» on the St. Regis river, having received informa- tion that a party of the enemy had arrived at the village of St. Regis, and that more were shortly expected, formed a resolution to take them out before they were reinforced. For this purpose he marched a detachment at 11 o'clock, on the night of the ^Ist Octoberf crossed the ( h : :'■ Jiy 111:; :\\\ \i li! ril ll! ill I 60 HISTORT OV THE WAU. river, at Gray's Mills, about S, and at 5 in tho morning arrived within lia|f a mile of the village, unexpected by the enemy. Here the major made such a judicious disposition of his men that the enemy, were entirely surrounded, and after a ftw discharges* syrrendered themselves prisoners, with the loss of 5 killed. The result of this af- fair was, the capture of 40 prisoners, with their arms, equipments, &e. one stand of colours, and two batteaux, without a man of our party beine hurt. They got jsafc bach: to camp at 11 oVlock in the morning. The prisoners were sent off to Plattsburgh. M- aide, shoved against the side of the enemy. I'he Froiie was boarded on her forecastle, and im- mediately surrendered. The manner in which this engagement was maintained, was highly honourable to the Americans. The Froiie mounted 22 guns; sixteen of them 32 pound carronades, and four 12 pounders on the main deck, and two i 2 pounders, carronades, on the top-gallant forecastle, making her superior in force to the DVasp, by four 12 pounders. On board the-^asp, there were five killed, and five ivounded. The exact loss of the enemy- oould not be ascertained, as many of the dead kiy buii* ed under the masts and spare that had fallen up- on the deck, which two hours exertipn had not sufficiently removed. Lieut. Biddle, who had charge of the Frolic, states, from what he saw, and by information from the officers, the numlier | of* killed must have been thirty; that of the wounded, about forty or fifty. The Wasp suffered so much in this aetionJ that both masts fell on the deck a few minutes I lifter sefrarating from the Frolic ; evei^ brace, and most of the rigging,^ had been shot awaj during the action. In this state, she nearly remained, when, is two hours after the aetion, the British sliip| Foictiers, of 74 guns, hove in sight ; and, soon j after took possession of the two sloops, and or- dered them for Bermuda. The captain of the Frolic, in his official let- 1 ter to Admiral "Warren, states that every officer firas wounded^ and the greater part of the men DISTORT OP THE 1VAR> 6d either killed or grounded ; there not being twenty persons remaining unhurt. The following resolution of the Common Council of New* York, will show the high light in which they held Capt. Jones and his crew. M Reaohed, That an elegant sword be presented to Captain Jones, late of the United States' sloop of war Wasp, and also the. freedom of this city, as a testimony of the high opinion this Corporation en- tertain of his gallant conduct, in capturing the Brit- ish sloop of war Frolic ; and that the thanks of the Common Council be presented to his brave officers and crew." '. The United States' frigate United States* Captain Stephen Decatur, being on a cruise, fell in, on the 25th October, 1812, with his Britan- nie Majesty's frigate Macedonian, Captain J. S. Carden, in lat. 29, N. Ion. 29, 30, W. and, after an action of an hour and a half, (17 minutes of which was in close action,) the British frigate was captured. The Macedonian was of the largest class of British frigates, two years old» but four months out of dock, and mounting 49 guns, (the odd one shifting.) This engagement gave another indisputable proof of the superi- ority of American discipline and gunnery. The loss on both sides was as follows : - On board the United States, 2 seamen, 2 mar fines, 1 boy — Total killed, 5. Wounded, 1 lieutenant, 1 carpenter, 4 seameut 1 marine— Total wounded, 7 ; of whom, Lieut. Funk^ and John Archibald, died of their wounds. On board the Macedonian, there were 36 kil- led, and 68 wounded; 36 of whom severely. ^ By the muster roll of the Macedonian, it ap- peared that there were seven impressed Ame* ; ff m '. Cii :l!i ;«* it UIBTOBY OV THE WAV. k ricans on board, during the action, two of wliom were killed. The United States and Macedonian arrived oflTMontang Point* on tlie 4ih Deoember; but Wisve prevented IVodi reaching New-York before the first day of the new year, 181S. On the arrival of Captain Hull at New-York* he was presented by the corporation of the eity, with the freedom of the eity, in a gold box. At soon as Captain Hull entered the council cham- ber, conducted by aldermen Fish and Mesier, and General Morton, he was addressed by his honour De Witt Clinton, mayor of the oiir, in an appropriate speech. Captain Hull, with all that modesty so frequently allied to Yirtuous bravery, made a short, but very becoming reply. The Captain then took the freeman's oath, and retired, amidst an immense crowd, who filled the air with reiterated huzzas. On the following day, a splendid naval dinner was given by the corporation to Captain Hull, Com. Decatur, and Captain Jones, in testimony of the high sense entertained of the merits of these gentle- incn. Nothing was omitted to render this din- ner truly descriptive of the occasion^ and the feeJings of the citizens. On the 9th of January another dinner was eiv- en by the corporation, to the crew of the United States. The seamen and marines, having form- ed in procession, proceeded from the place of landing to the City Hotel, amidst the plaudits of thousands of citizens. On the arrival of the sailorsi and they being seated, they were address- ed by Mr. Yanderbilt, with his usual energy and perspicuity. The boatswain made a short reply, expressive of the gratitude of his shipmates, and their wish for a further opportunity to prove their U18T0RT or THE WAR, 68 (Icvotedness added to the serious loss of a fine army^ w f i^ 1 • I li ; '!i 1' i 11! 66 HISTOBY ev THE WAB. threw a temporary gloom over the citizens. — This soon gave way to resentment^ and a deter- mination to wipe off the <* foul stain." The spirit of the nation rose, and that of '76 seemed to re* turn. This senlimentf which fiervaded a great proportion of the nation* was most powerful in the western country. All felt the necessity of immediate action ; Kentuefcy and Ohio may be said to have broken loose ; an army was ready, as if by magic, prepared to avenge the late dis- grace. A leader was wanting — all eyes looked* with a common impulse, towards the hero of Tippacanoe; the united voice of the people call- ed on the governor to dispense with all formali- ties; and William UEMuy Harrison was ap- pointed a major- general, with directions to take „>''_>:u^.. ;/■'■•: S;,. . These actions were well calculated to inspire the Indians with a proper respect for the Ame- ricans ; and,, if followed up with continued suc- cess, would tend to estrange the savage enemy from his British ally; but a sad rey^rse soon oc- ourred^ >- ''^ * * A detachment, under the command of Gen. ^Winchester, being attacked oir the d2d Jan. 1813, at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, by a greatly superior force of Indians and British, aided by .several pieces of artillery, suffered a defeat. The Americans lost no honour on this occasion; they defended themselves, and fought with despera- tion, even beyond the time when prudenee and honour would have sanctioned a surrender. Gen. 'Winchester, being himself a prisoner, agreed to a surrender of the troops under his cMmuand^aa BI8T0BT OF THE WAR 69 condition that they should he protected against tlie savages, and allowed to retain their private property and side arms. Thirty-fi ve officers, and 490 non- commissioned officers and privates were made prisoners ; the number of killed was con* siderable. The prisoners who were in health were march- ed to Maiden ; the wounded were, contrary to the terms of capitulation, left at the mercy of the Indians. On the morning of the 23d, such of the wounded as were unable to travelj, were to* niahawked and scalped. The following is a copy of the report of a com* mittee of Congress, on this subject : « The massacre of the 3Sd January, afler the capi- tulation, was perpetrated without any exertion on their part to prevent it ; indeed, it is apparent, from all the circumstances, that ^f the British officers did not connive at their destruction, they were criminally indifferent about the fate of the wounded prisoners. But what marks more strongly the degradation of the character of the British soldiers, is the refusal of the last offices of humc.nity to the bodies of the dead. The bodies of our countrymen were exposed to every indignity, and became food for brutes, in the sight of men who affect a sacred regard to the dictates of honour and religion.-— Low indeed is the character of that army, which is reduced to the confession^ that their savage auxiliaries will not permit them to perform the rites of sepulture to the slain. The committee have not been able to discover even \'he expression of detestation, which such conduct must inspire, from the military or civil authority on the Canadian frontier, unless such detestation is to be presumed from the choice of an Indian tiophy, as an ornament for the Legislative Hall of Upper Canada.*' At a meeting of the officers v iio survived the battle of FrenchtowD, held a 4 iirie, (Pa.) th«i .i -'1^ ■is:k'::1 70 mSTOB'E' 07 THE WAS. Ai li li SOth Feb. 1813, the following statement and re^ solutions were agreed to. ** Whereas it is deemed necessary, that our fellow* oitizens should be informed of the late perfidious and brutal acts of the British government, performed by their officers at the battle of Frenchtovrn. Reaotvedy That the folio wiog statement of the eonduct of the British officers, be published to our countrymen : That when General Winchester was taken pri- soner, on the 32d January, 1813, and brought before Colonel Proctor, the British commander, he directed the commanding officer of the Americans (Major Madison) to surrender. Major Madison refused so to do, unless those who surrendered should be free from savage massacre ; this was agreed to ; and the British officers pledged themselves to have a suffi- cient force with the wounded, to protect them, ai^d that they should be conveyed to Maiden the next morrmg. They likewise promised to return to the officers their arms at Maiden. Capt. N. G. F. Hart, inspector to the north-west- em army, being among the wouoded, it was pro- posed by his friends, that they should carry him with them — this they were prevented from doing, by Capt Elliot, a Bridsh officer, and an old acquaintance of Captain Hart's, who promised Capt. H. his special protection— to convey him in his own sleigh to Mai- den that evening, and informing him that he should be welcome to remain at his house there, until he should recover. ^ These were the promiset of the British—Let ouv countrymen and the world see how they were fulfilled. At the break of day next morning, the savages loere suffered to commit every defir edation ufion our Hooundedf which they fileaaed. An indiacriminate alaughter took filace of all who Captains Hart and Hickmaqj* BXflTOBT «F TBB WAS* n The arms of the officers, as promised, were never returned. Every species of private property re- xnaining in the tents, belonging to both officers and soldiers, were plundered by the savages. Resolved, That in consideration of the high re- spect we hold to the memories of both officers and soldiers, who were thus cruelly murdered, by per- mission of the British commander Proctor, and his subalternsv and those who gloriously fell in the^fe/rf, defending the only free government on earth, that each of us wear black crape on our hats, and left arm, for the space of ninety days. Resolved, That a similar procedure,^ testifying their respect for those who were murdered and ifell on that day, be recommended to our brother officers and soldiers, who survived it. SAMUIL WILLIAMS, President. JoHH Beckley, Secreary," The little progress hitherto made by land, a- gainst the enemy, had determined the congress and the general ^vernment on adopting a more efficient plan of warfare. Several new appoint- ments of officers were made; and Commodore Chauncey was ap|)ointed to the command of the lake navy. The eommodore arrived at Saekett*8 harbour in ()etober» 1812. His great exertions enabled him to prepare a fleet in less than a month, with which he resolved to try his fortune on the lake^ although the British fleet was superior in number of vessels, guns, and men. I'he commodore sailed from Sackett's harboui? on liake Ontario^ On the Sth Nov. fell in with and chased the Royal George, until he lost sight of her in the night : on the following day reneWf ed the chase, and followed her into Kingston hap- Irour^ where he engaged her and the batteries, for '"i'n.') m ff BI8T01IT OF TOE WAS. I ; I nearly ivfo hours^— at sun down he haaled ofiy being obliged, by badneus of tbe weather, to re- ttirn to Sackett's Harbour. The Constitution frigate* having undergone €very necessary repair, proceeded from Boston on a second ci uise, in October. On the 29th December, 1812, in south lat. iS. 6. and west Ion. 38. ten leat^ues disti^nt from the coast of Brazils, fell in wi(h, and captured his Britannic Majesty's frigate Java. aft«T an acti( n of 1 hour and 65 miviutes. The Java carried ^y guns,»nd upwards of 400 men, and was commanded by Captain H. Lambert,, a brave and gallant ofScer. The Java vas so perfect a wreck, that it seemed extremely doubtful whether she could be brought to the United States ; she was therefore burned in two days after being captured. The Java had been lately out of dock, having undergone a thorough repair in order to can y out Lieut. Gen. Hislop, who was going as i om- mandcr in chief to Bombay. Besides her full complement of men, the Java had upwards of 100 supernumeraries, going to British ships of war In the East-Indies ; also several officers, pas- sengers, going out on promotion, I'he number of men was considerably more than that of the Constitution. By her quarter-bill, she had one man more stationed at each gun than the Constitu- tion had. The loss on board the Constitution was 9 killed, and 25 wounded. Hie enemy had 60 killed, and 101 wounded ; but by a letter writ ten on board the Cohstitution, by one of the officers of the Java, and a(^cidentally found, it was evi- dent that the enemv's wounded must have been considerably greater ; the letter states 60 kilh'd. and 170 wounded. This additional number of iRTounded men have probably died before they histout ot the wah. 7$ could lie removed. Among the woundeil on board the Constitution, was Captain Bainbridge, the commaAdor : captain Lambert^ of the Java» was wonnded mortally. General Ilislop was immediately paroled with the efii'jers ef his staff ; and > at the i*equest of General Hislop, in a letter, dated St. Salvador, Jan. 8, 1813, all the officers of the Java were in like mannt^r paroled — Commodore Bainhi'idge re- stoi'etl all the private property of Gen. Ilislop, including articles of plate, to a large amount. ,, The eorpor;iti«n of the city of New- York pre- sented Commodore Bainhridge, with the free- -doin of th(* city, on the 8th Dec. 1818. The following resolution was passed by tho Senate of IVIassaehusetts, the 19th February: « Resolved^ That the thanks of this Senate be giv- en to Commodore William Bainbridve, and the o(ii- cers and crew of the frigate Constitution, under his comnaand, for their brilliant achievement in capturing and destroying his Britannic Majesty's frigate Java; and that the commodore be requested to communi- cate the same to hiti officers and crew, with an a^sur* jince from this branch of the legi^^lature, that they will hold in grateful remembrance, those who fell in fighting for the essential aud violated lights of their . country." ' , / Aitiiough it is a fact established, beyond the power of contradiction, that every possible induU gence and attention were exercised toward the crew of the Java, yet were some of her offi(M rs so ungrateful as to charge the Americans with liaving ill used the vanquished in a variety of ways. In reply to a publication in the British Naval Chronicle, for May, 1814, by Thomas Cook Jones, surgeon ef the Java, and another publiea- tien in the same paper, for Jone^ by one of che o -.'(.I \ •; f 74* BI8T0BT or TUB WAU, I lieutenants of the J'>va, charging the Americans ifVith criielt^9 &.o. Mr. Amos A. Evans, surgeon of the friguto ConstUutiouy publisiied in the Bos- ton Chronicleya complete refutation of the British slander, concluding wkli the following words : ** I challenge the British to produce a solitary tit' 9tance^ where they have given a faithful and candid relation of the result of their actions with us since the declaration of the present war. They have, of late, established for themselves a kind of national charac- ter, that, I trust, none will envy them the possession of; they have> proved, that although they may not ■always be able to conquer in battle, they can preva- ricate, defame or niiistake, with as much ease as any nation on earth." > Commodore Bodgers sailed from Boston the 8th Oct. 1812^ on his second cruise, having un- der bis command the frigate President, the Unit- ed States, Captain Decatur ; Congress, Captain Smith ; and brig Argus, Captain Sinclair. The President and Congress arrived at Boston in De- cember. During their cruise, they captured the British packet Swallow, with 168,000 dollars on board, and British ship Argo, laderi with oil and whulebone, both of which arrived some time before. They saw no enemy's cruizers but the Kymphe and Galatea, which they chased, hut lost sight of in the night. The squadron have been as far east as long. 22, ^nd to the south as far as lat. 17 N. From the 1st to the 30th Kov. they never saw a sail. On the 22d October, ly- ing to in a gale, the President sprung her main- mast badly, and on the 21st Dec. while l^ing to in the Gulph Stream, shipped a heavy sea, which swept the starboard gangway, start rd the boats, killed 2 men, and wounded 7. The President brought iQ 50 prisoners. «f f -. ::." HI STOUT OV TUE WAB. f$ The specie was landed from the President) at the navy-^^ard in Charlcstown, and being placed in six waggons^ each carr^^iug the national co- lours, was thus carritMl to the state bank in Bos- ton* where it was safely deposited^ amidst the huzzas of tiiousands of spectators. The Commodore parted company with the United Slates and Argus tiie 12th October. The U. S. brig Viper, Capt Henley, of 12 guns, was captured on the 17th January, 1813, in hit. W^ N. 83, 30, W. by his Britannic m^^jes- ty's frigate Narcissus, of 32 guns, after a chase of b hours. — No fighting. , Cummod«i8ted* at the time of the action, oi one liundred and thirty men. The loss on board the Peacock could not be ascertained by Capt. Lawrence, but must have been considerable. Capt. Peake, her command^ er* and four men were found dead on board, and 33 wounded* most of them severely, three of which died of their wounds, after being re- jnoved. The total of killed, wounded and drown- ed* was certainly 42, and probably more. The Espelgle, a British brig, mounting 10 thirty-two pound carronades* and 2 long nine's lay about 6 miles in shore* and within sight of the action : slie declined coming in aid of her consort* or to approach the victorious ship aU though Capt. Lawrence cleared his ship, in ex- pectation of a second engagement. Captain Lawrence stated* that their were two impressed American seamen on board the late British sloop of war Peacock* one a native of the state of New- York, and the other a na- tive of Norfolk. One of them Tvas pressed two years and a half, and the other about 18 months previous, neither of them entered, and both were compelled to fight during the engagement with the Hornet. .:/. niSTORY OF THE WAR. V Before the engagement oommenccd, the ahove mentioned Ameriean seamen left tbeir station* went to tlie Captain of the Peaco('k, and asked Ills pel-mission to go helow, with the crew of tho bi'ig Hunter, of Portland, as tlie^r could not fight against their country. This request was per- emptorily refused hy Capt. Peake, and the two Americans were forced to their station, and com- pelled to fight. Capt. Lawrence further stated, that another impressed American was reported to have been on board the Peacouk, and that he was killed during the action. Tlie reader should not be carried away witi the belief, that ihe commander of the Espeigle was a coward. That may possibly have been the ease, but it is far from being probable. — Those who wish to allow to Ameriean naval he- roes their well earned honours, will be readier ta ascribe (he modesty of the Englishmen to the effect of American prowess, than to BritisU cowardice. Prudence is a virtue which often requires courage to exercise. Had the com* nv.mder of the Espeigle encountered the victo- rious American he would be defeated. He pro- ?)ably believed so ^ and, believing it, he acted \yitU prudence. The following comment on the capture of the Peacock, is extracted from the Londoi^ Globe. « The late captain of the Swallow packet, capturedf by the Americans, landed on Monday at Falmouth^, from on board the Childers sloop of war. He con* firms the loss of the Peacock, which struck to the Hornet, after a severe and sanguinary conilict, and went down while the enemy were takh)g out her erew. Sixteen English and four Americans went ^wn in her. The force of the two vessels. w|t»; 1 1.1 '• m '^■' 'm 78 BISTORT OF THE WaS. Bcavljr equal. The circumstances, thcretore, wblclt have enabled Americans thus to add another laurel lu her brow, it is most important to know, and we trust they will be fully inquired into. In the cases ot capture by large American frigates, the mercenary writers for the Admiralty have assured their read* ers that they have, by some charm, been able to pruc* tice R dece/itio vitua upon our navy ; that although »;.parently frigates, they are in fact threat ships of the line ; but us no ditiparity of size u bupposed to have existed in this disaster, Mr. Crocker*s scribes will probably give out, that the crew of the Hornet were not of the ordinary race of sailors, but that cv« ^ry one was a Hercules in strength, and an Archi^ luedes in science." The (bUowing appeared in a Tf alifnx paper. '<( In our extracts from American papers, our reiid* ors will find an account of the capture of the Pea* cock. The good fortune of the Amrricans has net forsaken them ; on the contrary, it is more conftpl. cuous in this than in their previous actions. Evvr^ one conversant with gunnery muat knoWf that had a -oeaael been jAOOtLrn for the aole fiurfioae qf making an EXPERiMRNT, 2/ ia not at all likely ahe would have betn SUNK in ao ahort a time. Previous to the action ^vith the Peacock, Capt. I/iiwrcnre captured, on the 4th Feb the £n{;liHh brig ResoVutioir^ of 10 euns. from liio Jant'iroy bound to Maranbani) WTiieb he burneif, after taking from her about 23,0001. Hterling, lo specie. On mustering the morning after the action* there yrnve found on board the Hornet ;277 souI», in*'luding the crew of the AiricricttQ brig Flunter, of Porttand, taken a few days be* lore bv the Peacock. Thk additional proof of | Ibe siiperiorit^ of American taefics has not 1)een esceet^ed hy any former instanee. It may Indeed be said to haY« decided Ute relatiYe nc^ I UltTORT Of THE WAR, 70 \i% of American and Bri(i§h seamen, the suMn I'iorify claimed by (lie Britiitli is no longer mam-, talnalile— the Americans ranl& decidedly as first JD naval tactics. Capt. Lawrenee, while off St. Salvador, sent a eliallenge to Capt. Greene, of the Bonne Cito- yenne, which the latter prudently declined ac- cepting. The following resolutions passed the Common Council of the city of New-York» on the 29th March, 1813. n Reaolvedi That the freedom of the city be pre- sented to Captain LavvrkncB) to«{ether with a piece of plate with appropriate devices and inscriptionsi and that his honour the Recorder be requested t« forward the same, with a copy of thitt resolution. <» Reaolvedy That in testimony of (he high sense which this Common Council entertain of the con- duct of the crew of the United States* sloop of war Hornet) by the capture of his Britannic Majesty's sloop of war Peacock, in the unexampled short pe- riod of fifteen minutes, that the Common Council will give a public dinner to the crew of the United States' sloop of war Hornet." l^hese many and splendid naval victories de- served not only the applause, but the gratitude of the nation. Congress was not insensible to this. A law passed that body in March, 1813* appropriating the sum of $(25,000, to be distri- buted among the officers and crew of the Con- stitution, for the destruction of the Guerriere ^ and a like sum of S2d,000, for the destruction of the Java ; and the sum of 025.000, to be distri- buted among the officers and crew of the Wasp^ for the capture of the Frolic. The United States' frigate Chesapeake, Capt* fiYansjt arrived at Boston the iOth Aprils iSiS;^ "^''I !i ( It 1 sd BISTOKY •? THE WAR. from a cruise of 115 days* having sailed from the same port the 17th Uecemherr 1812. From Boston the Chesuiieuke ran down hy the Madeiras, Canaries, and Cape de Yerds ; thence down on the equntor, hetwcen long. 16 and 25, where she cruised 6 weeks; tlienee down the coast of South America* passing with- in Id leagues of Surrinam« (was in the same place tlie Hornet sunk the- Peacock the day af. ter she left,) down by Rarbadoes, Antigua, and most of the windward West-India islan'^s; thence on the United States, between Bermir .a and the Capes of Virginia, by the Cape!> of Delaware, within 12 leagues, by ^ew-York, wiUiin 20 leagues, thence through the east channel to Boston. 1 The Chesapeake captured, during her cruise, 3 British, and 1 American vessel, sailing under a British licence ; and re-captured an Ameri- can schooner. The Chesapeake was chased by two ships of war, (a 74 and a frigate) off the Western Islands. OflT the Capes of Virginia, gave chase to a sloop oC war, and continued chasing for 2 days, when the sloop escaped in the night. Seven men died of a malignant fe- ver ; and 3 were lo^t by the carrying away of the main-top mast, during a heavy flaw, the day before her arrival in port. General Harrison was at Fort Meigs the 20th April, 1813, and gave directions to prepare to defend the place against an attack, which be »p. prehended, from the movements of the enemy. Fortifications were accordingly carried on with great diligence, and every means usid to animate the men to defend the post. On the 20th and 27th, the reconnoitering parties of the enemy appeared on the opposite shore; hut soon retlrad. BISTORT OV THB 1VAII. SI The Indians were sent across the river during the night of the 28th, and was placed so as to surround the garrison. The siege commenced in form) on the ^sih, and firing was kept up dur- ing this and the following day, by the enemyy whose works were considerably impeded and in- jured by the firing from the fort. By the 1st or May, the Horks of the fort were so far complet- ed, as to enable the besieged to give the enemy a veiy warm reception, silencing one of their guns several times. During the 2d and Sd, the firo on both sides continued very brisk. On the 4th, General Clay reached Fort "Win- •hester, with upwards of 100 men, for the relief of the American garrison. Ob the Fth, a part of General Clay's men arrived, and instructions were sent to him by General Harrison, directing him how to act in his advance towards the fort. Great zeal, and undaunted courage^ are true •haracteristics of the American soldiers; to these qualities the Kentuckian adds a wonderful contempt of daneer. On this occasion, the ene- my received much benefit from that cool caution which enabled him to draw the uncalculating ' soldier into defiles, and within the reach of his ambuscade. Col. Dudley, v/ho was charged with despatches for Gen. Clay, received the command of a detachment of Clay's men, landed on the opposite side of the river, with a view to attack the encmy'^ batteries ; he behaved with great courage, but pursued the enemy until he was drawn into an ambush, where the greater num- ber of his men were destroyed by numbers vastly superior ; many of those who surrendered, were afterwards tomahawked and scalped by the sav- ages. Col. Dudley was among the killed. Gen. Ciay> who continued in commaud of the remain- I.-.:! ^,^ -, \ 82 ■ISTORY OT THE WAR. der of his detachment, having landed neap (he fort, permitted the men py sailed from Hackett*s Harbour, having on tbuiird his fleet about 1700 troops, destined to Icoinmenee operations against Canada. Hiey •lived opposite Little York, the capital of Up- per Canada, on tlic morning of the 27th April, iiid immediately commenced (he landing of the trojps, under a heavy fire from the enemy. — Lf((T a very severe and sharp contest of half in lioui', the enemy was repulsed by a number far iiifrrior to theirs. As soon as the remain- ]er of the troops had lauded, the enemy retired to his works. One battery being carried, the {troops were advancing towards the main works, then a tremendous explosion took place from magazine previously prepared, and which |lit'«\v out an immense quantity of stones, by kvliic'h the Americans lost in killed and uoiind^ m, about 200 men ; among the killed, the gallant ii'igadier- General Pike. The British regular [I'wops having retreated, the comnranding olHcc? W the militia agreed to terms of capitulation, pd the capital of Upper Canada was surrender- fed to the American troops. The American loss in killed and wounded, was 2H9. The knemy's loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, ^30. As an evidence of the barbarity of the enemy, jhe following despatch from Conuuodnre Chaun- Yy lo I he Secretary of the Nav>, is given : Sir,^ — I have the honour to present to you by the ids of Lieut. Dudley, the British standard, tuken '■U.u :,^' kl: d4 BISTOBT or THE WAB. at York on the the 27th of April last, accompanied by the mace, over ivhich n^as hung a human scalfi.^ 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, \ir!io, I believe, still has it in his possession. I also send, by the same gentleman, one of the British flags taken at Fort George on the 27th of May. 1 have the honour to be, vtry respectiully. Sir, your most obedient humble servant, ISAAC CHAUNCEY. The riflf^men, under Major Forsyth, first land- «d« under a heavy fire from the enemy.; General Pike, to whom tlie immediate eommand of the troops was entrusted, landed as promptly as pos- sible after^ the remaining troops soon followed. The contest) on tbe first landing of the troo|is, was sharp and severe ; the enemy deriving much advantage from tbe circumstance that Miij. For. syth was driven by adverse wind from the des* lined point of landing. As soon as Gen. Pike landed, he ordered his meii to advance up the bank, which they resolutely performed in face of a warm discharge of musquetry. The moment Pike reached the top, and was about ordering a charge, the enemy hastily retreated. General Dearborn went ashore as soon as he learned that General Pike was wounded. The town capitu- lated to Col. Pierce, of the 16th infantry, on vhora the command devolved after General Pike was disabled. General Sheafie commanded the British. On the 22d May, 1813, Commodore Chauncey sailed from Sackett's Harbour, having 3.^0 men of Col. M'Comb*3 regiment en board, and arriv- ed near Niagara on the 'ihih ; the other p^rts of Ills squadron bad arrived before^ and landed their 'i'\ aiSTOKT OT THE WAX. 8S treops. The oommodore had an immediate in- terview with Gen. Dearborn* and a plan of ope- rations aguinst the enemy was agreed on On the 26th the eommodore reconnoitered the posi- tion for landing the troops ; and, at night, sound- ed the shore, rhe morning of the ■iJtht was Axed on for an attack oa the enemy at Fort George. The heavy artillery^ and as many troops ai couid be stowed, Were taken an board the fleet, the remainder were ordered ta embark on board boats, and follow the fleet. At S o'clock in the morning, a signal was made for the fleet to weigh, and the troops were embarked on board the boats before 4 ; and soon after Generals Dearborn aod Lewis went onboard the fleet. In the course of the morning the different vessels advanced, and took positions as directed. All the vessels anchored within mnsket shot of the Canada shore; and in ten minutes after they o- pened upon the batteries, they were completely silenced and abandoned. The light troops, un- der Col. Scott and Maj. Forsyth, landed at 9 o'clock ; Gen. Lewis's divisions with light artil- lery, under Col. Porter, supported them* Gen. ^ Boyd's brigade landed immediately after the light trooi>s; and Genrrals Winder and Chand- ler followed in quick succession.' The moment had arrived which must put the courage, skilU and patriotism of the soldier and the citizen to the most trying test. Every apparent advantage ^ was on the side of the enemy. The British com- mander expected the attack, and he was pre- pared lo resist it ; it was broad day light before a landing eould hie <^^::oted, which eircumstaned gave to the enemy sufficient time to ascertain the point of attack, and to collect and arrange his whole force 5 a ravine and wood concealed if. I * » rp!:'l i i) V 1? are not im*luded. The merits of this battle, so far as they apper* tained to the commander» belonged to General Boyd. He commanded during the whole oV the a<'tion» the division under General M'inder not being able to reach the scene of aetion until after the enemy had fled. Prior to the taking of Fort Georgey three A- merieans in the camp) who refused to bear arm«» were» by order of Col. Glark, taken out, and without ceremony shot ! I'his infernal soound- drel met with his deserts aoon after—he was kil« led at the time of the surprise of Generals M in« der and Chandler. A fire was kept up at intervals, during th0 succeeding night, from the batteries at Fort Brie. On the morning of the 28th, aU the magazines from Chippawa to point Albino were blown up, the enemy retreated ; and Fort Erie, was eotered in the afternoon by the American troops. In these different transactions^ Commodore Chi^uncey bore a spirited and useful part. The loss on board his ^eet coMJfted of 6 killed^ and 11 woiwded. Capt. Perry, afterwards known as ^he hero of £rie, volunteered his services on this occasion^ and materially aided in securing success. ** He was, according to Com. Chauncey's report, <« pre- sent at every point where he could be useful, un- der showers of musketry, but fortunately escaped nnhurt.'' The enemy, probaMy rnih a wish to perform some exploit that might ballanee his losses in the neighborhood of Niagara, prepared with a strong force, to attack tbe American post at Sackett's Harbour. On the 28th May the enemy's fleet HIITOBT OV taZ Wll« SB appeared, accompanied by a large namber ot* boats. Lieut. Cbaunoey, of the navy, came in ftt>m the lake, firing alarm guns. Gen. Jacob Br^wn* who commanded the fort, made every possible disposition to repel the menaced attack. On the morning of the tdth, SS large boats, filled with (roops, came off from the enemy, and pro* eeeded to Garden Island, under cover of somo gun-boats. The militia, stationed near ^hero the enemy proposed to land, fired with consider- able effect, and then fled from their post. The enemy effected a landing with about 1200 men at Horse Island. A detachment of miliiia» un- der command of Capt. Mfi, retreated with great preoipitatien, under protection of the guns of his vessels f and thus saved himself and men from being made prisoners. Accoi*ding to a previous arrangement, it was agreed, that, in a certain event, the stores, &c. at the navy- point, should be destroyed. This event did not happen ; but some person, unauthorised, brought informeition to> Lieut. Chauneey, that the battlo: was lost — the stores* accordingly, were de- «troyed. Gen. Jacob Brown, of the state of New- York who commanded the land forces at Sackett's> Harbour, gave a substantial proof of those mili- tary talents, which, in all his subsequent opera- tions, were so conspicuously useful to his coun- try, and so uniformly honourable to himself, that even envy never dared lisp an insinuation dis- creditable or dishonourable to the general. Sir- James Lucua Yeo commanded the British fleet*. t r, ^> .1 ]" If ('.'>ii ' • 'I Ill* 9» msTOBT 07 Tni WAV. pf Tlio enemv's loss was very considerable, tnoind*. ing several officers of distinction. The Ameri- eans lont about 1 50 in killed and wounded ^ €oK Blills was killed, and Col. Backus moriHliy wounded. About 400 regular troops sustained the heut of the action. At the close of the action^ a British barge^ with aiiuva] lieutenant, under a flag of truce, eame ic tlie bank of the river, and demanded of an ofi^ci r who was standing there, in the name of the geitieral and commodore* the surrender of Sat'kcti'b Harbour. The officer replied « No/' and the flag returned, Tlie pride and presumed authority of Britain on her owU' domaifit the ocean, was materially tarnished. * The laurels plucked from Frai;ce,i Spain, Portugal, and Holland, were withering, and seemed to be transferred to adorn the brows of the hitherto despised commanders of the Lij- liputian fleet of America. It was resolved, by the enemjv eo retrieve lost honour. An expe- (lit Sit. was resorted to which was successful, so far as ihe capturing of a ship, yet an aslonished and admii iitg world remained unaltered in the opinion, that the superiority of Ameriean tars was not lei?s*'ned by the event, nor the fading lustre of British invincibility, in any ^manner retrieved. For some time before the flrst of June, the British frigates 'I'enedos, Bellepole, and Shan- non^ were off the harbour of Boston, where the Chesapeake lay. The Tenedos ?.nd Bcllcpoule, liaving put a part of their crew oti bourd the Shannon, procee<1ed to sea. The Shunnon (the Wit frigate In the British navy,) appeBn>d alone •ffthe harbour, on wMeh the Chcsa ttike got «id»f V€]gb^ 9X jiu»nditt% on lot ilunc^ ulid BISTOBT OT THE WAB. minutes before 6, an action oommenced, witliin pistol shot* and in a few minutes, tlie vesselt closed ; the arm chest of the Chesapeake vat blown up by a hand grenade^ thrown from tho enemy's ship, and immediatelT after, the 6he8« apeake was carried by boarding, and the pri« vate signals of the navy of the United States fell into the hands of the enemy. The enemy boasted not of this yictory, it co ^ him too dear, and was an indisputable pro<' ' '«f Ameriean bravery. Never was there such .> aage between two ships, in so short a time The loss on board the Shannon oannot be v xaci- ]y ascertained; the loss on board the Chesa- peake, was 48 killed, and 06 wounded. Total killed and wounded, 144. Every officer, upon wbom the command of the ship would devolve, was either killed or >vounded previously to the capture of the ves- sel. The brave Capt. Lawrence was mortally wounded. On the authority of Capt. John Upton, com- mander of the privateer Cossack, of Salem, th« following ciixiumstances were published in an eastern paper: '' Photographic Sciences Corporation * "^^'v ^<^1^ '<> 'S) 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M580 (716)872-4503 r. fT- A. ■ibtout of the Itab. tr tbrdugh his bodjr. wat ran through the bo Captain Crowmnshield, of Salein» (Ms.) hav- ing obtained a flag of truce» proeeeded to Hali-.' fax in the brig Henryy at his own primte ex- pense ; andt being permitted to take on board bis vessel, the bmy of Captain Lawrence, and also that of Lieutenant Ludlow, brought th« corpses to Salem, where a funeral procession took place, on the 17th August, with every mark of f egret, esteem, and Kratitude, which the citi- zens could bestow. Judge Story delivered a suitable oration : the effect produced on the au-r dience when the orator pronouneed the last dy- ing words of Lawrence, « doitt give uf tub. SHIP," may be conceived ; to describe it would be impossible. Mr. Edward N. Cox, brother-in-law to Cap-> tain Lawrence, proceeded to Salem, and, having received the bodies of the two heroes, conv^-. ed them to the city of New-Tork, where they were finally interred. The arrangements for a public funeral were made, under the direction of a committee of the common council of the city« On Thursday, the 10th September, pursuant to arrangements, the bodies of our valiant coun- trymen, Lawreuce and Ludlow, were finally coHijigned to the peaceful tomb. The unusual number which swelled the moumfiil procession, and the undissemblcd sorrow which marked ev- ery countenance ttom the highest to the lowest order, evinced in an unparaljeled degree, the public sympathy, and that the honours paid to the « ni%lity dead'* were not more conspicuous Muui deserved. Qd no similar occasion have wc^ . I ii 'f^'.'it: H ■nTOltY •t THB WAk \' witnessed % testimonial of respect so iin!veif« lAl ttod sincere. It was indeed a day of mourn- ing. The hearts of hoary iiatriots^ and youth* fuTheroeSf beat in solemn unison> and the bright eye of beauty glistened^ with a tributary tear, Mot only the refleetions arising from sueh a scene» but every transaetion eonneeted with the proceedings of the day* were calculated to iu" spire with reverenee the coldest and most disin* terested spectator. ^'- The .concourse of spectators who witnessed this interesting and impressive exhibition^ was innumerable^ and is supposed to amount to for-* ty or fifty thousand. The streets were linedt the windows orowdedy and the roofs covered with oitizensy viewing the grand and solemn' spectacle. The procession of boats in the bar* bourf from its noyelty in particular, attracted much attention* and the wharves and the rig- ging of the vessels in the docksy were crowded with spectators. The corporatidn made a provision of 1,000' dollars for each of the two Infant children of Captain Lawrence. ,^ ' < An application to the British naval officer^ Captain Oliver, fur permission to conyey the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow, by water, to Ki^w-Tork was shamefully refused. The following extraets, translated from a French paper, is w' ' y of a place here. « The British, who >^xd triumphed in so many na- val combats, preTibusly to the prevailing American war, have long relinqui&hed the practice of rejoicing for victories obtained over a single 'frigate. If an achievement of that surt took pluce against any of the Euiidpean powers, the detail of the action waS merejy inserted- in the London Gazettei the papers 2 j_ 'f* * < • •• i '' <*• ■ ' I' l > lll tf n ■ItreBT OV TBB WAB. w '.> • %f the metropolU echoed the namtivet paid a prestk* ing compliment to the .ofiicer« and the affair went off, being recorded firo mem^ricy in the Nayal . Chronicle, ai a thing of course. Votes of honour from the corporation of London, a sword of a hun* dred guineas value, and parliamentary encomiumsy / were reserved for the hero who should destroy a^ Jleet, The battle of the IVile, that of Trafalgar^ v and the like, were alone brilliant enough to excHe , the applause of a people grown callous to common feats of tenowny and who, accustomed to vanquish every thing on the ocean, believed themselves om- nipotent on that element. In the Americans the British have found ru enemy that has obstructed the agreeable train of their maritime ideas. The citizens of the United Sutes are the best seamen in the world, rheir (fficers are men of nautical science, of great experience, and generally in the prime of life. The first nnval combat of the war» marked, not a simple equality of skill and courage in the men of the two countries, but a decided su* periority in favour of the Americans. If the Eng- lish pride was moftified at the sudden reverse in tb^ capture of the (iutrriere, the whole British go- vernment was thrown into cons emation at the cap- ture of the Macedonian, the Java, the Frolic^ and the Peacock. Such rupid and successive defeats made the cabinet of St. James bristle again ; it seemed as if all the English captains were doomed to pass, one after the other, under the Yankee yoke, or to the re- gions of the dead 1" ** A triumph gainrd by something very like aa artifice, has given occasion to the most extravagant demonstrations of joy in London. A member of Parliament, whose name is Croaker^ which in the English tongue, signifies a noisy, but contemptible i;eptile, has pronounced on the occasion' a most preposterous eulogium, xnd the corporation of Lon- don have treated the affair as if the fleets of all the i.i-',.i-s «■;.» ,»..'i,.i,^- . ^^r^. «« aiBTOST 9W tWM WAB* ^irorld had been anchored in the Thames, aff trophies jof their Viitour ! Who it there that does not perceive in this vapottring of the Islanders* a real fear for their ultimate naval superiority T The Americans ■will soon recover from this event '1 hey are a peob ough our loss was ssnall, (not exteeding thirty.) and the enemy completely routed and driven from the field, both Brig. Generals Chandler and Winder, were taken prisoners. They had advanced %o ascertain the situation of a company of artillery, when the attack commenced. General Vincent is •aid to be among the kiUed of the enemy { Cekmel UlSTOST OF THB WAV. lii'i fT Clarke w&s mortalljr woundedf and fell into our# hands, with 60 prisoners of the 49th British regiment. The whole loss of the enemy is 250. They sent in a flag with a request to bury the dead. Gen. Lewi8» accompanied by Brig. Gen. Boyd, goes on to take the command of the advance troops." It appears, that on Ihiti occasion, the advanc- ed guard of the American army commenced a sharp skirmish with the advance of (he enemyy in the afternoon of the 6th June : the latter was compelled to retreat into a thiek wood. In the evening, the Americans took a position behind Stoney-creek ; the light infantry and part of the rifle corps, on the right of the 96th regimenty formed the right wing ; the artillery, under Gapt. Townson, and f j. Leonard, the centre ; the 5th, 16th, and 23d infantry, and some riflemen, the left; 9,^ the civalry in the rear; the picket guards were strong, and so placed, as to surround the encampment with centinels. The whole force did not exceed iOOO men, but their disposi- tion was the best that could lie made. Three hundred men were eHifam|ied on the border of the lake, for the protection of tUe boats. About 2 o*cloek irr the morning, (he enemy forced the pieket, and attacked the encampment, in the dark wi(h his whole force of regulars and Indians. Tlie Americans withstood and resisted the enemy with such resolution and success, that when the day dawned, none of the enemy were to 'be seen, but the killed and wounded, who covered the field of battle. The attack began on the right and was gal- lantly repelled by the fire of the light troops and t25th regiment, commanded by Maj. Smith. In a few minutes it became general along the whole line, and wns nobly returned by the ar- t' 'r ' :'f. \' 98 ^^,^^^ BISTORT OV THE WAB. \ tillfry of the centre, commanded by Captalni Townsend, and L. lieonard, and bv the troops of the left wing, viz. the 5th under Lieut. Col. Mil- ton, the 2dd commanded by MhJ. Armstrong, and the 16th. The fire continued with little In- termission for one hour, during which time the enemy attempted, by frequent charges, to break our line, but without effect, lieing obliged to give vay by the well directed fire of our brave troops.- The 13th and 14th regiments (which had been dotjiehed the preceding evening) were active in making prisoners, and advanced with much ar. dor to the field, in hopes of sharing with the gallant 5th, and 22d, 23d, and light troops, the glory of another eombat. But the unfortunate eapture of Brig. Gens. Chandler and ^Vinder,i Vfho were taken in the action unknown to any fh-rt of the army, and hurried to the enemy's ines, prevented the future operations from be- ing carried into effect, with the promptitude which assuredly would have taken place, had either of those officers been present to com- mand. As soon as it was discovered that generals binder and Chandler were prisoners. Colonel James Burn, on whom the commund devolved, summoned a council of wur, a majority of whom decided, that the army ought to retire to its former position, at Forty- mile creek. The army on this occasion has proved its firmness and bravery, by keeping its position in a night attack, in which the yells of-the Indians, mingled with the roaring of cannon and mus- ketry were calculated to intimidate. The ene- my charged repeatedly, and so dark was the night, that our army could not distinguish friend from foe 5 in one of these they succeeded la i§' 4^ HI8T0RT OF THE WAB« «^itl carrying off a 6 pounder* howitzer, and a eai«* son* to the great mortiHcation of our brave ar- tillery. It is presumed it was on that occasion al- so that we lost our generals, who were distinctly heard, enooumging our men to figlit. Tho squadron ofdragoons remained formed and steady at thoir posts, but could no^ apt on account of the darkness of the nighty and the thickness ot th e adjacent woods. Report qf killed^ nvoundrd and mitaing, in the action qf the 6th June^ at Stoney Creek, iTtV/fcr— I sergeant, ] corporal, 15 privates. ^oun(/e£f—l captain, 1 sergeant, 3 corporals, and 34 privates. Maaing-^i brigadier-generals, 1 major, S captaioj^ I subaltern, 9 sergeants, 4 corporals, 80 privates. ; Total, killed, wounded and mbsing, 154. Correct returns from the reports of the different corps in the action of the 6th inst* at Stoney Creek* J. JOHJSSON, Ast. Adj. Gen. The enemy aeknowledged to have on this oe- oasion, the 8th or king's regiment, 280^ men ; 49th regiment, 480 — Total regular 710, besides « a poweiful body of Indians under, the Chief Norton." As the enemy makes no mention of his militia, and he is known to under-rate hie actual force in every action, it may be supposed that his force, in the engagement at Stoney^creek^ was very considerable. The American army took up a position at Forty- mile creek, 10 miles in rear of the ground OQ which it had been attacked. Here it was join- ed at 5 o'clock in the ufternoon of the 7th June» by a reinforcement under the eommand of Gen. Lewis. At 6 o'clock in the evening, the hostile fleet hove in sight ; the Americans lay on their arms during the night. At dawn of day the m 'I iOO niTOBT 99 THK WAl. •\: squadron appeared about a mile from the shore; about 6 o*o]ook towed in a large schooner, (it being a dead caliAy) with a view to destroy a num- ber of boats attaehed to the American army which lay on the bench. By means of a tempo- rary furnace, constructed in half an hour, under direction of Capt. Totten, of the engineers, and by the sucoessful fire fk*om 4 pieces of artillery, worked by the men of Gapt. Archer and Tow- ion's companies, the enemy's schooner was com- pelled to retire, without effecting the destruction of the boats. A party of Indians, having occu- pied a commanding eminence, commenced^ an at- tack on the Americans, but were soon dislodgedi and forced to retreat before a party of volunteers, under command of Lieut. Eldridge, adjutant iii Col. Chrystie's regiment. Sir James Yeo, com- mander of the enemy's fleet, having failed in his attack on the boats, sent a flag to the American oommtiuder, dematiding a surrender of the army ; to this h verbal negative was given. On the 14ith| a part of the eamp equipage and baggage were put in boats, and the weather being favoura- ble, the Imats, put off, without waiting for a de- ^ tatehment of 200 men, which was ordered to go on board for the purpose of protecting them, in ease of being attacked. It was a short time calm, but a breeze springing up, when they had progressed about three mile8,'they were borne down upon by an armed schooner ; the most en- terprising kept on and escaped, others ran to the shore and deserted their boats ; twelve of the boats, principally containing boggage of the of- ficers and men, were taken. At 10 o'clock. Gen. Lewis put the army in motion, in order to return to Niagara ; tho Canadian militia and savages hang on their flanks and rear, during the retreat* ■ISTOHT OV TUB WAB. iOl Lieut* Col. Bcerstler was detachod on the evening of 2Sd June, with 570 nien* to a place ealled Beaver-dams, about 9 miles fVom Queens- town, to disperse a body of the enemv collected there, llie enemy's force was understood to consist of above 80 regulars, 160 or 200 militia* and dO or 60 Indians. Col. Bcerstler's detach- ment reached witbin about two miles of Beaver- dams, at 8 o'clock in the morning, when it was attacked from an ambuscade, consisting of 500 regulars, and 100 Indians, but soon repulsed the enemy, and then retired to a clear field, and sent an express for reinforcements. A reinforcement of SOO men, under command of Col. Chrystie* was quickly marched to the aid of Col. Bcerst- ler; but, on arriving at Queenstown, was in- formed, that Lieut. Col. Bcerstler, with his com- mand, liad surrendered to the enemy. The re- inforcement returned to camp. The Amerieaii troops fought with great bravery for two hours* while surrounded by superior numbers. General Dearborn, in his official statement, dated at Fort George, June 25th, expresses his surprise, << why it should have been deemed proper t^ remaio several hours in a |)Osition surroundt'd by woods* without either risking a decisive aclion, or effect- ing a retreat, remains to be accounted for* as well as the project of waiting for a reinforcement from a distance of tifteen or sixteen miles.'* This difficulty was soon cleared up by Major Chapin^ who commanded the milifia at tlie buttle of Bea- ver dams, but who arrived at BuSaloe in the night of the 13th July, having, together with his company, escaped from the enemy, after be- ing pristmers of war. Capt. Chapin stated that the enemy was considerably superior in number^ lotwithstanding which, Lieut C6L Boersil^ IS i u lux UlgTOQT OP THE WAB« \ would have been -Ule to maintnin liis poitition* or •ut a paiiage llirouch the enemy, so at to effeet a retreat; but at tbis juncture a British officer rode up and demanded tlie surrender of the A- merioan party. Tlic demand whs made, be said, to prevent the effusion of blood. He asserted alsoy upon his honour, and declared in the most solemn manner, that the British regular force was double that of the American, and that the Indians were 700 in number. Lieut. Col. Bcerst- ler, under a belief of these faets, and thinking it impraeticable to get off the wounded, whom he was unwilling to abandon to the mercy of the sa* ▼agesy and deeming it extrcmelv uncertain whe- ther a retreat could be effected, thought proper to agree to terms of capitulation, which were tf length signed by himself on the one part, and by Lieut. C^ Bishop on the other. ^ i Capt. Chapin makes the fohowing statement : « The articles of capitulation were no sooner sign* td, than they were violated. T^e Indians immedi- ately commenced their depredations, and plundered the officers of their side arms. The soldiers too were stripped of every article of clothing to which the savages took a fancy, such as bats, coats, shoes, See." By the articles of capitulation, it was stipulat- ed that the wounded should be taken good care ef, the officers be permitted to retain their side* arms, private property be respected, and the mi- litia immediately parolled. How eharacteristie af a savage and faithless enemy was this shame- ful violation of honour and good faith. Major Chapin and bis corps were detained un- der guard at the bead of Lake Ontario, and n» attention paid to the article of capitulation^ -which provided for tbeir being paroUed*. On tbi V>v. t • ■ISTOET Of THE WAX* loa Itth inst. they were ordered down the lake to Kingston i for whiob place they were embarked in two boatiy aeoompanied by a guard of 15 men, under tbt eominand of a lieutenant. Thirteen of the men, with the lleutenantf were B(ationed in the forward boat with M^jor Chapin and the other offleers, while ' the remaining two» (a ler- geant and one man^) took the direetion of the other boaty whioh contained the soldierk. An agree- ment had been entered into, preifiouft tothoir de« parture, of seizing the first opportunity that of- ferred to regain their liberty^ which they deter- mined to effect* or die in the attempt. >Vheo tliey were within about 12 miles of York, the boat which was filled with the prisoners, was rowed by them along side the other^ under pre- tence of taking something to drink. The signal being given, they sprang upon the guard, who little ex|ieoted such a mancDuvre, and in a short time disarmed them, and gained possesion of the boats. They immediately altered their course from Kingston to Fort Niagara^ and after row- ing hard for most of the night, and escaping with difficulty from one of the «nemy'8 schooners, which gave them chase, arrived in safety with their prisoner«(, at the American garrison. 'I'he following extract of a private letter from Fort George, made its appearance in a publio newspaper, in the first week in August : ^ A large boat arrived two days since from Little York, containing one lieutenantf and 8 of hjs Britan- nic majesty's militia, captured by 8 of Our men, (3 regulars, nnd 5 militia,) taken at Beaver Dams. The lieutenant and his party were conducting^ them to Kingston— our men rose on the English and brought them in here. Another boat, with 14 of Boerstler's men, has just come in from York, bringing with^ ^em their centinel; and one otiier person/' /-"' li .:« If v lOi UISTOBT OT THE VAB. It would be an unpardonable injustice ^o the brave Cliapin not to give his own report of thig beroio escape. The following is a copy of his letter to Gen. Dearborn, dated Fort George, June 13th, 1813. . « Sir— I have just arrived from mjr confinement in Canada, with my men, without our parole. Our re* turn happened m the following manner : I received orders at Burlington heights on Monday morning, to go to Kingston— We set off accordingly under the care of a guard of 16 men. Ihad with me 28 men: We all went . on very quietly till 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at which time 1 gave a signal to attack the guard, which were stationed in the following order : A sergeant and one man in the boat with my men, a lieutenant and 13 men in the boat with me and two officers. At the signal, my men ran along side of thi boat I was in. Lieut. Showers ordered them to fall astern. I ordered them on board— at which time the officer attempted to draw his sword. I seized him by the neck and threw him on his back— two of his men drew their bayonets upon me— I immediately seized both bayonets, at the same instant, and threw them en the top of the officer, and kept all down together; at ti.e same moment, my men seized the gu>:ird, and wrested from them their arms— we then, having pos- session of the arms, changed our course, and arriv^d here this morning half after two o'clock, all safe. We haye brought two boats with us. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ' > * ''■- CYRENUS CH VPIN." On the. 11th July, 1813,250 British regulars •rossed the Niagara, below Black Rock, ntoved up towards that place, and marched far above the navy-yard, before any alarm was given. The detached militia, being surprised, retreated up tbe heaohi and left the enemy in ^uiet pessessioii ^ 4: HiSTOttT 9V TUB VAB. 105 •f the village, iivho proceeded to burn the sailors' barracks and block-houses at the great battery ; they then proceeded to the batteries, dismounted . and* spiked three 12 pounders, and took a^fay three field-pieces, and one 12 pounder; they took from the store-house a quantity of whiskey, salt, flour, pork, &c. ivhich, with four citizens, they took across the river. At the first moment of the alarm. Gen. Porter left Black Rock for Buf- faloe ; at which place he assembled a body of volunteers, and a few regulars, which with 100 militia, and 25 Indians, formed a junction about a mile from the enemy. After being formed vith the militia and Indians on the Hanks, and the volunteers and regulars in the oentre, they attacked, and the enemy, after a contest of 20 minutes, retreated in the utmost confusion, to the beach, embarked in several of our boats, and pulled for the opposite shore ; all the boats got oiT without injury, except the last, which suflered severely from our fire, and from appearance^ nearly all the men in her were kOled and wound* ed. The British lost 8 killed'on the field, be- sides those killed and wounded in the boats. The Americans took 15 prisoners^ who were sent to Batavia. On the American side, sergeant Hart- man, Jonathan Thompson, and Joseph \l^right» were killed, and 5 wounded, two of which werti Indians. , i ^ * On the 7tb July, the enemy attacked a guard about a mile and a half from Fort Cieorge, when Lieut. Eldridge, with 39 men, who volunteered under him, went to relieve them ; but, in his zeal to execute the order, he unexpectedly found himself surrounded in the wood by Indians, who opened a deadly fire upon his little corps, which eut down 18— a few fledj^and the remainder wer9 - 1 106 HIBTORT 07 TBE WAR. V <■■ taken by the Indians, and stripped, scalped, am! mangled in a horrid manner. Only 9 of the forps escaped. During the night of the 4th July, a paHy of the enemy « consisting, accoi'ding to the British account, of 41 men, but knoivn (o exceed that number, passed over in boats from Chippawa to Fort Schlosser, which was guarded by only 12 men, whom the enemy made prisoners, logether with three of the citizens; and also succeeded in carrying off some flour, salt pork, whiskey, &c.; one brass six pounder, a few stands of arms, some ball-cartridges, &e. with which they has* tily retired. The enemy being reinforced, re. turned on the succeeding evening to complete the plundering, which his hurry and fears eompelied him to leave unfinished during his first visit, but observing a guard, he retreated without attempt, ing to land. A body of the enemy, consisting of about 209 men, besides Indians, attacked the pickets at Fort George, on the 17th July, but were brave* ly repulsed, after a^ oontest of one hour. Al- though this affair was not otherwise of much consequence, it was in a degree so, Inasmuch as it gave a full opportunity of testing the conduct of the American officers engaged; as it was fought in detachments. Col. Scott had command of the troops on this occasion. Gen. Boyd, in his official report, highly extolled the activity and bravery of those engaged, particularly Ma^ jors Cummins, and Armstrong; Captains Tan* deursen, Madison. Birdsall, and Towson. A declaration of war, of which the following is a copy, was issued by the Six Nations of New- York Indians, immediately after the invasion of the state by the British, , \ HISTOBT OF THE ^AR* 107 ., . DECLAP TION OF WAR. ' BT THE 81. fATIONS OF INDIANS. We, the Chiefs and Councillors of tiie Six Na« tions of Indians, residing in the state of New- York, do hereby proclaim to all the War Chiefs and VVar- rioi's of the Six Nations, that WAR is declared on our p irt, against the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. - . \ * ' .vV- v^,. Therefore, we do hereby command and advise all the War Chiefs to call forth immediately the War- riors under them, and pur, them in motion, to protect their rights and liberties, which our brethren, the Americans, are now defending. . : v. (Signed) By the Giand Counciilorti Major-General Dearborn had been fur some time in a state of ill health. (In the 15th July he was superoedeil in the command of the army on the Nia^ava frontier; and was succeeded by Geii. Bo^d, the secrond in command. On this occasion* the genera^ received a very afK^ctionato address from General Boyd, and the other officers serving at Fort George. As, however, the cau«e of the general's dismissal was the object of various conjecture, the following extract from the general order, issued on the occasion, will give to the reader all the satisfaction in our pow* ep to communi<'ate. * ' ■ ••;..■■'?: sailed from Saokett*8 Harbour, to eruise in tke 8U Lawrence/ On Monday, the 19tli, they fell in with a gun-boat, carrying a 6 pound carronade, convoying 15 of the enem/g batteaux, captured them without the loss of a man, and broughf them into Cranberry Creek, about M miles above Ogdensburgh. The bat- teaux had on board 2SU barrels pork, 300 bags pilot bread, ammunition, &o. bound from iVlontre* ai to Kingston. On Tuesday morning, 3 of the enemy's gun-boats, with 250 soldiers from Pres- cot, arrived off the creek, and landed their men. The privateersmen bad hardly time to construct a breast-work of their bags of pUot bread, be- fore they were attacked by 200 of the eiiemv; and strange to tell, after an obstinate engage* ment, in which from 40 to 60 of the enemy^were killed, his force retreated precipitately to their boatsy except 15, who took to the woods, and were pursued. The American loss was trifling, though it is not specified. Sixty-seven British pi'isoners, captured in the batteaux and gun-boat^ arrived at Watertown on Tuesday evening. The employment of Indians by the enemj rendered it absolutely necessary to attach the friendly Indians to the army of the U. States. On this occasion there was an opportunity of S roving that the savage can abstain from those iirbarous acts, which the enemy must have en- couraged, or certainly did not attempt to pre- vent. , A body of volunteers and Indians, under com- nand of Major Cbapin, had a skirmish with the enemy, near Fort George, op the 17th August, in which the latter was defeated, and complete- ly routed. The American Indians captured 1^ of the British Indians^ and four whites. The UUTQUfY OF TUS WlB. 109 Indians, in a couneil held with them previens to this affair, eovenant«d not to scalp or murder. Their bravery in battle was as oonspieuous as their humanity to the vanquished; no insult wa« offered even to the dead. At day break on the 24th August, the enemy^ .^vith his whole force, commanded by Sir Georgie Prevost, drove in all the American pickets at Fort George. A skirmish ensued in the vil- lage, with little effect, when the enemy retired, leaving 15 of his men dead on the field, and a few prisoners, ineluding a captain of the 49th. The Americans lost two men killed, and a few wounded. -.'''■ -^k ■:\j(<'^r'.^ -:--^y:.:i The pain of being eompelled to relate the bar- barity of a faithless enemy, on almost every oc- casion where he had power, is pleasingly miti- gated by the contrast which the acts of Ameri- can soldiers and seamen produce. Among the many, too numerous for recollection or detail* the following will be read with satisfaction : r On the 2ist September, a company of volun- teers, prinei{Milly of the village of BuffUloe, em- barked for Sugar Loaf, (about 14 miles from Fort Erie,) under command of Major Chapin* with an intention to surprise and capture a Bri- tish guard, commanded by Col. Warren, 'the colonel had anticipated the attack, and had withdrawn himself and guard from the lake some miles, into the interior of the country;— The party took several prisoners, who were im- mediately paroled ; and S4 barrels of flour, and a bale of blankets, all of which was the proper- ty of government. There were several hundred barrels of flour at the mills, but there being no proof of its being publio property, it wa» fiot ta- ken, Tho conduct of Major Chapiui in all his ' > ':*■■■ i 119 ■iiTomt OT Tiiis win. I ; / incursions into the enemy's territory, has be«D > strictly honourable ; carefully distinguishing be- f twecn Xriends and enemies ; justly diserimioating between publie and private property. The American fleet, un^er eommand of Com. . modere Chaunc^y, went out of the inner bar. hour of Sackett's Harbour, the 19th July, 1813, and sailed soon afterward. The fleet stretched over for the enemy's shore, and from thence .' stood up the lake, and arrived off Niagara, in y the evening of the 27tb July. Com. Chauneeif .'1)eing informed that the enemy had \a consider. i Able deposit of provisions and stores at Burling. ton-bay, haddeterminedio attempt their destruc. lion. Having tiiken on board 250 infantry, the fleet proceeded to the head of the lake, but|ow- : ing to light winds and calms^ did not arrive tj ' an anchorage before the evening of the 29th.^ ^ Two parties were sent on shore, who took somi .4>f tlie inhabitants, from whom they learned, that the enemy was lately reinforced, and that > he had from €00 to 800 regulars. The troops were, however, landed the next morning, toge- ther with some marines and sailors ; but, on re-l connoitering the enemy's position, he was foundl ; posted upon a peninsula of high ground, stioiig.l : jy intrenehed, and his camp defended by ahouti 8 pieces of cannon. It was judged inexpedientl to attaek him with a force scarcely half bill numbers, and without artillery. The neil were re-embarked in the course of the afterJ noon; and the fleet weiglied in the evening,! : and stood for Tork, in the harbour of whieh place It anchored about 3 o'clock, P. M. ' the Sist, the schooners sailed into the uppri] liarbour ; the marines and soldiers, under il M^ommand of Colon^ Scott^ landed without UlSTORT OV THE Wl»^ at position, (upwards of 400 men of the enemy ha?* t ; ing left York for the head of the lake* two days ' previoiiii to ibo disembarkation.) Several hun- dred barrels of flour and proyiiiions were found • ID the public itore-house ; also 5 pieees of oan- r DOD) 11 boats* and a quantity of shotf shells, nod ; other stores ; all of which were either dcstroyetl- v. or taken away*~a few prisoners were takoa. r: The troops were re-embarked on the Ist August^ • having previously burned the barracks, and pub- i iio store-houses — the expedition arrived at Ni' ' agara on the 3d. I On the 7th August, at day-light. Commodore^ \ Chauncey discovered the enemy, consisting of' g ships, ^ brigs, and 2 farge sehooners, on Lak^ ; Ontario. He immediately weighed anchori an^ manoeuvred to gain the wind* Both fleets eoa* iJQued to manceuvre fur several hoursj at adis<^ tanee IVoni each other fif about 6 or 6 miTeSr Commodore Ohauneey endeavouring in vain t» ^ bring the enemy to action. Toward night it became quite calm, during whiefa time the Com- modore endeavoured to reach the enemy by sweeps, but without success. Wind^ during the . Bight, was very squally. At day-light# on the 8th, discovered titat 2 of the schooners, the Hamilton and Scourge, mounting together la guns, had foundered, and every soul on boai*d ^ them, except 16, perished. This accident gave (be enepfiy a decided advantage, yet the Commo- dore offered him battle, which was declined. — In the afternoon the wind fell away, and the Commodore again endeavoured to reach the ene- my by means of his sweeps, but was again un- - jsuecessful. During the afternoon, the enemy* tailing advantage of a wind which sprang up, aid brought him to windward, endeavoured tm ^iv 113 BISTOBT OT THE WAIT. A 1 "■ - -, tut off the American schooner^ but they xfe\*e able to come into their station before be eonld veach them. Kight coming on» and the weather* as on the former night, squally* the Commo> dure, to guard against further accident, as well as to afford some rest to his men, who had been 40 hours at quarters, ran in towards Niagara, and anchored outside' the bar. Here he received on board, and distributed in different vessels, 160 irien, to aid in boarding, in case he could close ivith the enemy. Soon after day-light on the 9th, be discovered the enemy, weighed anchor, and stood afier him. The winds were light and variable, and before noon quite calm ; at 6 P. M. the wind sprang uii, pursued the probable course of the enemy during the night. In the morning of the 10th, discov- ered the enemy and gave him chase ; before the wind changed,'brought the enemy to windward, by which he was again enabled to avoid an ao- tion. Both fleets continued manceuvring until 11, when a firing commenced between both fleets. The wind favoured the enemy, and enabled him to effect one purpose of all his long and cowardly ,| manoeuvring, by separating two vessels from the remainder of the squadron, and capturing the Growler and Julia. On the morning of the lltb, the Commodore got sight of the enemy, but he still refused bat- tle, notwithstanding his increased advantage, by the capture of 2 vessels, and a wind favourable to him. A gale coming on. Commodore Cliaun- eey returned to Saeketl's Harbour, to obtain pro- visions, ot which his ships was nearly desti- tute. On the 7th September, the enemy's Kquadron, under command o^ Captain Yeo^ was discovered ■.V,. lilBT^ftT OV THE WAK. 113^ oh)se in with the Niagara river. Commodore Chauueey'i fleet immediately weighed anohor> and prepared for action. Tlie enemy soiled to (he northward ; The Commodore in purtuit.— • Tbe pursuit was eontinued all round the lako^ until the morning of the l^thr when the enemy succeeded in getting into Amherst>bay. During* the cliase, there was a running fighty off Genes- see river, which continued three and a half houfs ; the enemy suffered much y the Americans did not loose a man. ' Commodore Chauncey continued to blockade the enemy in Ainherst-bayf until the 17th Sep- tember, when a heavy wind from the westward' favoured his escape into Kingston ; and the Ame- rioan fleet returned to Sacliett's Harbour. Af- ter a few hours delay at Sackett's Harbour, Com- modore Chauncey bailed again for Niaeara#- where he arrived on the 24th. On the Itfth he saw the enemy off the False Ducks, but took nO' notice of him, in hope that he might follow the Commodore up the lake. ^: On the 26th September, Commodore Chaun- eey learned that the enemy's fleet was in York- bay; he prepared: to weigh, but was prevented from getting out of the river before the evening of the 27th. On the 28th the enemy was dis- covered under way in York-bay. The Ameri- cans formed a line for battle,, and run down for< the enemy's centre; The enemy endeavoured to* I avoid an action* At 10 minutes past 12, tho enemy, in ordei' to save his two rear vessels,., was compelled to tack in succession, beginning; jat his van, when he hoisted his colours, and com- Bieneed a fire on Commodore Chaancey'l flag- ship, the General Pike, for the purpose of oo- knng his rear^ apd attacking the Amerii(»!|dii H;li ii4 UIBTOBT OF TBS WAS, \ rear as he passed to leeward. By a happy mo. Boeuvre^ Conimodore Chauncey defeated (his part of the adversary's plan, when the latter boro away. The American shipsf however, closed so near as to bring their guns to bear ; and in 20 minutes, the main and mizen top* masts, and main yard of the Wolf wore shot away. This ship immediately put before the wind, and set ull •ail upon his main mast ; and, by keeping dead before the wind, was enabled to escape. Tlie ohase was continued until near 3 P. M. during which time the Commodore's ship kept within point blank shot of the enemy, and sustained the whole of his lire, during the ehase. At 15 minutes past 3, the Comihodore was obliged to give up the chase : his ship was mal[. iog water so fast, that it required all his pumps to keep her clear ; and others of his vessels were much damaged. The enemy ^s fleet was within six Biiles of the head of the lake, where, owing to the stiffness of the gale, both fleets might go asborie at a place in possession of the enemy.— The Commodore, therefore, thought proper to proceed to Niagara. The General Pike suffer- ed a considerable less of men, among whom were 2i killed or wounded, by the bursting of a gun. On the 1st October, the Commodore sail- ed again from Niagara, taking under convoy se* -veral boats with troops for Sackett's Harbour, Having eonvoyed these as far as it was deemed necessary for their safety, he left them to pro- •eed coast wise; and he bent his course in search of the enemy. On the 2d October, at 10 A. M. the enemj iras discovered steering a course for Niagara. Commodore Chaunoey ordered a ehasC'^the en* 9]Djr ftToided an «ii|;ageiiieiu as ttftual, aniji was HIBTOBT OF THE IfAR. il& far ahead by aun down. On the morning of the 5df the enemy was discovered at anchor elose io with tlie land, between Twelve and 'I'wenty.milo oreelcsy but made sail» on discovering the Ameri- ean fleet. The Ohase continued all day : the en- emy could barely be made out from the mast- head by sun-down. At day-light, on the 4th» be could not be seen. The Commodore, sus- pecting that the enemy, availing himself of a very dark night, had shaped his course for Kingston, directed his course for the Ducks. — At S P. M. the Commodore discovered 7 sail near the false Ducks, gave chase, and at 4 o'clock, discovered them to be sloops and schoon« ers. At 6 P. M. gained considerably on them» which the enemy perceiving, he took the ment out of a slow sailing gan-boat, and then burneil her to prevent her capture. At sun-down, when opposite the Real Ducks, the Hamilton, (late Growler,) Confianee, (late Julia,) and Mary- Anne, struck their colours, and were taken pos- session off. The Drummond soon after struck to the Sylph ; and on the following morning, the Sylph took possession of the Lady Goree. But one of the enemy's vessels, a small schooner, es- caped, and she owed her safety to the darkness of the night. Commodore Chauneey proceeded to Saekett'a Harbour with his prizes. The captured vesselt mounted from 1 to S guns each, and were re* turning with troops from the head of the lake* The following are the number and description of troops of the enemy made prisoners on thif occasion viz. 1 major, 1 captain, 9 subalterns^ 1 surgeon, 10 sergeants, 4* drummerSf 202 rank and file, of De WattevileV regiment ; i lieit* tenant,^ master's mates^ ^# seameu and mu^ f ! iiff MirroRT or the wab. h- \ \ rineS) of the roval navv ; and 4 iailing-ina«ter» of the iirovincial navy. The enemy'i tquadron. was seen going into Kingston the sume evening. It was cau«e of much surpriie that the Bri- tish were oerhiitleA to obtain an ateendanoy a» to actual force on the laltes Champlain^ Ontario, and Erie; if they did not mako all the use of their numerical superiority which they ought to baTc made, it must remain for themselves to explain. Commodore Yeo was brave^ and an experienced officer. His apparently cowardly conduct on Lake Ontario, must have been tlie result of his private instructions. It must be confessed, that this surmise is ill supported when contrasted with the policy of the British com* manders on lakes Champlain and Erie. On^ both these lakes, the enemy reckoned on successr as what must certainly result from his superior tactics, supiiortcd by a superior force. He did try bis strength and talents against the Yan- kees, and with his ships and invincibility, band- cd over to the Yankees, all the laurels which were gleaned from every other naval power.-* The American war, on the sea and the lakes, has disgraced, degraded, and humbled the proud mistress of the deepr iEind raised the aspiring and noble minded American to a height, which every nation in the world*, except England, has witnessed with a pleasure or enthusiasm, that •peaks a language to the Briton, not equivocal> but galling, drewlful, ominous. For some time, the enemy assumed, and in &ot, held the command of Lake Erie. His fleet was commanded by an offif^er of ex|ieriencc> who tauntingly boasted of his superiority. — Commodore Oliver H. Perry was appointed to t^ aomiiiaiKl of the Aioerican ileet»^ Tk^ Mr' UltTOBT OV TBX WAB. 117 lowing extraot of a letter from him to the leere- tary of tlie navjr» wat dated 4th August, and an* nounoed hit intention of meeting the enemy. u I have great pleakure in informing yout (hat I hfkve succeeded in getting; over the bar, the U. S. vetteUt the Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ariel, Scorpion, Somers, Tigreta, and Porcupine. The enemy have been in aight all dajr, and are now abou| 4 leagues from ui. We shall sail in pursuit of them at 3 to-morrow morning." The following official letters from the Com* modore, are proofs of the modesty, as the result of the engagemeni was, of the undaunted hero- ism and naval skill of this great commander. ^ Copy ({f a Utter from Commodore Perry to the See* retary qf the J^avy, ■ ; U. S. brig Niaiijara, off the Western V '. i, v/ Sisters, Head of Lake Erie, Sept* /^J ' \ ;]0, 1813,4 P. M. .U.^^ Sir,— Tt has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States, a sif^nal victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, con- sisting of 3 ships, 2 brigs, 1 schooner, and I sloop, have this moment surrendered to the force under my command, after a sharp conflict. I have the honour to be, Sec. , , - O.H.PERRY. Hon, W« Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Cofiy tf a letter from Com, Ptrry to the Secretary qf the Navy* :.■-■ U. S. schooner ArieU Put-in-Bay, ISth Sept. 1813. Sir,— .In my last I informed you that we had cap- tured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now the honour to give you the mo.4t important particulars of the action. On the morning of the 10th inst. at sun-rise they were discovered from Put-in-Bay, ysm V. 118 BI8T0ST OV THE WAK. when I laf at anchor with the squadron under mf command. Wc got under way, the wind light at S, W. and stood for them. At JO a. m. the wind haul- ed to S. £. and brought us to windward ; formed the line and bore up. At 15 minutes before 13, the enemy commenced firing ; at 5 minutes before 12^ the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their Jong guns, and its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every brace and bowline being soon shot away, she became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions of the sailing-master. In this situation she sustain- ed the action upwards of two hours, wit!)in canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and , the greater part of her crew either killed or Mcund- •d. Finding she could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge of Ueut, Yamell, who, I was vCnyinced from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with the honour of the flag. At half past 3, the wind springing up, Capt. Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel the Ni- agara, gallantly into close acdon ; I immediately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wish, by volunteering to bring the schooners, which had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, into elose action, it was with unspeakable pain, that I saw, soon after I got on board the Niagara, the flag of the Lawrence come down, although I was per- fectly sensible, that she had been defended to the last, and that to have continued to make a show of resistance, would have beeii a wanton sacrifice of the remains of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her,and circumstan-. ces soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At 45 minutes past 2, the signal was made for *^ close action." The Niagara being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore vp and passed ahead of theii* two ships and a brigi .:-»>.7'<:J •••\ :. ;;;V"'-,V; HI8T0BT OT THE WAB* 119 giving a raking fire to them from the starboard gunSf and to a large schooner and sloop, from the larboar4 side, at half pistol-shot distance. The smaller ves« sels at thiti time, having got within grape and canis- ter distance, under the direction of Capt. Elliott and* keeping lip a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig, and a schooner, surrendered, a schooner and sloop making a vain attempt to escape." Extract of a letter from Commodore Perry. U. S. schooner Ariel, Put-in-Bay, 1 3th September, 1813. w I also beg your instructions respecting the wounded. I am satisfied, Sir, that whatever steps I jnight take, governed by humanity, would meet your appiobation. Under this impression, I have taken upon myself to promise Capt. Barclay, who is very* dangerously wouuded, that he shall be landed as near Lake Ontario as possible, and I had no doubt yoti would allow me to parole him." The following; is the statement of the respect* tive forees of th^ contending fleets. Statement qf the force of the British aguadron. Ship Detroit, 19 guns^l on pivot, and 2 howitzerSi^ Queen Charlotte, 17 do. 1 do. ..' ISchr. Lady Prevost, 13 do. 1 do. Brig Huiiter, 10 do. Stoop Little Belt, 3 do* Schr. Chippawa, 1 do. and 3 swivels* 63 guns. JVbrff.— The Detroit was a new ship, very strongljr built, and mounted long 24's, 1 8's, and 1 2*s. Statement qf the force of the United States squadron, '^rig I^awrence, SO guns. Niagara, 20 do, Caledonia^ 3 do. , .. y^ / < ^i 120 BISTOBT OV THS VAB. \ Schr. Ariel, Scorpion, SomerS) Sloop Trippe, Schr. Tigress, Porcupine, 4 do. (1 burst early in ac- tion.) 2 do. 2 do. and 2 sviyels. 1 do. 1 do. 1 do. 54 i ti X The loss, on the part of the Americans, was as follows : ' Killed, Wounded. Missing, Lawrence, S2 61 93 Niagara, S 25 ST Caledonia, 3 3 i Somers, H d ' Ariel, I $ 4 Trppe, • t 9 Scorpion, 2 ' Jl ff 96 123 , Two days previous to the action, 57 men unfit for duty in the small vessels* While giving the .Coinmodorp*s own aceovnt of this aclioHf we cannot omit his laconic letter to General Harrison. It has been called, by a writer, <« Cesarean brevity." Cresar said »* ve- ni, vidi, vici/* but Perry did not conquer mere- ly by showing himself to an enemy, who, reckon- ing on his own known superiority of force, and presumed superiority in tactics, calculated, with great certainty, on conquering the Yankees.** The battle was hard fought, and the loss on both sides very gn at. Pe,rry might have said, <• veni viei," or as he would translate the words of the Roman genera!— <« w*» met the enemy, and they are ours ;" but the addition of ** vidi*' might HIBTOBT OF THE WAS. 1« favour the opinion tliait he won the battle from the timidity or inactivity of the.eneniy» which would be depriving the brave Perry und his erew of more than half their merit. f " U. S. brig Niagara, aff the Westerrt Sister, head of Lake Erie, Sept. 10th, 1813,4 P.M. » Dear General — We have met the enemy— and they arc ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner^ and one sloop. Youis, with great respect and es- teem, O. H. PERRY." Hitherto we have seen the enemy beaten ship to ship, but now we were to witness them fleet to fleet ; and a more decisive or splendid victo* ry was never achieved. *< From the best infor- mation,'' says the heroic Perry, in a ielter to General Harrison.d ** we have more prisoners than we have men on boanl our vessels." Compared with this, all former naval victo- ries lose their splendour ; even the great Nel- son, were he alive, must rank below Perry.— Nelson never captured an entire fleet 5 Perry has, and that with a fleet inferior in size* weight of metal, and number of men. The British fleet was commanded by Com. Barclay, an officer of great merit, and much loved^ by those under his command. At a public din- ner given to this oOScer at Terrebone,in Canada^ he gave a toast, which, while it proves the can- dour of the Commodore who gave it, is an indis- putable proof of the merit of him whose name was the subject of it. The toast was in the fol- lowing words : <* Commodore Perry, the gallant and generous enemy." - .» Soon after the victory on Lake Erie, the Pre- sident of the United States appointed Oliver H* Perry to the rank of captain in the navy. t pH r \ 122 HISTOBT OF THE WAR. The rommoflore ivas presented with the free, dom of the cities of New- York and Albany. I'he thanks of Congress were voted to the Commodore, his officersy seamen and marines; and medals were presented to him and his olfi. eers. The thanks of the Senate of Pennsylvania, with medals, were also voted to the Commodore, 9nd those brave men who served under him. ^ Among the many testimonials of the grati- tude of his fellow-eitizens, too numerous to de- tailf the following particulars of a present from the citizens of Boston, deserved to be enumerate edy viz. « A Salver, of an oblong square shape, 23 inches long, by 16 I '2 wide, witii a bright gadroon edge. Two Ice Pailsy or decanter coolers, barrel shape, hooped round with a bright gadroon edge at top and bottom. Two Pitchers, of a large size, Chinese shape, with tops, and bright gadroons at top and bottom. Two dozen Tumblers, plain barrel shape, with ga« droons at bottom. Wine Glass coolers, each to hold a dozen glassesi oblong square shape, standing on feet, wih balls or- namented with a bright gadroon at bottom, and nar- row rim at top, impressed with an oak leaf. A Coffee Pot, Tea Pot, Sugav Basin, Cream Eio» er, Tea Cady, and Slofi Bowl — all of oblong shapes, standing on feet, with balls at the corners, ornament- ed with deep borders, ilinpressed with roses and leaves, and with bright gadroons at top and bottom. The large (»ieces bear the following inscription : SEPTEMBER 10, 1813, Signalized our first triumfih in squadron— A ver\j 9Ufierior British force on Lake Erijs, was entirely subdued by COM. O. H. PERRY; s ■;f HISTOBT OF THE WAB. 19a WhOMe gallantry in action ia equalled only by hit ■ humanity in victory, PRESENTED In honour cf the Victor, by the CITIZENS OF ^^ijo Bosrojvr _ The capture of the British fleet removed the chief object to the capture of Maiden $ and General Harrison made dispositions to avail himself of it. Boats were collected, and troops assembled. Governor Shclbj^ arrived on the 17th September, at the mouth of Portage river, with about 4000 volunteers. Gen. M' Arthur joined the army in three days after with his brigade from Fort Meigs. On the 21 st, the embarkation of troops commenced. Put-in-bay Island was tho place of rendezvous. Commodore Perry's fleets including the captured vessels, were engaged in protecting and assisting the men and boats, as well as in conveying stores, baggage, £lo. The army again embarked on board the fleet and boats at Put in- bay, on the 25th, and arrived the same evening at the Kastern Sister, a small is- land about sixteen miles from Maiden. Here the expedition was detained some time by bad weather, during which time, a reconnoisance of the enemy's coast was made by Gen. Harrison, and Com. Perry; a despatch was also sent to apprize Col. Johnson of their movements, who, with his mounted rangers, was to co-operate in the reduction of Maiden. On the 27tb, the army embarked at the Eas- tern Sister, and landed near Maiden, in excellent order. The enemy having previously evacuated the town, it was entered by the Americans wUh; out opposition. #»*-1f It has been remarked in the early part of, t!\i8- history, that> previous to the surrender of Jfte^ ,.''/ .,; i ' HI8T0BY 07 THE WAB. \ f ^ Iroit to the enemy* the Indians* with the exv eeption of a few who had joined the enemy* re- mained inactive* watching* with their usual sa- gacity* until they could discover on what side victory was likely to perch. True to their own is'bidiouB and cowardly policy* they went ever to Ihe victorious Britons ; hut no sooner was the effect of treason wiped off by the courage of pa- triots, than the savage withdrew from his em- ployers, and sought peace from those* against whom he hud so long raised the tomahawk.-. B^ an otiieial letter* written by Gen. M*Arthup to the secretary of war* and dated at Detroit, subsequent to the retreat of the British, it ap- pears that five nations of Indians, viz. the t)tta- vas« Chippawas* Pattewattemies, Miamies, aikd Kiekapoos* have sued for peace. By an agree- ment entered into between them and Gen. M'Ar- thur, on the part of the United States* « they have agreed to take hold of the same tomahawk Vfith us* (the people of the United States,) and to strike all-whw arc* or may be* enemies to the United States, whether British or Indians." After the evacuation of Maiden by the enemy, Gen. Harrison pursued the British, although he (Harrison,) had very few horses, « scarcely a suffieiency to mount the general officers," whilst the retreating enemy had upwards of 1000 liorses. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, the Americans pursued their object with so much diligence, that they came up with the enemy. The force destined for this service, consisted of •bout 140 regulars, Johnson's mounted regiment, {Kentuckians.) three companies of Col. BalPs legion, and such of Governor Shelby's volunteers as were fit fur a rapid march; (he whole a- mating to about 3^500 men. During the pui> ... ;;i5 histout of the war. 12S 9uit» which was attended with severe prirations, (the whole army suhsisting for several days upon fresh beef, witliout bread or salt, and the infan* ivy being without tents;) a considerable quan- tity of arms were taken, being deserted by the enemy, and much more destroyed; these consisted ehlelly of muskets taken, or rather giv- en to them by the capitulation of Detroit. Two 24 pounders, with their carriages, besides a largo quantity of balls and shells, and two gun-boats* and several batteaux, loaded with provisions and ammunition, also fell into the hands of Gen* Harrison. The destruction of these were at- tempted by the retreating enemy, but were saved by the activity of the pursuers. Near a plac<» called M'Gregor's Mills, on one of the branches of the river Thames, the Indians were placed in great numbers, to dispute the passage of the riv- er. Upon the arrival of the American advaneeitl guard, a heavy fire was commenced on it by tho Indians, on the opposite side of the river. Gen. Harrison, expecting the attack would be support- ed by the whole force of the enemy, drew up his entire army in order of battle, and brought up two 6 pounders to cover a party which was or- d i' (!> --— .'-■.'■'a.'r lt« BISTORT OV THE WAB* and a half mileS) the road passes through a beech forest) without any clearing, and for the first two miles* near to the bank of the river. At from two to three hundred yards from the river, a swamp ex- tends parallel to it throughout the whole distance. The intermediate ground is dry, and although the trees arc tolerably thick, it is in many places clear of underbrush. Across this strip of landf its left afifiaycd upon the river, supported by artillery plac- •d in the wood, their right in the swamp, covered by the whole of their Indian force, the British troops 'Were drawn up. The troops at my disposal consisted of about 120 regulars, of the 27th regiment, 5 brigades of Ken- ^icky volunteer militia infantry, under his excellen- cy Ciovernor Shelby, averaging less than five hun- dred men, and Col. Johnson's regiment of mounted Infantry, making in the whole an aa:gregate some- thing above 3000 No disposition of an army op- posed to an In< ian force, can be safe, unless it is se- cured on the flanks, and in the rear. 1 had» there- fore, no d fiicuUy in arranging the infantry conforma- bly to my general order of battle. Gen. Trotter's brig? de of 5«0 men, formed the front line, his right 'Upon the roud, and his left upon the swamp. Gen. King's brigade, as a second line, 150 yards in the rear of Trotter's and Chiles's brigade, as a corps of i*ese»ve, in the rear of it. These three brigades iormed the conimand of Maj. Gen. Henry ; the whole of Gen. Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, 'Were torm< d en fiotencv upon the h ft of Trotter. While 1 was engaged in forming the infantry, I Ihad directed Col. Johnson's regiment, which was still in ~ front to be formed in two lines opposite to the enemy, and, upon the advance of the infantry, ^to take giouud to the left, and forming upon that dlank, to endeavour to turn the right of the Indians. A moment's reflection, however, convinced me, that fiom the thickness of the woods, and swampiness of ^e grotind^ they yrould be unablci to do any thing on BISTOBT OF THE WAB. 127 horseback) and there was no time to dismount them and place their horses in security ; I* therefore, de- termined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to break the British lines at once by a charge of the mounted infantry ; the measure was not sanctioned by any thing that I had seen or heard of, but I was ful!y convinced, that it would succeed. The \me- lican backwoodsmen ride better in the woods than any other people. A musket or rifle is no impedi- ment to them, being accustomed to carry them on horeseback from tlieir earliest youth. I was per- suaded, too, that the enemy would be quite unpre- pared for the shock, and that they could not resist it. Conformably to this idea, 1 directed the regi- ment to be drawn up in close column, with its right at the distance of fifty yards from the ruad, (that it might be, in some measure, protected by the trees from the artillery,) its left upon the swamp, and to charge at full speed as soon as the enemy delivered their fire. The few regular troops of the 37th re- giment, under their colonel, (Paul,) occupied, in co- lum of sections of four, the small space between the road and the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery ; and some ten or twelve friend* ]y Indians were directed to move under the bank*. The crotchet formed by the front line and General Desha's division was an important point. At that pk 3> the venerable governor of Kentucky was post- ed, who, at the age of sixty-six, preserves all the vi- gor of youth, the ardent zeal which distinguished him in the revolutionary war, and the undaunted bra- very which he maniiested at King's Mountain. With my aids-de-camp, the acting assistant adj. genera], Capt. Butler, my gallant friend Com. Perry, who did me the honour to serve as my volunteer aid-rle- camp, and Brig. Gen. Cass^ who havitig no command, tendered me his assistance, I placed myself at the head of the front line of infantry, to direct the move- ments of the cavalry, and give them the necessary support. The army had moved on in this ordec hut !t, '(( - iA 138 BiSTOUy OF THE WAB. a &hoi*t distance, when the mounted men received the fire of the British line, and were ordered to charge ^ the horses in the front of the column recoiled from the fire ; another was given by the eneniy, and our colunn, at length getting in motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible force. In one minute, the contest in front was over ; the British officers, seeing no hopes of reducing their disordered ranks to oixler, and our mounted men wheeling upon them, and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately sur- rendered. It is certain that 3 only of our troops were wouoded in this charge. Upon the left, however, the contest was more severe with the Indians. Colonel Jolinson, who commanded on that flank of his regi- ment, received a most galling fire from them, which was returned with great effect. The Induns, still further to the right,^ advanced, and fell m with our front line of infantry, near its junction with Desha's division, and, for a moment, made an impression ou it. His excellency Governor Shelby, however, brought up a regiment to its support, and the enemy, receiving a severe fire in front, and a part of John- son's regiment having gained ' their rear, retreated with precipitation." The active Indian Chief Tecuniscli, aOer evincing great resolution, a::d continuing to fight although being badly wounded^ fell, while di- recting a deadly aim at Col. Johnson. Hie in- Yincible courage of the colonel, and his great presence of mind, saved his own valuable life, and put an end to that of an irreconeileable foe. AVhllc the sanguinary Tecumseh \vas aiming at the colonel, the latter* although wounded in se- veral parts, and much exhausted, discharged his pistol with great eoolness, and brought the fe- rocious savage to the earth, where he was found dead. The American Joss amounted tc 7 killed snd 22. wounded 5 the British losa was 12 kilkdj^ ♦ l> f UISTOBT OT THE 1¥AB. 129 W %% wounded, and 601 regulars taken prisoners. The Indians, from the best information, suffered severely, SS of them were found dead on the field. Six brass pieces of artillery, and two iron 24 launders, and^a large quantity of small arms, fell into the hands of the victors. Every Ameri- can will be pleased to learn, that among the iield pieces, were three, whieh were taken from the British during the revolutionary war, bearing the motto « «utTendered 5i/ tiurgoyne at SaratO' ga** and lately surrendered to the enemy by General Hull. Major-General Proctor, who commanded the enemy's forces, escaped with difficulty, accompanied by about 50 persons, con- sisting chiefly of o0icers of the army. After this total defeat of the enemy, the mili- tia were discharged, and Gen. Harrison, with his disposable regular force, accompanied by Com. Perry, arrived at Presque-isle, on the 22d Oeto- ber, from Detroit ; from whence he sailed for Slack Reck, with a view to eo-opcrate nitu the army there, or at Sackett's Harbour. By this excursion, he, in the short space of less than a month, recovered the territory of Michigan, pun- ished and forced into peace, the numerous hordes of savages, captured a British regular ar« my, brought security to the inhabitants of the north western frontier of the United States, and marched triumphantly through a great portion of the Upper Province of Canada. Gen. Cass wa» left in the provisional government of Michigan territory. The instances of successful bravery, which had hitherto been frequent, were in a manner, eclips- ed by the following: Major George Croghan, in t)»e 22d year of bis age, was left^ by Gen. Harrispn^ in command V'W V-: 'i / 'i m. I' ; '->% ISO HISTORY 01 THE WAV. Gen. Harrison*! of 100 mcH) and with one six-pounderi ut Fort Stephenson^ (Lower Sandusky .} In the course of two weekt» there had been ■0 fewer than ten rencounters ; in one of which, the enemy carried a block- house at Fort Madi- son on the 10th July> from which they attack, cd tho fort, but witliout success. Four men were butchered in the block-house. It would appear, that it was intention, not to expose the small force at Fort Stephenson, to be cut off by an enemy very su- perior in numbers ; and the m'tjor was, for a short time, superceded in the command, in con- sequence of disobeying an order to burn and evacuate the fort ; but, on his arrival at head, quarters of the general, he gave such satisfac. tory evidence of bis ability to maintain the post, that he was immediately sent back with direo* tions to resume the command. ' On the evening of the 1st August, the British and Indians, who had come up the Sandusky river, from the bay, commenced from their boats a heavy cannonading upon the fort, and threw in a great number of shells from their bomb batteries. The enemy continued his op. erations without success until the evening of the 2d, when, after throwing a great number of balls from a six- pounder, at the norlh-west an* gle of the fort, for the purpose of making a breach, a column, under command of Lieuten- ant Colonel Short, advanced to the point on which the artillery had been played, with intention of storming, but the judicious manap;ement of Ma- jor Croghan, foiled the enemy in his attempt. The ditch* which surrounded the works, was about eight feet wide, and of equal dt>pth-<-lliis tbo enemy had to enter before they could ap« HIST01IT OV THB WAV, ISI proaeh the pickets : (through the top of each, a bayonet y/ah driven in a horizontal directioit,) while in this situation, the six-poumler, which was masked in a block-house, and a ravine ad- jacent, poured upon the storming colnmn a tre- mendous Mhower of musket balls, whieh did ter- rible execution, and so confounded the aMsail- ants, that Lieut. Colonel Short, who had pre- viously ordered his men to ** scale the pickets, and sho>v the damned Yankee rascals no quar- tern,** exhibited a white handkerchief as a sig- nal of distress, evincing his disposition to have quarters given him, after he had proclaimed that the garrison should be massacred, it was, however, too late — the next discharge proved fatal — he fell— and Lieut. Gordon of the 29th regiment, died by his side. This was near two hours before sun- set. '^rhe tii^ing from the block-house was principally directed at the en- emy who had taken refuge in the direction of the ravine — the slaughter there was immense, and Gen* Proctor 9 who commanded in person, ordered the allied enemy to retreat to their boats. The greater part of the night was oc- cupied in carrying off the dead and wounded— from the number of trails discovered in the grass, it is evident that no less than 50 of the dead were dragged away. About 80 killed, in- cluding the two officers mentioned above, were left in the ditch and ravine — and 30 prisoners, IS severely wounded, which Gen. Proctor, in hh hurry, left behind, were afterwards brought in- to the fort. It is a fact, worthy of obaervati >i| that not one Indian was found among the de td although it is known that from 3 to 400 were present, under the celebrated Captain Klliot.— The number of British regulars was ^90, from r WTm I, IK .1'. 1 '^^r! m. iSt inSTOST OT THE VAB* the 49th regiment. Maior Crogban had but Que man killed* and 7 slightly wounded. < The Biiitigh Ioms, by their own confession, amounted to yi, exelu<»ive of Indians. There was, however, suffieient evidence to justify the belief, that it was considerably more. When Uoionel Elliot fhsmanded the surrender of the forty he stated, that, unless his demand was pronifitly acceded to, a general mctssacre would en,fU€, And when Colonel Short, who commtonded the British regulars, destined to storm the fort, had formed his troops in a line parallel with the ditch, he ordered them, in the faearii^ of our men, to leap the ditch, cut doi»n the pickets, and give the Americans no quar- ters. This barbarous order, which none but' a savage could give, was not, however, permit. 'ed to go unpunished; for the words were hardly out of the mouth of the British commander, when the retributive justice of Providence ar* rested him ; and the wretch was obliged to sue fur that mercy which he had determined not to extend to others. It may be observed here, in honour of the character of the American sol- diers* that although their little band were well aware of the fate which the enemy had prepared for thenk, yet* they were no sooner subdued, than the Americans forgot the crimes of the en- emy in their suiferings ; and the wounded in the ditch, whose groans and constant calls for watevt were lieard by the men in the fort, were supplied with that necessary article, on the night succeed- ing tlie discomfiture of the enemy, hy the genero- sity of the Jimericans, who, with considei^aUt hafiard, ventured to risk their lives in order to alleviate the sufferings of the very men who had plotted thdr entire destruction* HI9T01KT OF THE VTAlU The brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel has been eonferred by the President of the United States on Major Croghan. llie ladies of Chilticothe have presented hin^ with a sword, and a flattering address. On the 3d of June, a detachment of the ene- my* with a number of gun-boats, from Isle- Aux-Noix, succeeded in capturing tlie U.- S. armed vessels. Growler and Eagle, on Lake Champlain, after a well contested defence by the brave crews of these vessels, against a very superior force. The consequence was, that the enemy gained a very decided superiority on the lake. The enemy reckoned on success in his future operations in this quarter* not only from his own superior force* but also from the tinprepared state of the Americans. Com. Maedonough had not a sufficient number of seamen to man his sloops, and would be highly reprehensible had he been defeated in an attempt to recover the ascendency on the lake. There were no troops stationed at Piattsburgh. While things were thus situated, the British flotilla, consist- ing of 2 sloops of war, ^the Eagle and Growler,) lately captured, S gun-lioats, and ^l batteaux» loaded with troops, sailors, and marines, about UdO in all, under the command of Col. Murray, crossed the line at Champlain, on the 30th Ju- ly, and entered Piattsburgh on the following day. On the first information of the approach of the enemy, Gen. Mooers gave orders for calling out the militia ; and when the enemy arrived, about 300 from Piattsburgh and the neighbour- ing towns, had collected, who retired back a fewr miles* where they were joined by the residue of the regiment from the county of £ssex» M '1 ]|||H0.1 4 Mil it 'iHMI if i^Pi 1>^1 f-: rn : f84 HISTORY OF THE WAB. \ Ahhougb the ofScers who had the command of the expedition, assured the civil nuthorif^' of the village) that . private pruperiy should he re- sjiectedy and that citizens not in arms, should remain unmolested — ^et these promises were no sooner made than violated ; the enemy, not sat- islied with destroying the public buildings, such as tlie biotk-house, arsenal, armory, hospital, find JitUitary cantonments, wantonly burned two store- houses, belonging to Peter Sailly, esq. and one belonging to Major N. Z. Piatt — took, and carried off several thousand dollars worth of hardware, belonging to Frothinham & Co. of Boston, which had been stored with Mr. Sailly. The destruotion of private property was not limited to such as they could eat, drink, and carry away, but furniture, which could not be of any use to the plunderers, was wantonly destroyed — tables, bureaus, clocks, desks, cup. boards, and crockery, were cut and broken to pieces, and thrown ahout the houses — bo^oks and writings were torn to pieces, and scattered about the streets. : The varTOus successes of the enemy, during their short visit to Plattshurgh, are described by several respectable authorities, to be enor- mous, cruel, and wanton, in a high degree.— <• Wnll was it," says one of the witnesses of the scene, ** for our wives, sisters, and daughters, that they remembered the excesses at Hampton, and trusted not their persons to the mercy of the invaders." On Sunday, the faithless ruffians, the unprin- eipled invaders, re^«*mbarked,,a^)d stood out of the bay. They took a Durham boat^ loaded with flour^ (tnd 8 aloops; one of which they burn- ed. ' ^ HISTOET 07 lilE WAR. iSft On tncir return to Poirit-au-Roche, the crew of one of flic boats landed, and part went to the bouse of a Mr. Williams; they found his wife out of the house ; two of them went in, to keep the husband in check, while the third attempted to gratify his brutal desires upon her. Her hus- band, hearing her screams, came to her assist- ance, and in the struggle, the woman discharged the villain's gun, disengaged the bayonet there- from, which she stuck twice into his own back» nnd wounded him pretty severely ;- the other two fled, and Mr. Williams and his wife bound the rascal, and sent him in; the inhabitants on Point- au-Koche, took the skiflT in which they came, and the other soldiers. The United £>tates' troops at Burlington, un- der command of Maj. Gen. Hampton, consisted of about 4000 men. They were under arms*, waiting the approach of the enemy, and would* undoubtedly, have defended their post against any attack they could have made on it. On the 3d August, the enemy appeared before Burlington, and fired into the town for some time* but no considerable damage was done, fit the evening of the same day, a detachment pro- ceeded to Shelburne, 4 or B miles south of Bur- lington, where they seized a sloop, with about 400 barrels of flour. The limited force under Gen. Hampton, would not justify his detaching any part of his troops from the protection of property and stores under his immediate care» the marauding enemy wisely retired before re^ inforcements could have arrived. i- \ ; v - It was the intention of the U. S. governments to make an attack on Montreal, before the vvin- ter would put an end to the campaign. The e^ i^eting of this object, would (j*ive to the Unilefl -...tj h I J80 HISTOBT OV THK IfAK, I Stutes the entire command of Upper Canadj^ completely subdue the Indians^ regain the eonfi» dence of llie Canadians, ^vhich was suspended by the sudden retreat, and subsequent conduet of Gen. Ilully and make an impression on the ene- my, which must incline him to peace, on Just and honourable terms. A large force was ordered to Sackett's Harbour ; and Qen. Wilkinson, wh'v had the chief command, was ordered to use his utmost efibrt, and the greatest possible expedi' t ion in carrying the design into cfieet. On the Ist Nov. 1813, Gen. 'Wilkinson's nrmy began its movements from Grenadier-lsland, down the St. Lawrence. They had not proceed- ed fiir, before the advanced corps* under General Brown, was attacked by the enemy, from the Bhore. On returning the fire, the enemj dis- persed, and the army advanced. I'he movements, of the army under General Hampton* were intended to facilitate those of Gen. Wilkinson ; and both armies were finally to unite, previous to the attack on Montreal. »> The army under Gen. Hampton, moved from Chateaugay on the 21st October, and arrived at Its position at Sear^s^n the 22d — thus hav- ing, with incredible labour, surmounted 24> miles of the most difficult part of the route, through the extensive and almost impassable forest, which bounds the Canada line. After 4 or 5 miles of open country, another forest of 6 or 7 miles was opposed to their march, (which was on the noilh-west side of the river.) This the en- emy had made almost an entire fortifit-ation. by crossing it with felled trees, interspersed with hreast-works and ditches: through these ob- structions, the enemy was to be assailed — a part of their forees^ consisting of light troops and 1^ BlSTOST OV THE WAR. isy indianS) were posted in these defences^ while the main body, commanded by Sir George Prevost» in person, was lodged in the rear, fortified with batteries and cannon. The hardships the A me- , rican army had endured, the continual rains that were falling, and the obstructions in front, would have damped the ardour of troops less disposed to disregard all sufi^rings and. perils in pursuit of glory, and in the servipe of their country — but on the contrary, partaking largely of th& spirit which inspired their commander in chiefs e^ery individual seemed uncommonly emulous of the enterprise. It was believed that the obstructions eould not be forced by the maiti body, without great. loss. To avoid this, the light companies, and a regiment of infantry, were detfteheJ at dark» on the evening of the 25th, to proceed on the opposite (S. £.) side of the river, to a fording place, below the enemy's advance, which they were to cross, and attack the enemy in flank and rear, while the main body should attack ia front; and thus destroy ^t he enemy's defence at a blow. Owing to the darkness ef the night*, incessant rain, and the diflieulties of the woud$ tlie guide who conducted this detachment hav- ing lost his way, the party did riot arrive at the proposed point. The battalion of the tOth re- giment, consisting of about 200 men, were, at the appointed time, CS oVIock, P. M. on the 26th) at the entrance of tne obstructed wood, waiting; the attack of the troops on the enem,v*s flank,, which was to be the signal for them to advance* At this moment, the enemy commenced a Are- en this battalion, who promptly refumfd it^ then charged and drove the enemy from thi^ip huking places^ dis|K^rsing them entirely,, audi if'' »l i>58 HISTOBT OF THE VlJLR, \ lilenciDg their fire ; in this the Americans had •nly one ipan killed^ and some 3 or 4 ivounded. At. this moment, the firing commenced on the opposite side of the river, with some of theJight eompanies, and it was here, and not in either of the main divisions of the army, that any se- rious loss, or the least confusion occurred ; the enemy was, however, soon dispersed in this quarter also. After waiting some time for the renewal of the enemy's attack, the main body of the American army fell back slowly, and in good order, the enemy not daring to show themselves, or in the least to intermpf their mareh, to a position 4 miles from the plaee of action. Here they were shortly after joined hy the detached party, who bad had some further skirmishing with the enemy of no great account. At this place they remained several days, with- out i*eceivlng Ihe least molestation. The only failure of the expedition, is attributable to the miscarriage of the guide, which disconoerted a plan, that otherwise must have led to the cap- ture of a considerable portion of the enemy's force, and the complete destruction of his plan of defence. The American aetual total loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, did not exceed 36 men. The whole American force engaged, did not ex- teed 225 men on the side where the greatest force of the enemy were opposed— the other re- l^iments did not arrive until the moment when the enemy were retiring, and were only formed^ and in line, but took no part in the engage- ment. Colonel Purdy, who commanded the detach* ment which fought this battle, in his report to C^-en. WUkinsoD^ is very free in his censure tf UIBTOBT OF THE VfAJU 1st Gen. Hampton. « Incrcclible," says the co1onel» •< as -it may appear* Gen. Hampton entrusted nearly one half of his army, and those his best troops, to the guidance of men, each of whom repeatedly assured him, that they were not ao« quaint«d with the country, and were not compe- tent to direct such' an expedition." « Towards sun-down,'' says the eolonel, « I sent Gen. Hampton a request, that a regiment might be ordered down to cover my landing on the opposite side of the river ; but. judge my surprise, on receiving intelligence that he had retreated with the second brigade^ nearly three miles." « Never, to my knowledge," says the colonel, in another part of his despatch, *• during our march into Canada, and while we remained at the Four Corners, a term of 26 days, did Gen. Hampton evr send oiTa scouting or reconnoitre- ing party, (except in one or two cases at Spears% in Canada, when he detached a few dragoons for this duty,) nor did he, from the time we com- menced our march ft'om Cumberland Head, to our arrival at Piattsburgh, ever order a front flank, or rear guard, to be kept up, though a great part of the time we were in situations which evidently required it. True it is, these guards were occasionally sent out, not, however^ by his order, but by the orders of the officers «ommanding brigades." The colonel wmds up his charges against Gen. Hampton, by saying, <• Such has been tlie gen»« raPs conduct, on some occasions, that I have^ in common with other officers, been induced td believe, that he was under the influence of a too free use of spiritous liquors." Ills official aceottnt of tbig a«tioii> t^ tbf % ■ I '*. . :f (<■ / li ! 140 BI8T0BY Of THE WAB* \ British General Baynes, is Tery different from the abovc» but so improbable and wide from the truth» thai it may, wilh much safety, be averred, that it did not meet belief from a single reader of any party. . As soon as General Wilkinson fmssed Kings- ton, and that it became evident, ho must have designed the taking of Montreal, the troops which were stationed for the defence of Kings- ton, were employed in annoying and delating the progress of the American army. ** The corps of the enemy," says Gen. Wilkinson, iq his official report to the secretary of war, <* from Kingston, which followed me, hung on my rear, and in concert with a heavy galley, and a few gun-boats, seemed determined to retard my progress. I was strongly tempted to halt, turn abo%t, and put an end to his teasing; but alas! I was confined to my bed ; Maj. Gen. Lewis was too ill for any active exeriions; and above &11, I did not dare suffer myself to *be diverted a single day fi oui the prosecution of the views of government." On the 10th, about noon, Gen. flrown, who was with hint command in front, and some dis- tance below the main body of the army, was en- gaged with the enemy, nt the moment when a strong party of the enemy advanced on the rear of Gen. Wilkinsob, with several gallies and gun- boats; from whence they commenced a fire, but were soon compelled to retire from the fire of a battery of 18 pounders, pianted on the oc- casion. Wi]kinson*8 army came to for the night, a short disti^nce above the Longue Saut ; it was intended to pass it that day, but the de- lays occasioned by dis-emburking. and re-em- luirkiog heavy g:uns^ prevQaied the armj^ fruuk niSTOKT 97 THE VIklU ±%i veacliing the Saut at e'^ ly as expected; and the pilots would not dai-e Winter the Saut» Qa ra- pid of 8 miles,) at a late hour* At 10 (rclook the following day, Gen. WilkuiD.n received ad- vice, that Gen. Brown, having forced the ene- my, would arrive at the foot of the Saut early jD the day. Orders were immediately given for the flotilla to sail, at which moment, the en- emy's gun-boats appeared, and began to throw shells among the American flotilla. General 'Wilkinson, calculating from reports and appear- ances, that the enemy only looked for a fa- vourable opportunity for attack, had determined to anticipate him. <« Direetions," says General Wilkinson, •< were accordingly sent, by that distinguished officer. Col. Swift of the engineers^ to Brig. Gen. Boyd, to throw the detachments of his command, assigned to him in the order of the preceding day, and composed of men of his own. Covington's and Swartwout's brigades, in- to 3 eolunms, to march upon the enemy, but- flank him if possible,, and take his artillery* The action soon after commenced with the ad- vanced body of the enemy, and became extreme- ly sharp and galling, anu, with occasional pau- ses, not sustained with great vivacity, in open space, and fair combat* for upwards of two and a half hours — the adverse lines alternately yielding and advancing. It is impossible to say^ with accuracy, what was our number on the field, because it consisted of indefinite detach- ments taken from the boats, to render safe the passage of the Saut. Gens. Coving! on and Swartwout, voluntarily took part in tbe action^ at the head of detachments* from their respec- |tive brigades, and exhibited the same courage that was displayed by Brig. Gen. Boyd, who hap'^ i ■- Ik 1! :,,'.*l'- y i45S HlBTOaT 07 THE WAH. < A pened to be the senior oflSeer on the ground.— Our f jrce engaged might have readied 16 ov 1700 men» but actually did not exceed 1800; that of the e^icmy was estimated from 1:200 (o 2,000t but did not probably amount to more than 15 or 1600 — consisting* as 1 am informed, of detachments from the 49th, 84tTi, and 104)th re. giments of the line, with ngs received a severe wound, while mak- inj^ a charge, but ;^et continued to fight until exhausteii by the loss of blood. Geneial Bo}d has taken partii'.ilar notice, in his official des- patch, of the merits of Brig. Gen. Swartwout ; Colonels Cotes, Walback, Johnson, Pierce^ Gaines. Ripli'j, and A.spinwall ; Majors Morgan, Cratlton* Gardner, Beebe and Chambers ; Lieu- tenants Henry, Whiting, and Worth, llie gen- eral concludes his report in the following words ; « Permit me now to add, sir, that though the result of this action was not so brilliant and de- cisive as I could have wished, and the first sta. ges of it seemed to promise, yet, when' it is re- collected, that the troops bad been long expos- ed to hard privations and fatigues, to inclement storms, from which they could have no shelter ; that the enemy were superior to us in numbers, and greatly superior in {>osition, and supported by 7 or 8 heav^ goii-boats ; that the action be- ingv unexpected, was necessarily commenced, vithout much concert; that we were, by una- lit i44 nisTomT ov the vaii. voidable ciroumstancesy long deprived of our artillery ; and that the action y/M warmly and obstinately contested for more than three hours, during whit h there were hut a few short cessa* tiuns uf musketry and lannon ; when all these circumstances are recollecte» more In a letter of the 17th November* Oen. Wil- kinson writes — ..ff * . I > it <(4fter what had passed between us, you can perhaps, conceive my amazement and chargrin* at the conduct of Major-General Hampton. The game was in view, and, had he performed the I junction directed, would have boon ours in eight days. But he chose to recede in order to co- operate, and jny dawning hopes, and the hopes and honour of the army, were blasted." The loss at the battle of Williamshur^h, in I Upper Canada/ consisted of 102 kill<*d, 389 woanded, ioi'luding officers. The enoiny^s : hs was represented, by authority worthy of credit* to exceed 500 in killed and wounded. i . i jM . [Statement of the strength of the enemy, in the ac« lion of the lUh November, 1813, on Kesler's fitrld, in Williamshurgh, in Upper Canada— founded on the separate escamination of a number of fihtisk prisoners taken on the field of bcUUe. •* it' ' ■•...., ' , ■ 1-.S 146 HISTORY OV THE VAB. , 'Of the 89th regiment, 49th do. Voltigeur's, Cilengary's, Of the 100th, .; Canadian Fencibles, Indians, Incorporated Militia, ,- ■* 760 450 2ro 80 one company. 40 a detachment from Prescott. 320 40 ^ . s 300 , ; 2160 Four pieces of mounted artillery, and 7 gun-boats-., one mounting a 24 pounder. After the troops went into \vinter quarte;rs, a placard was dintrihuted in the Auierican eUmp, of which the following is a copy. . « To the American Army at Salmon River, NOTICE.— All American soldiers who are willing to quit the unnatural war in which they are at present engaged, will receive^ at the British out-posts, the arrears due to them by the American government? to the extent of five month's pay. No man sl^U be re« quired to serve against his own country.** ,/ / This produced no desertions, nor any oiher effect, except contempt of the wretched author of the placard. A very handsome affair was exe^cuted the 12th October, by a party of men, under comniand of Col. Isaac Clark. The Colonel, with his party, left Ch^zy landing, so as to arrive at Massas- 1 quoi-bay at an early hour in the morning. He arrived unperceived within a few rods of the enemy, who were drawn up in order of battle, by their commander, Major Powel. The en- emy eommeneed a fire on the left flank, but in ten minutes after the first attack, they laid down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. "■ »i HISTOBT OS THE VAR. 147 Col. Clark despatched Capt. Fincli, Avitli his Qompanyy to reconnoitre the course of a body of about 200 men, who were supposed to be ad» yaiioing against him. Capt. Fineh proceeded with such promptness and ability, as to surprise and capture the advanced guard, consisting of oavalry, except one man, who fled, and, giving the information, the enemy escaped. The prisoners vcre then put on board boats, and sent to Burlington, i * ' '" ' ' • The whole American force engi gcd was 102. The number of prisoners taken was 101 ; the killed and wounded of the .enemy, 22$. The. success of this exitedition was materially aided by a knowledge of the country, into which he matched, which a commander of aq expedition should always be full master of. ' ^ «' Thc.fuUowihg gallant action will be best de- tailed by giving the^ oflioial report which was made^ in the following words : « char leaf on, (S. C J August 3 U 1813. * Sir*-1 have the honour to inform you, that the pri- vateer schooner Decatur, of this port, arrived here yesterday, with H. B. Mi. schooner Dominico, hsr prize. She was captured on the $th inst. after a most gallant and desperate action of one hour, and carried by boarding, having all her oflicers killed or wound- ed, except one midshipman. The Dominico mounts }5 guns, one a 32 pounder, on a pivot, and' had a com- plement of &3 men at the commencement of the ac- tion, 6a of whom were killed or wounded. She was one of the best equipped and manned vessels of her class I have ever seen. The Decatur mounts ? guns, and had a complementof 103 men at the commence- ment of the action, nineteen of whom were killed and wounded. I have the honour to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant, JOHN H. DENT. Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy." i: \i\ .(I ■r,i ^ ^8 ' . I» ■^:t ■■ r , laiSTORT OF THE WAlft. ' ft During the combat* wliich lasted an hoar, th« king's packet ship, Princess Charlotte, remained a siletii opec'tiitor of' the scene, and as soon a9 tlie vessels were c1isengagt>d from each other, she taelied about, a^d stood to the southivard. She h'ad sailed from St. Thomas, bound lo Eng. land, under convo}", to a certain latitude, of the Dominieo. The loss on board the Dominico consisted of 13 killed and 47 wounded; five of whom mortally, <)n the 14th of this month, (August, 1813,) the U. S. brig Argus was captured by the Bri. tii^h sloop of war Pelican. The Argus sailed fi'oni New-Yockr the 21st June, for France, tand arrived at Le Orient, after a passage of 23 days^ where $lr. Crawford, minister from the United States, to the court of France, landed. From Le Orient, the Aigus sailed, on a cruise, in the British channel, where she fell in with the Bri- tish sloop Pelican, fitted out for the purpose of taking the Argus. The action was well sup- ported by the Americans for 40 minutes, when the enemy succeeded in capturing the Argus, by boarding. The number of killed and wound- ed on board the American will best explain the bravery with which the ship was defended, a- gainst a vessel, which the British editors ac- knowledged to be superior in size and arma- ment. Killed, on board the Argus, % midship- men, 4 seamen; wounded, mortally, Capt. Wm. H. Allen, commander, 1 carpenter, 1 boatswain's mate, 1 seaman ; wounded, severely, Lieut. liVat- son, 1 quarter- master, 3 seamen, 1 carpenter's mate ; wounded, slightly, 8 ; total, 24. \\'hen Captain x%llen was removing out of the Argus, to he conveyec' to the hospital, he ex- elaimed — *< God Ws^ you, my lads, rve shall ne* Tjtr meet again.'* * nfSTOBr OF TOE VfAJR, ur The Argu», previous to lier capture, bad ta- ken and deHtroyed 21 sail of British vessels. The following statement 'will show the force of the two vessels. Jlrgus — 16 24 pound: carronades, 2 longO's— . burthen 298 tons« 94 men fit for duty, 5 siek» the rest absent in prizes. Pelican — 22 32 pound carronades, 2 long 9*8^ and 2 swivels — burthen B8^ tons» 179 men, 11 of them volunteers for the occasion* from ships at Cork. On the 5th September, the U. S. brig EntfV' imziCt William Burrows, commander^fell in with H.B.M. brig Boxer, Capt. BIjthe. The Bri- tidh brig was discovered at anchor, in shore, at 5 o'clock, A. M. Penmaquid bearing north, 8 mw^ distance. After some manoeuvring, the bri^ '^i;;)proaChed at a quarter past 3 P. M, wi '<-) iialf pistol shot of each other, when the action commenced. At 20 minutes past 3* the brave commander of the Enterprize fell, mor- tally wounded ; while lying on the deck, here* fused to be carried below, raised his head, and requested « that the flag might never he struck.*' Thus lay the intrepid Burrows, until he learned the result of the action, when, clasping his hands, he said, <• Idie contented.^* He was then taken below, and died in 8 hours aftcrwHrds.^- At 4 P. M. tUe enemy ceased firing, and cried out for quarters ; saying, that as their colours were nailed^ they could not haul iliem 4own ; — asuffi^'jent proof that it waH resolved never to yield to a Yankee crew. Some of the crew of the Boxer have acknowledged, that she left port ivith a complement of 115 picked meni^ for th^ purpose of taking the Enterpyize; that six men^ were put on board a prize, and six ashore on.the> 'IM 'A 160 BISTORT OF TBS 1?AR. v.. w island of Manliiggetiy leaving on board, ^hca the action commenced* 104 ; whicli account a- grees witli the muster* book, found on board of the Boxer. The nuniln^r of killed and lYounded on board the Boxer^ could not be ascertained with certainty, as many of the former were thrown overboard. Thtf senior officer of the £nterprize states it, from the best information he could obtain, at between 20 and 30 killed, and 14 wounded. Capt. Blythc, the commander of the Boxei\ was among the killed. The folloW' ing extract of a letter from Capt. Hull to Com. Bainbridge, is too important to be omitted. , (( I yesterday visited the two brigs, and vas as* tonished to see the difTerence of injury sustained m the action. The Enterfirize has but one 18 pound '«.i)Ot in her hull,onef in her maiii-musti and one in her fore-mast; her sails are much cut with grape shot, and there are a great number of grape lodged in her sides, but no injury done by them. The'' ^oxer has eighteen or twenty 18 pound shot in her hull, most of them at tlie water's edge : severa! stands of 18 pound grape stick in her side, and ^och a quantity of small grape, that I did not untiertake to count them. Il( r musts, sails and spars, are literally cut to pieces, several of her guns dismounted and un« fit for service ; her top-gallant fore-custle nearly \a« ken off by the shot ; her boats cut to pieces, and her quarters injured in proportion. To give you ^n idea of the quantity of shot about her, 1 iulbrm you, that I counted in her main-mast alone,^ three 18 pound shot holes, 18 large grape shot hoies 16 musket ball hoies, and a large number of smaller shot holes, and without counting above the cat h. pins. We find it impossible to get at the number killed ; no papers are found by which we can uscer* tain it— I, however, counted upwards of 90 ham- Mocksy which were in her netting with beds in J -. ^ ■ ■ ■■ ,„ . - - f <** UISTOBT OV TUB WAB. 151 (hem, besides several beds without hammocks ;— she has excellent accommodaiions for all her offi- cers below in state rooms, so that I have no doubt that she bad 100 men on board. We know that . she h»s several of the Rattler's men, and a quantity of wads was taken out of the Rattler, loaded with , 4 lHr<;e grape shot, with a small hole in the centre} - to put in a cartridge, that the inside of the wad may take fire when it leaves the gun. In shorty she is in every respect completely fitted t and her accom- modations exceed any thing I have seen in a vessel ofherplass." ,^'^" .:«>::'::■ ::;;/-iy; .-fM"- If there is »n American who would deny the- honour due> on this occriion. to the Ameriean tars, let him read the fbilowinj^ T.am a London paper* and yield, however unwillingly »,the palm to the first nation in the world» the hitlierto des- pised citizens of the United States. The lollop- ing is a copy of the extract alluded to. 'ly{ -y^ " Among tYiC American news, which is to be found in the papers just received from that country, it pains us to find a full confirmation of the loss of his majesty's brig Boyerj whi' h has added another lau- rel to the naval honours of the United States. The vessel by which she was captured, is> represented (falsely, we believe,) as of only equal ibrce with her- self; but what we regret to perceive stated, and trust will be found much exaggerated, is that the Boxer wa»' Uierally cut ta pieetay in- sails, riggingy afiarsy and hull ; whilst the Enterprize (her antago- nist,) was in a situation to* commence u similar action immediately afterivards. The fact seems to be but too clearly estHblished,. that the Americaus. have some sufierior nuode cf Jiring i and we cannot be too anxiously employed in discovering to what cir» cumstances that supeiiority is owing. The Boxer was certainly not lost for want of heroism. The - Britif^h captain nailed his colours to the mast» and Jiappily did not live to ft«e t^em struck* Both corns* it ^•» - n U \ V 152 miTOBT Of TBE IVAS, manderB died in the action^ vrhich appears to have been of the most desperaie kind; and both were buried at the same tiiney in the port to which the priae was carried." i /: .- * , . . . . iL'^. . ,*:! V The loss on board tlie Enterprize* "was — 1 or* dinary seaman killed ; 1 eommaDderi (burrows,) i midshipman^ (K. Waters,) 1 carpenter's mate, morially vounaed; 3 quarter- masters, 1 boat- B^ain*8 mate^ -B seamen* 1 marine, wounded.— Total 14. > • ^ '; ' The remains of the gallant commanders, (Burrows and Blithe,) were buried in Portland, with military honours. Capt. BIyfhe, of the Boxer, was one of the pall-bearers at the fune- ral honours paid to the late Captain Lawrence, at Halifax. 1 * The following memorial was caused to be inscrib- ed on the monument of the gallant Lieut. Buunow^^ of' Portland, by Mr. M. L. Davis, of New-York ; ■ ,, ■> , BKNEATH THIS STONE t. > ■:'. ,:(iiAi?o?.':?' ■ Moulders ' i^-.:' i'-.Mo isH-"! .:i:ii "^<- THE BODY OF-'^'- *! 'V •^i iiuWiLLiJiJi jiu unows, Late Commander qf the UNITED STATKS* BRIG ENTERPRIZE, Who was mortally wounded on the 5th of September,. 1 8 4 S« in an acUon, w hich toniributed to increase 'i the fame of American valour by capturing his vt > BRIT. MAJESTY'Sr BRIG BOXER, after a severe contest of 45 minutes. A passlnfi stranger has erected this monument of re- spect to the manes of a patriot, who in the hour of > peril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured V country, knd who gallantly met, fought and cou- " -quered thefoeman. ''The U. 8. brig Enterprize, was formerly a schooner, and is the same vessel with which loeut* Sterrett, in Augusti ISOi, caj^tureU wiUi^ BISTORT OV T^E WAIL 153 out tlie loss of a man, the Tri|)oIiian ship of ivar Tripoli, of 14 guni*, aud 86 men, 60 of ivhom were killed and wounded. By a resolution of Congress* the President of the United States was requested to present to the nearest male relative of Lieut. William Bur- rows, and to I>ut. T* M*Call, of the brig £n- terprize^ a goh' (ttk.^ ^ and a silver °nir ^,a1 to eaoh of the commissluned officers of said vessel. Tlie President of the United States, having con- sidered the Boxer as equal in force to the En- terprize^ has ordered her to be delivered up foe the benefit of the captors. * '^ Com. Rodeers arrived at Newport, the 26th September^ In the frigate President, having sailed IVom Boston, on his third cruise, in com- pany with the Congress, the SOth of April pre- ceding. After parting company with the Con- gress, on the 8th May, in Ion. 60 W. lat. 39, 30, N. he shapei) his course to the southward of the Grand Bank, with the view to intercept the enemy's West-India trade: being disap* pointed in this quarter, he pursued a route to the northward, on a parallel with the eastern edge of the Grand Bank, so as to cross the traeks of the West-India, Halifax, Quebec, and St. John's trade. Not being successful, after reaching the latitude of 48 N. he steered to- wards the Azores oflT which he continued until the 6th June, without meeting an enemy's ves- sel. From hence, he crowded sail to the N. E. in search of an enemy's convoy, which he learn- ed was seen sailing from the West-Indies, to England. Although crisappointed in falling in with the convoy, he nevertheless made 4 cap- tures, the 9th and i»i\\ of June. This brought him so far to the qorth and east, that he re- «'ljr I't i i^i ' *i l''^^ f \\ 15% >" .■,'•■• *<.»' HIBTOBT OV TAB WAR., 'iolved oni g^ing into the North Sea. Ho put into North Bergen on the 27th June^ to procure provi§ion8 and water, not having seen any ene- my's veBielt since the 18th. At fiercen he oould proonre onlj^ water, and departed from' thence the 2d July, stretching over towards the Ork- ney-islands; and from thence towards the North Cape, in feareh of a British convoy, that was to sail from Archangel, of which he ob- tained information from 2 vessels, which he cap- stured on the ISth and iSth July. In this olyeet he was, disappointed, by the appearance of 2 of the enemy's ships of war, (a line of hat. lie 9hip> and a frigate,}-off the North Cape, on ^ the Itfth July. The President was chased 1 by | these 2 ships for 80 hours, hut effected her es- cape. The Commodore next proceeded to a sta- tion where he might intercept the trade passing into and out of the Irish channel. In iIms posi- tion he. made S (Captures, between the 2dth Ju- lly, ami Ist August ; when, feaVing the gr(>at su*. periop force of the enemy in ttiat quarter, lie ebanged his ground ; ^»ad, aftiT taking a cir- cuit round Ireland, and getting into the latitude of Cape Clear, be steered for the Banks of New- foundland, near which he made 2 captures From the Banks, he steered for the United States ; and, being short of provisions, was eonvpelled to make the first port, into wbich he could safely enter. He brought in with him H. B. M. schr. High Flyer, a tender to Admiral Warren, captured on the 23d July. He took 271 prisoners: 21.6 of whom were sent home in car- tels* and 55 brought home in the Presitely rallied a party of 100 men, and commenc- ed a fire upon them, wiio returned it with much Warmth— we kept the ground jjil we were rein. forced by 60 Indi<>n8, ahd 100 militia. With this force, we compeih d the enemy to retreat, and pur- sued them one and a half miles, when we received a reinfoi cement of 100 men; with this force, wc drove them half a mile further, where they covered ■ f HISTORY OV TUB WAR. 157 themselves in a ravine, and opened a most tremen- dous fire of musketry upon uh. After an hour and a half fiard fighting* we drove them from the ravine) back to the batteries— it beiug now nearly dark, we returned in good order. « From some deserters, and a prisoner wc took» we learn that we had contended with the whole Bii- tlsh army, consisting ot 1 100 men, with the groat Gen. Vincent at their head ; and that we killed 3'i, Our loss was 4, killed and wounded." Major Chapin has reoentl^ been breveliod lieutenant colonel, in the United Sfates'ai'm.v. Gen. Mvitli Gen. Mdue, for the purposo of de- fending their country and homo agaitist a bar- barous enemy. This was too late topro'^lee the desired effect. On the morning of the 19th Dccemher, about 4 o*olockt the enemy, consisting of regulars, mi- litiii, and Indians, to the number, by the roost, probable account, of ±500 men, crossed the Ni- agara river at I*^ive-mile meadow, and advanced against Fort Niagara, which they completely suqirisod, entering it while the men were neai- ly all asleep, and killing, without merey or dis* crimination, those who canie in their way. It will be reeolleeted that an attack on this plaoe was expected, and that Captain Leonard, wh.> commanded, had directions accordingly; yet General M'Clure observes, in his official des- pateh, ** I am induced to think that the disaster , is not attributable to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in the commanding off(^er of the /or^^Captain lioonard, in not prepui'.r^^ ueing ready, and looking out for the expected attack.'^ It appears by another letter from Gtn. M'Clure^ ** that Captain Leonard was not in the fort at the time of the attack, having hh it at a late hour" the preceding evening." . -^ On the same morning on which Niagara was taken^ a detachment of militia stationed at Lewiston, under command of Major Bennet, was attacked by a strong party of the cnemy^ ,:-.>■ ! 160 mSTOST OF THE V/XStk i m but the major and his few men cut their wav i^ith great bravery through several huhdiedg of savages and others, by whom they were sur- rounded. The villages of Young8(own> Lewis. ton» Manchester^ the Indian l*uscarora village^ and all the intervening houses, were burned, and many of the inhabitants inhumanly butelur. cd, without respect to age or sex, by savagesi headed by British Officers painted, Major Mai. lory. Mho was stationed at Schlosscr, with about 40 Canadian militia, boldly advanced to Lewis- ton heights, and compelled the enemy to fall back to the foot of the mountain : for two days the major continued to resist the advance of ithe enemy, disputing every ini^h qf ground to the I'autawanty creek. M^jor-General Hall, on hearing the danger- ous and exposed state of the frontier, hastened to Bataviai and, on the morning of the 23d De- cember, at the request qf General MTlure, took the chief eommand of the men then assem- bling to repel the enemy. There waaagreat deficiency of ammunition and arms. 'With what could be procured, the general commenced his march towards Lewiston on the 25th, having under his command tbS. infantry, under Lieut. Col. Lawrence, supported by one company of cavalry, under Captain Marvin, and in- the ex- pectation to jcin a corps of militia, said to be 200 strong, under Lieut. Col. Ateheson, which was stationed 15 miles east from 'Lewiston* with instructions, if possible, to join the main force at RuiTaloe. On the morning of the 2r>tli, General Hall arrived at Bnfialoe, where he found a considerable body of irregular troops of vari- ous descriptions. General M'Clure was left in •ommand at Batavia. On the 27th the troops ttlSTOair 0¥ THE WAR« 161 at Buffaioe and Black Rook> were reviewed, and found to consist, in the aggregate, including lo- dians» of 1711 men, which were increased, on the morning of the 29th, by about 300 men, giving an entire force of SOU men ; bat this^ force was soon reduced, by desertion, to 1200; and even these so deficient in ammunition, that a part of the cartridges were made and distriba^ ted after the men were paraded for battle, on the mprning o-f the 30th. In the evening of the 29th, at 12 o'clock, the horse patrole had. been fired on, a short distance below Conjuktie*s creek, and one mile below Black Rock. The troops were immediately paraded, and stood by their arms. An attempt \vas made to dislodge the enemy from the sai- lo/s battery near Conjoktie*s, of which he had obtained possession, llie attempt failed, through the darkness of the night, and confusion inta which the militia were thrown by the enenrt^'^s fire. A second body of militia, sent on the same service, was equally unsuccessful ; the men, after a short skirmish, fled in diB0i*der. A third detachment was ordered on the same servioCy but was recalled to oppose a body of men which was discovered, as the day dawned, crossing the river. As soon as the force of the enemy was ascertained to be large, and commanded by Lieut. Col. Drummond, and then* position re- comoitr (V the best possible disposition was made to o^ipose them, with a force inferior in number, as it was in experience, and ammuni- tions of war. General Hall thus briefly detail^ the efft'ct : « The attack was commenced by a fire from our ux pounder un(ier licut. Seely, below general Por- ter's house^ and one 24 and two 12 pounders at the 0^ (II J r >-£'t ii' J » iu It I' I r £ i ill i ±6ii HISTORY OF TOE WAS. battery, under command of lieut. Farnum, of the SlstU.S. Infantry, acting as a volunteer. At the same (^ne the enemy opened a heavy fire from their btftteries on the opposite side uf the river, of shells, spherical and hot shot, and ball. The regiment un* iler command of col. Blakeslie, about 400 strong, were regularly in line, together with detached bo- dies from other corps, amounting, according to the best estimaie I can make, in all about 600 men.— These few but brave men, commenced the attack with musketry upon the enemy in tht ir boats, and poured upon them a most destructive fire. Every mch of ground was disputed with the steady cooU ness of veterans, and at the expense of many valua- ble lives. 'J heir bravery, at the same time that it casts a lustre over their names, refiects equal dis- grace on those who fied at the first appearance of danger— and whom neither intrcHtit-s nor threats could turn bnck to the support of their comrades. ti Perceiving that the Indian s< on whom 1 had re- lied lor attacking the enemy's flank, were offering us no assistance — and that our right was endanger- ed by the enemy's left, I gave directions for the re- serve, under command of col. M'Mahan, to attack the enemy in flank on our right. But terror hdd dissipated this corps, and but few of them could be rallied by their officers and brought to the attack. Of this corps there are some who merit well of their country— but more who covered themselves with disgrace. The defection of the Indians and of my reserve, and the loss of the services of the ca- valry and niounted men, by reason of the nature of the ground on which they must act, left the forces eiigagfd exposed to the enemy*8 fire in front and flank. After standing their ground for about one half hour, opposed to veterans and highly discip* Hned troops, overwhelmed by numbers, and nearly surrounded, a retreat became necessary to th(ir safety, which was accordingly made. 1 then made cv«ry effort to rally Ihe troops with a view to reHew UISTOBT OF TUE WAR. 16S the attack on the enemy's columns, on their ap* preach to the viUrtge of Buffaloe. But ev^ry effort proved ineffectual ; and experience proves, that with militia a retreat becomes a flight, and a battle once ended, the army is dissipated. Deserted by my principal force, I fell back that night to the Eleven mile creek, and was forced to leave the flourishing villages of Black Rock and Buffaloe, a prey to the~ enemy « which they have pillaged and laid in ashes." General Hall retired to .Eloyeii mile ereek* where he eollected about 300 men ; a'dd, with theses endeavoured to cover the flleeing inhabi- tants, and make a show to prevent the advance of the enemy. *i ■ Eight pieces of artillery lell into the hands of the enemy. About 30 men were killed^, and somewhat more than that number wounded, in the defence of Black Rock. But the worst re- mains to be told, or rather some faint idea to be given of the indescribable barbarity of the enemy. Black Rock and Buffaloe were destroyed, to- ^Uier with every building for two miles east of Buffaloe on the Batavia road, and almost every building between Bnffaloe and Niagara 4 UISTOKY OF TUB WAB. force than the ordinary militia oi* the country, should be employed for its protection* to prevent its becoming entirely depopulated.'* Ail the settlements of a populous country, ^q miles iquarcy were completely broken up, and 12,000 persons sent as if into beggery. The tomahawk and bayonet deprived parents of their children, and children of their parents ; the sa- vages white and red, who acted not merely as conquerors, but as murderers and robbers, by a fell swoop, pounced upon their prey with the fe- rocity Of (he tiger, and the all-desolating ruin of the lootist* On the 4th January the robbers re* tired into their own woods, not daring to wait the chastisement that was prepared for them. Considerable contributions of money were coi- lected for the relief of the surviving suffcrei's, who gradually returned to view the smoking ruins of their late habitations. The enemy having declared their conduct on the Niagara frontiei , to hare been committed in retaliation for excesses said to have been com- mitted by the Amexrican armies in Canada, the eensure. or rather indignation of the sufTerrig inhabitants were turned against Gen. M^ClurC) Vfho had the command. The eeneral, previous to retiring from command, published an address to the public, in justification of his own conduct, in whi^^h he seems to have been pretty success- ful. M acted obedienee from those who were placed un- der his command ; he knew that strict discipline was essential to form the practical soldier ; and he probably suffered in the esteem of some, be* cuu»e he pursued a system from which he could Bot depart without a crime, thatinight stamf kiiiL with indeliabie disgrace^ HIST which is now published^ for the first lime. 'J .. -'' ^\ i»»S A 166 J HlfTOBT n THE 1¥AU* ^, .' !. ,, : JVJrw- For A:, 6M /un^, 1813. Sir— When the army was yet in its infancy, and but very few troops to garrison the old fort of Kia* gara^ 1 had the honour to command at that station, a company of the 3d reg. U. S. artillery ; at this time the enemy prepared to bombard us, and I'aised seve> ral strong batteries for the purpose. We sustained bitt'fire for. seven hours^ and had our works so much shattered, that our commandant Captain Leonard thought them no longer tenable : he had the guns spiked, and evacuated the fort. According to orders I retreated wjth the garrison ; but at a very short distance from the place, I solicited and obtained Captain Leonard's pei mission to return to it : at the moment it was the depot of an immense quantity of public storps, worth perhaps a million of dollars, ^nd fitill more valuable in a military point of view ; these I wished at every risk to preserve. Though I pos- sessed entire command of all my men, I took back with ihe but 3^5 ; because from the circumstance of the gunf being spiked, 1 could not employ more, and thisr number was enough fur the execution of my plan if it should succeed, aVid enough to lose if it should h^l. I placed centinels on the ramparts and ftt tht banders, and caused them to give the usual call every six minutes, through the" night, so as to impress the enemy with a belief that the fortress was garrisoned, and the garrison vigilant : At the same time f tioned at Havro-de-Grace, who, on the approacli- of the enemy, made a slight resistance, and tbcn retreated. An Irishman, named O'Neil, with a Qourage amounting to rashness, and an enthusi- asm not confined by cold loyalty, opposed his sin- gle arm to tiie Britisli host, was taken prisoner and carried on board the British fleet, but after- wards released on parole. His countrymen, residing in Philadelphia, pre- sented the brave O'Neil with a sword. From Havre-dc-Grace, the enemy proec^ded further up the river, and burned the warehouse lielonging to Mr. Stump, and a furnace belong- ing to Mr. Hughes, at Princippi. On (he morning of the 4th, the enemy evacu- ated Havre-de-Graccy and proceeded down the bay. ' Tbe next exploit of the enemy was the burn- ing of the unprotected villages of Frederick and Georgetown; the former in Cecil county, in the rear of the island, and oommenced throwing rockets from Mr. Wise's Louses ; but they were qul^skly compelled to move off, by the shot di~ rected to that quarter, from eun-boat No. 67. — In the evening, the enemy's boats eame round tho point .r Nansemond, and, at sun-set, were seen returning to their ships, full of men. At ' dusk, they strewed the shore alon^i; with fires^ ia order to run away by the light. k '. The British troops, that were previously land> ed, made their appearance on the main land, ' with a view to attack the west and north posi' tions of the island, but with no better success than attended the men in the boats. Two 24» pounders and four 6 pounders were advantage- ously posted, under the direction of Majnr Faul- kener, of the artillery, which were so we*l serv- ed by Captain Emerson, Lieutenants Hall and Godwia, that they produced u serious eUl'ct on the enemy, who was soon (5orapelled to retreat. Opposed to the large British force, there were but a few hundred militia and artillerists; ther6 were mounted on the island not more than eight pieces of cannon that could be bruuji^ht to bear on the enemy. «< The officers of the Coustella^ b I < Wi ■ ISTOUY OV THE XfAJ^ i I tion>" nccnrding to (he ofBoial report of Coiir. •Cas8in» *• iircdtbHr 18 pounders more like rifle i men than artillerists.** — I'his defence did great: honour to the few Americans who were engaged. ]Norfull( whs an important post, and the enemy •determined on its occupation | the force sent sguiost it was large; Admiral Cockburn com- mauded in pcVson, and was in one of the barges, encouraging the men to advance. Some French deserters reported, that a large bounty was to be given to the men in the event of success, and that it was promised to them, that Norfolk wottld he given up to be plundered." The loss of the enemy could not be less than 200, exclusive of several deserters; 22priSoncfs %vere taken ; also a brass 3 pounder, with a num- monsterS) destroyed every thing but the houses, and» (iny peii is almost unwillifig to describe it) the wo- men were ravished by the abandoned ruffians. — Great God I My dear friend, can you frgure to yourself our Hampton fennales, beized and treated With vio- lence by those monsters, and not a solitary Americati arm pi^esent to avenge their wrongs I But enough-—. I can no more of this. The enemy have received a reinforcement of 2000— in all, 6000 men ; and Nor- folk or Richmond is their immediate a!m< Protect yourselves fioni such scenes as we have witnessed. They retired in great confusion, leaving 3000 weight of beef, some muskets, ammunition, canteens, &c. and some of their men, which we took. It is sup- posed viat they apprehended an immediate attack i'rom6000 of our men| which caused them to retreat so precipitately. My friend, rest assured of one thin|2f — that they cannot' conquer Americans— they ' cannot stand them. If we had had 1200 men, we should have killed pr taken the greater part of them.*' Jn further proof of these eaoriuities, the fol- lowing extract is given, from the letter of a gen- tleman of great respectability. " At present you must content yourself with the. &)llowing, and believe it as i^ligiously aa anyfach beyond denial. Mrs. TurnbuU Was pursued up to her waist in the Water, and dragged on shore by ten fir twelve o£ these ruffians, who satiated thur bnita! » *^A >. : .1 fij 'if ^ri ' I i \\w 4 ''' *';'>' i;!!)'' i'.''^ 17ft HISTORY 07 THE VAB. \ desires upon her, after pulling 6ft her clotheS) stock- ings, shoes, Sec. This fact was seen by your ne» phew, Keith, and many others. Another case—a married womeni her name unknown to me, with hev infant child in her arms, fthe child forcibly draggect from her,) shared the sanx fate. Two young wo- men, well known to many, whose names ivill not be revealed at this time^ suffered in like manner.-— Dr. Colton, Parson Halson, and Mrs. Hopkins, have Informed me of these particulars*— another, in the presence of Mr. Hope, had her gown cut off with u sword, and violence offered in his presence, which he endeavoured to prevent, but had to quit the room, leaving the unfortunate victim in their possession, who, no doubt, was abused in the same way. " Old Mr. Hope himself was stripped naked, pricked with a bayonet in the arm, and slapt in the lace— and >v^re I to mention a hundred cases in ad- dition to thki above, 1 do not know that I should ex- aggerate." Admiral Cockburn is the redoubtable hero, who commanded the enemy in the maitlt; attack on Hampton. 'If' On the 2Cth June, three of the enemy's barges attempted to enter Pagan creek, but ^vere rew sisted by a detachment of militia ; and after ex- changing I'l shots, \i'ithout e^Tect on either side, tbe enemy retired. The enemy had such a total command of the waters of the Chesapeake, and the rivers falling into it, wherever the same were without the * James O^Boylie, an Irishman, residing at Pugh- town, in Virginm, offered a reward of 1,000 dollars, Ibr the head of " the notorious incendiary, and in<- lamous scoundrel, and violator of all laws, human snd divine, the British admiral; Cockburn> * or 50& dQUars fpr each of hia. earK ,*M\fi i HISTORY OF THE WAR« ti77 .range of ^shot from the shore $ and his move- inenC9 were so various, that a general alarm was excited in the neighbourhood of these waters ; ilie troops were necessarily kept embodied, and moving in a manner, which occasioned distres- sing and harrassing^ difficulties. Tjie fate of the females^ at Hampton excited an indignation, and roused a patriotism And a love of family kindred, which stifled all complaints among the harrassed soldiery of Virginia and Maryland.— » Hampton" was a watch-word, at which every })usband, father, brother, and man, took his gun and fled with willingness, to meet the ruffians, who threatened, with worse than murder, the fair daughters of America. It would scarcely be interesting to detail «very petty landing, skirmisli and adventure, that oc- curred, while the enemy remained in the Chesa- peake — (he most conspicuous of them will; how- ever, be noticed. . A party of the enemy landed a little belovr Jaines-Town, on the 2d July, but were repulsed by the militia. Two of the enemy were killed, two taken, and several wounded. The militia suflered no loss. On the 14th July, the U, S. schooner Asp, was attacked in Yccimo river, by ihn crews of two brigs, who put off in their boats, for that pur- jwse. The boats, S in number, \'sti'e beaten oif by the well directed fire from the Asp; about an Itour after, the boats returned, with two other boats» well manned. There were hut 21 men on board the Asp, and they could not ef- fectually resist the great force sent against them ; they, however, defended themselves ob- stinately anci bravely ; nor did they retreat until after the Asp was boarded by more than 50 of -m 1 rf n-\:] M M ''♦■.! M < f - ; 178 HISTOBY OF TBB WAB^ '\ the eneiriy. Tiro enemy set the vetsel on ilre. ' After their retreats the survivors of the brave ' Ameriean crew« went on board and extioguisbcd the flames. The American loss in kiUed and wounded, amounted to 10 men. Mr. Sigourney, tthe intrepid commander of the Asp^ was amonir Ihe killed. f Some essays, published by the late Robert Fulton, on the praeticability of destroying ships by tifrpedoeSf induced several persons to turn their thoughts to this subject. A Mr. Mix, of the navy, aeoompanied by Captain Bowman, of Salem, and Midishipman Mships, in a line ahead. A heavy British frigate, had, by this time, anchored about half a mile further out. — After a cannonade of one hour and 45 minutes, ,f - Ilv'i vl "' 'M-r ±s& 1,/ lAntoMt or TMfi wau. W in iivhich the enemy reoeired several bTioU wliU- out any material damage l)eingdon« to the ilotUla, be manned his boats, 10 in numl)er» (2 launches, the rest large barges and cutters,) ivith lieiween 30 and ^0 men in'each, and despatehed them af- ter gun-boat No. 121, sailing-master Shead, litrhieh had fallen a mile and a halt* out Of tlic line, and succeeded in capturing her, alter a gal- lant resistance. The enemy would have been totally defeated, had he not been favoured Uy a ealni, which enabled him to carry off the gun- boat No. 121, the colours of which were not struck until after being boarded. The sound of eannon, on tbis occasion, was heard at the city of Washington, a distance of 130 miles. ^ Sailing maHter Shcad concludes his ofticial t>e- porl in the following words; ^,^,'-z^'>' ** I founri it necessary, for the preserviation of those few valuable lives left, to surrender to seven times our number ; the enemy boarding, loaded our decks with men ; we were all driven below, and it was with the utmost difiicidty that (he officei-s could stay the reven^^e of the seamen, who seemed to thirst for blood and plunder, the last of which they had. by rob- bing us of every thing ; we had none killed, but 7 wounded, 5 slightly.^ The enemy's loss by us, was 7 killed} and 13 wounded, 4 of which have since died. They have conquered mC) but they have paid dearly for it ; and I trust, Sir, when you come to view the disadvantage** that I laboured under, having been but I days on board my boat, and scarcely time to static i! my ;.ien, and the misfortune of entirely dis- abling*^ my gun, and the superiority of numbers to oppose me, you will De convinced that the flag I had the honour to wear, has not lost any of that national character which has ever been attached to it." It is painful to the historian, that while he re- ct>rd8 the many instances of virtuous patriotism. HIiT«BT OT TUE WAB. 181 •nd glorions pronesst which signalized the citi- zens and inhabitants of the United States, it be- comes also his duty to record their crimes and treasons. Much consolation is, however, deriv- ed from the reflection, that patriotiiim was the prevailing sentiment of a great majority of the pi^ople. The following general order was pub- lished* and dated from the n»vy department, at the city of Washington* and sent, as a circular^ to the eonimanding officers of stations, or ves- sels of the navy of the United States. (< The palpable and criminal intercourse held with the enemy's forces, blockading and invading the wa- ters and shores of the U. States, is, in a military viewy an offtnce of so deep a die, as to call for the vigilant interposition of ail the naval officers of the United Slates. M This intercourse is not only carried on by fo- reigners, under the specious garb of friendly flags, who convey provisions, water, and succours of all kinds* (ostensibly destined for friendly ports, in the face, too, of a declared and rigorous blockade*) di- rect to the fleets and stations of the enemy, with con- stant intelligence of our naval and military force and preparation, and the means of continuirg and con- ducting the invasion to the greatest pos.M'^le anooy* ance of the country ; but the same traffic* intercourse^ and intelligence, is carried on with great subtilty and treachery, by profligate citizens, who* in vessels ostensibly nadgati tg our waters, from port to port», under cover of night* nr other circumstances favour- ing their turpitude, find means to conv^^y succours or intelligence to the enemy, and elude the penalty of the law. This lawless trade and intercourse is also carried on to a great extent, in craft, whose capacity exempts them from the regulations of «he revenue laws, and from the vigilence which vessels of greater capacity attract* ym^ If' . .1: I it:,' f IB-,! .¥i •i*: 1 1 ;« ■ il ■0* 1 1J2 BI8T0BT OF THE WAM. (* T am therefore comiranded by the President o^ the United StateS} to enjoin and direct all uaval com- manding offictrb) to exercise the strictest vigilencci and to stpp or detain all vessels or craft, whiitsoeverf proceedl^ig) or apparently intending to proceed) to* wards the enemy's vessels within the waters, or hov- ering about the harbours of the United Stutes ; or towards any station occupied by the enemy, within the jurisdiction of the United States, from which ve&sels or craft'the enemy might derive succours or intelligence. W. JONES." The enemy* ae], with 11 barges, which went up the river on tlie opposite side, and came down on (he side of St. Michael, Willi so little noise, that they were not perceived psissing up or down the river; and as it was very cloudy, and the men in the fort, without suspicion of attack, the enemy landed before they were discovered. The men fired (wo guns aoil left the fort, of which the en- emy immediately took possession, and gave three •heerSf supposing they would have St. Michael H^ithout much diifieulty ; but they were very much mistaken, for (be St. Michael's people, and Capt. dickers, of the Easton packet, tvith the artillery from Easton, attacked them so briskly, and pointed their guns with so much judgment, that our invaders weire soon obliged to makeoif-^ the infantry were not engaged. Not a man of the American! ^urt, although the grape shot flew like bail ... 3 town, and their balls went through a number of the houses. The t^o V, HISTORY OT THff WAB. 18S shots that were fired fi otn the fort must haye done some exeoution> as a quantity of blood was seen on the shore, and twu swords and a pistol were left behind, and Iheir barges were seen to be struck by the artillery from Ihe town. On the moi'Ding of the 14th August, at four o*elook, the eneuiy attacked Queenstown, in Queen Anne county, both by land and water f— about 600 troops were landed and marched up to the town, and 20 armed barges made the at* taek by water— the attack was so uoexpectcdy that but little resistance was made— a picket guard of the American militia were fired on by the enemy, 1 of them was killed, and 2 or S wounded — the militia retreated to Centreville^ and left the enemy in possession of the town. Were the enemy to confine himself to the cap* turing of vessels and their cargoes, and the de- struction of public property, he would be Justi- fiable ; but it is due to truth, not to conceal, that» departing from all established rules of warfare, he not only carried oflf private property, when- ever he could seize it, but also destroyed what* ever he could reach, and could not remove. On the 2d November, he landed on George's island^ and burned all the buildings on it, he decoyed a great number of negroes, with a promise to make them /ree — and afterwards shipped these wretches to the West-Indies, where they were sold as slaves, for the benefit of British officers* The following device was practiced with success. A party of militia, (17 in number,) stationed themselves beliind the Sand-hil!s, while two white men, ^Ith their faces and hands blacked, wen6 down upon the beach, and waved their hand- kerchiefs to the ships, when a boat, with six mens immediately came ^hore> followed, at some ;kf^i .» '^,' ■i:^ ''-i tM HlftTORT OV TBS WAR. iistanee, by two others, full of men. Just as the luen fi'om the first boat were pi'e|*»ring to landi •ne of tlioHc disguiNed, in walkins a iew steps, •honied hi» bare ancles, which Tie oniitfrd to blacken, when the enemy exclaimed— •« H'hitt men in disguise, hy ; let us push off r^ which tliey did, and, at the same moment, the tiiitifia ran out and fired upon them» until they Here out of gun-shot ; they killed two out of the It would be impossible, in the compass allot- ted to this work, to do justice to the enemy :— hill barbarous and plundering conduct in the Chesapeake, and adjoining riTers, can only be equalled by the conduct of the same enemy in a former war. « The species of warfare," says the editor of a Norfolk paper, <• waged by Cap. tain Lloyd of the Plantagenet, on the inhabi* imU of Princess Anne county, is of that pitiful and dishonourable kind, which cannot fail to at- tach a lasting stigma to his character, and cause \m name to descend to oblivion, coupled with tiiat of the infamous Dunmore, and elogged ivith i\\if bitter execrations of all who shall hear the taV^ of his rapacity." The Norfolk Herald thus ably and humanely notices the seizing and carrying off negroes. <( To take cattle or other stock, would be consis- tent with the usage of civilized warfare ; but to take >Jegroe8, v?ho are human brings s to tear them for- ever from their kindred and connexions is what we should never expect from a Christian nation, espe- •ially one that has done so much to abolish the •slave trade." There are Negroes in Virginia, and we believe in all the southern states, who have their interests iind affections as strongly engrafted ilk their hearts, as the whites, and who feel the sacred S Sfaa ft. !• Just as the tftring to land, X a few steps, lie oniitfrd to imed— •* H'hiit push offr-' » moDieiit, the em, until they i two out of the compass allot- I the enemy :— conduct in the >8, can only be kme enemy in a warfare," says waged by Cap- on the inhabi- 8 of that pitiful mnot fail to at- icter, and cause n, coupled with nd elogge^l with shall hear the and humanely iff negroes. would be consis- fare ; but to take o tear them for- xions is what we ian nation) espe* to abolish the es in Virginia, states, who have ongly engi'Jifted o feel the sacred msTOItT^ OP THE Vfknk i8^ des of filiate parental, and conjugal afTection, equally strong, and who are warmly attached to their owners, and the scenes of their nativity. To those, no in- ducement, which the enemy could offer, would be sufficient to tempt them away. To drag them a- way, then, by force, would be the greatest cruelty. Yes, it is reserved for England, who Coasts of her re- ligion, and love of humanity, to pr* :e this piece of cruelty, so repugnant to the diet: '- h of Christianity aud civilization.'* , The groat vigilance and a«!tit**.y of the citi- zens, tended not only to disappointr but frequent- ly to punish the marauders. On the lith September, about 15 men volun- teered from a militia company, stationed near the inlet, at Norfolk, to go and attack a party of the British, who were said to be on shore at the Gape. \¥hen they canio to the Cape, and were mounting one of the sand hills, they found them- selves in full view, and within musket-shot of ft large body of marines, who were exercising. A cluster of officers were standing somii; distance off, between their main body and our militia — ^the latter had not a moment to spare ; they took de- liberate aim at the officers and fired ^ four of them fell ! The militia then made the best of (heir way back to camp, while the enemy's shot whistled over their heads in all directions^ but without effect. .: , if The proceedings of the enemy along the coast; ea«t of the Delaware, were not generally impor- tant. The frigate United States, Com. Decatur; frigate Maeedonian, Capt.jQnes; and sloop of ,war Hornet, Capt. Biddlcon the 24tb May, got tinder way from New- fork, with an intention of gooeeeding to sea through the Sound. Y/hen (12 if t*' It t4 I i' •m 1 ." '■:i*^ Si IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4 1.0 I.I 1^128 |2.5 |jo ^^~ M^H £ us 110 L25 iu 11.6 ^ V. <^ >^ V. ^.^/ ^ «A' 'V^* .. > Photographic Sciences Corporalion 23 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO (716)872-4503 '^ '*i> .ft' 180 HISTOET OV THB W1B« .V:-^^ •ff Ilani's Fbint the maimniMt of the United states was struek with lightnitigy which tore away the Commodore'e broiid pendaDl, and broneht it down on deck, passed into one df the port-hoiefl, down the after hatehwaj, through the ward room into the doctor's room, put out his candle, tore up his bed, and then passed be- tween the sliiaand ceiling of the ship, and tore up about 20 nails of her copper at water's edge. !No further trace of it could be discovered. The Macedonian was about 100 yards astern of the United States, and on observing the lightning strilie her, immediately hove her topsails aback, fearing that the fire might finJl its way to t|e magazine. On the 1st of June, the vessels attempted to put to sea, but were chased into New-London by a British force, consisting of a 74, a razee, and a frigaie. The blockade of New-London was immediately formed; and the inhabitants very highly alarmed lest the town would be attacked. On the 21st June, the British privateer Buck- skin, (formerly belonging to Salem,) chased a coaster into Owl Head Narrows, (a small har- bour in MassaehugettH.) where five others were lying, the whole of which were captured and re- inoVe she drifted out, and wheil out of the reaeh of the musketry, got under way, leaving all her prizes, whieh again fell into the hands of the rigiitful owners. The erews put in to man them, in attempting to eseape to the pri- Yateer in boats, were either killed or wounded^ The action lasted an hour. On the 23d June, two barges, eontaioing eaeh about 15 men, from the blockading squadron off New-LdndoB, attempted to land near the light- house, but on observing a ooropaiiy of artiltery near the shore, pulled off as fast as possible When the enemy imagined themselves out t>f danger, they stood in die barges and obeered. At diis moment a shot was nrcd from the ar- tillery, which struck one of the boats> and killed or^wounded eight or ten of the men in it A Mr. Scudder formed a design of destroying the British ship Ramilies, of 74 guns,, off New- London. For this purpose ten kegs of powder were put into a strong cask, with a quantity of sulphar mixed into it. At the head of the cask was fixed two gun-looks^ with cords fastened to the triggers, and to the under side of the barrels in the hatchway, so thai it was Impossible to hoist the barrels without springing the lockt eaeh side of the powder— and on the top wa» ^aeed a quantity of turpentine, and spirits of turpentine, whicji in all probability was soffloieni to have destroyed any vessel' that ever floated on the water> if she could litvc been got »loii|^ I ■ ',1 iif las lilBTORT OP THE WAB* side, ivhich was the objeet in "view. These keg» were put on board the smack Eaf^e^ whieh saibd from New- York on the 15ih June, for New-London, but wbieh the crew abandoned, on being pursued by the boats of the enemy. It was expected that the vessel would be brought alone side the Ramilies; and, by exploding, would destroy t^iat ship. The wind dying away, and the tide being against tbem« she could not be brought along side. When the Eagle ex- ploded,' there were four boats along side, and a great many men on board her; After the ex- plosion, there was not a vestige of the boats to be seen ; the body of fire rose to a vast height^ and then burst like a rocket. Every man neat or about her were probably lost, as the boats sent frond the Ramilies were seen to return with- out picking up any thing. , . On the 10th June, three barges belonging to the blockading squadron, after capturing some sloops at the mouth of Connecticut river, at- tempted to land at Saybrook, but were beaten off by th^ militia. The enemy had thre« men killed .on this occasion. The militia escaped unhurt. On Ihe 24th July, a 1st and Sd lieutenant, a sailing-master, and five inen, belonging to the Ra^ nilies, ^yere surprised and taken on Gardner's Island, by a party of the crew of the United States, despatched for the pur; ^, by Com. De- •atnr. The prisoners were \ jUed, and, be- ing at liberty, were joined by others of their erew. When they found themselves sufllciently strong to seize and carry off the American boat. There was aa attempt also made to iittereept .the American party, but they escaped in a whale- boat to Sag- Harbour, from whcno<» they retucu^ tdi in safetyi to New-iiondQik i r a m / HISTOBT Of THE WAB* 189 Shortly after thit transaetion« Mr. Joeliuii Penny, of Eattbampton, Long-Iiiland, was ta- ken out of his bed during tbe night, by a, party from the eriemy*t iihip, and, being brought on board the Ramilie •, was put in irons. Majop Case, oommanding the troops of the U. States at Sag- Harbour, demanded his release as a non* eombatant ; but tbe British offiuer, Capt. Hardy, declined, on the ground that he was a oombatf ant— that he oonduoted a party of seamen from Kew-London to Gardner*s Island, there to sur* prise and take several British ofRcers— that hit name had been entered on the books of one of the frigates, and that he had been « l^mplOyed in a boat contrived for the jmrpoee, under the com" mand of Thomas WelUng, prepared with a tor» peio, to destroy tfus (Capt. Hardy's)* «fct'p.*' Tbig last crtme was undoubtedly that which led to the capture and severe treatment of Mr. Penny* He was treated with grea^. severity while on board the Ramilies, from whieh vessel he wai sent to Halifax, where he was treated like other prisoners. He was sent to Salem in a cartel ship, in May, 1814, and probably owed not only his liberation, but his life, to the ciroumstance that the President of the United States ordered two British subjects to be held as hostages for the safety of Mr. Penny. «The New-London blockading squadron came» on the 8th September, by the Sound, to a place about 20 miles from the city of New-Yorii, cap- tured 20 coasters, took a quantity of sheep from tbe main, and had probably other robberies or injuries in view. Com. Lewis, on receiving in«. formation of the enemy's movement, proe^eil up the Sound, with 25 gun-boats. By 9 o'clock on the 9th, he was at Sands's Pointy withio 10 I hi 190 HI8T0BT OT THE WAB» J- milei of the enemy. A British frigate and a sloop of war got under waj and stolid to^raid them. At one o'cloek, P. M. the commodore brought hb flotilla to anchor in Hempstead bay, ready, to receive the enemy. The British ex- ohanged 10 or 15 shots at too great a diittanee to produce any efil^cty and then stood to the east- ward, and were soon out of sight. The flotilla returned to Its former station. ' On the 5tb July, the British tender Eagle, which had been employed 1^ Com. Beresford, for the purpos^ of burnii^ coasters, &c. was ta- ken by a eoup de main. The smack Yankee was borrowed for this purpose. Sailing-mastel^ Pen- •elval went on board, and concealed 30 men ia life hold^ he tied a calf, a sheep, and a goose on de^k, and, thus prepared, he stood out of Mus- qnito CoYC ; three men appeared on deck. The Etigle, on perceiving the smack, immediately Save chase, and after coming up with her, and Qding she had live stock on deck, ordered her to go down to the commodore, then about five miles distant. The helmsman of the smack an- swered *< aye, aye, sir," and apparently put up the helm for .that purpose, which brought him along side the Eagle, not more than three yards distant. The watch- word, Laitrrence, was then given, when the armed men rushed on deck from their hiding places, and poured into her a f olley of musketry, which struck her crew with dismay, and drove them down so precipitately into the hold of the vessel, that they had not time to strike their colours. Seeing the enemy's deck dear. Sailing-master Perceival, who com- manded the expedition, ordered his men to cease firing«~upon whieh one of the enemy came out of the hold and struck the colours of. the Eagle* u.-Mitr.'-JoUm'iif HI9T0BT OV THB WAR* 101 Ske liad on board a St peund brass bowitzery loaded with eannister shot ; but so sadden was the snrprisey they had not time to disebai^ it. The croMT of the Eagle consisted of U. Morrisy ' master's mate of the Pokliers, "W. Price, niid- sliipmaBy and 11 seamen and marines. Mr. Mor- ris was killed, Mr. Priee mortally wounded, and one marine killed and one wounded, 'rhc Eagle, with the prisoners) arrived off the Battery in the afternoon, and landed (he prisoners at Whitehall, amidst the shouts and plaudits of thousands of spectatoi's, assembled on the Battery, celebrat- ing I he anniversary of our Independence. A detachment from the gun boat flotilla near Sandy- Hook, most gallantly beat off about 100 of the orew of the Plantagenet, which drov« ashore and boarded the scboffner 8|miTow, of Baltimore, tbe 3d November, nr ar Long Branch* The cargo, together with sails, rigging, &e. were, saved ; the vessel bilged. The following copy of a letter fi*om lieuf en- ant Nicholson, commanding the gun^boats at Newport, announced the capture of the armed British Hioop IJart, on the 4th October. ii Sir— I have the pleasure to inform you of the baptu'e of the Bt-Uish armed sloop ** Dart, ' bjr the rrvenue cutter of t;:is place, last evening. - She ap- peared off the harbour before sunr«et ; the captain of the cutter offered, his services to go out ; 1 put on board three sailing-mastAs and about 20 men ; she iminedi itely made sail and laid aboard the Dart, and carried her by boarding ; her firs* officer vas killed ; 2 of our own men were wounded slightly. The pri- soners I send for your disposaU Very respectfuUyiv your most obedient humble servant, «^ *« JOHN NICHOLSON. Com. John Fodgergj U, S, frigate J^resident** '<-' V. i/.^ 1^1 .^!3 m l^% ' V'mmiti' n i« i»2 BISTOBT OF TBB WAB, The British Admiral Warren isvued a procla- mation on the 16th November, declaring Long. Island Sound in a state of rigorous bloeliade. I'his was an extension or explanation of a for< mer proclamation of the 24th September, by ^hieh the ports and harbours of Mew- York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, and the river llissisippi werfe declared in a state of strict aud rigorous blockade. A proclamation was issued hy the governor of Vermont on the 10th of November, 1813, the ohjeet of which was to call home from the scr> vice of the United States a portion of the militia vhieh had heeu then serving in the state of New. York. Brigadier General Davis repaired to the army, and demanded a compliance with the or- ders of his excellency ; but obedience was re- fused, and the general was arrested. A reply to the proclamation was drawn up at Plattsburgh the 15th November, and directed to his excellenepr, signed by all the officers of the Termont militia then there. The reply con- tained, among other matter, the following de- aided and unequivueal expressions : « We consider your proclamation as a gross insult to the officers and soldiers in service, inasmuch as it implieB that they are so ignorant of their righth us to believe you have authority to command them in their present situation) or so abandoned as to follow your insidious advice. We cannot regard your proclama- tion in any other light, than as an unwarrantable stretch of executive authority^ issued from the worst of motives, to effect the basest purposes. It is in our opinion, a renewed instance of that spirit of dis- organization and anarchy which is carried on b} a fac- tion, to overwhelm our country with ruin and dis- grace. We;.wnot perceive what oiher object your I . .■; Tnop of IS, the the 9cr- i. miHtia ofNew- >d to the the or- was re- UISTOUY OF THE WAU. ItfS excellency could have.tn view than to embarrass the operations of the army,|to excite mutiny and sedition among the soldiersy and to induce them to desert) that they might forfeit the wages to which they are enti- tled for their patriotic services?' A most positive proof of that actual treason* which lurked under the. shade of an ill-timed op- position to the measures of tiie general govern^ menty was, soon afterward, discovered, noor New-London, as will be best explained by the following communiotltion from Com. Decatur .(>■■ A ' ^ 190 HISTORY eF TUB VAU. treat !*' It miMed through the ^vholo lino* and;^ notwiihsfanuingthc exertioni of Col. CoUkr, it ^UB iuipoBsilflu to rnWy the militia : the enemy waM left master of the field. Col. Collier lovt 3 men killed, and 10 wounded. The Indians acknowledged a loss of six killed* and leveral bounded. A considerable part of the presents brought hy the Indians flrom Pens&eoltty fell Intp Col. Collier's hands. * • Fopt Mimmsy on Tensaw» xras unexpectedly attacked on the 30th August* by a large force of Indians. The front gate lay open, and thp Indians vicre rushing through* when first per- ceived by the garrison. The meOf under comi- mand of Major Beasley* mere quickly formed^ and a part of them contested a passage through the gate ivith great bravery ; the action soon became genera] ; the port-holes were taken and re-taken several times. A block-house was de- fended by Capt. Jack and a few riflemen* for an hour after a part of it had been possessed by the enemy. A galling fire was kept up from the houses* until the enemy gave fire to the i*ooft. Th^ place was no longer tenable. A retvcat was attempted* under direction of Capt. Bailey, of the militia, and Ensign Chambless, of the rUle company* but fcw~of the party were able to affect it. Miyor Beasley fell while de- luding the gate* at the commencement of the action, which continued for about six hours. — !Ninety-two men* including officers* were killed; and many rospectable citizens, with numerous JChmilies, who had abandoned their fhrms for se- curity, were also killed or burned in the hou>>e8* into which they had fied. The loss of the ene- my could not be ascertained^ but must have becQ very considerable. A K-*f' '^'m-^f^i:;m naroBY of thm wjou !•? Capt. Kennedjr, who was tent» after the »)• treat of the Indianst to bury the -•',■ ■■■.-I'/'-^v^.^.^^'T ^- " - -■',■■■!' I . 199 JHISTOKT OF THE WAR. ^ rUy and protection of tlie frontier inbabitants ; and requiring that he call on the genera) eov- Cirninent for subsistence for tlie troops that might be thus culled out. This was, in effect, putting them at the disposal of the general government. The militia of the states of Georgia and Ten- nessee, with the nearest regular troops, and other corps from the Missisippi territory, were marched against the hostile savages. General Andrew Jackson commanded the entire. The first victory (for every battle, after this period, was a victor)^,) is thus detailed by Gen. Jackson : « We have retaliated for the destruction of Fort Mimms. On the 2d, I detached Gea. Coffee yrixH a part of his brigade of cavalry and mounted riflemen, to destroy Tallushatches, where a considerable force of the hostile Creeks were concentrated. The gen- eral executed this in style. A hundred apd eighty* six of the enemy were found dead on the field, and. about 80 taken prisoners, 40 of whom have been brought here. In the number left, there is a suffi- ciency but slightly wounded> to take care of those who are badly. ** I have to regret, that five of my brave fellows have been killed,'and about 30 wounded ; some bad* ly, but none I hope mortally. « Both oilicers and men behaved with the utmost bravery and deliberation. <( Captains Smith, Ilradley, and Winston, are wojanded, all slightly. No officer is killed." . b appears, by Gen. Coffee's statement, dated Camp at Ten-islands of Coosa, November 4th» that the Indians fought with a bravery that ivould do them honour, had they been engaged in a just cause, with an obstinacy, tha^ would yield to n<>thing but death, and with a contempt <^ dao^r^ truly characteristic of the savage.— %\f mSTOBY OF TUU WAR. 1U9 The iletacliment, under command of Gen. Coffee, consisted of 600, cavalry and mounted riflemen. Being arrived within one and a half miles of the Tallushatehes town, the detachment was divided into two columnfir the right composed of the cavalry » under Col. Alleorn ; the left composed of mounted riflemen, under Col. Cannon. Gen. Coffee, marched with. the riflemen ; Co1« AUcorn cncirclfid one half of the town, while Col. Can^ oon completed the circle, hy closing on the side opposite to Col. Alleorn. When within half a mile of the town, the drums of the enemy heat, and the savage yells announced that the enCmy was prepared for battle. In about an hour af- ter sun-rise, Capt. Hammond, and Lieut. Patter- son's companies went within the circle, and suc- ceeded in drawing forth the enemy, and com- menced the battle, when they withdrew before a/violent charge from the Indians, until they reacbed Col. Allcorn's column, when a gene- ral Are was opened on the savages, who retreat- ed, firing until ibey got around and into their liuildings. Her^^ they fought as long as onie existed. No quarter was sought, and none, from all appearance, would be accepted. The assauh by the troops was warm and courageous, rushing up to the door^ of the houses, as little intimidated as if there was no enemy to oppose them. In a conflict of this nature, it was im> '■ possible to provide against the destruction of a few of the squaws and children. The number of the enemy killed mu&t have exceeded 200 ; 186 of whom were found ; 84 women and chil* dren were taken prisoners. The loss of the mi- litia consisted of 5 privates killed : >^ captains^. 2 lieutenants, 2 cornets, S sergeant «f» 5 coi^^^ i^ale^ lartifioer^ aiid^ privates, woonded ■>■..*»■ m S60 HiSTOBt OV THB HVAS* "(f V' On the evening of the 7tb Novemher, an tfx- press arrived to Gen. Jackson* irith information^ that the hostile Creelis had enoainped in great force near Lashley's fort» (Talladagftf) with the apparent intention of attacking the friendiy In^ dians. The general immediately marched with about seoo men» against the enemy > and en- eamped that night within six miles of the forU At 4 o^oloelL* on 'the meming of the Stby he con- tinued his march toward the enemy* who was encamped within a quarter of a mile of the fort* to relieve which* Gen. Jaclison had so expedi- tiously movedi At sun-rise* the General was within half a mile of the fort* w)ien he moved forward in order of battle. The plan of attach .was similar to that which prov«d so successful on tho Sd inst. The enemy was to be enclosed in a eirele. The advanced g^^rd sent forward to bring on the engagement* suoeeeded in draw- ing forward the swages toward the main body of the army. On the arrival of the Indians*, within a short distance of the main body of the army* a few eompaoies of the militia commenc- ed a retreat; but finding their place quickly supplied by a body of cavalry* who dismounted^ for the purpose* the militia rallied* when a gen« eral fire from tlie fhmt Jine* and from that part of the wing» which was contiguous* was poured •tt the savages* who* nnable to withstand or re- sist* retreated; but were m^t at every turn** and repulsed in every direction^ Had it noi been for the retreat of the militia^ in the early part of the action* this victory would probably have been as complete as that of the 2(d. The viotofy* however* was very decisive ; 290 of the •nemy were lefl dead on the field ; many more^ wei» probably killed^ who were net found y autf ■1- " ■ B18T0BT CV >¥AH. 801 maoyy or )noBt of tbosd who esoaped, mutrf; hayo been wounded. 7 Jackson was eompelled to i*e- turn to his ean^p near the Ten-islands, having marched from tlienee without ba^age, or otb* c;r necessaries th aft cauld be dispensed with» pt might retard bis march. He lost, in the en- gagemetit, 17 killed^ and 86 wounded. The ep- em J exceeded 1000 warriors. A stand of co- lours, bearing the Spanish cross, was taken from Uiem." On the 12th November, Gen. 'White was de- tached from Fort Armstrong, on the Coosa, )vith about 1100 ftiounted men, (including up- wards of 300 Cherokee Indians,) tor the purpose of attaekine the Hillabee towns, on the west aide of Tallapoosa river. On the 17th, about 1 Q*cioek at night» the detachment marched with- in eight lAiles of the upper town, received infor- mation from one of their spies, a half breed and son of a Mr. Grayson, who had considerable property, and resided in that place, that his fam- ily and property would be sacrificed by the In- ^ ins on the next day, if Gen. White did not re^- Ueve him. . .Gen« White, with alacrity, dismount-, cd three hundred of his troops, with part pi the Imlians, and marched to surprise the town be- fore day-light. Having large creeks to wade^ and the van having to tarry some time for the rear, which had fallen behind some distance, tbe town was not reaehed until sun-rise on the ISlhf when the town was completely surround* ed, and the savage enemy reoeived the first fire without the least notice of the apptoach. They fired several guns, but were charged home upon them with' loaded muskets, and charge of bayonets; and in 10 or 15 minutes they held up a ilgg, and the firing ceased. A« Indian town. •20S ■iSTOET OT TIE \irAB^ Hi Little Oakfuskee, ebnsSsting of SO houses, ia town called Genalgay consistiog of 93 houses, were burned by the troops in thejr march. The ^reat number, if not the whole of the hostile Creeks, assembled at th^ Hillabee town, con- sisting^ of about 316, were either killed or cap- tured. Sixty warriors were killed on the spot Gen. White's detachment had not a man kUled •r wounded. Gen. Floyd, with 950 of the Georgia militia, and between 800 and 400 firiendly Indians, pro- oeeded to a town called Auttossee, on the south- cm bank of the Talapoosecy about 18 miles from the Hickory Ground, in order to attack a lar^ force of hostile Indians, reported to be assem- bled at that place. At half an hour after six o'clock, in the morning of the 2Vth November, -the expedition reached the front of the town, and the men were formed for action. At this time, when the army was about to execute a pre-concerted manceovre, for the purpose of snrroniiding the enemy, a second town was dis- covered about 600 yards below that which was irst diicovered. I'his compelled Gen. Floyd to adopt a new manieuvre, by dividing and dispos- ing his force, so that both towntr might be a)-' taoked at once. This disposition bemg made, and the troops having advanced, the battle com- menced, and soon became general. The Indians fought with their usual obstinacy and despera- tion, but were soon compelled, by the superior force of artillery, and a charge of bayonets, io retreat, and take refuge in the out-houses and copses in the rear of the town>. At 9 o'clock, the enemy was completely driven from the plain, and the houses wrapped in jRames. The milhia being 80 miles from any depot of provisions^ and HISTORY OF THE WAS. 20S but little remaiDiDg, it was judged imprudent t«i eontiaue in the lieart of a country, surrounded by iiosts of savages. This place was, tbereforoy abandoned* and the troops eommeneed their march to Chatahoiiehie. Auttossee was a favourite spot with the Indiansy and it is conjeetnredy that the force assembled from several towns for its defenoOy must -have been very considerable. It is diffieult to gpve a prreise account of the loss of the enemy; but from the number which were lying scattered o?er the field» together with those destroyed in the towns, and tnu many slain on the baal& of the river, which respectable officers affirm they saw lying in heaps at the water's. edge, wliere they had been precipitated by their surviving friends, their loss in killed, independent of their wounded, must have been at least 200, (among wham were the Auttossee and Talkissee kings ;) and from the circumstances of therr making no efforts to molest the troops, probably greater. The number of buildings -burnt, ^ome of a supe* rior order, for the dwellings of savages, and fill- ed with valuable articles, is supposed to be 400. The number of the Americans killed and wounded, as furnished by the hospital surgeon» was— Total killed. 11 ; total wounded, 54 ; a- mong whom was Gen. Floyd, budly. A detachment, under command of Gen. Clai- borne, marches! tVoni Fort Claiborne, east bank of (he Alabuma. on the 18th of December, a- gHinst tlie Indians residing on the Alabama^ above the month of the Cahaba. After a march of more than 100 miles, principal^ through woods, without a track to guide them, they same in sight of a new town, lately buj|| by the Indians^ on a ground called « Hplx^*^ fEhis • i '.-.j^ «^ '- --TV--. . Ijf-- » <, i '; 20k HrSTOET OF THE WAB*> 1 town was establislied as a place of security ttr the inhabitants of several villages ; and three of the prophets resided in it. The place was then occupied by a large body of the enemy, un- der the command of Wetherford> a bold and sanguinary chiefs who was one of those who commanded the Indians at the massacre of the garrison and inhabitants at Fort Mimms. ' About noon* on the "SSd December, the right column of the army* composed of 12 monlh's volunteers, commanded by Col. Joseph Carson, came in view of the town, and was immediately and vig. orous attHckcd by the. enemy, who, being ap. prized of the approach of the troops, had cho- sen their field of action. Before the other troops or frie^iidiy Indians could come generally into action, the enemy were repulsed, and flying in all directions. Thirty of the enemy wei'e killed, and many wounded. The loss Ui the ar- my was one killed, and six wounded. A pursuit was attempted, but found to be impracticable, owing to the nature of the ground. I'he town, aonsisting of ^00 houses* was burned, together with a large quantify of provisions, and immense pro|)erty of various kinds, which the enem}|, eould not carry away. The next day was em- ployed in destroying a town consisting of sixty nouses, eight miles higher iip the river. Notwithstanding these repeated defe%^s. the savages seemed yet bent on war. Before (ia.v, •n the morning of the 27th January, a \ep^ large body of Indians attacked the troops at Camp-Defiance, 48 miles west of diatalioucbii'. The onset* was desiierate* and the surprine : > oomplete as possible. In ^0 minutes aftev iv in^ on the sentinels, the action heeame j^eset;* , thaenem;^ prcs^ng ^close on the fronts right ain' ' ■ '.'ii^/'' irily for id three ace ¥ra8 eniy, un- bold and 1086 Mho *e of the . About it column ilunteerst came in f and vig- being ap- had cho- he Qlhe » trooiis at atalioucbii'. surprise* ; > !9 aftn'iH lie 8;e''«'''' • L, right iiiu^ left flunks of the army; but' the savages weM repelled at every point. The enemy rushed nearly to the cannon's month, and gained the rear of the picket guards^ commanded by Oapt. Broadnax ; hut the latter bravely cut their way tlirough the sayagesy and joined the army. As soon as day dawned, and objects could be dis* tinguished, a charge was ordered, and the en- emy fled before the bayonet. The signal was given for the charge of the cavalry, who pur- sued and sabred 15 of the enemy ; who leu 37 dead on the field. From the effusion of bloody and the number of hea^-dresses. and war-olubsj found in various directions, their loss must have beeu considerable. The loss of the army, on this occasion, was 17 killed, and 132 woundcdr Of the friendly Indians, five were killed, and ±6 wounded. Gen. Jackson having received information at his head-quarters. Fort Strother, from Capt* M and attacking the fort, which was then ini^^: feeble state of defence, the general resolved <^ an excursion into the enemy's country, further than had been hitherto attempted. He ae6ord>»^ ingly o^menoed his mareh on theifith Januarjii^; with 9.W men, exclusive of Indians. On the 18th^ the army encamped at Tallii^dega fort» vriiere it was joined by about 20O friendly Creek Indians, and 65 Cherokces. Here the general received a letter from Colonel Snodgrass, whii had returned to Fort Armstrong, informing him> tliat an attack was soon to be made on tbit fort» by 900 of the enemy. It was furUwr and Col. Carroll, the inspector- general, the moment the firing commenced, mounted their horses and repaired to the line, encouraging and animating the men to the per- formance of their, duty. So soon as it became liglit enough to pursue, the left wing, having sustained the heat of jthe action^ and being some- what weakened^ was reinforced by Capt. Fer- lill's company of infantry, and was ordered and 1^ on to the eharge by General Coffee^ who was . (s , JS HirrMIT €fF THB WJOi.^ well supported by CoL Biggins, and the inspec- tor-g«n«ral» and by all the officers and privates ifbo oomposed that line* The enemy was eom- Jiletely iiouted at every point, ,and the. friendly ndians joining in the pursuit, they were ohaseff about two niilesy with eoofcidecable slauf^bler. < Qen. Coffee, who was detaAhed with ^0 nieii^ to reeonnoitre the eneniy*s encampment, return- ed, with a view to bring up the artillery, whioh> he deemed necessary to the attack. In half an hour after hii return, a considerable force or the en^my comniienced a fire on H party of men who were then in search of Indians. Gen. Cof- fee, with only 54 men, a part of 200 wiio wero to have acted with him, commenced an attack on the left flank of the enemy ; 200 friendly In- dians were ordered at the same time to attack the enemy's right. At this moment it was, dis- covered that the attack of the enemy was but a- feint, having intended, by drawing off the gene- ral's attention from his /left, to attack it with success: in this the enemy was disappointed; The whole line met the approach of the enemy with astonishing intrepidity, and having charg- ed, forced the savages to retreat with^ precipita- tion. They were pursued to a considerable distance, and severely galled by a- very destruc- tive flre. During this transaction, Gen^ Coffee was con« tending against a very superior force. As soon as possible a reinforcement was sent to his aiii^ whicli 80on decided the contest in that quarter : the enemy was charged^ routed, and pursued for three miles. Nothing now remained but to de- stroy an empty camp, which did not seem of suf- ficient imnortance to delay a return to Fort Strother, which was couuuenccd' on the follow- ing, morning, 1%: ■ii- ' * i.k . ill 1:1 m t f 20S MtTeRY OV THX VXH. 'On the 24th9 •■ the men were erosting the Eilotaehopoo ereek» an alarm gun announced the advance of the enemv. Oen. Jackson ex- pected an attacks and bad difpoBitions made to turn it to the disadvantage of the enemy. The right and left columns of* the army vrere direct- ed to turn on their pivots, recross the creek above and belovr* and fall on the enemy's flanks and rear. The^ manwuvre, if executed, would probably prove as destructive to the enemy as any thing hitherto attempted ; but, at the mo- ment when a few guns were fired, the right and lieft columns of the rear guard gave way; the greater pr.rt of the centre column followed the disastrous example, leaving not more than 2ji men, who maintained their ground as long as possible. There was then left to repulse the enemy, but the few who remained in tiro rear guard, the artillery company, and Capt. RusseU*s company of spies. AmicUit a most galling fire from the enemy, this little band, not oner tenth of the number opposed to it, advanced to the attack. The artillery and a lew others gained the top of a hill, drawing up with them a six- pounder, when they poured on the enemy several discharges of grape, then charged, repulsed, and pursued him for two miles, leaving 2G of their warriors dead on the field. The loss in these several engagements, was 20 killed and 75 wounded. The loss of the enemy could not be exactly ascertained; 189 of their warriors were foun^ dead ; this undoubtedly formed but a part of the killed ; the wounded must have been pro- portionably nnmerous. ; All the elfeets intended by this excursion, seem to have been produced* If an attack was Utended against Fort Armstrong, that was pre* .v.". A UISTORT or Ti» WAS* 209 > Tvited'; a'difertion wai made in ikvouF of Gen. Floyd, who wai on the caii aide of the Talla- pousee ; the number of the enemy was lettened,. and their eonfldenci($' in their leaden brolccn in on; the enemy's country was explored, and •• roiMi out through an important part of it ; and, on the whole, tended to, and hastened the termi- nation of Indian liostilities, as much, if not more, than any previous expedition* Hitherto the enemy was eng^aged either in the open field, or in situations wliero he Jiad little advantage from worlds of art, and not mueh from nature^ One situation remained to lio as* sailed, where a slulful display of ari rendorod a. position, natuitally strong, so seemingly impreg- nable, that it required a great effort of oourage to approach it, a consummate skill to direct the attaek, and a persevering, ondanntcd reiolMtioii^ to prosecute it to suecessk.. In the bend, of the Tall apoosee^ two miles b^ jond where Gen. JaoKson engaged tho Tndiaui • on the S2d January ,'the savages had fixed on ti soite for erecting a< fortification*.- Nature fur- nish^ few* places mere eligible for defence, and 2t was improved by artrwitb a iliilLnot diieor* ered before in an Indian fortifiisation. The bend Tesenibles, in its curvature, a horse-shoo. Aeross the neck, of land,^ which leads into it from the north, a breastwork was ereeted#of Aie greatest, eompaetness • and strength* from <. 5 - to 8 ftet Uigh, and • prepared ^ with double raws of port- holes, very artfully arranged $ aa- army could' not approach it^ without' beings: exposed to a teuble and cross fire from the encnty, who laj in perfect security behind it; Gisn. JaekHoa rei- soWed on the attack of this important and doo« strong ptBilion. The Indian foree amottiif^ \ fr - ; ill 210 ■IfTOBT Of TBX WAS. V. ed to abbttti or upwardt of 1000 warriori. Tlie army approached thii formidable poiiUon on the 27th Maroh, near enough to prepare for the attaek. General CofTeey with the mounted men, and nearly the whole of the Indian foroCf crossed the ri%er about two miles below the en- eainpmenty with a view to pre?ent the escape of the Indians ; the infantrr advanced slowly along the point of land which led to the front of the breastwork ; a' six and a three pound cannon were planted on an eminence^ at a distance of 150 to SOO ymrds from it. A tire from riilrs was di- rected ngainst the enemy, whenever he showed Jiimseif beyond his defences^ ¥^hen this fire was kept up about two hours, a^partv eross^d over in canoes, and fired a few of the buildin^f and then advancing boldly up to the breastworlCf commenced a tire on the enemy behind it. l^ii proving iosufllcient to dislodge him. Gen. Jack- ton resolved to take it by storm. The troops received the order with acclamation, and ad- vanced with an ardent and zealous enthusiasm. <^ Having maintained," says Gen. Jackson, ii his letter to Gov. Blount, « for a few minutes a very obstinate contest, muzzle to muzzle, throogli the port- holes, in which many of the enemy's balls were welded to the bayonets of our muskets, our troops succeeded in gaining losscsslon of the opposite side of the works. The event could no longer be doubtful.. The enemy, although many of them fought to the last with that kind of bravery whieh desperation in- spires, were at lenglh routed and cut to pieees. The whole tnargin of the river which surround- vfd the peninsula, was strewed with the slain.*' The fighting continued with some severity about faro boar*. Five hmidced and iifty-seyen of the ,t. ■i1^''-> ■ ■IITOBT or THE WAR. 21t enemy wore loft dead on the poniniula> nnd a great number were killed in attempting to orot» the river ; it was suppoied that not nioro than 20 esoaped ; ^60 women and ehildren vtwe talii ri prisoners. Oen/Jaolcson's loss amounted to >3 white men killed ; and 173 wounded $ 3S friend- ly Indians killed, and 47 wounded. This battle broke down the spiritsi as it ma* terially redueed the remaining strength of tbo savngei. ffetherfarA surrendered himself to Gen. Jackson, mx or seven towns followed the example of this ehief. M*Hueen, with 500 of his followers retired to the Escambia river* near Pensaoola. Peace was quickly restoped» The militia were disbanded, and returned to their homes. Wetherford, whose unconditional surrender has been just mentioned* had been the most ac- tive and sanguinary of all the Indian ehiefs. He signalized himself in several actions: over pre- sent where danger pressed, ho was the constant advocate of murder and extermination. In a private interview with Gen. Jackson, he deliver- ed the following speech : « I fought at Fort Mimms — I fought the Geor- gian army-»I' did you all the injury I could— had I been f upported as 1 was promised, I W4>uld have done you more. But my warriors are all killed^— I can fight you no longer. I look back with sorrow, that I have brought destruction on mf nation. I- am now in your power— do with me at yjou please. 1 am a soldier." The barbarous eomplexion wliioli. the enemy gave to the war, was not confined to the em- ployment of Indians. We have already ^tailed barbarities in which Indians did not participate.; Maniy olhera must remaia uatoldf cnur lin^tki '..■ i 1 'Mill/ a"! i <: - ii2 HISTOBT OT THE WAB. \ /tvill not admit a full detail of this part of the subject. The ti'eatmeot to prisoners of war ^as Dot merely unusual ; it was, in the last degree, eruely unprecedented, barbarous. The authen- ticated 'proofs, congressional records, affidavits, &e. are shockingly numerous. The exercise, by Britain, of a presumed right to command, at all times, the services of native subjects, gave rise to one of the causes of war, to wit, the impressment of seamen out of neutral vessels on the high segs. This principle, it was intended, should govern the ene^iy in conducting the wart » The crew of the U. S. brig Nautilus, which had been captured in the early part of the war, 'arrived at Boston in a cartel, the 11th SepleUi' ber, 1812, except six men, whOMwere put in irons ^ and were, as Lieut. Crane understood, to be tried for their lives as British sul^ectSf fouDd in arms against their king. Com. Rbdgers, on< learning the circumstance, stop[ied a cartel which had got under way for Halifax^ and took , out twelve Englishmen as hostages- for the six Americans. -'On the 11th October, six^ of the crew of the |lrivate armed ship Sarah- Ann, which was cap- tured and sent to Nassau* were taken out of j«ii, and sent to Jamaica, to be there tried as British subjeets, found in arms against their king. It appears, that, on this occasion, the Brnish officer fell into a mistake, similar to those which had been so commonly committed . before the declaration of War ; four of the per- sons thus detained .were natives of ihe Umted States; tbe others were frishmel^ by b|Kh, but had been naturalized - citizens of the United' teiet. 6n the arrival of Capt. Moon (|»ti I. ' '".,' ' '.-, '.j^. ife-.- .^- * ' ', .^: \'J--1 HIBTQRT Of THB WAB. 913 eommander of the Sarah-Ann,^ ai Charleston^ 12 Englishmen, ineluding a midshipmaiif weve put in eiose eonfinementy as hostages for the all men taken from Capt. Moon's erew. By a letter from Geo. &. IVise, purtfiier of the United States' sloop of war Wasp, to the secre- tary of war, It appears that after the eapture of that vessel, by the British ship Foictiers, 12 of the erew of the Wasp were detained by Capt. Beresford, as British subjects. That the enemy intended to deny to others the exercise of rights in manner as claimed by himself, is evident, from the circumstance of the British admiral Warren having refused the liberation of Thomas Dunn, a native of the U. Statei^, beoause the said Dunn, had been married in England, and had been eight years in his ma< jesty's service. The application for his libera- tion was made by Mr. Mitchell, U. S. agent for the exchange of prisoners at Halifax, at the' particular request of the fleither of said Dunn^ then residing at Boston. Twenty-three of the prisoneirs, taken by the enemy at Queenstown, were sent to England, to be tried as British sulrjeets, for appearing iti arms against their king. The United States' government ordered 23 British soldiers into. close confinement, as hostages for the safety of those so taken at Queenstown. In retaliation,. the British government ordered 46 United States' officers and non-commissioned officers into close and rigorous confinement. The system of retaliation, after this oiroum- stance, bore a very serious aspect, and threaten- ed to be as extensive as prisoners on either side wera numerous. The secretary of state transmitted to congresfr !k mm !PP l?l ^1! •^ if .>■ ";i L^J * !'i»l ■■/■■'■:^ ftk*^ HIBTORT OV THB- WAS. \ otttlie t«th ApriU 181^9 a Yerj important report on the subject matter whiobled to the practice «r retaliation, in which it is stated, that the Bri- tish government, among other pretexts for not discharging citizens of the United States im- pressed into their sei^ice, alledged, that they were natives of Prussia^ Sweeden, &e. thus evinc- ing, that the recovery of tlieir own native sub- jecti', was not the sole motive of impressment.-- The secretary further reported, »t ; <* That all the nations of Europe naturalize foreign- « That they all employ in their service the sub- jects of each other, said frequently against their na- tive countries, even when hot regularly naturalized ; >i.*< That although examples may be foUnd of the punishment of their native subjects^ taken in arms against them, the examples are few, and have either been marked by" peculiar circumstances taken them out of the controverted principle, or have proceeded from the passions^or policy of the occasion. Even in prosecutions and convictions having the latter ori> gin the final act of punishment nas, with little esccep- tion, been prevented by a sense of equity and dread of retdiation. It is confidently believed that no in- stance can be found in wHich the alledged purposes of the enemy against the 23 prisoners in question, un- der all the circumstances which belong to their case, even though any of them may not have been regular- ly naturalized, are countenanced by the proceedings Of any Eu ropen nation. ' ' A publication, of which the following i> a copy, appeared from the navy depui'tment of the United States the 28fh July 1814, and was un- derstood to he a relinquishment of the system of reiaiiation. on the part of England and of the Vniled p.^ates ; tlie 23 Araer lean soldiers, £cnt to li^ngland, and ail other Americans held by the '-/■.i. sn in arms JIISTOST 01 TOB WAB* tiS enemy as hostages, haying been restoiiBd to the state of ordinary prisoners. f< All officers, seamen and marines of the U. $. J^'avy* eapjtyii'ed by the troops or vessels^ yrithin the command of Sir George Pre vostf prior to thelst^ day of April last) have been duly exchanged, and de- cUured competent to serve against the enemy. They will therefore immediately report themselves to the commanding naval officer of the station on which they are or may arrive." ' The time, when the armies mmt be in Winter quarters, and the officers less engaged than they would foe at another season, was chosen for the trial of Gen. Hull. A general coart mar^al as- sembled for that purpose at Albany., the Bih Janv^ry, 18i4, and proceeded in the trial, from time to time, until the 8ih March. Three charges were preseuted against him, to wit, treason agains*: the United States / eoio- ardice; and neglect of duty and unoffieer-like conduct — to all whioh, he pleaded not guilty* The general, having protested against the eompetency of the court to try the first charge^ ^he court declined making any formal decision on it ; but yet gave an opinion that nothing appear- ed to them which could justify the charge. Xhe> court acquitted him of that part of the third specification which charges him with hav- ing ** forbidden the American artillery to fire on the enemy, on their march towards the said Fort Detroit," and found him guilty of the first, se- eond part of the third, and the fourth specifica- tions. . .:,:,. .w^,.-f, ,.,,;., ' On the third charge, the court fou^^ the ae- cused guilty of neglect of duty, in omitting sea- sonably to inspect, train, exercise, and order the troops under \jja coiiimand» or cause the ssune t# be 1- i 316 iSlBtbET Of TllS ITaI. 1 done. They also fouod bim guilty of part of ttie fourth and fifth specifieations, and the ivhole of the sixth and seventh ; and acquitted bim of the second and thirds and part of the fourth and fifth specifieations. The court sentenced « the said Brigadier-Gen- eral 'William Hull to be shot to death* two thirds of the court concurring In the sentence ; but, in consideration of his revolutionary services, and his advanced "age, recommendc'd bim to the mer- cy of the President of the United States.** The President of the United States approved the sentence, remitted the execution, and order- ed the name of Gen. Hull to be ei*ased from the list of the army. The general, in an address to the people of the United States, appealed to their ^ceision against the verdict and sentence of the court, declaring himself innocent, notwithstanding the verdict, and charging the government with persecution and injustice to himself. ^^ A circumstance of great interest, and which might have a great effect on t^e war between Great-Britain and the United States, occurred in March^ 1814. On tbeSlHof that month, the allied armies of Austria, Prussia, ami Russia, headed by their respective sovereigns, triumph- antly entered the French capital overthreiv the Bonapartean dynasty, sent its cbfef into exile, aind replaced Louis XTIII. on the throne of his ancestors. Hitherto the pQwer of England was divided between making war ol Fmnce and the United States of America ; it was to be now entir^^ly turned against the latter, at least so the British editors threatened. Indeed Ameriea v/oiiUl eer- tainly be pnhished> orerthrewn^ re-subjugated, HlfTOBT Of TUB WAS* n7 and enslaved^ if the editor's lead oould be form- ed ialo bailsy instead of types, and these pressed into eaanoDf instead of being pressed on paper. The new situations of affairs in Europe, cre- ated inueh alarm, but no despondency in Ameri- ca. The citizens saw the approach of a terrible eonfliet, but they resolved to meet it. The le- gions, which gained the oharaeter of << invinci- ble," in Spain, Portugal, -and France, were to be vomited on the shores of America; the thousand ships of Britain were to blockade the coast; Bri- tish tars, without number, were to cover the lakes ; and these myriads, by sea and by land, \irere to be directed, by those commanders who swept the European navies from the ocean, and out-rivaled the best generals of the first warrior in the world. Yet, notwithstanding these exter- minating threats and gloomy prospects, Ameri- ea was destined to preserve her independence and honour; and to gather mere laurels in ±Si^, Uian she did in any former year of this, war. In aceordance with the views* of the war de- partment, and a design, the result of a corres- pondenoe between the Secretary of "Wai^ and Gen. Wilkinson, the latter entered Canada, on * General Wilkinson*s words, in his official state- ment, were, « Pursuant to the designs communicated to jFOU in my last, and to accomplish your views.'* Immediately after the publication of the general's letter, the following comment appeared in the Na<- tional Intelligencer : « We are authorised to state, that Gen. Wilkinson's late movement was not pur- suant to the views of the war department. These viewa (or orders) advised him to seize and hold a giv^ en position on Lake Champlain, and adtnonished iam against an incursion into Canada/' ; :;", -^ 'J M-''¥ 53.' T. S'l' ! :r : '.-li HIS mSTOkT OF THX VTAB. I I ■ th« morniflg ^>f the 80th Mareta, 1814. The iaiae of this expedition vras unfortunate^ although in Its progress, it did honour to the Amcrieans engaged. The enemy claimed a victory, only because he was not vanquished ; and pretended to gather laurels, ivhile eiroumstanees ooneurred to render it nearly impossible to attack or drive him from his cowardly strong-holds. General Wilkinson, at the head of his division, marched from Champlain, with the intention of reducing the enemy's fortress at the river^La Cole. About 11 o'clock, he fell in with the ene- my at Odell Town, three miles ftrom La Cole, and six from St. John's. An attack was oom- nenoed by the enemy on the advance of the army under Col. Clark and Mf^or Forsyth. CoL Bissel came up with spirit, and the enemy was forced to retire with loss. General 'Wilkinson took part in this action, and bravely advanced into the most dangerous position, declining fre- quently the advice off his officers, to retire from ifBminent danger. The enemy having used his congrevr rockets, without producing any effect, retired to La Cole, whither he was pursued. At this place an action was expected ; but the en- emy, whose force, when inereased by a reinfi>rce« ment fi*om Isle-au-Noix, amounted to at least fl,B0O men, mostly regulars, declined meeting the American force, although much inferior in num- bers and means of warfare. He took possession of a block-house and a stone mill, the wall of which was so thick, that it eould not be battered except by the heaviest artillery. An 1 8 pounder, which was brought from Champlain, could not be drawn over the bad roads, and was left hy hind; a battery of lighter guns was raised ^i^hiti 300 yards of tiie mill, but no breach was practi- BISTOBT OF TUK WAB. ^f cable by \U Several sorties were made hy the enemy> but tbey were resisted with braverjr and sueoess. The cannonade was continued until it was fully ascertained that no breaoh oould be made ; and that the enemy would not come to an eneagementy when the Americans withdrew to Odell Town, and afterwards to Ghamplain. Captain M which he tied up with his handkerchieO and continued at bis piece until a second shot, whiph broke his thigh* brought him to the earth. Larribee had kept his station until shot through the lungs ; and Sheldon kept up the fire until ordered to retire. The conduct of every individual attached to the American command^ was marked by that patriotism and prowess which has so often conquered the boasted disci- pline, long experience, and military tactics of an enemy, who dared not to expose his *< invinoi- bles" to the disgrace of being defeated by a less numerous force of Yankee woodsmen.. A small quantity of stores, intended for the use of the army and fleet at Sackett's Harbour^ were deposited at Fort Oswego f and a (;onsider« able quantity at the Falls, 10 miles in the rear of the fort. The enemy prepared an expedition to seize both. Lieut. Col. Mitchell, of the ar* tillery, arrived at Oswego- on the 30th April, 181^, for the protection of that place, which he finind in a very bad state of defence. Of cannon, there were but 5 guns, 3 of which had lost their tnuuHADs^ IVhat oould. be done ia the way ot '■''■A )■■*' ■ . ^^ If pi' •" mi- ^ i r,i :' f4 220 UI8T0ET OH TBS WAB* repair, wiii efl^eted ; new platforms were laidi tfae gup carriages put in order, and decayed pick- ets re-plaecd. At day-light, on the morning of fitli May, a British naval force of 4 ships, s brigs, and a number of gun and other boats, were discovered at about 7 miles from the fort. The force, at the fort, consisted of 290 effectives, liiese were two few for the purpose of defence. It became necessary to disguise this weakness, and to keep the entire in one place : for thispuiv pose the tents were pitched on one side or the river, and the men were all ordered to the othen At one o'clock, 15 large barges, crowded with men, moved toward the side opposite that on which the tents were pitched, and where there appeared the least show of resistanee. Theto were preceded by gun-boats, to cover the land* ing. As soon as the boats got within the range of shot, a very successful fire was opened from the shore-battery, which compelled them to re- tire twice, when they stood off*, and returned to their ships. Some boats, which had been desert^ ed. Were taken up by the militia ; one of the boats Wft9 60 feet long, and could accommodate 150 men. ■ - * ;.., '^^ /-^ ■ '^ . At day-break, on the 6th, the fleet again eip- proachea the fort. The Wolfe, and other ves- sels, kept up a fire for three hours against the fort and batteries. Col. Mitchell, finding t^at the enemy had landed about 2000 men, withdrew his small force into the rear of the fort; and, with two companies, (Romayne and Melvin's) met their advancing columns, while the other companies engaged the flanks of the enemy.— "With the aid of Lieut. Fierce, of the navy and some seamen, the little American band main- tained its ground for half an hour. Col. Mitchell h 4.. msrottT 0» THT WAV;.. fsr re laidi sd pick- rning of ihipS) S r boatSf the fort, feotivef. defence, eaknessy Ibispuiv le of the iie othen Sed D?ith tliat on ire there , TheM the land« the range tned from Bin to re- turned to m desert* the boats odate 160 again ap- ttther ves* gainst the iding that withdre^^ 'ert; and, *^Melvin*8) the other then marehed his force-y but not preoipitately, te the fallsy destroying the bridges in his rear. — The enemy, although eommanded by €^n. Drum- inond and' Com* Yeo, did. not thinli proper to pur- sue the eolonel. They burned the old barraclliSy and evacuated the fort about three o>'eleok in the morning of the- 7thi The American loss amounted 19-6 killed, SS wounded^ and 25 missing— total 69. Deserters from the enemy stated his loss to be 70 kHled# 165 wounded, drowned- and missing — total 235. Eight piece» of cannon, and some stores, woj*th about 100 dollar8> fell into the enemy's hands. On no oeeasion, did the Americans deserve bettr? of their country ; at no time before, did the enemy buy victory with les» advantage to himself, or at a dearer price. The companies* under- command of Cel. Mitehelfr eonsisted or Boyle'sf Ilomayne's, APIntire'«> and Pierce's^ heavy artillery, and a few seamen; in all, leas than 300 men^ Twice they repulsed, and for nearly ttiro« dayo mfdntained a: contest against seven times their number, and finally succeeded in preserving the stores at the fiills, the loss of which would materially impede' the operations •f the army smd navy. The enemy carried off 60 of Jhe unarmed inhabitants of the villager who were stated in the* British report, as so ma- ny prisoners. . N ^. :-'*; si^i; ». 'Ir^-. s.:..; On the' 30th May, Ckpt. Woolsey, of the navy, being on his return from Oswego^ with 18 boatSy earr^ing^a number of cannon,- and a quantity of *iSg'°S^or the new vessels at Sackett's Harbor^ pat into Sandy Creek, about i^ mile» from the Harbour. Fearing an- attack- from the enemy^ Ahyor Apling was placed, with 120 riflemen, and t&w- of the Oneida Indians^ in the woods^ on >m'- I {] iTi J a ^2 mtTORT Of TAB WAB« \ cAch side of the oi*eek ; a few raw milftia wet^ sent forward to make a show of resistance. The plan succeeded ; the militia^ on the first fire from the enemy, retreated in apparent confusion, and were pursued until the entire passed the riflemen and Indians, who were in ambush. The enemy was attacked in rear, while a battery of 4 field pieces opened on him in front. The contest was not of long dar;itioa. After ten itiinutes fighting, the enemy surrendered. The enemy lost 2 post- captains, 4 ]ieutenants> of the royal navy^ prison- ers ; 2 lieutenants of marines, wounded and pri- soners ; 1 midshipman, and 13 sailors and ma. vines, killed ; 28 sailors and marines wounded, and 133 sailors and marines, prisonerg.-'total 1^3.^ 2< gnu- boats and 5 barges were taken. Only bm American was wounded. On the IMh May, the enemy landed several hundred men at Pultneyville, (which is on the anargin of Lake Ontario,) and took possession of 100 barrels damaged flour, which weP) in a store «lo8e by the lake. Gen. Swift, on hearing of the advance of the enemy» reached Pultney viue with about ISO volunteers and militia $ but, deeming this force too small to oppose a numerous enemy, within range of the guns of his fleet, he did not dispute the possession of the damaged flour; but finding the enemy proceeding to other depreda- tions, he commenced a fire on him from an adja- oent wood, which wounded several and oompelled. him to re-emburk, whena connonade commenced from the fleet on the town, without doing mate- rial injury. A large quantity of flour was depo- sited about a mile fVom the town, which the eo- •my chose to forego the plunder of, rather than Irust himself in the w,oo.dB with Gen*. Swifts and \ HIITOBT OF TUB IV Ail* 323 In this monthy Col. CampbelU (10th infliDtry) >vith a detaehment of 6 or 000 mciiy and tome seamen aeting; as artilleriiiSf oroiied flrom Erie to Long-Point. About 50 British dragoons sta- tioned there as an out-post and guard to. public stores* made their escap<*. The mills employed in manufaoturing flour for the enemyy and some bouses occupied as stores, were burned. When tlie party retumedf ivithout locing a man. The following transaction with the enemy's fleet on Lake Champlain^ will be best explained by giving the following extract of a letter fh>m Major-General Izard commanding the flrst» or division of the right, dated at his nead-quartjers, May 17. . , , " On receiving notice of the enemy's proceeding up the lake on the 13th inst. a dettchment of light artillery, under the command of Capt. Thornton, of that corps, was despatched in waggons from Burling- ton to Vergennes, where they manned the battery at the mouth of Otter Creole. At day-break, (on the 14th) the enemy attacked with his whole force,, and after a severe cannonade of two hours and a half, during which they suffered very considerably, they vrithdrew to repair damages. Yesterday they de- parted this place, having some of their vessels in tow, and are gone, to their own ports. Two of their galleys are said to be missing. No damage was done on our side, excepting dismounting one gun in the battery, by which two men were slightly wound* ed." • The Chesapeake Bay was likely, and proved^ to continue a theatre of the enemy^s depreda- tions. A numher of boats, carrying heavy me- tal, were constructed in March, 1814, on the eastern ^hore o^ .Maryland, for the protection of the bay^ and the oommand of them given lto,that m I V I f'l ' fv i* 324 BllTOBT OV TBS WAK t intrepid oAoerf Commodore Barney. Tbit flo^ tillft proved a Kreat annqyanee to tlie enemy, wai an ol^eot of liis constant attention^ and was finally destroyed, as will be hereafter partieular- ly detailed. Hie enemy had a sliirmish on the 29th May, with the Aeeomaok militia, whioh reflected the highest honour on the latter. Between 6 and 7 o'oloek in the morning, the enemy entered the Pamgoteaqoe 'creek. They were at first most gallantly met by 2d Jaeut. iJnde/hill, of the ar. tilfery, and 6 or 7 men, who stood the fire of their 18 pounders, grape, musketry and Congreve rockets, then within 60 yards* when Lieut. Un- - derhilly finding all further resistance utterly useless, and not having a sufficient force to re- move the artillery* caused it to be spiked, and retreated. The piece fell into the hands of the %; .enemy* who also destroyed some trifiing build- ings, whieh had been occupied as barracks.— ^ Findlnc no resistance from the point which ' Lieut. Underbill had occupied, they 'commenced their landing, and in a few minutes had from 450 to 500 men, 200 of whom were negroes, all welV armed, formed, and advancing from the shore, ' the negroes io front* From the place of their landing* they marched about three quarters of a mile into the cduntry* where they were met by a party of militia, not more than 25 in number. — This Kttle band stood for two hours, the whole force of the eaemy. At this time the militia be- gan to collect* wnich the- enemy perceiving, re- . treated tahis ships, and thus escaped being either kHled or taken prisoners. During their stay on land* the enemy committed several petty robbe* ries and shamenil ezoessesi oasryiog away baeon^ IMltryf. dothesi^o*. ■IITOAT 01 Tin WAS. %%a Commodore Barney got under way on the Itt June, vrith hit flotilla, in the Patuzent» with the intention to engage, or chaie away the enemy. On approaehing them, he disoovered two lohoon- eri, one a full rigged, showing nine porti on a side. When off St Jerome's, he discovered a large ship under way, and that she had despatch- ed a number of boats to the aid of the schooners. The wind having veered so as to prove unfavour- able to the flotilla, the commodore made signal for the Patuxent, and was followed by a 74» three Bohooners, and seven barges. After doubling I'ound Cedar-Point, in the mouth of the river, he found that gun-boat No. 137, was so fiir astern^ that she must be taken, or saved by an enga^^e- ment. The commodore brought the Seorpion and gun-boat No. 138, to anchor, sent men on board the boat 137, to row and tow her in, and signaled his other vessels to return and join him. The Soorpion, and boat 138, opened a fire on a large schooner, and a number of barges, which haagot ahead of the boat 137. The commo- dore's barges, at this time, had returned, and, rowing down on the enemy, gave them a number of shots, and then returned into port with all the flotilla. This bold exploit did great honour tp Barney and his crews. . ,i - ; .r The enemy landed at Cedar-Point, in the even* ing of the 4 The situation of Commodore Baiiiey, and his flotilla, in St. Leonard's creek, was really un- pleasant and critical. He was, however, reliev- ed, by a bold and successful attack on the enero; on the morning of the 26th June. The following is a copy of Commodore Bar- ney's report, to the Secretary of the navy : '> 4( Sir— >Thxs morning, at 4, A. M. a combined at- tack of the artillery, marine corps and flotilla, was made upon the enemy's two frigates at the mouth of the creek. After two hour's engagement, they got under way and made sail down the river. They are now warping round Point Patience, and I am moving up the Patuxent ^^ohyx my flotilla. My loss is acting midshipman Asquith, killed, and ten others, killed and wounded. With respect, 8cc. JOSHUA BARNEY," 7n June, the enemy landed about 400 men. and burned the tobacco warehouses at Lower Marl- , borough, aud Magruder's ferry, and also Cole's HISTOBT 01 THB WAB* 327 vare9i to detail every petty and wanton act of an uDprinoipled and mean enemy 5 where he could remove the plundered property, he removed it ; what he eottld not remove, he destroyed. In Calvert) near Lower Marlborough, they forced away with them some negroes ; also took some eattle and poultry. A person who repaired to the scene of depre- dation, after the enemy had retired, wrote to his friend in Baltimore, •< It would have distressed you to see the tobaceo at Magruder*s, burning, as I did, this evening. Eleven Hundred hogS' headSf nearly all consumed, and about four hun- dred at Lower Marlborough, where they tool& a schooner (Capt. David's) and loaded her." The enemy performed one exploit, which, if not tarnished by the barbarous use he made of conquest, would have left him one ipstance of victory not petty. The enemy appeared in great foroe in tho Chesapeake, about the middU) of August, 1814. More than 50 of his vessels entered the Patus- ent, and landed about 5000 troops and marines^ chiefly about Benedict, 40 miles southeast of the eity of Washington. The force, at the disposU lion of Gen. Winder, who had been appointed to the eommand of this district, was unfortunately inadequste to defend the city, and it fell into the power of the enemy. The entire force of every description which could be collected to oppose the enemy, did not exceed 5000 men; these, however, would have been sufficient for the par- pose, had they all acted with equal firmness« Of these »eveiBl hundreds arrived after the bat- tle commenced, and many after the retreat had been ordered. The foroe actually engaged, iros less than 3000. 3 t i }= '22S HISTOnr OF THE WAtt. 'i' i. On the SOthy Col. Munroe, who proceeded the previous day, with Col. Thornton's troop of horse, to reconnoitre the enemy, reported that the enemy had landed in force. Capts. Caldwell and Tilghman, with their commands of cavalry, were sent in the afternoon of this day to. annoy the enemy in his iadvance, and remove such sup- plies of provisions as lay in his route. On the 22d, the British flankers approached the wood- yard, 12 miles from the city, where Gen. Winder, with his main body, was posted. — The line of battle was formed by the American troops, but the enemy filed off to the left. At 9 "o'clock, Commodore Barney caused his flotilla to be de- stroyed, and he proceeded with his men to lake pdst in front of the enemy. i On the evening of the 23d, Gen. Win'^er^s hep^-quarters were at Battalion Fields, within 8 miles of the city, and a short distance from Bladensburg. At 1 o'clock, on the 24th, the army was posted on the right of Bladensburg, about half a mile distant from the village. The artillery, from Baltimore, supported by Major Pinckney's rifle battalion, and a part of Captain Doughty's, from the navy yard, were in advance, to command the pass of the bridge at Bladens- burg. Soon after 1 o'clock, the enemy appear* ed, advancing toward the bridge over the east- ern branch. When they reached the bridge, which they did in solid column, the artillery opened a warm fire on them, and the riflemen, and a regiment of militia, were soon engaged. Before 2 o'clock, the enemy advanced so close on the Baltimore volunteers, as to force them to retreat, bringing with them their artillery and arms, except one piece, which was lost by the nnruliness of the horses. The retreat was ecded the troop of Drted that . Cald\^ell f cavalry, ^ to. annoy such 8up- . On Ihe the wood- n. Winder, 'he line of roops, hut 9 Vclock, a to be de- BD to lake UISTOltT OF THfi WAB. not the effect of cowardice^ for no men tould behave with more honour to themselves. Wliile they fought, they made a galling impression on the enemy, ami when forced to yield before numbers vastly superior, they would, no doiibt* have yet sought a place from 'which to triumph in a contest so handsomely began, but they were not properly supported. The right and centre of Stansbury's brigade, consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Bagan and Shuler's regiments, gene-* rally gave way, and fled in disorder, nor could they be rallied, with the exception of about 40 men, and a part of Captaih Shower's company both of whom, even thus deserted, made a galr iant but ineffectual stand. Col. Ragan, in Jiis great efforts to rally his men, was wounded and taken prisoner. The Bth Baltimore rai- ment, under Lieut. Col. Sterrett, being thejieft of Gen. Stansbury's brigade, still stood their ground, and, exeept for a moment, when part of them recoiled a few steps, remained firm until ordered to retreat. ?*rii:3 ' ••• t Is;. v^tJ^tS;. .m^ The reserve, under General Smith, of the District of Columbia, - wkh the militia, of tho eity and Georgetown, with the regulars, and some detachments of Maryland militia^ flanked oa tiieir right by Com. Bariiey and his men, anil Col. Beal, maintained the contest with great ef- fect, until overpowered by numbers. Barney and his gallant men had just gained the ground from a station near the navy yard, and opened from three 18 penndera, a Are, which for the tim^ it lasted, and considering the means, was jierliaps the most destructive and active that has ever been experienced. The brave Barney iell severely wounded, into the hap4« of the caemy. His men fought, under his orders, un* IT '1| ! m K : T '■< »■ 2d0 mSTOBT OF THE WAR. 1 . ill tlie enemy reached nearly to the muzzles of the guns ; nor did they retire until ordered to do soy after every hope of victory vanished. The enemy treated the Commodore with that courte- sy and attention, which his splendid merit could not fail to inspire. The battle being now over, after continuing more than an hour, Gen. Ross who commanded the land force, and Admiral Cockburn, who com- manded the seamen and marines, entered the 'City with a part of their forces. And now be- gan a scene, which, in the opinion even of a sa- vage, would disgrace the characters while living, and, after death, consign to eternal infamy, the names of these two commanders. Never will barbarism and the fate of Washington be cou^ded in history', without being accompanied by the names of Ross and Cockburn. The destruction of private property would be in chara«^ter with the conduct which disgraced the British arms in the Chesapeake and elsewhere. The triumph- ant entry of the marauders into the capital of an infant republic, gave them an opportunity of proving the respect in which they held the arts, sciences, and literature. « They," to use the words of President Madison*s proclama- tion, « wantonly destroyed the public edifices, having no relation in their structure to ope- rations of war, nor used at any time for mili- tary annoyance; some of these edifices being Also costly monuments of taste and of the arts, find others, depositories of the public archieves, not only precious to the nation, as the memori- als of its origin, and its early transactions, but interesting to all nations, as contributions to the general stock of historical instruction and poli- tical seience." With the public buildings, the UlfiTORT Of THE VAB* ^i national library was destroyed. Cockburn at- tcndedy^n person, to the destruction of the print- ing materials, in the office of the National In^tel- ligencer. A few private buildings were burned. Tlie navy-yard, with all its shipping and- stores* including a new frigate and sloop of war, were destroyed, previous to its occupation by the ene^- my. The British army retired in the night of the 25th, in prudent hurry, and with studied si- lence, leaving several of their wounded behind, and some of their dead unburied. The Ameri- can loss was stated by General Winder, to be be- tween 50 and 40 killed, from BO to GO wounded, and about 120 taken prisoners* <« From the best, intelligenoe," says the general, '* there remains but little doubt, that the enemy lost> at leasts- ^60 killed and wounded, and of these, a very un- usual portion killed." Fort Warburton having been deserted by the* U. S. troops, commanded by Captain Dyxon, and consequently destroyed by the enemy, the latter advanced towards Alexandria, the- civil authority of which, submitted to the most dis-; graceful terms of capitulation, by which the city was giyen up to plunder. The enemy carried off 14 vessels, laden with flour, tobacco, cotton, groceries, and a variety of goods, taken from the private stores. A series of the most daring exertions were made by Commodores Rodgers, Porter and jPer- ry, with their seamen, and some of the Virginia militia, to prevent the escape of the enemy with, his booty, but he got off, with some loss, taking the plunder with him. Terms, similar to those, accepted by Alexandria, were offered to George- town,,whiob the latter ^ indignantly rcyected^ and& escaped being plundered. V ' ii; ■! ,1*; '. ! ■'- m y:;-- .^a I'f f I I t: •'f f : I: ^32 niSTOKY OF ?HB WAR. Tbe enemy attempted tu justif)' liis predatory 'ivarfiire in the Chesapeake, and elsewhere, hy professing, that ho acted in retaliation of exces- ses, sai-J by him, to have been committed hy the armies of the United States, in Canada.-*. Nothing, however, couhl be farther from truth. The conduct of the republican armies could, by no fair construction, justify the barbarities of the enemy, and it was well known, that the rob- beries and destruction of private property and buildings, particularly in the vicinity of the Chesapeake, and its tributary streams, had, in many instances, preceded those said to have been committed by the Americans. The enemy, probably emboldened by his suc- cess at Washington, projected a descent on, ^nd •f course, the plundering and burning the city of Baltimore. The movements of the enemy having led to a suspicion of his design, General Samuel Smith, the rerelntionary hero and de- fender of Mud-fort, made some early disposi- tions to i-epel an invasion, if such should be at- tempted. Gen. Striker was detached, on the evening of the lith September, with a portion of his bri- gade, on the North-point-road. Major Bandal, of the Baltimore county militia, having under his command, a light corps of riflemen, and mus- ketry, taken from General Stansbury's brigade, and the Pennsylvahia volunteers, was detached to the mouth of Bear- creek, with orders to co- 0|)erate with Gen. Striker, and to check any landing which the enemy might attempt in that quarter. On Monday, the 12th, the enemy landed be- tween 8000 and 9000 men, at NortH-point, H wiles ii'om Baltimore^ the land force under com- HISTORY OF THE WAB. 2dS> mand of Gen. Ross, the seamen under Admiral Cockburn. Gen. Striker iiad^ that mornings taken a good position at the juuction of the roadsy leading from Baltimore to the North- pointf having his right flanked by the Bear-6reek» and his left by a m'<*rsh. Here he \¥aited ilie approach of the enemy, having sent on an ad- vance corps, under the command of Maj. Heath* ol' the 5th regiment. « This advance," says Gen. Smith, in his report, ** met Qte enemy, and after some skirmishing* it returned to the line« the main body of the enemy being at a short distance in the rear of their advance. Between '2 and 3 o'clock, the enemy's whole force came up and commenced the battle, by some dischar- ges of rockets, which were succeeded by the cannon from both sides, and soon after the ac- lion became general along the line. Gen. Strik- er gallantly maintained his ground against a great superiority of numbers, during the space of an hour and twenty minutes* when the regi- ment on his left (the 51st) giving way, he wasv under the necessity of retiring to the ground in his rear, where he had stationed one regiment as a reservie. He here formed his brigade ; but the enemy not thinking it advisable to pursue^ . he» in compliance with arrangements, fell back and took pest on the left of my entrenchments, and half a mile in 'advance of thera,"^ The following eicti*acts, from Gen. Smith's report, will best explain the further movements of the raspective armies. i^o^sd ^i«M:b t*itvv ..,-,:».. ..:.^>.-^'i.r^ '^ ...■: i,.:;?i..v.W- . It was impossible for veteran, or the most ex^ perionced troops, to act with more firm dUci^ pline, or cool courage, than the citizens of Bal- timore, and the troops engaged, did on this oc- easion, with the exception already mentioned.. A pursuit of the enemy was attempted, iivilhouty liowerer, doing hi in much injury. The troops were so exhausted, with three days find nights fatigue* that they could do little more than pick up a few stragglers. A line of defences thrown up by the Americans from Baek River to Hum- phries' Creek, on the Patapsco, were used by "the enemy to protect his embarkadion.. ^t."ll ; L.:. 5-" 'iSQ HISTORY OF THE >VAR. As a measure necessary (o the taking of Daf. timoroy Admiral Ci^ckburn sent, ^vhat he re]i(>d on as a competent force to take Fort M*lJcnry, Hituated on a point of land about two miles frr>iii, the city. The enemy's \esRcIs were ranged on the 12th} at a respectable distaneef in front of the work8. At an early hour, on the 12th, six bomb, and some rocket vessels, commenced the attack, but at such a distance as to have little effeet. A vaet many very heavy bombs and^ rockets were thrown from the shipping, and an- swered pro forma from the fort, the Lazaretto, battery, and barges. This noisy play lasted un- til near 3 P. M. when the enemy dropped nearer the battery. The firing now became more fre- quent, and soon became tremendous ; but the en- emy finding that the men in the fort could hit as well as fire, soon slipped their cables, and drew off* to their former distance, from which they continued the uombardment. Favoured by a dark night, one or two of the enemy's bomb-vessels, and sevpral barges, with 1200 chosen men, passed^ the fort at about one o'clock iji the morning of the 14tli, and pro- ceeded up the Patapsco, to attack the town in the rear, and probably with a view to cflTeet a landing. From their new station, they com- menced a very warm throwing of bombs and rockets, but were repaid with such rigour and efiect, that the screams of tireir wounded could be heared in the midst of a roar of arms, that made the- houses in the city shake, for nearly an hour and a half. ' About three, o'clock the en^ emy retired, mnch crippled*, to his former re- spectful distance, when lie again commenced the lM>mbardment, and continued it until day-light, iKhea -he finally withdrew. The entire duratioiia ( -. UIST0RT Off THX WAH« ^7 of the bombardment wai little short of 24 houri. The loss of the enemy» on board his vessels, ean- not be aseertained, but was undoubtedly great $ that in Fort M'Henry was astonishingly small, consisting of 4 kiiled, and about 30 wounded.— Major Armistead commanded the fort. A party of Com. Rodgers' erew was posted at Fort Cov- ington ; Barney's flotilla men were stationed at tlie city battery. The enemy's retreat was attended with mor- tification and disappointment. Gen. Ross, the destroyer of 'Washington, was killed ; and, at least £00 men, killed, woonde"}./.: ** I passed through Chaptieo shortly after the ene- my left it, asod I am sorry w say, that their conduct would have disgraced Cannibals ; the houses were torn to pieces, the well which afforded water for the inhabitants, was filled up, and, what is still worse, the church, and the ashes of the dead, shar- ed equally bad or worse fate. Will you believe me, whea 1 tell you that the sunken graves were con- verted into barbacue holes ! ! ! The remaining glass of the church windows broken, the communion ta» ble used as a dinner table, and then broken to pieces ! Bad as the above may appear, it dwindles in- to insignificance, when compared with what follows : the vault was entered, and the remains of the dead ilisturbed. Yes, my friend^ the winding sheet was torn from the body of a lady of the first respecta- bility, and the whole contents of the vault cntfa'c*' l^derangedll !" ^ k , , ... «d ■n'^ ■ ■«. 23$ IIISTORT 07 THE IV AR. I I Soon after leaving Chapiico, the enemy' vUit- od St. Inigoes, in St. Mary's county* Maryland. Tliis was the habitation of a miHsioiiary* and the soite of a Roman Catholic church. Nothing oould be expected but the furniture of the {iriest, and plate of the church. Both were takeoi ieather-bedsy sheets* blankets* curtains, spoons* knires* forks* &c. were taken away or destroy- ed $ the sacred vestments were thrown about* the vessels* cdnsecrated to the service of God, prophaned* the altar stript naked* the taber- nacle carried oif* and the blessed sacrament borne away in the hands of those sacrilegious wretches. Some few articles were restored at the instance of the British officer* who would probably wish to see the entire restored* bur, bei>ouldnot command them; « they are**' said be* « a set of ruffians." Some oth«r articles* belonging to the church* were restored in a few days afterwards. The following circumstance proves how dear- ly the enemy gains a v*9tory> when opposed by a iorce* however small. Qn the evening of the 5th November, Capt. Gordon* naval commander at Norfolk despatch. ed 2 tenders* and 4 boats* off Black River* for the purpose of conveying several craft, then lying i,h that river* and bound to Norfolk. The vessels were* unfortunately, separated during, the niglit ; the boats, owing to a rough sea*.returned to Nor- folk. . The two tenders* .Franklin and Desi>alch* were separated from each ether. ' The commander of the Despatch* finding, id the morning* that' lie had drifted in a calm* near the enemy's ships in Lynnhaven* and (hat they were manning their boats* to attack him. made signal to the Franklin^ and the boats ly* 11I8T0BY OT THE VTAB. S3U ing under Old Point. The boats Joined tlie Despatch; and the enemy's boats, after ex- changing a few shots, and a breeze having sprung up, gave over the chase, and directed their attention to the Franlilin, that lay nearly becalmed up the bav. The enemy came' up with the Franklin, aliout 10, A. M. when the firing commenced. During one hour and a half, the Franklin's crew, consisting of Mr. Ham- uiersltfy^ master's mate, who commanded ; one midshipman, (Mr. Cook;) two master's mates and pilots, and 31 men, maintained a gallant de- fence agiiinst a tender and 14 barges and bonts of the enemy. The tender and two heavy launches, made several attempts to board, but were as often beaten off. At length, at half past 11, the Franklin was carried, being board- ed at the same moment by the crews of b heavy boats. ■''■■J ?ft»JUii* 5 The peace in Europe having relieved the ships and seamen of England from any other engagement, exdept the war against the UiHted States, it was supposed, ^ that an Ameriean ship would not dare longer to venture on the oeean, or sail on the lakes. £vei7 American port was to be blockaded, every sea-port town to be burn- ed or destroyed ; the frames of frigates were to be transported from England, and suddenly put together, and launched on the lakes. The vio- lent threats M^ere heard, the expected legions looked for, with a coolness, on the part of the Americans, which evinced courage ; but with a preparation that evinced a determination toi de- fend their homes, their families, their eountry» aqd liberty. Two armed launches and four barges of the ememy carrying about 230 men> entered Connec- "■/ J tl I ( 1 1 4M BUTCKEX <» TBDB WAB» \ about 4 o*eIeek in the moniing of the stb. It wfif^ quite a snvpHae on tl^few inhabitants! who had no means of resist, anee. Thfifr immedialely ^landed and bufoedall the vessels at the wharv«i» and on the stooks, except a brig, a schooner, and two sloops^, which tliey carried down the river, on theur retiring, after 10 o'eloek; but the wind shifting, they burned aU except the . schooner, and not lieing , able to proceed, they came to anchor a short Mdistance below Fettipaug, where they lay unHl night, then burned the sclioenM^ and departed, without intermption, or an^ attempt to annoy them, except that a few guns were fired on them after they had passed the month of tlie river, | to 4irhich they returned three cheers, and passed off. Daring the sUr, the militia collected to the number of about 1000, with six field pieces ; an ofllcer, with 160 sailors and soldiers, from New- lioiidon, had also arHved* Gen. Wi^ams, under anihority of the fitate of Connecticut, assumed the command. Nothing seemed more easy than to oaptvre the enemy, yet no attempt was made 40 do so, unless a summcns to surcendei' can be so considered. Mudi>censure was then attribu- ted to the general for his dilatory conduct, and it seems -not to have been hitherto aoeountcd for. About 26 vessels were destn^ed,. many of them lam and valuable. Com. Hardy, of the Ramilies 74, addressed a letter in May, to the British agent for prisoners (HT wnr in Boston, stating that ^' had arrived in the hay, with an adeqnate force to carry the blockade into eiTcet, and requesting him to malte it known to the neutral consuls and agents in that town and s tate^ that the blockade l(rould bs (, , :■-:■:. J ' f . HI8T0BY 0¥ TAB ^VAB. 241 rifi^rously enforced^ ogreeabl^ to the proolama- tion for tbe same. Tbe following copy of a letter from Commo- dore Lewis, commanding the United States* tlo- tilla at New-Yorkj to the secretary of the n^yy» dated May 29, 1814, will show that the Yankees determined to have some trade, notwithstanding the mighty force of the enemy on the ocean. « Sir-^I have the honour to inform you, that on the ]9th I discovered the enemy in pursuit of a brig un- der American colours, standing for Sandy-Hook.— I ordered a detachment of 11 gun-boats to proceed to.*. sea, and pass between the chase and the enemy, by^, which means to bring him to action, and give oppor- tunity to the chase to escape, all which was eifected ; the eiiemy, after receiving my 'fire, bore away— and the brig in question entered the harbour, proved to be the brig Regent from France, with a very valuable cargo. An.d on Monday the 23d, I engaged the ene- my before -New-London, and opened a passage for 40 sail of coasting vessels ; the action lasted three hours, in which the flotilla suffered very little ; Ko«" 6 received a shot under water, and others through the sails— we have reason to believe that the enemy suffered very grekt injury, as he appeared unwilling to renew the action the following morning; my ol^ ject was accomplished, which was to force a passage for the convoy. There are before New-London 3 seventy-four's, 4 frigates, and several, small vessels, the latter doing great injury, from their disguised character and superior sailing. I have the honour to ' assure you of my high respec;tv -..^ h LEWIS. '^. As soon as the engagement ceased, the flotilla caine to anchor before the harbour of New-Lon- don, within gun-shotnf the enemy> with a view of renewing the action in the morning* when we foQDd that the enemy had collected all his forcey t ^ ■ -^^ f f J: I'f T ^m I' I ' ' ' .if ■i'jin .242 HISTORY OV THE WAB. I in Humber seven ships and . several small vessels, in consequence of which great aeoession of force, the project of renewing the action was abandon- «d» and signal was made to proceed up Sound, whither the enemy pursued as far as Faulkner's Island. Capt. Sawyer, of the smack Resolution, from Stonington, informed, that, in .the gun-boat bat- tle, one shot passed throu^ the mainsail of the Sylph, and another cut away her ensign ; that one shot passed through the bow of the Maid- stone, one through her foremast, 4ind one into her hull ; and that 4>n the day after the engage- ment, a number of men from these vessels were buried on Fisher's Island. . A British squadron, consisting of a 74 gun ship, several frigates, and smaller vessels, with numerous launches, spread terror along the coast of Massachusetts, and succeeded in doiog considerable injury to coasting vessels. About 200 men landed, on the 13th May, at Wareham, in Massachusetts, and burned 12 or 13 vessels, -valued at about 20,000 dollars. They also set fire to a stocking factory, which was extinguish* ed by the eitizens, before much injury was done. Capt. Allen, of the schooner 'William & John, of Sedgwiek, Maine, was bound to Boston with a cargo of lumber. Capt. A. put into Dyers- creek, on the 20th May, but finding himself chased by the barge of the British schooner Bream, he hailed the barge, when she reached within about SO yards, but received no answer, Capt. Allen then ordered the barge to « keep off.** The captain, discovering the men in the barge about to fire a swivel in her bow, ordered hw men to fire, and take good aim* Four shots ^cre fired in succession, and the captain had ta- BlflXe'iT OF THE YfAtU; 24rS* ken his aim, \vhen one of the enemy cried out, »< ni give up to you ;*' and- tbe barge vas in- stantly surrendered to Ca|)t. Allen. Of seven, men, who were in the barge, two were killed^, and .wo wonnded. After the capture of the barge, the British^ commodoi*e sent a flag of truce to Capt. Allen, with propositions, which were rejected. After,, however, the exchange of four flags, it was a- greed, that in consideration of Capt. Allen's giv- ing up the British prisoners on parole, the com- oiander of the Bream was tQ. give Capt. Alleu^ S90 in eash, return two American prisoners be- longing to Goldsborough, give up a Chebacco^ boat, with the property on board of her, valued ut $700, and Capt. Allen to retain . the twelve oared barge, v'th all her armament, consisting - of one swivel; ^ ;ti>usket8,flve cutlasses, six car- tridge-boxes, . >??' hint tightSi a compass, one trumpet, and a quantity of canister and grape shot, all of which Capt. Allen values at ISSOO. Soon after this transaction, a boat captured' by the Bt'eam schooner, was sent into Mount- Desert, with seven Englishmen on board, to cut' out a vessel, the crew of which, on their ap- proach, fled to the shore, and were joined by sev- eral of the inhabitants, armed — having conceal- ed themselves among the rocks or bushes, they, opened a fire on the enemy, killed three of them,, wounded two, and compeUcd the others to sur- render. The enemy entered the harbour of Scituattf (Mass.) in June, in consequence, as he stated, of having been fired at from a signal piece of can- non, near the ligUti-house^.and set fire to several; 1 / 1-1 S44 HISTOBT OF TBE WAR. Two barges, from the British frigate Nymph, went into Squam, and destroyed the schooner JDiligchce, laden with lime. The crews threat- ened, that if the captain attempted to extinguish the flames of the Dilig?nce» they would destroy the house on the point ; which being attempted, they fired a twelve pound shot through it, and returned and effected the destruction of the sehooner. On the llth July, Gastport was taken posses- sion of by the enemy, in the name of his Britan- nic majesty, and, as afterward appeared, was claimed as being part of the British territory, by the terms of vere disposed of in the manner best calculated ' to resist any attempt of the enemy to land. At dawn of day, the enemy began to throw rockets from vessels which had taken stations on the east 'side of the town, out of range of the batte- ry. An 18 and a four pounded were drawn to a point of land from which the enemy could be reached, and, in a few minutes, the barges were eompelled to move off. During this time, the brig worked up and came tO' anchor within less than half a mile of the battery. The ammuni- ti&s on shore, being .expended, the few men, who were at the hattery, were compelled to retire^ having first spiked the guns. • >i .. For an hour and a half, the enemy continued to lire on the town, without the least opposition being attempted op praotieable. A fresh supply of ammunition being, by this time obtained, the Yent of the 18 pounder was drillejdt when a fire -( r-. i -■■ 1^ viir J .J> ' • " » 246 msTOBT OF THE WAR. 'Was opened on the enemy's brig, until at three o'clock, she slipped her cable, ^nd haulded off, being eyidentlj^ much injured Jn her hull and spars. Soon after this time, a considerable body of militia arrived, and Gen. isham had taken the eommnnd. A flag was sent from the inhabitants (without the concurrence of Gen. Isham) to the British officer, informing him that the «< unoflcnding in- habitants" had been removed, and wishing to know, if he meant to complete the destruction of the town. The deputation received from 7 During the several attacks, not a man was killed, and but 6 or 6 wounded. Two or three houses were destroyed, 8 or 10 much damaged^ and about 40 partially injured. , More than 300 shells anil carcasses were thrown into the vil* lage. • * The additional disposable military and naval force, which the peace in Europe left at the command of the enemy, the use which he threat* cned to make, and did ^ ii ' commence, or prepare to make of it, pi ocldce: in union of ac- tion and sentiment among the people of Ameri- ca, some discontented or rather traitorous per- sons excepted, and these so comparatively few» (hat they excited but a sentiment of contempt, and owed their personal safety to their utter ina- bility to do material injury. The citizens of New- York, the first commercial city in the union* gave an example of political forbearance toward each other, and of attachment to their country^ whieii had a salutary influence on every other part of the nation. At a general meeting held in the Park in that city, the 10th August, 1814, the following, to^ gether with several other patriotic resolutions, were uminimously adopted : « Resolved, that the citizens, here assembled, will| to the last extremit3r, defend their city. '< Resolved^ that we will unite ourselves in arms with our brethren of the country, and, on the first approach of the enemy, make it a common cause* «< Reaobvedy thdX it be recommended to the citizens generally, to meet as soon as may be practicable with convenience, in their respective vrards for the purposes of electing discreet and sufficient commit* tees to promote the execution of the following obr- mi \f\ 248 UISTOBT OF TH£ VAR. \'- h M « ]. To conoplete the voluntary enrolmeot of per. sonB, exempted by law from military service. « a. To encourage the enrolment of sea-&ring cit- izens, for services, in the harbour, or as artillerists. « 3. The enrolment of citizens for voluntary la- 1bour on the public works. « Reaoivedt that we will endeavour to promote concord and harmony, and will discountenance all attempts to weaken the patriotic efforts of good citi- zens. \ T. W» I From this momant, party feuds were, in a great measure, suspetfdedi newspaper editors excluded all acrimonious political discussions; the committee appointed to caiTy into effect the resolutions of the general meeting, was selected from the most respectable of the citizens, with- out the lea«t respect to the political party to which the persons selected, belonged. f I The plan of the enemy was to dismember the union. A command of the North River would tend much to this end. The possession of the city of New- York was a desirable^ object, in whatever point it might be viewed. The mea- surjes of defence and precaution, taken at New- Yoi'k, probably prevented the intended attack on that city; the subsequent attempt to gain pos- session of the posts near Lake Champlain, leaves little room to doubt the enemy's intention. Had that invasion succeeded, we should ' have soon heard of an invasion on the sea-board, either at New- York, or some place to the eastward of it. Mid an attempt to form a junction of the two in- vading armies. For several months, the eitizeos of New- York supplied more than 1000 men daily, who laboured voluntarily and without pay, at the fortifications ;.; aad jeveral thousands from the adjaoenli. eom% soussions; HISTORY OF TBS WAB. 219 ries> and from the state of New- Jersev, contri- buted their aid, until a line of fortifioations were raised on the heights of firoolclyn and Harlsem^ saflicient to oppose any probable force that could be employed by the enemy. — It would be impos- sible to do justice to the zeal that animated the ci(izenS) and it cannot be expected to cOpy» op even notice the many editorial observations which- appeared in the public prints; zeal overflowed» so that it beoame necessary to limit the oifbred services to a certain number dailyt and it often happened, that services could not be received un- til several days after being tendered. The fol- lowing* from the Richmond Compiler; is given» because its shortness does not actually render its insertion incompatible with our limits. « To a patriotic mind) it is truly exhilerating, to read the New- York papers, and see the generous* ardent zeal that actuates the inhabitants of that great emporium ot American commerce. At the first sigtial ' of breaking ground for the defence of the city, the whole population seem to have caught the spark of patriotic energy, to have burst the shackles of apathy, and set to the continent an example of so- cial and public spirit, which we trust may be emulat- ed through every part of our land. By wards and sections of the city, by tribes and centuriea^ hy con- stituted bodies and private companies, by trades, by professions, and by domestic parties, offers of person- al service and contributions in money, have been made and accepted : and that great mart of commer- cial wealth and enterprize, on which the enemy have so long kept a longing eye, is already inaccesMble, invulnerable ; the pride and glory, and palladium of the continent. Who would not be a citizen of New- York ?» ,n. On the 1st September, the British entered the Penobscot river, with about 40 sail of vessels# (-7 Uil ,ri 250 BIITORT OV TBK 1¥AB. and several thousand men, and took possession of Castine, the small garrison of which fled, arter blowine up the fort. They next sent 600 men to Belfast^ which submitted. The following day they proceeded up the river to Hamden, where the Adams frigate lay. Capt. Morris made eve- ry possible disposition to resist the enemy, but finding his limited force inadequate to that end, he spiked his guns, burned his stores, blew up the ship» and, with his crew, escaped. The Bri- tish governor immediately announced, that the country, lying between the Penobscot river and Passamaquoddy bay, would be considered as a part of the British territory. Measures were aUo taken to fortify Castine, and establish per- manent commercial regulations. It was estima. ted that 120 vessels were taken in the Penob- seot. "While the enemy was coupling petty conquest with cowardice and cruelty, along the sea- board, the American army of the interior was plucking from the brows of imported invincibles the lau* pels won on the theatre of late European con- flicts. The brave General Jacob Brown, who had in the last year signalized himself by the defence of Sackett's Harbour, was appointed to thp com- mand of the army on the Niagara frontier. . On the 2d July, General Brown made disposi- tions for an intended attack on the Bi'itish Fort £rie ; and issued orders to the troops for cross- ing the river. The army passed the Niagara river on the morning of the 3d. T!ie enemy was perfectly unapprized of the intended attack ; Gen. Scott, who led the van, was on shore be- fore the enemy's picket discovered the approach. The fort being approached on the right and left,. HIITOBT 01 tOE WAB. S5i And the Indiani in the woddi* in the rear^ Gen, ' Brown summoned the garriion to saFrender» which, after a short time allowed for oonsidera- tion, was asreed to. At six o^elook the gArrl* son marched and staol^ed their arms ; 170 regu- larsy inoluding seven offieers* were sent across the river. On the morning of the 4th July, Oen. Scottf with his brigade, and a corps of artiSlery, ad- vanced towara Cliippewa. After some siiirmish* ing with the enemy, he selected a judicious posi- tion for the night; his right resting on the river, and a ravine in front ; at 11 at night, Gen. Brown joined him with the reserve under Gen. Bipiey, and a corps of artillery, under Mf\|or Hind man — a field and battering train were also brought up ; Gen< Porter arrived In tbe morning, with a part of the New-York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and sonie of the warriors of the Sis Nations. Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy attacked the pickets ; by noon he showed him- self on the left of the army, and attacked one of the pickets, as it was returning to carnp.-^ Captain Treat, who commanded the picket, re- tired, leaving a wounded man on the g^nnd.-- - Captain Biddle, of tlie artillery, promptly as- sumed the command of this picket, led it back to the wonftded man, and brought him off the field. General Brown instantly ordered Capt. Trieat to retire from the army, and advised, that his name, and that of another officer, should be struck from the roll of the army. This circum- stance was noticed in a note to the first edition of this work, without the following necessary fiddition, which did not, and could not, have then «ome to the knowledge of the compiler. *f**i >. my marolied to Qackett's Harbour soon after, and the eourt wat ditiolved. Capt. Treat immediately proceeded to Sack- ett's Harbour, by permission from Maj. Gen. Izard, and requested another Court Martial. Mi\j. Gen. Brown, on the fitb of April,- 1815, aftor the repeated solicitations of Capt. Treat, issued an order, organizing a court, consisting of Col. M*Feely, president; Lieut. Col. Smith, Maj. Croker, Maj. Boyle, Maj. Mullany, Maj. Chane, Capt. White, members ; Capt. Seymour, •upernumerary ; Lieut. Anderson^ 13th rb^. nient, judge jidvooate. ^The court met, and proceeded on the (rial the 6th April, 1815, at Sackett's Harbour. They closed the investigation on the 8th May, when Capt. Treat was honourably acquitted. The following is a oopy of the decision of the court : << After mature deliberation on the testimony adduced, the eourt do find the accused JOSEPH TREAT, of the 21st infantry, not guilty of the oharge or specifications preferred against him, and do honourably acquit him." The sentence of the court was approved by Maj. Gen. Brown, and promulgated on the 28(ii June, at Sackett's Harbour. At 4* o*eloek in the afternoon Gen. Porter advanced with the volunteers and Indians, in order to induce the enemy to come forth.— Qen. Porter's command met the light parties of the enemy in the woods. The enemy was driven, and Porter pursued until near Chippewa, whrrc he met their whole column, in order of battle. ■" .J ■ •#.< ^ ■ quiry; it 1 was or- of the fti'- ii\eVf and to Sack- Maj. Gen. Martial, prilr 1815, ipt. Treat, nsistin^ of d1. Smith, lany, Maj. , Seymour, 13th rbgi- 3en. Porter Indians, in ne forth.— ut parties of was driven, iewa» where 2V of battle. HISTORY or THE WAS. 255 The heavy Aring induced a belief ^hat the en- tire foroe of the enemy was In motion, and pre- pared for aution. Gen. Soott was oixlerea to advance with his brieadey and Towson's artil- . lerv. The general advanced in the most prompt and offleer-like manner? and^ in a few mmutnti^ \ was in close action with a superior-force of the enemy. By this time. Gen. Porter's command had ^iven way, and fled in disorder, notwith- ' standing, the great exertions of the general to rally them. This retreat left the left flank of Gen. Seott's brigade greatly exposed. Captain Harris was directed, with his dragoons, to stop the fugitives, behind the ravine^ fronting the American camp. Gen. Ripley, with the 2tst regimenty which formed part of the resorve» passed to the left of the camp, under cover of the woody to relieve Gen. Soott, by falling on the enemy's right flank, but, before the 21st could come into its position, the line command- ed by Gen. Scott, olosed with the enemy. Maj. Jessup, commanding the left flank battalion^ finding himself pressed in front and flank, and his men falling fast around him, ordered his battalion to « aujrport arms, and advance ,*" the order was promptly obeyed, amidst ihe most deadly and destructive fire. Having gained a better position, he poured on the enemy a fire 80 galling* as caused them to retire. The en- emy's entire line now fell back, and continued to retreat, until at the sloping ground, descending toward Chippewa, when they broke, and fled to their works. " ^'i'^:_^^\m-^:>-'-; ^^^^'-^^ rj^.'unr-> Gen. Brown, finding the pursuit of the troops checked by the batteries of the enemy, ordered up his ordnance, in order to force the place, hj a direct attack, but was induced, by the re- w • 1 'i:^ ,':■•% n .< i I mj' 25^ HisTOBir aif the miam* port of Maj. IVood, and Capt Austin^ who u. ^eonnoitered the enemfr's works, the lateness of the hour, and the advice of his officers, to order the forces to retire to camp. The American troops, on no occasion, behaved with more gal- lantry than on the present. The British regu- lars suffered defeat from a number of men, prin- cipally volunteers and militia, inferior in every thitt^ but courage, to the vanquished enemy; and the gallant Brown, a woodsman, <• a soldier ot yesterday," put at defiance the military tac- tics of the experienced Maj. Gen. Riall. The following is a copy of a letter, written by Gen. Brown, on t\k^ field of battle, directed to the secretary of war. \ « Sir— Excuse my silence. I have been much engaged. Fort Erie did not) as I assured you it should not, detain me a single day. At 1 1 o'clock, on the night of the 4th, I arrived at this place with the reserve, General Scott having taken the position about noon, with the van. My arrangements for turning and taking in the rear the enemy's position cast of Chippewa, was made, when Major General Riall, suspecting our intention, and adhering to the rule, that it is better to give than to receive an at- tack, came from behind his works about 5 o'clock in the afternoon of the 5th, in order of battle. We did not baulk him. Before 6 o'clock his line was broken, and his forces defeated, leaving on the field four hundred killed and wounded. He was closely pressed, and would have been utterly ruined, but for the proximity of his works, whither he fled fur shelter. The wounded of the enemy« and those of our own army must be attended to. They will be removed to Buffalo. This, with my Umiled mieans for trans- portation, will take a day or two, after which I shall advance, not doubting but that the gallant and ac- complished troops I lead, will break down all oppo* BlfTOBT OF THB WAB. -.1 ^BB sition between me and Lake Ontario> wheii^ if met by the fleet) all is well — ^if not, under the favour of heaven, -we shall behave in a way to avoid disgrace.** The battle^of Bridgwater^ fought on the 26tli Juij» was bloody, and well contested on' both sides. Tlie enemy was composed of 5000 men» of the best troops, commanded by Gen. Riall» and others, the best British officers. It is duo to them to record, that they fought well, but they fought against freemen, and. were defeated. Opposed to the bravest slaves in the ^irorld, of equal force, this British army would have con- quered. The Americans were fewer in number than the enemy ; they were men, most of whom had yet to learn military tactics, but who had a cmmtrtff now staked in a contest, which the pre« sent battle might materially effect, or, in its con- sequeace> decide. ' " " On the 25th, Gen. Brown's army was encamp' ed above Chippewa, near the battle ground of the 5th. Tim brig ad o wrier Gen.^ Scott^ moor- ed past Chippewa, and halted at Bridgwater* in view of Niagara falls. At half past 4, P. M. the battle was commenced by the enemy. The enemy, being numerically superior to the Ame* ricans, he was able to extend his line so as to attempt to flank. In order to counteract the apparent view of Gen. Riall, he ytm fought in machmenis — he was elmrged m eolumih Gen. Scott being at the head of his troops hi almost «very charge. General Scott maintained hia ground for more than an hour» before the re- serve under Gen. Ripley, and the volnntcers^ under Gen. Porter, were brought fully into ac- tion. The ground was obstinately contesteit until 9 o^clook in the evening, when Gen. Brown decided toi Jtorin a battery^ which the enem^r -■I ... )l- 'iiiT i (. ^se BISTOST OT THE VAB. , liad on a commaiidiDg eminence. Col. Miller eommanded on this enterprize^ which iras so re- solutely entered on, that the enemy, unable to withstand the charge^ retired to the bottom of the bill, and abandoned his cannon. The enemy liow gave way, and was pursued some distance. The American army then betook itself to the securing of prisoners^ and bringing off the wounded. • 'While the army was thus employedy General Brummond arrived with a reinforeement (o the enemy, when he, unexpectedly to the Ameri. cans, renewed the battle, with a view to recov- er his cannon. The army, haying quickly formed, resisted the attack with courage; ai^, after a close engagement, the en#my was re- pulsed, as he was in two other similar attempts. The American army bavins effected the remo- val of nearly all the wounded, retired from the ground a little before midnight, and returned to tamp. , The warmth and zeal with which this action was maintained, was the most obstinate and de- termined. For two hours, the discharge of musketry was so constant, as to produce almost s^n uninterrupted blaze of lire ; nor was it in any period of this action, much less warm. Wel- lington's " invicibles" had just arrived from Europe, and Drummond resolved that they should not only maintain their character, but maintain it in a manner that would make the most desponding impression on the brave, but raw recruits of the republic. The Americans not only withstood the onset, but repelled and punished it. A fine moon-light night favoured equally the operations of both armies ; they fought too near to render cannon generally ser- msnOKT Of THK WAR» ssr vfceabfe, beioe. often Mrilhin half pistol shot of each other, and sometimes mingled together.— > The charge of Col. Miller exceeded any thing^ ex()erienccd by the British soldiers, even in £u- vope. Thriee his men were repulsed ¥rith the men, except two, were shot. For want of horses, they were compiled to leave to the en- emy most of the oannon which were taken froni' him, with such bravery, and at suoh expence. On the morning after the battle, the Am^i^'" cans, under Generals Ripley and Porter, recon- Boitered the enemy, who did not show any dis- position to renew the contest, and then^ burned the enemy's barracks and a bridge at Chijppew& after which they returned to Fort Erie. The enemy was believed to have lost betweeik 1200 and 1300 men, including Majw Gen. Biall,. who was wounded, and, with 18 other offiieers,. and 150 noni-oom missioned officers and privates^ taken prisoners. The Americans lost i majors 1 adjutant, 5 captains, 4 subalterns, 10 sergeants^ to corporals, 140 privates-— total killed, 171.— i major-general, 1 brigadier-general, 2 aids-de- aamp^l brigade-mi^or, 1 colonel^ 1 lieutenant- w 5 m i ",-.•(> I '■ I 5B58 BIBTOBT OF THE VfAU* odlonety 4 majorsy 1 adjutant, 3 quarter-mastersy 1 pay-maBter, 7 captaioBt 32 subalterns, 517 n6n- cominisBiooed officers and pr]vates~total wound- cd,.^2 ; rnissia^ 117 — total, 860. T&e British foi«B engaged, amounted by their own confession, to 4fi00 men, mostly or Mrholly regntars, beside a host of Indians \ the American force did hot exceed 2800 men, consisting in a great proportion of the militia of Pennsylvania and New-York. Gen; Brown, in his ofileial re- ]M>rt, particularly notices the brave and prudent conduet of Generals Bipley, Porter, and Scott; Colonels Miller, Dobbin, of New-Tori^, AVilcox, aiid Gardener; Majors M; and frequent ^lurmishes ensued, in which the enei y was.geil? . •».■ .::.^^.'-'A .'j.* l lfHHWHT .*■ ' HItTOBT OT THE WAR. St99 erallv worsted. On the sd August, about 500 i*eguiais> under Col. Tucker, crossed below Blaek Roek. but >iMre met by 200 riflemeny and a party of volunteers, under Major Moreanfand> af( 4* a long oontest, were defeated, and compel- led to re-cross the river. Brigadier General Gaines, arrived at Erie the 4th August, aftd as- sumed the commaitdy during General Brown's illness. On the 15th August, the enemy, under the im- mediate command of General Drummond, at- tempted to storm Fort Erie; the result was communicated in a letter from General Gaines, to the secretary of war, of which the following is a copy : «« Head-Quarters, Fort Erie, U. C. , ' Aug. 15,7 A. M. 1814. Dear was post- ed as a corps of reserve^ between the new bas- tions of Fort £rie. « About 20 minutes past 3 P. M." says -Gen. Brown, in his oflleial report, « I found the left column, under the command of Gen. Porter, which were destined to turn ths enemy^s right, within a few rods of the British entrenchments. They were ordered to advance and eommeoee the action. Passing down the ra« Tine, I judged, from the report ofmusketi^, that Qie action had eommeneed on our left ; I now hastened to Gen. Miller, and directed him to seize the moment, and pierce the enemy's en- trenehments, between batteries No. 2 and &.«• My orders were promptly and ably executed.—- Within SO minutes after the first gun was fired, batteries No. 3 and 2, the enemy's line of en- tr^nehments, and his two bloek-houses, were io our possession. Soon after, battery No. 1 wai abandoned by the British. The guns in each were spiked by us, or otherwise destroyed, ^ad Ihe magazine of No ^, was blown up." The enemy's loss exceeded, from the most probable aecount^ 1000 men, including 2 majors, * eaptains, 4 lieutenants, 1 ensign, one assistant- surgeon, 4» stalT-sergeants, 19 sergeants, 17 cor- porals, 1 drhmmer, and 332 privates.' The A- merieans lost in killed, wounded and missing, 511. G^eral Davis, of the militia, was killed. The action lasted more than two hours, and was warmly contested for about one hour. In tlie eourse of the action, the entire of the enemy^s foree was brought into action, eonsisting prinei- ^<^.„ BISTOftT Of THB WIB. 265 pally of regulars wider eomraand of Lieut. Gen. Drummond. So satisfied was the British gene- ral of his inability to contend, even aided by his veteransy against the raw soldiers thftt formed the American army* that he broke up his eamp» during the night of the 2l8t» and retired to his entrenohments behind the Chippewa. < An expedition under the command of Lieut. Col. G. Croghan, was set on foot in July, 1814 ; the chief object of. whieh, was the reduction of Fort Mackinac, which had been taken by the en- emy in the early part of the war. The expedi- tion left Fort Gatroit (head of Straits St. Clair) on the 12th. Owing to a want of pilots acquaint- ed with the unfVequented {Nirt of the bay, the in- tended course of the vessels was somewhat alter- ed ; they anchored at St. Joseph's on the 20th. After setting lire to the fort of St. Joseph, which seemed not to have been recently occupied, a de- tachment of infantry and artillery, under ^ajor Holmes, was ordered to Sault, St. Mary's, for the purpose of breaking up the enemy's esta- blishment at that place. A few hours before the arrival of Major Holmes at the Sault, St. Mary's, the northwest agent was apprized of his approach, and succeeded in escaping' with a large quantity of goods. A large quantity were, hofiiirever, found secreted in the woods, on the American side.-*- These were claimed by the agent of John John- son, an Indian trader ; but Major Holmes de- clined giving them to Mr. Johnson, « because," y-. -^ 264 MI8T0BT 07 TUB WAB. as Mf^or HolmeB observed in his letter to Llieut Col. Croghan» « it was good prize by the mari- time law of nations* as reeoenized in the English oourtsy r witness the case of Admiral Hodney ad- judged oy Lord Mansfield.) , Further, beeauso Johnson has acted the infamous part of a trai- tor, having been a citizen and a magistrate of the Michigan territory, before the .war and at Its commencement, and now discharging tlie functions of magistrate under the British gov. crnment. Because , his agents armed the In- dians from his store-house at our approach; and lastly, because, those goods, or a opnsidera- ble part, were designed to be taken to Michi^- mackinac." The expedition reaehed Michilimackinac 0n the 26th» where the enemy was found so strong- ly posted on a height, overlooking the old fort, that his reduction by storm, with the small force under Col. Croghan, seemed very doubtful. It was the colonel's wish, at all hazards, to dis- embark in some favourable position, from which he might be able to annoy the enemy by gradual and slow approaehes, under cover of his artille- ry, and where, by fortifying himscilf, he might force the eneriky to attack him in his strong po- sition ; or draw his Indians and Canadians (his most efiicient and only disposable force) from the island. Being inG>rmed, by old residents of the island, where a favourable position might be obtained, he effected r landing on the 4th August, and advanced to the field where an encampment was ' intended, when he received intelligence that the enemy was ahead, of whieh he was soon convin- ced, by a discharge of shot and shells from a battery of 4 guns. The colonel^ hereon^ chang- UliTOftT Of THS WAB. MS to Jjhut the mari- i English odney ad- '9 beeauBo of a trai- ;i8trate of ar and at •ping the 'itisu gov- 1 the In- ipproach ; [S9nsidera- Miohi]||i- „■:» ■ ekinae Qn 80 Btrong- ) old fort) the small f doubtful, •dsj to dis- •om vrhich »y gradual lis artille- he might strong po- idians (his ) from the Ihe island, ) obtained, igust, and iment was e that the on convin- kls from a on> chang- ed his positiOD, (which was then two lineit the militia forming the front,) by advanoing Mi^or Holmes'* battalion on the right of the militia» thus to outflank him, and b/ a rigorous eflbrt to gain his rear. Before this moremei^t could be executed, a Are fVom some Indians^ posted in a thick wood* proved fatal to M^Jor Holmes, audi soverely wounded Captain Dosha* the next in rank. This misfortune threw that part of the line into concision, from which it wat found im- possible to recover it. As the oi^ly method left of annoying the enemy* Col. Crochan order- ed a charge to be jnade on his firont by the resa- lars. The enemy was thus driven back into the woods, from which an annoving Are was kept up by the Indians. Lieut. Alorgan brought up a light piece to relieve the left which was suTOr- iag from a galling fire $ the excellent practice of this piece brought the enemy to fire at a longekr distance. Col. Croghan finding the position, from which the enemy was driven not tenable, ho determin- ed not to eontSnue to expose his men to a danecFy from which no good result could be expected.— He therefore ordered a retreat to the sbippin(r. Sailing-master Champlin, wliose vessel, the Tigress, fell into the hands of the enemv, and irho, with his crew, were prisoners at Miohili- iKiadkinac, arrived aft Erie in November. Capt. Arthur Sinclair, commanding tho United States* naval force on the upper lakes, statics, in a letter to the secretary of the na^y, on the authority of sailing-master ChampHn, that '< the conduct of the enemy to our prisoners (the crew of the Ti- gress) thus captured, and the inhuman butchery of those who fell into their liands^ at the attack oTMackihaoky has been barbarous beyond a pa« l\ .*> S66 UISTOUT Of TUB VfXU, ;>;.''*: rallel. The former have been pluodered of al- most every article of clothing thejr posseBscd ; , the latter had their hearts and livers tal(en out, nrhieh urere actually cooked and feasted on by the savages* and that too in the quarters of the British officers, sanetioned by Col. M'Dougall.'' The British araiy, under Gen. Drumniond, ■being oonsiders|bly reinforced* there appeared an absolute necessity to strengthen that under Gen. Brown* and to make such u diversion or co-ope- ration* as would draw off the enemy fVoni the neighbourhood of Fort Erie* or compel him to surrender. A vigorous attack on Kingston must* If made* produce the first of these effects ; the throwing of a large force into the rear of Gen. 0rummond* might have the latter effect. Gen. izard marched from Plattsburgh* about the lat {September* with a large force* which formed a junction with Gen. Brown* about the 12th Octo. ber; thus having* unfortunately* occupied more 4han 40 days in performing a Journey of 253 miles by land* and a voyage of 90 miles by water —total distance from Plattsburgh to Black Rock* 94S miles. The slow movement of Gen. Izard*8 army* gave to the enemy the time necessary to equip the new ship St. Lawrence* of 90 guris* lately built at Kingston. The British fleet* with this big- ship* appeared off Niagara* the 2d Novem- ber* and gave to the enemy the command of lake Ontario* by which Gen. Drummond could be reinforced or taken off* if necessary. It also enabled the enemy to threaten Sackett's Har- bour } .and Gen. Brown was ordered to the de- fence of the Harbour^ leaving Gen. Izard in com- mand at Elrie. V -v.- -.. r ^ n:, ■\ • UISTOBT OT THE WAR. 267 The oarapaign in the neighbourhood of Niaga- ra muit, from the lateness of the season, lie drawing to fk close; it appeared to Gen. Izard* that liis army could not remain in safety at Erie, the fort was therefore destroyed, and the armj crossed to Huffuloe, where ittool^ up winter quar- toijs. *' The army left at Plattsburgh, after the march of Gen. Izard, was very wealc ; the command devolved on Gen. Maootnb. The enemy em- braoed this opportunity for making an incursion into the state of New-Yoric, on tlie side of Lalie Champlain, with a view to secure a ttrong posi- lion at Crown Point, or Tioonderoga, previous to going into winter-quarters ; and, ultinDatelv, to eo-operate with an army, that was to invade the state of New-York, or Connecticut, on the sea-board ; and thus effect the p;reat object of (he British government, the political separation, of the eastern from the scuthern states. General Sir George Prevost, commanded tjie British land forces, destined for this servicoy- consisting of four brigades, each commanded by a major-general of experience j a light squadron of dragoons, and an immenee train of artillery^, and all th^ engines of war ; the entire amount- ing to 14,000 men. IrVhilv the troops advanced by land, the fleet, apparently superior to the Americ(itt, advanced by water. To resist this overwhelming force. Gen. Macomb had but 1500 effectives. In aid of tliis small force^ the milHia was hastily assembled. The British governor- general entered the ter- ritory of the United States, on the Ist September, 1S14, and A]^ed his head-quarters at tlie village of Champlain ; from which, he commenced an attack, by promises and threats«, on the citizens ¥■: a ^68 mSTOBT Of THE WAK. of tbe United Statics, previous to the more^^^ri- ous attacks ivhich vrcre to be simultaneoas Ivy land and water, and vrere effectually to over- throw all opposition on both. On the 2d, the British army inarched from Champl∈ on the 5thy it appeared, in full force, before the village of-Plattsburgh. No sooner was the intention of the enemy discover- ed, than the militia was called out : those of th(» county of Clinton assembled on the 2t' 3eptem- liier, near the village of Chazy, where they took a position, under command of Lieut. Col. Miller. On the follQwing day. Gen. Wright took a posi- tion, with his brigade, seven miles in ?^dvance ot|' Plattsborj^h. On the advance of the enemy, Col. Appling, who was placed with his command on the lake road, fell back to Dead-creek, where he posted himself, and impeded the approach of the pursuers so much by blocking up the passage, that the enemy was compelled to alter his course toward the Beekmantown road. On the morning Mf Ihn Mh. iht^ uAvumw nf **»'- Lj. ' ..»..- ^..., ...: w^,. ^ V* wic enemy attaokeu the militia, about 700, under General Meoers, and a small detachment of regulars commanded by Major 'Wool. Unfortunately, a part of the militia broke and fled, the remainder, together with the regulars, made a bold and masterly op- position, retiring slowly and regularly before a large force for six miles, when they were rein- forced within a mile of Piatt sburgh by a Captain liconard and a few men with two pieces of ar- tillery. This force, by taking advantage of the eover of a stone wall, made a stand and cheeked the progress of the enemy, until overpowered by superior numbers, it retired, as bcL'ore, slowly, dealing death among the enemy, until it reach- «d the south bank of the Saranac, where the JOTBTOBT OF TIIB WAB. 269' pursuit of the enemy was effectually cliecked« and he forced to retire. From Uiis time until the morning that was to de«}ide the fate of Platts- burgh and perhaps of Albany, continual sMr- mishing was kept up» each party preparing itself for the bloody conflict. The enemy occupied an extent of about three miles; he erected seven heavy batteries and fully supplied himself with all the usual means of attack. The Americans were engaged in annoying the £nemy and strengthening their own works..,/l\e 11th was fixed on for the attack by land and water. At 9 o*olock in tlie morning of that day, the euemy'd ilotilla on Lake Champlain, passed Cumberland- head. It consisted of 1 frigate of 32 guns, t brig of 22 guns, 2 sloops of 10 guns each, and several galleys. The American fleet lay in Cum- berland bay, opposite Plattsburgh. The encmy^ superior in vessels, guns, and number of men^ advanced with that confluence, which his supe- riority of force, inspired ; and the bloody con- flict began. Com. Thomas Macdonough oom- nianded the American flotilla. Undaunted, ho wailed the attack, trusting in the heroism of a little band, which seemed determined to oonquery . or die*. For two hours and fifteen minutes, tho contest was maintained, with an obstinacy which* • while it added to, or rather perfected the re- nown already acquired by the American seamen» did not disgrace the vanquished. Modesty seems to bei a quality highly possessed by the naval commanders in the United States* The follow- ing laconic letter, written to the secii;tary of the navy, by Com. Macdonough, Is at once a proof of modesty, and a notice of success. « The Almig;hty has been pleased to grant us a signal victory on Lake Champlainy in (he capture of X 2 .1^ ■ i '•JO niSTOBT or TH« VAlf. one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of wari of the enemy." The American galleys were aliout pursuing those of the cDemy* that were making their es- oape^ but, it being discovered, that all the yesseh ~iverc in a sinking state, it became necessary to annul the signal to chase, and order the men from the galleyp to the pumps. « I could only," observed Com. Macdonongh, « look at the ene- my's galleys going off in a shattered condition, lor there was not a mnst in either squadron that could staled to make sail on ; the lower rigging being nearly all shot away, hung down as though it had been just placed over the mast-heads."-^ «' The Saratoga," continued the commodore, *f hhAJiftyJire round ^lot in her hull ; the Con- Hance, (enemy's vessel) one hundred and JtteJ* The following is a comparative view of the number and strength of the vessels engaged, and the loss on board them. AMERICAN. Guna.Men.Killed* Wounded. Ship Saratoga 26 310 Brig Eagle 30 130 Schooner Ticonderoga 17 110 Sloop Preble 7' 30 Ten Gun-Boats 1& Z50 25 13 6. 2 a 39 20 6 5 I; Total 86 820 4m3 58 BKlTIStt. s irrigate Confiance 39* SOa 50 60 Urig Lionet > 16 120 30 30 Chub (formerly Growler) fl 40 6 10 !Finch (formerly Eagle) 11 40 8 10 Thiris«n Gun*boata 18 550 o Total 95. 1050 84. 110 UISXORY OF TUe WAR. QU At the same hour that the fleets engaged, tlie eaeniy opened his batteries on the American torts, throwing hundreds of shells, balls and rockets; and attempted, at the same time,' to crosi^ the Saranac river, at three different points, to assault the American works. At the upper ford, he was met by the Vermont volunteers and New- York militia. Here a most interesting eoniiicc took place ; on the one side, the best troops of Britain, led on by her most consum- mate officers, men and officers selected from those soldiers, who, under command of the Duke of Wellington, had acquired the charac- . ter of « invincible/' men who had conquered in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Indies ; on the other* side, men not reared to^ arms, not used to battle, most of them born since their sires had immortalized themselves in combat on this same ground, the descendants of the « Green Mountain-boys" and of those heroes who conquered at Saratoga, kc. The object of contest was great ; on it was, probably, to hang every future event of the war. The en« cmy fought for the recoYcry of a territory which would make his king the most powerful prince in the world ; the officers looked to places of omolument, pensions, grants of land, titles of jaobility, stars, garters, ribbands, plunder ; hon~ ours and riches in a thousand shapes and forms : the honest American yeomen sought neither pay nor pecuniary reward, beyond the daily sti- pend of ^ soldier. But yesterday, they wera at their ploughs, t<>-day, they grasped their riffes, and hurried to the threshold of their country-^ their ultimate reward was to be a ccnfirmatioii «f the liberties entailed on them by their sires« a^eontiAuaBce of that indeirendGnce they we%e '" m h'^ I 972 BISTORT OV THir. V/XB., F^lT determined to preserve, or not to survive. The conflict was influenced b^' feelings uhicli drew fortli the utmost exertions of. both parties, and substituted desperation on one side, and unbend- ing patriotism on the other, in place of that in- dinerence or cowardice, which so often leads to disaster and disgrace. Several times were ' Uie enemy repulsed, several times did he re- turn to the ftfrd ; astonished at this obstinate resistaqce, from woodsmen, suddenly assembled on the occasion, the enemy yet believed they must give way; again he advances, again he h repulsed ; astonished, confounded, dismayed, he retires: no longer invincible, he acknowledges defeat — defeat from whom? Let Wellington's men answer ; or let them send for a reply to the mountains of Vermont, or the wilderness of New- York. At the bridge near the village, he was repulsed by the pickets, and the brave piflemen, under Capt. Grosvenor, and Lieuten- ants Hamilton and Riley; and, at the bridge in the town, he was foiled by the guards, block- houses, and the artillery of the foi ts, served by Captains Alexander Brooks, Richards and Smith, and Lieutenants Munford, Smith and Cromwell. The enemy's fire was returned with effect from the batteries; by sun-set, seven of his newly raised batteries were silenced, and he was seen retiring ta his camp. Beaten by land, and by water, the British governor- general withdrew bis artillery, and raised the siege. Under favour of a dark night, he sent off his heavy baggage, and retreated with his whole army towards Ca- nada, leaving his wounded in the field, aiid a Tast quantity of provisions, and munitions of war, which he had not time to destroy. The. light troops, volunteers and militia^ pur&aedi UI STORY OF THS \VAB. 273 l/ini on the following day^ eapturing several sol- diers» aod covering the escape of a great num- ber ot* deserters: bad weather prevented the pursuit to be continued, beyond Chazy. Thus have l^yOOO regularsy with the best British offi- oers» and the best militavy equipment* been bea- ten by a regular foree of only 1500 men» and 2500 militfa and volunteers ; the militia com- manded by Gen; Moores^ and the volunteers by Gen. Strong. The enemy having retired from republican ground, the militia and volunteers were dismissed. The official return of the loss of the Ameri- can regulars, ^inounted to 1 subaltern^ 1 ser- geanty 1 musieian, and Si* privates, l^illed— -total 37; 2 subalters, 1 sergeant-major, ^ sergeants, 2 corporals, ^ musicians, and 4)9 privates, wound- ed — total 62 ; total killed, wounded and missing, 119. General M'Comb states tl^e loss of the en- emy 00 the laud iu»d lair*, o* »»«♦ !«*• «bon a/ino >*^ Wki. Aavfc «vwU men. While glory and victory attended the armies of the United States* the navy continued in- creasing its numb^'r of victories, and private armed vessels carried destruction to the enemy in every sea. Even in the British Channel, the enemy felt that his thousand ships of war could HOt bring safety to his traders. Insurance to cross the channel, rose from a few shillings to five guineas (S2S,75) per cent. In lat. 27, 47 N. lc«i. 80, 9, on the 29tli April* 1814, the tJ* S. sloop of war Peacock,* fell in Vfitli his Britannic majesty's brig Epervler, ra^ ting and mounting 18 S2>pound oarronades, with 128 men. The Epervier struck her colours af- ter an action ef 42 nilnntes, and the loss of 8 ;|i ; s .K'i :d 11 It ?f^ ^i^ r ; M 274 I . BISTOBT OF TUB WAR- men 1cil]ed» and 15 wounded. Two men were slightly wounded on board (he Peacock. Both vessels arrived at Savannah* the prize being with difficulty kept above water. The damage suffered hy the two vessels* will be seen by the following extract from the official report of Capt. Warrington. k. /. «* This, (the' disabling of a fore yard) with a few top masts, and top-gallant back stays cut away, a few shot through our sails, is the only injury the Pea* Gock has sustained. Not a round shot touched our hull ; our masts and spars are as sound as ever. — When the enemy struck, he had five feet water in his hold, his main top*mast was over the side, li|is main boom shot away, his fore-mast cut nearly in two, and tottering, his fore rigging and stays shot a« way, his bowsprit badly wounded, and 45 shot holes in his hull, 30 of which were within a foot of his water line." The Epervier had 120,000 dollars in specie* on Do&rcl. The United States' sloop of war Frolic, Jo- seph Bainbridge eommander* was eaptured* af- ter a chase by H. B. M. frigate Orpheus, of 36 guns, on the 20th April. A court of inquiry, held on board the U. S. frigate Constitution, at New-York, the 20th ApriU 18i6» gave their opinion, <« that the same was not lost, through the fault, inat( f ^ititi^ or negligence of Captain Bainbridge." The court rJf i reported favoura- bly on the conduct of the offi^oers and crew of the Frolie. His Britannic majesty's sloop of war Rein- deer, was captured the 28th June, ISli, in lat. 48, 36 N. and ion. 11, 15 W. by the U. S. sIoo|» of war Wasp, Capt. J. Blakely. The action eommenced at 26 miniites after 3 P. M. ; at 45 m ih BISTORT OF THE VAK. 276 men were *s in specie, minutes past 3, the enemy- was carried by board- ing. The action, for the short time it lasted, was severe, and both vessels and crews sulTered considerably. The loss on board the Wasp, was principally occasioned by repelling the enemy, in two attempts which he made to board. The Reindeer mounted 16 24-pound carronades, 2 long 6 or 9-pounders, and a shifting 12-pound carronade, with a complement of 118 picked men, called, from their appearance, the « pride of Plymouth." The Reindeer was literally ciit to pieces, and so complete a wreck, in both hull and rigging, that it was found necessary to de- stroy her. Her commander, (William Manners, Esq.) and 22 petty officers and seamen, were killed; wounded dangerously, 10; severely, 17; slightly 15 — total killed and wounded, 75. On board the Wasp, there were 5 killed, and 21 wounded. Six round shot struck the hull of the Wasp; a 24-pound shot passed through the fore mast, and a considerable number of grape struck, but did not penetrate her sides. The Wasp arrived at L*Orient the 8th July. The Wasp sailed from L'Orient on the 27th August. At half past 9 o'clock, P. M. the 1st September, engaged a vessel, supposed to be a large brig of war, and forced hor to strike her Hag, at 12 minutes past 10. In a few minutes, Capt. Rlakely discovered another brig, and pre- pared for action ; at 36 minutes past 102 brigs, in sight, when the Wasp was compelled to re- linquish her prize. The Wasp lost 2 men ki\U ed, and had 1 man wounded. The enemy, af- ter his surrender, was heard, asking assistance^ and said he was sinking. The enemy's vessel proved afterwards to be the •^Ivon, By the British details, it was aokiaowledged, that the feirh mm mAj^ 27B HI8T0KT «F TttE WAB. , 1 li mi- S . t#0 t^sselsy ^hich came in aid of the Avbo, were the Castiliaii and Tartarus, each of them of force equal to the Wasp. The Avon went to the bottobiy after the surviving part of lier orew was removed on board the other British .vesseli. The Avon was in the Delaware in 1810; she then carried 18 32-pound carronadesi besides bow and stem guns. Irhe Essex, Capt. Porter, the smallest frigate in the American navy, was destined to prove im- mensely injurious to the enemy. Her crui»e in the Paoifio ocean has supplied ample matei nd sailed for the eoast of Chili, on the 12(h December, 1813. Previous to sailing from Nooaheeyab, he se- cured his prizes under the guns of a battery^ whieh he erected for their protection, and left the battery in charge of Lieut. Gamble, and 21 marines, with orders to proceed to Valparaiso, after a certain period. A friendly intercourse was established with the natives ; and the island taken possession of, in the name of the United States. lie arrived on the coast of Chili the 12th January, 1814. T f'<' 11 IW-*!^ 'f mi r I- • : ; • ar« KISTOBY OP THE WAR. The captain detailed his success in the folUAV' ing words: « I had completely broke up the British naviga- tion in the Pacific ; the vessels which had not been captured, were laid up, and dared not venture out. Th& valuable whale iishery there, is entirely de- stroyed, and the actual injury we have done tbeni) may be estimnted at two and a half millions of dol- lars, independent of expenses of vessels in search of me. They have furnished me amply with sails, cordage, cables, anchors, provisions, medicines, and stores of every description ; and the slops on board them have furnished clothing for the seamen. We had, in fact, lived on the enemy since I had been in that sea, every prize having provpd a well found, store-ship for me. I had not been under the neces- sity of drawing bills on the department for any ob- ject and had been enabled to make considerable ad- vances to my officers and crew on account of pay." After a? Jt*iving at Valparaiso, he found hini- sei£ Moekad etl by two British ship? ; the Plice- be, Com. Hillyary carrying 30 long lS-poiinders^ 16 d2-pouad carronades; 1 howitzer, and 6 3- pounders in the tops, and a complement of 320 men ; and the Cherub, mounting 28 guns, and having a {^ompiement of 180 men ; making, to- gether, Si guns, and 600 men. The force of the Essex was 46 guns, 40 S2-pound carronades, and 6 long 12*8, her ^revr amounted to 2d5 men. — The fiSsex-Junior mounted 20 guns, 10 18- pound carronades, and 10 short e's, with only 60 men on board. Capt. Porter having sought in vain to bring on an aotion with any one of the enemy, had re- solved on putting to sea, in the hope of outsail- ing them. On the 28th of March, i 814, during a fresh blow of wind, the Essex parted her lar- board cablc^ and dragged the starboard anehpr U18T0BY or THE WAR, 979 directly to sea. Finding himself in this sitwi- tion, he hoisted sail* and got under way. Oil rounding a point of land, a heavy souall ttrnck tljo ship, and carried away hor main top-ouiit^Vr precipitating the men, who were aloft, into th««^ sea. Being chased by the two enemy's ships, and unable to gain his former anchorage^ he close into a small bay, about three qi^arterH « mile to leeward of the battery, on tlie eas ) of the harbour, and let go his anehor^ wr pistol shot of the sljore. It was in this situation, that his crippled ship and reduced crew were attacked, in » neutral port, contrary to the laws of nations, by two ships of the enemy. The Essex wai carried, but a prize has never been bought at a dearer rate. The action lasted nearly two hours and a half. The Cherub, from her crippled state, was compelled to haul off, but continued to fire at a distance from her long guns.- The Phcebo also chose, after suffering considerably, to fire from a distance wkh her long guns, while the Essex could not reach him with her carronudes. There never was a ship more eut up than the Essex, nor that suffered more in men. Seventy men, inoluding ofitcers, were all that remained after the action, capable of doing duty, and ma- ny of these severely wounded. The enemy continued firing for several mi- antes, and* killed and wounded many of the creiw of the Essex, after her colours were struck, and an opposite gun fired, to show that resistance had ceased. Capt. Porter conceiving it was in- tended to refuse quarter, was on the point of hoisting his colours, and selling his life as dear as possible, when the fire of the enemy ceased. The Phcebe was so cut np, that she wns^ witli A^< IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 -1^ 12.5 ■^ Ui2 12.2 1.1 SB4 ' US ■^ 1^ 1.8 1.25 1 1.4 III 1.6 < 6" ► Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M5S0 (716) 873-4S03 »& ,s ■ *\. V. 2$9 HISTeRT 99 THS WAS. ( •.■ great diileuUy worked into Yalparaiso/aiid it seemed doubtful, even afier she cauie to anohor, whether she could be repaired so as to enable her to double Cape Horn. She had eighteen 12-pound shot through her, below her water line. Nothiog but the smoothness' of the water saved her from sinking. Had the Phoebe and Cherub dalred to come boldly into elese aeiioHf they would have been nndoubtedly defeated.—. The. enemy's loss in men cannot be ascertained, but must have been very severe. That of the Essex was — Killed, and have died since of their wounds, 68 Severely wounded ' - - - ' - S9, Slightly wounded ^ ^ , - 26> Missing . ^ . . n. . si Total - - 164 It was agreed between Capt. Porter and Co^. Hillyar, that the Essex-Junior should be dis- armed, and employed as a oartel^ to bring Capt. Porter and his men to the United States, to be there exchanged for an equtd number of British prisoners of equal rank. On the 6th July> the ^ Essex* Junior arrived off New-Tork, and was overhauled by the British ship Saturn. Capti vl^rter, judging from the conduct of the British officer, that he would violate the terms, under which tiie Essex-Junior had sailed, took to his beat ; and, after rowing and sailing 46 mUes, i^eached liong-lsland. ,'A The winter season, rendering it difficult and dangerous for an enemy's fleet to remain on the American coast, to the northwafd of Tirginia, it was conjectured that his 'blockading squadron would be moved to the southward, nor was the <$onjecture ill fomided» It was his intention to ' ' 'V, -*i niSTORT OV THK W^K* ^I eflTeet/somclhiDg more permanently usefuly than the robbing of private property. A general a^t larni prevailed among the inhabitants, partieu-- larly in the cities^ along the sea coast. It was also ascertained, that great preparations 'were making, and several thousand men .collected in the West-Indies, with the avowed intention of invading soine of the southern states. ^ At 4 o'clock, P. M. on the 15th September, 1814, Fort Bowyer, on Mobile Point, was attack- ed by a superior British naval and land force.— The naval force* was under command of Sir H. W. Percy, and consisted of 2 ships from 24 to 28 guns, mounting 32 pound carronades ; 2 brigs from 16 to 18 guns, monnting 24-ponnd carron- ades, and 3 tenders. The land forces consisted^ of 100 marines under command of Col. Nioholls^ a, body of Indians under command of Captain AVoodbine^ and a battery of a. 12 pounder and kowitzer under direction of, an ofllcerof the ar- tillery. The Ameriean effective force was about 120 men, of ^vhora not more than 90 were eitr gaged. At 4, P. M. the enemy's leading ship, called the Hermes, having approached sufficiently near* the guns of the battery opened upon her : at 20 minutes past 4, the engagement beoame general. Soon after this time, the British land forces were put to flight, by discharges of grape and eannister, from a 9 pounder. At 5, P. M. the guns of the Hermes were silenced, and she drift-.. ed out, and grounded within 600 yards of the' battery, where she continued to be fired on, un^^ til night. At sun^set the other^ vessels cut tlieir eables, and stood ofi^ under a tremendous fire ; ^rem the battery. At a quai^er past 7y the \ :|^ ^s^_ t^^rp' ^ / 282 HISTOBr OV THS WilKr f \' Hermes appeared to be on fire ; at lO^ her ma- gazine blew up. . . It was learned, firom deserters, that f 50 of the erew of the Hermes were lost, that 85 were kill- ed or wounded on boani the ether shipt aodi sev- eral on boai^d the other vessels. The Ameriean loss was 4 killed and 5 wounded. Major 'Wil- liam Lawrenee eommanded at the fort. On the 16th the enemy's fleet stood to sea. The appearance of 50 or 60 vessels of the en- emy» in the mouth of the Missis'sippiylrendered it almost certain, that the city of New-Orleans would be an object of attack. The advance of the enemy was announced, in general orders, on the 14th December, ISli, by GoV. Claibomelf and* on the i 8th, Gen. Ja«.kson reviewed the militia, preparatory to ^meeting the enemy. — Martial law was- declared on the 16th. The woodsmen fromLouisiana/Tennessee, Mississippi Territory, and Kentucky, hastened to the scene '. of honour and glory; and men, of difil^rent lan- guages and manners, prepared to emulate each other in defence of a common country, and a li- berty in which they alike participated. On the 13th Becember, the enemy's flotilla . gained 'the Pass Christian, and was proceedings evidently against the IJ. b. gun vessels, then at anchor off bay St, Louis. The gun- boats re- treated, during the night, to the Malhereaux Islandp, Lake Borgne, where wind and tide ibrced them to remain. At ^.-.^ -Sight, on the 15th, the enemy adVaneed with'42 heavy launehet and gun barges,^ mounting 4t guns, of 13, 18, and 24 calibre, and 3 light gigs* with 1200 miBOy com" manded by Captain Loclwiv At 10 minutes before 11, A. M. he eommene^ «d an attack on the fiotilkii consisting of guc^ ' . / •/ ; ,*»! '¥. BISTORT OF TUB MTAV. ^83. boat No. 5> 5 gutts, 30. men, sailing-master Fer^ ris ; gun-boat No. :23, h guns, 39 men, Lieut. I^rkeever ; gun-boat No. 156, 5 guns, ^1 meny liieut. Joh«8; gun-boat No. 162, 5 guns, 35 men, Lieut. Spedden ; and gun-lioat No. 163, 3 guus, 31 men, sailing-master Ulriclc— total, 25 guns, and 182 men; the entire under command of Lieut. Thos. Ap. Catespy Jones, of boat 156. The sloop Alligator (tender) of one 4 pounder and 8 men, not being able to join the flotilla, was captured, before the aetion with the gun-boats- commenced. ^ "^ *i;' ;' The gun-boats were taken in succession, and* each boat, vrhen taken, added to the enemy's line -it attack. The aetion continued until 40 min- utes past 12, when the last of the gun-boats Mfat surrendered. Considering the immense disproportion of the parties, the action was sustained, on the part of the Americans with a skill, bravery, and perse- verance, unexampled, even in the most s[nrited> of the actions which distinguished the American seamen in the previous part of the war. Five small vessels, ^nd a few men, maintaining a con- test for an hour and a. half, against a swarm of heavy barges and gun- boats, which closed and nearly surround'ed them, was a sight unparallel- fed in the annf^s of naval heroism. The loss of the enemy, in kifled and- wounded, was estimated- by Lieut. Jones, to exceed 300, among whom were an unusual quantity of officers. The eapture of this flotilla gave to the enemy' a free ehtranee into Lake Ponchartrain, except what resistance they might meet from a smair frt commanding the passa^ of the Regolettes. The enemy, having gaiiied the oemmand of t&e iakes^ was enabled to effi)ot a pasnige totbe 4 i ^i:.. m ''■-'-I -^■^": • HS^i lilSTORX OB TPI£ yiAU, • \ Mississippi) at a pointf about 9 miles from X<}w • Orleans. General Jackson advanced dgainst him* determined to attack him in his first posi- tion. The attack Mras made in the night of the 23d December, at half past seven o'clock. ]t vas commenced hy a fire from the schooner Ca- roline, nvhich dropped down the river, in order to open on the rear of the camp. This ivas tho signal for Gen. Coffee to fall on the right, while Gen. Jackson attacked the left near the river. — It resulted honourably to the American arms ; .but produced nothing decisive. The enemy's force amounted to about 30Q0 men ; that of Gen. JaeksoH did not exceed 1500. ' The conflict last- ed an hour, and was supported with great firm- , ness. Gen. Jackson remained on the field until four o'clock in the morning,, when he took a now position two miles nearer the city ; having lost ki this affair, 24 killed, 115 wounded, and 7i missing — ^total 218. I'he enemy succeeded, on the 27th, in blowinjf;. Up the Carol]ne,.(she being becalmed) by means of hot shot, from a land battery, erected in the night. On the 28th, he advanced, with his whole fbree, against Gen. Jackson, in the hope of driving him from his position, and with this view opened a fire with bombs and rockets, at the distance of about half a mile. The enemy was repulsed, with a loss of about 120 men* The Americans lost 7 killed and h^ 8 wounded. On. Sunday morning, the 1st January, i815, the enemy had advanced within 600. yards of the American breast works, under cover of nieht and a heavy fog, and had ereeted. the preceding night, three dif^rent batteries, mounting in all 15 guns, from 6'» to 32's. About eight o'clock,, ifthen the fog cleared off; they commenced a most k. •. f ,.t .'^''•' U18T0RT OF THE WAR. 295 tremendous fire upon Ihe Americans, liut it was amply returned by tbcm, and a heavy cannonad- ing was kept up, withont tlie least interval on either side, except that occasioned by the explo- sion of a magazine ia the rear of one" of the American batteries, and another magasine in the night, owing to the enemy's Congreve rock- ets. By four o'clock in the afternoon, the Americans had dismounted all the enemy's guns, except two. They retreated, during the nighty to their strong hold, about a mile and a quarter from the American camp. Twice did' the'ene- my attempt to storm and carry the American batteriies, but were as often deceived; On New- Year's day, the loss of the Americans was It killed, and 23 badly wounded. That of the en<^ emy, from the accounts of two prisoners taken on that day, and three deserters afterwards^ must have been much greater. According as the woodsmen arrived to the, aid of Gen. Jackson's army, they were disposed of to the best advantage, for the purpose of de- fence f but these foro|es not being of a very ef- ficient nature, especially as the men could not be all provided with the necessary arms, tiie general could not attempt any thing against an enemy, who was thus left to pursue, undisturb^- ed, his laborious operations. [j'j ^ . During the days ' of the 6th and Yth, the en- emy had been actively employed in making pre- parations for an attack on Jackson's lines.-^ M^ith infinite labour, they bad succeeded on the night of the 7th, in getting their boats across from the lake to the river, by widening and deepening the canal, on which they had eflweted their disembarkation. Gen. Jackson wais on the left side of the river,. •. • \^ 286 msTOBT OF THB WAB. .patiently waiting the attack. Gen. Mergap, ivith the New-Orleans contingent \ the Louisi- -ana railitiay and a detachment . of Kentucky troops, occupied an entrenched camp on the op. posite side of the river» protected by strong bat^ ;tcrieson the bank» superintended by Commo- dore Patterson. •. On Sunday, the 8tb, at 6 i-2 o'clock, A. Mv .the enemy began a very heavy cannonade upon ilie American lines, from his' batteries of IJl.and 12 pounders, supported by the musketry of ftdOO nien, who marched in close column^, and ad- :VaDced nearer than musket shot distance to the entrenchments, arined with rockets, obuses, and faoines, to storm < the batteries: they directeu their principal attack against the head of th« line, ianked by the riveiry and upon the left rest- ing upon the eipress swamp, as well as against the tirailleurs and riflemen, placed above the said swamp ; the roaring of the guns, and firing of the musketry, lasted two hours and a quar- ter ; the enemy's mortars, although directed a- gainst the centre, did no harm to the troops, the bursting of their bombs in the works was of no effiict. : Two British olRcers, and one French engineer, of the name of Rennie, who had gain- ejl. the summit of the American parapet, (ut frontis'gieeefj was killed or wounded, and made pHsoners; (the ed'gineer and one colonel was killed;) after this terribie affair, the field, in front of the works, was strewed with British wounded and killed. ; Gen. Jackson thus briefly details the particu- lars of attack. \ : M In my encampment every thing was ready for action i when early on the morning of the Sthj the enemy) after throwing a shower of bcxnbs and Con* ■«.Xv ■ \' ' UlfTORT OF TAB VfMM^ 2«r gi*eve rocketSi advanced their columns at my right , ' and left) to storm my entrenchments. I cannot speak* sufficiently in praise of the firmness and deliberation with which my whole line received their approach. ; More could not have been expected from veterans ; , inured to war. For an hour^ the fire of small arms was as incessant and severe as can be imagined.-— - The artillery, too^ directed by officers who displayed equal skill and courage, did great execution. Yet J[ the columns of the enemy continued to advance with a firmness which reflects upon them the gpreatest^ credit. Twiee> the column^ which approached me'; on my Isft, was repulsed by the troops of General ^' Carrol, those of Gen. Coffee, and a division of tbe^- Kentucky militia, and twice they formed again, and renewed the assault. At leneth, however, cut to * pieces^ they fled in confusion from the field, leaving f. itcoveredwitfa^ their dead and wounded." * y Simultaneously with the attaok on Gen. Jack- i' son's Iinesy an attack was made on the works of Gen. Morgan. Had the enemy been met wiA ', resolution in Ikis attack* it must have produced t^ his entire daitruction ; but* onibrtanf^el^r, tbe f Kentucky reinforeenionts ingloriously fled, draw- i log after tbem> by their example* the remainder!. of tbe forees* and leaving the batteriea to the -) onemy; not, however, until after the gnus wertff spiked. 'While General Jackson was preparing l to dislodge the enemy from the oaptured battery* ; the British, troops were withdrawn* and the posf re-oecupicd by the Amerieans. . 1 The return, of the killed* wounded* and prison- 1 ers, taken at the battle of Mac Prardies plan- ij tation, on the left bimk of the Mississippi, on the r morning of the 8th January, 1815* and five milei t belo^ the city of New-Orleans* consisted of— * r killed* 700; wonndedy liQOf prisonersy SOfi^-^t "/• >v:r. j ■ J^.-' istal 26004 •} ■ntf$~-^rw::*iVy^''£S.]p ^^r-\lr.J" ^r>*';r 288 UIITOBT Of TUB YfAM, . Among the slaio* were General Sir Edward Packeiihain» tbe chief, and Gen, Gibbs, the third in command; Gen. Keane^ the second in com- raandy was severe! jr wounded. Gen. Lambert succeeded to tbe command. His total loss, in the different engagements, ' was not probahlj less than SdOO ; and was, by many, supposed to exceed 4000. The loss to the Americans, on the 8th, on both sides •«€ tbe river, was 13 killed, 39 wounded, and 19 missing; total kifled, wounded and missing, this day, 71 ; of this number there were but 6 ki|l^d». and 7 wounded, io the action of the line. The enemy intended to pass Fort Philip, in order to co-operate with the land forces in tl^ attack on New- Orleans. On the 9th January, at half past 3, P. M. the enemy *8 bomb vessels. opened their fire against the fort, from 4* sea- mortars, 2 of them 13 inches, and 2 of 10, at so great a distance, that the shot from the fqrt oonld not reach him. The enemy's fire contin- ued with little intermission, and with little in- terruption from the fort, during the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th. On the evening of the I7th, a heavy mortar was got in readiness, and opened on the enemy, with great effect. At day light on the 18tb, the enemy re- tired, after having thrown upwards of 1 upd heavy shells, besides small shells, from the howitzers, round ^hot and grape, which he discharged fVom boats, under cover of the night. Scarcely ten feet of the garrison remained untou6hed ; yet the loss of men was small, consisting of 2 killed, and 7 wounded. This saving of men was owing to the great pains taken by the officers^ to keep their men under cover. AH the enemy's movements^ after the action / . I •''iii'iTtiML i.i'riit'aaLiit' HltTOBT •! TUB WTiB. ta$ •f t|ie Sill of JftMatry, wera ealovlated to tMure hit retreat* tbonld luob prove neoei tary, at ap- pearanoet then ladieated that it woaid. Their iBtentioo waty howevery matlied hj a menaeiog attitude, at if preparing for a renewal of the at* taelK on Jaoliton't line, lliey had ereeted bat* teriet to cover their retreat, in advantageout pofitiont, firom their original eneampment to the ItaTtu, through whieh they entered lalte Bourg- ne. The eannon plaeed on these batteriet eould have raked a portuing army in every direetion. The tituationof the ground, through whieh tliey reUred, wat proteeted by oanals, redoubti, en- trenohmentt, and iwampt on the right ; and the river on the left. Id thit ttate of things, Jaokson had an oppor- tunity of fhowing his prudence, at he before proved hit eourage, and, by uniting both ^iiali- (ietf perfected the general. Since the action of ibe 8th, the artillery, on botti tidet of the river, watrconttantly employed in annoying the enemy. Ah attempt to ttorm his batteriet would have nKtfiiltfced great tiaughter amone the Americans, tieen donbtful of tiaooeas, and might possibly luive induced the enemy to delay his departure. It wat therefore I'esolved by Gen. Jaekson to te- eyre the advantage obtained, with the least pos- sible lost or havard. All hope which the enemy had of reducing fort Philip, |iad vanished ; and on the night 6i the 18th they precipitately decamped, and re« fumed to their ihipping. leaving behind them 80- of their wounded, 1* peces of heavy artilleryf and an Immente numbered ball, htfving dosttoy^ td much of their powder. Mr. Shieldt, purser in the navy, wrot^lettert •n the 16th and 17th of January, to Mr. NUety as ih* t90 BIITOBT Off THl fVAB. 4>fBahiiilore» contftioing much information, from vhioh the fbllowinc ii extraefed : (< The day after the gun-boatt were ukcn, I wai •eiitdown under a flag of tnice»to ascertain the fate of our ofiicera and ment with power to negotiate an exchange^ especially for the wounded. But the en- emy would make no termi--they treate4 the flag with contempt) and myself and the aur^on» who was with me» as prisoners, until the ISthinst. He lias now lowered his tone, and begs the exchange that we olTered. Defeat has humbled the arrogance of the enemy, who had promtted kit Moidiera Jbrty- eight hourt fdUage end rafdne qf the City <(f J\fevi' Crleantir On the authority of judge Poindexter, it is ' stated, that <• the watch-word and eountersign of the enemy, on the morning of the 8th, was BEAUTY and BOOTY. Comment is unneoes- ,aary on these signifieant allusions held out to a lleentious soldiery. Had victory declared on their side, the scenes of Havre de Grace, of Hampton, of Alexandria, and of St. Sebastians, voulf?, without doubt, have been re-acted at N. Orleans, with all the unfeeling and brutal inhu- manity of the savage foe with whom we are con- tending.'' Thus ended, in disgrace and discomfiture to the enemy, an expeditioli which occupied seve- ral months in its preparatipn, and was compos- ed of at least 10,000 troops, drawn from al- most every part of the world, where the Bri- tish had garrisons or soldiers. Nothing was left undone to secure the occupation of an im- mense provin9e, and the command of a riv? r ex- tehding thousands of miles through the most Jpertile countries in the world ; and oh which se- veral of the United States depended as am outlet and market for tlicir produce. J ■■■• llfirORT or THE WAR. 36i That a permanent ooeupation of New-OrleaM» and the state of Louisiana^ wai intended, ean scarcely bo doubted. Tio Ikot that revenue and other civil olHoorir to reside at Ifew>Or- leaniy were on board the fleet* is ftsuflleient cvidenoe of this fiiot» as well as it is of the cer- . faint^ with which victory was counted on ; nor h this rendered doubtful^ by the oireumstancef that the battle was fought after the treaty of pcaee was ratified by the British government.^ The expedition against New-Orieans was plaa- ned' long, before tue signing; of peace, and at a time wbea the wavering and' quibbling policy of Eugland induced the American commissionera at Ghent, to write to their government, « that no hopes of peaee, as likely to result from it^ (the negotiation) conld bo entertained." From an oiBaial account, it appeared, that the number of men under command of Gleneral Jackson, and actually engaged against the en- emy, on the 8th January, amounted to 4,698. — The enemy's for<^, by his own aeoount, exceed- ed 10,000. . ^^ V^vW^ri .. By an article in a Jamaica paper, of the Sd DeeetRber, it was stated, that the expedition then prepared to go against the United States* under command of Sir Alexander Coehrane, and Mfvf. Gen. Keane, (the same that aDterwards en* tered the Mississippi',) consisted of 1 ship of 80 guns, » of 74, 3 of £0, 1 of 44, of 88, 2 of S6« 9 of 32, 3 of 16, 2 of 14, and 3 of 6 guns— Total 28 ; carrying 1084 guns, besides a gteat num- ber of cutters, transports, ke. On the 2iBt Jan. Oeln. Jackson directed an ad« dress to be publicly read at the head of each of the corps composing the lines near New-Orleans. It must have been a diflionlt and delicate task ta* r '\l - m -V.'- ■ i. It ■ ' ii'l - :'^l 11 ' A< P^ HlirMKT O^ THE wm. \ do justiee to individuals^ where all aeted so welly, proving) in the general's words* « that a rampart orhigh mimied men "is a better dcfeneey than the most regular foHiiioation.*^ This address contained the following empha'tt- eal paragraph; ** Reasoning always from false principles thejr (the enemy) expected little opposition from men whose officers even were not in uniform, who were Ignorant of the rules of dress, and who had never been caned into discipline— &tal mistake ! a fire in^ cessantly kept up, directed with calmness, and with unerring aim, strewed the field with the brave uf^ cers and men ofthe column, which slowly advanced, according to the most approved rules ojf European tactic*, and was cut down by the untutored courage of the American militia. Unable to sustain this gaU ling and unceasing fire, some hundreds nearest the ehtreiichments called for quarters, which was grant* ed— the rest, retreating, were rallied at some dis- tance, but only to make them a surer mark for the grape and cannister shot of our artillery* which, without exaggeration, mowed dovm vfhoie ranks at tvery discharge ; and, at length, they precipitately retreated from the field/' The following offiecrs and volunteers are par- ticularly noticed by the general: Generals Cof- fee, Carroll, Adair, De Flanjac, Tillere, Mor- fan, Humbert, (aeting as a volunteer,) Mexican ; 'ield Marshal Don Juande Anavar^ (volunteer;) Colonels ttoss, D.yer» Gibson, Elliot, M' ;2^, r •; aiSTOBT OF TUfi WAR. m Savar^y Bea1> Ogden, Lewis, LiviogstOn, Lefe- bre, Pianehftrdy SmUh, Cr i*iiBa> Mahon, (kiUed») Pace, (killed*) and the brothers Lafitte and Do* miniquey and Belluehe, f fiarratarians ;] Lieti- tenants MiCleiian, (killed,) Dupy, Spoils, Kerr, Alexis^ Crawford, (killed,) and Leach ; Com- modore Patterson, Captain Henley, Lieutenants Norris and Growly, and Midshipman Erasmus Watkins, of the navy ; Aids-de-eamp Thos. D« Butler, Johniteed, Livingston, Duncan, Grymes, Duplessis, and De Castera; Doctors Kerr andi Flood ; Judge Lewis, (volunteer ;) and Mkivt^it Chauveau, Hiriart, Latrobie, Gilbert, Bosquety» and Decoin. i Several desperate characters, citizens of tlie United States, as well as foreigners, natiyei «f different countries, had associated themselfofi into a band of pirates, under the ehief^ Lafitte* and had taken- up their residence in the islaiiiii of Barritariaruear the mouth of the Missfssi; The government of the United States caused unlawful establishment to be broken up. Thaf expedidon against the Barritarians, took posses-- sion of all the piratical vessels, their prizes, and a considerable quanv ky of arms and prdperty, without opposition, on the 16th September^ lS14;f The vessels thus taken^ consisted of six sehoo*! ners, and one felucca, cruisers and iirizes of th^ ^ pirates, one brig, a prize, and 2 armed schooners^ both in line of battle with the armed vessels of the pirates* The establishment on shore, which, was also taken possesston of, consisted of about i 40 houses. The pirates had mounted on th^ein vessels 20 pieces c^cannon, of different calibres, and their number consisted of between 800 and 1000 men, of all nations and colours. The ex- . E«dition against the pirates was under command z « tf '. '',yr..ff| ■If vi r-i -fc: ■. ^* • soil HIST«ST OS THE WAK. of Com. Patterson, of tho nuTj, haying on boanl a detaehment of land troops^ under command of Col. Boss. ■^ The ^arritarian pirates took part in the de- fence of New-Orleans) against the Itritishy and -were both active and scrYiceable. It was* also, satisfactorily ascertained, that they had, previ- ous to-their dispersion, reftised an alliance with the British, rejecting the. most seducing terms of invitation. Induced, by these considerations, and at the recommendation of the general as- sembly of the state of Louisiana, the President of the Um.ted States granted to such of them as aided in. defence of New-Orleans, a full par- don for all ofl^nces aeainst the laws of the Unitf ^' States, committed pretious to the 8th Janu- .Jc.^he enemy, after being defeated near New- ^tt^ansi turned his attention to the state of Georgia ; and, from appearances, intended a 'Wilt to Savannah. The unprepared state of Georgia, and the dreadful character of the en- emy, causled a great alarm among tho Inhabi- tants of the state; f> 1^ u V On the llth January, 1815, the enemy, to iho fiumber of 15^0 or 3000 men^ effected a landing on Cumberland island. On the 13th> !ltoint Potro was carried by storm ; and, on the following day, St. Mary's capitulated, in con- Bcqucnee of a flag sent from the inhabitants of the town. The enemy evacuated Point Petre and St. Mary's, the 2ist January, after burning the barracks, and blowing up the. fort. Had the enemy attempted Savannah, he would have met a reception similar to that experienced at New- Orleans. No people ever turned out more gen- erallyy or with more alaeriiy, thaD the men of UIITORV OF THB ^AE. s»«> tery part of the the news of peaee,. Georgia. The militia, in state* were in motion, wlien and retreat of the enemy, reaehed them. \Vhile the enemy watmarehing against Point Petre». Capt; Massias, of the 1st U. S. rifle eorps, at the head of 60 men, attempted to oppose 104)0, oom* mitted considerable ha?oe among the enemy, and retreated, with tha loss c^ 1 killed, 4 woand- ed» and missing. The fortress of Mobile, within the limits* ot the purchase of LouisiaMi, had been retained by the Spaniards, notwithstan^Bng its pnrehase by the. United States. The war between Great- Britain and the United 8tate% rendered it ne- cessary to oeeopy this place, lest'it shoald fali into the possession of the enemy. On the 15th April, 181S, General 'Wilkinson appeared before it, at the head of a respectaUe force ; wheOf the garrison being -summoned to surrender, the Spa- nish troops were immediately embarked for Pen- saeola ; and Mobile taken possession of by the United States' troops. Pensaeola, although a Spanish post, was not properly entitled to the eharaeter of neutral.-^ The conduct of the Spanish gi»vemor lefl no^ doubt as to his attaehment to the British* and ' his hostile disposition toward the United States. Pensaeola ^as an asylum for hostile Indians ; at Pensaeola, they were armed^ provisioned, and paid. Pensaeola was a depot of British arms, a home for traitors to the United, States, and a plaoe of rendezvous for every ally of the enemy,, whether white, black, or red. As soon as the war in Europe was likely to^ end, and Britain at liberty to direct her* whole ' fbree against the United^ States, the understand- ing witE the^ governor of Florida^ beeame lest ■ 1 ■HI # it96 HISTORY OF TKE WAB. .. ' K niaskedy and the Britiih officers boldly dated their public acts from ** Head-HuarterBf Pensa- eola.*^ It wasy under these circumstanees^ determin- ed to attack the British at their Aeadr^tiarter^, and to storm the town* although defended by strong batteries, and supported by seren armed British ?essel in the bay. On the 7 tb Novem- ber, 1814» the attack was made, under the com- mand and direetion of Gen. Jackson. The fol- lowing animated report of the assault, was made by Oenaral Jackson, in a letter to Governor Early : . *' I entered sword in hand, with about SOOO brave followers, in the iac6 of Spai^h batteries, and a British fleet of 7 sail,' anchored abreast and opposite the town. The English, by btrigue and base false- hood,' induced the Spaniards to abandon the works commanding thfe harbour, entered them and blew them up, otherwise they would have &Ilen a sacri- fice to their own plans. When this took place, the iieet being at liberty to go out, did jo ; and I evacu- ated the town, leaving the Spaniards favourably im- pressed with our conduct, and disgusted with their British friends." . Fort Bowyer was closely besieged b^ land and water, on the 8tb February, 1815, by a very large force of the enemy. The garrison con- sisted of 860 men, including officers, commanded by Lieut. Col. W. Lawrence. The enemy ad- vanoed by regular approaches, and was within eertain musket shot of tbe^ parapets of the fort, on the land side, when the earrisOn was surren- dered, ontbe 12th, by capitulation. — ^Tbere were but few lives lost on either side. On the 24th February, 6 barges of the enemy psroeiededup the river St. Mary'8> with.a vi«w ^ JI19T01IT OF THE WAR* fW to buro the uiilU belongiDg to Mr. A. dark.—,' They were opppsed by a few patriots from the Florida shore^ when the boais taeked about to retreat ; at this moment* about 8Q men attacked them IVom aa ambush on the opposite shore.— The enemy was thus placed between two fires^ which continued to gall him until he readied a part of the rivert where, by keeping the eentre« he was beyond the reach of the ftre from (lOth shores. The enemi^ lost upwards of 100 men. The Americans had only one man wounded. The U. S. ship President, Com. Decatur*. sail- ed on a cruise from New- York, the 14th Janu- t^ry, 1816. The^ ship* in going over the bar* grounded, and sufibred so much in consequenee* aa evidently to affect her sailing; and was the cause of her subsequent capture^ by a superior force of the enemy. At 5* A. M. on the Ifitby the President fell in with the'enemy's tquadron* consisting of the Majestic* razee ; Endymion, Pomone* Tenedos* and Despatch bi*ig. The injury done to the President* when she found- ed off the Hook, prevented her outsailing the enemy's fleet. The Endymion (mounting My guns, Vb pounders, on the main deck) havinc ap- proached within gun-shot* commenced a nriDg at 5, P. M. more with a view to delay than to try strength with the President. The latter* however, was enabled to bring her guns so fkr to bear, as to silence the Endymion* and to put bar, by 8 o'clock* fully out of combat* so much crippled* that she could* with great difficulty* be worked* or kept afloat. The near approach of the other ships, obliged the President to aban- don a vessel* that must* if not supported by her consorts* have surrendered. The Pomone and Tenedos* oame up and engaged the Presidgit at i ■M •# £398 BISTORT OF TBB WAB. \ It. . \-i the taiqie tSnie, the Mi^stio Mas alio witbhi gun-shot. It being useless and Imprttdent to <^ogAge so overpowering a foroe. Com. Deoatur struek bis flagy and went on board the Bf ajes- tioy where be delivered his sword to Capt. Ilajs» the senior officer of the sqnadrony who politely returned it. The wrKten parole granted. to Com. JDeeatttr» specified his having surrendered* the President to a British squadron; thus si- leneine those who wished to have it iinderstoodf that the CoDimodore struek bis flag to a single ship. The prize money, arising from the cap- ture of the President* was divided among tue erews bf the s^adron, by which she was cap«> lured. The loss on board the enemy conld not be as- eertained ; that of the President consisted of 2^ killed* and 50 wounded. Among the killed, were Lteikenants Babbit, Hamilton, and Howell. V tkimiAodore Decatur, in his official report* il^te that . and spars. On the 25th May* 1815, the President of the United States informed Congress* that his ma- jesty the Emperor of Bussia* had ofllbred big mediation, in order to facilitate a peace betwe^oiri Great-Britain and the United States^ iliat ue, .! I .-.J K; Boo HI8T0BT «V TBB WAX. w ^ttev wa« Moepted by the President, and that three citizens had been eommlssioneid to treat aeeordingly. On the meeting of Congress in December fol- lowing, the IVesident, in his message to both houses; informed them, that Great-Britain had declined negotiating under the mediation of Russia. Notwithstanding this refusal of the British goTcmment, to aeeept the Russian mediation, the British ambassador, at the court of St. Pe- tersburg, directed a letter, in September, to the Russian government, intimating a desire to treat immediately with the American plenipo- tentiaries. liord Castlereagh, secretary of state to his Britannic mi^esty, enclosed a eopy of the above note in a letter Of the 4th November, to the seeretary of state of the United States, at the city of Washington, proposing that the two go- vernments would 'enter into direct negotiation* for a termination of the war, on terma that would be mutually advantageous ; and that the negotiations would be entered into at Gotten- burg or London. The proposition was prompt- ly acceded toby the American government, ix- ingon Gottenburg as the plaoe of negotiation. The senate eonfirmed, on the 19Uk January, 1814, the nomination^ l^ the President, of John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, and^onathan Russell, as 'ministers to treat for peace with British commissioners at Gotten- burg. It was afterwaird agreed, that the treaty diould be held at Ghent. '' So indeoi^te and equivocating was the coa- diiot of British ministers, that many persons doubted whether any commissioners would be BI8T0BT M THK VfAM. 401 «ppotn^ on the part of Britain ; aadi "whtn appointed, it wai pretty generally believed that the appointment wai merely pro format without any intention to agree to reasonable tcmn of peaoe. The British goyemment appointed, as their eommissionersy £ord Gambler, Henry Goulbani, Esq. and William Adams, Esq. These person- ages arrived at Ghent ihe 6th August. At the first meeting with the Ameriean eom- missioners, terms were offered on the part of England, so degradinp; and offensive to the United States, that it was impossible to aeeept them $ and, as some of them were offered in the form of a $ine qua non, there remained not a hope of % speedy negotiation of hostilities. The news, when arrived in the United States, roused at onoe, the pride and the energy of the nation ; and produced an union of sentiment, that presaged future glory and suecess. It was now evident, that the negoeiations at Ghent, hung on those then pending l^fore a eon- gress of the ministers of several potentates, as- sembled at Vienna, for settling a general peaee in Europe. It is easy to ooncelve, that the task to be per- formed by the eongress at Tienaa, was diffieult. "Wrapped up in state secrecy, and influenced by state intrigues, the eourse of negociation at Vi- enna, was, in a great degree, withheld from the publio eye. The continued armaments of Eu- ropean powers, and the military parade with which the Duke of Wellington appeared in Bel- gium, even before the Emperor of Elba eeascid to be a pensioner of Louis XVIII, led to sus- picion, that the rights of European sovereirns must be settled by a new effusion of the Mood of their subjects. a a ii I ill i. J ■. i ? w' !!l «^ SOS ftllTOBT Ot TRS WAB. \/ '"'^hftteTer motive may hare inilaeMed the Britiih goTeromenty k is eertain* that a very ludden ohanif^e of tone wai produced on then* part. Tlie oonseqaeDee w^9, that a treaty ^ peaee, between Great Britain and the United 8tatet9 was sinied at Ghentf the 34th Dtoeember» 18149 by Lord Gambier» Henry Qoulbonniy and William Adams» at oommissionert on the jiart of England | and by John Quiney AdamBy J, A. Bayara* Henry Clayt Jonathan Russell, and Al- bert Gallatin, as eommissioners on the part of the United States ; ratified at London the 38th of the same month, and ratified at the city of IVashington, on the 17th Februaiy, 1816. The terms of the treaty being considered honourable to the country, and satisfactory to the citizens, their ratification was followed by the most general and enthusiastio joy, accom- panied by illuminations, &e. &e. in every part of the union. Measures, early as possible, were taken to -bi'ing liome, and restore to their country and friends, a great number of Amerioan prisoners, confined in the depots in England. Among these were many, who, havings Men impressed, snd forced to serve the Briiish government for nany years before the war, had, on that ocea- iion,* ri'fused to fight against their oountry and friends ; and were, in eoOseqiienee, treated as prisoners of war, although net taken in time of war. or in arms. An unfortunate event prevented many of rhe vnhappy prisoners fVH>m revisiting their country ; ^r sent them to it, with marks of British bar- baritv, which will remain on them for life. On the tfth April, 1816, Capt. T. G. Short- ltiid> keeper of the prison of Oartnoori having ^/ «■: Ruei^oed the Lhat a Tery eed OD thenr a treaty of the United 1 Dteeember^ iilbenrny and on thejMirt idamsy Ju A* Belly and Al- the part of on tbe 3Sth t tbe city of L8i6. > considered tisfaotor^ to followed by joy» aecom- Dvery part of re taken to country and in prisonerif nd. Ameng I impressed^ ernment for n tbat ocaa- oountry and u treated al a in time of many of (he leir country ; Britifb bar- »r life. T. G. Sbort- noori having llIfTOET 01 THS WAS. SOS dlieoTered a imall hole in one of the inner walle of I he piiNOn* made it a pretext for drawing out the army agninst tbe prisoners. The alarm bell* inMlead of cuutting the prisoners to retreat to their prison)** induced many of them to press forward to discover the cause : this was certain- ly more a proof of innocence, than of any pre- medhated attempt to escape from a place whence tjiey must have been soon released without tlie risk of life. The measures taken, by or- der of Sbortland* previous to the massacre, wera calculated to prevent the return of tbe priso- ners who were thus left the more exposed to the Are of the soldiery. While thus embarrass- ed, they were charged by the soldiery ; and while running fh great confusion to discover tbe few doors left open for their escape into the prir fon, they were fired on by the centinels on the walls. In this manner, seven were killed, and GO wounded. A committee of the prisoners infesti- gated this transaction, and gave in their report.* all tbe appearance of a foul and premeditated murder* Hie British government in order to lessen this stigma on its officers, agreed to have an investi- gation made by two persons^ one to be appoint- ed by tbe British minister, the other by tbe American. F. S. Larpent was appointed by the former, and Charles King by the latter. The ro • port of these commissioners certainly softened the apparent culpability of Shortland^ but tbe eorreetness of tben*cport has been denied by the prisoners, not by any wilful representation of the commissioners, but from a want of sufBcient in- formation or inquiry. The sobjeot , of Dartmoor is referred to, for the purpose of directing tbe readers to tbe period n I *.. <■ ■'*r. 'm \i !• * ): JM BIITOBT Off TUB WAB. •f the miiiaerei but without the iDtentien of ev- Virioff into a detail, which the pretest Hmiti wiil Bot allow. Althoush a ratified treaty of peaee had been exehangeuy at Wathingtoitt od the- 17th Febru- ary* jet by iti artlolei* eaptnrei made In diitant ■eat were allowed, until eertain periodt afler the date of ratifleation. The eventt predueed during thh time, proved both honourable and advaata- ceout to the Amerieani. At half patt iO, A. M. the 3Sd March, 1816, Captain Biddle, oommanding the United States' sloop Hornet, beins off the north end of the is- land of Tristan d^Aeunha, diseorered a sail to the southward and eastward. He immediately made sail for her* *At one, 40, P. M. an aetion eoromenoed. After a well fouriit engagement, of 3d minutes, the enerov eried for quarters, and was taken possession of by the vietoriout Ameri- can. She proved to be his Dritannio m%|esiy^i brig Penguin, mounting 16 S2-ponnd earronades, 2 long twelves, a 13-ponnd earronade on the top- gallant ibrecastle, with swivels on the oapstern in the tops : she had a spare port forward, so as to fight both her long guns of a side, l^e enemy had a complement of 183 men, 13 of whom were supernumerary marines, from the Medn^ay, 74. After the prisoners were removed, and some pro- visions and stores taken from the Penguin, she was, by order of Captain Biddle, scuttled and sunk, her crippled and riddled state rendering it unadvisable to attempt sending her to the United States. <( This ship (said Captain BidcUe, in his official report,) did not receive a single shot in her hull, ner any material wound in her spars ; the rigging and sails were very much cut ; but having bent a new / BItrOBY Of THE WAB« 305 •et of tftiUf and knotted and secured our rigging, wo^ are now coropletelj read]r« in all respects, for any tervice. We were eight men short of complement, and had ninO Upon the sick list, the morning of the , action.** liie enemy Mknowledged a loss of fourteen kilMy and twenty-eight wounded ; but Mr. Mnyo, who was in eharce of the prize, said that the number was eertainiv greater. Capt. Dick- enson, the eommander ofthe Penguin, was killed, and the boatswai»f seeond lieutenant, purser, and two midsbipmen, wounded. Each of the mid- ibfpmen loit a leir. The offieers of the Penguin relate, tbat, dur- ing the> aotion with the Hornet, a thir^-two pound shot oame in at the after-port of the Pen- guin, on the larboat-d side^— carried away Bias kg8» killed the powder boy of the division, eap- sised the opposite gun on the starboard skle,. passed through the port, and <« sunk in suUen si- lenee to the bottom." The war between the United States and Great Britain, left a fhTourable opportunity for the pi- rates of AfHoa, to prey on the persons and pro- perty of the Amerieans. The Algcrines declared war, and fitted out a fleet accordingly. Having given in pages 21 and' 22, the list oT the American Tizry, as it stood at the eOiti-^ meneement of the war with (pireat Britain, it may be considered interesting to know how the- Lilliputian nsiry stood at wi end of the war^. whieh was to <« Mow it ^Ut of the water." The- following is the naval list of shipping, in Aprils 1816. Those Tosiels wiboee names are marked (*) are such as remain of the naval force before . ttewar. Tbo^e marked ($) are building. Those* narked in BaUp09 lueh as fere captured fr^nnn rrr-'v»? tfi'^'if •^-^■ii-tu: a^.Mii HVJfei^*"^-' t ^ W \ : 111 ■^>" 305 1, UlSTOHT OF TH£ WAB. \[ the British, during the war. The rest hove beeir built or purchased during the war. Those that are l»Iank have no armament at present. . Kata, Jfamu of Vtud$. 74 Ship ludependenc* 1\ 74 44 44 44 44 44 86 M 96 S4 H 90 9S 16 16 16 16 16 18 W«bkigto« Fruklin New-Orleuu ^ Ghipp«w« 6 Ouemier«, m% d Qnitod StatM* Java CoBilMatioal* Plattiburgh § Superior GoMtclbtMM^ GoBfrCM'* JHoMdmiaM Mohawk Coi{^anM CyatM Baratoca John Adam* General Pika ihip Mni Romel* ■ Waq> Peacoek Ontaiio Erie LouidaDt* 18 Brig JeffenoB Jonei M»rviiit Ktagara Lftwrcm* Detroit 18 18 16 16 16 16 If 16 16 16 If M 16 » It % 411 S Eagle Bvlph CnlppewB QuefnCAwMie Batanat liiOMt Boxer Troap oiiOa Entarprtea* Flaaibaa* Firellv BmtIT Commnndcrt' Com. Wflt-Bainbtidgo OapU L ChauKoy Cam. S. Decatur J. Shaw O. H. Perry a Slewart <*>•.;/ 0> CtordoB O. Morru L. Waniagti B. TrcodurA W. W. Crane BoaloD do , i Philadelphia Baoket*! Harbor do. do. BoHoa ! MedtteiraMaB do. BodoB Backet'i Ha(ho«» do. do> ^f /.*w W. Stewart J. Biddle J. Blakely ■» L. RoHgera J. D. Elliot 0. C. B. fhompwtt H. T. Wodicj . J. Pewu '^^^^lledUerraaeaii ' 'ModUerraocaii ^ do. Sacket't HaHbor I^e Chawphla Mow^York ,^,c Lake Oha»plafa» ' MedMenwMaa „ ., . Backoff Harbor Medkerraaeaa MewTorfc . ♦ At Sea Mew-Tork ModiterraoaaB do. Vew<4)rl«iBW Backel'i Harboop- deu da. At Baa x, bke Efi* #>';< *'.'*V ■ %%■■ *:i y. «;1m« J. lortar T. Brawa I» Kearmr ' J. B. MidMlMm O. W. Ro^lgen T. aaabia Ghent CoMon/a Etna, bomb 17 8chr. 'ficonderog^ 1^:;.^^ liOMUch fipitfirt A. B.. WadMMrtk. £. Altiit. ^ ' do. do. " Lake Ohaflip1ai» Backet'a HatboHi VcwTork Erie, Pen. ]r«w-Tork U^ Ghainp]aiaAi& Kew-Tork Bavannab Backet't Harbovr »twT«iii do. do. d* Erie, PaBn. ■ V: \ rr :. Tlfknt A. J. SaDw .-♦. -•* ■^■■^ Erie, Peao Do. do. VawKkleani < Mke OKaatpteia WeetlSMSi ■I unrotLt 01 *rmL wut m JtaiM. lfamt$ of Ft$tdK Ctmiumdiri. Id 9 9 7 7 7 8 5 4 4 S S S s 8 2 1 1 1 3 1 12 It It 7 6 < 5 2 Coreii Toa BottliM iilli|iimr Rokooke firebrand SurpriM CoH|U«lt HoriMt Lvax ' lur Anwkaa Hdan W. Chaoacajr Hoiima K D. Coailey r. Forrtft Oiik«kw( Atp Forcvpiw Udhr of tk« Lake Ooramor Toi^kia Raagar OMwio W.AlkiuM 'j RaTrn Slaop PraiMaot $ FificA * CA«» ;; CUBCl ' Ticklarf 2 Oattv Allen S 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 KeUk Bofiom Boxer Neltla Viper Centipede Ludlow '- Wilmet^^ , Alwyn Bdfud . BpitAre VentuTiM^ Venseanra it:' j'jft'. • ;..*; ^,;;_j^.$Qii 4..,;» V:SiS Do. Erie, Penn. , Ke#-Vork ' 't-^-*^^ Kew-YMk Wilainrton, N. 0. Kew*OriaaM Do. Sacket't Harbour WathiiMtoa, D. C. New-York Saeket't Harboor Neweaitle, Dek Norfolk Baltiaora Erie, Ffenn. J9ackat>* Burboiir Dot do. Do. ' do. BalliBom 8aok«^» Barbenr Irii^ Femk fiaeket^ Ibrbonr .. Do. do. ' Lake Okaaphin Bo. do. Bo. do. Do. do. « Doi do. Fkiladelpbia Do. Kew-Orleaie Lake Ckamplaia Do. dok Do. do. Do. do. >^ Do. do. »' Do. do. .. > Do. do. > Do. do. I -Do. do. ■ > Do. dfc,-- :c ..' Borfelk 's.v .-;■'■ Mew-Tork Do. n Bargev from Mo. 1 to 15, incIuiiTe, on lak* OntatiO) gum, and now at Sacket*i Harbour. - The old gunJxwti kart been chiefly lold. . i, It would be a curious question in politieal arith- - inetity to determine what number of Ameriean ships and their ratos^ would be suffioient to des- troy the British navy, tailing the naval events of the late war as a scale by which to calculate ; and how long it would take to provide the necessary number of vessels, taking the increase of the aavj^ daring the war> as a ratio ? r- >u. WltV, LIST OF AMERICAN PRIZES, "Which have aiTiyed» or been Tork Bhkehr of Boiton Boat* from Buffaloe -, « Bnituf of BoiloA ' ^ BuckikiB of Salem BankerhiUdrMewTerk *■ Cadetiof Saleai Caroline ef Bakimfir* v. Catharine of Boiton Chauplaiv PriTate«r # Gkarlct Stewart of B«toB ' Obaneur of Beltimera 'x. V Chaoncey^'e aqnadrqa on Lake Ontario, U. 8. fr%aU Ghenpcake Oomet of Baltimore ,, U. B. frigrt* CoogroM U. B. frkate CouMttutioB * Cuftom IIotta»:B»rg« ^ ])art of Portland . J' < • , , ■ w~9adt of Poftiaad _ .A-^ th^ m ,s«»ayj "^^ David Porter of N.Tork _ ;,i,*;^r . David Porter of Boatoa J^n -^Utii , :»* */ Decatvr of Newmirypoct ecatnr of Qharleitoa . lUeoTBakiiBore 4, Dtamoiid of Bdltimor* ~ Diouede of Saiete pivMed we^Uhof Hew-TwH , j^r ^^f^if. *^a' ■'>^^'jB B ,» S s 9 » 4 8. yM^ I i I 1 M & ^iirfiin of BaltioMre DdlpbinofSdeai (j %p. %mm Dromo of Beaton , Bagle of CliwleatoB ' :k V. 8. brig BnterpriM ^ V. 8. frigate Eites 7 KHes Jimier Xxpeditionof Bahifflore 9wT»dwof 6*lea r»^i- v--' t ■ t' t a» 32 4 S9 4 IS 1 B 8 •J r 18 T sr I t « s -.4; ^«;*" ' •,..1 >. :ai.i BltTOmY 9m TBB WAB. 3«t Fiiry of fedliMn FuMofSalrai Pun of ffcomMtowa Flirt of ll.T0rk Fir FoxofSakn < Foi of BakiiBon Foi of PortuBoath Fnnkliaof N. York U. 8. iloop of war Frolic Frolic of Salom Fall blooded Yankoo Oalloway of M.York GcDoral Arautronj of New-Tork OoMral Stark of Sakon QcMfsl pMlnaaof Saka Olobo of Baltimoro OotMHor of Boiloa Govonor Tomphiai of V . York GoTerHor M'Koaa of Philadolphia OoTomor Fluatr of f oituBoutk Orampni of Bahimorw GraadTinkofSalaa Growlor v. 8. Ow-boati Harp/ fjf BalluMrt llarrMoa of Battiaoro Hawk of WatUnctoB V. C Haiard Hennr OaiMerofN.T. BmM of M. York Hero of M. York Bore of Nowkom Horo of 8toBio|ioB HKk Flrec of Bakimtr* .Hollw On Lake Superior On Lake Huron On Lake Ohamplain Lark ' . i. Lawrence of B M ■»' B ;*• 2 1 y 3 i 4 ^1 S ^A 5 % 1 *, t /V' •«* 10 ■^■ 2 •■ft; 6 ,-i; <5 1 :| 1 *' 1 i 4 . ■■i 1 *- 5 4% 3 : k"*^ « \i «♦*?* 9 -■- *. 11 24 9 * .ft 15 '•r* 3 13 miTP^T OF TUB WAB. Pilot of Baltimore , i > Polly of Salem Portsmouth of Portsmouth K. £(• Poor Seilor of Charleston Prince . of Neufchatcl Rambler of Bristol Rambler of Boston Ranger of Boston -nitii.V Rapid pf Boston ,r, j . Rapid of Charleston " r U. S. brig Rattlesnake Rattlesnake of Philadelphia Regulator ,;t>YQrk Revenge of Baltimore Revenge of Norfolk Revenge of Itiiladelphia Revenge of Salem Revenue Cutters Roger of Norfolk ^. Roger oi Baltimore . , /' Roila of Baltimore Commodore Rodgers's sqUftdfQB Rosamond of 19'ew-York, Rossie of Baltimore Rover of N. York Row-boat privateer ' Sabine of Baltimore At Sandy Creek, by riflemen Sarah Ann of Baltimore Saranac of Baltimore Saratoga of N. York Scourge of N. York '^ Saucy Jack of Charteston Shark of N. York Sine-qua*non of Boston Sqorpion of Salem Siro of Bi|ltimore >'i^«;» 'JWM' F ^ lo iX^yii iM^ 9 7 9 1 95 3 5 S 4 4 4 di 1 « 1 I 9 8 5 5 8 8 11 19 8 14 1 S ft 6 t .ft 18 99 vr 1 1 \ W I ' i ;li ii II I? M .^iiS^'i ^ r 312 miTOBT 01 TUB WAB. \r S3 S % ■ 9 1 36 t r 9 Snap Dragon of Newborn N. C. Snowbird of Salem Sparrow of Baltimore Spark of N.York Spy of New-Orleans Surprise of Baltimore United States' brig Syren Syren of Baltimore ^^>*f^'- On the St. Lawrence Teazer of N.York Terrible (boat) ^' * Thomas of Portsmoutll' Timothy Pickering Tom of Baltimore True-blooded Yankee Two Brothers of New-Orleant Two Friends of Massachusetts Tuckahoe of Baltimore U. S. frigate United States Ultor of Baltimore United We Stand of N. York Upton (a prize ship) Viper of N. York ' snumn Viper of Salem >•« Warrior of N. York ^ ^^-t'^-^l ' - U. S. ship of war Wasp y^wtfVllo ( || M Wasp of Baltimore t/mxnnM'}^m»*yil Wasp of Philadelphia ^^i^T ^^i '% %n'- 1^ Washington of Portland 1 '^ Whig of Baltimore ^ |4 « Yankee of Bristol R. ViM-i^,^^^ #*^^ J^^ Yankee (smack) ijli*^* l^t*. f -.'if Yorktown of N. York y:oif|i 1^.0 1 )g#>i»M >i 4 sr 1 1 9 1 19 1 i 9 1 9 York of Baltimore / .>^ » jgiuirf *i<-J Young Eagle of N. York Y H i)fc '«'v H Young Teazer of N. York* ''*'«^ ?J->^ /^w/>I Young Wasp of Philadelphia n ^»V<* Sundry yesselS) names not known 16 ' - Total/— 1634' 'i.; ■....-.isi^.^ _ Ss (-:. W 5 . J ' 5 ti-fi nil iJd ■ ^m \M -■i. 'N^ 'f.m -it*' ■'-I ' "H A % ia*)IX :^ ^.,M iii«i*-^ -yuK '^kmt *si-|"'V ■*f'V;;* f^^ "^^-i^r ni.'f'v^-^/'* "^rfT'-^^-/' APPENDIX. : niintons. On the 25th August following, file American brig Edwin, of Salem, was taken by an Algerine corsair, and 4>arried into Algiers, as a prize. . Mr. Pollard, of Norfolk, being found 00 boar4 a Spanish vessel* was also detained as a eitl^wB of the United States. Captain > Smith, the master of the Edwin, and Mr. Pollard, were mi oonftned to haid labour: but the rest of the v ■ ■• X i AFPBNDIZ. Sl» cle of their i cruisers, I y of an act between the and of such »rou8 prosc- IDISON. m sual forms, » take mea- imerce and > to employ nisBion pri- against the. of the Dey ' il alilcr the hostilHy of t an emU by treaty sub- States. In e American y, in lieu of e refVised to re not equal ated by the the consul quit his dO' lo>ving> tlie as taken by > Algiers, as being found detuned as itain^^mithr oUurd, were rest of tlie oaptaios, with the exception of two of them^ whow release has been eflTeoted, under circum^ stances not indicating any change of hostile tenr*^ per on the part of the Dey, were subjected to th« •well known horrors of Algerino slavery. A» effort of the United States' government, to effeet the release of these citizens, by treaty, and the .ptiyraent of a large sum of money, had failed* > There never was a war commenced with a greater share of general approbation ; and it re^ tnained a wonder, that one publio journal, (the Connecticnt Mirror) should condemn a measuM wbicli had for its object the releasement from slavery of eleven Ameriean citizens, the.paniali* ment of barbarians, justly detested by tbe civili- zed world; and the putting into glorious prac* tiee, the popular sentiment, « miUions.for de- fenee, but not a cent far tribute." ^ .A private letter from Lisbon, dated dd May, 1815, stated, on the authoiritv of advices from Cadiz, that tbe Al^erine admiral had put to sea» with a lleet eonsistmg of 4 frigates, 6. corvettes, & brigi, 1 zebec, 1 schooner, 1 galley, 40 gun> lioatt, and 11 bombards, in all 66 vessels, mount- ing 463 guns, and having on board 4745 men ; the supposed object was to cruise for American tcs- S018. -4 ■ ' t. • .'J i«j^ The force destined by the United States, to^ punish the cnemyv was to consist of the Inde-^ pendence, 74, Guerriere, 44, Macedonian, 38, Congress and Constellation, 36, Erie, Ontario, and Epervier, 18, Chippewa, 16, Flambeau an your most obedient servant, ROBERT MONTGOMERY. To the honourable the secretary qf atate. Copy of a letter from the American consul at Cadiz* to the secretary of state, dated ,|j[ J ^ ; Coneulaie qf the United StateOf Cadiz, June 27, 1815« Si a— I have much pleasure in referring you to the sMibjoined statement, for the interesting and impor- tant information it contains, which I doubt not, in a great part may be relied on. The informant adds». Uiat about 400 prisoners had been landed from the prize frigate, and that but few had been saved from the brigt The wind being now from the S. W. makes It probable that the particulars^.of this action^ from the commodore, will not come to hand for some days. With much respect, I have the honour to be, Scc» RICH'D.S.HACKLEY. ^on* Jamee Monroe^ secretary qf state* A letter, of which the following is a eopy, an- nounced the arrival of the American squadron, at Gibraltary aher a passage of %h day»b »y' Copy of a letter from Commodore Decatur to the ^ . secretary of the navy, (received via Norfolk) -' ■ dated* ^ . > B b 2 i'\ •f ';r»«' •' I. •I-' 31S ' \ APPfiNUIX. i • ' United State9' iht/t Guerriere, Off Gibraltary June ld» 18(5. Sir— 'I have the honour to inform you of our tr- rival off thib place on the 15th, after a passage of 35 days, having previously coixirnunicatcU with Cadiz and Tangiers. The Spitfire, Torch, and Firefly, separated from the squadron during a gale of wind on the 36th ult. and the Ontario on the 3 1 st. I am happy to find they have, with the exception of the Firefly, all arrived ; the latter vessel I fear may have lost her spars, and have returned to the United States. From all the information I can collect, I feet assured, that the Algerines have returned into the Mediterranean. The vcssels'that had separated from us, are now joining, and I shall proceed in search of the enemy forthwith. - I have the honour to be, very respectfully, &c. STEPHEN DECATUR. The commodore lost no time m the prosecu- tion of his ohject; vcaroely anived in the Medi- terranean^ he commenced to pay tribute to the barbarians, as will be best explained hy bis letter to the secretary of \var> of which the following is a copy : Mxtract of a letter from commodore Stephen Deca* rur, t^ the .secretary, qf the navyy (received via ^ ^orfoikfj datedi "s^ United States' ship Guerriere, Off Carthagena, June 19, 1815. " I have the honour to iuform you, that on the 1 7th inst. off Cape de Gatt, the squadron fell in with and captured an Algerine frigate of 46 ^ur, and between 4 and 500 men, commanded by Rais Hammida, who bore the title of admiral ; she struck her flag after a running fight of 35 minutes. "The admiral was killed at the commencement of the action. After the Guerriere ^who from her fa- vourable position was enabled to bring the enemy to <^Use Rctioo) had fired two broadsides, the enemy} with •^i, ;.^'- »i > • \ APPRNDIX. Sit \ 15, 18(5. i of our ar- isage of 35 with Cadiz nd Firefljr, lie of wind [St. xception uf I fear may the United )Hect, I feel ed into the arated from in search of lly, &c. CATUR. le prosecu- I the Medi- 6tife to tlie y bis letter 9 following phen Deca* eceived via srriere, 19, 1815* on the 17th in >vith and d between 4 ntnida, who r flag after a encement of from her fa- he enemy to enemy, with the exception of a few musketeers, ran below: Tho Gucrriero had four men wounded by musket shot, which is the only injury dune by the enemy in this aft'iiir. " We have 406 prisoners ir.cluding the wounded. The prisoners state tlial about thirty were killed and thrown overboard. " Their suuadion is said to bo cruising In our vi- cinity i five days ago they were off (his place, unless I obtain some further intelligence of them by to- morrow, I shall proceed to the port of Algiers, in Che hopes to intercept their rctuni. For tlie present, J have determined to send tho prize Into Cnrthagena." On the 'iOtli June, tho (Mtmmodoro oomuiunU rated a second victory, in u letter, in (he follow- ing; wni'da : Copy of a letter from Commodore Decatur to the secretary of the navy, dated United Statct* thifi Gtterrierif ((jf Cape Palosy June 30, 1815. * Sir— —I have (he honour to Inform you, that en thtf 10th inst. off cape Palos, the squadron under my com- mand, captured an Algerine brig of twenty-two guns* and one hundred and eighty men. After a chase of three hours, she ran into shoal water, where I did not think it advisable to follow with our la^e %h\p»f but despatched the Epervier, Spark, Torch, and Spit- iire, to whom she surrendered after a short resistance. Twenty-three men were found dead on board. Wo received from her eighty prisoners, the residue of her crew having left her in boats. Many of them must have beeu kUled by the fire of our vessels, and one of the boats was sunk. None of our vesselt sustained any damage, nor was there a man killed or wounded. This brig Is lafger than the Epervier-— was built ia Algiers, five years ago, by a Spt&nish con- structor, the same who built the frigate captured oii> the 17th inst. and is perfectly sound. ji I I](ave the honour to be, very respectfully, 8ic. STEPHEN D|:CATUR. t ■• " I < ,' iif .; / '-^*..j>,^ir. i. MMMMHWMMwiaii wmmm^ ■hmi 520 APPENDIX. : Commodore Bainbridge arrived at Cartbagena: early in August, witb the second American squad- ron, whence he proceeded (o Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis, in order to make a display of his force, the respectable appearance of which could not fail to make a deep, useful, and it may be hoped, a lastinj^ impression. Having performed this service^ the commodore sailed to Malaga, and thence to Gibraltar, where he stopped some time, ami reciprocated compliments with the British Commander in Chief, thence the squad- ron sailed for the United States,, and arrived at Newport the t5th Noirember. Commodore Bainbridge was Joined while at Malaga by all Commodore Decatur^s squadron eicept his own ship. It was as gratitying to the American as it was probably mortifying to the Englishman, to see such a fleet, in a British, port, and that so soon after the termination of a war which was to have annihilated the « Lillipu- tian navy," On the arrival of the fleet at Gibraltar, an understanding was had between Commodore Bainbridge and the British commander, that a salute of fifteen guns would be fired from the Squadron, aud a like number returned from the fort. By mistake seyentecn ^uns were fired from the Independence, the commodore immedii- ately despatched an officer to acquaint the com- mander of the mistake; but before the officer reached the commander, orders were given to fire two more guns, in addition to the fifteen al- ready fired. This circumstance is material only as far as it goes to prove the distinguished re- spect sho'.vB to the American flag; a respect fop the proud fruit of determined valour and. con~- summate prudence*v - • ' m »- .i*v. *.-.... ,v..i.. *• ^ APPENDIX. 3^1 irthagetiA: an squad' , Tripoli, ay of his licli could it may be lerformed i Malaga, ^ped some with the he squad- Li't'ived at I ^hile at squadron '. ing to the ing to the a British ation of a « Lillipu- traltar, an Dmmodore er, that a I fr»m the I from the vere fired 'e im medio the com- ,he officer $ given to fifteen a1- terial only ;uished re- rcspect foF and~ con.- The situation in which the American charac^ ter was about to be placed, was truly envious. — A few months after causing the greatest naval- power in Europe to haul down its proud flag, the Americans were destined, by aid oi' the ships eaptured from England, to speali thunder to those piratical monarchs of Africa, to whom that very England was in the habit of paying tribute. It remained for America, infant America, the country of Washington and Franklin, to break up a system which was, it' possible, more dis- graceful to the cWilized nations who submitted to it, than to the barbarous states who imposed it. But America, by the use she made of victory, has gained for herself an honour, and been rais- ed to a pinnacle of glory, to which no victory, however splendid, could have raised her. The favourite maxim of the nation was and is « mil' lions for defence, but not a cent for tribute,'*-^ True to this policy, she made it a sine qua non of peace, and this being concluded, the humbled enemy was permitted to take back those ships, which were to remain for ever innocent, as res- pected the great western nation. Which of the haughty masters of enslaved Europe has ever given such proof of magnanimity or of modera- tion in the midst of victory so complete ? t*!;f,T Commodore Decatur arrived before Algiers, OH the 29th June, and hoisted a flag of truce on board the Guerriere, with the Swedish flag at the main. A boat came off with Mr. Norderling, consul of Sweden, and the captain of the port, to whom the capture of the frigate and brig was conimunicat^'d, and to ivhom Commodore Deca- tur and William Thaler, Esq. acting as commis- sioners to negociate a peace, delivered a letter for the Dey, from the President of the United 322' AFPfiNDlX. 'M Stated; and also a note from themselves, of II bieh the following is a copy : The American Commisnonert to the Dey of Algiers. The undersigned have the hcnour to inform his highness the dey of Algiers, that they have been ap* pointed by the President of the United States of A- merica : commissioners plenipotentiary to treat of peace with his highness, and that pursuant to their instructions, they are ready to open a negociation for the restoration of peace and harmony between the two countries, on terms just and honourable to both parties ; and they feel it incumbe;nt on them to state explicitly to his highness, that they are instructed to treat upon no other principle, than that of perfect equality, and on the terms of , the most favoured na« tions : no stipulation for paying any tribute to AN giers, under any form whatever, will be agreed to. The undersigned have the honour to transmit here- with, a letter from the President of the U. States, and they avail themselves of this occasion to assure bis' highness of their high consideration and profound jrespect. The eaptain of the port then requested that hostilities shoukl eease preceding the negotiaUbn, and that persons might be sent ashore to treat. Both propositions were rejected, the American eommissioners declaring that the negotiations mast be carried or, on board the fleet, and that hostilities as respected vessels, should not cease. On the following day, the Swedish consul and ^the captain of the port came onboard with full powers to negotiate. The American commis- sioners produced (he model of a treaty which they declared would not be departed from in sub- stance. Every attempt on the part of Algiers^ to obtain a modification of it proved fmiitless, even the restoration of the captured vessels was positively refused. Upon eonsidecation^ how- ATFENDIX. 323 iselvesy of of Algiers. I inform his ive been ap- states of A- to treat of ant to their ^ociation for etween the 'able to both hem to state nstructed to t of perTect favoured na- •ibute to A!- igreed to. ansmit here- e U. States, [>n to assure ind profound tiested that negotiation, re to treat, e Ameriean negotiations ^U and that d not cease. consul and rd ^ithfull an eommis- reaty which from in sub- of Algiers, ;d fruitlesst vessels was ration^ lioW" •ver, the American commissioners resolved to restore the captured vessels as a/avor, and not as matter of treaty, giving the Algerine to un- derstand, that even this would depend on the sisningofthe treaty as presented. The Alge- rine captain then proposed a trnee» to deliberate on the proposed terms, the reply was « not a minute ; if your squadron appears in sight be- fore the treaty is actually signed by the dey, and the prisoners sent o(f, ours would capture them !" It was finally agreed that hostilities should cease when the Algerine boat should be perceived coming off with a white flag hoisted, the Swed- ish consul pledging his word of honor not to hoist it unless the treaty was signed, and the prisoners in the boat. The Swedish consul and Algerine captain returned on shore» and although tlio distance was full five miles, they came back within three hours with the treaty signed, and having with them the prisoners who were to be released from captivity by the terms of the treaty. ;*: By the lerms of this treaty, the dey has agreed: That « no tribute, either as bienniaV presents, or under any form or name whatever,- shall ever be required by the dey ami regency of Algiers, from the United States of America." That the dey shall deliver up to the Ameri- can squadron « all the American citizens now^^ in their possession, amounting to ten, more or . less.*' « A just and full compensation shall be made by the dey of Algiers, to such citizens of the- United States as have been captured and detain- ed by Algerine cruizers, or who have been forced to abandon their property in Algiers, ii^V violation of the twenty-second article of the :\^ 324 i.FF:BNDlX. I !' treaty of peace and amity, concluded between the United States and the dcy of Algiers, on the 5th of September* 1795." « And it is agreed between the contracting parties* that in lieu of the above, the dey of Algiers shall cause to be delivered fopthwith in^ to the hands of the American consul, residing at Algiers, the whole of a quantity of bales of cot- ton, left by the late consul general of the United States, in the public magazines in Algiers, and that he shall pay into the hands of the said con- sul the sum bf ten thousand Spanish dollars." « That no citizen or. subject of either party, or their property if found on board the vessel of any power with wjiich either may be hfreafter at war, shall be detained or confiscated ; and* on no pretence, shall any citizen of the United States, be hereafter kept in a state of slavery by the dey.- » ** Vessels of either of the contracting parties, ]^utting into the ports of the other* and having need of provisions or other supplies, shall be furnished at the market price — and if any such yessel should so put in from a distance at sea, and have oecasion to repair, she shall be at li- berty to land, and re-embark her cargo, with- out paying any customs or duties whatever, but in no case shall she be compelled to land her oargo." ', ** That should a vessel of either of the con- tracting parties be cast on shore within the ter- ritories of the other, all proper assistance should be given to the crew — no pillage shall he allotv- . <• The consul of the United States of Ame- viea shall not be responsible for the debts eoDtraeted by citizetts of his own nation, unless .^/-t APP£lfDlX. 325 ed between Algiers, on contracting the (ley of upthwith In' residing at )ales of cot- ' Uie United Algiers, and ic said con* dollars." er party, or le vessel of )e ht-reafter cated ; and,i the United f slavery by ling parties, and having ;s, shall be if any such anee at sea, all he at li*: largo, >vith- batever, but to land her of the eon- hin the ter- ance should 12 he allow- es of Ame- the debtd tion, unless he previously gives written obligations so to do." « That if any obristian slaves should make their escape, and go on board any ship of war of the United States that may be before the city of Algiers, they shall not be required back again, nor shall any payment be required for the said christians." « That as the government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the lav/s, religion, or tranquillity of any nation, and as the said states have never entered into any voluntWy war or act of hostili- ty, except in defence of their Just rightf) on the high seas, it is declared by the contracting par- ties, that no pretext arising from religious opi- nions shall over produce an interruption cf the harmony existing between the two nations $ and the consuls and agents of both nations shall have liberty to celebrate the rites of their respective religions in their own houses." « The consuls respectively shall have liberty and persoilal security given them to travel with- in the territories of each .other, both by land and sea, and shall not be prevented from going on board any vessels they may think proper tu visit : they shall likewise have the liberty to ap- point their Qwn drogoman and broker." « In case of any dispute arising from the vio- lation of any of the articles of this treaty, no ap- peal shall be made to arms, nor shall war be de- clared on vmy pretext whatever ,* but if the con- sul residing at the place whore the disp^e shall happen, sh^i not be able to settle the same, the government of tha^ country shall state their gi'icvande in writing, and transmit the same tip the governmeat of the other, and the period of c 4 ) s- f ^X 326 APPBNorx. tlivee months sball be allowed for answers to be returned, during which time no hostilify shall be permitted by either ^larty ; and in ease the grievances are not redressed, and a war should be the event, the consuls and citizens and sub- jects of both parties respectively, sliall be per- mitted to embark with their eifecis unmolested, on board of what vessel or vessels they shall think proper, reasonable time being allowed for that purpose." ^^ « If in the course of events, a war should break out between the two nations, the prisoners captured by either |)arty shall not bo made slaves, they shall not be forc(*d to hard Ial)uur, or other confinement than such as.nitiy l>e ne- cessary to secure their safe keeping, and bhall be exchanged rank for rank ; and it is agreed that prisoners shall be exchanged in twelve months after their capture, and the exchange may be effected by any private indi vidua!, legally authorised by cither of the parties." « If any of the Barbary states or other powers at war with the United States, shull capture any American vessel, and send her into any port of the regency of Algiers, they shall not be per- mitted to sell her, but shall be forced to depart the port, on procuring the requisite supplitj of provisions ; but the vessels of w ur of the United States, with any prizes they may capture from their enemies shall have liberty to frequent the ports of Algiers, foi' retreshments of any kind, amd to sell such prizes, in the said ports* without any other customs or duties, than such as are customary on ordinary commercial itnpoi'ta- i^ Jf any of the citizens of the United States, or any pfFsuns under their protection, shiiU have Hi- IT •aoaaa AFFENDIX. 327 wcrs to be ty shall be I case the ^ar should IS and sub- all be per- niiiolcHtedy they shall Uowcd for 'ar should prisoners bo made rd labour^ \wy l>e ne- und bhall is agreed in twelve exchange jalt legally lior powers ill capture lo any port not be per- 1 to depart supplitj of the United »turc from 'equcnt (he r any kind^ ts, without ucti as are 1 importa- d States, or 8h;in have any disputes with each other, the consul shall decide between the parties; and whenever the consul shall reqtsire any aid or assistance from the guvoi'nment of Algiers, to enforce his deci- sions, it shall he immediately granted to him ; and if any disputes shall arise between any citi- zt;ns of the United States and the citizens or subjects of any other nation having a consul or agent in Algiers, sut;h disputes shall be settled hy the consuls or agents of the respective nation ; and any disputes or suits atlaWf that may take place between any citizens of the United States and the subjects of the regency of Algiers, shall be decided by the dey in person, and no other.'* • <* If a citizen of the United States should kilff wound, or strike a subject of Algiers, or, on th^ contrary, a sub ject of Algiers should kill, wound, or strike a citizen of the United States, the law of the country shall take place, and equal jus- tice shall be rendered, the consul assisting at the trial ; but the sentence of punishment against an American citizen shall not be greater or mere severe, than it would be against a Turk in the same predicament ; and if any delinquent should make his escape, the consul shall mt be respon- sible for him in any manner whatever." « The consul of the United States of Ame- rica shall not be required to pay any customs or duties whatever on any thing he imports from a foreign country for the use of his bouse and family." « Should any of the citizens of the United States of America (lie within the limits of the regency of Algiers, the dey and his subjects shall not interfere with the property of the deceased, but it shall be under the immediate direction of the consul, imless otherwise disposed of by will." 11 :| 328 AFFENDIX. P . Tkc historian has an unpleasant task, in ht- ing conipelled to close the detail of such glorious i'xploiis, hy reconnling a misfortune which, \vhilc it takes nothing from the lustre of our arms, sinks grief deep into the heart of the (^itizen. The United States armed in defence of their vati'^ial rights, and the liberty of the citizen. -From the deck of his floating battery, Decatur demanded the release of his fibllow citizens held in bondage : the African tyrant trembled, the citizen's chains fell from his limbs, and he was freed — but, alas ! the exultation was momentary. The United States' brig of war E^ervier was despatched to the United States to announce the glaa tidings, but she did not reach her destina- tion. She sailed on the 10th July, was seen oo the 8th August in lat. 39, 4, N. long. 61, 18, IV. under double reefed topsails ; the next day there was u very heavy blow, and she prdiably foun- dered during the gale ; if not then, she must have been lost by some subsequent mishap, as ieojn the length of time since she was seen, no hope remains of her safety ; and not one sur- vived to tell the mournful event. On b»ard her "were Lt. cen. Shubrick ; lieut. Baifnwell ; lieut. Brury ; sailing master "Wright; midshipmen Coulter, and Hunter, and several others. Pas- sengers, capt. Lewis ; lieuts. Neal and Yarnell. The AmericaQs released at Algiers were also on boar4* * / ' THB END. .V: / k, in ht- i glorious ) which > re of our rt of the of their D citizen. » Decatur zens held bled, the id he ivas jmentary, irvier was ounce the V destina- iS seen on 5i,18,"W. day there ably foun- she iniist mishap^ as 18 seen, no t one sur- b«ard her ieW ; lieut* lidshipmen ers. Pas- td YarnelL ere also on i 329 INDEX. iV ^.:}X■■ .r-a i 's C^ Accomack (Va.)niilitia» bravery of, 224. ' ^ Act declaring war^ 19 ; vote of Congress, IT. Adams frigate, destruction of, 249. Adams and Caledonia - (brigs) retaken from the eA« emy, 58. Alert, British sloop of war, taken by the Essex, 46. Alexandria, plunder of, 231 ; bold attempt by com- modore Rodgers, captains Porry and Porter, to prevent the return of the enemy, ib, Algerine declaration of war, 305. Algerines, proceedings against, by the United States^ see Appendix. , , . ^^^ . Allen, captain, bravery of, 242. . % Appendix, 313. ' " " Argus, U. S. brig, capture of, 148. Armistice on the nor<:hern frontier, 41; terminatir of, 42. Army, state of tbo, 21. ' Arrest of a supposed spy, 31. Asp, U. S. schooner, brave defence of, 1 77. Baltimore, approach to, and attack on, 232. Barbarity of the enemy, 102, 1 84. Barney, commodore, encounters of, with the cnemy^ 225, 226 ; destruction of his flotilla, 228. ' , Barratarians, capture and dispersion of, 293. Beaver dams, engagement at, 101. Belfast entered by the enemy, 250. , . / , \. Blackrock visited by the enemy, 104. Blue lights, 193. ,. . Boxer, British brig, taken by the Enterprize, 149. Burrows and Blythe, captains, funeral honours to, 153. Bridgewater, battle of, 255. Belviewfort; see fort Bel view. ">■;/' Boyd, general, succeeds general Dearborir, 107. cqZ ^1 i r 1- BSO IKDEX. I British subjeOtS) order rcspectingi 26. BrownstowH) battle at* 40. CaBtine taken by the enemy* 349. Cedar-point) landing of enemy at, 3S5. Champlain) arrival of grand Briii«th army at) Stsr ; arrival of before Plattsburgh, 368 ; engagement Avith the American army, 271 ; retreat of the ene- inyt 272. Champlain lake* engagement on, 269. Chandler and Winder, generals, capture of, 96. Chapin, captain, escape of, 103 ; skirmish with the enemy, 108 ; expedition of, against the enemy, ' 109 ; affair near fort George, 156. Chaptico, affair at, 237. >. Chateaugay, battle at, 137; Chauncey, commodore, cruises and transactions of, on lake Ontario, 71, 83, 1 10 to 11^. Chesapeake frigate, restoration of tlie seamen of, by the enemy, 26 ; arrival of, from a cruise, 79 ; cap- ture of, 90 ; extraci Irom a French paper respect- ing, 94 i treatment of the crew of, 96. Chesapeake bay, transactions in the, 1 82. Chicago, attack on, and massacre at, 66. Chippewa, skirmishing near, 25 1 ; battle at, 253. Citizens of the U. Stages ordered to quit Canada, 45. Commissioners to negotiate a peace, appointment of, 300 ; by the British government, 501. ." Congress, proceedings of, 16, 194. Congress, frigate, ^arrival of, from a cruise, 193. Constitution, frigate, 28 ; engagement of, with tbe^ Java, 72. Cranberry creek, affair at, 108. Crogan, major George, defence of Lower Sandrsky» by, 129. Cumberland Island, landing of the enemy at, 294. Cuyler, major, death of, 59. Cyane and Levant, British sloops, capture of, 2%ff. Dart> British armed sloop, capture of, 19 !• Dartmoor prisop; massacre at) 303. ■XB^- INUEX. asL Oeaiborii} general) retires from the army, 107. ' Dearborn, tort) massacre at, sec Chicago. Oecatur, commodore, fleet under command of, sails iirom New-York, 185; chased into New-London, IBd. Declat'atton of war by the Six Nations of Indians, 106. Detention of prisoners of war, by the enemy, under pretext that they were British subjects, reprisals, 213, 213 ; proceedings of Congress thereon, 213. Doiroit, surrender of, 38. Dominic«f British schooner, capture of by the U. S. schooner Decatur, 147. Duel) 55. 'm ' V ,- Kagle, British tender, capture of the^ 190. -^ ' Eastportf taken by the enemy, 244. Eldridge, lieutenant* and several of his men killed by the Indians, 105. ;" : ^y'^ ;.?.;' Epervier, British brigt taken by the U. S. sloop of war Peacock, 273 ; foss of the, 328. Erie* British fortt taken by the Americans) 86) 250 ; attempt of the enemy to sto' .n, 258 ; batteries of the enemy stormed, by order of general Brown, S61 ; evacuated, 267. SssoK frigate, cruise of) 46, 276^ U Extracts from public prints, 20, 25. ^ ' Federal Gazette, destruction of the office of the, at Baltimore, 25. Flotilla, for the protection of the Chesapeake bay, 223^ Fort Bel vie W) desperate attack on, 67. Fort Bowyer) attack of, 281, 296. Fort Erie, see Erie. Fort George, taken by the Americans, 84^ 85 ; at* tack on pickets at, 106, 109. Fort Schlosser, entered by the enemy, 106. Fort Philipf defence of, 988. <". Fort -WarburtoU) evacuation and destruction of^ 231,. Forty-mile-creek, transactions at, 99. Foster, Mr. ^ritisk miniater) depavture of, 3r«.rt. 3Si 15DEX. it' Franklin boat) brave defence of, 339. <' Frederick and Georgetown^ (Md.) burned) 170. French-iniUst affair at) 59. Frenchtown ^Raisin) massacre of prisoners at) 69. Frenchtown (Elk river) burned, 169. FroliC) British sloop) taken by the Wasp) 6 1 } both sloops taken by the Poictiers, 62. Frolic, U. S. slQop) taken by the enemy, 274. Gaines, general) assumes the command at EriO) 259. Gardner's Island) affair at, 188. r ,ij. ;/- Gennesee river, captures on, 61. George's Island, landing of the enemy thereon) l&S. Georgia legislature) proceedings of) 197. Georgetown burned by the enemy) 170. , Ghent) negociations at) 301. Growler and Eagle) U. S. sloopS) takea by the enemy on Lake Champlain) 133. Growler and Julia, U. S. yesselS) captured by the enemy on Lake Ontario, 112. ... GuerrierC) Brituh frigate* capture of, 43. ' i Gun-boat No. 121) taken by the enemy) 180. Gun- boats near New»Orleaus, taken by the enemy, 282. Gun-boatS) attacks by, on the enemy near Sandy- Hook and New-London, 241. Hamilton and Scourge, U^ S. schooners, foundered on Lake Ontario, 111. ; Hampton, barbarous proceedings of the enemy at, 1 73. Hardy, British commodore, blockades the coast of New-England, 240. Harrison, Wm. Henry, appointed to the command of the North Western army, 66 ; takes Fort Maiden, 123; pursues the enemy, 124.; overtakes and de- feats hiiD at the Moravian towns, 125 ; discharges the militia) 129; arrives with his army at Black* rockj 129. . ?'.-:-yrf>--^'3.iM /•.■"T'W i^i^'i*' Harrison fort, attack of, 67. Havre-de-grace, transactions of the enemy at, 169» Historical retrospect) 7 IIYDBX. sss ird. ' at) 69. 61 } botli Brie, 259. rcoii) l&S. he enemy 1(1 by the ■IK , ■• ■■ . ' ' ' t e enemy) ir Sandy- 'oun^ered nyat)l7S. coast of Kimand of t Malden» s and de« ischarges at Black* \ at, 169» Hornet, U. S; sloopt blockades the Bonne Citoycfnne in the harbour of St. Salvador) 75 ; engages and captures the British brig of war Peacock) ib f challenges captain Greene of the Bonoe Citoy- enne)79. Mull, general, appointed to command the North Western army) 33 ; seizure of his baggage and hospital storeS) 34 ; invades Canada) i> ; his proc- lamation) ib J transactions in Canada) 37 ; evacua- tion of Canada) ib ; effett on the public mind« 65 • his trial) 315. lroprisonn;ent of American citizens taken under arms, on tiic plea of their being British subjects) 213; retaliatioii, i^ ; report on the subject made to Congress, by the secretary of state, 313. Indians, North Western) expeditions against, 67; sue for peace) 134 ; inquiry by Congress respect- ing, 194; southern, hostility of) 195; engage- ments with« 195) IM> 198, 199, to 301; pe:;oe witbj 211. Intercourse, criminal) with the enemf) 181. Izard, general) march of^ from Plattsburgh to New- York, 266. Jackson, general, commands the forces sent against the southern Indians, 198. Kent Island, in the Chesapeake) taken possession of by the enemy) 183. La Cole, engagement at, 3 1 8. ^ \ ■ ' * - Lawrence, captain, blockades the Bonne Citoyenne, 75 ; captures the brig of war Peacock) ib, death of) 91 ; honours to his memory, 93) 94. LewiS) commodore, drives the enemy from Long- Island Sound) 189 ; engages the enemy, 241. Lcwistown, requisition on, 168; bombardment of, 169. Little York, in Canada, taken by the Americans, 81, Long point, expedition to, 223. Lower Marlborough, burning of property at, 336. M'Clure, address of, to the patriots of the wentern district, 155; operations of, 155, 157, 158; justi- fies his conduct, 164. 334 INDEX, J*! M'Kcon, captain, brave conduct of, 165. M'Donough, commodore, defeats the enemy on Lake Champlain, 269. . h Macedonian, British frigatQ, capture of, 63. Maguago, battle of, 41 . Massasquoi bay) affair at, 146^ ;. ;?. !•■; 1 Meigs, fort, attack of, 80. Michilimackanac, taken byjhe enemy, 28 ; expedi- tion against, 363 ; barbarous conduct of the ene- my to prisoners, 365. x Mims, fort, massacre of the garrison of, 196. Mix, Mr. attempt of, to destroy the Plantagenet by a torpedo, 178. Mobile, taken by general Wilkinson, 295. . ; - . ; Moravian towns, battle at the, 125. .. , .-^ , ; hf ^ Mount Desart, affair at, 243. Nautilus, U. S. schooner, tal^en by the enemy, 27. Wavy, list of, 21,306. . , a •. [^ • i Negroes, seizure of, 184. New-Orleans, approach of the enemy to, and battle near, 283. New- York, meeting in the park of, 247 ; voluntary work on the fortification of, 248. .ip Ogdensburg, bombardment of, 60. ," . r, .'* ., . .v ; 1 O'Neil, conduet of, at Havre-de-Grace, 1 70, I Oswego, fort, attack of, 219. . . Otter-creek, defence of, 223. - .. ; i • . , v Owlhead-narrows, affair at, 186. f* ^r ; f ; \ . 1 1 Pagan creek, the enemy repulsed at) 176. ! '^ Paris taken, 216 ; effect on the war, 216. 2S9. • . Penny, Josjiua, taken by the enemy, 189. > w 'vt. •f:.« nemy on ; expedi- : the ene- J. 6. agenet by my, 27. and battle voluntary avaged by M'Koon, 5ad or ears i ' ■•"^.-i' 0. 259. INDEX. 335 Pensacola entered by the American army, S96. Perry, commodore) defeats and captureH the enemy on lake Erie, 117 ; statement of the i'orce of the American and British fleets, 119; laconic letter 121 ; co-operates with general Harrison^ 123. Pettipaug, capture of, by the enemy, 240. Pike, general, death of, 83. Placard, 146. • - '^ Plattsburg entered by the enemy, 133; battle at, 271. Point Petrc, carried .by storm, 294. Preface, 3. Preparation for war, 29. X * : President's message, 14. President frigate, captured by the enemy, 297. Prevost, general, proclamation by, 45. Prizes, number of, captured during the war, 308. Pultneyville, enemy at, 22i. Queenstown, (Chesapeake bay,) entered by the en* emy, 183. Queenston, battle of, 46 to 5 1 . Recruiting commenced, 30. *, ; Reindeer, British brig, taken by the Wasp, 274. Rodgers, commodore, cruise of, 22, 74, 153. Russian mediation, 300. Sacket's Harbour^ attack of, 43, 88. ■ ^ ,' Sand hills, affair at, 183. < .t? t^! Sandy creek, affair at, 221. Saybrook, attempt of the enemy to land at, 188." Scituate, enemy at, 243. Scudder's, Mr. attempt to destroy the Ramilies, 187. Smyth, general, proclamation of, 52 ; preparation for a descent on Canada, 55, abandons the design, ib. his motives, i6, statement by general Porter, 56 ; duel ib. reply of general Smyth to general Porter's statement, 57. Squam, enemy at, '244. * ,- Stonry creek, battle of, 96 ; retreat 6f the American army, 98. St. Lawrence, successful !■."'« ? * i'Uise on» 'jf'SbV , f i 3S6 moBx. St. Lawrence/a Britiali ship of 90 g«iis« on lake On- tario,J|66. St. Irilgoei, landing of the enemf at, 238. St. Michaera (Chesapeake Bay) attack on, 182. St Mary's, capitulation of, 394. St. Mary's river, transactions on, 297. StomngtcAi, the enemy's dath at, 344. Sttspennpn of hostilities, 41. Syren,. V, S. brig, capture of, bj the enemy, 299. l>cui|)8eh, death of, 138. Tennessee legislature, resolution of, 197 Treat, captain^ dismissal from the army, 351 ; trial and acquittal of, 353. Treaty.of peace'ratified, 303. United States and Macedonian, frigates, and Hornet, sail from New-York, 188; chased into New-Lon- don«t^« Vikn Rensselaer enters Cauada, 46 ; takes a redoubt on ithe heights of f^ueenston, 48 ; defeat and surrender of the Aiherican army, 50 ; treatment of prisoners, 51; resignation of the general, ib ; report of colonel Mullany^ note, 49. Vermont, governor df, calls home the militia from the service of the United States, 193. Viper, United States' brig, taken by the enemy, 75. Vixen, U. S. brig, taken bjr the enemy, 65. War declared by proclamation, 19. Warren, admiral arrival of, at Halifax, 167 ; off N. York, ib. blockades the Chesapeake bay, -and Dela- ware, 168 ; blockades Loog-lslsi|d sound, 192. WasbingtonNcity, approach to, and capture of, by thefenemy, 337, to 331. / Wetherfbrd, speech of, 3 1 1 . Wilkinson general, proceeds toward Montreal, 135 ; : abandons the design, and goes into winter quar- ters, 144. Wiliiamsb'urgh, battle of 141, 145. \ Williams, Am. bravery of, 1 35. Windhester, general, defeat o^at Frenchtcwn, 68 ; masaai^r^ jof his men^ 69. n lake On- ,182. my* 299* 351 ; trial md Hornet, New-Lon- \ IS a redoubt defeat and ; treatment ;eneral, ib i nilitia from enemy, 75. &5. 167; ofTN. y, and Dela- >itnd, 192. rture of, by ntreal,135 ; cfatcWD, 68 ,*