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I d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 6 6 [54] MESSAGE jj f VIOMTHS PRB6IDENT OF THE UNITED STATES^ .*"( 'ft,' , TSAirSMI'^fXlfO . « / ^j^ ^ LETTER FROM THE SECRETJIRr OF WAR, ACCOKrAXlXO WITS SUNDRY DOCUMENTS; m OBIDISMCK TO A S ■>, RESOLUTION OF THE Slst OF OBCEMBER IiAST, IXqVBSTING SUCH IwroRXATION AS ftTAY TEND TO EXP'^AIN THE CAUSES OW TH« FAILURE OF THE ARMS OF THE U. STATES UH THB lyORTRERJ>r FROJrrJOSM. >■•, FEBRUARY 2, 1814. Ready and ordered to lie on the table. ''1 , .J? _.t: v'v ii^^:- . WASHINGTON t A. & O. WAT^ PBINTfiBS. ' * ■ .4^*. "^j: I '■ t-p. X&' 4V' ^.■-^ I. "'^^ f ,>^^.;--:'l^,', % ^ 7'.i.S-^ ,j;|f :i:;*''_^^#\^^,s. ""^ts.^ ^"%;;y *_**','»' "if ♦ vV k . * J ' ■ t(!l -S^' m^i't ■> i, >^^.-B-.' *»r, . > .> It ,.;>. * ' -:;. i}\''\ 4- / <»•,' ". ■-' ;U^-'r -f; ■5.' , ■ : r w^^ * ^^4««;feiaiSite*fr';«iW*f :-«*>* ■•v., i^Jt*:5v^. in - "H o ^x -*- •v «iM^ "'^ ?4} ,ai »* fci UL V) n JTa ^^ o ■»&}&Mis»sd-^ o J U "O 4. ■■» v*'' #' . .vv>v •■•-^^'' ''^'':-^. ''"•• <*,. ' '#' •■ M^SSAGfe. - ^« ,■■*•?■ •*■■'•.» -.*: .'K To the BoUse of UepresentativeB of the United States. I TRANSMIT to the house of representatives ji report of the secretary of war, complying with their ]rosolution of the Slst of December last. ^^ '" ; i&'-c' "^ January Slst, 1814, JAMES MADISON. '% VJ - '. ■** ■ ■« **, > '■' ^ .■■'^ >• o iiW o C .'fe J IT >$}.(i-; ^•'-l;*^ V ";<■. n i^ ^- %"-'s >»i tH t- .*• '► fr »H» "'%<- *4. 4^ '-<"'^ 'i.' r- (»- 4- A'' .««« 3^, '^ ''*/-M-'^"' ^^^ *v:, «i i-jj^ ^» .^■>*^ V' a^. f^ ".. ♦ wtr-*:^H-;;^.,c<.,^,.;;*;t|:^,ltvi*>i'\t y, .':«' • *' ^m ♦ • . ' •V "^ , I '" 1 , ,.^S:r . ■»■ 1 ■^'i - Jf.*^-''* IV ".c^i^' ^ ..': \^ '% ;>'%,- A^^ "fe^l «*• »•/ *,i V* "^ *<>„ ^^.i *:^ C-.* rt- -A *■ •■■*-vv^r,7v«;ft. ^-' •-*». ^<-'" .* '■•^. V:; * -(^i ^^ ' ^gife.ili J ^'XL-.i.Jtl ' few ■ ■'•"-waiSmT^'if'i iiiffiii ' \:,t:.'lii't.. -^ ■V • r u:'.-m .,, SIR,: tVAR DEPARTMENt, *^ '^.SJiV .Htv- Pin' \^ b^w"* •I ' January 25, 1814. ;'-■* ^IN compliance with the resolution of the house of repi:e8entatives of the 31 st of December last, re- questing such information, (not improper to be commu- nicated; as may tend to explain the causes of the fai- lure of the arms of the United States, on the northern frontier, I have the honor to submit the following documents, and to offer to you, sir, the assurance of the very high respect with which I am • ; ;! *'J^ :- ^ Your most obedient, . ' 'I ' • » ' - And very humble servant, ' ' ' ^* JOHN AEM^TRONQ, The President* i>. ^iv 'i '»^;- H' J^ ■>i^-:4 ;'«» '• %f'^k%, ■ -V, ■■ *; ' 'I ^* I .-I ./^' «i ;^^ ¥'. n .1 :■•* .# f. I ti' ■'fft J"* »!?' •^M ^**. pfef Vi *^ «^«^-^ i -#l^ ^:'#- ■"'# U16> i .^-' i<- ^t^^JWr ' "1 '-^ .i'**. i#v •^ tt„. b^ % ij^**^ Jl* ' -at^ .*■ #.v«^.-W^f%',«V.«'-i,*l|' .^■ <» ij^f -^^^ i4j^Vii^=ri«*1i' ^: *-'%> *f -i J'^X jf^; '■4;tf V •vr •*f"iPfr',«f^J|»- ^J tf J? ■»' >■ V, I?- *-^r«5liB^r .$,%' fy. 't- -'J ^^*i**«f!»«U %iJ?,V^ .,,y;|i.,^i)*^ i'jf? ,i>« 'T •■,<». >• --...■ ^'^tw'^V'Jrv/^^ i,l»f 0i •t'.iW , ¥-^«^ ./• ,*- ^*'< 'i':'i-^j^; -fei,; ?«-', ~i ' ' M» ! .1. **■■■ 1.- «iV,*, \ :^^Q^l i-«. -.4 ■M' »r ' ' ',5 -••« . .V* ■* ;^ iMk *i V- •-■ ,*%4* 1»- - , < ■*i?^ll. "v*- .^.«. 5/-!"' ; > I Mxtrdct of a Utter from the Secretary at Win* to '^^'' !X- * Major General Dearborn, dated ,. M-;rl^ "*■", '-•'■^ ^•^■' r ;■•'' ■■'^"' WAR DEPARTMENT>'5^r^ ; 4' ',"1V"*^ -^l^?--' .'■''-> : "•;> ^V' ' >"■'' February 10, 1818. J, " .ni (t I have the president's orders to communicate to you, as expeditiously as possible, the outline of campaign which you will immediately institute and pursue against Upper Canada : ;^;^:f^^^}^^^: '^fe,^ Mtii -*''^ ^' Ist. 4^000 troops will bo asiembled atl^ackett's Harhor. " 8(1. 3^000 will be brought together at Buffalo and its vicinity. ^' 3d. The former of tliose corps will bo embarked and transported under convoy of the fleet io Kingston, where they will be landed. Kingston, its garrison^ and the British ships wintering in the harbor of that place, will be its first object. Its second object will be York, (the capital of Upper Canada,) the stores collected and the two fVij2;atcs building there. Its third object, fortn George and Erie, and their depen- dencies. In the attainment of this last, there will be a co-operation between the two corps. The compo- sition of tliesc will bo as follows: 1st. Bloomileld's brigade, rx^.^'r, Sd. Chandler's ditto, . ;, 3d. Philadelphia detachment, C'il^W 4th. Baltimore ditto, . . ' »%i#^i. . Siv; 1,044 ■•>,, dth. Carlisle <^ i' dittO; ^ 6th. Oreenbush ditto, ; 7th. Sackett's Harbor ditto^ ■'^%J 'til^fyl. 400 ). Book 800 -h 400 « 850 s '^: 4,080 >^ 3,000 i''- 8th. Several corps at Buffalo under the command of colonel Porter and the ^, recruits belonging thereto^ . ^^Total, % . ;i 7,030 >l ^ *^ The time for executing the enterprise will be go» vemed by the opening of lake Ontario^ which usually takesplace about the first of April. ^' The adjutant general has orders to put the ^nore southern detachments in march as expeditiously as possible. The two brigades on lake Champlain you will move so as to give them full time to reach their place of destination by the 85th of March. The routt by Elizabeth will, I think, be the shortest and best. S '■^l^j rit m r«r ^'' '■J^-, "t ^'i^^ [84] i*» Tliey M^ill be replaced by some new raised regimeiite from the east. ^^ ^ ; v^% ^ r << You will put into your movements as much pri^ vacy as may be compatible with their execution. They may be masked by reports that Sackett's titit- bof is in danger, and that the principal eilbrt will be OH^de oil the Niagara in co-operation with general Harrispn. As the route to Sackett's Harbor and to l^iagan^ is for a considerable distance the same, it may be well to intimate, even in orders, that the lat- ter is t|ie destination of the two brigades now at lake Champlain." '^:. ■ '5,5 .'vwi,, • ■■.'■07TS ■"■' V , ALBANY, February, 18, 1813. '^^^; Your despatches of the 10th were received last ev€ining. Nothing shall be omitted on my pai-t in en- deavouring to carry into effect the expedition pro- I fear the very large magazines of provisions on lake Champlain will be unsafe unless a considerable part is removed at some distance fi*om the store, or a considerable force is assembled at Burlington and vicinity by the time the two brigades shall move. Another motive for having a large force on that lake, will be, that of preventing the enemy from sending almost his whole force from Lower Canada to King- ston, as soon as our intentions shall be so far known as to afford satisfactory evidence of our intentions in relation to the conquest of Upper Canada ; and unless an imposing force shall menace Lower Canada, the enemies whole force may be concentrated in Upper dtnada, and require as large a force to operate against them as would be necessary to operate to- wards Montreal. It may be advisable to draw out a body of New Hampshire militia to serve for a short t.!m«». in Vermont* Von vnW iiiflfpp. of thft ftufnp.dip.nrv *i ■.«aAV< J'-TI- * 4t* pn- ution. ftar- iUbQ neral nd to ne, it le lat- lake l^'-.iSfl St' ..^ ;^^ m ^^■ A\ *:>!■' ¥1 of siicli a meagure ; but I do not believe that tbere vill ^. be a sufficient body of new raisefl troops in season for taking the place of the two brigades. I this day received a letter from colonel Porter, in which he informs me that general Winchester h»4 arrived at Niagara, with such of his troops as had escaped the tomahawk, and that they wete crossing over on parole ; he states that at the close of the action every man who by wounds or other causes were un- able to march were indiscriminately put to death. Such outrageous conduct will require serious at^ntion^ especially when British troops are c;onceroe4 iJiJh'^ action. ','-'^4^^'-'-:,.;'':^ -■''■ ■^ ■'■■■■' -•■^.■.- ^ \ . .^:; I am, Sir, ; > •V ,.;; .v#' :^^'': Honorable John Armstrongi '^ ''"^■'' '\ Secretary of War. Yor obedient servant, H. DEARBORN, "».' ,^i. WAR DEPARTMENT, February S4), 1813. - ^*V ■'■■■;'. ^I^'-:'-: At^' ' ' ' Before I left New York, and till very recently since my arrival here, I was informed, through varioul channels, that a winter or spring attack upon King^ ston was not nrncticable, on account of the sno1v> which generally lays to the depth of two, and 6ome> times of thi^ee feet, over all that northern region during those seasons. Hence it is, that in the plan recently communicated, it was thought safest and best to make the attack by a combination of naval and military means, and to approach our object, not by directly crossing the 8t. Lawrence on the ice, but by setting out from Backett's Harbor, in concert with, and un- der convoy of the fleet. Later information differs from that on which this plan was founded ; and the .^- I l! 'W^ ■ !. VP;?*^"^''* -^ [54r||i v.H"t K-Ji ^ w. W' , vl**^ fqrtttiiate iiisue of major Forsytes last ekpeditioii- ^ shews, that small enterprises at least, may be sue- ,. cessfully executed at the present season. The ad- i vices given in your letter of the instant, has a bearing also on the same point and to the same ef> feet; If the enemy be really weak at Kingston andv approachable by land and ice, Pike (who will be ^^ brigadier in a day or two) may be put into motion*'^ from lake Champlain, by the Ghateauge route, (in t sleighs) and witn the ttpo brigades, cross the ot..^ Lawrence where it may be thought best, destroy the - armed ships and seize and hold Kingston until you can join him with the otlier corps (le»tined for the fii.. tare objects of the expedition ; an^ if pressed by Pre- vost, before such junction can be effected, he may -^ withdraw himself to Sackctt's Harbor, or other place of security on our side of the line. This would be * much the shorter road to the object, and perhaps the^' safer one, as the St. Lawrence is now every whei-e well bridged, and offers no obstruction to either at- ;; taek or retreat. Such a movement will, no doubt, b«., soon known to Frevost, and cannot but disquiet him. . The dilemma it presents, will be serious. Either he . must give up his western posts, or to save them, he, must carry himself in force, and promptly, to Uppe?f Canada. In the latter case, he will be embarrassed for subsistence. His convoys of provision will be open to our attacks, on a line of nearly one hundred miles, and his position at Montreal much weakened. Another decided advantage will be, to let us into the secret of his real strength. If he be able to make heavy detachments to cover, or to recover Kingston^ v and to protect his supplies, and after all maintain himself at Montreal and on lake Champlain, he is stronger than I imagined, or than any well authenti. cated reports make him to be. With regard to our magazines, my belief is, that f we have nothing to fear ; because, as stated above^^ Prevosl's attention must be given to the western posts ■Ki ad- > las a e ef^ andv ,, be av> otiont-^ (mi St. y the ^ you le fit. Pre. i^' J. f^ : jjgj^^. General, ' #i#lf ^-^ '# wv*:^ #. ^^ ifi^^ I a™ yo"i« faithfully, J.f-*^4#^>^^; , JOHN ARMaTROKia. . w ■enetal Dearborhl '»>.'.•■ . ^^r*f^'l^**^-'*'"''HpAD QUARTERS, ALBANY, '^l ^'i$V I this day received by express from colonel Macomb, the inclosed account from major Forsyth. His known zeal for a small partizan warfare, has induced me to give him repeated caution *^.gainst such measures, on his part, as would probably produce i« such retaliating strokes as he would be unable to re- sist; but I fear my advice has not been as fully at- .^tended to as could have been wished. He is an ex- ';' cellent officer, and under suitable circumstances would ,4be of important service. , .>/--:,/'»« I have requested the governor to order general Brown out with three or four hundred of such militia as he can soonest assemble, to join Forsyth; and I I "Jr«, r'^^' It T"' ^s- '^'''-'S* ;'',vf;^ . m ^^#^ ..:f^ .^il ,W.j^:vi ■«^'- liblonel Pi)ie> with Urar btiiidred of ]ii« comnaBd^ to proceed in sUighs by what ii considered, the ftbortegl tod best rante, to ibe neigbbourbood of Ogdensbutgj or to Sacketts Harbor. On bis arrival St Potsdatn^ 01^ Canton or Bussel^ he will be able to commoiiicate with Brown or Forsyth, or both, and act with them, as circumstances may require. 4 Tlie aflEur at Ogdensbarg will be a fair excuse for moyin^ troops in that direction ; and by this move- ment it will be asoertained whether the same route will the best in future t the distance b^ that route from Plattsborg to Sacketts Harbor, is but little more than one half of what it would be by the route proposed, and I am assured by a gentleman, whom I can confide in, that there will be no c^ii&culty by that Toute. Chauncejr has liot yei retamed from New York. I am satisiMMl that if he had arrived as soon aa I hadt expected himf wt might have made a stroke at King- ston on the ice, but his pi'esence was necessary for ^ having the aid of the seamen and marines. W^ '^ f From a letter received this day from colonel Por-' ier at Niagara, it appears that the enemy were pre- paring to strike at Black Rock. ,:-;.., w.> ,. .^,. ,I.can give him no assistance. ''^0'%y-}0^ - ' I am sir, with respect and esteem,^? ?^'''^i« '^ ; Your obedient humble servani ; *"" 11:1^:1^:^*., ..... ,,H.DEABBORN. Hon. lohh ArmitrDng^ -?, ,,%-r:.v t ;.r'~^-: vv -v"-*';'^' .-^W^^'* ,^ Secretary of War. ,^', . ■'^.■:, "^ 'ii'^^is^P^ ■ :%- v- y' A'l^tA > ■- r 'f - i ■ ■i -i , <*". F^ruary ^ iiii '^-,,1. •>'•''»&; v^ I have only time to inform that the enemy, with a very soperiolf force, succeeded in taking Ogdens- burg'tkis morning about nine o'clock. They had ■0 .1 ■M. ^ ^ ." m ■ H M i ;iV ''.I ■ 1. . w. about two men to eur on^? eyclc|s|y0 6f Iii^aiis, Numbers of the enemy aie dead on the field. Not . more than twenty of our men killed and wounded | lieutenant Beard is among the latter. I have made a saving retreat of about eight or idno Utiles. I could not get all the wounded off. -^ We have killed two of the enem^ to one of oum killed by them. We want ammunition and some pro- visions sent on to us, also sleighs for the wounded* H If you can send me three hundred men ail shall b€ fe-ieien, and PreaeoU too. Or I will lose my life iii the attempt. I shall write you ttiore particularly to^ day. %f^'' Yours, with due respect, ■ -*^-mk ■ ■W^^^^^'-^ 'BENJAMIN FORSYTHi*-^-^ ' '^^sftii ''^^ ''"•$' "' ?^' ''^" ^^JP^' n/^ ^' commandingm : . c ^^ . ' " - ' '^- '"''' ■ "'^' '--^ n-'i-^ .^ "^ eft, ^- ■ ■ -'^-^ Cttir Macomb} Sidkett's Harbor. " ';?' %^*M^W-^^^ l^-p^ f>-^ ' Extract of a Utter from Mqjor Generid Dearhom ^''M^f^M.. ^othe Secreta/rff at War, dated -^r-^m.' F* ^M ALBANY, February 26, 1813. ^^ Having received information that sir George Pre^ vost was moving towards Upper Canada With consi' derable force, but not such as can be fidly relied o% I have, however, ordered 400 more of Pike's com« mand to follow the first detachment without delay." ^^^^^^f^ -^ HEAD^QUARTERS, SACKETT's HARBOR, - .4 . ■ li''''. '.'■<■ MarchS. 1813w, .4^ Having been informed that sir George fwm^ itad adjourned the legislature at Quebec, assigning as ■' ..* ■ V ' r .' IS Mi:, /'^.. ' '[»*] the motive that his majesty's service required his pre- sence in Upper Canada, and having received certain information of his passing Montreal and having ar- rived at Kingston, I set out immediately for this place, having ordered the force at Ghreenbush, and part of colonel iPike's command in sleighs, for this place. I arrived here in flfty-two hours. I am no^v satisfied, from such informauon a£ is entitled to full credit, that a force has been collected from Quebec, Montreal and Upper Canada, of from six to eight thousand men, at Kingston, and that we may expect an attack within fbrty-eight hours and perhaps sooner. The militia have been called in and every effort will, I trust, be made to defend the post; but, I fear neither the troops from Greenbush nor Platt^burgh will arrive in season to afford their aid. I have sent expresses to have them hurried (m,..^''^'^'f7'^'/'^^'^' Commodore Chauncey has not arrived ; he will be here to-morrow. The armed vessels have not been placed in the positions intended by the commodore. Our total force may be estimated at nearly three thousand of all descriptions. Sir George Prevost is represented to be determined to effect his o^ect at all events, and will undoubtedly make every efirort in his power for the purpose, t '^: ' We shall, I trust, give him a warm reception ; but, if his force is such as is expected and should make an attack before our troops arrive from Greenbush and Flattsbnrgh at Sackett's Harbor, the result may at least be doubtful. t^'^ I have the honor, sir, to be, •> Y With the highest respect and consideration, ^ . Your obedient humble servant, .! ^ Hon. John Armstrong, Secretiu-y of War, , H. DEARBORN. [-.(.1. 'i-: ... Jkf:' ■■^•'. ■^ ■;■>-> sackett's BARBdl^ March 9/iil8. SIR, I have not yet bad the honor of a visit irpm sir Q. Prevost. His whole fatce i§ concentrated at Kii^- stonj probably amountin<; to six or seven thousand; about three thousand of, them rej^uW troops. ^I^he ice is good, and we expect iiiin every day^ and every meusui'e for preventing a surprise is in constant ac- tivity. The troops from Greeubush (up wards of 400) have arrived. I, have heard nothing from Pike : he should have been here yesterday. I have sent threi^ expresses to meet him; neither has returned. I have su^Hcions of the express employed by the quarter jnaster general {6 convey the orders to Pike: the earliest measures were taken for conveying a dupli- cate of his orders. I hope to hear from him to-cfay. His arrival with eiglit hundred good troops would be very important at tliis time. The enemy are apprized of his movement. -M ;V» , ^ I begin to entertain some doubts whether sir George will venture to attack us ; but shall not relax in being prepared to give him a decent reception. >::f^?^.sv;v>! if- I should feel easier if Pike should arrive m season. I am in want of officers of experience. My whole Ibrce, exclusive of seamen and marines, who will be confined to the vessels and have no share ui the action until my force shall be worsted, a,mounts to nearly 3000, exclusive of 450 militia at Brownville, and on tlie road leading from Kingston by land. Within two or three days I may have 300 more militia from Rome and Utica. The ice will not probably be passable more than tVom six to ten days longer; it is not usually passable after the 1 5th of March. This unexpected movement of the enemy will eflFectually oppose the movements contemplated on our part, and I shall not tliink it ad.% visable to. order general Chandler to move at present. As soon as the fall of this place shall be decided, we 2 ^>:l * /, :,:-:.:/;..■ H [M] shall b^ able to determine on other measures. If we 'I hold this place we will command the lake, and be able to act in concertwith the troops at Niagara, while : Chamllet's brigade, with such other troops as may assemble in Vermont, may inchice a return of a consi- ^ denible part oC those troops that have left Lower ^CAniida, *' When I ordered Pike to move I directed general Chandler to have the provision at Plattsbni^gh moved tojhitlington. Inhere was but a small proportion of our magazines at Plattsbureh; they are principally ai Burlington and White Hall. f ; >ii^ 4> Yours with respect and esteem, ; ;;|^ Hor^ JotoAfiMtrong. •^^-^1#'-?>^'|^vt '<«(%* . ;jfV 1 s. Mxtraet of a lettpv from Major General J)earharn tgthe iSe^re^ar|f at War, dated ,«*" ''# HHJi-' Mai-ch 14, 1813. '*Fi'om the most recent and probable informa- tion I have obtained, I am induced to believe that sir George Prevost has concluded that it is too late to attack this place. He undoubtedly meditated a coup- de^main against the shipping here. All the apprehen- sion is now at Kingston. Sir George has visited York and Niagara, and returned to Montreal. Se- veral bodies of troops have lately passed up from Montreal ; but such precautions have been taken to prevent their number being ascertained, as to render it impossible to form any accurate opinion of their forces, or even to imagine very nearly what they amount to. From various sources I am perfectly satis- fied, that they are not in sufficient force to venture au attack on this place, knowing as they do that we haye "collected a fine body of iroopsfrom Greenbiish and C'*] .. t'fe 4 -^l-Ai . PUttslnnrgh, and that the militia haye been cuffed in. We are probably just strong enough on each side to defend ; but not m sufRcient force to h^^rd an oflfen* live movement. The difference of attilcking and being attacked, as it regards uie contiguous posts of Kings- ton and Sackett's Harbor, cannot be estimated at lesa than three orrfour thousand men, arising firom the cir- cumstance of militia acting merely on the defensive. I have ordered general Chandler with the 9th,Sist and 25ih regiments to march for thi|i{dAce ; Glttrk's re* giment and a company of artillery to be left at Bur- lington for the present, where tlte regiment will lie filled in a few weeks. I have ordered the recruits for the three regiments that will march for this place to be sent to Greenbush, and colonel Larned is ordered there to recede them with Bachus's dismounted dra- goons and other detachments from Pitts&eld.'' .^ •-.(•^ Extract of a letter from Major General Dearbotn to the Secretary at War, dated ' ' %-cf^^^!-,^ ■i^'^/.,^^^, March 16th, 1813. ^ It was yesterday unanimously determined in a council of the principal officers, including commo- dore Chauncoy, that we ought not, under existing cir- cumstances, to make an attempt on Kingston, fte/bre the naval force can act. The harbors in this lake will not probaldy be open so as to admit of the vessels being moved until about the 15th of April." rff^rr; ■''^.: ' 1USr~' ^tr-r Extract of a letter from Major General Dearborn ,^to the Secretary at War, without date ; propos- ing to pass by Kingston, and attaclp York, ^c, ^. <vn '•■> '- ■, 1" i' . :^ ♦'■ 'jt ■hJ [54] Ikke. Commodore Chauucey can take wiUi him ten or twelve hundred troopR, to be commanded by Pike ; take York, from tlience proceed to Niagara, and at. tack fort George by lana and "water, while the troops at BuiTalo cross over and carry forts Erie and Chipe- wa^ and join those at fort Oeoree; an(l>then collect -our whole force for an attack on Kingst^iV. After the moat matare deliberation, the above was consider^ ed b^ <;ommodore Ghauncey and myself as the most certain of ultimate success.'' ■., change of prisoners, has been referred to the departs ment of state. The alteration in the plan of cam*, paign, so as to make Kingston the last object, instead of making it the first, would appear to be necessary, or at least proper; but the force assigned to the attack of the upper points, is believed to be too small. ^* Accident may prevent a co-opperation of the corps at Bufialo. That sent from Sackett's Harbor should have in itself the power of reducing forts George and Brie, and holding in check the militia who may bic sent to support them. The ships can give little aid in the business, except merely in covering the land- iiigr Double the number you purpose sending. ■^ ... «.« IM] u would notl)e too man^. Various coiisiSerAtions re- roiiimend the einplnynipnt of a larse and decisive force, and none, tliat I can tliink of, dissuade fmm it. If our first step in tlie campaign, and in tiie quarter from which most is expected, should fail, the disEince of our arms will be complete. The public wiUloae all confidence in us, and we shall even cease to have any in ourselves. Tlie party who first opens a cam- paign, has many advantages over his antagonist, all of whi( h, however, are the result of his being able to carry his whole force against a part of his enemy's. Washiiis;ton carried his whole force against the Hes- sians in New JerHcy, and beating them, I'ecovered that moral strength, that self-confidence, which he hflb lost by many preceding disasters. We are now in that state of prostration that he was in, after he crossed the Delaware ; but, like him, we may soon get on our legs again, if we are able to give some hard blows at thet opening of the campaign. In this we cannot fail, provided the force we employ against his western posts be sufficiently heavy. They must stand or fall by their own strength. They are per- fectly isolated and out of the raach of reinforcements : send therefore a force that shall overwhelm them — > that shall leave nothing to chance. If I had not an- other motive,! would carry my whole strength, merely that their first service should be a successful one. The good efiTccts of this will be felt throughout the caiioi- paign. tr-f^^'-r"*'-^-' J-'- ^ ^'^-v^ A^-'x^v-y^tw*':- f •' ■'■•^''M^''i;i^i^; " I have hastened to give you these thoughts, un&r a full conviction of their usefulness ; and shall only add, that there is no drawback upon this policy. When the fleet and army are gone, we have nothing at Sackett's Harbour to guard, nor will the place pre- sent an object to the enemy. ^^^^ «j5*^-i^^>--^^^3^ '^if* How then would it read, that we had lost our ob- ject on the Niagara, while we had another brigade at ^» Sackett's Harbour doing nothing?" .^^>;»? ^^- m [M] %xiraci /a Mm' from Major Opneral DeMrhom to the Secretary at IVar^ dated ^,, ALBANY, Ajiril ?i, iSiS, *' Tbnvc this dtiy l>eeii iiouored with your let- ter of the aoth ( ^Umo. As troops caunot with aafetv be tranMimriec) from Sackett's Harbor to York or NU ugara in hatteauxotjlat bottomed hoata, 1 must depend on comremlore Chauncey't armed vcnsels, with one or two other Hloops, for the transportation of our troops i and it was considrred doubtful whether more tl\ai( tweho hundred men could be so conveyed, v,^)tch DiimlM^r I considered amply sufRcient for the H M objects contemplated ; but as many as can I«»* transport- ed witJi safety shall be sent. The co-operation of Ihe troops under general Lewis may be relied on. Boyd and Winder arc wi'h him, and nothing bnt outrageous ^les of wind can prevent success. '< The troops from Maryland and Pennsylvania ar- rived last evening. They, with the other detachments Kit Greenbush, v ; \\ proceed towards lake Ontario with- in two or three days. As soon as practicable, after sending off tlie troops, I shall move westward." -y^j^, WAR DEPARTMENT, -C»# April 19, 181^''' SIR ""'"' ' ^■/•■': •■*'■' ■■'' ' _^-'-' i; Taking 'or panted thrt ^;fT»'r^! Pi-ev * ha6 fltotbeen able, or willing, to i :sJ; ..v vlalden, Erie, and George, and that he has assembled at Kingston a force of six or eight thouaand men, (as stated by you) we must conclude that he means to hazard his more wcf»tem posts, shorten his line of defence^ and pUbOQ hy right liank on lake Ontario. » .*. .wj;!^,^ yi. ^ tv! This s i'vangement is, no doalit, in consequence of our preparations at 8ackett's Harbor. These gave liJT. [94] •I , ■ < u ,'... , . . . t .,.•., ♦• fum reaioh to fttr that' we meaiit ^ ciillilflllM of coiiiniunication at i) v,- '- w»- Sd. That he will abandon that ground ur8uing it. We ought to destroy the communication between Kingston and Montreal, by interposing a competent force between the two, and assailing the former by a joiht operation of military and naval means. Local circumstances favor this project. A few arm- ed boats on lake St. Francis, stops all intercourse by water ; in which case, cannon, military stores and avti^ cles of subsistence in buI/Cf cannot be conveyeil Im^ tween Montreal and Kingston. *?* From lake Ontario to Ogdensburg we command the navigation of the St. Lawrence by our armed ves- sels, and under their protection, our army can be passed over and established on the Canada side at the point deemed most proper for attack. On the other supposition, that the British garrison is withdrawn from Kingston to Montreal, the old ({iiestion of approaching him by lake Ghamplain,. or l»y the St. Lawrence, recurs, and ought now to be set- (Ird, 90 ♦hnt there should bo no unnetress^ry pause in ''' "■*^W/W?^Sr : I '"^^,- ...,...y [54] •'!(' ouropemiions at a latei'and more momeutous period of the campaign. The circumstances in favor of the St. Lawrence route, are these : «fvj5*^^?mj^^ 1st. Our force is now upon it. » Sd. It furnishes a conveyance by water the whotiii distance. 3d. The enemy is not fortified on the St. Lawrence side, and has on it no strong out-posts, which must he forced, in order to secure our flanks and rear, while engaged in tiie main attack; and .^, r^>, i^^^,^. 4tli. By approachin!^ hisj^awfr, (as this route ena- bles you to do) instead of \m front, we compel him to change his position, in which case, he must do one of four things : eilher he must occupy the north side of the river and give up the south, or he must occupy tiie south side and give up the north, or he must confine himself to the island and give up both sides ; or lastly* he must occupy both sides, and in this case expose himself to be beaten in detail. None of these advantages are to be found in ap- proaching him by the other route. Our troops are not upon it ; we cannot move by water ; his out-posts are fortified, and must be carried by assault ; his front is the only assailable point, and that is covered by the St. Lawrence; our attack must be made exactly where he wishes it to be made ; all his arrangements and defences are, of course, in full operation, nor is he compelled to disturb them in the smallest degree. In a word, we must fight him on his previous disposi- tions and plans, and not on^ny of oitr oilpw.- ' X: These reasons are deemed conclusive for prefer- ring the route of the St. Lawrence, and your mea- sures (subsequent to your present expedition) will, therefore, be conformed to this view of the subject. _,^ I am, sir, very respectfully, ^j^r4»-.^ V Your obedient servant. f^i>^:. %^-^'tU Major Genera! Deai'born, JOHN ARMSTRONG. ¥' — l.-l'l.lVi [»*] i5 Extract of a letter from Major General Beafhom to the Secretary at War, dated '.SS 't^y^'-Vii' SACKETT'S HARBOB; -tT. April S3, 181B. •>"»»> <»»' "The troops embarked yesterday. Sveiy vessel is crowded with as many mea as possible ; the total number 1600, of the best men. I trust we shall sail within one or two hours. If the sails for a new ves^ sel arrive within a day or two, and a small sloop froni Oswego, which ought to have been here five dayi since, 150 more men will go in them. The ice did not move out until the 19th ; I arrived on the SOth/' s'.-; '*• r .,r p. ■^ •-■Hi'- ■ • 4 .,-.,. ^f. -Jjv. ,^v J - jpi^ ri'i. . . ' .,] ■■J .*! ■<•',• , "■ \j- ■!._ t .I-. i<:.i,i5 ..< V HEAD QUARTERS, YORK, UPPER CANADA^ '< . : ^ ' " - ; April 28, 1813. ^^ W ■.^ V, ' vl ,-it»i '.Vi SIR, After a detention of some days, by adverse winds, we arrived here yesterday morning, and at 8 o'clock commenced landing our troops about threb miles westward of the town, and one and a half from the enemy's works. The wind was high and in an unfavorable direction for our boats, which prevented the troops landing at a clear field (the ancient site of the French fort Tatento.) The unfavorable wind prevented as many of the armed vessels from taking such positions as would as efPectually cover our land- ing as they otherwise would have done ; but every thing that could be done was effected. Our riflemeti under major Forsyth first landed, under a heavy fire from Indians and other troops. General Sheaffe com- manded in person. He had collected his whole force in the woods near where the wind obliged our tmops" to land, consisting of about 700 regulars and militia, and 100 Indians. Major Forsyth was supported, m ■J^. \w7r ■^p^nvfwnp ■&.■ *!<^ >-i iv- ^?^ §1 [»*] prbmpily as possible, with other troops ; but the con^ test 'WAS sharp and severe for near half an hour. The enemy was repulsed by a far less number than their own, and as soon as general Pike landed with 7 op 800 men, and the remainder of the troops were push- ing for thie shore, the enemy retreated to their works ; and as soon as the whole of the troops had landed and formed on the clear ground intended for the first land- ing, they advanced through a thick wood to the open ground near the enemy's works, and after carrying one battery by assault, were moving on in columns to- wards the main works; when the head of the columns was within about sixty rods of the enemy, a tremen- dous explosion occurred from a large magazine pre- pared for the purpose, which discharged such im- mense ^antities of stone as to produce a most unfor- tunate elOfect on our troops. I have not yet been able to collect the returns of our killed and wounded, but our loss by the explosion must, I fear, exceed one hundred ; and among them I have to lament the loss of the brave and excellent officer brigadier general Pike, who received such a contusion from a large stone as terminated his valuable life within a few hours. His loss will be severely felt. Previous i\\ the explosion the enemy had retired into the town, excepting a party of regular troops, whicli did not re- tire early enough to avoid the shock ; it is said that upwards of forty of them were destroyed. General Sheaffe moved off with the regular troops and left di- rections with the commanding officer of the militia to make the best terms he could. In the mean time, all further resistance on the part of the enemy ceased, and the outlines of a capitulation were agreed on. As soon as I was informed of general Pike's being wound- ed, I went on shore. I had been induced to confide the immediate command of the troops in action to ge- neral Pike from a conviction that he fully expected it, and would be much mortified at being deprived of th« honor, wliich lie highly appi-eciated. livery move- » con- The their 7 or msh- arks; 1 and and- large 'iv-^.,-.vA;, [54,] «y ment was tinder my view. Our troops behaved with, great firmness and deserve much applause, especially those who were first engaged, under circumstances that would have tried the firmness of veterans. Our loss in the action in the morning and in carrying the first battery, was not great, probably about 50 killed and wounded ; among them were a full proportion of officers ; and altiiough the enemy had a decided ad- vantage in point of numbers and position at the com- mencement, their loss was greater than oui's^ pariiqUr larly in officers. ^'^."L^» '* • -•':/■' ^'.\'^:::..v ■.,•■!>:': '■^■^.^■h^ ^.« It was with the greatest exertion that the small ves- sels of the fleet could work into the harbor against a gale of wind directly ahead ; but as soon as they got in contact with the batteries a tremendous cannonade commenced from 24 and 32 pounders, and was kept up without intermission under a heavy fire from two batteries until the enemy's batteries were carried or blown up by the explosion, wiiich undoubtedly had a l)owerful eft'ect on the enemy. I am under the greatest obligations to commodore Chauncey for his able and indefatigable exertions in every possible manner that could give facility and effiict to the expedition. He is equally estimable for delilierate, sound judgment, bravery and industry. The government could not have maile a more fortunate selection for the impor- tant trust he holds. Unfortunately, the enemy's armed ship the " Prince Regent" left this place for King- ston four days before we arrived. A large ship on the stocks, and nearly planked up, with a\arge store of naval stores, were set on fire by the enemy soon after the explosion of the magazine. There are no vessels fit for use in the harbor. A considerable quan- tity of military stores and provisions remained. We shall not possess the means of transporting the prison- ers from this place, and must of course leave them on parole. I hope we shall so far complete the necessa- ry measures at this place in the course of this day as to be able to sail to-morrow for Niagara, by which ■jf. I Hi I ■ HW.lJ i l i ""' ';:•«•■ !•■■->•?''!. '.Q"<|^.^ route I send this by a small vessel, with notice to g^eneral Lewis of our approach. :c r I am; sir> your obedient servant, r^^-yu^^ :^.: . rl-,... H. DEARBOiiN;^ HonorableJohnArmstrong, /%^^* * 'r ' ••Secretary of War. -^ f^,^:f^';^ /^"■■•^■'^' '"^iiiiji ^ >-'««iv'v\,f. ■■;.--■,•. 3 ■' ■ ' ^o'i;* '"■^5.**j;-■• , .;%^;$cy^? i:,I.: k-^., »BAI> QUARTERS, NIAGARA^ " '^^^'--i^-^'.yi:^J^-'>.j'^^ Mojr 3, 1813. I arrived at this place last evening with com- modore Ghauncey in his fast sailing schooner, the JLady of the Lake : we left the fleet with the troops on board in York road. The wind has been so unfavora» . ble as to render it impracticable to come to this place with any prospect of effecting a landing. 4, I have had a conference with generals Lewis, Boyd ^d Winder, at which commodore Chauncey was pre- sent. I did not find the preparations at this place as complete as could have been expected ; but as soon as the wind will permit, we shall make a descent. Com- modore Chauncey has returned to the fleet, and will sail for this place as soon as he shall judge the wind favorable for crossing and landing the troops. In the mean time we shall be preparing to act in concert. General Boyd will take command of the brigade lately commaded by general Pike. We find the weather on this lake at this season of the year, such as to render naval operations extremely tedious and uncer- tain, especially when we have to debark troops on the shore of the lake, where there are no harbors. Westerly winds are necessary: we have none but easterly. I have no doubt of ultimate success, unles^ harrassed and dispersed by the elements. [94] .ff I enclose a return of the killed and wounded. Yoa will observe the loss was very small excepting that produced by the explosion. As nearly as I have been able to ascertain, the loss of the enemy amounted from ninety to one hundred killied, two hundred wounded and upwards of three hundred prisonen^i I have not been able to ascei'tain precisely the num* her of the militia put on their parole ; I presume it could not be less than five hundred. There was an immense depot of naval and military stores. York was the principal depot for Niagara and Detroit; and notwithstanding the immense amount which was de^ stroyed by them, we found more than we could bring off. General Sheafte's baggage and papers fell into my hands. These papers are a valuable acquisition': I have not had time for a full examination of them. A scalp was found in the executive and legislative chamber, suspended near the speaker's chair, in com- pany with the maqe and other emblems of royalty. I intend sending it to you with a correct account of Ithe facts relative to the place and situation in which it was found. With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, H. DEARBORN. ^'i *'^ . K^ ■V' ,1 • , ri, , t.t Hon* John Armstrong) J, . 5 ^ Secretary at War. ^r:^ •Vv ;|| m ". ,j '.,, HEAD QUARTERS, NIAGARA, '^-■"-ICL-!.^' -^.^;. ■;■ ■ . May 13, 1813. SIR, ^ ^'^ '' Commodore Chauncey with the fleet and troops arrived iiere on the evening of th« 8th, and in the Bf""" ''i' ■<.,^ 30 ';.:£ •[Ml ICotirse of the htght the troops wert debarked iii a t^^ry sickly and depressed state. A large proportion • of the officers and men were sickly and debilitated. 'iji was deemed expedient to give them time to recruit v'riheir health and spirits, and in the mean time for the f|fleet to return to Sackett's Harbor, and take on board ^pne thousand additional troops; — and orders were despatched to Utica, Rome and Oswego, to have the troops at those places forwarded here in boats from Oswego. Backus's corps of light dragoons, about four hundred, principally dismounted, and five hun- di'ed of the Hth regiment from Burlington, have been ordered to Sackett's Harbour. These, with three hun- dred volunteers, and a full company of artillery, are to form a garrison at that place. Additional cannon will be mounted. General Brown of the militia has •been requested to hold three or four huudi*cd men of the immediate vicinity, in readiness to aid the garrison, in the event of any attack. ■ My intention is to collect the main body of the troops at this place, and as soon AS commodore Cliauncey returns, and the forces from Oswego arrive, to commence operations in as spirited and effectual a manner as practicable. This change in the proposed system of operations, has been render- ved necessary by a long scries of the most unfor- tunate winds and weather that could have occurred at this season, and such as could not have been contem- plated.^;' '"v^:;. •■"^^ "^t ■ ' '- .■».■* ■ ■ ;.i:. Colonel Scott reached this yesterday in boats from Oswego, with three hundred men. He was seven days wind bound in different places, and nan-ovvly escaped the loss of his boats and men. % had ex- pected him on the 3d. I had almost given him up .. for lost. General Harrison is invested; and presuming on the uncertainty of events, I shall make calculation of a reinforcement to the enemy of British and Indi- ?^ns from Detroit. We shall be prepared for them ; r'::^'.':v %■•■'■ ■■V; ■'■■;'■. i « ■ [84] Ck m m-' aad I shall consider a concentration of their force rather as a fortunate circumstance than otherwise. / I observed in a former letter, tliat on my. arrival here on the evening of the 2d, the preparations for an, immediate co-operation, were not as complete as could have been expected. General Lewis wa» at^ 14 miles distance. Winder, with his command, was at Black Rock. The boats had not been transported from Schlosser; not one of the scows completed; the heavy guns and mortars not placed in the batteries; two 18 and two IS pounders not mounted; but with all these defects we should have made an attack on the 4th or 5th, if the fleet had arrived with the troops in health, on the 3d, as was expected. „ ;nJ .^- I have the honour to be, sir, ''v!^^*!*^^ .i^^^.T■v^J*;.A>„:J.,1^v Most respectfully, your .^'^'\:t4^ ■;/,i^i .A« •» ■», .<» ■■t ,<*' 4- ■ Hon. John Arnistrongi Secretary of War. ■ 1 ■•,': Obedient and Immble servant, '"'^^i-'^l^in. DEARBORN. ^«- ,iif 6f >. -A- .^!i^ ■ •it HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, UPFER CANADA. May 27, 1813. ■^y :-.^ IS- SIR, :'.{ .-',!. . The light troops under the command of colonel Scott and major Forsyth landed this morning at U o'clock. Major general Lewis's division, with colonel Porter's command of light artillery, supported tliem. General Boyd's brigade landed immediately after the light troops, and generals Winder and Clian> dler followed in quick succession. The landivig was wttrmlyand obstinately disputed by the British forces; but the coolness and intrepidity of our troops soon compelled them to give ground in every direction. M » ■•••.. it '1 ■'l^ll a '{| .A :':v^ ly- v, «"Tr" ^ ■'f Geniral Chandler with the resetre (cbmpldied of his brigade and colonel Macomb's artillery) covered the #hole. Commodore Ghauncey had made the most judicious arrangements for silencing the enemy's bat- teries near the point of landing. The army is under the greatest obligation to that able naval commander, 44ilbr his indefatigable exei*tions, in co-operation in all its important movements, and especially in its opera- ^ tions this day. Our batteries succeeded in rendering /Jort George untenable ; and when the enemy had been beaten from his position, and found it necessary to re- '* enter it, after finng a few guns, and setting fire to the magazines, which soon exploded, moved off rapidly by different routes. Our light troops pursued them -several miles. The troops having been under arms from one o'clock in the morning, were too much ex- hausted for any further pursuit. We are now in pos- session of fort George and its immediate dependen- cies ; to-morrow we shall proceed further on. The behaviour of our troops, both officers and men, enti- tles them to the highest praise ; and the difference in our loss with that of the enemy, when we consider . the advantages his positions afforded him, is astonish* ing. We had seventeen killed and forty-five wound- ed. The enemy had ninety killed and one hundred and sixty wounded, of the regular troops. We have taken one hundred prisoners, exclusive of the wound* wik*< Colonel Meyers of the 40th, was wounded and taken prisoner. Of our's only one commissioned Offier was killed, lieutenant Hobart, of the light artil- lery. Inclosed is the report of major general Lewis. I have the honor to be, sir, ^>* - • ? , With great consideration and respect, ? Your most obedient servant, 4 ^ H. DEARBORN. >rf><,. ^:¥i- nc% ■<•.!•* The hoii. John Armstrong, Secretary of War. \ t ■■JfSi his the nost hot- Elder der^ nail i\ .r vv [.M] .4 I ■<■ '" 'iTx' 88 .f ■■♦ 'i •>>a'^^?^" V vf' < .A*^ > Ifv^ , One o'clock, 87th May, Ibid. vy- Fort George and its dependencies are ours. The enemy, beaten at all points, has blown up his magaadties and retired. It is impossible at this mo- ment to say any thing of individual gallantry. There was no man who did not perform his duty in a man- ner which did honor to himself and his country. Bcott and Forsyth's commands, supported by Boyd's and Winder's brigades, sustained the brunt of the ac- tion. Our loss is trilling — ^perhaps not more than twenty killed, and twice that number wounded. The enemy left in the hospital one hundred and twenty- four, and I sent several on board the fleet. We have also made about one hundred prisoners of the regu- lar forces. I am, doar sir, most respectfully, , ■ Your obedient servant, ^ ^ ^ MORGAN LEWIS. :a,j Major Genr ral Dearfaorn« '^ Commander in Chief of the Northern Army. I ',»' ■W :r m -5^ . ; 5., .1^ #';^ S' HEAD-QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, May %% ISia. SIR, General Lewis was ordered to march yesterday morning with Chandler and Winder's brigades, the light artillery, dragoons, light infantry and riflemen, in pursuit of the enemy by the way of Queenstown. I had received satisfactory information that the enemy bad made a stand on the mountain, at a place called the Beaver Bams, where he had a deposit of pr©vif. :■ t| i ,^ ; V,- •;!| W X • ; f ■"'/ [54] •ions and stores, and that he had been joined by three hundred regulars from Kingston, landed from small vessels, near the head of the lake. I had as- certained that he was calling in the militia, and had presumed that he would confide in the sti*ength of his position and venture an action, by which an opportu- nity would bo afforded to cut off hife retreat. I have been disappointed. Although the troops from fort Erie and Chippawa had joined the main body at the Beaver Dams, he broke up yesterday pre- cipitately; continued his route along the mountain, and will reach the head of the lake by that route. Lieutenant colonel Preston took possession of fort Krie and its dependencies last evening, The fort )iad been abandoned and the magazines blown up. I have ordered general Lewis to return without de- lay to this place, and if the w inds favor us, we may yet cut off the enemy's retreat at York : but unfortu- nately we have plenty of rain but no wind ; it may, however, change for the better in a few hours. I shall afford commodore Chauncey every facility in my power in his preparations for commanding lake Erie. He is very anxious to return to Sackett's Harbor; for until his other ship is fitted, it is not certain thai he can (Hmtinne in the command of lake Ontario, I was the last evening honored with your despatches of the 10th instant. I have taken measures in relation to the twenty-three prisoners who are to be put in close confinement. I have the honor to be, sir, "* With high consideration and respect, ' -^ Your most obedient servant, H. DEARBORN, Hon. General John Armstrong, S^retary of War. ■v..;./' T -$'-t m v ■' ■ from 1 M- bftil »f his ortu- 'i , [54] Hxtrojct nf a letter from Major General Dearborn to the Secretary at War, dated ;v-'..^; NEWARK; UPPEH CANADA, '' # '''" *' June 4, 1818, ** Chandler and Winder are in pursuit of the enemy wlio has halted about flfty-ftve miles from here. I am still very feeble and gain strength but slowly." »■/ *»; li&AD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, * June 6, 1818. SIR, I have received an express from the head of the lakfs this evening, with the intelligence that our troops were attacked at two o'clock this morning, by the whole British force and Indians, and by some strange fatality, though our losci in numbers was small, and ths enemy was completely routed and driven from the field, both brigadier generals Chand- ler and Winder were taken prisoners. They had advanced to ascertain the situation of a company of artillery, where the attack commenced. General Chandler had his horse shot under him and was bruised by the fall. General Vincent, their com- mander, is supposed to have been killed. Colonel Clark was mortally wounded and fell into our hands, with sixty prisoners of the 4>9th. The command de> volved on colonel Burn, who has retii-ed to the Forty- mile Creek. If either of the general officers had re- mained in command, the eneniiy would have beei^ pursued and cut up; or, if colonel Burn had been an officer of infantry. The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded and prisoners, must exceed two hundred and fifty. The enemy sent in a fiag next morning, with a request to bury their dead. Generals Lewis and Boyd set off immediately to join the advanced ti ,■;> 'fl w [»*] army. I never §o eevercly felt tlic want of health as at present, at a time when my Hcrvices m\^\\U per- haps, be most useful. I hope general Hampton will repair here as soon as possible. ^ — r. With threat respect, *''•; I have the honor to be, sir, ' Your most obedient servant, H. DEAllBOHN. Hon. General John Armstrong, ^ ' • . "" ' Secretary of War. ^ June 8, 1813. There was a mistake in the arrival of the express mall. Since writing the abov* iie enemy's fleet has passed, consisting of two lar&;e ships and four heavy schooners. I have consequently deemed it prudent to concentrate the forces at this point. H. D. • ;. UEAD qUABTBRSj FORT GEORGE, ^ V ' Junes, 1813. SIR, I have been honored with your letters of the 26th and S7th ult. and a duplicate of one of the 19th of April. My ill state of health renders it extremely painful to attend to the current duties ; and unless my health improves soon, I fear I shall be compelled to retire to some place, where my mind may be more at ease, for a short time. Colonel Macomb proceeded with two hundred men, with tlie commodore, to Sack- ett's Harbor. Lieutenant colonel Ripley has also gone, by the way of Oswego, to the Harbor, with his regiment, where he will be joined by several hundred recruits. He took charge of the provisions to Oswego. The commodore will uot probably ventiwe out until w ijr*^ [84] W luH new Mliip Is fit for sea. The enemy hoa now the commaiul ui' the lake, and as long as that is the case, any otfenNive operations below this must be suspend- ed. ( had intended placing a small garrison at fort Erie, mid a stronger one at fort George ; but as you have directed otherwise, I shall select fort George an f;iiarding the only harbor on the southern shore of the ake. Ueti jit will he the safest harbor on lake Erie. I have, by the request of commodore Chauncey, de- tached SOO men to aid captain Perry in removing his armed vessels from Black Rock to Presque isle. Commodore Ghauncey is unwilling to approach Mai- den, unless he can have a reinforcement to general HaiTison, of our regulars. As my command does not extend to Maiden, I ask your directions on this sub- ject. The commodore is anxious that his fleet on lake Erie should proceed with troops to Michilimaciiiac and St. Joseph, as soon as the ousiuess shall be de- cided at Detroit. On taking possession of this place, the inhabitants came in, in numbers, and gave their paroles. I have promised them protection. A large majority are friendly to the United States, and fixed in their hatred against the government of Great Bri- tain. If they should generally be made prisoners of war, and taken from their families, it would have a most unfavorable effect on our military operations in the provinces. The whole country would be driven to a state of desperation, and satisfy them, beyond a doubt, that we had no intention of holding tlie pro- vinces. The same effect would be produced on the Indians, who are now principally quiet, for fear of losing their valuable tract of land on Grand river. 1 had authorized the civil magistrates to combine in the due exercise of their functions, and cannot, with pro- priety, revoke this authority, unless specially direct- ed. The whole of our troops, officers and men, in the action of the S7th, discovered a degree of ardor and readiness for action^ which evinced a determination ■ t' .!:• i'. I' . ] '■(,'■ m Sf.il •w:a ^9^ m tD do bonor to themselves and country. The auima- tine example set by colonel Scott and general Boyd, in landing and repulsing the enemy, deserves parti, calar mention. I am greatly indebted to colonel Por- ter, major Armistead and captain Totten, for their judicious arrangements and skilful execution in de> molishing the enemy's fort and batteries, and to the •fficers of the artillery generally, who had the direc- lioD of the guns. rj v ; I have the honor to be, . ^ ^ ^ With great respect, Your most obedient servant, H. DEARBORN. ^•,: ',' i$^-K> S^xtract of a letter from Major General Morgau Lewis, to ike Secretary of War, dated j^i ; V, , NIAGARA, June 14, 1813. ** Yo!i will perceive by the enclosed copy of orders, marked 1, that general Dearborn from indis- position, has resigned the command, not only of the Niagara army, but of the district. I have doubts whether he will ever again be fit for service. He has been repeatedly in a state of convalescence ; but re- lapses on the least agitation of mind. , . :, ^ ^ ^ ^ '^ In my last, I mentioned the unfortunate circum- stance of the capture of our two brigadiers. Chandler and Winder. The particulars are detailed in the re- port of colonel Burns, marked 2, which he gives from the best information he could collect. His corps lay a considerable distance from the scene of active operation, as you will perceive by the enclosed diagram. The light corps spoken of, were captain Hindinan*s. Nicholas's and Biddle*s comnanics of •j| f :h ^'JS^.' 't^ iM^'i^ \\ti '■f^^r- '. Tr.i 19*1 M the Sd artillery, serving as infantry. These three gentlemen, and captain Archer and Towson of the same regiment, and Leonard of the light artillery, are soldiers who would honor any service. Their gal- lantry, and that of their companies, was equally con^ spicuous on this occasion, as in the affair of the S7th ult. A view of general Chandler's encampment will be sufficient to show, that his disaster was owing tb its arrangement : its centre being its weakest pomt, and that being discovered by the enemy in the even- ing, received the combined attack of his whole force, and his line was completely cut. It is said, though I «;annot vouch for its truth, that general Winder saw this, and remonstrated against it. The gallantry of the 5th, S5th and part of the S3d and liglit troops, saved the army : of the 5th, it is said, that wlieu the day broke, not a man was missing; and that a part of the S3d, under major Armstrong, was found sustain- ing its left flank. Their fire was irresistible, and the enemy was compelled to give way. Could he have been pressed the next mornings his destruction was inevitable. He was dispersed in every direction, and even his commanding general was missing without his hat or horse. I understand he was found the next evening almost famished, at a distance of four miles from the scene of action. " Lieutenant M^Chesney's gallantry recovered a piece of artillery and prevented the capture of others. He merits promotion for it. " On the evening of the 6th of June, I received the order. No. % and joined the army at five in the after- noon of the 7th. I found it at the Forty-mile Greeks ten miles in the rear of the ground, on which il had been attacked, encamped on a plain, of about a mile in width, with its right flank on the lake, and its left on the creek, which skirts the base of a perpendicular mountain of considerable height. On my route, jl received No. ^ and 6, enclosed'. m W'4 '•: i»l ■■t^^'^T^^" "-•9^:' v-^.i- •• [54] > " At 6 in the evening the hostile fleet hove in sight, though its character could not be ascertained with pre. cision. We lay on our arms all night. At dawn of day struck our tents, and descried the hostile squad - i*on abreast of us about a mile from the shore. Our boats which transported the principal part of our bag- gage and camp equipage, lay on the beach ; it was a dead calm ; and about six, the enemy towed in a large schooner, which opened her fire on our boats. As soon as she stood for the shore, her object being evident, I ordered down Archer's and Towson's companies with four pieces of artillery, to resist her attempts. I at the same time sent captain Totten, of the engineers, (a most valuable officer) to construct a temporary fur- nace for heating shot, which was prepared and in ope- ration in less than thirty minutes. Her fire was re- turned with a vivacity and effect (excelled by no ar- tillery in the universe) which soon compelled her to retire. A party of savages now made their appear- ance on the brow of the mountain f which lieing per- fectly bald, exhibited them to view) and commenced a fire on our camp. I ordered colonel Chrystie to dislodge them, Mho entered on the service with ala- crity, but found himself anticipated by lieutenant El- dridge, the adjutant of the resiment, who, with a promptness and gallantry highly honorable to that young officer, had already gained the summit of the mountain, with a party of volunteers, and routed the Barbarian allies of the defender of the Christian faith. This young man merits the notice of government. *^ These little affairs cost us not a man. Sir James L. Yeo being disappointed of a tragedy, next deter- mined, in true dramatic style, to amuse us with a farce. An officer with a flag was sent to me from his ship, advising me, that as I was invested with savages in my rear, a fleet in my front, and a powerful army ^on ^my flank, he, and the officers commanding his Bri- tannic majesty's land forces, thought it a duty to de- \\i^ mand a gurfender of my army, f answered that the '-4^^('::,"f'm fk'n^ **, ^^"^•^ Ifc'- ''^^^''^^r^t-M. message %as too ridiciilous to merit A r^^ply. No. 7 was delivered to me at about 6 this morning. Between 7 and 8 o'clock, the few waggons we had being load- ed, first with sick, and next with ammunition, lie, t])6 residue of camp equipage and baggage was put in the boats, and a detachment of two hundred men of the 6th regiment detailed to proceed in them^ Orders lyere prepared to.be given them to defend the boats, and if assailed by any of the enemy's small vessels, to carry them by boarding. By some irregularity, which I have not been able to discover, the boats put off with- out the detachments, induced probably by the stillness of the morning. When they had progressed about three miles, a breeze sprung up, and an armed schoon- er overhauled them. Those who were enterprising kept on and escaped ; others ran to the shore and de- serted their boats. We lost twelve of the niiraberj^ principally containing the baggage of the officers And men. -' ' ■ -^v w,t'^'^fe#, m '^ At ten I put the army in motion on our return to this place. The savages and incorporated militia hung on our flanks and rear throughout the march, and picked up a few stragglers. On our retiring the British army advanced, and now occupies the ground we left." , »'. >^ '■^4/- l^Papers referred to by General Lewis. d -nJ'- . The object of the enemy's fleet must be in- tended to cover the retreat of tlieir troops or to bring on a reinforcement. Major General Lewis. J; X-'- 7 ^^v.;--" /:■' ■: :/ June6,'1813. •, V. It is possible the fleet in sight may be our own ; a few hours will probably enable you to determine and nctjiwordingly. . . s H. DEARBORN General Lewis. "'^^;^i^^' .: » v^^' ■4- r r^mi^ 18 DEAR "^ENiRAl^ ^^ ■■ ^^^ induced to suspect that the enemy's flm nave an intention on this place. Two sni^ll schooib- crs have been examining the shore very minutely fot three or four hour's this aftenioon. They have gone on towards the head of the lake, and their ships ap- pear to have taken the fiame course ; they may take on board additional troops near the head of the lake and be here before you reach this place. Vou will S lease to send Milton's detachment and 500 of Chan- ler's brigade, and colonel Burn's light dragoons wi^ all possible despatch ; they ought, if possible, to be here some time to-morrow forenoon. You wiU follow with the remainder of the troops as soon as practica- bly. It will be necessary to take care that your boats are hot taken or lost. General Swartwout and colO'- nel Scott should return as soon as tliey can. Yours with esteem, ^. ^^^ -^.^,1 ^,^^ H. DEABBOBN. ^ .'«^;f f:^4'"mf. General Lewis. -■ 'i^.' '.V'^^*\'l^ •,)... i-*t- !'.-j'tii:»«;.' ri. ^:M^^S- 5y >» ORDERS. ADJUTANT general's OFFICE, . HEAD QUARTERS, PORT GEORGE, u*;4 June 10, 1813. ' i? By reason of the temporary indisposition of major general Dearborn, the command of the troops on this frontier and of the ninth military department of the United States, devolves on major general Lewis. All persons concerned are notified accordingly. By command, ':C':^.:■■^:, . ■ W. SCOTT, %.■ r ' \ a$djutant Gemral, ■■\' /- ! i, If. .■. ^-::vT ;-y;-w _g^-.. ,- « ' V" i-'t; .,*. '*'■"*/ ':'-M^'r^^ ■ 'ES4|. :^- •■ JExtradt of a letter from Colonel James BurHf %i light dragoons^ to Major General Dearborn, ^< In the afternoon of the 5th our advance-guard, consisting of the light infantry, under the command of captains Hindman, Biddle and Nicholas, a part of Uie r^e corps under captain Lytle, and a detach- ment of the 3d dragoons under captain Selden, com- Inenced a sharp skirmish with the advance of the enemy, said to be a detachment of the 49th regiment, >yhich soon retreated, covered by a thick woods, hav- ing, however, several wounded on both sides, and one dragoon horse killed. In the evening our ad- vance returned behind Stony Creek, where tiie army took a position for the night. The light infantry, and part of the rifle corps on the right of the Iddth regi. ment, formed the right wing. The artillery, under captains Towson and L. Leonard, the centre. The dth, l6th, S3d, and some riflemen, the left wing, and the cavalry in the rear. A strong picket guard was posted some distance in front, also strong flank and rear guards in such manner as to surround the whole encampment with centinels — the troops lay under arms without any coveiirg. Our numbers in the field did not exceed one thousand. Three hundred effectives of the 13th and i4th regiments having en- camped on the bordei's of the lake, about three miles dietant, for the prutaction of the boats. The enemy forced our picket and attacked us about two o'clock in the morning (which was very dark) with their army and Indians, expecting, no doubt, to throw us into confusion. Their views were, in this instance however, completely frustrated, and w hen the day dawned, none were to be seen except their killed and wounded, who covered the field of battle. The at- tack began on our right, and was gallantly repelled by the fire of the light troops and 25th regiment, com- manded by major Smith. In a few minutes it became 4f general along the whole line, antd was nohly returned by tlic artillery of the centre, commanded by ca|^taiM lowsou and L. Tieonard, and again by the troops of the left wing, viz. th'> dth, under lieutenant colonel Milton, the S8d, commanded by major Armstrong, and the 16th. The tJre continued with little inter- mission for one hour, during which time the enemy attempted, by fi'ecjuent cliargcs, to break our line, but witliout eflcct, beinc; oblij!;ed to give way by the weH directed iirc of our brav e troops, f The 13th and 14fth regiments (which had been de- tached the prer hiding evening) were active in making prisoners, and advanced with much ardor to tlie field i^n hopes of sharing with the gallant dih and 2dth, S3d and light troops, the glory of another combat. But the unfortunate capture of brigadier generals Chandler and Winder, who were taken in the action unknown to any part of the army and hurried into the enemy's lines, prevented the future operations from being carried into effect with the promptitude which would assuredly have taken place had either of those officers been present to command. You Mill be surprised to find our loss so small — that of the enemy exceeds ours much ; they lost in killed about sixty, many wounded, and upwards of seventy prisoners, all regulars and principally of the 49th regiment. Several of their officers w ere killed^ wounded and missing. A flag was sent by colonel Hervey, asking permission to make inquiries for them ; also to be allowed to send a surgeon to attend their own wounded, which I readily granted. On the return of day-light I found the command of the army had devolved on me, and being at a loss what steps to pursue in the unpleasant dilemma, occasioned by the capture of our generals : finding the ammu- nition of many of the troops nearly expended, I had recourse to a council of the field officers present, of whom a majority coincided in opinion witli me that we ought to retire to our former position at the Foriy- 1 'f> u % «i. 45 [54] ittiile Greek, 'where vre could be supplied with am- munition and provisions, and either advance or re- main until further, orders. Every aid was aiforded by the staff. The assistant adjutant general major Johnson, and brigade majors Jones and Wartenby exerted themselves in render- Uigall the assistance in their power. The army on this occasion has proved its firmness and bravery, by keeping its position in a night at- tack, in which the yells of the Indians mingled with the roaring of cannon and musketry were calculated to intimidate. The enemy charged repeatedly, and 80 dark was the night that our army could not dis- iingaish friend from foe; in one of those they suc- ceeded in carrying off a six-pounder, a howitzer and a caisson, to the j^reat mortification of our brave ar- tillery. I presume it was on that occasion also that we lost our generals, who were distinctly heard en- couraging our men to fight. The squadron of dra- goons remained foruied and steady at their post, but' could not act on account of the darkness of the night and the thickness of the adjacent woods. Much cre- dit is due to the troops generally, but too much praise cannot be said of the conduct of the 5th and <^th regiments," — tp» l^r, ..^. ..r > MONTREAL, Juuc 18, 1313, ;., StRT, I deem it my duty to improve the c&rllest op portunity possible, to give you a more detailed account of the affair of the 6th instant, near Stony creek, than I have before had it in my power to do. On the morning of the 5th I arrived at Forty-mile Creek. The detachment under general Winder was then under marching wders for Stony creek. After P> k H5^' ./■rv \ t^ HT ft short halt the ivhole mftrched for that place, and ar- rived there between five and six o'clock P. M. at which place a small picket of the enemy was posted^ hut retired on our "^ proach. The advanced guard pursued, and soon fell in with a picket of about 100 strong, under colonel Williams. A skirmish ensued. I hastened the main body. Williams retreated, and our advance pursued. The pursuit was continued rather longer than I could have wished, but returned to their proper position in the line of march, not far from sun set. I had ordered the 13th and 14th, who were in the rear, to take a position for the night near the mouth of the creek, to cover the boats, (should they arrive) which would be on the route which I intended to pursue the next morning, and a fa\x)rabie position presenting itself, I encamped with the residue of the troops (except captain Archer's tximpany of artillery, which accompanied the 13th and 14th on the spot where we had halted, with an advanced picket from half to three quarters of a mile in front, with express orders for them to keep out constantly a patrole. A right and left ilank guard and a rear guard were also posted. I gave positive orders for the troops to lay on their arms. Contrary to my orders iires were kindled ; but there are doubts whether this operated for or against us, as the fires of the 25th, which were in front, and by my orders had been abandoned, ena, bled to see a small part of the enemy, while tlie fires on our left enabled the enemy to see our line. On the whole, I think it operated against us. I did expect the enemy would attack us that night, if he intended to fight ; but perhaps this was not expected by all. I had my horse confined near me, and directed that the harness should not be taken from the artilisry horses, I directed where and how the line should be formed, iu case of attack. About an hour before day light, on the morning of the 6th, the alarm was given. I w as instantly up, and the 85th, which lay near me, was almost as instantly formed, as well as the 5th and i- m x^ 'ii ;,H m J* « * • v.'^ 48 ••*<. M •.^' S8d, which wai^bti the left^ under the immeiiiate eyo of seneml Winder. Owing ia the negh'xt of the front picKet, 01* some other cause, the Dritish officers say, that they were not hailed, or an alarm given, until they were within three hundred yards of our line. The extreme darkness prevented us from seeing or knowing ti what point tlicy intended to attack us, until an at- tack was made on our right. A well directed fire was 6pened upon them from the 23th and from nearly the whole line. After a few minutes I heard several muskets in our rear, in the direction of the rear guard, and then expected that the enemy had gained our rear by some path unknown to me, and were about to attack us in rear. I instantly ordered colonel Milton, with the dth, to form in our rear near the woods, to meet such circumstances as might take place, knowing that I could call him to any other point, if necessary, at any moment. I had ohservedy that the artillery was not covered, and directed gens- ral Winder to cause the S3d to be formed so far to the right, that their right should cover the artillery. At this moment I heard a new burst of fire from the ene- my's left on our right, and not able to see any thing which took place, I set out full speed towards the right, to take measures to pravent my right flank from being turned, which I expected was the object of the enemy. I had proceeded but a few yards, before my horse fell under me, by which fall I received a serious injury. Here was a time when I have no recollection of what passed, but I presume it was not long. As •oon as I recovered, I recollected what my olyect was, and made my way to the right, and gave major Smith such directions as I thought proper, to prevent his right from being turned by surprise. 1 was then re- turning toward the centre, and when near the artille- ry, heard men, who, by the noise, appeared to be in confusion, it being the point at which I expected the S3d to be formed. I expected it was that regiment. I approached them, and a:^ soon as I was near enough; ■ w ■•^c'^ "!« Cm] •f'"- iff 49 I saw a1)ody of men, who I thouglit to be We Ssd, iii rear of the artillery, broken. 1 hobbled in amongst them, and began to rally them, and directed them to form ; but I soon found my mistake ; it was the Bri- tish 49th, who had pushed forward to the head of their column and gaiued the rear of the artillery. I was immediately disarmed and conveyed down the column to its rear. It was not yet day, and the ex- treme darkness of the night, vo which was added the smoke of the fire, put it totally out of our power to see the situation of the enemy. This was all that saved their columns fi*om sure and total destruction, of which some of their officers ai*e awnre. Af^er seeing the si- tuation of the column as I passed, 1 did hope and ex- pect that general Winder, on the first dawn of light, would see their situation, and bring colonel Milton with the 5th, (who I had still kept in reserve until I could have day-light to discern their situation) to at- tack this column, which, I am sure, he would have dune to advantage ; but, to my mortification, I soon learned that he had fallen into the same mistake with myself; and by endeavoring to learn what was taking place in the centre, he was also taken, as well as ma- jor Van De Venter. To the extreme darkness of 'he uight, the enemy's knowledge of his intended point of attack, and our not knowing at what point to ex- pect him, must be attributed his partial success, and not to a want of strength or bravery in our troops, who, generally, behaved remarkably well under all the circumstances ; and however unfortunate the event, as it relates to myself, I only ask that all the circumstances may be taken into consideration, in making up your opinion upon the conduct of general Winder and myself in this aiiair, which I am sure you will do, and I flatter myself you will see no cause of censure. I regret that my decrepid situation, and the rapidity with which we have been brought to this place, has put it out of my power to give you a 7 J. I ■^n •B""^ ^ detailed tccount of the affair earlier. I am now able to walli some witli tlie aid of a cane, and hope I shall coatinue to recover. I^f ve the honor to be^ &c. &c. r -^is ' JOHN CHANDLER, Brigadier Gfneral Jjfx" •* Major General Dearborn. "' ".."'". 'J ' ^^^ Vk 4 t HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, *■-; ■\., .,; .^i'«.;.. -.•M,j!- iHi,,. „..;. >. ,^- June ISth.^,^ 4;^ . As the general is unable to write, I am di- lifted by him to inform you, that in adddition to the debility and fbver he has been afflicted with, he has witliin the last twenty-fimr hours experienced a vio- lend spasmodic attack on his bi*east, which has obliged him to relinquish business altogether, and the com* mand is given over to major general Lewis, who will in future make the necessarv conimnnications to the department of war. The British fleet still rides trium> phant iu this section of the lake. I have the honor to be, Sir, With great respect and consideration, V Your obedient and humble servant, SAMUEL S. CONNER, A. D. C. to general Dearborn* ' ■' .r z. Ron. TJeneral John Armstrong, Secretary of War. •■#^ i. Cw] 01 .K ^ Extract of a hiier from the SBcrvtary ok War to ^^ V» ; t/^ojor General Dearborn, dated WAK DEPARTMENT, ^ June 19. 1813. ^' .ii ,.. v.^. . \ • t: ' ' << Your letters of the 6t1i and 8th instant have been received. There in, indeed, some strange fatality at- tending our efforts. I cannot disguise from you the surprise occasioned by the two escapes of a beaten enemy ; first on the ^th ultimo, and again on the 1st instant. Battles are not gained when an inferior and broken enemy is not destroyed. Nothing is done, while any thing that might have been done, is omitted. This maxim is as old as the profession of arms, and in no walk of life applies with as much force as ii^ that of a soldier. "' << Should Proctor have I'etired from Maiden, and been able to effect a junction witli Vincent's corps at the head of the lake, it has been done for one or two purposes ; either to dispute with you the possession ©f the peninsula, or more securely to effect their gene- ral retreat to Kingston. The latter is tiie more pro- bable conjp'^ le oi the two, and is strengtheneil by the appearance of Yeo on the u])per part of the lake, and by the pu^ition which Vincent has taken there/^ v: M. m -V^v EXTRACT. HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, June SO, 1818. SIR, I have been so reduced in strength as to hti in- capable of any command. Brigadier general Boyd is the only general officer present, and from resignn. %m m-^ ' 'fti .'■'^''T'- 50 tioii§9 siclcnessy and othcsr comingencies/ihe ikiinDer of regimental officers present fit for duty are far beloiv what tbe service requires. A considerable proportion of our army being composed of new recruits, and the weather having been extremely unfavorable to health, the sick have become so numerous, in addition to the wounded, as to reduce the effective force far below what could have been contemplated ; but if the wea■*«„ .t. ■S.-i * Major General Dearborn, dated WAR DEPARTMENT, i# y/:. July 1,1813. t- ' ■ ^ ' ' ' << The leisure you now have offers a fine op. portunity for the adjutants and inspectors general to attend to their particular duties. Some of the parties of which you speak from the enemy, may practice a tiick on those who follow them. Ihese last ought to be very circumspect. Ghauncey will, I hope, soon re-appear on the lake. A battle will then decide >idbich of us shall be victor for the campaign. I am afraid that we have all along acted on a belief, very pleasing, but ill founded, viz. that we were ahead of the enemy as to naval means and naval preparation on the lakes. Are we sure that our calculations with re- gard to lake Erie have been better than those with re- gard to lake Ontario? A week or two will decide this question." ,.. 'V.f; ..'»*-■ HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, - ^ ; June 25, 1813. 4 :t^:' ■ ^*' ' SIR, ^ ^ •V->.r.x>';^ :; . I have the mortification of informing you of an unfortunate and u!^ accountable event, which occur- red yesterday. On the S3d, at evening, lieutenant colonel Boerstler with 570 men, infantry, artillery, cavalry, and rifle men, in due proportion, was order- ed to march, by the way of Queenstown, to a place called the Beaver Dams, on the higli ground about eight or nine miles from Quecnstown, to attack and disperse a body of the enemy collected there for the purpose of procuring provisions, and harassing those inhabitants who are considered friendly to the United States ; their force was, from the most direct infor- ■*•;-■ ■0' ( ^r- fi *: m: .;v--5{:. '-■) (\ M mUSlSii, composed of one company of the IQlftb regi- ent, abov6 80 strong: from IdOto SOO militia^ and m 50 to 60 Indians. At eight o'clock yesterday ^^orping, iy)ien within about two miles of the Beaver ^^ifamsy ,our detachment was attacked from an ambu9^ qide, but soon drove the enemy some distance iaio the woods, and then retired to a clear field, and sent f an express for a reinforcement, saying, he would ** maintain his position until reinforced. A reinforce- ment of 300 men marched immediately under the command of colonel Chrystie, but on arriving at Qjaeenstown, colonel Chrystie received authentic in4 formation that lieutenant colonel Boerstler with his command had surrendered to the enemy, and the re- inforcement returned to camp. A man who belonged to a small corps of mounted volunteer rifle men, came in this morning, who states, that the enemy surround- ed our detachment in the woods, and towards 1^ o'clock commenced a general attack; that our troops fought more than two hours, until the artillery had expended the whole of its ammunition, and then sur. tendered, and at the time of the surrender the inform^ ant made his escape. Why it should have beeti deemed proper to remain several hours in a position surrounded with woods without either risking a deci- sive action, or effecting a retreat, remains to be ac- eounted for, as well as the project of waiting for a reinforcement from a distance of fifteen or sixteen Bules. No information has been received of the killed or wounded. The enemy's fleet has again arrived in our neighbourhood. With respect and esteemi : I am, sir. Your humble servant, H. DEARBORN. jf-. . t. Hon. John Armstrong, Secretary of War. h ti y 4) '^ '•'^tiitfiatm I'-t- %fe' AtiH^' A* y3X:-T"'' ■•ij/'it '^ ■■■■■/ Sin, ^-'^'^^'^^^%A«; im?A»irM^Nl', SvAy 6> iai8..v 5 -.1' :♦■ % ■ I have Uic President's owlers to cxpries* to y *ifM^.-^ ^prt. • » » , »'., ■li?^;- Your most obedient And very humble servant, f .n^., ' ,,r' ■> .„ ..^,iOHN ARMSTE0N1&. Major General Henry Dearborn. t ' '•S ■j» -if'-'- V- ', ? *:'. '* >j "' !.' '''' .J, , / n - 'If ' ^-'-C Hh .' .,>*. \,'f^?*. f ...J . K'i */T, I, J '. ^'V' I.'. ^ < ^• .1 , ' .t. .- -yf ■ 1-5 ^ ■; - , ;.- ">' .-.4^ -,^^«'M-.' .-* '* ' 'i . •■ If i ...j^^- i ■■ i I***;*!. ' ■ >; ^. ill r J ^'f ': * 'A '•■ A .-i '^ C«4] f^: ><■ ..^^f-'^P-i^-^i^i^'A .:^ !t^5t;oiTeppondenc- -Jtween the Secretary of War and Bri- gadier General Boyd. ^ •**• ,>Mi'^i;'vvsJ Jl^i0$ract of a letter from the Secretary of War to ''^^^^f^r0,Mrigadier General Boyd, dated vf ; :\':vy V ■■••'- -"^WAR DEPARTMENT, ^ ,:^^"^^^*-f ?^?1.- .1 ..• July30,1813.C'v" " The restriction put upon you with regard to the enemy, was but commensurate with their com* mand of the lake. So long as they had wings and you had only feet; so long as they could be transported, supplied and reinforced, by water and at will, com- mon sense, as well as military principles, put you on the defensive. These circumstances changed, the reason of the rule changes with them ; and it now be- comes your business, in concert with the fleet, to ha- rass and destroy the enemy, wherever you can find him. Of the competency of your force there can be no doubt, provided your estimate of his be but tole- rably correct." WAR DEPARTMENT, July 30, 1813. SIR, I have this moment received information that fort Meigs is again attacked, and by a considerable regular force. This must have been drawn from De Rottenberg's corps. His late insolence in pushing his small attacks to the very outline of your works, has been intended to mask the weakness produced by this detachment. If (as you say) you can beat him, do ^'"ttmm ..'.w"Wii»,i..,ii u .1 '-'ff it without delay; and remember, that if yen beat, you. aiiiist destroy him. There is no excuse for a geaieral; who permits a beaten enemy to escape and to rally.. These remarks grow out of some recent events iH: your quarter, and require no explanation. It is the president's wish that you should communicate fully and freely with brigadier general Williams. It ii only by this kind of intercourse that the eiforts of all Itao be united in promoting the public good. . ^\ I am, sir, very respectfully. Your most obedient, humble servant, JOHN ABMSTEONG. i'J-.V \-!li~ Brigadier General Boydi Fort George. ■ (\i'y «>■;. J;-. ^r.-. Extract of a letter from Brigadier General John P. ,i^, ; ;;,, Boyd to the Secretary of War^ dated < -ip^,:: .:.:,.l: f^ UBAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, * ^ ^■;J''Ur.^<-..,., ,v.v.,-,,:^, . July ST,. 1813.^^ '^ I had the honor to address you last on the S4th instant. On the 22d instant, general Lewis and commodore Chauncey were advised by me that from intelligence received from major Chapin and deser- tcrs, most of the enemy's captured ordnance and their principal depot of ammunition, stores, &c. are at the head of the lake. It was suggested that a small force might surprise, take, destroy, or bring them off, if part of the fleet might be allowed to assist in mov- ingour troops. Yesterday the Lady of the Lake brought me a let. ter from commodore Chauncey, stating that he approved of the enterprise and would go himself with his fieet to the hem of the lake, and requested guides, information, &c. I have deemed it proper 8 ill \ii »vi- C64J to detail a number of troops under the command of colonel Scott, which will mbark on board the Lady of the Lake, with directions to join the squadron, which is believed to be now somewhere near Little York." ■».- 1 -'.I '-..'.v-^, .... V. - JEhstract of a letter from Brigadier General Boifii 'Z > > to the Secretary at War, dated 1*6 . ■ \'>j ■ T -*• WT/, ■-■«T^ , - ^♦^v/iPri-'W/ ^ ■ ' "-Ulh-; '■; 7 ;> FORT GEORGE, ^* 1 had the honor to address you on the 27tb instant. Agreeably to the plan therein suggested, commodore Chauncey arrived here on the S«8th in- stant and received on board the fleet a body of men under the command of colonel Scott. Light and contrary winds retard their progress up the lake, but ere this the attack has probably been made on the head of the lake. No information has as yet been received. - tv.-- .'. ■^:- -(..:■ ■■;'■- '■^!.f^<^ v:.' " The enemy has lately kept his Indians so cour itantly scouring the woods of our vicinity, tliat we gain no deserters nor intelligence of his movements.'' ;^V, Colonel Scott^s Report, FORT GEORGE, Bi]k> August 3, 1818. I have the honor to report, that in obedience to your orders I proceeded on board the fleet with the detachment of troops under my command, destined to act against the enemy's post at the head of Little Ir.ke, PF Bwlington bay ; in sight of which place I arrived ' "■n", ii M.».i ' imn,..ji i J iii j i p i " 'T''\-rr 'l'%.; jve men-? tior.ed, was nearly equal to our own, the commodore determined not to risk an attack, especially as our boats would have been greatly annoyed in the ascent towards the head of the bay, by a small schooner of the enemy's, having on board one 18 pound carro^ nade. The channel connecting the two lakes did not afford water for tlie pa jsage of either of our schoon- ers. In the above opinion I fully concurred with th«. commodore. It may be added, tliat the enemy re- ceived a further reinforcemtnt of 400 men the samt. evening by laud from Kingston. a On our return to this harbor the fleet, put intft^ York, at which place w\^ bi3;fnt the baiTacks and pub- lic stores, and brought oifone piec»» of ordnance, (Sli pf>ttnder) eleven batteaux, and about 4!0(^ barrels, tf ;m 00 [54] ■ w '^.■■' flour and hard bread. The barracks atod stbrei had been repaired since the S7th May. Thirtv or forty •ick and woimded in hospital^ wereparoled, and four prisoners (regulars) brought off. There had been no garrison at the place for me few days previous. I h9*. e the honor to be, sir. Your most obedient servant^ W. SCOTT, CoL com* (U'itichment ^i-\ BrigadBer General Boyd} Commandingi ^.^--August 8, 181S. A^ <^ By Tuesday's mail I had the honor to receive your commands of the 30th instant, and yesterday a number of letters enclosed, which were delivered as directed. << Conceiving myself at liberty to act offensively on the arrival of the fleet, an expedition was imme^* diately concerted against the enemy, and acceded to by commodore Chaunccy. One thousand was to em- bark on board the fleet, under the command of briga- dier ^neral Williams, to land at the head of the lake. The army at this place was to move in two columns against the enemy's front, while general Williams assailed his rear and cut off his retreat. Yesterday iBoming, the time when the troops were to have emi- barked, the enemy's fleet ^as discovered off 'this place. '4' .t^A ^"^r i ■*?>* '^ ComtUddore ChaUncey weighed anch< r, ap- proached him, and by every indication, that a lee- ward position would admit^ offered to engage." shad forty " Iftrar .f?^> en no meni* :; , 13. Bceivif rday a rod a9 sively imme- dedto toem- briga- s lake, lumns lliam» terday ^e cmi- OT-tVis ■■Ma I 1-, ap. a lee- i] il.'- Steturn of the killed and woun< F ;v . ^j^eral James^ ^ •> I Ecturn of the killed and wonmlcd of a detachment of the army of the Unite general James Wilkinson, in an action fought at Willianitibu KILLED • ■ * WOUN * • * • i 4 1 3 • - • 3 id jj5 o u 1/) • in ii • 1 .S3 'i. 1 < E u < 1 U o^l *• 3 3 7 3 I 88 9 | eneral, slightly. ;r general Swartwout, slightly. ent infantry, severely, his right thigh fractured. ly- 1 Tely. Taken prisoner. iv. I tly. everely. iiy . 7flA:e« prisoner. ly. TaAffrt prisoner. trhtlv» ieverely in the skirmish the day before the action. JERAL'S OFFICE, f ' ac/ Quarters, Mtlitary Miht No. 9, /^rr«cA M//j, A'ovembcr, 1813. I J. B. WALBACH, adjutant general. I fV.o an»mn> nnrl mninr CumAincsdid duty with the 16th rctriment of infantrv in the action. ■ "-.-c- /2 fj' ^d .1 under the command of niajor /\^f/»r•r^ K.»- < o ■« ;:? •< ^. ii t dlBy 1 Unfavo commot andabf lose, in On the beard ins, "^ pchoon commc resolvi circun upont letter. iuntee co-op( ioinu thecc atiacl treat, 1 *>K Hon sit sti •■ ifclsih*:.'*»*r:;^w.i?i^*^'^*^'*'^-*'*'" ^-t^^ ._ f>^ ■ ' -*t. M 61 HEAD QUABTE1I0, PORT GEOROEy August IS, 1818. dIR| I had the honor to addrese vou the 8th instint Unfavorable winds continued to thwart the wishes of commodore Ghauacey to bring the enemy to action ; and about the 9th instant ho was so uniartunate as to lose, in a squall, two 8n\all schooners, which upset. On the nignt of the 10th a severe cannonade was beard on the lake, which we ascertained in the morn- ing, resulted in the loss of two of our smallest pcnooners. Undiscouraged by these slight disasteris, commodore Ghauncey is still in pursuit of the enemy, resolved to bring him to a general engagement. Thcsa circumstances have necessarily delayed the attack upon the enemy, which was contemplated in my last letter. General Porter is assembling a body of vo- lunteers and Indians at Buffaloe, with a ••ew ta co-operale in this enterprise. He will |>rotably join us soon. Any thing which can be done without the co-operation of the Heet, shall bo attempted. To attack the enemy, without being able to cut off bis re- treat, would be only beating without capturing him. I have the lienor to be, sir, ; ^ ^ • ' With great reject, 4 ,■. i Your most obedient servant, JOHN P. BOYD. ;, c , Mi'igadler G*>>i^-ail Commanding, A- ,* Hon. John Armstrong, Secretary of War. <"/ '^ik i .1 fi': HEAD QUARTERS, rORT GEORGE, August 15, 18134 . SIK. I had the honor to address you on the ISth in- stant. Hince which time nothing of importance has AJi [S43 occurred. Commodore Ghauncey bas left ihis part of the lake^ and the enemy have now so far the as- cendancy as to render the proposed enterprise against Ms land force impracticable. Yesterday general Porter arrived at this place with a body of volunteers and Indians, which had been previously assembled at Buffaloe. In the event of such an attack as was con- templated, this force would be of infinite service. At present they can only be employed to harass the enen;y. ''^-'^^'^^-'t t',^y"S' '^^r V I have the honor to be, sir, ''' ■ ^"^ Your most obedlant servant, - . JOHN P. BOYD, Brigadier General Commanding. V'f' Hon. John Armstrong, Secretary at War. "* . ■■■J ..r^^ ;'.. V■.'-'^■^■;''.-*•<1t*'vv'•'■ .v>-, '*■■■ ■•■■ H' *.' ■l»' ■ .' - ■ !«t ,-;^>;;.r''-^^*'''- ii,^.. ... Lett Mxtrc .■■■■■/■ ycstei of th( forbic my til order Tliis the d suggt the CI guns must visio favoi Hair held plaii the! mejp the tot! sist )>o^ (^ ; ■» :■, ■■■W'f ■ ■;y^'*;' '-'•/■W-,;K.»t¥,T'- t»4g ■# 6d tpiti- m Letters ftom the Secretary at War to Major Geilenu j^ ,;i Lewist commaiMling at Sackett's Harbor* ,-'J ^ .-V .'V ■ 'l<&ii * Extracts of a letter from the Secretary of War to Major General Lewis, dated C WAR DEPAfttMEiJt, / ■fit' "u ' ' \'i^'.- • July 9, 18134,1 *•' An order was expedited to general Dea^borti ^^esterday, permitting him to retire from the command of the army and district. Another was sent to Boyd forbidding him to engage in any affair with the ene- my that could be avoided, and subjecting him to the orders of major general Hampton and of yourself. This last (for Hampton is now the oldest officer in the district) was intended to meet the contingency suggested in my last letter, viz. that if we regained the command of the lake, and Yeo retired under the guns of Kingston ; that this moment of superiority must not be lost, and that bringing down Boyd's di. vision a blow might be struck at that place. To favor this enterprise, orders will be sent to general Hampton to push his head quarters to the position held by ^ur army the last campaign on lake Cham- plain ; and a requisition for ten thousand militia from the states of New York and Vermont, in reinforce, mentof this part of the plan, will be superadded. " f he moment Chauncey goes out our stores along the south shore of the lake sliould be brought down to the harbor, and in that case, your small posts (con- sisting of regular troops) di-awn into you|r mai|i Jl)ody." II '.'•■.•■, ' V /^V'4 a ?«^' CS4] i-j'fk ■>r '#'■'■ ,s_ WAR DEPARTMENT, July 8^ 1813. It ifl not merely possible, but probable, that the British fleet ia lake Ontario may, upon the fitting out N the General Pike, refuse a battle and take shelter l under the guns of Kingston until their new brig shall J restore to them the superiority. A question of much I importance arises on this supposed state of things. What will be the best possible employment of our force during the period we may be able to command the lake? Shall we reinforce the troops at fort George from Sackett's Harbor and cut on Vincent, or shall we bring from fort George tlie mass of the division there, and uniting them to your present com- mand, attack the enemy at Kingston ? If the latter part of the alternative be adopted, two things must be done. A heavy body of militia should be assem- bled at Ogdensburg to draw to that point the enemy's attention, and general Hampton should move rapidly and in force against Montreal. Oar assembled force at Sackett's Harbor would amount to seven thousand men, independently of thj naval means. The ene- my's land force at Kingston is about four thousand. Gould a successful attack be made here, the fate of the campaign is decided — perhaps that of the war. The object is great ; but in proportion as It is so, the means of effecting it ought to be well considered. From the sketches I have been able to procure of Kingston and its vicinity, I have no doubt but that the attack should be made on the works which cover tlie battery on Navy Point. These gained, town, battery, and harbor are all at your discretion. Be- ware of dividing your attack. Confine it to a single point, but let that point be a commanding one. „ : Believe me, general, Very respectfully and faithfully yours, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Major Gen. Lewisj Sackett's Harbor. ■'<''.^;r'>'", tf ;; ' -/■-■' -^-'M-' rt' v,-7,*r\-'if-'""^ }^y- ■»«",■■ .7j'Tff'-,'rr •■'■/M^j^^'t"'""*-' ^^"./'.■'■■■.■'..■'■■|-:«'' y./'j, ■^■"*';'W"-"^^,'^^>" j!tv; £34] 65 Correspondence between the Secretary of War and Major V i s.->rT i i > General H ^'f^-^- • -. ■ •; "■ -■:• \ '■'•:■•'■■,■ ' ■ ., ■' ' .■V^.:1r^•..V■^. .■ Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to Major General William U. Harrison, dated ^■^f^- WAR DEPARTM^.NT, v V .v March 5, 1813. ** I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of the 11th and SOth ultimo. t<«The suspension of your movement in advance^ appears to have been necessary; but though this may be the case, your demonstrations against Mai. den should not cease. These you will make in such way as shall be best calculated to keep up the ene- my's alarln for the safety of that post, and of the ships of war wintering there. You will be more able to appreciate the value of this policy when I state, that we shall very soon be in motion on the Niagara and St. Laurence. " You did well in stopping the march of the two regiments from Ohio. To have added to your forco so long as your object is restricted to the mainte- nance of your present position, would have been a very useless expenditure of both public spirit and public money. " As your campaign is now at an end, and yet nearly approached to that which is coming, it may be proper to communicate to you the president's view* in relation to your subsequent movements. ^' It would appear that Maiden can only be suc- cessfully approached by the route you are now up- on, at two seasons of the year — mid- winter and mid- 'I r ■Kf-K:^.<-:^-;—-e-fi-'^ ■■; •'"' •^''^ il^,'"^*,'"/ ^IXY}^^\(' '•' ' .,-_...^, ..,.- 1^ . SB [S4] summer. Tlie former is gone, and to wait for the latter, would be hardly less disastrous than defeat itself. What remains for us to do is to keep our present ground till the lake opens, and then to ap- proach our object by water, and under convoy of the vessels of war building at Presque Isle. These will be aHoat and ready to operate by the middle of May. By the same time boats for the transporta- tion of the troops, a train of artillery, baggage, &c. may be constructed. Cleveland is believed to be the place best fitted for this purpose. It will also be made the depot for the troops to be employed on the expedition, which will be the 24th regiment now at iMassac; and three of the twenty new regiments provided by an act of the session of congress which closed yesterday. Two of these will be raised in the state of Ohio, and the third in that of Kentucky. " Whatever these troops may fall short of the number and strength contemplated by the laws under which they shall be raised, must necessarily be made up from militia and volunteers; whence will arise the necessity of strictly attending to the progress of enlistments, so that in the event «f their failure, which may be readily foreseen, time may be left for resorting to the other expedient.'' ^. , . \ WAK DEPARTMENT, March 7, 1813. SIR, Your letter of the 18th of February was, from some cause, delayed much beyond the usual course of the mail, and even some days after the receipt of your despatch of the 20th. You will find by my letter of the .^th instant, the plan prescribed far your part of the ensuing campaign ; : '••■•^,'"'i-,"-V [9*3 <^ r tlie efeat our ap. »fthe 'hese le of orta- &c. o be also Ott and to prevent any ill effect arising from its miacar- riage, a second copy is lierewith inclosed. It is pro- bable that colonels M< Arthur and Cass will both be piomoted to the rank of brigadier, and will be assign, ed to the command of the two brigades intended to form your division of the army. In the enumeration of corps making parts of this division, I did not meir- tion the two regiments of the line, the 17th and Ifeth, parts of which are already with you. The filling up of these would be an important service, and you are requested to promote it. If you are at ease with re- gard to the safety of your present post, against the attacks of the enemy, and have secured to yourself the means of subsisting it, there can be no motive for either reinforcing it by new drafts from the militia, or re- tiring from it. If, on the other hand, your force should be so reduced as to make your stay perilous^ without a further reinforcement, you may employ the tw regiments raised in Ohio, or so many of them as maybe necessary to your object. If again, the po- licy of adding to your force be forbidden, by the diifi- cuUy of subsisting it, and there arises a combination of both facts, viz : a want of force to maintain your present position, and a want of means to subsist a larger one, iu that case, and in that alone, you will retire to the frontier settlements, and interpose the wilderness between you and the enemy. Tliese directions have not grown f^ut of any sug- gestions to ])e found in your letters, but have been produced by a cii'sumspection wi'ch it is always proper to extend beyond tlie mere limits of existing cii'cumstanccs. T am, sir, with great respect, Your obeiTient servant, JOm< ARMSTRO:v^^, Major General William H. HarrisoO) - ■ , Franklinton) Ohio. . • .., m i ' ' M m 4 v:. ■ t ■ f^y\ •■'t'W.-, •/-■'••n't-.'. '"•■.'': /'■'•'^^ CM] WAR DEPARTMENT, ;p'^ ^ V ^ Mar^:. 9, 1818. ,*«■ The government have the niteutioa «>f building fi number of boats on lake Eric , fur the j) urpus/^' of tranf^porting troops on that lake. Clev^'.lard is i\e ppinii farthest west, whei-e any [iordou of ihcEt; can be made with sufficient e^ipedit:* n. If the whole could be mwle there ibvi bettei . These boats will be of the kind k?town by Uie nameof Bc;^enect»dy boats, narrow, and sharp a-head, i ad fi.tc~bottomcd. They will carry from forty to fifty men ea 'i with their ba.gga;?;e, arms and accoutii'meiits, and piovision for ihe vityage. It is proposed to commit the superin- ien^'^^ice of tMs service to you, and to bestow upon yfiii, pro hac vice, the staff appointment of deputy q jTtM ter m aster general. If workmen cannot be found fit Cleveland and other places on the lake, you will take them from Pittsburg. Sucli materials as you may want, other than those produced by the country itself, you will provide at Pittsburg and have sent on without delay. Funds, for this purpose, will be put under your control, and you will be careful to make repoi*ts weekly of your progress. Very respectfully, lam, sir. Your obedient servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Captain Jes&up, Washington. ■*rv\ Extract of a letter from Major General William M. . " Harrison to the Secretary of War, dated ' *' HEAD QUARTERS. .J LICOTHE, arch 17, 1813. '■ The known candour f v w character is a suf- fldei,^ acurity for my rectiv??*)^ your pardon for the mssn ■"■Ti ~^',Vv»'«, T ■ ■ „pv 5- 'KIT-? If-" [M] # "The objections to proceeding this way, stated i« my letter to colonel Monroe, arose from the time that would be necessary to construct boats after we should have arrived at the strait; but this objection is en- tirely obviated by our obtaining the command of the lake, as the boats and perouges built upon the Miami will answer the purpose. With regard to the quan- tum of force, my opinion is, that not only the regular troops, designated in your letter, but a large auxiliaiy corps of militia should be employed. 1. he only ob. jection arises from the expensivcness of troops of that description. This, however, could not be an object^ considering the very short time that it would be ne- cessary to employ them. Let the moment for the commencement of the march from the rapids be Hxed^ and the militia miglit be taken to that point, proceed and accomplish the object, and return home in two months. " Amongst the reasons which makes it necessary to employ a lage force, I am sorry to mention the dis- may and disinclination to the service which appears to prevail in the western country ; numbers must &;ive that confidence which ought to be produced by • - scious valor and intrepidity, which never existed iu any army in a superior degree, than amongst the greater part of the militia which were with me through the winter. The new drafts from this state are entirely of another character, and are not to be de- pended upon. 1 have no doubt, however, but a suf- ficient number of good men can be procured, and should they be allowed to serve on horseb^*"^'' Ken- tucky would furnish some regiments that wo^i.l be not inferior to those that fought at the river Raisin, and they were, in my opinion, superior to any militia that ever took the field in modern times. Eight troops of cavalry have been formed in Kentucky, to offer me ' * ir service ; and several of them were intended for vwclve months volunteers. Governor Shelby has some thoughts of taking the field in person — a num- m ■'H' 71 [54] ber of ^0(1 men m\\ follow him. He thinks that an ftddreas from me to the people of the state would produce a good effect : I have strons; ohjections to those nil^ir sea, but will nevertheless have recourse to rut'j eans, oi l>y what route, the division of the army assigned to you, ought to approach Maiden. A passage; by water will carry you directly to the for-* tress you would attack, without impairing your strength by fatigue, or diminishimg it by battle. A passage by lard \.,i\, on the other hand, call for great efforts, a ' expose you to great losses, which, if they do not u. siro} will at least cripple you. The former will be easy, safe, and economical ; the latter difficult, dangerous, and enormously expensive. On the other supposition, that we fail to obtain the command of the lake, a new question will arise : whe- ' CM] w" ther the campaign sli i take an offeasive or defetiii-- -•>--y- ^-^..., ^ -•/»'• 74 [94] call out 80 many militia drafts as will make good the deficiency ; and organizing these under the rules al- ready prescribed, await the farther orders of the pre- sident in your camp at the Rapidn. » ' To these orders I have to aud, that you will regard it as your duty to keep this department regularly and frequently informed of the actual condition of tlie troops under your command ; as well in regard to equipment and supplies of provision and ammunition, as to number, discipline, and health ; and that your weekly and monthly reports shall include also the state of the ordnance and quarter master's depart- ments, noting particularly the nuinl)er of horses and oxen employed by botii. You will readily perceive ihc necessity for giving this order, when I state, that no return of any description from your division of the army has ever been received at the adjutant general's office. Your proportion of the new staff has been given to you. Captain Adams has been appointed assistant adjutant general, and Mr. Bartlett depu- ty quarter master general of your division. The brigadier generals M^ Arthur and Cass are employed m superintending the recruiting service. A letter from the latter gives reason to believe, that this will go on well in the state of Ohio. '■ -. 3..' ^- * . ', I am, sir, very respectfully, 'i'-^\^^^ Your most obedient servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG, -ft Major General Harrison, .* Com. the 8th Military District, U. S. -'^f ..~\ Extracts of a letter from Major General Harrison to the Secretary of War, dated ■ ., HEAD-QfUARTERS, CAMP MEIGS, ^v > April 21, 1818. ■ ' '^ The plan for future operations, as laid down in your letter of the 4th, is no doubt the best that Midlk.. , ' -^ tliat r^ 4^: [M] 70 w*i#r could have been devised in the event of the promised naval success, and a prosperous issue to the recruiting business. My measures will therefore be entirely directed to the prosecution of the campaign in that way. << There is nothing to be feai'ed as to the ulterior operations of the campaign. '^''^ ' ' ^' : ^* I shall cause the movements of the enemy to be narrowly watched ; but in the event of their landing at Lower Sandusky, that post cannot be saved. I will direct it, in such an event, to be evacuated. The stores there are not of much consequence, excepting about 000 stands of arms, which I will cause to be removed as soon as the roads are practicable — at prer sent it is impossible.'^ 'l> e governed by the quantity on hand at fort Meigs and FvMikliAton, and by the number and cali- bres of the pieces you profMise to tako with you against Maiden. Your whole train, if I am well informed, apounts to thirty.five ^eces, of which nine are eighteen pounders, -r.j-'. .^u^-ic. l >,-^.:^jr?:.-'t:.a k**'^ <^ The ^th regiment was, on the iOili instant, at Lexington, (Kentucky) on their way to Cleveland. iTou will g?ve it any other point of rendezvous you may think proper, and adopt such means to assemble the other parts of your division as will be most advise* able. On this head, I would but suggest, that the ar« rangement which shall best mask your real design and most impress the enemy with a belief that your march to Maiden will be by land, will be the best. <^ Clothing for the 26th, 27th and 28th regiments has been forwarded from Philadelphia. '<' The last accounts of the boats preparing by major Jesup were favorable. That officer will uecessarilj report to you and take your orders." ^^ MMflrttet ef a letter from the Secretary of War to Major Greneral Harrison, dated WAR DEPARTMENT, July 14, 1813. <' Orders have been sent to cqttain Ferry to commumcate to you the naval movements, and to con- cert with you the necessary co-opprations. 13. [54] ^^^ JP <' Of the miMa, you are authorized to take wbat in your jndsment will be necessary. Such of the Kentucky muitia as are in service would be better than a new draft. There is (of the Pennsylvania militia) one regiment at Erie armed, equipped, &c. These are subjected to your command." m-: WAR DEPARTMENT, August 5, 1813. SIR, The best interpretation of the late movements of the enemy in your quarter is, that De Rottenberg has detached to the aid of Proctor between four and five hundi'ed men, and that with these he is attempting to save Maiden by attacking fort Meigs. If this con- jecture be well founded, it suggests the true policy on our part, provided the ftotilla was over the bar. Gro directly to Maiden and leave Mr. Proctor to amuse himself with fort Meigs. There is no objec- tion to your appointing the Serjeants to other offices pro tempore. Captain Butler has been appointed major of the 3^ regiment and lieutenant M^Gee cap- tain in the 4Sd. , I am, sir, - • Very respectfully. Your most obedient servant, JOHN ABMSTEONa Major General Harrison. . : r'r.'jr m Ea^ract of a letter from Major General William H, Harrison to the Secretary at War, dated HEAD QUARTERS, SENECA TOWN, August 22, 1813. ^' I am exerting every nerve to complete my pre- parations for crossing the lake, as soon as I am rein- '■''^niT'y^ "^ ■ *%' P [84] forced by two thousand of the Kentucky militia. That number is indispensable, from the sickly state of the regular troops, of whom I shall think myself for- tunate to take with me two-fifths of the ag^gate amount.''.H?'?^>'^ "?''tv'?'«r:ft' ''^'.^^ '^; '-'f^vi: ":: '^^*- -'^.■■*;i^' ■c}i^.:^i^W'] '^-^y ■'^;d m-* Extract of a letter from Major General Hannson to • : ' ' the Secretary of War, dated ^ , •r ;M • --i- -li^ tS.'-' ■■'i- ■> ^ i HEAD QUARTERS, SENECA TOWN, August 39, 1813. ; j^ <^ I shall be able to embark some day between the 10th and 15th procimo, with upwards of 2000 re- gular troops, and 3000 militia. Every exertiov has been, and is continued to be made, to prepare for the contemplated offensive operations; but, as we could not navigate the lake until our flotilla came up, nov ac- cumulate at any point on its margin, the stores thai were at Upper Sandusky and fort Winchester, d' - ing Proctor's late invasion, it will take the time I have mentioned before the embarkation can be effected. It might be facilitated by moving the troops that are here immediately to the lake, and then waiting 'or the Ken- tucky militia. But so extremely unhealthy ib the w hole of the southern shore, from Huron to the river Raisin, that the most fatal effects would follow the keeping the troops upon it, even for a few days. You can form a coiTect estimate of the dreadful effects of the immense body of stagnant water, with which the vicinity of the lake abounds, from the state of the troops at Lower Sandusky. Upwards of ninety are this morning reported on the sick list, out of about two hundred and twenty. Those at jfort Meigs are not much better."' Ei mc * 'f^^Wr-'" \;p:;j"' '.>■-*, •^''.^ 79 Extract of a letter from Major General William H. Harrison to the Secretary of Warj dated - 'm.. ' i^l^i/^' '4 /.HEAD QUARTERS, BASS ISLAND, j>^:^ :>*■'' ^''^;r^.u.v.t4^^-^ -hir . September 22d, 1813. ■. - .5*1 ti The greater part of the troops are here with me, and the whole will, I believe, be up by twelve o'clock. I shall proceed as far as the Middle Bistev in the course of to-night and tu-morrow, and in the following night get so near the enemy's coast as to land two or three miles below Maiden by eight o'clock in the morning. These prospects may, however, be re- tarded by adverse winds. Commodore Perry gives me every assistance in his power, but his crews were so much cut up in the late action, that he cannot navi- gate his vessels without the aid of my men." ^ 1 m ^^■^ M.- , r^ ( ■H.- '■ aiR, WAR DBPARtMENT, SACKETT's HARBOIt, September SS, 1813. . . Information has reached me through various but unofficial channels, that commodore Perry had captured the whole of the British fleet on Uice Erie. If this be true, it is matter 01 much personal and pub- lie congratulation. It enahles you to make sure of Maiden, and as a bulisequent measure, to carry ymv main body down the lake, and by throwing yourself into De Kottenberg's rear, to compel Jiim to quit his new positions before fort George. After general Wil- kinson shall have left that place, there will be found on the two sides of the Niagara, a force amounting to three thousand men, who will be subjected to your orders. By giving this new direction to your opera- tions, you will readily perceive of \\o\v mucli more im- portance it is, in the opinion of the executive, to be 80 [6*] able to expel the enemy from the couMti'y lymg be- tween the two lakes Erie and Ontario, than to puraue the Indians into their woody and distant recesses.^ A few days will put us in motion from this point. c- - ■ •<- Accept my best wishes, &c. ;f : ' JOHN ARMSTRONG. General Harrison. «**'; i^ •^ 1." :-. K , ■1 ' ^M '■■ ; (■ HEAD QUARTES, AMHERSTBURGH^ /^ ' : September 27, 1813. l/^ sill, . -' '. ■'-''' ^ '' I have the honor to inform you, that I land- ed the army tinder my command about three miles below this place, at three o'clock this evening, with- out opposition, and took possession of the town in an hour after. General Proctor has retreated to Sandwich with liis regular troops and Indians, hav- ing previously burned the fort, navy yard, barracks, and public store houses. The two latter were very extensive, covering several acres of gi'ound. I will pursue the enemy to-moiTOw, although there is Yio probability of overtaking him, as he has upwards of 1,000 horses, and we have not one in the army. I shall think myself fortunate to be able to collect a sufficiency to mount the general officers. It is sup- posed here tliat general Proctor intends to establish hiouielf upon the river French, 40 miles from Maiden. '*^. t' I have ihe honor to be, /.fv - . With great respect, . Your most obedient humble servant, ■ft.. .,: 1 . ; >' ■ ' ^ V WILUAM HENRY HARRISON. John Armstrong, Esq. Secretary of War. ■Y-'^'-:Y''^"'f''^'''.^f-" "•'' ."'^ ;■*;' *• -w- .^y. ■ .'.. ^ ■-' *,«*fc;j ^jj^l^Jt^ '.1=ii '^^ 'V*- J^xtract of a letter from Major General WiUiam A Harrison to the Secretary of War, dated ^. HEADQUARTERS, ^ Jfjear Moravian towrit on the river Tharn^, \". 80 miles frcnn Detroit, ' A October 5, 1818. 4 *' I have the honor to inform you, that by the blessing of Providence, the army under my command has this evening obtained a complete victory over the combined Indian and British forces under the com. mand of general Proctor. I believe that nearly the w^bole of the enemy's regulars are taken or killed ; amongst the former are all the superior officers, excepU ing general Proctor. My mounted men are now in pursuit of him. Our loss, is ve^ry trifling." ilH Extracts of a letter from Major General HarriaQn to the Secretary of War, dated ,;; ^ ' HEAD QUARTERS, DETROIT, October 16, 1813, ^^ A detachment of the army, under the comniahidi of brigadier general M^Arthur, has been for some days waiting at this place for the necessary provision^ to proceed to lake Michigan. I am sorry to inform you, however, that from the effects of a violent storiQ^ there i3 now no prospect of accomplishing that desr* rable object, the reduction of Michilimackinac, ihm season. It is with the greatest regret I inform yoi^ that it is almost reduced to a certainty, that two of odr schooners have been lost on lake Eric, the Chippew a^ and Ohio ; the former loaded with the baggage of the troops from Bass island, the lattiw with flour and sft)| provisions from Cleaveland." y . ' ;-' T.,,Tr^".1?r S ^■-i'n': W^: .'•* ,;''»J«: 4V,-is' M ■te;. '■•d... *'Upon a j:.ii9ultation with the two brigadiers and commodore Perry and captain Elliott; it was unani- mously determined, that the season is too far advanced to attempt an expedition to Maccinac, if it were not commenced in two or three days, and there was no hope of the snpplias being obtained in that time." " It is generally believed here, that general Proctor despatched an order to the commanding officer at Maccinac to destroy the post and retreat by the way of Grand river. At any rate, it is not a matter of much importance to have that place in our possession during the winter, cut off as it h from a communica- tion with the rest of the world." - '■■.■i^r-'^'.i'-.' •^'' . ^'J 81H, sackett's harbor, October SO, 1813. The enemy *s corps before fort George broke up their cantonments on the 9th, and marched rapidly for Burlington bay, which he reached on the 11th. By taking,^this route he may intend to reinforce Proctor on the river French, or Kingston, at the head of the St. Lawrence. He was apprized of the abandonment of Maiden on the 5th. , We are perhaps too remote to profit by each others suggestions ; but it does not appear to me, that Sand- wich is the point at which Proctor will stop, if you pursue him. From Point aux Pins, on lake Erie, there is a good road to Chatham, on the Thames, the distance not more than twenty-four miles. Were this gained, and travelled back to Sandwich, the enemy's means of subsistence might be destroyed, and himself compelled to surrender. But of the practicability of this, you are the best judge. . My opinion is sug* gested by the map. U.^:, ■ .: ).-if-. ...;>-. _»V^i;twtf. .■•■,"' v- » rne, the r '*. -r The first division of this army sailed two dayg agb. The second and the lesevvc follow to-day. ^ ^^ Yours with great respect, ■^: J. ARMSTRONG. ^ ;.i,^^. ....u Major General Harrison. jjExtract of a letter from Major General Harrison to yian oh the Secretary of War^ dated . "^ HEAD QUARTERS, ERIE, PA. October 2S, 1813. . *' Soon after my letter to you of the 16th instant was written, I was informed tliat a special messenger^ with despatches from you, had left Bass island in the schooner Cliippewa, which had been driven from the mouth of the Detroit river in a violent storm ; and from the circumstance of a quantity of baggage be- longing to the oflBcers, which was known to have been t)n board, being found on the lake shore, she was be- lieved to have been lost. As I had nearly completed the arrangement for a suspension of hostilities with the Indians, altiiough I had no information as to the movement of the army on lake Ontario, I determined to embark general M> Arthurs brigade and the batta. lion of the United States riflemen, and pi-oceed with tlicm down the lake until I could receive some certain information of the movements of the army under ge- neral Wilkinson, and what was expected from me. I arrived here this mornnig with commodore Perry in the Ariel, having left the remainder of the fleet at Bass island. It is ])robable they will be here this .evening, when wc shall immediately proceed to Bnf- feloe/' V ^M.* m 1 m y m -■■' .t*VTCA;^ a^r« [8*3 Extract of a letter fi*om Major General Harrison to the Secretary of War, dated .» WV' ^- #« •<*« HEAD QUARTERS, BUFFALOE, N. Y. October 24, 1813. '^ I have this moment landed at this place, from lOU board the schooner Ariel, which is one of seven vessels, with which I left Detroit, having on board the greater part of M^ Arthur's brigade, and the detach- ment of the United States' rifle regiment, under col. Bmith. The other vessels are all, I believe, in sight, and will be up in a short time. The aggi*egate num- ber of troops with me, is about thirteen hundred, but not more tlian one thousand fit for duty. Before this reaches you, you will no doubt be informed of the loss of your messenger, captain Brown, with the des- patches that were entrusted with him. Not having Received your directions, and being entirely ignorant Qf the state of our militai*y operations in this quarter, I was much at a loss to know how to proceed ; but be- Jiieving that general Cass with his brigade would be able to secure Detroit and our adjacent conquests, after having concluded an armistice with the greater part of the hostile tribes, I concluded that I could not 'do better than to move down the lake with the remain- ing part of the troops. A part of M* Arthur's bri- gade is still at the Bass Islands, where they were left for the want of the means of conveyanqe ; and a considerable portion of their baggage was also left from the same cause. Means, however, have been taken to collect and bring them on. " I shall move down the troops immediately to fort Geoi^e, where 1 shall await your orders, unless an opportunity should previously occur of striking at the enemy. The information I have received here of the situation and movements of the enemy on the head of lake Ontario, is vague and contradictory," Sll yo i^ li^dir r. Y. from even dthe tach- col. ight, inuni. . but this rthe lies- pJ4] » ■■■J^^-^.'^^^^ WAR DEPARTMENT, VrlLNA, /t^, • '" '*■* ' "^^ " ' ^:' '■'' -.> ..y:^^' October 30, 1813. ' »iK, ..4 * ' ■ •■• ^" . ; '/'■ "\ '■*■ .Vk' ^ ^' * I have i!,e honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 5th and of the S4th instant. The despatch by captain Brown, and which with him was lost in lake Erie, suggested, as an ulterior movement, the coming down to tiie Niagara river, and putting yourself on the right and rear of De llo^ten'»erg's position before fort George ; while ge- neral M'Ciure, with his brigade of militia, volun- teers and Indians, should approach them in front. Tiie enemy seems to have been aware of this, or of some similar movement, as he began his retreat on the 9th and did not stop until he had gained the head of Burlington bay, wliere I understand, by report, he yet is. Tliis is his last strong hold in the Penin- sula. Routed from tliis, he must surrender or make his way down lake Ontario to Kingston. His force is estimated at twelve or fifteen hundred effectives. The capture or destruction of this corps would be a glorious finale to your campaign. Our operations in this quarter are but beginnings at a time when they ought to have ended, 1 shall go on slowly ic ards Utica, where I may have the pleasure of seeing adjutant general Gaines. I am, sir, very rsepectfuUy, "^j Your most obedient servant, .'■ JOHN ABMSTIiONq, m Major Gen. Harrison. Extract of a letter fro v Hie Secretary at Wart^ General Harrison, dated BOONSViLLE, November 3, 181^. " I have fortunately met colonel Gaines on fli^ way to his regimer*. The deputy pay master »hf|,tl m m 86 ..vr^i' -kX . 'A» have orders to attend to the bricade you have brought mit ^ i u. ( 'aptoin Butler will ar ' as your assistant adjutant general, and Mliall receive appointment as «uch. l^e officers of tlie several corps composing your division (as well those at fort George an of ge- neral Cass's brigade), not indispensable to tlie com- mand of the troops now in the field, should be immet diately despatched on the recruiting service. I need not invoke your attention to a subject so important to the early and successful opening of the next campaign, and to the extent and character of your particular command. Will the whole of Cass's brigade be wanted to the westward? In the event of a peace with the savages a less force would be sufficient; and, to hasten and secure this event, the present moment and present impressions mui^t be seized. Of the war- riors, sueing for peace, one or more should be sent by the nearest route, and by the most exjieditious mode^ to the Creek nation. The story of their defeat by yo»i, and subsequent abandonment by the British, com??>.i luicated by themsch cs, would probably have a f! fisU'd effect on their red brethren of the south, and &:i\'(j us the troulde and expense of beating them into a sense of their own interest. When I wrote to you from Wilna, it w as doubtful whetlier our attack would be made directly upon Kingston or upon Montreal. Reasons exist for prefering the hitter course, and have probably determined general Wilkinson to go down the St. Lawrence. In this case, the enemy will bave at Kingston, besides his i9eet, a garrison of twelve or fourteen hundred men. Had we not a corps in the neighbourhood, these might do mischief, and even render insecure the winter station of our fleet. To prevent this it is deemed adviseable to draw together at Sackett's Harbor a considerable military force. There are now at that post between four and five hun- dred men of all descriptions — sick, convalescent and effective. Colonel Scott's detachment (about 700) are on tbeur march thither, and it is barely possible "^kji as tlMit colonel Raiido1pb'»(not arriving in (imc to move with the armv) may be there also. ThiN does not exceed three hundred and fifty. M^Arthur^s brigade added to these will make a for^^f^ entirely competent to our object. To hring this bri^ Je down the lake you must have the aid t'f ije fleet, which will he readily given by cjinm<)«lore Chauncey. On this point I shall write to .in * '^gb'-^^ ^ communica- tion with you in relation to '* This new dispositi employment of so man^ now in service under genr deem competent to the safe-Kteping of forts George and Niagara and their dependencies." reader necessary the 'Uiiu and volunteers, ''Clure, as yoii may ■I*'". HEAD QUARTKHS, NEWARK, •' -l^f November 16, 1813. SIR, Commodore Chauncey with the fleet arrived here yesterday morning, and informed me that he was ready to receive the troops to convey them down the lake ; and that the season was so far advanced, ren- dering the navigation dangerous to the smaller ves- sels, that it was desirable they should be embarked as expeditiously as possible. As a very small part of tiie militia and \iiluntecrs had arrived, and the situa- tion of Sackett's Harbor appearing to me to require immediate rein/oi cement, I did not think proper t(» take upon myself the responsibility of postponing the departure of the troops for the lower part of the lake, conformably to the directions contained in your letter of the 3d instant. <* The information I received yesterday from two respectable citizens that were taken near to fort Meigs in June last, and who made their escape in an open boat from Burlington, confirms me in the prajpriety of ■ii'; ! Ml :;?' ^^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A 4^ 1.0 I.I 21 115 ^ y^ 2f 134 I™ ^ U£ 12.0 '•2^lll'-^ '-^ < 6" ► * ¥^^'.<^ '''^ ^ '-ijr 7 Photographic Sciences COTporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14380 (716)872-4503 ■^ > . ^ o y •,t F:;.f iXtbtli set oiit thit 6veiii|^e fj|g^«^ ppvJKib ^ MTTIO^ /a. ISAAC SH)BaL!kt.^> •:^/-t; W'>,; -,.*, ..-■>, ■^_- ■♦- ■■?-> ■}^-/ :A(\. '.r. «>;>-■ ■:, i :;.:f^iJ; 'v-Vj.-Ml ■.: . I IfWv^ tti' |IW*| *|]^' fc.^ ficc. it h ,■ •••■>. ■ fi» »-l-lX^T™ r.^»~'S*.' totter V. ; tt»^^- lie si'* w ■ Kwb^ Sin. ^ 1 have ■■H"x^ i *•!; '■S' YllHlflKBoM 'fVRr ' ' %^|jB ii9 % ^••,. I^.'- ;w 9» Exe«U«DOf Ihuic Shelbn Si^ii., ?W J- ,■ —.•('*■-" ■^- ■«i'^: * t v-i^ ■ '2 i?" -I ""Tf-jf-y, ';!tr;; ;" jt; tr: Um^^i^^f <^ to ~ Tm% impfvmoii'milxk ike iske^tbr v:»S'' *r.'*!i CAMP^ !■ BURLIN6TON9 8epteiober7>i8i8. ^•iV Ifoiir letter of tbip ist initftiif 1^ expiress, th^ las^ evening. My diflpoflitions for « moyement had been shaped to meet tne arraB|$e]iieiit cottdHunicated in mj lettter of ^ Blst ultoo ; ^t I caiied tdgetber tW beads of^ departii^ents this inoming to kno#bbw fur it wotttd be ^practicable to an^ipate that wbie^ ^ou bad indicated in your despatch o/tbe, ^9th^ iiad il "vras foaiid ^practidyble. :5S*«'5 •I'' " • >.: M' ■ Ifl ui('~y'/M: *€. ¥, l#«rp^t n«p9#ti^ not «rnit«4k Tl, 9immi1^ optlbr t0 nifeir mi#rd, at eaHv W |bt , iili.]lMltn#i I mliii «bit tM^ Ih^lfp^mk ]^(D4#|^ Minii to be ineloaed. t^ Bt|««i|^ villbe leifliu^n 1,000 j^(^ l4uie ai^d jL^oard's re- gll^l^ $ave com^ (^ urM nhiuiim and mea^ i|^n ibei^, and tlHa% dei^te of the i^ isBtric- apni So^'m^ta^ troiBkjsii. All ttooo^iiti eon^tir iti fejpireieilUiig the force 6f the eiie. mt ai mi^ than ff^OOOy ejt^flusiye of three battikU^s QUnc&rpmited im^iHa {t^elle months nien) statioin«i|j iii!^tf;(d0r8kt^^^C di8(«,neefiq^ the St; liawrenee. Ifa^liaye|^ have been detecb€^^fl^M #^ poiiat9. '!%8s6 battalione^ cqiitistof^ODBieiieach^' / I ihaQ eicpec^ ii^orttiation fr6m yon resp^^f^ the -''^ -'th$i^:aboiN»9 but shall not waiia Bi0nen|Jf<^ lamrea^. ■' i\ : V^' 4 ; I hav^ the honor to be^ sir, * Tm^resjpectfiiBy, ■ / xoCir nui^t obttdilnt jiervant^, . ^ HAMPTOJ^ t "k * ^ecretairy at War. \ m*^. /. f. f.-^ mi V#: 1. CMpc^y prr- am tbem ni»ai: tn^ , ^«M r^^ tlie ijmdsy cmme^il ihU p08t tiiedayjtofwa^^s^^ He slstea |^ the ^hpl^ regular ^obe near lii^ihtreal doea jiqI leix- ,«eed. w thousand effecir^^Si an^^t but thrcwB i^- JlkM invalids Iia^ve beenle^ atilaeliec. l^afMtii :#tUi intbrmation received tlirougn 00ie# cban^ ^^irMt^ and ' Frpm general Wilkinson I have, n^t^eiu^ Iklft (f^noe,^ arrival at fort l^eorj^, which Was on ihe "* lustfloii K^^t must Jiow be on t|e|iomt » iiovib^ he tdth and S^ regunenls are iiiBUuiph j^ burg. The latter was destinied for tMs '|^i^/1ltiC li»adng that It could not IcMivel^biladelphia before ^theljeth^I ha^'e ^V^ to it tlti^ shorter nkf^ and n^mr sce^e of acSon* " ■*' • itfa amoh to-be rwettod that our nsval menl«iMt |ft|^ Chaaq^idii i#i^ m te aNli^«f 8 n s il I ■»-'^ 1* ^ ■-- t.-m ■^^-.^^•:' <•. ■ ^ • m the 4eeif itoBiakt uM to siitof:aie cameidi Oes ^ iiot ex* lelil i^ii 8 on ihe moi ri before - 4- ^|rr^WB^^! M* Ue k of inimiiifi^^ r 'Tefy kovUe serviaily G^eral Hampton. >,. ■f-** :^P0,^^^ H^AD quARTBRSy CUMBEBitiVNli HEAII^. i!*^ .♦" ■ ■< ^H ' I have fot my fiorceii i 01^^ lakeniiiicli entwr^ ti^iuiq^jnity iMtaC'li^r i^. piitkilQliii are going lin. Jil litHf ^^hij^da tM^ qjmxiiriiiasleir |enen^/iuid I btelkve lie wi)| tup* kinacle. lahalliooii'berea^.' mfmni every i)bi^ Smrctary of War. SACKETT'S ItARBCHJJft, A %o <,^0haiuic^ liai dbawid l^e ijiand tliejjite *ii4 . (A^ji^ 1^ t9 take fiheUiyr in i^Hfitoii. #^4^0011-^ ji^ptoe lua now gone up to Igrt ^^^i|^^ ip ■'■---' mtr- ■ -v ^V^^ y'M.t h'r f, '■ "V, » • r.^~ >L.-i ii! if. \t giiltll :|li«.aYiiy tmm C^ttpb^phMidHead for tbe nliiJiiB liiiiBx oil t^e lake sliore, and Hiuniil wg i^nst (Ml^ ii^yjt^ ilfel^^ 1^^ Ifft ^to l^yie b«9t| fl(i^^ at ikt !i^#ii,;«iii4 lUifi^o^ pliu;!^ Iwelire^MlBft ^ttapt O^b .c(ii^9 i^eie nii^ed ^7 §mf^mkti' u J^neitiiic fittding himsalf oui of y« way ^jthe.4e8i|)|4lil^ pu«iti6dfov the secondy ,and aaJbi^ lUton. bad tftken a mrcoU to get below i^ l^aelliiig "|i«jed ftirsjt |!ii4 iell upon 4b^ plcquet in a boudeiy lici be kitledorloob> except two or three, attdduK iteaft«ri4i|ei ' 4^]^^ demrfble fedlaos coiitl- l^toifllrli jiboili tlii» dis^t bi^be^^ iiid ft^^ebi^ ~6ft Rp apl if«ild iip^oai sevK^^n^ ^ ildsp«9il|i^tbe«^irk|ftnd!; ^r 1^^ dtbera^ wdiiiidedv ^Tber wm' ' ■: ?*p ■ - ■•l?-' t:',fi :'i' ■,■ V M&. P list, 1813: Bddo#ii iie#ii9ie ^ night L.at i^i^ ijiled by Mum way a houi»ey , andv^ $it h$iM ftve dayt^foHtloiify and ny iirtKjjttiwi raff to path tbroncii the wood, renova all ohiliviD* )Woii8, and fepair i& roadi for our aoppliei, «irtillaf|'^ "^oao^i Ike. which was to lbllo:w; hut an ininlRb . toiliintable dHBcnltyoccuned whidti at once defied aH^ h^pan exertion. The drought had Wn uncomkony itad I had some doobta of the praoticabiUty of procor* ittfj^ wat|ntff of Odletown, La Cole, and the river Ln padkl wwe ^presented to me ai a aitre reaoaree, « / The troopi,, liowever, ao^pi diled tipthe, w^l|t and t ifings of Odletown, and the bedaof b^ Cole ii^ Dadia are represented^ froih authority not to Im^ i^iiestioned, to he dry. The troops begin to i^Hbr '^^ extremely, and the few cavalry and attulery horaea that arrived were obliged to be setit baclt to Qh*iii« pla(iny a distance of four mile^, for |NFf ter. The difl- cfulty began to produce eifeols the liidei tohe drei^edi ;,^ It was hot a time to hesitllte : the eeneral staff i^d cbmmaiiding officers of corpa were cawd togethmyaiid tliere; was but one yoiGe. ""h. Mr The jdhataugtf route Iras adoptfd; i^t waa dr^ tuitoiis, but (dforded water, andwas pl^ctidtdile in/ 1^88 time, all obstructions Iq the o^her considered. : The army fellback in the afteriiOOii of tiii !ll«t m4 picamped M Champlain. The Chataugy toad talEe| off il^ar tbis place, iVkii! the army will £atl|tfc6 oi| 1| seVen miles this afternoon. The bamge i8 qplir al^ t^ncing on it. I h<^e to arrive at Chatangy on th4 evening of the94>th. lean from thendd join y0u ,i^' $^ point you may advise on the St. ILawreifc^. H^j^ |i|^t is Cdgnawmgii^ opposite to Xa Cbttte^ id>Ov| \ forty miles froni Chatau^ and ten ih>M Mott^eiii, J^^^have txjf guides and iia&rmatioii t diiij^np^k Wit position will present three ^i^^. H^fl& hear ftom you I can take either or liloldllil^ as cir- cuiiiistances shull itidicaie^ ^l^y prai linrii^ to the anettoy | ' ■ '**-#; ^Ufefa* kfitf ilito ilkii cMkMioiiy ana will paM a#^' 1^ fidil io a^ aa 1m liaara ' titilyoii resiciiiff Us yon oif^^;- ? 18 MILES FBOM ClUTAtfflly -^ I hftd thit ndititng;^ at 8 o^lock, the honor to IlL I teite jodr letter of the I8th| and flndliic so nnektiiM ' ott ny hands, the idea has ooourNly that a great adt ^ ^litage may arise ftom a closer vfew of oar meaas, ^ and the clearest possible concert and understandhig : ifk their application. Of eve^ matter and thhif n^ ,<»pftting tOMune/cohyneV Alkinfon will sive yon as ftill ^In idea^ as if you had h^ wi<^ mel&r the last tVe ^a. When yon shaH hav« reflected Ihlly > tuiopi '^^m^ my arrangements and ideas^ your indica^vi ^n be nmde witn more precision ai»d conidence. The perflsct ratca^fs of the troops, with the eic^ Mon fsfnot a single platoony^has been a source of ovicb i^icitade to t|ie iiest informed among as. This «»li. Iicitode has not been removed by the jtrst experiment ;Eteiy ihllig was done, to.be sore, thiit oag^t t6 have jbeep dotie;1ont not In tWt t^jf^e Wnic& the exMinple of ,^$ SnelKng, a Hamilton, &c. ou^jhtlb hitve fosptred i« %i,t movements of even the li^ht corns. We want a nttle more mercury, in the ranks at least C^ you liot let me have the ist dragoons, and one move vete* >an battalion? At all events let me have Haae , % ■«Hlf»^ 7| ^ MUmuit ji^GmmiliMamptonydatea " WAR DEPf RTMENTj ■^: 4/ ' ; f^ The^ibnjtioti yoii hfive tiiken id Jbeiter calcttlifc!t| eiUt keep tttt the ^nem|f' s doobts With reeard to your ml jpoint of attack than iiiy otheh Mold Hfnui tiifl) we a^ppfoaete vou, Ih thiajireseiit state of the qiiHi ftai^ we oii^t i»»raii ho risks by separate attackt when cpmKite^ ones are practicable and sure. Ha^: ion been able to ^ave broken do\«rn the head of thel|^ lifeiioef and isei^ed the bank of the St. John's at thj| Bi^pids,yoiL would haVei bothe^^ MdeTably ; l^nt, on theA^hole^ the western moyenienii|: 16 be preferred ; b^use in it there is safeiv anicQji^^ ^^, ancl in <^e m^iUi time, enongh to render his a^ l^lHion to d^rent points necessary, and of course to |^e%np liis ^Mceslij a stiite of division. 'rv -"^fTPlie moment i^ei«iwsn^1eft the Uj^fp^rif of Ch^sapcii^^, r Or^erfid ^jej^^s with his battaiibn 0. 0ie lOui ibibihyoii. A biittalioh of the 3$d had simi-^ U£AD QUARTERS, CHATAUGAY, : ■»■' * ^. '■*- October 4, 18l4 1^ 0BAR9IR, 1 No change of importance in my affairs has 00 _., cnrred since my last, by colonel Atkinson ; but, t^, there are se^'eral of minor consideration, I have ju^idiiii tiiat a, detailed vitiw of them might be of some use, w| ihemomposed operations. ^ , . «)?£lie road to Plattsbdi^ will be completed to*day^ ' ^lidd is a perfect turnpike. The artillery, consisting Of B six-pounders, i twelve> and 1 howitzer, tolera^ •f< .;#"*' '•■■* ■ (I • ':i,n.U;>^ #mall «tock of ^rovisionsium iiaiid^ bui ha^is tlufliiOiA pointed assurance from colonel Thomavy the aiM^rtel master gi^n^ral, that a supply of sixty days of l^a4 and ftOmr will aniTe at once^ in the coarse of tlifee.0r Ibur days. I have only froin forty to fifty ramids of uUskei cartridges with me; but t^ convojr wiA nia)(« ihe supply an hundred, and give to the artillery iill!tt requires in reserve. The supply of salted provisif^iKli iifiil not exceed a fourth of the propiortion of 9awt\ but we have, ahd'Oan have, an unlimitted supply of fbod be^ cattU^ J^^idier gea^^ral Parker Is «| ^attsbarg hasiening^my supplies, and presiding py^ aome arrangements thc^t were thoii^t necessa^j^ I have directed the commeitcemetit of k mttif i0^r, oi* invasion of the lines, at and near lak6 Cham^ plain, by colonel Clark, who has some voluiiteers^ and brisadier general Fasset, ^our colonel) who 4ia6j^ at n^ instance, called oat his brigade of Qiilitia. The latter, I understand, torn out but badly, but ^ey Mil make togetlier, I suppose, froin IKK) to 1000 men* There has been inculcated by the artUtcet of the BH- tish, a shameful and corrupt neutrality on the lines, for tj'/e purposes of gain. I have directed t|iese of> fleers to break the truce. And should other means fail, to act the part of the mischievous urchiil, w|io, to get two peaceable tabbies at>< moiNjy^ ^h^ f^f M\ hold them up together by the tail. To be serious, it is reiftily time each individual should take his fide, and that traitors to either, should meet their due te^ ward. What I am aiming at, however, is tranquillity o$n the road, by kicking up a dust on the Ulios. It liirill also create a division at a proper point. Of Hop- llins's.militia, but about !S50 hav^ arrived. And im4 more than 60 or 60 of them have consented to paay ' the line. Such as refused, general Parker was au^ ihorized to keep on the lines below, and to ej^eite^ail gte otorm he could with them and the Versotttora, The chiuise of habit has produced nor« tlbkneia f'fl- :. ,-H fL 5 t-i ^■.. m im tl^i(liiii6eE^^^ ijhii plibeetaaQO; aiidi fin i^^rpid wiU llie enemy ia in consi^ iWe fJDfree a^cmt H^or 14 miles distant fie madf» aii^attaek on one of my out-posts with 300 or iM)Ovrel; eiHars, and as many Indians, on the afternoon of Uie l(rst Instaat, but h^ fell into bad hands. He found ^nelUng well posted i^ith his own and WoqVs corak l^beMtack was made, with Indians^, and the r egomrs lay in nmbush. H^t Bnellins dashed upon |hiem witib Ba^h mpidity upon their flanks, thiit they alt sk^ii^ pered away together. liieutenani Nash, of the d8d reg^ent, and one man was killed^ uid one^ounded* If the Indians lost any they carried them off. The Indians still hover about us snd «hoot at our sentries^ The Bt. Regis people are poor d-~ls^ i have written in much haste, and have neither tii^e for correctioiil.nor coding. You must take it for bet- ter for w*?■ ♦*.' .«? bavfB liad «|i intelligent desertet of tlte iiiiiliof €ftnft^n fiNioibleft. He stated the el^eitepg JhjRtelieiurasiii 8^000 men; but when pfut to tlie Se- li!l> ^ye iiiM Mo^s ; - - ^ iltb regifflent^two flank cotaipanies and part of a ba£Mi<>i^ • • . . . . 80O MnronV Fi^ench regiment, two flank companies, SOQ Gaiiadkn fencibles, colonel iUibinson, . iOO Ccrlodel Blikbqhiy^s connnand, yoltlgueri and . Indians and some fencibles, . . 700 ^0 baitteliens incorporated militia, . . 7<^ '^ and thanks to the storm and our snail- like movements down the lake, they will be there be- fore we can reach it. The mm(»Hvrt intended is losl^ '.? '' , ■> mli Ji J ^n" I 800^^ 7^. .t- ... Jt^ ■ troops^ iiiip^aiicij dM i^emy while .you remtflb ^ithm atrok^ of bim. l?iie ^^msitions Will pas^ ^e Bi Litvidr^ice >n^ " Gotean^tac, '^ ^ ^ ^ i, Yours, &c. ^ JOHN ARMSTiB)ONa t \ ■ r f -.: ,;« g^ ^ Major General Hampton. ||£AO QUARTEBSy FOUB OOR^ERSy ^ ^ J^Jovembisr 1, iBt9. v ' On tbe mbrning of the Sist ultimo ^e army eoitt^: '^nced its movement 4own tlieCShateaugay, l(^^ pu^po^ of placing itself in ft dtu^timi :i»'^iob ii^o^ enable ft to lulfil its parts of the propiosed combine^ operations on the St. Lawrence. An extensive wood of eleven or twelve mile§ in lh>itt, blocked lip with felled timber^ and covered by the Indians and light troops of the ^Bmy> was a s0^ rious impediment to the arduous task of opening n •tottA for tb^e^artilleiy andstoreSb Brigadier general Is&ai^ wi<|i the. light troops and olie re^ment of ;^e line^ was^etached early m^emerni^to ttnn ibm^ -K r' *rr vqi* tfr vV • ■.^ y'.t. »•,'.*-*» '* "f^ «»■ /.■ >•' '# i y*-: ntt^kiW, whiles t)^ 6tid^bto route tcf^k itmd. The metsaife, a»g^^)i^ , jseenbv the t^port df bTig^iet ^e?ai;is«rird,' Wliicli t %ye the honor to iiicloM, completely^ 00^ c^ededyHtkd the main b(Hly of the arthy reiu^h^d^^ ^vanced ^Uibik OB the Evening of the Sl^. Tfte ii»l and JNffli were employed jn tonpleti^g the roa^ tiod jettilig up the artilleiy and stores. '%1^ atran^dy At my 4epa:rtnr6) tinder the diii^- m of major Parker, a line of eoniinuftication an iUr' nnlhe Bt. l^^nrence as Oedetisbu^, f(ft the piirpm cl^ln^Bte^n^to me the earuest notice of the piogreiil ^ ouriurmy down. 1 had surmounted lweaty-j|il^ ]|kil0i of the most difficult part of the route, and t^fl ki advance of me seven miles of open counti^, but|l the end of tbat distance commenced a wood of soiie nitles itf exten^j which had been formed into an ^t^ abatis and filled by a succession of woodeU 1n«liit- woi'ksy the rearmost of whicb were supplied with ^^, tiance. In front of these d^ences were placed thl Indian ftirce and light corps of the etiemy, and in tliii t«ar all of bis disposable force. As the extent of this force, depended upon lus sense of danger ob tlpe Sip - i|^wrence, it w^ a cause of ri^gret that all comioM- (^ti(>niri^tii yourself or major Pkrker seeme^ to be at iM end. As it Was, however, beUevfld that tb« elie- i0^9ia hoUrlj; adding to his strength fulhis pOsitiOti, If ^(^frcktt the apprehension of di&nger from above^ an eilbrt was judged necessary to dislodge bim, lUM^ if |t sutccieded> we should be in possession of ii pO' sMcin which we could hold as loi^ as any doubts t^ miittied of what was pairing above, and Of ^ei^ ]pi0^ to^bfe assigned us. ^rguides asiiared us of a shoal and practical>le fbi^g^ace, opposite the lowerjanlli: Of the elnf$m^4 dfefbiicifeS; flind'that the woOd On th<^ ^opposite side of t-y. 'M^ %^:.. »#?**• i5 roil# r soiliie intli of ^ ^ 8 V » be ill c^ icalik i^ ot ^Iii9i9lice bis Mi«ck iiir^r, fu4,4|a|iiif|%^ «9gii«l|bjr tbe mrnny ^ f«ll on in (^t, %ii4,4j pelieve4 tbe pai|8 migbt be carrif^d Itefore v^ eHii^, dU^mt trQo^,^l4 be brougbt fqrwi^^ tpi|i >rt. ;biid retaraed to my quarters from Purdy* g coliiaim 11 t^q'^^M^i^i iiigb^wbe^^l^ C and exposed him to some losi^ T&ese attacks Were always repelled, and must ha^^lli' cost the eniemy as many lives as we lost. Our entire loss of killed, wounded and missing, does not excei^d fifty. In its new position within three mites of thf Enemy's post, the army encamped oii the night of the S6th, and remained until i% o'clock of the ^th. All the deserters, of whom there Were four, having coh- oiired in the informatibn thai sir George Prevost, with ^ree other general officers, had arrived with the whole 'of his disposable force, and lay in the rear of these de- fejaces, and a letter from mi^or Packer (by express re^ ceived on the evening of the Sdth) having informed ime that no movements of oUr army down the 8t. liawrence had been heard of at Ogdetisburg, ahd for some distance above ; the following questions were snb^itt^d to 4he commanding officers of brigades, regiment^ and corps, and the heads of the general Btaff^ in a council convened for the purpose : ^'Is it 1adyiseable,uuder existing circumstances, to renew the %ttack on the epemy's position, and if hot, what po- * ■.■ ..■*.-■ Lv..;;. r I » ..< ♦^•. « *;*y ' comt Teee&ire ildt^t of the a^wnce of i\m gnind I have the honor to be, With great respect, your obedient servant, . W. HAMPTOjr?^ The hon. John Armstrong) &: Secretarjr of War. S v.^* • 1 / HEAD QllARTERS OF THE ARMT, V JHstrkt JV*o. 9, seven mUea aboree (^dmshwrf^, November 6, 1818, in the evening. ; I;.address you at the special instance of ^ the secretalry of war, who, by bad roads, worse weftflber, iind ill health, was diverted firom meeting me near this place, and determined to tread backhis steps to Wash- ington from Antwerp on the ^9th ultimo. ' I ain destined to and determined mi the attack ^f Mi^treaJ^ if not^revented^by scmte a^ ot^o^ f ^d t^ .•v^ ■ y <■ ■'■•?*: ■y^^.^il 5?' (■' ii'l «ik> r«QBNM«il moat oo-operate with ibetiMif^ imiei ktertdiftte ^«rd«n. The yoliil of i«ndesvoa» .ii^'' file dicoiiif tauoe of neatoii interest to the iif ue ^s, itA^ Ofierttloei, tad the cUitance which lepenUeNiiy '^ wA my ignorao^ of the pi«(;ttoiihiUty of the dir0ct''o| dtvioui toftdt or i^utet on wl^ch yon minst nieid#; make k neoeiMnr tnatyoor oWn jadgmeiit should doi'. tmiiiie that ,^onii l!b assist too in forming i|i^« iOVDdesI determinatiim and to take the most proaiiP^ and eftotnal measures, I can only inform you of 'iljN^ intentions and situation in one or two respects of ihN% , importance. I shall pass Prescott to-night, becau«« Ihe •(Hge of the seaiBon will not allow me three dihrll, to take it; shall cross the cavalry at Hamhleton, wrnqT will not require a day, and shall then press fonnrard^ and break down every obstruction to uie confluem •f tMs river With Grand river, there to cross to the is Perrot, and ^rith my scows to bridge the i^rrow inn< channel, and thus obtain foothold on Montreal tslan^ at about twenty miles from the city ; after which, oUll^ artillery, bayonets and swords must secure our tr^« umph or provide us honorable graves; Inclosed yot^ have a memoraUdum of my field and battering trains preth^ well found in fixed ammunition, which may enable you to dismiss your own, but we are deficient in loose powder and musket cartridges, and therefore hope you may be abundantly found. On the suligec^ . of provisions, I wish I could give as favorable infor«i| macion; our whole stock of bread may be computed at aboht Id days, and our meat at SO. In speaking- on this sulnea to the. secretary of war, he informe^V me that ample magazines were laid up on lake Cham^-;^ ' ^|rlaln, and therefore I must request you to. order iloir-^' tiFard two or three months supply by the safest routeji in a direction to the proposed scene of action. : ;:■*-:■; I. > I, . • 10 Agre»4ii (^HikNiy itel if yon amiNil m fiKA^fi fe ike eiiemy yon (riioukl neet us M St Bodi^ If itividiiity. ^ ItfaaHexpecttplioil^ftoai^ifnottoteeyoil^ifttM ]»1aiQ0onai€9thorlOthiiiitaiit, ^^ * < S-ilr- Andhavethebonortoberei^ectfiiUyyl^. ^^| . JAB. WILKINBON. # ' To JKajor General W. Hftmptoii) Sec* ■^. , S. i was preparing AH express wbich ltikm(ia hiy,e despatchea to-morrow b|it for the fortunii^ call of oolonei King. ,^ ^. A copy, JOHN HOOMES, dii-de^emfi ^^ ^^.•? KBAP QUABTERS, FOUH CORNERS, November 8, 1818. 8IB, ! ;> 1 had the honor to receive, M a late hon^last ^ '^evening, by colonel King, your communication of the 6th, and was deeply; impressed with the sense drre<- sponsibtlity it imposed of deciding upon the means of our co-operation. The idea su^sted as the opinion of your offiders, of effecting the junction at St. Regis, was most plea- ' sing) Its l^ing the most immediate, until I came to the disclosure of the amount of your supplies of pro*;^^ vision. Colonel Atkinson will explain the reasons that would have rendered it impossible for me to have brought more/than each man could 'have carried upon his ^k; and, when I reflected that, in throwin^my- > • ■( / . ■ r'''--'-'^ r • ■tf" •' \i,':V';,.-'-'^': y ,.^., ..^. ■». . i , ■:> I ^^ A ^: n HI m your mcNrt virtnerable point, 1 difl not li^liUUl' ^Adopttke opinion, ftlter consnlting the geDemt luid* > ^ncipfil olioers, that bv throwing myself friick bn uy nuuu depot, where »l the means of transportetiontt haid gone, and fa.'Hng upon the enemy^s ilanl^.and'' * t\ttrainiB|^ every effort to open a communication firoiii Plattaburgh to Ooenawiiga, or any other point yoii «ia;f iadicatiB on the 8t. Lawrenee, I shoaldn dBBctqally contribute to your success than by junction at 8t Reg^is. The way is, in many pUces, blockaded and alu*^ ':iised, and the road impracticable for wheel$ d»r ' . ; ^intetf Lai, by the emmoyment of pack homes, it ]^ mm iio»t overpowered, I hope to be able to prevents ' your starving. "^» I have ascertained and witnessed the plan of eneiny is to bum and c^|ijppie every thing in our vance. ' T' My troops and other meana will bd described ilr .yott by colonel i^tkinson. Besides their rawness,^, and sickliness, t^i'iy have enuared fatigues equal to if winter campaign in the lat^ snows and bad weathin^ • and are sadly mspirited aiid fallen oiSi but, upon th||^ t refer you to colonel Atkinson. su b ject I must reter you With these means what can be accomplished b|^^ 4iuman exertion, I wUl attempt, with a mind devoted to the general objects of the campaign. A copj . W. HAMPTON. 7A- .ft JOHN H00mj2<«^, Aid-de>camp. To Major Gcineral Wilkinsop. . j' *• " i^' • i in the found genen tionpi rivl^ ' prdvfs .i *; ?1» ., • .» »•. ff cers, low a tionai by ch ■*■ -^ ^^-^Mfi,^-, ^i, a to r mthl . led hp"^ Bvoteo** ^^;■, .ti" camp. *'«■ M * *' ■«, .i|. ^i*iiC©3 November 1% 18iS« I bate the honor to iiielose the copy of a Itttter I T?ave Meeived firom geDeral WilhiiMoii, aod of ny i j).l]r. The forage at Chateaugy had been noail^ ^ ^ amed before the expedition down the river; mmI in the return of the army, enough only could he found to vuhaiit the hornet and team^ two or Uiree da^f^ All aecounta eonenrred in the fDport, tha£^. generll Wilkinson had not commenced his opera- tion* against Kingston, and that no dee«ient down the riv^was intended. Hence, the necessity for srnd- in|||»ff the cavalry, artillery, and orpvision team^ to^ Pl#|)sburgh for subsistence; ana hence alnOf the imMBsibility of a junction at l^t. Regis with mofe pruvtsions than must h^ve been consumed on the xck9k\$h to that place. General Wilkinson had no spttffs transportation for us; and the junotioh would^ havt reduced the stuck of provisions to eight nr t^n da^ for the whole. The alternative was adopted un^r the impression of absolute necessity. "fhe army has approached on this route to tho roijil leading to Chazy, a few miles from the lines^ where I shall join it to.night, I can only repeat what I said in niy letter to general Wilkinson, ^* that what can be accomplished by human exertion shall be attempted to meet the objects of the campaign.'^ , But I should be uncandid not to own, that many cir-' oumstanocs are unprnpitious. The force is drop- ping oft' by fatigue and sickness to a most alarming extent. My returns yesterday, report the effectives^ at little more than half their original state at Cha- ' t($augay ; and, which is more discouraging, the ofB<^ cers, with a few honorable exceptions, are sunk ait low as the soldiers, and endure hardship and priva- tion as badly^ In a word, since the shew, produced by clothing, movQinunts, &,c. has worn o% all have 19 *' ■_ , ft %i }'m ^•\ji ■*.,.';j.. 0' #■ "*: '* *' r? fc* ^fc': ■.;*^.. tpj ■1^ '<>', *■ iMumed Qu&r native ra#ne»«. Fatieud ,^ ine from Uie Weather have deprivea them, of that smntf which constituted my best hopes* .MThat eon- ndeince can the best office^ (and I have a few sur- passed bv none) feel nnder such circumstances ? It IS paiiifaVto hold up to you this picture^ but it is but too faithfhlly drawn. ,^.-^ l^e quarter master general has been order^^io pAicute on hire 400 waggons, and I shall attempt to open a communication on the direct route from the town of Ghamplain. Success, under the circumsti^Qes I have mentioned, must depend upon the efforts and force opposed to me. The Aemmstrationj howey^r, can but produce a partial good. ^ On the route I took, the enemy burnt and consuiipd every thing before him, and this I understand to1>e his general plan. If the same course precede .%he i^d Vance of general Wilkinson, and my feeble force should be foiled, the consequences are much to^Jie dvetded. But the Rubicon is now passed, and. all JM remains is to push for the capitol. ^ U ■ I have the honor to be, 1^ •■■'V-'-- Sir> -■ „> ';,:|; V4Bry respectfully, il , Your most s ad t^jbe cede.^%he ble force i<;h io.- ** #, ■ ■■' pf^hat lat eoA- ew sur- 68?^ It itUMt ' „ '* tempt to roni the a8tanc)es [Sorts and ( loweypr, lampion 1813; • rtnv nf j» ai wa- f •«. "i #*J 4^^ V-(ij». „.ii. £^] 110 insoti, by colonel Atkinson, whom I had sent to him ^^iiiforth(B piii^ose of settling die plan of our proposed T joint operations. Of the consistency of this letter ^Ivith that of the 6th instant, and my answer, or of :^ the insinuation it contains, I shall say nothing. Up- ^'^pftjli^pl a case, and an attempt so unworthvthe ; jbccasion, common sense will aJBTord every explana- ;^4ion I could wish. I shall make the necessary ar-^ rangements for placing the troops in winter quarters, ' liiiid commence my journey to the southward." :, k- 7 t 1: HEAD QUARTERS, NEAR fioRsVALt, (u. C*) • ; :^:^.^,^^.^i, ..-. .i.,^-;^ •,.>-__. Kovcmbcr i% 181^ I this day had the honor to receive your letter <^ the 8th instant by colonel Atkinson, and want lan- ^age to express my sorrow for your determination %ot to join the division under your command witii the troops under my immediate ordersi >t ; As such resolution defeats the grand objects of i)ie campaign in this quarter, which, before the receipt of your letter, were thou^t td be completely within our power, no suspicion being entertained that you would decline the junction directed, it will oblige us to take : post at the French Mills, on Salmon river, or in their vicinity, for the winter.' • i '^v^!:i^:-i'^y:^^^^'^^f^'0^' , . -•»' ■k'^tv.^-vt.i.Ihave-thehonorto be, ' ^^-#«^'#.'^^{%.'- v.';^»^^f^'-%';^- Respectfully, sir, ' ^"i^'ij'," ■''::'. j^l . ^ ^t^^VJx^i^^ most obedient servant, ' '"^'"^^'^ 'V.'"^;^9^}^^ WILKINSON. ■ Major General Hampton.' ^*'.:'-^^^Cv, ■''^^u'f^i^^P-^^M . -f.' ■■,M %:i 4,. . i "^ 'y^ . «■ ■.<■'• ■ €» .^'. ,; ^f'^f . ,-¥■:'•■ Ik' •'t a" \ > '♦ ■■ T f^ l> '.'"■* ii ' r- ■•■ ■ M ■ . ^_."V,, "^ '-'"C tl'; '•■V, ..-M* r *•• # ■■ •^. ■•W^ #• *" *., i.^'*'"/- ■:'^ M'"^ , •Si. ■ J . ' > • ) ', ■*■• . V •H > <*' '»; i>> 'i^^ .>^. It .»*, ■'' ♦ i ■y. I < * ■'*V:,-i-!%' *!' .' y. x>-^ /*f. ',» ^ 1 1, , , * \ ' ' i I i*' ^ ""•"^ ,■..- i \ \:'M vlj-j Ah ,■^♦1 '■%'. f; ■jf ^;*7-f .'»■ ' u,'4y : . ^ [54] *• G^rrespondence between the secretary of war ui4 major general 'ViTilkinion* Subfnitted to the president by the secretary of war* on the 83d July I and communicated to general Wilkinson on the 5 5th of August, 1813. , The time at which we have reason to expect an ascendency on lake Ontario has arrived* If our bppe» on that head be fulfilled, though but for a flihort period, we mtlist avail ourselves of thecircum- 8tance»to give to the campaign a new and increas- ed activity. M For this purpose our forces on the Ontario should be cimcentraiea, because neither section of them, as they are now divided, is competent to any great obicct. H: The point of concentration is more doubtful: l^t. If at fort George, our utmost success can but give us the command of the peninsula, which, if general Harrison succeeds against Maiden, will he of diminished interest, both to us and to the enemy: to us, because Maiden will more com- pletely cover our western frontier and control the savages than forts Geoi^e and Erie: to the enemy, ^cause Maiden lost, our inroad upon the peninsula, will but have the effect oi shortening, not of dividing, the enemy's line of operations; in a word, success at this point will not give to the campaign a character of decisvve advtmUige. 2d. If, on the other hand, we make Sackett's Har- bor the point of concentration, Kingston may become the object of our attack, which by the Way, will but be returning to the original plan of campaign^ prescribed to general Dearborn. - ' ■ - ». -r. *'■' A ■ •':•■•.■ I- ■ f • f / ■ .. • .I' .,»- «- .» .-T ~) '.j'^-g.tV-J^:. «» Cs*] fy^- This place 19 of much importance to the enemy, and wiH no doubt be^^ef^nded by him with great ■ obstinacy, and with all the resources which ean be safely drawn from other points. That it may be taken by a joint application of our naval ana military means^ is not however to oe ques- tioned. The enclosed diagram will sboW the number and character of the enemy's defences. His batteries on No. 1, cannot be sustaii)ed but ..4 bj* his fleet. These carried, he is open to i^ de- scent at No. 2 and 3. If he divides his force between both, wc oppose one half of his strength '^m with the whole of ours. If he concentrates at ,-«§ No 2, we seize No. 3, and command both the « town and the shipping. If he concentrates at ^f No 3, we occupy No. 2, and with nearly the ^ same results. Cotemporary with this . movemeipt, another may be made on the side of Take Champlain, indi- cating an intention of attacking Montrei^ the pressure of time, will prevent the dc^berat^ | cotisideration of it which its importance merits;^^ and therefore I shaft confine myself to a few brteC,; observations touching the project of the2^ult.^' Z Ist. If we command lake Ontario (without ^ w^h the project is impracticable), arid our ferce^^^ be competent to carry Kingston, the incorporation of our troops should take place at Sackett'l Har^ bor, and the attack be made as promptly as pos*> Ifyble. 2d. On the contrary, should our combined dis«> posable force be deemed incompetent to the certain and speedy reduction of Kingston, then it may be Referable to strengthen our force at fort Georae^ c|jt op the British force in that quarter, destroy tht "^ In^n eitaj^bments, and (should general Ifiar- ' H' f> K y [54] W-y . -'V ,j|-'i?s Tison fail in his obiects) inarch si detachtn^nt to capture Maiden. While these operations are pending, a bold feint or provisional attack on Montreal, by ina* jor general Hampton, will certainly call sir George Prevost to that place; and it is presumable, that seeing our movements directed towards Eriej he may carry his best tropos ivHh him from KingS' ton* ■ These suggestions spring from my desire to ha- zard as little as possible in the outset, and to sc cure infalliby whatever may be attempted, with the, intention to increase our pwn conndence, to diminish that of the enemy, and to popularise the war. ; After' pur o|)erations on the peninsula have been closed, we may raze the works there under your provisions, leave our settlements on the strait in tranquillity, and like lightniilg must direct our whole force against Kingston; and having reduced that place, and captured the shipping, we may descend the stream, and forni a junction with the column of general ^ampton in the nighborhood of Montreal should the lateness of the season per- mit, by which all our movements after the con- quest of Upper Canada must be governed. ^I^j - r To give general Hampton's movements a me- nacing aspect, and to enable him to profit by events, he should take with him a Jieavy train of battering cannon and mortar pieces, which will be found indispensable in the attack of Montreal; and to weaken that place, and to favoi* a pro- tracted season, I would advise that a heavy co- lumn of militia or volunteers, if engaged for three months only, should be put in motion from the vicinity of lake Memphramagog, to descend the river St. Francis, and take post on the right bank a t- &^" to 4|l [541 !tM.&ii:.l!IU im^ df lake St. Fetre, with a battering train of travel- ing carriages, organized and equipteitlier to keep post or retire when the season or other circum- stances should render experlient. .Before I close this letter, I will be^ leave to tdA\ your attention to several specific points, on which I require information and authority^ which I deem . essential to the salutary discharge of the high and solemn trust about to devolve upon me. '^?* ^^ Ist. A copy of the instructions to major general Itauipton, for my government in the correspon- ; dence to ensue between us. 2d. Shall 1 be allowed a private secretary, which is necessary, and of right belongs to the command on which I am about to enter? ''^ dd. I require permission to take for my aids de v^camp such officers aS are best fitted to discharge ^ the important duties of the station. ^ ^ 4th. I ask authority (or is it uUderstood that ^Bj^i possess it) to supply every defect of the muni- i^-t^ans of war and transport by land or ivater by Tineans of the authorised ageiits. ' / . ^ ^k I entreat that ample funds may be deposit" '|.^. in proper hands, to give effect to the depart- .*i:^ixient of intelligei)ce, without which the cbiet will find himself hood ivinked. ^ 6th. I trust no order of whatever nature will ^v be passed to any officer under my command, but <; through my hands. This is not only necessary 4^ to the regular conduct of the public service, but it »l^ is vitally essential to the preservation of soutid j^y subordination, and is conformable to the rules of 4 service in all armies, inasmuch as he who is re- '4- sponsible for all should have the control of all. 7th I hope I may be expressly authorised to . detach from my command all persons who may 4^ manifest a temper or dispo»tions to excite discon- . U-,"^ I ■I ft Ik' ' tents, to generate factions* or imbiiter the servicft: This is indispensable to put down seditious spirits^ * and to harmoAise the corps. 8th. Should we move against Kingston |n the first instance, the withdrawal of our force from fort George wiM enable the enemy ]to re occupy that point, and for a brief period to harass our frontier on that strait. May not the militia or a body of volunteers be called forth to. relieve the regular troops at that place, and prevent discon- tents and complaints. 9th For the maintenance of the necessary au- thority of the chief, it is hoped thb secretary of war will decline and forbid all correspondence with his subordinate officers, except in c^ses of personal grievance. lOth. f beg to be advised of the means of comr munication between our military positions, and particularly from Sackett's Harbor to Burlijfigtoni which should be rapid and infallible. > €lth. I ask authority to equip the whole of our borse artillery, and to mount the whole ^f our dragoons, because these arms will be foujad all important in evet*y combat which may ensui^. ^ A serious impressidn of the dread responsibility which awaits me, and a correct sense of the public expectation which accompanies me, must bQ iny i^logy for giving you so much trouble. With perfect respect, \ have the honor to be, ^, your obedient servant, . M. WILKINSON. v-^^'lUboorable John Armstrong, " ■.:j 'fttcrctiiry at wir. 'm'l ^wt y. -'^i^ '^ -mr SIR, WAR DEPARTMENT. ^-^ AugvfttSth, iai3. , ; I have given to your observations of the 6th iit^ stant all the consideiration they so justly merit. K The main objection to any plan, which shall carry our operations wide of Kingston and west- ward of it, is» that in the event of its success, it leavies the strength of the enemy unbroken; it but wounds the tail of the lion^arud of course, is not calculated to hasten the termination of the war, either by increasing our own vigor, or by dimi- nishing that of the enemy. Kingston is the great depot of his resources, and so long as he retains this and keeps open his communication with the sea, he will not want the means of multiplying his naval and other defences, and of reinforcing or renewing the war in the west. King$t fore, as well on grounds of policy as of militaiy principle, presents the jftr^ and great object of the campaign. There are two ways of approaching this; by di* rec^, or hy indirect attack: by breaking down the enemy's battalions and forcing his works-~or by seizing and obstructing the line of his communioa*^ tion, and thus drying up the sources by which he is nourished and maintained. Circumstances must govern in choosing between these different modes. Were our assembled land and naval forces compe- tent libhe object, a direct attack would no doubt be th^^orter and better way; but if, on the con- trary, ouiFstrength be inferior, or hardly equal to that of the enemy, the indirect attack must be jpr^-^ ferred. These considerations have suggested the third plan, to be found in my note •[ the 26d uU ! s i-'i'iii^-t..-'":; ■ *» m t timo. To give execution to this, I would collect my force at the head of the $t. Lawrence, make eviery demonstration of attacking^ Kingston, pro- ceed rapidly down the river, seize the northern bank at the village of Hamilton, leave a corps to fortify and to hold it, march upon Montreal with the main body, eflfect there a junction with Hamp* ton, and take a position which shall enable you to secure what you gain. On this plan, the navy would perform its part by occupy ing the mouth of the river, and preventing a pursuit by water; by clearing the river of the armed boats of the enemy; by holding, with its own, the passage al Hamilton, and by giving support to that position, ^f the ene- my pursues, it must be by land, without subsist- ence, (excepting what he carries on his buck) and without t artillery. If he remains stationary, his situation must soon become even more serious, as the country in which he is cannot long subsist him. It will then but remain for l\tia to fight his way to Quebec, to perish in the attempt, or to lay down ^is arms. After this exposition, it is unnecessary to add, that in conducting the present campaign, you will make Kingston your primary objeci^ and that you will choose (as circumstances* may war- rant) between a direct and indirect attack upon that post. I have the honor to be. With great respect, M^-j^ Sir, your most obdt. servt tS!S.; .: JOHN ARMSTR^G. Major general Wilkinson, '"^ ■f^j- commanding district No. 9. ■'?3i, «r • i*i-^.4 ,■ ■ ■ • In answer to thftJ; part of your letter of the dth instant, which calls for information, &c. on cer^ tain enumerated points, I have the honor to state: l8^> That general Hampton's instructions ato only tp assemble and organize his division at ourlings ton. It is intended that he shall operate cotent^l porariiy with you, and under your orders, in . prpsecution of the plan of campaign which has .be^n given to you. Sd. The senior major general cpmmanding the , principal army is entitled to the services of a .; private secretary. ^k The ordnanc# and other departments of sup^ ,. ply within tl^ district (No. 9) are subject of course to your orders. 4th. The quarter-master general of the army wilt supply the funds foi* s^ret service. 5th'. All orders to subordinate officers pass frontv the war department to the adjutant general, tot be communicated by him to the general com^^ . manding the district in which such subordinate officer may serve. '^^^^^^^ 6th. No specific permission is necessary for remo- ving factious or disorderly men. All such will properly - become subjects of the confidential re- ports to be made by inspectors. To detach sucli^ men from one district to another, is only shifV ing the evil; the better way is to report them for 7th. if the corps at fort Oporge be recalled, thci; works should be razed or, occupied by a force competent to hold it against an assmilt. There *2 19 r-,; ..L [3*J t, ,.tl^.. . I» 18 a corps of militia and volunteers (to whom the Six Nation Indians have associated the^n* '; selves) at Black Rock, which may be kept in ^ service. They are commanded by general Por- ^^ ter and Mr. I^ilrrish. [See the confidential let- '^ ter of general Porter enclosed.] 8th The secretary of war will decline and forbid all improper communications, and particularly such as mav bear any color of insubordination. 0th Besides the ordinary mode of commuillcaiion by mail, expresses may be employed in extra- ordinary cases. 10th. The dragoon and V' St artillery corps shall be made efficient. Hones may be bought for ^^ both. An officer from each corps should be d!- ^ rected to superintend the purchases. Pricp ^ (avenlge) not to exceed 120 dollars. I have the honor to%e, With great respect, Sir, your most obdt Servt. JOHN ARMSTRONG. Major general WilkinM>n, .commanding the northern army. ^vS^v .f ?i^*^#.tiV Sackett'8 Harbor, August tut, ISfS^- fIR, I arrived here yesterday: my machinery is in motion, and I have strons hopes of giving the change to sir George which will lead directly fiO the (Hnect of first importance' ttOl initi firi t*r lak( Ch( den tod dete Wo fort vorii suco meai be in onti eithei comn '• give I I sha suing ment. colun Geoi^ might saluta The ofwh shoulc fort would counte of man .a Mi- [A*3 Commodore Chauncey is in port here»nd his aoUgonistySir Suaics Yeo, at Kingilon: In the late interview s M^^een these naval commanders the first has zealously sought a combat, which the lat- t^ has cautiously avoided; the superiority on the lake therefore remains still to be settled; but I have Chauooey's assurance for it and place much confi- dence in his word; it is obviously sir James* plan ^ to decline a conflict; but on what ground I cannot deterojiine. Our schooner here will be e(|uipt and manned by Wednesday, and I shall sail with the squadron for; fort George probably the day after; I am endea* voring to draw sir George after me; but whether I ' succeed in this attempt or not, should our men and ' ' means answer report, and Heaven favor me, I wilt^ be in possession of Kingston, or below that place, on the 2dth proximo. Major general Hampton must not budge until . every thing is matured in this quarter, and we havoxf either got possession of Kingston or have cut its '^ communication with Montreal, of which I shall^ give him seasonable advice, via Plattsburgh, where ^ I shall calculate on his arrival the 20th of the en-"^^ suing month completely equipt for a forward move- f^; ment. If he changes his position and shows his ^ column west of the lake sooner, it may carry sir Greoige to Montreal and produce precautions which l[ might otherwise be neglected until too late for any '^' salutary effect. '^: The militia called forth by governor Tompkinij^; ' of which by the bye you gave me no information, '' lAiould not be arrayed before he hears from me at ^ fort Greorge, because the assembly of such a body would increase the alarm and put all Guiada in counter motion^ while iacidents beyond the control of man may intervene to procrastinate my more-- ■ ^.1 i I i- It [54J ^''K'*-' ...Ms and thus baffle the effects of the proposed co-operation on the side of Vermont: 8hciafd|iCorj)S-f of militia be drawn from thence, ho rooyertiei^t should be made by them, until general Hait^pto^* has crossed Champlain. \ ^ ^ ^^ tK^ 5 .It would be highly interesting to the pubfic^cfir- vice and extremely acceptable to me to see y^f^u It Niagara, from whence, should I find it practtcabli^' it is my intention to commence my moveii)i^EK^^ down the lake, about the 15th of the next mibnth^;- the best possible disposition for the safety of that frontier, and for the security of the vast mt^ss 6f ordnance and stores which I must leave there, may render your advice and authority indispensably ne- cessary to avert clamors and prevent any obstrue;^ tion to my prompt movement. With high consideration and rcfspect, k< ^ ''- * ^ I am, sir, your obedient servant, i JA. WILKliJ^SON. jt'^' «•-"*• Hon. Jphn Armstrong, secretary of war ,„t''i^+. i'fim. f/: ^ ' ■* „ ■ ''"•- ■ >v: '^'f^'f-^--:^^'k ^'Sackett's Harbor, Augtwt 26,- 1^^% ^ Cha.uncey will go out, he says, to-morronir or next day to seek sir James. I see the necessity of set- tling the point of naval superiority before we com- mit ourselves, and therefore, the decision cannot^ be had too soon. In the mean time the essential arhingements progress, and if the means can be mustered, they wiU ensure the end. . ^'^if' I feaf Yeo will avoid a contest to spin out the campaign^ and gain time for reinforcements, knd the oiigfl^ization of nulitint^ but if he will not. coiae ''!^'#**l*t V'V,ft!(i' ';«*..S'>*4«i»».w.-J*-«*'*»;J 'J* ■-..-..■'"■': ■-••5'. ;i •*rfS ' s AptQ|l * ic m^-- )fth»t ass 6f ;, may V .;a ow or of set- 5Com- :annot sential can be ut the }, knd come t|f out; we must .blockade him. I go for Niagara tl^e moment diir arrangements are matured here. Sir- George has actually gone for the head of the lake v^t/H^ a peinforcement. "To prevent his , playing ; tiricks with Boyd, I have sentpim (Buyd) the note of which you have a copy. On Saturiday, 21st, one hundred and sixty regur^ lar troops ascended by Ogdensburg to Kingston^ and on the 23d and 24th, they were followed by , fiVe hundred highlanders in their kelts. Who con- ducted up one hundred boats: thus we see that this ■ quarter attracts chief attention. All my efforts j will bei made to induce sir Georgei to draw after > him a chief part of the garris^cn of iCingston» which must now be near five thousand Strong. The sttuittion of Proctor and the irruption of our Indians have gone far to excite these dispositions. . Meet me at Niagara, if possible, and tor God^s ] sake press ori the recruits from Albany and the t southwardvand send me Wadsworth, Swift, Fen- i wick, and Izard. All things go well here, and s^ thank God, the men are recv)vering rapidly. I f hear not a word from Hi^napton. I hope he does j, not mean to take the stud; but if so, we can do, (t wUfaout him, and he should be sent home. 'tt^ ^ :,4- Tm}y yours, J A. WILKINSON, ^^s General Armstrong, secretary of war. , 8fe^ ,r ■),. ' SackeltS Harbor, August 30,4«ia w"^^ Extract of a letter from major general Wilkinson to the se« ^ cretary of war. - ff With every exertion he could; ^fike» it was not ;, «atU|he last eveflii^^ i, ■■I* 'V > ■ '14 ^54] T 1) • m\ \ .:■ m lind the weather being calm^ he musi'l^'^^^^h this harbor. Agreeably to my information, sir Jailies Yeo sailed for the head of the lake the 22d inst. with the two captured schooners in addition to his squadron, no doubt to co*operate with sir Georgp,^^ but did not get clear of the ducks before the 25tn. Brigadier general Boyd is warned of this move^, rrient, and being placed on his guard, he ought to bafHe every enterprise of the enemy— what an awful crisis have I reached. If sir Georgfe beats Boyd, and sir James, Chauncey, my prospects are blasted, and the campaign will, I fear, be lost/ If sir Geoi^e beats Boyd, and Ghauiicey beats ^ir James, Kingston yet may be ours; but should both tb<^ knights be beaten, and our quarter-master cah fmd tran^ort in season (of which I have fear8,:as I found next to none here) then we shall certain* 1y Winter in Montreal, if not discomfitted t»y some act of God* If t could have mustered three thdu- sand combatants on this around, with transport to bear them, I would now have been before Kings- ton, where sir George has left only one thousand five hundred regular troops, and about fivehuih^ dred militia; but our utmost force is ihort of twa thousand five hundrrd, as you will perceive froix^ the enclosed return, and we could not have found boats to transport one thousand. The enemy having determhied to change his system of operations from defence to oifence, is as-^ sembling his whole disposable force at the head of the lake to attack fort George; thus placing him- self at too great a distance from Montreal to give seasonable succor to that city; he certainly pre- sumes on our imbecility and we as certainly should take ftdvantage of his presumption Thct inilitia called lor should theicfbrel^ ii^Uxie*^ :.-*:. les Yeo It. with to his Jreorge^^ igfht to ^fc an \ beats ct^ar^ Jt; If iats ^ir dbpth ercati ire, as irtaSn- 1 some th6u-| 6rtto I ings- f tsand hum- ' tw^ ^^ from . )und > his irc- uld I nc* V. > %'-r.i: \ % V^^ A «'. [54] la* ^iijteiy ftiriiyeperation of our squadroiv safely occupy Madrid, and cut the communication of the two provinces with this division only, if we bad transports; but of this we are totally desti- lute, every boat we command here being at thia time absent with a detachment of eight hundred DUeh, .ordered to make a feint to the westward tinder pretence of reinforcing Niagara before I waft^. apprised of sir George's movements. ^ %/ -'.mc" Si% ^ftC;kett> Harbor, Atuf«30> 1813, ^o'clock f . it ^ , 1 have commenced, barely, the arran^ment th^ department of intelligence; an intelligencer "^ left Kingston or its vicuiity, last evening, to tell me > that sir GepigePrevost had commenced his oper> "^ rations aeainst Boyd, and had driven in Ms pir ^^ quets ana taken sixty or seventy prbonerSj bat had^ 'MiT**" '^>:-.r...^_... ■va <■ • ^!, io ? I-- „)l ibecin repulsed from his Tine of encatnipnlifit. ^1^ toilitia of Montreal are at King;8ton/and reihfpi^i^ meiits b^ single hundreds are arriving 'fr^queifii||/; four hundred riien Mre expected in the^obrse^ the week. ' The force at Kingston is 2000 men /regulars IdOO, iriilitia 500 ) Major general Darrachcom- mahidS, and they are assiduously stren'^rhenifig theiip wbrks. Sir Jahies Veb sAiledWitFi bixwo^^ provisions, expressly to co-operate witli sir Gfeprg^ itt the head of the lake; a double battle and 4 double victory offer a strong temptation; but 1 ^Sll not be diverted from my course. ' t have written governor Tompkins on the l^ubjepjb offt drtiift of militia for the strait of Niagara, to 8U|»- ply the absence of our troops of the line arti! pre- vent clamor, but have not been SO happj/ tis io re- ceive an acknowledgment of my letteh , . With perfect respect, .,k >j Your obedient servant, ■ JA: WlLKir^SON. The honorable John Armstrong, secretary of war. sen ordc Isle ptaci coui 0, f - '# ^mi •"^i Ji^''^.-hm .«*" War Department, Sept. 6, 1813, Sackett'a Harbor. DEAR GENERAL, I arrived here yesterday. Nothing pew, ex- cepting that Prevost has i^eturhied to Jtiiigstoq. Gen. H'ainpttoh will go t^btfeh the campaign coi^; dially and vigorously, l^iit will resign at j^he en^] of it. He will be Veady to move by tte 2uth wi|b' ah effective regular force of 4,000, and >i militia de- tachment of 1,500; Oh the stjppositibh that sir ■L3iW uLiMik ' • 'I " < ■ fhenihgj t week^ and 4 It i win to SU|(^ ndjire- iio re- Mi-'^r ;*•»!.*< m. Ic-' ■**»J\-':,*#; [54] »• .'S ■.■•..*.v.-%*-i/r JL-J. i^eorge had dec'idedly taken his part, and badcbOr sen the penimuta as his champ de bataille^I had i>jrdered Hainptdn to move immediately againpt the isjb aux No^x 2,000 militia will be promptly a«- sembled at Champion, twenty- four miles from this place, and on the route to the St* Lawrence. The pkce was selected, as offering two objects, and of course leaving his knightship to guess. To have pushed them directly to Ogdensburgh, would not have liad that advantage. A larger draft would have^beeii difficult. Another view of the subject i^ that this part of the plan cannot be confided tomt'*^ litia exclusively; they must be propped by arc^i^- lar corps, otherwise the back door may not besuCir; ficiently closed and barred. The battle on the lake! Shall we have one? If Yeo figbts and is beaten, all will be well. If he does not fight, the result may also be favorable. Yours ^j^rdially, ' JOHN ARMSTRONG. ^ €i:0|^ral Wilkinson. i >« /. ^J'l ,-T' J rbor. v", ex- gston* 1 COI^j end; iade* , ■ *-■)>- It str 1 " Extract of a letter from major general Wilkinson to the secretary of war, dated fort George, 11th Sept. 1813* ^ I ht^ye indulged the hope for several days past th^t I should have been enabled to address you in propria personee, but in this I have been baffled by a severe and unremittii^ malady which obliges me to resort to the pen of a common friend. > 'M reached this place the evening of the 4th. Commbdore Chauncey at that time occupied the ha^rbor; and sir James Y^o with the British squa- dron was vaporing in front of it. This state of things contmued without any material change, un- til the evening of the 7th, when a light laud breeze *3 /-.' ^^^^■t ' ' ,.. ^^^B^B •■.■'» ^^^^^^^^t ' ^^^^^^^^^^B ■ * ■ • ^^^^■^ ^^^^^^H -' J*- ^^^^^^^Hf > 15=. ^^^^^^^^^^Hlr 'V ' ' " ^^^^^^^^^■f ■ ^, : u 'C ^^^^^^^^^^v ■ :A*' ^^^^^^^^^|H' ^ "v ^^^^^^^^^Bs ' ' f-^*-.' . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^H r ■ (C i » ^^^^^^^^K ■■ ^^^^^^^^m 'i ' r ^^^^^^H V"- ^^^^^^^^^^^K . ■' , i f ^^^^^^H. ,' f- ^^^^^^^B; ' 1 'i ' ^^^^^M 1 . ^^^^^^B ; , * ^^^^H; 1 ^^^^^K \ ^^^^■' , , ^^^H i' ^^^^^H' L" ^^^^^^^H'l r^ ^B , ^^^^^^^^H' \ .f' ^^^H - ^^^^^^^^^^R \ ^^^^^^^^B ^^^^^^^^^^v >,* ^^^^^^^^^^^^n t'» , -f ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H , ^^^^^udH^^v ' ' ^ ^^^I^^^^B : ' ^^^^^^^^H| t . ^^^^^^^H I ' s ^^^^^^^^^^^^K ^^^^^^^Hv ' ' ^^^^^^^^^^Hl * ^^^^^^^^^^^^^■K I^^^^^^^B i ■» ^^^^^^^^^^HH ^^^^^^^^^1' 1 ^^^^^^^^^^HjK , ^^^^^^^^^1 ^ ^^^^^^^B I i ^^^^^^B ! : I" ~ ^^^^^^^^^^B , !"«■* ^^^^^HB J-u j^H^^HR : ^^^^H '£ ' ^^^^^^^^^M 1 • ' ^^^^^^^^^^Hfl il ^^^^H^HSj ■ :, ^.^■■^ ,*■ 18 [54] J^ir.- v5ffll l^ave to the commodore an opportunity of fitaricif- nig out to meet the enemy. The two squadrons were about two leagdes asunder, of con^qu^nce fln action appeared inevitable: yet so it has happen- ed, that, since that period, until about five o'clock, yesterday, P. M. these two naval armaments hiive Kept from 4 to 8 miles distant, without having esf- chans;ed a single shot, or done to each other the smallest visibm , damage. The British uniformly on the retreat, and the American in pursuit. " General Peter B. Porter left me to day, properly authorised and instructed to bring into operation a corps of the Six Nation Indians, which he pro* poses to increase to 1000 men, by volunteers from the militia, and is disposed to be busy 4nd active wherever he may be directed. ,^, " I hear nothing of brigadier general M*Clure, arid the New York militia. I shall mature my plans for embarkation, as rapidly as the difficulties which may oppose me can be matured; but we are greatly dencient in transport, and have not re- ceived a single boat from Oswego or any ^her place. Strong shallops and slip-keels are necessa* ry to the transport of the heavy cannon, ordnance stores, amrr^unition, clothing, &c. &c. '(iir Off stand- [juadroiis idequ^nce » happen- B o'olocky enis hiiye ftving cic- athcr the miformfy suit. ',propcrly operattbn hhe pro* eers from md active M*Clure, ature my difficulties but we ve not re- %x\y ^her : neeespa* ordnance ly things Ind 1 pra^ caught in lejiression .,■ ■^•:^ rant, Ion. ^:e-^ '(k^'ih {I. CM] 11^* £xtraf:t of a letter from general Wilkinson to the secretary of war, dated fort George, Sept. 16, 1813* ♦^ ' *^ I have escaped from my palet, and with a giddy head and trembling hana will endeavor to sCrawl you a few lines, the first 1 have written sinice my arrival here, ''With respect to the advance squadrons, we are still without one word of authentic informal tion, but we ar : entertained by daily rumors as Wild and extravagant as they are inconsistent and contradictory. I hope we may soon have an end of this state of uncertainty, which damps our ej?r' ertions, and retardsour measures. *? ** The removal bf the main body of the troops from this position is an operation of great, delicacy and interest; and it was therefore your presence here would have been more important than else*, where. • ■ ■ ;'^ '' I am not authorised to abandon this uselesi occupancy, and , therefore it must be maintained against the united British force in its vicinity; to secure the end, and nothing must be hazarded, will r^uire a serious drain from our best troopsi^-v which enfeebles our too feeble force for the main attack. The head of the militia under M^Clure has not yet shown itself: when it does (if in any reasonable time), and we have conferred, I shall be better enabled to developethe intricate path before me. But in the mean time» alas! sir, the season will, I fear, be lost. %! '' The Indians enter into our views with great zeal, and I look for a corps of at least five hun*.j dred men in eight days; whether to relieve De Rottenberg of five or six hundred of his eflfective men, before I turn my back on him, will be de- termined by considerations of policy in relation r^ to our red allies and the militia, and the fdi^ oi — / -AJ y.^\. .A--S'.^;j^ftj.t^^i. '"^w- f20 [54] ^.f Qur squadrons. The enenfiy profess to day a total iffnorance of the occurrence of an action betvveen l) the squadrons. ** In the course of sixteen dayii the ehemy have lost sixty five nden by desertion, we barely six. We count 4,600 on paper, and could shovir kbout 3,400 combatants. The enemy, from the best in- formation we hi^ve, have about 3,000 men on .paper, of whom 1,400 are sick. Shall I make a Isweep of them or not, at the hazard of our main object? Not unless that main object is jeopardised ^ by the fate of our squadrons— it would require an ;Dperation of three weeks; but my views are for- ; ward, and I shall not abandon the prospect whije a ray of hope remains. ** I have received your letters to the 6th from ySackett^ Harbor, and thank you for them. For your comfoit, the men here are gaining health, \ and, with their officers, breathe an ardent spirit ^^fbr combat." ^_^^'^ .4 '-I -,^ ^Extract of a letter from major general Wilkinson to the ac- ^]'., cretary of war, dated fort George, Sept. 18, 1^13. DEAR GBINERAU ^ Accident detained the express last evening, and gives me an opportunity to drop you another line. Not a word more of Ghauncey; what has be- come of him? Ipray you to decide, whether I am to move, with or without any further knowledge of the squadron. From the enclosed No. 2, it would appear that the enemy expect tranquil winter quarters in this neighborhood, for the number of barracks propos- ed to be built will not receive more than 1,400 or 1,600 men, including guards, ordinary and extra- "it. ^^y \y a total I between jrtiy hpve urely SIX. oW kbout le best in- men on I make a our main opardised •eqiiire an s arc for- ject while ' I 6tb from icm. For ng health, dent spirit mto the se- ), 1913. ■'*■ ith ' . '?■ ■■ - sning, and other line, at has be- •ther I am iwledge of ppear that ers in this cs propos- nl^or emd es^ra- [54] :« «.-a ui'.-< v^ V -^ vordinary, stow ihe:n as you can; but shall the enemy with jii fo> * miles of this place, making >^Jft wide investiture of it from Queenstown to Four Mile creek; or shall I break him up? with our pros- pects the decision is embarrassing; change the/n to the abandonment of the chief design, and our oourseis direct, viz.: to take possession at Burling- ' ton bay, and cut up or capture the whole division in this quarter, which may be estimated at 3,000 regular troops. I pray you to deliberate on these pomts and give me your advice without delay. , I have despatched an express to for general M'Clure, of whom I have heard nothing since my last; but to supply the defect of his si- lence, the enclosed copy of a communication from a committee of which P. B. Porter is chief, will fully suffice. I have responded in the most cour- teous terms, making reference to you for your de- terijdination on the momentous occasion, as you will perceive from my answer. Now let me in- . ,. treat you to weigh these propositions, to take into ^ consideration the possible failure of the militia and the substitution in such case of these volunteers; for in the present crisis, we should, if possible, ren- der ^ assurance doubly sure.** The letter of David ^^' Rodman (a stranger) is also transmitted for Consi- i^fderation: let me have your answer, and tell me 'how to act as speedily as possible, I beseech. The boats from Oswego have ndt yet arrived. 1 £tm feeble to childhood, but shalljgok at the ■# troops in battalion on Tuesday. i,>-*''~f Truly yours, J A. WILKIN sew, ? *yh^ hpivpilft^iie Johi^ Armstrong, Secretary of 1lriE^ri^.!^'|<. a§ '^W^ i-^tr-- 'W *^^^' !;%f^*.'; ^>%:f-v I. ■ '.>• tf■■^, I: •22 [54] Fort George, September 18) 1813. ^-'H^ SIR, I I am ordered by general Wilkinson to fo^Wi^rd^;; the enclosed papers. One, a letter from a com^itv ^ tee of three, of wbich P. B. Porter is the firet; and the other a letter from Daniel Rodman, the organ of an association of residents in and near Canan- daigua* ^^ I have the honor to be, ^ . . ' Your most obedient servant, ■- H. LEE, jr. major of infantry and aid de camp t^ [^ ^^ . major general Wilkinson. '■ ■■■ ■ . ' , 'fk-^ The honorable J. Armstrong;, secretary of war. vi Black Rock, September 17, 18 1 3. SIR, In consequence of encouragements from gene- ral Boyd, that a general and decisive movement' was about to be made by the army, and ^bat an additional force was desirable, we repaired to fort George about five weeks affo with 500 men, (con- sisting of volunteers, militia, and Indians, Most of us remained there for twelve or fourteen days, but our hopes not being realized, the men con-^ tinually dispersed and went home, not however without expectations, again encouraged by gene* rals Boyd and Williams, that we should be shortly called on again to aid in operations, which the people in this part of the country, so long harrassed by the calamities of war, feel so strong an inte^ rest in forwarding^ Dader similar expectations, a. m 1^:.:. 110' v4^ - .i i^::.y,: I r » ■ and rgan »I3. It an ^H ist ^ lays, sver^. icnc* ■ V. irtly ^^ the # «ed ,08, Jl; |Mv; -vjf,, ^rr^f^. [54] iM^ *. 28* ■# tttany ofour friends in the interior have intimated io us their readiness to join with respectable rein- forcements on the shortest notice: and we are ill- formed that one company, about 70 strong, is actually on its march, and will arrive here to day or to-morrow. We are at this moment much at a loss how to act, and our djfliculty is increased by tht* various rumors and conjectures circulated by the diffe- rent officers daily arriving from head quarters, some of whom I'cpresent that no offiensive ope- rations are to be undertaken on this frontier, but that the regular army is immediately to be march- ed, either to the east to. attack Kingston, or to the west to join general Harrison. Others state that an attack is to be made on the British forces in the Vicinity of this place. Under these circumstances, we are induced to inquire of you whether such a force as we have it in our power to raise is desired by you to efi'ectu- ate your plans, and if so, in what numbers, and at what time? If your object be to sally out vipon the enemy at fort George, we could bring you a respectable force. But, on the contrary, jf you meditate an attack at some other point, and the withdrawal of the regular troops from fort Gecrg^, and placing this frontier on the defensive only, by means of militia, we would observe that our prepared force is of such a character as could not be engaged in this service. ' ,-?l Upon the supposition that you intend to with- draw the regular troops from this frontier, we beg leave to submit a proposition for your considera- tion* We believe we are not incorrect in saying that it would require nearly quite as great a force to defend this line of frontier against a given force •'' > '24 11 i.^' [54] V ■■^, -: .-J, of the eilemy, as it would to attack and subdtie that enemy. Sir George Prevost ,has ordered the militia o! the upper province to be calle^ 0ut en masse. They are to assemble on Saturday next. And if, after your departure, the enemy opposite here should take it in his head to retain all his regular force, and pla^ off his skill against the inexperience of our militia, we might have oc • casion to fear a repetition of former scenes in the^ present war. Our proposition (in case of your leaving this place) is, that we be permitted to raise between this and the first of October a volunteer force of from 1,000 to 1,200 men, exclusive of Indians. That we add to it as many of the militia stationed on the lines as may be willing to join us. That we be furnished with a small train (say 4 pieces) of field artillery, with experienced officers and men to fight them; and that with this force we be authorised to invade the enemy's country. Shduld you think proper to confer such nn au. thority on us, and direct that the volunteers shall be furnished with arms, ammunition, provisions, &c. and receive pay while in actual service, we pledge our lives that before the close of the season we will occupy the whole of the valuable and po- poulous peninsula oppoisttc this river, and either capture, destroy, or disperse all the enemy's force in this quat ter. >* You may perhaps make it convenient to send an answer by the bearer, captain Hall. ^^ We are, sir, most respectfully, Your obedient servants, PETER B. PORTER, ^ i CYRENlUa CHAPIN, JOSEPH M. CLUER. Mai or ceneral Wilkinson. even '*>' ♦^> subdue »rdef«d e4 ptit ituVday enemy ) retain agaiiiBt lave oc ' s in the ing thh jctwccn force of Indians. Rationed . That I. pieces) ;er6 and :e we be h an au- «rs shall ovislons, vice, we e season 5 and po- id either y's force ; to send ER, VPIN, JEH. tt- , Canandaigua) Sept. U, 1S13. A large number of patriotic citizens of this and the adjacent towns, anxious to do their duty in a orisis so interesting to the nation in general, and to this part of the country in particular, have associated themselves to volunteer their services to the United States for the reaidu$ of the cam- paign at least. 10 order to effectuate their intentions however, it w^l be necessary that their movements should receive your approbation and sanction, and that thf.y should be assured of, ihat the corps, whether a qompany, battalion, or (as is possible) a regi- ment, should be received, organized, and counte- nanced by your order and authority. The late- nels of the season and the anxiety of the members induce us to request an early and authoritative reply, that the association may be equipped ac- cording to law, and be useful to their country thi$i season. It may ^t be hardly decorous for us to say it, but we must observe that the subscribers will prove to be obedient and brave soldiers. In their behalf, I am, respectfully. Your obedient servant, DANL RODMAN Major general Wilkin&on, or officer commanding fort George. if.; Fort George, Sept. 18, 1813. ^? , GENTLEMEN, |' Your letter of yesterday which reached me last evening, gives you a claim to my acknowledg- ♦4, . . . Iti4i;--ir4' '^. im :/ .*•;■' ments, atid ic^those o^ your cpuntiy.^ But as I am altogether unauthorised by la# of in^prli^ioti : to sanction your plan for the levy, of k, bdd^ of volunteists, and as your anticipations, projpQsi||ion8, and sugsestions embrace a rang6 and a chirabteir upofi Wnveh 1 have neither right nor aiAhonfy to di^iberatei, I have considered it my duty tb trans- ili^t a co|^ of your letter to the secretary pC w^r, m\f 9.t Saekett'^ Harbor, by expres9> u^r hi^ (k^- liberftUon aad decision. v'tn I hope he may find it convenient iind proper to meeit your views, and have only to add, that you ^haU be advised of his answer without a ixioitteiH^^ delay^ after it may reach my hands. With highconsideration ahd respect, ^ I have the honor to be, gentlem^ny Your most obedient servant, ^ * JA. WILKINSON? •%' ■ .<' ■, V . -■'.■■■ -\ ^. :■■ .. . ■ , - ,|Po Peter B. Porter, major Cyrenius ChapUi). ; ^j- .»; and Joseph M'CIure. 'f \ vet Sackelt's Harbor, September 18, 181d« GENEI^kL, :^ Our information from the other side of the Ifke amounts to this: Prevost goes to Montreal. The whole regular force in Kingston oonsists of ten companies of De Waterville's regiment^ that at Prescot of two companies of the same corps, and abopt forty artillerists. ti /Pe Waterville's regiment was made up in Spain, is composed of Poles, Germans, Spaniards, and Portuguese, and completely disa^ected. What a ^precious moment my friend is this. The commodore was brought back to us yester- :ji. ■:7 -r '. f» .*"■ But as I >dsi|ion8, ihiiraclet i\(m^^ to tdfrons- r ol war, >r his. |in Spatn, trds, and What a IS yester- m m* day by adverse winds. He goes- this morning*—^ let not the great objects of the compaign be ha- zarded by running after Yeo: these accomplished, his race if run. Kingston, or the point below isei;^- ed, all above perishes, because the tree is then girdled. In speaking of your artillery you do not include the< guns taken at fort George, and which will be necessaiy for its defence. Asmall garrison will be sufficient against assault: siege we need not dread. It is already too late to live in trenches. Pc^rter (of the lirtillery) would do well to command the placet Tell him from me he is a brigadier by brer vet. .■ . -^ The means of transportation arc now ^vith you, hasten your march, and may God bless you in all your enterprises. '^"^ Yours truly and always, ' .f General Wilkinson. JOHN ARMSTRONG. ^' # >. the BxtrilLCts of a letter from major general Wilkinson to :\ secretary of war, dated September 20th, 1813. I am wel) ^ain, and th;it*s a good thing, for I b^vebeen during my sicl^ness somewhat of a smdl- fmgw. Now indeed would be a fine time to slip into the St. Lawrence if Chauncey could keep sir James blockaded above Kingston and command the river below at the same time, and our prepara- tions were completely matured, but it is an hercur }ean task to extract order from chaos. No time hi^s or shall be lost on my part; but we cannot, when prepared at all points, control the winds.— r* {t w9§|{^t nig;ht only the transports from Oswego , -y- ^j-'^aa M-. ■Hi' ■'-■ ■ h- It- ..^l-- *•;■ •'r' irived; and tf I «n;i ip^ot harclly opposed by wea* ther» I hope I shiall have 1000 men afloat |>y the $6tb, and complete my embarkation on the SOth, after which until we reach Grenadier Island, I must look to our squadron and^ke h^aisens fot* ^fisty. ■ .' , , V:y^--^^> y Chaunceyr tells me he is liable to be blown off from hb station, arid in such caseSir Jamef^ may ,s}ip,out by jiimrbut promises to follow^him. ^Itis jbaSrial, to prevent the enemy from following and ctitting our rear, that scfme competent force should take post on the St. Lawrence belpw Kingston; and I pray of you to niake this arrangement with Chauncey. Before Heft Sackett's liarbor, I or- d^ed a dozen slip keeled boats, to carry 50 men each, and to row 30 oars, to be armed with alight 'cannon, in their bow. - ^; This armament is to sweep the St. Lawrence of the enemy's gun boats, and to takC/post in ad^ vance wh6n and wher'ever it may* be advisable. I beg you, if necessary on your part, to giVff effect to this ordeir. We have just received advice confirmatory of a naval combat on lake Erie, in which it is said Perry has taken the whole British squadron On the ilOth instant, and brought the vessels into ** Put- ney harbor at the islands"— his own v^essel, the Lawrence, barely capable of being floated. The action lasted six hours. This will cancel youi^ news froni our commodore. '' The enclosed letter from general M'Clure breathes a good spirit, but he will not be up for several days In the mean time I shall prepare his wders, to be ready to give him the command. ; A body of horse, a small one at that point ^ivherethe fate of the island is to be decided by combat (for believe not that we shall get possession of MontrcAl without a battle) will be invaluable. :'^ w >] Island, 1 av^ns foir blown off tines m^y ini.^ftis fwingand ce snould Kingston; nentwith bor, I or- y 50 men M alight wrtnce of >st in ad- adyi^ble. jiVjB effect itory of a is .said on 6i;irthe to " Put- essel, the d. The eel youi' M'CIure >e up for eparehis ;nd. at point cided by )ssession valuable. '.y- an re I hiMsbeen^ofdere|lfaenbe/oi^e i <».^*Ta), tp r^riikiC his cavsdry and ;|^rv|/<.i^ »iivti> Ibractiogi^ and I ^^11 order bim by e^preiss to*, morrow to, incline by indirect dilatory iriarche;? io- ^ards*l|#t)(iiUQn) there to look for further orders, somewhere about Antwerp or that quarter. From peni^ark or Champion lie is to advise the com-, mandmg officer at Sackett's Harbor of his moil^^ De Rottenberg is under the full belief that I mean to^attack him, and I siiMt keep up the delu* sionJis long as possible., ;, . The snail's pace of the reinforcemeiits approach* ihgtWs division, and pardon me, their direction and ;rou|:e occasion me surprise. Of what avail . ' !; be the detachments under colonels Randolph i . i Goles,* which are, 1 learn from Washington, ^Stt their marph to this place, where thej ciannot, or will not arrive before the ISth proximo. If these detachments had been ordered on by all the avaiFable water communications from Annapiblis to Albany, they could have reached Sackett's Har-" bor in season, and a column of 801) men would have been found ah important desideratum inpur inii pend- ing operations. Where also are the 1000 men f»eported to me by colonel Duanc as being ready for marcb be^'orc I reached Philadelphia? I must hope near Sackett's Harbor. I put t hese questioni to you that 1 may apprise you of facts, that you, with whom it rests, may apply the remedy, for I find we possess little military subordination or respect, and that a chief of an army is obeyed more trom courtesy than principle or professional obligations. I sendthis by the privateer Fox to commodore Chauncey, with a request that he accelerate its pro- gress to you. This place neither stops a gap, e^ '■'0^ ,* These corps arrived in time. •■*•, ♦3^ v-* . m^ ;-\^^;^ tends our ossess'toHs, por covei% op ]protoct9 a cpur^tpy; %th good for nought^ h\xt \(> cominiancl the ground it occupies, and therefore 1 ih^tt di^ matitle and abandon it EJ^ctract of a letter from the secretaiy of ytf^r tp major general Wilkinson) dated Sackett's Harbor, Septembier ;,^^^,i8i3. • .. > . ^' .V,' ".. I>EAk GENERAL, / Your letters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th instant have been this moment received; I hasten to an- swer them, The main object must be prosecuted; Chauncey is not broken down; he can apd vill command the lake, and while he does so, oiir po- sition at fort George may be maintained. If the eneipy's sick list amounts to one thousand four hundred out of three thousand, the enemy Can uiit dertake nothing with effect. In this view of the subject, close wUh P. B. Porter's proposition, made in the following words, viz.: " Our proposition (m case of your leaving this place) is, that-we be per- muted to raise, between this and the 1st of Octo- ber, a volunteer force of from one thousand to o|]ie thousand two hundred men, exclusive of Indians; that we add to it as many of the fnilitia stationed on the lines as may be willing to join us; that we be furnished with a small train (say four pieces -tf field artillery with expenenced officers and meq to fight them) and that with this force ^e be aur jthohsed to invade the enemy's country. Rodman's corps may join Porter. Any volun- teers you may have with the army, whose times are near expiring, and who are desirous ojf continu* ing in service, may do so also. We will cover the whole by a requisition upon governor Tompkin$ for additional militia, V I .\- :'.n.j'jilA.vXK^'^^A'^.-flj'.^l<^i9^.r^'-' ::a:-^ iinanci \H- I major, ► V»i ; ft ■ Y- '^-rf..* V instant to anr jcuted; i ym^ Itihf d foiii^ sanuiit' ofth^,' on i}m jerperrv Octa- idians; tipne<|: we be es -f. * mei^ 'olun- timeei itinuf« ;r the pkinft; , ;^ ■*, The cinemy'^ flcM have left? the Chesapeake^ I believe for mlifax, whence the land troops are to be sent into Canada: another motive for Cjuick movements. My last letters by Chauncey of the ISih or 19th gave you all we yet know. Prevost has left Kings- ton, it is said, for Quebec; more probably for Mon- tr^. Yours faithfully and ever, JOHN ARMSTRONG. NUgara, September 27, 1813, 6 o'clock, A. M. BEAR SIR, I received at eight o'clock last evening, your in-' tei^sting letter of the 22d, and shall employ itsau-' thorisatidns to the best possible effect. Fifteen hundred men were embarked with pniers l^^il the day before yesterday, but a strong east- erly wind has made it impossible to move. The whole force, say three thousand combat-, ants^ after deducting the garrisons of fort George and Niagara, were ready for embarkation 'yester- day, and as the weather is serene at this moment, I itope the whole may be able to move at dusk this day:'! say at dusk because 1 ani desirous to keep my neighbors under a delusion as long as possible; they are perplexed as to my interttions, and will not be able to penetrate them before they have discovered the course of my flotilla. I have authentic information from Yorl; the evening of the 24th inst. The brigade of militia in thi^ vicmity were required to assemble the 35th, and six^ hundred men of the 41st and 49th regiments, second battalion were daily expected there on '«.■ t*.' ^^ u^ ^ Vlif •j-,T« <'-.■ and sttili better three spacious block houses affc or- dered by sir George to be erected at Ybii!k. But sir, here is one drawback; ■^he'tonlalizing si r' James Yeo was inshore with his ^et on the e\^ning of the 24th, (Friday) about ttventy^ight ii)iiles cast of York. Where he is now, we know not)' for he has not since been heard o^ and Chaun^ cey is just sending out the Lady of th& Lake and the Neptune to reconnoitre York and tiae jcoast in that quarter. What may be the views of' the knight? to gasconade, to retard my movement, ot to enable De Rpttenberg to follow me? I*am un- able to divine, but will not be longer delayed, and, therefore, shall be twenty miles to the eastward be- fore to-morrow morning, should Ili6 weather pei^- mit. If Isir James can be discorit^ed, Chaunc)% will seek him, otherwise he will sail with nielto xjover my left (lank. . v : i^s wc have not a moment to loose, I dhall'ipro* deed directly to Grenadier* Island, writing ypti; and sending orders to the commanding oiTicer by a despatch boat> en passant. ^ After all we are so straitened for transport, ' that we shall not find room for more than fifteen days' provisions; indeed, we have little more to spare from this position, and therefore, our sole de** pendencemust be on the magazines at Sackett'i^- Harbor, of which the contractor should bepersoHr^' ally advised. Heaven protect you. Truly yours, J A. WILKINSON. Honorable John Armstrong, secretary of war. * I had determined on this point of rendeivous before I heard bom ff > '■ neral Brownt ^,..- ._; ..:', -.-''.'■■■ ■ " ' v "• ■■" < s, ,1 ■ '.V. ■'...t.,\.^,;.-Sf ■ ..ij., «^...:~v>v,.i .2,%. Dl the good^ are or- alizing on thc^ ir^ight t know ke and oast in or the ent, <#^ im un- d, an)(i^ er pei;- lunciby isportf^^ fifteen ibretp * Je de- ikett's , ;r6on' WJ^. im 3^. I kjs; T^ort George, October 2, 1813. DEAR SIR, Since my last of the 17th inst. I have had ditAf: culttes, perplexities, and anxie'ti&s sufficient to dit^^' compose a saint. '^ Commodore Chauncey hrving ascertained that the British squadron was on the opposite coast agreeably to the information I had given him, left port on the evening of the 27th to look for it; on the morning of the 28th we discovered our squa^^ dron off this place about mid channel, and standing for the York shore; about 13 o'clock, though very distant, we discovered it was warmly engaged, the enemy to. leewr^rd and scarcely discernable; we could) with our glasses, distinguish the Pike firing both her batteries, and frequently enveloped in smoke. The enemy were forced towards the head of the lake; and about 3 o'clock we lost sight of out ^ sternmost vessel, the action still continuing. Froir#' that period until yesterday morning I was kept ii suspenre as to the issue of the action, the wi'jd blowing a gale from the south east, and producing such a swell as made it impossible for our priva- teers to keep the lake, and of course my flotilla was confined to port with the troops, either on board or encamped on the beach. The evening before the last, our whole fleet (alone) were discovered beating down the lake: in 'Hj course of the night they came to off Four Mile creek, and yesterday morning the commodore prtsented himself. Our observations on the action were in the main cor- rect, except that the battle was fought by the Pike alone (or next to it) who having carried away sir James' mizzen and main top mj.8ts, his squadron bore up to protect him, and Chauncey was emi gagcvl with the whole. Unlucky fellow, be could have tb ken a schooner and a brig, but his eyes be- ■'■A -. \ '■ ■ ,VW. ''^'-'r.^'i-'^ 7 in^fiX'^cl on thd commodore, he would hot look at , smaller game. Finally, sir James, as usual, ran ^la^vay; was chased to the head of the lake, came to anchor close in shore; and the gale and tremen- -dous sea' threatening, in case of a continued action, to put both squadrons on shore, sir James with the British force assembled there, and Cnauncey into the hands of the enemy, he claweil ofT and came down to confer with me^ he has my opinions in writino:, and T expect his answer this morning. Early yesterday, before I had heard- from the commodore, the wind, for the first, becoming fa- vorable, I despatched all "^y batteaux, and as soon as I had ascertained sir James Yeo's situation, our sailboats followed; but, alas, before 1 oVlock the wind again came round to the south eadt, and seve- ral of our schooners returned, though a majority of them, and the whole of the batteaux proceeded, and I hope reached Eighteen Mile creek. I have been detained by the arrival of about 350 Indians, to whom I was oblige;! to give an ^au- dience and a talk, and 1 lodged in this place to see whether the enemy might look at it, and what would be the conduct of the garrison of 690 mili- tia and 800 regular troops, under the command of colonel Scott. We have just had an alarm, and being myself among the first on parade, I have wit- nessed a scene by which I shall profit Scott, before I leave him, which will be in a couple of hours, as, thank Almighty God, the wind again breezes, though it has rained all night, and still continues tp rain. Oh, if it may please God to favor us with this breeze we shall soon be near you, but it is in his power, by adverse winds to delay, and by tem- pests to destroy us. 1 move with about vS,500 men. Farewell, and God preserve you. ^^' JA. WILKINSON. ^ 'i^SW The honorable John Annstrong. ,/ ,,.., not look at B usual, ran ,ke, came to ,nd tremeii' nui'd action, nes with the auncey into r and came opinions in lorning* rd from the becoming fa- and as soon ituation, our [o'clock the tst, and seve- I majority of [ proceeded, :ek. of about 350 jive an ^au- place to se& ;, and what of 690 miti- mmand of alarm, an<^ I have wit- Icott, before hours, as^ ,in breezes, Icontihuesto ,vor us with but it is in tnd by tem^ 3,500 men. :iNSON. ..1 *■ 5^' tsfl tr'. Extract from the journal of tbe secretary of vr ^ 4th October, 1813. General Wilkiiwon arrivedii, at Sackett'd Harbor on thi<' day from fort George^. He immediately visited the secretary of war, in cbmpany with generals Lewis and Brown, and in the presence oi these officers remonstrated freely and warmly against making an attack on K^ings- tpn— urging the propriety of passing that post and of going directly to Montreal. " The . secretary of war differed from general Wilkinson in opinion, but thought his objections worthy of consideration, and proposed a meeting on the day following for that purpose. ,u "The meeting took place accordingly, when ge- neral Wilkinson presented the paper marked No. 1. That markeo No. 2, was presented by the se- cretary, and the opinion with which it closes was adopted as that which should regulate the move- ments of the army " I- i^.'-i. 1 ,1. •I JV-. a;, ■'• No. 1.* :'***- ■m^'mm^!%;' ■*etiii Reasons for attacking Kingston aii/ertortoa de* scent upon Montreal. 1st. We shall capture a garrison of 800 or 1000, and demolish a strong hold of tiie enemy. 2d. We shall destroy his naval depot and ma- gazines of every species. i . 3d. We shall by this operation diminish his force, destroy his resources, and place the division at the head of the lake, under De Rottenburg, in great difficulty and distress; and 4tb. We shall destroy every naval resource, arid of consequence prevent the buildingy equipping, and even repairing a single vessel. \ ' ''■m ' No. 2. ■4 1st. The Niagara division will probably arrive ere in a day or two. 2d. The weather is yet good, and the lake uavi* gable by scows and boats. 3d. The enemy's main force is in the neigh- borhood of fort George and his fleet at the head of the lake. 4^h. The garrison of Kingston does not exceed 800 or 1,000 men. i 5th. If we effect a landing at MTherson's farm, on the eastern side of Kingston, a point may be N»». 0.* ;\.*j.,'. r^.!l^^ifi(u v-^ ■5- >'•''--'?*? ' may cost and sick; I may as and find St.Law- le season, I the au- !ct of the \vn force retarded; the cam* tterly de- feat diflfi* bhe bono* RSON.: ■ .,#■■ >ly arrive ike navi- ■*',:' -'*^: le neigh- e head of }t exceed n's farm, may be *'n iSi] •M* seized, which will command the town, the forts, and the harbor; and within teven hours after th^ landing is effected a sufficieQUMittery may be erect*^; ed and in operation. w^a ►'" 6th. 9 and 12 pounders will be sulBcient for burning block houses, &c. and may be dragged by the men. ' 7th. The time necessary to reduce the place will not exceed a single day, and of course will not materially interfere, on that account, with our ob- ject below. 8th. The toss we may sustain can only be con- jectured. Judging from that at fort George, where the enemy were more numerous^ it will be incon- siderable. 9th l*he advantages of taking Kingston are two: you sever the enemy's line of communication, and you expel him from his only secure harbor. The premises assumed under the lst,2d,3d, 4th, and 5th heads may change, and our conclusions with them. ' The only safe decision therefore is, that if the British fleet shall not escapecommodore Chaun- cey and get into Kingston harbor; if the garrison of that place be not largely reinforced; and if the weather be such as will allow us to navigate the lake securely, Kingston shall be our first object, otherwise, we shall go directly to Montreal. JOHN ARMSTRONG. dackett's Harbor, 5th October, 1813. War Departipaent, October », 1813. DEAR GENERAL, ^• Does there exist between you and the commo- dore a clear and distinct understanding on the sub- ♦t " ' '.^•=i«f-v ;.AX. ti . - » *88 .[44] .:: ject of our plan of operations, and the kind and degree of assistance lie yvHV be Hble t,q fl^fe to itf execution? Can he ti^Hif position which shall have the effect of 8huttii)|l|p Yeo, and of covering our descent upon Kingston, and our subsequent move- ment down the St. Lawrence? Is it not probable that a part of the enemy'! fleet will, immediately on our appearance at Grenadier Island, occupy th6 passages of the river? If we can be covered in going to our first object, and should attain that, we may be able to dispense with further naval as* sistance; but should we fail (a contingency, which beine possible, ought to be regarded) naval aid will he necessary to the pr^ ^ccution oC the second part of the plan. As the iicci is^ wind-bound, and the commodore here, explanations on these points may be readily and conveniently given. Let me know the reault, and believe me Yours truly, JOHN ARMSTRONG. llajor general Wilkinson. 0' Head quarters, Sackett's Hi^rbor, October 0, 1813. DEAR SIR, The commodore and myself have hitherto un- derstood each other perfectly, and I think we shall harmonize to the end. He is ready to sail the mo- ment the wind serves; and you may rest assured that nothing essential to give effect to the open^ir tions of the army under my command, and to ac'-' complish the views of the government, has been of shall be omitted. Respectfully and truly yours, i JA WILKINSON, If* Honorable^JoIui Armitrong, s^^retar;^ of war,. *:K..: .M •; t ■ , i ■;' ind tnd re to iU all have 'ing our t movc- NTObftbl^ ediately 5Upy tho leered in lin that, iav»l as- \% which tvai aid B second ind, and Be points Let me ONG. g, 1813. erto lin- we shall the mo- assured opera- I to ac- been of lONii * [94] V». J90' Eitrtct of « letter from seneval Wllkhiton to the tw^rtiwrf of war, speedy con- centratioii of our forces at this point; the Niagara division had sailed on the 30th ult. the enemy's principiil force occupied a cantonment between mkts Erie and Ontario; his fleet was at the head of the lake, and bis garrison at Kingston, reduced to seven or eight hundred men. Under these circum'f stances, it was no doubt wise to decide as we did; that our first attack should be carried against that ^ace: but do these circumstances any longer exists t The expected concentration is but now effected, .^,. •i '.V ^4 .1 ♦ ,-f\ ,^ '4d i r i^-if JtSj' ' ' ' # _ ; ,-,*■;' . . . \- .1. >- «r.^.'",.,v,i;-- j^. TlBth of October) a reinforcement of I|5dD men has been thrown into Kingston; the Britishfleet bas got into port there, and our force, ftomdiseaseand other casualties, is, according to your statement, diminish* cd and diminishing. To reinstate and augment this, it is now proposed to order general Hampton from his present position at Chatauge, to MorrisyUle^ on the St. Lawrence. These places are distant up- wards of one hundred miles. A march of such length at this season of the year, and in the pre- sent condition of the roads, loaded as he is with a train of artillery, with means of subsistence, and with tents and baggage, cannot be performed un- der fifteen days, to which must be added the time necessary for giving the orde|% for making the ar« rangements preliminary to siich a movement, and for making also the subsequent one from* Morris: ville to the mouth of the Gaunanoqui river; all of which would probably protract the moment of junction till the 15th of November. Admonished as we are by the storms which have assailed us for ten days past, and which have not yet cjrscd, I cannot but think that a period se late would of itself be fatal to the project. i^Other circumstances lead to the same conclu'- sion. Beginning our operations from the i^outh Qf. the Gaunanoqui river, we shall have a march of twenty-four miles to Kingston, and through a country covered with woods, destitute of inhabit tants, and pervious only by two roads, which, without any interruption from the enemy, are re- prcseni;ed as nearly impassable at present. This movement (^unlike that originally projected)* can- not be made without the aid of horses, and a less number of these than six hundred,t including the ^''A descent at M:im:} tnenhas b»8got nd other imtflish' lentthis, on from rrisyUle^ itant up- of such thei prc- is with a ice, and med un- the time 5 the ar « ent, and ' Morris : ;r; alt of ment of ave not eriod ee concluw i^outh narch of rough a inhabi' which, are re- ' This d)* can- id a lesB ling the r Kingston- [54] 41*^- '-,•> 2d r^imerit of dragoolid, 19^ I undergtafid, d^Qti^-; ed insufficient ,.!]^f ow Ihese must be fed, and their ? provipnder di^yyi\ivbm Jliis placei, as the country .' between Gravelly poiiit and Putney vilje, affords none, . a:bd interposes a giv^mpy desart which shuts us out from the supplies of Rossie and Rayville, &c. Ah important cjuestioii arises hefe— can .the neces- sary forage be obtained from this tteighborhood? the qtiartcf-master general says " it cannot, that it ^ must be carted from Lowville (40 miles fdistant); ' and transported hence by water." Thesekfacts, ^' on yovir plan, menace our operations against l^ingl'- ton with a delay, which would probaiblyslrrrdliiiid us with all the embarrassments of aj^anadi kn win • ter, and extinguish every hope of grasping the" other^ „the safer and the greater object^ belou'i I call it the safer and greater object, brcause--^* At Montreal, you find the weaker pl^c^, imd the smaller force to enQOUnter: at Montreal, yoti meet a fresh, unexhausted, efficielrit reinforcement of Ipiir thousand men: at Montreal, you approach your own resources^ and establish betweeriyou and th^m jan easy and expeditious intercourse: a( Moritreal, ydu occupy a poiiht whioh must be gai|tf ed in. carrying your attacks home to the pur^s^s of the war, and which if seized nnw, m^I Sl^ve on^ campaign: at Montreal, you hold a position whn^ completely severs the enemy's line of op^ratiotifl; which shuts up the Ottawa as well as the §1;^: Lau- rence against him, and which, while it restrains all below, withers and perishes ell above tts^f. These general, are the thoughts which pit^nt themselves on your proposition, and which {un- derstand as abandoning, for this campaign, the proposed attack on Montreal. I am entirely dis^ posed to listen to all that caa be said on the otb«r^ side of the question, but at present, the jresi$o|)s ''X v- ■ ;',l o .-■■kk::"::(c. .*'■ 4:. .-/. i;^ ^grieii ^1^^ me no dp«tit ^f ^jlhic policy of ptrr- .f ^lOitM^^ prbrnptiy and firmly^j* the pl^n al^reiady in- I. fi^ ; i^^tea, and which, besklep the |a6probation of the ' j^resident, hiis received the'^ificii^ of a C4»iincU . 1 J 1 am, very resp^tfully, . Sir, your most obedient 8er\'ant, JOHiN ARMSTRONG. Major general Wilkinson. $-,■' *'4 •^^ V /../. ^ Ifead quarters, Sackett's Harbor, Octobf^r][^)lMd. ^ ii^AR SIR, ■ 'it ■■' ' ■ ■ ' '. , ,■■■■„•. ■ , •■ V i was about to emb]^rk for Grenadier Island, iVheii I received ^ ur letter of this morning, which (will endeavor to answer; my very feeble condi- tion, and4be wapt of time for reflection,. disqualify me Iroffi doing full justice to my opinions. ; . : ITou will recollect that va my letter of the 6th of August, I proposed to take Kingston, as prelimi- " * This irefera to the preceding p]an, approved by the. president on die 2^ July, and commuhicMed to general Wilkinson on the 5th of Atigust. f This couiKil consisted of generals WilkinEoni Lewis, i3row9, and Sv^artwout, and commodore Chauncey. Th^ opinion was unaniraous. * Note.— Before the secretary of war left Sackett's Harbor, and while k.^was deemed practicable, and was intended to carry our attacks agains*: berth K'injilkton and Montreal, be had one or more conversations with comm«dar» Chauncey, on the general subject of naval c6>operation. — 1'hese h^ pi^rHGtilar reference to two points, the place of landing; (in case I^ingston vfas the object of attack) and the degree of firotectjioii which the fleeft could be able to render to the debarkation of the army* The dUlCibs of descent indicated by the secretary wew three: XsX. M The mouth of the Gananoqui river, twenty-four miles ^/ow Kings'* 'ton, ^fhe commodore's answer was substantially as follows: that he would not take uppn himself the refponsibllity of covering the landing; of the army at the ^«< of these pomts, but th«t he wonld cover its landing at eitlter of the other two. > * (■ ■. . iready in- ion of the I cckineU ir Island, ig, which lie GOndi- disqualify IS., -) } ■ he 6th of prelimi- (ident on die of A\jgust. iirowd. and nanimous. anid while tacks agains*: sations with •operation. — landing (in of protectjioii )f tho army- Aote Kings- /ow Kins;S' It he would iding of the laiuiins at V . 'i. .i-V] /jN*^ •If' -^ ■■*: ' ■«>f „ nary to an attack on Moritri^al; you crffered i dif- fefchtopinipn in yoiir tetter of thc^tliV and oh my arrival here, I submitted t^q alternative to d. cpUtt- ^il of iviaj", whifeii d^E^dded in Ikvor of yoUr pliiii to leave Kingston i;iritoticfie<|» and proceed direld|' Qgi^inst Montrenl; \i\it tilt;(>rior cop4cieratioiis knd «n/0rma/ion* hjive Induced me to Adhere to itiy ov\* ginal plan. ■ r Permit me, previous to the discussion of the grounds of my opinion, to siibmit a few incidental remarks. , ' It is cjttrehicly doidatful what may bi^ the jpre^^^ sent force of the enemy at Kingston, and very urt-^; certain how ihuch our own force may havfc beei>^ ' diminished by disease, and the cas'^^ties attendr^- ing our movements- ^ rrom the netreat of Proctof before ^heralHar^* risoti, and the information received ftdtii cdlob^i Scott, I tMfik it probable that D^ Rottenbci^, wit^ the ef&ctlve& Of his division; hks, g(>die to rtinforc| Proct^f and that the ti'oops wl^cb have desc^nd% ed to IC^hgston consisted onty of the sick of that^ division. 1 My idea of recalling general Hampton to rcin^^ foite,ii$v was produced by an alarm with respect to the ififsufficiency of our force, which I found spreading; ahd the direction which I Suggested was founded on yeur own propositiont of tfe lSt|ir instttnt/ftt which time I utYderstood you to d0et the opiAion, that the march from Hampton^s tH* eampm«ent to Morrisville might be ^ccomplish^ t% si^ i&yif arid my own o^niod is, that by dis^m^i "': "■. = .. ■ ., ' ' ' '•■ R * This ulter'Knr informiatioh wks not communicated to the secrtury of^. t What lik yMett caUed a prppotitim was bnt a quettioa, nabetbfr tb^' nmcb mAi iv pirfai-fiud in tix day^. General W^ answered inthe oeija^^ tivcjand fdvised that general mmptpn jsl^td ))

#- ,r*» [5*] •t« barrassingHKasiTf (Tmr^Hlei^ ifid its attirail, perhaps he mighl be able to make the march in that time, or a few days more. My reasons tor prefMng the attack of Kings- ton to that of Montreal, afe these: By the reduction of that place, we conquer a province, not only of great impdrtianc6 to the ene- my, but a Valuable acquisition to ourselves; we capture or destroy four thousand of his best troops; w e ^lit: an end to the Indian war, and by the des- truction of his naval force, establish our cottimand of the lake, and permit a respectable part of our naval force to be employed elsewhere, e On the contrary* leave Kingston, its giarrison, and thd British squadron in our rear, and proceed to 'Montreal, none of those important objects will be gained. Theenemy will remain in undisturbedpos- sessidVi of the province, at liberty to exercise his en- terprise against this frontier at discretion; for it is a fact, however, opinions may vary, the resources o( the province are adequate to the subsistence of his army. His haval superiority on the lake will be re • established by the opening of the spring, the Indian depredations may. be encouraged and continued; or should he prefer it, he may, on the opening of the campaign, leaving sir James Yeo triumplmnt on. the lake, with a suitable garrison for the pro« teccion of Kingston, descend the St. Lawrence with his main force and fall upon our rear, while: we sliall be engaged in front, admitting we succeed in establishing ourselves at Montreal. ^ . ^-Having passed Kingston, the fortifications at j^j^escott may present such ari obstacle to piir fur- ther progress, as to compel us to land anjd reduee it by force; an operation which may consume more ^ioe than can be spared at this advanced season. I speak conjecturallyy but should we surm^oimt • 1^ ■rt 'jiTiC;-;; >-• . J5- \" ■ .!'■ IS attirail, march in of Kings- sonquer a D the ene- lelves; we sst troops; y the des- ::ommand irt of our garrison, 1 proceed ctd will be irbed pos- ike his en- for it is a iources of, ice of his v^iUbere- ie Indian ontinued; )ehing of Limphant ■ the pro* encewith vhile we cpeed in itions at our fur- i reduce ne more season. ;irn|9Uiit ^[541 :*/% 45** , every obstacle in descendin^jthe riveif, we shi^t ad- vance upon Montreal ignofeini of the forpii arrayed against us, and in iase of mtsfortune, having no re* , ^reat, the army must surrender at d]scro^ion.\ . ^,, ^ I will barely addy that as the winter, commences' at Montreal by the 2Qtli o( November, shoulcl Wi be delayed 6n the route by any untowar4 inci- dents, our embarrassmeujt^ and perils will be gresi^^ ly multiplied. » r^^,, '^ I offer these results of iriy frail judgment with a consciencious regard to the public good. I ani bi- gotted to no project, and therefore anri willing to yield my own judgment to that of others. 4k personal considerations would make me prefer .^li visit to Montreal to the attack of Kin^ston^ but ;-'before I abandon thi&attack, which by my instruc- .^tipiis^ I am ordered to make, it is iiecessary^ ^jnfiy Jw«<«^on Kingiion, ahd even indicat^tl tiie iAode of ^ti*!^.;. ^ ■•" attarlc*' Ifwc examine ^f.i-»eral"^:Vilkhi#^ of the 6th of August, wc iiad that he provisionaUy*^;* adapted th«t opinion antflf ^r« n^erer to the letter |- , of the secretary of vv,ir of tKe 8th, sofar'from eic* *^' pi-eisiVi^g a different opimou, we dfscover tha^ i^iw ^ tit ranted the gen?Talto choose betvvet'n a dir^ti^tand^ an imHreci attack on that post It ^va» i vtthere- feiCjEtny differmce of op\imnbcXwaeii tl\e secreta- ry ijui th'i general that was stfhmitted to the c'our^^tl of war, as stated in the preceding ^letter, bil ;he mere alternative presented by thfe iHstruc- ^ lions of the letter, the simple choice Betw^e^n the two modes of attack. . ;' >< SIR, War Hcp^rtinent, October 20, 11^3. I received your letter of yesterday by raSiJcir liCe. You appear to liave written it under aft im- pression, thi*.t your instructions of August last made a direct attack upon Kingston unavordable. A copy of these instructions is before me, and in the ia5tt paragraph of them we find a summary of their substance. It is as follows: " After this ex- position, it is unnecessary to add) that in; conduct- ing the present campaign, you will make Kiftgi- ion youi* principal object, and that you will choose, as circumstances may indicate, t ween a direct ^^and ■■>#•"■ " last able, d in ry of Is eJt-.' uct- odeis^^. and k.taU A. iV' #*■ ■»„f; in ^ _ your rig^ 9f cbibice, or ip am^^d^^ lessenTng" y ouf< reapd^ibi lity . ^oi* am / tiow dl liheriy to change jM^t^^ ^ since thppnly etfe^ pf l)ii»;WOMld be, 'ok(in ordii, and with considerable loss. 'On > our plan, ♦^"^ey have eig!iiec:n other miles to go on the open lake, and Tii^ah of this distance unc^ the eye of the British fleet, is it probable ths^' * Con. Chauncey declami he v^ouU not ta|(e the res]J0n8ibiiity of covering the descent of the army if mad : at M'PherBon's farm, bthn the lown. . ,,^,„ i,, ' './U.^ .v^ ^#>' '-' ^# 48 [54] ^^/ i:. , out scBt^ will' bfc able lo navigate this remaining r distance (at a season and under circumstances so l^nl^vorable) in better order, or with less loss? f Theso are the best thought*, I can oiIer> and it onfy remains to add to: them my best wishes for ' your army and for yourself. >^ JOHN ARMSTRONG, . Majbr general Wilkinson. .. i^'- Lady of the Lake, off Sackett's Harbor, . October 24, 1813. ^•^■-c SIR, I was at Grenadier Island the day before yes- . terday, and found the troops dropping in so slow- ly, that I determined to return, hunt tnem up, and ^ qiiicken their movement. My presence at the Harbor was also necessary to have clothing se- lected to cover numbers of our naked men. I will say nothing of the horrid condition in which that place wjta left. Colonel Coles has arrived with upwards of t\yo hundred good men, and expects about eighty more to*>day. Randolph and Scott are expected at Oswego, nine hundred strong. I have contrived to rig «i«id send off ves- sels to bring up six hundred of them in season for my movement from Grenadier Island, which will " not be delayed one instant unnecessarily. The ' people at Kingston appear to be much affrighted, firing theii' alarm guns on the slightest appearance. fJ. N. has returned, and if he may be credited, De '^Rottenberg has not arrived, and all the force they * can spare is spirit down the river to take possession of, arid fortify isome critical passes. My health continues, unfortunately, bad. 1 have the honor to be, ■4 ir'^Vii|'-l^;sr: l^ ■'**■ Jlost respectfully, Sir, ;,-^ « Your obdt. ticpvant, '-^'4' JA. WILKINSON, « '"J,.' x'""^ *■':' '•[?*] i' <* -, 1 1 * . 4r Extracts of a letter from niajor general Wilkinaon to the secretary of war, dated Grenadier hland, October 39} 18ia. « I send you thiii by an 6xtra aid de cainp> cap- tain Xourse, to relieve the anxiety to whicli yoii^ must be subject} in the impending eventful mo^- jiient." , '*The extent of the injuries to our craft, the cloth- ^' ing and arms of the men, and to our provisions on the <; passage from Sackett's Harbor to this place, great- \y exceeded our apprehensions, and has subjected us to the necessity of furnishing a supply of cloth- '' ing, and of making repairs and equipments to our flotilla generally. In fact, all our hopes have been very nearly blasted; but thanks to the same pro- vidence which placed us in jeopardy, we are sur- mounting our difficulties, and, God willing, I shall pass Prescolt on the night of the 1st or 2d proxo., if some unforseen obstacle does not present to for**, bid me. I shall expect to hear from you at IViur- risvilte, where colonel Swift is to meet me, and to guard against chance shots, I wish wrgons would be held in readiness to receive our powder and field ammunition, at a suitable distance above Pfescott" > * " I keep up the delusion here; and the enemy, about sixteen hundred strong, exclusive of Ave hundred militia, are in daily expectation of a visit at Kingston, yet they have taken post, I urider- stand, lit Cornwall and the coteau de L. No matter: once passed Prcscott, and our bayoiiet| and sabres shall remove all impediments." " The inexorable winds and rainis continue to oppose and embarrass our movements; but I am sei^/K-?g on every moment's interval, to slip into the fc}vLmTence corps and detachments, as they cart be got ready. Our rendezvous will be in Bush *7 m ■m €^ J^d!} liil^A '^M [54J •# -^ -. ■ — - . - ^ - . . . . . . ■ ^ creek, about twv^nly miles below, and nearly oppo- sitr to Ganunoqui, which position menaces a de> scent on the* opposite shore. 1 shall sail from that p r .M t four o'clock of the morning, and will j> i'V V c'scctt about the- same time the ensuing morning " " We have had such a fluctualion of sick and well between this place and Sackett's Harbor, that it is impossible t*^ "- v in what force we shall move; but I calruidtc on 0000 combatants, exclusive of Scott and Randolph, neither of whom will, I fear, be up in season, notwithstanding all my arrange/ ments and exertions to accelerate their march: they are both under provisional orders for Ogdcnsburg." s • 1- f^^ ,, WAR DEPARTMENT, Denmark, October 30, 9 o'clock, P. M. DEAR GENERAL, ^ ^' ^, 1 this moment received your despatch by cap- tain Nourse. I rejoice that your difficulties arc so far surmounted as to enable you to say with as- surance when you will pass Prescutt. I should have met ^ou there; but bad roads, worse wea- ther, i-nd a coMsiderable degree of illness admo- li vhed »ne agaii.at receding further from a point where my engagements call me about the 1st pro^cimo, The resuluti n oi treading back my steps was taken at Antwerp, nmd communicated in a letter fiom that place by major Lush. I wrote a sins'c line to you to-day, giving the for- tunate issi :• " H f^rison's business, and his arrival at fort George wi>h M' Arthur's brigade. If Vin- cent be within the peninsula, Harrison will root him out Jt remains with you to sweep the rest of the line before you. Montreal taken, what are Pr tici Ma ^ ' '■■ ■ -4] SI' •-;„4 -"f < < ply oppo- ct'8 a de* rom that and will ensuing sick and rboi', that all move; [jlusive of ill, I fear, arrange- irch: they ensburg." k, P. M. by cap- iltics arc with ag- I should ^rse wca- ;s admo- a point the 1st [ack my inicatcd .ush. I the for- arrival If Vin- i\\ root Ithe rest 'hat are Prescott and Kingston? Give Hampton timely nor tice of your approach, and of the place and hour of junction. Yours sincerely, ^ JOHN ARMSTRONG. Major general Wilkinson. s«-.;, ^t'5#l? Extracts of a letter from major general Wilkinson to the sertetary of war, dated Gienadier Island, Nov. 1, 1813. f ** You will perceive from the duplicate under cover (letter ot th< 28th of October ^ what were my calculations four days since; but the winds and waves and rains and snow still prevail, and wc have made several fruitless attempts to turn Stoney point, one of them at great peril to three thousand men, whom I seasonably remanded to the i irbor without the loss of a life. Our sick, on hundred and ninety-six in number, have not fared as well: they were embarked in stout com- fortable vessels, and sailed the day before yester*'* day morning for Sackett's Harbor, but they were J 'n on shore by a storm, which continued with uinemittmg violence all night; and as no exertion could relieve them, I anticipated the loss of the whole; but the tempest having abated, and the wind shifted from S. W. to N. E boats Vr ere sent out yesterday morning, and Dr. Bull repoi is the loss of three men only. Other means oi trans- port will be provided to-morrow, and these un- fortunate men will be sent to the hospital at Sack- ir eit's Harbor." *' Brigadier Brown with his brigade, the light ar- tillery, the riflemen^ the volunteeis, the gun boats, Bissel's regiment, and a part of Macomb's are, I t: I f •52 [54] expect, lafe at French creek, with the artillery' and ordnance stores. These corps ha\ e made the traverse of the arm of the lake under circum- stances of great danger, though fortunately with- out the loss of a life, but at the expense of some buats." ^ 1 shall wait one day longer, and if the passage should still continue ixnpracticable to the troops, 1 will land them on tne opposite shore, march them across the country to the St. I^wrence, and send the empty boats round to a given rendez- vous V ** As major general Hampton is und^r your or- ders, permit me to suggest to you what is worthy of reflection — whether he should take a position and wait the arrival of my command near the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Grand river, or Whether he should move down the St Law- rence and menace Chambly? If he is strong enough to meet sir George, the latter will be the "preferable plan, because it will have the effect to divide the enemy's force; otherwise he should adopt the first idea, hazard nothing, and strengthen my hands." ^* The enclosed eopy of a memorandum from colonel Swift will show you what he is about, I flatter myself, to your satisfaction. The sole un- pleasant circumstance before me, is our total ig- norance of the preparatuma of sir George, and what we may expect to meet on the island. I fear no consequences; but it must be painful to lead more than six thousand men to battle hood- # winked; and yet all my efforts to procure intelli^ ./ gence from Montreal have proved fruitless." ♦fi- V ^■«' i [543 A5* I aiiiilcry' made the ' circum- ;e1y with- ) of some le passage ic troops, 'Cf inarch ence, and {\ rcndez- ' your or- is worthy I position near the and river, St Law- is strong ill be the ; efTect to le should trengthen lum from about, I 5 sole un- r total ig- )rge, and filand. I minful to ttle hood- re intelli^ fss." Jk&xtract of a letter froin the secretary of war to general Wil* kinsoDi dated War Department, 1st November, 1,813. ' "Prcvost will perhaps be found between the ro- teau dc Lac and the Isle Perrot. If wise, he will attempt to fight yuu before your junction With Hampton. Avoid this, leave nothing to chance that you can settle on your own terms. A junc- tion with Hampton enables you to give the law." :*'* Extract of a letter from general Wilkinson to the secretary of war, dated Grenadier Island, Kovcmbcr 3, 1813, 7 i o'clock, A. M. '* The troops and squadron arc at lust in t)ie ri- ver, excentiag Macomb^s regiment, with which I shall join tWem by 10 o'clock, as the weather is propitiotis. Extreme illness^ and the arrival of colonel Randolph with 230 men, kept me here last evening. We shall be encamped at French creek to-night; will take to-morrow for final organiza- tion and arrangement and the next day cither puss Or prepare to tAke Prescott; by preference I shall liot disturb the p|aee, because I Iv^ye nQt.|/iine to .4'-:, S;^'. spare "'(Extract) Albany, 12th November, 1813. DEAR GENERAL, *'^^^.^^- '.■'i *5lj)*.< My accounts from and of you are of the same hdate. Neither come down lower than the 3d in- stant. These left you witji the reserve tit Grena- -dier Island. ^ Qeneral IJaniptoi) has made a tnotrement to- wards the ^. Lawrence. After feeling and skir- mishing with the enemy, he retired again to the Four Corners, until he had notice of your approach. w 'v.'^ f 'S4 [5*1 1 hastened to inform him by express (who would reach him in 48 hours) that you were in motion; that on the 5th you would pass or take Prescott, and that on the 8th you would be at Hamilton/ whence he might expect to hear from you; that he must put himself again in motion, and take a po« sition which would enabis him to join you, or which should detain the enemy on the south side of the river. If Prevost, on learning your ap- proach, quits his present position, and re- occupies the north bank of the St. Lawrence, Hampton goes on and joins you.s If he remains on the south bank, he abandons Montreal and even the road to hi ^ capital. In the fulness of my faith that you are in Montreal, and that you have both seen and seized on all the advantages that the errors of an enemy may have given you, I am, '"^'^^ J\^!^^Sppar general,. • '^" :' . ^: W^i^'^ i • s it^* I -i-^-. Cordially yours, '-. -^ .^.w ^,-..:. .,...^ ^ j^ ARMSTRONG. . >,>.. Major general Wilkinson. < ^ "^m Extract of a letter from major general Wilkinson to the secretary of war, dated French Mills, Nov. 15, 1813, It is a fact, for which I am authorised to pledge mj'scif on the most confidential authority, that on the 4th of the present month the British garrison of Montreal consisted solely of four hundred ma- rines and two hundred sailors, which had been sent up from Quebec. What a golden, glorious opportunity has been lost by the caprice o? major general Hampton. r y; '^ ^'\ < .^v- - ■ > the 13, A ;dge is' t on ison ■~i- Ima- ,\__ leen ,,'^ lous ,3\ < 4jor .o [54] b^o r;* ead quarters^ f^rench Mills, adjoining the province of t. Canada, November 16, 1813. i^, ■Vti^i SIR, I beg leave to refer you to the journal which ac- companies this letter, for the particulars of the movement of the corps under my command down the St Lawrence, and will endeavor to exert my enfeebled mind to detail to you the more striking and important incidents which have ensued my departure from Grenadier Island, at the foot of lake Ontario, on the ^d inst. ^ The corps Of the enemy 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 about and put an end to his teazings;but alas, I was confined to my bed. Ma- jor general Lewis was too ill for any active exer- tion; and, above all, I did not dure suffer myself to be diverted a single day from the prosecution of the views of the government. I had written major general Hampton on the 6th inst. by his adjutant general, colonel King, and had ordered him to form a junction with me on the St. Lawrence, which 1 expected would take place on the 9th or 10th. It would have been unpardonable had I lost sight of this object a moment, as I deemed it of vital importance to the issue of the campaign. The enemy deserve credit fo: their zeal and in- telligence, which the active universal hostility of the male inhabitants of the country enable them to employ to the greatest advantage. '^I'hus, while menaced by a respectable force in rear, the coast was lined by musquetry in front at every critical pass of the river, which obliged me to march a de- tachment, and this impeded my progress. ^ On the evening of the 9th instant, the army Jialt- -**• •Mt ■ i ,«•' 1 ■ cd a few iniles fi*om the head of the longue saut. .^ In the morning of the 10th, the enclosed oiderw^s issued. (General Brown inarched agreeably to or- der, and about noon we were apprised, by the re- port of his artillery, that he was engaged some dis tance below us. At the same time the enemy were observed in our rear, and their galley and gu'i bbats approached our flotilla and opened a fire on us, which obliged me to order a battery of eighteen pounders to be planted, and a shot from itcom- pelled the vessels of the enemy to retire, together with their troops, after some firing between the ad- vanced parties. But, by this time, in consequence of disembaiking and re-embarking the heavy guns, die day was so far spent, that our pilots did not dare enter the saut, (eight miles a continued rapid) and there/fore we fell down about two miles, and came to for the night. Eaily the next morning every thing was in readiness for motion; but, having re- ceived no intelligence from general Brown, Ivvas still delayed, as sound caution prescribed I should learn the result of his aifair before I committed the flotilla to the saut. At half past ten o'clock A. M. an officer of dragoons arrived with a letter, in which the general informed me he had forced the enemy, and would reach the foot of the saut early in the day. Orders were immediately given for the flotilla to sail, at which instant the enemy's gun boats appeared, and began to throw shot among us. Information was brought me at the same time, from brigadier general Boyd, that the enemy's troops were advancing in column. ( • immediately sent orders to him to attack them, ^^his report was soon contradicted: Their gun ,^oats however continued to watch us, and a va- riety of reports of their movements and counter- movements were bi'ought to me in succession, ■:/f i". * ■ .1 i ic^*k4%- e saut.. ler wj^s ' to or- Ihe re*- medis -^ enemy ndgii'i fire oil ighteeii iLcoiti- jgethcr the ad- quencc yguns, lid not [rapid) es, and g every ^ing rc- , ! was thpuld imitted o'clock I letter, forced he saut y given neray's y shot at the hat the mn. ( i them. eir gun a va- ounter- cession, 5i* w\tich cotiViiMied mb pf Ihibir 4et^f tninatipn to t^ zard an attack when itcbiiM be done to the ge^ est advantage, and th«^refore I detecfiiin^d ^ ^ti- ticipate them. tyiced^k^m» Vnei^rf!^ by that4Kstinguished'dffi€er^ (^tpnel S^ift, of the engineers, to tHgadlet* genepai Boyd to thro^ the detachnoent of his .clf^iAm^nd^ assigiied to J^irri in the order of the preceding day, and composed of men from his own; Covington's and Swai^woiit's brigades^ intb three colbmnsj to march upon the eneniy, otU fifiiik ti^im, if poSsU)le, and take their art'fUery. THe iietf^fr soon after commenced witli the advanced body of the enemy, and became ex- tremely sharp and galling; and with occasional pausesj was sustained with great, vivacity, in open space and fair coinbat, for upwards of two and a half hours, th'^ adverse lines alternately yield> ing and advancing. It is impossible to say with accuracy what was our number on the field, be- cause it conslisted of indefinite detachments taken from the boats to render safer the passage of the saut. .Brigadi0r generals Covington and Swart- wout voluntanly took part in the action at the head of the detachments from their respective brigades, and exhibited the same courage that was displayed by brigadier general Boyd, who happened to be the senior officer on uic ground. Our force en- gaged might have reached sixteen or seventeen hundred men, but certainly did not exceed eighteen hundred. That of the enemy was estimated at from twelve hundred to two thousand, but did not probably amount to more than fifteen qr six- teen hundred, consisting^ as I am informed, of detachments from the 49th, 84th, and 104th re- giments of the line^ with three companies of the voltigeurand Gtcngary Q^orps mid the militia of the country, who are not Included in t)ie estimate. It would be presumptuous in me to attempt to ■♦8 . F m "II 0' ■,'". i" ,'-;-">.-':^ ■ i'. . giV^e you a availed accpupioftbif affair, which ccr- fitainiy Reflects lii^^ hoi^pr on the valor of the Ame- lyrcai) soldier, as^no diiraple can be produced of ^undisciplined men, with incicpenenced officers^ = bWrT^ a^ ^re ot two hoifi|i^ ^nd a halfy^vithout . quittiiTg the fieMy or yieli^ng to th^= antagonists. Btiti fc the inferniatii^^^ ^f now give you i& de- rived frbni offfbers of iriy confidence, who took active pi'rts in this conflict; fbr, though I was en- abled to order the attack, it was my bard fortune not to be able to lead the troops 1 commanded. — The disease with which I vi^as i^assailed on the 2d of September, on my journeyjio fOrt George, ha- ving, v/lth a few short intervals of convalescence, preyed on me ever since; and at the moment of this action, I was confined to my bed, and emacia- ted almost to a skeleton, unable to set my horse,^ or to move ten paces withoiit assistance. I must, however, be pardoned for trespassing on your tinfie a few remarks in relation to tl;ie affair. The objects of the British and American com- manders were precisely opposed; the last being bound by the instructions of his government, and the most solemn obligations of duty to precipitate his descent of the St. Lawrence by every practica- ble means; becau. e this 'neing effected, one of the greatest difficulries opposed to the American army would be surmounted. And the first, by duties equally imperious, to retard, and if possible, pre- vent such descent: He is to be accounted victorious who effected his purpose. The British commander, having failed to gain either of hii. objects, can lay fio claim to the honors of the day. The battle fluctuated, and triumph seemed, at different times inclined to the contending corps. The front of the enemy was at first forced back more than a mile, and, though they never regained the ground thus Tost^ their stand was pci^nianent, and their charges "4^■ res do of coo this ing t54] ■"i.:v> , 5flf* ■if'' ichcct^- 3 Ame- iced of officers; ^vithout gonists. I i& de- lO took ivas en- fortune ided the 2d rge, ha- iscence, nent of emacia- y horse, isiing oa e affair. n com- t being nt, and ipitate ractica- of the n army duties c, prei orious lander, an lay battle t times t of the a mile, d thus charges resolute. Ami^it these; cbavges, and near th6 close of the contest, w^djlost a fipl4 piece by tlie ftij|, of the officer vvho was scrying it wfth th(fe skmi^ ' coolness as if he ha,d4)een at.a parad^^of revi«\iE^Vj this was lieutenant Smith of ^he Ti^ht artillery', wHo f in point of merit,; stood at the, head of his grade; ' The enemy havingthalted,^ and our troops beirig_^ again formed in batta!^a front to front, and the'}^ firing ceased on both sides, we resumed our posi- y ; tion on the bank of the river, and the infantry Ije-.^ ing much fatigued, tjievvljole were re-enibaiked,' / artd proceeded ddwnlh'e rivci without further an-^ ^ noyance froin the enemy or their gun boats, while) j^^ ( tiie dragoons* with five, pieces of light artillery,i;v ^ marched down the Canada shore \yithout molesta-^* tion. \ .... ;^r;>:y. ,4j ^ It is due to his rank, to his worth and services,^* V that I should make particular mention of brigadier general Covington, who received a mortal wound v ^ directly through thebpdy, while animating his men ^^ and leading ihem to the charge. He fell where 1" ' he fought, at the head of his men, and survived buit4' two days. ' :y -rfi',M^W:0-;^':^''^^^ The next morning the flotilla passed through the| ' saut and joined that excellent officer, brigadier general Brown, at Barnharts, near Cornwall, where he had been instructed to take post and wait my arrival, and where 1 confidently expected toliear of major general Hampton's arrival on the^v opposite shore. But immediattly after I halted, % colonel Atkinson, the inspector general of the di-^# vison under major general Hampton, waited on ,% v me with a letter from that officer, in which, to myi(c unspeakable mortification and surprise, he declined ;;1| ? the junction ordered, and informed me he was ] J marching towards lake Ghamplain, by ^ay of co* 4^ v operating ift the proposed attack on Montreal. \ This letter, together with ajCQpy of that to w^ici* ^<\ •ao [54] . ,1 ",.f \{ 1. :^ it i^ an answer, were immediately submitted to a eoilQQJit of war, ;4^|npo8ed«pf my general officers, ^dNE^eolonel cdliimandillg the elite, the chief Wineer, and the adjutant > general, who unani*- ^n^ously gave it as iheir opinion, that /V the attack ,^bn Montreal shduld be abandoned for the present ^season, l^nd the army then near Cornwall should ,, l^i)e immediately>cros8€d to the Ameicican shore for \ taking up winter quarters; and that this place af- ' ^rdedan eligible position for such quarters." a^^, l| acquiesced in these opinions, j^ot from the fshortness of the stock of provaions (which had ' been reducedliy the acts of God) because that of \^ our meat had been increased ^ve days, and our ' 'bread had been reduced only two days, p.nd be- ' , cause we could;, in case of extremity, have lived on i^ -the enemy; but because the loss of the division un- . der major general Hampton, weakened my force . ^too sensibly to justify the attempt. In all my mca* * ' sures and movements of moment, I have taken 4 the opinions of my general officers, j which have '^been in accord with my own. .'* I remained on the Canada shore until the next ^ day, without seeing or hearing from the " power- '- fill force" of the enemy in our neighborhood, and , ' the same day reached this position with the artil- '^lery and infantry. The dragoons have been or- dered to Utica audits vicinity, and I expect are ^fifty or sixty miles on the march. • You have under cover a summary abstract of .^the killed and wounded in the alfair of the llth , y. inst., which shall soon be followed by a particular ^return, in which a just regard will be paid to indi- 1 vidual merits. The dead rest iii honor, and the i wounded bled for their country and deserve its ""'gratitude. ^' With pei'fecfc resp^t i have the honor to be, sir, k ypur obedient humble servant, J A. WILKINSQN. The honorable John Armstrong, secretary of war. ^m: \ L54] *"■** tted to a [ officers, the chief o unanio be attack le present 11 should Bhore for place af- from the hich had se that of and our , p.nd be- e lived on irision un- my force my mea- kve taken lich have the next ** power- lood, and the artil- heen or- xpect are • bstract of the nth particular d to indi- and the cserve its to be, sir, '"?:,%'# :^ i'\ '-'T I I und 5 the ►wler Ran- adier f the nmo- Law^ took ;han- V our d the rench under •on of boats p can- ' soon cted a, i theiri down# ornt*/ d onei- nnel, and>s d to ablcd ill dv; • |h the Igene*' ;d in ^hore, ig in final E54J 63 fiOt under way, and without accident f?) I (Jown^Anrf landed early in the night below Morrisvillc. Thq general suspecting' he would be followed by t)a,c, enemy, as in the morning hiy course had been/ discovered by three of their look- out gun boats ^ and a gig, and knowirig that two of their armed schooners could jeopardize his n^ovemciit, gave orders for the flotilla f:o pass Prescott^ then sevea miles below him, in the course of the night. But some confusion occurred arising from the novelty of the movement, and the order was counter- manded. November 6thi This morning the health of the general appeared better; he ordered the flotilla to,., descend to a point within three miles of Prcscott; and the day being fine> got into his gig. and pro- ceeded to reconnoitre the place. In the mean time, the powder and fixed ammunition were de- barked and placed in cart'?, to be transported by land, under cover of the r.ig* £, beyond the enemy's batteries. As soon as the gen > oxveJ lddel^ ssagc fifty ilhout :d by I shot ^n, on flotilla lotiorit >pened iint to out of touch- were whole led the colonel general nander >cen to general h£id no jor ge- chief), t Sack- return, al Wil. mpton. of this n, with ivision :e, and ited by expo- •quence pi ces of field artil- ^ that the coast be- .lusquetry and artil- [54] • -^m- 6Sf ft-.' found himself ill.* In passing Prescott, two of our largest vessels, loaded with provisions, artillery, and ordnance stores, either throt • h cowardice or treachery, had been run 'nto liie river near Og- densburg, and opposite Frcsc tt. The enemy kept up so constant a caunon?"' ^ on th*»in, that we found it difiicult, and lost iia! , lo get them out We perceived the mil ria us at Johnson, di- rectly opposite us, an lery in motion. Undei low was lined with posts v lery at every narrow pass of the river, colonel Ma- comb was detached about one o'clock with the elite corps of about 1200 men, to remove these obstructions, and the general got under way about half past three o'clock. Four or five miles below we entered the first rapids of the river, and soon after passing them, two pieces of light artillery, which had not been observed by colonel Macomb, opened a sharp fire upon the general's passage boat, but without any further effect than cutting away some of the rigging. Lieutenant colonel Eustis, with a part of our light gun barges, came within shot of the pieces of the enemy, and a cannonade ensued, without injury on either side. In the mean time major Forsythe, who was in the rear of the elite of col mel Macomb, landed his rifle- men, advanced upon the enemy's guns, and had his fire drawn by a couple of vidcttes, posted in his route, on which their pieces were precipitately car- ried ofE The general came to at dusk about six miles below the town of Hamilton, where lie re- ceived a report from colonel Macomb, who had routed a party at a block- house about two miles below, and captured an officer. November 8th. This morning the ilotilla fell down to a contraction of the river at a point calU *0 '■^"**i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4^ ^ 1.0 1.1 1^12 £f BA I 25 2.2 ^ -^ lllll£ 1 l.25|||,.4|||,.6 •« 6" ► V] yl ^ -^ ?> ^;; «^ > ^ y PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 4^ ^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 -<},'■ ) _,, :':■" -■:M\'^^ .,*.-,., .......... - ■■'■"'■"A. ?■ ■ .-' ;?■{#/. ''' ' ' P ' ■ . ■ '-.'■''-'!■ J- "_..' . '''."^■'■' ' ' y^' \;-.:^,\ : .^:%. :' - _ ';>■ ■ \:'-^ • ' ■ ,'" ^ :#' '■■ '\ ' ' J ■' -■-■:■-.- '■y .-.. '■' ..''': *:-''■■-■■ ; ■ ■ ,f\;^ _ - ! r**^; '00 [3<1 ei^ 'S White hpu$e/' wem the 4rag99>M^ wife . . ^ ..^ bp crbfscdf. J%i^dier iPfiieM Id- tiSr laiiii eoldnel M&- [b^l#K«#igl^ a^flr^ke^ Coininaiid; «t|y|^t^r^|)•p^llff j|b6ut noon th^'49s|r ^iiw «(^eM^0ilB^i((^' tiai -ip^p armed scboo* iOpO/ or li^ jnnipr bad desGende^^ t^^ l«T(# |||piR|^j^iig9ton and lan^ec^atP^^bt^ tni|k th^y IliadliptiSe^illely sent a jflag across the rh^ to O^- ; dinisbtite and (^piaiided tnp detivery, of all public pro^i^lMl)^ ' tovrn. :^o$ long tttuk, £3b^atfalii was^ recet^ed tt^ the eneoiy had re ^hl^^tdt at ^Pi^soMl in *"- ihlir ti^iteauXy and were 'f6^ii^d||ia with seven ^^■■gu&iw>at9.-r ■-';>N. November 9lh. This mortoiijg very e|^ly the enemy tniinaced pur rear,imd§s)i^tfKirittMh «6^^ I plice between our riflemeaana|^ |)t&|ri0f their ini- r litia ttad Inciians, ki which w& had ipe mai»%I^ 'i edana the enemy wett driven baok. The cayahy, f with Cbur pieces of light artil]^ty» under thi cqid* I mand of captain M'Pl}pfon,^irere attaicliedtathe |> commandof brigaclier jB^neiiiltrown, and be was If orderedto niarchio c^^ the cipas^ below us as far as a point nekt the bead of th^ <^ longue b^.^ ISi: rapidity^ of jl^cuntiit ob|i|ed(i2i^ flotilla several hoaii,^;ena3i|le ;g|o^»^^|^^ t6 make good his marcb^a^me io ^ieCo!Cl|A n^bvcr inept. During this period the^«0em3^ |l%eiitly thl^tened our rear, but iievdr1ncyk:||^^^ tioff 1;o mi^ av Serious a^aet^^ri^^out three ^(^^ck^ P* M. th&il^llifk flp^ to, aboji* five o^c)qc% at ^^^i(3iw'^om baving Wiedneireleifi^ we encamped for the iiighl^v ■m %) m '■*■■ ■ ^ ■ -*■ ,^:. -A' .,>.-* -Sfr. Brown Knand; erpide-' tiioon sdioo* itwi lit eceiVed icot£ in [I seven 'ly the shlook leir mi- avalry, Itptbe Wl^s saafiir xekbvcr Itciehtiy linten- three lleiime baidng idrewe ^ Noyeml?cr lOth. This mornir^ the in:der wasi|88ueBt , ;; «r* ■'^v .••.:f 'i«S'jll i j^l Morning genenil orders *' G^heridl Bh>#h ivftt prtJsate^ Wtflaai "''^"^^ the 19'pb^ yestbnfay niider lufeomipMift Ing tWo jiltfces of artil!liifet^ of th^ meif in pm\n% thetlodiUe saut; . ^$A as^bis ra{ud1is Ibipai^ ^jv^^erm^ -^ {{^e- ral carntslly lequcats tSb cbtfimindi^ crffi£iep# of ri^ments abd ut r-^^M^^It^p^ boats arc to nesuine the^a- "i^tton Is^jgned thcim in the original order respecting \ ihe ;fioiiu|^ and for this the commanding officers . pf r^tbeb^ and bragades will be held responsible. * ,Tbi? ^bvfiinent bfyeiterdi^^^i^ a reproach to i ^ mif^^ to to^dh^ at mrDhl^fei neai^ Crab Mnd, and two gunil from " tthc! fjpoi^ \^111 N i^e' signal* fbr landing. Incase ofa^%tta«i: |h f^ltft' beyond all ekpectatiiin; the \cbi^ t^ilei^ Hr^d^ Boyd and Biown are toVft#bberatie Witfc each other promdyiyjind l^ei a^q^ tife gb^ day will ^tifi^ iticbf l&i^ fiee that the ftotilla p^ bf and iidii^esihthep^ arr^ any bi^Svhb p^bktf^ ib dci^iate thd^fi'bnif.'' m t:.-' \ f ■ *i* m ■'.* . 'it. ; k;' iio^ waff engaged by a party of ^ ent^my near 1^ bUipk^hi^Ufe oti t)ie saujiy erected to harrasd' our j|p(i|)l|^^ ii|: its ^0isi^U Abqut ihe luuarie titne/j^e e^mV^^eire ob£rved ,to be advani^ing on buivreari ""^t&Si^ym^ #in boats boveit|>8ight»^ ap~ iil»id.j# flotilla then at shore and bi^gan to ' JK Thi^ siendp structiire of oiit*.gun te it iinpossihl^ for them to resist the, rrfour poQOder ^f the enemy's galley;' _ the general to ord^r twoj e^te^o {N^lihd^rs'to^be run on shore and formed iii hfAk^r ryi^^jsingle, shot, from which gave such an alarin to |i| flip's vessels, that they retired up ilie i^k- veiy|<^||m{M|nied;l|y. their tropps* Bujt these, sli^t o^^ijt^ihpi \9sk far >vvastc<|fh|bj^y'thi^^ 0^ vrcfip afrii^ tQ eiite^ the 89ut^i(a conUnviec| "nipidv of l^tmiks) wilkUii^ ftpt^; vre tl^erefore fc^i^ do'^n #thm two or ^ree qiiles o| the hcad;of it an^'ca^e to for the night. JBy this^ time tH^ ge^i^ ner^^had fx^cdine so extireiii^y iU#,to be unlible to lit^up and was confine(itb his bed in a ^i^ll, birm|^n|kr the quarter de(^ of liis^sstagQ >bo»tr^ I^e^bcr iUh^ Having heai;d the fi^ (&' the Cannon yestei^aybetw^|^n- • .'/ 1540 «►• ■■C'p' ■f4 of for Its, an^^ acrcpQi^t was bf ou^ht to the commander ^^n chiicf that Urn enem;^ was ^dy^ncing in eolCli^ on this he ordered gei^rtil Boyd to attack them» and t^ellotilTa «4s directed not to leavt the'ih^. But t^e import ' was lOon after e^ntradicted.' A varietj^^^f reports respecting their moveiiiefiW ai ^ codiiter^ movements wrere^ alter this, succe^iv^ brotighito the general^ which impressed hiift^^wii the c^l^^ridion that the enemy had determined t6^ ; attack his rear as sOoii as^ the flotiUa should pui off and the tops commence their march; he resolved to f^i!S^tet]&em. He therefore sent colonel Swift of t|i€ enjj^neers with instructions to brqB;adiei^ge-, <|l noripU^d/Who had been directed by th^ ocddr of ^ thji^ltreci^ command of the det^ch- roent*on shore, to forn^ that detaohment into tKree% colum% to advisee i^bn the enemy, to en^vor ' to Wtnlolt th^ ind tertake their artillery, ^oon alter tbiitheiM:tioncommen(^ and for the iilum-| b^ir^i^aged was extremely^ ^^rm and^bloody for upwJM^ds of two hout^, dormg Vi^hioh time, in open sj^O antd fur combat^ the raw !UndiscipIi^elause: yet every man- who has taki^^partm a great action must know that there isl hothir^ inbre difficult thaii to do justice to the mei^rtsot a1}attlein ^11 its parts^ \vhere it is hard to^' dnd two officers, uhlbsi^fiphtingv side by side, who agree iti opijiion as. to the propriety of measures and !the Gohduct <|f men. The fortunes of this dliy vvere various^ sometiines one line, spipne- times the other ^vJng way. tfnfoi^tunftjpy, duri%the shiftings of th^ action, by Jled^h of ifewfeignt jfflj^^ iqif mm^ >^ *w -m] ^v. jit, li ■# ■i*". ■'>*. PlUlise^the «nemy got posses$idri'#A iieM piece, ^MfitapXif %\ifsy (^tinned. It is diMeult to i|^lip% of the Diis^ise numbers engaged on ^ther siti^ bffsanioeTlhe detaettndent ufider genei^l Boyd eon^^d of An 'Indi^iinite nomber of his (ywn, Co- %igtonV and Sw^artwout^ brigftd^es, orderdd from |pb^rd the boats td Itgh^^ ^em, and save the Mzard of the ttien^ Mes in descending the saut. if(i|tber Gdvington nOr^wartwmifc were <>bl|ged to havis take part in the action, with tins detachnient; yet they both entered the M^i talcing Gommand of that part of it which belonged to their respective brigades, where they exhibited the sainecoun^g^ous ^jm^^ Virhicb distif^uiahed general doydl on,the flbld^ and to the great loss of the servtcj^ bli^ier general Covingt^receiv^ a mortal worun efl^'^B^Ie tSni^ hav^ng^^eea gtf«l»tf^life^eiieiiiy t6 have tnt^ a-^9ec6nd 4«tion, if thi^a^^ .run the hasHira. -%^ -^ -^^^. m^ ^'-'''^'^^- -^^^^ .■X(i ■./• jfe I'-f ^■lA^i-! Vm-:- .th^r t;4 .* t •n [54] . K ip^ltta of ft letter from major 4;d^l Wilkihid^lro^^he mntkry of war»diU4 French llillt, Nov. 17, 18^3. After wha^t bat passed bet>vc;en ub, you can ^^ tion ^troctecl, would have. b«^n oufs ki cig^ or t^ dftys. B<]t be cbope to recede, i^ order . to co- q^cntte, i^nd ipy dawning bopes, aiid th^bopes and bonor of tbe^airnay were blasted." '.'M ^km€ttt ^*Phe*r©op8 are tb embai^k without loss of time; y«l; «f^ not to be burridcFilt lekving the Canamaii shoreifromivbence theconiinander in chief is com- pelled td ftiire bylshe extraordinary, unieXiii^Spfed, anc^ U appeili^iuntmiiintlible Cii^nduct of majot giiilei^/^mIll|H^i1^^'^ join this arnt^y wffekta of wa«^ of ex^icit instructions frbih the 'witr dc^ pmrtment."'^'' ' ^•■- ••-■ r^:- •-••■•- v ■'■'"" i<^%u» dq[w*W^i* a lai|^ portii^'^f lJi|Mp* n^d foireei «bt^(£HK«#lfi%^ aiif not^bieardthe # ' ' oxc^l«f«k ^f4t]^^iVaim^ b^ an ungual' i ^oMmmsStii^ oh MiiiHreaL ^1^^# iM^ llilMity|^^*it«is:ribt:*ibi(^ ; t """'*"':':" ^■,*rV.>J- «.Y .-«'¥■'■-■•-- ■-^nril^'^'--A-, ■•■■■■' " '-' %. fr-iti J'(7 *' •^jt *'■••' ^/* »;-i > -fcrf:.'- 933. \u can |cin at I iwic- ,to co- )e8 and iosoifof nawan is coiri- r ari)(iy .'!.*> ifejcWti- :i»'.f -, , - * '•• isi^es ^_^_ J0^i ;4. .1 I ffljiMt lit €iUnl^ ilKl^i^ # j^ tdtl^ toirtE obinni <;(»iinig^Mpd^|^ recruits lybd biitftef^t aiwli9^iilM$lf^|k^o&,and tMltr^d )»iiklAmt^tkp^^^ l(^€MentiflHy ikceisiirjKto r^4& aptdicr. They ktttd, Me^, b«en ^^ ^,^ ^ J^9Mt eW]iili0fl4^but a spirit of «i^«i(t]i- jia^oii^!fvlt8^^ra^ii.|o their ▼iewa.' d|i 1% |gp, ,,.-; mita ihe necessaries^ much less the conveniences ^■f- ff { ^ wt lime mimim m ^m^ ixMtfo .„ . J dl^ionrifited thit^^ it '^uh a ii9e}Mi^ti^n^' c^V y lafcHfieis of Ik^h jpubrtc ftiftf pHhrate m^M- tvt' 'hie kt-mV^ltmiilnci ^t Oiilaugay twlxiiy i&x '^pktt^^ the i^iieJEDy'ft 0#O«^ryi 'Fhe %igbi^g^ 'ixloWcd ll#tote^?4>f HNf €ftata^|^^ii^to ^ 8§e«Ni the ^iiiiUttQe t#ld iiiiledlc^ (S^ li liaim^iredi^ ;#^ dliei td both ttii<<|«^ for llkh*^^ (INfci^y cottdilfet, patHUJ^e, "" '^ Oi]s,lKd 1^ remained liMUftf^y cort^Hd. i sit i^m ai^ti^r iw^«^ //;: \iywK HllttK- fkiftt N^« CW 75* -ifho koei^r peching of ttie ^tfuntrj^^ )?iv% p|^ 4\my bad Jed JitinKIa thick eedar g^mft'pft^ i^f^be bai^Qif. the pivaraiid ioini^MllelJr 9fi&' "inte the enemy's |)p«tydni andkntiw noVhoyr^ix* IrioatiB mV In6re<^Me av it niay aupei liarnDton i]ai)^^ nearly one twi ol >^n4 llifiMu^iM Jktola^ hid a man*! by tSe name of Smith, who Jiad a. pcffect knowJi^dge of^coufiitfy, and.whMyb^iMfomHf d 1^: 8etidi%e, but' wh»h he jnq|slQCM» ^t^, o^^^ iK^t «C the expedlMon was the coniaq^ei||^ of l^ft^* ^ the;>ttajor, gieneral. J^bout , |wo b^loOky wh^e receiving; an ok^er in^ JCiiia, a^yntfMit genera), upon d]|^ 0|p^f|| sufe of the niF^|it6 marcbback fu^r miles iMp^tne^^ vimioA jOtRthe.!^ bng^icf the ti^emy m^ .%^- %a|i8!^o tfnforlunatdy, the vr^i^ ^^wtrej^* ^uras hc^il^y #^eb> fqra short. :tim?w5i4^ hmmfac, r comnnenoed | fixing from^ jthe^ppoiHe iiidcw aipViUcd •ever^f while crosuj^g Miijop ^mpUing*' w|^ »IW)Ut f ^uocihpd menj^fe^ed a )^in(^ ai^ joined the mam body. l%c irffilikiiraer 01 mgr foi^pe> exli^udtea by tpc^ cstcesfliAre ^iexertiont <^ tmr pr^tdjl night, ;a.nd wcar|; with the fatigMct; tjrf th^^(|»y, n^ having had a^m^oment either for r or^refreshment^ i^ere coiApelled to endure th^ jfd-. vail^h oL^^p another nig|it. Wc rettrediW^i or. tbm igKa f^i^d took a p^fution.; At ahoat l^ oVp^J^ Jsfic^ map up and made an atta#k upon m, but w^ so^n rooted Tbemen •tlhii time were j||)rmed and lying o^ the grQiind>.|Ni|!)^^ wmto pc^i|v in c^ of an9%i;k> iMid «fefie.(9rTv dciM to iNndmd immediately ffige»vieia^^i|iqc^aii^ fuid vmiin under them the re^ic^, (rf thei»igji^.«* A%ircfiwlte|y lleaiy raimireveiired t||P Afiiplajtli {^Jrom the fortiier, Wtroqai.li , ;>iitpf ill, but In CjMe o^ jk rpjpotmnMt a^acli^ j;ebiy ChaUugay. The troops $^ihtt tii»erjOf the atticli^ vf^re not in i^' Viioatil^^lEi dure^fuiiliei* fatigue; and^il is an iiidiibmbi^^^ that many 6f thbm w^'e so debUated they weif uaaUe |o proceed with the brig»d^'oii.i|f tnMh iropk the plAce of its last at(&kaiuilaeiii||ly did not r^h the maifi body until the^4^'fi^^ brigM^iMi joined it, ani) f<>me not ev^ep untiil^ arm HBRJi|>e&hed the f'our Cornell of Chataii^^; Never to W knpwl^idge, during our inarch tvk'^ to Canada, and while we remained at the Four G(h> ' ners, d^ tenii of twenty six days, did g<^neral Jf «dip- ton eve^ fend off a scouting oi^ reco%i^itreifif pat- ty (except in one or ti^o cases at Spear's ihvffltu^ oaf when he detached a^few dragoons for thisf <% ty) ndvdid he» ^ralii the tinne we^ol^ti^d 9&t . miMPeh from €uiiib(^and headtir odi* at^ivut it^^ J?\mi^0lf/*^a Mdt a it^ flanks jl^'^l^ar guaM^lo^ b^ kept up^ thoai^ A gl^'pfw tiigkefipeime ti»sN<^)^^Whichriwid|iir^ Oii%:n((^ huwi6t^fr*by his order, bi|i by - ■ • «- . * --j- . •■„.■.. ' -■ ---'->" ■ -Jj'^'-:- ■ ■■!<«•■ ■:r-. jf^v' '['f.'i'^^- • '«-■"'.•: >■'»■.'■ ••-;■- •■'■■V>: ■■•-r', "^^ ■-■■^T'.'-~ -■ ■ ■•■""T"'";-:-- •■ ' -- "^ ' -'~»'\:*rv^^^l' ^:' ''''. .. '^ {P.r* If ^r^* p^8. =^]{^ ift Qiily to « .-1^. vr.v ii" , ..im(ltli^«)i#were|trei^ejd aH^g the 5<»ji»tbi!W|ll iMkjb ^i^in^ |h«t piwiy JtaviJ died iireanj si^nce of thii^ who mijg^t: havc^ liej^ savied to tl^adyes if li'ot to tM servioe: vTb^sftticral/in- ijp^, aj: thelime this Qr4 i a%r our returji to the Four GorheWif 4ia or4«?i: tr|^8poptoitipnf<^tlf&3}ck to BurKng;^>i]^^^^b^^ tbif » the ouly ^»ta«©e ^ my If nowjd^ %TOi^ Jiflfil^^ depirtrnQOt if worih)ypf nci- ti<^. ^ !My cw^r'lor jiirovi^n was: m% ^Mikjmf} -^ iii»? ^iHlwidd I obtaiior anjT^ ibut ||^,sjpceial liej^iifl^ of g^f)^l<0jaih||on. Tho^mmiatecy of issues biw B^n cofislaiii^ io thttMoit of J^%#t^^ i^. of tl|c beeves to o$Qicier8;,and i\itK^S^ef^t^ flS^d this, togpnerai Hain|}toa as unusual lu^^ pfbjicr, he refqfted to take any pther ^tid^ of i<^ tito? ftayiog*^ ;^ ihe commissary is a^^table #or. atl|^a^f|fib beetoveoto a poundof^unce of tidtow;'' nor did he takd anyV«otice of an^ |te» of muM^ndOpt of the comiiiissary, thsi^f aqt^ , ing^ in tfir^apaxjifcy of sutler, but saiiclibilwl^ jporchawng of hinfi. , a^ ^ -^ ^ t ^ TheiioiniiOonpracticcs witbgerteralHafll^ %rc8ting1&fficd:B andrdeasihg them withoot ttieir Gonsfeht; of releiastOg arrested olBcers without the Itnowledge or consent of the officers by wliom Ihey Were arrested (the case of lieiitenant Mipis, of iii^d i*p^€ia;, i^hp #^^ ^%e charge of cOWin-diceiud^^ before the f j^i^^^ tfee 26(ii^€Mob^ 1813, tfefe time of the ' il^iiK^fiim ^ enemy at Qm^stown, or^Cha- %Hipjf|p^ of rcftiwjg to^^ ti. ■'{> .vcd to lueshas Abhfor mnceof fact- it by ^|ibn,of )ittbeiF loutthe whom iiiedii sfore the leb^the for.Cha- W -^, .,,V^f 1^ eil&d)ffe^ whdm 1 1^| tm&i thar poitffr in ftfoc.^ 0611011$ 01 A»deMtii$^0&^ i^ irig ii^ im im^oper tfilmnar*^M^'^ edmfliiliHii of^e «l^y, a«li r«lbrei(ie«^^4iMl imcd by Mto wlH slfc^, ibai4e/^%ei^'1iti^ ea|)Heiciu8neecn tho genenil% (idndticlon-sdmii oeeafflonsr ihftt^ t have, |p common Vrith ^er <#: fleers, beenlitdl^oed tOK believe thnt h(b watt oii^ the^iiMKience oliii too^ee use 6f spiritu^us^iquiin, I mu^ in juitice to general Hft^|itOfi sa^y Ihit the expedition hei>lanneditiid wfaictt t httte eall^ '^difSeiik and fatigiif|^»^d,at theUi9t^ itWfis suggested to me, by hiib, meeft my futtiii^l^ati^j aiid^^I hav^ sihce'Been no reason lor cMt^jK^ »& ©fits practicability, or 'U6eMnes8;bm I Kistt^llft^y th&t it required' coitaipetent guidieB; and thes6 (a^ Iiaidbel»re) he promised to MOS^, tu^,:b}»l^did notf^ V : fmiil #otjampnJio officer that has served uii* der li^ Hampton, on the^te campaign . can, or wHicoritradict this statement. V , A true copy, - I B, H. MCPHERSON, | J ,, Captain and secretary* "^ i of .|i Jettcr fi;oB the Secretary of war toigkiijor $^m .«"^^ ■ 'ncral^WilkinBon. ■/■■'*.'/'.•■" 4^ ^ r Albany) Kov. 16, 1813. . J ^ ^My li^st advices from yroui^ ofthe 3d kiit m>^t says thikt the^giirnsofA #1 KingstoiiA^inll «»1^ ■>■;.. 'If? ■ '■ijt '>'>'L*.i<,r;-L;^^:'>i:;w,;.p ...«'■ r^^..i', "4.1 .\:^\-: .^ . ,4 '4%,' ,4abriiieHM'«et^ it roiiffhlf ^ «n(|l tb e^lMl it to fetreat to tbe main bo t -**^ Beesuse movifi^ ^h thcii^crity iMScts- ^ liu^^Q your i>l)(iecto^ it i^i^yy^ino^obiible theA '^vfjr ccwl ^ ^^ exertion, hift^1)een able to - OveM«k«Hrou; and; ^^ V ^£d.^3^ie itls ^tteihcfedi§i(c^^^^ ^i^. irryouf reiii*, a heavy eoqps capable (^ di8l^iHb)ii% t^ isiaiii iMitioti of the campaign/ you should not ^iJceA effeetqal measures to beat aiid destroy if 1^600 men were oot sullioient for4his pur* iiose, 0;0OO wereso; ai^ the garrisons of I^truptoh mdd fVe^tt destrovisd (though we filled m g^t^ ling lo Montreal), th^ upper pirovinOewa^Won^'' n iM-' ^M-nn of a letter from major gette#al|!Vilkl ^Jslcretarjr ew5. . "^- << Aftor pi^J|^8 by deftth^f dei^iiiotutf «iidf^i< ohnrgeisiAce^e left Sac^tt^b Ifai^boi^i £ tl^ W flhaill nbt'^ a^b 4a ishdw you nsore than .0,19190 men at thii' point, .exchisiii^ of the dra^^o^ wi(b have beon ordered to Creenbush and Pittsfield fov^ convehi^C^ an,4 ecor^oiny.? ; ?r ')• •ut^ «War ^ Det>artment, NoVtmber !^, I»I3. ^ V Ifi^^c^intnended to you to ebn^olidioete yoiir tnfailtry %nd artillery mto complete rf|f- inentsy or asjiear^y so as possible, for the winter, r^samji^ i^kfi x:omplenieiit of your inbst df&:ient oiBceiis^tpifi^pi^riiaha them, andd^tachin^anjP||J6^ plim^tolTic^if imihecliately on the re^nxiting s^riaccli:^ an4^ tho> sevieral dHtricts indiciited by theruleff fr)d|G^i^b^ipns*^^^^^T^ regulation should fMi iiioiii tri^ hav«' beeo 4^ 1^ ishodcifif abuwfti^ Ckiofiaiotiill re|ii|i!U triB provided by >he ^rules ^d lai^' be Iliads ag;riseiib)y tliiei^ iQ^r who ncf^edlBB or refui^ I0 p^rlbf^ this iy, ebftll be di^iwed th^ s^ice; -^ % ftin Sii> ^tery respecstfull^v ,, - ,,your flg|6st otediei^t steri«^ ^'^j J0EfN ARMS'TROtNG. Mftjor general Wilkinaoi). C' ■'■■), ■A .^r: I. ' - 4 BxtrttC^ ^ y ' <^ Ypur three Otters of the 25th ulti^ c^Qie td hand fm the 30th; and 1 am hapf^ to^ fbd that I had iu^kticipftlQd the \riewB eof)unuoioai<^ iQi|^<^ letters^ as ur as regpects the^seciirlty dC 0tm^ and centfHs. When 1 ordeiied majorj^tiierii^ailtip* l<^ to mn^FCe thepdstof thiei^ur C^ii^ors, it was imder the iiiipresslon that Cuoiberlaiid^iMl iti^as gMarded; but the motnieiit i was undipcayiid and ap0iisedx>f the exposed situation of our de<» pc^ al:.r lattsburg, the order was coiinterma|:^dBd, m you have seen from the documents ^hi(^ tiiH^ transmitted you. You must also haveplsre^^i from those documents, that 1 was hot iosenilbfe ot tba importance of condeiising our lorcc^ and Ihat I had made a propositioii respecting ^puiftens p^ piratoiytosuph eyent.^ ^ ^ . >*^ .1 » ' - ?■', .^ '*;'^ Ahs .-<* t ^ ■*r cli^Bdlhj ^#?.: ■c; *'Tb r^ianc< enables L . ^ fules lein- thtt JNQ. I tp the e, mili- thatl il 8 era, it JSdi^^t i^i inipector g^neraFs oflicei Jamiarf 37, 1814, Absiract from the r«i^H df flif ' *' V coiij#i|i^i»^|eAc»r«ffp«i^f)MHit aiidfitiacertQCihe . ^ several YegsinMlHta ani^f^orpit on fikiceinbfr 1*1 9}Si .^^ m m ^ . &th reg^inedK infantry 0th ditto t . nth dm "^ 12th ditto I4^h ditto .■ t 45tti ditto .. . smh tfitto' . 2l8t ditto « 2$d ditt^ - ^Riilemen > ; ^ 549 ♦ 454 500 591 m 330 841 455 57« 203 8,148 In9pectoc^ge|«ra|)f mr «ufft not inf. Ihare P^ of fi letter from major general Wilkinson to the ^« cretary cff^lfi dated Malbne, I)eeember 8| 181^. .fc.' f The unavoidable delay of the express (as no^J r^ncecim be placed io the mail froi^ this place) ^t enable ipe to send you the copy of a letter »'^a»'*,V;jJFi ■;^' -*■ *v-* '^■. D5^v»* .yV^'^t,- ^^.-i^f np^'pV-. 0". ■■It , '•84 m.. ch%et1ii0marT \ylth traitc^ous designs, |>ut 1 tid|i^hbrtd, in dn^ other myemmnt. a^ miU« %ryomcer who first defovtei^tne pt^t of acaiBlf P^ liy disobecjftence of ord^r?, anil then, without iuthbilt^, furlotighed allthacmctoRc; ^ccrsof the ' iiiisiOfi^ lie^ liomiiiAnded on g p&\bi0froniitv, in Ibe vhu&ty of an enemy, woiildlnctfr heavy pe*: ■flaltic^/' '..,.. -;■''-""" ':'W-- ,W^-' • "-:;»■ Extn^tQi a Utter from brigadier 'geperijLl Izfirfl to Miajor gen^ralWHkinson, datfd Ptettsburg, IJ^cembet 6? >?l|. ■A* f Thei^p is an unayoidahte delay in tl^e returns of !thececiments ^thfs division, proeeedingli^iu^the ,;i^xtrel«eirtexpcncnce of the officers of all gi^es, " Wy with'thcm; almost every eJTtcieiit ^icer is ei^ %ier sick^^'Or was furloughed by mtijor gliieral ^amjpton at the moment of his own <|^r!ure; 'iftiose that r^ahi^are barely enough ttf-peifohh '^'W Wtine Off duty in this oantimi^ * '. "c-i"* * . ,■: ' -■ •'..;.' . ■ v' V ■ • ■ . • ■ '■ . '■ , - s • ■ ■ ' > I • , - : I , ■ 'V £xtnlct of'ia If tter from major general Wilkuison to the s^* , f cretarf of war, dated Maloiie, Dec. 34, 181 3. ' . , V! " I believe I have not hitherto transmitted you ^""^ a copy of a conimunicatioT^ which toO^ plai3| b0* *? .tween commodore Chaan F 1 was ^o }ll ycdtcrday I could not caH ^ ! see you; iwitj I now. send up to say that 1 shwl '.^sail this evening; andtC I am not Qb6tri]ftpci% « the enemy's arm^ Vessels which may hjfcVe sijbpud down the otW ^^Wnel, T shall pMi> P^eijpott to- •:'*'■ 'l^ fnorraw^H^ffht, or land the next nsoniuig ti:r take the i^e, tfrl cannot pass it without too ^g*vrat •^hNard* >A«.this operation may require three ror >i('tour days, itif not improbahle the enemy'ai pquB" :^dr<^fY mav fxial^ some attempts to destroy my boats'; aiid therefore 1 must intreat you .to walph his ev^ry mptioiit ihd to give my flotjlla every _«,;p<^te^tioh lii yotii* power. ^ Wc ^re a match for the gun boats ^if this cne- m^, but inferior to ,»rmed schooners, jmd tb^. ' fori^ifiOMld' you eonsisisnily spare us thp : ?^rt, or ^Eis^^itmed vessel, to mn down io Ui^^1^ of Qpbnsbui^ and immediately retu^, it w^<^ add te^iirity to our niQvemj^nts. ' /l^jbr Johnson witl have the honOr to deRver yott jtht9, ai^ I will tbanlf^3^ou for any Imiorma^ . ttdn you can^ye me rjespecting the nxovemenls of thc-enemy. I yiSh very much to say farewell to yoii, but 1 aiitt sehsible of the delicacy of your situationy and my id^seUse having changed into ^ violeni inj^m- matlon of the breast, I dar^ not get f^et. If thenf it is destined that we are not to meet agai% I will Ipave with you my prayers for long life and lau- ,• 'Tels in this world, and evcrlast'mg happiness in that flhich is to come. ;r >^; ; fcireWeli, my friend, and may your covntii^ understand your skill aiid valor as well as doea :M. ; WILtKINSON, flff: JSfeJ.t, .h-r/-'*.%*-. ?8* /•> - i j««* VtMf^ SUttt* •T^p General Pike« at anchor off Ymt favDr of thi* days' dale has this moment been htiiiM ^401^ l»y in^^^ "frbm^besl informatioii ttiat I cai^ gel, thp eneibyi fftet la at or m the Tietnitur of Kini^^, and I ipidk ifti^ you have notfiiing to appref^p from tbeni, as I am in a siinstioh to watch both ehannds* I should deem it ut&$Se to separate aiH^ part of myiR|u#iltt>n as long^ as the enemy remams above me: in'fiuiit^ I am in hourly exp^QjIitJliQn of beinft attad^ ^ sir James down the sputK ohaficiel^ in that pais I iballreiquiire ail my forc^ ashe has added a numbeir of gun boats to his fleet* If hjQ^" e?er^ al^ James should detiCih ariy part of hil'^t , doi^n 4l|b Qorth I will send a su^eient forK46wti to oppose him. liptfitmain m my preSiifit station lihtilyio^ pass. INisott, ^bnt «^ anxious pis^ that event to take pfiiee at as earfy a day lis pOiiinblc^ as ihe jlect c^n^ fiioire out of this i^ver tJipept Mth a £urwmd. It ip fo be apprehended th»t after a. ib# days a sp^ of W^stwardly wlh^f will set. ^n; whidtmay (fetaiii us until the ice m^es^ Which woiidd eilft^^ e^^ly of the fleet, ahdpiro- bai9l3rlea#ti>^i(i final destruc^on. If it is pcKifsihle for^jrou to communieate to me in any way,, when you pass FVescott, I should esteem it aa a par^* . euliirfevbr.'. r '"^'f'' ''^/^_^^ May your present enterprise be crowned ivltli> all ihe toocess that you yoi;(r8e1f can wish^ and. "^ .?«.■ UtM Cm .iT:./:. r "tS? ^^^.^wsm ■ ^:'^-'i£;.:':_ :M^\ 8%'"V^'''^- /'. ;^ CMJ; *'^',.''-i * W^ dated by your country is the pray^ of^ .1^ iMarsir, jrour friend \ . .AimI bumble servient/ ' , ISAAC faHAlWJEVt" Mtf)or genenft Jimcf WUldnson} comnitncler in chief pf tlie American forces in and upon the St; Lawrencci fcc. Ice* kc. €<»nreepi»ide|ft«i^betircen tlie if cretary pf war and coloneU/ Forier and general M l\-iV JL$^^b^*«heiny^B force and defene« on the Cini|- da mde4|^ the Niagara river are ^nderst^odi^to ^t wealc; if^ur for^e h respecM^lc^^ ¥>d bU^^ td^ be tompeteiit to a successful attack of these^ and atsthe se^on has now furnished you ^ilh a brif|^e|% wefVfor retreat as for advahce,# is ihoij^t advisable that you ^o not permit circiim- sta^^ so fayorable to escape witnoui iniikini a strol^e-afisjlicb points of the enemy's Hne^ iksllaiy bem09t wi^ift your reiush. If, after feeluil^ l(ie eneiljy k fbrt ^rie, you shoidd find ^oiiiieirabiie to exlei^d your attack to fort Greorge, it Witt be d^- '^ sirabl^; but of this^ou can judge best after yodr ^ first ekperimenti' To an old soldier, like yoisrseif^ it is unoecessary to go more ii>tp detail* ITou kiio^ What you ought to do, ajq^ you wjitt iio it, ' CoffliKitlnieate this letter to lieutenant colbnet ^ Bqertitl^r, and accept the as^rances of my res|>ec| ^iid:gOOd wishes. (Signed) JOHN ARMSTRONG. Colon<^ Porter^ light aniUery, commanding '^g, ^ the troops ot the United States on the ? Kiagan river. t"s ..i>- .■'5j'-'ti,'.Av*'"_'..if-u. ; J.*^''i>", [54] * ■ ■ , ahuct 6? 'a letter from mijior |i;«ticral 0tariorh t^tWt ic* \^^ creUrjr of w»r, dated Albany, M«rcKS5, 1813. : ^ (i^Ionel t^drtei* info^ihs nie that heliad comnien* '«pd the nqectssary praparatidn^ fqp an attack qm fort jBde» l^u( th(» d^r^Mtti of a eeijeani prevented his ^ carrying ^% ii^mted aiUcb: intq operation. Two oflkier^.lf kh im ni^ far as : to be 8(|rrounded on Ihejce, and were. niade pri* foncro* Port Brie was illim«dialely r^inforised, and lie had giiT^n over any linmediate movement." L*;i ^^'LfeUf n fi«in colonel Scott (Sd artillerjr rvgjmeni) to tnajor ^|' ' genersj Wilkinson. Fort Georgei Monday , 7 o'ciock>«P. ]if.t > '' % ' Octobefll, l»li3/ <^; §1% #Vi^ »--v ^ within tlie last five minutes, I have had the ho* iV»r.iQ receiv^ your despatch by *^ The Lady of the LaHfi.^ , ■ ^: ,;■.■• ;^The enemy has treated roe with neglect. Ue c«vj^tnued. in his 0ld positions uptil Ss^tui'dj^.l^t, (^hctOth) wh^n he toot ujfi his retread gir^^^ Jhejg^ts, and has abcmdmed ihi$ wHMiptnii^ial iTwo cai^ses are assigned for this precipitate; nip(>ve- metit;)t|i^succ6r of Proctor, who is reported to have been entirely defeated, if not taken;^h^ othipr the safety of Kingston, endangered by ydiir mpve^ ment. ' We have had from the enemy many deserters, most of whotn Concur in th? latter supposition. The British burnt every thing in store In this neighborhood, 3,000 blankets, many liuhdr^ stiand of acms^ also the blankets in the mens' packs, '^nd evfspy artide cff clothing not in actual use. They are supposed to have reached Burlington khts last evening, iircm the rate of their march blelii iici{S,ii r v/iUBsg, ■,■ w'* '■■■ ■ ■'■■ ffien- ifort dhi0 Two farfi3 5 pri- I, and major dftUe ;;;'", He on W ted to Otfer nipve- 5erter8» ioti. nn this istiufid Lsy'tind lingtoii Imarch fWl not «/l» »r. tbjo nigM before* J have information oftheir hav* ing passed <* the 40," by several inhabitants who have come down. They add to what was stated hy the deserters, that two oilicers of the 41st had joined general Vincent front Proctor's army with the information that Proctor was defeated 18 miles thii side of Maiden. 1 cannot get particulars. i^rom the same sources of intelligence, it appears that the 40th, apart of tlie 100th,and the VoHig^urs, moved frotn tpit neighborhood the day after our flotilla left this, the 3d instant, but with what des^ tination is |iot certainly known. w It was first reported (I mean in the British camp) that these regiments had marched to support ProcT tor, who it is said, wrote that he would be com^ ^ pelled to surrender if not supported* uf annjpret^ 8ure> however, that they are gonef below. The movement of our army, 6e(ot9, seems to have Seen known in the British, lines as earl^ as the 3d instant, together with the immediate obj^ta in view; hence 1 have no difticuHy in concluding that all the movements of the enemy will conccn*^ trat^Bi ^t Ifinggton. * Chapin^ who has been commissioned lieutenant^ icolohel, marched late last evening up the lake, with about 100 volunteers under his comman% ani^l^liS followed this morning by generab M'Gluri > and^J^prtipr, with about 1000 men, Indians and mi^ lijtii iJEioluded. There is no danger of their coming pp)iyith the enemy, or they would be in great dan- ger of a t(>tal annilulatipn* V^JDCent took hence with him about a tho^isand ^ ^v^ hMndred regulars. Mafiiy of the militia le^:^ lbf||^ii| ibe a70W«3 design of ptoder; bMt 1 fisar* Itii^lfi |^Qi$s, t the Piitisfaihave left the nuserarf ' ble inhabitants without any thing t^o be ravished' I e|i^^ general M'CHiire back lo^morrow evening. 12 v>«^'-" m. U f •VH IMI as he only took with him sappltet for two dayi; be wilC probably go as far as ehe 120.*' On the 8th, CHapin went out with a small par- ty and attacked one of the enemy's pipquets, wnich IX 0' 'htoii a skirminh, in \ hien many of cdtofnd Swift b regiment participated. After a great waste of ammunition, the parties retii'ed to their reipec- tivc camps with little loss on either side; we made and^tost a prisoner, had two Indians ki^ed, likld two other men wounded. We hear theeneihy had five men wounded. '^ 1 had this morning made an arrangement/ on a pplicatiofn of general M*Clure, to be refievedinlhe conDrnand of this post on the morning of the IStb instant, with an intention of taking up my litie of march tor Sackett's Harbor, accordmg to,the discre- tion ullo^cd me in the instructions Ihadthe honor to re':eive from you at this place. Mv situa- tion has become truly in8U{>portable: without the possibility of an attack rJ this post, and with- put ttYe possibility of reaching you time enough to >!iafe in the glOry of impending operations below. V 1 am, nevertheless, flattered with the assunuice "^hat transport wiH be forwarded for my removalf ' ^>^d to Tavor that intention, I propose taking up tny line of march on the mominff of the l^;for f^ i ic mouth of Genncssee river, and there awa^t^he '^^ arrival of the Vessels you are good enough to^o- mise me. ^y this movement, captain Mi iit^r^ with me, that I shall hasten my arrival at P ■^ *' . ' ' '' Harbor, five, possibly ten days. Captain. ^y,m\t has a sufficient number ; of wagons to take me t-iit'h^r: I can easily make that place by the ^en** ittg *■ fhe 15th. I hope I shall have your ap^o- "^^ia.x'. i4(d e» ^ty thing is arranged with bri|adier « *..,■ or subjcett for discharge, and IVaring that water transport tfiight not te had t.ii :he season wua too far advanced for their removul 1 have ventured to send lieutenant Archer (paymaster of the 20th» who waa left here withot^t orders) on command to Greenbush, with 100 meu of this de- scription. It was a measure approved of by doctor Mann, ^ :^d ' hope not contrary to yoiir wishes and inten./ ;t^ Ooctor Hugo, surgeon's mate of the ]i' (.u 90 left here without orders) accompanied the It hnient The quarter-master's departiiient i irnished eight wttgoiis on my requisition; Thb sick list of the garrison is much* rediiced bince your departure, (1 have the honor to enclose iny report of this morning) and doctor Mann has discharged many patients from his hospital; 1 also enclose you his last report. Those marked ** sub- jects f6r discharge*' are part of the number sent oft' to Greenbush. Doctor Mann and captain Camp have conclud- *ed to remove the general hospital to ** the Eleven Mile creek," near Buffbloe, the barracks at lyhich jiYace will be sufficient for the n^ception of the whole ot the sick, with some trifling repairs. From the morning report enclos^, you will fmd 794, the ** total,'' ^. present of the regulars 4)tf this garfison, including officers, &c. Transport will bie^ necessary for about 850 persons. I wisbalsoto take with me four iron 6's, one five and a half inch liOwUrer, and two cassoons, the whole on ^cld carriages. This train will form no impedimient in my niarch to the mouth of Geimessee river, as I have horses belonging to the regiment sufficient to drtfW it. If ^ meet your approbation, I can send the horses thence to Sackett's Harbor by land. I have, by working almost ni^ht and day, great* ly improved the defences of this post, and nearly ■t y filled up th^ idea of the engineer. I flatter tnysdi, that I have altb improved tnb garritfprt ill d|lciplih0t{ fft m\M a,p(i\oghe for the hai^e, in which Uiis is writteir, but captain Mix prppoes to sail immedi' atety, and 1 fear to detain him a moment. 1 t^ink I fthall e^ainly be at the mouth of ^he Genn^see bythelSthihfit. I haVp the honor to be, sir, -it t With the hifjfhest respect, :U i ■' Your itiost obedient ser^nt, ^ W, SCOTT, l, Colonel commanding' Mftjor gfeheral Wilkinson, commanding, See- Sec. ScCii ■ I- ■ PC FI ha Extract of a letter from colonel Winfield Scott to the se*;? |i- cretar7.|Of war. dated Georgetown) (Col.) |}ec« "At youridesircj I have the honor to niiakeihe following report: W' "I left fort Qeorge on the 13th of October last;, <- by order of major general Wilkinson with the whole of (|ie reguj^ .troops of that garrison, and was relieved by brigadier general M'Clure, with f body of the New York detached inilitia. ' '*Fort Geoi^, as a field work, might beconst^ dered as complete at tliat period* It was gar^ nished with, ten pieces of artillery, (which number might easily have been increased from the spa^ ordnance at the opposite fort) with an ample sufI* ply of fixed ammunnition, &c. &c. &c. as the en- closed receipt for these articles will exhibits 'V^ iv *f M^hs f^ti^ by order of th^ brigadier general* but Jl think obi^^ thUst* of them Was present at tbe kbpve periodr*Mi»' Mi0or general Wilkinsoli in his order 4o mr for the. removGU of the regular troops on that frontier, ^x«^ oepted the two companies of the 1st artillery theli > at fort Niagara And under the supposition that I should nieet water transport for my detachment at the mouth of the Genriessee river, 1 had hi| prdersto take v^th ihe the whole of the cdnvarescents fefl,. in the different hospitals by the regiments whicn had accompanied him. Thi^ order I complied with.**' ' ■ ,; ' ■■■'■' ' '^ s' ■■"•■' Note.— -By the arrangements of the -war department, brigadier gene.^' ral Porter, of the United States' army, was designated for coitunand on the Niagara frontier, and particularly for that of fort George. In the hitter ti;iUfC, i^ieral Wilkinson siM'titvited for him ie«donel MMitt, of the 3d rei^ment of artiUcr)^, with provisional order* to join (he «nny-at Sacicet't's Harbor. *j&"r--' WapOBRce* i"cb.«, l«ia. ; * Orderedf That captain Leonard (1st regiment^ of aii;iUery) be arrest^, and that his placcf be sup-^ pli^ by captain Armisteady of , the same regiments Adjutant ffWieriS Cuthing JOHN ARMSTRONG. H Extnt^ of letlisr tvom t^taiit general ^omas H. Cusl^^ ing to cAptain G«orgclBL« Armiatead, dated at this office.^' F5>.fli, 1813. * SIR, <*'^m WUl please to proceed to Niagara^ in the itat«4)f New York, ana relieve cantain Nathaciet 7,-' ."i ■aSI ' i '■) r I X- W' 1- m> l|ieonftrdiQ the tommafujl of th^e cliibpany qf or tiilerists naw at that post; which company: is tp. be^urned and mustered in your name from. ii^ afteir the day on whi&h you receive the cdmmahd |of it; and captain Leonard will be instinlcbed to deliver the saici company to you, with bdoks^ pa- pers, clothing, and every thing appertaining i^iU ** Yoii will call on major general Dearborn at Albanj^ and receive his orders.^ •^' Adjutant and inspector gene;*ars office* Washington, Jan. J^ IB14. The above is a true c()py from the origihai^ji^ recorded in this office. ' J. B. WALBACH, , , Adjutant general* . r :V'' n :W-- Bxtract of a letter from adjutant'general Thomas H. Cush- ■ ing to- major general Henry Dearborn) dated at thisof&ce 8th February) 1813. ** The conduct of captain Leonard at Niagara has been represented in a very unfavorable light ^ to the secretary of war, who has instructed me to 1, send Captain George Armistead to relieve him in [ thp comniand of the company at that post, and I ; have instruc^d c£tptilctn Armistead to proceed on bis journey immediately, and to wait on you^for r any instructions 3rou may think proper t^ give, ■'y Captain Leonard must not exercise command^in* til his cofiduct has been inquired into." Adjutant and ipspector*generars office) ^ ' Washington, 22d January, 1#1# ^ The above is a true copy from the original isie- '»pded in this office. J. B. WALBACH, Adjutant getteral. ^ i^ iiifbnd ed to to iH >rn ak nal, as fl. Gush, his office k Niagara ]e Ugbt i me to him in ;, and I :ed on oU'for to give, landun- Lfficev ialasre- tcnerti ntu 'Wimimtmm''mnmm ^un v*i. 1^*0 ' ifix(rait Qf^a letter to the Setretniy of War ftom mi^or Geoi ArmUtcad* Fort M^Hetiry, .January 19) 1614. r ■ '^ « Captaoii Leonard was hot wrre^tO. ^i*- jhroilj^^ ?;to trial during my stay on the frontier; nor wi^ane i|^r io^tructisd, >:o my Ichowl^edge, togiy^ ini^ *bc ^^mmand of his company.'' .y . War Department, October 4»13t3. ' Understanding that the d^enee of the post com • initted to your charge^ may render itproj^r to |[jb>- stroyfhetown of Newark, you^re h^rdby dircsbt- td to appriseits inhabitants of thi$ circuit^ti^nce, and ^0 invite them to remove (^emselves and their effects to some place of g^ealer safety." ^ lam,^. ^ Bi'igftdter general M'Clure, '^^' or ofiicer coimmanding at Fort George, UppervCttiiadi.' General Harrison's orders to General M*Clure. Head quarters^ N9war^l!?0T> 15, 1$U. DEAR SIR, Being ordered to return to the westward yoti will beplieased to resume the command which you received previous to my arrival at this placei.^ "The orders ^hich you heretofore have received uMl govetnyou. It will be necessary that you keep a vigilant eye over the disaffected part of the inhabitants, and I recomAiend that ydu make use of the) zeal, activity, and local knowi^^lge' Which colofnet Wilicocks certainly possesses to counter- act the machination^^ of our enemy and enture '■'•■^rt,','- vSj it -*2 •-• <\ I- l-'i' J:^ l.i w* *r i.»> i^e confidence of our friends amongst the inhabit- tants. It will) however, I am persuaded, be your ^*isb» as it is your duty, to guard the latter as Jpuch as |>ossibie from opjpression. < ■ The vdunteers which were lately calWoiQi will be retained as long as you consider their, fck^ vices necessary; the drafted militia, until fuHher orders are received from the secretary of war. ^ Tfhere can be little doubt of its being the inten* Iron of the enemy to send the greater part of the troops which they have at Burlington and Ybrk to Kingston, and to makp York the right of their line. Tfiey may, however, have a small, com-, inahd at: Burlington, and those may ^ so securely postcj^ as to render them safe from ap^ desultory expedition you may set on foot; but it is desira* ble to have any supplies which they m^y have collected in the neighborhood destroyed; apd should thci success below be not such as to pro- mise possession of the whole of the upper prpyincf, maybe destroyed. Captains (^eonard and Reed, or either of thei^, are appointqct to muster your troops when j^nd where you think proper. )o closing thi? communication, I should, nojjdo justiee to my feelings, if I were not to acknow]edj||«b the zeal and talents with which you W^m^n^V ged your command. Your conduct appears to metojiave been extremely judicious and projpijer throughout, and your troops exhibit a^tate of im* provement and subordination which is at poiqe hgr norable to your officers and themselves I amyVerysincereljr, --^i^ ; . ' Your friend and obedient serVa ]lrifadi«r feneral Ge r^A CQirrespondence whith took place between if^e jgeheral and myself, copies of which are here-/ wi|h sent, will, at once explain to you my views and Ibelings relative to the ojperati^ns proposed i^r h|ve'beea effected on this frontier. 1 am confi;«^ dent th^t the expressions of regret made by gene*^ ral flarrison are equally sincere with mine, thoiigli: we bdth acquiesce in the necessity which ^dictated.;; ^ui a|^aadonmei)t of the projected expedition] again'st purlington. ' ' About 4O0 Volunteers have repaired to this post under my' late call, made in conformity witbge* nefal Hilrrison's wishes and request. A few are, •still c6ming in. I shall take care that they shi^H not be Unemployed. I am this moment sending . out a detadhment of 200 mounted volunteers, with ' directions to penetrate the eherty's lints as far as V pi^cticable vtrith safety. In the mean tiine, I am niiaking preparations for moving in force against"; thenri^^tihless the intelligence expected from thi^ e^ursion should be such as to make it improper. ^counts of the enemy's force still vary much. ; A deserter came in to day who represents their foTfie Ui be 1,500 regular^ and 800 Tddians at^ Burlington and Stbney creek. The former I think is magnified. it is impossible to form a correct opinion of thdr intended movements. At one time they ap- pear to be sending down their stores and detach- ments of troopa to York. , At this time it 19 said '< 1 1^ '■'■'■ -V '\:% '^, *tfs ' f-> ..J.. J.-^Jii09 i ■• -^. ' ihey art reiiiforcirig, fdrtif^irigrand buildlhg bar' The term of service of my ti^oops v^ll C3spjre *on ;" the 9th December. It can hardly be expected that jjmnny Will willingly continiie in se^ice a'^bngcr I t\fipie: Vouf excellency will at once see the ne- '. tessity of prompt arrangements being made to V supply thefr place, if it be contemplated to retain ihitj garrison^ ^ ;& I enclose herein my late address, made intd^r ,; the sanction of general Harrison. ' 'i^.. I have the honor to be your excelle^icy's Obedient humble servanti : GEO. MCI^UBi;, '% brigadjier general- • lli&^excj^lency John A^pstro^ig, , , Fort George, .^9i|iBxnbct:lj5j|, II The sOli^ct of our conversation this morning has occupied my most serious reflections^ ^he deadly blow heretofore ^iven to the patriotism of our citizens on this frontier, has prepared them for murmurs and complaints; those who are not pn their march, have left theii' homes and theilf busi* ness under great sacrifices, with the moral certain • ty of being brought into action. The last address which I issued under yxnw di- i«Gtidns, and which I am happy to find has met ynur approbation,, gives them reason for indulging the expectation of service, and they are anxious to drive the enemy from their boi'ders forever.— The high character of general Harrison, combined with these circumstances has excited strong ihte* rest in the public micid reMve t^ our^kperatioiifi* i*ccciv( reason intend pointn men* \ of serv thiftin stance the in) -to,. Mv^pppffmi y ■ rtjon I that bngcr ic iic- de to retain ■^r■•r■■ ■■■ \ 1813. f iorning ItiBm of icm for not dn rif buM- Icectaiti- JUT di" las met [dolging mxious hever. — [mbincd ig inte- kttoiw^ In thispecuUfir situation of ^^axta, 1 feelit to bn, , due to the galtant Volunteers and militia, who ai'e assembly and^ collectings and to my own reputa^ tion, niost r<»9p66ti^lLy to solicit, that if it is not imi YiU excuse the apjpeiarance of any disrespect in making this conimunicatibn, which is certainly far from my feelings. My confidence in the valor, ability, and prudence of general Harrison, will dispose me mpst'Cheerfully to submit to any arrangements he may be bound to malre, however great may be my disappointment in their result. ^ 1 have the honor to be, 4,i With the utmost respect* >$^ ^. ;* Your obfedient servantj ¥■"'- : ' *'' "^ , ■ , X3tKO, M^CLURE. Jlijor general Harrison. 'if i ' yl* Head quarter*, Newitrk, Hov. 15, .1813.; DEifeSIR, , Your letter to me of this morning has been I'eceived. I fed most severely the weight of the reasons which you urge for the prosecution of the intended expedition to Burlington. I'he disap- pointment, however, to the brave and patriotic men, who have turned out under the expiectation of serving their country effectually in the field at this inclement season-, is the most painful circum* stance attending it, ns lam tcdi convinced ^row^ the information received this mommg and It^ evening thle^tbat should we adi^ttnce in force, the enemy Slaving how hone but effective men at BOrfingtohf^^iild destroy the stores which they have -rtniii^irtihg there» and retreat too tepidly to be oV'ertaken. There are cohsideratidns; however^ which would make it extremely desii^ble to make i|n'ex|(^ifion of force in that quarter; but the Order» I have re- ceived from the secretary of wai* leaVe ihe ho al- ternative. Cbmmodore Chauncetf is eairemely preaaing that tlt0 trbops should mmeStUtly embittn^ ct^bdia> ring that the navigation at this season -to small vessels id Very dangerous. 1'he fdrce at^S^kfttt's Haitor is — n — The troopfs at York Jhr« all hastening down to Kingst(^n. " SacketCs Harbor may be endangered by efveh a delau of a faiD doj^s; and should the trOof^'t|iat afe here not get down before the lake is frozen, ourfiett may be destroyed Jor the want of their' aid. I caiipot, therefore, take tipon myself the reaponr ^nbUihf qf delaying their going down even a day. Vnil you be so ((ood, at a proper time, as to^ex* plain the above circumstances to the patriots Who left their homes with the intention of assisting^me to drive the enemy far from our borders^ and as- sure them that I shsdl ever recollect with the warmest gra( tilde, the partiality they have been pleased to express for me, and their preference of serving under my command, I will direct payibent to be made to the volun- teers for radons and forage in coming out. , j^ v 4 Accept my best wishes for your health a^djlap- f^ness^ and believe me ancjerely, eseral Jtf^Clure. ■■'Jgjg^; ■/ ■'- ColoncilWikocks^ wl^Oc^Oifnanded, imports, thkt from the be^t infoi* mation he could collect, the eneihy^s force consists of from \i to 15 hundi'ed regulars, and nine Hun* dred Indian warriors, 'they have discharged their . teams, iind apparently intend wintering there and at Burlington. ^ it would be very desirabteto dislodge them froiti tliek position, but I fear my force is insUflieient for . tbat object; At this inclement season it might be ^ attendee) wi^h«erious consequences to attempt any thing more than desultory excursions^ l^h^ vo^ lunteers who have lately come in, must, however, be actively employed, or they will return to their hqmes. t^he drafted militia oa this side the Nia- gara are, perhaps, equal to any troops in the Unit- ed States, I regret that their term of service will expire so sooq^ rermit me to surest the propriety Of oaring a small bounty to such of theni as wi>l sVpldnteerto serve a longer time after their present term of service expires; say for one or tw9 months, or until other troops can be sent on tp supply their <* Should i move with my troops towards th^ llead pf the lake, the greatest advantage I can promise myself, Will be, to destroy some contiguous mills, and to bring off a quantity of flojur) which is be- coming scarce with us." I ik' r ' Albany, 25th November, 1813. SIR, 1^ Your letter of the 17th instant bas been receiv- tAf and 1 hasten to inform you that a requisition "i. ^^f ■VJ ' 111 4*"^ -■TV ~^'. ■'H: y- ^•4- ■ forond thdti8«nd mititia, toU|cethe||l|«i#^|^^ npiv with you/ has been made and willb^q|i>^' ^ with as promptl^r as possible by the Kpvef|i|or You say noijhing of the yofunteer conM w! general Porter engaged to raise, and wnjeb waf long since authorised by me. If in this j^ffQpt, M has failed, whft are you to expeet from mili^a drafts, with their constitutional scrupled On tlie other hand, should he hare succeedca, and 8hpold«'fn the application of your present foroi'.^d if>;^ the mean! you take to enlai*ge and continWc^ iC' throughout tlie winter, you wUl be guided by the ^ ordei^ received from the commanding general, ai the time he left you, and by such others as he mpy give to ypu hereafter. V 1 am, Sir, very respectfully, Your obedient scrvfipt, JOHN ARMStRONG Bi»igadier general M«Clure. ; , V' -.dJ--. ■ .■■■ -t; , ^■' •••>•, iM> Extract of a letter from Mr. Parker, C. C. of the Wftr de^ partment, to geAeral M«CIUre, dated War office, Ko^i ^< In the absence of the secretary of wa^, * hwt had the homor to lay before the president your letters of ihe 19th and 21st instant, withi their e^ *»'. •* -. -I the ai ^^K -i^- ■^•«» '541 closaiTi. i!ht ^neAiures which yoii have adopted to increase, your coipmand on the Niagara frontier are approved by the president ■ ■ "Snoiild the men, whose term of service expires iii;Dec^ber, withdraw from i}^c frontier, there i^ bt no impropriety in continuing the officers who compose the court martial, until they dis- charge that duty. ^ ''Although there is no law authorising the presi« d^nt to give a bounty to such militia as will re- main in pervice after their time expires, still, aa it would render your force more efficient than a new drafl, (even if the men could be obtained,) I have -n^^hesitation in recommending that you adppt such further measures as will ensure the protection of fort George and the Niagara frontier, until other lai^anii of defence can be provided. \^** For this purpose the paymasters, serving with yotir troops, may be required to make such pay- ments or advances as you shall think proper to or- ..v; ^x^tnct of a letter from brigndier general M'Clure (N. Y. ^ ^ militia) to the secretary of war, dated Niagara, Dec. |0, ! 1813. C H « This day found fort George left to be defended by onjy sixty effective regular troops, under cap- lains Rockers and Hampton of the 24th regiment of United States' infantry, and probably forty volunteers. Within the last three days the term of service of the militia h^ been expiring, and they have re crossed the river almo^ tc^ a mam Foreseeing the defenceless situation in which the fart was left, I had authorised some of my most active subaUet^s to raise volunteer companies for two months, and ofl^red a bounty in addition to the month's pay. It is with regret I have t© gay \ -J" r.-; '*K. f'*^ 164 [A] V. "I that this expedient failed of produeiriS; the effect A very inconsiderable number indeed were willing to engage for a further term of kryiee, on any conditions. *' From the most indubitable information. I l^rn that ^be enemy are advancing in force, lliis q$y a scouting party of colonel Wikocks* volunteers cape in contact with their advance at tVelve Mile #reekf lost four prisoners and one killed; one of the former they ^ave up to the savages. This movement determined me in calling a c6uncii bf the principal regular and militia officers left at fort Geoi|;e this morning. They all acco**: sd in opi- nion that the fort was not tenable with the hem- imnt of force left in it. I, in consequen6 . ]^Vract pf a letter from brigadier general Geo,rge M'Clurs "^r' to 4 be sfecreiary of War, dated Head quarters) Niagara^ r DccnoberlS, 1813. \ . ■ - • ■• ■■■'„. I;- >,. ■ *' Since I last had the honor of writing you, the , enemy has Appeared in considerable force on the . opposite shore; but having deprived them of a shel- ter* they are marching up to Queenstawn, and ap- pear to be fortifying on the heiffhts. Several hun- dred Indians have appeared. I have prevailed on lieutenant colonel Greaves and about 100 of his re- giment of artillerists id remain ih the service otte month longer, until the detachment of militia which I have orden^d* arrives here. I have directed tlie colonel, with two pieces df artillery, to Lewistown, to open a hot shot on Qiieenston, and deprive them of quarters there also. You will observe from my despatch of yesterday, that every building in NeW' ark is reduced to ashes. The enemy is much ex- , asperated, and will make a descent on this frbn* ti^r, if possible; but 1 shall watch them clo^e witH my handful of men, until a reinforcement of nfiiliv tiiand volunteers arrive, when I shall endeavor to- repossess myself of fort George, and drive theitt back to Burlington. I am not a little apprehen- sive that the enemy will take advantage of th^eX-;' posed situation of Buffaloe and our shipping there.' Nly whole effective force on this extensive frontier, including the garrison at fort Niagara, does not exceed two hundred and fifty men I ha^ve sCnt^ an express to Mr. Granger, the Indian agent, td' call Qut the Indians; an exhibition of two or threcy;. hundred of them will strike, more terror in thif British than one thousand militia: Permit me to observe to you, sir, that it is all important that pay* ment should be made punctually to the Indians every month, or at the expiration of the term they may y^iuni^er for. They are « people that can* yi„; ^(. ' jf » I I i i ij|i i I, H i m i ju i j i n-uniiir; , i i]H i |i i ',jiy i a i | > iii ^j i i M ilurs jara, this Lthc sheU lap- hun- d on isre- ; orte /hich dtN ;owh> them mmy New- :h ex- fron* ff Avitli milP rot to > them ehen? ee?:> Ithere^ ntiferf s not nt, to' three n the me to •pay- diane they can- ^ ■fi-r:. ,W^ i?' Hot be made to understand the di Acuity of haWn'* * funds here at all times for that purpose. 1 would heg leave to mention that Mr. Granger has inte rested himself warmly in support of the go^errt- merit, by his endeavors to have the Indians join US; on every occasion, and accompanied riie him- selfon my late expedition to the twenty — — ^ *vi; £Sa;£^:*';/- ^^iri-f¥ SIR, I \^ Head quarters, Qufialpe, D^c. 22^^ 1813. ^j- J tegret to be under the necessity of announcing to you the mortifying intelligence of the loss ot* fort Niagara. On the morning of the 19th inst. about 4 o'clock, the enemy crossed the river at the ** Five Mile meadows" in great force, consisting of regulars and Indians, who made their way undis- covered to the garrison, which, from the most cor- rect information lean collect, was completely >Mr- prised. Our men were nearly alt asleep in their' tents; the enemy rushed in and commenced a ihost horrid slaughter. Such as escaped the fury of the first onset, retired to the old niiess house, where they kept up a destructive fire on the enemy, until a want of ammunition compelled them to surrendet*. Although our force was very inferior and com- paratively small, indeed, I am induced to think that the disaster is not attributable to an^ «&ari^ of troops, but to gross negle(^ in the commmtding qffi- eer oj ihejort, (captain Leonard) in not preparing, k 4-1 ^...- -U^IIS-L.^'. in .?■ ^'i^..' ^ \i 't . ri-^ */:'<••: ..i^. I have not been able to ascertain eopreotly ^^ num|^( r of killed and .wounded. About tw.e^ty regular's |)ave etoapedpi^t of the fort; sQme b{»dly wounded. Oeutenant Peck, ^h regiment, is l|lu* ed, an^ it is said three others, a s . , x, > '^^ i ^ , jVdU will perceive, siiv bjr the enc^efecl genc^l orders, that t apprehended an attack^ ap^'d iii&dethe necessary arrangenients to meet it, but have treason to believe, from information received by those who l^aye made their escape, that the ^ommandtint (|id, nt^t in any respect comply with those orders. ^ i^ «;V- On the same morning, a detachment of militia under major Bennet, stationed at Lewistown heights, was attacked bykparty of savages; but the major and Wis little eorps, by making a desjperate charge, enected their retreat after being surrounded by several hundred, with the loss of six or eight, 'Vfrho doubtless were killed, anaong whom, ^irere two sons of captain Jones, Indian interpreter. Tlie spillages of Youngstown, Lewistown, Manchester, andihe Indian Tufj^carora village were reduced, to ashes, and the inoffensive inhabitants who c0u|d not ekiape, were, without regard, ^o age or se3^,'in-< Jbumaoly bptcherbd by savages headed bjK British ofTicers painted. A British oljficer wlio is t^en prisoner, avows that many small diitdren #ere ■murdered by the Indians. Major Matfoi^y^ who fWas stationed fit Schlosser, with about 40 Cana* J'dian volunteers, advanced to Lewistown heights, und compelled the advanced gu»rd of the enem^ to fall back to the foot of the mountain. The ma< jorisa meritorious ofiieer. He fought the enemy .two diays, and cointende^ every inch of ground to ithe Tantawanty preek, In these actions Tieutehant Low% 23d regiment U. S, araiy, and eight of the -c r% " ' Il l M l I RJ'^H » PW II J [5*]; 1^ - 1, %■ Cijin&dian valunjtejers were killed. I had myself, three days previous to the attack on Niagara, left i| with a view of providing for the defence of this place„Biack Rock, and the other viilage^ on this frontier. I came here without tropps, and have caUed oiit the militia of Gennessee, Niagara, and Chataugay counties, *' en nutsse.^^ This place vt^as then thought to be in most im- minent danger, as well as the shipping, but I liaue no doubt is noxo perfectly secure.. Volunteers are coming in in great numbers. They are, however, aspects of troops that cannot be expected to con* tinue in service tor a long time. In a lew days, one thousand detached militia^ lately drafted, will be on.- . . ,....■ ., ,. , - ^ , '. - J >■,.., - '■ f-*-'T^.-',. .^,.-{v;^^,,.,; ,^,.,,,.,-jj-.^ liiave the honor to hcj ^ - v ■^j.f^.^* ;*^4f;,»: 1^,V»J'^ '•^■-, jfiiS- ^batract (jf the morning re/idrt qfthe ffarriaon of Fort Niaga raycomtnanded by captain Leonard, iW.sti'- Gaptairi Leonard's company, total present 74 absent 19' Captain Hampton's do. do. 88 do* 17't Lieutenant Peck's do. do. , 1 18 do. 9 ' Lieutenant Frederick's do. do. 44 fotal present 324 absent 45 Aggregate 369 "' %'- '^0 ' , .>^^^f»: LOOMIS, :^*- ■■'■■'»»i lieutenant and acting adjuttot* .||*,^|rf.p^v.i*to JOHN WILSON, , "- brigade major* (^ iTS;, 'i»s_ .-.«)(.■ :h;- ♦no .< [54] *. \ Extract of a letter from general George H'Clure to the «• ^ V cr^tary of war, dated Balavia, S^th De'cember, !81;5, '^ ** It is a notbrious fact, that on the night oii which fbrt Niagara was captured, captain Leonard wat much intoxicated and left the fort about 1 1 o'clock, P. M. I am assured that he has since given liim> self up; that he and family are now on the Cana- dian side of the strait It was not without dome reluctance that I left him in immediate command of the fort, but there was no alternative, as he outranked every other officer. His uniform atr tachment to British men and measures, added to the circumstance of his not effecting his escape, when m his power, strengthens me in a suspicion that thei'e was a secret understanding with regard^ to this disgracefui transaction. - "Permit me to suggest to yon, sir, that unless regular troops are sent to this frontier immediately, the enemy will penetrate into the interior of our country, and lay waste all before them. The mi- litia will do to act with regulars, but not without them. In spite of all my exertions to insure sub- ordination, my late detachment ultimately proved to be very little better than an infuriated mob. It was not, however, the fault of the privates, but of such officers as were seeking popularity, and who on that account were afraid of enforcing subordJLu^^ nation and introducing strict discipline. ** I have collected from the diiferent recruiting rendezvous about one hundred and twenty soldiers, and put them under the command of lieutenant Riddle of the 15th United States' infantry, an ex- cellent and deserving officer. ^ ^ '''-Mh, " I cannot conclude this communication Without reporting the conduct of doctor Cyrenius Chapio, (late lieutenant colonel of volunteers); to him in a greai; measure, ought aU our disasters to b ■ ■ ■) ■ " 'T t i y i ji. i i^n ; wffWfWW* [54] ed. His publications in tbe BuHTaloe Gazette, that the enemy had abandoned Burlington, I fear had the desired effect. I have found him an unprinci* ' pled disorganizer. Since dismissing him and his v marauding corps, he has been guilty of the most outrageous acts of mutiny, if not of treasmi. When i catne to Buffaloe, accompanied only by my suite, he headed a mob for the purpose of doing violence to my, feelings and person; and, when" marching to the Rock at the time of an alarm, five or six guns were discharged at me by his men!!" ; 'rm-- EfXtracts of a letter from general Lewis Cass to the secretary !2v' of war. dated WiUiamsvJUe, 11 miles east of Buffaloe,\ .'?; January 12, 1814.' ' 'k-:-'^--[^i<:: n#f ^ssed this day the ruins of Buflfaloe. It ex- hibits a scene of distress and destruction, such as I h^ve never before witnessed. Ij^* The events which have recently transpir^in this* quarter have been so astonishing and unex- pected, that 1 have been induced to make some inquiry into their causes and progress; and doubt- ing whether you have received any correct infor- mation upon the subject, 1 now trouble you with the detail. '< " The fall of Niagara has been owing to the most erimin(d negligence. The Jorce in it was fully a>mpetent to its defence. The commanding onicer, captain Leonard, \t is confidently said, was at his own house three miles from the fort, and all the officers appear to have rested in as much security as though no enemy was near them. Captain Rodgerf" and captain Hampton, both of the 24t)f/ had companies in the fort. Both of them weri^ absent from it. Their conduct ought to be stFict- .. .?? V-,. ■« ^>j^^. "f^-: „*.* ': . ■ ^sif:}:JL :^:.:ij. 112 K^ ' ^- ^ > i [54] ]y investigated. I am also told that major WaU lace of the 5th was in the fort. He escaped and is now at Erie. &*, *^ The circumstances attending the destruction of 6uffaloe you will have learned before this reaches you. But the force of the enemy has been greatly magnified. From the most careful examination I am satisfied that not more than six hundred and fifty men of regulars, militia, and Indians, landed at Black Rock. To oppose these we had from iiaso tlumsandfive hundred to three thousand militia. All, except very few of them* behaved in the most cowardly manner. They fled without discharg- ing a musket. The enemy continued on this side of the river till Saturday. All their ijiovements betrayed symptoms of apprehension. A vast quantity of property was left in the town uninjur- ed, and the Ariel, which lies four miles above upon the beach, is safe. Since the 1st instant they, have made no movement. They continue in the possession of Niagara, and will probably retain it, until a force competent to its reduction arrives in its vicmity. '^^;^.,?i;'--\^^^;-*r.: '^r -^t ;' -^M:::^:^^^.' a^jk.-. -iMxhv -5--—!- !^^^r.t^>^ . ■'■','' '-iMi^/ ■H" ■*%-^^. > Robert Lee, late ofLcwiston, in the countyofNi^ agara, and stale of New York, gentleman, of the age of forty two years, being sworn on the holy evange- lists, deposeth and saith. that some seven weeks immediately preceding the 19th of December last^ he, this deponent, resided in fort Niagara, for the purpose of attending to private business; that about four o'clock in the morning of the 19th, the said fort was attacked or entered by the British. The garrison was not alarmed wb.-n the enemy entered the gates of the furt. Some tiring took place after they entered the works, pp/ticularly between the ponenl Amerj quart vates thepc niandc hfs far] attack.) and >nof che8 tatty ion I [ and mded from liVitia. 5 most charg- is side jHients V vast ninjur- 3 above mttliey leinthe etain it, •rives in ityofNi^ [f the age revaoge- 1 weeks Lber last, [, for the kat about [the said Ih. The entered Ace after reen the fi; m ua ga«rd arl)i6' sodfir^^ b^ ffSgs^ dn^ In the hospital at the red barracks, on the part of the Americans with the enemy. This deponent h fldi^itive that there v*ere about 400 men of all descrijptions ib the fot't, immediately before taken, and that ddO of that number wtrk capable and tVilling to bear arms in that way, viz.: firing oh the enemy from th€ block 1^ ustes, &c. The prin- » cipal resistanfie the enemy met with, was from the sick in thie fed barracks, and the guard at the; soiith east block house befofe mentioned. Th^ sick tit the red barracks, as this deponent is informed, and ffom what h6 saw, he believes were nearljr all slaughtered. Thci British force that tbok possc£{<: sion of the fort were in number about 400j com^ tm^nded by colond Murray^ who was wounded ih the arm in eii^ring the gate, and was succeeded in command by colonel Hamilton. From the British order 6f congratulation that issued on the same morning, it appeared that the Americans had lost 65 killed and 15 wounded. Which wounds were prin-' cipally by the bayonet, as expressed in the order; but the above order issued very soon after they took possession of the fort, and did not include a number that were afterwards found bayoneted in thiv cellairs of the houses. This deponent thinks that our loss in killed in the whole amounted at least to eighty. It was a matter of freqjuent con- versation and exultation among the British non- commissioned officers and soldiers, while this de- ponent Ivas under guard, that they bayoneted the Aniericans, notwithstanding their cryiiig out fbr quarters. A subaltern officer and p.bdut 20 ^ri« vktef made their escape from th<^ fori; by scahn^ the pickets. Captain Leonard, the American com- mander, was, at the time the fort was taken, at his farm, about two miles distant and bearing the attack, made towards the fort, and at no |reat dis- II d ■'? « 15 ^ ■^ij^-m^ ,.Keen '.fthe British magazine at fort George, the residue in open plank and board huts; in both situations it , was impossible to lay down. The magazine was vf o filthy that many of the prisoners became infest-^ ed with vermm, and in that situation remained aeven days. The citizens were then removed to a brick building pp near Queenston^ wb^re they were ^ ^ so much crowded that no kind of comfort was to- be taken either by day or night. The supply of -provisions was not only scanty, but of the very ' worst kind; beef of the most inferior and repulsive quali^; and bread, the quality of which cannot be described. The water that they used, both there . find at the magazine, they had to purchase. This . deponent believes that through the influence of an individual in Upper Canada, himself, togfthef with ten other American citizens, were permitted, on the 13th instant, to cross to the United States. The : residue of the citizens, to the amount of about se- yenty. were niarch^d, on the 12th, under a strong ^uard to Burlington heights; and this deponept was unformed, that from thience they would be sent to ; Kingston The women and children taken at and fii^ar Lewistown, were stripped of their clothing ^nd taken across the river. And further thi^ de- ppnent salth not» . 1^ (Signed) ROBERT LEE. Sworn to and subscribed this Idth d^y of Ja- puHry, 1814, befor? HHB, (^^^^ J, HARRISON, in|ster in cl)»iic^ry. v-^'S* -'V, . »' enemy, ivo days leponent eve kept nt,witn- y scanty ration of wed over lad ^n ■esiduein latibns it aine was ne infest- remained oved to a. they were n't was ta supply of I the very repulsive cannot be oth there sc. This ;nce of an sther with ed, on the es. The about se- ll strong \ti&[^ was >e sent to n at and clothing !r thi^ de- l^y of Ja- lAiKC^ry.