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UHITE "^♦'t IlhtsimHvt traiis pm \ I M. Carey »nd ' M burg-; A. 1 T. Vanc< J. Mill X • r-T' ii-| I III' >i« Bi«iii» i »iiiiiiii in... i. HISTOHlCiL 8KET<^E8 JUTE WAB, ^ MtPWIBM Tttll raiTED STATES AND GREAT BBlTAINj BLENDP) WITH ANECDOTES IlhistraHve of thu Individual Bramm «/» it.« a trmhofthe most ^^'^tinguished Naval A^MuLv OJicers; md accompanied by rZfvsof^ Uvernl Sieges if Engagements, f BY JOHN LEWIS THOMSON. PV^LTSHED BY THOMAS mSILVEH. ALSO BY vaiuial), (Geo ) j. Cottom. Richmond. (Va.) J^OHN BiOREN, PRlNTfiB. 1816. m i ,1' DUbict o/Ptmuyivania, lo wU: >^l>'.etor,i„,to^rj,^;|^^';,y'fJt^jl.ereofhe .Wnu „ " "'^^'':'Jt£^^t^'''t:^«]r'^'''> .he U„U.d ; Sailor., s„idi.«;Zd ""S , ~'t'^,^K''!f. ;*T""» intUuMf'.''i?^Vfo: fii'if "■« ""««" "f 'he United Sute. And also to ihe Ml, entitled ™ An '!^ i""" ""entionf d." entitled, "An «ct fm. th. ■*" "' ""PP'emenUry to an »« curing the c^i^of^^J^^SAranTBool'T^S- "" - ..^^i".. engrawng. -d^?.'hi^„^"SS^:a'"ot'.;e\;S'„.°';.<'«- D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Dktrict of Penmylvanii, X T -iMWlWiWM — V/J • 1^ HON. J4MES*M0N110B, Secretary of Slate^ * "'" OF THE UNITED STATES, Whose indefatigable efTorts, as well on an Embasy to the Court of St. James, as in the DEPARTMENT OP STATE, to negotiate an honorable adjustment of those diffcrcnceg which resulted in the late contest with GREAT BRITAIN, and who presided with distinguished ability, in thk DEPARTMENT OF WdR, at the period most memorable for the achievements of the AMERICAN ARMS; This work is respectfully Dedicated, by THE AUTHOR. Philadelphia, July ii,f IB16, ^j mm t It- ■I 11 o f( #»■ PiKEFACE. WHEN proposals were issued for tm pub . lication of tliis work, some time after the ratifica- tion of the treaty of peace with Great Britain, its contemplated plan embraced nothing more than the compilation of hasty sketches of the leading events of the war, arranged in clironological or- der, and with a proper regard to tlie preservation of the principal features, and the general charac- ters of the land, and naval engagements. Tlie author was not long in discovering that infinite pains and excessive labour were necessary, to the collection of materials, from which these sketches^ however concise, might be made with that fide- Iity which such subjects require. His resources at that period,, thougli stamped with the character of authenticity, were extremely limited, and he found it necessary to intimate his intentions to officers of the army and navy, who had been engaged in many of the events which It was his design to perpetuate, and upon the truth ot whose statements he could implicitly rely. These intimations were followed,, by manv assurances of assistance from gentlemea of aU ranks in the service, and by promises of full, and accurate, accounts of the operations of the fleets and armies. From such fruitful and authentic sources the author could not fail to elicit the best, possible information, and though he did not im. mediately contemplate an extension of the limits of the work, he determined to put it more in the iormt of a flimiliar and connected narrative, than Blight have been expected from its title, without assuming, however, the style of a history » I ••.t ( vi The length and number of the journals and Statements transmuted to him, not only tended to increase his labours, but produced much more delay m the completion of the work, and prolonff. cd the time of its appearance !.eyond the day on To the same cause is to be attributed the cir- cumstance of its having attained the three hun- dredth page, before the account of the last north- crn campaign was fully detailed, and co that circumstance he must refer his readers, for the o^iiciseness of the description of the capture of Washington, the attack upon Baltimore, the operations upon the whole southern coast, and of tnebrilhant and unparalleled repulse of theenemy, before New Orleans. Limited as these descrip- tions are, it became necessary to add seventy-two pages to the number promised, and the expences ot the work have m consequence been so much increased that without incurring an absolute Joss, its bulk could not possibly be any further extended. The author cannot conclude this preface with- out assuring his readers, that no eflfbrtshave beea neglected to ascertain the principal facts connecf- Gd vyith the events of the war. FerseverinP- as he has been, however, he fears that some om?ssions lave ueen made, or that some mistatemems may have crept into the work , and to these he b^/s the mdulgencc of those persons who were con-- eerned m these events, as the knowledge of such tacts, too frequently, elude the most industrious ^^K^'Tu ' ^'^ '''^ contradictory accounts, with .vhich he has been supplied, have not unseldom thrown him into perplexing etpbarrassments. INDEX. CHAPTER I. Indian Hostilities, 3— Battle on the Wabash, 4-~Conduct of the British Cabinet and cruisers, 5— Declaration of war against T-?-^' f'^^'"f ^-Invasion of Canada, 8— Fall of Fort Mi- chilim&ckmack, 9— Skirmish near Aux Cannards, 12— M'Ar- thur s Excursion, IS-Skirmiah at Brownstown, 14~Evacu- ation of Sandwich, 15-Baitle of Maguaga, IG-Fort Chi- cago, 18— Surrender of Detroit, 20. CHAPTER n. Disposition of the Naval Forces, Sr-Escape of the Consti- tution, 27— Letters ot Marque and Reprisals, 28— Atlas en- gages two armed ships, 28--Essex captures the Alert. 29— Engagement between the Constitution and Guerriere 30— Pursuit of the Belvidere, 53-An Engagement on the St. Lawrence, 34--Capture of the British Brigs Detroit and Caledonia, on Lake Erie, 35- Wasp captures the Frolic, 37 -Both takeii by the Poictiers, 39-Loss of the United States' Schooners Nautilus and Vixen, 40. CHAPTER HI. "43-Batu'/of ?h^'r'f k"^"""'' ^"-^'^^^ "^^^ I>«vis' Creek, 4J— battle ot the Lotchway town, 44. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. British evacMste Fori Defiance, J4-DeaU. of Logan, 54-^ Battle on the Mississinewa, 55-Left wing of the ArmP inoves from Defiance to the- Rapids, Sr-Excursion of the Kentucky Brigade into Indiana, 57. ^'^^^"^siGn ot iFie fiii INDEX. CHAPTER VI i 60-Bom^ardment of Sgd^^^^^ Gananoque. Disposition of the Forcfs on th?N^.Tr1 61 ??.V''- 1^~ o^ Queenstown. 69— .Rntfi*. «f r» *^'"k*'^*> oI— Description DeShof General Bm?ril^L&fTh^". "^•.^'^^«' ^2- 68-Cannonade beTween F^ Geo^^^^^^^^^^ «>'''^«' -An Affair below OgdemburzVlLtLii ^'^^^'** ^^ Canada. ri~Bombard^ent o^f ort^f^ara /SlT '"'?• ricans, they open a fire on the Battery at the Rock, 82? CHAPTER Vn. '"'i^e^'^^^J^'^^^ States ove. Naval Establish^nent on LaktZ'JoSs'^cV' °^ '^,^ Squadron pursues the Royal George into Kint.T;?!?""^^ * and Bombards that Town. SS-G^ror/er cSp, ^'1°"' my's Sloop, Sr—Fie-ht betwe^-n »h« i . t^e,*^** ^" ^"e- Charybdis and thrfi vateeTBlckade sf TiT^nl ^^?' and carries two Armed Vessels. 88-Fourth NavTl V?f^^' the Constitution over the British frigate the J^afsl^'^' CHAPTER Vni. Contemplated Movement of the British and IndJan, fr^m ti* i den to Frenchtown. 93— Battle hAt,„L„Vi *"r? "°^ "**'* Armies, and the DeLt of h: 8^1^94' cf n?"'' f .^"^'^ eral Winchester's Force, and Ssacre ^^ th?T°^^^"- 95-Siege of Fort Mec-s 109 n?,!fi . x?- *"® Prisoners, CHAPTER IX. '^P.!:?™?.?! 'i"_C.n;p,,g„ of 18.3, by ,h. North We,«^ thp nritiaU ito n r. . * lI2--Capture of OtrdeosburEr bv the British, Il3-Batt«rie» at Biacfc Rock, nJLconceK ^on of For««s a< 9ackett»8 Harbour, 113— Descriwioft ©f the lown and Harbour of Little York, Capital of Upper Canada* ll^r-Embarkation of Genpral Daarbom's Army at Sackett'a Harbour, 114— American Heet under Commodore Cb«unce« saila thence, 114-Arrive« at the mouth of York harbour, 114-British Force under General ShcafFe, 114-It8 Dispo- sition, 114— Landing of the American Advance, 115— Fieht in the Woods, 116— Landing of the Main Force, 116-Bri- tjsh retreat to their Garrison, 116-Their Works outside * V?*"' nr— They abandon their Fort, 117— Explosion of the Magazine, 117-Dewh of Genetak Pike, 118— The Aroeri- cans enter the Garrison, 118-Command devolves on Colonel Pearce. 118-General Sheaffe withdraws his Force* frc-n tneTown, and retreats across the Don, 118— His Rear ?hTTS'i^°^fi^ Lieutenant Riddle, llS-Capituktlon of Ihe S** ""S ^'"'* °^ ^"^^^ 119-The British destroy ie?fi^io7v* , Tf? ^^''*' negotiating for terms, and «rL.?w * «.^"** ""^ ^"* 119-American8 leave York and for R^inf "^ Niagara, 123-Fleet sails to Sackett's Harbour OntS^o Tcf."* pi! %^^~^" Expedition to the head of Lake NewA^k i^l«T"'"'* ^24-Its Disposition before 125-F^I^; «n^^"^^ 1P°" ^"^ Capture ofFort George, Tifr ♦ ^p V**" ^*^ ^'■»** 128-Captnti of Port Erfe, r?|!! Defeat of Generals Chandl-*- «..a Winder, 128— Attack oft f;&."''''"^ '^ Sir George Prevost. 134-HU Re" CHAPTER X. General Dearborh retires from the command of the North*i^ Army, 143-Command of Fort George devolves on r^«lr^ of Sodus, 143-Attempt to land at Oswego, 144I Affair a^ itTeLfoTth^llS^TV'^^ MiHtia'p;t;t;re'i?^?;oS of an Enemy's Gun Boat, 149-Fort George InvesJId 149 YoTk"?5"o''S!^.-^lf ''T'^'^l 149-Secfnd Expeluiot'^ ^ork, 150— British capture the Growler and Eaele 150 f^-c'^hr?; "he R " -^S S?^ ^-^'^oyii.. Priva?f'Sou?e;; aau— i^nase of the British Fleet on Lake Onrario 1^1 ir„ th?Ev''f.r S^'"*^^ ^"^^ re.possession rNefva7k^^; Capture of k Br?;;:h"nffl""'*l' *° ^''' IntrenchmentsJ I53Z i^apture ot a British officer by an American Sentinel, 153. CHAPTER XI. The Nrti^Ji xir^ot*— a .._^^ ^ _ . _ . . . Fort'MeJMV^V^rT'f "•^* i^-^Hritish appear again beft>r< duskv 1-^f r r^*^!."?°"* ^'*''' Stephenson, Lower San^ dusky, 155-Capture of the British Fleet on Like Ede, 159 H ■ fiTDES. MaWen/l64— The Amil.: Canada, 164-Capture o^ the British up la^lTd He^tk- '"^^ '^^ lesiSuc -Battle of the Thames 1 eel ni;^^'i''""i'^,'" Chatham, 166 ral Pr(,ctor'a ArmM69lE,trDe of JL^"n« "P*"""^ «^ ««««" Of Tecumseh. le^-Destrurtfo^n of hi iS*''^''' 168-DeatFi -The Army saUs for anVSalt^iX^'m J^""' ''' CHAPTER XII. investment of Fort GeorJ. lyfln^Tf;^^^^^^ the "inter qMS2™?liri;'''j'r/ •'''™' «8*-Goe. a|,o i„,o .na de^„;^^|'J^J^A^e;;.c.ns e«c„.,e For. George CHAPTER Xlll. Sloop of War Peacock ^odI;."^*^' !"* Captures Ihe andthesfeopofWaTDomE?201? ^""''"^o'^ Decatu. CHAPTER XIV. ^-luack ntPf"^*7 '^'^^••^'^^ °f Chesapeake Bay, 202 row Lewistown'-sS Zir ^^^^'•'"^^' 203-Af?i;; be! River. 203-The Gun I?at^^^^^^ °rf ^^ T-^^ "«»' M"''«'is gagement on the Delaware 90^^^"" ^J'^.^'^'* 204-En. petke Bay, 205l.Fr!n^^S f .f ^depredations in Chesa- Grace 90r «n^ r ^ * 206--Destruction of Havre de Sttrvevor 911 i^*^ V^""^^'"' °^ **»« Revenue Cutter •>»>** veyor, ^11— Action betwef>n th« n.... d-._^- -,..'" «^ --""-."w^is anu mree. INDEX. id FrJgatea. 212-;DefeBce of Crancy Island, 2J3-HaBipton asBaulted and plundered, 215. * " CHAPTER XV. Sritish land at Ocracoke and Portsmouth, 222— Cantute two Letters of xMarque. 222-Di8tribution of Admiral War- ?•"?• ^c^** 223-United States' schooner Asp. 223--A v! t^S.^'^^h ***® Yankee, captures a British tender the Etole. 224--The Frigates United SUtes and Macedonian, and sloop Hornet, blockaded at New London, 225-Mid! shipman Ten.E>ke. 225...British at Saybrook, 226~Engage- ment in Connecticut Sound, 227-Wareham and ScituatI, 228 SnXT *'«,''/ ^»'*W' ^"°«^ ^«^a"d* 229-Attack ipon Stonmgton, 230-British claim he territory east of the Pe- F r^? ' f/ ***'*'"P>' Castine, 232~Los8 of the United States^ « ngate Adams, 232. CHAPTER XVI. ^ S*lnS*S^w"'"*'» r '*'*'* ^"° ^''ff Argus, captured by the Sloop of War Pelican, 234~Boxcr and Enterprize 237- Allen and Burrows, 238-Commodore Rodg?rrand tS fsS ??nr™*o/^^~r^°"."^'"''°" ^^^'^^ into^J^rblehead! ^??r or S^"""® ^^^'"^ 240-Cruize of the Essex Fri Itl; 240-Her capture. 242~United States* Sloop of War IcS n'fT'^"'' the British brig of war EperWer, 24g —Cruise of the nevr Sloop of War Wasn 950— H*.r o1«. quest over the Reindeer, 2Vshe sink^t^he Av^^flJa? CHAPTER XVII. Proposed plan of operations in Lower Canada, 255-The Ai^ my quit the quarters at French Mills, 25^Incur8ion of the !a Colle° ^57^-' 25^-Smugglers,L-6-Movement against aux Nofx 2^" r°"''^"TSrT. °^ '^ ^"t'«*» F°'-<=" at Isle aux Notx, 259— General Wilkinson's recal, 259— Estahnrh ment of a Battery at Otter Creek, 259-BSish a^Dea ?t 9fi^T'\^^^~^7^f^P"'^^' ^eo-Opprafion on^&^^^^^^^ 260-Lveutenant Dudley, 261-Defence of Fort Oswego 26f cSoTte ¥o^^*^'^"^%<>**'»^ B'-'t.sh there, 263-Atra^f i^oj t-harlotte Town, on Genessee River. 264— Brit;«h itnJ -« PultneyviUe, 264-Blocfcade of Sack^tf'rHarbor 265-An SsfforTe'seS 'Th1fi?^f-^'*S'' ^''^^'^^^ ofTinh'e Bd" iisn lorce, -265— The British Fleet retire to Kinffston 9fiy fown '^o6;"^^"^?«^^^^^»»«"•» 26r-AnaffHir S Sde?N aSt W Pnt. ""r ^t""Lf "•'^y^'^' 263-Expeditl Ht Sner ogl f*""** Canada 268-Colone' Ba-bei taken &f^VBrULr";^;?" '' Long.Wood, C..ria, and de- \u IKfDEX. CHAPTER XVIII. Assemblage of the left division of the Armv at BU^fc « u and BuSaloe, 273-Capture of For EHe 274 A m^ ^'**^'' srift^TIo^"^'' *' ^--«^«-. 282iDtath o^g"".:^^^^^^^^ &witt, 282— Movement upon Fort Georfr<» 9nc> ^''"®™* B^own retire, to Chippewa^reek, sSriStle'^^N^^S! CHAPTER XIX. Defences ofFort Erie extended, 3!J4-.Investe4 >.L - . J- •• ^•- !B!-!VI1 lUSllC WIS LUC American character, as the author ii desirous to ffive. or the reader perhaps to receive. ■ 6 Um* fime evinced in the conduct, as well of the BritiBh mi nistry, as of their public ships of war on h! ""/^'^"^»- coa«t in neutral po'rts, and o^n the ocean " '^'"'"''" ♦h;I" li ^'';''^?[!' "'ore decided character being given to Britain a^H 7hL*"'T' '^^^^ ^^^ ^""«^ Bilf "Great these threateinng evi,rth: sefot setoToT h"f tr.Hh congress had been protracted to an unusual length and on fhftrr!trjr^;«ri ^*;7^av«i'in., thePrlLl%"^^ ine nrst of June, 1812, laid before the two houses adetail bv t TTu ""^'-'^'^^^ committed against this ^S k^ThP.-fr ^^ government, and the officers represen h)g as i?wTs hTl/f «"^"««" ^«« required to tWs subject^ ?he Deonll S """r''"'^' ^^ ^^^ greatest proportion of the people that such encroaching injuries should at last be resisted by the most effectual meaL. Documents be ing m possession of the executive, which placTd tj; in- sultrng practices of the British, against the cUmtce and national honour of the United States, beyond all dS 21 «r"bTer^th"*'r'' ^^^^^^^l-^^-rsof 'haTnltL': fiacJ been m the contmued practice of violating the Ame- ; ncan flagon the great highway of nations, and ofseTrg and carrying off persons sailing under it; not in the exercise of a belligerent right, founded on thelawof na! "or^sr.bji:;:r^'' '"' ^'^ "-"^^^^^^ p^^^^^^«- " n*Zp^l^Il^« ^"-^ Jlf";" *^^ P'^^*'*^^ ^^^^ of violating the peace and the rights of our coasts by hovering over, and "fhatrjhf r\""'''"^ ""^ ***^P"""S eommerce,.'and O^at to the most insulting pretensions they had added the mos lawless proceedings in our very harbours, and wan only spit American blood within, the sanchrarvo our territorial jurisdiction ; * « ill^''^ *^,^^ ""^'f ^i'"'"S ^"^ sacrifice our commercial in- terests and were laying waste our neutral trade, not be- cause we supplied their enemy, but by carry ng on a waragamst our friendly commerce that tL/mightVem^ «l;^r.Pr"^ *" intercourse with their enemy f Ihat they were plundering our vessels on the high seas under pretended blockades without the neressafv presence of an adeauate forr*. tn maJ«fo:« *u^J^:^t7. « to these transcendent acts of injustice "the ^bTnet" of <' Great Britain added at length, the sweeping system of « blockade under the name of orders in council, which had " been moulded to suit its political views, its commercial "jealousies, or the avidity of British cruisers ; " That at the very moment when their publick minister " was holduig the language of friendship and inspiring ** confidence in the sincerity of the negociations with whicli - " he was charged, a secret agent of his government was " employed in intrigues, having for their object a subver- " sion of our government and a dismemberment of our " union ; " That the warfare which was just renewed by the " savages on our frontiers, which spared neither age or sex, " and was distinguished by features peculiarly shocking " to humanity, could not be referred to without connecting " their hostility with the influence of British traders and " garrisons, nor without recollecting the authenticated ex- *' amples, of the interpositions of the officers and agents of " that government" And, " That in fine, on the side of Great Britain, there was " a state of war against the United States ; and on the side " of the United States a state of peace towards Great Bri- " tain." The committee of foreign relations, to whom this mes- sage was referred, reported a manifesto to the house, in which, after recapitulating these grievances, they recom- mended, as the only measure to prevent future aggressioUi an immediate appeal to arms ; and on the 18th of June, an act was passed, declaring war against the kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof; which received the executive sanction. A small army, consisting of the 4th regiment of infant- ry, and three regiments of Ohio volunteers, was ordered, under the command of brigadier general Hull, to protect the frontiers against the incursions of the savages. After the declaration of war, this force, being nearest to the most convenient point of invasion, was directed to repair to the town of Detroit, on the river of tl at name, and op- posite Sandwich, a beautiful and ei^tensive village in Up- per Canada. On the fifth of July, after a tedious and fatiguing march of thirty-five days, during which he was obliged to fortify hi9camp, at every position which he occupied at night, to B2 r prevent a surprise from a party nf Indi-ng wim »• i ^ i. p.tched for that purpose, and worked with so much akm Sr^raJz.T'oinr''^"''' '" "'""•'™ "" -"'«"' "f invl^ZllcCSl'T 7''' """"•king for .n immediate EnKaSne^r «^^ ,7*™ <=»""™«'«d.c«P«ble of con- ;» K:T.TL;etr ii:rnh?:iro?r "*^ «r neiow me point, selected to oppose their landin., *k« anoyance a battery of seven small cannon, and two rmSatio^toTtSe'onhe'S "«-« '""'"•"^''' "■« on the Canadia^ shore ahSvlfhl/t ^5* "'"'y '""'«'' wich without ow.^Sk Xose of tte^^nhTn'r 1 ^'f- had not been called to repa r o the de?en ?lf' Ma'^ 4en, were without arms, and therefore made no show „f a»iy respected m their property and uprson^'th colonel Cass, and one hundred men, by whom he was then joined. ' ^ Between this time and the bej^nning of August no event took place, which could afford the American troops an opportumfy of displaying their true character. The inclemency of the weather was very unfavourable to the operations of an army Sudden transitions from extreme heat, to mtense cold followed by violent storn^s of rain T hPv iJ^/k 'n ^^''"' ^""'^ "'^^'^ ^^ discontented. Ihey had been all enamoured of an expedition, which promised them so mucli honour and renown, and when they landed on the Canadian shore, they were filled with such assurances of conquest, as made their impatience tor achievement almost ungovernable. The tardiness which now seemed inseparable from the conduct of their commander dispirited them, and destroyed whatever of confidence they might have reposed in him before The result of a councli of war, however, which it was found necessary to convoke, revived all their desires, and a spir- it, no Jess active than that, wi(h which they had set out, pervaded the whole encampment. In two days more, by proper exertions, every arraiicrement would be completed for the investment of fort Maiden. At the end of that time the heavy cannon might be ready ; if they should not, Uie council recommended an attempt with the bayonet. Ihe Uritish garrison had been constantly deserted by the embodied Canaditv.i militia, and a vigorous attack upon it, however gallant the defence, could not but be attended with ultimate success. The deliberations of the council corresponded with the opinions of the general, and the day was appointed on which the assault was to take place Ihe cannon were well mounted, and embarked on float- ing batteries ; the ammunition was already placed in waggons provided for its conveyance; the troops were animated by tlie prospect of a combat, and not at all doubtful of a certain and brilliant victory. A company of volunteers from Ohio, under command of captain Brush, had arrived at the river Raisin, with a quanti- ly oi provisions for the army. Although the troops" were already supphed for many days, these provisions might be 16 necessaiy in the event of conquest. The distance from Detroit, to the point at which they had arrived was thirty- B.X miles, and their inarch was liable to be intercepted, by scouUng parties Iron, the enemy. Major Vanhorne was therefore despatched, with one hundred and fifty men to meet, and escort them to their destination. He had near y reached Brownstown, on his second day's march, whea be was attacked in front, and on both fliiks, by a very superior force, regulars and Indians. A warm engaJ- jnent followed. To the Americans, the odds were fearfuf- but their resistance was obstinate. A retreat became in- dispensable, but to succeed in it, the exercise of great in S^nf r- ""^'^''^'y; The volunteers had confidlnce m that of their commander, and he brought them off, wiUi Among the former were captains M'CuIloch, Bostlerand Gi crease wlio fought with that gallantry, which has never failed to distinguish the citizens of the stete to which tlTy belonged ; among the latter wa. captain Ulry, since deSf 'tlions''''" "^^^ "° *^'' °''*'*® ^^^"^ **"*' ""^ ^** ««"»- Major Vanhorne had scarcely been sent from Sand- wich, when a change of measures was adopted by the hTotZ ^Pf;?,^^^»««/« the wishes and entities of aS dnn.H ! !J J^^ enterprise against Maiden was aban- doned, and he announced his intention of evacuating Canada, and of posting himself at fort Detroit. The oro? mulgation of his intentions, was attended by an order to break up the encampment, and to recross^the river n the night. Consternation and dismay were visible in the countenance of every, the meanest soldier ; thX confi! dence was destroyed, and they considered thei^ com- mander as timid, and irresolute. The presence of thSp own officers, on whose capabilities they implicitly relied alone prevented one universal burst of indigna^^o^„ Re! luctantly, and with much murmuring, they obeyed the order; and ^ at day break of the morning onhe dghth Ihey found themselves garrisoned at DeLit. Here the mtelligenc<3 of the late skirmish was received. ' .^ \?'"'""«'*'^"*'°' ^'"^^» had been opened by the army, between RaJsiti o«,i fu^; ^-__x..- J „ ^y in9 should be again opened, or the pwyWons ^ Zt riteSr •i.. 16 eouldnerer reach the garrison, which, in a few weeks, would be in want of rations. To lieutenant-coionel James Miller, the command of a strong detaelunent, was for this purpose assigned. He immediately took up his line of march with three hundred regulars, and two hundred militia. The regulars were of the fourth regiment, which had acquired imperishable re- nown under the gallant colonel Boyd, at Tippecanoe. The British and Indians, anticipated the return of the detach- ment which they had driven back, and calculated that it would be largely reinforced. Their own body was there- fore increased to a number, competent, as they supposed, to drive off, or perhaps to capture them. They were seven hundred and fifty strong, and might be reinforced during an engagement, from Maiden, opposite to which was the rillage of Brownstown, which they had taken possession of a few days before. They fortified the ground at a place called Maguaga, nearly four miles from Browns- town, by felling trees and erecting breastworks. Behind the8e,they intended to conceal themselves, until the Amer- icans should attain the point, at which they might deal out to them what measure of destruction they pleased. The Indians were commanded by their great leader, Tecum- «eh J the united force by major Muir, of the British army. On the ninth, the American troops, though they proceed- «d with great caution, reached the ground on which the -enemy desired to see them, before they discovered their ambuscade. Captain Snelling, commanding the advance, was attacked from it, and sustained a combat until the main body came up, when the British and Indians sprang suddenly from behind the works, formed a line of battle with 'great celerity, and commenced a brisk fire, accompanied with all the demonstrations of savage war. Sudden and unexpected as was the attack, the intrepid commander of the American force was not the least dismayed ; his troops tfeceived the shock without shrinking ; and with a coolness ,«nd sagacity, which are commonly looked for in soldiers of long experience, he as suddenly drew up his men, and *fter a rapid fire, charged upon the enemy with such un- booked for firmness, as to throw them into complete dis- order. The obstinacy of the Indians, however, would not adniii of flight ; they might not act in concert with lh« British^. and resorting to their own kiBd of combat, It they were resolved not to abandon the contest. But the British had now recovered from their confusion, and a scene of indescribable horror ensued. Five hundred In- dians, led on, and encouraged by the regulars, (many of whom were like themselves almost naked,) frightfully painted, and sending forth such dreadful whooping and yellmg, as might have appalled almost any other t.-oops, were fighting on every side of the American detachment; but on every side they were gallantly repulsed. No such means could induce these brave men to forsake their standard, or to disgrace their nation. They saw dan- ger strengthening around them, they knew what kind of destiny awaited their defeat, and' they were resolute- ly determined to repel the foe, or to yield only with their lives. Colonel Miller found himself contending against a force, more than one third superior to his own, out he was animated by the same spirit, which was exhibited by his men. Over such men, headed by such a commander, the enemy could not hope to be victorious. 1 he firmness of the Americans had that effect upon the Bntish a^id Indians, which it was intended, by their sav- ^e noises, should be produced on them. They found that they had no terrours to resort to, which could attain their end, and they began from necessity to give ground. The obstinacy of the detachment, was equal to the deter- mined character of the Indians, and the latter bec&me first intimidated. The united forces were driven, inch by inch, into Brownstown ; and would have been beaten in- to submission, had not a squadron of boats been readv to receive them, at that place. They made as rapid a re- treat across the river, as their oarsmen knew how, and re- u"l i*" ^^^^'^^ ''''^ «" ^°f«n«'' force, than that with which they had left it. Their loss, was, in regulars, seven killed and wounded j of Indians they left nearly one hundred on the field. In the stout contest, which the de- tachment kept up for more than two hours, there were kHIed fifteen, and wounded between thirty and forty. The officers who principally distinguished themselves, were captain Baker, lieutenants Larabee and Peters, and ensign Whistler The first of them was shot three different timL durinsr the hsttiU • fho «^«««xi i^„* u:- i-x-x , .. ♦K-^« i #* " '. '""^ ■-'^»^""« iu=i 1113 ivii arm ; ana me three latter were also wounded. Colonel Miller remained at Brownstown until the meridian of the next day, when 1 r. f 'l' it I !:f •it 18 he receired orders to return to Detroit. The troops were exhausted by so vigorous an engagement, and they would have been unable to proceed furllier. A fresh detachment would probably be sent upon the same expedition ; and eolonel Miller, knowing how necessary it was, that his mea should be refreshed, was not averse from this order. Captain Brush was still waiting at the river Raisin for an escort, when he received a letter from general HuU, of the eleventh of August, in the following words: " The state of the communication between this [Detroit] " and the river Raisin is such, that a sufficient detachment " cannot be sent to bring on the provisions with safety. " you will therefore remain at the river Raisin, and in " conjunction with the regiment, Le Croix's corps, and " your own, protect the provisions and yourselves until " further orders. The detachment sent for the purpose " are so fatigued, after a severe and victorious battle, " that it will return here." In a postscript to this letter, it was left to the "discretion of captain Brush, on consulting with colonel Anderson, and the bearer of the letter, to proceed by a route on an upper road, crossing the river Huron ; on determining on which, immediate notice was to be given at Detroit Colonels Cass and M'Arthur were despatched, on th'j evening of the 14th, with three hundred and fifty men, to assist in the transportation of the provisions, through that channel. On the same day on which the victory at Maguaga was achieved, captain Heald, the commandant at fort Chicago, since called fort Dearborn, received orders to proceed immediately with his comm'iand to Detroit, by land. Ac- cordingly on the fifteenth, after delivering to the friendly Indians, in conformity to his instructions, all the goods in the factory, and such provisions as could not be taken away, and destroying the surplus arms and ammunition, he commenced his march with fifty-four regulars, and twelve militia, the whole amount of his force, and was escorted by captain Wells, of fort Wayne, and a few . friendly Indians of the Miami tribe, sent thither for that purpose. As the place would now be defenceless, the in- habitants, principally women and children, were directed to accompany the troops. The little party had not proceeded more than one mile and an half, between a high sand-bank, Bud the lake, when it was discovered that a number of hos- **f s li^ tisin, and in e, and was 19 tile Indians were preparing to attack them, from behindth* bank. Captain Heald immediately ordered his compaw to ascend it ; and they had scarcely done so, n hen an action commenced in which, after firing one round, and charging with great velocity, upon the Indians, the latter were obliged to give way in front, but joining the party on the American flanks, they kept up their fire, and got possession of all the horses, provisions, and baggage, of every description. The friendly Indians standing aloof, refusing to take part in the contest, and apparently await- ing the issue, that they might determine on which side to belong, made it necessary for captain Heald to draw off his few men, and take possession of a small elevation, in an open priarie, out of shot of the bank, or any other ?f I-®'* J'T **® '«<^e»v«d an offer of protection, from an Wdian chief, on condition of his surrender ; which, with- out much reliance on its faith, he accepted, because of the great disparity of force, the Indian warriors amounting to nearly five hundred. Their loss was about fifteen. Of the Americans, twenty-six regulars, and all the militia were killed : among them, captain Wells and ensign George Roman, both oflicers of great gallantry. Two women, and twelve children were also killed. The IndiaiA had it now in their power, to move to any part of the country, through which the communication had been formed between the river Raisin and Detroit, and num- bers of them were accordingly posted at several pomts on that road, whilst a stronger party proceeded against fort Wayne Their absence ^as taken advantage of, by captain Hp^!. *hey had taken to the mouth of St Josephs, and w. , with his lady, procured a convey- ance to Michilini a^ where he was received politely by the commandaai, captain Roberts. Mrs. Heald was wounded by six shot— the captain by two. Any attempt to accelerate the transportation of the pro- visions, would now be useless, for on the thirteenth, the Uritish had taken a position opposite Detroit. They were occupied in throwing up breastworks, during that and the two following days ; at the end of which time they had completed a battery, of two eighteen pounders. Tu~ A — ^"" "'^" """'"■^^r, vviinoui any mierrupUuii innA the American fort. Major Denny, of the volunteers, who had been left m garrison at Sandwich, with two hundred C2 20 ^ I . ■.'i *ff; 1^ and fifty infantry, and a corps of, artillerists, was obliged-, on their approach, to make his retreat across the river. This he effected, in good order. On the fifteenth, a flag of truce was received from the British, with the folh)wing summons : " Sir — The force " at my disposal authorises me to require of you the sur- " render of fort Detroit. It is far from my inclination " to join in a war of extermination, but you must be " aware, that the numerous body of Irnlians who have " attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond my " controul, the moment the contest commences. You " will find me disposed to ent«r into such conditions as *• will satisfy the most scrupulous sense of honour. Lieu- ** tenant colonel M'Donnell and m^jor Hh-^g are fully ai*- " thorised to conclude any arrangepient that may lead to " prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. I have the " honor to be, &c. ISAAC BROCK, Maj. Gen. " His Ex. Brig. Gen. Hull, com'gatfort Detroit." To this summons it was returned for answer, that the " town and fort would be defended to the last extremity." The British then opened then- batteries upon the town, and continued to throw their shells into the fort, from four ©•clock until midnight. The tire was returned until dark with little effect. At day light the next morning, the firing «gam commenced, whilst the British, under the protection of their ships, were landing their forces at Spring Wells. At about ten o'clock they proceeded in a close column twelve in front, along the bank of the river towards the lort; From fort Detroit the enemy could not have been pre- Tented from landing, had he attempted it, even in its more immediate vicinity. Its situation had been orig- inally chosen without skill; the town actually standing between it and the river, and the foot of the scarp being more than two hundred rods from it. On the evening of the fifteenth it was therefore suggested to general Hull, that the British should be opposed on the margin of the river, thai there was a position at that point, whence they could be destroyed, with the utmost certain- ty, as fast as they could land ; and that a strong battery, well manned there, would be a better security than the fort of Detroit The susrsestions of rvanm.nl II.. 117.. ..AC ce/s, were too often disregarded. The enemy had now» Wm t4 •M , was obligecTv T088 the river. ;ived from the lir — The force if you the aur- ay inclinatioa you must be aiis who have tie beyond my nenceH. You conditions as lonoiir. Lieii- ;g are fully aiv it may lead to i I have the L, Maj. Gen. t Detroit." 5wer, that the st extremity." »on the town, fort, from four led until dark tiing, the firing the protection Spring Wells, close column, • towards the ive been pre- , even in its d been orig- ally standing > scarp being the evening d to general I the margin t that point, most certaia- rong battery, irity than the r>,l U..II7 tX a: Z.XU!! 3 !■!«- my had now SI fondei!, and no obstruction could prevent his approach , until he sliould be either in the rear of the town, or of the fort, when all the strength of the latter might be sue ess- fully brought against him. The fourth regiment was sta- tioned within the fort ; the Ohio volunteers, and part of the Michigan militia, behind pickets, from which the ene- my's whole flank could (ii annoyed ; the residue of the militia were in the town, to resist the Indians ; and two twenty-four pounders, loaded with grape shot, were post- ed on an eminence, from which they could sweep the ad- vancing column. The superiority of position was appa- - rent on the side of the Americans, and their force at least equal to that of the enemy. They »iad four hundred rounds of twenty-four pound shot, already fixed, and about one hundred thousand cartridges made. Their provisions were sufficient for fifteen days, and ; very man of them, awaited the approach of the enemy with a full and eager expectation of victory. The head of the col- umn had advanced within five hundred yards of the Amer- ican line, when general Hull ordered the troops to retreat to the fort, and not by any means to open the twenty- four pounders upon the enemy. The feelings of the sol- diers were not now to be restrained, as they had been a few days before at Sandwich. Indignation at the conduct and contempt for the capacity of the commanding gene^ ral, could not longer be disguised, and they loudly uttered their discontent. They entered the fort, however, which though crowded so that any movement was impractica- ble, was scarcely capable of containing them. Here they were directed to stack their arms, and they had the mor- tification to see the flag of their country stnick to the in- vaders, and the fort surrendered, without the discharge of a smgle gun. A white flag was suspended from its walls and such was the astonishment, even of the enemy's troops, that a British officer rode up, to ascertain its mean- «hg. It was the first instance, perhaps, which they had ever known, of the surrender of a military post, without a previous arrangement of the terms ; and they had little expectation of so tame a submission. Those brave troops, who had but eight days before beaten, and put this samejnemy to flight, were now obliged to march out in i^YseiT, Oiiu lay dowQ their arms to an inferior forccj wh« MMi Bm .1 ::J! r^ li h«f1 dose no other thing towarrts the capture of the garrU son, than shewhig themselves before it. Not only the heroes of Brownstown, but the detach"* ments then absent from the fort, 'S.^9 volunteers and all tht provisions at Raisin, and those of no inconsiderable amount, the fortified posts and garrisons, and the whole territory and inhabitants of MicMgan, were delivered over by capitulation, to the commanding general of the British forces. Forty barrels of powder, two thousand five hundred stand of arms, and an armament, (consisting of twenty-five iron, and eight brass pieces of ordnance) the greater part of which had been captured from the British in the revolutionary war, were surrendered with them. The detachment which had been sent out under colonels Cass and M'Arthur, had received orders the night before to return ; but when they arrived within si^t of Detroit, before which the enemy was already stationed, it became necessary to use excessive caution in their nearer ap- pr >ach. They were accidentally thrown into a situation, the best for annoying and cutting off the retreat of the en- emy, which could possibly be selected ; and if they had heanl any firing, or had seen any indication of an engagement, they might have attacked the rear of the column, enf, placed the enemy's raw troops, between thefr own fire, and that of the fort. They could not ima- gine what measures were in operation, when an uninter- rupted silence prevailed between two hostile armies, with- in fiejhtlng distance of each other ; the arrangement for a surrender, was the last among their Surmises, because they knew that the garrison was superior to any force which could tlien be brought against it. Their doubts were re- li( ved by a message from general Hull, to the following effect : " 1 have signed articles of capitulation for the " surrender of this garrison, in which you and your de- " tachment are prisoners of war. Such part of the Ohio «* militia as have not joined the army, will -he permitted " to return to their homes, on condition that they will not " serve during the !var. Their arms, however, will be " given up, if belonging to the publick." This despatch was forwarded by colonel M'Arthur, to captain Brush, The volunteers and militia returned to their respective siOnies j vui general iiuii^ aim ilte fourth regiment, and part of the first, were taken to Montreal, whence they i' i e of the gani^ it the detach- ers aud all tht Dconsiderable ad the whol« lellvered over of the Britioh housand five (consisting of jrduance) the m the British d with them, nder colonels B night before fat of Detroit, ed, it became sir nearer ap- to a situation, eat of the en- and if they lication of aa e rear of the 3p9, between ould not ima- a an uninter- armies, with- gement for a because thej force which ibts were re- he following Eition for the and your de- ofthe Ohio be permitted they will not ver, will be 'his despatch ptain Bru^b. ir respective giment, and S3* were destined for Quebec. General Brork issued hn proclHinalion, announcing to the Inhabitantfs of Michigan, the ccHBion of that territory to the aims of hit Brilannick Majesty, and eslabliwhing regulations for its civil govern- ment. The capitulation of an immense territory, and the surrender of the whole north-western army, which was composed of men, feelingly aKve to the honour of their country, ambitious of distinguishing themselves in arms, and most of whom had left their families, and their friends, to encounter the fatigues and dangers of a long campaign, excited a sensation among the people, from one extremity of the country to the other, not less indig- nant, than that which was felt by the troops themselves. When general Brock said, that the force at his disposal au- thosised him to require the surrender, he must have had a very exalted opinion, of the prowess of his own soldiers, or a very mistaken one, of the ability of those which were commanded by the American generH. The force at his disposal was inferior to the garrison of Detroit, even in the absence of the detachments. . In a letter to sir George PrevoBt, he states the American force at two thousand Ave hundred— which however could not be correct, as it had met with losses in the different 8i.i,mi8he9--and his own at six hundred white troops, and six hundred In- dians. By the return of his quarter- master general, it consisted of, Britj-ih regulars, infantry and artillery .... 362 Indians, principally Chipaways, Hurons and > Putawatamies I ' ^^^ Militia, in regular uniforms . ggg Total, 1394 Of these, few of the Indians were visible, as they gene- rally skulked in the woods, and did not advance upon the fort with the British column. The force of general Huirs army, by the morning report, was one thousand and six- ty, exclusive of the detachment of three hundred and fifty men, and three hundred Michigan militia, then out on duty, which would have made seventeen hundred and ten ; superior to the enemy by three hundred and sixteen. \m iue anivai wf captain Brush from Itaisin, his total force ./• 94 would have amounted to more than ei^teen hundred and sixty. Had the troops remained at Sandwich until the provi^ sions were brought on, the surrender of this force to a body of troops inferior in quality as well as number, would have been prevented. The British did not appear at that place until they had heard of its evacuation, they were induced to follow up the American army, because of its abrupt depar- ture from the Canadian shore, and it has been matter of conjecture, whether general Hull's conduct Was the result of cowardice, mental imbecility and moral depravity, or corrupt perfidy. In his official despatches to the govern- ment he accounted for it by saying, "the surrender of " Micbilimackinac opened the northern hive of Indians, " and they were swarming down in every direction. Re- ^* inforcements from Niagara had arrived at Amhertsburg " under the command of colonel Proctor. The desertion " of the militia ceased. Besides the reinforcements that " came by waiter I received information of a very con- *^ siderable force under the command of major Chambers, " on the river Le Tranche, with four field pieces, and col- lecting the militia on his route, evidently destined for Amherstburg, and in addition to this combination and increase of force, contrary to all expectations the Wy- " andots,Chippewa9 and other tribes with whom I had the " most friendly intercourse at once passed over to Amherst- " burg and accepted the tom-hawk and scalping knife. " There being now a vast number of Indians at the British " post, they were sent to the river Huron, Brownstown, and Maguaga, to intercept my communication. " Under this sudden and unexpected change of things, and having received an express from general Hall com- manding opposite the British shore on the Niagara river, by which it appeared that there was no prospect of any co- operation from that quarter, and the two senior officers of the artillery having stated to me an opinion that it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to pass the Tur- key rivei and the river Aux Canards with 24 pounders, and that they would not be transported by water, as the Queen Charlotte, which carries eighteen 24 pounders, ** lav in ilio wiirnn TftAfi •■ - - - U (( « « (( " Canards, and as it appeared indispensably necessary to " open the communication to the river Raisin and the 2S iVcf illiA " Miami, I found myself compelled to suspend the apen- •* tion against Amhertsburg and concentrate the main force " of the army at Detroit, fully intending at that time after the communication was opened, to re-cross the river and pursue the object at Amhertsburg, and strongly de- ! !rVl**l5°"^""'"S protection to a very large number of the inhabitants of Upper Canada who had voluntarily accepted it under my proclamation ; I established a for tress on the banks of the river a little below Detroit cal- «* culated for a garrison of 300 men. On the evening of the 7th and morning of the 8th instant, the army, ex»!?tigation of all the facts, that court declined ir«.«/i ^ "."^;""v"" y" "»*-• ^iiuT^e ui iieason, which was al- leged against him butsaid that they did not believe, from any thing which had come before them, that he had bTe^ ■,j I "Si" 26 guilty of that act. On the second charge, for cowardice and the third, for neglect of duty and unoflicerlike conduct, they condemned him. A sentence of death was passed upon liim, iMit in consideration of Iiis revolutionary ser-\ vices and his advanced age, he was earnestly recommend- ed to the mercy of the President, who remitted the sen- tence, but directed a general order to be issued, by which his name was struck from the rolls of the army. Could that genius and enterprise, which distinguished the other officers of the north western army, have been imparted to its commander, a more glorious issue to the American arras, must have been the necessary result. The conduct of the several detachments, and the ample success of each excursion, gave an almost incontestible proof, that a vigorous prosecution of the warfare, would have obtained complete victory. Had the effect of these successes been followed up by a rapid movement of the army itself, and proper advantages been taken of the desertions from the enemy's garrison, the whole country would have been subjugated, or laid open to future expeditions, and the ob- ject of the present, would doubtless have been achieved. Weakness and imbecility, however, supplied the place of military talent, and the result was different from that, which was looked to, by the army and the nation. cowardice — like conduct, I was passed Litionary ser- recommend- tted the sen- jd, by which listinguished , have been issue to the T result. The nple success le proof, that ave obtained jcesses been ly itself, and >ns from the 1 have been and the ob- en achieved, the place of 1 that, which ^ V*St I XT' *r o'. Stti€iit niu.-: mi^' ISAAC HlTI.1. Es^Q^ :*. CHAPTER II. Disposition of the Naval Forces — Escape of the Constiivr Hon — Letters of Marque and Reprisals-^tlas engages two armed ships — Essex captwes the Alert — Engage- nunt between the ConstUution mid Oiierriere—'PursiUi* of the Belvidere — An engagement on the St. Lawrence — Capture of the British Brigs Detroit and Caledmiia, 31 ned to Bo8- :ond of that orious con- icr of which' one of the tune to en- ling off the slaration of e entrances m in large ids, and at allusion to Dop of war resident; in imilted on adeides at^ in Hull had Mp of war, y stood in Qete^nth ef i by captain i President^ :tle Belt re. commodore [emand was fesident re- [^ommodore ing silenced >w received the vessel ; \r damages. iNavai Jdus^ August, he made several captures of merchantmen, ftn^ recaptured an Americai brig, which had been W^V^ by the Avenger, On that day, in lat. 41 deg. 42 mi^N. and long. 5 5 deg. SSniin. W.he discovered a large frigate of the enemy, set all sail in chase, and came up with, and captured her, after a spirited "engagement of forty -five minutes. She proved to be the frigate Gu^riere, of 38 guns, but carrying 49, a^d commanded by captain James R. Dacres. She was discovered a^ about two P. M. and at four, the Constitution was closing fast upon her. At ten minutes past four, the enemy hoisted English colours, and com- menced the actioil by firing several guns. The Consti- tution's fire w«|| reserved, until she could be put in such a(|||0siti«iis that every shot should take effect ; and the fiaRmH^naster, Aylwin, brought her soslcilfully into action, that captain Hull's views were completely accomplish- ed. But the enemy not comprehending them, suspect- ed the Amer'cans of timidity, or of ignorance in the a|t of gui^ry, and discharged his broadsides with an assu- rance of crippling his antagonist, before he might opea his battery. The crew of the Constitution uixiously awaiting the orders of their commander to fire on the foe, were themselves filled with surprise at his receiving sa many rounds, without yet returning them. Captain Hull, at his station however, was with great judgment recon- ni^tringthe enemy with his glass ; until finding that the ifeility and excellent seamanship of his sailing-master,, itt'ought up the ship to the exact station upon the ene- my's beam, from which he knew he could effectually an- ? 8»me length (45 rainutea) he captured the French frigate Le Guerriere, commanded by Monsieur Hubert of Ole le- gion of honor. His letter states, « Le Guerriere is of the largest cloM of/ngates, mounting Jijly gunsy ivith acon> plement of 317 jnen.'* The squadron which had sailed on the Slat June, under the .command of commodore Rodgera, and w.ilch con- sisted of the President, of 4^ guns, (liag ship) United ^tates, 44, captain Decatur ; Congress, 36, captain John SMiTd ; JS^fnet, 16, lieutenant commandant Lawrencb ; and^r^, 16, lieutenant commandnnt Sinclair ; return- ed from the cruise, and arrived in Boston harbour on the 31st August, with about 120 English prisoners on beard; having been out sevent>-two clays. These vessels had been off the English channel, along the coast of France, Spain, aiKl Portugal, within 30 miles of the Rock of Lis- bon ; thence to Madeira Island ; thence off Coro and Flores ; and thence back to the Banks, and by Nova Scotia to Boston. Ihey were, most of this time, in search of the Jamaica 4Ieet ; though on the third day out, theif attention was diverted, by the appearance of a large sail, vrhich was afterwards known to be the British frigate Belvidere captain B. Byron, and to which they gave chase. The President being a superior sailer to the rest of the squad- ron, was brought within gun shot of the enemy The breeze mclining to the westward and becoming liehter however, the Belvic^^re had the advantage ' ettP M ahfe hoisted English colours. At four, the ^nd having changed, so that the two vessels sailed nearly alike, con^ modore Rodgers determined to tire his bow chase guns at the nggmg and spars, in the espectatJon of crippline tike enemy, so that her escape wouldbe prevented, or at least Uial ihe President might be enabled to come up The firb was returned from the enemy's stern gi,g|s, and wa« kept up on both sides until thirty minutes pSfour, wh^ one of the President's chase guns bursted, killed a^S rrSwhf f *?^° i:^«»g the latter the commodore; 2g i>y the explosion of J|« passing-box, from which thl A was served with po^^, both the main and foreca? uecKs m its neighborhood were much shattered. Th* fez. 'tl^J^i? ^*»""?' "." «•« ?;-ha'ge or Z w s^ fci:' i HI TJdcre. The President began now to lose ground, bo hope was left of bringing the enemy to close acUon, except that derived from being to windward, and the probability that (he breese might favour the President firat, and the commodore ordered her to be steered close after him, and the bow chase guns to be kept playing on his spars, rig- ging and stern. At fire, the enemy's stem guns annoyed tlie President so much, that the commodore determined on another broadside, whi«h being discharged, was found to have wounded the fore topsail yard of the Belvidere; af- ter this, the pursuit was kept up until U P. M. The Pre- sident gave two more broadsiiles, but the Belvidere having stove and threw overboard her boats, and every thing which could be possibly spared ; and having out away her anchors and started about fourteen tons of water, outsailed the squadron and effected her escape. Six men were kil- led and wounded by the Belvidere's fire, and sixteen by the accident on boanl the President, making in all twenty two, among whom, beside the commodore, were five midship- men, one lieutenant of marines, and one Ueutenant of the ship. While these events were transpiring on the ocean, several naval affairs took place upon the lakes, more inferior in their magnitude, than in the heroism of the persons concerned in them. On the 30th of July, the brig Julia of one 32 pounder, and two 6's, was fitted out at Sackctts Harbour, with orders to proceed to Ogdensburg. On the 31st, upon entering the St. Lawrence, within sight of Brockville, ten miles from her destination, she disco- vered the Earl Moira of 18 guns, and the Duke ofGlowxa- ier of 10, lying to. The Julia bore down within three quarters of a mile of them, and came to action. At half past 4 P. M. the enemy opened their fire, and the engage- ment conti^d three hours and an half, during which time, numerous Mempts Were made to board the Julia, by th« boats of the Tiuke^ but the 32 pounder being well fought, the enemy were obliged to relinquish that plan. Both yessels hauled up under theri^d battery, and kept up a heavy fire. At « o'clock, tllllipiia proceeded to OgdHtos- burg, without the loss of a man. The enemy's loss has never been ascertained. In all the ^engagement, thipe shot only struck the hull; one went through the jib, and aaoOier pierced the gun carriage of the Julia. Her crew were all Yoluuteers: lieuteoant £1. Wells baypg the coof- * *v kV 95 I the ocean. hiaikT, Samuel Dixon bein^ sailing master, uid eaptaiii Benedict being on board with a small company of rifle-> men, acting au marines. Lieutenant Jesse D. EMiot, of the United States navy, had been ordered to the Niagara River, to superintend the building of the vessels at Black Rock, for tlie service on Lake Erie. The Britlah brig Detroit of six 6 pound long guns, formerly the United States brig Adams, which had been taken at the surrender of Detroit, and tfie brig Caledonia, of two small a;un8, both well appointed and sup- plied with blunderbusses, pistolt*, niuskets, cutlasses, boarding pikes and battle axes, came down the lake and an- chored under the protection of Port Erie, on the morning of the eighth of October. Lieutenant Elliot planned an expedition against them, which, because there were but few seamen at the station, was to be executed by volun- teers from the army. This plan was communicated to general Smyth, who immedwtely agreed to supply the re- gulars, to man two boats to attack and cut out the enemy's vessels. Several companies of artillery and infantry, who arrived at the rock only a few days before, on hearing the proposal for volunteers, stept forward to a man, and such was the eagerness of all the troops, that it became neces- sary to resort to lot. Fifty men only were wanted : lieu- tenant Elliot having heard that the same number of sea-* men were at a short distance from him, on their route to the naval station, and who arrived at 1^ o'clock on the morning of that day, and whom, though they came off a march of five hundred miles, he determined should be al- so of the expedition. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the selection was completed, and the men stationed in two boats, (fifty in each) commanded by lieutemant Elliot, and saiUng master Watts. In the same boat with the former, was lieutenant Isaac ftoach, and with the latter, captain N. Towson ; both of the artillery, and officers of great me- rit, who ha«l been fortunate enongh to draw the successful lots. About three hours before day-light of the following monung, the boats put off from the mouth of Buffaloe Lreek, and in two hours were alongside the vessels. In ten minutes the crews of each were secured, the top- sails sheeted home, and the vessels under way. The wind not being aufficiently stronc' to cpt thf'in «*"- s-ai-=* a rapid current into the Uike^ they were obiigpd to tua 36 ti . i down th« Niagara, by the forts, under a strong fire of round, grape, and cannister, from a number of pieces of benvy .rdnance and flying artillery. They anchored within four hundred yards of the enemy's battery. The officer commanding tnese was hailed, and informed, that if another gun was fi/ed, the prisoners should be brought on deck and share the fate which might atte^nd the Ame- rican crew. This threat was disregarded, but the huma- nity of the American officers prevented them from execu- ting it, though a constant and destructive fire was kept up from the enemy. The Caledonia succeeded in getting under the batteries of Black Rock; but the Detroit could not be got across. AH her guns were therefore placed upon the side next the enemy, and a fire directed against the batteries, as long as the ammunition lasted. During the contest, several attempts to waip her over to the American shore, were unsuccessfully made. The fire from the batteries was so destructive, that lieutenaut El- liot, expectiog! that she would soon be sunk if she remain- ed in that situation, determined to drift down the river out of their reach, and prefer making a stand against the flying artillery. The cable was accordingly cut, and the Detroit made sail with light airs, but the pilot having abandoned her, she brought up on the American shore, on Squaw Is- land. The boarding boat was immediately got ready and sent with the prisoners to the American side of the river, with directions to return for lieutenant Elliot, and what- ever property could be got out of the brig; the boat how- ever could not get back to her. Lieutenant Elliot was, therefore, obliged, with lieutenant Roach and four prison- ers, to make the shore in a skiff", which they discovered under the counter. Protection was then asked for the brig from lieutenant colonel Scott, of the second regiment of arti'lery, who immediately despatched a company of that corps, under captain J. N. Barker, with a few pieces, to be stationed opposite the island. A boat from the Bri- tish shore approached the brig with forty men, who suc- ceeded in getting on board, but the fire of four pieces of artillery, soon compelled them to abandon her, and she was left m such a condition that it would be impossible to Scat her. Cuptala Chaiiibers, and part of the fifth Uiiiied States regiment, afterwards crossed to Squaw Island and liurnt her, with ber valuable cargo of furs. The Caledo- ^ 37 Ilia's cargo was estimated at 200,000 dollars. In all theoc proceedings, the American loss was three killed, three se- verely, and four or five shghtly wounded. Major Cuyler Zjm^u^' ^'^""l ll'^T*^' ^"' ^'"««^ ^y the first shot from the enemies battenes, as he stood on the beach: and midshipman John C. Cummings was xvounded in the lee by a bayonet, as he was boarding the Detroit. The reiru- lars were unused to this species of service, but they had entered into it with «eal and alacrity, and^heir conduct was such as entitled them to the approbation which they received from their officers. Captiin Towson and Ueu^ tenant Roach were actively engaged during the whole en- terprise, and contributed to its success-as much bvthe^r counsel, as by their intrepidity. Captain Talbot Ch^br The artillery which was stationed on the shore, when the Detroit was abandoned by the crew, was served wif h «ui1 and dexterity The loss of the enem; by Ihe de" report, was about seventy. ^ oeserters The United States sloop of war the Wasp, having re- S:Sa"re^Vh"^^^^^^^^ P"^ *^ ^^« ag^iinSu; weiaware, on the 13th October on a cruise. On the 17th she discovered five sail steering eastward, and as several of them had the appearance of ships of wa^, slie was nlacpd m such a situation that she might escape 'froin oV^'^'n them, as circumstances might reouirp vJlZ' or assail at day-hght, they were seen ahead, and on beinf mad" oS to be a convoy of six sail, under convnv nr o li / the Wasp gave the™ immediate hase"^ 5!heto°„':„""r' der a heavy press of sail, aU made their e7ca„T3' .ft the sloop of war to contend witli tlie Wasn- 2th ? r Tk?zz """'^ '"'""• »<'»-nw Jetdt „r/ Ihe weather was extremely boisteron* a^Vi i ^ rough, that the Wasp's guns had b^Pn' T ''^ '^^ '"* times under water she nfvprfh^tf ^^'^^'^^ '^^<^»-a» and at 32 minutes past ?r nl^ ^ ^'^^^"^'^ ^^' «*^«on. handsome stylt^n^t laio^aTsidlTth: Zt'7f' ^" and hailed her wiUiin about sixty yards fhT^LZ"' Bntish sloop the Frolic, captain WhC^tes o? .r^i'.^ ■rl I' I t t ■i I eiusquetiy. The action becoming close, the Wasp receiv- ed a shot which took away her main topmast, threw it over the fore anti fore mainsail braces and made her head yards unmanageable during the remainder of the action. She was soon after wounded in her gaflf and mizen top gallant- eaii, but kept up, notwithstar^ding, a close and galling fire as her side was going down with the swell of the oea, and every shot consequently struck the Frolic's hull. The En- glish, as they almost invariably do, fired as their ship was rising, and therefore, either missed their aim, or struck only the rigging of the Wasp. The Wasp shot ahead, gave a well directed broadside, took station on the lar- board bow of the Frolic, and gradually neared her, until she lay her on board, although while loading another, and the last broadside, the rammers of the guns struck the side of the enemy's vessel. The Frolic had long before slackened her fire, and her jibboom having now entered between the main and mizen rigging of the Wasp, two of the latter's guns were brought through her bow ports, and £wept her whole deck. The boarders were immediately called, and such was the anxiety of every man to be the first upon her deck, that several of them were pulled dovyn upon their own ship from the bowsprit of the Frolic. Lieutenant Biddle, who was a supernumerary officer of the Wasp, had mounted the hammock cloth to board, but his feet getting entangled in the rigging of the Frolic's bowsprit, midshipman J. C. Baker, in his enthusiastic ar- dour, caught the lieutenant by hi* coat, drew him back upon the Wasp's deck, and was himself the first officer on that of the enemy. Lieutenant Biddle, however, im- mediately sprung up, ascended the Frolic's bowsprit, and upon getting on her deck found not a smgle man alive, except a seaman at the wheel and three officers, who threw down their swords and yielded. The Frolic's colours were still flying, and lieutenant Biddle jumping into the rigging, pulled down the English eiisign himself. Her birth deckj was crowded with dead and wounded, and her main deck, slippery with blood ; her loss could not be Accurately ascertained, as many erf the dead had been swept into the sea by the falling of her rigging, and others were buried under the spars which had fallen on the decki hut by the declaration of her own officers it could not be less than 30 kiUed and about 60 wounded. The Wasp ^ lost 5 killed and 5 wounded. Lieutenant Biddle was put ^n board the Frolic with a prize crew, with orders to make a southern port ; but the approach of a British ship of the line, the Poictiers, sir J. P. Berresford, of 74 guns, made it necessary for both ships to make sail for the most con- venient. The Frolic was so much damaged, and the Wasp so disabled in her rigging, that the enemy closed upon them fast, fired a shot over and passed the Frolic, pursued the Wasp, and made capture of both, and order- ed them to Bermuda. Thus terminated a spirited and brilliant contest, of 43 minutes, in the capture of an enemy's vessel, four guns su- perior at least, to her antagonist. The conduct of the American officers and seamen, shewed that they were not to be surpassed in promptitude or courage ; to that of lieu- tenant Biddle, and lieutenant Rodgers, first of the ship, and every otJier commissioned and warmnt officer on board, captain Jones has gi ;en official testimony. A seaman, of tlie name of Jack Lang, gave a very ex- traordinary instance of bravery and eccentricity, by mount- ing the enemy'o bowsprit before any of his brother sailors had attempted to do so, though called back by his com- mander, and by the jocose manner in which he descended from it to the deck of the Frolic, with many humourous expressions, peculiar to his profession. Lieutenant Booth and Mr. Rapp, and midshipmen Gaunt" and Baker, the lat- ter of whom died in Bermuda, behaved with great person- al bravery. Lieutenant Claxton, who was confined by sickness, left his bed, went upon deck, and noted the in- cidents of the engagement with great composure. When captain Jones returned from Bermuda, he re- ceived from his countrymen as many flattering testimonials ot their approbation, as they had previously given to cap- tain Hull. The legislatures of Massachusetts, New York and Delaware, of which latter state he was a native, present- ed him with their thanks, and several elegant swords and pieces of plate. The order of Cincinnati admitted him into the society, as an honorary member, as they had captain Hull; and the congress of the United States voted him his officers, and crew, 25,000 dollars, in consideration of the loss they met with, by not beins abMio brinir i„ l and taken into the service, was given to lieutenant ccnnmandant Jones, who, as a further testimony of the high opinion which the executive entertained of his gallant conduct in the capture of the Frolic, was now pro- pioted to the rank of post captain. The events of that en- gagement, in the order of succession, should have been recorded in the present chapter. They will be found, kowever, in another naval section of this work. Though the enemy gained no advantages over our forces on the ocean, which could counter-balance the disasters he sustained, by thesf uccessive triumphs of the Ameritan arms, his superior ciass of ^ips made capture of several of our smaller vessels of war. The squadron which had pursued the Constitution on the 18th of Jtily, captured a day or two after, the United States' schooner Nautihis, of I2gun€, commanded by lieutenant commandant Crane: .and on the 22d ©f November, the United States' schooner Vixen, lieutenant commandant George Washington Reed, of .the same number of gums, was captured, after a chase of nine hours and an half, by the British frigate Southampton, sir James Lucas Yeo. Though the Vixen was command- ed by a skilful and scientific seaman, and manned by as gallant a crew as any other American vessel, every effort to escape was found to be fraitless, and she w^s at length surrendered to a ship, fis much superior in sailing as in force. She had not long been captive to the enemy, be- fore both vessels ran askoi'e, and were immediately wreck- ed. The frigates' crew became mutinous frcnn intoxica- tion, and the property which was saved from both wrecks^ was retrieved by the generous and indefatigable exertions of the American sailors. Captain Reed, himself, was as ac- tually engaged in the direction and encouragement of the men, as any ofthe British officers, and he received the pub- lic acknowledgments of Sir James, accompanied by an of- fer of his parole to return home. But such were the noble sentiments by wljich he was ever actuat^l, that he would r.ot leave his gUb^i*^ ^^^ men, and prefering to remain with them in IPninhealthy climate, to which they were taken, he became a victim to an obstinate feverj brought 41 on by the anxieties and fatigues, to which, by his unpleasant situation, and his unremitting attention to the comforts of his iren, he was necessarily exposed. His interment was attended by the British officers, and a detachment from the garrison, and his funeral obsequies were accompanied by those honors due to his rank which are seldom witliheid from a brave enemy. A splendid triumph seldom fails to excite the general joy, and to call forth the universal admiration of the peo^ pie. The rapid succession, in which the naval conquests followed each other — the superiority of seamanship and gunnery, which was exhibited in each, and the fact being now well ascertained, that the inexperienced crews of the American navy, could not only sustain a conflict with, but might actually capture, the veteran seamen of the ene- my, whenever chance should bring them together, upon equal terms ; the attention of congress was turned to the marine establishment, and the majority of the nation . were desirous that measures should be immediately a- dopted for its enlargement. CHAPTER lU. Bostiiitiea of the Creek Indians — Fight near Davis* Battle of the Lotchrvay town. Creek INTELLIGENCE of the recent misfortune of the northwestern army, of the assault upon the troops from fort Chicago, and of the advantages which were consequently- expected to follow those events, having been communi- cated by early despatches from the tribes on the northern, to those of the Creek nation on the southern frontiers; fears were entertained that the result of a council of the chiefs of that nation, which was to be held on the 22d of Octo- ber, would be unfavourable to the interests of that depart- ment of the union, and that a coalition would be formed between the Indians of the two extremities^ which might require all the energies of the government to suppress,—- To this council of the Creeks, their neighbours, the, Choctaws, the Chickasaws, and the Cherokees, were invited, and if the deliberations of such a convention, should be influenced by the elation evidently produced by the late successes of their northern Red brothers, the whole frontier from Tennessee to the bay of MobiJe, and all the settlements between Georgia and the Mississippi, and Ten- nessee and Florida, would be subject to their depredations. The Siminoles, a tribe attached to the Creek nation, were already at war with the white people on the borders of East Florida, and had murdered several citizens on the Georgia side of the St. Marys. The same hatchet which is raised by one of a chain of tribes, linked together by common or confederated interests, is generally grasped by all. The Creeks were not dilatory in following an exam- ple, which they at first pretended to restrain, and their out- rages suppassed those of any of the northern nations. The British availing themselves of one of the best har- bors in the Gulf of Mexico, sent several of their vessels loaded with the implements of war, to Pensacola. The Javia* Creek comtnandant at 8t. Marks, a small Spanish settlement ht^-^ tween East and West Florida, informed the chiefs that the English would soon be there with guns, knives, hatchets^ and ammunition, for the Red People, whom they consi — dered to be their friends. These were put into the handd of the Indians, and they commenced their hostilities against all the defenceless inhabitants of Tennessee and Georgia. The presence of an army became now necessary in the south, and the states there, were authorized to call forth as many of the militia, as, in conjunction with the regulars^ might be thought competent to queU the associated tribes. The Indians of the Creek nation, are not subject to any kind of restraint in war, they will neither give nor receive quarters, and pursue no other mode but that which leads to entire extermination. The force necessary to combat such an enemy, must therefore be extensive, and the executives of the different states, made every exertion, to arm, and equip the whole quota of the militia. The Seminoles had been committing depredations of khe most daring nature, before they had any intelligence from the.r northern friends ; and uniting to their forces a number of negroes whom they had captured at Florida^ they made frequent incursions into the state of Georgia, murdered many inhabitants, and carried off much valua- ble plunder. On the night of the 11th of September,, about twenty American troops, principally marines, under command of captain Williams, of that corps, were march- ing with two waggons towards Davis's Creek. When within ten miles of their destination, they were attacked by a party of Indians and negroes, of about fifty in num- ber, with whom they contended until every cartridge was expended. Captain Williams, in the course of that time, received eight wounds, and was carried off, by two of his men, leaving captain Fort, of the volunteers, to command the troops, and to keep up the contest ; but he being also wounded, and finding the strength of the party to be diminishing, retired in the best manner he could, and left the Indians in possession of the waggons, and teams. The night was excessively dark, Mid several of the men, who were wounded, had concealed themselves in the bushes. On the fnllnwuio' mnm\ni* a a<^^^u, 1^. was sent from a block-house a few miles off; to. which *ome of the men had escaped, to examine the Tcmw\^ i ^j. 1 J: f Tliey found captain Williams, with his right leg and left arm broken, his left leg shot through with one, and his right am with three balls, and a wound through the lower part of his body. One man was killed and scalped, and the whole number of wounded was six. The Indians de- stroyed one waggon, but took the other to carry off their dead and wounded— of whom the number was much greater than that of the marines. Captain Williams lan- guished for three or four days, and expired at Davis's Creek. He was a brave young man, and noted for his sedulous attention to the duties of his station. On the 24th of the same month, colonel Newnan, of the Georgia Volunteers, left Picollata, witli about 117 men, for the Lotchway towns. On his third day's march, when within seven miles of the first of those towns, he was m^i by a body of about one hundred and fifty Indians, all of whom were mounted. This meeting was very unexpected to tlie Indians ; but they immedi- ately dismounted, formed a line of battle, and marched a few pa«esy in advance. This movement was intended to Intimidate the Georgians; but colonel Newnan gave orders for the charge, and determined to put an end to the en- counter, by entirely subduing the Indians, or putting them to flight. The battle ground was situated midstv a num- ber of swamps, which bounded three of its sides. The Indians remained firm until the Georgians had advanced within fifty paces of their line, when they fled to these swamps for safety. The whole of the musquetry being fired at them, with precision, made great execution, and among others, killed their leader, King Paine, His tribe, on hearing of his fall, were resolved, on rescuing his body from the enemy ; and returned to the action for that purpose. Several charges were now made, and the Indians were constantly driven back, until at length, they determined on one desperhte effort, and recovering all their strength and spirits, they made a push against the Georgiacs, which, though it was received with firmness, could not be resisted with much vigor. The Indians, obtained the body of King Paine, gave up the conflict, which had now lasted upwards of four hours, and carried ■%fP iKoii. t twenty and thirty. Before night of th«; same day, the Indians were reui- 45 were reui- forced from their towns, by other Indians and negroesj and renewed and kept up the action, with the greatest ob- stinacy, until they began to think the volunteers invinci- ble, and again fled. Their force in the second attack was upwards of two hundred, but they were repulsed with nearly the same loss as in the first ; Whilst the volunteers' loss, in both, was but one killed and nine wounded. Colonel Newnan's situation was becoming extremely hazardous ; the enemy's numbers were hourly increas- ing, and they began to surround him on all sides : he therefore threw up a small breastwork, from which he was determined to defend himself until his troops should- be reinforced also. He had already despatched expresses, to procure additional numbers. His wounded men ren- dered him unable to retreat, or to advance ; and he re- pelled every assault which was made upon this little work, until the 4th day of October. The Indians were oontinually harrassing him, day and night ; and tinding they could make no impression on his fortification, they glutted their insatiable vengeance, by shooting all his horses. On the 4th, a perfect silence prevailed within colonel Newnan's camp, and the Indians suspected from fliat, and the circumstance of their fire not having been returned the day preceding, that he had deserted it in the Bight. Under this assurance, they approached the works, without any thought of opposition, until they were withia forty paces of them, when the Georgian troops suddenly showed themselves, compelled the Indians to retreat with precipitation, and after several rapid discharges of mus- quetry, killed and wounded about thirty warriors more. They then decamped, without being molested, and were stationed about ten miles off, on the Picolatta road, where they were obliged to await the. arrival of fresh horses and provisions. Colonel Newnan's accomit of this affair, bestows a high degree of credit upon every volunteer of his detachment ; and their intrepid conduct, as well as his judicious arrangements, served to give a check to the combined red and black warriors, which promised secu- rity to the neighbourhood at least, until larger forces should be organized. Besides the loss of King Paine the InflinnQ h»H iUvoo nf *v%r^ «i^r,/>:.^»i «i.:^r, i ^i •' young governor slain ; and Bow-legs, their secoad i. command, severely wouadeA i: CHAPTER rv- Organization of ihe North-Western Army — Its disposi- tion — Command given to Oeneral Harrison — JJejince of Fort Harrison — Siege of Fort Wayne — Expedition against the Indian towns. IMMEDIATELY after the surrender of the garrisona at Michilimackina'5, Chicago, and Detroit, measures were adopted for the organization and ecpiipment of a new ar- my. An oflPer hau been made to receive volunteers into the service, from the states and territories in the neigh- bourhood of Michigan ; and they came forward with an alacrity which made it unnecessary to hold out allure- ments. The recovery of the surrendered territory, and the re-establishment of its former civil government, were the strong motives, which induced all the brave, and patri- ©tic men, in its vicinity, to take up arms, and march against the invaders. The inhabitants of that territory, were now governed by an authority too rigorous to be oompatible with those notions of liberty inspired by the ge- aius of their own constitution, aiid they were awi ting the expected succour from their friends, with the deepest anxiety. The new army was in readiness almost instantly, the dififercnt corps concentrated with unprecedented celerity, and by the early part of September, (heir disposition was completed. Two thousand Pennsylvania volunteers, un- der brigadier general Crooks, left Pittsburg for the shores of lake Erie ; general Tupper's brigade of Ohio volun- teers, was to retrace the road which had been formed by the first army, from Urbanna to the Rapids ; and a bri- gade of Virginians, when they should arrive, under ge- neral Leftwhicb, was to pursue the same route. General Payne's brigade of Kentucky volunteers, the first of tin' present army which was in readiness, and the 17th Uni- ted Stales regiment, under colonel Wells, were to pro- "m, 47 reed to fort Wayne, and deacend to the Rapids of the Miami of the laksa, w! ich place was assigned for the ge- neral rendpzvous. The command of the second north-western army was given, by the unanimous wislies of the troops composing it, to general W. H. Harrison ; the immediate command of the Kentucky troops under general Payne, devolved on him, by his being brevctted a major general by the go- vernor of that state. Forts Harrison and Wavne were at this time garrisoned only by a few regulars and volunteers ; numerous British and Indian forces, had already marched from Maiden, to lay waste the Ohio frontier, and the latter post would naturally be their leading [>oint. General Harrison there- fore immediately marched to its relief, with Payne's brigade and the regulars. The former post (fort Harrison) was invested on the third of September, by the Prophet's party from the Wabash. On the night of the fourth, they set fire to one of the block-houses, containing the contractor's pro- perty, and followed up that act, by a resolute attack upon the fort. The garrison was commanded by captain Z. Taylor, of the 7th U. S. infantry, and consisted of only 18 effective men. The flames were raging — the Indians, about 300 in number, were howling in their usual horrid man- ner, and the women and children of the barracks, were crying for protection which they did not expect to re- ceive. When the block-house should be entirely con- sumed, a large entrance would be open to the enemy ; no efforts had yet succeeded to extinguish the fire ; its ascendency baffled every attempt — and the men them- selves began to despond. Two of the stoutest jumped over the pickets, with a hope of escaping in the dark ; but one of them was cut to pieces, and scalped, and the other returned with his arm broken, and implored to be re-admitted into the fort. Under these discouraging cir- cumstances, captain Taylor never suffered his presence of mind to forsake him ; and applying the tmly resource now left him, he ordered a small party to dislodge the roof of the house, so that it might fall in the space, whilst a few men in another house were to keep up a continual fire upon the Indians. His plan succeeded — the men be- came confident in their exertions, and a breast-work was 48 formed under ft heavy shower of bulletfl, alonj; the cavity which the destruction of the block-house produced. A ► desperate defence was now made, and a constant and rapid fire kept up until six o'clock in the morning of the 6th. Several furious asbaults had been repulsed ; and iho Indians, at the approach of day, judgin{<; the number of the garrison to be greater than it actually was, retired with a quantity of captured cattle, after havinf^ shot aU the horses belonging to the fort. Doctor Clarke was the most indefatigable man in the engagement, and captain Taylor's good conduct was so highly applauded, that the president soon after promoted him to a majority. Two men only were killed, with the exception of the deserter, and one wounded. The Indians always carry off their dead, unless their numbers are too small ; and their loss 18 seldom without great difficulty ascertained. All the iwovisions were consumed by the fire, and the garrison compelled to subsist on green com, until reinfarcements should come on with supplies The little band, which was now reduced to fourteen men, repaired the damages sustained by the fort, and constructed a strong fortification across the space. The bastions were all put in the best state of defence, and every precaution adopted to sustain a second assault. To the great joy of the garrison, however, colonel William Rnssell arrived about the 16th, from Illinois, with six hundred mounted rangers, and five hundred infantry ; and fort Harrison became sufficiently manned to resist the attack of a much larger body of the Prophet's warriours. The situation of fort Wayne was now more critical, than that of any other fortress in the west. The Indians, who had proceeded from the battle ground of Chicago, were afterwards reinforced by those from Maiden, and they laid siege to this fortress in very large numbers. The troops in garrison, amounted to seventy. On the night of the 6th of September, the Indians commenced an attack; they fired principally upon the sentinels, but did no injury. On the 6th, several of the men went out of the south gate of the fort, but had not proceeded more than seventy paces, when two of them were killed, and by the exertions of their companions, tlieir bodies were carried into the fort, to pro- tect them asrainst savaee indiffnitieo. Tinp;««. iU^ p.ja-hh auother attack ^as made by the^whole force ofitoe i^diana, g the cavity oduced. A onstaut and riling of the luUed ; and the number was, reliied 'inc; shot ail rke was the and captain led, tliat tlie ^1 .rity. Two ® he deserter, rry oflF their id their loss d. All the he garrison tiforcements l)and, which he damages fortification in the best id to sustain e garrison, utthe 16tb, rs, and five sufiQciently 5er body of xitical, than idians, who cago, were id they laid The troops it of the 6th k; they fired y. On the gate of the ;nty paces, ions of their fort, to pro- iV^ £k ¥lin* If and when they approached the fort, it was confidently ex- pected that they wouhl scale the works, but the incessant fire of UiH t^arrison, compelled them to abandon their de- signs. What they «ould not do by force, thf^y then at- tempted by stratagem. Resort was had to all kinds of artifice, and they at length brought up two wooden pieces which they had contrived in imitation of cannon, to per- suade the garrison, that the B.itish had supplied them with battering pieces, to reduce the place. Th( se were brought up, and one of their chiefs threatened to batter down the walls, unless the troops would immediately capitulate • or \to storm them on the following day, when tht^y would be reinforced by seven hundred other warriors. In three days they menaced an entire massacre, but the tmops in [fort Wayne, still hoping that it would be relieved by the arrival of the expected volunteers, resolved to hold out I until every article of provision should be exhausted. No' other attempts were made upon the fort, until the 9th when a finng was commencetl and continued at intervals Jail day, but without doing any damage. On the succeed- ling (lay, they began their war whoop, renewed their fire land were again unsuccessful. Not a man was killed in (any of their attacks, the only wounds which they inflicted [being upon those who ventured without the fort. On the [evening of the 12th, general Harrison's forces reached the garrison, and the whole Indian body precipitately fled, t The depredations which they had committed about the fort, were as inhuman, as they were extensive. All the stock Inpon the neighbouring farms was destroyed; the corn all [the small grain and every house burned ; and all the hofses wa. T'l '^•'^^- The Indian agent, ' Stephen JoEn was murdered, and his body treated with shocking inde' leency : and, indeed, the commission of no act, indicative Ir Jl^^^ vengeance, was omitted. The approach of U.e Z nHh^fi y?*""^^^'"^' prevented, perhaps, the destruc- tion of the fields at a greater distance, and secured a sup- f^f ofhp ^^' 'P'^P'^J^^^^ it necessary to obtain supplies of other provisions, from the towns of those tribes, which hHv. ^ff" ?/^\? •" ^^«t™y»"g what the farms might ?.T.5?^^f!!- »t ^«« "«v. high time, too, to make the [ JrnphjL'Tir'*"^ ^^""^I^ "** *"^ ^*'' w^'*''^ their repeated h^ruelties had provoked; and to CQuvince them, that th« 60 'i> K^. American troops were not quite so contemptible and de- graded, as the Indians implied them to be, from the sur- render of the late commander in chief, on the same station. General Harrison, therefore, divided his forces into 8C0U^ ing parties, under command of his most active officers. " Several expeditions were forwarded against the Indian settlements, and some expectations entertained, that they might be drawn into battle. But they did not betray the same willingness to combat these corps, which they had heretofore shewn to encounter others. The Kentuckians were held in great dread, by most of the Indian warriors, and the expression oi ^^ Kentucky too much,'" has not un- frequently accompanied their orders to retreat, in the form of justification. On the I4th, general Harrison despatched colonel Wells, with his own and colonel Scott's regiments, and two hundred mounted riflemen, with instructions to proceed up the river St. Joseph, which, with the St. Ma- ry's, forms the Miami of the lakes, and to destroy the Po- tawatomie towns at Elk Hart. Another detachment, con- sisling oi colonels Allen and Lewis' regiments, and captain Garraj'd's troop, under command of general Payne, but which the commander in chief accompanied, proceeded, on the same day, to the destruction of the Miami towns, on the forks of the Wabash. The object of each expe- dition was accomplished without opposition, the Indians of t}iose tribes having abandoned tlieir villages, and the different detachments returned to the fort on the 18th. Several Indian tribes, who constantly resisted the soli- citations of the enemy to join their standard, had before this time expressed their desires of being taken into the service of the Uniied States ; arrungements having been made between general Harrison and the executive go- vernment, yvhich authorised him to em{)ioy them, he had accepfed the services of Logan, a chief of reputation as a warriour, and was accompanied by him on his march towards fort V^ayne. On the arriva' of the troops at that place, Logan went forward with about seven hundred men, raised an Indian yell, and pursued the retreating tribes. This signal was answered by th-em, at the dis- tance of only one hundred and fifty yards ; but the inter- vnilfiM rtf tUf. i'lyf »• and BPvera! other obstacieSi ¥ented the pursuit being attended wiiJi effect nrP- ptible and de- from the sur- i same station. ces into 8cou^ ctive officers. ist the Indian ned, that they ttot betray the hich they had d Kentuckians dian warriors, " has not un- it, in the form on despatched tt's regiments, nstructions to th the St. Ma- 3stroy the Po- achment, con- ts, and captain a! Payne, but l\, proceeded, Miami towns, of each expe- n, the Indians ages, and the ithe 18th. listed the soli- I, had before al^en into the i having been executive go- them, he had reputation as [)n his march troops at that iven hundred the retreating m, at the dis- but the inter- hgtac-ieS:. nrP- 51 General Winchester, of the United States army, arrived at fort Wayne, immediately after the expedition against the Indian villages, and the command of the detachments under general Payne and colonel Wells, was resigned to him, in obedience to the orders of the war department. The volunteers, who had centred all their affections in the person of the commander of their choice, were not satis- fied with this change, until general Harrison reminded them of the revolutionary services of his successor, and communicated to them tlie instructions from the depart- ment, confirming him in the command of all the troops, but those which were assigned to general Winchester. The strength of this army was continually augmenting. Volunteer associations, to a greater number than it was politic to receive into the service, were formed, equipped, and ready to march against the enemy in the same day, and a selection was made from among them, of such a force as was at that time required, in conjunction with the troops which had already marched, to make the army com- plete. But such was the patriotic impetuosity of the wes- tern people, that many of the corps who were not fortunate enough to be received, immediately provided themselves at their own expense, and insisted upon accompanying their fellow citizens to the field. The siege of fort Wayne having been raised by the In- dians, it now entered into the views of the .wo generals to inarch forces to the relief of the intermediate garrisons be- tween that place and Detroit, against which an ultimate movement was to be made; the leading object of the ex- pedi ion being to regain the ground which had been lost and to retrieve the late disaster, not only by re-possessing that fortress, but by the capture of Maiden and all the great ra lying points of the northern Indians. Through the ex- ertions of the indefatigable governor of Ohio,* every ue- irene"i^"thfuS/^f T" ^ ^'''«'* *^" P''^^^"' P°«t master general ol the United States, whose act ve zeal ii\ the service of affairof tT' T. "»"'^^»f^d by his administration of the cl^l affairs of the state over which he presided, before and after th* fhTr"'5"?'"' ^^ ''°^''''^'" ^''^«" the invasion of OMowM threatened by general Brock, after he took possession of Mi™ gan governor Meigs, with incessant diligence, highly honori ble to his patriotism, eauinnei*. nr««5^-w „„J ^J^JlI^,^^^' army after another, untif the "safety of th^ ^i:t:'^:s'^"^ and the n,as« of the inhabiUnts of ' hat devoteTterrUor;; fled 6ft i- ^: cessary supply was forwarded with the greatest possible despatch, and general Winchester Uierefore advanced to tort Defiance, whilst general Harrison fixed hift head quar- ters at St. Mary's ; distance from each other, sixty miles. The troops destined for Defiance amounted to about two thousand. On the 22d of September, they marched cau- tiously in three divisions, the baggage being in the centre, and a company of spies, under captain Ballat>d, protected by Garrard's troop of dragoons, about one or two nriles in front. As it wai necessary to guard against surprise from a watchful enemy, whose principal it is, to as&ault his foe whilst sleeping, they encamped each day at tiiree o'clock, and threw up breastworks around the tents, at the distance of about twenty paces. On the fourth day's march, ensign Ligett of the regulars, and four of the volunteers, pro- posed, and were permitted to go forward and discover the strength and situation of the enemy at Defiance, which was then distant about twenty five miles. But their enterprise, which was too hazardous for any but experienced men, entirely failed. These adventurous young men were as- sailed on the night of the 25th, and though they defended themselves until their strength was exhausted, were over- powered, killed, tom-hawked, and ecalped in the usual barbarous manner of the Indians. On the 27th, captain Ballard, who was reputed in that army for his courage and prudence, was ordered to go out with his company of spies, supported by forty of Garrard's dragoons, and bury the bodies of the young men, whose death was now known of in the camp. When within about two miles of the spot where they had been killed, Ballard discovered an Indian ambuscade, but as he had marched his men in two divisions, placing one on each side of an Indian trace, through which the enemy supposed the volunteers would advance, the ambuscade became useless, and the Indians succeeded in gaining an eminence; whilst they were forming, captain Ballard gave them a galling fire, which they immediately returned, accompani- ed by a loud and terrific yell. Ballard ordered up the horse, and charged upon, and put them to the route. Pursuit was given, but the enemy knew the country better than the dragoons, and escaped into the swamps and thickets, to him for protection. Several members of his own family were among th<' voluntee s, and one of his brothers, was one of the three men killed at the siege of fort Wayne. Rtest possible i advanced to m head ^uar- ', sixty miles, to about two marched cau- inthe centre, i**d, protected r two nriles in surprise from is&ault his foe three o'clock, it the distance inarch, ensigin lunteers, pro- l discover the ce, which was eir enterprise, rienced men, men were as- hey defended ?d, were over- i in the usual puted in that Drdered to go by forty of of the young ;amp. When bey had been ide, but as be g one on each ;my supposed cade became an eminence; gave them a 1, accompani- l up the horse, lUte. Pursuit y better than and thickets, 53 with the loss of four or five wounded. No injury of con- sequence enough to name was sustained by the volunteers. On the 28th, Ballard's spies were again sent forward, and discovered a fresh trail of Indians. On communica- ting which to the general, he ordered twenty troopers to cross the river to ascertain whether the waggons could pass, and on finding a tolerable ford, the whole army cros- sed about five miles above fort Defiance, and encamped on its bank. At one hundred yards from the edge of the river, another trail was discovered, when captain Garrard was despatched, with twenty of his troops, to proceed and ascertain by whom it was made. Three miles below general Winchester's encampment, and two miles above Defiance, the enemy were observed to be encamped in large numbers, with war poles erected and the bloody flag flying. When the army commenced its march fr'mi fort Wayne, the troops were provided with six days rations only, but colonel Jenning's regiment was to meet them with provisions at fort Defiance. At a certain point on the jiux Olaize, the colonel was directed to halt annt, exhibiting ude and cool- 3 to the Ame- imabie princi- sy ever ought teral's orders, he most rigid being ended, iccomplished, Sreenville on for reinforce- be neighbour- me of Tecum- lent should be follow, nnd by [1 and three of ig frost-btiten; >uldnotthere- jss. The de- mt being once )s with marks ; lustre which •my. In the loss was one the following nded; the In- he number of risoners wer^ en thought to attack the ds- circuroR-ajace 57 may be attributed to the loss of their prophet, whom it is supposed by many, was killed in the second engagement. Notwithstanding the season was already so far advanced, and the difficulties in marching against the enemy were every day increasing, general Harrison was too steadily determined on the recovery of Michigan, and the subju- gation of Maiden and the country surrounding it, to be put aside from his views by any such obstacles. Every implement was provided which might possibly be neces- sary, the military stores and trains of artillery were already at the different depots, and the troops from Pennsylvania being at Mansfield, those from Virginia at Delaware, and those from Ohio at fort M* Arthur, the purposed concen- tration could be almost immediately effected. General Winchester with f embarka- fastened his 5r boats, to rhe ardour "^ 63 tV^df^'T ^1** T° '"" "°* **^« ^"""^^ abated (hrongh llh^ f' ."""""^^ i*?Y ""^'^ *'*^'««^'» to a tremendous northeast storm, which prevailed for twentv-eiirht hn.ir« and in that time deluged the whole camr^B^ were mortified by this distressing dilemma, and tha appeanince of daylight having extinguished e;e?ypros pect of success, the detachments returned to lainp aTd an express was sent to Black Rock to countermZi^P orders to general Smyth. The miscarrge ofX tkn troop? al [hpf' •'* ''r I? '"^^^^^^^ *^^ ardour ofT troops, and they impatiently awaited for the arrival of t^^^"^'-7';K*'- "^""'^^ **""« ^^'^'^ i"*« personal oppose made It^arff'T"^- , ^'■'•«"g-»«nts^ere therefore maile to that effect, and the night of the 12th was d*»- an )^,ef « \t 'h ""f "•■. '^'"""* ^«» Rensselaer, anS lie Ch i 1 w' ^T^'""^ '''^"'*"' "»^«'' lieutenant colo •were D ovil^r" ? ?*'' ""''' ^^S*^"'^''- '^''"•"t^^n boats sTo ?irr. • T **"' *^""^«3^«n«e. and when the heights 9 ould be earned, lieutenant colonel Fenwick's flvini ar ^llery were o cross over, then major Mullany's Set t-aily m the night, colonel Christie marched his ,\J^X' men by the rear road from Niagara to camp At 7 i^fh H niist these preparations were eoinff forwarrl th^ n • had scarcely put off from the C^^TmoIL^*' - ,. ,,..^..,wiiC5 iiiayea with great seyeritj a severity upon ,;nd mid carry the heights. The men were instantly rallied. About sixty of the most determined, commanded by cap- tain Ogilvie, seconded by captain Wool, though wounded, and lieutenants Karney, Carr, Hugginan anil Sammons, and ensign Reeve, of the 13th; and lieutenants Gansevoort and Randolph, cautiously mounted the rocks on the right of the fort, gave tlyee cheers, assailed and reduced it after three desperate charges, in which they were met with firm- ness : they then carried the heights, and thus gallantly ex- ecuted the whole order of the colonel ; driving the enemy down the hill ui every direction. A party of them re- 65 kcated behind a stone guard-house, where a piece of ord- nance was briskly served, but a fire from the battery at Lewistown, was so effectually directed upon it, that it was in a few minutes silenced. The British then retreated behind a large stone house. The American artillery-meu were ordered to turn the guns of the fort upon them, but lieutenant Gansevoort had hastily spiked the cannon, and they were therefore now useless. The enemy's fire was silenced, however, with the exception of one gun, which was out of reach of the American cannon ; and the boats were crossing, unannoyed, but by this battery. Re- inforcements arrived after this brilliant success, under captain Gibson of the light ai-tillery, captain M'Chesney of the 6th, and captain Lawrence of the I3th, infantry ; and colonels Mead, Stranahan, Allen, and other militia otficers. At about 10 o'clock, the British line was re-formed, and flanking parlies sent out. Lieutenant colonel Christie succeeded in getting across the river with five hundred men, and took command. General Brock, having receiv- ed the expresses which were forwarded to him, arrived at this moment, at the head of a reinforcement of regulars from fort George. He had led them round the heights to the rear of the battery, when captain Wool, detached one hundred and sixty men to meet them. The detachment was driven back, but being immediately reinforced, pres- sed for , ard again, and was again driven back to the brink of the precipice, forming the Niagara river above Queens- town. Seeing that nothing short of a miracle could save the detachment from being henteu; finding that the party were nearly without ammunition, and supposing H useless to sacrifice the lives of brave men, one of the ofR-'.s ^vas in the act of hoisting a white flag on a bayonet, when cap^ tarn Wool, knowing, that if the men held out a short while longer they would be relieved by reinforcements, tore down the flag, and ordered his officers instantly to rally the men and brmg them to a charge. At Uiis moment, colonel t.hristie arrived with such a reinforcement, as made the detachment amount to three hundred and twenty men to wliom he immediately repeated the orders of captain Wocl; (whom he directed tj leave the ground to get his wound dressed,) led them onto the charge himself, and making a forcible appeal to ihe bayonet, entirely routed the British 49th regiment of six hundred men, and pursu- # ■41 r Q6 ed Ihem up the height until he regained the ground which the detachment had just before lost. Part of the 41 st were acting with the 49th, both of which regiments dis tinguished themselves under the same commander in Eu- rope; and Uie latter had obtained the title of the Egj ptiau tore been known to give ground. General Brock, indig- nant almost to exasperation at the flight of this regimeiS, was attempting to rally them, when he received three ba Is at the same instant, which immediately termi- »ated his brave career. His aid, captain M'Donald, fell at his side, mortally wounded. At about 2 o'clock in the atternoon, brigadier general Wadsworth of the militia lieutenant colonel Scott of the artillery, and major Mulla- Slf K^'f ? *^^ "y^"' *"'^ ^^'^^ *^^ ^^^^•■a* commands which had been assigned to them.-Captain Wool (obeyed the order of colonel Christie, crossed over to Lewistown, had his wounds dressed, and returned to the scene of ac' tion. General Van Rensselaer had crossed over to Queenstown, and considering the victory complete after the repulse of the 49th, and the death of general Brock he commeneed preparations for encamping in the enemy's country. But, in expectation of further attacks by other remioreenitnts, he directed that the camp should be im- mediately fortified, and committed this service to lieutc- »ant rotten, a skilful officer of the engineers. The enemy was reinforced at three o'clock, by seve- ral hundred Indians from Chippewa, who, under the di- rection of the British m the tov/s, commenced a fjirious Attack upon the American troops, whose whole number cUd not exceed nine hundred and twenty. As they ap- proached through the woods and an orchard, the troops not knowing their number, at fir.^t faultered. Lieutenant colonel Christie, and lieutenant colonel Scott, behaved with great coolness, and making every possible exertion, led the men promptly on, and in a short time the Indians being routed, fled before the bayonet and rifle, leavin- several dead and one of their chiefs a prisoner. General Van Rensselaer observing that the troops were embarking very slowly, and fearing the necessity of a strong acces- sion ot numbers, crossed over to Lewistown durino- the assault of the Indians, to facilitate the movements oT: the militia^ Twelve hundred, and upwards of them, were 4 m, were 67 standing on the American shore inactive, and apparently, unconcerned spectators of the battle. At the very mo- ment when victory was perching on the banners of Uieir country ; the ardour of the unengaged troops entirely sub- sided, and no effort could induce them to cross the line, and share in the glory of the day's triumph. Thrice alrea- dy had Mie battle been won ; three assaults of the enemy had been vigorously repulsed ; and the conquest of the town and heights must necessarily follow. One third part of the disengaged men would secure it, but they had witnessed at a distance the furious attack of the In- dians, they had seen the botlies of their wounded fellow soldiers brought back to the garrison, and they refused to go furtlier than the laws of their country authorized the general to command them. They claimed the privileges allowed them by the laws of the country, whose honour and renown they refused to assist in promoting ; they be- held as gallant exploits as the world perhaps ever kne\Vj but still they were not animated by the same spirit of en- thusiasm, noi- the same degree of valor. Peremptory oi^ ders were disobeyed, solicitations disregarded, and all argument exhausted to bring them to a sense of that duty, which the general vainly hoped, had urged them in the first instance to press for an opportunity to act. Lieute- nant colonel Bloom, who had been wounded in one of the three engagements, mounted a horse and rode among them with the general, but his example had no more effect than the general's persuasions. Meanwhile, another rein- foFcement was seen coming up the river from fort George The battery on the hill was considered as an important check to their ascending the heights, and measures were immediately taken to send tliem a fresh supply of arms and ammunition. The reinforcements, however, obliqued from the road to the right, and formed a junction with the Indians m the rear of the heights. The American troops being scattered m pursuit of the Indians, lost an opportu- nity of taking the reinforcing column as it approached the heights, and were taken a little by surprize. Knowing that the troops at the heights must be nearly exhausted, JiSJl i^'C.-f "I""'*""".^' "^^'^^ expended; overwhelmed wih mortification and disappointment at the refusal of the mihtia to cross; and seeing that another severe ^-onflict, which the reduced detachment could not lone su&teia 1 ^tJjout great lom, would very soon take place, geneial Van Rensselaer despatched a note to general Wads^)r h acquainting h,m vAth the conduct of the militia, 'IS the course to be pursued much to his own judgment 3 an assurance that if he thought best to retrtaS^ e IuW^nr?'''\^^"'** ^""^ °^^^ ^« many'boa(fil e could collect, and cover his retreat by eve^y Cue whirU he could po^sjbly make with safety.'' ThI last BH 1, reinforcement amounted to eight hundred men mLhI drawn up in line with their lijit Se^^Tl flanked t" their Ind.wis, at about 4 o'clock an obstinate contei^ Z^aCf ^'^ r?'^ "P ^"^ ^^^^ «« hour, wUha tremen ous discharge of fly ng artillery, musquetry and cannon ^nti the American detachment, finding that they we e fCnl 1 ! H • ""''*.'* '^'^^ h^*^ »*ready distinguishe. themselves, being unable to fight longer, deceived ordeT uo e'' wteLv d[d -'^ ^«» Rensselaer" note which they did in good order, down the hiU to the pomt at which they had landed. Many of the boatrhad been destroyed others had been taken, and there rlah ed but four or five to take the whole of the detachmeTiUo Lewistown These were crossing when the last afi"air Ik fi^ ;»f^'lf? ^^^^f f" h^^^"'"S panic struck, had fl«d from their duty, and the boats were consequently disper ed, so that few of the Americans escaped from the Sa la shore. In this distressing dilemma, they were obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war, to the number c' three hundred and eighty-six regulars, and three hundred twLT:? r^'r;"";'^^' «-ty-two ;f the regular" 1; I killed m the detachment was at ninety. When the last detachment arrived from fort George, the whole Ameri- ! .T. TS r' ^r^'^to «««. in three divisions, and wftounted to only two hundred and forty men, the militia refusing to act longer, a^d many of the regulars being then already wounded. The victorious enemy treated their prisoners, while on the frontier, with the most generous tenderness, but for want of will or power, they put no re- straint upon their Indian allies, who were slipping and sea Ipmg not only the slain, but fiie dying that remained on the field of battle. The lifeless bod^ of e«sign Mo^L who w«s broUier Iq the ajaiable a»d mmgmim aaval ♦ m 69 officer of that name, was Ptripped to his shirt, and hiUigaji ties too savage to be recorded were committed on lils person. The body of general Brock was committed to the grave with the usual military honours, and the guns at fort Niagara were fired during the ceremony, as a tri- bute of respect for a gallant enemy. There was no otficer crossed the line, upon this memora- ble day, who did not do honour to his country. Colorel bcott ^vas in full dress, which with his tall stature render- ed him a conspicuous mark for the enemy- Jth«s been naid that several Indians, told him of their having shot at him, but he received no wound. A company of volunteer riflemen under lieutenant Smith, who took the Indian chief behaved with the courage of veterans-Lieutenant Col- onel tenwick was wounded three different times, and each time severely ; he nevertheless contiuu<.d tightuig and was particularly distinguished, through the whole day's en> gagemen .-Captains Gibson, Wool and M'Chesneyf have been spoken ot as having done the same. The British forces in the different battles, with the ex- ception of the first, was at no time less than eleven hundred- in the last and fourth engagement, it was much g eite ' Iheir loss is not known. With regard to close an 1 rm, rageous fighting the victory on this'^ccaLrMonged to the Americans; but with regard to the loss which waf sus^ tamed, it was exclusively yielded to the British An ar rangement was entered into on the 14th, by which a few" prisoners were paroled, the remainder were takenTo MoT Whilst the troops were embarking at Lewistown in ih^ morning, the batteries at fort George c-ned a rlni T upon fort Niagara, which was retilfnecl, JrAepUrwt hot shot on both sides, for several hours. From he s^th block house of the An.erican fort, the shot was princinaH v directed against the village of \ew Aik and fif ^ houses were set on fire, on^e or two of which wereSf mST • J^' ^"^^^••' '^^^ ' -^"^anded bTcaplfn MKeon, and tlie guns were w .k. .f with great abS The enemy commenced thro^^ aj hells fnd L /k ^' were no defences againct these/Sptain K. W^^^^^^ fZT'^'"^"'^"'''^'"-^'*' Pr«^"«^^«d ordering etrJS f«>m the garwson, rather than expose a handful of J.e„To their Oftoger, Xk^biirsU^ofa twelTcpoimd^lbV^hic^ i if 3 70 two iKon were Uineil, depiived Uic fort of its best battery. The retreat h«d scarcely been ordiuetl, when a number •f boats lojuled with troops, were observed to put off front the enemy's shore, upon which, captain M'Keon relirned iM tlie fort with a guard of twenty men, remained in it during the nighl, and was joined next morning by the rest of the garrison. Very few were wounded, and none kill- ed except the two men by the bursting of the gun. Early in the following week the British batteries below fort Erie opened a very heavy fire upon the village and fortifications of Black Rock, and kept it up at intervak during the day. There being no larger pieces than sixes at the breastworks, very few shot were returned. Several cannon shot struck the battc.-y, and two or three |)asstf(l through tiie upper loft of the west barracks. The east barracks were destroyed by a bomb thrown from a 24 pounder, which bk vv up the magazine, and burnt a quan- tity of the skins taken 'ni the Caledonia. General Porter wf the New York miliua, was sitting at dinner in his quar- ters, when one 24 pound ball struck the upper loft of his house, and another entered it through the roof. On the 22d the enemy landed at St. Regis, a village, without a garrison of any kind, and from which, he could move, immediately upon the camj) at French Mills. The tribe of Indians inhabiting the village, were friendly to the United States, and as it entered into the views of the enemy to persuade them from the service of the Ame- rican government, into which they might probably enter, and to flatter them into their own, Sir George Prevost, under the authority with which he was clothed, had for- warded to this tribe, in the form of a present, a quantity of baggage, consisting of blankets, guns, specie, &,c. un- der an escort of soldiers, and accompanied by despatches, In which he solicited their alHance. The force was vari- ously stated, from one to three hundred, and major G. P. Young, commanding the American militia from Troy, at the Mills, determined on immediately attacking them, as it was understood they were halting there, for an in- crease of numbers. He detached captain Tilden to the St. Lawrenc J, with a view of gaining a circuitous route to one, of two houses in which the British were said to be quartered, and to secure the enemy's boats, which v/ere gt&tioned there, to preTeot bis retreat. Captain Lyon was ^lite ?cie, 8ic. un- 71 delachecl with orders to take the road running along the bank of the river St. Regis, with directions to gain the rear of the other house ; and major Young with the re- mainder of the forces moved on in front. When within lifly yards of either house, he lieard a firing which con- vinced hira, that captain Lyon was engaged. One round Avas sufficient. The enemy surrendered, hut noi to the number reported to have landed, and the Americans made lorty prisoners, and took one stand of colours, thirty-eight muskets, the despatches, and all the bajrgage. Two bat- (eaux wore taken by captain Tilden, and the troops returned to their encampment at about eleven o'clock. The British lost four killed and one mortally wounded. At one o'clock in the morning of the 17th Novem- ber, four British barges approached the American shore, about a mile above Ogdensburg, and on being hailed by a centmel and refusing to answer, were immediately fired upon. The report of his piece brought several riflemen to his assistance, when the barges opened a smart fire of grape shot, without effect, and soon after retired to Pres- cot harbour. On their way thither they fired several shot into me town, which were returned by a six pounder ^ This affair was followed on the night of the 19th by an IJ^'JT^'" ^^^^" *""^^ '"*^ ^^^ ^"tish territory, by colonel Z. M. Pike and a part of the 1 5th regiment. He assaulted, and earned a post, which was defended by a large body of British and Indians, burned a block house, and put the garnson to flight, and returned wiih the loss of five meu wounded. At six o'clock on the morning of the 21st, the Bnthh laymg prepared mortars, and planted a long train of bat- tering cannon, behind breastworks erected on the margin oi he river, commenced a bombardment of fort Niagara, and opened a cannonade from the batteries at, and in the neighbourhood of fort George^ which was kept up without a momenl^s cessation until sundown. They employed five detached batteries in this affair. Two of theni mounting 24 pounders, and one mounting a 9 pounder. The re- mainder were mortar batteries, from five and an half, to ten and an half inches, from which were thrown, gJeat quantities of shells. These fortresses, are situated nearly • opposite each other, at tlie mouth of the Niagara river w^ f w ^ ^^' 72 and command the entrance from Lake Ontario. The guns of fort Nia&;ara may be brought to bear alternately upon fort (iieorge and the town of Newark, whilst a salt battery being a dependency of fort Niagara, and mount ing one eighteen and a four pounder, is directly in a range tvith, and calculated to do much damage to the enemy's garrison. The American fort had received an augmenta- tion of force, immediately after the cannonade of the IStli, several corps, who had marched to L'ivvistown, having been ordered, after the battle of Qneenstown, to relieve the garrison ; but it was not yet supplied with a suflicienl quantity of artillery and ammunition. It was now com- manded by colonel George M'Peeley. In the course of the day the enemy threw two thousand red hot balls, and one hundred and eighty shells. The shells proved to be harmless, but the hot t set tire to several btiildings, which were within and .t the fort, but through the iii- eessant vigilance of all the officers, and men, but particu- larly of that gallant officer major Armistead, of the United States corps of engineers, who has on many other occa- sions distinguished himself, the tires were got under and extinguished, without being discovered by the enemy, Notwithstanding the vast shower of shells and cannon ball, which was falling into the fort, the garrison perform- ed th"' dutj'^ with unremitting alacrity, and served thoiif pieces ith coolness and composure. Captain M'Eeon commas 3d a 12 pounder in the south east block house; captain Jitcks, of the 7th militia artillery, commanded in the north block house, a situation most exposed to the -enemy's fire. Lieutenant Rees, of the 3d artillery, had command of an 1 8 pounder, on the south east battery, from wliich several well directed shot were made, whilst the piece was pointed at the battery en barbeile, mquntini; a 24 pounder. Lieutenant Wendal, of the same regiment, had command of an 1 8 and 4 pounder on the west batte- ry ; Dr. Hooper, of the militia artillery, had comniand of a six pounder on the mess house ; and lieutenants Ganse- voort and Harris, of the first artillery, had command of the salt battery. Thus disposed they returned the <:reof the enemy, with vigour and effect. They directed several of the pieces at tlie town of Newark, and repeatedly fired it with hot shot. The buildings within fort George were 7a also fired, and at one time one of the batteries was si- lenced. A part of the parapet falling on lieutenant Kees, his left shoulder was so severely bruised, that it became necessary for him to quit his station, and captain Leonanl, happening at that moment to arrive at the fort, tooii com- mand of lieutenant Rees's battery for the remainder of the day. The continuation of the bombardment increas- ed the animation of the men, and they fought with undi- minished cheerfulness until the cannonading ceased. Col. M'Feeley spoke of all the garrison in very strong terms, and of lieut. colonel Gray, major Armistead and captain Mulligan particularly. During the bombardment a t^v Jve pounder bursted and killed t^vo men. Two others were killed by the enemy's fire, and lieutenant Thomas and four men were wounded. From the salt battery the ene- my was very much annoyed. A few shot from the four pounder there, sunk a schooner which lay at the opposite wliarf, and such was the spirited earnestness of both offi- cers and men at this battery, that when in the most tre- mendous of the bombardment, they had fired away all their cartridges, they cut up their flannel waistcoats and shirts, and the soldiers their trousers to supply their guns. An in- stance of extraordinary bravery taok place in the garrison, in the hottest of the cannonade,'*and for deliberate cool- ness and courageous fortitude, was surpassed neither by .' yJm, maid of Orleans, nor the heroine of Sarragosa. — Doyle, a private in the United States artillery, who had been stationed in the fori, was ma,yth now contemplated a more effectual invasion of Canada, than that wiiich had so re- cently failed. From a description of the river below the fails, the view of the shore below fort Erie, and from in- 74 'J . iwrnf formation which he had received of thf enemy's prepara- tiuns; general Sniyth was of opinion, that the landing ahoiiid be effected between fort Erie an ^^< ^ ^^ % I/. 1.0 |50 "*■ ^ U4 2.5 III 2.2 I.I ir 11^ |25 |iU_ 11.6 >. '/ <^ (?^ c?^ ^<# Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 ^ ^' iV N> ^V o % 6^ '^o % ■p Jl . 76 << on. Come in companies, half companies, op singly. I ** will organize you for a short tour. Ride to tbia pluce, " if the distance is far, and send back your horses. But " remember^ that every man who accompanies ua, places ^* himself under my comjnand, and shalt submit to the « salutary restraints of discipline." Accompanying a second proclamation of gen. Smyth, of Uie 17th November, in which was recapitulated most of the appeal of the former, and in which he set forth, that "disloyal and traitorous men had endeavoured to «* persuade the people from doing their duty," was an address from general Porter to the people of Ontario and Gennesee; in which he informed them, that ge- neral Smyth had a powerful army at Buffaloe, under strict discipline, in high spirits and eager for the contest. That with this army, he would in a few days occupy all the British fortresses on the Niagara. That as humanity 8Uggeste<1 that this conquest should be achieved with the least possible sacrifice, general Smyth had asked their aid and co-operation, for the purpose of obtaining a force that would overawe opposition, and save the effusion of blood. That he intended himself to accompany the expedition; that a vigorous camoaign of one month would relieve their fellow citizens of the frontier from their sufferings ; drive off the savage knife ; resiore peace to the whole of that section of the coi.n'ry ; and ledeem the tarnished reputa tion of the nation. A large number of troops were nov> 'assembled at and near Buffaloe, where they were drilled, equipped and organized for the intended invasion. Ten boats were appointed to precede the main body, to effect a landing, and to storm and carry the enemy's batteries. A number of sailors were engaged to navigate the boats, under com- mand of lieutenant commandant Samuel Angus of the navy, assisted by fieutenant Dudley, sailing master Watts, who had distinguished himself in cutting out the Caledo- nia, and several other naval officers. At 3 o'clock in the morning of the 28th, these boats put off from the Ameri- can shore, but they had not proceeded one fourth of the way across, when the British batteries opened a galling fire, an' officers. A severe fire of musquetry and of grape shot from two pieees of fiying artillery, was poured upon this part of the squad- ron, but they effected their landing in good order, formed on the shore, and advanced to the accomplishment of their object. Lieutenant commandant Angus and his officers, assisted by Samuel Swartwout, Esq, of New- York, an enterpnzing citizen, who happened to be at the station, acted as volunteers after the landing of the troops, and joining their little band of sailors to the regulars, un- der captain King of the 15th, they stormed the enemy's principal batteries and drove him to the Red House, where he rallied with two hundred and fifty men, and commenr ced a rapid fire of musquetry Upon the assailants. Sixty regulars and fifty saHors composed the whole American force. The success at the battery, the g>ins of which were spiked, was followed up by a desperate assault upon the Red House. The sailors charged with boarding pikes and cutlasses, the regulars with the bayonet, and after a hard and destructive engagement, they routed the enemy, fired the house in which fie quartered, and madis about fifty prisoners. Lieutenant colonel Boerstler attacked and dispersed the enemy lower down the river, and took also several prisoners. Every battery between Chippewa and fort Erie, was now carried; the cannon spiked or destroy- ed, and sixteen miles of the Canadian frontier laid waste and deserted. The boats returned with the wounded and Hie prisoners, leaving captain King and twelve men, who were so anxious to complete the destruction of every breastwork and barrack of the enemy, that they resolved on remaining in possession of the conquered ground, until the main body of the army should cross over the strait, and march to the assault of the British forts. Sailing master Watts fell at the head of his division of the sailors, while he was gallantly leading them on. Midshipman Gt-aham received a severe wound, which caused an am- putation of a leg. Seven out of twelve of the navy officers were wounded. Captain Morgan of the 12tb, captain Sprowl and captain Box of the 13th, and Keut. Li3son, the two latter of whom were badly wounded, took a very distinguished part in the engagement *' 78 ' At day-break, the batteries on the American side were opened ; they were ready to cover the embarkation of the main army, and most of the troops had arrived at the de- signated place. Three hundred and forty volunteers, who had raUied under general Smyth's proclamation, well armed ^nd provided, were marched by general Porter to the navy yard. One hundred and fifty others were draw- ing arms at Buflfaloe, and had orders to follow immediate- ly. Colonel Winder, being under an apprehension that lieutenant colonel Boerstler and his men were in danger, made an unsuccessful attempt to land two hundred and fifty men at a difficult point down the river, his own be- ing the only boat which touched the shore. When the squadron returned from their successful enterprize, he put back and formed his regiment to join in the general em- barkation. At sunrise, the troops began to embark, but such was their tardiness, that at 12 o'clock the whole body, with colonel Swift's volunteer regiment, were not yet in the boats. A conf ideflible number of barges had been thrown upon the shores of the river and Conejockeda «reek, by the high tide of the preceding dry, others were filled with ice and water, and those which had been employed by co- lonel Winder were laying about one mile below. To collect and put these in order for the reception of the troops, re- quired a delay of several hours more, and it was not until 2 o'clock that all the troops intended to be sent over at the first crossing, were collected in a group of boats at Black Rock, under cover of the batteries; where general Porter, having brought up the five boats which were below, joined, and took his station among them. The number now embark- ed, according to the estimate of general Porter, were about two thousand, who were anxiously awaiting the order t« proceed. General Tannehill's volunteers, colonel F. M*Clure's regiment, and some riflemen and cavalry, in all about two thousand more, were still paraded on the shore, and were to constitute the second embarkation. In the mean time, captain King and bis twelve men, who were yet in the enemy's territory dismountirg his pieces, were made prisoners, and about five hundred British troops had been drawn up in line, about half a mile from the ri- ver, sounding their trumpets and bugles, and indicating their readiness to receive the Americans. Late in the af- ternoon, general Bmyth ordered the troops to disembark, f9 and silenced their murmurs, by an assurance, that the ex- pedition was only postponed until the boats should be put in a state of better preparation, and that they (the troops) should immediately after be put in motion. The different regiments retired to their respective quarters : general Porter marched his Volunteers to Buffaloe, but the enemy was actively employed in re-mounting his guns upon the batteries. On Sunday, the 29th, an order was issued from the head quarters of the commanding general for the march of the troops to the navy yard,^ to embark on the follow- ing morning, at nine o'clock. The time and manner pro-r posed in this order, were disapproved of by all the oflS- cers ; and those of the highest rank addressed the general and stated their objections to the plan. The repaired state of the enemy's batteries, rendered it inexpedient to cross at the point above the island, which covers the navy yard; belotv that point he lay much augmented, in consequence of the gallant affair of the 28th, and occupied a line of shore of nearly a mile, from which he would have a full view of the American movement, if made by daylight. To avoid the fire of the British flying artillen' and infon- try, it was proposed to general Smyth, that the troops should be landed five miles below the navy yard, at an hour and a half before day on the morning of Tuesday, so that this dangerous shore might be passed in the dark ; when, if the boats were discovered, the troops would suf- . fer less from the enemy's fire. The place which wao thus recommended, was of all others, peculiarly favourable to a safe and orderly landing, and the proposal was accord- ingly adopted, and the army were to embark at 3 o'clock, and to land at half past 4, in the order of battle prescribed on the 28th. On Monday evening, seven boats for colonel Swift's re^ giment, and eight for the newTolunteers, were brought up the river and placed at different points, so that the noise and confusion of embarking the whole atone place, might be avoided. At half an hour after 3, these boats were oc- cupied and' took their station opposite the navy yard. The regulars were to proceed on the right, general Tan- nehill's volunteers in the centre, and the New-York vo- lunteers on the left. General Porter, with a chosen set of men, was appointed to proceed in front to direct the land- ii»g, and to join the New- York volunteers when on the op- H2 79 • and silenced their murmurs, by an assurance, that the ex- pedition was only postponed until the boats should be put in a state of better preparation, and that they (the troops) should immediately after be put in motion. The different regiments retired to their respective quarters : general Porter marched his Volunteers to BufTaloe, but the enemy was actively employed in re-mounting his guns upon the batteries. On Sunday, the 29th, an order was issued from the head quarters of the commanding general for the march of the troops to the navy yard, to embark on the follow- ing morning, at nine o'clock. The time and manner pro- posed in this order, were disapproved of by all the oflS- cers ; and those of the highest rank addressed the general and stated their objections to the plan. The repaired state of the enemy's batteries, rendered it inexpedient to cross at the point above the island, which covers the navy yard ; below that point he lay much augmented, in consequence of the gallant affair of the 28th, and occupied a line of shore of nearly a mile, from which he would have a full view of the American movement, if made by daylight. To avoid the fire of the British flying artillen- and infon- try, it was proposed to general Smyth, that the troops should be landed five miles below the navy yard, at an hour and a half before day on the morning of Tuesday, so that this dangerous shore might be passed in the dark ; when, if the boats were discovered, the troops would suf- . fer less from the enemy's fire. The place which wa^ thus recommended, was of all others, peculiarly favourable to a safe and orderly landing, and the proposal was accord- ingly adopted, and the army were to embark at 3 o'clock, and to land at half past 4, in the order of battle prescribed on the 28th. On Monday evening, seven boats for colonel Swift's re^ giment, and eight for the newTolunteers, were brought up the river and placed at different points, so that the noiBe and confusion of embarking the whole atone place, might be avoided. At half an hour after 3, these boats were oc- cupied and' took their station opposite the navy yard. The regulars were to proceed on the right, general Tan- nehill's volunteers in the centre, and the New-York vo- lunteers on the left. General Porter, with a chosen set of men, was appointed to proceed in front to direct the land- ing, and to join the New- York volunteers when on the op- H2 80 V w poaiie shore. On the amval of Uie boats whieh were to •ompose th« van, general Porter found that the artillery were embarking i^i the scows with as much haste as pos- sible ; but one hour elapsed before the regular infantry attempted to follow, when colonel Winder, at tho head of the I4th, entered the boats with great order and silence. Every thing seemed to promise a speedy and successful is< sue; the troops to be embarked were now nearly all in rea- dinessto proceed: general Porter dropped to the front of the line witlra flag, to designate the leading boat, and the word only was wanted to put off. The front of the line was one^fourth of a mile from the shore, when the rear was observed to be retarded, and general Porter received o^ ders from general Smyth to disembark immediately. He was at the same time informed, that the invasion of Ca- nada was abandoned for tlie season, that the regulars were ordered into winter quarters, and that, as the services of the volunteers could now be dispensed with, they might stack their arms and return to their homes. Previously to this order an interview had taken place between p^eneral Smyth and a British major, who came over with a fli^. The scene of discontent which followed, was without pa- rallel. Four thousand men, without order or restraint, indignantly discharged their musquets in every direction. The pe^nsou of tlie commanding general was threatened. Upwwds of one thousand men, of all classes of society, had suddenly left their homes and families, and had made great sacrifices t'« obey the call of their country, under general Smytii's invitation. He possessed their strongest confidence, and was gaining their warmest affections : he could lead to no post of danger to which thr^"- would not follow. Bi^ now, the hopes of his govv iiment, the expectations of the people, the desires of the army, were (dl prostrated^ and he was obliged to hear the bitter reproaches, and the indignant epithets of the men whom he had promised to lead ta hono&:r, to glory, to re- nown. The inhaUtants refused to give him quarters in their houses, or to pr^iect him from &e rage of those who considered themselves the victims of his imbecility, or his deceit. He was obliged constantly to i^ift his tent to avoid the genei I clamour, and to double the guard sur- rounding it; and he was several times fired al when he ventured witboul it. Aft appiiea^tioa was made to him by 8t the voIui^eM) to peirmk them to inwhie the enemy's tef ritory under general Porter, and they pled|^d themselves to him to take fort Erie if he wuld ^ve them four pieces; of flying artillery. TWb solicitation was evaded, an^ the volunteer troops proceeded to their homes, execrating the man whom they had respected, and the general on whose talents and whose promises they had placed the most ge- nerous reKanoe. Geneisl Smyth, however, found those who gave their approbation to his measures, and who thought that he had saved his army by relinquishing the mvasion of Canada. The public mind was for a long time agitated with doubts about the propriety of his conduct, m not prosecuting the campaign, and breaking up the enemy's strong posts along the Niagara. Few, however, have he- sitated to dechire Ms culpability in inducing men to leave their homes for a month's incursion into the British territo- ry, unless he intended to effect it at every hazard which thiey might be willing to encounter. But he has alleged, that his orders from the commander in chief were to cross with "three thousand men at once," and that he could not ascertain the number of troops which would go over, but by seeing them actually embarked, and that when they were embarketl, they did not amount to more than fifteen hundred and twelve men, exclusive of the staff, being but half the number, with which only, his instructions autho- rized him to assail the opposite shore. — ^That many of the militia not only revised to go when ordered into the boats, by his brigade major, but that more than half of general Tannehill's brigade had deserted. In his official letter to general Dearborn, he stated, that he had called together a council of hisofiksers, agreeably to his instructions^ in alF important cases, and that they decided against the con- templated operations, upon the ground of the insufficiency of force.-.That he then informed the officers, that the at- tempt to invade Canada would not be made until the army should be reinforced, and directed them to withdraw their troops^ and cover them with huts immediately. That the vohmteers and the neighbouring people were dis^ satisfied, aaA that it had been in the power of the con- tracting agent (aHodlng to general Porter,) to excite some clamour against the course pursued, as he found the contract a losing one, and would wish to see the army in Cauada that he might not be bound to supply it. That the situa- f the voluoteetti^to' permit them to hivude the enemy's tet* rWory under general Porter, and they pled|^4 themselTee to him to take fort Erie if he w^nld |^ve them four pieces of flying avtUlery. TWb Bolicitation was eraded, and the volunteer troops proceeded to their homes, execrating the man whom they had respected, and the general on whose talents and whose promises they had placed the most ge- nerous reKanoe. Geneivl Smyth, however, found those who gave ttieir approbation to his measures, and who thought that he had saved hi« army by reHnquishing the mvasion of Canada. The public mind was for a long time agitated with doubts about the propriety of his conduct, in not prosecuting the campaign, and breaking up the enemy's strong posts along the Niagara. Few, however, have he- sitated to dechire his culpability in inducing men to leave their homes for a month's incursion into the British territo- ry;, unless he intended to effect it at every hazard which they might be willing to encounter. But he has alleged, that his orders from the commander in chief were to cross with "three thousand men at once," and that he could not ascertain the number of troops which would go over, but by seeing them actually embarked, and that when they were emSarketl, they did not amount to more than fifteen hundred and twelve men, exclusive of the staff, being but half the number, with which only, his instructions autho- rized him to assail the opposite shore. — ^That many of the militia not only revised to go when ordered into the boats, by his brigade major, but that more than half of general Tannehill's brigade had deserted. In his official letter to general Dearborn, he stated, that he had called together a council of his officers, agreeably to his instructions^ in alF important cases, and that they decided against the con- templated operations, upon the ground of the insufficiency of force.--That he then informed the officers, that the at- tempt to invade Canada would not be made until the army should be reinforced, and directed them to withdraw their troops^ and cover them with huts immediately. That the vohinteefs and the neighbouring people were dis^ satisfied, aiHl that it had been in the power of the con- tracting ageni (aHuding to generate Porter,) to excite some clamour against the coarse pursued, as he found the contract a losing one, and would wish to see the army in Cauada that he might not be bound ^ gupply it. That the situa- I f n It m f,f i^ .iSii ' tion of the force under his (general Smylh^s) command, had not been such as to make the propriety of a forvirard movement obvious to all: that circumstanced as he was, he thought it his duty " to follow the cautious counsel^ of *' experience, and not precipitation, to add to the list of " our defeats." Whether general Porter's anxiety to see the army in Canada, arose from so uiterested a motive as general Smyth has alleged, or whether he was actuated by a desire to see the campaign of 1812 closed with some brilliant achievement of the American arms, the reader will be better able to judge, by remembering the indefatigable exertions which that gentleman made use of to enlarge the Y c forces at Buffaloe, by which the supplies of the army would be increased^ and of the personal share which he was dis- posed to take in the most dangerous part of the enteiprize. On the 2d of December, the enemy again opened his batteries upon Black Rock, probably with a view to in- form general Smyth that his guns were unspiked and re- placed, anu ^hat he was again in a state to resist the inva- sion. His fire was returned from several six pounders, one of which, under captain J. N. Barker, was so well di- rected, that the ball entered an embrasure, dismounted a heavy gun, and disabled the carriage. The trqops were now all quartered; barracks were erected at Batavia for the reception of the largest propor- tion,, and no operations took place until the close of the year: The armies were distinguished by titles, derived from their situations. That which was commanded by ge- neral Smyth, being the Army of the centre, and that up- on the St. Lawrence and in its vicinity, being the North- ern ARMY. This latter, which consisted of an active force of five thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven men, of infantry, cavalry, field and horse artillery and militia, had also gone into winter quarters; and the hopes of -the nation rested now only on the North western army, which we left in the neighbourhood of the Rapids of the Miami; the head quarters of its commander at Sandusky, making vigorous preparations for; a push upon the British and In* dians at Detroit, and resolved upon quartering for. the winter in one of the enemy's garrisons. rth^s) command, sty of a forward need as he wag, ious counsel^ of [kl to the list of see the army in >tive as general lated by a desire ii some brilliant ! reader will be he indefatigable of to enlarge the 'the army would hich he was dis- f the enterprize. gain opened his ith a view to in- inspiked and re- » resist the inva- il six pounders, , was so well di- if dismounted a barracks were 5 largest propor- the close of the 7 titles, derived nmanded by ge- RG, and that up- ing the North- ' an active force -seven men, of and militia, had )es oflhe nation w ARMY, which Is of the Miami; idusky, making British and Io<^ irtering for. the "rnKmrnmo W n i i ''0 i: \ /A.fttutrt M.i'^i STEPHEN DECATITR Ksp f J^yd^ '^//^i^r-,/ ^^^/^^ ^A'aiJ, '%. CHAFTEHTH. The navy — Tftirdnavt^ victory ^ ike United Slaies over the British JrigtUe^ the Macedonian — Progress of the naval atabtishment on lake Ontario — Chauncey^s squadron pursues the Reyal George into Kingston harbour and ■ bctmbards that town — Growler captures an enemy* s sloop — Fight between the British stoop efmrnt ChorytnU*, and Oie privateer Blockade — Tfu Orders-ii^CouncH exchanges brmidsides nrifh the British sloop of war Opossum — The Tom captures the Tonmsend — The Bona vanquishes a 9Z gun ship — The Dolphin engages and carries two Mrm- td vesaels-^Fourth naval victory, the CottstiliUion over 1^ BriUsh frigate ihe JagM, TEE American arms on the ocean were all this time Gcmtiottuig to be triumphant. One naval victory guceeed* ed another, until the people of the tTnited Btates were as- 'tomshed at the eeaselesB prowess of their tan; and C^e nar tions of Europe stood in admiration, and be^Ml (0 look upon the riung nayaS establishment of America^ as a future rival to the formidable enemy, against whom it was al|wady suocessfuUy contending. The United States frigate the United Stales, captain Stephen Decatur, of 44 guns, having separated from the squadron under commodore Rodgers, with which she left Boston on the 18th October, cruised in the track of the British frigates until the 25th, when in latitude 29 deg. N. long. 29 deg. 30 min. W. she fell in with the British frigate Macedonian, captain John Garden, of 38 guns, but carrying 49, the odd one being a shifting gun. The Macedonian was to. windward, and entered tlie engagement at her own distance. For half an hour after the commencement of the action, the United States had no opportuniiy of using her carronades, the enemy keeping out of their reach, and never once coming within the range of grape or musc^eit- ry. The action, therefore, was of greater length than usual, AmtfX W^ ,r^i 14 #•< and continued under eyery advantage to the enemj^ nntil the United States neared him. The fire from her then became bo vivid, that the enemy's creir imaKining i»lier to be on fire, gave many demonstratiohe of their j(^, and expected every inntant to see her blown up.' Bui tile Macedonian's misen ma«t was riiot away by the board, her fore and topmasts by the caps, her lower masts badly wounded, her main-mast destroyed, and all her rig- ging out up. Mbst of her guns were disabled^ the largest part of her crew killed and wounded, and having become a perfect wreck,, she surrendered after an action of an hour and an half, at the moment when the United Statei was about to rake her. The enthusiasm of the American crew, on discovering the enemy, and during the battle, was perhaps unprece- dented ; the precision of their fire never surpassed in any other navaf engagement. Captain Carden being brought on board, presented his sword to captain Decatur, who, in testimony of^ the gallantry of his enemy, declined accept- ing it, saying that " he could not receive the sword of a man, who had defended his ship so bravely.*' — The ene- my's loss amounted to one hundred and four ; thirty-six in killed, and sixty-eight wounded : among the latter, her first and third lieutenants. The loss of the United States was five killed and seven wounded, making a total of twelve. Among the latter was lieutenant John Musser Funk, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who i^terwards died of his wounds, regretted for his worth, and admired for his constant cooli^pss and courage. The United States re* ceivod no daift^e whatever, and returned to port only to see her prize safe in. The superiority of gunnery was decidedly, in this action, on the side of the American sea- men, who fired seventy broadsides, whilst the enemy discharged but thirty-six. The Macedonian was an entire new ship, and had been out jpf dock but fbur months. She was brought into the port of New London^ and thence through the Sound to New York, where she was fitted out as a 38 gun .frigate, and as such bought into the service of the United States, at the value of two hundred thousand dollars. Captedn Decatur every where received the congratula- tions of the cHizens« Tlie legislatures of Pennsylvanis :..i«iii. ^iW^. 8d and Virginia voted him an elegant awot^: the con„.,_ of the United States, a gold medal. The corporation of New York voted him the freedom of the city in a gold box, and had his portrait set up in their gallery : and the sf lect and common councils of Philiidelphia, (In which city he waa born) voted him a superb sword ; and ap- pointed a committee, of which captain John Mullowney, formerly of the United States navy, was one ; who in conjunction with miyor generalJohn Barker, then mayor of the tity, were to procure it to be made of American materials. This sword, was presented to captain Decatur by the mayor, accompanied by a concise and appropriate adilress, to which he made a pertinent and manly reply. Lieutenant Allen, first of the ship, and lieutenant Nich- olson, received the same honors from the legislature of Virginia. On Lake Ontario, the naval operations were becoming every day of more consequence. Arrangements had been made for the augmentation of the fleet, and a large ship was already on the stocks, nearly completed, and to be called the Madison. About the sixth of November, commodore Chauncey, who commanded the fleet on this station, had some suspicion that three of the enemy's squadron had proceeded from Kingston, up the lake, with troops to reinforce Fort George. The vessels supposed to have sailed in this direction, were the Royal George of Ji6, the Duke of Gloucester o{ 10, and the Prince Regeni of H guns. Commodore Chauncey immediately sailed with the brig Oneida, of 14 guns ; the Governor Tompkins. lieutenant Brown, of 6 guns ; the Growler, lieutenant Mix, of 5 guns ; the Conquest, lieutenant Elliot, of 2 guns ; the General Hamilton, lieutenant MTherson, of 6 guns ; the Pert, Arundle, of 2 guns ; and the Julia. Frant, of one long 32 pounder— making in all 3C guns. As the enemy's vessels were expected to return to Kings- ton for more troops, it was intended to intercept them at the False Ducks, a collection of islands which they would be obliged to pass. On the 8th, the squadron fell in with the Royal George. and chased her into the bay of Quinti, where she was lost sight of in the night. On the morning of (he 9th she was discovered in Kingston Channel. Signal was immediately made for a general chase ; but by the alternate prevalence m ■.'^^ff ' Wk - 85 and Virginia voted hira an elegant mot^i the congrw^*** of the United States, a gold medal. The corporation of New York voted him the freedom of the city in a gold box, and had his portrait set up ii-. their gallery : and the select and common councils of Philndelphia, (in which city he was born) voted him a superb sword ; and ap- pointed a committee, t)f which captain John Mullowney, formerly of the United States navy, was one ; who in conjunction with major general John Barker, then mayor of the city, were to procure it to be made of American materials. This sword, was presented to captain Decatur by the mayor, accompanied by a concise and appropriate address, to which he made a pertinent and manly reply. Lieutenant Allen, first of the ship, and lieutenant Nich- olson, received the same honors from the legislature of Virginia. On Lake Ontario, the naval operations were becoming every day of more consequence. Arrangements had been made for the augmentation of the fleet, and a large ship was already on the stocks, nearly completed, and to *» be called the Madison, About the sixth of November, commodore Chauncey, who commanded the fleet on this station, had some suspicion that three of the enemy's squadron had proceeded from Kingston, up the lake, with troops to reinforce Fort George. The vessels supposed to have sailed in this direction, were the Royal George of Ji6, the Duke of Gloucester o{ 10, and the Prince Regeni of H guns. Commodore Chauncey immediately sailed with the brig Oneida, of 14 guns ; the Governor Tompkins, lieutenant Brown, of 6 guns ; the Growls, lieutenant Mix, of 5 guns ; the Conquest, lieutenant Elliot, of 2 guns ; the General Hamilton, lieutenant MTherson, of 6 guns ; the Pert, Arundle, of 2 guns ; and the Julia, Frant, of one long 32 pounder— making in all 3C guns. As the enemy's vessels were expected to return to Kinrs- ton for more troops, it was intended to intercept them at * the False Ducks, a collection of islands which they would be obliged to pass. On the 8th, the squadron fell in with the Royal George, and chased her into the bay of Quinti, where she was lost sight of in the night. On the morning of the 9th she was discovered in Kingston Channel. Signal was immediately made for a general chase ; but by the alternate prevalence •i^li^ m W^^ » V vl' '■ "I ■ .0 of squalls and ^c^s, the squadron was led in close puif'suit into the harbor of the enemy, at Kingston. The commo- dore being determined on boardinti^ her, though she wbs sachored nnder the enemy's batteries, with springs on her cables, that she might get all her guns to bear, gave his signal to that effect. At three o'clock the batteries open- ed their fire on the fleet, and sent forth a tremendous shower of shot and grape. Lieutenant Elliot, of the Conquestj pushed Airward, and went in, in the handsomest gtyle. He was followed by the Jtifia, the Pert, and the Growler y in succession ; then came up the brig, with the commodore, then the Qeneral Hamilton, and the Governor Tompkitis. At twelve minutes after three, lieutenant FA- liot opened his fire : at fifteen minutes after three, the Pertf Julia^ and Growler , opened their's. At twenty mi- nutes after three, the whole of the batteries fu-ed on the brig, and she sustained mopt of the fire during the remain- der of the action. A little while after, Ihe commodore gave the 6tte;nal, " engage closer ;" which was instantly obeyed. The PerV3 gun, about this time, bursted, and wouoded her commander, who refusing to leave the deck, was knocked overboard by the boem, and drowned. At forty minutes past three, the brig opened her fire on the Royal George, and the Royal George on the Hamilton. The firing became now very hot, and was kept up %ith the greatest alacrity until four o'clock, when the Rvyd Gerrge cut her cables and ran away, further up the bay. The squadron became exposed to the cross hre of five batteries of flying artilleiy, in all about forty guns, »M the guns of the ship the Royal George ,- which hav- ing taken a more advantageous position, set new springs, and recommenced her fire. Round and grape were now failing round the squadron in heavy showers. Ai half an hour after four, the whole hauled by tjie wind and beat out of the bay ; two miles from which they anchered, in full sight, until the 10th ; and after re- mi'ining there nearly all that day, ihcy returned to Sack- cfs Harbor, with the loss of one man killed and three wounded on board the Oneida. Whilst at the mouth of Kingston Harbor, the commodore captured a schooner, Hnd as she could not heat out with the ^Quadron, he or- dered the Growler to take her under convoy, to run down past Kingston, and anchor on the east end of Long Island, m 81? under an expectation that the Royal CkM-ge would be in* duced to come out to recapture her ; but her commander, fearing that the squadron might be close at hand, would not leave his moorings. The Royal George suffered very severely in her hull, as a nu.nber of 32-pound shot pierced her through and through. The Growler having in vain tried to induce the enemy to come out, sailed with the prize schooner far Sacket's Harbor. On her way she discovered the Prince Regent and the EarlMoiraoi 18 guns, convoying a sloop to Kingston. She immediately ran in and placed herself behind a point, with her prize, until the armed vessels had passed her, when she ran out again, pressed down upon the sloop , captured and brought her into Sacket's Harbor, having on ^ard about 12,000 itollara in specie, and captain Brock, cousin and private secretary to general Brock, together with that general*8 private property and baggTige. The commodore immedi- ately put off in a snow storm, with a hope of cutting off the Eurl Moira at the False Ducks. Captain Brock ex- liressed great surprise on iearning that the Americans had been in the British harbor, and that they had got out again with so little loss, the place being so strongly defended. Commodore Chauncey not having succeeded in inter- cepting the Eml of Moira, returned again to the harbor, and made preparations for completing the new ship MaM- son, which being finished on the 26th of November, was launched into her deslined element without accident. ' About this time, the American privateers were floating in every direction on the ocean. They cruized before the entrances of most of the British colonial ports, and rely^ mg on the swiftness of their sailing, many of the:n had ventured into the chops of the British Channel! The alarm which was in consequence esfcited among the mer- chants of Great Britain, and the vast number of captures which were making by tliese vessels, induced the English government to fit out several sloops of war for the pro* tection of their coast. The brig Charyhdis, of eighteen J2 pounders, and the Opossum sloop of war, were order- ed to cruise for several privateers, which were then known to be in the neighborhood of the coast, and which or the oiher of these Rrmed vessels. The Charybdit feH m with the privateer Blockade of New York, of 8 guns ; ^' ee U 'lid i and after an obstliiate engagement of one hour c^id twen> ty minutes, in which the CfwrybdMlost twenty-eight of her officers and meii killed and wounded, and the Blockade eight men only, the latter was carried, and taken into port, l^e Opossum encountered the ** Or^rs in Coun- cil" a small privateer, who fought Jier until they had ex- changed seven broadsides, when, finding the enemy's force to be too powerful^ zhts abandoned the contest, and eflTected her escape. The privateer Tom, captain Wilson, of Baltimore, on the 23d of November, descried a sail, gave chase, over- hauled, and brought her to an action, which terminated in the surrender of the enemy, with the loss of her captain nnd four men killed, and several wounded. She proved to be the British packet Towiwenrf, M'Coy, from Fal- mouth for Barbadoes. Her mail had been thrown over- board, but was picked up by the Tom's boats ; and after being ransomed, she was suffered to proceed. The Bona privateer, of Baltiiibre, having discovered a British ship of eight hundred tons, and 22 guns, then on a voyage from Madeira, ran up and engaged her, when the great gun bursted, and captain Dameron put twenty- nine officers and men into his boats, and dispatched them to board her. After a severe fight upon her decks, they earned her with little loss. Two strange sail at this mo- ment coming up in chase, the Bona left the prize in pos- session of those on board, and bore away, to draw the chasing vessels after her. The privateer Dolphin, captain W. S. Stafford, of ten guns and sixty men, also of Baltimore, being off Cape St. Vincent, engaged a ship of sixteen guns and forty men, and a brig of ten guns and tweiUy-five men, at the same instant ; and after a long and gallant action, made prizes of both. The Dolphin had four men wounded; the ep«^my 19 killed and 40 wounded, among (hem the captain of one of the vessels. Instances of the bold and daring intrepidity of the crews of the private armed vessels of the United States, are so numerous, that the recital of them would swell this work very far beyond the limits which have been assigned to it. The enemy's commerce was every where asHaUed hy thenar and the British government were obliged to protect their mer- chant ships by large convoys of vessels of war. %'■ A plan had been matured at the nary department for a eruiscin the South Seas, and the frigate VwM^uftow, now commanded by commodore William Bainbridge, the J5s- sexy captain Porter, and the Honte^ captain Lawrence, were selected to prosecute the voyage in company. On the 27th of October the Essex sailed from the Delaware, and on the 30th the Consiiiviwn and Horne/ from Boston ; several places of rendezvous having been assigned, at either of which this force was to be united, to proceed upon the cruize. On the 29th of December, the union of; these vessels had not yet been effected j and on that day the Constitution descried a sail at meridian in lat. 13 deg. 6min. S. »ng. 38 W. ten leagues from St. Salvador, which she soon discovered to be a British frigate. Com- modore Bainbridge tacked sail and stood for her. At 50 minutes past 1 p. m. the enemy bore down with an intention of raking the Constitution, which she avoided by wearing. Much mancBUvcring took place on both sides, the object of the enemy being to rake, and of the Constitution to avoid being raked, and to draw the enemy from the neutral coast. At 2 P. M. the enemy was within half a mile of the ConstitutioUf and to windward, having hauled down his colors, except the union jack, which was at the mizen mast head. A gun was then fired ahead of him, to make him show his colors ; but this gun was answered by a whole broadside. The enemy's colors were then hoisted, and the action began with round and grape j but he kept at so great a distance, that the grape had little effect, and to bring him nearer, would expose the Constittdion to se- vere raking. At 30 minutes past two, both ships were withm good canister distance, when the Constitution's wheel was shot away. At 40 minutes past two. the fore and main sail were set, and commodore Bainbridge being now determined to close with him, luffed up for that purpose, and in ten minutes after, the enemy's jib-boom got foul of the Constitution's mizen rigging, and in anoth- er ten minutes his bowsprit and jib-boom were shot away. At five mmutes past three, his main topmast was shot away just above the cap. This was followed by the loss of his gaff and spanker boom, and soon after, his main- ... trrt TTcut Mcarjj uy mc Doard. ill iivc iiiiuutes past four, the enemy was completely silenced, and his colors at the mam being down, it was thought he had surrender- 90 eti The ComUhition therefore shot ahead io repaip e still flying, §he wore, stood for the enemy in handsome style, and got close athwart his bows in an effectual position for raking, when his mainmast having also gone by the board, and seeing that further resistance would be useless whilst he lay so unmanageable a wreck, he struck his colours, and was immediately taken posses- sion of by lieutenant Parker, and found to be his majesty's ship Jmai of 38 guns but mounting 49, commanded by a distinguished officer, captain Lambert, who was mortally wounded and having on board, at the commencement of the engagement upwards of four hundred menyend one hun- dred supernumerary seamen which she was carrying but to the East Indies, for dififerent ships there. The ConstUution had nine men killed, and twenty-five wounded. The Jlawa, sixty killed and one hundred and seventy wounded. She had on board despatches for St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, and th^ different establishments in the East Indies and China, and copper for a 74, building at Bombay. She had on board, also, a number of passengers, among whom lyere lieutenan* general Hislop, governor of Bombay, ma- jor Walker, and one staff major, captain Marshall, a mas- ter and commander in the royal navy, and several officers appointed to ships in the East Indies. The conduct of both officers and crew, in this engage- ment, was not less conspicuous for gallantry than in tliat with the Gtierneret and the same principles of humanity influenced their deportment to the prisoners. — ^Among the wounded were the commodore and lieutenant Aylwin, the latter of whom received a ball immediately under the collar bone, (within an inch of his former wound,) of which he died at sea, on the 28th January. Upon the call for boarders, he had mounted the quarter deck hammock cloth, and was in the act of firing his pistols at the ene- my, when the ball passed through his shoulder blade and threw him upon the deck. Midshipman Delany, who had been at his^ide in both the actions of the ConstitutioD, bore him to the side of the mast, and ordered two men from his own division to carr^ him below, but such was hiB Keal for the success of ^e ship, that he would not suffer a single man to be taken from his station, nor would he consent to leave the deck, until he saw the issue o^ 91 the battle. Among the of&cers who distioguished them^ selves, were lieutenant Parker, the Qrst officer of the ship, and midshipmen James Delany, of Pennsylvania, apd, Jolin Packet, of Jefferson county, Virginia; the latter of v^hom was entrusted with the despatches from commor dore Bainbridge to the navy department, and has since been promoted to a lientenantcy . Many of the seamen ex- hibited a most uncommon degree of heroism: one of them, John Cheves, after being mortally wounded, remained on deck, apparently dying, until the termination of the en- gagement, when, the word being passed that the enemy iiad struck, he raised himself Up v/ith one hand, gave three cheers, and fell back and expired. His brother was also severely wounded. On the first of January, (nautical time) commodore Bainbridge, upon being informed by lieutenant Parker, that the prize was in such a condition that many repairs would be required to render her at all manageable, and kirowing the immense distance at which he then ^m from any port in the United States, and how much he would be obliged to weaken his crew, to man the prize properly, determined on blowing her up, which he accordingly did at 3 P. M. with every valuable article on board of her, except the prisoners' baggage. To these he administered every comfort which his means could afford; and at St. Salvador, at which place he landed the remaining crew of the Java, he received the public acknowledgements of lieutenant general Hislop to that effect, accompanied by the presentation, of an elegant sword. Captain Lambert had received a mortal wound in the early part of the en- gagement, and was in so languishing a situation, that he could not be removed from the Java until her destruction was resolved on; after which the commodore directed his course to St. Salvador to land and parole him. On ar- riving in that port, he landed the private passengers with- out considering them prisoners of war, and released the public passengers, and the officers and crew, amounting to three hundred and fifty-one men, on their parole, on con- dition of their returning to Englr^id and remaining there, without serving in any of their un 'essional capacities un- til they should be regularly exchanged. At St. Salvador the Constitution met the sloop of war the Hornet, with whom she had parted a few days before 12 Ml lit- i -iKi 02 rtie engagement, and leaTing that yessel to blockade the Bntush sloop of war the Bonne Citoyenm, commodore Bainbridge broke up the intended cruise in the South Seas and returned to the United States. Here he was greeted with the applauses of his countrymen, and received the freedom of the city of New York m a gold box; a piece of plate fiom the citizens of Philadelphia, the thanks of "".^H^i^r. 1^***® legislatures, and a medal from congress, with fifty thousand dollars for himself, offieers and crew. iTie legislature of Virginia voted a handsome sword to midshipman Packet of their state, and their approbation to the officers generally. The comparative force of the two vessels, has been subject of much prevarication, 'as well as of the number of men m eax:h. Captain Lambert having expired at St. Salvador, it became the duty of lieutenant Chads, first officer of the Java, to make an official communication of the affair to his government. That officer, unmindful of the generous magnanimity with which he had been treat- ed, endeavoured to take away from the credit of the American commodore, by underrating the number of the British crew, and the actual force of the British ship; and by very largely overrating the force and crew of the Con- stitution, He reported her force to be 32 long twent'-four pounders, 16 carronades (32 pounders,) and 1 carronade eighteen pounder, being in all 58 guns. The actual force of the Constitution was, 30 twenty-four pounders on her gun deck, 16 thirty-two pounds carronades on her quarter deck, and 8 guns on the forecastle, making in all 54 guns. The Java carried 28 twenty-four pounders on her gun deck, 14 thirty-two pounders, carronades, 6 guns on the forecastle, and 1 shi^lting gun, making in all 49 guns, which the lieutenant stated af forty-six. Assurances were given to commodore Bainbridge, by the officers of the Java, that the ship left England with a crew which did not exceed three humired and twenty men; but the prisoners received on board the Constitution very far exceeded that number, and when the muster book of the Java was found and examined, it called for ^^"L!!""'!'!!!* w?^°^°''^*^.^''!^P^^*^ ** seamen and -^anses, so mat tnciriosa iii kilku uiust have been great- er than they reported. CHAPTER Vin. Contemplated movement of the Brilish and Indians from Maiden to Fremhtown-Baille, between the advance of both armm, and the defeat of the British^Caplure of general Winchester's force, and massacre of the prisoners ZTf f f^^^'iS^-DudleyV victory^His defeat and death^Sortte from the garrison^Siege of fort J^gs raised-Council of the Indian chifl-Collncl Jialt destroys a party of the hostile Indians. EXASPERATED at the successes of the American TOlunteer troops, in their repeated assaults upon the Indian posts along the north western frontier, the enemy resolved upon an immediate movement of his combined forces, to the village of Frenchtown, with a view to intercept the American expedition, in its further approaches towards Detroit. In the event of this movement, which was now (January) every day looked for, the inhabitants of French- town were apprehensive of being massacred, and they therefore implored general Winchester to march to their protection, though the troops at that time under his com- mand, were far inferior in numbers to the collected force by which m all probability they would be assailed With- nilT previous concert with general Harrison as to the plan of operations, and without his knowledge or authori- lliS-rf "^'T^^^^^'^ yielding to the solicitation of thl fn!l ?K ' ^^J^^'^J^ed "Pon marching with his small force, then reduced to eight hundred men by the dis- charge of those reghnents whoae term of service had ex- JnA^ 4^^?^^' if possible, the destruction of the village lieut 1 wr°^^f""^^'^^*^'^^^^^^ On the 17th, Ueut. col. Wilham Lewis was ordered to proceed with a detachment to Presqueisle, where he was to wait the arri- val of a reinforcement of anothei- d«>*n''H»-^""# — l- »• tenant tolonel Alto, whkh wTuwloii aiw brftSLwed: I8lh, the two Uetachments concentrated at Fre^ueUle ( i ; . I 94 when colonel Lewis, liaring been informed, that an advance party of the British and Indiana, amounting to about five hundred, were already encamped at French- town, immediately determined on attacking them. A ra- pid march brought him within their view at about 3 o'clock. At three miles distance, he wai apprized of their bemg prepared to receive him, and, lest they should sally out and suddenly encounter him, he arranged his men in the order of battle, and approached with caution to the margin of the river. The command of the right wing, composed of the companies of captains M'Cracken, Bledsoe, and Mat- ron was assigned to lieutenant colonel Allen. The com- mand of the left, composed of the companies of captains Hamilton, Williams, and Kelly, tP major Graves. Major Madison was placed in the centre, with the companies of captain Hightower, of the ITUi U. S infantry, and captains Collier and Sabrie. Captain Ballard, acting as major, was sent in advance with two companies, commanded by cap- tains Hickman and Glaves. Thus organized, the whole bo- dy came within a quarter of a mile of the enemy. The ri- ver only separated them. The line was then displayed, and the passage of the river was attempted, under a fire from a howitzer which the enemy directed against the volunteers with little effect. The line remained firm, and marched across the ice to the opposite shore, at the very moment when the signal was given for a general charge. Majors Graves and Madison were instantly ordered to assail the houses and picketing, in, and about which, the enemy hart collected and arrayed his cannon, before this charge could be made The two battalions advanced with great velocity, under an incessant shower of bullets, carried the picketing with ease, dislodged the British and Indians, and drove them into the woods. Lieutenant colonel Alien made a simultaneous movement upon the enemy's left, then at a considerable distance from the remainder of his troops, and after one or two spirited charges, compelled him to break, and drove him more than a mile ; after which, he took shelter in the same wood, to which the right had retired. Here the two wings concentrated, and, being covered by Av.^ ^iir-.--^e3 of sevftpal enclosed lots and a fflroup of houses, ^"th a aick and brushy wood, and a quantity of fallen timber in the rear, they made a stand with their howitzer and email arms. Colonel AUen was still advancmg with 96 the right wing of the American detachment, and wa^ exr posed to the fire of the whole body of the enemy. Majors Graves and Madison, were then directed to move up with the left and the centre, to make a diversion in favour of the right. Thdr fire had just commenced when the right wing advanced upon the enemy's front. A sanguinary fight immediately followed; the houses were desperately assailed, the British, who were stationed behind the fences, were vigorously charged, and the enemy a third time fled. Rapid pursuit was instantly given to him. The British and Indians drew the Americans into the wood in their rear, and again rallying their forces, several times intre pidly attempted, under the direction of major Reynolds, to break the American line. The fight became close and extremely hot upon the right wing, but the whole line maintiuned its ground, repulsed every attempt, followed up the -enemy each time as he fell back, and kept him two miles on the retreat, under a continual charge. At length, after having obstinately contended against the American arms upwards of three hours, the British and Indians were entirely dispersed, and carrying off all their wounded and as many of their dead as ihey could collect, they retired from the field, leaving fifteen of their warriors behind. The American less amounted to twelve killed and fifty-five wounded. The gallantry of the officers oT the detachments left no chance of discrimination to th6 commandant. Most of them haye been aiready mention- ed in reference to their conduct on other occasions. The coolness of the men was such, that whilst they were as- saulting and driving the enemy from the houses, not a woman or child inhabiting them was hurt* Colonel Lewia encamped upon the same ground which had been prevt- ously occupied by the enemy. He had captured some public property, and protected the inhabitants thus far from the apprehended cruelty of the Indians, and he now made preparations to maintain his position until he should he joined by general Winchester. | On the 20th, the troops under general Winchester arri- ved, and when the whole were concentrated they did not exceed seven hundred and fifty men. Six hundred were posted in pickets, and one hundred and fifty composing the right wing were encauijieu in an open field. On the morning of the 2iSnd, at reveillie, a.coiubUied force unde? I 99 TecutDseh and colonel Proctor, of two thotMaod one hundred men, attacked the encampment. The alarm gun was immediately fired, and the troops ready for the recejp- tion of the assailants. The attack commenced with a heavy ire of small arms, and the discharge of six pieces of artillery, directed immediately at the temporary breast- work, behind which the left wing was stationed. The right wing was attacked with great Tiolence, and sustained the conflict about twenty minutes, but being outnumbered and overpowered, was obliged to retreat across the river. Two companies, of fifty men each, sallied out of the breastwork to their asustance, but retreated with them. A large body of Indians had been stationed in the rear of the encampment before the attack commenced, who either made prisoners of, or cut off, the retreatii^ party. The left wing maintained its ground within the pickete. Three furious onsets were made upon it by the Britidi 41st, each of which was received with distinguished cool* ness, and eaidh of which terminated in the repulse of the enemy. In the desperate resistance which was made to the charges of this regiment, thirty of its men were killed, and between ninety and one hundred wounded. When the right wing was discovered to be retreating, every ef- fort was uiwd to form them in some order of action, either to repel the pursuers, or to regain the temporary breastwork, from behind which, the remainuig part of the troops were still gallantly defending themselves. General Winchester's head quarters were several hundred yards from the encampment, he therefore was not in the first of the engagement, but he had no sooner arrived at the ground, than he, colonel Lewis, and some others, who were attempting to rally the flying ri^t wing, were taken prisoners. The remainder of the battle was fought in confu- sion, and was rather a proof of the invincible bravery of the Americans, than of any regard which they had for the order of the fight. They saw the great disparity of force, and knew how muc|| their own had been weakened by the destruc- tion of the right wing. But they continued to repel every charge of the assailants, until 1 1 o^clock, when an order was received, by a flag from the enemy, by which it ap- peared, that general Winchester was assured, that unless the troops of his commcmd were immediately surrender- ed, the buildings in Frenchtown would be set on fire, d7 and that no yesponsibility would be taken for th« conduct of the savages, who composed the largest part of the ene- mys force ; that to save the lives of the remaining portion of his brave troops, he had agreed to surrender them pri- soners of war, on condition of their being protected from the savages, of their being allowed to retain their private property, and of having their side arms returned to them. Thirty-five officers, and four hundred and eighty-seven non commissioned officers and privatet were accordingly surrendered, aftev iiaving fought with small arms, against artillery, for six hours j and being all that time surrounded by Indians resorting to their usual terrific yells. The loss of tlie Americans was twenty -two officers, and two hun- tlred and seventy-five non commissioned officers and pri- vates killed and missing, and three officers and twenty-two privates wounded, who were among the prisoners surren* dered. The enemy's loss, except that of the 41 st regulars, could not be ascertained, every means being used to pre- vent a discovery. It has been supposed, however, that it was little less than that of the Americans. Colonel Proctor afterwards stated it, in his official communication, to be twenty-four kilied, and one hundred and fifty-eight wounded. The events which followed the surrender of the Ame- rican arms, were of such a nature as to make the heart of man recoil from their recital, and to deprive the historian o(& later day, of that degree of temperance which ought ever to be inseparable from candid and impartial narra- tion. Facts, which have been established beyond the possibility of doubt; which have been testified by the so- lemn affirmations of the officers of the oaptured army, and admitted by those of the enemy ; which took place im- mediately under the eye of flie conquering commander, and which were sanctioned by his presence, ought not to be withheld from the worid; the fidelity of history will not allow them to be magnified, nor can they in justice be extenuated. Destitute of the common principles of sacred humanity, and regardless of the civilized usages of honourable war- fare, the allied British and Indian forces, no sooner re- ceived tjie surrender of the vanquished, ttiou^ brave de- iCiiuers of ibe iiivaded territory, iban ibcy assailed them WKKKf: '■^' "^."^•i ■ill wmr 98 Wifti their tomhawka and scalping knives, and slripiied \Uem of their propec^y and clothing. When the nght wing fell back, and about forty men, under lieutenant Isaac L. Baker, were attempting to escape, an offer of protectioh was made to them, on condiUon of their surrender. Lieu- tennnt Buker very gladly yielded to the proiwsal for the safely of his men, but the proffered protection fjd not fol- low. One half of his party were butchered and left naked on the field, and himself and the remainder were marched back to colonel Proctor's camp. They gave up their arms to the Indians, and defenceless as they were, many of them who brought up the rear as prisoners, were mas- sacred on the march. When general Winchester was cap- tured, in the act of pursuing and rallying the right wing, the same solemn assurances of protection were given to him, on condition' of his ordering the whole detachment to surrender. His humanity induced him to comply; but when the troops were brought within the British camp, their side arms and accoutrements were taken from them and presented to the savages. They were then left in custody of the Indians, who were instructed to follow the British regulars to Maiden, to which place the prisoners were to be conducted. The wounded prisoners were more likely to become the objects of Indian resent- ment, and the American general remonstrated, therefore, with the commanding British officer on the necessity of their being remoyed by the regulars. To this remon- strance, a pledge was given, that such prisoners should be attended to. They were left behind, however, and on the morning of the 23d, the Indians fired many houses of the inhabitants, and burnt the prisonere who had been pUiced within them. Being then in readiness to march, they a^ ranged otiier prisoners in that order, and on finding that many of them could not walk, in conseque? r" th" se- verity of their wounds, they immediately 8ti''^r;<. ii ai the most unparaiidcu ativciiy. 09 and BtrippBd he right wing nant Isaac L. of protcctioh «nder. Lieu- iposal for the in did not fol- ind left naked vere marched save up their y were, many rs, were mas- ester waB cap- tie right wing, were given to le detachment J comply; but British camp, :en from them e then left in 1 to follow the the prisoners irisoners were Indian resent- led, therefore, B necessity of 'o this remon- ners should be er, and on the r houses of the id been pUiced aarch, they a^ >n finding that Bf r'' th^ se- 8t)*'*^v;<>!<1 tvem, attempted the 3 exhausted on in the presence »ng those who \ officer, whose u .. ^ XT O. S. Hart,* of Lexington, who had on several occasibns, but on this particularly, signalized himself by his undaunt- ed bravery, and who received a flesh wound in the knee in the early part of tl.o engagement, on being aurrondered with the trcopb, was immediately recognized by colonel Elliot, an American by birth, wi > had been a class mate of captain Hart, at an American college, and who has long been notorious for his activity in exciting the savages to arm themselves against bis fellow citizens In this action he was bearing arms against his own countrymen, and on discovering *he companion of bis youth, in the hands of tb« savp '',es, he ielf that degree of national sympathy, of which no n'an, however vile, can entirely divest himself; and, without oeing solicited, made a promise of his protection, . .1 of providing a conveyance to Maiden, which would place captain Hart under his superintendance, until his re- covery should be effected. But col. Elliot's promise was forgotten, or was made only to be brokan. He departed, and a band of Indians entered the house in which captain Hart lay, and tore him from his bed ; one of his brother ofiicers then conveyed him to another apartment, where he was again assailed. He at length induced the Indiana to take him to Maiden, under the promise of a large re- ward. They proceeded but five miles on the road before they shot him while on his horse, and took his scalp. The fate of colonel Allen, captains M'Cracken, Woodfolk, Hickman, and other oflicers, was no less unfortunate than that of captain Hart. When the surviving prisoners, officers and men, arrived at Maiden, the savages were allowed \o sell them, and many of the American citizens, who had been permitted to remain in the town of Detroit for temporary purposes, stept forward to ransom them, but when colonel Proctor discovered, that by this means they obtained their release, he issued an order forbiddmg any future exchanges of prisoners for money. Most of the officers and many of the men, among the volunteers, were of the first re- spectability, holding offices of high trust, members of the congress of the United States, and abcustomed to those refinements which result from wealth and -waptsiH ixaft VVB3 ufother-iu-iaw to r*Ir. Henry CUy, ob6 of the American commissioners at Ghent. K % I ■A "«* 100 ettecation. They had left the ease and affluence with which the'r homes abounded, to obey the voice of their invaded country, and had encountered all kinds of hard- ships in their different inarches. These men, while pri- # Boners at Maiden, were treated with thai haughty super- ciliousness, which belongs not to the noble soldier, nor to the enlightened man. Judge Woodward, of the supreme court of the Mlclugan territory, rendered every assistance to the prisoner?, within the power of an individual, and by the influence which he had acquired over the British commander, greatly alleviated their misfortunes. He boldly charged the enemy with the enormities which had been committed, and informed colonel Proctor, after hav- ing supplied him by his own directions, with affidavits which substantiated all the facts, (hat « the iruih would m^ * »* doubtedty eventually appear, and that, that unfortunak « day must meet the steady and impartial eye of history:^ Colonel Proctor extenuated the facts, made no denial of their occurrence, but alleged that no capitulation was en- tered into; that the prisoners surrendered at discretion; and that therefore it was not necess ry to controul the Indians. The battle was ofilcially announced to the Ca- nadian people, from the head quarters of the commander in chief, the governor general. His communication in- formed them, that another brilliant action had been at- chieved by the division of the army under colonel Proc- tor ; and admitted that the loss of the Americans was great, because tlie Indian warriors had cut off all who attempted to escape. The Indian chief Round Head, he said, had rendered ess.ential services by his bravery and good con- duct, sud cojoael Proctor had nobly displayed his gal- lantry, by his humane niA unwearied exertions in res- cuing the vanquished from the revenge of the Indians; for which good conduct he was promoted, ontil the pleasure of the Prince Regent should be known, to the rank of a >)rigadier general in Upper Canada. The general orders concluded by ordering "a salute, of twenty-one guns, to be fired on this glorious occasion." ^ General Harrison having heard of the exposed situation of general Winchester's troops, )i&A ordered a dptachment fn/^wn ff^n«ral Perkifl's briffadc to march under major Cot- his relief; but they did not reach Frenchtown battle, and immediately on their return to tb« jroves 101 Raprds, at which place general Harrison was then station- ed, he fell back eighteen miles to the carrying river, in or- der to force a junction with the troops in the rear, and t« cover the convoy of artillery and stores, then coming from Upper Sandnsky. From this place he despatched a flag of truce with a surgeon to Maiden to attend to the captured sick and wounded; his flag was not respected, however, and one of the surgeon's companions was killed, and him- self wounded and taken prisoner. A strong desire now pre- vailed among the troops to avenge the loss of their brav^ brethren in arms, and governor Meigs having promptly forwarded two regiments of Ohio mintia to reinforce gene- ral Harrison, he again advanced to the Rapids and com- menced building a fort, which has since been rendered me- morable under the name of fort Meigs. Fortifications were at L*ie same time constructed at Upper Sandusky, under the direotion of general Crooks. Whilst these precautionary measures were adopted for the protection of the troops, and the defence ef the territory, detached parties were fretpient- ly indulged in short excursions, none of which resulted in any material advantage. In one of these, the commander in chief, himself, marched to Presqueisle at the head of a detachment, upon hearing that a body of Indians had col- lected at that place; but the Indians fled, at his approach, too rapidly to be overtaken, and he returned to his en- campment, after having marched sixty miles in twenty-one hours. A few days after, captain Langham was despatched to destroy the Queen Charlotte, then laying near Maiden; but the decayed state of the ice defeated the object of the expedition. In the commencement of April a desperate affair took place between an equal number of Frenchmen and Indians, who fought each other in canoes, until the greater part on both sides were either killed or wounded ; but no event of any consequence occurred during the remainder of the winter,- the unauthorized movement of general Winchester was entirely subversive of general Harrison's plans, and so contrary to his arrangements, that the whole system of organization was again to be gone over. General Harrison therefore ieft the troops strengthening the posts of fort Meigs, Upper Sandusky, and fort StephenHOii, whilst lie returned to Ghio io con- sult with the governor, to accelerate the march of the re- inforeemeuts, and to expedite the transportation of addi- m- 102 :fel ^; idR'M tional stores. He had rot been long absent from fort Meigs, before the garrison was threatened with an attack. New levies were hastily made from Ohio and Kentucky, but as tliey did not arrive in time to resist the enemy, now collecting in large numbers in the neighbourhood, the Pennsylvania brigade voluntarily extended its term of service, which had just then expired. Gen. Harrison was apprized of this circumstance by despatch, and returned With all possible expedition to the garrison. He arrived on the 20th April, an^^ made instant preparation for an ap- proaching siege. J^atroles and reconnoitering parties were constantly kept out, and on the 26th they reported the enemy—on that day the advance of the enemy made its appearance on the opposite shore, and were discovered viewing the works; after reconnoitering a short time they retired. On the following day they appeared again; but a few eighteen pound shot soon obliged them to retr^t. The fort was situated on a commanding eminence, and was well supplied with every necessary munition of war, but general Harrison being desirous of putting his men in the best possible state of security, was every day erecting fortifications of different descriptions. The troops in the garrison were animated and zealous in the cause of their country, and their exertions were without parallel. On the 28th, captain HaokUton was sent out with a patrolling party. About three miles down the river he discovered the enemy in great force, approaching fort Meigs, and im- mediately communicated his discovery to the general. An express was then sent to general Green Clay, who commanded a brigade of twelve hundred Kentuckians, with an order for his immediate march to fort Meigs. Ge- neral Harrison addressed the troops, informed them of the vital importance of every man's being vigilant and indus- trious at his post, and received assurances that none of them would abandon their duty. A few British and a body of Indians commenced a very brisk fire from the opposite shore, but the distance was too great to do inju- ry. Their fire was returned from two 18 pounders, and they retired and concealed themselves from the view of the fort. In the evening, the enemy crossed the river in boats, and selected the best situations about the fort, to throw up works for the protection of their battering can- non. The garrison was completely surrounded, and pre- -,.^. 103 parations were active upon one side to storm the fort, and on the other to repel the most vigorous assault. Several dragoons who had oiGfered to reconnoitre the enemy's camp, had not procdeded far from the fort, when they were fired on, and one of them was shot through the arm. Early on the morning of the 29th, the Indians fired into the fort with their Grilles, and moitaliy wounded a man who was talking with the general— a constant firing was kept up on both sides during the whole day. Several men in the garrison were slightly wounded, and a number of the enemy were killed. His batteries had been so for constructed during the night, that sufficient protection was afforded to him to woik by day-light. Numbers of shot wet'i thrown into the breastworks to impede their pro- gress, but before night, he had three batteries erected, two with four embrasures each, and one bomb battery. On the morning of the 30th, the besiegers were discoveied to have extended then- batteries, and to be preparing them for the cannon. Their progress in doing this, was retarded by a well directed and constant fire from the besieged. They were observed to carry away men from the batte- ries, by which it was supposed that the fire from the fort had either killed, or wounded many of them. General Harrison, having a suspicion that the enemy intended to surprise and storm the garrison in its rear, from the cir^ cumatance of a number of boats having repeatedly crossed from the old British garrison to the side on which stood the American fort, each loaded with men; he gave orders for one-third of the troops to be constantly on guard, and the remainder to sleep with their muskets in their arms, and to be in readiness to fly to their posts at any moment. Ine Indians occupied all the advantageous positions round the fort, and to this and many other discouraging circum- stances, was added the want of water, which was supplied on y from the river, whence a few men were each night obliged to obtain enough for the garrison for the succeed- ing day. This they did at an imminent risk of their lives, the Indians being always on the alert. Durmg this day. there were several killed and wounded on both sides. In the night, a gun boat which had been towed up the river fire at and on cMciiij,-, -.Tus piacea ne«r iiiv iort, and kept up a. intervals J mwnbgof May 1st she moye^ offj'aftcshi?' upon it. No one ball entered it, howeveri ■k- .-»*?• £2 * ^■' ill 1' m 104 ins tUscharged thirty shot without eflfect This morning the grand traverse, at which the men haU been some time engaged, was nearly finished, and several inferior ones were commenced in different directions. The American garrison was now in very excellent condition, and as soon as the well should be finished, would defy the utmost power of the besiegers. At about 10 o»clock the enemy had one cannon prepared. With that he kept up a brisk fire. In the course of the day he opened several pieces on the fort, and before night he hid in operation one 24 pounder, one 12, one 6, and a howitzer, from which he fired two hundred and fifty-six shot during the day, and four at night, without doing any material injury to fort Meigs.; thouj^ one man was wounded mortally, two bad- ly, and five slightly; and a ball struck a bench upon which general Harrison was sitthag. One of their pieces was silenced several times. On the 2d May the firing com- menced very early, with bombs and balls, and contmued, until four hundred and fifty-seven discharges were made in the day, and four at night.— American loss this day, one killed and ten wounded, besides several slightty touch- ed. Numbers of the enemy*8 warriors were carried away ft-om their batteries in blankets. On the 3d, a fierce and vigorous fire of bombs and cannon balls commenced with the day. Two batteries, one of which was a bomb bat- tery, were opened upon the rear right angle of the Ame- rican fort, at a distance of two hundred and fifty yards. Their fire was promptly returned, and several times si- lenc'id, but they continued it at intervals during the day. Six men were killed in the fort, and three wounded, by the cannon and bombs, from which, during this day and at night there were five hundred and sixty-three shot and shells dis- charged. The Indians ascended the trees in the neigh- bourhood of the fort, and fired into it with their rifles, only one man, however, was killed by a bullet. On the 4th, no firing took place until 1 1 o'clock. It was at first supposed that the enemy had exhausted himself, but at 9 o'clock it was discovered that he was erecting an addi- tional battery, to guard against which, general Harrison ordered a new traverse to be constructed. A heavy rain, «sb4r.h fell in the eaplv nart of the day, retarded the firing on both sides. The'rifle was usedoftener on this, than on aoy. other da^ Tbe eaonon shot did not exceed two ;f1 general Harrison M hundred and tfreniy-two. Sereral men were sligbUjr wounded, and two killed in the course of the night. The principal part of the British were at the old batteries on the opposite side of the riyer, one of their officers of rank crossed over within musket shot of the fort, and was shot by lieutenant Gwynne. On the 5(h, the fire from the be- siegers was very slow, they killed three men with bomb , and discharged their pieces one hundred and forty-three times in all. General Clay had put bis troops in motion^ as soon as he received general Harrison's orders of the 38th ultimo, and had marched with great expedition. At 2 o'clock on this day, M. Oliver, who had been sent with the despatches, arrived at the fort, with forty-seven men of general Clay's brigade, and informed general Harrison^ that the vi^ole detachment was within a few hours march. Orders were immediately sent to general Clay to land eight hundred ihen on the opposite shore, to storm the enemy's batteries, spike his cannon, and destroy his car* riages, whilst a sortie would be circuitously made from the fort, for the purpose of attacking his new works at the same instant, and compelling him to raise the siege. Co- lonel Dudley was charged with the execution of this or- der, and colonel Miller of the 19th U. S. infantry, was ta command the sortie. Colonel Dudley landed his men from the boats in which they had descended the river^ and marched them resolutely up to the mouth of the British cannon. The four batteries were instantly carrl- ed, eleven guns spiked, and the Britbh regulars and Ca*^ nadian militia put to flight. In pursuance of general Harrison's orders, colonel Dudley, after having effected the object of his landing, ought to have crossed the river to fort Meigs, but his men were so much elated at the success of their first battle, that they were desirous of pursuing and capturing the retreating enemy. An im-i mense body of Indians were at that time marching to the British camp, who were met by the regulars as they re- tired. With these they formed, and putting the Indiana in ambush, they made a feint to draw colonel Dudley's men into the woods, in which they too well succeeded. The Indians came out from their ambuscade, and lUtack- ed the brave but in^screet Kentuckians. A severe en- l^igement Uiok plae^ wliich terminated In the death or i^aptuce of filfflOBt the whole d«iftclijQ2fn^ mdwlHclivWa^ ■^.:- '4 f'l (1 m •I i itaMM ! Hw^H ijtW followed by tbe same kind of massacre, though not to tim sattte extent, which succeeded the surrender at Raishi. The British intercepted the retreat of colonel Dudley to the river, where he would have been protected by the guns of fort Meigs, and only one hundred and fifty men, out of eight hundred, effected their escape. Forty-five were tomhawked, and colonel Dudley, their gallant lead- er, was among the killed. He is said to have shot one of the Indians after being himself mortally wounded. The remainder of general Clay's brigade assailed a body of Indians m the wdod near the fort, and would have been also drawn into an ambush, had not general Harrison or- dered a party of dragoons to sally out, and protect their re- treat to the fort. The contemplated sortie was intended to have been simultaneous with the attack on the opposite side of the river; but the impetuosity of colonel Dudley's troops, defeated this project, and colonel Miller, with part of the 19th and a body of militia, in all three hundred and fifty men, salU^ forth, after the Indians were apprized of the attack upon the old batteries. He assaulted the whole line of their works, which was defended, as has since been ascertained, by two hundred regulars, one hundred and fifty militia, and four or five hundred Indians, and after several brilliant and intrepid charges, succeeded in driving the enemy from his principal batteries, and in spiking the cannon. He then returned to the fort with forty-two prison- ers, among whom were two lieutenants. The first charge was ipade on the Indians and Canadians, by the battalion of major Alexander, the second on the regulars and In- dians, by colonel Miller's regulars, the officers of which were captains Croghan, Langham, Bradford, Nearing, and Keut. Campbell, and a company of Kentuckians, command- ed by capt. Sabrie, who distinguished himself in the first affair at Frenchtown. This company maintained its ground with more firmness than could have been expected from a hasty levy of nnlitia, and against four times its number. it was at length, however, surrounded by Indians, and would have been entirely cut off, had not lieutenant Gwynne, of the 19th, charged the Indians with part of cap- tain EUiot's company, and released the Kentuckians. On the etb, hostilities seemed to have ceased on both sides. rpha - • - - .9. S5-«/ w^oz^scw sciii uu«Tu u iiijg uy major nuKiii lo aiiena to the ctoiforts of the Amrican wounded and prisoneifs. ■# 107 Which returned wilh the British major Chambers, betweeii whom and the gamson some arrangements were made about sending home the prisoners by Cleveland. On the 7th, there was a continuation of bad weather. Plage were passing to and from the two armies, during the whole day, and arrangements were entered into, by which the American mihtia were to be sent to Huroii, to return home by that route and the Indians were to relinquish theiF claim to the pnsoners taken on the opposite shore, and to receive m exchange for them, a number of Wyan- dotts, who had been captured in the sallies of the 6th. During the 8th, the exchange and intercourse of flags con- J^^iw .P'*'™''!'''** ""^^^ ^y "»« B»«sh, to furnish general Harnson with a list of the killed, wounded and STTr^lu^****^** however was not complied with. On me 9th, the eneniy was observed to be abandoning his Zf^!*«Vi!?''^I''^ '®''^''** «"° ^"^^^ had been brought up in the night and were receiyfaig the cannon-on bei^ di^. covered, a few guns from fort Meigs obliged themto re- hnquish their design, and by 10 o'clock the siege wL mzed and the whole of the enemy's forces were on theit retreat. Thus termmated a siege of thirteen days, in which the ^Illa ^Tr*"**^^"' ^^^^'^^ ^'^*^^'^' promised the Indian alUes, that the American garrison should be reduced, and Its defenders dehvered over to them^ prisoners of W^ Eighteen hundred shells and cannon balls had been fii^d . into the fort, and a contmual discharge of small arms had*^ fcZd^'i "P^ r ^,^«"can losslas onTe^K^ Wn nt? T.i?««/^-^d and eigbty.nine wounded. Seven^ \n7hn L^ the former during the siege, the remainder n the sortie, and the different assaults of the 6th. Of tl^ n!«a ^"^J^^ndf^d and twenty-four were wounded in the theVn^LZ^"'"' ?"""S **»« '^^«^- The loss of n Hiioi ! * ^® '*5«"^*''^ ^as one hundred and fifty-six mil^ «nd"fKr?°1'^' ***** ""^ ^^^ K«»t"«ky and Ohio Sfonfw li'^*^^^ ™T*^" volunteers, one hundred felT "• .^"* Kentucky, as on other occasions, suf- Imn„«r T^^ severely, her loss in killed and wounded Sn!*"f lu f ^«ntHwo. The daring intrepidity of the citizens of that state, had continuallv. «„d tJn nfL «.:"! mZ''«fhfir''"P^*T*^' *^^ them into the most dan^ gerous situations. It wae to this, that their defeat / i u *, I ■ ''•k * ii' I) toii under colonel Dudley was to be attriEwted, and because of this, that they lost in that affair two hundred and up- wards in killed and missing. But it was to this, also, that the gratitude of the whole nation wa» due, when, regard- less of the blood, which, in the first stage of the war she had already freely and profusely shed, her citiaens came forward with unabating alacrity, and volunteered their ser- vices on erery hazardous expedition. The force under general Proctor, was reported by de- serters to be five hundred and fifty regulars, and eight hun- dred militia. The number of the Indians, was greater be- yond comparison than had ever been brought into the field before. They were much dissatisfied at the failure of the repeated attacks upon the fort, the spoil of which had been promised to them—yet they several times du- ring the sortie, prevented the capture of the whole of ttieir allies, the British regulars. In one of the assaults, commanded Jqt captain Croghan, upon a battery which was defended by the grenadier and light infantry compar Dies of the 41 at regiment, the enemy suffered severly, and, but for the immediate assistance of the Indians, could not have effected a retreat, which the vigour of the assarilt compelled them to make. General Harrison caused not only the ground upon which the enemy's batteries had been erected in the neighbourhood of the fort, but that on which colonel Dudley's battle had been fought, to be strictly examined; on the latter, the body, of that unforta- laate oflRcer was discovered dreadfully mangled. The bor dies of several of his detachment were also found, and the whole were collected and buried with the honours and solemnities due to their rank and the occasion. Offensive preparations were now for a time suspended. The naval equipments on lake Erie, were in active forwardness, and until these were completed, the troops were to remain at fort Meigs and Sandusky. The forces at either were adequate to its defence, and general Harrison left gene- ral Clay in command of the former. Whilst he set out for the latter, and thence intended to repair to Franklinton to forward new reinforcements. In the month of June, a general council of Indian chiefs was assembled in the neighbourhood of Seneca town, Lowei Sandusky, to which place the head quarters of general Harrison had been transferFed. The result of their deliberatious was an offfef 100 to ake up atms in behalf of the United States, and they proposed to accompany general Harrison into Canada. But the incursiona of the hostile chiefs were now more frequent than before. Their depredations were extended along the shores of the lake, and maiiy bf the inhabitants were killed, or made prisoners. But a temporary check was given to their inroads, by a squadron of draaoons. who encountered and cut to pieces a party of the most ferocious of the savages. Colonel Ball was descending the Sandusky with twenty-two men, when he was fired up- on by about twenty Indians from an ambush. He charged upon and drov« them from their ambuscade, and after an obstinate contest upon a plain, favourable to the opera- tions of cavalry, he destroyed every chief of the party. During the warmest of the engagement, he was dismount- ed, and m personal fight with a warrior of great strength. Ihey fought with desperation, until the colonel was re- heved by an ofiicer who shot down the Indian. The sa vages then became furious, and after giving their custom- ary signal, to receive no quarter, they made a vigorous onset, and kept up tlie contest until their whole band was destroyed TOs aflfair produced some terror among the Indians, and the persons and property of the inhabitants were secured for a wJiile from outrage and plunder. The conduct^f this vigilant and able officer, has been fr^iuently spoken of in general orders. At the repulse of Uie besiegers of fort Meigs, he was among the most conspicuous 01 those officers, who vainly strove to suroasaS each other m the acquital of their duty. To majors Bali: 1 Tod(» ^--^wick, and Fitzer, and major Johnson of the JS^n.*!. i, the commander in chief gave a public expressiu. nvaimeat approbation. Of captain Wood, • u f *S .'. ■ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ **>a* ^e so nobly distin- guished himiseif m a sortie from another garrison, the ge- neral said, that in assigning to him the first palm of merit, as tar as it related to the transactions within th& works, he was convinced that his tlecision would be awarded by every individual in camp, who witnessed his indefatigable exertion, his consummate skill in providing for the safety 01 every point, and in foiling every attempt of the enemy: and his undaunted bravery in the performance of his duty in the most exposed situation. In sDeakii«> nf tb** if-^^- iuciuans, he said, that it rarely happened thatageuil-al 110 had to complain of the excessive ardour of his mm, yef, that such always appeared to be the case whenever the Kentucky militia were engaged, and that they appeared J^ to think that valour alone could accomplish any thing. The general was led to make this remark, from the con- duct of captain Dudley's company, of one of the militia regiments, as he understood that that gallant officer was obliged to turn his espontoon against hie own company, to •oblige them to desist from a furthur pursuit of the enemy. This declaration refercd to the conduct of this cowpany in the sortie. On the BiTLth or seventh day of the siege, general Har- rison received from general Proctor a summons to sur- render, which was delivered in the usual form, by major Chambers, who infonned the general, that Che British commander was desirous of saving tlie effusion of blood. Oeneral Harrison expressed great astonishment at this demand. As general Proctor did not send it on his arri- val, he supposed that the British officers believed he was determined to do his duty. Major Chambers, then in vain attempted to persuade him of the high respect which general Proctor entertained for him as a soldier, and in- formed him that there was now a larger body of Indians assembled, than had ever been known to have been at one time organized. General Harrison dismissed him with assurances that he had a very correct idea of general Proc- tor's force ; that it was not such as to create the least ap- rehension for the result of the contest; that general Proctor should never have that post surrendered to him upon any terms ; and, that if it should fall into his handset should be in a manner calculated to do him more honour, and to give him larger claims npon the gratitude of his government, than he could possibly derive from any ca- pitulation. P* . ,:'. ^ ) H-J-: CHAPTER IX. ,*u,,uuur oj LAttU »/ tte main Zw-^^f '^ , ",'** "wuh-Landing Their m^k, {ZJ^fXf Z'T!'^ '" ''«"'• g'-rrisonl ^•Marrf annoyed bv /iei2/#»M/T.,/ip-i/#i^^"'~"^** »'««'• W Me Erie— Capture ^fn^v-'' ^^''^''"'ge— Fleet S- George Prl':ZHUr^C. ^"^"^ '^'^^''^ fect, a mutaalSa^e of ^ •'' """"""'"rie^ to that ef- "Stored .0 tLJZlul'vXr^!?^ "I"^' '^''ich guished officers, wh6 had fenF • ! .? ''^'' »" ""« •««tin- ,W taring the campat^^TsiL v' ^"^ "' ">« «»«• H !»the meantime r»„j.J±. fe" "' P^«P«™tio„s ana the armv of thp p*.nrnl "r """*' "•? "^'^ "^niiern army Li 112 . 'M cniiting districtB, and the necesBary supplied of provisions and military equipments, had been forwarded with the utmost celerity, and every thing seemed to promise a suc- cesafui issue to the contemplated operations. Captain Fcrsytho and his company, consisting now of about one hundred and eighty-five men, were still station- ed at Ogdensburg, where he was in command. Deserters, from the Canada side of the St. Lawrence, were coutinu* ally surrendering themselves to him, at this post, until their numbers became, at length, so extensive, that the vi- gilance of the enemy was strongly excited. British guards were repeatedly sent over to the American shore in search of them, and though they succeeded in taking about sixteen^ they committed so many aggressions upon the persons and propf rty of the citizens, that captain Forsythe determined on attacking them in the village of EUzabethtown, and releasing the deserters whom they had thus taken and imprisoned at that place. On the 6th of February, he therefore drafted a part of his own com- pany, and accepted the services of a sufficient number of volunteers, to make his command amount to two hundred men. With these, accompanied by colonel Benedict and several private gentleman, he proceeded up the river t > Morristown, where he formed his men, and at 3 o'clock on the morning of the seventh, he crossed over to EUza- bethtown, surprised the guard, ,took fifty-two prisoners, #among whom were one major, three captains, and two lieutenants, and captured one hundred and twenty mus- kets, twenty rifles, two casks of fixed ammunition, and some other public property, without the loss of a single man. He then released the deserters from jail, re-crossed the river, and returned to Ogdensburg, where he negoci- ated with two British officers, sent over for that purpose, for the parole of the prisoners. Soon after this, tlie movements of the enemy at Pres- cot were indicative of an intention to attack Ogdensburg. Colonel Benedict was therefore induced to call out his regimeni of militia, and arrangements were immediately made for the defence of the place. On the 21st of Fe- bruary the enemy appeared before it, with a force of twelve hundred men, and succeeded in driving out Annfain 'R'ftrcirl'ho AnrI hia frnnns. T^hA TlriHeh flftnrked in two columns, of six hundred men each, at 8 o'clock in 113 lni!^''S'r'^.'^K!"*'. ^""^'"""^^eJ by capSB^ s^-g,s:u;;u£, au 5iA piS^UdllS, iiqlii£6u uy Cuj. ^f*l/lUre'8 volunteers, divided equally as light troops, and all under «OBg«iaQd of colonel Ripley, "yhus formed, an injunction 117 was given to each officer, to suffer no man to load; when within a^shoFt distance of the enemy, an entire reliance would be placed upon the bayonet; and the column moved on with as much velocity as the streams and ra- vines which intersected the road along the lake, would permit. One field piece, and a howitzer, were with diffi- culty passed over one of these, the bridges of which had been destroyed, and placed at the head of the co- lumn, in charge of lieutenant Fanning, of the 3d artillerv As he column immerged from the woods, and came im- mediately m front of the enemy's first battery, two or three 24 pounders were opened «pon it, but without any kindofeflfect The column moved on, and the enemy retreated to his second battery. The guns of the first were immediately taken, and lieutenant Riddle, having at this mpment come up with his corps, to deliver the prison- erg which he had made in the woods, was ordered to pro. ceed to take possession of the second bpttery, about one hundred yards ahead, the guns of which, lieutenant FraseT aid-de-camp to the general, reported to have been spiked by the enemy, whom he discovered retreating to %e garnson. General Pike then led the column up to th^ second battery, where he halted to receive the caotured ammunition, and to learn the strength o7th'gS„ But as every appearance bdicated the evacuation of the barracks, he suspected the enemy of an intention to draw h.m withm range of the shot, and then suddenly to shew w«T Jk l'^^* ^^''®% Lieutenant Riddle was sent fo^ ward with his corps of observation, to discover if there were any, and what number of troops, within the garrison! Ihe barracks were three hundred yards distant from the second battery, and whUst this corps was engageSTn /e! connoitering, general PiK , after removing a wonnded/ri- a Ttln'"" 2 dangeroup^situation, had seated himself up^ geanTSjh*"^*'^ h ""Tl^ *? examination of a British sep- geant, who had been taken in the woods. Riddle having discovered that the enemy had abandoned the Sn! ^zi.1 wl*^''^*"™.'^***^^^ information, ^hj^mt gawne, which was situated outside tb- barrack yard, blew- up, with a tremendous and awful exulosion r>Lo^j T-^ niqqie aqd his par^, without injuring one of his «ei,^a,S «^«ty (4 t}|$ coliwm. Th^ scTerity of general paS^ 118 wounds disabled him from further service, and the com- mand of the troops devolved upon colonel Pearce of the 1 6th regiment, who sent a demand to the town of York for an immediate surrender. The plan of the contemplated operations was known only to general Pike, and, as gene- ral Dearborn had not yet landed, the future movements of the troops would depend upon the will of their new commander. He ordered them immediately to form the column, and to march forward and occupy the bar- racks, which major Forsythe, who had been scouring the adjoining wood, had already entered. Meanwhile the Bri- tish regulars were retreating across the Don, and destroy- ing the bridges in their rear. After the explosion, which killed about fifty of the enemy who had not retired in time from the garrison, lieutenant Riddle with his party, then reinforced by thirty regulars under lieut. Horrell of the 16th, pursued the enemy's route, and annoyed his retreat- ing guard from the wood. This was the only pursuit which was made. Had a more vigorous push followed the abandonment of the enemy's garrison, his whole re- gular force must have been captured, and the accession of military stores would have been extensively great. The majority of the officers were well aware of this, and as it was known that the stores were deposited at York, they urged the necessity of the immediate approach of the whole column, to prevent their removal. Colone] Pearce then marched towards the town, which was dis- tant three-quarters of a mile. About half way between York and die garrison, the column was intercepted by se- veral officers of the Canadian mihtia, who had come out with terms of capitulation. Whilst these were discussing, the enemy was engaged in destroying the military store house, and a large vessel of war then on the stocks, which in three days might have hem launched, and added to the American squadron on Ontario. Forsythe, who was on the left in advance, being aware of this, despatch- ed lieutenant Riddle to inform colonel Pearce. Colonel Ripley was at the same time urging a rapid march, and the troops again proceeded. Colonel Pearce enjoined the observance of general Pike's orders, that the property of the inhabitants of York should be held sacred, and thai any soldier who should so far neglect the honour of his j^ofession, as to be guilty of plundering, should, on con- 119 viction be pu shed with death. At 4 o'clock in the af- ternoon, the Americans were in possession of the town, and terms of capitulation were agreed upon, by which, notwithstanding the severe loss which the army and the nation had sustained by the death of the general; the un- warrantable manner in which that loss was occasioned; and the subtlety with which the militia colonels offered to ca- pitulate at a distance from the town, so that the column might be detained until general Sheatfe should escape, and the destruction of the public property be completed, although one of its articles stipulated for its delivery into the hands of the Americans; the militia and mhabitants were freed from all hardship, and not only their persons and pro- perty, but their legislative hall and other public buildings were protected. The teririR of the capitulation were, " that " the troops, regulars and militia, and the naval olBGicers anid " seamen, should be surrendered prisoners of war. That ** a\\ public 3tor^, navaimd military ^ should be immdiate- " ly gjven up to the commanding officers o/ ti» array awl " nayy of the United States, and thai all private property " should be guaranteed to the citizens .o> the town of York. " That all papers belonging to the civil officers should he " retained by them, and that such surgeon? as mi^t b.e " procured to attend the wounded of the British regulars " and Canadian imilltjia, should not be considered prisoners " of war." Undejr this capitulation, one lieutenant colo- nel, one major, thirteen captains, nine lieutenants, eleveji ensigns, one deputy adjutant general, and four naval offi- cers, and two hundred and fifty-one non commissioned officers and privates, were surrendered. The American infantry were then ordered to return to, and quarter in the barracks, while the riflemen were stationed in the town. When general Pike's wound was discovered to be mor- tal, he was removed from the field, and carried to the ship- ping, with his wounded aids. As they conveyed him to the water's edge, a sudden exclamation was heard from the troops, which informed him of the American, having sup- planted the British standard in the garrison. He expres- sed his satisfaction by a feeble sigh, and after being trans- fered from the Pert schooner to the commodore's ship, he "mde a sign for the British flag, which had then been brought to him, to be placed under his head, and expired without m 130 a groan. Thus perished, in the arms of victory, by the un- generous stratagem of a vanquished foe, a soldier of tried valour and invincible courage;— a general of illustrious virtues and distinguished talents. When the British general saw the American column ad- vancing from the woods, he hastily drew up the articles of capitulation, and directed them to be delivered to a colonel of the York militia. This colonel was instructed tonegociate the terms, after the regulars shoi»'*1 hare retreated. General Sheaffe, therefore, considered t ''.on to be as much mr- rendered, as if the articles had : . actually agreed upoti and signed. Yet he treacherously ordered a train to be laid, which was so calculated, that the explosion of the maga- zine should be caused, at the time when the Americans would arrive at the barracks. Had not general Pike halted the troops at the enemy's second battery, the British plan would have attained its consummation, and the destruction of the whole column would have been the natural conse- quence. The train had been skilfuUy laid, and the com- bustibles arranged in a manner to produce the most dread- ful effect. Five hundred barrels of powder, sevepi cart loads of stone, and an immense quantity of iron, shells, and shot, were contained in the magazine. The calamity which followed the explosion,caused no discomfiture among the troops. A number of their officers of high rank, and of equal worth, were either killed or wounded, and they be- came actuated by a desire to revenge th»ir fall. « Push on, my brave fellows, and avenge your general," were the last words of their expiring comniiinder. They instantly gave three cheers, formed the column and marched on rapidly. Had they been led directly to fork, the issue of the expedition would have been fruitful with advantages. As it was, however, the enemy's means were crippled, his resources cut off, and the military stores of the captors, extensively multiplied. Most of the guns, munitions of war, and provisions, necessary to carry on the campaign by the enemy, had been deposited at York, and notwith- standing the firing of the principal store bouse, an im- mense quantity fell mto the hands of the Americans. The baggage and private papers of general Sheaffe were left at York, In the precipitation of his flight, and proved to be a valuable acquisition to the American ^^ommander. These and the public stores were the only articles of cap 121 m!®* ?!L® .conduct of the troops needed no restnint Though their indignati 3n was highly excitedrby le d^ cumstance of a scalp having been found suspended near thespeaker's chair in the legislative chamber, neither fhe ornaments of the chamber, the building itself, nor the pub^ he ibniiy, were molested. A large quantity of flour de posited in the public stores, was^dislributed long' the inhabitants, on condition that it should be used for theiFown consumption; and those whose circumstances were im^o" verished, were supplied with many other articles of Uie shore ' ^ "^''*' '*^''''' ""' ^««*'*>y«^ "P0« the Immediately after the fall of general Pike, tlie com- mander in chief landed with his stiff, but he did not rea?h the troops until they had entered Y^rk. He ttiere made arrangements to expedite their departure for^e other &ed. ^^P«^««"' «°d they were soon after re em- The co-operation of the squadron was of the greatest importance m the attack upon the enemy's garrison As soon as the debarkation was completed,^ommodore Chauncey directed the schooners to take a posSrnelr the forts, m order that the attack of the army and navv might, .f possible, be simultaneous. The largTr vesslfs ould not be brought up, and in consequence of the Xd ositfon^'SrhrL^^^^^ *« their inteTded position, ihis they did, under a very heavy fire from thp enemy's batteries, and having taken thei7ste'ion ^tSn SIX hundred yards of the principal fort, opened a gTlHne fire and contributed very much to its destruction.^ ffi wn.. fi"^*:^ *^^ '^"^^•^"' ^»« *'«« killed and eleven rrHal.MTh"^**'.! *^'"'/ r^ midshipmen Thomplon and Hatfield, the latter of whom, in his dying moment" c% t:hL':o:n^^^^^^^^ *^ '"^^^^ '- had^formTlJ^ buHn*^.^ *''*'**" ^^ '''f ""^^^^ American army was trifling: but in consequence of the explosion, it was much greatl; S »i 1 ?°^ *"iy-two wounded in battle, and thirty- eight were killed and two hundred and »wrn«» J*«,^ .^....V- ♦^a by the explosion, so that the total Americirioss .^ '''-^^■^K'v'Ht' '' ^^^K^^^^mK^ H^ElKvi fl^nRftHE'-l mmBSmsWm^ l^H^B'^ n 122 amounted to 320 men. Among those who fell by the explosion, besides general Pike, were seven captains, seven subalterns, one aid de camp, one acting aid, ami otie volunteer aid. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded amounted to - - - - 200 Militia prisoners - - - - - - 600 Regulars, prisoners - - - • - 60 Total 760 His wounded were left in the houses on the road leading to and in the neighbourhood of York, and were attended to by the American army and navy surgeons. The prison- ers were all paroled, and the troops withdrawn from Y jtk immediately after its capture. The officers of the 16th greatly distinguished themselves throughout the day. The death of their gallant leader, who bad personally oi^anized that regiment, and had already Biiccessfully led detachments of it to the field, inspired them with a more determined spirit to revenge the barbar- ous act of a defeated enemy, than could be felt by any dther corps. Animated by this desire, with hearts panting for its fulfilment, they anxiously pressed forward, and had they been permitted to pursue the retreating column of the English, under the distinguished officer (major King) who now commanded them, general Sheafife and his regu- lars could not have effected their escape. Several platoon officers of this and the 16th regiment were killed. Cap- tains Nicholson and Lyon by the explosion — capt. Hop- pock, as his company were landing. Lieut, col. Mitchell of the 3d regiment of artillery, acted as a volunteer on the ex- pedition, and by his indefatigable exertions, at every post of dstfiger, gave strong presages of that gallantry, by which he has since identified himself with the bravest officers of the army. Major Eustis, captains Scott, Young, Walworth, and M'Glassin, and -Stephen H. Moore of the Baltimore volunteers, who lost a leg by the explosion, and lieuten- ants Panning and Riddle, were among the most conspicu- ous officers of the day. The latter had been expre38ly . Selected by general Pike, from his own regiment, to com- iHand the corDS of observation, and was alwavs annolnted ISO the most hazardous enterprizes. 123 Lieutenant Bio mfield of the 15th, and nephew to brig, gen. Bloomfield, was also kiUcd. The army sustained another loss in the death of this brave young officer,— The 2l8t regiment, under colonel Ripley, though it formed part of the reserve, and did not participate in the actional llie place of landing, was in a state of strict discipline, and manoeuvred with great skill. On the first day of May the Canadian territory in the neighbourhood of York, was entirely evacuated. The iioops were all placed in the vessels to which they had been respectively assigned, and a small schooner was des- patched to Niagara to apprize general Morgan Lewis, then m command at that place, of the result of the expedition against York, and of the intended approach of the troops toward fort Niagara. But the fleet, which consisted of about seventeen sail, (Ud not leave the harbour of York until the 8th, in conse- quence of the prevalence of contrary winds. Late on that day they arrived at Four Mile Creek, which empties into the lake at that distance below fort Niagara, and thence takes its name. Here the troops were landed. On the 9th, two schooners, under command of lieuten- ant Pettlgrew of the navy, were ordered to proceed to the head of lake Ontario, with one hundre^l regulars, com- manded by captain Willoughby Morgan, of the 12th regi- ment, to destroy or capture the public stores, which were then known to be deposited there. On their arrival, the enemy s guard, of about 80 men, retired, the public build- ings were destroyed by the detachment, the stores brought away, and the expedition returned on the 11th without loss. On the 10th commodore Chauncey sailed with the re- mainder of the ileet, to convey the wounded officers and men to Sackett's Harbour, and to obtain reinforcements there for the army. Between the time of his arrival at the harbour and the 22d of May, detachments of the squadron sailed on different days for Niagara, with such reinforce- ments as could be spared. Having directed the schooners imr American and Pert, commanded by lieutenants v^of ir?u^ ^^ Adams, to remain near the harbour, and to watch the enemy's movements from Kinff«*nn t«.^ inodore sailed on the 22d with 350 of colonel M'Comb's M 124i regiment of artillery, and a number of additional guns, and arrived at tlie Niagara on Ums 26tli. Arrangements were immediately made between commodore Chauncey and general Dearborn, for an attack upon fort George and its dependencies. On the 26th the commodOTC reconnoiter- ed the position at which the troops were to be landed, and at night sounded the shore, and placed buoys at stations for the small vessels. The weather, which had been for several days extremely boisterous, now moderated, and it was agreed that a conjoint attack, by the army and navy, should be made on the following morning. A sufficient quantity of boats, to land the troops in the order of attack, had been by this time provided, and a considerable num- ber, which had been for several days building at the Five Mile Meadows, above the fort, were now in readiness to be launched into the Niagara river. On the afternoon of the 26th, the enemy, having observed the preparations for launching the boats, opened a sii:>all battery, which had been erected immediately opposite ^,he Meadows, for the purpose of annoying tl)«i workmen and of destroying the boats. The fire from this battery produced a premature cannonade between lorts George and Niagara, which was followefl by a bombardment between all the batteries in the nerghbourbor>d of the two forts. The battery which stood directly opposite fort George did ^eat injury to Uiat garrison, and its guns were directed with such precision that *he halyards of the enemy's flag staff were shot away. No blockhouse, or wooden building of any description, m or near that fort, escaped injury ; whilst on the Ameri- can side, not the most Irifling loss was sustained. The boats, in the meantime, succeeded in passing for* George, and proceeded to the encampment at Four Mile creek. On the same night all the artillery, and as many troops as could possibly be accommodated, were put on board the Madisout the Oneida, and the Lady of the Lake. The re- mainder weA to embark in the boats, and to follow the ileet. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 27th, signal was made for the fleet to weigh anchor. In com^equence of the calmness of the weather, the schooners were obliged to resort to sweeps to attain their positions ; which they did in the following order — Sailing masters Trant, in the Juliaf and Mix, In the Groivier, iook tneif siaiions St ""• mouth of the river, and silenced a battery, which, from its 115 situation, commanded the shore where the troops were to land, about one-fourth of a mile below the town of Newark. Mr. Steevens in the Ontario, took a position to the north of the lighthouse, near which this bat- tery was erected,and so close to the shore as to enfilade the battery, and cross the fire of the Jh ia and Growler. Lieutenant Brown in 'he Governor Tompkins, stationed himself near the Two Mile Creek, on tht; enemy's si'le, where a battery had been erected of one heavy gun. Lieutenant Pettigrew in the Conquest, anchored to the south-east of the same battery, opened on it in the rear, and crossed the fire of the Governor Tompkins. Lieuten- ant MTherson in the Hamilton, lieutenant Smith in the ^sp, and sailing master Osgood in the Scourge, took sta- tions near the above, to cover the landing and to scour the woods and the plain. This disposition was skilfully effect- ed, and each vessel was within musket shot o{ the shord. At 4 o'clock generals Dearborn and Lewis, with their suites, went on board the Madison, and by that hour the troops wer(S all embarked. The whole namber amounted to more than four thousand. The batteries were now play* ig upon each other from the opposite sides of the river, and ti»e troops advanced at intervals in three brigades. The ad- vance was led by colonel Scott. It was composed of the artillery acting as infantry; of Forsythe's riflemen; and of detachments from infantry regiments ; and landed near the fort, which had been silenced by the Governor Tomp- kins. General Boyd, to whom the late general Pike's brigade had been assigned, commanded the first fine, which was flanked by colonel M'Clure's Baltimore and Albany volunteers. This brigade struck the enemy's shore immediately after the advance had landed. The second bngade, under general Winder, followed next, and then the thud under general Chandler. While the troops were crossmg the lake in this oider, the wind suddenly sp.ung up very fresh from the eastward, and caused a heavy sea directly on the shore; the boats could not therefore be got on to land the troops from thr^ Madison and Oneida, before me hrst and second brigades had advanced, and M'Comb's regiment, and the marines under captain Smith, did not reach the shore until the debarkation of thesft hriiradrs h«rf ''een completed. ~ " '""^ When the advance, which consisted of about five hur/dred wen, was approaching the point of landing, successive vol- 126 leys of musquetry were poured upon it by twelve hundreil regulars, who were stationed In n ravine. A brisk exchange of shot was kept up for fifteen minutes, (he advance, never- theless, continuing to approach the enemy without faulter* jng. Huch, indeed, was the eagerness of the troops, that offi- cers and nieu jumped into the lake and waded to the shore. Captain Hiudman of the 2d artillery, was the first man upon the enemy's territory. The troops were now formed with celerity, and led to the charge. They drove the enemy from their stronghold, and dispersed them in every direction; some of their forces taking to the wood for shelter, and others recreating to the fort. The former were vigorously pursued by Forsythe's riflemen, and the latter by the advance corps, and the first brigade. Few shot were fired from the fort, the panick being instantly communicated to the garrison. — ^Fort Niagara, and its de- pendent batteries were still throwing in their shot, and fort George having become untenable, the enemy hastily laid a train to the magazines, abandoned all their works, and moved off with the utmost precipitation in different routes. Colonel Scott with his light troops continued the pursuit, until he was recalled by an. order from general Boyd.— Lieutenant Riddle had been sent by colonel Scott with his detached party, to annoy the rear of tiie enemy, but not being ordered back, at the time when the light troops were recalled, he followed his route to Queenstown, and took up several of his straggling parties. The dra- goons under colonel Burn, crossed the Niagara river above fort George, at tlie moment the pursuit was stopped.— The light troops now took possession of fort George ; co- lonel Scott, and captains Hindman and Stockton, with their companies, entering first and extinguishing the fires, which were intended to explode the magazine : one had, however, already been blown up. General Boyd and colonel Scott mounted the parapet, and cut away the staff, whilst captain Hindman succeeded in taking the flag which the enemy had left flying, and which he for- warded to general Dearborn. The American ensign was then hoisted in tlie town and fort, and all the troops were called in and quartered. At 12 o'clock, Newark, and all its surrounding batteries, were in quiet possession of the d>JHkAA^A t ZTstZ *^\'^^ *^^'^ P*'""'- ^* *« former, Ge- neral Sheaffe and his regulars effected a retreat, thiiugk he palpable tardiness of the victorious army. At the lauer, the same trooos which a*^aok«d ♦Ho o««o«. ^_* lsM^7vSff^^i! "^^u '"* ""^""'^^y pressedrthaTThey must mevitably have been captured, had not the Ught i i troops under adjutant general Scott and colonel Miller, been called in from the pursuit. The result of these er rors was fruitful with the most evil consequences. The Te-captare of all the important posts on the British Nia- gara, which had been taken at the expense of so mach blood) and the destruction of the garrisons on the Ameri- tan side of that river, ^vhich happened not many months after, were among the least pernicious of a long train of disasters. A developement which can only be produced by the gradual lapse of time, may enable a future histo- Tiao to throw the censure on the proper objects. No dis- covery has yet been made, which will allow the present recorder of these events to form any other idea, than that which is founded on uncertainty and conjecture ; which do not go to the con^tution of such an authentic his- tory of the war, as it has been his utmost endeavour to compile. Whilst the troops were preparing to embark at York, for the expedition against fort George, the British at King- ston, having gained intelligence of their absence from Sackett's Harbour, of the batteries at that place having been principally dismantled, and of the smallness of f';e force which had been left for its protection, hastily col- lected all their disposables, and embarked on board their fleet, under the command of Sir George Prevost. The fleet was commanded by Sir James Yeo. On the night of the 27th day of May, five hours after the capture of fort George, the British appeared off the entrance to the harbour. The American force consisted of two hundred invalids, and two hundred and fifty dragoons, (hen newly arrived, from a long and fatiguing march. Two small vessels, under lieutenant Chauncey, were stationed at its mouth, and gave instant signals of alarm, at the approach of the British squadron. Expresses were immediately forwarded to general Brown, then at his seat, eight miles from the harbour, and he immediately repaired thither, to take the command". The tour of duty of the militia of his brigade, had ex- pired many weeks before, but he had been requested by general Dearborn, to take command of the Harbour, at A^xr t!?n- when the enemy should annroach it, and to pro- vide for its defence. Immediately on his arrival, dispo- Bitions were made to that effect. The movements of the Lionel Miller, t of these er- lences. The e British Nia- e of BO mnch )n the Amerl- many months long train of' be produced I future histo- ects. No dis- w the present (lea, thaJQ that cture; which authentic his- endeavour to bark at York, ritish at King- absence from ; place having allness of f';e n, hastily col- an board their 'revost. The On the night the capture of ntrance to the f two hundred IS, (hen newly Two small tationed at its t; the approach ; immediately at, eight miles paired thither, igade, had ex- i requested by le Harbour, at I it, and to pro- arrival, dispo- rements of tli« "^Sfe * ^^ I3» enemy iiidicatcd his intention to land on the neninB..l« cale,l Horse island. General Bro.v„ therefore dTr^t^ ed on resisting him at the ivaler's edge, with the aZ^v volunteer., under colonel Mills, and s'uoh militia „feo"d K::pJt=trhfrr:e^^^^^^^^ «-.so form a second line, with the r.gulars. The S lar artillerists were stationed in fort Tompkins, andX clXV. '^"^ **""' "»^ '"""""'«'' •« «-te„r„t On the asth, the Wolfe, the Roval Geor»^e the P,l„„- Recent, the Earl of Moiia, and o„^ brig, wo cho™"™ ami two gun boats, with thirty-three flat bottomed boaS tr^ffi "*"'",'"/ '" ^" '''^'"' •»"»'ied troops, appeared u the othng, at five miles distance. They were stSndine heir course tor the harbour, when, having di covered f fr„„/; "T" '»»■•«<'«' "oming round Stoney Point, with troops from Oswego, the whole of their boats were imm. dia ely despatched to c«t them otT. They suMeeZi fn' takmg twelve of them, after they had beTn run on !hoI^ an. abandoned by their crews, Who amVed a" the h^ hour m the night. The remainder, seven in number escaped from their pursuers, and got safely in Trfiri' t sh commanders, being then under an impr;ss^o» fha ZaXT'Tl" '"' ^"""'S f™™ OswegSslood *to them ^"y- »'l,f ^P^'^Oed 'heir armed boats to waXy Xwll-h'^tfusr^^^^^^^ St-fS^fthe™Soranfle"4^^^^^^^^ -gerness to engage in the contest ;ith the iSg'e"^ wilb'l?!! "'""'' "" "'"■<''' "n'onel Mill, was posted Iv five h,"" ""'T"'- T'"' ^"-^gth at that poi„rwas'^ne^ egnlars effl':,- "'™ .?"' ""' "''«'« f«'4 "eludingZ skill and If ,h ''"f*"™ had been conceived with creat '"in, and If the condnrt nt th„ ».:i:i:. i.. j . h't'^ min equal ability. Disposed of as the fortes N il 11! ■. » 'I }*h iii^#'i* 19ft ••r# in the event of general Brown's being driven from jrno Ubn at Horse island, colonel BackuB was to ad- ™ce Cth his reserve of regulars, and meet he head ol rhrenemVs column, whdst the general would rally Iu9 roms and fall upon the British flanks. K resistance to Stock of he enemy should still fail, lieutenant Chauu- ^ev was to destroy the storeB at Navy Point, and to retire wUhrs two schooners, and the prize schooner the Duke Tf rinLTs^er which had been a few weeks before cap- ?L^ Zm tl; r„i^y , to the south shore of the bay, and east o? fort V^iu^^^^^^^^ In this fort the regulars and uu- Sia were to shut themselves up, and make a v.gororB r r!,« thPir onlv remaining report. Every thmg bemg ^"ord.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ o lay upon their arms, whilst he continued P«rsona^.> to reconnoitre the shores oi the harbour, dunng the whok ntht of tbe 28tb. At the only favourable point of .an. ^irw paused a breast work to be thrown up, and a ba^te^^ en ^r^^^^^ erected. Behind this most of '^''j^t^Z: ^MhTtath, the enemy was discovered TaiSoared "e shore, under cover of his gun boat, those be^ng the heaviest of his vessels, whuh, ir con. • luence of the lighlness of the winds, could be In-ouglt r The tWops with which the boats w.-e filled, we. c mm?nderb^ Sir George ^^-o^ S in pe^.o^^^^ Com. rfnrP Yeo directed the movements of the barges, uenen, S'rjLstantly issued Ins orders, thaUhe troops shoulcU dosranrrese..e their fire until the enemy should hav close, am ica unirht take effect 'SoXtZ er cui:^ ZTVL was so des.ru* I . .hP TnrAv's advance boats were .l.liged to make. elmause Inl numbers of their officers am >«.. .afomed to Bub'^B 137 rather lo hicrcase ( h,.ir .,.„f ° 'll.' '"'"'' "*'•<"• »"ved rerenge i( "•" ""f^^'O". ">ai. to actuate them Itf «ul (he v.>rou "fo^o„rr .t y ? fu "" * ^'J" °"'*''. wH'- intercept the r retreaS fi„,n "^ "'""'''' '"'^•«"«" '» one hundred men wh„ h, /i h "^ ?."* «<»npa»y, of about "alous comlu™rof ct MNrn"? 'r? '^ "'^"""^o ""« Ihem up, and ordered them .„^' •"•' ""P'' '"' ""-""ght and volunteers X h„dT.„.iI,'? ","* "'"' "■« '«S'''«'^ In the inte,T»l which h»d I ,'° ''^^P ""*'•■ K™""-!. effected his .lebarkaU*^ wfth !«» '""'"''■.'•'■"'"^"'y ''»" tag up his whole force J'^^„ ^f. a™!.'""'''''"'' "'•'"'- Ms march for the villaee „„ .h! , .' ''«.<'<'n»ne'iced >»«( br a small partf^ infan.rV umie t:^^'"!"' *!" "'"^ •">! a few .lisraounted .Ira™onT'.,^H "."J*"- ^spinwall, opposed him with n'uch Slv T '"Tl"^'"""' ''''» fnged up (he shore and ,nvi/'i .V"" "^ ""c gun boats This handful of troois (1^^!. I , ''" "'" '^"h K™Pe. on his piece whilst it was drawn up, and having given it the proper elevation, discharj^ed three rouu''.^ of grape into the faces of the enemy, who immediately fell back in disorder. At this instant, lieutenant colonel Bac- kus fell, severely wounded. Whilst tJie battle was raging with its greatest violence, information was brought to lieutenant Chauncey, of the intention of the American forces to surrender. He there- fore, in conformity ft his previous orders, relating to such an event, fired tiie navy barracks, and destroyed all the property and public stores, which had previously belong- ed to the harbour, as well as the provisions and equip- ments which had been brought from York. The destruc- tion of these buildings, and the conflagration which wa*j tbence produced, was thought to have been caused by the troops of the enemy, and although the undiscliJlined mi- litia and volunteers, and the invalid regulars, were suspi- cious of being placed between the fire of two divisions of the enemy, they continued to fight on, regardless of their inferiority, or the consequences of their capture. General Brown was all this time actively superintend- ing the operations of his little army. He now determined on making a diversion in its favour, which, if it should be successful, would be the only means of saving the place, or of relieving his exhausted troops. Having learned that the militia, who had fled from their stations in the early part of the engagement, had not yet entirely dispersed ; and that they were still within a short distance of the scene of action, he hastened to exhort them to imitate the conduct of their brave brethren in arms. He reproached them with shameful timidity, and ordered them instantly to form and follow him, aid threatened with instant death, ii .< iirnc ohpVPfl uie ursi man wnu siiuuiu rciunc iiJ3- tJlt.l\ "With alacrity. He then attempted a stratagem, by which 139 tu deceire the enemy, with regard to the forces against which he wus contending. Silently passing through a dis- tant wood, whicli led toward the place at which the ene- my had landed, general Brown persuaded the British ge- neral of his intention to gain the rear of his forces, to take possession of the boats, and effectually to cut oflF their re- treat. This was done with such effect, at the moment when the fire. of lieutenent Fanning's piece had caused the de- struction in the British line, that general Sir George Pre- vost was well convinced of the vast superiority of the American force to his own. He gave up all thoughts of the capture of the place, and hurrying to his boats, put off immediately to the British squadron. He was not pursued, because, if the real number of the American troops had been exposed to his view, he would have re- turned to the contest, might easily have outflanked, and in all human probability, would still have captured the army, and the village. But the precipitatiop of his flight was such, that he left not only the wounded bodies of his ordinary men, upon the field, but those of the dead and wounded of the most distinguished of his officers. Among these were quarter master general Gray, majors Moodie and Evans, and three captains. The return of his loss, as accurately as it has been ascertained, amounted to three field officers, one captain, and twenty-five rank and file, found dead on the field ; two captains and twenty rank and file found wound- ed ; and two captains, one ensign, and thirty-two rank and file made prisoners. In addition to which, many were killed in the boats, and numbers had been carried away previous- ly to the retreat. The loss of the Americans was greater in proportion, as the number of their men engaged were less. One colonel of volunteers, twenty regulars, privates, and «ne volunteer private, were killed ; one lieutenant colo- nel, three lieutenants, and one ensign of the regulars, and leventy-nine non-commissioned officers and privates, were wounded; and twenty-six non-commissioned officers and privates were missmg. Their aggregate loss was one hun- dred and ten regulars, twenty-one volunteers, and twenty- nve nuhtia; making a total of one hundred and fifty- - -„ „„^ j-cTcic^, ucuuuse ui me worm, more Uian 01 tbe number of those who fell The injury m puMic rj m 1^1 • El HO stores, sustained at Sackett's Harbour, tliougli not hy any act of the invading enemy, was extensive; but the gallantry of several individuals prevented its being more 80. Lieutenant Chauncey was no sooner apprized of the error of the report which had been brought to him, than he made every exertion to save as much of the public property as it was possible to rescue from the in- creasing conflagration, and t<) tliat effect, he ran the Fair American and the Pert up the river. The new, frigate, the General Pike, which was then on the stocks, was sa- ved ; and lieutenant Talman, of the army, at the immi- nent risk of his life, boarded the prize schooner the Duke of Gloucester, which was then on fire, with a considera- ble quantity of powder in her hold, extinguished the fire, and brought her from under the flames of the store houses. Notwithstanding this signal repulse, the British com- manding officers attempted to play ofi* the stratagem, which Sir James Yeo afterwards adopted at the Forty Mile Creek. They sent in a flag with a peremptory de- mand for the formal surrender of the post, which was as peremptorily refused. After a forced march of forty miles in one day, lieut. colonel 'J'uttle had arrived with his com- mand of about six hundred men, just as the BriMsh were retreating to their boats, and was therefore too late to par- ticipate in the action. Other reinforcements were conti- nually expected, and the harbour would be in a situation to make a more vigorous, though not, perhaps, a more brilliant defence. The return of the enemy, even under the advantages of more favourable winds, was, therefore, not looked for with any apprehension. A second flag was received by general Brown, accompanied by a re- quest, that the killed and wounded of the British, nii!j;lit be treated with respect. In answer to which, the most satisfactory assurances of compliance were given. After being compelled to relinquish the further prose- cution of an expedition, having for its primary object the capture and destruction of a post, the permanent posses- sion of which only, could give to the Americans any hope ©f a superiority on the Lake Ontario ; after having suc- ceeded in his enterprize, in a degree which scarcely de- serves to be termed partial ; and after being obliged, by wic prcuoruiiiunce oi his appreheusiou, over ins bravery and foresight, to retire from the assault, and precipitately to 5 «■ I* Ii, the most HI leave his dead and wounded to the mercy of his enemv • gen. Sir G. Prevost issued an official account o the nc^' pie of Canada, ai.d forwarded despatches to his Jovern ment m each of which he laid claim to a brilliant f nd u - paralleed victory ; and alleged, that he had reluctant v ordered Ins troops to leave a beaten enemy, whom he had (In ven before h,m for three hours, because the co opera hon of the fleet and army could not be elfected.~Ge eral Brown's stratagem had so far succeeded in dece S h, n, that he reported the woods to have been fiHed yiU? inlanry and field pieces, from which an incessant heivy and destructive fire had been kept up, by a numerous and ahnost invisible foe, more than quad;up!e nTumbers"o the detachments which hae- sideiiue. General Leivia had repaired to Sac kett's Harbour, to act in concert with commodore Cliauncey, who had returned to that place, and was making active prepara- tions to restore the batteries and buildings to their former condition. The command of fort George and the depen- dencies of that place and fort Niagara, devolved on gene- ral Boyd. On the 14th of June, lieutenant Chauncey was ordered to proceed in the Lady of the Lake, to cruise off Presque- isle, and to intercept the enemy's transport vessels. — On the 16th, he fell in with, and captured the British schooner the Lady Murray, then bound from Kingston to York, with an English ensign, and fifteen non-commission- ed officers and privates. She was loaded with provisions, powder, shot,' and fixed ammunition, and was brought into Sackett's Harbour on the 18th. Her crew consisted of six men. On thf> A»Tnp tinxr tht\ TlpWicTi fiaat annanm^ .^f^^/t «I.^ town of Sodus, ou a bay of that name, whic is formed ffifr F m 144 on the American side of Lake Ontario, between Gennes see and Oswego rivers. General Burnet, of the Nevr York miutia, suspecting that they intended to land their troops, and capture a quantity of provisions, ordered o a regiment from the county of Ontario. TJie militia co lected m great haste, and arrived at Sodus on the follow-' ng mornmg. But the enemy, well knowing that hi an- pearance would excite the alarm of the inhabitants, drei off h,9 forces until their apprehensions should be subs ded after the md,t,a had been discharged. In contemplation of h.s return the inhabitants had removed all the pub! stores from the buildings on the water's edge, to a'^.ma distance m the woods, and on the re-appearance of t hostile squadron, a second alarm was immediately auj and expresses sent after the discharged militia which overtook and brought them back, wilh'a large "inW ment. Before their return, the enemy had landed, and finding that the provisions had been removed, they set fi! • mo'stoHh?^"-''!**""'"^^ ^" *^^ *«*^«'-«^ ^-'-^J^ t^r' f . .P.""^^*? ^'""^^'^y ""^^""^'y description. They f^m T?** -'' ' y"^'^" '''^^ ^^^ inhabitants, to des ^ from destroying the remaining houses, on condition o in'wl"TS''""F'''.^?^ ""^ provisions, which tl^ knew had been deposited at that plnrc These articles were then not more than two hundred yards from^^ village, yet the enemy did not choose tS attempt the^^ hS^'afi''' H '"H^* ^? *^^"^" ^"^« «» ambuscade, b he threatened the entire destruction of every house in the Wr Th''^ ""''' not immediately delivered over mm. The appearance of the militia, prevented the ex- ITT^ri' "^"^^'"^' *^" enemy i^™edia"tu- lowing mornhT^^ "^ ''' ^^'^ ^" ^^^ ^^'• On the 20th of June, the whole fleet approached Os- wego, and made several attempts to land tlieir troops but they returned each time to their shipping, upon seeing «iat the troops at that place were prepared to meet tiiem The American force at that time, consisted of eight S d ed muitia and a small party of regulars, under command of lieutenant colonel Carr, by whose skilful management the enemy were persuaded that the port was ^anS ^jf a iiu.^erou« i>uuy oi troops, and they became extreme^ #- H5 \y cautious in their operations. Fearful of being over- powered, they relinquished their intention of landing, and withdrew from before the place. Lieutenant Woolsey, of the Oneida, and other naval officers and seamen, were at Oswego, and had previously removed the stores from that place to Sackett's Harbour * The fleet then proceed- ed to the neighbourhood of fort George, where it lay for several days. A few days previous to the departure of general Dear- born from that post, a body of the enemy had collected on a high ground, about eight miles from Queenstown, for the purpose of procuring supplies, and of harrassing those inhabitants who were considered to be friendly to the United States. On the 28th, a party of troops, con- sisting of live hundred infantry, a squadron of dragoons, arompany of New-York mounted volunteers, and captain M'Dowell's corps of light artillery, being in all about six hundred men, under command of colonel Boerstler, were detached from the American encampment at fort George, for the purpose of cutting oft' the supplies of the enemy, and of breaking up their encampment at the Beaver Dams. The British force which was sta- tioned there, was composed of one company of the 104th regiment, about two hundred militia, and sixty In- dlaiis, amounting to three hundred and forty men. At about eight o'clock on the morning of the 24th, nine miles west of Queenstown, the American detachment was attacked from an ambuscade. The acti(.n commenced with the dragoons, who were placed m the rear. The infantry was instanlly brought into a position to return the enemy's tire to advantage, and very soon after drove them a considerable distance into the woods. The In- dians then made a circuitouK route, appeared in front and opened a fire upon the mounted riflemen who were sta- tioned there, 'i^icy were immediately repulsed, and again retired to the woods. Every attempt was then made to draw them into the open ground, but without effect. A few of the boldest of them, ventured from their lurking plates, but were immediately com^ 3lled to fly to them again for shelter. The enemy's force was now continu- ally augmenting, and he was every instant gaining a su- f"" v= -^ r-_t:-ccit, .,as 1!!^:; «r»n;ri;ii, iur a afiOri tils- tence, which was effected with trifling loss. Colonel ^^fstler, suspecting that he was surrounded by a reiy #• is ' n .'! '■•^- 146 superior and numerous force, despatched an express to general Dearborn for reinforcements, and informed him of lus mtetition to maintain his position until they should arrive. Colonel Christie was ordered to proceed imme- diately with the 151h regiment and a company of artilje- ry, to the support of cofonel Boerstler ; but he had not pi oceeded farther than Queenstown, when he was inform- ed that the latter had surrendered his detachment. The express had scarcely been forwarded, when lieu- # tenant Fdzgdibon, who commanded the British militia and Indians, rode up to colonel B(esrtler,with a flag, and miormed him, on the honour of a British soldier, thai the regular force, commanded by lieutenant colonel Bishop was double that of the American, and Uiat the Indians were at least seven hundred in number. Colonel Boerstler, trusting to the veracity of the officer, fear- ing tiie impracticability of escaping, and being unwilling to abandon his wounded, agreed to terms of capitulation' by which fhe wounded were to be treated with the utmost tenderness, the officers to be permitted to wear their side arms, private property to be respected, and the volun- teers to be paroled, and permitted to return to their homes. Lieutenant colonel Bishop was not on the ground at the time when this capitulation was effected, as the Bri- tish lieutenant had asserted on his honour, but arrived there m time to contiim the articles of surrender These were no sooner agreed upon than they were violated, a he otBcers being deprived of their side arms for the gra- tification of the Indians, who robbed them also of their <^oats, and whatever ornaments of dress they coveted No possible account of the number of killed or wounded, on either side, could be obtained. Colonel Boerstler was slightly wounded, and captain Machesney, of the 6th se- verely, m repelling the attack of the Indians. Colonel Christie returned to fort George, with informa- tion ot this disaster, and the British forces moved down upon Queenstown, occupied that place and its neighbour- hood, and in a few days afterwards invested the Ameri- can camp, having been previously joined by all the Bri- tish forces from the head of the lake. General TIacent was stationed at Bi'fJinirfnn Hpiffht. with a smau tbrce, and general De ivaitenburg lay en- camped at the Ten Mile Creek. m m- l! 147 u e neau ol the lake, in violation of the article which nrn^ stttS;: t "beTent .h'^" ^'^^ ^^^h the;t'i:::Jdt5 to liingston, to be kept there as prisoners of war Thev 7J/of men'^aK T^'^" ^"^ *^« boaTsTunde;^ ZLfv 1 \u^ * lieutenant. When within twelve miles of York, they rose upon the guard, and after aTtruff ctrfe'for\TN-" ^^"-iJ^^'^^h boats and shaded ,4 course for fort Niagara. After rowing nearly all niffht. and escaping from an enemy's schooner, with g?Li^^^^ culty they arrived safely with their prisoners Teffec Z olunlre' Z?:i '"^J-.^^-P^^ whrcoinred iLIfhr « -f-' FJ^ *^^ '^Snal to his men, by knocking tnJhl fr^ J'e«tenant, and personally' encounter n| ^ restr^nt'u^^^^^^^^^^^ he fortunately sub^dued, and k^f inresiraint until the second boat lay alon 11 ,i;i': '.-tawk conducting them to Kingston. About the fiame time, , bent with fourteen of colonel Boerstler's men, and two o the enemy, arrived from York. They communicated in telligence of the °rvnre treatment which the Americai prisoners expe iLnred thtre, and general Boyd and com modore Chcumcoy c.'. rmined on an expedition to thai place. On the 28th, commodore Chauncey sailed with colonel Scott and about three hundred men. They landed a York, captured, or destroyed, the public property an( stores of the enemy, and aftt r oa.aiiid, tlie barracks, which liad been spared at the capture of that place in April, un dcr an impression that their liberality would be appreciate( by the enemy, they re-embarked, and returned unmolest ed to fort George, bringing with them all the sick and wounded of colonel Boerstler's men, whom they coul^ find. A few w^eks preceding this affair, the United States' armed vessels the Growler and Eagle, weie captured after a desperate engagement of three hours and an half, with a number of British gun boats, and detachments from the garrison at Isle aux Noix. The action took place near Ash Island, on the river Sorelle, or RichelieUf or that part of lake Champlain which empties into the St. Lawrence. The schooners were commanded by lieut. Sidney Smith, and were the only armed vessels, excepting a few gun boats, and small barges, which constituted the American naval force on lake Champlain. Their capture, therefore, gave the enemy the entire ascendancy on that lake. The Bri tish stated their loss at three men wounded. The loss on board the schooners was one killed and eight wounded Availing themselves of the advantages thus gained, the British equipped aad refitted the captured vessels, and cruised along the shores of lake Champlain, committing every species of depredation upon tlie property of the in- habitants. On the 30th of July, they crossed the line at Champlain with two sloops of war, three gun boats, and forty batteaux, having on board a force of fourteen hun dred men. On the 3 Ist, they arrived, and landed, at Platts burg. The militia were immediately called out, but not more than three hundred collected, and there is no ac ^_.._i «.* ii. _".. 1 • - 1 _ I •_ •_<•_ ••__• " UUUZiL Vi UiC'ir uiiViiig oliOVVU oiujf Kiuii oi lesiStMllCe lOine invaders. The British troops, who were commanded by m «l it I' 151 coionei Murray, assured tho inhabitants of ^lattsburs tijal their private property shoultl be resp«'cte' "Peralion., i.. chief, who"e Sf IX!?'?'''"«"; '■''"' """""""-le boy, yielded wH rwarm«^ ' "'■" r™'"™' "> '««- n.ende,I to the cjy S"ot i7r.i""T' """ '^"'n- youDR soldier of twcn?v „„!. "«' Mason, B.yle'r, and Meek" of thi"?;',^'- ^'•^"•«"'«»<«' of the 2ilh, and enslns Shi on »„H n '•' »'"' '^""•««n were stationed at dilfrrent S, ? Pk""*""' "^ "'o "'h ^"ilt«l themselves *;"^,i'ir„;:;,r, '"' """'""• ""•• "«=■ »SLfl:'eTemy'towar rrt'^r,""'"-'' "f ""^ «t orders for the immS^ ', ^'''t''""-'"", than he fifty '"'"ntec", f^m Uptfsatr'L"'"""; """■""' «"'' ness all the infantry at Sen.^!.^^' "'"' I*"' '" '•™'li- »" Cass. sS wefeSX f "'""'?'', "'^'"'"^ "o-l.e the position ofTe encmv h„f ™'"'^"'' '" '"'o"- 'hc strong disposition ^f,h!^j I' i' '" """^'qu'^nce of •;»e.to a^proSrr;™"^, ri,o',r '3 w^' '"fl'^^'" •"' Hamson and his drn-oon? I !;.» t * "'^' ■'^ S"""!"' fort Stephenson. H ?e thtfVe eTn^P 1""™" '*'""» «'"' •■"'clor, and the investment ^ f f , ^ ■"= ™*'"'y' >""'«• "wc iirst heard of ad the J"" ^"l?" ^^ '''«™>"s(f., 7 Chss to fall baJkt^Setcfaw/'r';',^'' "''-^^"'"' f llie siek, and the provS, , I ' '^'".""' fo'ection |<;f |Hb ! 19 n W I r.*ii IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TmRGET (MT-3) & g?5' /<^v % /. f/. d- & ^ L'< 1.0 I.I 111 2.5 2.2 f ■« ill 1.8 L2| III U 1116 # % // Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 ^o ^^^^ &^ 160 a principal part of the crew of each vessel being made Up of the Pennsylvania militia, who had vohinteered to gj on an expedition, eaikd on a short cruise, for the purpose of training the guns, and of exercising the sailors. In the latter part of August, eommodore Perry proceeded to the mouth of Sandusky river, to co-operate with general Ha^ rison. At this place about seventy volunteer marhies were received oh board, and the fleet sailed in quest of the British squadron. The hitter Was, at that time, near Maiden, before which place commodore Perry appeared, and after reconnoitring the enemy, he retired to Putinr bayy a distance of thirty mUes, in hopes of drawing out his antagonist. ^ . On the morning of the 10th of September, the ene- my was discovered, bearing down upon the Amencah souftdron, which immediately got under way, and sto«d out to meet him. The superiority of force was greatly in favour of the British, though they had not aa ^qwl number of vessels. Their crews were larger, and the length and number of Uieir guns greater, than those of the American squadron. The latte.- consisted of the bng Lawrence, (flag vessel) of 20 guns ; the Niagara, captain Elliot of 20; the Caledonia, lieutenant Turner, of 3; the schooner Ariel, of 4; the Scorpion, of 2; the SOmers, 6f 2, and 2 swivels ; the sloop Trippe, and schooners Ti- ffress and Porcupme, of 1 gun each ; niakng a fleet of 8 fesscls, of 54 guns, and 2 swivels. The British squadroj consisted of the ships Detroit, commodore Barclay. oflS cruns, and 2 howitzers; the Queen Charlotte, captem Fitt- Sis of n, and 1 howitzer; the schooner Lady Prevost, Ueutenant Buchan, of 13, and 1 howitzer ; the bng Hub- ter of 10; the sloo^LHtle Belt, of 3 ; and the schooner Chippewa; of 1, and 2 swivels ; making a fleet of 6 ves- «els and 63 guns, 4 howitzers, and 2 swivels. _ When the American fleet stood oat, the Brifsh fleet had the weathergage, but at 10 o'clck, A. M. the ^ «hSled and brought the Americaif to windward. Ihe te of battle was formed at 11 ; and at 15 nunutes before 12 the enemy's flag sl#, and the Queen Charlotte, open- ed upLthrLawrence a heavy and eifectual fire, wh.^ she was obliged to sustain upwards of ten minutes, w.> out a possibility of returning it, in consequencejf h« batterj bei»S of carronades. She nevertheless conUnuefl 161 iO bear up/ and having given a eignal for (he other ves- *. iel8 to SBpporther, at a few minutes before 12, oivifaecl : iKsr fire upon the enemy. ITie wind being too light to ^ assist the remamder of the squadron in coming ud the Lawrence was compelled to fight the enemy's heaViest , jcsssls upwards of two hours. The creW were not at al i??r « ^ ttieir animatton encreased, as the desperation of the fi^t became greater, and the guns were worked r hJ'L'f n? Z^'"'^'' ?** precision, as if they had been «i the act of trammg only. The slaughter on board the ftng was almost unparalleled, the rieginc verv much in. jared, and the bmces entirei; shot ^ I^^a?^ S" after every gun had been rendered useless, she became ^te unmanageable. The first lieutenant,^ agnail Taa te.ce wounded; the second lieutenant, ForWst, struclTfn ^breast . the gallant lieutenant BroqJ^es, of th^ maXs ajd midshipman Laub, were killed, and saSng^^ ^laylor, pur«er Hamilton, and midshipmen CteSnd Swartwout, woupded. Her loss already amounted to ^^enty-two Wiled, and sixty-one wom^ded ; when the commodoi*, seeing that she must veiy soon strike, if the ef the Lawrence to lieutenant Yamall, and jumping into a boat, ordered it to be steered for th J Niagara to wS tesseJ he had determined to shift his fla|. inpaB^^ from the Lawrence to the Niagara, he stc^d up, wav "f of balls and bullets. He gained the Niagara unhurt at the moment the flag of the Lawrence came down -and the wind having at that instant increased, he brought her jto action and at 46 minutes past two, gave signa fol the wliole fleet to close. All the vessels were fow en gaged, but as the superiority of the enemy had been Z creased by the loss of the Lawrence, thnommodore de temnned on piercing his line with the Niag^ He fterefore resolutely bore up, and passing S of the Deh-oit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Prefost no:.L ! ftnTi'nto^r?'^^^ ''' '"*^ each^f^n^ sTatS Si » ** *® Chippewa and Little Belt, from bin lar^ c^t L^^^r?"*^" ^"»^'° half pistol shot, and as W rbrljr^^ '^' "r ' ^^^ ««™'»^«def of the Lady Prevosl lof fLtr ""^^ ^"f distinguished himself aUheba! "e of the Nile, received a musket ball in his fece, and the ^r, 162 cfer M^ iiii&t»Ie |o »taBd the fii«» iiAp«^Mito|f mhl b«i^ low. At this moment tlie Galedkmia wss stmi^Gitg (q get closer iiito ihe action, and her ocuttiiiiaider, li€|itenci»t Turner, ordered her guos to^be fired tl^f^^i}l0 fQres^^ whichUiterfered between him and the eneaijjPsi'aih^ that lose'^lhe charice (^' a fall share in Ihe combl^t.and W19 only previented Irom att^p^tmi ^ board the DetrcNil^ by the prudent refusal of the officer el aiuntiier small vet- set, ^assist tiiiKi. The action was ttow ra^g with its utmost vlo£eiHHi|^ erery broadaijde fired With the most exact jpfedsiMi, aa^l the result of the conflict altogether 9nc#i&|i. In ad# ticin to the loss of tiie Lawrence's guns^ipdl^ of 4h§ ^^mNIi had burst, and the enemy had then JOfe aupeiiowfy^i^ thirty-fbutf: guns. This dpnbtful aspeeti, how»VQr> s^' aft#^hluxged. The^QutenCharMte hitdlost hetcaptflii and%^ heir principal officers ; fthd faairingiby 6ome>in||> cfaatiiee, run foul of the Dfeti^ most of |he guns of ]^|||| Teseels l)eeame useless. In this siti^oni adiriait^^ of whidh was imme^aie^y taken by eo$0axvifm^ ^^^ they were compelled to suAtaiBy in turn^ jk0 i]H{£^^ |f| from the Niagaia, an^ other yese^ls rth western army, every prospect of success was thrown open, and the recovery of the lost terri- tory became no longer doubtful. Commodore Perry in- formed his goverpment, that it had ^^ pkased the Almighty to crown their arms with success" and attributed the issue to the gallant conduct of his officers, his men, and the vo- lunteers on board. Among them, are to be found tlie names of captain Elliot, lieutenants Turner, Edwards and k was sifii|||;liitg lo inikiideF, lientencitl ^mmfif&ihex thai B conal^, Biid w»0 bofffd ^ Detn% } uimoBt ▼! ami noir^li. In [>f the gmis of ^11 iti^ition, BdwaaiAa0' me dowfila ii rrenderecl Iq of the Um B^ pursued by tw^^ aace of tJbree nikf !, in whiqh the iodi- lever been surpass- ud on the record of his important lake, le future operations »ro3pect of success Y of the lost tern- mmodore Perry in- tkased the AlmigMy attributed the isaue lis men, and the vo- ire to be found the iirner, Edwards and T Olivier il Pkrky ksq. BHi^m •'il » i M I « i.*^ *# f-. Clark #0|raimiii5--<*fite conductor WlikiLte^^^^^^ liMiaiii^wofef8,iuidpiii»^Ha«^ the latter of whom is. f^J^!^**"* wlmrratlan of the whol]i squii^oiii as weU as that of the en«inf. '^^^*™"»"* uS^J?'5^*'. Commodore B.rehj' mn wouUnI bd b«« (hot oir to a former aetioii. The lo«> on (ra^rd to «|i»dnm«icee«ted two hundred. TheAmertcmfc™ «i. Ihe captured veBsel* were conToyed to the bav of Sandusky j^ Kg the prisoutre, six hundred in auXr ^^ u^f' ^»^^°« '^''^^ were a fewt^': TZ^^lS"^^^ ^ist regim^t, who had been taken 00 Hoard to^iet ta marines. - The result ol this biSiliant «iitoffiet, was immediatelir fonc^dbr^tive ami extensir« prepi^^TK^ pul«^ Of tM enemy from Detroit, flte entire suWogatioir of Mald«, «id the overthrow of general Proctor'fSmT »nd 6t Lawrence, would be rapidly facHitated nna ffcl mo«t plaus^ft. p„,spects heldou?to^'£^i^^^^^ IrlTnHS^^"^' ^^'^Sl^*^ made a^SS>tt^^^ Wiaof Ohio, as soon as he was informed onhes^ir S Te7r.w''^'^^5 ""^"' *"««• ^»»y of these wjre Bot yet discharged, and general Harrison now reouired J proportion of ihem. At the mouth of Polgl^ri^r td'Stf tw«'* 'fn r'"!«/"^^ «»'«"'«* be Zcent«: »«, and between that point and Sandusky bay he cau- wIhT Ji^]*'*««*^* The governor of Kentucky Isaac ^untlf T£i'™^t' "^ *5 fo«r thousand well mounted^ S-risS* bT fT"**' ^^^^^'^ ^^S^ being reduced, arid SZtr.^f^iZT^'F'''^^ ^^»'*»«'' "'arched »r £r«w\^'' ^!?^*^' '^^ J^^°«^ the main body ^»Ladk^ t^i^^^^^^^^V^"^^^ »«"^«^° determined Clfo^ piAvf?^ ''^?*^'*^>.«°« «* tN dawn of the riS anSl^^f ^'* ^^^t' to embark at t^ mouth of the '»»er,and to rendezvous at the Oifferent islands, which P2 U4 i ■' 11 ^NP^ iiy in clusters between MaldeO) and the point of embi» kation. To Qolonel Johnson, who commanded a Keor tucky mounted regiment at fort Meig», he gave orders to proceed to Detroit by land; arrangements having beea Srst made, by which that officer and the commander in chief, were to be informed of each other's progress, l)f daily expresses. On the 27th, the troops were received on board tbs fleet, now enlarged by the captured vessels. They were embarked at a small ishmd, about twenty miles from Ma)f den, called the Eastern Sister, and one <^ two islands ti», in W.own %«! ion, or in^Uitt of hit relaiim, by (be ineurdons a«d IZ ligef f jhe •nemy, the inhabit^Ki of AmhertMwrg wen irotecied firom violence, tnd (heir individual nreoertv ho- Boorably respected. Highfr, tnd freqoenUy, S^tfie i» tfpatton of these troops bad been excited^, (hey wer« ijll detcrniined to contrast their conduct here, with that jf the Bntish and ladians, at the river Raisin; and. the koose and grounds, therefore, of the roost active officer It Jiat scene, eolonet Eiiiott, suffered not the least molea» lltion. On the a8th,the army crossed La Riviire am Cannards, the bridge over which the enemy had not stopped to de- rfroy, and arrived at Sandwicli on the following day. the fleet moving at (he same time, tiirough the river Detroit, to that place Governor Shelby's command thenoccul pied the pomt at which the iirst invasion of Canada had been attempted, whilst the remainder of the army crossed oyer to the delivery of the town of Detroit, out of the pos* SMBion of the British Indians, who immedlateJy abandon* ed the garnson, and retreated in dilTerent directions. Ge- neiiil Harrison, knowing that large numbers of warriors, iinder Spl t-Log, were collecting in the woods near Hu- lOBof Lake fit Clair, directed general M'Arthur to re- Buun with most of the regulars, in the occupation of De- i: mu **® ^^"*^ P""^"® **»« ^"^y of general Proctof ttp the Thames. Colonel R. M. Johnson's regiment had arrived at De- troit on the day after its occupation by the American ar- my, and havmg concentrated this force, with a part of eolonel Ball's regiment of dragoons, and the whole of go- jemor Shdby»s vohinteers, (he commander in chief, on a! ?ly^^^^^^y pursued the enemy's route, ^uch was we rapidity of his movement, that he encamp.id in the mniDg of the same day, at the river Riscum, a distance •r twenty-six miles from Sandwich. Early on the mom. mgof the 3d, he resumed his march, and b«ngaccom- l»nied by general Cass and commodore Perry, as acting •Ws^he proceeded in the advance with Johnson's reg? wert, m order to secure the bridges on the rivers tribor m to Lake St Clair. By the capture of a hentenant of ^ 166 .• I 1 :i.' % dmgooRS and eleven priTates, who had been left in gene. ral Proctor'i rear, with orders to take up every bridge by which the approach of Harrison's army could possibly be facilitated, one bridge was saved, and the Americfui ge- neral learned, that the enemy had no " certain information of his advances up the Thames." Within eight ipileg of this river, at Drake's farm, the army encamped for tiie night, and its baggage followed thus for, \n the transporti of the squadron^ On the morning of the 4th, the army again proceeded on its route, and having reached Chatham, seventeeD miles fVom Lake St. Clair, found its progress obstruct- ed by a deep and unfordable creek, the bridge of which had been partially destroyed by a body of Indians, *vho now made their appearance, and fired on the front guard. They had taken position on the opposite side of the creek, and flan! -d the American army on the right bank of the river. General Harrison made immediate arrangements to disperse or capture them. Colonel Johnson was already stationed on the right of the line, and had seized the rifins of another bridge, under a smart fire from the Indians on that flank. Major Wood was directed to bring up his artillery, and cover the pioreers who were repairing the first bridge. This he did witi; un- expected success. The Indians could not withstand the heavy discharges of artillery, and they therefore retired without much regard to the order of their retreat. The bridge was quickly repaired, and the army having first ex- tinguished the flames of a farm house, which had been fired by the Indians, and captured from it two thousand stand of arms and a quantity of clothing, crossed over the creeir, pursued the enemy four miles up the river, annoyed hi» rearguard, and took from him several pieces of cannon» This skirmish continued one hour, in which time two men of the army were killed, and six wounded; whilst thirteen were killed on the side of the enemy. Besides muskets, cannon, and clothing, he lost three vessels, loaded with ordnance stores anrmy in their rear, these IwsioBs moved forward to the attack. The BrUish gave i>f, •> hi. 1«8 k the fini (Ire, upon which thy the fall of the Shawanoe clief, the Americans wore disencumbered of their most powerful, inveterate and ex- perienced Indian enemy ; and a sudden check, was given to mat spirit of bai'barian enterprize, to which that fron- tier had hitherto been subject. 'J'ecumseh was a bold, int.'epid and acUve leader, whose undeviating practice it was never to tnake a prisoner. He was ever ready to conceive a daring and inhuman design, and would exe- cute it with unprecedented and remorseless perseverance. Hj_ _..ii : -- ji-_ __i - -1 _ 1 •• •• I' p iU- in imiiU'^ pnssiun ««'£is ine ptUniiv.! aUQ EiiiiiiiiiciuOn Ol Jnc people, whom he believed hs^d encroached upon, and gra- in •luRlly flflprSFcd his ancestry of their soil Hut v^u.^ i undertook «n expedition, uccoZ«T,ied bv !,t\!^h " S^ would relinquish to them 11^^011 ?ii?. 1,7 ^".''*^' *** yieUl the p;?vilege oY^slll^Xtt^^^^^ ^^.^'^^^ diaus of a other tribcfl iih w-ii «.V*k . ' "**- *"" lie was born. U,« W ^'leX k" Tecumiril^ "H™ ilic ofore irreparable. 8uch, in.lecd, was lh« effect ofW^ government fro,„ the neccssily of 'eub Jlng'S'lSi! On the day following that on whirh ih^ hoHi« «/• lu received, flag from gceral Toc^'^X, a^.^'jf request, U.at humane trealmenl migl.t'be exTcK L fhe Bribsh pnaoners This ,eque,t had been anSated b^ the American general, who had already given oith..lir plocomforts of his own lent, U, the wouS B^r/Seh c"' onels ; and had instructed hi» troops before the ClH^ toUhe person even of general Procllr should be res'e't * At Detroit, go-vemor Shelby's volunteers aiul «!,. Wve ™,.lhs- men, were all\o„o~"d'isch, *d JJ^ I rlr f ™<"'«'' "y one thousand men, unS: Tl?^' "^ .r' W»'"M provisional goveraor^of ae Michigan territory; and the civil jaw was restored tr. the condition in which it was at the «me when^n P™r Jmle'rir.T' fi,'"f r'"'' "S«inst Proctor, the com- men tV?„- .'i!^'"''.,''*™ '^'"^"^^^ by the war depart- -pocfa'&'e'S\^";^^*--rT5T^^^^^^ j^oaober he embarked In'lho squ^S^nrf LakTE^fe !!» ,1 '"» Ji'POsables, and sailed for the village of Buff!' H "'here he arrived before the beginning X«mb«: m W HR titBJM ^^ ■pi fi I|: ii W i CHAPTER XIL Plan of operations on the St. Lawrence — Concentration of the forces on Grenadier Island — British abandon the in- restment of Fort George— Descent of the St. Lawrence-^ Skirmishes in its course — Battle of Chrystler's field— The left ning of the Northern army retires to winter quarters — The right wing marches through the Chataur guy woods — Is attacked by the British — Engages and reputes them — Goes also into .winter quarters — The Americans evacuate Fort George, and destroy Newark- Surrender of Fort Niagara — Destruction ofLewistown and Buffaloe. CORRESPONDENT with these movements of the north-western army, a plan of operations on the St. Law- rence had been concerted by the united talents of the war department, which had been transferred to the frontier, and general Wilkinson, who, having succeeded to the command of the army of the north, had established his head quarters at fort George. By this plan, the capture and occupation of Montreal and Kingston, the grand ren- dezvous of the British land forces, and the only secure harbour for their naval armaments, was contAnplated ; and the result, of its successful execution, could not fail of being fruitful with advantages to the future movements of the anny, and the contemplated conquest of the pro- vince of Lower Canada. The late overthrow of general Proctor, in the upper province, increased the expecta- tions of the department and thfe army, and held out to each, the most certain prospects of eventual success. Two obstacles, however, presented themselves to the en- tire fulfilment of these expectations. The lateness of the season ; which, in a countiy where the i^inter commences with CTeat severity, would raise up insurmountable olh structions to the movements of the troops : and the dif- ference of opinion betwe en the commanding general and 173 objert (A assault Eacfi^ being tenacious of his own ooi- ZX:me'^^r '" "^^ «<>°«"°"»ation ofXe X ceried pclieme, it became necessary to hasten the im- K dettS '^ ^ ^f r ^" ^^ one'":thrr. IJie aeUberation of a council of war was proposed To obviate the first difficulty, the remoTBl of the se ond wae Hidispensible, and the necessity of an immediate deriXt l^on a question involving the interXf the ex^ itdTndT** ^•^•^""'L A council was therefor^eogaS: ^i^'ed on « 'T^ ***^* '^^ ^"^^««« ^f 'he designfdl pended on au early movement of the designated force •enl^h^'^ff ' "^f'^ *^^" ^^^P*«^' t« collect and cdn- centre the different regiments, on Grenadier island a pomt between Kingston and Sackett's Harhpur ^ch had been assigned as the best rendezvourtSise of S contiguity to the head of the St. Lawrenc; Ordem were forwarded to fort George, to colonel Scott of SillTr^ who hac been left by general Wilkinson i^ commandTf ttat post to embark his artillery and colonel RandoW^ ^girnent of infantry, on board a vessel of the squaXv «^^ll'Tfort'«*'' "^^"';k ^*^^ ^^^-«' had'left th"' garrison of fprt George on the 2d of October, with the tergest portion of the troops, who were now awaidnt Se arnva of the remainder at the rendezvous, anrhadL^n actively employed in providing clothing, aid other equb- ments necessary to the soldiers, in the course ofTS and backet's Harbour, he had made frequent vovaffeT lTh«??i*^".i'•^"P^ ^^^"-^ ^«" bestowed^atXTmer ^ved at Z J«tf '"' detachments, which al Aost d.i,^^' He had lll^ f' T' ^?™^d»«tely despatched thence, ae had caused a sufficient number of boats to be orena^ a itir ^ *^.r"'^^^ *^^^"S»^ *h« St- I^awrencf ?nd lieueLnf'^T"* ^.^?.'^™"^""*' «^ Sackett's Harbour to ^8 troonl •*'^''"'.°^""^^' ^^ **^^««« proceeded to put we troops m motion at the island. ^ ^ By this time, the 23d, the force at that nlace amnnnf.^ lonelSwit ' ^'^^^ ^'}'f'y} ^ few companies of co- »cott s (2d) regiment of artillery ; colonel M'Comb'B '« i ti - il SfS'Hl 11' i '•'^ -• ' >i 1 ' \ i\'i- ,« V 174 (5d) regiment of artillery; the 6th regiment of infantry; the 6th, commanded by captain Humphreys; the 11th; the 12th, colonel Coles; the 13tb, commanded by colonel Preston of the 23d ; the 14th, lieutenant colonel Dix ; the 16th, colonel Biearly ; the 16th, colonel Pearce; tlie 21st, colonel Ripley ; the 22d, colonel Brady ; the 25th ; and major Forsythe's rifle corps. Having issued the necessary orders, general Wilkinson resolved on moving on the 25th ; and although the gales which had prevailed for several days, continued with un- abated violence, and were now attended with heavy rains, bis anxiety to promote the issue of the expedition, indu- ced him to order the embarkation of the troops; and, buf- fetting with a disorder, which had rendered his health ex- tremely precarious, he remained on the island until the embarkation was nearly completed, directing the boats to take advantage of the momentary pauses of the storm, to slideinto the St, Lawrence. A few days before, intelligence had been forwarded by colonel Scott, of the enemy's having evacuated the en- trenchments in the neighbourhood of fort George, and of their having burnt, and otherwise destroyed, all their camp equipage and many stand of arms, in order to facilitate the march of their troops to Kingston; to which place they had been ordered, as soon as generaj Wilkinson's contemplated movement was discovered. They had been apprized of the intentions of the American general pre- vious to the 9th, and on that day they abandoned the whole peninsula, on the Niagara, and directed their atten- tion to the defence of Kingston, against which they sup- posed the Americans would move. To keep that impres- sion alive, and to confine their plans to the protection of Kingston only, general Wilkinson fixed on French creek, which lays immediately opposite the point at which the British suspected he would land, as the general rendez- vous of the troops, after their entrance into the St. Law- rence. Brigadier general Brown (now of the United States' regulars) was ordered forward to command the advance of the army at that place ; and the rear was soon after strengthened by the arrival at Grenadier island, of .» £}■"•"- " - ■"■ ' * • ^ 1 — I — u On the Ist November, the enemy appeared at French creek with a isquadron of four large vessels, and a num- 175 berof boats filled with.infantry, and attacked the detach- inent at that place in the evening;. General Brown Has- tily made armngements to defend his position, and aftfer a sliort cannonade, the enemy's vessels were compelled' to retire, by a battery of three 1 8 pounders^ which had beeir erected,and managed with great spirit, by captainsM^Pher- sori and Fanning, of the artillery. The enemy fell dowii^ toaconvementharbour, and renewed his attack on the following morning. By the same judicious arrangements he was again repulsed, and a few hours afterwards the American squadron entered the St. Lawrence, and took- a-position near French creek, to command the north and south channels. On thr- 3d and 4th the rear of the army arrived at the general rendezvous. On the 5th the flo- tilla of transports got under way, and arrived without ac- cident, below MorriBville. On the 6th the commander in chief ordered the flotilla wfr^rp "^'^^/^^ ?^v^® *'™y' *<> « P«i«* ^^^thin three miles of Prescott, and directed the powder and fixed am* munition to be debarked, and transported by land, under cover of the night, below the enemy's batteries. Before either of these orders were put in execution^ he proceed- , ?A i fV"" '•«?<^n»oit''e the place, and having cott- chided that the safest passage of the troops would be effected on shore, he ordered the debarkation of every- mwi, except the number necessary to navigate the boat^ and the army marched by night, two miles below Pres- fu ;, ,^"*ng«™ents woe also made for the passage of the flotilla, to the same point; and general Brown beine the general officer of the day, was charged with the su- penntendence. Availing himself of a heavy fog which came on at 8 o'clock in the evening, thecommlnder in chief, believing he cduld pass the enemy's fort unobser- ved, put the flotilla and the marching columns in motion, at the same instant; and proceeded in his gig, foIJowed hy his passage boat and staflf, ahead of the former An unexpected change of the atmosphere, enabled the ene- mys garrison to discover the boats, and the columns upon land, whose movements had been simultaneous. i>€arly fifty 24 pound shot were fi?ed at the ge leral's pas- sage bpat, and the columns were ab : ;\^d with creat num- -rs 01 siiot and sheils. Meither of ihese attacks were successful, nor did the Americans sustain the slightest de- Q2 i'S» m. M^^v 76 I'M !'^,t'4>i f grec of injury. The flotilla had been halted by general Brown, as soon as the firing was* heard, and it did not resume its course until the setting of the moon ; when, in attempting to pass, at the same place, it was attacked also. It nevertheless pursued its passage to the place of destination, under a heavy, though ineffectual fire, of three hours. Durmg all this time, of three hundred boats, of which the lotilla was comprized, not one was touched by a ball ; and before 10 o'clock of the 7th, they all safely arrived at the designated rendezvous. From this place, the commander in chief forwarded an order to general Hampton, commanding the left division of the northern army, to form a junction, with the division then descend- ing the St. Lawrence, On the 7th the difficulties in this descent encreased. The indisposition of the general became alarming. The passage of the troops was delayed half a day, in extrica- ting two schooners from the river near Ogdensburg, which were bailed with provisions, and had been driven to that place by the enemy's fire. In the course of the morning, the commande: la chief had been infoimed, that the coast below was lined with posts of artillery and musquetry, at every narrow pass of the river. He therefore detached colonel M'Comb, with the elite corps of about twelve hun- dred men, to remove these obstructions. At three in the afternoon the array followed. Immediately after passing the first rapid of the St. Lawrence, the passage boat of the general was again attacked by two pieces of light artille- ry, which colonel M'Comb had not observed in his march. No other injury was done, however, than the cutting of the rigging, the attention of these pieces being diverted from that object, by lieutenant colonel Eustis and a few light gun barges, between whom and the enemy, a can- nonade was kept up, without effect on either side. But^ major Forsythe, who was in M'Comb's rear, having land- ed his riflemen, and advanced upon the enemy, three pieces were precipitately carried away. About six miles below the tow» of Hamilton, the flotilla came too, and tile general received intelligence of colonel M'Comb's ha- ving routed the enemy at a block house, two miles lower. The dragoons, which were attached to the first division the White House, situated at a contraction of the river. 177 On tfie morning of the 8th, the fJotilla proceeded to this pomt and after hay ng ordered gen. Brown to go fomard with h.8 bngade, to reinforce colonel MTomh «« i * take command of the advance of Zlmyl^ne^^^ kmson directed the transportation of thelalZTlZt :L'e ofe^^Ht. ™^ ^"^^-« -« --P'«*«^ ^^ Jit ^T^ '^*^' *^ ''^'*'^"* ^^ **^'« '^^er was commenced by the American army, the British troops who had been concentrated in the vicinity of K^Eston having fifc«« ed that that post was not the object of SeSl«o„^^'' mediately proceeded to PrescotI The dav ^Hn^^"*' jhat on which the Americans had pas^^^h17vil^a^^^^^^ British commandant sent a flae over to O^iIJk, ^ ' -I a de„,and for the delivery of J.I ^ ^l^tpt'^^^h"^^ under the penalty of the immediate destrucHon nf /h ' town Without waiting, however, for a cTm^cf nSh hi. demand, he enemy embarked about fifteen hunS troops, and followed general Wilkinson's descent wShf intention of annoying his rear. On the 9th, theyC ^ far gained upon it, as to bring on a skirmish between the American riflemen and a party of British mjm:! ! i V dians After having killed Te iS^^t " L" J^J completely repulsed. enemy were In the course of this day, the cavalry, with four pieces ^ of artillery, under captain M'Pherson; ^ere attached to he command of general Brown, who was o dered to dear he coast below, as far as the head of the « W^^ «^r i^lu' ^^^"S ""^^^^^ *« halt several hours bvfhe rapidity of the current, to enable o-eneral RmZ^t!.^ . good his march, in time to covef the'^^^^^^^ ^Wla, geijpral Wilkinson arrived at a poln^al ed he Yellow H use, which stands near the J ' ^^ On J^e morning of the 10th, he ordered o-enerar Brmvn to prosecute his march, with all the troo„TnmW v command except two pieces of artiSery'^rthe 2d drf %Z r ''^^'^ ^^^ '^' "^^^'y «f the men, indaced the vommandmg general to anarch as many of them «« nnc.- men oTfh; J k^.^'^S^***' ^h^-^-efore, as weir as all the men of the other brigades, with the reservation of. 11 ml nZT'u ''^'''^^'^ *^^ ^«^*^' w^re as3igne"d7offene- ^«1 Boyd, who was ordered to take necefsary prfcau- ■«' mi: 4 k: t m j^H!*; K| J ^mi :f.? "M i'i \ 1 iV' 17a tion? tp present the e««my, hwigiDg on th© rear, from iQAklDg a^ aclTaatAgcoue attaclfr.; and if attacked, to turn; uppn, ajid'if possible, tp beat them. General Brown, m obedience to thesift orders, inarched withi the advance, then consisting.Qf about eighteen hundred men, and com- p»p«d principaily of colo»el M'Comb's artillery, some companies of colonel Scott's regiment, part of the light, artUlwy, the riflemen, and the 6tb, l«h, and 22d regi- m^t4. At a block house near the saut^ which had been ejpected to harrass the flotilla in its descent^ he was enga- ged by a strong party of the enemy, with whom he con- tended for a few minutes, and at length compelled them to. retire. Thifr repulse was effected entirely by major Forsythe, who was severely wounded in the engagement General Browtt then took a position near the foot of the smt' At tlie same time a number of British galleys and g}in boats approached the flotilla, now at the shore, and commenced a cannonade. The galley mounted a long 24 pounder, which materially injured the American barges, and it became necessary to run two 18 pounders on shore, and form a battery to resist the enemy's attack. One shot from this battery obliged the British to retire up the river; and it beigg then too late to trust the flotilla to the soul, the current in which allows no chance to land, or to pu^ sue any other than its own course, tlie barges lay too until the morning of the 11th. At 10 o'clock on that day, the flotilla was prepared to sail ; and the division under general Boyd, consisting of his own, and generals Covington and Swartwout's bri- gades, was already formed in marching order, when an alarm was heard from the gun boats, and the command- ing general was apprized, that the enemy were^dvancing in column. The encreasing indisposition of general Wil- kinson rendered him incapable of taking the field; gene- ral Lewis having declined the command, in consequence of being iU also, general Boyd was ordered to turn upon and attack the British force. The enemy's gun boats were advancing at the same time, with a view to attack the rear of the flotilla, as soon as it should move off. The officers having it in charge, were therefore di- rected not to leave the shore. General Boyd advanced upon the enemy, with his deiaehmeiit iormeH in uifce Cv~ luems, and forwarded a body of general Swartwout's bri- 179 g&de, consistiiig ot the 21 st regiment, to meet and bring the enemy to action. Colonel Ripley, with this regiment, ranged through the woods, which, in a semicircle, skirted Chrystler's field, and drove in, several parties of the skir- mishers. Upon entering the open field, he discovered the British advance, consisting of the 49th and Glengaiy regiments. With these he immediately commenced an action, in which he twice charged these united regiments, either of which being more than equal to the^ 1st, and drove them over the ravines and fences by which Chrystler's field was intersected; when they fell upon their main body. Meanwhile, general Covington had advanced upon the ene- my's right, where his artillery had been planted ; and at the moment when the 21st assailed the British left flank, this brigade forced the right by a vigorous onset, and the result of the action was now looked to with great cer- tainty. The gallant conduct of general Covington attract- ed the attention of a party of sharp shooters stationed in Chrystler's house, one of whom levelled hie piece, and shot him from his horse. The wound proved to be mor- tal, and in two days after the genera! died. The fall of their commander, threw that brigade into confusion, and itTcry soon broke before the enemy's artillery; and, to- gether with the 16th, took shelter behind the 21st, which was still engaged with the British left and centre. Four pieces of artillery had been planted, to enfilade the ene- my's right, but out of reach of support ; and when Co- vington's brigade fell back, the British commander wheel- ed part of his line into column, to attack and capture them. A body of dragoons, under the adjutant general Walbach^ attempted in a very gallant manner, to charge the British column, but the nature of tlie ground prevented its being checked, and the intervenUon of the 21st between the cannon and the enemy, alone retarded his advance. The British then fell back with much precipitation. The 25th, which had been disordered, was at this time in a ravine ; and on all parts of the field, skirmishes and detached bat- tles were kept up with various success. The 2 1st being out of ammunition, was withdrawn from the exposed po- sitions of the ground, and a second attempt was soon after vv . bmith, of the light artillery, who commanded one piece,' enabled the enemy to capture the only trophy they obtaia- ft J i« ed* The coolnesd^and bravery of capt. Armstrong Irvine, 4&ved the remaining pieces, wliidi he brought off the . field. The aolion immediateLy after ceased It had beeo fought with distinguished, gallantry, by about seventen hundred undisciplined men, against the same number of British veterans, and its duration was upwards of two Hours. The enemy's force consisted of detachmenU from the 49th, 84th, 104th, the voltigeura, and the Glenr gary regiment.^ These retired to their encampment, sod the Americans to their boats. The American loss on this occasion, amounted to three hundred and tbirty-niue. One hundred and two of whom were killed. Among these were lieutenants Smith, Hun- ter, and Olmstead. The loss in woundM, was swelled by the rank and worth of the officers on that list. Gene- la] Covington, colonel Preston, majors Chambers, Noon, and Cummings ; captains Foster and Townsend, of thi flthr; Myers and Campbell, of the 13th; Murdock, of the aeth i' and lieutenants Heaton, of the 1 llh ; Williams, of the 13th; Lynch, of the 14th; Pelham, of the 2Ist; and Brown and Crary, of the 25th, were the officers compo- aingit In this battle the victory wa& claimed on both sides. Att impartial examination of tlie result, however, will either lead to the conclusion that it was a drawn battte; Qr, that if any advantages occurred to either party, they J were decidedly gained by the Americans. The front of the enemy had been forced back more than a milO) in the early pai-t of the action, and it never regained the ground thus lost T^ use the words of the American general, his views and those of the British commander "were pre- cisely opposed. The firsl being bound by the instructions of his government, and, the most solemn, obligations of 4iJdyy to precipitate his descent of the St. Lawrence, by every practicable means; and the last, by equally impe- rious duties, to retard, and if possible, to prevent such de- acent* If then, he (the British, commander) found him- self victorious on this day, it was certainly in his power to have effected the one or the other object, and as he made no attempt to effect either, it follows incontestibly, t|Tat_he_had,nQ fair ground on which to claim a victory." So tar from obstructing the further descent of the river, t}i# ensmy. nev«r again assailed th& colusan upon land, or 181 the bap. «f the flotffla. Earty on the moninfr of the art near €o.rnwan, where ^^,„,^, ^^ tfiis place, general Wilkinson received a letter from general Hampton, m which he declined a meeting at St. Relis, t"e pace named in the orders which had been «ent to Wm on he 6th, and mformed the commander in chief that he in- Ltfn th".Zf.'' ^'^^^hamplain,and thence U> coi^S- rate in the attack upon Montreal. Gen. Wilkinson immedi- ately concluded, that it would be useless to prosecute Wa route to Montreal any further, and that eve,^ prospect of a desirab^ termmaUon of the campaign was destroyed. He therefore summoned together the principal officers of Uiat division of the army, with which he wm acting, who determined that the receipt of this despatch, rende ed S expedient that the army should quit the Canadian si'de of fte St. Lawrence, and go into winter quarters at French i3«?in8tent Af/'" H ' '^^'''^ " accordingly did on the 2iu- • *i^^*''* *'*'^*"? surmounted many perilous difficulties m he descent of a river, crowded with various obstructions, the further prosecution of its passage was hu8 entirely abandoned, by the united determination of thecommander m chief, and his council of war. Whether the refusal on the side of general Hampton, to form a junction with general Wilkinson, at the Stf Re- ps instead of adopting his own plan of marching by Champlain and Cognawago, should have prevented the prosecution of tlie campaign to its original object, does It^^'f^^f'^'J^^ P'^^^"^« ^^ "^««« sJ'^tches ti dis- L, :. • '' r ?"^»n««s «f the writer of them to be stu- Jously imparljal ; and he does not Aesitate to acknow- ledge his belief, that many circumstances are yet to trans- Si' iT ^^^ P"^^^*' "^P^"^^" <^«" *>e regulated. The der of the commander in chief, and the answer to that lint 1^ *?'^ P^P^'' ^^^^h <^«»' a* this early day, bep ocured; and the reader has an opportunity of mak- ing up his own judgment from them.* *ffead Quarters of the army, District No. 9, .even miUi above Ogdennburg. Nov. 6, 1813, in the evening, Sir, "ai*! who, by bad I address you at the special instance of the secretary of >ad roads, worse weather, and ill health, was di. '> ?l m i <]| I<. j ii I t%2 Whilst leneral Wilkinson was engaged in concentral- ing the left divifiion of the army, at Grenadier Island, pre- paratory to die descent of Uie St. Lawrence, general verted from meeting me at this place, and determined to tread back his steps to Waahington from Antwerp, on the 29th ul- timo. I am destined to, and determined on the attack of Montreal, If not prevented by some act of God ; and to give security to the enterprise, the division under your command, must co-ope. rate with the corps under my immediate orders. The point of rendezvous is the circumstance of greatest interest to the issue of this operation, and the distance which separates us, and my ignorance of the practicability of the direct or devious roads or routes, on which you must march, make it necessary that your own judgment should determine that point. To assist you in forming the soundest determination, and to take the most prompt and effectual measures, I can only inform you of my in- tentions and situation in one or two respects of first importance. I shall pass Prescott to night, because the stage of the season will not adow me three days to take it ; shall cross the cavalry at Htimilton, which will not require a day, and shall then press forward, and break down every obstruction to the confluence of this river, with Grand river, there to cross to the isle Perrot, and with my scows, to bridge the narrow inner channel, and thus obtain foothold on Montreal island, at about twenty milei from the city; after which our artillery, bayonets, and swords, must secure our triumph, or provide us lionourable graves. In* closed you have a memorandum of my field and battering train, pretty 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 subject of provisions, I wish I could give as fa- vourable information ; our whole stock of bread may be conj- iputed at about 15 days, our meat at 20. In speaking on this subject to the secretary of war, he informed me that ample ma- gazines were laid up on Lake Champlain ; and therefore I must request you to order forward two or three months supply, by the safest route, in a direction to the proposed scene of action. I have submitted the state of our provisions to . pf'iteral offi* cers, who unanimously agre.?, that it should not pre ►; t >e pro- gress of the expedition ; and they also agree r ; • ". lat if you are not in force to face the enemy, you stiouiu meet us at St. Regis, or its vicinity. I shall expect to hear from, if not to see you, at that place on the 9th or 10th inst. I am, &c. J AS. WILKINSON. ».«'.* _ /»- _, Tir rr— ..xa~ 1^ •*.. \ was preparing an express, which I should have dcs- jsatched to-morrow, but for the fortunate call of colonel King. you, at that place WILKINSON. 183 Hampton had determined on moving the right dlTisiou fmin Champlam down the Chateaugav, for the pjpose of obtaining a s.tuaUon, from Which it could with more facility, co-operate :.. the contemplated movement aga.n.t Montreal On the 21at of October, he pu hia troops m motion, having first arra ged a line of commu. nication as far up the St. Lawrence as Ogdensburg An «aen8.ve wood, tilled with hewn timblr, and coverlS with the Indians and the enemy's light troops, threw an Sim, Head ^utrtert, Four Corners, Nov. 8, 1813. .olnnJ ^ • ^°"°"'' *** "^'^''^^^ " * ^*te hour last evening, by colonel Kmg, your communication of the 6lh. and waa dfeolv ; e88ed with the sense of responsibility it imwserof decid •ng upon the means of our co-operation ""i^'^^' »» <»«C'd. inJtttun*ctioifl?s.'*2' '-^ "'''"'''" ofyour officers, of effect, mj tiie junction at St. Regis, was most pleaninp. as beintr th#» mo.t .mmedute, until I came to the disclosure of the Tnfouit of your supplies of provisions. Colonel Atkinson wUl t3« the reasons that would have rendered it imposTble^" me o have brought more than each man could have carried o^ hi- back; and when 1 reflected, that in throwing mysefSponvoi^J rSTdiVr^e^sttar^JtdUt"^^^^^^^ suhL^tli; general aVd'^ncVa? ote^s Lr;?hr:r^ Mif back upon my mim depot, where all tl>, ™..„. „!■ .'^ '^' tommg every effort to open a coramimication between piaH. b«rg a„d Cognewago, or any other point yorm.yTnTcate on :J.^^.nT^JV„^l^rt;rs^-^■•»^-^^^^^^^^^^ ami onl » ^* campaign, m the late snows and bad weather ertbM wtlUtTemnt ""-.V ''" ''^ accomplished by human ex- ms Uih^cZlZn. ' '"^"^ ^''°'*^ '" '^' «^"^'*^» ol>- •^0 Major General Wilkinson. - ^' HAMPTON. R r? (■: J- wM 1 -^ ^ 'I' ^ii<* \-' 164* impediment in the way of the PLgineers, who were to cut a road for the passage of rhe artillery and stores. Ge- neral I^u^ui had been detached with the light troops, and one regiment from the line, to turp them in flank, and lo seize on the open country below. In this he suc- ceeded; and the main arm/ advancing on a circuitous road, reached the advanced position on the evening of fhe 22d. At a distance of seven miles from the ground on which the army encamped, was a wood v/hich had been furmeu into » i abatis^ and was filled with a succession of breast works, the rearmost of which were well supplied with ordnance. Behind these, the disposable force of (he enemy was placed ; in front cf them the light tro(.ps and Indians. Sir George Prevost was 8upi)osed to be the commander in chief of the forces and breast works thus arranged. It was resolved to attack and dislodge him. Colonel Purdy, who commanded the tirst brigade, was ordered on the 26th to ford the river, and march down on its ojiposite side, until he should reach the enemy's renr, where he was to re-cross the river, and attack him in his breast works ; whilst the second brigade, under general Izard, was to assail him in front. Th-. fire from one, was to be the signal of attack for the other. Colonel Purdy accordingly marched down on the opposite bank, but had not proceeded far, when he received a countermaud- ina; order from general Hampton, issued in consequence of a communication from the quarter master general's department, which the general deemed unfavourable to the prosecution of his plan. In attempting to return to the place at which he had previously crossed the river, colonel Purdy was attacked by the enemy's infantry and Indians, who were repulsed after a short contest, tli'oui;h they had thrown the Ameri- can column into partial confusion. The British at the same time came out of their works, to attack the 2d bri- gade on the opposite side. They were repulsed at lliis point also, and general Izard drove them rapidly behind their defences. The 1st brigade attempted the construc- tion of a bridge of logs, and thouish it was assailed by a considerable force of the British regulars, and received a sharp fire across the river, the bridge was completed, and colonel Purdy re-crossed his men. He was agaiii attack' ed, and several limes resisted the charges of the enemy 185 The army commenced a retreat, a(.er losing abouf fifiy men ; ami as general Hampton received an account of the enemy's being continually reinforced, he resolved, on the advice of a council, to retreat to the Pour Corners. The army acconlingly, on the Slst, returned to a position which it held many days before. In these various skir- mishes, majors Snclling and Wool were particularly dis- tinguished. j1 peiite guerre, was kept up on the lines, by colonel Clark, who commanded a regiment of infantry, acting as riflemen, which had already, on several important occa- sions, been of great annoyance to the enemy. But this incursive warfare was stopped soon after the return of general Hampton's division, and a/l the troops under his command were put into winter quarters, in the course of the month of November, and the command resigned to geii:.>ral Izard. Not long after the departure of general Wilkinson from fort George, that post fell successively to the com- mand of colonel Scott, general Harrison, and general M'Clure, of the New York militia; under each of whom, frequent skirmishes tbok place. In one of these, colonel VVilcocks, with the Canadian volunteer mounted regi- ment, behaved with personal bravery, and gave an augu- ry of the servicer which the American governr .ent might expect from this new species of troops. On the 10th December, it was ascertained tliat the ene- my had collected a force of fifteen hundred regulars, and at least seven hundred Indians, and were proceeding on their march to fort George, to expel the Americans from the garrison and the shores. The remnant of an army, of which the garrison was at that lime composed, render- ed the post altogether untenable, and general M'Clure de- termined on destroying the town of Newark, and the bat- teries by which it was protected, and evacuating fort George, with a view to posting himself at fort Niagara. Accordingly, having first given the inhabitants full notice of his intentions, he put them into execution, and crossed nis force over to the American shore. Newark was left jn flames, and the guns of fort George were rendered use- less. Tho nKWCok A.«« :.._,i iJ: •_ ^. A-^ » . .. --. „„„„„ i^;ix,c3 aiiivcu wmy m uiiie lo nnu inem- selves without shelter, and were obliged to fall back to Hueenstown. From this place general M'CIure attempt- I: !f UU m. *i mM 186 cd to dislodge them, by the batteries at Lewistowu, but without effect. The British commander became highly incensed at the destruction of the town of Newark, and secretly resolved on the conflagration of Buffaloe, Schlosser, and Lewis- town, and the capture of fort Niagara ; the garrison of which they destined to be put to the sword. A surmiae of these intentions of the enemy, induced the American commander to transfer his head quarters to Buffaloe ; to which place he immediately set out, to provide for the protection of its ci- izens, and called forth the neigbouring militia en masse. Fort Niagara was at this time garrisoned by three hun- dred and twenty-four sick and effective men, and wag commanded by captain Leonard, of the artillery, who, notwithstanding the notorious fact of the enemy's being within two hour's march of the fort, neglected to provide against an assault, by night ; and on the evening of the 18th, jtook up his quarters at a farm, two miles distant from his command. At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 19th, the enemy, four hundred in number, crossed the Niagara, under colonel Murray, and approached the prin- cipal gate, which was then open. Accompanied by hi» Indian warriors, he rushed furiously in upon the garrison, and in a few minutes, put an end to all opposition. The only resistance which was made, he received from the guard in the southeast block house, and the sick who crawled. out from their beds. What officers were within the fort, exhausted every means of defence, of which the sudden- ness of the attack had not deprived them. On entering the garrison, colonel Murray received a wound in the arm ; soon after which he yielded the command to colo- nel Hamilton — ^under whose superintendence, the women of the garrison were stript of their clothing, and many of them killed, and the persons of the dead officers treated with shocking indignity. In the meantime captain Leo- nard arrived, and was made prisoner ; and out of the whole number of troops in the garrison, twenty only ef- fected their escape. The British flag was immediately after unfurled, and the enemy had the entire command of the entrance to the Niagara. In the course of the same morning, abou' seven hun- dred Indians made an attack upon LewistowV) wluch wa^ ^^pf r, crossed the 187 defended by a small detachment of militia, qnder major Bennett, who resisted the assailants, until he was entirely surrounded, and then desperately cut his way through with the loss of eight mei^and eflfected his retreat. This village, and those of Young's town, Manchester, sasd the Indian Tuscarora, were speedily reduced tc ashos.— Whilst the Indians were engaged in firing Lewistown, ma- jor Mallory boldly advanced from Schlosser, and attacked their outer guard at Lewistown heights, and compelled it to fall back to the foot of the mountain. The Indians were soon reinforced however, and the gallant Mallory was in turn obliged to retire. He retreated gradually to Tantawanty creek, occasionally turning upon, and fight- ing their advance guard, for two days ; at the end of which lime the Indians gave up the pursuit. In these affairs, major Mallory lost lieutenant Lowe, of the 23d infantry and eight men. ' General M'Clure having collected nearly three thou- sand mihtia at Buffaloe, left them under command of ge- neral Hall, and repaired himself to the village of Batavia about twenty-eight miles from Buffaloe, to provide hv its protection against a sally from fort Niagara. He had pre- Twusly sent lieutenant Riddle to that place, with all the regulars in the vicinity, amounting in the whole to eighty men, to secure the public arsenal. On his arrival at Ba- tavia, after having organized a body of militia there, he ordererfthe reguters back to Buffaloe, to encourage, by their example, the usaiscipHned troops of hi* division. On the 30th, the British landed six hundred and fifty ^,f *' J?!^*'^ ^®*^^» *n<^ immediately proceeded to the Tillage wfcciinea me propusai oi the egular officer, who, thereupon rode towards the village, to reconnoitre, He advanced within half a mile of its R2 .1 f. 188 suburbS} and seeing that with a handful of spirited men, he could himself save the place from destruction, he re- turned to general Hall, and entreated him to place two hundred meiM^nder his command, with whom he promi* sed at least to rescue the womCn and children, who would otherwise be sacrificed by the Indians, if not to drive out the enemy. General Hall was of opinion, that this plan was impracticable. Lieutenant Riddle, therefore, wa» prevented from attempting it. By the exertion of major Staunton and major Norton, each of whom belonged to the village, about two hundred men were collected, and expressed their willingness to combat the British and Iq* dians. These were advised, that it was in rain to attack their enemy, and this advice v/as sanctioned by the ge- neral. At length, having become quite indignant at th$ timidity of the militia, lieut. Riddle took upon himself the responsibility of going forward with his own men, and of rescuing as much public property as they could bear away^ He entered the upper part of the village, where he was informed by a citizen, that colonel Chapin, who had, long before the flight of the militia, been ordered to take post at Conejockeda creek, had surrendered the plact to the enemy, under the condition that they were to plun- der, but not to bum it. The Indians were at that moment firing the houses* Lieutenant Riddle, with thirty men, then took from the arsenal, which h^ not been (h' covered by the enemy, about three hundred stand of arms, and some other public property, and having made two Indian prisoners, returned to the position occujpied by general Hall. On the following day, January 1st, (1814) a small party of dragoons were ordered in advance of the whole mili- tia, which general Hall marched to the vicinity of the vil- lage, in order to make a show of force. Captain Stone, who commanded the advance, accompanied by lieutenant Riddle, lieutenant Totman, of the Canadian v0lunteers,and lieutenant Frazer, of the 15th regiment, infantry, made jfeeveral prisoners on the margin of the village, and having delivered them to the genera], the latter immediately or- dered his whole force to retire, and called in the advance for that purpose. Riddle and Totman, not knowing that the dragoons hatl fallen back, were left in the near neigu- bourhood of the enemy, and upon being discovered by a 180 squadron of the British horse, they immediately out spurs to their own, and attempted to escape toward the rendezvous of general Hall's brigade. They veiy soon outstripped their pursuers, and were congratulating them- selves upon their supposed escape, when another squad- ron of the enemy, were perceived coming out of the road kading from Black Rock, and directing their course foi Buffaloe, between which and that road. Riddle and Tot- man then were. Thus hemmed in on a narrow hijthwav with a superior enemy in front and in the rear, Uiey saw no probable prospect of escaping, and would have riven themselves up, but for the treatment which other pri- soners on the Niagara had recently received, and the practice, which had about this time comanenced, of mak- ing hostages. No alternaUve seemed to present itself, but that of cutting their way through the party in then- flint : and on this the^r mutually resolved. On their attempting to dash through, with violent impetuosity, the whole party discharged their pistols at them, one only of which took effec , and the unfortunate Totman fell from his horse. Riddle cut through with his sword, and having gamed their rear, pushed his horse through a narrow lane on the Ht, and rode into a thick swamp, terminated by a forest. Through this the enemy did not choose to follow him, and he arrived at the head quarters of the general on the same day, without having met with other obstacles. !n a few days after, the British evacuated all the posi- ions they had captured, except fort Niagara. This they put m a better state of defence, and from it they made frequent incursions, which were ever attended by acts of violence upon the neighbouring inhabitants The campaign of 1813, in the north, was now drawn ta ts final close; and though a high degree of fulgency was hrown around the American arms, no one advantage was obtained, to atone for the blood and treasure, which had a ready been exhausted. The capital of Upper Canada m been aken. It was scarcely captured, before it waa andoned. The bulwark of the pLmce, fort Geoi^e! natl been gallantly carried; but an inferior foe was sufifer- eu to escape, after being beaten, and the conquerors were soon alter confined to the works of the fl-arrison «n.i ^i^.^. irr?/^ upwards of six months. The long contem- plated attack upon Montreal, was frustrated; Kingston i pfp \v; 1^ .,( I' n ■^k 190 still remained, a safe and advantageous harbour, in the hands of the enemy ; and a fortress, which might have been long and obstinately, and effectually defended, was yielded, with scarcely a struggle, and under circumstan- ceb Tiysterioua in the extreme, to the retaliating invaders of the American Niagara frontier. In the course of the summer of 1813, the American army possessed every position between Lake Ontario and Lalte Erie, on both sides of the Niagara. In the winter of the same year, af- t^r having gradually lost their possessions on the British side of that stream, they were deprived of their posses- sions on their own. Another day may bring forward a de- velopement of the causes, which led to such unfavoura- ble results ; and posterity will be much better enabled to throw the censure on the proper officers, than those who are their cotemporaries. l< ! \ 111 m !1 a' CHAPTER XIU. TheNavy^Horntt challenges Bonne Citoyenne^U eha^ /^,V^ « ^^^'^r— Engages and captures the Sloop i ■ . ^f "coc^-^mw* at New Yark-^Relurn of the Fn^ateChesapeake^Her cruiae-^.Srrival and dsparture oj the President and Congress-^nealh qfCaptam Law- rence, and loss of the Chesapeake-^Conduct of the Pri- ^vateers^Capture of the British Sloop of War Boxer--^ Lieutenant St. Clair, in Chesapeake Bau^Fight be- tween^ the Commodore Decatur and the Sloop of War JiJOltn Hit CCtm THE United States' sloop of war Hornet, havinz chal- lenged to a combat, the British sloop of war Bonne Ci- toyenne captain Green, who declined an acceptance of Uie invitation, she was left before the port of St. Salva- dor, by commodore Bainbridge, with orders to blockade the enemy's vessel of war, containing upward* of half a miUion of dollars, and two armed British merchantmen, then lying m that harbour. This blockade was viffilantly kept up until the 24th January, 1813, on which day the Montague 74 hove in sight, and chased the Hornet into m harbour, whence, however, she escaped in the night, taptain Lawrence, who still commanded her, then shift- ed h^ cruising ground ; and after having captured a ves- sel of ten guns laden with specie, and having run down the coast for Maranham, thence off Surrinam, and thence or Demarara, outside of the bar of the river leading to which place, and with the fort bearing S. W. about two and an fia^t leagues distant from him, he discovered a man of b^Hn"^' "^^i'":!; ^% ™n»ediately attempted fo near, by a sernSr"-.^ ^J« C^^^bana bank. In m'aking this effort a second sail, of equal size to ih^ nth.. «,o« «i„^ a""' ^ereti, at about half past three, ?:M:At2J^i^^Z *>the strange sail, the British sloop of war PeacockX" 'f*.! !&■= I sj *• 'Hn 192 tain Peake, of 18 guns, and one 12 pounder carronade, a shifting gun, showed the English flag, and the Hornet was immediately cleared for action, and captain Lawrence made every attempt to get the weather gage. The Peacock was edging down fast. All the efforts of the Hornet to weather her, proved fruitless, and at 25 minutes past 5, the American ensign being then up, in passing each other, the two vessels exchanged broadsides, within half pistol shot. The effect of this fire on board the ene- my's vessel was extremely severe ; on board the Hornet no loss whatever was sustained. The Peacock, being then discovered in the act of wearing, captain Lawrence bore up, received her starboard broadside, run her close ©n board on the starboard quarter, and poured into her so heavy, constant, and well directed a fire, that in fifteen minutes she surrendered, with her hull and rigging totally cut to pieces. At the moment of her surrender, she hoist- ed a signal of distress, and in the next moment, her main- mast went by the board. Lieutenant Shubrick, whose gallantry on this occasion was not less conspicuous, than in the actions with the Guerriere and Java, in each of which he gave unequivocal proofs, Bi well of his humanity as of his bravery, was despatched to bring her o£Scers on board the Hornet. He soon returned with her first officer, and a report that the captain had been killed in the latter part of the action, that a great number of the crew were either killed or wounded, and that she was sinking fast> having already six feet water in her hold. Both vessels were brought to anchor, and all the boats immediately despatc!hed to bring off the wounded, and as much of their baggage as could be found. All the shot holes which could be got at, were then plugged, the guns thrown overboard, and every pos- sible exertion used to keep her afloat, by pumping and bailing, until the prisoners could be removed. All efforts appearing to be entirely unavailing, the body of captain Peake was enclosed in his own flag, and the ship sunk in five and an half fathom water, carrying down thirteen of her own, and three of the Hornet's crew. With the ut- most difficulty, acting lieutenant Conner and midshipman Cooper- who were superintending the removal of the pri- soners, effected their escape, by jumping into a boat which was lying on her booms, at the jBiomejit when the Peacock sunk. 19S The loss of the enemy amounted to thirty-three in woundecl, three of whom afterwards died. The number of killed could not be ascertained, but four men, besides the captam, were found dead on the Peacock's deck- and four men, in addition to the thirteen who sunk were drowned. The loss on board the Hornet, was one maa killed, two slightly wounded, in the acUon, and two se- rerely, by the bursting of a cartridge. Her hull was scarcely injured, though the rigging and sails were cut her foremast pierced through, and her bowsprit sliehtlv wounded. »- 6 v The officers and crew of the Hornet, were not behind those of any other ship, in emulating the example of cap- tain Hull and his brave companions : and the course and consequence of this engagement, bore a striking simili- tude to that with the Guerriere. Acting lieutenants Oon- ner and Newton, and midshipmen Cooper, Mayo, Get* Smoot, Tippet, Boerum, and Titus, behaved with that bravery, which had now become almost inseparable from the American name. Lieutenant Stewart, the first officer of the ship, was unfortunately too ill to keep the deck and captain Lawrence was therefore deprived of the ser- vices of a meritorious and valuable officer This engagement took place, in view of the ship of war which lay m Demarara river, theEspeigle; and captain Lawrence, being apprehensive that she would beat out to the assistance of her consort, the Peacock, the greatest activity prevailed on board the Hornet, to repair damages as soon 8G they were sustained, and by nine o'clock all «ie b; -^.^r« stowed, i ew sails tent, and the ship com- pe.e.> , for another action. The Esneiele of equal for. the Peacock, did not come out ^ ' taplain e,.ce'B crew had been on two-fhirds allow- nce of provisions for several days, and the number of sou. now on board amounting to two hundred and se- '^enty, including those of the merchant prize, it became necessary, that she should return to the United States ~ hhe shaped her course for New- York, where she arrived bout he 20th of March. On the passage, her offic^rs^ vided their clothing with the prisoners, uho had lost wL'i'^??? '. ^^'. ^'^^ «f "^*^ ^^'iP' g^^^'^' «P each a pro- r;...y« ui uicus, lo iHc crcw of the Peacock: and" thp Piivate wardrobe of the captain, whose attentions to Uie »' < n ff r 194 wants of those, whom the fortune of war had placed b his hands, and whose exertions to ameliorate their condi* Uon were uuceasiug, was given up to her officers. At New- York, captain Lawrence was received with univer- sal joy ; and his reception in other cities, was simiinr to that which had been given to other naval commanders. Many days had not elapsed, after the arrival of the Hornet at New- York, when the United States* frigate Chesapeake, captidn Evans, of 36 guns, returned to the harbour of Boston, from a cruise of one hundred and fifteen days. During that time, she had run down by the Madeira'a, Canaries, and Cape de Verds, and thence down on the equator, where she cruised six weeks. Hentc she proceeded down the coast of South America, and passed within tifteen leagues of Surrinam. On the 25th of February, the day after the conquest of the Peacock, she passed over the place, at which that vessel had besn gunk, and thence proceeded down by Barbadoes, Anti- gua, and most of the windward islands, thence on the coast of the United States, between Bermuda and the capes of Virginia, by the capes of the Delaware within 12 leagues, by New*York within 20, and thence by the east channel to Boston, where she terminated a cruise, oo the 10th of April, marked by the crpture of four va- luable merchantmen, the chase of a British sloop of war, and an escape from two line of battle ships. The command of this ship, was then given to captain Lawrence, (her late commander, captain Evans, having accepted the command of the New- York station) and di- rections were immediately given to repair, and re-equip her for another cruise. Commodore Rodgers had return- ed to that port also, from a cruise, in which, though he did not capture any armed ship of the enemy, he drew from the coast such of his public vessels as were destined to blockade the different ports, and saved to the mercantile interest of the country, many millions of dol- lars- The President and Congress, were at that time the only vessels of his squadron. To keep these in port, the British frigates Shannon and Tenedos, each being of the largest class, appeared off the entrance to the harbour of Boston, and sent in frequent reports of their size, strength, ajid armament. Early in the month of May, hovvcrer, commodore Rodgers, put to sea ; but the British frigates Ml avoided him by sailing from the coast. In (he course of that month, the Shannon returned to the mouth of the harbour, and her commander, commodore Brooke, sent m a challenge, to the commander of the frigate Chesa- peake. Ihis challenge was not received by captain Lawrence, but his ship being then in readiness, he under- stood the menacmg manoeuvres of the Shannon to be an inntation. and on the first of June, with a crew almost ia a state of mutiny, and unacquainted with their new cap- tain, and without his full complement of officers, his first lieutenant. Page, being sick on shore, he sailed out to meet, and give battle to the hosMIe ship. The Shannon sailed from the bay and put to sea, the Chesapeake, fol- lowing m chase, seven miles astern. At half past 4, the Shannon hove to, with her head to the southward and eastwai-d; and at half past 5, the Chesapeake hauled up her courses, and was closing fast with the enemy. At 15 minutes before 6, he commenced the action by firing his after guns on the starboard side, when the Cliesa- peake gave him a broadside ; this was succeeded by a broadside from the Shannon, which killed the sailing: master, Mr. White, and many of the crew, and wounded captain Lawrence ; he refused to quit the deck, however and ordered a second broadside, the return to which wounded the captain a second time, and kiljed the fourth heutenant, Ballard, and lieutenant Broom of the marines, the Chesapeake then ranged ahead of the Shannon, when her jib sheet, the slings of the fore top sail yard her spanker brails, and her bow lines and braces, being cut, she luffed into the wind and took aback, and fell with her quarter, foul of the Shannon's starboard anchor. This accident gave a decided advantage to the enemy, and en- abled h.m to rake the Chesapeake. Captain Lawrence was all this while on deck, still persisting in his refusal to go below, when, having called for the boarders, he re- ceived a musket ball through the body, and in a lan- guishing state was carried down. At this moment, the Ship was deprived of all her principal officers; the first ueutenant, Augustus C. Ludlow, had been mortally wounded; several of the midshipmen and petty officers. oesides the fourth lieutenant and the commandins offir^^ l«!?"??u' "^f '^ ^'^^^^ ^»"«^ <>'• wounded, and the com- mana of the ship devolved on her third Ueutenant, Budd. 8 , "I ^.:£m^- ^-' u ■ ' / I^'^^J^J^^^*' 4 1 K ^ ■< < 4 li 'V '[■ ''■ *' i '4 |H '-v.: ' 'ff' ( 196 The bravery and eeamanahip of this officer being already known to the crew, some hope remained r** saving the Bhip, and of <*.Rptur5ng the superior enemy. But, as lieu- tenant Budd asceiuled the spar deck, an arm chest on the quarter was blown up, by a hand grenade thrown from the Shannon's tops. The boarders very soon followed lieutenant Budd, but before they reached the deck, cap- tain Brooke had determined that the Chesapeake could only be carried by boareen performed by the enemy, captain fieorse Crown- jnsmeid, brother to the present secretary of the^navy, ac- wfttedby the laudable desire of restoring the body of the m M I, »"!TI » # " ,H< •1^ 198 lamented Lawrence to his country and his friends, re- quested, and obtained permission, of the president, to proceed in a flag vessel to Halifax, at his uidividual ex- pence, for that purpose. The commanding officer of the British squadron, at that time blockading the eastern ports, sir Thomas Hardy, readily assented to the free passage of captaip Crowninshield's brig, and he aceor* dingly proceeded to effect his object, accompanied by twelve masters of vessels, who volunteered to compoae the crew. The body was brought to the port of Salem, and entombed with the remains of its ancestors in New York, where the highest funeral honors were paid by the citisens, as a tribute, of their respect and admiration, to their late gallant countryman. The private armed vessels of the United States, the number of which had greatly encreased since the account is given of them in a foregoing chapter of these sketches, were still cruising over the Atlantic, continually captur- ing, and otherwise annoying the commerce of the enemy, and occasionally engaging some of his public ships, in such gallant ccmb&ts, as are entitled, and ought to be registered! among the accounts of the most brilliant naTal exploits. The Comety captain Boyle, of 1 ^ guns, and one hundred and twenty men, being off Pernambucco, on the 14th Ja- nuary, discovered four sail standing out of that place. This squadron consisted of three English merchantmen, the ship Qeorgty captain Wilson, of 14 guns, and the brigs Gamb&r, captain Smith, and Bowesy captain , of 10 guns each, who were bound to Europe, under the pro- tection of the fourth vessel, a Portuguese national ship of 32 guns and one hundred and sixty-five men. The latter having exhibited the colours of her nation, captain Boyle Btood for her, and received a communication of her character and object, accompanied by an injunction not to molest the merchantmen." Considering that the Por- tuguese had no right to afford protection to a British vessel, in the nature of a convoy, captain Boyle informed her commander of his determination to capture them if he possibly could, and immediately sailed in pursuit. A c thtiv honi clnee irnrathf^r ihf> Qomfft nnened her fire upon the three merchantmen, who returned it witli ala- crity. The man of war delivered a heavy fire of round 199 and grape, and received in turn a broadside. The Eng- lish occasionally separated from each other, to cive the Portuguese a chance of crippling the Comet whwe cap- tain, howcFer, kept as near as possible to the merchant- men. Frequent broadsides were discharged, as oppor-* unities varied, at the whole squadron, whose collected force amounted to 6* guns, and in a few minutes the fL «?f5!, u'^ «*'' *''''°"''' »" * «^°k«ng condition- Soon after, the brig ifcre* struck also; but a broadside from the man of war, prevented the Comet's boat from tekmg possession. Captain Boyle then repeated his at- tack upon the Portuguese, and obliged her to sheer off, I'^hpl^ f •''^''^^^'''*"'"*^"^"*«^^ fi^« >»«"' killed and Jier captain and several men, wounded. The third merchantman, the Gambkr, then also surrendered, and «ie bng^o^*;e* was immediately taken possession of.: Il^T^l ^^'^ *^^ ''^^'''^ "•j"''^^' ^^^^ *^aptain Boyle deemed it improper to board them, and determined to fey to, until morning, it being by this time excessively dark Between the Portuguese and the Comet, several broadsides were exchanged in the course of the night without any material etfect. On the following morning! he man of war gave signal to the other ships to make the first port, and stood off herself with that view. The Comet brought her prize into the United States, making her way through a squadron which was blockading the southern ports. Before she arrived, however,^ she captured the Jlexis, and Dominica packet, each if lO guns, and the Merdeen of 8, in the presence of a British th^^ivateer '^'''' "^"^ *"' *^^ ^^'"'' ^'""^ "* ^"" ''^^''^ ^^" On the 1st of February; the schooner Hazard, captain .h „ m-'"*' V.F''' '"*^ thirty-eight men, captured the nilf r'/ *^ S""^""^ ^'*^^» "»«»' being one of a> vth/.t'.^Tf; ?" ?" ^^^' '^^ ^«« rf-captureS fmm NT p ^«^^«^^«' «f « g"n« ^nd thirty-eight men, feZlTh ^'•^:;*^«"««- J'^'-^^ *%« after, the Hazard' ^1 10 with both engaged, and after an action of several, ^•mites, compelled both to strike, but took possession w the prize only and carried her into St. Marys. The wirJTn T** "^'^ '""'uninjured, and most of her orew «the k.ied or wounded. On board the Hazard, the "ffsi lieutenant and six men were slightly wounded^ but' S 2 * if [i I K*'"* ' !•- ,1 2oa the hull and rigging were severely shattered by the grape from the two vessels. The private armed schooner General Armstrong, cap- tain Champlin, of 1 8 guns, being within five leagues of the mouth of Surrinam river, on the 11th of March, dia- covered a large sail to be at anchor under the land. The crew of (he General Armstrong supposed her to bean Eng- lish letter of marque, and, consequently, capt. Champlin bore down, wiith an intention of giving her a starboard and larboard broadside, and then to board her. The stran- ger, in the mean time, had got sail on her, and was stand- ing out for the American. Both vessels, thus approach- ing each other, had come within gun shot, (the English- man firing the guns on his main deck) when the General Armstrong discharged both the contemplated broadsides, and discovered too late that her antagonist was a heavj frigate. She nevertheless kept up her fire, though at- tempting to get away, but in ten minutes she was sileiiced by the enemy. The last shot of the General Armstrong, brought dowii the enemy's colours, by cutting away her mizen gaff, haulyards, and her mizen and main stay ; and captain Champlin, presuming that she had struck, made preparations to possess her ; but the frigate opened ano- ther heavy fire upon the schooner, killed six, and wound- ed the captain and sixteen of her men; shot away the fore and main shrouds, pierced the main mast and bow- sprit, and struck her several times between wind and water. ' In this condition she laid upwards of 45 minutes, within pistol shot of the frigate; but, by tiie extraordinary exertiots of the crew, and the aid of sweeps, she got out of the enemy's reach, and arrived at Charleston on the 4th of April. On the 3d of that month, tlie privateer Dolphin, of 10 guns, still commanded by captain Staflford, who had ea- gaged and captured two of the enemy's vessels, mounting ^^ guns, was attacked at the mouth of the Rappahan- nock river, by seventeen barges from a British squadron. The barges carried upwards of forty men each ; the Dol- phin was manned by sixty. Two letters of marque, lay- ing there also, soon yielded, but cnptain Stafford resolved hie rru. 4nrA hours, when the enemy succeeded in boarding. The Dolphin's crew fought with great desperation on her deckj 201 and the engagement was kept up many minutes longer before the vessel was captured. The enemy took down her colours, and lost, in killed and wounded, nearly fifty men. On board the Dolphin, four men were wounded. In the course of the summer, the United States' sloop of war, the Enterprize, lieutenant commandant Burrows, of 16 guns, met, engaged and captured, after a severe and' obstinate fight, the British sloop of war Boxer, captain BIythe, of 18 guns, and brought her into port. The cap. (ains of both vessels were killed in the engagement! Lieutenant commandant Burrows, expired at the mo- ment the enemy's vessel struck her colours, and she was then taken possession of by lieutenant M'Call * At a harbour near Gwinn's Island, lieutenant St. Clair of the navy, who had previously distinguished himself as an able seaman, in the sloop of war Argus, anchored a small schooner, mounting two or three guns, and filled with armed men, to repel the depredations which the enemy were, about that time, committing along the shores of the Chesapeake. He encountered a schooner who hailed and crdered him to come on board with his boat which being refused, an engagement followed, and termi- nated in silencing the strange vessel. She, however renewed it, a second and a third tune, and was as often silenced. The right was excessively dark, and when lieutenant St. Olair sent his boat to take possession, he discovered that she had made her escape, leaving him with one man wotmded on board the schooner. This succej^sion of sea engagements was closed by a brilliant attack, made by a privateer upon a large sloop of war. The schooner Commodore Decatur, of 10 guns, commanded by captain Dominique, engaged the iloop of war Dominica, lieutenant commandant Barret •f 14. guns, and, after well contested action, carried her by boardhig, and brought her into the United States. No event, probably, in the navaJ annals, furnishes evi- dence of a more brilliant and decisive victory, gained by a vessel so inferior in size, strength and armament, to her antagonist Tin • A chapter. .'. f CHAPTER XIV. Blockade of the Delaware River ^ and of Chesapeake Bay-^ Attack upon Lewbtami, on tfie former — Affair below Lewistown-y-Rcpulse of' the enemy near Morris River—- The gun boats attack two frigates — Engagement on the Delamare — Depredations in Chesapeake Bay — Frequent fti^ures of the enemy to land — Affair at Frenchtown— DeMr action of Havre de Grace — Atid of Georgetown ani Fredericktown — Blockade of other ports — Loss of the Revenue Cutter ^ Surveyor — Action between the Gun Boats and three Frigates — Defence of Crany Island^ Hampton assaulted, and pltmdered, THE declaration of war against Great Britain, was no sooner made known at tiiat court, than its ministers de- termined on sending into their provinces of Canada, the. veteran regiments of their army ; and adopted effectual measures to forward to the coast of the American states, a naval force competent to blockade its principal bays and rivers. Incens-d at the successes of the American naval arms, over the frigates and sloops of war of their nation, they hastened the departure of their different fleets ; and, in retaliation for the invasion of their proviii* ces by the American troops, instructed their commanders to burn and otherwise to destroy, not only tlie coasting mnd river craft, but the towns and villages on the navi- gable inlets ; and more particularly in the southern de- partment of the union. Early in iho spring of 1813, de- tachments of these fleets arrived at the mouth of the Delaware, and at the entrance to the Chesapeake bay. Others wf^re ti rf'nd< Kvaus at Bermuda, and thence to proceed to the reinforcement of the blockading squad- rons. 203 In i^e m nth of March, the Poictiers, 74, commodore Beresford; the frigate Belvidere, and several smalter vessels of war, entered the bay of Delaware, and des- troyed great numbers of small trading vessels. In the course of that month, they were repeatedly repulsed ia their attempts to capture others which lay near the shore, by the militia of Delaware ; and several instances oc- curred of sharp fighting, which 'tended to improve the diBeipline of the volunteers of that state. A demand was made upon the people of Lewistown, for a supply of provisions for the blockading squadron, which being spiritedly refused, on the 6th of April sir John P. Beresford directed captain Byron, to move &s near the town, with the Belvidere, as the waters would permit him, and, havinej first notified its inhabitants, to bombard it until his demands were complied with. On the night of the 6th, the bombardment accordingly took place J the enemy's gun boats approached near enough to throw their 32 pound balls into the town, but their bombs fell far short of their object. Colonel Davis, who commanded at that time, had already removed the wo- men and children, and returned the enemy's fire from an 18 pounder battery, with which, in a few minutes, he effectaally silenced one of the gun boats. The cannon- ade continued nearly twenty hours ; at the end of which time, the enemy drew off his vessels and descended the bay, having discharged upwards of 600 shot, shells and Congreve rockets. The shells did not reach the town; the rockets passed over it ; but the 32 pounders injured several of the houses. On the lOlh of May, the same squadron proceeded from their anchorage to a place seven miles distant from Lewistown, and sent out their barges to procure water from the shore. Colonel Davis immediately despatched major George Hunter with one hundred and fifty men, to oppose their landing, which the major did with much ^llantry, and compelled them to return to their shipping. The Poictiers and the Belvidere, then sailed out of the hay for Bermuda; and the militia took up the buoys, which had previously been set in the river by the enemy. The Spartan frigate, having entered the Delaware soon after the departure of this squadron, attempted, on the ll- m '}h 81^ 31st of the same month, to land about sixty of her men near Morris's River, on the Jersey side, with a view to obtain provisions. A small party of the mihtia of that state, however, hastily collected »nd drove them off, be- fore they had an opportunity of visiting the farmers' houses. In the month of June, the frigate Statira and the sloop of war Martin, reinforced the enemy, anrl had captured many large merchant vessels bound ur tiie Delaware. The whole trade between "^dpes and Philadelphia, and many of the intermedit. .ices, was liable to be intercepted ; and, unless they were protected by a con- Toy, the small vessels usually employetl on the river, did not attempt to sail. On the 23d, a squadron of nine gun Ifoats and two armed sloops, under lieutenant command- ant Angus of the navyi convoyed three sloops laden with timber for a 44, then building at Philadelphia, under the eye ,of the enemy. The gun boats engaged the two fri- gates, whilst the sloops effected their passage, and the Statira and Spartan moved from their anchorage to a si- tuation out of reach of annoyance. A merchant sloop, having entered the bay ort the 32(1 of July, on her return from sea, was cut off by the Martin sloop of war, which had just re-appeari^d in the Dela- ware. The sloop ran aground to avoid capture ; and al- though she was afterwards attacked by a tender and fonr barges well manned and armed, a hasty collection of mi- litia with one field piece, under lieutenant Townsend, drove off her assailants, and saved the sloop. A detachment of the gun boat fl< ilia, being at this time but a few miles off, were ai)prii5ed f the attack made by the sloop of war, and captain Angus immediately pro- ceeded down the bay, with eight gun boats and two block i&loops. On the 29th, he discovered the Martin, ground- ed slightly on the outer ridge of Crow's shoals, and de- tiermining to attack her in that situation, he anchored his squadron within thr«e quarters of a mile of the enemy, and opened a fire from the whole line* The Junon fri- gate came up to the assistance of the sloop of war, and anchored within half a mile below her. Between both of he enemy's vessels, mounting in all 69 guns, and the gun boat squadron, a cannonade followed, and continued «bout one hour and forty-five minutes; in all whiph lime, scaNjely a shot struck either of the gun boats, whilst at almost every fire, (he latter told upon the hulls of the sloop and frigfite. This difference of effect in the firing being discovered by the British, they manned their launches, barges and cutters, ten in number, and des- patched them to cut off the boats on the extremity of thehne. No. 121, a boat commanded by sailing master Shead, which, by some accident, had fallen a very great distance out of the line, and was prevented from reco- vering its situation by a strong ebb, and the wind dyine away, became the object of attack from the enemy's terges. Eight of them, mounting among them three 12 pound carronades, anj carrying one hundred and fifty men, assailed the gun boat at one time. Mi . Shead con- tuiued, nevertheless, to sweep her toward the squadron, and to discharge his 24 pounder, alternately, at one or the other of the pursuing barges, until they gained so fast upon him, that he resolved to anchor his boat and receive them, as warmly as the disparity of numbers would per- mit hini. He then gave them a discharge of his great gun, with much effect, though to the injuiy of the piece which being fired a second time, and the carriage breaking down. It became necessary to oppose the enemy, who were closing fast, by the boarders. With these, Mr. bhead resisted them, until his deck was covered with men, and the vessel entirely surrounded by the barges Such was the impetuous fury of the English sailors, that he Americans were driven below, and the authority of the enemy's officers could scarcely protect them from violence. The flag was struck, and the boat carried off m triumph to the men of war. In this assault, the Brl- tish lost seven killed and twelve wounded. On board the boat, seven men were wounded, but none kilM. Ihe squadron was all this time firing at the enemy's ^ups, who retired after capturing Mr. S:3ead, the Martin fiaving been extricated from her situation on the shoal. Un board the flotilla not a man was injured, and but one 01 the boats' rigging cut ; this was No. 125, commandei^ By sailing master Moli( . The engagement continued fieariy two hours, and was the last affair, of any conse quence, which occurred in the Delaware durino- this vpm. m, and along the shores of, the Bay of Ghesapeakc , Wiere the hlockadmg squadron consisted offour74'«,, i.,.. Xt'ti In n^f I •^#; i, 206 several frigates and Targe eloops of war, and a number of tenders and barges kept for the purpose of navigating the smallest inlets, depredations of every kind, and to a very extensive degree, were carried On with unremitted avidity. The various farms, bounded by the different creeks and river?, tributary to the bay, became the scenes of indiscriminate and unjustifiable plunder. The stocks of many of them were completely destroyed ; the slaves of the plantere allured from their service, armed against their masters' defenceless families, and encouraged to the commission of every kind of pillage. Along a coast of such an extent, it was almost impossible to station troops to resist every incursion, or to draw out, and transfer from one point to another with sufficient celerity, even the neighbouring militia. But many instances oc- curred, notwithstanding, in which the invaders were op- posed, and sometimes severely repulsed, by a handful of militia, collected without authority, and frequently with- out a leader. On the shores of the Rappahannock, one of two divisions of the enemy was beaten and routed with loss, by a small party of Virginia militia. In the neighbourhood of Easton, (Maryland) they took posses- sion of several islands. Prom Sharp's, Tilghman's, and Poplar Island, they obtained provisions for the fleet, and attempted many incursions to the opposite shores, their success in which was prevented by b/>dies of cavalry and infantry, which the spirited citizens of Maryland had arranged, at different rendezvous, along the shores of the bay, in anticipation of a visit from the blockading fleet The commanding officer of the fleet, sir John B. Warren, was at this time in Bermuda, making preparations for its augmentation ; and the vessels then in the bay, were commanded by rear admiral George Cockburn About the latter part of April, this officer determined on attack- ing and destroying the towns most contiguous to the head of the bay ; and for this purpose, on the 29th, he led a few hundred of his marines, in the barges of his ship, the Marlborough, to the attack of Prenchtown, a place con- taining about six houses, two store-houses, and several stables ; and important, only because of beirig a place of intermediate depot, between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Apartyofmilitia, from Elkton, too inferior io ihe iuvs- ders to justify aa attempt at resistance, retired on thetf 207 approach, and at' niral Cockbum landed his mapinesaud destroyed the stol-ehouses, in which were deposited & quantity of goods belonging to merchants of those cities of immense value, and a splendid architectural drop curtain and other paintings, belonging to the Philadelphia and Baltimore theatres. The marines being no professed ad- rnirers of the arts, these were destroyed without much hesitation. The private houses were saved by the inter- ference of some reipectable cftizens; and after plunder- ing the others, and setting fire to two vessels laying in the harbour, the British returned to their shipping. The town of Havre de Grace, situated on the west side of the Susquehanna, about two miles from the head of the bay, and through which the great post road passes, was the next object m the plan of the admiral's operations On the morning of the 3d of May, he proceeded to its as- sault with nineteen barges ; and, when within a short dis- tance ol the town, commenced a tremendous bombard- ment, accompanied by the firing of cannon and the dis- charge of numerous rockets. In expectation of an at- tack from the enemy, the people of Havre de Grace had made preparations for the defence of the place • and a battery had been erected, of two 6 pounders and one 9 At the time of the assault, the inhabitants were in tlieii- beds; and there being no sentinels, the first notice thev had of the approach of the enemy, was from the discharce of one of his pieces. The battery had been assigned as a place of rendezvous, in the event of an attack • but such was the surprize which the presence of the enemv excited, and so incessant his discharges of shells and rockets, that five or six men only, were fearless enough y^^^Z *? J'u'" *'''^*stwork, and resist the approaches of the British barges. This small party kept up a fire torn the battery, until the enemy's advance commenced Its debarkation; when all, except O'Neill, an old citizen 01 Havre de Grace, abandoned their posts, and foJIowins he militia, who had fled with shameful precipitation! left the women and children of the place, to the mercv of the invaders. O'Neill continued, with great difficulty to discharge one of the 6 pounders, until, in recoilin«- it ran over his thierh. nnt^ rpnHf>ppd him inounuUi^ ^ee..^'. resistance, in that way. But, collecting all his strength ««aimed himseu with two muskets, and retreating fmrn ?El! »t- 208 the batlery to the rear of the town, vainly endeavoured lu retard the fliglit of the militia. In the mean time, the whole body of the enemy had landed, and were actively engaged in destroying the houses. They set fircto those which had not been injured by their shells, broke the fur- niture, and cut open the bedding of the citizens *.o aug- ment the flames ; destroyed the public stages, maimed the horses, cut to pieces the private baggage of the pas- sengers, tore the clothing of some of tlie inhabitants from their backs, and left to others thdse only which they wore. Women and children, flying, in every direction, to avoid a relentless foe, and to seek protection from their own countrymen, were insulted by the morose seamen and marines ; and the only house which yet remained entirely uninjured, was sought by one and all, as an as- sylum. In this, which was a spacious and elegant pri- vate mansion, several ladies of the first distinction had taken refuge, and among them the wife of commodore Rodgers. An officer, who had just before made prisontr of O'Neill, was entreated to suffer this house, at least, to escape the general conflagration; but, as he was obeying the orders of aamiral Cockburn, the most he could do, wa« to suspend his purpose, until those unprotected wo- men could prevail upon the admiral to countermand them. The only act, partaking of the least degree of liui.^8r.lty, which the admiral could boast of on this oc- -^a^ion, was, his compliance with these earnest entreaties. Waving spread desolation through the whole town, and destroyed the doors and windows of a handsome church contiguous to it, the admiral divided his party into three sections, one of which remained in the town to give notice of the approach of danger ; the second proceeded on the road leading toward Baltimore, pl'n- dering the houses and farms between Havre de Grace and Patterso.'s Mills, and robbing private travellers on the high wa: , of their money and apparel ; and the tiiird, went six miles up the river, to a place called Cresswelb Ferry, whence, after committing many acta of outrage, they returned, to concentrate their force at the place of landing. Here the admiral ordered them tore-embark; and, having crossed the Susquehanna, the whole squadron, of his barges, made round the point which ks formed at us entrance, and shaped their course three miles further 'jp nileavourcd lu 209 Ihe bay, where the party rc-IanUc«l, repaired to those im- porlan and valuable works, CfBcil furnace, where Ty upwards of fifty, pieces of elegant canno'n, the only ogitunate object of destruction which the invaS had ye met with These they spiked, stuffed the muT off the trunnions. Not content, however, with demo- slung them and destroying other implements of wir, (hey battered down the furnace, which was private pro! perty ; set fire to the stables belongincto it and asthp astact of atrocity, with which this'expedit on Irdt t.ne( to be marked, they tore up a small bridge con- etruc ed over a deep, though narrow creek, aSd over whicli, travellers of every debcription were obliged to i»as8 or venture through a wilier channel at the immi- uent hazard of their lives. Having attained all the objects of this enierp.ize, the fh«l''"''i' ^"l'"^""^' returned to their shipp^igla t^^Z'i^f' ^'f t' ^*^' "^^y '""^^^ f''«»» the neighbour hood of Havre de Grace, to the great joy of its dislressed and rumed inhabitants. O'NeilLwhohad dai^d to r^ it th«mm he early stage of their proceedings, was token onboard the blockading fleet, and detainetf there severa" ays. Such of the inhabitants, who were not left en- irely destitute, were deprived of those articles of pro- perty which could relieve others; and, it became neces^ sary to apply lor assistance to the principal, and most ulent town of Maryland. The citizens of Baltimore re leved the sufTcrers, and preparations were soon aftar made to rebuild the houses. In the relation of such scenes, as those which occurred at Havre de Grace, it seldom happens that an account is be given of the killed and wounded in an acta I„ 1S1'^''1'^"''^ '^^'''!' ""'^^ '"^^^ by ^'Nei» and his ompamons, Iiowevei-^ the enemy had three men kided • idbvtir^'l''-. ^^ ihe i«J»«bitants, one man was. ^»m by the explosion of a rocket. awSnt* h"^' the immense booty which he had brought 17J1T ^^^"'1 ^^ ^''*^^' ^-"^^ fi»^'ng his sailors and ma- S! ?fu^^^*^^^* *^? ¥^^'^y' ^»»»ch the prospect of an at- inrfV" ""',"' ^•quauj' uefciiceiess towns held out, of enrich- au It ,Z!f u' *\^ 'T ^^™'^«^' ^contemplated an early as- «u|3on9uchasheshDuldtliscovertpcontainthemo£.tva- * H * - 210 luablc spoil. The Ireadiery of »oine citizens of the re- public, and the emy Intorcourso whUli h« kept up wiih his nppointftl agents, such h8 are oiriployed by officers on all f^tutions, enabled him tu dificover tlio situation of IhoMo towns and vHlages along the hay shore, with as much rendioei>s, as ho could he wafted by liitt ships from one point of aHHault to another. On the river Sagsnfra», emptying itaelf into the bay, at a short Hailing dibtance from the admiral's anchorage, aiui separating the coun- tieH of Kent and Crocil, stood, nearly opposite each otlier, the villages of (Georgetown and Fredericktowii containing, either of them, about twenty houses.- These had attractetl the attention of admiral Cockburn, and he determined on the possession of the property of the inhabitants. On the 6th, he tlierefore entored that liver, with eighteen barges, each carrying one great giin, and manned altogether by six humlred men. Frederick- town, was his firet object. At this place, one small cannon had been mounted, and about eighty militia collected, uii' der colonel Veazy, on the approach of the b.irgea. The Ul^ tcr commenced a heavy fire, and, having discharged an immense number of langrage-rockcts, grape shot, and musket balls, within a very few minutes, more than one half of th« militia fled. Thirty-five only, under the colo^ nel, stood thjeir ground, and worked the cannon with such skill, that the boats, whose fire was principally dl rccted at the battery, suffered very severely. The in- vaders were gallantly resisted more than half an hour, when they effected a landing, and, marching towards the town, compelled tlie militia to retire. Cojonel Veazy effected his retreat, in excellent order. Admiral Cock burn tlien marched at tlie head of his men, to the village; where, after having plundered tlie houses of their most Taluable moveables, he set fiVe to every building in the town. The entreaties of the distressed women and chil- dren availed not with the admiral ; and, he would not quit the place, until he had entirely deprived them of every re- fuge. Whilst the flames were raging in every i)art of Frederick, the admiral moved over Sassafrns river, to Georgetown, and demolished all the stone, and burned the wooden buildings. The wretched inhabitants of the op- posite towns, were left to console each other, anu "js enemy's* squadron of barges, glutted with fresh spoil retired to their shipping. more than one 21 r 8..cccMMii«g ihiH nir«ir, wen- fi,.voraJ ropulncs of miall partiOH of fho nuuny f,.<,i„ ,1.. .hor-H of hv bay Mam « trn„,U were n.jMle to l«rul «t (ho dHTerent ?ami« a 1 ihv lar^o m'WH frrqiu-nlly asHailetl the plonteThou« m About this („„o, (00, admiral Wnrr/n ihhu -li a .rnrin mnUon from Bermuila, 4^ i:j; their more immediate objects; and, preparations were made, at the latter, to man all the works which had been previously constructed. At Norfolk, the militia foree very soon consisted of ten thousand men. At fitemiptott, a force of not more than four hundred and fifty, had yet been oi^anized. On the 18th, three of the frigates entered Hampton Roads, and despatched several barges to destroy the small vessels coming down James* River. Two or three gun boats being in the vicinity of that river, obliged the bargee to retire, and communicated to the naval commander of the station, conmiodore Cassin, intelligence of the ap- proaclkof the frigates. The flotilla of gun boats in Eli- su^th River, on which Norfolk is situated, was then com- manded by lieutenant commandant Tarbell. The fii- gate Constellation, was moored at the navy yard opposite Norfolk, Mid it was determined by commodore Cassin, to man fifteen of the gun boats, from the crew of the Con> stellation, and to despatch them ageunst that frigate of tihe enemy, which was reported to be three miles ahead of the others. On the 19tt, captain Tarbell proceeded with his boats, in two divisions ; lieutenant Gardner hav- ing command of the first, and lieutenant R. Henly, of the second. Tke prevalence of adverse winds, prevented his coming yUhin reach of the enemy, until 4 P. M. of the 20th, at which hour he stationed his divisions, and commenced a rapid fire, at the distance of three quarters of a mile. The frigate opened on the boats, and the can- nonade continued half an hour, to the great injury of the frigate, (the Junon) when the other frigates were enabled, by a fresh breeze, to get under weigh, to the assistance of their companion. Captain Tarbell was then obliged to haul off to a greater distance, still, however, keeping up ti well directed and incessant fire, upon the enemy's whole squadron. The first frigate was, by this time, so much injured, that her fire was only occasionally delivered; and, between the others and the gun boats, the cannonade was prolonged one hour longer ; in which time, several heavy broadsides were discharged at the flotilla. Cap- tain Tarbell then withdrew from th^ engagement, with the loss of one killed, Mr. Allison, a master's mate, and a1.__. ^*. J.1. _ 1 x_ _l'„l-ji .__ • » mt _ »_i^ - supposed to have suflGered severely. The frigate, first .r'-H 213 ehgaged, wfts so much shattered, that the Teasels whic'it came to her assistance, were obUged to employ all their hands to repair her. Inthia affair, the Americana bad 15 guns; the British, 150 and upwards. Captain Tarbcll's conduct, as well as lieutenants Gardner, Hetrfr, and others received the fullest approbation of the surroundunr garri- sons, and of the citizens of Norfolk, The firing, during this action, being distinctly heard by Oieenemy's fleet m the bay, and fears being entwtainei by the adnjiMi, about the safety of the three frigates, tWiw teen sail of the Ime of battle ships and frigates; were oi^ J^onS^P^f *®^,*°^*™P^° ^<>«d^ In «»« course of the 20tb, they dropped to the mouth of James* River where th^y learned the cause of the recent cannonade! and determined on forthwith reducing the forts and Karri- sons, on which the defence of Norfolk depended. An immense number of barges, were apparenUy preparina for an attack on Crany Island, the nearest obstruction to the enemy s advances. Captain Tarbell directed lieutenants Neale, Shubrick, and Saunders, each of the Constellation, to land one hundred seamen on that island, to man a bat- tery on Its N. W. side, and disposed the gun boats so as 1^7 ^^ « •??: ^'"""^ *^^ ***^^- A* *he dawn of the 22d, the British approached the island, with their barges, round the point of Nansemond Krer, to the number of about four thousand men, many of whom r%^'v'^^* ^T*" ^'""^ *« ^^"^^ ""^de prisoners by the English, and occasionally received into their se^ vice. The place at which they had chosen to land, was out of the reach of the gun boats, and when they ted approached within a few hundred yards of the shore, the gallant lieutenant Neale, assisted by Shubrick and Saunders opened a galling fire from his battoiy, Til ^^P^"^^ **»« ^nemy to make a momentary pausel Ihe battery, was manned altogether by one hundred and my men, includmg lieutenant Breckenridge and his ma- s' uu '^ Pownder which was stationed at it, was- < ..?^i. u"^J* precision, that many of the barges were tut through the middle, and would inevitably have carried flown the crew, but for the immediate assistance rendered *y the others of the squadron. Every attemnt to an- SJ" me shore, having heretofore failed, and the ad- Sh *'*>5*' the Centipede, upwards of fifty feet in ««noin, and filled with men, hem^ pierced in so many f4 te t H, 11 H Iri 2U places, that she sunk as soon as she was abandoned, the enemy, whose seamen were falling in every barge,' determined on returmng to his shipping with as little de- lay as possible. But, even in his retreltt, he suffered se- verely from the small battery. Wliilst this gallant resistance was made ^c his ap> proaches from the water, by the naval division on the island, the enemy's troops, Who had landed on the maio shore, and crossed a narrow inlet to the west side, were warmly engaged with the Virginia volunteers. Previ- ously to the movement of the barges, upwards of eight hundred soldiers had been landed by the enemy at the place abovementioned, and were already crossing the inlet, which, at low water, is passable by infantry. Colo- nel Beatty, who commanded the military division on the island, made instant and judicious preparations to receive the enemy. Under major Faulkner, of the artillery, two 24 pounders and four 6 pounders, had been drawn iipto resist them. One division of this battery was command- ed by captain Emmerson ; and two others, by lieutenants Howl and Godwin. Tho enemy's troops had not all landed, when this cannon was opened upon them with great address ; and, those which had not crossed the gulph, were compelled to retreat, by the velocity and precision of the fire. Those which had already gained the island, fell back to its rear, and threw several rockets from a house which stood there; but they were very soob dislodged by one of the gun boats, in which a 24 pounder v/as brought to bear upon the house, and with great diffi- culty escaped from the island; when, joining the troops who had been previously repulsed,, they were all conducted back to the British fleet. When that division of the eneinr, which was composed of his seamen and marines, bad been foiled in its attempt to land, lieutenant Neale gave directions iff his intrepid sailors, to haul up the boats which had been sunk, and to assist the British sailors and marines, who were making, for safety, to the shore. The Centipede was accordingly drawn up, and a small brass 3 pounder, a number of sunall arms, a«d a quantity of pistols and cutlasses, taken out of her. Twenty -two of her men, came on the island with her, and surrendered themsehcF, flQ HAQ^t*roifa Tn ^liici- «irai«ivi anri or^iwiin/l c«iarr*niVATVto'nf IM. which three thousand British soldierS; sailors and ma- lt j ■| {• ■' 6 4 ailors and ma- 215 lines, were opposed to four hundred and eighty Virfiinia mill tia, and one hundred and fifty sailors and marines ; the loss on the side of the invaders, in killed, wounded, and drowned, was upwards of two hundred, exclusive of forty deserters; on the side of the invaded, not a man was either killed or wounded. By the gallant services of the defenders of this island, the safety of the town of Norfolk was, for a time at least, se- cured; and to the intrepid bravery and indefatigable exeri boos of heut. Neale, and his companions, Shubrick, Saun- dere, and^Breckenridge ; of lieutenant colonel Beatty, and his officers, major Faulkner, captain Emmerson, and heutenants Howl and Godwin ; and two non-commis- sioned volunteers, sergeant Young^ and corporal Moffit, and the vahant men, who assisted in the defence of the island, the gratitude of the citizens of Norfolk, and the surroundidfT town^, Portsmouth, Gosport, and others, has been frequently mWfested. ' Immediately after this repulse of the British, a con- ference was held between admirals Warren and Cock- burn and sir Sidney Beckwith; the result of which was, a determina lion to avenge the loss they had sustained and to facilitate the success of their next attempt, by cutting off the communication between the upper pa -t of Virginia and the borough of Norfolk. This comrnuni- cation, they supposed to be entirely commanded by the small garrison at Hampton, an inconsiderable town, eigh- teen miles distant from Norfolk, and separated from it by Hampton Roads. Their troops, exasperated at the fail- ure of the recent expedition against Crany Island, were we J disposed to retaliate the consequences of a repulse ; and their commanders, availing themselves of the intem- perate spirit, which was manifested throughout the fleet, resolved on forwarding an expedition against this weak position, with the least possible delay. All things being reacy, upon their part, they proceeded on the 25th, three J^iys alter the late engagement, with upwards of two nousand men, in a large squadron of their principal barges. Of these, the 102d regiment, two companies of tanaUian chasseurs, and three companies of marines, ihe remainder of the troops, consisted of royal ma- rine battalions, under lieutenant colonel Williams; the ■■M ■ iw.J;'' M i'l '■ft ,^^L I whole commanded by sir Sidney. A number of launches and rocket boats, filled with sailors, and covered by the sloop of war Mohawk, captain Pechell, were com- manded by admiral Cockburn, and directed to take a station before the town, to throw in the rockets, and keep up a constant cannonade, whilst the troops under sir Sidney, should land at a distance of several miles be- low the town, and gain the rear of the undisciplined Ame- rican militia. The plan of operations being thus ar- ranged, the movement was commenced, at the dawn of day ; and, with this irresistible force and equipment, the enemy proceeded to assault a garrison, of 349 infaa- try and rifle, 62 artillerymen, with four 12'8 and three 6's, and 27 '•avalry ; making in all, a force of 438 men. On ( approach of that division of the enemy, which was to attack from the water, major Crutchfield, the com- mandant at Hampton, immediately formed his troops, on Littlje England Plantation, which was divided from the town by a narrow creek, over which a slight bridge had been previously constructed. The enemy's barges ^vere approaching this creek, and keeping up a fire of round shot, until they gained Blackbeard Point, when the four 12 pounders were opened upon them, with so much ef- fect, that admiral Cockburn thought it advisable to draw back and shelter himself behind the point. Thence he continued to throw his rockets, and 12'3 and 18*s, nearly an hour, without doing the smallest injury to the encamp- ment; his shot either falling short of his object, or going over it. Meantime sir Sidney had landed, and was coming do\vn the great road, on tlie rear of the Americans, when major Crutchfield being apprized of his march, had despatched a rifle company, under captain Servant, to conceal them- selves in a wood, near which the invaders would be obliged to pass. Captain Servant executed his orders with the utmost precision, and annoyed the advancing British column, with great severity. But, his force was too inefficient, to sustain a contest of any length of time; and major Crutchfield, seeing that the barges would not approach until they knew of the arrival of sir Sidney Wifhin fhp r.flmn t\re>ar nut fho infanfnvr Fnnit^a tn 41ia ai/l of the riflemen, and to prevent the enemy's cutting off his retreat. As this portion of the Americans were 217 mrchiiig in column near a defile, which led to Celev'a Road, they were fired upon by the enemy's muakeSs from a thick wood at 200 yards distance. MaTo" Cnit^^^^^^ field inimediately wheeled his column into iLe «„h Djarched towards the thicket to return"he fire ^d ^t the enemy. He had not advanced fifty yari?beforeZ British delivered him a fire from two 6 poimdirs accom panied by an unexpected discharge of rockets BeZ aow apprized of the danger of preceding Si L S tion against ordnance, with so small a foScV, he wheeT^ jgam into column, and attempted to g Jn a p^sa!^ through the defile, in the woods at the extremitv of S*^k ^ „,?Hil -^ • *" *«P'»y«?"'' ?"'''■' •»"• "-o-whil'w:" nearei the head of tlie column, led on bymaior Cmfa-h field and major Corbin, wheeled with grea^Smenl too RUe captains, Shield and Herndon, kept up Uie action the wirhTf 'P","' """' " "«' ^«««<»' necessar^ for leftS. ''^ '" "'"'''"'• ^'^P'"" P-yor. who had been 'eilinthe encampment with the «rt,ii.A, i ..•_".. unmiT M ^''f'Y ' ^^'^^^' ••«^'s'«** their approaches until the sailors had landed in front of the town, and ^e r i British troops were in his rear. They had already ad- Tanced within sixty yards of his battery; his corps were ready to yield themselves up as prisoners of war, and the poyal marines were preparing to take them. They saw no possibility of escaping, until their gallant commander gave an order to spike the guns, and break through the enemy's rear. Intrepid as himself, they executed his commands ; and, pressing furiously through the British marines, whom they threw into a temporary derange- ment, found their further escape obstructed, by the creeii. Captain Pryor, still determined on retiring beyond the enemy's reach, threw himself into the creek, and com- manding his men to follow, with their carbines, effected the retreat of his corps in good order, and without an indi- vidual loss. Such was the disparity of force, when the barge crews, and the troops of the enemy, had effected a union, that the retreat of the whole American detach- ment, became indispensible, and major Crutchfield gave an order to that effect. The British general pursued the retreating column about two miles, without effecting any purpose, though the latter frequently halted, formed be- hind fences, and delivered a smart fire. The American ^38, in this action, amounted to seven killed, twelve wounded, eleven missing, and one prisoner total, 31. The British loss, by the acknowledgement of many of their officers, amounted to ninety killed, and one hundred and twenty wounded — total, 210. Among these, were one colonel and one captain of marines, killed; and three lieutenants, wounded. Admiral Wa^ ren's official letter, however, allows but five killed, thirty- three wounded, and ten missing — total, 48. If the account of the affair at Haihpton, could be closed, by no further reference than to the gallantry of captains Ashly, Cary, Miller, and Brown, of the militia; captain Goodall, of the United States' artillery, and lien- tenants Anderson, Armistead, and Jones, who were all conspicuously engaged in it ; a painful recital would have been spared, of occurrences disgraceful to the arms of the enemy, unjustified by the principles of civilized war- fare, and unparalleled, even by the enormities committed on the north-western frontier. The troops under sir Sid- ney, and the sailors under admiral Cockburn, no sooner found themselves in possession of the town of HainptoH» in Iban they indulged in a system of pillage; aot less indis- cnmiiiate than that which, had attended the visit of most of the same men, to Havre de Grace. To these acts of cruelty and oppression upon the unresisting and innocent inhabitants, they added others of the most atrocious and lawless nature, the occurrence of which, hao been proved by the solemn affirmation of the most respectable pcoplfs of thai country. Age, innocence, nor sex, could protect the inhabitants, whose inability to escape obliged them to throw themselves upon the mercy of the conquerors. The persons of the women were indiscriminately violated. The brutal desires of an abandoned and profligate soldiery, were gratified, within the view of those who alone pos- sessed the power and authority to restrain them; and, inany of the unfortunate females, who had extricated themselves from one party, were pursued, overtaken, and possessed by another. Wives were torn from the sides of their wounded husbands; mothers and daughters Btripped of their clothing in the presence of each other • and, those who had fled to the river side, and as a last rciige had plunged into the water, with their infant children m their arms, were driven again, at the point of the bayonet, upon the shore, where, neither their own en- treaties and exertions, nor the cries of their offsprine could restrain the remorseless cruelty of the insatiable enemy, who paraded the victim of his lust through the public streets of the town. An old man, whose infirmi- ties had drawn him to the very brink of the grave was murdered in the arms of his wife, almost as infirm as himself, and her remonstrance was followed by the dis- charge of a pistol into her breast. The wounded miUtia who had crawled from the field of battle to the miUtary hospital, were treated with no kind of tenderness, even by the enemy's officers, and the common wants of na- ture were rigorously denied to them. To these tran- scendant enormities, were added the wanton and profli- gate destrucUon not only of the medical stores, but of the physicians drug-rooms and laboratories; from which only, those who had been wounded in battle, and those upon whose persons these outrages had been committed could obtain that assistance, without which, ihe^ m., J inevitabiy sutter the severest privations. tJ il sto iff '^J. 'ifl , Tiro daysftoH nigMs, were thus coneumed by the Bri- tish soldiers, sAilors and marines; and, their separate commanders, were all that time quartered in the only house, the furniture and Interior decorations of which escaped dedtruction. On the morning of the 27th, at sunrise, apprehtensions being entertained of an attack fVom tlie neighbouring militia, whom, it was reasonably conjectured, the recital of these transactions would rouse into immediate action, the British forces were ordered to embark ; and, in the course of that morn- ing, they departed firom the devoted town, which will immemorially testify to the unprovoked and unrelenting cruelty of tlie British troops. They had previously carried off the ordnance which had been employed in the defence of the town, as trophies of (heir vic- tory 5 but, when they determined on withdrawing from tiie place, they moved away with such precipitation, that eeveiral hundred weight of provisions, a quantity of mus kets and ammuniUon, and some of their men were left behind, and captured on the following day by captain Cooper's cavalry. Having abandoned their intentions of proceeding to another attempt on the defences of No^ folk, the whole fleet stood down to a position at New- Point-Comfort, where they proposed watering, previously lo Iheir departure from the bay, on an expedition against IL town in one of the eastern states. (Such was the agitation of the public mind throughout iV^irginia, which succeeded the circulation of the ac- count of the assault on Hampton, that representations were made to general Robert R. Taylor, the com- zaandant of the district, of the necessity of learning ^m the commanders of the British fleet and army, whether the outrages which had been committed, would be avowed, or the perpetrators punished.— That able oft>-er, immediately despatched liis aid to ad- admiral Warren with a cartel for the exchange of prison- ers, and a protest against the proceedings of the Bri- ^sh troops, in which he stated, that " the world would suppose those acts to have been approved, if not ex- cited, which should be passed over with impunity f* that he " thought it no less due to his own personal ho- nour, than to that of his country, to repress and punisii every excess ;" that "it wo^d depend on b'TJ, (Warren) tl 221 whether the evils inseparable fromBatate of war, should, in future operaUons, be tempered by the mildness of ci- vilized life, or uni ler the admiral's authority, be aggravated by all the fiend-like passions which could be instilled into them. To this protest, admiral Warren replied, that he would refer it to sir Sidney Beckwith, to whose discretion he Bubmitted the necessity of an answer. Sir Sidney^ not only freely avowed, but justified, the commission of the excesses complained of; and induced the Ame- rjcan commander to believt tlie report of deserters, that a promise had been made to the fleet of indi* Tidual bounty, of the phinder of the tow». m4 cUf fterizHssitn to commit the same acts, if tbey Micee« boarders, when one of the British marines, stcpt up and «hot him through the head. He expired instnntiy, and, the next officer, Mr. M*Clintock, seeing what would be the probable fate of the whole crew, ordered his men to eave themselves by flight. Those, who had not previ- ously been wounded, reached the shore, in safety ; and the enemy having set fire to the schooner, retiirned to the eqnadron, though not before they had been fired upon by a collection of militia, who retook the vessel, and extin- guished the flames. The Poictiers 74, still commanded by sir John P. Be- resford, had been stationed for several weeks at Sandy Hook, for the purpose of blockading the harbour of New York. Numbers of small vessels, had been daily cap- tured by her; and, one of them, the sloop Eagle, was converted into a tender to the line of battle ship, manned with two officers and eleven marines, and equipped with a 32 brass howitzer. She was constantly employed in the pursuit and capture of the coasters, and had already committed various depredations. Commodore Jacob Lewis, who commanded a flotilla of thirty sail of gun boats, determined on protecting the fishing boats and river craft, by the capture of this tender. He, accordingly, hired a fishing smack, called the Yankee, and placing about thirty men on board, under one of his sailing mas- ters, (Percival) and, supplying him with several articles of live stock, gave him instructions to proceed from the hook, in the direction of the banks, with his armed men concealed in the cabin and fore peak. The sloop Eagle, upon discovering her at the hook, immediately gave chace ; and, on seeing the live stock, ordered the man at the helm, Mr. Percival, who (with two men only on deck,) was dressed in the apparel of a fisherman, to steer for tfie 74, then laying at a distance of five miles. The fishing smack had her helm immediately put up, for that apparent purpose ; and, being by this means brought along side, and within three yards, of the Eagle, her commander gave the signal, " Laivrencey" and her men rushed up, with such rapidity, and discharged so brisk and unexpected a fire, that the crew of the Eagle, became panic struck, and many of them ran below. Her com- mander, sailing master Morris, and one marine, were tl5 killed; and, midshipman Price, and another, mortalltr wounded. Percival's men were prepared for a "e^Jj discharge when a sailor on the enemy's deck wm seen creeping to the howitzer with a liehtcd mateh Ztl the crew of the Yankee, levelled hifl' kTt L'nd shTt hira in the breast, and, in a second after, the flag of the Eagle came down. The sloop and the prisoners were then taken into the hook, and delivered to the comm^! dore who proceeded with them to New York Xm Morris, and Price, (who died immediately after^ndT- jng,) were buried by the naval and military authoriUes Mr. Percval was promoted to the new sloop of war Pea cock and the brass howitzer was transferred to Sie quar- ter deck of the commodore's flag boat. ^ In consequence of commodore Decatur's havinir nr- ceeded v,ith the frigates United States anS IvLceSL*^^^^^ and the sloop of war Hornet, through the sound, to ge to sea from the eastward, and of his having been driven with his squadron, into New London, by a superior de' tachment of the enemy's ships, that port was rigorouslv blockaded, by the Ramilies 74, two frigates, and severS smaller vessels, under commodore sir Thomas M. Hardy Every effort to get to sea, under the auspices of dafk nights and favourable winds, having proved unavailing. nnrTn?T"^ '^ the enemy's being continually ap- w„f h. V f aT^""' "^ *^^ American commodore; he was blockaded for many months, without a prospect ot escaping, either by the ordinary channel, orbyCound Between detached parties from each squidron^ several a^ fairs of minor importance took place, during the block- ade; and, in one of them, midshipman TenEyke of the United States' frigate, made prisoners of two ifeutenante two warrant officers, and tive seamen, in I ZlToi Gardner's Island. Incursions into the neighbouring ho^^h'^T ?«*»"«»*' f«>"^ the British forles; but^ though extensive numbers of shipping were orts ; and, the cupidity of the sailors and marines, frequently led to the sequestration of private property. At tlie towns of Wareham and Scituate, thejr burnjd all the vessels at tlieir moorinp; and, at the for- mer, which they approached under a flag of truce, they set 2ft9 considerable loss, by the militia of the neigbboSd About the month of July, the blocfcaSln* .« 5' under sir Thomas Hard,, re^ceived ^.I^^Sof s H^^^^^^^ and talce possession, in his Britannic majes y"s namp nf Moose Island, near the mouth of Kobbeskook fil^ ' ^ posite to the province of New Brunswkk L^"^!%T western side of Passamaquoddr Bav ThJ« ^ ^^? judged, by the British miSsXbel&r^"^' Jjaiy of their ^ssessions in North AmeriL^ a^d "^Z the capture of Moose Island, their forces wprT hjL * i to occupy all the towns and inlands SiSit n"* fee 1 1th of that month, sir Thomas proLe^td ^^^^^ S^ Ramihes, 74, one 60 gun ship, three slooprof wa" f^ ^ee transports, containing between fiftee^n hunS !^d t,o thousand troops, with an intention of sumSt^hf town of Eastport, coirtaining about one thouZd ri-H- tents, and situated upon Moose Island A^Sittt force, no kind of opposition could be made, ^ aU«H gamson containing but fifty-nine men, rort/J^Maf whom only, were effectives; and, majir Sam ,i/ commander, did not attempt to molest the Ironnf' ,^ ad already landed. Formal possesifo^n' tsTerU'^" of the whole island ; the officers in the earrisoi, n«r^i ^' the privates conveyed to the sq«adron^?he forr^S -^ u' then mounted but six small calnorenS^^Mr^^^ and the battery extended to sixty pieces • and « n , ' mation issued by sir Thomas HardyS^utenan^ ^T^% Andrew Pilkington, in which, theyV4!^ed a,l tS ^S to have been surrendered, by the capture TEalort' allowed seven days residence to such inh»ht!!f ' should refuse to s/ear allegiance to Ws B "til ^a^^^^ 1' ;H appointed a day, on which they wer^to aS" We for that purpose. About two-thirds of th^ ITT submitted to these terms, under an Jxptta Sontf S . ^g their privileges ; but, in the month of August the nrn * S.«^^«^ Brunswick, in council, orde't' tte fiir^'u!"* ."* ''^'^'^^^ *^'*"*'*' 8*»ouid not b entitlp'd"f« ah"of IV^.*^'^'* "?'^ l^'^j^^*^' notwitkstand^g'hdr oath of allegiMice ; but, that tliey should be treatid as I 'II! ■!^') I ^f -I" 230 conquered people, and placed under the controul of llie S^ry authority. Eastport was, f on after well fo^^^^^ td ; and remained in possession of the British, ^^^l the eonclusion of the war; before which period, however S garrison was frequently weakened, by ^es^.^ions of large bodies of their troops ; the officers were often com- peUed to perform the duties of sentinels; and, he diffi- SuWes of subsisting the army and^the people, daily en- creasino-, by the extreme scarcity of provisions. Havrng thus secured the possession of Moos^ Island, and provided for itsdefence against a^y attempt to rec^^^^ H by the Americans, sir ITiomas sailed to his old station before New London. On the 9th of August, he made signal for the Pa^tolm frigate, 44, the Terrour bomb ship, and the Despalch brig of 20 guns, to weigh anchor, and'sdl with the tou^ieJ, to the attack of the town of Stonington, which the commodore had been ordered to rVduce to ashes. The appearance of this fcrmidabe force, before a town, which possessed but weak and in- adeqiate means of defence, excited an alarm among t inhabitants, which the message of coniraodore Ha.dy, to Xe off the unoffending people of the place, was u^ Takulated to subdue, lut, having complied with terms of the commodore's note, and disposed of the women and children, they repaired to a sma^l battery, which had been erected a few weeks before, and in which were mounted two 18 pounders and one 6.- Those, who had been drilled as arUllerists vve« stationed at these pieces ; the flag was ^^'l^d /« .^^^fj' and, a small breast work, which had been has dy Uiiown up, was lined with musquetry. Thus arranged, the hand- ful of militia belonging to Stonington, aw^^^^d the ^^ proach of the enemy, with painful anx.et3^Expl^^^^^^^ were forwarded to gen. Cushing, of the United Stetes 8^ my, commanding at New London, forasupply of menan ammunition ; and, to the neighbouring ^l^^tricts for a hasty levy of militia. At 8, in the evening, five barges, and a large launch, fi:ied with men, and armed with 9 pounder ctrronades. approached tiie shore, under cover o ^^^hi^SI^in;:: iintiTthe^^^ w^re^^ short grape distance, opened their two 18 pounders upon, 331 ud compeUed them to retire, ont of reach of A. h... The enemy then sttemoted to I.mi 1/T^ oHne battery, (own. at aVint whirthey°u„p°o,ed to h»^^ "f ?* teocelees. This being diMoveiSirf i»^i. ^.* "°" ***• ruts, the 6 pounder ^toStel/t«n"''"? ."""*• lide of the town, and th« h»r^ ' transported to that Filed to ret^ ^^'?Se^to^V/r''•''"''"•'»■ de(ermination to rene/the ?Z.,!f '.J^hippuig, wilh, fte dawn of the folCin* mo'rS.^ ""^X^r'^'' "^ .evertheless, continued ultuSight '»'»'""<'"»'. tatlerv Th! »M/>a/cft being within pistol shot of the »e4f.ol'^tron the1as,''^dr„1.?'f"*'' "• "'"^^^ nonade was Jient u^ hitw. .1 * *""° ' "''"»' « «»"- m.l the gun C i^'whS. ? "if i*. P""""" ''«««'y from her Lhora». she h^. *"■'".""■ *''P'"™n between wind and water «„H "m?" '*''^''^ "l""* Md repair; the baTglt^j '"rftu^^df . If " ■!" "■'"'* ""• (he fire vessels drifted o^T/of rllh of h^\»«'''''''^- "l" new anchorage, and continued to bomblrd thJt7j "If"* Jg that and the following day. On the im 7' ''"'■• tore Hardy, relinquishing any firthe! aUeSnT"' He town to ashpo in.! i.t„- , ;*"'|t to reduce «killed°and .Upwards of If,'*"^ !""' "'^'yo-e Wadron to wei Jri /J^ ""r'^i ""'^'^^ h« »ent haS l^e:L p Xelcd^:',!*^"'"''"'^ -""^ '""»•'»«'■ "Pivards of sixJ tonnrml?., r!f ''''*'*'''^ ^V^' anJ. "ore, not a man of/h^ Jr,^ """* .''?*"" ""■""''' "P"" the kerof wo,.„d"d did not ptlf 7"? ''"''■^ «»"'"'« """•- fc«t.i«ani HouV vh„ T „ ""• '^"""S ""em. was fcrtenant I ,«,r„; '.?' "•" "^ '""'»'' Handal, and W'l'i^loi&pl'r'^'i^r"'"'^"''^''' ""y """> activity I.Wned, ;. ,he tir'lr ?jf ."llf-r'^; ^toniugton con- M'ousps- fn^iw r.f *u '" '"' f^^-J^K, aoout one tiHiirJrpd W- IK 232 N6t content with posseeaing Moose Island, and other islands of the bay, the British claimed, as a colony, all . that part of the district of Maine, lying to the west of, and between, Penobscot River and Passamaquo^ddy Bay; and, instructions were also forwarded to sir John C. Sher- forooke, the governor of Nova Scotia, and rear admiral Griffcth, commanding the tiaval forces within that pro- Vince, to take possession of all that territory. These commanders entered the Penobscot River, on the hf of September; appeared before Castine, from which the M garrison fled, after blowing up the fort, and which the British immediately occupied. A proclamation was then issued, by the governor and the admiral, in which they claimed, as the territory of H. B. M. that part of the pro- vince of Maine, east of the Penobscot, in which there wpre more than forty villages, and upwards of thirty thousand inhabitants. After possessing Castine, many of these villages were gradually occupied ; and, ordinances w*re estJiblished, for the civil and military government of the people. Castine, also, remained in the hands of the «nemy, until the conclusion of hostilities. The United States* frigate Adams, captain Morris, had arrived in the Penobscot, from a successful cruise, a few ^ days before the occupation of Castine; and, having run upon tlie rocks near that port, was obliged to be hove down, at Hampden, thirty-five miles up the river, to have her damages repaired. On the 3d of September, the British sloop Sylph of 22, the Peruvian of !8, and one transport and ten barges, ascended the river, manned, in all, with about one thousand men, from Castine, under command of commodore Barric, with a determination to capture the frigate. Captain Morris erected several bat- teries, on eminences, near his vessel; supplied the militia, who were without arms, with* the ship's muskets, and made €very preparation to repulse the enemy. Notwith- standing these judicious arrangements, and the readiness of the ship's crew to resist the enemy's attempts, the militia could not be brought to oppose an inferior num- s ber of British regulars; and, flying precipitately from the ground, left no other alternative to captri o Morris, than io surrender his crew, or to destroy the Aflxais, and retreat to Banffov. 'jr Kennebeck. Undei the direction of lieute- nant Wsnis^. orth, of the ship, the s.d^vrr and marines re- land, and other as a colony, all to the west of, maquoijddyBay; ir John C. Sher* ind rear admiral within that pro* rrltory. These er, on the let of from which the , and which the mation was then I, in which they t part of the pro* in which there wards of thirty /astine, many of and, ordinances y goveriiment of he hands of the tain Morris, had rul cruise, a few and, having run iged to be hove lie river, to hare September, the of 18, and one irer, manned, in Castine, under determination to jted several bat- plied the militia, 3 muskets, and emy. Notwith- nd the readiness s attempts, the n inferior num- )itately from the I Morris, than to tills, and retreat 'ection of lieute- and marines re- 233 tjr^d in good order, over a bridge wliich crossed a deep creek j but, captam Morris and a few men, who remained to set fire to the vessel, having succeeded in blowing hw up, was cut oflT from this retreat, and compelled to plunge into the river, and effect his escape by swimming. Dis- appointed in the object of their expedition, the British re- turned to Castme, and conducted an incursive waifare against the towns in the vicinity of that port. ^j* I " 'it i-i m IJ f4m\ ! > i'lg her position. She continued her fire on th«> •Jwb.i? (d quarter of the Argus, until half past 6 ; wh*5U litaienant Watson returned to the deck, and made i>reparations to board the enemy. The shattered condition of the brig, rendered that effort imiiossible; and the Pelican took a position on her stern, and gave her a rakmg tire for eight mintitRtt, n^ -^n she passed up, and, placing herself on the starboard bow, continued a rakiiig fire there until 47 minutes i)a8t 6. AH this while, ths commander of the Argus was endeavouring, without ef- feet, to bring her guns to bear; and, having nothing but musquetry to oppose to the galling and effective fire of the enemy, he determined on surrendering the brig. A measure, which, in consequence of the loss of several officers and many of the men ; of the shattered state of Oie hull and rigg'rag ; and of the impossibility, under these disadvantages, of getting otherwise out of the combat, he would have been warranted in adopting much sooner. At tlie moment her flag came down, the P^iican was pressing to board her ; and, being close alongside, imme- diately took possession. Her loss amounted to six killed, and seventeen wounded ; five of the latter, died soon after the engagement- The loss of the Pelican, wm three men killed, and live only wounded. Captain Allen, submitted to an amputation of his leg; hutj every means of restoration to his health, proved ineffectual ; and, on the 18th, three days after the action, he expired in Mill Prison hospital, whence he and mid- shipmen Delphy (who had both his legs shot from his body, at the same instant,) and Edwards, were buried, with the usual honours of war. Several United States* sloops of war were, about this period, upon the stocks; and, it being necessary, that their building and equipment should be superintended by experienced naval officers, commanders were ass'igned to ti.em, previously to their being launched into i heir des- tined element. To restore to the American naval hst, the name of a vessel, which hau oci" i^apiuref superior force, after tiie moment of victory over another . ?i . 257 f e«8d, one of these was ordered to be ca. ed the Waip and the command given to lieutenant commandant BlHkely, at that «me of Oie gun brig ^he Enterpriee. By this transfer, the command of the latter vessel de- wlved on lieutenant commandant Burrows, to whom in- structions had been given, for a cruise from Portsmoutht On the lat of September, he sailed from that plact*,' steered to the eastward, ami, on the 3d, discovered and chased a schooner into Portland, vhere he Rained intel- ligence of several privateers being off Manhagan, and immediately stood for that place.* The British gun brig the Boxer, of 14 guns and nearly one hundred men, had been fitted up at 8t. Johns, (New- Brunswick) for th." purpose of a combat with the Enter- pnze, mounting the same number of guns, and very nearly the same number of men. To the crew of the Boxer, however, a detachment was added from the Ratler, upon her arrival on the United States' coast On the morning of the 6th, the Enterprise, in the bay near Penguin Point, discovered the Boxer getting under weifffa and gave chace to her. The Boxer fired several guns' gtood for the Enterpriae, and hoisted four ensigns. Cap- tain Burrows, having ascertained her character, stood out of the bay to obtain sea room ; and, followed by the Boxer, he hauled upon a wind until 8 P. M. At that hour, he shortened sail, and, m twenty minutes, the ac- tion commenced, witliin half pistol shot. At the first broadBide, captain BIythe was killed by a cannon shot ftrough his body ; and, in & moment afterwards, captain Burrows tell by a musket ball. The command of the two vessel?, during the whole engagement, was. there- fore, maintained by the lieutenanU. Captain Burrows refused to quit the deck, and, at 4 P. BT. received the sword of captain BIythe, from the han(i of lieute-iant M'Cail; expressed lis satisfaction at the manner of his death, and expiree, about eight hours afterwards. The colours of the Boxer had been nailed to the mast, and * The EnterpHze is the same vessel which, in 1801, was a schooner, in the Mediterranean, commanded by lieutenant I Jterret. Under that officer, she engaged and captured, in 1 August ot thai year, durinjr the Trioolitan war. the shin of »«? ^ripot,, of 14 guns and eighty-five men. In this engagement, sne lost not a single man; whilst her antagonist, bad fifty of ler crew kdled and wounded. ' T ; t ! y > , r f .. ('!-•• sas 4^J ■' li 1 I 11 her firat officer was, therefore, obliged to hail lieutenant M'Call, to inform him of her surrender, before it waa known that she was vanquished. She was immediately taken possession of, and carried into Portlanih^ surprise and mortification of the pri- Moers on board, no disposition was manifested lo attack fte President, though her character was known, and she fired a gun to windward, to aignify her wftlingness to l^t since there was no apparent possifoilityof escaplnr* The tide having changed, commodore Rodgers proceed^ to New York; and, captain Lloyd, after rc-urning to England, accounted for his conduct, by alledging a mu- tiny m hie ship, and had several of his sailors tried and executed upon that charger In the succeeding month of April, the ConsHtution ngate, commanded by captain Charles Stewart, was alsd retarmng from a cruise commenced on the Ist Januarr Un her arrival on the coast, she was pursued by two Bri- tish frigates and a brig, and chased into Marblehead. ber w^r1,« «,?^,»n«hip of her commander, enabled I S^f' ?ffi**"Jty, to escape ; and, she reached Salem, I ^^"'O"* jnjury During her cruise, she captured the Bri- . '8H public schooner Pidou; and, fell in with the frigate Jj«i^9«e captain Maitland, who fled on the approach of sL ?'^*"*''*°- ^^ ^ff«»^ ^«s left untried by captein I Stewart, to ovfirtak** and i*""« i^— *- „^*:^- M .„_ n*P«a in the mght, after a long chace; and, captain If/.! I ■''. 1^ Maitland^ on bis arrival in England, was complimented by flie admiralty, for his strict observance of bis instructions, IE flying from an American frigate. Repeated opportunities were, about this time, given to the enemy's squadron off Sandy Hook, to engage the gun boat flotilla. A schooner had been driven ashore ; and, numbers of barges, well manned and armed, were des- patched to take possession of her; but, commodore Lfcwis, ordered a detachment of his Skdlors to land and protect her. With a small field piece, and their small arms, they beat off the enemy, launched the schooner, and carried her to her destined port, New York. A month afterwards, the Belvidere chased the brig Regent, laden with an immensely valuable cargo, close into the Hook ; when the commodore, whose station was con- stantly at that point, immediately gave signal for a de- techraentof his flotilla to follow him ; aid, placing him- B^lf, with eleven sail, between the frigate and the chace, prevented her capture ; and, fired upwards of fifty shot at the frigate, which stood ofif, without returning the fire. In a preceding chapter of this work, «n m»» ». . . . . . ■= » sr ':.',, I< a: lu ue ucui 10 iii^ ■A !»' 246 I rl sheet anchor, and the anchor to be cut from the bowB to bring her head round : this succeeded. We again got our broadside to bear; and, aB the enemy was much crippled, and unable to hold his own, I have no doubt he would soon have drifted out of gun shot, before he dis- covered we had anchored, had not the Hawser unfor lunately parted. My ship had taken fire several times tUiring the action, but alarmingly so forward and aft at this moment, tiie flames were bursting up each hatchway, and no hopos were entertained of saving her ; our dis- tance from the shore did not exceed three quarters of a mile, and I hoped many of my brave crew would be able to save themselves, should the ship blow up, as I was in- formed the fire was near the magazine, and, the explosion of a large quantity of powder below, served to increase 'Aiv horrors of our situation. Our boats were destroyed by the enemy's shot ; I, therefore, directed those who «:oUl(l swim, to jump overboard, and endeavour to gain ihe shore Some reached it; some were taken by the enemy, and some perished in the attempt; but most pre- ferred sharing with me the fate of the ship. We, who remained, now turned our attention wholly to extinguisn ihe flames ; and, when we had succeeded, went again to our guns, where the firing was kept up for some minutes; but the crew had, by this time, become so weakened, that they all declared to me the impossibility of making further rcsis^tancc, and entreated me to surrender my ship, to save the wounded, as all further attempt at opposition must prove ineifectual, almost every gun being disabled, by the destruction of their crews." Captain Porter then summoned his oflicers of divisions to a consultation, but, to his surprize, his summons was attended by one only remaining officer, acting lieutenant M'Knight, who made the same report concerning the condition of the guns. Lieutenant Wilmer had been knocked overboard by a splinter, and was drowned ; act- ing lieutenant Cowell had lost a leg, of which loss he af- terwards died ; Mr. Barnewell, thi acting master, had been twice severely wounded ; acting lieutenant Oden- heimer, had been knocked overboard about the same time, and did not regain the ship until she had surren- dered ; many of the wounded were killed, v»hile in the hands of the surgeons ; the cockpit, the steerage, the ■Al wardroom, and the birth-deck, could contain no more ; and, 8uch was the quantity of shot holes in the bottom of the Essex, that, unless she was very soon repaired, the cn^iienter reported, she must inevitably sink. The smoothness of the water, and the impossibility of reaching llie enemy, with the carronades, enabled him to fire with Ihe most deliberate aim at the Essex ; and, seeing nc hope of saving his little frigate, captain Porter, at 20 mi- nutes past 6 P. M. gave orders to strike the colours. At this moment, seventy-five men only, including offi- cers, were all that remained of the crew, tit for duty ; and, several of these severely wounded. The Essex had now yielded to the superior force of the enemy, who, nevertheless, still fired, and continued to do so, ten mi- nutes after her surrender. Many of the crew were, in this time, killed : an opposite gun had been fired, to show that she intended no further resistance, yet commodore Hill- yar still assailed her, and four men fell at the side oih^v commander .—Conceiving, from this conduct, that the enemy intended to shew no quarter,, captain Porter de- termined to die with his flag flying, and was on the point of re-hoisting it, when the firing ceased. In addition to the otficers already mentioned, captain Porter speaks of Messrs. Johnson and Bostwick, acting officers ; of midshipmen Isaacs, Farragut and Ogden ; md of acting midshipmen, Terry, Lyman and Duzenbury', Having behaved with much bravery, enterprize and skill. Such was the condition of both, the Phoebe and ihe Essex, that it was with extreme ditficultv fhey could be kept afloat until they anchored in Valp'araiso. All t'^e masts and yards of the two British vessels were crippled and their hulls cut up. The Phoebe had eighteen 12 pound shot below her water line, though the Essex never reached the enemy, but with her six 12 pounders. AH me vessels were obliged to be repaired, to double Cape Horn ; and at Rio de Janeiro, they put in, to fit up and re- paii", to enable them to reach England. In an engagement, of two hours and twenty minutes' «nvahon, between one ship of 46 guns, six only of which could be used, and two vessels of 81 guns, the loss on the iwsnor side roust necessarily have been excessively se- ^efe. On board the Essex, fifty-eight men were kiUed: ^4 '■>-■■ r.,kf m I i:i\ i (' . . ' I. I TO" J «Ki4dl i ; * " - ^M i,; ' ; M f : ■■; tajh Ita ^..M...^.. 248 thirty-nine severely, and twcnly-six sligliiiy, wounded, and thirty-one missing ; making a total loss of one hun- dred and fifty-four. On board the Phflobe and Cherub, the loss was not small. The fiijst lieutenant of the for- mer was killed, and captain Tucker, of the latter, severely wounded. Commodore Hillyar made arrangements with captain Porter, in consideration of his conduct to the crew of the Alert; by which, the Essex Junior was to be dismantled of her armament, and given up to the prisoners, who were to proceed in her to the United States. Accordingly, on Ihe 27th of April, captain Porter and his crew left Valpa- raiso in that ship, which, under lieutenant Downes, was furnished with a passport, to secure her admission into any of the ' 'ockadcd ports of the United States. On the 5th July, fell in with the Saturn razee, captain Masli, who sufift. . the Essex Junior to proceed, after an ex- aiiiination of her papers. Two hours after, being on the same tack with the Saturn, she was again brought too, the papers re-examined, and the hold overhauled, by the boat's crew and an officer. Captain Porter was informed that commodore Hillyar had no authority to make any arrangement, by which this ship should be given up, and that she must therefore be detained. Captain Porter imme- diately ordered out a boat, manned it with a sufficien* ?rew, and pulled off from the Essex Junior. The Saturn did not discover him until he was out of gun shot, when she chased the boat, without success ; and captain Porter landed at Long Island, upwards of thirty miles from the place at which he left the Essex, and immediately pro- ceeded to New York, where he arrived, after an absence from his country of nineteen months, and to which port m was followed, a few days after, by the Essex Junior. The United States' sloop of war Peacock, captain L. Warrington, of 20 guns, and 160 men, was launched in the month of October, 1813, performed a crusie during that winter, escaped the pursuit of the enemy into the St Marys, put to sea again, and on the 29th of April disco- vered the British brig of war Epervier, captain Wales, of 18 guns, and 128 men, having under convoy an English brig, and a Russian, and a Spanish ship, all of whom made sail on the approach of the Peacock. An engagem.eiit fol- 249 lowed soon after between the two vessels of war, and at me fir«t broadside from the Epervier, the foreyard of thfe Peacock wa8 otally disabled by twi round shot i„ he starboard quarter. By this circumstance she was ("enri- vjd of the use of her fore and fore top sails^L capta n Warrmgton was compelled to keep his ship larg7throS out the action, which continued 42 minutes. In this t"me she received many shot through her sails and viJZZt several top-mast and top-gallant back-stays, and1 ad two men wounded. Her hull not at all injured ami non^nf he crew killed. The Epervier struck wTt'fi^^^frwa er in her hold, her main top-mast over the side,hermlb tenng, her fore rigging and stays shot away, her bowsprit much .njiired her hull pierced by 45 shot, 20 of which were withm a foot of her water liiie, and ll'of her crew killed, and her first lieutenant and 14 men wounded. She was mmediately taken possession of by lieutenant Nchol- ee^ of th ''' "^'k ^r??'' ^^^^^' ''^''^ lieutenant Voo . ^d com^^^^^^^ '•^'" distinguished in another lav^ combat. 8 11 8,000 m specie, were found on board ^e Epervier, and transferred to the Peacock ; and capta n Wamngton, having received on board the officers of the enemy's vessel, pursued his course to one of the southern fh e'ro^tTirgfnjr' '" ^'^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^- --^^^ offlL^'clCrv? A- ^'v ''^ "^^f«"«^-^"g ^^y> being almost Je-ed fwn L *^^A7.^'»^'«^an^^ captain Warrington disco- vered two large sail in chase, which he ascertained to be S an th""* '•" -^^g-«on of lieutenant Nicholt,„%1 crej of only 16 men on hoard, dkected her to make the best of her way for St. Mary's, whUst he stood on a w nl rated tTu • "^ ^.^' f "'i»™*' The frigates then sepa- rated one being m chase of the Peacock ami the other of he Epervier. At 9 that night the Peacock lost sight of ri«/i''lT'.^.u* ^«»tT^^ '" "^§^^* *« *he southward At day light of the 1st of May, she shortened sail, and stood ernni""!- ''^^';'^' ^^f^^^''^^^ ^^e frigate again, anc» was a second time chased until 2 P. M. when the frigate gave it f • . «^ening she resumed her cruise, fell in tvith we irigate a third time,, on the morning of the 2d and was again chased until she lost sight, On the Z^^r^ I* u Wi 250 4lh. she made Tybee light house, at the entrance to 8a vannah, and arilveil at that port in the course of h. .Ihv Here captain Warrington found his prize, the ii-pervicr, which had escaped with great difficulty, after beating ofl a launch well manned and armed, which had been des- patched from Uie frigate to overtake her. Lieutenant Ni- cholson, by his Judgment and decision, which had never been known to desert him in times of peril and difficul- tv, prevented her recapture. The Ep a'vier was repaired, refi ted, bought into the service at Savannah, and the command given to captain Downes, of the Essex Junior. The conduct of lieutenant Henly, of mid^>iipmen Greeves and Rodgers, of Mr. Towsend, captain's clerk, and Mr. Myers, master's mate, is represented by captain Warrington to have been cool, determined, and active. The sailing master Percival, the same who captured the tender Eagle, off Sandy Hook, handled the ship m a very supferior style, and placed her in such situations as were most advantageous, with much case and professional stall. The new sloop of war the Wasp, captain Blakeiy, mounting 20 guns, having been completely equipped for a long cruise, sailed from Portsmouth on the Ut of May, ISlChetween which time and the 6th of the following Ju- ly she captured seven merchantmen, and abrig of war, the Reindeer, captain Manners, of 18 guns, and one shifting .run, and 1 18 men. This capture was made after an ac- tion of 19 minutes, in Lat. 48, 36, N. and long. 11, 16, W. On that day, at 15 minutes after 4, A. M.the Wasp being in pursuit of two sail before the lee beam, discovered Uie Reindeer on the weather beam, and immediately altered her course, and hauled by in chase of her. The pursuit conUnued until half past meridian, when the Reindeer, ha- ving previously hoisted an English ensign and pendant, shewed a blue and white flag at the fore, and fired a gun. At 15 minutes past 1, captain Blakely called all hands io quarters, and prepared for action. At 22 minutes past 1, he tacked ship, and stood for the Reindeer, with an ex- pectation of being able to weather her. At 50 mintites past 1, the Reindeer tacked and stood fVom the Wasp. 66 minutes past 1 , the Wasp hoisted her colours, and fired a gun to windward, which was answered. The chase was kept up until 32 minutes past 2, when the Reindeer tack- ed fOr O&e Wa^, and the tetter took in her stay sails, and 251 Id'^hai^VT'f- .^"P*"'" ^^^^^^y '»«^'"g n«^^ discover- tacked 8h.n and at 15 minutes past 3, the Reindeer being shifflnV'';; ',r'*''' "* ®^ y«"'« <««tance, fired h« shi mng u n a 12 pound carronade, loaded with round red agam; at 19 mmutes past J, it was fired a third time; 1 ! fifth r '' ^'""'n?' ^^^"''"' ^''"^J «»^' »t ^ '"i"ute8 past tl / .' ^"'"' "^"' ^""^''' ^^« ««»ni'c"<>d lo receive ^.se repeated diacarges without being able to bring a un to bear Her helm was therefore put a-Iee, and at 26 mmutes after 3, captain Blakclj commenced tlie action mm his after carronaci*', on the starboard side, and fired in succession The mainsail was then hauled up, and at 4fl mmutes after 3, the Reindc ( larboard bow being in coiiUict with the larboard quarter .,f the Wasp, captain Manners directed his crew to boar! her. The a.lempt was gallantly repulsc ia^ ^a>- v^, .1^. '^.^ "^vO?^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I 1^ liig ^ IIIIIM 20 Vi •Utau JA '^ III U 1116 A" <^ .^S o5 >^. » ■"# Pnotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MA(N STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)873-4503 4 8.^<. % ^v \ C\ m V -^o u.^ 4 '2^2 Ltii July) and found that their damage could be repaired by the carpenters of the ship in a few days. ; v* . , In this action lieutenantg Bdry and Reily, wfilo had been ill the ei^i^ements with the Guerriere and Java, and of lieutenant Tillinghast, {Id) who Was instrumental to flie capture of the Boxer, maintained the high credit which they acquired on those previous occasions. And captain Blakely, whose reputation as a skilful geamen, and an ex- pert navigator, is not surpassed by any naval ofiicer, had his tTdvr so well drilled upon the principles of marine discipline, that they never despaired of vahquishing an equal force 6f their enemy, \ In the port of L'Orient, the Wasp was detained by head winds until the 27th August, having beeq anchored there fifty-two days. During iliis time, every attention was given to her officers and crew by the inhabitants, and their situation in » foreign port, rendered particularly agreeable by the assiduities of the American minister. After leaving that place, and capturing two valuable British merchantmen, captain Blakely fell in with a con- voy of ten sail, on the first of September, uader the pro- tection of the Armada 74, and a bomb ship. He stood for them, and succeeded in cutting out of the squad- ron, a brig laden with brass and iron cannon, and military stores, from Gibraltar ;. and after taking out Uie prisoners and setting her on fire, he endeavoured to cut out another vessel, but was driven off by the 74. In the evening, at half past 6, he discovered two vessels on his starboard, and two on the starboard bow, and hauled for that which was farthest to windward. ^At 7, she was made out to be a brig of war, making signals with flags, which could not foe distinguished, owing to the darkness of the night; and at 29 minutes past 9, she was under the lee-bow of the Wasp. Captain Blakely ordered the 12 pound carroaade to be nred into her, and received a return from the stran- ger. The Wasp then ran under the lee-bow of the ^ne- my, to prevent her escape, and immediately commenced an action, which continued until 10 o'clock, when captain Blakely, supposing his antagonist to be silenced, ceased firing, and hailed to know if she had surrendered. No answer being given to this demand, he re-commenced firing, and the enemy returned him broadside for broadr ^^^^^M 263 ■a- side. At 12 minutes past 10^ the enemy Iiavine made nn return to the two last bK>ad8ide8, was^a^n^S to know if he bad suprendertd. Caotain Bl«llir«I! • toed that the .e«sel being i„ a feg ctS^r he"J commanderhad struck his colours. The wCrboate were immedi^ly lowered, when a second brig of wir was discovered a litUe distance astern, standinX h^r The crew were mstantly Bent to their quartersf and ml pactions madcjor another engagement The Wasp was km too for the approach of the second stranger wL' atsemmutes past 10, two other brigs weredSw ^ Sk'eTlwr '"'"; l'^'""'' *^^«« circ'umXcer« Blakely was prevented from taking possession of his nrize and keepmg off the wind, with an%xpectatio„ of dS the brig, first discovered, after him, he ordered new brace! to be rove to replace those which had been sh^t away H.8 expectations were not, however, answered, the bX of war continuing in pursuit only untU she was neir enou J under his stern to give him a broadside, and retL?o her companions. This she did, and cut the rigging Td sat anlshot away a lower main cross tree of the Wasn The name and force of the prize has since been Ler- Jned. ^he was the brig of war Avon, captain ArbuC of the same niimber of guns as the Keindeer, and sunk .Immediately after the Casti'ion (the vessel wWcSchaS the Wasp) had taken out lier last man. According to !he enemy's account, her captain was wounded in both legs The first heutenant and 8 men killed, and the second lieutenan^, one midshipman, and 34 men, woun^"^^"** The Wasp received in her hull, four 32 pound «hot and inher mainmast a nu«rf,er of grape.shot.'^ fierSand ngging were much damaged, but her loss in men^ount ed to two killed, and one only wounded. She Se 1 her damages, on the succeeding day, and «mtin^Tl^ cruiee in conformity with her iLruckZf^'ZmX department. On the 21st of September sheTptu^d off Madeiras, her thirteenth prize, the British brkAte to, of 8 guns, and the only one which she se"?fnto ort This vessel arrived at Savannah in the beginS omovember, under the command of Mr. Geisingfn oSf ^he^officersof the Wasp, witb^d^^^^^ m lU. ti i* >L -# # I' 3* m i%# -^ 26^ ■ The Atalanta left the Wasp, at sea, o» the 23d of Sep- tember without knowing the aestination to which her further cruise would conyey her, and, rince thattiine, no offic^ accounts have been received from her. Her cruise was theretofore most brilliant and unparalleled, her sailors all young-*-4ithletic, brave and enthusiastic, and ,her officers among the mo6t skilful in the service —The pubUc mind has been, therefore, greatly agitated, by ap- pnehensions about her safety; and her return, to port looked for, with painful anxiety, by the people, of the whole country. ^ /^ SP.- ; i.f_<.!u m CHA1*TER XTII. Proposed plan ofoperaHam in Lower Cana^a^The armu Colle-^ConcentreUtcn of the British forces at Isle jh^ J^^yi ^"'^^'^^-BHtish appear at its mouth^ f ri£":?rf r*' ^ ^^^^o^^^^eutenant Dud^ &f C 'ifET'\^'''^SO--'Secmd appearance of the Tz/'TTrf^ 25^^ ^"^"^^"^if^^^-BlockadeofSack- etts Harbour— ^ evgaf(ement at Sandy Cr^lr W capfyire of the f^hole mtish force-S IMtUh Z r^eto Kingst^^TheJln^^ansl^kaS^^ ^a^ near Odelltown-Death qf.colmel Farsytke-Ex- pe^tian against Long Point, Canada-Colonel Baubee IN the wintci- 0^1813, we left the northern arirtv «« er general WiIklnson,inq«arters, the riK aj Champlain, jyid the left, and largest, at French S Between that time and the spri„go/l814, several^t of ttack ^upon the posts of St. Philip, L'Acadie and St Johns, by the route of Hammerford, La Tort ue and st nere, and for a simultaneous movement against Cornwaf' with a view to cut off the communication biweerthe Upper and Lower Provinces, were submitted to 'he war department, by the commander in chief. Before the pZ po itions wg.e received at the department, orders had been forwarded to Salmon river, directing the general tn withdraw his forces from French Mills ; to forw^d sioj men, with a proportion of field and batfering canno/ dn? de^ general Brown, to Sackett^s harbour; and to faTbacfc I Z f 1^1 H •#■ t5« ff '%k I' i IBI • In conformity to tticsc drdcrs, the flotilla, in which the army had descended the St. Lawrence, was destroyed on the night of the 12th of February ; the barracks were fired on the succeeding day, and the troops abandoned their quarters and marched toward the several places of their destination. . . •. «, i^ u i. General Wilkinscnhad scarcely reached Plattsburg be- fore he was apprized of a movement of the enemy, with a view to the capture of a few sick men, whose extreme ill- ness rendered it indispensible they should be left m the hospital at Malone, a short distance from the Mdls. He Oierefore, determined on their expulsion from the ternto- ry in time to prevent the achievement of their object, Mid having made proper arrangements, for the convem- ence and comfort of the sick at their new quarters, he marched with all possible expeditton, to meet and repulse the enemy. ^ . . , . ^ a Colonel Scott, of the 103d Bntish regiment, command- ed the expedition against French Mills and Malone, com- posed of 2000 regulars, Glengarians, and mill la, and aj- comoanied by nearly 300 guides and followers. He crossed over to the Mills on the 21st, burned the arsenal at Malone, pillaged the property of individuals, and car- , ried off several barrel* of public provisions. But hearing of the approach of the American troops, he retreated m o-reat confusion, though not without destroying the bridges Si his rear. The whole party suffered severely by a tre- mendous storm of sncw and hail, which prevailed at the close of the day, and lost upwards of 200 deserters, who sur'-endered themselves to the Amencan army. During the following month (Marc» the troops were not otherwise engaged than in breaking up a system of smueeling, which had been carried on for several previous monAs, and which, at this period, was extended to an alarmins and dangerous degree. Towards the close of March, general Wilkinson deter- mined on estahllihing a battery at Rouses Point, where he had previously discovered a position, well adapted tor a wori£, *o keep in check, the contemplated movement? of the British fleet, destined to operate upon the Lake Ghamplain,and which had been laid up during the winter, at St. Johns, about 21 miles below the mouth of the U Colle, and 26 from Rousee Point. After this position m 257 bad been reconnoitred by his engineer, major Totten, he made an attempt to carry this object into execution, but the sudden and unseasonfible breaking up of the ice, de- feated the plan ; and, being informed that the enemy had taken the alarm, and was condensing a force of 2500 men . at La Colle Mill, four miles from Rouses Point, he deter- mined, on the opinion of his leading offic^ers, and a report that the walls could be effectually battered, with a 6 pounder, to attack it. On the 30th, he accordingly entered Canada, and was met by a p«|rty of the enemy at Odell- town, whom he forced back more than 3 miles, on the route to Montreal, in the course of which much skirmish- ing took place. He then resumed his march to La Colle Mill, a large and lofty fortified stone house, measuring 60 feet by 40, and at that time in command of major Han- cock, and a strong corps of British regulars. To drive the enemy from this post, ami to effect its destruction, general Wilkinson ordered forward an 18 puunder, and disposed his troops so as to intercept him in an attempt to retreat. The only road of approach being through a deep forest, almost inundated, and covered with Insurmountable obstructions, to the passage of a heavy piece Of cannon, the 18 pounder could not be brought up, and the general determined upon attempting a breach with a twelve, and a five and an half inch howUzer. He took post with those pieces, under command of captain M'Pherson and his seconds, lieutenants Larrabee and Sheldon, at a dis- tance of 260 yards* from the fortified house, and covered them vvith the second brigade qomposeri of the 33d, 34th, m and 10th regiments, and part of colonel Clarke's com- mand, under brigadier general Smith, on the right; and UieSdbngade, composed of the I4th and 20th, under bngadier general Bissel, on the left. Colonel Miller was detached with the 6th and 12th and part ofthe 13th, to cross ine La Colle, and form a line across the several roads leading from the stone house on the opposite side of the nver, to cut off the retreat of the British regulars. Briga- dier.general M'Comb, with a select corps of the first hrir ««l!i *•* *^'^ jn^Jo/* now lieutenant colonel, Totten, has since ascertained that the Americans were within 150 yards of the noijse, and that a breach could not have been effected with an .1 '/':. |[!l-*A. l'>* f' » ri iH-'^ gade, formed the reserve. All these regiments were mere skeletons consolidated. This disposition being completed, the bdttery was immediately opened upon the enemy, who promptly returned the fire, and threw numbers of Congreve rockets upon the right wing of the American line. From these manifestations of deliberate and circumspect prepaintion, the commander of the American forces was induced to believe the report, that the number of the enemy amounted to 2600; his >trength was inferior to that, however^ though competent under the cover of strong walls, to repel an attack from a much larger number of assailants. The stone house stood upon that side of the river on which general Wilkinson had drawn up his line ; a block- house, of wood, stood on the other ; and both were encom- passed by an open piece of ground, on the edge of a wood bordering upon which the Americans had taken post; every officer, therefore, from the lowest subaltern up to the commander in chief was exposed to the enemy's fire. Here the general made proper arrangements to keep his corps in order, to receive a combined attack, and continued to cannonade the house, but without being able to effect a breach, although the guns were managed with uncommoB skill, by officers accustomed to their use. Captain M'Pherson had been already wounded under the chin; this wound he immediately bound up, and continued to direct the fire from his piece until a second shot broke his thigh, and rendered him unfit for further duty. His next officer, lieutenant Larrabee, was shot through the lungs, and lieutenant Sheldon kept up the fire, with great vivacity, until the close of the engagement. The conduct of these gentlemen was represented by their commander to be " so conspicuously gallant as to attract the admira- tion of their brothers in arms." Relying on the firmness and intrepidity of his troops, and seeing that the Americans were resolved on the longer maintenance of the cannonade, the British commander, major Hancock, determined on issuing a strong party from the house, to storm the battery, and put the assailants to flight. He gave orders for a sudden and immediate sor- tie, and several desperate charges were attempted upon the cannon. These were successively repulsed by tne covering troops, and the enemy»s regulars obliged to retire ,i0 259 to the fortified building with considerable loss. They then £hut themselves up in the house, and, convinced of their ability to retain their position, put at defiance the utmost efforts of the Americans ; and general Wilkinson bein* now persuaded of the impracticability of making an im* pression with such light pieces upon a solid stone* wall found upon experiment to be of unusual thickness, called io his detachments, withdrew hio battery, and havint' pre- vioHsly rewiOFed his dead and wounded, fell back to Odell- town, at about 6 o'clock of the same day. Thence he moved to Champlain and Plattsburg, at which latter place he established his ijuarters. The American loss in this af- fair amounted to 140 in killed and wounded, among the latter lieutenant Green and Parker, of the infantry. The enemy's loss was known to be considerable in the sortie, but the amount has never been accurately ascertained. Immediately after the incursion to La Colle, the whole regular force of Lower Canada, and a battalion of Glen- garian's from Coteau de Lac, were concentrated at hie mx Noix, and a large number oibattetmx collected at St. Johns. The former awaiting the movement of the British fleet, whose boats were employed in the daily examination of tlie ice on the lake, on the breaking up of which, such movement depended. This event took place in the be^^in- ning of the month of April, and early in May the British flotilla entered Lake Champlain. Previously to their appearance on the lake, general Wilkinson had been recalled from that district, by an or- der from the department of the 24th March But, being apprized of the equipment of the enemy's flotilla, and of their intention to blockade the mouth of Otter Creek leading to (he t .wn of Vergennes, where the American fleet lay waiting for their armament, he, notwithsti nding this order, visited the capes at its entrance, conferred with commodore M'Donough at Vergennes, a^nd made ar- rangements to erect a battery and fortify that point. This precaution proved to be qf im alculable service, and am- ply provided against an attempt to obstruct the passage ot the American squadron into the lake. On the 13th of May, not long after the battery had been constructed on the Cape, a bomb vessel, and eight large row gallies, were stationed, by the enemy, across the en* trance of the creek, with a view to its blockade and i^^ Z2 • i ) 260 cut off supplies for a new ship juat then conipUiting, and intended to be added to the American squadron. Captain Thornton, of the light artillery, was despatched to defend tlie battery, and commodore M'Donough placed a number Df sailors, under lieutenant Cassin of the navy, to co-ope- rate with the artillery. A new large gun brig, and several other ffalUes, being at the same time, about two miles m the rear of the bomb vessel, suspicions were cnteriained of the enemy's intention to land a detachment of troops, either to capture the provisions in the neighbourhood, or to assail the battery from the rear. General Davw, of the Vermont miliUa, immediately called out a detachment of his brigade, and made dispositions to resist an mvasion. At day break on the morning of the 14th, the bomb ship opened her battery upon the new works, and conUnued the attack upwards of two hours, without domg any other injury than the dismounting of one gun. Captain Thorn- ton with his artillerymen, and lieutenant Cassin with his sail'iirs, returned the fire with constant animation, com- DcUedthe enemy to withdraw from his position, and cap- ured two gallies which the British seamen were obliged to abandon. The bomb ship, and the remainder of the jrallies, stood off to the other vessels, and the wtiole squad- ron proceeded down the lake, passed Burlington, anuhad some skirmishing with a small body of militia under ge- neral Wright, who manojuvred so well as to persuade the enemy that his force was much stronger. During the attack commodore M'Donough attempted to bring the \mei1cau vessels down the creek, but did not succeed in reaching the mouth, until the enemy had departed. * The enemy were not less active in their operatiom alone the shores of the Lake Ontario ; and the comman- ders of the rival armaments there, lost n^ time in prepa^ ins: and equipping their vessels, to take the lake early m the soring. At the close of the preceding autumn, they had manteovred with uncommon skill, though not with eaual success, the one to draw his enemy into an engage- ment, the other to avoid fighting, for the supremacy of the water until his fleet should be augmented i>y an additional force ' At Kingston, an immense vessel was building for that ournose; and, at Sackett's Harbour, a new ship was ordered of a sutficimt size to maintain the existing oqiiali- ty Whilst these vessels were coflstructicg, various plans. 2ai were continually adopted to destroy them, and all the caution ol one party, became necessary to guard against the vigilance of the other. On one occasion, the 25th of April, three of the enemy's boats succeeded in getting close in with the harbour, when lieutenant Dudley of the DRvy, being tiie officer of the guard, detected and fired upon them Each boat was provided with two barrels of powder, attached to each other by means of ropes, and intended to be placed under the stocks of the vessels.— Upon being fired at, tney immediately threw the powder into the lake, to prevent an explosion of their own boats, and pulled oflf without returning a shot. Failing in all his attempt* to destroy the hull of the new Bhip, the British comuiaa ler determined upon intercept- ing her rigging, naval stores, and guns. These had been deposited at Oswego, about 60 miles from the harbour, and thither sir James Yeo, and lieutenant general Drum- mend resolved to sail with the whole fleet, and a compe- tent number of troops to land, and storm the fort, and cap- ture this valuable booty. Accordingly, on the 6th of May, fiir James appeared before the fort, with four large ships, three brigs, and a number of gun boa^^, barges, and trans- ports. The transports principally containing the troops of lieutenant general Drummond The succe«8ful issue of this expedition would have given to the British forces, for a time at least, a decided superiority on the lake, and, without knowing that the stores had been previously re- moved from Oswego, they commenced an attack, which was kept up for nearly two days, the brilliant and unusual resistance to which, did not, however, avail the American garrison. The fort mounted but five old guns, three of I /which were almost useless, and had a shore battery of five more of smaller weight. It had been garrisoned but a few days, by lieutenant colonel Mitchell of the artillery, and two hundred and ninety men. The schooner Grow- er, having on board captain Woolsey and lieutenant Pearce of the navy, was at that time in Oswego creek, re- ceiving the cannon which had not yet been removed. The enemy were no sooner discovered, than the Growler was sunk, to prevent the capture of the cannon, and all the tents in store were immediately pitched on the village side of the creek, to persuade the enemy that the Americans Were numerous, Under lieutenant Pearce, the few sailors i 1 If II hi !l5' 'I. I MA m M'l 't f. -.i ( f > ■ ■if, '. 262 of the Growler were added to the garrison; the bhore bat tery was coimnandetl by captain Boyl?, who wasaecuud eU by lieutenant Legate. .... At about 1 o'clock, fifteen large boats, crowded with troops, moved at a given signal to the shore, preceded by several guu boats, which were sent foward to cover llie landing ; whilbt ail the larger vessels opened a heavy fire upon the little fort. The contest was kept up with great Tigour and equal vivacity ; the fort itself returned a very -animated fire j and captoin Boyle succeeded twice m re- pulsing the debarking boats, near the shore battery, and at length compelled them to retire to the shipping. The whole squadron then stood off, and anchored at a distance from the shore; one of their boats, being sixty feet lo length, and carrying thirty-six oars and three sails, was bo much shattered that her crew abandoned her, and she fell into the hands of the American artillery. Though the British were thus compelled to retire from the assault of the fort, it was by no means to be suppoced that they had relinquished their intention of storming and possessing it. The immense superiority of their force and means, would not justify such a supposition, and co- lonel Mitchell was therefore particularly vigilant. He stationed picquet guards at the different points of debar- kation, kept his men upon their arms during the night, and neglected no measure of precaution. Mortifieil at so successful a resistance, by a force known to be so much inferior, and protected by weak batteries, the enemy de- termined to effect a landing under cover, as well of their large vessels, as of the gun boats, and at daybreak of the 6th, they approached the shore again. They were early discovered coming up under easy sail, and soon after the principal ship the Wolf, and the other frigates resumed their position before the fort and battery, whilst the brigs, schooners, and gun boats, proceeded higher up to cover by their fire the landing of the troops. The Wolf, and the frigates, kept up the cannonade for three hours, whilst the land forces, to the number of 1700, com- posed of one column of the De Watteville regiment, led by lieutenant colonel Fischer, on the left; a second co- lumn of a battalion of marines, under lieutenant colonel Malcom, suppdrted by a detachment of 200 seamen un- der captain Mulcaster, the second officer of the fleet, oa JUIL «68 the right, succeeded under a tremendoua fire from (he brigs and schooners, in gaining the shore, where their ad- vance was resisted by lieutenant Pearce of the navy, and a smallparly of seamen. The landing being effected, colonel Mitchell withdrew to the rear of (he fort, united, with *he siiilors, two companies of artillerymen, under captains Romayne and Mel v in, and assailed the invad ing columns, whilst the companies of captains M'lntire m\ Pierce of the heavy artillery, engaged the enemy's flanks. Thus formed, he sustained a vigorous and des- perate conflict upwards of thirty minutes, in which great slaughter was made among the enemy, and a severe loss experienced by the troops of the garrison. Against a force, however, which amounted to ten times their own Dumber, it was found useless for the Americans longer to •ontend, and colonel Mitchell accordingly fell back about 400 yards from the enemy, where he formed his troops, and took up his march for the falls, 13 miles in the rear of the fort, upon Oswego river, to which place the stores had been previously removed. He retired in such good erder as to be able to ilestroy tba bridges in his rear, not- withstanding he was pressed by a numerous foe. The enemy then took possession of the fort, and bar- racks, but for the little booty which he obtained, consist- ing of a few barrels of provisions, and whiskey, he paid much more than an equivalent. His loss 4n killed amounted to 70, in wounded, drowned, and missing 165, in all 236. Among these, were captain Haltaway killed, and captains Mulcaster, Popham, and Ledergrew, and 2 lieutenants and one master wounded. In the noble and obstinate resistance which they made, the Americana lost lieutenant Blaney, an officer of high promise, and 5 men killed, 38 wounded, and 26 missing, in all 69 men. On the morning of the 7th, the enemy, l-ndin^ that the object of the expedition, though prosecuted with a force, including the ships* crews, 6f 3000 men, had not been achieved, evacuated the place after firing the barracks, spiking some, and carrying off others of the guns. On the 9th they returned to Oswego, and sent a flag :nto the village, informing the inhabitants, of their intention oflandlnga large force, to proceed to the falls^ for the exe- cution of their original plan; but on being assured by the people that the stores had been removed from that place, I ! w ■^m- 264 1 I. 'HXi'^ ; ■ 1 r. . and that thu communication was cut off by the destruer tion of the bridges, they quitted Oswego and stood for Kingston. On the evening of the 12th, 4 ships, 2 brigi, ar^d 5 gua boats, of this squadron, were discovered shaping their course for Charlotte, a town near the mouth of the Gen- nessee liver. At this town, a corps of volunteers, amount- ing to 160 men, and having one fiekl piece, had been sta- tioned foi its defence ; and the commanding officer, on the appearance of the fleet, immediately despatched expresses to gen. P. B. Porter, who arrived there carSy on the mora ingof the 13th. — ^In answer to a flag, which had been sent ashore with a demand for the surrender of the place, general Porter returned a positive refusal. Two gun boats, carrying between 2 and 390 men, then entered the river, and opened a fire upon the town and battery, which they continued, with little effect, for an hour and an half. The eoirmodore sent in a second flag, with a repetition of his demand, accompanied by a threat to land 1200 regulars, to destroy the town. By this time the women and chil- dren were all removed, about 350 militia collected, and dispositions made to cut o£f the gun boats, if they should approach further up the river. Being well assured of the determination of his men, to resist the land- ing of the enemy, general Porter repeateu his reply to the commodore's demand. At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 16th the gun boats retired to their shipping, after hav- ing thrown a great quantity of rockets, shells, and round shot, without doing any material injury, and the fleet took its departure from the vicinity of Charlotte. In the evening of the same day, this force proceeded to Poultney ville, a vil'age on the border of ♦.he lake, aud demanded the peaceable surf'^nder of the public storse. The inhabitants were incompetent to repel the invaders, and the British commodore landed a party of sailovs and marines, who captured a quantity of damaged flour, and were committing depredations upon individual property, when the arrival of brigadier general John Swift, of the New York milith, with 130 voluirfeers, put them to a Srecipitjate flight. Their boats hastily pulled off to the eet, when a vigorous cannonade commenced, and seve- ral old houses were pierced through by the 18 and 24 pound shot. The enemy did Mot attempt to re-land, but / — iiy, and the fleet 265 won Weighed anchor, and beinff ioin#.,i w «*i. of the squadron s.ee/ed foX!k^s%^l^^'' '''''"^ Nine miles distanf from the harbonr «^o a * chor, in different positions/on the imh * ^^^u.*'*'* ^' to cut off an comLidSriXtwelnU lV".f '^ ^'^ on the lake. The new ship the «C^^^ uncommon beautv and dimViv^innf Tf?T' * '"^ate of ftere on the Ist of the moSh »- ' '*"°*'''^* capture of which the en^mvtH ' .^^^"'P'nents, for the as he afterwards did, that the new Swi,;? •^.*™'J"^' armament, and equipping wiS, ffrrat'vnTSv ^"^Tl^ '»«'^ uptheblockade,UUeedel^fhW^ Some cannon and ArHr.»n^<. «* *"^°®®' 'o Kingston. vessels of tr^^fcantTLd^^^^^^^ ^«' ^''^ ved at Oswego. fr 261 A squadron of dragoons, under captain Harris, and a company of light artillery, under captain Melvin, with two mpi^r^'; %T^^ ^" ^^^ neighbourhood, at the com- mencement of the action, but did not participate in it.- .TlJl^^'^V''' soon after brevetted a lieute-nant colo- ns , and his officers, heutenants M'Intoah, Calhoun, Mac- fatlana, Armstrong, and Smith, and ensign Austin, were pubhc y thgiked, by the commanding general officer, at Sackett^s Harbour. Captain Woolsey and his officers, i?nTSi.^*S®'.'''"'"e *"'*'**'"• Vaughan, and midship* men Mackey, Hart, and Caton, who had been ordered to Oswego to superintend the transportation of the cannon and stores, acquitted themselves in a masterhr and cou- rageous manner. ^ "U*A^U The cannon were soon after transported to the harbour, and the new frigate, Mohawk, was launched on the 11 th of June, and very speedily armed and equipped to join the squadron, which then consisted of nine vessels, carrying in all about 251 guns. "J""S The result of this affair was sensibly felt thrpughout the British fleet ; it deprived them of a number of experienced seamen, and several valuable and intrepid officers, and they were compelled to remain in Kingston harbour unUl heir places were supplied, and the squadron en- larged by^an immense new ship, then buildmg there, and intended to carry 112 guns. Commodore Chauncey sailed round the lake in the course of the month, and frequently stationed himself before Kingston, to draw out the enemy's squadron. Until their new ship was completed, they determined, however, to remain in port, and in that interval, no hostile event took place upon Lake Ontario. Nor, indeed, was any warlike attitude assumed in its neighbouring Lake t-rie, or the Lake Champlain, bef<)re the commencement ot the summer. Prom the borders of (he latter, lieuten- ant colonel Forsythe, of the rifle corps, on the 28(h of June, made an incursion r^nto Canada, as far as Odelltown, wnere an arair took place with a detachment of (he enemy, from the post of La Colle. The colonel made An attack, retreated, and attempted to draw the enemy •nto an ambuscatle, but-, in his zea!, fijafjQvered hi-T-,'* boL«'*if'^S^..*T ''*''"' *"*^ **" engagement 'took "piSe "uore the British were ensnared. Bcventeen of their A a t '8 *'• liiiii, % i ^:. I s*f 268 number were killed; among them tiie ^-elebrated partizan commander, captain Mahue, who was shot by heutenant Brr Colonel Forsythe, who had heretofore been a terror to the enemy, was wounded in th. neck, of which wound he died a few days after, and was buned with mi- Ey honours at Chaiplain. The command of this cor/s was tSen transferred to W^^'en'.nt co>^^^^^^^ From Erie, colonel Campbell, of the 19th regimen , ^rns^d over the lake with 600 men, to Long Point, whee he landed! and proceeding to the village of Dover, destroyed the flour mills, distilleries, and all the houses occupied by the soldiers, as well as many otherg belongmg to the peaLble inhabitants of the village. A squadron of British dragoons, stationed at that place, fled at the a~h of c^^^^^^^^ Campbell's detachment, and aban- ffi ttie women and children, who experienced humane Sment from the Americans. Colonel Campbell un- dertook this expedition without orders, mf, as his con- duct was generally reprobated, a court of enquiry v^as fnst tS to examine into his proceedings of which ge- neral Scott was president. This court declared, that the Sestruaion of the mills and distilleries was according to the usages of war, but that in burning the houses of the inhabS, colonel Campbell had greatly erred. This e^oM^y attributed to the recollection of the scenes of the Raisin and the Miami, in the we«*«"^ territories, to the army of which, colonel Campbell was at that time attach- ed and oi the recent devastation of the Niagara fron .en During these events of the winter and spring of 181^ the British had collected, in the neighbourhood of the river Thames, and at the Delaware town, situated upon that river, a very respectable force of regulars, mihtia, and Indians; and several expeditions were planned and B^t on foot against them, by colonel Anthony Butter, who . commanded^he AmericaJi forces in the Michigan tern^ torv In the month of February, captain Lee, who had been formerly a cornet in the Michigan Dragoons, m sent into the Winity of the enemy, with about 14 mount- ed men. Many miles in the rear of the British forces, he made prisoners uf several officers, and among ttiem the famous colonel Baubee, who commanded a party oi T«.r.-«« aart assisted in the depredations committed on thrSew York rentier. Captain Lee contrived, »y D" % "^- 4 269 udicious management, to bring them over to Detroit with- out detection. Upon their arrival there, colonel Butler projected an enterprise, under captain A. H. Holmes, of the 24th re- giment, to whom he assigned the command of 160 ran- gers and mounted infantry, and despatched him, ftn the 21 st of February, against sovtrral of the enemy's posts. On the 3d of March, at the distance of 15 miles from Delaware, captain Holmes received intelligence that the enemy, whose force consisted of a company of 100 men, of the Royal Scotts, under captain Johnson, 45 of the 89th regiment, under captain Caldwell, 60 of M'Gregor's militia, and the same number of Indians, being in all 246 men, had left the village with an intention of descending the rJVer, Captain Holmes' party had already suffered and been re- duced by hunger and fatigue, and 16 of his men, who were unable to march further, sent back to Detroit; with the remainder, he did not deem it prudent to give battle to the enemy, without the advantage of the ground, and, therefore, fell back, five miles, to a position on Twenty Mile Creek, leaving captain Gill, with a rear guard of twenty rangers, to follow. This guard was overtaken by the enemy, and after exchanging a few shots, eflTcctcd a retreat to the position which captain Holmes then occupied At Twenty Mile Creek there was a deep and wide ravine, bounded, on each side, by a lofty height. On the western height, cap- tain Hohnes had established an encampment, in the form of a hollow square, the detachment from Detroit being on the north front of the square, the rangers on the west, and the militia on the south, and all protected by logs, hastily thrown together. The regulars of ihe 24th and 28th regiments were stationed on the brow of the height, nncoyered. In this situation the Americans awaited the attack, and captain Holmes, by the skilful and judicious manner in which he posted himself, compelled his supe- rior enemy to commence it. Early on the morning of the 4th, the British appearing m few numbers, on the eastern height, immediately op- posite to the American car^^, gave a loose fire and re- tired. Some time having e apsed without their re ap-^ pearance, capt. Holmes despatched lieut. Knoxj of the WDgers, to reconnoitre them, who performed that diity h4 mm \t 270 with alacrity, juid returned with an account, that the ene- my, whose number he judged to be not more than 70, had retreated, with such precipitation, as to leave his baggage Icattered on the road. This retreat was made for the pur- pose of drawing the Americans from the height, on which the British officer saw they were so advantageously post- ed. The atienip* was attended by a partial success, for the American commander not be!»g wcU assured of tl^e utrength of his adversary, descended from the C:iT:i\*: ftntt followed him in his retreat. Captain Lee, who commanu- ed the advance in this march, which continued five miles, was fortunate enough to discover the enemy in full force, preparing for a resolute attack. The policy, which had induced the British officer to draw the American from his strong ground, judging of it by its result, Was founded in extreme weakness. Having succeeded in seducmg him to a distance of five miles, be supposed that captaip Holmes, with an inferior detachment, almost worn out witii the hardships of a 14 days' march, and the seventy of the weather, would pause and give battle to a body of fresh troops, superior in numbers and in discipline. He therefore never attempted to improve the advantage he had gained, by detaching a strong party to cross the rt" vine, above the road on which the Americans had march- ed, and to occupy the position which they just nbahdoned. By tliis act he would have cut oflf all communication in the rear, and compelled captain Holmes to disperse his party in the wilderness, or to yield at discretion. In either of these cases the American detachment would have been destroyed. Captain Holmes fearing, however, that the enemy had attempted thus to cut him off, immediately retreated to the heights, re-established himself in his encampment, and a second time compelled the British regulars and ladians to attack him on his own ground. The rangers and many of the infantry, not knowing the wisdom nor the necessity of the measure, exhibitei great marks of discontent at the retreat, and many ot them refused to fight the enemy. But on his re-appear- ance upon the opposite height, one impulse animated the whole detachment, which resolved on repulsing the assail- ants. The British commander then made a disposition lo iusiouge laemf anu mrwvifHij^ ma «««w£i ««« ?• y; 271 across the raTine, above the road, he orde?ecr them to com- mence the attack upon the north, south, and west sides of S^oZ^fT"*!!**"*'"''^ he charged down the road from the opposite height, crossed the bridge, and rushed furiously up the height occupied by the Americans, oir their east or exposed side, mth an intention of changing the reeu- h:;k ?'^'' '^^ ""'?.' "" sailing fire, whfch diS So check hw advances, until within twenty paces of his oh r«L I^r^^ front section being sho? to pieced and many of those who followed being wounded /his princi- pa! officers cut down, and the fire of the Americans Tn creasing in vitracity, he abandoned the assault altogether ^M^tf'^'7 in the neighbouring vvood, at dTsfancea of fifteen, twenty, and thirty paces. Having arrayed kis forces, he commenced a rapid fire from his coverf which was warmly returned, and encreased on both sides! From mose parts of the encampment, protected by the Iocb the mngers and militia fired with gU coolne^ss and^'rec' 8ion. The regulars, on the uncovered side, were direct- brow of the height and, by these means, were enabled to fire with more deliberation than their assailants After one hours conflict, the British gave up all hones^ ttt^^^ ' r ^t^^h^?*' ««^ «t tw^ight cLmenTed their retreat Captain Holmes did not pursue them be- cause hey were still superior in numbers, and might araw him at night into an ambuscade, in a country much better known to them than to him; and, because he had already gained a sufficient triumph in repulsing, and de eating the object of, an experienced foe. The American OSS amounte5 to 6 men killed and wounded. By thd" own official report the enemy lost captain Johnson, lieu (Barden,) lieutenant McDonald, and 49 men wounded •nakuig a total of 67. The whc'le American forceTnac- tionwa*. 160 rank and file, many of whom foi^^ht and inarched in their stocking i'ceU and though^he welther extremely cold, in that climate, in the month of Feb- Bni ' ^^^^ I ^^""^^ ^^«» from the dead. Cantain Holmes soon after returned with his detachment to the tUS 11lTV^"^.---l"- thanks 'oTtel^o^! ^ a -#i « 27S #: went. ^ He tpoke of all his officers ia very itattering terms, but particularly of lieutenants Kouns and Henry, mA ensign Heard of the 28th, and lieutenants Jackson ahd Potter of the S4th, becau^ their good fortune placed them in opposition to the main strength of the enemy. After tMs event, detachments were frequently sent out to reeonnoitre the enemy's country, but for several w^eki returned without being able to encounter any of his troops, l^os^ on the American side of Detroit river, remained therefore, in a state of perfect security ; and the commanders of the laiid and naval forces, employed the ^me in projecting various plans, by which to establish fortifications on the Lake St. Clair; to cut off the commu- nications between Micbilimackinac and the Indians ; aad to secure the ii^abitants of the territory Arom their incur- sions. r 'i. ry natteriog and Heniy, wts Jftckson rtune placed te enemy* ntly Bent out iveral w^eki any of hi«i Detroit rirer, Bounty; and 9, employed li to efttabliah tbe commu- [odiana; and 1 their iocut' ii > IJ Mt I?f-. ^-t| mi . '^ /r Iw^ pmx- (■/ri/-'rjor Hindman, and by general Porter and his volunteers. On the right bank of Street's creek, two miles distant from the British work; , the army was drawn up in three lines, the first ))np;adc' facing Street's creek and the bridge, the second hri'^adc, forming the second line, and the volunteers the third. The park of artillery was stationed on the right •f the encampment, between the first and second lipe, ifld the light troops were posted, within the same spacf, «A the left. Iq its ap|)roache8, from fort Erie, along the Niagara, to this position, the first brigade encountered the ad- vanced corps of the enemy, strongly posted behind this creek. General Scott immediately ordered cap- tain Towson to go forward with his artillery and dislodge ttem. That gallant officer, in a few umutes <;ompellad them to fall bach, though not until they bad intrepidly destroyed the bridge, over which the advancing columil would be obli^d to pass. About the time at which captaip Towson opened hia battery upon the enemy, captain Crooker, of the 9th infantry, had been directed to flank out, to the left of the brigade, to cross the stream above the bridge, and to assail the right of the enemy's guard. This move- ment was made with so much celerity, thaj captain Crooker reached the enemy's position, and was in full pursuit of him, when the brigade column arrived at the oridge. After retreating a short distance, the British commander, being aware of the impossibility of captaia Crooker receiving a reinforcement, of suilicient strength to combat the impetuosity of well appointed cavalry, until the bridge should be replaced, ordered his dragoons to turn upon, and cut up the detachment. Under the eye of the general commanding the brigade, and before the pioneers had rendered the bridge passable, captain Crodfe>. #, ( f^T Wag C|iiiii>/\1in#lA/l li^ '^ C» SiUU^vi V^l9 ir. ' ■■*■ '-i' M lf«np of the l^ritish Iffth. Urn brave detachment, dev termined to cut through tbb superior force, fought their way to a house, not far from the place of attack, and having gained it, turned; at the order of ttieir com- mander, upon the pursuing horsemeii, and having first struck terror into their ranks, put them to a flight, pre- cipitate, as their attack had been impetuoKii. At this, moment, captain Crooker, whose men might well be «r;n«;.8ted afier so vigorous an engagement, was relieved from all apprehension of another assault from a fresh boJy of troops, by the arrival of captains Hull and Har- rison, and lieutenant Randolph,^ with a small party of men who had been hastily thrown across the stream to his support. « In partiaan war," the general of brigade observed, " he had witnessed nothing more gallant, thao the conduct of captain Crooker and his company'* At 11 o'clock, in the evening of that day, the encamp- ^ment was formed m tlie manner already described ; and early on the morning of the 6th, the enemy commenced an attack in various detached parties, upon the picquet guard* surrounding it. One of these was commanded by captaiD Treat, of Uie 21 st infantry, and on its return to the camfi. th'oueh s meadow of high grass, was assailed by a bnak discharge of musqiietry. One man fell, severely wound- ed, and the rear of the guard broke and retreated. Cap- tain Treat's attempts to prevent the .flight of the left of his detachment, were mistaken for an intention to avoid the enemy ; and though he was ordered to a neighbour- ing wood, his guard being first collected m pursuit of the party that had attacked him, he was immediately after stripped of bis command, upon the ground of cowar- dice, in retreating before the enemy, and of misconduct, in abandoning the wounded man to their mercy, m man had,, however, been brought in by captain Treats orders, previously to his march in quest of the enemy's party. Being resolved on a participation in some way or otiier in tiie approaching batUe, the captain entered as a volunteer, in the same company which he had jus before commanded; and the senior officer of the 2lst regiment, directed him to lead a platoon into action. ppLi- 5>„f .„as fnnsidprftd as a manifestation of his courage ^rpatiiotisnii^'and the court martial before which he was tried, dismissed him with an honourable acquital. detachment, dev rce, fought their 8 of attack, and r of Uieu' com* and having first i to a flight, pre- liamia. At this ^| a might well be ent, was relieved ult from a fresh ins Hull and Bar* a small party of [)8S the stream to general of brigade loce gallant, thaa J company^.'* day, the encamp- y described ; and ly commenced an the picquet guards landed by captain 3turn to Ihe camBi issailed by a brisk , severely wound- I retreated. Cap- ight of the left of intention to avoid d to a neighbour- 5ted in pursuit of was immediately ; ground of cowar- nd of misconduct, leir mercy. This )y captain Treat's set of the enemy's tion in some way captain entered as rhicb he had just officer of the 21st itoon into action. tion of his courage I before which ha arable acquital. ftl I'P ^T^ au :.* ^k III. MAJois c;kn!^ wiNriKi-i> sc'OTT ■t 277 Th6 vivacity of these assaults upoir the picquetA gmpflaiy diminished until mid-dajr, after which they were revived with unabatiog vigour. General Riall, well acqiiainted with the position of the American forces, and aware of their intention to attack him, det<^rtn:ned upon issuing from his intrenchments, and by striking the first blow to intimidate, and probably throw into disorder the whole line of the invading army » With this view, he crossed the Chippewa with every species of his force, threw his right flank, his Indians, and a large detachment of his light troops, into the wood, on the left of tiie American eDcampnieht, 4nd approached, gradually, with his main body upon the left bank of Street's creek. The movement in the wood was discovered early enough to frustrate the design of the British commander, and ge- neral Brown ordered general Porter to advance, with thj& volunteers and Indians, from the rear of the camp; to conceal himself from the enemy's view, by entering the wood; to drive Inck his light troops and Indians; and, if possible, to gain the rear of his scouting parties, and place them between his line, and the division of regi:!ars. As general Porter inoved from the encampment, the Ame- rican outposts and advanced parties fell back, under the fire of the enemy, in order to draw him upon the centre dP the front line. General Porter met, attacked, and, after a short but severe cbntest, drove the enemy's right before him. His- route to Chippewa, was intercepted by the whole British column, arrayed in order of battle, and against this pow- erful force, the volunteers desperately maintained their ground, until they were overpowered by the superiority of discipline and numbers- As soon as the firing became regular and heavy, be- tween the volunteers and the enemy, general Brown rightly conjecturing, that all the British regulars were engaged, immediately ordered general Scott's brigade, and Towson's artillery, to advance and draw them into action on the plains of Chippewa. General Scott had no sooner crossed the bridge over Street's creek, than he encountered, and gave battle to the , enemy; Captain Towson commenced his fire before the infantry battalions were in battle array, and upon their beinjr form- ed, took post on the river, with three pieces, in front of the '"^1 % m^ I t • 1^ In 278 extreMfe right, ftnd thence played UJioto the firitishbatte ■Mes. ^fe 9th regiiDcnt, and part of the 22d, forming the first brtttalion, Under major Leavenwortti, took position on the right; the second battalion, (llth regiment) was led to its station by colonel Campbell, who, being soon wound- ed, was succeeded in the command of that regiment by inajor M'Nfelll. The third battalion, (25th regiment) was fdriiied by thajor Jessup, on the left, resting in a wood. ttom this position, that officer was ordered to turn the enetny's right wing, then steadily advancing upon the American line. Whilst this order was in execution, and iessup's battalion, engaged in an animated contest, with the British infantry, he detached captain Ketchum, with his company, to attack a superior detachment, at that moment coming up to the reinforcement of the body, Against which the 25th was engaged. Captain Ketchum, ianked oUt, encountered the fresh detachment, and sus- tained 8l vigorous and desperate engagement, until the battalion cleared its own front and marched to the support 4>f his company. This fortunate consummation of his plan, the major did not effect without a violent struggle. The British gave him ain animated and destructive tire; his men wore falling around him in numbers too great to leave him any hopes of victory ; and he became, at len2;th, close- ly pressed, both in ilank and front. His regiment, never- theless, betrayed not the least disposition to falter, and promptly obeyed his order to "support arms and ad- vance'^ under this tremendous fire, until a position of more security waa gained. From this, he retHrned the enemy's fire, with such order and rapidity, that the Bri- tish right flank fell back, and the battalion was enabled to come up in time to co-operate with captain Ketchum'e detachment. , , The whole line of the enemy began, about this time to recoil. On the American right, the battalion of major Leavenworth, was not only engaged with the British in- fantry, but frequently exposed to the fire of the batteries. ' One of his officers, captain Harrison, had his leg carried -ec 1 ^ u^w K„f Drt rirkiiiiifnl nt Hiat moment. on Uy U unuilUli wail, ;-rui av T.t^-fviff.«-.., — • did he consider the isyuc of the battle, tltat he would no.t suffer a man to be taken from his duty, to bear him from 2T& e fiHtisb batte the tield, aad supported the torture of his wound, with extreme fortitude, until the action ceased. Major M'NeiH's battalion was also engaged, from the commencement until the close of the action, and, togeth- er with major Leavenworth's, received the enemy on the open plain ; of these the 9th and 22d, were parallel to the attack, but the 1 1th, had its left thrown forward s< as to assail in front and flank, at the same time. Thus posted, majors Leavenworth and M'Neiil resisted the attacks of the enemy, with great gallantry and zeal. On this end of the line, the fire was quite as incessant as on the left, and its effect not less destructive ; but the troops display- ed an equal degree of animation. After ,the lapse of an hour, from the commencemeii^i of the battle^ captain Towson, who had maintained his position on the river, notwithstanding one of his pieces had been thrown out of action, having completely si- lenced the eneaay's most powerful battery, turned his re- maining pieces ov the infantry, at that moment advancing to a charge. This accumulation of fire; the effective dis- charges of M'Neili's musquetry, peculiarly effective from their oblique position; the steadinessof the two battalions ; and the apparent issue of the engagement between Jesup's, and the British right wing, compelled gen. Riall to retire, until he reached a sloping ground, descending to Chip- pewa. From the point formed by Uiis ground, his troops fled, in confusion, to their intrenchments behind the creek, and having regained their works, retarded the approaches of the conquerors, by means of their heavy- batteries, on which alone, they relied for safety in the event of their being obliged to retire. About the time they commenced their charge, major Hindman had ordered forward captain Ritchie's company of artillery, and one piece, a 12 pounder, under lieute- nant Hall. 'They arrived, in time only to participate in the close of the action, but joined captain Towson, in pursuing Che enemy, under the fire of his batteries^ until he threw himself into the intrenchments. Whilst the first brigade was thus gallantly engaged With this superior force, in which were included the 100th regiment, under lieutenant colonel the marquis of iW00t\ihlo on/l ilija l}/\wa1 Q/t/^fc iitiflot* lioiifor-QTif* orkl^vkAl (i^oi^on. General Ripley, whose brigade was alreatj^ Bb >> IV'i *l 280 formed in line of battle, proposed to the commanding general, to pass the left of the first brigade; to turn the enemy's right; and by taking a position in his rear, prevent his retreat to the Chippewa. But as the volun- teers were at that moment falling back from the woed, on the left of the field, general Brown was of opinion that an attack would be made in that quarter, and deem- ed the presence of general Ripley's brigade necessary to receive and repel it. At the moment of their retreat, iowever, he determined to follow up the victory, by advancing against their works with all his ordnance, and directed general Ripley to adopt the proposition he had made. But such was the precipitation of the retreat, that this movement became unavailing, and en the jeport of two reconnoitring officers, major Wood of the engineers, and captain Austin,*; an aid to the general, as to the situ- ation and security of the enemy's works, general Brown was induced to order all his^roops back to their encamg- meht. This sanguinary battle, resulted as may well be sup- posed, in an immense loss on both sides. That of the Americans, in killed, wounded, and missing, amounted to 328 ; sixty of whom were killed. Among the wound- ed, were colonel Campbell, captains King, of the 22d, Read, of the 26th, and Harrison, of the 42d, but doing duty with the 9th ; lieutenants Palmer and Brimhall, of the 9th, Barron, of the 11th, and De Witt and Patchira, of the 25th. Tlie loss of the British, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was, according to general Brown's report, 308; but, by lieutenant general Drummond's returns, there were 139 killed, 320 wounded, and 46 missing, making a total of 606 ; so that the number of tl»e wounded Bri- tish, was nearly equal to the aggregate loss of the Americans. Among these were the marquis of Twee- dale, lieutenant colonel Gordon, lieutenant colonel Dick- son, captain Holland, aid de camp, to general Riall, 7 captains, 17 lieutenants, and 4 other subalterns. The liveliest testimonies of the applause of the people, and the honourable approbation of the government were u ' ik ■ III M 186 the column Maviu-^ clcarcil llitr wood, general Scott or- dered Uio lino to be instantly formed. Tliia order wa* not executed before the Britiah opened a tiemondoua lire from their battery, and the whole line of their infan- try drawn up on its right, and obli(|uely in its front. Tow8on, with hia artillery, was stationed on the right of the 9th, and though they could not be brought to bear upon the eminence, he animated the American hne, by an incessant discharge from all his pieces. Iliui drawn up on both side?, the action continued, with unceasing animation, upwards of an hour, against a force then almost thrice superior to the American bri- gade. In the course of that time, the 11th and 22a re- giments, having expended theh: ammunition, colonel Brady and lieutenant colonel McNeill being both severely wpundcd, and all the captains of the former, and most of the otficers of the latter, either killed or wounded, botli re- giments were withdrawn from action, and many of the of- licers, but principally subalterns, attiiched themselves to the 9th, and fought under its gallant chief, in various ca- pacities, and with unusual courage and perreverance. Amon«" these were lieutenant Crawford and lieutenant and adjutant Sawyer. Against the chief part of the British line, lieutenant colonel Leavenworth, with the remains of the 9th alone, continued the engageirent, with unshaken firmness and bravery ; and was at length, directed to advance and charge up the height, and, with the 11th and 22d, to break the enemy's lirie. Reduced, as these three regiments already were, by the excessive loss of officers and men, they nevertheless steadily ad- vanced, with supported arms, until general Scott, learning the shattered condition of the 1 1th and 22d, counter- manded the order. The enemy was at this m*oment pressing upon the left of the line ; the right of tiie 9th, was therefore thrown forward to meet, and repulse him, and the whole regiment, commenced a fire more animating, if possible, but certainly more destructive than the first It is scarce- ly possible to do justice to the conduct of this gallant TPffimenL or of its intrepid commander. It had already ^ven such signal instances of individual valour, as were never surpassed upon an open field. But valour aloje, is not competent to resist, the repeated assaults, (»» tid was at leagtb, tiumeroMs and increftging foe: and .imin*.* « Ar^A- • communicate its condition. Th» Mno^i h ■ i' " i|.»C informed of the apil^.d.'^'? S^ etmf ?Z Kime^'Zl '.""'? ''"""""-Wy •<> «he position of \^S repmen and directed it to maintain 'I, cround e.r ireu'ten:n"t't'n; ""? !^<=«"<'"' -'o'nZtring offl- cer, het^tenant Riddle, of the 16tli infantry liad been Z t^'^cou'r theTn"""^' i"'"" « ""'^ <•' "ke' h'und^e'S Sed mZ li»„ '""■'!;"«'"'« """"'"•y- He had not pro- ceeaeu more than 3 miles from the encampment when in attempting to gain the rear of a sconrKe enemy' ewa. informed by several of the inhabi Lmt, of hi' AlT im:Tfr »,*".^'™ °f 3000 of the BiSlIh'tlp Al the time of hia leaving the camp, general Brown had lieatenaBt Riddle, therefore, hastened back, with all dos- «We speed, to communicate th* intelligerce. The nature of the ground, over which he had to retrace hi^ steps, and the extreme caution with which S wafncco »ry to proceed, to avoid reconnoitring detachme"ts of a-e enemy, len^hened his distance from the head ona^- position of the Americans at Chippewa, when he was SI "','1* """""« of «"« "Vstile armies, by The repealed and heavy discharges of artillery. Naturallv concluding that general Brown's whole force had nrn «ded to the field of battle, and nbt hesitating a momTt" tTa n»ri?." ,^ -^.r ■'"'"'• «"•' i'nme'llately marched m the fiTl'°"f " '•''* -"S-Sement. This detachmen onh.«^l •""?"''""« P'"^y "'•!<''' "fived to the relief Ih. 1 f ' }^ ''■'•eet"'ns to lieutenant Riddle to watch Ihe mo lons of the British riflemen and Indians *toft.,eac,io„,a„d;fi,ss^;Si;:;^SS^. Ir^ 4*' t . ..1 . f • '*.. 299 »ernl Ripley to follow with the second brigade, was already on his way to the falls, when he met the assistant adju- tant general, major Jones, returning to the encampment, at full speed, for reinforcements. The intelligence com- municated by major Jones, induced the commander in chief, to despatch him, to order up general Porter's vol- unteers, in addition to the second brigade, and the park of artillery. General Brown ttien rode hastily, with his aids, accompanied by major M'Ree, of the Engineers, towards the field of battle, and on his further advance, was met by a second messenger; major Wood, also of the engineers, and who had marched with general Scotl»6 brigade. From this gallant and accomplished officer, he received a report of the close and sanguinary character of the action, and directed him to return with him to the field. , , „_ , Exhausted and reduced as the 9th, 11th, and 22tl re- giments already were, another vigourous onset from the enemy, sufficiently numerous to interpose occasionally a fresh line, might probably decide the fate of the day, before the arrival of the approaching reinforcements. The determined and obstinate manner, however, m which they had already received, and repulsed, the gallant and repeated charges of the British infantry, induced major general Riall to overrate their force. But to whatever measure of strength these intrepid regiments amounted, he knew also, that the number of his combatants would be augmented from the camp at Chippewa, and being as- sured of the necessity, in that event, of enlarging his owd force, he despatched messengers to lieutenant general Drummond, at fort George, to inform him of the despe- rate nature of the confiict. UnUl this period of the en- gagement, his force; including the incorporated militia and some Indians, amounted to 1637 men, being more than fp/^ftnc cihniilit continue tne ^ engagement. The 9th, 11th, and 22d regiments, were ,, therefore consolidated into one battalion, under colonel % >0W men, being more 28U Brady who, though wounded, refused to quit the field, «".!! ,V'T^\ "I^ .**'* engagement should be known. General Ripley's brigade, major Ilindman's artillery, and general Porter's volunteers, all of whom had marched wi h unusual rapidity, over a difficult road, were Jiow within a short distance of Lundy's lane. General Ripley being in the advance, and within half a mile of the field, immechately despatched his aid de camp, lieutenant M Donald, of the 19th infantry, to inform general Brown 01 Ills approach, and to receive instructions, as to the of Wa bri^ d*^^ ^^^^y* *"** °"^^''^' *^ ^^ ^he disposition Immediately before the arrii^l of general Ripley, a temporary pause prevailed between the two armies ; an awful and (but for ihe groans of the wounded soldiers,) an unbroken silence was preserved among the troops on !l?o!« f'^J'^J^'e impetuous descent of the stupendous ca aract of the Niagara, alone interrupted the pervadine stillness, and contributed to the solemnity and grandeur of the scene; and the leaders of both forces, having fallen Dack to their original positions, seemed mutually dis- posed, to a momentary cessation of the sanguinary and fahgumg strife. The arrival of these reinforcements, under general Ripley, and of others, under lieutenant ee- neral Druramond, put an end to this suspension of hos- iiiiues, and the engagement was renewed with augmented Major Hindman's artillery being brought up, the com- panies of captains Biddle and Ritchie, in addition to lovvson s detachment, soon came into action, and gene- ral I'orter's vofiioteers were displayed upon the left of general Scott's brigade. Lieutenant M'Donald, who had o^en despatched for orders, having met captain Spencer,' one of the aids of the commander in chief, bearing or- t.'^' ^^^^S up hs regiment behind a fence, ^o^" 7»;!fj» *^^.^^^^^^^^ effectually annoy the enemy. A party of^^^/fte fantry were, at that time, drawn up m front of a lence, on thL oppo'site side of the same road. Lieutenant colo^ «Al IPsnn's anoroach to his present position, had been m d' iS-o - that they ^»iir officers ami ere constantly iow command- , having dete^ and leading it 1 front, and on camp, captain B reserve. It I Ketchum, of itly contributed tpewa, to make wounded in the mmond, before 3 line, with that educed brigade, battalion, could rt of the second overwhelmuing ; colonel Jesup, talion. Having the disposal of felt his way, to it up, upon Ihe [rdly of Lundy's rn road, he drevr which he could >f Ihe British in- front of a fence, Lieutenant colo- •sition, had been [lid not know he and destructive nd fly along the s tire, lieutenant genctal Brown, md directed him loou. the right of j M I mm I (I 11^ 4 ^ % h f^% m . . •*• fe ' } t 1 t V i 1 # !ijf-i * ;■■* .'rs:' II m n m\ *iSSr" 291 The operations of that brigade, were all this time car* ried on with the utmost brilliancy and success. Wheu his aid de camp communicated the order of the com- mander in chief, general Ripley saw the impracticability of operating upon the enemy, from the position at which he was directed to display his column j or of advancing from it, ill line, upon an emergency, through a close wood. At the same moment too, general Drummond's infantry and all his artillery, had commenced a galling fire upon general Scott's brigade, which could only be supported by a direct movement of the second brigade, upon the centre of the enemy's line. The impenetrable darkness of the night, rendered it difficult for the generals of bri- gade, at all times to find the commander in chief, or each other, and genernl Ripley, therefore, determined to as- sume a responsibility, by adopting in time, the only movement, which could save the first brigade from in- evitable destruction, and ultimately achieve the victory. He therefore proposed to colonel Miller, the same whO« had distinguished himself in the earliest stage of the war, at Maguaga, and whomow commanded the twenty-first or Ripley's old regiment, to storm the enemy's battery with that, whilst he would support him by leading up the twenty-third, a younger and less experienced regiment, to a charge'upou the British flank. Colonel Miller, well knowing the perilous nature of this desperate duty, re- plied to his general, " Vll Iry^ nV,"* and immediately put his regiment in readiness by forming it in line, on the left of the road, directly in front of his object. The twenty-third was, at the same time, formed in close co- lumn, by its commander, major M'Parland, and thes first which had arrived that day under lieutenant colonel Nicholas, from a long and fatiguing march, was directed to menace the enemy's infantry. Whilst these disposi- dons were making, general Ripley despatched his aid to apprize general Brown of the impossibility of forming on the skirt of the wood, and of the measures which he had, in consequence, adopted. The commander in chief highly commended the design of the brigadier /general, and instantly authorized its execution. With hearts pant- ing for the accomplishment of this enterpriise, these re^- • Worda afterwards worn on the buttona of the twenty first regiment. Cc •y-^: i ( 292 ll' I' ■ I ;;5 I xukwis moved forward, under a rapid and destructive fire, directed against them, at their very onset, by the ene- my's whole line of muaquetry, and every piece of his caulion. The twenty-first nevertheless promptly pressed forward; tWte twenty-third faltered. It was however instantly rallied by the personal exertions of general ilipley, who led it up to the contemplated charge. At a distance of little more than one hundred yards from the top of the eminence, on which the British cannon were Jiosted, and which tr ' "pginieuts were necessarily bbliged to ascend, they ed another, and equally as severe a discharge from w..o musque^ry and heavy pieces. The twenty -first was now, however, too much enamoured ©f its otgect, and the twenty-third too obstinately deter mined Ota retrieving its fame, to betray the smallest dis- position, to recoil from the near consummation of their bold and hazardous enterprize. By this fire major M*Farland of the twenty-third was killed, and the com- mand of that regiment devolved upon major Brooke, an officer of no less intrepidity and valour. The descrlp- tion of a more brilliant, and decisive movement, may sever have been registered on the page of history. To the amazement of the whole British line, colonel Miller steadily and silently advancing up the eminence, until within a few paces of the enemy's cannon, impetuously <:harged upon the artillerists, and after a short but despe- rate contest, carried the whole battery, and instantly 'formed his line in its rear, upon the same ground on which the British infantry had been previously posted. In cartrying the heaviest piec* s, the twenty-first regiment experienced severe losses, se iral officers of distinguish- ed bravery and merit, being either killed or wounded, lieutenant Cilley, who commanded an advanced com- pany <:»f that r«giment, by a resolute and unexampled effort, carried one of the guns, and fell wounded by its side immediately after. He had advanced upon it with such rapidity, as to bayonet the men stationed at it be- fore they had time to escape, and cut down, with his own hand, an artiHerist who was applying a match to the piece. In the same charge lieutenant Bigelow was kill- ^A . anlenilid repulse was given to the assault of the en iny^ general Scott's con8oIiart of the engagement, however desperate or dangerous. He was now conveyed to the encampment at Chippewa, whence he was soon after removed to the American Bide of. (he Niagara. Having thus failed in two vigorous and determined ef- orta for the recovery of rAa pieces, the British general hegar. to despair of any better success from a third ; but the fortunate arrival of another reinfQ.cing party from Fort George, now protected by four ot the BriUsh fleet reanimating his troops, he put them in readiness for ano- ther charge, by forming a fresh lii:e with the new detach- ment. Upwards of half an hour having elapsed inte his second repulse, it was considered very doubtfui by the Americans, whether their ability to maintain their ground woald be put to another trial. Excessively fatigued by the violence of the last struggle, their canteens be- ing exuausted, and no water, (an article now almos< as indispensable as ammunition,) at hand to replenish them It would be wondered at, if they had either courted or desired a renewal of the contest But they were deter- mined to lose no part of the reputation, which they had that night acquired, and if the cannon were again to be defended, they would be defended with equal vigour and animation. Their doubts were very soon removed, »y the approach, in a more extended line, of the whole Dody of the British troops, who, independent: ' of their reinforcements, had the advantage of being ampjy re- ffeshed, from the plentiful resources at Queenstown and ot. David's. The advance of the enemy was no sooner made Known to ^general Ripley's line, than the ardour of all flis men instnntlv vAviv^fi - • • • t la M ■\fM tM£\WV^^\*ra0^\^^^^ . _ At^ . rT3T--'vc^ uuu £CU«t;UiUCi'iiig IjiC Of- 298 ; II '%■ I .1 d«r of their gallant commander, to refuse their lire, they prepared to receive that of the approaching line. The Brilinh delivered their fire nearly within the same distance as before, but they did not fall back from the fire of the Americans with the same precipitation.-^ Their fresh line steadily advanced, and repeated its discharge J the Americans remained firm, and returned it • and an obstinate and tremendous conflict followed. The 2l8t again manifested its determined character, and under the direction of colonel Miller, dealt out a destruc- tive fire upon its assailants. The right and left repeat- edly fell back, but were as often rallied, and brought into the line, to preserve which, the exertions of the gene- ral and colonels Miller, Nicholas, anosts, and was already double the strength of the Americans. They were surrounded by deposits of ammunition, and, being in the vicinity of their garrisons, could, at any time, ad- minister to the want^ of their army. Not so the Ame- ricans. They were at a distance from any resources, whence they might derive, either supplies or reinforce- ments. Their numbers had been lessened by repeated skirmishes with the enemy, and by the casualties, com- monly incident to armies. With the odds against them, ttiey had been drawn into this tremendous struggle, the long duration of which so much exhausted their troops^ Buu reduced their numbera, that aiter becomicg ihe ejk- tire jaastere of the field, and keeping possession of it Deadyan houri they retired, with a force, not anfiount- U '■: >■ i If'-- ' , !■ ■ i 302 iug to the complement of two regiments. Iii this reilu- ceU state, arid without the means of removing the cap- tured property, they left the enemy's cannon, at the foot of the eminence, on which they had proudly and gal- lantly wrested it from him. Had their meuds been less limited, they might have embellished the conquest not only with these, but other splendid trophies, put all dis- putation forever at rest, and left no alternative to the enemy, but an acknowledgment of his defeat and dis* grace. In a battle, desperate and tremendous ad this is represented to have been, the losses on each side must necessarily have been immense. In killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing, the total of both armies, amount- ed (o 1729, the proportion being nearly equal, and the killed and wounded alone 1384. On the side of the en- emy, one assistant adjutant general, one captain, three subalterns, and seventy-nine non-commissioned officers and privates were killed ; lieutenant general Drummond, major general Riall, and three lieutenant colonels, two majors, eight captains, twenty-two subalterns, and five hundred and twenty-two non-commissioned officers and privates were wounded ; and the prisoners and missiiig amounted to, one aid de camp (captain Loring,) five other captains, nine subalterns, and two hundred and twenty non-commissioned officers and privates ; making in all 878 men. Many officers of distinction fell also on the other side, and the total loss was little less than that of the Brillsh. — It consisted of one major, five captains, five subalterns, and one hundred and fifty-nine non-commissioned offi- cers and privates, killed ; major general Brown, briga- diers general Scott and Porter, two aids de camp, one brigade major, one colonel, four lieutenant colonels, one major, seven captains, thirty-seven subalterns, and five hundred and fifteen non-commissioned officers and pri- vates, wounded ; and one brigade major, one captain, six subalterns, and one hundred and two non-commis- sioned officers and privates, missing ; making a grasid total of 861, and a difference of 27 only, between the contending parties. Ui me iQuiviuuai gunamr^' ui luc uus^csr, i-.vm »••:' highest in rank, down to the youngest subaltern, the most positive evidence is furnished, by the long list of i» ao3 klMed and wounded. Every man upon llie field, Uelug engaged in the battle, the bravery of no one officer, was distinguishable from another, except in those instances when, by the change of the enemy's movements, detach- ments were tlirown into situations, from which they could be extricated only by the most daring intrepidity. When the American forces, returned to their encamp- ment at the Chippewa, major general Brown directed ge- neral Ripley. to refresh the troops, and proceed with them, early in the morning, to the battle ground-^with r view, no doubtyf^to reconnoitre the enemy, and if he loitered near the field, in a position from ,which he might be advantageously driven, to engage him; but certainly not to assail a superior force, under circum- stances, to the last degree unfavourable, and which would inevitably result in the total destruction of the American army. The troops, now amounting to about 1560, being put in motion, in obedience to this order, gen. Ripley despatched reconnoitring parties, in advance of his main body. From these he learned, that the enemy was po«!ted on the field in advance of his former position on the eminence ; reinforced, as had been reported by the prisoners ; his line drawn up between the river and a thick wood; his flanks resting on each; and his cannon sta- tioned so as to enfilade the road. Under such circum-' slances, It would have been highly injudicious to have attacked him; and, where no advantages are to be gained, the useless effusion of human blood, is a stain upon the ability and valour, as well as upon the judgment and hu- manity of the soldier. General Ripley seeing the im- possibility of regaining the field of battle, and the proba- bility of his own flanks being compelled to fall back, by the immense superiority of the enemy's numbers, turned his army towards the Chippewa ; whence, having first de- stroyed the bridges over that stream, as well as the platforms, which he had previously constructed at the enemy's old works there, he pursued his retreat towards the Fort Erie, and reached it in good order on the follow- ing day. There h& determined upon making a decided . stand against the British troops, whose regular and gra- dual approaches he anticipated. Dd ?T '■$. i; CHAPTER XIXv f ^' ft' ff 1 ! I Jhfinces of FoH Erie cxlendid^Invested by the enemy— The BrUiah land below Buffaloe^-^nd are repulsed at Cmejockeda creek^^ffairs of ouiposis^ Death ofMa^ jw Morgart'-Jissaidt upm Fort Erk—The besiegers driven bacfc to their wwks— Loss of the echooners So- mers and Ohio^Renewal of the cannonade and bom- oardment, THIS retrograde movement of the American army fi>as no sooner effected, and the situations of the different regiments allotted in the encampment, than the command- ing general (Ripley) immediately directed the lines of de- fence to be extended, the fort enlarged, and new batteries erected. With the aid of the engineers, lieutenants colo- nel W ood and M'Ree, defences of abattls, traverses, in- trenchments, and redoubts, were instantly commenced, und from the 27th July, until the 2d or 3d of August, he troops were employed night and day, in placmg the works in a state to sustain Uie expected and almost cer- tain attack. Had lieutenant general Drummond fol- lowed up, the victory which he claimed, he would have found the shattered American brigades, scaroe- ly in any kind of condition to resist him.— But the cautious enemy di* not choose to pursue a retreat- Lir army, whuae troops had given him such signal prools of their intrepidity, until his own numbers were agam en- larged. On the 29th of July, being reinforced by the right and left wings of De Watteville's troops, 1,100 ^''strong, he pushed forward to the investment of the iort. %iR reinforcement extended his numbers to 6,352 men, and with this formidable superiority of strength, he ap- peared, on the 3d day of August, before a fort, which, a wretched stockade, altogether incapable of defence. ♦ 30^ Having driven in the American picquets, and formed bis encampment two miles distant from the garrison, he gradually approached within 400 or 600 yards of the fort (properly so called) commenced a double line of in'* trenchments, erected batteries in front of them at points from which he could throw in an effectual fire, and planted bis cannon so as to enfilade the works. S€eing by these in- dications, that the British commander was preparing for a regular siege, general Ripley availed himself of the time thus lost by the enemy in opening his trenches, and carried on his defensive arrangements with; unceaeins; alacrity. The approach of the British army on the 2d of August, being discovered by major Morgan, of the 1st riflemen,^ to whom, with a detachment of 240 men, the defence of the village of Buffaloe, which had regained its former flourishing condition, was entrusted, he suspected the enemy of making a feint upon fort Erie, with a view to aa actual attack upon Buffaloes To defeat any such object,, he immediately took a position on the upper side of Gon<^ jockeda creek, cut away the bridge crossing it, and threw up a breastwork of logs in the course of the night Though the British general had no intention of making a feint, major Morgan's precautions, in anticipation of an attack, were not uselessly adopted; for, early in the morning of the 3d, a detachment of the enemy's 41 st re- giment, under lieutenant colonel Tucker, crossed the Ni- agara, in nine boats, and landed about half a mile below the creeks At the approach of day, the British colonel com- menced an attack upon the detachment, and sent for- ward a party to repair the bridge under cov€ir of his fire. Major Morgan did not attempt to retard the enemy^s ad- vances, until he was within rifle distance, when he opened a fire, which proved so destructive, that lieutenant co- lonel Tucker fell back to the skirt of a neighbouring wood, and kept up the contest at long shot. In the mean time general Drummond threw over reinforcements, and the British detachment now amounted to nearly 1,200 men. With this force colonel Tuoker attempted to flank his antagonist, by despatching his left wing to ford the creek above, and press down upon the opposite side ; this movement being observed, major Morgan sent forward lieutenants Hyan, hiuith, and Armstrong^ to op- ,, , « r-::k If « M ^n-- € h -r. "• .'< sn pose the fording party. Between these detachment's, an encagement to^k place a Short distance above the breast- werk, and after several heavy discharges, the enemy ieH back to his main hotly, with considerable loss. Lieute- Bant colonel Tucker finding that the object of his expedi- tion against Buffaloe (the recapture of general Riall, and the destruction ed to be approaching upon the detachment,, the major promptly moved forward and engaged it— A warm an^' spirited conflict followed, in which several men wer^ killed on both sides. — At length, however, an additional party of the enemy coming up to the aid of that engage^,. B^liw Morgau uirdvrea iu» corps to £e|yr#^,iiB4 fl^-doaffi^ Dda it It 't : ' i '^4 f 41 li ■ , -ji r ' ' 'k ■!?■■; ^K^i' . I"^: ^ ■'1'*] r • \ ■KK. T ' '' . ' '■ 308 ly given a signal to that effect, when he receiTbd a musket ball in the head, which forever deprived the garrison and his country of hia valuable services. The corps was con- ducted to the fort by captain Birdsall, and the body of its brave and lamented commander interred, at Bu£bloe, with the proper honours and solemnities. During these repeated skirmishes, and in the mtervals, between the sorties of detachments, the besiegers and the besieged were diligently engaged in strengthening their respective works ; and from the 7th untU the Uth of the month, an almost unceasing fire was kept up be- tween them, with various effect. On the night of the Uth, the emotion and tumult ir the Britiali encampmeiit, gave certain indications of an intended attack upon the fort. General Ripley, always on the alert; was among the first to discover these indications, and having first ordered his brigade, stationed to the left, to be formed within the \m of defence, he despatched his aid, lieutenant Kirby, to inform general Gaines, of his conviction of the enemy's contemplation General Gaines was himself already per- suaded, that an attempt would very soon be made to storm the garrison j and lieutenant Kirt^y had no sooner delivered his message at head quarters, than the firing of a picquet, commanded by lieutenant Belknap, of the infan- try assured him that the moment had arrived. Disposi- tions were immediately made to receive the assault, and the troops of tbe garrison anticipated its result with pride and enthusiasm. . » . • 4 i iu Lieutenant general Drummond, havmg appointed the morning of the 15th, for a vigorous and sudden assault upon the fort, had previously arranged the order of at- tack in three columns, to be made at three distinct points, with a view to harrass and distract the garrison. His right column, under lieutenant colonel Fischer, of the Sth, and composed of parts of the 89th and 100th regi- ments; De Watteviile's ; detachments fi-om the royal ar- tillery with rocketeers ; and a picquet of cavaliy ; was to make a detour of three miles through the woods,, and to assault the southern extremity of the works. His centre column, under lieutenant colonel Drummond, of the 104th, and composed of detachments from that, and the ^- . • * „«:_r_^4^>,T . nf iUa v/\ira1 orlilfArv* SPAmett <«iai regliiii^ni w* nuaimj , ^j' "»^ .-u-jms --«- f , an^4 iKwines j wm to b« coaductea by ««?t^ Bwmey, 01 309 the 89lh, to the attack of the fort. The left column un- der colonel Scot, of the 103d, and composed of that re- giment, was t6 be led by captain Elliot, to penetrate the openings in the works between the fort and the lake, and to scale the battery upon the bank. In advance of lieu- tenant Fischer's column, the British picquets on Buck's Road, together with the Indians of the encampment, were to be pushed on, by lieutenant colonel Nichols, to drive in the American outposts. The royals j another part of De Watteville's regiment ; the Glengarians ; and the incorpo- rated militia, under lieutenant colonel Tucker, were to be held in reserve : and the 19th light dragoons, stationed in the ravine, in the rear of the fort, to receive and convey the prisoners to the encampment ; a duty which it did not fall to their lot to perform. General Gaines, not knowing at what points the arsault would be made, prepared to receive it at all those, which he suspected the enemy might judge to be assailable. The command of the fort and bastions was given to captain Alexander Williams, of the artillery, which, with the battery on the margin of the lake^ under lieutenant Doug- lass, of the engineers, and thence called the Douglass Battery, formed the north-east and south-east angle of the works. In a blockhouse, near the salient bastion, a detachment of the 19th infantry, was stationed under major Trimble. The batteries in front, under captains Biddle and Fanning, were supported by general Porter's volunteers, and the corps of riflemen. TfTie whole body of artillery, distributed throughout the garrison, was com- manded by major Hindman. The first brigade of infan- try, under lieutenant colonel Aspinwall, was posted on the right ; and general Ripley's brigade supported Tow- son's battery, and the line upon the left. On the even- ing of the l4th, a few hours before the commencement of the assault, and whilst these dispositions were making to repel it, one of the enemy's shells fell into a small ma- gazine within the American works, and produced an aw- ful explosion. From one end of the British line to the other, a loud shout was in consequence uttered, but as no bad effects followed the explosion, the shout was repeat- ed in the fort, and in the midst of the enemy's exultation, cantAin Williams immediately dischsu-o-ed lUl hlg heav** pieces. ^M :ii: m m - (''■ '. ** J 11 ", lj t r 3ia At half an hour after two, on the morning of the I6ilr, though the (1urknft«awa» excessive, the approach of lieu- teiiaut coloncf Fischer, with the ri-ht column, 1,300 iivfyn-r, was distinctly heard on the left of the garrison. The 2d brigade, the command of the 2l8t regiment hav- ing been givert to lieu eiianl colonel Wood, of the engi- neers, and the artillery of Towson's baltery were pn;- pared to receive him. Marching promptly forward, lieu- tenant colonel Fischer assailed the battery with scaling ladders, and the line toward the lake with the bayonet. He was pernitted to come close up to the works, when the 21st and 23d regiments, and the artillery upon the battery, opened a sudden and tremendous fire, which threw his whole column into confusion, rendered hiin ut- terly unable to suHiain the contest, and prevei od his making an impression upon the works Havmg retired some distance to re-organize his column, he immediate- \y made new iirran^ements for, and varied the shape of his liext attack, so as to avoid those points, from which the greatest measure of destruction had been dealt out to him According to the general plan, howeyer, which it was incumbent on him to pursue, it was necessary that the battery should be carried ; but, wUh the means to ef- fect Uiis object he was badly provi<^d.— With scaling ladders of no more than sixteen feet in length, he couht not possibly throw his troops upon a battery, qf about twenty-five feet high, and his second attempt, equally fu- rious as the first, met with no greater success. He was again repulsed, and with considerable loss. Convinced ot his inability to get possession of the battery, and feeling the deadly effects of the incessant showers of grape which were thrown -ipon him, he determined in his next eflfort to pass the point of the abattis, by wading breast deep into the lake, to which the works were open. .In this attempt also he was unsuccessful, nearly 200 of his men being either killed or drowned, and the remainder nrecipitately falling back. Without waiting to know the result of the attack, upon the right of the works, which had been already made by the second and third column, he ordered a retreat to the British encampment, which he did not effect, without the loss of many of his rear guard, taken prisoners, in a sally made from the WOWS by Uie order of generfid Ripley. t^ an Th« attack from the centre an J left column, the firat of 700, and the set end of 800 riien, was reserved until the contest became very animated between lieutenant colonel Piccher's column and the troops upon the left. From the "ffne of defences, between the Douglas battery and the fort, and from those in front of the garrison, lieu- tenant general Drummond suppAsed reinforcements wo'jld he drawn to the aid of the southern extremity of the works, and with this view he had given greater strength to his right, than to his other columns, and intended to avail himself of the consequent weakened state, of the north and south cast angles of the American post. The picquets being driven in, the approach of lieutenant co- lonel Drummond was heard from the ravine, and colonel 8cott's column at the same time advanced along the margin of the water. From the salient bastion of the fort, captain Williams immediately opened his fire upon the centre column, whilst the approach of colonel Scott was attempted to be checked by the Douglas battery, and cap- tains Boughton and Harding's New York and Pennsylva- nia volunteers, on its right ; the 9th infantry, under cap- tain Foster, on its left ; and a six-pounder, planted at that point, under the management of colonel M'Ree. At fifty yards distance from the line, the enemy's left column made a momentary pause, and instantly recoil- ed from the fire of the cannon and musquetry. But the centre column, having advanced upon every assailable point of the fort, in defiance of the rapid and heavy dis- charges of the artillery, and having ascended the parapet by means of a large number of scaling ladders, its offi- cers called out to the line, extending to the lake, to desist firing — an artifice which succeeded so well, that the Douglas battery, and the infantry, supposing the order to proceed from the garrison, suspended their fire, until the deception was discovered. The left column, in the mean time, recovered from its confusion, and was led up to a second charge, from urhich it was again repulsed, before it had an opportunity of planting the scaling ladders, and with the loss of its commander, and upwards of one-third of its men. Whilst the second attempt was in operation, the centre column was. with creat difficultv. thrown back from the sahcnt bastion; and the troops within the fort, were i!;i ill # -m I' *^ 1 312 quickly reinforce*! from general Ripley's briyorks intervening LTw^nTowson's battery ^and the o»'t, rere therefore opened upon the enemy with great vivacity, and his ad- yances from the plain, frequently checked by those gallant and meritorious officers. ^ After this third repulse, lieut, col. Drummond, taking advantaee of the darkness of the mc.mng, and of the Seavrcolumns of smoke, which concealed all objects fromVe view of the garrison, moved his troops^nUy round the ditch, repeated his charge, and [eas^^nd^^ his ladders with such velocity, as to gain fooUng «V^^ PJ* rapet, before any effectual opposition ««»»f .^^ ™«^f^ Beine in the very midst of his men, he directed them to charge vigorously with thtlr pikes and bayonets, and to show no quarter to any yielding soldier of the gamson.* This order was executed with the utmost rapidity, and the most obstinate previous parts of the engagement, formed no kind of parallel to the violence and despera- tion of the present conflict. • General Gaines, in hU official kUer. y^^^jPf ^f" |j^"*;S colonel Drummond, observes, - The order of •Gj.eM^^^^^ A.-. «„ nnart.r.*- was oftcn reiterated b) this officer, wnose Wer'y,''if it hkd been seasoned with virtue, wouW aave emp- tied bim to the admiration of every soldier. m ai3 Captain Willmmjn, and lieutonftnts M'Donough and Wnfmou8;h, of the artillery, being in the moat conspi- cuous Bituations, were personally engaged with the as- sailants, and were all severely wounded— the first, cap- tain Williams, mortally.* Not all the efforts of major Hindman and his command, nor major Trimble's infan- try, nor a detachment of riflemen under captain Birdsall, who had posted himself in the ravelin, onposite the gate- way of the fort, could dislodge the determined and intre- pid enemy from the bastion ; though the clemlly effects of their fire prevented his approaches beyond it. He had now complete possession of the bastion. About this time, lieutenant M'Donough'a wounds, rendered him al- most incapable of further resistance, and he demanded quarter from the enemy, but, lieutenant colonel Drum- mond personally refused it, and repeated his instructions to his troops, to deny it, in all instances. The shock- ing inhumanity of this order roused the exhausted spirit of the lieutenant, and seizing a handspike, he defended himself against a numerous party of the assailants, until he received a pistol shot discharged at him by the hand of their commander. Lieutenant colonel Drummond sur- vived this act but a few moments, the fall of M'Donough being avenged by a person standing near him, who im- mediately shot the colonel through the breast. The loss of their leader did not check the impetuosity of the enemy's troops, and they continued in the use of their pikes and small arms until the day broke, and re- pulsed several furious charges made upon them by de- i* "^IVm,?""'*^*® y*'""ff "^^«*' was the son of colonel Jona- than Williams, who had long- been at the head of the United States engineer department ; to whom the nation is greatly indebted for the construction of many of the principal fortifi- cations ; and who was a member elect of the fourteenth con- gress, from the city of Philadelphia. The captain was also formerly of the engineer corps, but having been transferred to tie artillery, and being anxious to share in the honours and the perils of the campaign of 1814, he solicited to be sent to the Niagara frontier, and received an order to repair thither from fort MilHin, a garrison which, for several months, he bad commanded with reputation. Early in the spring of that ye*r. though in a state of convalescence from a dangerous fever, he proceeded to the lines, and joined the army of general Brown. in WulCIl no offirmt* lira* mnv« iiniuAwaoll.. ^-<. I ' ! fj. ..V t) su I ,-.1 if '.' tachmcnta of the garrison. The approach of day-Ught enabled both parties to give a^more certain direction to their fire. The artillerists had, already, severely suffered ; hut with those tliat remained, and a reinforcing detach- jnent of infantry, major Hindman renewed his attempts to drive the British 41st and 104th from the bastion.— Captain Birdsall, at the same moment, drawing out his riflemen from the ravelin, rushed through the gateway into the fort, and joining in the charge, received an ac- cidental wound from one of his own men, just as the at- tack failed. Detachments from the 1st brigade, under captain Foster, were then introduced over the interior bastion, to the assistance of major Hindman; these de- tachments were to charge at a different pomt of the sah- ent or exterior bastion, and were handsomely led on by captain Foster, and the assistant inspector general, major Hall. This charge also failed ; the passage up the bas- tion not being wide enough to admit more than three men abreast. It was frequentlv, however, repeated; and though it sometimes occasioned much slaughter among the enemy's infantry, was invariably repulsed. By the operations of the artillery from a demi-bastion in the tort, and the continual blaze of (ire from the small arms, ad- ded to the effects of the repeated charges, the enemy s column, being considerably cnt up, and many of its prin- cipal officers wounded, began to recoil ; which, being observed by the besieged party, and the contest having entirely subsided on the left flank of the works» rein- forcements were brought up from that point, and many of the enemy's troops, in a few moments, thrown Irom tlie bastion. The British reserve was now expected to come up; tile guns at the Douglas battery had by this time been turned so as to enfilade that column m its ap- proach; captain Fanning was already playing upon the Snemy with great effect ; and captain Biddle was ordered to post a piece of artillery, so as to enfilade the salient elacis. This piece was served with uncommon vivacity, notwithstanding captain Biddle had been severe^ wounded in the shoulder. All these preparations being 1- r^- „« ^fft>ntnn\ nnprAtinn uDon the enemy s re- maining column, and from the dreadful carnage M had al^ndy taken place, it was scarcely supposed t;iat 315 be would continue the Rssault much lenger. But three or four hundred men of the reserve, were about to rush upon the parapet to the assistance of those re- coiling, when a tremendous and dreadful explosion too|c place, under the platform, which carried away the bas- tion, and ail who happened to be upon it.* The enemy's reserve immediately fell back, and in a short time the contest terminated in the entire defeat of the assailants, v^o returned, with the shattered columns, to their en- campment. On retiring from the assault, according to the report of general Gaines, the British army left upon the field 222 killed, among whom were 14 officers of distinction ; 174 wounded; and 186 prisoners, making a total of 582. Others who were slightly wounded had been carried to their works. The official account of lieutenant general Drummond, does not acknowledge so large a numbt in killed, but makes the aggregate loss much greater. His adjutant general reported, 67 killed ; 309 wounded ; and 539 mis- sing — ^iii all 905. The American loss amounted to 17 killed; 58 wound- ed; and 1 lieut (Fontain) who was thrown over the para- pet, while defending the bastion, and 10 privates, prison- * This explosion, to which alone the enemy attributed the failure of his arms, notwiths-^anding the signal repulses of his right and left columns, has been variously accounted for. It was occasioned by the communication of a 9park to an ammu. nition chest, placed under the platform of the bastion, but by what means the narrator of this event has not been able, after an investigation of many papers written to him upon the sub- ject, to ascertain. It is to be regretted, that a fact constitute ingso important a feature m this memorable defence, should never have been satisfactorily developed. S.veral letters from officers, engaged at the right flank of the American works, state it to have been the result of entite accident^ whilst others relate, that lieutenant M'Donough, not having been immediately removed from the foot of the bastion, on which he had been twice wounded, and being liighly exas< perated at the determination, which he saw in the conduct of the enemy's trcops, to show no mercy to the vanquished soldier, resolved upon devoting himself to stop the progress of their inhuman career, and to this end threw alighted match into the chest of ammunition, and by its immediate explosion, pro- duced those tremendous effects, which restored the bastion to the Americans* and terminated the conflict. Ec h 316 ^n H f ' .' if }\ • 1- iiti — ia all 84 men: making a difference in their fayour of 821. During the cannonade and bombardment which com- menced on the 13th, and continued until an hour before the assault on the morning of the 15th, 45 men of the American garrison were killed and wounded. Captain Biddle, lieutenant Zantzinger, and adjutant lieutenant Watmough, of the artillery, and lieutenant Patterson, of the 19th infantry, among the latter. A night or two before the attack upon fort Erie, tlie British general furnished captain Dobbs, of the royal na- vy, with a sufficient number of troops to man nine large boat», which were completely fitted, to attack the three schooners, the Somers, Porcupine, and Ohio, then lying at anchor off the fort. The Porcupine succeeded in beat- ing them off, but the Somers and Ohio were carried, after a gallant resistance, in which the enemy lost two seamen killed, and four wounded ; and the schooners, one sea- man killed, and three officers and four seamen wounded. The captured schooners were taken down the Niagara, and anchored near Frenchman's creek ; the Porcupine immediately after sailed for the town of Erie. In consequence of his immense losses in the assault, the enemy's force was reduced almost to the number of the troops within the garrison ; and, until he was again reinforced, he did not think proper to carry on his opera- tions. A few days brought him a reinforcement of two full regiments, and having enlarged his batteries, and made arrangements to force the Americans to the evacu- ation of fort Erie, he opened a fire from his whole line, and threw in hot shot, shells, and every destructive imple- ment within his reach, without intermission, during the re- mainder of the month of August. On the 28th, gen. Gaines was severely wounded in several parts of his body, by a shell which fell through the roof of his quarters, and explod- ed at his feet. He was fortunate enough to escape suffoca- tion, by gaining the door of the apartment, but being en- tirely disabled, he retired to Buffaloe, and left the com- mand again in the hands of gen. Ripley, who neglected no means to facilitate the completion of the works, which, with the assistance of the engineers, he had originally plan'^ LlVUi '■ml CHAPTER XX. hwasion of the American territory by Sir George Prevosi — Battle of the Saranac — Defeat and capture of the Bri' Ush Fleet on Lake Champlain — Hattsburg evacuated — Continuation of the siege of Fort Erie — The besieged make a sortie from their works, and storm those of the ber siegers — The British raise the siege, and retire to the Chippewa — Engagement at Lyon's Creek — Destruction of Fort Erie by the Americans, and evacuation of Upper Canada — Operations against Michilimiickinac — Loss of the U. S. vessels Scorpion and Tigress — Expedition into Canada, under General M^ Arthur. THE operations against the enemy's positions along the Niagara, had scarcely been entered upon, when the governor general, -^-ir George Prevost, matured the plan of an expedition, having for its object the invasion of the American territory from Lower Canada ; the defeat and destruction of the right division of the United States* ar- my, then lying in the neignbourhood of Piattsburg, under major general Izard ; and the subjugation of the country to Crown Point and Ticonderoga. No offensive mea- sures, against any part of Lower Canada, by Uiis army, being at that time in contemplation, and the apprehen- sions of the war department having been strongly excited about tlie safety of the left division, after its investment at fort Erie, general Izard received orders to march for that post, with a reinforcement of the largest proportion of his troops, and to assume the command of the garri- son. Accordingly, after detaching about 1600 men, un- der brigadier general Macomb, most of whom were ei- ther sick or convalescent, and requiring of general Mooers, of the New York militia, the aid of a few volunteer com- panies, for the defence of Piattsburg, he marched for Sackett's Harbor, with upwards of 3,000 men. Being thus left in command of a position, open to the attacks of the enemy's naval, as well as his land, forces, general Macomb neglected no precaution m prevent surprize, and to put his small army in the b< state of discipline, J f': 318 ■ 'J ■-'■i /I' 11 i thou^ on the Ist of September, in consequence of the best brigades having been broken up, to form general Izard'^ diTision, he had but one battalion properly organ- ized. The works Erecting were on that day unfinished, and the troops, therefore, divided into detachments to complete them. Transports, with troops, had been continually arriving at Quebec, from England, and such was the secrecy and address with which sir George Prevost made prepara- tions for his intended expedition, that, before the first of September, he had organized a powerful army of 14,000 men, opposite Montreal, constituted of the most expe- rienced generals, and distinguished officers of the British army. This comparatively immense force consisted of three brigades, and a corps of reserve, the brigades be- ing divided into twenty-four divisions, and having a staflf, composed of two lieutenants general, five majors general, and a proportionate number of assistants and deputies. The; respective brigades were commanded by majors general, Robertson, Powers, Brisbane, and Baynes (ad- jutant general*) Major general Kempt commanded the re- serve. Sir Sidney Beckwith was quarter master general to thia army, and lieut. gen. De Rottenburg, the seconil in command; sir George Prevost commanding in person. About the 1st of the month, he occupied with these troops the village of Champlain, and issued addresses and proclamations, inviting the citizens to his stand- ard, and promising them the protection of bis majes- ty's government. From Champlain he continued to make gradual approaches towards Plattsburg, until the 6th. Early on the morning of that day he made a rapid advance, in two columns, one coming down the Beck- mantown road, and the other along the Lake road. At a bridge crossing Dead creek, intersecting the latter, general Macomb had stationed a detachment of 200 men, under captain Sproul, of the 13th, to abattis the woods, and to place obstructions in the road; after which, he was to fortify himself with two field pieces, sent with him for that purpose, and to receive orders from lieute- nant colonel Appling, who, with 100 riflemen, was re- connoitring the enemy's movements some distance in ad- vance of this position. The brigade of general Brisbane, which approached through the Beckmantown road with 319 I from lieute- men, was re- more ra[Hdity than the other, was met by about 700^i litia, untltM* general Mooers, who, after a slight skirmi&h with tlie enemy's light parties, with the exception of one or two companies, fled in the greatest disorder. Tlioso who were intrepid enough to remain, were immediately formed with a corps of 250 regulars, under major Wooll, of the 29th, and disputed the passage of the road for some time. But their fears also getting at length the bet- ter of their judgment, notwithstanding the enemy fired only from his flankers and patrolling parties, they fol- lowed the example of their comrades, and preci[)itatcly retired to the village. Major WooU's regulars remained tirm, however, and being joined by capt. L. Leonard's park of flying artillery, and the 6th, and a detachment of the 34th regiments, continued to annoy the advanced parties of the British column, and killed lieutenant colo- nel Wellington, of the 3d, or butfs, who was at its head. General Macomb, at this moment, personally direct- ing the movements in the town, soon saw that the ene- my's object, in making so much more rapid a march on its west, than on the north, was to cut off lieutenant co- lonel Appling's atul captain Sprout's detachments, des- patched his aid, lieutenant Root, with orders to those of- ticers to withdraw their forces from Dead creek, to join the detachment of major Wooll, and to fall upon tlie ei^e- ray's right flank. Whilst lieutenant colonel Appling was proceeding in obedience to this order, he was encoun* tercd on the north side of the town, by the light divisions of the enemy's 1st brigade, sent for the purpose of cutting him off, and which had that mom«nt emerged from the woods.Their numbers were superior, and had he been delay . ed an instant loiiger on the Lake road, he must inevitably have yielded. Here he engaged, but after a short con- test, retired before them. In the centre of the town he re-engaged them, and being joined by major V/ooll, was ordered to retire to the American work:s on the south of the Saranac. The retreat was effected in good order, and. covered by a guard of 120 men, undf captain M'Glassin, of the 16th infantry ; the detachments alternately reliring and J ?*Yii\ pflfoctiiril firf? ijfjon th.p. T?rit!?.h r.n- lumns. Having reached the works with a trifling loss, general Macomb Ojfdered lieutenant Harrison; of the 13ih, E e 2 , \m' t' , y ■ .■ J'::: 320 lis^'j I.J, under the direction of inivjor Wool!, aud protected by captain Leonard's artillery, to destroy the bridge over the 8aranac. Tins orcter was not executed Mfithout some difficulty. The British having occupied the houses near the bridge, with their Ii8;ht troops, Icept up a constant fire from the windows, and wounded lieutenants Harrison and Tur- ner, of the 13th, and Taylor, of the 3*th. These troops were, however, soon after dislodged by a discharge of hot shot from tlie American works, and in conjunction witli the right column, were engaged the remainder of the day in various attempts to drive the guard? from the the several bridges.— But the planks had all been taken up, and being placed in the form of breastworks, served to cover the American light pariies stntioned for the de- it&ice of the passages. Th«5 obstructions which had been thrown in the way of the column advancing by the liBke roatl, and the destruction of the bridge over Dead creek, greatly impeded its approaches, and, in attempting to ford the creek, it received a severe and destructive fire, from the gun-boats and gallics anchored in front of the town. But not all the gallies, aided by the armament of the whole flotilla, which then lay opposite Plattsburg, un- der commodore Macdonough, could have prevented the capture of Macomb's army, after its passage of the Sarauac, had sir George Prevost pushed his whole force upon the margin of that stream. Like general Drum- mond, at Erie, he made a pause, in full view of the un- finished works of the Americans, and consumed five days in erecting batteries, and throwing up breastworks, for the protection of his approaches. Of this interval the American general did not fail to avail himself, and kept his troops constantly employed in finishing his line of re- doubts. Whilst both parties were thus engaged in pro- viding for the protection of their forces, the main body of the British army came up with the advance ; and gene- ral Macomb was also reinforced by the militia of New York, and the volunteers from the mountains of Ver- mont. Skirmishes between light detachments, sallies from the different works, and frequent iVitempts to restor^e the DRTl^es, served to amuse the 'jcilegcrs and the .e- •ieged, ^hile the former were fetfrn^ up a train of bat- tenng cannon, and the latter ^iieiigthening their Imeff, h: ^i'. And preparing to repel the attack. In one of these ikir- mUheH, on the 7th, a Britiiih (iutachinont making a vio- lent effort to obtain poaseisBion of the pm» of a bi iilge, w»s handsomely repuUeil by a flmall guard under lieute- nant Runk of the 6th iiiAintry, who received a mutiket ball in hia body, and expired on (he following day. He was the only officer killed (hiring the siege. The New York militia and Vermont volunteers, were now principally Btationed at the difl'erent bridgee croBiing the Saranac, or in the wood opposite the fording places. From these positions they annoyed the enemy's guards, and poured repeated discharges of musquetry into his maHked batteries. Two of general Macomb's new works were called fort Brown, and fort Scolt, and o|)posite the former it was sus- pected, a very powerful masked battery had been con- structed, in order suddenly to demolish it, at a time of general attack. To' discover the truth of this suspicion, and if possible to destroy or to mutilate such a work, cap- tain M'Glassin, on the night of the 9th, volunteered his services, to ford the river with a competent detachment. His enterprise was approved of by the general, who as- signed him the command of fffty men. — With these the captain succeeded in fording the river nearly under fort Brown, and upon gaining the opposite shore, proceeded with great secrecy about 300 yards. At this distance, from the margin of the river, he encountered a guard of 150 men, whom he instantly engaged, and with such vi- gour ami address, as to deceive them, with respect to his own force, and aftera short contest to drive them behind a work, which he discovered to be the suspected masked battery. Having succeeded in the accomplishment of one of the objects of his enterprise, neither captain M'Olas- sin, nor his brave detachment, could think of returning to the army, without having signalized the expedition by some act, more important in its consequences, than the putting to flight an enemy's guard, however superior in numbers. He accordingly led up his detachment to charge upon the work, into which the British guard had fled, and by one or two vigorous onsets, in which he had /1 t^iA HnHofV', ^fiH £ti- ttrely routed its defenders, with the loss of their com- manding officer and sixteen men killed, and several Pit- H' 1 322 wounded. Being now in possession of a work, wliidi would Iiavc incalculably annoyed the batteries at fort Brown, captain M'Glassin destroyed it with all possible haste, and returned to the Ajnericau works, with the loss of three men missing. Fo't thi* gallant and hazardous essay, which had a tendency not only to deceive the British general with regard to the actual force of general Macomb's army, and to inspire the troops, militia as well as regulars, with a spirit of enterprize, but placed a principal work, fort Brown, beyond the possibility of be- ing silenced, captain M'Glassin received the public thanks of his commanding officer, and the brevet rank of major, from the president of the United States. On the morning of the 1 1th, the motives of the British general, in delaying his assault upon the American works, became apparent. Being assured of his ability, at any time, to destroy them by a single effort, he was regard- less, of the manner in which they might be gradually strengthened, and awaited the arrival of the British squadron from lake Champlain, in co-operation with which, he contemiilated a general attack, and the easy capture of the American fleet and army. On that day, his fleet, consisting of a large frigate, the Confiance, of 39 guns; the brig Linnet, of 16; the sloops Chub and Finch Tformerly the United States' sloops Growler and Eagle) of 11 guns each; and 13 gun-boats and row-gallies, mounting in all 95 guns, and having a complement of 1 050 men, made its appearance, under captam Downie, round Cumberland Head, and immediately engaged the American squ«dron, under commodore Macdonough, then moored in Flattsburg bay, and consisting of the ship Saratoga; the brig Eagle; the schooner licondo- ro4- the sloop Preble; and 10 gun-boats, mounting altogether 86 guns, (tl largest vessel carrying 26) and being manned with 820 men. , The first gun from the Confiance was the signal for a general akon, and sir George Prevost instantly opened his batteries upon the works on the opposite bank of the Saranac. A tremendous cannonade ensued ; bomb-shells and Congreve rockets were thrown into the American lines duk'iug me vviiuic way , anvt i.vr|«...... -— , attempts made to ford the river. At a bridge, about a mile up the river, an attempt to throw over a division oi 333 the enemy's army, was handsomely repulsed by a de- tachment of regulars ; and an effort to force th2 passage of the bridge in the town, was effectually checked by ft party of riflemen, under captain Grosvenor. But the principal slaughter took place at a ford three miles from the works* — There the enemy succeeded in crossing over three companies of the 76th regiment, before his ad- rance was impeded. A body of volunteers and militia, stationed in a contiguous wood, opened a heavy fire upon them, and after a spirited contest, in which one of these companies was entirely destroyed, its captain killed, and 3 lieutenants, and 27 men made prisoners, those who had attained the shore fell back in disorder, upon an approaching column, then in the middle of the river. The receding and advancing columns mingled with each other, and being closely pressed by the volunteers, the whole body was thrown into a state of confusion, from which the officers could not recover them ; numbers were killed in the stream, and the dead and wounded being swept along by the force of the current, sunk into one common grave. But the result of the engagement between the two na- val armaments, which continued upwards of two hours, in presence of the contending armies, soon determined the action upon land. Its effects were sensibly felt by the British general, whose plans were completely frus- trated by its issue. After getting round Cumberland Head, captain Downie anchored his fleet, within 300 yards of the line formed by commodore Macdonougti, and placing the Confiance frigate in opposition to the Sa- ratoga ; the Linnet to the Eagle, captain Henley ; one of his sloops and all his gallies, to the schooner Ticondero- ga, lieutenant commandant Cassin, and the sloop Preble. His other sloop, alternately assisting the Saratoga and Eagle. The latter vessel was so situated shortly after the commencement of the action, that her guns could not be brought to bear, and captain Henley cut her cable, and placed her between the commodore's ship and the Ticonderoga, from which situation, though she exposed the Saratoga to a galling fire, she annoyed the enemy's squadron with much effect. Some minutes after ten nearly all iiie guu!^ uii the siarbuaid side of the UCiOCS, Saratoga being either clismounted or entirely unmanage- m d£4 able, commodore Macdonoue;h was obliged to put out a stern anchor, and to cut the bower cable, by which means the Saratoga winded on the enemy's frigate with a fresh broadside, which being promptly delivered, the Confiance imm.'^liately after surrendered, with 105 round Bhot in b.'i hi>JJ. and her captain and 49 men UiHed, and 60 W(.unil"«!. The Saratoga had 66 round shot in her hull, and had been twice set on fire by hot shot from the Confiance, but she sustained a loss of only 28 in killed, and 29 wounded, notwithstanding she mounted 13 guns less than her antagonist. The Confiance had no sooner surrendered, than tV Suiuio^^i's broadside was sprungto bear on the brig, whose flaj; struck fifteen mmutes after. Captain Henley, in the Eagle, bad already cap- tured one of the enemy's sloops ; and 'the Ticonderoga, after having sustained a galling fire, caused the surrender of the remaining vessel. The principal vessels of the British fleet being now all captured, and three of their roW gallies sunk, the remaining ten escaped from the bay in a shattered condition. Among the officers killed on board the Saratoga, was the first lieutenant. Gamble ; and on board the Ticon- deroga, lieut. John Stansbury, (son of gen. Tobias Stans- bury, of Maryland,) who was shot upon mounting the netting, to discover in what manner the guns of his divi sion might be brought to bear more effectually upon one of the enemy's vessels. Among the wounded were lieute- nant Smith, acting lieutenant Spencer, and midshii»mari Baldwin. The total loss of commodore Macdonoughs squadron, amounted to 62 men killed, and 58 wounded. The enemy's loss was, 84 men killed, 110 wounded, and 866 prisoners, who alone amounted to a greater number than those by whom they were taken. ^ The caplure of his fleet being announced to sir George Prevost, he immediately withdrew his forces from the assault of the American works. From his batteries, however, he kept up a constant fire until the dusk of the evening, when, being silenced by the guns of fort Mo- reau, under colonel M. Smith, and of forts Brown ami Scott, he retired within the town, and at 9 at night sen off his artillery, and all the baggage for which he couW obtain transport. About midnight lie uiaut: a ais^racuiui and precipitate retreat, leaving behind him all his sieK 325 and wounded, with a request that thev might be «en«- roualy treated by general Macomb. A t day-break of the 12th, this moveinent being discovf red by that officer, he immediately despatched his light troops, and the volun- teers and mihtia, in pursuit. The enemy, however, had retired with such celerity, as to reach Chazy before th© pursuit was comine.iced, and a violent storm prevented Its continuance. Immense quantities of provisions, bomb- shells, cannon balls, grape-shot, ammunition, flints, ia- trenchmg tools, tents and marquees were taken, and up- wards ot 400 deserters surrendered themselves in the course of the day. Besides these, sir George lost 76 pri- soners, and as nearly as could be ascertained, about 1,500 killed and wounded ; among them several officers of rank, ihe loss of the American army, which, with the acces- sion of the volunteers and militia, did not exceed 2,600 men, amounted to 37 killed, 62 wounded, and 20 missing . tor the gallantry which they displayed in this splendid engagement, general Macomb; lieutenant colonel A po- ling; majors Wooll, of the 29th, and Totten,of the enn- neers, whose services were eminently conspicuous in he construction of the works, and captain Brooks, of the artjllery, received the brevet rank of the grades next above those which they held on the day of the action. Captain Youngs, df the 16th, had been put on board the squadron with a detachment of infaniry to set as marines • and for his coolness and intrepidity, in a species of ser' vice distinct from that to which he was attached, was also breveted Captain Grosvenor, of the infantry, and the brigade major, lieutenant Duncan, of the artillery were conspicuous for their zeal and activity throu^^hout the en- engagement; the latter was charged with the delivery of the despatches to the war department. Promotions took place also m the navy, and commodore Macdonough was immediately elevated to the rank of post captain. J he invest ^ent of fort Erie was all this time continued: Hie troops of the garrison were actively engaged in the completion of the bastions and of the abattis on the right flank ; and the besiegers employed in the erection ot additional batteries intended to enfilade the western Jamparts of the American works. Genera! Brown had returned to the post, and resumed the cominand' of *the army, which had been in the mean time reinforced by 326 n«w levle* road from the southern angle of «>• gjf""" .'/"^h within pistol shot of the enemy's nght «>"8' ""^ ^ ILeh .eSrecy, th«t it was not discovered «nt.|th«aclad ,s.ault commenced. About noon tt.e "S"'''''^' ™^ »nd riflemen, and the volunteers »"?,■"»" J'/*","' '2, dlness to march ; and l>efore two o'clock he -o" « «^ made. The division issuinn from the 'f^ "»" Z;™. manded by general Porter mi '"'"PT.'' "' *^„"/ ^ men and a few Indians, under colonel Gibaon, ami i»" folunms the right commanded by lieutenant coo , I WooTan^lbe '«« "y brigadier I!™'™' »»''^'J „ •M„«, v,.rk inilitia. These columns were conuutico ftroul the woods by lieatenants Riddle and Fra^er.and S^rached ;.on tli enemy's. »- ''«S/l''J^, S"-! £",r «a«:^:s. nTs" 3 t:rtT^ stormed and after thirty minutes close a^o". b»'* "^ S^r Colonel Gibson and lieutenant coonel Wood, Wl it the head of their columns, almost at Uw onset, ana 1 respective commands devolved upon Teutenant cl. M'Doiiald and major Brooks. a„,sal30 A block iiousc in the rear of bat ery No. ^«»««™ oarried and its a;arrison made prisoners. Three ^ Ptrs\„d thir --^-..-rh/Z?rict e— rovSona»: ^X^t^A do... Td 'nto the magazine, and, firstuking on a quanl. ^ fixeiammunition, set fire to a tram '«-<''»S ^'/^^ ,7h barrels of powder. The explosion took Pl»«« "" ao^ner than'the lieutenant expected, and nut be^ng -bte to escape in time, he was covered "'* *! """e w«> bles »n.l fragments of the magazine, fr»f jj" «^^^ J„t extrUaled with the utmost difhculty.^ i' .'".I'lTwhict this explosion, the rigUl uivis.on u. "-^"r'-f-rt an* had been stationed in the ravine betwe» *« J"^^^ ♦he enemy's works, tmder general MiUer, witu oru 3S7 1 irot to attack until general Porter had enRftRed the enii* my '8 right flank, first came up to the aHsault, and in co-operation with colonel Gibson's column, pierced the British intrer chments between their batteries Nos 2 and 3, and after a severe contest, carried the former. In Uiis assault, brigadier general Davis, of the New York militia, fell at the head of his corps. The enemy's second blockhouse, his batteries 2 and 3, and his unfinished battery No. 4, with the intervening breast- works and Intreuchments, being now all in the pot- session of the Americans, general Miller's division inclined towards the river with a view to assail his battery No. 1, erected at the extremity of his left flank. At this point the enemy made a much holder and more obstinate resistance. There his defences were con- structed with the most studied intricacy; breastworks had been thrown up connecting his first and second bat- tery ; successive lines of intrenchments intersected each other for nearly a hundred yards in their rear; and rows ofabattisand timber planted in multiplied involutions formed impediments to the approach of the assailants' produced some confusion in the column, and made con- stant appeals to the bayonet necessary. Before general Miller attempted this movement upon the battery near the water, general Brown had ordered up general Ripley with the reserve, comprised of the 21 st regiment, under lieutenant colonel Upham,and desired him, as the senior officer in advance, to ascertain the general situation of the troops, and to withdraw them from the enemy's works, as soon as the object of the sortie, the destruc- tion of his batteries, was effecled. The reserve, in obe- dience to this order, promptly advanced to the support of Miller's column, and came into the engagement as the enemy's force was strengthened from his encampment. This column was composed of the 9th, the Uth, and part of the 19th infantry; the first being commanded by lieutenant colonel Aspinwall, who lo8< his left arm in the assault ; and the last, by major Trimble, who was (latigerously shot through the body. Under the immedi- ate direction of the same gallant leader who had carried he cannon, upon the ejnsnence at Lundy's lane, and aided of 6,000 men, by an mcou- fiiderable number of British troops. Including the names already mentioned, general Brown's array lost 10 officers and 70 men kiiled ; 24 officers and 100 wounded ; and 10 officers and 206 misusing- in all 610. Not long after the enemy had been thus compe led to raise the seige of fort Erie, the garrison was enlarged by the arrival of the right division under major ceneral Izard, who superceded general Brown in the command of the army. H^he accession of this rivision, and the strength of the defences, which were ah by this time entire, and .ome of them garnished with heavy can- non' rendered fo^t Erie impregnable to the attacks of l»!l^^^ > 329 huy other than a vastly superior force ; and the month, intt)rvening between the 17th of September and the 18th of October, was constantly employed in drilHng, and harmonizing the discipline of the two wings of the army. In Ihe neighbourhood of Cook's Mills at Lyon's creek, a branch of the Chippewa, it was understood that quan- tities of provisio()s were deposited for (he use of the British troops, and general Izard directed general Bis- sel, conimanding the 2d brigade of the 1st division, to march thither and seixe them. On the 18th he proceeded on the expedition, and after driving in a pi('(|uet guard, and capturing its commanding oflficer, he threw two light companies, under captain Dorman, of the 6th, and lieutenant Morrell, of the 16th infantry, and a company of rillemen under captain Irvine, across Lyon's creek, and encamped for the night, with picquet guards stationed at proper distances. One of these commanded by lieu- tenant Gassaway, and stationed on the Chippewa road, was attacked by two companies of the Olengary light in- fantry, which were beat off with loss. On the following morning the brigade was attacked by a force of 1,200 men, under colonel the marquis of Tweedale. Captain Dorman's infantry, and Irvine's riflemen, received the first fire of the enemy, and sustained it with the greatest gallantry, whilst general Bissel was forming and bringing up the other troops to their support Colonel Pinckney, with the 5th regiment, was ordered to turn the enemy's right flank, and to cut off a piece of artillery which he had just then brought into aution, whilst major Barnard^ with the 14th, was to charge them \r front. These movements were instantly effected. The enemy's left flank and his centre sunk under the firf of corps d'dite, and the riflemen, and the charge of the 14th; and his right flank was turned immediately after by the rapid a^d forcible movement of the 6th. 'I'he recoil of his line, and the approach of the American reserve, composed of the 15th, under major Grindage, and the 16th, under colonel Pearce, to enforce the success of the main body, was no sooner perceived by the marquis, than he ordered his troops to retire from the ground on which they had en- gaged genera! Bissell ; and, expecting to draw that offi- cer after him, fell back to his fortifications at the mouth of the river. A$ his retreat was made witliout much re- % -vi lu ,M:?i .'i: %: !' 1^ 330 •if^ I J gard to order, all his killed, and most of his wounded, were left behind. He was pursued but a small distance, when gen. Bissell, in conformity to his instructions, de- stroyed the provisions at the Mills, and returned to his position at Black creek, having effected the object of his expedition, with the loss of 67 killed, wounded and missing. The whole army, with the exception of lieutenant co- lonel Hindman's artillery, to whom the command of fort Erie, and the works, was entrusted, was now operating in the vicinity of Black creek and Chippewa. Its staff had been reduced by the removal of general Ripley to the American shore after being wounded, and the trans- fer of general Brown to Sackett's Harbour, and of general Miller to Boston. Immediately after the repulse of the marquis of Tweedale, general Izard directed its return to the garrison, whence, as the weather was about this time setting in extremely cold, and the season having arrived wheri hostilities usually ceased, it was determined to transport it to the American shore, to supply the troops with more comfortable winter quarters. The fort was accordingly destroyed, and all the batteries demolished, and" after a vigorous and brilliant campaign of four months, tho Canadian territory was evacuated, and the army distributed in quarters at Buffaloe, Black Rock, and Batavia. The volunteers and militia were discharged with the thanks of the government, and general Porter received various testimonies of approbation and applause from the state to which he belonged, for his constant dis- play of bravery, and the high degree of discipline which he maintained in his command. Whilst these events were transpiring between tlie northern army, and the armies of lieutenant general Drummond and sir George Prevost, an expedition had been fitted out in the north-western country, under the united command of commodore Sinclair, with the fleet upon lake Erie, and lieutenant colonel Croghan, with a detachment of artillery and infantry, to act against the fort and island of Michilimackinac. But the expedition failed, notwithstanding the skill and gallantry of the oth- cers engaged in it; and the troops retired from the island, after having effected a landing, with the loss of the second officer, major Holmes, of the 32d infantry. The enemy ap •f- \i 331 prized of the movement, appeared in lai^e numbers to re^ sisl it, and being protected by breastworlcs, and aided b^* a body of Indians, exceeding the strength of col. Croghan's detachment, that intrepid young offiw,r was compelled t* wilhdt ',v his forces, and return to the shipping. On his way to the island, however, he destroyed the fort St*. Joseph's, and the enemy's establishment at Sault St. Mary's. The loss of the detacliment in the e&pedition, amounted to 66, killed, wounded and missing. After leaving the island, commodore Sinclair stationed- two of his schooners, the Tigress and Scorpion, near St. Joseph's, to cut off all supplies for the British garrison at Michilimackinac. Lieutenant colonel M'Dowall, the commandant of that garrison, supjilied lieutenant Wors- ley, of the navy, with 250 Indians, and a detachment of the Newfoundland regiment, with whom, and 150 sailors, , he attacked the schooners on the 9th of September.— After a severe struggle, in which he lost a very dispro- portionate number of killed and wounded, he carried the vessels, and proceeded with them to Michilimackinac. On the 22d of the following month, brigadier general M' Arthur, having collected 720 effective regulars and mi- litia, proceeded on a secret expedition, along the west- ern shore of lake vSt. Clair, and passed into the Oana rir George Prevost, at Plattsburg, admiral Cochre: ^ pi- tified the secretary of state, of his having been caihJf? >pon,by the ^vernor general, to lay waste and destroy, all such towns and dipfricts upon the coast as might be found assailable, and that he had ia 4! u il i!! 'm^ ^ § \ ; f • A * ^f 834 ConaeoueMCe issued his orders to that effect, t© all Uie nav ^ couimttuders upon the station. ■* li thi. deaoaich was forvvaided with the honorable m- tent of apprizing the American government ot the con- templated attack upon the car/ital, Uie object wan either wZuy, or through negligence, defeated.--Forprev.ou8- Ho he receipt of this notice at the department of state, the enemy wa* already ascending, in two diV.Bion« of his fleet, the Fntuxent and the Potomac. In the hrst of these ivers, his force amounted to twenty -seven square- ^Zllvr^^eh all of which proceeded to Benedict, the Tar' seamfu and marines. Commodore Barney mobe- dTence to the ordm-s which he had received to that ef- fec blew up and abandoned his flotilla "pon the ap- nmachofsoiM werfulaforce, and retreated to Nottmg- K on the 22d of August, where, with his sean.en and marines, he joined the United States' army, under bri-- S ienerai Winder. The enemy approached the Woo 1 Ya"i, a position twelve miles only from the city, and at vvb.h general Winder's forces were drawn up. These consisted of about 6,000 men 2,500 of whom we^ from Baltimore, and offered battle to the Br.t.sh JJoL.-But general Ross, upon reaching the ne.gu- bourhood of Nottingham, turned to his right and took Sie rca^ *<> Marlborough, upon which general Winder fell back to Battalion Old Fields, about eight rmles from ttie city. The positions now occupied by the two ar- Sfes were distant from each other about seven mifes ; Tnd general Winder desiring to know m what manner Aey had encamped, rode with a small escort to Marlbo- S and learned,f;om several prisoners who were taken S the British general intended to remain there until Se following day Abontnoon of the 23d, general Ros out his troops in motion, having been previously joined £v admiral Cockburn, and was met by the American ad- vLced corps, under lieut. colonel Scott and major Peter, IhoX exchanging several rounds, fell back upon the mahlarmy Sy on the 24th, the enemy's column re- t!Lf nfmarch and reached Bladensburg, about six Xs filXshington, without loss. At Bladensburg. fetra^^StLsbury L\ taken an advantageous position K the^reatest exertion geuer^l Wiad«r waa euabted ■>»■ ott t(» all lUe 335 td interpose his whole fc ce before the enemy, incl(fping at the expenst' of ,'he ownert) ; «.ud that all vessels which might have been sunk upon the approach of the enemy, should be raised bv the merchants and delivered up, with all their apparatus. These hard and ungenerous conditions were complied with, and on the 0th of September, capt. Gordon moved oif with a fleet of prize vessels, which, as well as his fri- gates and other vessels of war, contained car ^>\ ^ :/. i.U la "^ II s "^ 2.2 2.0 6" Hiotographic ^Sciences Corporation 23 WEST AAAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 m ^ iV '^ ^ A I/. I? r 340 Atttie forts and batteries, 1,000 men we» stationed; along the treastworkb, about four times that number— and all under command of mwor general Samuel Smith, assisted by brigadier general Winder, of the United States* army, and brigadier general Strieker, of the Baltimore brigade. In anticipation of the enemy 's intention to land at North point, and to meet and repulse his light parties, or to en- gage his whole force at a distance from the main works, <^neial Strieker was despatched with part of his brigade, and a light corps of riflemen and infantry, from general Stansbuiy'd bri^e, under major Randal, and several companies of the Pennsykania volunteers. On thcS even- ing of the nth, this detachment, amouutkigto 3,186 ef- fective men, reached the meeting house, near the head of Bear creek, when the volunteer cavalry, under co- lonel -Biays, were sent three miles, and captaip Dyer's riflemen two miles, in advance. Early on the following morning, captain Montgomery, with the arallery ; lieu- tenant colonel Sterret, with the 6th ; and lieutenant co- lonel Long, with the 27th regiments, were sent some distance forward. The artillery was planted in the mid- dle of the North Point road, and supported on each flank by the two infantry regiments. The 61st regiment, un- der lieutenant colonel Amey, was stationed a few hun- dred yards in the rear of the 6th; the 39th, under lieu- tenant colonel Fowler, in the rear of the 27th ; and the 6th, under lieutenant colonel M'Donald, drawn upas a reserve, half a mile in the rear of the whole. The riflemen were ordered to skirt a low wood, with a large sedge field in its front, under cover of which, as the cavalry fell back to apprize general Strieker of the approach of the enemy, they were to annoy the British advance, and retire in good order upon the main body of the troops Soon after these dispositions had been made, the cavalry came in with the intelligence, that the ene- my's light corps were rapidly advancing along the road, and at the moment when it was expected they would be engaged by the riflemen, that body was seen falling back without having opposed them, under a presumption that the enemy had landed at Back river, in order to cut off their retreat. The general immediately pushed forward two companies from the 6th infantry, 160 in number, un- -^n .^Ot. <#' .?l ■■ der captaine LsTering and Howard, arid commanded by major Heath, of tsiat regiment; about TO riflemen, under captain Aisquith ; the cavalry, and 10 artillerists, with a 4-pounder, commanded by lieutenant Stiles. This de- tachment having ^)roceeded half a mile, was met by, and instantly engaged, the enemy's main body. The aitna- tton of the ground, would not admit of the co-operation of the artillery and cavalry ; and the infantry and riflemen sustained the whole action with great gallantry, pouring in a rapid and effective fire upon the British column, kiC- ing major general Ross, and several other oflicers, and impeding the advance of the British army. Having per- formed the duty required of them by general Strieker^ tiie whole detachment, with 4 trifling loss, fell back in ex- cellent order upon the American line. The«nemy then moved forward, under colonel Brooke, upon whom the command had devolved, and at half past 2 began to throw his rockets upon the left flank of the militia brigade. Can- lain Montgomery immediately opened his artillery upon him, and the British played upon the left aud centre with their «-poundera and a howitzer. The cannonade con- tinued with great vivacity, until general Strieker ordered the firing to cease, so as to draw the enemy within the range of grape and canister. Colonel Brooke then co- Tered his whole front with the British light brigade, di- rected the 4th regiment, by a detour, to gain a lodgment close upon the American left ; and formed a line along general Strieker's front, with the 41st regiment, the ma- rines of the fleet, and a detachment of seamen ; and pla- ced the 21st regiment, the 2d battalion of marines, and another detachment of seamen, in columns on the main road, with orders to press on the American right, on the first opportunity. General Strieker, seeing that his left flank would be the main object of attack, ordered up the 39th into line on the 27th, and detached two pieces of artillery to the extreme left of lieutenant colonel Fowler's command. Lieutenant colonel Amey was also directed to form the 61st at right angles, with his right resting near the left of the SOth. The whole force of the enemy at that moment pressed forward, his right column advancing upon the 27th and S9th, and attacked those regiments with great impetuo- sity. The 6 1 st, wh«h waa ordered to open upon the en- ''ii . % '^•' «nry in liis attempt to turn the rest of the line, deliTered a loose fire, immediately broke, fled precipitately from its ground, and in such confusion, that every effort to rally it proved ineffectual. The 2d battalion of the 39th, was thrown into disorder, by the flight of the 6l8t, and some of its companies also gave way. The remainder and the 1st battalion stood firm. Thus abandoned by the retreat of the Slst, gene- mi Strieker made new arrangements for the reception of the enemy, and opened a general fire upon him, from the light, left and centre. The artillery sent forth a destruc- tive tonrent of canister against the British left column, then attempting to gain the cover of a small log house, in front of the 6th regiment. Captain Sadtler, with his yagers from that regiment, who were posted in the house, when the British 4th regiment was advancing, had, however, taken the precaution to set fire to it, and the intention of the enemy was" therefore defeated. The 6th regiment then ypened its fire, and the whole line entered into an animated contest, which continued, with a severe loss to the enemy, until fifteen minutes before 4 o'clock. At that houri general Strieker, having inflicted as much injury upon the invaders as could possibly be expected, from a line now but 1,400 strong, against a force amounting, notwithstanding its losses, to at least 7,000 men, ordered his brigade to retire upon the reserve regiment; an order well executed by the whole line, which in a few minutes rallied upon lieutenant colonel M'Donald. From the point occupied by this regiment, gen. Strieker, in order to refresh his troops, and prepare them for a se- cond movement of the enemy, retired to a position half a mile in advance of the left of major general Smith's in- trenchments. Here he was joined, by general Winder, who, with general Douglass's Virginia brigade, and the United States' dragoons, under captain Bird, took post upon his left. Whilst all these movements were in operation, general Smith was actively engaged in manning the trenches and batteries with generals Stansbury's jand Foreman's bri- gades, a detachment of seamen and marines, under com- modore Rodgers, colonels Cobean and Finly's Pennsyl- vania volunteers, colonel Harris's Baltimore artillery, and the marine artillery under captain Stile^. Colonel ;f Brooke did not ftdvance with his columns further thai* the ground on which general Strieker had been previously fcarly on the following morning, he received a communi- cation-from admiral Cochrane, that the frigates bomb te^^J^f ' "'!f.^^^'. ^^"'^ ''"^^ theifst'^ionrt^ bombard the town and fort, in the course of the mominS^ At daybreak of the 13th, the land forces, therefore.^ ward of the mtrenchments. The day was chiefly em- ployed in manoBuvrfng by both parties: Colonel Brooke frequently attempting to make a detour through tbfcoun try to the Harford and York roads ; and g~S. WiX and Stncker adapting their movements to those of the enemy, the better to frustrate his designs. At noon Z British columns were concentrated, dLctly in ?ro„t of the Amencan hne, and colonel Brooke advanced lo w th- m a mile of the works, drove in the outpostsrand made amJSlf.? ^"' ^ ^"'^'? ^' ~S»^*- Generals wrder and Strieker were then ordered to station themselvei oa the enemy »8 right, and in the event of an attack unonih^ breastworks, to fall upon that fJ...K, or on hhl^^r Tl^e assault was not made, however, and the enemyTproba! biythinkmg he would be outflanked, ami haZg disco- vered the strength of the defences, withdrew from Ws position m the coarse of the night, and re-embaS hk troops in the evening of the Hth. His retreat wa^ not discovered until break of that day, in conseqoencI^Z darkness of the iright; and though a heavy faS of rlia continued throughout the morning, general V/inder wHh vvI'^h'-Th:' '"^ the Virginia IniUtia; major^'nda, vvith his light corps, and the whole militia and cavalry were sent m pursuit. The excessive fatigue of the troopT n fu^'^T. ^.*1 ^'^" ^^'"^^ ^^3^^ ^«d °'gh*« under arms n the mofet ihclement weather, pr.ventedT their annoZg heenemy 8 rear with much effect, and they made prisoner! >fnonebut8tragglersfromhisarmy. AttLmomSnt S ' o .Brooke advanced along the Philadelphia road thefri- .^tes and bomb ships of the fleet, approached wml shS ig distance of the fort. Col. Armistead had already Sispos- ^his force to maintain the cannonade with vigourra ^m- W of regular artUtery, under captain Et««? j alfd a«^ tZ M m m M ther of volunteer artillery, under captain Nicholson, manned the bastions in the Star fort ; captains Bunbury and Addison*8 sea fencibles, and captain Berry's and Ifetttcnant Pennington's artillery, were stationed at the water batteries ; and about 600 infantry, under lieute- nant colonel btewart, and major Lane, were plac^^ in the outer ditch, to repulse an attempt to land. Ihe nom- bardment commenced. All the batteries were immedi- ately op" Bed upon the enemy, but the shot ff "gvery far short of his vessels, the tiring ceased from the fort, or was maintained only at intervals, to show that the garrison iTad not sunk under the tremendous showers, of rocke s and shells, incessantly thrown into the batteries. Ihus- situatT without the power of retaliating the attack of the enemy, colonel Armistead and his brave men en- dured Uieir moxtification with an unyielding spirit, during the whole bombardment, which continued until seven o'clock on the morning of the I4th. Under cover of the niffht the British commanders despatched a fleet ot barges ?o atlia. and storm fort Covington.-The attempt was re- milsed, however, and the assailants retired with an im- mense loss, to their bomb vessels, and on the morning of Wednesday, the whole stood down the nver, and re- Jline admiral Cochrane's fleet. The loss m the fort imoimted to 4 killed, and 24 wounded : among the killed were two gallant young volunteer officers, lieutenants Claciret and Clem. The entire loss of the enemy has no' vet been ascertained. That of the Americans on the fiekl of l>attle did not fall short of 150, which bemg ad- ded to the killed and wounded in the fort, makes a tota of 78 The invaders having thus retired from wha{ thcv called a demonstration upon ^ Almore, the safety ofThe citizens was secured, and the different corps wen relieved from further duty. t. . -i k The plan of operations, however, which had beei adopted by the British cabinet, to destroy and lay wast the Sci4l towns and commercial cities, assailable e ther by th^^r ..nd or naval forces, was not to be abandoi ed because of this repulse, gallant and effective as was The cities of Charleston, Savannah, Baltimor and* Washington, were destined ta be burnt and plu, Uercd; and New Orleans, the great emr^rium of all t wealth and treasure of the western states, wcs to n seissed, and hold as a colony of Great Brilaio. ThefalP ure of her arms, in an assault upon either of the««e places tvas not to prevent an attack upon another, no matter what the slaughter ; and the separate commanders Were directed to concentrate their forces, or draw from the Bermudas such an augmentation as should be necessarr and m the event of successive repulses upon other ob- jects, to bend all their strength against the city of New Orleans, and its defences on the Mississippi. At the Bermudas, a powerful and well appointed fleet and army was, for this purpose, collected, and their arrival upon the' southern coast daily anticipated. Admiral Cochrane had in the mean time directed a smaller squadron of vessels then fittmg cut at Pensacola, in the territory of a neigh- bonng nation with whom .the United States were at the same mcment at peace, for an expedition against some of the defences, by which the entrance to New Orleans was protected, to make the earliest preparation for an assault upon FortBowyer, a garrison situated at a point called Mobile. In the early part of September, this squadron, consisting of two sloops of war, and two gun brigs, mounting in all ninety guns, and commanded by captain Percy, was already on its way to the intended attack. On the 12tli of that month captain Percy came within sight of the fort, landed upwards of 700 Indians and marines in its rear, where, within a small distance of the garrison they erected a land battery, and towards the evening of the 15th, the assault commenced with a can- nonade and bombardment. The fort was commanded by major Lawrence, of the 2d infantry, mounted twenty ' pieces of cannon, moat of them of small calibre, and w^ garrisoned by less than 130 men. With this dispropor- tionate strength, major Lawrence not only sustained a conflict of several hours, but eventually drove the ene- my's troops from their position on the shore, destroyed his principal ship, the Hermes, which was abHndoned by her crew, and afterwards blown out of the water, and re- pulsed his assailants, with a loss on their side, in killed and wounded, of 232 men. The remaining ships of the squadron ^•eturned to Pensacola, where they were again received by the governor, ta repair their losses and obtain new equipments. Mortified in the extreme at their unex- pected disaster, aad fully determined upon avenging it a ^i .*. 946 the British commainJerB forthwith commenced the e«- Urjcement of their forces, by enlisting new tribes of Indi- ans, provided with arnas and ammunition, at tiie expense of the Spaniards. .. . , , . The Creek Indians, whose numerous hordes liad al- ready been repeatedly defeated, at the Alabama, the Hic- kory Grounds, and elsewhere, by levies of militia, un- der major general Jackson, (then of Tennessee, but now of the United States' army; a man of great promptness, decision and intrepidity) and who had been reduced to the necessity of negociating a treaty of peace wiUi Uie go- ternment, were again urged to raise the tom-hawk against the people by whom they had been conquered. Until some decisive and effoctual measures were adopted to prevent this illegal, and, to the Americans, dangerous intercourse, the inroads of the treacherous savages would become no less frequent tiian before, and the facilities of annoying tiie acyacent American coast be greatly multi- plied, At the appearance of such imminent danger, ge- neral Jackson, whose head quarters were Uien at Mobile, did not hesitate what plan to pursue, and without waiting for the authority of the government, he immediately col- lected a force of nearly 4,000 men, and determined on the occupation of, and the expulsion of the enemy from, the town of Pensacola. On his arrival before that place, he required of the governor, an immediate consent to the occupation of the forts by the Americans, until they should be garrisoned by a sufficient number of Spanish troops to protect them against the violation of their neu- trality of which the British forces were entirely regard- less This proposal was unhesitatingly rejected, and af- ter a feeble resistance to his approaches, general Jackson carried the place by storm, and forced a compliance with his equitable demand. By the persuasion of the British officers, however, the commandant of the principal fort was induced to destroy its armament, and blow up the bastions, and having secured his troops on board the British squadron, to retn^ with them to the Havanna. The necessity which took genera! Jackson to Pensacola, being now therefore at an end, he returned to the Ame- rican territory, and made preparations for the defence of liew Orleans.. 847 From this period, the early part of NoTember, until the middle of December, the naval force upon the sta- tion was gradually increasing ; it amounted at length to 60 sail, composed principally of bhips of the line, heavr ingates, and transports, and comprised of the command of admiral Warren, and the detachment from Bermuda. On board this formidable fleet was an army of nearly 16,000 men, derailed from the grand army of the duke of W-illington, and placed under the chief command of sir Edward Packenham, the e|eve of that distinguished gene- ral. To this army was attached a general staff, selected from the ablest officers of the army of the continent, and includingdajors general Lambert. Gibbs and Kean. To watch the approach of the enemy, and to apprize the commander in chief at New Orleans of the advance of the fleet, commodore Patterson, coramandinin^ the naval station there, despatched five gun-boats, under lieute- nant Jones, to the pass Christian. On the Ifith of De- cember, an attack was made upon the flotilla by 42 barges and 3 gigs, mounting 43 guns, and being manned by 1,200 men, under the orders of captain Lockyer. Though lieutenant Jones had judiciously anchored hia boats across the Malheureux Island channel, it was im» possible to make a successful resistance to so superior a force, and after a contest of searly two hours, in which the enemy suffered a severe loss, the flotilla was despe-* mtely carried by boarding. By the capture of the gun-boats the principal protectioff of the coast was lost, and the enemy had it in his power to move at pleasure, and select whatever point afforded' the greatest facility to the landing of his troops. Accord^ ingly, on the 23d of the month, about nine miJes below the city, he landed a division of his army under major general Keane, who was immediately met by parts of two regiments of regular infantry, the city militia, a bri- gade of mounted men under general Coffee, and a de- tachment of Tennessee militia, commanded by general Carrol—the movements of the whole being directed by major general Jackson. Commodore Patterson had beea ordered to drop down the river in the United States' schr. Carolina, captain Henley, and directed lieutenant C. c! B. Thompson to follow with the sloop ef war Louisiana. The crew of this yqssel had been two weeks before ba«- 'Wi % JIRIK 948 4l^ eoUMted to the streets of Oileant, Mid wae eom- posed of swlors of acTeral naUons, speaking different lan- guages, ami ineapable of understanding the orders of tkek commanders, or tlie words of each other. By the uncommon exertions of lieutenant Thompson, however, an oik)ef whose gallantry rendered him not less conspi- cuous, than his fortunate acquaintance with the languages •f the separate countries to which the sailors belonged, they were by this time in a good state of discipline. Early in the evening this vessel opened her fire upon the Bri- ish encampment, and general Jackson immediately Mftoved forward his troops to the attack. A vigorous en- gagement waa the result. The heart of the enenay's eamp was pierced by general Coffee's howie ; the right wing pressed his flanks, and his force was considerably reduced by the fire from the Carolina. Whilst fortune was running full in favor of the American troops, a heavy fog, to which that coimtiy is subject, set in, and de- stroyed the hope* of the general, in capturing tiie invad- ing division. He therefore condensed his force, remained ppon the field that night, and eariy in the morning aa- tumed a position, of more strength, two miles nearer th« «itf . In this action the British force amonnted to nearly i,eOO men, and the Americans to little more than 2,000. " The loss oa the side of the former was stated to be 400 V»en, and on the latter 213. The vigour, impetuosity and decision of this attack l|K>n their first disembarkation, alarmed the British com- Biftiiders, and caused them, upon the increase of theirnum- bers, to advance with more caution. They therefore commenced the' erection of batteries, in order to make their appiMches gradual, and between that night and the udrnillg of the 27th, they exchanged several fires with the Carolina. At seven o'clock on that day the schooner took fire from the hot bhot thrown upon her decks, and blew ap, about an hour after her crew had abandoned ^r. The Louisiana, which had then taken her station, ftustained the fire of all the British batteries, until her situ- ation became extremely dangerous. To have lost her would have been to lose the whole co-operative naval force, and her commander, lieutenant Thompson, attempted to get up the river, '-nder the favour of a light breeze. His efforts were, however, constantly baffled, until his skilful 349 inaiMgMiMi roBt superior to tii* obstaclM by wbidiha was avrroundcd, and he succeeded in getting her near general Jacluon's positkm. After the destruction of th« Carolina, the enemy nMred upon this position, wUeh genera! Jackson had been incessantly strengtbenii^ with artillery, awl some reinforcing detaebnients. Sir Ed* ward Packenham had landed with the reserre of bis army, and superintended the present nAovement in person. At Ube distance of half a mile from the line of defence, sir Edward commenced bis attMk, on the morning of tbe 28Ui, by throwing bombs and rockets, openiag ft heavy and continual cannonade, graiNially advanciiM upon the position, and hoping to compel general Jaek* ton to retire to die city. The Louisiana diseharged her broadsides obliquely upon, and caused great destruction in the enemy's column ; the fire from general Jacksnn's batteries was directed with scarcely less eftect ; and after a violent struggle of seven hours to dislodge them, the enemy was forcibly repulsed, and withdrew beyond the reach of immediate annoyance. Having still further enlarged his forces by new detach* ments of soldiers, sailors and marines, and finding that he had not yet made any impression upon the unfinished breastworks, sir Edward Packenham 'ost no time in the construction of batteries, and tbe planting of heavy pieces of cannon. On the 1st of January, 1816, he opened from his whole line, a cannonade of more vigour if possi- ble than that of the 28th. It was immediately returned by the American line, the works composing which were now ncariy completed. The British general forwarded some of his heaviest pieces in advance of his main body and attempted, without success, to flank the works! With the close of the day the cannonade ceased, and the enemy fell back to his encampment. Before the 8th of the month, general Jackson had eight distinct batteries constructed, mounting twelve guns of different caKbre : his line extended from the left bank of the Mississippi upwards of a niile, and was defended by 3,300 infantry and artillerists. Eariy off tbe morning of the 8th, sir Edward Packenham having been reinforef^d by his fusile-jrs, and the 4ad infantry, which augmented his strength to 12,0§0 regulars, and 2,000 seamen, ao- proached the line in two divisions, under m^ors genetS ■^ i ■'* Oiblu! find Keane, the former of whom was to make the iirincipal attack, and a reserve composed of the let bri- gade, under mayor general Lambert. The columns of ge- nemls Oibbsand Keanewere supplied with scaling ladders and fascines, and were to assault the lineB immediately in front, 600 yards from which they had thrown up a bat- tery of six 1 B-pounders. On the right bank of the river, colonel Thornton was ordered to attack general Morgan s battery with the 86th infantry, 200 sailors, 400 mannes, Uie 6th West India regiment, and four pieces of artdlery. At the break of day the signal for the assault was given, the British columns advanced with rapidity, until a dis- charge of cannon nnd musn'ietry from the «th, 7tii and 8th batteries was opened upon them, and sweeping them from right to left, compelled them to recoil in confusion. The most active efforts were immediately made by the officers to raMy the troops, and bring them up to a second attempt • in this act, sir Edward Packenham was killed ; and though crenerals Gibbs and Keane succeeded in push- ing their divTsions forward, the second effort was no more fortunate thnn the first. The attack was received with excessive coolness by the inferior body of Americans, and the British columns broke in the same confusion as before, but retired with more precipitation. Generals Gibbs and Keane were both severely wounded, the first mortally ; and the only general officer left upon the field was major general Lambert, who came up with the re^ serve, and vainly endeavoured to check the flight of the attacking columns. He therefore retired to the original position of the British army, and after a consultation with admiral Cochrane, determined upon returning to the shipping, with as much order and celerity as possible. —But before the embarkation could commence, the fate of colonel Thornton was to be known, and his division collected on the left bank of the river. When the attack upon the main works was commen- ced, that officer assailed, with great impetuosity, the twelve gun battery of general Morgan. The American right flank retired before him, and his whole attention being turned towards the left, a sharp and animated contest followed.—But, being deserted by more than half their line, and far outnumbered by their enemy, the troops ot # J- Uiat 0afNk ftffiketl their g»ii8|. aiMl left the battery in pos- WBMon of the asHHiiantSk 'J'he succees vvhicli attended tlie assault oC col. Thorn- ton, who was Huvereiy wounded, did not however afail the Britkh arms^Their disaster on the opposite side of the rir«r, made it necessary for this division also to re- tire ; and in obedience to the orders of general Lamhert, colonel Gubbins, on whom the command of Thornton's division had devolved, recrosaed the river, and fell back upon the main body, and before the 18tb of January, the vrhote army evacuated the shore. On the Allowing day, the 9th, adhiiral Cochrane di- rected two bomb vessels, on#i sloop of war, a brigand a schooner, to station tbemselvea before fort St. Philip, with a view to its bombardment and destruction. On that day they commenced an attack, and continued throwing shells inV the fort, until the 17th in the evening, when the (^mmandaut, major Overton, opened a heavy mortar (not until then in readiness,) and threw the line of ships Into such disorder, that, on the morning of the 18th, they retired to the anchorage of the fleet. The expedition, which had ^ been thus extensivrfy planned in Enj/Iand, and for the fitting out of which an im- mense treasure liad been exhausted, was thus resisted, and entirely destroyed, by the valour and perseverance of a small army, principally made up of volunteers and mili- tia, and commanded by a general, whose military career, though brilliant, and almost unparalleled, was commen- ced but two years before. The slaughter which attended this repulse of the invading army, w^s, on their side ne- ver surpassed at any other battle. Besides theii^ generals find other officers of high rank, the British lost, in killed, wounded and missing, about 4,000 men.- The Ameri- can, killed, wounded and missing, did not exceed 600. The British fleet, however, continued in the neighbor- hood, and on the 10th of February, general Lambert having landed near fort Bowyer, with a large body of his troops, demanded of lieutenant colonel Lawrence the surrender of the garrison. In tts rear an extensive and heavy battery had been planted, and the powerful force by whicli it was surrounded, made it expedient that the fort should capitulate on honourable terms, or that the Hh % 362 gairison should submit to the sword. Colonel Lawrence chose that line of conduct which propriety and humanitjr digitated, and the enemy took possession of the fort. On the same day, the British sloop of war Bnzen ar- riTed ^ff the station, with intelligence that a treaty of peace had b«ftn concluded upon between the Ataerienn and British ambassadors at Ghent, which had met the approbation of the prince regeni; of England. Not long alter, generalJackson was apprized, by the secretary of war, of the ratification of the treaty by the president and senate, and all hostilities immediately ceased. A regu- lacnand mutual exchange of prisoners was entered upon, and the volunteers and militia were hoiio!Tably .dis- charged, and sent to their homes, with the gratitude and applause of their aountry. ■4k' iivr«nee umuutsr ►rt. 'iuzen ar- •eaty of taierioftn met the ^ot long Btary of lent and A regu- id upon, bly .dis- ude and ""^Pi^^. ' -%- m\ 4 (iuniridf ii- * JAMKS BIBBLE W^Q^. Hi ^MBism '^ i 'Aw ,i#;;/i;%i\°the hornet's ^^^^^^ deck, with the loss of her foremast and ^wspnt. Her clmander then called out that he had Burrendered. ThXh he was not distinctly understood, captain Biddle ordered his marines to cease firing, and deman*led of Ihe Penguin whether she had struck. An officer of the Hornet discovered a man taking aim at caP^» B»ff^ ffter the surrender, and called to him to avoid he fire.-^ He had scarcely done so, when a ™»f «* ^*"j^*J"^^^^^ captain in the neck, severely ^0"?^«^.^>^;„^^Z*^'aS through his coat collar. Two marines, ^ ^^^m the mwa was pointed out, who had discharged his piec^ea^^^^^ commander, immediately fired at and killed him before he brought t from his shoulder. The Pengum just then, aot clear of the Hornet, and the latter wore round to give Z enemy a fresh broadside, when her commander caUed outi a second time that he had surrendered. The sever J exercise of authority became ««f^fj;y» ^^^rfit the Hornet's crew, who were incensed at the enemy snr lUg Tfter he had struck, from discharging the broadside. Twenty-two minutes after the commencement of the ac UoTBhe was taken possession of by Mr. Mjyo f tiie Hoiiiet. The Penguin was so much injured, that cap- "rB ddle determined upon taking out her crew and scuttUng her-^fter doing which, he sent his prisoners to St Sdorin the Tom Bowline, by which vessel and The Peacock he was joined on the 25th of he month. In thfs action, the Penguin lost 14 men killed, and 28 wounded ; the Hornet, 1 killed, and 11 wounded: among the latter, her first lieutenant, Conner, dangerously. Having bent a new suit of sails, and repaired his ng- ginTcaptain Biddle was in a perfect condition to prose, cute the^rulse, and, together with ^he Peacock, after wating the full time for commodore Decatur at he island of Triftan d'Acunha, sailed on the 12th of Aprd for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 27th, Jhey discovered a British ship of the line, with an admiral s flag. Th^ ^ea cock and Hornet immediately separated, and made a sail in different directions from the stranger, who came up in pursuit of the latter. The chase commemed at about 2 o^clock, of the 27th, and continued until 10 in the morn- ing of the 30A, during which time the enemy s bow gun. 359 id spuiker >t's quarter iprit. Her irrendered. tain Biddle manded of Beer of the ain Biddle, i the fire.— 1 struck the and passed Dm the man ece at their him before lin just then« ound to give ander called The sever- , to prevent enemy's fir- e broadside, at of the ac- layo, of the ;d, that cap- ;r crew and prisoners to h vessel and 5 month. In led, and 28 ided: among jrously. aired his rig- tion to prose- eacock, after ', at the island April for the discovered a ,g. The Pea- and made all who came up (need at about Ointhemorn- iy*6 bow gun^ were continually fired— his vessel frcq uen I ly gained upon, ana was as often dropped by the Hornet; and cajitaiu iJHldle, after throwing overboard every heavy article at hand, and all his guns but^one, at length effected his es- cape, and went to St. Salvador for the purpose of refit- ting. On his arrival tliere, he gained intelligence of the conclusion of hostilities between the two nations, and soon after sailing thence, returned to the United States about the latter end of July, and was promoted to the rank of post captain. The capture of the Cyane, the Levant, and the Pen- gum, took place before the expiration of the time limited by the 2d article of the«treaty of peace, to constitute their legality, and the only one of them which got into port, the Cyane, was taken into the service of the United States. Thus terminated a war of two years and eight months, m which the naval arms of the United States, were fif- teen, and those of Great Britain four times, triumphant} - and during which the former lost three frigates, seven sloops, and live smaller vessels, of war; whilst the lat- u! I ^' ^^® frigates, nineteen sloops of war, one of which was blown up by a land battery, several gun-b-igs and schooners, two brigs cut out from under the guns of a fort, and upwards of fifteen hundred merchantmen, captured by private armed vessels. The operations of the American armies, were, at the commencement of the war, not quite so successful :— Defeat, disgrace and disaster, in many instances, followed their movements ; but, the struggle was eventually closed by a succession ot achievements, which reflected the highest degree of lustre upon the American name, and ranked the United btates among the first and most independent nations of the earth. FINIS. Dir !i!-' Fori Cap Con Saci Fori Coli Con Gen Gen Bali Cap Directions to the Binder Jor placing tfu) FlalUf in Sketches qf the War, Fort Eriej to face Title page. » Captain Hull, opposite page 27, and facing Chap. U. Commodore Decatur, opposite page 83, and facing Chap- Sackett*s Harbour, opposite page 134. Fort Stephenson, Bi Sandusky^ opposite page 165. Colonel Croghan, opposite page I6d. Commodore Perrj^, opposite page 162. General Brown, opposite page 273. General Scott, opposite page 277. Battle of Niagara, opposite page 291 . Captain Biddle, opposite page 363, and facing Chapter